By Array on Jan 20, 2018 09:30 pm
There have been many amazing consoles that defined gaming generations throughout history. With classic systems such as the Super Nintendo and the PlayStation 2, choosing a favorite console is like forcing a parent to choose a favorite kid. It's a tough choice, but we put ourselves through that trouble here at GameSpot, and here are some of our individual picks for favorite gaming console. While the editors in this gallery were allowed to choose the same system, there was surprisingly not much overlap. Find out what we chose in the following gallery. Table of Contents For a retrospective on all the major consoles, make sure to check out our evolution of console stories. - The Evolution Of Nintendo Consoles - The Evolution Of Xbox Consoles - The Evolution Of PlayStation Consoles
Technology Editor Jimmy Thang's Pick: Nintendo 64
While the Nintendo 64 might be my favorite console, I'll admit from an objective standpoint that it's certainly not the best console ever made. It had some serious flaws. For instance, it was held back by its cartridge format, which offered little storage compared to the burgeoning CD format at the time. It also didn't have the deepest game library or sell particularly well either. Still, with its built-in four controller support (a novel feature at the time) coupled with some larger than life games, it was the perfect console to guide me through my adolescent years. Even though the N64 had a very dry launch, Super Mario 64 became an eye-opening experience for me. Up until then, my only reference for 3D games were sprite-based shooters like Doom and Doom II. Transitioning to Super Mario 64 rocked my world. It convinced me that 3D polygonal-based games were here to stay. That might sound weird to say in retrospect, but you have to understand that up until the mid 90s, the overwhelming majority of games were 2D. I still remember hearing many critics deride 3D gaming as a fad. That notion got further obliterated when Nintendo released 3D action RPG The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is one of the best games ever made. But what really made the N64 special for me was its amazing assortment of four-player games. I was in junior high at the time the console came out, and made many friends by inviting them over to my place after school to play Goldeneye 007. The console also released my favorite version of Mario Kart; the battle mode totally rules! In addition, the N64 introduced other amazing party franchises like Smash Bros and Mario Party. When I think back to those times after school, I can easily say they are among my fondest gaming memories.
Senior Editor Peter Brown's Pick: Sony PlayStation
I'll be honest: with greats options like Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn, and hell, even Nintendo Switch in mind, picking my favorite console of all time is next to impossible. But if I imagine being stranded on a deserted island and I was only allowed to bring a single console with me, it would have to be the original PlayStation. The sole reason: Final Fantasy Tactics. It's my favorite game of all time, with fantastic art, music, and a tragic story that feels ripped from the pages of Game of Thrones. It's also endlessly replayable thanks to the expansive and often broken job class system. Of course, it's not the only game that's helped sway my decision, as other RPGs like Xenogears, Breath of Fire 3, and Final Fantasy VII (that's right, I love this game and so should you) vie for my attention still to this day. Otherwise the PlayStation is home to dozens of other games that I love despite that many of them fall into that awkward chasm of the '90s, when developers had to shy away from 2D graphics and try to figure out what 3D gaming should be. PlayStation was a massive success and thus became the home for nearly every genre and series under the sun, minus exclusives belonging to Sega and Nintendo. They weren't always elegant, but PlayStation games hold a special place in my heart.
Associate Editor Michael Higham's Pick: Super Nintendo
For everything I know and love about video games, I have the SNES to thank. At first, the console was just a hand-me-down from my brother in the mid '90s during the transition into the 3D era. But for me, it was an opportunity to experiment and find my way through a generation of games that I was almost too young to appreciate. Above all else, I became wildly fascinated with the systems, music, and stories of RPGs that often top 'greatest of all time' lists today. My memories of elementary school are embedded with multiple playthroughs of Super Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy III (VI); three games I still hold to high regard to this day. Granted, I didn't understand every little detail at the time, but thinking back to that age, I have to give credit to these games for developing my own critical thinking, problem solving, and reading comprehension. What's just as important is that my expectations for what games could be and what I sought out in them were formed by these 30+ hour adventures that stretched my imagination. Even when I try to take off the rose-tinted glasses, it's easy to look at those games and list off all the things that make them timeless. Having an SNES Classic truly solidified this sentiment; I legitimately wanted to play the entirety of many games in its library, like Super Metroid, Earthbound, and Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past. The foundation for many of the best SNES games is still strong, and I continue see their influence in my favorite games in the modern era.
News Editor Chris Pereira's Pick: Nintendo Switch
Picking a console that's not even a year old reeks of recency bias, and yet for all the fond memories I have of playing online games on Xbox or quirky titles on Dreamcast, I keep coming back to Nintendo Switch as my favorite system. Although cross-buy and cross-save with PS4 and Vita offered a taste, Switch has fully realized a vision that deeply appeals to me. The ability to seamlessly move from my big-screen TV to the bedroom or bathroom, or to easily pick up my progress wherever I am, has been a revelation. Buying a game for Switch feels like a bargain every time, as it's almost like getting two copies for the price of one. Being able to continue late-night sessions of a game (particularly RPGs) while curled up in bed has been an utter delight. The sheer convenience is so appealing that I find myself sincerely disappointed every time a game is announced or released without a Switch version. Even as someone with a nice TV and a deep appreciation for the type of technical marvels possible on Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, I'm constantly wishing that I could easily wander off into another room and continue playing. And despite its relative youth, Switch already boasts an incredible lineup of games. Whether it's original titles, remastered versions of existing games, or simple ports, I've found there's far more to play on Switch alone than I have time for. And even those mere ports often feel like enhanced versions, because the ability to play Skyrim, for instance, in short bursts is a transformative experience. I don't know where the system will go in the years ahead, but based on the increasingly large number of games confirmed as coming to Switch, I suspect I'll be loving mine for a long, long time.
Senior Video Producer Edmond Tran's Pick: Nintendo DS
How are you liking your Nintendo Switch? Boy, it sure is a great, portable console, and it really seems like Nintendo is at peak, innovative form. NO. The Switch is nothing compared to the insane s*** that was the Nintendo DS. Before the Nintendo DS, we thought of video game consoles as buttons and a screen. Then: BOOM. Nintendo, under the leadership of then-new president Satoru Iwata announces a portable console with TWO SCREENS. Do you realise how absolutely BONKERS of a concept that was 13 years ago? TWO. SCREENS. One of which was a goddamn TOUCH SCREEN. TOUCH. You touch the screen! This was years before the iPhone was even a tangible idea for Apple. And the games catalog—good lord. The Nintendo DS hardware was the harbinger of some of the most unique, fully realised game concepts to date, as well as the the portable home of beloved classics. I'm talking the pinnacle of the Japanese-style rhythm-action genre with the Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan games, Elite Beat Agents, and Rhythm Heaven. I'm talking about mind-blowing visual novel adventures like the Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, and 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, which kicked off the Zero Escape series. I'm talking about some of the best puzzle games that have ever graced any video game console: Meteos and Picross 3D I'm talking crazy shit like Trauma Center: Under the Knife, where you performed surgical operations with a stylus, and Hotel Dusk: Room 215, a stylish-as-hell detective adventure where you hold the DS sideways like a book to take notes and solve puzzles I'm talking about amazing JRPGs like The World Ends With You, Final Fantasy III and IV remakes, and the best versions of two of the best JRPGs of all time: Dragon Quest V and Chrono Trigger. Animal Crossing: Wild World. Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training, sure why not. Holy mackerel I have to stop because I'm already over my word limit. The best thing is that all these games have aged pretty damn well, and everything is backwards-compatible with the 3DS. So stock up on some of these classics, and revel in the majesty of Nintendo at its best. Thanks, Iwata.
Managing Editor Justin Haywald's Pick: Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo makes the best handheld consoles. While they're almost never the most technologically impressive, every generation outperforms its competition by providing the best gaming experiences that aren't just console ports--they're games made to be played on-the-go. And the DS line marked the demarcation when Nintendo shifted to marketing not just to kids (and the young-at-heart), but to all ages. The DS felt revolutionary in its time, but what makes the DS Lite redesign, specifically, my favorite of console was how it made how it combined sleek design with a battery that seemed to last for months. No joke, I remember finding my DS Lite in a box once after a move and after it hadn't been plugged in for months, it still came to life with a nearly full battery. And the modern design looked less like a toy and more like a piece of technology you'd want to show off. The DS Lite maintained backwards compatibility with the GBA line, which provided the system with an established, far-reaching library in the days before digital downloads. And many of my favorite games of all time--like Elite Beat Agents and Picross 3D--were DS-exclusives that have never been released for another console. Digital libraries and portability make the Nintendo Switch a close second-place for me, but it remains to be seen how Nintendo will handle its own massive back catalog of games. So for now, the Nintendo DS stands above as my favorite system of all time.
Associate Editor Matt Espineli's Pick: Sony PlayStation 2
What's there to say about PS2 that hasn't already been said? Sony's successor to its highly successful console gaming debut turned heads when it released in 2000, and for good reason. Over its lifespan, it was home to an expansive library of high-quality games across an abundance of genres. Platformer franchises like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, and Sly Cooper were some of the best on the console. If you were a fan of action games, the PS2 was the birthplace of fan-favorites Devil May Cry and God of War, which each revolutionized the genre in unexpected ways. More importantly, open-world games like Grand Theft Auto 3 and action-adventure games like Shadow of the Colossus redefined the scope and scale of what games could pursue. In addition, there were a slew of 50+ hour JRPGs to sink your teeth into. The PS2 was the main console I used when I was starting to get more into gaming. I spent hard-earned allowances on many of the games I mentioned above, but my most cherished memory of the console comes from my time spent playing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, my favorite PS2 game and the first Metal Gear game I was allowed to purchase with my own money (my middle brother restricted me from owning past Metal Gear games because it was his supposed royal right as an elder sibling). Sony's second console embodies an innocent era in my life where all I did aside from schoolwork was spend time passionately researching and playing games. To this day, I still collect and play PS2 games--despite having to deal with its dated resolution on modern HDTVs. While some of its library hasn't aged particularly well, what it represents to me personally immortalizes it as one of my favorite consoles of all time.
By Dan Auty on Jan 20, 2018 05:51 am
Netflix has been moving slowly into the world of anime over the past couple of years, with US/Japanese co-productions such as Neo Yokio already available and an impressive slate of shows on the way. Devilman Crybaby is the first out of the gate in 2018, and it's the real deal. It's a new adaptation of Go Nagai's classic '70s manga and subsequent anime series Devilman, about a teenager who becomes possessed and transformed into an avenging demon with a pure human heart. Devilman Crybaby takes this basic storyline but brings it right up to date, embracing the age of social media and web journalism. It's directed by modern anime master Masaaki Yuasa, and is packed with some of the most extreme content ever to hit Netflix. It's provocative and explicit, a sometimes funny but often disturbing collision of sex, gore, and demonic madness. All ten episodes are now available, so here's a look at the most jaw-dropping moments from the series. Warning--spoilers and shocking content ahead!
1. Disco massacre (Episode 1)
After a relatively quiet start, the first episode kicks into high gear towards the end with the sudden transformation of partying teens into demons at a rave. Ryo has taken Akira there with the intention of getting the demon Amon to possess him, and all hell breaks loose. Cue talons, teeth, tentacles, and oozing appendages bursting forth from every orifice as the demons lay wild, gory waste to the crowd of terrified clubbers.
2. Devilman is born! (Episode 1)
Ryo's hope that Amon will possess Akira doesn't quite go as planned. The demon attempts to devour Akira, but he fights back, his pure heart and soul overcoming the demon's evil. And so Devilman is born--and in truly spectacular style, he tears the other demons apart and saves Ryo.
3. Miko has fun (Episode 2)
Devilman has always mixed sex and gore in pretty outrageous ways, and this latest version is no different. There's no nudity in this scene, but it does feature shy schoolgirl Miko pleasuring herself while thinking about hunky Akira. But it's not so much what she does (this is adult anime after all), but the noises she makes. And that's before she gets possessed by a demon!
4. Dinner time (Episode 2)
Sleazy online journalist Nagasaki is out at night, trying to get some crime on camera, when he encounters a trio of demons about to dine on an unfortunate victim. They really make a mess of the poor guy.
5. Silene has fun (Episode 3)
Silene is the demonic lover of Amon, the demon who resides with Akira. She misses her former partner and in Episode 3 enjoys an intimate moment while thinking about him. Only in her case, it results in sprouting wings and talons.
6. Exploding demon head (Episode 3)
The demons attempt to kill Akira by possessing Miki's body, distracting him while another sneaks up behind him. Luckily for Akira, Ryo is there to protect him, and blasts the creature's head into yellow gloop.
7. Torn in half (Episode 3)
Devilman deals with the demon inside Miki by sucking the beast out of her, then expelling him from his own body as steam. The confrontation then ends as Akira tears the demon in two.
8. Airport massacre (Episode 4)
Episode 4 introduces us to Akira's parents. Unfortunately it turns out that his dad is a demon too and within seconds of meeting him on a crowded airport bus, he transforms and proceeds to massacre the other unfortunate passengers.
9. Death masks (Episode 4)
Akira goes to see his parents for the first time in years, but he's too late for a happy family reunion. His demonic dad has already killed his mom, who now exists as a disembodied "death mask", floating alongside those of other victims on pop's monstrous body.
10. Silene gets her "man" (Episode 5)
Silene seduces Akira, knowing that her lover Amon exists somewhere inside him. Their union is as wild, gory, brutal, and demented as you'd expect, and ends with Silene merging with her ally Kaim (who is also in love with her) in a failed attempt kill Akira after he rejects her.
11. Koda's transformation (Episode 6)
This episode opens with the reveal that high school athlete Koda is also a demon in typically outrageous style. Halfway through sex with another man, he transforms into a hideous creature and slaughters his lover.
12. Track massacre (Episode 6)
High school athletics play a big part in Devilman Crybaby, so it's no surprise that we eventually get a demonic track massacre. Koda changes into a rampaging demon bull and begins a bloody rampage through the stadium.
13. Dog for dinner (Episode 7)
Miki's mom discovers that her young son Taro is a demon in the most gruesome way possible--she catches him snacking on the beloved family pet.
14. Bang! Splat! (Episode 8)
Mr Makimura (Miki's dad) is searching for his family on the deserted streets of the demon-infested city. He encounters an old man, who draws his gun on Mr Makimura, before he himself has his face blown to pieces by another gunman.
15. Taro-ble! (Episode 8)
Mr Makimura finds young Taro, but unfortunately he has already transformed and is getting up to some very unpleasant business. Bad Taro!
16. Streets of blood (Episode 9)
As mass hysteria grips the world, anyone suspected of being demon is hunted down by crazed gangs. The last we see of various key characters are their various dismembered body parts held aloft by a jeering mob.
17. Spray anything (Episode 10)
The final episode is packed with spectacular psychedelic demon action, as Akira and Ryo battle for the future of humanity. One of the more bizarre sights during the lengthy final montage is a captured Devilman being tortured and spraying acid from every orifice.
By Array on Jan 20, 2018 04:38 am
With the inaugural season of Overwatch League getting underway, Blizzard has released a new update for Overwatch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Among a variety of other things, it adds a huge number of skins to the game--312, to be precise. Each of the game's 26 characters receives 12 new skins, each themed around one of the dozen teams participating in Overwatch League's first season. Unlike typical skins, you won't be grinding loot boxes in order to get your hands on these. Instead, they're sold with a newly introduced currency, League Tokens. Skins are sold individually for 100 Tokens. You'll receive 100 for free just by logging in before February 13, but past that point, you'll need to pay up. Doing so isn't cheap: 100 Tokens cost $5, although higher-priced bundles (ranging up to $100 for 2,600) will bring down the dollar-to-Token ratio. Still, amassing a complete set will run you in the neighborhood of $1,200. In the event that seems unreasonable to you, we've amassed a collection of screenshots showcasing all of the new skins. You can see all of these in the gallery above. Overwatch League Season 1's first matches began on January 10. The competition will go on for six months, with champions being named later this year. For much more on what to expect, check out our rundown on how to watch Overwatch League, a roundup of all the Overwatch League teams and rosters, and a recap of everything you need to know.
By Array on Jan 20, 2018 04:23 am
It's been a long wait, but the new Faction Rally event is now live in Destiny 2. This is particularly significant because it marks the first Faction Rally since Curse of Osiris's release in December, which kicked off Season 2 of the game. Because a new season is underway, there are a variety of new items, along with the existing gear, for players to now get their hands on. Following the release of a new update, this Faction Rally is open to all players. However, certain new gear additions--including armor ornaments and some shaders, ghosts, sparrows, and ships--do require Curse of Osiris. If you don't have the DLC expansion, you can still participate, but you won't be able to use the new gear, all of which you can see in the gallery above. The event runs from now until the weekly reset on January 23. Faction Rallies see players pledge their allegiance to one of three Factions: Dead Orbit, New Monarchy, or Future War Cult. By participating in the game's usual activities, you'll earn Faction Tokens, which can then be turned in for a rewards package (much like with the vendors you find in each of the game's locations). Those packages include exclusive, faction-specific armor, weapons, and shaders, but the armor ornaments are obtained differently. The ornament piece for each armor slot is obtained by fulfilling a specific objective, such as claiming five Faction rewards, securing a certain number of melee or grenade kills, participating in Lost Sectors or Public Events, and completing the Nightfall. Rewards packages also serve another purpose: the Faction that collects the most during the week is deemed the winner. Aside from bragging rights, winning the event offers one other perk: The winning Faction will sell its unique Powerful weapon during Victory Week, which takes place during the week after the Faction Rally ends. Members of the Faction will be able to purchase the gun for 1,000 Glimmer, while those who pledged to others will have to pony up 50,000 to get their hands on it. Unlike previous Faction Rallies, all three groups are offering the same class of weapon, an auto rifle, though each Faction has its own distinct one that will potentially be sold. One other thing to be aware of is that not all of Season 2's new Faction weapons are available. In fact, none of them can be obtained through Faction Engrams currently, as they'll instead be rolled out through Victory Week and subsequent Faction Rallies.
By Matt Espineli on Jan 20, 2018 03:40 am
This Year's Exclusives.exe
With so many great-looking games on the way, we've compiled a list of all the exclusive titles coming to PC this year to help you keep track. Make sure to check back often, as we'll continue to update our entries with specific dates and info when new announcements are made. If you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, Switch exclusives, and Xbox One exclusives. Thanks to all the independent developers set to launch their projects, PC platforms like Steam and GOG are set to receive hundreds of exclusive games this year. Since rounding them up would prove unwieldy, we've narrowed the field down to this list of some of the most high-profile exclusives. There's also a wealth of exciting games coming out in 2018 that aren't necessarily exclusive to one platform or another, so be sure to check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games for a broader look at the year ahead.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the iconic history-based real-time strategy game from 1997. Developer: Forgotten Empires | Release Date: February 20
Long Gone Days
Long Gone Days is a 2D RPG that follows the adventures of Rourke, a soldier who decides to abandon his post, which leads him on a journey where he'll collaborate with allies from different parts of the world to overcome the peril of an inescapable war. While a traditional RPG at its core, the game also features elements from visual novels, puzzlers, and shooters. Developer: BURA | Release Date: March 2018 (Early Access)
Agony
Agony is a first-person horror game that forces you to survive the depths of Hell. Developer: Madmind Studio | Release Date: March 30
Chuchel
Chuchel is a puzzle game developed by Jaromir Plachy & Amanita Design, the creators of Botanicula, Machinarium, and Samorost. Developer: Amanita Design | Release Date: Early 2018
Griftlands
Griftlands is the latest game by developer Klei Entertainment, the studio behind Don't Starve and Mark of the Ninja. Unlike its previous efforts, Griftlands is an action-RPG that emphasizes player choice and charting your own journey through an in-depth negotiation system. Developer: Klei Entertainment | Release Date: Early 2018
Dauntless
Dauntless is a free-to-play action-RPG that plays similarly to Capcom's popular Monster Hunter series. It takes place in a world where a cataclysmic event has torn the world apart, releasing monster-like Behemoths that prey on the surviving humans. You play as a Slayer, a special warrior tasked with taking down the Behemoths. Developer: Phoenix Labs | Release Date: Q1-Q2 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms takes developer Creative Assembly's long-running real-time strategy series to the turbulent Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. Developer: Creative Assembly | Release Date: Fall 2018
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is the first numbered mainline entry in the once popular mech-sim series to be released in nearly 16 years. In keeping with MechWarrior tradition, you customize and pilot your own personal BattleMech across a new conflict set within the universe of the popular BattleTech franchise. Developer: Piranha Games | Release Date: December 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Anno 1800
Anno 1800 is the latest entry in the long-running real-time strategy Anno series. It takes the series back to the past, allowing you to build and manage metropolises during the industrial revolution. Developer: Ubisoft Blue Byte | Release Date: Winter 2018
Aquanox: Deep Descent
Aquanox: Deep Descent is a first-person shooter where you control a submarine through undersea caverns in the dystopian world of Aqua. Developer: Digital Arrow | Release Date: TBA 2018
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity II is the successor to the critically acclaimed 2015 original. It features an expansive multiclassing system, which allows players to build unique characters that tie both into personal playstyles and stories. It also gives you access to a ship that you can sail across the game's world and continually upgrade to better survive perilous encounters. Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Quake Champions
Quake Champions revives the classic Quake style of arena shooter gameplay but with a new character/class system. While not a major factor, these characters do feature their own distinct movement speeds, health pools, and a special ability. Developer: id Software | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia is the latest spin-off game in the popular Total War franchise. In contrast to the mainline games, Thrones of Britannia is a turn-based strategy game that takes place in the aftermath of the Viking invasion of Britain. Developer: Creative Assembly | Release Date: TBA 2018
Underworld Ascendant
Underworld Ascendant is an action-RPG made by developers that worked on the Ultima Underworld series. Like those games, it focuses on player choice while taking you on a journey across a fantasy realm packed with danger and intrigue. Developer: Otherside Entertainment | Release Date: TBA 2018
Xenonauts 2
Xenonauts 2 is a strategy game where you command a multinational organization defending Cold War-era Earth from an alien invasion. Developer: Goldhawk Interactive | Release Date: TBA 2018
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