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Over the past few years, Netflix has ramped up its stand-up comedy programming by adding hundreds of specials to its streaming platform. Finally, the laughter void is once again being filled on the small screen--step aside HBO and Comedy Central--and with Netflix's comedy expansion, a plethora of amusing selections are now available for your viewing pleasure.
Stand-up comedy is an artform--and one that has worked best when original, personal, and unique voices take the stage. From clean-cut observational humor to envelope-pushing raunch, Netflix has a variety of options to help you decompress from life's stresses.
We've narrowed things down a bit, with a list of selections that are sure to get the laughs rolling. Here are 26 of the best stand-up comedy specials currently available on Netflix.
26. Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark
Many know Trevor Noah as the host who replaced Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. But before he became the face of Comedy Central's comedy news program, Noah made a name for himself in the stand-up comedy world. He brings his South African upbringing into his comedy for a fresh perspective. Born in Johannesburg, the comic regularly discusses his South African upbringing. While his job on The Daily Show has been to focus on celebrity interviews and the trending political topic of the day, his stage work is much more personal, and that's where the good stuff lies.
25. Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out
There's something weird about recording a comedy special weeks before Election Day, but that's exactly what Bill Burr did with Walk Your Way Out. Some comedians' work would probably be hurt in the long run depending on which way their political leanings go. That's not how Burr rolls, though. Sure, he does pit Hillary Clinton against Donald Trump with a few biting bits, but mostly Walk Your Way Out is Burr at his most selfish. Basically, he's like if Archie Bunker and Al Bundy had a ginger baby.
24. Jim Jeffries: Freedumb
While he's racked up a number of noteworthy projects over the past decade--his FX show Legit was quite underrated and his battle with Piers Morgan on Real Time with Bill Maher is something to behold--audiences mostly know Jim Jeffries for his viral rant on gun control. In Freedumb, the Australian comic goes all-in on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The special isn't all political; his insights on fatherhood and other challenges are delivered with the comic's signature bluntness, and the results are equally hilarious.
23. Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts and Prayers
Stand-up comedy is best when it's unsafe, and Anthony Jeselnik is the type of comic that regularly pushes the envelope. Sometimes the best way to work through a tragedy is to mock it, and Jeselnik has honed this art along with his quick-witted deadpan stage persona, bringing together a show that's equally as unsettling as it is thought provoking. As dangerous as his material can be, Jeselnik brings the audience on a journey that often ends up in a surprising place.
22. Jen Kirkman: Just Keep Livin'?
An outspoken feminist with a knack for spinning an elaborate yarn, Jen Kirkman is known for building a memorable narrative in her stage routine. Each story she tells gives the audience some hilariously nuanced insight into who she is, while also digging deeper into the cultural and political topics of the day. And about the title of the special: Sometimes people make unfortunate decisions and this one involves a tattoo on Kirkman's ankle that references Matthew McConaughey's pervy catchphrase from Dazed and Confused.
21. Mike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes
Imagine a world without humor. That would be an unfortunate place, and Mike Birbiglia's special, Thank God for Jokes, uses that notion as its jumping off point. His monologues are personal, picking apart his own discomfort and insecurities. But the special also uses the Charlie Hebdo shooting as its inspiration, shining a light on the ongoing importance of jokes in the face of terror.
20. Todd Glass: Act Happy
Todd Glass does his best to remain positive and upbeat throughout Act Happy, which completely explains the title of his newest comedy special. He comes to the stage armed with a back-up band and brings an unexpected energy with him. He utilizes his visibility within both the gay and comedy communities to smash caricatures to pieces. Glass explores his own life challenges of coming out of the closet--err, we mean "busting out of the shed"--to surviving a heart attack. Comedy comes from pain, you guys.
19. David Cross: Making America Great Again
From the title, it's obvious where David Cross's politics lie. And even though Making America Great Again was filmed before the 2016 presidential election, the material in the comic's act is still as relevant as ever. In case you're suffering from Trump fatigue, here's a warning: Cross sets much of his sights on the Donald during his time on stage. For those who only know Cross from his work as Tobias Funke on Arrested Development, you're in for a surprise. It's worth noting that this special isn't a Mr. Show sketch, either. His stage presence is intense, his material is insightful, and his delivery is equal parts scathing and sardonic.
18. Norm MacDonald: Hitler's Dog, Gossip and Trickery
Norm MacDonald brings his deadpan brilliance to Netflix with Hitler's Dog, Gossip and Trickery. And while he does actually take on the topic of Hitler's dog, the majority of the special resides in the realm of "gossip and trickery." There's a sense that the audience never fully gets a grasp on which Norm is the real Norm, and that's all a part of his plan. He never quite lets go of his signature cynicism, but in the process, the SNL alum hits his fans with comic insights that are both absurd and poignant. Which Norm is the real Norm? In the end, it doesn't really matter.
17. Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is one of Netflix's biggest comedy gets. Two decades after Seinfeld deconstructed TV's sitcom format, the comedian did the same thing on the streaming giant. Instead of simply standing on stage delivering his observational humor to the masses, Jerry's first special blends stand-up comedy with an autobiographical tale of his life. What transpires is an insightful one-man show that peels back the curtain on the famous jokester's upbringing and introduction to the comedy world, while he workshops new material on stage. The end result gives the audience a wonderful peek into how Seinfeld became Seinfeld.
16. Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado
He's had recurring roles in shows like 30 Rock and Broad City, but most people know Hannibal Buress as the guy who brought the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby into the spotlight. Not only did that media attention start Cosby's downfall, it gave Buress some unexpected fame. It goes without saying that the majority of the material in Comedy Camisado touches on this newfound celebrity--it is a bit odd for a comedian to become famous for taking down a comedy icon. It's a fact Hannibal is quite cognizant of. Aside from his takes on the mainstream media and his Cosby-inspired notoriety, Buress brings a plethora of jokes that pay off in the most unexpected places.
15. Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive
There are comebacks and then there are comebacks. Tracy Morgan not only got hit by a WalMart truck--he went into a coma, and survived. Through it all, the man known to many as 30 Rock's Tracy Jordan persevered and continued to find humor everywhere. He even jokes that God wouldn't let him die because he wasn't talented enough to mark his death as tragic. As dark as that sounds, his quip shows just how resilient and necessary comedy is.
14. Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
What makes Ali Wong's comedy special, Baby Cobra, even more unique is that she performs her signature brand of filth while seven-and-a-half months pregnant. Her comedy isn't for everyone, but Baby Cobra is important for the simple reason that Wong is pushing the envelope. In 2018, there are hardly any topics left that society deems off-limits. Motherhood (or pending motherhood) seems to be one of them. And in comedy, discomfort is where the good stuff lies.
13. Katt Williams: Great America
Is Katt Williams still "The King of Underground Comedy?" By the look of things, the answer is a resounding yes. It only takes ten minutes on stage for the man to break a sweat. From politics to racism to the glorious grit of Jacksonville, Florida (where he recorded this special), Williams keeps his audience on their toes as he jumps from topic to topic.
12. John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid
Mulaney's a comedian that was made for the stage. Many successful comics set themselves apart with specificity, and Mulaney is no different. Heck, his material spawned Mulaney, NBC's short-lived sitcom. Bouncing back from the series' cancellation, Comeback Kid finds the comic in his natural habitat--telling amusing stories inspired by his personal life. From musings on married life to the one time he met Bill Clinton in 1992, this special brings together every brilliant element that makes John Mulaney a star, and it does so brilliantly.
11. Donald Glover: Weirdo
Is there anything Donald Glover can't do? He's an accomplished musician, a multi-faceted actor, a comedy writer, and a show-creator--FX's Atlanta has won multiple awards for a reason. And aside from the awesome fact we'll be seeing Glover play a young Lando Calrissian later this year, the man has also proven himself to be a worthy stand-up comedian. The special shows why Glover was a standout in the SNL writers' room and in front of the camera on NBC's Community. Much like the early work of his rap alter-ego Childish Gambino, Weirdo is just that: weird--but delightfully so.
10. The Lucas Bros: On Drugs
There's something inexplicably comforting about watching The Lucas Brothers perform. Maybe it's their appreciation for a multitude of illicit substances. Maybe it's the fact that they're twin brothers--it is said that twins can communicate on a higher level than mere mortals. Whatever the case, it's damn near impossible to not laugh when listening to The Lucas Bros' take on life. Here, they touch on everything from Space Jam to O.J. Simpson puns. It may sound silly, but this special steadily delivers the goods.
9. Maria Bamford: Old Baby
Fans of Lady Dynamite take note: Maria Bamford's series may have been canceled after two seasons, but her erratic comedy lives on. Old Baby is her latest special and continues Bamford's mission to destigmatize mental illness. There's also a unique style to the special, which opens on Bamford performing to her reflection in a mirror, eventually evolving into a growing audience in front of her. The many characters she played on her show are in full force here as she explores her personal battles with romance, the entertainment industry, and therapy.
8. Bo Burnham: Make Happy
Simply put: Bo Burnham's a flippin' genius. Initially becoming famous in his teenage years on YouTube, the 27-year-old comic has made a reputation for putting on quite a show. It's energetic, bizarre, chaotic, and unexpected--and that doesn't even cover the comedian's musical talents. The quick pacing of Make Happy leaves the audience wanting more, even after an hour of Burnham's witty antics. As for the songs, some are works of melodic art, while others are mere conversation starters for bigger bits on society, relationships, hypocrisy of modern country music, and everything in between. It's a comedy show in a category all its own.
7. Marc Maron: Thinky Pain
Thinky Pain hit Netflix in 2013, a year after Marc Maron's IFC series--simply titled, Maron--hit the air. The comedian had already built a sturdy fanbase with his popular WTF! podcast, and Thinky Pain showcases a neurotic man reluctantly stepping into the spotlight. Since Thinky Pain hit Netflix, Maron has gone on to create another comedy special and star in the shows like GLOW and Easy. However, it's in Maron's nearly two-hour performance that we get the clearest idea of the man's struggles and neuroses. Much of this material made its way into is IFC series, but his self-deprecating stage act works best in front of a live audience.
6. Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King
Hasan Minhaj first gained attention as a correspondent on The Daily Show before bringing his cutting edge perspective to the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2017. With Homecoming King, Minhaj delivers a personal one-man show. Here, the comic takes a break from Donald Trump jokes to tell an autobiographical tale from Minhaj's Muslim upbringing to his trip to prom to his family's reaction to 9/11. It's equally hilarious and emotional and offers multiple teachable moments as a response to the ongoing issue of racism in America.
5. Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
In recent years, Sarah Silverman has moved away from shock value when it comes to her material. The sexual content is still there, but Silverman's work has matured. Maybe it's a reaction to Trump's America--her Hulu series, I Love You, America, regularly seeks common ground between the country's polarized ideologies--but in A Speck of Dust, Sarah's delivery is more conversational than in-your-face. That's not to say she's left her adventurous sensibilities behind. There's still plenty of blue humor within this hour-long special. But beyond that, it seems as if Silverman has recognized the power of comedy: Laughter brings people together. And thankfully, she's using her powers for good.
4. Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden
It's worth noting how impactful Aziz Ansari's fourth recorded stand-up show truly is. The comic, fresh off his work as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation, sold out Madison Square Garden with his 2015 special. Only a handful of comics before him were able to fill every seat in the building--George Carlin and Eddie Murphy are on that list. As grandiose as the locale is, though, Ansari uses the stage and his catchy rapport with the audience to deliver a show that's as intimate as it is hilarious. Aziz also directed the special, showcasing talents that are put to further use in his Emmy-winning series, Master of None.
3. Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin
In 2017, Dave Chappelle brought four stand-up comedy specials to Netflix. His first, The Age of Spin, is probably the best of the bunch. Let's be clear here: It's difficult really discerning which Chappelle is the best Chappelle. But his resurgence in the comedy world made a huge impact. That's not to say his return came without controversy. His jokes about the transgender community--followed by an insensitive reaction to one of Louis CK's victims in his later special, The Bird Revelation--has spawned a backlash, to be sure. That said, Chappelle's return brought a plethora of keen observations about the world around us at just the right time.
2. Patton Oswalt: Annihilation
After his wife, crime writer Michelle McNamara, unexpectedly passed away in April of 2016, Oswalt did his best to work through the pain. Not only did he have a daughter to raise, he had to continue working. They say laughter is the best medicine, and for some, performing on stage is the best form of therapy. Needless to say, Annihilation is a heartfelt exercise in grief. Oswalt's work is raw and emotional, showcasing a man recovering from tragedy. Yes, he discusses politics and Donald Trump. But instead of dragging things through the mud for too long, Oswalt makes it his mission to keep his special on track with his late wife's motto: "It's chaos out there, be kind."
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and in anticipation of the big game between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, we ran our own simulation between these two teams in Madden NFL 18. We set the stage for our own Super Bowl LII matchup taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota with full 15 minute quarters and updated rosters. In the video above, we cut down to the biggest plays and highlights for your viewing pleasure and call the plays from our booth.
Since we wanted to get a somewhat accurate prediction, we used current player rosters for both teams, so Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz had to sit this one out, just like in the real world. However, former Eagles starting QB Nick Foles has been able to use his experience to lead the team through the playoffs, but is now challenged against this strong Patriots defense. However, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense need to face the NFL's second-ranked defense in the Eagles, so this won't be a walk in the park for the five-time Super Bowl champion QB.
Clutch plays from both teams come up every quarter, from amazing catches to long rushes, but plenty of fumbles and big mistakes turn the tide at key moments of the game. We hope you enjoy our Super Bowl prediction video, called by GameSpot's own Nick Margherita and Michael Higham with our "sideline" reporter Rob Handlery. Go Pats? Fly Eagles Fly? Find out what happens in our Super Bowl simulation!
This isn't our only coverage of the biggest football game of the year; check out what could be the best Super Bowl commercial this year, or what trailers you could catch during the game.
Red Dead Redemption II's delay may be disheartening for those who have been eagerly awaiting the game's release. Now set to release at the end of October, Rockstar's latest epic possesses a special mystique because of how little we know. However, the minimal knowledge we have doesn't stop us from thinking about what it needs to do to surpass the original. Here are 11 things we want from Red Dead Redemption II.
There's also a wealth of other 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.
Better Shooting
With the exception of Max Payne 3, the shooting mechanics for many of Rockstar's games have typically lacked finesse, often feeling clunky and over-reliant on an auto-lock feature. We're hoping the studio has implemented a tighter control scheme this time around, making aiming, shooting, and moving more precise and smooth.
Better Quick-Draw Duels
While functional, quick-draw duels often felt too easy. Red Dead Redemption II should do a better job at capturing the tense, yet ultimately cathartic, sensation of a quick-draw duel. Whether it's through a mini-game that better emulates the drama of a quick-draw or a reflex-focused mechanic that demands more speed and precision, we're eager to see what Rockstar has in mind this time around.
Open-Ended Gameplay
The structure of previous Rockstar open-world games have often focused on linear missions that push you from one sequence to the next. However, we'd love to see missions lean towards being more open-ended, allowing you the flexibility to complete mission objectives in any order and the freedom to approach combat encounters either stealthily or with guns blazing.
More Clothing Options
The original Red Dead Redemption was fairly limited in its clothing selection, restricting you to preset outfits that you couldn't alter in any meaningful way. Rockstar has always dabbled in supplying players an ample selection of clothing to wear in the Grand Theft Auto series, so why not include it in Red Dead Redemption 2? It would be awesome to dress your character in the image of the most iconic film Western characters and aesthetic archetypes.
More Awesome Sound Design
One of the most stylish elements of Red Dead Redemption was how the music would dynamically adjust to the action. Hopefully, Rockstar has gone all out in tailoring Red Dead Redemption II's music to every action you make, expanding upon the framework of the original with even more layered, nuanced sound design. We'd love to hear subtle melodic whistles compliment every dramatic moment or shift in the action--similar to how a Sergio Leone score would often reprise melodies and sounds during specific narrative beats in the The Man With No Name trilogy.
Apply Lessons Learned From GTA Online To Multiplayer
The first Red Dead Redemption's multiplayer mode offered a fairly entertaining sandbox to explore, where you could take part in gang shootouts, bounty-hunting, and co-operative missions with friends. But with the success of Grand Theft Auto Online, the standards have changed. We want Rockstar to translate what made Grand Theft Auto Online so successful into Red Dead Redemption II's multiplayer. It's likely the game will feature some form of cooperative heists, but we're hoping you can participate in more quaint activities, like creating your own personal farm, or even building up a homestead where you can hang out with your friends.
Improved Sidequests
Red Dead Redemption 2 featured a wealth of memorable side-quests for John Marston to take part in. However with recent games like The Witcher III: Wild Hunt and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild taking side-quest design to new heights, the Western sequel will have to step things up. If Rockstar manages to apply everything it can learn from its critically acclaimed contemporaries, then we'll likely see surprises that make everyone's experience with the game unique in some way.
Multiple Playable Characters
Main protagonist Arthur Morgan doesn't work alone in Red Dead Redemption II. Rather, he's a member of the Van der Linde gang, which fans of the first game will recognize as John Marston's old crew. While past trailers have made it seem like Morgan will be the only character you can play as, we're hoping that you can play as other members of the gang, like Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, or even John Marston.
A Young John Marston
Our biggest wish is for a young John Marston to make an appearance. Seeing as the sequel is technically a prequel, we don't see any reason why John wouldn't be around in some form. It could be wishful thinking on our part, but we can't help wanting to witness John during his formative years as a member of the Van der Linde gang.
Cameos From Real-Life Outlaws
Depending on when the game takes place, it would be great to run into real-life outlaws who were still at large at the time. Can you imagine meeting notable outlaws, like the Sundance Kid, Cherokee Bill, or Zip Wyatt? While the inclusion of real-life historical figures would veer into Assassin's Creed-like territory, it would still be cool to learn more about some of history's most notorious criminals.
A Story As Good As The Best Film Westerns
We're hoping Red Dead Redemption II's story lives up up to both the legacy of its predecessor and the Western film genre as a whole. Westerns often explore difficult questions concerning morality, the subordination of nature in the name of civilization, and the effects of glamorizing a broken form of masculinity. We'd love to see Rockstar better capitalize on these themes in Red Dead Redemption II, while also pushing the boundaries of the genre, potentially even redefining the type of story a Western can tell.
The promotional blitz for Westworld Season 2 has officially begun. While there is no premiere date for the new season, it's been confirmed that it will debut in the spring. It may not be long before fans find out when exactly new episodes will arrive, though.
It's been revealed that Westworld will have a commercial during the Super Bowl. According to Entertainment Weekly, it's the first time since 1998 that HBO has purchased ad time during the big game. While it remains unknown just how much the trailer will give away--or what the plot of Season 2 will be--EW says the trailer is directed by Jonathan Nolan, who co-created the series with Lisa Joy, and will include exclusive footage that won't appear on the show.
HBO has also released a shot teaser via Westworld's Twitter account, which teases the show's Super Bowl presence. The short video, like a lot of Westworld's viral marketing, looks like it's captured from Delos computer systems and hints at major problems in the Journey into Night celebration that ended Season 1.
There has also been an update to the Delos company website, part of the show's massive ARG efforts, that points fans to the Super Bowl, which takes place in Minneapolis. "Our current market testing tells us that now, more than ever, people are looking to escape their reality," it reads. "With this strategy in mind, we are expanding our outreach campaign, starting with boots on the ground in Minneapolis. We are proud to announce a rebrand years in the making, placing Delos Destinations at the forefront of a new age. There has never been a better time to live without limits."
With so much effort being put into promoting the show's Super Bowl commercial, chances are this is going to be a big moment for Westworld fans. After all, the trailer released at San Diego Comic-Con only included footage from the first few weeks of Season 2 filming. Now production of the episodes is complete. That's a lot of footage to choose from when it comes to teasing the new season.
Following a period of server downtime, Epic Games has brought Fortnite back online (though you might face a queue to get in). With it, the new 2.4.0 update is now available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Players of both the Battle Royale and Save the World modes have some things to look forward to, but the most exciting of the bunch is likely the new minigun weapon for Battle Royale. [Update: Epic Games has confirmed that "some" console players are experiencing an issue with resolution. "Fixing this is a priority for us and we will let you know when we are ready to deploy a fix," it said on Twitter. We'll report back with more details as we receive them. Players have also noticed an in-game reference to something called Blitz mode, but there's no word on what that is. The patch notes state this is not available yet and will be removed from your quests at some point.]
The minigun can be found in both supply drops and chests in Battle Royale, and it uses Light ammo. Epic says it fires at "almost" the same speed as the SMG, but you can presumably fire it for much longer before needing to reload. It should offer a nice change in pace if you've been spending a lot of time with sniper rifles recently as part of the limited-time Sniper Shootout mode that has now wrapped up.
Other Battle Royale changes in this update include an option to toggle off the recently added auto-run feature, and a reduction in how often the high-rarity suppressed pistols show up. Save the World's additions include the release of the Cozy Campfire item and the addition of new Expedition types. You can see everything in our breakdown of the Fortnite 2.4.0 patch notes, or check out the full list of changes on Epic's website.
Epic recently promised freebies are on the way to make up for the lengthy server downtime that accompanied the release of a patch last week. We still don't know when those are coming, but they're now one step closer, as Epic said they wouldn't be released until after 2.4.0 rolled out.
As for what's next, Epic has revised its schedule for upcoming updates. The Valentine's Day and Spring It On events have been pushed back a week and now have target launch dates of February 14 (update 2.5.0) and February 21 (update 3.0.0), respectively. The current Save the World event will be extended in the meantime. "We want you to be able to play the game and feel this is the best bet for getting a stable patch out to you," Epic said in a post on Reddit. We'll report back as further details are shared.
Netflix's new sci-fi show Altered Carbon is based on a series of novels by Richard K. Morgan. It takes place in a cyberpunk future where death is no longer a limitation on the lives of humankind, and existing in virtual reality is as normal as walking the streets of the real world. The seven settled worlds have evolved to accommodate this massive leap in technology, giving the rich and powerful the means to cheat death by moving between bodies, while miring the less privileged in rundown districts filled with their vices.
Naturally, the series is stuffed with grand ideas, existential quandaries, and strange technologies, and--in many cases--it doesn't dwell on them enough to fully explain them. It's easy to get lost in all the tech terminology, references to government agencies, or fleeting historical context, so we've put together a breakdown for all the most important things you need to know to watch Altered Carbon and fully understand what's going on.
In the video above, we go through everything from Stacks and Sleeves to AI, VR, Dippers, Songspires, CTAC, and more. We explain what they are, how they fit into the world of Altered Carbon, and why they're important to the story. Of course, we've done this while avoiding major story spoilers (there's some minor spoilers for episode one and two). You can also read about the many cyberpunk terms in Altered Carbon here.
Altered Carbon is available to watch on Netflix now, and we think it's well worth your time. You can watch our spoiler-free Altered Carbon review to find out why we like it. We also have a written Altered Carbon review for you to check out. For those looking for a deeper dive, we'll have a spoiler-filled Altered Carbon review coming up soon too. Make sure to subscribe to GameSpot Universe on YouTube so you don't miss it.
Altered Carbon is out now on Netflix and we're quite big fans of it. Between the cyberpunk sci-fi world, the who-dun-it detective story, and the cast of memorable characters, we think it's one of the best shows on the streaming service.
Although sci-fi continues to be perennially popular, cyberpunk as a genre is still somewhat niche. In 2018, however, it is on the cusp of grabbing the attention of a much broader market, and we think Altered Carbon could have a big part of that.
In the video, above Lucy and Tamoor discuss the show in detail, tackling the show's themes, its plot, characters, production, and everything else in between. It's a spoiler-filled deep dive, so we recommend watching the series first and then coming back to hear their thoughts.
Nintendo raised a lot of eyebrows last month when it announced Nintendo Labo, a new kind of "experience" that players can build and use with their Switch. While DIY software in itself is hardly a novel concept, what makes Labo particularly unique is that it comes packaged with pieces of cardboard and other assorted crafts, which can be fashioned into a number of different peripherals, such as a fishing rod or a miniature piano, and used in conjunction with the Switch console and Joy-Cons.
Of course, it's difficult to fully wrap your head around Labo without experiencing it for yourself, and you may still have questions about how it all works. If you're confused over what exactly Nintendo Labo is and how you play it, we've got you covered. In the video above, we break down exactly what it is you do with Nintendo Labo and how your cardboard creations are able to interact with the Switch.
Labo is available in two different kits, each of which includes several sheets of cardboard paper and other materials you need to build Toy-Cons, the cardboard objects you use to play Labo's various activities. The cardboard is already perforated, so assembling your Toy-Con is simply a matter of popping out the pieces (carefully, as the cardboard is fairly thin) and following the step-by-step instructions displayed on the Switch screen to put them together.
Every Toy-Con you create has a slot for your Joy-Cons, and it uses these controllers in various ways to interact with the Labo software. The RC Car, for instance, "drives" around by using the Joy-Cons' HD rumble. Other constructions, like the Piano, have strips of IR tape that are read by the right Joy-Con's camera to determine which note to play when you press a certain key. Similarly, the House Toy-Con comes with a variety of plugs that can be inserted into either of its sides, which will cause something different to happen on the Switch screen.
For a better idea of how the game works, be sure to watch our hands-on footage of Nintendo Labo. We got to build several Toy-Cons and played all five of the activities in the Labo Variety Kit: RC Car, Fishing Pole, House, Motorbike, and Piano. You can also watch us try out the Robot Kit, which has players strap on a Toy-Con backpack to control an on-screen robot.
Nintendo Labo releases in the US and Australia on April 20, while it arrives in Europe on April 27. Both the Variety Kit and the Robot Kit will be available at launch; the former will cost $70 USD / £60 / $100 AUD, while the latter retails for $80 USD / £70 / $120 AUD. Nintendo will also release a separate Customization Set that includes stencils, stickers, and colored tape to customize your Toy-Cons.
Nintendo has a lot of big titles lined up for the first half of 2018 as its new hybrid console, the Switch, heads into the second year of its life, but certainly the most unexpected is Nintendo Labo. Unveiled last month as a new "experience" for the Switch, Nintendo Labo isn't a video game in the traditional sense, but rather a suite of DIY projects that use the console and Joy-Cons in a variety of clever ways.
So far, Nintendo is releasing Labo in two distinct "kits," each of which includes an assortment of cardboard sheets, string, and other crafts that can be assembled into different peripherals--charmingly dubbed Toy-Cons--that interact with the included software. The first package, the Variety Kit, features five different Toy-Cons to make for use with a corresponding activity, while the Robot Kit comes with materials to assemble a cardboard backpack that lets you control an on-screen robot.
It certainly sounds like a bizarre concept on paper, and it may be difficult to fully wrap your head around how Nintendo Labo operates and why it's such a neat piece of software just from the trailer Nintendo shared earlier this month. While it remains to be seen if Labo will ultimately be worth picking up when it launches, most of our questions about the game were answered at a preview event this week in New York, which gave us our first opportunity to go hands-on with unique project.
In the video above, you can watch us assemble some Toy-Cons and play through the full range of activities from the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit: RC Car, Motorbike, Piano, House, and Fishing Rod. We also strapped on the Robot backpack and stomped around a virtual city as a giant robot, punching over buildings and transforming into a vehicle.
Both Nintendo Labo kits launch on April 20. The Variety Kit retails for $70 USD / £60 / $100 AUD, while the Robot Kit costs $80 USD / £70 / $120 AUD. We'll have more coverage of Nintendo Labo soon, but in the meantime, you can read more about Nintendo Labo here.
Quirky crossover costumes are a regular part of the Monster Hunter experience, but the first set for Monster Hunter World makes a lot of sense: it's the metal-monster hunter Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn. The initial quest for unlocking the Palico armor has been active for a while in the PS4-exclusive add-on, but if you're curious about how the process works, we've outlined the timing and quests below to access the extras.
The Aloy armor set and bow will be available starting February 28 until March 5. Unlike other gear, you'll have to wear the entire Aloy set together--you can't just wear the pants or chest alone. And the set will also alter your appearance so that your character looks like Aloy from Horizon, complete with long red hair. We'll have more details on those quests once they're active in the game.
To unlock the Palico armor, you'll need to accept the Event quest "Lessons of the Wild," which runs until February 8. This is a 5-star quest that requires a Hunter Rank of 6 or higher. In the description, this sounds like a pretty easy hunt; all you have to do is slay 8 Barnos. And since you're fighting in an arena, you don't even have to worry about hunting them down in the environment. However, you're not alone in the battle; there's also a Tzitzi-Ya-Ku to deal with.
You're not required to take out the raptor, and if you're not using a long-range weapon, you can even use the monster's ability to help you out. Tzitzi has a flash ability that's able to knock the Barnos out of the air--as long as you're able to dodge out of the way and avoid the stun as well. If he ends up stunning you more often than he helps out, you should focus on taking him out first. While the Barnos will occasionally attack you, they're not quite as aggressive and will tend to stay out of the fight.
After you take out the Barnos you'll earn at least one Watcher Lens, which is represented by a big question mark in your gathering inventory. To get the full set of Horizon Palico gear, you'll need 3x Watcher Lens, 1x Electro Sac, and 3x Dragonite Ore. With those items collected, to craft the gear you'll head to the Smithy. The Palico armor is located under Forge Palico Equipment -> Full Armor Sets. The Horizon-themed Palico weapon is found under Forge Palico Equipment -> Standard Equipment. At the bottom of your low-rank list you'll find the Watcher weapon. Check out the screens above for a more visual break-down of where to find everything.
The Horizon Zero Dawn content is exclusvie to PS4, but everyone will get to take part in the next costume event--a Street Fighter V crossover. While PS4 owners who have SFV save data on their console will get first dibs starting February 16, that Event Quest line will launch for other Xbox One and PS4 players at a later date. And the first big free update for the game, which will introduce the new Deviljho monster, is set to release this Spring.
News hit last week that Epic Games will shut down Paragon, its free-to-play action MOBA, on April 26. The game went through several changes over its two years of open betas and early access, but a final release won't see the light of day. Despite building a community of its own and reaching over five million players during its course, Paragon never found stability. It also seems that Epic struck a gold mine with Fortnite; not because of the original Save the World mode, but because it was able to capitalize on the battle royale trend by adapting the core game to a drastically different style.
In the video above, we explore in-depth what went wrong with Paragon; a game that seemed to have the foundation of a potentially successful MOBA. Can we attribute this to Fortnite's rapid success by riding the battle royale wave, or how Epic reacted to the increasingly competitive space in MOBA games? Maybe there's a larger business reason at play--or maybe it's a combination of all those factors.
Paragon and Fortnite had somewhat similar paths at their start. Both were presented as free-to-play, but also had paid early access versions with tons of digital content for early adopters. Paragon went through many iterations with tweaks to pacing, balance, and other issues, which Epic worked to resolve with varying degrees of success. Fortnite set out to be a Gears of War- or Orcs Must Die-like Horde mode/tower-defense game with construction mechanics similar to Minecraft. But following in the footsteps of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Fortnite: Battle Royale is what launched the game into massive popularity, reaching 45 million players and dwarfing the numbers Paragon could muster. That's only part of the story, however. We hope you watch the video above as Jake Dekker digs deeper into the fall of Paragon and the rise of Fortnite.
Savitar is the third major villain to be a speedster on the series -- one of six in total. Because of this, it's hard for him to be interesting, and the reveal that he was an alternate version of Barry was just silly.
Image: The CW
24. Music Meister
First appearance: Season 3, Episode 17
Music Meister wasn't particularly intimidating or vicious. He did, however, trap The Flash and Supergirl in a musical coma nightmare. While his stay was short-lived, it certainly does stand out.
Image: The CW
23. Rainbow Raider
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 8
The most notable of the Rogues, this emotion manipulator gets credit for turning The Flash against the Arrow in the first crossover between the two shows.
Image: The CW
22. Multiplex
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 2
With the power to instantly create an unlimited number of clones of himself, Multiplex could have been one of The Flash's best villains. Unfortunately, it takes very little for the team to end his threat.
Image: The CW
21. Clock King
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 7
Clock King is the first Arrow villain exported to The Flash. While you might think that makes him a major force in the Arrowverse, it certainly didn't feel like it. He was one of two villains in this episode -- specifically, the one without special powers.
Image: The CW
20. Bug-Eyed Bandit
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 18
Brie Larvan is one of The Flash's smartest villains. While small in stature, she developed tiny, robotic bees to do her bidding.
She's the first villain that originated on The Flash before appearing on Arrow.
Image: The CW
19. Zoom
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 1
The biggest villain of Season 2, Zoom was somebody the team thought they could trust. Secretly, though, he was an evil speedster trying to destroy them. So the show essentially repeated the plot of Season 1.
Still, Zoom deserves some credit for introducing the multiverse.
Image: The CW
18. Trajectory
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 16
She may be a villain-of-the-week, but Trajectory deserves credit for being the show's first female speedster. That's right: Before Jesse Quick suited up to join Team Flash, Trajectory made their lives miserable with her super speed.
Image: The CW
17. Mirror Master
First appearance: Season 3, Episode 4
Mirror Master has the ability to use mirrors as portals, which is very useful for robbing places and getting away. In the end, though, he wasn't a match for The Flash's speed or the brains of the team.
Image: The CW
16. Black Flash
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 23
When Hunter Zolomon is defeated and destroyed by the Speed Force for altering time, he becomes the Black Flash, a decaying remnant of his former self bound to the Speed Force forever. There's no telling when fans will see Black Flash again, but it's bound to be a haunting moment when it happens.
Image: The CW
15. Black Siren
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 22
An evil doppelgänger of Laurel Lance from Earth-2, Black Siren is the type of villain that hurts the most. Earth-1's Laurel was a close friend of the team prior to her death; her duplicate tormenting them was a lot to handle.
Black Siren didn't reach her full potential until she jumped ship to Arrow, however.
Image: The CW
14. Clifford DeVoe
First appearance: Season 4, Episode 1
DeVoe framed Barry for murder to break the team's spirit. He truly is the most genius of The Flash's foes. Given that he's still wreaking havoc on the show, there's no telling how much more damage the Thinker can inflict.
Image: The CW
13. General Eiling
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 5
General Eiling attempted to wield another metahuman as his personal weapon of mass destruction. He was also, at one time, the mind-controlled plaything of Grodd. And yet, he survives.
Image: The CW
12. Girder
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 6
Girder is two villains in one. In Season 1, he could turn his body into steel. But it's his Season 2 return as a zombie that cements his place in The Flash's top villains: There's nothing scarier than a zombie with superpowers.
Image: The CW
11. Golden Glider
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 16
While Captain Cold's sister wasn't able to live up to his reputation, she certainly makes an impact. Opting for a gun that shoots molten gold gives her a certain flair.
Image: The CW
10. Pied Pier
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 11
The Pied Piper's most dangerous assets are his brain and connection to the STAR Labs team. Long before Barry was a meta, this villain was a coworker of Cisco and Caitlin. Unfortunately, he's turned evil and uses that personal connection against them.
He's also none too pleased to have been replaced in the trio by Barry.
Image: The CW
9. Weather Wizard
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 15
The big brother of The Flash's first villain can manipulate the weather in some pretty scary ways. Through creating tornados and torrential storms, Weather Wizard is a valuable asset to the Rogues.
Image: The CW
8. Killer Frost
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 23
Caitlin Snow is one of the nicest people in the multiverse -- and one of the most important members of Team Flash. And yet, she's also one of the show's biggest villains.
When her metahuman powers were unlocked, she developed split personalities. You don't want to get on either one's bad side.
Image: The CW
7. King Shark
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 4
What's there to say about King Shark, other the obvious? This metahuman is a giant, walking shark. He's also one of the show's most creative villains -- one we never thought we'd see adapted from the comics.
Image: The CW
6. The Trickster
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 17
The Trickster, played by Mark Hamill, is absolutely unforgettable. And as the only villain to appear in The Flash television series from 1990-1, he also has a lot of history to him. Underneath it all though, Trickster is a playful, silly, and incredibly vicious villain that takes a lot of cues from the Joker. He ruins lives and does it with a smile.
Image: The CW
5. Time Wraiths
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 17
These ghostly beings are the guardians of the Speed Force, protecting it from speedsters who abuse their power. Given how often Barry broke the rules in the first few seasons of the show, they're constantly paying him a visit with the threat of killing him -- or doing to him what they did to Black Flash.
While the Wraiths are technically villains, you do have to wonder if the abusing speedster is the actual bad guy.
Image: The CW
4. Grodd
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 21
This meta ape has superior intelligence, strength, and size, so it should come as no surprise how big of a challenge he was in Season 1. However, it wasn't until the team jumped into the multiverse and landed in Gorilla City -- a place filled with apes like Grodd -- that his true power was seen.
Image: The CW
3. Heat Wave
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 10
Heat Wave is either the nicest bad guy you'll ever meet or the absolute worst good guy. After being given his fire-spewing gun by Captain Cold, the two formed the Rogues to carry out crimes.
Still, while he's rough around the edges, Heat Wave isn't all bad. Underneath that gruff exterior (and his need to steal from people) is a teddy bear. A foul-mouthed teddy bear.
Image: The CW
2. Captain Cold
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 4
The Flash's first long-term villain isn't a metahuman or somebody looking to destroy the world. He's simply a thief with a gun that can turn you to ice. Captain Cold brings style to his wrongdoing, which is why he's such a fan favorite.
Image: The CW
1. Eobard Thawne
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 1
Whereas fans love Captain Cold, there's nothing but hate for Barry's mentor, Eobard Thawne. Once he was revealed to be the Reverse Flash, he and Barry entered into the ultimate teacher vs. student showdown.
Years later, Eobard is still a thorn in the team's side.
Super Troopers 2 is finally coming to theaters, on April 20 no less, and fans of the first film could not be happier, especially after seeing the hilarious trailer for the sequel. This time around, the gang is back and must head to an area that is under a border dispute between Canada and the United States.
Even though the original film came out 17 years ago, the out-there comedy about a group of Vermont state troopers still holds up. However, there are a lot of little facts about the filming of this movie you might not know. Meow, before you see Super Troopers 2, check out these 14 facts about the original film.
This Scene Is Based On A Real Event
One of the most memorable scenes in Super Troopers is the opening where a group of kids gets pulled over by the troopers and the young adult in the backseat has to eat all of their drugs before the officers come up to the car.
"One guy was holding all of the mushrooms for the entire bachelor party, like, 12 doses of mushrooms. And he got so freaked out that he ate all of the mushrooms in the back of the RV. He tripped for 48 hours. And he had no memory of it, because he was so dosed up."
Guess Who's On Mushrooms?
Fans of the series learned something interesting about Super Troopers while the cast was live-tweeting during a Comedy Central airing of the film. Steve Lemme tweeted that at one point in the film, two of the guys in the scene were on mushrooms. Looking through the other tweets from that evening, it may be the moment before the "shenanigans" joke, and if you look at the image above, you may be able to guess who is on drugs during filming.
Shenanigans Was Written In One Try
Speaking of "shenanigans," according to Lemme, that scene was written in one try and was never edited.
Was That Really Syrup In There?
One thing fans have always wondered is, "Were they really chugging maple syrup in the restaurant?" According to Erik Stolhanske, who plays Rabbit, they started off drinking iced tea, but finished the scene with actual maple syrup.
Filmed On Location... At A Prison
During the scene where the officers were out at the shooting range, Lemme revealed that said range belongs to Fishkill Maximum Security Prison, and the inmates were screaming obscenities at them during the filming. You can even see the fence for the prison in the background of the screenshot above.
A Group Of Police Officers Loved It
Apparently, police officers also love Super Troopers. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lemme said a group of Utah State Police saw the movie at Sundance. "Afterwards, they were like, 'Oh my God. You captured it.,'" explained Lemme. "Usually in movies, either cops are portrayed as dicks or they're just idiots. They said, 'You actually captured what it's like to be a police officer. We play all those games when we're bored.'"
Studio Really Wanted Ben Affleck In Super Troopers
Studios didn't understand what the The Broken Lizard gang was trying to accomplish. Because originally the movie had a budget of $1.2 million, studios wanted to dump more money into the film. "We were walking in saying that we were going to star in it, and that I was going to direct it," explained director and star Jay Chandrasekhar in an AVClub interview. "That was it. They asked us if they could put Ben Affleck in one part, and they asked if someone else could direct it."
Emmy Award-Winner Brian Cox Wanted To Be In It
In a silly comedy about police officers goofing around, it's really weird to see an Emmy award-winner actor, Brian Cox in this case, in such a prominent role. Weirder yet, Chandrasekhar explained to AVClub that Cox wanted to do it. "He actually called us. He's always playing parts like pedophiles and Nazi generals and nasty people, and he's a big Jerry Lewis fan, and thinks he's got that bone in him. He's been looking for a comedy to do, and he kept contacting us and contacting us, and he turned out to be amazing."
The Cast Impersonated Officers During Shooting
Broken Lizard's antics continued while they weren't filming as well. In the production notes for Super Troopers (via Cinema), Chandrasekhar said they pretended to be cops while the cameras weren't rolling. "Shooting a movie when you're dressed as a cop is great," he explained. "People are used to following orders from people who look like me."
At one point, he ordered his co-star Kevin Heffernan, who plays Favre, to stop traffic as cars were flying by the set at 60 mph. In addition, Erik Stolhanske drove 100 mph on the highway in a police car with the lights on, which is very illegal if you aren't a cop. He claims he didn't know the lights were on.
Favre's Fake Mustache
Sadly, Favre's mustache isn't real. Heffernan revealed it was a "stunt mustache" on Twitter.
Kevin Heffernan Calls His Own Parents "Chickenf***ers"
Heffernan, playing the character Favre, walks up to a car he pulled over in the film and calls the passengers "Chickenf***ers." It turns out that those are Heffernan's real-life parents.
He Also Didn't Want Jim Gaffigan In The Movie
Speaking of Heffernan, he didn't want comedian Jim Gaffigan in the film because Gaffigan always beat him out for roles in auditions, according to Lemme. Well, who's laughing meow?
Originally The Sequel Took Place In The Past
Strangely enough, the original sequel for Super Troopers was going to take place in 1976. Chandrasekhar told Rotten Tomatoes back in 2006 that the film was going to take place during the US bicentennial, and everyone would have mustaches and shaggier hair.
Very Little Improvisation
While many contemporary comedies occasionally rely on improvisation for some of its silliest moments, Super Troopers only had five improv lines in the movie, according to Chandrasekhar. Two of these lines were "It stinks like sex in here," and "That was the second time I got crabs."
Crytek's forthcoming PC horror game Hunt: Showdown is finally in alpha. We've taken some time with the PvP/PvE title to bring you the best tips and tricks on how to survive with both your hunters and the bounty intact. Make sure to check them out in the video above.
Hunt: Showdown has had a strange history, and it's evolved even from what was shown at E3 2017. The whole point of the game is to pair off into different teams, hunt down a monster, kill and banish it, collect the bounty, and get the heck out of dodge. The premise seems simple enough, but it's not quite as easy as it may sound.
Not only are there NPC enemies along the way to your bounty targets, but other teams of players are working toward the same goal. You can take them down too, but if you're not careful, they may wipe you out or whisk away the prize before you can. And note that if you do fall on the battlefield, you'll lose that specific hunter's progression progress permanently. Making it to the extraction point without the bounty still allows you to level up your hunter, so going after the bounty may not be a risk you have to take.
The key to success is stealth. You'll want to make the least amount of noise as possible in game, and in communicating with your teammates. Guns, cattle, dogs, and the infected all make noise, and if you're trying to keep your plans on sabotaging the other team on the DL, you won't want to speak over voice chat leisurely. Proximity voice chat is on in this game, and the opposition will hear you if you're within range.
For even more on Hunt: Showdown and how to survive in the alpha build, check out the video above for all the tips and tricks we've got. The alpha is currently invite only, but sign-up is available on the official website. You can also take a look at our Hunt: Showdown alpha livestream.
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