Latios and Latias aren't the only Legendary Pokemon players can pick up for free this month. To celebrate the release of the newest Pokemon TCG expansion, Dragon Majesty, The Pokemon Company has announced it is giving away a free Poipole in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon--but as usual, the way to claim it will vary by region.
Originally unveiled under the codename UB Adhesive, Poipole is one of the new Ultra Beasts introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, meaning you'll need to own one of those two versions to receive it. What makes this particular Poipole special is that it's a Shiny; unlike most of the ones you're likely to encounter in the game, this one is white and gold rather than the usual purple.
In the US, the Shiny Poipole will be given away as a download code at GameStop stores from September 17 - October 7. In the UK, players will be able to pick up a code for the Pokemon at Smyths stores from September 17 - October 15. Poipole will be distributed throughout the rest of Europe in the September Pokemon Trainer Club newsletter.
Unlike most of the other Legendary Pokemon given away this year, this Poipole comes at level 40 and isn't carrying any held items. It also knows the moves Venom Drench, Nasty Plot, Poison Jab, and Dragon Pulse. It needs to know the latter move and level up in order to evolve into the Poison/Dragon Pokemon Naganadel.
The aforementioned Latios and Latias are this month's free gifts as part of the ongoing Year of Legendary Pokemon promotion. The pair are claimable in any seventh-generation Pokemon game, although the one you receive will depend on which version you own. You can read how to get them here. You can also see the other freebies available now in our roundup of all the free Pokemon for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Destiny 2: Forsaken's first Raid is hours away, and we're getting a small peek at what it'll entail and when it will drop. Last Wish will take players and five other guardians into the heart of the Dreaming City, Forsaken's new area, and it will go live on Friday, September 14 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. [Update: The Last Wish Raid is now live on all platforms.]
"Assemble a team…Send them into the heart of the City. Kill that creature, and extract its heart," says the Queen, Mara Sov, in the trailer above. We don't much else about what exactly players will be doing, but it seems the "creature" could be Riven, which was teased at the end of the campaign. The promise is "the riches of the Dreaming City await those who are victorious," so you could be in for some pretty good loot if you successfully complete it. "I've waited so long to fulfil one last wish," Mara Sov finishes.
Some players have already managed to nab some of that Raid gear early. An early bug allowed some players to glitch their way into opening Raid chests and earning the gear. In hotfix update 2.0.2, Bungie fixed the issue, but it won't be taking that gear away from players who've already obtained it.
Meanwhile, players racing to take part in the Raid encountered an issue over the weekend, when a weekly reset took place sooner than it should have. Although players could earn Powerful gear, the rewards were not dropping at high Power levels, thereby stunting the leveling process. Bungie has rolled out a new update that resets these challenges for those affected. And if you're looking for a less-obvious way to earn a piece of Powerful gear, you can try the new Ascendant Challenge. We've also got a leveling guide to get ready for the Raid.
In addition to everything coming in the Last Wish Raid, Bungie has introduced a ton of new content with its Forsaken expansion. In addition to a new storyline, there is a lot of new gear including Exotics (both weapons and armor) for Hunters, Warlocks, and Titans. There are new Strikes and the new Gambit mode that blends PvE with PvP. The campaign centers around hunting the eight Barons, powerful boss-like enemies from the new Scorn race.
In GameSpot's Forsaken review in progress, Kallie Plagge said it was a welcome change from the previous two expansions. "Like with the base game--and unlike with the previous two expansions...there's a lot to sink your teeth into in Forsaken at launch," she wrote. While Kallie is still evaluating the expansion for a full review, she applauded Forsaken's darker more personal tone and boss-focused mission structure that allows for more memorable and exciting fights. There are distinct new enemy types, Gambit mode is enjoyable, and the new combat bow stands out as a fun addition to the arsenal.
"After being let down by Curse of Osiris and Warmind, I'm enjoying Destiny 2 again. The biggest question right now is how long that will last, but there's plenty to keep me occupied before the Raid drops."
If you've been curious about DC's new streaming service, then you're in luck, as DC Universe launched a day early on September 14, and you can currently register for it here. When it was originally announced, fans of DC Comics and Entertainment were pretty surprised, but nonetheless, excited. The new subscription streaming app combines traditional TV and movies with comic books and even an encyclopedia. It's incredibly ambitious. And while the early experience we had with the beta version of the app was fun, it leaving us want a bit more.
Obviously, as with any beta app or service, DC Universe isn't entirely ready for market. There are bugs here and there, and this exact version won't hit the direct market. Additionally, there will be more content on the service when it launches on September 15, like when the original series Titans hits releases on October 12. DC Universe will cost $75 a year or $8 a month.
DC Universe's design is simple to navigate and visually appealing. The home screen offers up a features screen at the top with rotated recommended viewing, which usually pertains to something big. For instance, right now, the Teen Titans comic is featured, to go along with the upcoming release of the Titans TV series. Below that is your "Continue watching" section, and right below that is news. That home page does not feel overwhelming even though there are a variety of choices between the three pillars of DCU (movies, TV, and comics).
Movies & TV
Obviously, upon first glance, what DCU has to offer is very Batman-heavy. There's still a lot to choose from though that doesn't involve the Dark Knight. There are a few hidden gems like Fox's Human Target series and NBC's Constantine to binge. At first glance, it may not seem like it, when scrolling through the entirety of DCU's video catalogue, but there is a lot to watch, and most of it is undoubtedly good stuff. Although, a part of me still wants to watch Batman & Robin over and over again for those white hot Mr. Freeze puns. Obviously, the original DCU content is not live, but that should to be the overall driving force. The functions missing during playback for TV series, which is desperately needed, is a "play next" button for end credits of episodes and a "skip intro" button. As much as I love Young Justice, I do not want to see the intro over and over while I'm bingeing.
While this service is still new and has a ton to grow, the lack of certain content begs the question, "Where are all the DC extended universe movies?" It's already been stated we wouldn't see any of the CW series on DCU, as there are issues with the rights currently--but you'll be able to purchase them through the app--so could that be the same reason we're not seeing these films as well? These should be tentpoles and a reason non-comic book readers and casual DC enthusiasts would sign up for the service. There are also other films the service is missing, including Watchmen, Red, V for Vendetta, and The Losers, as well as a few cinematic releases that critically fell flat like Steel, Green Lantern, and Jonah Hex. I'm the type of user that would love to see both the good and the bad on the service, as I'll watch it all, and I know there are others like me.
Comics, Community, & Encyclopedia
Inside the comic book section of DCU, the selection was pretty nice. There are a variety of selections from different eras, some of which tied into upcoming releases of movies and DCU originals. There's an autoplay feature that goes through the comic, panel-by-panel, that's really smooth, and it shows that this is a feature that would work exceptionally well when it's cast onto a television. It has the same familiarity as a service like Comixology but with its own flavor, which actually makes it a bit easier to use for those new to digital reading. While it won't get the credit it deserves, the comics section of DCU is one of the two standouts of the service.
Accompanying the comic section as something new for a streaming service is the encyclopedia section. It's concise and exceptionally well-written. You get to see detailed information about each character or team on an easy-to-navigate front page. Subheadings allow the users to peruse the info without feeling like it's an info-dump. Finally, there is a related content section that, in theory, will allow users to check out movies, TV series, and comics featuring these characters or teams. However, in the early beta, this section would not work and neither would the entire encyclopedia index. Regardless, this is a tremendous standout and perfect to keep users engaged in the app. And if there was a way to incorporate this into movies or TV shows, like Amazon's X-Ray mode, it would be a grand slam homerun.
The biggest aspect to fall flat on its face for an older reader like myself is the community aspect of the DCU app. For the most part, it's another place for people to shout their opinions into the abyss. While there aren't many people using this section yet, as the beta has yet to launch as of this writing, it's got a few threads like "Favorite Episode of Young Justice," where users can discuss everything they love--and hate--about comics and properties based on DC characters. The only area that shows a bunch of potential is the "Creators Corner," which was empty. From the looks of it, this section will have writers, artists, and more from DC Comics discussing all things related to publishing, which is a pretty exciting addition to a section I never really plan on spending a lot of time in.
Casting
Obviously, like any streaming service, a part of the appeal is being able to watch content on a mobile device or on your TV at home. There are a few small bumps in the road with DCU to begin with, but it's nothing that should turn you off completely from subscribing. While using an iPad, DCU worked incredibly well with Apple TV. Both movies and television shows streamed seamlessly with no hiccups or problems.
There was, however, a button to connect to Chromecast as well--something we were told at San Diego Comic-Con that we would not see when the service launched. We tried casting DCU through two different Chromecasts, connected to two different TVs and had no luck. Chances are that casting is simply not ready for the service. Additionally, we could not use Apple TV or Chromecast to read comic books on our TVs. This was known going into the beta, but we still tried anyway, as it looked really cool during the demo we saw at Comic-Con. The service will also be launching with Roku and Amazon Firestick as well in case you want to watch DCU on your TV.
Additionally, there is a shopping section which was not up and running at that point, but it will be in time for the launch. We've been told you'll be able to purchase things like movies and TV series within that section, including episodes and seasons of the CW series.
As someone who has been on the ground level for plenty of new streaming services when they launched, like Netflix, WWE Network, Amazon Video, and Hulu, DC Universe follows in its predecessor's footsteps of trying to be its own voice without being a complete replica of them. There will be growing pains, and it will be some time before DCU truly gets its footing. However, the plan of a new original series episode, every week, for a year straight is incredibly promising for DCU's opening year. Yes, the lack of DC including some of its movies is a huge disappointment, but it seems like the company is taking a risk and trying something very different with its service. DC Universe, as a beta, isn't filled with too many bugs and actually works exceptionally well for something this large. The only real downside is the lack of certain content, specifically the DCEUDC extended cinematic universe movies. DC Universe will be a thrill to DC Comics readers and enthusiasts but doesn't have that mass appeal it needs yet. Hopefully, that will change with the release of series like Titans.
The Good
The Bad
Functional layout
Lack of DCU movies and CW TV shows was disappointing
Destiny 2's ever elusive merchant Xur is back and he's got more Exotic armor and a weapon for sale. Bad luck if you're a Titan and hoping for a new helmet, because Xur is only selling an Exotic helmet for Warlocks and Hunters this week.
Xur doesn't appear on the map, so finding him can be a bit tricky. This weekend, you can find him in the Winding Cove in the European Dead Zone. He's returned to his usual spot in the sector, and you'll find the shadowy merchant chilling all by his lonesome. Just spawn in at the landing zone and make your way directly north. He can be found on a hill next to a crashed ship.
Like last week, Xur has a limited selection of items for sale. In terms of Exotics, he's selling one weapon, as well as one piece of armor for each of the three classes. Warlocks and Hunters have a new helmet, while Titans can buy a pair of gauntlets. Thankfully, the bug that removed the Fated Engram--an item that guarantees you an Exotic you don't already own--from Xur's inventory last week has been patched, so you can once again buy one this week.
Here's the full list of what Exotics Xur has for sale right now:
Xur Exotic Armor And Weapon Inventory
Sunshot (Exotic Hand Cannon)
Eye Of Another World (Exotic Warlock Helmet)
Graviton Forfeit (Exotic Hunter Helmet)
Wormgod Caress (Exotic Titan Gauntlets)
Just because you see an Exotic you already own doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. Xur sells versions of Exotics that feature different perks than what can be found, and they sometimes have a higher Power level too. Repurchasing an Exotic could save you the time of finding and spending the necessary Masterwork Cores to infuse the ones you already own. With Destiny 2: Forsaken's new Raid out, you'll need every advantage you can find.
We've enjoyed our time with Forsaken so far, giving Destiny 2's newest expansion an 8/10 in our review-in-progress. We'll be updating our review after we've completed the Raid, so stayed tuned for our final thoughts. If you're interested in tackling the Raid yourself, we've got a guide of useful tips to get you Raid-ready.
Destiny 2 is available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Forsaken is live across all platforms.
PS4 players got to check out Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's private Blackout beta earlier this week, but it's now available for Xbox One and PC players who have pre-ordered the game. The beta went live September 14 and will last until September 17. A PC open beta is scheduled to begin September 15, giving players a chance to play without having to pre-order.
Blackout is the series' first battle royale-like mode, in which a large number of players drop onto a map, search for gear, and try to be the last one standing as the playable area shrinks, ushering everyone closer together (and making them more likely to get into firefights). Unlike similar modes in Fortnite and PUBG, Blackout contains many elements found in previous Call of Duty games, including zombies and returning Black Ops characters.
Developer Treyarch made changes big and small throughout the PS4 beta, doing things like upping the player count from 80 to 88 and decreasing the amount of time it takes to pick up items. The developer says it will continue to make changes on a daily basis.
The Xbox One and PC private beta will be available until September 17 at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET / 5 PM GMT). The PC open beta begins September 15 at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET / 5 PM GMT) and ends on September 17 at the same time as the private beta.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is set to arrive on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 12. It comes in a number of editions, each of which offers a different set of add-ons. You can find full details in our Black Ops 4 pre-order guide.
On top of access to online play and a library of classic NES games, one of the perks of subscribing to the upcoming Nintendo Switch Online service is "special offers" available exclusively for members. So far, Nintendo hasn't revealed many details about what these offers will entail, but we've gotten a look at the first ones that will be available when the service launches.
First, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will be able to purchase the newly revealed NES-style Joy-Con controllers. You'll only be able to order these if you have a Switch Online membership. Each set costs $60 and comes with two controllers shaped like classic NES gamepads, which can be used to play the aforementioned NES game library included in the service. The controllers can be charged by slotting them into the sides of the Switch, just as regular Joy-Cons, but they can't be used in handheld mode.
In addition to that, Switch owners who sign up for a 12-month subscription--either individually or as part of a family plan--will receive two exclusive pieces of gear in Splatoon 2: the Online Jersey and Online Squidkid V Shoes, both of which are based on the uniform worn by the winning team of the Splatoon 2 World Championship. The gear will be distributed to subscribers via email as a download code. If you're a part of a family plan, each member of the family group will receive a download code.
You can read more about the aforementioned offers on Nintendo's website. More offers will be added regularly, although the company hasn't shared any other details about the perk beyond that; during its latest Direct presentation, Nintendo said that it would reveal more information about special offers "in the future."
The Nintendo Switch Online service rolls out on September 18 in North America and September 19 in Europe and Japan. Subscriptions can be purchased in one-month (US $4 / £3.49 / AU $6), three-month (US $8 / £7 / AU $12), and 12-month (US $20 / £18 / AU $30) increments, while a 12-month family plan costs US $35 / £31.49 / AU $55.
Since the launch of Destiny 2: Forsaken, players have been hard at work getting ready for the next Raid. Though we're still in the dark about what sort of challenges the Last Wish Raid will have, we do know that it finally takes us away from the Leviathan, and will offer the most challenging six-player mission to date. But as many players discovered after finishing the main campaign, the new soft cap of 500 Power brings in a rather steep climb to overcome for Guardians looking forward to the next big activity.
Historically, the Power and Engram systems have undergone major changes and revisions with each big expansion, and Forsaken is no different. Ahead of the expansion's launch, the game has seen some updates to the frequency of loot drops and the systems that players have become accustomed to. With a minimum power level of 550 required for the upcoming Raid, players will have to take advantage of every resource and opportunity they have available to them to prepare for what's to come. With this in mind, we've come up with 5 useful tips to help you get ready for the upcoming Raid, which releases on Friday, September 14.
Finish The Campaign And Embrace The New Grind
Firstly, it's important that you finish the main campaign for the Forsaken DLC. While this may seem obvious, completing the story is the fastest way to reach level 50 and 500 power level for your Guardian. As you're taking on the story missions and Adventures throughout the campaign, you'll be swimming in new gear--mostly blue items--while getting accustomed to the new changes added into the Forsaken expansion. What's abundantly clear is that many of the alterations to Destiny 2's established systems have removed some shortcuts and dialed down certain methods players liked to use to get over the hump.
Once you reach 500 power level, you'll encounter the first soft cap for leveling. Going forward, most blue and purple gear found from ordinary drops, vendors, and standard missions will cap at 500, and you'll need to take advantage of the more challenging missions to steadily increase your power. But bare in mind, just when you start hitting your stride and rise in power, another soft-cap at 520 awaits. Just remember, there is no quick way to increase your strength; it will take time to steadily buff your character's stats from here on out.
Acquire Powerful And Prime Engrams
In order to overcome the steep climb past 500, you'll need to acquire the new type of rewards found from completing the harder bounties and milestones. Similar to the Luminous Engrams from the original Destiny 2, Powerful Engrams are the rare loot you can find from completing key missions and milestones around the various planets and activities you can take part in. These Engrams house Legendary and Exotic gear--the latter of which have also seen reduced drop rates. In addition to Powerful Engrams, Prime Engrams have also been thrown into the mix.
While the Cryptarch Master Rahool has taken a less hands-on role with cracking open Engrams--most of which unlock instantly--you'll need his help to open up Prime Engrams. Unlike Powerful Engrams, however, Prime Engrams require Prime Attunement, a special buff that comes only once a day. With the prime attunement, the special Engram can drop from powerful enemies in public events, Strikes, and Heroic missions, and from taking part in multiplayer matches. Though totally RNG-based, it's generous enough where it will only take a few missions to see a drop. Interestingly enough, Prime Attunement can stack if you don't take advantage of it on the day you receive it--it will carry over to the following day. The gains you can get from these special Engrams can offer up an increase of 5 power on the specific item, which may not seem a lot, but can go a long way in upping your strength. To sum it up, be sure to keep an eye out for powerful enemies in the strikes and heroic missions, and stay focused during PvP to get those drops.
Keep Up With Daily And Weekly Bounties
Though the usefulness of bounties took a backseat throughout the first year of Destiny 2 compared to the original game, Forsaken has brought them back in a big way. Over the course of the main story, you'll interact with many of Destiny 2's key characters, including newcomers Spider and The Drifter, along with other returning characters like Petra and the members of the Vanguard. Several of the key NPCs will offer daily and weekly bounties for you to take on. The bulk of these bounties don't require much effort and can be accomplished while engaging in other activities. While a number of these tasks will only yield glimmer, materials, and other rewards, the resources gained can be turned in for rewards to vendors and NPCs.
However, there are several high-profile bounties that are far more challenging and only come once a week. Found from Petra and Spider, some of these bounties will task you with heading to some of the more obscure areas of Destiny 2's worlds to find hidden targets. The higher-tiered bounties from Spider will have you confront the escapees from the Prison of Elders, while Petra's bounties at the Dreaming City will task you with handling many of the new location's unique events and missions, some of which are a bit more complex than they let on. But when it comes to bounties, always check in Petra and Spider to stay up to date on the newest goals they have to offer.
Head To The Dreaming City
After finishing the main story, you'll eventually gain entrance to the Dreaming City, the new end-game zone in Forsaken. While exploring the Dreaming City, you'll find several events around the map that are a bit different from what's available on the Tangled Shore and other planets. Once you visit Petra in The Strand, you can take on a number of bounties and pursuits, both of which can offer Powerful Engram rewards. From here, you can explore the area and engage with the key points within the Dreaming City.
One of Petra's pursuits tasks you with completing an Ascendant Challenge, a new weekly activity bringing Guardians to the Taken realm. By using a Tincture of Queensfoil, found from public events and chests around the Dreaming City, you'll gain access to a hidden portal on the map. Every week, this portal's location is changed from three different areas, and they can only be found after consuming the aforementioned Tincture of Queensfoil. Inside the Ascendant Realm, you'll engage with several powerful Taken while completing minor goals. It's best to complete these with a group, as you can get easily overwhelmed. Completing the Ascendant Challenge pursuit from Petra will reward you with a Powerful Engram.
However, the clear standout in the Dreaming City is the public event known as The Blind Well. Similar to The Taken King's Court of Oryx, it's a multi-tiered activity within the open world that tasks players with taking out increasingly difficult waves of Scorn and Taken. While most players can take part in the first tier challenge of The Blind Well by using a Tier 1 Charge of Light (found from most activities in the field or by purchasing them from Petra), the upper tiers are much more difficult to carry out. With that said, Tier 1 of The Blind Well is manageable. To gain a guaranteed Powerful Engram, complete the Gateway Between Worlds pursuit from Petra by clearing the activity multiple times, which will earn you an Offering. Take this item to the Oracle Engine in The Dreaming City, located in the Spine of Keres, to collect your reward.
Pace Yourself And Complete Milestone Challenges
Along with collecting Prime Engrams and completing bounties from Petra and Spider, the most important thing you can do to power up is to stay on top of your weekly and daily milestone challenges. From the director menu, you'll be able to see the available activities across the various game modes and planets that will offer up Powerful Engrams. These include vanguard Strikes, Nightfalls, flashpoint, and clearing games in the Crucible and Gambit modes. Also, be sure to keep up with your clan bounties as well, as maxing your rep can also lead to powerful engram. Along with taking on the bounties from various NPC characters, you'll be able to acquire materials and other rewards while clearing out these challenges.
As previously stated, the grind post 500 power will take some time to overcome. With the Raid requiring 550 power, and with yet another hill to climb once you hit 520, you'll need to stay on to top of all these activities and bounties in order to reach Raid status in a reasonable amount of time. With that said, there's still much to be gained from completing the game's shifting challenges, which you get you up to right power level sooner than you think.
For more info on Destiny 2: Forsaken, be sure to check out our review in progress, along with our look at the game's new lineup of Exotics for all three characters classes.
It seems like WWE's upcoming PPV, Hell in a Cell, could be one of the shorter events in quite some time, with eight matches in total appearing on the Kickoff Show and main card for the evening. Sunday, September 16 could be a very happy Rusev Day indeed, as Rusev and Aiden English have a chance to win the Smackdown Tag Team Championships on the Kickoff Show when they take on the New Day. This is happening at WWE's next PPV, Hell in a Cell, where people inside of cells will experience hell.
The event will be coming to you live from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Competitors will be locked in a gigantic chain-linked enclosure and have to duke it out. Many times, the fight explodes out of the cell, and for some reason, the superstars climb to the top of it, and someone falls or jumps off the top. It's terrifying. As of this writing, there are two Hell in a Cell matches, and there may be even more.
The event will air on PPV and the WWE Network at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET / 12 AM BST (Sept. 17). Just like every PPV, there will more than likely be a Kickoff Show before the main card starting one hour prior. There will be at one match on the pre-show.
Almost every year, fans remain on the edge of their seats as WWE superstars perform in the enclosed structure, then break out, climb to the top, and almost kill themselves jumping off of it. Considering that Jeff Hardy is fighting Randy Orton in the cell this year, that may mean Hardy will swanton off the top, and fans will collectively have a heart attack.
It's still early, but there have been a few matches already booked for the card, outside of Hardy/Orton. Brie Bella--who I thought was on Raw--teams up with her husband Daniel Bryan to take on Maryse and her husband The Miz. Both Miz and Bryan put on a fantastic match at Summerslam, so this should be a fun one. In additional, three title bouts have been booked. Former Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss gets her rematch against Ronda Rousey, and hopefully, Rousey won't ragdoll her around again like the squash match at Summerslam. There's also both the WWE Championship and Universal Championship matches as well.
At the time of this writing, there are eight matches booked for the event, but you can expect this card to fill up exceptionally quickly in the next week or so, including matches for the United States Championship.
Hell in a Cell match card:
The New Day (c) vs. Rusev & Aiden English (Smackdown Tag Team Championship) [KICKOFF SHOW]
Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton (Hell in a Cell match)
Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntrye (c) vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose (Raw Tag Team Championship)
Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse
Charlotte (c) vs. Becky Lynch (Smackdown Women's Championship)
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Alexa Bliss (Raw Women's Championship)
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Braun Strowman (Hell in a Call match for the Universal Championship with Mick Foley as guest referee)
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, September 16 for live coverage of the event.
A new month is now upon us, and The Pokemon Company is continuing its Year of Legendary Pokemon campaign with another pair of free Legendaries for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. During September, players will be able to claim one of the two Eon Pokemon from Ruby and Sapphire, Latios and Latias, but as usual, the way to get your hands on them will vary by region.
Once again, those who live in the US will need to go to a participating retailer to pick up a free download code for the Legendaries. This time, the code will be distributed at Best Buy stores around the country from September 2-29. Players in Europe and Australia, meanwhile, will be able to download the Legendaries directly from the Nintendo Network between September 1-23.
As usual, the Pokemon you receive will depend on which version you're playing. You can claim the Legendaries in any seventh-generation Pokemon game, but there's an added incentive to redeem them in the Ultra titles; not only will the Legendaries come at higher levels and know different moves, they'll be equipped with a Gold Bottle Cap, a rare item that can be exchanged to Hyper Train a Pokemon. You can see their movesets and other details below.
Pokemon Ultra Sun
Latias -- Level 100 (w/Gold Bottle Cap)
Mist Ball
Psychic
Draco Meteor
Tailwind
Pokemon Sun
Latias -- Level 60
Mist Ball
Dragon Pulse
Psycho Shift
Wish
Pokemon Ultra Moon
Latios -- Level 100 (w/Gold Bottle Cap)
Luster Purge
Psychic
Draco Meteor
Tailwind
Pokemon Moon
Latios -- Level 60
Luster Purge
Dragon Pulse
Psycho Shift
Dragon Breath
To get the Legendary, select Mystery Gift from the main menu and choose the option to receive your gift with a code/password. Enter the download code you picked up and the Pokemon will be downloaded into your game. (Players in Europe and Australia, meanwhile, will simply need to select the option to receive their gift via the internet.) Once those steps have been completed, you'll be able to pick your Legendary up from the deliveryman waiting inside any Pokemon Center around Alola.
You also still have time to redeem your download code for August's free Legendaries, Groudon and Kyogre. If you still haven't picked one up, however, you're out of luck, as codes for the Ruby and Sapphire cover monsters were only being given away from GameStop stores until August 26. You can see all of the other free Pokemon available for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon right now in our roundup.
Plenty of news came out of the recent Nintendo Direct presentation, which included a whole bunch of Final Fantasy announcements. The 2017 remaster Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is coming to Switch sometime in 2019; it's currently available for PlayStation 4 and PC, and will also come to Xbox One in 2019.
Final Fantasy XII featured the semi-automated Gambit battle system which broke away from the franchise's traditional turn-based RPG gameplay. A neat addition to the remastered version was the option to speed up the pace of combat to make grinding through dungeons quicker.
If you want even more of the long-time RPG franchise's past, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is available now for Switch on the Nintendo Eshop and Xbox One digitally. And if that's not enough, a few classics are making their way to Switch and Xbox One next year, including Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2. The remaster of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, that features online multiplayer, is a Switch exclusive also due out next year.
In our Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age review, it was stated that, "Its epic, lore-abundant story and its time-tested Gambit System should also appeal to those who missed out on the mainline series' trip to Ivalice the first time around. And thanks in part to the new audio and speed options, The Zodiac Age is an ideal definitive edition: one that improves the game over its original version across the board."
Nintendo devoted a portion of its latest Direct presentation to sharing more information on its upcoming paid online service for Switch. The service will begin rolling out for players next week, on September 18 (September 19 in Europe and Japan), and now we know a few more details about its classic games library and other perks.
As previously revealed, while online services have been free on Switch since the console launched in March 2017, you'll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to play games such as Splatoon 2 and the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate against other players online going forward. Many of these games will receive additional features via the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app. Splatoon 2 players, for instance, are able to access SplatNet 2 on the app--a service that allows them to view stats, the stage rotation schedule, and order gear to pick up in the game.
In addition to online play, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription grants you access to a library of classic NES games. Nintendo says this lineup will be expanded with new titles on a regular basis, but at launch, it will feature 20 classic games, each of which features some form of added online play. The company revealed the first half of the launch lineup back in May, and now we know the full list of games that will be available on day one:
Soccer
Tennis
Donkey Kong
Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
Balloon Fight
Ice Climber
Dr. Mario
The Legend of Zelda
Super Mario Bros. 3
Double Dragon
River City Ransom
Ghosts 'n Goblins
Tecmo Bowl
Gradius
Pro Wrestling
Excitebike
Yoshi
Ice Hockey
Baseball
In addition to those games, Nintendo will introduce more titles to the library each month. In October, Solomen's Key, NES Open, and Super Dodge Ball will be added; November will bring Metroid, Mighty Bomb Jack, and TwinBee; and December's batch includes Wario's Woods, Ninja Gaiden, and Adventures of Lolo. You can find more details about the NES library on Nintendo's website.
Switch Online subscribers will also receive other benefits, such as cloud saves. This won't work with all titles--the upcoming Pokemon RPGs, Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee are among the games that won't support the feature--but it will be available for most Switch titles. Subscribers will also receive "special offers" on the Eshop, although Nintendo says it will share more details about that in the future.
Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions can be purchased in one-month (US $4 / £3.49 / AU $6), three-month (US $8 / £7 / AU $12), and 12-month (US $20 / £18 / AU $30) increments. Nintendo is also offering an annual Family Plan for US $35 / £31.49 / AU $55, which allows up to eight Nintendo Account holders in the same family group to take advantage of the service, even across different Switch consoles. You'll be able to try the service for free for seven days when it launches.
With Nintendo bringing so many of its franchises to Switch, fans have wondered when Animal Crossing's turn will come--especially given how perfect of a match it is for the portable system. While details were more than light, the company did finally answer that question during its September Nintendo Direct stream: 2019.
As the presentation came to a close, we saw footage of Animal Crossing's Isabelle hanging out in the mayor's office, lamenting your absence. It seemed as if it was preparing an announcement of Animal Crossing, only for it to turn into a reveal of Isabelle as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
After a look at her in action, the video then cut to Tom Nook, seemingly setting him up as a character. Instead, he talks about getting things ready from when they're tired of playing Smash and the Animal Crossing mobile game, which led to the announcement of Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch (the current working title).
Unfortunately, we didn't get any more details than that, just that it's coming in 2019. A subsequent press release from Nintendo affirms this is a "mainline" game, marking the first since 2013's New Leaf for 3DS. That would suggest it'll consist of the same basic town management, house-decorating, bug/fish/fossil-collecting gameplay we've come to know and love, though just what kind of changes Nintendo has in store for us remains to be seen.
You can check out how the announcement unfolded for yourself above. We'll report back as Nintendo reveals more about the upcoming game, and what kind of tie-ins it'll inevitably offer with the mobile game.
Nintendo has announced it is developing a third entry in the Luigi's Mansion for Nintendo Switch. The game made its debut at the very start of today's Nintendo Direct presentation, where a very short teaser was shown, along with a 2019 release date. The name, Luigi's Mansion 3, was listed as a working title. No further details were provided about the game.
The last Luigi's Mansion title was Dark Moon, which was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. The game received a 6.5, with reviewer Carolyn Petit describing it as a"mostly pleasant game marred by the possibility of moments so frustrating, they threaten to overshadow the entire experience."
She continued: "These missteps are all the more disappointing because the better elements of the game are so charming. You may still want to take up the PolterGust 5000 and explore these haunted houses, but be warned: the things lurking in these dark places aren't likely to scare you, but they may well have you seeing red." Read the full Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon review here.
As the name suggests, the Luigi's Mansion games star Mario's perpetually on edge brother as he attempts to rid an area of spooky inhabitants by sucking them up using a vacuum. He's effectively a Ghost Buster, except always terrified of everything. The games are usually a mix of exploration, puzzle solving, and a tug of war against spooky poltergeists.
The first game in the series launched for the Nintendo Gamecube and a remake of this is coming to Nintendo 3DS. A mini-game themed around Luigi's Mansion was also included in Nintendo Wii U launch title, Nintendo Land.
You can watch the ongoing Nintendo Direct here to see what else Nintendo has in store for us, and keep an eye on GameSpot to read all the news from the stream.
Just like Halloween, The Predator is an iconic franchise beloved by many, but with a spotty track record. The original 1987 film not only gave us two US governors, but had great one liners, memorable characters, and cool and bloody action scenes. Having one of the co-stars of the original film make a sequel seemed like a neat idea, especially since Shane Black has become a prominent director in his own right. Unfortunately, he tries to create a modern take on the franchise while delivering the same feeling of a '90s movie, and the mixture doesn't quite work.
While introducing the world premiere of The Predator at the Toronto International Film Festival, writer/director Black talked about wanting to give the film the same feeling of watching the original, while updating it to 2018 and introducing a Dirty Dozen twist. Unfortunately, the two never mix as well as Black seems to think they could, and the final product is his first film that feels like it might have been made by a group of studio executives listing what they think the audience wants to see.
The most obvious evidence of this is the excessive use of gore and profanity--this movie really earns its R rating. Do you want to see some blood? Well, The Predator is catering to you, based on reports of reshoots that were made to enhance the action scenes. The first time we see the titular alien hunter on Earth, its camouflage is ruined by blood dropping from a bisected human hanging from a tree. It's a promising start, though it only gets crazier from there.
From there the film becomes more complicated and bloody, as Black decides to divide the narrative into four separate storylines that clash together in the second half. Boyd Holbrook fails to be funny or charismatic in the role of Quinn, a sniper who runs into a stranded Predator. After a fight, he leaves with not only his life, but some sweet Predator tech. Then an alien-obsessed biologist named Casey (Olivia Munn) is hired to help the cartoonishly evil government scientist Traeger (Sterling K. Brown, having the time of his life). He quickly sweeps the scene of the spaceship crash under the rug and sends Quinn away with a group of "loonies" they want to keep quiet. When Quinn's son Rory (Jacob Tremblay) accidentally activates the Predator tech his father mailed home, he attracts the attention of a genetically enhanced Predator chasing one of its own, who comes to wreak havoc on Anytown, USA. If that sounds like a lot, it's because it is.
While each section of the story has the potential for a cool new revelation about the Predator universe, and the characters are for the most part likable, the different storylines feel too disjointed to really make an impact once they all merge for a mandatory big third act showdown with the Ultra Predator. To try and make the plot seem less complicated, Black and his co-writer Fred Dekker try to quicken the pace by inserting gory action sequences shortly after every dump of exposition. Those craving an R-rated The Predator will get their money's worth, as spines get ripped out and every part of the human body is shredded to pieces at one point or another. However, it is hard not to notice the extensive reshoots, as quite a bit of the digital effects look unfinished, and the blood looks like someone decided to paint the walls red at the last moment.
In his attempt to recapture the feeling of the original film, Black sends a new group of former soldiers fighting against an alien hunter, only this time they are seriously funny. Without a doubt, the best part about The Predator is watching the banter between the side characters, especially Brown, Keegan-Michael Key, and Thomas Jane. The jokes are genuinely funny, and Black's signature witty dialogue is at its best, though it quickly falls into dude-bro territory when it tries to copy the '80s machismo and oiled muscles of the original. Worst is when the film tries to subvert the same machismo theme by plaguing the main group of soldiers with conditions ranging from Tourette's to PTSD. Unfortunately, all of that goes away once every character becomes a trigger-happy maniac in the third act.
Predator movies don't have a great track record when it comes to female characters--both the original and 2010's Predators have exactly one female character each. The Predator has a whopping two. In 2018. While Munn's character promises to be a smart badass that can go toe-to-toe with the male protagonists, she eventually becomes just another person shooting a gun. And Yvonne Strahovski as Quinn's estranged wife is criminally underused and forgotten by the plot.
Nevertheless, those who are in it for the gore, the action, and the "your mom" jokes will have a blast. There are cool Easter eggs and meta commentary on the franchise as a whole, but no matter how funny (it is seriously funny) the film is, and no matter how much the ending wants to sell a sequel, The Predator is hindered by unpolished visuals and the feeling that its violence and tone have been needlessly punched up.
The Good
The Bad
Side characters steal the show
Overly complex story structure
Jokes are genuinely funny
CGI Looks unpolished
Cool Easter and meta series commentary
Conclusion is too open-ended, seemingly to leave room for a sequel
Gore and violence that fans will enjoy
Excessive gore feels needlessly punched up and might be too much for some viewers
Nintendo's September Direct was filled with surprise announcements for Switch, from Luigi's Mansion 3 to another new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character. On top of those, Nintendo gave fans their first look at a brand-new Switch RPG from Game Freak, the studio behind the mainline Pokemon series.
Tentatively titled "Town," the game is set in "a village with a secret to hide." The entire adventure unfolds within this town, which enjoyed peace and prosperity until monsters suddenly appeared. Players will need to battle these invaders by selecting from "a variety of battle commands." They'll also be able to enlist the aid of other villagers in certain situations.
Beyond that, Nintendo didn't share many more details about Town, but the game is slated to launch for Switch sometime in 2019. Game Freak also has a "core" Pokemon RPG on the way for the console in the second half of that year, and before then, the studio is releasing Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee on November 16.
Regarding the latter, The Pokemon Company recently shared a trailer showcasing some new areas and attacks in the game. Like Pokemon Sun and Moon, the Let's Go titles are eschewing HM moves completely; instead, players' partner Pokemon will learn Secret Techniques that serve the same function, such as chopping down certain trees and crossing bodies of water. The trailer also provided a glimpse at Celadon City--one of the largest towns in the Kanto region--and its Gym Leader, the Grass-type Pokemon Trainer Erika.
Apple's big annual event to reveal new iPhones took place on Wednesday, and as expected, the company announced an array of new products coming in the near future. Apple led the event with the Apple Watch Series 4, a gorgeous-looking new version of its smartwatch. It followed that with a trio of new phones, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Below, we're rounding up the essential information on all of the big announcements from the event. Surprisingly, there was nothing about new AirPods or the AirPower wireless charging mat; today's keynote dealt almost exclusively with new iPhones and Apple Watch, although we did get a release date for MacOS Mojave (September 24) and some brief talk about the HomePod.
Apple Watch Series 4
A wide variety of new watch faces were showcased, including one that could feature as many as eight complications. There is also expanded support for third-party apps on the watch face; we saw how the MLB At Bat app could show the box score for a baseball game, for instance. Apple also highlighted the watches' louder speakers and other improvements, as well as new health-related features such as the ability to detect when the wearer falls down (triggering new options for altering emergency services or contacts).
Series 4 watches release on September 21 and will be priced at $399 or $499 for the cellular version.
Next during the keynote was the new iPhones. First up was the iPhone XS--pronounced "ten ess"--that serves as the follow-up to last year's pricier iPhone X. It features an edge-to-edge screen with curved sides, coming in three finishes: gold, silver, and space gray. It features a 5.8-inch screen when measured diagonally; despite being greater than the iPhone 8 Plus's screen size, it's actually a smaller overall phone.
The XS screen is a Super Retina OLED display featuring a 2436x1125 resolution with many of the expected features, like True Tone and HDR10 support. The phone offers Face ID, improved speakers, better CPU and GPUs, and more. It also boasts improved cameras on the front and back, which the company spent a great deal of time showcasing. The battery lasts up to 30 minutes longer than that of the iPhone X.
Pre-orders begin on September 14, with an iPhone XS release date set for September 21. It starts at $999 and comes in 64 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB sizes.
Alongside the iPhone XS is the XS Max. This is the new name for what's previously been known as the Plus model--it's essentially a larger XS. It has a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 2688x1242 resolution. And again, despite a much larger screen than the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus, it's roughly the same size as that phone. The battery life offers up to 90 minutes more than the iPhone X.
Similar to the XS, its release date is set for September 21, while pre-orders begin on September 14. The sizes are the same--64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB--and it starts at $1099.
While not a new announcement, Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls: Blades was featured during the keynote. Todd Howard came on stage to showcase the game and what the iPhone XS's new A12 chip makes possible in terms of visual effects. He also reaffirmed Blades' release date is set for sometime this fall; it's available for pre-order now.
Alongside the iPhone XS and XS Max, which are Apple's high-end devices, the company is also introducing another new phone, the iPhone XR. This is said to offer an iPhone X-style experience (there's no home button, for instance), but it's equipped with an LCD screen, rather than the fancier OLED displayed offered on the XS and XS Max. The 6.1-inch display--with what's called Liquid Retina tech--does still extend to the edges, though.
The camera has the same tech as that of the XS and XS Max, even offering Portrait mode, but with only one camera rather than two; it's equipped with the A12 Bionic chip; and the battery life compared with the iPhone 8 Plus can last 90 minutes longer.
XR pre-orders begin on October 19, with a release date on October 26. It starts at $749, making it cheaper than the iPhone 8 Plus.
During Apple's 2018 iPhone keynote on Wednesday, Bethesda's Todd Howard took the stage to show how The Elder Scrolls: Blades will run on the new iPhone XS. The segment followed details about the improved technology in the newly announced XS and XS Max, including the new A12 Bionic chip, which has increased processing power and a GPU that's 50% faster than last year's equivalent.
The focus of the segment was how the new iPhone tech will enhance the mobile gaming experience. Howard discussed how the XS' OLED screen allows for a high amount of visual detail in both light and dark areas of the game; he also highlighted precision touch controls for sword movements and haptic feedback for attacks. Also during the keynote, former NBA star Steve Nash appeared to promote a new basketball training app that was showcased on the XS.
Originally announced at E3 2018, The Elder Scrolls: Blades is described as a "uniquely mobile experience" with "console-quality graphics." It has the same kind of combat as previous Elder Scrolls games as well as a town-building mechanic and PvP.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades is coming to iOS and Android this fall. It will be free and is currently available for pre-order on Bethesda's website. For more on what Apple had to share, check out our full coverage below.
Apple has officially lifted the curtain on the new set of iPhones coming in 2018. These new flagship Apple devices launch in the next few weeks and sport the usual power and battery improvements, plus some additional features to make them stand out against the current crop of iPhones. If you're in the market to replace your phone, you may be considering buying the latest and greatest Apple has to offer. But a key part of making an educated purchasing decision is the price. We break down the pricing below.
Three new iPhones are heading our way: the XS, XS Max, and the XR. The iPhone XS (pronounced "ten ess") and XS Max are the updated versions of last year's iPhone X, with faster processors and better GPUs. They come in gold, silver, and space gray. The XS has a 5.8-inch OLED display, while the XS Max is larger, with a 6.5-inch display. Both devices have a dual-camera system, stereo audio output, True Tone display, and Face ID technology.
Apple also announced the iPhone XR during the event. It's a slightly lower-end and more affordable version of the XS. It features a similar edge-to-edge screen, but it comes in a number of bright colors you can see by clicking the thumbnails above. It has an LCD screen instead of OLED and has a single camera instead of a dual camera. The XR has a 6.1-inch screen, which lands it right between the XS and XS Max in terms of size. Here's how the pricing breaks down.
iPhone XS Price
64 GB - $999 ($49.91 per month with iPhone Upgrade Program)
256 GB - $1,149 ($56.16 per month)
512 GB - $1,349 ($64.50 per month)
iPhone XS Max Price
64 GB - $1,099 ($54.08 per month with iPhone Upgrade Program)
256 GB - $1,249 ($60.33 per month)
512 GB - $1,449 ($68.66 per month)
iPhone XR Price
64 GB - $749 ($37.41 per month with iPhone Upgrade Program)
128 GB - $799 ($39.50 per month)
256 GB - $899 ($43.66 per month)
The iPhone XS and XS Max will release on September 21, with pre-orders available on September 14. The iPhone XR will launch a little later, on October 26, with pre-orders opening on October 19.
You can find more information announced during Apple's iPhone keynote 2018 in the stories below.
On Wednesday, Apple held its annual September media event to announce, among other things, the new iPhones for 2018. Whether you're the type of person who buys the new iPhone every year or your current phone is getting creaky with age and it's time to upgrade, you're probably wondering when these new devices will come out. Let's break down Apple's new iPhone release dates.
Three new iPhones are heading our way: the XS, XS Max, and the XR. The iPhone XS (pronounced "ten ess") and XS Max are the updated version of last year's iPhone X. The XS has a 5.8-inch OLED display, while the XS Max has a 6.5-inch display. Both devices have stereo audio output, a dual-camera system, True Tone displays, and Face ID security that lets you unlock your phone just by looking at it.
They come in gold, silver, and space gray. The price for the iPhone XS starts at $999 for the 64 GB model and goes up from there for 256 GB and 512 GB. The XS Max starts at $1,099 for the same amounts of storage
Apple also announced the iPhone XR during the presentation. It's a more affordable version of the XS, and it comes in a number of bright colors. It has an LCD screen instead of OLED and has a single camera instead of a dual camera. The XR has a 6.1-inch screen, which lands it right between the XS and XS Max in terms of size. It starts at $749 for the 64 GB model and will cost more for its 128 GB and 256 GB models.
iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR Release Dates
iPhone XS: September 21 (pre-orders start September 14)
iPhone XS Max: September 21 (pre-orders start September 14)
iPhone XR: October 26 (available for pre-order October 19)
You can find more information about Apple's iPhone keynote 2018, including information about the Apple Watch Series 4, in the stories below.
As expected, Apple revealed several new iterations of the iPhone during its Keynote 2018 address. In addition to the iPhone XS and the bigger XS Max--this year's follow-ups to the iPhone X--Apple unveiled the rumored "budget" version of the handset, the iPhone XR.
As 9to5Mac reported ahead of the Keynote, the phone will feature a 6.1-inch, edge-to-edge LCD screen that Apple calls the Liquid Retina Display. This gives the device a bigger display than an iPhone 8 Plus in a smaller overall handset. The phone comes in three different storage sizes--64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB--and will be available in six finishes: black, white, red, yellow, blue, and coral.
Apple bills the iPhone XR as "the iPhone X experience in an LCD display." It boasts the same set of features found in other iPhone X models. Like those, the phone doesn't have a home button; rather, you simply tap to wake it and swipe up to return to the home screen. It offers an hour and a half more battery life than the iPhone 8 Plus and features haptic touch and Face ID.
The iPhone XR starts at $749. It launches on October 26, with pre-orders beginning on October 19. The other newly revealed iPhone models, the XS and XS Max, start at $999 and $1099, respectively, and launch later this month on September 21.
There were many other announcements during Apple's Keynote 2018 address, such as a new Apple Watch Series 4. You can catch up on all of the news from the presentation in our full Apple Keynote recap. You can also find more coverage of the Apple Keynote 2018 below and on GameSpot's sister site, CNET.
For one day only, on Saturday, September 15, GameStop is running a special sale just for Pro members. It will feature tons of excellent discounted games, plus additional savings on pre-owned games and bonus credit for trade-ins. It's GameStop's Pro Day Sale, and it's shaping up to be a great time to save cash on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch games and hardware. The catch, of course, is that you have to be a PowerUp Rewards Pro or Elite Pro member to get the savings.
If you're not already a Pro member, a subscription costs $15 per year and comes with 10% bonus credit on trade-ins and 10% off pre-owned games year-round. You also get a year's subscription to Game Informer and a "buy two, get one free" welcome offer on pre-owned games. You can find more about the program here. Now onto the sale.
On the hardware side of things, if you buy an Xbox One, you'll get a free $50 gift card. Buy a PS4 Slim, and you can save $20 on a PS Plus membership. If you trade in a current-gen system toward another current-gen system, you'll get between $125 and $275 guaranteed credit; you can check trade-in values here.
Lastly, Pro members will get 20% more credit for trading in games and accessories. Elite Pro members get an additional 30%. Also, all pre-owned games and accessories are 20% or 30% off, depending on your membership level.
Remember, these deals are only live Saturday, September 15. You can find more game deals below, or you can visit the Pro Day Sale page for the full list.
After many rumors, lots of speculation, and a name leak hours before the event, Apple has revealed the iPhone XS and Phone XS Max. Alongside a look at the new devices, it also confirmed their all-important release dates and prices--and they're quite soon (and pricey). At its event in Cupertino, California on Wednesday, the company announced its latest product offerings in one of its biggest launches since the iPhone was first released, alongside a new, lower-priced device called the iPhone XR.
The iPhone XS is made of "surgical grade stainless steel" with a gold finish on the front and back. It features a top to bottom, edge to edge screen with curved edges. It delivers 1P68 protection, keeping it safe underwater for 2 meters for 30 mins. The screen is 5.8" diagonally at a 2436x1125 resolution, which is being called the "Super Retina."
The 6.5-inch version is called the iPhone XS Max is the largest phone in Apple's history. Despite the bigger display size, the overall phone is about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus. You'll be able to get a split view when looking at the contacts app if the phone is turned sideways, giving owners extra space to work with. The iPhone XS and XS Max also support Dolby Vision and HDR10.
At the heart of the device is the A12 Bionic, a seven nanometer chip featuring 6.9 billion transistors. Its 6-core CPU is designed by Apple with two performance cores that run 15% faster, while the four efficiency cores run at 50% faster. The 4-core GPU is also 50% faster than the A11 Bionic. It also has a Neural Engine with an 8-core design. The upshot is that everything from image signal processing and the depth engine, to the display engine, memory controller, and audio subsystems are significantly better performing. With 512 GB of internal storage, Apple describes it as "the smartest and most powerful chip ever in a smartphone."
iOS is also getting an update, being fitted with new features such as Siri shortcuts, which let you set reminders and instructions. Augmented reality is also a focus for the new version, and users will be able to use the camera to transform their surroundings with AR.
During the keynote, Bethesda's Todd Howard appeared on stage to talk about The Elder Scrolls Blades. The iPhone's OLED screen, Howard noted, pulls out little details in the game's environment and allows Bethesda to show off advance visual flourishes, the kinds of which were only possible on high-end consoles.
The camera has undergone some improvements for the newest iPhones too, thanks in large part to the A12 Bionic. It has a 12MP wide-angle camera, an improved True Tone flash, and a 12MP telephoto camera on the back. On the front there's an RGB camera, an IR camera for advance image sensing, and a dot projector. The A12 Bionic's image signal processor automatically sets exposure, noise reduction, focus, local tone mapping, highlights details. It also does face detection, facial landmarking, and segmentation.
One new feature for the camera is Smart HDR, which captures multiple images so you get the precise moment and merges them together to bring up the highlights. Since there's no shutter lag, images of things in motion are clearer. Portrait mode lighting has been improved and when you take a picture you can use a slider to adjust the depth of field. The new sensor and the power of the A12 Bionic chip, along with the faster sensor, is also beneficial to video, which now records sound in stereo, autofocuses, highlights shadow details, tone mapping, and improves color, among other things.
The impact all of this has on battery life isn't significant, with the iPhone XS offering 30 mins more battery than the iPhone X. And the iPhone XS Max providing an extra hour and a half. The XS and XS Mas now has Dual Sim Dual Standby and eSIM technology, which effectively allows owners to have two phone numbers and plans at the same time. Carriers such as EE, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have already pledged support to eSIM. For China, where eSIM isn't available, there's a special version of the phone with space for two physical sims.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will be available in 64 GB, 256 GB, and 512GB starting from $999 and $1099 respectively. Pre-orders begin September 14 and shipping begins September 21.
For more on the new iPhones and Apple's event head over to CNET to watch the stream and follow their liveblog. Today's announcements follows some clever reporting by 9to5Mac, which seemed to confirm that new iPhones. There were many other new products revealed at Apple's event. Here is everything announced today.
I lay restlessly in bed a few nights ago thinking about something I presume many people who have just turned 30 think about: Pokemon cards. I wasn't counting Mareep to lull myself into a slumber, nor was I dreaming of sliding down the freakishly long neck of an Alolan Exeggutor (not tonight, at least). No, I was thinking about how bloody expensive the Pokemon Trading Card Game is, and this made me unreasonably upset at roughly 1 in the morning.
For a lot of people, the Pokemon Trading Card Game is something they remember fondly from school. Opening booster packs of 10 randomised cards, comparing shinies with mates, and making ill-advised trading decisions based on the playground economics of each card's perceived worth. But for many, including myself, it's so much more than that. It's one of the best online and offline card games on the market, with the added bonus of fuzzy nostalgia in pocket-sized monster form.
A few years ago I got back into Pokemon cards. It was oddly fulfilling about being able to spend adult money on something I could rarely afford as a scruffy 11-year-old in secondary school. I quickly started playing and competing, thanks to the support of my local Pokemon League and the friendly bunch of players who turned up each Saturday morning. Building decks and taking my best Pokemon cards into an intense one-on-one battle was far more exciting than anything I had experienced in the video games. I was hooked.
Something you learn about very quickly in the world of Pokemon cards is the meta. Certain decks of 60 cards are just better than others, so if you want to be competitive you need to have one of those decks. It seems simple, but herein lies the inherent problem with The Pokemon Trading Card Game: the best decks have the best cards, and the best cards are often rare (or even ultra rare), which makes pulling them randomly from booster packs extremely unlikely and uneconomical. So unless you're funded by Team Rocket or you can convince someone to trade their very good cards for your not-so-good ones, the next logical step is to find someone selling the cards you need on eBay or through a collectible card seller online. But of course the rare, powerful cards are in high demand and have a premium price tag attached to them.
What I'm describing will of course sound familiar to anyone who has played any trading or collectible card game. To a certain extent it's just the nature of the beast, but other card games offer alternatives to you hemorrhaging cash just to keep up with the meta. Magic the Gathering, for example, widely supports multiple formats for veterans and newcomers on any budget, with limited formats like Draft and Sealed levelling the playing field, and a much larger player base to support this. Hearthstone, the popular online collectible card game from Blizzard, lets you break down unwanted cards so you can craft those you need. Pokemon, on the other hand, is effectively pay or lose.
In 2012 a card called Darkrai-EX came along, at the height of my love and obsession for Pokemon cards. The deck winning all the local tournaments had four of these cards, and it was available as part of the Dark Explorers expansion, so obviously I needed it. I decided to take the plunge and drop £80 on a box of 36 Dark Explorers booster packs. After feverishly unwrapping them in what was, to be fair, a pretty cathartic pack-cracking binge, I couldn't believe what had happened: after all that money spent, I hadn't pulled a single Darkrai-EX, and I needed four. The card was selling for £40 a pop on eBay, so that was it. I packed it all in and I headed for the greener pastures of the "Living Card Games" by Fantasy Flight Games, which did away with randomised boosters and offered a more constructed experience with games like Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game.
This brings us back to me, years later, an adult, laying in bed thinking about Pokemon cards. The 2018 Pokemon World Championships have just taken place in Nashville, Tennessee. There, the best TCG players in the world get together and put their decks to the ultimate test. First place takes home a massive $25,000, so the pressure is on to pick the right deck and pilot it to victory. Of course, I'm playing Pokemon cards again. Nothing has since matched the gameplay experience for me so I couldn't stay away for long, but this time I'm determined to do it on a budget. I jump out of bed, switch on my computer, and begin to pore over the winning deck lists fresh from Nashville to see if I could afford any of them.
In the Masters Division a Zoroark / Garbodor deck carved a path to a first place victory. I looked up how much it would cost to buy these cards online and, at the time of writing, this deck would cost a whopping £237.40 ($305) to build. Second place went to a Malamar deck, another staple in the format, which carries a price tag of £145.52 ($187). In at third was a Zygarde / Lycanroc deck to the tune of £168.70 ($217), and finishing in fourth we have a deck using the recently released Rayquaza-GX from the Celestial Storm expansion. This one would cost £213.40 ($274) to build with cards purchased from online sellers, and as it happens similar Rayquaza decks also filled in three more spots in the top 10 at 5th, 7th and 10th.
You can see the picture I'm painting here, but at this point I want to stress that merely owning an expensive meta deck doesn't guarantee victory. It takes a lot of skill, and hundreds if not thousands of hours of practice to play at the level seen at the Pokemon World Championships. To reduce the game simply to the cost of a deck would be a discredit to the incredibly talented, passionate, dedicated, kind, and friendly people who make up the TCG community.
The problem I'm facing, though, is that decks like Zoroark make up a huge percentage of what is currently played not just on the world stage but in local tournaments too. Zoroark decks alone made up nearly 30% of competitive play in the last season, so it's hard to ignore the fact that expensive decks do win games, whether that's at the highest level in tournaments, or friendly local games. Nearly every competitive deck includes multiple copies of the meta staple Tapu Lele-GX, which currently costs about £30 ($38) for one copy.
It's no surprise, then, that pack-opening videos are so popular on YouTube, with people (likely a lot of young children) living vicariously through those who can afford to buy endless booster packs and share the treasures within for the viewer at home. There's even an eight hour long video where an eye-watering $24,000 worth of Pokemon Sun & Moon boosters are opened up for over one million viewers.
At this point it seems to be widely accepted that this is just the cost of playing Pokemon cards. If you don't have the cash to front for the best cards, then you won't have the best chance when it comes to competing. Apply this to video games and the equivalent might be having to pay for better weapons in Call of Duty or Overwatch putting character abilities in loot boxes. There is already a lot of controversy surrounding loot boxes and "pay to win" content in video games as it is, but trading card game manufacturers aren't held to the same level of scrutiny.
So what's the solution? Am I doomed to weak budget decks or playing with printed proxies? Surely there is a way to lower the entry price for a competitive deck below £200, and below £100 or even £50 while we're at it. After all, one deck won't last you long, with new expansions releasing every few months and an ever-changing meta that sees new cards and strategies appearing like wild Zubat in a dark cave.
Booster packs will never go away, they have been a part of the Pokemon Trading Card Game since the beginning, and to be fair a lot of people do love them. But for the competitive scene, I want competitive cards to be more accessible with cheaper reprints for those not able to fork out hundreds. Granted there have been some already, and the must-have Tapu Lele-GX will be included in an upcoming boxset--but at $50 and well after the card initially hit the metagame in May 2017, it's too little too late. Theme Decks are often a starting point for new players, so it's good to see recent releases include a handful of staple uncommon cards to help kickstart a competitive collection, but there's room for improvement. I would like to see The Pokemon Company make these cards easier to get ahold of and make powerful GX cards more frequent in booster packs, rather than the measly four or five you might be lucky enough to get in a full box of 36 boosters at the moment.
This will surely lead to a healthier meta, happier players, and more of them at that. I love the Pokemon Trading Card Game, but the thought of not being able to play because of my budget is literally keeping me up at night. I have a full time job and I can't keep up with the cost of Pokemon cards.
In my mind Richard Garfield, creator of Magic: The Gathering has the best mentality when it comes to cards, their availability, and their pricing structure: "I wanted to see the cards collectible in the sense of stamps, where you go to the post office and buy some stamps you don't expect them to be immediately worth $10 when you spent $2, but over time, they can be special."
You can't count on much in this life, but when it comes to video games, you can bet you'll get a new Smash Bros. game on every Nintendo console. Nintendo's latest hardware is no exception--the company has announced that Super Smash Bros. will be coming to Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018.
This game will boast a massive roster comprised of every character seen in the series to date--including Snake and Cloud. Beyond that, Metroid's Ridley is also being introduced as a new character alongside Castlevania's Simon Belmont and Animal Crossing's Isabelle--among many others. Another change of note is support for all Smash Bros. Amiibo figures and the ability to select a stage before choosing characters.
If you're one of the many people looking to pre-order Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch, you've come to the right place. We've gathered all the information you need about the pre-order bonuses, special editions, and pricing below.
No Pre-Order Bonuses
Nintendo has not announced any pre-order bonuses for Super Smash Bros. for Switch. Some retailers are offering discounts for pre-ordering the game, which you can find below.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Special Edition
Nintendo has announced it will release a special edition of the game in the U.S. This version comes in a black steelbook case and is accompanied by a special Smash Bros.-themed Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. If you just want the Pro Controller, you can buy it here for $75.
Here's where you can pre-order Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and how much it costs. Note that My Best Buy members currently get the best deal, with a $10 reward certificate offered at purchase. You can sign up for a free My Best Buy account here.
The Pokemon invasion of your Nintendo Switch has begun. The "free to start" RPG Pokemon Quest is already available, and a new core Pokemon game is heading our way in late 2019. But the lovable critters aren't done with Switch yet. Coming November 16, 2018 are Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee, a pair of games designed for newcomers to the franchise and for players who got their start with the mobile game Pokemon Go.
Developed by Game Freak, the makers of the core Pokemon titles, these Let's Go games share some DNA with Pokemon Go. Instead of battling the monsters to catch them, you'll collect them by tossing Poke Balls at them. You can even transfer Pokemon from Go to Let's Go via Bluetooth. We also know that the first 150 Pokemon as well as their Alolan forms from Sun and Moon would appear in the Let's Go titles.
We have a lot more information about these games in our article Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu And Eevee: Everything We Know So Far, so check that out to satisfy your curiosity. But if you're ready to lock in your pre-order for one (or both) of these games, you'll probably want to know where to find them, how much they'll cost, and what--if any--extra goodies you can expect to come with them. We have you covered below.
Pre-Order Bonus
Currently, there's only one pre-order bonus available for Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, and it's retailer-specific. If you buy the game from Pokemon Center (while supplies last), you'll get a plush keychain featuring the corresponding Pokemon.
This version of the game comes with a Poke Ball Plus accessory bundled in. Poke Ball Plus is basically a variation of a Joy-Con that has a wrist strap on one end and an analog stick on the other. It also contains a motion sensor, so you can "throw" it at Pokemon in the game world.
The next installment of the Call of Duty franchise is nearly upon us. It's Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and it's launching October 12 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. While it won't feature a traditional campaign like previous installments, it will come with single-player missions, plus loads of multiplayer content, including a battle royale-style mode and, of course, Zombies.
If you're ready to lock in your pre-order for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find all the information you need about pre-order bonuses, what editions are available, and which retailers are offering per-orders for what prices.
Pre-Order Bonus
Pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and you'll receive access to a beta (or two) Activision plans to run in August. The first iteration of this runs exclusively on PS4 and begins on August 3. A second beta kicks off on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 10. An open beta for PC players begins August 11.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Standard Edition
Here's where you can pre-order the standard edition of the game and for how much. Note that Newegg is offering it for $10 less than everyone else (unless you're an Amazon Prime member). Also note that digital copies from Battle.net, Microsoft Store, and Sony Store all come with 1,100 Call of Duty Points.
This edition is exclusive to GameStop. It comes with the game, the Black Ops Pass (which may or may not include all DLC eventually released), Steelbook, Pop Socket, 10 Specialist Patches, 3 Zombies Inspired Collectible Art Cards, 1,100 Call of Duty Points, and a Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Calling Card.
If you're looking for the most ornate, pricy edition of the game, this is it. It comes with a skeleton-themed box that lights up and makes sounds. Everything you see in the image above comes along with it, including Zombies heroes Figpins, a 1,000-piece puzzle, a comic book, lithographs for each Zombies stage, a Popsocket, a Steelbook, Specialist icon patches, the Black Ops Pass, as well as "additional bonus content."
Battlefield V, the next entry in the first-person shooter series, will release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 20. The long-running series has jumped around between time periods and conflicts, but the new installment brings us back to World War II. It will have a single-player campaign that's divided into short stories--much like 2016's Battlefield 1--plus an array of multiplayer modes that include both fan favorites and a new battle royale mode called Firestorm. For more information, here's everything we know about Battlefield V.
If you're already sold on the game and are want to lock in your pre-order, you may be wondering which version to get and where to get it. To help ease the decision-making pain, we've gathered all the information you need into one place. Read on for the goods.
Pre-Order Bonus
Pre-order Battlefield V at most retailers, and you'll receive a number of incentives and goodies. Here's what you get.
Early Access to the Battlefield V Beta
Paratrooper Outfit: Choose one of eight Special Soldier Sets to customize your troops.
Firestorm Ranger Set: Includes goggles, light battle fatigues, and MKIII(S) Elite Combat Dagger.
Special Assignments: Earn rewards and get an edge over the competition by completing Special Assignments.
Immediate Access to Five Battlefield 1 Weapons: Ready for use in Battlefield 1, unlock five of the Great War's most modern weapons and bridge the technological gap between the two world wars.
Battlefield V Standard Edition
The standard edition of Battlefield V just comes with the core game itself, but if you pre-order it, you'll also get the bonuses mentioned above. Here's where you can pre-order the standard edition right now. Note that Newegg has it for $50 and that Best Buy is offering a $10 reward certificate with your pre-order.
The Deluxe Edition of Battlefield V retails for $80, but it includes some extra goodies you won't get from the standard edition. In addition to the core game and the pre-order bonuses, it also comes with the following:
3 Days Early Access to the Base Game: Lead your Company in all-out multiplayer with new experiences like the massive Grand Operations and the timeless Conquest mode. Play untold War Stories in the single player campaign--or squad up with friends in the cooperative Combined Arms.
Five Sets of Paratrooper Outfits: Customize your soldiers with five Special Soldier Sets containing stunning weapon skins, camo patterns, head gear, and face paint for British Special Air Service and German Airborne troops. Choose these five Sets from eight available when deploying into Battlefield V.
Special Assignments: Battlefield V Deluxe Edition includes Special Assignments for the British Special Air Service and Special Assignments for the German Fallschirmjäger troops. In addition, Battlefield V Deluxe Edition includes Starter Assignments--test your skills on the battlefield and gain rewards.
20 Weekly Items with Airlift: Battlefield V Deluxe Edition lets you receive vital supplies with 20 weekly Airlifts, each containing one customization item.
Here's where you can buy Battlefield V Deluxe Edition. Once again, Newegg offers $10 off the price and Best Buy offers a $10 reward certificate for pre-ordering.
The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster continues to grow ahead of the game's release on Switch this December. During the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo revealed another new playable character making her debut in the upcoming fighter: Isabelle from Animal Crossing.
Like the Villager, Isabelle's moveset is derived from activities and items found in the Animal Crossing series. She can use a fishing rod and bug net to ensnare other players, and like Villager, she can pocket projectile attacks and send them back at your opponent. Her Final Smash is also similar to Villager's; when she grabs a Smash Ball, she can summon Tom Nook and his nephews to build a town hall around other players, which then blows up and launches them across the screen.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launches for Nintendo Switch on December 7. If you don't yet own the console, Nintendo also announced a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch bundle during the latest Direct. The bundle launches more than a month ahead of the game, on November 2, and includes a digital copy of Ultimate and a pair of Smash Bros.-themed Joy-Con controllers. The Switch dock is also adorned with Super Smash Bros. characters.
In addition to the new Smash Bros. Switch bundle, Nintendo will release its new line of GameCube controllers, as well as the GameCube controller adapter you'll need to have to use them with Switch, on November 2. The GameCube controllers retail for $30 each, while the adapter costs $20.
That wasn't the only Animal Crossing-related announcement to come out of the presentation. Nintendo also finally announced a Switch installment in the series. The company didn't share any more details about the game, other than it will arrive sometime in 2019.
Nintendo showcased a ton of upcoming Switch titles during its latest Nintendo Direct presentation. Among the many games we got to see during the broadcast was Yoshi for Switch, which now goes by the new moniker Yoshi's Crafted World.
First revealed at E3 2017, Yoshi's Crafted World is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Good-Feel, the studio behind Yoshi's Woolly World for Wii U and Kirby's Epic Yarn for Wii. Like those titles, it features a lovely handcrafted aesthetic, taking Yoshi through levels constructed out of paper cups, cardboard boxes, and other materials.
As in a traditional Yoshi platformer, the dino can swallow enemies and turn them into eggs, which can then be thrown at other foes. You'll also need to use the eggs to solve some environmental puzzles; in the new footage Nintendo shared, Yoshi threw an egg at a cardboard house, which then opened up to create a new pathway. You'll also be able to flip some stages upside down and tilt them around to reveal a new perspective.
Yoshi's Crafted World launches for Nintendo Switch in Spring 2019. Like Woolly World, the game also supports two-player multiplayer; a partner will be able to platform alongside you as a different colored Yoshi using a second Joy-Con.
Nintendo announced many other new games and details during its latest presentation, including Luigi's Mansion 3 and Animal Crossing for Switch. Be sure to check out GameSpot's complete coverage of the September Nintendo Direct below for more details and gameplay footage from the presentation.
During the recent Nintendo Direct, Square-Enix announced plans to release Final Fantasy VII, IX, the X and X-2 remaster, and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age for the Nintendo Switch. Coming later in 2019, the series' most iconic entries will make their longtime debut on Nintendo platforms, offering fans the chance to play the long-running series in a new way.
Though the series found its footing on Nintendo platforms, it eventually moved to the PlayStation 1, with all following main entries remaining on non-Nintendo platforms since, including PS4, PC, and Xbox One. The last major release of a core Final Fantasy game on Nintendo platforms was Final Fantasy VI on the Super Nintendo. The announcement of today's re-releases on Switch is notable for the fact that it shows the largest focus the series has had on a Nintendo platform in sometime.
Not much else is known at this time, aside from the fact that they will be the most recent ports of each game from other consoles and Steam, and that they will also release on Xbox One as well. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age in particular is a standout, which is a port of 2017's stellar re-release. Along with these ports, we also saw news of Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition--originally on mobile--in addition to an enhanced port of the FF compilation game World of Final Fantasy and updated Crystal Chronicles making their way to the portable console.
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