The PlayStation 5 (PS5) console has recently surpassed the milestone of 4 million units sold in the UK.
The post PS5 console sales hit 4m in the UK, less than PS4 in same period appeared first on WholesGame.
There’s really nothing quite like playing an Atari 2600 game, and The Atari 2600+ is coming to capitalize on that. The technological restraints of the 1970s forced the Atari 2600’s games to be simple and addicting. In so doing, the library would go on to become iconic, instantly recognizable, and timelessly fun. Somehow it even managed to hang on to some relevancy well beyond the NES era. Even today this library holds a special place in the hearts of gamers and technology buffs of all stripes.
Atari is no stranger to revivals either, with countless collections of old games repackaged for modern systems being released over the decades. We’ve also seen plenty of console emulation boxes released under the Atari name with varying results. Most of these attempts were marred by limited functionality, poor emulation, or some combination of the two. Now, however, a new kind of revival is underway. The Atari 2600+ has emerged and seems to be hitting a lot the right notes. If handled correctly, this could very well be the ultimate revival for the undisputed golden era of gaming. Here’s what we know so far.
Wood grain, ridges, switches and all. The Atari 2600+ is not trying to modernize the design like the baffling VCS. This is a plain and simple miniaturization of the original machine, like the NES classic. Perhaps a bit more in line with Konami’s Turbografx-16 mini, as it won’t be that much smaller than the original. The original stylings of the switches are the most interesting part of this. That particular design language is so alien today, and will certainly stand out in modern living rooms.
This is wonderful news, and instantly sets the 2600+ apart from nearly every Atari clone console before it. The majority of Atari clone consoles that have emerged only contain whatever AT Games felt like including. Also including the small-but-excellent 7800 library is a nice tough. How the 2600+ runs the games is a big question, though. Latency, compatibility and accuracy are big sticking points for much of the community. However, generally speaking, being able to pop in my own copy of Spider Fighter and play it on my TV from the sofa is alluring. That said, compatibility isn’t perfect, as Atari reveals on their website. More on that later.
Seemingly identical in form, and hopefully at least equal in build quality. These new controllers seem to be aiming to look, feel, and function just like the originals. However, weight could be an issue, as light controllers can feel cheap and unsatisfying to use. The paddles in particular need to be well-made, as most original paddles today are not working well. The Atari 2600+ only comes with one joystick, though, so others will come at an additional cost. This is a bit of a letdown considering the $129 price tag. Although given the connection type, you should be able to use your original controllers as well. Atari’s website does confirm that the new controllers will work on the original 2600. It’s fairly logical to assume the inverse is true as well.
This cart includes Haunted House, Adventure, Dodge ‘Em, Combat, Missile Command, Maze Craze, Realsports Volleyball, Surround, Video Pinball, and Yars’ Revenge. Any compilation of Atari games will feel like it’s missing something, but overall these are great choices. The major genres of the era are represented here. Combat on its own has several modes and difficulties that can easily provide many hours of single or multiplayer mayhem. Compared to the 20+ games Nintendo, Sega, and Konami offers on their mini consoles, though, 10 is less than impressive.
This is essential in today’s world. Most of the clone consoles and emulation boxes released under the Atari name have been composite (red, white, and yellow cables) only. Having HDMI immediately puts the 2600+ in the upper-echelon of ways to play these games. Whether we’re going to get 1080p or 4K remains to be seen, but ultimately might not matter. Most modern displays still recognize 720p today. For the sake of future-proofing though, the higher resolution we can get, the better. Extra points are up for grabs if Atari can throw in some display options. Scanlines, screen curvatures, or other filters would be welcome. No word on anything like that yet, outside of the Black and White switch anyway.
The 2600+ is going to launch alongside some companion products. Mr. Run and Jump, a new game designed for the 2600. A so-called enhanced edition of Berzerk. An additional compilation cartridge focused on paddle games Breakout, Night Driver, Canyon Bomber, and Video Olympics. This appears to come with a new set of paddles as well, which is great. Most of the original paddles hanging around today are barely working – if at all. An additional joystick is also going to be available, and should be an easy upsell. The 2600+ only comes with one, after all.
Before throwing down your hard earned money, there are a couple byte-sized issues to consider. First, the $129 price tag itself. You could buy Atari 50 today for significantly less and play it on the modern console you already own. In so doing you would immediately have access to exponentially more games than the 10 included with the 2600+. $129 vs $30. 10 games vs 90 games. Also, the inclusion of only one controller almost certainly means you’ll need to buy another. This drives up the price even more. Do with this information what you will.
Secondly, hardcore enthusiasts might be left wanting with the 2600+. Atari confirms on their FAQ page that the 2600+ is using emulation to run the games. This isn’t inherently problematic, but it could spell trouble for rom hacks and homebrews. Also, the compatibility list on Atari’s website confirms several official games will fail to work. Super Cobra, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Real Sports Boxing are among them. Many more are listed as “untested” which is frankly bizarre. I know it’s no small task, but if Atari is serious about this, why not test all the games? This makes the “No Cartridge Left Behind” moniker on the webpage ring more than a little hollow. A potential saving grace here is the USB-C port. This will almost certainly be utilized by the community to improve compatibility. For now though, the incomplete compatibility is a notable red flag. I highly suggest all Atari enthusiasts take a look at the list before claiming a pre-order.
These issues aren’t huge ones, but they do muddle up the deal a bit. Casual players who want a quick nostalgia trip could understandably be put off by the price point. Conversely, hardcore enthusiasts may balk at the emulation and incomplete compatibility. The perception of a high floor and low ceiling could threaten the appeal of the 2600+. That said, there is certainly value here. Between the nostalgic form-factor, HDMI, and generally solid compatibility with games and controllers, the 2600+ makes a decent case. Hyperkin’s Retron 77 may have it beat with price, but there is something to be said for an official Atari product. The hassle of converting the video signal of an original 2600 is arguably worth paying $129 to side-step. Yet the phoniness of emulating Atari games on a computer undercuts the entire experience. You could certainly look at it either way.
The 2600+ may not be for the super fanatical or the super casual. This is a bit of a shame, as it comes quite close to being an ideal solution for everyone. Still, here are more comprehensive and cheaper solutions for those two extremes. Are there millions of people who would pay a premium to play the vast majority of their Atari games in a modern, yet authentic way, though? Absolutely. It’s just going to come down to whether or not Atari can get them to do it. If marketed well, and supported with some post-launch firmware updates, the 2600+ could easily soar to great heights.
We won’t be waiting long to get our hands on this thing. The 2600+ launches right before Thanksgiving. This might just prove to be perfect timing. Whipping an Atari out after Thanksgiving dinner for a few rounds of drunken Missile Command with the family sounds like an excellent way to wrap up the Holiday. If nothing else, it could at least distract everyone from whatever arguments transpired during dinner.
Atari 2600+ releases on November 17. Do you plan to jump back into some retro favorites? Or do you prefer more old-school ways to enjoy old-school games? As always, let us know what you think down in the comments!
The post Can the Atari 2600+ reignite the magic? appeared first on Mega Visions.
Online racing games provide the ideal virtual engine soundscape and crowd cheers aficionados can appreciate; my passion lies with F1. However, for the true fan, career mode serves as the heart of F1 24 and provides us with all of its unique features as we evaluate whether upgrading is worthwhile. Here, we explore F1 24's career mode to see whether its features differ significantly compared to F1 23 and whether there's a compelling incentive to upgrade our license to this iteration of F1.
Career mode in F1 games has come a long way since early iterations; players could experience only basic progression along a fixed pathway to glory with limited customizability or one-size-fits-all approaches. Today's version offers much greater depth with customizable tracks allowing them to hone in on exactly the experience they want for victory in F1.
F1 23 saw considerable improvements, with the inclusion of its popular "My Team" mode. Here, players take control of a start-up F1 team - managing finances, staff recruitment, and car development alongside racing duties - alongside fulfilling on-track racing duties. My Team is one of the reasons you can still buy F1 23 and have plenty of fun.
So what exactly does F1 24 offer players?
F1 23 provided excellent customization options for drivers and cars alike; F1 24 appears to expand upon this. You will see specific details while playing, in short: F1 23 leans towards even more intricate driver customization features, allowing players to truly create their virtual racing persona.
One lingering question remains: can track order be changed after the opening race in any season? This feature, long desired by fans, has proven elusive; unfortunately, there has yet to be any official word from Codemasters regarding their availability. Even without changing the track order, F1 24 is one of the best sports games, but fans should be pleased in my opinion. Regarding F1 Life, introduced with F1 21, details remain limited. Will F1 24 offer new customization features to bring a virtual F1 lifestyle? Only time will tell!
The decision to upgrade the F1 24 for its career mode depends entirely on individual preferences. Here is a quick breakdown:
After F1 24's release, online racing communities will undoubtedly share their opinions of its career mode - something many previous F1 titles failed to do. Maybe if you buy cheap PS4 games, you'll think twice if the upgrade from F1 23 is worth it, but keep in mind the progress is visible even if you can enjoy both titles in equal measure. Career mode remains an impressive part of F1 games for veterans as well as newcomers looking to carve their name into history; no matter your skill level behind the virtual wheel - F1 24 is sure to provide an unforgettable virtual racetrack journey for you to chase down your championship dreams! So buckle up, adjust your wing settings, and chase away!
I always appreciate games that challenge me. I appreciate them even more when they give players the option to tweak to their liking. It might be why I struggled to get into Elden Ring. I love the game but I am terrible at it. That’s not the game’s fault of course! It’s me, not you.
You may have noticed the new title. Before I go into today’s article, I have a few updates. Things are going reasonably well on the writing side. Steam Next Fest starts soon, and I’m looking forward to covering some games in that. Whether I’ll write an article about it will depend on my free time, but we will have to see! Between writing for Steam Deck HQ, TheStrategyInformer and here, that’s a lot to manage. I apologise to those waiting for me to send interview documents, post-up interviews, and reviews! Over the past months, I have built up quite a backlog and I’m disappointed in myself. Due to ongoing health and new work coming in, I feel like a puppy presented with a million different plushies to play with.
While it is my intent to cover as many games as possible, I’ve decided to try something new. “Scar Tries” will be for experimental games. They won’t be all that different from my Bite-Sized Reviews, but they might not go into as much depth. I have not been able to play as much Death of A Wish as I would like, but hopefully, this little piece will tempt a few people into picking it up.
It is rather pleasant weather here in old Blighty. A couple of thunderstorms last week that were a delight to watch (they are always more pleasant watching from indoors), but it’s slowly getting warmer. Hopefully, I can get out for some more walks!
Anyhow, that’s my introduction rambles done for the day, let’s talk about Death of A Wish! This game launched back in March, and it’s only recently I have found some spare time to play it. I only wish I played it sooner because Death of A Wish breathes class from every pore. While it is one of those difficult games I usually run away from, it offers a ton of ways to customize how you want to play it. To those who know my reviewing tastes, I prefer customisation and accessibility in my games. I’m happy to play tough games, and running into a boss fight over and over again is sometimes a delight. I’m experiencing that right now with No Rest For The Wicked. I’m still in the first bloody map, dying constantly against the big knight boss blocking my way to Sacrament.
Is it frustrating? Hell yes, but I’m loving my time in No Rest For The Wicked so far.
Death of A Wish feels like that too. I spent about an hour on the first real boss fight, dying about twenty times until I figured out the best way to handle him. I’m no shakes with these fast, violent action RPGs, and it always takes me a while to get used to them. Death of a Wish is no exception, favouring frantic close-quarter combat where enemies hit hard. You have to be on your toes constantly to stand a chance, and DeathWish offers plenty of combat options. Yes, I’ll call it DeathWish from now on. I like giving nicknames.
While I enjoy the gameplay, what drew me to DeathWish is the visual design. I know that sounds strange given the abstract graphics on the show, but they blew me away. Set in a dark, occult world, your job as the player is to gain revenge upon the cult that fathered you. The worldbuilding is top-class as the player delves into this broken world of nightmares. The environments feel like a demon has ripped them from the fabric of reality itself, and the character sprites reflect this. DeathWish is a brutal world and pulls no punches: the Store page is full of content warnings. Combined with a chilling soundtrack, DeathWish punches above its weight class.
In combat, Deathwish offers plenty of customization both with its Aria system and the accessibility settings. There are tons of ways to tailor your character by equipping different ‘Virtues’ and it adds to the fluid movement and tutorials. It looks like a lot, but the early game was fantastic in teaching me how to play. If things are too difficult or easy, you can turn on modifiers with just a button click. In-game cheat codes without needing to unlock them? They are always fun to play with.
I will feature Death of A Wish in a more in-depth ‘Bite-Sized’ review later, but I’m pretty impressed with it so far. What do you think of the ‘Scar Tries’ format? Have you played Death of A Wish? Let me know!
Some of the biggest titles of the past few years have demonstrated that mobile platforms do not need to be a lesser alternative to a title's home console editions.
Genshin Impact – consistently one of the most popular action-adventure games with gacha elements on the market – was simultaneously released for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and PC in September 2020, and for PlayStation 5 a year later. Other titles from major IP holders are now set to have simultaneous releases across both home consoles, PC, and mobile devices.
That is the result of increasing parity in performance between devices, and companies like Netflix investing heavily in bringing games to mobile devices through its app. Games like the upcoming Tales of the Shire are set to release on Netflix on day one, and the recently-released Paper Trail also launched simultaneously on the platform and on PC/consoles.
Valorant is now live on Xbox Series X|S– with some serious benefits for Game Pass members. So grab four of your friends and hop into our 5v5 tactical shooter where you’ll need creative strategy, effective communication, and clutch aim to climb up the ranks.
But launch is only the beginning for Valorant on console – here’s how we’ll be supporting the game going forward.
Riot Games was founded with the idea that competition should be enjoyable at any level – whether it’s your first Valorant Competitive game after hitting level 20 or you’re grinding to Radiant, competing in our games should feel fair. Competitive integrity is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s one element that sets Valorant apart from other shooters on console.
One thing we’ve learned after 4+ years of Valorant on PC is that y’all are pretty cracked. The Valorant playerbase constantly innovates around the meta and comes up with new strats that surprise even us. Players consistently find new ability synergy between Agents, new line-ups, new flank watches, new ways to use a weapon, better smoke placements – you get the picture. Honestly, we love to see it. And now we’re so excited to welcome the console community into that space and see what you’ll come up with next.
Because of the ever-changing landscape, we’re constantly monitoring how our maps, Agents, weapons, and abilities are performing across different skill levels.
Sometimes an Agent might skew too powerful as players learn and master their abilities. Or maybe a map becomes one-sided as teams figure out how to optimize Agent utility. Or maybe a certain weapon becomes too strong as players hone their aim and learn how to better synergize with Agent abilities.
Over time, seemingly small imbalances can make a game start to feel stale and predictable. And that’s just not Valorant.
So, what does all this mean for the game long term? For our devs, it means their work is never done. For our players who aren’t familiar, it means live service and live balance.
We put out patches every two weeks across all platforms to address things like game balance, bug fixes, or QoL improvements. And a few times per year, we release larger updates to an Agent’s entire kit when there’s an opportunity to bolster or tamp down their strength. These kinds of updates typically aren’t needed very often and will only be implemented at a time that won’t affect active Pro play schedules.
So far, since Limited Beta started on console two months ago, Valorant has already seen four patch updates. We’re updating the game frequently, but paying attention to the unique needs of each platform. Balance parity between PC and console isn’t necessarily guaranteed.
Why? While the level of competition and skill-expression is the same for Valorant on PC and console, the game needs to be balanced independently between platforms. With different input methods (controller vs. mouse and keyboard) comes different playstyles. Some Agents shine on console but aren’t as effective on PC and vice versa. So our game developers have to test each extensively and adjust only when it makes sense.
Beyond game balance, Valorant features a rotating map pool for Competitive queue to ensure players get more variety while ranking up, and even occasionally to make changes to a map when it’s out of the competitive rotation.
Ultimately, it’s up to you – our passionate community – to let us know how we’re doing and show us how you’d level up the game. We’re so grateful to those of you who helped us prepare for this day by participating in our Limited and Open Beta periods, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. So hop on, queue up, and frag out.
GL HF.
The post Valorant Console Out Now – and We’re Just Getting Started appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Valorant is now live on Xbox Series X|S– with some serious benefits for Game Pass members. So grab four of your friends and hop into our 5v5 tactical shooter where you’ll need creative strategy, effective communication, and clutch aim to climb up the ranks.
But launch is only the beginning for Valorant on console – here’s how we’ll be supporting the game going forward.
Riot Games was founded with the idea that competition should be enjoyable at any level – whether it’s your first Valorant Competitive game after hitting level 20 or you’re grinding to Radiant, competing in our games should feel fair. Competitive integrity is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s one element that sets Valorant apart from other shooters on console.
One thing we’ve learned after 4+ years of Valorant on PC is that y’all are pretty cracked. The Valorant playerbase constantly innovates around the meta and comes up with new strats that surprise even us. Players consistently find new ability synergy between Agents, new line-ups, new flank watches, new ways to use a weapon, better smoke placements – you get the picture. Honestly, we love to see it. And now we’re so excited to welcome the console community into that space and see what you’ll come up with next.
Because of the ever-changing landscape, we’re constantly monitoring how our maps, Agents, weapons, and abilities are performing across different skill levels.
Sometimes an Agent might skew too powerful as players learn and master their abilities. Or maybe a map becomes one-sided as teams figure out how to optimize Agent utility. Or maybe a certain weapon becomes too strong as players hone their aim and learn how to better synergize with Agent abilities.
Over time, seemingly small imbalances can make a game start to feel stale and predictable. And that’s just not Valorant.
So, what does all this mean for the game long term? For our devs, it means their work is never done. For our players who aren’t familiar, it means live service and live balance.
We put out patches every two weeks across all platforms to address things like game balance, bug fixes, or QoL improvements. And a few times per year, we release larger updates to an Agent’s entire kit when there’s an opportunity to bolster or tamp down their strength. These kinds of updates typically aren’t needed very often and will only be implemented at a time that won’t affect active Pro play schedules.
So far, since Limited Beta started on console two months ago, Valorant has already seen four patch updates. We’re updating the game frequently, but paying attention to the unique needs of each platform. Balance parity between PC and console isn’t necessarily guaranteed.
Why? While the level of competition and skill-expression is the same for Valorant on PC and console, the game needs to be balanced independently between platforms. With different input methods (controller vs. mouse and keyboard) comes different playstyles. Some Agents shine on console but aren’t as effective on PC and vice versa. So our game developers have to test each extensively and adjust only when it makes sense.
Beyond game balance, Valorant features a rotating map pool for Competitive queue to ensure players get more variety while ranking up, and even occasionally to make changes to a map when it’s out of the competitive rotation.
Ultimately, it’s up to you – our passionate community – to let us know how we’re doing and show us how you’d level up the game. We’re so grateful to those of you who helped us prepare for this day by participating in our Limited and Open Beta periods, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. So hop on, queue up, and frag out.
GL HF.
The post Valorant Console Out Now – and We’re Just Getting Started appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Good launch offer for the SIGAM M25 retro console, a device clearly reminiscent of a PS5 controller in its design and colors. This console has the Rockchip RK3566 ...
The post SIGAM M25, PS5 style retro console with 4.3″ and Rockchip RK3566 first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
We already have available since a few days ago in AliExpress the Zpg A1 Unicorn a retro console that includes a Mediatek Helio G99 processor and a 4-inch ...
The post Zpg A1 Unicorn, retroconsole with Helio G99 and 1:1 display now available first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
AYANEO’s latest handheld game consoles are Android-powered systems with retro-powered designs. The AYANEO Pocket DMG is a powerful system designed to look a bit like a Game Boy. And the AYANEO Pocket Micro meanwhile is a smaller, cheaper device that puts an emphasis on portability rather than bleeding edge performance. First announced earlier this year, they’re both […]
The post AYANEO Pocket DMG and Pocket Micro hit Indiegogo (Handheld Android game systems) appeared first on Liliputing.
We have already presented Powkiddy V10 a new retro console that joins the club of 3:2 screens and this time stands out for its small size that make ...
The post Powkiddy V10 a small and simple retro console with 3:2 display first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Bargain price during this weekend for the Powkiddy X55 a very interesting retro console for its screen size for those who do not want to go blind and ...
The post Powkiddy X55, 5.5″ retro console cheaper than ever before first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
If you are a fan of DOS and Windows 95 game emulation, the Pocket 386, a small laptop with an x86 processor, should not be missing in your ...
The post Pocket 386 the ultimate mini notebook for DOS and Windows 95 first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
The new Anbernic RG Cube portable retro console is now on sale in Chinese stores. It is striking for its square screen with a 1:1 format designed for ...
The post Anbernic RG Cube: retro console with square screen now available for sale first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
From Computex we get new interesting announcements such as the new ZOTAC ZONE console PC, with a hardware and design that reminds us of the Steam Deck. This ...
The post ZOTAC ZONE, new consolidated PC Steam Deck style first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Considerable reduction thanks to AliExpress coupons for the recent ANBERNIC RG556 a console with Android capable of moving systems up to PS2. Highlights in this Anbernic the use ...
The post ANBERNIC RG556 a retro with 5.48″ AMOLED display cheaper than ever before first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
We already have all the details of the new retro console Anbernic RG Cube, a portable that stands out for its screen with 1:1 format. A 3.95 inch ...
The post Anbernic RG Cube a retro console with 1:1 screen first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
New OneXPlayer 2 Pro console that upgrades its processor to the new AMD Gen8, a system that features a peculiar 5-in-1 multipurpose design. A laptop with side rails ...
The post OneXPlayer 2 Pro, Tablet PC now with AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Get to know Moonlight streaming client in detail and enjoy your PC games on any screen without the need of a powerful GPU. Through this client we can ...
The post Moonlight. Streaming PC Games on any screen first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Today we are going to explain how to install and configure Sunshine, our Streaming Gaming Server from our PC to any Android or Windows device. Thanks to this ...
The post Sunshine. Create your Streaming Gaming Server on PC first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Today we will test the retro console TRIMUI SMART PRO in our analysis or review. An economical and very popular console. The TRIMUI SMART PRO undoubtedly stands out ...
The post TRIMUI SMART PRO, Review: The retro console of the moment with PSP style first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
Today we have on our review table the R36S retro console. A very economical, compact console with Linux system. The R36S stands out for its Game Boy inspired ...
The post R36S, Review: pocket retro console with 3.5″ screen first appeared on AndroidPCtv.
The AYANEO Pocket MICRO is a handheld game console that draws inspiration from Nintendo’s Game Boy Micro in that it’s a tiny, pocketable game system with a horizontal layout. But the Pocket MICRO has modern hardware including a bigger, higher-quality display, a faster processor, and support for a much broader set of games. AYANEO hasn’t announced pricing […]
The post AYANEO Pocket MICRO is a pocket-sized Android game console appeared first on Liliputing.
The AYANEO Pocket DMG is a modern handheld with a design inspired by Nintendo’s classic Game Boy consoles. While most AYANEO devices released to over the past few years have featured a screen squeezed between a set of game controllers, this model has a vertical design with a nearly-square display at the top and a set of […]
The post AYANEO Pocket DMG handheld game console packs a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip into a Game Boy-like body appeared first on Liliputing.
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