Several years deep into the latest console releases, you’d think it would be easier to discuss the many options available at the hands of video game shoppers over the holidays. Heck, maybe there’s even a new inexpensive bundle box or two that’ll have items includes alongside the console, making for an attractive box and perhaps a free game or two to spark excitement. Alas, it’s the year 2022, where we’re stuck in the tidal shifts between supply-chain production issues and rising costs due to inflation (disproportionate as they might be). Instead, we’re left with a different sort of exciting aspect of shopping for video game systems over the holidays, one folks haven’t been able to enjoy for several years: if they shop early, they should be able to get a system this year without all the hoops.

Will this actually be the case this year? Who knows, but more and more retailers have been able to put stock of the ever-elusive PS5 on shelves over the past few months, and more online retailers have made pockets of stock available in one way or another. If you’d like a few hints on how to keep tabs on stock of the various systems through trackers, please check out Ben’s Bargains 2021 Video Game Hardware Guide about halfway down. Beyond, give this year’s guide a look and see what’s new in the landscape of consoles and accessories for the players in your life.

For Fans of Kratos, Comfy Controllers and 4K Horizons, Gift This.

PlayStation 5 Console – God of War: Rganarok Bundle

Pros: 4K Gaming, PS4 Compatibility, HDR Disc Playback, GAMES | MSRP: $559

But wait! Look! Is that a bundle I see before me? As someone who’s been covering the most unique, all-inclusive ways to give video game hardware as awesome gifts over the years, it’s admittedly been quite a bummer to see the snazzy All-In-One Bundle dry up and become such a scarce item.  This year, however, despite the rampant demand and chip supply/production complications, Sony will be offering a brand-new bundle that coincides with the release of the hotly-anticipated God of War: Ragnarok. How easy this will be to find remains a mystery; however, the optimist in me seems to think that if they’re designing specific PS5 retail boxes to draw attention to the bundle and, of course, will be including the digital info in the paperwork included with the system … then they’re going to be reasonable available.

Opinions about the power of the PS5 over the Xbox Series X have largely become moot, as they’re quite similar under the hood and will play most of the games anyone’s wanting to play, so the topic once again gravitates towards other factors: exclusive titles and the strength of supplemental features. PlayStation added several noteworthy games to the PS5-only roster this year, notably the sequels to sprawling action franchises like God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon: Forbidden West, to which their execution of both gameplay and aesthetics result in not-to-be-missed adventures. There’s also the remake of PlayStation darling The Last of Us, and that’ll become relevant at the beginning of next year when people are wanting to replay the game before the HBO series gets started.  Couple those things with an outstanding, comfy controller and continuously reliable 4K disc playback, and you’ve got the makings of a console that’s moved ahead of the pack in desirability.

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for PS5 Console Deals

For Fans of High-End HD Tech, Legacy Gaming, and Bethesda, Gift This.

Xbox Series X Console

Pros: 4K Gaming/Media, Multi-Gen Back Compatibility, Not THAT Big | MSRP: $499

Both primary systems have been a pain to buy over the past few years, and that conversation usually lumps the Xbox Series X and the PS5 together as simply “hard-to-find” without much need to emphasize which is more difficult. When it comes to power under the hood, the specs may give the Xbox Series X a slight processing advantage, but if they’re viewed side-by-side it’s about as close as you can get … and outside of exclusive titles and compatibility choices, there aren’t many factors giving the edge to either one. Truth be told, it’s been a quieter year on the Xbox side of things, without much in the way of attention-grabbing exclusives that might push this decision any further in their direction; heavy hitter games like Bethesda’s Starfield and Arkane’s Redfall were pushed to 2023.

Instead, the Xbox Series X continues to rely on the pillars from which it was built: rock-solid operation, stunningly up-to-date graphics, and a dedication to backwards compatibility.  While it’s true that the Xbox team halted its efforts this year to add any further backwards compatible titles, this BC dedication resulted in the current generation of Xbox consoles being able to play close to 5,000 games across the platform’s history: 600+ of them being Xbox 360 titles and several dozen being original Xbox classics. It also shouldn’t go without saying that the process of unplugging the previous generation of Xbox peripherals from the One system and reconnecting/resynching them with the new Series console is a generally seamless process, all of which makes the choice of upgrading someone’s console as a gift pretty much a no-brainer. And it’s still a perfectly fine 4K disc player, too!

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for Xbox Series X Deals

For Those Who Want Available, Reliable, Family-Friendly Fun, Gift This.

Nintendo Switch OLED Edition

Pros: Improved, Larger OLED Screen, Metal Body, Available | Cons: $50 More | MSRP: $349

Rumors have circulated over the past 2-3 years that Nintendo might be working on a beefed-up version of their Switch console – a higher-end “Switch Plus”, if you will. Given the age of the console’s life cycle, one would expect for this to be coming in the not-so-distant future; the Switch launched in 2017, after all. Instead, what materialized is an OLED screen model of the console everyone’s come to know and love, providing a dose of disappointment to those who expected improved graphics or performance … but also a satisfying new version with improved hardware all-around.   

Released last October, the Switch OLED model obviously boasts an improved screen, jumping from a 6-inch LCD to a 7-inch OLED for improved on-the-go play. A further adjustment to this comes in the widened stand for the screen that assists with Tabletop mode, further making this an appealing portable system even in comparison to their Switch Lite models. On top of that, the OLED model doubles up on the internal storage available, giving it 64GB of available space, and encases the system in a metal alloy body. Yes, these are upgrades to a system that’s 5 years into its product cycle – the Gamecube stuck around for 6 years and the Wii U lingered for 5 – and there’s a $50 upcharge, but there are a lot of great things still going for it. For instance, the Switch library has grown into an impressive range of both Nintendo franchises and third-party heavy hitters — Skyrim, The Witcher, Dark Souls and Minecraft are all options – and the upticks in material build quality suggest forward thinking for the Switch’s future.

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for Switch Console Deals

For Those Who Light Up at Steam Sales And Want Their PC Library Mobile, Gift This.

Steam Deck

Pros: Play Steam Game Library on Strong Mobile Device | Cons: Battery Life | MSRP: $399-649

A specific piece of equipment designed to play PC games from a user’s Steam account on-the-go isn’t the easiest sell, because you’ve got to explain why this isn’t essentially a laptop and what it does that, say, a Switch wouldn’t. Once you’ve worked yourself into the conversation and learned that the Steam Deck does exactly what’s being described, focusing on the nuts-‘n-bolts of gaming instead of other PC noise and making it straightforward to play computer games on a ready-to-go device, the question kind of answers itself. The mastermind at Steam/Valve, Gabe Newell, has stated that he’s always wanted this product as a gamer and further wanted it for PC developers, and it’s easy to see why. Broad questions like “When will this game come to consoles?” and “Why is it worth it to build a gaming PC?” could reach an end with a device like the Steam Deck that makes it all … easy.

With a processor named after one of the main characters from Final Fantasy VII, a Linux-based version of the Steam desktop client, and a team of people curating and ensuring that games are “verified” to run on the device, the Steam Deck has a lot of thought poured into its power and accessibility.  Consoles have been priced relatively affordably — $399 for 64GB of storage; $520 for 128GB; $649 for 256GB – and the anticipated delivery dates have been trimmed down to just 1-2 weeks.  There’s also a peripheral charging and connection dock now available, which makes it easier to plug-and-play the system into conventional TVs and hook up other devices via USB-C ports. If someone has ever seen a PC gamer get all googly-eyed over the prospect of the “Steam Sale” and its heaps of cheap games, and wanted to revel in the good times, the Steam Deck might just be the way they finally take the plunge.  

Click to Buy Steam Deck Or Search Ben’s for Steam Deck Deals

For Those Into Getting Lots of Gaming For Their Buck, Gift This.

Xbox or PlayStation Branded Gift Cards – Pre-Paid Subscriptions

$100 Xbox Card on Amazon $110 PS+ Wallet Funds on Amazon

There has been lots of talk over the past few years about when and how the subscription services would ultimately change, moving into their next evolutionary step as the old, simple paradigm of “free downloads + online gaming” reaches its end. Sure enough, that finally happened this year as PlayStation Plus transformed into a 3-tier subscription service: the $9.99/month tier is the “free games + online” as it’s known; the $14.99 tier unlocks a gaming library similar to Xbox’s Game Pass; and the $17.99 tier unlocks an extensive retro gaming backlog. The change isn’t as drastic, but the team at Xbox also did a bit of restructuring by scrapping any further 360 and original Xbox freebies – and backwards compatibility – while keeping the number of free titles each month to 2, doing a heavy number of the perceived value of the Gold-only tier. The two lowest $10 sub tiers are looking … old, and obsolete.

 The $15 tiers, on the other hand, have risen more and more in value, and that’s where our gift recommendation comes from this year. Instead of the year-long Gold or bottom-tier PlayStation Plus subscription cards that we’ve generally recommended here, it’s probably best to go ahead and splurge on the more expensive $15 subscription programs for either the Xbox or the PlayStation to better maximize the dollar value. The Xbox has previously made Game Pass Ultimate prepaid subs available in up to 3-month increments; PlayStation hasn’t done the same yet, but they have a clearly labeled “PlayStation Plus” digital gift card / “wallet funds”. Best bet? Find a way of wrapping up a printed Sony or Microsoft gift card for them to apply to their accounts, or just hook them up with an Amazon gift card with a specific purpose in mind (hint: they may not use it for that).

For the Gamer That’ll Appreciate a Touch of Personality and Usefulness, Gift This.

Exquisite Games “Cable Guy” Character Device Holders

Pros: Holds Controllers, Holds Cellphones, Adds Personality to Game Space | MSRP: $20-40

There are 2 aspects to these statues that’ll appeal to gamers. The first should be obvious: these are awesome ways to represent one’s fandom in a functional way. Unlike, say, Funko Pop figures that merely sit there for the sole purpose of proclaiming one’s appreciation for a franchise, these will actually hold your favorite controller and wait patiently until it’s picked up again. The designers of these products – represented here by Exquisite Gaming’s Cable Guy brand – have figured out the right height and character arm distance to comfortably hold most modern controllers, at the perfect level for maximum stability and character recognition.  Keeping controllers safe from fluids or Cheeto dust? Let Sonic or Vault Boy hold ‘em above such hazards.

The other fun aspect of these “device holders” for gamers is, perhaps oddly enough, how they also function as mobile phone stands. If the player’s trying to pull off a certain combo of skills in a fighting game (or looking at a map or tutorial), they can have Claptrap hold up their phone with the button connection loaded up on the phone screen while brawling it out on the primary one.  Or, maybe there’s a sports event on and they’d like to flip it on while in the middle of a gaming session.  Just fork it over to Spyro or Ryu to hold for a while. Yes, it’s a simple concept with other, simpler solutions, but if there’s someone in your life who even mildly appreciates one of the available popular characters – which extend beyond gaming; Wolverine, Spider-man, and  they’ll get a charge out of these device holders.  Not a literal charge, mind you: a charge cable may be included, but actual cables aren’t looped through the statue itself.

Check Price of Vault Boy on Amazon Check Price of Sonic on Amazon

For Those Nostalgic For the Retro Arcade Glow But With Limited Space, Gift This.

Arcade1UP’s CounterCade and PartyCade Models

Pros: Retro Gaming That Occupies Small Spaces | Cons: Tight Control Spaces | MSRP: Varies ($150-300)

By now, even the significant others and family members of starry-eyed gamers have probably seen a photo or video of someone who’s transformed their basement or spare room into an arcade, thanks in large part to the affordable, fit-to-scale cabinets from Arcade 1Up. They’ve made it pretty easy to replicate the lovely neon radiance in any dedicated space, but they’ve also made it possible to just slide one near full-sized arcade machine into a corner for a splash of functional enjoyment, as the Arcade 1UP machines are also significantly above-average quality than one might expect for a pint-sized replication. Thing is, even that might occupy too much for space for some, but why should they be left out of the nostalgia?

Recently, Arcade 1UP introduced something new for that crowd: their PartyCade and CounterCade line. The Countercade is somewhat self-explanatory, compacting the scale of an arcade cabinet into a structure that both fits on a countertop and captures the retro feel of old-school machines. PartyCades are slightly different but essentially go in the other direction, condensing the cabinet into a long, slim profile that can be mounted to the wall (or, with the stabilizer feet attached, also placed on a tabletop surface). Sure, these smaller retro cabinets may be getting a little brave with what they’re doing – after all, the actual games can be bought and saved on most game consoles and any PC for a fraction of the price – but these scaled-down cabinets still capture enough of that vintage magic to be worth it.

Super Pac-Man PartyCade at BestBuy NBA Jam CounterCade at BestBuy

2022 Gift Guide: Video Game Hardware and Accessories

Last year’s hardware gift guide began with the somewhat obvious preface that 2020 was an incredibly different year in several ways, with the video game market both thriving and struggling with supply issues … and that was before the next generation of consoles were released before holiday shopping. Ideally, a year later, one would imagine that some of the issues might be smoothed out, and that this following holiday season would be primed for gift givers to get their loved ones caught up on the latest and most desirable in gaming. Alas, with the extended stay of the pandemic and its impacts on both the construction and distribution of electronics, it looks as if 2021 will be another year where folks will be frantically searching for the elusive next-generation consoles … and probably the other consoles, too.

Availability of those ever-so-desirable PS5s and Xbox Series X consoles will be in short, narrow windows where folks will need to be at the right place at the right time to get what they’re wanting to give. On top of that, it’ll be a bit tougher to “substitute” the newest systems with those of the current generation due to how many games simply perform more properly on the newer ones, even though heaps of great games still came out on them this year. At least Nintendo Switches shouldn’t be impossible to obtain this year, though it wouldn’t be unwise to go ahead and grab one of those while they’re available now.

Below, we’ve pieced together a bit of a guide to help point readers in the right directions during what will likely be yet another complicated holiday shopping season. Be sure to check out our Software Guide to figure out which games to gift.

For Fans of Marvel, God of War, and 4K UltraHD Superiority, Gift This.

In the early stages of this side-by-side console release, choosing between one or the other usually boiled down to brand loyalty, exclusives, and scrutinizing specks without much hands-on review impressions.  After a year of seeing how these consoles perform, the choices have expectedly become much easier and determined by less factors, with the PS5 having two easy and noteworthy positives in its column: it has a not-so-arguably superior slate of exclusive games, and it’s a reliable, above-par 4K playback device. Discussions about performance have become more practical: while there may be moments of stronger processing power on the Series X, both essentially play their big, shared games on about the same level, and that’s understandable since the two machines are incredibly similar under the hood.

When it comes to their library, the PS5 started things off on a strong note by having their exclusive Spider-Man: Miles Morales title ready at launch, an impression that’s continued at a low, consistent level over the past year. Deathloop, Ratchet and Clank, and the dazzling remakes of Final Fantasy VII and Demon’s Souls are currently only available on PlayStation consoles, and future titles like God of War Ragnarok, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Wolverine will continue their exclusivity on Sony’s hardware. After a brief digital hiccup at release that overclocked the brightness levels while watching movies, the PS5 has also very quietly taken the crown as the superior 4K UltraHD disc player, though that’s to be expected from the company that produces dedicates players.  While neither are top of the line in that arena, the PS5 has developed a reputation for being more stable and crisper through playback.

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for PS5 Console Deals

For Those Who Value Nostalgia, Versatile Power, and Bethesda, Gift This.

Following the shaky release of the Xbox One, Microsoft has restructured their game plan to fill a void and satisfy users in ways neglected by their competitors: through easy backwards compatibility. While other systems choose to focus almost entirely on the latest and greatest, the folks at Xbox figured out that making older games and libraries available to play on their next-gen console wouldn’t so drastically impact the attention placed on new content, resulting in their effort to make 360 and even original Xbox games playable on the system through emulation. One of the most compelling parts of the Xbox Series X has been how one can essentially unplug all their old hardware from the Xbox One, plug it into the same slots on the Series X, and they’re good to go with continuing their gaming without much of hassle. Those games installed on an external HD? Easily playable on the Series X once the system recognizes it.

Here’s the thing: the Xbox Series X can also process games on a more advanced level, whether they’re new or classics. While new titles have been “Optimized for Xbox Series X” to take advantage of the full 4K graphical power coming from this machine, old-school games like Fallout 3 and Elder Scrolls: Morrowind have also been “Xbox One X Enhanced” with immense performance upgrades that make replaying them more than just a nostalgic rehash of joy, and effortlessly playable from either discs or external HDs. From storage and controller adaptability to downloading both old and new titles through the Xbox Game Pass subscription program, the experience in owning an Xbox Series X feels more diverse and accessible than the others … and the purchase of Fallout and Elder Scrolls gamemaker Bethesda Studios by Microsoft will have significant ramifications on the exclusivity of games to come.

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for Xbox Series X Deals

For Those Who Love Portability, Family-Friendly Quality, and Zelda, Gift This.

Limited Edition Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch Console

Pros: Cute Colors, Kid-Room Appropriate, Semi-Available | Cons: Game Not Included MSRP: $299

Through the development and release of these new powerhouse systems, the Nintendo Switch has been content with being along for the ride, serving as both a primary gaming system for some folks and a secondary one for those who choose sides in the console wars. Sales were phenomenal in the previous year during the rise in popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons amid the pandemic, and the release of several games from Nintendo’s attention-grabbing franchises – Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, Metroid Dread, and Mario Party – make the system equally or perhaps even more appealing this holiday season. Outside of issues where the screen gets scuffed in the dock and the motion controls have a brief lapse in connectivity, Nintendo’s hybridized system has proven to be a wildly successful experiment.

From among the primary video game systems of the latest generation and the one before it, the Switch will likely be the least difficult system to purchase this year. Currently, some models of Nintendo’s portable-home crossbred console can be purchased for mid-November delivery from Amazon, though the color selection is already limited.  Bear in mind that the Animal Crossing version of the Nintendo Switch console, which does seem to be floating in and out of stock currently at several locations, does not come with that game included: an easy mistake to make considering how it’s designed. Some colors of the Nintendo Switch Lite – the compact, portable-only version of the system that doesn’t hook up to the TV or use detachable motion controllers — also seem to be available in a few colors right now at the $199 price point.

Check Price/Availability on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for Switch Console Deals

So, Uh … Where Are They? A Guide of a Different Sort.

Normally, this is where the Holiday Video Game Hardware Guide explores different console bundles and other gift options, but 2021 is a unique year where a perfect storm of slowed manufacturing, supply-chain issues, and halted last-gen console production has resulted in a major shortage across the board. Awesome bundles of last-gen gaming systems thrown together with some of their most popular titles are nowhere to be found, nor are most of the creative and colorful skinned systems, and it’s a struggle to even find regular standalone consoles from the PS4 and Xbox One era.

This isn’t a year where walking into a place that sells video games and walking out with holiday shopping done will be a common occurrence; in fact, most will have to resort to strategizing with different stores and keeping an eagle eye on stock will be necessary. Here are some of the methods that people are using to keep track of in-stock status of certain systems:

Twitter. One of the quickest and most reliable methods to receive alerts will be through Twitter, as there are numerous accounts dedicated to stock updates: @PS5StockNews, @SwitchStockNews, @XboxStockAlerts and so on. It’s possible to continuously refresh the Twitter feed for updates, but signing up for an account and following them will allow you to receive real-time updates when new stock alerts are published, so one can hop online and grab a system before that dreaded gray “out of stock” button shows up once again.

Get Connected. Different brick-and mortal stores will also have certain programs available so that customers may luck out and get one of the restocked systems, though they all involve jumping through hoops. One of the consistent themes about nearly all of the options is that it pays to be a member of some fashion to one of the stores, as that will grant exclusive access either to early info about the drops … or straight-up access to the consoles themselves when they’re available.

• BestBuy has a new TotalTech program that costs subscribers $200/year, but it boasts access to in-demand electronics before non-subscribers, and it makes sense that PS5s and Series X consoles would apply. The TotalTech program also comes with product protection benefits, free delivery and installation of purchases, around-the-clock GeekSquad service, and extended return windows alongside the discount perks, so there’s plenty of other stuff that comes alongside the membership fee.
• Walmart also has a subscription service, Walmart+, that grants early access to deals for its customers, and that has applied to next-gen console availability. Pricing for the subscription is $13/month or right at $100 for a year, and it also comes with free store-to-home deliveries, gas discounts and free shipping for Walmart items regardless of price (normally orders over $35 ship free).
• Costco recently got a restock on console bundles as well, but obviously only for members. That bundle features the console, an extra controller, a premium headset, and subscription cards for PlayStation’s 2 services. Here’s the landing page for that PS5 bundle.
• NewEgg periodically restocks with their own custom bundle (usually an extra controller and/or an HD Camera), but it’s gated by a raffle system called NewEgg Shuffle. After signing up for a NewEgg account, customers can visit the Shuffle page or receive notifications to be entered into specific raffles, which are started once certain items hit the warehouse.  The landing page for that PS5 bundle can be found here.
• GameStop will be announcing when inventory will be available at select locations. Recently, they made a page available for a console “Bundle Event”, in which certain stores in and surrounding a half-dozen major cities would have custom bundles available on a given date at 8am. Bundles have also been available to purchase online, though the company’s PowerUp Rewards Pro Members — $14.99 for purchase discounts and trade/point benefits, or $19.99 if you want physical GameInformer magazines – have early access.

There’s no telling what the next few weeks leading up to Black Friday will have in store, whether little pockets of console stock will be unearthed and made available to the general public, or not. Until then, it’s the kind of year where one can only wish shoppers the best of luck in tracking down and rushing home with their treasures.

For Those Who Have Their System Situation Under Control, Gift This.

Pictured: Xbox’s Limited Controller in Aqua Shift

The one semi-benefit to there being a console shortage is that gift givers will likely have an easier time picking up the extra items for a given system, and just about every gamer will tell you that a new controller is a welcome sight. Also, with this being a year into the console’s life cycle, some new color options have been debut. While Sony has cranked out Midnight Black and Cosmic Red variants of their stock white controller, the folks at Xbox have predictably made more headway with numerous color variants that are compatible with the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X. That includes a snazzy Aqua Shift blue ombre controller that was released in August.

If none of the stock options will suit a specific person’s personality and they’re on the Xbox, there’s the Xbox Design Lab, which reopened for business in July of this year.

Click Here to Visit Xbox’s Revamped Design Lab

For Online Players and Freebie/Deal Hunters, Gift These.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate / PS+ Subscriptions

Game Pass Ultimate 3-Month on Amazon PS+ 12 Month on Amazon

Each yeah, there’s a little bit of uncertainty when discussing the future of the main console subscription services, as to what they’ll look like in the near future and whether card purchases are still viable.  Regardless of the answer, the recommendation hasn’t really changed … until this year. While folks on Sony consoles will still be content with picking up year subscriptions to PlayStation Plus, those on the Xbox side of things may want to consider a shift, or perhaps more accurately an upgrade. This also opens a prime opportunity for a quality gift as well, one that’s essentially worth what the receiver decides to squeeze out of it.

Instead of loading up on yet another 12 Month subscription of the baseline Xbox Live service, folks will want to take a close look at the value of the Game Pass Ultimate program. Over the past year, the benefits of subscribing to just that program have dwindled: online play remains a must, but the Games With Gold freebies and associated discounts at the Xbox Store haven’t been as worthwhile. While the Game Pass Ultimate subscription is notably more expensive — $15/month as opposed to $10/month for Live; card discount prices not taken into account – it also opens the door for subscribers to download a huge amount of current, quality games and have access to the same Games With Gold benefits. There’s a Game Pass Only subscription for $10/month as well, but the online play might be integral to the subscription decision and the combo rate is preferable. Cards only come in 3-month increments though, for now.

For Tabletop and Tech Enthusiasts, As Well As For The Fam, Gift This.

Arcade 1UP’s Infinity Table

Pros: Movable, Pause Games, Apps Added; Cons: Light on Game Quantity | MSRP: $699/899

Over the past 4-5 years, Arcade1UP has been gradually building a reputation for its brand, delivering affordable yet high-quality duplications of arcade game cabinets at roughly ¾ scale. Many attempts have been made to do similar emulations and failed to fully capture the retro spirit, so it’s a noteworthy accomplishment for this company to survive the scrutiny of nostalgic gamers and become known as a reliable source of decent hardware. After moving to slightly unique products with their pinball machine and reshaped “counter-cade” cabinet for bar tops, Arcade1UP now moves into another more innovative stage of their product line with the Infinity Table.

What began as a Kickstarter campaign last year has moved into general availability, with two sizes of table displays currently available: 24” at $699, and 32” at $899. The Infinity Table essentially functions like a giant touchscreen tablet that exclusively boots up old-school board games and family-friendly activities.  For some, that might downplay the uniqueness of the product; for others, the concept of a “giant game tablet” will effortlessly draw their attention. Nearly 50 different applications are available as of this writing, including licensed games that range from Monopoly and Scrabble to the outstanding strategy game Pandemic. The availability for new titles to be loaded into its library makes it very appealing, especially if they keep up the momentum by licensing more quality board games.

Click For the 24″ Model on Amazon Click For the 32″ Model on Amazon

2021 Gift Guide: Video Game Hardware and Accessories

So far, this year has taken severe and distressing turns for nearly everyone across the globe, which leaves video games in an awkward space between being trivial and almost necessary as distractions.  We’re reaching those summer months where people typically start to head out on vacations and, alternatively, retreat inside from the heat … but as we’ve all come to expect with this temporary “new normal”, the inclination to just stay indoors is much stronger than the average. Had one particular release not been delayed due to the year’s complications, we’d have a pretty desolate release calendar for this transition month of June, driven mostly by ports – proportionately for the Switch — of admittedly some pretty great games. Alas, PlayStation owners will have much to rejoice as a long-awaited sequel to one of the format’s best experiences finally gets unveiled. Let’s take a closer look.

Get The Outer Worlds at Amazon          Get Project Warlock at Microsoft

The Outer Worlds (Nintendo Switch) – June 5

A lot of anticipation mounted for Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds, as it looked like they were bringing their open-world strengths from Fallout New Vegas into a brand new property built from the ground up. Expectations were perhaps a bit too lofty or even skewed, as what they delivered wasn’t on the same broad sandbox scope as the newer Fallout games. Instead, Outer Worlds satisfyingly resembles the structure and exploration of older-school RPGs – branching narratives on self-contained areas on a map — through the perspective of a first-person shooter, and it excels through the lovingly-crafted world, characters, themes, atmosphere, and role-playing options. What it lacks in length and the possibilities of endless exploration across this unique world, it more than makes up for in polish, devotion to the concept, and smaller-budget gumption in actually trying to deliver on the concept.  Now the Switch can get in on the action.

Project Warlock — June 9-12

Amid this renaissance of rebooted shooters, notably Doom and Wolfenstein, nostalgic memories have been rediscovered of playing through those classic games in their original, low-pixel state. While those other games are reminding old-school players of gaming experiences from the past, Project Warlock hopes to transport them back there through a new first-person shooter that echoes their strengths. Fusing together standard FPS artillery with magic weapons and spells – which also taps into memories of Heretic and Hexen for the same group – Project Warlock dedicates itself to feeling exactly like those games with more modern, self-aware design elements behind upgrade choices and level construction.  Released in 2018 to Steam, it’ll be available on all the current-gen consoles by the third week of June, popping up on different consoles on different days of the week.

Get Disintegration at Amazon          Get The Last of Us: Part II at Amazon

Disintegration — June 16

Innovations aren’t easy to achieve in established gaming genres, especially when trying to combine ideas into a new concept that’s appealing to a broader audience.  Disintegration is giving it a shot, though, by welding together the immediate action of a first-person shooter with the stage-based pacing of a real-time strategy game.  Players control a soldier who pilots a device called a Gravcycle, which allows the controller to hover above the battle area, shoot enemies and dictate the actions of squad mates on the ground.  It’s this navigation that introduces the RTS aspects of Disintegration, where dictating their abilities seems to play out like a single-player squad-based shooter on steroids, driven by the strengths and weaknesses of choosing different specialists for actions. Originally built with real-time strategy in mind and then branched out into the FPS perspective for variety, this title from Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto and his new development studio, VI Interactive, has a lot of potential.

The Last of Us: Part II — June 19

Few people will say that Naughty Dog makes the most challenging video games out there, but it’s very hard to dispute how masterful they are at blending cinematic and engaging game design. When they took their philosophies into the realm of zombie pandemic storytelling for The Last of Us, it was a brilliant marriage of style and concept made even better by the endearing relationship that develops between Joel and Ellie, the game’s brilliantly voiced protagonists.  A sequel wasn’t a certainty, but most aren’t surprised that Naughty Dog has continued the story with The Last of Us: Part II, shifting the gameplay perspective to that of the now 19-year-old Ellie. Driven by a plot involving a cult that’s emerged in the wake of the disease apocalypse, the gameplay philosophies should be relatively similar between the original and this sequel, powered more by strategic cover-based tactics and the horror-survival tension that follows. Expectations are high for Part II, but Naughty Dog’s primed to deliver.

Also, good luck getting the Ellie Edition — the one with the backpack and the other special edition goodies — featured in our Limited Edition Video Game Guide. It continues to sell out as soon as it becomes available.

Get Spongebob: Rehydrated at Amazon          Get Brigandine 2 at Nintendo

Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated — June 23

If a videogame adaptation manages to capture the charm of a popular property, then it can be forgiven for some simple game design and mechanics. The Spongebob Squarepants game released during the PS2 / Xbox era fits that label, offering tons of content and heaps of personality that a wide range of audiences can enjoy, much like the animated show itself. Perhaps Battle for Bikini Bottom is an unusual choice for a remastering, but there’s no denying the enduring popularity of the character nor the fondness players from that era have for how it extended the character into the gaming arena. Rehydrated will be preserving the general gameplay framework of the version from 2 console generations back, while also reintegrating cut content, remastering the soundtrack, and including multiplayer modes.

Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia — June 25

It’s interesting that we’ve arrived at a state for media where sequels can come a few decades after the release of the first installment, and there isn’t much damage done to enthusiasm for it … or, if it’s a lesser-known property, it can just rejuvenate interest in a long-lost property. Released on the first PlayStation over 20 years ago, Brigandine is a tactical war strategy game that involves orchestrating battles between nations on a hexagon grid, which then cuts to zoomed-in depictions of the combatants – both knights and mythical monsters – engaging in attack or defense. This sequel, The Legend of Runersia, retains a huge chunk of the gameplay ideas from the original, leaving this current-gen iteration looking just like an updated, polished iteration of the legacy title with little overt change. That is, except for the zoomed-in scenes of the battles, as it seems like the developers have switched to letting the mini characters on the hex map beat up on each other as enough representation, like other tactics games.

The PC will actually be getting a few satisfying goodies throughout June, including remastered collections of Command and Conquer on June 5 and Samurai Showdown on June 19, timed with the PC port of the 2019 Samurai Showdown reboot also arriving on the 19th.  Switch users will also have the pleasure of hopping behind the wheel with Burnout Paradise: Remastered on June 19, while those interested in free-to-play games will have multiplayer shooter Valorant on the PC on June 2  and actioner Ninjala on the Switch on June 24 to try out.

June’s New Video Games Overshadowed by The Last of Us (Part II)

Shopping for a Nintendo Switch this year? We’ve looked through all the Black Friday ads and broken down where you can get the cheapest Nintendo Switch bundle, the best overall Switch deal and the cheapest deal on additional Switch Joy-Cons (as well as advice on the Switch Lite).

Best Price on a Nintendo Switch Bundle w/ game: $299.99 + $25 Gift Coupon

This bundle was specifically rolled out for the major retailers to sell on Black Friday. It includes a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ($60 MSRP) and is available with the grey joy-cons or the red/blue colors. The best deal will be Thursday through Sunday at GameStop. Their bundle includes a $25 gift coupon as a bonus.

A word of warning on this bundle: Nintendo is clearing out inventory of the older version of the Switch using this bundle, which means you will get about 2.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life versus 4.5 to 9 hours on the new HAC-001(-01) model that came out during September. You will be able to find this bundle at retailers such as:

• GameStop: Not Listed on Site Yet (Bonus $25 Gift Coupon)
• Best Buy: LINK (comes with free screen protector as a bonus)
• Target: LINK
• Walmart: LINK

Best Deal on a Nintendo Switch Bundle: $319.99 + $90 Kohl’s Cash

This bundle doesn’t come with any games, but it does include a carrying case for the Switch (ideal for mobile users) as well as separate charging dock for the joy-cons. Those two additional items would typically run about $40 together.

Of course, the real bonus here is the Kohl’s Cash. Hypothetically, you could use it to pick up a couple new Switch games with the gift card, effectively increasing the value of the overall bundle.

• Kohl’s: Not listed on site yet. Online deals will start to appear at 12:01 CT on Monday Nov 25.

Best Deal on a Nintendo Switch Lite: $199 + $25 GC

Several of the major retailers are listing the Nintendo Switch Lite at full MSRP, no bundles available. However, Gamestop will be offering a bonus $25 Gift Coupon with a purchase of a Switch Lite.

In addition,, Kohl’s is currently listing a couple Switch Lite bundles (example), which would include $60 to $75 worth of Kohl’s cash. Not too shabby!  Online, we’ve already seen sales as cheap as $170 using 15% coupons on sites like Rakuten.  Our advice would be to look for any late arriving online bundles on sites like Amazon or simply snag a coupon discount on sites like eBay, Rakuten when available.

• GameStop: LINK

Best Deal on Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons

It’s always good to have a backup set of controllers available and having an additional set makes it easy for friends to join in on multiplayer games like Mario Party.

There are two retailers that have announced they will be discounting the official joy-cons this year, Best Buy and Target. Pricing is identical, a $20 discount on most models. If you are looking for more of a traditional controller, Wal-mart is discounting some $45 controllers down to $29.

• Best Buy: LINK
• Target: LINK
• Walmart: LINK

Here’s the cheapest Nintendo Switch on Black Friday 2019

Some months have an even sprinkling of genres and themes throughout the video game release cycle, but others have a very clear target audience on which they’ve set their sights. September’s one of the latter, as there’s no denying that it’s the month of the franchise shooter. Across all platforms, gamers will be weaving through post-apocalyptic wastes in one of the most popular loot-based FPS experiences out there, while on one specific platform players will be delving into the 5^th proper installment into a console-making exclusive shooter.  Underneath those, however, lies a bounty of other goodies for those not-so-included to grab and gun and head into warfare, especially the classic fantasy and RPG folks out there who like their battle with a little more dungeon crawling, blade clanking, and spellcasting.

Click Here to Pre-Order Gears of War 5 on Amazon

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered  – September 3

For years and years, devotees of all walks of life have been clamoring for a polished, rejuvenated release of the iconic PS1 role-playing experience that is Final Fantasy VII: demand that resulted in an upcoming big, glitzy remake instead of a more straightforward cleanup job. Perhaps it’s somewhat bittersweet that fans of the franchise itself have received yet another of such remasters that isn’t their beloved game, in the form of the less well-received but ultimately underappreciated FFVIII.  It’s a prime opportunity for more players out there to go on Squall’s romantic journey toward becoming a magic-using mercenary, one that drastically and daringly reworks a significant amount of what hallmarked the mechanics of FFVII, seemingly for the sake of just trying something new. Alas, this remaster has its missteps that haven’t sat well with the fandom, a result of tweaked models and questionable backdrop upscaling against the crisp characters, with many putting it in the same category as the flawed yet enjoyable (and recently ported) rerelease of FFIX.

Gear of War 5 –  September 10

Since the conclusion of the trilogy proper, the Gears of War franchise has struggled to find the right way to move on and move forward in a way that’ll continue to fully satisfy its legion of fans. While The Coalition certainly made a respectable and effective attempt with Gears of War 4, succeeding with carrying over the robust third-person cover shooter gameplay, their sequel’s decision to keep its claws so deep into the original character storytelling prevented the campaign from growing and reaching new, different heights. By turning its focus onto a fresh character arc – that of Kait from GOW 4, a former Outcast-turned Gear with a unique heritage – Gears of War 5 endeavors to capture the intense gameplay that has hallmarked the series for so long while also allowing its storyline to evolve beyond the same-old moving parts.    Early word about The Coalition’s game has been marred by talk about bugs and progression issues, but also claims about it being among the best, most forward-thinking installments in the franchise.

Click Here to Pre-Order Borderlands 2 on Amazon

Borderlands 3 –  September 13

In-between sequels, or midquels, can throw off one’s awareness of a franchise’s release schedule. No matter how you look at Borderlands and its Pre-Sequel, however, it’s still been a half-decade since players have been able to explore the western-infused apocalyptic wastelands … and even longer since they’ve been allowed to continue the story proper following the demise of series favorite Handsome Jack. In stumbles Borderlands 3, and with it comes the expected arsenal of quests, challenging enemies, and lots and lots (and lots!) of randomly generated loot ripe for the customized player-character to gear themselves up. Gearbox seems to be making subtle tweaks to that formula here and there in how they’ll reach “one billion guns”, setting their sights on other physical combat facets – drawing inspiration from other contemporary shooters – as well as the necessity to travel outside of Pandora via a homebase spacecraft. And yeah, local and online multiplayer is tagging along for the ride as well.

Click Here to Pre-Order Baldur’s Gate I and II on Amazon

BioWare and Black Isle Remastered/Enhanced RPGs – September 24

RPG makers don’t have it easy nowadays, with constant comparisons being drawn to the depth, versatility, and all-around freedom of the PC games from yesteryear; BioWare, in particular, gets heat for this in the current climate. While nostalgia and an appreciation for that classic gaming style may fuel a consistent interest in remastered iterations of these games, it’s hard to ignore the notion that Beamdog may just be sprucing ‘em all up so that the curious can experience them – in a slightly modernized form – as a frame of reference whenever they’re mentioned in conversation. In late September, Beamdog will be porting over many years of hard work in this spectrum to a broader audience: Baldur’s Gate, Siege of Dragonspear, Baldur’s Gate II, Icewind Dale, and Planespace Torment will all be making their console debut on the 24^th in their Enhanced Edition forms. This new availability will ensure that players both old and new will remain enthralled by the classics for years to come, while contemporary RPGs continue to be compared with ’em.   Digital copies will be available on the 24th, while physical copies will be ready for purchase on October 15.

FIFA 20 – September 27

The FIFA series is another among EA’s repertoire of sports games that has managed to rope in those who aren’t exactly fans or practitioners of the sport, simply because it’s a lot of fun … and, perhaps, because it was once almost like a digital version of foosball in its earliest forms, but I digress.  FIFA 20 likely marks yet another subtle evolution of the simulation realism that has been achieved in recent years, with its biggest addition being a big new mode called VOLTA, focusing on street play and customization with a bunch of locations where you can pick up a game. It looks like a very solid release this year, but perhaps even more interestingly is that this marks the first year that PS3 and 360 versions won’t be made available.  You know a console’s fully closing up shop when Madden and, especially, FIFA aren’t showing up on ‘em anymore.

On the sports side of things, NHL 20 will also be moving toward the goal on September 13, while FIFA competitor PES2020 will go for the goal on September 10. The Switch will be getting a few ports and remakes this month, too: the Spiro Reignited Trilogy will soar in on September 3; The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening will enjoy a remake on September 20; Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition slices its way onto Nintendo’s system on the 26^th; and Ori and the Blind Forest branches out from its Xbox One exclusive status on the 27^th.  And, of course, it’s worth noting that Tropico 6 continues its reign by moving from PC onto consoles on the same day.

Set Your Sights on These Handsome Video Game Releases in September

The run-up to the yearly E3 expo can be more than a little distracting for gamers. As rumors, leaks, and hard info trickles out, excitement builds for certain new video games and, more significantly, new consoles. Couple that with the newly arrived summer holiday that usually draws people outside the house more than they usually are, and one can understand why June wouldn’t be the ideal month for a shiny new title to hit the streets.  Some still brave those challenges, though, and occasionally they’re strong enough to cut through the outside hype and gain some traction in the dog days of summer.  Whether any of these titles for June will do so remains to be seen — it isn’t likely — but at least there’s an intriguing variety of fresh stuff to check out in the midst of other distractions in the culture.  Let’s take a look.

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June 4

Warhammer: Chaosbane

Fans of the action-RPG genre are, in their own way, some of the more tolerant and easily pleased out there.  Yeah, complaints will be made and unflattering comparisons will be drawn, but even when a lower-tier release fails to stand alongside the likes of Diablo or Dark Souls, those gamers simply acknowledge as such and try desperately to squeeze as much enjoyment, and hours, out of ‘em as they can.  They’re a voracious bunch, and frankly, they’ve been starved for a little while with the absence of such releases.  Therefore, when a new title under the Warhammer banner of all things comes along to sate that hunger, there’s much to celebrate.  Chaosbane may not deliver on character customization, number of maps, or longevity — some are already reporting 15-hour competion times for a dungeon crawler, which isn’t stellar — but it’s hard to say no to the chaotic beat-‘em-up combat and plethora of loot generated by the high-fantasy warfare executed by Games Workshop. Warhammer: Chaosbane will be dropping onto the Xbox One, PS4, and PC on June 4th.

June 18

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Castlevania and Koji Igarashi go hand-in-hand, or at least they did for nearly a decade and a half while he served as producer, writer, and all-around creative force behind the franchise.  It’s no surprise, then, that enthusiasm has built for his new franchise, Bloodstained, labeled a spiritual successor to one of the franchises that gave birth to the concept of the “Metroidvania” subgenre. Following the teaser that was the portable/vintage title Curse of the Moon, now there’s the console iteration, Ritual of the Night, in which the female protagonist Miriam has survived an alchemist guild’s experiments and now combats demons to absorb their essence. Temporarily the highest-grossing Kickstarter videogame project of all-time, pulling in over $5m, Ritual of the Night will adopt the 2.5D style of action platforming that fans of the series have been thirsting after for quite a while. Sink your teeth into Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

June 21

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

At this point, the name Naughty Dog probably conjures memories of the dazzlingly cinematic action games Uncharted or The Last of Us.  About a decade and a half back, however, they were still big dogs in the videogame development arena with their high-octane run of Crash Bandicoot titles, a versatile property that could bounce between genres.  Crash Team Racing tapped into the popularity of the Mario Kart line of racing games while also offering a family-friend alternative to Twisted Metal for PlayStation owners, and in the quiet period after the latest Mario Kart, it has received a remastered edition from Beenox with Nitro-Fueled. Naturally, this spit-polished and modernized version comes with new goodies, including online multiplayer and kart customization, but more substantially also includes content from another of Naughty Dog’s Crash-themed racers, Nitro Kart, meshing it into a hybrid remastering of sorts. It doesn’t shy from nostalgia, though, as it also allows the choice between new or legacy music. Hop in the driver’s seat with this one on the Xbox One, PS4, and Switch.

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June 27

Samurai Shodown

Most fighting games outside the spectrum of the genre’s heavy-hitters rely on distinct personality and characterization to give them an edge. Darkstalkers had its anime-slanted take on classic horror characters.  Eternal Champions had a grim afterlife tone and gnarly stage deaths. And Samurai Shodown had its brilliant Japanese-infused aesthetic wrapped around fierce, swordplay-infused combat. It took a decade off, but Samurai Shodown has reemerged on current-gen consoles as something of a reboot, retaining the original raw title while clearly updating the visual approach with a fusion of a cel-shaded appearance and 3D depth. Combat in Samurai Shodown differs from other fighters, though, as it’s less centered on fast-paced combos and more on landing calculated signature movies, which might be a refreshing strategic change of pace in a subgenre dominated by swiftness.  Take a swing at the competition on the Xbox One and PS4, and other formats later.

The Sinking City

Hey, I think it’s happening this time! The date for this one was bumped from March to the 25-27th.

Best known for their experiments with Sherlock Holmes in a gameplay environment, developer Frogwares has hopped onto the Lovecraftian train with The Sinking City.  Set in a flooded version of New England where the citizens are suffering from the madness that’s so common in Lovecraft-inspired environments, the game centers on mystery, interrogation, and detection in the vein of the studio’s prior moderately successfully outings with Holmes.   Since the open-world location has been submerged in water, a key part of The Sinking City as a game will hinge on navigating the layout of the city in a boat, guiding the investigator between key areas in a third-person perspective. Frogwares has been aiming for nearly 40 hours of gameplay, so there’s bound to be a lot to explore and investigate in the darkness.

June 28

Super Mario Maker 2

Among the best-reviewed games for the WiiU, Super Mario Maker put the level creation tools in the hands of the users, allowing anyone to build their own Mario experience — no matter how easy or difficult they wanted to make it — and share the end result with the eager Nintendo masses.  It’s unsurprising and entirely welcome that a sequel would arise on the company’s wildly-popular hybrid new system, and thus we have Super Mario Maker 2 on the Switch. New features include a snazzy mode where two people can put their heads together and create their own level together, as well as online trial-based play and a slew of new assets allowing the creator to emulate the style of several generations. There’s also a single-player campaign, but everyone knows that isn’t where the real fun’s to be had with Mario Maker.

The fifth installment in the Yakuza saga also arrives this month on the 20^th exclusively for the PS4, along with an action-adventure spinoff game from that franchise entitled Judgment, which makes its US debut on June 25^th.  Also, Codemasters continues their streak of racing games with F1 2019 on the 28^th, available on Xbox One, the PS4, and PC.

Six New Video Games to Take a Stab At In June Amid the Hype for E3

While the first official day of summer might not come until June, the month of May traditionally announces the arrival of the hot days, vacations, and resulting free time that hallmark the time of year.  Some immediately venture into the baking sun or dip into the water as soon as they get their time off; others stick to the indoors just to enjoy some much-needed downtime, oftentimes with a console controller in-hand or positioned at a PC.  Between gamers catching up on their backlog of games or having their attention pulled in other directions, it’s a roll of the dice whether it’s a good idea to release a new, big title at the very beginning of the summer, and that’s about where we’re at with the new releases for May.  Despite a little rage and some remake action, it’s a tame — albeit, pretty dark! — month.

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May 7

Shakedown: Hawaii

The Saints Row franchise excelled not because it tried to simply emulate contemporary installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, but because it poked fun and outright satirized the genre along the way.  Shakedown: Hawaii attempts to do something quite similar, yet its sights are set on the vintage top-down framework of the OG GTA titles (those acronyms, right?). VBlank may’ve done this first with Retro City Rampage, but the vibrancy and complexity of Shakedown: Hawaii’s open-world map and the characters populating it — more SNES/Genesis in nature than original NES/SEGA — shift things up a few gears. Somewhat amusingly, it’s available on PS4 (and PC and Switch) and not on its big console competitor, almost like those exclusive days of old.  And it’s at a bargain too, for only $20 on the digital networks.

May 14

Rage 2

Known for such smaller, less-influential shooters such as Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake — *nudge, wink* — iD software embarked into the harsh climate of a new franchise with Rage, a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter released under the watchful eye of Bethesda. While the reception to that new experience was somewhat mixed considering the studio’s pedigree, lowered by what seemed like older-school inclinations and competition in the form of Borderlands, there was enough success and interest for Swedish developer Avalanche Studios to take up the mantle and deliver on a sequel, Rage 2. Perhaps their experience with the likes of Just Cause and Mad Max might result in more versatile traversing of the desolate landscape, while seeming content with carrying over many of the combat and customization pillars of the original.  Rage 2 will be hitting the wasteland on Ps4, Xbox One, and PC

A Plague Tale: Innocence

Taking risks with innovation grows more difficult to do in the gaming industry, a realm where titles are either built, tested, and marketed with wide appeal in mind … or squeezed into the indie market if the concept’s a little lower on the scale of desirability. A Plague Tale: Innocence tries to dig into the space between those, utilizing a setting that doesn’t at all seem suited for a videogame: it depicts a pair of siblings struggling to survive the early stages of the Black Plague, as indicated by the title. Adopting a tone not unlike, say, The Last of Us, the game leads the main characters through the rat-infested destitution — and odd beauty — of lands ravaged by obstacles through which the pair must navigate, tapping into atmospheric tension, stealth maneuvering and environmental puzzle-solving in a beautifully-rendered 3D landscape.  A Plague Tale will brave the console landscape on the PS4 and Xbox One.

Order Team Sonic Racing at Amazon                     Download RE4 for Switch

May 21

Team Sonic Racing

Despite whatever claims the developers make to the contrary, it’s clear that the Sonic line of mascot kart racing games have always been designed as a console-wide alternative to Mario Kart.  While that may be the case, it doesn’t mean that the games have necessarily been weaker or watered-down knockoffs, as several titles — namely Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing and Racing Transformed — hold their own as tight, somewhat more reality-bound experiences full of their own exhilaration. Sumo Digital once again hits the pedal to the metal with Team Sonic Racing, and while it appears as if it’s a visually polished updating on the concept, the developer has engineered this entry to be more cooperative and team-based than either the previous Sonic racers or its competition. This isn’t a sequel to Sumo Digital’s prior Sega All Stars racers either, as it’s only centered on the Sonic universe and characters.  Team Sonic Racing will zoom across the finish line on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC, at a bargain price of $40.

Resident Evil 4

Fans of this series have waited a long, long time for Resident Evil 4 to finally get a remastered edition.  Wait, hold on … it’s already been ported and remastered?  Several times, across numerous consoles? Huh. Yep, one of the most frequently re-released games from two generations ago has once again made its way onto another gaming machine, this time, somewhat fittingly, onto the Nintendo Switch.  Sure, it’s hard to ignore that the absence of full third-person shooter movement and the on-the-rails level design does continue to feel more dated each time it hits a new console.  That said, it’s still also incredibly easy to sink your teeth into the tense survival-horror atmosphere, the cinematic attitude, the reflex-heavy combat strategies, and the inventory design – “What’re Ya Buyin’?” – of Leon’s blitz through a zombie-infested cult in order to save the President’s daughter.  Two more of the franchise’s entries released on the Gamecube, Resident Evil and RE:Zero, are also entering the fray on the Switch.

May 28

Among the Sleep: Enhanced Edition

Speaking of taking risks with odd concepts, Krillbite Studio have decided to take their audience into the mind of a slumbering child with Among the Sleep.  A first-person adventure hinged on puzzle-solving and psychological horror, the game allows those playing to take control of a dream-state child as they navigate the terrors of their mind, searching for the child’s mother with the assistance of Teddy, a sentient stuffed-animal companion and rechargeable light source. Among the Sleep has been rated T for Teen, so it would be reasonable not to expect anything too terrifying to come out of shadows and after the child, but the walking space between destinations has been crafted to be immersive and sprawling enough to create a sense of unease about where they are and where they’re headed. Reminiscent of Gone Home or maybe a little bit of Layers of Fear, it’s a mood piece of a walking simulator that’ll hopefully possess the qualities for its niche audience to remember after waking up from the experience. This “enhanced edition” arrives on PS4 and Xbox One, and on the Switch for the first time.

The Nintendo Switch will also be plunging into the remastered edition of Assassin’s Creed III on May 21, as well as into the insanity that goes down in Steelport with Saints Row: The Third on May 10. Episode 3 of Life is Strange 2 will pop up for download on May 9, and for those on the PC, Total War: Three Kingdoms will be entering battle on May 23.

Dark, Desolate Days Ahead for May’s Video Game Releases

Ever since the ‘90s, upon its first at-home release, Mortal Kombat has intimidated competitors in the video game business.  No matter how many years go by, it seems as if the industry operates under the assumption that as soon as gamers get the latest gory brawler in their hands, they’ll be preoccupied for quite some time and ignore just about everything else. Looking at the releases for the month of April, whether intentional or not, that mantra looks to have reemerged in full-force: aside from Mortal Kombat 11 entering the fray, there isn’t a lot of new content getting released this month.  Instead, the other releases fall into a few categories: remasters of classic Final Fantasy titles, another time-sink destined to pull attention away from anything else coming out this month; and several ports of other action-RPG time sinks on the Nintendo Switch.  The best other titles can hope for is to coexist with the rest, something that’s entirely possible with the niches — and substitutions — filled by the others.

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April 2^nd

Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid

Oftentimes, whenever some kids are getting excited about M-rated games like Mortal Kombat, it helps for there to be a more reserved, teen-slanted take on the same concept so that more conservative households can jump into it instead of the bloodier, more violent alternative.  Unfortunately, that can result in what seems like pale, restrictive, deliberately younger-audience imitations that aren’t received very well. Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid was released a week earlier on the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, and now squares off for battle on the PS4, telling a new story in the universe of colorful dino-ninjas and the mecha-vehicle “zords” that coincide with their designated colors/outfits.  The usage of vintage Power Ranger costumes – for both the heroes and the villains – meshes with standard 2D fighting design in what should tap into a mighty amount of fam-friendly nostalgia.  This one’s an inexpensive download at $20, which should curb some expectations.

April 16^th

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

Over the past half year or so, a few titles bearing the Final Fantasy name have made their way onto the Xbox One, but none of ‘em have been those iconic experiences that folks associate with being landmark PlayStation exclusives from generations past; even the 360 didn’t get to enjoy any of the ports. Well, the time has finally come for the green gaming machine — and Nintendo’s Switch — to relish those high-fantasy Japanese RPG titles, starting with Final Fantasy X and X-2 in the oft-released HD remastered package from  Square Enix.  Tidus may not be the greatest protagonist the series has seen, but the mythical tragedy entwined in his story and the world-building involved with the atmosphere and the plot’s trajectory more than make up for a little whining.  Complimented by the series’ traditional, yet deep and refined RPG system, this remains one of the greats, drastically improved through its makeover.

World War Z

Recently, it was revealed that the planned sequel to the first World War Z film had somewhat officially been scrapped, much to the … well, apathy of many movie fans. On top of being a rough adaptation of a great book, it turned out to be little more than a passable zombie movie with mundane moral dilemmas for the genre.  Similarly to the confusion behind Telltale’s adaptation of The Walking Dead comics (instead of from the show), folks should know that this video game bearing the World War Z name serves as a loose version of the movie’s take on the story instead of from Max Brooks’ novel: a cascade of variations that probably lacks just about all of the source material’s substance.  With that out of the way? To be honest, the third-person zombie apocalypse gameplay looks hectic, somewhat referential, and possibly as engrossing as some of Resident Evil’s more vigorous moments.

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April 23^rd

Mortal Kombat 11

Ah, I remember when there were alternate releases of the original Mortal Kombat on home consoles, differentiated by the amount of violence available to each one: Nintendo’s version got the shaft with underwhelming “censored” versions of fatalities, allowing the unedited Genesis version to come out as the victor. Can you imagine if someone tried to pull that now? Regardless of the console it’s being played on, Mortal Kombat 11 will be unleashing its full violent glory across all modern systems, sporting graphics and gameplay similar to Mortal Kombat X from a few years back.  What’s different? Complimenting the seemingly more outlandish and violent Fatalities and Brutalities, accentuated by the insane reveal trailer, a series of new interim attacks and clapback gaps in combat lend it new versatility.  And, of course, there’s a roster of novel combatants both new and returning — Baraka’s beefy body and sword extensions look toothy and terrifying; Kano reminds me of his ‘90s movie appearance; Noob Saibot personifies nostalgia — that should get the blood pumping in just about any fan of the franchise.

April 30^th

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

But wait, Final Fantasy fans, there’s more! Two weeks is enough time to get through one and jump into another, right?  This one might offer something a little more substantial and inviting, though, as it’s not just a graphically-polished port of an older title.  Final Fantasy XII arrives on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in its Zodiac Age incarnation, a version of the classic game released on the PlayStation in 2017.  While everything about the tale of politics and sky pirates in the realm of Ivalice remains intact in this port –along with the other extensive improvements made to the Final Fantasy formula that included a more open-world combat interaction system, camera control, and many other character-tailoring toolbox options – this version of FFXII comes equipped with the Zodiac Job System improvements to the game.  That includes 60fps graphical overhauls, speed-up controls, New Game+ (and New Game-), and of course the replay-enhancing Zodiac Job mechanics. Sure, the changes FFXII made to the franchise’s formula are still polarizing among devotees, but that shouldn’t deter anyone from embarking on this journey.

Order FFXII: Zodiac Age on Amazon                     Order Darksiders on Amazon

Scattered throughout the month of April are a number of worthwhile ports to the Switch that should be pursued, including two personal favorites of mine.  The Warmastered Edition of the original Darksiders leaps into the fray on April 2^nd, while Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen accepts its destiny and charges forth for the first time on Nintendo’s consoles on the 23^rd.  Also, it would be a travesty to not at least mention the arrival of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney catalog onto current-gen consoles, making its case for visual-novel dominance on April 9^th on the Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and PC.

War, Fantasy, and Kombat Power Up the Can’t-Miss Video Games of April 2019

Amazon and Nintendo have teamed up for a new promotion that’s ideal for Nintendo Switch owners. Available for all Twitch Prime members (which is free to join if you have an Amazon Prime account), you can get up to 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online service (a $20 value) for free.

Be aware, it’s split up into two separate actions. First, you activate the initial 3-months of the service and link it to your Nintendo Switch. Two months after that activation, you can go back to the promotion page to activate an additional 9-months of service. The service will convert to a paid membership after activated, so be sure to so into your settings and flip off the auto-renewal option if you don’t want to continue the service.

If you are unfamiliar with Nintendo Switch Online, it offers access to online multiplayer in games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. as well as access to the large library of old-school NES games. In addition, it provides access to a cloud service for storing your game saves and a smartphone app to enhance online multiplayer features in some games.

You can signup for the promotion here. A full list of the NES games included in the subscription is listed below:

• Metroid
• Mighty Bomb Jack
• TwinBee
• 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 Goblin
• Tecmo Bowl
• Gradius
• Pro Wrestling
• Excitebike
• Yoshi
• Ice Hockey
• Baseball
• Solomon’s Key
• NES Open Tournament Golf
• Super Dodge Ball
• Wario’s Wood
• Ninja Gaiden
• ADVENTURES OF LOLO
• Blaster Master
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
• Super Mario Bro 2
• Kirby’s Adventure
• Kid Icarus
• StarTropic

New Amazon Prime Perk: 1-Year Nintendo Switch Online Membership

In a year of anxiety and uncertainty around nearly every corner, it’s almost comforting to see so many staples of the video game realm distracting folks from what’s going on in the real world.  One might lament the absence of popularity toward new properties, but the ability to get immersed in the long-awaited return to a western environment from Rockstar, a historically dazzling presentation of ancient Greece from Ubisoft, and a gritty yet mesmerizing rendering pf Norse mythology from Santa Monica Studio are all quite welcome. The industry seemed intent on delivering what one could consider the “comfort food” of video games pretty much all year long, continuing into the final months with new sequels from other beloved franchises.

Below, we’ve gathered together over a dozen of the assorted titles that have impressed across this year and will likely impress once their release rolls around, if prior installments are any indication of what’s to come.  From open-world immersion and player-versus-player battling to the constraints of platform games from years back, there’s a lot to relish in the year’s releases.  Be sure to head over to Bens’s Bargains Hardware Guide to figure out which of the below games have been paired with consoles in easy-to-wrap bundles.

Gifts for the Sandbox Wanderer

For those that need to get absorbed in a lengthy departure from the real world that grants tons of freedom, these games leave the modern era and explore open-world locations in The Wild West, even further back to ancient Greece, and a post-apocalyptic version of West Virginia.

Gifts for the Old-School Brawlers

The experience in staying up late at night brawling against friends has a long pedigree that stretches back many console generations, nearly 25 years of ‘em.  Since, with the prominence of the internet, a lot of things have changed in terms of how players can combat against each other whenever they want, yet those marathon sessions amid a party atmosphere are still some of the best times gamers can have with one another. Two of the genre’s most prominent couch combat franchises are enjoying new releases this year, one of which is just about guaranteed to be a smash hit at gatherings.

Gifts for Those on a Quest for Sequels

Developers aren’t oblivious: they know that sequels cannot rely too heavily on the storytelling of past games, so that newcomers can jump right in and enjoy what’s happening without necessary backstory. That means each sequel ends up being an opportunity to improve on what works and fix what doesn’t, both in terms of storytelling and gameplay components.  One of the below games proves to be the embodiment of refinement, while the other promises to be yet another coexistent part of its world’s lore as its first new entry into the current slate of consoles.

Gifts for the Exclusive Hunter

Few things for gamers are quite as satisfying as console exclusivity for a title released on their “chosen” system, especially when it’s really, really good.  Not just high enough in quality that it’d be nice to play that game if someone were to ever pick up one of those specific consoles, but such a talk-of-the-town release that excels so much in what it sets out to do that others are drawn to that specific console.   There’s a bit of both this year, but the one where a popular superhero swings around a recreation of New York ends up being a tried-and-true system seller.

Gifts for [E]veryone

While previous versions of this column in the gift guide mostly center on the fact that these are rated E for Everyone, both games in this section have a second meaning.  Yes, both are, of course, rated E; however, they’re also representations of legendary platform characters, and the warm feelings involved with playing these games and familiar characters will speak to both newcomers and those who gamed in the ‘90s, a 2-decade spread.

Gifts for Those Not So Easily Spooked

Don’t be scared to give these to the horror aficionado in your life as a holiday gift, as they both capture distinct and absorbing types of atmosphere that they’re sure to love.  Granted, these might be the games that they’ll shelve until a later period outside the joys of the season, but when the mood strikes, they’ll be glad you thought of their fear factor.

2018 Gift Guide: Best Video Games of the Holiday Season