We live in a heavy world right now, with stressors like AI, layoffs, and political crises seemingly around every corner with no signs of slowing down, which is why, even in the spooky month of October, I'm leaning into the cozy gaming space more than ever. Animal Crossing is still my go-to home away from home, but I'm always on the lookout for some place else to escape the real world.

"We wanted our game to feel like The Lord of the Rings x Animal Crossing," reads the caption on a YouTube short for new indie Kickstarter smash hit, Humblets. I'm intrigued.

"Have you ever wanted to become a rock?", asks developer Berry Bite in another video. Uh, sure?

"Sheep petting!!" says the dev in another short. Getting warmer.

"Card battles!" "Cozy meals!" "Plants wiggle!" OK, I'm thoroughly sold.

"We don't use AI!"... say more.

"Every part of our indie game is hand-made," says Berry Bite. "And we commission human artists for every single card. We'd rather support real passion than prompt a machine."

Take. My. Money.

Actually, with more than $135,000 in crowdfunding at the time of writing, Berry Bite probably doesn't need my money, but I'm compelled to back this ridiculously charming indie game nonetheless.

There's a lot going on here, with Lord of the Rings and D&D influences in its enchanting world, Minecraft building mechanics, cooking and fishing inspired by Animal Crossing, card collecting and battles, and even Zelda: Breath of the Wild DNA in its gliding and campfire cooking system, but having watched every gameplay video I could find, it all seems like a miraculously cohesive package all centered around "relaxed exploration, collection, and crafting."

It sounds like there's a deep level of customization in Humblets that'll let you personalize your avatar, your mobile campsite and tent, and thank goodness, your adorable pet companion you get assigned via a personality test and who helps you find and collect resources as you explore the world.

The only thing I'm somewhat hesitant about is Humblets' procedurally generated world. I'm generally a proc-gen skeptic, but find it a useful tool in generating massive amounts of playable space and variety in games like Hades, Diablo, and Minecraft where you need that sense of scale, but I find its less useful in something like a cozy game where it's more about moment-to-moment discovery in a smaller, well, cozier space. Berry Bite says the proc-gen world is mixed with "hand-crafted landmarks," but I'd definitely rather have everything be handmade. That said, everything else about Humblets has created enough goodwill for me that I'm happy to look past that element of the game.

Humblets has an estimated alpha delivery date of October 2027, and it's set to fully launch on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

If you want cozy board games for Fall, some of my all-time favorites just got major discounts

The newest Young Link and Zelda amiibo have come and gone at US retailers, but pre-orders still have yet to appear for us UK-based fans. And trust me, I've checked.

I've been refreshing the Nintendo UK online storefront every day since the figures were unveiled during the 40th Anniversary Nintendo Direct, and yet they're still yet to show their little, plastic uncanny valley faces. Today's check came up empty just as they always do, yet I did at least spot that some of my favorite Legend of Zelda Collection amiibo are back in stock starting from £12.99. I've picked out the best restocks below so you can at least add something new to your Zelda shelves.

The first Ocarina of Time Link amiibo is also part of this set, but it's currently unavailable. It was in stock this morning, but there must be more hungry Zelda amiibo fans out there than I had suspected, as the product listing changed to "sold out" as soon as I started typing these very words.

At least the above figures are still stocked up, and they're some of my favorite in the entire Legend of Zelda lineup, particularly as they're not based on Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. Don't get me wrong, I love Switch-era Link, but it's refreshing to see amiibo based on different Legend of Zelda games once in a while, especially when they're some of the most vibrant of the lot. My favorite is undoubtedly the Majora's Mask Link, as merch from it can be a bit of a rarity, and Nintendo went the extra mile to sculpt the little guy in lovely detail. Here's even holding a little Goron mask in his hand.

If you do happen to prefer the Switch-era Zelda games, plenty of the newest Tears of the Kingdom amiibo are also in stock, including the Mineru's Construct figure with its articulated arms. The best part is that all of them, including the above amiibo, can be tapped and used with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom too, should you need extra weapons, food, and materials along your journey, on both the Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.

• View all Legend of Zelda amiibo at Nintendo

On the hunt for more Ninty collectibles? Check out the best Lego sets and the best Nintendo gift guides.

Dragon's Dogma 2 : Dark Arisen is out, and true to the developers words, it's proving a lot harder than the original version of the RPG.

Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen's lead dev said the friction is key to the experience, and promised that the new expansion of Capcom's 2024 RPG has been designed to "offer battles with an even greater sense of tension and challenge than the main game." Ahead of launch, Capcom said the new Lost Rites dungeons are to be challenged at level 20, while Forsaken Dominion – the main questline featured in the new region of Norgan – is recommended for level 40.

I started Lost Rites and Forsaken Dominion at level 80 and got absolutely decimated countless times.

And I'm glad to report it's not just a skill issue on my part, as one glance at the Dragon's Dogma 2 subreddit shows that Arisen all over the globe are getting battered. One post accuses returning Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen director Kento Kinoshita of being a liar, saying, "Bro said something like level 50 is a good starting point for this DLC and i went in on my lvl275 character," adding, "Bro this shit is still hard I'm getting 4 shot by random mobs and the trailer dragon is currently fucking me up severely."

Elsewhere on the subreddit, there are a number of meme posts and videos recounting how the snowy tundra of Norgan is beating them down mercilessly, with others sharing tales about how they hoarded relics only for a snow ogre to steal them all.

That being said, these aren't really complaints. Everyone seems super pleased to be getting their butts kicked by Dragon's Dogma 2 after a two-and-a-half year wait. One players says "the new DLC is everything I wanted," praising enemies that are much smarter and harder than before. It went down a treat with reviews, too, as Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen nabbed a higher score than the first game's DLC.

Dragon's Dogma 2 update finally gives the RPG the performance boost it desperately needed, and it's so good that it's even lowered the PC system requirements.

I recall many things from my 140-hour initial playthrough of The Witcher 3, but taking in the scenery is not one of them. Between monster contracts, heartbreaking questlines like The Bloody Baron, and far too many games of Gwent, the position of the sun in the sky was never of concern to me.

But The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered has put all that on its head. I wanted to hone in on a specific quest for this first instalment of October's RPG Club, exploring how White Orchard's griffin-slaying contract feels with the new combat and reworked skill tree now in play thanks to the new update. So tell me why I've just spent almost five hours treating The Witcher 3 like an open world photo op, seeking out the best sunsets in town?

Quest Log

Heavens above

Aside from all the half-naked bodies (which have always been there in this dream sequence), the first thing I notice upon starting a new save is how jaw-droppingly vivid, colorful, and vibrant it is.

Shadows are richer, the contrast between Geralt's bare chest and the marbled oak furniture behind him starker than Yennefer's state of undress. I walk out onto the balcony and can almost feel the sun's golden warmth pouring over Kaer Morhen, setting aflame the emerald and sage and every other fancy word you can think of to say "green" in its lush surrounding wilderness.

It boggles the mind. I'm playing The Witcher 3 on my six year-old gaming laptop. Yes, I updated my graphics card drivers especially for this occasion, but I was prepared to miss out on the best of the remaster's visual upgrades given the age of my rig. Turns out that even without ray-tracing and occlusive lighting, The Witcher 3 has never looked more magical.

When I'm let loose in White Orchard, I try to stay on track. Well, as on track as you're supposed to be in a game like this; White Orchard is the starter town for a reason, offering a snapshot of the game's many systems and mission types in one handy place as Geralt sets out to find Yennefer with witcher mentor, Vesesmir. Wraith in the Well is a great introduction to the planning that goes into each monster hunt. For a taste of The Continent's political landscape, Twisted Firestarter sees me tracking down an arsonist who burned down the local forge after the blacksmith supplied arms to invading Nilfgaardian forces. Elsewhere, I help a sweet old dear get her prized frying pan back from the home of a dead man. You know, just normal things.

I have to admit that since it has been some time since I last played The Witcher 3, some of the combat enhancements might be lost on me. If anything, I find myself running into more bugs than before – Geralt refused to dive to fetch some herbs once, forcing me to reload, while he petulantly decided that dodging is for losers and massively showed me up in a brawl outside a tavern. But at least I can stop and snap some pretty pictures in Photo Mode when I'm not reloading to fix said bugs.

To griffin-ity

By the time I get around to the griffin-slaying contract, I've reached Level 3 and completed all nearby side quests. It took a bit of time; White Orchard is not for level grinding, since there's a whole game and two DLC (soon to be three when Songs of the Past launches next year) to do that in. But it does mean that I can start exploring the reworked skill tree nice and early – thank god.

I have no shame in admitting that my first Witcher 3 build was utter chaos. I had no idea what I was doing, assigning random mutagens here, mismatching them with other-colored abilities there, never properly upgrading skills after they were first unlocked. But CDPR has made it far more visually intuitive, doing away with the need to blow all your points in a specific category before you can unlock higher-tier skills.

They branch out more naturally now – I'm going for an Igni build at this early stage, since few things can shrug off a bunch of sparks in their faces, which smoothly branches out into the Aard ability tree to let me skip the lower levels outright. It's a far smarter, more user-friendly rework compared to the original – though given how much I struggled with Cyberpunk 2077 at first, maybe I've just gotten used to the developer's flair after all.

Going up against the griffin is easy, if a little daunting. You never feel truly ready in The Witcher 3; some high-level enemies go down surprisingly fast with the right oils rubbed on your silver sword, while others (cough Detlaff cough) give me far more stress than I'd care to rehash here.

It also doesn't help that after fetching herbs and finding the abandoned griffin's lair – RIP griffin wife – all I want to do is take photographs of everything. I'm so consumed with documenting my new Witcher 3 journey like a photojournalist, taking time framing each shot just so, that when Vesemir hands me a crossbow, I panic. Uh, how do I use this again?!

After downing three accidental potions and casting Igni at my horse (sorry Roach), I finally work out how to equip the blasted thing. It's pretty useless, if I'm honest; I'll stick to using the Igni special attack, a stream of continuous fire that reaches a surprising distance, to stun the beast and bring it crashing down to earth for some melee attacks.

It's on toward Vizima now that the brute has been slain, and time to meet Yennefer. But not before I snap another juicy shot of Geralt and his winged prize. I'm sure that there's more I'll appreciate about the remaster update later down the line – I haven't even experienced the new missions that came with the next gen update, after all – but for now, I'm quite happy playing The Witcher 3 in a state of awe and wonder. Each new sunset brings another exciting rush to snap a picture before it's too late, even if Geralt's hair looks startlingly blue or blonde in certain lighting. CD Projekt Red's bold enhancements of The Witcher 3's color palette has turned it into a true fantasy for me, and at this rate, it'll take me a very long time to leave Velen.

So it's just as well that next week, another member of the GamesRadar+ team will take you on an adventure into one of their favorite sections of this big, beautiful game! Until then, I'll see you on The Path.

The Witcher 3 Remastered is impressing fans all over again following CD Projekt Red's new patch targeting the revamped RPG's visuals and more.

In case you missed it, The Witcher 3 Remastered saw the release of patch 5.01 yesterday – an update that does everything from fix boats moving "uncontrollably" to adding Bloom, Light Shafts, and Depth of Field as options to the game's settings on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

You may not think much of those if you're on PC, but console users are practically convinced they're playing something different with how much of a difference there is. The PC tweaks are nothing to scoff at, either.

Over on Reddit, one player explains how they were "worried that the update wouldn't solve my problems with the game," but it turned out better than they thought: "I didn't expect it will look this good."

Comments show fellow fans agree, with an especially amusing reply saying, "Mine is so improved that I've been just slowly moving around on my horse too just taking in the scenery." Valid, honestly.

Other threads elsewhere echo this sentiment, with a side-by-side comparison on Twitter showing how much better The Witcher 3 Remastered looks after patch 5.01.

"CDPR released an update for The Witcher 3 Remastered that massively improves the visuals," it reads. "They fixed the brightness and color tonemapping and the shadows look way punchier now. It honestly looks like a proper remaster now."

The top response is similar: "That's so good!!! The remaster really felt off to me compared to the beautiful contrast of the original game."

Put simply, patch 5.01 is finally putting the "Remastered" in The Witcher 3 Remastered – and retaining the original RPG's beauty to boot. As another post comparing the post-update game states, colors "are now far more accurate to the intended art style" than they were prior to the patch.

And, honestly, I'm in agreement here. Sure, it's already the top-scoring game of 2026 on Metacritic – but there's always room for improvement, and CD Projekt Red knows it.

The Witcher 3 Remastered leads to new Steam player peak of nearly 140,000 as CD Projekt Red celebrates its 11-year-old RPG's resurgence: "Much love."

With The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on the way, Nintendo of America's former PR leads say the company should put more remakes in development to help fill out the Switch 2 library.

Nintendo has a bit of a weird relationship with remakes when compared to other major publishers.

Capcom is out here remaking every Resident Evil, Sony is probably already developing a third remake of The Last of Us, and Xbox recently released its second remakes of Halo: Combat Evolved and Gears of War.

However, outside of the Pokemon games, Nintendo remakes are seemingly at random, with only a few dropping in each console generation; and, as over the last decade, they've felt like ways to re-introduce somewhat dormant series' such as Metroid, Star Fox, and Advance Wars, as opposed to being remakes of "bigger" games.

The Ocarina of Time remake is naturally a bit of a break away from this as it's a remake of what is perhaps Nintendo's biggest game ever – but a duo of former Nintendo leads hope it's the beginning of a wider initiative.

In an new episode of their podcast, former PR leads Krysta Yang and Kit Ellis discuss as much, with the latter saying "Nintendo should be even more focused on remakes." He cites Star Fox and Ocarina of Time's 2026 returns as "really proving that there is a significant audience" and "significant interest when these games are handled in a premium way."

Ellis also notes "if you're Nintendo, nobody has a library that's as deep as you" while stating that the original Switch lineup was bolstered by a plethora of Wii U ports throughout its life.

He adds, "it's really an important thing for them to be able to keep the lineup strong throughout the year; not everything needs to be from the ground up original game. We can supplement that with these remakes."

Granted, Ellis does say "you need to be careful" when it comes to what the percent of remakes vs original titles is in a given year, as to not be seen as relying on remakes and remasters.

However, he reckons Nintendo could make the remake percentage a bit higher and "not face any significant pushback."

Yang agrees, noting that these projects that need less resources will be a good way to supplement a lineup of "the big games," saying "no company can survive if they only do like the crazy big like AAA innovative experience for every single game."

"You'll be Sony," she adds. "You'll have a problem." She's referencing the PS5's long-term exclusive droughts that have been the subject of player complaints here, although Sony is also very keen to release a ton of remakes and remasters.

However, Yang points out the "dangerous thing" is "they're getting such positive reinforcement from these remakes." And, when Ocarina sells well, there could be the thought of "that was a way easier way" to sell 10 million copies of a game, as opposed to taking a risk with a new out-there Zelda game.

She explains, "that is the danger of this path that they're going down, I think, is you could overindex on that pretty easily because you're getting so rewarded for it, making tons of money for very little work."

Saying that, Nintendo has been supplementing its series in other ways too, with the likes of Splatoon Raiders and the Mario Sports titles, which are smaller entries to help bridge the gap between major releases.

Having unique spins on existing franchises is a far more interesting prospect to me than endless remakes of games I can already play, but hey, people love a remake.

Castlevania Belmont's Curse skipping Switch 2 also baffles former Nintendo marketing lead: "The way Konami has handled this game has been a little weird"

A new advertisement on the official Best Buy website has revealed the US retailer is hosting "late-night" store opening for the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake on November 5 at select stores. While the midnight launch is aimed at letting people pick up the game, the retailer states that "limited numbers of the 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 system and the Pro Controller will also be available."

To find out if your local Best Buy is participating, the site provides you with the ability to select your State and store, so you don't have to queue and end up empty-handed. Of course, that's still a possibility, as "limited numbers" doesn't suggest there are a lot of shiny Zelda consoles and controllers to go around. With that in mind, I recommend queuing early to avoid disappointment. Though if you've been trying to find the console and controller online in the meantime just like me, it's likely you're accustomed to that already.

Stock of the 40th Anniversary Legend of Zelda Switch 2 and Pro Controller disappeared quicker than you could say "hey listen," but Best Buy's midnight launch could potentially help you find more. I'm trying to not get jealous over this opportunity, as in the UK, retailers like Smyths Toys or Currys have not announced an equivalent.

I had the Switch 2 Pro Controller in my online Nintendo UK basket the moment pre-orders went live, but due to site crashes and errors, I could only check out with the Ocarina of Time game pre-order and its bonus gift. Since then, I've been searching high and low to grab the Switch 2 controller, but my quest has remained fruitless, and the Young Link and Zelda amiibo haven't even appeared at UK retailers either.

In the US, things are looking a lot brighter. Not only does this Best Buy event provide fans with a second chance to pick up the stunning limited edition tech, but the retailer is also providing the option to amend your pre-order from shipping to your home to being able to be picked up instead, should you just want to soak up the old-school launch atmosphere.

If you can't attend any of the late-night Best Buy store openings, I recommend bookmarking the stores on our Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary pre-order page and checking back in regularly. While the chances of more stock drops are slim, never say never.

• Pre-order The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time at Best Buy

Check out our GTA 6 pre-order page and Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis pre-order pages if you love securing your games as soon as possible.

It's 2026 and everything costs a fortune. Thanks to the AI industry's greedy appetite for memory, consoles are nowadays much more expensive than they were at launch. The Nintendo Switch 2 is no exception: when it launched last year it cost AU$699.95, but since September that RRP has increased to AU$769.95.

Not good! So when a console receives a discount it's definitely worth drawing attention to. JB Hi-Fi is currently offering the Nintendo Switch 2 for AU$699, which is a saving of AU$70.

Yes, I realise the irony here: that discount, generous though it may be, simply discounts the Switch 2 to its launch RRP. But hey, it's better than nothing.

Other retailers are also offering this discount, so if you have a Big W or Officeworks nearby, you could duck in and buy a new Switch 2 for this price.

It's probably a smart time to buy a Switch 2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake lands on November 5, and it's probably the most compelling reason yet to own the console. I've also noticed stock issues at some retailers: Amazon is currently completely out of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, for example, and JB Hi-Fi is limiting purchases to one unit per customer to prevent scalping.

Does that mean it'll be hard to buy a Switch 2 in the coming weeks or months? It's hard to say: Switch 2 stock was a problem at launch in the US and UK, but not so much in Australia. Still, with Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, if stock's gonna run out, it's gonna run out soon.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes a lot of flak for the amount of mini-games it has that distract you from the main objective. Queen's Blood, Fort Condor, Chocobo Racing, Galactic Survivors, Pirate's Rampage, Queen's Blood... oh, god, Queen's Blood. (I suck at Queen's Blood because I lack the attention span to learn.)

Anyway, I don't much care for all of Final Fantasy Rebirth's mini-games, but I'm not upset that they exist. Even in the rare occasion I'm forced to interact with them, it's usually a nice, brief break from the main quest that makes me slow down and appreciate the depth of the game's world. That's just me, and there are plenty of JRPG fans who are vocally against the amount of mini-games in Rebirth, and indeed, the conversation has grown loud enough that it's officially become capital-D Discourse. Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi, who also helmed Rebirth, isn't having any of it.

"I often see debates about whether it's better to have more minigames or fewer," says Hamaguchi in the latest issue of Edge Magazine. "However, I don't think that discussion really gets to the heart of the matter. What I consider first is what kind of gaming experience is best suited to a particular title. In that sense, the overarching policy that 'the FF7 remakes would offer a gaming experience as rich in minigames as the original' was my decision as director, and I believe that responsibility is mine to bear."

Not only is Hamaguchi taking direct ownership of the decision to stay true to the spirit of the original game with a ton of goofy mini-games, he's also saying people who focus on the amount of mini-games are missing the whole point. It's about quality and quantity, he seems to suggest.

"I believe we should continuously improve aspects such as whether the game is easy to engage with and whether players can enjoy it without unnecessary stress," says Hamaguchi. "We prioritised ensuring that players engage with the minigames because they want to, rather than feeling like they're being made to play them. I believe that how we can deliver that gaming experience is more important than whether to increase or reduce the number of minigames."

The mini-games in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are definitely, for the most part, thoroughly fleshed out compared to their 1997 counterparts, but for the most part they're entirely optional. Or at least, the ones that require a lot of concentration or skill aren't necessary to the critical path, from what I remember. I don't know, I think I'm picking up what Hamaguchi is putting down here. When there are bigger issues to discuss like Square Enix's "inevitable" embrace of multiplatform availability and the lack of a true physical disc version of Revelation, whether or not there are too many mini-games seems pretty inconsequential.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead explains that making each game in the RPG trilogy a "complete experience" was "non-negotiable" from the beginning

Astral Ascent, the highly acclaimed indie action roguelite from 2023, has received the rare blessing that is a crossover with Sandfall Interactive's 2025 GOTY sweep, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Of course, by rare I mean singular, as there's yet to be any actual game content featuring characters or world elements from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 until now.

Announced in a Steam blog, Astral Ascent's Expedition 33: For Those Who Come After update is live now and free for all players, with the only requirement being completion of the main quest on base difficulty. Once you've got the update downloaded, you'll want to pop a seat at the new Campfire room, because you'll find some of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's best characters waiting there as special, themed summons.

Gustave is a support-type companion who heals you and gives you attack buffs, but he also has "a devastating" attack that charges up every time he's summoned. Maelle fights alongside you using a stance determined by your HP, shifting from attack to defense and unleashing a "powerful attack" that unlocks when she maintains the same stance for a while. Sciel is a card-based battler with mana regen, a basic strike attack, and a "powerful attack," each triggered under different conditions.

Meanwhile, Lune is an elemental spellcaster who syncs up with your own spell-using habits, and as is starting to become a pattern, she gets her own "powerful spell" when you summon her "enough times." Verso ranks up every time you hit an enemy and drops a rank with every hit you take, starting with an attack penalty and then building to a "massive attack bonus" as he ranks up. Finally, Monocco draws a random card from a set of five and unleashes a "powerful monster summon" based on the card he pulls.

There are also three new Expedition 33-themed rooms in Astral Ascent's crossover update: the aforementioned Campfire, the Lumière, where you square off with Petank and the Mimes with Lumière in the background, and the Gestral Village, where you face off against Golgra. Developer Hibernian Workshop says these rooms appear randomly before the final boss of each run, and you'll have the chance to pick between the Expedition 33-themed bosses or the usual Andromeda Bar, "but choose fast, it won't come back this run," warns the dev.

"We've wanted to do this for a long time. Getting to work with Sandfall Interactive on this crossover has been one of the best experiences we've had making Astral Ascent," the Astral Ascent team says in a statement. "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a game we fell in love with, like so many of you did, and this update is our way of paying tribute to it. Our biggest challenge was translating this world into our own pixel art, staying true to what makes these places feel alive while making them ours."

Speaking of crossovers, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 "broke" T-Pain with its "too sad" intro: "It gets worse? Absolutely not"

As a massive horror fan, I was on the hunt for Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival Easter Eggs as soon as I loaded up the game. And, to my Cenobite-obsessed delight, I've found 13 references that made me do a double-take while messing about with the Lament Configuration.

Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival is, of course, set in the Hellraiser universe, which has given us some of the best horror movies of all time and is a staple in '80s horror media, period. So of course there were always going to be nods to the iconic franchise for us to dig into here. However, in between my time gushing over Pinhead voice actor Doug Bradley's being in this title and wincing at all the virtual gore on my screen, I was shocked to find obscure nods to other '80s horror movies, the Hellraiser comics getting some love, and even tributes to iconic metal bands as well.

Some of the easter eggs I found are really hidden, and some aren't so cut and dry. I'm sure I may have missed a few as well, so feel free to share any you may have found in the comments below. But for now, here are all the spooky references and easter eggs that are in the new game, Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival. Warning: spoilers ahead!

1. Mattress with chains at the beginning of the game

In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of moment, at the very start of the game when you enter Hell for the first time, a mattress is quickly thrown in front of you before it is pulled away with chains. Now, this moment is way too much of a curveball not to be a shout-out to the first two Hellraiser movies. Mattresses being like a gateway to hell are massive things in the franchise in general, but seeing one so soon and without context has to be an easter egg in my opinion. In Hellraiser 2 specifically, Julia is resurrected via a mattress (which the game later replicates with Sunny), so that just further cements my thoughts on this one. Is this Julia's mattress? We don't know, but it is definitely a movie nod if ever there was one.

2. A man with wires on his face like the Doctor in Hellraiser 2

When you first escape Bruno, near the place where you get a gun for the first time in the game, in the hallway you will find the dead body of a detective whose death has some very similar characteristics to Dr. Philip Channard's fate when he is taken over by Leviathan in Hellraiser 2. In the movie, before he's turned into a Cenobite, one of the most memorable moments is seeing wires cut into his face. In the game, the dead body has a contraption on his head with wires cutting into his face in the exact same manner. We do see this model used again later in the game, so it isn't limited to this one scene, but it is a clear homage to one of the best practical-effects moments in an '80s movie. It is also one of the only nods to Channard, who personally would have loved all of Bruno's gruesome handiwork.

3. Shopkeeper being an Eremite

When you meet the shopkeeper for the second time, you will find a document next to her that reveals that she is an eremite. Eremites are basically demons who guard all the puzzle boxes that lead to Hell, and they are also beings who try to entice souls into Leviathan's domain. Eremites are half-human, half-Cenobite beings who can look human at first, but their true form tends to be a bit more horrific. We saw that back in the first Hellraiser movie, with the homeless figure turning into a skeletal winged monster to get the Lament Configuration at the end of that film. We did only get a name for these creatures in the Hellraiser comics, though, so this is a nice nod to that side of the franchise as well. I will say that the shopkeeper behaves quite odd for an Eremite since they don't seem to be operating under Leviathan's will, but they do enjoy messing with Aiden's head about his relationship with Sunny and his true desires, so the essence of the original source material is still there.

4. Orno is mentioned

In the same note that reveals that the shopkeeper is an Eremite, we also get mention of the Cenobite Orno. Now, Orno is basically all of the Eremites' parent and is the Cenobite who is tasked with creating new puzzles in Hell. It's a bit complicated, but in order to reproduce with humans and make Eremites, Orno embeds his essence into his "Raw Material", a tortured human husk he uses to create the insides of the puzzle boxes, which he then returns to the real world in order to act as a surrogate to impregnate people with his own Cenobite genes…delightful. Only years later when they've grown does he send them a puzzle box, activating them like sleeper agents. Orno doesn't turn up in the Hellraiser movies and is really only a figure in Epic Comics, but seeing his name pop up is a neat little easter egg for longtime fans of the franchise.

5. Ozzy Osborne's grave

In the graveyard section of the game, after you escape the club, you can stumble upon a gravestone that reads "Here lies our prince of darkness who raised hell then went back to his mother". Under the tombstone, you will see Ozzy's iconic glasses as well as two bat statues, and for some extra flair, candles sporting the iconic Black Sabbath purple color decorate the grave as well. Ozzy Osbourne died in 2025, so seeing this very sweet homage to him in the game was surprisingly touching. Also, a fun fact: Ozzy wrote a song called Hellraiser with Zakk Wylde and Lemmy Kilmister back in the '90s, so he has got ties to the franchise directly. Basically, this is a top-tier tribute and Easter egg, friends.

6. Motörhead's Lemmy's hat

Next to Ozzy's gravestone, you will also see Motörhead bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister's iconic cowboy hat. As I mentioned in the Ozzy Osbourne Easter Egg, Lemmy co-wrote the Hellraiser song. However, Motörhead did do a version of the song for the movie Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth. Lemmy also played poker with Pinhead in that song's music video, and it was directed by Clive Barker too, which is just the cherry on top of the cool horror cake. So yeah, finding a version of Lemmy's hat next to the Ozzy easter egg is very cool, and one I highly suggest all fans keep an eye out for when they are in the graveyard sections of the game.

7. The occult magazine, Damballa

When you return to the club after acquiring the Hell chain ability, you will see a magazine on a chair called Damballa. Now, I will say a lot of books and magazines in this game are just stock assets; however, in the realm of '80s horror movie lore, this find made me do a double take. Damballa is a voodoo spirit that, in the horror movie Child's Play, is the reason why Chucky was able to transfer his soul into a doll. Damballa doesn't have any Hellraiser ties directly, but the game offers an '80s movie mode, and since Hellraiser 2 came out in 1988 (the same year as Child's Play), I'm pretty sure this is a fun easter egg paying homage to horror movies in general of that time. Later on in the game, we see a cabin that looks kind of similar to Evil Dead, and a boat on a lake that may be a Friday the 13th nod, but those are all very vague "could be" references. The Damballa mention is the best case for an '80s horror movie easter egg out of the whole bunch.

8. Cultist note called 'Hell on Earth'

In the game, you will find a note called "Hell on Earth", which discusses the cult's plans to bring the Cenobites to Earth. In the note, the writer does complain that they want to descend into Hell instead of bringing it to Earth, simply because they want to "bathe in Leviathan's shadow". Pretty standard bad guy stuff, but the Easter Egg here lies in the note's name, which is the same as the third Hellraiser movie, Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth. It's not a deep Easter egg that needs lore unpacking to get the most out of it, but it is a fun little nod.

9. Yellow floating balloon

OK, so I will admit that whether this is an easter egg or not is probably a stretch, but considering all the other subtle nods to '80s horror media that isn't purely Hellraiser-related, I do think it is worth highlighting a potential IT reference I found. In the swamp section, when you are approaching the cabin after the graveyard section in the game, you will be able to spot a very out-of-place yellow balloon. If you are a long-time Stephen King fan like myself, then you know that the balloon that Pennywise gives Georgie is actually yellow in the '90s IT miniseries. The red balloon for the IT franchise was only made popular after the recent movies; before then, Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise holding up that yellow balloon in the gutter haunted my nightmares. There are no other IT signifiers in the game, but a random balloon in a swamp is a suspicious choice to include; also, considering we have had a Chucky reference and that IT was written in 1986, this may be another '80s horror homage.

10. All the Steam achievements are references

Almost all the Steam achievements are references to something. Be that Hellraiser quotes spanning from all the movies, other horror movie nods, Resident Evil 4 references, and there is even an achievement named after a line from Lord of the Rings. I'd be here for ages listing them all, so I highly recommend checking them out for yourself. However, I will share some of my personal favorite Easter eggs that I found:

• The achievement "Only Nightmares Last Forever," which is a line from the more obscure and straight-to-video Hellraiser: Deader movie
• The achievement "A waste of good suffering," a classic line from the first Hellraiser movie
• The two achievements "What Are You Selling?" and "What are you buying?" which are nods to the merchant in Resident Evil 4
• The achievement "What's in the Box," which is a line from the iconic thriller movie Seven
• The achievement "No life in the void, only death," which is a line Sauron says during The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The achievement "Burn, oh such a limited imagination," which is a line from Hellraiser 3
• The achievement "Unlimited Power," which is, of course, a reference to the Star Wars line said by Palpatine in Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith

11. Blade tentacles from Hellraiser 2

The general aesthetic of the Labyrinth takes cues from all the Hellraiser movies, so there aren't a lot of Easter Eggs to be spotted in Hell. However, in some sections you will encounter hallways filled with tentacles with surgical blades coming out of them, which is very clear Hellraiser 2 imagery. When Channard turns into the Cenobite "the Doctor" in that movie, he sports said tentacles with blades, and it is very specific to his character. While the other Cenobites tend to stick to hooks and chains, these blades do make Channard stand out in the franchise, so seeing the blade tentacles in the game is clearly a nod to that iconic villain. Even though The Doctor perished at the end of Hellraiser 2, it's nice to see that some twisted part of him stuck around in Hell to make it a more terrifying and horrific place…right?

12. Red Dragon painting

In Marlowe's mansion, there is a very clear interpretation of the Red Dragon painting by William Blake. If you are a Silence of the Lambs fan, chances are you know about this painting through the prequel. The 1981 novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris often references the painting directly. In the book, the main villain (who isn't Hannibal but a serial killer nicknamed the "Tooth Fairy") believes that each person he murders will bring him closer to ascending into the red dragon, which is very similar to Marlowe's train of thought, if you ask me. Marlowe's crusade is to kill and mutilate his followers for Leviathan, so that he may eventually walk among the Cenobites. The painting that we see in the game isn't an exact replica of the Red Dragon, but it is very clearly a version of the painting that stood out enough for me to do a double take. Also, thematically, the story of the Red Dragon and Marlowe's own wishes are pretty undeniable. On another note, it's very cool to see another '80s horror nod with this one too.

13. Jesus Wept reference from Hellraiser 1

Probably the most iconic scene and line from the first Hellraiser movie is at the end of said film, where Frank Cotton's body is pulled by Pinhead's chains, and his entire skin is stretched out. In that gruesome moment, he says the line "Jesus Wept". In the game, depending on what choice you make, you will see a scene that is pretty similar to this moment. However, I will say Aiden doesn't say the iconic line and isn't as stretched as Frank is. It isn't an exact one-to-one replica of the scene, but it is a very clear nod toward it that will make film fans crack a smile at the very least.

Next read our Hellraiser: Revival review for more details on this new horror.

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Welcome to the RPG Club, a month-long adventure through one unforgettable role-playing game. Over the next four weeks, we'll be exploring CD Projekt Red's gorgeous new remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, one of the undefeated best RPGs of the last two decades.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is finally here, with all the weighty choices and dynamic third-person combat you know and love from the 2015 original (with a few adjustments). But what's actually new in the remaster, and are the chances all that noticeable? That's what this month's RPG Club is intent on discovering. From the bitesized tutorial town of White Orchard to the bustling streets of Oxenfurt, the RPG experts of GamesRadar+ are here to walk you through their favorite Witcher 3 missions across four weekly articles, examining how the latest enhancements measure up against the fondness of memory and the game's own legacy.

Below you'll find your Quest Log, which explains the rules for this month's playthrough. Each week will see a new writer focusing on a standout mission, from the most famous ones to those you might have missed in your own past playthroughs. We invite you to join us on The Path and share your own experiences, good or bad, as you explore The Continent alongside us. Do you love the new skill tree? Have you run into any performance issues? We need all the details, so be sure to weigh in down in the comments section each week!

Whether this is your first time with The Witcher 3 or your eighth with an entirely new build, RPG Club is your place to celebrate everything that makes these games and this genre so special.

Quest Log

RPG Club: The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt – Remastered (October 2026)

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Grab any great clips during your return to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? Don't forget to submit them to GamesRadar+ Replay. Not only will this give you an opportunity to share your gaming highlights with the GR+ Community, but the best clip of the month wins a $250/£250 Amazon voucher too.

The Witcher 3 Remastered has been out in the wild for a good few days now, but it's evident that CD Projekt Red isn't finished tidying up its revamped RPG just yet – and the new patch 5.01 serves as proof.

That's right, yet another update for the free upgrade to The Witcher 3 is upon us, squashing a good few bugs and addressing various complaints from fans across all platforms (except for the Nintendo Switch 2 – for now, anyway).

The full patch notes from CDPR outline all of those, starting with gameplay fixes for everything from boats moving "uncontrollably" to specific skills that haven't properly been working.

There are also UI tweaks galore and fixes specific to both PC and console players, starting with the former. For example, I'm seeing a plethora of GPU-related changes targeting the game's settings, like Dynamic Resolution Scaling and GTAO Quality.

Over on the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 end, there are entirely new settings: Bloom, Light Shafts, and Depth of Field options, with optimizations and more to boot.

As for the Switch 2 edition, well, CD Projekt Red is on it.

"In addition to this," the studio adds at the end of Patch 5.01's lengthy notes, "we are also working on an update for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, introducing closer parity between all versions of the game, including the same global changes as on other platforms."

That, plus some other improvements.

It sounds like the developers aren't done with any of The Witcher 3 Remastered, though, if I'm honest. I think they'll keep tinkering with it as long as folks share complaints, and they seem to be implying as much, too.

Paweł Sasko, who is currently on the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel as associate game director, instructs fans to "please keep us updated about any thoughts you have" over on Twitter, for instance.

So, there you have it: The Witcher 3 Remastered can only get bigger and better than here, and it's already the top-scoring game of 2026 on Metacritic, having beaten out CDPR's base RPG from 2015.

Looking for more new games to wishlist? Browse through our roundup of all of the upcoming CD Projekt Red games for some other great titles to anticipate.

After all this time, Fortnite is collaborating with an actually good game, in Hollow Knight. I kid, of course – the all-consuming battle royale recently incorporated Kingdom Hearts as well. So, two games. The irony of this latest partnership is that the pack containing your cosmetics and what not is actually more expensive than the base game.

I wish I were joking. Upon announcement of the esteemed nail-wielding warrior's arrival, Epic revealed the corresponding Fortnite DLC will cost you 2,000 V-Bucks if you opt for the full bundle.

2,000 V-Bucks costs you £17.19, or $22.49. Right now, if you go to buy Hollow Knight on Steam, you'll be putting down £12.79, or $14.99.

So, yes, buying the Fortnite Hollow Knight goodies costs more than Team Cherry's excellent Metroidvania, and by a noticeable margin, too. Included in the bundle are three items: Hollow Knight as a sidekick, a Hallownest Grub as a backbling, and the Nail as a pickaxe.

The bench and Shade make appearances as well, all part of the Fortnitemares horror theme for Halloween, where Slender Man, Freddy Kruger, and the Yautja from Predator are involved, with Beetlejuice on the way soon, too. The price discrepancy here gets even worse when you note that Hollow Knight is frequently on sale, since it's nine years old now.

Funnily enough, Fortnite's bundle is more expensive than the sequel, Silksong, too, since that retails for $19.99. On some level, I respect how brazen these prices are. Imagine trying to explain this to someone back in 2017. Hell, imagine showing them in-game footage of our trusty knight being caught up in the middle of a tense gunfight between Goku and Peter Griffin.

The future is a strange and inscrutable place. Sadly, it's expensive too. Hollow Knight's available in Fortnite until October 15, at which point the bundle will leave the shop, and it's not clear when it'll return.

€100 million Fortnite lawsuit claims Epic put "pressure" on minors to spend real money: "Young consumers are supposed to be protected from exactly that."

Dragon's Dogma 2 is back in the limelight now after its 2024 launch thanks to its Dark Arisen DLC, which lands tomorrow – and is apparently superior to its 2013 predecessor.

A whopping 13 years ago now, the original Dragon's Dogma RPG from Capcom got its own Dark Arisen expansion, and admittedly, I loved it. Everything from the Bitterblack Isle to the formidable foes the DLC boasted had me in a chokehold – and this week, the new Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen content threatens to do the same.

And, what's more, it appears to be impressing critics more than its decade-old predecessor did.

Over on Metacritic, the Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen expansion boasts a solid score of 84. That's pretty dang good, and the small snippets provided from reviews solidify as much.

One outlines how the DLC has "made Dragon's Dogma 2 a must-play RPG," for example, while others say it accomplishes what the original game's own follow-up content did and then some – so, yeah.

It seems as though it's shaping up to be quite a time.

As for the original Dragon's Dogma and its own Dark Arisen DLC… well, it's got a score of 81 on the platform. That's not bad at all, but it's notably a few points under its successor, which is exciting.

The new take on Dark Arisen's chaos is mere hours away at this point, so I do also wonder what fans will think of it. For reference, the OG expansion's got a "user score" of 7.9 – will tomorrow's prove even higher?

I certainly hope so. We're talking everything from enhanced gameplay to new adventures in snowy, unforgiving Norgan and even an improved character creator, as though I didn't spend enough time in it a couple years back.

All that's left to do now is wait, I suppose. If you've not preordered it yet yourself, Dark Arisen is live on Steam and other platforms for $30 – a small price to pay, should critics' thoughts on the DLC so far ring true.

Capcom enlists Ron Perlman for Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen promo, hopefully pays him more than the sandwich and $40 he got for Fallout.

Early on in Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, as I try to escape a torture dungeon full of mangled victims with only a plank of wood for protection, a huge man in tough leather stomps towards me, calling me "vanilla" as he shrugs off my hits. In a way, he's not wrong. While the violent adventure protagonist Aiden Lynch is thrust into is filled with extreme gore and upsetting imagery, its core combat is fairly basic. Enemies take hits until eventually keeling over on the spot, and guns I pick up later feel like peashooters.

Then I get my hands back on the Genesis Configuration, the mysterious puzzle box that led to me being kidnapped in the first place (after my girlfriend Sunny is summoned through an impossible gateway in our bedroom mid-coitus), and the whirring mechanism that is Hellraiser: Revival begins to reshape, shift, and slot into place.

Such sights

With Cenobite Hell Priest 'Pinhead' (voiced by original actor Doug Bradley) and his crew's pain-dimension antics serving as an enigmatic third-party, and themes that revolve around the arrogance of humans and boundary pushing without demonizing fetishes, Revival feels true to the spirit of Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart novella, and the original Hellraiser movies. Ditching the direct-to-video sequels that turned the Cenobites into simplistic slasher villains, it's great to see the nuance and complexity of their torturous machinations return. This isn't just a great Hellraiser game, but a great continuation of Hellraiser across any medium.

Even so, there's no escaping it – Hellraiser: Revival is still a horror-themed action game that has to take Aiden through a sequence of bloodsoaked combat rooms. Yet, an increasing number of toys, from propelling flames towards enemies or flinging metal saws across the room to decapitate foes Gravity Gun-style, keep action interesting. There's a Condemned: Criminal Origins-like grottiness and emphasis on melee combat. If an Xbox 360 crackled with the blue electrical energy that marks a Cenobite visitation, this would be the result.

While fights could use more impact, and finisher animations are somewhat limited, there are still moments that impress, whether that's cutting off the limb of a human enemy and having them begin to bleed out before instantly collapsing, or switching to a baseball bat to batter armor away, exposing flesh to damage. Eventual supernatural threats, the shambling Unworthy, even offer Doom-like health restoration if you get close enough to finish them off with your Genesis cube once they're staggered.

Gore in combat is one thing – who hasn't lopped off limbs in a game before? – even if the occasional opportunity to command the Hellraiser series' iconic hook-chains is a novelty. But, Hellraiser: Revival ratchets up to another level in set-dressing and cutscenes. This is undoubtedly one of the most explicit games I've ever played, with scenes ranging from flaying to body-ripping and stomach-churning flesh statues. One primary antagonist has shades of Bioshock's Sander Cohen about him, but here his flesh artistry is truly sickening to observe.

Many moments are direct callbacks to the original Hellraiser movies as well, though arguably have more impact as, here, completely digital, there's no blurred line between real and practical effect. Hellraiser: Revival has plenty of new sights to show you as well. It's almost the game's mission to ensure you find something stomach churning. (I'm avoiding showing too much in the screenshots here).

After fighting my way through this cult's basement, solving the odd puzzle to progress, I emerge into a thriving sex nightclub that serves as the organization's front. The standard club goers here are innocents, just looking for a place to have a good time, while the Cenobite-worshipping cult are essentially posers who use the guise of BDSM to prey on the vulnerable, who mask their sex club in positive, consent-forward posters until one step into the VIP section they're replaced with banners hailing their prophet.

As always with Hellraiser, villainous depravity is dialed up to 11, but there's truth in how Hellraiser: Revival tackles the subculture its themes are rooted in, and how bad actors can hide their own selfish abuse behind rhetoric. Count yourself lucky if you've never crossed paths with someone like that.

Thankfully, Pinhead has just as little time for the cult as Aiden does – though more out of a bored apathy that its leaders think they can match the Cenobites' freak – sending you on a collision course to take out them out in exchange for favors from Leviathan's labyrinthine realm.

While, as a game rooted in combat sequences, the focus is often on meting out ironic punishment against enactors of abuse, there are some surprising moments of sweetness. One early, short scene has Aiden talking frankly about consent boundaries with a patron at the club as he searches for a keycard. Likewise, on his quest to revive Sunny from the Hell-like Labyrinth, Pinhead emphasizes to Aiden that she entered the pain dimension of her own consensual volition and that, if resurrected, she has just as much free will to leave Aiden again if she wishes.

Demons to some

Plumbing the cult's base of operations for clues, and exploring the Labyrinth and its nightmarish reflections on reality, Hellraiser: Revival effectively explores objectification, control, and consent in relationships more responsibly than a lot of other games would dream of. For all its shocking violent imagery, Hellraiser: Revival can also be thematically mature. It's clear Saber Interactive really understands what sets Hellraiser's original entries apart from the horror competition. The story itself has been worked on collaboratively with Hellraiser's creator Clive Barker, and it shows. In that respect, this a much better resurrection of the Cenobites than the flashy but shallow Brucker-directed 2022 Hellraiser reboot.

This sense of purpose helps make the gore that litters the cult's compound feel more than pure shock value – though in Hellraiser the shock is part of the point too. Exploring denser, lively environments is where Hellraiser: Revival shines, such as poking around a deranged artist's workshop (and occasionally bopping enemies that emerge from Iron Maidens), or tracking down a ticket to gain entry to a peep show. Detours through sewers and woods are less interesting, though, thankfully, don't overstay their welcome.

Between gunning through these locations, Aiden finds himself intermittently visiting the Labyrinth realm from which the Cenobites hail. Filled with tight, claustrophobic tunnels, and clever use of quick-loads to create impossible geometry and decoy dead ends, these excursions feel true to the movies – Hellraiser 2 especially – while also making creative use of the digital medium.

No combat ever occurs in the Labyrinth, but there is danger. Sequences where Chatterer – the teeth-chattering, mouth-flayed creature – pursues you by walking menacingly towards you and teleporting around are nice and tense without being too demanding, the slight increase in pressure amplifying the disorientation of the maze to great effect. Sliding under hallway block death-chains to get away feels humorously like Call of Duty's omnimovement, and it's not long before I'm taking my traversal skills outside the Labyrinth to stunt on shotgun-wielding enemies back in the real world.

Light puzzling also exists here, but is thankfully not obtrusive. When it's revealed that the Genesis Configuration can move platforms at a distance and transfer fire between sconces, I worried that these would get in the way – the last thing I want is Pinhead tutorializing me on environmental puzzles – but they don't appear too often.

Snappy as good horror should be, Hellraiser: Revival took me just under 9 hours to beat, and never kept me in one place for too long. Despite some maps and number pad puzzles that give the impression of Resident Evil-like spaces, this is much more linear and keeps moving rapidly, always changing up the types of spaces and action you're doing even if combat does loom larger than I'd like, and I spend a touch too long juggling my limited inventory space between bullets and bandages.

Only during some so-so boss battles and fiddly insta-fail stealth sections do I start to get restless, but even these are infrequent. I even find myself invested in the narrative right up until the credits drop (which feature an unmissable, diabolical, and utterly iconic music remix I won't spoil here but had me cheering out loud). My horror gaming besties know that's a rare treat indeed, and it's a game I'm still turning in my (pin)head even now.

Rarely subtle, Hellraiser: Revival's rawness is truly shocking, but what's stuck with me more than the sights of sculpted, twisted muscles are the stories behind them. For a game based on Clive Barker's work (seriously, read the Books of Blood if you haven't), that's the right place to land. This is a pain that lingers.

Cliver Barker's Hellraiser: Revival was reviewed on PC, with code provided by the publisher.

Want to raise more hell? Check out our best horror games ranking, and keep an eye on our upcoming horror games list for more.

Finding the best gifts for gamers can be tough. Should you buy them the latest game? Are accessories a better idea? And what do you do if they seem to have everything already? Don't worry, the GamesRadar+ experts and I are here to help. If you want to level up your presents this year, check out our tailor-made recommendations, spruced up for 2026.

We go hands-on with the latest games, gadgets, and gear each week, and that means our team's got plenty of ideas when it comes to the best gifts for gamers. As the site's name would suggest, we're gamers ourselves so have chosen the things we'd love to receive… not to mention what's hot right now.

To make sure there's something to suit you regardless of budget, we've selected options from the worlds of PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, retro, and even tabletop games. These items have been especially picked either because we've had practical experience with them or they come highly recommended via countless positive user-reviews. These aren't just novelties; they're gifts for gamers your loved one should actually enjoy.

Best gifts for gamers: Top-rated tech

Best gifts for gamers under $20

Best gifts for gamers under $50

Best gifts for gamers under $100

The Nintendo Switch 2 is going from strength to strength this year, and there's no shortage of accessories and gadgets to go with it. Filtering all that tat out when hunting down the best Switch 2 gifts can feel like wading through cheap plastic, though. That's where we come in.

We've been hands on with the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories all year round, but we've also been hunting down top merch, toys, and collaborations from all the system's heavy hitting franchises. Whether you're upgrading some tech or picking out some themed stocking stuffers this holiday season, we've got the gizmos you need to know about.

Up first we've got the very best tech we've tested - the best Switch headsets and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers among other cheaper accessories. The good news is Ninty has gadgets and tie-ins all the way down the price scale, so you'll also find the best Switch 2 gifts under $50 and under $100 further down the page.

Best Switch 2 gifts 2026

Best Switch 2 gifts under $50

Best Switch 2 gifts under $100

The original Tomb Raider is often obtuse and obscure, challenging you to climb your way through intricate levels inch by inch. Later games in the series would gradually become more friendly, offering clearly marked pathways and handholds to prevent players from ever getting lost. For Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, the developers want to make sure those stretches of isolation and exploration are front and center once again.

"We celebrate those moments to say, 'Hey, let's not hold your hand. Let's let you go out there and hunt around, maybe find some stuff that you weren't expecting to find,'" Jeff Adams, experience director at Crystal Dynamics, says in Edge Magazine issue #429. "That's the idea, to have that sense of 'be adventurous, go out, explore, get on your own, get lost, then find your way back.' And that gives a lot of reward just by traversing the world."

The puzzle-driven spirit of the original game was certainly there in my Summer Game Fest demo of Legacy of Atlantis, and subsequent showings have demonstrated how the devs are walking a tightrope by modernizing the original spirit without getting trapped in the hand holding that dominates so many modern games.

But how do you decide what parts of the original game to keep for a new remake? "Imagine you just finished the first Tomb Raider, then you close your eyes and you imagine a playthrough in your head, and your brain remembers the things that generated the most emotions for you," Michael Kuk, creative director at Flying Wild Hog, explains. "These moments, locations, vistas, objects that stick in your memory, these are the things that have to be in the game almost untouched."

That idea of keeping the spirit of the original game without necessarily being beholden to it is part of why the devs decided to implement a crafting system – something that's already proven controversial to fans.

"As we bring the level of realism up, there are some things from the original we struggle to justify," Adams explains. "One of those things is finding a med pack in a tomb that's been concealed for 10,000 years." Thus we get a system to craft healing items and other boosts mostly from materials you might actually find in or around these tombs.

Exploration and the ability to get lost were defining elements of OG Tomb Raider, so I'm happy the devs are putting so much emphasis on bringing that element of the game back. I love an Uncharted-style romp across exploding mountainsides with clearly marked handholds as much as the next gamer, but sometimes I need my action-adventure games to be just a little bit meaner to me.

These are the best Tomb Raider games of all time.

The Blood of Dawnwalker managed to stir up quite a controversy with its time restrictions, but that's not scaring indie developers away from instilling some good ol' FOMO in players – in fact, some are leaning well into it.

If you're old enough to remember Majora's Mask, one of the best Zelda games of all time, then you're also (un)lucky enough to have grappled with its three-day cycle. It's stressful, sure, but it's what makes the game as fun and unique as it is – if you ask me, anyway.

I'm not the only one who thinks so, apparently, as Studio Zubio is cooking up a stealth RPG with a similar feature… Bunderkin: The Ocular Eclipse. You can back it on Kickstarter right now, where it's already racked up nearly four times its initial $44,444 goal with nearly $175,000 raised so far.

So, what is Bunderkin? Well, like I said, it finds players "trapped in a three-day time loop" as the ever-unpopular Beedee the Bunderdragon (yes, you read that right). Beedee is desperate to get into the Ocular Eclipse festival, which just so happens to be a "once-in-a-lifetime" event.

There's a catch, though: a villain is plotting to freeze said eclipse, but Beedee discovers a mysterious device that transports him back in time so that he can do it all again and stop the chaotic foe.

It sounds fun as heck, honestly, with Studio Zubio noting it's "inspired by stealth classics like Metal Gear Solid and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell" – and, of course, Majora's Mask – with puzzles, stealth mechanics, and secrets galore.

There's no release date set for Bunderkin: The Ocular Eclipse just yet, but its Steam page is live, so you can wishlist it if you're just as intrigued as I am.

It's entering the limelight at an interesting time for sure, considering how The Blood of Dawnwalker's time restriction was so controversial that its biggest mod reworks it altogether and Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director Michael "Cromwelp" Douse had to step in to defend it.

Regardless, I'm not afraid of a little fear of missing out myself, and Studio Zubio appears to be conjurin' up quite the fun little gem. Fingers crossed its launch window drops soon so I can relive my Majora's Mask days once again.

Searching for some new games to play? Browse through our roundup of the most exciting upcoming indie games set to arrive this year and beyond.

Fallout and Hellboy star Ron Perlman is teaming up with Capcom again to introduce you to Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen.

Despite being best known for his myriad film and TV roles, Perlman is a pretty prolific voice actor, especially in games. His most famous contribution is to the Fallout series, where he serves as the narrator in multiple games, as well as the TV anchor that announces the bombs dropping in Fallout 4. Notably, he had no clue the series would be a success, saying that he was caught off guard when he heard there was a sequel coming, as he recalls working on the first entry as "I did a couple of lines, and, you know, got my $40 and my sandwich and went home."

And while never appearing in a Capcom game, Perlman did appear in 2020's Monster Hunter film, wearing an extremely anime-looking wig that did not suit his demeanor in the slightest. Capcom is clearly happy with that collab, as it has announced it'll be teaming up with Perlman to introduce players to Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen.

Perlman will be narrating a "new video sharing a brief glimpse at what awaits in Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen," with Perlman lending "his voice to guide us through Norgan and beyond," with the video set to debut later today (October 7, 2026 at 3pm PT | 6pm ET | 11pm BST) ahead of its launch on October 9, 2026.

While this may seem like a somewhat random collab, it actually mirrors a video Capcom released at the launch of the base game, with John Wick and Kung Fu Panda star Ian McShane serving as narrator. And unless I missed something, McShane does not feature as a voice actor in the game, and I don't believe Perlman is pegged to be part of the Dark Arisen cast either. But let's hope he got more than $40 and a sandwich to do this video at least.

Dragon's Dogma 2 update finally gives the RPG the performance boost it desperately needed, and it's so good that it's even lowered the PC system requirements

You've likely seen the HyperX Cloud III before.

It's a common sight to behold if you've ever spent time hunting through the best gaming headsets on Amazon, which is what led me to finally test it out for myself. I wanted to ensure anyone who didn't take the time to scroll through the second page of Amazon's search results was still getting their money's worth. Just because a headset turns up on page one doesn't necessarily mean it's worth your time and attention, but that does happen to be the case here.

Its fantastic sound, comfortable fit, and multi-platform prowess make it a worthwhile pickup, and its White-Pink colorway (which I tested below) is perfectly suited for cute and cozy setups. Though if you are debating adding this to your online shopping basket, just make sure it's sporting one of its many, many discounts before you buy.

Key specs

Design

HyperX lives by the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" philosophy when it comes to the look of its headsets, and the Cloud III is no different. If it weren't for the fact that I opted for the White-Pink version for review, this headset would look identical to its wireless counterpart, the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless. Which is great, as just because you're choosing the less feature-full version of the two doesn't mean that you deserve the least best-looking of the pair.

As this is pretty much the same headset, it shares the same over-ear form factor, lightly memory foam-padded leather headband, and metal yokes. With this 'White-Pink' version, the yokes are a cool-toned metallic pink rather than red, and the cups, fabric-coated cord, and headband are all draped in the same bright white paint job.

While this design has been used before, that doesn't stop me from being a fan. The brand's decision to ensure the yokes, 'HyperX' logos, the interior of the earcups, and the tiny speckles of the accompanying cord are all pink with this model in particular has won me over. Especially as it blends in well with my cute and cozy work-in-progress PC gaming setup.

Features

Wired headsets like the HyperX Cloud II aren't bursting at the seams with features, but there's still a bit more to this pair than meets the eye. It's equipped with angled 53mm drivers, with a 10Hz-21kHz sound frequency, and is compatible with a wide range of gaming platforms thanks to the brand's unique cabling.

Instead of a basic USB-C wired connection. HyperX has included a 3.5mm cable with an extension that provides the option of USB-C. The headset also includes a USB-A adapter (which is attached by default) to open it up to more platforms, including that of the PS5. While this may not seem exciting to some, I've tested alternatives in a similar price range, like that of the Asus TUF Gaming H1 GEN II Hatsune Miku Edition wired headset, which was limited to USB-A only, so this is a refreshing sight to behold. Sure, you could always just buy an adapter, but I'm always going to prefer it when brands provide everything you need from the get-go.

Additionally, the wired Cloud III features a detachable Electret condenser microphone and onboard controls, including a mic mute button and volume dial.

Performance

With the high price of the Cloud III, I was expecting a lot, and I was not disappointed. While not as densely packed as I prefer, the memory foam padding on the underside of the headband made the pair incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time, which was handy now that Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave is taking up all my free time.

As the latest game in the series has got me glued to my Switch 2, I chose to test the pair's audio with the handheld first and foremost, and it was an easy feat. Thanks to the cabling choice, I was able to pop off the USB-A adapter and stick the headset directly into the console's top USB-C port. Both the game's audio and dialogue absolutely shone through the white-added cups, which was exactly what a game that relies on amping you up through triumphant battles needed.

Talking of the sound, I was a big fan of what the pair was able to muster, no matter if I was glued to Fire Emblem or playing on my PC, PS5, and even my Steam Deck. The extended frequency meant that there was more room for low-end sounds to pull through, which lent itself to games and music alike. I've recently been on a bit of a Smashing Pumpkins kick, and Billy's guitar has never sounded clearer or crunchier - which is exactly what you want when it comes to a Siamese Dream album playthrough.

Throughout my testing, the cord did become a bit of an annoyance, particularly as it's pretty long. However, its adaptability meant I could pop off one end and use the 3.5mm connection instead. This came in handy when it came to not just the Switch 2, but the PC too.

My rig only has one USB-C port, and as I test a lot of tech, it's often already in use. However, I could easily adapt the Cloud III to my setup, as I had 3.5mm, USB-A, and USB-C connection types to play around with. The long cabling was a bit of a nuisance while I was playing through Counter-Strike 2 or Marvel Rivals on Steam, and sat most of the time curled up on my lap as I helped keep my team healed and alive as Invisible Women. However, I'd much rather it be too long than too short.

The microphone of the HyperX Cloud III is also just as fantastic as the audio quality. If you want a clear and concise recording without any unwanted background noise, this is it. It's also detachable, so if you prefer to stick with microphones like that of the Shure MV7i and not have a headset one dangling in your peripheral vision, you can remove it entirely.

Much like the rest of the headset's design, I also love the look of it. Looks aren't as important as sound quality, but again, I'm still thankful HyperX chose to add a drop of color, utilizing the same dusty pink on its grill as found across the pair. Often, microphone headsets can add a cheapness to an accessory's appearance, but the white and pink microphone adds to the can's cute, cozy, and sleek aesthetics.

Should you buy the HyperX Cloud III gaming headset?

The HyperX Cloud III is undoubtedly pricey for a wired headset. At $99.99 / £101.99 there's a huge range of wireless alternatives you could buy in its stead, and I'd recommend that you do - particularly as models like SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless can be picked up for less when there's sales inbound, and it provides wired and wireless connectivity options.

However, because the Cloud III isn't exactly new, you're far more likely to find it sitting at $56 / £69, and that's a perfectly reasonable price to pay. Just like most headsets, as it's been around the block, it's prone to discounts and is a regular feature of big sales events, from Prime Day to Black Friday.

Anything under $60 / £70 feels more appropriate for this headset. If you happen to stumble upon it at Amazon or anywhere else for that price (or for even less), you should snap it up if great audio quality, a great microphone, and a comfortable fit are high up on your list of priorities.

How I tested the HyperX Cloud III gaming headset

During a two-week testing period, I hooked up the HyperX Cloud III wired headset to my PC, PS5, and the Nintendo Switch 2 to put its 53mm audio drivers to work. On the PC, I picked up Counter-Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, and Dispatch; meanwhile, Marvel Rivals, Doom Eternal, Fortnite, and Silent Hill Townfall were my testing games of choice when it came to Sony's pixel-pusher.

When it came to the Switch 2, I played Mario Kart World and Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave using the pair, while keeping it on my head when it came to some Netflix downtime to watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, and catching up with The Shards via Disney+. Additionally, I used the wired cans to listen to a range of genres on Spotify, most notably Troye Sivan and the Smashing Pumpkins.

For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Not sure if the HyperX Cloud III wired headset is for you? Check out our guides to the best PC headset for gaming, the best PS5 headset, and the best Xbox Series X headset for more options for your setup.

As notorious Overwatch hero Sombra makes her support class debut in Season 5: A Grim Doctrine, Blizzard is well aware that the former DPS losing her Hack ability is going to leave some players "upset," but insists the change is "better for the game."

Sombra's big support rework was announced last month, and basically comes in an attempt to make her less annoying for both her foes and allies. As you'd imagine, the rework means big changes to her abilities and perks. She's now got a new ability called Cyberspace, for example, replacing her damage-over-time Virus ability with a new projectile that weakens foes and heals allies.

Perhaps most notably, though, Sombra's Hack ability has been replaced by Hotfix. Rather than being able to mess with opponents by temporarily removing their abilities from them, it instead can be used to heal allies over time.

It's certainly a choice considering that Sombra's whole shtick is that she's a hacker – especially after game director Aaron Keller previously said that the rework wouldn't change "her identity" – and the devs are obviously aware that not everyone is a fan.

"We've seen a lot of reception about the Sombra rework, and one of the things people have talked about is the hacker losing hack," senior hero designer Leo Robles Gonzalez admits in a new dev livestream.

Robles Gonzalez reveals that Blizzard "tried a lot of different versions of Sombra where she still could hack enemies," but regardless, even with her lower damage output "there was always that feeling of Sombra appearing out of nowhere, turning off my abilities, and then outputting damage that I can't really do anything about."

Now though, the devs are hoping that they've successfully produced "the last rework" of the notorious hero, adds hero designer Scott Kennedy, and while "obviously players are going to be upset that they lost this hacking enemies version," the team reckons that "this overall is going to be better for the game and players will really learn to love and enjoy her."

It's not that her hacking abilities are totally missing, either. Hotfix is still able to hack health packs and deployable objects like Torbjörn's turrets and Ashe's B.O.B., and human enemies can be hacked when she uses her ult, EMP.

Even so, these changes are definitely going to take some getting used to for the veteran Sombra players. As a support main, though, I'm excited to give the new version of the not-quite-as-hacky hacker a go.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch's resurgence reportedly drove Blizzard to its "first back-to-back years of growth" in almost 10 years.

Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Switch port truthers believe they have gotten an extra bit of ammo thanks to a Pokemon Home update released today.

Last month, fans noticed that some Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire footage posted by an official Japanese Pokemon Twitter account was somewhat suspicious. Namely the footage was surprisingly crisp for a 2002 Game Boy Advance game and it lasted exactly 30 seconds – which is how long video clips saved onto a Switch console last. Given that these looked somewhat in line with the Switch versions of FireRed and LeafGreen, speculation naturally kicked off that the other Gen 3 games would join the remakes.

Today, The Pokemon Company rolled out an update for Pokemon Home which allows players to transfer their FireRed and LeafGreen monsters into the app, and then bring them forward to other games in the series – although once they leave their GBA home they won't be able to return.

However, as pointed out by a user on ResetEra, the new button added to the app's menu says "GBA games" as opposed to specifying that it's FireRed and LeafGreen, which they believe could be a hint at future ports of other GBA titles – namely, Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

Of course, at risk of sounding like a downer, this could mean nothing. A button labeled GBA games is far more space efficient that a button specifically namedropping FireRed and LeafGreen. That being said, given that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are now way higher on the list of the best-selling Pokemon games of all time thanks to the new Switch re-releases, I would be shocked if The Pokemon Company leaves the potential money of Gen 3 ports off the table.

Pokemon devs reveal magical girl "laundry game" that uses real-life weather data, and Game Freak is bringing out the big guns with its director.

There's a certain routine setting in for AI in video games right now, wherein a studio or publisher uses it to some extent, only to get pushback and replace the generative assets with more human work. The approach is fundamentally wrong-headed, believes Martin Klima, the CEO of Warhorse Studios, the studio behind the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games, because the tech is a tool, not a replacement for the creative process.

"AI is not a get out of jail free card," he tells PC Gamer. He dispels the notion of replacing devs with generative AI tools, because "it doesn't work how people imagine in a very simplified mental model," and it's a "fundamentally flawed idea, because it doesn't work like that."

But if you view it merely as something to help make development more efficient, then perhaps there's a discussion. "It can mean [the game] has more branching classes," he says.

"It can mean it has more missions to play, whatever," he adds. "People will still want to have this bigger game. While AI may not reduce the cost of the game, it will allow us to create bigger games for the same cost."

He's touching on a fundamental debate around gen-AI. Could the technology be helpful to creative teams? Sure, if used in a way that streamlines processes and enhances existing human work. But that's not how it's being employed right now, because many of the examples we've seen in games have been assets created using wholesale image, video, audio, or text generation.

Projects like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developed by a relatively modest-sized team for its size, could be slightly easier to produce overall by taking the edge off administrative tasks or such, for example. Klima's perspective has been echoed by others, including Death Stranding and Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima, who sees AI as a tool, but doesn't want it replacing anyone's jobs. Sadly, many in charge can't get by a perceived reduction in costs - at least for the time being.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lead is "bored and tired" of "repetitive" RPGs like Assassin's Creed and "games for teenagers"

The release of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is something of a monkey's paw affair for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. Yes, the classic franchise is back, and in fine form, but it's only been released on the original Switch - there's no dedicated version for the newer platform. Even a former marketing manager for the home of Super Mario is a little bit baffled.

In a video posted on social media, Kit Ellis, ex-senior PR manager at Nintendo of America, expressed his confusion at Konami's approach to bringing back the Belmont family's war against Dracula. "If you're a Castlevania fan who mostly plays on Nintendo Switch 2, I wouldn't blame you for having some mixed feelings on Castlevania: Belmont's Curse," he says.

"The way Konami has handled this game has been a little weird," he continues. "The game isn't even coming out on Switch 2. I mean, you can play it on a Switch 2, but this is a Switch 1 game that Konami is releasing. There is no dedicated Switch 2 version."

It truly seems like an odd decision to put this out only on the older hardware. The Switch 2's been out for over a year at this point, giving Konami plenty of time to optimize the game for that console. Maybe the company figured that the relatively simple 2.5D visuals ran well enough on the base Switch that no current-gen upgrades were required.

It looks, sounds and plays like Symphony of the Night; a side-scrolling action-adventure through layers of ghouls and ghosts to defeat Dracula once again. An appropriate choice for one half of the Metroidvania moniker making its grand return to the stylistic choices it popularized.

I can't imagine why a Switch 2 release wouldn't have been feasible. Ellis points out that going by the demo, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse runs at 60 frames-per-second on Switch 2, which is nice, though the resolution leaves something to be desired.

"It does look a little blocky, a little bit chunky when you're playing it on a Switch 2," he states. "But I guess it's better than nothing."

Since Castlevania's early releases were on the NES and SNES, creating a synergy between the two brands, Ellis is befuddled by the choice here. "It kind of feels like Konami's not completely following through with the game here," he adds. I'd have to agree, even though I'm still excited to jump in on October 15.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse was born out of "a sense of urgency," producer says, and if we have to wait 10 years for the next game, "the whole thing is meaningless"

Cyberpunk 20277 was a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, so it feels only fitting that it now has an official case and controller to its name. Accessory maker Hori unveiled via its USA X (Twitter) account this week that both a Horipad Turbo controller and an Adventure Pack case were now available at Best Buy, both looking like they've stepped straight out of Night City.

Starting from $36.99 (via Best Buy), these aren't brand-new Switch 2 accessories, but rather existing Hori products with a Cyberpunk 2077 aesthetic. That's pretty much the brand's bread and butter, but that doesn't mean they don't look the part. The Adventure Pack is sporting a Samurai design, the band fronted by Johnny Silverhand himself. Meanwhile, the gamepad has a transparent yellow chassis that's practically as retro-futuristic as the Switch 2 game is, and makes me really want these goodies to come stay at my house and in my setup.

My only annoyance with these new Switch 2 accessories is the fact that they have "Cyberpunk 2077" plastered across them. Hori had the opportunity to truly make this new case and controller look like items you'd find within the game, but the title's name is a tad distracting. That being said, I'm still a huge fan of the controller. Its see-through faceplate reminds me of the tech of the retro-futuristic tech of my late-90s childhood, which feels entirely fitting for an official Cyberpunk accessory.

It's not the most feature-full Switch 2 controller available today, however. As a version of the Horipad Turbo, it's equipped with TMR sticks, programmable back buttons, and a GameChat button too. But the wireless battery can only provide up to 10 hours of playback, which isn't ideal, and it's missing the HD rumble 2 and vibration feedback of more Pro alternatives. With it, and the Adventure Pack case, you have to feel comfortable with the knowledge you're paying more for style over substance here, but that can tend to be the case where officially licensed tech is concerned.

If you're based in the UK and are still hoping to get your hands on both regardless of their features, you may have to be patient. In a reply to X (Twitter) user's comment "Is there any European retailer?" on the original unveiling of the accessories, the Best Buy page replied with "Currently, our retail locations are limited to the United States and Canada. We appreciate your interest" and there was no indication that they'll release anywhere else.

That being said, Hori accessories do launch outside of the US all the time, it's likely you'll just have to be patient where this Cyberpunk 2077 line is considered. In the meantime, I recommend checking out our guide to the best Prime Day Switch deals if you want to update your Ninty setup with new accessories.

• View all Hori Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Want more Switch 2 accessories? Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards.

You know, I never tend to think of myself as a particularly competitive person until I set foot into a multiplayer Nintendo game. I don't know what it is about the likes of Mario Kart World and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that draws out some kind of deeply buried gladiator spirit within me, but Nintendo Switch Sports Resort has that same sauce – and I am so sorry to the person who had to face that during my hands-on.

During my time with Switch Sports Resort, I'm given the chance to try out a number of different sports – both new and returning from its predecessor, Wii Sports Resort. Table Tennis was always a favorite of mine in the 2009 game, and I can confirm that smashing the ball after someone's late hit is still just as satisfying as before, and as you'd hope, the motion controls feel more responsive using a Joy-Con 2 than they used to with a Wiimote.

I do bite my thumb, sir

One of the new additions is Thumb Wrestling, which, from what I've played, feels more like a mindgame than anything else. Staring down your opponent, you can only grab their thumb when they've left it vulnerable – something you're encouraged to do in order to expand your thumb to an even more upsettingly large size and power up your next grab. If you're caught, you've got to shake the Joy-Con 2 from side to side to break free. It's short, fast-paced, and silly, but relies more on psyching out your competitor than mastering a skill like in the aforementioned Table Tennis.

Archery also makes a return, but in a refreshed way. During my preview session, my opponent and I play on 'special' rules that split the target into four colored sections, with each player (and CPU, in this case) only able to earn points by landing arrows within their specific section. The more points you gain in a round, the smaller your section in the next, making it harder to maintain your lead – something that goes in my favor when I manage to turn around my point disadvantage in the final round to clutch a win.

Some sports, however, aren't competitive ones at all – three of them are all about casually exploring the newly expanded Wuhu Island setting, and I've got to say that these feel tailor made for me specifically. In 2009, I spent hours in Island Flyover – not just soaring through the sky and plummeting down the volcano, but dragging my plane through the streets of the town to get a feel for the area, inspiring Word documents upon Word documents of, I kid you not, fanfiction about the Miis living their lives and enjoying perfect vacations.

Now, I appreciate that last part might be a unique experience, but I'm sure you can understand why I couldn't be happier about the new Skateboarding Sightseeing Tour game, of which the sole goal is exploring the island on foot in a more intentional way, collecting "Spocco Photos" (essentially the i Points from the Wii game) in the process. Power Cruising's own Sightseeing Tour mode offers the same thing, but on the back of a jet ski in the sea – Wuhu Island has been expanded so much with a series of whole new islands surrounding it that you're not just aimlessly wandering an empty ocean, there's plenty to see.

Perhaps it's the nostalgia, but the Island Flyover equivalent in Prop Plane's Sightseeing Tour is still my favorite of the bunch. I immediately set out to do what any fan of the Wii version would – fly down the volcano. I'm delighted to not only confirm that yes, not only can you still do this, but the inside of it has even been expanded into a larger cave system than before.

I'll be honest, as someone who played Wii Sports Resort to death, I wasn't initially sure how much the Switch 2's take on the game would have to offer beyond its shiny new visuals, but coming away from my hands-on, even the novelty of the updated controls has me delighted.

Sure, Table Tennis and Boxing use standard Joy-Con-swinging motion controls, but using the mouse controls to mime out pushing your skateboard along with your foot, holding the Joy-Con 2 like it's a paper plane when you're flying around, and positioning it upright for a thumb wrestle so you're holding down the trigger button like you're actually pinning down someone's thumb are all such clever ideas, and oozing with that classic Nintendo charm.

Needless to say, any doubts I had about returning to Wuhu Island next month have been squashed – I genuinely can't wait to explore more of what the setting I fell in love with 17 years ago has to offer. But with online play added meaning that none of my friends are safe from my competitive wrath in the less casual modes… I can only offer my apologies in advance.

Now you're warmed up, why not check out our best Switch 2 games or upcoming Switch 2 games for what to play next!

I haven't had this much fun waking up in a strange diner and fighting for my life since Fahrenheit. Silver Pines wears its influences on its traditional detective coat sleeve, and that's by no means a bad thing. It fuses together the elements it's taking from each masterfully, resulting in a survival horror Metroidvania that is powerfully gripping from start to finish as Detective Walker investigates a strange, forgotten, and abandoned town on the trail of a missing musician.

Beautiful painterly visuals contrast the grimness of the setting very nicely. As does the relaxing ambient music from jukeboxes or radios that breaks up some of the quietness of exploration. The dreamlike quality combined with nightmarish content invoke a very strong and moody atmosphere that perfectly accompanies its investigative storyline where reality itself comes into question.

Silver lining

Not only does Silver Pines look and sound good, it also feels good thanks to excellent pacing across both its narrative and with how you progress through its haunting, dense world.

Unlocking new items allows Walker to traverse new areas of the detailed map, making it exciting to revisit past areas to push further into the secret corners of Silver Pines. While inventory juggling and unlocking is vital in the likes of Resident Evil as well with its many, many keys, Silver Pines bridges that gap to feel more Metroidvania shaped in how the map unfurls and you keep feeling like you're pushing at the space's boundaries.

This system interplays spectacularly with the inventory management in how tools have multiple uses. The crowbar, which can pull down wooden panels, is a lot more versatile than the box cutter, but naturally takes up more space. It does at least double as a melee weapon though, so it doesn't feel like wasted item slots to be taking it everywhere with you. The manhole cover key, on the other hand, is a little more of a nuisance. Where key items in Resi frequently get used up, they stick around far more often in Silver Pines.

You can combine items, find upgrades for your guns so they take up less space, and often leave key components in the puzzle you know they're for so you're not left carting them around while you look for the rest. There are also plenty of storage boxes so you can swap out what you need or think you might need (i.e. more guns) so you're always prepared. But you really do have to move, transfer, combine and rotate things in your inventory on a regular basis to optimize what you're carrying. "I'll never run out of empty bottles," I said, and then did and wondered if I could pour my Molotov cocktail all over the floor so I could stuff some herbs into it instead.

Silver Pines' camera system is a wonderful way of making it easier to keep track of mysteries and areas, which builds on the now-beloved mechanic from Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Found a point of interest? Take a quick pic. Silver Pines encourages you to do so while examining objects or coming across key areas on the map, but you can and should use it a lot more of your own volition, as any good detective would.

I take snaps of signs with numbers I want to call. Signs that may hold some secret information on a second glance. The price of cigarettes? Yeah, that could be important. Snap it. You also don't want to find yourself thinking it will be easy to come back to an item when you have the space to pick it up and then wandering the town in a daze searching for it later. Don't be like me. Use your camera plenty.

Little touches like the item vending machine and using the pay phones for both saving and story purposes add an extra layer of shine to an already polished game. Yes, you do have to pay to use the phone, so it's always worth giving the coin slot a good rummage.

Checking in with your client, Mr Jackman, by saving also helps remind you what you're up to when you pick up a save and lets you know when you're on the right track. Even when I'm sure of my path ahead, I'm always curious to hear what Walker's updated report will be. The game is kind enough to sometimes have Jackman call you after particularly big story moments (usually capped off with a boss fight) so there are a few free save opportunities if you're totally short on coins too.

Come Pine with me

Silver Pines is a game that sticks with you. I rolled from one ending right into the next and into the next, trying to scrape together whatever clues I could while finishing off what I needed for them and turning everything over in my mind even while I wasn't playing.

I scoured the map for vents I hadn't opened, ledges I hadn't yet thrown myself off to see what was down there and I usually found something to make it worth my while. I ended up going back and wiping out any last straggler enemies just so the whole town was safe for me to bring up my inventory and pore over my notes at any given time. And because no one wants a Silent Hill-esque monstrosity lurching after them while they're desperately looking for a vending machine.

Really the only problem I have is that Silver Pines can get in its own way with its storytelling. Even with a strong idea of where the story was heading, I was gripped to learn and discover everything I could. It does such a strong job of worldbuilding and creating intrigue into the town as a whole, not just Walker's own objective, that three endings later I still have questions and wild theories that I want more information on.

I'm left here going full Jonathan Frakes in Beyond Belief: What's the importance of the TV shows? Why let me call the Conmag number? What does it all mean?! Everything is so well-choreographed that it feels off for there to be loose ends.

While it's true that great horror keeps mysteries spinning long after you've finished with them, it feels like all the Silver Pines endings I've uncovered (which is all of them) stop just short of arriving in the sweet spot, feeling like I've missed something rather than being truly haunted by forbidden discovery.

As things are, it's a disservice to such an excellent game to be left unsatisfied. Maybe it's about the journey rather than the destination, but I don't feel like the journey is over and honestly I don't want it to be. I'll be messing with my pushpins and red string a while longer, hoping there is more to come, as it's a world I'm not ready to be done with. Perhaps this whole thing is an elaborate ploy to teach me that perfection is unattainable.

Silver Pines was reviewed with PC code via Steam Deck, with a code provided by the publisher.

Check out our best survival horror games ranking for more!

There's just less than a month to go until the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake releases on November 5. Sure, you could load it up on your Switch 2 and enjoy it without much thought, but you're reading this at the perfect time to make the most of the title.

That's because we're currently in the midst of Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals, with discounts running on a range of products between October 6 and October 7. Of course, that includes plenty of items you'll appreciate come Zelda day like controllers, memory expansions and grips. So perhaps it's time to find that Switch 2 upgrade, and here are some of our favorite deals you can buy right now.

Quick links

• Ocarina of Time | $10 off pre-orders
• Zelda merch | from $6.49
• Switch 2 | bundles from $529
• Cases | from $14.99
• Controllers | from $21
• Headsets | from $14.99

Prime Day Zelda controller deals

If you want to play Ocarina of Time on the big screen, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controller will serve you much better than the Joy-Con 2. The top options offer added features and a more comfortable fit that you'll come to appreciate.

Prime Day Zelda headset deals

If you're going to be playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake obsessively between dock and not-docked, then you'll want a good headset to keep the audio going. The best Nintendo Switch headsets will be just that.

Prime Day Zelda carry case deals

If you'll be playing the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on the go, you'll want a way to keep it protected. Our list of the best Nintendo Switch 2 carry cases has a range of options, and several of them are discounted.

More Zelda Prime Day deals

There are some other extras which might prove useful when you're getting ready for Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and luckily several of them are discounted.

We're also bringing you the best Prime Day retro deals live as they happen.

As the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 presses on, Skyrim players are still finding ways to spice the 14-year-old RPG up with mods – like one that brings Elden Ring combat to the game.

Yes, you read that right… FromSoftware's notoriously brutal combat in Bethesda's, uh, far more forgiving formula. A fan reveals the mod over on X, noting that it's "fully playable," with a clip of the crossover creation in action.

"This isn't a passthrough or any fancy tricks," they write. "Someone straight up remade Elden Ring's player controller in Rust and can now be added to any game!" So, put simply, this is the product of players themselves.

There's the first, "Funny-Bones" over on GitHub, who conjured up the "Elden Ring player movement and combat," as he calls it, using Rust – a programming language, which can then be applied to virtually any other game.

Then, there's the modder who did just that, leading to the impressive video of the Dovahkiin fighting Tarnished-style that's circulating social media now.

It's impressive, and doubly so considering the whole generative AI trend.

You know, the one that's seeing countless people try and generate games into other games? If you're lucky enough to have not witnessed it yet yourself, it basically involves folks taking popular titles and merging them with others.

For example, just have a look at this post that supposedly shows "the entire" Minecraft game running in Elden Ring. Spoiler alert: it's AI slop, and not a playable mod at all, unfortunately.

The Skyrim mod should be, though, as its poster notes he'll be uploading it "soon" – and fans are, well, fans. One person puts it perfectly in the replies: "Holy peak." Others dub the project "insane," while more comment on how "cool" it is.

As for when we'll all get to check it out for ourselves, there's no telling. Fingers crossed it's soon, because who doesn't love dying to a mere bandit a million times over?

Searching for other ways to spice your base game up? Browse through our handy roundup of the best Skyrim mods out there to download for free.