The new era of PS5 headsets was announced yesterday on the official PlayStation Blog, by Joe Bentley, the Vice President of Engineering at Sony Interactive Entertainment. There, he revealed that they have been equipped with larger planar audio drivers than the previous Pulse pairs to create "fuller, deeper bass" while maintaining a clean sound for PS5 players. Better yet, the Edge is equipped with ANC, which is entirely new for PlayStation's Pulse headset lineup.

The PlayStation Pulse Edge is the higher-end of the two newly announced PS5 headsets, perhaps as it has the edge over the other with its extra features?

Not only has it got ANC and a planar magnetic driver in tow, but Joe Bentley iterates that it has "double the magnet" volume compared to the PlayStation Pulse. If you're wondering why that's a good thing, the drivers in question are made up of a thin diaphragm with conductive wire across its surface. Magnets sit on either side to create a magnetic field that moves the diaphragm when sound (like from the best PS5 games) travels through.

With more magnets at your disposal, like the 8 per planar driver of the Edge, the more evenly air can move, which helps produce clear and enhanced bass. The downside to this is that headsets like it can be a lot heavier as a result, but there's no indication of how weighty we can expect the upcoming cans to be just yet.

What we do know for certain is that the Edge is also set to include a detachable boom mic for voice chat, AI-enhanced noise rejection, and PlayStation Link support when it launches in "early 2027" - all features you can expect to find on the PlayStation Pulse too.

The Pulse is expected to launch "this holiday season," so you'll have less time to wait. It won't have ANC in its corner, nor a fancy carrying case, or built-in game audio and chat balance control, which you can expect from the Edge. It also only has 4 magnets per planar driver in its midst, but you'll still be able to connect it to your PS5 or PS Portal via PlayStation Link, and pick it up in a White or Midnight Black colorway when it's ready to ship.

For now, PlayStation has yet to drop the prices for the new Pulse headset line-up, but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as those details drop, which should be "soon" according to the blog post. For now, there's still time to pre-order the Pulse Elevate wireless speakers for $219.99 (via PS Direct) / £199.99 (via PS Direct) if you're after some planar magnetic driver-powered sound.

• View all Pulse PS5 headsets at PS Direct

Can't wait for the new PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge headsets? Our best gaming headset guide is full of the best PC headsets for gaming, which are also compatible with Sony's current-gen pixel-pusher.

Since 2010, Sakurai has presented the award at the Japan Game Awards, and at 2026's event – where Pokemon Pokopia took home the grand prize (its version of game of the year) – the prize went to Word Game by Team9. The award is presented by Sakurai, who is also the head judge and responsible for inviting other judges, with the criteria being those who have made innovative games; these have included the likes of Ico designer Fumito Ueda, Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, and Undertale's Toby Fox.

Upon presenting the 2026 award, Sakurai confirmed he would discontinue it, claiming he was unable to find anyone to replace him as its leader. Granted, this may sound harsh – as if no one is worthy of taking on the role – but the reality seems to be no one else was able to take on the time-consuming responsibility. Sakurai also spoke about creativity in games (translation from Automaton) – something that is central to this award – noting that while "originality doesn’t really have much impact on sales," it's still crucial, as "an industry that loses its originality will simply die a slow death."

In an era when budgets are getting even bigger for every game, it's becoming rarer to see that kind of originality on the AAA scale. A perfect example is given to us by Sony over this last week, where Marvel's Wolverine has caught flak for feeling very homogenous – especially with other Sony first-party games – while the publisher dropped Hideo Kojima's next game, Physint; reportedly due to budget issues.

Opinions on Kojima and his games aside, he is one of the few creators left in AAA whose creativity still shines through. You know when you are playing a Kojima game, just like when I booted up Kirby Air Riders last year I felt the Sakurai shine through; the same goes for a Hideki Kamiya or a Yoko Taro game. Thankfully, indie games have creativity to spare, meaning that even as AAA is forced to be safer than ever, we'll still have people pushing boundaries.

Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai sometimes "sounds exactly like Goku," ex-Tekken boss says: "A Saiyan who genuinely believes he's just another ordinary human"

This much has been rumored for a while now, as Meta may even be steering clear of the "Quest" nomenclature for the upcoming device. It also goes hand-in-hand with the studio closures and layoffs Meta has done in 2026 when it comes to gaming and VR headset production. Wearables, like the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, have seemingly been a big hit, but Quest headsets have gone up in price while large swathes of Reality Labs employees have been laid off and profits are down.

The new Project Phoenix looks like a hybrid between smart glasses and a headset, and we can see as much from imagery found in HorizonOS in the last few days. It was originally found and reported by Luna on Twitter and UploadVR, who found the new imagery via a new lens prescription partnering app available on Quest's OS. The app was first seen in August, revealing not an awful lot. Simply named "HorizonOS Prescription Lens", it's since received an update which contains visuals of the new device and how prescription lenses can be installed into it.

Other imagery shows that the headset has legs that are a lot smaller in size and very similar in their design to typical glasses legs. Like with other smart glasses we've seen, there's a cable that leads from the left leg back into what will presumably be a power supply/puck you can hold in your pocket or clip to a belt.

There's no imagery of any new controllers, but UploadVR does note that as part of the Connect conference schedule this year, Dongyi Li, a Software Engineer Manager at Meta, is giving a talk titled "A practical guide to controller-free interaction". This could point to a controller-less Quest device, which the brand has been leaning into since the Meta Quest Pro. I have concerns about what that means for this headset's gaming potential though, since the tactility and functionality of controllers in VR are more important than they seem.

While a lightweight headset design could be great for some games, fully immersive VR games usually mean vigorous head movement that wouldn't exactly suit a pair of glasses that could slip off. Moreover, the imagery we can see (if it's not a very complicated misdirect from Meta) shows a very small lens and potential FOV that wouldn't necessarily lend itself to gaming.

Personally, I'm not sure this device, whether it's the mainline successor to the Quest 3 or not, will be geared toward gaming. It will almost certainly run on HorizonOS and have access to all the same apps and games as other Quest headsets, but it looks like gamers will be better served by the existing hardware for now.

That's exactly why I don't think Valve has anything to worry about when it comes to Meta's next device. Although the company's CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth said there are no plans to leave the sector, closing gaming studios, laying off workforces, upping the price of gaming-capable headsets, and steering into a different direction with the next headset all signal to me that Meta might be looking to take a different approach than attracting the mainstream gaming market.

Valve certainly benefits from that, but with a $1,059 price on the Steam Frame, will it be able to attract the same sort of market as Meta's super affordable Quest devices?

Meta Connect takes place between September 23-24 this year, so official word isn't too far away.

For more on VR, check out the best Meta Quest accessories.

The $529.99 (Nintendo) bundle sits about $30 higher than we've typically seen from Ninty's package deals. Before September 1's price hike you'd be paying $499 for a game and handheld in one box. These days, though, $529.99 actually represents one of the better discounts on the web. Nintendo Switch bundle deals have been difficult to get hold of since previously-priced stock was run off the shelves and with Legend of Zelda Switch 2 pre-orders proving incredibly difficult to secure regular handhelds are in demand.

The Switch Sports Resort bundle doesn't add any fancy decorations to your handheld, but includes the Wii-esque mini-games package as a download in the box. You'll also nab yourself three months of Nintendo Switch Online (worth $7.99) to bump up the value as well.

I steered deal-hunters clear of these bundles before the Switch 2 price increased but now that we're staring down a $500 MSRP for the handheld by itself, Ninty's new bundles represent some of the best savings on the web. You'd be hard pressed to find any straight savings on the $499.99 (Amazon) device, and official bundles like this tend to work seasonally. Nintendo will run with a couple of bundled games for a while and then swap its offering over.

In fact, the only time I'd recommend avoiding these offers now is if a store like Woot or Best Buy returns to its previous renewed prices on Switch 2 hardware. I've seen handhelds back at their old $449.99 rates using this method, but it's a tough discount to stumble upon in the wild. Given the demand levels and the current component shortages, I wouldn't expect to see Nintendo Switch 2 handhelds seeing significant savings over Black Friday either.

• See all Nintendo Switch deals at Amazon

We're also rounding up all the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories including the best Switch 2 controllers and best Switch 2 cases to boot.

The card has been sitting pretty in my Switch 2 ever since I reviewed it earlier this year without issue. Then suddenly, while taking my gaming handheld over to a friend's house to destroy our friendships over some Dokapon Kingdom, I was greeted with the "this microSD card cannot be read or is not compatible with this console" warning, despite knowing full well it was compatible with the Ninty machine.

Suddenly, the thought of losing my thousands of screenshots I had moved over to the card flashed before my eyes, and I can't lie that some heart palpitations were had. That feeling fortunately didn't last long, as I discovered there was already an official fix out in the wild. Here's what to do should your PNY Switch 2 card also stop being recognized by your Nintendo Switch 2.

How to fix in the PNY microSD Express Card Switch 2 incompatibility error

1. Grab a microSD Express Card reader for your PC
2. Insert the card reader with the effected card into your PC or laptop
3. Go to the PNY microSD Express Firmware Update page
4. Click the 'Firmware Update' button
5. Run program on your PC
6. Select 'Update FW' button on updater
7. Safely eject your microSD Express card

The official PNY firmware update was rolled out on June 17, and was advertised across the brand's social media sites like X (Twitter). PNY recommends grabbing its Performance Prime Card Reader for the "best and fastest experience" while running this update, which can be found for $14.99 at Amazon. That said, any compatible card reader should work fine if you don't want to fork out any additional cash.

After following the steps above with the card reader, my screenshots and save data were thankfully intact. However, even though everything was smooth sailing in no time at all, I was, at the time, still curious as to what caused the issue with one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards I've tested to date.

A post on the r/NintendoSwitch 2 subreddit by user Whaleambassador revealed that since downloading console update 22.0.0, their version of the 1TB PNY card became "incompatible with the Switch 2" and they encountered the same warning. They weren't alone, as the comments on this six-month-old post reveal that multiple owners of the brand's Switch 2 cards experienced the same fate - total incompatibility once the Update 22.0.0 update rolled out.

As someone who reviews the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I typically update my console to the latest firmware as soon as possible, so it's strange that my PNY card managed to survive update 22.0.0. I believe that it was Update 23.0.0 that was my eventual downfall, as it was released on September 10, just a day before I took my Switch 2 over to my friend's house for some Dokapon Kingdom action.

Whatever the cause, I'm just glad that there was a fix at hand, and that microSD Express Cards can be updated should they run into any bugs or errors alongside future updates. While the fix brought me a massive wave of relief, you can bet I've been scared silly into ensuring that I back up all my screenshots on a regular basis. I highly recommend you do the same - especially as you're bound to take a ton with games like Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave and Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake on the horizon.

• View all Switch 2 microSD Express Cards at Amazon

New to Switch 2? Check out the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases while you're here.

That means we now also have a confirmed price for the device. Its 256GB model will set you back $1,049 / £889, coming with the headset, controllers, and fan-favourite game Half-Life: Alyx bundled in. Or, its 1TB version will set you back $1,299 / £1,089.

You can reserve a Steam Frame now, as we suspected, using a very similar system to the Steam Controller and Steam Machine, which actually leaked last week through SteamDB. Essentially, you can sign up anytime between now and Thursday, September 17^th at 10am Pacific. Then, on that date, Valve will do a one-time randomization of the signed-up names before sending out emails with the results of the randomization, letting you know if you're in the reservation queue or on the waitlist.

Valve has now also properly published the previously leaked/data mined overview and starter guide videos, which show how to get the best fit and use out of the headset. They also confirm that you can buy some separate accessory bundles for the Frame.

You can grab an Ergonomic Accessories Kit, which includes 2 controller hand straps, a headset top strap for increased fit and comfort, and an extended light blocker for if you have a differently sized nose. That will cost you $59 / £59. Alternatively, you can grab the Accessory Replacement Kit, which includes a face gasket, head cushion, and a standard light blocker. That'll set you back $49 / £49. Interestingly, the headset doesn't come with a PSU, so if you want one, you'll need to buy it separately for $29 / £29.

As we already knew, the Steam Frame features a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ARM64 APU, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and runs on SteamOS the same as a the Steam Deck and Steam Machine. It's got a resolution of 2160 x 2160 per eye with LCD displays that have a refresh rate of 72Hz spanning up to an experimental 144Hz. Valve says the headset has a horizontal FOV of "up to 110 degrees".

Tracking of the headset and its controllers happens inside-out using built-in cameras, so owners of Valve's previous Valve Index headset won't need to play around with tracking stations. The same can be said of wires, since the Steam Frame will work wirelessly and run games natively (there's a growing list of 100 games that are already "Frame verified") but you can also use a dongle that will stream gameplay from a laptop or gaming PC straight to the headset using a dedicated Wi-Fi 6E bandwidth (even though the headset itself has Wi-Fi 7 compatibility).

On battery life, the Frame has a rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery.

Very much like the Steam Deck, the device running on SteamOS means you'll be able to play your entire Steam library on the go with it. The Steam Frame might have been designed as a VR headset, but you can enjoy non-VR games with it by connecting a controller of your own, the Steam Controller, or using the bundled VR controllers.

Earlier in the summer, when we were speculating the price of the Steam Frame, a majority of GamesRadar+ readers voted that it should cost between $899-$1,099, which is actually bang-on as a prediction. That was the result of 42% of the votes, with 25% of readers saying it should cost between $799-899, and 33% of folks arguing it should cost $699-$799. This price lands it higher than the 512GB Meta Quest 3, which is currently set at $599, but it's on par with other high-fidelity PCVR headsets like the HTC Vive Focus Vision and Samsung Galaxy XR. It's a lot more affordable than the Pimax Dream Air and Apple Vision Pro.

It's long been suspected that the Steam Frame (once codenamed Valve Deckard) would wear an estimated $1,000 price tag, or at least be more expensive than the Meta Quest visors, since those have been reportedly sold at a loss since Meta bought Oculus. I'll be interested to see how this price impacts the headset's popularity, however. VR gaming has always been a niche, and for the most part, a prohibitively expensive one, but since its reveal I've thought that the appeal and convenience of the Steam Frame could lead to it being the VR market's Steam Deck moment. Will that be the case when it costs a lot more than Valve's accessible handheld? Who's to say?

Pricing around a grand means fewer enthusiastic fans will be able to secure one of their own if their incomes don't allow, which is a high possibility in a consumer PC gaming market that's very pricey to exist in right now. When the Frame is already appealing to a niche segment of that market, it narrows the pool of early adopters further.

It could be that Valve has plans to support the headset long into the future, but bundling a homemade VR game that's six years old into the price of the headset doesn't exactly inspire much confidence that there's more software on the way for it - although I hope I'm wrong on that front.

I'd also have been interested to know what Valve's original pricing plans for the headset would be, considering delays and price changes almost certainly happened as a direct result of the ongoing RAM crisis.

Upgrading your rig to help with your Steam Frame gameplay streaming? Check out the best gaming PCs and the best gaming laptops.

In an interview with Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais, IGN asks whether the Steam Deck 2, the company's "way of thinking" has changed thanks to the shortages. Griffais immediately shrugs off the idea with a "not really" before reiterating some of the gaming handheld maker's product philosophies and general design approach.

"We want to make sure there's a very delineated performance improvement for something like a future Steam Deck, I think we're still looking at it in the same way." responds Griffais before suggesting, "It's just a matter of looking at the current conditions and seeing how and when we can deliver something like that. But from what we're working on as far as the user experience goes and what the product that we're trying to build goes, it's very similar goals."

That could be a sign that the Steam Deck 2 is still firmly on track, but I wouldn't get your hopes up for an imminent reveal. The Valve engineer's wording suggests that while the handheld sequel isn't immediately at risk thanks to AI data centre demand, RAM prices, or fabrication backlogs, it might be a while before those aforementioned "conditions" for a release are just right.

Simply put, while it's tempting to think there's a predetermined release timeframe for the Steam Deck 2, I reckon Valve is playing it by ear. At least, it's sticking with that equation of the market conditions being right and next-generation performance being possible at a price that suits its player base.

Yes, it released the Steam Machine and is now launching the Steam Frame at a pretty bad time, but you could argue the shortage situation caught Valve off guard. Walking back the big reveal would have undoubtedly killed off the Machine's second wind, and it's safe to say that with Steam Deck OLED prices now starting at just under $800, the portable pioneers know better than to think about a sequel launch.

• Gaming handhelds at Best Buy
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Check out the best retro handhelds if you'd dive back into old consoles and classic capers.

The early look comes courtesy of RetroRGB, as fellow CRT lover Robert Neal was sent a Unico Traveller ULW10 to review ahead of the Kickstarter campaign. In the video, the creator and website founder says that while he "loves the idea" of the faux PVM, the company put him in a "pretty bad situation" by going ahead with the launch despite various issues with the prototype.

One of the biggest flaws with the Traveller ULW10 lies in lag, as Neil measured over 100ms of delay, which translates to 6-9 frames. Those stats apply to both the HDMI and RGB outputs at 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 480i, and it turns out the screen both lacks 240p support and doesn't actually have composite input. RetroRGB has summed up the situation in a Shorts video, but the bottom line is that it's impossible to recommend the display in its current form.

Effectively, the Traveller ULW10 prototype is currently miles away from the same latency levels as a good-quality upscaler connector to a gaming monitor. It's certainly miles away from being a CRT alternative, but Unico claims the issues will either be remedied through firmware or using a completely different panel.

After catching RetroRGB's video and included teardown, I am relieved to see that there's not a cheap security camera LCD stowed away in the shell. While the prototype is 3D printed, the box also seems to be pretty sturdy and physically well designed. At the same time, it's extremely clear that the accompanying innards, the part that you'll ultimately be playing games on, aren't fit for purpose.

In a harsh early verdict, RetroRGB says Unico has "taken about $250,000 of your money for a product that's not finished and was never properly tested." That much is clear from the absurd lag measurements, but I'm also scratching my head at the fact that there's no composite connection, which you'll need for the NES or if you're looking into how to play N64 games, and the fact that it converts 240p signals to 480i, jitters and all.

That said, I want to join RetroRGB in saying I don't remotely think Unico intentended to decieve anyone with its faux CRT. The issues seem to be down to a lack of testing or awareness of what is required to make a screen like this. I also fully believe the company is listening to feedback, as it previously promised to purge all the AI images from its marketing and will avoid the tech in the future.

I also think that the Traveller ULW10 has lots of potential as a retro gaming panel. It's never going to be a replacement for an actual CRT, but features like scanline emulation, having flat sides so you can flip it vertical for TATE arcade shooters, and the internal storage for systems like the MiSTer are pretty appealing. The issue is that for $300, minimal latency and full connectivity are a bare minimum, and Unico has fallen at the first hurdle.

• Retro upscalers at Amazon
• Retro consoles at Amazon

Check out the best retro handhelds if you'd rather take your classic console collection on the go.

I'm not exactly shocked to see literal pallets full of RTX 5090 GPUs in photos shared by HKECP being used for AI servers (thanks, Videocardz). However, I am disappointed that the industry hasn't learned anything from the Cryptocurrency situation in 2021, and unlike the Bitcoin-related demand spike, it feels like gaming PC players have no chance of beating companies for stock.

Just to clarify, the graphics cards being used in the photos aren't Nvidia's RTX 6000 Pro workstation GPUs. These are the very same MSI and Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 cards you'll find at Newegg for way over their original $1,999 MSRP, and while that inflated price tag absolutely deters even premium rig builders, over $5,000 seems to work just fine for the ravenous AI scene.

That's largely due to the fact that, compared to an AI workstation GPU, the RTX 5090 is a bargain. Nvidia wants $16,000 for an RTX 6000 Pro, and while the latter packs 96GB of VRAM, many companies scrambling to make servers can make do with 32GB. The kicker is that there's no disincentive to gobble up what is meant to be a gaming component for AI nonsense, and without intervention, there's no point calling it a consumer card.

While Nvidia did make some attempt to deter the crypto scene from using RTX 30-series cards by making Lite Hash Rate versions that halve mining speeds, there won't be an AI-busting equivalent. I'd argue that gaming tech is really now just a side project for the green team, as it has morphed into a self-proclaimed "World Leader in Artificial Intelligence Computing."

In fact, if we're going by the main Nvidia page's metadata on Google, the word gaming is third after AI and HPC (High Performance Computing), so the last thing it's going to do is hamper performance for either so that RTX 5090 cards are better suited for gaming. The fact that technology like DLSS 5 is now considered a core gaming GPU feature only serves to maintain its abilities outside of loading up Steam games, meaning the top-end cards will remain attractive to data centre builders.

To add salt to the wound, it's not even just the flagship RTX 5090 that's now all but reserved for AI servers. Plenty of companies will make do with the GeForce RTX 5080, meaning the only financially viable option for PC players is the RTX 5070 Ti and under. You're still talking over $1,000 for one of those at Newegg, so it now feels like the premium end of 4K gaming is ringfenced for non-gaming purposes.

It's for that reason that I'll no longer be calling the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 a gaming GPU, and it's tempting to revoke the RTX 5080's status too. The current situation sets the stage for a future where, rather than owning hardware or even physical discs (thanks, Sony), ownership will become an absolute luxury, and companies will no doubt try to lure people with streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass.

Rather than paying the price or living in the cloud, I'll be here working on ways to get the most out of your retro consoles. Yes, I'd love to play the latest romps at 4K, but until the industry gets a grip, I reckon we should all look back at how to play PS2 games and enjoy some low-spec, offline classics in protest.

• Graphics cards at Newegg
• Gaming PCs at Amazon

Check out the best RAM for gaming if you're building or upgrading your rig.

First highlighted by a MacRumors reader, the Apple controllers emerged as references in the latest macOS 26.7 release code. Dubbed T6502 and T1057, the gamepads apparently include staple elements like a D-pad, dual thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, and analog triggers. The latter adds an accelerometer and gyroscope, though, suggesting that it could be a "Pro" version.

Those findings have now been corroborated by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who says the gamepads are actually controllers for the iPhone. The tech journalist specifically says the gamepads will likely launch under the Beats brand and were actually engineered by executives for the sub-brand. That makes sense, given that the accessories would theoretically work with non-Apple devices if they use USB-C, but it does crush my click wheel hopes and dreams.

For those of you unacquainted, the click wheel is the big touch-sensitive pad on the front of every iPod. You could say it was Apple's way of soft-launching touchscreen navigation, as it fused rotational, capacitive gestures with physical, clicky buttons to create an incredibly intuitive way to scroll through menus and playlists. It even doubled up as an eventual Atari-style paddle controller once iPods started shipping with arcade-inspired games like Brick.

No, I'm not saying Apple should turn your iPhone into a retro handheld just for Breakout clones, even if that would be a neat bonus. That said, I do think the company should go back to its roots if it's finally getting into gaming hardware, as the click wheel could bring something "new" to an already brimming battlefield.

You've already got the Backbone One serving as an affordable mobile pad, while newcomers like the foldable Razer Prio cover the premium side. Even Game Boy players are being catered to with the likes of GameSir's Pocket Taco and the 8Bitdo FlipPad. But Apple could make big waves by resurrecting its click wheel, as it could let players do everything from quickly switching weapons to actually performing specific in-game mechanics, should developers leverage the unique, circular range of motion.

Alas, the chances of Apple actually reviving its click wheel for the new iPhone controllers are slim, especially if they're Beats-branded. I suspect they'll be at least designed with the new iPhone Duo in mind, with the connectors specifically catering to the taller 1.4:1 aspect ratio so that the buttons are in a central, balanced position.

However, I suspect we won't be treated to anything that specifically feels very "Apple", not that we'd get that physical feel of its 2000s devices anyway. What I will say is that if the rumors that there's a version with a gyro and an accelerometer are true, we could be looking at gamepads that are designed to work with more than just mobile, and that may mean the company is properly dipping its toes into PC and console hardware waters.

• More mobile controllers at Amazon
• PC controllers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro controllers for authentic console gamepads with modern abilities.

As the new 8,980 yen (approx $58.48) controller is a Horipad Turbo device, you'll have TMR sticks at your disposal if you pre-order this pad, along with some mappable back buttons like all existing versions of this wireless accessory. While that's all well and good, the battery is a bit lackluster, especially when compared to the Switch 2 Pro Controller's 40-hours. Instead, Hori states you can manage 10 hours of playtime per charge, which I imagine will be pretty easy to achieve once the Ocarina of Time Remake releases later this year.

However, as is always the case with these officially licensed accessories, the importance is less on specs and more on design, and this is a great-looking Zelda peripheral. The white and gold colorway looks as prestigious as the Princess herself, and I love that the faceplate seems to feature a marbling effect. The small Link and Epona sihoulette, however, is my favorite detail, and it can also be spotted on the back of the Game Card Case. Unlike the controller, this case can be imported for $11.59 via Amazon Japan and includes space for what appears to be up to three physical games.

The Link and Epona motifs don't stop there, as they're also a fixture of all three cases, which make up the rest of this set. It's found on the exterior of the $29.16 (via Amazon) Slim Hard Pouch, alongside a faded version of the map of Hyrule.

The leather-like texture of the case lends itself to this map imagery, as it makes the entire accessory look like a worn-out item from Link's massive arsenal of weapons, rather than a simple Switch 2 case. The interior lining looks just as spectacular, as seen in the photos available on the official Hori online store, it features a Link-tunic green colored fabric that I adore.

There's no clear sign whether this lining is found on the matching $32.43 (Amazon) Shoulder Pouch or the $35.67 (Amazon) All-in-One Storage bag, but one can only hope. Talking of which, there's no sign any of these accessories will officially make their way to the US or UK Amazon storefronts either, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If you're okay with importing, you can expect them to launch on November 30, 2026, a little after the game.

With the hype of the Ocarina of Time Remake growing by the day, I suspect this won't be the only collection of accessories in store for Zelda and Switch 2 fans.

• View all Hori Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Obsessed with Ocarina of Time? Check out Hasbro's new electronic Master Sword and the new Lego Link and Epona set and the best Legend of Zelda merch while you're here.

For years now, I've been using the $79.99 (via IKEA) Kallax (and versions of it) to store and display my favorite game merch, so it feels entirely apt to see it get a Skyrim cameo. However, I'd have sooner expected the Kallax to be nothing but an in-game piece of furniture designed to declutter your homestead instead of also being a companion character fully voiced by Matt Berry.

Unfortunately for me, my real-life Kallax doesn't sound like Laszlo from What We Do in the Shadows. Regardless, the real deal is a fixture of my gaming room, and IKEA's bizarre yet hilarious new mod has reminded me just how much I cherish the versatile piece of storage.

If you stumble into any gaming nerd's room, you're likely to come across a range of IKEA furniture. My office and gaming space is so overrun with flat-packed pieces that you could mistake it for one of the example rooms on the store's showroom floor. While typing these very words, I'm sitting at a Linnmon corner desk, while a Billy bookcase and old Detolf glass cabinet are sitting behind me, displaying my ever-growing physical video game collection.

Some people may be bothered by the sterile modern aesthetic of too much IKEA furniture in one place, but I don't mind it as they're affordable and most importantly pretty versatile. But no piece of IKEA furniture is just as versatile as the Kallax. At the moment, I have the very same Kallax as featured in the Skyrim mod sitting right to my left. I use it as both a room divider and a way to display an assortment of my precious video game merch, and I adore it. The 39 cm deep squares can store plenty, as you can clearly see from my vast selection of Persona goodies in the image below. There's a wealth of items in there, from artbooks, figures, and even a little Morgana plush, all of which I'd struggle to squeeze into another brand's similar-sized unit.

My absolute favorite thing about the Kallax isn't that its shelving is deep, but that you can buy accessories for it. While these seemingly don't feature in the Skyrim mod, you can pick up $25 (IKEA) drawer units or a $30 (IKEA) insert with a glass door. The latter is my absolute favorite addition to the Kallax, as it can allow you to transform it into a perfect display piece for video game collectibles.

Glass displays help keep out dust and prevent merch from accidental damage, and they used to be IKEA's bread and butter. Just about every collector I know has had the brand's Detolf cabinet in their gaming space at one moment or another. Sadly, these were discontinued, but with these inserts, you can tailor your existing Kallax display to your liking and add more glass displays into your setup.

If you want to try out the Kallax Storageborn Skyrim mod, you can download it for the PC and Xbox version of the game via the Bethesda Creations website. According to the official FAQ as found on the official IKEA website, PlayStation players will have to wait a while longer to experience some Kallax-fueled adventures of their own.

If you're feeling impatient, there's nothing stopping you from picking up a real-life Kallax and dragging it around. Just be warned it won't sound like Matt Berry, and just as the manual recommends, you should lay down a carpet first to avoid ruining any precious hardwood flooring.

• View all display shelving at IKEA

Love video game collectibles? Check out the best Lego sets and the best Legend of Zelda merch worth adding to your Kallax shelves.

I'm naturally talking about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, an open-world romp that has players scrambling for how to play PS2 games to this very day. It's easy to see why once you get a feel for what the GTA Vice City sequel is all about, as it trades the glitz and neon glimmer for the institutionally corrupt Los Santos and CJ's struggle to clear his family name and take on rival gangs.

Here's my big confession: I've never been that big into GTA as a franchise. Therefore, when it became clear that the latest entry would take us back to modern-day Vice City, I really wasn't too enthused. If anything, the fact that it's set to drop the '80s vibes that enticed me to drop into Leonida adds to that, and while my ears perked up upon hearing it will bring back a fan-favorite San Andreas mechanic, I reckon many of us should still just plug back in our PS2.

Play a GTA you actually own

Before you rush to the comments, I know full well a retro console from 26 years ago won't remotely provide the same absurd GTA experience as a new system. That is to say, if you're financially barred from playing the new sandbox, which is exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, you'll naturally want to reach for good old GTA V as a modern-day alternative.

At this stage, though, anyone who's hyped for GTA V has likely drained it for every piece of open-world novelty it can provide. It's for that reason that I reckon it's high time we pitched back up the PlayStation 2 in our living rooms, and not even just because I reckon fresher-faced players probably missed out on the third 3D entry.

Here's the thing: GTA 6 is arriving during one of the worst periods in history to buy new video games. Sony is rightfully coming under fire for choosing to end physical PS5 disc support in 2028, and Rockstar has already chosen to shove its sandbox in an empty box. This has prompted some anger from fans, with a rather unorganised collective attempting a "blackout" last month, but I reckon if you really want to make a punch via a protest, you should go completely offline just as GTA 6 lands.

I know there's no talking anyone who's got GTA 6 pre-ordered into passing it up for an offline PS2 experience. Therefore, I'm largely speaking to those of you who can't afford it or are choosing not to play, as if everyone who's not venturing into the sandbox switches back to the PS2, it could be enough to catch Sony's attention this time around.

As for how you're going to do that, there are really cheap ways to get the old PlayStation 2 up and running today. It largely becomes a question of how to connect retro consoles to modern TVs and monitors, and having spent the weekend testing a pretty cheap HDMI adapter, I can confirm it's a decent place to start.

For context, I usually use a dedicated upscaler like the GBS Control, as it takes an RGB signal via SCART, upscales things to 1080p, and deals with any funky, wobbly deinterlacing nonsense. However, I decided to give an adapter similar to the versions you see for $13.99 at Amazon a shot, and it got the job done with zero visual nonsense.

If you really want your consoles to look the part, you'll want to invest in either a GBS-C or an OSSC, as that will provide you with upscaling, retro scanline settings, and other perks that'll help things look crispier. But, I get that the whole deal here is acquiring an old GTA game to play in protest to the industry at large when you potentially don't have any gear already, so a passive HDMI adapter is a perfectly acceptable way to play.

On that note, you can pick up GTA San Andreas on PS2 for around $20 these days, and if you've not got an old console to play it on, you can grab one for under $80. Effectively, you can grab an old Grand Theft Auto and the hardware to play it on for potentially less than GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, which Sony claims you won't actually own.

You could say statements like that are fuelling my decision to revisit San Andreas rather than think about GTA 6. I get that it's completely cynical of me to say both games feature the same core mechanics of automobile theft, gunplay, and law-breaking missions, but really, Rockstar's whole shtick has remained the same for 30 years.

Old crime caper, new controller

I recently had the same conversation of "you should just re-play San Andreas on the PS2" with a friend. They initially fought me on the basis that they didn't want to use a wired DualShock 2 in the living room, so like some sort of spiv, I opened my metaphorical jacket to reveal a bunch of relevant gadgets.

I know for a fact some of you will be scrambling to say "just play the Definitive Edition on PC." Okay, yes, you can do that for a quick fix, but if you also want this project to double up as a light protest over the state of things, you should stick with an OG PS2. You can still help the old system feel nice and fresh by learning how to use new controllers with retro consoles, as if you grab an 8Bitdo Retro Receiver for $24.99, you can sync up a DualShock 4 or even the DualSense to your 26-year-old machine.

Will using a PS5 controller to play San Andreas feel authentic? Nah. Will it help cut the cord and make the setup feel discrete and slick? Absolutely. I absolutely understand that not everyone wants janky old ensembles cluttering their play spaces, and while I'll normally choose an OG pad as an enthusiast, I also test the best retro controllers made today in an effort to put together modern-feeling setups.

A bit of San Andreas inspiration

The initial reason San Andreas ended up on my mind amid GTA 6 is admittedly the mechanical links. The new sandbox is set to borrow the realistic lifestyle routine elements of the PS2 caper, with weight fluctuation and sleep requirements ready to become a part of the formula again. Both of those features were first introduced in 2004, and if it's part of the reason to buy the latest entry, then I'll choose to go backwards.

I should note that you don't have to specifically replay San Andreas to protest by playing other GTA games. Now is a pretty good time to revisit the OG romps like GTA 3, Vice City, or even some of the spin-offs like Liberty City Stories. If you get a base PS2 setup in place, you'll have access to those outings while the modern industry has its very expensive moment, and if you really have no interest in Grand Theft Auto, there are over 4,000 OG PlayStation 2 games that'll save you paying for anything new.

• PS2 adapters at Amazon
• PS2 controllers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather play classic GTA on the go.

This silver cube packs the power of an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 processor and Radeon 890M integrated graphics. That's not going to trifle RTX 50-series machines, and the Steam Machine's dedicated VRAM and higher GPU wattage isn't going to be too concerned in the short term. This is, after all, a productivity machine geared around professional applications with an AI lean. Geekom suggests it's up to the task of gaming at 1080p, though, so let's find out exactly what that looks like.

Configurations

At the time of writing there's only one Geekom A9 Max spec to chase. That AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 processor (including the 890M integrated graphics) is partnered up with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD. That's a compelling set of specs for anyone running more demanding productivity workflows, it's one of the more robust mini PCs on the market right now.

AMD will tell you the AI 9 470 packs an XDNA 2 NPU for up to 55 TOPS, with a total of 86 TOPS of power for AI acceleration. That's going to be running all your models but also taking care of more complex rendering and media creation tasks as well. A healthy dose of RAM to support it and enough storage to see you through larger file systems, and the A9 Max is selling itself well for professionals.

There is an older AI 9 HX 370 model still available at some stores, it being a previous release rather than a separate skew of this particular launch.

Performance

Straight out of the box, with no FSR fiddling, the Geekom A9 Max somewhat holds its own. We're not quite at 60fps territory at either high or medium settings in FHD, and only Cyberpunk 2077 will even attempt QHD gameplay, but with 48fps in Total War: Three Kingdoms at medium settings and 51fps in Cyberpunk 2077 under the same conditions there's definitely something to work with here.

There is evidence that the system isn't exactly happy about it, though. Textures snag, graphical glitches are far more prevalent, and jagged edges, flittering images, and hazy moments can creep in during more complex runs like this. However, for a productivity-oriented PC putting most of its eggs in the professional market there's certainly potential.

Nobody who laid a hand on this mini PC is expecting you to play in raw settings, though. This is a system designed for FSR upscaling, and with it we can get far closer to the 60fps standard players are paying thousands of dollars for at the moment. Cyberpunk 2077 gives us the clearest look at how we can achieve these kinds of numbers with various settings tweaks. It's the only game in my benchmark pool that managed to start its QHD test run and provides a sturdy example of the more demanding Triple-A games your Steam library might be up against.

Adding AMD's FSR tech into the picture, we're comfortably hitting a 60fps average in high settings on FHD resolution. We can even bump up the spec to QHD, drop graphics to medium, and still get closer to that threshold as well. Geekom's right to celebrate its A9 Max's gaming chops, it certainly can hit playable framerates on demanding Triple-A releases - as long as you're happy with FSR in your setup.

If you don't want synthetic frames in your sessions, you'll be sticking to more casual titles. The lighter games in my Steam library; Islanders, Restory, Oxenfree 2, and Samorost 3 all ran absolutely fine. As it stands, without AMD's helping hand, I was generally benching at Low settings across my testing pool to try and get close to 60fps.

The system's 3D Mark benchmarks are to be expected. This isn't a machine designed to top the Steel Nomad, Time Spy, or Fire Strike leaderboards - but that Steel Nomad Lite score allows us to meet it where it's at a little more.

For all intents and purposes, your GPU here is functioning like a GTX 1650 or 45W RTX 2050 in its Steel Nomad Lite run - just one without the fancy upscaling and frame generation tech.

The A9 Max's Ryzen processor still falls well behind the Apple M5 Pro in the productivity arena. The top-shelf Mac Mini will net you a single core score of over 3,600 and a multi-core score at over 30,000. Interestingly, we're beating the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 in the single-core arena (vs. 2,445), but still falling down in raw multi-core performance (vs. 20,906). While AMD's Max line typically performs better for gaming, those skewing more towards complex productivity tasks in their purchase decision should take note.

We're being slightly unfair on the Geekom A9 Max in these comparisons, though. None of the machines it's up against in these raw data benchmarks have been designed to fulfill the same AI goals as this particular rig. While others find their strengths in raw performance, then, there's going to be far more on offer for the AI power-user here.

Features

The Geekom A9 Max comes stocked with plenty of front ports to keep all your more portable accessories easily accessible, as well as a healthy selection of more permanent rear connections. In reaching distance, we've got three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports with a fourth always-on connection. That's easy space for a wireless keyboard, mouse, and headset, with one to spare for charging or lighting.

Behind all that, though, the A9 Max also benefits from dual RJ45 LAN ports, two HDMI 2.1 connections, and two USB 4 Type-Cs with Display Port. That means support for four 4K displays, though speeds aren't going to be shared equally between them. Still, if you're building a more complex work station that's going to come in particularly handy. All those connections are also joined by an SD card reader as well.

Under the hood, Geekom has included upgradable RAM and storage bays with support for up to 128GB memory and 8TB worth of SSD. That's a relief for those with longer term ambitions for their mini PC. While RAM shortages are upping the prices of both component sets, there's scope to boost your performance later down the line (or if you already have a stick or two laying around.

Geekom has also paid attention to the additional cooling needs of this compact form factor with its IceBlast 3.0 thermal system in place. The main thing to note here is a main copper heatsink as well as two copper heat pipes. From there, larger fan blades move air far more efficiently. Indeed, the A9 Max managed to keep its cool during testing, with minimal fan noise to speak of.

Design

Geekom is copying Apple's homework with this design, but the square shape with rounded corners and a smooth silver finish are difficult to argue with. The A9 Max is slightly shorter than the Mac, with with a wider footprint overall. Of course, it's never going to take over your desk, but there's still about a centimetre of difference. The cube itself also comes with a VESA mounting plate to keep it hidden behind your monitor as well.

The brand's logo sits on top, embossed with a glossy finish in the center of the main plate. Meanwhile the sides are dedicated to airflow with a subtle dotted texture.

Value

This is the tricky part. The Geekom A9 Max 2026 Edition is a highly capable productivity machine that can plough through more complex workflows for years to come. If that's how you see yourself using your mini PC 80% of the time, those Radeon 890M graphics still hold their value proposition. If you're coming to the A9 Max from a PC gaming perspective, though, that price isn't going to make much sense.

Geekom never designed this model to replace a full desktop PC, but with so many players seeking out alternative routes to their game libraries, following the Steam Machine and rising PC costs, it's worth considering the integrated GPU experience against the wider market.

These days, $1,599 will likely net you an RTX 5060 or, on a particularly good sale day, RTX 5070 gaming laptop. On average, these rigs will perform better at 1080p than the Geekom A9 Max. There are, of course, other value considerations to take into account. You're unlikely to find upgradeable RAM and storage at that price and, should you keep your machine on your desk, a mini PC offers a better overall experience from its ports and ease of use. If you're going for pure gaming performance, though, there are better numbers elsewhere.

Should you buy the Geekom A9 Max?

The 2026 Geekom A9 Max has two main competitors in the productivity arena, and one of them comes from the brand's own camp. Last year's AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 model is available for $1,299 (Amazon) and often less than that. It also has the benefit of a dual-channel memory system. To keep upgrades simple, Geekom stuck with a single-channel for its newer release. In real world terms, that means the previous generation is going get your games running better straight out the box.

So what does the $300 price difference get you? The ability to upgrade. Stick a dual channel memory setup into the equation and the boost in processing and AI performance from that newer CPU gives the Geekom A9 Max 2026 plenty more to work with. Of course, that's easier said than done this year, but as a longer term investment it's well worth considering.

How I tested the Geekom A9 Max

I used the Geekom A9 Max as my day-to-day work machine for two weeks in total, split around gaming laptop use. The A9 Max was put to the test across in-game benchmarks for Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077 in 1080p, medium, high, and highest settings with FSR frame generation both on and off. Further tests were also completed in Cyberpunk 2077 with the machine running at 1440p resolution.

The system was also tested in 3D Mark's synthetic benchmarks, running Time Spy, Steel Nomad Lite, Steel Nomad, and Fire Strike three times each and taking a final average. Geekbench 7 was also used as a productivity benchmark.

For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out the best gaming handhelds for more form factor options, or take a look at the best gaming monitors and best gaming keyboards to compliment your setup.

In a statement, PLAION prefaces its news by saying, "we know many of you have been looking forward to receiving your NEOGEO AES+ this year," before lamenting that the "worldwide release will now take place on 16th September 2027." That means the resurrected best retro console contender will be showing up ten months later than originally announced, as it was meant to emerge this November.

Again, a direct reason for the Neo Geo AES+ delay isn't given, but PLAION does mention "global component supply constraints." Whether that means the availability of the specific ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) chips used to replicate the original parts is limited, or factories are too busy dealing with AI data centre demand, is unknown, but the company claims it is trying to fortify its production.

"Rather than launch with severely limited availability, we're taking extra time to explain production, secure the components we need, and invest in an even bigger future for NEOGEO AES+," explains PLAION. In the same breath, it reassures players who have already pre-ordered that reservations "remain secure" and that "there is no price increase and no action is required."

Those of you who did choose to pre-order a Neo Geo AES+ are apparently getting a "Founding Supporter Bonus," a free wireless controller if you reserved the standard or anniversary editions. Ultimate Edition buyers will get 30% off at PLAIN REPLAI's online store, which includes consoles like The Spectrum, versions of the Atari 2600+, and the upcoming Amiga A1200 remake.

The Neo Geo AES's grand return is off to a pretty chaotic start, especially since SNK's ties to Saudi Arabia and the country's human rights record are deterring many fans from supporting the console. While the delay is being framed as productive, I'm already seeing many players who pre-ordered the $1,000 bundle question why they wouldn't just wait until it lands, as there's still lingering skepticism over whether its re-engineered ASIC chips will truly deliver hardware perfection.

Part of me also wonders if PLAION realized that November 2026 is now a pretty terrible time to even launch anything gaming-related. Yes, players who pre-ordered the machine regardless of anything would have happily tucked into King of Fighters, Shock Troopers, and other arcade classics in a few months' time, but the majority of the scene will be preoccupied with the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake or GTA 6, both of which require a Switch 2 or PS5.

All that aside, we'll need to wait the best part of a year to see what the Neo Geo AES+ is really all about. Again, the fact that Saudi Arabia holds a majority stake in the SNK Corporation is already having an effect on appeal, and technical enthusiasts will need to see some gameplay before dubbing it a true 1:1 recreation with added HDMI.

• See more retro consoles at Amazon
• See all Neo Geo consoles at Amazon

Swing by the best retro controllers for authentic pads with modern console tricks.

Oftentimes, when a great product gets a "pro" model sibling, you see one of two things. Either it's the same exact product with a very novel and slightly pointless feature added, like, say, upward-firing fans in a chair's seat cushion. Or, a pro model will have the tiniest, most insignificant, and unnoticeable changes that are used as an excuse to charge more money.

I didn't expect the Omni Pro to give me one of those gimmicky features, and it would actually turn out to be useful. I didn't expect subtle changes to make a big, overall difference to how I use this chair for gaming, but they have. The new Omni Pro's even more ludicrous price of $1,109 is undeniably absurd for an office chair of any kind, and it makes it hard for me to recommend it to you. But I have to be honest, this is somehow an even better version of the best chair I've ever sat in. If you can afford it, there simply is no better gaming chair.

Assembly

One of the biggest pain points I had with the original LiberNovo Omni was its assembly process. Since it's a radically different type of chair from most you'll see, it has a very different construction. Yes, you follow a lot of the same steps, like putting casters into a wheelbase and a gas piston into that, before assembling the seat base, armrests, and backrest. But when there are wiring elements to think about, when there's a dynamic backrest with vertebrae-reminiscent slats across it, when there's a central spine to the chair itself, it's a more bespoke assembly than you might be used to.

I knew that with time, this process and LiberNovo's instructions for it would all become streamlined. I always point to Secretlab as the gold standard for packaged chairs, assembly instructions, and how streamlined the process is from box to you sitting on something. But that's because the folks at Secretlab have studied it, they've iterated, and they're constantly trying to find more efficient ways of packaging and assembling their goods. LiberNovo's first-ever chair was the Omni, so of course it'll take time for its assembly to get to that level of slick efficiency.

Even since I tested the first iteration, the Pro model has shown a big improvement in this department. The most annoying part of the process was hooking the backrest onto its spine clips, and this wasn't half as annoying as it used to be because the brand has slightly redesigned how the parts attach to one another. There's also a clearer instruction video to work alongside now too.

I'd say that if you've built flat-pack furniture before, you won't be completely out of your depth here, but the assembly process for the Omni Pro isn't nearly as daunting as it could be for a chair with such a distinct design. Thankfully, all of its parts are fairly light, and I didn't have any issues throwing them all together on my own.

Design & Features

If you're not up to speed with 2025's wunderkind chair, let me fill you in. The LiberNovo Omni went viral on Kickstarter last year after offering a very different ergonomics philosophy to pretty much every chair on the market.

It has a fully dynamic backrest, so as you sit back into it, you'll feel it able to pivot from side to side and flex between its upper and lower halves. Its use of plastic panelling in its backrest might turn you off when you're being charged such high costs, but it's used for a reason: its flexibility. The backrest of the Omni adheres to your back as you rest your weight into it; it flexes into shape because its design mimics human anatomy. It's a chair that moves with you, supporting not only your lumbar with its S-shape and adjustable, bionic controls, but the whole alignment of your back by maintaining your posture as you move, shuffle, and reset your position umpteen times a day.

The improvements made to the most recent batch of Omni chairs mean that they now have even more backrest slats. In theory, these add even more posture support since there's now even more weight distribution and flex as you move around in it.

The other unique thing about the LiberNovo Omni is that it has the best recline system I've ever seen in a chair. As you recline back into its set positions, the armrests slide back with you, your head stays almost level with where it was so you can maintain focus on your screen, and the backrest maintains its shape no matter how relaxed you want to get. In standard chairs, this recline system doesn't exist, so you end up sliding down the backrest as it folds back. You then lose the ergonomic benefits of it, and your armrests end up at odds with your sitting position.

Why this matters for gamers is that your armrests, head, and neck stay in complete agreement with how you set up the chair in its upright mode. No need to alter the armrest position when reclining, because they stay level with your desk and your mouse aim will be unaffected. The Omni Pro (and all new versions of the Omni) will now have an extra recline level which is specifically meant for gamers. That means recline levels are up from three to four, plus the upright position. The new gaming setting is the first level of recline, so it allows you to relax just a little bit more than you would in upright mode. Then, if you want to chill out even more, you've got ways to tilt further back.

These modes are pivotal to the Omni's identity as a gaming chair because they create a beautiful distinction between your desk as a place of work and a place to relax and play.

Of course, the Omni Pro also gets access to the same perks and features of the original model. There's seat depth adjustment, tilt tension, height adjustment, 4D armrests, a neck/headrest that pivots with you and can be fit to your height, and, if you're so inclined, a step-sync footrest to bundle in. For the pro model, that takes the price up to $1,183. There are two sizes of each Omni, one with 48cm seat depth and one with 45cm.

The new recline levels and extra backrest slats are more practical improvements that have been made to the whole Omni lineup from now on, but the Pro specifically also gets upward-firing fans in its seat cushions, which work on two power settings. Perhaps the coolest part about them is that they're weight-activated. If you're not sitting in the chair but left the function running, you won't lose power because the fans will stop. Sit back down, and the fans will kick up again.

This is definitely going to be more useful for some users than others, but it's not the only novel feature here. The Omni Pro still has the built-in stretch system of other LiberNovo models, so if you want to decompress your lumbar, tilt all the way back and take a very relaxing breather for five minutes.

The Omni Pro is still only available in black (Graphite) or grey/white (Glacier) colorways though, which is a bit of a shame. The base Omni has now gained a beautiful deep green version, which I'd have loved to test out. I do think LiberNovo is missing a trick by not expanding colorways sooner rather than later. The two available for the Pro model are lovely, classy, and neutral enough to fit into any setup, but the missing opportunity for consumers to express themselves might be something that holds this brand back in the gaming market specifically.

I do notice a massive improvement in build quality and upholstery in this model of the Omni, compared to my original. Its fabric is woven a bit thicker but is no less stretchy; it doesn't feel like a cheap material anymore; it feels like a proper, premium fabric. This is an improvement I didn't realise was needed until I tried the Pro version. With build quality, the chair is as rock-solid as the original, with no squeaks or creaks during my testing time, but the controls, battery, and electrical elements all feel more robust.

Performance

To start with the novel bit, I really didn't think chairs with fans would be worth anyone's money until I sat in the LiberNovo Omni Pro. We've already tested one or two with fans and heating systems, namely the Mavix M7 and the AutoFull M6 Ultra, but these elements have ultimately ended up feeling like gimmicky extras.

I wouldn't argue the fans in the Omni Pro are a necessity unless you live in a really warm country, but I also wouldn't classify them as gimmicks. There are uses to the fans here to add a bit of ventilation, which came in really handy for me during one of the summer heatwaves here in the UK. I doubt I'll get much use out of them during the cold winter months here in Scotland, but anytime I get a bit warm, they're perfect for a bit of refreshment. The fans can be a tad loud on their more powerful setting, and you'll definitely wear down your battery life more quickly while using them, but they're pretty powerful and can create a cooling sensation even through thicker clothing.

Not to mention, the sit-to-activate part is genuinely really cool and brought a big jaw drop and smile to my face when I discovered it. Is it worth paying all that extra money for when the chair itself is so expensive? I'm not so sure, but depending on you, your preferences, and the temperature in your home, it could be.

Elsewhere, the chair performs beautifully. It's every bit as comfortable as the LiberNovo Omni OG but with a bit more build quality and assurance that the upholstery is going to stand the test of time. This stands for the reclining controls, which I've mentioned feel more robust, but also for the adjustable armrests, which now slide forward and back and rotate with much better, less cheap-feeling plastics.

If there's something I wish was an extra improvement for the Pro model, it's even more controllable lumbar support. While you can raise or lower the lumbar curve on the Omni and its Pro variant, there is part of me that wishes the control wasn't so all-in-one. In other words, on Secretlab's Titan Evo NanoGen, or Corsair's TC500 Luxe, you can control the depth and height of the lumbar support separately. Here, because of the design of the chair, you control both at once. It works great, but more control is always going to be welcome in this department since it's such a particular thing for each person.

The new recline setting is excellent. I would use the slightly deeper option on the original Omni for gaming regularly, but part of me did find it was a tad far back for when I still wanted to be focused and competitive in multiplayer games. Now, I find myself using the first "gaming" recline setting for mouse and keyboard play, but if I'm playing with a controller, I'll kick back deeper and enjoy a more relaxed position.

Either way, the armrests, the back support, and the beautiful combination of plush cushioning and excellent ergonomics mean this is a chair I feel confident working and gaming in for full days and evenings.

Should you buy the LiberNovo Omni Pro?

When it comes to choosing a gaming chair, there's a checklist of things you should be looking for if your budget allows.

First, you want something that's going to be comfortable and good for your body to sit in for long stretches at a time. The LiberNovo checks that box with its awesome ergonomics, beautiful feeling of comfort, and dynamic backrest.

Second, if possible, you want something that's adjustable, not just so it can enhance the previous point, but so that you can bend it to your desk setup and gaming positions. It's a bit of a meme that gaming chairs can make you better at your favorite titles, but this kind of adjustability is the thing that's going to actually impact that. Thanks to its refreshed recline system, excellent armrests, and ability to move with you throughout the day, I'd say there's no chair I feel more confident gaming in to make sure I play to the best of my ability.

Thirdly, you want something that's long-lasting, and with improvements to build quality, I'm more confident than ever that the Omni Pro will stand the test of time.

Any novel, funky, or borderline gimmicky features you can afford to throw in on top of that are a bonus, and although they won't be necessary for everyone, I think there's value in the fans of the Omni Pro. Are they worth the extra money? I'm not so sure, but thankfully there's now a range of Omni chairs that might better suit your budget. The Omni SE, the Omni, the Omni Pro, and the Omni Maxis for larger bodies. Whichever you go for, I'm certain it'll be the best seat in the house.

How I tested the LiberNovo Omni Pro

I used the LiberNovo Omni Pro for around two months before this review was penned. Before that, I had used the LiberNovo Omni as my daily driver when I wasn't testing out other chairs from month to month. To test the Pro model, I made frequent use of the fans and electronics, compared build quality and sitting experience to its original, and evaluated how both impacted my posture and wellbeing through a long period of testing.

For more on how we test gaming chairs, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Looking for more gaming furniture? Here are the best gaming desks, the best standing desks, and the best console gaming chairs.

Metroid Ravenous pre-orders dropped this week, and 'ravenous' seems the apt word to describe fans of the classic Nintendo series, as the Switch 2 game's special edition is already sold out across US and UK retailers.

The $119.99 / £99.99 version of the game includes a physical Switch 2 copy, a steelbook case, and an exclusive amiibo showcasing Samus's slime-green colored Metroid suit. So far, that appears to be the only way to grab that amiibo, though there is also a Chozo Statue and another Samus NFC figure up for grabs. For amiibo completionists like me, the lack of stock is a bummer, but Very did just unload its Special Edition stock for its full £99.99 price if you're based in the UK.

In the meantime, you can alternatively grab the game digitally or physically for $69.99 / £58.99 straight from Nintendo and a myriad of US and UK retailers, all of which I've gathered below. Sure, you won't get an amiibo just by sticking to the physical copy, but there are no signs of that hideous game-key banner on the box, which is something. No matter which copy you pick, you can dine with Samus when the Switch 2 exclusive launches on January 28 next year.

Pre-order Metroid Ravenous in the US

Pre-order Metroid Ravenous in the UK

FAQ

Check out our Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake pre-orders and Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave pre-order pages while you're here.

Not only that, but you bet there's a whole host of gadgets and gizmos designed to accompany you on this platforming odyssey. From socks to official artbooks, that ginger face pops up a lot more than you might assume. Whether you jumped in with It's About Time or you've seen the final levels of Crash Bash, there's plenty to jump into here.

Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot launched in North America and Europe in 1996, hitting the original PlayStation with a flourish. Crash went on to become the brand's mascot character for the rest of the 90s and well into the 2000s. In all that time, there have only been four numbered entries in the franchise, but that's not counting some series highlights; Wrath of Cortex, Warped, and Crash Team Racing.

Crash Bandicoot games

Crash Bandicoot accessories

We're also rounding up the best Legend of Zelda merch as well as the best Mario merch and Resident Evil merch for more memories.

In an announcement, GOG declares, "If they won't give you physical games, make your own" before revealing that its Preservation Program now covers Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, Armikrog, Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst (cheers, Time Extension). Rather than just ensuring these releases remain DRM-free and playable on gaming PCs old and new, the storefront is collaborating with Big Box Collection to also fully preserve their packaging.

"We’re adding downloadable 3D scans of legendary boxes of these selected games, ready to view, rotate, and explore using the default 3D apps on Windows and Mac." announces GOG before adding, "And for those who want to take their nostalgia offline, we’re also providing printable versions, so you can build your own DIY boxes and give these classics a place on your shelf once again!"

I really get a buzz out of finding big-box PC games out in the wild today, as decades of disrespect towards cardboard packaging mean complete games are rare. I tend to have luck looking amongst board games and puzzles in thrift stores, but just like NES, SNES, and N64 games, the old boxes are either actively disintegrating or were launched into the bin years ago.

Effectively, this new GOG program means you have the power to put big-box PC games back into production. That should come as a delight if you've been mourning the death of physical discs for your rig, as I personally kept buying DVD releases right up until 2014 (I believe my last was Titanfall); everything went completely digital.

If you've been paying attention to the console side of things, you'll be aware that Sony is planning to end PS5 discs as of 2028. As you'd expect, players aren't remotely pleased with this decision, and while you can't just make your own copies of PlayStation 5 releases, we've already witnessed preservationists make DIY physical PC games even before GOG's announcement.

By allowing players to make accurate replicas of old PC boxes, GOG could draw in collectors to its platform who'd normally avoid digital storefronts altogether. I can honestly see myself leveraging the service to potentially even re-house original discs in reproduced packaging, as while the service is currently restricted to just the newly added titles, I am the type of person who will acquire a loose copy of Hitman and make a custom box for it.

And hey, even if you don't like to clutter up your shelves with big box PC games like me, it's neat even being able to get a proper 3D look at them on a screen.

• External DVD drives at Amazon
• Blank CDs at Amazon

Take a peek at the best retro controllers if you want an authentic setup with modern perks.

I was fully expecting the $99.99 (via Amazon) Switch 2 gamepad to come and take the pressure off my aging millennial bones earlier this Spring, but multiple delays prevented that from becoming a reality. Yet now the long wait is finally over, as CRKD announced that the gamepad (alongside the ATOM+) is shipping globally as I type these very words. Look out joint pain, your end is nigh.

It's not like I haven't had plenty of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers at my disposal to provide a more comfortable alternative to the official Joy-Cons in the meantime. Yet as someone who plays handheld mode each and every night, the upgraded sculpted contours and optimized thumb placement for the Nitro Deck 2 seem to be levels ahead of all the accessories I've tested to date.

Not to mention, I'm not just excited for the enhanced grips on the back of the Nitro Deck 2, but for the entire package it brings to the table. The controller is also equipped with the brand's CaptiStick-branded Capacitor Sticks to help prevent any dreaded cases of stick drift. Not only are they built to fend off your sticks from having a mind of their own, but CRKD also boasts that these new advanced capacitor sensors allow for an ultra-responsive experience. Something I'm particularly looking forward to testing alongside the new content for Mario Kart World and in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. If it's responsive enough to help take down my friends with greater ease, it'll be a win in my book.

One of my absolute favorite features of this incoming accessory is that it also doubles up as a Pro-style gamepad. I missed out on securing the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Pro controller this week, but realising I can simply transform the Nitro Deck 2 into a Pro pad in its stead when using docked mode was a nice realisation. Especially when you factor in that it should arrive at my door far sooner than the Zelda alternative.

If you're still in that tentative phase of wondering whether to invest in the newer Switch 2, there's good news on that front too. CRKD has included a retractable locking dial to keep the display securely in place with the Nitro Deck 2, and it also allows compatibility with the OG and OLED Switch models.

That means you could grab a Nitro Deck 2 pre-order and still use the $100 accessory for your newer handheld when you're ready to make the upgrade. I'll be sure to test it alongside both the OLED Switch and the Switch 2 when my review sample arrives at my door, if you want to wait for our review. While I'll have two weeks of testing under my belt, my full thoughts shouldn't take long, with global shipping underway.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 controllers at Amazon

On the hunt for more Switch 2 accessories? Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards.

Switch 2 dock VVR support officially arrives as part of system update 23.0.0 today in Japan. In the patch notes, Nintendo says, "When both the software and the TV support it, the video will be output at a refresh rate that matches the game's processing speed." That theoretically means you can switch on variable refresh rate and dynamically sync things up to match frame rates, but it'll only kick in on games that are specifically optimized.

Unlike with the PS5, it seems you can't just force VRR in games that aren't specifically optimised on the developer side of things. Instead, the Switch 2 will use a whitelist to confirm whether support is officially present, and at this time, the only release that's compatible is the Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

Naturally, a bunch of Switch 2 games should be added to the whitelist soon, as it's easily days for docked VRR. Again, Japan is getting the update first, so by the time it reaches other markets, some of the biggies on the gaming handheld should benefit from the frame rate-syncing tech.

VRR in Switch 2 docked mode has been a long time coming, as Nintendo started hunting for an engineer to solve its output woes back in July. Update 23.0.0 confirms that the console maker has managed to iron out those prior quirks, and as I've already alluded to, I can't help but feel like it was racing to sort it out before Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake lands.

That's not to say the new Ocarina of Time will make the Switch 2 sweat, as Nintendo's engine will be heavily optimized for the handheld. But, that's not to say there won't be frame rate dips in specific scenarios, as while outings like Breath of the Wild run at a solid 60fps, dense textures or extra fancy ray-traced lighting effects could take things up a notch.

Even if the Ocarina of Time remake features stable frame rates, VRR is a "nice to have" feature that will help smooth over slight dips. It's also going to benefit some the demanding third-party romps announced during the latest Nintendo Direct, including Final Fantasy 7 Revelations.

Even if you're not too fussed about display tech, VRR in docked mode has been a long time coming. Technically speaking, alternatives like the SIWIQU Switch 2 dock should support variable refresh rate provided you use an HDMI 2.1 cable and the right screen port, but I'll confirm that once I'm at my test bench.

• Switch 2 consoles at Amazon
• Switch 2 docks at Amazon

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather play classic capers on the go.

Before revealing the new Lite model, the Retroid Pocket Duo took to the stage in a gameplay demo. The four-minute clip puts the retro handheld to work running everything from Mario Kart 7 to Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (timely, I know), all running at 4x resolution on the 3DS emulator Azahar. Pretty impressive considering this clamshell is just 23.2mm thick, almost matching an actual 3DS XL.

Yes, the Pocket Duo packs a portable dual-screen punch that should make even the mighty Ayn Thor sweat. But shortly after showing off its take on the 3DS, Retroid also shared a trailer featuring the additional Pocket Duo Lite, and it's very much gunning for the same DS throne as the Anbernic RG DS Plus (and existing contenders like the $98 non-Plus original model.)

Since the RG DS is expected to arrive for under $100, you will potentially be paying $50 more for the Retroid Pocket Lite. However, the extra expense is invested in a beefier Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6125 chipset that can dabble with lighter 3DS games. In fact, you can already see Mario Kart 7 running on its top 5.5-inch IPS display in an additional demo at x2 resolution, and that should mean it'll cover more of Nintendo's library.

If you're wondering how Retroid managed to create a $149 version of the Pocket Duo, know that its 5.5-inch and 4.5-inch IPS displays and lower-spec chipset come with other tweaks. Notably, you're getting in-line digital triggers instead of the double-stacked bumpers and triggers of the full-fat model, and other specs like Wi-Fi and RAM speed won't be as swanky, tying back to the QCS6125 SoC.

Retroid hasn't graced us with a Pocket Duo release date yet, so it'll be a while before I can take it for a dual-screen test drive. If one thing's certain, it's absolutely a great time to get into dedicated handhelds for 3DS and DS emulation, as not so long ago, one of the only options out there was a very pricey (and chonky) Ayaneo Flip DS, and Windows 11 weirdness meant its emulators were restricted to just OG DS romps.

• More DS handhelds at Amazon
• More retro handhelds at Amazon

Check out the best retro consoles for remakes, emulation systems, and plug-and-play machines.

As unveiled during the latest Nintendo Direct, you can take on this reimagining of the original 1996 classic and pre-order it for $59.99 (GameStop) physically (game-key card release) or digitally via the Nintendo eShop once listings go live.

It's great to finally get confirmation that it's making its way to the Ninty console, especially if it means I can get my dual pistol-wielding hands on that Collector's Edition. Announced on June 2 earlier this year, the snazzy Collector's Edition from Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild includes the game and some physical goodies, including an incredibly detailed statue of Lara taking on the T-Rex.

I maybe would have preferred to see a real-life replica of the Hand of Midas as found in the OG Tomb Raider so I could turn my Switch 2 into gold. However, the statue is just as impressive, and it's available to pre-order for $199.99 at GameStop today. So far GameStop is the only place to find it, but I'll be using my Lara Croft skills of discovery to update you on the best places to find the Collector's Edition and all Legacy of Atlantis Switch 2 pre-order links as and when I find them before February comes around.

Where to pre-order Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis

FAQ

Want more Switch 2 games? Check out our Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake pre-order and Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave pre-order pages.

"We have some positive updates today around LPCAMM2 memory availability and Intel Core Ultra X9 processor options for Framework Laptop 13 Pro", the post reads.

"Following our update in July where supplier cost increases forced us to adjust memory configurations and pricing, our Supply Chain team has been working continuously to source additional inventory at better prices.

"We have good news: we recently secured a limited quantity of Micron 32GB and 64GB LPCAMM2 memory modules at lower cost."

As a result, the brand is passing those savings back, issuing price reductions for new orders, and, amazingly, retroactive price reductions for existing orders.

"We are committed to passing on savings whenever we can and keeping computers as accessible as possible in the current environment, so we are rolling out price reductions across both already shipped and a subset of currently pending pre-orders. While these new costs remain above our original pre-order launch baseline, they are lower than the last cost update that drove our current pricing for new pre-orders," reads the blog post.

As a breakdown of how it works, if your order has already shipped, Framework will automatically issue a refund for the difference in price now that it's been reduced. If your order is still pending, the price will automatically be adjusted, and if you'd now rather modify the amount of RAM in your gaming laptop to get more bang for your buck, the option is open to you.

Surprisingly, this isn't the first brand to make recent, sweeping pro-consumer moves despite the current economy of the PC market. A few weeks ago, desktop PC cooling brand Arctic made similar commitments to customers following its refunds from illegal US tariffs. Meanwhile, Sony and Microsoft are fighting tooth and nail to avoid giving theirs back to consumers through similar means.

These types of business choices are a massive win for consumers, especially during the current RAM shortages we're seeing across the tech sector. With RAM manufacturing set to be under strain for years to come, and with the big three manufacturers all but securing high prices for themselves through nefarious means, pro-consumer practices could go a long way.

We're also rounding up the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops, or for something even more portable check out the best gaming handhelds.

The officially licensed goodies are live at Amazon Japan starting from 3,530 yen (approx $23) and show off a wireless gamepad and a Switch 2 case. The controller isn't draped in green and gold like the new first-party Switch 2 Pro pad, but instead features a black chassis with gold Zonai-like embellishments and the game's fractured Master Sword front and center. If you aren't on the hunt for a new controller, the brand is also launching a leather-like bound case that features the Hylian crest, with both expected to drop on October 9 later this year.

Yet, while these Switch 2 accessories are newly announced, they're already available at Amazon US. You can grab the controller and case for $64.88 and $24.99 respectively, without having to wait for the spooky season to come around. There's every chance that these new versions could include updated features, but if you're in the market for new Switch 2 Zelda goodies and Ocarina isn't your jam, you have the option of not waiting around.

The Switch 2 pad shown off at Amazon Japan looks to be the exact same PowerA Advantage Wireless Controller available for $64.88 at Amazon US. That's not a bad thing, as this controller is packed with Hall effect sticks to help prevent any dreaded drift issues, motion controls, up to a 30-hour battery, and mappable back buttons.

If you're thinking of picking this up over the newly unveiled Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Pro controller, it's already far easier to find in stock, but there is a caveat. This controller, while being an officially licensed Zelda accessory, is missing the HD rumble and NFC-reading tech of Nintendo's first-party alternative. That means you're not going to have the full gamut of features on display with this, as you could with the premium option.

The PowerA Protection Case for Nintendo Switch 2 is also already up at Amazon US, and it is the cheaper accessory of the two with its $24.99 (Amazon) MSRP. It's also based on Tears of the Kingdom, which is unmistakable from the Zonai-pattern creeping in the corners of the exterior of the case, and the little green and gold tag on the inside.

Much like the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, this accessory includes space for the handheld, smaller accessories via a fabric mesh pocket, and space to store up to 10 physical games. While I haven't tested it myself, I'd honestly recommend it over the new $39.99 (via Nintendo) 40th Anniversary case that's available via the official Nintendo online store.

The new 40th edition case looks to be based on the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case, which is one of my biggest Switch 2 shopping regrets since the console's conception. Unlike this PowerA option, it doesn't have a hardened exterior, and never felt like it could give my pricey bit of Ninty tech the protection it deserves. If you want to keep your pricey handheld safe and protected (and have ample storage for extras), this PowerA option looks far sturdier.

Better yet, you won't have to wrestle with any pre-order queues to grab it, as it's readily in stock and ready to ship. Though anyone based in Japan will still have to wait a few weeks - though that's nothing a quick rendition of the Song of Double Time on the ocarina can't fix.

• View all PowerA Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Check out Hasbro's new Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom toys if you're a fan of Link's Switch adventures.

Okay, yes, if you really want to play Ocarina of Time with the arguably cursed retro controller, you should probably explore how to play N64 games instead. While the glossy new Switch 2 remake naturally uses the groundbreaking 1998 outing as a template, this Zelda romp will look and feel like something from 2026.

I'll concede that it'd be senseless to tether the Ocarina of Time remake to antiquated controls designed for retro consoles almost 30 years ago. At the same time, though, I fully believe playing N64 games using a controller with one stick and those massive A and B buttons is an experience in its own right, and the setup could add something unique for players seeking authentic gameplay vibes.

I dread to think how many hours I've sunk into Ocarina of Time over the past three and a bit decades. It has shown up on almost every Nintendo console I've owned since the N64, hitting everywhere from the GameCube to the Wii Shop, and it even got a remaster for the 3DS.

Each port feels every so slightly different to the next thanks to their respective gamepads, but there's one consistency across every single version: Z-targeting. It was Nintendo's take on camera controls, or arguably a lack thereof, and cemented a directional rhythm that turns what could be considered awful camera controls into something atmospheric.

If you've played the N64 original, the sensation of tapping the back Z button to shift the camera will be ingrained in your mind. Yes, it's primarily used to quickly reorient your point of view, but the controls also come with a tonal shift that adapts depending on where you are. In dungeons, the confirmational letterboxing, an element designed to emulate the feel of Samurai movies when you're actually locking onto an enemy, is accompanied by an eerie stone echo, which makes even trying to peek at the forward path ahead a bit more daunting.

In the overworld, Z-targeting produces a jauntier pan-flute sound, which shifts things to fit a more whimsical sense of curiosity when repositioning the camera. In both instances, using a button instead of just swinging a secondary stick around freely adds visual and audio cues that personally get me into the zone, whether I'm locking onto a ReDead trying not to pee myself or just peering down Hyrule Field at LonLon Ranch.

I've only got Mr. Aonuma's gameplay demo to go on, but it looks like the Ocarina of Time remake is leaving those atmospheric elements in the past with the mandatory Z-targeting. The latter will still be a thing, but gone is the widescreen letterbox shift and, potentially, the scene-appropriate jingles with it, leaving only the specific, almost phaser-like, enemy target sound alongside Navi's cries of "watch out!"

If Nintendo did add the option to play with an N64 controller, just like with its recent StarFox Switch 2 remake, it could help preserve these important original elements. I'm sure there are plenty of players who grew up with Breath of the Wild who'd prefer to move the camera around in a contemporary fashion, but for those of us who like the quick snap and associated sounds of the old Z-button controls, having the option to play that way could help things feel right.

Including the fixed camera controls could even help introduce fresher players to the art of using an N64 layout. Whether you think that trident design is clever or cursed, it adds a unique, and arguably now novel, hardware experience into the mix, and if you really can't bear using the starship-shaped original, the 8Bitdo N64 controller works with Switch 2 and pops the exact button layout onto a contemporary shell.

There's nothing stopping you from trying to play the Ocarina of Time remake with an N64 controller. In theory, you shouldn't be blocked from using the NSO N64 controller or the aforementioned 8Bitdo version. The issue is that playability will come down to whether the Z-targeting system can quickly snap the camera behind Link, or if it only works around targetable NPCs, enemies, and objects; and even then, all the associated atmospheric goodness will be potentially missing.

Will that stop me from immediately trying to play the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake with an N64 controller when it lands November 6? Well, no, as I'm the idiot who tried to play Donkey Kong Bananza with a set of GameCube Donkey Konga bongos. If Nintendo is snooping in on these words, though, just know that if you add a Nintendo 64 controller mode, a bunch of '90s kids will be very happy (even if the realistic, uncanny art direction still feels weird).

• See Nintendo 64 controllers at Amazon
• More retro controllers at Amazon

Check out the best retro handhelds if you'd rather replay Ocarina of Time on the go.

GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders have been dropping all day, first with the UK's early launch and then with the US's 10am start time. While the PS Direct-exclusive black model is still a little tricky to get your hands on, the white version appears to be holding its own.

This lighter special edition controller sold out in a couple of hours in the UK, though is still up for grabs at EE at the time of writing. Right now, the US still has a few retailers to choose from as well. While Best Buy has ducked out of the race, Walmart, Amazon, and GameStop are all still fighting fit in this arena.

For quick reference; the black version is exclusive to PS Direct and the white model is being sold by wider retailers. GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders cost $84.99 in the US and £74.99 in the UK.

Both editions will launch alongside the game itself on November 19, so we've only got a couple of months to wait before logging in with a piece of memorabilia in-hand. With these being 'limited' rather than 'special' editions, I'd recommend locking in that GTA 6 DualSense pre-order as soon as possible. While more stock could become available closer to launch, this release is a hype juggernaut and things are already going to be particularly competitive.

This isn't my first time in this situation. I've been tracking tough-to-find pre-orders since those hectic early days of the PS5's launch, covering all major retailers (and many smaller ones in the hopes of finding stock) and learning how they work. That means I know where to look for GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders, and how to prepare to make sure you've got the best chance at success.

Quick stock check

• ✅ Amazon | In stock
• ✅ PS Direct | In stock
• Best Buy | 'Coming soon'
• ✅ GameStop | In stock
• ✅ Walmart | In stock
• Target | Check stock

UK

• PS Direct | Check stock
• ✅ EE | In stock
• Amazon | Check stock
• Smyths Toys | Check stock
• Very | Check stock
• Currys | Check stock
• Argos | Check stock

Where to pre-order the GTA 6 DualSense in the US

Where to pre-order the GTA 6 DualSense in the UK

How to prepare for GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders

Preparation is key to sailing through checkout when the heat is on. Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do now that will help you claim your controller when stock eventually lands.

1. Sign into your PlayStation account

Sony often requires its customers to be signed into a PlayStation account to have access to limited stock like this. Make sure you're logged in and that you stay logged in after your session, and be sure to double check shortly before that 10am go-time.

2. Save your payment and shipping details

Nobody wants to be sniped at checkout. When things are moving this fast, your GTA 6 DualSense pre-order isn't yours until you fully complete the order. That means you can get down to the final few clicks and still have your controller appear as out of stock at the end of it. This is a race to order confirmation, not a race to have one in your cart.

By making sure your payment and shipping details are up to date and saved you can sail through the checkout process in as little time as possible, reducing the chance of your gamepad being picked out your cart by a speedier player.

3. Refresh early

When the heat is on, PS Direct often uses a queuing process to keep demand from overwhelming its site. Getting into that queue as early as possible can make all the difference when there are only seconds between you and an 'out of stock' sign. Start regularly refreshing (but not mashing) the site from about half an hour out to make sure you catch the queue up front.

Live updates

I'm actually all for that. A bigger name brand like Corsair launching an entry-level option could give people a lot more peace of mind when checking out, especially if they're strapped for cash and need an easy fix. But the problem is that Corsair isn't charging $100 for it; it's charging $199.99 / £169.99 at its own online shop. Based on testing this brand's seats in the past, I know its build quality will probably be very good - the press release I have for the TC80 talks about how it's been durability tested in more than 30 categories and held to really high standards.

No problems there, but the TC80 uses the same design language as those $100 chairs that have little to no features to their name. Case in point, the armrests are fixed onto the seat and backrest of the chair. There is a head cushion, but it's a strapped one, and those are infamously poor at staying in the right position. The backrest cushion looks plenty comfy, so that's a perk, but besides the basic swivel, 90 to 115 degrees of recline, height adjustment, and tilt you'd expect from a stock office chair, I'm wondering why someone would be drawn to this for $200.

To make matters worse, Corsair's competing with itself at this price range. The Corsair TC100 Relaxed has been a long-standing best budget option in the gaming chair realm, and although Corsair might claim it's priced at $210 or more, I can tell you from covering it for around four years now that it's more often priced at $199, or even lower.

That chair offers you a more similar set of features and perks to some of the chairs up at $500, which is why it's a go-to entry-level recommendation from me. But it's all relative. For that price, you get 2D armrests, a lumbar and head cushion, a more pro look, some colorway/upholstery options, and durability. I wouldn't argue that $199 is a small amount of money to pay, but at least with the TC100, you know you're getting some bang for your buck because it's got some attributes.

Charging $200 for the TC80's lack of features feels a little wild to me. I fully support entry-level hardware giving you a little less in the way of features and specs, but not when its price doesn't meet you in the middle. I'd expect the TC80 to see discounts, which would make it more of a viable option for budget buyers, but when the TC100 Relaxed is priced so close to it, it's going to have an uphill battle.

I sincerely hope the arrival of the TC80 doesn't mean we see infrequent offers on the TC100 Relaxed, because as good as it is, it's not exactly a new product - I wouldn't argue its price should be increased at this stage of its life.

Not to mention, there are other value-for-money kings in the gaming chair market. The AndaSeat Novis isn't that much more expensive, and the Razer Iskur V2 X is also pushing into that end of the market.

If anything, the cost of Corsair's new entry-level seat speaks to a larger problem in the gaming chair market. These seats are expensive, and although it's nice to see more big names attempt to make affordable options (I really do applaud Corsair for supplying another chair that's priced under $300), I still feel like there's a disconnect between what manufacturers think is a small investment and what people are willing to pay.

Looking for cheaper options? Here are the best cheap gaming chair deals, and if you're a console player, here are the best console gaming chairs.

In the August Steam Hardware Survey results, you'll find the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT ranked 24th with a percentage share of 1.46%. Keep in mind that this is based on a smaller sample size of participants and is representative of the user base as a whole, but it does reflect a 0.06% uptake compared to last month's stats.

Does this mean the RX 9070 XT is gaining traction as a best graphics card contender? Well, perhaps, but the RTX 3060 is still sitting at the top with 3.92% of the survey's participants apparently using the Ampere card. Meanwhile, the Radeon card's rival, the GeForce RTX 5070, is sitting third with a 3.77% share.

It should be noted that there was a hiccup with Valve's stats previously that lumped cards like the Radeon RX 9070, its XT sibling, and the 9060 in together, but that has since been resolved. These new stats should represent a more accurate figure, at least with regard to the limited sample size.

The part that I find surprising is that while the RX 9070 XT is climbing the ranks, it's still quite far back considering its respectable launch price and mid-range abilities. I suspect the fact that it's now sitting way higher at just under $800 at places like Newegg is hampering uptake right now, which could be leading players to pick up cards like the RTX 3070 second-hand.

I guess the fact that there's now a "new" 12GB RTX 3060 could help drive relevancy for the last-gen card too, even if people are picking up the original over the more expensive newcomer. If stock of the RX 9070 XT and its siblings can emerge for less, AMD cards might continue to gain traction in the Steam Hardware Survey, especially as we approach the sale season, but otherwise, I reckon the list will be dominated by anything that's remotely affordable.

• More graphics cards at Newegg
• Complete gaming PCs at Amazon

Check out the best CPUs for gaming and best RAM if you're upgrading your entire rig.

See below for all the best places to secure a pre-order:

Where can I pre-order the Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 in Australia?

Of course, Nintendo itself is going to be a front runner in many bookmark lists here. It's typically harder to get yourself in line here, though. The Switch 2 was locked behind playtime quotas and membership lengths, and even then Nintendo operated on an invite-only system for the first few waves of stock.

We're out of the woods with that original launch yes, but the special edition Zelda Switch 2 is likely to move fast still.

How to plan for your Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order

Nintendo also dropped news of Hasbro's new electronic Master Sword and the new Lego Link and Epona set in its Direct, but you can also check out all the best Legend of Zelda merch we've found so far.

It looks almost exactly the same as the reservation application that's been used by Valve for its Steam Machine and Steam Controller launches earlier in 2026. Before you ask, you can't access or con the system into ordering your own VR headset yet, as it still isn't live. In fact, as a precautionary measure, the leaked image of the page shows a live date of December, 1969.

Other than that, it asks for a Steam account name, the items to be reserved, and says "You have joined the list for - " and then there's a blank - I did tell you these pages were placeholders. The line below says "On 31 December, 1969, the list will be randomized and you will receive an email with your results shortly after."

There's every possibility that this is actually a placeholder, but it's so vague at this point it's hard to put a lot of stock in it.

Truth be told, these new datamines don't tell us an awful lot we don't know already. We knew from its initial reveal that the Steam Frame would have two different SKUs based on storage options. We're sadly no closer to finding out the release date and price of the Steam Frame based on those package page updates on SteamDB.

At this point, I wouldn't put it past Valve to jokingly list 1969 as a release window to taunt us for holding out this long for its second VR headset. On the other hand, this date is frequently cited on Steam and other computer apps as the start of Unix Epoch time. In other words, it's yet more placeholder, probably as a template or a way to ensure there's no live date that could trigger an email being sent to people asking to reserve a VR headset.

What the use of a reservation does tell us is that Valve is fully expecting there to be a high demand and a limited supply of stock when Steam Frame launches. If the leak from SadlyItsBradley is to be believed (I'd take it with a couple pinches of salt, at this point), then Steam Frame could be looking at similar supply issues to the Steam Machine. Personally, I'd hope it wasn't the same case as the controller, in that Valve will still be fulfilling backlogged orders into 2027.

Still, if package updates and reservation systems are appearing in Steam's backend, it could be a definite sign that the VR headset is finally, actually, properly about to launch.

If that sounds uncertain, it's because I've been wrong before - it looked like the stage was set for Valve's new visor to launch earlier in the Summer, and we've been hearing rumours about the headset for longer than the controller or new Steam Machine, so it feels at this point like it could very well be a Half Life 3 situation.

For more, take a look at the best Meta Quest accessories. To upgrade your PC before Steam Frame arrives, dive into the best CPU for gaming, and the best RAM for gaming.

Technically speaking, I really don't need to use RPCS3 to play PS3 games at home since I still use the real retro console (yes, it's 20 years old, get over it). However, upon catching the news that the emulator had gained the ability to run games directly from the disc drive, I fancied using a mini PC to make a compact version of the PlayStation 3 with access to emulation bells and whistles.

Sadly, that's not on the cards for tonight, as only specific Blu-ray drives are able to actually read PS3 games. RPCS3 kindly provides a shortlist, and while I did check ahead of time and thought my specific Verbatim external writer was compatible, it turns out even near-identical models can lack the required chipset and firmware to read Sony's discs.

For context, I specifically have a Verbatim 43890 slimline external USB 3.2 Blu-ray Writer to hand. It's virtually identical to the Verbatim 43888 specifically mentioned on the RPCS3 compatibility list, but alas, it won't read PS3 discs. While there could be models not in the collection that haven't been tested, you can write off this particular variant.

Actually finding a compatible drive is trickier than you'd think, and many brands have already thrown in the Blu-ray towel. Verbatim has committed to keeping external models like the 43888 in circulation, but while it's available at Amazon in the UK (albeit with a "price higher than typical" warning), it's MIA on the US site.

Your best bet is somewhere like eBay, where you'll find a compatible LG BP50NB40 Blu-ray drive for $120. It's naturally more convenient to go the external route since many gaming PCs don't even have optical drive bay slots anymore, but I will check back with whether an LG internal drive I have lying around happens to be compatible.

Side note: If the PS3 isn't remotely old enough for your tastes, I do also have you covered on how to play PS2 games using original hardware or emulators.

• PS3 controllers at Amazon
• PS3 accessories at Amazon

Swing by the best retro controllers for fresh gamepads that will work with old consoles.

We've also got a whole host of accessories to contend with, and the Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is proving just as difficult to get your hands on right now. Keep your eyes peeled across the web, though, as Nintendo hasn't yet specified whether this is a "limited" edition or a "special" edition. If the latter, we could well see more stock runs hitting the shelves. If that's the case, it pays to know where to shop first.

I've been tracking high profile pre-orders ever since the hectic days of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, I watched as Nintendo Switch 2 stock melted off the shelves just last year. In all that time, I've picked up a thing or two about who is likely to drop Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders first and the steps you should take to make sure your order goes through without a hitch.

The Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the US

Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the UK

How to plan for your Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order

Preparation is key whenever you know you'll be fighting against resellers for a pre-order.

Retailers know about this battle as well, which is why many put a few extra steps in place before allowing you to check out. The first thing you can do now is make sure you can jump through those particular hoops as quickly as possible when Nintendo Switch 2 Legend of Zelda pre-orders land.

1. Sign up for an account

Best Buy is the biggest example of this, but Nintendo will also likely require you to have an account to place your pre-order. It doesn't need to be a paid account or subscription, but it's safe to assume at least these two stores will require some credentials before selling you your special edition.

2. Save your details

There's another reason to keep an account with all the retailers you're planning to attempt a pre-order with. Signing in means you can keep all your payment and shipping information saved and ready to go when the race to checkout is on.

Many stock hunters complain that high-profile consoles are sometimes snatched right out of their cart during the checkout process. That's because your special edition Nintendo Switch 2 isn't actually yours until all that payment information is cleared - if someone is ahead of you and you're last in line your pre-order will still go to them.

Keeping your delivery and payment details saved and ready to go can save you precious click time.

3. Don't forget mobile

Best Buy and Walmart have both struggled under high demand during major pre-order windows in recent years. Sites crash, slow down, bug out, or simply won't load at all. It's a common occurrence, but we've found that mobile versions of those sites can often get you in while others are smashing that refresh button.

Nintendo also dropped news of Hasbro's new electronic Master Sword and the new Lego Link and Epona set in its Direct, but you can also check out all the best Legend of Zelda merch we've found so far.

At $259.99 / $229.99, it's by far the most expensive controller I've come across in my four years of reviewing them professionally. I have to admit, from a quick hands-on, it feels like an excellent gaming peripheral, but it's going to take some miracles during testing for me to recommend something like this at full price.

Fans of clicky microswitch buttons will be very happy with the Aeon Pro, since it has them all over, including its four back paddles. These aren't the exact same as the magnetic ones found on the DualSense Edge and Elite Series 2, but they're longer, metallic levers that actuate with a tactile click, so they feel very similar.

Uniquely to the recent controller market, the Aeon Pro has a removable battery in order to follow the same design philosophies as SteelSeries headsets and mice. By allowing for hot-swapping and supplying you with two batteries in the box, you can ensure that one always stays charged so that, in theory, you never run out of power.

There's a rather chunky charging stand for the Aeon Pro which might just be one of the stars of this very pricey show. Obviously, you can charge the controller on the stand, but there's also room to store and charge up the additional battery, and magnetically attach the swappable thumbstick tops - a favourite feature of mine.

Around the back, you can connect a PC and Xbox via separate USB-C ports, meaning you don't need to swap a USB dongle from the back of your console to the back of your PC if you're swapping platforms. The charging stand acts as your receiver, a bit like the Steam Controller and its puck.

Going back to them briefly, I am a real fan of the thumbstick tops being magnetically attached. Most of the time, these are plastic slots that need to be clicked into place at a specific angle, and there's always a slight fear of breakage when you attach or remove one from a controller. Magnetic ones make them easier to use, and a convenient charging stand will ensure you don't lose the spare ones.

Rather disappointingly for such a premium controller, the Aeon Pro uses Hall Effect thumbsticks - hardly a dealbreaker, but for something so expensive, I'd want top-of-the-line TMR sticks instead.

As well as the onboard menu system, which comes with a few prebuilt button profiles for different gaming genres, you can also access the SteelSeries GG software to fine-tune thumbstick deadzones and other elements of the pad.

Like I say, the Aeon Pro is a feature-rich controller with a lot of really impressive elements, but at $259, it's got a lot to prove. I look forward to testing it out properly and seeing if it's worth its weight in gold. What do you think?

If this seems a little pricey, I'd also recommend looking at the best TMR controllers, the best PC controllers, and the best PS5 controllers.

Who is this Game Boy gamepad testing guinea pig I've drafted in? Well, it's my partner in retro console collecting crime who isn't employed to test the best retro controllers available to the masses, but certainly enjoys playing the oldies on portables old and new. By handing both the 8Bitdo FlipPad, the latest pad for $29.99, and GameSir Pocket Taco that arrived previously for $34.99, to someone who's got a comparatively casual perspective, I hoped that I'd be enlightened with a new third-party perspective that'd help me wrap up my testing.

I get it, some of you may think this sort of A/B testing is overkill for a set of four face buttons and a d-pad. However, with both the GameSir Pocket Taco and 8Bitdo FlipPad targeting two very specific types of players who could be easily lured by the prospect of easy Pokémon access, I want to identify every pro and con possible. Therefore, I reckon drafting in a fresh pair of non-reviewer hands is absolutely justified and should help you pick out the perfect Game Boy pad.

FlipPad preconceptions

Again, I've already put the 8Bitdo FlipPad through its paces, although the daft placement of the Asus ROG Phone 8's USB-C port meant I had to use the Razer Edge as a very long Game Boy before borrowing my partner's Google Pixel. That testing was enough for me to form my own likes and dislikes, in turn giving me a notion of how other players may feel about the gamepad.

Starting off with some of the FlipPad's strengths, I really feel like 8Bitdo is onto a winner with its sleek profile. There's far less plastic bulk to the hinged USB-C controller than the Pocket Taco, and that helps it feel less like a bulky add-on. The clicky dome switch buttons also hit tactile high notes compared to standard membranes, which also feed into a premium vibe.

The FlipPad's slightness comes at a cost, though, particularly when it comes to the USB-C. Pardon the pun, but the controller's fit and grip hinges solely on the bottom connector, and the fact that it's "one size fits all" creates some problems. My main gripe lies with the fact that unless you pick the exact right thickness of case, you're likely going to experience some side-to-side wobble, which isn't great for more frantic games (shmups like Truxton are a wiggly nightmare).

I'm also wary that by containing the controller to just the phone screen, it subjects players to the usual ergonomic caveats. By that, I mean your fingers will just be hanging around at the side or back of your device rather than resting on some shoulder buttons (something the Pocket Taco provides). Surprisingly, though, none of this seemed to bother my volunteer test subject, and while initially hesitant to play games on her freshly modified Google Pixel 7, she ended up getting right into Zelda: Link's Awakening using both pads.

A bit of A/B Game Boy testing

I don't want to imply that I turned my beloved into a Game Boy guinea pig, but I did sit back and observe her as she used both the 8Bitdo FlipPad and GameSir Pocket Taco. In an effort to pick up on any third-party ergonomic quirks and real-life gameplay benefits, I watched as she roamed around Koholint Island for the first time while checking in to ask for takes on the d-pad, button tactility, and overall feel.

I immediately noticed that her index fingers would rest on the upper sides of the phone when using the FlipPad, and I figured this was due to the lack of junk in the trunk. It turns out this is more of a weird ergonomic preference, though, as she would still pop her digits on the side when using the GameSir Pocket Taco. To me, this was a sign that while the latter should provide better ergonomics in theory, it's easy to see why 8Bitdo went with a sleeker, front-focused design based on play habits.

Continuing to quash my expectations, my helpful test subject also informed me that she preferred the feel of the FlipPad's clicky D-pad over the arguably more authentic Pocket Taco's membrane directionals. This is despite the fact that she owns several real Game Boy handhelds, as while GameSir's design should feel close to those portables, I was immediately informed that the controls felt "mushy".

One complaint that re-emerged with the 8Bitdo FlipPad was indeed the wiggly USB-C connector. My volunteer's phone normally uses a standard shell case with a cut-out for chargers, and while the controller does fit, it still leaves a gap. That's a little strange considering my ROG Phone 8 Pro Devilcase is too thick for the connector, and it feels like you need to buy something very specfic for an exact fit.

I'm not sure which cases the FlipPad is actually compatible with, but I do know that without one as a packer, the leftover tolerance will lead to some nervous "oop" sounds when it moves around slightly. You're more likely to notice this when making more frantic d-pad movements, like when, say, encountering enemies on the shores of Link's Awakening for the first time and being caught off guard.

Ultimately, the wiggle served to break any sort of "my phone is now a Game Boy" immersion the FlipPad is aiming to achieve. Comparatively, the Pocket Taco's sandwich approach provides a steadier grip, even if that means adding extra bulk to the back and front and swapping out direct USB-C connectivity for Bluetooth.

The FlipPad steals the crown (with caveats)

After an extended stint running around exploring Koholint Island, then foolishly wrapping things up by attacking some chickens, my partner finally picked the FlipPad as her preferred Game Boy controller. That at least proves that 8Bitdo has nailed things in terms of comparative feel and button quality, both of which I'd assumed the controller maker had in the bag anyway.

However, the wiggly USB-C connectivity haunts what would otherwise be a stellar Game Boy mobile controller experience. It's something my playtester said would put them off playing anything more than Pokemon on their phone, even though they prefer 8Bitdo's approach to the bulkier, non-clicky Pocket Taco.

This extra user test will absolutely help back up some of my thoughts for a wider 8Bitdo FlipPad review, but I'm aware it largely focuses on casual play. Having already spent a chunk of time with the GameSir Pocket Taco, I know it provides players with extra perks like actual shoulder buttons and compatibility with other retro consoles, and that will ultimately factor into whether it's worth grabbing instead of its USB-C competitor.

• More 8Bitdo controllers at Amazon
• Game Boy handhelds at Amazon

Check out the best retro handhelds if you're seeking a dedicated portable console.

Layden, who previously served as the chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios and the president and CEO of SIE America, gives his thoughts on the company's rumored handheld in a new chat with Reiss 'Kiwi Talkz' Reilly on YouTube (below). He acknowledges that the problem is only something he can see now, looking back on his experience, and it's this: "The company really struggles to sell two different pieces of hardware at the same time."

Layden knows that the response to this might be, "'What about PlayStation Portable? That was a real success.'" Well, his point still remains: "Yes, and while we were doing that, I was struggling selling PS3."

As the former lead explains, there are multiple factors at play here – the company's focus essentially becomes divided, and it becomes almost in competition with itself. "It's not just development resources, it's also marketing resources," he begins. "You almost have to set up two different companies to do it, where neither one is worried about what the other one is doing, they're just trying to be successful in their own right."

He continues: "When you have one company managing both, inevitably there's stealing from Peter to pay Paul for something else, and 'well, we'll move that marketing program over to this other game which is going to be more successful than that game was.' All the tradeoffs just sort of… you lose your focus on what [you're] really trying to get done here."

So then, what if we really can expect a handheld console from Sony in the next generation? Layden suggests: "If Sony were to come out with a handheld, I guess maybe they just consolidate all their gaming activities around that mid-size platform."

Sony has yet to confirm whether these rumors are true, but SIE CEO Hideaki Nishino recently hinted that the company will be "leveraging technologies that can be used in various forms and locations" when making future game consoles, which sure sounds promising for handheld enjoyers. Other rumors have suggested that the potential handheld could outpace the Xbox Series S.

If PS6 and Xbox Project Helix are $1,000, 5-year sales could be 40% worse than the PS5 generation, analyst says.

This is the brand's middle child. It's got more grunt than Dell's new Alienware 15 hybrid systems and has more meat than the entry-level Alienware 16 Aurora (a cheaper rig that didn't see this year's OLED upgrade). It's not a flagship, though, so while the Alienware 16 and 18 Area-51 models can take you further up the GPU pole, we're still firmly in mid-range territory.

It's a 16-inch gaming laptop for those who want to splash out on an upgrade from an RTX 40-Series or RTX 30-Series card, but don't need the full 4K force of an RTX 5090 or the no-holds-barred 1600p performance of the RTX 5080. It's a relatively slimline machine (not a true work / play hybrid, but still more manageable than the Area-51 line) with the rounded edges and soft-touch internals you'll find in similar aesthetically conscious rigs.

Does the new Plus range of Intel processors have any meaningful impact on day-to-day gaming performance? No. But that new OLED display certainly does. It's one of two headline new features here. Alienware's Anti-Glare OLED screen sidesteps the glossy implementations across the rest of the best gaming laptops, instead opting for a matte finish that changes the game. Accompanied by upgradeable RAM and SSD bays, this is a real investment for those happy to wait for memory and storage upgrades while prices are sky-high.

Meanwhile, stretching the GPU menu into RTX 5070 Ti territory means the 16X Aurora can also push 12GB VRAM at the top end of its spec sheet. That's going to allow for a little more headroom in higher-resolution gameplay, and, going by my benchmarks, should get you comfortably playing in 1600p across more demanding titles.

Alienware 16X Aurora configurations

As a mid-range device, the Alienware 16X Aurora keeps its sights firmly in the middle of the GPU scale, stretching a little towards the higher end of available CPU options. Lighter builds are covered with 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD configurations (though that SSD looks to be exclusive to the US at the time of writing), but if you're going all out the 16X Aurora also accommodates 64GB / 4TB RAID storage pairings as well.

It's a healthy mid-range tasting menu overall, allowing for prices to start at $1,529.99 in the US while still keeping that OLED display. The numbers run a little more northerly in the UK, however.

The configuration I tested paired up an Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus processor with an RTX 5070 GPU (it should be noted that this is the older 8GB version rather than the new 12GB release). That's with 16GB RAM and a 1TB Gen4 SSD (you'll need to be at 2TB or more to get zippier Gen5 tech).

The final bill on this configuration comes to $2,679.99 / £2,499.99, which is a little squeaky to say the least. Gaming laptop prices have ballooned in the last year, and 2026's releases require a different hat to evaluate their value compared to the generation before.

Back in July I scoped out average RTX 5070 gaming laptop prices when the new 12GB card hit the shelves, with the then-average MSRP of these mid-range machines (at Best Buy) sitting at around $2,500 (not including savings). Alienware's just on the wrong side of that fence here, then, but those figures add important context for what I'm about to say next.

An RTX 5070 configuration of last year's Alienware 16X Aurora came in at under $1,600. The RTX 5060 version I tested (with 32GB RAM) totalled $1,449.99. We've got a big price gap between the two generations, but not one that's isolated to Dell.

Looking at the rest of the market, Alienware is just teetering into the more expensive category - by around $200. That's nothing particularly new, Dell's best Alienware laptops have always been pitched at a premium.

Alienware 16X Aurora performance

The Alienware 16X Aurora performs in line with the rest of my RTX 5070 testing pool, frequently coming out ahead of slimmer machines like the Razer Blade 14 and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI while matching (if slightly trailing) the similarly built Asus ROG Strix G16.

Across 3DMark tests, it keeps on par with other RTX 5070 decks in Steel Nomad, the more true-to-life run, while topping the pack in Fire Strike and coming in behind the Strix G16 in Time Spy. Of course, it's 2026, and with RAM shortages blazing onwards, it should be noted that the G16 I tested last year had 32GB RAM under the hood, while this Aurora only has 16GB.

In all likelihood, you're going to be sacrificing a little memory to pick up a gaming laptop in 2026, but that's not going to cause too much harm at the power level of the RTX 5070. While the Aurora is slightly behind the G16 in both lighter and more demanding 1080p runs, we're still comfortably over 60fps even in Cyberpunk 2077 at full RT: Ultra. The Aurora is still holding its own though, performing just about as well as the 32GB G16 with half the memory. If you're worried about your overall performance when taking a RAM cut, the Aurora's gameplay figures should put your mind at ease a little. Obviously, that's future-proofing notwithstanding.

At the top end of the resolution scale, the G16 does sometimes take us closer to a more comfortable 60fps+ position in titles like Total War: Three Kingdoms. It's these kinds of strategy games where memory could play a larger role in overall performance, and the Asus's 68fps in Ultra graphical settings are far less squeaky than the Aurora's 62fps average. Still, we're firmly in smooth-running territory here still.

Most RTX 5070 rigs will fall below that 60fps threshold in heavy duty titles like Cyberpunk 2077, so it's no surprise that the Aurora follows suit. We can still hit those goals in high settings slightly further down the performance scale, on Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, even if the Alienware averages slightly under the G16 at full Ultra settings.

Overall, though, the Alienware 16X Aurora manages to perform inline with the rest of the RTX 5070 testing pool, even with half the working RAM.

Alienware Aurora 16X OLED benefits

A matte OLED revelation

I was a little surprised when I first opened the lid. The new anti-glare OLED display Alienware has slapped on its Aurora's face takes a little getting used to, especially if you're coming from a more traditional glossy model. It's a strange sight to behold, with an affect I originally mistook for being dulled compared to the panel on my Razer Blade 14. But it's not dulled, there's simply no reflections giving it the annoyingly shiny topper you'll find elsewhere on the market.

That means it's still packing a serious visual punch while also keeping darker details highly visible even in daylit environments. At full brightness, there's no loss of color impact or sharpness with that additional overlay. Cyberpunk's internal sets are gritty and moody, with neon pops of color exploding out of the screen. Take gameplay outside and the streets are filled with vibrant hues, each one represented with pinpoint clarity and a surprising amount of depth.

I can't remember a time I've ever specifically praised an Alienware laptop for its display, but 2026's iteration has knocked it out the park.

Sturdy battery life

16-inch gaming laptops, especially those in this slightly chunkier form factor, aren't typically designed as battery-first devices. The Alienware 16X Aurora isn't either, but it still manages to hold its own in productivity scenarios. I was able to complete a full eight hour work day on a single charge multiple times through my testing (that's nearly double what I got out of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14). Granted, gaming only yielded me about three and a half hours, but that's on par with some of the slimmer machines more geared towards endurance than performance.

In it for the long haul

Ok so, you're not likely going to want to shell out for a 32GB or, God forbit, a 64GB configuration of the Alienware 16X Aurora in 2026 - not unless you're far wealthier than most players. However, while the 16GB model is going to be the only one suiting the budgets of mainstream portable PC purveyors, Dell's got a fix waiting in the wings.

The Aurora is particularly easy to upgrade further down the line. The bottom cover is held in place pretty simply, with Philips-head screws, and once you're in you'll find two DDR5 slots to play with (should those prices become more manageable in the next few years), as well as two M.2 bays supporting 2230 and 2280 drives. The Aurora supports up to 64GB RAM across two slots.

Alienware Aurora 16X OLED drawbacks

A slight letdown in the keyboard department

A few years back Alienware released its M16 R2, and it featured one of the best-feeling keyboards I've used, even to this day. Since then, Alienware has stuck to a soft-touch, but highly satisfying internal control feel, from the gentle Aurora before this one to the snappy mechanical deck on the Alienware 16 Area-51.

Something feels a little less polished here, though. The keyboard is fine, it's got a confident level of travel with an easy tension under each key that makes for fast repeated presses. There's no sense of mushiness or softness here. It just doesn't have that tactile sparkle I've felt from the brand before.

These keys are a little too loose to give me that same sense of satisfaction and the trackpad has just a little too much depth to match previous releases' super slick push gestures.

On the heavier side

It feels like Alienware laptops are always going to be a little heftier than their counterparts from other brands. While we're not exactly in the dark days of the 2010s here, the Alienware 16X Aurora is going to put more of a strain on your shoulders than others in its class. This machine ranges from 2.57kg to 2.61kg - a heft that's only beaten by the 2.8kg Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo in my 16-inch testing pool (and that's carrying a whole second screen around).

It's heavier than the MSI Cyborg (2.1kg), Acer Nitro V16 AI (2.43kg), Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 10 (1.99kg) and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (2.3kg). In fact, of all the 16-inch gaming laptops I've tested over the last two years, this is easily one of the heaviest.

That's not going to make too much of a difference if you generally keep your laptop at home, or only travel shorter distances. However, if you're after a 2-in-1 work and play machine, that strain is going to make itself known.

Should you buy the Alienware 16X Aurora?

Gaming laptop prices are in a tricky spot right now, and Alienware's propensity for leaning slightly over average when it comes to the final bill isn't going to help it too much. The 16X Aurora trends towards the top end of the price range without any discounts applied, but it does have plenty to keep big spenders interested once those numbers have been digested. Its OLED display is going to serve anyone tired of battling glare during brighter hours, its performance still has it standing tall among its peers, and its upgradeability is going to go a long way to keeping that 16GB configuration interesting while prices are as mad as they are right now.

After spending three weeks with the Aurora, I'd happily recommend it to anyone looking to invest in an RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti machine in 2026, though likely only if travel isn't going to be too intense.

How I tested the Alienware 16X Aurora

I used the Alienware 16X Aurora as my dedicated gaming and work laptop for two weeks, while also testing alongside a mini PC for an additional week. I ran the machine through in-game benchmarks on Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, 1600p, and UHD+ in each game's high and highest settings. Each test was completed three times, with the final result above representing an average of each run.

I also used 3DMark's Time Spy, Steel Nomad, and Fire Strike benchmarks for more synthetic performance data, again running each test three times. Day to day, the Aurora's been running Restory, High on Life 2, and Doom: The Dark Ages.

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

I'm also on the hunt for the best Razer laptops and the best Asus gaming laptops, or check out the best gaming handhelds for something even more portable.

In a demo that lasts just under six and a half minutes, the Anbernic RG DS Plus is mostly put to task running Nintendo DS games. Hardly surprising given it looks almost exactly like Nintendo's best gaming handheld contender, but the latter half of the video loads up GTA: Vice City Stories for the PSP alongside Super Mario 64, Crazy Taxi on Dreamcast, the Sega Saturn RPG Shining Force III, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for PS1.

Yes, the clip covers a lot of ground and proves the RG DS Plus packs a retro handheld punch. It does skip emulating any 3DS games, though, which is likely intentional so as not to confuse its objective. That is to say that while the video highlights the new integrated stylus in its natural dual-screen environment, the portable's Rockchip RK3568 chipset isn't going to wow when dealing with the sequel system.

That's not to say the RG DS Plus won't run 3DS games, and it might even fare well in some of the lighter library entries. That should be the case given that it can run Dreamcast and PSP games, but if you're looking for solid performance in said outings, you'll likely still need to look to something like the Ayn Thor for elevated dual-screen abilities.

What you should keep in mind when pondering comparative performance against those two is price. The Anbernic RG DS Plus will apparently be available for under $100, whereas you're looking at $259 for a base Ayn Thor Lite model. If you're really not fussy about frame rates and full speed across entire libraries, the new Plus version of the clamshell could pull some great moves, all while still prioritising the system it's mimicking on an aesthetic level.

The Anbernic RG DS Plus is shaping up to be a fantastic, affordable DS machine if the demo is anything to go by, but I'll reserve any verdicts until I've tried it myself. Touches like that 4.3-inch 1024 x 768 display will help sweeten the deal, and the integrated stylus is undoubtedly the cherry on top of this slicker portable with ever so slightly reduced specs.

• More retro handhelds on Amazon
• Original Nintendo DS handhelds on eBay

Swing by the best retro consoles for excellent remakes, emulation systems, and plug-and-play minis.

Just like the original Fractal Refine, the Refine 2 comes in both light and dark colorways, separated into mesh and fabric upholsteries. In an even more accommodating move, Fractal is now supplying hybrid versions of the Refine 2 with mesh backs but fabric seats. This sort of hybrid mesh/fabric mix can be seen in the Elgato Embrace, but few other chairs besides.

One of the best parts about the Fractal Refine was that in an era when ergonomic/mesh chairs were priced well above normal gaming chairs, all of the Refine's cosmetic options were priced the same. That's the case this time too, as every model of the Refine 2 will set you back $639.99/£499.99. That's a bit pricier than the original's $549 price tag, however.

Enthusiasts might also remember that the original Refine had a premium Alcantara model which cost $899 / £799. Fractal hasn't offered a premium variant of the Refine 2 as a spiritual successor this time around, which means that the full Alcantara original will be fading into an obscure corner of luxury gaming chair history.

But it's not all cosmetics and breathability changes in the new version of the Refine. Fractal Design has also updated some of its core features, adjustability, and controls.

First off, Fractal has updated the lumbar support, separating one horizontal panel across the chair's lower backrest into two separate pads that are meant to be more adaptive. I'm not sure this will live up to the LiberNovo Omni's fully dynamic backrest, or a floating backrest like the Eureka Ergonomic Python II's, but I'll be interested to try it out.

Thankfully, Fractal has also added lockable armrest controls, which is a huge relief. I loved the armrests on the original Refine, but they followed trends in the market that made me want to declare war against gaming chair manufacturers.

The headrest of the Refine 2 is now memory foam and benefits from updated controls to help you adjust it more easily. The same goes for the tilt tension knob and lumbar controls, which Fractal says results in "a more cohesive and tactile user experience". The Scandinavian company has also expanded the headrest's height adjustment, extended the original's excellent seat-depth range, and increased weight capacity from 125Kg to 135Kg.

Fractal Design claims movement across the chair has been made smoother, particularly with reclining performance, mentioning a synchro-tilt mechanism that sounds very similar to the system integrated into the new Secretlab Atlas.

I'll hopefully be testing the Fractal Refine 2 in due course, so check back soon to see my verdict on it. I awarded the first version 4.5/5 stars, and it sat pretty as the best overall gaming chair on our buying guide for well over a year before being dethroned by the LiberNovo Omni.

Looking for more gaming furniture? Check out the best console gaming chairs, the best gaming desk, and the best standing desks.

That's not to say the Super Pocket Activision Edition won't find its people. I can guarantee there are retro handheld enjoyers out there with an affinity for third-party romps missing from the Atari version. It's more than the 34 built-in classics are less impressive in a lineup featuring portables with one of the best 3D collectathon platformers ever included, and I guess that applies to most of the other models too.

Yes, I know not everyone is searching for how to play N64 games like Banjo-Kazooie on the go, and the Rare Edition only includes one 3D outing. Again, the Activision Super Pocket also has a different target audience, and there's a lot of fun to be had with the publishing titan's roots. Better still, since this is still an Evercade device just like every other model, you can play most other games via cartridges, and doing so on the prettiest version makes sense.

The Activision Super Pocket dropped right on my doorstep in time for the weekend, and it really helped me revisit a chunk of my collection without setting up the Atari 2600+. I won't lie, there are entries in the 34-game list I couldn't be less fussed with, specifically the sports titles like Boxing, Skiing, and Checkers. But those are outnumbered by a bunch of other excellent capers from the era that demonstrate what '80s gaming was all about.

Classics like Pitfall and its sequel are natural headliners on the Activision Super Pocket, and they capture basic platforming fun with a bit of exploration. Even though I emerged on this planet in 1991, the same day that Cher reached number one with The Shoop Shoop Song, the jungle adventure was actually one of the first games I ever played, albeit via a crummy TV Boy plug-in-play that swapped the color palette to night for copyright reasons. So, playing it on something far nicer to hold than that oval monstrosity felt like the right way to revisit a bona fide classic.

While sifting through the Activision portable's library, I did make something of a bittersweet discovery. Perhaps calling it a realization is more appropriate, but upon spotting Dragonfire, one of my favorite Atari games by long-gone publisher Imagic, I realized that Blaze has ditched the old label's cover art.

In the old silver and red box's place is a green Activision-style cover, and the swap admittedly made me feel a bit gaslit. I know it ultimately doesn't matter since you're getting a standout speedrunner with a gameplay mechanic that feels somehow spiritually linked to those videos of people darting through Scientology centres for kicks. That said, including the Imagic artwork would have preserved historically significant third-party vibes that help provide somewhat of a backdrop.

Demon Attack is also present with a new Activision-flavored costume, a right afforded to the modern-day publisher after aquiring a few of Imagic's properties back in the '80s. The old brand was never picked up in its entirety, which could be why we aren't getting the authentic box art, but the old logo is still baked into the start screen before you dive into the frantic fixed shooter.

I want to give an honourable mention to other entries like Beamrider, H.E.R.O, Keystone Kapers, and Moonsweeper, just so you don't think I'm strictly here for the Imagic games. Ultimately, though, I think it takes a certain player type to get caught up in the addictive arcade loops these old Activision relics provide, and even if you do spend a solid hour repeatedly playing Moonsweeper like me, you'll probably pick this one up for its shell.

I am absolutely comfortable calling this portable the best-looking Super Pocket yet, and it'll catch some eyes on the train or on your shelf. The rainbow wave really pops against the black shell, providing a look you just aren't going to find with other handhelds (and not just because it looks like an LGBTGQIA+ gadget).

Before picking a specific Super Pocket, I'd have a think about whether you care about built-in games. If so, you'll want to consider the various other models out there before the Activision version, like the Neo Geo edition for fighting games or the aforementioned Rare model for Banjo. If you're fully on board with building an Evercade cartridge collection, or even buying the upcoming Banjo-Kazooie double pack, I'd take your chance to buy the prettiest console by Blaze yet.

• More Evercade consoles at Amazon
• Evercade games at Amazon

Swing by the best retro consoles for emulation machines, fancy FPGA remakes, and everything in between.

No, I'm not dunking on the N64, as I fully believe it's one of the best retro consoles ever created. That doesn't mean it's not a bit of a dorkus, though, as some of Nintendo's design decisions haunt the original hardware experience today. I've been wrestling with this problem child in my collection for decades now in an attempt to retain reliable, authentic access to familiar classics like Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong 64 alongside lesser-known personal favorites like Body Harvest and Quest 64, so I've got years of advice to share.

Plenty of fresh-faced players have emerged since 1996 who didn't grow up with the Nintendo 64, not to mention it's likely imprisoned in the attics of those who did. Therefore, I'd say now is the perfect time to dive into how to play N64 games, and that journey starts with dusting off those old consoles, cartridges, and that funky spaceship controller (no, you don't need three hands).

N64 original console versus emulation

Yes, I know you're itching to play some of the best N64 games out there (or even the stinkers if you live for the jank). However, I'd have a long, hard think about where you want to play your desired Nintendo 64 capers and the level of authenticity you seek, as there are two paths you can follow that'll either get you playing Ninty's early 3D adventures on real hardware or via emulation.

Okay, yes, there is a secret third path to playing N64 games thanks to the powers of FPGA tech. If you have the funds for something like the all-singing, all-dancing 4K Analogue 3D, you can embrace full hardware accuracy while plugging straight into a modern display and having heaps of settings at your disposal. We'll get to why that could be well worthwhile for some of you, but the traditional split is between using your carts with an actual system or backing them up for use in a software emulator.

Keep in mind that there's more to both original N64 console setups and DIY setups beyond this simple rundown. That said, you should have more of an idea which route you want to take, meaning you can focus on the specific way you want to play gems like Majora's Mask and Perfect Dark.

Using an original N64 console

Before discovering why the N64 is a bit of a bugger to use today, you'll need to actually grab the system. Kudos to you if you've still got one to hand, be it still in your living room or in a dusty old box, but if you've yet to own one, you'll need to hit up the second-hand market for your very own Nintendo 64 (exciting).

Retro console prices fluctuate constantly, but right now, you're looking at around the $80 mark on eBay in the US for an N64 with cables. The UK tends to get listings for around the £60 mark, but again, you might find consoles for more or less than that at your local game stores, thrift shops, or flea markets. You absolutely will pay more if you go to somewhere like GameStop or CeX in the UK, though, with both selling systems for $129.99 and £85 respectively.

Those guide prices are for a standard black N64 model, so keep that in mind if you'd prefer a funky translucent Funtastic console or the rare Pikachu model. While I'm about to dive straight into everything you'll need to get all those systems up and running, I would keep the optional RAM Expansion Pack in mind while hunting, as if you can bag one already installed without paying over the odds, you'll be able to instantly play games like DK64, Majora's Mask, and Perfect Dark.

What you'll need

If you're lucky enough to still have a CRT TV, or even an older LCD with composite or S-Video, you can plug your cables in right now and start playing. It's safe to say that won't apply to the majority of you, though, even if I do personally think the ultimate way to play N64 games is via the retro scanlines produced by old tube sets.

Therefore, your first port of call is figuring out how to connect the retro console to a modern TV or monitor. That effectively boils down to taking an N64 S-video or composite cable and converting the old analogue video into a digital signal over HDMI, and there are a bunch more ways to do that compared to even just ten years ago.

Connecting an N64 to your modern screen

I need to hold the N64's hand when I say this, but the console's visuals look really scrappy on modern displays. It's not really the Nintendo 64's fault, as it was designed for a world dominated by CRT TVs, and its visuals are designed with proper pixel separation, shadow masks, and lower native resolutions in mind.

That is to say that when you do use an adapter or upscaler to get N64 visuals on your TV, they might look a bit unsightly at 4K. The fact that Nintendo chose to skip clean RGB output and stick with just composite and S-Video for its first 3D console really doesn't help, but effects like anti-aliasing and dithering baked into games by developers are also at play.

With that in mind, I need you to curb your expectations when it comes to original N64 graphics on new displays, especially larger 4K displays. Native graphics will look a bit muddy, but the right gadgets can make the best of a bad visual situation. That starts with using S-video where you can rather than composite to avoid that "Vasoline" effect, which will then provide your chosen upscaler with the cleanest signal possible without modding.

The issue is that retro cables are becoming increasingly more expensive, and when it comes to the N64, quality really matters. If you want to avoid the blight of interference or brightness issues, you'll want to grab something from the likes of Retro Gaming Cables for around £21 ($28), but ironically, the UK company's cables are only for NTSC systems, and unless you have an early PAL unit, S-video won't be an option at all.

Yes, this is already getting pretty messy, but if you're looking for a straight, simple HDMI solution, you can go with a simple passthrough adapter. Options by the likes of Kaico will pull the available signal and convert it to HDMI, but again, the results will look rough without any upscaling applied.

Provided you're not fussy about clarity, N64 passthrough adapters may serve you well. Those of you who'd rather crisp things up will need to consider a dedicated upscaler, and my go-to affordable option is the OSSC. Unlike traditional upscalers, the Open Source Scan Converter uses line doubling to increase the horizontal resolution of RGB signals, leading to far cleaner results and next to no input lag.

The catch? Well, the N64 can't natively do RGB, so you'll need to also pick up a composite transcoder. I happen to use a really old Sony unit that converts things into a red, blue, and green signal the OSSC can use over SCART, but add-on boards for the upscaler and alternatives like the ODV-II will help with compatibility.

Alternatively, there's also a "Pro" version of the GBS-C, the upscaler featured in my how to play PS2 games guide. It's not my preferred N64 upscaler, but it will provide you with on-board composite and S-Video, saving you from daisy-chaining devices. Of course, you can also branch out into premium options by RetroTINK (like the newly announced 1440p 6X CE) or Morph 2K, but you're talking much higher price tags for FPGA features and elevated results.

N64 mods

If you're up for a bit of modding, you can help the N64 really shine as part of a modern setup. A bit of tinkering can not only give the console enhanced abilities, but it can even solve some of the connectivity woes already mentioned by enabling RGB output or even adding an HDMI port for extra convenience.

RGB modding your N64 will help provide upscalers with the cleanest N64 signal possible. If you're up for a bit of soldering, kits are available at AliExpress that will allow you to use SCART or component cables with an NTSC console's Multi Out port. However, if you want the highest quality parts possible, and PAL compatibility to boot, it's best to invest in a Tim Worthington board since it'll also de-blur games.

Alternatively, you can HDMI mod your N64 using affordable kits, and it will save you from using a standalone upscaler. Kits by the likes of Highspeedio are available for under $40 and will extract a clean signal straight from the console's PPU that's then outputted at 720p, and the results aren't too shabby. You can spend more on higher-res parts like the UltraHDMI, but I'd say the difference is minimal considering the price gap.

FPGA hardware

Yes, getting clean visuals out of a real N64 is hard work, and that has fuelled a demand for FPGA tech that can replicate the original hardware and strip out the caveats. That's exactly what you'll get when investing in an Analogue 3D, as it's designed to mimic the innards of the console with 100% accuracy while enabling invaluable features and scaling up to 4K.

For all intensive purposes, the Analogue 3D is an N64. Or, at least it thinks it is one on a hardware level, as it boasts 100% compatibility with the console's library. Sure, if you're a speedrunner or rely on cycle accuracy, you're still better off sticking with the real deal, but you're otherwise getting complete original support for carts, controllers, and accessories alongside convenient HDMI output.

On top of that, the Analogue 3D can also tap into some pretty impressive features, including a library that will track your carts, screenshots, and save states. The FPGA chipset can even overclock games that need a performance boost and even disable dithering, blur effects, and anti-aliasing to clean up visuals. The real game-changer, though, is the 3D's "Original Display Modes", which effectively mimic the look of CRT screens using model-specific scanline, shadow mask, and Aperture Grille effects.

Throw some of the 3D's latest horizontal resolution upscaling tricks into the mix, and you've got one of the best-looking N64 experiences out there. Analogue isn't the only one with an FPGA alternative, though, as you can put together your own MiSTer setup using specific cores and run your ROMs with similar hardware accuracy.

Controllers, accessories, and add-ons

In typical Nintendo fashion, there's a wealth of N64 accessories out there, both original and brand new. Some add-ons, like the Rumble Pak for adding controller vibration and the Memory Pak for saving non-gameplay data, are optional, but there are absolutely a few mandatory gadgets I'd look at right away.

The first is, surprise surprise, a gamepad, as Mario isn't going to be doing sweet backflips without one. Picking up the OG accessory will keep things authentic, but it also means dealing with its weird three-grip trident ergonomics and worn, wobblily joysticks that are prone to stick drift and response issues.

The quick solution here is to pick up a redesigned retro controller that boasts Nintendo 64 compatibility. One of my personal favorites, the 8BitDo N64 controller, launched alongside the Analogue 3D and adds Nintendo's specific layout to a contemporary shell while adding Bluetooth or 2.4GHz capabilities.

If you'd rather just use Switch, PS5, or Xbox controllers you've got lying around, I'd also recommend picking up a Blueretro Bluetooth adapter. This doohickey will let you sync four pads wirelessly, meaning you won't be caught short when hosting a GoldenEye sleepover.

As convenient as opting for a new controller is, especially those with improved ergonomics and Hall effect sticks, I get why you perhaps want to stick with the OG pad. Those of you in this camp may want to consider fixing up the real deal with new parts as a compromise, as you can swap out worn-out old thumbsticks for something newer.

I'm lucky enough to still have box-fresh pads, but I have dabbled with modding N64 controllers with hall effect thumbsticks. If you opt for something by the likes of Hyperkin ($14.99 at Amazon, FYI), you'll get the feel of a GameCube-style stick and something that's immune to stick drift, and I can confirm it provides almost the same level of input range and accuracy as the old optical-mechanical stick.

Outside of picking up a controller, you'll also want to pre-emptively consider picking up an N64 Expansion Pak. The memory upgrade module that goes in that front slot is technically optional, but without one, you won't be able to run some of the console's greatest outings, like Majora's Mask, Donkey Kong 64, or Perfect Dark. Therefore, I'd nip things in the bud and get one from day one.

What I will say is that the N64 Expansion Pak is pretty pricey for what it is, and no, it's not thanks to RAMageddon. You're looking at around $50 at eBay for the original accessory, and there's a distinct lack of new third-party options out there. The easiest way to identify an actual memory module is usually the red plastic grill at the top, but some old unofficial versions have extra funky covers that replace the original flap.

On that note, you'll also want to make sure you don't pick up a standard Jumper Pak like the all-black one that's already in your console, as while that will allow you to power things on if it was missing, it won't give you the required memory boost for specific games. I've noticed an increase in second-hand sellers listing the dummy bridge Paks as Expansion Paks, and AliExpress has a nasty habit of confusingly calling them "Expansion Cards".

While we're on the subject of memory, I'm hesitant to completely dub the Memory Pak for game saves as mandatory. However, there are specific releases that require it for game saves, like Doom 64, Turok, and Rayman 2: The Great Escape. For that reason, I do think it's worth picking one up before you start diving back into carts, but if you opt for a Blueretro Wireless Adapter or the 8Bitdo N64 controller, both actually come with storage included that's detected as a memory card.

The biggest nuance tied to using a Memory Pak is that it then occupies your controller slot, preventing you from also using gadgets like the Rumble Pak or Transfer Pak for Pokémon Stadium. Third parties once sold units that combined the two functions and allowed you to toggle them with a switch, but those can be harder to find today and pricey to boot.

Playing cartridges on the N64

With the core of your N64 setup in place, you're ready to jam those old cartridges into your system. Theoretically, that's as simple as grabbing a cart, popping it into the top loading slot, and flicking the switch, but there are hurdles that can lead to a dreaded black screen.

The first isn't exclusive to the Nintendo 64, as it ties to the cartridge contacts. If your carts are dusty, dirty, or potentially even corroded, they might not work on your console, and the quickest fix is to give them a quick clean with a Q-tip and some 99% isopropyl alcohol. You can also grab cleaning kits, but those can be pretty pricey compared to DIY solutions.

I'm not going to lecture you about blowing into the cartridge like a harmonica, as for some of you, it's part of the experience. Just know that if you do it, though, you're contributing to the very issues you're trying to sort, as the moisture from your breath can corrode the pins over time. Yes, it's a quick way to remove dust, but I'd get yourself some supplies so you can keep old adventures spittle free.

The other stumbling block ties to region locking, as Nintendo really didn't want you importing games back in 1996. To hinder you from doing so, it made physical tweaks to the carts and slot so that they don't fit, but you can actually play Japanese games in an American N64 and vice versa with a really simple mod.

Effectively, the only thing stopping NTSC games running on every system is a plastic insert. It's designed to line up with cut outs on the cart, with Japanese games using squares and USA releases featuring narrower corner indents. If you pop the top off your N64, you can replace the cartridge tray with one missing the notches, either via 3D printing or pre-made kits at Amazon, which will then let you insert every cartridge type.

The catch is that while it will also let you insert PAL region games, those still won't run on your NTSC system. The reason is explicitly tied to technical differences with the encoding system standards, with European and Australian games being designed to run at 50Hz instead of 60Hz. You can get around this by using old region adapters like the N64 Passport that spoof compatibility by using two carts simultaneously, but the results are unpredictable.

If you'd rather avoid fumbling around with multiple carts, and fancy diving into the wonderful world of N64 homebrews, you'll also want to consider a flash cart. I can personally vouch for the SummerCart64 ($87.99 at Amazon), as the open-source accessory lets you load your collection onto an included 8GB SD card and even simulate N64 Disc Drive games. I've been primarily using it to check out fantastic Zelda ROM hacks, and it works well on both OG hardware and the Analogue 3D.

The Summercart64 also solves the issue of region locking, as it's designed to fit in every model and cater to PAL and NTSC. There's specifically a modal option for setting your TV type for each game, which is incredibly handy if you're trying to avoid playing imports in black and white on an old CRT or region-specific screen.

Top tips

Troubleshooting

My N64 won't show up on my TV

If you've got an HDMI adapter or upscaler plugged into your N64 and you're still not getting an image, you'll want to check your connection type and console model. Later revisions of systems, like the NUS-CPU-P-02 and the pretty Pikachu edition, actually lack S-video, so if you've got that cable specifically plugged into a upscaling device, it's not going to work. There's also a chance you've got an RGB cable plugged in, which also isn't going to output an image since the Nintendo 64 natively lacks support.

Failing that, you should also check your Jumper/Expansion Pak is properly inserted and that your games are clean. Both can result in games not starting up, meaning you'll get a black screen.

My cartridge won't fit

Over the years, N64 games for overseas have made their way to different countries. That means you could end up trying to insert a Japanese game into an American console, and thanks to specific notches inside, that's not going to work. If you're itching to play in import, you can modify your system by replacing the internal cart tray plastic, but PAL region games will require special adapters.

My N64 joystick is wobbly

Finding N64 controllers with a joystick that doesn't wobble is becoming a rarity, and it's caused by wear and tear. Years of swinging Bowser around causes the optical-mechanical mechanism inside to grind away the bottom bowl, meaning there's extra space at the bottom. The quick fix for this is to replace the internal module either using a like-for-like replacement or a new hall-effect thumb stick, with the latter ensuring stick-drift is a thing of the past.

Good to know

Emulation

It's needless to say that while playing on real hardware is a treat, plenty of you will be looking to emulate N64 games. The issue is that unlike other consoles from the '90s, the Nintendo 64 is notoriously difficult to emulate using software, and while there are solid options for playing, your milage will vary based on your device.

What you will need

One of the biggest challenges you'll face trying to play your N64 cartridges on other devices is actually getting them on there. Yes, you will need to own an actual cartridge and a the real console regardless, as you'll otherwise be sailing the seven seas of piracy. Even then, the whole process should be strictly for private use, and if you'd rather steer clear of legal grey areas and long-standing arguments that extracting ROMs is a copyright infringement, you might want to just stick with licenced ports of classics.

Yes, I know being told to consider a modern console for N64 games isn't ideal, but the Switch will provide you 44 classics without faffing with emulators and ROMs. You'll also be able to use authentic controllers like the 8Bitdo N64 controller or Ninty's own NSO Nintendo 64 controller, so you won't be stuck with JoyCons or a modern pad. What you won't have is access to specific options and overlay settings, but in return, you're getting set, reliable performance.