June 2020

Featured Deal: Apple AirPods Pro | $199

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In June, during an 85-minute event called “The Future of Gaming,” Sony finally revealed the PlayStation 5. Between the presenters who may not have been human, we got a thorough look at plenty of video games (and some technical stuff, too). Following that, the info feed surrounding the PS5 was a slow drip through the…

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Featured Deal: Star Wars The Mandalorian: The Child in Bag (Pre-Order) | $10

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PC gamers have got a pretty great thing going. Interesting, experimental indie games? Yup. Complex strategy simulations? Totally. The shiniest, prettiest versions of big-budget console games? They get a lot of those, too.

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Get ready for the next generation of PlayStation

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Apple Watch Series 5 (Rose Gold) | $329 | Amazon

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Get ready for the next generation of Xbox

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Over the summer, information about Microsoft’s next-gen console came out slower than self-serve frozen yogurt. We knew the name (Xbox Series X), broad release date (“Holiday 2020”), and some specs. Then Labor Day weekend happened, and the floodgates opened. Now, we have a release date, a price tag, some detailed…

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Persona 5 Royal | $40 | Amazon

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Samsung 256GB EVO Select microSDXC Card | $30 | Amazon
Samsung 128GB EVO Select microSDXC Card | $20 | Amazon

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Recently, a white Xbox controller emerged in the wild containing references to an Xbox One S console. This provides further proof that Microsoft is indeed going to announce the console. It's rumored that Microsoft will formally unveil the system during an event in August, but we're still waiting to hear from the company regarding its plans for a second next-gen Xbox.

New consoles are always expensive, and this trend is expected to continue with the release of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 this year. But it might not be the only next-gen system Microsoft will offer. A popular and enduring rumor is that Microsoft will also release a lower-spec, less-expensive model aimed at the more mass-market audience known by the codename Lockhart. This is a great idea--and it's a much more interesting topic to consider now that Sony has revealed its own second, presumably less expensive digital-only PS5.

In fact, the name of Microsoft's next-gen console strategy is officially just called "Xbox," and the "Series X" label is the specific model name. You can think of this like the iPhone--there's the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone SE, and iPhone XR that all live under the iPhone umbrella.

Join us on Monday, August 10 at 6PM CEST, at https://t.co/y8iUIM0gBv for episode 2 of Night City Wire! This time we'll share details about lifepaths, show you the types of weapons you will be using in the game, and discuss Refused's transformation into SAMURAI! #Cyberpunk2077 pic.twitter.com/n3LFFocbVI

Xbox One Console Deals

[Update: Bandai Namco's Play Anime Live stream is about to start and if you link up your Twitch account, you'll get a free Steam copy of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker for tuning into the show.

I nearly let this one slip through the cracks. It's... it's been a long summer.]

[Update 2: The stream was, in a word, uneventful. You literally didn't miss anything!]

Are you ready? Here's another streaming event to catch in this endless summer of no-E3 gaming.

Bandai Namco is organizing a Play Anime Live showcase on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook with fresh looks at the publisher's "lineup of console, PC, and mobile anime titles" alongside developer Q&As.

The event is weeks away – it's scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Pacific on July 22 – so there's plenty of time for speculation and leaks. There might even be enough time for me to come to terms with that odd name.

I'm expecting localization news, Switch ports, and a cool game or two.

A Verizon iPhone 11 activation deal at Best Buy, a discount on NieR: Automata—Game of the YoRHa, a free Satsifyer Pro 2 sex toy with the purchase of any item $20 or more at BBoutique, 65" Samsung QLED TV, and a Tacklife T8

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As Japanese theme parks start to reopen, guidelines have been issued to (hopefully!) help ensure a safe experience for visitors, including visitors being asked not to scream on roller coasters.

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[Update: Tomy has confirmed to Destructoid that Zoids Wild: Blast Unleashed is coming to Switch this October. It'll feature 3D 1v1 combat with story and versus mode support. You can catch the new trailer above.]

Zoids has survived for nearly four decades now. Can you believe it?

While so many other major toy-cross-media franchises have come and gone, or went on hiatuses then thrown as a bone to Michael Bay, Zoids has remained an enduring series in Japan and in many parts of the world. It still actively hosts video game adaptations too, including a newly announced Switch game.

Revealed in Japan's Weekly Jump magazine, it will be part of the Zoids Wild universe, and will launch later this year in Japan. Apparently one huge aspect of the game is customization, including ways to alter Zoids (the titular robots that resemble animals) to the player's liking. Like the most recent Switch iteration, Zoids Wild: King of Blast, you'll probably have to import this one. Good thing Switch carts will work cross-region!

As a refresher, Zoids Wild is the newest anime series (the fifth incarnation total) and toy line. Here's a bonus bit of nostalgia for you: a Zoids Chaotic Century trailer in 4K!

Weekly Jump [Viz via Gematsu]

Azur Lane: Crosswave has brought the popular shipgirls from the mobile game to our home screens, and now you have a chance to win a copy courtesy of Idea Factory International.

With this giveaway, you can win one of ten PC Steam digital codes for the game. The way to get involved is really, really easy.

All you have to do is to comment on our articles, everywhere on the site. The more you comment, the better your chances. We want to hear your opinions and insight, and there is no better way for that to happen than sharing your comments with us.

An important caveat is that comments on this post are not eligible for the giveaway. Of course, you’re welcome to comment here, but in order to participate, you need to comment at least on one other article.

On  July 8 at 11:59 EDT we’ll randomly select ten comments made after this post has been published, and the authors of these comments will win one of the codes.

Incidentally, the codes require a Steam account to be redeemed, so do keep that in mind.

If you’re interested in the PS4 version, at the moment of this writing and until June 30 at  12:00 pm PDT, both the standard edition and the limited edition are discounted on Idea Factory’s own store.

Of course, spam comments and throwaway one-liners will be disqualified, as we’d like to promote interesting commentary and conversations among our readers.

UPDATE 8/7/20: Little Hope, the second game in Supermassive's Dark Pictures Anthology, now has a new release date of 30th October.

This new slice of choice-based horror storytelling moves the action to the era of the Salem Witch Trials in New England, along with sections set in the present day. Here's a new trailer:

UPDATE 28/6/20: Until Dawn developer, Supermassive Games, has released a new trailer showcasing almost eight minutes of gameplay from the next instalment of its Dark Pictures Anthology, Little Hope.

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Chapter 1 - Waking Up Trading Cards

• Trading Cards: 2

Trading Card: Seismicayla

Trading Card: The Keene Twins

Chapter 1 - Patrol Trading Cards

• Trading Cards: 2

Trading Card: Tessracter

After riding with Dina to the abandoned town, where she suggests you look for some supplies, head forward (past the trailer).

Boy, you'd think with a name like "Happy Volcano," the developers would try to create something with a little bit of joy in it.

Thank the heavens June is almost over. This month has been a whirlwind of emotions, though it probably isn't helping that some of the Podtoid team are diving into more morose experiences than the others.

In this episode, CJ, Dan, Charlotte, and Chris talk Deadly Premonition, Danganronpa, Cyberpunk 2077, Top of the Pops circa-1989, and the ridiculous ways virtual reality renders our movements. All that, plus Charlotte details two great games you own if you bought the itch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, on Podtoid Episode 449.

Chapter 1: Jackson Safe Codes

Grocery Store Safe Code (Goodboy Combo) - The Patrol

Chapter 2: Seattle Day 1 Safe Codes

Courthouse Safe Code (White Board) - Downtown

Bank Vault Safe Code - Downtown

If this episode of New Releases is any indication, you won't run out of new video games to play anytime soon. We're taking a look at the month of July, which kicks off with Marvel's Iron Man VR. You can also take to the skies in Rocket Arena just over a week after that. July is also time to protect your land, whether it's an occupied island in Ghost of Tsushima or the Mushroom Kingdom in Paper Mario: The Origami King. Finally, the month wraps up with the Destroy All Humans remake.

Marvel's Iron Man VR -- July 3

Available on: PS4

After a few delays, Iron Man VR is finally giving us a chance to step into Tony Stark's suit. As you'd expect, the HUD inside the PSVR headset resembles Stark's FRIDAY technology, and you can use the Move Controllers to aim and fire your various weapons. Expect to see other Marvel staples like Nick Fury in the story too.

The first DLC of the expansion pass of Pokemon Sword & Shield The Isle of Armor has been released recently and The Crown Tundra is coming this fall.

With this giveaway, you can win one of two expansion pass codes for the North American version of the game. Specifically, one is for Sword and the other is for Shield. The way to get involved is really, really easy.

All you have to do is to comment on our articles, everywhere on the site. The more you comment, the better your chances. We want to hear your opinions and insight, and there is no better way for that to happen than sharing your comments with us.

IMPORTANT: Given the nature of the giveaway and the fact that the expansion pass is specific to the Sword or Shield version of the game, only comments with the word “Sword” or “Shield” at the end will be eligible for the giveaway.

Basically, write “Sword” or “Shield” at the end of your comment to tell us which version of the game you have. You can include only one, and obviously comments that say nothing else than Sword or Shield will be disqualified.

Another important caveat is that comments on this post are not eligible for the giveaway. Of course, you’re welcome to comment here, but in order to participate, you need to comment at least on one other article.

On  July 2 at 11:59 EDT we’ll randomly select two comments made after this post has been published (one for Sword and one for Shield), and the authors of these comments will win the related code.

Of course, spam comments and throwaway one-liners will be disqualified, as we’d like to promote interesting commentary and conversations among our readers.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has received the first part of its free summer content update on July 3, including the ability to swim and hunt for new marine life. You'll now be able to explore more of the world and see new creatures in this update. It isn't even the only summer update coming to the game, as the "Wave 2" update will arrive further down the road. But for now, you can start having fun in the sun. Go check out what it has to offer!

Wave 1 of the Summer Update lets you dive into the ocean from any edge of your island, swimming around in search of new marine life that you can donate to museum curator Blathers. This includes star fish (or sea stars), anemone, and garden eels, as seen in the trailer below. Blathers will have plenty of facts to tell you about your new finds, in addition to simply having new items to donate.

Final Update:

The late Kobe Bryant is the cover star for NBA 2K21's Mamba Forever edition, which includes various extras through the game's modes, including 100,000 VC, 60 MyCareer skill boosts, and more.

This version, which comes out this holiday for $99.99, is available for both the current and next-gen consoles, and buying it is the only way that fans can play on both generations (within the same console family such as PS4 and PS5) with a single purchase.

Microsoft has started its own Smart Delivery system which ensures that you only have to buy a game once no matter which generation you play the game on, but so far the list of third-party titles using this feature is selective.

For more information on this edition, head over to the official site.

Update:

Pelicans' forward Zion Williamson has been added as NBA 2K21's cover star for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of this year's game.

2K says that more information on the game comes tomorrow when the release date, third and final cover star, and pre-order campaign are announced.

[Update: The patch is now live, which brings a ton of balance updates along with the new DLC. You can find them below or read them here.]

Minecraft Dungeons launched back in May, and Mojang is teeing off its DLC strategy very soon.

On July 1, the first DLC pack, Jungle Awakens, is set to arrive. Naturally it'll take place in...the jungle, featuring classic Minecraft cuteness (pandas) and terrifying enemies (the Jungle Abomination). In all it seems like a standard extra level to run, which should last you around 15-30 minutes each time you dive in. As a reminder, you can get the DLC free with the $30 Hero Edition, or opt for the "Hero Pass" for the standard/Game Pass version.

Mojang also promises a string of free updates for the game, which adds a new "Lower Temple" dungeon into the mix, as well as new items and balance changes. For 30 bucks (which gets you the announced DLC), that's not too bad. Oh, and the game's soundtrack just officially launched.

Between this and the recent Nether Update for the core game, Minecraft is still on a roll.

Minecraft Dungeons: Jungle Awakens [Minecraft]

UPDATE 1/7/20: Ooblets' early access release date has been pinned down to 15th July - exactly two weeks today.

The twee Pokémon meets Harvest Moon mash-up will launch on Xbox One and Epic Games Store priced $25 (about £20) with a 20 per cent launch week discount.

ORIGINAL STORY 13/6/20: Ooblets hits early access on the Epic Games Store and Xbox One later this summer, developer Glumberland announced today.

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UPDATE 1/7/20 4.05pm UK: Crytek has delayed the gameplay reveal and release date of Crysis Remastered following feedback to yesterday's leaks.

The game's launch (leaked yesterday as 23rd July) will be pushed back several weeks as Crytek polish the game further.

"Your passion for the Crysis franchise deserves an undeniably high-quality game, and we are committed to delivering just that," Crytek wrote in a statement posted to Twitter this afternoon. "To ensure we meet that commitment, we will need to delay the launch date (all platforms) and trailer premiere by a few weeks.

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[Update: Ask for leaks and you shall receive delays. Or something like that.

Just this morning Crytek has announced that Crysis Remastered has been delayed. We didn't even get the reveal yet officially, but the below information makes it clear that it was originally set for a July 23 release. Now, the trailer premiere is even getting a delay as the team needs a few weeks for "polish." Crytek surprisingly openly admits that the backlash for the underwhelming trailer was a reason for the delay, noting that it needs extra time to get the game up to the "PC-console-breaking standard" the series is known for. Good luck!]

It's been a great summer for people trawling Xbox.com, as they've uncovered a veritable treasure trove of "E3" leaks thus far.

As one of a string of leaks, Crysis Remastered info has been revealed ahead of the Wednesday morning official stream. Plain as day, you can head to the Xbox listing for Crysis Remastered now, which showcases several details about the new re-release.

Bandai Namco has announced a new event for anime fans, and it'll focus on their upcoming slate of games that are anime focused. The event, called Play Anime Live, hasn't announced the games it will focus on yet.

The stream will begin on July 22 at 4 PM PT--that's a Wednesday. It's not yet clear how long the event will run for.

Bandai Namco publishes many anime games, including games based on Dragon Ball and Naruto. It's been a while since we've seen a new Naruto game, and the Dragon Ball FighterZ Fighters Pass 3 currently has several unannounced fighters, so we could see news about these series (although nothing has been confirmed).

It also seems likely that we'll see something from Scarlet Nexus, an upcoming RPG that's coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X, along with current-gen systems. Other upcoming anime-themed games coming from Namco Bandai include Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, One Piece: Grand Cruise, Tales of Arise, and Digimon Survive.

You can sign up for the event now, which will put you in the running to win a "VIP box" prize containing $75 worth of anime-themed swag.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection keeps chugging along with expansive new updates and added features, and also some lingering issues. Developer 343 Industries has updated its list of Known Issues for the game to let people know what what the studio is working on and what to expect in terms of when fixes may be delivered.

First and foremost, however, 343 mentioned that its current No. 1 priority currently is working to get Halo 3 (and the rest of the games) out the door on PC through The Master Chief Collection. That being said, 343 is concurrently working on fixing various issues and responding to feedback.

The items on the Known Issues list aren't being treated at the same rate due to scope. Some issues might be addressed with speed, while others might take longer. With those caveats out of the way, the current list of Known Issue for MCC as of June 30 includes things like general performance on Xbox One and issues with the pistol bullet spread for Halo: Combat Evolved.