Noctua continues to refine performance for its long-standing CPU coolers. This week, Noctua made the new NM-IMB8 offset mounting bars for the award-winning NH-D15 G2 flagship CPU cooler available. By offsetting the heatsink, the cooler is better suited for handling the hot spots, of newer Intel Core Ultra CPUs, such as the Core Ultra 9 285K or Core Ultra 7 265K.

Under heavy multi-core loads, Intel's 24- or 20-core LGA1851 processors shift their primary heat output, or ‘hotspot', towards the northeast side of the socket. The NM-IMB8 bars address this by offsetting the heatsink 3.7mm to the north and 2mm to the east, providing more concentrated contact pressure directly over this hotspot for enhanced thermal transfer.

The enhanced contact can lead to noticeable temperature drops. Noctua states temps can be lowered by up to 3°C when using the bars with the NH-D15 G2's HBC version, and up to 1°C with the regular NH-D15 G2. While the regular NH-D15 G2 typically performs slightly better than the HBC version without the offset, the regular D15 G2 combined with the NM-IMB8 remains Noctua's recommended choice for LGA1851, offering the best overall temperatures with and without the offset. Installation is simple, replacing the standard mounting bars while reusing the cooler's original spacers and screws.

It's crucial to note that the NM-IMB8 bars are only compatible with a specific list of Noctua coolers. This includes the NH-D15 G2 (regular, HBC, and LBC versions), NH-D12L, NH-L12S, NH-L12Sx77, and the NH-L12 Ghost S1 edition heatsinks. The NM-IMB8 mounting bars are available directly from Noctua's website starting today for a service charge of $3.90/€3.90 via a website form. They are also expected to become available on Amazon in 2/3 weeks, priced slightly higher at $4.90/€4.90.

KitGuru says: Are you cooling an Intel Core 200K series CPU with a Noctua NH-D15 G2 CPU cooler? Are you planning on getting the offset bars to improve the cooler's performance?

The post Noctua’s new offset mounting bars improves NH-D15 G2 cooling on Intel Core Ultra CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Arctic's new Freezer 8 CPU coolers have arrived. These air coolers are ultra compact, offering a significant upgrade over stock coolers, while maintaining compatibility with SFF cases with limited space. 

Standing at only 136mm tall, the Freezer 8 is designed to fit comfortably into a wide variety of chassis, making it excellent for systems with limited cooler clearance or large RAM modules. Cooling is handled by two offset direct-touch heatpipes and a pressure-optimised P10 100mm PWM fan capable of reaching a maximum speed of 2,300 RPM, aiming for quiet yet strong performance. Adding value and convenience, all Freezer 8 series coolers come with high-quality pre-applied MX-6 thermal compound.

The Freezer 8 series is available in four variants to cover a range of modern and recent CPU sockets. The Freezer 8A supports AMD AM5 and AM4 sockets, while the Freezer 8i is compatible with Intel's LGA1851 and LGA1700 sockets. Both these versions use FDB (fluid dynamic bearing) fans for a quieter operation. Dedicated CO versions (8A CO and 8i CO) with double ball bearings are also available for applications requiring continuous, long-term utilisation. Regardless of the type of fan, these fans have a spin range between 200 RPM and 2300 RPM and connect via a 4-pin plug.

The Freezer 8 coolers are now available starting at €18.99 for the standard versions and €19.99 for the CO variants. All coolers come with a 6-year warranty.

KitGuru says: Are you putting together a small form factor build? 

The post Arctic launches ultra compact Freezer 8 CPU coolers first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer is introducing a unique peripheral aimed at gamers who want an immersive audio experience without the limitations of wearing a headset. Meet the Razer Clio, a gaming chair attachment designed to provide headset-like sound directly from your seat.

The Razer Clio features integrated near-field twin speakers with 43mm full-range drivers, engineered to direct sound towards your ears, promising clear, high-fidelity audio even outside a traditional “sweet spot”. It can be used as a single primary speaker or combined with existing front speakers via Synapse 4 to create a more dynamic surround sound experience, acting as rear channels to enhance gameplay and entertainment. Support for THX Spatial Audio aims to elevate immersion with expansive acoustic modes for a more hyper-realistic listening experience.

Connectivity methods are varied, offering Razer HyperSpeed Wireless for ultra-low latency audio on PC and console, plus standard Bluetooth for compatibility with Android and iOS devices. The Clio boasts up to 14 hours of audio freedom on a single charge. It charges via a standard USB-C connector (USB-C cable not included in the box). Designed to attach to most high-backed gaming chairs using adjustable nylon straps, it integrates a plush memory foam head cushion for added support and comfort while listening.

The Razer Clio will be available globally starting May 16th for $229.99/€199.99.

KitGuru says: Would you replace your headset with the Razer Clio?

The post Razer Clio adds speakers to your gaming chair first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer is expanding its lineup of gaming gear with the launch of two new wireless peripherals: the Razer Basilisk Mobile mouse and the Razer Joro portable keyboard. These devices are designed to bring high-quality gaming and productivity performance to users who are frequently on the move, setting a new standard for portable gaming gear without sacrificing key features.

The Razer Basilisk Mobile draws inspiration from the popular Basilisk line, aiming for comfort and precision in a compact form factor. Weighing just 76g, it features a small, ergonomic shape and boasts up to 105 hours of battery life with versatile tri-mode connectivity (including Razer HyperSpeed Wireless). It packs a Focus X 18K optical sensor (99.4% accuracy), durable Optical Mouse switches Gen-3 (90M click lifespan), a HyperScroll 4-way tilt scroll wheel (with Free-Spin/Tactile modes), and ten programmable controls. Notably, it adds a new AI Prompt Master feature, integrating tools like quick in-game search and allowing users to tailor gaming strategy via Synapse 4 shortcuts.

Complementing the mouse is the Razer Joro, billed as Razer's most portable keyboard yet. Weighing only 374g and 16.5mm thick, this tiny form factor keyboard includes a function row and full-size arrow keys. Its ultra-low-profile design promotes ergonomic hand posture, while the keys offer rapid, accurate actuation and satisfying tactile feedback on UV-coated ABS keycaps. Key gaming features include Snap Tap mode for responsive counter-strafing in FPS games and fully programmable keys supporting remapping, Hypershift, and macros via Synapse 4. It also features a Microsoft Copilot Key for easy AI access on Windows. Connectivity is done via multi-device Bluetooth 5.0, allowing seamless switching between up to three devices. It boasts an impressive battery life of up to 1,800 hours and includes single-zone Razer Chroma RGB lighting for a touch of visual customisation.

The Basilisk Mobile and Joro are designed for broad compatibility, connecting to PCs. Joro is specifically optimised to include Mac legends for seamless use with macos, iPadOS, and iOS devices, but Windows is also supported. The Joro is now available for £129.99/€129.99/$139.99 and the Basilisk Mobile for £89.99/€99.99/$89.99

Razer is also expanding its software ecosystem by launching Razer Synapse for Mac (preview), bringing the customisation and control tools expected from Razer's software to macOS users. The preview supports 17 Razer peripherals and allows users to access advanced features like Snap Tap (on supported devices like the Joro), macro creation, and RGB configuration.

KitGuru says: Do you usually play games on the go? Will you consider something like the Joro and the Basilisk Mobile, or are you already well served?

The post Razer releases mobile-friendly Basilisk mouse, Joro keyboard and brings Synapse to Mac first appeared on KitGuru.

Fractal is venturing into a brand new product category. They've announced their first audio product: the Scape wireless gaming headset, set to launch on June 18th. Designed to provide an intuitive wireless audio experience, the Scape combines its signature Scandinavian design philosophy with versatile connectivity.

The Scape features clean lines and soft fabric, embodying Fractal Design's minimalist Scandinavian design, and includes a functional wireless charging station. The headset offers flexibility for audio connectivity: it connects via a low-latency dongle for reliable wireless audio or via multi-device Bluetooth 5.3 for broader compatibility. Communication is handled by a Super Wideband microphone that is both detachable and features a convenient flip-to-mute function.

Adding a personal touch, the Scape allows customisation of ambient lighting and music settings. This is managed through Fractal Design's online configuration tool, Adjust Pro, notably without requiring software installation or user login.

The Scape is planned for a global release on June 18th, 2025, with an MSRP of $199.99. The headset will be available in black and light grey.

KitGuru says: Like it did with the Refine chair, the Fractal Scape offers a more understated design than your usual gaming headset. Do you prefer these aesthetics over those of the standard gaming headset?

The post Fractal Design reveals new Scape wireless headsets first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel's investigation into ongoing instability issues affecting some Raptor Lake CPUs continues, with the company recently releasing another microcode update to help address the problem. The new version, 0x12F, comes after complaints that some systems, even those running for several days with minimal activity, were still experiencing stability problems.

While Intel (via VideoCardz) has not publicly confirmed the specific modifications made in the 0x12F microcode update, they have stated that this version has no performance impact compared to the prior microcode update (0x12B, released in September 2024), which focused on stability fixes.

Despite efforts to mitigate the issue and avoid a broad recall, it's evident that not all scenarios were entirely handled, and this might not be the final update required. As such, Raptor Lake users may still need to monitor for frequent microcode updates from motherboard manufacturers to ensure their systems remain stable.

Intel continues to suggest that consumers with Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors apply the most recent BIOS updates and use the Intel Default Settings profile (set in the BIOS) to reduce the risk of Vmin Shift Instability.

KitGuru says: Do you own an Intel Raptor Lake CPU? Have you ever had any issues? 

The post Intel microcode update brings more fixes for unstable Raptor Lake CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Alien: Rogue Incursion has been available for VR platforms since last year, but now, the full game is coming to PC and console for the first time, removing the need for a VR headset. 

The non-VR version of Alien: Rogue Incursion will release for PC and PS5 later this year, titled as Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition. The game is similar to Alien Isolation in that players will be tasked with surviving on a ship where absolutely everything is going wrong, and Xenomorphs are crawling through the vents looking to take you out.

Alien: Rogue Incursion is described as Part One of a two-part story, so a sequel will be coming at some point.

Fans of the Alien franchise will also be pleased to know that Creative Assembly is also officially working on Alien Isolation 2, more than a decade on from the first game's release.

Alien: Rogue Incursion on PC (Steam) and PS5 will cost £24.99 for the standard edition, or £34.99 for the Deluxe Edition, which contains some weapon and armour skins, as well as a digital art book. The game becomes available on the 30th of September.

KitGuru Says: Will you be picking this game up now that it is coming to non-VR devices?

The post Alien: Rogue Incursion drops VR requirements, releases on PC and PS5 this year first appeared on KitGuru.

The first season of Amazon Prime's Fallout TV series ended up being a huge hit in 2024 and fans have been eager for news on Season 2 ever since. Following an unfortunate production delay, filming on Season 2 has now wrapped. 

Fallout Season 2 began filming in late 2024, however, Los Angeles was hit by wildfires earlier this year, shutting down and delaying many productions, Fallout included. Filming picked back up again and now, as confirmed by the show's social media accounts, Season 2 has wrapped production.

Achievement unlocked! Fallout Season 2 has wrapped production. pic.twitter.com/cbLNCvLLRB

— FALLOUT (@falloutonprime) May 8, 2025

Stars of the show, like Ella Purnell and Walter Goggins also shared the news on Instagram. However, there is no release date for season 2 at this time. Season 1 of the series wrapped filming in March 2023 and didn't air until a year later. With that in mind, we could be looking at a premiere date around March or April of next year.

Fallout Season 2 is expected to partly take place in New Vegas, a fan favourite setting in the Fallout universe. Season 1 largely took place around New California.

KitGuru Says: We've still got quite a long wait ahead. Still, we'll hopefully at least get a trailer before the end of the year. 

The post Fallout Season 2 wraps filming first appeared on KitGuru.

Love it or hate it, the Pokémon franchise is a juggernaut whose reach extends far beyond the gaming space. While the series has had its fair share of controversies stemming from GameFreak’s handling of the console titles, the games remain as popular as ever – with Scarlet and Violet already becoming the second highest-selling entries of all time.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Nintendo released updated sales figures for its hardware and software, revealing that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have now become the 2nd best-selling game(s) in the franchise – taking the second-place podium from the previous generation’s Sword/Shield with 26.79 million copies sold.

For context, this puts Scarlet / Violet at roughly 5 million copies away from the best-selling Pokémon game of all time – that being the original Red/Blue/Green – which amassed over 31.38 million sales.

Of course, the original Pokémon was a phenomenon which helped spark the franchise’s current-day popularity. Even so, Scarlet and Violet being just 5 million away from the top spot is certainly surprising, especially given the game’s tepid critical reception (and the fact that it’s only been out for just over two years).

It will be interesting to see how many units the upcoming Pokémon Z-A performs when it arrives later this year.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Pokémon Scarlet / Violet? Do the Pokémon games have an upper ceiling of 30 million players? Will a Pokémon game ever reach 50 million copies sold? Let us know down below.

The post Scarlet / Violet are the second best-selling Pokémon games of all time first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 memory has been designed for overclocking on AMD platforms with EXPO support. It is available with a choice of two coloured aluminium heat spreaders and features customisable RGB lighting. We test a low-latency CL26 kit today.

G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB product line runs from 5600MT/s up to 8000MT/s in four kit capacities: 32GB (DDR5-5600, 6000, 6400, 7200 and 8000), 48GB (DDR5-5600, 6000, 6400 and 8000), 64GB (DDR5-6000), and finally 96GB (DDR5-5600 and 6000) in a wide range of latencies.

The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit we are reviewing here uses a pair of single-rank 16GB DIMMs (using SK Hynix A-die 2GB ICs), EXPO rated at 6000MHz at 26-36-36-96 at 1.45V.

G.Skill backs the drive with a lifetime warranty.

Specification

• Model Number: F5-6000J2636H16GX2-TZ5NR.
• Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16).
• Rated Frequency: 6000MT/s
• Rated Timings: 26-36-36-96.
• Voltage: 1.45V.
• Module Height: 42.8mm.
• XMP/EXPO: EXPO.
  The post G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO RGB DDR5-6000MT/s CL26 32GB Review first appeared on KitGuru.

After a ton of trailers and a great deal of waiting, Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is almost here. Ahead of its launch on the 26th of June, previews for the game have now gone live – alongside the announcement of a limited edition DualSense controller.

Making the announcement on the PlayStation Blog, Sony officially unveiled their limited edition DS2 controller, writing “Keep the supplies moving with the latest piece of hardware for Porters heading out on a new journey – we’re excited to reveal the new DualSense wireless controller – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Limited Edition.”

Designed in collaboration with Kojima Productions, preorders for the DualSense will go live on the 22nd of May via PlayStation Direct (as well as participating retailers) for £74.99, putting it in line with the likes of The Last of Us’ controller pricing-wise.

The Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Limited Edition DualSense officially arrives on the 26th of June; the same day as the game itself.

Considering just how creative many of Kojima’s characters/worlds/products have been, the DualSense controller feels a bit understated design-wise, though is admittedly still quite slick.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the controller’s design? Are you excited for Death Stranding 2? How do you think the game will further utilise the DualSense? Let us know down below.

The post Limited Edition Death Stranding 2 DualSense controller announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Despite being an undeniable classic, the Silent Hill franchise has never been a massive seller. That said, its recent resurgence with the success of the Silent Hill 2 Remake has now helped push the franchise past its first major sales milestone of 10 million copies.

As part of the publisher’s latest fiscal earnings report, Konami offered updated stats for the sales of its top franchises. While Metal Gear Solid remains one of Konami’s biggest (with 62.9 million copies sold across the series), the success of the recent Silent Hill 2 Remake has finally put the franchise on the map – with the series now surpassing the 10 million sales mark with over 11.5 million copies.

For context, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake sold 1 million copies in under two weeks following its 8th of October launch. Then, back in late January the game was confirmed to have surpassed 2 million total sales.

So, while we don’t have the most up-to-date figures, the success of Silent Hill 2’s remake has clearly made an impact on the franchise. Hopefully Konami chooses to capitalise on its newfound popularity in the correct way. We will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by Silent Hill’s mild franchise sales? Has SH2 Remake revitalised the series? Let us know down below. 

The post Silent Hill 2 Remake finally pushes franchise past 10 million total sales first appeared on KitGuru.

In the wake of Palworld’s explosive success last year, Nintendo wasted no time in suing the developers – Pocket Pair – due to the game’s Pokemon inspirations. With the proceedings still ongoing, the company has had to make further adjustments to Palworld – including an odd change to the gliding mechanic.

While much of the discussion surrounding Palworld was in its similar character designs to Pokemon, Nintendo opted to sue studio PocketPair based on patents it owns for particular game mechanics instead.

As a result, while the lawsuit is still ongoing, PocketPair have announced some changes coming to the game, writing: “On November 30th, 2024, we released Patch v0.3.11 for Palworld. This patch removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres and instead changed it to a static summon next to the player. Several other game mechanics were also changed with this patch.”

They continued, “we regret to inform our players that with the implementation of Patch v0.5.5, we must make yet another compromise. From this patch onward, gliding will be performed using a glider rather than with Pals. Pals in the player's team will still provide passive buffs to gliding, but players will now need to have a glider in their inventory in order to glide.”

While there could be an argument to make that the designs of the ‘Pals’ are inspired by Pokemon, Nintendo was far from the first company to use mounts/gliders in order to fly in a game, and so many of these changes feel unfortunately unnecessary.

Assuming the lawsuit goes their way, hopefully PocketPair will be able to restore these mechanics back to their original state at some point in the future.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the lawsuit overall? Is Nintendo overstepping? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Palworld makes further design compromises as a result of Nintendo lawsuit first appeared on KitGuru.

AOC is expanding its gaming monitor lineup with four new models. The most interesting is the AOC Gaming U27G4R, a 27-inch display featuring pioneering Dual-Frame (dual-mode) technology. This first-of-its-kind monitor allows gamers to quickly switch between a 4K resolution at 160Hz and FullHD resolution at 320Hz refresh rate, aiming to remove the need to compromise between visual quality and competitive performance.

Built on a Fast IPS panel, the U27G4R provides strong response times, including up to 1ms GtG in both resolution modes and impressive low MPRT figures when Motion Blur Reduction is enabled. Visual performance includes DisplayHDR 400 certification and wide colour coverage, hitting around 125% of sRGB and 96% of DCI-P3 gamuts. HDR mode can reach a 1,000 cd/m² peak, while SDR luminance is rated at 250 cd/m². The display supports Adaptive-Sync for tear-free gaming across AMD and Nvidia GPUs, and is compatible with current consoles at UHD at 120Hz with VRR.

The U27G4R follows the aesthetic of the G4 series, featuring a space-saving base finished in matte black with subtle red accents. Its ergonomic stand offers versatile adjustment, including 130mm height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot functions. Port selection includes two HDMI 2.1 connectors, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and a USB 3.1 hub with four downstream ports for connecting peripherals. Moreover, it also packs a range of gaming features like a crosshair overlay, Low Input Lag mode, and controls for shadow/colour settings, all accessible via the OSD menu or AOC's G-Menu software. Utility features like PiP/PbP modes and comfort tech like anti-blue light are also included.

Besides the U27G4R, AGON by AOC is expanding its G4 series portfolio with three additional models arriving in May 2025. The AOC Gaming CU34G4 is a 34-inch ultrawide curved gaming monitor, offering a 3440×1440 resolution and a 180Hz refresh rate on a Fast VA panel with a 1500R curvature, positioned as a more accessible alternative to their higher refresh rate ultrawide displays. Joining it are updates to their mainstream line: the 24-inch 24G4HA and 27-inch 27G4HA. These models boast an increased 200Hz refresh rate (up from 180Hz on predecessors), and retain features like ergonomic stands and built-in speakers. Both also carry Nvidia G-SYNC Compatible certification.

All four new AGON by AOC G4 series monitors are scheduled for release in May. The AOC Gaming U27G4R will cost £299, while the CU34G4 will cost £289. Lastly, the 24G4HA will cost £134, and the 27G4HA will cost £154.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you considering a new gaming monitor in 2025? Would you opt for a dual-mode display to get the best of both worlds? 

The post AOC updates monitor lineup with first 4K dual-mode display and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard back in late 2023, after fighting off an injunction from the US Federal Trade Commission that threatened to blow up the deal. Since then, the FTC has been appealing the original decision, looking to split Microsoft and Activision up after the fact. Now 18 months on, the FTC has lost its appeal. 

Microsoft will face no more hurdles in its merger with Activision Blizzard. The deal already closed in October 2023 and since then, Microsoft has essentially abandoned its exclusive game efforts, instead opting to publish games on PlayStation, alongside Xbox, PC and Nintendo platforms. This has led to significant revenue gains for Xbox, with a good portion of that growth coming via the Activision catalogue.

In its lawsuit to block the merger, the FTC claimed that Microsoft would make major franchises like Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox, and thus squeezing PlayStation out of the market. Microsoft signed deals with regulators in Europe and the UK, and signed agreements with Sony, to ensure that Call of Duty would not become exclusive, but the FTC forged ahead with its case anyway.

According to the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals, the FTC failed to show that Microsoft would prevent rival companies from gaining access to IPs like Call of Duty. Considering that Microsoft has only increased its multiplatform efforts since the merger went through, that was really the only sensible outcome for the court to reach.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Now that there is no more legal threat to the merger, maybe we can finally see Microsoft ramp up its efforts to restore Activision's back catalogue, including long-lost licensed games like Transformers, Deadpool, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and others. 

The post FTC loses appeal to break up Microsoft – Activision merger first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, we received the first teaser trailer for the next Mafia game. Rather than a sequel, we are getting Mafia: The Old Country, a prequel that explores the origins of the Mafia families. Today, 2K Games and Hangar 13 revealed the latest trailer for the game, along with an August release date.

Mafia: The Old Country is a prequel, set years before the events of the first game. This is essentially an origin story, set in 1900s Sicily, presenting a gritty mob story during an era that was particularly dangerous and unforgiving for those involved.

You can watch the new trailer below:

While previous games in the Mafia series had small open-world maps, Mafia: The Old Country is described as a more linear experience by Hangar 13 President, Nick Baynes, in his statement accompanying the new trailer:

“Mafia: The Old Country is a focused, linear experience that combines quality storytelling, authentic era immersion and a refined take on the familiar Mafia gameplay. That focus allows us to deliver a story that’s gritty, grounded, brutal and emotional. Embracing early 1900s era Sicily, this is a mafia origin story that follows our protagonist, Enzo Favara, as he takes the oath and works his way up Don Torrisi's crime family.”

Mafia: The Old Country will become available for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S starting on the 8th of August, roughly one year on from the game's original announcement.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the next Mafia game?

The post Mafia: The Old Country gets new trailer and August release date first appeared on KitGuru.

Last month, Acer kicked off its new gaming promotion, offering £50 in Steam vouchers to those picking up an Acer Predator or Nitro series RX 9000 graphics card. Now with Acer's new RTX 50-powered laptops hitting the market, the company is extending this offer to also cover gaming laptops. 

If you pick up a new-gen Acer Predator Helios 16 AI, Helios Neo 16 AI or Helios 18 AI gaming laptop, you can register your purchase to get a code for £50 of Steam credit. You can then use that money to buy whatever you want on Steam, whether it be a game, DLC, an in-game item from the Steam Market or anything in between. The same offer is available to those buying an Acer RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT desktop graphics card.

 

With the next Steam Sale just around the corner, now is a great time to have some extra credit handy on your account. If you are on the market for a new gaming monitor, you can double-dip on offers and also nab a free £99 accessory bundle.

You can find Acer's redemption page with all of the information on eligible products, participating retailers and more, HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a new RTX 50-powered laptop this summer? 

The post Acer offers up £50 Steam vouchers with new Predator Helios gaming laptops first appeared on KitGuru.

While paid patches and $80 games has caused quite a stir amongst gamers, Nintendo still expects a record-breaking launch for the Switch 2. Nintendo has reaffirmed its forecast for the launch next month, with the Switch 2 expected to sell through 15 million units. 

For the current fiscal year, ending in March 2026, Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles, and it also expects to garner 45 million game sales for the new platform.

This would put the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of its predecessor, as the original Switch console sold around 14 million units in its first year. Nintendo expects the Switch 2 to sell more and at a faster rate.

Those numbers aren't too crazy either, as Nintendo still sold close to 11 million Switch 1 consoles last year. Nintendo expects that number to drop to less than 5 million once the Switch 2 hits the market in June.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a Switch 2? 

The post Nintendo anticipates 15 million Switch 2 sales between June and March first appeared on KitGuru.

GeForce Now is adding more games this week. There are a couple of major day-one games joining the cloud gaming library, but the big highlight is the addition of 2K's legendary Mafia series.

Mafia, Mafia II and Mafia III are all coming to GeForce Now, in addition to the classic original versions of Mafia and Mafia II. If you own the games on Steam, you can take them on the go via GeForce Now.

Here is the full list of titles joining the library today:

• Survival Machine (New release on Steam, May 7)
• Revenge of the Savage Planet (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, May 8)
• Spirit of the North 2 (New release on Steam, May 8)
• Mafia (Steam)
• Mafia II (Classic) (Steam)
• Mafia: Definitive Edition (Steam and Epic Games Store)
• Mafia II: Definitive Edition (Steam and Epic Games Store)
• Mafia III: Definitive Edition (Steam and Epic Games Store)
• Towerborne (Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)

There will be many more games joining GeForce Now in the coming weeks, including DOOM: The Dark Ages.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this week's GeForce Now lineup? 

The post GeForce Now adds Mafia trilogy and more first appeared on KitGuru.

After the success of ASUS' ProArt PA27JCV that we reviewed last November, today we are back with another look at a Pro-grade screen from the Taiwanese manufacturer. This one is a bit different, however, given it is using a 4K QD-OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate – a spec we are more used to seeing on gaming displays. Still, ASUS claims ‘world-leading ∆E < 1 color performance', while the screen also supports hardware calibration, alongside multiple HDR formats and Thunderbolt 4. Let's see what it can do.

The ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM is certainly packed with a range of features, all geared towards the professional user. It's a true 10-bit panel, and thanks to the QD-OLED technology, it boasts a super wide gamut, with ASUS claiming 99% DCI-P3 coverage. You also get true blacks due to the per-pixel dimming nature of the OLED panel, and up to 1000 nits peak brightness in HDR.

All of that doesn't come cheap, and the PA32UCDM retails for £1600 here in the UK, available now from Scan. Gaming screens using the same exact Samsung 4K/240Hz QD-OLED panel are available for considerably less money, with ASUS' own PG32UCDM currently on sale for little over £900 – so is the price premium justified? We find out today.

Specification:

• Panel Size (inch) : 31.5
• Pixels Per Inch (PPI) : 140
• Aspect Ratio : 16:9
• Display Viewing Area (H x V) : 699.48 x 394.73 mm
• Display Surface : Anti-Reflection
• Panel Type : QD-OLED
• Viewing Angle (CR≧10, H/V) : 178°/ 178°
• Pixel Pitch : 0.182mm
• Resolution : 3840×2160
• Color Space (sRGB) : 100%
• Color Space (DCI-P3) : 99%
• Brightness (HDR, Peak) : 1,000 cd/㎡
• Brightness (Typ.) : 250cd/㎡
• Contrast Ratio (HDR, Max) : 1,500,000:1
• Contrast Ratio (Typ.) : 1,500,000:1
• Display Colors : 1073.7M (10 bit)
• Response Time : 0.1ms(GTG)
• Refresh Rate (Max) : 240Hz
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support : HDR10
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support : HLG
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support : Dolby Vision
• Flicker-free : Yes
• ASUS OLED Care : Yes
• I/O:
  • Thunderbolt 4 x 2 (Daisy Chain)
  • HDMI(v2.1) x 1
  • USB Hub : 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
  • USB Hub : 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
  • USB-C Power Delivery : 96W
• Mechanical Design:
  • Tilt : Yes (+20° ~ -5°)
  • Pivot : Yes (+90° ~ -90°)
  • Height Adjustment : 0~130mm
  • Ambient Light Sensor : Yes
  • Proximity Sensor : Yes
  • VESA Wall Mounting : 100x100mm
  • Kensington Lock : Yes
• Warranty: 3 years (including panel burn-in)

Firmware tested: MCM103

The post ASUS ProArt PA32UCDM Review (4K/240Hz Professional OLED) first appeared on KitGuru.

Mad Catz is diving deep into the fighting game community (FGC) with their latest peripheral. They've announced the N.E.K.O., a new all-button arcade controller. Designed in close collaboration with FGC pro gamers and fans in the Japanese community, the N.E.K.O. aims to deliver a competitive edge through performance and ergonomic design.

The N.E.K.O. features an ergonomically positioned faceplate, programmable inputs, an enhanced non-slip base, and precision-engineered buttons for smooth transitions and effortless combos. It offers flexible firmware options that are easily configured for standard use (enabling turbo, macros, remapping) or a competition-ready mode compliant with international FGC standards.

Customisation is a key focus for the N.E.K.O. Users can swap out the low-profile Kailh mechanical switches to get the right feel and extend the device's longevity. Panel artwork is easily customisable for a personalised look, and commands can be reassigned to the programmable buttons. It also supports custom macros of up to 16 commands and offers three different SOCD modes for additional flexibility.

The N.E.K.O. is compatible with PC, PS4, and Switch. While general pricing and regional availability details have not yet been announced, Mad Catz has confirmed that the N.E.K.O. will be exhibited and available for sale at their booth at EVO Japan 2025, held at Tokyo Big Sight on May 9th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Designed with direct input from the FGC and packed with customisation options, the Mad Catz N.E.K.O. all-button controller looks like a serious contender for players seeking a competitive edge, assuming you can adapt to it.

The post Mad Catz unveils N.E.K.O. arcade controller first appeared on KitGuru.

The latest Counter Strike 2 update has dropped and it contains quite a bit. Aside from new maps being added to the game, including one returning fan favourite map, Valve has also added new weekly missions to the game to keep players engaged.

The new weekly missions can be found on the main menu and players will get one each week. Upon finishing the mission, you'll get a big XP boost, which in turn will help you unlock your weekly case drop, which you are then free to open or sell on the Steam market for some extra gaming funds.

As for maps, Basalt, Edin, Palais, and Whistle have been removed from all game modes. Jura, Grail, and Agency have been added to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch modes. Wingman players get two new maps – Dogtown and Brewery.

Those who do play the casual and deathmatch modes will also find that the map pools have been shaken up. Defusal Group Alpha now includes Dust 2, Mirage, Inferno, Vertigo and Defusal Group Delta includes Train, Anubis, Ancient, Overpass, Nuke. The Community Map group includes Jura, Grail and Agency, while the Hostage Group includes Office and Italy.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I had my fingers crossed for Cache to make a return but I can't be too disappointed in this update, because Agency is finally back in the mix.

The post Counter Strike 2 update shakes up the map pool for competitive and casual modes first appeared on KitGuru.

A potentially seismic shift in the PC market could be on the horizon if the latest rumours hold true. As you might have heard already, Nvidia and MediaTek are developing ARM-based CPUs, and according to recent reports, they'll be unveiled at Computex 2025. Both company CEOs, Jensen Huang and Rick Tsai, are already slated for back-to-back presentations at the trade show in Taipei on May 19th and 20th, setting the stage for such an announcement.

According to Tom's Hardware, the upcoming chips, which will be named N1X and N1, are reportedly geared towards Windows-on-ARM systems, including desktops and laptops. Instead of a single CPU, the two companies have apparently developed a new chip family combining MediaTek's expertise in Arm CPUs with Nvidia's Blackwell GPU technology.

This joint venture appears aimed squarely at addressing markets currently served by AMD's APUs (with Radeon graphics) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X CPUs (with Adreno graphics). Nvidia's perceived advantage here would leverage their discrete Blackwell GPUs, which promise to be significantly faster and more compatible with games than current integrated solutions, potentially catching gamers' attention.

Early reports on the N1X and N1 processors suggest configurations with up to 10 high-performance Cortex-X925 cores and up to 10 Cortex-A725 cores, though less powerful options are likely to address different market tiers. Adding weight to the PC focus, reports late last year stated that MediaTek secured a substantial amount of PC-oriented packaging capacity for flip chip ball grid array (FCBGA) chips, implying use in desktops rather than just mobile devices.

Despite the excitement around a Computex announcement, multiple sources caution that the retail launch date remains uncertain. Last month, a SemiAccurate report suggested that retail availability could be postponed until 2026 due to unresolved technical issues, though no official confirmation exists for such extensive delays.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: What are your expectations for the highly anticipated ARM-based SoC from Nvidia and Mediatek?

The post Nvidia rumoured to reveal new ARM chip developed with Mediatek first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this week, Rockstar dropped the long-awaited second trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6. The first trailer already did unbelievable numbers when it released in December 2023, but the second trailer has gone on to shatter even Hollywood film records.

Following the trailer's release on Tuesday, Rockstar has been tallying up its performance across all platforms, telling The Hollywood Reporter that it has amassed over 475 million views across platforms. This shatters the previous trailer's record, which achieved around 93 million views in its first 24 hours. Nowadays the original announcement trailer sits at over 200 million views on YouTube.

Rockstar claims that the trailer release is the biggest video launch of all time. A few notable recent films it has beat include Deadpool & Wolverine (365M), and Fantastic Four: First Steps (200M). The song used in the trailer, Hot Together by The Pointer Sisters, has also had a 102,000% boost in Spotify streams since the trailer dropped.

Naturally, all of these massive numbers are going to lead to massive sales forecasts for Grand Theft Auto 6. The original game earned $10 billion over its lifetime and a chunk of that has been reinvested into developing the sequel, making it one of the most expensive AAA projects in history.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Grand Theft Auto 6 on console next year, or will you be waiting for the PC version?

The post Rockstar says new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer amassed 475M views in 24 hours first appeared on KitGuru.

Following many leaks and rumours, Microsoft finally officially announced Gears of War: Reloaded for PC, PS5 and Xbox. Coming this August, it seems as though Microsoft will continue its trend of de-valuing physical media – with the Xbox version in particular reportedly being a digital-only release.

As discovered by ResetEra user ‘Joule’ the Spanish branch of the retailer GAME published an early listing for Gears of War Reloaded. While in and of itself nothing major, the page only offers physical versions of the game for PlayStation 5 and PC.

This would be far from the first Xbox game to not release physically. That said, it is interesting to see both PS5 (and especially PC) getting a physical version while the Xbox is not.

Of course, it is worth noting that Microsoft will be allowing all Xbox players who own the last-gen version of Gears of War to upgrade to Reloaded for free. Perhaps this is why they have opted not to give the Xbox SKU a proper release.

Still, following the likes of Indiana Jones and Avowed, Gears of War Reloaded not offering any form of disc on Xbox is a concerning look for the console maker’s future prospects in the hardware space. We will have to wait and see whether Microsoft confirms this report as being true between now and the game’s release in August.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Xbox’s shift away from discs? Is there a justifiable reason for this? Do you reckon the PS5 version will offer the full game on-disc? Let us know down below.

The post Gears of War Reloaded appears to be digital-only on Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

Back during the Nintendo Switch 2’s blowout reveal, one of the biggest 3rd-party titles to be announced for the upcoming console was Elden Ring. Dubbed the ‘Tarnished Edition’, the Switch 2 release is set to add a couple extra bits of bonus content – the details of which have now been shared.

As reported by the Japanese publication Famitsu (and translated by Eurogamer), the list of new content being included with the Switch 2 version of Elden Ring – the Tarnished Edition – has now been revealed.

Though these new additions will be made available as DLC for current platforms, the Switch 2 edition of Elden Ring will include two new starting classes: ‘Knight of Ides’ and ‘Heavy Knight’.

Alongside these classes, the Tarnished Edition also includes 3 new customisation options for your mount ‘Torrent’ as well as 4 additional types of armour; weapons and combat techniques.

As mentioned, FromSoftware previously confirmed that all of the added content from the Tarnished Edition will be available as DLC for current owners of the game on other platforms. Whether this will be paid DLC or available for free, we will have to wait and see.

Either way, with Elden Ring getting a spin-off in the form of Nightreign and now the Switch 2 version adding new content, fans of FromSoft and Elden Ring will have plenty to enjoy in 2025.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the additional content? Would you pay for this DLC? How hyped are you for Nightreign? Let us know down below.

The post Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition to add new classes, weapons, armour and more first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the first GOTY contenders to release in 2025 was Split Fiction. Developed by Hazelight Studios of A Way Out and It Takes Two fame, the game saw near-immediate success, selling over 1 million copies in its first 48 hours. In the 2 months since, Split Fiction has continued to perform well – having now surpassed 4 million copies sold.

Making the announcement on BlueSky, the official Hazelight Studios page shared the following:

“4 MILLION!!!! So many of you have picked up Split Fiction already, it’s amazing…Seeing the fun you have with our game and the love you show for Mio, Zoe and each other warms our hearts here at Hazelight. And so many hot dogs made…”

Despite being a relatively small studio, Hazelight’s previous projects have been massive hits, with A Way Out and It Takes Two selling over 10 and 20 million copies respectively.

As with both of these prior titles, Split Fiction requires just one copy of the game to play, letting you buddy up with any of your friends no matter their system of choice, making the milestone even more impressive.

Both A Way Out and It Takes Two had long legs, selling millions of copies years after release. If Split Fiction winds up going down the same road, then Hazelight will have another monumental hit on their hands.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 4 (8) million who’ve played Split Fiction? Is it Hazelight’s best work yet? How long will it take to hit 10 million copies sold? Let us know down below.

The post Split Fiction hits new sales milestone of 4 million copies first appeared on KitGuru.

Since its launch on Xbox and PC back in 2023, Bethesda Game Studios have sporadically released pretty substantial updates for Starfield – adding a few much-requested features, as well as some which should have been there at launch. Following on from November’s patch, Starfield has gotten another update which is now in beta — bringing notable Creation Kit improvements.

Detailing the update via a blog post, the team at Bethesda Game Studios wrote: “Starfield’s latest update features additional support for Creations as well as numerous fixes for Quests, vehicles, UI and the Shattered Space DLC.”

Available right now through Steam’s beta branch for the game, some of the most notable changes/fixes/additions brought with this update include:

• Added Very Low display settings to improve performance on some devices
• Creation Kit creations up to 2GB in size can now be uploaded
• Creations UI fixes and improvements
• Updated resolutions to include 32:9 and 32:10 resolutions as well as more 16:9, 16:10, and 21:9 resolutions
• A keyboard binding is now available for the vehicle boost button on PC

While almost entirely focused on fixing the game’s various bugs and glitches, having improved resolution support – especially for ultrawide displays – is a welcome addition.

Hopefully a more substantive update arrives ahead of the game’s rumoured PS5 release.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the update? Were you expecting more after 6 months? Is BGS gearing up for a 2nd expansion/DLC? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post New Starfield update fixes a ton of bugs alongside Creation Kit improvements first appeared on KitGuru.

Arctic has introduced a way to check if the thermal paste you bought is genuine or a counterfeit. Using what Arctic calls the “MX Authenticity Check” system, builders can ensure they're getting the real deal when it comes to MX thermal paste. The company states the move is a direct reaction to the increasing prevalence of counterfeit thermal pastes on the market.

To combat fakes and guarantee ‘genuine Arctic quality,' Arctic launched a relatively straightforward QR code-based system. Buyers just have to check for the seal on the packaging, scratch it to reveal a QR code, scan it with a mobile device, and validate it online. Arctic claims this entire process takes just a few seconds, confirming whether your paste is genuine.

While the system has been in place for a while on newer packaging, older tubes without the QR code naturally offer no easy way for buyers to verify their authenticity unless purchased directly from Arctic. Arctic MX pastes are generally considered high quality and used by many as the go-to solution for a good price-performance paste solution, making the integrity of the product particularly important.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you usually buy Arctic MX thermal pastes? Have you ever wondered if the tubes you purchased were counterfeit, or did you just assume they were genuine?

The post Arctic launches MX Authenticity Check system to fight counterfeit thermal paste first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this year, Nintendo revealed the Switch 2 and alongside the console, it also announced plans to raise the prices of new first-party games, like Mario Kart World, to $80. Last week, Microsoft confirmed its own plans to also follow this pricing model. Surprisingly, EA is not jumping on this bandwagon just yet. 

EA just released its latest earnings report, giving us a few insights into the company's plans for the rest of the year. Naturally, the question of raising prices to $80 for new games was brought up, but surprisingly, EA CFO, Stuart Canfield, stated that “no changes at this point” are planned.

EA has no plans to join other publishers in raising their new game prices to $80 this year. Crucially, though, the statement leaves the door open for a price increase at a later date.

That means for this year, games like Battlefield, Madden and EA FC should remain at $70 upon release. Depending on market reception to other publishers raising prices, EA will likely consider bumping up its launch prices in 2026.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It took a couple of years for some publishers to make the jump to $70 so I expect the same to be true now that $80 games are hitting the market. Eventually though, most AAA publishers will be charging $80. 

The post EA won’t be increasing game prices to $80 ‘at this point’ first appeared on KitGuru.

Last night during a reveal stream, Bungie announced the next two expansions for Destiny 2. Surprisingly, one of them is a crossover with Star Wars, titled ‘Renegades'.

Destiny 2: Renegades is a new expansion for the game. It comes with Star Wars themed weapons and armour sets, including real lightsabers, which isn't too much of a stretch for Destiny, as energy swords have been present in the game for years.

The expansion will release this December, but specific story details are being kept under wraps for now. So far, Bungie has only revealed the themed cosmetics, but the DLC's trailer appears to showcase a desert planet from the Star Wars universe, but whether it is Tatooine or Jakku is up for debate. A Star Wars planet becoming a zone in Destiny would suggest a deeper narrative aspect to this crossover.

Destiny 2: Renegades launches later this year as part of the new year of content, dubbed, Year of Prophecy. The year will see two mid-sized expansions releasing for Destiny 2, rather than one large annual expansion.

In between releases, there will be seasonal content, although seasons in Destiny 2 have also changed this past year. Rather than having a new season every three months, Bungie has moved on to ‘episodes' and plans three of those a year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I used to be a huge fan of Destiny but Bungie lost me around the time of the Lightfall expansion. Do any of you still regularly play? How do you feel about Bungie's plans for the game this year?

The post Destiny 2 Renegades expansion includes massive Star Wars crossover first appeared on KitGuru.

Development continues on the next installment in the Battlefield series, and Dice is now ready to ramp up community involvement significantly. Their playtesting program, dubbed “Battlefield Labs”, which aims to bring players into the early stages of multiplayer development, is set to invite many more individuals to participate throughout May.

In a recent development update, Dice summarised the progress made by Battlefield Labs since its limited public access phase began in March. They highlighted how early participants have helped improve stability and balance across several game elements. Concrete examples of feedback leading to changes include contributions to the gunplay, balancing movement speed across actions like crouch sprint, combat rolling, and vaulting, and increasing the gameplay effect of environmental destruction. Moving forward, Dice plans to focus on collecting input, iterating on weapon balance, and improving destructibility.

Beginning with prospective gamers in North America and Europe, Dice will soon introduce additional participants to Battlefield Labs, with access gradually spreading to Asia. This is expected to significantly increase the number of players getting hands-on time with the game. Despite players steadily gaining access through Battlefield Labs, the game remains largely unknown, with most information coming from limited developer remarks and playtester leaks. However, we know that the next Battlefield game is confirmed to take place in the current times, following the near-future setting of Battlefield 2042 and the historical Battlefield V and 1.

If you're interested in participating in these future playtesting phases, Dice still accepts sign-ups via a form they promote.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you liked what you've seen from the next Battlefield? Have you already signed up to get into the playtests?

The post Battlefield Labs opens up to more players first appeared on KitGuru.

SilverStone is expanding its PC case lineup with a new option for users building powerful systems in a less conventional form factor. Meet the Crown 04, a new HTPC enclosure featuring an all-steel structure with a brushed aluminium finish.

Based on the 5U rackmount standard, the Crown 04 (via ITHome) measures 440mm wide, 239mm high, and 458mm deep. This substantial size makes it highly compatible with larger components, including big graphics cards like those from the Nvidia RTX 50 series, and likely leaves room for future GPU generations.

 

The Crown 04 offers broad motherboard compatibility, supporting form factors ranging from standard ATX to SSI-EEB, making it suitable for workstation-class boards. It includes eight PCI expansion slots for multi-card setups or extensive add-in boards and provides storage space for two 3.5-inch hard drives and three 2.5-inch drives.

SilverStone also includes three 120mm fans out of the box. Builders can install several more fans, with mounts for one 120/140mm at the back, three 120mm on the top, and three 120/140mm on the side panels. For liquid cooling, up to 360mm radiators can be mounted on both the top and sides. The front panel features a sliding cover with a convenient I/O selection, including one USB-C connector, four USB-A 3.0 ports, and an audio jack. SilverStone has announced the product but has not yet provided details on pricing or retail availability.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: If you were to build an HTPC now, would you consider the Silverstone Crown 04?

The post Silverstone introduces the Crown 04 for ultra small HTPCs first appeared on KitGuru.

The G.Skill Annual OC World Cup returns at Computex 2025 with a $40,000 prize pool up for grabs. The top nine overclockers from the qualifying rounds will go head-to-head and we may see some records broken along the way.

G.SKILL will host two major annual extreme overclocking events at Computex – the 11th Annual OC World Record Stage 2025 and the 9th Annual OC World Cup 2025. The G.Skill booth won't be entirely overclocking-focused though. There is also the 5th Annual Extreme Mod Stage, where the most creative modded PC builds will be showcased.

Those competing in the OC World Cup will be up for a piece of a $40,000 prize pool. The OC champion will get $10,000, with the rest of the prize pool broken up between the remaining placements. Here is the prize pool breakdown:

• OC Champion: $10,000 USD
• 2nd Place: $6,500 USD
• 3rd Place: $5,000 USD
• 4th Place: $4,200 USD
• 5th Place: $3,400 USD
• 6th Place: $3,000 USD
• 7th Place: $2,800 USD
• 8th Place: $2,600 USD
• 9th Place: $2,500 USD

We will be at Computex again this year with video coverage, so stay tuned for that in the weeks ahead. Computex 2025 takes place from May 20th to May 23rd.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Computex is just around the corner. Is there anything you are looking forward to seeing at this year's event? 

The post G.Skill announces plans for OC World Cup at Computex 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, Bungie announced a massive round of job cuts, eliminating over 200 roles. At the time, the company had confirmed that rather than getting fired, a small group of employees would join PlayStation Studios to continue working on a new game. Now, months later, teamLFG has formed. 

teamLFG is a new studio at PlayStation Studios. It is founded by former Destiny and Halo developers as well as a few devs from franchises like League of Legends and Fortnite. The team's first game is underway, and it appears to be the same project that Sony took over from Bungie when layoffs were announced in 2024.

Like Bungie, teamLFG is based in Bellevue, Washington, although the studio does employ a few remote workers throughout the US and Canada. As explained in the announcement blog, the “LFG” in teamLFG stands for Looking for Group, a common phrase in multiplayer gaming, especially MMOs.

With that carefully planned name in mind, it makes sense that teamLFG will be one of PlayStation's multiplayer-focused studios. The studio's first game is described as a team-based action game that draws inspiration from platformers, MOBAs and weirdly, “frog-type games”.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: When this studio first formed, the project was described as being in the early stages of development, so I don't expect to see this new game revealed in 2025. 

The post Former Bungie devs form teamLFG at PlayStation Studios first appeared on KitGuru.

EA has not been shy about its plans for the next Battlefield game. The company announced development had begun over a year ago and in recent months, it has been holding public playtests as part of its new Battlefield Labs early access programme. Now, EA is confirming that the next Battlefield will release later this year.

EA CEO, Andrew Wilson, gave investors an update on its Battlefield launch plans as part of the company's most recent earnings report. In his statements, he confirmed that announcements for the next Battlefield will begin this Summer and reaffirmed that the game will release during the current fiscal year.

While we will be waiting another month or two to get a proper reveal for the next Battlefield game, EA has recently begun expanding invites for Battlefield Labs and another playtest is due to take place this month.

With GTA 6 now pushed out of 2025, many publishers are beginning to solidify their plans. I expect that when Battlefield gets its full reveal in June, we'll also get a Q4 release date.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the next Battlefield? Do you think they'll turn things around from Battlefield 2042?

The post EA says Battlefield reveal coming this summer first appeared on KitGuru.

Square Enix is planning ahead for the Nintendo Switch 2, with plans to bring the full Final Fantasy 7 Remake series to Nintendo's new system. 

Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth did not come to Nintendo Switch due to hardware limitations. However, the Switch 2 has a much more powerful chip under the hood, and benefits from technologies like DLSS. With all of that in mind, the pieces are now in place for these larger, new-gen games to come to Nintendo's platform.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade has already been confirmed for Switch 2. However, Square Enix has not yet announced its plans for Rebirth, or the upcoming third game in the trilogy.

Square Enix game director, Naoki Hamaguchi, has given some insight into that though. As spotted by Eurogamer, he repeatedly references the full trilogy while discussing the first game's release on Switch 2 in the latest Creator's Voice video on Nintendo's YouTube channel.

While Square Enix has not yet given a title to the third game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, development appears to be progressing well, with voice actors already recording dialogue. The game is likely to release in 2027, assuming Square Enix is able to stick to its current timeline goal.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a Switch 2? Do you think we'll get the full remake trilogy on Nintendo's handheld hybrid console? 

The post Square Enix planning full Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy for Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent months, we've heard rumblings about an upcoming Xbox handheld, created in partnership with Asus. Xbox and Asus ROG began to tease that something was up back in April. Now, photos of the Xbox handheld have leaked online. 

Following on from the teaser shared last month, the first photos of the ROG / Xbox handheld have been discovered. Videocardz spotted the photos on the US FCC website, after the handheld went through certification ahead of sale.

The handheld is internally known as Project Kennan and should be officially announced in the coming months. Microsoft has an Xbox showcase scheduled for June, so the unveiling could happen there, potentially with hands-on at Gamescom in August, with availability in the September / October timeframe.

There is still much we do not know about this handheld. On the surface, it looks to have a similar design to the ROG Ally, but less angular and with larger controller handles. This should go a long way towards making the device more comfortable to hold.

As we get closer to an official announcement, we should start to see more leaks regarding internal hardware. Currently, we still don't know which AMD chip is at the heart of the console, or other specs like RAM or storage capacity.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you thinking of picking up a PC gaming handheld this year? Will you be waiting to see what this Xbox handheld brings to the table, or are you after something battle-tested like the Steam Deck? 

The post The Asus Xbox handheld leaks after FCC tests first appeared on KitGuru.

Klevv's CRAS C930 is a midrange Gen 4 SSD based around an Innogrit 8-channel controller and 176-layer 3D NAND. We put it through its paces today and see how it stacks up against the competition.

The CRAS C930 line-up consists of just two capacities at the time of writing: 1TB and 2TB, the latter being the drive we are looking at here. The C930 is based around an InnoGrit IG5236 8-channel controller combined with Essencore-branded 176-layer 3D TLC NAND. There is also a 2GB DRAM cache IC.

Performance-wise, Klevv rates the Sequential read performance of the 2TB drive as up to 7,400MB/s with writes up to 6,800MB/s. The 1TB drive gets the same 7,400MB/s Sequential read performance with writes rated as up to 6,400MB/s. Random performance for both drives is rated as up to 1,000K for both reads and writes.

Klevv rates the 2TB drive's TBW endurance at 1,500 (the 1TB drive gets 750 TBW), and the drives are backed by a 5-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

• Usable Capacities: 2TB.
• NAND Components: 176-layer 3D TLC NAND.
• NAND Controller: InnoGrit IG5236.
• Cache: 2GB LPDDR4-4266.
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4, NVMe 1.4.
• Form Factor: M.2, 2280.
• Dimensions: 80 x 22 x 3.2mm (without heatsink), 80 x 23.6 x 8.7mm (with heatsink)
• Drive Weight: 7g (without heatsink), 23g (with heatsink).

Firmware Version: 3.U.J.LW

The post Klevv CRAS C930 2TB Gen4 SSD Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, all those with a Humble subscription are privy to a select number of titles for ‘free’ as part of the company’s Humble Choice service. For the month of May, subscribers can obtain a strong and varied line-up of titles, including Amnesia: The Bunker, Evil West; Corpse Keeper and more.

Available to add to your library from now until the end of May, this month’s Humble Choice line-up features the following:

• The Thaumaturge – Deluxe Edition
• Amnesia: The Bunker
• Evil West
• Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
• STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter
• Ultros
• Corpse Keeper

Interestingly, alongside the regular suite of titles, Humble’s Choice subscription now also includes a free month of IGN Plus, said to offer “unlimited use of IGN’s in-game maps and guides”; ad-free access to the site and more.

Though there is perhaps no single standout title for the month, May’s Humble Choice line-up offers plenty of interesting and worthwhile experiences – especially when it comes to indie games.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of May’s offerings? Which title are you most excited to try? Do you subscribe to Humble Choice more for AAA games or indie experiences? Let us know down below.

The post May’s Humble Choice line-up is available now first appeared on KitGuru.