2025 has been a pretty bad year for the video games industry all things considered. While the quality of the games themselves have remained high, issues surrounding industry consolidation, inflation and more have left a lasting negative impact on the overall market. Perhaps the most destructive however has been the rise in AI data-centres leading to deep RAM shortages and heavy price increases. Already impacting the industry massively, insiders have claimed that console manufacturers are now considering delaying their next-gen plans.

As reported by known leakers Insider-Gaming, the current and ongoing rise in RAM prices as a result of the influx in AI data centres has put console manufacturers in a sticky situation.

While the likes of Sony are said to have stocked up on RAM prior to the recent gold rush allowing them to continue producing PS5 consoles, manufacturers’ next-gen plans have reportedly been complicated somewhat, with the publication claiming:

“From what we understand, the situation has led console manufacturers to debate whether the next generation of consoles should be delayed from their intended 2027-2028 release window, with the hope that RAM manufacturers will be able to build out their infrastructure to produce more RAM, thereby allowing prices to drop.”

In many people’s eyes, the massive surge in demand for RAM due to AI is nothing more than a tech bubble – one which will inevitably burst. How long that will take; we will have to wait and see, but it is clear that as of right now next-gen consoles are in a bit of a state of limbo.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the whole AI RAM situation? How long before the bubble bursts? When do you think next-gen consoles should be released? Let us know down below.

The post Insiders claim next-gen consoles could be delayed due to RAM prices first appeared on KitGuru.

Monster Hunter Wilds started its life as one of the most anticipated titles of 2025. While the game benefited from a strong launch, various performance and visual issues led to the game seeing a sharp decline in sales. With the recent Title Update 4 finally marking a point of stability for Wilds, it appears as though Capcom are gearing up to release the game onto the Nintendo Switch 2.

As discovered by dataminers (and shared to the MonsterHunterLeaks subreddit), the recent title update 4 for Monster Hunter Wilds appears to include references to the Nintendo Switch 2, indicating that Capcom might be working on a Nintendo version of the game.

As mentioned, Monster Hunter Wilds suffered from plenty of performance issues across the board at launch, including on high-end PC hardware, and so releasing a Switch 2 version alongside all the others would have certainly been inadvisable.

That said, with the publisher continuing to optimise the experience (alongside their increased knowledge of Switch 2 development thanks to other Capcom projects), a Switch 2 version could at some point be a reality.

While the series initially started on the PS2, Monster Hunter has had a strong presence on Nintendo platforms over the years, with the OG Switch receiving its own unique entry in the form of MH Rise (though it did eventually come to all other systems).

Given their continued work on optimising the game, here’s to hoping that we’ll get another major performance patch some time in 2026 – likely around the same time that the Switch 2 version is announced/released.

KitGuru says: What do you think of title update 4? Has it fixed most of the performance issues for you? Do you have high hopes for the Switch 2 version? Let us know down below.

The post Monster Hunter Wilds update hints at upcoming Switch 2 release first appeared on KitGuru.

More than a decade on from its predecessor’s release, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time launched earlier this year to near immediate success – selling half a million copies in its first few days. In the months since, the game has continued to grow both in terms of content and player counts, with the team now revealing that Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has officially sold over 1.5 million copies.

Making the announcement via Twitter, the CEO of LEVEL5 ‘Akihiro Hino’ confirmed that Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has officially sold over 1.5 million copies since its launch back in May, writing (via translation):

“To all the users who purchased it, thank you so much! We will continue to create engaging, high-quality software, so we look forward to your continued support!”

As mentioned, this announcement arrives just days following the game’s biggest update yet, with patch 2.0 introducing a whole new open-world rogue-like mode alongside an additional region; quality-of-life improvements; weapons; mounts and much more.

Given that a similar rogue-like mode was added to Donkey Kong Bananza via a paid DLC, it is encouraging to see other developers offer substantial content updates for free – all the while being rewarded for it with increased sales. It will be interesting to see what else is planned for the future of Fantasy Life i in 2026 and beyond.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 1.5 million? Have you checked out the new rogue-like mode? What do you think? Let us know down below.

The post Free rogue-like mode update helps push ‘Fantasy Life i’ past 1.5 million sales first appeared on KitGuru.

For Day 30 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with Seagate to give TWO winners today a major storage upgrade. One winner today will get a Firecuda 530R 1TB SSD and a second winner will get an 8TB Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox!

While the Game Drive Hub for Xbox is an officially licensed Xbox product, it can also be used with PCs via a USB connection. You'll have a massive 8TB of storage to fill up, making it ideal for both games and media storage. The Firecuda 530R SSD on the other hand is intended for PCs, with PCIe Gen 4 NVMe compatibility, an M.2 form factor and read/write speeds up to 7400MB/s and 6900MB/s respectively.

How to Enter:

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – How much storage have you already got? 

#SeagateFireCuda #SeagateGaming #GameDrive #FireCudaSeagate2025

This competition is in the UK, as well as Benelux and Nordic regions.

The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 30th, and a new competition will be announced for Day 30. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.

Terms and Conditions: This competition is open UK, as well as Benelux and Nordic regions, starting at 11AM GMT on December 30th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 31st. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 31!

The post KitGuru Advent Calendar Day 30: Win a Seagate M.2 SSD or 8TB Game Drive Hub! first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus ROG is preparing for a high-impact presence at CES 2026, with teasers suggesting it will introduce its own RGB-stripe OLED monitors designed with improved text clarity. Alongside these displays, Asus is set to refresh its AM5 motherboard lineup with a new “Neo” series.

The most significant ROG display teaser centres on “zero fringing” technology. The language aligns perfectly with recent announcements from LG Display, which recently unveiled a 27-inch 4K OLED panel featuring an RGB stripe subpixel layout that promises to solve that same problem. Unlike current WOLED or QD-OLED panels, a standard RGB stripe matches how Windows and macOS render fonts, virtually eliminating the colour bleeding and blurring that have plagued OLED productivity. The upcoming Asus monitor is expected to utilise this exact panel technology. As such, one can expect 4K resolution, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and a dual mode with an alternative 1080p at 480 Hz preset.

Another teaser also shows Asus is also refreshing its motherboard stack with the “Neo” branding, covering ROG Strix, ROG Crosshair, TUF Gaming, and ProArt series. These woin't feature entirely new chipsets but rather a feature refresh of the X870E and B850 platforms. It's unclear what these new features are, but based on past mid-cycle motherboard refreshes, we assume these motherboards will bring improved connectivity, CPU support, and memory compatibility.

KitGuru says: Of the two products teased, which one are you the most interested in?

The post Asus gears up for CES 2026 with new ROG OLEDs and “Neo” series motherboards first appeared on KitGuru.

First released back in 2021 for PlayStation and PC, Guilty Gear Strive is the latest entry in the long-running and much loved 2.5D fighting series from Arc System Works. While the studio continues to work on the upcoming Marvel Tokon, Strive is still seeing plenty of support – with the previously-announced 2.0 update now being officially detailed.

Releasing a blogpost discussing the game’s next major update, Arc System Works producer Ken Miyauchi revealed just how transformative patch 2.0 should be, writing:

“With Version 2.0 and beyond, our goal is not simply to adjust characters or add new content, but to prepare updates that offer a refreshed overall experience—one that feels engaging, almost like picking up a new game.”

2.0 specifically is being labelled as “a milestone: an opportunity to review and refine what we have built so far, and to take the next step forward for Guilty Gear -Strive-.”

Even so, the update looks to be pretty substantial, with Arc confirming that the launch of 2.0 will arrive alongside a new playable character – with many other pre-existing characters said to be seeing “changes that go beyond standard tuning, including potential reworks.”

Finally, the team offered a few specifics on some characters which are set to receive changes, including new moves for Sol Badguy, Ky Kiske, Nagoriyuki, and Leo Whitefang.

Guilty Gear Strive is easily one of Arc System Works’ most successful titles, with the game having sold over 3.5 million copies so far. With update 2.0 scheduled to arrive some time next year, it will be interesting to see just how long the game winds up receiving updates on this level – and whether they will officially move on once Tokon releases. The full blogpost can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Guilty Gear Strive? Are you looking forward to the 2.0 update? Let us know down below.

The post Guilty Gear Strive update 2.0 officially detailed first appeared on KitGuru.

HKC has announced its presence for CES 2026, bringing a suite of world-first display technologies under its various sub-brands. The company is set to challenge the current OLED dominance with its new “RGB MiniLED” technology and push the boundaries of esports performance with a monitor capable of a staggering 1,080 Hz refresh rate.

In this lineup, HKC is highlighting the HKC M10 Ultra, which the company touts as the world's first monitor to feature RGB MiniLED backlighting. Unlike traditional MiniLED displays that use white LEDs filtered through a layer of quantum dots or colour filters, RGB MiniLED uses separate red, green, and blue diodes at the backlight level. This enables what HKC calls “true light-and-colour co-control”. The M10 Ultra features a 32-inch 4K panel with 1,596 physical dimming zones, which translates to 4,788 individual RGB colour control zones. Specifications are aimed at professional creators and high-end gamers, boasting 1,600 nits of peak brightness and near-total coverage of various colour gamuts: 99.9% DCI-P3, 99.9% Adobe RGB, and 98% BT.2020. It also supports a dual-mode refresh rate, switching between 4K at 165 Hz and FHD at 330 Hz.

For the competitive esports market, HKC's sub-brand AntGamer is set to steal the headlines with the ANT275PQ Max. After announcing the 750 Hz display earlier this year, the new model is being introduced as the world's highest refresh-rate QHD LCD. While it runs natively at 1440p, it features an “AI-powered” mode that allows it to reach 1,080 Hz at 1080p. To support this level of throughput, the monitor is expected to use the full DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 standard.

The lineup also includes the HKC M9 Pro, described as the world's first 5K AI esports monitor, which pairs a 5K resolution with 2,304 dimming zones and an 180 Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the Koorui brand will cater to the simulation and racing crowd with the S4941XO, a 49-inch OLED ultrawide offering a 5120 x 1440 resolution at 240 Hz.

KitGuru says: HKC is clearly not content with being a behind-the-scenes panel supplier. The M10 Ultra's RGB MiniLED tech is a fascinating technical pivot that could offer OLED-level contrast without the burn-in concerns. At the same time, the 1,080 Hz AntGamer display is a clear statement in the ultra-competitive FPS market.

The post HKC to showcase world’s first 1080Hz monitor at CES first appeared on KitGuru.

One of Nintendo’s main strategies for the Switch 2 so far has focused on its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades – which are essentially ports of Switch 1 titles with a resolution and framerate boost alongside a couple hours worth of additional content. Following the likes of Breath of the Wild; Kirby and the Forgotten Land; Mario Party Jamboree and others, it appears as though Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the next game to receive a Switch 2 Edition.

As discovered by the publication Gematsu, the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) ratings board have posted a listing for Pikmin 3 Deluxe coming to the Nintendo Switch 2.

For context, Pikmin 3 Deluxe was released back in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. That said, the game’s non-deluxe version originally launched well over a decade ago in 2013 for the Wii U. 

This will mark the second Switch 2 Edition of what was ostensibly a Wii U title, with the aforementioned Breath of the Wild being a Switch 1 launch title as well as the Wii U’s swansong.

Given that it has yet to be officially announced, no details have been shared. That said, expect the upgrade to cost you around $20 while offering higher resolutions and potentially smoother framerates. Unfortunately, many of Nintendo’s Switch 2 editions have so far been rather underwhelming, and so it will be interesting to see what exactly is planned for Pikmin 3 Deluxe.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nintendo’s Switch 2 Editions so far? Have they been worth it? Are you surprised to see Pikmin 3 getting upgraded before 4? Let us know down below.

The post Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 3 Deluxe unveiled by PEGI ratings board first appeared on KitGuru.

Cygames has officially announced that the original Granblue Fantasy is coming to Steam. Revealed during the Granblue Fantasy Fes 2025 broadcast on December 28th, the title is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 10th, 2026, exactly twelve years to the day since its initial debut in Japan.

While the franchise has seen significant Western exposure recently through the Versus: Rising fighting game and the Relink action RPG, the original 2014 title remained a mobile and browser-only exclusive in Japan. Although a 2016 patch added an English-language option, Western players were forced to use Japanese browser workarounds or third-party app stores to access the game. This native Steam launch marks the first time the foundational title will be officially distributed in the West.

The Steam version is more than just a direct port of the mobile version. According to Automaton, Cygames confirmed that the game's layout is being overhauled for 16:9 screens. This is a significant change for a title built on decade-old web technologies, likely intended to make the combat and menu-heavy systems more palatable for desktop users.

The developer also confirmed there will be no account linking. Current players who have invested years into their browser or mobile accounts via Mobage, DMM, or Yahoo! Japan will not be able to transfer their progress. The Steam version will act as a completely separate ecosystem, requiring all users to start a fresh game. Furthermore, while the release is intended for the global market and includes English support, Cygames has confirmed it will be geoblocked in Japan, likely to avoid cannibalising its existing mobile player base.

KitGuru says: It is a bizarre decision to block account transfers for a game that is famous for its extreme longevity and “forever” grind. While the 16:9 widescreen update is a welcome technical improvement, forcing veterans to choose between their decade of progress and a native Steam client is a tough pill to swallow.

The post Cygames confirms original Granblue Fantasy for Steam, 12 years after Japanese debut first appeared on KitGuru.

After a decade of little-to-nothing in the way of new Silent Hill content, Konami’s iconic franchise has returned bigger and better than ever with the back-to-back successes of Silent Hill 2 Remake and Silent Hill F. While the revival of the Silent Hill series is exciting to see, it appears as though Konami are already starting to count their chickens before they hatch, claiming that they plan to release a new entry in the series every single year.

In an article released by the Japanese publication Famitsu (and translated by ResetEra user Lucia via ML) over 170 different Japanese game developers were interviewed, asking them about their aspirations for 2026.

According to Silent Hill producer Motoi Okamoto, for 2026 and beyond the team are aiming “to release titles at a pace of about one title per year” – “Including announced and unannounced titles.”

Of course, the article pertains to aspirations for 2026, and so this is far from a concrete plan, with Okamoto adding: “While it remains to be seen how much we can achieve this, I will do my best as the producer of the Silent Hill series. Ideally, we'd like to see excitement for Silent Hill continue to build. We'll do our best to provide you with new updates, so we kindly ask for your patience a little longer.”

As mentioned, following a decade of silence, the Silent Hill franchise has come back bigger and better than ever, with both Silent Hill 2’s Remake and SHf selling millions of copies and landing near the top of their franchise ratings.

While it has already been confirmed that Bloober Team are working on a remake of the original Silent Hill, here’s to hoping that Konami doesn’t wind up sacrificing quality in the pursuit of annual releases. We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this statement? Is this a cause for concern? Do you have faith in the renewed Silent Hill team? Let us know down below.

The post Konami hopes to release a new Silent Hill game every year first appeared on KitGuru.

2017’s NieR: Automata was a beautiful, evocative and highly fun game which introduced millions to the unique and bleak world of NieR. Unfortunately, in the nearly 9 years since, we have yet to get a new entry – with the biggest release being a remaster/remake of the original 2010 NieR in 2021. Those hoping for a new NieR next year will have to keep their expectations in check however, with the series producer all-but-confirming that no new game is planned for 2026.

As part of a big end-of-year article published by the Japanese site 4Gamer, nearly 200 game developers across Japan were asked about their ambitions for 2026. According to NieR series producer Yosuke Saito (as translated by the publication Gematsu):

“For NieR: Automata's ninth anniversary [March 2026], we're also preparing ‘just a little something…' so please don't get too excited with anticipation! With that, I wish you all a happy New Year.”

As mentioned, we have not seen a proper new entry in the NieR series ever since 2017’s Automata. That’s not to say the franchise has been quiet, with NieR having crossed over with countless other games, including but not limited to Stellar Blade; PUBG; The First Descendant; Final Fantasy Brave Exvius; Babylon’s Fall and Call of Duty Mobile.

In terms of actual NieR games, we’ve gotten the 2021 remaster/remake of 2010’s NieR Replicant and the mobile exclusive NieR Reincarnation.

Given the fact that we shouldn’t expect any major announcements for 2026, here’s to hoping that at the very least we get native current-gen upgrades for both Automata and Replicant. We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: When did you first play NieR? How long have you been waiting for a sequel to Automata? Could a new entry match the quality of 2017’s masterpiece? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Don’t expect any major NieR news in 2026, claims series producer first appeared on KitGuru.

The Danganronpa series is generally regarded as one of the best and most successful visual novels in the gaming medium. The franchise, which has seen three mainline titles, alongside spin-off games; an anime adaptation; as well as novels and manga has continued to see new fans on an annual basis – despite the last mainline entry arriving all the way back in 2017. 15 years on from the franchise’s inception, Danganronpa has now officially sold over 10 million copies.

Making the announcement via a press release, publisher Spike Chunsoft confirmed that the “widely beloved Danganronpa video game series has surpassed 10 million units shipped worldwide” as of the 10th of December 2025.

As mentioned, the Danganronpa franchise has amassed a dedicated fanbase over the past 15 years, helping to keep the series relevant despite the lack of any new mainline entries in almost a decade.

With various titles having been added to subscription services over the years, the total number of players is likely even greater than the 10 million sales figure.

Though we did not get any concrete details on what’s next for the series, the team concluded their press release by stating: “Spike Chunsoft looks forward to continuing to elevate the Danganronpa franchise through a variety of products and initiatives.”

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of the Danganronpa series? How does it compare to other visual novels? Are you hoping for a 4th mainline entry in the coming years? Let us know down below.

The post The Danganronpa series has officially surpassed 10 million copies sold first appeared on KitGuru.

Throughout 2025 we have seen a number of different games hold the top spot for the best-selling title of the year. With 2026 just a couple days away now, we have started to get a more complete look at the past 12 months in the industry – with EA’s Battlefield 6 confirmed to be the best-selling game of 2025 in the US (and Mario Kart World topping the UK physical charts).

As shared by the publication Gameindustry.biz, we’ve now gotten a more complete look at the video games industry’s performance across 2025.

The full list of stats can be found HERE, and covers all sorts from the most discussed games of the year, to the biggest publisher, most viewed trailers and more.

For our purposes however, the most interesting stats pertain to the best-selling games of the year, with the top 10 titles in the US being as follows:

1. Battlefield 6
2. NBA 2K26
3. Monster Hunter: Wilds
4. Borderlands 4
5. EA Sports College Football 26
6. Madden NFL 26
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
8. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
9. TES IV: Oblivion Remastered
10. Ghost of Yotei

The UK’s top 10 meanwhile shows quite a different story:

1. Mario Kart World
2. EA Sports FC 26
3. Pokemon Legends Z-A
4. Hogwarts Legacy
5. EA Sports FC 25
6. Battlefield 6
7. Assassin's Creed: Shadows
8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
9. Donkey Kong Bananza
10. Minecraft

It is worth noting however that the US figures in particular only go up to November and do not include games offered as part of hardware bundles (likely why Mario Kart World is not featured).

The UK Figures are also somewhat incomplete. While they do count hardware bundles and include sales up to mid December, the top 10 does not feature any digital software sales – hence why Nintendo games have such a big presence on the list.

Regardless, it is interesting to see how the past 12 months of video games have performed, and how other regions’ purchasing habits differ from one another. The full stats for 2025 (including Japanese sales, mobile game performance and more) can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: Was 2025 a good year for video games? Are you surprised by any of the best-sellers? What do you think the UK chart would look like had digital sales been included? Let us know down below.

The post Battlefield 6 was officially the best-selling game of 2025 in the US first appeared on KitGuru.

Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winners today are Mathan Hermans (1000W) Paul Blakemore (850W Dagger Pro) Richard Rowley (850W Vita GM). There are still a couple more giveaways left for the month. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.

For Day 29 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with FSP to give away THREE prizes. Each winner today will get a new FSP 850W or 1000W PSU!

FSP’s Hydro PTM PRO 1000W, Dagger PRO 850W, and VITA GM 850W cover three very different segments of the PSU market while sharing the brand’s emphasis on efficiency, protection features, and long warranties. The Hydro PTM PRO 1000W is a high‑end ATX unit, offering 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, a fully modular layout and a 10‑year warranty. The Dagger PRO 850W targets small‑form‑factor builds with its compact SFX design, 80 Plus Gold efficiency, semi‑fanless operation, Japanese capacitors, and a strong single‑rail 12V output, making it one of the more capable SFX units available. The VITA GM 850W is FSP’s value‑oriented ATX 3.1 Gold model, delivering modern PCIe 5.1 support, fully modular cabling, a 120mm HYB fan, and a 10‑year warranty, positioning it as a cost‑efficient option for mainstream gaming systems.

How to Enter:

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – What is the wattage of your current PSU? 

This competition is open worldwide.

The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 30th, and a new competition will be announced for Day 30. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.

Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide, starting at 11AM GMT on December 29th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 30th. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 30!

The post KitGuru Advent Calendar Day 29: Win one of THREE FSP PSUs! (Closed) first appeared on KitGuru.

OLED monitors are getting cheaper and cheaper, and today's screen is quite possibly the most affordable we have ever looked at. We're talking about the Philips Evnia 27M2N6501L, a display which utilises a 3rd Gen Samsung QD-OLED panel with a 27in 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. It offers all the key benefits of OLED technology, including effectively infinite contrast, near-instant response times and super-wide gamut coverage to give just three examples. Launching at just £399 here in the UK, we find out if it's worth buying.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:54 Affordable OLEDs and pricing info
02:10 Design first impressions
02:28 Ambiglow lighting
03:15 I/O + OSD menu
04:20 QD-OLED characteristics
05:34 Out of the box panel testing
07:38 sRGB and calibrated results
08:18 Response time / motion clarity examples
09:35 Real-world gaming experience
10:41 HDR testing
12:37 Closing thoughts

If you're looking for an affordable OLED monitor, chances are you will have come across both the Philips Evnia 27M2N6501L, and AOC's Q27G4ZDR. Both share the same panel and cost £400, but we decided to focus on the Philips offering as it also offers Ambiglow lighting, plus I think the design is more visually appealing.

Prices for other QD-OLEDs have been getting lower and lower though, with AOC's AG276QZD2 hitting £379 during Black Friday, while Gigabyte's MO27Q2 is currently £429. Safe to say there's a lot of competition, so let's find out how the 27M2N6501L performs.

Specification:

• Panel size: 26.5″ / 67.3 cm
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Monitor panel type: QD OLED
• Pixel pitch: 0.2292 x 0.2292 mm
• Brightness: SDR: 200 nits (APL 100%), HDR: 400 nits (APL 10%)
• Display colours: 1.07B (10 bits)
• Colour gamut (typical): Adobe RGB 98%; DCI-P3 99%; sRGB 147.5%; NTSC 120%*
• Contrast ratio (typical): 1.5M:1
• SmartContrast: Mega Infinity DCR
• Response time (typical): 0.03 ms (Grey to Grey)*
• Viewing angle: 178º (H) / 178º (V) @ C/R > 10000
• Picture enhancement: SmartImage game
• Maximum resolution: 2560 x 1440 @ 240 Hz (DP / HDMI)
• Effective viewing area: 590.42 (H) x 333.72 (V) mm
• Scanning frequency: 30k–390 kHz (H) / 48–240 Hz (V)
• sRGB: Yes
• Delta E: < 2 (sRGB)
• Flicker-free: Yes
• Pixel density: 111 PPI
• Display screen coating: Anti-reflection, 2H
• Low input lag: Yes
• EasyRead: Yes
• G-SYNC: Yes
• HDR: HDR10
• Pixel format: RGB Q-Stripe*
• Smart Crosshair: Yes
• Stark ShadowBoost: Yes
• ClearMR tier: 13,000
• Smart Sniper: Yes
• Shadow Boost: Yes
• SoftBlue technology: Yes*
• Signal input: HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1
• Audio (In/Out): Headphone out
• HDCP: HDCP 1.4 (HDMI/DisplayPort), HDCP 2.3 (HDMI/DisplayPort)
• USB hub: USB 3.2 Gen 1 / 5 Gbps, USB-B upstream x 1, USB-A downstream x 2 (1 for fast charge)
• Plug and Play compatibility: DDC/CI, Mac OS, sRGB, Windows 11/10
• User convenience: Power On/Off, Menu/OK, Input/Up, Game Settings/Down, SmartImage game/Back
• Other convenience: Kensington lock, VESA mount (100 x 100 mm), LowBlue Mode, MultiView
• Ambiglow: Ambiglow 3-sided
• Height adjustment: 130 mm
• Pivot: ±90°
• Swivel: ±30°
• Tilt: -5° ~ 20°

Firmware tested: V1.01

The post Philips Evnia 27M2N6501L Review (Affordable 1440p/240Hz QD-OLED) first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus is raising the bar for professional-grade monitors with the introduction of the PA27UCDMR, a 26.5-inch addition to the ProArt lineup that bridges the gap between high-speed gaming specifications and critical colour accuracy.

As shared by DisplaySpecifications, the PA27UCDMR is built around a 4K UHD QD-OLED panel with a 166 PPI pixel density, ensuring fine details remain sharp. While OLED is often associated with entertainment in the monitor market, Asus has tailored this specific model for the creative studio by incorporating a true 10-bit colour depth and near-total coverage of professional gamuts, including 99% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB.

 

The motion handling is where the ProArt PA27UCDMR deviates from traditional creative displays. With a 240 Hz refresh rate and a 0.1 ms G2G response time, the monitor can handle high-frame-rate video review and game development workflows. This speed can then be paired with dynamic range support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision content. Moreover, the monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black-certified.

The PA27UCDMR has an integrated hardware calibration solution, meaning you can calibrate it without relying on software-level profiles. This allows the user to switch between different systems without losing the preset. The inclusion of the Asus ProArt Calibration software, alongside compatibility with Calman and Light Illusion systems, reinforces its position as a tool for colour perfectionists. Furthermore, built-in ambient light and proximity sensors enable the display to dynamically adjust its brightness based on the studio environment or user presence.

Connectivity is equally good, headlined by a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports that support daisy-chaining and deliver up to 96W of power to a connected laptop. This single-cable solution is complemented by DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 inputs, alongside a high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 hub. Mechanically, the monitor offers the full suite of ergonomic adjustments, including a 130 mm height range and the ability to pivot to a vertical orientation, ensuring it fits virtually any professional workspace.

KitGuru says: The ProArt PA27UCDMR is a formidable entry into the professional market, effectively silencing the argument that you have to choose between high refresh rates and professional colour accuracy.

The post Asus ProArt PA27UCDMR merges 240Hz refresh rate with HDR10 and Dolby Vision first appeared on KitGuru.

Nihon Falcom has released its latest “Business Plans and Growth Potential” report detailing its plan toward global self-publishing and multi-platform development. After a successful fiscal 2025 driven by the worldwide success of the Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake, the legendary JRPG developer is doubling down on its independent publishing efforts for the Nintendo Switch, the recently launched Switch 2, and the PlayStation 5.

As shared by Gematsu, the report includes a roadmap with multiple upcoming titles. Still, the most significant is probably the formal scheduling of Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (the remake of Trails in the Sky SC), which is now locked for a fall 2026 release. Following the momentum of its predecessor, the title will launch simultaneously on PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. This simultaneous global release strategy marks a significant shift for Falcom, which historically relied on third-party partners for ports and regional launches.

Besides this remake, the internal roadmap reveals several high-priority projects currently in active development. Most notable is “Title C”, a new entry in the Tokyo Xanadu series. The 2026 schedule also includes a yet-to-be-announced “New Title” and a “Ported Title”, both aimed at the mid-year window.

Looking further ahead, the document confirms that unannounced mainline entries for both the Ys and Trails series (specifically referred to as Title I and Title H) are in production. The company is also exploring the potential of the Switch 2 for ports of its existing catalogue, with at least one dedicated Switch 2 port currently listed as “In Development”.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Falcom games? Which series is your favourite? Interested in any of Falcom's upcoming titles?

The post Nihon Falcom reveals new Trails and Ys JRPGs for 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

LG has unveiled a new lineup of high-end gaming monitors ahead of CES 2026, introducing a new flagship sub-brand named UltraGear evo. Designed to sit above its standard gaming lineup, the “evo” series prioritises high resolutions while aiming to overcome the hardware barrier to 5K gaming through integrated on-device AI upscaling.

The feature that sets all these new monitors apart is LG's proprietary 5K AI upscaling solution. LG claims this is the world's first on-device upscaler capable of taking lower-resolution signals and outputting them with “5K-class clarity” without taxing the user's graphics card. By moving the heavy lifting of spatial reconstruction from the PC to the monitor's internal scaler, LG suggests that gamers may even be able to skip a GPU upgrade.

The lineup includes the 39GX950B, a 39-inch 5K2K (5120×2160) ultrawide that uses LG's Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology. This “four-stack” architecture, which stacks multiple light-emitting layers, improves peak brightness and panel longevity compared to traditional WOLED. For enthusiasts who split their time between immersive sims and Twitch shooters, the 39-inch model features a Dual Mode toggle that lets users switch between 165 Hz at 5K2K and a blistering 330 Hz at WFHD.

For those who prefer high-brightness HDR over perfect blacks, the 27GM950B arrives as the world's first 5K “New MiniLED” monitor. This 27-inch display addresses the common “blooming” or haloing issues found in older MiniLED designs through LG's Zero Optical Distance engineering. By physically minimising the gap between the 2,304 local dimming zones and the panel itself, LG claims it has achieved professional-grade optical clarity. This model also supports Dual Mode, reaching up to 330 Hz at QHD resolution with a peak brightness of 1,250 nits.

Rounding out the “evo” family is the 52G930B, currently the world's largest 5K2K gaming monitor. With a 52-inch diagonal and a 1000R curvature, it offers a 12:9 panoramic aspect ratio. Despite its sheer scale, it maintains a native 240 Hz refresh rate. Finally, for those who crave high refresh rates, LG confirmed that the UltraGear GX7 (27GX790B) will go on sale the day CES 2026 opens. This QHD Tandem OLED display reaches a native 540 Hz, with a secondary Dual Mode pushing to 720 Hz at HD resolution, directly challenging the latest TN and Fast-IPS esports panels.

KitGuru says: G's push into 5K AI upscaling is a clever move to mitigate the rising cost of GPUs. If the on-device processing can truly deliver a crisp 5K image without the shimmering associated with poor spatial upscalers, it could change how we value high-pixel-density monitors.

The post LG unveils new UltraGear evo lineup with built-in AI upscaling tech first appeared on KitGuru.

Sapphire has officially entered the “cable-less” PC building arena with the launch of its Nitro+ PhantomLink series. Currently debuting in the Chinese market, this release signals Sapphire's adoption of the back-connector power delivery standard, offering a solution to the cluttered aesthetics that often plague high-end builds. The new lineup includes a dark grey motherboard, a limited white edition motherboard, and a GPU.

According to VideoCardz, Sapphire's implementation of the Asus-pioneered BTF 2.5 (GC-HPWR) standard is named PhantomLink. By using a high-power header adjacent to the primary PCIe slot, the graphics card draws power directly from the motherboard. This eliminates the need for the traditional power cables that typically trail across the front of the chassis. For builders not yet ready to commit to a specialised motherboard, Sapphire has wisely opted for a detachable GC-HPWR module, allowing the card to function with standard hardware via a traditional 12V-2×6 connector.

Image credit: VideoCardz

To complement the new GPUs, Sapphire has also unveiled two matching motherboards built on the AM5 X870E chipset: the Nitro+ X870EA PhantomLink and the Nitro+ “Aurora” X870EA PhantomLink Polar Edition. These boards act as the power delivery hub for the system, featuring a rear-mounted power interface that keeps all primary cabling hidden behind the motherboard tray. Beyond the aesthetic clean-up, these boards are high-spec enthusiast offerings, featuring support for PCIe 5.0 storage and graphics, as well as modern connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 7 and USB4.

Underneath the hood, the Nitro+ RX 9070 XT PhantomLink shares identical specifications (via VideoCardz) with the standard Nitro+ model, featuring 4,096 stream processors and a core clock that boosts up to 3,060 MHz. The 16 GB of GDDR6 memory sits on a 256-bit bus operating at 20 Gbps, supported by 64 MB of Infinity Cache. Sapphire has also included a safety feature: a “PWR CONFLICT” LED that prevents the card from operating if a user accidentally connects both the PhantomLink header and the traditional 12V-2×6 cable simultaneously.

While these products are currently appearing on Chinese retail sites, a broader global rollout is expected to follow, likely coinciding with CES 2026. In terms of pricing, the Titanium model is listed at 5,799 RMB (approximately £611), while the white Aurora edition carries a premium at 5,999 RMB (roughly £632).

KitGuru says: Sapphire is clearly banking on the “clean build” trend becoming standard. While the reliance on a specific motherboard remains a barrier to entry, the inclusion of a detachable adapter makes this a much more sensible purchase for those planning a multi-stage system upgrade.

The post Sapphire joins the hidden-cable movement with PhantomLink GPU and motherboard first appeared on KitGuru.

Ubisoft has been forced to pull Rainbow Six Siege offline due to a recent hack. Someone managed to gain access to Ubisoft servers and began giving out billions of free R6 credits to random players across the game, while also issuing false bans and sending out unusual in-game system messages to players. 

Considering the events of this weekend, it seems likely that someone gained access to Ubisoft's game-wide moderation system, allowing them to press all kinds of buttons to mess with thousands of players across the world all at once. As you may expect, Ubisoft has pulled Rainbow Six Siege offline and frozen the skin marketplace while it looks into what happened.

As the attacker gave out free credits to players, some had already spent their credits on skins. If you were one of those people, then you won't have to worry about being banned, however, there will be a rollback of all store transactions, so anything you did purchase may disappear from your inventory, and your currency balance should revert back to what it was before the attack took place.

There is no word on when the game will come back online just yet, but we should get an update next week.

KitGuru Says: This is one of the wilder attacks we've seen in an online game. We're used to seeing people cheat in shooters, but we aren't used to seeing someone gifting thousands of dollars' worth of premium currency out to random players, sending out random game-wide messages to players and issuing bans and unbans. 

The post Rainbow Six Siege pulled offline after massive hack first appeared on KitGuru.

Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winners today are Steven Hunter and Marcin Kulbarsz! If you missed out this time then keep an eye out as we still have a couple more giveaways to finish off the month. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.

For Day 28 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar we have teamed up with Silverstone to give two lucky readers a hardware bundle including an SSR-FLP01W chassis and either an SST-DA1000R power supply or an SST-IM360 ARGB liquid cooler.

SilverStone’s SST‑DA1000R‑GM is a fully modular 1000W ATX 3.0/PCIe 5.0 power supply featuring Cybenetics Gold efficiency, a 12VHPWR connector, Japanese capacitors, and a semi‑fanless 135mm FDB fan for high‑end gaming or workstation builds. The FLP01 is a compact retro‑styled PC case designed to evoke classic home‑computer aesthetics while accommodating modern components in a small‑form‑factor layout. The IM360‑ARGB is a 360mm all‑in‑one liquid CPU cooler equipped with ARGB lighting, three 120mm fans, and broad Intel/AMD socket compatibility, offering strong thermal performance for mid‑ to high‑end processors.

 

How to Enter:

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – What was your first PC case? 

This competition is open worldwide.

The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 29th, and a new competition will be announced for Day 29. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.

Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide, starting at 11AM GMT on December 28th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 29th. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 29!

The post KitGuru Advent Calendar Day 28: Win a Silverstone hardware bundle! (Closed) first appeared on KitGuru.

Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Our winner today is Paul Blakemore! If you missed out this time then keep an eye out as there are still a few more giveaways left on the calendar. Today's giveaway can be found HERE.

For Day 27 of the KitGuru Advent Calendar we have teamed up with ASRock to offer up a B860I Lightning motherboard, perfect for anyone looking to build a small but powerful Intel-based PC.

The ASRock B860I Lightning is a compact Mini‑ITX motherboard built for Intel’s LGA1851 processors, offering a surprisingly robust feature set for its size and price. It delivers strong power delivery with a 14‑phase design and active VRM cooling, supports high‑speed DDR5 memory, and includes modern connectivity such as PCIe 5.0 for graphics, a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5 GbE, and Wi‑Fi 6E.

How to Enter:

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over to our competition announcement post on Facebook, HERE. In the comments, leave an answer to the following question – Have you ever built a Mini ITX PC?

This competition is open in the UK and EU.

The winner will be picked randomly shortly after 11AM GMT December 28th, and a new competition will be announced for Day 28. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, a new winner will be picked.

Terms and Conditions: This competition is open in the UK and EU, starting at 11AM GMT on December 27th and ending at 10:59AM GMT on December 28th. Due to the busy Christmas season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual, and some prizes may not ship until January. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to all who enter, we'll be back tomorrow morning to announce a winner and turn the calendar over to Day 28!

The post KitGuru Advent Calendar Day 27: Win an ASRock B860I Lightning motherboard! (Closed) first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent weeks, DDR5 memory prices have begun skyrocketing due to a shortage brought about by AI companies buying up the majority of available DRAM supply. Gamers may be able to work around the shortages with a little ingenuity though, as desktop RAM can be replaced by SODIMM modules with the use of an adapter. 

Hardware Canucks (via Videocardz) put this idea to the test in a recent video to see how viable it is. By going to the used SODIMM memory market, PC builders can save a decent amount of money compared to current desktop RAM prices. As 3DCenter points out, these adapters are currently very cheap as well, so an end user would be looking at a 30% saving when buying 16GB of DDR5 SODIMM memory, plus an adapter, versus buying the equivalent amount of desktop memory at current prices.

However, this cost-saving measure is not without technical caveats. These adapters are fundamentally a hack, designed for repurposing spare hardware. Desktop motherboards are engineered for specific trace lengths and signal integrity, and introducing an additional physical interface via a passive adapter inherently degrades the quality of that signal path. Consequently, users should expect to lose some performance. Laptop modules typically operate with much looser timings and lower clock speeds than desktop kits from the likes of Corsair or G.Skill. To maintain system stability, further downclocking may be necessary to compensate for the electrical noise introduced by the adapter's additional circuitry.

This trend follows other DIY measures we've seen, such as the rise of “solder-it-yourself” memory kits. While these SODIMM adapters are a far more accessible solution that doesn't require specialised electronics knowledge, they represent a similar level of desperation in the current market. For gamers who have spare SODIMM sticks from an old gaming laptop or access to cheaper mobile stock, the adapter offers a viable bridge to a functional PC, even if it means sacrificing the low-latency performance of desktop modules.

KitGuru says: This may be a good workaround in a pinch, but we wouldn't necessarily recommend running your PC this way. 

The post SODIMM to DIMM adapters could help gamers work around DDR5 memory shortage first appeared on KitGuru.

After launching the compact Node 75, NuPhy has officially unveiled the Node 100, a new low-profile mechanical keyboard with a retro minimalist design and an 1800 layout. Designed for users who need a full numpad without the desk-consuming footprint of a standard 104-key board, the Node 100 is available in three colours and three switch options.

The Node 100 retains the design elements of its smaller sibling, most notably the dot-matrix LED indicators on the left and the touch-sensitive strip on the right, which allows intuitive shortcuts and media controls. Despite its premium features, NuPhy has kept the price competitive, starting at $99.95 (with a $10 discount). This is achieved through a high-quality plastic construction with a PCB gasket mount system, ensuring a bouncier typing experience.

NuPhy is launching the Node 100 in two distinct configurations. The low-profile variants are aimed at the “productivity on the go” crowd, featuring a slim front height of just 13.8 mm and weighing in at 787 g. It uses NuPhy's Low-Profile Nano switches (based on Gateron's LP 3.0 tech) and dye-sublimated nSA profile PBT keycaps. The high-profile options are for the traditional desk setup, with a front height of 18.9 mm and double-shot PBT keycaps in the mSA profile.

Both versions feature two-stage adjustable feet, offering typing angles of 6°, 9°, or 12°, and support tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C. Moreover, the two versions can be acquired in dark gray, pink, or white with linear, tactile, or silent mechanical switches.

Under the hood, the Node 100 runs on NuPhyIO firmware, which is fully programmable through a web interface. Battery life promises to be quite good: with south-facing RGB lighting disabled, the low-profile model (3,000 mAh) and the high-profile model (4,000 mAh) last up to 1,000 hours on a single charge. Even with the lights on, users can expect roughly 100 hours of wireless use.

Moreover, NuPhy is releasing the 3D reference files for the keyboard. This allows users with 3D printers to create custom accessories for the Node 100's top rail. Pre-designed files include everything from pen holders and phone stands to LEGO-compatible mounts, making the keyboard a literal playground.

KitGuru says: The Node 100 looks like a perfect blend of minimalism, enthusiast features, complete layout, and a decent price point. While you may find equivalent or even better standard/high-profile keyboards at this price, in the low-profile market, it can be challenging to find one this promising.

The post NuPhy unveils new Node 100 keyboards first appeared on KitGuru.