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Source: Sony / PlayStation 5 / PS5 Pro
Xbox Series S and X won’t be the only consoles possibly getting a refresh this year; the PS5 Pro could also arrive in 2024.
Analysts are telling CNBC that Sony will likely drop a console refresh this year after cutting the forecast for the flagship PS5 console.
The website claims the PS5 Pro could help boost interest in the console while also offering gamers a more powerful console before the arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI in 2025, which we all know will push consoles to the limit.
Per CNBC:
First released in November 2020, Sony’s PlayStation 5 is now more than 3 years old. The Japanese gaming giant cut its forecast last week for PS5 sales for the fiscal year ending in March from 25 million units to 21 million units. An executive said last week during the company’s earnings call that Sony is expecting a “gradual decline” in unit sales from the next fiscal year.
When this has happened in past console cycles, gaming firms have looked to bring out a refreshed piece of hardware to reinviograte sales. For example, Sony launched a “Pro” version of the PlayStation 4, the previous generation console, around three years after the PS4 was initially launched.
Analysts are now expecting a PlayStation 5 Pro from Sony.
Speaking with CNBC, Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based games consultancy Kantan Games said, “There seems to be a broad consensus in the game industry that Sony is indeed preparing a launch of a PS5 Pro in the second half of 2024. And Sony will want to make sure to have a great piece of hardware ready when GTA VI hits in 2025, a launch that will be a shot in the arm for the entire gaming industry.”
Other Console Refreshes Coming Soon
We shall see. Sony recently dropped PS5 Slim with some slightly improved specs, Nintendo’s Switch 2 is reportedly coming next year, and we could see a new Xbox Series X, code-named Brooklin, arriving sometime this year as well.
As always, HHW Gaming will keep you posted with any new developments.
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Source: Emanuele Cremaschi / Getty / Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo fans will reportedly have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2.
The video game streets were talking after word got out that Nintendo showed a bunch of lucky game developers at Gamescom last year the Nintendo Switch 2, fueling the fire that the follow-up to the Nintendo Switch is coming in 2024.
Welp, unfortunately, according to sources close to the matter speaking with VGC, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be dropping in Q1 2025.
A Brazilian journalist also said the same in a video, plus “similar whispers” from sources speaking with Eurogamer also claim the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming in 2025.
If the reports are accurate, the next Switch console could launch around the same time as its predecessor did in March 2017.
Two sources confirmed to VGC that they were developing two titles for the Nintendo Switch 2: Switch Pro or whatever name it will go by when Nintendo finally unveils it.
The Verge reports the later date could allow developers to get launch titles like Metroid Prime 4 ready. That game was first announced in 2017, and its development was restarted in 2019.
It’s been five years since we heard anything about Metroid Prime 4, but according to Polygon, Nintendo could have decided to hold the game for the console’s launch.
In Other Nintendo News
This latest news comes after reports indicated that the new Switch will not have an OLED screen, which is honestly a bummer, but understandable to keep the price down, and it will still use physical cartridges.
In other Nintendo news, a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase is going down on Wednesday, Feb 21, focusing on games coming to the Nintendo Switch from the company’s publishing and development partners.
We will report on any big news that comes from it.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
At the end of 2023, Sony released a newly designed PlayStation 5 Slim, a handheld PlayStation 5 Portal remote player, an accessibility controller kit and a pair of true wireless earbuds to round out the PlayStation experience for gamers. For 2024, the tech and entertainment company just released a new accessory that brings games to life with precision and immersive audio.
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Priced at $149.99 at Walmart, the Sony Pulse Elite is a new true wireless gaming headset that’s specifically designed for the PS5 and PS Portal. In fact, it even connects to two devices at the same time.
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And since it’s from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member.
Not a member? You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer, including free delivery; fuel savings at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart or Murphy gas stations; streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals such as Halo, Fatal Attraction and Star Trek: Lower Decks; early deals access and much more. Learn more about Walmart+ here.
Sony
Sony PS Pulse Elite Wireless Gaming Headset
Also available at Amazon, Best Buy and Target, this accessory delivers excellent gaming audio that’s clear, rich and completely immersive with deep and rumbling bass. It comes with a USB “PS Link” dongle that connects directly into the back of the PS5 to give you a low-latency wireless audio connection with virtually zero lag. It even has a long battery life of up to 30 hours per charge.
Meanwhile, the wireless gaming headset has a clever hidden microphone design, which slides out of the left earcup to let gamers chat with teammates and opponents online. In addition to the PS5, it’s Bluetooth-enabled with Mac and PC, as well as Apple iPhone and Android mobile devices.
The Sony PS5 Pulse Elite Wireless Gaming Headset comes out on Wednesday, Feb. 21. It’s available for $149.99 at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Target and PlayStation Direct. (You can also find them on resale sites such as StockX.)
In the meantime, watch Sony’s innovation video for the gaming headset, below.
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Want more deals? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Nintendo has remastered the classic Game Boy Advance game Mario vs. Donkey Kong to celebrate the title’s 20th anniversary.
Exclusively for Nintendo Switch, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is priced at $49.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target. After Donkey Kong steals all of the Mini-Mario toys, Mario has to get them all back in a this classic puzzle/platformer game with more than 130 levels of gameplay.
And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order now and get the game delivered to your home in less than two days, thanks to Prime Delivery.
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Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video and Prime Gaming; fast same-, next-, or two-day free shipping; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.
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Nintendo
‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong’
$49.94
$49.99
$49.94
$49.99
Buy Now at Target
The Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake has new and improved graphics that are vivid and contemporary, while audio is full, robust and crystal clear. It’s specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch, which is a huge step up from the handheld Game Boy Advance.
Meanwhile, it also has some new gameplay features, such as local co-op multiplayer, new worlds and levels, new mechanics and more.
Released back in 2004, Mario vs. Donkey Kong was very influential, as it paved the way for more puzzle-platformer games, such as the March of the Minis! and Tipping Stars.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch is available at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target for $49.99. In the meantime, watch an overview trailer for the game, below.
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Source: The Sims 4 / Winnie Harlow
Representation matters, and that’s why the latest update for The Sims 4 is very important.
The Sims 4 announced a partnership with supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Winnie Harlow to bring Vitiligo skin detail to the Create-A-Sim feature.
Harlow suffers from an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation, so partnership and announcement of the highly requested feature makes all the sense in the world.
Winnie was an avid The Sims player in her youth, so it is a dream come true to see her likeness and a Simified version of her home in the video game.
“It’s magical to see The Sims 4 team introduce this new Vitiligo feature,” Winnie said. “As a child, I spent a lot of time playing The Sims, and I think it’s so beautiful to be able to represent your true self in-game. This partnership is a powerful statement encouraging players to embrace what makes them unique – both in-game and in real life.”
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“Skin details are an important area of focus for the dev team as we remain committed to expanding representation in The Sims 4. Birthmarks, stretch marks, scars, and freckles have empowered our players to tell diverse and authentic stories, and today’s update continues with these efforts. We have known for a while we wanted to add VitiVitiligothe game, and we spent a lot of time learning about it and considering how to authentically provide it to players,” a statement from The Sims 4 development team read.
The update featuring the vitiligo skin feature is now live. Hit the gallery below for more photos.
1. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
2. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
3. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
4. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
5. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
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Source: Xbox / Dune: Part Two
Despite the Xbox community being in shambles following rumors of exclusives possibly landing on the PS5 and Nintendo Switch, the company continues to deliver exclusive Xbox Series S consoles and controllers.
On Tuesday, Xbox announced another partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures for the studio’s latest film, Dune: Part Two.
Like its previous collaboration with Wonka, which saw a custom Series X console inspired by a Wonka chocolate bar, a controller taking its cues from the character’s jacket, and an edible chocolate controller, Xbox gamers can get their hands on custom hardware inspired by the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Dune.
While not being “sweet” or featuring any edible components, the Dune: Part Two does feature what Xbox describes as the “first-ever floating controller.”
The controller comes in a seemingly marble finish with the Dune: Part Two logo written on it. The controller also has a stand with the same finish that looks like it is magically floating over a sand base.
That’s not at all; a custom Series S console rests in a “specially designed console holder inspired by the Ornithopter,” making it a “true collector’s item for fans.”
Source: Xbox / Dune: Part Two
But wait, there’s more. Microsoft Flight Simulator fans can also boot up the game and pilot the Royal Atreides Ornithopter over the deserts of Arrakis in the latest expansion for the game.
Xbox is also bringing two life-size Royal Atreides Ornithopter gaming simulators to the London Microsoft Experience Center on Oxford Circus starting February 16 and the New York Microsoft Experience Center on Fifth Avenue starting February 26.
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How Do You Get The Dune Series S & Controller?
Unfortunately, you can’t buy these items. Still, you can enter a free contest to win the custom hardware by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet.
The contest will run from February 13, 2024, through March 25, 2024.
Good luck.
1. Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration
Source:Dune: Part Two
Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration xbox,dune: part two
2. Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration
Source:Dune: Part Two
Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration xbox,dune: part two
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In the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII this Sunday, everyone has football fever, with the eyes of sports and pop culture centered on Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. To celebrate the Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, video-game manufacturer Arcade1Up has a deep discount on one of its NFL arcade cabinets.
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On sale for $499.99 (regularly $599.99) at Amazon, Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends Arcade Machine is a ’90s throwback that features some of the all-time greats of the pro football league, including Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Cris Carter, Deion Sanders and others.
And since it’s from Amazon, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re an Amazon Prime member.
Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video; fast same-, next-, or two-day free shipping with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.
Arcade1Up
Arcade1Up ‘NFL Blitz Legends’
$499.99
$599.99
17% off
Equipped with a 17-inch LCD screen, Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends features four-player action with full-size joysticks and buttons, a light-up marquee and coinless operation for unlimited gameplay. It comes with a 13-inch riser to bring the arcade cabinet up to 5-feet tall in height.
Meanwhile, the arcade machine comes with three games loaded — NFL Blitz, NFL Blitz ’99 and NFL Blitz 2000: Gold Edition — for hours of football action. It’s even Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can play against other gamers online with multiplayer options and leaderboards for bragging rights.
The Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends Arcade Machine is on sale for $499.99, or $100 off its list price, at Amazon — that’s a 17% savings. In the meantime, watch a brief trailer for the arcade cabinet below:
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Want more deals? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Video-game manufacturer Arcade1Up celebrates old-school gaming with its lineup of replica arcade cabinets. Although each one is a slightly smaller scale […]
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Source: JUNG YEON-JE / Getty / Xbox
The Xbox community is in shambles after several leaks over the weekend, indicating a significant shift when it comes to the company’s “exclusive” titles is coming.
Multiple reports from The Verge, XboxEra, and Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb claim Xbox will put exclusive titles like Bethesda releases, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Starfield, and even Gears of Wars are coming to the PlayStation 5, adding a lot of fuel to those Xbox going multiplatform fires.
According to The Verge’s reporting, a source close to Bethesda told the outlet that MachineGames, which is owned by Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, is “considering” releasing the upcoming Indiana Jones game on the PS5 console after its launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.
We got our first look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle during the recent Developer_Direct presentation, and it met with some mixed reactions, with some excited about the game and others mum on the idea of the game being in first person.
Per XboxEra’s reporting, Starfield, the massive Xbox exclusive, is also coming to the PlayStation 5, allegedly sometime after the release of the Shattered Space DLC. The website also claims Microsoft has invested in more PlayStation 5 dev kits to make the interstellar RPG’s jump to the PS5 happen.
“The other one that I’ve heard that’s definitely under consideration—it doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen, but it’s in talks—is Gears of War,” Grubb said on a recent episode of Game Mess Mornings.
Other games like live service pirate adventure Sea of Thieves and Tango Gamework’s surprise hit Hi-Fi Rush are also rumored to jump from Xbox consoles to the PS5.
As you can imagine, the news sent the Xbox community spiraling on X, formerly Twitter, with Spaces titled, I’m not an Xbox fanboy anymore.”
We’re dead serious. Well-known Xbox enthusiast Tim Dogg started it, and we paid a visit to it, and it was A LOT, to say the least.
Phil Spencer Hears You
Hilariously, while all this was happening, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer was happily playing Diablo IV, according to Tim Dog, but he finally broke his silence on Monday, Feb 5.
In a very Spencer-like response, he wrote on X:
“We’re listening and we hear you. We’ve been planning a business update event for next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay tuned.”
Oh boy.
He honestly needs to say something now, but we’re just going to have to be patient and wait on Phil.
Justified Anger or Just Overeacting?
Until that day comes, and Phil drops the news many Xbox fans are dreading, there are plenty of reactions, some hilarious, also quite delirious.
Are these reactions to this news warranted? We guess. Listen, we get it; some people buy these consoles due to brand loyalty and love the idea you can have certain titles on them.
Believe it or not, some gamers bought a PS4 or PS5 because they want to play exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, or God of War.
Xbox console owners were hoping to get the same thing, and hearing games they used in their arguments to prop up their consoles are now possibly heading to the competitor.
Then, some don’t care where they play their games; they want a machine that can run them flawlessly.
But if this news is accurate, it does seem that Xbox is waving the white flag, and understandably, the people who ran out and bought Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are now giving them the ultimate side-eye.
We shall see if there is any truth to these reports next week when Phil Spencer speaks on it; until then, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
3. Howling
5. Did they?
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Source: 343 Industries / HALO Infinite
It’s Black History Month, which means companies are doing their best to show how inclusive and down for the Black cause they truly are. Halo Infinite studio 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate BHM is getting clowned on social media.
Don’t get it twisted; we know there was goodwill in 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate Black History Month by introducing armor shaders to commemorate the annual celebration of Black excellence.
But, man, we understand why the jokes are flying across the timeline.
Gamers can now add bold green, gold, and maroon colors, typically associated with African country flags, plus kente cloth, the West African traditional textile as a pattern on their Spartan armor.
To announce the new Black History Month-inspired shaders, the Halo account on X, formerly Twitter, dropped a photo of a Spartan with all the custom shaders, which did not land well.
Immediately, comparisons to A-Train, the only Black superhero on The Seven in the hit Amazon Prime series, The Boys, hit timelines.
In that particular episode, Jessie T. Usher’s character got an African-themed super suit to gain the approval of Black people, but 343 Industries’ attempt was nowhere near as egregious in terms of pandering. However, you still can’t unsee it, especially when you compare A-Train’s costume.
The Verge’s Ash Parrish confirmed that with her well-timed response to the Halo account tweet.
Xbox’s Other BLM-Inspired Initiatives
The announcement of the Black History Month-inspired Halo Infinite shaders was just a small part of a more significant initiative that Xbox announced to celebrate BHM.
The Microsoft-owned company announced a partnership with the Gameheads development program and other amazing Black History Month initiatives.
Announcing a partnership with Gameheads to showcase games created by students (ages 11-25) who have gone through Gameheads’ game development program. Gameheads is a California-based non-profit that uses game design and development to engage, prepare and train low-income youth and youth of color for careers in the video games and technology industry. Check out the games, and how you can play them here.
As part of the partnership, Xbox also donated to Gameheads to support their commitment to diversifying the pipeline in the gaming industry & empowering the next generation of game developers.
Sharing a collection of games available on Xbox, made for and by the Black community, including spotlighting Black game developers from the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program who, with Xbox’s support, are increasing Black representation and elevating underrepresented voices in the games they create.
Encouraging players to donate Microsoft Rewards points to both Gameheads and/or Cxmmunity.
Sharing Xbox Ambassador stories, including tips they have for how to stay safe when gaming, and more!
By heading here, you can learn more about how Xbox and Gamesheads are working together to amplify Black voices in the gaming industry.
Still, Xbox, you are going to get these jokes. You can see more reactions to the Blackety, Black Spartan armor in the gallery below.
2. Won’t be shocked to see this at New York Comic Con
3. Howling
5. Someone likes it
6. Intriguing
7. Wait a minute