Big Tech is facing its biggest challenge in decades as antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic crack down on alleged anti-competitive practices that could result in break-up orders to Apple and Alphabet's Google, a first for the industry.
05.03.2024 - 04:47 / eurogamer.net / Series X
Behold the ultimate form of the Xbox Series X; Microsoft has unveiled an official SpongeBob SquarePants special editon of the console that makes the best, most glorious use of its oblong shape yet. Unfortunately, it's US-only at present, so boo.
Microsoft's new 'Xbox Series X – Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Special Edition Bundle' has, as its name very strongly suggests, been created to promote last year's Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, a Smash Bros.-style fighter that pits (yes) a bunch of Nickelodeon characters against each other in a family friendly fight to the family friendly death. That includes Invader Zim and Rocko from Rocko's Modern Life, so you'll hear no bad words from me. Needs more Pete & Pete though.
Anyway, the highlight of Microsoft's new Xbox Series X is undoubtedly the console itself, which transforms the machine's usual oblong heft in the absolute most perfect way, turning it into a beaming yellow SpongeBob that would look at home in any living room — assuming the living room owners have very specific tastes. Additionally, it comes with a genuinely awesome controller featuring Squidward, Gary, and Mr. Krabs, plus a copy of All-Star Brawl 2.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 — Launch Trailer — Nintendo Switch I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of it until today, so consider it an effective promotion.The only downside to all this is the aforementioned US exclusivity, with availability also being restricted to US retailer Best Buy. Oh, and it costs $699, which is a whole $200 more expensive than the standard model, so consider that downside number two. Microsoft says a «limited supply» — it isn't any more specific than that in its blog post — will go on sale this Thursday, 7th March, from 8am PST, so chances are it might sell out pretty fast.
For those of us outside the US (or who don't want to spend $699 on an Xbox Series X), a similar effect can be achieved with an aggressive amount of yellow paint and a cardboard box. Just don't expect it to do very much when you shove in a disc.
Big Tech is facing its biggest challenge in decades as antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic crack down on alleged anti-competitive practices that could result in break-up orders to Apple and Alphabet's Google, a first for the industry.
Two years and a month after Horizon Forbidden West launched on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, PC gamers can finally step into the vast and gorgeous post-apocalyptic Western USA created by Guerrilla Games.
Microsoft's latest Xbox Series X sweepstakes features a Fallout-themed vault that probably won't fit in most folks' gaming setups.
Microsoft has created another custom Xbox Series X, this time theming after Fallout in celebration of the upcoming Amazon show.
In a repeat from last weekend, the animated adventure Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part Two led the box office, per Deadline. Both movies maintained their strong performance, with Panda experiencing only a 48% decline, accumulating $30 million in its second weekend and reaching a domestic total of $107.7 million. Meanwhile, Dune saw a 37% drop, earning $29.1 million in its third weekend and bringing its domestic total to $205.3 million.
Throughout the Series X|S era, Xbox has made a habit of giving away one-of-a-kind consoles to celebrate the release, arrival, or success of certain games and movies. It gave away a Palworld Series S with four unique controllers earlier this year, and a Series X designed to look like it's made of chocolate to mark Wonka's arrival in cinemas. Its latest offering may well be its best to date. A Final Fantasy 14 console to commemorate the MMO finally arriving on Xbox.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s lukewarm reception seems to have had an impact on Pokemon TCG sales, which have dropped since the latest Pokemon entries were released on the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Fans were less than thrilled with Game Freak’s latest monster-gathering JRPGs, as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet quickly became some of the lowest-rated mainline Pokemon entries despite their record-breaking launch. Players even started review-bombing Pokemon Scarlet and Violet for various reasons, including their many performance issues.
As artificial intelligence continues to develop and the use of it to replicate voices becomes increasingly common, more video game actors have been expressing their concerns over the technology's use and the negative consequences it could have.
In some very exciting news, Apple's new mixed reality headset, Vision Pro was used to perform surgery at the Cromwell Hospital in the UK. The doctor utilized the VR headset to provide navigation throughout the spine surgery of a male patient. The Apple Vision Pro headset helped to adhere to the right surgical process and use the perfect tools for the job to perform the surgery successfully. However, note that the doctor was not wearing the Apple Vision Pro but the theatre nurse who was providing instructions. Know more about the surgery with an Apple Vision Pro headset.
After numerous delays, the anticipated System Shock remake launched on PC to solid reviews and enthusiastic fan response early last year, but when do console players get in on the retro cyberpunk fun? Developer Nightdive Studios have always said a console version of the new System Shock was in the works (which sets it apart from the PC-only original) but have been a bit cagey about when it might arrive.
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have a new trailer for Rise of the Ronin, showcasing the various characters and factions players will encounter on their journey. There are the Pro-Shogunate forces (Sabaku) dedicated to maintaining the current order; the Anti-Shogunate forces (Tobaku), who want to oust the foreigners; and the Western faction (Obei), led by US Navy commodore Matthew Perry, seeking trade.