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The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is an excellent PC controller, but I still prefer the superb original
4:27 pm | June 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

8BitDo Ultimate 2: one-minute review

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 gaming controller is a pretty straightforward upgrade over the original 8BitDo Ultimate - a pad that continues to feature in our list of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. And while the Ultimate 2 is yet to receive its own Switch-compatible model (it’s just PC and Android for now, sadly), it remains a very competent gamepad that brings several welcome improvements.

Chiefly, the Ultimate 2 now features TMR (tunnelling magnetoresistance, for those curious) thumbsticks. We’ve seen this tech implemented in other fantastic PC controllers such as the GameSir Tarantula Pro, and they’re just as welcome here, offering greater stability and longevity than even Hall effect sticks.

The controller also adds two extra shoulder buttons, making for a total of four remappable buttons (the other two are found on the rear of the pad, like before). You’ll also find a pair of trigger locks back there, letting you quickly swap between analog and digital trigger presses based on your preference.

The last major addition here is RGB lighting rings around each thumbstick. These look nice and can be customized via the 8BitDo Ultimate Software PC companion app. But if you’re playing wirelessly, I would advise against keeping them on, as they’re a pretty major drain on the gamepad’s already average battery life.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

(Image credit: Future)

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: price and availability

  • $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)
  • Cheaper than the 8BitDo Ultimate at retail price
  • Available via Amazon

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller is available to buy now from the brand’s Amazon store. It costs $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90), which is actually $10 / £10 cheaper than its predecessor. As a result, I can confidently say that if you’re shopping for a new PC controller in the 8BitDo line up, this is the one to go for. You’re saving cash and getting more features to boot.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Specs

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

Weight

8.7oz / 246g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

PC, Android

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

10-15 hours

8BitDo Ultimate 2

(Image credit: Future)

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: design and features

  • Eye-catching RGB lighting
  • Additional remappable buttons
  • Supports 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connections

As I’ve come to expect from the brand, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 boasts excellent build quality. It feels exceptionally sturdy in the hands, with lightly textured grips allowing the pad to rest firmly.

The TMR thumbsticks now feature metallic shafts, a pleasant upgrade over the original model that not only looks smart but should help the sticks in the longevity department, too. Otherwise, the d-pad, face buttons, and central utility buttons (including Start, Select, Home, etc.) all feel similar to the first Ultimate. That means you can expect very solid materials overall. One nice change is that those central buttons are spaced out much better here than on the Ultimate, where they felt a little cramped together on that pad.

As mentioned above, you’re also getting four remappable buttons, two on the rear, and two nestled up next to the bumpers and triggers. These are labeled ‘L4’ and ‘R4’ on the left and right, respectively, while the rear paddles are labeled as ‘PL’ and ‘PR’. The rear also houses two trigger locks for switching between analog and digital trigger distances, as well as a toggle for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections.

If you’re curious as to where the included 2.4GHz dongle is located (it took me a moment to realize this at first), it’s housed within the charging dock that the controller also comes with. Simply flip open the hatch on the bottom and you’ll find it tucked inside. One thing to note here is that the dongle requires a USB-C port for connection, unlike the original Ultimate controller. That’s naturally great for Android devices, but you may want to invest in a USB-C to USB adapter if your gaming PC or laptop lacks the necessary USB-C port.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

(Image credit: Future)

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Performance

  • Sublime drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks
  • Battery life is hurt compared to the original Ultimate
  • Satisfyingly tactile buttons and triggers

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has been my go-to controller for the past couple of weeks - and not just for testing purposes. The controller simply feels fantastic during play, largely owing to the buttery smooth TMR thumbsticks and the highly tactile shoulder and face buttons.

Having tested the controller with titles like Lies of P, Elden Ring Nightreign, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Tekken 8, and Final Fantasy 14 Online, I find that the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is well-suited to a broad variety of genres and gaming styles.

One slight dampener, though, is the inclusion of those RGB rings around the thumbsticks. Don’t get me wrong, they look lovely in action, and produce a very pleasing moving light based on the direction you’re pointing the sticks (and respond to button presses, too). It’s snazzy, but the toll it takes on battery life makes them not really worth enabling during wireless play.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

(Image credit: Future)

I was quite surprised at first when the batteries emptied from full in around 10 hours, with those RGB lights enabled. However, when I played wirelessly with them switched off, I managed to squeeze a more fulsome 15 hours before needing to charge. That’s still not quite class-leading, but by no means terrible. However, given I managed around 20 hours out of the original Ultimate, it’s certainly a downgrade overall.

Lastly, a word on the Ultimate V2 Software app for PC. It’s not much of a looker with a very basic user interface, but it does offer robust customization. Downloadable from 8BitDo’s website, it lets you create up to three individual profiles, which you can swap between via a button press on the gamepad.

You can fully remap every button - including the extra rear and bumper buttons - as well as set button macros, stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration strength, and more. It’s all accompanied by handy diagrams which show you in real time how your changes affect the controller’s performance.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the 8BitDo Ultimate 2?

Buy it if...

You want an affordable PC or mobile controller that offers top-notch quality and performance
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 barely puts a foot wrong. I have some qualms with the RGB lighting and its effect on battery life, but this is a phenomenal upgrade to an already world-class controller.

You enjoy in-depth controller customization
The Ultimate Software V2 app gives you the tools you need to customize pretty much every aspect of your play experience. From sensitivity and vibration strength to full button remapping, it’s got it all and is especially perfect for competitive players who like specific control schemes.

Don't buy it if...

You’re not a PC gamer
Unfortunately, the Ultimate 2 is not compatible with consoles like Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X|S. For that, you’ll need the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller, which is also available at the brand’s website.

You want more battery life
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, this ain’t. If this controller’s short battery lifespan of around 10-15 hours has you feeling queasy, you may want to consider alternatives like the Xbox Wireless Controller (around 20-30 hours) or the aforementioned Switch Pro Controller (40+ hours), which is also compatible with PC.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Also consider

There’s every chance the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 isn’t quite what you’re after. If so, consider these two similarly priced alternatives.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

GameSir Tarantula Pro

8BitDo Ultimate

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$107)

$69.99 / £59.99 (around AU$107)

Weight

8.7oz / 246g

11.5oz / 325g

8.7oz / 245g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm

5.7 x 4.2 x 2.5in / 147 x 104 x 62mm

Compatibility

PC, Android

PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

PC, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

10-15 hours

Around 12 hours

15-20 hours

GameSir Tarantula Pro
Arguably the brand’s best controller, and that’s high praise given its usually high-quality output. This is a symmetrical controller with excellent build quality and a handy button layout switching feature that swaps the face buttons between XInput and Switch displays.

Read our full GameSir Tarantula Pro review

8BitDo Ultimate
The original 8BitDo Ultimate is still one of the best controllers ever made. It’s a touch pricier, but you are getting Nintendo Switch compatibility and a better 20-hour battery life for your trouble. It’s a bit slighter on features than the Ultimate 2, but still a worthwhile consideration.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

How I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Played a large variety of games across various genres
  • Compared directly to the original 8BitDo Ultimate

I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 across a period of two weeks, mainly on my gaming PC. I played titles from a variety of genres, including action games like Lies of P and Elden Ring Nightreign, as well as some of the best fighting games, such as Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6.

I primarily played wirelessly to gauge overall battery life, and made use of either wired play or the included charging dock when it was time to top up (which was fairly frequent given its slightly shorter battery life compared to its older sibling, the 8BitDo Ultimate).

First reviewed June 2025

Read more about how we test

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch 2 is the biggest portable time sink since I was hooked on Animal Crossing
2:00 pm | June 25, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

If there’s anything a game can do to make a good first impression, it’s having its dual protagonists riding huge dragons in what feels like a cataclysmic event.

Having no skin in the game as far as Rune Factory as a series is concerned, it felt as though I’d skipped a whole host of chapters and was getting ready for the final battle between good and evil, and then… my character woke up.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on:
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date:
June 5, 2025

Rather than charging into battle atop a mythical creature, I found myself cleaning up weeds and harvesting wood. The surprising part, however, is that in doing so, I came to fall in love with the depths of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma’s systems.

There’s combat here, sure, but in the 25 hours I spent in its charming world on Nintendo Switch 2, the biggest draws were getting to just the next upgrade for my burgeoning town, offering just the right gift on a character’s birthday, and enjoying quality time with its cast.

Rhythm is a dancer

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

Still, I’m getting ahead of myself. As I mentioned, I’ve never played a Rune Factory game before, but with multiple Switch 2 games dropping into the laps of gamers, I wanted to kick the tires somewhat even before this review in hopes of filling a knowledge gap.

Waking from a dream, my amnesiac hero finds himself in the quaint Spring Village. Here, the sacred tree has stopped blooming, and I was tasked with cleaning the place up in hopes that better times would return.

As it would happen, the protagonist is an Earth Dancer, able to tap into natural forces (isn’t that always the way?), allowing them to wield divine instruments that help plants grow and push back against a sort of blight that’s strangling this once-vibrant world.

That narrative setup leads into the main mechanic of Guardians of Azuma: Village management. If the game itself were a sacred tree, its village customisation and management tools would be the central trunk–absolutely everything feeds into it, and that’s what helped me sink so many hours in so quickly.

Making friends…

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

In the game’s opening hours, you’ll be led by the hand through all sorts of smaller pieces of village stewardship. You’ll meet its inhabitants to grow social bonds (more on that shortly), and spend time building up a designated area for fields and small buildings.

It doesn’t take long to build a couple of relatively humble abodes to help bring in new villagers, or harvest crops that can be sent elsewhere to raise capital for your village. In fact, before long, there’s the same kind of satisfaction you find in any other management game, as things tick along nicely.

The more villagers you can, the more they’ll be able to help with chores and tasks, and each has individual perks that help them fall more naturally into roles like Loggers, Farmers, or Miners.

Seeing my small patch of farmland from the game’s first hour gain a whole host of villagers to work on the harvest, or adding my first blacksmith, felt perfectly paced. The carrot on the proverbial stick of “I just need to get to the next upgrade” kept me up past 2 AM more than once, and there’s a really cosy quality to Guardians of Azuma that makes it a natural fit as a Switch 2 launch game.

…and influencing people

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

In between your daily routine of tidying things up, bossing people about, and trying to make a bit of gold, you’ll also have the chance to grow friendships with your companions and even branch out into romance with them.

This is achieved by making an effort to converse with them regularly, fulfilling any requests they may have, and eventually working with their likes and dislikes to select suitable gifts or suggest suitable activities.

It’s not as strictly structured as something like Persona, and while there is a day/night schedule (complete with debuffs for staying up late), it’s easy to fit multiple social engagements into one day.

Best bit

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

They say 'it takes a village', and I loved watching my relatively small patch of farmland grow into a bustling production line of crops being picked, weapons being crafted, and making coin via trading.

That’s a good thing, because many of the characters are just so fun to talk to. Ulalaka, the divine spirit of the game’s first village, is relaxed and cordial but holds some deeper fears about the state of the world and her diminishing powers. And, while some characters are certainly more one-note (Murasame is the relatively generic swordsman, while Takumi is the affable, boisterous carpenter), they’re all brought to life with exuberant voice acting and great regionalisation.

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

A special shout-out, too, to Woolby. The game’s comic relief could have felt more irritating given how much he’s on screen in certain scenes, and I had feared he’d be akin to Persona’s Teddy or Morgana, but I ended up genuinely enjoying his appearances, and he didn’t grate much at all.

Laying down the law of the land

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

You’ll want to spend time chatting up your cohorts, too. There are around two dozen romance options, but once any of their bond levels hit 1 (which is very, very easy to do), they’ll be able to accompany you on expeditions out of the village.

That’s important because while your town is busy working on items and weapons you can take out into the world with you, there are monsters to slay.

While the bright art style may suggest similarities, it’s not quite as deep as in something like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Many enemies can be felled with a few swings of your sword, but there are plenty of weapons to unlock, each with their own skill trees.

That applies to your party, too, so leveling your social bonds can be the difference between rolling into a boss fight with a relatively slapdash squad or with a team of hardened veterans.

There’s a breeziness to the action-based sword-swinging and bow-firing, and the option to slow time when you nail a ‘Perfect Dodge’ and follow up with a whirlwind flurry of attacks feels just as good here as it has in recent Zelda titles.

Some enemies will even turn into villagers, making seeking them out (and various other bonuses in the areas outside your village) a worthy endeavour.

Rinse, repeat

While there’s always something to do, be it a notjiceboard request or working towards the next village upgrade, the game’s structure won’t be to everyone’s liking.

Each chapter essentially adds a new village, and if you’ve not had a great deal of fun managing the minutiae of harvesting and selling crops in the first one, you’ll probably struggle to find the fun in the following villages.

Each comes with its own unique challenges, characters, and mechanics, but the overarching mechanics remain the same. That’s something I had a blast with, just constantly min/maxing my time, but it won’t be to everyone’s tastes.

I also found that there are some frame rate drops while playing on a TV at 4K, but those weren’t an issue in handheld. Given the option to sit back and do some village management while watching TV, though, I can see the latter being the way most people enjoy Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma.

Should you play Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma?

Play it if...

You’re looking for something to scratch that Animal Crossing itch
Rune Factory
isn’t quite as cutesy, but it does offer plenty of management systems for your villages. And yes, you can just walk around pulling up weeds as if Tom Nook is watching over you.

You want something to sink hours into
Between finding materials, recruiting villagers, restoring your home, and much, much more, it’s easy to get lost in Guardians of Azuma’s series of interwoven mechanics.

You’re looking for a great starting point for the series
I’ve never played a Rune Factory game, but it’s a series I’ll be keeping an eye on in the future. It’s easy to follow right from the jump.

Don't play it if...

You’re looking for a deep story
Guardians of Azuma’s
story is relatively by-the-numbers, but a strong cast of characters and great voice work help it feel more than the sum of its parts.

Accessibility

As far as I could see in the settings, there are no additional subtitle sizes on offer, but you can auto-pause dialogue when a sentence is finished. You can also adjust the speed at which subtitles appear.

Button mapping is very flexible, too, meaning players can customize their button inputs as much as they’d like, and the game does a great job of keeping button tooltips on screen, too.

A screenshot from RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

(Image credit: Marvelous Inc.)

How I reviewed Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

I played Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for 25 hours, completing the main story and mopping up a whole host of side quests.

I did so on Nintendo Switch 2, switching between docked with my Sky Glass TV and playing in handheld mode, and making use of the Switch 2 Pro Controller. It marks one of my favorite Switch 2 experiences alongside The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, as well as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but up next it’s Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition.

First reviewed June 2025

The Corsair Platform:4 packs big gaming desk performance into a small package that’s perfect if you’re short on space
6:00 pm | June 24, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Corsair Platform:4: Two-minute review

I’ve always had one big complaint about many of the best gaming desks: namely, the fact that they’re all so big. It seems that most brands assume that if you’re willing to splash out for a premium product, it means that you’re likely to have a lot of room to put it in. That leaves those of us with smaller gaming setups and no room for the likes of the Secretlab Magnus or Cooler Master GD160 ARGB in a bit of an awkward spot.

Enter Corsair, with the Corsair Platform:4. The smaller sibling of the gargantuan Corsair Platform:6, the Platform:4 has a desktop that comes in at a comparatively tiny 40 x 30 inches / 120 x 76 cm. It easily fits in the small corner where I keep my desk and, despite the smaller size, doesn't skimp on build quality and is absolutely overflowing with features.

It comes in three attractive colorways: a sleek Black with a laminate desk surface or, if you’re willing to pay more for the more premium wood variant, Light Pine Stain or Dark Walnut Stain options. As someone with mostly white PC peripherals, a blue gaming chair, and light color walls, the Light Pine Stain matches my setup perfectly and is a refreshing departure from the darker aesthetics of most gaming desks.

The desk comes bundled with a modular T-channel metal rail system that is mounted across the top of the desk and supports the mounting of accessories like microphones and storage cubbies. You also get a VESA monitor arm, which attaches to the rail and frees up some room on the desktop that would otherwise be occupied by your monitor stand - definitely appreciated when you’re working with limited space.

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate gaming desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Considering the high price of the Corsair Platform:4, you’re paying a hefty premium for this rail system, though, so make sure that it’s something that you’re actually going to use before making your purchase. The desk is fully functional without it attached, but there are significantly cheaper options out there (especially if you expand your search to some of the best office desks) if you don’t like using monitor arms.

Placing a monitor directly on the desk will also block access to the built-in storage cubby. It’s a little small, with only room for a few small accessories or knick-knacks, but it does have handy integrated USB ports for charging your devices. Under the desk, you can mount a cable management tray, which is fantastic for keeping things tidy or storing little accessories. There’s ample space in it, which is ideal for holding power bricks or stashing extra cables that you don’t want to lose.

I tested the more expensive Elevate version of the Corsair Platform:4, which comes with motorised adjustable legs. I appreciate how the control panel can be mounted on either side of the desktop, but raising and lowering the desk can be a tad fiddly. It feels just a little unresponsive, and sometimes comes to a stop without warning. This isn’t too unusual for electric standing desks, which tend to move very cautiously to avoid trapping cables (or worse, limbs) in their mechanisms, but is still worth bearing in mind.

Even so, it’s easy to recommend the Corsair Platform:4 if you have the budget. It's small, stylish, constructed from quality materials, and doesn't skimp on features.

Corsair Platform:4: Price and availability

  • Corsair Platform:4 starts at $699.99 / £799.99 / around AU$1,600
  • Corsair Platform:4 Elevate starts at $899.99 / £999.99 / around AU$2,000
  • On the premium end of the market

There's no getting around the fact that the Corsair Platform:4 is an expensive gaming desk. It starts at $699.99 / £799.99 for the basic Black laminate version. The wooden variant is then $799.99 / £899.99 and comes in either Light Pine Stain or Dark Walnut Stain.

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate, the standing desk version, is more expensive still, starting at $899.99 / £999.99 for the Black Laminate or $999.99 / £1009.99 for wood.

This puts it right at the top of the premium end of the market and makes the wooden version even more expensive than the likes of the $949 / £829 Secretlab Magnus Pro XL, which is a considerably larger desk but offers a similar adjustment mechanism and plenty of accessories.

When there are many cheaper standing desk options out there, like the $340 / £360 / AU$420 Flexispot E7, this is only one to consider if you have a hefty budget and want unique features like the rail system.

Corsair Platform:4: Specs

Price

$699.99 / £799.99 or $899.99 / £999.99 (Elevate)

Height

29in / 74cm (up to 48in / 122cm Elevate)

Load capacity

330lbs / 150kg

Material

Steel, laminate / birchwood

Dimensions (with D-board)

29in / 74cm x 47in / 120cm x 30in / 76cm

Noise level

~50db

Corsair Platform:4: Design and features

  • Lengthy assembly
  • Looks and feels premium
  • Plenty of customization

Given the inclusion of the rail system and many accessories, the assembly of the Corsair Platform:4 took a fair chunk longer than I’m used to. It comes well-packaged in just one massive box, with everything clearly labelled, but the added parts of the rail system and monitor arm will add on time, even for experienced gaming furniture assemblers like me.

I also had to rely on an extra pair of hands for some key steps, namely flipping the desk once the legs had been attached. With the thick wooden desktop and solid steel legs, this is a particularly heavy desk, and for safety, I would not recommend attempting to lift it solo.

I was disappointed to find that my Corsair Platform:4 also didn’t include any printed instructions. You can find a manual on the Corsair website, though it doubles as the instruction manual for the Corsair Platform:6 as well. They’re very similar products, but it does still mean that certain steps don’t apply to the Corsair Platform:4.

To give you an example, one asked me to locate some text on each leg that tells which side they need to be mounted. I looked all over for these for about 15 minutes before an internet search eventually revealed that only the Corsair Platform:6 seems to have these labels. This isn’t the end of the world, but it stings at such a high price point. If I’m paying close to $1,000 / £1,000 for a desk, clear instructions are a bare minimum.

With everything built, it’s easy to forget all this as you appreciate the meticulous quality of everything here. The legs are like steel tree trunks, with massive bases that effectively anchor it to your floor and keep wobble to an absolute minimum. The desktop, in my case, wooden, is thick and smooth with a lovely pattern and even a subtly embossed Corsair logo in one corner.

The desk cubby is small, but quite handy thanks to its USB charging capabilities. I use mine to store my PC webcam and a few other small accessories, which would otherwise be left littered around my desk, and occasionally plug my phone or DualSense Wireless Controller in using the ports down there for a bit more juice.

The rail system is a bit bigger than I was expecting, but still surprisingly useful. I’ve never been a huge fan of VESA monitor arms, mainly because they’re tricky to secure properly to your desk and tend to add lots of awkward adjustments, but the one included here is rock solid.

I use a dinky 23.8-inch Lenovo monitor, much to my colleague Rob’s amusement, and it holds in place securely. Even an ultrawide model should also pose no issue according to Corsair, though bear in mind that the arm has a 27lbs / 12.2kg weight limit.

The monitor arm can be mounted at any point along the rail, which opens up loads of customization possibilities. As I only use one display, I have mine mounted in the middle at eye-level, but those with dual monitor setups could easily slide the mounted monitor off to one side or raise the arm to give it some extra vertical height.

If you’re looking for some more ways to use the rail, you also get a small plastic tray that can be mounted to it in the box. I didn’t use this, but it could be handy if you want to really maximise your storage space.

The Corsair Platform:4 is compatible with a wide range of modular accessories, too, with options to mount everything from microphones, webcams, studio lighting, a pegboard, and more. None of these are particularly cheap, but the rail will also fit standard t-nuts, so you can basically bolt whatever you want to it if you’re handy enough.

If you’re particularly DIY minded or a content creator willing to invest in creating the perfect setup, this alone could make splashing out for the Corsair Platform:4 worthwhile.

As I previously mentioned, I tested the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate - which comes with an electric height mechanism. You can save two presets or adjust the height on the fly between 29 - 48 inches / 74cm to 122cm. A handy LCD display alerts you to your current height and makes it easier to save exact presets.

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate gaming desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Corsair Platform:4: Performance

  • Loads of cable management options
  • Rail system works well
  • Nice and compact size, friendly for smaller setups

I can’t complain about the performance of the Corsair Platform:4, as it’s exceptional across the board. Despite the compact overall size, the thick legs make this one of the most stable desks that I’ve ever tested, and the combination of metal and wood lends everything a luxurious feel. There are plastic elements here, but they’re kept to a tasteful minimum, so the whole thing looks absolutely fantastic and befitting of the price.

Even the rail system works brilliantly, holding my monitor in place very securely. Having the monitor mounted means that there’s much more space for my PC peripherals and my usual assortment of scattered documents, testing samples, and so on. This might be a small desk, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to just how much you can cram on it.

I absolutely despise cable management, especially given how much I have to plug in and out of my PC on a regular basis. Seriously, just try swapping between four different gaming microphones in a week without it quickly becoming a complete mess. I could still appreciate the wire management tray, though, which kept the most important cables firmly in one place.

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate gaming desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Given the focus on accessories here, you do get a lot of spare bolts and tools that you will likely want to hang on to for upgrades down the line. I found that these all easily fit neatly into the wire management tray in one small box, which should hopefully reduce the chance of losing them.

The built-in storage cubby is also a practical addition, with a modest but still useful amount of space. You can also use it to run cables up to your desktop, with multiple slots for them to go in and out.

Although I mainly use my desk seated at a static height, I nevertheless also endeavoured to test the standing functionality of the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate frequently. Raising and lowering the desk is relatively quiet, but it does occasionally stop in the process. A quick tap of the button gets things moving again, but I could see this becoming frustrating if you intend to swap between standing and sitting throughout the day.

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate gaming desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Corsair Platform:4?

Buy it if...

You want a premium gaming desk, but don’t have much space
There are few high-end gaming desks that are comparable in size to the Corsair Platform:4. If you’re willing to spend a lot but don’t have the room for something massive, it’s definitely worth picking up.

You’re sick of boring designs
While most gaming desks are a boring black or dark brown, the Corsair Platform:4 also comes in a charming Light Pine Stain. With its white legs and rail, it looks stunning if you have a more colorful setup.

You’re a content creator
The innovative rail system of the Corsair Platform:4 is perfect for content creators, with the ability to fit everything from your monitor to a microphone arm, studio lighting, and even your webcam.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want the rail
The rail system here is very useful and goes a long way to justifying the desk’s high price, but if you don’t intend to use it, you are undeniably better off with cheaper alternatives.View Deal

Also consider

Not keen on the Corsair Platform:4? Here’s one cheaper standing desk to consider and a larger, but similarly premium, gaming desk option.

Corsair Platform:4

Flexispot E7

Secretlab Magnus Pro

Price

$699.99 / £799.99 / around AU$1,600 or $899.99 / £999.99 (Elevate) / around AU$2,000

$340 / £360 / AU$420

$799 / £770

Height

29in / 74cm (up to 48in / 122cm Elevate)

22.8-48.4in / 58-123cm

25.6-49.2in / 65-125cm

Load capacity

330 lbs / 150kg

275lbs / 125kg

264.6lbs / 120kg

Material

Steel, laminate / birchwood

Steel

Steel, wood fiberboard

Dimensions

29in / 74cm x 47in / 120cm x 30in / 76cm

43.3-74.8 x 26.7 x 22.8-48.4in / 110-190 x 68 x 58-123cm

59.1 x 27.6 x 25.6-49.2in / 150 x 70 x 65-125cm

Noise level

~50db

N/A

N/A

Also consider the Flexispot E7
If you want something similar to the Corsair Platform:4 that doesn’t break the bank, consider the Flexispot E7. It’s not a gaming desk, but it still performs excellently and comes in a wide range of color options.

For more information, check out our full Flexispot E7 reviewView Deal

Also consider the Secretlab Magnus Pro
If you have the space for something larger, then the Secretlab Magnus Pro should be on your radar. It’s a bit cheaper than the Corsair Platform:4, but it still boasts a lot of features that make it fantastic for gaming.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Magnus Pro reviewView Deal

The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate gaming desk.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Corsair Platform:4

  • Used as my main desk
  • Tested over multiple weeks
  • Extensive work and play

I used the Corsair Platform:4 as my main desk for well over a month. In that time, I played a huge variety of games on both my gaming PC and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S while sitting at it. I was careful to use lots of the desk’s features, including its rail system, and experiment with the included accessories. I also worked from the desk daily, spending multiple hours sitting at it at a time.

Throughout my time with the Corsair: Platform 4, I compared my experience to my hands-on testing of other desks and other gaming furniture items.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2025

I’ve spent 40 hours exploring Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and it’s an incredible sequel that builds upon its unique predecessor to become a masterpiece
3:00 pm | June 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Despite my love for all things fast-paced and wild, action-adventure PS5 game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach had me falling in love with the serene.

There’s a magical quality to just strolling around in the Australian wilds as you make your way from station to station delivering parcels, and while you can speed the game up with all manner of gadgets, I found myself leaving it alone so I could take in the world that developer Kojima Productions has created.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on:
PS5
Release date:
June 26, 2025

The trailers for Death Stranding 2 flaunted a ton of action-packed moments, leading me to believe we’d be in for a far more conventional action game after the somewhat divisive reaction to its predecessor. However, I’m happy to say that, while, yes the action is much better, the core of the game is still about parcel delivery and exploration. Kojima Productions hasn’t lost sight of what made the original game shine in order to appeal to a broader audience.

Don’t be so serious

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2 once again follows Sam, a legendary deliveryman, who is now living a secluded life with baby Lou right after the events of the original game. And while the United Cities of America (UCA) – which Sam linked up in the original – is now content with automatic delivery robots, Fragile, an ally from Sam’s past manages to track him down and pull him back out for one final job – to link up Mexico into the Chiral Network - effectively a massive internet connection bringing these disparate areas together.

Joining up Mexico opens up a portal to Australia, which in turn has Sam take on another gig there as a member of the crew aboard a floating ship called the DHV Magellan. The crew hopes to open more portals and eventually connect the world and remedy the apocalyptic Death Stranding event, which tore the world apart in the first place.

Without the need to introduce the character, Death Stranding 2 is a very introspective and personal story for Sam, and as a result, it feels like it can go long stretches without any significant plot development happening.

It makes up for it with a far more character-driven approach, bolstered by what is probably the best acting performance I’ve seen from Norman Reedus across any medium. Interpersonal relationships and character studies carry the game before leading into an extremely Hideo Kojima third act full of wild events and tons of exposition that reaches Metal Gear Solid levels of bombast and absolutely nails the landing.

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

And while I wouldn’t call the original Death Stranding supporting cast bad by any means, Death Stranding 2’s newcomers are on another level. Sam’s main crew aboard the DHV Magellan ship includes Fragile returning, with new arrivals like Tarman, Tomorrow, Rainy, and Dollman making up the ranks.

Dollman in particular works akin to God of War’s Mimir, being strapped to Sam’s hip on his trails and providing expository dialogue and the like. I was afraid that this type of companion would interfere with the isolation that defined the original game, but he quickly became one of my favourite characters and a heartfelt one at that – despite being a doll modelled after a Turkish film director.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Fragile, Tomorrow, and Rainy was always a highlight whenever it was on screen, with the latter having one of the most engaging side plots in the game.

On the villain front, Higgs returns from the original with a lust for revenge that pushes that character to the next level. Then there’s Neil, who takes on the role that Mads Mikkelsen’s Cliff had in the first game of a character who appears in flashbacks and otherworld scenes. And after Kojima featured the character so heavily in trailers, I was a touch disappointed with how sparingly he was used. But in the end, it landed that I found myself in tears over a character whom I’d barely seen – thanks in large part to the incredible performance by Luca Marinelli.

I’ll keep coming

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2 isn’t some massive overhaul, despite what the action-packed trailers may have you believe. The core of the game is still about traversal and parcel delivery. And honestly, outside of new gear and structures to try, it’s not all that different (not that it needs to be).

The biggest shake-up is with the day and night cycle and weather systems, which can cause earthquakes, sandstorms, and whiteouts, which are cool for sure, but never made too much of an impact on my deliveries. The Strand system – which has other players' buildings and gear appear in your world to drive home that feeling of connection – returns, and it’s still one of the best implementations of asynchronous multiplayer found in a game.

Death Stranding 2 retains one of the original game’s best features, where the licensed soundtrack kicks in and the camera pulls back, really bringing home just how vast the world is that Sam has to traverse, leading to some euphoric moments where you’re treated to a mixture of a gorgeous vista and a beautiful tune. W

hile there are a ton of artists this time, alongside composer Ludwig Forsell, Woodkid takes on the main musical role this time, with his music being as prominent to this game as Low Roar was to the original. Both these vocal tracks and the score are gorgeous, ranking among the best soundtracks in recent memory, with the synth-heavy moments and the ambient vocal tracks.

This time around, you do get an upgrade that allows you to listen to any of the songs when roaming the world, with the game cutting you off when it wants to do these moments, although I elected not to use it to make those musical moments that much more impactful.

Once, there was an explosion

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

This time around, the gunplay feels far better than it did in the original Death Stranding, and the expanded roster of weapons gives you a lot to play with. There are still enemy encampments scattered around the map, which allows for a Metal Gear Solid 5-style approach where you can scout out areas and take your own approach to them, although the enemy AI isn’t quite as in-depth.

Meanwhile, the boss fights – which were a hindrance at best in the original – are much improved. While Sam still fights giant goop monsters, his expanded kit and their altered movesets make battles far more engaging, while the mech bosses are a solid change of pace, even if they do boil down to “shoot the glowy bit.”

On a technical level, Death Stranding 2 may be the best-looking game I’ve ever seen, even in performance mode. The opening scene in the mountains is genuinely breathtaking. The textures on the ground, the snow-topped mountains, the weather, the character models, and even the sky regularly had me in awe in a way you don’t really get in an era where graphical fidelity has started to plateau.

Best bit

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2’s opening scene is one of the most striking openings in recent memory, in which you take a stroll with baby Lou across a mountain range to get back to your home, all while taking in some of the most gorgeous environments I’ve seen in a game.

We all knew what the Decima engine was capable of thanks to the Horizon series, but this takes it to the next level. And having played the game across both PlayStation 5 Pro and the PlayStation 5 Slim, it looks incredible and has a solid frame rate throughout. There is also a resolution mode available, but I found the graphical benefits negligible compared to having the higher frame rate available on the performance mode.

While my time with Death Stranding 2 was mostly glitch-free, I did have various audio issues, including multiple moments where the scheduled music tracks didn’t kick in. This also happened during the final boss, where the battle was happening in complete silence, prompting a restart.

Death Stranding 2 is what a sequel should be. It meaningfully builds on the ideas found in the original while not losing sight of what made it so great in the first place. Kojima Productions is never a studio to play it safe, and doubling down on the brilliant traversal and asynchronous multiplayer focus is exactly the right move.

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Should you play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach?

Play it if...

You enjoy playing unusual and unique games
Death Stranding 2
is filled to the brim with Hideo Kojima’s signature bizarre moments, characters, and world-building, while not sacrificing interesting gameplay. While not a massive departure from its predecessor, it has a weirdness you rarely get from a AAA release.

You want to make the most of your PS5 Pro
While it still looks gorgeous on the original PS5, Death Stranding 2 is one of the most jaw-dropping games I’ve ever played on a graphical front, even in performance mode. While still running at a solid 60fps.

You love great acting in games
While the goo monsters and talking dolls of Death Stranding 2’s world are undoubtedly silly, every lead actor brings their A game, with excellent performances from Norman Reedus, Shioli Kutsuna, Lea Seydoux, Troy Baker, and, yes, even, Jonathan Roumie – who voices the aforementioned talking doll.

Don't play it if...

You don’t like convoluted plots
There’s a lot to the world of Death Stranding, so much so that it includes an in-game glossary where players can read about the various people, phenomena, and terms introduced in the world. And while my past with Hideo Kojima games has conditioned me to extreme worldbuilding, it can definitely get a bit nonsensical if you’re not up to date on your lore.

You didn't gel with Death Stranding
While Death Stranding 2’s larger scope and enhanced combat are sure to bring in some new fans, at its core, it’s still a game about traversing the world and making deliveries. So if you were really against that the first time around, don’t expect to change your mind this time.

Accessibility

Compared to PlayStation Studios’ usually stellar track record of accessibility options, Death Stranding 2 is a bit basic when it comes to accessibility, sadly.

Sprinting and aiming structures to build that can be changed from holding a button to a toggle, while the soothing Lou action can be changed from motion controls to using the left stick, plus you have the ability to change your camera controls and speed.

There are no colorblindness options, and subtitles lack the option for backgrounds, text size, or font color available. Plus, you cannot remap the controls at all. There are four difficulty options (Story, Casual, Normal, and Brutal), but the game isn’t exactly clear about what changes across these modes.

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

How I reviewed Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

I played 40 hours of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on Normal difficulty. During this time, I completed the main story, as well as the sub-mission deliveries, as well as a few standard deliveries when I wanted to buff up specific outposts. I connected all but two preppers to the Chiral Network before finishing the game, and went back for them after the fact.

I also went back and played some of the original Death Stranding, which I had played to completion twice before, for comparison’s sake.

I played the majority of Death Stranding 2 on a PS5 Pro on a Samsung Q60D TV and a Samsung HW-T450 soundbar. I also played on a PS5 Slim on a Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor with a PlayStation Pulse 3D Headset.

First reviewed June 2025

After 18 hours with Split Fiction, I can safely say that the Switch 2 version keeps the fun and thrill, but not the quality
7:00 pm | June 20, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Releasing a follow-up to 2021's critically acclaimed It Takes Two was never going to be easy. But Swedish Hazelight Studios proved it was more than up to the challenge when it released co-op action adventure Split Fiction for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in March 2025.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 (and PS5)
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: June 5, 2025 for Switch 2 (March 6, 2025, on other platforms)

Split Fiction took the lauded co-op experience of It Takes Two to a new level, offering more varied environments and gameplay and a lot more explosive (literally, at times) action. Now, the hit co-op adventure has been ported to the Nintendo Switch 2, releasing as part of the new console's launch lineup alongside titles such as Deltarune, Mario Kart World, and Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition. But does this Switch 2 port of the co-op game manage to maintain the magic?

Mostly, yes. Split Fiction on Switch 2's brilliantly fun, character-driven story and overall gameplay mechanics remain the same, but there's a distinctive drop in visual and performance quality compared to the PS5. Pair this with a multitude of confusing local and online co-op play options and a less-than-optimal Tabletop mode experience and there's some frustrating niggles to this Switch 2 port.

However, overall, this is a solid port that's, for the most part, well-suited to the Switch 2's versatility. Just don't expect the same level of polish as the other platforms.

Worlds collide

A screenshot of the protagonists from Split Fiction

(Image credit: Hazelight Studios)

Split Fiction begins at Rader Publishing, where fantasy writer Zoe and sci-fi writer Mio are summoned, along with others, under the premise that their stories are finally going to be published. What CEO J.D. Rader has up his sleeve, though, is far from a sit-down chat and contract signing. Instead, he introduces "The Machine," which can create a complete simulation of a writer's world. While everyone is excited at the prospect of jumping into their stories, with each becoming encased in their individual bubble simulation, Mio is (rightfully) suspicious of the technology and gets in a fight with the staff, only to fall into Zoe's bubble.

Mio spawns in Zoe's magical, fantasy world, much to both's chagrin, alongside a suspicious-looking glitch. When the writers approach the glitch, they're pulled into Mio's story, a chaotic sci-fi thriller full of explosives, dogfights, and lasers.

It's the perfect setup for what you should expect in Split Fiction. With each level, you jump from Zoe's enchanting fantasy world to Mio's explosive, sci-fi world – one minute you're flying dragons and the next you're lobbing bombs in a cyber game show.

As you'd expect, Mio and Zoe are, on the surface, polar opposites. From the start, Zoe is painted as an optimistic, bubbly daydreamer, while Mio is surly, suspicious, and sarcastic. But, once they realize Rader's intentions are (as Mio predicted) sinister, they must work together to find all the glitches and escape the simulation.

The protagonists of Split Fiction.

(Image credit: Electronic Arts)

We put a little bit of ourselves into everything we write. Through their adventure, Zoe and Mio discover this is more true than they thought. Their friendship grows as they come face-to-face with the surreal, funny, magical, and darker aspects of their lives that have made their way into their work – allowing them to see they have more in common than originally thought.

This character growth is well-paced, with some emotional twists that you'll likely see coming a mile off, as the writing isn't amazing. But it's the visual interpretations, the worlds, and how they portray the story's emotional beats that hit hardest. The metaphors may be on the nose at times, but they do help you to understand both writers without the need for words.

But don't worry, this isn't a heavy adventure. Instead, Split Fiction carefully walks the line between thrilling action and laugh-out-loud silliness. Its gameplay, too, keeps you guessing. As with It Takes Two, Hazelight isn't afraid to experiment with different genres and gameplay mechanics here, throwing in platforming, shooting, puzzles, and more, resulting in the perfect formula for co-op partners who struggle to agree on what to play.

A clear split

A screenshot of the protagonists from Split Fiction

(Image credit: Hazelight Studios)

While Split Fiction, at its core, is a great game, its Switch 2 port is a noticeable downgrade from its PS5 counterpart – and this is clear from its opening splash screen showing the title. In TV (docked) mode, the splash screen's blacks are blocky, and the frame rates on the animation are noticeably lower than on PS5. Even sitting on the main menu, I spotted issues before playing, with the shadow renders on the Rader Publishing sign flickering. In-game, the visual drawbacks are apparent, too.

While the cutscenes look alright, the visuals are considerably less polished than on PS5, with character hair textures a bit frazzled at the ends and the graphics overall looking less refined and detailed. It's not a huge surprise, given Split Fiction on Switch 2 runs at 1080p/30fps, a drastic drop from the 4K/60fps of the PS5. If you've not played Split Fiction on another platform, you may not notice these issues, but you'll likely still clock a few.

During actual gameplay, there's occasionally a clear blur when characters move quickly, and the shadow rendering is less than optimal, resulting in dark, poorly lit areas and flicking shadows. While the worlds and characters still look good, again, they're nowhere near as impressive as on PS5. The visual refinement isn't quite there, which can result in Mio looking a bit like a cartoon character at times. For the most part, this isn't a huge issue, but the blur and darker areas can make it slightly harder to navigate certain areas where careful footing is critical.

Split Fiction

(Image credit: Hazelight)

This is particularly frustrating in Tabletop mode. While the general visual and performance aren't so obvious when playing in Handheld and Tabletop mode, the shadows are a killer. This is mainly because playing Split Fiction in Tabletop mode is a less-than-optimal experience. Firstly, this is because it's really hard to see what's going on on your side of the screen anyway when there are two of you gathered around the screen. In TV mode, I can struggle at times to keep track of my character and their footing, but on a smaller screen, it's a much bigger challenge, especially when you hit those darker areas.

My partner and I struggled to play Tabletop in our living room, pondering if our 30+-year-old eyes were to blame while also questioning how anyone could play optimally on the go. If we struggled in our living room, huddled up on our sofa to try and see the screen, how feasible is it to play in an airport or on a train? This is exacerbated by the fact that you cannot play Split Fiction with just one set of Joy-Con 2 controllers, like you can with other Nintendo co-op games. Instead, you need to own two sets of controllers to play. This is great if you have another set, but less than ideal if you find yourself needing to shell out $95 / £75 on top of the game price to play with a friend locally.

The audio, however, in TV mode and Tabletop mode is impressively loud and detailed, especially for the latter. So, at least that's something.

Play nice with others

A screengrab from the game Split Fiction

(Image credit: Hazelight Studios)

Where Split Fiction confused the heck out of me was its numerous co-op play options. Trying to work out who I could play with locally and online and on what platform seriously hurt my head (even with the information boxes beside some). So, here's what I eventually worked out.

Playing couch co-op with a friend is easy; just select the 'Play Local' option. The 'Play Local Wireless' option has three choices: 'Host through Local Wireless,' 'Find and join through Local Wireless,' and 'Host a game using GameShare.' Hosting and joining local wireless only lets you play Split Fiction with a friend on Nintendo Switch 2 who is in your vicinity, and doesn't seem to require an internet connection. It does, however, seem to require your friend to own Split Fiction.

If you want to play Split Fiction with a friend on the original Nintendo Switch, you can't do this online. Instead, you need to use the GameShare option to stream it to them (the quality will drop a bit more), but they must be in your vicinity. You can also use this option to play with a friend on Switch 2, where you can utilize the console's GameChat feature, allowing you to see and speak to your friends while you play. Local GameShare doesn't seem to require an internet connection, nor does the other person need the game, so it's probably the better option over local wireless.

Playing online, you can make use of Split Fiction's Friend's Pass to play the full game online with a friend who doesn't own it. All you need to do is select 'Play Online', and you can invite your Switch 2 friend. You can also crossplay with those on other platforms (PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) by entering their EA account name. If you are using the Friend's Pass, your pal will need to download the Friend's Pass to their console before you can play.

The number of co-op play options can be a bit overwhelming, and playing with a Switch 2 or current-gen platform player is pretty straightforward, but I was disappointed to not be able to play online with an original Switch friend.

A solid but less-than-optimal experience

A screengrab from the game Split Fiction

(Image credit: Hazelight Studios )

Split Fiction offers the same thrilling fun on Switch 2 as on other platforms, but don't expect the same level of polish here. While Tabletop mode, in theory, offers the opportunity to take your co-op playthrough on the go, it's not the most optimal experience, and you'll likely find playing in TV mode more enjoyable.

Overall, this is a pretty solid Switch 2 port, with some annoying niggles, but I advise picking up this co-adventure on another platform for the best experience all-round.

Should you play Split Fiction Switch 2?

Play it if...

You want a full-fledged co-op adventure to sink your teeth into
Split Fiction
is a lot of fun and offers around 15 hours of playtime, depending on how much you explore and how many side stories you do. This is a fully-fledged, full-length action-adventure co-op game that you can play over a few sittings, making it well worth its $50 price tag.

You want a varied gameplay experience
The gameplay mechanics vary throughout this game, with Mio and Zoe each getting a unique new ability with each level. Hazelight, too, throws in different mechanics, like platforming, puzzles, and shooting elements, to shake up the gameplay now and then. The jump between varying sci-fi and fantasy levels, too, keeps things fresh, and each level within these worlds is different from the last. So, don't expect to get bored.

You and your co-op partner have different genre tastes
My partner would play a fantasy game over sci-fi any day of the week, so a full-on sci-fi action-adventure would not be his cup of tea. Despite not being a huge fan of Split Fiction's sci-fi levels, he thoroughly enjoyed the game, as the jump between genres meant he never had to linger in one he disliked too long. While I enjoyed aspects like puzzles and platforming, he preferred the shooting and action elements. The variety of genres and mechanics incorporated means this game should suit you and your buddy, no matter your tastes.

You need an exciting co-op game to play on the go
While the Tabletop experience isn't necessarily optimal, the ability to whack out this co-op game with your buddy while waiting for a flight, out for drinks, or on the train is welcome. Just make sure you have a second controller stashed away.

Don't play it if...

You don't have someone to play with
Whether that be online or locally. Split Fiction is a co-op game and must be played with two human players (there's no AI player two coming to help you.) Thankfully, the Friend's Pass means you can play with a Switch 2 player who doesn't own the game online, and you can easily play with a friend in person, but if you don't need a soul who'd play this game with you, you may not get to play it at all.

You want visuals and performance on par with the other platforms
Split Fiction
on Switch 2 doesn't look as good as on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and the frame rates are much lower. On PS5, for example, you get 4K at 60fps, while the Switch 2 port seems to be 30fps at 1080p. This isn't as noticeable in Tabletop mode, but you can spot it in TV mode. So, if you want the most optimized version, get it on another platform.

You've only got one set of controllers but want to play local on the same Switch 2
Unlike many other co-op games on Switch 2 and Switch, you can't play Split Fiction locally (in-person with someone else) on the same Switch 2 with just one set of Joy-Con 2s. To do this, you need two sets of Joy-Con 2s (or other Switch 2 controllers), as you can't use one Joy-Con 2 per person. If you want to play this way but only have one controller or set of controllers, and don't want to shell out for more, it may be worth holding off on picking it up.

You want a co-op game for kids
Unlike It Takes Two, Split Fiction has some crude humor, mild sexual innuendo, swearing, and some graphic violence. As such, it's rated PEGI 16 and in the UK, and isn't recommended for younger children (though the ESRB has rated it a Teen (13+). Either way, if you planned to play this with your six-year-old, you probably shouldn't. If you've not played it yet, It Takes Two offers an experience more suited to younger teens, and has some mild violence and the occasional bad language.

Accessibility features

Split Fiction offers a solid selection of accessibility features. In the Options menu, there is an Accessibility tab that allows you to reconfigure the controls for Mio and Zoe. The options include the ability to change button-bashing prompts and toggle spinning/wiggling prompts, so you just need to hold the button, or they complete automatically, the option to turn on subtitles and closed captioning, the ability to skip gameplay areas, and to reduce enemy damage.

You can also remap controls and make adjustments to the camera and controller rumble under other tabs in this section.

How I reviewed Split Fiction on Switch 2

I played Split Fiction for roughly 18 hours across PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. During my playtime, I completed the main story as well as all the side quests I could find. Having played the game on both platforms, I was able to compare and contrast the experience on PS5 and Switch 2, primarily focusing on the Switch 2 version's performance, visuals, audio, and overall experience.

I reviewed Split Fiction on Nintendo Switch 2, playing local co-op with my fiancé using a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and a set of Joy-Con 2 controllers. We primarily played in the console's TV mode with my Samsung Q80T QLED TV, but also played in Tabletop mode to test what effect this mode had on the experience. I tested the GameShare function by sharing my Switch 2 game with my Nintendo Switch Lite and the crossplay functionality by beginning a game between my Switch 2 and PS5.

I also tested whether I could play Split Fiction online with someone with an original Nintendo Switch by trying to GameShare and online play with a friend (this didn't work).

Split Fiction on Switch 2, first reviewed June 2025

The first hour of FBC: Firebreak is absolutely miserable, and it doesn’t get much better from there
9:00 pm | June 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Is FBC: Firebreak meant to be a commentary on the monotony of labor under late-stage capitalism? It's the only conceivable reason why a developer as esteemed and talented as Remedy Entertainment would create something that's so fundamentally miserable to play.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date:
June 17, 2025

A co-op shooter spin-off set in the weird and wonderful universe of the smash hit Control, FBC: Firebreak seems like it was designed from the ground up to be as frustrating as possible. From its artificially padded progression and small selection of levels to the bland cast of characters and poorly designed player abilities, there's very little to like here.

Sure, everything technically functions and seems to work as intended with minimal bugs, but that’s damning with faint praise when stacked up against the studio’s past line-up of ground-breaking experiences like Alan Wake 2.

Out of control

FBC: Firebreak.

(Image credit: Remedy)

I booted up FBC: Firebreak feeling optimistic, as its core concept is certainly intriguing.

You play as a Firebreaker, specialized agents in the fictional Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) tasked with venturing into abandoned districts of the bureau’s HQ to contain rogue supernatural forces, in a team with up to two other players.

I absolutely adore the portrayal of the FBC in other Remedy games and was excited to learn more about its inner workings and explore new parts of the Oldest House (the mysterious, shifting brutalist skyscraper where the events of this game and Control take place).

Unfortunately, there’s no story content in FBC: Firebreak. You’re introduced to Hank, the leader of Firebreak, and his assistant Jerry, who exchange short quips as you navigate through the main menus, but that, on top of Hank’s occasional guidance during missions, is all you get.

Worse still, the dialogue is never particularly amusing, and the slapstick tone of these interactions feels a tad out of place. Control was not a massively serious game, but FBC: Firebreak really leans into its comedy to its detriment. It’s a game that seems more like it’s trying to ape Borderlands than actually expand on what made the source material so interesting.

It’s also a shame that the playable characters are all generic, masked goons. You can pick from a handful of distinct player voices, but it’s impossible to become invested in protagonists with no other identifiable characteristics.

Even the game’s unlockable cosmetic items fail to help them stand out. There’s nothing appealing about the prospect of grinding for hours in order to unlock a red helmet that nobody is realistically going to notice in an online lobby.

It’s like the developers knew this too, as unlocking cosmetics is often mandatory in order to reveal new shop pages with more useful items.

Dead end job

FBC: Firebreak.

(Image credit: Remedy)

This is one of many decisions seemingly made to pad out the game’s runtime, which would otherwise be incredibly short.

There are a total of only five missions, or Jobs as they’re called in-game, with each split into three stages. The first two stages are always very basic, often taking just five or so minutes to clear.

They both feel like pointless filler compared to the third, which offers similar but more substantial objectives and sometimes a big boss fight to top it all off. The first two stages are, of course, mandatory as there would be practically no reason to endure them otherwise.

The missions themselves are at least conceptually interesting, but fail to capitalize on their most unique elements in enjoyable ways. Paper Chase, for example, seems like a slam dunk with the novel idea of offices that have been taken over by swarms of supernatural sticky notes.

Sadly, the mission just boils down to mindlessly shooting surfaces covered in sticky notes as an on-screen number showing the remaining notes ticks down for around fifteen minutes.

Best bit

FBC: Firebreak

(Image credit: Remedy)

The hub area is home to your living quarters, a few rooms that can be extensively customized by spending a currency obtained on your travels. Placing objects to make the space your own is quite satisfying. Most can also be interacted with to see unique animations.

During every mission, waves of Hiss, humans possessed by a malevolent entity, beam in around you. I can count the number of unique enemies on one hand, with the same few enemy models popping up endlessly with no variation.

Even with the difficulty cranked all the way up, the pacing of these waves feels off-kilter, too, as there are frequent awkward stretches where there are no enemies on screen.

I would be able to forgive most of this if the guns were actually satisfying to use. They aren’t. Generic appearances and sound effects aside, there are just six to choose from.

Poor balancing means that one, the bolt action rifle, is so terrible that you wouldn’t ever want it in your loadout. The pump action shotgun and revolver, in contrast, are by far the most effective of the bunch so there’s no real reason to ever use anything else.

In crisis

FBC: Firebreak.

(Image credit: Remedy)

Much of the game’s marketing has focused on the Crisis Kits - the three sets of abilities that you can choose in your mission.

There’s the Splash Kit, granting a water cannon that can wash off annoying environmental effects (of which there are several) or put out fires, the Jump Kit with an electrical device for quickly charging generators, and the Fix Kit which lets you quickly repair broken items by swinging a big wrench around.

You can still accomplish all these tasks without the respective kits, but the interactions take the form of highly repetitive button-mashing that gets old quickly. Every mission has some component that can benefit from a particular kit, so there’s no strategy in which one you pick. Each match has three players, so obviously you just need one of each. There are no real advantages or disadvantages of any of the individual kits, either, so it really is as simple as that.

Each kit can be upgraded up to three times to unlock new secondary and special abilities, including a powerful attack that provides a welcome break from the endless shooting.

However, this only feeds into the biggest issue with FBC: Firebreak: the fact that the first hour is unremittingly awful.

For some reason, you start out with broken gear that’s woefully ineffective. The water cannon, for example, can only blast a few drops of water at a time. Similarly, your firearms deal reduced damage. You have to grind through a game after game in this state until you have the currency required to get everything back in working order, not to mention pick up some of those abilities and some perks to boost your stats.

I don’t understand this decision at all, as it just makes for a horrendous first impression. It’s easy to imagine most players downloading the game, experiencing one or two slogging matches with their artificially weakened gear and abilities, and then just uninstalling it to play something more rewarding.

This, unfortunately, makes it very difficult to recommend FBC: Firebreak in its current state. If you could simply log on and play around with everything right away, it might be able to provide a couple of hours of co-op entertainment before the boredom sets in.

As it stands, you’ll be sick of what's there before even getting to experience its flagship features.

Should I play FBC: Firebreak?

FBC: Firebreak

(Image credit: Remedy)

Play it if…

You can get it for ‘free’
FBC: Firebreak is part of PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass. If you are already subscribed to one of those services, it might be worth trying to see whether it’s tolerable for you and your friends.

It receives some patches
Some of the biggest problems with FBC: Firebreak could be addressed down the line with patches. If you’re reading this after the game has been out for some time, give it a go to see if things have changed.

Don’t play it if…

You’re expecting lots of lore
FBC: Firebreak contributes very little to the universe of Control and other Remedy games. If you’re a huge fan of the lore, you can safely skip this one.

You don’t have hours to grind
The start of FBC: Firebreak is a frustrating grind. Avoid it unless you have the time to invest in order to get to the less painful parts.View Deal

Accessibility

There is, unfortunately, no dedicated accessibility menu in FBC: Firebreak. The controls can be fully customized on console, though, and there are a number of options that allow you to toggle actions like aiming down sights. The game features subtitles throughout.

How I reviewed FBC: Firebreak

I played almost ten hours of FBC: Firebreak on PS5 and DualSense Wireless Controller in the build-up to launch using a copy provided by Remedy Entertainment.

I experienced every mission that the game has to offer at least once, trying out multiple weapons and each of the Crisis Kits. I played both solo and multiplayer, using the game’s built-in online matchmaking to play with random players, and participated in a few matches with other reviewers.

Throughout my time with the game, I compared my experience with my time in other online first-person shooter games of a similar scope, including Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction, and Helldivers 2.

First reviewed June 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomical
6:34 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Comments: Off

Nintendo Switch 2: two-minute review

After what felt like an eternity of waiting after all the leaks and eventual official announcement back in January 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here.

To say the console’s had a rough start is an understatement, though, with retail stock difficult to come by at this early stage. This, plus the console’s relatively lofty price tag (as well as those of its games), means there are some folks seeking handheld gaming console alternatives.

At the time of writing, I’ve had my Nintendo Switch 2 a couple of weeks, and I’ve been spending each and every day playing its games and testing the hardware to rate its performance and assess any improvements over the original 2017 console.

Despite the lack of ambition and innovation (at least compared to prior consoles like the Wii and Nintendo DS), I think Nintendo has produced an exceptional system here that finally realizes the full potential of the Switch concept.

The obvious upgrades, such as support for 4K and 1440p resolutions in docked mode and 120Hz capabilities (both in portable mode and docked on compatible displays) are extremely welcome, and move the Switch 2 a step closer to parity with its more powerful peers in the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.

Of course, the Switch 2 doesn’t quite have the raw graphical prowess of those Sony and Microsoft-built machines, but it’s not a million miles away, as we see with certain Nintendo Switch 2 ports like Street Fighter 6 or Cyberpunk 2077.

Other display-oriented modernities are present here, too, such as HDR10 and VRR support (though, confusingly, variable refresh rate is currently only available in handheld play).

The former provides juicier contrast and richer colors on compatible displays, while the latter smooths out framerates for more stable performance.

Unfortunately, it’s fair to say that the Switch 2’s launch game line-up is on the slighter side. Mario Kart World is great and an ideal title to have from day one, but a good chunk of launch day games have been ports of original Switch games or ones carried over from other platforms.

While it is great to see big hitters like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom rock an extremely solid 4K/60fps on Switch 2, it hasn’t been the most fulsome launch if you’re coming at it from a strictly first-party point of view.

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Thankfully, the Switch 2 breathes life into original Switch titles via impressive backwards compatibility. I’ll delve more into this in its own section, but I’ve seen monumental results playing some of my own Switch favorites on the new console – some of which Nintendo itself hasn’t even officially mentioned.

There are some downsides worth talking about, of course. For one, battery life is sorely lacking in handheld mode and feels like an abject downgrade compared to the original Switch models.

I also clocked some very noticeable audio delay with multiple gaming headsets and earbuds via Bluetooth connection. Furthermore, the skeleton of the original Switch is still present in many ways, with an almost identical Home dashboard, a lack of customization, and the ongoing threat of drift prevailing in the new Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Still, the Switch 2 is an accomplished bit of kit, and one that provides a night and day upgrade over its eight-year-old predecessor. I’m definitely looking forward to its game library expanding, as well as the system itself receiving various quality-of-life upgrades via future firmware updates.

Nintendo Switch 2: price and availability

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Nintendo Switch 2 went on sale on June 5, 2025. The console by itself costs $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95. There is also an official bundle that packs in a digital copy of Mario Kart World alongside the console for $499.99 / £429.99 / AU$769.95. Some US and UK retailers have also stocked their own bundles, often throwing in an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers or Nintendo Switch Online subscription time, but you can expect to pay a premium for these.

Price-wise, though, the Nintendo Switch 2 (while certainly more expensive than its predecessor) falls about in line with similar contemporary handheld gaming devices, including the original Steam Deck ($399 / £349 / AU$649) and the Asus ROG Ally ($549.99 / £449 / AU$999). Premium devices like the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally X are even more expensive, positioning the Switch 2 at a relatively mid-range price point among gaming handhelds, but certainly on the more affordable side within the space.

In terms of home consoles, the Switch 2 does come in cheaper than the PS5 ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95) and lands in the same ballpark as the PS5 Digital Edition ($399.99 / £389.99 / AU$649.95). It’s also comparable in price to the Xbox Series X Digital Edition ($449.99 / £429.99 / AU$699).

It’s also worth noting that Nintendo Switch 2 stock has been an ongoing issue since the pre-order phase. At launch, it’s been incredibly difficult to purchase a Switch 2 at retail, and flashes of stock in all major regions come and go in an instant. However, this was also the case with the original Switch and competing systems like the PS5. In both cases, stock became much more plentiful in the months after launch, so I’m hoping the same is true for Nintendo’s latest.

Nintendo Switch 2: specs

Price

$429.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95

Weight

1.18lbs / 535g (with Joy-Con 2 attached)

Dimensions

10.7 x 4.5 x 0.6in / 272 x 114 x 15mm

Storage capacity

256GB internal

Storage expansion

microSD Express

Connectivity

WiFi 6, ethernet, Bluetooth

Display

Vivid LCD

Resolution (docked)

Up to 4K

Resolution (handheld)

Up to 1080p

GPU

Custom Nvidia processor

CPU

Custom Nvidia processor

Battery life

2-5 hours

Ports

2 x USB, 1 x HDMI, 1 x LAN, 2 x USB-C, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack

Nintendo Switch 2: design and build quality

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

What’s most striking about the Nintendo Switch 2 out of the box is its look and build quality improvements over its predecessor. The console looks distinctly less toy-like, largely helped by an overall sleeker design and the ditching of the original Joy-Con’s neon red/blue aesthetic.

Some may lament the loss of whimsy, and that’s fair enough. But it nonetheless stands out amongst the busy gaming handheld crowd. The Switch 2, despite its increased size, remains impressively slim. In fact, it’s just as thin as the original Switch, and importantly, lacks the bulk of the likes of the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally X. This means that even though it is bigger thanks to the larger display size, it remains an eminently portable console.

Though I would recommend investing in a carry case if you’re planning on taking your Switch 2 out and about. While it’s undoubtedly sturdier than the Switch, it’s still prone to the same environmental wear and tear of any handheld system.

The Switch 2 dock has also seen a size increase, but for good reason. This time, the dock houses an internal fan to help keep the unit cool during lengthy play sessions. Thankfully, the dock is still small enough to fit into even the most compact gaming spaces. Whether that be on a TV stand or your computer desk, or elsewhere, you should have little issue incorporating your Switch 2 into a docked setup. The dock also houses two USB ports, one ethernet port, and a HDMI slot for use on TVs or gaming monitors.

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

As for the handheld itself, there’s a lot to go over in terms of design. The unit now houses two USB-C ports - one on the top and the other at the bottom. Next to each port are sets of speakers. At the top, you’ll also find the power and volume buttons, as well as the game card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a built-in microphone.

The Switch 2’s kickstand is a huge improvement. The 2017 model had a simple stub kickstand on one side, which felt extremely rigid. The Switch OLED did widen this design idea, but it wasn’t much better overall. On Switch 2, the kickstand has been entirely redesigned. It spans almost the entire length of the handheld and can be rotated to a much greater degree. This allows for greater freedom with how you place your Switch 2 on a surface for tabletop play.

Another massive improvement comes in how the Joy-Con 2 controllers attach to the handheld. Instead of the original Switch’s rigid rail system, the Switch 2 opts for a magnetic connection. As such, the Joy-Con 2 click into place seamlessly and instantaneously. You can also easily pop them back out by pushing in a button housed just underneath the ZL/ZR trigger buttons.

One last thing to note is that the Switch 2 is impressively lightweight. At just 1.18lbs (535g), it’s only marginally heavier than the original Switch, which was 0.88lbs (399g), and the Switch OLED’s 0.93lbs (422g). Admittedly, I was expecting something much heavier before my hands-on preview some months ago, but I remain pleasantly surprised by the Switch 2’s slimness. And when compared to the bulkier Steam Deck OLED’s 1.41lbs (640g), playing with Switch 2 in bed or on the go is less strenuous overall.

Nintendo Switch 2: display

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike the namesake screen of the Switch OLED, Nintendo has opted for an LCD display for the Switch 2. This may come across as a downgrade on paper, but in reality, the move back to LCD has its own advantages. For one, LCD is less prone to screen burn-in than OLED, allowing for a panel that should last longer.

I have no complaints when it comes to the Switch 2’s display. It is a monumental upgrade over the original’s 720p LCD screen.

Furthermore, Nintendo has still managed to ensure that your games still look crisp and vividly colorful during portable play. Nintendo describes its display as ‘Vivid LCD,’ and it’s an accurate description to say the least. The display supports HDR10, meaning games that support this screen tech (like Super Mario Odyssey and the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond) can be just as eye-poppingly colorful on the handheld as they would be on a larger OLED panel.

This 1080p screen also supports VRR (variable refresh rate), helping demanding games maintain a smooth framerate and helping 120Hz-compatible titles meet that target. At launch, there aren’t many games that benefit from the Switch 2 screen’s 120Hz capability, though Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is confirmed to have a 1080p performance mode that targets this high refresh rate. It’s bound to look stunning on the handheld that already has a native 1080p resolution.

Of course, there will be times when you won’t want to make use of HDR10, perhaps in order to save battery or to have a play experience that’s less demanding on the eyes. Nintendo has thankfully thought of this, and there are options in the settings menu to disable HDR entirely or to only enable it for true HDR-compatible games.

In my testing, I have no complaints when it comes to the Switch 2’s display. It is a monumental upgrade over the original’s 720p LCD screen. The jump to 1080p helps both Switch 2 and OG Switch games look incredibly sharp. Even titles that utilize a dynamic resolution in handheld mode - like Bayonetta 3 and Astral Chain - are better able to meet this target thanks to the increased power of the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2: user interface and settings

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Switch 2’s Home dashboard is a disappointment at first glance. In fact, you might not be able to tell it apart from the original console’s menu if it weren’t for the rounded edges applied to game icons on the Switch 2. It’s still aggressively bland, then, and you’ve still only got the choice between two basic white and black themes, but there have been some key improvements worth talking about.

The big thing to make note of is performance. Issues with the glacial input delay are practically nonexistent now, and nowhere is this more apparent than the revamped Nintendo eShop. There’s a completely new user interface here, and items are organized much more cleanly and smartly than before. And while, yes, you still won’t be escaping the mountains of genAI shovelware when looking through the deals section, I’d still argue that the eShop now is a good deal more responsive than even the PlayStation and Microsoft Stores.

Over to System Settings, then, and you’ll find much of what was available on the original Switch. On Switch 2, there are plenty more options to take advantage of the hardware’s new features. These include setting TV output to 1440p or 4K, fine-tuning HDR, as well as preventing your system from topping up its battery all the way to full in order to help the battery last longer in the years to come. A similar option is common with best iPhones and best Android smartphones, so it’s nice to see it here on a portable gaming device.

Nintendo Switch 2: audio

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

One important addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 is the implementation of a bespoke surround sound system, supported by the speakers on both the top and bottom of the handheld.

What impressed me the most here was the surprising level of audio quality when not using a pair of headphones in handheld mode. The speakers are significantly less tinny than the original Switch (though that did also see an improvement with the OLED model), and they provide surprisingly clear audio for such a compact device.

The speakers work great for a wide range of games, whether that’s the vast immersive soundscape of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or the infectiously catchy tunes of Splatoon 3. Even older NES and SNES games that are playable via Nintendo Switch Online benefit, with their simpler melodies coming through with great clarity.

Bluetooth support is where the Switch 2 falters in the audio department. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still getting strong surround sound support here. But with the gaming headsets and earbuds I tested - including the RIG 900 Max HS and the Nothing Ear (a) earbuds - there was a very noticeable audio delay of around half a second. This was the case in both docked and handheld modes, though it was certainly more pronounced with the latter.

On that note, I’d recommend hooking up a pair of wired headphones via the 3.5mm jack. In this case, I tested my Razer BlackShark V2 headphones, and audio came through crystal clear without a hint of delay.

Nintendo Switch 2: Performance

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Now, overall gaming performance is where the Nintendo Switch 2 really impresses. At least at this early stage in the console’s life, the notion of poor framerates and heavily compromised Nintendo Switch ports seems to be a thing of the past.

Nintendo’s own output has thus far been stellar on this front. Mario Kart World runs at a clean 1440p while docked (1080p on the handheld) at a solid 60 frames per second (fps) at all times. That’s especially impressive given the series’ shift to a vibrant open world.

However, I was even more surprised by some of the console’s ports. Street Fighter 6, for example (while slightly worse off in terms of image quality with some noticeable graining), runs superbly at 60fps both online and offline. The marquee single-player World Tour mode does take some hits with battles being locked to 30fps, but that’s the only real blemish on this otherwise exceptional port.

The one major downside to all this is the Switch 2’s shockingly poor battery life. In handheld mode, Nintendo itself estimates that you can get anywhere between two to six and a half hours. However, in all my testing, I simply didn’t find this to be the case. Of course, more demanding titles will drain the battery a good deal more, but even with original Switch games, I struggled to get more than three hours at full charge. And yes, that’s even after bypassing the bug where the console thinks it’s got around 10% less battery life than what it actually has.

Even when playing less demanding titles, such as side-scrollers or Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) retro games, battery life struggles. You can, of course, mitigate things by turning down the console’s brightness and disabling HDR for certain games, but this does come at the cost of overall image clarity.

I’d say, at a push, you can get around five hours tops with less visually demanding games, after testing titles like Hollow Knight, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, and numerous Switch Online classic titles. Heck, even idling on the Home dashboard seems to drain the battery at an alarming clip, so do make sure to keep your console in standby when you’re out and about and it’s not in use.

Nintendo Switch 2: Backwards compatibility

Switch 2 GameCube Controller

(Image credit: Future)

Nintendo Switch 2’s backwards compatibility is - in a word - excellent. Particularly when it comes to running and playing original Switch games. Firstly, most Switch games at a baseline level benefit from Switch 2’s faster internal storage. That means you can expect games to boot and load scenes much faster on average.

For example, booting Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition took me from the Home dashboard to the in-game menu in around 4 seconds. Then, from the menu to in-game was roughly 10 seconds. It’s a similar story with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which loads into a match in literally less than 3 seconds. Another standout example is Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, which I’ve already written about as being one of my favorite Switch 2 experiences so far, despite being an original Switch title. In the main story mode, the game transitioned from level selection to loading to gameplay in, again, around 3 or 4 seconds.

Many Switch games also benefit from an increase in image quality and overall performance, not just games that have received paid Nintendo Switch 2 Editions. The standout example here is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Most would agree that the original Switch release was a mess, with horrific image quality and choppy animations. On Switch 2, the game has been transformed, rocking a solid 60fps and targeting 4K while docked and 1080p on the handheld. Now, the game’s overall art style still does feel a bit flat, but with its key performance issues solved on Switch 2, it’s now well worth playing, as it’s still a fine Pokémon adventure.

Another game that benefits is, again, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. That game originally had an uncapped framerate, meaning the Switch 2 is able to brute force a 60fps performance at all times. Image quality in handheld mode is also sublime, with the game sporting a 1080p output and no longer needing to downsample to 720p to fit the original Switch display. If you know of any other OG Switch titles with uncapped framerates, definitely give them a try on Switch 2, as the results may surprise you.

Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con 2

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Now onto the Switch 2’s pack-in controllers - the Joy-Con 2. And again, we find a pretty sizable improvement over the previous model in some ways. Their overall design is much sleeker, and they’re slightly rounder than the original Joy-Con controllers. Their larger size also makes them much more comfortable to play with for longer sessions - even when sharing an individual Joy-Con 2 with a pal for co-op play.

The big addition here is mouse controls, which are supported by certain titles, including Civilization 7 and Cyberpunk 2077. Mouse controls can also be used to navigate the Switch 2’s Home dashboard and Nintendo eShop (though the lack of a scroll wheel does hurt things a little here). It’s a very smart implementation, and performance is extremely smooth with no unnecessary acceleration. You can even adjust mouse sensitivity in the System Settings menu and in supported games.

It is worth mentioning that there have already been reports of Joy-Con 2 controllers suffering from stick drift, and the sticks themselves appear to have the same design as the originals.

This is a huge shame and a big disappointment, as one of my biggest concerns before launch was the lack of improvements in this regard. Nintendo does offer a free repair and replacement service for Joy-Con 2 controllers suffering from stick drift, but I’d obviously prefer a Hall effect solution in order to avoid this issue entirely.

Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat

Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, Nintendo has a true party voice chat solution built into one of its consoles. While numerous titles on the original Switch supported voice chat via the official Nintendo Switch Online app, chatting with friends this way was nothing short of awful - often thanks to forced disconnections between matches and low-quality audio.

So, is GameChat a decent alternative to the likes of Discord? Well, yes and no. GameChat obviously takes great inspiration from the world’s leading group chat software. Audio quality via the Switch 2’s built-in mic is surprisingly clear, and headset microphones are also supported. It is objectively a big improvement over Nintendo’s prior efforts.

The problems come with its implementation. Namely, shrinking the game screen down in order to display your friends’ Switch 2 profile icons. This seems needless, especially when not using the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera accessory, not to mention the fact that GameChat adds massive black borders around your game screen. Discord already solved this with its simple and effective overlay that maintains image resolution while displaying profile icons off to the side in a semi-transparent manner.

Editor's note

Good news - the potential issue we identified with GameChat compressing your game's live feed has been accounted for. If you head to the settings within GameChat, you'll see you have two further display options; Extend Main Screen and Fullscreen. The former shrinks the GameChat UI, and the latter removes your friends' icons entirely, instead showing a small overlay in the lower right-hand corner with the name of whoever is currently speaking.

GameChat isn’t lacking ambition, though, and there are some neat ideas here. For example, being able to see your friends’ game screens is a novel idea, and a neat way of translating split-screen play in an online space. The problem, again, is the execution of it. Your friends’ displays are rendered at an uncomfortably low framerate, to the point where it can actually be quite distracting.

I hope Nintendo continues to improve the GameChat service going forward and flesh it out with more customizable options, because it is a handy thing to have for party chat with friends online, and it does have some neat ideas of its own. But for now, I would still recommend setting up a chat with friends via Discord.

Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2?

Buy it if...

You want a night and day upgrade over the original Switch
Simply put, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the Switch’s vision fully realized. An astronomical performance improvement, paired with superb load times and a crisp 1080p display, arguably makes it the definitive gaming handheld.

You already have a decent-sized Switch game collection
Your original Switch games play better than ever on Switch 2. While not all benefit from image quality and performance improvements, those that do have never been better. Plus, most games do benefit from the console’s snappier load times.

You want a handheld gaming device that’s genuinely portable
While larger than the original Switch, it remains just as thin. If you’re put off by the bulk of the Steam Deck in particular, then the Switch 2 is an excellent portable alternative if you like to game while out and about.

Don't buy it if...

You’re waiting on more first-party games
Nintendo’s own launch roster for the Switch 2 is very slim. If Mario Kart World isn’t your bag, and you’re not too keen on playing some of these Switch 2 Edition games again, I’d say it’s best to hold off until the game library improves.

You want a gaming handheld that’ll go the distance, battery-wise
The Switch 2’s battery life is incredibly poor. And while battery packs do exist to extend portable playtime, these do have the unfortunate side effect of bulking up the console. If you’re a frequent flyer or regularly find yourself on long commutes, the Switch 2’s battery life might let you down.

Also consider...

If the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t quite for you, or if you simply can’t find stock for the currently hard-to-get console, here are a couple of alternatives that might better suit your preferences.

Nintendo Switch 2

Steam Deck OLED

Asus ROG Ally X

Price

$429.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95

$549 / £479 (around AU$849)

$799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599

Weight

1.18lbs / 535g

1.41lbs / 640g

1.49lbs / 678g

Dimensions

10.7 x 4.5 x 0.6in / 272 x 114 x 15mm

11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9in / 298 x 117 x 49mm

11 x 4.5 x 1.5in / 280.2 x 114 x 37mm

Storage capacity

256GB internal

512GB NVMe SSD

1TB M.2 2280 SSD

Storage expansion

microSD Express

microSD

microSD

Connectivity

WiFi 6, ethernet, Bluetooth

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Display

7.9in Vivid LCD

7.4in OLED

7-inch FHD

Resolution

4K docked, 1080p handheld

1080p

1080p

CPU

Custom Nvidia processor

AMD Zen 2 four core 2.4-3.5GHz

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

GPU

Custom Nvidia processor

AMD RDNA 2

AMD Radeon Graphics

Battery life

2-5 hours

2-3 hours

Around 8 hours

Ports

2 x USB, 1 x HDMI, 1 x LAN, 2 x USB-C, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack

1 x USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD

2x USB-C, 1 x combo jack, 1 x SD card reader slot

Steam Deck OLED
Valve’s premium gaming handheld is impressively customizable, supporting your entire Steam library as well as third-party apps and emulators. The OLED screen is a real treat, too. Just be prepared for some Steam games not being perfectly compatible with the handheld, and expect some performance hits for the more demanding titles.

Read our full Steam Deck OLED review

Asus ROG Ally X
A performance powerhouse and decent battery life position the Asus ROG Ally X as a seriously tempting gaming handheld. While still not quite up to spec with gaming laptops and Windows 11 not being the best fit as an operating system, it’s nonetheless a superb way to play Steam, Xbox Game Pass, GOG titles, and more.

Read our full Asus ROG Ally X review

Nintendo Switch OLED
It does belong to the original Switch family, meaning it’s certainly not packing the power of the Switch 2. But still, the OLED is still a worthwhile and more affordable alternative, and packs a gorgeous 7-inch OLED display.

Read our full Nintendo Switch OLED review

How I tested the Nintendo Switch 2

I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 for just over two weeks for this review. In docked mode, I played on a 4K-capable LG CX OLED TV, but I also split my time evenly between docked and handheld play. My picks for controllers during my testing were the Joy-Con 2, Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the wireless Nintendo GameCube Controller for use with the new GameCube classics library via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

My testing also involved playing a whole bunch of Switch 2 and original Switch games. These include Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Deltarune, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.

I also compared the Switch 2’s gaming performance to that of the base PS5 and the Switch OLED. While it does lack the sheer power of the former, it’s not too far off the mark as we see with some of the Switch 2’s excellent ports. And in the case of the latter, it’s no contest, and I found it exceptionally hard to revisit my older Switch especially when the new system is almost fully backwards compatible.

For audio, I mostly relied on the Switch 2 handheld’s in-built speakers, but tested headset audio with the RIG 900 Max HS, Nothing Ear (a) earbuds, and the Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset.

I attempted to best the desert in Dune: Awakening’s engaging survival MMO and fell prey to the sandworms and sunburn
2:00 pm | June 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off
Review information

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC
Release date: June 10, 2025

Early on, while sprinting between rocky islands in Dune: Awakening’s desolate sandy seas, I began to wonder why it's taken so long for Frank Herbert’s fascinating world to be translated into a survival MMO PC game of this scale.

Making the most of the mythic beasts, warring factions, and an unforgiving setting, Funcom’s latest offering reimagines the core material, providing players the opportunity to step beyond the existing lore and carve out their own place amongst the stars. With so much to see and die as a result of, I still feel like I’m only scratching the surface of this monstrously sized expedition into the desert. But, despite the sizable journey ahead, one thing is for sure – I’m thoroughly enjoying the grind.

Dune: Awakening doesn’t take place in the Dune world you know from Herbert’s cult book, Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic duology, or David Lynch’s 1984 space opera. Instead, it’s set in an alternate timeline where Lady Jessica has a daughter instead of a son, and Duke Leto Atreides survives the assault on Arrakis, leading to an all-out war with the opposing Harkonnen dynasty. Without Paul Atreides and his Lisan al Gaib status, the Fremen are missing in action. Naturally, with all this drama, Arrakis has become a battleground over the most important resource in the galaxy – Spice.

Dune Awakening

(Image credit: Funcom)

Players enter this conflict as a prisoner, whose job is to find the Fremen people and awaken ‘the sleeper’. But before you dive into the many processes needed to uncover them, you first need to make some decisions about your character, namely what they look like and how they fit into the political landscape.

You’ll first get the chance to tweak the physical form of your character. There’s a decent variety of choices, from hairstyles to stature and tattoos, too. Naturally, I opted for a pre-distressed look, picking out murky blue eye makeup and some messy lipstick. Visual identity chosen, you’ll then pick some personality building blocks: your homeworld, social caste, and mentor.

Each option will provide you with alternative starting abilities and emotes. As someone who’s always wanted to use the Voice, I opted for a Bene Gesserit mentor and based myself in the frosty peaks of IX as a Bondsman. Sadly, it’s mainly your Mentor that factors into gameplay, with the other decisions acting more as role-playing flavor. Regardless, I was ready to feel the sand on my digital feet and test my survival mettle.

Fear is the grind killer

Dune Awakening

Needless to say, this planet is not exactly hospitable. (Image credit: Funcom)

You aren’t just dropped into Dune: Awakening without a clue, and are run through a pint-sized tutorial sequence first. Here, you learn the basics of combat and survival, which amounts to scavenging morsels of water drops from plants and swiping at enemies with a glorified box cutter, before witnessing a sandworm gobble up the remains of your ship.

Emerging into the open sand, your workload is split between maintaining your hydration and shelter while branching out into the surrounding areas of the map in search of story missions. Much of my first hour was spent cowering in the shade, fearing for my life as I followed my objectives to earn some scrappy sun protection and a ranged weapon. Suddenly, I wasn’t so afraid, and I began assaulting enemy camps with my newfound confidence.

As you run between pockets of shade, scavenging for resources and completing objectives, you’ll naturally start to earn Skill Points and Intel Points that fuel your skills, research, and crafting abilities. Soon, instead of scrounging around for a morsel of water and clipping enemies with a pea shooter, you’ll be drinking the blood of your enemies and hammering targets with the improved arsenal at your fingertips. Dune: Awakening has all the hallmarks of a classic survival MMO. However, it’s the clever grapple between feeling brave and weak that kept me interested beyond the climactic opening.

Best bit

Dune Awakening

(Image credit: Funcom)

To complete quests and rise up the ranks, you’ll eventually need to cross large portions of the desert. And, despite the isolation you might feel in the arid landscape, you’re never truly alone. In Dune: Awakening, Sandworms, otherwise known as the Shai-Hulud, are more terrifying than raiders or dehydration. If you’re unlucky, or simply not paying attention to your vibration meter, they can fleece you of all your precious items and leave you in the dust, literally, with nothing but your underwear. Regardless of how terrifying a prospect, the addition of these iconic creatures only makes the world of Dune: Awakening more immersive and entertaining to explore.

It’s not all desert roses, though, and unfortunately, as I sought out more enemies, I ran into issues with the rudimentary combat. You can block and parry, as well as deliver quick, slow, and ranged attacks, which is fine, if not a little underwhelming. Your limited toolbelt, early on, isn’t complemented by the limited enemy variation, and many of the baddies you face look much the same, and frankly, don’t seem too smart either.

On one occasion, while taking out a duo of scavengers, the firing stopped abruptly mid-fight. As I sheepishly wandered around the corner, I noticed that the second scavenger was standing frozen, as if they’d forgotten I was there. As you push into more difficult districts on the map, there are complicating factors like shields, and your opponents have more diverse combat skills, though that does little to make the combat more enticing, and as of right now, it feels like fighting still needs some fine-tuning.

Thankfully, when the combat excursions start to get old, you can tackle story missions called the Trials of AQL, which arrive as alternate challenges that test your dexterity while explaining the history of the Fremen. Hidden amongst the craggy horizons, the trials felt like a carefully constructed extension of the lore, rewarding your attention with gear essential to survival long term. It’s clear Funcom cares about the material that the studio is adapting, and the involved and thoughtful Trials feel like proof of that.

Hope clouds observational skills

Dune Awakening

See that weird glowing stuff? That's Rapidium - and Jan's going to need a lot of it to make more alters. (Image credit: Funcom)

While exploration will take up the lion’s share of your time, base building is another important aspect to your survival in Dune: Awakening. Say a sandstorm warning pops up on your screen, and you need to quickly assemble a dwelling. All you have to do is craft a useful 3D printing gun and pick a safe spot to place your cover.

Here, external walls and flooring all snap together nicely, while the inside of your home requires a bit more finicky work to get things to fit just right. If you do run into problems, the system itself is quite forgiving, and it’s easy enough to modify your floor plan to fit more appliances if things get a little tight. You can technically build a shelter almost anywhere you’d like, and with the speed at which items respawn, plopping down your possessions in open sand is an obvious no-go.

This brings me to the real antagonist of Dune: Awakening. Beyond the periodic sandstorms, trigger-happy enemies, or unwavering thirst, are the more terrifying and possession-destroying sand worms or Shai-Hulud. Hidden underground in the open sands, the worms are attracted to your movements, which you can track via a friendly vibrations bar that appears at the center of your screen.

Dune Awakening

Laying out your base smartly (as I have very much not done in this screenshot) is key to making the most of your limited resources. (Image credit: Funcom)

Simply put, the more you move in open sand, the more likely it is you’ll attract a sandworm. Once the bar turns red, it means your luck has run out and you need to sprint away to higher ground or risk losing everything you’ve worked so hard for. Short distances start to feel large, and I felt genuine pangs of fear as I tiptoed between the stone monuments that broke up this seemingly endless world.

Dune: Awakening looks solid in motion, but it isn’t always visually seamless, and there are plenty of frustrating bugs and bouts of texture pop-in that get in the way of the fun. Still, Dune’s desert landscape more than makes up for those small squabbles, and it's easy to get swept up in the carefully constructed details Funcom has embedded on Arrakis.

Visual accents like the billow of a water seal as you cut through it, or the sand particle texture on your windows, help to build the fantasy and commit your exploits to memory. Yet considering how large Dune: Awakening is, I’m sure there’s even more to uncover on my journey to ultimate power, and I’m excited to keep digging and discover more of these details.

Should I buy Dune: Awakening?

Buy it if...

You want a challenging survival MMO that’s connected to its setting
Between sunstroke, thirst and the constant threat of sand (worms and storms), Dune Awakening’s survival mechanics do well to complement its sci-fi setting.

You’re looking for a game to sink a lot of time into
The world of Dune: Awakening is sizable, and so it’ll take more than a few hours to grow your reach and power.

You think you’d make a better Lisan Al Gaib than Paul Atreides
Do you think of yourself more as a Timothée Chalamet Paul or a Kyle MacLachlan Paul? Well, Dune: Awakening provides you with all the necessary tools to see if you can out-Lisan Al Gaib both versions of Paul Atreides to prove yourself the superior sandy survivor.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer a more forgiving survival game
In Dune: Awakening, when you die to a sandworm, you lose everything, and I mean everything. As such, it might not be ideal for casual players looking to relax as they mine.

You like complex combat systems
While there is a decent diversity in skills and upgrades, Dune: Awakening’s combat can feel repetitive as you continue to face the same few enemy variants to harvest loot.

Accessibility

You can access the settings from the pause menu while in-game, or at the bottom left of the main menu before you join a server. From the accessibility menu, you can toggle on and off camera shakes, controller rumble, and motion blur.

From this menu, you can also toggle on and off subtitles, choose the font size, as well as select an option to have previous subtitles on screen for a longer period of time. You can also tweak the gamma setting from this menu, too. Dune: Awakening allows you to rebind all your keys from the dedicated Keybinds menu.

Where audio is concerned, you can use a slider in the Audio submenu to tweak individual streams of sound (Master Volume, Music Volume in-game, Sound Effects Volume, Cutscenes Volume, Dialogue Volume, and Radio Volume).

How I reviewed Dune: Awakening

I played Dune: Awakening on Steam, using an Acer Predator XB271HU gaming monitor, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and a Logitech G915 TKL gaming keyboard.

I used my external Creative Pebble V2 computer speakers and Audio Technica ATH-MX50X headphones plugged into a Scarlett 2i2 interface for sound. My gaming PC is powered by an RTX 3080 and an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X.

First reviewed June 2025

I’ve spent over 300 hours in Fortnite, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is slowly becoming my favorite way to play the game
10:00 pm | June 17, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is quite simply the same game, but better. Bless developer and publisher Epic Games for trying, but Fortnite on the original Nintendo Switch is hardly the most elegant way to play and feels like you’re at a significant disadvantage thanks to the decreased graphical fidelity, framerate, and draw distance. It’s forgivable on handheld, but with TV mode, it looks rough and feels rougher. But I’m glad to say the Nintendo Switch 2 edition is a great way to play, no matter where you are.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on:
Nintendo Switch 2; Non-Switch 2 version available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, Android, iOS (in some regions)
Release date:
June 5, 2025

I mean, what can you even say about Fortnite at this point? Epic Games’ 100-person Battle Royale game has taken over the world over the last eight years, and it’s only grown larger in the time since. In the vein of something like Roblox, Fortnite is both a battle royale and a user-generated game platform where you can find an endless amount of custom maps to play with your friends on.

But let's get into why the Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is such a great way to play.

Chug jug with you

Fortnite screenshot

(Image credit: Epic Games)

To really hammer that “you can play Fortnite without even touching its main mode” point home, I don’t like Battle Royale – the marquee mode – thanks to the game's building mechanics. However, when it comes to the Zero Build mode, it’s undoubtedly the best Battle Royale game on the market right now. Over the years, Epic has augmented the core mechanics of the game with a host of new movement options like wall kicking and roll landing that keep things fluid in what used to be the jankiest of movement systems.

Of course, the problem with any ‘evolving game’ is that it’s tough to give a review of the main mode because of how it changes. Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1 was peak, while Chapter 4 and Chapter 5’s third seasons were two of the absolute worst seasons of a live service game I’ve played. This means there could be three-month stretches where you just simply don’t like the game. And considering Epic Games has been experimenting with seasons based around media franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and a rumored upcoming Simpsons season, if you don’t like those, that’s all you get for months.

Thanks to the use of the Nintendo Switch 2’s feature set and specs, it's one of the best ways to play the game on console and by far the best handheld version.

Outside of that, there are the Epic Games-created modes. There’s Fortnite OG, which brings back the original Chapter 1 map (which can also be played in Zero Build, thankfully); Reload, which is a faster-paced 40-player battle; and Ballistic, a first-person mode that is a take on Counter-Strike. While none of these stand up to the core mode, they offer different ways to take on the mechanics of Fortnite and are solid games in their own right.

Then there are non-shooting modes like the Minecraft-inspired Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and the best side mode, Fortnite Festival, which is a rhythm game mode and the closest thing we’ll get to a new Rock Band game, considering it was developed by Guitar Hero and Rock Band creator Harmonix. This mode gets constantly updated with songs and artists, with a new singer taking center stage with a skin and big song drop every few months or so (with the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Metallica, and Hatsune Miku showing up).

And despite having so many options, the player base for each main mode is really healthy, meaning you’ll never wait too long to find a game of anything, with some custom games even having dedicated player bases. A few of these Epic-made modes have their own seasons and battle passes, too, which does add up if you don’t subscribe to the Fortnite Crew. However, Epic recently changed it so XP earned in any mode goes towards every single pass, which is a massive step up.

Mouse trap

Fortnite screenshot

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the same game as it is everywhere else; there are no exclusive modes or anything of the sort. However, thanks to the use of the Nintendo Switch 2’s feature set and specs, it's one of the best ways to play the game on console and by far the best handheld version of Fortnite.

Compared to the Nintendo Switch version, which ran at 880p docked and 660p in handheld mode, Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition runs at 1224p docked and 900p in handheld, so it still isn’t 4K / 1080p, but it is a significant boost. However, the resolution isn’t where the upgrade matters; the improved textures as well as a far greater draw distance, which was one of the original console’s biggest hindrances – especially with how big the Fortnite map is. Most importantly, Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition runs at a solid 60fps as opposed to the 30fps of the Nintendo Switch – which in an online shooter that has cross-play with more powerful platforms – makes a world of difference.

Gyro aiming returns from the Nintendo Switch edition of Fortnite, but new to the Switch 2 version is support for mouse controls via the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Effectively, this allows you to use a mouse setup for aiming with the movement capabilities of an analogue stick, and is a wonderful combination.

Best bit

Fortnite screenshot

(Image credit: Epic Games)

As I was writing this review, Epic released a Hank Hill skin alongside an emote recreating the King of the Hill intro: my best bit can only be that and even how it looked on the Switch 2, which was excellent.

However, the mouse implementation is a touch awkward. Due to the lack of buttons available, you’ll still need to access the face buttons on your Joy-Con to jump and reload, which creates some uncomfortable moments as you crane your hand. Plus, the mouse controls need to be activated from the in-game menu, as opposed to just sticking the Joy-Con in mouse position like in other games. This isn’t the biggest pain in the world, but it doesn’t revert back once you use a controller that doesn’t support mouse controls (such as attaching your Joy-Con 2 to the Switch 2 itself), which means you’ll need to get the controller off and go through the menu with the mouse to deactivate it.

Fortnite is a phenomenon for a reason; if you let yourself get by the “popular game bad” noise that you often see with this and the likes of Call of Duty, you’ll find what is probably the best Battle Royale game in the genre. And even outside of that, it’s a massive game platform that has an endless supply of whatever you like, from racing, rhythm games, and even custom Fall Guys games.

However, the risks of an ongoing game persist because you’ll occasionally be hit with a season that makes the game bad for months, and there’s not much you can do to help it.

Having said that, Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is easily the best way to play on the go or on a handheld device, and while it’s outclassed in power by the PS5 and Xbox versions when it comes to TV mode, it’s still solid to look at, and the mouse controls give it an edge that those consoles don’t have.

Should you play Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?

Play it if...

You want to play Fortnite on a handheld
Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
outclasses the version on the original Switch in every way, taking what is a means to an end and making it a fantastic way to play in its own right. Plus, the mouse controls make tabletop mode a great way to play, too.

You want something free to play on Switch 2
Fortnite
has a seemingly endless amount of modes and content, and is being updated constantly. And unless you want to pick up a skin of John Cena or Raiden from Metal Gear Solid, you don’t have to pay a single penny to play all of the game’s modes.

Don't play it if...

You need the best graphics and performance from Fortnite
While the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Fortnite has a perfectly fine resolution and – in my experience – sticks at a solid 60fps, that’s where you cap out. The current-gen console versions and PC ultimately look better and support higher framerates.

Accessibility

Fortnite has a ton of accessibility options, including multiple color blindness filters, the ability to remap controls however you like, alongside multiple control options like gyro aiming and mouse controls.

A standout feature is the visual sound effects toggle, which displays a ring around your character to indicate the source of sound effects and their corresponding representations (footsteps, loot, gunfire, etc.). This is particularly beneficial for those with hearing difficulties or when playing the game with the sound muted.

How I reviewed Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

I played around eight hours of Fortnite Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on top of a good 300-400 hours played across PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch. During my time with the Nintendo Switch 2 edition, I tested Zero Build mode, Fortnite Festival and a number of custom games.

I played this in a mixture of handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and on a Samsung Q60D TV and a Samsung HW-T450 soundbar using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Joy-Con 2 controllers when using mouse mode.

First reviewed June 2025

I got stranded on an alien planet, wrote a song, and my clone cut off his own arm on the kitchen counter – The Alters is supremely weird, but fantastic
8:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Tags: | Comments: Off

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Alters, the latest game from developer and publisher 11 Bit Studios. From the trailers I'd watched, it seemed almost like parts of several different games were grabbed and hastily cobbled together into something that shouldn't work - and yet, much like my hastily-cobbled-together base in-game, it does.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: June 13, 2025

Following Jan Dolski, a construction specialist on a space mission to find the ultra-rare element Unobtaini- sorry, ‘Rapidium’, The Alters meshes together survival, management sim, third-person action adventure, and decision-based narrative elements with apparent grace and ease. There's a well-struck balance here, never tipping too far in any one direction, keeping you constantly engaged and on your toes. Less than two hours in, I was already having a blast.

Predictably, things go wrong almost immediately for poor Jan, and despite finding an abundance of Rapidium, he's left stranded on a hostile planet with an approaching sunrise that will scorch him and his base to an irradiated crisp. Alone, desperate, and running out of options, he follows the highly questionable directions of a crackly voice on the base comms to utilize Rapidium’s mysterious qualities and create a duplicate of himself: an ‘alter’. After all, many hands make light work - and the rest of the original crew are too dead to help out.

Seeing double

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

Needless to say, this planet is not exactly hospitable. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

The thing is, Jan’s duplicates aren't exactly that. The core premise of The Alters is right there in the name, with each alternate Jan Dolski having a distinct - though familiar - personality and memories of a life that went a different direction at one pivotal moment or another. It's an excellent central conceit for both a story and a game. Need a miner to help gather the resources required to survive on this desolate planet? Good news: in another life, Jan chose to pursue his father’s mining career. Bad news: Miner Jan has a substance abuse problem and crippling self-esteem issues, and you're going to have to deal with that now.

This is where the narrative segment of the game comes in, with a wide variety of both one-on-one chats and group interactions to be had with Jan’s parallel selves. It's reminiscent of chatting to your crew aboard the Normandy between missions in the Mass Effect series; although instead of a sleek spaceship, your base of operations in The Alters is a thin, blocky structure housed on a gyro inside a gigantic tire. It gives the story a sort of twisted road trip vibe, which I loved - check out Overland and Get In The Car, Loser! If you’re interested in some other very weird virtual road trips.

Best bit

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

(Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

Jan's rolling base is certainly unique - just don't question the physical logistics of how such a vehicle would remain upright.

The ‘mobile base’ is just one part of the fantastic and occasionally goofy world-building on display here. True to 11 Bit Studios’ Polish heritage, the life Jan left behind to join this mission is a corporate sci-fi dystopia with a distinctly Eastern European flavor. Janky Europop plays from a jukebox in the social room you can build for the Alters to relax in; Jan’s childhood home is a nondescript mining town with brutalist concrete architecture; two Jan Dolskis bond over their shared love of pierogi. While the planetary backdrop of Jan’s current predicament might be a bit more par for the course, the injection of a little cultural identity helps massively in creating a more unique, interesting setting. The soundtrack is pretty good too, an appropriate blend of synthy overtures and foreboding background music.

I won’t delve too much into the plot to avoid spoilers (this is a story best experienced as blind as possible), but I will say as a lifelong sci-fi lover that the story is solid. The writing and voice acting are both excellent, with some interesting supporting characters and plenty of dialogue that serves to flesh out the characters and move the story along. Particular props go to Alex Jordan, who voices not just Jan but also all of his titular alters - and make no mistake, despite sharing the same origins, this is a greatly varied group of characters who don't always get along. Listen up, Geoff Keighley, because I fully expect to see him nominated for Best Performance at the next Game Awards.

Too many cooks

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

See that weird glowing stuff? That's Rapidium - and Jan's going to need a lot of it to make more alters. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

Speaking of not getting along, though: we're all going to need to get along, or we're all going to die.

Befriending Jan’s alters isn't enough to survive with the radioactive sunrise mere days away. You need to put them to work, whether that's producing food or equipment aboard the mobile base or gathering resources in the dangerous environment outside.

This is mostly done through a series of menu screens, which have clean, well-designed UIs, and managing your alters takes up a decent portion of your time in-game. They're quite proactive; for example, if an alter in the workshop finishes building all the tools you've queued up for manufacturing, they'll suggest moving to a different assignment, prioritizing stations aboard the base with unfinished workflows and no assigned staff.

It's not the deepest management sim system I've ever seen - 11 Bit Studios previously developed Frostpunk and Frostpunk 2, which offers great complexity for hardcore fans of the genre - but it works well as one component of a broader story-driven survival game and keeps the focus on the micro rather than the macro. You can only have a maximum of six alters out of a possible nine (although two of them, Technician Jan and Scientist Jan, are mandatory for the plot - so it's more like picking four out of seven).

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

Laying out your base smartly (as I have very much not done in this screenshot) is key to making the most of your limited resources. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

You're also responsible for the base itself, meaning that you'll need an alter - or yourself - on hand to carry out repair work when needed, and you'll need to modify and expand the base to match the evolving demands of your journey across the planet's surface to a promised rescue rendezvous. Thanks to the two-dimensional nature of your base-in-a-giant-tire, rooms are laid out in a grid and can be moved and slotted together Tetris-style to make the most of your available space.

This is another balancing act; everything needs to be correctly connected to function, and every new room added increases the total weight of your base and thus the amount of resources you'll need to travel to the next area. There's always a tradeoff; should you build the alters private cabins to help improve their mood, or make them bunk together in a far more space-efficient dorm room? Do you really need that greenhouse for manually producing proper food, when you could all survive perfectly well on processed organic mush?

Venturing forth

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

Scanning for mining deposits as you explore each new area is a vital task if you want to stay alive. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

Of course, even with your alters hard at work, this is a team effort. Real boy Jan doesn't get to sit on his hands while his clones do all the heavy lifting, no, sir. You need to make use of every precious hour before sunrise comes, because every single job your alters can do is also something you could also be doing yourself.

This is where the third-person exploration and action elements of the game come into play - though I use the word ‘action’ quite generously here, since The Alters doesn't really have traditional combat. When I said ‘hostile planet’ earlier on, I wasn't talking about angry local megafauna or marauding aliens. The areas outside the base are populated by strange, pulsating anomalies, which can deliver a potentially lethal dose of radiation on contact. Luckily, you can research and build the Luminator: a magic UV flashlight that can be used to target the floating cores of the anomalies and shrink them into a stable ball of useful resources with an admittedly rather satisfying vwoosh.

It's perhaps the weakest component in The Alters’ otherwise flawless assembly of disparate parts, but it's far from a deal-breaker. The anomalies just aren't a particularly engaging threat, although later on, some more interesting variants do show up. One variety has two cores and rhythmically grows and shrinks in size; another warps spacetime in close proximity, causing you to lose hours in seconds while you remain within its radius.

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

I like the design of the Ally Corp spacesuits Jan and his alters wear - and even their standard-issue on-base clothes have little variations to help keep the alters distinct. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

The rest of the off-base gameplay is a bit more appealing; you explore, gather resources, and map out locations for fixed mining stations, which must then be connected to the base by setting up pylons before being operated by yourself or one of the alters. Your rolling base only makes pit stops at a handful of locations throughout the game, and the maps aren't that large, but they do feel densely populated and hand-crafted - no sprawling procedurally-generated wilderness here. Sometimes, you'll stumble across wreckage from your original crashed ship, and can recover personal effects that certain alters might appreciate, improving their mood.

Brothers in arms

Keeping those alters happy is no laughing matter, however. They can go hungry or become depressed, get injured on the job, or fall sick from radiation poisoning if you force them to work outside for too long. Sometimes you'll find two or more of them in disagreement, at which point you'll need to find a solution - and it's not always possible to stay on everyone’s good side.

Some of these disputes are key to the overarching plot, while others are merely for character development and establishing personal conflicts - but I really appreciate how The Alters makes you stand on your decisions, even the smaller ones. A lesser game would have you pick a side and mete out judgment, with corresponding mood shifts based on your choice, but here you have to back up your words with actions or deal with the consequences. When one alter argues that we need more protection from radiation, while another insists that we should stop gathering irradiated metals altogether, you're expected to follow through on your decision. Fail to build that radiation shield quickly enough after choosing to support that plan? Tough, now both alters have lost some respect for you.

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

I probably spent more time playing the beer pong minigame than I needed to. But I needed Jan's alters to understand that he's the king, and there's no beating him. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to boost your alters' mental states. Assigning them to work that fits their specialism is a good start, but you can also prepare better food, play beer pong (which has its own minigame), build a gym or a therapy room, or even settle in for a movie night with all of your alternate selves. Hilariously, the ‘movies’ you can uncover from the ship’s scattered wreckage are all live-action shorts made by YouTube comedy duo Chris & Jack, which can be viewed in their entirety while the Jans provide occasional commentary. It's weird, but great. Hell, the only thing you can't do is exactly what I would do in this situation, which is a sloppy make-out session with my clones.

Whatever your methods, ensuring that your self-made crew is healthy in body and mind is of paramount importance. An unhappy or rebellious alter will work fewer hours; an injured one can't work at all. It all plays into the core idea that Jan - perhaps every version of him, in fact - simply wasn't cut out for this job, and you're constantly flying from one near-catastrophe to another. I opted to pick Doctor Jan as my final alter quite late in the game, and I'm glad I did: Miner Jan decided to overwork himself not long after, and kept coming back to base with increasingly severe radiation sickness.

The human touch

Screenshot from The Alters (2025).

It's nice to find your alters gathered to relax in their off-time during the (rare) periods when everyone seems to be getting along. (Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

In short, The Alters is nothing short of an artistic triumph. It's a cheerfully strange game with a lot of heart, using its premise to ask genuine philosophical questions about the nature of memories and identity, but also managing to remain grounded in a story about people just trying to survive a terrible situation. At one point, Jan leads the alters in a (shockingly good) impromptu musical number. It's silly, but it's hard not to like how downright earnest it all is. It feels like something that was created with genuine love and care, an increasing rarity in today’s game industry landscape.

I wouldn't call it an extremely challenging game overall, so if you're expecting a gritty, difficult survival experience, you might be disappointed - although I've been a fan of management sims for a while, so players less familiar with the genre may find it a bit tougher to stay on top of each new crisis. There are separate difficulty settings for the anomaly combat and the resource economy, which is a nice touch.

Lastly, as a PC game, I found it ran well both on my RTX 4080 gaming PC and an older RTX 3060 gaming laptop, at 1440p and 1080p, respectively.

The game isn't particularly long, either - my first playthrough clocked in at just shy of 20 hours, and I felt was taking my time with it - but there's certainly some room for replayability based on the different available alters and multiple endings. After getting what I'd like to call a ‘good’ ending, I'm already itching to start over and say all the mean things I avoided saying the first time around. Watch out, space: here comes Asshole Jan.

Should I buy The Alters?

Buy it if...

You want a meaningful story
The Alters delivers emotional beat after beat across its whole plot, taking the time to muse on human nature while keeping its focus on Jan's struggle for survival.

You like base-building
From fitting together rooms in your mobile base to laying out connected pylons and power lines to support your fast-travel mining outposts, The Alters has a little something for everyone who likes to build stuff.

Don't buy it if...

You want an intense survival experience
Simply put, the various elements of The Alters all work to serve the central narrative - if you want a game that's all hardcore survival or management sim, look elsewhere.

You want fast-paced action
This isn't exactly a slow-paced game - seeing 'SUNRISE IN 3 DAYS' will certainly get you galvanized - but the infrequent combat sections are fairly basic.

Accessibility

There are a small number of accessibility features available in The Alters, primarily focused on reducing some intrusive visual effects (like those caused by certain anomalies, or when Jan is drunk after too much beer pong). There's also the option to adjust the font size of the subtitles and change the entire HUD scale - potentially useful for anyone who struggles to read small text.

A notable omission is a colorblind mode, although this might be a game where it wouldn't actually make much difference; most of the management menu screens are fairly monochrome, and the game broadly manages to avoid overlapping UI elements.

How I reviewed Mario Kart World

I played through the majority of The Alters on a gaming PC equipped with an RTX 4080 GPU and Ryzen 9 5950X CPU, at 1440p resolution, and got a consistent 60+ fps at max settings. I also played a short segment of the game on my laptop, which has an RTX 3060, and found similarly reliable performance at 1080p once I'd tweaked the graphical settings a little.

It took me about 20 hours to complete a full playthrough of the game, which I spread out over the course of a week. I played with a mouse and keyboard, but you can use a controller too if that's your preference. The game is also available on PS5 and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

First reviewed June 2025

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