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I tested Beyerdynamic’s new gaming headset – it’s an immersive, mid-market gem

9:00 pm | November 29, 2025

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

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless: two-minute review

The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is a multi-platform gaming headset that will unlock quality immersive audio. It also offers wired USB-C and low-latency connectivity via a USB-C dongle and a removable mic. While it’s already out in the UK, the US release date is yet to be confirmed.

For a mid-market headset with a list price of £159 (around $210), the MMX 150 Wireless is impressively immersive. When I was stalking opponents on Counter-Strike 2, the soundstage always felt precise, enabling me to detect the direction of firefights or distinguish footsteps as people attempted to sneak up on me.

But I would say it’s in action games where the MMX 150 Wireless really shows off its strengths. While playing The Outer Worlds 2, the world around me felt deep and richly layered. Reverberant industrial sounds and the idle chatter of NPCs are always perfectly positioned, making you feel like you’re sitting at the dead centre of an expansive sphere of sound. And effects are exquisitely detailed – the distorted dialogue of in-game voice recordings always feels convincingly conveyed, like you’re actually interacting with aged comms equipment.

The presets provided in the Beyerdynamic app help polish the sound up even further, even if the overall effect lands more on the subtle side compared to some of the best wireless gaming headsets. Upping trebles and mids, the Shooter preset did a credible job of making gun shots and footsteps even more distinct for when you want to sniff out enemies, while Action mode adds more gravitas, boosting bass and treble to give the world around you more substance.

Mic performance is more of a mixed result, however. Testing it out in-game and by recording some audio, the quality of its audio felt decent, if unexceptional. Its noise filtering was genuinely pretty impressive, though, capturing none of the background noise I was making, from key taps to loud, bassy music. The MMX 150 Wireless’s equivalent of transparency mode was a bit disappointing, though – even though it made my voice sound a lot clearer, it introduced a level of hiss that I’ve never heard from any of the best wireless headphones I’ve tested.

A closeup of the Bluetooth / power button on the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless. — (Image credit: Future)

Focusing more on its physical build now, the Beyerdynamic headset is seriously comfortable – I’ve had pillows that are less plush than these things. Thanks to the velour earpads, they’re super comfy, even during long gaming sessions, while the clamp force is just right for keeping them on your head without squishing your ears. Meanwhile, their height is easy to adjust to fit and offers a pretty expansive range, which is very helpful for my cumbersomely large cranium.

There are a few elements of the design I’m not a fan of, however. Aside from that cushy velour padding, the remaining materials of the MMX 150 Wireless feel a little flimsy – its plastic earcups echo every time you click the buttons, for example, slightly hampering the headset’s high-end feel. And while the white and black colorway I tested is a great match for the PS5, it’s ostentatiously gamer-y enough in its styling that I can’t really imagine myself using it for listening to music on the go.

When it comes to features, this Beyerdynamic’s app has a decent smattering. There’s the aforementioned sound presets, which cover gaming modes from Strategy to Racing and music modes from Bass to Smooth, as well as a custom five-band EQ. On top of this, it allows you to customize the functions behind button taps, switch Sidetone on and off, change the language of voice prompts, alter the auto shutdown time, and set the ringtone level.

Battery life is more than adequate for long gaming sessions. Despite Beyerdynamic listing it online as having a total life of 50 hours, its app actually gave the MMX 150 Wireless an estimated life of 68 hours. Having tested it by playing music over Bluetooth at 50% volume for a full day to see how rapidly its battery depleted, I found this estimate is actually pretty spot on, meaning the MMX 150 Wireless has a pretty generous battery life, especially for this price.

Ultimately, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is a strong performer for its mid-market price, offering detailed, immersive sound and a super comfy build. Sure, I’d generally like a slightly sturdier build from a headset of this price, and I’m not totally convinced by that noisy Sidetone mic mode. But if your biggest priorities are simply plunging yourself into your games and having spot-on situational awareness, you could do a lot worse.

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: price & availability

Launched on October 5, 2025 in the UK
US release date TBC
List price of £159

Having launched on October 8, 2025, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is already in the UK. Unfortunately, there’s no official release date that’s been announced for the US at the time of writing, but we’ll update this review when we have more information.

The MMX 150 Wireless has a list price of £159 – while that translates to around $210, the still unfolding landscape around tariffs makes it hard to accurately predict what the actual retail price will be. There are currently two colorways available for the headset: black and the white version tested here.

A closeup of the mic port, USB port and play button on the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless. — (Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: specs

Price	£159 (around $210)
Weight	0.7 lbs / 336g
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck
Connection type	Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), low-latency 2.4GHz wireless (dongle)
Features	Five-band EQ, 10 sound presets, Sidetone mode, custom button settings, plug-in mic with noise reduction
Battery life	50 hours
Software	Beyerdynamic app

The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless held in a man's hands, showing the inside of the cups. — (Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: design / features

Comfortable and cosy
68-hour battery life
Some materials feel a little cheap

When I put the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless on, the first thing I noticed was how cosy it feels. Honestly, it’s a little like you’re slipping your head into a velour cocoon. While those earpads aren’t necessarily the most subtle look, I cannot argue that they’re not incredibly comfortable. My only concern here is whether they’ll get a little toasty when summer rolls around – I’m not sure they’ll be particularly breathable or sweat-wicking.

And it’s not just the earpads that feel plush and comfortable: this continues throughout the MMX 150 Wireless’s design. Not only is it lightweight – clocking in at 336g – but its clamp force is pitched just right, keeping them well positioned on your head without unpleasantly squishing your ear cartilage.

It's also easy to adjust to fit. Some brands overthink this – one of the few points I criticized the super-affordable Turtle Beach Atlas 200 on recently was how it was impossible to adjust its height while you were wearing it. Beyerdynamic seems to recognize that sometimes the simplest solution is the most elegant: the earcups here simply raise and lower on a notched band, making it trivially easy to tweak them to the perfect height for you.

Unfortunately, sometimes this no-nonsense approach to design is less effective. In contrast to the luxurious feeling of the headset’s padding, the harder materials feel a little bit cheap. This is most pronounced when using the Control Wheel on the left cup – it’s a shade too clicky, and I found the noise resonates through the plasticky casing. Using more substantial materials here could have definitely made the experience of using these controls feel a little more premium.

And while this may be more of a personal preference, I’m also not totally keen on the MMX 150 Wireless’s styling, with the headset leaning a little too far into the gamer aesthetic for my liking. Don’t get me wrong: there’s no flashing RGB lighting or Cybertruck-esque sharp angles here. But the orange highlights, exposed wires, and the white and black colorway of the model I tested make it pretty clear this is a gaming headset first and foremost – you’re not going to be able to use it to listen to tunes on the subway without drawing a glance or two.

Moving on to the MMX 150 Wireless’s features, it has a decent range of capabilities, even if it’s maybe not quite as talented as some premium headsets.

Its connectivity options are pretty great. You can connect it to any compatible device via Bluetooth 5.3, and for the odd gadget that doesn’t have wireless connectivity, you can hook it up via its USB-C to 3.5mm jack cable. Perhaps the best option for committed gamers though, is its included wireless low-latency dongle – although Beyerdynamic doesn’t get specific about how much latency we’re talking about here, it promises negligible lag between the visuals and audio, something competitive gamers will definitely appreciate.

On paper, the MMX 150 Wireless’s battery life sounds unexceptional for a wireless gaming headset, with many topping its billed 50-hour life. However, when I fired up the Beyerdynamic app, it actually gave me its estimated life on a full charge as being about 68 hours.

Wanting to put this to the test, I set the headset playing music over Bluetooth at half volume for most of the day to see how much it would drain. It took seven hours and five minutes for its charge to drop to 90%, putting its total battery life at something like 71 hours and 10 minutes. Even taking into account the fact that its battery likely doesn’t discharge evenly, that means it will likely deliver that 68-hour life, enabling it to keep up with more headsets on the market.

The Beyerdynamic app offers a decent array of features and sound profiles, enabling me to customize various functions on the MMX 150 Wireless. First off, it offers up access to the headset’s five-band EQ and array of sound presets – these cover a range of scenarios, whether that’s bassy music, spoken words, or game genres like shooters, racing games, or strategy.

The app also allowed me to set which tap patterns of the multi-function button I wanted to play or pause audio, skip tracks back or forward, and switch audio sources. On top of this, it offers options for switching Sidetone on and off – Beyerdynamic’s name for its mic-boosting transparency mode – switching language of voice prompts, setting the headset’s auto shutdown tim,e and dialing in ringtone level.

The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless on a man's head from a rear angle; he is spinning the volume wheel on one earcup with one finger. — (Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: performance

Rich, immersive sound
Decent sound presets
Mic transparency mode a bit hissy

I’m always a bit wary when headsets throw around words like ‘immersive’ without details of specific spatial audio technologies. However, in the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless’ case, it’s hard to come up with an adjective that feels more apt – strapping it on really does plunge you into the middle of the games you’re playing.

Firing up The Outer Worlds 2, I was impressed with how alive the worlds around me sounded. Strolling around my ship, the crackle of electricity and whirring of machinery really made me feel like I was inhabiting an authentic, mechanical vessel. And the audio is detailed enough to feel visceral at times – carrying out stealth kills, the whoosh of the knife, and the pained gurgle of enemies was just unsettling enough to impress a scintilla of guilt on my jaded conscience.

This sense of immersion is very much supported by the precision of the MMX 150 Wireless’s soundstage, with its positioning of sounds always feeling spot on. During Counter-Strike 2 matches, I found it easier to pinpoint where enemies were than with cheaper headsets. Not only was locating the direction of gunfire much more straightforward, but I could easily tell by the sound of footsteps when someone was attempting to sneak up behind me, giving me a decent edge.

The low-latency dongle made this even more appreciable. Like I say, Beyerdynamic hasn’t explicitly laid out what kind of latency time the USB dongle is capable of, but at least subjectively, I noticed very little gap between the visuals on screen and the crack of shotguns or the thud of the R8 Revolver.

Sound presets were pretty effective, although I’d say their impact was subtle rather than transformative. When applying the Adventure preset during The Outer Worlds 2, it boosted the bass and treble slightly, giving those atmospheric sound effects a soupçon more impact and drama. Conversely, the Shooter preset upped the trebles and mids, emphasising the most useful frequencies for reacting to gunshots in Counter-Strike 2 – although this is perhaps less fun than the booming bass some headsets grant to the game’s rifle shots.

So the Beyerdynamic produces very decent sound for its price – but how well does it detect it? I’m pleased to say that the headset’s mic works well, capturing my voice with decent clarity. I was genuinely impressed with its noise filtering: it didn’t pick up the noise of me hammering away at my keyboard, and even my attempts to overwhelm it by playing pumping EDM in the background barely registered.

While I would have preferred a fold-to-mute mic design, its mute function still works well, cutting out instantly when you click in the Control Wheel. Annoyingly, I did find the action of the buttons and wheel does get picked up by the mic, though, appreciable at the other end as a definite echoey clunk.

The Sidetone mode mentioned above fulfills its brief reasonably well. It definitely made my voice less muted when speaking with the headset on, making it sound much more natural. I’ve clearly been a bit spoiled by the transparency mode of modern wireless headphones, though – Sidetone mode is a much blunter instrument by comparison, introducing a degree of background hiss that I absolutely wouldn’t tolerate from a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

All in all, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless offers very decent performance. I enjoy being plunged into its sonic soundscapes, particularly in games with soundtracks that are suitably immersive enough to play to their strengths. It is a shame that the mic isn’t quite as polished, though: it’s the one area where I could definitely tell I was using a mid-range headset, rather than a more premium one.

A closeup of the USB port, play button and volume wheel on the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless?

Buy it if…

You want to be plunged right into your games
With its excellent soundstage, the MMX 150 Wireless puts you right at the heart of the action, giving you an excellent sense of space and fully immersing you in the action.

You prioritize comfort
Not only does this headset cosily cradle your ears with its velour earpads, but its clamp force is just right, keeping them in place without exerting excess pressure on your ears.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re after a sturdy, premium-feeling build
Despite this comfort, though, the rest of the MMX 150 Wireless’s materials leave something to be desired, feeling a little lightweight and plasticky for this price.

You want an unimpeachable microphone
Don’t get me wrong: the MMX 150 Wireless’s mic captures your voice well. But the clonky echo of its buttons on your audio stream and the hiss of its Sidetone mode slightly mar the experience of using it.

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: also consider

	Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless	HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless	SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P
Price	£159 (around $210)	$199.99 / £189.98	$199.99 / £174.99
Weight	0.7 lbs / 336g	0.7 lbs / 318g	0.7 lbs / 325g
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck	PC	PC, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck
Connection type	Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), low-latency 2.4GHz wireless (dongle)	Wireless (dongle)	Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), low-latency 2.4GHz wireless (dongle)
Features	Five-band EQ, 10 sound presets, Sidetone mode, custom button settings, plug-in mic with noise reduction	DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio, noise-cancelling mic with LED status indicator	EQ, 200+ sound presets, Sidetone mode, retractable mic with noise reduction
Battery life	50 hours	300 hours	38 hours
Software	Beyerdynamic app	HyperX Ngenuity	Arctis Companion App

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
Not only does the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless offer fantastic audio, but it makes the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless’s battery life look positively ephemeral, offering a truly absurd 300 hours. And while its list price was initially higher than the MMX 150’s, in the US it has spent much of the last year at under $150, making it a bit of a bargain.

Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P
If you want a headset that offers that more premium, substantial build but – crucially – don’t want to pay premium prices for the privilege, this might be the headset for you. It’s made from sturdy metal – it feels robust without sacrificing comfort, while offering true spatial audio and hefty bass. The drawback? It’s only compatible with PC and PlayStation, so Xbox or handheld gamers will want to look elsewhere.

Read more in our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P review

How I tested the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless

Tested it over several days
Tried it out with a variety of devices and games
Assessed EQ modes and record mic quality

I tested the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless over the course of several days. First off, I tried the headset out with a range of games, including newer and older titles such as The Outer Worlds 2, Counter-Strike 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, and Two Point Museum. I also tried it on multiple platforms, including our Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop, my Steam Deck, and my PlayStation 4.

To test out the headset’s features, I downloaded the Beyerdynamic app and played with its various settings. I also used it to test out the EQ and sound presets, comparing them to a neutral EQ for the recommended genres of game. Additionally, I tested out the microphone by recording myself talking while gaming, making sure to also test the mute function and how well it isolated my voice from background noise.

I have plenty of experience when it comes to gaming headsets. First off, I’ve been reviewing audio-related gadgets for well over five years and using them for much longer for both listening to audio and making music. Secondly, I’ve been an avid console and PC gamer for over a third of a century – which is a truly terrifying realization.

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

Reliving the 90s via the Analogue 3D is definitely nostalgic, but excellent hardware can’t fix an era of video games we should appreciate but never revisit

5:00 am | November 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Online, TV | Comments: Off

Analogue 3D: Two-minute review

The Analogue 3D is finally here, and it's one of the best retro games consoles available on the market. After multiple delays and what felt like a longer wait than those excruciating Christmas Eve sleeps as a kid, Analogue’s take on the iconic Nintendo 64 is in my hands, and I’ve been testing it thoroughly over the last couple of weeks.

The Analogue 3D is a modern take on the N64, allowing gamers to experience the magic and nostalgia of the home console that launched in 1996. Analogue has made a name for itself as one of, if not the, best retro game preservation company on the planet, and I don’t think it will take long for the 3D to cement itself as the definitive N64 experience, just like the company’s Game Boy hardware emulator, the Analogue Pocket.

Analogue’s approach to hardware is one of true love for nostalgia, allowing gamers to recreate the memories of their youth by playing original cartridges in 4K via an FPGA chip. This means the 3D is for the true enthusiast, someone who has a collection of N64 games and wants to experience their childhood in the best way possible.

Build quality is excellent, as you’d expect from the company that created the Analogue Pocket, and the console works with original N64 controllers as well as 8bitdo’s modern recreation, which has been purposefully built for use with the 3D.

The Analogue 3D is the quintessential Nintendo 64 experience, and is a must-buy for those looking to play the most authentic recreation of the console of their youth on one of the best OLED TVs. That said, it’s still an N64, so if you don’t have a physical collection or don’t have the necessary nostalgia to truly enjoy these often dated games, you may want to opt for a different era of retro gaming instead.

Analogue 3D: Price and availability

List price: $249.99 / £190 / $AU 385
Comes in two colors (white and black)
Currently sold out

The Analogue 3D is now shipping via analogue.co. The 3D first went on preorder in October 2024, and while it’s now available, it is currently sold out on the Analogue website.

You can buy the 3D in Black or White, and in the box you’ll get an HDMI cable, USB-C for power, and a power adaptor. The 3D has no controller in the box, and while you can use any of your old N64 controllers, third-party company 8bitdo’s 64 controller is available for $39.99 / £32 in black and white via Amazon.

There are also no games included in the box, and no ability to play titles from other consoles with cartridge adaptors, so you’ll need to source your own physical N64 cartridges.

Analogue 3D: Specs

Price	$249.99 / £190 / $AU385
Dimensions (H x W x L)	1.9 x 9 x 7in / 49 x 230 x 180mm
Weight	29.5oz / 837g
Compatibility	Nintendo 64
Connection type	USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, SD card
Battery life	N/A
Features	HDMI Out 4K resolution, faithful CRT recreation for modern TVs, 100% compatibility with original N64 cartridges
Software	Native OS

Analogue 3D: Design and features

Plastic but sturdy enclosure
Looks elegant under your TV
The best way to play N64 cartridges

The Analogue 3D is gorgeous, just like the other products in the company's repertoire. It feels like the N64 grew up, and while some people will be waiting patiently for limited edition color offerings, I'm a big fan of the black and white options here. There’s no toy-like plastic, no rattling parts, and no leftover design weirdness from the late 90s.

Instead, Analogue has built a console that feels dense and premium while looking great on a shelf and even better underneath a TV, where it blends in with modern consoles rather than sticking out as a relic - this definitely passes the "Can I put this in the living room?" wife test.

The finish reminds me of high-end audio equipment, with lines that are clean, subtle edges, and a color palette that is understated without losing personality. Even the cartridge slot has a satisfying firmness, and inserting a cartridge has that awesome "thunk" you used to love as a child.

Around the back, you get HDMI out, USB-C for power, two USB-A, and an SD card slot pre-installed with a 16GB card for storing screenshots, firmware, and all the other OS information. On the front are four original N64 controller ports that light up satisfyingly when you connect a Bluetooth controller.

The Analogue 3D provides everything you need for a modern N64 experience without clutter or additional converters. The console plays your original cartridges using FPGA hardware, which means no emulation and no guesswork. What you’re seeing is effectively the real hardware recreated with jaw-dropping accuracy.

The menu interface is simple in the best possible way. With the tap of a button, you can tweak video settings, swap filters, and overclock the performance to try and beat the abysmal framerates of the original N64. It’s clean, responsive and takes seconds to navigate.

It's worth noting, however, that save states are not available yet on the Analogue 3D, and we're not sure when they will be. On my Analogue Pocket, the save state feature is one of my favorite parts of the device, and Analogue even showed the feature on the 3D in its marketing. Hopefully, save states will be available soon, and I'll make sure to update the review as soon as they are.

Support for original controllers is a huge win, and while I didn't test one myself, I can imagine the impracticality of the original thumb stick would add to the charm of the 3D experience. Modern controllers work very well, and pairing them takes seconds. The system automatically detects what’s connected, so you can jump straight into a game, but I'd recommend waiting for 8bitdo's grey variant, which has colored buttons, as the all black N64 controller confused me at times.

Analogue 3D: Performance

Faithful FPGA hardware emulation of N64 games
4K image quality with gorgeous CRT filters
100% cartridge compatibility

This is where the Analogue 3D earns its price tag. Playing N64 games on FPGA hardware is a completely different experience to emulation, and quite honestly the best way to experience your favorite games from the late 90s. Everything responds instantly, with no input lag, and it very much feels like a product made by Nintendo for an adult gamer wanting to relive their youth.

I tested the console on one of the best OLED TVs, 65-inch Samsung S90D OLED, which is about as far from a CRT as you can get. Somehow, the Analogue 3D handled it without exposing every flaw of the era. Colours looked vibrant, edges were cleaner than I’ve ever seen them on original hardware and the system held up beautifully whether I was playing Mario 64, Mario Party 3, GoldenEye 007 or even WCW/NWO Revenge.

But be warned, this isn’t a console that transforms the visuals into something modern. It preserves everything, flaws included, but that's where the charm lies: it's a 4k faithful restoration of the N64 and for people that love the awkward console, the 3D is a must-buy. Combined with Analogue's gorgeous filters which the company calls "a museum-grade restoration of analogue gaming's most beautiful display technology", the 3D truly cements itself as the best way to play N64 on a modern TV.

There were a couple of moments where cartridges needed a second insertion to register properly, and of course, I found myself blowing cartridges (despite the fact that's not recommended). In the box Analogue provides some foam pads to help clean the pins of your N64 cartridges, which is a lovely addition in case you're having compatibility issues.

Image quality on the 3D really shines, but again, if you're expecting to see an N64 game with modern graphics, you'll be disappointed.

Polygon edges look cleaner, the scaling is smooth, and the whole image feels more stable than the original hardware ever managed. My Samsung S90D OLED made colours pop without turning everything into neon, and brightness levels were handled well enough that nothing felt washed out or overly crushed.

Like I mentioned above, Analogue includes a handful of optional filters. Adding light scanlines gave Mario 64 a nostalgic softness, while GoldenEye 007 benefited from a cleaner look without anything layered over the top. You can also adjust aspect ratio, remove overscan, and tweak settings depending on the game.

This is as good as N64 games are ever going to look without completely remaking them, but the hardware can’t hide the fact that some textures are muddy and some 3D models are… well... terrible. That said, the 3D does make these games look sharper, more consistent, and more pleasant to revisit.

Analogue has done an excellent job with compatibility, with the company claiming 100% compatibility for the first time ever. In my testing, everything worked flawlessly, although I don't have the most extensive N64 catalog. Mario 64, Mario Party 3, GoldenEye 007 and WCW/NWO Revenge all worked exactly as I remembered them, quirks and all.

I've seen posts online from other reviewers stating EverDrive support varies depending on model, and it's very unlikely that Analogue will officially endorse flash carts. So if you plan to use a single cartridge for all your games, then I suggest doing your homework before buying a 3D.

After using the 3D for a few weeks, I'm surprised by my experience. As someone who loves retro gaming and really appreciates what the company does for game preservation, I find this product way harder to recommend than, say, the Analogue Pocket or the Modretro Chromatic, for example. That might be because of my own personal nostalgia for the Game Boy era, but I think it's more to do with the fact that the N64 has aged very poorly compared to even older games like those found on the SNES.

The Analogue 3D is a remarkable piece of hardware, but the N64 library itself hasn’t aged well. These games are fun, iconic, and historically important, but the jump from 2D to 3D was messy, and it shows. Textures are blurry, controls can feel floaty, and frame rates dip more than you might remember.

If you don’t have nostalgia for these games, the Analogue 3D won’t magically convert you. It's very much a time machine for people who grew up in the late 90s and still feel emotional watching the boot logo appear on screen.

If that’s you, the console is magic. If not, a SNES or GameCube might be a better retro investment, and I think sticking to the N64 library on Nintendo Switch Online would probably meet your needs.

Should you buy the Analogue 3D

Buy it if...

You want to relive your N64 childhood
If you loved the Nintendo 64 as a child, there will be something magical in reliving the experience via the Analogue 3D. This console truly captures the magic of the N64, faults and all.

You own a large N64 cartridge library
If you've still got all of your old N64 cartridges, then the 3D will give you hours and hours of joy. Some of the greatest games of all time reside on the console, although even the best of them, like Ocarina of Time, have been remastered to provide a better experience on more modern hardware.

You want an N64 for the holidays
I really hope Analogue makes the 3D available for purchase before the end of the Holiday Season, because the N64 thrives as a multiplayer console to be enjoyed with friends and family. If you want to rekindle the magic of playing video games on Christmas morning in the '90s, then pick up a 3D.

Don't buy it if...

You don't own N64 cartridges
If you're thinking of starting an N64 cartridge collection, then ignore this point. But if you don't own any games already, the 3D will quickly become a far more expensive purchase. Some of the most iconic games can be found for relatively cheap, but others, like Conker's Bad Fur Day, can fetch a hefty price tag.

You never played the N64
The N64 was the first true jump into 3D gaming, and it shows. It's quite endearing to see how developers experimented with 3D, but most games have aged pretty badly, and I think someone who doesn't have the nostalgia for the console would quickly become bored with the offering.

Also consider...

If you’re still not entirely sold on the Analogue 3D then check out these excellent similar products for comparison and consideration.

	Analogue 3D	Nintendo Switch 2	Nintendo Switch OLED
Price	$249.99 / £190 / $AU385	$429.99 / £395.99 / $AU699.95	$349.99 / £309.99 / $AU539.95
Dimensions	1.9 x 9 x 7in / 49 x 230 x 180mm	10.7 x 4.5 x 0.6in / 272 x 114 x 15mm	4 x 9.5 x 0.5in / 10 x 2.4 x 1.4cm
Weight	29.5oz / 837g	18.8oz / 535g	14.88oz / 421.84g
Compatibility	Nintendo 64 cartridges	Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch Online (N64, SNES, etc)	Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch Online (N64, SNES, etc)
Connection type	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output (in TV mode)	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output (in TV mode)
Battery life	N/A	2-5 hours	4.5 to 9 hours, depending on usage
Features	4k output, VRR, Lag free, zero signal degradation, NTSC & PAL Support, museum-quality filter accuracy to recreate CRT	8-inch OLED multi-touch display (1080p resolution), 256GB internal storage, improved stereo speakers, next-gen dock with 4K output and integrated LAN port, reinforced adjustable kickstand	7.0-inch OLED multi-touch screen (1280x720 resolution), 64GB internal storage, stereo speakers, enhanced dock with built-in LAN port, adjustable wide kickstand
Software	Analogue 3Dos, can play official Nintendo 64 cartidges	Runs all Nintendo Switch 2 games, access to Nintendo eShop and online services	Runs all Nintendo Switch games, access to Nintendo eShop and online services

Nintendo Switch OLED
If you're just looking to casually play N64 games on the go, the Nintendo Switch offers a range of games on its Nintendo Switch Online service. Add to that the extensive Nintendo Switch library and a gorgeous OLED display, and this might be the best middle ground for those looking for the perfect all-in-one gaming console.

For more information, check out our full Nintendo Switch OLED review.

Nintendo Switch 2
If you want to play GameCube games alongside N64, as well as experience the latest and greatest games from Nintendo, then the company's latest console, the Switch 2, should be at the top of your list. While it doesn't have an OLED screen in handheld, it looks gorgeous on a large TV.

For more information, check out our full Nintendo Switch 2 review.

How I tested the Analogue 3D

Tested for 2 weeks
Compared it directly to the experience on Nintendo Switch Online
Tested across game types

I’ve used the Analogue 3D for the past few weeks, and it has become my main way to play Nintendo 64 games at home.

I’ve tested the console with all of my original cartridges, including Mario 64, Mario Party 3, GoldenEye 007 and WCW/NWO Revenge.

Every game was played on my Samsung S90D OLED TV, so I could properly judge the image quality and performance on a modern display. I tried all of Analogue's display filters as well as overclocking the hardware via the built-in menu.

PlayStation 5-powered post-apocalypse

Given that the existing versions of the game also benefit from these same updates and improvements, it's worth noting that Stalker 2 is now in a much better place regardless of what platform you're playing on. Still, thanks to several PS5 – and, especially, PS5 Pro-specific upgrades and features – this latest trip to the Zone is easily the best yet.

For starters, the PS5 version offers both performance (targeting 2K resolution at 60 FPS) and quality modes (targeting 4K resolution at 30 FPS), while the PS5 Pro bumps the former even further, with performance aiming for 4K at 60 FPS. During my testing, playing primarily in performance mode on the PS5 Pro, I enjoyed a consistently fast, fluid experience. Both platforms also crank the immersion with a number of DualSense features, from adaptive trigger and haptic feedback support to clever integration of the controller's built-in speaker and touchpad.

PS5 Pro players also enjoy some additional bells and whistles, including more realistic shadows, lighting, reflections, and volumetric effects that push the graphical presentation to the platform's horsepower-pushing limits. More than mere back-of-the-box bullet points, these PS5 and PS5 Pro improvements combine to deliver tangible, experience-enhancing details and touches that truly make the forbidden Zone come to life…and death.

The DualSense delivers

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl — (Image credit: GSC Game World)

Prominent displays of the PS5's extra power, like the rumble of a patrolling helicopter being felt through the DualSense – even as the pilots' communications crackle through the controller's speaker – will immediately have you questioning how you played Stalker 2 without Sony's proprietary tech in your hands.

It's truly the best implementation of the DualSense I've experienced since Astro Bot pleased my palms last fall.

But it's often far subtler moments, like unexpectedly wading into a radioactive puddle, that'll have you scooping your jaw from the floor. First, you'll likely spy the incredibly realistic reflections of the surrounding environment on the water, then notice your own shadow staring back at you.

Dare to delve further into the potentially deadly pool, and you'll see it ripple in time with your every footstep. But your cautious movements aren't the only ones stirring up the murky water, as hovering insects create tiny circles on its surface, while falling leaves cause a gentle lilting effect. Short of the DualSense spraying an actual mist in your face, I can't imagine how such moments could be more tangible.

While the culmination of these lulling effects could almost fool you into thinking you're playing a health spa simulator, the rampaging, mutated boar that's about to skewer you with its splintered tusks will quickly snap you back to reality. Stalker 2 is as brutal as it is beautiful, so you'll want to resist pausing too long to soak in its cinema-rivalling presentation.

Expectation-subverting shooter

Landscape screenshot from Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl — (Image credit: GSC)

While the game is generally billed as a first-person shooter, it's focused as much on unforgiving, survival horror gameplay as it is clip-emptying action. In fact, its steep difficulty – even on its "normal" setting – makes other post-apocalyptic action games feel like a picnic.

On top of standard survival elements, such as scarce ammo and resources, limited inventory space, and the constant, foreboding sense that your next breath could be your last, Stalker 2 tasks you with managing a number of other hazards. In addition to monitoring your health and stamina, you'll need to keep a close eye on thirst and hunger levels, as well as bleed damage following any encounter that's gone south.

Of course, given that the game takes place in an open world that woke up on the wrong side of a nuclear disaster, there's also the persistent threat of falling victim to radiation poisoning. But not to worry, as the rapid, tension-ratcheting ping of your radiation detector – frantically emitting from the DualSense – will let you know when you're about to become the Zone's next pile of ash. Whether or not you react to the warning fast enough to save your skin is another story.

Best bit

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl consistently stacks the odds against you, frequently putting you face-to-face with mutated creatures, deadly anomalies, and evil-doing humans that are rarely happy to see you. There's nothing more rewarding than surviving a seemingly unbeatable encounter by the skin of your teeth… then looting the poor saps that tried to end you.

Toss in the fact that the massive map's absolutely brimming with all manner of mutated wildlife, human adversaries, and anomalies that can suddenly turn your seemingly normal surroundings into a death trap devoid of any scientific explanation, and, well, Stalker 2 will never be mistaken for another shooter that makes you feel like a world-saving space marine or super-soldier.

When a perfect storm of these aforementioned threats gets the best of you, the game can even feel a bit unfair and, if you haven't saved in a minute, border on frustrating. On the plus side, a number of rewarding gameplay loops – from upgrading your weapons and gear to progressing the story and piecing together the Zone's puzzle-like mysteries – should keep you engaged, even as the harsh world repeatedly throws you to the figurative – and sometimes literal – wolves.

But these elements, too, bring their own set of stressors. A strict durability system means weapons and gear can break down, while saddling yourself with too many items can lead to your Stalker becoming overencumbered. So even when you’re not under immediate threat, the game isn’t about to let you take a breather.

While Stalker 2 isn't for the faint of heart, its refreshing mix of survival-focused first-person action and an incredibly atmospheric, nerve-fraying open-world allows it to stand out from the post-apocalyptic fragger pack. Its unique take on the genre is further elevated by the PS5's ability to deliver the prettiest, most immersive version of the game yet. If its buggy launch last year kept you from breaching the borders of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, now's a great time to strap on the gas mask and give it a go.

Should you play Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl PS5?

Play it if...

You've been waiting for the best version of the game
In addition to the PS5 and PS5 Pro versions of the game benefiting from a year's worth of bug-squashing patches and game-enhancing updates, they also feature noticeably improved graphics and performance. On top of that, the game makes some of the best use of the DualSense the tech has ever seen.

You like your first-person shooters with a bit more meat on them
Stalker 2 is not a run-and-gun, linear shooter, but a survival-focused fragger that drops you in a punishing open-world you could lose 100 hours in. It has much more in common with a sprawling RPG or a survival horror game than an FPS campaign, like you'd find in Call of Duty.

You wanted to play last year, but were put off by the buggy launch
Regardless of all the PS5 perks that come with this latest release of Stalker 2, the game has been continuously updated and patched for the last year. All versions of the game have benefited from these fixes, making it the perfect time to brave the Zone on any platform.

Don't play it if...

You prefer a more directed, fast-paced first-person shooter
Stalker 2 isn't a guided, story-driven game filled with boss encounters and set pieces. While it has a critical narrative path, it's more of a meandering, exploration-rewarding experience that largely allows you to forge your own path at your own pace.

You're not craving a steep challenge
Filled with brutal foes and even harsher environments, Stalker 2 is far from a power fantasy, but rather a deeply challenging, survival-focused game that's most rewarding when you just barely survive encounters by the skin of your teeth.

Accessibility features

Stalker 2 contains a number of standard accessibility features, allowing users to adjust settings like subtitle size and subtitle background opacity. It also includes color blind modes, Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia, as well as the ability to toggle user interface elements, such as object markers, threat indicators, crosshair color, and mission notifications.

An Immersive Mode also allows you to disable the entire HUD for a more cinematic experience. Rookie, Stalker, Veteran, and Master difficulty settings are available to support a variety of skill levels, while an Expedition Mode lets you pair any of those settings with a more rigid save system.

How I reviewed Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

I spent nearly 50 hours in Stalker 2, splitting my time between main missions, side quests, optional activities, and free-roaming exploration. Having previously played 40 or so hours of the game's Xbox Series X version, I reviewed the PlayStation release on a PS5 Pro. I tested both quality and performance modes and, while I didn't notice a significant difference between the two, I spent the majority of my time in the latter.

I played on a TCL 4K TV, with HDR enabled. I listened to the game through my television's built-in stereo speakers, rather than headphones or earbuds (as I normally would), so I could appreciate the full suite of DualSense features, which includes a good deal of audio effects delivered through the controller's speakers.

First reviewed November 2025

Kirby Air Riders is one of the most chaotic Nintendo Switch 2 games I’ve played, but that’s really not a bad thing – here’s my final verdict

2:00 pm | November 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Mario Kart, Nintendo Switch | Comments: Off

If you’d told me a year ago that a bizarre GameCube spinoff would receive a sequel on Nintendo’s follow-up to the Switch, I’m not sure I’d believe you. That’s right, Kirby Air Riders – a racing game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai's Sora Ltd. – is finally here on Nintendo Switch 2, a whole 22 years after its predecessor entered the fray.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: November 20, 2025

Although Kirby Air Riders feels like a surprise release so early in the Nintendo Switch 2’s life, I’m actually delighted to see it glide onto the console. It's essentially a fusion of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros, combining intense races with chaotic combat. But can it live up to the quality we’ve come to expect from those two legendary series?

Well, I’ve played solo, raced online, and even battled it out in local multiplayer. I’ve also spent hours on the game’s single-player campaign, customizing my machines and unlocking new characters. So, can this oddball racer outpace some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games? I’ve got a lot of thoughts – largely positive ones, thankfully. But I won’t make you wait any longer…here are my final thoughts on the whirlwind gaming experience that is Kirby Air Riders.

Smash on wheels

Kirby celebrates finishing 1st place in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

From the very second I fired up Kirby Air Riders on my Nintendo Switch 2, I could only think of one thing: Super Smash Bros.

Sure, Masahiro Sakurai is the creator of Kirby, but he also birthed this legendary fighting game series, which has its influence deeply infused into Kirby Air Riders’ DNA. Every single aspect – from the music, through to the menus and the unhinged gameplay – has Sakurai’s fingerprints all over it. But that’s not a bad thing.

Best bit

Bandana Waddle Dee uses his special attack in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

I adored defeating enemies until I had enough juice to unleash Bandana Waddle Dee’s mighty spike attack special. Slashing my rival riders left, right, and center felt supremely satisfying. Sorry King Dedede, the crown is mine.

For anyone who played Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the UI will feel like an old friend. The look of different options, sound design when making selections, and simple layout of menus is almost identical to what you’d find in that game. It's easy to use, fun to interact with, and a visual treat.

It's a similar story on the music front, too. The jazzy, catchy menu theme feels very Smash-like, and the broad, varied selection of tracks, which includes everything from grandiose orchestral arrangements through to funk-infused head boppers, is seriously intoxicating.

Even if you jump into a race in the Air Ride mode, you may feel as if the game’s aesthetic feels noticeably close to Sakurai’s previous work. The character models and quirky animations, zany design of the machines – which are the vehicles you use to race on – and vibrant, color-filled environments hammer home that this game is essentially Smash on wheels. And I love that.

Keeping it simple?

Gooey does a spin attack in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Now let’s get into the meat of things and talk about gameplay. On the face of it, Kirby Air Riders is outrageously simple – especially compared to some of the best racing games. Your machine will automatically accelerate, and all you have to do is steer and hold down the B button to drift and obtain power-ups, like Fighter or Cutter abilities. Sure, the Y button allows each rider to occasionally use a special move, and you can waggle the left stick to do a spin attack, but that covers the vast majority of things.

Although the controls are incredibly easy to learn – especially thanks to a concise Lessons mode – it genuinely takes time to master them and understand how to get the upper hand over tricky opponents.

Drifting will considerably slow you, and requires more precision than you’d need in Mario Kart World. And in the main racing mode – Air Ride – you’ll need to tail opponents to get a boost before attacking. Speaking of, you’ll need to hold B to use a lot of power-ups, which will, in turn, slow you down. Sometimes, trading off speed can feel very rewarding, whereas other times, you’ll wish you left King Dedede alone (for once) and just kept powering ahead. Poor penguin. The need to consider trade-offs during high-speed races adds a nice dollop of challenge, and feels intelligently thought out – I applaud how the developers fostered a balanced approach in this regard.

On top of this, you’ll need to ensure that your character and machine loadout are suited to your playstyle. Personally, I liked having a solid amount of control on tight corners, and also enjoyed using a vehicle with enough lift to soar across corners. I didn’t want to be too light, though, so I found myself combining Bandana Waddle Dee (who should have been in Smash Ultimate) with the Vampire Star.

On the subject of characters, it did surprise me how varied and large the roster was, considering the limitations of a Kirby-only cast. There’s a fun set of riders from right across the series’ rich history as well as color variants, which I had a wonderful time sifting through. The number of machines is admirable, too, so there’s plenty of experimentation available to the player.

One area that I felt could be improved, though, was the course selection. The tracks themselves are solid. Some, like Waveflow Waters and Crystalline Fissure, felt like real visual spectacles and had me entranced in the on-screen action. However, I did wish that there were a few more alternate routes to explore, and the fact that there are just 18 courses – nine of which are retro inclusions – may end up feeling repetitive in the long run.

Powered up machine from City Trial in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Let the chaos commence

I’ve mainly spoken about Air Ride so far, which I’ve had great fun with overall. Timing the perfect drift, battering my opponents, and gliding past them on the finish line is very rewarding, and I can see myself coming back for a number of races against friends in the coming weeks and months.

But what made a lot of people fall in love with 2003’s Kirby Air Ride was the City Trial mode. Here, you have to collect a range of items to boost your machine – think speed, defense, and HP increases – before clashing against rivals in a brief minigame.

City Trial is back, and this time it's even crazier. I found myself constantly switching machines, mashing up CPUs, and even fighting event bosses to get some juicy power-ups. I have to admit, this mode is good fun, especially when playing multiplayer. I trialled this mode against other gaming journalists at Nintendo’s UK HQ, and it really did bring out my competitive streak – the scrappy, intense nature of the mode is certainly enticing.

Still, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that City Trial is kinda lop-sided. I would spend five minutes powering up my machine, raring to crush my adversaries. But then, in a matter of seconds, the showdown minigame would be over. One example is a target game, where you glide into a numbered panel to score points. You get two attempts at scoring points, and then it's game over. This felt highly anticlimactic, and a significant portion of the minigames finished up too swiftly for my liking.

It should also be noted that I often found my character to be totally out of control after the first few minutes of powering up. This was pretty funny for the most part, and I did have a giggle while careening into my foes with next to no control. Having said that, this could leave me feeling a little City Trial’d out after a couple of rounds – the chaos is exciting, but perhaps meant to be enjoyed in bursts.

Luckily, there were a few other modes to try out when I was done with City Trials and Air Ride. There’s Top Ride, which is a birds-eye view racing mode that uses smaller, more basic courses. The more limited nature of Top Ride meant that I wasn’t returning to it much, but the concept is executed well.

Perhaps more interestingly, there’s a solo campaign with an actual story, called Road Trip – it's almost reminiscent of the Subspace Emissary from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Road Trip, you’ll continuously float down a road and get to pick from a variety of mini games to boost your level and progress the narrative. Typically, you can select one of three minigames, which keeps things decently varied.

Every now and then, you’ll engage in boss fights and get to view cutscenes about a lifeform named Zorah, which crash-lands onto the planet Popstar. The story didn’t really grip me or make me want to ride solo for hours on end, but it's a decent lil’ extra to break things up a bit. I’ll mainly stick to playing the Air Ride of City Trial modes online – either ranked or in quick play – if I don’t have friends around to play with, though.

Bandana Waddle Dee powers forth in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Coming to the finish line

Even though I wasn’t completely bowled over by Road Trip, I still found plenty of value in playing on my own. That’s largely thanks to a checklist system, which runs across the Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, and Road Trip modes. As you achieve different objectives, you’ll unlock new characters, machines, and customizable pieces.

And this leads me to something that I really loved about my time with Kirby Air Riders – the sheer amount of personalization on offer. You can customize machines with stickers, attachments, and patterns, personalize your license, which other players can view online, and even tailor controls to your own liking.

The possibilities feel endless, and the volume of unlockables made me really want to complete challenges on the checklist. That feeling I got when completing a technically difficult objective was exhilarating and was a particular highlight of my Air Riders experience.

So, in the end, I really did find a lot of things to love about Kirby Air Riders. Sure, it may not have the variety of Mario Kart or be quite as addictive as Super Smash Bros., but it merges its sources of inspiration pretty effectively. Visually, this game is great – colors really pop and frame rate is pretty consistent despite some insane on-screen action. It matches that with a bombastic soundtrack and playful cast of characters, which adds a whole lot of personality to the Air Riders experience.

Yes, the short minigames in City Trial could feel a touch anticlimactic, but the mode did still offer some truly chaotic laugh-out-loud moments. Meanwhile, the standard Air Ride mode was a blast to play online, and gradually mastering the game’s simple yet surprisingly deep mechanics was a real joy. All in all, Smash on wheels may not be perfect, but it certainly supplies the frenetic fun it promises.

Should you play Kirby Air Riders?

Customized Warp Star machine in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Play it if...

You’re a fan of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.
If you enjoy these two chaotic Nintendo series, then I’m almost certain you’ll have some fun with Kirby Air Riders. Sure, it's a racer, but you’ll have to beat up your opponents in both the Air Ride and City Trial modes to get the edge. This title also has a fantastic, head-bopping soundtrack and exciting visual presentation, so you’re sure to find something to love here.

You’re the competitive type
There are so many ways to compete against friends, family, and strangers in Kirby Air Riders. There’s split-screen multiplayer for local matches, or online play – both ranked and casual – that you can get stuck in. Whether you want to get one over on your buddy or boost your ‘Global Win Power’ via ranked mode, there’s something for you.

Don't play it if...

You want an engaging single player mode
Although I had fun riding solo by completing checklist items and unlocking new content, I didn’t find the Road Trip mode to be massively engaging. The narrative is pretty simple, which is fine for a game like this, just make sure you temper your expectations if you’re seeking an engrossing solo adventure.

You’re expecting a Mario Kart-sized tracklist or character roster
There are 18 courses and around 20 characters to choose from in Kirby Air Riders. While I appreciate the limitations of an all-Kirby cast, I would’ve liked to have seen more maps to race on – especially as Mario Kart World has 32 different tracks. Maybe we’ll get more in the future, though.

Accessibility features

Kudos to everyone involved with accessibility on the Kirby Air Riders development team, because there really are a lot of options to discover here. There are visual options like the ability to adjust brightness or text size, apply different color filters, and adjust HUD.

But there’s also an extensive camera customization menu, which enables you to adapt the field of vision, camera distance, sensitivity, and more. You can even adjust the severity of visual effects or remap controls to your liking, making for a brilliantly customizable user experience.

How I reviewed Kirby Air Riders

Kirby inflating mid-air in Kirby Air Riders — (Image credit: Nintendo)

I spent more than 15 hours playing Kirby Air Riders solo and online via Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I exhausted every mode available. In order to play local multiplayer, I took a trip to Nintendo’s UK HQ, where I got a preview of the game and was able to duke it out against fellow gaming journalists and content creators.

Predominantly, I played Kirby Air Riders with my Nintendo Switch 2 docked, connected up to my Sky Glass Gen 2 television and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. I also played in handheld mode, though, and while doing so, I listened to in-game audio with my Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones.

More generally, I’ve been a Nintendo Switch 2 owner from launch and have been playing Nintendo games for the best part of two decades. Here at TechRadar, I’ve also reviewed a range of Nintendo Switch 2 titles, like the bizarre mouse control bonanza Drag x Drive, and the unforgettable adventure that is Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.

First reviewed November 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has some of the best multiplayer and zombies in the series, but also one of the worst campaigns

4:00 am |

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

Playing the co-op campaign of first-person shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 feels like diving into season 13, episode 21 of a low-budget network TV show with no prior context.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: November 14, 2025

Set ten years after the events of 2012’s Black Ops 2, it opens with returning hero David Mason heading to the coastal city-state of Avalon with his squad to track down the source of a sinister broadcast purportedly from deceased terrorist Raul Menendez.

Your first mission involves infiltrating the high-tech headquarters of The Guild, a futuristic tech company that’s the apparent source of the video, and right from the get-go, it’s obvious that corners have been cut.

Cutscenes seem a little cheaper than usual, with awkward animations and juvenile, stilted dialogue that’s nowhere near the cinematic espionage excellence of last year’s Black Ops 6.

Back to the future

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. — (Image credit: Activision)

The pacing is also far too abrupt, front-loaded with big exposition dumps that propel the plot forward at a frankly overwhelming clip.

Early on, the team is exposed to a hallucinogenic red gas, with most sequences taking place inside a dream-like haze. There are some striking visuals, like a fractured memory of Menendez’s Nicaraguan compound or an impossibly twisted L.A. Highway, though they mostly boil down to mowing down waves of reskinned enemies from the Zombies mode and then taking on overly tanky boss fights.

Each mission is structured like a raid from an MMO (massively multiplayer online game), a la Destiny 2; the antithesis of the highly scripted, set-piece driven action that has made previous campaigns so great. In the real world, a handful of missions take place in Avalon with a semi-open-world structure reminiscent of the widely disliked open combat missions of 2023’s Modern Warfare 3.

The map, originally designed for Warzone, is far too large, so you end up having to trudge your way between different objectives.

A few special abilities, like a super jump or a grapple hook that allow you to quickly gain momentum and deploy a wingsuit, provide a welcome, faster method of traversal, but are ultimately a solution to a problem that a Call of Duty campaign should have never suffered from in the first place.

It’s also hard to shake the fact that most of Avalon doesn't really fit in with the rest of the 2035 setting. This is most apparent when you reach an area that first appeared in Black Ops 6 as the Skyline multiplayer map. The rooftop apartment is entirely unchanged from its depiction in that game, which was set more than four decades prior in 1991.

The only real setting that seems suitably futuristic is a segment in the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, in which you play as an entirely different team of characters for no apparent reason, jumping between rooftops using your wall-jump - a new move for Black Ops 7. It’s a clear highlight despite the jarring new faces, and it’s sad that there aren't more moments with tightly designed parkour like this throughout.

Warzone woes

As with the setting of Avalon, a significant number of mechanics in the co-op campaign feel ripped right out of Warzone.

There are weapon boxes littered around the world so that you can gear up, replenishable armour plates protect you from hits, and weapons have different rarity levels that you can upgrade as you go at designated stations. The user interface is indistinguishable too; there are no checkpoints to save your progress within missions, and you can’t even pause the game if you want to take a break.

Despite all of this, I certainly didn’t hate playing through the campaign. It’s nowhere near as boring as the sloppy story in the aforementioned Modern Warfare 3, namely as a result of its co-op. With a friend or three in tow, it all becomes absolutely hilarious.

Big Harper in Black Ops 7. — (Image credit: Activision)

The writing is rough across the board, so ripe for moments of inadvertent comedy like a ludicrous dream sequence in which you fight a giant version of Harper - one of the playable characters and returning face from Black Ops 2 - or when the main baddie is defeated by an anti-tank missile to the face, only to reappear completely fine mere seconds later.

After you finish the campaign, you’re unleashed into the extraction-shooter-like Endgame, and it’s surprisingly quite a lot of fun.

Dropping into a gas-filled Avalon with countless other players, it has you completing mini-challenges to level up your ‘Combat Rating’ and unlock special perks that do everything from massively boost your firing speed to causing a burst of electricity that stuns enemies every time you reload. You’re working on a strict time limit, and if you’re killed before you can reach an extraction point, you lose all of your progress, so it’s inherently very high stakes and reminiscent of a roguelike in the best of ways.

The map is split into multiple difficulty areas, and progressing through each one is very satisfying. It all culminates in a very challenging boss fight that requires you to team up with other players on the server, an enjoyable moment of collaboration that’s a great little send-off.

In addition to quickly levelling up your weapons and gear for use in other modes, beating the boss with multiple characters rewards you with some great-looking skins, giving you a genuine reason to come back and replay it.

The format is also clearly ripe for expansion, and I’m intrigued to see what kind of additions will come to the Endgame throughout the year.

Place, Japan

On the multiplayer front, Black Ops 7 fares much better. Building on the incredibly strong foundations laid with Black Ops 6, this is comfortably one of the most engaging multiplayer offerings yet. The maps, a bit of a weak point last year, are all absolutely fantastic, and there are loads of them to master. The ones set in Japan in particular look simply stunning, with gorgeous details and impressive lighting that conveys a brilliant atmosphere.

Best bit

Black Ops 7 offers a new multiplayer Skirmish mode that features 40 players on massive maps. It’s a pleasant change of pace compared to the usual small-scale environments in the Black Ops series and channels some of what makes Battlefield 6 great.

Small maps like Blackheart, Homestead, and Cortex flow wonderfully and don’t suffer from awkward spawn locations. The work especially well with the hectic new Overload game mode, which has two teams clashing for possession of a bomb-like device that needs to be placed in specific locations to score.

The map themes themselves are brilliantly varied, too, with some evocative concepts that I wish had been explored in the campaign. Scar, for example, is set in a distant Alaskan village that’s being torn apart by attacking robots, while Colossus has you exploring the rusted wreckage of the once beautiful resort that was memorably destroyed in Black Ops 2.

The wall jump adds another dimension to traversal, augmenting the existing Omnimovement system (which allows you to sprint in any direction) by giving more skilled players the opportunity to hop above the heads of enemies on vertical routes that require multiple tricky jumps to cross.

Inspecting a weapon in Black Ops 7. — (Image credit: Activision)

Gear Overclocking from Advanced Warfare is back, too, meaning that your most used equipment can be upgraded with new abilities to increase its effectiveness. This pairs nicely with Weapon Prestige, where you can reset your weapon level in exchange for special attachments and exclusive camos, and ensures that, unlike past releases, you’re not going to run out of levels to grind any time soon.

The guns themselves are all very satisfying to use and well-balanced. Assault rifles and SMGs are definitely the most versatile and popular options, though sniper rifles and marksman rifles are still very viable given their incredible damage output, and shotguns such as the fully automatic Akita absolutely dominate at close range.

With a deluge of new maps set to arrive in Season One and the imminent addition of the classic Nuketown, this is shaping up to be one of the greatest years of multiplayer Call of Duty yet.

Arcade action

Like multiplayer, Zombies builds on everything that worked in its Black Ops 6 iteration.

There’s one Round-Based map at launch, and it’s absolutely massive, featuring an upgradeable truck to help you get around. There are heavy references to the legendary TranZit map from Black Ops 2, including some returning areas that have been lovingly recreated and incorporated seamlessly.

It continues the long-running and nigh-impenetrable storyline that’s been going all the way since World at War, with a brand new main quest that requires multiple hidden steps to complete. Long-time Zombies fans will absolutely love it, but if chasing esoteric easter eggs isn’t your speed, there’s a more basic Survival mode that’s perfect for unwinding with friends as you mow down waves of the undead.

This is in addition to Dead Ops Arcade 4, a light-hearted top-down challenge mode that has you running through small combat arenas with retro twin-stick controls, trying to last for as long as possible. This isn’t the deepest mode by any means, but it’s an enjoyable diversion and well worth trying for a handful of runs.

With all of this said, it should be obvious whether Black Ops 7 is for you.

If you’re primarily invested in the multiplayer or Zombies, then you’re going to have a fantastic time - the maps are great and it’s hard to overstate just how refined and polished the minute-to-minute action here feels. The co-op campaign is a very different story, though, and a big miss despite the strong Endgame.

Should I play Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?

Play it if…

You’re after some fantastic multiplayer
The multiplayer is fantastic in Black Ops 7. It’s fast-paced, and new mechanics like wall jumping work well. The lineup of maps is also great this year.

You’re a big Zombies fan
The first Zombies map is a hit too. Its huge scale is impressive, and die-hard fans will love working their way through the challenging main quest. For everyone else, the Survival mode and Dead Ops Arcade 4 are a blast.

You live for a good grind
In addition to the usual overall Prestige grind, Black Ops 7 has Gear Overclocking with new upgrades to unlock and Weapon Prestige, ensuring that you won’t run out of things to level any time soon.

Don’t play it if…

You’re expecting a proper Black Ops 2 follow up
The campaign here can be funny, but it's ultimately a mess and not the sequel that Black Ops 2 deserved. If you really care about that game’s story, then you should give this sequel a miss.

Accessibility features

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has a good number of accessibility features.

The UI features a number of reliability options, including the ability to increase subtitle size, adjust background color, adjust the size of text in menus, and fully customize the colors of important information. The multiplayer HUD can also be edited to your liking and made significantly larger if required.

There are multiple control layouts to choose from, with presets for simplified controls on controller and settings to reduce the need for lots of motion. On both console and PC, you can choose to play the game with either a controller or keyboard and mouse.

How I reviewed Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

I played more than 30 hours of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 for this review, including roughly 12 hours in both the campaign and Endgame in solo and co-op and the rest of that time in the other modes.

I played on PC using a 5070 Ti-powered model from retailer Scan. It features a compact Corsair 2000d RGB Airflow case, Asus ROG Strix B860-I Gaming Wifi motherboard, Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU, a 2TB WD Black SN770 SSD, 32GB of DDR5 Corsair Vengeance RAM, and an Nvidia 5070 Ti manufactured by Asus.

This setup allowed me to play the game smoothly on custom graphics settings at 1080p with everything set to either Ultra or High. For peripherals, I relied on a Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro mouse and Cherry XTRFY K5V2 keyboard in addition to an Astro A20 X PC gaming headset for audio.

In addition to playing a lot after its public launch, my time with the game included roughly a day of early access. I evaluated the game against previous Call of Duty releases, namely Black Ops 6 and other recent entries like Modern Warfare 3, Modern Warfare 2, and Black Ops Cold War.

First reviewed October-November 2024

Marvel’s Deadpool VR is the best Meta Quest 3 game I’ve played all year, but it’s not for everyone

4:00 am | November 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Virtual Reality Gaming | Tags: VR | Comments: Off

The second coming of Marvel Jesus is upon us, thanks to the arrival of Marvel’s Deadpool VR on the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S exclusively.

REVIEW INFO

Platform reviewed: Meta Quest 3
Available on: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S
Release date: November 18, 2025

While it doesn't live up to the lofty highs of Batman: Arkham Shadow, there’s a delightful action-packed story – complete with Deadpool’s zany humor – to experience here. One that’s sure to delight major fans of the Merc with a Mouth.

From the get-go, Deadpool VR showcases that it’s at its best when you’re moving at a million miles per hour – kicking things off with one of the most exhilarating action spectacles I've experienced in VR games and of my entire VR career.

At the same time, interspacing incredible set pieces and enjoyable sandbox slaughterfests – which reward you for vanquishing foes in creative ways that abuse Deadpool's varied weapons arsenal – are moments that drag the experience to a halt.

A different lead would use these moments to provide depth to his motivations, and introduce story beats that emotionally connect the player to the character – Deadpool, however, takes the chance to vomit quips.

In fact, much like the comic book and movie adaptations of Deadpool, Neil Patrick Harris’ rendition never stops joking.

To that end, if you thought the Deadpool movies were the comedy equivalent of word salad, you will hate Deadpool VR. Meanwhile, those of you who love Deadpool’s referential, weird, and/or self-deprecating humor will find a laugh a minute – though I can’t promise every gag will be a comedy gem. With a script jam-packed with jokes, plenty are stinkers.

Now in Mojo-vision

While on a mission for S.H.I.E.L.D. Deadpool is hired (read: kidnapped) by Mojo – the ruler of the content-obsessed Mojoworld. He’s after his next streaming hit and wants the merc to help him recruit (again, read: kidnap) stars for his show.

This sends everyone’s favorite anti-hero on a world-hopping quest across the Marvel universe in order to track down and capture iconic foes.

Aiding him are Major Domo and Spiral, who offer Deadpool new weapons and ‘guy in the chair’ assistance as he carries out his missions.

As Deadpool completes missions, he’ll earn mojobucks, a currency he can trade for new looks and weapons, and as I’ve mentioned previously, you earn more bucks based on how well you perform in Deadpool VR’s combat segments.

In this sandbox-lite experience, you’re armed with swords, firearms, a grapple gun, grenades, and, at times, your own arms, as well as a slew of other weapons that drop from enemies in order to deliver a beatdown to your enemies.

Deadpool fighting Hand ninjas with kunai — Glad I wore my red suit (Image credit: Meta / Marvel)

Not only can creatively combining weapons lead to a better score, but I’ve also found it really makes you feel like you’re in the shoes of the hyperactive superhero – especially when you simply huck a katana across the battlefield to skewer an enemy to the wall.

Just don’t expect this to feel like a hyper-realistic sandbox like some other titles out there. Deadpool VR leans into chaotic violence that appeals to my sense of fun, but not everyone’s – a sentiment that I feel captures the spirit of Deadpool VR perfectly.

Best bit

Deadpool shooting a bad guy on the hood of his car — (Image credit: Meta)

The opening to Deadpool VR might be the best opening to an action VR game ever. While some excellent moments follow, the intro really sets the tone for what's to come.

Weirdly, the main time the action feels at its most anticlimactic is during boss battles. Simply because being a level’s toughest foe translates to being a bullet sponge, with the drawn-out fights being interspaced with quick-time events, which, while a flashy flurry of blows, can make levels feel like they end with a whimper rather than a bang.

Though if you are convinced to replay a level, you’ll be rewarded with not only the chance to test out new devastating weapons on your enemies, Deadpool VR also lets you explore secret bonus rooms – provided you wear the correct costume for the occasion. That said, even the mainline Deadpool can uncover a few surprises if he chooses.

Quintessentially Deadpool

Much like how Batman: Arkham Shadow is the quintessential way for fans of the caped crusader to experience a Batman story, Marvel’s Deadpool VR is the new best way to become the Merc with a Mouth.

If you love Deadpool, this is the game you’ve been waiting to play, and it’s well worth grabbing a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S so you can experience this title for yourself.

However, this game won’t turn haters into True Believers. The non-stop gags, which are the only source of amusement when the game’s exposition drags on, is quintessentially Deadpool, but if you found it grating when it was Ryan Reynolds was delivering the lines on the big screen you won’t find it any funnier when it’s Neil Patrick Harris talking in your head – take it from my fiancée who can’t stand the Merc with a Mouth.

If, like me, you adore Marvel’s stories, especially Deadpool's brand of quirky, then Marvel’s Deadpool VR is the game you’ve been waiting for.

Should you play Marvel's Deadpool VR

Play it if...

The Deadpool movies aren’t long enough
If you’ve left the movie theatre wishing the Deadpool movies had a 10-hour-or-so-long director’s cut, this is the game for you.

You enjoy chaotic action
Deadpool VR offers some of the best action set pieces I’ve experienced in VR, and some delightful combat that, while messy at times, is a lot of fun.

You have a Quest 3 or Quest 3S
This exclusive is a fantastic game for the right kind of player, and a great experience on the VR headsets it’s exclusive to.

Don't play it if...

You hate Deadpool
If you hated the Deadpool movies, this game is basically the same humor and violence in a VR package. Read: It’s not for you.

You demand superb performance
During some segments, I did notice a few performance drops – like when I was spamming an attack that has you throwing explosive playing cards like Gambit.

Acessibility features

Marvel's Deadpool VR can be played seated or standing up, but requires you to have a full range of upper body movement so you can swing your katana, throw grenades, and fire guns at your foes.

It also boasts a solid suite of comfort controls. I'm playing on medium levels (smooth motion, snap turning) and have yet to experience motion sickness, but there are options to turn on tools like teleportation movement if you're prone to feeling ill in VR.

How I tested Marvel's Deadpool VR

I played Marvel's Deadpool VR on my Meta Quest 3, which I've upgraded using a battery strap. I made sure to try the game from both a seated and standing position, and also to try its different accessibility comfort features to experience how effective they are.

First reviewed November 2025

I tested these officially licensed earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 – are they really worth buying?

11:00 pm | November 13, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Nintendo Switch | Comments: Off

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: one-minute review

The PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 are a simple yet effective way to enjoy handheld gaming sessions in seclusion. These buds are licensed by Nintendo and aim to deliver dynamic sound, ergonomic comfort, and clear mic quality. And they largely deliver on that, though there are some notable flaws to uncover.

For wired buds that typically cost $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39, and regularly fall to a considerably lower cost, I wasn’t expecting all too much from the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2. And although they don't do anything special sonically speaking, they still have all the fundamental talents required for solid-sounding in-game experiences.

For instance, they offer up clear dialogue quality – something all of the best gaming earbuds should do. When playing through the spectacular Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, speech-heavy scenes never sounded muffled or obscured, even when the game's imposing orchestral soundtrack entered the fray.

You're not going to experience beautifully separated vocals or a wide open soundstage, but for the price, you still get the clean sound quality required to enjoy the best Nintendo Switch 2 games or beautiful in-game soundtracks.

Person holding right bud of PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 — (Image credit: Future)

The convenient mic mute slider is very handy if you're making use of GameChat via Nintendo Switch Online. Simply flick it up and your pals won't be able to hear you whatsoever.

However, I would've liked the inbuilt mic to sound a bit better, as I could make out static in the background while using it. Don't get me wrong, my words were still easily discernible when performing a quality test – just don't expect above average mic performance.

Looks-wise these wired earbuds aren't all too flashy. They're black and red – much like the right Joy-Con 2 controller, and come with a handy carry case. The build quality of these buds is fairly average given that they're made of plastic, but that's fine considering their extremely budget-friendly cost. And in fairness, I still found them to be pretty comfortable, which isn't always the case for me when searching for the best wired earbuds.

So, at the end of it all, would I recommend the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2? Well, that would depend. I’ve seen these drop as low as £11 in the UK, so if you’re on a tight budget, they’d give you decent overall audio with equally decent comfort, as well as a tidy carry case. However, there are some notable drawbacks, like a flawed mic and a basic build.

If you’ve got a bit more cash to play with, I’d perhaps check out some more premium wired earbuds, or even a headset from our Nintendo Switch 2 accessories guide. But for low-cost buds that get the job done, these Nintendo-licensed in-ears are still worth a look.

Person holding PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 beside Switch 2 console with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on display — (Image credit: Future)

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release date

Ultra-budget list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39
And I've already spotted them going for even less
Launched in October 2025

These wired earbuds launched shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, and have a list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39. However, I've already spotted them on sale for less in some territories, dipping as low as £11 in the UK. It should be noted that any 3.5mm, USB-C, or Bluetooth earbuds should work fine with your console – it's just the inclusion of a mute mic slider that makes these ideal for GameChat use. PowerA’s wired buds are available in a single Black and Red design – the same color scheme as the right Joy-Con 2 controller.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specs

Drivers	8mm dynamic
Weight	0.7oz / 20g
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproof rating	Not stated
Connectivity	3.5mm

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and features

Simple yet fairly effective design
Convenient mic mute slider
Secure and relatively comfortable fit

Design-wise, these in-ears are basic. They’re black and red, which is on-brand for the Switch 2, and they have the console’s logo on the outside of each bud.

They’re made of plastic and, in honesty, feel pretty cheap – but then again, they are. You get a variety of different-sized ear tips to help find your ideal fit, as well as a drawstring bag to store the buds away – that’s a very nice inclusion considering their moderate price.

These earbuds are quite comfortable, although I did find they were a tad large in-ear. Still, I could keep them in for well over an hour without feeling fatigued, and they had a pretty secure fit – something that’s not always guaranteed with wired in-ears.

Thanks to their secure seal, you also get decent enough noise isolation – just don't expect the silence-inducing effects of active noise cancellation or the passive isolation that pricier foam ear tips provide.

The most significant feature on-board is the inbuilt mic and mute slider. This handy slider is what sets the buds apart from typical wired buds you may have laying around, and makes them ideal for GameChat use on Switch 2. The mic itself is functional but as you may expect at this price-point, nothing particularly special. More on that in the Performance section...

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 sitting on included carry case — (Image credit: Future)

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performance

Decent audio with fairly clean dialogue
Mic performance could certainly be better
Solid overall quality given modest price-tag

Sonically speaking, I won’t pretend the PowerA Wired Earbuds are anything particularly special. But they get the basics right, with generally clear audio for private gaming sessions.

To find out if PowerA’s in-ears could compete with some of the best gaming earbuds best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I made sure to test them out with a variety of games. I started with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, a title I’ve been absolutely glued to since its release.

This game is pretty dialogue-heavy, so I was glad to discover that speech was generally well-defined in the mix, ensuring I didn't need to rely on subtitles. When the grandiose orchestral soundtrack swooped through the backdrop, voices still remained clear – sure, it wasn’t as if they were elegantly separated out and thrust to the fore, but that’s something I’d expect from more premium buds.

I wanted to see how they’d cope with a more chaotic Nintendo Switch 2 title, so I switched over to Mario Kart World, and again, I was pretty satisfied with the audio on offer. In Free Roam mode, the hum of my vehicle’s engine was replicated with solid low-end power, and the high-pitched grind of my wheels while drifting didn’t sound tinny or uncontrolled.

Treble could get edgy at top volumes – something I also realized when listening to Phendrana Drifts on the Nintendo Music app. But if you’re listening at medium loudness or lower, that shouldn’t be all too apparent. More generally, soundtracks come through nicely using PowerA’s buds – the jazzy tunes featured in Mario Kart World were always enjoyable, with expressive sax in the mid-range sounding clean and never getting smothered by the fairly impactful bass.

Even if you’re not going to be wowed by a wide soundstage or incredible separation, PowerA’s wired buds perform well enough on the audio front. If you’re looking for a more premium listening experience or want exceptional wired earbuds for music, though, I’d suggest heading over to our best wired earbuds guide instead.

But how about mic performance? Well, this is where things get a little shaky. I used the Test Microphone function on my Switch 2, which allows you to make a brief recording, and the results were about as good as I’d expected. My voice was relatively clear, and every word was discernible. However, there was some noticeable sibilance, and there was obvious static in the background.

Don’t get me wrong: these won’t make you sound like you’re underwater as some cheap buds do, but mic quality is just acceptable. One benefit, though, is that there’s an in-line controller with a slider to disable or enable the mic, which is handy if you need to swiftly silence yourself while using GameChat.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 beside Switch 2 console with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on display — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	In-line mic could be better, but they offer a useful mute slider and decent noise isolation.	3/5
Sound quality	Imperfect but generally clean audio for clear dialogue, footsteps, and sound effects.	3.5/5
Design	Basic look, relatively comfortable in-ear feel, convenient carry pouch.	3.5/5
Value	Low price, solid overall quality.	4/5

Buy them if...

You want good value buds for solo gaming sessions
If you want a steady pair of wired earbuds for private gaming sessions, these will certainly do the trick. Even though they do nothing special, you get generally clear audio and a secure in-ear fit, so you can enjoy in-game audio without splashing very much cash at all. The built-in mic and carry pouch also ensure you get plenty of bang for your buck.

You’re looking for a lightweight option to bring on the go
These earbuds only weigh 0.7oz / 20g, and can easily be stored away in the included carry pouch. I’ve kept that pouch in the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case when I’ve been out and about lately, and they’re a good backup option if my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones run out of battery life on the go.

Don't buy them if...

You’re expecting great mic quality
Although my voice sounded clear while using the in-line mic here, it was certainly flawed. You’ll notice some sibilance and background static, so for anyone seeking out top-class mic quality, you’ll need to seek a little more. I’d recommend the SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset, which we found to offer excellent mic quality.

You want top-tier audio
As you’d expect for less than $25 / £20 / AU$40, you’re not getting particularly impressive sound quality from PowerA’s Switch 2 earbuds. They supply clear overall sound, but you won’t get that deft separation, wide soundstage, or ultra-detailed listen that more talented models can supply.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: also consider

	PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2	Skullcandy Set USB-C	Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Price	$24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39	$31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50)	$30 / £25 / AU$45
Drivers	8mm dynamic	9mm dynamic	10mm dynamic
Weight	20g	15g	23g
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproof rating	Not stated	IPX4	Not stated
Connectivity	3.5mm	USB-C	3.5mm

Skullcandy Set USB-C
These Skullcandy buds have a spot in our best wired earbuds buying guide thanks to their admirable audio output, comfortable in-ear fit, and sleek look. Their lack of volume controls shouldn’t matter for Switch 2 usage, and their USB-C connectivity means they can easily be used with most modern smartphones as well as your console.

Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Over in our guide to the best gaming earbuds, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds hold the title of best budget choice. They’ve got a handy detachable mic, decent sound quality, and of course, are satisfyingly cheap.

Read our full Turtle Beach Battle Buds review.

How I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2

Person inserting PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 into Switch 2 console with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on display — (Image credit: Future)

Tested for one week
Used in the office, while out and about, and at home
Tried with Switch 2 games and Nintendo Music app

I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 over a week-long period, taking them out for on-the-go play, as well as using them on lunch breaks at the office, and when working from home.

To assess performance, I made sure to use them with a range of Switch 2 games, including Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Mario Kart World. It also felt fitting to use them with the Nintendo Music app and spin a few classic soundtracks. When using the in-line mic, I ensured that I performed a test using the Switch 2’s built-in testing software.

More generally, I’ve been a Switch 2 owner from launch, and I’ve reviewed tons of gadgets here at TechRadar, where I’ve tested tons of audio gear and gaming accessories. I’ve reviewed everything from top-tier wired earbuds like the Sennheiser IE 600 through to cheap models like the JBL Tune 310C. And I’ve also tested a range of Nintendo Switch 2 cases, cameras, screen protectors, and software.

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

I tested these officially licensed earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 – are they really worth buying?

11:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Nintendo Switch | Comments: Off

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: one-minute review

The convenient mic mute slider is very handy if you're making use of GameChat via Nintendo Switch Online. Simply flick it up and your pals won't be able to hear you whatsoever.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release date

Ultra-budget list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39
And I've already spotted them going for even less
Launched in October 2025

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specs

Drivers	8mm dynamic
Weight	0.7oz / 20g
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproof rating	Not stated
Connectivity	3.5mm

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and features

Simple yet fairly effective design
Convenient mic mute slider
Secure and relatively comfortable fit

Design-wise, these in-ears are basic. They’re black and red, which is on-brand for the Switch 2, and they have the console’s logo on the outside of each bud.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performance

Decent audio with fairly clean dialogue
Mic performance could certainly be better
Solid overall quality given modest price-tag

Sonically speaking, I won’t pretend the PowerA Wired Earbuds are anything particularly special. But they get the basics right, with generally clear audio for private gaming sessions.

Should I buy the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	In-line mic could be better, but they offer a useful mute slider and decent noise isolation.	3/5
Sound quality	Imperfect but generally clean audio for clear dialogue, footsteps, and sound effects.	3.5/5
Design	Basic look, relatively comfortable in-ear feel, convenient carry pouch.	3.5/5
Value	Low price, solid overall quality.	4/5

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: also consider

	PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2	Skullcandy Set USB-C	Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Price	$24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39	$31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50)	$30 / £25 / AU$45
Drivers	8mm dynamic	9mm dynamic	10mm dynamic
Weight	20g	15g	23g
Frequency range	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-20kHz
Waterproof rating	Not stated	IPX4	Not stated
Connectivity	3.5mm	USB-C	3.5mm

How I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2

Tested for one week
Used in the office, while out and about, and at home
Tried with Switch 2 games and Nintendo Music app

I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 over a week-long period, taking them out for on-the-go play, as well as using them on lunch breaks at the office, and when working from home.

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

Arc Raiders is a perfect mix of tension, drama, and genuinely human moments – it might just be the best game of 2025

7:21 pm | November 12, 2025

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

Two weeks ago, I had a minor interest in the new game from Embark Studios. Fast forward to the middle of November, and Arc Raiders has quickly become one of my favorite multiplayer experiences ever.

That might sound like hyperbole, but this excellently crafted world with near-perfect sound design, very fun action, and the ability to make every moment feel like a movie has truly elevated Arc Raiders as one of the best PS5 games.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 and PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: October 30, 2025

2025 is one of the best years for video game releases in recent memory, from incredibly thought-provoking and beautiful experiences like Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the gorgeous hand-crafted world of Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong, or the chaotic fun of Donkey Kong Bananza.

In a year where it’s almost impossible to select a shortlist for Game of the Year at the upcoming Game Awards, I’m absolutely shocked to say that an extraction shooter stands above the rest, and truly warrants your attention.

A world worth climbing up to

If you’ve not heard of Arc Raiders yet, it’s a new multiplayer PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) game from the developers of the hugely popular game-show style first-person shooter, The Finals.

On paper, Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter, an increasingly popular video game genre pioneered by titles like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown. The difference is that, while extraction shooters pride themselves on unforgiving gameplay (die and you lose everything you’ve looted during your session), Arc Raiders captures the widespread appeal and console player base that few, if any, of the genre have been able to.

A Raider fires at a distant robotic spider-like enemy in a desert setting — (Image credit: Embark)

The premise is simple: Earth has fallen to an alien mechanical force called the Arc, pushing humanity underground. As a raider, you need to venture “Topside” to salvage materials amongst rusted towns and shattered highways, and lands inhabited by very dangerous drone-esque robots.

Arc Raiders thrives in its atmosphere. I’ve been playing the game on PS5 Pro in my living room with a soundbar and on my gaming PC connected to open-ear headphones; in both environments, the game grabs all my attention - the world design is just absolutely ace.

Whether you’re hearing other players get attacked by drones across the map, the sound of car alarms going off in the near distance, or slowly crouching through claustrophobic corridors, Arc Raiders makes you feel part of the world, and because of that, the last thing you want to do is die.

A soldier hides in a forest as an enemy approaches in the distance — (Image credit: Embark)

It’s ok to be alone

A Raider wears a blue and white jumpsuit, a white helmet, and aims a pistol with their right hand — (Image credit: Embark)

My biggest worry with online multiplayer games is feeling excluded because, as I grow older, I have fewer and fewer friends who want to team up after a long day at work for some intense online shooter action. In fact, the older I get, the more I avoid multiplayer games altogether, opting for tranquility and emotional connection with story-driven games instead of the thrill from explosions and gunshots.

But Arc Raiders is different; it tries to match solo players with other solo adventurers, and the instilled fear from the AI means other players are often more valuable alive than if you were to choose to kill them. On my first adventure as a solo raider, I experienced the magic of the game and instantly knew I would fall in love with it.

Crawling around corners in Dam Battlegrounds, one of the four maps at launch (each has different events that cycle throughout the day, and evening raids that make things feel more like a horror movie than a heist adventure), I could hear players conversing through the game’s proximity chat.

As soon as I popped my head out, one guy screamed, “FRIENDLY? ARE YOU FRIENDLY?” I paused, frantically looked for the button to toggle my microphone, and just before he started to shoot, I screamed back, “DON’T SHOOT, I’M NICE”.

A Raider looks back over their shoulder at another Raider who's pointing a rifle at them while standing in a doorway — (Image credit: Embark)

Both players, who had just met each other in the game mere minutes before I arrived, were super friendly, insisting we team up and help each other find rare weapons and other essential materials to kick-start our Arc Raiders journey.

As we breached containers, opened lockers, and fought enemies ranging from robotic spiders to loud Snitches that alert other Arc to your location, we stumbled on a fourth player. “FRIENDLY? ARE YOU FRIENDLY?” my newfound friend screamed again. No sound, but the player standing in front of us, like a criminal on trial, nodded their head and started to jump on the spot.

Best bit

Arc Raiders promotional art showing three Raiders in red, blue and white lighting respectively — (Image credit: Embark Studios)

Arc Raiders social interactions are complex and often intense, but sometimes you spend time wandering the world with a complete stranger for no other reason than to protect each other - it's social multiplayer at its finest.

In the midst of the commotion, the other player we’d been exploring with unmuted their mic and said “NO VOICE? NO LIKE!” and started spraying bullets into the mute custodian. In a split second, I had decided I wanted to instill humanity and fairness into my Arc Raiders experience and gunned down my comrade, protecting the microphone-less player and choosing fairness over all.

My friend turned foe said, “I didn’t hear them speak, but I’ll die a warrior’s death. I love you all, goodbye.” In that moment, I punched them in the face, knocking them out for good, and I never played with them again. If any moment needed to convince me that Arc Raiders was special, it was that, and from there I made sure to tell every single one of my friends to fork out the cash and join me Topside.

The best heist movie ever. Every single time

The best thing about the anecdote I just shared is that if you were to ask any one of the 4 million plus people who have purchased and played Arc Raiders for a similar moment, they’ll all have their own stories.

From dancing in a group, being betrayed by your best friend you only met for the first time 23 minutes ago, or crawling to an extraction point to make it back to safety with your last dying breath, every single time you play Arc Raiders, there’s a new plotline and new chapter added to the story.

Arc Raiders is one of those special moments in multiplayer video game history. It feels like the Fortnite moment for extraction shooters, where a more accessible product captures the hearts of a mainstream audience, and we all start to wonder how we managed without it.

Back in 2017, Fortnite took over the world, and for many, many people, we all remember the first time experiencing the cartoon battle royale. Whether you love or hate Fortnite, its impact cannot be understated, but before its existence, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was already offering an excellent battle royale experience.

The same could be said for Arc Raiders, while other extraction shooters offer more intense combat, more unforgiving repercussions, and a higher skill level, none provide the polished experience that Embark has created here. Many of my friends who are casual gamers or even those, like me, who love video games but are sick and tired of online multiplayer, have all fallen in love with Arc Raiders. And, best of all, every single one has a blast playing solo or in a squad.

You don’t need friends who play video games to get the most out of Arc Raiders, if anything, the most impactful moments I’ve experienced have come from solo play, from meeting random looters and teaming up, from fighting dangerous robots, and from getting betrayed by the people who claim their friendly but rob your dead body after attacking when you least expect it.

A Raider hides behind a wrecked car from a hulking robotic enemy that searches for them. — (Image credit: Embark)

Arc Raiders has well and truly rekindled my love for multiplayer video games, and after 60 hours, I’m still itching to play more. The gameplay loop just hits the spot; you don’t want to die, but you want to take the risk for the big reward. Rinse and repeat.

If you’ve not played Arc Raiders yet, this review is your sign to get on board. Embark is a studio that listens and respects its players, and because of this, there’s a thriving community growing around this game.

Arc Raiders will get even better with time, and Embark has promised years of content updates to keep the gameplay fresh. After the beta, I wasn’t sold, purely because extraction shooters need to make a player fear the loss of equipment, and with the knowledge that nothing would carry over to the main game, I kind of just didn’t care. That said, after playing the full game for two weeks, Arc Raiders is now my vote for 2025’s game of the year, and I’m honestly shocked that I’m even thinking that.

2025 will go down as one of the best years ever for video games, and what better way to cap it off than with a multiplayer game for the ages, engulfing what made us fall in love with gaming in the first place: The ability to capture our imaginations.

Should you play Arc Raiders?

Play it if...

You've been craving a new online multiplayer experience
Arc Raiders offers one of the most unique multiplayer experiences I've ever played, and as someone who's been waiting for a game to capture my attention, Arc Raiders truly fits the bill.

You love great atmosphere
The world feels lived in, strange, and dangerous. The sound design alone is worth the price of admission, turning every abandoned highway and rusted rooftop into a set piece that keeps you on edge.

You want a game with a long future
Embark has committed to ongoing support, new content, and community-driven updates. If you like jumping into a game at the start of something bigger, now is the time.

Don't play it if...

You hate PvPvE tension
Even if Arc Raiders is approachable, the constant push and pull between AI enemies and human players won’t appeal to anyone who prefers to explore in peace. The world is always out to get you; this is no cozy game.

You struggle with high-stakes loops
Extraction shooters naturally create stress. Losing your gear can sting, especially if that final sprint to safety goes wrong. If you prefer to switch your brain off and play without pressure, this might feel too intense.

Accessibility

Arc Raiders is filled with accessibility features to set the game up exactly as you want it. With multiple control schemes and basic controller remapping, there are different ways to play depending on your needs and preferences. You're able to change your gun's crosshair and color to make sure that you get the best experience for your needs.

Voice chat is quite an important aspect of Arc Raiders; however, if you don't want people to hear you speak, you can opt to mask your voice using one of Embark's AI-powered filters. There are also options for multiple text sizes as well as options to help those who are colorblind.

How I reviewed Arc Raiders

I played over 60 hours of Arc Raiders on PS5 Pro connected to my Samsung S90D, one of the best OLED TVs, as well as on an Nvidia RTX 5090-powered gaming PC connected to a Samsung OLED gaming monitor. Both experiences have been truly excellent, with near-perfect performance regardless of your hardware. Graphical fidelity and frame rate are the only differences I noticed when playing on my high-end rig, but I didn't feel like the PS5 version was a slouch by any means.

I tested Arc Raiders solo, with a friend, and in a group of three. At launch, I had some very minor disconnection issues, but this appears to be fully rectified at the time of writing. I used the microphone on the PS5 DualSense Controller as well as my Sennheiser HD490 Pro open-ear headphones connected to a Fosi K7 DAC.

I've played a whole host of multiplayer shooters over the years. While I'm a novice to extraction shooter video games, I've done my research and watched lots of gameplay to understand the genre.

First reviewed November 2025

I finished Little Nightmares 3, but I don’t think the developers did

6:00 pm |

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

Harkening back to the golden age of the eerie indie horror boom in the mid-2010s, Little Nightmares 3 is a puzzle platforming adventure that sees one of the era’s most successful franchises return to our screens, but this time under new management.

Although the first two games were developed by Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares 3 is the first to be developed by Supermassive Games instead, and it unfortunately shows. Finding your footing with a new IP is one thing, but building on one with a dedicated following makes for a challenge that Supermassive just couldn’t face.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Xbox Series S
Available on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 10, 2025

The tell-tale sign is how similar Little Nightmares 3 is to its predecessors, and in that it lacks originality. Puzzles are repetitive and often overly simplistic, and many of the mechanics added to the game feel underutilized and can even affect the pacing. That’s especially true if you’re playing single player.

Rather than any true innovation, Little Nightmares 3 is Supermassive adding co-op, dusting off its hands, and serving you an uninventive, repetitive rehash of the older games.

This sounds harsh, but there is still some good in what’s been taken from the previous entries; it’s still plenty atmospheric, delivering gorgeously haunting visuals and sound design, as well as some great (albeit sparingly few) moments of tension and excitement. It just lacks a lot of the same creativity and represents a missed opportunity to do something new.

On the road to nowhere

Little Nightmares 3 gameplay screen — (Image credit: Supermassive Games)

Little Nightmares 3 has players plunging once again into the gloomy liminal space between sleeping and waking, this time with two new protagonists: Low and Alone. These two can be played in online co-op (though frustratingly, not local co-op), or you can pick one of the two to lead through the adventure solo.

But what does this look like in practice? In short, a lot of running, climbing, and unending tunnels to crawl through. At times, Little Nightmares 3 can be likened to a trick question in a school exam. Puzzles are broadly pretty easy and repetitive, and there were several times I was entirely stuck just because I was looking for more complicated answers to my problems.

Once in a while, that’s fine; and many games cleverly play on that experience, but here it just feels lazy and uninspired. Very few moments offer any real challenge, and while I’ve never found Little Nightmares puzzles particularly difficult, it takes the first three of the game’s four acts before a puzzle genuinely makes me stop to think.

Best bit

Little Nightmares 3 finds its footing as it enters its final chapter. Here, puzzles feel narrative-driven, and particularly I enjoyed the time-hopping that allows you to see The Institute in its former glory.

It’s especially frustrating that it takes so long to bring the heat, given how short the game is, too. With only four acts and the first two feeling especially brief, I’d have hoped to see as many rooms as possible brimming with obstacles, scares, and action, but the vast majority just involve pushing and or mounting a box, pulling a switch, or opening a hatch and pootling along to the next room for more of the same.

This slow pace is doubly frustrating in single-player mode, wherein you spend a fair chunk of time waiting for your companion to catch up and join you in moving an otherwise impassable object or trying to figure out if you need to command them to interact with their weapon to progress.

Low and Alone are also armed with a bow and arrow and a wrench, respectively, with which the heroes must navigate through the treacherous landscape of the Nowhere, avoiding and defeating enemies to find the mirror portal and escape the nightmare. The game doesn’t really utilize these tools particularly well; every now and then, Low will need to smash through a doorway or Alone will shoot down something suspended mid-air by a rope, or there’ll be a short combat sequence where the greatest challenge is working around the game’s depth of field to nail the enemy.

Alone in the world

While navigating levels often errs on tedium, there’s certainly plenty to look at. This goes a great length to increase the appeal of the game, but if you’re here for great scares, you might be disappointed. Again, that’s something that gets better as the game continues, with enemies becoming progressively more creatively creepy.

The bond between Low and Alone is another highlight, though it’s a fairly low bar. Their wordless, evolving companionship through the nether opens new avenues for gesture and emotion, and puts its individual stamp on the franchise. It takes a while to flourish, though – by which I mean there’s next to no story development or emotional tension between the two until the final chapter.

In a game this short that reduces the impact of the intended gut-punch ending, which fell quite flat for me when compared to Little Nightmares 2’s diabolical ending.

Low and Alone overlooking a fair in Little Nightmares 3 — (Image credit: Supermassive Games)

As far as world-building and narrative go, Little Nightmares 3 would have done well to lean more on its predecessors. It makes total sense for Supermassive to err on the side of caution when it comes to the established lore, but when there’s just so much great material to build on, and next to none of it connects with Low and Alone’s adventure, barring some Easter eggs here and there.

The biggest let-down for me, however, is certainly the enemies and bosses. Part of what made enemies in older games feel so haunting was that these surpassed childlike imagination; well-realized and challenging horrors we’d hope no child would ever dream of. In Little Nightmares 3, they feel much more derivative; a giant, decrepit baby doll, a miserly old hag with extra arms to grab you with, a ventriloquist, and a giant facility manager don’t exactly scream “otherworldly horror” to me.

Overall, there’s enough to like about Little Nightmares 3 to recommend it to the casual player, and if you missed the first two, it’s no bad way to be introduced to the core concepts underpinning the franchise. If, however, you’re a big fan like me and want something that evolves upon Tarsier’s hard work, you’ll find it difficult to settle in. It’s by no means a bad game; it’s just not a great one.

Should you play Little Nightmares 3?

Play it if...

You want a co-op adventure
Introducing co-op mechanics makes the game a whole lot more playable, and while not utilized to its full potential, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

You like the Little Nightmares aesthetic
Little Nightmares 3 broadly captures the look and feel of the previous games, so if atmospheric spookiness is your priority, you’ll have a lot of fun with this sequel.

Don’t play it if…

You like a good puzzle
Puzzles in Little Nightmares 3 aren’t terribly challenging or inventive, especially once you figure out the basic formulas from earlier levels.

You want the true next chapter to Little Nightmares
Low and Alone’s adventure is an entirely different narrative thread to Mono and Six, the protagonists from the last two games.

Accessibility features

There’s decent coverage for accessibility needs in Little Nightmares 3; from configurable controls to highlight toggles for characters and interactive elements.

There are also separate volume sliders for sound effects, music, playable characters and enemies, toggles for color-blind mode, axis inversion, camera shake and also indicators for when a character is off-screen.

How I reviewed Little Nightmares 3

I played the game to completion (circa. 8 hours) playing on my Xbox Series S with an Xbox Wireless Controller. I tested it using standard settings on my Sony KD-49XH8096 TV using Logitech Multimedia Z200 speakers.

When playing Little Nightmares 3, I compared my experience not only to the former two titles but also to other puzzle platform horror games like Limbo and Inside.

First reviewed November 2025

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