Gaming

Early access has a new meaning after pirates have shared a string of Steam games before launch. While the Subnautica 2 release date is May 14th, some divers are already exploring vast oceans. The new leak follows Forza Horizon 6, which had a playable build surface well before its official debut.

Phasmophobia's first-ever collaboration with Alan Wake 2 is live today until 2 June. The one-time event brings the Dark Place into ghost-hunting investigations for free.

To cushion the price increase of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo is launching a brand new bundle at the beginning of June. Buyers can choose one of three Nintendo games and pay as much with this game as the console will cost without the game after the price increase.

The mystery free game event is back, and for May 2026, Epic Games Store is kicking it off with two freebies. In one previous announcement, the platform shared cryptic hints about them, and now, another set of hints has surfaced.

Killing Floor sends players into an England overrun by mutants and is currently available on Steam at its lowest price yet. The co-op shooter is 90% off until May 25 and costs just $1.99.

A new leak suggests that fans may have to wait until 2027 for fresh details on Pokémon Winds and Waves. Such a long stretch without updates would be unusual for the Pokémon series, which is why the rumor is currently being debated within the community.

RedMagic will be releasing a new gaming phone in a few days. In the meantime, the company has opened reservations in China for the device, which will be one of the first featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version chipset. The RedMagic 11S Pro departs from the RedMagic 11 Pro in a few other areas, too.

Devil May Cry Season 2 continues its alternate continuity while the original series, as well as the reboot, gets massively discounted on Steam.

The Lenovo Legion Y70 2026 is the first Legion-branded gaming phone that will be released after the 2022 model. Its launch is set for May 19, 2026, which is around the corner. Just a few days ahead of the event, the company has offered a detailed look at the smartphone.

Asus has teased a limited-edition ROG Crosshair motherboard for ROG’s 20th anniversary, reviving the pure-copper heatsink design that helped make the original 2006 AM2 board an overclocking icon. While specifications remain unconfirmed, regulatory references suggest an AM5-based X870E model that blends nostalgic hardware styling with modern ROG branding.

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen is pushing a $55.5 billion bid to acquire eBay, criticizing its leadership as disengaged and accusing executives of “just milking it.” Cohen says he is prepared to run eBay without a salary, cut nearly $2 billion in costs, and reshape the marketplace into a stronger rival to Amazon.

FromSoftware still plans to support Nintendo’s latest console. The Elden Ring Switch 2 port with Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may finally arrive in July. After performance concerns led to a delay, a retailer has posted an estimated release date for the Tarnished Edition.

[Modern Mondays] begins with an overview of the best Devil May Cry 5 mods ahead of Season 2 of the Netflix series premiering tomorrow. PC players missing out on Special Edition features need not worry—thanks to mods, the best way to play DMC is on PC.

Anbernic's has begun selling the RG Rotate Android gaming handheld on its website. The manufacturer is also offering buyers a discount for a limited time.

A journalist may have defied the Forza Horizon 6 review embargo. Playground Games insists it wasn’t at fault for uploading a version of the racing game to Steam ahead of schedule. SteamDB later explained how a journalist is more likely to have exposed the file list and pirated the release.

AMD is reportedly working on a new entry-level RDNA 4 desktop GPU. The Radeon RX 9050 has leaked as a downgraded Radeon RX 9060 with slower clocks.

LG has officially launched the UltraGear Evo 45GX950B in the US. An upgraded version of the older 45GX950A, this new 45-inch 5K2K OLED monitor introduces new AI features, but the panel and core specifications remain unchanged.

A few days ago, Pearl Abyss teased that a big new update was in the works for Crimson Desert. And today, the developers have finally released it across all platforms.

The PS5 price hike led to an unusually successful period of console sales. Yet, despite this temporary lift, Sony expects hardware revenue to dwindle as 2026 continues. The Nintendo Switch 2 price increase has also caused panic buying in some regions.

Retailers have started revealing the price of the ROG Strix XG129C. Listed in Australia and the UK, the Asus ROG Strix XG129C contains a 12.3-inch display, dual USB Type-C ports and an adjustable kickstand for use on a desk as a small secondary monitor.

Soldiers: Heroes of World War II is currently available on Steam at its lowest price yet. The modernized Enhanced Edition of the strategy classic costs just $0.74 and offers tactical World War II missions behind enemy lines, plenty of gameplay freedom and a 4K update – but also cumbersome controls and a punishing difficulty level.

Sony has still not announced a release date for the PS6 – and that may be intentional. High RAM and SSD prices, a still-profitable PS5 and the looming launch of GTA 6 could make a later release more attractive. However, Microsoft’s next Xbox generation means Sony is not entirely without pressure.

In 2024, a modern version of the ZX Spectrum was released, however, it was available in the same black version as the original. Now, buyers can purchase The Spectrum in white, which is based on the one-millionth white version of the original that was specially made for Clive Sinclair.

The Xiaomi Gaming Mouse 2 is now available in China, and while it has an affordable price tag, the wireless mouse comes with flagship specs, including the PAW3955XMT sensor and 8kHz polling rate. Its initial price is CNY 349, around $31.

Takashi Tezuka, the longtime Nintendo designer and director behind major entries in Mario, Zelda, Yoshi, and other landmark franchises, will retire on June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. His departure marks the close of a defining chapter in Nintendo history, highlighting the legacy of a key creative partner who helped turn some of gaming’s most influential ideas into enduring classics.

Nintendo Switch 2 users briefly accessed YouTube through a hidden browser triggered by Super Animal Royale, filling the gap left by the console’s continued lack of an official YouTube or streaming app. The workaround was reportedly blocked within hours, underscoring frustration over Nintendo and Google’s slow progress nearly a year after the console’s launch.

The Yoo Y1, a new Android-based retro handheld from Chinese designer Zhang, is drawing early attention for its premium build, minimalist glass front, 3:2 1620 x 1080 display, TMR joysticks, Hall-Effect triggers, metal frame, and 6,000mAh battery. While its processor remains unconfirmed, the device’s final performance and connectivity features could determine whether it becomes a serious rival to established premium handhelds from Retroid and Ayn.

Contrary to popular belief, enabling Switch 2 GameChat may reduce stuttering. Digital Foundry realized that Capcom RE engine games like Pragmata benefit from voice and video chats. Choosing the smallest window size yielded frame rates up to 60 fps.

Microsoft’s Japan-set Forza Horizon 6 is already running on many gaming PCs. A full Steam build leaked on Valve’s marketplace, delighting piracy advocates. Online features likely won’t be available until the official Xbox and PC early access debut on May 15th.

Exclusive Hitoshi Sakimoto settles a 29-year debate exclusively with Notebookcheck: Final Fantasy Tactics is a rock record. We also got a chance to discuss his London Game Music Festival 2026 debut, made possible by the Game Music Foundation's efforts.

Valve recently introduced a reservation queue system for the Steam Controller to tackle scalpers and resellers. Now, it seems like the Steam Machine could launch with a similar system.

The RedMagic gaming tablet with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was expected to launch soon, and the company has now confirmed that this compact OLED pad will launch after the 11S Pro, which is set for a May 18, 2026, release in China.

Developed by an indie studio, Noita is an action roguelite in which you play as a witch and must face numerous enemies. Craft your own spells to forge your own path, but be careful, as many traps await you.

The Nintendo Switch 2 price hike in Japan has produced a surge in console sales. Reminiscent of its launch, jam-packed retailers are again waging war against scalpers. The changes take effect much sooner than in other regions, with buyers suffering a higher percentage increase.

Even contending with higher memory prices, Nintendo may be designing new consoles. Its latest fiscal report revealed that its research and development budget expanded by 23.7%. Earlier leaks suggested that a cheaper Switch 2 Lite or upgraded OLED model is a possibility.

The Lenovo Legion Y900 series is making a comeback, and the company has already confirmed two new variants that will be unveiled in China on May 19, 2026. With a new announcement, the brand has confirmed the SoC that will be powering the 13-inch variant.

PUBG Mobile 4.4 Hero's Crown launches May 12 with a Greek mythology map overhaul, Nimbus Island, a Centaur boss fight, the M1 Garand, and a Blue Lock collab on May 22.

Age of Empires IV: Yue Fei's Legacy is now live on Xbox, PC, and PS5, adding the Jin Dynasty civilization, an 8-mission campaign set during the Song-Jin Wars, four new maps, and two new biomes.

Updated: Epic Games posts cryptic teaser for new Mystery Games. Epic Games Store has just started giving away two new games. At the same time, it has revealed that it has returned to its Mystery Game promotion strategy. Two games will be up for grabs between May 14 and May 21.

Valve has released a new Steam Client update, which includes multiple important fixes and improvements for the newly launched Steam Controller.

New Blood Interactive’s April Fools’ tip line has evolved into an active fan feedback channel, drawing more than 1,000 voicemails ranging from genuine questions to jokes and food orders. The stunt highlights the publisher’s playful community engagement as it continues work on major updates for titles like ULTRAKILL.

PS4 supporters may be running out of time to prepare for the GTA 6 release date. The PlayStation Store is asking these gamers to purchase a PS5 console before its debut. Recently, Sony and Take-Two Interactive have hinted that the Rockstar Games title is on schedule.

After avoiding a Switch 2 price increase, astronomical memory prices forced the manufacturer to act. With a $499.99 MSRP in September, buyers will look for reasons to upgrade. Former Nintendo marketers think that the company should announce a first-party Switch 2 game to compete with GTA 6.

According to Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert will receive a new big update soon. While the developers have not revealed the full patch notes yet, they have confirmed it will bring new mounts and a much-requested feature.

(Update: Restrictions lifted) GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen’s attempt to buy eBay took an unusual turn after his newly created seller account, used to auction personal memorabilia and promote the bid, was temporarily suspended for suspicious activity.

A Fallout 4 modder has ported the entirety of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind into the game’s Pip-Boy and terminals, pushing the needle of what is possible for gamers looking to play games beyond the six retro titles the game already supports on its virtual wearable.

Discord appears to be down for thousands of users right now. Most of them are being met with an error screen that says "increased API errors."