Gaming

Amazon has announced that it will give away 10 free games throughout January 2026. These freebies will be available in batches, and among the highlights are Civilization VI, Brigador, Harold Halibut, and Elderborn.

As 2025 progressed, Nintendo found it increasingly difficult to market its latest handheld. In multiple regions, data shows that the original Switch was a more popular holiday purchase. The Switch 2 price is now more of an obstacle, while newer games failed to become system sellers.

Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant is a horror game that immerses you in the suburbs of Hanoi. You will have to manage your restaurant, but also uncover the truth in a terrifying atmosphere full of mystery.

Nintendo has unveiled new Joy-Con colors. Launching alongside Mario Tennis Fever, the new Light Purple and Light Green Joy-Con 2 controllers add a pop of color for $99.99 and are available for pre-order now.

The Epic Games Store is now giving away its first game of 2026. A popular tower defense game, Bloons TD 6 combines strategy with a mass of content to clear that has seen it achieve an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam from over 200,000 gamers.

Achilles: Legends Untold blends isometric action RPG gameplay with Souls-like tactical combat, set in a mythological world shaped by the legend of Achilles. The game is currently 75% off on Steam, dropping the price to under $7 – a new all-time low.

This city builder does not use money – instead, players manage resources such as knowledge, labor, and energy. With 90% positive reviews on Steam, the game has clearly resonated with its audience. Right now, a first-time 82% discount pushes the price down to an all-time low of $3.41.

GameSir has announced a new and upgraded version of its GameSir G7 Pro controller at CES 2026. The G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs Edition, as it is called, is not only cosmetically different but also has a higher polling rate and improved thumbsticks.

The OneXGPU 3 has been showcased at CES 2026, and it's a new eGPU with OCuLink and USB4 ports. It packs the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, a powerful RDNA 4 desktop GPU with up to 180 W TDP, and it has an M.2 SSD slot.

One of the highlights of the Humble Choice selection for January 2026 is Hunt: Showdown 1896. For players who want to experience it in its full glory, the platform is now offering a special DLC collection at an affordable starting price.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is said to be getting a new DLC this year, possibly in May. Now, new information has surfaced hinting at two possible locations for the game and a smooth transition to The Witcher 4.

Nintendo Switch accessory maker Human Things has smashed its Kickstarter goal for Genki Grips, a modular ergonomic grip system designed to alleviate the hand cramps plaguing many Switch 2 owners. Despite a rocky history that includes a legal skirmish with Nintendo and mixed reception to earlier products, early backer momentum suggests strong demand for a more comfortable, customizable way to play on the handheld.

A Reddit user known as “uncleseeth” has completed a 20-year quest to collect every physical North American Xbox 360 release, amassing 1,353 games and turning a casual achievements rivalry with friends into a lifelong pursuit. His painstaking hunt, revived after a family hiatus and culminating with a final gift, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, now shifts focus from acquisition to playing and completing achievements across the entire library.

Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions has partnered with Asus Republic of Gamers to launch a Ludens-themed ROG Flow Z13-KJP gaming tablet and peripheral lineup, unveiled at CES 2026. Designed by Yoji Shinkawa, the limited-edition devices blend high-end gaming hardware with Kojima Productions’ signature “From Sapiens to Ludens” aesthetics, with pricing and release details yet to be announced.

It’s not a certainty that GTA 6 will dominate the 2026 holiday season. A Bloomberg reporter revealed that Rockstar Games has yet to finalize essential content for the game. An earlier GTA 6 leak suggested that the studio had already completed work on key assets like maps and missions.

Humble has launched a new bundle called the Decked Out Collection. This one is designed for handhelds, especially the Steam Deck, offering seven games in total.

PlayStation has announced three new colors for its DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers. Called the Hyperpop Collection, the accessories are adorned in a glossy black and neon gradient color finish.

More rumblings about the new Xbox console are providing a clearer picture of the upcoming system. A report describes how it will depend on the Windows full-screen experience for navigation. Microsoft could also debut a new controller or an OEM Xbox PC before 2026 ends.

Vigilant Paradise, a Miami Vice-inspired first-person shooter quietly released for the Sega Saturn after five years of solo development, channels the aesthetics and design ethos of 90s console gaming with low-poly 3D visuals, branching narrative, and a synth-heavy soundtrack. Initially soft-launched in November 2025 and only later spotlighted by the retro community, the homebrew title showcases an ambitious technical feat on original hardware while offering a full single-player campaign at a modest $10 price point.

A reliable leaker claims that Nvidia's next-gen GPUs, the RTX 60 series lineup, will be based on the Rubin architecture and are set to launch in the second half of next year.

Asus has unveiled a first concept device for the upcoming WiFi 8 standard that’s called the ROG NeoCore. Instead of higher speeds, it focuses on better coordination between routers, which should result in significantly more stable tranfer speeds, especially in densely populated areas.

Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake platform has now appeared in early gaming tests, offering a first glimpse at its integrated graphics performance. A hands-on video from a popular YouTuber shows a Core Ultra X9 388H running inside a Lenovo reference laptop, with several AAA PC games tested at 1200p. The results provide an early indication of what Panther Lake could deliver in future laptops.

MSI has already previewed the Raider Max 16 HX during CES 2026. Additionally, the company has teased the release of two cheaper options, including an AMD variant that will match its Max counterpart with an optional Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU.

Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson argues that online RPGs must prioritize “economic integrity” over short-term revenue, insisting that progression should come from play and skill rather than exploits, cheating, or pay-to-win systems.

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that combines dungeon crawling with the routines of everyday school life. Now available on Steam with a 70% discount for the first time, the price drops from around $60 to just $18.

For fans of teddy bears and roguelikes, a small dream might just have come true. Teddy Knight is a classic action roguelike starring a brave teddy bear knight on an adventure inside a toy box. It’s free to play and was met with mostly positive reviews at launch.

The Humble Choice game selection has been updated, and for January 2026, the platform is offering eight games that have a retail value of over $250. They all have Steam Deck compatibility and can be scored for just $14.99.

Viewers may not see any gaming announcements made during the Fallout TV show season 2 finale. Still, an Xbox insider verified that Bethesda is revisiting Fallout 3 and plans a Fallout: New Vegas remaster. Frustrated fans had anticipated news during an October anniversary event.

A Plague Tale: Innocence is a game that plunges you into the darkest hours of history. You will have to survive numerous dangers, but also face a plague that continues to spread across Europe.

Asus has unveiled a cheaper version of the TUF Gaming A14 after presenting an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 model yesterday. For 2026, Asus will offer an AMD Gorgon Point and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060-backed variant too, which is visually indistinguishable from its Strix Halo counterpart.

Soulframe is trending on Steam’s Upcoming charts despite lacking a release date, driven by pre-alpha test waves, developer streams, and strong SteamDB numbers. High wishlist ranks imply long-term interest in the game, but sadly, a launch is still not imminent.

Upcoming free-to-play RPG Dreadmyst features isometric tab-target combat with online PvE dungeons and small-scale PvP arenas. SteamDB data shows rising wishlist activity ahead of its January 9 Steam launch, helped by early Twitch exposure.

Razer has unveiled Project Ava, a desktop accessory that brings AI to life through a variety of avatars visible on its holographic display. The device is designed to be used at any time, whether during gaming or work, with Windows computers.

NBC’s broadcast of the Steelers–Ravens regular-season finale briefly turned into a retro gaming crossover when a graphics segment on Cam Heyward’s “frog stance” was inexplicably set to Bubblegloop Swamp music from 1998’s Banjo-Kazooie. The surprise cue ignited a wave of nostalgic reactions across social media and even stunned the game’s original composer, Grant Kirkhope, who learned of the moment from fans online.

The SuperStation One, an FPGA-based console from YouTuber Taki Udon, has finally begun shipping after a tumultuous development cycle, offering cycle-accurate emulation for platforms ranging from the PS1 to the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64, while retaining compatibility with original PlayStation hardware and physical discs.

According to new data shared by Alinea Analytics, Detroit: Become Human, which is over seven years old, saw a huge boost in sales during the Steam Winter Sale held over the holiday period.

After saying it won't launch a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2, Lenovo has announced a version of the handheld preloaded with Valve's operating system. The Legion Go 2 Powered by SteamOS has the same design and specs as the Windows version but a higher starting price.

Lenovo has unveiled a bunch of new gaming products at CES 2026, and the LOQ 15APH11 is one of them. This affordable laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 250, which can be paired with up to an Nvidia RTX 5060. It starts at $1,299.

The Lenovo LOQ 15IPH11 is another affordable gaming laptop that has been unveiled at CES 2026. It can be configured with up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H from the Panther Lake lineup and Nvidia RTX 5060.

The latest iterations of the popular Legion 5 15 gaming laptop have been shown at CES 2026 with the Gen 11 Lenovo Legion 5a 15 and Legion 5i 15. Available with either the AMD Ryzen AI 400 processors or Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 300 series, the Gen 11 Lenovo Legion gaming laptops bring 1600p OLED displays and up to RTX 5060 graphics.

Lenovo has lifted the lid on its first rollable gaming laptop. A 16-inch laptop at first glance, the Legion Pro Rollable can transform into a 21.5-inch or 24-inch alternative at the touch of a button backed by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU to boot. Sadly, Lenovo's new rollable is only a concept laptop for now.

Spying with James Bond in 007 First Light could challenge lower-end machines. Newly released recommended system requirements list a high amount of RAM for 1080p/60fps gameplay. A memory shortage resulting in higher costs have made upgrading PC specs a frightening prospect.

Microsoft has revealed the list of games joining the Xbox Game Pass library this month. Brews & Bastards and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition will be available starting today, while the remaining games will be added over time.

Intel has revealed initial details about plans for new PC gaming handhelds based on its new Panther Lake architecture. Apparently 'an entire handheld gaming platform', Intel's plans already have buy-in from Acer, GPD, MSI and other major players.

The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a near full-size mechanical keyboard with a built-in Stream Deck. Featuring a 720 x 180 screen, 8000 Hz polling rate, dials, and hot-swappable keys, the keyboard is available for preorder for $349.99.

Terra Invicta 1.0 launched Jan 5, 2026, exiting Early Access. The update adds 2026 and 2070 scenarios, improves late-game performance, and adds five languages. However, this grand strategy title is still a deep, hard-sci-fi simulation at heart.

The X5 Alteron may prevent retro gamers from having to travel with multiple accessories. Both sides of the GameSir and Hyperkin mobile controller are customizable for fighting or shooting titles. Nintendo users can swap between modules designed for modern Switch 2 games or N64 classics.

Ayn is now offering a gaming handheld in a new, significantly cheaper model. Designed for emulating Nintendo DS titles, the model comes with two screens and is expected to start shipping in less than two weeks.