It wouldn't seem to make sense to call Dying Light: The Beast a more grounded game than its predecessors. It's a game in which you routinely shift into something like X-Men's Wolverine, slashing at the undead with the ferocity of a preying mountain lion and carving them to shreds with what is basically an instant win button. But beyond the feature that informs the game's title, this expansion turned standalone sequel actually leans further into horror and survival than anything in the series, making it the most fun I've had with Dying Light to date.

Dying Light: The Beast returns the game's original protagonist, Kyle Crane, to the starring role, moving him to Castor Woods, a brand-new location for the series, and a lush nature reserve decorated with once-gorgeous villages that manage to feel both ornate and rustic at the same time. Like before, the game is an open-world first-person zombie game with a significant emphasis on death-defying parkour and brutal melee combat. But The Beast adds (or returns) a few other wrinkles, too.

For one, guns are more prevalent than ever this time, though ammo isn't as common. Using guns feels reliable enough but doesn't fill your Beast Mode meter, so I frequently rejected this quasi-new toy in favor of the series' long-held favorites: baseball bats, machetes, and loose pipes fitted with elemental add-ons that light the zombies on fire, send electric shocks through the hordes, or cause them to bleed out between my crunchy swings to their squishy heads.

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It's almost kickoff time for EA Sports FC 26. The official launch times for the game have been published, covering the official release on September 26 and early access, which begins today.

A trial for EA Sports FC 26 is available for EA Play members, and since that's included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, subscribers to that membership can get the 10-hour trial as well. The $100 Ultimate edition of EA Sports FC 26 unlocks early as well, beginning today, September 18.

For everyone else, EA Sports FC 26 arrives on September 25 for PC and September 26 on console. You can see the full unlock times below.

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EA's newly launched Skate game is out now for free on PlayStation and Xbox consoles--but there is no Switch 2 version. In addition to the other existing skateboarding games on Switch 2, another game has now been confirmed for release on Nintendo's hybrid console.

Skate Story, an independent game developed by Sam Eng and published by Devolver, is coming to Switch 2 later this year. The game has a rad art style and story setup. You play as a demon in the underworld, and your body is made out of "glass and pain." The devil gave you a skateboard and your goal is to skate to the Moon and swallow it to escape hell.

"Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of The Emptylands as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Learn to master your weight and motion to conquer the weeping concrete. Savor the ritualistic beauty as you set your feet to pop a perfect kickflip," reads a line from the game's description.

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Valve has announced plans to end Steam support for systems running Windows 10 32-bit in the new year, so if you haven't upgraded to a 64-bit version of Windows 10 yet, now's the time.

In a new post on the Steam support page, the company said that come January 1, 2026, systems running Windows 10 32-bit will no longer be supported. 32-bit games will keep playing for now, and Steam clients that are already installed will continue functioning "for the near term," but they won't receive any updates after next year. This includes security updates or any technical support from Steam regarding old operating systems.

But maybe Windows 10 32-bit isn't that big of a deal to you. After all, according to a statistic Valve shared in the announcement, it's "only in use on 0.01 [percent] of systems reported through the Steam Hardware Survey." While Steam is a 32-bit app on Windows everywhere, that will change as the company said "future versions of Steam will run on 64-bit versions of Windows only."

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Fortnite creators will soon be able to earn a living selling in-game items in their creations, developer Epic Games has announced.

In a detailed blog post, Epic outlines what percentage of in-game V-Buck sales (converted into US dollars) from inside Fortnite user-created content will go to creators versus Epic Games. From December 2025 through the end of 2026, creators will get to keep around 74% of in-game sales. That will change on January 1, 2027, when creators will instead earn about 37% of in-game V-Bucks spent.

In a FAQ, Epic said creators will be able to sell digital "durable and consumable items" built into their games, and--for now--will be limited to digital items only. Sales must also follow Epic's Island Creator Rules.

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The Nintendo Classics catalog available through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is getting a couple notable additions to its Game Boy Advance collection. Two third-party titles are joining the lineup.

Side-scrolling adventure Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and puzzle game Mr. Driller 2, both from Namco (now Bandai Namco), will be playable with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription beginning September 25. All 25 GBA games currently on Nintendo Classics are Nintendo-published titles, making this pair of Namco classics the first third-party additions to the GBA library.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams was released initially in 2001, starring Namco mascot Klonoa and following his adventure taking down four monsters after dreaming becomes outlawed. The game's action consists of Klonoa defeating enemies with his Wind Ring, solving puzzles, and collecting stars. The Klonoa series has been largely dormant in recent years, with its last proper installment coming out in 2008 for the Wii (a remake of the first game) and remasters of the first two titles releasing in 2022.

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Horipad Turbo Wired Controller - Eevee Cottage Core Edition

$45 | Releases October 3

Preorder at Amazon

Hori Puff Pouch for Switch 2 - Eevee Cottage Core Edition

$37 | Releases October 3

Preorder at Amazon

Hori Vault Case for Switch 2 - Eevee Cottage Core Edition

$30 | Releases October 3

Preorder at Amazon

Hori 24-Game Card Case - Eevee Cottage Core Edition

$13 | Releases October 3

Preorder at Amazon

The Nintendo Switch 2 has already seen some pretty cool accessories, but this upcoming Eevee lineup might be the most adorable yet. Hori is releasing four Eevee-inspired accessories--including a wired controller, two carrying cases, and a protective pouch that sotres up to 24 game cards--on October 3, which is just in time for the next big Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A. All four devices in the lineup feature an adorable "Eevee Cottage Core" design design featuring cute illustrations of the Gen 1 Pokemon. They're also officially licensed by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, and are compatible with both Switch 2 and Switch. So even if you haven't yet picked up the new-gen console, you can enjoy the adorable gadgets with your current Switch.

Hori x Pokemon Eevee Switch 2 Accessories at Amazon Horipad Turbo Wired Controller - Eevee Cottage Core Edition $45 | Releases October 3

This new version of the Horipad Turbo Wired Controller is a charming Eevee-themed faceplate and light blue and brown color palette. It features all the functionality of other Horipad Turbo controllers, incluing two remappable back buttons, a Turbo function that lets you rapidly activate a button simply by holding it down, and adjustable dead zones for the analog sticks. Since this is designed primarily for Switch 2, it includes the C Button to access GameChat. While the wired format means you'll have to be plugged into one of the Switch 2 dock's USB ports, the upshot is that you won't have to worry about low battery levels.

Preorder at Amazon Hori Puff Pouch for Switch 2 - Eevee Cottage Core Edition $37 | Releases October 3

The Hori Puff Pouch is a soft-sided carrying case. While it lacks the durability and protection of a hard-sided case, it's still a great option for a simple carrying case--and it's large enough to carry a Switch 2, Switch, or Switch OLED device in handheld mode, and includes an assortment of pouches to store an AC adapter and up to six game cartridges. Like the other accessories in the lineup, it features light blue and brown color scheme with illustrations of Eevee. Preorders are available for $37 at Amazon

Preorder at Amazon Hori Vault Case for Switch 2 - Eevee Cottage Core Edition $30 | Releases October 3

The Hori Vault Case is a hard-shell carrying case that's ideal for anyone who wants a more protective way to cart their Switch 2, Switch, or Switch OLED around. Along with enough space to store the handheld, there are also 10 game cartridge slots and a mesh pouch for accessories like earbuds or a charging cable. The case also spots the same blue and brown color schemes and Eevee art. Preorders are available for $30 at Amazon.

Preorder at Amazon Hori 24-Game Card Case - Eevee Cottage Core Edition $13 | Releases October 3

Hori is also launching an Eevee Cottage Core Edition of its 24-Game Card Case. The hard plastic case has 24 cartridge inserts, amd sports Eevee artwork on the front and a translucent light blue to fit in with the other accessories in the collection. You can preorder the Hori 24-Game Card Case - Eevee Cottage Core Edition for $13 at Amazon.

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These new Eevee-themed Switch and Switch 2 accessories arrive just in time for the next big Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which launches for Switch and Switch 2 on October 16. Legends: Z-A will build upon the real-time catching mechanics of the previous game in the new spin-off series, Legends: Arceus, and will also feature an all-new real-time battle system that sees you avoiding enemies attacks while issuing commands to your Pokemon partners. Preorders for the Switch and Switch 2 Editions of the game are available now--though fans who are waiting to pick up a Switch 2 alongside the new game will want to check out the upcoming Switch 2 + Pokemon Legends: Z-A console bundle launching the same day. This $500 bundle includes a Switch 2 console and a digital copy of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, saving you $40 compared to buying the console and the game separately. You can learn more about the game and all the preorder options in our Pokemon Legends: Z-A preorder guide.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Preorders

Pokemon Legends: Z-A for Switch 2

$70 | Releases October 16

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop

Pokemon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch

$60 | Releases October 16

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop

Nintendo Switch 2: Pokemon Legends: Z-A Console Bundle

$500 | Releases October 16

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007: First Light looks like it'll offer the full James Bond experience, as the British secret agent will be dropping quips and bodies when he arrives on PC and console next year. Not just an expert brawler, 007 is also a talented sharpshooter, and that's an area of the game that developer IO Interactive is investing efforts into perfecting.

While the studio is no stranger to gunplay thanks to the wide variety of firearms that players could wield in the Hitman games, there is a key difference here in how Bond and Agent 47 use guns. "In Hitman we viewed ranged combat as a last resort for most players, which made it fairly hard and for most players something they wanted to avoid," said gameplay director Andreas Krogh said to PC Gamer via GamesRadar. "This time around, we have a character that invites ranged combat to be a viable option."

Krogh added that gunplay in 007: First Light is designed to feel fluid and responsive, giving Bond a lethal--and mechanically satisfying--option for when his license to kill is activated. In comparison, using guns in IO's Hitman games carried significant risks, as being caught using a weapon would typically result in Agent 47 having to face off against a small army of persistent foes. Guns also had handling characteristics in the game that were authentic to their real-life counterparts, as recoil, bullet drop-off, and physically aiming a weapon made it somewhat impractical to use them when you could simply frame an assassination as a freak accident instead.

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After eight years, Silksong is here, and it's tough. Very tough, actually, to the point where some players believe it's much harder than its 2017 predecessor, Hollow Knight. That difficulty increase is exactly by design, though, according to Team Cherry in a new interview.

As spotted by Dexerto while attending Melbourne's ACMI Game Worlds exhibition, Team Cherry co-director Ari Gibson and developer William Pellen spoke to the exhibition's co-curator Jini Maxwell for a new book. In the book, the ACMI Guide: Hollow Knight Silksong, Gibson and Pellen contextualize why the sequel is harder than the original, and it's actually because of Hornet.

When designing the game with Hornet as the playable character, Team Cherry had to buff the enemies she faced. The team's overall philosophy was to "bring everyone else up to match [Hornet's] level."

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UFO 50 is celebrating its one-year anniversary today, September 18, 2025. Below, we reflect on how digesting the game week by week for an entire year has made a lasting impression.

UFO 50 is the most audacious game experiment I've ever seen. The pitch--a fictional retro game collection consisting of 50 full-fledged retro-style games, all connected with sequel iteration and a winding meta-narrative--was impressive from the first moment I heard about it. I loved the game when I reviewed it last year, and it ranked highly on my list of the year's favorites.

But even still, I wasn't prepared for how UFO 50 would follow me into this year with ritualistic regularity. In the end, this collection of fake retro games has been an incredible ongoing lesson in game design.

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Borderlands 4 launched on September 12 and it had a massive debut on Steam, eclipsing more than 300,000 concurrent users. The PC edition hasn't been without its issues, though, as players have complained about a range of technical and performance-related problems. Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has chimed in as well with a string of controversial posts on the subject. [Update: The new Borderlands 4 update is here, complete with full patch notes.]

Some of the issues are significant enough that Gearbox has already released updates that aimed to improve stability and improvements, while another update is coming today, September 18. "This is our top priority," the developer said about addressing the PC issues. The exact contents of the second major PC update have not been announced, however.

In a separate post, Gearbox said, "We're reading every piece of feedback you share." In addition to the second PC patch, Gearbox said a field of view (FOV) slider option for consoles is now in testing and more information is coming "very soon" about this. Console players have also reported issues with performance, and Gearbox said it's "investigating those with planned updates coming."

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A lot of people have played EA's new Skate game since it launched on September 16. How many? According to the developers, the new Skate--the first in 15 years--reached more than 2 million players in its first 24 hours.

"Beyond stoked"

"We're beyond stoked to welcome everyone to San Vansterdam! Thanks for your patience as we flex our servers to keep up with all the hype. Keep riding and we'll see you out there!" the developer said.

Skate is a free-to-play game that's available in early access across PC and console (and coming to iOS and Android later). There is no Switch 2 version.

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Earlier this year, Black Panther's solo video game was canceled by EA. But that doesn't mean the King of Wakanda will be sitting out of Marvel's next adventure. Tribute Games and developer Dotemu have announced that Black Panther is joining the large roster of heroes in Marvel Cosmic Invasion alongside an unlikely addition: Cosmic Ghost Rider.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a side-scrolling beat-'em up that lets players pick from a group of 15 heroes to fight off an invasion from Annihilus and his forces from the Negative Zone. Players can even swap between two different heroes at any time during a battle.

On PlayStation Blog, Dotemu noted that Black Panther's move set plays up his martial arts abilities while also utilizing his vibranium daggers for long distance attacks. For up close and personal fights, Black Panther can unleash his vibranium claws during his Panther Slash attack.

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As a dyed-in-the-wool Nintendo Kid, Mario has always been the yardstick by which I measure competitors. When Sonic the Hedgehog broke out on the Sega Genesis, I couldn't help but compare it to Mario's platforming to measure the similarities and differences. So I have to admit that it's difficult to approach an arcade kart racer like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds without Mario Kart in the back of my head--especially since that series just had a new entry this summer. But it's that contrast that really makes CrossWorlds stand out in some positive ways. Whereas Nintendo's latest racer excelled due to its simplicity, CrossWorlds offers a massive wealth of options and customization to help you find and craft your own style. There is a lot going on, and it can be a little overwhelming, but ultimately the level of depth rewards experimentation.

From the start, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds offers three main offline modes, two of which need little introduction: Grand Prix and Time Trials are your tried-and-true staples, and then there's the more inventive Race Park. More on that in a bit. Grand Prix is where most players will start, with a suite of seven Grand Prix to master. These are listed as three races apiece, but each one also consists of a fourth grand finale race that remixes parts of the three prior tracks.

And that's where CrossWorlds gets its unique twist, as well as its name. Seemingly inspired by the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, in which rings act as portals to other planets, the tracks in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are not just straightforward point-A-to-point-B affairs. Instead you'll regularly cross a threshold through a giant ring and into a new world. The race leader chooses a destination, between one known option or another random selection. You hop into another world to visit for a little while, and then portal your way back to the main track you were in.

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Nintendo's original Animal Crossing on GameCube helped pave the way for many of the cozy games players have today. The cute animal villagers largely enjoy a blissful experience, but a new AI hack has the town feeling that Tom Nook--the raccoon who basically controls the local economy based on bells as currency--is a tyrant who needs to go down.

Software engineer Josh Fonseca created this Animal Crossing hack (via Ars Technica), and he explained at length how he pulled it off in the accompanying YouTube video. The GameCube software wasn't really designed to hacked like this, but Fonseca was eventually able to find his way in and give Animal Crossing some commands that could be understood by the game's code.

Fonseca initially tried to use a single live language model AI to write new dialogue for the characters, while also drawing their character traits from online wikis. According to Fonseca, that approach failed because he was asking the AI to do too much. In the end, he set aside one AI program to handle the dialogue, while another program essentially directed its in-game presentation.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong blew in like a hurricane at the beginning of this month, and it's already putting up numbers that major developers would envy. Silksong pulled in five million players in just a few days, when factoring in downloads on Game Pass. Now, Silksong is closing in on five million sales across all platforms according to a new report.

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter has shared its latest sales estimates for Hollow Knight: Silksong. 3.2 million copies are estimated to have been sold on Steam, while the game is believed to have pulled in 500,000 copies each on PlayStation 4/5 and Switch 1/2. That would put its current sales total at 4.2 million, without factoring in any sales from the Xbox family of consoles. Those Xbox sales figures aren't readily available, but the number of Silksong downloads on Xbox Game Pass is estimated to be 1.5 million.

Alinea Analytics has also shared its sales figures for Steam from the week of September 7-13. Borderlands 4 came in at No. 1 with 749,000 sales, and it was closely followed by Silksong with 530,000. Amazingly, the debut of Silksong pushed the original Hollow Knight's sales to 205,000, taking the No. 4 slot for the week. According to Alinea, this is the third week in a row that Hollow Knight has cracked over 200,000 despite having already sold 15 million copies to date.

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It was supposed to be routine. A supply drop to an Alaskan town, auto-pilot on, guard down. You and Donovan were already planning post mission drinks when it happened. The storm. Half the plane disappeared in a flash. Donovan was gone, lost to the howling tempest. Waking from the crash you find yourself alone, trapped in a frozen wilderness, your only companions a court-mandated therapy bot and temperatures that can cut a man to shreds. You are Kai, a pilot without a plane lost in the wilderness of the far north. You'll need your wits about you to brave the elements, find your co-pilot and get the hell out of Dodge. Along the way, you might just discover what it was that cut your plane clean in two... and what it is making those noises after dark. Arctic Awakening is a first-person narrative adventure set in the mysterious Arctic North where you and your robotic companion, Alfie, must search for your co-pilot... and a way home.