Pokemon Go players who want an alternative to their Go Plus devices may soon have an in-game item that lets them automatically throw Poke Balls and unleash Pokestops while searching for creatures to recruit.

PokeMiners (via IGN) uncovered the existence of the new Explorer Gadget during its latest datamining efforts in Pokemon Go. Players could already access automatic Poke Balls and Pokestops with some pricey physical accessories like the Go Plus. This gadget, however, appears to be a fully in-game device without any need for extra peripherals.

Assuming the report is accurate, it seems very likely that the new device will be monetized by Pokemon Go's developer. It would make the game a lot easier for casual players--the only real question is how much would fans be willing to pay for this perk? It has yet to be officially announced, so for now we can only speculate as to whether it will be a one-time purchase or if the developer has subscription plans in mind.

In the earliest days of PC gaming, before everything got homogenized with Windows and Mac, the Commodore 64 reigned supreme. It still has a passionate homebrew community making their own original C64 games to this day--and if you're interested in checking out the classic console, its games, or the homebrew scene, you'll want to check out this awesome deal on the THEC64 Mini replica console. The device captures the look of the original C64 and is capable of playing official and homebrew games on moderns TVs. It typically costs $120, but you can buy it for $85 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale event, which runs until March 31. At that 29% discount price, it's certainly worth picking up for those curious about what the Commodore 64 developer community is like today.

THEC64 Mini - Black Edition is actually a follow-up to another THEC64 Mini console that focused on retro games. It sets itself apart not just with a matte-black finish on a 50% scale replica of the original, but also with a library of 25 pre-loaded "modern" C64 games made by developers after the console's heyday. These are all of the games you will have access to:

1. A Pig Quest
2. Caren and the Tangled Tentacles
3. Galencia
4. Good Kniight
5. Grid Pix
6. Guns N Ghosts
7. Hessian
8. Hunter's Moon Remastered
9. It's Magic 2
10. Joe Gunn: Gold Edition
11. Knight N Grail
12. Metal Warrior Ultra
13. Mille & Molly
14. Nixy and the Seeds of Doom
15. Ooze: The Escape
16. p0 Snake
17. Pains N Aches
18. Planet Golf
19. Rocky Memphis: The Legend of Atlantis
20. Runn N Gunn
21. Sam's Journey
22. Shadow Switcher
23. Spinning Image
24. Steel Ranger
25. Yeti Mountain

Those aren't exactly games that are household names to your modern gamer, but you'll have a great idea of what the Commodore 64 homebrew game developer community is like after playing them. The mini console even lets you load your homebrew programs from a USB stick or code games in BASIC on the hardware and share them online. Another major benefit of this hardware is that it supports USB game controllers and outputs at 720p resolution in US and European display modes, making it one of the simplest ways to play Commodore 64 games on modern televisions.

If you're looking for a more comfortable, ergonomic way to play your Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode, this Amazon Spring Sale deal on the Gammeefy JC400 Switch 2 Controller might appeal to you. While the thrid-party grip is usually priced at $47.49, it's down to $40 during Amazon's sale, which runs until March 31 (unless it sells out first).

While it's wonderful to have the option to play Nintendo Switch 2 in docked, tabletop, or handheld mode, the Joy-Con 2 controllers aren't very ergonomic. That makes third-party products like the Gammeefy JC400 useful, as they make handheld mode play significantly more comfortably. You simply have to slot your Switch 2 into the controller without its Joy-Con 2s attached, and you can start playing.

In addition to its ergonomic design, which offers a full-size grip on each side of the controller, the Gammeefy JC400 Switch 2 Controller also features Hall Effect joysticks that are less prone to stick drift. They can also be customized with unique lighting via a dedicated app called KeyLinker, and the controller has a claimed battery life of around 10 hours.

If you're looking to check out Sarah J. Maas's epic romantasy saga, A Court of Thorns and Roses, ahead of books six and seven launching in the next few months, you're in luck. The A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set is currently available for just $50, down from its usual $95 retail price, thanks to Amazon's ongoing Spring Sale. The set includes paperback editions of the first five novels in the popular series, making it an easy way to catch up on the story thus far. It is also a part of Amazon's Buy Two Get One Free deal on select books, movies, and other items, allowing bookworms to get more bang for their buck while stocking up on summer reading. Just make sure you grab it soon; Amazon's Spring Sale only lasts until March 31, and there's a chance it could even sell out before the event is over.

The A Court Of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set includes:

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
2. A Court of Mist and Fury
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight
5. A Court of Silver Flames

A Court of Thorns and Roses first debuted in 2015, and follows the story of 19-year-old Feyre Archeron, a human huntress who is whisked away to the magical Fae world of Prythian after she kills a wolf who isn't just a wolf. The series has become increasingly popular over the years, especially amongst "booktok" creators on TikTok.

Near the beginning of February, Krafton gave an early-access release to PUBG: Blindspot, a spin-off from PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. However, Blindspot won't make it to its two-month anniversary as the game is scheduled to shut down in just a few days.

ARC Team's Sequoia Yang shared an announcement that PUBG: Blindspot will cease operations on March 30. "After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that we are no longer able to sustainably provide the level of experience we set out to deliver through Early Access," wrote Yang.

Yang went on to thank players for their support and added that, "The ARC Team will take some time to regroup, and we hope to return with new experiences in the future."

It's been a big week for bad news in gaming, and that included Sony announcing yet another price hike for the PlayStation 5, the second increase in less than a year.

When the new PS5 pricing goes into effect on April 2, the base digital edition of the PS5 will have gone up by a whopping $200 since the system arrived in 2020. What's driving up the price and what does it mean for the industry at large? Here's a breakdown of what Sony has said and deeper context from expert sources.

Sony's official explanation for the PS5 price hike is that "pressures in the global economic landscape" came together to make it "necessary" to raise prices once more. What the company is saying here is that the so-called "RAMageddon" situation has proven to be so much of an issue that Sony is taking steps to protect its profit margins, and passing along the increased costs to consumers in the form of a price hike.