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Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 203 – Is Xbox Game Pass Still the Best Deal in Gaming

With the announcement that Xbox is changing up Xbox Game Pass and raising prices, Keith, Jordan, Karl, and Scott discuss whether Xbox Game Pass is still the best deal in gaming or if perhaps it’s time to move on from it. Get ready for that blend of chaos, and interesting conversation that only we can bring to you on this episode of Spectator Mode Podcast. Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. And if you have questions for us or want u...
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The OneXFly Apex Aims to Redefine Handheld PC Gaming Power

If you’ve been following the handheld PC gaming market, you know it’s heating up fast. Between the ROG Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and the newly revealed GPD WIN 5, which looks like an oversized PlayStation Vita with a massive battery, competition is fierce. Now, OneXPlayer has joined the fray with its newest entry, the OneXFly Apex, and it’s shaping up to be a powerhouse. Announced earlier this week, the Apex trades AMD’s Z2 Extreme SOC for the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo APU, offering far more...
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Dan Forden Departs NetherRealm Studios After 37 Years of Mortal Kombat History

Longtime sound designer and composer Dan Forden has announced his departure from NetherRealm Studios. Best known to fans as the man behind the iconic “Toasty!” Easter egg in Mortal Kombat, Forden shared the news on Instagram with a heartfelt message reflecting on his decades in the industry. “Wednesday was my last day at NetherRealm,” Forden wrote. “We made a lot of fun stuff over the years. I’m really proud of what we accomplished as well as how much fun we had making that stuff. There are so m...
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Data Mining Game Demos Isn’t Fandom, It’s Spoiling the Fun

Data mining has been around for years. For those unaware, it’s the practice of digging through the code of PC demos, betas, or unfinished builds of games to extract information developers haven’t made public. Some see it as exciting, an early peek behind the curtain. But for others, myself included, it’s nothing more than a spoiler machine that robs developers of the ability to surprise the players who enjoy being held in suspense of what’s to come.  On the surface, datamining might look harmles...
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MARVEL Cosmic Invasion Demo Smashes Into Steam Next Fest

Publisher Dotemu and Tribute Games have officially launched the public demo of MARVEL Cosmic Invasion as part of Steam Next Fest, giving fans their first chance to experience the new arcade-style tag-team brawler. The demo itself offers two playable stages: the bustling streets of New York City and an intense battle aboard the Helicarrier. Players can choose from nine heroes, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, She-Hulk, Storm, Venom, Nova, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, and Captain America. The game...
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Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 202 – Wolverine, ROG Ally, Code Vein 2, Nintendo Shake-Up, and TGS 2025

In this episode of Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into a packed week of gaming news and industry shake-ups. We kick things off with our current playthroughs before jumping into the exciting Wolverine gameplay and Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered reveal during Sony’s State of Play. Xbox finally confirms the long-rumored ROG Xbox Ally prices, Code Vein 2 raises release date concerns, and Nintendo of America sees a major leadership change as Doug Bowser retires. We also tackle the buzz around...
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MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice Launches February 2026

We finally have a release date for MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice, the next entry in the franchise’s video game series, February 6, 2026. This game is based on the anime and manga, and will adapt the climactic Final War arc while introducing new gameplay systems, exclusive cinematics, and the largest roster in the franchise’s gaming history. In All’s Justice, players will experience the final clash between Heroes and Villains through both Story and PvP modes. The single-player story retells the...
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Upcoming Soulslike Games of 2026 You Should Pay Attention To

The Soulslike genre isn’t slowing down as we head into 2026. What began with Demon’s Souls (though some would argue King’s Field) and was later refined by Dark Souls has grown into a global movement. Developers continue to take the formula of deliberate combat, oppressive atmosphere, and punishing but fair challenge into new directions. Next year, several promising titles are set to carry the torch, each with their own spin on what makes these games so addictive. If you crave that mix of tension...
The Outerhaven •

Soulslike Games Releasing in 2026 That Should Be on Your Radar

The Soulslike genre isn’t slowing down as we head into 2026. What began with Demon’s Souls (though some would argue King’s Field) and was later refined by Dark Souls has grown into a global movement. Developers continue to take the formula of deliberate combat, oppressive atmosphere, and punishing but fair challenge into new directions. Next year, several promising titles are set to carry the torch, each with their own spin on what makes these games so addictive. If you crave that mix of tension...
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Square Enix Revives a Classic with the Launch of Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles

Square Enix has officially revived one of its most celebrated RPGs with the release of Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles, is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Check out the launch trailer. This release gives players two distinct ways to experience the classic, while the enhanced version modernizes the game with updated visuals, a redesigned interface, voice acting, new dialogue, and quality-of-life...
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Bloober Team Confirms Silent Hill 1 Project in Development, Want to Become the Leader of Horror Games

Fans of Silent Hill and Bloober Team received exciting news during the studio’s latest investor chat, where company president Piotr Babieno and vice president Karolina Nowak confirmed a new project tied to the franchise. The entirety of the investor chat has been posted on Stockwatch. While the team didn’t outright call it a remake, the discussion referenced a “Silent Hill 1 project”, which strongly suggests the long-rumored Silent Hill remake. With Silent Hill 2 Remake proving to be an instant...
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Silent Hill f Has Sold Over 1 Million Copies in Two Days

Konami has announced that Silent Hill f, the latest entry in its long dormant horror franchise, has already sold over 1,000,000 copies (across physical and digital). That is impressive on its own, and even more striking considering the game only released on September 25, 2025, just two days ago! This number was originally thought to be four days, but Konami contacted us and provided the correct number. In comparison, the Silent Hill 2 Remake was stated to have sold around the same amount in unde...
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ROG Xbox Ally & ROG Xbox Ally X Prices Revealed at TGS 2025

With Tokyo Game Show 2025 underway, Xbox has finally revealed the prices for its upcoming handheld PC gaming devices made in partnership with Asus: the Xbox Ally and the Xbox Ally X. And if you thought handheld gaming was already pricey, you might want to sit down. As of today, Best Buy has listed both the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, and neither comes cheap. Adding to that, according to Variety, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a Best Buy exclusive, meaning you’ll only be able to purchase it fr...
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Code Vein II Release Date Revealed at Tokyo Game Show 2025

Bandai Namco Entertainment has officially revealed the release date for Code Vein II during its Tokyo Game Show 2025 presentation. The highly anticipated sequel to the anime-inspired Soulslike will launch on January 30, 2026. The game is being developed by Bandai Namco Studios with co-development by Shift Inc., the same team behind the original Code Vein. Players can expect a return to its dark, post-apocalyptic world, with refined combat mechanics and deeper character customization. Oh, and a...
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Code Vein II Collector’s Edition Revealed at Tokyo Game Show 2025

Alongside the Code Vein II release date announcement, Bandai Namco unveiled the Code Vein II Collector’s Edition during Tokyo Game Show 2025, giving fans a premium way to experience the upcoming Soulslike sequel. Priced $179.99, the Code Vein II Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam) via the Bandai Namco online store, and is packed with both physical and digital exclusives: I had already promised myself I was pretty much done with Collector’s...
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Forza Horizon 6 Takes Fans of the Series to Japan After Years of Requesting

Fans have been asking for years, and today at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 presentation, it finally became official: Forza Horizon is heading to Japan, with the reveal of Forza Horizon 6. The reveal arrived via a short teaser, so concrete details are limited for now. Xbox confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026. As someone who has been among the many asking for a Japanese setting, I am thrilled. Japan is the birthplace of drifting and home to stunning...
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FOX HUNT Multiplayer Mode Arrives in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Next Month

Konami has announced that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is getting a new online multiplayer mode called FOX HUNT. The update arrives on October 30, 2025, as a free download for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). Unveiled during the “METAL GEAR – PRODUCTION HOTLINE” presentation at Tokyo Game Show 2025, FOX HUNT adds a “hide and seek” twist to the series’ tactical espionage action. Up to 12 players enter survival missions where stealth, awareness, and precise positioning decide...
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Doug Bowser to Retire as Nintendo of America President, Devon Pritchard Named Successor

Nintendo of America has announced that President and COO Doug Bowser will retire on December 31, 2025, after more than a decade in leadership roles and six years as president. He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, a longtime executive who has been with Nintendo for nearly 20 years. In addition, Satoru Shibata will join NOA as Chief Executive Officer while continuing his responsibilities at Nintendo Co., Ltd. Bowser took over in 2019 after the retirement of Reggie Fils-Aimé, who had become a f...
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Housemarque’s Saros Shines in New Gameplay, Coming March 20, 2026

During the PlayStation State of Play, we finally got another look at Housemarque’s (along with Nixxes) upcoming title, Saros, and it did not disappoint. The game is set to release on March 20, 2026. Check out a snippet of gameplay below. At first glance, it’s easy to call this Returnal 2 as we can clearly see the same bullet hell gameplay that drove us up the wall and excited us at the same time. Yet the footage shows enough new mechanics to justify it standing on its own. I’ve always enjoyed R...
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RGG Summit 2025 and RGG Direct Recap: Yakuza Kiwami 3, Ports, and More

The RGG Summit 2025 & RGG Direct has wrapped up, and there were a number of updates and surprises. If you’re a fan of the studio, then this event didn’t disappoint, not only was the reveal of Yakuza Kiwami 3 announced, several ports of the Yakuza Kiwami series, and more. The biggest announcement from RGG Summit 2025 was the confirmation of Yakuza Kiwami 3, a full remake of the third entry in the franchise. The game is being rebuilt from the ground up using the Dragon Engine, promising overhaule...
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