Gaming enthusiasts can find various Black Friday deals, including:
- PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for 9 at Walmart (a 0 discount).
- PlayStation 5 Pro for 9 at Amazon (tied for the lowest price).
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World for 9 at Amazon (no discount).
- Donkey Kong Country Returns at Target (new low price).
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom at Target (new low price).
- Super Mario Odyssey at Walmart (discounted).
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door at Best Buy (new low price).
- Sony DualSense controller at Amazon (discounted).
- Sony DualSense Edge controller for 9 at Amazon (best price to date).
- PlayStation Plus Premium (12-month) for at PlayStation (discounted).
- Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2TB) for at Amazon (discounted).
- Clair Obscur for PlayStation (acclaimed RPG).
- Battlefield 6 at GameStop (discounted).
- Steam Deck for 9 at Steam (20% discount).
- Lenovo Legion Go S for 9 at Best Buy (new low price).
- Meta Quest 2 for 9 at Amazon (includes credit).
- PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for 9 at Amazon (no discount).
- Lemokey P1 HE for at Amazon (best price for Prime members).
- ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless for 9 at Amazon (all-time low).
- Razer Viper V3 Pro for at Amazon (lowest price in months).
- Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed at Amazon (discounted).
- Turtle Beach Atlas Air for at Amazon (best price since February).
- HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 at Amazon (budget-friendly option).
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is anticipated to transition to PC soon, as suggested by a now-removed ESRB listing. This marks a significant shift for a first-party PlayStation exclusive, indicating a potential change in strategy for PlayStation regarding PC releases. The game has received seven nominations at this year's Game Awards and has been praised by critics. It is currently available on PlayStation 5.
Alinea Analytics analyzed the performance of PlayStation games on PC, suggesting that the novelty of these titles has faded and that all major franchises have already been released on the platform. However, several significant titles, including Gran Turismo 7, Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, The Last of Us Part II, and The Order: 1886, are still not available on PC. Many PC gamers also own PlayStation consoles and prefer to buy games for immediate access rather than waiting for PC ports. The quality of PC ports has been inconsistent, with some titles facing backlash due to technical issues, while others have been successful. The requirement for a PSN account to access certain games created barriers for players in regions without PSN, affecting sales. Long wait times for PC releases and the temptation of piracy also impact game performance on Steam. Despite misconceptions, single-player games can succeed on PC, as evidenced by titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Hades. The discussion around PlayStation games on PC is more about strategic release decisions and quality rather than a decline in novelty.
Microsoft transformed the Xbox brand from a traditional gaming console into a multifaceted platform emphasizing software accessibility across various devices, with the Game Pass subscription model allowing users to access a vast library of games on mobile phones and rival consoles. The Xbox 360 was launched on November 22, 2005, a year ahead of competitors, and became the most advanced console for a year despite technical challenges like the Red Ring of Death. Strategic partnerships and a diverse range of titles, including blockbuster franchises like Halo and Gears of War, contributed to its success. The Xbox 360's architecture resembled that of a personal computer, providing a technological edge over the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Innovations such as Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade distinguished the console, making it a hub for competitive and indie gaming. The Xbox 360 remains the best-selling device in the Xbox lineup, with defining titles including Perfect Dark Zero, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Dead or Alive 4, Viva Piñata, Fable II, Ninja Gaiden II, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Fez, and Oblivion, highlighting its lasting legacy in gaming culture.
The Epic Games Store offers exclusive titles and frequent promotions, including free games and discounts, to attract and retain users. It provides developers with an 88% revenue share, which is higher than the industry standard, and actively supports indie developers by promoting their titles. The store engages with the gaming community through forums and social media to gather feedback and improve the platform. Epic Games Store aims for future growth by investing in technology and user experience.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, believes the gaming industry is shifting towards PC dominance while still valuing console gaming for its unique experience. He noted the importance of flexibility and accessibility in gaming. Zelnick commented on Valve's Steam Machine, which merges console and PC gaming, indicating a trend towards integrated experiences. He also highlighted the growth of mobile gaming, predicting a 10 percent increase in Take-Two's mobile business in the upcoming quarter. Many publishers are adopting a multi-platform strategy, with PlayStation releasing exclusive titles on PC, which has proven profitable. Zelnick mentioned that while there is anticipation for GTA 6, the PC version's release remains uncertain, as it can represent up to 40 percent of total sales for multiplatform games.
Microsoft is developing a next-generation Xbox console that will feature a console/PC hybrid model, allowing support for PlayStation titles available on PC through Steam, including games like God of War, Spider-Man, and Ghost of Tsushima. Users will have the option to stay within the Xbox ecosystem or switch to a traditional Windows interface, enabling access to games from Blizzard's Battle.net and Riot's launcher. Xbox president Sarah Bond indicated that the new console will offer a premium, high-end experience and confirmed an agreement with AMD to enhance its capabilities. The next-gen Xbox aims for next-level performance, cutting-edge graphics, and compatibility with existing Xbox game libraries. Microsoft plans to release the next-gen console in 2027, while also distancing itself from exclusivity by announcing the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved for PS5 in 2026.
The Epic Games Store offers exclusive titles and a more favorable revenue sharing model for developers, with a 12% cut compared to the industry standard of 30%.
The September 2025 lineup of PC games for Humble Choice subscribers includes:
- WWE 2K25
- Destiny 2: Legacy Collection
- The Plucky Squire
- Spellforce: Conquest of Eo
- Return to Monkey Island
- Eastern Exorcist
- Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks
- Grapple Dog
WWE 2K25 is the latest installment in the sports entertainment series, offering a polished experience with various modes. The Destiny 2: Legacy Collection allows players to access expansions after downloading the free-to-play base edition, with codes needing to be redeemed by October 7. Return to Monkey Island is a sequel to Monkey Island 2, featuring updated mechanics and visuals. All titles are available to Humble Choice members at no extra cost, and new subscribers can sign up for immediate access. Membership also includes access to the Humble Vault, discounts at the Humble Store, and a 5% donation to charity, benefiting Team Rubicon this month.
