Nintendo Archives

Winsage

August 10, 2025

Only two things are stopping me from moving to SteamOS on my desktop PC permanently – the moment they’re addressed, I’ll be saying ‘adiós’, Windows 11

The author experimented with Bazzite, a SteamOS clone, on their Asus ROG Ally and is considering installing it on their primary desktop gaming PC due to dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Bazzite offers a console-like user interface and features tailored for gaming, particularly benefiting AMD hardware, while Nvidia users face limitations with beta support. Testing Discord on Bazzite yielded mixed results, with issues in streaming that are crucial for the author's gaming experience. The author appreciates the potential of Bazzite's Quick Resume feature and the appeal of a user interface similar to popular consoles. They express hope for improved Nvidia support and functionality to facilitate a transition away from Windows 11.

BetaBeacon

August 8, 2025

I tried emulating PC games on a Pixel phone, and I have mixed thoughts

- GameHub is an app that allows users to play PC games on their Android phones or tablets via emulation/translation. - GameHub can only be downloaded from GameSir's website and is not available on the Play Store. - The app recently gained Steam integration, allowing users to install titles from their Steam library. - Some PC games, such as Spelunky, Castle Crashers, and Undertale, were tested on a Pixel 7 Pro with varying levels of success in terms of performance. - GameHub offers improvements over rival apps like Winlator, including a more intuitive UI and robust controller support. - While GameHub may be time-consuming and occasionally frustrating to set up and use, it is continuously receiving updates for improvement. - The rival Winlator app is also worth trying on a Pixel, as some games that don't run on GameHub might run fine on Winlator and vice versa.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

30 years later, Doom-era FPS cult classics Heretic and Hexen get “definitive re-release” on PC and consoles complete with 2 new episodes from id and retro powerhouse Nightdive

Bethesda, id Software, and Nightdive have released a definitive re-release of Heretic + Hexen for .99, available on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. This enhanced restoration aims to make the games accessible to both new audiences and long-time fans across more platforms and languages.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Id Software kicks off QuakeCon with a surprise release of Heretic + Hexen, an ‘enhanced’ bundle with cross-platform multiplayer, mod support, and more

id Software and Nightdive Studios released the Heretic + Hexen bundle, which includes the original games Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, and Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, along with two new episodes: Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur. The bundle features a total of 117 campaign maps and 120 deathmatch maps, performance improvements, an enhanced soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult, local and online multiplayer options, and built-in mod support. It is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for £13.49 / €15 on Steam and GOG. Players who own the original games can upgrade for free. GOG announced a temporary two-hour unavailability for purchase prior to the launch.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

5 Best Minecraft Modpacks That Will Change Your Gameplay Forever

Minecraft modpacks are curated collections of modifications that can significantly change gameplay. The text highlights five notable modpacks: 1. RLCraft: Known for its high difficulty, it introduces realistic survival mechanics, deadly mobs, and hundreds of hours of challenging gameplay. 2. SkyFactory 4: A tech-heavy skyblock experience starting from a solitary tree, featuring over 200 unique achievements and a modular progression system. 3. Enigmatica 6: Balances magic, technology, and exploration with quests, over 300 mods, and exploration-based gameplay, suitable for both beginners and experienced players. 4. All the Mods 9: Contains a vast array of mods, offering cross-compatibility between tech and magic, and is best played on powerful servers to avoid performance issues. 5. Pixelmon: Merges Minecraft with Pokémon, featuring over 800 Pokémon, realistic mechanics, and community events. Hosting modded Minecraft servers is recommended for optimal performance, allowing for smooth gameplay and easy collaboration with friends. Most modpacks are free to download, but some require robust hardware or dedicated servers. Most major modpacks are designed for Minecraft Java Edition, as Bedrock has limited modding support.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Herdling Launches August 21 For Consoles And PC, Joins Game Pass At Release

Okomotive, known for FAR: Lone Sails and FAR: Changing Tides, has partnered with publisher Panic to release a new game called Herdling on August 21, 2025. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and will also be accessible through Game Pass. In Herdling, players explore a decaying city and interact with Calicorns, antlered creatures central to the story, using visual storytelling instead of dialogue. Players guide the Calicorns through environmental puzzles and face natural threats, with the game featuring cinematic stampede moments that combine action with exploration.

BetaBeacon

August 7, 2025

The AYANEO Pocket S2 is the most powerful Android handheld I’ve ever tested, but is it the best?

The AYANEO Pocket S2 has a sleek and slender design with stacked triggers, high-end TMR electromagnetic sticks, and a headphone jack. It features a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset that outperforms other popular handhelds in terms of CPU and GPU performance. The device also excels in sustained performance and temperature control. It is highly recommended for gaming, including emulation of retro and modern games. The Pro model comes with a larger battery and a swappable D-pad. However, the premium price tag may make it difficult to recommend, especially with the release of other compelling alternatives by AYANEO.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

You can now try Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot AI assistant on PC

Microsoft has introduced an AI chatbot called Gaming Copilot, currently available for testing to Xbox Insiders on PC and Windows-based handheld gaming devices. The tool provides an interactive chat box overlay for players to ask questions about their games, helping them overcome challenges by recognizing the games being played and monitoring Xbox activity. It utilizes in-game screenshots for tailored advice, recommends new games, and supports both text and voice queries. The beta version is available in English and can be used in regions such as the United States, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore. Microsoft plans to expand its capabilities with richer assistance features in the future.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Minecraft 1.21.100 update out now, patch notes

The Minecraft update version 1.21.100 introduces several new features, including: - The Copper Golem, which can be summoned using copper and carved pumpkins, assists players in organizing their bases by sorting items into designated chests and drops between 1 and 3 Copper Ingots upon defeat. - Copper Chests, which can oxidize over time or be preserved with wax, can be crafted using a standard Chest and Copper Ingots. - New copper tools, weapons, and armor, including the Copper Axe, Copper Hoe, Copper Pickaxe, Copper Shovel, Copper Sword, Copper Helmet, Copper Chestplate, Copper Leggings, and Copper Boots, which offer durability comparable to stone and higher enchantability than diamond. - Experimental game drop features can be explored by enabling the Experimental Features toggle in world settings. - Various enhancements and bug fixes, including screen narrator enumeration for UI buttons, adjusted tree generation in biomes, and fixes for character interactions and environmental elements.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Best space flight simulation games, ranked

Several space flight simulation games are set to release or have released recently, appealing to a broad audience. 1. Underspace: - Release date: April 10, 2024 - Platform: PC - Developer: Pastaspace Interactive - Features sandbox gameplay inspired by Freelancer, with ship customization and exploration. 2. Everspace 2: - Release date: April 6, 2023 - Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC - Developer: Rockfish Games - Offers an open-world adventure with a compelling storyline and engaging side missions. 3. Freelancer: - Release date: March 4, 2003 - Platform: PC - Developer: Digital Anvil - Allows players to traverse 48 star systems, engaging in trading, piracy, and bounty hunting. 4. Starfield: - Release date: September 6, 2023 - Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC - Developer: Bethesda Game Studios - Features customizable spacecraft and immersive dogfights. 5. Star Citizen: - Release date: December 23, 2017 - Platform: PC - Developer: Cloud Imperium Games - Known for its ambitious scope and immersive flight simulation experience. 6. Star Wars: Starfighter 1 & 2: - Release dates: February 21, 2001 / March 11, 2002 - Platforms: Xbox, PS2/3, PC - Developers: LucasArts, Blitz Games, Secret Level - Arcade-style space combat games set in the Star Wars universe. 7. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron series: - Release dates: December 3, 1998 / November 18, 2001 / October 21, 2003 - Platforms: Nintendo 64, PC / GameCube - Developers: LucasArts, Factor 5 - Celebrated for engaging gameplay and tight controls. 8. No Man's Sky: - Release date: August 12, 2016 - Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch 1/2, PC - Developer: Hello Games - Offers a vast universe for exploration and various activities, including VR support. 9. Star Wars Squadrons: - Release date: October 2, 2020 - Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC - Developer: Motive - Provides a pure flight simulation experience with engaging controls and VR support. 10. Elite: Dangerous: - Release date: April 2, 2015 - Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC - Developer: Frontier Developments - Known for its realism and immersive gameplay, allowing players to take on various roles in a living galaxy.