play Archives

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Original Xbox Games Are Coming to PC Starting With Four Fan Favorites

Microsoft has launched its Xbox Backward Compatibility preview, enabling four original Xbox games—Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy—to be played on PC and handheld devices. These games feature enhancements such as 4x resolution upscaling, VSync support, multiple display modes, anisotropic filtering, and improved anti-aliasing. They are available for purchase on the Xbox Store and can be accessed on PC or handhelds through Xbox Play Anywhere or Xbox Cloud Gaming. All four titles are also included in Xbox Game Pass. Minimum system requirements for playing these games include: - GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310 - CPU: Minimum 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor - RAM: 8GB - OS: Windows 11 - Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026 Recommended specifications include: - GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770 - CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme - DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11 - GPU VRAM: 8GB - OS: Windows 11 - Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026

BetaBeacon

July 22, 2026

Poinpy, A Perfect Video Game, Is Back And It’s Completely Free On Mobile

Poinpy, a mobile game that debuted in 2022 and was initially available exclusively to Netflix subscribers, has now returned to iOS and Android for free. It is a colorful platformer where players jump and bounce upwards to collect fruits and make juice for a hungry beast. The game features permanent upgrades, power-ups, and a roguelite gameplay style. Poinpy is praised for its beautiful design, handling, and soundtrack, making it a favorite game for many players.

BetaBeacon

July 22, 2026

Microsoft is bringing original XBOX games to your PC and handhelds

Microsoft has launched the XBOX Backward Compatibility program on PC, allowing users to play original XBOX games on PCs and handhelds.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Xbox Backward Compatibility Is Finally Bringing Original Xbox Games to PC

Xbox has announced the early release of backward compatibility for original Xbox games on PC, allowing players to purchase and enjoy four classic titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games are available via the Xbox PC app and included in all Xbox Game Pass plans. Players who own digital copies on Xbox can transfer their licenses to PC without repurchasing. The games can be installed locally, and Xbox is enhancing them with PC-specific improvements, including up to 4x resolution upscaling and customizable settings. Achievements for these titles will be introduced later this year.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

Xbox brings back compat to Windows: Microsoft pledges 4 games on PC for the first time, soon with achievements

Xbox Vice President Jason Ronald announced plans to expand the Xbox backward compatibility program to include PC, allowing Xbox games to run on Windows for the first time. This initiative involves new emulation technology and aims to enhance game preservation and accessibility. Currently, the program supports four games, with potential for future expansion. Xbox is also investing in dual-platform license entitlements through Xbox Play Anywhere to facilitate a seamless experience between console and PC users.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Gardaland Resort Launches Minecraft Meet The Mobs — an Italian exclusive event, coming to real life for the first time this summer

Gardaland Resort is hosting the Minecraft Meet the Mobs event, running until 28 August 2026, making it the only location in Italy and one of two in Europe to feature this event. Guests can interact with Minecraft characters like Steve, the creeper, and the chicken jockey, and participate in themed activities. The event includes the Minecraft Hub, where visitors can take photos and enjoy themed snacks, and the Baby Mobs Trail, an interactive adventure across six areas featuring baby mobs. Completing the trail rewards guests with a digital prize. Additional activities include Mob Hunt and Zombie Freeze, and exclusive merchandise is available for purchase.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Google is this close to bringing third-party app stores to the Play Store

Google is testing new features in the Play Store, including Play Labs, which allows users to experiment with new functionalities. The company is also exploring the integration of third-party app stores, allowing users to install alternative app stores directly from the Play Store, although this feature is not yet available to the general public. Users have reported limited access to these experimental features through adjustments in the latest Play Store version. Additionally, Google has confirmed the rollout of a revamped search experience, featuring a new two-row search bar for longer queries and a prompt labeled “Ask Store” to enhance search capabilities. These updates aim to improve user experience and accessibility in the Play Store.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Meta Horizon+ Adds XBOX Game Pass

Meta and XBOX have launched a starter edition of XBOX Game Pass on the Meta Horizon+ platform, providing access to over 50 games. This edition includes 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, allowing players to stream select titles without downloads. Users can also download games for unlimited play across various devices. The library features notable titles such as Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and SnowRunner. Meta Quest Touch controllers will soon emulate an XBOX gamepad, enabling easy access to Game Pass titles. The subscription to Meta Horizon+ costs .99 USD per year or .99 USD per month, with a one-month free trial for new users, and includes over 100 VR games.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More

- Available Today: - The Planet Crafter (July 21) - Terraform a planet in solo or co-op mode. - Coming Soon: - Shift at Midnight (July 22) - Online co-op detective horror game. - Hell is Us (July 23) - Explore a nation in civil war with supernatural elements. - Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28) - Reimagined Halo: Combat Evolved with HD visuals and new content. - Mistfall Hunter (July 30) - Dark fantasy ARPG with combat challenges. - Corsair Cove (July 31) - City-builder focused on pirate life. - Heretic + Hexen (August 4) - Re-release of classic spell-casting shooters. - Beast of Reincarnation (August 4) - Action RPG set in post-apocalyptic Japan. - In Case You Missed It: - Buckshot Roulette (July 8) - Tabletop horror game. - Denshattack! (July 15) - Fast-paced adventure in a Japanese dystopia. - In-Game Benefits: - Zenless Zone Zero (July 29) - New game featuring a first-gen Void Hunter. - Leaving July 31: - Titles departing from Game Pass include Back to the Dawn, Celeste, Crusader Kings 3, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord, My Friendly Neighborhood, Rain World, Sniper Elite Resistance, and Whiskerwood.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis needs to have this one thing or it won’t feel right

Ava enjoys immersive RPGs, MMOs, and cozy games, particularly The Sims and Dead by Daylight. The upcoming Tomb Raider game, Legacy of Atlantis, features a quote from Lara Croft's ancestor, T.E. Croft, about the burden of legacy, which resonates with fans. Anticipation for the game increased after a mini-documentary was released on July 20, with developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog focusing on honoring Lara's character and movement. Lead Gameplay Designer Bartek Schweiger emphasized the importance of reflecting on the series' past. Fans are eager for the return of Croft Manor, which has not been represented in a way that evokes nostalgia since earlier games. The manor provided a space for players to practice skills and has memorable elements, such as the obstacle course and the music. Legacy of Atlantis aims to unify Lara's timeline and reintroduce Croft Manor to both veteran fans and newcomers. The mini-documentary highlights the return of Charlie the fish, a character from TR Anniversary, indicating the developers' commitment to the series' legacy. Creative Director Mikał Kuk and Game Director Raul Siqueira discussed the significance of Charlie and Lara's acrobatics, suggesting a thoughtful approach to her character development and the potential for Croft Manor to play a key role in the game.