Sony has filed a new patent in the US that describes a departure from traditional gamepad design, envisioning a controller in which a large touchscreen replaces a significant portion of its front. This proposed interface would, in theory, allow users to reposition, resize, and entirely reconfigure digital versions of the D-pad, thumbsticks, and face buttons to suit their specific ergonomic or accessibility requirements.

According to the patent description (via VGC), the current static nature of inputs is a drawback for modern gaming peripherals, as a one-size-fits-all approach inevitably leaves some users struggling with reach or placement. This patent tries to solve that by allowing the input buttons to be dynamically allocated and configured.

Image credit: Sony

By utilising displays, the controller could change its layout based on the game's genre and even resize its buttons, adapting to the user's needs. The patent also mentions temperature and pressure sensors for these displays, which might allow users to have different outputs based on pressure or create a dead zone to ignore inputs.

While the prospect of a screen-based DualSense successor with dynamic layouts might interest some, it is important to remember that companies often patent experimental technology that never reaches mass production. Assuming Sony does move forward with this concept, it would likely result in a premium optional accessory rather than a standard controller for a future console.

KitGuru says: Sony's patent filings are often a window into its R&D lab rather than an indication of an upcoming product. While a fully customisable surface would be exceptional for accessibility, the idea of playing a high-intensity action game on a flat touchscreen doesn't seem all that exciting.

The post Sony patent points to new PlayStation controller with passive buttons and gesture controls first appeared on KitGuru.

Xiaomi has expanded its display roster with the global release of the G Pro 27Qi (2026). While its predecessor was already a sought-after entry in the budget Mini LED segment, the 2026 refresh increases luminance and colour coverage.

Already available at a few retailers and appearing on Xiaomi's global site, the G Pro 27Qi (2026) (via NotebookCheck) maintains the sweet spot 1440p resolution and 180Hz refresh rate but pushes the hardware envelope in ways rarely seen at its price point. The standout feature of this new revision is the Mini LED backlight, which features 1,152 local dimming zones, nearly double the count of many competitors in its class. This dense array allows the monitor to hit a claimed peak brightness of 2000 nits, earning it a VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification.

Xiaomi has included a “custom engine” that utilises AI scene recognition and a proprietary local dimming algorithm to minimise blooming and preserve shadow detail down to a claimed 0.0001 nits. The G Pro 27Qi (2026) covers 99% of the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB gamuts, with a factory calibration ensuring Delta-E values below 1. Connectivity is varied enough, with two DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. A nice touch is the flip-out headphone holder integrated into the top corner, paired with a fully ergonomic stand and a subtle RGB ring on the rear.

On the official website, the monitor is listed at $475 (£347). However, at this retailer, the same monitor is much cheaper at just €285 (£247), suggesting there might be a launch promo.

KitGuru says: Do you think the G Pro 27Qi has what it takes to stand out from its competitors?

The post Xiaomi launches G Pro 27Qi monitor with Mini LED backpanel with 1,152 dimming zones first appeared on KitGuru.

When Highguard launched last week with its 3v3 PvP mode, many players were quick to complain that the map feels like it was designed for larger-scale battles. Now just days later, the developers have put out an experimental 5v5 mode. 

Highguard now has a 5v5 mode, allowing larger teams to better cover the game's large map. The new mode was well received, and the growing sentiment seems to be that this should have been the launch mode. Unfortunately, it won't last for long.

While 5v5 is available for now, it is listed as a limited-time mode, so it is just a matter of time before it goes away again. The developers have also not yet addressed complaints around the loot-farming phase of matches, which many players say is a trivial and boring part of the game.

It is unclear if 5v5 will end up becoming a permanent mode in Highguard, or if the developers will just introduce smaller maps in the future, but it seems quite clear that 5v5 is a mode that players want to stick around.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Highguard's 5v5 mode? 

The post Highguard gets requested 5v5 mode, but only for a limited time first appeared on KitGuru.

Nikita Buyanov, the creator of Escape from Tarkov, has further fuelled speculation regarding his next project, Cor3, with a teaser trailer that seemingly confirms a leap into the sci-fi genre. Following a month of cryptic social media teases and an interactive terminal set in the year 2251, the latest video, titled ‘PRJRPNT_BLUEMARS_FO', gives us the clearest look yet at what could well be “Tarkov in space”.

The trailer begins with a familiar sight for Battlestate fans, with a first-person perspective of a PMC-like operative holding a futuristic ‘Kalash Corp' rifle. The video also includes various other references to Escape from Tarkov, namely a patch for the “Bogatyr.bs First Navy Squad”, suggesting a connection to the BEAR special squads in Escape from Tarkov. The setting, however, is far from what you would expect from the streets of Tarkov. Instead, it shows a destroyed city (apparently named Mariner) on a planet that doesn't look like Earth.

You can find some lore of the game in the Cor3.gg interactive site, but besides that, not much more is known about the game. As expected from a teaser trailer, it's light on concrete gameplay details, leaving fans to wonder if this will be a hardcore extraction shooter like EFT or something else entirely.

Battlestate Games has been notably quiet about this game, leading some to wonder whether Cor3 will be a single-player title or something more familiar to Tarkov's studio. The heavy emphasis on first-person military hardware alongside space-bound “Navy Squads” suggests a connection to Tarkov, but it isn't enough to be sure it's yet another extraction shooter.

KitGuru says: What do you think Cor3 will be like? Will it be more of the same in space or a game completely different from Tarkov?

The post Escape from Tarkov studio unveils trailer for new sci-fi project first appeared on KitGuru.

Nioh 3 is about to come out and just like its predecessors, the game will be a PS5 console exclusive. While neither Nioh or Nioh 2 have ever made it over to a non-PlayStation console, that might change with this entry. 

In its latest trailer for the game on the PlayStation YouTube channel, Sony confirms that it has a six-month exclusivity agreement in place for the game. That means that Nioh 3 could potentially appear on other consoles, like the Nintendo Switch 2 or Xbox Series X/S, before the end of the year.

PC players don't have to worry about the console exclusivity agreement at all, as the game will be available on PC from day-one. This is pretty typical for PS5 console exclusives, as Sony has begun allowing more and more games to ship on PC alongside the PS5 launch date. Sony itself has also been ramping up the number of its exclusives that come to PC, with the likes of Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, as well as the most recent God of War titles all making their way over to Steam.

Nioh 3 will launch on PC and PS5 on the 6th of February.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Nioh 3 later this week, or are you going to be waiting for it to land on another console platform? 

The post Nioh 3 will be a PS5 console exclusive for 6 months first appeared on KitGuru.

Last week, Google rolled out an experimental AI program called Project Genie, which could generate new playable game worlds through text prompts. While most of the core gaming crowd wasn't impressed by this, it seems investors were, as many pulled money out of several gaming companies. 

With Project Genie, users can generate new explorable worlds and create a playable character, with options to specify movement properties, or camera placement – such as first-person or third-person. Shortly after the unveiling, VGC notes that a number of game publishers, like Nintendo, CD Projekt, Take-Two and more saw drops in stock value.

The move seems to indicate that a number of investors view Google's new tech as a direct threat to current game publishers. However, Project Genie itself does have a number of limitations. As Unity CEO, Matther Bromberg puts it, the need for prompts currently “limits the level of determinism and precision required for production-grade game mechanics”. Unity itself is currently building its own agentic AI to prepare the engine for future generative tools like Google's Genie.

Most of the companies that saw dips last week have started to rebound on the stock market but none of them have reached their pre-dip levels just yet.

KitGuru Says: Did you see the Project Genie announcement last week? 

The post Video game companies see stocks dip following Google AI reveal first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we’re taking a look at the Fractal Design Pop 2 Air, a mid-tower case focused on airflow and simplicity. It uses a full mesh front and ventilated top panel, comes with three 120mm fans pre-installed, and includes a GPU air guide designed to improve graphics card cooling. Support covers motherboards ranging from ATX down to Mini-ITX, large air coolers, long GPUs, and up to 360mm radiators. In this review, we’ll be checking build quality, layout, and thermal performance to see how it stacks up.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:44 Key specs and pricing
02:11 Starting the teardown
03:52 GPU air guide + included fans
05:38 Other features, sizings and compatibility
06:50 Rear of the case / mobo tray
08:01 RGB hub
08:38 Storage support
09:34 Underside
10:09 Included accessories
10:47 Thermal performance + noise
12:04 Performance summary and James’ thoughts
13:34 Closing thoughts

Fractal Pop 2 Air Features:

• Airflow-focused design: Pop 2 Air features a fine cubic-pattern mesh front and a ventilated top panel with three included Aspect 12X RGB fans.
• Component compatibility: It supports graphics cards up to 416 mm long, CPU coolers up to 170 mm tall and top-mounted radiators up to 360 mm.
• Integrated GPU air guide: Pop 2 is equipped with a front air guide to direct airflow specifically toward the graphics card area, to help improve GPU cooling performance.

Specifications:

• Case Type: Mid-Tower
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 481 × 215 × 462 mm
• Materials: Steel, Tempered Glass, Plastic
• Motherboard Support: ATX / Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
• Back-connect motherboard support: No
• Expansion Slots: 7
• Storage bays: 1 × 3.5″/2.5″ combo mount, 2 × dedicated 2.5″ mounts (3 total)
• Max GPU Length: 416mm
• Max CPU Cooler Height: 170mm
• PSU Type: ATX up to 180mm
• Pre-installed Fans: 3 x 120mm Aspect 12X RGB non-PWM (Front)
• Fan Support: 3 x 120mm (Front), 3 x 120mm (Top), 1 x 120mm (Rear)
• Radiator Support: Up To 360mm (Top)
• Dust Filters: Top (Steel) PSU (Nylon)
• Font I/O: 1 × USB Type-C (5 Gbps), 1 × USB Type-A (5 Gbps), 1 × Audio/Mic combo jack
• LCD Screen: N/A

Thermal Performance Testing

To simulate thermal demand, we run the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress test simultaneously in a loop for 30 minutes to load the system fully. This gives the CPU and GPU enough time to reach constant steady-state temperature. With this data, we can compare how the system handles the thermal demand and measure peak noise levels.

Thermal performance is measured with the case in various configurations, such as the default, with the tempered glass left-hand side panel removed and with the front panel removed to see how these configurations affect the CPU and GPU temperature. During testing, only stock case fans are used unless otherwise specified. All water pumps are set to maximum RPM and fans are set to a custom RPM curve by the Motherboard software/BIOS.

All temperature measurements are presented as Deltas – meaning the ambient temperature has been deducted from the CPU temperature, giving us a Delta. Data shown in the charts represent the average component temperature over the length of the test as measured by HWiNFO, and then the last 15 minutes of the data are calculated to get the average. The ambient temperature during thermal tests is between 19-20⁰C.

Test System Specification:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Motherboard – MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
• Graphics Card – ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi
• Memory – 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000
• Storage – 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIE Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
• CPU Cooler – Montech HyperFlow Digital 360
• Power Supply – Fractal ION 3 Gold 1000W
• Case fans – Stock
• Chassis – Fractal Pop 2 Air
• Operating System – Windows 11 24H2

Thermal Performance Overview

We tested the case thermals with a 360mm AIO as the exhaust at the top and in several different configurations. The default configuration shown in the charts is with the 360mm AIO at the top, 3 x 120mm Front intake fans and with all panels installed.

CPU temperatures are close across all test configurations, ranging from 59°C to 62°C over ambient. Removing the side panel produces the lowest CPU temperature at 59 °C, while the default layout and added rear exhaust both sit 1-3 degrees °C higher, indicating the stock airflow path is already optimised. GPU temperatures show minor variation, with the default configuration achieving the lowest result at 64 °C. Removing the GPU air guide results in the highest GPU temperature at 66 °C, showing its effectiveness in directing airflow toward the graphics card with minimal impact on CPU cooling.

Noise Output

Under load, the Pop 2 Air shows very consistent noise output across configurations, measuring 42 dBA with the side panel removed, in the default layout, and with an added rear exhaust fan. Removing the GPU air guide results in a minor increase to 43 dBA, suggesting it provides a small benefit in controlling airflow under load with slightly lower fan speed. At idle, all configurations sit at 35 dBA, indicating stable fan behaviour and no additional noise coming from airflow changes.

Closing Thoughts

In some key areas, the Fractal Pop 2 Air shows a shift in direction compared to the original Pop series. Some of the more distinct features that made it popular are gone, like the 5.25-inch drive bay and the bold and bright internal colour options that gave the earlier models a bit of personality. In their place, Fractal has moved more towards mainstream airflow-focused design, which will likely appeal to cooling enthusiasts wanting to squeeze all the performance from their hardware, even if it means losing some of that original charm.

On the positive side, the updates applied in the Pop 2 Air make sense for modern high-performance gaming systems. Support for up to a 360mm top-mounted radiator is a welcome addition, and the included GPU air guide proves to be more than a gimmick, offering a small benefit to graphics card temperatures in our testing. Cooling performance overall is solid, and the default fan configuration does a good job, and quietly.

That said, there are some notable omissions at this price point. There are no removable radiator or fan brackets to help with installation, no built-in GPU anti-sag support, and the included fans are non-PWM, which limits fine speed control and adjustment. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are features that competitors often include at this price range, and their absence will be noticed by more advanced and experienced enthusiast system builders.

Build quality is, for the most part what we’ve come to expect from Fractal Design – generally good, except for the top panel which is quite weak and flexible without any fans or radiator mounted.

Taken as a whole, the Fractal Pop 2 Air is a competent, airflow-focused mid-tower that prioritises cooling and compatibility over the fun and functional extras seen in its predecessor. It’s not the most feature-rich case in its class, but if you value straightforward design and solid thermal performance, it may appeal to you as it is reasonably priced too at under £90 with fans, glass and RGB included.

The Fractal Pop 2 Air is available to purchase now from Scan in either black or white, priced from £79.99 HERE.

Pros: 

• Good thermal performance.
• Improved radiator support over the original Pop.
• Good build quality.

Cons:

• The distinctive Pop colours have gone.
• Lost 5.25-inch drive support.
• No back-connect motherboard support.
• Included fans are not PWM.
• Very basic in some areas, with no fan hub, modular parts or GPU support brackets etc.

KitGuru says: We miss some of the features of the original Pop in this new version, but if your focus is solid cooling and high-end hardware support at a low cost, then the Pop 2 Air might be ideal for you.

The post Fractal Pop 2 Air PC Case Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, it was reported that Sony had entered into talks with Amazon to develop a live-action adaptation of the console maker’s highly-popular God of War franchise. While production was off to a slow start, work on the project appears to be progressing smoothly – with a majority of the cast now being officially announced.

Back in January, Amazon started to promote their upcoming God of War show, confirming early casting details including the role of Kratos (being played by Ryan Hurst). Since then, we’ve gotten additional casting details including some familiar voices reprising their roles.

As reported by Deadline, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (known for Severance and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) is officially set to play the role of Thor in the show. Joining him (as per Variety) are Max Parker as Heimdall; Mandy Patinkin as Odin – and Danny Woodburn / Jeff Gulka playing Brok / Sindri respectively.

Perhaps the most surprising casting choice however is Alastair Duncan as Mimir, who actually played the character in the games (and whose voice would be highly familiar to those who experienced the duology). Serving as one of the primary narrators for 2018’s God of War and Ragnarok, Alastair Duncan reprising his role is a welcome surprise.

While it is still too early to glean much regarding Amazon’s God of War adaptation, the casting choices so far are certainly encouraging.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the casting choices so far? Are you glad to see Alastair Duncan return? Who do you think they’ll get to play Atreus? Let us know down below.

The post Alastair Duncan to reprise his role as Mimir in live-action God of War first appeared on KitGuru.

Shortly following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, EA / Respawn Entertainment updated their popular Battle Royale ‘Apex Legends’ with a Switch 2 edition – letting Nintendo owners finally compete on a more equal footing at 60fps. As expected however, the OG Switch version of Apex Legends will now soon be discontinued, officially shutting down at the end of Season 29.

Making the announcement via their blog, the team at Respawn Entertainment wrote: “Hey legends, we want to share an important update about Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch. Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch. Future seasons of Apex Legends will continue to be available on Nintendo Switch 2.”

For the uninitiated, Season 29 ends on the 3rd of August, and so there is still plenty of time to play the game between now and then (even if the OG Switch version is arguably the worst). Regardless, as all your progress is tied to your EA account, those who wind up picking Apex back up on Switch 2 will be able to continue right where they left off.

Even back when it released in 2021, the Switch 1 version of Apex Legends was far from the optimal way to experience a competitive multiplayer shooter and so it’s not surprising to see it being discontinued. It will be interesting to see how much longer the last-gen PS4 and Xbox One versions persist for.

KitGuru says: Did you ever try the game on Switch 1? How was it? When do you think the other last-gen versions will be discontinued? Let us know down below.

The post Switch 1 version of Apex Legends to shut down later this year first appeared on KitGuru.

SEGA and RGG Studio have been pretty good with supporting Nintendo platforms in recent years, with the Switch 1 receiving plenty of ports over its lifetime. The Yakuza series in particular has seen strong representation with 0, 1, 2 and (soon) 3 available on the platform. According to the studio, even more entries could be coming “if fans tell us more.”

Releasing a promotional video to YouTube for the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides, the team at RGG Studio spoke on their support for the Nintendo Switch platform in particular, with Masayoshi Yokoyama stating:

“We've had Yakuza 0, 1, 2 and now 3. So, on Switch 2 with Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, we're releasing everything that we can at the moment. From here on, the number may increase if fans tell us more.”

Yokoyama continued, “I've always thought that being able to play anywhere is really important for Switch 2, and I think it's a great piece of hardware that will make the dreams of people who wanted to play games in the past but were restricted by location to come true. When the Switch 2 came out, the game actually worked because the performance has also improved, so I decided from the beginning that I wanted to port the game (Yakuza Kiwami 3) over no matter what.”

As mentioned, RGG Studio have brought over quite a few Yakuza games to Nintendo at this point, with the original Kiwami reportedly “selling like hotcakes” on the OG Switch. That said, there are still plenty of entries not available on the platform, and so it will be interesting to see if and when the remainder of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series find their way over to the Switch 2.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the earlier Yakuza games? Would you like to see Like a Dragon also come to the platform? Do you prefer the turn-based or real-time entries? Let us know down below.

The post RGG Studio hope to bring even more Yakuza games to Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us helped spearhead the surge in quality adaptations of video game properties, amassing record-breaking views and winning a ton of awards. Like with the games themselves however, Season 2 of the show proved to be somewhat more contentious than the first. While a 3rd Season was greenlit even before the second season came out, it appears as though the next chapter of HBO’s TLOU might be its last.

Though it was never explicitly stated, prior to the launch of series 2 for HBO’s The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin alluded to the fact that there could be up to 4 Seasons required to tell the story of the two games.

Whether these plans were ever more than a vague idea or not, it seems as though HBO’s The Last of Us will most likely conclude with its next Season, with HBO chief Casey Bloys responding to the question of whether S3 will be its last by stating: “It certainly seems that way, but on decisions like that, we will defer to the showrunners. So you can ask them.”

Based on the wording, it appears as though the decision to go with 3 seasons instead of 4 has come from the creative side of the company, and less so the management (especially as Bloys spoke on the matter back in July stating “Craig is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season. It hasn't been decided yet, and I'm following Craig's lead on that”).

This should hopefully mean that when it does eventually release, series 3 will encapsulate the remainder of Part II’s story in a satisfactory (and not rushed) manner. We will have to wait and see however.

KitGuru says: What do you think of HBO’s The Last of Us? Was series 2 a disappointment to you? What were your opinions on the games? Let us know down below.

The post HBO’s The Last of Us Season 3 might be its final first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD’s next‑generation “Zen 6” microarchitecture may bring some notable changes, according to a new rumour shared by leaker HXL (via VideoCardz). The post claims AMD is considering increasing the core density of its standard CPU Complex Die (CCD) for the first time, moving from the long‑standing 8‑core layout to a 12‑core configuration. The same rumour also mentions a shift to TSMC’s latest process node and a larger L3 cache per CCD.

HXL claims that the new Zen 6 CCDs are full-performance cores designed to maintain high clock speeds, effectively giving the mainstream AM5 platform a 50% boost in multi-core processing power per chiplet. HXL also claims that the increased core count would be enabled by higher transistor density from TSMC’s rumoured N2 (2nm) process.

Cache capacity is also part of the rumour. The L3 cache per CCD is said to increase from 32MB to 48MB, and when paired with a stacked 96MB V‑Cache layer, a single Zen 6 CCD could reach 144MB of L3 cache. Under this scenario, a dual‑CCD, 24‑core CPU might offer up to 288MB of total L3 cache. None of these numbers have been verified by AMD.

KitGuru says: A move to a 12‑core CCD would be a major shift. If AMD were to release a single‑CCD, 12‑core X3D model, it could avoid the scheduling quirks seen on dual‑CCD parts like the 7950X3D while offering more cores than today’s 8‑core gaming‑focused chips. For now, though, all Zen 6 details should be treated as unconfirmed.

The post AMD Zen 6 ‘leak’ suggests compact 12-Core CCDs with 48MB L3 cache first appeared on KitGuru.

A new rumour circulating on the Board Channels forum suggests Nvidia may be shifting its supply strategy for the GeForce RTX 50 series. According to the post, rising VRAM costs could be pushing the company to prioritise lower‑capacity models.

According to a Board Channels Forum user (via VideoCardz), 8GB versions of the RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti and the 12GB RTX 5070 may account for as much as 75% of total GPU shipments for the quarter. It is implied that this is due to price hikes around memory, brought about by booming AI data centre demand.

If accurate, Nvidia may be aiming to remain competitive with AMD's 16GB GPUs by maintaining a steady supply of RTX 5070 GPUs. While AMD has reportedly prioritised these 16GB cards due to their stronger market appeal, Nvidia's claimed focus on 8GB and 12GB variants suggests it is leaning into volume over VRAM capacity.

KitGuru says: Do you think the memory, SSD and GPU markets will bounce back for consumers this year? 

The post Nvidia reportedly prioritising 8GB graphics cards amid rising memory costs first appeared on KitGuru.

Cougar has officially unveiled the MX230 RGB, a mid-tower chassis that prioritises thermals over the “fish tank” aesthetic trend. The MX230 focuses on airflow, featuring a front mesh panel and an angled mesh bottom panel. This “airflow-first” philosophy aims to create a vertical thermal column that delivers fresh air directly to components, a departure from the side-heavy glass layouts that have dominated in recent years.

The MX230 RGB (via CowCotland) stands out with its triple-fan-capable PSU shroud, which can accommodate three 120 mm fans. This design is engineered to provide ample cabling clearance, ensuring that intake air is not choked by internal hardware. Out of the box, the MX230 is equipped with four 120 mm ARGB fans (three front, one rear), but it supports a maximum of 10 fans. For liquid cooling enthusiasts, the top panel supports radiators up to 360 mm.

Despite its compact dimensions (475 x 220 x 445 mm), the MX230 offers flagship-tier compatibility. It supports E-ATX motherboards, 170 mm tall CPU coolers, 200 mm long PSUs, and graphics cards up to 400 mm long. Additionally, the case supports 2 x 3.5″ HDDs or 1+1 2.5″ SSDs.

Builders will appreciate the tool-less maintenance offered by the snap-fit metal front panel and the high-speed connectivity of the front I/O, which includes a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) port. The case will be available in black and white.

KitGuru says: Although simple, the MX230 RGB looks quite nice and offers pretty much everything (and a bit more) the average PC gamer needs from a case. 

The post Cougar unveils new MX230 RGB mid-tower with triple-fan PSU shroud first appeared on KitGuru.

Sony appears to be aggressively repositioning itself in the portable gaming market for 2026. According to recent leaks, the company is preparing a two-pronged approach: a near-term OLED refresh of the existing PlayStation Portal and a much more powerful gaming handheld powered by AMD's RDNA 5 graphics.

The report comes from Kepler_L2 (via r/GamingLeaksAndRumours), who states that the PlayStation Portal OLED is expected to launch in 2026. While internally similar to the current version, the move to an OLED panel addresses the primary criticism of the original's LCD screen, black levels and contrast. Following the recent software update that enabled cloud streaming for the Portal, the hardware refresh marks Sony's intent to turn the device into a more premium “cloud-first” companion.

However, the real excitement lies with Sony's upcoming handheld console, also referred to in previous reports as Project Canis. This long-rumoured device is expected to be a native powerhouse rather than a streaming peripheral. This console is expected to be powered by AMD's next-gen RDNA 5 (potentially branded as UDNA), LPDDR5X memory, and a low-power target (something like 15W TDP), optimising it for portable battery life.

As you may have heard, Sony has reportedly added a mandatory “low power mode” to PlayStation 5 development kits. This would allow developers to easily scale existing PS5 titles to run natively on the handheld's hardware. While the native handheld is likely to launch closer to the PlayStation 6, the OLED Portal refresh will act as a bridge, keeping Sony's foot in the door of the handheld market throughout 2026.

KitGuru says: Do you already have a Portal console? Would the upcoming OLED version convince you to buy one?

The post PlayStation Portal OLED tipped for 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Epomaker is expanding its carbon mouse lineup with the Carbonis, a solid-shell, ergonomic carbon fibre gaming mouse. While its predecessor, the CarbonX, utilised a lattice-style honeycomb frame to save weight, the Carbonis adopts a solid right-handed ergo shape reminiscent of the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro.

Using carbon fibre, Epomaker aims to deliver a structurally rigid frame that remains lightweight. Under the shell, the Carbonis (via TechPowerUP) is equipped with the flagship PixArt PAW 3950 sensor and the Nordic N54L MCU. This combination supports a native 8000 Hz (8K) polling rate for minimal input latency. Another standout feature is the integrated smart LCD screen on the top of the mouse, which provides real-time feedback on DPI settings, battery life, and current polling rates.

The device uses an online, web-based driver, allowing users to customise settings via a browser without the need for traditional software installations. As for aesthetics, the mouse will be available in two models: a black forged carbon pattern with a matching dongle, and a purple gradient with a transparent purple dongle.

The Carbonis is currently in its final pre-launch phase. Epomaker is offering a $1 early-bird reservation that entitles buyers to a $15 discount when the mouse officially goes on sale later this month. Pricing is yet to be defined.

KitGuru says: Carbon fibre is becoming quite common for enthusiast mice. Most of them are quite pricey, but from what we know about Epomaker, this one will likely be cheaper than its rivals. 

The post Epomaker unveils Carbonis gaming mouse, made with solid carbon fibre first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this month, Ubisoft restructured its entire business and cancelled a number of projects, while also delaying others. Interestingly, Beyond Good and Evil was named as one of the main franchises to survive the restructuring and now, the sequel's director has confirmed that Ubisoft remains ‘committed' to the game. 

Beyond Good and Evil 2 was announced all the way back in 2017 but the project has gone through many changes since then. At numerous points, fans have speculated that the project may have been cancelled but over the past year, numerous job listings have confirmed that the game is still in active development.

In a statement (via VGC), Beyond Good and Evil 2 director, Fawzi Mesmar said that Ubisoft “remain committed and focused” on delivering the long-awaited sequel. Mesmar also said that the game is “unaffected by the recent changes” at the publisher.

It is still unclear exactly when Beyond Good and Evil 2 will resurface, or when fans can expect to get their hands on it. If it ends up arriving in 2027, it will be the second 10-year project that Ubisoft has released in recent years, following Skull & Bones, which began development in 2013, but didn't release until 2024 due to numerous delays.

KitGuru Says: Beyond Good and Evil 2 is a bit of a headscratcher. It is a sequel to a cult classic game from the 2003, one that many had forgotten about until the sequel was announced in 2017. Ubisoft has much more popular classics under its wing that could do with a return to the spotlight, including the likes of Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia. 

The post Beyond Good and Evil 2 development continues amid Ubisoft restructuring first appeared on KitGuru.

It would seem that the rumours of an incoming Nintendo Direct showcase are picking up steam. Multiple additional sources have since corroborated the claim that a new stream will be taking place in February. 

Followed on from NatetheHate, GameXplain and VGC have also corroborated the claim that a Nintendo Direct will be happening next week. However, VGC adds that this is going to be a partner showcase, so don't expect any first-party Nintendo game announcements.

The stream is supposed to take place on Thursday, February 5th, focusing on new third-party games heading to the Switch and Switch 2 consoles. There are already some likely candidates in mind for the showcase.

Titles like Borderlands 4 and Elden Ring are still yet to receive official release dates for the Switch 2. Recent rumours also indicated that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is due to land on the Switch 2 later this year. There have also been rumblings around a Switch 2 upgrade for The Witcher 3, and Capcom also reportedly wants to bring Monster Hunter Wilds over to Nintendo's new system.

KitGuru Says: Fans of Nintendo's exclusive franchises will have to wait a while longer for news. In the meantime, there will be plenty of new ports on the way for the latest Switch console. 

The post Nintendo Direct now tipped for February 5th first appeared on KitGuru.

WiFi 7 is finally starting to gain traction, although we're still waiting for more client devices to arrive. If you're looking to upgrade your wireless network, it would now be a false economy not to future-proof yourself with the latest standard. Joining the WiFi 7 fray is MSI with its Roamii BE mesh system. It comes in two forms – Lite and Pro. The former offers just two radio frequencies, while the Pro we tested adds 6GHz, promising monster wireless network bandwidth. We put the Roamii BE Pro through our comprehensive WiFi mesh test suite to find out if the practice matched the theory.

The Roamii BE Pro is a BE11000 system, meaning it combines 5,764Mbits/sec at 6GHz, with 4,323Mbits/sec at 5GHz, and 688Mbits/sec at 2.4GHz, although MSI only promises a maximum combined throughput of 9.4Gbits/sec. The benefit of WiFi 7 (and WiFi 6 BE) is that 6GHz and 5GHz can be combined (with a compatible client) for maximum throughput. The Lite version loses the 6GHz, so offers just BE5000 performance.

You get 6x internal antennae (so two per waveband) with the Roamii BE Pro, plus additional router software and hardware features. The system can allegedly cover a 6,000 square feet area, although of course this will depend on obstructions. That's likely to be more than enough for a three story house, such as the one we use for testing.

The Roamii BE Pro has a solid wired networking specification too, with four 2.5Gbit Ethernet ports, one of which would be used for WAN duties on the router, while remaining available for wired devices on the satellite. There is a USB port on both units too, ready for network storage sharing.

Coming in at under £300, the Roamii BE Pro looks like good value too, giving you mesh WiFi for the price of a midrange standalone router. Read on to find out if the performance and capabilities make this a bit of a bargain.

Price: £279.99

Specification:

• Wireless protocols: MU-MIMO with 802.11b/g/n/ax/be 2.4GHz, 802.11a/n/ac/ax/be 5GHz/6GHz
• Performance: AX11000 (5,760 + 4,320 + 688 Mbits/sec)
• Antenna Configuration: 2×2 internal antennas for 2.4GHz; 2×2 for 5GHz; 2×2 for 6GHz
• Ports: 4 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet WAN, USB 3.0
• Modem Support: VDSL/ADSL 2+ or cable

The post MSI Roamii BE Pro Mesh WiFi 7 System Review first appeared on KitGuru.

A number of major Linux gaming projects are joining forces to form the Open Gaming Collective. The goal here is to reduce duplicated work across several crucial projects and centralise development efforts for critical components like kernel patches, input frameworks and display compositors. 

The OGC's technical strategy (via GamingOnLinux) centres on an “upstream-first approach”. Rather than maintaining permanent forks or bespoke patches, the group intends to submit all improvements and hardware fixes directly to the source projects (such as the mainline Linux kernel or Mesa). Early deliverables include a shared, gaming-optimised OGC Kernel and a specialised fork of gamescope designed to expand hardware support across a wider range of handhelds and desktop GPUs.

Bazzite, one of the founding members, has already outlined immediate changes resulting from joining the collective. The distribution will phase out its custom Handheld Daemon (HHD) in favour of InputPlumber, a unified input remapper already utilised by SteamOS, ChimeraOS, and Nobara. Additionally, Bazzite will integrate features like RGB and fan control directly into the Steam UI where possible, further bridging the gap between custom Linux distros and the native Steam Deck experience.

Besides Bazzite, other companies and partners include Nobara, ChimeraOS, Playtron, Fyra Labs, PikaOS, ShadowBlip, and Asus Linux.

KitGuru says: The formation of the OGC is an important step for the Linux gaming community. Standardising the kernel and input layers could finally bring the “it just works” stability of SteamOS to the broader Linux desktop world.

The post Open Gaming Collective (OGC) formed to unify Linux gaming first appeared on KitGuru.

Fanatec has officially released its first-party Stream Deck plugin. Available for free on the Elgato Marketplace, the plugin transforms the Stream Deck into a real-time telemetry display and hardware tuning hub for racing sims.

This collaboration marks one of the first major synergy projects since Fanatec's integration into the Corsair family, leveraging Elgato's software expertise to enhance the racing experience. The plugin supports the entire Stream Deck lineup, with optimised, pre-configured profiles specifically for the Stream Deck XL and the dial-equipped Stream Deck +.

For the first time, racers can use the Stream Deck as a digital “dashboard” to monitor critical race data, including tyre temperatures, fuel levels, track position, and flag warnings. Beyond telemetry, the most powerful feature is direct access to the Fanatec Tuning Menu, which lets drivers use Stream Deck buttons or dials to adjust force feedback strength, brake sensitivity, and other hardware parameters on the fly.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in sim racing setups? If you had or have one, would something like Elgato's Stream Deck with this new plugin be something you would consider adding?

The post Fanatec and Elgato introduces official Stream Deck plugin for racing sims first appeared on KitGuru.

Borderlands 4 is in a bit of an awkward spot currently. While the game is in many ways the best the series has seen, a relative lack of end-game content for hardcore fans and a plethora of performance issues especially at launch led to softer-than-expected sales. That said, the team at Gearbox appear committed to improving Borderlands 4, with the team now offering an updated roadmap for 2026.

Taking to their blog, the team at Gearbox officially showcased their full 2026 roadmap. While we knew some of what to expect from Borderlands 4’s post-launch plans (even prior to the game’s release), we’ve now gotten a more comprehensive look.

The first major update for 2026 is now live and includes the addition of a photo mode alongside dozens of tweaks, buffs, changes and fixes.

Looking to the future however, Borderlands 4’s 2026 is set to be as follows:

• Q1 2026
  • Bounty Pack 2 (paid)
  • Pearlescent rarity (free)
  • Story Pack 1 (paid)
• Q2 2026
  • Raid Boss 2 (free)
  • Takedown (free)
  • Bounty Pack 3 (paid)
• Q3 2026
  • Bounty Pack 4 (paid)
  • Bounty Pack 5 (paid)
  • Story Pack 2 (paid)

Each of these new pieces of content (both free and paid) will be released alongside a ‘major’ update. Other ancillary additions with no specific timeline include:

• Performance improvements
• Endgame and balancing updates
• New Endgame activities
• Cross-save and shared-progression
• Limited-time events

While the game certainly came in a bit hot, Borderlands 4 is a fun time and so it is encouraging to see the team at Gearbox try to address as many fans' complaints as possible – while still sticking to their initial plans.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this updated roadmap? What’s your opinion on Borderlands 4 in its current state? Does it have the potential to be the best entry in the series? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Gearbox shares updated 2026 roadmap for Borderlands 4 first appeared on KitGuru.

World War Z is a fun 3rd-person co-op shooter in the vein of Left4Dead and other horde shooters. Released back in 2019, the team at Saber Interactive have blessed the title with a ton of post-launch support – much of which was free. 4 months on from its last major update, the game has now gotten its first big crossover DLC, with World War Z x The Walking Dead available now.

Purchasable right now for the relatively low price of £7.99, World War Z x The Walking Dead offers a ton of content for fans of both Saber Interactive’s shooter as well as watchers of the show, adding:

• New Story Campaign with 3 chapters
  • The Prison
  • Alexandria Safe Zone
  • Grady Memorial Hospital
• 4 playable survivors
  • Rick Grimes
  • Daryl Dixon
  • Michonne
  • Negan

• Two melee weapons
  • Michonne’s Katana
  • Negan’s Bat Lucille
• Two weapon skins
  • Rick’s Revolver
  • Daryl’s Crossbow
• Visual overhaul of enemies to look like TWD’s ‘walkers’
• New special enemy ‘spiked walker’

While there have been a bunch of different games based on The Walking Dead, very few have been received well. As such, for many this represents what might be one of the better Walking Dead experiences out there – despite only being a crossover.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest DLC? Are you a fan of The Walking Dead? What other zombie properties would you like to see World War Z collab with? Let us know down below.

The post World War Z x The Walking Dead available now first appeared on KitGuru.

Rainbow Six: Siege is arguably one of Ubisoft’s biggest games of all time, with the now decade-old title continuing to make money in-part through its plethora of cross-overs. Following on from the likes of Chun-Li; Master Chief; 2B and even Pickle Rick, Solid Snake himself is set to join the Rainbow Six Siege roster.

Teasing their upcoming Year 11 Roadmap reveal event (going live on the 15th of February) Ubisoft offered a slight hint at what players can expect in the way of announcements.

Though very little was given away, we do know that the iconic Solid Snake himself is set to crossover into Rainbow Six: Siege.

Unlike all other crossovers, Snake is set to be a full-on operator as opposed to simply being a skin for a pre-existing character – meaning he should have his own unique abilities, equipment and more.

Unfortunately, we did not get to hear Snake speak in the teaser, and so it is unknown whether the operator will feature brand new voice lines (and who will voice him) or if they will simply reuse old audio. We will have to wait until the 15th of February to find out.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised to see Snake coming to Siege? Will he be voiced by David Hayter? Who’s your favourite operator? Let us know down below.

The post Solid Snake to join Rainbow Six: Siege as a brand new operator first appeared on KitGuru.