The release timeline for Intel's upcoming Panther Lake CPUs has been a subject of much discussion, with conflicting information from the company. While Intel previously aimed for mass production and market availability this year, a new roadmap unveiled at Intel Vision paints a different picture.

According to the latest roadmap (via Wccftech), Panther Lake is now listed as a client product for 2026. Notably, the slide displaying this information only shows a mobile chip, meaning Intel will initially focus on the mobile market for this architecture. Alternatively, it could also be interpreted as Intel skipping the desktop variants altogether.

Intel positions Panther Lake as a blend of Lunar Lake's power efficiency and Arrow Lake's performance, built on the company's advanced 18A process technology. The company reiterates that it remains on track to begin volume manufacturing of Panther Lake later this year.

Intel's presentation featured client markets using current-generation architectures but lacked any significant updates regarding the Arc GPU family. This absence of a dedicated graphics roadmap or even mention of the rumoured Arrow Lake refresh raises questions about Intel's immediate priorities.

KitGuru says: There's a chance that Panther Lake may still debut in 2025, similar to how Lunar Lake first launched on some devices from specific partners. However, they'll be rare to find until the volume rollout in 2026.

The post Intel Panther Lake CPUs are now set to release in 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

While Nintendo has not revealed the detailed specifications of the chip powering the Switch 2 console, the company has revealed two crucial bits of information – the GPU has ray-tracing capabilities and DLSS is supported. 

At a press event held in New York this week, IGN asked Nintendo for more details about the hardware behind the Switch 2. Nintendo is still being cagey when it comes to the nitty-gritty, technical details, but we did get two key pieces of information out of Nintendo Planning & Development director, Takuhiro Dohta.

For starters, Dohta confirmed that Nintendo does use DLSS upscaling technology, and it will be available to all developers looking to improve their game's performance on Switch 2. On top of that, Nintendo also confirmed that “the GPU does support ray tracing”, so we'll see certain titles making use of things like RT Shadows and RT Reflections.

Unfortunately, without the technical specifications of the CPU and GPU, we can't make any guesses as to how well the Switch 2 should perform with ray tracing enabled. A few titles for the Switch 2 have already been announced as supporting up to 120FPS and 4K/HDR. Chances are, DLSS will be in use to help games achieve those high resolutions and frame rates.

KitGuru Says: While Nintendo is unlikely to reveal the full technical specifications itself, we'll no doubt hear from Nvidia on how it designed the Switch 2 chip eventually. 

The post Nintendo confirms Switch 2’s custom Nvidia chip supports DLSS and Ray Tracing first appeared on KitGuru.

When we thought the race to the DDR5 speed world record would calm down, someone set the bar even higher. XPG, Adata's gaming brand, has announced a successful collaboration with Gigabyte, resulting in a new DDR5 memory overclocking world record at an impressive 12,762 MT/s.

Gigabyte's expert overclocker HiCookie spearheaded this record-breaking overclocking effort. Just two weeks ago, we had the same overclocker setting a new world record at DDR5-12752, but it seems he wasn't happy with that. Using the same motherboard and a different memory stick, HiCookie pushed an extra 10 MT/s, setting the new record at DDR5-12762.

The system configuration included the Z890 Aorus Tachyon Ice motherboard, specifically designed for overclocking, a 24 GB XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 RAM stick (68-127-127-127 timings), and an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU clocked at 3.15 GHz with just two P-cores running. The memory and CPU were cooled using liquid nitrogen, as usual in these cases.

KitGuru says: Do you think we'll break the DDR5-13000 mark this year or will things start to calm down now?

The post New DDR5 speed record set with XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 memory first appeared on KitGuru.

MSI has announced an enhanced iteration of its acclaimed OLED Care 2.0 technology. In response to user feedback, this update will increase the refresh interval of OLED Care 2.0, aiming to provide a more refined experience for owners of MSI QD-OLED monitors.

This update focuses on adjusting the activation timing of the Panel Protect feature, which is used to enhance the longevity of QD-OLED displays. The initial implementation activated Panel Protect every 16 hours, which some users found disruptive based on their usage. To address this, MSI has extended the refresh period to 24 hours, offering greater flexibility and minimising potential interruptions while preserving the panel's impressive lifespan.

MSI plans to roll out this firmware update across its entire range of QD-OLED displays and make it available to download starting in May 2025. MSI also assures customers that this update will not affect existing warranty benefits, including the three-year burn-in warranty (specific conditions may vary by region).

Note that MSI OLED Care 2.0 is only available for QD-OLED-based monitors.

KitGuru says: Do you have an MSI QD-OLED monitor? Has the OLED Care 2.0 feature ever interrupted something you were doing?

The post MSI rolls out OLED Care 2.0 upgrade for all QD-OLED monitors first appeared on KitGuru.

Another major first-party game is joining Xbox Game Pass this month. Compulsion Games has been quiet since releasing We Happy Few in 2016, but the studio is now back with its latest game, South of Midnight. 

South of Midnight is the first new game developed by Compulsion Games since being acquired by Microsoft over five years ago. In this game, players will confront mysterious creatures in the Deep South, blending supernatural, horror and action elements. The game releases on April 8th and will be a day-one game for Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass.

Here is the full list of games joining Game Pass, including platforms and dates:

• All You Need is Help (Console) – April 3rd
• Still Wakes the Deep (Xbox Series X/S) – April 3rd
• Wargroove 2 (Console) – April 3rd
• Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls Ultimate Evil Edition (Console and PC) – April 8th
• South of Midnight (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – April 8th
• Commandos: Origins (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – April 9th
• Blue Prince (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – April 10th
• Hunt Showdown 1896 (PC) – April 15th

There will be a few games leaving Game Pass this month. Starting on the 15th of April, the following games will no longer be available; Botany Manor, Coral Island, Harold Halibut, Homestead Arcana, Kona, Orcs Must Die! 3 & Turbo Golf Racing.

KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of this month's new Game Pass titles? 

The post South of Midnight headlines April Xbox Game Pass update first appeared on KitGuru.

The recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct featured a ton of cool new games alongside ports of popular titles. Unfortunately, those wanting to beef up their Switch 2 library at launch will have to splash quite a bit of cash, as it seems Nintendo is leapfrogging over the current $70 price tag for AAA games – and going straight to $80 for physical copies of Mario Kart World.

Though not specified during the Switch 2 Direct, the publication VGC confirmed that new-gen Nintendo titles will cost upwards of $80 (£75). While not every first-party Switch 2 game will be as costly, the highly anticipated Mario Kart World will be one of the first to implement this new pricing.

One slight silver lining is the fact that these enhanced prices are reserved for physical versions of these games, with the digital version of Mario Kart World coming in at £67.

Nintendo’s other major Switch 2 game – Donkey Kong Bananza – will be listed more closely to other contemporary AAA titles at ‘just’ £67 physically (and £59 digitally).

While there are arguments both for and against increasing the price of games, Nintendo titles in particular rarely depreciate in value, and so this means that 7 years from now Mario Kart World will likely still retail for £75. Hopefully other publishers don’t get any wise ideas from Nintendo.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new pricing? Does it seem fair? Will this push all other AAA games to raise prices further? Let us know down below.

The post Mario Kart World costs £75 for a physical copy first appeared on KitGuru.

Amongst the dozens of games shown off by Nintendo during the Switch 2 Direct Showcase, one of the more surprising ports was for Yakuza 0: Directors’ Cut. While in and of itself not a massive shock (given the success of Kiwami on Switch 1), this Director's’Cut includes a ton of new and unexpected features – including a full English dub.

Announced during the Switch 2 showcases (and expanded upon via Twitter), Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio [RGG] confirmed that the Director’s Cut is much more than a basic port, writing:

“Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, the definitive edition of the critically acclaimed origin story is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.

• Never-before-scene cutscenes
• Red Light Raid online 4-player online mode with up to 60 unlockable characters
• French, Italian, German, Spanish Text
• English Voiceover”

Of course, easily the biggest feature here is the addition of an English dub. Unlike modern ‘Like a Dragon’ titles, Yakuza Kiwami 1, 2 and Yakuza 0 were released only with Japanese VO.

While there is nothing wrong with needing to read subtitles, having a more accessible English version of the game should make for a much wider appeal.

Hopefully all these enhancements come to the other consoles/PC in the future.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the Switch 2 Direct? What was your favourite 3rd-party announcement? Will this Director’s Cut be exclusive to Switch 2? Let us know down below.

The post Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut adds English dub, multiplayer and much more first appeared on KitGuru.

Following a tease earlier this year, Nintendo finally hosted their big Switch 2 Direct showcase. Alongside the announcement of new games, services and more, we’ve now gotten comprehensive tech specs on many of the Switch 2’s hardware capabilities – including some notable display output limitations.

During the latest Direct, Nintendo officially announced and confirmed a ton of details, including the fact that the Switch 2 will support a 4K output, HDR and more. Interestingly, in going to the console’s official site, further details can be found, including the exact limitations of the system’s output.

According to Nintendo, the sequel system not only supports 4K, HDR and up to 120fps, but also utilises VRR (variable refresh rate) in order to ensure a more smooth and consistent gameplay experience.

While a welcome surprise, the Switch 2 does have some limitations. While the dock does support 4K output and up to 120fps, the two can’t be used simultaneously. Seemingly due to its use of a lower-specced HDMI slot (with less bandwidth than the 2.1 version), 120hz support is unfortunately limited to just a 1080p output.

Despite this, the Switch 2 looks set to be a massive upgrade over the OG Switch in almost all aspects. Hopefully the inevitable OLED Version comes with a slightly updated HDMI port.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this limitation? Are you bothered by it? Would you rather play at 4K60fps or 1080p120fps? Let us know down below.

The post Switch 2’s output and resolution settings fully detailed first appeared on KitGuru.

During the company’s most recent Direct, Nintendo offered a more comprehensive look at exactly how the system’s Switch 1 game upgrades will work. Interestingly, depending on the game (and whether you are subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online), Switch 2 Enhanced titles could cost upwards of $20 to upgrade – while others are entirely free.

Following the conclusion of the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo has offered some clarity on their ‘Switch 2 Edition’ program. Firstly, some games will receive entirely free upgrades, with Switch 2 owners needing only to download a patch in order to benefit from enhancements. So far, the list of games getting free enhancements are the following:

• ARMS
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Game Builder Garage
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

On the paid front, some select titles will cost around $10 to upgrade to the Switch 2 version, with others being double that at $20 (converted from the Japanese Yen). According to Nintendo, the more costly of the two will be kept for upgrades featuring new content alongside visual/performance improvements.

Interestingly however, it seems as though certain games will be upgraded for free as long as you are subscribed to the company’s NSO program. So far, just The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild alongside Tears of the Kingdom will be included – though expect more titles to be added over time.

The Switch 2 Direct offered a ton of cool and interesting games. It’s just somewhat unfortunate to see that the company is stretching the wallets of its fans with all these extra costs.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new upgrade system? Does it seem fair? Is Nintendo inflating its pricing across the board? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Some Switch 2 upgrades will be free – while others will cost $20 first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we are back another RTX 5070 Ti review, as we check out Palit's GamingPro OC model. Sticking with a triple-fan design and a full-length metal backplate, this card also brings dual-BIOS functionality and ARGB lighting to the table, all while keeping pricing in check – compared to some other models, at least!. We put it through its paces today to see how it stacks up against the competition.

A lot has changed since we first got hands on with the RTX 5070 Ti back in February – primarily, AMD has since unleashed RDNA 4, with the RX 9070 XT proving to be a capable competitor in this market segment. However, the RTX 5070 Ti still has plenty of merit, primarily due to its superior ray tracing performance alongside its support for DLSS. Let's see what Palit's RTX 5070 Ti GamingPro OC partner card adds to the mix.

	RTX 5090	RTX 5080	RTX 5070 Ti	RTX 4070 Ti Super	RTX 4070 Ti
Process	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4
SMs	170	84	70	66	60
CUDA Cores	21760	10752	8960	8448	7680
Tensor Cores	680	336	280	264	240
RT Cores	170	84	70	66	60
Texture Units	680	336	280	264	240
ROPs	176	112	96	96	80
GPU Boost Clock	2407 MHz	2617 MHz	2452 MHz	2610 MHz	2610 MHz
Memory Data Rate	28 Gbps	30 Gbps	28 Gbps	21 Gbps	21 Gbps
L2 Cache	98304 KB	65536 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB
Total Video Memory	32GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR6X	12GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface	512-bit	256-bit	256-bit	256-bit	192-bit
Memory Bandwidth	1792 GB/Sec	960 GB/Sec	896 GB/Sec	672 GB/Sec	504 GB/Sec
TGP	575W	360W	300W	285W	285W

First, a quick spec recap. Whereas the RTX 5080 is a full implementation of the GB203 die (378mm²), RTX 5070 Ti is cut down across the board. Comprised of six Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holds up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), with a total of 35. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 84, and each SM still holds 128 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5070 Ti has a total of 8960 shaders. We also find 70 RT cores, 280 Tensor cores, 280 Texture Units, and 96 ROPs.

This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB203 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40 series. As such, rated clock speed has not stepped forwards this generation, with the RTX 5070 Ti rated at 2452MHz, though Palit has increased this to 2482MHz.

The memory configuration is almost identical to the RTX 5080. That means we find 16GB of GDDR7 memory, but it's clocked slightly slower, at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at 896 GB/s, a 33% increase over the RTX 4070 Ti Super. L2 cache still comes in at 49MB.

Lastly, the RTX 5070 Ti features a 300W TGP, which Palit has not increased out of the box with the GamingPro OC.

The post Palit RTX 5070 Ti GamingPro OC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Yesterday was Nintendo’s big day in which the console manufacturer finally gave us our first proper look at the Switch 2, its games, pricing and much more. In the immediacy following the event, we’ve gotten a ton more details, including exactly how much each of the new accessories will cost.

Though not detailed during the actual Nintendo Direct livestream, pricing for the Switch 2’s many accessories has now been published online – at least in the US.

While we may have to wait a bit longer to get the full suite of regional pricing, the USD value for each of the accessories does give an indication as to how it will be priced in the rest of the world. With that, the MSRP for Switch 2’s accessories is as follows:

• Pro Controller: $80
• Joy-Cons: $90
• Dock Set (includes AC Adapter and USB-C cable): $110
• Charging Grip: $35
• Camera: $50
• AC Adapter: $30

Unsurprisingly, many of these accessories have seen a bump in price compared to their last-gen counterparts, with the OG Switch’s Pro Controller coming in at $70 and the Joy-Cons at $80.

The Switch 2’s Dock meanwhile has seen an even bigger leap in price, with the OG Dock costing just $60 (with the OLED model slightly higher at $70). That said, these docks did not include an AC Adapter or cable, and so perhaps the price can be justified slightly.

Regardless, with the Switch 2 Nintendo has made it clear that they’re coming for your wallets. It will be interesting to see how well the system performs at launch given the current state of the economy.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the prices? Are they fair? What was your least favourite part of the reveal? Let us know down below.

The post Switch 2 accessories to see a price increase compared to last-gen first appeared on KitGuru.

Prior to its official unveiling earlier this year, many fans theorised on what Nintendo would decide to call the successor to their highly popular Switch console. While we now know it to be simply called the Switch 2, the console maker revealed that they had considered naming it the Super Nintendo Switch.

Following the conclusion of the official Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo released an ‘Ask the Developer’ Q&A onto their site, offering some interesting discussions.

When asked about the decision to go with the moniker Switch 2, the producer for entertainment planning and development at Nintendo (Kouichi Kawamoto) explained: “There were a lot of ideas for the name, and we really struggled to find the right one.”

Kawamoto continued, “We even considered ideas like ‘Super Nintendo Switch.’ However, Super NES, which came out after the NES, couldn’t play NES games. Since Switch 2 can play Switch games, it didn't feel right to use the same naming convention as Super NES. Switch 2 is a new system with improved performance, but we'd like players who get their hands on it not to focus on the specs, but rather to think of it as the latest system developed by Nintendo. So, in the hope that it becomes the new standard for Nintendo Switch, we named it Nintendo Switch 2.”

Given the overwhelming success of the Switch, it made sense for Nintendo to stick with what has worked and ensure that all those with an OG Switch knows with absolute clarity that a sequel console is on its way. After all, we wouldn’t want another Wii U situation.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the name? Should they have gone with Super Switch? What would you have named the Switch 2? Let us know down below.

The post Nintendo considered calling Switch 2 the Super Switch first appeared on KitGuru.

When Intel launched Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 200V) in 2024 we gave you the technical details and followed up with a review of the Asus Zenbook S 14 which has incredible battery life. In the following month we discussed Intel Arrow Lake (Core Ultra 200S) and how we considered it was unfit for review in a situation that was not resolved until February 2025. On the one hand we have Lunar Lake which we like, while on the other hand we have Arrow Lake which is troubled, yet both families of processors run on Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores and have a huge amount in common.

Another point which we mentioned in our reviews but didn't cover in much depth is that Lion Cove ditches SMT or Hyper-Threading which has been a feature since Pentium 4 in 2002. We are familiar with an eight-core CPU with 16 threads but we now have to get used to the idea of 8P+16E=24T. We figured the best way to understand this significant change was to ask, Ori Lempel, the leader of the team that designed Lion Cove.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and set-up
02:56 How far ahead do designers work when they design a CPU core?
08:28 Are decisions about power, clock speed, cache and cost handed to designers as parameters
12:17 Exactly who is the customer for a particular CPU core
14:03 Are the choices of memory controller, storage and PCI Express deeply exciting for a core designer?
15:26 Fubs (Functional Blocks) and large partitions – core designs move from 300 cells to six
20:33 AI as part of the CPU design process
23:59 The removal of SMT from Lion Cove
25:30 Ori does maths to explain when SMT becomes a problem
35:13 Thread Director is still hard at work
35:40 Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux
36:52 Quantum Computing
38:58 How did Intel conjure up Raptor Cove from Golden Cove
41:48 Sign off

KitGuru would like to thank:

Ori Lempel, Senior Principal Engineer in Core Design Team
Robert Hallock, VP and General Manager, Client AI and Technical Marketing

KitGuru says: Thanks to Intel for their time and be sure to let us know your thoughts on the interview.

The post Senior Intel Engineer Explains the Radical Shift in CPU Design first appeared on KitGuru.

The PCIe 5.0 SSD market is heating up, with increasing competition and a wider variety of controller technologies entering the fray. Kingston, through its Fury brand, has entered the PCIe 5.0 arena with the Fury Renegade G5 SSD, a drive that boasts impressive sequential read speeds of up to 14,800 MB/s.

Based on VideoCardz's report, the first thing that caught our attention about the upcoming Fury Renegade G5 is its controller. Unlike many existing PCIe 5.0 SSDs, which rely on Phison-based controllers, Kingston has opted for Silicon Motion's SM2508 SSD controller (based on a 6nm process node). Silicon Motion touts the SM2508 as being up to 70% more power-efficient than competing controllers, a benefit that translates to lower heat generation and cooler operating temperatures for the SSD.

Kingston plans to offer the Fury Renegade G5 SSD in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. All three variants will adhere to the industry-standard M.2 2280 form factor and utilise 3D TLC NAND flash memory. Moreover, these SSDs use a 12-layer PCB to enhance signal integrity, an independent Buck IC for consistent power draw, and low-power DDR4 DRAM as cache to further reduce power consumption.

Sequential read speeds can reach up to 14,800 MB/s, pushing the PCIe 5.0 interface to the limit. Sequential write speeds can reach 14,000 MB/s. Achieving speeds significantly higher than this would require either more PCIe lanes or a transition to the faster PCIe 6.0 standard. All models in the series can exceed 2.15 million read and write IOPS and offer a massive TBW of up to 4 Petabytes.

KitGuru says: Assuming it has comparable performance to the current top PCIe 5.0 SDs, how much would you be willing to pay for the upcoming Fury Renegade G5 SSDs?

The post Fury G5 PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD to feature up to 14,800MB/s speeds first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia has announced the latest round of games to get DLSS 4 upgrades. This week, both Cyberpunk 2077 and FragPunk get updated to Nvidia's latest DLSS transformer AI models, and gain the ability to switch on Multi-Frame Generation, allowing users to boost frame rates even further.

For newer titles, both Steel Seed and STORROR Parkour Pro are both launching with DLSS 4 support. Steel Seed is a new stealth-action game set in a dark sci-fi world where humanity stands on the brink of extinction. RTX 50 users can enhance the game with Multi-Frame Generation, while RTX 40 users can use standard Frame Generation. STORROR Parkour Pro comes from Sleeve Game Studios and is an Early Access multiplayer parkour game.

Cyberpunk 2077 & FragPunk are two already-released but ever-popular titles getting updated with DLSS 4 this week, enabling the new, more precise upscaling algorithm, alongside RTX 50-exclusive feature, Multi-Frame Generation.

At this point, DLSS is present in over 700 games and applications. Despite only being a few months old, the latest version, DLSS 4, is already making good progress in being adopted by developers.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do many of you regularly play games with DLSS enabled, or do you prefer to switch it off?

The post Cyberpunk 2077, FragPunk and more get DLSS 4 upgrade this week first appeared on KitGuru.

During today's Nintendo Direct, a few first-party exclusives were confirmed for the Switch 2, but there was a much bigger wave of third-party games announced. From promising indie titles to massive AAA ports of next-gen titles, we've rounded up all 22 third-party games announced for the Switch 2 so far.

As there were so many games to cover, Nintendo had to split up the spotlight trailer into two parts. Here is Part 1, including reveals for Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman and more:

And here is Part 2, including reveals for Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and more:

Here is the full list of third-party games revealed for Switch 2:

• DELTARUNE
• Borderlands 4
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• WWE 2K
• NBA 2K
• Survival Kids
• Enter the Gungeon 2
• STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
• ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition
• Hades II
• Street Fighter 6
• Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
• SPLIT FICTION
• EA SPORTS FC
• EA SPORTS MADDEN NFL
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
• HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition & Project 007
• BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster
• Yakuza 0 Director's Cut

As some of these games don't have release dates yet, they won't all be available at launch. The next NBA 2K game for instance, won't come out until September, and Borderlands 4 does not yet have a release date yet. Others like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, will be available on Switch 2 from day-one.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I was impressed by how good the Cyberpunk gameplay looked for the Switch 2. While we don't have the deep-dive technical specs for the chip under the hood, it does appear to be a powerful one.

The post Nintendo confirms 22 third-party games for Switch 2 including Cyberpunk 2077 first appeared on KitGuru.

The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack will be carrying forward to the Switch 2 console, and those picking up Nintendo's next-gen console will get brand new benefits – starting with a wave of GameCube classics. 

Nintendo GameCube is the latest console to get backwards compatibility support as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription and its Expansion Pack. The GameCube titles will be exclusively available on the Switch 2, but the initial line-up is very good:

Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Strikers are the two stand-out Mario games of the GameCube generation and both will be playable on Switch 2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Luigi's Mansion are two other classics joining the GameCube library. Pokémon fans will be pleased to learn that both Pokémon Coliseum and Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness will be part of this wave of supported titles as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX and Soul Calibre 2 (complete with Link cameo) are also confirmed.

Nintendo GameCube will be available to Switch Online Expansion Pack owners on the Switch 2 at launch. More GameCube titles will be added to the library at a later date.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I'm sure these games would have run on the original Switch, but still, it is one more incentive to try and push people towards the new hardware. 

The post Some of the best GameCube classics are coming to Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Nintendo has confirmed the first six first-party Switch games to get upgrades for the Nintendo Switch 2. This includes new upgrades for both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, as well as still upcoming titles like Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends Z-A. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gets one of the most impressive upgrades from a technical standpoint. Players will be able to run the game at 120Hz in handheld and TV modes on Switch 2. The game also has a 4K/HDR mode with the console docked.

For the Zelda titles, the updates go further beyond. You will get enhanced resolutions and frame rates, alongside faster loading times. However, you'll also get access to new features, like the companion app, Zelda Notes, which also acts as a hub for players to export and share blueprints for interesting crafts.

The full list of first-party titles confirmed to be getting Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades includes:

• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Pokemon Legends Z-A

Unfortunately for those who already own a game on the Switch 1, upgrades to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are not free. You will have to pay for an ‘upgrade pack', similar to Sony's PS5 Edition upgrades for certain PS4 titles.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: There are a lot of games I want to see looking and running better on Switch 2, but I don't really want to have to pay for all of these upgrades when a resolution bump and frame rate boost should be free by virtue of the stronger hardware. 

The post Nintendo reveals first games to get paid ‘Switch 2 Edition’ upgrades first appeared on KitGuru.

During today's Nintendo Direct, the gaming giant confirmed its launch plans for the Switch 2. The new console is launching in June, proving the accuracy of a retail leak from earlier this week. 

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available from the 5th of June. Mario Kart World has already been announced as one of the major launch-day titles for the new console. However, Nintendo has also announced other features, like GameChat, game sharing functionality and even a Switch 2 camera accessory.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be as thick as the original Switch, however, it has a larger 7.9-inch display with FHD resolution, and up to 120Hz in supported games the new LCD display also supports HDR. The new Switch 2 Dock has 4K support for those wanting to play at higher resolutions on the TV.

The new Joy-Cons have been redesigned to be more comfortable to use in two-handed mode. The Joy-Cons are now magnetically attached to the console, removing the previous rail system. On top of that, a new sensor within the Joy-Cons allow them to be used in mouse mode.

The console has dual USB-C ports, so you can charge your console and connect accessories at the same time. As standard, the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of storage space.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available starting on the 5th of June. Pre-orders will be available starting on the 8th of April, priced at £395.99 for the Switch 2, or £429.99 for the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on upgrading to the Switch 2 when it launches? 

The post The Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5th for £395.99 first appeared on KitGuru.

While Nintendo made great strides with its online services in the Switch era, there were still some crucial things missing, such as console-level party chat. That is now changing with the Switch 2, which will offer GameChat and even the ability to share games within chat lobbies. 

The Switch 2 Joy-Con now has a C button, which is a shortcut to the new Chat functionality. Players will be able to set up chat lobbies of up to four players and share gameplay. A microphone within the console has functionality similar to RTX Voice, allowing for background noises to be removed and keeping communications clear.

Aside from game screen sharing, some games will be sharable with up to three friends in a GameChat lobby, so the whole group can play together without having to buy multiple copies of the game. Some of the games confirmed to support this functionality include Super Mario Odyssey, Big Brain Academy: Brain Vs. Brain, Club House Games, Super Mario 3D World + Bowsers Fury and Captain Toad Treasure Tracker.

An accessory Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is also going to be sold separately from the console for those who would prefer to video chat.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While we can meme on Nintendo for taking this long, it does appear that they put a lot of time and effort into polishing up the chat experience. It essentially seems like an improved version of Discord thanks to the game sharing functionality. 

The post Nintendo reveals Discord-like GameChat for Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

The first big launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been revealed. Mario Kart World will be releasing later this year exclusively for Nintendo's new console. 

The trailer showcases a large level design, in which players can drive from race course to race course, and go off-road to discover secret areas and new routes.

Mario Kart World will also boast the largest races in series history, with up to 24 players per race, and that includes the off-road drives between courses in a Grand Prix. In some ways, it takes inspiration from the likes of Forza Horizon with its bigger and more interactive world and multiplayer.

Mario Kart World will be available for the Switch 2 on day-one.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Mario Kart is a good way to kick off a new console generation, although it isn't quite as hype as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Still, this Nintendo Direct has only just begun, so we expect to see some more game announcements. 

The post Mario Kart World announced for Nintendo Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Nintendo has announced a double feature of Treehouse Live sessions scheduled for later this week, offering fans an extended look at upcoming Switch 2 gameplay. While the duration of each presentation remains undisclosed, Nintendo has confirmed that both will showcase “hands-on gameplay of Nintendo Switch 2 games”, providing a more detailed look at the software library for the upcoming Nintendo console.

True to the Treehouse format, these broadcasts are expected to feature game developers and potentially key Nintendo personnel, who will play and discuss the featured titles, offering valuable insights into their design and gameplay.

The Treehouse Live sessions will likely offer extended gameplay demonstrations of any new titles revealed during the preceding Direct Showcase, providing a deeper dive into the console's launch lineup.

These Treehouse Live sessions will follow the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase, scheduled for April 2nd at 6 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. BST. The first broadcast is set to air on April 3rd at 7 a.m. PT / 3 p.m. BST, with a second session following at the same time on April 4th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in getting the new Switch console? Will you be watching the Nintendo Direct and the Treehouse streams?

The post Nintendo schedules Treehouse streams to showcase Switch 2 in-depth first appeared on KitGuru.

Rebellion, the UK-based studio famed for the Sniper Elite series, has announced that its latest release, Atomfall, has become the developer's “most successful launch” in its 32-year history.

Atomfall, a post-apocalyptic survival game inspired by the real-world Windscale nuclear disaster of the 1950s, launched on March 27th. It quickly amassed a substantial player base, exceeding 1 million players within its opening weekend and reaching over 1.5 million in the following days. The game's inclusion in the Xbox and PC Game Pass libraries undoubtedly contributed significantly to its impressive player numbers. However, Rebellion did not disclose the number of actual units sold.

In addition to the 1.5 million player milestone, the studio announced other achievements from the community, including:

• 316,000 players chose to eliminate the scientist early in the game.
• The humble cricket bat has been wielded for a staggering 3.7 million kills.
• Players have consumed over 4 million pastries and 300,000 cups of tea.

Over at Opencritic, the game sits at a decent 75, with 65% of the critics recommending it. In general, critics have enjoyed the story, but some gameplay issues and design hurdles somewhat deter it from becoming a better game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Atomfall? What's your opinion of it?

The post Atomfall is Rebellion’s most successful launch ever with 1.5 million players first appeared on KitGuru.

Known for their work on the somewhat charming Sherlock Holmes series of games, Frogwares’ single most high-profile title is likely The Sinking City. Released back in 2019, this H. P. Lovecraft inspired 3rd person action-adventure game is perhaps known best for its messy distribution – with the devs eventually obtaining full rights to the IP. Now, in anticipation of its sequel, The Sinking City is getting a free remastered upgrade.

Making the announcement on Steam, the team at Frogwares officially unveiled The Sinking City: Remastered, writing: “Charles Reed returns to Oakmont, a city drowning in supernatural mystery and eldritch terror – now fully remastered with Unreal Engine 5! Coming soon to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series, including a free upgrade for existing owners.”

Though we have not gotten a full breakdown of all the changes / improvements coming with this remaster, the team have promised lighting enhancements thanks to Unreal Engine 5. Whether this means ray-tracing is involved however is still unknown.

Beyond this, The Sinking City: Remastered will also benefit from:

• Enhanced locations with additional levels of detail and objects
• 4K textures and improved reflections
• Addition of a Photo Mode
• Support for DLSS, FSR and TSR upscaling

No price nor release date has been given for this remaster, however, as mentioned above, those who already own the game will be entitled to a free upgrade – which is always welcome to see.

In case you missed it, Frogwares is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for The Sinking City 2 with just a few days left to go. The full details can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of The Sinking City? Will this remaster suffer from common UE5 issues? How much do you think the game will cost if you don’t already own it? Let us know down below.

The post The Sinking City Remastered officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Nightdive Studios has amassed a solid reputation for their work on remastering many classic titles from history across PC and old-gen consoles. Following the likes of System Shock; DOOM; Quake; Turok and much more, Nightdive looks set to tackle the 7th generation next with PS3 and Xbox 360 remasters.

In an interview conducted by VGC, Nightdive Studios founder and CEO Stephen Kick (alongside director of business development Larry Kuperman) spoke on their future plans for the team. According to the two, Nightdive is gearing up to remaster games from the 7th generation of consoles – meaning PS3 and Xbox 360.

In discussing their approach, Kuperman said “I would begin asking a couple of questions. Was it Xbox 360 exclusive, or was there a PC version out too? Because that also changes things, the little preservation that’s available. Do we have source code? If so, what’s the quality of the source code? How about the assets? Those are the kinds of considerations that we have there. That being said, there were some really good games that came out in that era that shouldn’t be lost.”

In talking about the PlayStation 3 specifically and its unique CELL architecture (which is the reason why there is no backwards compatibility on PS4/5 with PS3), Kick stated:

“If we get to that – or I should say when – we get to the PS3 era games, it will be a challenge that we have to face. But I think that we’ve had enough experience to where we can do a serviceable job on a PS3 remaster”. The full interview can be found HERE.

All in all, there still remains plenty of 7th-gen titles trapped on these older systems – especially on the PS3 front. With Sony recently working more and more alongside 3rd-party developers to remaster their old games, hopefully Nightdive could be tasked with bringing the classic inFAMOUS duology, Killzone or even Resistance back.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nightdive’s work? What PS3-era games would you like to see remastered? What one game would you want to be their top priority? Let us know down below.

The post Nightdive Studios gears up to remaster PS3 / Xbox 360 exclusives first appeared on KitGuru.

Over the course of this generation, we’ve seen an increasing number of titles offer crossplay between all consoles and PC, opening up the potential pool of players greatly. Interestingly, we’ve now started to see a bit of back-sliding in this regard. As part of Season 3 for Call of Duty Black Ops 6, console players will now be able to opt out of crossplay with PC entirely.

Alongside the launch of Black Ops 6 Season 3 today, console players across both Xbox and PlayStation will now be able to toggle a new option in the settings. Previously, players could enable or disable crossplay, however there was no in-between.

Starting with Season 3, those on console across both regular multiplayer and ranked mode will be able to toggle between full crossplay, console-only crossplay or of course no crossplay – meaning you’ll only match with others on the same platform.

While this new toggle could cause potential matchmaking issues in the future, the move has been met with support from fans, owing to a cheating issue experienced by some console players when engaging with PC folk online.

Though a more permanent solution to the cheating would be preferable, this serves at least as somewhat of a solid plaster on the issue for now.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Season 3? What do you think of this change? Have you encountered many cheaters when playing Black Ops 6? Let us know down below.

The post Black Ops 6 Season 3 introduces console-only crossplay toggle first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, all those with a Humble subscription are privy to a select number of titles for ‘free’ as part of the company’s Humble Choice service. For the month of April, subscribers can obtain a strong and varied choice of titles, including the remasters for Tomb Raider I-III; Dredge and one of last year’s hottest indie games: 1000xRESIST.

Available to add to your library from now until the end of April, this month’s Humble Choice line-up features the following:

• Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered
• Dredge
• Aliens Dark Descent
• 1000xRESIST
• Nova Lands
• Diplomacy is Not an Option
• Distant Worlds 2
• Nomad Survival

Beyond this, subscribers can also get their hands on a couple coupons, namely:

• 30% off Dredge – The Pale Reach
• 30% off Dredge – The Iron Rig
• 30% off Dredge – Blackstone Key

As mentioned, 1000xRESIST is viewed by many as one of the best indie games of last year, offering a “thrilling sci-fi adventure” set 1000 years after humanity was almost entirely wiped out. A story-focused adventure title, 1000xRESIST received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release last year, with comparisons being made to the works of auteurs such as Kojima and Yoko Taro,

Beyond this, Dredge is a well-loved indie cosmic-horror fishing game and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is of course a remaster of Lara Croft’s classic trilogy.

As always, a portion of the proceeds will be going towards charity, with this month’s subscription supporting One Tree Planted, an organisation which “empowers global reforestation with a simple yet powerful model: $1 equals one tree planted.”

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Have you heard of 1000xRESIST? Which of the original 3 Tomb Raider games is your favourite? Let us know down below.

The post April Humble Choice line-up includes Tomb Raider, Dredge and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Blizzard has done little with the StarCraft IP since rounding out the StarCraft 2 trilogy. However, South Korean studios are desperate to get their hands on it to produce a new game themselves. 

According to Asia Today (via IGN), a number of Korean studios have pitched ideas for StarCraft games to Blizzard. Specifically, pitches are reported to have come from NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble and Krafton.

NCSoft specialises in MMOs, so it is unclear what kind of StarCraft game they pitched. However, it is known that Netmarble pitched a mobile spin-off game, which is very on-brand, while Krafton's pitch was claimed to have been “based on its own development capabilities”.

While Blizzard might not be working on a StarCraft RTS right now, previous leaks have indicated that a new shooter is in development. That could potentially rule out action-focused spin-offs from companies like Krafton. Getting someone to take on the task of continuing the RTS would be huge though, particularly for the still-popular scene in many Asian countries.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see a new StarCraft RTS, or a new-genre spin-off? 

The post South Korean devs reportedly pitching new StarCraft games to Blizzard first appeared on KitGuru.

It would seem that despite the Switch 2 launch being a few months away, ‘many developers' still don't have development kits for the new console, which will limit third-party output for the console over its first year or so on the market. 

According to former Game Informer editor and current Kinda Funny host, Imran Khan, Embracer Group is one of the larger publishers being left out of the loop on Switch 2 dev kits. It is claimed that Nintendo deemed their situation “too chaotic”, as any studios in possession of dev kits that closed could lead to hardware going missing and eventually, ending up in public hands.

John Linneman of Digital Foundry has also supported the idea that Switch 2 dev kits are few and far between, saying that ‘many developers' still don't have the hardware on-hand. Much of this is based on discussions at GDC, where the Switch 2 was an open secret, but few had any experience with the hardware.

Nintendo will be unveiling new Switch 2 details during a Nintendo Direct stream tomorrow. The console is expected to release this Summer.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While there will be a lot of cross-generation releases this year, I still expect Nintendo to have a strong year-one line-up for the Switch 2, even outside of older games being upgraded to run better on Switch 2. 

The post Many third-party studios still waiting for Switch 2 dev kits first appeared on KitGuru.

Alternate, which had previously listed a Zotac RTX 5090 Solid OC graphics card with missing ROPs as B-stock on its website, has clarified this situation. The company has stated that the card was a customer return and should not have been offered for resale in that condition.

According to Alternate (via ComputerBase), the Zotac GeForce RTX 5090 Solid OC in question was indeed a returned item. Upon internal inspection, it was discovered that the card had only 168 active ROPs instead of the intended 176. This “partial defect” led to its classification as B-stock, and a corresponding note was added to the product page.

However, Alternate emphasises that the card should not have been relisted for sale. The error in processing the customer return resulted in the card being incorrectly categorised as B-stock. Furthermore, the B-stock depreciation table did not accurately reflect the defect, leading to an inflated B-stock price. At the time of the listing, Alternate offered the allegedly B-stock card for €2,899, the same price as a new card with the full 176 ROPs. Other online retailers were listing similar cards for €2,999 or more.

The issue of ROP deficiencies in RTX 50 series graphics cards first surfaced in late February this year. The first cards to be spotted with missing ROPS were RTX 5090, but we learnt later that RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 cards were also affected. These cards lacked the full number of ROPs Nvidia advertised, resulting in a small but noticeable performance reduction compared to the standard specifications.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Selling this ROP-defective RTX 5090 isn't an issue per se, as long as the customer knows what they are buying. However, asking for the same as a fully functional RTX 5090 didn't seem fair.

The post European retailer selling RTX 5090 with missing ROPs removes listings first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus and Xbox recently teased their upcoming Xbox-branded handheld device. Coinciding with that, dataminers have discovered new code in the recent Insider build of Windows 11, hinting at the long-awaited implementation of a gaming UI. 

Xeno Panther first shared the discovery, but Windows Central verified the claims. The new strings hint at a new “full screen experience” as part of Xbox's continued influence on Windows. The specific code string is as follows: “Gaming_GamingPosture_ChooseHomeApp”.

Microsoft has been experimenting with a ‘gaming UI' for Windows for a couple of years now. As part of an internal Hackathon event, one Microsoft developer showcased their prototype Windows Gaming UI for handhelds. It is anticipated that the final product will offer something very similar to this, with a controller-friendly, full-screen view of a gaming library, rather than booting into the Windows desktop.

It has also recently been rumoured that next-generation Xbox consoles will essentially be PCs, potentially with full access to Windows.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you be more inclined to replace your console with a living-room friendly PC if Windows had a gaming-friendly, console-like UI mode? 

The post Latest Windows Insider build includes hidden ‘Gaming UI’ settings first appeared on KitGuru.

Nintendo had already announced plans for a Switch 2-focused Direct stream this week but now we have more details. It would appear we are in for a much larger event compared to the initial console reveal. 

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 goes live tomorrow, the 2nd of April, at 2PM UK time. The stream will run for around 60 minutes, giving us a good hour of new announcements about Nintendo's next-gen plans.

Just last week, leaks indicated that the Switch 2 will go up for pre-order in April, following this Nintendo Direct stream. It has also been claimed that the console will release in June.

So far, Nintendo has announced very little about the Switch 2, outside of the new Virtual Game Card system for sharing digital titles, and a few key spec details. Tomorrow's Direct showcase promises a much wider look at the new system and its features, as well as key launch titles for the console, a list that is bound to include patched versions of major titles already available on Switch 1.

We'll get a closer look at some Switch 2 games in action later in the week as well, as Nintendo has also announced plans to host Treehouse streams on April 3rd and April 4th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the Switch 2? 

The post Tomorrow’s Switch 2 Nintendo Direct will be an hour long first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we are back with more RTX 5070 Ti coverage, as we check out MSI's Vanguard SOC model. Packing in a triple-slot, triple-fan cooler, this card also boasts plentiful RGB lighting alongside dual-BIOS support, making it a prime contender for anyone interested in a high-end solution. We put it through its paces today and see what it can bring to the table.

A lot has changed since we first got hands on with the RTX 5070 Ti back in February – primarily, AMD has since unleashed RDNA 4, with the RX 9070 XT proving to be a capable competitor in this market segment. However, the RTX 5070 Ti still has plenty of merit, primarily due to its superior ray tracing performance alongside its support for DLSS. Let's see what MSI's RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC partner card adds to the mix.

	RTX 5090	RTX 5080	RTX 5070 Ti	RTX 4070 Ti Super	RTX 4070 Ti
Process	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4
SMs	170	84	70	66	60
CUDA Cores	21760	10752	8960	8448	7680
Tensor Cores	680	336	280	264	240
RT Cores	170	84	70	66	60
Texture Units	680	336	280	264	240
ROPs	176	112	96	96	80
GPU Boost Clock	2407 MHz	2617 MHz	2452 MHz	2610 MHz	2610 MHz
Memory Data Rate	28 Gbps	30 Gbps	28 Gbps	21 Gbps	21 Gbps
L2 Cache	98304 KB	65536 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB
Total Video Memory	32GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR6X	12GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface	512-bit	256-bit	256-bit	256-bit	192-bit
Memory Bandwidth	1792 GB/Sec	960 GB/Sec	896 GB/Sec	672 GB/Sec	504 GB/Sec
TGP	575W	360W	300W	285W	285W

First, a quick spec recap. Whereas the RTX 5080 is a full implementation of the GB203 die (378mm²), RTX 5070 Ti is cut down across the board. Comprised of six Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holds up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), with a total of 35. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 84, and each SM still holds 128 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5070 Ti has a total of 8960 shaders. We also find 70 RT cores, 280 Tensor cores, 280 Texture Units, and 96 ROPs.

This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB203 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40 series. As such, rated clock speed has not stepped forwards this generation, with the RTX 5070 Ti rated at 2452MHz, though MSI has increased this to 2588MHz using the Vanguard's Gaming BIOS.

The memory configuration is almost identical to the RTX 5080. That means we find 16GB of GDDR7 memory, but it's clocked slightly slower, at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at 896 GB/s, a 33% increase over the RTX 4070 Ti Super. L2 cache still comes in at 49MB.

Lastly, the RTX 5070 Ti features a 300W TGP, which MSI has not increased out of the box with the Vanguard SOC.

The post MSI RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Starbreeze has had its troubles over the years and the poor performance of Payday 3 at launch didn't quite help matters. Now, the publisher has a new CEO who will attempt to turn the company into a multi-project studio.

The new CEO of Starbreeze, the company behind the Payday series, is Adolf Kristjansson, the former director of global commercial strategy at EA, as reported by Insider Gaming. In his opening statement as CEO, he gave a shoutout to the studio's upcoming Dungeons & Dragons game, but also expressed a desire to build Starbreeze into a “true multi-title studio”.

Here is the full statement: “I join Starbreeze with great enthusiasm for the company’s current and future projects, not the least the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons title. I look forward to continuing the work of expanding the Payday franchise further and building Starbreeze into a true multi-title studio. Most of all, I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and engaging with our passionate player community as we build the next chapter of Starbreeze together”.

The previous CEO of Starbreeze, Tobias Sjögren, stepped down from the position following the mixed reception to Payday 3 at launch. Starbreeze continues to support Payday 3 with updates, in addition to developing its upcoming D&D game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The Payday series is a very fun one so I do hope to see Starbreeze turn things around.

The post Payday studio ‘Starbreeze’ appoints new CEO first appeared on KitGuru.

Since acquiring the Tomb Raider and Deus Ex IPs, along with the Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montreal studios, Embracer Group has done very little with any of it. Amazon has stepped in to publish the next Tomb Raider game and reports indicate that a new Deus Ex game was put on ice. Now this week, both Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montreal have been hit by layoffs. 

Just a few days ago, Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind Tomb Raider, confirmed it is letting go of roughly 17 employees. Now, Deus Ex studio, Eidos-Montreal, is also undergoing layoffs as well, amounting to a much higher 75 employees being let go this week.

“Today, we informed our studio staff that we are going to let go up to 75 valuable members, as one of our mandates is coming to an end”, Eidos-Montreal confirms in a statement on LinkedIn. “It is not a reflection of their dedication or skills, but unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to entirely reallocate them to our other ongoing projects and services.”

The studio says that it will offer help to impacted employees with finding new work. Right now, it is unclear what Eidos-Montreal is working on, as in 2024, Embracer confirmed that a Deus Ex game had been cancelled. Based on these layoffs, it would appear that whatever project they pivoted to has been scrapped as well.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Embracer has sold off some of the big studios it acquired between 2018 and 2021, along with IP rights. At this point, we have to wonder if Eidos-Montreal and the beloved Deus Ex IP might be better off somewhere else. 

The post Deus Ex studio hit by layoffs first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent weeks, we've heard rumblings about an upcoming Xbox handheld, in partnership with another big gaming brand. As rumours predicted, that brand appears to be Asus, with an Xbox branded version of the popular ROG Ally handheld. 

This week, Asus shared a teaser video showcasing an ROG Ally, complete with an Xbox style gamepad. Naturally, the official Xbox account was the first reply to the tweet, indicating that this is indeed a marketing teaser for the upcoming Xbox-branded handheld.

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

This all follows leaks from March, in which it was claimed that Microsoft would be launching its first Xbox handheld device this year. While the company is still thought to be making its own first-party handheld gaming system, Microsoft has opted to test the market first by partnering up with Asus, who already make well-received Windows 11 handhelds. The new ROG Ally will be an officially licensed Xbox-branded product.

Part of this launch will include more gaming-friendly UI elements for Windows 11, alongside other features intended to help boost game performance.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The ROG Ally is already quite expensive compared to the Steam Deck, although it does pack more power. This new Xbox-branded version should come with new Windows features to improve the handheld gaming experience, something Microsoft has been working on for a couple of years already. 

The post Asus and Microsoft tease upcoming Xbox handheld first appeared on KitGuru.

HP is making a strategic move to broaden its Omen gaming brand. This expansion will extend beyond pre-built desktops and laptops, including individual PC components for custom PCs and upgrades.

As noted by PCWorld, the newly listed components on HP's website include a 120mm RGB fan (25 mm thick), a 3-pack of 120mm modular RGB fans (28 mm thick), and a 1000W modular power supply unit. Additionally, HP will be offering modular liquid cooling solutions in 240mm and 360mm radiator sizes.

Omen's new fans feature an angular ring-shaped design for optimal airflow and intense static pressure to minimise vibrations. Each fan is equipped with ten customisable LEDs, offering a 16.2 million colour palette and a range of lighting effects controllable through the Omen Gaming Hub software. Moreover, the 28-mm-thick fans feature the Omen modular system, allowing users to connect up to 10 fans per daisy chain and up to 16 fans per Omen modular hub.

Moving on to the 1000W Omen ATX 3.1 PSU, it features a fully modular design and includes a PCIe 5.1 cable capable of delivering up to 600W of power, ensuring compatibility with the latest high-power graphics cards using 12VHPWR and 12V-2×6 connectors. A zero RPM mode allows the fan to operate silently under low thermal loads, contributing to a quieter computing experience. The unit has a 135-mm fan to cool it and 105°C Japanese capacitors to ensure stability. Lastly, the PSU is Cybernetics Platinum- and 80 Plus Gold-certified.

As for Omen's new liquid cooling solutions, they both use Asetek's 7th generation pumps equipped with 2.1-inch IPS LCDs and customisable RGB lighting elements. All modular components are designed to integrate with the Omen daisy chain system, enabling users to connect up to 16 fans per Omen Modular Hub, simplifying cable management and expanding customisation options.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of HP Omen's new PC components?

The post HP is expanding its Omen brand to the DIY PC market first appeared on KitGuru.

Jagex, the studio behind the iconic RuneScape franchise, has announced its upcoming project named RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This new open-world survival game, built on the Unreal Engine 5, will be playable in single-player mode and online co-op with up to three other players.

In RuneScape: Dragonwilds, players will embark on a cooperative adventure, gathering resources, constructing bases, and crafting tools and equipment to survive. Magic is a key gameplay element, allowing players to adapt to the environment and overcome challenges. The game promises a richly detailed, hand-crafted world, blending high fantasy elements, light RPG mechanics, and the lore of classic RuneScape.

Jagex has also released the preliminary PC system requirements for RuneScape: Dragonwilds. To run the game, players will need at least an Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a graphics card equivalent to an Nvidia GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 5600XT, or Intel Arc A750. The game will require a minimum of 25 GB of free storage space. For an optimal experience, Jagex recommends a system equipped with an Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a graphics card comparable to an Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is coming out in Early Access on Steam this spring. To learn more about the game, tune into Jagex's Twitch channel on April 15th at 17:00 BST for a deep-dive into RuneScape: Dragonwilds.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of RuneScape? Do you think Jagez will be successful expanding to another game genre?

The post Jagex unveils RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a new open-world survival game first appeared on KitGuru.

It's been a hectic few months to start the year at KitGuru, but in today's video we take a chill with this all white ASMR Gamdias featured build – enjoy!

Case – Gamdias NESO P1 Pro WH – Coming soon.

• A full tower case in matte black and snow white. It features a dual chamber trapezoidal design, allowing the hardware to be showcased in either vertical or horizontal orientation.
• One-touch mechanisms provide easy removal of panels for quick access and maintenance, while the magnetic feet allow instant and seamless switching from vertical to horizontal orientation.
• Comes equipped with three Gamdias Aeolus P2 fans and a built-in 8-way ARGB and PWM fan hub for optimal airflow and easy configuration, as well as rotatble PCIe slots for vertical or horizontal GPU mounting and 90mm deep space provides ample room for cable management.

Specifications

• Case Type: Full Tower
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 490 x 310 x 495 mm
• Net Weight: 97kg
• Material: SPCC & ABS & Tempered glass
• Motherboard Support: E-ATX (310mm Width)/ATX/Micro-ATX/Mini-ITX
• Expansion Slots: 8 to 8
• Storage Bays: 2 x 3.5″ or 1 x 2.5″+1 x 3.5″(HDD Cage) 2 x 2.5″(HDD Cage)
• Max GPU Length: 426mm
• MAX GPU Width: 192mm
• Max CPU Cooler Height: 193mm
• Max PSU Size: ATX 180mm
• Pre-installed Fans: Side: 3 x 120mm ARGB PWM AEOLUS P2 WH Fans
• Fan Support: Top: 3 x 120mm/2 x 140mm, Side: 3 x 120mm/3 x 140mm, Rear: 1 x 120mm/1 x 140mm, Bottom: 3 x 120mm
• Radiator Support: Top: 360mm/280mm, Side: 360mm/420mm, Rear: 120mm
• Dust Filters: Top, Side, Bottom
• Font I/O: USB 3.0 x2, Type C x 1, HD Audio x1, LED control x1
• LCD Screen: N/A

CPU Cooler – Gamdias CHIONE P5-360WH – Coming soon.

• Equipped with a 3.4-inch IPS LCD with 480×480 resolution to display real-time system info, pictures and animated GIFs.
• The display is mounted on magnets so it can be easily and quickly rotated, allowing the user to change orientation to suit their build for optimal viewing.
• CHIONE P5 pump features a powerful 12-slot 10-pole motor with a speed range of up to 2700RPM, an upgraded and optimised micro-channel copper cold plate and a 360mm radiator with high-density fins for optimal cooling performance.

Specifications

• Socket Compatibility: LGA2066 / 2011-v3 / 2011 / 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 1151 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 / AM5 / AM4 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ / AM2 / FM2+ / FM2 / FM1
• Radiator Dimensions: 396 x 120 x 27 mm
• Tube Material: EPDM
• Base plate Material: Copper
• Radiator Material: Aluminium
• Pump Voltage: 12V
• Pump Connector: 4-pin
• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25mm
• Fan Speed: 400 – 2200 RPM±10%
• Noise Level: 11 – 34.91 dBA
• Air Flow: 81.81 CFM
• Air Pressure: 3.15 mmH2O
• Connector: PWM & 5V sync
• Bearing: Hydraulic

Fans – Gamdias AEOLUS P2-1203U WH – 3 packs available from Amazon UK HERE.

• Cableless daisy chain wiring design for easy cable management, and swappable fan blades for quick push/pull configuration.
• 30mm thick with PWM speed control and hydraulic bearing for extreme cooling performance and low-noise operation.
• Includes a new USB AELOUS BOX II controller with four ports to chain four clusters of fans with a maximum of 16 fans running simultaneously. The controller can also syncronise with motherboard 3-pin 5V ARGB headers.

Specifications

• Connector Type: 8-pin
• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 30mm
• Fan Speed: 1000 – 2400 RPM±10%
• Max Air Pressure: 3.1 mmH2O
• Max Airflow: 74.97 CFM
• Bearing Type: Hydraulic
• Operating Voltage: 12 V (Fan) / 5V(LED)

Power Supply – Gamdias Kratos P2-1200G

• Fully modular cable design to reduce cable clutter with native 12VHPWR cable included and 80+plus Gold certification.
• Supports ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 with 100% superior quality Japanese capacitors and a premium 120mm hydraulic bearing fan.
• Features full ARGB lighting effects with 30 built-in addressable lighting effects via simple button on the unit and can be syncronised to motherboard software.

Specifications

• Type: ATX12V v3.0
• Efficiency: Meet 80 PLUS Gold efficiency
• Power Factor Correction: APFC with PF value of 0.99
• Supports MB Sync: 5V 3-pin Addressable (Digital) RGB Header Only
• Dimension (L x W x H): 140 x 150 x 86 mm
• Support C6/C7 power state: Yes
• AC Input: 100-240V~ / 15-7A / 47-63Hz
• DC Output: +3.3V / +5V / +12V / -12V / +5Vsb
• Output Current: 20A / 20A / 100A / 0.3A / 3A
• Output Power: 130W / 1200W / 3.6W / 15W
• Total Power: 1200W
• Peak Power: 1560W
• Protection: OVP / UVP / OPP / SCP / OCP / OTP
• Lighting Effect: 30 Neon-Flex RGB
• Cooling System: 120mm hydraulic bearing fan
• Silent Mode: Yes

Build Specification:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Motherboard – ASROCK X870 Steel Legend WiFi
• Graphics Card – MSI RTX 5080 Gaming Trio White
• Memory – 32GB (2 x 16GB modules) G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Neo DDR5-6000
• Storage – 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD
• CPU Cooler – Gamdias CHIONE P5-360 WH
• Power Supply – Gamdias Kratos P2-1200G
• Case fans – Gamdias AEOLUS P2-1203U WH
• Chassis – Gamdias NESO P1 Pro WH
• Operating System – Windows 11

KitGuru says: Keep your eye out for these new Gamdias parts hitting UK shelves soon, they offer another option for enthusiasts who want to build with white gaming PC parts.

The post Gamdias Featured Build – ASMR Edition! first appeared on KitGuru.

Hideo Kojima took a risk with his first game after leaving Konami. At its core, Death Stranding is a game largely about walking, but that didn't stop Kojima from captivating over 20 million players with his first independent game. 

Death Stranding launched in 2019, the first full game out of the newly independent Kojima Productions, following the famed director's split with Konami. Initially released as a PlayStation exclusive, Death Stranding has since gone on to launch on all platforms, from PS4 and PS5 to PC, Xbox Series X/S and even iPhones, iPads and Macs.

The game surpassed the 20 million players milestone this month, just ahead of the launch of the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Of course, that 20 million number has been boosted by numerous initiatives. Just last year, the game finally released on Xbox consoles. On top of that, the game has been given away for free on the Epic Games Store, and has been given away to PlayStation Plus subscribers in the past too.

KitGuru Says: Have you played Death Stranding since its release? Are you looking forward to the sequel? 

The post Death Stranding surpasses 20 million players first appeared on KitGuru.