MSI is joining forces with developer Pearl Abyss, offering gamers a free copy of the highly anticipated open-world action-adventure, Crimson Desert. Until April 6th, 2026, those who purchase select MSI X870E or B850 motherboards will be eligible to claim a Steam code for the game, which is slated for its global release on March 19th, 2026. This promotion provides an excellent opportunity for those building new AM5 systems to secure a major AAA title while upgrading to the latest silicon architecture.

The campaign focuses on MSI's latest motherboard lineup. That includes high-end models like the MEG X870E Ace, which features an upgraded 64MB BIOS ROM and the MSI OC Engine. These boards support cutting-edge connectivity, including Wi-Fi 7, USB4, and multi-gigabit LAN. Furthermore, the EZ DIY design includes tool-free M.2 Shield Frozr heatsinks and simplified expansion slots for effortless hardware upgrades.

To participate in the campaign, buyers must follow a specific redemption window and provide proof of purchase through the official MSI member center. It is important to note that MSI typically requires a 14-day waiting period after the purchase date before a claim can be initiated to account for standard return windows. The purchase period runs from March 6th to April 6th, with the redemption window opening on March 20th and closing on May 4th, or until the supply of codes is exhausted. Once claimed, the game code will remain valid for activation until March 20th, 2027.

For those who don't know the game, Crimson Desert was originally conceived as a prequel to Black Desert Online. However, it evolved into a standalone single-player epic powered by the proprietary BlackSpace Engine. Players take on the role of Kliff, a mercenary of the Greymanes, as he navigates the beautiful yet brutal wilderness and bustling cities of Pywel. The gameplay is characterised by a seamless open world filled with ancient ruins and a complex, skill-driven combat system that encourages the strategic use of weapons and environment-based abilities.

KitGuru says: Are you planning on upgrading your system soon? If Crimson Desert looks like a game you would like, this opportunity might be worthy of your consideration.

The post MSI partners with Pearl Abyss for “Crimson Desert” motherboard bundle first appeared on KitGuru.

A new community-driven utility, NV-UV, promises to offer Nvidia RTX 50-series owners a more streamlined way to manage the power and thermal characteristics of their “Blackwell” hardware.

Developed by cubi2k82, NV-UV (via PCGH and VideoCardz), which is still in closed alpha, is designed to work as a companion app for MSI Afterburner rather than a standalone replacement. It arrives as a direct response to changes in Nvidia's NVAPI, which reportedly no longer allows for the same direct write access to the Voltage-Frequency (VF) curve that enthusiasts enjoyed with previous generations.

The tool aims to make manual undervolting more accessible by automating and providing presets. Initially, it features a one-click interface with four primary profiles: Eco, Balanced, Performance, and Max. These presets allow users to quickly switch between efficiency-focused settings and raw performance targets without manually plotting points in a curve editor.

Perhaps the most innovative feature is the UV-Pilot mode, which reportedly uses a database of over 570 titles to detect supported games and automatically apply matching undervolt profiles. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the utility includes an Auto-UV scanner equipped with its own DX12 and DXR (Ray Tracing) stress tests, live telemetry, and a specialised crash recovery system that can automatically downclock the GPU following a driver failure.

As for compatibility, NV-UV currently supports the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. To use the utility, the developer recommends NVIDIA 590-series drivers or newer, a Windows 11 64-bit environment, and a fully updated copy of MSI Afterburner with voltage control enabled. The tool is distributed as a portable executable, meaning it requires no formal installation or separate .NET framework to run.

KitGuru says: As the tool is still in alpha, you should proceed with caution. If you have little experience tinkering with overclocking and voltage curves, you may be better off waiting for a more stable version of the app. 

The post New NV-UV utility aims to simplify undervolting for RTX 50 series GPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Bloober Team has been busy in recent years, with the horror-focused studio having released a remake of the iconic Silent Hill 2 alongside new IP Cronos: The New Dawn within the past year and a bit. With the team having already confirmed that multiple new projects are in the works, Bloober have now offered updates on the likes of Silent Hill 1 Remake, Layers of Fear 3 and more.

In an interview conducted by the polish publication ‘inwestycje’, Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno offered a number of updates on the studio’s current ongoing projects. Currently, we know of 3 different titles which the team are working on: the aforementioned Silent Hill 1 Remake and Layers of Fear 3, alongside a more mysterious Project M set to be a Switch exclusive.

According to Babieno however, there are actually 4 different titles currently being worked on to different degrees, stating: “The creative part of the team is currently conducting pre-production work on a new original project. At the same time, most of the production team [‘Cronos'] is currently supporting the polishing process of selected projects carried out as part of our second party segment.”

Offering a slight update on Project M, the CEO claimed that “some organizational changes” have occurred, and so it appears as though we might have to wait a while to learn more from it.

Curiously, their recently-announced Layers of Fear 3 is not being developed internally, with the project said to be “implemented in a co-development model with a significant influence of the original creators of the brand from Bloober Team” (as translated).

Babieno did not disclose which studio is working on the project, but based on the 2023 release of the Layers of Fear remake/reimagining, it is likely to be Anshar Studios.

Bloober Team have been going from strength-to-strength, with the horror-focused studio’s output improving with each successive release. As such, it will be interesting to see how each of these 4 projects wind up being received upon their eventual arrivals. Here's hoping that Bloober aren’t stretching themselves out too thin.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Bloober Team in 2026? Have they cemented themselves as horror aficionados? Which of the 4 upcoming projects are you most interested in? Let us know down below.

The post Bloober Team offers updates on Silent Hill 1 Remake, Layers of Fear 3 and more first appeared on KitGuru.

At the tail-end of last year, Microsoft and Compulsion Games announced that the first-party Xbox console exclusive South of Midnight would be coming to the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring of 2026. With the season almost upon us, South of Midnight’s multi-platform release date has now been revealed, with the game officially arriving later this month.

Making the announcement via a new ‘Critical Acclaim Trailer’ the team at Compulsion Games officially confirmed that South of Midnight will arrive on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 on the 31st of March – one week ahead of the game’s 1st anniversary.

For the uninitiated, South of Midnight is the first project from studio Compulsion Games since they were acquired by Microsoft back in 2018. Arriving in April of last year, the game was praised for its music, storytelling and art design, but was unfortunately hampered by repetitive gameplay and combat in particular.

So far, details surrounding the PS5 and Switch 2 versions remain light, with no price being provided – though we do know the game will offer both a Standard and Weaver’s Edition; the latter of which simply comes with a digital artbook; soundtrack; documentary and other bonus bits of media.

In terms of specifications, nothing was shared, although the PlayStation Store page does confirm that the game is PS5 Pro Enhanced. For context, the Series X version of the game ran internally between 1080p and 4K at 60fps, with the Series S arriving at between 540p to 1080p – and so expect the PS5 and Switch 2 to land in a similar ballpark.

Regardless, while not for everyone, South of Midnight occupies a particular spot within the wider games industry, and so it is exciting to see the game coming to additional platforms where it can hopefully reach new audiences.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to South of Midnight? What do you think of its unique stop motion aesthetic? How much do you reckon the game will cost? Let us know down below.

The post South of Midnight PS5 and Switch 2 release date officially confirmed first appeared on KitGuru.

Ever since the successful launch of Cuphead, we’ve seen a number of indie studios embrace decades-old aesthetics, in particular going back to the rubber-hose days of early animation. One of the most promising in this regard is Mouse P.I. For Hire – a highly unique title which “combines the charm of hand-drawn rubber hose animation inspired by the classic cartoons of the 1930’s with the adrenaline and action of an explosive first person shooter”. After years of waiting, the game is finally almost here, with the team announcing an official release date; price; game length and more.

Following the announcement last year that Mouse P.I. For Hire would be officially launching on the 19th of March, the team at Fumi Games recently confirmed that the much-anticipated title would instead arrive one month later on the 16th of April.

It appears as though this is indeed the final release date, with the team also sharing a bunch of additional details pertaining to its arrival, including its launch price of $29.99 and the fact that the game should run you between 12 to 20 hours of gameplay – “depending on how you play.”

Of course, the core of a boomer shooter is in its gameplay, and so assuming Mouse P.I. For Hire feels as good as it looks, then those 20 hours could easily stretch to dozens more with repeat playthroughs.

That said, we will have to wait and see whether the game manages to meet its lofty expectations. Regardless, it is exciting to see games continue to push the medium forward in various different ways; whether it be through gameplay, structure – or in this case – visuals. Mouse P.I. For Hire officially launches on the 16th of April for PC, PS5; Series X|S and Switch 2.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Mouse P.I. For Hire? What’s your favourite era of old-school animation? Let us know down below.

The post Mouse P.I. For Hire gets official release date, price and more first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years, Valve has been introducing a bunch of new features to its Steam platform, across both handheld and desktop spaces. With 2025 well and truly behind us, Valve has now shared its ‘annual platform summary for developers’ detailing its past 12 months of innovations.

Taking to their blog, Valve published their official Steam Year in Review 2025 for developers: “A platform-level summary for developers to learn about all the new features, tools, and improvements we shipped.”

The full list of changes and additions is lengthy, and includes a number of developer-centric features. That said, some of the most notable improvements over the past year include:

• Daily Deal spotlights
• Updates to News Pop-Up Messages
• Monthly themed sales events
• Discovery Queue Overhaul
• User reviews automatically filtered by language
• Personal Calendar
• Search and Layout overhauls
• Steam playtest improvements

As mentioned, the full list of additions is rather meaty, and includes updates on Steam’s sales data API; per-discount revenue reporting; new art asset templates and much more.

Additionally, not all changes have been welcome, with the review language filter in particular receiving some backlash from users wanting a more broad perspective on game opinions.

Still, Valve has been taking strides in trying to improve Steam as a platform across the board. It will be interesting to see what the platform holder has planned for 2026, especially with multiple new pieces of hardware scheduled to arrive at some point. The full 2025 Year in Review can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Steam’s progress in 2025? What was your favourite new / improved feature? What was your least favourite change? Let us know down below.

The post Valve shares developer-focused ‘Steam Year in Review 2025’ first appeared on KitGuru.

We saw the Montech Sky 3 Glass at Computex 2025 however it has taken nine months for the case to finally launch. There have been a few changes along the way and the ‘Glass' part of the name has been ditched so perhaps we will never see the promised Mesh version. Regardless, this is an interesting compact ATX case that is packed with features and comes at a budget price.

Main features

• Adaptive Modular Bottom Chamber
• Detachable Top Radiator Bracket
• Seamless Horizon Lighting
• Future-Proof Graphics Compatibility
• Back-Connect Ready
• Integrated AX & RX120 PRO Airflow System

Specification:
Motherboard support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX (with support for back connections)
Power supply support: ATX.
Expansion slots: 7.
Included fans: 2x 120mm bottom intake RX120 PRO, 1x 120mm rear exhaust AX120 PRO.
Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm roof, 2x 120mm/140mm side, 1x 120mm/140mm rear.
Radiator mounts: 360mm/280mm roof, 240mm/140mm side, 120mm rear.
5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch.
Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, audio.
Dimensions: 491mm H x 468mm D x 240mm W.

Testing
To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Montech Sky 3‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
CPU Cooler: Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360
Motherboard: MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi PZ
Memory: 32GB G.Skill TridentZ5 Royal Neo DDR5-8000
Graphics card: Palit GeForce RTX 5080 Gamerock OC 16GB
Power supply: Montech Titan PLA 1000W
SSD: Crucial T700 M.2 NVMe Gen 5
OS: Windows 11

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

We stressed the Montech Sky 3 fairly hard and it performed well, although it got notably noisy as the fan speeds increased. If you are thinking about building a PC with an RTX 5090 and a Core i9-14900K we feel the compact nature of the Sky 3 might cause cooling issues, however that is an extreme scenario.

Closing Thoughts

Montech has done a number of things very well with the Sky 3, and the only issues we encountered have fairly simple explanations. This is a compact ATX case with very clean looks that can accommodate a huge graphics card and a 360mm AIO cooler, and it comes at a reasonable price. The RGB light show in the two glass panels adds to the appeal and our first, second and third impressions were all very favourable.

The downside is that Montech has clearly made the Sky 3 as svelte as possible, presumably to save cost, and this leads to the issues we discuss in our video. We are confident the Sky 3 will be very popular as a budget case for PC gamers and it offers very good value for money.

You can buy the Montech Sky 3 for $89.99 in Black or White

Pros:

• Loads of access for your PC build
• Two choices for the location of your power supply
• Easy to dismantle and remove the various components
• Glass panels at the front and side look very neat and clean

Cons:

• Not enough cable clearance inside the right hand panel for Project Zero
• Two of the screws on the PSU and fan shrouds are awkward to reach when the motherboard is installed.
• The Sky 3 is about 5mm too small in height and about 15mm too narrow.

KitGuru says: Montech's Sky 3 has been worth the wait and we will be intrigued to see whether they launch a Mesh version.

The post Montech Sky 3 – Loads of RGB and some clever stuff, plus a problem first appeared on KitGuru.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is on track to be announced later this year, with director Naoki Hamaguchi suggesting the release window won’t be far behind.

Speaking to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Hamaguchi said he is “hoping it’s not going to be too far in the future,” signalling a release window that aligns with a first‑half 2027 launch. Hamaguchi confirmed that the third entry will continue the team’s approach of expanding beyond the 1997 original:

“We didn’t want the three installments to be a reskinning of the same game over and over again,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re expanding with every installment in terms of scale, as well as retaining that freshness.”

He added that the team “already has the foundation of the gameplay in place” and is now focused on fine‑tuning. Staff continuity has also remained high, with “closer to 95% of the Rebirth staff” returning for the final chapter.

While full details are being held for the official reveal, Hamaguchi confirmed several returning locations and features. Rocket Town and Wutai are both in, and flying the Highwind will be “a very large part of the third installment”. He also teased new Chocobo elements, potential underwater exploration, and a starting point that aligns with the original game’s path from the Forgotten City toward Icicle Inn.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3? 

The post Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 should be revealed this year first appeared on KitGuru.

While Marathon garnered a respectable number of players for its launch weekend, Bungie's big moment was actually usurped by an unlikely competitor – the early access version of Slay the Spire 2.

Slay the Spire 2 is stealing headlines this weekend thanks to its massive Steam Early Access launch. The new version of the deckbuilder places great focus on card variety and visual upgrades over the original, and it appears to be a huge hit already.

Despite being in an incomplete early access state, Slay the Spire 2 garnered over 573,000 peak concurrent players this weekend. It has also shot up to the #1 spot on the Steam Top Seller list.

There is no specific timeline in place for the Early Access period of Slay the Spire 2. The game will continue to receive updates and new content in the months ahead, alongside bug and stability fixes. When V1.0 is ready, we also expect to see Slay the Spire 2 on consoles like Xbox, PS5 and Switch 2.

KitGuru Says: Slay the Spire is one of my favourite Steam Deck games. I haven't jumped into the sequel yet, but I've got it installed and ready to go.

The post Slay the Spire 2 surpasses Marathon with over 500K concurrent players on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

While Valve had originally planned to release new hardware products in early 2026, the ongoing memory and storage shortage has put a hold to those plans. Valve has recently pushed its release timing from ‘Q1 2026' to ‘1H 2026'. 

In an update shared this week Valve said that it still ‘hopes' to ship the Steam Machine, Steam Frame and Steam Controller in 2026. This had some worrying that the new products may not ship this year at all but a spokesperson told The Verge that Valve still fully intends to ship its new products in the first half of this year.

While we were initially expecting all three new hardware products to launch before the end of this month, towards the end of last year, the AI data centre market began to make a huge impact on global memory and storage supplies. Since then, prices for high-speed RAM and storage have been creeping up and manufacturers have begun shifting production capacity to better serve the AI market, leaving less production available for consumer-grade electronics.

Aside from the Steam Machine, there has also been talk of the memory shortage causing price hikes for current consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and delays for next-gen systems like the PlayStation 6.

KitGuru Says: Do you think Valve should pause its release plans or should it push ahead despite potential long-term supply challenges?

The post Valve says Steam Machine and Steam Frame still coming this year despite memory shortage first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent days reports have claimed that Sony has pulled back on its PC strategy and no longer intends to release blockbuster single-player exclusives on Steam, impacting upcoming titles like Wolverine, Saros and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. According to a study, waning interest in new PlayStation PC releases could have been part of the cause. 

Newzoo (via GI.biz) has released a study showing that Sony's strategy of releasing games months or years after their initial console release was hurting launch-window sales. While there have been some standouts here like God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn and Spider-Man Remastered, other games like Returnal, Ratchet and Clank, The Last of Us Part 1 and Uncharted saw muted sales.

Many PC gamers are more willing to be patient, so when games launch on PC a year or so later than PS5 at full price, many will wait for a sale. As a result, some newer games like Spider-Man 2 are estimated to have a 95% to 5% split between PS5 and PC sales.

Another reason for Sony's apparent U-turn on PC versions for its single-player games could be devices like the Steam Machine and the next-gen Xbox. Microsoft confirmed this week that Project Helix, the next Xbox, will run PC games. If it gets access to services like Steam and Epic Games, then suddenly Xbox ‘consoles' will be running titles like God of War.

KitGuru Says: How many of Sony's PC games did you buy over the last five years? There are still a few that I have yet to pick up due to high prices. 

The post Sony’s PS5 PC ports ‘losing audience share’ first appeared on KitGuru.

TCL held a major display showcase this week, debuting a suite of high-performance monitors that push the boundaries of refresh rate and panel technology. Leading the announcement is the company's first 1040 Hz Mini LED gaming monitor, alongside a premium 31.5-inch 4K OLED model designed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen. While these units are initially launching in the Chinese market, they represent a significant leap in the “dual-mode” display trend.

The highlight of the event (via Leikeji) was TCL's new 31.5-inch OLED+ monitor, designed to compete directly with Samsung's latest QD-OLED offerings. This screen features a 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) at a 240 Hz refresh rate, but it also includes a “dual-mode” capability that allows it to reach 480 Hz at 1080p. TCL is marketing this as “OLED+” because of its vertical sub-pixel layout, which aims to solve common text clarity issues and reduce the “purple tint” glare typically found on older OLED panels. The display boasts a 1300-nit peak brightness, 10-bit colour depth, a near-instant 0.03 ms G2G response time, and a premium audio system co-designed by Bang & Olufsen.

For esports enthusiasts, TCL introduced the 27P2A Ultra Mini LED monitor that sets a new industry standard for speed. While its native resolution is 1440p at 550 Hz, the dual-mode function enables it to reach a staggering 1040 Hz at 720p. This monitor uses TCL CSOT's proprietary HFS (IPS-type) panel and “Tmoc Super Dynamic Sharpness” tuning to ensure motion remains clear even at such extreme frame rates, promising a 1ms G2G response time spec and 0.1ms MPRT. The specific number of dimming zones remains undisclosed.

TCL also expanded its mainstream offerings with the 27-inch 27C3A Pro, a more affordable HFS display. The 27-inch model delivers a 4K resolution at 165 Hz (switching to 320 Hz at 1080p) and features 2304 local dimming zones. This provides an exceptional 2200-nit peak XDR brightness, paired with the 1 ms G2G response time spec, a 0.2 ms MPRT spec, and 10-bit colour depth.

Pricing for the P2A Ultra is still undisclosed, but the X3A will cost 5999 yuan, and the 27C3A Pro (£649) will cost 3199 yuan (£346).

KitGuru says: Which of these three new TCL monitors looks the best fit for you?

The post TCL unveils 2026 monitor lineup with 1040Hz Mini LED and “OLED+” monitors first appeared on KitGuru.

The latest Jon Peddie Research (JPR) report for Q4 2025 paints a picture of a GPU market increasingly defined by a total Nvidia monopoly and a looming crisis for budget-conscious gamers. According to the data, Nvidia now controls a staggering 94% of the Add-In Board (AIB) market, up 10 points from the previous year.

In contrast, the same report claims AMD has plummeted to 5% market share, a 10-point YoY decline. As for Intel, it remains static at a marginal 1%. This shift comes as total AIB shipments fell to 11.48 million units, dropping 4.4% from the previous quarter and signalling a contraction in the consumer desktop space.

Image credit: JPR

The report highlights a growing “bloodbath” in 2026 regarding GPU pricing and availability. While AIB shipments technically increased by 36% compared to the past year, the market is being stifled by rising DRAM prices, global supply chain instability (supply-demand ratio, tariffs, etc.), and more advanced integrated graphics. The ongoing memory shortage is likely the primary culprit, with manufacturers diverting precious GDDR7 and GDDR6X supplies to high-margin AI and enterprise hardware, leaving the consumer gaming segment to fight over scraps. This has led to widespread scalping and price hikes, effectively making the sub-$500 mainstream gaming PC a dying breed.

The broader PC ecosystem is feeling the squeeze as well. While CPU shipments remained relatively healthy at 21 million units for the quarter, the overall “attach rate” of GPUs in desktop PCs dropped to 55%, a 12.3% decrease. This suggests that while people are still building or buying PCs, a growing number of users are opting to skip a dedicated graphics card entirely due to prohibitive costs. With all this taken into account, JPR predicts that in 2026, the PC and AIB markets will decline by “almost 10%”.

KitGuru says: Nvidia continues to boom thanks to the AI gold rush. 

The post Analysis shows Nvidia GPUs represented about 94% of shipments in Q4 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Jonsbo is maintaining its rapid release pace with the debut of the TX-360 AIO liquid cooler. This new flagship cooling solution leans heavily into current aesthetic trends, featuring a high-resolution circular screen on the pump block and an elaborate LED lighting system across its triple-fan array. Following the same design language as Jonsbo's X, D, and BO series cases, the TX-360 offers deep customisation options for both performance monitoring and visuals.

The TX-360 features a 3.95-inch LCD integrated into the pump head. According to Cowcotland, the screen, with a resolution of 480 x 480 and a brightness of 450 nits, is managed via the Jonsbo-AIO software, allowing users to display real-time system metrics, custom images, videos, or clock widgets. In a clever bit of engineering, the screen assembly attaches magnetically to the water block using Pogo pins for data and power transmission. This modular design simplifies the mounting process and ensures a clean look without extra wires trailing from the pump head.

Unlike traditional AIOs with three separate fans, the TX-360 uses a unified triple-fan frame that houses three 120 mm fans. This design reduces cable clutter by using a single output cable with PWM and RGB headers. The lighting is notably complex, with the fan blades featuring centred rings and the frame itself providing an infinite mirror effect when viewed from the side. Performance-wise, the fans operate between 700 and 2,400 RPM, delivering 62.4 CFM of airflow and 2.46 mmH2O of static pressure. While effective, Jonsbo notes a peak noise level of 37.3 dB(A).

While many manufacturers are beginning to sunset support for legacy hardware, Jonsbo is taking a universal approach. The TX-360 includes mounting kits for a wide range of sockets, including AMD AM4 and AM5, as well as Intel 115x, 1200, 1700, and the latest LGA-1851 for Arrow Lake processors.

KitGuru says: Although pricing isn't known yet, Jonsbo usually doesn't stretch its prices too much. Still, considering the feature set and looks, it will likely cost more than an entry-level AIO cooler from well-known brands.

The post Jonsbo launches TX-360 AIO with integrated 3.95-inch LCD first appeared on KitGuru.

The legendary GeForce RTX 3060 is reportedly set for a mid-March 2026 revival, nearly five years after its initial debut. According to reports, Nvidia is preparing to restock its partners with “installation kits” (GPU die and memory bundles) for the Ampere-based card.

Why the RTX 3060 specifically? Well it is speculated that Nvidia might be facing a ‘node bottleneck', with current Blackwell and Ada GPUs relying on TSMC's 4N node, which is also being used for high-margin AI accelerator GPUs. By contrast, the RTX 3060 uses Samsung's 8nm process node, so there is likely to be more production capacity available for something like an RTX 3060, versus a newer-gen GPU. These older cards also use GDDR6 memory, which may be easier to source right now versus current-gen GDDR7 modules.

According to the Board Channels forum post (via VideoCardz), it remains unclear whether Nvidia will favour the original 12GB (192-bit) model or the later 8GB (128-bit) variant. Providing a fresh supply of 12GB cards would allow Nvidia to offer a “value” alternative that can still handle modern VRAM-heavy titles at 1080p.

If this all proves true, then it is expected that board partners will reuse existing cooling shrouds and PCB designs to bring a fresh wave of RTX 3060 graphics cards to market quickly. For gamers, the success of this relaunch will hinge entirely on pricing. With the RTX 5050 starting at £230, the revived RTX 3060 would need to start below the £200 mark to be competitive against used hardware and other entry-level alternatives.

KitGuru says: In a normal year, a 5-year-old mid-range card returning to production would be seen as regression. However, with the global memory crunch, the entry-level price point is rising, making the RTX 3060 exactly what budget buyers need. 

The post Rumour claims Nvidia might revive the RTX 3060 amid memory shortage first appeared on KitGuru.

Keychron is growing its already enormous keyboard lineup with a couple more entries. In addition to the Q5 HE 8K, the latest addition to the Q HE 8K-series, the company is also introducing its cheapest HE 8K keyboard, the J2 HE 8K.

Priced at $239.99, the Q5 HE 8K (via TechPowerUP) targets gamers who require a Numpad but prefer a more streamlined footprint than a traditional full-sized board. The Q5 HE 8K is currently available in black and white and features a compact 1800 layout, which condenses the board to 408 mm in length. Despite its smaller size, it retains a full-sized zero key on the numpad and adds a programmable knob and a row of dedicated macro keys. The board uses Keychron's Magnetic Lime switches and OSA double-shot PBT keycaps, and features south-facing RGB lighting and an 8K polling rate. Because this is a wired-only model, Keychron was able to reduce the front height to 20.6 mm, improving ergonomics for long gaming sessions.

On the software side, the Q5 HE 8K is fully compatible with the Keychron Launcher web app, enabling advanced analogue features such as Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation points, Snap Click, Last Key Priority (LKP), and Dynamic Keystrokes (DKS). The keyboard also features hardware-level toggles for OS switching (macOS/Windows) and profile selection, ensuring that your custom macros and settings are accessible across different systems without needing background software. As per usual for a keyboard at this price, the Q5 HE is hot-swappable.

Moving on to the J2 HE 8K, this is a 75% wired keyboard that aims to democratise high-end magnetic switch technology. Priced at just $99.99, the J2 HE 8K brings the performance of its premium Q HE series to a much more accessible price bracket. While the flagship Q-series models feature heavy CNC aluminium chassis, the J2 HE 8K utilises a more streamlined plastic construction to maintain its competitive edge without sacrificing the core internal hardware that defines the 8K experience.

Like the Q5 HE 8K, the J2 HE also comes with hot-swap sockets, double-shot PBT keycaps, and Lime Magnetic switches, allowing it to offer some of the analogue features of the more expensive model, including adjustable actuation points. Also like the Q HE 8K series, the J2 HE 8K is a wired-only device with an 8K polling rate. This design choice ensures the stability and bandwidth required to maintain a consistent 8K signal while keeping the front height lower for better ergonomics.

Customisation is handled through the Keychron Launcher web app, removing the need for bloatware and allowing users to rebind keys, program macros, and configure other settings directly in a browser. The keyboard also features the signature Keychron hardware OS switch, enabling seamless transitions between macOS and Windows layouts. Despite the budget-friendly price, it still includes high-end features like south-facing RGB lighting and the ability to emulate controller inputs.

KitGuru says: Of the two new Keychron keyboards, which one looks the most interesting to you?

The post Keychron expands its hall-effect keyboard lineup with the Q5 HE and J2 HE keyboards first appeared on KitGuru.

Polish developer Reikon Games has unveiled Ruiner 2, the sequel to its 2017 cult-classic twin-stick shooter. While the original was a focused, brutal blast of cyber-violence, the sequel is aiming for a broader scope, shifting into a cyberpunk action RPG.

Returning players will find themselves back in Rengkok, but this time the gameplay is built around the Shell System. Rather than being locked into a single class, you play as a hacker capable of hijacking the bodies of fallen heroes. These bodies, also known as Shells, allow you to swap between different combat styles on the go, adapting to every situation.

The depth of the RPG systems in Ruiner 2 appears to be a love letter to theory-crafters. Each Shell comes with four unique skills, each featuring branching progression nodes that fundamentally alter how the ability functions. Balancing your build is a game of logistics, as every piece of equipment draws from a dedicated resource pool of power, CPU, and memory. With no “free” gear slots, every upgrade is a direct trade-off. This is further supported by the Neural Network, a persistent hacker-level passive tree that provides buffs across your entire roster of Shells.

Combat has been redesigned to favour high-speed synergies, whether you are playing solo or with friends. In single-player, you control a team of three Shells simultaneously, switching between them to chain abilities into devastating loops. The sequel also introduces three-player online co-op, where a full team can bring up to six Shells into the fray, creating screen-clearing combos that wouldn't be possible alone. For those who live for the grind, Reikon has confirmed an “endless endgame” featuring escalating tiers of difficulty and loot, ensuring that the only ceiling on your progression is the efficiency of your build.

The minimum system requirements have already been published and can be found below:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-8400
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) / AMD Radeon RX 580 (8GB)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 10 GB available space

KitGuru says: Reikon Games is taking a bit of a gamble by pivoting from a twin-stick shooter to an ARPG, but the Shell System looks like a good fit for the franchise. Have you played the original Ruiner? Were you hoping it would get a sequel?

The post Reikon Games announces Ruiner 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Though Mario Kart World served as a strong launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, the game has received some criticism for its relative lack of content, especially when compared to the last-gen Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While World has gotten a few notable updates post-launch, it appears as though Nintendo accidentally leaked the fact that the game is set to receive a pretty significant addition to its Battle Mode.

In celebration of their upcoming Mario Day (March 10th) Nintendo announced a bunch of different sales, deals and in-person events.

While nothing new for the console maker, one of the screenshots pertaining to Mario Kart World’s MAR10 events showed an updated Battle Mode icon which seems to suggest that Bob-Omb Blast could arrive as a new option.

Given that Mario Kart World’s Battle Mode in particular is rather barren content-wise, adding Bob-Omb Blast should aid in its replayability.

As mentioned, Mario Kart World has gotten some updates of note since its release, however a majority of the changes were more mechanical and structural in nature – less so about bringing in new content.

As such, here’s to hoping that Nintendo is indeed planning to bring Bob-Omb Blast to MK World; the first of many new potential additions. We will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Mario Kart World at launch? How’s Nintendo’s post-launch support been so far? What are your most requested additions? Let us know down below.

The post Mario Kart World seemingly getting new Battle Mode additions in future update first appeared on KitGuru.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits was the impressive debut title from studio Ember Lab. Released back in 2021 for PlayStation and PC, the game resonated with many thanks to its gorgeous visuals, fun combat and overall vibes. Eventually finding its way to Xbox, the title is now set to complete its multi-platform journey as Kena: Bridge of Spirits officially comes to the Switch 2 this Spring.

Making the announcement via a brief trailer, the team at Ember Lab confirmed that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is officially coming to the Switch 2 some time this Spring, though no concrete date was provided.

That said, when it does arrive, the game will feature all of its previously-released Anniversary DLC alongside other prior post-launch updates such as its New Game Plus mode.

In terms of technical specs, the team did not disclose any specifics. That said, the trailer was released in just 1080p and 30fps and so it’s possible that the title will be limited in this regard.

For context, the PS5 version offered two modes, a 30fps option running at 4K (for the most part) and a 60fps option landing around 1440p – then reconstructed up to 4K. For a more apt comparison, the PS4 Pro version of Kena was limited to 30fps while operating at a dynamic 1440p.

Regardless, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a fun and pretty game worth playing irrespective of what platform you’re on, and so it is exciting to see the title finally coming to Nintendo’s platform. It will be interesting to see whether the recently-announced sequel ‘Kena: Scars of Kosmora’ will find its way to Switch 2 eventually.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Kena: Bridge of Spirits? Does framerate matter for a game like this? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Kena: Bridge of Spirits officially comes to Switch 2 this Spring first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent days we’ve heard a ton of insider leaks and rumours claiming that Sony is moving away from its multi-platform strategy, with its first-party single player games no longer being ported over to the likes of the PC. One of the most interesting multi-platform releases was for LEGO Horizon Adventures – a title which was launched day-and-date on the Nintendo Switch alongside PlayStation. Though seemingly an out-of-character decision at the time, it appears as though the Switch port was mandated by LEGO, and was not Sony’s choice.

Following the recent reports which claimed that Sony would no longer be bringing its first-party PlayStation titles to additional platforms (live-service games excluded), game dev interviewer ‘Kiwi Talks’ took to Twitter to reveal some behind the scenes details on the LEGO Horizon Adventures deal, claiming that: “Lego Horizon only released on Switch because it was mandated by the Lego Group.”

When asked whether this was speculation or based on obtained knowledge, Kiwi claimed “no it's not an educated guess, it's info I know. Sony views Nintendo as direct competition.”

As mentioned, the release of LEGO Horizon Adventures on Switch was interesting, with it being the only non-live-service title from the company to land day-and-date on another platform – with most of its previous ports coming years after their PlayStation debut.

What this means for future potential collaborations such as this is unknown, with Sony reportedly wanting to go back to full PlayStation exclusives. Regardless, while bringing LEGO Horizon Adventures to Switch did make sense, its release was still quite novel at the time. It seems we now know why.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of LEGO Horizon Adventures? Does this mean we are unlikely to get more PlayStation-LEGO projects? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post LEGO reportedly ‘mandated’ that Horizon Adventures launched on Switch alongside PlayStation first appeared on KitGuru.

Ever since the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, Ubisoft has slowly but surely updated a large majority of its last-gen titles with support for higher framerates on current hardware. The most recent title to receive such a benefit was Assassin’s Creed Unity. Interestingly, while the update only advertised a boost to 60fps, fans have noticed that the title appears to also include a couple other notable enhancements.

Following the surprise release of Assassin’s Creed Unity’s 60fps update, fans have been checking the title out and noticed that the game’s visuals appear much sharper than expected.

For context, the original AC: Unity ran at just 900p on last-gen consoles, and so it was expected that this would remain the case. That said, while not confirmed, many users have since claimed that the game is running at resolutions far exceeding the aforementioned 900p.

Unfortunately, it’s not all good news, with a similar issue seen in AC: Syndicate’s current-gen patch finding its way into Unity – that being the fact that cloth physics are still limited to 30fps. Given that the playable characters themselves are dripped out in various cloaks and hooded outfits, the disparity between the 60fps world and 30fps physics can be distracting.

Still, this update has been long-awaited, and with the game seeing more than just a 60fps boost, playing Assassin’s Creed Unity on current-gen consoles should be a rather refreshing experience.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Ubisoft’s current-gen support? Would you prefer to get proper next-gen versions as opposed to more rudimentary patches? Let us know down below.

The post Assassin’s Creed Unity 60fps update reportedly also includes a hefty resolution bump first appeared on KitGuru.

Last night Bungie officially launched Marathon, its first brand new game in close to a decade. The game appears to be off to a good start with positive user reviews on Steam, but has it been enough? 

Marathon has launched to a 91% positive user score on Steam, based on just shy of 5000 English language reviews. This is a great sign for Bungie, as there were concerns of a mixed or negative rating for the game, but it appears the studio has managed to stick the landing. As always with a live-service game though, launch is just the beginning, and Bungie will need to keep the pressure on with regular content updates to stop the player base from dropping off, as it has with Destiny 2 over the past year.

At launch last night, Marathon managed to peak at just under 90,000 concurrent players on Steam and will have had many more players logging in on Xbox and PS5. While these are pretty good numbers for a launch, Bungie will be looking to see growth over the weekend as more players get time off work and school to play.

If that growth spurt doesn't hit, then Marathon will be quite a bit behind its closest rival, Arc Raiders, which had a peak player-count of over 460,000 players on Steam during its launch month, and still regularly brings in close to 200K concurrent PC players monthly.

KitGuru Says: Marathon didn't exactly get a burst of momentum over its server slam test last weekend, but that could have been down to progress not carrying over to the launch this week. It will be interesting to see how Marathon does over its first week now that the game is officially out. 

The post Marathon is off to a good start with ‘very positive’ Steam reviews first appeared on KitGuru.

Just a few weeks ago, Capcom's next shooter, Pragmata, received a lengthy gameplay showcase during a Nintendo Direct, followed by the announcement of an April 24th release date for all platforms. Now, Capcom has decided to release the game a little earlier, bringing the release date forward.

Pragmata will no longer release on April 24th like originally planned. Instead, the game will now arrive a week earlier, on April 17th, for all platforms including PC, PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S.

Pragmata stars Hugh Williams, who has been tasked with investigating a lunar research station. As you might expect, things don't go to plan and he ends up injured. In an effort to figure out what is going on and return home safely, he teams up with an Android, Diana, to take down dangerous AI-controlled security bots.

The combat involves a mix of hacking mini games and shooting, with different hacks giving different buffs so you can take down enemies faster, or take down even bigger bosses.

KitGuru Says: Are any of you planning on picking up Pragmata?

The post Capcom is releasing Pragmata early first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft has quietly announced its next-generation Xbox console, teasing exactly what we've been hearing for months in rumours – that it will be a PC hybrid with the ability to play Windows games. 

Project Helix is the official codename for the next generation Xbox, following up from Project Scorpio (Xbox One X) and Project Scarlet (Xbox Series X/S). The new console will “lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games” according to Microsoft.

Unfortunately, we do not yet have a look at the console, its technical specs, or official details about the new custom AMD chip powering it. However, this does mark the first major Xbox announcement from Microsoft under new CEO, Asha Sharma, who took over from Phil Spencer in February.

The next Xbox console is still targeting a 2027 launch, amid a growing memory and storage shortage. This current shortage is believed to be behind a delay for Sony's next console, the PS6, so it looks like Microsoft is hoping to beat them to market by pushing ahead with new hardware anyway.

KitGuru Says: With the next Xbox becoming a PC and devices like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck gaining popularity, it is starting to make sense why Sony suddenly wants to stop shipping its single-player games on PC. 

The post Microsoft announces ‘Project Helix’ – a next-gen Xbox that also plays PC games first appeared on KitGuru.