Sony is about to give its PlayStation Portal remote player a sleek new look. According to a reliable leaker, a black variant of the device is on its way, offering a new alternative to the current white model.

Billbil-kun, known for many accurate leaks on Dealabs, claims that a black PlayStation Portal will be available in limited quantities soon. This new model will be priced the same as the existing white version, meaning it will come out at £199.99/$199.99/€219.99. This is great news for gamers who prefer a more understated aesthetic or want a device that better matches their other gaming gear.

In addition to the black Portal handheld, billbil-kun (via Dealabs) also reports that Sony is releasing a range of PlayStation 5 peripherals in black, including a DualSense Edge controller, the Pulse Elite wireless headphones, and the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds. And for fans of cooperative alien-blasting action, Sony is also reportedly releasing a Helldivers 2-themed DualSense controller, according to the same leaker.

The black versions of these peripherals will, like the black Portal, reportedly be priced the same as their white counterparts. This means you can grab the DualSense Edge controller in black for £209.99/$199.99/€239.99, the Pulse Elite Wireless Headphones for £129.99/$149.99/€149.99, and the Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds for £199.99/$199.99/€219.99. The Helldivers 2-themed controller will be available for £74.99/$84.99/€84.99.

KitGuru says: With a new black PlayStation Portal and a range of stylish black peripherals on the horizon, Sony is giving gamers even more options to personalise their gaming experience.

Dave the Diver, the charming and addictive underwater adventure RPG, continues to reel in players, surpassing the 5 million copies sold worldwide.

Developer Mintrocket took to X to celebrate the milestone, highlighting the game's continued success since its launch in 2023. This impressive figure comes just after announcing 3 million sales in January, demonstrating the game's enduring appeal and steady growth.

Dave the Diver has garnered critical acclaim for its unique blend of genres, combining deep-sea exploration, fishing, restaurant management, and RPG elements into a surprisingly cohesive and engaging experience. Currently sitting at an Opencritic score of 90 with 100% recommendation by critics (one of the few games to achieve it), it's easy to understand how an indie game could sell these many copies.

Mintrocket has been diligently supporting the game with consistent updates, including crossover DLC content featuring popular titles like Dredge and Godzilla. This has undoubtedly also helped to keep the game relevant over a year after its launch.

Dave the Diver is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. While there's no word yet on a potential Xbox release, the game's popularity across multiple platforms suggests it could be a worthwhile addition to Xbox's portfolio.

KitGuru says: Did you play Dave the Diver? Do you think the game deserves the praise it gets?

The highly anticipated hero shooter, Marvel Rivals, is ready to assemble! With its official launch just around the corner, developer Second Dinner Studios has announced that the game has gone gold, signalling a smooth liftoff for the upcoming hero shooter.

While leveraging a popular IP like Marvel doesn't guarantee success, Marvel Rivals has generated significant excitement, even if it's often considered a third-person Overwatch. The game's recent betas have showcased its gameplay and diverse roster of iconic Marvel characters, leaving fans looking for more.

Now, with the “gone gold” announcement, players can be more assured that the December 6th launch date is locked and loaded. While the traditional significance of “going gold” has diminished in the age of day-one patches and ongoing updates, it still signifies a level of confidence and polish that gamers like to hear.

Marvel Rivals is already making waves on Steam, sitting at number six on the platform's most wishlisted games. The strong pre-release interest and generally positive reception of the betas suggest the game could face a massive influx of players at launch. Hopefully, the servers will be able to deal with it.

Second Dinner Studios hasn't been resting on its laurels since the beta concluded. They've continued to refine the gameplay, add new content, and bolster the already impressive roster of heroes. Recent announcements have confirmed the addition of Moon Knight and Hawkeye, increasing the total number of playable characters to 28 heroes.

Furthermore, the developers have committed to full transparency by displaying detailed hero metrics, including pick rates and win rates, to provide players with valuable insights into the game's balance and meta. Three new maps have also been revealed, including the planet of Klyntar, Intergalactic Wakanda, and a Hydra fortress. The game will be available free-to-play on December 6th for PC and consoles.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Marvel Rivals? Will you be playing it at launch or will you be waiting for reviews before jumping in?

Intel has confirmed to its partners that the Arc Battlemage series will be officially announced next week, with a release coming later in December. The B580 and B570 will be the first graphics cards of the series to be released, but more are expected to come later.

According to VideoCardz, Intel will officially unveil the Battlemage lineup and its new Xe2-HPG architecture on December 3rd. The initial launch will focus on two models, the Arc B580 and the Arc B570, both aimed at the budget-friendly GPU segment.

Intel will also be releasing its own Limited Edition version of the B580, often considered the reference design. Reviews for this card are expected to go live on December 12th, coinciding with its official launch. Interestingly, Intel plans to separate the review embargoes for its Limited Edition and custom designs from board partners (AIBs). Reviews for AIB models are scheduled to drop a day later, on December 13th.

While specific details about the B580 and B570 remain under wraps, leaks suggest that the B580 will boast 20 Xe2-Cores, while the B570 will pack 18 Xe2-Cores. We expect Intel to confirm these specifications and reveal more information about pricing and performance during the official announcement.

It's still unclear whether Intel plans to launch lower- or higher-end Battlemage GPUs alongside the B580 and B570. However, with Nvidia and AMD also gearing up to release new GPUs in early 2025, Intel might have a few surprises up its sleeve to capture the attention of budget-conscious gamers.

KitGuru says: Do you think Intel's new Battlemage desktop GPUs will disrupt the lower-end segment of the GPU market? How do you think these two new Intel GPUs will compare to AMD's and Nvidia's current lower-end GPUs?

Intel's Arc B580 is generating a lot of buzz as its launch draws near, but can it live up to the hype? A new Geekbench leak offers a glimpse of its potential performance, while various retailers' listings spotted online suggest the card will be priced around $250.

Starting with the Geekbench entry shared by Tomasz Gawroński, the leaked benchmark shows the Arc B580 being tested on a high-end Intel system featuring a Core Ultra 9 285K CPU and a Z890 motherboard. While the OpenCL benchmark used in the test isn't a direct indicator of gaming performance, it does provide some interesting insights.

The entry reveals that the B580 has 160 Execution Units (EUs), which translates to 20 Xe2 cores based on what we know about the Battlemage architecture. This aligns with previous leaks and rumours about the B580's core count. The detailed results page also confirms a GPU clock speed of 2850 MHz and 12 GB of VRAM, matching the specifications of the recently leaked ASRock B580 cards.

However, the OpenCL score of 78,743 points is surprisingly low, even falling short of the Arc A580, which is expected to be less capable than the upcoming B580. This suggests that the tested B580 might be an early engineering sample or that drivers are still not fully ready for the new discrete GPU architecture.

Adding to the reports on the B580, @momomo_us has spotted various listings for an Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition. Based on the limited-edition Arc A700-series cards released by Intel, this one likely refers to Intel's reference design. Averaging all the listed prices for the B580 Limited Edition (minus the $374 listing), the card will likely cost around $250-260.

This aggressive pricing could make the B580 a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers, especially considering its 12 GB VRAM capacity. However, with the Arc A580 currently available for as low as $169, the B580's price point puts it in direct competition with the A750 and A770, which are now selling for around $229.

KitGuru says: At the listed prices, do you think the B580 will be a decent alternative to the existing solutions?

CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 has defied its rocky launch to become a major success story, surpassing 30 million copies sold. The Phantom Liberty DLC has also proven to be a hit, selling 8 million copies since its release last year. 

After a disastrous launch plagued by bugs and performance issues, particularly on last-gen consoles, the game faced widespread criticism. However, CD Projekt Red has diligently worked to improve the game through patches and updates. The release of Phantom Liberty expansion further revitalised interest in the game, restoring faith in the studio and delivering more content to fans of the game.

These latest sales figures highlight the continued growth of Cyberpunk 2077. The game has sold an additional 10 million copies since September 2022, demonstrating its enduring appeal. Phantom Liberty has also seen impressive sales, nearly doubling its numbers since its first two months on the market.

While Cyberpunk 2077 is enjoying continued success, its sequel, Project Orion, appears to be in the early stages of development. CDPR has allocated only 64 developers to the project as of October 31, 2024, suggesting that it's still some time away. In the meantime, Cyberpunk fans can look forward to the game's Mac debut in early 2025, bringing the dystopian RPG to a new audience.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Did you buy Cyberpunk 2077 and the Phantom Liberty expansion? What's your opinion on the current state of the game?

XPG has just launched two new products designed to keep your system running cool and looking sharp: the Starker Air BTF case and Hurricane Mag fans.

The XPG Starker Air BTF is an ATX chassis that prioritises airflow. Available in black or white, this case boasts support for 360mm radiators at the front and top, a 140mm rear fan, and a total of twelve 120mm fans. The case also supports standard and reverse-connector motherboards (including the latest ATX 3.1 designs) to provide a cleaner aesthetic.

With support for graphics cards up to 390mm long, you can easily mount most GPUs. For added convenience, the case features a magnetic front panel for easy access to the dust filter, as well as tool-less tempered glass side panels.

Complementing the Starker Air BTF are the XPG Hurricane Mag fans in black and white. These ARGB fans come in packs of four and offer something quite useful: you can switch the airflow direction with two clicks of a button. With this, you can instantly switch the fan direction from intake to exhaust, or vice versa. The Hurricane Mag fans also sport a clever magnetic design, allowing you to easily connect and synchronise up to six fans, eliminating cable clutter and simplifying installation.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Although the Starker Air BTF is an airflow case, the front panel seems a bit too restrictive with big solid segments. On the other hand, the porosity of the front mesh behind the panel looks way above average. Then, there are the XPG Hurricane Mag fans with the standard and reverse modes, which left us wondering how well they perform in both cases.

GameSir is back with a new wireless controller – the Cyclone 2, a feature-packed wireless controller compatible with multiple platforms, so you can use it whether you play on a PC, console, or mobile.

One of the standout features of the Cyclone 2 is the Mag-Res TMR sticks. These combine the precision of traditional potentiometer sticks with the durability of the Hall Effect, resulting in smoother movement and enhanced accuracy. The Cyclone 2 also has precision-tuned Hall Effect analogue triggers, offering responsive feedback for precise control. To reduce response times to a minimum, there's the hair-trigger mode.

Connectivity is a breeze with tri-mode support (Bluetooth, wired, and 2.4GHz wireless), ensuring low latency and seamless gameplay across Switch, PC, Android, iOS, and Steam platforms. The built-in 6-axis gyroscope adds another layer of control, enabling motion-based interactions, particularly in Switch games.

GameSir has packed the Cyclone 2 with a host of other features to improve your gaming experience. Micro-switch face buttons provide crisp, tactile feedback and are rated for up to 5 million presses. The tactile D-pad and ABXY buttons offer responsive control, while back buttons and a turbo function add further customisation options. Moreover, asymmetric motors deliver realistic haptic feedback.

Regarding aesthetics, customisable RGB lighting strips allow you to create a unique look that complements your gaming setup. The GameSir Cyclone 2 is available now in black and white for $49.99/£49.99 or $55.99/£55.99 (with the charging station).

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: On the market for a wireless controller? Do you think the GameSir Cyclone 2 could be what you're looking for?

Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 5 225F processor just showed up on Geekbench, and its results were surprising. The leaked results show this 65W chip outperforming its predecessor, the Core i5-14400, significantly in both single- and multi-core tests.

So far, the Core Ultra 200 series has exclusively focused on high-performance 125W models aimed at enthusiasts. However, Intel is also cooking up more power-efficient 65W variants for mainstream users. The Core Ultra 5 225 and its integrated graphics-less variant, the 225F, are two examples of these lower-TDP CPUs.

As shown in the Geekbench entry shared by Benchleaks, these new 10-core CPUs feature a hybrid architecture with six Lion Cove P-cores and four Skymont E-cores. Moreover, the entry also shows the CPU boosted up to 4.9 GHz.

Based on the leaked results, the 225F is a significant upgrade over the Core i5-14400, which also has a 6+4 core configuration. The 225F boasts a 200 MHz higher boost clock and delivers higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. In Geekbench's single-core test, the 225F achieved a score of 2,653, a 10.8% improvement over the i5-14400's score of 2,394. The multi-core performance is even more impressive, with the 225F scoring 13,028, a 16.7% jump compared to the i5-14400's 11,166 points.

Intel is expected to officially unveil the Core Ultra 5 225F and other non-K Core Ultra 200 series processors at CES 2025 in January.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: These results suggest that the Core Ultra 5 225F will offer a compelling blend of performance and efficiency for mainstream users. With a 65W TDP, it's likely to be a popular choice for desktops.

ASRock is advising owners of its Z890 motherboards to update their Platform Power Management (PPM) drivers for a noticeable performance uplift in games. According to the motherboard manufacturer, updating your system to the latest PPM driver could net a performance boost of up to 13%.

The company claims that the latest PPM driver, version 1007.20240913, can deliver up to a 13.23% performance improvement in Final Fantasy XIV. While ASRock hasn't provided detailed benchmark data or system specifications, the screenshot included in their announcement clearly shows a significant FPS boost in the Final Fantasy XIV benchmark. While ASRock's announcement specifically highlights performance gains in Final Fantasy XIV, other games may also see improvements.

It's worth noting that this driver update doesn't appear to be related to the recent “fix” for Intel's Core Ultra 200 series, as mentioned by Robert Hallock. Instead, it seems to be a general performance optimisation for ASRock's Z890 platform.

According to ASRock, the Intel Platform Power Management driver dynamically adjusts processor frequency and voltage based on system demands, enabling more efficient power management. This translates to improved performance in both games and everyday tasks. To take advantage of this performance boost, ASRock Z890 motherboard owners can download and install the latest PPM driver from the “Support/Download” section of ASRock's official product page for each Z890 motherboard.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: If you're rocking an ASRock Z890 motherboard, it's worth updating your PPM driver to see if you can squeeze some extra performance out of your system.

If you're in the market for a QD-OLED monitor, take a look at the MSI models before pulling the trigger. In its most recent campaign, MSI is bundling a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 PC game key and a Steam voucher with its QD-OLED monitors.

From December 1st to December 31st, consumers who buy a qualifying MSI product and share their experience on online retail platforms will get a free S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 PC game key and a $30 Steam voucher. If you don't know how to write a review, MSI gives you some pointers on what you can talk about. For example, your favourite aspect of the product and how it improved your user experience, why you chose this product over another, if it matches your expectations, and what are its strengths and weaknesses.

To take advantage of this campaign, you'll have to first register a valid account at the MSI Member Center and register an eligible MSI QD-OLED monitor (pretty much all MSI QD-OLED monitors) in your MSI profile. Then, publish a product review for one of your registered eligible MSI Products on one of the designated websites. Each review must be at least one hundred (100) words in length, excluding character counts. Lastly, submit your review in your MSI profile by copying and pasting the link to your review.

This campaign is available worldwide in select countries. For more details on this campaign, please visit its official page.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you planning to take advantage of this campaign? If so, which MSI QD-OLED monitor are you considering?