AMD's Ryzen AI Max ‘Strix Halo' has been enjoying success in the high-end mobile landscape since its debut last year, finding a home in premium workstations, enthusiast-grade mini-PCs, and even a handful of ambitious gaming handhelds. However, with Intel preparing to field its own contender in the form of ‘Panther Lake-H', Team Red is reportedly not content to sit on its laurels.

According to VideoCardz, AMD is already refining the recipe with a successor to the current performance king, internally referred to as the ‘Gorgon Halo' family. This supposed refresh, likely to be marketed under the Ryzen AI Max 400 series banner, aims to maintain AMD's lead in the high-TDP integrated graphics space, led by the Ryzen AI Max+ 495. While the underlying architecture remains rooted in the Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5 framework, the transition to the 400-series nomenclature suggests some kind of improvement over its predecessor. As per the report, the most likely optimisations would be higher clock speeds, an enhanced memory controller, and potentially pushing LPDDR5X support beyond DDR5-8000.

The timing of these leaks coincides with the broader rollout of the ‘Gorgon Point' lineup, otherwise known as the standard Ryzen AI 400 series. These monolithic chips are currently making their way to retail shelves this month, marking a transitional period where AMD is essentially tightening the screws on its current silicon before a more substantial architectural shift. Reports indicate that ‘Gorgon Halo' engineering samples are already circulating among board partners, suggesting that while the Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Max+ 388 were at CES 2026 just a few weeks ago, AMD is already working on their successors.

Looking further down the roadmap, the ‘Gorgon' generation appears to be the final refinement of the Zen 5 era before the industry pivots toward the ‘Medusa' series. That upcoming platform, rumoured for a 2027 debut, is expected to be the true ‘next-gen' leap, allegedly pairing Zen 6 cores with the RDNA 5 (or UDNA) graphics architecture.

KitGuru says: By deploying a refined 400-series Halo product, Team Red looks set to force Intel's Panther Lake to compete against a moving target, ensuring that the crown for the world's fastest integrated graphics remains on its side.

The post AMD is reportedly readying Strix Halo refresh for Ryzen AI Max 400 series first appeared on KitGuru.

We've teamed up with ADATA to give you the chance to win a brand new 32GB kit of XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 memory! What's more, this competition is open worldwide and entering is dead easy…

We all know that it's a challenging PC landscape at the minute, so when ADATA reached out to see if we'd like to give away a 2x16GB kit of their XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 memory, we were very keen to get this up for our readers.

TO ENTER

Entering this giveaway is very easy. All you need to do is head over to this video on TikTok and:

1. Leave a comment
2. Make sure you are following both @adatatechnology and @kitgurutech

And that's it! The giveaway is open worldwide, so no matter where you are, you are in with a chance of winning. All entries must be received by 23:59 GMT on 28th January. Good luck!

In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru says: Good luck!

The post Win a 32GB kit of ADATA XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 memory! first appeared on KitGuru.

While the original target for the 1.0 release for Enshrouded was set for this spring, the studio has moved the window to fall 2026 to ensure the final transition is as polished as possible. This slight delay follows a year of significant expansion, including the Wake of the Water update, and reflects a commitment to addressing long-standing community feedback on combat depth and technical optimisation before the game reaches full release.

The studio also shed light on community milestones that highlight just how players have been involved in the world of Embervale. Over five million Flameborn have started their journey, collectively spending nearly 21,000 years in-game. Other impressive data points reveal that players have collectively farmed 1.3 billion plants and placed an equal number of water blocks. However, the dangers of the world remain ever-present, as evidenced by the over 52 million deaths from falls alone.

Looking ahead, the road to the 1.0 launch is split into two distinct phases. The upcoming spring update, labelled as version 0.8, will focus on the first iteration of the Adventure Sharing system, allowing creators to share their builds and bases with the wider community. This update will also include general polish and balance tweaks. As for the 1.0 release, it will evolve Adventure Sharing into a more robust creative toolkit with logic elements, traps, and enemy spawners. Furthermore, the 1.0 update is expected to unlock entirely new regions of the map, introduce smarter enemy behaviours, and deliver performance optimisations, such as faster shader compilation on lower-end systems.

In the more immediate term, Patch 13 has just dropped, bringing several QoL improvements, addressing specific combat criticisms by refining parry telegraphy and projectile accuracy, and fixing the somewhat unpredictable behaviour of exploding barrels. For those interested in customisation, a new vanity gear set is now available through Twitch Drops, though players can also earn the armour in-game by undertaking a new quest from the Huntress.

KitGuru says: Have you been playing Enshrouded? Do you think the upcoming updates up to 1.0 will fix the game's current issues?

The post Enshrouded 1.0 release window set for fall 2026 as game reaches over 5 million players first appeared on KitGuru.

Pulsar has officially revealed its latest landmark collaboration with Nexon Games, introducing a product line inspired by the popular tactical role-playing game Blue Archive. This collection centres on the ultra-lightweight Pulsar X2 CrazyLight gaming mouse, featuring three distinct designs inspired by fan-favourite students from the academic city of Kivotos: Shiroko, Hoshino, and Nonomi.

The collection features the medium-sized X2 CrazyLight, a mouse highly regarded in the esports scene for its low weight of approximately 39 grams. Each unit in the Blue Archive series is equipped with Pulsar's flagship XS-1 sensor, supporting up to 32,000 DPI and a polling rate of 4000 Hz to 8000 Hz for near-instantaneous response times. A unique addition to this limited-edition release is a custom light-up USB dongle with an acrylic character stand, serving as both a functional wireless receiver and a decorative desk piece for collectors.

For users looking to upgrade their gear, these mice offer the latest Pulsar optical switches, rated for 100 million clicks, and a TTC Gold wheel encoder, designed to ensure the hardware is as durable as it is aesthetically pleasing. For customisation, there's a PC program and a web driver for your convenience. Button functionality, polling rate, and DPI can all be easily changed through your preferred option.

The Pulsar X Blue Archive collection is now available globally (excluding China) at a retail price of $149.95.

KitGuru says: The new Blue Archive X2 CrazyLight mice are an example that other brands should follow for collab products. The inclusion of the light-up character dongle is a brilliant touch that turns a standard piece of hardware into a unique collectable for fans without sacrificing the top-tier specs competitive players expect.

The post Pulsar and Nexon Games launch limited edition Blue Archive X2 CrazyLight collection first appeared on KitGuru.

Expanding its footprint in the desk market, Endorfy has officially launched the Atlas Electric desk series, building on the foundation of its standard Atlas desks. The 2026 lineup introduces several key updates, most notably the inclusion of electric motors and Light Wood and Dark Wood finishes alongside the standard black and white options.

This launch focuses on providing a versatile platform for both professional and gaming environments, with the company offering the desks in two distinct sizes to accommodate different spatial requirements. The Atlas Electric series features a motorised height-adjustment system that enables a seamless transition between seated and standing configurations. The L model features a height range from 72cm to 120cm, while the more compact S variant operates between 72cm and 118cm. Both models include a digital control panel that can store up to 3 memory presets, allowing users to save their preferred ergonomic heights.

Structurally, the desks use a heavy-duty steel frame designed to maintain stability at maximum height. For the tabletops, Endorfy chose MDF rather than the more common, less durable particleboard used in entry-level furniture. The company says this choice enhances overall stiffness and moisture resistance, both of which are significant factors in long-term durability. The surface dimensions are well-suited to modern hardware, as the L model offers a 1500×760 mm workspace, while the S model provides a smaller 1140×600 mm footprint. To address the cable clutter typical of high-end PC setups, the desks include integrated rubberised grommets and a dedicated shelf for power strips, hiding the bulk of the wiring from view. The larger Atlas L Electric supports a total load capacity of 80 kg. In contrast, the Atlas S is rated for 50 kg, making the former more suitable for multi-monitor setups and heavy workstations.

Compatibility with third-party hardware has also been a design consideration according to Endorfy. The back edge of the Atlas Electric features precisely milled cutouts for monitor arm clamps, allowing users to mount displays without compromising the desk's placement against a wall. For those concerned with setup time, particularly with the smaller S model, Endorfy claims to have streamlined the assembly process with a more intuitive structural design and clearly labelled components. Some retailers already have these desks listed, with the Atlas L Electric going for around €300 and the Atlas S for €150.

KitGuru says: Which of the two sizes available would you prefer? What colour option do you like the most?

The post Endorfy expands desk lineup with Atlas Electric series first appeared on KitGuru.

Each week, the Epic Games Store gives away a title or two as part of the company’s free game program. This week, all those with an Epic account can get their hands on the top-down open world action-adventure comedy Rustler (Grand Theft Horse).

Available to add to your library from now until the 29th of January at 4PM UK time, Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) is a top-down GTA inspired comedy set in a “historically inaccurate medieval setting” in which you play as ‘The Guy’, experiencing “feudal injustice, inquisition, witch-hunting” and much more.

Developed by Jutsu Games (the team behind the indie hit 911 Operator series), Grand Theft Horse is certainly not for everyone, with its focus on humour landing with some but not others.

That said, the game was received well, with its mix of old-school GTA gameplay and a mediaeval setting lending itself to plenty of fun moments – as long as you can tolerate some jank. Either way, for the price of free, there is no reason not to add the game to your library and give it a go.

Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) will be available to add to your library from now until the 29th of January, at which point it will be replaced by the business management sim ‘Definitely Not Fried Chicken’.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offering? Had you heard of Grand Theft Horse before? What’s your favourite style of humour? Let us know down below.

The post Grand Theft Horse is free on the Epic Games Store first appeared on KitGuru.

Greedfall was a well-liked though ultimately somewhat janky RPG from studio Spiders which released back in 2019. Selling over 2 million copies, the game was confirmed to be getting a sequel (prequel), with Greedfall 2: The Dying World taking the Early Access approach in September 2024. A year and a bit on, the team have now confirmed that Greedfall 2’s full 1.0 release (and console launch) is scheduled for this March.

Releasing a gameplay overview trailer, the team at Spiders confirmed that Greedfall 2: The Dying World will be leaving Early Access on the 10th of March – coinciding with its console launch on the 12th.

As mentioned, the first Greedfall was far from perfect, with gameplay in particular being a weak point for some. That said, its RPG aspects were well-liked and so having a more refined version of its systems is an exciting concept.

That said, impressions during its Early Access period have been rather mixed, with some of the issues reported by players being hopefully fixable by launch; while others are more systemic in nature.

Regardless, you'll be able to check out the full version of Greedfall 2: The Dying World when it officially launches on the 10th of March for PC (and the 12th on console).

KitGuru says: What did you think of the original Greedfall? Do you have high hopes for the sequel? What’s your favourite game developed by Spiders? Let us know down below.

The post Greedfall 2: The Dying World leaves Early Access in March first appeared on KitGuru.

While the studio is known almost exclusively for their work on the Pokemon series, Game Freak as a developer has dipped its toes into other waters in the past. That said, by far their most ambitious project is Beast of Reincarnation – a visually impressive action title in the vein of Black Myth Wukong. Initially announced back in June last year, the game is officially set to arrive on PlayStation, Xbox and PC this Summer.

Taking part in the latest Xbox Developer Direct, Game Freak offered a deep dive into Beast of Reincarnation, showing off much more of the game's vibes, narrative, aesthetics and most importantly gameplay.

While it appears to take inspiration from many modern action titles, Beast of Reincarnation features a rather unique blend of real-time combat alongside quick-time events when using skills (almost like a reverse of Expedition 33).

Though we did not get a concrete release date, Beast of Reincarnation has been in development for 6 years and so the team are nearing the finish line, with Game Freak confirming that they plan to launch the game some time this Summer.

Unlike pretty much every other Game Freak releases, Beast of Reincarnation is coming to all platforms except Nintendo – meaning PS5, Series X|S and PC. The full deep-dive can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Beast of Reincarnation? Are you looking forward to the title or does it seem a bit too derivative in your opinion? Let us know down below.

The post Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation launches in Summer first appeared on KitGuru.

MSI has expanded its networking lineup with the launch of the Roamii BE Pro, a new WiFi 7 mesh system aimed at high-performance home, or even small office, environments. Built around the latest WiFi 7/802.11be standard, the Roamii BE Pro is available in one or two-unit packs, with the former costing £149.99 and the latter hitting shelves at £279.99.

MSI's new Roamii BE Pro was announced back at CES 2026, with the system using a tri-band design, supporting 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands, while it also includes Multi-Link Operation and 320MHz channel support. MSI quotes combined wireless speeds of up to 11Gbps, with ‘5746 Mbps on 6GHz, 4323 Mbps on 5GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4GHz,' enabling, in MSI's words, ‘smooth 4k/8k streaming and online gaming'.

Each node is equipped with four 2.5GbE ports, allowing for high-speed wired connections or even a wired mesh backhaul if Ethernet is available. Setup and ongoing management are handled through the MSI Router 2.0 app, which provides traffic monitoring, basic QoS controls and other features. MSI also highlights its FortiSecu integrated security features, allowing users to ‘scan and protect' connected devices, setup parental controls or or even setup individual, isolated networks for different users.

The company is focusing on the aesthetics of the units, too, and the nodes certainly don't look like what you'd expect from a manufacturer with a gaming background. Each unit has a triangular shape and even supports RGB lighting in the base, while there's ventilation in the top and rear panels to avoid overheating. Dimensions of 118.5 x 108 x 252.5mm make them fairly compact, too.

We will have a review of the Roamii BE Pro coming soon, so stay tuned for that!

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking to upgrade your WiFi setup this year, and would you consider the MSI Roamii BE Pro?

The post MSI introduces new Roamii BE Pro WiFi 7 mesh system first appeared on KitGuru.

Following the debut of the CH260 last year, DeepCool is doubling down on the “organic” aesthetic trend by introducing the CH260 Wood Grain Edition. This latest revision builds on the foundation of the original micro-ATX chassis and adds a touch of sophistication with timber-effect accents on the side-mounted I/O cluster. Available in both black and white finishes, the new variant targets enthusiasts who want a compact, airflow-oriented chassis with a more ‘furniture-friendly' appearance.

The “pixel” customisation system from the original CH260 is still available, allowing users to customise the perforated front and top panels with rubber bits to create patterns or logos. Beyond its aesthetics, according to ITHome (via TechPowerUp), the new CH260 variant remains a good option for modern builds, particularly those utilising the increasingly common “back-connect” motherboard designs. DeepCool has provided a generous 29.6 mm of clearance behind the motherboard tray to accommodate the cable management requirements of these rear-mounted headers, designed to ensure a clean interior look through the tempered glass side panel.

Image credit: ITHome

Despite its 30-litre volume, the internal layout looks surprisingly flexible. It comfortably houses full-sized graphics cards up to 388 mm in length with front fans installed, or up to 413 mm if you opt for a more minimalist cooling setup. CPU cooling compatibility is good, with enough vertical space to fit 174 mm-tall air towers or a 360 mm radiator mounted at the top. Power supply support is standardised to ATX units up to 150 mm in length, though builders should note that cable routing becomes tighter when utilising the single 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drive bays simultaneously.

Thermal performance is aided by a wraparound mesh design that covers the front and top, supported by three removable dust filters for easier maintenance. Connectivity is up to modern standards, featuring a 10 Gbps USB-C port, a pair of 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and the expected audio jacks. Currently hitting the Chinese market first, the black version is priced at approximately 399 yuan (£42), while the white model carries a slight premium at 449 yuan (£48). Pricing and availability for other regions are yet to be announced.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you prefer the new CH260 variant with a wooden accent over the original?

The post DeepCool adds wooden accents to the CH260 mATX case first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft is making a push to bridge the gap between traditional x86 gaming and the emerging ARM-based Windows ecosystem. The recent release of a dedicated Arm-compatible Xbox App marks a turning point for the platform, with Microsoft stating that approximately 85% of the current Game Pass library is now playable on Arm-powered machines. This shift is largely due to significant refinements in the Prism translation layer, which serves as the intermediary between legacy code and modern silicon.

As detailed in a Windows Blog, a critical component of this progress is the integration of AVX and AVX2 instruction support within Prism. These extensions are essential for bringing Xbox games to ARM systems, allowing titles previously locked to Intel or AMD hardware to run on Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series chips. The hardware evolution continues as well, with the current Snapdragon lineup paving the way for the upcoming Snapdragon X2 and subsequent generations of ARM SoCs.

Compatibility isn't just about raw processing power; security protocols have historically been a major barrier for ARM adoption in gaming. The landscape is changing as developers implement third-party anti-cheat support for ARM, with Epic's solution now enabling titles such as Fortnite and Gears of War: Reloaded to run locally. To help users navigate the varying performance tiers of these devices, Microsoft has introduced the Windows Performance Fit tool. This utility leverages real-world benchmark data from similar hardware configurations to give users a realistic sense of how a title will run.

While the goal is native or translated local play, Microsoft continues to leverage its cloud infrastructure as a secondary option for titles that remain exclusive to x86 environments. This serves as a necessary buffer while the library of compatible games expands. The effectiveness of this approach remains tied to network stability and server proximity, but at least it's a functional alternative for those who meet the requirements.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you own an ARM-based PC? Do you game on it? Will you do so more now that more Xbox games are supported?

The post Xbox App is now available on ARM-based PCs first appeared on KitGuru.

Today's review is certainly unique. We are looking at the AOC Agon Pro CS24A, a monitor designed specifically for Counter-Strike gamers, with an eye-catching stand design and custom themed OSD. It's not just a skin, though, as the panel spec is clearly geared towards esports, packing in no less than a 600Hz refresh rate, using a 24in 1080p TN panel. AOC's MBR+ technology is also present, promising better-than-ever motion clarity, so let's see if this screen really is as good as it sounds.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:51 CS24A pricing + alternatives
01:57 Design and custom CS skin
02:53 I/O + OSD
04:35 Out of the box testing
06:51 sRGB mode and calibration results
07:26 Backlight bleed, viewing angles, coating grain
08:00 Response time results
09:30 Motion clarity examples
11:14 Real-world gaming experience
12:28 Closing thoughts

Just before we get into the review itself, it is worth clarifying that although we are looking at the AOC Agon Pro CS24A, with the product name identifying this as the Counter-Strike version, there is also the standard Agon Pro AG246FK6 available. It's essentially the exact same monitor but just without the CS2 livery, so if you're interested in an esports-grade screen but play anything other than Counter-Strike, that's something to keep in mind.

The other thing to keep in mind is the pricing. The CS24A is listed at just under £600 here in the UK, which is a little eye-watering considering it's a 24in 1080p screen. In theory the AG246FK6 has the same MSRP, though at the time of writing it's on offer for £500. Either way, it's a lot of money to pay for a FHD screen in this day and age, but considering it also packs in one of the fastest refresh rates we've ever seen, could it be worth buying?

Specification:

• Screen size (inch): 24.1
• Screen size (cm): 61.21
• Flat / Curved: Flat
• Panel treatment: Antiglare (AG)
• Pixels per inch: 91.41
• Panel resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Resolution name: FHD
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Panel type: Ultra-Fast TN eSports
• Backlight type: WLED
• Max refresh rate: 610Hz (OC, 600Hz native)
• Response time (GtG): 0.5 ms
• Response time (MPRT): 0.3 ms
• Static contrast ratio: 1000:1
• Dynamic contrast ratio: 80M:1
• Viewing angle (CR10): 176 / 170
• Display colours: 16.7 Million
• Brightness in nits: 500 cd/m²
• Panel haze value: 25%
• VESA wallmount: 100 x 100
• Tilt: -5° ~ 23°
• Height adjust: 150 mm
• Swivel: -28° ±2° ~ 28° ±2°
• Pivot: -90° ±2° ~ 90° ±2°
• HDMI: HDMI 2.1 x 2
• Digital HDCP (HDMI): HDCP 2.3
• DisplayPort: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1
• USB hub: ✓
• USB generation: USB 3.2 (Gen 1), 5 Gbit/s
• USB type downstream: 4 x USB-A
• USB fast charge port: ✓
• Audio output: 1x Audio out
• HDMI cable: 1.8 m
• DisplayPort cable: 1.8 m
• USB-B upstream cable: 1x USB-B to A (1.8 m)
• Power cable: ✓
• Warranty period: 3 years
• Firmware update (OTA) support: ✓

Firmware tested: V1.04

The post AOC CS24A Review (1080p/600Hz TN) first appeared on KitGuru.

In the lead-up to Microsoft’s Xbox Developer Direct, an in-game pop-up appeared for some uses within Forza Horizon 5 claiming that the upcoming sequel would be launching this May. Sure enough, as part of the latest showcase, Forza Horizon 6 was properly shown off for the first time – alongside confirmation of its release date.

As part of the latest edition of the Xbox Developer Direct, Playground Games offered roughly 10 minutes of new footage for the upcoming Forza Horizon 6, showing off the game’s Japan setting; some of its vehicles, game mode and more.

Though not too much of a surprise given the earlier leak, the team officially confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will launch on the 19th of May for Standard Edition owners and the 15th for those with the Premium Edition (which also includes the Season Pass, additional vehicles, VIP membership and more).

While the game is landing first on Xbox and PC, the team at Playground Games confirmed that a PS5 version is currently in the works and scheduled to release at some point “later this year.”

Given the fact that Forza Horizon 5 only arrived on PS5 last year, it is a pleasant surprise to see its sequel arriving within mere months of the Xbox/PC release. The full gameplay overview for Forza Horizon 6 can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the Xbox Developer Direct? Are you looking forward to Forza Horizon 6? Is the premium edition worth it? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Forza Horizon 6 officially launches in May first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the most anticipated Xbox titles for quite a few years now has been Playground Games’ Fable, with the reboot of this classic RPG series first being announced all the way back in 2020 (though rumours of its existence had begun as early as 2018). Initially planned to arrive some time in 2025, the upcoming RPG now has a new release window – officially arriving some time in Autumn 2026.

Taking part in the recent Xbox Developer Direct, Playground Games officially gave us our first proper look at the upcoming Fable.

While we have gotten teasers before and even some slight gameplay snippets, the latest showcase offered a much deeper look at the game and its systems, confirming that many of the series’ staples (house building, marriage, a morality system and more) will be present in the reboot.

In the 5+ years since the project was first announced, the Xbox ecosystem has gone through a ton of changes, and so while Fable was originally planned to be an Xbox console exclusive, Microsoft have now officially confirmed that the game will be launching day-and-date on the PS5 alongside its Series X|S and PC counterparts.

What date that will be however is currently unknown, with us only being given a release window of Autumn 2026.

So far, what has been shown off regarding Fable is looking quite positive, with Playground Games seemingly successfully taking on the mantle from Lionhead Studios. That said, we will have to wait and see how it all comes together when the game finally arrives later this year.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the Xbox Developer Direct? Do you have more or less confidence in Fable now? When do you think the game will actually come out? Let us know down below.

The post Fable comes to Xbox, PlayStation and PC later this Autumn first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has officially confirmed that the Ryzen 7 9850X3D will hit retail shelves on January 29th, carrying a suggested price tag of $499. This move positions the new 8-core processor as the premium choice within Team Red's Zen 5 3D V-Cache lineup, sitting just above the current Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

The announcement comes directly from David McAfee, AMD's VP and GM of the client channel business, who claims this new SKU is the fastest gaming processor currently available. The specifications reveal that while the architecture remains the same, the 9850X3D benefits from improved binning, enabling it to reach a 5.6 GHz clock speed, a 400 MHz boost compared to the 9800X3D. Despite this higher frequency, the 120 W TDP remains unchanged, as does the 104 MB total cache pool, which includes the 96 MB L3 stack that defines the X3D series. AMD's internal benchmarks suggest this clock-speed advantage translates into a 3% to 8% performance uplift over the 9800X3D in CPU-bound scenarios.

The $499 MSRP will likely come as a relief to those following recent industry whispers. Early retail leaks in December had suggested pricing could be a bit higher, especially given the persistent demand for high-end AM5 components.

Availability remains the primary concern for prospective buyers. The previous launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D was marred by severe inventory shortages, leading to inflated prices at third-party retailers and a thriving scalper market. Although reports suggest distribution is well underway for the January 29th release, it remains to be seen whether AMD has secured enough volume to meet demand.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: If stock levels hold, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is poised to become the new default recommendation for high-end gaming builds, effectively squeezing Intel's flagship offerings out of the frame.

The post AMD confirms Ryzen 7 9850X3D for late January release, $499 first appeared on KitGuru.

Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, we have seen the console maker release enhanced ports for a number of its Switch 1 titles – some paid and others free. Joining the latter is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, with a free Switch 2 update officially available now; adding a new playable character, game modes and more.

Making the surprise announcement, Nintendo officially unveiled their latest Switch 2 update, this time for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. Available to download right now, this free upgrade brings with it quite a bit of new content.

Visually, the game has been updated on Switch 2 with “enhanced resolution, higher-definition graphics, and quicker load times” alongside support for the console’s GameShare functionality. That said, we did not get any specifics regarding the exact details of this visual boost.

In terms of gameplay additions, this latest update brings in Dixie Kong as a support character allowing for additional movement abilities (though can also be directly controlled when playing in co-op). Alongside this, update 1.1.0 also introduces a new game mode in the form of Turbo Attack – in which players will have to speed through the levels before time runs out.

Dixie Kong and the new Turbo Attack mode is available for all owners of DK Country Returns HD, not just Switch 2 owners.

Considering the relative lack of content which some paid Switch 2 Editions have had, Nintendo releasing this update for free is both unexpected yet welcome. That said, Donkey Kong Country Returns was originally a Wii title; which was then ported to the 3DS; remastered for the Switch 1 and now updated for Switch 2 – and so it's possible that Nintendo felt as though they have made enough of a profit from the game at this point.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? How does it compare to some of the other paid upgrades? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Donkey Kong Country Returns HD gets surprise free Switch 2 update first appeared on KitGuru.

2025 was a strong year for video games and yet despite this, one title seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the air when it came to the awards season – with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 taking home hundreds of Game of the Year awards. With a majority of award shows having now come and gone, Expedition 33 has officially broken the record for the greatest number of GOTY wins; currently sitting at 436.

As collated by ResetEra user Angie, with a total of 436 Game of the Year awards Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has officially dethroned FromSoftware’s Elden Ring (429 wins) as the title with the single highest number of GOTYs.

While certainly an impressive achievement, it is worth noting that each year has seen new publications popping up and offering GOTY awards – meaning it is becoming increasingly easier to break the record.

For context, so far there have been over 620 GOTYs given away for 2025 compared to 529 in 2024 and 537 in 2023; and so comparisons between the years isn’t quite an apples-to-apples situation. Still, there is no denying that Clair Obscur is the definitive Game of the Year for 2025.

The top 5 most awarded titles of all time is as follows:

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 436 wins
2. Elden Ring – 429 wins
3. The Last of Us Part II – 326 wins
4. Baldur’s Gate III – 288 wins
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 281 wins

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 your GOTY for 2025? If not, what game was? Will GTA VI be the first title to surpass 500 GOTY wins? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dethrones Elden Ring for the most GOTY wins ever first appeared on KitGuru.

With the initial announcement for The Elder Scrolls VI being well over 7 years old at this point and no release date in sight, many indie studios have taken on the mantle of trying to offer their own entry in this underrepresented sub-genre of immersive fantasy RPGs. One of the most notable is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon; having now officially surpassed 1 million copies sold.

Making the announcement via their Steam page, the teams at Questline / Awakened Realms confirmed this new major milestone, writing:

“Hello, everyone! We hope 2026 has been treating you well so far! We kicked the year off with an incredible milestone, and now it's time to share that…Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon has sold over 1 million copies across all platforms! As always, thank you so much for all the love and support throughout this journey! After all, it's literally you who made this achievement come to life!”

In case you missed it back when it was released in May of 2025, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a first/third person open world RPG set in a “dark reimagination of Arthurian legend”. Featuring character customisation, choices and plenty of roleplaying opportunities, the game resonated with many fans of The Elder Scrolls and other immersive early  2000s RPGs.

While it launched with a number of issues, including some progression-halting bugs, Tainted Grail has received plenty of updates since May, including a whole new expansion and a bunch of bug fixes.

If you are not one of the 1 million players, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon and its expansion are currently on sale for 20% off.

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KitGuru says: Have you checked out Tainted Grail? Does it scratch that Elder Scrolls itch? What’s the best Scrolls-like released so far in your opinion? Let us know down below.

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Announced all the way back in 2019, Crimson Desert is an ambitious open-world RPG in development at Pearl Abyss – the studio behind the popular Black Desert Online MMO. Initially planned to arrive late last year, the game was pushed back to 2026 citing “longer than expected timelines”. Finally however, Crimson Desert is almost upon us, with the game having now officially gone Gold ahead of its March release date.

Making the announcement via Twitter, the official Crimson Desert page shared the following message:

“We're thrilled to announce that #CrimsonDesert has gone gold! On behalf of the team at Pearl Abyss, thank you to our fans around the world for your support and for reaching this milestone with us. Stay tuned for more news, and see you in Pywel on March 19!”

For the uninitiated, ‘Going Gold’ means that the Crimson master disc has been submitted to Pearl Abyss’ publisher (in this case, themselves). Discs can then be pressed with finalised software and digital storefronts can upload the 1.0 version of the game ready for release.

It’s a process that every game in development goes through, and means that (aside from post-launch patches and DLC) Crimson Desert should be complete and ready to play.

Crimson Desert is an ambitious game, and one which many fear will not be able to live up to the expectations set by its gameplay demonstrations. Regardless of whether it will be the next big thing or not, the game should hopefully have no issues hitting its target release date.

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KitGuru says: Are you excited for Crimson Desert? Do you think it’ll live up to expectations? Let us know down below.

The post Crimson Desert officially goes Gold ahead of March release date first appeared on KitGuru.

After what was an incredibly strong start, EA / DICE have not been able to maintain Battlefield 6’s momentum, with the game’s first Season seeing a lukewarm reception and Season 2 being delayed by nearly a month. In the lead up to BF6’s second Season the team have detailed some of what players can expect when it goes live on the 17th of February.

Publishing a community update blogpost, the team at Battlefield Studios offered some details on BF6’s Season 2 content. While still a bit early for the full roadmap, DICE spoke on the return of their Battlefield Labs program, writing:

“We’re using Labs to further polish and refine Season 2 content, validating changes and making final tuning adjustments ahead of launch while continuing to apply what we learn as we evolve the experience. In this next session, we’ll be testing content on one of Season 2’s new maps: Contaminated.”

Though we did not get a full breakdown of the map, it was confirmed to be similar in size to that of St. Quentin Scar from Battlefield 1 or Arras from BFV. Other aspects of Season 2 set to be tested first in Labs include the upcoming AH-6 Little Bird vehicle – “allowing us to evaluate how it fits within the broader vehicle ecosystem and how it performs across different combat scenarios.”

Beyond this, the team confirmed that they will continue to monitor “aircraft and vehicle combat systems” alongside “adjustments to weapons such as RPGs and TOW launchers”. Most importantly however the game’s “hit registration and overall combat consistency” will be seeing notable improvements.

Though not explicitly stated to be launching in Season 2, the team confirmed that Battlefield 4’s Golmund Railway will be coming to BF6 at some point in the future (beginning with Labs testing).

Last but not least, the team is said to be “continuing internal and exploratory testing around Battle Royale Solo play, as we evaluate how different player configurations impact pacing, balance, and the overall Battle Royale experience.”

Described as being “part of our ongoing effort to make informed decisions about how Battle Royale is structured and presented over time, rather than committing to a single permanent configuration” it appears as though solo queuing will make its way into RedSec eventually; though the question of when remains unknown.

Battlefield 6 came swinging out of the gate, but unfortunately they have so far been unable to capitalise on its success. Hopefully the team at Battlefield Studios are able to find a workflow which allows for consistent and high quality updates. Don’t expect too much from Season 2 however. The full blogpost can be found HERE.

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KitGuru says: What did you think of BF6 at launch? Have DICE / BF Studios fumbled their post launch support? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Battlefield Studios detail upcoming additions coming to BF6 in future Seasons first appeared on KitGuru.

AOC has officially expanded its B3 series lineup with two new QHD monitors: the 23.8-inch Q24B36X and the 27-inch Q27B36X. These displays bridge the gap between standard office work and gaming, ensuring that everyday tasks like scrolling through documents feel fluid, while gaming remains crisp.

Both monitors use IPS panels to provide accurate colour reproduction and wide 178-degree viewing angles, making them well-suited for professional multitasking and media consumption. In addition, both offer a 2560×1440 resolution at a 144 Hz refresh rate and a claimed 0.5 ms MPRT response time.

The 27-inch Q27B36X provides a pixel density of 109 ppi with wide colour coverage reaching 118.5% of the sRGB gamut, whereas the more compact 23.8-inch Q24B36X offers a sharper 123 ppi. Both models support Adaptive-Sync to eliminate screen tearing, while they accept HDR10 signals too. For long-term comfort, AOC has included Flicker-Free technology and a Low Blue Light mode to reduce eye strain.

Connectivity options include a single HDMI 2.0 port and a DisplayPort 1.4, ensuring compatibility with modern desktops, laptops, and consoles. These monitors are scheduled for release this month, with the Q24B36X priced at £109.00 and the Q27B36X at £129.00.

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KitGuru says: AOC is making high-refresh QHD displays more accessible than ever with these new additions to the B3 series. By providing gaming-grade motion performance at an office-friendly price point, these monitors offer a compelling “all-in-one” solution for users who do not want to spend too much.

The post AOC expands B3 series with QHD 144Hz monitors for work and play first appeared on KitGuru.

The latest addition to Seagate's large range of external hard drives is the Astro Bot Limited Edition Game Drive, designed for use with PS5 (storage only), PS4 (playback) and PC. It's got a 5TB capacity and is priced at £150/$170. We find out if it's worth buying.

The limited-edition drive is covered in artwork inspired by Astro Bot, winner of the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024.

Using the CrystalDiskInfo utility, we see that the drive inside the 21.5 x 81 x 122.5mm plastic enclosure is a 5TB Seagate Barracuda (ST5000LM-2U8170) 2.5in hard drive. The ST5000LM-2U8170 has a spin speed of 5,400rpm with 128MB of cache. The transfer rate for the drive is quoted as up to 140MB/s, and the drive uses a USB 3.0 Micro B interface.

Seagate backs the drive with a 3-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

• Usable Capacities: 5TB.
• Interface: USB 3.0 Micro B.
• Form Factor: external.
• Dimensions: 21.5 x 81 x 122.5mm.
• Drive Weight: 266g.

Firmware Version: 0003

The post Seagate Astro Bot Limited Edition Game Drive 5TB Review first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has introduced a major update to its software ecosystem with the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition AI Bundle, a new stack designed to remove the technical hurdles associated with setting up a local artificial intelligence environment. Historically, developers and creators have had to manually configure complex stacks involving graphics drivers, Python environments, and various frameworks. This new bundle integrates directly into the Adrenalin Edition application as an optional install, allowing users to deploy a fully functional AI development environment with a single click.

The bundle includes a selection of essential tools, most notably bringing PyTorch to Windows as a native part of the AMD software suite for the first time. It also features ComfyUI for visual image generation workflows, Ollama for running LLMs locally, and LM Studio for easy model parameter tuning. Additionally, the bundle includes Amuse, a text-to-image application optimised for AMD hardware. By hosting these workloads locally on the user's hardware, AMD is positioning it as a cost-efficient, privacy-focused alternative to subscription-based cloud AI services.

Hardware compatibility is centred on AMD's latest architectures to ensure optimal performance with the ROCm platform. The AI Bundle is supported on systems equipped with an AMD Radeon RX 7700 series graphics card or newer, as well as the latest generation of processors, including the Ryzen AI 300, 400, and AI Max series. By leveraging the dedicated AI accelerators found in these RDNA 3 and RDNA 4 GPUs, users can build, train, and run models without the latency or security concerns typically associated with off-system processing.

To begin using these tools, users need to download the latest version of AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and select the AI Bundle option during installation (or update). Once installed, applications such as Ollama and PyTorch can be launched directly from the software interface.

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KitGuru says: Even if you're not that into AI, given how easy it is to set up a local environment using the new AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition AI bundle, it might be worth trying it out. That is, of course, if your system meets the requirements.

The post AMD streamlines local AI setup with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition AI bundle first appeared on KitGuru.

Throughout 2025 we saw an increasing number of leaks and rumours surrounding Ubisoft’s long-awaited Prince of Persia The Sands of Time Remake, with recent reports claiming that the title is scheduled to launch as early as this month. While this may have been the case at one point, Ubisoft have now announced “a major organizational, operational and portfolio reset” which includes the cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake and 5 other projects.

Making the surprise announcement via a press release, Ubisoft unveiled the details of their “major organizational, operational and portfolio reset” designed “to reclaim creative leadership and restore sustainable growth.”

While there is of course plenty to dig into with this press release (including details on the publisher’s “accelerated investments behind player-facing Generative AI”) by far the most surprising part of the announcement was the fact that half a dozen in-development projects have now been cancelled as a result of this restructure, with them writing:

“Ubisoft has discontinued 6 games that do not meet the new enhanced quality as well as more selective portfolio prioritization criteria at Group level. These include Prince of Persia The Sands of Time remake as well as 4 unannounced titles, including 3 new IP’s, and a mobile title.”

As mentioned, many were expecting Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake to be released this month, with various leaks and rumours late last year indicating as much. Additionally, just last week the ESRB published a listing for the game alongside an official content rating; suggesting that its release was indeed imminent.

Given the fact that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake was delayed multiple times, changed studios and rebooted in order to ensure a quality product, the news of its sudden and unexpected cancellation is highly disappointing to see.

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KitGuru says: Were you looking forward to The Sands of Time Remake? Did you have high hopes for the project? At this point, would you have rather the original remake been released back in 2021 when it was initially planned? Let us know down below.

The post Ubisoft unceremoniously cancels 6 games including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake first appeared on KitGuru.