Super Mario Bros 3 Online... No kidding you can play this classic online using what you already use to browser ther internet... Pun hehe!
CLICK ON THE MARIO IMAGE BELOW TO PLAY!
This is the whole Super Mario Bros 3 ROM for the Nintendo. This game will transport you back to the 1980s. The Koopa children, as well as cool powerups like the frog suit and the tanooki suit, were introduced in Mario 3. There are a total of eight planets to explore, but if you utilize the magic flutes, you can swiftly travel to World 8.
The end of PS Vita could be closer than everybody expects, as Sony announced last May that it would stop releasing physical game carts for the handheld console after March 21, 2019. A few months later, the bad news struck the fans’ community: PS Vita itself would be discontinued in 2019.
Still, this doesn’t mean that the Japanese manufacturer is completely ignoring the portable console! On the contrary, there are quite a few amazing games for it about to be released this year which deserve more than just a bit of attention.
Let’s see which titles are worth our attention…
Hamsterdam
Describer by the developer, Muse Games, as a “brawling hamster-fu” beat-em-up game, Hamsterdam requires some serious combos, as your main purpose is to defeat Marlo, the chinchilla, and his Vermin Gang, in order to stop their vicious plan of conquering the city of Hamsterdam.
Obviously, you can customize your character, increasing its stats, but also go through bonus levels. Sounds good, right? Catherine: Full Body
If you’re a die-hard gaming fan, you should remember this one from back in 2011, when the puzzle platformer Catherine was released on both Xbox 360 and PS3.
The game sticks to the same story of Vincent Brooks, caught between Katherine, his girlfriend who is constantly thinking about marriage, and his affair with Catherine, a young stranger. However, it now includes Rin, a third female character, as well as many new gameplay features, alongside an online mode and new chapters.
Shovel Knight: King of Cards
It’s pretty amazing to see that a game released in 2014 is still receiving updates! Yacht Club Games announced a new campaign for Shovel Knight, King of Cards, which is actually a prequel to the original title, telling the story of King Knight and how he became a member of the Order of No Quarter.
The new expansion comes with 30 new stages, as well as enemies, bosses, and many more, so you must give it a shot on your PS Vita!
Shakedown: Hawaii
Basically, a parody of white collar crime, the new Shakedown: Hawaii brings new captivating missions, focused on “acquiring business, sabotaging competitors, getting back land, and, of course, collecting protection money.
Everything happens in 16-bit graphics, which gives the game a really cool retro feeling! As for the rest of the new features it introduces, we’ll let you discover them yourself.
Monster Crown
If you’re a fan of Pokemon, you’ll definitely appreciate playing Monster Crown on your good ol’ PS Vita!
With over 200 monsters to collect and use them in duels, it adds a twist to classic Pokemon, as completely new species of creatures can be created when two monsters breed. Definitely give it a go and you might end up enjoying it more than the legendary Nintendo game.
Hardcore
Last but not least, we have our favourite when it comes to upcoming PS Vita games: Hardcore.
The first thing that needs mentioning is that it’s a reiteration of a game planned to be released in 1994, but due to various reasons, it was postponed for 25 years. Still, the shooter is ready to make its debut this fall, on Sony’s handheld console, and we’re convinced that we will be thrilled to play it!
Which one of these are you looking forward to playing? Let us know, using the comments section below!
Let’s say that you have some time to kill and your best options is, by far, playing something on your PC. However, there seems to be a problem: your device can’t play the latest titles or you just don’t have any game installed. But, at a second thought, you do have an alternative: browser games.
Lately, the ‘offer’ kept getting bigger and bigger and you can try some pretty amazing games, able to keep you entertained for hours. Let’s take a few moments and see which are some of the best ones available now, shall we?
Y’all know the concept, as it’s been present in a lot of games, whether browser-based or mobile apps. But some things are better left unchanged and this variant of Bubble Shooter is definitely the best one ever made.
Simple graphics, easy to play and totally addicting. These are the ingredients used to create probably one of our favourite browser games in the history of the web. And we really hope that this classic will be around for a lot more years.
Kingdom Rush
Moving on, we’re looking at something with significantly advanced - even though it’s 2D - graphics. In Kingdom Rush, your mission is to build fortifications around your tower, in order to keep the bad guys away. But it’s not that simple, as you will also deal with goblins, ogres, or even orc.
Obviously, as the game progresses, you will be able to upgrade the towers, while the enemies will also get stronger. Definitely a great pick for any strategy fan!
Infinite Mario Bros
Let’s call this ‘the re-birth of a classic’, but this time as a browser-based game. You’ll play as the beloved plumber who jumps on turtles and mushrooms, but there are a few differences, compared to the original.
To be more specific, after a level is over, you just don’t know what comes next, but this is what makes it special, compared to the original Mario game. Just give it a chance and you’ll see what we’re talking about!
World’s Biggest Pac-Man
Unlike the previous entry on our list, this browser-based version of a gaming legend makes just two major changes: the two wraparound tunnels were replaced by four doorways, while users are now allowed to submit their own mazes. Yes, you can make your own version of Pac-Man!
Currently, there are thousands of variants of this all-time classic, so you can spend hours playing it and trying to break down records.
Treasure Arena
Get ready for some 8-bit action! Treasure Arena is, in a few words, your regular arena shooter, which somehow reminds us of the SNES. Nostalgic much? Yeah, probably.
Throughout the game, you’ll constantly be after coins and power-ups, but make sure you’re always prepared to duff up anyone who comes near you!
Browser-based games do-look like a lot of fun, don’t you think? We bet the answer is ‘yes’! Do let us know which one of these is your favourite, by dropping a few lines in the comments section below!
Everybody was looking forward to Google’s moment at the 2019 Game Developers Conference, as the search engine giant was rumoured to launch something big, able to completely transform the gaming industry.
And they did it.
Google Stadia was introduced, promising to end the era of console boxes and allow people to play anywhere. But there’s something telling us that it could fail.
Still...how’s this Stadia thing working?
In a nutshell, the project wants to change the way games are played, bought, shared, or even developed, as well as solve problems like playing on a split-screen or playing the same game on multiple platforms. Besides this, it also wants to improve the reach of those who live stream on YouTube and - this is the part we really liked - turn the entire internet into a big video game store.
Now, if you have an idea about the latest releases in the gaming industry, you already know that the concept is not 100% new and innovative. Microsoft already gives you the possibility to play the same game on different platforms, while Nvidia also has a service which you can use to play any game you want, no matter your configuration.
But let’s see how Google wants to make things different and bring an end to home consoles.
In practice, Stadia allows you to click on any link and start playing any video game, within a few seconds, no matter how performance-demanding it is. You can do it on an old laptop, your smartphone, your tablet or even a smart TV. Even more, you can jump between multiple devices and your progress will be saved constantly. And you know what’s the best part? Everything you need is an optional controller, which connects directly to Google’s servers.
Otherwise, no additional hardware at all!
Phil Harrison
Google Stadia is expected to make its official debut around E3, even though there’s nothing confirmed about this date. We do know that this year it’s going to be available in the United States and Canada, as well as the United Kingdom and “most” of Europe. VP Phil Harrison revealed that more details will be given somewhere in June, so...we’re looking forward to it!
How much are we going to pay for this?
To everybody’s disappointment, Google gave no details about a possible pricing plan. There are some talks with publishers and other partners, but that’s pretty much it.
One can say that the search engine giant is planning to go on a very conservative route and adopt a pricing plan similar to Steam or any traditional online retailer like it. Which won’t be bad at all. On the other side, it could also opt for a very ambitious approach and start with a monthly subscription fee, just like Netflix, for example, is doing, but with the risk of tallying with its already existing YouTube TV service.
The latter could prove to be incredibly costly for end users, not to mention that it might not be welcomed by gaming companies they will eventually partner with. Even more, it’s unclear how such a model can work in terms of revenue splits.
Most likely, Google Stadia - and all the content available on it - will be accessible using a combination of both subscriptions and direct payments, depending on the games you want to play. Which can sound weird at first, but hey, if it works…
No matter the final variant, it will be mandatory for Google to invest in infrastructure and gaming in order to have things flowing smoothly.
“It is a public record that in 2019, Google will be spending $13 billion in infrastructure and capital expenditure,” said the same Phil Harrison. “So this is a very significant investment for the company.”
Facing strong competition
During the launch event, one thing was made clear: Google is launching the new generation of gaming. Still, they made a comparison between Stadia and most of its direct competitors, pointing that it offers a ridiculous 10 teraflops in terms of GPU power, while the likes of PS4 Pro and Xbox One X offer 4.2 and 6. Quite impressive, right?
As a side note, Amazon could soon turn into a serious competitor, as it’s reportedly developing its own game streaming service, rumoured for 2020. Also, let’s not forget about Apple Arcade, introduced just a few days ago!
One controller to rule them all
In a nutshell, Google Stadia is just a controller, in terms of hardware. It doesn’t have a specific name, not to mention that it looks like your average console controller. Still, what it can do is to connect to the club through Wi-Fi, allowing players to stream gameplay directly, using a specific button, but also ask for developer-directed help, using another one.
“If you have an existing USD controller that uses the HID standard, it will work,” Phil Harrison said during the event. Basically, you can play on Stadia without Google’s dedicated controller as well.
...and a few more bonuses
Google Stadia was clearly designed with a big focus on game streamers, as players will queue up to play some of their favourite titles with YouTubers live, in an online lobby. And this is pretty cool if you ask us!
Obviously, Google Assistant was also integrated into Stadia, helping the user with various issues, like when he or she gets stuck in a game and showing the most relevant YouTube video with a solution.
Finally, virtual reality seems to be the next big step for the gaming platform, but no particular details were given during the launch. Still, something’s telling us that they have a few aces in their sleeve and will get them out very soon.
To wrap it up, Google Stadia seems to have everything it takes to revolutionize the gaming industry, even though some of its features are not actually revolutionary. But we strongly believe that we haven’t seen anything from the big G’s plans regarding this….
Over the past few years, mobile gaming developed incredibly and we can now play some complex titles on our smartphones, making us wonder how can technology evolve so fast. It was yesterday when we were discovering Snake on those chunky Nokia phones and now we’re playing PUBG Mobile - just a random example - alongside other players from all over the world.
Still, there are people who are still nostalgic about those simpler times and they just stay away from complicated mobile games, as they prefer to kill some times with almost basic, yet very addicting games.
And it appears that the folks over at AïLuna were aware of this when they developed Bounce Jump Ball, a game which looks - and actually is - very easy to play but can keep you glancing at your phone for hours. Or until you’re out of battery, of course.
Available for both Android and iOS, the idea behind Bounce Jump Ball is easy: tap the ball with your finger and make it jump between objects. Simple and not the first time when a developer makes a game like this.
But it becomes more and more difficult as you get past objects. Think of it as Flappy Bird with a football. Yes, this actually makes sense.
Obviously, you get one point for each object you surpass, so your ‘mission’ is to gather as many points as possible, then try breaking your own record. Or your friends’, if you start your very own Bounce Jump Ball championship.
The graphics are simple, yet vividly coloured and responsive. There are a few things to improve, but we’re convinced that we’re looking at a future Google Play and App Store superstar here, which is definitely going to get a serious update in the near future. Actually, we would be really upset if it doesn’t, because the idea is really good!
We’re also big fans of a colour scheme, as the combination suits this game very well. However, there are a few aspects we would like to see in the next version: the ‘Policy’ button in the bottom left corner needs a new font, something similar to the one used in the title, while the bouncing ball itself looks...stretched. It’s not that bothering, but it can easily be noticed.
AïLuna released the game recently and it already got a few excellent reviews, proof that there are a lot of smartphone users out there that prefer simpler and addictive games. Actually, what’s not to like about these? You don’t put a lot of effort into them and you can play for hours. Just make sure that you don’t get too involved into breaking your own record, as it can lead to some serious frustration. True story.
In a nutshell, Bounce Jump Ball is that game everyone would love to play while waiting in a very long line to pay some taxes or while stuck in traffic, as you will never notice how fast time flies while playing it. Let’s just hope that most people will enjoy it in their spare time.
It’s been a while since Brawl Stars has been around - almost two years, to be more specific - and it can easily be said that it’s one of the most addictive brawler/shoot ‘em up mobile games around. Not to mention that its ‘rise to glory’ has been spectacular, considering that it was a title initially announced through a live stream on YouTube by the folks over at Supercell.
After hitting the market in Canada, it started becoming available all over the world and...well, the rest is history.
The concept behind Brawl Stars is actually easy: players collect fighters - Brawlers, in this case - and use one of them for each fight. There are 23 of them right now and they can be used to play the game in twenty different ways.
And this is where the interesting part begins, as you must pick up the best brawlers, from various categories, like League Reward Brawlers, Rare Brawlers, Super Rare Brawlers, Epic Brawlers, Mythic Brawlers, and finally, Legendary Brawlers.
But the question is...which of these are the best?
Don’t worry, we got you covered, as we made a short list with ten of the best Brawlers you can choose for various game modes, so you can advance quicker. Sounds good, right?
Best Brawlers for Gem Grab
Obviously, the best Brawler should be able to secure the Gem Mine Area by making use of abilities like Attacks and Super.
● S Rank: Pam, Penny, Spike, Nita, Leon
● A Rank: Poco, Barley, Brock, Gene, Bo
● B Rank: El Primo, Tara, Shelly, Darryl Bull, Dynamike
Best Brawlers for Showdown
The best Brawler is one who can create a lot of damage in the long range.
● S Rank: Leon, Spike, Bull
● A Rank: Nita, Crow, Darryl, El Primo, Pam
● B Rank: Piper, Colt, Shelly, Penny, Tara, Brock, Bo
Best Brawlers for Heist
For the best results in Heist Mode, you need a Brawler who can create damage, but in a safe and creative way.
● S Rank: Bull, Barley, Jessie
● A Rank: Dynamike, Colt, Darryl, Penny, Tara, Leon
● B Rank: Shelly, El Primo, Rico, Gene
Best Brawlers for Brawl Ball
Looking forward to dominating the Brawl Ball? Choose a character who can control the ball for longer periods of time.
● S Rank: Tara, El Primo, Spike
● A Rank: Mortis, Frank, Shelly, Bull, Nita, Colt, Leon, Gene, Bo
● B Rank: Darryl, Crow, Brock, Pam, Dynamike
Best Brawlers for Bounty
The best Brawler for this category is one who can use attacks quickly, in order to get the enemy’s health to 0.
● S Rank: Brock, Piper, Leon, Penny
● A Rank: Ricochet, Darryl, Dynamike
● B Rank: Colt, Crow, Barley, Gene
Best Brawlers for Robo Rumble
In this mode, you must do everything to outlast the robots, so you need a Brawler who can draw aggression from them and soak up the damage.
● S Rank: Pam, Frank, El Primo, Poco
● A Rank: Barley, Ricochet, Dynamike
● B Rank: Bull, Darryl
Best Brawlers for Big Game
Playing against a boss? Pick a Brawler able to draw the enemy’s aggression!
● S Rank: Nita, Penny, Barley
● A Rank: Pam, Tara, Gene
● B Rank: Bo, Spike, Jessie, Darryl, Dynamike
Best Brawlers for Siege
Your focus should be maintaining control of the middle map area.
● S Rank: Pam, Penny, Spike, Jessie
● A Rank: Poco, Brock, Bo, Nita, Gene, Barley, Dynamike
● B Rank: El Primo, Tara, Shelly, Frank
Remember when everybody started talking about Agar.io, which, in the meantime, became one of the most popular browser-based games? Yeah, we also do.
After all, what’s not to like about a game in which you’re a big circle that eats other circles? Even the President of the United States was playing it. In Netflix’s House of Cards, that is.
Yes, ladies and gents, we’re going to talk about what came after flash games became a thing of the past.
The truth about IO games is that most of them are built using the same principles: playable just using your mouse or/and a few keys, simple to learn and hard to master. And there’s also that amazing multiplayer that helped them ‘get big’. Most of them are built in multiplayer mode, so you’re always playing against real people from all over the world, not just some bots.
If you’re a big fan of such games, but couldn’t find a place where you can play some of the best available titles, we have some good news for you: IOGAMES.EU is here to save the day!
Whether you’re looking for classics, like Agar.io or the snake gang in Slither.io, you can find them here, alongside IO-versions of some of the most popular titles of the moment, like PUBG or Fortnite. Yes, we’re serious! Just give them a try and you’ll end up spending hours playing them. Just don’t do it while at work, ok?
IOGAMES comes with a very simple interface, so you can choose from all available categories, like RPGs, shooters, space-themed games, strategy games, tank-like or even zombie game. Because we all like getting rid of some zombies from time to time.
There is also an option to search the platform for a specific title, but also the possibility to check out the last added games, as well as the most played and top-rated titles if you want to try something new.
Ok, but what about the games? How are these integrated within the platform?
We could say ‘very well’, but you probably want a few more details. The things we do for our readers…
Each game features a short description, as well as instructions on how to play it. You can play them within the browser window or even go full screen, for a proper experience. In case something doesn’t work, you can let the developers know, through the special button or drop a few lines in the comments section.
Basically, this is it. IOGAMES.EU is a simple, yet very complex platform where you can entertain yourself with the best .io titles of the moment, whether you’re at the office or on the go, since it’s properly optimized for smartphones as well.
And that’s pretty much it. Now excuse me while I go and play a quick session of Snow Wars.
I remember back in the days, when I was just discovering the wonders of the Internet, that I was fascinated by a website called Miniclip. It was something new for me at that time, as I had access to a collection of flash games, more or less interesting, keeping me entertained for hours.
Pretty much like my old Chinese SNES copy and those 9999 in 1 cartridges. Except Miniclip actually had 9999 games. Man, how time flies…
Back to my then-newfound passion for flash games, I remember spending hours with a billiards game. Or 8 ball, as I later found out it was called. At that time, I wasn’t allowed to go into a bar or anywhere where I could play this for real, so a flash game was more than enough.
As the years passed, I remained a fan of 8 ball games, as it became one of my favourite methods to kill some time. And when I discovered that I could play it on my smartphone, I had a real blast.
Still, whether I was using iOS or Android, the app stores were basically invaded with such games, so it was difficult to find one able to...well, drain my phone’s battery completely, due to playing for maybe too much.
And then I found The One: Pool Strike, from the folks over at Funiza. It was exactly what I wanted. Or you can call it ‘love at first sight’.
Obviously, one of the first things that impressed me was the way this game looks, thanks to the realistic physics engine it uses. After playing a bit, I also noticed the fact that you could upgrade your cue and choose from more than 100 models, if you earn enough coins to get them, of course. Because yes, there’s an in-game rewards system, giving you coins for various achievements.
Oh, and don’t expect this to be an easy game! It can be pretty challenging and even annoyingly difficult at times!
But these are just a few general aspects…
Pool Strike can be considered the next generation online sports game since it gives you the possibility to play with your friends - because you can play more than 1 vs 1 - and chat with them between shots. And speaking about shots, a thing that I really like is that if you succeed to win in the first turn, you are awarded a Pool Strike table bonus, something reserved for the best players.
So yeah, this game acts as a social network for 8 ball lovers, if I’m allowed to make this comparison, as you can also get friend requests from other players, not to mention that the developers thought about a way of keeping players motivated. I’m talking about offering bonuses for the best player of the day, of the week, and even the month. Pretty cool, don’t you think?
Overall, I’ll take the liberty to call Pool Striker the best, but also the hardest 8 ball pool game I’ve ever tried. And I tried quite a few. If you’re up for a challenge, then give it a shot! Pun intended.
Bad news for all the PlayStation Vita out there, as it seems that Sony is planning to end the production soon.
According to the Japanese version of the PlayStation website, where that last two models are still up for grabs, their lifespan is “ending soon”, as mentioned in the descriptions. This is not a new approach for Sony, as they did the same thing when they started to prepare people for the end of PlayStation 3’s production, two years ago.
“In Japan, we will manufacture PlayStation Vita until 2019. From there, shipping will end,” Hiroyuki Oda, Sony Interactive Entertainment senior vice president said. “Currently, we do not have any plans regarding a new handheld device.”
However, this doesn’t mean that the company is completely excluding the idea of developing another portable console!
Back to the Vita, seeing that it’s going to be axed is not surprising. After all, it was supposed to be a platform that allowed gamers to enjoy the experience offered by a PS3 or PS4 on the road, but the main mistake was that it was released in a moment in which there wasn’t such a big market for handheld consoles.
Sure, there are some amazing titles which you can play on it, but it turned out that it can be very difficult to sell a device like this when a lot of people prefer using their smartphones for gaming on-the-go.
But there is an exception.
Let’s not forget that the Nintendo Switch, a device with almost the same functionality, is still doing great in terms of sales, so we don’t see why Sony can’t follow their example and release a completely new handheld console. In fact, the Japanese company previously mentioned doing something beyond the Vita, but no other details were given.
As a side note, if Sony indeed releases a new portable gaming device, we won’t be surprised if Microsoft does the same thing, taking the “PlayStation vs Xbox” battle to a new territory. But if they don’t have any plans at all to release a handheld device, at least in the near future, then it’s very likely for the PS5 to come without any kind of portable functionality.
And speaking about the Switch, there’s no doubt that if Vita completely disappears, we won’t be surprised if its fanbase actually gets a huge boost, as a lot of people who still love the idea of having a portable console with them all the time need a new, modern device, better than a smartphone, on which they can play whenever they want, no matter where they are. In a nutshell, it’s exactly what Nintendo is offering.
Actually, this is what we’re also recommending to anybody who considers getting a PlayStation Vita: look at what Nintendo has in its portfolio and thank us later.
But what if Sony is just bluffing and they’re working at a completely revolutionary product? Only time can tell, unfortunately for fans.
For the most part,
Sony IR
Day 2018 went underway replete with the standard technobabble,
industry insights, future company plans, and what not. As with many
high-profile technology events tho’, there was to be a bang—that traditional
sound bite that reporters run away with and lights up Twitter feeds.
On that late
spring afternoon in Tokyo, the source was none other than Sony (SIE) CEO, John
‘Tsuyoshi’ Kodera. “[The PlayStation 4 is] finally entering
the final phase of its console life cycle,” he said. That kindled a
firestorm: just as pretext and context were effortlessly dismissed.
But… It’s been coming
The flurry of discussion
that greeted the reveal is certainly understandable. But there’s hardly an
industry watcher, PlayStation fan, or console gamer who didn’t conceptualize
the possibility that Sony had already started developing the next-gen console. Development
of the PlayStation 4 started in
2008. Sony released it in 2013.
Sure, the
PlayStation 4 has been a phenomenon, breaking records with reckless abandon.
After its release, it became the fastest
selling console ever. Its controller, the DualShock 4, is the best-selling
gamepad ever. Even after Kodera’s statement, God
of War then Spider-Man
obliterated software sales records in quick succession.
If it wasn’t
already apparent, the PS4 is doing great. Which is doubly admirable in light of
the fact that every analyst was predicting doom
and gloom for console gaming before its release. This Timepiece
published less than a fortnight before PS4’s announcement did not age well.
That said: it’s
been five (5) years since the PS4’s release. In console years, that’s old—barely-can-walk kind of old. Sony has
already released two traditional mid-generation updates—the PlayStation 4 Slim
and PlayStation 4 Pro. As Kodera reiterated
in October, “At this point, what I can say is it’s necessary to have a
next-generation hardware.”
A new angle: the PlayStation VR
Still, the next
generation jump isn’t solely about consoles, titles, and cloud gaming. There is
a new product category in its infancy with lots of potential that needs all the
support it can get. PlayStation VR may not be the massive hit Sony hoped it’d
be, but it’s no slouch either.
It hit the 3
million magic sales number back in August, it has a relatively small
but vocal fan following, and Sony’s support for the PSVR has been strong to
date (Sony expects to have 280 VR games available by year end).
The bone of
contention appears to be how to take it to the next level and not let it go the
way of the PlayStation handhelds (we’ve got bad
news about Vita by the way). More specifically, the debate boils
down to whether Sony should launch the PSVR2 before or after the PS5 and which
is the better option.
Going by
PlayStation history, it’d be safe to put one’s money on the PSVR2 launching
with or after the PS5. But are there credible reasons why Sony should bite the
bullet and launch the second-gen PlayStation VR 2 before the PS5?
A tepid industry
Vive is one of the
pillars keeping HTC afloat,
Oculus is one of Facebook’s promising avenue for diversification, and Samsung
is being Samsung with the Gear VR. If VR is to become the next big thing as
touted, the industry certainly needs to step up and do more.
Sony knows
firsthand why this is urgent. They’ve admitted that they find the PSVR sales underwhelming—3
million is a lot, but with an 80+ million PS4 ownership base, the bean counters
at Tokyo reasonably expected a better performance. Interestingly, this is after
the PSVR had two price cuts within a one-year period—the first
in August last year and another
early this year in March.
It is getting
increasingly apparent that for the VR to enter its golden age (enter the
mainstream); Sony needs to roll its sleeves and take it by the scruff of the
neck. This will draw similarities to Apple and the smartwatch industry. The
industry eschewed great promise at the start, but it didn’t take off
dramatically as was expected.
The original Apple
Watch pulled in good numbers much like the current original PSVR (both outsold
the competition). But the Apple Watch wasn’t quite there. It divided critics as
well. The Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 brought marked improvements and set the
ball rolling. Then the Apple Watch Series 3 made Apple’s smartwatch the de
facto leader. The recently released Apple Watch Series 4 blew minds away.
From a nascent
industry that seemed gimmicky, the smartwatch industry is fledging and almost
all Apple at this point. That could be the VR industry and Sony in the next few
generations. And for that to happen, Sony might have to release a strikingly
improved PSVR2 now rather than later. Especially as Microsoft continues to drag
its feet; HTC continues to price its Vive headsets perplexingly high (have you
seen the pricing
of the Vive Focus); and while the Oculus Go is an impressive entry-level VR
headset, it’s not that affordable gaming powerhouse that the PSVR2 could and
should be.
On the other hand,
however, Sony might have to be more concerned about…
Doing it right
If there’s one thing
both camps can agree on, it is that the second generation PlayStation VR has to
be considerably better than the first-gen VR. We’ve already had an incremental
update. What the market needs now is a generational leap.
And FWIW, that at
least implies:
Better viewing—we’re talking higher resolution and pixel
density—the recently announced 1,001ppi, 2.2msec (compared to at or above
18msec of current VR), 120Hz refresh rate screen
by JDI (a consortium that Sony has a stake in) sounds like a good
fit for obvious reasons.
Wireless connectivity—one of the primary changes Sony made to
the PlayStation VR 2017 updated
model (CUH-ZVR2) was making the connection cable more streamlined and
slimmer. The logical next step is going wireless, a feature that premium VR
headsets started
getting recently.
Improved tracking—the PSVR lags behind the PC VR
competition. It’s not marginal, it’s a chasm. The PlayStation Camera does a
decent job, but is admittedly rough around the edges. This is to be expected of
first-gen tech. Cutting the cord should also allow for room-scale 6DoF
tracking, which means support for more immersive experiences and a larger game
library.
Upgraded controllers—Sony’s recent patents
to improve its Move controllers (to go toe to toe with the Oculus and Vive
controllers) also offer insight into efforts to confer enhanced finger tracking
and a bespoke “reaction force generator” for better haptic feedback.
Unfortunately, the
PS4 Pro barely offers enough grunt to power the PSVR. The 1080p almost takes it
to breaking point: a PSVR 2 with at least a QHD (1440p) resolution, better
resource-intensive performance, and several other tech improvements may be too
much for the PS4 Pro. Bottom line, it may be impractical to make a next gen VR
headset based on a retiring console platform.
A rumor
from reliable tipster SemiAccurate
stating that Sony intends to bake in VR-tech at the silicon level adds weight
to that point. If Sony intends to market VR as an integral part of its PS5 console
offering, this is necessary and just as important to have a VR hardware built
from the ground up to take advantage of this deep integration.
Fears about a lack
of backwards compatibility may be credible (the PS3
drop anyone) but could prove to be unfounded as there’s evidence of Sony
patenting
backwards compatibility to make PS4 games playable on the PS5. It
stands to reason that Sony will extend that ability to the PS uniVRse, to at the very least offer PS VR 2
buyers a large library of games from the get go.
And even if the
PS5 release schedule turns out to be in 2020 or 2021, Sony could always offer
another marginal VR refresh sometime next year to stay competitive.
A true PSVR 2 or a next-gen PSVR in name
only
In a nutshell, any
new VR release for the PS4 is unlikely to take full advantage of the major
hardware changes coming to the PS5. This will inevitably mean compromises of
some sort that many may find avoidable. It’d also make the upgrade feel more
like a bridge to the next generation rather than the next generation itself,
which isn’t ideal.
Interestingly,
there may be cause for such an upgrade. VR is unlike console gaming. Annual or
biennial generation jumps are the norm, as opposed to the half-a-decade plus
jumps in console gaming. With the release date for the PS5 still up in the air,
Sony could watch its PSVR lead crumble if it waits until as late as 2024 to place
the PSVR 2 on store shelves (three years after a possible 2021 PS5 release). Nonetheless,
any such upgrade will be taken by the market as a niche-centric PSVR refresh,
instead of the PSVR 2 that’s supposed to make mainstream VR adoption a thing.
As such, it is
increasingly likely that a PS5 release in 2019 or 2020 would be accompanied by
a PSVR 2 launch. The PSVR 2 getting a release any later than a year or two
after the PS5 release is unlikely as Sony simply does not have that luxury of
time. Compared to the PlayStation console, the PlayStation VR is a different
product with different competitors.
The PSVR2 will
most likely only pair with the PS5 and other mid-gen PS5 console upgrades.
However, the PSVR2 would likely support both PSVR2 and current PSVR games. New
iterations of popular games would be released on both platforms
(cross-generational), but there’d definitely be games exclusive to the newer
PSVR2 as well.
The latest gaming phenomenon in the world is no Candy Crush Saga. Fortnite is massively popular, but it’s also quite difficult to play. Newcomers may find the game challenging at first. The game becomes immensely more fun as players gain experience. Until then, use the below suggestions to survive Fortnite:
1.Avoid the Main Regions
There are 20 regions in the game marked with yellow arrows. These are the main regions where the most hardcore PvPers are likely to gather. Players here are rather aggressive, so newcomers may find the game particularly hard to grasp in these areas.
Instead, land in a non-named region to avoid getting blasted the moment your character’s feet hit the ground. Aim for the smaller, unnamed house lots. These regions have plenty of supplies too, but minimal numbers of aggressive players.
2.Use a Shotgun as Your Starter Weapon
Fortnite is full of cool weapons, but not all are effective. The most effective weapon for a beginner is a shotgun. It may not be as cool as a handgun, but the trusty old shotgun can cause damage in close proximity like no other. Since nearly all beginner combat in-game are close encounters inside buildings, a shotgun can serve you much better than a pistol or a rifle.
3.Find a Shield Potion without Delay
To master the game, secure a shotgun. Right after that, find a shield potion. The potions are far more effective than bandages to regain health. The shield potions don’t add health points but add a brand new bar of health. That’s about 75 percent more health to keep you going. Make sure you consume shield potions only in a safe area.
4.Become a Master Builder.
Building stuff is a crucial aspect of survival in Fortnite. Players can conjure up survival tools literally out of thin air. So if you can build like an expert, your survival will be near guaranteed.
There are several structures you can practice building in the game. To decrease the difficulty of the game, become crazy familiar with building “1x1” basic structures. These structures offer protection as well as the high ground advantage during combat.
To practice a lot, drop into a rather secluded area as mentioned earlier. You can practice more in the “Save the World” mode. Make it even easier by choosing the “Builder Pro” button layout.
5.Change the Button Layout
The button layout can be frustrating when playing Fortnite without a controller. Without the right layout, players can lose essential milliseconds when responding to attacks. Fix this problem by changing the button layout to “Builder Pro.” As mentioned above, it helps you learn to build better too.
6.Don’t Cut Down the Trees.
Rather, don’t completely chop down trees when harvesting for food. Trees offer wood in addition to food. You need wood to build things. So if you only cut down trees partially, you can get more wood and food anywhere in the game.
Chopping down trees is also risky out in the open. You can minimize your likelihood of becoming a target by jumping up and down and spinning in circles while chopping. Not the most elegant way to play the game, but you will get the chopping done faster at less risk.
7.Think before Jumping into Battle Pass Challenges
Battle Pass challenges, made available weekly, offer loads of useful unlocks. But new players should not dive straight into these challenges right away. Battle Pass games tend to be crowded with experienced PvPers that can toast you before you can say “Fortnite”.
Instead, wait till a Battle Pass challenge area sees a reduction in activity. Then you can swoop in and achieve the objective without having to combat dozens of players more experienced than you.
8.Remember Where the Loot Chests Were
One of the biggest tasks in the game is to find loot chests full of treasures. These chests can be found just about anywhere in the game, from inside a house to under a tree. If you do happen to find a loot chest, remember the location.
Loot chests aren’t randomized in the game. So if you find one, you may stumble upon a refreshed chest at the same location later (unless an update changes it).
There you go. Use the above tips to get off to a grand start as a Fortnite player and not get pawned every time you land.
Sony and Capcom just released the eleventh update patch to God of War, originally unveiled on April 20. The 1.21 update fixes some of the most frustrating bugs in the game and also introduces new additions that make gameplay more fun.
Unlike the last update, which introduced the goofy Photo Mode, the new patch isn’t packed with cool stuff. The publishers are still mum about exactly what type of bugs the new update is fixing. Though the improvements of the new patch aren’t listed specifically, players are sorting through the changes.
Here is a list of new features and fixes known to be available with all the patches to God of War:
Final Weapon Upgrades
A number of players have reported that the newest update allows those who proceed to the final stage to get weapons upgrades. The weapons can be reportedly maxed out before facing the final quest.
Photo Mode Introduced with patch 1.20, Photo Mode became an instant fan favorite. This feature allows users to freeze action in-game to capture screenshots just perfectly.
The mode works like an in-game DSLR camera. It allows users to edit scenes to get the best shot, much like a digital camera. With the Photo Mode, players can adjust the focal length of a shot, change the field of view, and add depth of field.
Players can additionally tweak the focus distance, aperture, and F-Stop. A number of Snapchat-like filters were also introduced. Players can add borders, the game logo, and text to the screenshots they take.
Perhaps the most fun part of Photo Mode is the ability to alter characters’ facial expressions in the screenshots. Fans could, for example, give the infamously grumpy Kratos a smile. Players can alter a characters’ visibility as well.
Increased Text Size Introduced alongside Photo Mode on patch 1.20, the text size on menus and subtitles are bigger. The text is much easier to read now than when the game was first released.
Bug Fixes
Patches 1.17, 1.18, and the most recent 1.21 are said to fix minor bugs within the game. However, the publishers have never specified exactly what those bugs were.
Players have claimed that the 1.17 update fixes a supposedly bugged HDR and audio skipping issues. However, without confirmation from the developers, it’s difficult to specify what the errors actually were.
Scaling Bug Fix
One of the few known bugs in the game is a display scaling issue that was corrected by the 1.11 update, the second patch to the game.
Optional Text Zoom
Players have the option to zoom text with the 1.12 update. With the increased text size in patch 1.20, this may not be necessary for most players now.
Unknown Fixes God of War has received a slew of patch updates since its April release. The updates supposedly fix errors within the game, but the studio isn’t disclosing details of the supposed fixes. So far, little to nothing is known about what updates through 1.13 to 1.16 were supposed to fix.
The director of the game, Cory Barlog, has confirmed that there won’t be any more DLC story content releases in the future. Players can, therefore, be certain that future patches won’t introduce more content.
Wondering what to play this year? Then check out these gaming titles making players squeal with delight:
Dragon Ball FighterZ FighterZ is as exciting as your favorite Dragon Ball episode. The developers are really giving fans what they want here. There are bombastic combat moves and plenty of fan service to indulge in. The gameplay has been modernized, along with the looks. The overall result is a nostalgic and delightful gaming treat.
Monster Hunter World
This is one of the hippest titles to hit the shelves in recent years. The game got rave reviews for its beautiful locations and the number of monsters introduced in the game. It just feels real and the gameplay is addictive. The game is very welcoming to new players, which is a major plus.
God of War
The classic Sony title has been rebooted by Norse. And the results are just spectacular. God of War was losing steam with the last Sony-released titles. Norse has managed to bring back the franchise in full force with great graphics and gameplay guaranteed to get your heart rate up.
The new God of War has super cool weapons, particularly a certain axe. The enemy monsters have undergone a design makeover and look more intimidating and just generally better to fight. The truly noteworthy upgrade of the reboot is the landscapes, which are stunning and truly worthy of the mythical setting. It’s easy to get absorbed into God of War and get obsessed with Kratos on his bloody journey.
Fe
This indie title is a visual feast for the eyes. Forget the dark, solid colors typically expected from games. This comes alive in pastel shades and Piccaso-like angles. It’s all about solving puzzles and platforming. When you want a reprieve from combat-focused action games, try Fe and help a little fox sing his way around a forest.
A Way Out
What’s really unique about A Way Out is its gameplay. When single-player games are giving way to multiplayer games, A Way Out remains coolly a dual player. Or as the brand puts it, co-op payer. The game is about two prisoners trying to escape. The only way to beat the game is to closely collaborate with a gaming partner. So grab your BFF and work together.
Ni no Kuni 2
The second installment of the title is more magical than the first. The game is set in an animated world that recalls the best of Studio Ghibli works. The player follows a deposed king on his way to reclaim the throne. This open-world JRPG game is packed with action and superb combat. Gameplay is rife with dealing quick blocks and switching characters to win the strategic upper hand. The game is visually stunning and very emotionally satisfying.
Shadow of the Colossus The popular PS2 title is now available on PS4. The story about a boy killing giants to save his love from the clutches of death never feels old. The beautiful setting is completed by gameplay that is less action-y and more adventure focused. Players are required to make unique moves to master the game. The 4k graphics certainly improve the appeal of the game as well.
So, which of the above titles can’t you wait to get your hands on?
We are already nearly a month into 2018 but it’s not too late to look back on 2017, specifically at the Game of the Year Awards. This year, however, PlayStation LifeStyle will be taking a slightly different approach to hosting the year-end awards, by emphasizing more on the significance on the nominations. Which means there will just be five games in each category from now on. For a year that has seen so many great titles, the competition will be incredibly stiff. Each list has been compiled following a thorough and meticulous process of elimination.
Last year was certainly not PlayStation Vita’s finest hour. Nevertheless, there has been no shortage of games coming in that are actually worth playing. We are particularly glad to have seen some truly remarkable indie titles as well as a wealth of Japanese exports.
While we have already announced the nominees of the Best Vita Game of 2017, we will now refresh your mind on one of them. VA-11 Hall-A
VA-11 Hall-A was originally designed for PCs. However, it also happens to be perfectly compatible with the PlayStation Vita. It has a rather strange yet intriguing story related in bursts of narration. Meanwhile, the creation of many different cocktails and drinks is totally easy. All of its elements, both central and nominal, come together so sublimely and the result is simply one of the very best handheld titles to have come out in recent years.
Game of the Year 2017 NieR: Automata
Aside from the fact that this is an amazing third-person action game, it can also be frequently turned into a 2D platformer as well as shooter. However, none of it really feels misplaced in any way, and all the details come together to create a truly unique action game that is unlike no other we have seen in a long time. Its powerful story also deserves credit here. There is still the mixed gameplay we all loved in the original, but here it has been vastly improved. The combat moves are noticeably swifter than in the original thanks to the work of PlatinumGames. Other features such as shoot-em-up and bullet hell elements as well the occasional combat in-flight units in the 2D sections are all great additions making this mixed gameplay one of a kind and one up on the original.
Best Indie Game of the Year 2017
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
2017 has been a good year for indie games but one stands out from the rest. Hellblade: Sensua’s Sacrifice had the challenge of portraying a fairly tricky subject and did so quite beautifully. It allows you to experience what it is like to be a sufferer of psychosis and gives a remarkable glimpse into the lives of the afflicted. What’s more, you get this phenomenal gaming experience for bargain money.
Conclusion
So what do you think? Did our favorite 2017 Vita games match your picks? If they did not, it’s hard to go wrong about them given what a great year 2017 was for gaming. Just about all of the nominees are top notch in our books.
If bird hunting games from the past were not realistic enough, you will certainly appreciate this one from Ghafar Gaming LLc called Hunter X Go. Not everyone can go bird-hunting in real life so this right here is the next best thing.
Hunter X Go is not just a game. It is a journey where you will explore a whole other world. So step outdoors and keep a sharp eye out for birds all the way through.
As you go along, you will inevitably spot birds that you could hunt down and add to your collection. Whenever a bird comes into range, you will be instantly alerted by your smartphone that it is time to go hunting. Simply tap on the bird you want which will then set the phone in camera mode and enable you to hunt it as though it were real. It is a simple yet highly efficient solution for simulating a real-life hunting situation.
But of course, no game would be complete without some bonuses. You should also keep an eye out for surprise boxes that can be found in candid locations such as amusement parks, schools and shopping centers. Finding a surprise box will help you reload valuable hunting tools like bird traps and bullets.
There are other exciting features too.
On your map screen, you will be able to detect other players in the vicinity. Feel like challenging them? Simply tap on their avatar to let them know that you would be interested in a Bird Hunting Match. Apart from that, you can also challenge players online to keep honing your hunting skills.
There is indeed a lot of hunting to do on this game with over 50 birds to target. Aside from matches with other players, you can also challenge yourself to hunt extremely rare birds and add them to your growing collection.
All things considered, this game is as real as it gets for anyone who is not keen on hunting actual birds. Plus, you can play it for absolutely FREE.
Some things to note:
•The game itself is free but also contains in-app purchases. Players can therefore pay real money and acquire items that will make for an even better hunting session
•You must be connected to a network at any time you wish to play
•Players may interact with each other by offering challenges
•The game incorporates Frequent, Intense Mature, and Suggestive Themes that may not be suitable for children and is recommended only for users above 17
•This game is only compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch iOS running on iOS 8.0 or later
•Downloading the app will take up 448.1 MB of space
•It is currently available in version 1.3 containing additional bug fixes and improvements.
•It is only available in English
Conclusion
So there we are. If you want to experience the fun of netting a whole lot of exotic birds to add to your collection without having to do it for real, download this sensational app and start gaming!
Whenever we discover a new bubble game that lives up to our standards, we go ahead and include it in our website. Our latest addition is called Bubble Blobs, a fairly colorful game with well over 50 levels which can be played on the map. The graphics are paint-themed and pretty sweet and the level difficulty increases with each level of the game.
Bubble Spinner is another very popular game, a true Bubbleshooter classic that been frequently played for a long time. It features a bubble field that revolves as you shoot at the bubbles giving it an entirely new dimension.
Bubble Hit is popular game, particularly in offices since it offers a relaxed gaming experience.
Gameplay for Bubble Shooter
You can play Bubble shooter online completely free with no sign-up required. Pop as many bubbles as you can with each shot to score extra points. To win, you need to have shot all the bubbles.
The main objective of the game is to score as many points as you can, and that means popping the colored bubbles. Set rows of 3 bubbles of the same color to make them pop. The controls are simple enough, move the mouse left or right to take aim and click to shoot what comes in your direction.
The most popular version of Bubbleshooter is still the original which is still available. The playing field consists of blue, light blue, green, yellow and red bubbles. Since its release, it has inspired hundreds of clones. But none of them are quite like the original.
Tips for Playing
•There are no specific time limits to be concerned about so you can select whatever bubbles you want to pop in your own time.
•You can spot the next bubble to shoot from the left
•Manipulate the borders and get your bubbles to bounce off them and reach tough spots
•The game will be over as soon as any of the rows touch the ground
•The game will also end when the bubbles hit the bottom or if you manage to shoot all of them
Bubble Shooter Video
The Bubble Shoot video depicts the actual gameplay so you can watch it and find out how far you can make it in the game. The key is to get together groups of bubbles. Shooting just three at a time will not take you right to the end.
Other Games
Visit our website to find more Bubble Shooter games. (www.bubbleshooter.net) You can check out either the top categories or the sidebar on the left. We constantly browse through the web in search of the best and latest games to present to our viewers. Whenever a new bubble shooter game comes up on our search, they are promptly added to our website. But of course, they also have a certain standard to fulfill beforehand. Be sure to try Bubbles Extreme and Puzzle Bobble, two classics that anyone can enjoy. Puzzle Bobble is the original while Bubbles Extreme is a more extreme version.
