Black Myth: Wukong gets a PS5 Pro patch - and the base console code is improved tooChanges are welcome - but don't go far enough.Image credit: Game Science Face-off by Oliver Mackenzie Contributor Published on Dec. 26, 2024 Black Myth Wukong was a phenomenon. The UE5-powered action epic sold millions of copies when it launched earlier this year, impressing with its fast gameplay and sophisticated visuals. However, its configuration on PS5 left something to be desired, employing bizarre frame-rate locks and frame generation with a 30fps base frame-rate. Developer Game Science has addressed at least some of those issues as of the latest patch - and the studio has also added PS5 Pro support, using PSSR to improve image quality for Pro players. So is the console version finally in reasonable shape? And should we expect any issues from the Pro upgrade?Let's start by taking a quick look at the patched PS5 code. The most obvious superficial change here is that there is a sharpening slider now. With no sharpening applied, the image looks soft but relatively free of aliased edges. Dialing it up to five, which is the default, gives the image a look that is pretty typical for lower-res current-gen console titles. Ramping up the slider to 10 provides maximum crispiness, for players who want to max out on local contrast. Compared to the launch code, a value of about seven matches the base PS5 in its performance configuration.Outside of the sharpness tweak, the most obvious visual change is that the game's Lumen GI presentation is slightly altered. There's more obvious occlusion present in certain parts of the game world, essentially. The shadow maps sometimes appear slightly different as well. The other modes also have some GI differences relative to the launch code, though they are affected less obviously.A visual breakdown to Black Myth: Wukong's changes and its PS5 Pro implementation.Watch on YouTubeOther visual settings appear similar, at least in my tests. That includes resolution, which remains at 1080p internally, with no apparent upsampling to a higher output resolution. Frame-gen is, unfortunately, still a reality here, and performance is generally similar in my tests as well, usually holding 60fps fairly well. The game's intro runs with frame-gen disabled and mostly hangs in the 40s and 50s, and there are some occasional dips during other segments as well. I suspect the game may be disabling frame-gen during especially sudden changes in camera position, which is likely the source of some of these dips. Whichever way you slice it, basing a performance mode on frame generation - which impacts input lag - is not a great fit for a fast action game running at only 60fps - and it's likely not even necessary for 60fps gameplay, as we demonstrated in tests a few months ago. Lean more heavily on FSR or TSR and a reasonable 60fps experience should be achievable, even on the PS5's CPU and GPU.Performance mode is similar then - but the other two modes differ more dramatically. The quality mode takes an obvious hit to image quality, with less definition and detail in foliage and fine geometry. It's a substantial loss relative to the earlier code. A quick pixel count reveals the issue: the quality mode appears to be rendering at 1080p, down from roughly 1440p on average before. The old quality mode was upsampling to 4K, while the new quality mode looks more like 1440p or 1620p. It's a baffling choice.Other visual settings do seem to have been bumped though. Shadows are obviously of a higher resolution and have less aggressive cascades, while the draw distance for foliage is improved somewhat. Essentially, you're trading a higher resolution in the launch version for better visual settings in the current version. Frame-rates are improved over the base game, at least in a sense. The original quality mode ran with an unstable frame-rate, often running in the low-to-mid 30s. Now, the quality mode has a more sensible straight 30fps cap, producing an evenly frame-paced experience without dips.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Balance mode gets a very different visual treatment though. The new image obviously has more detail, and finer geometric lines manage to present without artifacting. A pixel count reveals a similar setup to quality mode: a 1080p internal resolution, with a subjectively 1440p-like output. Performance-wise, it spends most of its time at or close to 45fps, which remains - bafflingly - the default frame-rate cap in this mode. That means an unsteady procession of frames at 60Hz output, with a mix of 16ms and 33ms frame-times in typical play.New in this patch is an alternative version of the balance mode. With the PS5 set to automatically enable 120Hz output, the balance mode now aims for a flat 40fps reading, with each frame essentially tripled to evenly fit a 120Hz refresh. In my experience, this actually holds a stable 40fps, with relatively rare - and small - dips. This small change makes this mode highly useful in my opinion. The other modes can also run at 120Hz output with a compatible display, but they still target 60fps and 30fps respectively.To wrap things up, the quality mode and balance mode look very similar now, though the quality mode has a higher setting for shadows. However, the quality mode and balance mode have a very similar Lumen GI presentation, with the performance mode appearing a little coarser. Then there are the expected image quality differences: the performance mode is visibly 1080p-like, while the quality and balance modes have greater clarity. Of these modes, I really think the 40fps balance mode at 120Hz is best. It has good input response, consistent frame pacing, and feels reasonably smooth. The quality mode is fine, though the hit to frame-rate is a little steep, and the performance mode's frame-gen is still a bit too much for my tastes. I might prefer a non-frame-gen 60fps targeting mode though, if one was available.How we envisaged a PS5 Pro version of Black Myth: Wukong back in the day, along with mode improvements. Some of the suggestions, like a 40fps mode and a properly frame-paced 30fps mode were implemented. Unfortunately, a non-frame-gen 60fps performance mode was not.Watch on YouTubeOn PS5 Pro, let's start with the quality mode. The biggest change here is the introduction of PSSR, which works from roughly a 1296p input resolution typically, but produces a 4K-like final image. It's perceptibly sharper, especially during movement, and holds up really nicely on a 4K TV set. Some elements that weren't effectively anti-aliased with FSR are cleaner here, like the noisy hair on the first boss and recently disoccluded detail in general. There is a bit of that signature PSSR noise if you look closely, though it's not obvious from normal viewing distances.Despite the fact that this is a UE5 game, the lighting is generally stable and consistent here with PSSR, without Silent Hill 2-like shimmer. That said, the lighting was already pretty stable with FSR, so perhaps that's just less of an issue in general for the content in this title. I did note some Lumen changes again between the PS5 code and PS5 Pro, though these seemed more substantial than the tweaks I noted between the various PS5 versions. Performance is in line with the base console at a locked 30 frames per second in my tests, which feels all right on a controller with motion blur maxed.The balance mode is quite similar to quality mode, with a roughly 1296p typical internal res taken to 4K using PSSR. The most conspicuous visual difference here comes down to the shadows, which are of a higher resolution in the quality mode. The setup is similar to the PS5 split then, with a fairly conservative upgrade for the 30fps-targeting mode variant. There are some Lumen tweaks though that do mirror the quality mode a little as well. Frame-rates hovering around 45fps are typical at 60Hz output, and the game delivers a more or less straight 40fps at 120Hz output. I'm not a fan of the way the game looks on a 60Hz panel in this mode, but at 120Hz you get steady frame pacing and consistent controller response.There's no hardware-accelerated RT in the PS5 Pro version of Black Myth: Wukong - perhaps not surprising as it's very heavy even on Nvidia GPU hardware. Here's Alex's breakdown of the high-end PC experience.Watch on YouTubeThe performance mode hasn't changed much. It's still a 60fps-targeting mode using frame-gen and still runs at a 1080p resolution. Compared side-by-side, it appears very similar to the old performance mode, minus some Lumen discrepancies. This mode still appears to use FSR 3 as well. It also performs very similarly to the base console performance mode. Again, we see the same procession of 33ms frames if the camera position changes rapidly and non-linearly, suggesting frame gen may be turned off in these moments.It's unfortunate that this mode hasn't been substantially revised, because this is probably the mode on the base console that I find most lacking. Between the PS5 Pro's larger GPU and boosted CPU, I'd hope the resources would be there for a decent 60fps-targeting mode without frame-gen. Perhaps this is something Game Science can consider for a future update though we're still baffled as to why frame generating from a 30fps baseline can be considered a good idea at all.All told, I'm reasonably pleased with Black Myth: Wukong's technical evolution on PS5 since launch, as both the quality and balance modes feel like they make reasonable trade-offs and can achieve stable frame-rates. There are still some unusual elements in the mix - like frame-gen at 60fps, and 45fps frame-rate targets - that do mar the game and make certain mode and refresh rate combinations difficult to use. That's not a death sentence for more sophisticated players, but it will negatively affect the vast majority of players who leave the game on its defaults, or who don't understand what the mode toggles are meant to achieve.The Pro upgrade is on the conservative side, but does represent a clear improvement from the base game. The quality and balance modes go from a 1440p-like image to a 4K-like one, with PSSR providing a nice upgrade for Pro users. There are no wild settings bumps here or attempts at extra ray tracing, but the image quality does look clearly better in typical play, which is something we can't always say for Pro upgrades. So, Black Myth: Wukong has taken several steps in the right direction, even if I think a few configuration calls remain misguided. I'm pretty comfortable recommending the PS5 and Pro versions of the game now, just with a few caveats.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereFortnite has expanded its ever-expanding universe with another thrilling cooperation, this time with the apocalyptic world of Cyberpunk 2077. Epic Games has added iconic characters from CD Projekt Reds popular RPG to Fortnite as part of the highly anticipated Winterfest 2024 event, which runs from December 20 to January 7, 2025.Cyberpunk 2077 fans may now play Fortnite as either Johnny Silverhand, the iconic rockstar portrayed by Keanu Reeves, or V, the customizable protagonist from Night City. The Fortnite Item Shop sells both skins for 1,500 V-Bucks each. The collab also includes Johnnys Katana, an iconic melee weapon available for 800 V-Bucks, which adds a cyberpunk twist to Fortnite battles.However, players have also requested a Fortnite collaboration with another futuristic sci-fi franchise, which they believe would be ideal for the current season.Fortnite players want Back to the Future collab for Chapter 6Fortnite fans like ChapmanPrime are taking over Reddit to demand a crossover with the Back to the Future franchise, bringing Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown to the game, similar to how the Rick and Morty collab was brought.Back to the Future fans are requesting a Fortnite crossover. Image by Chapman Prime.The collab image included a skin for Marty McFly from the second film in the franchise, the iconic DeLorean vehicle which is also in Rocket League, auto-lacing Nike shoes, and the pink Mattel Hover Board, all of which the user wants to see as Fortnite cosmetics.However, the user has also written that since Epic already partners with Nike, and the Hover Board is a glider type, similar to Silver Surfers Surfboard, its not too far-fetched of a reality for Epic to make a perfect move.Fans of the franchise also commented under the post saying, The only shoes Id buy! Plus one of the only cars as well. We need this collab! Another user wrote, Yes! Yes! Yes! Epic would take my whole money I am a huge BTTF Fan I would buy it as fast as 88 mps! Marty McFly would fit perfectly in Fortnite along with Doc and the Delorean.While the Back To The Future franchise has often been mentioned in official Fortnite surveys, fans are optimistic theyll soon get to see the iconic characters in Epics Battle Royale. However, until then, make sure to check out the rewards that Winterfest 2024 has for you in the log cabin. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Released on Xbox Series and PC, GSC Game Worlds Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a timed exclusive for Microsofts console. While many gamers assumed a PlayStation 5 port was on its way, the studio behind the game has revealed that there are currently no plans to bring the game to Sonys console.Launching to some mixed reviews, although we very much enjoyed it, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl released with serious problems. While a recent patch massively improved its A-Life NPC simulation, the studio has promised more fixes as well as plans to introduce cut content back into the game, but a PS5 port isnt part of those plans.Stalker 2 PS5 port shut downIn an interview for Tech4Gamers, Stalker 2 Game Director Ievgen Grygorovych confirmed that there are no plans for a PlayStation 5 version of the game anytime soon. Speaking to the outlet, Grygorovych explained that the game was only developed with its release platforms in mind, saying: We were fully focused on developing (and now supporting) the PC and Xbox Series X/S versions.In the interview, the outlet also asked about the rumours of Stalker 2s timed exclusivity period on Xbox consoles. While unconfirmed, its been claimed that the game has a three-month exclusivity period for Series S/Series X. However, GSC Game World is not revealing whether or not that is true.We do not comment on leaks, rumors, or speculations. Again, the PC and Xbox Series X/S versions of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 are the only ones we have developed and are supporting, Grygorovych explained.Eventually?While unconfirmed, Stalker 2 on PS5 does seem like an inevitability, especially as even Xbox first-party exclusives are on PlayStation now. With even Indiana Jones and The Great Circle coming to PlayStation 5, the exclusivity terms of GSC Game Worlds survival game likely arent that strict.However, with the game already profitable after its limited PC and Xbox release, GSC Game World may take its time bringing the game to PS5, if it ever happens. Whatever the case, Stalker 2 is already a banger.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylPlatform(s):PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival HorrorSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Architecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentIts a budget-conscious master class in mixing old and newBy Linne HalpernHomes + Decor35 Soulful Rustic Kitchen Ideas Youll Want to CopyIn need of a design brief for your kitchen remodel? Embrace this inviting, time-worn style with our guide to rustic kitchen decorBy Kate JerdeArchitecture + DesignThis 1,000-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Has the Coolest and Most Coveted SunroomArchitect Kristin Luks completed a Rubiks-cube-like renovation to maximize a charming Upper West Side homeBy Kelly DawsonShopping68 Best Gifts for Women (and Everyone Else in Your Life)Skip the gift cards and get them something theyll actually loveBy Shoko WangerMagazineTour an Out of This World Home in the Swiss AlpsA creative dream team including activist Nachson Mimran and AD100 talent Francis Kr injects daring vision into a compound of traditional chalets in GstaadBy Sam CochrancelebritiesTouring the Doctor Odyssey Set With Joshua JacksonToday AD joins Joshua Jackson and production designer, Jamie Walker McCall, to tour the set of Ryan Murphys Doctor Odyssey. Bringing The Odyssey cruise ship to life was no mean featfrom a fully functioning pool on the leisure deck to the most stylish infirmary a doctor could ask for, this set creates a luxurious backdrop for all the shows medical drama.architectureInside a Legendary Modernist Home Designed to Flow Like a WaterfallToday, AD travels to Vancouver, Canada, to tour Eppich House II. Designed in the 1980s by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson for businessman Hugo Eppich, this home uses rigid materials to create soft, organic forms. Curved steel layers cascade down the landscape like a waterfall, while an abundance of windows flood the home with natural light. Everything in the house, from the landscape to the furniture, was designed by Ericksons collaborators and has been beautifully preserved. This home is a feat in modernist architecture and is considered one of Ericksons best designs.celebritiesDecorate for Christmas with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & MoreAs Christmas approaches, AD joins Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Derek Blasberg, and more as they decorate and cook in preparation for the holiday season. Level up your hosting game as you learn how to set the perfect holiday table with interior designer Noz Nozawa and make a delicious meringue tumble with Chef Jeremy Lee.Culture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldFrom stateside dunes on Lake Michigan to exotic lava sand enclaves on the Galpagos archipelago, these awe-inspiring beaches should be on your bucket listBy Katherine McLaughlininteriorsInterior Designer Answers Your Top Design QuestionsToday, AD100 designer David Netto joins Architectural Digest to answer your burning interior design questions. What color combinations should you avoid? Should you hang your TV over the fireplace? Netto shares his expertise to help solve any interior design problems you may face.Special thanks to EllsworthKellyFoundation and Gemini G.E.L. LLCArchitecture + DesignActor Serenay Sarkayas Istanbul Home is An Industrial-Luxe SanctuaryThe Turkish star discusses her artfully designed cocoon on the banks of the BosphorusBy Pratyush SarupcelebritiesInside Kendall Jenners Home at ChristmasToday, AD is welcomed back by Kendall Jenner to tour her LA home while its decorated for Christmas. Over the years, the Kardashian-Jenner clan has become known for their flamboyant Christmas decorations but Kendalls approach to holiday decorating is much more traditional. With the help of florist to the stars, Jeff Leatham, green garlands, a classic tree, and vintage decorations lace the halls of her home creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Much of this nostalgia stems from decorations from Kendalls childhood handed down from her mom Krismost notably her collection of Christopher Radko tree ornaments. Growing up with [those ornaments] every year, they became so special to me, she says. And I cant wait to share that with my kids one day, but I love sharing this with my friends. I love entertaining, I love hosting, and so these decorations get used really well.2024 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Architecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentIts a budget-conscious master class in mixing old and newBy Linne HalpernHomes + Decor35 Soulful Rustic Kitchen Ideas Youll Want to CopyIn need of a design brief for your kitchen remodel? Embrace this inviting, time-worn style with our guide to rustic kitchen decorBy Kate JerdeArchitecture + DesignThis 1,000-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Has the Coolest and Most Coveted SunroomArchitect Kristin Luks completed a Rubiks-cube-like renovation to maximize a charming Upper West Side homeBy Kelly DawsonShopping68 Best Gifts for Women (and Everyone Else in Your Life)Skip the gift cards and get them something theyll actually loveBy Shoko WangerMagazineTour an Out of This World Home in the Swiss AlpsA creative dream team including activist Nachson Mimran and AD100 talent Francis Kr injects daring vision into a compound of traditional chalets in GstaadBy Sam CochrancelebritiesTouring the Doctor Odyssey Set With Joshua JacksonToday AD joins Joshua Jackson and production designer, Jamie Walker McCall, to tour the set of Ryan Murphys Doctor Odyssey. Bringing The Odyssey cruise ship to life was no mean featfrom a fully functioning pool on the leisure deck to the most stylish infirmary a doctor could ask for, this set creates a luxurious backdrop for all the shows medical drama.architectureInside a Legendary Modernist Home Designed to Flow Like a WaterfallToday, AD travels to Vancouver, Canada, to tour Eppich House II. Designed in the 1980s by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson for businessman Hugo Eppich, this home uses rigid materials to create soft, organic forms. Curved steel layers cascade down the landscape like a waterfall, while an abundance of windows flood the home with natural light. Everything in the house, from the landscape to the furniture, was designed by Ericksons collaborators and has been beautifully preserved. This home is a feat in modernist architecture and is considered one of Ericksons best designs.celebritiesDecorate for Christmas with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & MoreAs Christmas approaches, AD joins Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Derek Blasberg, and more as they decorate and cook in preparation for the holiday season. Level up your hosting game as you learn how to set the perfect holiday table with interior designer Noz Nozawa and make a delicious meringue tumble with Chef Jeremy Lee.Culture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldFrom stateside dunes on Lake Michigan to exotic lava sand enclaves on the Galpagos archipelago, these awe-inspiring beaches should be on your bucket listBy Katherine McLaughlininteriorsInterior Designer Answers Your Top Design QuestionsToday, AD100 designer David Netto joins Architectural Digest to answer your burning interior design questions. What color combinations should you avoid? Should you hang your TV over the fireplace? Netto shares his expertise to help solve any interior design problems you may face.Special thanks to EllsworthKellyFoundation and Gemini G.E.L. LLCArchitecture + DesignActor Serenay Sarkayas Istanbul Home is An Industrial-Luxe SanctuaryThe Turkish star discusses her artfully designed cocoon on the banks of the BosphorusBy Pratyush SarupcelebritiesInside Kendall Jenners Home at ChristmasToday, AD is welcomed back by Kendall Jenner to tour her LA home while its decorated for Christmas. Over the years, the Kardashian-Jenner clan has become known for their flamboyant Christmas decorations but Kendalls approach to holiday decorating is much more traditional. With the help of florist to the stars, Jeff Leatham, green garlands, a classic tree, and vintage decorations lace the halls of her home creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Much of this nostalgia stems from decorations from Kendalls childhood handed down from her mom Krismost notably her collection of Christopher Radko tree ornaments. Growing up with [those ornaments] every year, they became so special to me, she says. And I cant wait to share that with my kids one day, but I love sharing this with my friends. I love entertaining, I love hosting, and so these decorations get used really well.2024 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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What just happened? Netflix is suing Broadcom, alleging infringement of multiple patents related to virtual machine operations. The video streaming giant alleges that VMware products like vSphere and their cloud solutions violate up to five Netflix patents related to managing and optimizing virtual machines. The patents in question cover some critical behind-the-scenes tech that helps keep virtual machines running smoothly, according to the lawsuit filed in a California federal court. Three of the patents deal with tracking and allocating CPU resources to virtual machines efficiently. The other two describe methods for a load balancer to seamlessly start up virtual machines on physical servers as needed.Netflix says VMware's virtualization tech flat-out uses these patented innovations without permission. They claim "VMware has infringed and continues to infringe" on these patents through products like vSphere Foundation, VMware Cloud Foundation, and their cloud offerings for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more.Netflix also asserts that VMware knew it was potentially infringing as far back as 2012 when some of these patents came up during one of the company's own patent applications. Netflix says the infringement has been "willful and deliberate" after VMware had this knowledge.Reuters reports that Netflix now wants VMware's new owner Broadcom, who bought them last year for a massive $69 billion, to award monetary damages.It's worth mentioning that this patent brawl actually has roots going back to 2018, when Broadcom first sued Netflix claiming it infringed on Broadcom patents for video streaming technology. That legal fight spans across multiple countries, including the US, Germany, and the Netherlands. The US lawsuit is slated for trial next June. // Related StoriesPrevious reports suggested that Broadcom's 2018 lawsuit came as a result of Netflix's meteoric growth during the Covid-19 pandemic when viewers flocked to streaming services. This boom came at Broadcom's expense, with dwindling sales of its TV set-top box chips as cable subscriptions declined. Broadcom also has a history with patent infringements: In 2017, it sued LG, Vizio, and other smart TV manufacturers as well as rival Mediatek for patent violations.VMware's software powers huge swaths of enterprise data centers and clouds so Netflix's offensive could have major ramifications if their patent claims prevail. Both sides are yet to issue comments.

Double FeatureLost Records: Bloom & Rage leads a 2025 double-A line-up that's already looking incredibly promisingSpring 2025 is shaping up to be a great season for fans of oddball indie-ish releases.Image credit: Don't Nod Article by Rebecca Jones Guides Writer Published on Dec. 26, 2024 I still think about the time, several years ago now, when I mentioned off-handedly in the comments of an article I wrote about video game adaptations of Stephen King stories that my dream game in this vein would be a Don't Nod adaptation of It. I've especially been thinking about that since the announcement of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage a game developed and self-published by Don't Nod, due out in early 2025 because I'll be damned if it doesn't clearly take quite a bit of inspiration from King's iconic 1986 doorstopper about an eldritch spider-clown from outer space, and the ragtag bunch of misfits destined to fight it.Before I get accused of being too smug here I want to make it clear that obviously I don't for a second think anyone at Don't Nod has been combing the comments of gaming sites for inspiration. It's just that I get a kick out of having proof on hand that I'm good at sussing out marketable ideas for story-rich adventure games, a genre I know well and care a lot about. And, given it's been a few years now since the 2017-19 It remake duology hit cinemas, it feels like the right sort of time for the spiritual successors prompted by that iteration of the story to start making themselves known.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage follows a quartet of friends across two timelines: their tight-knit teen outcast years in the 1990s, and their present-day reunion in early middle-age after nearly three decades apart. Actually, the time skip is exactly 27 years, which is either a direct reference to It or an oddly specific coincidence.Keeping up the similarities, the four friends parted ways after their relatable Xennial coming-of-age drama was abruptly intruded upon by the discovery of something very weird in the woods near their hometown. What exactly that weird thing is has been quite deliberately obscured in the trailers and demos we've seen so far, but it's discovered at the bottom of a crater and glows with an otherworldly purple light. So perhaps you can begin to draw your own conclusions.It's hard to say much more about Lost Records for the time being, and I think that's very much the point of a drip marketing effort that's been heavy on the mysterious pronouncements and light on anything that could actually give the game away. Despite my earlier prescience about the set-up, the only thing I really know to expect is the unexpected when the game launches in two parts across February and March. There's something in the woods... | Image credit: Don't NodLost Records may have been oddly laser-targeted to a very specific intersection of my interests, but it's far from the only game on this scale that's got me eyeing up the beginning of next year with some excitement. While there aren't too many giant triple-A hype machines padding out the schedule yet, the first few months of 2025 are set to be a treasure trove of ever-so-slightly smaller releases that are nevertheless a bit too prominent to be fairly seated at the indie table.Personally I'm thinking specifically of Split Fiction, the latest collaboration between Hazelight and EA Originals, which sees two authors one writing science-fiction, the other fantasy trapped in a skeezy publisher's AI-generated rendition of their own imagined worlds. Fellow gamers who live with their Player 2 of choice will surely be as excited as I am for Hazelight's latest reminder that couch co-op still exists, to say nothing of that rare on-the-nose approach to genre-blending that's sure to show us some things we haven't seen before. Split Fiction sees science-fiction and fantasy fans bury the hatchet to go up against the real enemy: automated plagiarism. | Image credit: Hazelight Studios / Electronic ArtsThere's also to highlight just another handful of personal picks Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 in February, the hotly-anticipated sequel to everyone's favourite RPG reminder that life as a medieval knight was a proper slog; wacky civic infrastructure management threequel Two Point Museum in March; and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, a turn-based tactics collaboration between the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape, expected in April. Just to give you some idea of both the scope of the games I'm talking about and the breadth of what's on offer.Some years see tentpole triple-A releases dominate the conversation, while others skew harder towards indies. But if 2025 takes a third option, and becomes the year in which everyone gets to enjoy as many cool double-As associated with their particular niches of nerdery as it looks like I'm about to, I don't think we'll have anything to complain about.

Image: Gemma Smith / Nintendo LifeOver the holiday season, we're republishing some of the best articles from Nintendo Life writers and contributors as part of our Best of 2024 series. Enjoy!The Game Boy turned 35 years old on 21st April 2024. Today, Tim thinks back on how Pocket Monsters came to his aid in his formative years, and how the series that started on Nintendo's iconic portable would stay beside him in the years that followed.Pokmon is a clockwork franchise. Its cyclical timetable of releases is akin to milestones on a timeline upon which each new generation of kids can plot their own evolution. Of course, no shortage of ink has been spilt on the topic. Im certain that you, dear reader, could swiftly identify each Pokmon generations release with important snapshots of your past, charting your personal growth within the gaps. At least I can say this much is true for me.I could reminisce about thinking I was 'too cool' for the Pokmon when Black & White hit (though Id later go back and love them like they deserved). Or how Sword & Shields launch weekend served as a distraction for the harsh breakup I went through a week prior, and a respite from the simultaneous stress of covering an anime convention under this duress. Similarly, I could gush over watching my current partner play Scarlet, reminding me that impactful entertainment can exist separate from the technical woes even I decried upon its 2022 release. (She herself was adamant about finding an adamant-natured Shinx for her own nostalgic purposes.)Yet nothing trumps how the first two generations of Pokmon guided me through a childhood defined by parental divorce and subsequently moving from a cul-de-sac full of friends to another hundreds of miles away that was at times actively hostile.Stable beginnings in Pallet TownImage: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeLets first back up to a time before Pokmon even existed. In fact, neither did I, given that my birth was still a few months off.This is early 1993, a period during which my dad was seriously hospitalized. To keep his mind off his predicament, he was gifted a Game Boy and two games: Tetris and Super Mario Land. That turned out to be the extent of his game-playing experience, as he passed the handheld down to me a few years later after realizing gaming wasnt the pastime for him. I was too young to understand what to even do with the thing then and so it collected dust until I was hit with a world-shattering event that my three-year-old brain couldnt comprehend: my parents were getting divorced.As most divorces go, my dad moved out of our North Carolina house and the time I had with him was limited to every other weekend in his nearby condominium. I was still too young to understand why things had to be this way, why my dad couldnt be around all the time. However, there was a capacity in which his presence remained despite his physical absence in the place I called home: the Game Boy he left behind.Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeI began regularly pouncing through Sarasaland and lining up rows of falling blocks on that trademark olive screen. At some point following its 1998 U.S. release, I came into possession of a copy of Pokmon Red, though I dont believe I regarded it much at this time; it had nothing to do with my father and thus was beyond the scope of what my young brain contextualized gaming to be. However, the Pocket Monster seed was sown by the cartridges presence and set the scene for me to level up in October 1999.If that date rings a bell, its because thats when Pokmon Yellow was released in the States. My mom gifted me the game alongside a Pikachu Edition Game Boy Color so that I could play along with other kids in the cul-de-sac where the Pokmon craze had rooted itself deeply through not only the games but also anime and TCG. It immediately defined my friendships with my neighbors as we battled, traded, and bantered about our favorite Pokbuddies every day.Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeThis was also when the scariest gaming experience of my life occurred when an older boy living next door summoned MissingNo. into my copy of Yellow, leading to countless nightmares of glitchy pixels. That L-shaped Tetris block never looked quite the same again! Though by that same measure, I was barely seeing that Tetrimino at all as my dads Game Boy quickly became lost to time. Much like Ashs missing father figuresomething I took keen note ofso too had the item I most associated with my dad disappeared in the wake of its replacement.Looking back on it now, the shift to an upgraded handheld was probably a bigger factor in coming to terms with my parents divorce than I realized. Through ownership of this new device, I was no longer clinging to my dads absence. He still had a consistent presence in my life outside the home, but reminders of him in the home were dissipating quickly. There were new avenues through which Pokmon became a vehicle for growing my relationship with my dad, such as him taking me to my first theatrical viewing of Pokmon: The First Movie. Yet the reality of Pokmon bursting into my world through the Game Boy Color meant that my dad was pushed a little more out of it by way of mere object association. Again, as played out as it is to invoke Ashs dads absence, it was too fitting a parallel, though the parallels between my life trajectory and Pokmon was about to reach whole new levels.To Johto and back againImage: Gemma Smith / Nintendo LifeThe turn of the century shook up the status quo I had come to accept. Near the end of 2000, my mom, sister, and I moved to Connecticut. This coincided with my dad moving to Massachusetts and later Rhode Island, meaning he no longer lived in a condo a short drive away. Meanwhile, I was whisked away to a new cul-de-sac devoid of any kids or any of the neighborly friendliness I was accustomed to. It was serendipitous that on the day we flew out, my mom handed me a copy of Pokmon Silver. A new journey in a new Pokmon region as a misty-eyed me left behind my Pokmon-loving friends behind for a new Earth region.I didnt fit in with the kids at my new school and the man living next door threatened to get his gun after stepping onto his lawn onceThe Johto generation was magical for kids of the time because it was the first time ever stepping beyond Kanto, and for me this wonderment was accentuated by now living in a place devoid of it. I didnt fit in with the kids at my new school and the man living next door threatened to get his gun after stepping onto his lawn once, a far cry from the neighborhood kid culture of making forts in the woods behind our homes that I had formerly known. This made the more overtly Japanese theming of Johto all the more enticing to my younger self that wasnt yet acclimated to the worlds vast cultures, let alone did I even conceptualize the game was made in another country. Johto therefore became my picturesque ideal of a 'new place,' or at least one better than where I ended up. It wasnt homethat was Kantobut it was comfortable.Anyone familiar with Pokmons second generation can likely guess what happened next. After finally beating Johtos Elite Foursomething that was no small feat for a seven-year-oldthe S.S. Anne unexpectedly whisked me back to Kanto. I could return to the home I wished I still lived in.Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeHowever, what should have been euphoric was quickly met with unease. This new Kanto felt empty. Wrong. The alterations made to that first-generation map I could still walk through in my head created a creeping sense that my old home had moved on without me. This sense of becoming an outsider to familiar places is one Id similarly feel upon return trips to North Carolina. The places both in and out of the game that helped me cope with difficult life events like my parents divorce were no longer mine. Heck, even the battle against my former player character at the end of that Kanto return trip in its own way forced me to overcome my past. It was all a signal to move on.Into the Ruby sunsetAs time passed, the Game Boy Advance became my handheld of choice alongside the third generation of Pokmon it heralded. By this point, I was well established in my new neighborhood, though still struggling to fit in. The closest I got was a group of boys who Id jump on the same fad trains as. Yu-Gi-Oh!, Beyblade, Bionicle the cool thing in the schoolyard was ever-changing, and I was always eager to partake in order to socialize.Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeMy continued playing of Pokmon was often in solitude in the wake of these fads but this new way of appreciating the franchise was perfect for me. Ruby & Sapphire came with no baggage attached. They were Pokmon games I could enjoy entirely on my own terms. From this point forward, I could start to view my relationship with every Pokmon generation not in how they reflected my real life, but how my real life impacted how I interfaced with them.When I felt 'too cool' for Black & White, I was squarely in my angsty teenager phase trying (and failing) to convince myself that shooters were the only cool genre. When I soldiered through Shield directly following a harsh break-up, my complicated early history with the franchise reminded me that life always finds a way to move on, even when it seemed irreparably split in two. And watching my girlfriend now play Scarlet and lovingly discuss her croc starter, Im brought back to those early joys surrounding the shared experience I had with my fellow cul-de-sac dwelling Pok Maniac friends.But this is simply my journey. Id love to hear about the life experiences you relate to your Pokmon adventures, or even the special meaning a certain console may have for you, like my dads Game Boy did for me.

A great robot mop can change the entire feel of your home. Having a robot vacuum sweep your home while you're gone is one thing, but coming home to a sparkling-clean, freshly mopped floor is a different ballgame. As a person who loves the feel of a clean floor but hates to drag out the mop and bucket to get it, I love my robot mop.Also: The best robot vacuum mops: Expert tested and reviewedSincetesting so many robot mops and robot vacuum and mops combinations has shifted my perspective, I've come to rely on them to keep my home clean. I run at least one robot daily, even when we have visitors at home, to keep my floors clean at all times. But so much competition on the market makes choosing the best one harder than ever. Thankfully, you can rely on ZDNET's expertise to help.What is the best robot mop right now?We tested many of the top robot mops on the market, evaluating factors like battery life, floor mapping features, price, and overall performance. Our pick for the best robot mop overall is the iRobot Braava Jet m6for its methodical cleaning and ability to detect hard floors vs. carpets. Sort by All The best robot mops of 2024 Show less View now at Best Buy iRobot's Braava Jet m6 is our top pick for the best robot mop overall. Thanks to its vSLAM navigation technology, this robot mop intelligently and methodically cleans in neat rows, ensuring it doesn't miss a spot on your floors. The same technology allows the Braava Jet m6 to recognize and avoid your rugs and carpets. I never had an issue with this robot mopping my rugs during my testing period. I could confidently leave my house and trust that I would return to a well-done job. One Amazon reviewer feels the same way: "The iRobot mop has been the best investment I made and is one less item I have to worry about on my to-do list."Review: Braava Jet m6 review: A must-have robot mopThe Precision Jet Spray technology always keeps a steady flow of cleaning solutions on your floors. The mop will move forward about 3 feet, go backward about half that distance, spray the cleaning solution, and repeat this throughout your home. The mop pad is detachable, so you'll take it off the robot and throw it in the washing machine once the job is done.Another perk: Since the Braava Jet m6 is an iRobot device, you can easily add it to your robot fleet if you already use a Roomba device. The iRobot app intelligently transfers your map layouts to multiple machines, and you can program an iRobot vacuum, and together, they will tag team for your home's cleaning. You can have the robot vacuum run, and then the Braava Jet m6 will immediately follow up to complete its mopping duties.iRobot Braava Jet m6 tech specs:Battery life:90 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:11 x 10 x 4 inches |Price:$299 Pros Methodical approach Carpet and rug recognition Straightforward app Cons Additional supplies required Slow to clean iRobot's Braava Jet m6 is our top pick for the best robot mop overall. Thanks to its vSLAM navigation technology, this robot mop intelligently and methodically cleans in neat rows, ensuring it doesn't miss a spot on your floors. The same technology allows the Braava Jet m6 to recognize and avoid your rugs and carpets. I never had an issue with this robot mopping my rugs during my testing period. I could confidently leave my house and trust that I would return to a well-done job. One Amazon reviewer feels the same way: "The iRobot mop has been the best investment I made and is one less item I have to worry about on my to-do list."Review: Braava Jet m6 review: A must-have robot mopThe Precision Jet Spray technology always keeps a steady flow of cleaning solutions on your floors. The mop will move forward about 3 feet, go backward about half that distance, spray the cleaning solution, and repeat this throughout your home. The mop pad is detachable, so you'll take it off the robot and throw it in the washing machine once the job is done.Another perk: Since the Braava Jet m6 is an iRobot device, you can easily add it to your robot fleet if you already use a Roomba device. The iRobot app intelligently transfers your map layouts to multiple machines, and you can program an iRobot vacuum, and together, they will tag team for your home's cleaning. You can have the robot vacuum run, and then the Braava Jet m6 will immediately follow up to complete its mopping duties.iRobot Braava Jet m6 tech specs:Battery life:90 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:11 x 10 x 4 inches |Price:$299 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Eufy S1 Pro uses a roller mop that is scrubbed clean inside the robot as it washes your floors. The robot does this to keep its mop clean and ensure that only clean water is used while mopping, so you never worry about dragging dirty mop pads all over your house.This results in the cleanest floors a robot vacuum and mop has ever left behind in my home. This mopping system is so advanced that it uses water ozonification to disinfect the clean water you put in the tank. Hence, it truly cleans with the cleanest water possible, though this feature can be turned off.Review:Eufy S1 ProThe only thing preventing the Eufy S1 Pro from taking the top spot as ZDNET's Best robot vacuum and mop overall is that the Dreame X40 Ultra outperforms its vacuum feature. The Eufy S1 Pro features obstacle avoidance but is less reliable than the Dreame X40 Ultra. It can occasionally vacuum up larger pieces of paper and debris and get its brush roller stuck, forcing you to rescue it or risk the cleaning task remaining incomplete.Despite these drawbacks, it outperforms most high-end robot vacuum and mop competitors on the market in both features. Reviewers agree, saying, "If you're like me and think mopping is a colossal waste of time and energy, then this gadget is worth every penny. It pays for itself with the time you save (or the money you don't have to shell out to someone else to do the dirty work)."Eufy S1 Pro features:Price:$1,300|Battery life:216 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:18.4 x 15 x 26.4 inches|Suction power:8,000Pa |Dustbin volume:250 ml |Water tank capacity:240 ml Battery life 7 Navigation 10 Object avoidance 9 Ease of maintenance 5 Suction power 9 Pros Roller mop system only cleans with fresh water 8,000Pa suction capability Great obstacle avoidance Cons Omni station is very tall Requires deep cleaning about every month Eufy S1 Pro Best robot mop to simulate actual mopping 4 / 5 Score The Eufy S1 Pro uses a roller mop that is scrubbed clean inside the robot as it washes your floors. The robot does this to keep its mop clean and ensure that only clean water is used while mopping, so you never worry about dragging dirty mop pads all over your house.This results in the cleanest floors a robot vacuum and mop has ever left behind in my home. This mopping system is so advanced that it uses water ozonification to disinfect the clean water you put in the tank. Hence, it truly cleans with the cleanest water possible, though this feature can be turned off.Review:Eufy S1 ProThe only thing preventing the Eufy S1 Pro from taking the top spot as ZDNET's Best robot vacuum and mop overall is that the Dreame X40 Ultra outperforms its vacuum feature. The Eufy S1 Pro features obstacle avoidance but is less reliable than the Dreame X40 Ultra. It can occasionally vacuum up larger pieces of paper and debris and get its brush roller stuck, forcing you to rescue it or risk the cleaning task remaining incomplete.Despite these drawbacks, it outperforms most high-end robot vacuum and mop competitors on the market in both features. Reviewers agree, saying, "If you're like me and think mopping is a colossal waste of time and energy, then this gadget is worth every penny. It pays for itself with the time you save (or the money you don't have to shell out to someone else to do the dirty work)."Eufy S1 Pro features:Price:$1,300|Battery life:216 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:18.4 x 15 x 26.4 inches|Suction power:8,000Pa |Dustbin volume:250 ml |Water tank capacity:240 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Dreame X40 Ultra is hands-down the best two-in-one robot vacuum mop I've tested. One of its few downsides is that it's priced steeply at $1,900, so you'll need a good chunk of change to get it (or you can wait for a sale). However, for the price, the Dreame X40 features an industry-leading 12,000Pa of suction and dusts the competition. This robot vacuum and mop is so versatile that you can set it up to drop its mop pads at the base station, go off to vacuum rugs and carpets first, and then return to pick up its mop pads and vacuum and mop the remaining hard floors -- all with no intervention on your part.Review:Dreame X40 UltraIt features a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads with customizable water temperature, a side-reaching sweeper brush, and an extendable mop pad to reach tight corners. The app has many settings and customizations, from thorough carpet vacuuming to AI-guided cleaning. The Dreame X40 Ultra is so smart that it can detect wet messes and automatically lift its sweeper brush to keep it from getting wet or spreading germs.Other customers love the Dreame X40 Ultra too; one remarks, "As an everyday person, my carpets are looking like that fresh vacuum look as they definitely look very clean. Had glitter everywhere, now gone. Kitchen floor... I didn't think to take before and after, but before was a hot mess, now WOW."We've also tested this robot's predecessor, theDreame X30 Ultra, and it's almost as impressive as the X40, with slightly lower suction power at 8300Pa, a 180-minute run time, and Mop Extend technology.Dreame X40 Ultra specs: Price:$1,000 (limited-time deal) |Battery life:180 mins |Base station dimensions:13.4 x 17.9 x 23.2 inches |Suction power:12,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml Battery life 10 Navigation 8 Object avoidance 10 Ease of maintenance 9 Suction power 10 Pros Quiet self-emptying Dual oscillating mop heads MopExtend mop pads Cons App isn't as user-friendly as it could be Expensive Dreame X40 Ultra Best robot mop splurge 4.7 / 5 Score The Dreame X40 Ultra is hands-down the best two-in-one robot vacuum mop I've tested. One of its few downsides is that it's priced steeply at $1,900, so you'll need a good chunk of change to get it (or you can wait for a sale). However, for the price, the Dreame X40 features an industry-leading 12,000Pa of suction and dusts the competition. This robot vacuum and mop is so versatile that you can set it up to drop its mop pads at the base station, go off to vacuum rugs and carpets first, and then return to pick up its mop pads and vacuum and mop the remaining hard floors -- all with no intervention on your part.Review:Dreame X40 UltraIt features a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads with customizable water temperature, a side-reaching sweeper brush, and an extendable mop pad to reach tight corners. The app has many settings and customizations, from thorough carpet vacuuming to AI-guided cleaning. The Dreame X40 Ultra is so smart that it can detect wet messes and automatically lift its sweeper brush to keep it from getting wet or spreading germs.Other customers love the Dreame X40 Ultra too; one remarks, "As an everyday person, my carpets are looking like that fresh vacuum look as they definitely look very clean. Had glitter everywhere, now gone. Kitchen floor... I didn't think to take before and after, but before was a hot mess, now WOW."We've also tested this robot's predecessor, theDreame X30 Ultra, and it's almost as impressive as the X40, with slightly lower suction power at 8300Pa, a 180-minute run time, and Mop Extend technology.Dreame X40 Ultra specs: Price:$1,000 (limited-time deal) |Battery life:180 mins |Base station dimensions:13.4 x 17.9 x 23.2 inches |Suction power:12,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon If you're looking to invest in a two-in-one machine that will surpass all of your expectations for what a robot vacuum and mop can do, you'll want to get your hands on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The PreciSense LiDAR Navigation and Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance successfully navigates and maps your home, never going where it shouldn't or running over cords, shoes, or other everyday household objects.The Empty Wash Fill Dock is where so much of the magic happens. It allows this robot to be a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-cleaning machine, meaning you barely lift a finger for your home to be sparkling clean.Review:Roborock S8 Pro UltraThe Roborock S8 Pro Ultra seamlessly goes from mopping to vacuuming effectively thanks to its VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System and 6,000Pa suction power. This machine successfully kept my home clean for a month despite a German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and indoor cat trying to terrorize every flooring surface possible. I know it's a hefty investment, but I promise you you won't be disappointed.When I tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, I didn't need to manually vacuum or mop my floors. This machine could keep up with my flooring needs, and I'm not the only one who felt this way. One Amazon customer noted, "We have essentially stopped vacuuming our house with our stick vacuum. We haven't mopped a floor since we got this vac in Jan 2024. The tech on this thing is impressive."Roborock S8 Pro Ultra tech specs:Battery life:180 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:16 x 16 x 19 inches |Price:$1,100 (limited-time deal) Pros 6,000 Pa suction Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance Stress-free, self-cleaning mop head Cons Expensive Only empties the dust bin at the end of a job If you're looking to invest in a two-in-one machine that will surpass all of your expectations for what a robot vacuum and mop can do, you'll want to get your hands on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The PreciSense LiDAR Navigation and Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance successfully navigates and maps your home, never going where it shouldn't or running over cords, shoes, or other everyday household objects.The Empty Wash Fill Dock is where so much of the magic happens. It allows this robot to be a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-cleaning machine, meaning you barely lift a finger for your home to be sparkling clean.Review:Roborock S8 Pro UltraThe Roborock S8 Pro Ultra seamlessly goes from mopping to vacuuming effectively thanks to its VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System and 6,000Pa suction power. This machine successfully kept my home clean for a month despite a German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and indoor cat trying to terrorize every flooring surface possible. I know it's a hefty investment, but I promise you you won't be disappointed.When I tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, I didn't need to manually vacuum or mop my floors. This machine could keep up with my flooring needs, and I'm not the only one who felt this way. One Amazon customer noted, "We have essentially stopped vacuuming our house with our stick vacuum. We haven't mopped a floor since we got this vac in Jan 2024. The tech on this thing is impressive."Roborock S8 Pro Ultra tech specs:Battery life:180 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:16 x 16 x 19 inches |Price:$1,100 (limited-time deal) Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon With Dual Spin technology, the Samsung Jetbot Mop uses two spinning pads, plus a smart sensor, to identify and clean various surfaces, including tile, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood. The smart sensor can identify walls, furniture, and stairs for a more stress-free experience. The Jetbot Mop cleans in a random pattern, but Amazon customers say that doesn't keep the mop from cleaning your home efficiently. One customer said, "Its random pattern of just bumping off the walls and any furniture it comes in contact with makes you think it will be missing some spots, but it gets to every area multiple times and does a great job washing your floors."There are eight different cleaning modes, including Focus Mode, Random Mode, and Hand Mode, so you can customize cleaning to specific areas and cleaning methods. Because of this, there are two sets of pads: Mother Yarn for heavy jobs and microfiber for everyday needs. Thanks to the automatic water dispenser, the pads are kept moist, and there are up to 50 minutes of cleaning before requiring a refill and 100 minutes before needing a charge.While the Jetbot Mop lacks some of the fancier features that others on this list have, like mapping capabilities and automatic charging, it's a solid option if you're looking for a more affordable robot mop that can still do a fine job.Samsung Jetbot Mop tech specs:Battery life:100 minutes |Wi-Fi:No|Dimensions:16 x 6 x 5 inches |Price:$219 Pros Very affordable Extended runtime Dual Spin Technology Cons No mapping capabilities No auto charging With Dual Spin technology, the Samsung Jetbot Mop uses two spinning pads, plus a smart sensor, to identify and clean various surfaces, including tile, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood. The smart sensor can identify walls, furniture, and stairs for a more stress-free experience. The Jetbot Mop cleans in a random pattern, but Amazon customers say that doesn't keep the mop from cleaning your home efficiently. One customer said, "Its random pattern of just bumping off the walls and any furniture it comes in contact with makes you think it will be missing some spots, but it gets to every area multiple times and does a great job washing your floors."There are eight different cleaning modes, including Focus Mode, Random Mode, and Hand Mode, so you can customize cleaning to specific areas and cleaning methods. Because of this, there are two sets of pads: Mother Yarn for heavy jobs and microfiber for everyday needs. Thanks to the automatic water dispenser, the pads are kept moist, and there are up to 50 minutes of cleaning before requiring a refill and 100 minutes before needing a charge.While the Jetbot Mop lacks some of the fancier features that others on this list have, like mapping capabilities and automatic charging, it's a solid option if you're looking for a more affordable robot mop that can still do a fine job.Samsung Jetbot Mop tech specs:Battery life:100 minutes |Wi-Fi:No|Dimensions:16 x 6 x 5 inches |Price:$219 Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best robot mop? The iRobot Braava Jet m6 is an approachable model that is competitively priced and comes with everything you need to get started. Its vSLAM navigation and Smart Maps feature make it a high-performing unit designed by a trusted name.To help differentiate, this is an overview of the best robot mops for home or work. Best robot mopCostBattery runtimeSurfacesiRobot Braava Jet m6$300150 minutesHardwood, Tile, StoneEufy S1 Pro$1,300240 minutesCarpet, HardwoodDreame X40 Ultra$1,000180 minutesCarpet, Marble, Hardwood, TileRoborock S8 Pro Ultra$1,100180 minutesCarpet, Hardwood, Marble, TileSamsung Jetbot Mop$40050 minutesHardwood, Vinly, Laminate, Tile*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts. Show more Which is the right robot mop for you? Features can vary significantly from one robot mop to the next, making it difficult to find the right one. Consider these expert recommendations to help you find the best robot mop for your home or office.Choose this best robot mop...If you...iRobot Braava Jet m6Already have a great robot vacuum and want to add a robot mop with smart features.Eufy S1 ProAre looking for that freshly mopped feeling when you come home that feels almost as good as if you used a mop and bucket.Dreame X40 UltraHave a little more to spend for a completely hands-free robot vacuum and mop with excellent obstacle avoidance.Roborock S8 Pro UltraWant a fantastic two-in-one machine without breaking the bank.Samsung Jetbot MopHave a robot vacuum and only need a robot mop but want to stick to a budget. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a robot mop There are several factors to consider when choosing a robot mop. Here are a few you'll want to keep in mind:Floor types: Some robot mops are equipped to work with certain floor types, like laminate or hardwood. Others work better for stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the floors in your home and which mop is most appropriate.Mapping: For full automation, your robot mop must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. An obstacle avoidance feature helps it avoid furniture, wires, and pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home, filled with strewn-about toys. But this may not be an issue for everyone. You could save money on a robot without this feature, so determine which is the best for your home and go from there.Battery: A robot mop is hardly worth its price if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot mop to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list.Connectivity: Many of the best robot mops offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, setting schedules, tracking progress, and controlling the machine's efforts. If you're hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice. Show more How did we test these robot mops? ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers that have tested over 50 units thus far. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.Also:How we test robot vacuums at ZDNET in 2024Here's what we consider when testing robot vacuums and mops at ZDNET:Determine evaluation criteria:For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot's versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.Unboxing:During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.Testing environments:We test the robot vacuums on different floor types (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.Performance metrics:We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.To top it all off, we gauge the device's longevity and long-term performance by using it over the course of a few months. Our review timelines vary, but we typically test robot vacuums for about a month before reviewing and keep our reviews updated while the device is available. Show more FAQs on robot mops How do robot mops work? Like a traditional mop, a vacuum mop uses a cleaning solution to scrub and clean dirt floors. The unit generally has brushes or pads attached to remove dirt and clean floors properly. These robot mops can use special mapping technology to navigate around corners and furniture to mop the available surface area. Show more How do you clean a robot mop? Every robot mop is different, so checking the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding is best. However, you can clean most robot mops by rinsing them with water and allowing them to dry. Some robot mops include brushes and other supplies to help when it comes time for cleaning. Show more How much does a robot mop cost? The cost of a robot mop can vary wildly, depending on your chosen model and features. For example, the best robot mops on our list range from $220 to $1,900 in price. To find the best cheap robot mop, be sure to research the market and compare pricing. Show more Other robot mops we've tested ZDNETs Robot Vacuum Guide Robot Vacuum Roundups Robot Vacuums Reviewed & Compared ZDNET Recommends