Astro Bot took top honors at the 2024 Game Awards, and we couldnt be prouder of the little guy and his many friends. But Astro Bot doesnt exist in a vacuum Team Asobis award-winning hero comes from an illustrious legacy of PlayStation platformers spanning way back to the original PlayStation, from first-party studios and third-party developers and publishers alike.If youre looking to dig into the legacy of PlayStation platformers from the beginning to the current day, theres no better way to do it than with the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog. Heres a sampling of some noteworthy platformers you can play now.*A Hat in Time | 2017Play VideoThe collectathon subgenre of 3D platformer, emphasizing the hunt for hundreds of assorted doodads in sprawling levels, was quite popular around the turn of the millennium. A Hat in Time is a loving callback to those days spent scouring every nook and cranny, as players control Hat Kid in her quest to retrieve Time Pieces in a large and exceptionally silly cartoon world. Find Yarn Balls to make new hats and earn new powers, battle foes to gather Pons for upgrades, search for hidden Relics and Rift Tokens, and figure out what Mustache Girls whole deal is.Publisher: Humble Games | Developer: Gears for BreakfastApe Escape | 1999Ready for some monkey business? Science gone wrong has created a gang of hyper-intelligent monkeys causing chaos through time, and its your job to bring these too-smart simians back home. As one of the first game series to use the DualShock controllers dual-analog sticks to their full potential, Ape Escape lets you use careful movement and funky gadgets to sneak up on and nab these naughty simians. Be carefulyoull want to pay close attention to the apes helmets to gauge their mood before you approach.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive EntertainmentCeleste | 2018Play VideoAh, the humble dash: a truly beloved platformer maneuver. Indie-game pixel masterpiece Celeste elevates the act of using the simple dash to new levels to traverse huge screens packed with challenging hazards. Ground dashes, multidirectional mid-air dashes, dashes from a wall climb, items to grant multiple dashesyoull have loads of fun mastering the games fast movement to get around and snag all of its secrets. This is one mountain youll love to climb.Publisher: Maddy Makes Games | Developer: Maddy Makes GamesGravity Rush Remastered | 2016Play VideoGravity Rush is your game if you like your platforming with a dose of open-world adventuring and memorable world-building. Amnesiac Kat wakes up in the city of Hekseville in the middle of a disastrous storm, quickly discovering that her cat companion allows her to shift gravity. Shell use these skills to navigate Heksevilles stunning architecture, fight off mysterious monsters, and aid the populaceall while delving deep into the mysteries around her.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive EntertainmentJak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | 2001This classic from Naughty Dog stars one of the most memorable platforming duos of the PS2 era. Jaks buddy Daxter has a problem: he fell into a mysterious pool when the duo snuck onto Misty Island, and now hes become small and very fuzzy. Now, the two are seeking out the Dark Sage Gol Asheron to fix things up and save the world in the process. Vibrant animations, colorful environments, and a then-revolutionary environment design that minimized load times keep Jak and Daxter feeling classic to this day.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Naughty DogJumping Flash | 1995Day-one PlayStation fans will talk your ear off about just how cool Jumping Flash was and how it wowed them as a showcase of original PlayStation power but why not try to see what all the fuss was about? This unique first-person platformer starts Robbit, a mechanical rabbit who can jump really, really high. Explore surreal environments filled with bizarre foes, awesome weaponry, and plenty of floating platforms that give you space to hop up to absurd heights. There was nothing like it then, and its still a unique and fun game.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Exact, UltraRayman Legends | 2013Play VideoWho says you need limbs to perform astounding feats of platforming? Rayman, Globox, Barbara, and the Goth Teensy have to deal with the aftermath of a century-long nap, rescuing the Teensies and once again saving the Glade of Dreams from evil forces. Besides gorgeous hand-drawn HD visuals, Rayman Legends offers up to four-player local co-op, so gather friends for a fantastic sidescrolling adventure.Publisher: Ubisoft | Developer: Ubisoft MontpellierRatchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 2021Play VideoHeres the other well-known duo of PlayStation platforming, whose adventures have continued into the current generation. Rift Apart uses the PS5s capabilities to give players the biggest and most graphically stunning Ratchet and Clank outing yet, with the new Rift Tether gadget allowing for very fast travel. Prepare for shooting, gadget-driven navigation, and interdimensional hijinks, and the introduction of Ratchets alternate-dimension lady Lombax counterpart, Rivet.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: InsomniacSackboy: A Big Adventure | 2020Play VideoHe might be made of fabric, but Sackboys as tough as nails when it comes to adventure. Our stuffing-filled hero comes to rescue his fellow Sackpeople and Craftworld from the wicked Vex, and hes got a whole wealth of new skills to show off. Youll be rolling, diving, fluttering, and smacking foes around as you search for precious Dreamer Orbs. It wont be easy, and youll need some help along the way. Fortunately, you can play with up to three other adventurers in online and local co-op to surmount the toughest obstacles.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sumo DigitalSly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | 2002Whos the stealthy, suave thief with a family history of heisting and a bushy, ringed tail? Sly Cooper, thats who, and hes on a mission to get back the missing pages of the Thievius Raccoonushis familys book of secretsfrom the shady paws of the Fiendish Five. Platforming and stealth combine as you slink through the Fiendish Fives lairs, using Slys distinct sneaking and thieving abilities to avoid guards, security systems, and other traps to take back the precious pages.Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sucker PunchLooking for even more platforming fun? Check out this in-depth feature on some of the best 3D platformers on PlayStation.*The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup may differ in certain regions.

We got a lot of official Switch 2 information straight from Nintendo on Thursday morning, ranging from the debut of a new Mario Kart game to the consoles new Joy- Cons doubling as PC-style mice. That said, only one question entered my mind as I clicked play on the short teaser for the first time: What would happen to the original Switchs iconic snap sound effect?When Nintendo unveiled the Switch in 2016, one of the systems selling points was the ease with which its Joy Cons could be attached and removed from the sides of the tablet. Someone in the companys marketing department had the brilliant idea of exaggerating the click made by the controllers as they slid into place, a snapping sound effect that would go on to be used to great effect in pretty much every Switch advertisement and Direct presentation.Fast-forward to 2025. Thanks to todays digital demonstration, we now know the Switch 2 will feature updated Joy-Cons that no longer fasten to the screen via rails but simply hook into the sides. What does that mean for the snap sound effect? Its gone! Replaced by something similar that we here at Polygon are referring to as the Switch 2 clap. You can hear it multiple times in the first-look trailer, with the clearest example dropping right at the videos 1:30 mark.Ill fully admit to loving the original Switchs snap. It was an immediately recognizable piece of branding that spoke to the primeval, reptilian parts of my brain. And sure, it was probably designed in a high-tech sound lab somewhere to hypnotize us into buying more Nintendo products, but it was fun, dammit. Did I gleefully snap along with company executives and developers when they passed us off to trailers during Nintendo Direct broadcasts? Maybe I did, maybe I didnt. Dont judge me.Switch 2s clap is well, lets just say it hasnt grabbed me as immediately as the snap. The new sound effect is similar enough to not be offensive, but I also grow increasingly fearful of change as I grow older. The snap felt organic and spontaneous, whereas the clap is more authoritarian and resolute. Nintendo knows they knocked it out of the park with the original Switch why else would they break convention and call its successor the Switch 2 rather than coming up with a new name? context which almost lends the clap an air of boastfulness. Heres the Switch 2, it seems to say, you already know what it is.Maybe Im overthinking this. Maybe all I need is to see a legend like Shigeru Miyamoto clap before introducing the next Legend of Zelda or Pikmin game during a future Nintendo Direct. In any case, the Switch 2 is here, and with it begins the era of the Switch 2 clap. Lets all say goodbye to the Switch with one last, bittersweet snap.

Nestled in the scenic surroundings of Pilar, Argentina, Nirvana House by AtelierM reimagines the boundaries of residential architecture. Overlooking a polo field, this 3,767-square-foot home combines innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to blending with its environment. The result is a home that transcends mere functionality, offering its inhabitants a seamless connection with the natural world.At the heart of Nirvana House lies an unconventional concept a three-level garden that appears to rise organically from the earth, topped off with a lush green roof. This detail ensures the home integrates effortlessly into the surrounding terrain, creating a dialogue between structure and environment. The designs flowing lines and organic contours mirror the undulating topography, forming a residence that feels as though it has grown from the ground itself.Concrete and wood were deliberately selected as primary materials, chosen for their durability, low maintenance, and capacity to develop a natural patina over time. These materials not only enhance the structures longevity but also deepen its visual and textural connection to the landscape.The home is divided into two primary zones public and private each designed with distinct yet interconnected purposes. The ground floor features open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas that dissolve the boundaries between interior and exterior. Expansive windows and sliding doors draw in natural light and provide unbroken views of the gardens.The upper level houses the private quarters, including bedrooms designed as tranquil retreats. These spaces offer sweeping views of the polo field and beyond, fostering a sense of calm and introspection. A thoughtfully placed water feature acts as the homes meditative core, reflecting sunlight throughout the space.Nirvana House embodies a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, incorporating passive design principles to minimize its environmental footprint. Strategic orientation allows for optimal natural light and airflow, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and climate control systems. By prioritizing efficiency and sustainability, the home not only respects its environment but also enhances the comfort of its occupants.The choice of noble materials such as concrete and wood ensures the house ages gracefully, maintaining its aesthetic integrity while requiring minimal upkeep. This commitment to sustainability extends to the designs integration of vegetation, with greenery cascading across all three levels of the garden, uniting the home with its verdant surroundings.For more information on the Nirvana House or AtelierMs projects, visit atelierm.ar.Photography by AtelierM, courtesy of BowerBird.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Cold weather means more salt on the roads and sidewalksbut also on your floors as it gets tracked in on your shoes and boots and leaves salty streaks behind. Salt is great for dealing with ice outside but it is terrible for your flooring. Even if youre on top of making people remove their shoes when they enter your home, salty dust can still find a way onto your hardwood and other floor surfaces and could lead to permanent damage if you dont deal with it quickly and correctly. Heres what you need to do to get rid of it the right way.Remove salt with something acidicSalt deposits dont emulsify with soap and water, so dont waste your time with your usual mopping routine. What you really need is a weak acid of some kind. Heres where our old friend vinegar comes in.First, you need to get rid of any salt crystals by vacuuming or sweeping them up. You also need to wipe up any melted snow or moisture, so grab an old towel and do a quick dab. Be careful, though: Dont push it around, as any big crystals inside could scratch the floor (and you could push the water into the cracks in the floorboards, which could result in damage underneath). Dab that moisture with a cloth. Next, mix vinegar and warm water at a ratio of a half a cup of vinegar per gallon of water. (If the salty streaks and stains are really bad, you can double the amount of vinegar.) This is what youll use to clean once the solids and liquids are removed and all that's left are those streaks.How to apply the salt cleaning mixtureSpread your vinegar-and-water mixture in the same way you would when washing the floor as you usually would, which will differ depending on what its made of. If its tile or vinyl, for instance, you should coat it with a mop and leave it there a few minutes to dissolve the salt. If youre dealing with wood, use a spray bottle to mist the streaks, then dab up the moisture with a towel after a few minutes.To prevent the streaks from coming back, keep a spray bottle of the mixture handy so you can tackle them as theypop up. Be vigilant about melting snow, too. Check under your door mat for any leaks, wipe up wetness as soon as it happens, and spray the area with your bottle for good measure.The smell of vinegar usually dissipates after a while, but if you really hate it, you can go back through the room with your usual floor-cleaning supplies again after its dried. The best salt-busting cleaning toolsWhen you're spreading that solution around, you need something soft. This isn't the time to scrape, push, or otherwise get too abrasive. Microfiber is the answer. You can use microfiber cloths, which are inexpensive and delicate, but I also understand if you don't want to be kneeling on salty, crusty, dirty floors to gently wipe with a rag. In that case, I recommend a dedicated microfiber mop. You'll want a mop designated for winter entryway and floor cleaning because you don't want to drag salt all around the house when you're cleaning non-salty areas. Instead of spending a bunch of money on a new microfiber mop that you'll only use a few months out of the year, I have a better idea: Pick up this pack of two microfiber mop pads that are designed to fit around the head of a standard Swiffer Sweeper. Unoutur Reusable Microfiber Pads for Swiffer $9.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $9.99 at Amazon For about $10, you get two stretchy covers so one can be used for dabbing up wetness and another can be used for applying your diluted vinegar. They're easy to remove from the Swiffer, so you can pop them in the laundry with ease so you can use a fresh pad every time you need one.

If your gaming plans for this weekend somehow don't involve stomping around as Godzilla in Fortnite, I don't know what to tell you. The legendary titan is dropping onto the island for a limited time starting on January 17, and you even might get the opportunity to take control of him.According to developer Epic Games, there's a small chance that a portal will pop up on the map during Battle Royale matches. The first player to locate and jump into it will emerge as the magnificent beast. Godzilla can use a roar ability to reveal nearby players, use a stomp attack to send 'em flying and tear through buildings with a heat ray.Godzilla is also a de facto boss for other players. They can attack weak spots to deliver extra damage and chip off collectible fragments that provide a health boost and dash charges. Epic has also brought the rail gun back into the game to help players take down the colossal critter. It appears that the event will run until the current season ends on February 21.It wouldn't be Fortnite if there weren't a bunch of cosmetics that tie into the event. Players who have the current battle pass can unlock a reactive Godzilla skin by completing quests. The outfit will start glowing after you secure your first kill in a match and grow brighter after each elimination so it might actually punish you for playing too well if you become more visible to enemies.There's also a Kong and Mechagodzilla outfit bundle coming to the shop. The latter glows when you attack enemy players. The unveiling of that outfit in the event trailer is very funny, with Mechagodzilla stomping buildings until the camera zooms out to reveal a miniature city. I truly hope that's part of a new emote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-will-let-you-play-as-godzilla-if-youre-lucky-170615837.html?src=rss

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Nintendo showed off its new Switch 2 console in a video trailer Thursday, featuring a bigger display and joy controllers.

The Nintendo Switch is the Japanese game companys second best-selling product of all time, bested only by the Nintendo DS. Today, it announced the long-rumored sequel, the Nintendo Switch 2.ScreenshotThe Nintendo Switch 2 improvementsSo far, all we have is a wordless teaser video, which instead of telling the story, shows the new improvements in dramatic, 3D rendered flybys (a style introduced years ago by Apples marketing team). The story it tells, however, is still compelling: a bigger screen that will be easier to see, lengthened Joy-Cons that will be easier to hold, and a thinner overall frame.ScreenshotLook closer, and youll see even more: a kickstand that can lounge deep like a Microsoft Surface, a second USB-C port (for accessories?), and a new flange around the Joy-Con stickswhich feels like it must address the Switchs only real design flaw, its fragile analog controllers that were prone to drifting (even if its benefits are largely psychologicalnote how Nintendo highlights this structural reinforcement with the Sony-black systems rare pops of color).ScreenshotOther than that, the dock sticks around (but with rounded corners now, which should make it more comfortable to place in and grab out), and the game cartridge slot is unchangedyes, Nintendo clarfieis it will support Switch 1 games with backward compatibility in most cases.Switch 2s new UX featuresThe Switch excited the world because it was all about flexibilitypay it in your lap, on your desk, on your TV! Pop off the controllers, swing them around, combine them into a new controller. Whereas systems like the Nintendo Wii made motion controls mainstream, the Switch stitched such novel UX into the greater fabric of console play.ScreenshotSwitch 2 pushes the boundaries further, but subtly. Joy-Cons now snap right on and off the Switch rather than sliding inwhich is likely Nintendos version of the iPhone Magsafe. This will make using the device more pleasant day-to-day, but given how fast switching modes looks, maybe it will introduce novel game mechanics.[Image: Nintendo]The video also teases a new use for the Joy-Conslaid on a table, they now appear to work like a mouse. How advantageous will this one UX mechanic be? Perhaps it wont matter beyond one or two games (like the SNES mouse used in Mario Paint). Then again, PC gaming has never been bigger, which still champions the mouse for first-person-shooters in particular. This single tool could make porting some titles more comfortable.[Image: Nintendo]When will we get the Switch 2 and what will it cost?Nintendo announces in the video that the Switch 2 will arrive in 2025. There is no pricing information yet (rumors place it right around the $300 launch price of the original Switch), but the company will share more in one of its Nintendo Direct announcements on March 2nd.

Los Angeles building professionals have developed lists including architects, contractors, and engineers interested in providing their services towards rebuilding and relocation efforts in the wake of wildfires spreading across the city.Design public relations firm Nelson Daly, architect Rachel Shillander and interior designer Adam Hunter are among those in the Los Angeles design community organising resources to aid in evacuation and rebuilding efforts.Over 12,000 structures in the city have been collectively lost to the Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Auto fire, with high-velocity Santa winds threatening to spread the flames further.LA designers have begun to form aid groups to help in rebuilding efforts. Top image is by Kelvin ChengIn response, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass recently issued the Return and Rebuild executive order, which reportedly will push past bureaucratic red tape to expedite rebuilding efforts.Simultaneously, a number of building professionals are organising aid efforts where they can, with some focused on providing resources for homeowners looking to navigate building a home for the first time when safe."It's a process that unfolds day by day as we understand how policymakers will revise permitting and codes to help people get back into their homes," Los Angeles architect Populous Joanna Grant told Dezeen."Many of these people would not likely engage with an architect in their lifetimes, as they may be in generational housing, wholly unfamiliar with the design process. We want to make this process as easy and streamlined for them as possible and provide oversight so that they can feel at ease that their needs in such a time of need are taken care of."Providing services for those displaced by firesTogether with Meara Daly of the public relations firm Nelson Daly, Grant is compiling a developing master list of volunteer architects, designers, consultants and others interested in offering services.The list of professionals, which Grant and Daly are also vetting for credentials, will be available on a website called Design for LA.Among the signatories are members of local and national architecture studios such as LOHA, GLUCK+, NBBJ and HOK."We want to develop a website, produce pamphlets, and conduct community workshops to help the members of the community understand what the process of rebuilding will be like," said Grant.The pair's effort will also include an ADU resource guide.Other architects are following suit, such as Rhme Architects, whichoffersfree services including consultations, site visits and fire resilience strategies for home builders.Read: Los Angeles mayor issues executive order for "residents to rapidly rebuild"Rachel Shillander of LA LLandis compiling resources, one of which is a Rebuild LA Architecture Slack channel with over 200 people collaborating to "pool resources" to "help rebuild our community and support each other in the process", according to Shillander.Other efforts within the community include providing resources for those displaced by the fires, including the non-profit LA Can Do recently launched by interior designer Adam Hunter.The non-profit collects donated "furniture, homewares, and linens" for those affected."It's about helping people rebuild their lives and restore hope for the future," said Hunter.Close to 90,000 people in the city are under evacuation orders according to NBC Los Angeles, while the New York Times reports many evacuees are shoring up in hotels, shelters, relatives' houses, or cars.Frustrated with irresponsible development practices, LA designers and critics have called for rethinking the typical cycles of rebuilding after disaster, while several landmarks have been lost to the fires in addition to thousands of homes.The post LA architects and designers form aid groups to make rebuilding "as streamlined as possible" appeared first on Dezeen.

The Community First! Village in central Texas provides affordable housing to Austin's homeless population. Developed by Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an Austin-based nonprofit, it currently houses 370 formerly homeless people in tiny-house-style accommodations. Now they're getting an assist from Icon, a construction company that 3D prints houses. With backing from the Lennar Foundation (the charitable arm of Lennar, a production homebuilder), Icon will print 100 houses in an expanded portion of the village. These will be a mix of homes and townhouses ranging from 380 to 1,040 square feet. Icon says construction is currently underway. The news is fairly recent, and Icon doesn't yet have any video on their socials about it. However, if you're curious to hear what it's like to live in one of their 3D-printed houses, here are some testimonials from residents at their Wolf Ranch community in Texas: