The next season of Diablo 4 is finally upon us here's everything included in the Diablo 4 Season 7 update, as well as the full patch notes from BlizzardTech05:00, 21 Jan 2025Diablo 4 Season 7 has new bossesTime to say goodbye to your Spiritborn, Diablo 4 players. OK, you can keep playing as the new Vessel of Hatred class if you'd like, but Season 7 is here and as always, Blizzard suggests rolling a fresh character to see how you like mixing it up (although you may have already got started on the PTR 2.1)The new season is dubbed 'Season of Witchcraft', and packs a whole host of new mechanics, as well as fresh enemies. The headline additions are four different schools of Witchcraft spells that players can wield, letting them tear through the enemies of Sanctuary even more quickly.And, while Path of Exile 2 just dropped its own patch, it's great to have another reason to jump into Diablo 4.Diablo 4's latest season launched on January 21 at 6 PM for UK gamers.That's 10 AM PST, 1 PM EST, or 7 PM CET for the rest of the world. Expect some server queues as players look to login and get slaying.Diablo 4 Season 7 is packedSeason 6 launched all the way back in October with the (excellent) Vessel of Hatred, so it's been a little while since we've had new content to play.Thankfully, Blizzard's latest season is full of content. Here are the headlines, courtesy of Blizzard.I'm excited to test out the new Witch powers in Diablo 4's latest PTR(Image: Blizzard)It wouldn't be the Season of Witchcraft if we didn't get new powers, and thankfully Blizzard is offering four new types in Eldritch, Psyche, Growth/Decay and Lost magic.These can seemingly be slotted in among your own skills, letting you heal, harm, cause destruction and even create nightmarish visions for enemies.The new Witch Powers could make big changes to endgame builds(Image: Blizzard)New enemies, the Headrotten, make their full debut. If they drop the 'Stolen Head' item when killed, you can exchange it at the Tree of Whispers.Speaking of which, the tree offers better rewards now, and the vendors are all closer together which is a nice change.Diablo 4 is getting some big changes with its next PTR(Image: Blizzard)Diablo is nothing without fresh loot, but there are eight new Unique items to find and eight new Legendary Affixes, as well as a trio of new Runes for Vessel of Hatred owners.Article continues belowPerhaps the biggest improvement is The Armory, which will let players switch between multiple builds on a character.A new season means fresh items to earn, and the Battle Pass is getting another refresh for Season 7.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket devs are finally teasing the arrival of trading, after fans have waited for an update and the team has revealed how it'll workTech14:38, 20 Jan 2025Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is taking the mobile world by storm(Image: Pokemon )Pokemon's popular Trading Card Game keeps going from strength to strength, and anyone that plays Pokemon TCG Pocket will know how fun it is to crack open a daily pack or two (or ten...).Fans have known for some time that trading was coming, but the developers have finally given an update, not only confirming it's coming this month but also how it'll work.In the new post on X (formerly Twitter), the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket account said:"Today, we wanted to provide more details on the new trade feature coming your way this month. Here are a few highlights you can look forward to!"Get ready to crack open some more packs in Pokemon TCG Pocket(Image: Getty Images)Content cannot be displayed without consentAs for how it'll work, the team laid some ground rules as follows:Trades can be done between friends.Trades can be done with cards of the same rarity.At the time of the trade feature's launch, certain cards from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs will be able to be traded. We are planning to continue to expand the selection of booster packs that you can trade from.Cards with a rarity of V1-)4 and #1 can be traded.Items must be consumed in order to trade."We'll continue to monitor player feedback and assess future updates to the trade feature while keeping in mind how to balance both the ease and enjoyability of collecting," it continues, with new booster packs coming this month, too.The game's most recent set, Mythical Island, debuted in mid-December.For more on Pokemon, the physical card game has seen a new, unreleased card sell for more than 15k.Article continues belowThe game's latest set, Scarlet and Violet Journey Together, has been revealed too.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

The Switch 2 has been revealed, and analysts have suggested it'll be much cheaper than its rivals while leaks have suggested what we'll be playing on launch dayTech14:44, 20 Jan 2025Nintendo have finally announced the Switch 2Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 last week, but it's glitzy trailer didn't give a lot away outside of the revised physical design.Still, that's enough to get us all excited for the full reveal on April 2, but one thing we may know already is the launch price.That's thanks to analysts weighing in at IGN, all of whom are expecting the system is likely to launch at a price point of $400 dollars (that's around 325).That's certainly good news with the PS5 Pro costing 700 and reports GTA 6 could be priced as high as $100, but Nintendo's new system is seemingly shaping up to be cheaper than you may have expected.The analysts did suggest that if the Switch 2 is in high demand that it could end up costing more, but one even suggested PS5 and Xbox Series X could have sold for more than they originally launched at."If the Switch 2 is supply-constrained at launch, Nintendo could charge more," Rhys Elliot of MIDiA told IGN. "Early adopters would be willing to pay for it, and if it's going to sell out anyway, Nintendo might think, 'Why not?' I think Sony and Microsoft regret releasing the base PS5 and Series X consoles at $500. Both could have got away with $600 or more at launch."Also, Nintendo, unlike the other platform holders almost wholly relies on its console business, so it cannot as easily take big loss-leading risks on pricing (the console itself would need to be profitable, not just offset by software sales)."So what will we be playing on it? Well, we know there will be Switch 2 exclusives and backward compatibility, and that the controller might double as a mouse.We've also heard that one AAA third-party game could be making the jump, and there was a new Mario Kart title teased in the reveal trailer above, but what else?Since the console was announced we've heard rumblings of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Mirage (but not Shadows), The Division and Rainbow Six Siege making the jump, as well as Capcom's Resident Evil 4 Remake and Monster Hunter Wilds (the latter of which would certainly be an impressive technical feat).Elsewhere rumours have pointed to Halo: The Master Chief Collection from Microsoft as it continues its push to go multiplatform, as well as a Switch 2 port of Elden Ring (maybe with the expansion included).We'll be sure to keep you updated, but coming off such a big-seller with the Switch, it'll be exciting to see Nintendo firing on all cylinders.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

We're still waiting for GTA 6's second trailer, but some fans are a little concerned that the re-election of President of the US, Donald Trump, might cause further delay to the gameTech15:09, 20 Jan 2025Updated 15:14, 20 Jan 2025Could Trump shut down the biggest entertainment launch in history?(Image: Still)GTA 6 fans are itching to get the second trailer this month, but they're also growing a little concerned that the returning US President, Donald Trump, could see the games launch delayed or even force a change in its content.Could Trump shut down the game some have suggested would 'save' the video game industry?It's hard to say, but with outspoken X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk once criticising the franchise and now in Trump's ear, the industry could be under more scrutiny from the US government.Speaking to GQ in 2018, ahead of the Red Dead Redemption 2 launch, Dan Houser told the outlet he was "thankful" to not be releasing GTA 6 during a Trump presidency.Its really unclear what we would even do with it, let alone how upset people would get with whatever we did, he said at the time.GTA 6 could hit its 2025 date, or it could be delayed"Both intense liberal progression and intense conservatism are both very militant, and very angry. It is scary but its also strange, and yet both of them seem occasionally to veer towards the absurd. Its hard to satirise for those reasons."Some of the stuff you see is straightforwardly beyond satire. It would be out of date within two minutes, everything is changing so fast."The Heritage Foundation's controversial Project 2025 initiative could also come into play. Given its focus on a return to more conservative American society, there could be a chance that there is pressure to censor some GTA 6.Elon Musk, who has recently been embroiled in accusations about his Path of Exile 2 character being boosted by other players, has also criticised GTA in the past for letting players shoot at police officers, leading to many wondering about potential changes being forced on the developers.One fan wrote on X: "Guys what if Donald Trump delays gta 6."There are fears Donald Trump could cause a delay to GTA 6(Image: AP)Another added: "I think GTA6 is going to get delayed. I bet you theres a lot of anti-Trump stuff in the game."A third said: "Rockstar needs to delay GTA 6 indefinitely and propose only releasing it if Trump leaves the white house, one way or another. You'll have him gone in a week."A fourth commented: "If GTA 6 has Trump or Elon parodies you know its getting banned for 'national security reasons'."Content cannot be displayed without consentArticle continues belowRockstar is likely to be a big part of parent company Take-Two's earnings call at the start of February, which is likely to reveal the release year and potentially touch on the pricing, too, and maybe get some information on how the company may be dealing with the returning president.However, GTA is still slated to be released later this year but the radio silence continues.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Listwan is a card collector that recently purchased a one-of-one Gold Grail Cristiano Ronaldo card for 11,000 I caught up with the man himself to talk about what it means to meTech16:00, 18 Jan 2025Listwan showing the gold card with a classic Ronaldo Real Madrid shirtBetween Pokemon cards, Magic the Gathering and Disney Lorcana, there's no shortage of cardboard to spend your money on these days.But one collector has gone above and beyond in his pursuit for a 'one-of-one' card featuring his favourite footballer. Mark Listwan, 28, lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up learning about football from his grandfather.After falling in love with football and following Chelsea around 2004, he turned to collecting football cards from Topps, leading to a staggering recent addition to his collection."It was around 2004 that I fell in love with the Chelsea squad," Listwan told the Daily Star.This Chelsea fan spent 11k to earn this one of a kind Ronaldo card"Cech, Lampard, Terry, Carvalho, Makelele, Cole, Robben, Drogba, to name a few, those names stuck out to me. They moved the ball up and down the pitch so effortlessly, scoring incredible goals while also defending so meticulously. The team attracted me in a way no other side could.""On top of all of that, my favourite colour is blue, so I think it was the perfect match. I've been following the team ever since, through thick and thin. A crazy rollercoaster ride is the best way to describe the Mighty Blues."Rollercoaster is right given recent seasons for Chelsea, but that love of football led to Listwan collecting trading cards made by Topps. When the company started a "Grail Chase" competition last year which featured a series of Cristiano Ronaldo cards, Listwan said he "had to go all out", and spent 5,000 on one card."When I had eight of the nine Ronaldo cards registered on the official leaderboard, I knew I had to go all out for the last one," he revealed."5,000 was merely a number in the quest for card-collecting greatness. To pay that much for the final card in the complete set? It was totally worth it."That took his total on acquiring the cards, and earning the one-of-a-kind 'Gold Grail' Ronaldo card to 11,000.The full Ronaldo collection"Who knows what valuation the true Gold Ronaldo can be given at the end of the day? I've heard so many things. six figures, seven figures, you never really know. I'm so extremely delighted with my decision to push through with the competition. I may try to get all 10 cards in a display case in my office. It surely is a sight to behold."Aside from being a self-identifying "completionist", I asked Listwan why he was so drawn to Ronaldo as a player, given he's never played for Chelsea."Ronaldo never had to play for Chelsea to show me that he knew how to play the game so properly," he says."His grit, perseverance, and determination to succeed is what really drew me to him. Everyone faces many obstacles in their lives. The way he has overcome so many challenges presented to him in his career, whether privately or in public, it just shows great character.""Some can disagree, but fighting these hardships are what truly make a person so strong and unique. It would be an absolute honor to meet and have a chat with Ronaldo himself."Despite being a Chelsea fan, Listwan is a huge admirer of RonaldoAs for his collection, Listwan says it's probably worth between 30,000 and 40,000, and says most of the cards are Chelsea players."I've put a lot of effort (and money) into my entire collection, which mainly consists of Chelsea cards, different parallels of base cards found in sets released throughout the past few years, and a lot of Mykhailo Mudryk, who I believe has so much potential for the future."When it comes to getting into collecting and starting out, Listwan says he wants to see more people doing it."I want to see more people collecting, whether that's with cards, memorabilia, coins, stamps, you name it."There is so much to explore. I believe that the realm of the card-collecting hobby is quite peculiar and special to say the least. You learn about different athletes and you find out more about the history of sports. You also end up understanding the true notion behind pulling base cards, inserts, crazy parallels, and whatever else companies like Topps decide to sneakily throw into packs.Article continues below"The grail cards were the perfect example of that. Whether you're collecting cards to give to a friend, as an investment, or even just to pass down to your children so they too can learn about the joys and mysteries of the hobby, everybody's adventure is different and noteworthy."Mark completed Topps The Grail, a competition in which collectors chase nine Cristiano Ronaldo cards in a bid to win prizes. He will receive a hotel, airfare, and two tickets to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Final in Munich. The first five runners-up will each receive a rare 1/5 card.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Nintendo finally revealed the Switch 2 this week, but we've got just as many questions as answers here's all we know about the console, and when we'll hear moreTech10:30, 18 Jan 2025Updated 11:05, 18 Jan 2025This is the Switch 2Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 this week with a short trailer highlighting the physical side of the console, but we have so many questions still to be answered about its specs, its games, and much more.With Nintendo promising we'll get a Switch 2 Nintendo Direct on April 2, we still have literal months to wait, and the anticipation is likely to continue until we know more.We've rounded up all we know about the Switch 2 so far, including leaks and rumours, to help you stay informed about the follow-up to one of gaming's most successful consoles.Here's all we know so far.Starting with what we do know, the Switch 2 will follow the template from the first console. It's a hybrid system that can be a handheld or docked to become a home console, and the controllers are detachable again only this time, they're magnetic.Joy-Con will be magnetic nowWe're still trying to work out whether they can be used as mice, too, but for now it appears they'll be larger, and there's a mystery button on the right-hand one, too.Elsewhere there's a new USB-C port on the top, while the screen is definitely larger but we're not sure if it'll have an OLED panel yet (but leaks have suggested it might).The Switch 2 could output 4K while it's dockedNaturally, one of the big questions is around how powerful Switch 2 will be. The first Switch was great, but towards the end of its life cycle it's starting to show its age. It also never really had the power to match what developers could do on PS4 and Xbox One, let alone PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.One rumour suggests the Switch 2 will be much more powerful than the original, and more powerful than the Steam Deck. We've also heard it'll output 4K visuals using AI upscaling, meaning games can still fit on its relatively small cartridges.Fans have even suggested it'll match PS4 Pro levels of power, but that might be too much for it to handle, especially since Nintendo will likely want to maintain battery life.This is what the Switch 2 will look likeWe've already heard that one AAA third-party game could be making the jump, while other reports suggest Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater Delta could come to Switch 2.It'll be backward compatible with your existing Switch library,Article continues belowAside from older games and third-party ports, we know there will be Switch 2 exclusives you won't be able to play anywhere else. Expect the usual heavy-hitters like Zelda, Mario, Pokemon and more.In the initial reveal, Nintendo showcased a new Mario Kart, so there's a good chance we'll see that during the console's full reveal.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Nintendo has finally revealed the Switch 2, but one account claims to have the information on how powerful the system will be and the numbers may surprise youTech15:27, 17 Jan 2025The Switch 2 has been revealedYesterday afternoon, Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 but left plenty of information for an upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2.We know it'll be a hybrid system, and it'll be backward compatible while also playing Switch 2 exclusives like what appears to be a new Mario Kart. It'll also use magnetic Joy-Con, and come in a slick new black colour.One account posted on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week about the power on offer from the handheld, and you might be surprised to find out it has at least one key rival beat while also towering over its predecessor in terms of raw numbers.Content cannot be displayed without consentAs with anything on the Switch 2 until its full reveal, you should take everything with a fistful of salt. There's no telling where these numbers have come from, after all, but as NIB posted, the Switch 2 will vastly more power than its predecessor, and actually offer more Tflops (that's teraflops, a unit of measurement for compute power) than the Steam Deck both undocked and docked.The console doesn't have as much power as the ASUS ROG Ally though, apparently, but is closing in on a PS4's level of power while undocked, and blasts past it when docked.It's sure to please fans that have become accustomed to getting lesser versions of multiplatform games on Switch due to the console's much lower level of graphical grunt, and if it's true, could hopefully mean Switch 1 games will run much better (we're still not ready to go back to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet yet).Other leaks for the Switch 2's software lineup include one AAA third-party game making the jump, while other leaks have suggested the new console can run Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Metal Gear Solid Delta the latter of which still doesn't have a release date on any platform.We'll find out more on April 2, with the console getting a deeper dive. We're expecting Nintendo will showcase games, the hardware's capabilities, and give us that all-important price and release date.Don't forget, you can get hands on with it early here's how.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Prepare for a particularly spooky Zombies map with Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Season 2, which will add 'The Tomb' which takes place underground here's all we knowTech15:28, 17 Jan 2025The Tomb is the next Black Ops 6 Zombies map(Image: Activision)Call of Duty Black Ops 6 was reportedly one of the biggest launches in the series' long history, but fans are now itching for updates as Warzone players continue to complain about cheaters.One audience that's been well-served, however, are the Call of Duty Zombies fans. The classic mode was off to a great start in the base game, before Season 1 Reloaded added Citadelle des Morts.Now, Activision has revealed that Season 2 will bring another Zombies map as the masses, like their zombie opponents, continue to be well-fed and this time, we're going underground to tackle the undead threat.Activision has revealed these black and white teaser images(Image: Activision)The Tomb is a new subterranean map for Zombies fans to navigate and stay alive in. Here's what the Call of Duty blog has to say:"After surviving the horrific events at Citadelle des Morts, Weaver, Grey, Carver, and Maya follow Gabriel Kraffts final words to a nearby excavation site to secure the Sentinel Artifact.""Built on the remains of ancient burial grounds with suspected origins dating back to 2500 B.C.E., these catacombs went undisturbed for centuries until the early 1900s... and what lies beneath may run deeper than anyone ever imagined."According to Activision, the map will "provide an experience similar to Liberty Falls" through "tighter play spaces with a focus on replayability". The team says Liberty Falls is the most-played Zombies map in recent years.Activision has promised one of the most iconic SMGs is returning(Image: Activision)The team has teased a big weapon reprisal, too."As a reminder, every Zombies map in Black Ops 6 is an original location built from the ground-up for the mode... but that doesnt mean we cant enjoy a wink and a nod here and there.""On that note, were going for something a little more evocative with our Pack-a-Punch camos this time around and what if we told you one of the most iconic SMGs in Zombies history was coming along for the ride?"Music is also a big part of the Zombies experience, and Activision regularly collaborates with guest artists. This time around the teaser video, which you can see below, seems to suggest Matt Heafy from Trivium will be the vocalist for The Tomb.Article continues belowCan't wait for Season 2? To celebrate the Zombies mode's infamous '115 Day', Activision is doubling GobbleGum earn rate, player XP, weapon XP, and Battle Pass XP.Season 2 of Black Ops 6 (and Warzone) is expected on January 28 as a free update for all players. In case you missed it, players weren't best pleased about the most recent patch notes.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Destiny 2's Exotic vendor, Xur, is back again this week here's how to find him, what he's selling, and whether we recommend his offerings before he vanishes againTech17:04, 17 Jan 2025What is Xur selling this week?(Image: Charleen Bougourd/Bungie Inc.)Destiny 2 is seeing declining player numbers, fans seem to be enjoying Act 3 of Episode Revenant at least.It's Friday, and that means we're off to take our strange coins to Xur to buy exotic weapons and armour for our Guardians to tear through the new Slayer's Fang Exotic Mission with.This year's Final Shape expansion mixed things up for the tentacle-faced NPC, meaning Xur can now sell a much more varied list of items, and he's only ever found in one spot. Luckily for you, we'll cover where he is, and what he has, for January 17 - 21.Here's what Xur is offering for Guardians this week in Destiny 2(Image: Bungie Inc.)While Xur used to appear in multiple places, hopping between planets, he can now be found at Destiny 2's main social space, The Tower.Head to Cayde's ramen shop, and down the alley next to it to find Xur. He only appears from 5PM GMT/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT on Friday to 5PM BST/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT on Tuesday .Struggling to find him? Check out our screenshot below for his exact location on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.Here's where Xur can be found post-Final ShapeAs of 5PM GMT/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT, Xur is selling:Wardcliff Coil Catalyst - 71 Strange CoinsLord of Wolves Catalyst - 71 Strange CoinsWormhusk Crown (Hunter) - 41 Strange CoinsCrest of Alpha Lupi (Titan) - 41 Strange CoinsThe Stag (Warlock) - 41 Strange CoinsExotic Class Item - 41 Strange CoinsThe Xurfboard (Skimmer/Sparrow) - 97 Strange CoinsHe was also selling these weapons:Hawkmoon (with Snapshot Sights, again) - 23 Strange CoinsThe Jade Rabbit - 23 Strange CoinsFighting Lion - 23 Strange CoinsD.A.R.C.I. - 23 Strange CoinsDestiny 2's famous exotic seller, Xur, is back again.(Image: Bungie Inc.)Xur will also sell materials, including Engrams, via the More Strange Offers section, while he also has the following Legendary Weapons which cost 17 Strange Coins each.True Prophecy (Hand Cannon)Extraordinary Rendition (SMG)Pleiades Corrector (Scout Rifle)Outlast (Pulse Rifle)Negative Space (Sword)Tarantula (Linear Fusion Rifle)Quickfang/Crown-Splitter/Eternity's Edge (Class Swords)As of the Final Shape expansion, Xur has his own reputation system, similar to what you've likely seen with the Gunsmith and other vendors.By ranking up his reputation rank, you can earn the following from him:Rank 4: Enhancement Core x 7Rank 7: Enhancement Prism x 3Rank 10: Exotic Engram x 2Rank 13: Ascendant ShardRank 16: Ascendant AlloyReset Rank: Exotic CipherOnce you've reset the rank, these change to the following:Rank 4: Enhancement Core x 3Rank 7: Enhancement PrismRank 10: Exotic Engram x 2Rank 13: Enhancement Core x 5Rank 16: Enhancement Prism x 2Reset Rank: Exotic CipherArticle continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

The Switch 2 has finally been revealed by Nintendo, and eagle-eyed fans have spotted what appears to be the chance to use its controllers as mice potentially opening a huge library of titlesTech15:29, 17 Jan 2025Nintendo have finally announced the Switch 2Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 within the last 24 hours, and while some fans were hoping for a little more than a look at the hardware, there are plenty of tidbits to be found within the reveal trailer.We know it'll have Switch 2 exclusives and backward compatibility, and we also know to expect further news on April 2 as the company holds a Nintendo Direct about the new system.One part of the trailer in particular, however, has fans thinking the new magnetic Joy-Con controllers have gotten a big update.There's a moment, around 1 minute and 10 seconds into the above trailer, where the Switch 2's Joy-Cons are attached to the rail and handles, and shown sliding around a surface.It could just be a slick way of showing how sleek the controllers are, but it's set tongues wagging in the gaming community with some thinking this is confirmation that they can be used as mice.It may sound far-fetched, but as someone that enjoys playing Final Fantasy XIV on an Xbox Series X using mouse and keyboard, it's clear consoles using mouse and keyboard works.The Switch version of Football Manager 2019 (if you can cast your mind back that far) supported plugging in a USB mouse into your console's dock, letting you use it on the console.We've already heard that one AAA third-party game could be making the jump, but this could feasibly open up genres Switch players haven't been able to experience as much. Imagine an RTS with mouse support, or a port of twitch-shooter Valorant.Given how creative Nintendo has been with things like Labo and Ring Fit Adventure, we'd be keen to see what the company could do with a mouse in terms of gameplay mechanics.Article continues belowWe'll find out more on April 2, but here's hoping it's a possibility. For more on Switch 2, be sure to check out our report about the 'leaked' specs for the system.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Tech'Forget Switch 2 as this new powerful handheld AI PC is available for preorder now'MSI is looking to bounce back from the first Claw model with an AI-powered new model, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ here's why it could be worth a look as a Switch alternativedailystarBookmarkShareTechByLloyd CoombesGaming Editor11:50, 17 JAN 2025BookmarkCould the MSI Claw 8 AI rival the Switch 2?In case you missed it yesterday, Nintendo has finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 with a video focusing on the hardware. While we've previously waxed lyrical about the Steam Deck OLED, the handheld PC movement has gathered plenty of momentum in recent years which means the Switch 2 is launching into a very different space than its predecessor. One of the offerings coming for the crown is the MSI Claw 8 AI+. While it may have one of the least sexy names in tech, it could be a genuine contender to the handheld PC throne thanks to fantastic performance and access to PC and Android games. You can preorder this Switch 2 rival now The Claw 8 is MSI's latest effort in the handheld gaming PC space Let's get the awkward part out of the way first the first MSI Claw was profoundly disappointing. The console was priced too high, and had worse performance than some of its cheaper rivals. MSI has gone back to the drawing board, however, and might have struck gold. The console will pack the latest Lunar Lake chip from Intel, and has 32GB of RAM and a 120Hz screen. It's probably overkill for playing your Steam library's indie game collection, but something you can't play on Steam Deck like, say, Destiny 2, it could really find an audience. It's a huge system, but wants to be just as useful as a PC as it is a games console. To that end, there are a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, and better cooling. Could you use it as a mini PC? Maybe! It also has Microsoft's Copilot+ AI features, and MSI says it has a 113% higher peak FPS and an average 20% higher FPS under identical power conditions. That means to be seen, but with Windows 11 running natively and support for Android games too, it could be a 'one-stop-shop' for PC gamers on the go. UK gamers can preorder it from Currys now for 899, and it launches on February 11. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.More On

Fortnite keeps getting weirder, and this week players can become Gozilla itself in the new Titan Takedown event and unlock the Godzilla Evolved skin for their troublesTech16:17, 16 Jan 2025Titan Takedown brings Godzilla and Kong to Fortnite(Image: Epic Games)Fortnite Chapter 6 is still rumbling on, and Epic Games' popular shooter is continuing to push what's possible in a live-service title as it pivots to becoming somewhere to play a whole host of experiences.The game's latest event, Titan Takedown, will let players step into the big, scaly feet of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, as he wreaks havoc on other players. Players can even unlock a Godzilla Evolved skin for their troubles.Here's all you need to know about the Fortnite Godzilla event, including when you can play.Fortnite's latest event kicks off on Friday, January 17 at around 2PM GMT (that's 9AM EST or 6AM PST) for players to jump into.It's part of the massive v33.20 patch which arrived earlier this week, so be sure your game is updated to take part.Despite the hype around Godzilla, he's not the only titan joining the fray with this update as Kong will also be stomping his way onto the island.Players can become Godzilla by heading through a small portal somewhere on the map. Godzilla has three abilities to use:Mighty Stomp - send enemies flyingHeat Ray - ranged attack that deals damage to enemies and structuresRoar - reveal nearby enemiesPlayers that don't get to play as Godzilla will have plenty of help to take him down, though. The Rail Gun has been unvaulted, and there's a Shield Bubble to help prevent damage.The player that deals the most damage to the big lizard will earn the Godzilla Medallion and Burst Quad Launcher weapon, too.Article continues belowLooking for a longer-lasting reminder of your time fighting Godzilla? Players that own the Hunters Battle Pass can complete a series of quests to unlock the Godzilla Evolved outfit and a series of accessories.Completing them all will unlock the Energized Godzilla style, but quests are only available until February 21 so you'll need to move quickly.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Despite having no idea what to expect with Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, I found myself absolutely enthralled throughout read my preview to find out whyTech17:00, 16 Jan 2025We were able to meet Sakamoto-san before playing the game(Image: SEGA)Has there ever been a series that so routinely surprises its longest-serving fans than Like A Dragon? Since 2020s Yakuza: Like A Dragon which pivoted to a turn-based combat system, weve seen Lost Judgement, Like A Dragon Ishin, The Man Who Erased His Own Name, and Infinite Wealth.Now, less than a year after the last title were getting what might be the most surreal entry yet. Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might be the wildest name for a game to come out in 2025, but its backed up by plenty of substance and oodles of style not unlike protagonist Goro Majima.Building your crew is a key part of the game(Image: SEGA)As revealed in our hands-on preview, our adventure with Majima begins with him washing up on shore and being rescued by a boy called Noah.The Mad Dog of Shimano has amnesia, though, and while that might sound a little convenient, it does help him shed some of the burden of being a sadomasochist, albeit a strangely lovable one.We didnt get to see the earliest interactions between the two, but their banter throughout is a delight as Noah joins Majima on his adventures across the high seas, along with the boys father. Its clear Majima cares for the precocious youngster, and his canine companion, and it grounds the otherwise surreal character in this new world.Well, new world might be a little strong. This game contains the entirety of Hawaii that was found in last years Infinite Wealth, as well as some additional island locations. That means all of the minigames youve come to love are here, and Id be lying if I said I didnt spend a fair chunk of time playing in the explosive, pirate-themed batting cages or sampling some classic arcade Virtua Fighter matches.Much of the fun of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii can be found in new location Madlantis, a pirate hangout full of neerdowells. While roaming its gantries, Majima can find recruits to join his crew, fight rivals, and engage in ship-to-ship combat via an arena called the Pirates Coliseum.Ship to ship combat is a big focus(Image: SEGA)The Coliseum sees you and your dastardly crew set loose against an opponents ship (or multiple ships) to settle your differences, and the game features a variety of modes from ship-to-ship skirmishes to land-based ones and even a tournament system.Its a great way to experience naval combat in quick bursts without needing to navigate the open world areas, and its clear that RGG Studio wants you to spend plenty of time here.Successful battles can help you increase the level of your crew, and each has their own specialisms like weapon types theyre best-suited to, or abilities that can trigger when you board an enemy ship like healing your squad or buffing damage.My favourite part is that your ragtag group can be seen charging into battle via a short cutscene before you board, and seeing a bloke in a sheep mask wearing very little, or a pro-wrestler type crewmate with an axe the size of a human being charging in with Majima never got old.Theres a whole level of min-maxing and management that Im eager to dig into when the game launches, and not least because of the array of upgrades you can put on your ship.Majima can fire his own rocket launcher or a machine gun, and the ship can be outfitted with flamethrowers, but Im particularly keen to try out the laser cannon or Shark launcher that were shown in our session.Theres a big difference between the basic battles and the higher-ranked ones, too, but increasing your Pirate Level to take on tougher challenges will unlock additional crew to recruit, too.Just when you thought the series couldn't get more bonkers(Image: SEGA)If firing a shark at another ship sounds like fun, wait until you get to explore Majimas fighting style.There are two to choose from, and each has a completely different moveset and special ability. Mad Dog sees our hero rolling, flipping, and stabbing with a knife, juggling opponents into the air and double-jumping with superhuman regularity.In this guise, triggering Majimas special ability causes his Mania, spawning a series of doppelgangers that each attacks independently of Majima.Switching to Sea Dog style sees him instantly don his pirate outfit and wield a pair of cutlasses, and even gives him access to an old-school pistol which gives him some teeth at range.Here, his special ability becomes a choice of four Dark Gods from the sea, acquired through the campaign and summoned via various musical instruments. Playing a ditty on his fiddle, for example, summons a huge shark to attack opponents, while the other options are a huge ape, jellyfish, and a bird.Its exactly as wild as it sounds, and when I asked Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto about it, he said just go with it.Article continues belowWhile some may scoff that a series that began as a gritty crime drama has so literally jumped the shark, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is one of the most enjoyable previews Ive ever taken part in because I simply had no idea what to expect next.For more on Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, be sure to check out our conversation with Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto about bringing in new players, as well as its very short development timeline.RECOMMENDED

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was developed in just a few months, according to its Chief Producer, allowing a quick follow-up from 2024's Infinite WealthTech17:01, 16 Jan 2025Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was developed quickly(Image: Sega)As we covered in our preview, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is every bit as bonkers as you'd expect from a game with that many seemingly disparate words in the game's title.The first entry in the Like A Dragon/Yakuza series to star Goro Majima as the main protagonist, this time he's off creating carnage on the high seas, wielding cutlasses and summoning dark gods and shadowy doppelgangers (yes, really).With such a surreal take on the series, you may be wondering how it's launching just over a year since the last entry, Infinite Wealth. We had the chance to ask Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Chief Producer on the game, for a rough development timeline.Majima's adventure started development just a few months ago(Image: Sega)Speaking at the Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii hands-on preview event, Sakamoto-san was asked about the length of time it took to develop the title."About the same amount of time as the Man Who Erased His Name," he revealed."A little bit less than a year, but a little bit more than six months. We started in September of 2023."That's a very short turnaround for a title that feels pretty ambitious in scope. For context, The Man Who Erased His Name was developed at the same time as last year's Infinite Wealth, and reportedly took a little over six months to develop.How did the team manage it? As Sakamoto-san explains, much of what was found in Infinite Wealth is also in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, similarly to the way earlier games reused parts of Kamurocho."We have Hawaii in this game and all the areas that were in Infinite Wealth, so there's tons of mini games, tons of what you've already seen in our game."So it's not like we have built a game around this [pirate theme] specifically. We have all of that stuff that we're used to in our game."Article continues belowFor more on Like A Dragon, be sure to check out Sakamoto-san's comments on the game being a good way to onboard new players to the series.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Even after so many entries, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto believes RGG Studio is still focused on bringing in new and existing players alikeTech17:01, 16 Jan 2025Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is ideal for newcomers, according to Sakamoto-san(Image: Sega)Who is that well-dressed pirate? Why is he in Hawaii? Why does that ship have a shark launcher? These are all questions a new player is likely to have coming into the latest entry in the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series.Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii may feel like a sort of sidestep, but I was curious to find out how it'll welcome new players not yet introduced to Goro Majima and his unique brand of madcap energy.With the Like A Dragon TV show likely to pull in additional eyeballs and potentially have new fans interested in the exploits of Kazuma Kiryu, I wondered how they'd fare jumping into Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii when it launches next month.Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has a big focus on ship-to-ship combat(Image: Sega)Speaking at the Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii preview event, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Chief Producer on the game said the studio is always looking to bring in new fans while also catering to existing ones."Appealing to both new and old users is something that we're always thinking about and always trying to do as a company and as a studio", Sakamoto san explains."Take Majima [this game's protagonist]. He's definitely a fan favorite and people who have played the series really like him and know who he is. But if you've never played the series, he's so stupid," he jokes."In this game, we're starting with him having amnesia. So we're starting from scratch with this character for both people who are familiar with him and people who aren't, because nobody knows what's going to happen with this kind of blank slate that Majima has become at the very beginning.""In that sense, it can hopefully appeal to both types of users. We've been making this series for about 20 years, and we're always hoping to find ways to bring new users in and at the same time please our old users as well. We're not just making games for core fans of the series.""For example with Yakuza 7 [Like A Dragon] we changed the gameplay to an RPG battle system, and we got a lot of new users, a lot of new fans who are interested in the game because of that," he revealed."So we're always kind of trying to experiment and find ways to both make our existing fans happy and to bring it to them."Article continues belowFor more on Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, check out Sakamoto-san's comments on the game's development timeline.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Nintendo has finally pulled back the curtain on Switch 2, and confirmed that the console will have exclusives, perhaps even showing one in the console reveal itselfTech15:08, 16 Jan 2025The Switch 2 has been revealedAfter months of speculation (and no small number of leaks) Nintendo has revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 with a glitzy trailer.As rumoured prior to the reveal, the company focused on showing the new hardware moreso than games, but that doesn't mean there weren't any clues as to what we'll be playing on the system.As if it were in any doubt, Nintendo confirmed there will be Switch 2 exclusives. That may sound obvious, but given we're at a point where you can find Sony games on PC and Switch and Xbox games just about anywhere, it's worth noting.This is what the Switch 2 will look likeThe trailer shows one game running on the Nintendo Switch, and it appears to be a new version of Mario Kart.That's perhaps no surprise given Mario Kart 8: Deluxe's position atop the sales charts for the original Switch, but Nintendo also showed a cartridge for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a 2023 platformer.The company has confirmed Switch games will run on Switch 2 (albeit not all, we're waiting for more news on that), but the confirmation of Switch 2 exclusives means that while this year's Pokemon Legends Z-A could run on both systems, we're due new versions of our favourite franchises, too.Nintendo will hold a Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, where it'll likely reveal the console's release date, pricing, and software lineup.The original Switch launched alongside Breath of the Wild, a Legend of Zelda title that also came to the Wii U, Nintendo's previous console. The first year also saw the launch of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey.Rumours for the Switch 2's software lineup also include one AAA third-party game making the jump, while other leaks have suggested the new console can run Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Metal Gear Solid Delta the latter of which still doesn't have a release date on any platform.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 shakes up a well-worn formula with its new Ages system, and I'm now desperate to play more read our full preview below to find out whyTech14:01, 16 Jan 2025Civ 7 is shaping up to be a very beautiful gameHow do you shakeup a series thats been around since 1991? Aside from getting better with age like a fine wine (and this writer that was born less than two years prior), Civilization is the epitome of you know what youre getting.Thats a little bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there are thousands of games that would love to so consistently hit that quality threshold, decade after decade. On the other, can you remember the last time you finished a match of Civilization?This years entry, Civilization 7, is looking to change that but making every turn just a little more engaging than they have been in the past.Civ 7's 'Ages' system should help you actually finish the match you started months agoIve been playing Civilization since I was around ten years old, and I like to think Ive got the first few dozen turns down to a fine art.I build a city, create some scouts and warriors, rinse, and repeat. Its an early-game rhythm thats served me well for twenty years in the series, but Civilization 7 is the first time Ive needed to deviate significantly.Thats mainly because the latest entry in the 4X mega-franchise simply has much, much more to do in the early game. As the map unfolds, there are regular options that often feel close to binary but actually help lay the groundwork for your initial policies.Finding a small settlement while exploring and opting to help them go through traditional rites is one thing, but you can also steal ceremonial dressings instead. Theyre all small decisions that can be made quickly, but they soon stack up.Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is sure to eat up a lot of hours next monthAnother big change is that rulers and nations are no longer joined at the hip, meaning you can pick Benjamin Franklin independently of the United States, leveraging his Diplomatic and Scientific perks and pairing them with another civilization entirely.The natural extension of that is that your civilization is no longer fixed, and you can pivot at the end of each Age, a new system that ensures sections of the game feel more bookended by big decisions.These Acts are the headline addition in Civilization 7, and should stop the mid-game from feeling too rote or staid. Starting as Egypt but focusing more on conquering the plains rather than the rivers? You can adjust to Mongolia when the time comes, switching your perks and letting you play to your strengths.Civilization has never been a bad-looking game, but with nine years passing since the sixth entry, its worth mentioning just how beautiful this years game is. Im playing with an RTX 4070 TI, so your mileage will vary, but buildings are detailed, mountains look more realistic, and landmarks look really impressive.Article continues belowI got my code a little later than some outlets for Civ 7, but Ill have a review up when the time comes.For now though, I can say that Im playing a LOT of Civilization 7 to catch up, and when Im not, Im thinking about how best to lead my fledgeling nation.For more on Civilization 7, be sure to check out my chat with the series Creative Director Ed Beach about developing for the Nintendo Switch , the potential for Ages to be added in DLC , and a deep dive on how the system shakes things up .RECOMMENDED

The Liberty City Preservation Project has been taken offline by its creator after discussions with Rockstar Games, leaving GTA 6 fans downtrodden in the processTech12:01, 16 Jan 2025A huge GTA 5 mod has been closed down(Image: Still)We reported yesterday that GTA 6 fans are expecting the game's second trailer in the next couple of weeks, but while all eyes are on our impending visit to Leonida and Vice City, we need to pour one out for GTA 4's Liberty City.That's because a fan-made mod project, The Liberty City Preservation Project, has reportedly been taken down after its creator spoke to Rockstar Games.The GTA 5 mod, which was in development for 6 years, shifted GTA 4's world, including pedestrians, vehicles, and even building interiors, over to 2013's game.Content cannot be displayed without consentAs shared on X (formerly Twitter) by GTA 6 Countdown, the mod's creator, Nkjellman posted the following on Discord.They wrote: "Due to the unexpected attention that our project received and after speaking with Rockstar Games, we have decided to take down the Liberty City Preservation project.""We appreciate all the support that the project has received, and we look forward to continuing to pursue our passion for modding the Grand Theft Auto series".While some fans speculated that Rockstar aggressively tried to take down the mod, Nkjellman followed up by mentioning that it was a "friendly takedown, mutually agreed upon by all parties involved"."There is no negativity between us and Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive," they continued, but acknowledged they can't share a download link for the mod on the Discord server any longer.As for what Rockstar is currently working on, GTA 6 fans are still waiting for a second trailer, but an earnings call at the start of February could reveal whether it's on track to hit 2025, or whether it'll hbe pushed to 2026.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

PS5 players can download some colossal titles this month via PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, with God of War, Like A Dragon and Gundam included among othersTech16:39, 15 Jan 2025Updated 16:41, 15 Jan 2025PlayStation Plus is bringing more new games to Sony console owners(Image: Sony )After a bit of a 'New Year delay', Sony has finally revealed the PS Plus Extra and Premium titles joining this month's Essential games.This month will see the arrival of God of War Ragnarok (one of the best games on PS5, period), Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, and Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand.Premium users get access to Medievil 2, and even an Indiana Jones game (although not the one you'll need an Xbox for at the moment), while Citizen Sleeper is a great game to try for RPG fans ahead of the second game's launch this month.Content cannot be displayed without consentThe latest line-up of PlayStation Plus has been revealed, and it's stacked with big games.God of War Ragnarok is the standout here, with the game following on from the series' sort-of reboot with a fantastic adventure to prevent Ragnarok as Kratos and Atreus.Don't sleep on Like A Dragon Gaiden, either, with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii out next month, as well as underrated action title Atlas Fallen.Citizen Sleeper is one of the best RPGs of the last few years, too, and the second game launches this month.God of War Ragnarok (PS4, PS5)Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS4, PS5)Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand (PS4, PS5)SD Gundam Battle Alliance (PS4, PS5)Sayonara Wild Hearts (PS4)ANNO: Mutationem (PS4, PS5)Orcs Must Die 3 (PS4, PS5)Citizen Sleeper (PS4, PS5)Poker Club (PS4)PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will get access to the following:Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (PS4, PS5)Medievil 2 (PS4, PS5)Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

GTA 6 fans think the game's second trailer will come from Rockstar Games any day now after spotting a pattern of January announcements from the developer in recent yearsTech17:30, 15 Jan 2025Updated 17:31, 15 Jan 2025Could we hear more this month?(Image: Still)GTA 6 fans, your time may be coming (possibly). After a series of leaks that included a screenshot from a janitor and someone claiming to have played it, fans reckon the game's second trailer is finally just around the corner.I know, I know, you heard the same through 2024 as Rockstar kept radio silence, but a new theory has suggested January (or at the latest early February) will see the long-awaited teaser drop.Given that would put it close to the earnings call that could shed light on whether it'll launch in 2025 or later, it's a safe assumption, but it's more than just guesswork.Over on Reddit, one poster shared the above snippets of the Rockstar Games website, with the company sharing updates on its current projects.From Grand Theft Auto 4 back in 2008, to Max Payne 3 in 2012, and GTA 5 in 2013, Rockstar's community pages about each of its titles has arrived in January.As the poster points out, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the exception but even that one arrived on February 1, 2018.That suggests Rockstar could be gearing up for its 'traditional' post about GTA 6 at some point this month, especially as one commenter said Rockstar did similar for L.A. Noire in January of 2011.With that earnings call coming up fast, things could finally be coming into focus.The last time trailer one was announced, it was close to the 9 November earnings call with Take-Two Interactive, the original poster added.Article continues belowWe have an earnings call coming on 6 February next month."So, will Rockstar reveal something before the earnings call, or spill the beans via Take-Two Interactive? Time will tell.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

EA FC 25's latest Team of the Week is here, with Ousmane Dembele, Fridoline Rolfo and an ex-Manchester United star seeing upgrades, but former Liverpool hero Sadio Mane misses outTech18:00, 15 Jan 2025This week's TOTW has a more European focusThe latest EA FC 25 TOTW update is here, and while we nailed it with some of our predictions, Sadio Mane might feel aggrieved to miss out.Despite grabbing a brace and earning POTM, Mane misses out, but another former Premier League star in Matteo Darmian sees an upgrade.Elsewhere, Ousmane Dembele and Fridoline Rolfo headline the updates, while Xavi Simons gets a new 86-rated TOTW card, too.Read on for the full EA FC 25 TOTW 18 lineup. The new Team of the Week cards are in packs as of right now, 6pm GMT on January 15.EA FC 25's TOTW has some pacy forwardsHere's the full Team of the Week squad, with their upgraded overall ratings, too.First team:RW - Dembele (PSG) - 88LB- Rolfo (Barcelona) - 87ST - Monday (Tenerife) - 86CM- Zambo Anguissa (Napoli) - 87CAM- Simons (RB Leipzig) - 86CAM - Thiney (Paris FC) - 86CB - Gilles (Lyon) - 86ST- Burkardt (Mainz) - 85CB - Darmian (Inter) - 85CAM - Steijn (FC Twente) - 85CM - Tere Abelleira (Real Madrid) - 84The following are also included in the TOTW:CM - Camara (Stade Brestois) - 83CAM - Breum (Go Ahead Eagles) - 83RB- Pedro Malheiro (Trabzonspor) - 83RB - Gustavo Garcia (Nacional) - 83LM - Picard (En Avant Guingamp) - 83LB - Lucas Rosa (Valladolid) - 83ST - Jutgla (Club Brugge) - 83ST - Krstovic (Lecce) - 83CB - Lenglet (Atletico de Madrid) - 83LW - Segecic (Sydney FC) - 83GK - De Percin (AJ Auxerre) - 83LW - Barrow (Al Taawoun) - 83Any players you're looking to earn? I'm still building a Premier League XI but the cup weekend means there's no one for me roll on TOTW 19 instead.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

The Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual 2025 is set to be released on February 18th - here's everything you need to knowTech10:40, 15 Jan 2025Updated 10:41, 15 Jan 2025Dungeons and Dragons fans are in for a treat as the game undergoes a major revamp, that kicked off with the release of the Players Handbook in September 2024. The Dungeon Master's Guide followed suit in November 2024, but the collection is still awaiting its final piece - the Monster Manual, set to hit shelves on 18 February 2025.With the release date just around the corner, Wizards of the Coast have teased what gamers can expect from the new Monster Manual. Responding to the question - "What's exciting about the new Monster Manual? ", they revealed it's their largest yet, boasting over 500 monsters.Among these are more than 85 brand new creatures, including fresh variants of fan-favourites that include the Primeval Owlbear, and Vampire Nightbringer. They've also addressed previous gaps in high-level play, ensuring challenges across the board.The Monster Manual Cover features a very angry looking beholder(Image: Wizards of the Coast)The alt cover contains a nod to BG3, with a mind flayer and parasite on the cover(Image: Wizards of the Coast)Each creature has been revisited to maximise its potential for challenging and fun gameplay for both players and DM.S. The book itself spans over 300 pages and is divided into four sections - an introduction on how to use a monster, an A-Z list of all the monsters, and two Appendices - Appendix A, featuring animals, and Appendix B, categorising monsters by factors such as type, habitat, family, group, etc.Appendix A: Animals is a comprehensive list that includes not only common creatures such as cats and crocodiles, but also supernatural beings like giant apes. These are entities that may not necessarily be categorised as "monsters", yet they could potentially cross paths with your players - whether in the wilderness or within urban settings, reports the Mirror.The accompanying artwork depicts these creatures in their natural behaviours, engaging in activities such as hunting, prowling, or battling. This approach aims to ignite the Dungeon Master's imagination and provide players with a more realistic understanding of the creature's nature.Each creature now comes with a brief descriptor under their names. For instance, the Gelatinous Cube is labelled as a "Dungeon-Scouring Block of Ooze".The Brass Dragon is seen doing what it does best - burning mummies.(Image: Wizards of the Coast)The book further provides information on their habitats, potential treasures they might possess and drop, along with a narrative section detailing the creature's characteristics.Beneath all that and above the stat block, there's a fresh table packed with narrative enhancements and variations. You can roll a dice to randomise the creature, or use the table as inspiration - maybe the Gelatinous Cube is holding a tablet with peculiar writing, or perhaps a gargoyle appears naturally formed rather than carved by human hands.These tables not only offer the potential to add variation between each encounter and breathe life into individual creatures, but they also hold the promise of an entire adventure in themselves.Everything is now listed alphabetically, as Wizards of the Coast have opted for a scheme that caters to the majority of Dungeon Masters (DMs). Sorting it by type or Challenge Rating (CR) requires you to know what type or CR a creature is when you're searching for it, which might not be the easiest for novice DM.S. However, Appendix B supplements this by allowing users to browse monsters listed by specific characteristics.A host of older monsters have been revived, along with elements of existing ones that have been reworked. High CR dragons now have the ability to cast spells, and a lot of their non-damaging abilities are no longer on a recharge.This gives the new monsters the ability to surprise even the most seasoned players, especially given the variation among all the different types of monsters.Dragons, once universally feared, have evolved in their roles - Gold Dragons, for instance, now banish players rather than instilling fear. Each dragon species has its unique way of controlling the battlefield, a philosophy that seems to be applied across all creatures in the new Monster Manual.Lair Actions have been slightly modified, primarily to simplify gameplay for Dungeon Masters (DMs). These actions are now included within the stat block itself, eliminating the need to search elsewhere.The Elemental Cataclysm is a manifestation of sheer elemental force(Image: Wizards of the Coast)Some abilities can still be used outside a creature's lair, albeit with reduced power or fewer daily charges. Legendary Actions have also been streamlined - instead of having a "cost", each monster is allotted a certain number of legendary actions from which the DM can choose.While some can only be used once per round, the selection process is now quicker and easier for DM.S. The book's design revealed a lack of high-level "apex threats" among many creature types. The new Monster Manual addresses this by introducing a plethora of new high-level creatures for each type.Elementals now possess the Elemental Cataclysm, a power that can trigger elemental disasters during combat. Oozes, on the other hand, have been given a Blob of Annihilation - an ooze containing the skull of a deceased god.This ooze continues to absorb anything it touches, but instead of trapping them inside, it shifts them to another plane. If you manage to defeat the Blob of Annihilation while your friends are inside, they'll be stuck in the Astral Sea forever.This artwork shows two Azers, including the new Azer Pyromancer in the background(Image: Wizards of the Coast)Merfolk are just one archetype that's received a new entry - the Wavebender(Image: Wizards of the Coast)The Undead category now includes a Haunting Revenant, essentially a haunted house possessed by a Revenant. While they typically inhabit corpses, the new Monster Manual introduces a fresh perspective - Revenants may now possess objects!Animal Lords, CR20 manifestations of demi-gods, come with a table to inspire or generate potential animal lords.They fall into three categories with unique abilities - Sage, Hunters, and Foragers. Azers exemplify a common trend in this book - taking a 2014 creature and introducing some new variants. In the 2025 Monster Manual for example, there are now two Azers, including the new Azer Pyromancer.The Tarrasque still remains the book's apex predator however with the highest CR, and it's now the most terrifying version in the game's history. It even has ranged attacks.Tarrasques level whole cities, and are still the highest CR creature in the whole book(Image: Wizards of the Coast)Fan favourites are getting a makeover with a slew of new variants. Cultists are now more diverse than ever, with Aberrant and Elemental Cultists joining the fray, while Pirate numbers have swelled enough to man an entire armada across various CRs and tiers.The adorable "Bullete Pup" is making hearts melt, and Merfolk enthusiasts can revel in the addition of a Merfolk Wavebender.In the wake of BG3, it's impossible to overlook the mind flayers, which now boast a Mind Flayer Arcanist. Previously just a sidebar variant, this formidable foe now has its own full-fledged stat block a trend you'll notice throughout the new book, with the poltergeist being another example.The Mind Flayer artwork features a Nautiloid, as well as an ArcanistAnimal Lords are demi-gods in the form of an animal - will they help or hinder?(Image: Wizards of the Coast)Alignments have seen a fundamental change too - Gone are the days of the 2014 Monster Manual's tentative "Typically" before each alignment.The new edition cuts straight to the chase, simply stating the alignment but clarifying in the introduction that these are mere suggestions, leaving Dungeon Masters free to choose what fits best.For humanoid creatures, there's a notable shift towards "Neutral" a term that once implied indifference but now serves as a blank canvas for DMs, as highlighted in the 2025 Monster Manual. Wizards of the Coast have fully embraced this concept, encouraging DMs to steer their characters' moral compasses as they see fit.Article continues belowThis is a flumph. You should always trust a flumph.(Image: Wizards of the Coast)The Monster Manual will also feature Day 1 integration with D&D Beyond - which, incidentally, has seen a whopping 3.6 million characters created using the 2024 core ruleset. If you're a Master or Hero Tier member, you can get early access to it (4 February 2025 for Master Tier, 11 February 2025 for Hero Tier).For those who prefer a physical copy, they'll be available globally from 18 February 2025.RECOMMENDED

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 sees Warhorse Studios hit their stride right out of the gate, promising a fascinating adventure right from the jump in a charming but grumpy worldTech16:25, 14 Jan 2025The game is frequently stunning(Image: Warhorse Studios)Open-world RPGs are all the rage these days, but they can feel a little sterile for my tastes. Sure, your Dragonborn can throw fire from their hands in Skyrim and The Witcher's Geralt is endlessly charming and grumpy at the same time, but neither of them have to worry about how badly they smell when approaching NPCs in town.That honor is reserved for Henry of Skalitz, the relatively reluctant protagonist of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and its prequel. A man in need of a regular bath, food, and sleep, hes a not-so-special star of what could end up being a very, very special RPG that stands out thanks to having dirt under its proverbial fingernails.Our dynamic duo have plenty of chemistry(Image: Warhorse Studios)Kingdom Come: Deliverance came out in 2018 (time is a flat circle and all that), and marked Warhorse Studios' first game. As far as ambition goes, a historically accurate open world RPG is certainly a bold decision for a fledgeling studio, but the game was well-received and seemingly successful enough for the team to expand.And, expand they did the studios head count has grown, and so has its ambition. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has two huge maps to explore, and packs in a level of flexibility that makes the whole thing feel just as much like an immersive sim as it does anything else.The early hours, which Im allowed to discuss as part of a preview, absolutely flew by. Henry is serving as a bodyguard-come-bestie to a nobleman, Sir Hans Capon.The two joust verbally and physically in the games beginning, and with some fantastic writing, performances, and facial capture, its easy to believe their friendship despite its awkward standing between levels of social standing.Throw in an adorable canine companion and youve got a trio Im looking forward to spending hours with although that feels like a tough ask in these tough times in 15th century Bohemia.Getting around without a horse can be pretty slow going(Image: Warhorse Studios)As with the first game, much of the selling point of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is in its historical accuracy and array of systems that, for some, will feel a little too restrictive.Hunger and sleep systems are in play, and the setting lends itself to some nifty quirks like crossbows that take an age to reload, or needing to put on a hood under your helmet. These are all felt in gameplay, as is the aforementioned hygiene that can draw unwanted attention if youre not careful enough to wash your hands or go for a bath every now and then.Being based in the UK, theres also a pleasing sense of familiarity to proceedings. Yes, were not in Bohemia, but Kingdom Come Deliverance 2s rolling fields and dusty trails are far more recognisable than the checklist of snow, desert, and other biomes more fantastical RPGs offer. Theres a sort of understated beauty to its mundanity thats rooted in my own familiarity.Its also a very pretty game. The way light bounces off the lake at a campsite you stay at early on, or on the faces of your merry band of bodyguards is a huge step up from the first game.Its not without its foibles, with some frame hitching on cutscenes on PS5 Pro, some texture pop-in and a weird bug that had one of my cohorts shield constantly flickering in and out during one scene, but given the scale of its world its easy to forgive.Combat feels a tad janky, but that could just be me getting used to it(Image: Warhorse Studios)In some ways, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 feels akin to a classic Bethesda RPG like Skyrim in how it hands you a bunch of systems and lets you make your own fun with them.Upset the townsfolk? Theyll drive you out. Get caught sneaking? Prepare for a fight. Its all stuff weve seen before, but it feels so much grander in scope thanks to the impressive visuals and more grounded setting. Theres no putting a bucket on an NPCs head so you can rob them blind here, and like the best in the genre, the best stories are the ones you make yourself.An early-game choice lets you opt in for a combat, stealth, or conversation-focused early stats package, and I picked the latter, using my charisma and smarts to talk my way out of trouble.Ill touch more on combat in my full review, but suffice it to say it has a genuine learning curve. Thats no bad thing, and Im enjoying it, but as with any first-person melee system theres an element of feeling like a drunk boxer circling an equally p****d opponent.Its not often an RPG like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 comes around, and if it continues as it has done from this heartwarming, wholesome opening, I think it could be one of the years most special titles.Article continues belowPreviewed on PS5 Pro. Preview access provided by the publisher. _RECOMMENDED

Dynasty Warriors Origins puts the series back on the map with ambitious changes, even larger battles, and a customisable combat system to make it the best we've seen in yearsTech16:47, 14 Jan 2025Nothing else scratches the same itch as Dynasty Warriors(Image: KOEI TECMO GAMES)You know the Ratatouille scene where the food takes the guy back to his childhood? Dynasty Warriors Origins is a bit like that.As someone that played 2000s Dynasty Warriors 2 at the age of 10 and was convinced games simply couldnt get more epic, my enthusiasm for the series has waned as Ive only tended to hop back to the Musou genre for its licensed tie-ins.Now, though, Dynasty Warriors Origins manages to recapture what made the series so captivating in the first place, and as soon as I started swinging my sword I was back to being a kid again and I mean that as a huge compliment.Origins is full of flashy moves for your character(Image: KOEI TECMO GAMES)As with prior games, Origins picks up with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms saga thats been retold countless times, and not just in video games.New this time, however, is our protagonist a near-silent amnesiac that acts as a cipher for the player. On the one hand, the introduction of someone so obviously a blank slate amongst so many strong characters feels a little like a step backwards, but it does allow for Dynasty Warriors Origins to do more interesting things with its combat (more on that shortly).The focus on a smaller tale does remove some of the breathless pace of switching between key personalities throughout the historical conflict, and thats certainly welcome after years of following the same characters around.Im a little mixed on performances, though, with some of its larger-than-life characters feeling a little too keen to chew the scenery, and the writing sometimes struggles under the weight of the vast web of characters it needs to reference at any given time. Thankfully, cutscenes are well done, and there are some characters that sound better than others notably in more intimate conversations, which only seems to make the protagonists deadpan expression even more noticeable.Youll sign up with one of the three kingdoms at a certain point, but unlike games with similar choices, you dont have to start right from the beginning to jump back in (were looking at you, Fire Emblem: Three Houses).Similar to Three Houses, though, you can build relationships with other characters. As someone who used to get my a*** handed to me by Lu Bu, I was thankful to be able to sit down for a nice chinwag with him this time around.Dynasty Warriors Origins makes me yearn for the devs to make a Lord of the Rings version(Image: KOEI TECMO GAMES)The allure of the Dynasty Warriors series has always been the way in which players can carve through huge swathes of enemies, and while earlier entries could get dozens of foes on screen, the jump to PS5 and Xbox Series X means the carnage is amplified tenfold.Your character, The Wanderer, leverages his Jason Bourne-like ability to hurt people without remembering why hes hurting people to pick up plenty of tricks throughout the campaign.There are new weapon types to unlock, additional abilities, fresh combos, and more. Each new weapon feels a little weak at first, but as you improve your skills youll unlock additional skills. They even have their own stats, and none of them feel underwhelming once you put in the time.You can create tornados to send enemies (literally) flying, roll up enemies like a sort of Katamari ball, or resort to the old-fashioned throw them in the air and knock them about a dozen times (the classics are the best).Dynasty Warriors Origins finally has the tech to achieve the series' vision(Image: KOEI TECMO GAMES)All of this customisation comes at the cost of not being able to play as other characters with their own move sets. Some missions will let you swap to other characters, but for the most part, youre playing as, well, yourself.With so many games leaning into the weighty, animation-lock style of Dark Souls et al, it feels so refreshing to just slap people silly with a good old button mash, and that leans into the inherent power fantasy of defeating the population of an entire town in 10 minutes.Between campaign missions you can roam a map to find additional activities (spoiler alert, they mostly revolve around fighting hundreds of baddies), and I loved the way it feels like a tabletop game that has a grown adult charging over the top of it like someone that just lost a game of Warhammer.Dynasty Warriors Origins is a bold new step for a series that hasnt needed to really reinvent itself this much in 25 years.Article continues belowThat it does this so impressively is a very pleasant surprise, and its likely to be a perfect entry point for newcomers while also offering a fresh perspective for longtime fans.Reviewed on PS5 Pro. Review code provided by the publisher.RECOMMENDED

Expect EA FC 25 TOTW 18 to be packed with stellar new cards, with new upgrades expected for former Liverpool man Sadio Mane and PSG hero Ousmane DembeleTech16:55, 14 Jan 2025Updated 16:55, 14 Jan 2025Simons was POTM for Leipzig(Image: Getty Images)After another week of football (although not a good one for Arsenal), it's almost time for the EA FC 25 Team of the Week (TOTW).This week marks the eighteenth entry since EA FC 25 launched, and we're expecting another batch of upgraded players. In case you're new this season, Team of the Week players replace the basic versions in packs for the current week, and have upgraded stats based on real-world performances.We're expecting big things this week from Ousmane Dembele after his PSG heroics, as well as ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane for his brace for Al-Nassr.Here's what we're expecting from EA FC 25 TOTW 18.Team of the Week will be officially announced on Wednesday, January 15 we'll share the full line-up then.Expect the new cards to be in packs from 6pm.Mane now plays alongside Ronaldo(Image: Getty Images)Here are our predictions who are you hoping to pull?RW: Ousmane DembeleThe France winger notched both of PSG's goals to help them to a 2-1 win, earning POTM in the process.ST: Patrick SchickLeverkusen's striker scored two goals and got POTM for his team.RM: Sadio ManeEx-Liverpool winger Mane grabbed two goals for Al-Nasser and POTM.LB: Fridoline RolfoThe Barca full-back scored, assisted, and kept a clean sheet.CAM: Xavi SimonsThe Leipzig playmaker scored twice in a 4-2 win to earn POTM.GK: David SoriaGetafe stopper Soria made six saves, including one penalty to help his side to a 2-1 win.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

PS5 owners are gearing up for the reveal of another PS Plus Extra lineup, and it's likely to be a banger month if predictions are anything to go by here's when we'll knowTech17:00, 14 Jan 2025PlayStation fans are desperate for Hogwarts Legacy to join PS Plus(Image: Still)It's mid-January, and while PlayStation gamers have this month's PS Plus Essentials titles to download (including Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League), if you've subscribed to the Extra or Premium tiers you've got a little more to come.Essentially PlayStation's answer to Xbox Game Pass, PS Plus adds a rotating library of titles to play. Since games go in and out of the lineup, this means newer games are often included, and fans have been predicting they might see Hogwarts Legacy.Whatever is coming, we've got the full rundown of the key dates for reveal and release here's when we'll know all about the PS Plus Extra and Premium titles.Hogwarts Legacy is tipped, yet again, for PS Plus(Image: Still)Running a little later than it usually does, the PS Plus Extra and Premium reveal time is 4:30 PM on January 15 (that's Wednesday).Sony usually has its reveals on the second Wednesday of every month, but the Holiday season and New Year celebrations nudged everything back a little.So what could be included? We've already covered predictions, and there are certainly some bangers among them.Aside from Hogwarts Legacy, fans are hoping for Resident Evil 4 Remake, or last year's excellent Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.Other Ubisoft titles in consideration include Assassin's Creed: Mirage and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, while console exclusives like Final Fantasy 16 and God of War: Ragnarok could be included.Many of those titles were included in the PlayStation January sale in recent weeks, too.Article continues belowAs for when they'll be released for download, we're glad you asked. It tends to be 5pm on the third Tuesday of the month. Because of the way the dates line up, that would mean they'll be available from January 21.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

GTA 6 fans have responded to a wild and sick online theory suggesting that the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires are somehow linked to the release of Rockstar's next gameTech17:02, 14 Jan 2025Expect GTA 6 to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time(Image: Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Ima)One X (formerly Twitter) account has gone rogue with a bizarre and sick theory about the LA wildfires.GTA 6 fans have been a patient bunch, waiting for news on Rockstar's big sequel (and eagerly anticipating the game's second trailer) and while we're a few weeks from an earnings call that could shed light on whether it'll launch in 2025 or later.However a popular GTA 6 account GTASixInfo posted a ridiculous theory that the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires could have been set by Rockstar Games as part of "closing the chapter" on GTA V, a game set in San Andreas which is a facsimile of LA.The post, which was deleted but can be found in the Reddit post below, apparently came from a user of the account who has now reportedly been removed."Hear me out... What if Rockstar intentionally started the LA wildfires to symbolize the end of Los Santos, as we head to Leonida for #GTA6? With the game set to release next year, could this be their way of closing the chapter on GTA V?" the original post said."The GTA community has some of the cringiest s*** posters Ive ever seen," one Reddit reply notes, while another said "Someones fried their brain. No more GTA for you, gta6info..."The fires have caused huge destruction in the area of Palisades and surrounding area(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)It is thought the theory may have been sparked by several people taking screengrabs from the game and placing the shot with a location affected by the wildfires, as the games location of GTA 5 is influenced by LA. The account, which has almost 50,000 followers on X, has since posted an apology."We deeply apologize for our recent post regarding the LA wildfires. I was unfortunately unaware this was posted, and if I was, as the owner of the account, I would not have allowed that. As that post is NOT in anyway shape or form acceptable," it reads.Content cannot be displayed without consent"I have taken action by removing the team members responsible for that post. I have also removed the members that have continued to discredit and plagiarize posts, as well as the recycling of baiting engagement tweets. I thought I could give them the benefit of the doubt that they would stop, but clearly not.""I want to assure you that these issues have been resolved, and will NOT happen again."Article continues below"Moving forward an entirely new management team will be posting and we will be focusing on an entirely new approach to posting to make sure these issues do not happen again."For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

PS5 owners have big expectations for the Extra and Premium PS Plus games for January 2025, with best-seller Hogwarts Legacy and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor among themTech14:52, 14 Jan 2025Updated 14:52, 14 Jan 2025Hogwarts Legacy is tipped, yet again, for PS Plus(Image: Still)PlayStation gamers already have new PS Plus Essentials titles to download (headlined by a game that's well worth a look), but if you have one of the higher subscription tiers you have even more to come.Alongside a varied trio of titles, the new PS Plus games are expected to be revealed on January 15 (that's Wednesday), and fans are hoping to kick the year off with a winner.Some were disappointed in the Essential games on offer, and while the following are only predictions, we'd certainly love to add these to our library here's hoping the community has guessed correctly.Could Hogwarts Legacy come to PS Plus this month?(Image: Avalanche Software / Shiver Entertainment)Over on the PS Plus subreddit, fans are placing their bets. After a whole host of users predicted Suicide Squad, there's every chance they get it right again.Hogwarts Legacy is one of the frontrunners, with players hoping to play the Harry Potter sort-of-prequel. It's one of the best-selling games in years, and has a PS5 Pro patch, so it'd be a great way to show off Sony's new console.Sadly, it's not the first time it's been predicted, so we won't hold our breath.Elsewhere, Star Wars Jedi Survivor gets plenty of votes, while Resident Evil 4 Remake also appears. That's not to say we'd get all of them, or any, but that would certainly be a stacked lineup.Final Fantasy 16 is now old enough to go to PC after being a PS5 exclusive, so some are suggesting that could be included, along with first-party console exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok.Some are predicting Deathloop, too, with Arkane Lyon's first-person adventure getting plenty of plaudits at launch, while others are keen for the Ubisoft trifecta of Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown the latter of which deserved much better having launched a year ago.Article continues belowNaturally, we'll have all the PS Plus updates as and when we get them, so be sure to stay tuned.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Nintendo have dragged out another platforming classic from the Wii era for a refresh on the Switch console and the result is a newly polished classic well worth your cashTech14:00, 14 Jan 2025Donkey Kong Country Returns HDOur old friend Donkey Kong is back on the Switch and this classic feels as good as it ever did revamped for the modern handheld console.This brutally difficult side-scrolling title was originally built for the Wii motion control console in 2010.But 15 years later we get a lovingly remade version of the game, mixing both the Wii and Nintendo 3DS versions, which looks great, tends to be more button controlled than before and has a new modern mode thats more forgiving.The story is pretty simple but does enough set-up for the gamer.The villainous Tiki Tak Tribe have hypnotised the residents of Donkey Kong Island and made off with Donkey Kongs precious banana hoard.So its up to you as Donkey, alongside your trusty sidekick Diddy Kong, to go find the missing yellow grub and track down those bandits for some revenge.Queue a hectic side-scrolling adventure which sees you, and if you want a coach co-op partner, trying to traverse difficult levels across beaches, jungle backdrops and caves to snaffle up bananas and progress to the next, harder level.Donkey Kong loves to smash thingsREAD MORE: Daily Star's newsletter brings you the biggest and best stories sign up todayIf youve played any Nintendo platformer before youll know exactly what youre getting.But theres a real artistry in the button combinations and timings youll need to conquer the later levels in this game.Itll take a lot of trial and error at points, particularly in the original game mode. Thankfully the modern mode allows for more power ups and life hearts in-game so you can progress slightly more easily.Its a vividly cartoony world on Donkey Kong Island and the graphics look particularly great in handheld mode, they feel fresh with the revamp despite the core games 14-year age.You'll be flying, riding, jumping and rolling your way through levelsREAD MORE: Nintendo breaks silence on Switch 2 leaks after CES 'reveal' of new consoleThe game plays beautifully. For me, thumbsticks and buttons are always the best way to enjoy platform games and, while you can use motion control a bit still here, its a much nicer play with the old-school button bashing.Theres a simplicity to running, jumping and ground pounding being all you need to enjoy a cracking title.Its a big game too, featuring 80 levels across nine different worlds. So plenty of bang for your buck.And its not just about getting from the left hand side of a level to the right without dying, theres loads to go back for to perfect each level, with K O N G pieces to collect to unlock special hidden levels, secret areas to discover and puzzle pieces to find too to unlock dioramas and images in the galleries.The different parts of the island have varied backdropsIts lovely to return to classic platform gaming with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.And while leaks suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 is imminently on the horizon, its brilliant to know at such a late stage in this consoles life that the firm can still deliver nice little surprises like this for gamers.Fun, playable, challenging and packed full of replay value.VERDICT 4.5/5Article continues belowReviewed on Nintendo Switch. Review code provided by the publisher.RECOMMENDED

Sentiment is changing for Call of Duty Black Ops 6 after players were left disappointed with the latest patch notes, with some going as far as claiming Activision 'doesn't care'Tech10:48, 14 Jan 2025Warzone is one of the most popular battle royales around(Image: Activision)Call of Duty Black Ops 6 was a huge success when it launched last year, and things seemed to be going so well as Warzone transitioned into another new era.While players were still complaining about cheaters, it felt like the arrival of Season 1 has players jumping in all over again. Sadly, though, it seems sentiment is changing yet again, with Call of Duty's community less than impressed with the latest patch notes.Arriving as the first update in 10 days, fans were hoping for anticheat updates, but instead got just five bullet points covering bug fixes and a little more.It's not that the patch is necessarily bad, it's more that there's just not a lot to it. Here are the notes in full:Fixed an issue where loading screens were causing instances of freezing or crashing.Fixed an issue with bullet trajectory on the AMR Mod 4.Fixed an issue in Resurgence where a player dying out of bounds would lose functionality of their field upgrades and killstreaks.Fixed an issue where models werent visible for ammo boxes, self revives, and throwing knives.Fixed an issue where players would not have a death icon when dying to Red Light Green Light.Content cannot be displayed without consentAs longtime Call of Duty news account CharlieIntel told its 4.8 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) "yes, this is it"."Only patch notes I wanna see is no more hackers," one commenter replied, while another said "Crashed more times today than every day since launch. Sick update."Others took aim at the game's monetisation, which has been a contentious topic in the community which threatened to boil over with the Squid Games event pass."Meanwhile the store probably got 10 new skins at $30 a pop because that's what the players want apparently according to business."Some were more positive, with one player pleased with the crash fixes at least."The crashing issue is fixed! It might not seem like a big update but holy s*** this is huge," they cheered.Given we're still at the start of the year, there's every chance the Activision team is returning and preparing a colossal patch here's hoping.With Season 2 expected at the end of the month, and a Verdansk return reportedly coming in Season 3, there's still plenty to be excited about with Warzone.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED