Masahiro Sakurai reveals how Sora made into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Masahiro Sakurai explains the process of bringingSora into Super Smash Bros. in his bi-weekly Famitsu Column. The column was given a rough translation on Twitter from game journalists@PushDustInand@KodyNOKOLO. According to the translations, neither Sakurai nor Nintendo was sure they would get Sora into Smash. Despite Sora being the number one voted character in the Smash Poll, the Fighters Pass Two DLC did not originally include him. It was only going to be five fighters, just like Fighters Pass One—Min Min, Steve, Sephiroth, Pyra/Mythra, and Kazuya were all already decided before the Smash team could get the go-ahead to bring Sora in....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 294 words · Alicia Walter

Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Perfectly portable

Theoriginal Surface Go, released in 2018, was a super-portable machine designed for gettings bits and pieces done when on the go - emailing, taking notes in a meeting, watching a bit of Netflix on the commute home - rather than trying to be an all-powerful Surface product. It was this portability that made this 2-in-1 appealing. The sequel, the aptly named Surface Go 2, takes the exact footprint of the original - with the same ports and all - but nips and tucks its design to offer yet more appeal....

August 1, 2025 · 8 min · 1630 words · John King

Mistake on Apple’s website shows different iOS 7 app icons

This is kind of interesting. New versions of some of the stock app icons iniOS 7have been spotted on Apple’s website. The reason for the changes is not yet known, but the app icons have received the blunt of the criticism thus far regarding Apple’s new mobile OS. Some of the new icons are starkly different than the ones seen in the first developer beta of iOS 7, while others appear to only feature subtle differences....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 298 words · Sara Barnett

New Amazon Echo Dot vs old Echo Dot: What's the difference?

Amazon announced several new devices during a special event in Seattle, including anall-new Echo Dot. The Echo Dot is the small, puck-sized version of theEcho speaker, offering a way to access Alexa smarts without the need for the full-sized Echo. The new model brings a fresh design coupled with sound improvements, but how else does it differ from its predecessor? Here is how the all-new 2018 Echo Dot compares to theold Echo Dot from 2016....

August 1, 2025 · 4 min · 682 words · Robert Barrett

Nike’s Adapt BB shoes let you tighten your laces with an iPhone

Ever since Marty McFly donneda pair of self-lacing shoesinBack to the Future II, we have been obsessed with getting our hands on similar footwear. After all, in an age when we all carry computers in our pockets, are constantly connected with friends on social media, and can stream vast entertainment libraries wherever we go, who has time to bend over to tie their shoes? Thankfully, Nike is edging closer to making the dream of self-lacing shoes a reality for the masses by introducing a new model made specifically for basketball players....

August 1, 2025 · 3 min · 456 words · Kyle Daniels

Nikkei: all iPhones released next year will use OLED screens

Apple will use advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels in all new iPhones launched from the second half of 2018, according to industry sourcescitedin a report Thursday by Japanese outlet Nikkei. An industry source added that the Californian company is “tentatively looking” at releasing three new iPhones next year, adding Apple has already started to design the upcoming models. Apple’s plans are contingent upon suppliers’ ability to churn out OLED panels in volume....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 287 words · Ryan Lynch

Overwatch best friends complete 5-year grind to Diamond after meeting in-game

Overwatch best friends complete 5-year grind to Diamond after meeting in-game One member of an Overwatch duo shared a wholesome post about their journey with the game and the community loved it. Sometimesthe wholesome storiescentered around video game communities are the ones fans need to read most. Stories like the Pokemon Go player getting good newsfrom their Ukrainian friendor a proud dad recountinghis daughter’s insane Overwatch playreally highlight just how powerful video games can be....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 346 words · Darrell Evans

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket has potential, but this feature worries me

I was there for the initial wave ofPokemon feverin the early ’90s. The first game I got with myGame Boywas Pokemon Blue, and I was diligent about storing every single Pokémon card I got in a protective binder. Despite my school banning the cards, friends and I would still sneak them in to trade duplicates amongst one another, although we never bothered to even learn how to play the actual game itself....

August 1, 2025 · 5 min · 866 words · Crystal Gutierrez

Preview: Demon Tides

The 3D platformer has a problem that doesn’t get addressed too often in that it’s generally viewed as a genre for the younger crowd. This means that the difficulty level is tuned to easy, and by the time any real challenge shows up, the game is roughly 90% over. That’s not to say they’re boring or not fun or anything too negative, because they tend to be energetic and incredibly likable, but it does mean that for the bulk of the game you’re looking at obstacle courses designed to fit comfortably within the range of the main character’s abilities without stretching them too far....

August 1, 2025 · 6 min · 1226 words · Amy Robinson

SlashGear's Best Of CES 2024

SlashGear’s Best Of CES 2024 It bills itself as the biggest technology show in the world, a melting pot of the latest and greatest in everything from TVs, wearables, and gadgets, through to automotive, autonomous driving, and bleeding-edge gaming. You’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by CES 2024, then, and the thousands of new products and ambitious startups filling Las Vegas for a week. Luckily, SlashGear was on the ground in the many, many halls, booths, and private demos, keeping track of everything that might be worth opening your wallet for later in 2024....

August 1, 2025 · 14 min · 2965 words · Elizabeth Jones

Stardew Valley: Beach Farm Guide

Quick Links Hello, Farmers! The Version 1.5 update of Stardew Valley introduced the Beach Farm layout, presenting a fresh and challenging experience for seasoned players. This guide will navigate you through the unique aspects of the Beach Farm, helping you to harness its potential and overcome its obstacles for a rewarding farming adventure. Why Choose the Beach Farm? The Beach Farm is akin to an unofficial “hard mode” in Stardew Valley, complicating crop cultivation and demanding strategic planning....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 275 words · Jack Wolfe

Starfield Shotgun Build Guide

In this Starfield Shotgun Build Guide I’ll be teaching you how to create a fun, action-packed build that lets you stay highly mobile and charge into enemy camps with abandon. This Shotgun build will help you take down enemies quickly without even aiming, and is viable on Very Hard difficulty. Please be mindful that this build contains unavoidable early game spoilers due to showing some combat mechanics you might not be aware of....

August 1, 2025 · 10 min · 1956 words · Douglas Robles

Stephen King's IT Wraps Production, Pennywise Jack-in-the-Box Revealed

That’s it! It’s all done. The new big screen adaptation of Stephen King’sIThas officially wrapped production. The thriller began shooting in late June, kicking things off with a first look at the iconicPennywise the Clown, as played byBill Skarsgard. Today, we get a decidedly different sneak peek at the terrifying villain. Producer Barbara Muschietti announced that shooting had finished, posting an image of her cool Pennywise Jack-in-the-Box onInstargram. The movie was directed byAndres Muschietti....

August 1, 2025 · 2 min · 336 words · Nicholas Buchanan