Your Wednesday Roundup
Your Wednesday Roundup
Catching you up on your favorite consoles.
Console stands, plunging stocks, and an update on your favorite consoles.
Read time: 7 minutes
Quick Tidbits
Here are small and developing stories you should keep your eye on.
PS5 release window: fans of the PS5 have a lot to be excited about. The upcoming console has some awesome games available right at launch, and the DualSense controller has been seeing the level of recognition it deserves. But at the end of the day, games sell consoles, and Sony has made sure PS5 fans are treated to some quality exclusives. The PS5 manufacturer confirmed that four exclusives will be coming to the console next year. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Gran Turismo 7, and Returnal have all been confirmed for the first half of 2021, with Horizon: Forbidden West being confirmed for the second half. It’s exciting news for PS5 fans in particular, as they’re already getting info on some exclusive titles before the console is even released to the public. Sony’s library of exclusives is something it’s proud of, and it’s why it has sold as many consoles as it has. It’ll be great to see what other games they have coming down the pipeline as well (let’s hope we hear more about the God of War sequel soon!).
Valhalla is stunning (but kinda buggy): if you’re thinking about what game to get for your new next-gen console, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla should be on your list. Why? The game, by all measures, is stunning. The latest iteration in the Assassin’s Creed series has players taking control of an assassin during the Viking era, and multiple game review sites have praised it for its controls, gameplay, story, variety of unique side missions, and ability to select the gender of the main character. Granted, there have been multiple bugs discovered in the retail copy of the game, which is disappointing to hear, but I’m sure those are bugs that will be patched up within the next update or two. Overall, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a great addition to the series, and it makes wonderful use of the next-get consoles’ performance. Whether you’re a fan of the series or you’re looking for something new, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better launch title. Oh, and you can pet dogs right at launch. Hard to pass on a game that adds that feature.
Gaming stocks plunge: while the announcement of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine indicates a near end to the pandemic (at least we hope), it also meant a potential dive within the gaming industry. Stocks plunged for companies like Activision 9.5) and Take-Two (10.8) after the vaccine announcement. Why? As the vaccine is administered, it’s fair to assume that people will go back to their normal activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has been great for gaming in that it’s been a great replacement for entertainment and socialization. But if people can go back to normal, they’ll likely go back to the original activities that keep them active and social. Investors are seeing some of the writing on the wall and have taken proactive measures just in case a situation like that were to happen. It makes sense too, as video games have been the go-to alternative for many people across the world. Although I’d typically feel bad for the industry, I can’t say that’s the case right now. I love gaming and will continue to do so well after the pandemic is over, but I can’t wait to go out and do things with friends.
Console Updates
The current major console manufacturers are Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. This list may change as new competition arises but, for now, these three reign supreme.
Sony
If you’re a current PS4 owner, you may have seen a curious new app show up on your menu over the last few days.
Called the PS Remote Play, the app comes in preparation for the launch of the PS5, and this might be one of the bigger things that’s not being talked about in regards to the PS5.
It’s already been confirmed that the current PS4 controller, the DualShock, is not compatible with the PS5. For you to play the PS5, you’ll need to invest in a DualSense controller (which shouldn’t be too much of an issue unless you’re playing multiplayer games, as the upcoming PS5 is equipped with a DualSense controller).
But what the PS Remote Play app allows you to do is to stream games from your PS5 to your PS4. And you can even do so in separate rooms, as long as your PS4 is within range.
This is big for two reasons:
It allows people to use the DualShock controller. Although most people will love using the DualSense, gamers now have that option to use one for whatever situation they may be in.
It gives PS4 owners a reason to hold on to their PS4. Prior to the release of this app, many PS4 owners were prepared to trade-in or sell their console for the PS5. But with PS Remote Play, that no longer has to be an option. If you have multiple areas to game, this could be a wonderful alternative for gamers who just don’t want to get up and move to another room. And if this concept is fleshed out even further, it may provide PS5 players a way to play games on the road and without having to bring their PS5. If they wanted to play, all they would need is their PS4 (but let me not get too ahead of myself).
One thing to note, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, is that the haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features won’t be available via remote play, as the DualShock was not designed with those features in mind.
With that said, the release of this new app is a big gamechanger for gamers, and it provides them with loads of options.
And as we know about gamers, we love our options.
Microsoft
Yesterday marked the official launch of the Xbox Series X and S, and it begins a new era of gaming.
Thousands of gamers had an opportunity to bring home their next-gen console (provided that they pre-ordered it), and a handful of gamers even got a chance to buy one on launch day.
Predictably, units flew off the shelves, and the limited Series X stock was quickly sold out.
Sadly, not everyone who pre-ordered will be able to get a unit on launch day.
Gamers who pre-ordered the Xbox Series X through Amazon received an email from the e-commerce giant that their Series X may not come at “day of launch” and that they should expect the console to come “by or before December 31.”
Although it isn’t surprising to see these emails, as stock has been limited and Amazon even released similar emails like this regarding the PS5. But what is surprising is that Amazon did so with a little over 24 hours before the console was launch.
Understandbly, gamers were livid, especially since there was no firm date when their new console would arrive.
Although I understand having to cover your bases when it comes to a console release of this size, it would’ve been much better if Amazon had done so months before like they did with the PS5. The backlash would still have been big, but I don’t believe it would have been as bad. Although people will be shopping through Amazon for the foreseeable future, I do see some gamers being a little more hesitant when it comes to consoles and games.
Nintendo
Credit: Nintendo
Annnnddd it’s here.
If you were looking for an opportunity to own a Nintendo Switch, here is another chance to do so.
In a press release, Nintendo announced a Nintendo Switch bundle for $299.99. The bundle will provide gamers with — the Switch console, a free digital download of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a three month membership to Nintendo Switch Online.
For those that don’t know, Nintendo Switch Online is the Switch’s online service subscription, which will allow you to play online with friends or randoms if the game you play offers that feature.
This bundle will be available starting on November 22, but it’s not the only thing that gamers should look forward to. Nintendo also re-confirmed the release of Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors, which will come to shelves on November 20 (two days before the bundle).
Alongside that, fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizon will also be able to purchase an Animal Crossing designed Nintendo Switch for $299.99 and purchase a variety of gamers at only $39.99. Some of these games include Luigi’s Mansion 3, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, so you’ll have a lot to choose from.
Although Nintendo won’t be releasing any new console this year, its providing gamers every and any opportunity to own a Nintendo Switch console. If you’ve always wanted to own a Switch, this upcoming holiday season might be your best chance to do so.
The Perfect GameCube Stand
Not only is the Xbox Series X a powerful machine that compares to many of today’s high end PCs. It also serves as a wonderful stand to arguably the best console of its generation:
The Nintendo GameCube.
Twitter user @watosan_ship5 shared a photo of the next-gen console serving as a stand for the iconic Nintendo console. And just for fun, they also used the GameCube as a stand.
But frankly, that’s a bit disrespectful to the GameCube.
The console responsible for awesome titles such as Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart Double Dash needs to be treated with some more respect.
This is a pro-GameCube newsletter, and I won’t accept any type of slander.