In this week’s gaming news, Nintendo, Sony, and Rockstar recently made headlines with new announcements and updates. Nintendo revealed Black Friday deals, Sony faced speculation over a PlayStation ad, and Rockstar finally delivered a major update for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition. Here’s the latest gaming news on these top developments.
Nintendo’s Black Friday Deals 2024
Nintendo outlined its Black Friday sales for 2024, revealing its final holiday push for the Switch as a standalone platform. Key deals include $20 off top games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ($50) and $40 pricing on hits such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Odyssey. Hardware discounts also include the popular Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle at $300, which has remained a holiday staple. Look out for exclusive retailer bundles from GameStop, Walmart, and Target, adding a layer of value to this year’s deals.
Sony’s Mysterious PlayStation Ad and Speculation
Sony released and then quickly removed a PlayStation 5 Slim ad, sparking speculation due to its initial display of a $380 price for the digital edition. Though the ad was re-uploaded without the price drop, gamers believe the company may officially announce holiday discounts soon. The ad also displayed “3/12/2024,” leading fans to speculate about a potential showcase or release linked to Sony’s 30th Anniversary.
Stellar Blade’s 2025 PC Release and Potential for Success
Shift Up, the creators behind Stellar Blade, confirmed their focus on a 2025 PC release, citing strong PC game market trends. With titles like Black Myth: Wukong boosting the popularity of AAA PC releases, Shift Up aims to capitalize on Steam’s massive user base. Given the game’s PlayStation 5 success, expectations for its PC version are high, especially with high-performance video cards enhancing its visuals.
Stalker 2 System Requirements: Ready for 1440p and 60 FPS?
Stalker 2 revealed its PC system requirements ahead of its November release, with a substantial 160 GB of storage on SSD recommended. Xbox Series X targets 60 FPS for optimal performance, demanding high specs for those seeking a top-tier experience. Gamers with setups comparable to a 3080 Ti GPU can expect smooth gameplay at 1440p, ideal for a AAA experience.
GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra – A Retro Revival Arriving Soon (Gaming News)
The classic GI Joe franchise joins the growing trend of side-scrolling beat-’em-ups with GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra, launching November 21. Following popular retro revivals, this game taps into nostalgia while offering action-packed gameplay for fans of GI Joe, Power Rangers, and Ninja Turtles.
Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: Definitive Edition Patch Brings Major Fixes
Rockstar Games issued a substantial update for the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: Definitive Edition, significantly improving graphics and controls on the latest consoles. Available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, the update refines lighting, shooting mechanics, and more. The patch does not extend to older platforms, like Nintendo Switch, but fans of the series can now experience the trilogy with enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay.
Xbox and Storage Solutions: A Need for Change
Western Digital introduced its new 2 TB Xbox storage expansion card priced at $200, raising questions about future Xbox storage solutions. Unlike PlayStation’s NVMe support, Xbox expansion cards restrict options, leading many to hope for an open-market solution in the next generation. Microsoft may consider shifting to a more flexible storage option to reduce pricing pressures and improve market competition.
