There are many reasons why Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is regarded as a classic. The allure of secret passages and new equipment draws you into a haunted castle filled with odd creatures and dangerous traps. All of it beautifully designed, not to mention backed by an eclectic soundtrack to suit the castle's many moods. You delve into this adventure as the silver-haired Alucard, the sympathetic son of a notorious supernatural villain, with graceful moves and a cool demeanor befitting of a vampiric heartthrob. Each of these pieces neatly click together, forming what many consider to be one of the best video games ever made. Symphony of the Night is the rare game that seems to get everything right, because even when it stumbles in gloriously cheesy ways, our accumulated goodwill turns would-be mockery into celebration.Konami, apparently, doesn't see things the same way. Its upcoming release of Symphony of the Night on PS4 (as part of the Castlevania Requiem collection) is based on the retooled PSP release that was buried within Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. This version, while still excellent in most respects, tries to improve upon the original PlayStation release (which is also mostly intact on Xbox 360), but in the process eliminates one of the most memorable moments of the entire game.I'm referring, of course, to the meme-ified exchange between Richter Belmont and Dracula during the prologue.Richter: Die, monster! You don't belong in this world!Dracula: It was not by my hand that I'm once again given flesh. I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute.Richter: "Tribute"?! You steal men's souls, and make them your slaves!Dracula: Perhaps the same could be said of all religions.Richter: Your words are as empty as your soul! Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!Dracula: What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk! Have at you!It's campy, over the top, and incredibly memorable. Who among us hasn't been tempted to rhetorically question the essence of humanity, fling a glass of wine across the room, and declare the answer we all know in our hearts to be true? Dracula may have sounded ridiculous, but let's be honest: he's not wrong.The PSP version, and the upcoming PS4 port, use new voice actors and a new script, with Richter and Dracula's iconic lines rewritten to the following. Richter: Dracula. Die now, and leave this world! You'll never belong here!Dracula: Oh but this world invited me. Your own kind called me forth with praise and tribute.Richter: Tribute? You're a thief. You steal men's souls, their freedom...Dracula: Freedom is always sacrificed to faith, good hunter. Or are you truly here by choice?Richter: All I'm here for is you. To hell with your heresy! You're nothing but a blight on mankind.Dracula: Ha! Mankind. A cesspit of hatred and lies. Fight for them, then, and die for their sins!In the age of Twitter, where the original discussion has been glorified and given a life of its own, the decision to base the re-release on the altered version of Symphony of the Night feels like an odd one. Granted, this is a small piece of a much bigger puzzle; the game is far from ruined. Its reputation, however, is definitely challenged.When polled, 1,780 respondents on Twitter weighed in on the matter: 33% don't care about the fact that the PSP version is being used, 26% feel that their excitement for the re-release is slightly diminished, and 41% of voters consider it to be a deal breaker.For as much as I dislike the decision to use the PSP version of Symphony of the Night, I'm not going to pass up the chance to have a fresh copy on a modern console--assuming its emulation is technically sound. I may not, however, be able to shake the little voice in my head reminding me that it's not the definitive version of the game.Where do you fall on the matter? Am I a crazed fan whose picked a frivolous hill to die on? Let us know in the comments below! Info from Gamespot.com

Latios and Latias aren't the only Legendary Pokemon players can pick up for free this month. To celebrate the release of the newest Pokemon TCG expansion, Dragon Majesty, The Pokemon Company has announced it is giving away a free Poipole in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon--but as usual, the way to claim it will vary by region. [Update: The Shiny Poipole distribution is scheduled to end this week, on October 7, making this your last chance to claim a download code for one if you still haven't.]Originally unveiled under the codename UB Adhesive, Poipole is one of the new Ultra Beasts introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, meaning you'll need to own one of those two versions to receive it. What makes this particular Poipole special is that it's a Shiny; unlike most of the ones you're likely to encounter in the game, this one is white and gold rather than the usual purple.In the US, the Shiny Poipole will be given away as a download code at GameStop stores from September 17 - October 7. In the UK, players will be able to pick up a code for the Pokemon at Smyths stores from September 17 - October 15. Poipole will be distributed throughout the rest of Europe in the September Pokemon Trainer Club newsletter.Unlike most of the other Legendary Pokemon given away this year, this Poipole comes at level 40 and isn't carrying any held items. It also knows the moves Venom Drench, Nasty Plot, Poison Jab, and Dragon Pulse. It needs to know the latter move and level up in order to evolve into the Poison/Dragon Pokemon Naganadel.The aforementioned Latios and Latias are September's free gifts as part of the ongoing Year of Legendary Pokemon promotion. The pair are claimable in any seventh-generation Pokemon game, although the one you receive will depend on which version you own. You can read how to get them here. You can also see the other freebies available now in our roundup of all the free Pokemon for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.Info from Gamespot.com

In keeping with series tradition, Devil May Cry 5 features a wide array of stylish, over-the-top weapons with which to dismantle the hordes of the underworld, and now we've gotten our first look at another brand-new one. During a Devil May Cry 5 panel we attended at New York Comic-Con, Capcom revealed the Faust Hat, a new type of weapon that Dante will be able to wield in the game.The company has yet to release footage of the Faust Hat, but it looks like a stylish cowboy hat with eyes. When you equip it, you'll also don a scarf similar to the one worn by Faust in Devil May Cry 4. This scarf is made out of Red Orbs, and its length is determined by the amount you currently have.Capcom says the Faust Hat was designed to present a risk/reward dynamic. Wearing it allows you to fire Red Orbs at enemies from your hands. You'll also be able to throw the hat itself; if you manage to dispatch a foe with it, you'll receive a substantial amount of Red Orbs back. However, throwing the hat at an enemy also "marks" it with its own hat, and if they attack you in return, you'll lose more Red Orbs.Capcom also showed off a number of returning weapons during the panel, many of which feature some new abilities this time around. Among them is the Cerberus, which can transform between ice nunchucks, a fiery bo staff, and a lightning-imbued sansetsukon.Devil May Cry 5 launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on March 8, 2019. The game will release in standard and Deluxe editions, the latter of which comes with a handful of bonus digital content, including alternate costumes and several exclusive weapons. You can read more about each in our Devil May Cry 5 pre-order guide.We recently got to go hands-on with Devil May Cry 5 at Tokyo Game Show and enjoyed many things about the game, although there were some that raised concerns. You can read more impressions of Devil May Cry 5 here.Info from Gamespot.com

Super Show-Down, WWE's Australian PPV has come to a close, but you can check out all the final results below. The Melbourne Cricket Ground held the event, which aired on the WWE Network at 7 PM AET, 2 AM PT, 5 AM ET, and 10 AM BST. The Australian event will have 10 matches over the course of the evening, four of which will be title matches. The main event of the evening will be none other than The Undertaker vs. Triple H, who have had a longstanding rivalry over the course of 20 years in the company. Additionally, Charlotte will get a rematch against Becky Lynch for the Smackdown Women's Championship and Ronda Rousey joins the Bella Twins to take on the Riott Squad.There is no Kickoff Show for the event, so the 5 AM ET start time is when the main card will begin. Check out the match card below, as well as the start times for different time zones.The matches may not happen in the order listed. In case you're not caught up, don't worry; we put the final results in spoiler blocks.Super Show-Down Match CardCedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy (Cruiserweight Championship)Asuka & Naomi vs. The IIconicsThe New Day (c) vs. The Bar (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)Daniel Bryan vs. The MizJohn Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & EliasBecky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (Smackdown Women's Championship)Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs. The Riott SquadAJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyreThe Undertaker vs. Triple HSuper Show-Down Start Times7 PM AET10 AM BST5 AM ET4 AM C2 AM PTMain CardThe New Day (c) vs. The Bar (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)New Day wins by pin at 9:38Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (Smackdown Women's Championship)Charlotte wins by DQ at 10:36. Becky Lynch retains the title.John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & EliasCena pins Elias at 10:02.Asuka & Naomi vs. The IIconicsIIconics win by pin at 5:39.AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)AJ Styles wins by submission at 23:42.Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs. The Riott SquadRousey submits Logan and Morgan at 9:58.Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy (Cruiserweight Championship)Buddy Murphy wins by pin at 10:33.The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyreAmbrose pins Ziggler at 19:35.Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz (Winner faces WWE Champion)Daniel Bryan wins by pin at 2:20.The Undertaker vs. Triple HTriple H wins by pin at 27:35.Info from Gamespot.com

A new trailer for Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery made its debut during New York Comic-Con 2018 and it was packed full of action and a few surprises too. The trailer begins with voice over from Captain Christopher Pike--played by Anson Mount--who has taken over the Discovery following the events of the first season. "Starfleet is a promise," he says. "I give my life for you, you give your life for me. Nobody gets left behind." [Warning] This story contains a small spoiler for Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery.That mantra will no doubt be put to the test, as the rest of the trailer is crammed with scenes of the Discovery and its crew embarking on dangerous missions. The overall mission seems to be to find the source and intent of seven signals that have mysteriously appeared across the galaxy. However, on top of that there's the matter of Spock, who is in need of Discovery's help. The Vulcan genius has had a vision of something he calls "The Red Angel" and, for unknown reasons, main character Michael Burnham has also seen this vision. What it all means remains to be seen.If all that wasn't enough, Michelle Yeoh also makes an appearance, though it's not clear if this is Emperor Georgiou from the first season or an entirely new character. She certainly doesn't look like the Emperor, and in fact it looks like an alien is masquerading as her, which will no doubt lead to some mischief aboard the ship.The remainder of the trailer is made up of quick cuts between the aforementioned action set-pieces, before eventually settling on a character being escorted through Discovery's halls on a gurney. This character turns out to be young Spock, who is rocking some sweet beard and floppy hair look. Spock seems to have made sense of his visions, and understands where they'll take him. You can check out the trailer for yourself above.CBS previously announced that Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 will premiere in January 2019 and will be available to watch on CBS All Access for those in the US, CraveTV in Canada, and Netflix in other territories. In the lead up to its launch there will be four short films called "Short Treks" and the first, which is available now, focused on Sylvia Tilly, Discovery's theoretical engineer. Each of these films will be 10-15 minutes in length, and future episodes are expected to be about Harry Mudd and Saru, among others.The premiere episode of Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 is directed by Alex Kurtzman. During San Diego Comic-Con it was confirmed that Kurtzman has signed a new five-year deal with CBS Television Studios to release several new Star Trek projects. "CBS has also allowed us the great pleasure of reintroducing the world of Star Trek to audiences new and old," he said about the deal. "We are very excited to keep working alongside them to expand that world." One of these new projects will see Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Jean-Luc Picard.Disclosure: CBS is GameSpot's parent company.Info from Gamespot.com

After debuting in November 2017, the Hulu original series Future Man is ready to return and, somehow, get even weirder the second time around. The cast and creative crew of the series came to New York Comic Con 2018 to give fans the first look at the new season, including the world premiere of the first new episode of the show.Rather quickly, it becomes apparent that the future Josh Futterman (Josh Hutcherson) thought he saved in Season 1 is somehow even worse off. Now he's expected to once again save the world with little more skills than being good at video games. Now, though, Futterman has the experience to actually change the timeline… maybe. In the meantime, he will urinate on himself, be constantly humiliated, and simply attempt not to die in horrible ways.After the Season 2 premiere episode was shown, the first trailer for the new episodes was revealed, giving even more of an idea of what's to come. In the new and terrible future, Wolf (Derek Wilson) is married to five people as they raise a child together--which is played as being completely normal in whatever version of reality they've ended up in--while Tiger's (Eliza Coupe) status as a biotic, which was revealed in the Season 1 finale, is going to cause quite a strain on the team. Fans will also be introduced to other Tiger biotics with a variety of personalities, which should prove very entertaining. Additionally, Coupe said in the panel that "my voice is different," when it comes to the alternate Tigers, including one that is rather high-pitched.The main drive of the new season sees the future divided between two groups, one of which wants to relocate half of the future's population to Mars. The other group, meanwhile, simply wants to be left alone. As this is all happening, a group called the Pointed Circle is plotting some kind of attack, which uses Futterman in some kind of key way that will definitely kill him. Unsurprisingly, he's on the run because of this.As for the weird stuff that made Future Man Season 1 so interesting, there's plenty of that to come. Futterman's gigantic penis will make another appearance, while Coupe detailed one particularly bizarre scene she shot for the new episodes. "I have sex to completion with a brain, with my hands," she said. "That was fun to do."There are also a number of new characters coming to the show, several of which have yet to be revealed. However, the trailer shows the arrival of someone named Susan, played by Future Man executive producer Seth Rogen. Info from Gamespot.com

If FIFA 19 on PS4 and Xbox One is a 40-piece orchestra with all the bells and whistles you can think of, then FIFA 19 on Nintendo Switch is the tribute band. The Switch version of EA's footballing behemoth purports to have all the same qualities--the Champions League! Ultimate Team! Career Mode!--but under the surface, each of its many facets lacks the depth and longevity from other versions. On the pitch the Switch port feels relatively smooth, if a little dated, but it's hard to shake off the feeling you're playing an inferior and incomplete version of this year's biggest soccer sim.Some improvements from the PS4 and Xbox One editions carry over to the Switch port, such as timed finishing and the new Kick Off house rules options like No Rules and Survival Mode. Others, such as game plans--or any kind of tactical tweaks or player instructions--do not make the cut.Once you get on the pitch, things feel satisfying--sometimes. Passing still feels imprecise, even with the world's best players, but shooting and dribbling feel almost as good as what's available on other platforms. But this port also seems to pull from older versions of FIFA--many cutscenes and environmental cues like those read out by stadium announcers are from as far back as FIFA 10.Additional problems crop up when you want to play a friend with one Joy-Con each. It works, but not particularly well. As with FIFA 18 on Switch, fewer buttons and sticks means there's no way to use finesse shots, threaded through balls, knuckle shots, manual defending, skill moves, or driven passes. Double-tapping the right bumper allows you to knock the ball ahead of you in a similar fashion to the right stick when playing with traditional controls, but similar workarounds don't exist for the other missing functions. Playing with one Joy-Con is possible but often ends up feeling like more hassle than it's worth. You are, at least, able to matchmake with friends when playing online, which was missing from last year's Switch port.The Champions League license and standalone mode do form a part of the Switch version, complete with Derek Rae's Aberdeen-Atlantic commentary and UEFA's operatic anthem. Night games look impressive on Switch, even if the atmospheres don't quite live up to the sights and sounds of the PS4 and Xbox One editions, in part due to lower resolution. The standalone mode is essentially a stripped-down version of Career Mode, which itself is even more bare-bones on Switch than it is on home consoles this year. On Switch, neither mode contains the dynamic cutscenes or interactive transfer negotiations found on other platforms. Here, FIFA 19 really does feel very similar to 18, just with updated licenses.Ultimate Team has a similar story in this version. FUT is easily FIFA's biggest and most popular mode, thanks in large part to EA's Squad Building Challenges, in-form cards, and more live services that keep things fresh. All those are present and correct on Switch, but the mode is lacking in ways to actually use your squad. Division Rivals, FUT's new sub-mode for this year on PS4 and Xbox One, is nowhere to be found, meaning you have to make do with standard old Online Seasons matches. Squad Battles, the primary method of play for offline players in FUT, is also absent--the more miserly Single Player Seasons are your best bet here. To make matters worse, you still need a constant internet connection to access even Ultimate Team's single-player sections, so playing FUT on the go isn't an option unless you tether your Switch to your phone signal. Oh, and the FIFA 19 companion app is not compatible with Switch versions of the game, so you're out of luck there, too.All that's left is to lament the ongoing absence of The Journey, which of all FIFA's modes appears the best fit for Switch--a deep, offline story playable in small chunks--and yet it's omitted entirely from the port. And that sums up the Switch version of FIFA 19: a playable, competent game of football encased in a package of outdated modes and lacking the controls and features you really want.Info from Gamespot.com

The newest installment in the time-jumping series is Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This one puts you in the boots of a mercenary in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. In several firsts for the series, players can choose between a male or female protagonist, select dialog options, and even seduce NPCs. The game will also see the return of naval warfare, Layla, and--somehow--even Evie. It launched for Xbox One, PS4, and PC on October 5, though some special edition buyers got it earlier.In our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review, Alessandro Fillari wrote, "Assassin's Creed Odyssey's ambition is admirable, which is reflected in its rich attention to detail for the era and its approach to handling the multi-faceted narrative with strong protagonists at the lead. While its large-scale campaign--clocking in at over 50 hours--can occasionally be tiresome, and some features don't quite make the impact they should, Odyssey makes great strides in its massive and dynamic world, and it's a joy to venture out and leave your mark on its ever-changing setting."If you're looking to get a copy but aren't sure which edition to buy, we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a rundown on the numerous editions--from standard to collectors--and bonuses retailers are offering. If you're interested in the PC version, be sure to also check out the recommended specs.Assassin's Creed Odyssey Standard EditionAmazon -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneMicrosoft Store -- $60 -- Xbox OneNewegg -- $50 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $60 -- PS4Steam -- $60 -- PCTarget -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneUbisoft -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCWalmart -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneAssassin's Creed Odyssey Deluxe EditionThis version includes only digital content. with this, you'll get some XP and currency boosts, a couple gear packs--the Kronos and Herald of Dusk featuring armor sets for Alexios and Kassandra--and the Capricornus naval pack." There is a digital and physical version of this.Amazon -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox OneMicrosoft Store -- $80 -- Xbox OneNewegg -- $70 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $80 -- PS4Steam -- $80 -- PCTarget -- $80 -- Xbox OneUbisoft -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCWalmart -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox OneAssassin's Creed Odyssey Gold EditionThis version will include the title's deluxe content, season pass, and three days early access. Early access will begin October 2, 2018. There is a digital version and a physical version with a steelbook case.Amazon -- $110 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $110 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $110 (Physical), $99 (Digital) -- PS4 | Xbox OneMicrosoft Store -- $100 -- Xbox OneNewegg -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $100 -- PS4Steam -- $100 -- PCTarget -- $110 -- PS4 | Xbox OneUbisoft -- $110 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCWalmart -- $110 -- Xbox OneAssassin's Creed Odyssey Ultimate EditionThe Ultimate Edition includes all the content from the Deluxe and Gold Editions of the game.Amazon -- $120 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $120 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $120 -- PS4 | Xbox OneMicrosoft Store -- $120 -- Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $120 -- PS4Steam -- $120 -- PCUbisoft -- $120 -- PCAssassin's Creed Odyssey Kassandra Collectors EditionGameStop will offer its own exclusive Collectors Edition. The Kassandra Collectors Edition includes all the Deluxe and Gold Edition content--bonus content, early access and season pass--a steelbook case, and a 9-inch tall figurine of Kassandra.GameStop -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneAssassin's Creed Odyssey Spartan and Pantheon Collectors EditionsThis collectors edition will come in two different versions--Spartan and Pantheon. Each are nearly identical. The Spartan edition will include just the spartan statue, and the Pantheon Edition will include both the Spartan and Athenian statues to create the Pantheon diorama. Both will include the digital content of the Deluxe Edition and season pass, a steelbook case, 64-page artbook, a lithograph by Hugo Puzzuoli, a map, and soundtrack with select music pieces from the game. Both versions will be exclusively sold through Ubisoft.Ubisoft -- $160 -- Spartan EditionUbisoft -- $220 -- Pantheon EditionCollector's StatuesFor the the true collector, there are three different statues available exclusively from the Ubisoft store. There are two basic figurines of Alexios and Kassandra for $60 each. Alexios' figurine is 32 cm tall, and Kassandra's is 29 cm tall. Purchasing these Alexios and Kassandra figurines together will net you a 10 percent discount.There is also a highly-detailed, premium statue for $750. The premium statue features Alexios on the head of Medusa in the Hero of Sparta armor and the broken spear of Leonidas. This massive statue stands at 68 cm tall.Ubisoft -- $60 -- Alexios figurineUbisoft -- $60 -- Kassandra figurineUbisoft -- $750 -- Legendary Alexios statueInfo from Gamespot.com

SoulCalibur VI, the next installment of Bandai Namco's long-running fighting game series, is set to launch on October 19 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Like the previous games, this one pits weapon-wielding combatants against each other and sees the inclusion of many familiar faces for anyone who's played the previous games--or anyone who's played The Witcher, for that matter.If you're ready to go all-in on SoulCalibur VI, you'll probably want to know about any pre-order bonuses, what comes with each edition of the game, and where you can get it. Below, we've gathered all of the information you need to make an informed pre-order decision. Let's get to it.SoulCalibur VI Pre-Order BonusA few retailer-exclusive pre-order bonuses are available for the game. If you pre-order SoulCalibur VI from Best Buy, you'll receive a free 3.5-inch-tall mini figure of Talim (while supplies last). GameStop, meanwhile, is giving away the Ivy Valentine Figpin seen above. Finally, pre-ordering from the PlayStation Store gets you a free SoulCalibur VI PS4 theme.Standard EditionThe standard edition contains the game itself, plus any applicable pre-order bonuses. The best deal at the time of this writing is at Newegg, where you'll save $10.Amazon -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCMicrosoft Store -- $60 -- Xbox OneNewegg -- $50 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $60 -- PS4Steam -- $60 -- PCTarget -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneDeluxe EditionPhysical versions of the deluxe edition come with the season pass, the soundtrack on CD, and a metal case with a built-in soundbox that can play four voiceover snippets. Digital versions cost $10 less but only contain the game and season pass.Amazon -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OneBest Buy -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OneMicrosoft Store -- $90 -- Xbox One (digital version)Newegg -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $90 -- PS4 (digital version)Steam -- $90 -- PC (digital version)Target -- $100 -- PS4 | Xbox OneCollector's EditionThe $150 collector's edition comes with even more items. You'll get everything included in the deluxe edition, plus a 120-page art book and a 12-inch collectible Sophitia figure, all packaged in a long collector's edition box.Amazon -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneBest Buy -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneNewegg -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneTarget -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneInfo from Gamespot.com

If you're a Switch owner who enjoys multiplayer games, there's a good chance you have your eye on Super Mario Party. The game launched on October 5, and you can read our Super Mario Party review to help decide whether to buy it. It's a four-player digital board game that comes with 80 mini-games you'll get to play as your characters advance across the onscreen game board. The mini-games have you use the Joy-Cons in creative ways, often involving motion controls.The mini-games come in a number of varieties. Some are free-for-alls, in which all players compete against each other. Some are two-on-two, so you'll have to team up with one opponent to clobber the others. Other mini-games pit three players against one for asymmetrical multiplayer madness. And for the first time in the series, some of the mini-games will let you go online to play against other players around the world.Super Mario Party also comes with Toad's Rec Room, a set of four mini-games designed to be played when you have two Switches on hand. You and your friends can remove the Joy-Cons from both Switches and put the two screens together to form one bigger play area. One of the Rec Room mini-games is a banana puzzle that times how quickly you can rotate the screens to create a single image. Another has each player control a tank in a level whose layout and shape is determined by how you decide to place the Switch screens side-by-side.If you're ready to pre-order Super Mario Party, here's the information you'll need to get the best deal.Buy Super Mario PartyNintendo is doing a no-frills launch for Super Mario Party, so it only comes in a single edition, with no physical or digital extras to go with it. You'll get the best deal at Newegg, where you can save a whopping $2 compared to other retailers. Hey, that's enough to get something from the dollar menu.Amazon -- $60Best Buy -- $60GameStop -- $60Newegg -- $58Nintendo Eshop -- $60Target -- $60Walmart -- $60 Info from Gamespot.com

Starlink: Battle For Atlas is gearing up to launch on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on October 16. This game lets you pilot a space ship through a massive solar system, landing on and exploring seven varied planets aswarm with enemies. The game itself is like a family-friendly No Man's Sky mixed with Star Fox (in fact, the Switch version even has a Star Fox crossover). It also features a whole toys-to-life aspect that lets you change out parts of your in-game ship just by swapping pieces of a toy line that launches alongside the game.If you're ready to pre-order Starlink: Battle for Atlas, you may have a few questions about how it all works and what you need to buy. You can relax and read on because we have you covered below.Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter EditionThe starter edition of Starlink: Battle for Atlas comes with everything you need to play the game. You get a ship, a controller mount, a pilot, three weapons, and a poster.The game is also available from digital stores in both standard and deluxe editions. These versions don't come with any accompanying toys, but they're still fully playable because you can swap out pilots and ship parts from an in-game menu. The deluxe edition comes with digital versions of all of the ships, pilots, and weapons.Amazon -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchBest Buy -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchGameStop -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchNewegg -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchTarget -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchWalmart -- $75 -- PS4 | Xbox One | SwitchMicrosoft StoreDigital Edition -- $60Digital Deluxe Edition -- $80Nintendo EshopDigital Edition -- $60PlayStation StoreDigital Edition -- $60Digital Deluxe Edition -- $80Starship PacksEach starship pack costs $25 and comes with a ship, a pilot, and a weapon. The packs aren't console-specific, so they'll work with any version of the game.Lance Starship PackNadir Starship PackNeptune Starship PackPulse Starship PackWeapon PacksEach weapon pack costs $10 and comes with two additional weapons you can switch out at any time while playing the game.Crusher Weapon PackHailstorm Weapon PackIron Fist Weapon PackShockwave Weapon PackPilot PacksPilot packs cost $8 each contain one pilot. Every pilot has a unique ability in the game.Eli Arborwood Pilot PackKharl Zeon Pilot PackLevi McCray Pilot PackRazor Lemay Pilot PackCo-op PacksCo-op packs are just controller mounts you can clip onto second controller to play with another person locally. They each cost $20, and all ships, weapons, and pilots are sold separately.Nintendo Switch Co-op PackPlayStation 4 Co-op PackXbox One Co-op PackInfo from Gamespot.com

The week is slowly coming to an end, which means your chance to get this week's PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch game deals at Best Buy is running out. Let's take a look at the biggest games to get temporary price drops this week. You might find a deal that's too good to pass up.Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launches October 12, but pre-ordering it gets you a $10 reward certificate. Select stores are planning midnight openings to let fans pick up their copy when it launches; you can see if there's one near you here. Previous games in the series are on sale this week, including Black Ops 3 Zombies Chronicles Edition for $25 and WWII Gold Edition for $30.Sports fans can save $15 if they purchase Madden NFL 19 and FIFA 19 together. If you want to save some cash by playing last year's football game, you can pick up Madden NFL 18 for just $15. Also on sale for $15 is Mass Effect Andromeda.A few special DualShock 4 PS4 controllers are available this week for $65 each, including the 500 Million Limited Edition, Berry Blue, and Sunset Orange models. If you're in the market for a headset, you can save $15 on a Turtle Beach Stealth 600 for Xbox One. And if you buy any console headset, you'll save $10 on a three-month Xbox Live Gold subscription.Other games on sale this week include Overwatch Game of the Year Edition and Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition for $30 each. Battlefield 1 Revolution, which comes with all of the expansions, is on sale for just $20, as are Middle-earth: Shadow of War and the racing game Redout Lightspeed Edition.You can find more video game deals below, or check out the full list in Best Buy's weekly ad.Battlefield 1 Revolution -- $20Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies Chronicles Edition -- $25Call of Duty: WWII Gold Edition -- $30Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy -- $20Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition -- $30Fire Emblem Echoes -- $35Fire Emblem Warriors -- $50Madden NFL 18 -- $15Mass Effect Andromeda -- $15Middle-earth: Shadow of War -- $20Overwatch GotY Edition -- $30Redout Lightspeed Edition -- $20Info from Gamespot.com

George R.R. Martin's struck ratings gold with Game of Thrones, and Syfy has now announced its plans for his next series, Nightflyers. The sci-fi thriller will get its 10-episode first season in December, but on top of the traditional TV air dates, Syfy will also be releasing all of the episodes to stream online for a limited time.Collider reports that when the series premieres on Sunday, December 2, the first five episodes will also become available across Syfy's streaming platforms. Those will only be available through Thursday, December 6, and then the second half of the season will stream between December 9-13.Nightflyers revolves around a team of scientists venturing into deep space along with a telepath with the hopes of contacting alien life. Of course, everything goes very severely wrong and starts to pit them against each other, testing their resolve and their sanity. The ensemble cast includes Eoin Macken, David Ajala, Gretchen Mol, Jodie Turner-Smith, Angus Sampson, Sam Strike, Maya Eshet, and Brían F. O’Byrne.Meanwhile, Martin's other series is preparing to wrap up for good, as Game of Thrones' eighth and final season is set to premiere sometime next year. That definitely won't be the last we hear of Westeros, though, as HBO is keen on keeping it going with spin-offs, sequels, and prequels.Info from Gamespot.com

It's a new week, which means a whole new set of digital Xbox One games is on sale on the Microsoft Store. Most of the deals this week are on indie games, thanks to the Pixel Art Perfection sale that's running alongside the usual Spotlight and Deals with Gold sales. Let's take a look at what games you can save money on between now and October 8.The best deal of the week won't cost you anything: In an effort to drum up excitement for next month's release of Battlefield V, Battlefield 1 owners can pick up the In the Name of the Tsar and They Shall Not Pass expansions for free. Another expansion that's on sale is Overcooked - The Lost Morsel--a particularly good buy if you grabbed Overcooked from October's Games With Gold and want more cooking craziness.Also on sale is Destiny 2's Expansion Pass, which gives you both year-one expansions. You'll need those if you already own vanilla Destiny 2 and want to upgrade to Forsaken. Another blockbuster title that's on sale this week is Star Wars Battlefront II, which you can grab for $10 / £11.25. Star Wars Battlefront: Ultimate Edition is also on sale for $4.50 / £5.25.Now for the indie games. Dead Cells has been getting a lot of buzz ever since its console release in August; it's on sale for $20 / £16. Samus won't be coming to Xbox anytime soon, but the Metroid-inspired game Axiom Verge is on sale this week for half off. You can also test your platforming reflexes with Slime-san: Superslime Edition for $10 / £8 or pick up the story-based game Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition for the low price of $3 / £2.40.You'll find more picks below, and you can check out the full list of games on sale over on Major Nelson's blog.GamesAxiom Verge -- $10 / £8Dandara -- $9 / £7Dead Cells -- $20 / £16The Escapists 2 -- $11 / £11Hyper Light Drifter -- $10 / £8Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition -- $11 / £9Owlboy -- $15 / £12Punch Club -- $5 / £4Serial Cleaner -- $4.50 / £3.60Slime-san: Superslime Edition -- $10 / £8Stardew Valley -- $12 / £9Star Wars Battlefront: Ultimate Edition -- $4.50 / £5.25Star Wars Battlefront II -- $10 / £11.25Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition -- $3 / £2.40Torment: Tides of Numenera -- $15 / £12Add-OnsBattlefield 1 - In the Name of the Tsar -- FreeBattlefield 1 - They Shall Not Pass -- FreeDestiny 2 - Expansion Pass -- $10 / £9Overcooked - The Lost Morsel -- $1.65 / £1.32Info from Gamespot.com

In addition to the PlayStation Store's standard weekly PS4 game sale, Electronic Arts is having a publisher sale on the digital store this week. That means you'll find lots of PS4 games to pick up for cheap between now and October 9. And as usual, if you're a PlayStation Plus member, you'll get a bonus discount on some of the items. Let's look at a few of the highlights.If you like games from the '90s--or good games in general--you can get a pre-order discount on Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood. This spooky bundle launches October 26, but you'll save 15% if you lock down your copy right now (PS Plus members save 20%). Sports fans can also get a massive discount on NBA Live 19: The One Edition, which is 50% or 60% off, depending on your PS Plus status.If you're looking to spend as little as possible, you'll find a number of games on sale for under $10 each this week. Racing fans can pick up Need for Speed and Need for Speed Rivals for $7 apiece. The gorgeous platformer Fe and the open-world parkour game Mirror's Edge Catalyst are both on sale for the same price. Other cheap games include Peggle 2 Magical Masters Edition for $4.50 and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 for $6.The Sims 4 is down to $30, with many of its expansions seeing similar price cuts. RPG enthusiasts can grab Mass Effect: Andromeda for $10.50 and Dragon Age: Inquisition - GotY Edition for $13 this week. If you've missed out on the recent shooters from a galaxy far away, you can pick up Star Wars Battlefield Ultimate Edition for $9 and Star Wars Battlefront II for $14.You'll find more discounts below, and you can see the full list of sale items here.Absolver -- $15Battlefield 1 -- $10Battlefield 1 Revolution -- $18Burnout Paradise Remastered -- $12Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood -- $17Dragon Age: Inquisition - GotY Edition -- $13Fe -- $7Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition -- $12Mass Effect: Andromeda -- $10.50Mirror's Edge Catalyst -- $7NBA Live 19: The One Edition -- $30Need for Speed -- $7Need for Speed Payback -- $16Need for Speed Rivals -- $7Peggle 2 Magical Masters Edition -- $4.50Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 -- $6The Sims 4 -- $30Star Wars Battlefield Ultimate Edition -- $9Star Wars Battlefront II -- $14Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition -- $12Unravel -- $12Unravel Two -- $12Info from Gamespot.com