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Weekend

A review of the Switch 2 as much as you can review a new console after a weekend in its company

by admin June 9, 2025

For years, the rule in Hollywood was pretty simple: familiarity but with a twist. Cheers, but it’s in a coffee shop, and everyone’s in their twenties. Lost, but it’s in LA with Joseph Fiennes. Sure, this didn’t always work – I still think fondly of you, FlashForward – but it worked a lot of the time. Crucially, it was easy to grasp why it should work. We love formulas, and we love gentle variations on the formula to keep us guessing, to keep us nimble. But at the heart of it there’s familiarity, and familiarity is a very, very lovely thing in the right circumstances.

This is Switch 2, then. And it’s also my experience of having the new console for a weekend. There are lots of things I am deeply, pleasantly familiar with, and lots of little tweaks within that familiarity – some of them surprisingly consequential. Top line: I love this console a little bit. I’m glad it’s here.

And it’s a lovely thing in the hands – larger and, it feels, slightly sleeker than the Switch. And that beautiful glossy screen makes its older sibling look a bit pokey, just as the Switch once made me return to the Vita and say, really? It was that small? And with the border? Just as the Vita once made me go back to the PSP and say…

Here’s the launch trailer for Switch 2.Watch on YouTube

You get what I mean. But it’s still dazzling. So bright and sharp and large, such colours and such lovely smoothness. The same but slightly different, ditto the Joy-Con, which now snap into place with a lovely magnetic thunk, and which are now removed with a bumpy trigger thing that still feels a little nerve-wracking each time I do it.

(Breaking sequence here to talk a little more about those Joy-Con, because they can now have their buttons remapped with layouts saved for individual games. You’ll find this under Accessibility on the System Settings menu, alongside a bunch of other welcome additions, like the ability to change text size, bold text, switch to high contrast mode, zoom in, change display colours, switch to mono audio, and enable text-to-speech.)

Remapping Joy-Con buttons. | Image credit: NIntendo

Once the machine is on – system transfer has definitely taken cues from Apple; I’ve done it for two Switch 2s now and it worked fine both times – the UI is very familiar, the pops and clicks and squeaks and pips as you strobe through the options are as pleasant as ever, and the meager on-board storage space proved to be slightly less meager than I thought. I got quite a bunch of games downloaded on it, and the only awkward moment was when I was then prying the astonishingly thin Micro SD Express I’d bought out of its plastic wrapper, certain that I had just bent something that cost me fifty quid. (This said, I now realise I had filled up the on-board memory in about thirty minutes, so maybe I’m being a bit generous with how chirpy I am here.)

With that out of the way, I spent a surprisingly long time just playing games I was already familiar with, because I had carried them across from the original Switch. A few thoughts here. The first is that, for whatever reason, the Switch has become home to a bunch of games that I’m never really finished with – Into the Breach, Outer Wilds, various Marios. I can’t get to the bottom of these games, and so it’s lovely to see them ported across painlessly so the fun can continue.

Image credit: Adamgryu

Image credit: Nintendo
A Short Hike and Tetris DX.

Secondly, the Nintendo Online offering has quietly become an absolutely stellar offer. Within minutes of firing the Switch 2 up I had played Tetris DX and ESWAT – I know, the heart wants what it wants. And I had experienced an absolute flood of melancholy nostalgia once I fired up The Wind Waker. It is wild to me that the GameCube is now a retro console of the kind that comes bundled in the Nintendo Online sub. Surely it was only two years ago that my friend Stu and I queued up on Oxford Street to see Miyamoto at the big HMV. Actually, no it was 22 years ago. But it doesn’t matter. The Wind Waker has not aged a day. I could spend a month with my new console just poking around these familiar islands and I’d be very happy.

As for new games, it’s not exactly a SNES-beating line-up, but the stuff I have played over the last two days is pretty lovely. For one thing, the two recent blockbuster Zeldas feel all but new again thanks to upgrades that can either be bought outright or are included in the premium Online sub. I have a proper piece on this on the way, but a quick dive into the Depths on Tears of the Kingdom revealed a game that was quietly transformed. The graininess had gone. The edges were sharp. I’m very happy to be finishing this generally unfinishable game with such a lovely refreshed version.

Elsewhere – and there’s a piece coming on this too – Cyberpunk feels like both a marvel and something that’s slightly – just slightly – shaky once you get into firefights. I’ve missed out on this game completely until now, and I’m looking forward to properly getting into it, even though it will always feel slightly out of place on Nintendo.

Image credit: Nintendo

Image credit: CD Project Red
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Cyberpunk 2077.

Onto the biggie. Mario Kart World. I’ve, perhaps foolishly, shared my thoughts on why I absolutely shouldn’t be sharing my thoughts on a new Mario Kart, but here in the context of the system itself the real winner in Mario Kart World is GameChat – which isn’t really Mario Kart’s win but Nintendo’s. Switch 2’s big launch game is a perfect match for Nintendo’s new social tool, in ways that I hadn’t anticipated. Free Roam is key, a mode devoid of any real direction and also semi-hidden on the game’s main menu. Hang out with friends here, though, and it’s the perfect backdrop to a much-needed catch-up. “How is the family? And did you see that P button next to the buffalo that’s just headbutted you into a central reservation?”

Image credit: Nintendo

I didn’t expect this. And I appreciate that the Switch 2 is already pricey, and to hide this stuff behind a paywall (GameChat is free until 31st March 2026, but online play outside of F2P games does require a paid sub) is a bit naff and money-grabbing. Just as I appreciate that the launch line-up is thin outside of Mario Kart and that the basics of how the console works are pretty much known. I appreciate the battery life could be a lot better – it can work its way down very quickly. Even the stuff like the new mouse mode can feel a bit weird and undercooked. (Certainly don’t operate it by using it on your leg like I do if you have a fondness for wearing corduroy jeans like I also do.)

All of that, and yet I’m two days in and I’m still very excited. A new Nintendo console, with a bunch of games I already love, and a bunch of little things that may change the way I play and connect with old friends. And the promise, of course, of new things to come.

A Switch 2 console, launch games, and a smattering of peripherals were provided by Nintendo.

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June 9, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Summer Game Fest releases hype trailer ahead of weekend of reveals

by admin June 3, 2025

A new trailer has been released for Summer Game Fest ahead of the event this Friday. This montage of big releases – some already playable, others highly anticipated – is clearly a tone setter for the annual gaming showcase, set to kick off a weekend of new trailers and reveals.

Some notable titles featured in this sizzle reel include Death Stranding 2, Dune Awakening, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, and Mafia: The Old Country. Marathon will also be making an appearance too, its first since an art plagiarism scandal reportedly left morale at Bungie in “free fall”.

As for representation from games you can just go out and buy right now, you’ve got titles like Doom: The Dark Ages, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. It’s unclear as of yet what sort of presence these games will have at the show, but one can assume smaller updates, post-launch content, and so on.

Summer Game Fest: Geoff’s Hype TrailerWatch on YouTube

Indeed many of the games briefly shown off in this new trailer will likely be making some manner of appearance at the show. We know of course that Death Stranding 2 is getting its own premiere separate from the main Summer Game Fest stage on June 8, and thanks to a recent Twitter post by Summer Game Fest founder and host Geoff Keighley we know 2K will be there, hopefully with Mafia in hand.

Of course that same tweet does point towards other big studios that surely will be dropping something exciting during the weekend. Studios like Bandai Namco, Capcom, Digital Extremes, Embark and far more have logos proudly spread across official Summer Game Fest material.

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So, it’s safe to say it’ll be a must-watch for those keen to find out what these developers have been cooking up. You can find out when and where to watch all the different streams that make up Summer Game Fest here. That is, if you don’t mind a few late nights.

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June 3, 2025 0 comments

Elden Ring Nightreign gets a pre-day one patch to deliver some cheeky last minute build tweaking before your first steps in Limveld, and offer advice on some PC issues

Game Updates

Elden Ring Nightreign players spent the weekend battling the game’s online quirks, and its many baffling omissions

by admin June 2, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign is here, and after selling 2 million copies in its first day and becoming developer FromSoftware’s second-biggest launch on Steam, the dust is starting to settle, giving rise to thousands of player impressions.

This is the studio’s first multiplayer, co-op only title, so there were bound to be teething issues, but what many didn’t count on is just how outdated – and often confusing – many aspects of the game are.

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This all started with the whole discussion about the lack of single-player, as well as duos support. In the first instance, FromSoftware is actually going to implement a few changes in a patch set to arrive this week that should make things a bit more manageable for solo players. Though no official duos support has been announced, modders already have solutions.

Away from all that, playing the game the way it was intended exposes a host of problems players haven’t had to contend with in years, not to mention a lot of missing features that have become the standard in the last decade in online games.

Each character in the game has their own quest, which players need to do if they want to grow that particular character. Players quickly discovered, however, that when you start a quest, you’re placed into a matchmaking pool with other players who are also doing their quests.

This sounds good in theory, but the problem is that matchmaking takes a lot longer when you want the next Expedition to be the one where you do your character quest. The game does not communicate this clearly to players, but even in the run itself, it’s hard for other players on the team to realise that one team has a quest that they’re going for.

You can always try to attempt those quest runs solo, but as we’ve established, Nightreign is not kind to solo players. There’s also an issue that players have run into where they’d sometimes finish the quest, but not get the quest item needed to advance to the next step. The running theory is that when multiple members of the team want the same item, only one of them will be able to get it.

A miasma of troubles. | Image credit: FromSoftware

Players also have various problems with the lack of basic features most modern multiplayer games offer. There’s no option to abandon a run as a full team, for instance. No way to vote to end a run early, or really any way to leave outside of, well, quitting.

Unfortunately, quitting before the Expedition is finished comes with its own penalties, something that was likely added as a way to disincentivise players from dropping out and abandoning their teammates.

Even setting aside the fact that, in this style of roguelite game, bad runs are inevitable, there’s also the issue of the way the game announces server-wide maintenance – or more accurately, how it does not.

The start screen does not currently indicate when maintenance is about to start in order to warn players not to jump into an Expedition. While the game will flash that warning 10 minutes ahead of time for players, it only shows up fpr those already in the middle of a run, meaning they either need to get as much as they can done, or leave. And, as we just explained, there is no option to gracefully end the run.

These and a few others are all issues that really hamper the experience for many, especially those used to more modern, non-FromSoft games. If you’re pushing through regardless, our Elden Ring Nightreign guide will make for a faithful companion. We recently ranked all Nightlords in the game, and published a Revenant build guide.

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June 2, 2025 0 comments

A surprised looking person wearing armor in Oblivion Remastered

Gaming Gear

All the The Elder Scrolls games are up to 75% off in Bethesda’s weekend sale, with 20% off Oblivion Remastered

by admin May 31, 2025

Short of The Elder Scrolls 6 actually coming out, there’s never been a better time to be an Elder Scrolls fan. Oblivion Remastered is rekindling the love for Bethesda’s most lovably janky Elder Scrolls game, while mod projects like Tamriel Rebuilt and Skyblivion are either releasing massive new updates or are rapidly approaching completion. Now, there’s a chance to pick up any bits of Elder Scrolls history you’ve missed for a discount, as Bethesda has put the whole dang series on sale.

The most notable deal here is for Oblivion Remastered itself, which is 20% off at $40/£40. While not an enormous discount, it’s a decent chunk when you consider how long it’s been since launch, and how successful the overhaul has been. Certainly, it’s the cheapest the game has ever been, a better discount than Fanatical’s launch day sale which brought the price down to $41.50.

The biggest discounts are on Skyrim Special Edition, two different versions of Oblivion Game of the Year Edition, and the Elder Scrolls Online, all of which are 75% off. Oblivion GOTY is the cheapest of the bunch, down to $3.74 (£3.24). If you get the ‘Deluxe’ version (which includes the two expansions plus various smaller DLC), that brings the price up slightly to $5 (£4). The Elder Scrolls Online is also $5 (£4), which nets you the base game plus its Morrowind chapter. TESO’s come a long way since its launch days, so this might be the best overall deal of the bunch.

Get A Trio Of Microsoft License Keys For As Low As $10 This Weekend

by admin May 26, 2025

PC users can save big on a handful of Microsoft lifetime licenses throughout Memorial Day weekend. StackSocial has deals on pricey productivity apps, including Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 and Project Professional 2021, which can be purchased for $12 each with promo code WINDOWS. The promo code also works with Windows 11 Home. If you are planning on building a computer in the near future, StackSocial’s Windows license deal lets you get the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system for just $10. The promo code will only work until May 27.

StackSocial is a Microsoft Verified Partner, so you can be sure that you are getting legitimate licenses. Project and Windows 11 license keys can be activated within 30 days, but your copy of Visio must be redeemed within seven days.

All three offers are discounted to $15 without the promo code. Once you enter promo code WINDOWS after adding the deals to your cart, the price will drop to $10. However, Visio and Project each have a $2 “handling fee,” so you’ll ultimately pay $12/each for those two licenses. Windows 11 Home isn’t subject to a handling fee.

$12 with promo code WINDOWS

Microsoft Project is a project management app similar to tools like Asana or Trello. It includes pre-built sample projects, tools for visualizing schedule timelines, and even a built-in timesheet submission form, among many other features.

$12 with promo code WINDOWS

Microsoft Visio is a brainstorming and diagramming software used to create charts, graphs, and other data visualizations like architectural layouts. It comes with dozens of templates for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, and more, and it can import data from other Microsoft programs like Excel, Exchange, and Entra ID to automatically create charts and diagrams.

Note: A version of Visio is included with Microsoft 365; Project is not part of Microsoft’s subscription productivity suite.

More Microsoft License Deals

Beyond those three deals, StackSocial is offering steep discounts on Microsoft Office 2019, Visual Studio Professional 2022, and a few other licenses.

All of the deals listed below are for lifetime licenses. We’ve noted the activation window for each one after the price. The prices listed below include handling fees (if applicable).

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May 26, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Dogecoin, Cardano’s ADA, XRP Fall 7% in Weekend Bloodbath

by admin May 25, 2025

The crypto market turned red over the weekend, with Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano’s ADA, and XRP each dropping over 7% as profit-taking set in after a strong week.

Bitcoin fell from a daily high of $111,200 to just over $107,000 on Friday, causing a swift change in sentiment. The drop came as President Donald Trump revived fears of a tariff war with the European Union — threatening a 50% levy as talks were “going nowhere.”

Market cap shed 5% and the broad-based CoinDesk 20 (CD20), a liquid index tracking the largest tokens, fell 2.2% as traders moved to lock in gains amid rising volatility.

The move comes despite bitcoin touching fresh highs above $111,500 just days earlier, with ETF inflows, stablecoin legislation, and institutional buying supporting its rally. But those same tailwinds haven’t kept altcoins afloat in the short term.

“Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high also carries altcoins toward a bullish direction,” said Haiyang Ru, co-CEO of HashKey Group, said in a Telegram message. “But if BTC’s volatility picks up again, traders may rotate into regulated stablecoins — especially with new frameworks in the U.S. and Hong Kong easing that transition.”

Alex Kuptsikevich, chief analyst at FxPro, crypto sentiment recently hit levels last seen in January, just as BTC and ETH reached critical resistance zones. “Unlike previous BTCUSD rallies, the current movement is not just momentum-driven but backed by real demand and macro factors,” he noted.

Still, markets are showing signs of fatigue. Ethereum is struggling to break past its 200-day moving average near $2,650, while altcoins that previously surged — such as HYPE and EIGEN — are now cooling off after double-digit gains.

Analysts warn that if BTC doesn’t establish a new support zone, altcoin losses could deepen.

For now, the weekend pullback displays the fragility of rallies in low-liquidity conditions and the speed at which sentiment can turn.

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May 25, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

9 Great Switch Games Are Up to 80 Percent Off This Weekend

by admin May 23, 2025

Image: Nintendo / CD Projekt Red / Kotaku

Memorial Day weekend invites important questions like what to marinate the kebobs in, whether it’s warm enough to put the pool up or not, and which new game you should buy while continuing to ignore your backlog. The Switch eShop currently has a few sales running that are worth a quick peek while waiting for the 45 minutes of coming attractions ahead of Mission Impossible 8 to end.

Fallout Season 2 Teaser Confirms Lucy and Ghoul are Heading to New Vegas

If you’re looking at physical Switch games, there are a few good deals going around at the moment. Advance Wars 1 and 2 Re-Boot Camp is currently just $30 at GameStop (half off) while Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is just $40 (33 percent off) at Amazon. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Catherine: Full Body, and Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster are all heavily discounted as well at VGP.

Meanwhile, in the digital world of the eShop, the following games are all great and pretty cheap right now:

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown – $20 (50 percent off)
It Takes Two – $20 (50 percent off)
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU – $8 (60 percent off)
Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe – $20 (71 percent off)
Dead Cells – $12.50 (50 percent off)
Penny’s Big Breakaway – $15 (50 percent off)
Doom 2016 – $4 (80 percent off)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition – $15 (75 percent off)
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition – $8 (80 percent off)

The Witcher 3 port is just short of ugly on Switch, but if you have no other way to play the grim fantasy RPG it’s well worth picking up, especially on the game’s 10th anniversary. Doom 2016 runs and looks better, and should help sate the urge to rip and tear for Nintendo fans who can’t access Doom: The Dark Ages. If you just want a fun, colorful throwback to pass the time, my suggestion is Penny’s Big Breakaway, one of last year’s great unsung Dreamcast 3D platformer homages.

There are two other Switch games that are only slightly on sale but might be of interest. The Chrono Trigger-like Sea of Stars is currently $22.75 (around 30 percent off), but just got a big free Throes of the Watchmaker DLC that adds a new eight-hour quest, additional character, and more classes. Labyrinth of the Demon King, meanwhile, is a lo-fi horror dungeon crawler that just came out last week and is already turning heads. It’s $16 this week (20 percent off). If you’re interested in what might end up on the list of 2025’s most overlooked games, I’d give this one a shot.

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May 23, 2025 0 comments

BO6 season 1 operators from the BlackCell battle pas

Esports

When is the next double XP weekend in Black Ops 6?

by admin May 23, 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 turns back the clock with classic Prestige mode, where XP and leveling up fast are more important than ever. And that means double XP weekends are key.

The harsh reality of classic Prestige sets in once you enter, and everything gets reset to level one. It’s a bummer each time it happens, but that just means it’s time to have fun unlocking everything all over again in the latest CoD.

The fun settles down once you realize you’re missing your loadouts and weapons, so it’s time to level up as fast as possible. Thankfully, double XP weekends in BO6 are a thing, and they’re the perfect time to maximize your XP gains and burn through a Prestige over the course of a few days with lots of gaming.

Here’s when the next double XP weekend is in BO6 so you can plan accordingly.

Next BO6 double XP weekend

Double your XP, double your fun. Image via Activision

Call of Duty’s double XP weekends happen every so often throughout the year. They usually take place during holidays, after the release of new content, and towards the end of seasons, whenever the XP grind is most important as players aim to finish their battle passes.

The next double XP weekend starts on Friday, May 23, at 11am CT, and is likely to end on Monday, May 26 at the same time. The event features double XP (player level) and double weapon XP for a few days.

A double XP weekend is coming soon. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Even though double XP weekends are only a few short days whenever they are live, make sure not to burn yourself out on the CoD grind. Another double XP weekend should be coming shortly, so pace yourself and have fun while you can.

Remember, no double XP weekend is worth it if you don’t have the will or desire to play. Prestige Master will come in due time.

Double XP start and end times

Double XP weekends begin at 9am PT / 11am CT / 12pm ET / 4pm GMT on a Thursday or Friday, then coming to an end on the following Monday at the same times. However, double XP weekends are often extended, particularly if there are server issues.

The double XP event beginning on May 23 lines up perfectly with the final weekend of CoD season three—so it’s a great time to grind your Prestige, level up your weapons, and earn the remaining unlocked items in your battle pass before heading into season four.

Best XP farm in BO6 double XP

Get the job done, double time. Image via Activision

Double XP weekends are the best time to play BO6 to make the grind through Prestige levels much faster, but twice the XP is only the start. There are other ways to maximize your XP gains during these special weekends, like these:

Spam tacticals like concussion, flash, and decoy grenades, along with Scorestreaks like UAV and Counter-UAV, for extra assists and points.
Use Dispatcher and Bank Roll perks for easy Scorestreaks and better score.
Save up Mastery Badges to unlock during double XP.
Play small maps and fast-paced respawn modes (Face Off, Stakeout 24/7, etc.)
For less effort, zone out and casually play Zombies for XP.
Complete daily challenges every day that double XP is live.

For more information on how to rank up quickly in BO6, check out our guide on the fastest way to level up.

Black Ops 6 double XP weekend schedule

DatesHighlightsNov. 1 to 5Nuketown 24/7 Nov. 27 to Dec. 2Prop Hunt, Stakeout 24/7, Hardcore Stakeout 24/7, Double GobbleGums in ZombiesDec. 13 to 16Double XP, double weapon XP, double battle pass XP, and double GobbleGum earn rateDec. 25 to Jan. 3Double XP and double weapon XPJan. 17 to 20Double XP, double weapon XP, double battle pass XP, double GobbleGums in ZombiesFeb. 6 to 12The Terminator event, Gun Game, War Machine Scorestreak, double XP, double weapon XP (extended 48 hours)Feb. 14 to 17Shadow Hunt event, Double XP, double weapon XP, double battle pass XP, and double GobbleGum earn rateMarch 28 to April 2Double XP, double weapon XP, double battle pass XP, and double GobbleGum earn rateApril 4 to 8Double XP and double weapon XPMay 8 to 12Double XP and double weapon XPMay 15 to May 19Double battle pass XPMay 23 to May 26Double XP and double weapon XP

This article will be updated whenever the next double XP weekend is announced for BO6.

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May 23, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Memorial Day Tech Deals Live: Best savings this holiday weekend

by admin May 23, 2025

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2025-05-23T16:08:05.147Z

Our favorite gaming monitor is now $259

(Image credit: Future)

Dell’s 32–inch, S3222DGM has long been at the top of our list of the best gaming monitors overall, thanks to its epic 3700:1 contrast ratio, 165 Hz refresh rate and sharp, 2560 x 1440 resolution. Sure, there are fancier monitors than this curved display, but none that fall within its very affordable price range.

Now, the S3222DGM is on sale for just $259 at Best Buy as part of the store’s Memorial Day tech deals. That’s a nice discount off of its $329 typical price and easy for almost anyone to afford.

When we reviewed the Dell S3222DGM in 2022, we were really impressed with its combination of vibrant images and tear-free gaming. “There is nothing better than a high-contrast VA panel, and the Dell S3222DGM is one of the best I’ve seen,” Contributing Editor Christian Eberle wrote. “It strikes a rare balance between gaming performance and image quality.”

In our tests, the monitor showed a contrast ratio of 3,718:1, which even beats other VA monitors we tested and it absolutely destroys IPS monitors, which usually can’t even hit 1000:1.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

According to our colorimeter, the Dell S3222DGM can reproduce a strong 122.6 percent of the sRGB gamut and 85.9 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut. The color quality also stands out because of the high contrast ratio. Those bright colors will look extra bright when the dark pixels next to them look really dark.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The monitor also has excellent build quality and comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.2 port and a 3.5mm audio jack.

2025-05-23T14:47:07.877Z

Snag a 13-inch MacBook Air for $899 and up

(Image credit: Future)

If you like Mac laptops, but not breaking the bank to get one to get one, now is a great time to act. In honor of Memorial Day, Amazon is selling the 2025 MacBook Air with M4 CPU, 16GB of RAM and your choice of SSD depending on the price.

A config with a 256GB SSD, which is pretty sparse but you can make it work if you need to, is just $899. The same config, but with a 512GB SSD goes for $1,099.

When we reviewed the MacBook Air back in March, we had our hands on the 15-inch version of the model, which had the same M4 chip with 16GB of RAM. Overall, we found it nearly matching the speeds of the MacBook Pro and exceeding Intel-powered laptops like the Lenovo Y oga Slim 7i and Dell XPS 13.

(Image credit: Future)

You can expect similar performance from the 13-inch MacBook Air that’s on sale, but in a smaller form factor. The 15-inch Air weighs just 3.3 pounds but the 13-inch model tips the scales at just 2.7 pounds.

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May 23, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

3 great free movies to stream this weekend (May 23-25)

by admin May 23, 2025

Death still has friends at the theater. Final Destination Bloodlines, the franchise’s first entry since 2011, ruled the box office with a $51 million domestic opening. Thanks to good reviews and an impressive box office, expect more Final Destinations for years to come.

This weekend, Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning are the two biggest attractions for Memorial Day. If you can’t make it to the theater, there are plenty of free options on FAST services. One of our recommendations is Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol. Our other two picks involve basketball and college parties.

We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

Hoosiers (1986)

The NBA playoffs are in full swing. The unpredictability of the games means upsets are bound to happen. One of the greatest basketball upsets at the high school level is dramatized in Hoosiers. The late Gene Hackman stars as Norman Dale, a college coach who flamed out and gets to coach basketball again at Hickory High School.

The small Indiana town loves its basketball team but hates Coach Dale, who implements drastic disciplinarian measures in his coaching methods. However, Dale’s coaching and the return of star player Jimmy Chitwood (Maris Valainis) allow Hickory to experience a magical run in the 1951 state tournament. Hoosiers is the perfect underdog story and expertly captures the essence of small-town sports.

Stream Hoosiers on Prime Video.

Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)

After the so-so reception to Mission: Impossible 3, Tom Cruise and Ethan Hunt needed a reset. Cruise brought in animation veteran Brad Bird to direct the fourth entry, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol. The gamble worked, as the movie reignited the Mission movies and set the blueprint for future movies.

After being blamed for the Kremlin bombing, the IMF is disavowed, forcing Ethan (Cruise) to go on the run. To clear his name and restore the IMF, Ethan must team with other IMF fugitives to find those responsible for the bombing. Ghost Protocol leaned into set pieces and practical effects, highlighted by Cruise’s scaling of the Burj Khalifa, which might go down as his most memorable stunt.

Stream Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol for free on Pluto TV.

S#!%house (2020)

Cooper Raiff understands young adults. Not since Richard Linklater has a new filmmaker captured the ethos of a coming-of-age film like Raiff did in S#!%house. (We’re going with the marketing title, but by all means, pronounce it with the swear words.) Homesick college freshman Alex (Raiff) struggles to adjust to his new life.

One night, Alex attends a party at the “S#!%house” fraternity and meets Maggie (Dylan Gelula), his sophomore residential advisor. Alex and Maggie spend the rest of the night together walking and talking as they form a genuine bond. Alex wants more in this relationship, while Maggie looks for the exit ramp. Don’t let the vulgar title fool you. S#!%house is all heart and a fantastic directorial debut.

Stream Escape Room for free on Tubi.

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May 23, 2025 0 comments