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Subscriptions and gift cards that make great last-minute gifts
Yes, a gift card can carry the stigma of feeling like an unthoughtful present. On the other hand, we live in a world where subscription services abound, and a virtual gift that grants someone a year of their favorite music, video or gaming service shouldn't be overlooked. When thinking about gift cards and subscriptions this year, we tried to avoid the obvious candidates like Spotify and Netflix -- most people who want those probably have a subscription already. Instead, newer options like Amazon Music HD, Apple Arcade and Disney+ might provide something fresh for the music, game and movie junkies in your life. To move away from entertainment entirely, a Masterclass subscription can help a loved one expand their mind and horizons, while Headspace can give them a much-needed mental respite from the grind of modern life. And if you're gifting someone a new game console this year, you can level up that gift by including PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold or Nintendo Switch Online. For all three of those systems, an online subscription is a near-essential add-on, especially for multiplayer gaming. And in all three cases, it'll provide a happy new console-owner with some free games to download right off the bat.
The best gifts and games for console gamers
This year will mark the end of an era for console gaming. Next-generation consoles are coming in 2020, but it also means both the PS4 and the Xbox One are at the peak of their power and popularity. Not to be outdone, there's also Nintendo's Switch, which has already seen a second-generation hardware twist in the handheld Switch Lite. Our selection for this holiday season runs across all these consoles, as well as including Sega's nostalgia-baiting Genesis Mini. We've focused on tried-and-tested AAA titles like Overwatch on the Switch, and Control available on both Xbox and PlayStation, while also suggesting more under-the-radar hits like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Risk of Rain 2. Naturally, Pokémon Sword and Shield isn't quite out yet, but from our early impressions, we know it will satisfy any Pokémon fans you're shopping for. And, if you need even more recommendations for the gamers in your life, we have a guide for every console.
'Mario Kart Tour' multiplayer test is coming in December
Mario Kart Tour came to Android and iOS devices last month, but unfortunately, it shipped without without Nintendo's signature multiplayer mode. Now, the company has announced that it's launching real-time multiplayer mode into beta this December -- with one caveat.
Nintendo Switch sales should pass the SNES next quarter
Nintendo sold 4.8 million Switch consoles last quarter, bringing lifetime sales to 41.67 million. That's a 50 percent increase on the 3.19 million Switch consoles that were sold during the same period last year. Nintendo's hybrid console surpassed the N64's lifetime sales in April and now stands a good chance of eclipsing the SNES over the holidays. To be precise, the Switch needs 7.43 million sales to pass the iconic 16-bit console next quarter -- and last year it managed 9.41 million sales over the Christmas period. With two quarters down, Nintendo is also 11 million away from its fiscal year target (which ends in March 2020) of 18 million Switch sales.
'Luigi's Mansion 3' is Mario's brother at his best
It's been six years since Mario's brother strapped on a modified vacuum cleaner and battled colorful ghosts in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (known as just Luigi's Mansion 2 in Europe, Australia and Japan). The 3DS adventure was a brilliant but sad reminder that the game deserved another home console outing similar to the original Gamecube release. Well, it's finally happened. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a joyous and expertly-polished Switch release that further establishes the plumber as an equal to his shorter and historically more famous brother.
Nintendo's 'Ring Fit Adventure' hides grown-up workouts in a kids' game
I'm standing in the middle of my living room. Something resembling a garter belt is wrapped snugly around my left thigh. I'm squatting, fast. I may as well be twerking. I haven't had coffee yet. I'm supposed to be working. But this week, this is my work. It's fair to say I'm out of my comfort zone. After eight-plus years at Engadget, I'm testing my first game: Ring Fit Adventure, a new RPG for the Nintendo Switch that's out today. The game has players completing a series of full-body exercises to make their way through a scenic world. Along the way, you run (jog in place) and fly (flap your arms) to get from point A to B, and you "fight" enemies through a series of moves, ranging from squats to core work to yoga poses.
Get $24 off the Nintendo Switch on Amazon
If you've been waiting to purchase a Nintendo Switch, or want to update your existing unit, Amazon has a decent deal on the console. If you take advantage of an onsite coupon, you can get $24 off the console, making it $275, instead of $299. Note that the discount is applied on checkout, and that the model Amazon is selling is the updated one that features a higher capacity battery that significantly improves battery life. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, for instance, the new variant can about five-and-a-half hours of playtime instead of three. In all, Nintendo has said the refreshed model can eke out up to nine hours of playtime in portable mode, depending on the game you play. $24 off the Switch is a modest amount, to be sure, but look at this way: with the cash you save you can buy the excellent Untilted Goose Game and still have money for a coffee. It's also worth pointing out the Switch rarely goes on sale.
Nintendo Switch sales top 15 million in North America alone
As Nintendo heads into a holiday season with both the OG Switch and Switch Lite on store shelves, the company is celebrating 10 months in a row of being the best selling console in the US, according to NPD numbers. That's enough to cross the 15 million sales mark in North America, and just a week ago Nintendo announced Switch sales are over 10 million in Europe. In Japan, Famitsu reported earlier this year that despite only being on sale for two years, it's already sold more units than Sony's PlayStation 4. So yes, 2019 is looking like another good year for Nintendo, with sales in the US up 20 percent so far compared to 2018.
Gigantamax Pikachu is coming to ‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’
We know that Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will feature a new mechanic called Gigantamaxing, which will turn certain creatures into giant forms and give them a special move. Today, Nintendo revealed the Gigantamax forms for some of the most popular Pokémon: Pikachu, Charizard, Eevee, Meowth and Butterfree.
Bandai Namco discounts its Switch library until October 21st
The holidays are nearly upon us. For some, that means a whole lot of traveling. Switch owners can stock up on cheap digital downloads during Bandai Namco's publisher sale to stay occupied during flights, long drives and restless nights in lumpy childhood beds. The company's 17 Switch games are discounted by up to 75 percent on Nintendo's eShop from now until October 21st at 11:58 ET.
Nintendo’s reimagined ‘Brain Training’ for Switch is coming to Europe
Nintendo revealed that Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training will come to the Switch on January 3rd, 2020 in Europe. The mental workout game will feature classic exercises from previous Brain Training (called Brain Age in North America) games, as well as new mini-games and puzzles. The news follows the Japanese reveal of the game, which has a hilariously long name: Nintendo Switch Training for Adults with Brain Training Supervised by Prof. Ryuta Kawashima, Research Institute for Aging Medicine, Tohoku University.
Corsair updates its Void Elite and HS headsets with new drivers and mics
Corsair has just announced updated versions of its Void Elite series of headsets. The entire lineup features new 50mm neodymium drivers, with an expanded frequency range of 20Hz to 30kHz. Corsair also claims it "completely redesigned" the series' omnidirectional microphone for improved voice clarity.
'Doom Eternal' is delayed to March 2020
DOOM Eternal's launch was slated for November 22nd -- but to add some polish, publisher Bethesda Softworks is pushing that date back to March 20, 2020. The developer, iD Software, will also add a new feature called Invasion Mode, which will allow players to enter others' campaigns as a playable demon. This new mode will be a free download available shortly after the game arrives.
Save $120 on a 32-inch Dell QHD monitor
If you're looking for a new desktop screen, Amazon has a compelling offer on a Dell monitor. The company's S3219D is currently $179.99, down from $299.99. It features a 32-inch VA panel with QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution. Additionally, it comes with 5W speakers and a variety of HDMI, DisplayPort and USB ports for a good spread of connectivity options. It also features 99 percent sRGB color gamut coverage, making it a good fit for photo editing work. With FreeSync support, it can also double as a decent gaming monitor if you have an AMD graphics card. Just note that the monitor's refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, so you won't get as smooth of an experience as you would with a 144Hz monitor. It's also not on NVIDIA's list of G-Sync compatible monitors, so your mileage will vary if you own one of the company's GPUs. All that said, for $180 you'll be hard-pressed to find a better monitor for the price, especially one with a QHD panel.
You'll be able to wave at Pokémon on the Pixel 4
After so many photo and video leaks, the daily revelations about the Google Pixel 4 can officially be referred to as a deluge. The latest comes from 9to5Google, in the form of a tech demo for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL's radar-equipped motion sensor. The proof-of-concept app lets users pet, splash and wave at Pokémon characters using vertical and horizontal hand gestures.
'Super Mario Maker 2' update lets you play with friends online
Nintendo has finally rolled out the ability to play with friends online in Super Mario Maker 2. The game launched with online co-op and competitive modes, but you could only play with random people via matchmaking. If you wanted to play with friends, it would have to be via local play. According to Nintendo World Report, the company chose not to include online play with friends as one of the game's original features to prevent people from teaming up to dominate the global leaderboards.
Nintendo's Brain Age series is back as a Switch exclusive
Warm up your gray matter and get ready to flex your neurons, because Nintendo's beloved Brain Age (or Brain Training depending on where you live) series is coming to the Switch. The company has announced a new version of the game to be released in Japan at the end of the year.
Switch Lite added to class action lawsuit over controller drift
Nintendo's Switch Lite is mired in legal trouble just a week after launch. Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith has added the Lite to its class action lawsuit over controller drift. The law firm pointed to multiple reports of wayward analog stick input emerging just days after the game system arrived, suggesting that Nintendo might not have addressed the problem in the change to a handheld-only design.
8BitDo's latest Switch controller ditches thumbsticks for dual D-pads
The latest controller from 8BitDo might pique your interest if you play a lot of 2D games on Nintendo Switch. The Lite for Switch peripheral has a striking look thanks to its dual D-pads. According to 8BitDo, it has full functionality for Switch with "all core buttons supported."
'Mario Kart Tour' is a simple racer surrounded by free-to-play complexity
Mario Kart is a gloriously simple video game. Yes, there are some advanced techniques -- rocket starts, drift braking and the like -- that are borderline essential if you want to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online. For the most part though, it's an approachable racer for the masses. With Mario Kart Tour, the first installment for mobile devices, Nintendo has managed to simplify the control scheme even further. In this touch-friendly version, your racer drives forward automatically. Swiping horizontally will cause them to turn or drift, depending on the control scheme you've chosen, while dragging up or down will fire the item they're holding forwards or backwards.