Gaming news, releases, industry updates, and everything for players and creators.
Gaming and film fans are buzzing with bittersweet news: the late, great Sam Neill might appear in the upcoming live-action *Legend of Zelda* movie. Filming his role before his passing, Neill is rumored to portray the King of Hyrule, adding immense gravitas to the highly anticipated adaptation. The film also features Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf, Yvonne Strahovski as a queen, and Dichen Lachman as Impa, all under Wes Ball's direction. Set for an April 30, 2027 release, this could be one of Neill's final performances, making the journey to Hyrule all the more poignant.

The MANGMI Air Y and Air Y Pro offer Game Boy-like vertical Android handhelds at fantastic prices, ranging from $89.99 to $175.99. With capable Snapdragon chips, these devices promise solid retro gaming, especially the Pro model, which tackles demanding PS2 and GameCube titles.

VILE: Exhumed's physical edition offers a second chance for this potent found-footage horror game, delivering an immersive desktop mystery with deeply personal themes of misogyny and entitlement. Priced at $9.99, it comes in a classic jewel case with an 8-page booklet, no DRM, and supports a non-profit.

Xbox is finally getting a PlayStation Platinum Trophy equivalent, confirmed by CEO Asha Sharma for later this year. This long-requested feature aims to bring a sense of finality to achievement hunting, something fans have missed compared to PlayStation's system. It's part of a broader wave of quality-of-life updates for the platform.

Game Freak is releasing a series of continuous updates for their new Soulslike, *Beast of Reincarnation*, addressing player feedback. The first patch, coming this week, will increase text size, adjust the camera, fix bugs, and change the default graphics mode to performance. These changes respond to early player concerns and Kotaku's review, aiming to help the game reach its full potential.

August 2026 brought significant talent shifts and industry changes, highlighted by three new hires at Yogscast Games and AI innovators joining Roblox. Major companies like Rockstar and Netflix also bolstered their teams, while Electronic Arts underwent a colossal $55 billion acquisition, marking a new chapter.

Ted Lasso Season 4 returns with a charming Kansas City-set premiere, acting as a soft reboot after a three-year hiatus. It brilliantly refocuses on Ted and a few key characters, setting the stage for his return to London to coach a new women's team.

AMD's Q2 2026 earnings reveal a booming data center business, with revenue soaring to $6.7 billion, more than doubling year-over-year due to intense AI demand. While overall company revenue hit a record $11.5 billion, the gaming segment faced a 31 percent decline, impacted by increased component costs and higher graphics card prices.

Mario Lopez stirred up a digital storm after posting a creepy AI-generated video of his 19-year-old niece messily eating hot dogs. The clip, made with Grok AI, was swiftly deleted amid public outcry over its unsettling nature. Lopez has offered no explanation for the bizarre content.

Former Rockstar senior designer Kris Roberts reveals *Midnight Club 5* was canceled due to creative conflicts, missed deadlines, and a feeling that the series was Rockstar's 'red-headed stepchild.' Despite competing well against rivals, the project never escaped *GTA*'s shadow, leaving fans to mourn a lost era of street racing.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight offers hilarious, brick-bashing fun, expertly blending movie moments with signature Lego humor. Discover how you can potentially snag this acclaimed title for just $1 through a Fanatical Mystery Vault Bundle, or why it's still worth its full price.

The ROG Gjallar offers immersive Dolby Atmos audio in a compact gaming soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, smart controls, and RGB lighting. US availability and final pricing remain uncertain, making it a tempting but unconfirmed upgrade for desktop setups.

Xbox console prices in the EU and UK have seen significant increases (up to €200 / £170) as of August 1st, making entry into the Xbox ecosystem much more expensive. This review breaks down the new pricing, discusses the economic context of rising component costs, and offers a cautious buying recommendation for consumers grappling with these substantial changes.

The Disney+ series Wonder Man has been abruptly cancelled, leaving showrunner Andrew Guest and fans equally confused. Despite strong viewership and a season 2 greenlight, an undisclosed internal decision by Disney and Marvel led to its demise, reflecting a turbulent period for the MCU.

Hulk's latest MCU appearance in *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* highlights ongoing character continuity issues. Despite being entertaining, his sudden transformation to Savage Hulk contradicts previous explanations and highlights a history of inconsistent development. This likely stems from Universal's refusal to greenlight a solo Hulk film, forcing Banner into confusing supporting roles.

Unpack the brutal comic book origins of Jean DeWolff, the NYPD captain making her MCU debut in *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*. Learn about her tragic death, enduring legacy, and how her story shaped key moments for Spider-Man and even Venom.

Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Advance is a compelling modern reinterpretation of the classic Game Boy Advance, offering updated hardware and features while retaining the beloved horizontal design, filling a gap Nintendo has overlooked.

The Lands Between Stir Anew: Elden Ring Fans Delusional for Godwyn DLC Two years have passed since we last journeyed into the vast, treacherous wilds of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. For many of us Tarnished,

A full bootleg of _Spider-Man: Brand New Day_ circulated on X for over seven hours, reaching millions of accounts. Despite the widespread leak, the Marvel film is shattering box office records, outperforming _Avengers: Endgame_'s early gross. Disney has increased takedown efforts.

Rumors suggest both Nvidia and AMD are set to raise GPU prices, driven by the AI arms race. Nvidia may hike prices by up to 30%, with AMD following at 10%, pushing consumer costs even higher. This bleak outlook means budget cards are also struggling, with the return of 4GB VRAM.

Disney Lorcana has unveiled "Format Coconut," its answer to Magic's Commander format, at Gen Con 2026. This new multiplayer mode emphasizes casual, thematic play with singleton decks built around special "Coconut" character cards that gain unique abilities. It blends familiar concepts with distinct Disney flair, promising an engaging new way to experience Lorcana.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one paying attention, Ubisoft is officially pulling the plug on its Web3-enabled NFT strategy game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. Released years after the non-fungible

For anyone working, streaming, or gaming remotely, a robust Wi-Fi connection is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But how do you cut through the marketing jargon to find a router that truly performs? Here at ZDNET,

Super Mario Sunshine is officially coming to Switch 2 on August 13 for Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. This GameCube classic, known for its unique FLUDD gameplay, is a controversial yet influential entry, setting the stage for future Nintendo hits.

Dungeons & Dragons is adopting Magic: The Gathering's successful but controversial Universes Beyond strategy, kicking off with *Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft*. This 256-page book offers new species, classes, spells, and locations from Azeroth for the D&D 5.5e ruleset, arriving November 17. The move signals a major shift for D&D, balancing new IP crossovers with licensed development for classic settings.