I no longer care about Grand Theft Auto 6, for I have the open world of Vivat Slovakia

Upon some serious soul searching following a little time with the early access build of open world game Vivat Slovakia, I have unfortunately had to admit to myself that it is probably not the GTA 6 killer I was hoping for. This upsets me slightly, because I find Rockstar’s constant self-assured bloviating to be quite irritating, even though I’m sure I’ll play their game for a billion hours. What Vivat Slovakia is, then, is a very ambitious homage to the Grand Theft Auto series that isn’t shy about it, right down to the font choices. I’m not sure if you should play it, but I do feel enriched for learning of its existence. Here’s a trailer.

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NES-Inspired Platformer ‘Everdeep Aurora’ Is Bringing Wholesome Vibes In 2025

Feline fine.

We got our first peek at Nautilus Games’ Everdeep Aurora in the 2023 Wholesome Direct before going hands-on with it at BitSummit earlier this year. We’ve liked what we have seen so far, so it’s exciting to hear the cute cat adventure now has a release window: Q3 2025.

Admittedly, that does feel like a long way away, but we’re hopeful that 2025 will bring plenty of exciting drops before then (please), so we’re sure it’ll fly by.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nintendo Switch Online Adds Rare’s Game Boy Platformer Donkey Kong Land

Donkey Kong Land is out now for Nintendo Switch Online.

Rare’s 1995 Game Boy platformer is available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription for the Switch, and joins a growing list of classic Game Boy games available to download and play. Check out all the games available on Nintendo Switch Online here.

Donkey Kong Land offers a condensed version of the side-scrolling gameplay in Rare’s much loved 1994 SNES classic Donkey Kong Country, with different level design and boss fights. As you’d expect, it stars Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy Kong, who team up to defeat King K. Rool and collect many, many bananas.

The game did well enough to get three sequels: Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996), based on Diddy’s Kong Quest; Donkey Kong Land 3 (1997), based on Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!; and a Game Boy Color version of Donkey Kong Country (2000).

Here’s the official blurb:

Cranky Kong doesn’t think Donkey Kong has proven himself to be a hero yet. So, he decides to work out a deal with the closest villain that he knows. K. Rool and his baddies have hidden bananas in new places across Donkey Kong Island in another attempt to outwit the best-friend duo. And the only response is for Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to go off on another adventure!

The Game Boy launched in 1989 with the likes of Super Mario Land, Tetris, Baseball, and Alleyway, all of which are now on Nintendo Switch Online. Other Game Boy games on the service include Metroid 2 – Return of Samus, Kirby’s Dream Land, Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, and Wario in Wario Land 3.

As for Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a remake of the Nintendo Wii original that was also ported to Nintendo 3DS, launches on Switch in January. Last week’s Super Nintendo World Direct offered fans their long-awaited first look at the new Donkey Kong Country-themed expansion while announcing it will officially open December 11, 2024 in Japan.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Don’t Wake The Beast is a blend of Thief and Spelunky where you must let sleeping dragons lie

The Hobbit movies are a mixed Baggins indeed – at once thunderous and thin, like butter scraped over too much bread – but one sequence I love from The Desolation of Smaug is Bilbo searching Khazad-dûm for the Arkenstone, while trying not to rouse the titular dragon from his slumber. Don’t Wake The Beast is sort of that sequence plus Spelunkified procgen levels and Thief-esque stealth mechanics.

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Turn Medieval II: Total War into Redwall with this Mossflower TW mod

If the surprising number of you brought scurrying out of the woodwork by the announcement of Redwall-style survival game Hawthorn is anything to go by, the medieval rodent fanatic to RPS reader pipeline is a sturdy one, despite being constantly nibbled at. Here’s some more delicious bait for you, then. Mossflower TW is a campaign mod for Medieval II: Total War expansion Kingdoms that lets ranks of mace-wielding mice, helmeted hedgehogs, and ornery otters skitter wildly all over the venerable strategy game. It’s been about since Summer, and the team have been working on patching since. It seems very playable, if the footage of people playing it is anything to go by. Here’s a video by YouTuber Tharshey so you can see it in action:

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PlayStation VR 2 Just Got Massive Discount for Black Friday, It Even Includes Horizon: Call of the Mountain

PlayStation VR2 is one of the standout deals in this year’s PS5 Black Friday sale, offering an incredible discount. The PSVR2 Horizon: Call of the Mountain bundle has dropped by $250, bringing it down to just $350—matching the price of the standalone headset in this sale. (This deal is also available in the UK at an equivalent price).

Opting for the bundle is an easy choice, as it includes a fantastic game to pair with your new VR headset. This deal positions the PSVR2 as a compelling alternative to more affordable VR options like the Meta Quest, making it an enticing option for newcomers and enthusiasts alike. Considering the sheer value of the headset, this seems like a no-brainer for PlayStation enthusiasts.

What We Said In Our Review

In his review for IGN, Gabriel Moss bestowed the PSVR2 with a 9, saying: “The PlayStation VR2 may seem pricey, given that it costs $150 more than the base PS5 Digital Edition console you’ll need to use it. Even so, it’s such a quantum leap over the original PSVR in terms of ease of use, visual quality, and immersion that any PlayStation owner who loves VR should upgrade as soon as possible.”

“Its 4K HDR OLED screen and excellently tactile Sense controllers are the most obvious improvement, but plentiful quality-of-life changes and the raw horsepower of the PS5 set a new standard for how VR games should play and feel on console.”

PS5 Black Friday Deals Are Now Live at Amazon

PlayStation’s PS5 console deals are also now live for Black Friday, featuring the Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle, and NBA 2K Bundle, at just $374.99 for the Digital Edition or $424.99 for the Disc Edition. These deals are also available in the UK at an equivalent price.

This is the best PS5 console deal of the year – and it’ll likely be the last major discount heading into the holidays. If you’ve been holding out for a great price, now’s your chance. However, these deals could sell out or expire before Black Friday itself, so act quickly to secure yours and avoid disappointment. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

When Is Black Friday 2024?

The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals have already kicked off. Leading up to the big event, retailers have begun to open deals online.

Each day leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to massive discounts on Black Friday. We already know what PlayStation and Xbox have in store, and most general deals will be available well in advance, such as this excellent discount on DualSense controllers.

PlayStation Games On Sale for Black Friday

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Wario Land-Like Indie Antonblast Releases Explosive Final Trailer

Blasting onto Switch eShop this December.

Antonblast is arriving on the Switch in just a few weeks and before we blast off, Summitsphere has released an explosive final trailer.

This Wario Land-like platformer is filled with fast-paced action, and in case you missed it, there’s a demo available on the Switch eShop right now. The developer has also lined up a physical release with Fangamer, and it’s scheduled to arrive at some point in 2025.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

PlayStation Black Friday Sale is Now Live–Here Are The Best Deals

The PlayStation Black Friday sale is now officially live, bringing a slew of incredible new deals for you to consider. For starters, there are the PlayStation 5 bundles, down to at least $375, but then there’s the PlayStation VR 2 bundle for $350, $20 off DualSense Controllers, discounts on games, and so much more.

The sale going live means we are one step closer to Black Friday proper, with deals for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo already confirmed. Let’s dig into all the best PlayStation Black Friday deals.

TL;DR – Best PS5 Black Friday Deals

PS5 Black Friday Deals Are Now Live

PlayStation’s PS5 console deals are live for Black Friday, featuring the Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle, and NBA 2K Bundle, at just $374.99 for the Digital Edition or $424.99 for the Disc Edition. These deals are also available in the UK at an equivalent price.

This is the best PS5 console deal of the year – and it’ll likely be the last major discount heading into the holidays. If you’ve been holding out for a great price, now’s your chance. However, these deals could sell out or expire before Black Friday itself, so act quickly to secure yours and avoid disappointment. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

PlayStation VR 2 is $349.99 for Black Friday

This is one of the best deals of the whole Black Friday sale. Dropping $250, you can now get the PSVR2 Horizon: Call of the Mountation bundle for just $350. It’s the same price as the PSVR2 standalone in the sale, but there’s not much point in considering that version; just get the Horizon bundle and you’ve got an excellent game to play with your new incredible VR headset.

This price challenges the likes of other more affordable VR headsets like Meta Quest, and will surely bring a whole host of new players into the fold.

DualSense Controllers Get a $20 Discount for Black Friday

DualSense controllers are down to just $54.99, a significant drop from their $74.99 MSRP. Even better, special edition DualSense controllers are also discounted, now priced at $59.99.

It’s been a long time since DualSense controllers saw a discount this good, making now the perfect opportunity to grab one – or even two. Whether you’re upgrading your PlayStation setup or shopping for the perfect Christmas gift, this Black Friday deal is too good to miss. Here’s everything you need to know about the offer and why it’s the ideal time to buy.

PS5 Black Friday Video Game Deals

The best PS5 video game deals for Black Friday currently include Elden Ring for $19.99, alongside new games like GOTY contender Metaphor ReFantazio for $49.99, or incredible new physical releases like Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition. Have a look over our top picks in the sale, or take up the challenge yourself and have a gander over the many, many discounts found at Amazon today.

More Black Friday PS5 Game Deals

PlayStation Plus Black Friday Deal

PlayStation Plus memberships have received a big Black Friday discount. New members can save 30% on a 12-month subscription, while current PlayStation Plus Essential members can upgrade and save 25% on PlayStation Plus Extra or 30% on Premium/Deluxe.

Sony has also recently confirmed its PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for November 2024, and it includes the return of Rockstar’s GTA 5 in an exciting month for subscribers. Heavy hitters Dying Light 2: Stay Human and Like a Dragon: Ishin also joined the subscription service from November 19 onwards.

Premium/Deluxe members also gain access to the Sony Pictures Catalog, featuring up to 100 movies available to stream on demand. During the Black Friday promotion, additional discounts on recent movie releases will also be available to all PS5 and PS4 players.

Black Friday Deals Are Now Live – What Should You Buy?

Starting November 22, and ending on December 2 (Cyber Monday) retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart will offer discounts on PS5 hardware, PlayStation VR2, games, and accessories, including the Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle, which will launch alongside the new Black Friday promotions.

A recently deleted PS5 ad hinted that the console bundle might be priced as low as $379.99, but this has not been officially confirmed by Sony following the ad’s removal from YouTube. There is also currently no word on whether the PS5 Pro will also see a discount or a bundle deal.

DualSense controllers will be discounted by up to 25%, which could bring their price down to at least $56.25 following the recent price increase ($74.99). Pricing may vary by retailer, so stay tuned for more details when the deals go live on Friday.

Moreover, PlayStation VR 2 will be up to 40% off, a collosal discount, potentially bringing it down to ~$330-$360 depending on whether it’s the Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle ($599.99) or just the standard VR headset ($549.99).

Every PS5 Black Friday Deal Confirmed So Far

When Is Black Friday 2024?

We hope you’ve prepared your wallets, because it’s Black Friday season. During the biggest sales event of the year, keep an eye out for price drops on the games you’ve been waiting to add to your library. The same can be said for TVs, gaming PCs, Apple products, and more. Whatever you’re in the market for, right now is probably one of the best times to make your biggest purchases.

The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals season began a lot sooner than that. In other Black Friday news, Nintendo has also recently announced its sale plans for Black Friday, with discounts on Tears of the Kingdom, Joy-Con controllers, and more confirmed to be on sale in the coming days. Xbox has also confirmed its deal lineup, with plenty of offers already live.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter Rolls Out Its Second Major Switch Update, Here Are The Full Patch Notes

Including “various graphical improvements”.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter was certainly faithful but a few things also needed fixing here and there. Fortunately, Aspyr is still providing regular updates and today it’s released the second major patch for all platforms including the Switch.

Switch users can expect multiple fixes. Some are tied to Jango getting stuck, button input problems and more. Notably, there have also been “various graphical improvements” for all platforms! Here’s the full rundown, courtesy of Aspyr’s official support page:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nintendo Expands Switch Online’s Game Boy Library With Another Classic

Another DK banger.

In a surprise update, Nintendo has today announced Donkey Kong Land for the Switch Online Game Boy library, and you can play it right now!

This classic pocket-sized platformer was originally released by Rare in 1995 and marks the beginning of the DK Land trilogy on the Game Boy. Here’s the official Nintendo description:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com