NLG - Next Level Gaming

In each issue, Game Informer prints questions that are submitted by readers via email and standard mail. We'd like to give our website readers the chance to make the magazine as well. You'll need to log in to your GI account and click "okay to print" for your letter or question to go through. We'd also love it if you included your location (city, state, or country will do). We'll look through the questions and pick a few to include in our next issue, which releases on July 25. For each issue, we ask our community a question for our SoundOff section. This time around, we want to know... "What is the biggest improvement or new feature you'd like to see in the next Nintendo console?" You can answer this question and/or include any other feedback/questions you want. Thank you again for your support throughout the years, and we hope many of you get the chance to have your letter printed in an upcoming issue! Submit Your Question or Letter You

Nintendo’s next console will reportedly be portable like the Switch and is targeting a release in the second half of 2024, according to a new report today from VideoGamesChronicle .  VGC cites “multiple people with knowledge of Nintendo’s next-gen console plans” that reveal Nintendo’s Switch successor is aiming for a release in the second half of next year, to ensure there’s plenty of stock at launch. Nintendo wants to avoid the stock shortages that plagued the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S release for months (and years for some).  The publication reports that two of its sources suggest the next-generation console will use LCD screens, like those seen on the launch versions of the Switch, rather than the OLED screens used in the Switch OLED models . The use of LCD reduces costs, VGC writes, in light of the likely need for significantly more storage than what’s in the Switch, which will increase costs.  VGC’s sources also suggest Nintendo’s next console will be playable on

NetherRealm Studios has released two new Mortal Kombat 1 trailers, one focused on the Keepers of Time and the other on Geras, a Mortal Kombat 11 debut character returning as a playable fighter.  The Mortal Kombat studio has released a steady flow of trailers and gameplay since its MK1 reveal back in May , and that continued over the weekend with two new showcases pulling back the curtains on the Keepers of Time faction and sand-wielding warrior Geras. In the former, we get another look at Liu Kang and a new fatality for him, and the latter showcases Geras’ move set and his fatality.  You can check out the MK1 Keepers of Time trailer for yourself below :  And you can watch the MK1 Geras trailer below after that :  Over the weekend, MK1 director Ed Boon tweeted an image with what many think might be a new character debuting in the game. Boon writes, “New phone. Who dis?” and circles the unknown character, leading many to believe it’s a tease of a new fighter. New phone. Who dis

Sony has revealed a new PlayStation 5 system software beta rolling out today that brings the highly requested audio format, Dolby Atmos, to the console alongside a larger SSD capacity, accessibility features, and more.  Since the launch of the PS5, audiophiles have asked for Dolby Atmos audio support on the console. Without diving too deep into the nitty gritty, Dolby Atmos is one of the best audio formats when adequately supported. While the PS5’s 3D Tempest audio tech is impressive, players have also wished for Dolby Atmos support. And now, with the latest system software beta, it has arrived.  “3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech can now be enjoyed by those who own compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as soundbars, TVs, or home theater systems,” a PlayStation Blog post reads. “Tempest 3D AudioTech specifically renders to the Dolby Atmos audio devices in use – including overhead channels – allowing for even greater levels of immersion in the audio scapes of PS5

Final Fantasy XIV publisher Square Enix and developer Creative Business Unit III revealed the MMO's next expansion, Dawntrail , during Day 1 of Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023.  Square Enix revealed this 7.0 expansion that acts as a new beginning for Final Fantasy XIV with a new cinematic trailer. After the trailer, director Naoki Yoshida took to the main stage to host a keynote presentation, and it was during this that we learned a lot about the Dawntrail expansion, which will hit the game sometime in summer 2024. Let's break it all down.  Everything You Need To Know About Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail The logo below was created by famed Final Fantasy series illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, and it prominently uses the color gold, the theme color for the expansion. Yoshida explained during the keynote presentation on July 28 that the team wanted to "bring the very best summer vacation a hero could possibly have" to the Warriors of Light (the players). Without spoi

Final Fantasy XIV is finally coming to Xbox Series X/S next spring.  Xbox head Phil Spencer joined Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida on stage today, during Day 1 of Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023, to reveal the news. Here's what Spencer had to say: "It's great to be here with so many warriors of light. Thank you for the very warm welcome. The Xbox community is passionate about games, and like so many players around the world, the Final Fantasy series is one that gets lots of love from Team Xbox. And we're very happy to announce the Xbox version of Final Fantasy XIV with my friend Yoshida-San today. Together with his team, we are bringing the best online experience of this game to Xbox fans everywhere, and through crossplay, you can experience Final Fantasy XIV with old and new players alike." Spencer says this is a seminal moment "in our relationship with you and the Final Fantasy team as we look to partner more closely together in the future

Final Fantasy XIV publisher Square Enix and developer Creative Business Unit III have revealed Dawntrail, the MMO’s next expansion, and it hits the game next summer.  Square Enix revealed Dawtrail today, the first day of Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas, with a new trailer showcasing the tropical New World known as Yok Tural and many beloved characters hanging out there. Shortly after the reveal, director Naoki Yoshida took the stage to discuss the expansion as part of the Fan Festival’s keynote presentation.  Check out the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail expansion trailer for yourself below:  Yoshida says the logo art for Dawntrail was created by Yoshitaka Amano using the color gold, which is the theme color of this expansion. You can check out the Dawntrail logo below: Speaking to the story, Yoshida says, “We want to bring the very best summer vacation a hero could possibly have” to the Warriors of Light (the players). Without spoiling the events of 2021’s Endwalk

Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed the PlayStation 5 has surpassed 40 million units sold.  Sony launched the PS5 in November 2020, after revealing the console the year prior, and since then, more than 40 million consoles have been purchased by players. In February, the console maker announced it had shipped 32 million units in the PS5’s lifetime , which means in just five months, Sony has sold at least 8 million more consoles.  That’s a significant jump, especially given that it’s been somewhat of a quieter year for Sony so far. There’s no doubt the release of God of War Ragnarok last winter pushed PS5 sales, helping it reach that 32 million mark, but since then, the only first-party PlayStation release for PS5 has been Horizon Forbidden West’s Burning Shores DLC  and MLB The Show 23 . Horizon Call of the Mountain is also a first-party game released this year but it's exclusive to PSVR2. However, Square Enix released Final Fantasy XVI last month exclusively on PS5

The Entropy Centre is now available on Switch, and you can pick it up from the Nintendo eShop for 50% off, thanks to a special launch day discount.  If you like a good puzzle game, especially if you’re a fan of Valve’s Portal series, The Entropy Centre is worth your time. It was one of my favorite games of last year, and you can read about why in my review of The Entropy Centre . With today’s launch day discount on the Nintendo eShop, you can purchase The Entropy Centre for $12.49.  Check out the Nintendo Switch launch trailer for The Entropy Centre below :  The Switch version of The Entropy Centre arrives less than a year after the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions launched last November . In the game, players take on the role of protagonist Aria, who awakens inside a colossal space station just outside of a constantly exploding Earth. It’s up to you to figure out why this space station – The Entropy Centre – has been abandoned, why Earth keeps exploding, and why your day resets

Developer Hexworks and publisher GI Games have released a new extended gameplay presentation for Lords of the Fallen with nearly 20 minutes of new footage.  Lords of the Fallen hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC this October , and ahead of the game’s release, Hexworks and CI Games are pulling back the curtain on its dark fantasy world and action RPG combat. In the gameplay presentation, we get a new look at the living realm known as Axiom, where players must traverse harsh and gothic environments to defeat Adyr, the Demon God. However, Axiom isn’t the only concern, as players must also fight through Umbral, the realm of the dead.  Check out Axiom, Umbral, and plenty of Soulslike action in the Lords of the Fallen extended gameplay presentation below :  “The team at Hexworks is thrilled to finally share an extended gameplay presentation and reveal numerous new details of our dark fantasy action RPG,” head of studio Saul Gascon writes in a press release. “We have passionatel

Monster Hunter Now will launch on iOS and Android this September.  Developer Niantic and Monster Hunter publisher Capcom revealed this during a special Monster Hunter Now Showcase that aired today. More specifically, the Pokemon Go-like mobile game will launch globally on September 14, and players can pre-register now to help every player receive special bonuses in-game. For a new look at the game, check out the Monster Hunter Now special showcase below : Here are the bonuses players can get for pre-registering :  500,000 people : Potion x10 and Paintball x3 (you can mark monsters with paintballs to return at a later time to hunt them down) 1,000,000 people : Founder Medal and Wander Pebble x3 (the Founder Medal is a special commemorative item you can only get by pre-registering, and Wander Pebbles yield additional range to monster and collection point access) 2,000,000 people : Special pre-order Makeup x2 and 500-slot Item Box Expansion 3,000,000 people : Special pre-order Ma

Subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online can now access two of the most beloved Game Boy Color games of all time. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons join the roster of playable classic games as part of the Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy catalog .  As was true with the original Game Boy Color cartridges, you can experience the games on their own in any order that you wish, but if you link them together through a password system, some characters and enemies will change, some items can be upgraded, and you can take part in the climactic final battle. It's also worth noting that these games served as Hidemaro Fujibayashi 's directorial debut within the Legend of Zelda franchise. Fujibayashi would go on to direct The Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. The Nintendo Switch has steadily become one of the best places to experience the Legend of Zelda series. From Switch releases like Breath of the

When Sonic Mania arrived in 2017, it was a massive success for the franchise. So much so that it seemed inevitable that a sequel developed in conjunction with Christian Whitehead, PagodaWest Games, and Headcannon would be next for the Blue Blur. Unfortunately, it never happened. We asked both Takashi Iizuka and Christian Whitehead what happened to Sonic Mania 2.  Headcannon continued working with the Sonic brand through 2022's Sonic Origins and its 2023 update Sonic Origins Plus , while Whitehead founded his own studio, Evening Star, alongside fellow Sonic Mania developers in 2018. This past June, Evening Star announced its first game, titled Penny's Big Breakaway , coming in early 2024. Sonic Mania Instead of the expected Sonic Mania 2, in June 2023, Sega, Sonic Team, and development studio Arzest (headed up by Sonic co-creator Naoto Ohshima) announced Sonic Superstars. The game feels like a continuation of what Sonic Mania accomplished in 2017, but with modern visuals,

DC Dual Force, the digital card game based on DC's universe of characters, has entered open beta (you can download it here ) which means anyone is free to check out the game. It will also be coming to Steam when it gets its full, official release some time soon, and presumably other platforms. It will also, unsurprisingly, feature some of most popular characters the universe has to offer, including Batman, Harley Quinn, The Flash, and Cyborg, among many, many others. You can check out exclusive trailers for those characters below. You can also check out the game's launch trailer below.

“This is gonna be fun!” exclaims Sweet Tooth as he lobs his machete towards Anthony Mackie’s John Doe, who narrowly dodges the weapon as it careens into a casino slot machine. I’m not sure I agree with the iconic murder clown. I’m watching the first teaser for Peacock’s Twisted Metal , and while I wasn’t sure what to expect from an adaptation of one of my favorite childhood franchises, whatever hopes I had fell away watching this strange out-of-context clip. Sweet Tooth dancing to and singing the lyrics to Sisqó’s “Thong Song?” Showing a comedic fistfight instead of vehicles blowing each other up? I know the showrunners are aiming for laughs, but what have they done to my game? After watching the show’s first season, I must confess: I really like Twisted Metal . Before Joel and Ellie, Kratos, Nathan Drake, and even Crash Bandicoot were the faces of PlayStation, there was Twisted Metal. The franchise popularized the now-dormant car combat genre thanks to its wildly fun gameplay, da

Game Informer can exclusively reveal a full track from Summerfall Studios’ upcoming Stray Gods: The Role-Playing Musical called “Adrift.” This track features the voice of Laura Bailey (Abby in The Last of Us Part II , Mary Jane in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 ), who plays protagonist Grace, a college dropout in the game’s modern fantasy world granted the power of a Muse. Grace uses this power “to find out the truth behind her predecessor’s death before time runs out.” You might also recognize Ashley Johnson (Ellie in The Last of Us ) in the song. She voices Calliope, who joins Bailey’s Grace in “Adrift.”  Grammy-nominated composer Austin Wintory ( Journey , The Pathless , Assassin’s Creed Syndicate ) says this recording is actually a live one. He tells us, “I made a studio recording of the El Rey Theater live version of the main song, ‘Adrift.’” And you can listen to it for yourself by using the music player at the bottom of this article, or by watching the video below:  In Stray Gods