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Best games you won’t believe are turning 25 in 2026
Several iconic video games released around the turn of the millennium are celebrating significant anniversaries, with many turning 25 in 2026. Titles like Gran Turismo 3, Devil May Cry, Halo: Combat Evolved, Metal Gear Solid 2, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Final Fantasy X, Silent Hill 2, Ico, Conker's Bad Fur Day, and Grand Theft Auto 3 are highlighted for their lasting impact and influence on the industry.
Best games you won’t believe are turning 25 in 2026
Several iconic video games released around the turn of the millennium are celebrating significant anniversaries, with many turning 25 in 2026. Titles like Gran Turismo 3, Devil May Cry, Halo: Combat Evolved, Metal Gear Solid 2, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Final Fantasy X, Silent Hill 2, Ico, Conker's Bad Fur Day, and Grand Theft Auto 3 are highlighted for their lasting impact and influence on the industry.
Xbox Is Rebranding Itself, Sort Of
Xbox, under CEO Asha Sharma, has seemingly rebranded its social media accounts to all caps "XBOX," mirroring the original console's naming convention. This change follows a fan poll and may be an effort to evoke nostalgia amidst recent hardware and game sales declines. The company is also adjusting its Game Pass strategy, with Call of Duty titles no longer receiving day-one access.
Forza Horizon 6 Is the Highest Rated Game of the Year, But Will Anything Beat It?
Forza Horizon 6 currently holds the highest Metacritic score of the year at 92, with its PlayStation 5 version anticipated for a 2026 release. The article discusses whether any upcoming titles, such as Grand Theft Auto 6, Phantom Blade Zero, or Marvel's Wolverine, can surpass its critical reception.
Forza Horizon 6 is still gated behind its $120 early access, but it’s already breaking franchise records
Forza Horizon 6 has achieved record-breaking player numbers on PC, surpassing 170,000 concurrent players during its early access period, which requires a $120 purchase. The game has also received critical acclaim, with an average score of 92, making it the best-reviewed game of the year so far. Its setting in Japan is cited as a major factor in its popularity.
Issues and Activism
Sea of Thieves is facing backlash following allegations of player misconduct. The game's developer, Rare, and publisher, Microsoft, are reportedly addressing the issues raised by the community.
Xbox can never go back to exclusives and Halo on PS5 is the proof of that
The article argues that Xbox can no longer return to a strategy of dedicated console exclusives, citing the upcoming PlayStation 5 release of Halo: Combat Evolved as proof. Despite some internal discussions about re-evaluating exclusivity, the author believes that Microsoft's financial realities and the need to reach a wider audience make a multiplatform approach inevitable for major franchises.
Forza Horizon 6 overtakes Pokémon as the top-rated game of 2026 so far
Forza Horizon 6 has surpassed Pokémon Pokopia and Resident Evil Requiem to become the top-rated game of 2026 on Metacritic, achieving an average score of 92. While Pokémon Pokopia has more reviews, Forza Horizon 6's higher score has placed it in first place. The game is launching this week on Xbox and PC, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for later in the year.
Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with 130,000 concurrent players – and that's only counting people willing to pay $120 for early access
Forza Horizon 6 has set a new Steam record with over 130,000 concurrent players, surpassing its predecessor's peak. This impressive number was achieved by players who purchased the Premium Edition for early access, ahead of the official May 19th release. The game's setting in Japan is also noted as a significant factor in its early success.
Switch 2 price increase isn't because of one reason, explains Nintendo
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that the price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is due to various market conditions, including surges in memory and component prices, foreign exchange rates, and oil prices. Despite the price hike, Furukawa hopes the console's engaging experiences will justify the cost, and Nintendo plans to release more titles to expand its installed base. The Switch 2 has been Nintendo's fastest-selling hardware to date, though production has reportedly been cut back.
Two unannounced Xbox controllers just leaked, and one is a Wi-Fi pad that ditches Microsoft's OG DNA
Leaks reveal two unannounced Xbox controllers: a compact, Wi-Fi-enabled gamepad designed for cloud gaming and an updated Xbox Elite Controller Series 3. The smaller controller features a unique design deviating from Microsoft's traditional controller layout, while the Elite Series 3 appears to retain customization options with added Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.
Forza Horizon 6 Invalid Gaming Services Fix
This guide provides fixes for the "Invalid Gaming Services Detected" error in Forza Horizon 6 on PC, typically caused by outdated or corrupted Microsoft Gaming Services. Solutions include updating or reinstalling Gaming Services via the Microsoft Store, repairing the Xbox app, and ensuring Windows is up to date. The Steam version of the game does not require the Xbox app.
Two new Xbox controllers have leaked and one of them is tiny
Images of two new Xbox controllers have leaked online: the Xbox Elite 3 and a smaller controller designed for cloud gaming. The cloud gaming controller is noted for its compact size and features like rechargeable battery, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The Elite 3 appears to be a smoother version of its predecessor with the addition of two scroll wheels.
Politicians accuse Rockstar of obstructing legal process, eBay rebuffs GameStop, and video game hardware screams now - Patch Notes #52
This week's Patch Notes covers several key industry events, including politicians accusing Rockstar Games of obstructing legal processes related to union-busting allegations for Grand Theft Auto 6. eBay rejected a takeover bid from GameStop, while Nintendo cited geopolitical and technological factors for its Switch 2 price increases. Additionally, Subnautica 2 achieved over a million sales in its first hour, and Valve's new Steam Controller features an audible alert when dropped.
Two new Xbox controllers have leaked online: an Xbox Elite Series 3 with a removable battery and an odd-looking cloud…
Two new Xbox controllers have reportedly leaked online: the Xbox Elite Series 3 and a compact cloud gaming controller. The Elite Series 3 is rumored to feature a smaller, removable battery and new scroll buttons, while the cloud controller boasts Wi-Fi connectivity and a rechargeable battery. These leaks precede the Xbox Gaming Showcase, where new hardware is often announced.
Entire Doom series is up to 90% off on Steam but you've got to be quick
Steam is offering significant discounts of up to 90% on the entire Doom series, with prices for some titles dropping below £2. These limited-time deals include Doom (2016), Doom Eternal, and various older installments, as well as bundles. The sale is exclusive to Steam and set to expire soon.
Forza Horizon 6 makes a viable Steam Deck game, assuming you can find room to park it
Forza Horizon 6 is Steam Deck Verified, but achieving smooth performance requires significant graphical adjustments. The game's large installation size of over 155GB necessitates using a microSD card or larger internal storage. While it runs off default settings, lowering them to Very Low is needed to escape sluggishness, though this impacts visual fidelity.
Xbox Cloud and Elite 3 Controllers Leaked in New Images – Rumor
New images have leaked, suggesting Microsoft is preparing to release an Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 and a new controller specifically for Xbox Cloud Gaming. The Elite Series 3 appears to retain its customizable design with potential additions like scroll wheels, while the cloud controller features a rectangular shape, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a mode switch for local or cloud play.
Games Inbox: Is Forza Horizon the best arcade racer franchise?
Readers discuss the Forza Horizon series, questioning its standing as the best arcade racer due to a lack of competition. Other topics include Warner Bros.' handling of The Lord of the Rings games, the sound design of Doom, and the embargo timing for game reviews.
Evening Tech Bits
Microsoft has released new Windows 11 Insider Release Preview builds, specifically 26100.8514 and 26200.8514. The article also briefly mentions NVIDIA's success in a business context.