Among Us Reimaged for the Game Boy Gives Off Nostalgic Vibes

Among Us by Innersloth saw a huge rise in player popularity after many well-known Twitch streamers and YouTubers started playing it and since then, most of us have been lining up to try and guess who the murdering imposter in the group could be or to try and hide the fact that we've been the imposter all along. The game even went as far as to dethrone the highly successful Fall Guys off the top stop on Steam. A big part of the games' appeal is its old-school art style and taking that concept one step further is YouTuber Lumpy Touch who decided to see how the game would look reimaged for the classic Nintendo Game Boy.

The classic aesthetic of the original Nintendo Game Boy thankfully works just as well today as when it did in the 90s, so much so that animator, streamer, and YouTuber 'LumpyTouch' has created a pixel art animation for Among Us that showcases what the game could've looked like if played today on the Game Boy. The Game Boy demake video can be seen down below as it shows off the iconic four-player multiplayer link-up system accompanied by that well-known synthesized electronic music. It's such an impressive piece of animation by Lumpy Touch who used a real Game Boy rom using GB Studio 2. Even though it's just a sequence of cutscenes and it doesn't actually play out if you go off-script, I would be first in line to give this a go if it ever came out on the Analogue Pocket, that's not-a-Game-Boy-but-kind-of-a-Game-Boy.

If the name 'LumpyTouch' sounds familiar to you, it might be because of their retro-themed spin on the loveable comic cat from the 1970s, Garfield. To check out more of Lumpy's work, head on over to their Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch to see more of their pixel art, digital painting, and also some game dev creations.

Among Us has recently some high-profile people take to the game over on Twitch. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Otherwise known as AOC) took to Twitch last month along with other streamers to join her for an Among Us stream while also encouraging people to get out and vote for the 2020 US Presidental Election. The stream saw viewership skyrocketed at 628,000 concurrent viewers making it the third-highest individual stream by viewership in Twitch history, only behind the Ninja/Drake collab which saw 628k viewers and Shroud's return at 500k.

According to the official Among Us Twitter account, the title will soon be translated into several languages: French, Italian, German, Spanish EU and LA, Dutch, Russian, BR and EU Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino. The language update will also be especially beneficial for Japanese players. The popularity of the title has seen the studio canceling plans to create a sequel, instead, bringing content updates to the current version of the game. And at the moment, Among Us is only available on PC and mobile devices, but there are plans to bring it to other platforms, but it's not without trouble.

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Xbox New Update Brings More Dynamic Themes and the Pre-Install Feature for Game Pass Titles

Xbox Game Pass Pre-Install Feature

You can now start downloading the latest update for your Xbox console that brings four new major features, including the ability to pre-load upcoming games to Xbox Game Pass.

The official November 2020 update for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is now out. While most of the new content within the update targets 9th-gen consoles of Microsoft, there are some new features for Xbox One as well.

First of all, you will now have more dynamic themes available at your dashboard to choose from. In addition to the original theme, the new update brings six new backgrounds, and Microsoft promises to bring even more in the future console updates. You can now even personalize your dashboard's background the same as Xbox One on Series X|S.

Moreover, the update will provide an Auto HDR indicator at the top right corner of the screen whenever you open the hovering menu of Xbox in between your experience. This will allow you to know which games are using the feature actively.

A new badge of optimization will also come into Xbox Series X and S consoles in order to indicate which games are benefitting from the new-gen features. If any of the existing games receive an enhancement update, the badge will allow you to know about it without testing the game yourself.

Last but not least, the new update will bring the ability to pre-load upcoming games to Xbox Game Pass on both current-gen and last-gen consoles of Xbox. In fact, the update adds a new Coming Soon category to your Xbox Game Pass menu, allowing you to pre-load the upcoming games and start your experience as soon as they are added to the library.

Along with the things above, some other new features like achievement status on the Game Activity tab and adding family member accounts during setup will hit the Xbox consoles as well.

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Official Poke Ball Replica Announced to Release on Pokemon Day

Pokemon

I'm sure I can speak for every Pokemon fan that at some point, if not always we have always wanted an official replica of a Poke Ball. Well friends, after 24 long years the wait is finally over.

Officially licensed by The Pokemon Company, The Wand Company has announced the Diecast Poke Ball series showing off what looks to be the closest representation yet of a Poke Ball from the show and video game series. According to The Wand Company, "the dimensions, color, size, and weight of the Poke Balls have been officially approved by Pokemon."

Each Poke Ball is encased in a sleek grey box which rises whenever the box is opened as if you're receiving your very first pokemon. Under the ball is a multi-color LED light that adds even more flair to its presentation. Not only is it showcased beautifully, but it detects when a hand is near making the center of it glow like a pokemon is actually living inside. Included is a steel ring that can be used for displaying the poke ball outside of its box. Even more enticing, the ball is balanced so it can sit on a flat surface by itself without rolling off.

Despite the accuracy of this premium collectible, there are two significant factors that fans may be upset with. This particular Poke Ball cannot be open, nor should it be thrown. The Wand Company describes the poke ball as a "collector's display piece," and could hurt someone if used as a toy.

As an original Pokemon fan, this item is a dream come true. I can't wait to get this myself to display it alongside my other Pokemon collectibles, and there's even more to come. The company has already stated that there will be different kinds of Poke Balls release throughout 2021 (please make the GS Ball).

The Diecast Poke Ball is set to release on Pokemon Day, February 27, 2021. While it hasn't been officially confirmed, it is possible that this is one of the many things The Pokemon Company is doing to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary next year. You can pre-order the Diecast Poke Ball through Amazon, Big Bad Toy Store, Sideshow, and Zavvi for $99.99. Check out the video below for a better look at the Poke Ball in action.

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PS5 Is Reportedly The Biggest UK Console Launch

PS5

The brand-new PS5 console has been in incredible demand since it launched in the US on November 12, 2020. However, those in the UK had to wait until November 19, 2020. According to VGC, sources have claimed that the PS5 has been the UK's biggest ever console launch.

VGC details that its publishing sources at Sony have said that the PS5 launch has "far exceeded the UK's previous record holder", the PS4. When the PS4 launched in 2013, it was reported that it had sold "some 250,000 units in its first 48 hours." It's also said that the popular version of the new PlayStation console was the physical disc edition rather than the all-digital.

This is all similar to Microsoft Xbox which saw the Xbox Series X / S launch on November 10, 2020, become the biggest launch for the company in the UK. VGC spoke with publishers who claimed that 155,000 consoles were sold on launch day, beating its previous record in 2013 when the Xbox One console launched and sold 150,000 units.

VGC notes that the figures for both PS5 and Xbox Series X / S could have done far better had more stock been available. Obviously given the pandemic, supply is a complicated matter at the time being, however, more stock is said to be on the way. Sony PlayStation has said more PS5 stock is to be available by the year's end, while Microsoft has detailed that it expects shortages to continue until April next year.

Official figures have not been shared by Sony Interactive Entertainment, although has said the PS5 had recorded the company's biggest console launch sales in history, with the PS4 selling 2 million globally and holding the record until official figures are revealed. The company has also said that it expects to sell over 7.6 million PS5 units by the end of its fiscal year.

Irritatingly, scalper groups have been making the most of the limited supply with one group claiming to have obtained over 3,500 PS5 consoles and over 1,000 Xbox Series X consoles and then reselling them for a higher price for profit. The UK also saw deliveries at launch become a mess, with consoles going missing, and eBay listings appearing for extortionate prices. Amazon cut ties with one delivery driver who was caught on CCTV driving away with a PS5 shaped package.

It'll be interesting to see the official figures from Sony Interactive Entertainment to see just how many units of the console the company has sold. VGC notes that the UK's biggest launches before the PS5 and Xbox Series X / S were the PS4, PSP, and PS3 at the top, followed by the Xbox One. the Nintendo 3DS, and the Nintendo Wii.

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PS5's DualSense Controller Has Impressed Phil Spencer

DualSense

Phil Spencer mentions the tech behind DualSense as an innovation that every major company in the video game industry should take a deep look at and learn from.

It's pretty obvious for every gamer that Sony's new DualSense controller is huge progress when compared to PS4's DualShock 4. Even when you compare to the new Xbox controllers, there are some first-ever features in DualSense that you haven't had before on any other controller of a gaming console. Apparently, Sony's great job in designing DualSense has been so impressive for Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, that he has clearly admired the tech behind the controllers in a recent interview.

Speaking to The Verge, Phil Spencer sent his regards to Sony's 9th-gen controllers by putting it in the same position as Xbox Game Pass, as a field that people should learn from. He said:

I applaud what they did with the controller, not actually for–well, I shouldn't say not for the specifics of the controller, but more than just the specifics of the controller. I think for all of us in the industry, we should learn from each other and the innovation that we all push on, whether it's distribution of business model like Game Pass, or controller tech, or the Wii back in the day, which clearly had an impact on us when we went off and did Kinect and Sony did the Move.

Unlike Sony's DualSense, Xbox's new controllers didn't experience so much of changes compared to the last generation of consoles. Of course, the ergonomy of the Xbox controllers is still one of the best in the world, but when it comes to never-before-seen features, Xbox might lose the competition to its biggest rival.

DualSense controllers are only compatible with PS5 and Steam. You can grab one for $69.99 right now.

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Fall Guys Teases Season 3 Announcement For The Game Awards

Fall Guys Season 3

Geoff Keighley helped Fall Guys kick off their second season when he released the first official trailer to the world at Gamescom Opening Night Live. That partnership now looks set to continue, with the official Fall Guys Twitter account teasing an announcement on Season Three is set to be made at this year's The Game Awards.

The tweet shows off Pegwin, a bowtie wearing penguin who looks set to cause trouble in the upcoming season, which has been aptly titled "Fall Guys: Winter Knockout". While the tweet doesn't give any particular information about Pegwin, it says "If you want to see more of them, you might want to watch @thegameawards with @geoffkeighley on the 10th December".

Fall Guys Season Three received its first official tease through a combination of teamwork and a giant puzzle. Both the Fall Guys Twitter account and Discord channel received 300 numbered pieces and had to work together in order to complete the puzzle. Upon completion, a snowy scene was uncovered, displaying a whole range of new outfits, what seemed to be a new level and of course, Pegwin.

Over the past few years, The Game Awards has been a great source of news for fans of video games. Last year we got the official reveal of Godfall, which was the first title confirmed for the PS5, as well as our first look at the Xbox Series X and in years prior we have received reveals of games such as Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled and the announcement of Joker's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

This year's ceremony takes place on Thursday, December 10, and will feature a performance from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. 2020's awards will be the first time that a studio's efforts in accessibility will be recognised, with the confirmation of a new honour titled the "Innovation in Accessibility" award. You can check out the full list of nominees for the show right here.

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Nintendo Switch Version 11.0.0 Adds New Sharing Features, Icons and More in New Switch Update

Nintendo Switch console feature IARC

While most updates for the Nintendo Switch come in the form of smaller, system-level changes or, more often than not, changes so minuscule that only hackers and hardware experts can spot the difference, every once in a while, they offer something genuinely new and occasionally even exciting. Switch version 11.0.0 is one of those rare, exciting updates that adds new quality-of-life features and other interesting touches to the general user experience on the Switch.

Much like all recent Nintendo announcements, the update was revealed in a Tweet from Nintendo of America's official account. Headlining the announcement thread is probably one of the coolest new features to be added to the Switch in a while: users can now share screenshots and video captures directly to their phone using a QR code. Notably, the post, as well as the pages detailing the feature, are missing any mention of the much-reviled Nintendo Switch smartphone app.

On top of being able to easily transfer videos and screenshots to their smartphones, Switch users will also be able to send them to their computers using a USB connection.

The other, more interesting addition to the Switch's decreasingly barebones UI is the addition of the 'Trending' feature, which adds a section on the Switch's profile page located under the user's friends list. This weird little feature allows players to see games that are trending among people on their friends list.

The less sexy additions are features that have proven very useful for other consoles: users can now choose to automatically download save data that's been stored in the cloud for easier switching from device to device and users are now able to prioritize their active downloads. For a full list of all the changes introduced in Switch Version 11.0.0, including the new profile icons, check out Nintendo's official support page.

The post Nintendo Switch Version 11.0.0 Adds New Sharing Features, Icons and More in New Switch Update by Charlie Wacholz appeared first on DualShockers.

Leaked PlayStation Research Explains That Single-Player Games are Thriving

ps5 sega toshihiro nagoshi story feature

In a report from Vice, leaked internal PlayStation data shows that single-player games are thriving. The data also breaks down how the PlayStation 5's "Activities" section came to be.

In regards to single-player games, PlayStation points out common worries by players such as if they'll have enough time to play a single-player game or how to talk about it without spoilers. As Sony points out, while it'd be great for everyone to spend hours playing games, most people have other responsibilities, whether it be having children or full-time jobs. With that in mind, PlayStation wondered how they can make single-player games a larger part of people's free time.

"We can change 'should I start playing' to 'which part should I start playing?'" reads a slide next to a screenshot from Uncharted. "The options are there. The choices are clear. The game is calling. Pick up that controller. It's time to play."

With the "Activities" section, which debuted in PlayStation's UI video, they'll give you time estimates for certain tasks. As PlayStation points out in the presentation, the way cards are used can vary from game to game. For something like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, you can use the cards to play a main story mission or side quest and it'll tell you how long it takes. For other games like Astro's Playroom and Demon's Souls, you can use the "Activities" to jump between different levels or worlds. They can also show how far you are in getting certain collectibles. As a whole, it's a feature that make certain things more palatable to players, whether it be getting every collectible or finishing the game's story in between your busy life.

The PlayStation 5 is out now worldwide. Stay tuned to DualShockers for more PlayStation 5 coverage.

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The Wonderful 101 Remastered Gets a Free Demo With Guest Appearance from Bayonetta

While originally the game debuted on the Wii U, PlatinumGames' cult classic The Wonderful 101 Remastered debuted earlier this year and gave the title a second life on consoles and PC. If you haven't played the game for yourself just yet, you can now try out an extensive demo for free, which happens to include an appearance from another familiar Platinum face.

PlatinumGames has announced that a free demo for The Wonderful 101 Remastered is available now on all platforms, letting players try out the first two hours of the game. Specifically, the demo also features "Wonder-Bayonetta"–a miniaturized version of Bayonetta–that is available for players to recruit to their superhero team from the start, alongside a pack of special items and gear. Save progress will also carry over from the demo if players purchase the full game.

Alongside the release of the free demo, Platinum has also released a new update that introduces the "Wonder Code" feature, allowing players to redeem codes and unlock special items within the game. The first two codes allow players to bring in Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Rodin; you can find the specific codes below to unlock them:

The Wonderful 101 Remastered is available now on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The post The Wonderful 101 Remastered Gets a Free Demo With Guest Appearance from Bayonetta by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

SWERY's The Good Life Gets Publisher and Summer 2021 Release Date

The Good Life, White Owls Inc. Swery

SWERY and his team White Owls Inc. have quietly been working away at The Good Life since the game was announced way back in 2017. The game ran a successful Kickstarter campaign years ago but has yet to see the light of day. Recently, the team confirmed it wouldn't be making a 2020 release; however, today they shared some exciting news. Not only do they have a publisher but the game is now set for a summer 2021 release. Give the latest trailer a watch below.

If you've had the pleasure of reading my Deadly Premonition 2 review, you probably already know that I'm willing to follow SWERY where ever he decides to go. So, while a game about a photographer visiting a town whose residents turn into cats at night is super weird, I'm so excited to finally see it for myself.

What's even more exciting (at least on a personal level) is that they've brought in The Irregular Corporation as publishers. That team helped bring Murder By Numbers to market this year, which is a phenomenal Picross game. If that game is anything to go by, The Good Life might just be something special.

Sure, the frame rate doesn't look amazing in the latest trailer. However, that was true of Deadly Premonition 2 and it never really bothered me. Obviously, I'm a bit of an outlier, but the cast of characters is so incredible that it's worth getting past the technical problems. Hopefully, The Good Life can do the same if it's met with similar issues.

The Good Life is set to launch on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One sometime during summer 2021.

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