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How to Do a Tailslide in THPS 1+2

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 20:41:27 GMT

PS5 Retailers Appear to Have Fewer Digital Editions for Preorder

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 20:33:40 GMT

According to various reports, retailers appear to have fewer PS5 Digital Edition consoles than the standard, $100 more expensive PS5 with a disc drive. Ars Technica was able to confirm the initial preorder allocations for nine GameStop locations across the U.S., discovering that "roughly 24 percent of the stock available at these locations was taken up by the Digital Edition, with the remaining 76 percent for the Standard Edition." The ratios at individual locations varied from store-to-store, with some seeing as low as 13% of all PS5 preorders being the Digital Edition, others seeing it as high as 33%, and the most common being about 20%. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/18/ps5-prices-come-out-swinging"] While Ars Technica notes this "doesn't exactly represent a scientific retail survey," the tested allotments of PS5 preorders did take place in different cities around the U.S., including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. (2 stores), Kansas City, Austin, Boston, and Dallas. VGC previously reported that the PS5 Digital Edition stock would be much lower than the standard edition, and while Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and President Jim Ryan responded to Japanese site AV Watch on the matter (as translated by VGC), he didn't give a confirmation as to if the report was true. “The ratio between the Digital Edition and the disc drive model is currently something we cannot disclose at this time,” Ryan said. “We cannot give specific information on numbers, but we can say that we plan to produce the necessary number of units to meet the demand for that model type. However, we’ve never produced two different console models at the same time before so deciding on the right number and the right ratio is very hard to know. We are doing our best to predict demand.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is $399, $100 cheaper the the standard PlayStation 5 at $499. The only difference between the two consoles is the presence of a disc drive on the standard edition. This fact may very well tempt many around the world who wish to try to secure the cheaper next-gen console that will feature all the benefits of the more expensive one. Sony's strategy is different from Microsoft's, as the Xbox Series S is $200 cheaper than the Xbox Series X, but has a few more limitations alongside also not containing a disc drive. If you are still hoping to secure a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, be sure to check out our PS5 preorder guide and Xbox preorder guide for everything you need to know to help you secure one of these next-gen consoles this holiday. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/sony-says-it-will-have-more-ps5s-at-launch-than-the-ps4-in-2013"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Jett: The Far Shore Delayed on PS5, PS4, and PC to 2021

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 19:48:03 GMT

Jett: The Far Shore developer Superbrothers has delayed the PS5, PS4, and PC game to 2021. In a statement on Superbrothers' website, it said "Jett: The Far Shore is now fixin' to deploy in 2021 on PlayStation consoles and PC on the Epic Games Store. Hectic times, so we've revised our trajectory. It'll be stellar, when it alights." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/jett-the-far-shore-announcement-trailer-ps5-reveal-event"] Jett: The Far Shore was announced at the PlayStation 5 reveal event for a Holiday 2020 release, and promises a story where you will carve out a future for humanity that is haunted by oblivion and propelled by dreams. It looks to feature space travel, exploration of strange new lands, and much more. Superbrothers spoke to Vice recently and discussed a bit more of the game, its creation myth, how it ties to its previous game Sword & Sworcery, and more. “So with JETT the spark is to keep the feel and fun of something like Motorstorm, with the intricate, interesting, substantial design of Monster Hunter, to say yes to the player’s instinct to go fast and take jumps and offroad, and then to try to interleave some narrative-vibe focused scenes to soak in, so the player has interesting story concepts to contemplate while skimming around.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=jett-the-far-shore-playstation-5-screenshots&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Here's How Backwards Compatibility Will Work on Xbox Series S

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 19:13:33 GMT

Microsoft has detailed how the Xbox Series S will handle backwards compatibly for games of the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One S, and how this next-gen system will make those experiences even better. As reported by Eurogamer, Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter spoke to Microsoft about the Xbox Series S and and how it will offer "1440p for OG Xbox and enhanced 360 titles, 2x performance on select One S titles - and more." Original Xbox games will feature a "3x boost to resolution on both axes, meaning that titles targeting 480p on the original machine will hit a maximum of 1440p on Series S, presumably with a range of performance benefits." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/08/xbox-series-s-world-premiere-reveal-trailer"] Xbox 360 games that were made available for Xbox One X will also be enhanced, running with a "2x2 resolution multiplier, bringing titles that ran at native 720p up to 1440p." As was previously mentioned, Xbox Series S won't run older games with Xbox One X Enhancements, but it will have other added benefits. Xbox 360 games will benefit from the improved Zen 2 CPU architecture, which is a step up over the Xbox One X's Jaguar CPU cores. As for Xbox One S games, there will be also be various improvements, although "a game hard-coded to run at 900p will not run any higher on Series S." However, there will be "increased resolutions in games that use dynamic resolution scaling, as well as improvements to texture filtering quality." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] Games will also load much faster with the new solid state storage, and Auto HDR will also be present and will make games look better than their Xbox One S counterparts. Furthermore, CPU-limited titles should also "deliver more stable performance at target frame-rates." Speaking of frame-rates, Xbox One titles will be able to run at double the frame-rate on both the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. "We designed the Series S to enhance the Xbox One S games in a way that the Xbox One X can't do," system architect Andrew Goossen tells Eurogamer. "We made it easy for existing Xbox One S games to be updated to run with double the frame-rate when played on Series S as well. When games are updated, existing games can query to determine whether they're running on the new console. And in terms of the performance, the Series S provides well over double the effective CPU and GPU performance over the Xbox One, making it pretty straightforward for the games to do this. And in fact, the Series S GPU runs the Xbox One S games with better performance than the Xbox One X." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/11/why-xbox-series-s-game-pass-is-microsofts-secret-weapon-next-gen-console-watch"] Another exciting aspect is how relatively simple it seems to enhance previous games to take advantage of the power of these next-gen systems. "There's no real perf tuning necessary when you do this, and so often it's just as easy as changing three lines of code, and then the game works." Goossen adds. "Even when it's not that easy, the fixes are still pretty minor. We had one triple-A title where doubling the frame-rate really worked perfectly, except that the crowd animation was twice as fast as normal. And so, those sorts of fixes are typically very, very easy for developers to go fix. We're working with game developers and publishers to update [their titles]. It'll basically be select games that run at a doubled frame-rate on the Series S." The Xbox Series S and the Xbox Series X will both be released on November 10, 2020, and will cost $299 and $499, respectively. For more on the Xbox Series S, read on about how game sizes will be smaller on the Series S, 8 new details we learned about the smaller next-gen console, and its full specs. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=xbox-series-s-and-series-x-comparison-photos&captions=true"] Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will be available for preorder on September 22, 2020, and you can stay up to date everything you need to know about Xbox preorders in our constantly updated guides that contain what you need to know to secure one or both! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Mario 64: Find Every Secret Star in the Castle

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 16:08:58 GMT

PS5 Hardware Images Show the Size of the Biggest Console in Modern History

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 22:48:22 GMT

New PlayStation 5 images have come our way via Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) and give another glimpse at the biggest console in modern history. As reported by The Verge, a PS5 arrived at the NCC and provides close-up photos of Sony's next-gen console, its removable base that can hold the console in both horizontal and vertical positions, and the DualSense controller. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ps5-console-images-taiwans-national-communications-commission&captions=true"] Following the PlayStation 5 Showcase that revealed the price and release date of the PS5, Final Fantasy 16, the sequel to 2018's God of War, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more, Sony released the official dimensions, confirming the PS5 is now the biggest game console in modern history. According to Sony, the PS5 sits at 15.4 inches tall, 10.24 inches deep, and 4.09 inches wide. For comparison, the Xbox Series X is 11.85 inches tall, 5.94 inches deep, and 5.94 inches wide. PlayStation 5 will cost $499, while the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will cost $399, and they will both be released on November 12, 2020. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/final-fantasy-16-reveal-trailer"] Preorders were supposed to begin the day after the PlayStation 5 Showcase, but retailers began opening them later that night. There was a ton of chaos with many around the world trying to preorder a PS5, and many were left without one. Luckily, Sony has said more preorders will be on their way in the next few days and through the end of the year. To help make sure you can secure a PS5, check out our PS5 preorder guide and follow IGNDeals to get up-to-the-minute updates on when PS5 stock comes back. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

PS5 File Sizes Revealed for Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon's Souls

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:57:52 GMT

Sony has revealed the first estimated file sizes for PlayStation 5's Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon's Souls, and they could take up to 20% of your PS5's SSD. These file sizes were revealed on the PlayStation Direct website where you can buy PlayStation consoles, games, and accessories right from Sony. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Launch Edition will require at least 50 GB, while the Ultimate Launch Edition will need at least 105 GB of space as it also includes a remastered version of 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/spider-man-miles-morales-gameplay-trailer"] Demon's Souls, which is a remake of the 2009 PlayStation 3 game, will need 66 GB of space. If you were to purchase both Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Launch Edition and Demon's Souls digitally, you will need 171 GB of storage. This is important to know, especially for those who wish to go all digital with the PS5 Digital Edition. These launch consoles have 825 GB, so these games, assuming the sizes don't change, will take up 20% of the SSD by themselves. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/demons-souls-remake-gameplay-trailer"] Sony's first party games Astro's Playroom, Destruction All Stars, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure will also be available at PS5's launch, and that doesn't even include other third-party titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs Legion, and Destiny 2: Beyond Light. Oh, and a backwards compatible Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will be out within the first week of PS5's launch, and we already know how high Call of Duty's file sizes can get. PlayStation 5 will be released on November 12, 2020, and if you are still looking to get a preorder, make sure to check out our PS5 preorder guide and follow IGNDeals on Twitter to get up-to-the-minute updates on when they go live again. Luckily, Sony did mention more would be on the way in the next few days and through the end of the year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

PS5: Sony Apologizes for Preorder Issues, Promises More PS5s Are On The Way

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 17:53:13 GMT

Following the PlayStation's 5 frustrating preorder process, Sony has apologized and has promised that more will be available to preorder in the next few days and that more will be available "through the end of the year." PlayStation took to to Twitter to share the message, saying the "PS5 preorders could have been a lot smoother." "Let's be honest: PS5 preorders could have been a lot smoother," PlayStation said. "We truly apologize for that. Over the next few days, we will release more PS5 consoles for preorder - retailers will share more details. And more PS5s will be available through the end of the year." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/18/ps5-prices-come-out-swinging"] Pre-orders, according to Sony, were supposed to begin the day after the PS5 Showcase that revealed the price and release date of the PlayStation 5 alongside Final Fantasy 16, the sequel to 2018's God of War, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more. However, retailers began pre-orders that same night, and websites were crashing and many people were left without one, even though Sony had previously mentioned that PS5 preorders would not be a surprise. Even those who did secure a PS5 preorder weren't 100% sure they would stick, and retailers like Amazon began sending out e-mails saying it may not be able to deliver them to purchasers on the release day of November 12, 2020. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] Luckily, it appears people will have another chance to secure one for this holiday season. To help ensure you can get a PS5, be sure to follow our PS5 preorder guide and IGNDeals on Twitter for up-to-the-moment alerts on preorders. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X Comparison Chart

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:00:19 GMT

Collect Every Star With Our Super Mario Galaxy Walkthrough

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 03:13:12 GMT

PS5 vs Xbox: Analyzing the Tech in Each Next-Gen Console

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 23:51:33 GMT

We've been getting glimpses of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for months, but at long last the new consoles are starting to feel real, with price, pre-order, and release dates officially set, hardware shown off, and launch game trailers plastered over YouTube to drool over. But now that consumers finally have enough intel to make an informed decision, both companies have announced lower-priced, digital-only alternatives to their high-end machines, which can make a decision much more challenging.

The High-End: Xbox Series X vs PS5 Specs

In order to compare the disc-less PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S, we need to start with the high-end models: the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. We haven't had a chance to put any of these consoles through their paces, so when it comes to practical performance, we can only go off what the manufacturers have told us – while maybe gleaning a bit from past consoles.

Both machines boast 8-core AMD Ryzen CPUs, with 16GB of RAM and custom AMD Radeon integrated graphics. However, the PS5's CPU runs at 3.5GHz (with variable clock speeds) and its GPU at 2.23GHz, with 10.28 teraflops of graphical horsepower. The Xbox Series X's CPU is marginally faster at 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with multi-threading is used) and the GPU slower at 1.825GHz – though its higher number of compute units put its total computing power at about 12 teraflops, a bit higher than the PS5.

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Clock speeds and teraflops aren't the end-all-be-all of performance, but it's the only hint we have right now at how the consoles will compare. Both are aiming to output graphics in 4K, and can handle up to 120 frames per second for super-smooth motion – though many games will probably require you to step down the resolution to hit that frame rate. Most games will likely aim for 30 to 60 frames per second at 4K.

The consoles aren't running identical hardware, so it's likely one will have slightly stronger capabilities (if we're speculating, it's probably the Xbox Series X), but the two are going to be more similar than they are different, playing many of the same games with comparable graphical fidelity. I'd be surprised if the average gamer could tell the difference between graphics without pixel-peeping.

That said, peepers gonna peep, so we're sure to see these differences soon enough. The Xbox One X, for example, was able to run games at slightly higher resolutions than the PlayStation 4 Pro, or with fewer framerate dips – that ultimately meant slightly sharper graphics with smoother motion. If a console, like the PS5, has to upscale a lower resolution to 4K, it can also introduce small "artifacts," or graphical glitches, to the image. You can see some examples in this video from Digital Foundry, which compares checkerboarded 4K on the PS4 with native 4K on a PC. We won't know how wide that gap is with the next generation of consoles, and how the slower model's disadvantages manifest, until we see some more games in motion.

Xbox Series S vs PS5 Digital

Sony and Microsoft probably knew $500 was a tough pill to swallow, so they're both providing lower-cost alternatives to their top-of-the-line models: Sony offers the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for $399, and Microsoft offers the Xbox Series S for $299. It may be tempting to directly compare these two – after all, you'll probably see them sitting side-by-side on some shelves – but they're different enough that such a comparison doesn't make much sense.

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The PS5 Digital Edition has the same exact specs as its disc-friendly big brother, meaning games should look and play identically on each. The only difference is the 4K Blu-ray drive, which is not present on the Digital Edition. That's pretty self-explanatory: if you plan on buying games digitally and streaming instead of watching Blu-rays, the Digital Edition is well worth the $100 savings.

The Xbox Series S, on the other hand, uses different hardware than the Series X in order to hit that budget-friendly $299 price point. Its graphics chip can only hit 4 teraflops, with 10GB of RAM and a 512GB storage drive that's half the size of the terabyte drive inside the Series X. Microsoft says it’s aiming for a 1440p resolution, which lies somewhere between the 1080p of the original Xbox One and 4K of the Xbox Series X. It'll upscale to 4K, and it's capable of playing games at a super-smooth 120 frames per second, but again, it's likely to be closer to 30 or 60 frames per second unless you drop the graphics down on games that support such options.

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Perhaps most revealing is the fact that the lower-cost Series S, while backwards compatible with last-gen games, will not play the Xbox One X-enhanced version of those games – instead, it'll play the “Xbox One S version” – the “default” backwards-compatible version – albeit with some improvements like smoother frame rates, faster load times, and HDR. In other words, it may fall somewhere between the One S and One X in terms of graphical fidelity. So, while the PS5 Digital Edition is a next-gen console through and through (with a small discount for the lack of disc drive), the Series S seems more similar to a last-gen console in terms of its graphical output, while still being able to play the latest games.

Microsoft hasn't said exactly what this will look like beyond resolution and frame rate, but it could also mean certain graphical settings are downgraded – maybe shadows will be a bit more wobbly, or perhaps certain textures have a bit more blur on the Series S. Ray tracing could be scaled back as well, for slightly less realistic lighting, according to Microsoft. Last-gen comparisons might give us a clue what the differences could be – in Shadow of War, for instance, faraway objects like trees are noticeably less detailed on the Xbox One S than they were on the Xbox One X. And if you remember its predecessor, Shadow of Mordor, was seriously hamstrung on the Xbox 360 and PS3 compared to the PS4.

I'd be surprised to see a difference between the Xbox Series S and Series X as brutal as something like Shadow of Mordor’s cross-generational stumbles, but it depends on how far developers push the limits of the hardware. Most of what we'll see is probably slightly scaled back graphics, with lower resolution and/or framerate. Even with those minor sacrifices, the Series S sounds like a screaming good deal at $299.

So Which Do You Buy?

If you're biting your nails trying to decide which of the four new consoles to buy, here are a few considerations:

Games: Picking between Camp Xbox and Camp PlayStation is probably easy: the games are likely to make all the difference. If you're a fan of God of War, Horizon, and Spider-Man, those games will all have exclusive representation on the PS5 (and PS4). If you're addicted to Halo, Fable, and Forza, those'll all be getting their own installments on the latest Xboxes.
Resolution: Between the Xbox Series X and Series S, the Series X is going to provide the best experience in terms of detailed graphics and smooth motion – albeit at a higher price. If you don't have a 4K TV, you're just a casual gamer, or if you just want to get some better bang for your buck, the Series S is going to be a great budget option with minor sacrifices.
Performance: Pixel count aside, both versions of the PS5 and the Xbox Series S/X will be able to hit framerates of up to 120FPS – though it’s likely we’ll still see plenty of 30-60FPS games as well. Given the lower-tech gear powering the Xbox Series S, it’s likely that you may see some reduced visuals as well - like running a game on “normal” vs “high” settings on PC.
Digial vs Physical: On the PlayStation end of things, the Digital Edition is hard to say no to: for $100 less, you get a system with the exact same specs as its bigger brother, just without a disc drive. If you already plan on buying games digitally, it's a no-brainer. That said, don't discount the value of discs. Buying physical PS5 games could provide enough savings to offset that $100 in the long run, since you can buy and sell discs used. Plus, 4K Blu-rays are amazing – better than 4K streaming – making both disc-based consoles enticing for movie buffs.

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And don't feel like you have to make this decision right now. If you're on the fence, holding off could help you avoid a case of buyer's remorse, letting you see how these consoles perform in the flesh before you fork over your hard-earned cash. That is, if you can stand the wait.

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Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for ten years. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn’t get grease on his mechanical keyboard.

Xbox Lets You Plan Where to Put Xbox Series X and Series S in Your Home With a Paper Version

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 23:23:04 GMT

If you're still not sure where your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S are going to fit in your entertainment center, don't worry, Microsoft has you covered. Announced via Twitter, you can now print and assemble your own replica console. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] Available as a free download from the Xbox website, Microsoft is allowing eager players to print out full-scale or 1/3-scale versions of either Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S to "plan how they are going to fit in your lifestyle." Basically, is it going on top of or inside your entertainment center? The paper cutouts are surprisingly detailed, though. Both contain every labeled port for each upcoming console as well as small details such as the fan on top of the Series X and the color-matched Xbox logos on each box. Microsoft included simple instructions for each, indicating all you need is a pair of scissors and some glue to assemble your new (paper) box!

Excited for your new Xbox Series S or X this November 10? We all are, which is why we created a recyclable replica to build.
Sure, it may not run games, but it's going to look pretty cool: https://t.co/tEzSy1gDEY pic.twitter.com/OHh4slItms — Xbox (@Xbox) September 18, 2020

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S preorders begin Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:00 AM ET/8:00 AM PT. You can follow our guide on where to secure your Xbox preorder. Also, be sure to check out 8 new details we learned about the smaller, discless Xbox Series S. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

The Last Stand Update Is Left 4 Dead 2's First Major DLC in Eight Years

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 22:48:44 GMT

Left 4 Dead 2 is getting its first update in 8 years later this month with The Last Stand Update, a new content pack developed by members of the dedicated Left 4 Dead community for the community. IGN got a chance to speak with the team behind the update to find out more about how this community effort became an official update to Left 4 Dead sanctioned by Valve. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/03/left-4-dead-2-the-last-stand-update-official-teaser"] The Last Stand update for Left 4 Dead 2 began when the project lead who goes by Rayman1103 in the Left 4 Dead community reached out to Valve’s Kerry Davis back in October 2019 about a potential 10th Anniversary update for Left 4 Dead 2. “[Davis] liked the idea of it and he was going to ask around the office to see if anyone could lend a hand but it turned out everyone was so focused on getting Half-Life: Alyx finished that they couldn’t really do anything on their end,” Rayman tells IGN. But Davis was open to the idea of the community doing something. “I asked him for the source files for the Lighthouse maps from Left 4 Dead 1 and that’s when I started working on getting a team together” for the project. Rayman says that once a team, made up of members from all areas of the Left 4 Dead community from Survival to Workshop developers, got together the project began to take on a life of its own. “What was originally planned was just a port of the Survival Maps from Left 4 Dead 1 over into Left 4 Dead 2, all the missing maps that were never ported over… Just to get whatever was missing and get it into [Left 4 Dead 2]” says Rayman. But The Last Stand update as it will be released next week will include far more. The full update list includes:

The Last Stand campaign
30 brand new achievements
26 new survival maps
4 new scavenge maps
2 new melee weapons
Left 4 Dead 1 infected skins with functional gore
New and unused survivor voice lines
New and improved character animations
Reworked gun models and animations
PvP enhancements and balance updates
Official CSS weapon implementation
Brand new mutations Rocketdude and Tank run

“Originally the Lighthouse campaign was just the one survival map in Left 4 Dead 1, but we felt that if we could turn that into a campaign players might enjoy that more,” said the team's map developer who goes by NF. “So we managed to expand that one Lighthouse map into a full campaign that’s playable from beginning to end.” The map design and campaign design was done completely by The Last Stand update developers, with Valve helping on bug fixes and issues that the developers were unable to implement on their end. For example, there will be a new scoring system at the finale of the new campaign. The campaign design process took four to five iterations before the final design was chosen. “We tried to invoke the original spirit of Left 4 Dead 1 and in that game, it’s more of a darker tone compared to Left 4 Dead 2,” NF says. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/17/left-4-dead-3-is-not-in-the-works"] The development team credits its success to the Left 4 Dead community which is still going strong after over a decade. And while Valve says there are no plans for Left 4 Dead 3, the team says “Hopefully, if Valve allows us to make more, the community can look for even more cool things in the future.” The Last Stand update for Left 4 Dead 2 will be released on September 24. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales' Story, Villains and More Explained

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 21:05:50 GMT

With Spider-Man: Miles Morales coming to both PS5 and PS4 this year, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about the upcoming video game. Whether it’s the story, villain, release date or how Miles Morales' powers set him apart from Peter Parker, we’ve got you covered.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Origin

Let’s start with a recap of how Miles Morales (voiced by Nadji Jeter) got his spider-powers in the 2018 game Marvel’s Spider-Man. It’s not unlike how he got his powers in the comics and the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse but of course the game put a new spin on how it all went down. We meet Miles as a 15 year-old living in New York City who idolizes Spider-Man and just happens to be friends with one Peter Parker. After the death of Miles’s father, police officer Jefferson Davis, at the hands of Mister Negative’s gang members known as the Inner Demons, Peter takes care of Miles by inviting him to volunteer at the F.E.A.S.T. shelter with Aunt May and checking in on him during his adventures as Spider-Man. Despite struggling with the loss of his father, Miles is inspired to find ways to do good and ends up helping Spider-Man by evading a rampaging Rhino to deliver important information, tending to the sick infected with the Devil’s Breath, and even saving Spidey’s life alongside Mary Jane Watson. All this proves he has the stuff of being a hero, and then the final ingredient arrives in the form of a genetically modified spider that escaped from Norman Osborn’s secret lab, which bites him and gives him a unique set of spider-powers. Miles chooses to reveal these powers to Peter, and Peter decides to trust Miles with his secret identity, thus paving the way for a new Spider-Man. In the post-game DLC expansion adventure called The City That Never Sleeps, we get a few more snippets of Miles exploring his new powers. Even though Peter tries to teach Miles to be responsible and exercise caution, Miles “accidentally” uses his powers to show off in basketball and tests the limits of his abilities by jumping off a bridge, resulting in a broken toe. Peter eventually decides it’s time for some proper teaching and the story ends with Miles getting his first lesson in web-swinging.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Story

The story of Spider-Man: Miles Morales takes place one year after the events of the original Spider-Man PS4 game. Miles has progressed quite a bit, outfitting himself with his own red-and-black version of the Spider-Man costume to patrol the streets of New York City. Kicking off just before Christmas, the story starts in Miles’ home of Harlem and features the fledgling hero dealing with a street war between the Roxxon Energy Corporation and the high-tech criminal army known as the Underground, led by a villain known as the Tinkerer (more on her in a moment). As Miles’ mother Rio Morales holds an election rally for City Council, the Underground crashes the party, leading to the two gangs clashing on the Braithwaite Bridge and leaving it up to Miles to intervene and save those in danger. The Underground attack a Roxxon armored van carrying a shipment of Newform, an experimental energy source created by Roxxon. Tinkerer manages to get away with one canister, but not before it gets infused with some of Miles’ bio-electricity. It wouldn’t surprise us if the combination of those two energies creates something extremely powerful and dangerous that the Tinkerer is able to use for nefarious purposes. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=spider-man-miles-morales-playstation-5-showcase-screenshots&captions=true"]

How Long Is Spider-Man: Miles Morales Going to Be?

Whereas Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4 was a full-length game, Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be a shorter adventure. Developer Insomniac said it will be similar to other "expandalones" like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy; that game offered roughly seven to 10 hours of gameplay, so expect something similar for Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Trailers and Gameplay

So far there have been two trailers showing off Spider-Man: Miles Morales. There’s the initial launch trailer: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/spider-man-miles-morales-announcement-trailer-ps5-event"] And the second trailer features a look at Miles’ life as a civilian before launching into a combat gameplay demonstration. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/spider-man-miles-morales-gameplay-trailer"]

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Villains

Spider-Man: Miles Morales features two villainous factions, Roxxon Corporation and the Underground, the latter of which is led by the Marvel villain known as the Tinkerer.

Roxxon Energy Corporation

Roxxon Energy Corporation is a massive, evil corporation in the Marvel Universe, although they mask it by operating as a lucrative, public-facing company. They embody corporate greed, environmental pollution, and every other bad thing corporations are known to do, all upped to the worst degree. Often run by a vicious executive, they only care about increasing profits and pleasing their shareholders, and they’re willing to engage in all sorts of illegal activity to do it. The Roxxon enforcers in Spider-Man: Miles Morales appear as armored, heavily-armed guards in red and dark gray colors. There’s no word yet on who leads Roxxon in the game. It could be any number of the various suits who have taken on the role over the years in the comics. Although, it would certainly be interesting if it were a known supervillain, like Dario Agger, the current head of Roxxon in the comics who just happens to be a bloodthirsty Minotaur. Roxxon has used everyone from the Serpent Squad, the Squadron Supreme and the Dogs of War as hired guns over the years, so the possibilities are numerous.

The Underground and the Tinkerer

While the Underground is a new criminal organization with a cyberpunk aesthetic that leaves us without much to go on, the Tinkerer has a long history in the Marvel Universe (follow that link for an in-depth history of the character). That said, this is obviously a new version of the Tinkerer that’s far from what we’re used to seeing. In the comics, the Tinkerer is an old man named Phineas Mason who makes a living using his skills as an inventor to create all sorts of weaponized tech for supervillains. He has invented various weapons for Mysterio, Kingpin, and Vulture, just to name a few. He’s normally depicted as a frail, elderly man who prefers to work in the shadows of his lab rather than face Spider-Man head-on. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-tinkerers-long-history-as-a-spider-man-villain&captions=true"] That’s quite different from the new Tinkerer, who doesn’t have any problem suiting up in her high-tech battle suit with glowing purple accents to pull off heist jobs with her goons (who appear to be outfitted with mechanical gauntlets that pack an energized punch). She seems to know a thing or two about hand-to-hand combat, as she has no problem landing an energized kick right in Miles’ face. We also see a few of her gizmos at work, as she lifts her arm to form a mechanized shield and extends her robotic hands to yank off the door of an armored vehicle with enhanced strength. Is it just us or do those robo-tentacle arms have a certain Doc Ock quality to them? Perhaps a connection between the two will be unveiled, which would call for a reason to bring Peter into the story for a cameo. We do have one theory about the Tinkerer’s identity. Perhaps the Tinkerer is indeed old man Phineas Mason, but he’s operating a robotic avatar from the safety of his secret lair in order to obscure his true identity. [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=af7ec7d6-3cfd-4e17-8ddf-fcacdaecb54f"]

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Powers and Abilities

Miles Morales has the same powers as Peter Parker -- super strength, agility, stamina, endurance and reflexes along with the ability to stick to and climb surfaces, web-swing with the aide of web-shooters, and pre-cognitively perceive danger with his Spider-sense -- as well as some new tricks. Miles can channel his bio-electricity into a powerful Venom Blast that shocks enemies. We see him making use of this ability to astonishing effect in the gameplay footage as he uses it to stun, zap and blast opponents in a dizzying display of electrifying combat. Miles also has the ability to turn invisible. This allows him to move about in stealth to sneak around and take enemies unaware. And while not a “super power” like his other abilities, Miles has a gifted mind and a knack for science, as proven when he adjusted Peter’s web-shooter to account for the difference in their weight like it was nothing.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Skins

Miles starts in his signature red-and-black Spider-Man costume but we can of course expect for him to have multiple skins, just like Peter had in Marvel's Spider-Man. Currently, only one alternate skin has been revealed called the T.R.A.C.K. Suit. It's an original design created for the game and features a sleek white costume, which certainly brings to mind Peter's Advanced Suit. This costume comes as part of a pre-order bonus when purchasing the Launch Edition or the Ultimate Launch Edition of the game. Another mystery costume, along with three extra skill points and a Gravity Well Gadget, will be included with a pre-order.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Release Date

Spider-Man: Miles Morales releases on November 12, 2020. The game is a PlayStation exclusive. It will be a PS5 launch title and will also be available to play on PS4.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Pre-Order

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is now available for pre-order from various outlets. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joshua is a Senior and Producer of Features at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Star Wars are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

Cyberpunk 2077's Story Will Be Shorter Than The Witcher 3's

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 21:02:53 GMT

CD Projekt Red has said that Cyberpunk 2077's campaign will be shorter than The Witcher 3's because a lot of people didn't end up finishing the whole story. As spotted by ResetEra user Saucycarpdog on CohhCarnage's Twitch stream, senior quest designer Patrick K. Mills on the post-show of the third Cyberpunk 2077 Night City Wire said that the campaign for Cyberpunk 2077 will be slightly shorter than The Witcher 3 because, even though a lot of people got very far in the game, not as many made it all the way to the end. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/18/cyberpunk-2077-night-city-wire-episode-3"] "The difference between a completionist run and a main story run... we do know that the main story run in Cyberpunk 2077 is slightly shorter than The Witcher 3 because we got a lot of complaints about Witcher 3’s main story just being too long," Mills said. "Looking at the metrics, you see tremendous numbers of people played through that game really far, but never made it to the end. We want you to see the full story, so we did shorten the main story, but we have lots to do, and in terms of a completionist campaign, I just don’t have that number." According to How Long To Beat, The Witcher 3's main story takes an average of 51.5 hours to complete, while a completionist run can take around 172 hours. While the main campaign may be slightly shorter than The Witcher 3's, Cyberpunk 2077 will be receiving free DLC alongside paid expansions just like the third Witcher game. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=cyberpunk-2077-25-new-night-city-images&captions=true"] Cyberpunk 2077 will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia on November 19, 2020. It will also be arriving on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X with a free 'more robust' upgrade in 2021. Until then, it will be playable via backward compatibility. For more on Cyberpunk 2077, check out the recently revealed PC specs, new location screenshots and gang images, and read our hands-on preview after playing the game for 4 hours. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/25/cyberpunk-2077-hands-on-what-we-think-after-4-hours-in-night-city"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

PS5's Prices Come Out Swinging

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:38:25 GMT

Sony finally — finally — announced the PlayStation 5 price and release date during its latest PS5 event, and sure, the pre-order situation is a little muddy, but in terms of cost it’s just about the best-case scenario interested buyers could have reasonably hoped for. And the price points are not only largely fair compared to the competition, they’re also smartly competitive, and a clear indicator that even as Microsoft’s console philosophy has shifted, Sony is still in it to dominate the sales charts. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-game-and-announcement-featured-in-the-playstation-5-showcase-event&captions=true"] PS5’s standard edition costs $499, and the PS5 digital edition is $399. Other than the absence of a disc drive (and thus the console’s reduced weight and size), both systems have functionally the same specs — same SSD, same storage space, and all the same 3D audio and ray tracing bells and whistles Sony has been promising. That not only puts the PS5’s more expensive option and Xbox Series X at the same price point, but means you can buy the PS5 Digital Edition for $100 cheaper than the competition. Yes, the Series X is more powerful, and there are still plenty of incentives to buy an Xbox – Game Pass, more robust backward compatibility, and Xbox’s Play Anywhere initiative all make the Xbox Series X a great platform. But as an argument to buy a next-gen system to play next-gen games, Sony has made the PS5 pretty hard to pass up, so long as you don’t mind giving up discs.

The Digital Edition Undercut

Sony’s big play is the PS5 Digital Edition, which essentially offers Sony’s topline hardware for $100 less than Xbox’s top-of-the-line Series X. Discussions of raw horsepower aside, Sony is making the argument that you can get a comparable experience for less than the competition with the PS5. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/ps5-price-release-date-launch-games-and-more-beyond-episode-666"] And it really benefits Sony for you to want to pick up the Digital Edition. Sure, even if Sony loses any money on the cost of the box itself, the Digital Edition locks you into Sony’s purchasing ecosystem. Outside of the occasional digital code you may get on Amazon, Digital players will be buying all their PS5 games from Sony directly, and can never trade in those games to a third-party retailer. The PlayStation Network Store is effectively the only shopping option, and that means Sony gets a much larger, more consistent cut of every game you buy. Even if Sony makes less money from you on day one, they’ll get a more consistent share of every game you buy from them, rather than having to share the profits with retailers and shipping.

Digital Apples to Digital Oranges

The big question on a lot of people’s minds is probably “What’s the best value between the Xbox Series X, S, and PS5?” And while it may make sense to compare the Xbox Series S and PS5 Digital Edition – since they are their company’s respective cheaper versions – the Series S is, in my view, a totally different value proposition than the PS5 or Series X. Despite the seemingly meager $100 difference, the two are vastly different consoles. Sure they both lack a disc drive, but with its lower specs the Series S seems designed for a more casual audience who may not have 4K TVs, or even a secondary console for those who want to “cover their bases” when it comes to exclusives. It’s better, in my mind, to think of the Xbox Series S as “Next-Gen Light”:it’s undeniably a great option for players who may not be ready or able to lay down $400-500 dollars for a new system, and the lower price – even with a monthly subscription free for the added benefits of Game Pass – is undoubtedly the best deal to get in on next-gen. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/ps5-vs-xbox-series-which-is-the-better-value-next-gen-console-watch"] Of course, Sony isn’t going to market the console as a boon to their bottom dollar, and if the frantic scramble to preorder PS5’s after the reveal event proves anything, it’s that the Digital Edition is seemingly far more scarce – and that makes sense. Not only is it a cheaper option, but any retail store – which thrive on selling physical games and accessories rather than consoles – probably doesn’t want to sell a box that hastens their irrelevance. But for Sony, it’s all upside. Players get a console with the same processing power for cheaper, and Sony, for the entire generation, has you viewing them as a one-stop shop for games. And if the Digital Edition remains as scarce as it seems, it would be easy to see some consumers get so wrapped up in the hype and frantic pace of the preorder process that they might just buy the more expensive option if it’s available.

A Stronger Launch Lineup

The latest PS5 showcase gave us a better understanding of what PS5 owners will be able to play on day one, and...it’s looking a lot stronger than Xbox Series X and S this holiday. First of all, yes, it’s undeniable to say that Sony announcing Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also coming to PS4 offers one less huge incentive to buy a PS5 on day one, alongside other upcoming games like Horizon Forbidden West. For Sony to spend most of 2020 saying it “believes in generations” rather than Microsoft’s more blurred line and then make these announcements, it knocks a bit of the wind out of the sales of why you should buy a PS5 this fall. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] That said, the console will have a decent amount of console and console-family exclusives, including Demon’s Souls, Destruction Allstars, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and Astro’s Playground on the first-party front, plus third-party console exclusives like Godfall and a host of PS4/PS5 console exclusives from the indie realm like Bugsnax and The Pathless in the nebulous “Holiday 2020” window. And that’s not counting Sony’s biggest play — between the two PS5 showcases, Sony gave players the hard sell on long-term ownership. With exclusives like God of War, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Final Fantasy XVI, and more, Sony clearly made a case for why the next couple of years are a going to be great time to own a PS5. Of course, there is the big question of power — the Series X is the more powerful console, and theoretically games will run and look better on it. Players looking to buy the beefiest console (until the inevitable PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X-2?), Xbox is currently the way to go. But we’ve yet to see any direct performance comparisons and so, at least for launch when so many third-party games are also having to consider current-gen versions too, it’s a safe bet to assume that the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of cross-platform games will be comparable enough that PS5 players likely won’t miss out on much. That said, if raw power is your primary concern, it may be best to wait until we have some concrete examples and comparisons of how the two consoles stack up. On the whole, Sony wisely let Microsoft show its whole hand first before laying out what it had to offer. It may feel like conspiracy theory-level thinking to Sony made major changes to its pricing plans because of where Microsoft landed with the Xbox series but by being the last ones to go, Sony could shore up a competitive pricing plan, and pivot its messaging to double down on what it offers that Microsoft doesn’t — two console options, one cheaper by a not insignificant margin, that offer the same on-screen experience. Whichever price point you might choose, Sony’s launch window and current year-one lineups do a great job of telling you what your initial investment will get you, and why they think it’s worth your money now and throughout 2021 – even if preordering is a pain in the ass. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

PS5: Amazon Warns It May Not Be Able to Deliver Pre-Orders by Release Date

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:16:39 GMT

Amazon is warning customers who pre-ordered the PlayStation 5 that it may not be able to deliver PS5 systems in time for its November 12 launch. Customers who pre-ordered PlayStation 5 systems from Amazon have received emails warning them that Amazon may not be able to fulfill orders in time for launch. Multiple IGN staffers received the same email from Amazon regarding their PS5 pre-orders.

Amazon has sent an email saying PS5 orders may not arrive on launch date due to high demand pic.twitter.com/xip55XEwYD
— Wario64 (@Wario64) September 18, 2020

“We’re contacting you about your order of PlayStation 5 Console to let you know in advance that you may not receive this item on the day it is released due to high demand. We’ll make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released.” When PS5 pre-orders went live, Walmart customers found some of their orders were canceled, but in Amazon’s case, these PS5 pre-orders are still valid. The only issue is that those who ordered from Amazon may not receive a system on launch day. A similar situation with Amazon happened when the Nintendo Switch was released and Amazon couldn’t fulfill orders in time for launch. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] IGN will continue to monitor the PS5 pre-order situation. Check out our PS5 pre-order page for regular updates on console drops. Xbox Series X systems will be available for pre-order next week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Hacker Uses LEGO Mario to Play Super Mario Bros

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:38:28 GMT

With any new gaming peripheral there's inevitably someone who finds a way to use it outside of its intended purpose. This time, someone has found a way to use the recently released LEGO Super Mario figurine as an actual controller for the original Super Mario Bros. As spotted by The Verge, Twitter user r1ckp has coded the LEGO Super Mario figurine to be recognized as a controller input for Super Mario Bros. including the ability to run forwards and backwards, jump, and shoot fireballs.

Wrote some code to use the #legosupermario to play #SuperMario pic.twitter.com/LOuECESPgT
— Rick (@r1ckp) September 2, 2020

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-super-mario-49-pictures-of-the-new-sets&captions=true"] While this may seem like magic at first, the LEGO Super Mario figure actually contains quite a bit of tech to make this work. Inside the simple figurine is an accelerometer for measuring relative movement and speed, a gyroscope that allows it to monitor the orientation of the device, a camera sensor on the bottom for reading different colors, and Bluetooth for connectivity. The self-proclaimed "hardware hacker" said it took him "about 4 hours" to code the figurine to work with the emulator, which he is running on a Linux virtual machine on his Mac. The most difficult part for him was figuring out how to get his computer to interpret the Bluetooth signals from the device and turn them into controller inputs. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/03/lego-super-mario-10-sets-in-action"] In the video we can see him tilt LEGO Super Mario forwards and backwards to run in both directions and simulate a jumping motion to make Mario jump in-game. Additionally, a subsequent video showcases how Mario enters pipes simply by placing him over the LEGO green pipe, as well as shooting fireballs by hovering LEGO Super Mario over a small red LEGO platform. While this method surely doesn't offer the most precise way to play through the original Super Mario Bros., it sure is novel seeing it in action. Hearing LEGO Super Mario yell "Wahoo!" when he jumps adds a certain level of flare. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/31/the-lego-nintendo-console-has-an-amazing-hidden-secret] That's not the only trick LEGO Super Mario has, though. If placed on top of the TV included with the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set it will play sounds and music from the original Super Mario Bros. as the on-screen Mario runs along the course and jumps on enemies. For more LEGO Super Mario be sure to check out our hands-on analysis of the various sets as well as where you can purchase them for yourself. You can also watch as we build the LEGO NES set, which includes a replica NES, controller, and retro TV. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

PS5 Boss: Low-Spec Consoles at a Low Price Haven't Produced 'Pleasing Results'

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:04:09 GMT

PlayStation boss Jim Ryan explained Sony’s decision to pass over on making a lower-cost, lower-spec console, citing that those kinds of hardware offerings haven’t done too well in the past. In a translated interview with Japanese media outlet, Impress IGN independently verified, Ryan was asked why Sony didn’t announce a lower-cost PS5 designed with lower-specs. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] “First of all let me say that we respect the judgment and philosophy of our competitors. Obviously price is an important factor, and we respect the strategy of our competitors. That said, we are completely convinced of our strategy and its implications,” said Ryan. “One thing I would say is that introducing a low-spec console at a low price range hasn’t produced pleasing results in this industry’s past. We have also considered such an approach, but I also know that other operators have tried and had problems.” Ryan says the conclusion comes from research that says customers want to invest in a console for long-term and use it for as long as 7 years. “We want the products we buy to be future proof,” Ryan says. “We are not looking to buy a product that will become obsolete in a few years.” Although Sony isn’t introducing a lower-spec model this generation, the company revealed the PS5 Digital, a cheaper system with the same specs as a standard PS5, except without a physical media drive. The digital PS5 costs $399 compared to the $499 physical media version. Microsoft, meanwhile, has introduced a cheaper, lower-spec Xbox Series S that’s capable of playing games at 1440p compared to the Xbox Series X’s 4K. The Series S costs $299 compared to the $499 Xbox Series X and will be able to play all the same next-gen games and have access to Game Pass. For more on next-gen consoles, check out our PS5 pre-order page which is regularly updated to help snag a pre-order for the PS5. The Xbox Series X and S will go on pre-order next week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

How PS5, Xbox Series X Prices Compare to Past Consoles

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:50:44 GMT

Update 2 (September 2020): Now that Sony and Microsoft have revealed the prices of their respective next-gen consoles, we've updated the chart below to reflect how PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S compare to past console launches when adjusted for inflation. (The figures were determined using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' inflation calculator.) Click through the gallery below for the full list of adjusted console launch prices from the past five decades, or scroll down to the chart for a full overview. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=console-launch-prices-with-inflation&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Update: The Nintendo Switch's launch price and date have been officially unveiled, and the chart below has been updated to reflect that. After the announcement of Switch's launch price, recent Nintendo numbers to note are the price of the Wii U, which launched at $299 and $349 price points, which would run about $313.66 and $366.11 today, while the Wii launched in 2006 at $249.99 and would now cost about $297.48. With that in mind, check out IGN's look at the historical list of console prices at the year of their launch and what that would equate to at a 2016 price point due to inflation. Read on for a wider look at console prices throughout the last few decades and stay tuned to IGN for more on the Switch. Original story follows: [poilib element="accentDivider"] IGN took a look at over 30 consoles, their launch years, prices, and what their current day price would be, adjusted for inflation. Take a look at the table below which compares console prices starting with the 1972 launch of the Magnavox Odyssey through the launch of the PlayStation 5.

Console	Year	Original Price	2020 Price
Magnavox Odyssey	1972	$99	$611.21
Atari 2600	1977	$199	$842.41
Intellivision	1980	$299	$916.46
ColecoVision	1982	$175	$465.56
Atari 5200	1982	$269	$713.45
NES	1985	$199	$478.92
Sega Master System	1986	$199	$469.36
TurboGrafx-16	1989	$199	$415.12
Sega Genesis	1989	$189	$394.26
Neo-Geo	1991	$649	$1,238.52
SNES	1991	$199	$376.99
3DO	1993	$699	$1,246.96
Atari Jaguar	1993	$249	$443.89
PlayStation	1995	$299	$507.28
Sega Saturn	1995	$399	$681.39
Nintendo 64	1996	$199	$327.78
Dreamcast	1999	$199	$308.06
PlayStation 2	2000	$299	$446.64
GameCube	2001	$199	$291.57
Xbox	2001	$299	$438.08
Xbox 360	2005	$299/$399	$393.30/$524.83
Wii	2006	$249	$321.19
PlayStation 3	2006	$499/$599	$643.67/$772.66
Wii U	2012	$299/$349	$337.57/$394.02
PlayStation 4	2013	$399	$444.96
Xbox One	2013	$499	$556.48
PlayStation 4 Pro	2016	$399	$429.69
Nintendo Switch	2017	$299	$318.77
Xbox One X	2017	$499	$525.80
Nintendo Switch Lite	2019	$199	$201.45
Xbox Series S/X	2020	$299/$499	$299/$499
PlayStation 5 Digital/Disc	2020	$399/$499	$399/$499

The most common launch price point among the systems included in the above graph is $199, with nine consoles having debuted at that number. (Eight consoles launched at $299). Adjusted for inflation, however, most of those systems, including the NES, Sega Master System, and Nintendo 64, would almost all retail today for between $300 and $500. (A notable exception is the Atari 2600 — released in the 70's, the console would now command around a $840 price point when adjusted for inflation.) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/ps5-price-release-date-launch-games-and-more-beyond-episode-666"] Those numbers line up largely within the price range of the last few systems that have been released — the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One's original price points would come to around $450 and $550, respectively, today, while the Switch would now cost over $300 when adjusted for inflation. Noting groups of consoles released roughly within two to three years of each other, the price differences rarely have varied outside of $100 to $200. (Notable exceptions include systems like the 3DO and Neo-Geo, which, adjusted for inflation, would cost well over $1,000.) For more on the upcoming pieces of hardware, check out IGN's PS5 and Xbox Series X comparison chart. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/09/reacting-to-xbox-series-xs-price-and-release-date-unlocked-460"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush. Jordan Sirani is a freelance writer for IGN.