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Opinion | Mario Kart 9 could do so much more when it comes to tracks themed after the Nintendo’s most iconic series
(Image credit: Nintendo)
One of my favorite tracks in Mario Kart 8 is Hyrule Circuit. The inventive course cuts through Hyrule Castle which houses the Master Sword at its center, and instead of featuring the standard gold coin collectibles and Piranha Plant hazards, it stays on theme by swapping them out with Rupees and Deku Babas. It’s such a playful and engaging circuit that beautifully plays homage to one of Nintendo’s most iconic and enduring series, The Legend of Zelda.
Last week, that very racetrack was front of mind when I clapped eyes on the tailend of theSwitch 2first-look trailer. Because not only did Nintendo at last show off the long-awaited new console, but it also appeared to teaseMario Kart 9playing on its display. While we’re still awaiting an official announcement, I can’t help but hope the next racing game taps into what makes the likes of Hyrule Circuit so magical. With Nintendo’s extensive repertoire, there’s so much more potential to get creative and deliver more tracks that celebrate its most beloved game series.
Hyrule Circuit is by no means the only example of a themed track in Mario Kart 8. Another personal favorite is the one set in the world of Animal Crossing, which features a host of different villagers, familiar stores, and four different seasonal variations – which loads in at random each time you race through it. Mute City based on the F-Zero series is yet another example, and there’s also a neat Splatoon-themed Battle Stage, but there’s so much scope for Nintendo to deliver more themed tracks in Mario Kart 9.
With such a rich tapestry of games making up Nintendo’s storied history, there’s no shortage of series to draw. Over Christmas, my sister and I even waxed lyrical about which game characters we’d love to see as new racers in a theoretical Mario Kart 9, as well as what games would make for perfect circuit fodder. Just imagine, for example, a track based on Paper Mario that captures its playful paper-y style and sense of humor. The recent re-release of A Thousand Year Door – aka one of thebest GameCube gamesof all time – provides the perfect excuse to design a course around the classic RPG, and it would undoubtedly be a real delight to speed through. Some of the biggest upcoming Switch games we know about, such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, also beg to be paid homage to on the tarmac. I mean, a track themed around Samus and the Metroid series?Yes please.
And what about everyone’s favorite pink puffball Kirby? With so many games under his belt, there’s no end of possibilities when it comes to designing a racetrack that pays homage to one of Nintendo’s most beloved characters. So much fun could be had incorporating his signature copy abilities in the item boxes, or working in some of the famous foes in Kirby’s platforming adventures. Heck, if I had it my way, Kirby would also be a new racer, complete with a little star car modelled after his own racing game, Air Ride. I could go on and on with ideas, with everything from Pokemon to Pikmin and Starfox to Fire Emblem, which just speaks to how much fun Nintendo could and should have with its tracks in the next installment.
Honestly, I’m still kind of reeling over the fact that Mario Kart 9 could finally speed onto consoles in the future. It’s been such a long time since we’ve had a new instalment, with Mario Kart 8 originally coming out all the way back in 2014 on the Wii U. After it got the Deluxe port over to the Switch some years later, 48 additional tracks have since been added to round out the experience, with nostalgic circuits and more recent racetracks plucked from various Mario Kart iterations across console generations. As my go-to game to play with my sister, I’ve lost count of the amount of hours I’ve sunk into the racer over the years.
But even if Mario Kart 8 continues to be one of thebest racing gamesaround, a new entry feels well overdue, and I can’t think of a better way to kick things off for the Switch 2. If that does end up happening, as the recent trailer seems to suggest, I hope we see Nintendo seize the opportunity to make the most of its history and iconic series in whatever Mario Kart 9 ends up being. If more tracks like Hyrule Circuit come our way, you better believe I’ll be revving up my engine to be the first one at the starting line of the new entry.
In a newblog post,Microsoftreports that it has reached a new phase in the gradual rollout ofWindows 1124H2. Compatible systems will be automatically updated to the latest release. Launched in October, Windows 11 24H2 has been plagued by a handful of jarring problems, includinggame-breaking bugs,persistent caches, and broken HDR. Recent patches have addressed most of these issues, and Microsoft is now confident enough to initiate automatic 24H2 updates for mainstream consumers. Note that this does not apply to managed systems.
The initial rollout began for Copilot+ PCs in June of last year. If you don’t own an “AI PC,” 24H2 launched as early as October but was marred by bugs and glitches, most of which have been fixed per Microsoft’s blog. So, if your PC wasn’t on the latest release, it will automatically be updated to 24H2. Note that this only applies to eligible devices running Windows 11 Pro/Home on the 23H2/22H2 builds, which no organization can manage.
After checking Microsoft’s bug log, we found that many problems had been resolved. However, the potential for newer bugs still exists. Users can defer the update by up to five weeks using the “Pause Updates” feature in the “Windows Update” tab in “Settings.” If you’re eager to update, select the “Check for updates” option in the same tab to see if the update is available for your device.
Microsoft is aware of issues that have not been resolved, such as the Failure to install 24H2 on specific Asus devices, the camera’s unresponsiveness on a handful of systems, unexpected behavior with wallpaper applications, etc. Note that affected devices will be put on a “safeguard hold” until these issues have been resolved.
Copilot PCs will get the most out of this update with the infamous Recall feature and other AI goodies. Sadly, these features will continue rolling out in phases for select devices under the Windows Insider Program. The good news is that Windows 11 24H2 promises faster update times and better performance for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs. Intel mandates the installation of specific Windows 11 24H2 patches for optimal performance with Arrow Lake processors, even though our testing shows little to no improvements.
I didn’t understand theXPan mode on a OnePlus phonewhen I first tried it out. In fact, I didn’t like it at all, and passed it off as a silly gimmick to promote OnePlus’s partnership with Hasselblad, which at the timewasn’t quite living up to expectations.
Recently I’ve been using theOnePlus 13, and think it has one of the best cameras on any OnePlus phone yet, so I challenged myself to give XPan another try. I soon discovered I had been completely wrong about it.
Not a history lesson
Hasselblad and Fujifilm’s XPan camera was first introduced in 1998, when it was the first dual-format 35mm camera you could buy, enabling you to take full 65:24 aspect ratio panoramic photos, in addition to standard format photos. Hasselblad promoted the XPan camera using the tagline, “For a world less square,” and you can read more about its history and impact on its website.
OnePlus entered into a partnership with Hasselblad in 2022 and the OnePlus 9 was the first phone to showcase the pair’s efforts. The XPan mode arrived on it in a software update soon after release, and it is hidden under the More menu in the camera app to this day, if you want to find it for yourself. After that, you can drag it down to the main camera option bar if you’re really keen. I wasn’t keen, but I gave it a shot.
XPan has changed a little for the OnePlus 13. You can shoot ultra-wide 15mm equivalent photos, 23mm wide photos, or 73mm zoomed in photos. It seems to shift away from the “pure” XPan experience, but in doing so it has made the mode more accessible. The interface is unique too, with a custom overlay to give it that unique XPan camera look, plus the screen flashes into a negative when you tap the shutter button, just like if you were taking a “real” photo.
I don’t take panoramic photos very often, and for a start I couldn’t get my head around using the XPan mode. I’mnot the only one, and the more I read,watched, and learnedabout the actual XPan camera, the more I not only discovered how challenging it is to get to grips with the format, but also how rewarding it can be when you experiment with it, and how dramatic photos taken with it can look.
I was getting sucked in.I love this quotefrom photographer Matthias Jambon-Puillet in a piece about XPan cameras, “Cursed to desire one, cursed to break the bank buying one, cursed to realize that you have no real-life use for it.” It’s very true. XPan’s potential is exciting, but there’s no truly obvious use case for XPan mode on the OnePlus 13, as most people will just use the wide-angle camera in the app instead of it. But XPan was calling me, and as I didn’t have to fork out for a real XPan camera to test it, I went out to take photos.
A photo taken using the XPan mode on the OnePlus 13.
Image credit: JJ Davies/ Hasselblad Xpan
I took some, then some more, andmore againas I began to fall for the vision of the world it can create. Get it right, and photos can be gloriously cinematic, serene or moody, or dramatic and exciting. I began to learn how XPan photos require different framing techniques, andlooking at your environment in a new wayto find out if an XPan photo works. It doesn’t work in all situations, just like a 1:1 aspect ratio photo isn’t always right, but when you even partially get it right the result looks very cool indeed.
Should I just use XPan, then?
Image credit: JJ Davies/ Hasselblad Xpan
Should this stop you trying XPan out? Absolutely not. Shoot photos for your own enjoyment as well as for posting on social media. Not everyone will “get” XPan anyway. I’m the first to admit I didn’t get it at all, but I’m very pleased to also say I’ve seen the error of my ways. It’s another reason to get the OnePlus 13, a phone that continues to impress me more than two months into using it every day.
Can the new content creator-friendly DJI Flip surpass the budget king DJI Neo from 2024?
DJI Flip (left), DJI Neo (right), not to scale (Image credit: DJI)
DJI Flip
A drone like we’ve never seen before, with unique folding propellor design and decent 4K video capabilities, but it’s quite a leap in price from the Neo.
For
Multi-use functionality
Several flight-control options
Sub-250g folding design
Against
Image quality is good but not great
Not as agile as the Mini 4 Pro
Not great in wind
DJI Neo
DJI’s cheapest 4K drone can be flown safely multiple ways thanks to propellor guards; for selfies, FPV, but it’s tiny and has limited camera performance.
For
Small and lightweight
Easy to use
Multiple flight control options
Against
Only shoots photos in JPEG
4K video fixed at 30fps
Expensive to add on goggles and FPV controller
TheDJI Fliparrives just a few months after the 2024DJI Neoto provide yet another option for folks out to buytheir first drone. We’re here to work out if the Flip is a better buy. It’s more expensive, but also a lot more capable. So should you spend the extra?
DJI’s Flip drone roughly combines the ease of use of the Neo with the superior camera and flight skills of theDJI Mini 4K. And there are some other bonuses to boot.
There is one mode the DJI Neo has that the Flip lacks, though — FPV, where you use a motion controller and a headset to fly in a more acrobatic style.
As such, the DJI Flip is clearly a better content creator drone, but the DJI Neo provides a taste of all flavors of the drone hobby.
We’re going to dig a little deeper into all areas in which the DJI Neo and DJI Flip excel, to work out which is the better buy for you.
We’d also be remiss not to mention theHoverAir X1 Pro, another excellent tiny drone with propellor guards for closeup flight and auto-tracking features.
The DJI Flip is a pricier package – here’s a photo of it taken during our in-depth review.
1. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Price and Availability
DJI Flip with DJI RC-N3 controller: $439
DJI Neo: starts at $199, increases in price if you want controller
The DJI Neo is roughly four months older than the DJI Flip. It was announced in September 2024, compared to January 2025 for the Flip.
DJI’s Neo is substantially cheaper, but it’s not quite as simple as it may appear at first.
There’s also a Neo FPV-friendly combo for £449, which adds the Goggles N3 headset and RC Motion 3 controller.
You have a couple more options when buying the DJI Flip. There’s a bundle with the RC 2 controller (with baked in screen) for $639. Or the classic Fly More combo with that RC 2 controller, two additional batteries, charger and bag for $779.
The DJI Flip and DJI Neo to scale – as you can see the Neo (top) is much smaller, although the Flip propellors can fold away when not in use.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Neo: 135g, tiny 130×157×48.5 mm, 22GB internal storage only
The DJI Flip is much larger than the DJI Neo, but not in a way that will significantly hinder how you can use it. A DJI Flip measures 233×280×79 mm, but when the propellors are folded back down for storage it’s just 136×165x62mm. That’s fairly close to the 130×157×48.5 mm of the Neo. It doesn’t fold, and doesn’t really need to at that size.
The Neo is a lot lighter too, at 135g. But as the DJI Flip just scoots in at under the 249g limit for unregistered drones, it’s not much of a practical concern. And that includes the blade guards typically left off of weight calculations in these mini-size drones.
You will need to bring your own microSD card for the Flip, though. It has just 2GB internal storage — basically an emergency solution should you forget your card.
The DJI Neo has 22GB onboard storage, but there’s no way to expand upon that. It’s less restrictive than it might sound given the short battery life of the drone, but does mean you’ll need to clear out space regularly.
The DJI Neo can be used a selfie drone and for mega fun and immersive FPV flight.
3. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Flight Modes
DJI Flip: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, better wind resistance and speed
DJI Neo: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, FPV flight
DJI made the Flip and Neo to cater for the kind of person who wants a drone to act like a virtual camera person. They can both lift off from your hand, and support an active person-tracking mode that follows you around.
This is perfect forYouTubeB-roll, an affordable way to give your videos a very expensive look. Both drones support the following “intelligent modes,” which program the movements relative to your subject: Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix and Boomerang.
You can also control these drones manually, although in the US at least DJI makes it a little trickier to get a good deal for a Neo bundle that includes a controller.
This is more a sign the DJI Neo is a truebeginner’s drone, where the DJI Flip is a more focused tool for content creators. For example, it has better wind resistance than the Neo, rated at 10.7m/s versus 8m/s speeds.
The Flip is not ideal on this front thanks to its drag-increasing blade guards, but is nevertheless an upgrade. It’s also an all-round more powerful drone than the Neo.
It can reach ascent and descent speeds of 5 m/s in its tracking modes, compared to 2m/s with the Neo. And when flying horizontally it can maintain speeds of up to 12m/s (26mph), compared to 8m/s (17mph) in the Neo.
The Neo can actually get to a speedy 16m/s, but only if you use manual FPV control. This is where the DJI Neo gets a major upper hand on the Flip. Pair it with the Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 controller (or FPV Remote Controller 3) and you have a recipe for about as much fun as you can have with a smaller drone. As long as it’s not too windy — a tiny drone like the Neo can’t compete with too much wind.
You can fly freely, perform tricks and acrobatics. Tooled up like this, the DJI Neo is much like a smallerAvata 2, and makes the DJI Flip seem staid and boring in comparison. It’s made to stay horizontal consistently, and move in a much more measured way.
However, you can use the Flip in a slightly wider array of environments, thanks to its improved sensor array.
The DJI Flip has front and downward sensors, the Neo instead relies on its camera.(Image credit: DJI)
4. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Sensors and battery life
DJI Flip: front and downward sensors, up to 28 minutes flight time
DJI Neo: No sensors, up to 18 minutes flight time
The DJI Neo’s flight sensor array is as simple as they come. It uses its camera to look out for obstacles, and that’s it.
A Flip has both its camera and infrared sensors for both forward motion and underneath the drone. This makes it far better-suited for flying at night.
DJI says you shouldnotuse the Neo for night flying — and owners have had mixed success with their attempts. The key is basically to lift off somewhere with enough light for the sensor system to navigate, and not hang about too long in the dark to avoid the sensor system getting hopelessly lost. But the DJI Flip is rated for navigation in light conditions down to 15 lux, matching theDJI Mini 4 Pro.
Neither drone is meant to be used over water — a natural enemy for the non-water-resistant drone — but the DJI Flip is going to fare better thanks to its improved sensor array. Don’t get cocky, though, as these sensors do not too well with reflective surfaces, and the Flip manual states “DO NOT fly over water.” You’ve been warned.
The larger size of the DJI Flip allows for a much larger battery, 3,110mAh versus 1,435 mAh, and despite the Neo’s lower weight the Flip still provides much better flight time. It can fly for up to 31 minutes (28 min hovering) while the Neo is only rated for 18 minutes.
Having multiple batteries is going to be even more important with the DJI Neo. And it’s not made for more ambitious shoots anyway. It has a shorter transmission range of up to 7km, versus 13km. Not that it’s likely, or sensible, these limits will realistically be tested in normal use — and transmission range for the video preview naturally far shorter.
What’s more important is they both support the same O4 transmission system when using a controller, allowing for a video feed of up to 1080p/60. This matches the more expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro.
The Flip has a superior gimbal-mounted camera unit to the fixe camera of the Neo.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Neo: No gimbal, 1/2-inch 12-megapixel sensor, 4K 30p video
The DJI Flip has a clearly superior camera to the DJI Neo, on a few fronts.
First up, it has a 3-axis gimbal system capable of providing proper physical stabilization, where the Neo relies on electronic stabilization (EIS). Not only is the gimbal approach less likely to cause image distortions, it means the Flip doesn’t have to eat into its usable sensor area for stabilization – EIS crops into the sensor to leave a motion compensation buffer on the outside, shrinking the amount of sensor actively used in the final footage.
The DJI Flip has a larger and much higher camera sensor too, a 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor. The Neo has a 1/2-inch 12-megapixel one. Both cameras can record at up to4Kresolution, but the DJI Flip’s image quality is better, and its frame rate options far superior. It can record at up to 60fps withHDR, and there’s a 100fps slo-mo 4K mode.
The Neo is limited to 4K at 30 frames per second, and can only reach 60fps at Full HD. It’s not nearly as serious a video shooter at the Flip, which also has a D-Log flat profile for better color grading flexibility, and much higher maximum video bitrate. The Neo taps out at 75Mbps, the Flip at 150Mbps. But then again you wouldn’t want to have to deal with too high a bit-rate in the Neo when your storage is limited to 22GB.
Both cameras can shoot vertical video, despite the lack of a camera gimbal that can physically move the sensor by 90-degrees. They simply have the pixels to spare. The DJI Neo can hack 1080p at Full HD vertical (60fps). The DJI Flip can shoot at up to 2.7k, although the frame rate is limited to max 30fps.
Early Verdict
(Image credit: DJI)
The DJI Flip easily beats the DJI Neo for content creators. It has a much higher-quality camera, videographer-friendly shooting modes and microSD support so you don’t keep having to flush the internal memory.
DJI’s Neo shines for folks who don’t want to spend much at all, and will be happy with controlling it via phone app rather than a dedicated controller. A proper controller is an option, but the base Neo kit doesn’t include one. Cost is key with a Neo.
There’s one part of the Neo that shouldn’t be ignored, though: FPV. It can become an acrobatic drone in a manner the Flip just can’t. It’s mounds of fun, although that FPV package costs more than double the cost of the Neo alone.
Expect to get the full lowdown during a Nintendo Direct on April 2.
Nintendo
As the world turns, so do the console generations. The Nintendo Switch is over seven years old, so it’s due for a refresh. Nintendo Switch 2 rumors have been swirling for years, but now we have some signs of life. The company officially revealed the sequel to its most successful home console ever in a brief trailer on January 16.
The Switch 2 looks functionally very similar to the original system, albeit with a larger display, magnetic Joy-Cons and a sleeker design. The company also reaffirmed that the upcoming console will be backwards compatible with Switch games.
While the reveal did confirm some rumors and have a few interesting details for those who were paying close attention, Nintendo is still largely keeping its cards close to its chest. We’ll have to wait until a special Nintendo Direct on April 2 for all the juicy information. Annoyingly, that date is a Wednesday and not a Two-sday.
The rumor mill had heavilysuggested that Nintendo would pull back the curtain on the Switch 2 on January 16, and that turned out to be the case.
The company hasn’t changed the core form factor. It’s a portable console with detachable Joy-Cons. The Switch 2 can be placed in a dock for big-screen gaming. There are some significant differences from the original console, however.
The most obvious one is that the next-gen Joy-Cons will no longer slide into place mechanically. Instead, they’ll attach to the main unit magnetically. There is a small connector that’s likely used to charge the controllers and perhaps remove the need to link them via Bluetooth. It’s unclear at this point if Joy-Cons from the original system will be compatible with the Switch 2.
One other big (and very welcome) change is the addition of a second USB-C port on the top of the device. That should make it much easier to plug in accessories while the Switch 2 is docked. It’s great to see that Nintendo has kept the headphone jack as well. Let’s just hope that Bluetooth headphone support is live from the jump this time and Nintendo doesn’t leave everyonewaitingfour yearsfor that feature.
The kickstand is getting an upgrade as well. As with the Switch OLED, it spans the length of the console. But, according to the trailer, this one looks fully adjustable, so you can tweak the viewing angle to one that works for you.
However, there are still a great many unknowns regarding the upcoming console. We don’t really know the specs yet, or what type of display it uses. We also don’t know anything about battery life, the UI or launch games. We’ll likely learn a whole lot on April 2.
It’s highly unlikely that Nintendo will release the console before the dedicated Direct on April 2, and not only because that’s at the start of Nintendo’s next financial year. However, accessory manufacturer Genki, which has been a major source of leaks in recent months,claims the console will be released in April.
In any case, we should learn the release date during the April 2 Direct if we haven’t already by then.
When can I try the Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo is planning a worldwide roadshow to let gamers go hands-on with the console. These events start in New York and Paris on April 3-6, with others taking place throughout the following two months. That lends credence to some suggestions that Nintendo will release the Switch 2 in June.
Ticket registration for the Switch 2 Experience events in the US (in New York, Los Angeles and Paris)starts on January 17 at 3PM ETand will remain open until January 26. A Nintendo Account is required to sign up. Nintendo will randomly select the recipients of the free tickets.
The full list of Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events is as follows:
Everything we’ve seen and so far about this console has been fairly, well, traditional. It looks like the original Switch, but better. That’s awesome, but will there be any of that unpredictable Nintendo magic? Maybe! There are two puzzling additions that folks can’t make hide nor hair of.
Keen eyes will have noticed a new button on the bottom of the right Joy-Con. It it not yet clear what this does. Could it initiate voice chat during gameplay? Could it calibrate the controllers? Could it create a room-sized hologram of Bowser in your living room? We’ll have to wait and see.
Now onto the updated Joy-Cons. There appears to be a new sensor on the connecting side of each controller. It looks awhole lot like an optical sensor, which is what a computer mouse uses. This has led to speculation that players will be able to flip the Joy-Con over and use it like a mouse. Of note: the trailer shows the Joy-Cons moving along a flat surface, connector side down and looking suspiciously like a mouse.
But why would anyone even want this? I can think of three words. NewMario Paint.
Isthe Nintendo Switch 2backwards compatible?
The company confirmed in November 2024 that theNintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible.It will also feature access to Nintendo Online, so users will be able to play all of those old retro titles.
In the initial Nintendo Switch 2 press release, Nintendo reiterated that physical and digital Switch games will work on the new system. However, it noted that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” More details about which games those are will be revealed later.
What about specs?
The rumors regarding specs are all over the place, so it’s tough to pin down. We know one thing for sure: It’ll be more powerful than the ancient Switch hardware, which was already antiquated back in 2017. One analyst allegedly got a hold of a spec sheet from theKorean United Daily Newsthat said the Switch 2would boast an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal eMMC storage. This tracks for me, as these specs are about as underpowered in 2024 as the original Switch was in 2017. However, some reportsdo indicate that the consolewill include 12GB of RAM.
Another source suggests that the eight-core CPU will be packaged inside an NVIDIA-producedTegra239 SoC (system on a chip). Given the current Switch runs on an NVIDIA chip, that makes a lot of sense. The CPU will be more powerful, but it’s the Switch 2’s new GPU that will be a major differentiator. It’s all-but-confirmed that the Switch 2 will support DLSS, NVIDIA’s “deep learning supersampling” upscaling tech, which would allow the console to render games at a low resolution internally while outputting a high-resolution image. (Fun fact: We actually wrote abouthow perfect DLSS was for the Nintendo Switch 2when the technology was announced alongside the RTX 20 series back in 2018.)
There are still questions about the Switch 2 and DLSS: Will the system supportnewer DLSS features like frame generation? Will existing games be automatically tidied up by NVIDIA’s algorithm? Regardless of the exact implementation, DLSS upscaling will be a huge leap over the rudimentary techniques available to Nintendo Switch developers.
As for the display, there are many conflicting rumors. Early reports from solid sources suggested the Switch 2 would have an 8-inch display LCD display. The Switch 2’s display certainly looks larger than that of the original Switch in a side-by-side comparison in the reveal trailer.
Some analysts have suggested this would be an OLED screen, while others have said it would be aMini-LED display. A Mini-LED display is basically an LCD display that has a backlight made of (surprise!) mini-LEDs rather than edge lighting. This allows for local dimming, making the blacks more black. I’m hedging my bets here. I think it’ll be a standard LCD, to cut costs, with an OLED or Mini-LED model coming later down the line. However, Mini-LED screens are slightly cheaper than OLED displays, so that’s certainly a possibility at launch.
As for resolution, recent reporting suggests that the console will output 1080p in handheld and 4K when docked. That’s much better than the OG Switch. Meanwhile, it’s not yet clear if the Switch 2 will deliver performance or visual upgrades to original Switch games.
How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
We don’t have too much information regarding price but we do have plenty of history to work with. The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300, which is pretty much the “magic number” when it comes to Nintendo console releases in recent years. The Wii U also came in at $300.
However, there are plenty of rumors circulating that Nintendo could be upping the asking price for the Switch 2. Numerous outletshave reported it’ll be $400, or potentially even more expensive. However, the same analysts who say the console will be $400 were also fairly certain it would be out by the end of 2024 and, well, that didn’t happen.
Dipping back into history, there is some precedence for a price uptick. The GameCube was $200 and the Wii was $250. The Wii U and Switch increased to $300 and, well, numbers like to go up. A $400 price tag would make it nearly as expensive as a PS5 and Xbox Series X. That would also put it at the same price as the 256GB LCD Steam Deck.
Again, we should get confirmation of the price during the April 2 Nintendo Direct.
Do we know about any launch games?
Not so much. The reveal trailer offered a peek at a new Mario Kart game. Nintendo releasedMario Kart 8on the Wii U over a decade ago and it’s been milking that cash cow ever since, having sold more than 64 million copies of the game across that console and the Switch. It’s definitely time for a new entry!
It’s certainlybeen a long time sincewe’ve gotten a proper 3D Mario adventure as well, so a new one could be a launch title. That would be one heck of a system seller. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine. Past as prologue, we can expect something from Ubisoft and an off-the-wall title like1-2-Switch.
If there’s a gimmick or hook involved with the console, we’ll also get a game that takes advantage of that. A dual release ofMetroid Prime 4, just likeBreath of the WildandTwilight Princessbefore that, is also a possibility.
It’s all but nailed on that we’ll learn much more about the Switch 2 launch lineup during the April 2 Nintendo Direct. You’ll definitely want toset your Alarmofor that one.
PlayStation Plus users unite overThe Simpsons Hit & Runcoming to Sony’s subscription service and we totally agree.
Released onPC,PlayStation2,NintendoGameCube andXbox, 2003’sThe Simpsons Hit & Runis a cult classic game, perhaps even for those who don’t care much for the popular and long-running animated sitcom that is the source of its inspiration.
The Simpsons Hit & Runisn’t a perfect game, not by a long stretch, as indicated by itsscoreof 76 on Metacritic. However, there was something special about this game, which was considered to be a family-friendly version ofGrand Theft Autoat the time of its release.
This cult classic not only captured the essence of the animated sitcom but most importantly, it was good old, silly fun and is still a fantastic game to play today. As such, while there seems to be no sign of an official remake or remaster, fans would love to seeThe Simpsons Hit & RunonPlayStation Plus.
Asreported byPush Square, a list compiled by gamers on the Implicit Conversions Discord channel putsThe Simpsons Hit & Runat the top of a list of games that users would love to see on PS Plus.
The Simpsons Hit & Runtopped the likes ofGTA: Vice City Stories,God of War: Ghost of Sparta,Silent Hill 2(the original game), and more.
I don’t know all the ins and outs of why Activision, who ownsThe Simpsons Hit & Runlicense, hasn’t revived this fan-favourite game. Perhaps it could be due to licensing issues with Disney, the company that now owns the rights to the TV series.
All I know for sure, whether it’s on PlayStation Plus, a remaster or a remake, ifThe Simpsons Hit & Runwas revived today in any shape or form, it would no doubt prove to be a massive hit with fans.
Searching “Google” in Microsoft Edge still shows a search bar many consider deceptive.
Microsoft has been accused of attempting to deceive users who search for “Google” through the Bing search engine.
Microsoft has dialed back its apparent attempts to trick people into using Bing. The tech giant rolled out a change to its search engine recently that showed an interface similar to that of Google if you searched the term “Google.”Many, including Google, considered the move deceptive, since Bing presented what was essentially a clone of the Google interface and moved other results lower on the page.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice. New year; new low,” said Google’s Chrome lead Parisa Tabriz.
Now, it appears that Microsoft is shifting away from its controversial strategy. If you search for “Google” through Bing, you’re less likely to see the clone of Google’s interface.
Now, it appears that Microsoft is shifting away from its controversial strategy. If you search for “Google” through Bing, you’re less likely to see the clone of Google’s interface.
In my testing, I was only able to see the Google-esque version of Bing when searching for “Google” within an InPrivate browser tab in Microsoft Edge. Any other combination of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and being logged in or using a private tab showed the normal Bing interface.
There’s a chance that Microsoft is just testing the interface and that results may vary from person to person. As far as I can tell, Microsoft has not commented on the clone of Google’s UI publicly.
Microsoft and Google have a rocky relationship that dates back decades, which is hardly surprising considering the size of the companies and how much their services overlap. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that “Google makes more money on Windows than all of Microsoft” due to the dominance of Google’s search platform. The Microsoft CEO also argued thatGoogle doesn’t play fair with Bing,
Microsoft has tried several tactics to convert users to Bing over the years, including theBing Wallpaper app prompting people to switch their search engine. Microsoft has used similarly aggressive tactics topush its Edge browser, which has Bing set as the default search engine.
There’s some good news here for those eyeing the Galaxy S25 series, too.
What you need to know
Samsung has now rolled out support for unlimited, free cracked screen and glass back repairs through its Care Plus Theft & Loss package.
Consumers with an eligible devices can walk-in or mail-in their device and receive a free display repair.
Samsung states its Galaxy S25 series is included with this, which is good news as it prepares to arrive on January 22.
The company rolled out unlimited battery repairs for its Care Plus subscribers in May 2024.
Samsung is expanding its Care Plus subscription for your Galaxy devices with another type of unlimited repair.
As highlighted by9to5Google, the Samsung Care Plus with Theft & Loss package has now rolled out support for “unlimited screen repairs.” Per the company’s website, the “unlimited protection” plan now includes “same-day $0 cracked screen and back glass repairs.” Samsung adds that users will have access to these repairs at over 700 of its authorized locations. Consumers have the option of mailing-in their devices, as well, per the publication.
Things aren’t as cut and dry as Samsung states the same-day portion of this plan “may be available for eligible devices inselectareas.” While this plan supports its Galaxy devices like yourGalaxy S24 series, it reportedly does not service the brand’s foldable phones.
The folks at 9to5 were also given a quick note about this Theft & Loss addition, which states Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 is eligible for its unlimited screen repairs.
Samsung’s debut of cracked screen repairs applies to Care Plus subscribers without Theft & Loss attached, too. For this, the company states users will have to chuck up a $29 fee at any of its locations for device service. Those with Samsung Care Plus Essentials are left out of this screen repair service.
Expanding the reach of coverage occurred early last year as Samsung announcedits unlimited battery supportfor Care Plus subscribers. There was a catch to this as the company stated users will receive repairs so long as there is no “additional damage”andyour device is still covered. The battery repair service only applies to users with devices that have a total battery charge capacity under 79%.
Following the announcement last March, Samsung brought it to its Care Plus subscribers that May. However, it came with an extra $2 charge on their typical monthly bill, per an email.
The addition lets users walk into several of Samsung’s stores for battery repairs. The addition seemed to make sense, especially after the companypartnered with Batteries Plus. In 2023, Samsung and Batteries Plus got together to convert 35 stores across the U.S. into Samsung Authorization Service Centers. The work done there enables consumers to get a device fixed in two hours or less.
In other news, it’s nice to see Samsung granting its Galaxy S25 series some support — even though it’snot here until January 22.
Microsoft hasannouncedthat support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will end this year on October 14, as reported byThe Verge. This is also the end-of-support date for Windows 10 as a whole, but the move is still a little surprising considering that Microsoft is now offering theWindows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program.
Anyone who joins this program for $30 can continue to safely use Windows 10 for a whole extra year — so you might think that Microsoft would let them continue to use the Office apps too. That said, it’s not like the apps will disappear, they just won’t receive any more updates.According to Microsoft, this could cause “performance and reliability issues over time” but whether these issues will pop up within the ESU program’s duration or not is anyone’s guess.
Theswitch from Windows 10 to Windows 11has been long and painful for Microsoft — even after three years, there’s still a substantial chunk of people who are still using the older operating system. There are plenty of reasons why — lots of people still use machines that don’t meetWindows 11 hardware requirements, and others have been permanently scared off by years of scathing public opinion that Windows 11 is nowhere near as good as Windows 10. It’s also taken a long time for gamers to come around to Windows 11, though itrecently overtook Windows 10for the first time in October 2024’s Steam hardware survey.
Whatever the reasons, this reluctance to upgrade has clearly been driving Microsoft insane. The company is trying everything from full-screen upgrade prompts to awkward marketing tactics declaring 2025 as “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.”
Unfortunately for Microsoft, however, there is a huge number of people who only own PCs out of necessity and won’t even think about replacing them until they literally stop working. There are also plenty of businesses reluctant to upgrade since their current company PCs still work perfectly well in every other way.
In a lot of ways, it feels like the world just didn’t need another iteration of Windows yet. Perhaps the company really should consider supporting a basic no-new-stuff version of its OS for all the people who just don’t care. It might be expensive, but surely all of this drama, failure, and marketing around upgrades is expensive too.
PS Plus Premiumsubscribers get the pleasure of playing some greatPS2 classicson modern consoles. Games like Dino Crisis, and Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoon are offered on the service for no additional cost. Sony partnerImplicit Conversionshas worked with a company to bring these classics back to new platforms, and have compiled a list of the most requested games to bring back to life.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run and GTA: Vice City Stories most requested PS Plus Premium Classics
Implicit Conversions’ list of most requested games were compiled using 1,400 requests from its Discord community. Here are the top 10 PS2 and PSP games players would like to see come to PS Plus Premium:
The Simpsons: Hit & Run may not be the most critically acclaimed game, but it is most certainly one of the most beloved. Since its release in 2003 for PS2, it has garnered a significant cult following. A fan even fully remade the game using Unreal Engine 5. When it released, it received a 78 on the review aggregate site Metacritic.
GTA: Vice City Stories, and God of War: Ghost of Sparta took the second and third spot respectively. Both were released for the PSP, and are arguably two of the best games for PlayStation’s first portable. Both were also critically lauded, each receiving an 86 on Metacritic.
One of the games on this list are currently already available for PS Plus Premium subscribers. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoon was added to the service inJune 2024. The other PS2 classic added to the service the same month was Tomb Raider Legend.
PlayStation just announced its latest PS Plus Premium Game Catalog entries for January 2025. It includes Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, and Medievil 2.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
