Author: Alaisdair Leith

PAX Australia 2025 brings Nintendo, Xbox, Bethesda, Ubisoft and more in a star-studded line-up

With less than a month to go, PAX Australia 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrations of gaming culture in the country’s history. Returning to Melbourne this October, the three-day festival has revealed a blockbuster exhibitor line-up that brings together the biggest names in gaming, unmissable activations, exclusive demos, and a…

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Everything announced in the September Nintendo Direct

Nintendo’s September Direct came loaded with surprises — from long-awaited Switch 2 titles and a celebration of Super Mario Bros.’ upcoming 40th anniversary, to long-rumoured sequels finally stepping into the spotlight. Highlights included the return of both Super Mario Galaxy games on Switch 2, the reveal of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (set for April…

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Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is a stellar experience

Kirby is no stranger to reinvention. For over three decades, Nintendo’s pink hero has shape-shifted through 2D platformers, spin-offs, party games, and even pinball. Yet 2022’s Kirby and the Forgotten Land felt like a genuine breakthrough the moment when HAL Laboratory finally committed to a fully 3D Kirby adventure, blending classic charm with bold new…

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Gears of War: Reloaded sees the return of the iconic franchise

Gears of War: Reloaded is a strange beast; a remaster of a remaster, almost 20 years after the original defined an era of cover-based shooters on Xbox 360. For many, this was the game that shaped what third-person action could look and feel like. Its influence is undeniable, paving the way for the likes of…

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Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brings back Sega’s ninja with style and substance

Whenever a classic series like Shinobi makes a return, we are torn between excitement and anxiety. Will it honour its roots, or lean too heavily on nostalgia? Will it reinvent itself to the point of being unrecognisable? Or worse, will it simply be forgettable? Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, developed by Lizardcube, confidently cuts through those…

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Kirby Air Riders speeds onto the Nintendo Switch 2 this November

Nintendo has officially unveiled Kirby Air Riders , the long-awaited follow-up to 2004’s Kirby Air Ride, and it looks like we are in for a treat. Revealed during yesterday’s Kirby Air Riders Direct, legendary director Masahiro Sakurai walked through the game’s new features, returning favourites, and expanded modes. The game launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2…

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Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game is flawed in parts and charming in others

It’s almost impossible to overstate the cultural weight of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. From the moment The Hobbit was first published in 1937, the world he built has continued to capture imaginations, inspiring countless adaptations, games, and creative works. Most video games based on The Lord of the Rings have followed a fairly predictable formula, epic…

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Everything announced at Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live

One of the biggest gaming events of the year Gamescom is back upon us. The next four days will have gaming studios and hardware makers make big announcements, world premieres and updates on their projects. The opening night started at 4am AEST this morning, bringing with it a ton of new games and updates on…

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With Drag X Drive, Nintendo Rolls Out Its Most Unlikely Sports Hit Yet

Nintendo has a long history of taking sports games in unexpected directions. They turned tennis into a Mushroom Kingdom showdown, turned kart racing into an all-out weaponised brawl, and made golf somehow involve chain chomps. Now, with Drag X Drive, they’ve taken one of the most technical, fast-paced adaptive sports — wheelchair basketball — and…

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Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is the ultimate Mushroom Kingdom game night

When Super Mario Party Jamboree launched on the original Switch, it genuinely surprised me. What looked like another family-friendly board game romp turned out to be one of the most fun and fully-realised party games Nintendo has ever made. Fast-forward to its new incarnation on the Switch 2, bundled with the shiny new Jamboree TV…

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Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a lovingly crafted JRPG for the Switch 2

Nothing could have prepared me for the full weight of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster on Nintendo Switch 2. I knew going in that it was an enhanced re-release of a cult-favourite Square Enix RPG originally on the 3DS. I knew there would be tactical turn-based battles, branching strategies, and a Job system built…

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The Tineco Carpet One Cruiser makes for a smarter, easier way to clean your carpets

When it comes to home cleaning tech, we’re constantly asking for devices that are smarter, lighter, and less of a pain to maintain. Enter the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser, a sleek and intelligent carpet cleaner that might just make you rethink how often you deep-clean your floors (in my case, definitely not enough!). Retailing at…

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The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless gaming headset is a solid mid-tier contender

SteelSeries has long been a staple in the gaming audio space, and the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless slots neatly into their growing Nova lineup as a feature-packed, affordable option for gamers seeking wireless freedom without breaking the bank. Priced at just A$199, it nestles between the entry-level wired Nova 1 and the premium Nova 5,…

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Gaming stars align for PAX Aus 2025 with a stellar guest lineup

PAX Aus 2025 is shaping up to be a must-attend event for gamers and pop culture fans alike, with a stacked guest list that spans award-winning voice actors, renowned tabletop designers, comedy legends, and beloved content creators from across the globe. Leading the charge is Amelia Tyler, the ethereal voice behind the Narrator in Baldur’s…

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The Alienware AW2725DM gaming monitor is a budget-friendly option with premium features

In a market saturated with high-performance gaming monitors, Dell’s Alienware AW2725DM quietly enters the scene as a wallet-friendly option aimed at gamers who want solid specs without splurging on OLED or full HDR600-level features. I have had this monitor for a few weeks and been able to test everything from the PS5 Pro, a 4K…

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The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion provides a premium experience without the premium price

Motorola is quietly making waves again in the mid-range smartphone market, and the Edge 60 Fusion is proof that you don’t need to fork out a fortune for a premium experience. Arriving a year after the well-received Edge 50 Fusion, this update keeps the stylish design but packs in some hefty upgrades, without bumping up…

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First Impressions: We got our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2

Yesterday, Nintendo Australia hosted an exclusive event in Melbourne, offering us a first look at the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Alongside some other select media and content creators, we were allowed four hours with some of the most anticipated titles coming to the Switch 2, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid…

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Doom: The Dark Ages is a bloody good time

The Doom franchise charges into new territory with Doom: The Dark Ages, delivering a fresh take on its signature demon-slaying mayhem. Set against a medieval backdrop, this latest instalment maintains the series’ core identity while introducing innovative elements that breathe new life into the formula. The Doom Slayer returns, now armed with period-appropriate weaponry alongside…

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Film Review : Tinā is a soulful celebration of collective voice

Tinā is the feature debut from writer/director Miki Magasiva.  The film might appear on the surface a classic underdog tale, but it quickly proves itself to be something richer and more resonant; coming off earlier contributions to Teine Sā and We Are Still Here, Magasiva brings a fresh, heartfelt perspective to this deeply communal story….

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South of Midnight is a sensational weave of action and style

South of Midnight is a bold, haunting, and beautiful journey into the heart of the American South, it is one that few games have ever dared to explore, let alone with this much soul and a level of attention to detail that most games aspire to reach. Developed by Compulsion Games, South of Midnight blends…

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Series Review: The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 is a fierce final march

The Handmaid’s Tale has always meant different things to different people; a cautionary tale, a grim prophecy, or a dramatised echo of historical truths. Over its run it’s drawn praise and criticism in equal measure, and now, as it enters its final season, it faces the daunting task of delivering a satisfying conclusion, while also…

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The Last of Us Season 2 returns with a compelling first episode

It’s been two years since The Last of Us Season 1 became a cultural phenomenon on HBO. The second season of the show is adapting the video game “The Last of Us Part II”, and strangely enough in the first 5 minutes of the season opener, the show just randomly spoils the big twist from…

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The Alienware AW2725Q QD-OLED gaming monitor is a solid choice, even if it doesn’t redefine the formula

Last year was big for 27-inch OLED gaming monitors. Standouts like the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED, and Alienware’s own AW2725DF delivered top-tier performance, though they were all limited to QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution. Now, Alienware has kicked off 2025 by pushing the pixel envelope. Meet the Alienware AW2725Q, a…

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Every announcement from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase

Nintendo revealed all the details of their upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console in a direct that went live at midnight. The one-hour direct showcase dived deep into the console specs while also giving us a release date, pricing, and a slew of third-party support and first-party games, including the new Mario Kart and an open-world…

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The Asus Zenbook A14 (UX5406) provides all the right ingredients for a premium Ultrabook

Premium laptops often struggle to justify their high price tags when it comes to build quality and design. At this price point of A$1999, consumers should expect an exceptional user experience. Fortunately, the Asus Zenbook A14 delivers on that front. With its sleek design, compact form factor, and stunning display, there’s a lot to appreciate…

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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition joyfully revitalises an undisputed classic

Originally released on the Wii U in 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the final games from Nintendo’s previous console before the release of the Nintendo Switch. After a slew of successes with Donkey Koney Country Tropical Freeze, Bayonetta 2, Super Mario 3D World and New Super Mario Bros. U having made their way…

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PAX Aus 2025 goes on sale – here’s how to get tickets

It’s time to start planning your trip to PAX Aus 2025 with Early Bird Badges on sale now. PAX Aus has solidified itself as the biggest and best gaming convention in Australia, packing together three massive days at the Melbourne Convention Centre, the event brings together the best of gaming, tech, pop culture and cosplay…

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Netgear Nighthawk RS600 a solid mid-range Wi-Fi 7 router

The Netgear Nighthawk RS600 strikes a balance between affordability and performance in the expanding world of Wi-Fi 7 routers. Priced at A$799, it admittedly sits on the higher end of standalone routers, before delving into premium mesh systems that exceed $800. That being said, the enhanced performance can handle more connected devices and provide much…

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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC is a bug-filled web of disappointment

When Marvel’s Spider-Man was released in 218, developer Insomniac Games nailed the sensation of being super-powered, with exceptional web-swinging and agile combat. However, it faltered in providing engaging content within its visually stunning yet empty open world. Unfortunately, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, while great in terms of its story and presentation, repeated those lingering missteps. While…

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Monster Hunter Wilds stacks up as one of the better titles in this long-running franchise

As a newcomer to the Monster Hunter franchise, I approached Monster Hunter Wilds with fresh eyes and an eagerness to understand the phenomenon that has captivated players for two decades. While the game didn’t disappoint in delivering epic battles and immersive lore, some aspects kept it from achieving true perfection. I couldn’t help but feel…

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