If you picked up a next-gen console at launch, what are your current thoughts on it?

–Chris Bradshawis very happy with his Xbox Series X purchase. -Exberresponds to Dtoid’sBloggers Wantedprompt by writing a blog about remembering some surprise gaming reunions. –Rabitereviews nearly all the versions ofFinal Fantasyin honor of the Pixel Remake. –Samurai100continues sharing stories fromARK: Survivor Evolved. –Spazzzh20shares their thoughts on the latestCall of Duty: Vanguardtrailer. –Black Red Gamingdiscusses 10 gaming new items that popped up last week. –PhilsPhindingsdiscusses the similarities between the soundtrack ofSonic CDand Funk music....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 141 words · Jerry Jones

Indie platformer removed from Steam after it was found to install viruses to mine cryptocurrency

The developer was banned too Not all games are just games. A recent example popped up when Steam delisted an innocuous-seeming indie platformer that actually had quite nefarious motives. Abstractismis a minimalist platformer that developer Okalo Union was selling for $.49. The low price was a trap though. As YouTuberSidAlphareports,Abstractismis a front for a series of viruses that mine Monero (which is a cryptocurrency) in the background. During installation,Abstractismalso adds a Trojan virus and malware that masquerade as Steam executables and launchers....

July 11, 2025 · 2 min · 266 words · Brian Morales

Johnny Cage back in the spotlight for Mortal Kombat 11

There’s too many mortals in this kombat NetherRealm Studios has revealedanother returning characterfor their upcoming gore-festMortal Kombat 11. The latest warrior to join the roster is one of the series’ most recognisable heroes, asshole actor Johnny Cage. Johnny, who made his debut in the originalMortal Kombatback in 1992, is an arrogant movie star who was forced to step up his game once the fate of the entire universe fell into his hands....

July 11, 2025 · 2 min · 269 words · Sean Carter

Judge tosses former Panamanian dictator’s Call of Duty lawsuit

Manuel Noriega will need to find a new outlet for his time in prison Earlier this year, Panama’s former dictator and friend to the CIA Manuel Noriegasued Activisionfor the use of his likeness inCall of Duty: Black Ops II. Not for defamation of character for portraying him a murderous badman, but for putting him in the game without paying him. Noriega is still in jail, currently back in Panama after a long stay in a French prison....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 178 words · James Adams

Killing Floor 2 now on Steam Early Access for $30

Killing Floor: The Floor That Kills Alessandro was just telling us aboutKilling Floor 2and now here it is up for purchase throughSteam Early Access($29.99 / ₤19.99 / €26.99). Thanks to years of content updates and support, the first game is still etched on my mind. Talk about a graphical update for the sequel. Like, there’s no going back now. Also, eww. Tripwire describes the Early Access build ofKilling Floor 2as a “polished beta....

July 11, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · James Contreras

Last call to claim your free Xbox games

And a first call for some new ones We, the fine people at Destructoid, are here to help. If you call,we will answer. If you fall, we’ll pick you up. If you’re going to forget to download some Games with Gold, we’ll post an article that acts as a pleasant reminder. If you want to get a head start on more free games, December 16 is when the Games with Gold calendar flips over and some new titles are gratis....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 108 words · Juan Gonzalez

Leaked Harry Potter game looks like a crowd-pleaser

‘Freely explore the Wizarding World for the first time’ An eye-catching leak with footage of a newHarry Pottergame made the rounds this morning courtesy of reddit userVapeThisBro. It’s said to be an action-adventure RPG title starring a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, and unlike the recent batch ofHarry Potteradaptations, it shows genuine promise. The leakerclaimsto have somehow strolled into “one of those mall survey groups” without getting his phone taken away or signing a non-disclosure agreement before seeing the game....

July 11, 2025 · 2 min · 365 words · Christopher Odonnell

LEGO Batman 2 gets brand-new character DLC today

Riding the wave of being the most sold game of last month, Warner Bros. has released two new character character packs today forLEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroesin the form of “The Heroes” and “The Villains” packs. Available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, they will each cost $1.99 and add Nightwing, Katana, Shazam, Zatanna, Damian Wayne (the new Robin, Bruce Wayne’s son), Bizarro, Captain Cold, Black Adam, Black Manta, and Gorilla Grodd....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 142 words · Mitchell Kent

LEGO Batman screens featuring Man-Bat

Traveller’s Tales handed out a few more screenshots ofLEGO Batmantoday. Continuing in the vein of dropping a new villain or two in our midst with each new set of materials, this time we get the Man-Bat. Yeah, that’s right, Man-Bat. With the game coming out on September 1st and many, many previous sets of screens released, I suppose it was time to start scraping the bottom of the barrel. Seriously, though,Man-Bat?...

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 136 words · Alison Steele

Let’s take a look at 10 of my favorite E3 moments

It’s over It’s 2023, and there’s next to no interest in the Electronic Entertainment Expo. E3 has been canceled. The exhilarating conferences are over. The epic moments are over. The hilarity of bloopers on stage is over. E3 is a trade show that was like Christmas for video game fans, and, sadly, it appears to be all gone. Still, there once was a time when essentially everyone in the gaming community came together and looked forward to the exciting games ahead....

July 11, 2025 · 8 min · 1538 words · Monica Davidson

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Tons of new info

First off, despite being scheduled for yesterday, theofficial webpageforLightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIIIupdated this morning, adding several new videos from the announcement presentation. The last of the new ones (far right) isthe best oneas it shows off a lot of concept art, and then teases some upcoming art reveal near its end. The latestFamitsuuncovers a bunch of tidbits on the game’s battle system. Lightning runs solo in battle, without a party!...

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 205 words · Larry Heath

Live show: Super MNC with the developers on Mash Tactics

What’s this? Mr. Destructoid has been put into another videogame?Super Monday Night Combatis a free-to-play sequel to the hit arena shooter,Monday Night Combat, and you can play as Mr. Destructoid in it! That’s what King Foom will be doing tonight onMash Tactics. Joining him in the fray, and for a live discussion, will be some of the developers of the game from Uber Entertainment. Go to ourcontest pageto snag a code for Mr....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 134 words · Andrea Cain

Mega Man pachislot Robot Master names include ‘Coin Woman,’ ‘Lever Man’

Haha I love it You couldn’t make this up. Lots of news have been rolling in for Japan’s upcomingMega Manpachislot (portmanteau of pachinko and slot machine) line, titled “Rockman Ability.”As we’ve discussed in the pastthis subfranchise includes all new art, as well as unique Robot Masters — and thanks to reports coming out from folks in Japan we now have a line on what they’re actually called. According to promotional material for the machines the new Robot Masters include Coin Woman, Replay Man, Reversi Man, Choice Man, and Lever Man....

July 11, 2025 · 1 min · 116 words · Cindy Stark