Category: Gaming

May 9, 2025
Nvidia Accused of Hiding RTX 5060 Reviews by Withholding Drivers
Key Takeaways
1. Two new graphics cards, the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, are set to launch in mid-May, with prices starting at $269 and $299, respectively.
2. Nvidia is lifting the review embargo for the RTX 5060 on May 19th, but the timing may not allow gamers to read reviews before purchasing.
3. Nvidia is restricting access to press drivers, limiting reviewers’ ability to test the RTX 5060 thoroughly prior to its launch.
4. Delayed reviews are expected, with some reviewers stating they won’t be able to provide coverage until about a week after the RTX 5060 goes on sale.
5. Concerns exist that the RTX 5060 may not perform well due to limited VRAM, potentially leading to a disappointing launch with misleading marketing.
We are looking forward to the arrival of two new graphics cards this month: the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060. These GPUs are expected to launch around mid-May, with the RTX 5060 starting at $299 and the RX 9060 XT 8 GB possibly priced at $269. Sadly, Nvidia appears to lack confidence in the RTX 5060.
Review Timing Concerns
Earlier reports highlighted that Nvidia plans to lift the review embargo and release the RTX 5060 on May 19th. This timing isn’t great since, in today’s GPU market with limited stock, gamers won’t have the luxury of time to read and analyze reviews before making a purchase. However, as noted by Hardware Unboxed and Igor’s Lab, the situation is even more troubling than initially believed.
Restricted Access for Reviewers
According to tech reviewers from Hardware Unboxed (HU) and Igor’s Lab, Nvidia is limiting the coverage of the RTX 5060 by restricting access to press drivers. Without these drivers, reviewers cannot properly test the RTX 5060, making it unlikely that there will be many reviews available on launch day.
HU states that Nvidia is “trying to hide the RTX 5060” just like it did with the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB. Additionally, they mention that Nvidia seems to be delaying the press drivers until the actual launch date of the RTX 5060, which coincides with Computex 2025 in Taiwan. This timing creates a challenge for reviewers to test and produce coverage for the launch.
Delayed Reviews Expected
In light of this, HU points out that even though “multiple RTX 5060 samples” are on hand, they won’t be able to review the card “until about a week after they go on sale”. Similarly, Igor’s Lab shares this view, telling their audience that there will be “no early access, no pre-tests, and no benchmarking for the sales launch”.
Some might wonder: Why would Nvidia want to restrict the coverage of the RTX 5060?
The answer appears to be straightforward: the RTX 5060 may not be a strong card, mainly due to its limited VRAM buffer. To illustrate the issue, HU has several videos discussing how 8 GB is insufficient for modern AAA games.
As a result of the lack of independent coverage, gamers may face yet another disappointing GPU launch, potentially filled with misleading marketing.
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Tags: AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT, GPU launch issues, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060
May 9, 2025
Epic Games Store Reveals Free Mystery Game Giveaways for May 2025
Key Takeaways
1. Epic Games Store is offering Deadtime Defenders and Touch Type Tale for free until May 15 at 14:59 UTC.
2. The store has returned to its Mystery Game promotions, featuring two undisclosed titles.
3. Previous promotions included Cat Quest I, Cat Quest II, and Neko Ghost, Jump! with successful fan guesses.
4. There are currently no hints about future game giveaways, but fans are speculating.
5. Konami’s Deliver At All Cost will be free on May 22, coinciding with Epic’s upcoming giveaway.
The Epic Games Store is currently offering Deadtime Defenders and Touch Type Tale for free on PC, available for download until May 15 at 14:59 UTC. Recently, the store has been revealing its upcoming plans early, as seen with the latest giveaway. However, they have returned to their Mystery Game promotions, featuring two titles from their collection.
Past Promotions
To give some background, Epic previously held Mystery Game promotions at the end of February, providing Cat Quest I, Cat Quest II, and Neko Ghost, Jump! over a span of two weeks. During that time, they gave out significant hints, which led fans to successfully guess two of the three games before they were made available.
Speculations and Future Giveaways
This time, however, there are no hints about what may be coming next. Despite this, fans are still making wild guesses. Some have speculated that this week’s Mystery Games could be followed by additional titles next Thursday. As a point of interest, Konami announced back in March that Deliver At All Cost would be free to download on May 22, which coincides perfectly with Epic’s giveaway in two weeks. For reference, Deliver At All Cost will also be launched on that same day for Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 consoles (currently $499 on Amazon).
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Tags: Deadtime Defenders, Epic Games Store, Touch Type Tale
May 9, 2025
Free Racing Game Giveaway on Epic Games Store for Android & iOS
Key Takeaways
1. Epic Games is offering a free mobile game, Mr Racer: Premium, valued at $9.98, available until May 15.
2. The game features 15 hypercars, five different locations, and seven racing modes, with both offline and online gameplay options.
3. Players will receive 5 million in-game currency and a ‘Fancy Pack’ for car customization.
4. Mr Racer: Premium is free from advertising interruptions, enhancing the gaming experience.
5. The game can be claimed through Epic Games’ mobile apps or a desktop browser, but there are regional restrictions for installation.
The Epic Games Store has refreshed its mobile free game giveaway program, featuring a racing game this time. Last week, they discounted Super Space Club for Android and iOS devices, including the newest iPhone 16 (currently priced at $676 – refurbished on Amazon). To add to this, the new mobile giveaway comes alongside two free games available on PC, which we have detailed in another article.
Free Game Offer
Starting today and running until May 15, you can add Mr Racer: Premium to your Epic Games library, a deal valued at a total of $9.98 for both mobile platforms. According to the store’s blog post, the game boasts 15 hypercars and allows you to race in five different locations with seven racing modes available. Mr Racer: Premium also offers both offline and online gameplay options, letting you compete against friends or randomly matched players.
Added Bonuses
In addition, this week’s offer includes 5 million in-game currency and a ‘Fancy Pack’ that provides various customization choices for your cars. Epic Games highlights that Mr Racer: Premium delivers a racing experience free from advertising interruptions. You can claim Mr Racer: Premium at no cost through Epic Games’ mobile applications or using a desktop browser via the instant checkout link, provided you are logged into your Epic Games account. Keep in mind that there are still regional restrictions regarding the installation of Epic’s mobile applications.
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Tags: Epic Games Store, iPhone 16, Mr Racer: Premium
May 9, 2025
Arc Raiders Datamine Reveals New Map, Bosses, and More
Key Takeaways
1. Arc Raiders has gained popularity during its brief playtest, generating excitement for its upcoming features.
2. A datamine revealed a new map called ‘The Blue Gate’ and confirmed four other maps, indicating ongoing development.
3. New bosses and enemies are in the works, with codenames and HP stats suggesting their roles and strengths.
4. Upcoming game modes include ‘HarvesterHunt’, ‘OutpostDefense’, ‘Reclaim’, ‘Salvage’, and ‘Siege’, hinting at diverse gameplay options.
5. Additional details on character skills, loot, and game systems are available, but they may change before the final release.
Arc Raiders has proven to be a great hit, despite being available for only a brief period during its playtest. This upcoming extraction shooter, crafted by Embark Studios using Unreal Engine 5, has generated a lot of buzz. Although the playtest offered limited gameplay experiences, a datamine of the game has revealed exciting details about future content, like new bosses, a fourth map, extra game modes, skills, and more.
Insights from the Datamine
Information shared on the Arc Raiders subreddit by user CoUsT indicates that game files contain hints about what the developers might be working on. It’s important to remember that this content is not final and may never reach the full release. Some of the values might also be incorrect or misinterpreted, so it’s wise to take this info lightly.
New Map Discovery
Among the findings, a new map titled ‘The Blue Gate’ has been identified. This map is one of the five confirmed, which also includes ‘PracticeRange’, ‘BuriedCity’, ‘Spaceport’, and ‘TheDam’. Notably, The Blue Gate has no Points of Interest (POIs) listed, implying that it is still under development. Additionally, other locations mentioned in the data include ‘DeathMatch’, ‘CombatValidation’, ‘MountainCompound’, and ‘Onboarding’ (which serves as a tutorial).
Upcoming Bosses and Enemies
Regarding bosses and enemies, there are codenames, abilities, and HP stats for anticipated new and existing foes in Arc Raiders. The codenames include Salt, Wasabi, Mustard, Fennel, Pepper, and Radish. Salt is characterized as having 20K HP, while Wasabi, thought to be the Queen, boasts 35K HP. Mustard is speculated to be the King with 60K HP, while the others are expected to be lesser enemies.
Game Modes and Features
There is also a mention of a “Pendulum System/Move,” which is thought to be related to movement or a new game mode. In terms of game modes, the data reveals ‘HarvesterHunt’, ‘OutpostDefense (with Elite waves, LastStandOrbital)’, ‘Reclaim’, ‘Salvage’, and ‘Siege (with Elite)’ as some of the modes currently present or on the horizon for Arc Raiders.
Additional Information
A wealth of information is available regarding character skills and abilities, loot, armors, inventory, audio, weather systems, and even a first-person camera. As previously noted, it’s crucial to approach this information cautiously, as the final version of the game may not include every detail mentioned.
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Tags: Arc Raiders, game modes, Unreal Engine 5
May 8, 2025
Nintendo Begins Sending Switch 2 Pre-Order Invitations to U.S. Gamers
Key Takeaways
1. Nintendo is sending out pre-order invitation emails to select gamers, but timing and availability remain unclear.
2. Only a small number of players have reported receiving emails, indicating limited console availability ahead of the June 5th launch.
3. Eligible buyers include Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with over 12 months of membership and 50+ hours of gameplay, but invitations are not guaranteed.
4. Gamers who receive invitations have a 72-hour window to complete their purchases on Nintendo’s Store.
5. Delivery options may lead to delays, with standard shipping taking 3-9 business days and expedited options still possibly arriving after the Switch 2’s release date.
U.S. gamers were aware that Nintendo would dispatch emails to chosen players on May 8th, but the specific time for pre-ordering the Switch 2 was still unclear. Now, it seems that invitation emails are beginning to reach select gamers. Nevertheless, as has been the case during the pre-order phase, there is still a lot of confusion regarding the availability and shipping methods.
Select Emails Rolling Out
Currently, only a small group of users on the ResetEra forums and various subreddits have reported receiving an email. This pattern might suggest that Nintendo plans to keep sending invitations throughout the day, or it could mean that the number of consoles available is even lower than anticipated. Nintendo has already mentioned that there might not be enough handheld devices for every player by the Switch 2 launch on June 5th.
Invited Buyers Share Their Emails
Lucky participants who received invites from Nintendo have shared the content of their emails. There’s nothing particularly surprising in the communication, as gamers have a window of 72 hours to complete their purchases. Before the pre-order period kicked off, Nintendo made it clear which buyers would be eligible. The company favors Nintendo Switch Online subscribers who have been registered for over 12 months and logged 50+ hours of gameplay. However, even those who meet these criteria are not guaranteed an invitation to purchase the console from Nintendo’s Store.
Delivery Options and Expectations
On social media, retail tracker Wario64 suggested that gamers waiting for their emails should visit Nintendo’s website. Any gamer who gets selected by Nintendo might be able to finalize their order right away.
An unexpected downside for buyers relates to the delivery choices. The standard free shipping option estimates delivery in 3-9 business days. Depending on when the order is dispatched, the console might not arrive until after the Switch 2 release date. Even the expedited shipping options provide estimated delivery times of 2-3 days. While the Switch 2 pre-order frenzy has caused issues for retailers like Best Buy and GameStop, players still hope to receive their consoles on June 5th.
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Tags: Nintendo, Pre-order, Switch 2
May 8, 2025
Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 4 Gaming Tablet Benchmark Results Revealed
Key Takeaways
1. Lenovo will launch the Y700 4th generation gaming tablet in China on May 8, 2025, known globally as the Legion Tab Gen 4.
2. The tablet maintains a temperature of 40.5° C or less during 120 minutes of gaming, ensuring a comfortable experience.
3. It averages 60 FPS on a popular 3D turn-based mobile game at very high settings, consuming about 9.5 W of power.
4. On a popular MOBA game, it achieves 120 FPS with extreme graphics quality, drawing an average of 8.9 W in 30 minutes.
5. Pricing details are not yet available, but the previous model was priced at approximately $400 in China and $499.99 globally.
Lenovo is set to unveil its latest gaming tablet, the Y700 4th generation, in China today, May 8, 2025. This device is expected to be known as the Legion Tab Gen 4 when it hits the global market. While Lenovo has not yet provided details about the international release, they have shared some benchmark results.
Impressive Performance Metrics
According to these benchmark results, Lenovo claims that the Legion Tab Gen 4 can deliver a seamless gaming experience without excessive heat. Specifically, the tablet is said to maintain a temperature of 40.5° C or less during a 120-minute gaming session.
Gaming Experience
Although Lenovo refrained from mentioning the exact games used for benchmarking, they did assert that the tablet averages 60 FPS on a “popular 3D turn-based mobile game” at “very high” visual settings. The average power consumption during this session is reported to be around 9.5 W.
Further Benchmarks
In another benchmark, on a “popular MOBA mobile game,” the tablet reportedly achieves an average of 120 FPS with “extreme” graphics quality. The average power draw in this 30-minute session is claimed to be 8.9 W. Finally, on a “renowned battle royale game,” the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 4 supposedly manages an average FPS of 119.9 over a 30-minute gameplay session, with a power draw of about 8 W.
As of now, Lenovo has not disclosed the starting price for the Snapdragon 8 Elite gaming tablet. However, the previous model was priced at CNY 2,899, which is approximately $400, and it retailed outside China for $499.99 (256 GB currently priced at $489.99 on Lenovo’s website).
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Tags: Gaming Tablet, Legion Tab Gen 4, Lenovo
May 8, 2025
DualSense Wireless Controller Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition Revealed
Key Takeaways
1. Sony has announced a limited edition DualSense controller for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, designed in collaboration with Kojima Productions.
2. The controller features a black color with the Drawbridge insignia and motto in bright orange, along with special markings and the game’s title engraved on the back.
3. Pre-orders for the controller will start on May 22, 2025, at a price of $84.99 in the US and similar prices in Europe, the UK, and Japan.
4. The DualSense wireless controller will launch on June 26, 2025, coinciding with the game’s release date.
5. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will be a PS5 exclusive at launch, with potential future releases on PC and Xbox.
It has kind of become a common thing for popular games to have a special edition controller, and the newest game to follow this trend is Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Sony’s PlayStation has revealed the DualSense wireless controller – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Limited Edition, just before the game is set to launch on June 26, 2025.
Collaboration with Kojima Productions
Sony mentioned that they collaborated closely with Kojima Productions to create the controller. The controller features a black color and includes the Drawbridge insignia and motto in a bright orange shade. This design can be found on the touchpad of the controller. Additionally, there are special markings on the handles, and the back of the controller has the game’s title engraved on it.
Pre-Order and Pricing Details
The DualSense wireless controller – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Limited Edition will be available for pre-order starting May 22 at 10 AM local time. The price is set at $84.99 in the US, €84.99 in Europe, £74.99 in the UK, and ¥12,480 in Japan. The controller will launch on June 26, 2025, coinciding with the release of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
Exclusivity on PS5
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will be a PS5 exclusive (which is also available on Amazon for $499) at its release, but similar to the first game, we can anticipate it will eventually come to PC and Xbox as well.
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Tags: Death Stranding 2, DualSense Controller, PlayStation 5
May 8, 2025
New Free Game Giveaways on Epic Games Store for a Limited Time
Key Takeaways
1. Deadtime Defenders is receiving ‘Positive’ feedback on Steam while in Early Access.
2. Touch Type Tale has an average of ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam.
3. Touch Type Tale won the Best Expert Game award at the 2023 German Computer Game Awards.
4. Touch Type Tale also received the Innovation prize from the 2023 German Developer Award.
5. Prices and deals mentioned are subject to change and may vary due to time limits or stock availability.
As it currently is, Deadtime Defenders is getting ‘Positive’ feedback on Steam even though it is still in Early Access. At the same time, Touch Type Tale has an average of Very Positive reviews on that same platform. Additionally, that game won the Best Expert Game award at the German Computer Game Awards in 2023, and it also nabbed the Innovation prize from the German Developer Award in the same year. For more info, check out the listings on Epic Games’ store.
Important Note
Notebookcheck cannot be held liable for any price changes made by sellers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this piece was valid at the time of writing and could be affected by time limits or limited stock availability.
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Tags: Deadtime Defenders, Epic Games Store, Touch Type Tale
May 8, 2025
Anbernic Reveals Key Specs for New Miyoo Flip Rival RG34XX SP
Key Takeaways
1. Anbernic’s RG34XX SP features a 3.4-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 480 pixels.
2. The device is powered by the Allwinner H700 quad-core processor and has 2 GB of LPDDR4 RAM for improved performance.
3. It includes Bluetooth 4.2 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity options.
4. The RG34XX SP has a 3,300 mAh battery that can last up to 6 hours on a single charge.
5. Anbernic has emphasized the sturdiness of the RG34XX SP’s hinge design, contrasting it with issues faced by the Miyoo Flip.
Anbernic has released more information about the RG34XX SP, just three days after presenting its new alternative to the Miyoo Flip (currently priced at $74.99 on Amazon). At first, Anbernic concentrated on the design of its latest portable device, while also sharing some details such as a 3.4-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 480 pixels.
New Specifications Confirmed
The company has now revealed that this 3:2 display will be powered by the Allwinner H700, a quad-core processor that Anbernic has frequently used over the past year. This suggests that the RG34XX SP offers performance similar to the current RG35XX SP. However, the increase from 1 GB to 2 GB of LPDDR4 RAM is likely to yield a noticeable performance boost in specific scenarios.
Connectivity and Battery Life
Other features like Bluetooth 4.2 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi remain available, along with a 3,300 mAh battery that Anbernic says can last up to 6 hours on a single charge. It appears that Anbernic has subtly criticized Miyoo, whose clamshell device still faces hinge problems despite a version 2 update. While not overtly stated, Anbernic has taken the unusual approach of highlighting the RG34XX SP’s hinge design and its sturdiness. For complete specifications, take a look at the video linked below.
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Tags: Anbernic, handheld gaming, RG34XX SP
May 8, 2025
Alienware Aurora 16: New 16-inch Gaming Laptop Starts at €1,099
Key Takeaways
1. The Aurora 16 is a mid-range gaming laptop from Dell’s Alienware line, priced 35% lower than the Aurora 16X due to fewer features.
2. It comes with base specs including an Intel Core 5 210H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage, starting at €1,099 (approximately $1,245).
3. Upgrade options are available for a Core 9 270H processor and GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, but the RTX 5070 is limited to 85 W TGP in the Aurora 16.
4. The laptop features a 300 nit, 120 Hz display and has an option for a larger 96 Wh battery.
5. Release date for the Aurora 16 in the Eurozone is set for May 27, with complete pricing and availability details yet to be confirmed.
The Aurora 16 has been unveiled today as one of two new mid-range gaming laptops by Dell under its Alienware line. While the Aurora 16 and Aurora 16X share a similar appearance, the Aurora 16 has fewer features, allowing it to be sold at a price that is 35% lower. For example, this model uses a plastic casing and lacks RGB backlit keys, which are present in the Aurora 16X.
Specifications and Performance
Many gamers may find the base specs of the Aurora 16 lacking. Dell states that this model is equipped with an Intel Core 5 210H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. Additionally, it features a 300 nit, 120 Hz display and a 60 Wh battery, all for a starting price of €1,099 (approximately $1,245). As a point of comparison, other laptops with the GeForce RTX 3050, such as the HP Victus 15 or Asus TUF A15 (currently priced at $658 on Amazon), can be found for under $700.
Upgrade Options
However, the Aurora 16 does offer the option to upgrade to a Core 9 270H and a GeForce RTX 5070. This upgrade could make it more competitive with the Aurora 16X. That said, Dell limits the GeForce RTX 5070 to an 85 W TGP in the Aurora 16, whereas the Aurora 16X allows for 115 W with an additional 15 W Dynamic Boost.
The Aurora 16 also has the option to come with a larger 96 Wh battery. All versions include dual USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports, as well as HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet ports. The release date for the Aurora 16 in the Eurozone is set for May 27, although Dell has yet to confirm complete pricing and availability details.
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Tags: Alienware, Aurora 16, Gaming Laptops