Gaming rigs don't get much more serious than Acer's Predator Thronos. Now there's a more accessible option in the Thronos Air. In addition to a chair with massage function, it includes three monitor mounts, an adjustable keyboard and mouse tray, a footrest, and a cable management system to hide all the wires. Cameras, hubs, and even cup holders are available as add-ons, meaning the only thing it's missing is the computer, monitors, and input devices.
As games get more advanced, they take up more and more space. That leaves many gamers in need of added storage — and fast storage, at that. WD Black is a new line of external drives made specifically to meet gamers' needs. Multiple models include speedy HDD drives in sizes up to 12TB, as well as SSD options in sizes up to 2TB for maximum performance. Available for PC and Xbox, the drives share an industrial, all-black aesthetic that will look good on a desk or in a home theater rack.
Instead of competing with Nvidia's 4K gaming displays via sheer size, Alienware's 55 OLED Gaming Monitor competes on picture quality, instead. Its OLED panel provides true blacks and outstanding color reproduction, while also offering a 120Hz refresh rate, a 0.5 millisecond response time, and AMD FreeSync support for smooth gameplay. The monitor has one DisplayPort 1.2, three HDMI 2.0, and four USB ports, as well as a headphone jack and an optical audio line out, and will be available on September 30.
Retro gaming enthusiast and designer Love Hulten has a new console to share, and it's another nostalgic gem. The FC-PVM combines a 9" Sony Trinitron PVM-9042QM monitor with an original Japanese Famicom console that was released by Nintendo in 1983. The 8-bit gaming system has two original controllers that have been modified so they're wireless and are stored inside the unit when you're not playing. On top of the system, there is storage for 8 Famicom cartridges.
The games haven't changed, and now the cabinets you remember from your youth are back as well and ready to power up at your home. Arcade1Up brings 1980's and 90's nostalgia back with a full roster of games that includes Mortal Kombat, Golden Tee, Marvel Superheroes, and more. The cabinets are around 4 feet tall and most have the option to add a riser so you can play standing up. They have 17-inch LCD monitors, so the games of the past look better than ever, with high-quality artwork that is faithful to the originals. Cabinets range from 2 games to 12 with a coinless operation and arcade controls just like you remember them.
When Origin started out 10 years ago, they built what they called the Big O, a custom gaming PC that included an Xbox 360 built-in. For their 10-year anniversary, they've upped the ante. The new Big O is a liquid-cooled custom gaming monster that incorporates both PS4 Pro and Xbox One X hardware, along with an Nvidia Titan RTX-based gaming PC and a dock for a Nintendo Switch. An internal 4K HMDI switch lets a single cable connect a TV or monitor, but unfortunately for the rest of us, there's no plan for a commercial release.
A smaller, cheaper version of the Nintendo Switch has been rumored for months. Now it's here. Dubbed the Switch Lite, it makes a few trade-offs to reach its size and price point. Most notably, it won't dock for display on your TV, its Joy-Con controllers aren't detachable, and its screen measures 5.5 inches instead of 6.2. That said, it should also feel more sturdy thanks to the lack of removable pieces, has longer battery life, is slightly lighter — 0.61 lbs versus 0.88 lbs — and yet is still compatible with the vast majority of Switch titles, making it a great entry-level option. Launching in yellow, gray, and turquoise on September 20.
Oris was founded in 1904 in the village of Hölstein which is surrounded by the Waldenburg Valley. The Calibre 115 draws inspiration from that location and continues the company's rich tradition of premium mechanical timepieces. The new timepiece features a fully skeletonized movement — including the barrel at 12 o'clock — so the watchmaker's talents are on full display. As you wind the crown, the mainspring coils until it's fully wound and ready to deliver ten days of uninterrupted power. It's housed within a 44mm brushed titanium case that employs a design passed down from a 1938 model and supplemented by a jet engine turbine blade motif introduced into the Big Crown ProPilot's bezel a few years ago. Additional details include Super-LumiNova filled hands and indices, double-sided anti-reflective domed sapphire glass, and a multi-piece titanium bracelet or a black leather strap.
Presented by Oris.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, Sternglas creates functional, no-nonsense timepieces inspired by the Bauhaus design movement. The Topograph is one of their latest releases, centered around a black brushed stainless steel case and black dial with thin white markings. Among the highly legible indices is a Rehaut with each second inscribed that conveys the appearance of a technical measuring device. The minimalist watch is powered by rock-solid Miyota 821A automatic movement that's visible through the crystal case back and protected by slightly domed sapphire glass. Short, curved lugs make for a comfortable fit along with a leather strap that is handmade in Germany that can be swapped out in seconds for another thanks to the built-in quick release spring bars.
Case Diameter: 42mm / Case Thickness: 10mm / Lug Width: 20mm / Depth rating: 5 bar / Movement: Miyota 821A Automatic Movement / Power Reserve: 42 hours / Jewels: 21
It might look like a Game Boy, but the Clockwork Gameshell is a far more capable pocket console. Powered by a Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU and Mali GPU, it supports Atari, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Genesis, and even original PlayStation games via emulation, with the option to play on a larger screen via a micro HDMI port. MicroSD storage lets you expand as needed, and the DIY kit gives you the satisfaction of putting it together yourself.
The TurboGrafx-16 never had the success of its contemporaries, the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. That's not to say it didn't have some great games. Thus, like the SNES and Genesis, it's getting a second life. The TurboGrafx-16 Mini is a plug-and-play HDMI box, much like the SNES Classic and Genesis Mini, and will come pre-loaded with classic games, including R-Type, New Adventure Island, Ninja Spirit, Ys Book I & II, Dungeon Explorer, and Alien Crush. The full game lineup and pricing info will be available closer to its launch.
The German audio brand's first wireless gaming headset, Sennheiser's GSP 670 is a performance-focused solution. While they do have Bluetooth for compatibility, their proprietary low-latency connection lets PC and PS4 gamers experience virtually zero lag. Using specialized software, it can replicate 7.1 surround sound, but always offers outstanding audio thanks to a driver tuned for deep bass without sacrificing the mids or treble and a noise-canceling microphone.
Sony's PS5 isn't the only new console coming out in 2020. Scheduled for a holiday launch, Microsoft's next-gen Xbox, codenamed Project Scarlett, will challenge the PlayStation for graphics superiority. The console is said to be four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, with a custom CPU based on AMD's Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture, GDDR6 RAM, and SSD storage. As a result, it will support 8K gaming, frame rates up to 120fps, ray-tracing, and variable refresh rates. With the launch over a year away, expect more details — including pricing and a glimpse of what it looks like — in the coming months.
Portland-based Panic makes some of our favorite software. They helped make Firewatch, an amazing game. Soon, they'll be making hardware, too. The Playdate is an all-new handheld gaming system, and we can't wait to get our hands on it. It has a 400 × 240 black and white display, a d-pad, A+B buttons, a pause button, and, most interestingly, an analog crank that flips out from the side, providing a completely novel control element. The hardware was built in collaboration with Stockholm-based Teenage Engineering, while the games — delivered wirelessly once a week, and a complete surprise when they arrive — will be developed by world-class talent. The system will include the first season (12 weeks) of games and will be available for pre-order later this year, with shipments beginning in 2020.
So-called "gaming" headphones have typically been more notable for their garish designs than their audio quality. Audeze is looking to change that with the LCD-GX. Set in a magnesium housing, their planar magnetic drivers are 2 to 4 times larger than those in typical gaming headphones. That size, combined with patented Fluxor magnets and ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragms, delivers unrivaled sonic performance both during gameplay and when monitoring, mixing, and editing audio. Handcrafted in California, they have memory foam ear pads and a weight-reducing suspension headband for comfort and a flexible gooseneck arm for optimal mic placement.
The retro console business shows no signs of slowing down, but unlike the miniaturized versions of classic systems, the Capcom Home Arcade touts its full-size nature as a selling point. Indeed, the logo-shaped console has competition-class Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT sticks and OBSF buttons built-in for a pleasantly authentic arcade experience. It includes 16 classic arcade titles, including Street Fighter II, Final Fight, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and Mega Man: The Power Battle. It also offers the single-cord convenience of HDMI and has built-in WiFi for connection to a worldwide leaderboard.
Racing is expensive. It's also dangerous. The CXC Motion Pro II Racing Simulator is as close as you can come to logging real laps on the track without leaving the safety of your house. Far from a gamer's toy, the 500 lb. system incorporates motion hardware, a 1,500W, 5.1 surround system, a Sparco race seat, complete with four-point harness, a force-feedback, quick-change steering wheel, and racing pedals. The base model includes one monitor, but it can be equipped with up to three, as well as an Oculus Rift VR headset and a wind simulator for even greater immersion.
Backed by the power of a neural network, the Langogo translator lets you hold real-time conversations in over 100 languages. It has an embedded eSIM that gives it cellular network access in over 70 countries while allowing it to serve as a WiFi hotspot for up to five devices. Translations are delivered in under a second, with multiple mics supporting two-way translation, and a built-in AI assistant can deliver relevant local information including weather, exchange rates, and attraction information.
Height: 4.78" / Width: 2.14" / Depth: 0.52" / Weight: 4.06 oz.
The way you carry your toiletries and valuables needs to be simplified. This Doppel bag helps you do just that. It's made from a single piece of 100% silicone that keeps it leak-resistant inside and out. This helps it stand up to the elements outside, and keep anything inside that might spill from getting out. The TSA friendly bag is soft and easy to wash when it's not in use and is the perfect way to keep your grooming supplies and accessories organized and safe during travel.
Presented by Wurkin Stiffs.
It was inevitable following the release of the NES, SNES, and PlayStation Classics that we'd see more miniature retro consoles. Now Sega is joining the mix with the Genesis Mini. Like the others, it's a tiny replica of the original 16-bit console that connects over HDMI and includes 40 built-in games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, and Castlevania: Bloodlines. It'll also include a pair of classic three-button control pads, so you won't need to buy extras just to enjoy some two-player gaming. Arrives in stores this September.
Since opening day of the App Store, games have been among the most popular apps on the iPhone (and later, the iPad). Apple Arcade is a new service that brings hundreds of exclusive titles to the company's devices for a flat monthly fee. Working with developers like LEGO, Sega, Konami, and ustwo, Apple is both contributing to the development costs of the titles and ensuring that there's no annoying in-app purchases, ads, or invasive tracking. The service will launch later this year on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
Forget buying a new gaming console every few years. With Google's Stadia platform, the data center is your console. It provides near-instant streaming of games at 60 frames-per-second in up to 4K HDR quality across laptops, desktops, phones, tablets, and TVs. While it works with existing controllers, a special Stadia controller will offer a direct Wifi connection to the cloud for easier screen-to-screen transitions, a dedicated streaming button — one of the many ways the service ties into YouTube — and a dedicated Google Assistant button with special help options specifically for Stadia games. Arriving later this year, with further details, including pricing, expected this summer.
The retro-nostalgia markets for the NES and SNES are well served, both by Nintendo's own Classic releases and Analogue's upgraded models. Which leaves the Game Boy as the most obvious platform in need of a redo. This Nintendo Flex Concept from YJ Yoon is one vision of how that could be done. Its body reinterprets the classic handheld's shape with a more pronounced right corner cutaway, streamlined controls that sit flush with the body, and a slight curve that improves immersion. Instead of cartridges, games would be accessed via a USB-C-based pen that clicks into place on the top, just over from the relocated speaker that sits closer to your ear and thankfully away from your right palm.
Analogue's Nt and Super Nt are the best ways to enjoy your old NES and Super Nintendo games. Now they're doing the same for the Sega Genesis with the Mega Sg. It uses advanced upscaling to deliver 1080p visuals over HDMI with zero lag, and 48KHz 16-bit stereo to do justice to all those classic soundtracks. Compatible with Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, and Master System game cartridges out of the box, it also has an edge connector that lets it work with original Sega CD and Mega CD units, and will also support Mark III, Game Gear, Sega MyCard, SG-1000, and SC-3000 games via adapters. It ships without a controller, so it's up to you if you want to use originals, hooked up via the ports on the front, or go wireless with 8BitDo's M30 gamepads.
Build with the goal of making games as ubiquitous as music and movies, Microsoft Project xCloud promises a future where your games are available to play anywhere, on any device. To achieve this, they're working with developers to make it easy to support the service and using their hardware know-how to build custom blade computers housing the components of multiple Xbox consoles, which are then stored and scaled at the company's Azure data centers. Currently in testing, the service, as of right now, works on mobile phones and tablets paired with an Xbox Wireless Controller or via touch controls. Microsoft says the project will be a "multi-year journey", with public trials beginning next year.
The Oculus Rift was one of the first, and likely most well-known, modern VR headsets available. It was also expensive and required a powerful PC to run it. The Oculus Quest realizes the company's vision for VR gaming in a self-contained unit. Notably, it uses four wide-angle sensors and software to track your position in real-time without external sensors, while also keeping track of the included touch controllers. The optics are the same as the Oculus Go, with a display resolution of 1600x1440 per eye, improved built-in audio, 64GB of storage, and a launch library of over 50 games, all ready to run on nothing more than the hardware inside. Coming Spring 2019.
It's been nearly 25 years since Sony introduced the original PlayStation. The PlayStation Classic, like Nintendo's NES and SNES Classics, lets you replay select retro titles on a nostalgia-creating box. Its case is modeled closely on the original disc-based console, yet it's roughly 45% smaller and connects to your TV via HDMI. Two controllers are included, as are 20 pre-loaded titles, including Tekken 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, and Final Fantasy VII. In stores December 3, the 24th anniversary of the console's launch in Japan.
Nintendo Switch Online is coming, bringing with it access to dozens of online-enabled NES games. These Nintendo Switch Wireless NES Controllers are the ideal way to play them. Officially licensed and sold by Nintendo themselves, the controllers retain the classic button layout of the originals while adding L and R buttons up top. They connect to the Switch to charge, come in sets of two, and are available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online members.
While playing classic games can bring out nostalgia, holding a controller can't replicate the feel of playing the arcade game. This Pac-Man Quarter Size Arcade Cabinet can, without taking up a ton of space. It stands just under 17" tall, yet is incredibly detailed, replicating the iconic 1980 cabinet down to the graphics around the screen and quarter slots. Amazingly, it's still playable and will be joined in 2019 by cabinets for Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and Galaxian, making this the beginning of a full pint-sized arcade. Limited to just 10,000 units.
When playing vintage games, nothing beats playing them with the original controller. Unfortunately, classic systems didn't ship with wireless controllers. 8BitDo's DIY Mod Kits let you fix that yourself. Available for the NES, NES Classic, SNES, SNES Classic, and Genesis, they require zero soldering — just replace the original PCB with the new one. A custom-designed component fills the cable hole, providing LED indicator lights and a charging port for the battery. Compatible with Windows, Android, macOS, Steam, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, and all the retro systems mentioned above via 8BitDo's receivers.
Instead of filling your living or game room with retro boxes, the Polymega Modular Gaming Console suggests a more elegant solution. The system consists of a base with a slot for CD-based systems like the PS1 and Sega CD and USB ports for add-ons, plus a series of modules that include controller ports and game slots for systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16. The system uses a "hybrid" emulation solution that relies on both hardware and software and supports wireless controllers as well. All games will be output in 1080p, and pre-orders are expected to open later this summer.
Considered by many to be the origin of modern gaming, Pong was a breakthrough when it arrived in 1972. Love Hulten's OriginX pays homage to the original with a handmade cabinet in walnut, a yellow facade, and an aluminum control plate. Meant for wall-mounting, it has two sets of controls, a built-in computer running a MAME emulator with storage for up to 10,000 games, and a 19-inch 4:3 LCD fitted with a custom barrel distortion filter to better resemble vintage CRT monitors. Limited to just 50 examples.
Designing a game controller for all ages is tough. Making one that works for the disabled as well is basically impossible, yet Microsoft appears to have done it. Thanks to two large programmable buttons, multiple USB ports, and a dizzying array of 3.5mm jacks, the Xbox Adaptive Controller accommodates a wide variety of use cases. It was built in conjunction with many third-party manufacturers to support the broadest swatch of alternative controls, meaning that no matter what your range of motion or physical ability, you'll be able to create a custom solution that works for you — whether that means foot pedals, large arcade-style joysticks, or something even more elaborate.
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