Retro-inspired game for Masters of the Universe

Mattel and Limited Run Games announced He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction at Gamescom.

“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is one of the exciting ways we’re bringing Mattel’s brands to life through digital games,” said Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Games at Mattel. “It’s a love letter to those who grew up with He-Man, combining nostalgic visuals with fast-paced, modern gameplay. Our goal is to honor the franchise’s legacy while introducing it to a new generation of players. The team at Limited Run Games shares that passion, and we hope the game connects with both lifelong fans and newcomers alike.”

Inspired by the iconic ‘80s cartoon, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction allows players to take control of Eternia’s beloved heroes, including He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms, and more, to battle Skeletor and Evil-Lyn and save Eternia from plunging into darkness.

Fight through over 12 action-packed levels using character-specific moves, abilities, and power-ups to stop Skeletor’s ancient ritual that threatens to take over Eternia. Battle Cat, He-Man’s fearless feline companion, also joins the fray, battling on the side of justice with his claws unsheathed.

“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is the Masters of the Universe arcade game I yearned for as a child,” said Josh Fairhurst, CEO and Executive Producer at Limited Run Games. “I am excited and honored to be playing a small part in making it a reality.”

Growing up, I wanted an Intellivision to play the Masters of the Universe: The Power of He-Man video game. An arcade port of Golden Axe filled the void on the Sega Mega Drive, and now fans (myself included) can play a retro-inspired 2D brawler by Bitmap Bureau on PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2026.

Are you looking forward to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

During Gamescom Opening Night Live, Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, DC, and the LEGO Group announced LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a brand-new action-adventure videogame inviting players to embark on an epic journey to become the hero of Gotham City, inspired by the 86-year history of Batman films, television shows, comics, and games, all combined with the TT Games’ legendary LEGO humour.

“We are thrilled to announce LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a fantastic new game designed to entertain and provide enjoyment for every type of player,” said JB Perrette, President and CEO, Streaming & Games, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Our remarkable team at TT Games is working hard to deliver a fresh take on the beloved Batman universe, offering new and improved features beyond previous LEGO games that will excite both longtime fans and gamers of all levels.”

Developed by TT Games, creators of the best-selling LEGO Games franchise, including the critically acclaimed LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and published by Warner Bros. Games, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 system, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

“All of us at TT Games are incredibly proud to reveal LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a brand-new game that’s a real celebration of everything Batman,” said Jonathan Smith, Strategic Director & Head of Development Team, TT Games. “We take players on Bruce Wayne’s epic journey to become the legendary hero of Gotham City, incorporating iconic moments from across Batman’s history with our special LEGO twist. Our all-new crime-fighting combat features are amazing fun and take LEGO gameplay to an entirely new level.”

The adventure begins with the origins of Batman as a young Bruce Wayne trains with The League of Shadows, and throughout the story-led campaign, players will build a family of allies with well-known characters including Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul to help confront an ever-growing threat from a Rogues Gallery of DC Super-Villains, facing the likes of The Joker, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, Ra's al Ghul, Bane, and more.

“This is a Batman game that fans will instantly connect with,” said Fredrik Löving, Senior Vice President and Global Head of GAME, The LEGO Group. “Our partners at Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, and DC have created an experience that delivers the style, intensity, and authenticity of Gotham City’s greatest hero, infused with the family-friendly fun of the LEGO brand, making it an exciting experience for LEGO Batman fans old and new.”

While fans (myself included) wait for the release of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, LEGO is releasing the amazing Arkham Asylum building set on 9th September.

LEGO DC Batman Arkham Asylum is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Are you looking forward to LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight? Let me know in the comments below.

Fallout heads to New Vegas in first look

Fallout was originally announced in 2020 during the pandemic and exceeded all expectations when season one dropped on Prime Video in April 2024. The live-action adaptation of Bethesda's video game franchise from the showrunners of Westworld, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, is prestige television on par with HBO's The Last of Us.

Ahead of Gamescom, where a new Fallout video game is rumoured to be announced, Prime Video and Kilter Films have shared a first look at season two of Fallout. The new season will pick up in the aftermath of the debut season finale and take audiences along for a journey through the wasteland of the Mojave to the post-apocalyptic city of New Vegas. Season two will premiere this December exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Based on one of the most celebrated video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind – and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them.

The cast includes Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets, Sweetpea), Aaron Moten (Emancipation, Father Stu), Walton Goggins (The White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Desperate Housewives), Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island, Jockey) and Frances Turner (The Boys, The Man in the High Castle).

Fallout season one has had more than 100 million viewers worldwide, ranking among the three most-watched shows ever on Prime Video.

The hit series based on the popular video game franchise will return for a third season as the show’s second season prepares to launch later this year on 17th December.

Fallout is streaming exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Have you watched Fallout on Prime Video? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Halo Infinite this December

Originally delayed just months before the launch of Xbox Series X|S consoles last November, as promised Halo Infinite will be released this holiday season. However, the co-op campaign, a longtime staple of the series, will not be included at launch. Nor will Forge mode. This has irked some fans, but I'm here for the single-player campaign.

Many fans (myself included) assumed Halo Infinite would launch in late November to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Halo: Combat Evolved's release in North America, but Microsoft has chosen 8th December. Presumably to avoid clashing with Call of Duty: Vanguard, as a friend suggested.

Along with the announcement, a limited edition Halo-themed Xbox Series X and Elite 2 wireless controller were available for pre-order during Gamescom 2021. Needless to say, the Series X console sold out in minutes with listings on eBay at significantly inflated prices. Elite 2 (affiliate link) is available (while stocks last). As someone who has bought countless controllers and joysticks over decades, this will be the most expensive I've owned to date.

For anyone who misses out on the limited edition goodies, there's a free Halo Infinite dynamic background for Series X|S. Settings > General > Personalization, then scroll all the way down to Dynamic Backgrounds, and finally, you'll find Master Chief waiting for you at the end of all the background options. You're welcome.

The next instalment in one of video gaming's most iconic franchises is looking promising (it can't be worse than Halo 5, can it?) and I'll be playing the campaign day-one on Series S on Game Pass Ultimate.

Are you excited about Halo Infinite? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Spring 2022

The fine folks at WB Games have sent over a new gameplay trailer and updated release date for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga from Gamescom 2021.



Read the press release from WB Games:

"Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Games today revealed a new gameplay trailer for LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga where Padawans learn to become Jedi with guidance from their Jedi Masters. In the upcoming game, players will explore the LEGO Star Wars galaxy like never before and experience nonstop action from all nine Skywalker saga films reimagined with hilarious LEGO humor.

Developed by TT Games in collaboration with The LEGO Group, Lucasfilm Games and publisher Warner Bros. Games, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will release Spring 2022 for the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox Series X, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC."

You can read my LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens review and watch LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales on Disney+ this October.

Are you still excited for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (affiliate link), or has the long wait made you lose interest? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga at Gamescom

Geoff Keighley has tweeted the delayed LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be featured this Wednesday at Gamescom 2021.

The upcoming video game for PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles and PC was originally announced at E3 2019 before the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The LEGO Star Wars multimedia franchise continues to be hugely successful and this entry in the long-running video game series, from TT Games, spans all nine movies.



Hopefully, LEGO Star Wars fans (myself included) will see a new gameplay trailer and perhaps an updated release date after publisher WB Games initially delayed the title in 2020 and then again in spring 2021.

Are you still excited for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (affiliate link), or has the long wait made you lose interest? Let me know in the comments below.

Channel John Hammond in Jurassic World Evolution

During a pre-Gamescom briefing from Xbox, Jurassic World Evolution was announced from the developers of Elite Dangerous, which Rob Wainfur, founder of The Bearded Trio, reviewed previously.

Frontier Developments has based a sim around the 2015 blockbuster movie directed by Colin Trevorrow. Players will be able to unleash their inner John Hammond, played by the late Sir Richard Attenborough in Steven Spielberg's original Jurassic Park, and design a dinosaur theme park replete with reptilian perils for unsuspecting tourists.



Aside from this surprise. The Xbox pre-Gamescom conference was a rehash of E3 and underscored the lack of first-party titles! My hot take. It was nothing more than an extended Xbox One X pre-order announcement, which should have gone live during E3. However, I've pre-ordered the Project Scorpio Edition and am looking forward to improved fidelity in titles such as Rise of the Tomb Raider on a Samsung Curved SUHD 4K 3D LED TV.

Jurassic World Evolution will be released for PS4, Xbox One and PC in the summer of 2018 to coincide with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Pilot the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars Battlefront

EA has unveiled a new mode for the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront and knocked it out of the park!

"Fighter Squadron will put you inside the cockpit of some of the most memorable vehicles ever seen in the Star Wars galaxy," said Battlefront senior producer Sigurlina Ingvarsdottir at Gamescom.



The dizzying dogfights evoke fond memories of playing Rogue Squadron on Nintendo's GameCube.

Fighter Squadron mode stays true to the original Star Wars films. "We want to give fans the thrill of living out their Star Wars battle fantasies in a game that is authentic, visually stunning and fun," said Ingvarsdottir.

What are you excited for in Star Wars Battlefront? Let me know in the comments below.

Rise of the Tomb Raider only on Xbox One

Tomb Raider, a franchise broadly synonymous with PlayStation, will see the first sequel to its successful 2013 reboot only on Xbox One. This exclusive bombshell was announced during Gamescom and ignited fan fury across the internet.

Whether or not Rise of the Tomb Raider is a timed exclusive doesn't matter. Tomb Raider is a multi-platform franchise. Presumably, Microsoft is bankrolling the development of the new game in the hope it'll go toe-to-toe with PS4 exclusive Uncharted 4: A Thief's End during holiday 2015.

In a blog post, Crystal Dynamics chief Darrell Gallagher said the company is trying to make “the most ambitious ‘Tomb Raider’ game ever built” and that “our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in 'Tomb Raider’ and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011. We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past — we believe this will be a step to really forging the ‘Tomb Raider’ brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.”

Other Tomb Raider games will still be released on the PlayStation and PC, including December’s Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will not be disappearing from shelves.

It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine Microsoft adding Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for Xbox One (updated to run at 1080p/60fps) to Games with Gold in the coming months.

Microsoft also detailed an update for Xbox One, which will bring multimedia feature parity with Xbox 360. A media player with USB device playback and DLNA support soon.

Are you annoyed Lara Croft has switched to Xbox? Let me know in the comments below.