Gaming

Sony’s Japan-only PlayStation Portal adds storage for future features

• Sony’s Japan-only Portal adds internal storage for unspecified future features.
• The black model costs ¥39,980 and launches on 10 December.
• It includes one month of PS Plus Premium and requires a Japanese account.

Sony has announced a Japan-only version of the PlayStation Portal with internal storage, saying the change is intended to support future functionality. The company has not explained what the storage will be used for, so its role remains unclear. The device is now called PlayStation Portal Player, reflecting…

GTA 6 reportedly has 55 Achievements/Trophies, more than both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 had at launch

• GTA 6 reportedly has 55 launch achievements.
• That is more than GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 had at launch.
• The challenges appear to be single-player only.

GTA 6 reportedly has 55 Achievements or Trophies, according to a now-deleted post by Rockstar dataminer TexFunz2, which was reposted by iGrandTheftAuto. The reported total exceeds the launch counts for GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, though the challenges themselves have not been revealed. The game is…

2 Upcoming PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Announced Early

• Two PS5 games were confirmed for PS Plus Extra.
• Both received 8/10 review scores.
• November’s lineup is due on 11 November.

Sony has confirmed that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D and Dynasty Warriors: Origins will join the PS Plus Extra catalogue in the coming months. The announcement appeared on the Japanese PlayStation Blog, and the article says the additions are likely to be included in worldwide updates, though that has…

Ocarina of Time scores Zelda’s second-biggest physical launch in the UK

• Ocarina of Time topped the UK physical game chart.
• It had Zelda’s second-biggest physical launch in the UK.
• Godzilla Remastered entered at number nine.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time debuted at number one in the UK’s physical game chart, ahead of Modern Warfare 4 and FC 27. It also had the biggest physical launch of 2026 so far and the second biggest physical launch in Zelda franchise history, pointing to…

COD: Modern Warfare 4 gets a surprisingly sudden free trial, so you can see what the game’s extraction mode DMZ is like

• DMZ is free to try until 11 November.
• The trial includes progression and access to X01.
• DMZ and Warzone share the Hajin map.

Activision has launched the first free trial of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s extraction mode, DMZ, on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The trial gives players a chance to try the mode shortly after the full game’s release, but includes no access to its campaign…

19 Years Later, Avatar’s Most Terrifying Episode Changed the Franchise Forever

• “The Puppetmaster” introduced bloodbending.
• Hama developed it during imprisonment by the Fire Nation.
• Katara is forced to use the technique to stop Hama.

“The Puppetmaster”, first shown on 9 November 2007, introduced bloodbending in *Avatar: The Last Airbender*: the ability to control the water inside another person’s body. The episode also reveals that waterbenders can draw moisture from plants and the air, expanding the possibilities of their element and foreshadowing abilities…

Norfolk State’s late collapse, Bay Area rivalry renewed

Norfolk State fell 29–28 after a late fumble, while San Francisco and Las Vegas meet for the first time since the Raiders left Oakland. The bulletin also covers Zelda’s unchanged swordplay, music inspired by strange encounters and an old smartwatch’s second life.

Colorado River crisis deepens as Sudan policy offers rare bipartisan ground

Drought is pushing Lake Powell towards critical levels, while a Washington opinion piece sees scope for cross-party cooperation on Sudan. The bulletin also covers a new Netflix film, a college basketball clash and a 13-year journey to make Mewgenics.

Zelda: Ocarina of Time and WoW: Forever Are the Good Kind of Remakes

• The article sees two new remakes as thoughtful acts of preservation.
• Nintendo hopes *Ocarina of Time* can teach newer developers classic design.
• *WoW: Forever* builds on the original while reworking progression.

The article argues that remakes can be valuable when developers revisit a classic to preserve what made it distinctive and learn from its design, rather than simply to reduce commercial risk. It points to new versions of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* and *World of Warcraft*…

Petit Planet, aka HoYoverse’s Take on Animal Crossing, Is Packed With Charm and Attention to Detail | IGN Preview

• Petit Planet borrows heavily from Animal Crossing.
• Growing a central tree gradually transforms the planet.
• Story missions introduce new animal residents.

HoYoverse’s upcoming life simulation game Petit Planet takes clear inspiration from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but its preview suggests it has enough distinctive features to stand out in a crowded genre. The reviewer says the game’s charm and attention to detail kept them engaged despite fatigue from playing…