We've called Intel's NUC "the future of tiny desktops." That's truer than ever with the newest version of the device, which is powered by the company's new 8th generation CPU with AMD RX Vega M graphics. In fact, it sports the fastest version of that chip, making it an even better desktop replacement. Intel claims it's so powerful, the 1.3 liter NUC is the smallest VR-ready system so far. And based on its specifications, we're inclined to believe them.
The fruits of Intel and AMD's unprecedented partnership are finally here. Intel just unveiled its 8th generation Core CPUs with AMD's RX Vega M, bringing together its fastest mobile processors with graphics capabilities that used to required a dedicated GPU. Together, they'll lead to thinner and lighter laptops with decent gaming chops. While we got an overview of the chips back in November, we finally have more details at CES. And, simply put, gamers should be pleased.
Source: Intel
We're on the ground in bright and dry Las Vegas for CES 2018 and ready to get this party started. We'll be stuffing your eyes and ears with all the latest news from the world's biggest tech conference this week. Google is already the talk of the show, but it won't be hosting a press event of it own (at least not this year). But there are still plenty of big name companies taking the stage to tell you about their latest gadgets. We'll definitely see tons of laptops and TVs for sure. But don't be surprised if there's a few odd ball smart home products and more than few car-related announcements. Of course, we'll be covering the big press conferences live. So make to come back for all our liveblogs starting bright and early Monday morning. Check out the full liveblog schedule is below.
In the last issue, we celebrated the demise of Miiverse by looking back at some notable Miiverse posts. Originally, this issue was planned for December and was supposed to be holiday themed, with an emphasis on holiday-related oddities from years past.
But, it turns out 90% of publications in December back in the day just did buyers guides and I'm far too lazy to dig through those. So, instead, we're going back to basics! A fresh start for the new year by keeping it simple with old video game magazines and other oddball things of years past!
This has become one of my favorite write-ups each year. You know that game that you love, but others don't even seem to know what it is? You rant and rave about how intricate the design is, or how beautiful the game looks, but no one seems to be listening? This post is about those games. Games that we loved, yet didn't see much conversation about.
Hopefully you got around to playing the games we've mentioned in the past, like those from 2015 and 2016. If not, we're here to add even more to your backlog.
Last week I asked what everybody's gaming resolution for 2018 was and more than few Destructoid readers responded with some idea pertaining to their backlog. A backlog is something we likely all have and as we grow older and have to adjust our lives to the realities we live in, the chances of us actually going back and playing these games shrinks. It's just a part of being a gamer in the era of endless entertainment.
My backlog right now is sitting around 100 games if I don't count the probably 75 titles I've bought on Steam with no real intention to play. From the GameCube to the DS to the Vita, PlayStation 4 and now the Switch, my shelves are packed with games waiting for me to take out of the shrink wrap let alone play. And with a few adjustments to my life this year -- I'm getting rid of cable so I don't spend my nights watching Modern Family reruns -- I'll probably get around to beating four or five of them throughout the next 12 months. One game I probably won't ever find time for is Fantasy Life.
This Level-5 title should be the most played game on my 3DS. I adored London Life in Professor Layton and the Last Specter, so finding the joy of Fantasy Life should have been a no-brainer. But boy howdy did it pick the wrong release date. The game launched on October 24, 2014. You know what else launched that same date? Bayonetta 2. Which one got my attention for the next two weeks? Bayonetta 2. Which one will I rebuy for the Switch next month and spend two weeks playing through without even thinking about the other one? Bayonetta 2.
Such is the first-world problems of a man with too many video game systems and too little time on his hands. Had I not bothered to buy a Wii U the year before, I have no doubt in my mind Fantasy Life would have around 100 hours of playtime on my 3DS. Instead it sits around seven, and with every new game that gets added to my catalog -- I just bought Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 -- it falls further and further to the bottom of that pile.
A handful of days ago, I finished my first playthrough of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier. I was taken aback by how multi-faceted the run-up to the final moments turned out to be: lots of important choices, lots of different approaches that depended on your opinion of certain characters, and multiple potential missteps were present in the final chapter.
I discussed this with my boyfriend, who has only played the first season and was shocked that Telltale had even gotten to the third. His experience of Telltale games was a binary choice right at the end, a few deaths of slightly annoying characters here and there, and, really, the feeling that the player did nothing of much importance while experiencing the story.
My experience of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier was decidedly different. I felt like I had impact; that I was taking care of a mixed community of characters, and in my case, often condemning the bad apples to a grisly death. But which approach to storytelling did I prefer? Two choices at the end? Three choices? A mixture of potential outcomes? In hindsight, I think I might prefer the binary approach of season one of The Walking Dead above anything else.
(Needless to say, this article contains spoilers for seasons 1-3 of Telltale's The Walking Dead.)
I imagine, for a certain portion of our audience, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild winning another Game of the Year award is the last thing they want to talk about. Afterall, it was named the best game of 2017 by the Destructoid editors, the Destructoid community, The Game Awards, Japan Game Awards, Golden Joystick Awards, and a good chunk of the gaming websites out there. It's the Energizer Bunny of video games because it just keeps winning and winning and winning.
In March, it will have the chance to complete its victory lap at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Breath of the Wild is up for the top prize alongside nearly the exact same set of games its been in competition with throughout the industry awards season.
Hey, listen, Nintendo of America has released a ranking of the Nintendo Switch's most played games since the system launched back in March. The list is filled with a plethora of Nintendo's first-party titles, but several indie titles and popular third-party games made the cut as well.
The list was released via the "News" section on the Nintendo Switch. It contains 20 titles, with juggernauts The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey taking the top spots:
Speedrunners unite! Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) has returned, once again, to hurtle through a selection of classic and contemporary video games in the name of charity.
The next seven days will see speedrunners from across the globe gather in Herndon, Virginia to take on hundreds of challenges, on a variety of titles, across multiple formats. Donations from viewers will be accepted throughout, and will go to the Prevent Cancer Foundation. (Last year's event saw a staggering $2.2 million raised for the charity).
Various interviews and competitions, where viewers can bag some amazing prizes, are expected to be held. Games putting in an appearance this year include Star Fox 2, Sonic Mania, Splatoon 2, Resident Evil 7 and Secret of Evermore. Also included, as always, are a selection of games from the Zelda, Super Mario, Castlevania and Metal Gear series.
The full schedule can be found right here. AGDQ begins today at 08:30PT/11:30ET/16:30GMT and can be watched live on its official Twitch channel. The event will be streaming for the entire week, before wrapping up Sunday, January 14.
Good luck to all staff and runners participating!
Awesome Games Done Quick 2018 [Twitch]
