The last time I touched on Need for Speed Payback, I said I wasn't sure what to make of the game. It hasn't left a strong impression -- for better or worse. And while we do have more to go on with this overview trailer highlighting the setting, Fortune Valley, my sentiment hasn't really budged.

This may be "the biggest open world Need for Speed has ever seen," but there's no shortage of great open-world racers these days and I feel like Payback is going to lose out and get lost in the shuffle.

We know what the map looks like now, though, if you're curious about such things.

Payback is still on for a November 10 release on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

With Super Mario Odyssey about a month away, it's time to have a talk about the technical side of things. Digital Foundry did just that at a recent preview event by breaking down how the game performs in its various states of play.

Though the 10-minute video meticulously details all the different tech stuffs, the big takeaway is that Super Mario Odyssey runs at 900p (1600x900) when it's docked, and at 720p (1280x720) when it's in portable mode. As Digital Foundry points out, Nintendo seems to target native 720p for Switch games and then it works up from there.

Maybe more important than the resolution is that Odyssey reportedly maintains 60 frames per second across most gameplay scenarios -- both when docked and in portable mode. Early missions with tutorial prompts cause minor drops but Digital Foundry mentions that it's tough to notice. There's also a photo mode that's locked to 30fps, seemingly so it can better render objects in the distance.

There are a few other predictable enhancements when the Switch is docked. There's less aliasing, better shadows -- those sorts of things. But the big takeaway is that Super Mario Odyssey's performance seems to deliver no matter how it's played.

Microsoft was reportedly working on a touch screen watch back around the same time Apple was, though only one would go on to con people out of hundreds-to-thousands of dollars for a useless piece of tech that made you look like the world's freshest herb. 

According to SuomiMobiili, these photos are of Microsoft's prototype, which is branded with the Xbox logo and could've interfaced with the Xbox One. Remember when Microsoft's whole deal was "second screen experiences" with its Surface line? It also could've connected to Xbox Fitness, which came out in late 2013 (the same year the watch was rumored to be in development) and shut down three years later, given the supposed heart-rate monitor on the back of the 1.5-inch display. But for whatever reason, the company decided it just wasn't time to release a watch.

Julkaisematon tuote Microsoftin hautausmaalta – tältä olisi näyttänyt ”Xbox Watch” [SuomiMobiili]

[Whomever started the whole trend of 'making learning fun' did the world a huge favor - just like Michael Giff has done in writing about everyone's favorite scarlet-clad rogue, Carmen Sandiego. If you make it through this whole blog without getting the legendary theme song from the TV show stuck in your head, you're not human. Join Michael in getting your work promoted to the Front Page by participating in our Bloggers Wanted prompt! There's nothing we love more than getting your work in front of the world, so get to work, gumshoes! - Wes]

How do you inspire kids to learn? Sadly, it seems the consensus would be to stick a kid in a seat for a 90-minute lecture, force said kid to read an additional 60 minutes of material in their free time, and finally complete a 30-minute questionnaire for homework. The poor child will have to do this four to five more times depending on how many classes they're taking. Also, he or she better pray that they excel at this form of learning because they will have to devote twelve years of their life to this monotony. Heaven help you if you fail because the standard solution for under-achievers is to hire a tutor, who will just force you to go through this exact routine over again but longer. Talk about torture! Is there no other way? Thankfully a couple of programmers asked this same question during the early 1980s, and proceeded to combine the latest in graphical user interfaces and a trusty almanac to create not only video games greatest thief, but quite possibly the world's greatest teacher.

Earlier today Atlus issued a DMCA takedown notice for the emulation development group Nekotekina and their Patreon page for RPCS3, a popular PS3 emulator being used to play Persona 5.

The group in question was responsible for the PC emulation of Persona 5. While Atlus hardly needed to justify defending their own intellectual properties, the company put up a blog post explaining why they felt taking action was necessary.

While everyone I know is embroiled in an unfinished, Link-laden The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild run, all the True Gamers that have already finished BotW finally have a reason to return: you can play as Waluigi.

Unless you're playing on Switch. Hefty and DonkXProXAli's GameBanana mod is only possible with the Wii U (or Wii U emulated) version of the game. And while we're getting the bad news out of the way, it's worth noting that Waluigi's beautiful voice has not replaced Link's effete grunts. Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Racing games are a hard genre to innovate. While a developer could add interesting ideas, they still have to layer them on top of an already cemented foundation. Races have to work a certain way, laps have to be counted, and there has to be a beginning and end. 

Lightfield does its best to shake up this foundation and promises a game where there are multiple paths to winning each race. It's full of bouncy techno fun, but unfortunately succumbs to the restrictions placed on every racer. 

In some rather bizarre news, the Navy will be adding Xbox 360 controllers to Virginia-class submarines to make controlling the vessels' periscopes easier. 

The Xbox controllers will be replacing a $38,000 joystick system designed by Lockheed Martin. The joystick has been routinely criticized and denounced by Sailors for being clunky to operate, and given the staggering price point, it seems reasonable that the Navy might look into a better solution. But still, Xbox controllers? Who would have thought.

Speaking with The Virginian-Pilot, several sailors explained why the controller is a better alternative to the Lockheed Martin joystick. 

"That joystick is by no means cheap, and it is only designed to fit on a Virginia-class submarine," said Senior Chief Mark Eichenlaub, the USS John Warner's assistant navigator. "I can go to any video game store and procure an Xbox controller anywhere in the world, so it makes a very easy replacement."

Lieutenant J.G. Kyle Leonard, the USS John Warner's assistant weapons officer, revealed that the move to an Xbox 360 controller came about because the Navy asked their sailors how they could improve their conditions.

"The Navy got together and they asked... 'What can we do to make your life better?' And one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. It's kind of clunky in your hand; it's real heavy," said Leonard, talking to The Virginian-Pilot.

After the story went public, Lockheed Martin issued a statement saying they support the Navy's decision. 

This whole story is strange, but in a way, makes a lot of sense. The Navy saves tons of money on their submarines and the sailors get a far easier tool that they're already familiar with. Hell, maybe they'll buy a few extra controllers and play some split-screen during their free time. 

Like some sort of early 2000s zombie that just won't die the Underworld franchise is making a move to television with creator Len Wiseman bringing the show to the small screen. The director/writer/producer and his production company Sketch Films (couldn't be a more appropriate name) is said to be targeting cable/premium channels with the show pitch. 

Thanks to the fact that brooding vampires fight werewolves is soooooo 2003 the show is said to depart a bit from the films, which had more comic book action feel. Wiseman says, “The series will be a pretty big departure from the films. I don’t want to say it’s more adult, but it’s definitely less comic book in its tone and character.”

Look, I know this franchise has its fans still, and the sequels made money thanks to moderate budgets, but doesn't this just seem late to the game? By now everything Underworld does has been done to death in a million other movies and shows. I'm just not seeing what this can bring to the franchise that would draw me in in any way. Even if they pull Kate Beckinsale in to star her character isn't iconic enough to support a series. This isn't Wesley Snipes as Blade,  and we all saw what happened when they tried to do that on TV.

South Park was once a global phenomenon like none other. Those who can remember its launch years in the late '90s will remember what a rating-popping, merchandise-selling juggernaut it was, as well as its reputation for being the most offensive show on TV (back before every show was the most offensive show on TV.)

South Park is still a popular show, but it has been struggling in recent years to find its place in satirical comedy. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have always stood by the show's pseudo-caveat that "We don't take sides, we offend everyone."

But 2017 is not 1997, it's not even 2007, and South Park is struggling to remain cutting edge, not only against the many shows trying to outdo it, but also to a public that will go bonkers online the split-second their personal line is crossed. Satire struggles in today's climate, where a lot of people are only listening with one ear.

If there's one game I'd really appreciate having on my Switch right now (aside from Mario Odyssey), it's got to be Stardew Valley. Even just thinking about the laid-back farming sim puts my mind at ease.

Switch owners have been yearning for any morsel of information they can scrounge up and I'm right there with them. Today brings our latest development update: Stardew Valley is "approved" for the system, according to Chucklefish CEO Finn Brice, and they're working toward a release date.

Stardew Valley Switch Update, we've been approved. Working on finalising a release date with all parties involved. Will continue to inform!

— Tiy (@Tiyuri) September 26, 2017

I had kind of written the port off as something I wouldn't be playing anytime soon, so I'm stoked.

Tiy [Twitter]

The story behind Super Meat Boy was a real underdog tale. Creators Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes had immense pressure to make the game a success and weren't given much help from the likes of Microsoft on promoting the game. Due to extremely positive word of mouth, the game ended up being a success and set the indie game craze into motion.

You'd think such an experience would bond friends together for life, but apparently that isn't the case. For some reason, McMillen and Refenes parted ways sometime after the cancellation of Mewgenics. This past weekend, Eurogamer interviewed Refenes on the upcoming Super Meat Boy Forever and finally got some answers as to why the duo separated.

Apologies to any and all of you who excitedly read that as Spelunky instead of Spelunker.

Square Enix is bringing Spelunker Party! to Nintendo Switch in the West next month, and you know what? I think this might be my first crack at one of these games. The journey to the center of the Earth is littered with traps, bugs, and even ghosts, but you can explore with up to three friends either online or in split-screen. And pets! Cats, dogs, and other critters can tag along with you as well.

It's wild to think that Spelunker originally dates back to the '80s. I missed playing the PlayStation 3 remake, Spelunker HD, and also skipped the more recent entry, the free-to-play Spelunker World.

Spelunker Party! is lined up for an October 19 launch on the Switch eShop and PC in North America and Europe, and will cost $30. At that price, I'll definitely be checking out the Switch demo on Oct. 7.

Buying games and apps digitally is less risky when there's a solid refund policy in place. Apple offers refunds for purchases through its iTunes app store and Microsoft has a self-service system. PC distribution portal Steam allows for refunds within 14 days of purchase if you've played a game for two hours or less. Now virtual reality company Oculus has made it clear that you can get a refund for an app or game purchased digitally for the Rift or Gear VR.

Via: Gamasutra

Source: Oculus

Do any of you genuinely like casino zones in the Sonic series? Someone must!

They look appropriately flashy, but my experience with them tends to break down into bouncing all over the place and never quite going where I intended. I don't play these levels so much as they play me.

Anyway, here's another! Sega went and put a casino in a dim forest for Sonic Forces.

I'm glad we got Sonic Mania this year, let me put it that way.

At the end of every competitive season in Rocket League, players are given an in-game reward tied to their performance. In the past, it has been a cosmetic car item that gets gaudier as the ranks get higher. For example, look at the season 3 rewards. The Prospect wheels are modest and boring when compared to the glitzy Champion wheels:

Necrosphere is a very charming and very challenging platformer, a game that is basic in its controls, but complex in its design. This game tells the tale of Agent Terry Cooper who, after being killed, has fallen into the realm of the Necrosphere, a place where people go apparently regardless of being good or bad.

But, soon after Terry arrives, he learns of portals that can potentially bring him back to the world of the living and thus begins his journey that spans a little under three hours. This game features a unique control scheme in that you can only use two buttons: the left or right arrow keys, or the “A” and “D” keys. Much of the game's level design, and its charm, revolves around this, but that wasn't enough to hold my attention for very long.

The line between esports and traditional sports is blurring, and organizations like the National Basketball Association are looking to stay ahead of the curve. Seventeen teams from the NBA will be part of the upcoming 2K League, a competition it created in partnership with Take-Two Interactive, the developer of the popular NBA 2K series. And that league is going to have its first season next May, NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue revealed to Engadget in a recent interview.

EA has uploaded a brand new overview trailer for Star Wars Battlefront 2 and it features narration from John Boyega, the actor of Finn from the newer Star Wars trilogy. According to him, we're all in for a blast since, "this is a Star Wars experience like none other." I mean, the old Battlefront II was pretty similar, but at least he seems enthusiastic about the game. That and this new Battlefront 2 actually looks worth a damn.

It was one of the more peculiar announcements made during the last Nintendo Direct. The 3DS, a console many believe is already on its way out the door, is getting the biggest game in the world with the New Nintendo 3DS edition of Minecraft. After years of imitators on the handheld, owners of the dual screen sensation will finally have their chance to experience the phenomenon.

But is it too late?

For anyone sat eagerly anticipating more Capcom DLC, your wait is finally over. Street Fighter V is adding a ton of new skins today, available to purchase for the game's roster of scrappers.

Menat, Ed and Cammy get school outfits. FANG gets a sinister scientist number, Urien swaps clothes with his Godly brother Gil (which reads like Capcom are abandoning the Illuminati leader's in-game addition). Chun-Li, of course, gets three new outfits, because she doesn't have enough already.

Last year's Halloween costumes, such as Devil Juri, will return temporarily to the store, along with the Halloween-themed stage. All of the latter is only going to be made available as a bundle. Speaking of stages, Cammy's classic stage from Super Street Fighter II is also making a comeback.

Finally, "Music Packs" are to be made available to SFV, allowing for classic themes to be added to the game, replacing the current soundtrack.

Phew, that's a lot of stuff available for buy. Naturally, none of the new costumes can be purchased with Fight Money, which is becoming a common ruling for a lot of the game's aesthetic DLC. It feels so old to rag on SFV for its greedy consumer stumblefucks, but they're so consistent that they remain unavoidable.

Street Fighter V's 2017 Halloween DLC drops today. Each costume is priced at $4.

New games are releasing all the time. For this reason, especially in the digital age, a lot of us find ourselves tasked with chipping away at seemingly insurmountable backlogs when we aren't playing the newest releases.  

Over my years of playing video games, I've accrued a growing list of 'games that got away,' and due to my own personal taste a large portion of this list is incredibly long Japanese role-playing games. A few months ago I decided it was time to start in on the list of games that have gone by the wayside.

Like the legendary Triforce itself, the trifecta is complete, as Dark Horse Publishing have announced the third tome in their acclaimed series of Zelda books, The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia.

This 320-page volume will be a go-to guide to the land of Hyrule and beyond, with pages dedicated to characters, enemies, items, maps and many more of the wonderful places and people that have made the Zelda series beloved by millions of fans worldwide.

This third book is designed to sit neatly alongside previous releases Hyrule Historia and Art and Artifacts to make for a very comprehensive guide to the series, from the NES classics all the way up until Twilight Princess HD. As of yet, any featured Breath of the Wild content will sadly just be a "nice surprise".

The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia is scheduled for release in April 2018, priced at $40.

The Vita has been on life support for a while now. If you couldn't just tell from Sony's general actions, the downplayed existence at recent E3s is probably proof enough. But now, Sony boss Andrew House is just outright telling us that its days are numbered.

Speaking to Bloomberg, House explains that the handheld market is "limited," and that "the Vita experience was that outside of Japan and Asia, there was not a huge demand," because of smartphones. When asked about bringing a new portable to market to compete with Nintendo, House responds, "The Nintendo device is a hybrid device and that’s a different approach and strategy. We have not seen that as being a huge market opportunity."

Based on the interview, House isn't outright saying that a Vita 2 is canceled, or that future PSP-esque plans are canned, but he's implying it. House feels that smartphones are going to continue to dominate the space, and eludes to the fact that Sony should continue to corner the console market. But with the aforementioned hybrid strategy, Nintendo is in a very good place right now.

PlayStation Boss Sees Limited Potential for Handheld Gaming [Bloomberg]

Nintendo, unlike it's contemporary competitors, isn't too keen on offering sales. This statement applies doubly to the eShop, which tends to overcharge customers as is, and only offer decent sales on Capcom titles most of the time. Thankfully, there's a decent sale on through next week for everyone's favorite 'rhythm violence' videogame and/or nightmare simulator, Thumper.

Thumper normally runs for $20, but with the 25% eShop discount, you can snag this title for just $15. This deal will only last until the end of the week, so it's better to take this into consideration now. Do you want to lose your mind in a rhythmic ride to hell? If so, this might be your new fix.

Thumper was well received by both fans and critics. I liked it. Jordan seemed to like it too. If you're even remotely interested, I'd recommend giving this one a test drive.