We discusss the changes the Pokémon franchise has changed over the last 25 years.

If there’s one thing I’ve loved as a gamer, it’s looking forward to what’s next.  What does the future hold for my favorite gaming franchise?  What can I expect to see at the next E3?  What will the next generation of consoles bring?  Luckily, we won’t have to wait much longer for an answer to this last question, as the next generation of consoles begins holiday 2020!

As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, Mario is a part of my cultural DNA. Join me in counting down my top five favorite Mario moments, and find out how Best Buy is celebrating the day.

Hideo Kojima's latest masterpiece is heading to Best Buy. Here's the release information that you need to know!

Welcome to the island of Teer Fradee, a land in the midst of social change and a seemingly incurable plague. Discover a lush world filled with fantastic creatures while on a diplomatic mission to visit Teer Fradee's various factions in search for a cure. Gather your party, make alliances, and let your choices drive the future of the land in Spiders and Focus Home Interactive's latest RPG, GreedFall.

Gears 5 is finally here!  In a sequel to Gears of War 4, you’ll return to Sera to continue Kait Diaz’s journey into her family history, as well as her connection to the Locust.  I know I’ve been looking forward to Gears 5 since it was announced at E3 2018, and from what I’ve seen, it looks to be the biggest Gears of War game to date!

You’ve probably seen the video online. Chun-Li is up big on Ken. He’s hanging on by a sliver of life. She loads up super to take him out. Even if he blocks, he’ll take enough damage to get knocked out. So, he doesn’t block, and he doesn’t get hit. He parries the entire super move, jumping to parry the last hit, and comes back with his own super move to win the round. The room explodes with cheers.

Monday, July 8 is National Video Game Day!  While this may conjure images of geeks eating chips and drinking soda in their Mom’s basement, video games have transcended the stereotypes associated with them to become a pastime that all ages can enjoy regardless of sex or race.

Keeping you updated on all things E3 2019!

In a time when you can’t shake a stick without hitting a post-apocalyptic/zombie outbreak movie or TV show, it’s actually pretty rare to find games with this theme that offer true free-form gameplay.  Sure, there are plenty of post-apocalyptic shooters out there, but most are very linear and story takes a backseat to having the coolest new gun.

Enter Days Gone, a post-pandemic action game, where you play Deacon St. John, a bounty hunter trying to survive and find a reason to live in a world of human marauders, wild animals and worst of all: Freakers!

GET OVER HERE!

Few phrases in gaming are as iconic as this one and is instantly identifiable with Mortal Kombat.  I remember the first time I heard it echoing through the room, as I was walking through the arcade in the local mall.  I wandered over to see what appeared to be real people fighting it out in true martial arts style.  Then the guy playing pulled out a FATALITY and my jaw hit the floor!  I couldn’t believe that something like that was in a video game, much less one that I could play myself!

You may think you know Mario but will you think the same thing after you read this short article? Lets talk about Mario in honor of Mario Day which is on March 10, 2019!

Enormous game library, 1TB of storage, 4K UHD Blu-Ray player (Where you at, PS4 Pro?!), 4K video streaming. It's the gift that'll keep on giving at a price that's hard to pass up. And with standalone 4K Blu-Ray players priced so high, this can be the perfect addition to any high-end home theater!

We’re just over a month away from the launch of the next installment of one of Nintendo’s most popular game series – Super Smash Bros.  Years before Avengers Infinity War billed itself as the greatest crossover event ever, Nintendo had their own massive crossover game in the original Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64. That game brought together many of the most popular Nintendo characters in a fast-paced fighting game.

Return to the vast open-world of Far Cry in the upcoming 5^th installment of the series. Releasing on March 27^th, you’ll step into the shoes of a Montana Sheriff’s Deputy who will square up against the fanatical dooms day cult, Eden’s Gate. Lead by Joseph “The Father” Seed and his children, Eden’s Gate has all of Hope County held hostage under the threat of death if they refuse to join.

The Arcade Racer of Your Childhood

Relive your childhood mayhem with the return of a beloved franchise that has long been dormant.  Burnout was a cult classic staple in the realm of arcade racers in the 6^th and early 7^th generation of consoles. Until, Forza Horizon took the main stage it was my most played racing series to date. Burnout catered to the casual audience with smooth controls, spectacular visual, and destructive mayhem. With each entry it continued to push the bar further and revolutionized the arcade racing genre. Without Burnout I can’t really imagine what the genre what look like today but with Burnout Paradise Remastered you don’t have to! The king of arcade racing returns on modern consoles today!

It’s March 10, and that means it’s Mario Day, a day to celebrate one of the greatest and most enduring video game series we have. Why March 10? The abbreviation is Mar. 10, or, shortened, Mar10, which looks just like Mario. Maybe that’s a bit of a silly excuse for the day, but Mario truly deserves it. Without him, we may not have video games as we know them today.

Today we can celebrate the launch of one of the most anticipated titles launching this generation. Warhorse studios pitched the idea of traditional medieval RPG back in 2014 with their Kickstarter for Kingdom Come: Deliverance.  After demolishing its initial goals Deep Silver graciously picked up publishing duties and has allowed Kingdom Come to turn into the gem it’s going to be today. Who wouldn’t want to try out Gamescon’s 2017 PC Game of the Year award winner?

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a realistic, historical-based RPG set in 1403 in the Kingdom of Bohemia.  Emperor Charles IV (King and Holy Roman Emperor) has died, leaving his oldest son, Wenceslaus IV, to ascend the throne.  Wenceslaus proves to be an ineffective leader, and his half-brother, Sigismund the Red Fox (King of Hungary), kidnaps Wenceslaus, leaving the country without a ruler.  Sigismund then proceeds to use his forces to plunder throughout Bohemia.  You play as Henry, the son of a blacksmith who is seeking justice for your family and village that was raised by order of King Sigismund.  You join the resistance led by Lord Radzig Kobyla, finding yourself fighting in the midst of a civil war.

Ahoy, Landlubbers!

A new game be sailin’ the seas, an’ good ol’ Cap’n Fey-BBY is here to give yeh the scoop.  Sea of Thieves fanaticals have been eagerly watchin’ the game grow and develop over these past few years, with regular updates at E3 drawing roarin’ applause from audiences the world over.  Gather yer crew, adjust the sails, and keep an eye on yer compass as yeh visit far away islands in search of treasure and adventure.  Engage in epic battles with other ships, upgrade yer equipment, battle skeletons, and grow yer career to become one of the most legendary pirates o’ all time.  Technical Alphas have shown glimpses of single player options, along with two and four player crews, all in a shared world.  It be rated T for Teen.

The cult classic franchise based on the ancestry of past assassins returns today after a long-awaited year hiatus. With a brand-new dynamic character and immersive setting Ubisoft aims to return the juggernaut franchise to the top of gaming pyramid (excuse the pun). To no one’s surprise Assassins Creed Origins was the most talked about game on Social Media during E3 2017 and with good reason. During Microsoft’s E3 presentation the gaming world was formally introduced to another iteration in the Assassins Creed family. Showcasing an abundance of new features and beautiful locals, Ubisoft came out swinging showing the beefy amount of content that was added due to a longer development cycle.

For many, the original Star Wars Battlefront series was full of classic fun filled nostalgia. Pandemics series was a childhood classic that let many relive countless Star Wars battles throughout the established era’s. So, when EA announced the revitalization of the series, many (including myself) were overcome with excitement and pure joy. Buzz and commotion sparked throughout the gaming industry about the return of the classic franchise championed by the legendary studio DICE. However, when EA’s Star Wars Battlefront released and the shiny new paint started to fade away, a large part of the community became very dissatisfied due to the lack of content. I am thrilled to say that EA’s Star Wars Battlefront II fixes that problem immensely and the beta only solidified my pre – order for this upcoming masterpiece.

Nintendo gave the world with their latest console in March. If you were like me, you probably knew that this meant we could expect our favorite jack-of-all-trades to be donning his overalls soon for another adventure. It didn’t take long for the announcement we all wanted to hear. Super Mario Odyssey is coming to the Switch.

Pokkén Tournament was one of the more unique experiences to debut on the Nintendo Wii U. It allows individuals to take full control of the most interesting aspect of Pokémon, the battles themselves. As a fan of the Tekken fighting series and a complete fanboy for anything Pokémon, the melding of the two franchises together was an incredible blend.

Call of Duty is back baby! The beta married classic gameplay with modern graphics in an all-in-one package. Call of Duty WWII has learned from its predecessors that wall running futuristic shooters are no longer what the community yearns for. Gameplay has been simplified and is more accessible than ever. It’s the most fun I’ve had with a COD title in recent years, and I couldn’t put the controller down. 

Get Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition before it’s gone forever.

Be the first to experience the Xbox One X designed for the biggest fans—the Project Scorpio Edition. With 40% more power than any other console, experience immersive true 4K gaming. Games play better on Xbox One X.

Did you hear the news? The Call of Duty series is re-deploying back to the Western Front this fall in Call of Duty WWII. From the creators of Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty WWII sets out to recapture the heavy conflict between the Axis and Allies. Come November 3^rd, you’ll be storming the beaches of Normandy in this latest installment of the Call of Duty franchise

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Football season is right around the corner. I can feel it in the longer days, the hotter weather, and the fact that we are already nearing the halfway point of summer. More importantly, Madden NFL 18 on its way.

In the fall of 2015, just in time for a new era in Star Wars movies, EA Games released Star Wars Battlefront. It had been a long time coming, but the wait was worth it. This was a solid game, and one that made great use of the next-gen computing power of our current gaming systems. And as good as that game was, this year’s Battlefront II looks to be even better.

For many die-hard fans of The Elder Scrolls saga, Vvardenfell holds a special place in their heart.   These are the gamers who fell in love with the series when Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls III released back in 2002, where Morrowind was first introduced.  I am so excited to explore new areas of Tamriel and have fantastic adventures in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind!  In the game, players will explore the larger area of Morrowind, while helping protect the area from a powerful Daedric threat.

With the recent announcement of Destiny 2 many who wished to play on PC when the first Destiny came out finally have their wishes come true!

It was in the fall of 2013 when Superman, with the help of the creative team at NetherRealm Studios, took control of all world governments and established his Regime. Some heroes, and even a few villains who like a one-world dictator, sided with him to help police the world. As a gamer and a comic book fan, it was exciting to see some of my favorite DC characters at their best and worst.

The world was forever changed on 9/17/2013 when Grand Theft Auto V was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.  The main campaign is only as unbelievable as the masterful Grand Theft Auto Online experience that has continued to host events to this day. 

I’ve played the entire campaign and jumped into the online experience the day it was released to the public.  In my 20+ years of gaming few games have captivated an audience with its sheer size and incredible detail like the Grand Theft Auto series. 

Mass Effect is a franchise I’ve been a fan of ever since playing the first installment on Xbox 360 when it premiered in 2007. I can’t fathom how many hours I’ve spent over the years with my Vanguard Shepard charging and shot-gunning enemies, getting to know complex characters, and multiple replays to see how the stories change. With Andromeda fast approaching on PC, Xbox One, and premiering as the first Mass Effect title on the PS4, I can’t wait for more people than ever to have a chance to discover this fantastic franchise that I love.

This Friday, March 3^rd sees the launch of the latest Nintendo game console, the Nintendo Switch. Many of our stores are opening at 12:01 AM local for a midnight launch, allowing you to start gaming as soon as possible. This post is designed to give you an overview of the Nintendo Switch itself, the lineup of launch games, must-have accessories, and the process of getting your hands on one.

If you are a fan of tactical war games, the new title to have this year will be Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. With a rich open world and a compelling storyline, this game has a lot to offer fans of the franchise and those who may be new to the Ghost Recon world. I had a chance to test it out during the open beta, and it has me very excited for this release.

Rejoice Dragonborn, for you are returning to the north. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been remastered for the next generation!

Experience the enhanced comfort and feel of the new Xbox Wireless Controller, featuring a sleek, streamlined design and textured grip. Enjoy custom button mapping and up to twice the wireless range. Plug in any compatible headset with the 3.5mm stereo headset jack. And with Bluetooth® technology, play your favorite games on Windows 10 PCs and tablets.

Stand with allies both old and new to face a new threat and make it to a new day. Times and seasons change, but the Gears of War grind ever on.

With a trailer that has yielded more ‘likes’ on YouTube than any other trailer before it, the excitement around Battlefield 1 couldn’t be more apparent. When watching the trailer for the first time, I immediately recognized the weaponry from World War I and admittedly, I was quick to find out that automated weapons were utilized well before I originally thought; a common misconception, actually. It’s obvious that Battlefield 1 will be not only a fantastic gaming experience, but a deeply rooted history lesson.

It’s here it’s here!  The Xbox One S is available now!  The sleeker, slimmer and sharper 2TB console is now out in the wild.  It’s 40% smaller than the current Xbox One and has a huge hard drive. 

If you’re a gamer in any regard, you’re probably used to the feeling of looking forward to... something; be it the release of a game, a large event of sorts, or possibly even a simple gathering of friends to talk about what games you’re currently playing. One thing is for certain, though. We all look forward to E3 every year. This year was particularly exciting for me, as I'm a long-time Zelda fan. Read further to see more of my highlights from this year's E3 conference!

If it's been a long day at work, school or you just need a break from reality the PlayStation VR (PSVR) will take you away and give you an experience unlike anything you've seen before.