Gaming
Will PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X games be more expensive?
Signs point to yes
Throughout the entire console versus PC debate, console gamers always had one thing going for them: the considerably cheaper price of hardware. Whereas PC gamers pay through the nose for a modern gaming rig, PS4 and Xbox One gamers pay only a fraction of that price for a console. However, amidst the price of hardware, console games are much more expensive. Current AAA games usually sell for US$ 59.99 or thereabouts.
Now, with the release of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X imminent, everyone is waiting for the fate of their wallets. How much will the consoles retail for? How much will the games cost?
Currently, we already have an idea of how much the PlayStation 5 series will sell for, thanks to an accidental Amazon leak. If the leaks are true, the consoles won’t vary much from previous generations.
However, the price of PS5 games will likely bump up. As you might have heard, 2K Games finally announced the upcoming entry in the popular NBA 2K series, NBA 2K21. The new game will be the first one in the series to play on the next generation of consoles. As always, it comes in different packages, varying in in-game loot.
The standard edition (with Damian Lillard on the cover) will still retail for US$59.99 and will play on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Stadia. However, the next-generation edition (with Zion Williamson) will retail for US$ 69.99 and will play exclusively on the PS5 and the Xbox Series X. Both Mamba Forever editions will cost US$ 99.99. For a more in-depth look at what the different packages include, check out our breakdown here.
Plagued as it is with microtransactions, the NBA 2K series can definitely obscure how much a game really costs. We wouldn’t put it past them to bump up a price for themselves. However, the regular edition historically hovers around the industry’s current standard. There is no reason to discredit NBA 2K21‘s price as a potential standard. That said, are we looking at the price of the next generation?
Right now, the most popular PS4 games are already pricey, often much more expensive than PC variants. With a potential price bump on the horizon, becoming a console gamer might be much more painful for a budget. Though the console itself is affordable, the price of each game makes next-generation gaming more difficult to follow after each big release.
CES 2026
This Razer AI companion can tell you how much of a noob you are
The brand also unveiled an AI headset and an immersive gaming chair.
Whenever you’re playing a single-player game, do you miss the toxic banter of teammates telling you how bad you are? Sometimes, it feels impossible to play without another voice in your ear. For those moments, Razer reintroduced Project AVA, an AI desk companion designed to keep you company while gaming and for more.
Project AVA
Technically, Razer already introduced the AI companion during last year’s CES 2025. This year, however, the brand has added more functionalities to the upcoming product, turning the device from a mere esports coach into an actual companion.
Previously, the assistant can use your camera, eye-tracking, audio input, and the screen to tell you how to get better in your chosen game. Now, Razer has added the ability to help you with everyday tasks like organizing schedules and suggesting fits.
Additionally, users can choose between a variety of 5-inch animated holograms as avatars, such as Kira, Zane, and even Japan’s favorite salary woman SAO. Users can also pick personalities for them from sassy to friendly.
Since it’s still a concept, there’s no word on when Project AVA will be available as a finished product.
Project Motoko
Last month, we reviewed the BlackShark V3 Pro, one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we’ve tried. Not content with prioritizing comfort, Razer has now added AI to a headset.
Project Motoko showcases a headset that uses AI technology to anticipate your needs. Besides a flurry of microphones, the headset uses two cameras positioned at eye level to analyze your surroundings. Razer says it can even track how many reps you’ve done at the gym and summarize a document you’re looking at.
Because the software is specifically designed to detect your surroundings, it can reportedly heighten your senses and find things you might have missed from your peripheral vision. Additionally, it can heighten your hearing and amplify conversations and sounds you might find important.
Project Madison
To cap it all off, Razer also unveiled an immersive gaming chair. Project Madison is a chair that uses lighting, audio, and haptic feedback to deliver an immersive gaming experience.
First of all, the chair uses Razer’s iconic Chroma RGB to simulate your surroundings while playing a game. With 16.8 million colors, it makes you feel visually immersed in your game.
Secondly, the chair has THX Spatial Audio. On its own, the chair’s speakers can provide audio immersion. Further, if you pair it with front speakers, you can upgrade this to a 7.1 surround sound system.
Thirdly, Project Madison features Razer Sensa HD Haptics to deliver a tactile sensation that makes you feel every impact and explosion.
CES 2026
GameSir just made a controller with its own steering wheel
The Swift Drive Controller launches later this year.
I have a love-hate relationship with racing games. Though I love the thrill of driving fast virtually, the price of a full racing rig is enough to make you crash and burn. Even worse, some of the more robust sim games practically need a steering wheel. For CES 2026, GameSir announced the Swift Drive Controller, a hopefully affordable, albeit unique, way to play racing games.
Rather than a full steering wheel, the Swift Drive Controller attaches a smaller “wheel” in the middle of a traditional handheld controller. It’s not just a spinning dial, either. The Hall effect wheel has force feedback, much like an actual wheel. It can also move from 30 to 1080 degrees, depending on the setting.
All of the other buttons and triggers also have force feedback to simulate the feeling of driving, including ABS braking and wheel spin. There’s even some RGB lighting to simulate the game’s RPM.
The controller connects using a 2.4GHz wireless connection. GameSir says that a single charge can last up to 30 hours.
Currently, the Swift Drive does not have a definitive launch date. However, the company says that the controller is coming later this year. Similarly, it doesn’t have a price tag just yet. However, it’s likely less than a full rig, which is a boon for those who want to save.
CES 2026
The ROG Flow Z13-KJP brings your Death Stranding dreams to life
The special gaming tablet was designed with Kojima Productions.
Whenever a gaming studio partners with a new device, it’s always a hit or miss. While some partnerships elevate the design of their devices, some end up with tacky decals or obnoxious themes. Thankfully, 2026 is starting off with a dose of the former. During CES 2026, ROG has announced a partnership with Kojima Productions for the ROG Flow Z13-KJP.
Especially apparent through the Death Stranding duology, Kojima Productions has a uniquely futuristic aesthetic. The studio even has a similarly clad mascot called Ludens, a knight-like EVA suit. The studio is lending its designs to a special edition of the iconic ROG Flow Z13.
The gaming tablet features the gold, black, and white designs of the studio. It incorporates carbon fiber to make the whole design lighter. It also has a uniquely shaped keyboard cover with custom font for the keys.
Plus, the package comes with a carrying case reminiscent of the packages carried by Death Stranding’s Sam Porter Bridges. It also has a custom Ludens-inspired Armoury Crate theme.
Inside, the ROG Flow Z13-KJP features the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, paired with the Radeon 8060S GPU. It has up to 128GB LPDDR5X 8000 RAM and 1TB of internal storage. The touchscreen display has durable Gorilla Glass DXC protection. Finally, the 70Wh battery supports fast charging, which can juice up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.
Pairing with the tablet, ROG is also launching KJP versions of the ROG Delta II, the ROG Scabbard II, and the ROG Keris II Origin.
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