Gaming

Predator’s midrange Helios 300 gaming laptops allow overclocking

Published

April 28, 2017

Marvin Velasco

Overclocking has been around for a while on gaming laptops, but usually only on the higher-end models like the ludicrous Predator 21 X. Acer is making the feature a little more accessible this time by letting its new Predator Helios 300 midrange line handle the extra hardware boosting.

Technically, overclocking — the process of pushing a gadget’s processor past its factory settings — can be done on any device, from smartphones to desktop computers. But there are several reasons why overclocking hasn’t become mainstream on gaming laptops until now.

For one, cooling technology hasn’t reached a point where it’s both efficient and portable enough to fit in a non-behemoth-sized notebook. Another reason is the practicality of it all; why risk pushing a midrange graphics card when you can buy a gaming laptop with a better setup in the first place?

Thanks to NVIDIA’s latest crop graphics cards and Acer’s recent laptop advancements, the Predator Helios 300 series introduces fairly priced gaming notebooks that you can effortlessly overclock without having to deal with additional peripherals.

This is made possible using a dual-fan system with an AeroBlade 3D Fan design and PredatorSense software to safely push the system while keeping the temperatures in check.

Compared to the simultaneously launched Triton 700, there’s nothing out of the ordinary with the Helios 300 looks-wise. I found it to be on the thick side, and the non-mechanical keyboard was unimpressive.

The two primary models come in 15.6- and 17.3-inch display sizes, with processor options being Intel’s Core i7 (7700HQ) or i5 processor (7300HQ) and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or 1050 Ti graphics card. Both cards, as mentioned earlier, can be overclocked using bundled apps.

Memory can go as high as 32GB, and storage includes the best of both worlds: a high-speed SSD and a large 1TB HDD. There’s nothing out of the ordinary for I/O (input and output) ports, but you do get the newest USB 3.1 Type-C port.

North America is getting first dibs on the Helios 300 starting July 2017. The 15.6-inch models start at $1,299, while the 17.3-inch units will go for $1,399.

Pricing is a little different for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), wherein both sizes will start at EUR 1,199 beginning in August. China will follow the North American July timeline, but retail for CNY 9,999 for both models, as well.

[irp posts=”4303″ name=”IFA 2016: Acer Predator 21 X first look”]

Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

Published

April 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.

Gaming

The Steam Controller is coming out on May 4

It will cost $99.

Published

April 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The best part of the Steam Deck is its portability. However, an underrated aspect of the handheld console is its button layout. Unlike its contemporaries, the Steam Deck has two trackpads on either side of the device. Now, that same layout is coming to the Steam Controller.

The Steam Controller was part of the trio of innovative devices that Valve announced late last year. While the spotlight is on the Steam Machine, the Controller is also enough to whet any gamer’s appetite.

Besides the convenient layout, the Steam Controller offers easy integration with Steam. The peripheral can communicate with any device — PC or mobile — that has Steam or the Steam Link app installed. As such, it’s easy to take control of your gaming library straight from the controller.

The only catch, though, is that it works solely on Steam. Any other game that has its own separate launcher, such as Genshin Impact, cannot be used with the Steam Controller unless they’re added directly to Steam.

The Steam Controller is launching on May 4 globally. It will retail for US$ 99.

On the flip side, Valve has not announced when the rest of its hardware will launch. Both the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame have not made appearances yet, reportedly because of the ongoing issues with RAM production all over the world. However, the company is still optimistic about releasing these devices within the year.

Gaming

Beast of Reincarnation coming to PS5 this August

One-person, one-dog action RPG

Published

April 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Game Freak is set to release a new action RPG in August called Beast of Reincarnation. It is the developer’s first title outside of the Pokémon series. It arrives August 4th on PlayStation 5, with pre-orders now available.

The physical edition will include the same DLC content as the Digital Deluxe Edition as a purchase bonus:

Brown Shiba Skin
Black Shiba Skin
Oni’s Hat
Big Dipper
Amber x 100,000
Multiple crop seedlings

Beast of Reincarnation is a fusion of real-time and turn-based combat. It is dubbed as a “one-person, one-dog action RPG” set in a beautiful yet harsh post-apocalyptic, Year 4026 Japan.

In the game, humanity’s only hope lies with Emma, an outcast shunned from society for her affliction. Joining her is the blighted dog, Koo.

Together, they embark on an expansive adventure — alone yet together. Relying on each other is all they have as they journey through a world of impermanence, where forests suddenly burst forth amidst the wasteland.

As players progress, Emma and Koo’s bond and abilities blossom. They can customize the playstyle with unique skill trees, gear, and spirit stones to survive the world. They can also choose a preferred loadout which includes ranged, stealthy, and aggressive combat.

The duo fights as a unit, with Emma’s sword abilities leading the charge while commanding Koo to unleash various techniques in a hybrid combat system. This is integral as players will discover a brutal narrative, as well as dangerous truths hidden behind every character.