Editors' Choice

Top 10 Video Games of 2017

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2017 will go down in history as one of the best years in gaming. Here are 10 excellent reasons, with number one being GadgetMatch’s game of the year.

10. Persona 5 

Persona 5 isn’t the best game of the year, but it makes a good case for being the most game of the year. It takes around 100+ hours to beat; it has deep dungeon crawling with puzzle-solving; it’s got robust turn-based combat; and it’s also a light high-school simulator with a suite of social activities! The story tackles all sorts of societal ills, from child abuse to corruption in politics.

It stumbles on some aspects, most notably the hit-or-miss English localization, the sluggish pacing in the final stretch, and the portrayal of some of the women and queer characters. It soars, however, in its supreme sense of style, acid jazz symphonic string-funk soundtrack, and infectious rebellious spirit.

9. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

Video games can be a great escape from the maddening realities of life, especially with 2017’s barrage of bad news. They let us indulge in power fantasies when we feel weak and helpless. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus couldn’t have come at a better time with its vicious takedown of fascism via ultraviolence, toilet humor teetering towards the absurd, and intense introspection.

And while slaughtering virtual Nazis with hatchets and guns akimbo is cathartic as hell, Wolfenstein II hits the hardest when it highlights its diverse characters. Militant black activists, an alien conspiracy nut, Southern socialists, and a boyband-loving ex-Nazi codebreaker join the party of oddities from the previous game, and it results in the most dynamic cast that serves as inspiration for collective resistance in real life.

8. Super Mario Odyssey

If there’s one word that encapsulates Super Mario Odyssey, it’s joy. Unabashed, honest-to-goodness joy. From its many candy-colored kingdoms to the cute creatures that inhabit them to the head-bobbing rhythms that play in each level, just being in Super Mario Odyssey is a treat.

What makes the game great though is that the joy of “being” extends to what you are doing. In Mario’s cliched quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser one more time, the joy is in discovering novel ways to interact with the world through the help of your hat buddy Cappy (and the bodies of enemies and friendlies you basically possess!). Super Mario Odyssey rewards that natural curiosity with in-game progression, sure, but it never forgets that the mere act of playing should be fun on its own.

7. Cuphead

Getting a glimpse of Cuphead and thinking it’s an old-timey cartoon is an incredibly easy mistake to make. Studio MDHR, the brand new creative force behind Cuphead, showed impeccable dedication to recreating the wild and mesmerizing aesthetic pioneered in the 1930s by cartoonist Max Fleischer. While there is debate to be had about the game ignoring that art style’s racist history, there is no argument over Cuphead elevating the good parts of that distinct look to hypnotic heights.

Cuphead’s beauty isn’t just skin deep, either. Its retro visuals and big band/ragtime soundtrack pair perfectly with its brutally hard throwback run ‘n’ gun shoot ’em up gameplay reminiscent of Contra. Thanks to the super-tight controls, varied weapons and upgrades, and the astonishing multi-phase boss fights, beating Cuphead is even more rewarding than seeing it in action for the first time.

6. What Remains of Edith Finch 

Much has been said about video games’ ability to tell stories. When so many rely on cinematics or pages of text to deliver their narratives, it feels like what makes the medium special is wasted. What Remains of Edith Finch harnesses that singular strength of interactivity to tell not just one story but a whole clan’s history in ways only video games can.

The player takes an active role in each tale, reliving the last moments of every Finch family member through surreal sequences that never stop surprising. These imaginative vignettes blur reality with flights of fancy and call upon the player to navigate the spaces between. Most importantly, What Remains of Edith Finch makes the case as to why humans need to tell stories: to cope with grief, to make sense of chaos, to learn from mistakes, and to keep precious memories alive.

5. Horizon Zero Dawn

A lot of elements in Horizon Zero Dawn feel familiar, especially if you’ve been playing a lot of big budget games in the past decade. It has a massive open world filled with so much stuff. It has a light RPG upgrade system with unlockable skills. It has collecting and crafting. Even its setting sounds predictable: It’s in a post-apocalyptic future, sentient machines roam the world, the hero has a special connection to the mysterious forces that brought about the end of the previous world, and it’s up to her to discover the truth.

And yet Horizon Zero Dawn manages to defy expectations. It’s the most picturesque AAA game on consoles. Clans with different cultures populate the land, and the characters you meet from each one tell personal tales that weave into the larger political landscape. Completing side quests factor into the main plot’s climax. The narrative deftly deviates from where you think it’s heading while still making complete sense. You play as a clever, badass woman with relatable vulnerabilities and motivations! Oh and yes, fighting giant robot dinosaurs is a tactical, terrifying, and ultimately satisfying experience like nothing else in the genre.

4. Pyre 

It’s a strange combination, framing sports gameplay within a visual novel. Pyre is a triumphant slam dunk for succeeding at both ends. The 3v3 basketball-but-with-powers game is layered in its systems, kinetic in action, and exhilarating in execution. The writing is rich with both characterization and world-building. It also helps that the art is absolutely gorgeous and expressive. Staring at mostly static character portraits while reading text has never been so absorbing.

The true magic happens when these two parts come together. Depending on who you choose to have on your team and the opponents you face, the characters react accordingly to each other before, during, and after a match. Win or lose, the story continues, and people will come and go based on the outcome. Dire, unfair circumstances brought on by an oppressive regime make for game-changing, heartbreaking choices that will resonate with players uniquely.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

There aren’t many prestigious and influential series that continue to have long-standing success over three decades. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild throws out almost everything those 30+ years have proven to be profitable, replacing the rigid linearity of the past for an “open air” adventure. It was a bold move by Nintendo, but like the company’s innovation with the Switch, it resulted in a revitalizing way to play.

It’s in the way the sight lines always have something that’s singularly grand off in the distance that make you want to travel the vast distances. It’s in the way the physical laws of the world apply to everyone and everything, inviting experimentation just to see what happens. It’s in the way the game just gives you one ultimate goal and lets you tackle it however you want. It’s liberating.

2. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

Who saw this coming? A rather bland-looking military-style multiplayer shooter inspired by a cult Japanese film taking the gaming world by storm? With a horrible title like that? None of these negatives really matters when PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is that good.

The sheer scale of having 100 players fight is exciting. Trying to account for the behavior of 99 other humans while considering the randomness in where equipment can be found and which zones in a sprawling island are safe sounds impossible! Yet 25 million people and counting keep trying. Because the thrill in the nervous anticipation, the bullets that break the silence, the explosive gun battles, the wacky car chases, the first taste of that delicious chicken dinner, and countless other short stories is revelatory.

1. Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata isn’t perfect. Its open world looks like a slightly souped-up PS3-era level. The default difficulty setting doesn’t encourage mixing up your play style, leading to many tedious combat sections. A chunk of the middle could have been edited to remove unnecessary repetition. It could’ve done without allowing players to perv on one of the main characters.

But it’s the flaws that Nier: Automata is interested in examining. It blurs the arbitrary lines we humans set to define gender, humanity, and divinity, much like how it seamlessly switches gameplay modes and perspectives. It zeroes in on the irrational motivations humans have to determine self-worth even when it hurts through its cast of sad, funny robots and ass-kicking, angst-ridden androids.

It also reminds us that we’re all we’ve really got in this crazy world, and that we have the choice to lend our hands and voices to help one another and rise above our differences.

SEE ALSO: 10 offline free-to-play mobile games on iOS and Android

[irp posts=”25414″ name=”10 offline free-to-play mobile games on iOS and Android”]

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Editors' Choice

GadgetMatch Awards: Best of IFA 2026

Xiaomi 18 Fold, Govee, XGIMI, ARZOPA, Cuktech and more!

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September 9, 2026

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We’re back at IFA 2026 in Berlin, checking out some of the coolest and most interesting tech on the show floor.

From smart home lighting and portable displays to projectors, power solutions, foldables, and more, these are some of the products and brands that caught our attention this year.

In this video, we take a look at: ‪

GOVEE‬

ARZOPA

CUKTECH‬

** Use code CUKTECH09, valid until September 30

XGIMI

Xiaomi

ASUS‬ x NVIDIA RTX SPARK

Watch until the end for our favorite finds from IFA 2026!

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CES 2026

Best of CES 2026: AI Everything!

The C in CES stands for “Cool Gadgets”!

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January 13, 2026

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AI, displays of many different kinds, and a whole bunch of cool gadgets — that’s what CES is all about.

And just like we do every year, we’re in Las Vegas to check them out.

Head over to our Best of CES 2026 video to find out which gadgets made the cut.

MemoMind https://bit.ly/4qOJ9jq
XGIMI at CES https://bit.ly/49zE4oa

Euhomy https://bit.ly/3N89T01
Pre-order IceLeopard: https://bit.ly/3Nd1cl2

Govee’s new products in 2026 https://bit.ly/goveeces2026

UGREEN NAS iDX! Reserve with $30 and save up to $1040: https://nas.us.ugreen.com/CLeXc6
UGREEN’s new products in 2026: https://official.ugreen.com/PPcJvF

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Editors' Choice

2025 GadgetMatch Approved Smartphones

Smartphones that truly deserve GadgetMatch’s Seal of Approval

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December 31, 2025

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

It’s that time of the year again!

With the barrage of smartphones announcements here and there, it’s always been our good habit to round-up the greatest of ’em all.

Without much fuss, here are our GadgetMatch Approved Smartphones for 2025.

* This listicle has been arranged in a descending order — from the latest to oldest article published.

OPPO Find X9 by MJ

The OPPO Find X9 is like that teammate who shows up consistently and performs under pressure.

Its performance is nothing short of flagship‑level, and it’s ready to handle anything you throw at it. It’s not perfect. No other smartphone is. But the minor flaws do not outweigh its endurance, consistency, design, and flagship performance.

For anyone who wants a smartphone that keeps pace with your life, performs without complaint, and quietly gets the job done, this is your GadgetMatch. It also does more than look good and deliver excellent captures.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 by MJ

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the strongest version of the Flip so far. It feels like a phone that has gone through its own version of strength training, carrying subtle upgrades that form a noticeable transformation when you live with it every day.

It’s an easy recommendation if you are coming from older Flip models or switching from other Android devices. It even feels refreshing if you want to try something different from a slate phone like an iPhone.

People often assume that my lifestyle is better suited for the Galaxy Z Fold7 because of the volume of work that I handle. I thought the same.

Yet the Galaxy Z Flip7 surprised me by fitting my routines and the life I am building as I continue to grow into this new chapter.

It has the power of a flagship smartphone, cameras that let me document milestones, and a personality that blends effortlessly with mine.

vivo X300 Pro by Vincenz

It seems like 2025 has already reached the pinnacle of smartphones: superior camera system, gargantuan battery capacities with long-lasting endurance, faster than ever performance, displays and speakers that truly satisfy one’s audiovisual cravings.

The vivo X300 Pro is a great embodiment of that. Not only you get the best in class cameras, the smartphone itself is just a refined version of a smartphone that was already superior to begin with.

And if you’d ask me, the asking price of EUR 1099 / MYR 4699 / PhP 77,999 is more than justified — unlike how some brands aggressively slap overpriced tags on their barely flagship offerings 🙄

POCO F8 Ultra by Rodneil

The POCO F8 Ultra sits in a tight spot. It wants to be the phone for users who want flagship performance without paying flagship prices — and it largely achieves that.

The F8 Ultra is what I’d call an achievable aspirational flagship: the kind you can actually buy without feeling like you’re stretching too far, while still enjoying the feeling of owning something premium.

For a lot of people, that’s exactly the sweet spot.

vivo X300 by Rodneil

The vivo X300 isn’t trying to be the best multimedia phone or the best gaming phone. It doesn’t have the biggest screen or the loudest speakers. But none of that overshadows what it does so well.

It captures life with accuracy, confidence, and a sense of honesty that I value more than numbers on a spec sheet. The smartphone’s cameras handled a tech event, a bowling alley, a dim cinema, and the small moments in between with equal reliability. It became the phone I trusted to document my day — even on shoots where I normally rely on a mirrorless camera.

The vivo X300 is the point-and-shoot I’ll always carry. It is a compact flagship that simply shows up and captures the moments that matter.

vivo X200 Pro by Vincenz

Not only do you get a fully capable and THE BETTER camera system with a monstrous periscope zoom, you get the best in pretty much all aspects you want in a modern-day smartphone: premium design, durable build quality, captivating display, powerful speakers, snappy performance, consistently speedy charging, and a long-lasting battery.

Thus, it’s also safe to say that this is still one of 2025’s best and most underrated flagship smartphones out there. This also means you can buy the vivo X200 Pro now at a slashed price than what it was initially offered during the start of 2025.

iPhone Air by Michael Josh

I used the iPhone mini for the rest of 2021. And back then, I thought it was a pocket-sized phone that I wanted. Perhaps, what I really needed, was to be unencumbered by phones that just seem to be getting bigger and heavier.

The iPhone Air is the phone I didn’t think I needed until I first picked it up. I actually do love the iPhone Air very much and planning it to use for the rest of the year.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 by Michael Josh

Let’s face it! Samsung has a winner on its hands. They’ve made a super-slim foldable that weighs less than an iPhone 16 Pro Max. But, opens up into an 8-inch tablet. It’s got an excellent main camera, superb battery life, and is backed up by a close partnership with Google.

If you’re in the market for a foldable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is your GadgetMatch.

HONOR 400 by MJ

HONOR 400

The HONOR 400 isn’t trying to be a flagship killer. It’s trying to be your favorite everyday phone and honestly, it might just succeed.

If you love taking real, emotional, and unfiltered portraits of people, then, this phone is worth your attention. With an exceptional camera, and emotionally-driven AI features, it’s like having a portable portrait lens in your pocket.

Add to that a sleek design, reliable performance, a battery that goes the distance, and HONOR’s fast 66W charging, and you’ve got a midrange phone that does more than it should, for less than you’d expect.

It’s more than just a solid, midrange smartphone we’ve always known. It’s also a smart, creative companion for everyday storytellers and sentimental souls.

TECNO CAMON 40 Premier by Vincenz

At this point, “flagship killer” is an overstatement. Other phone brands should fear that such a “midrange destroyer” exists. It’s just hard to resist this marvelous midranger for all the compelling package it offers.

Although its plastic back and slightly downsized display size might be an issue to some, that “compromise” actually contributed to a better handfeel. Couple that with a chip upgrade, excellent imaging system, and even crazier dual IP rating, what more can you ask for?

And unlike the CAMON 40 Pro 5G with a bunch of questionable downgrades, the Premier model didn’t compromise a lot.

With a competitive price of just PhP 21,999 (around US$ 395) in the Philippines, the CAMON 40 Premier is a true blue midranger. And it’s worth more than its total value.

Infinix NOTE 50 Pro 4G by Vincenz

The Infinix NOTE 50 Pro, despite what it lacks, it’s still a very compelling and competitively-priced phone just for everyone to resist.

Although Infinix did skip an older Dimensity chip in favor of a newer Helio SoC, you still get notable performance improvements more than what entry-level 4G smartphones did from the yesteryears.

With its performance prowess, speedy charging and reliable battery, host of upgraded software + AI feats, an overall solid and sturdy phone, and a complete package including a supplied wireless charging pad, it’s simply one of the best budget phones you can buy right now.

nubia Neo 3 GT 5G by Levi

All things considered, the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G delivers on solid and steady gaming on an incredibly competitive price of PhP 12,999 (~ US$ 228), as its company intended it to be. Plus, all of its other features can make you say you’re getting your money’s worth on the device.

If gaming is all you’re going to do on a smartphone, then this option is worthy of a look. And even for non-gaming functions, this phone is an upgrade from basic utility phones. You can do a bit more multi-tasking on this device if you’re going to make this your daily carry.

OPPO Find X8 Ultra by Michael Josh

The OPPO Find X8 Ultra stands as a testament to what companies outside of our Western bubble have to offer. A showcase of how amazing a phone company OPPO is, and what it’s capable of.

Although it has one big and unfortunate caveat of being a China-exclusive phone, it still has got the best of everything you could ever want in a smartphone — including some of the best smartphone cameras ever made.

It’s just a shame that most people, apart from those who watch review videos, won’t even know that.

Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G by Levi

If you’re going to spend a huge chunk of your time with the Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G for gaming, there’s no doubt it will perform well.

It’s an easy Super Swipe especially for gaming regulars who want to upgrade from budget and lower-midrange devices, as well as those who have been using Infinix devices before.

And even if you’re just a casual user, for its price and all the gravy you’re getting, like AI enhancements, 4.5G technology, and charging tech that’s not present on other manufacturers’ offerings.

TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G by Vincenz

The downgrades of the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G I’ve mentioned are quite debatable: from charging speeds to the chipset, even the ultra-wide lens used. The removal of the bundled tempered glass? Not so much.

Personally, those downgrades aren’t shortcomings. There are honestly more things to rejoice such as a sexier design, dual IP rating, grippier bundled case, bigger battery, brighter and even smoother display, One-Tap button, FlashSnap feature, better Sony LYT-700C main sensor, and even a greater OS with AI features that make more sense than before.

With an already teased MSRP, backed by the combination of a reliable hardware and revamped software, together with TECNO’s continuous persistence in delivering smexy phones for the masses makes the CAMON 40 Pro 5G a worthy recipient of GadgetMatch’s Seal of Approval.

vivo V50 by Vincenz

For all the special feats the V50 possesses, it’s simply a unique phone. It’s understandable how vivo wanted to deliver this type of phone to niche users in such a vast and saturated market.

vivo bringing the ZEISS treatment to the midrange class isn’t something we should brush off lightly. It’s a bold move to bring all the imaging mastery in such a midranger — which barely felt mid at all.

Pair that with its one of a kind Aura Light feature, it’s a smartphone you just cannot ignore.

POCO F7 Ultra by Rodneil

The POCO F7 Ultra is a true blue flagship device. You get excellent value for what you’re paying and that has usually been the case for POCO.

It also has all the makings of a legitimate flagship device. It’s powered by the same chip as the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, HONOR Magic7 Pro, OnePlus 13 Series, OPPO Find N5, and many others. Performance-wise, POCO’s latest and greatest sits alongside these heavy hitters.

As an overall package, you get a decent-sized slate smartphone that works and plays as best as any other flagship, with improved cameras, and a lightweight body that’s easy to carry around.

realme 14 Pro+ 5G by Levi

The improvements may seem just incremental if you’re coming off the realme 13 Pro+ or even the realme 12 Pro+. Ditto if you’ve already been using a GT series device, or any other competing brand in the upper or premium midrange category.

But if you’re coming from the realme 11 series or even below, then it’s a Super Swipe. As I’ve mentioned, This is as good a midrange device can get in March of 2025.

It also has a strong case for Swipe Right for those coming from the lower midrange segment. You can enjoy a ton of useful features on this handset, beyond it being a camera-centric offering.

It’s a capable and reliable midrange smartphone offering that’s timely for how manufacturers want to position their products nowadays.

ROG Phone 9 Pro by Luigi

The ROG Phone 9 Pro is proof that you don’t need AI to create an impressive flagship. The phone packs in an absurd amount of technology, punctuated even further by a creative dot matrix screen. Even without a fold or an aggressively pushed AI, this gaming phone can wow both the general user and the hardcore mobile gamer.

Personally, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is still a Super Swipe for me. If you’re looking for the best specs in a smartphone today, this new gaming phone has all of that and more. Though the price might turn away most users, it’s still worth the price of admission.

Nothing Phone (3a) + (3a) Pro by Michael Josh

There’s plenty to love about Nothing as a company. And a lot of it has to do with its brand’s ethos — rooted in thoughtfulness and how it values good design.

The Nothing Phone (3a) series is just that. A well-rounded midranger that punches above its price point. Both in terms of looks and the overall experience.

Apple iPhone 16e by Michael Josh

The iPhone 16e is more than just a phone for texting or calling. It’s packed with enough power to see you through many, many years of upgrades. And with enough battery life to see you through a full day of use.

Whereas in the past, the iPhone SE did feel like a phone with some compromises, the iPhone 16e definitely feels like a phone that delivers on the e-ssentials. Hits the sweet spot everywhere it matters. And like they said in their launch videos, it brings the iPhone 16 e-xperience to even more people.

OnePlus 13 by Michael Josh

I’ve long been a fan of OnePlus dating back to their early days — and a lot of that has to do with their commitment to offer a flagship experience for less.

While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has better cameras, better sound, and an S-Pen, the OnePlus 13 has the same powerful processor, an even brighter display, and super-fast wired and wireless charging. Plus, an ecosystem of accessories, from power banks to magnetic chargers.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal than what the OnePlus 13 offers.

HONOR Magic7 Pro by Rodneil

The HONOR Magic7 Pro is a well-rounded flagship smartphone. It takes the best parts of its predecessors and learns from the other smartphones in HONOR’s lineup that came before it. What you get is a finely-tuned companion that finally delivers on its AI promise while making remarkable improvements in mobile photography.

The only reason to Swipe Left is if you have absolute loyalty to competing brands. Otherwise, it’s a confident Swipe Right. Especially for anyone willing to take a risk on something new.

All told, the HONOR Magic7 Pro kicks-off 2025 with a flagship smartphone that has a design identity while still making notable improvements.

vivo X200 by Vincenz

The vivo X200 seems like the “sweet spot” for those looking for a very capable camera in your pocket without going overboard in one’s budget. That while still keeping the flagship-grade hardware and better than ever software features that the V40 Pro lacks.

Even without the “Pro” branding, the vivo X200 is still Pro-grade in most aspects. It deserves a spotlight of its own and shouldn’t just be hiding in the shadow of its bigger brother. It’s a beast that needs to be unleashed in the wild.

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