Rockstar

Happy New Year, outlaws! Rockstar Games is ringing in 2026 with a bang, dedicating the first month of the year to the lawless frontier's most lucrative profession: Bounty Hunting. Running from January 6th through February 2nd, this month-long event offers seasoned veterans and fresh-faced gunslingers alike the chance to rake in serious RDO$, Gold, and XP. Whether you are hauling in common criminals or legendary targets, it’s time to polish your badge and saddle up. Big Bonuses for Bounty HuntersThe core of this month’s event is a substantial boost to payouts for Bounty Hunter activities. If you've been looking to level up your role or pad your wallet, now is the time. 3X RDO$, Role XP, and XP on Regular Bounty Missions. 2X RDO$, XP, and Gold on Legendary and Infamous Bounty Missions. 3X RDO$ and XP on "Day of Reckoning" and "Manhunt" Free Roam Events. 3X RDO$ and XP on the Featured Series. Monthly & Weekly RewardsRockstar is incentivizing consistent play with a slate of rare apparel and useful items. Month-Long Rewards (Jan 6 – Feb 2): Prestigious Bounty Hunters (Rank 25+): Log in to receive the white Clairborn Coat (originally from Outlaw Pass 1). Manhunt / Day of Reckoning Participants: Receive the Gable Charm (Outlaw Pass 4). Legendary Bounty Completion: Receive the Harshaw Gauntlets (Outlaw Pass 2). Featured Series Win: Earn the Black Morales Vest. Weekly Rotations: Jan 6 – 12: Complete 3 Bounty Missions for a San Luis Shore Treasure Map. Jan 13 – 19: Complete all Bounty Hunter Daily Challenges for 40% off an Established or Distinguished Bounty Hunter Role Item. Jan 20 – 26: Complete 3 Bounty Missions for 50% off a Weapon. Jan 27 – Feb 2: Players Rank 50+ who log in get the beige Torranca Coat. Featured Series CalendarSharpen your aim in the weekly rotating competitive modes: Jan 6 – 12: Hardcore Pro Series Jan 13 – 19: Shootout Series Jan 20 – 26: Hardcore Last Stand Jan 27 – Feb 2: Contrast Series Discounts & SalesFor those looking to get into the profession, the barrier to entry has never been lower. 5 Gold Bars off the Bounty Hunter License and Prestigious Bounty Hunter License. 50% off Bolas and Throwing Knives. 40% off Bounty Hunter Outfits, Bounty Wagons (including tints), Breton & Work Horses, Shotguns, Boots, Shirts, and Dresses. Community Outfit & Returning ClothingFashion-forward cowboys can claim a free community-inspired outfit created by user vsblicky. The ensemble includes the Cayuga Hat, Everyday Shirt (Male) or Iniesta Shirtwaist (Female), Ascot Tie, Flores Vest, Leather Jacket, Gibbston Pants, Shaffer Chaps, and Millard Boots. Additionally, several limited-time clothing items have returned to the catalogue, including the Gator Hat, Irwin & Clymene Coats, Tied Pants, Shaffer Chaps, and Strickland Boots. See you on the frontier!

After over 8 years of waiting, Styx will soon be back for some new stealth adventure in Styx: Blades of Greed. Ahead of its release, NACON and Cyanide Studio have revealed details of the gameplay in a 9-minutes trailer: Styx: Blades of Greedwill be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store) on February 19.

Are there some Japanese exclusive games from days gone by that you always wish you could've played? Did your favourite obscure franchise get a game release in Japan but never saw localization or a fan made translation hack? Well it's your lucky day. Interpreter is a new project that can live-translate Japanese text in retro games, all offline and without a required internet connection. The application is optimized for retro games that use traditional pixel-based fonts and uses MeikiOCR. The tool offers two overlay modes - a simple banner overlay as seen above or by replacing text directly over the original Japanese text at OCR-detected positions. Windows, macOS and Linux installers are available, and after the initial model is downloaded, everything runs offline for privacy and speed. ➡️GitHub source

For decades, Silent Hill was defined by rust, industrial decay, and the fog-drenched streets of an American town. Silent Hill f shatters that mold violently and beautifully. By transporting the franchise to 1960s rural Japan, the game doesn't just refresh the scenery; it redefines what "Silent Hill" means as a concept, proving that the town's curse is not geographical—it is psychological. The Setting: The Horror of the HiganbanaThe most striking aspect of Silent Hill f is its visual identity. Gone is the chain-link fence and peeling paint. In its place is a creeping, organic corruption. The game leans heavily into the symbolism of the Red Spider Lily (Higanbana), a flower associated with death and the afterlife in Japanese folklore. The way the environment shifts from a serene, sun-drenched Japanese village into a trypophobic nightmare of holes, red weeds, and blooming flesh is technically stunning. It is "beautiful horror" in the truest sense—you want to look away, yet you can't stop staring at the intricate, floral gore. The Narrative: The Ryukishi07 TouchThe involvement of Ryukishi07 (creator of Higurashi: When They Cry) was the game's wildcard, and it pays off immensely. Psychological Depth: The story moves away from the "guilt" trope of Silent Hill 2 and leans into themes of repression, societal pressure, and ancient curses. The "Slow Burn": Much like Ryukishi07’s visual novels, the game begins with an eerie sense of normalcy that slowly rots away. The dialogue is sharp, unsettling, and filled with the kind of paranoia that makes you question if the monsters are real or if the protagonist is losing their mind. The Ending: Without spoiling it, the conclusion is as devastating as it is inevitable, leaving players with questions that linger long after the credits roll. Gameplay: Tension Over ActionSilent Hill f returns to the franchise's roots of disempowerment. You are not a soldier; you are a victim. Combat: Resources are scarce. Melee combat feels desperate and clumsy, encouraging flight rather than fight. Puzzles: The puzzles are context-appropriate for the 1960s setting, utilizing analogue technology and shrine rituals, feeling organic to the world rather than "gamey." The VerdictSilent Hill f is the boldest entry in the franchise since The Room. It successfully decouples the series from the American Midwest while keeping the core identity: the manifestation of inner darkness. It is disturbing, tragic, and visually unparalleled. Score: 9/10 Key Takeaways (Real-World Context)If you are looking forward to the actual release, here is why this game is currently generating so much hype: eature Why it Matters The Writer (Ryukishi07) Famous for Higurashi and Umineko. He is a master of "cute/peaceful" settings that descend into extreme brutality and psychological torture. The Setting (1960s Japan) A completely new era and culture for the series, allowing for new types of folklore-based monsters rather than recycled Pyramid Head tropes. The "f" in the Title Theories suggest it stands for forte (music), flower, or fungus. The trailer shows skin peeling away to reveal flowers, suggesting a "body horror" approach.

As 2026 kicks off, the gaming world has its eyes locked on one massive event: the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. After a recent delay pushed the highly anticipated title to November 2026, anxiety has been high among fans fearing another slip into 2027 or a rumored sky-high price tag. However, new predictions from a reputable industry insider suggest gamers might finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief. No More Delays?Tom Henderson, the editor-in-chief of Insider Gaming and a source with a strong track record for industry scoops, has shared a surprisingly positive outlook for the game's launch. In a recent video breaking down predictions for the year, Henderson stated he believes GTA 6 will stick to its current November 2026 release window. According to Henderson, the previous six-month delay was "substantial" enough to give Rockstar Games the time they needed. He further noted that the game has reportedly been "content complete" for some time, suggesting that the remaining development time is likely being dedicated to polish and bug fixing rather than adding new features. The $80 StandardPerhaps even more relieving than the release date news is the update on pricing. For over a year, rumors have swirled that GTA 6 could be the first major title to normalize a $100 base price for standard editions. Henderson’s prediction challenges this fear. Insider Gaming predicts the standard edition of the game will launch at $80. While this is still a steep increase from the current $70 industry standard, it is significantly more palatable than the triple-digit price point many had feared. PC Port on the HorizonFor PC gamers, who traditionally have to wait significantly longer for Rockstar titles, there is also a glimmer of hope. The predictions suggest a PC port could arrive as early as Fall 2027. Considering Rockstar's history—where PC ports often lag years behind console releases—a one-year turnaround would be a welcome surprise. A Grain of SaltWhile Tom Henderson is considered one of the more reliable voices in the industry, it is important to remember that these are predictions, not official confirmations from Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. Development schedules for projects of this scale are notoriously volatile. However, for fans weary of bad news and endless rumors, this update offers a much-needed dose of optimism. If these predictions hold true, 2026 is on track to be a historic year for the industry, with GTA 6 leading the charge right on schedule.

A surprise to ring in the New Year was the discovery of what could potentially help lead to developments in the PlayStation 5 hacking scene. Internal files from Sony have leaked onto the internet, which includes "Level 0 BootROM keys" for the PS5. These keys are instrumental in understanding how the PlayStation 5 operates, and could also be used to decrypt the PS5's bootloader. As it stands, since they exist on a hardware level, there's nothing Sony can do to patch away the vulnerability of the keys being readily available online. However, while useful to have, PlayStation scene member Jose Coixao stressed that this by no means guarantees an easy hack for the PS5, since there's still plenty of other work involved in being able to exploit a console. Time will tell if those within the scene can make any headway with the discovery of these keys. ➡️Source

Dual-screened gaming has been thrown back into the spotlight in the past six months thanks to the combined efforts of AYN, AYANEO, and Anbernic. Offering what could be the best emulation experience for 3DS and DS games, these systems have been relatively well-received. Running Android under the hood however, finding the best way to organise and interact with your emulated library may be a challenge. With the most popular frontends being designed for single-screened handhelds, you're left with an awkward experience that doesn't take advantage of everything your device has to offer. Seeing this as a problem, ES-DE developer RobZombie9043 has come up with an interesting solution with a semi-official companion app for the frontend. Once setup, this app updates in sync with ES-DE, displaying artwork and videos for your games and systems, all while still offering access to your Android app drawer. You can find a full overview of features below: ES-DE companion is free to download from RobZombie's GitHub, though it should be noted that ES-DE itself is a paid download on Android, with a one-time fee of £4.50. ➡️ GitHub

After eight months of development, Pokemon White 2 ROM hack Blinding White 2 has been released. Going beyond what we usually see from fifth generation hacks, Blinding White 2 revamps the game with modern Pokemon, new item systems, a number of new rival fights, and a whole heap of quality of life updates. Trainers around the region will now sport much more varied teams to keep you on your toes, with a Hardcore mode available for people who really want to challenge themselves. Though there are still more updates to come in the form of OST changes and postgame rematches, the hack is currently complete in its main story content, making this as good a time as any to give it a go. If you do want to try it for yourself, you can patch your ROM directly using Hackdex, or do it yourself with the BPS file on Google Drive. ➡️Hackdex Page ➡️Google Drive Download ➡️ Discord Server

The new year is upon us, and with it comes new ways to play an almost 30 year old game! Released just a few hours ago, Ocarina of Time has yet again been revamped, this time featuring the mask transformations from sequel Majora's Mask. Created by ROM hacker Aegiker, you can now reexperience one of Link's most iconic journies as a Deku Scrub, Goron, or Zora, with the powerful Fierce Deity transformation also included for good measure. All abilities and interactions are preserved from the original Majora's Mask implementation, with a few niceties thrown in there for good measure, like the Goron transformation's punches acting as the Megaton Hammer. If you want to give this a go for yourself, you can find the patch linked below. Source BPS Patch Download

In this remake, the Tombola (Lottery) is far more generous than in the NES original, and there are now multiple locations to play, each with slightly different prize pools for the mid-tier rewards. How to get Tickets: Shops: You still get a free ticket roughly every ~500-1000 Gold spent at Item Shops. Mersea (Post-Game): The most important addition. In the post-game, a merchant in the southeast corner of Mersea will simply sell you Tombola Tickets for roughly 600G each. This effectively lets you buy the top-tier prizes with enough cash. Tombola Locations: Leftwyne: The first one you find. Good for early herbs and antidotes. Moonahan: The "classic" spot. Tip: After you defeat Hargon, the owner here gives you a free ticket every time you speak to him. It’s tedious, but infinite. Rippleport: Located near the inn. Burrowell: In the underground city. Beran: The main hub for the late game. Dirkandor: Located in the castle town. Cloudsgate Citadel: Only accessible in the post-game after making a wish to Xenlon. Key Prizes to Aim For: Gold (3 Moons): Loyalty Card (Grants 20% off all shops). This is the "Grand Prize" in Rippleport and Moonahan. Get this ASAP to save money on expensive gear in Rondarxia. Red (3 Suns): Golden Claws (Available in the Dirkandor Tombola). In the original, you had to find these in a pyramid basement while fighting enemies every step. Winning them here is much safer!

When Square Enix released the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake last year, they set a high bar for modernizing classic JRPGs. It was vast, customizable, and breathtaking. Now, with the release of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, the "Erdrick Trilogy" is finally complete. While these two titles are simpler and undeniably older than DQIII, Team Asano has performed a minor miracle here. They haven’t just slapped a coat of paint on these 8-bit relics; they have fundamentally rebalanced them to be playable—and genuinely enjoyable—in 2025. The HD-2D Treatment: Still the Gold StandardBy now, we know what to expect from the HD-2D engine, but it rarely fails to impress. The water effects, the tilt-shift lighting in dungeons, and the reimagined sprites are gorgeous. Hearing the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s swelling renditions of the Alefgard overworld theme adds a gravity to the experience that the NES beeps and boops only hinted at. The visual continuity between this and DQIII is the real treat. Seeing the world of Alefgard "age" between the timeline of III and I adds a narrative texture that wasn't there in the 8-bit originals. Dragon Quest I: Short, Sweet, and SolitaryThe first half of the package is the original 1986 classic. You are the descendant of Erdrick. There is a Dragonlord. Go get him. The Good: Respect for Time: The game remains a tight 8–10 hour adventure. Square Enix didn't bloat it with unnecessary fetch quests, though they did add new story cutscenes to flesh out the lore. The "Lonely" Vibe: The HD-2D lighting emphasizes the isolation of a solo hero wandering dark caverns. It’s a unique mood that modern party-based RPGs rarely capture. The Bad: Simplicity: There is no getting around the fact that this is a game with one party member and limited commands (Attack, Spell, Item, Run). Even with the beautiful visuals, the combat loop can feel repetitive. The "Ye Olde" Dialogue: The localization returns to the heavy "Thee/Thou" archaic English. While nostalgic for NES Dragon Warrior veterans, it can feel a bit stifling compared to the charming, pun-heavy scripts of modern entries like DQXI. Dragon Quest II: The Crown JewelThis is where the collection shines. Dragon Quest II was historically infamous for its brutal difficulty spikes and obscure progression. This remake fixes almost all of it. The Improvements: Princess of Cannock: Previously a minor character, she is now a fully fleshed-out party member with expanded dialogue and a stronger presence in the story. The banter between the three cousins (Midenhall, Cannock, and Moonbrooke) gives the journey a heart that was missing in 1987. Rebalanced Combat: The "Prince of Cannock" is no longer a liability who dies if an enemy looks at him wrong. The team has smoothed out the difficulty curve, making the late-game snowy plateau (Rondarxia) challenging but fair, rather than broken. Guidance: Subtle objective markers and the "Recall" feature (which memorizes NPC dialogue) eliminate the need to wander aimlessly wondering where the Silver Key is. Quality of Life UpdatesThe best additions are the system-level changes shared across both titles: Battle Speed: You can crank combat speed up to "Ultra-Fast," making grinding painless. Auto-Battle: For trash mobs, setting the tactics to "Fight Wisely" lets you breeze through dungeons. Quick Save: The ability to save anywhere (outside of battle) is a godsend for portable play on the Switch or Steam Deck. DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake – Story TrailerThe VerdictDragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a vital piece of gaming preservation. It doesn't try to hide the simplicity of its source material, but it polishes the friction points until they gleam. If you played Dragon Quest III last year, this is the mandatory epilogue. Dragon Quest I is a charming, brief appetizer, but Dragon Quest II is a surprisingly robust adventure that finally gets the respect it deserves. Score: 8/10

You don't need to enter a button combination on the title screen. Instead, you have to "hack" the options menu. Go to the Options menu from the main title screen. Select Accessibility. Highlight the CRT Shader option (usually the top option). Toggle it Left and Right repeatedly. Do this quickly for about 5-10 seconds. Keep going until you hear a voice say: "Access Granted." Back out to the main Options menu. You will now see a new Cheats option at the bottom. The Cheats AvailableOnce unlocked, you can toggle these on/off at will. Note that using these might disable Leaderboard submissions, but they usually don't block achievements/trophies depending on the platform patch. Infinite Health: You take damage but never die. Infinite Continues: Essential for brute-forcing your way through the final level. Infinite Pipe Bombs: Grants unlimited heavy ammo (very fun for the Cyberdyne level). Infinite Time: Removes the arcade timer (great for exploring for secrets). Other Secrets & Easter Eggs"Easy Money" Shorts: If you play on the easiest difficulty ("Easy Money"), the T-800 will spawn in the biker bar wearing colorful beach shorts instead of being fully nude/obscured. Future John Connor: If you have unlocked the timeline where John survives into the future, look for the "Ain't Got Time to Bleed" achievement/trophy, which triggers during the bunker defense sequence.