The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 has hit a new record-low price at Best Buy, kicking its $1,349.99 MSRP down to just $1,149.99. That was already a well-priced machine, especially considering the 1TB SSD and QHD+ display - but with $200 off the original cost, it's the best gaming laptop discount I've found this weekend. 

I scour the web for machines just like this every week and rarely find such specs at this low a price. For reference, RTX 4070 gaming laptop deals tend to stick to $1,299+ on the price scale - the only other similarly priced machine I've found today is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (now $1,199.99 at Best Buy) which drops your storage to 512GB and your display to FHD. Considering the Legion is doubling your SSD, upping your screen resolution, and still packing that RTX 4070 GPU things are looking particularly good for Lenovo right now. 

This particular rig has been full-price as recently as July - but generally kicks things down to a $1,249 sale price day to day. That's a discount I've only seen a couple of times this year so far, though, and you're saving an extra $100 on top right now. 

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Slim 5?

If you're after a gaming laptop to see you through the latest and greatest games in glorious 1600p resolution, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is an excellent mid-range option. You're spending far less than you usually would for these components and picking up a machine with a full-sized keyboard, compact form factor, and Lenovo's own performance-boosting tech. It's the better buy over the previous generation Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 above by far.

Of course, just because a gaming laptop is offering excellent value for money doesn't mean it will automatically be the right model for you. The clue is in the name, the Legion Slim 5 is... slim. That's excellent for players looking for an all-rounder of a laptop to take on the go, but if you're looking to draw the best performance out of an RTX 4070 you'll need something with a bit more heft. Giving those components space to breathe and cool really does make a difference - if you don't value the slimline design for its portability, I'd recommend something a little larger. The Asus TUF A15 is a budget machine, but it keeps that price low by cutting back on luxuries like a slimline form factor and QHD display in order to squeeze more valuable components under the hood. You'll find a chunkier RTX 4070 configuration available for $1,399.99 at Best Buy right now. In my testing, the RTX 4060 version just started to rival some slimmer RTX 4070 machines in its benchmarking - so the extra space certainly helps bump those framerates in these rigs. 

Still, these are RTX 40-Series graphics cards we're talking about - unless you're running the most demanding games at Ultra settings you'll rarely be in a situation where you're not meeting 60fps in the Legion Slim. 

We're bringing you all this week's biggest gaming laptop deals - or check out the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops for more options. 

The official Labor Day holiday kicks off on Monday September 2, but year after year I see retailers launching their biggest offers over the weekend before. That means we're already looking at some of this year's heaviest discounts, and Amazon is leading the charge. Not only are many of these gaming gadgets and gizmos at their lowest prices yet, but other retailers like Walmart and Best Buy haven't quite kept pace. That's either through low stock or simply higher prices. 

Amazon's the place to be if you're sacking off buying that refrigerator and focusing on what really matters. I've scrolled through the retailer's entire Labor Day sale to find the top discounts I'd be buying this weekend. If you just can't wait until Black Friday gaming deals at the end of the year, you'll find all my top picks just below. 

Amazon Labor Day sales at a glance

• Components: GPUs from $169.99
• Controllers: third party from $14.99
• Chairs: GTPlayer from $99.98
• Desks: L-shaped desks from $54.99
• Handhelds: ROG Ally from $439.99
• Headsets: over $100 off Razer
• Keyboards: Logitech from $49.99
• Laptops: budget rigs from $598
• Lego: Marvel from $9.59
• Mice: up to $65 off Logitech
• Monitors: curved displays from $79.97
• PCs: up to $240 off Asus rigs
• PS5: games from $21
• Racing: up to $120 off Logitech
• Switch: games from $18.49
• TVs: QLED TVs from $298
• Xbox: games from $17.99

If you're after something a little larger, check out our guides to this year's Labor Day TV sales and Labor Day laptop sales. 

Back in February, a notice on Nintendo's Japanese support site revealed that the company would stop offering repairs for the 2DS, New 3DS and New 3DS LL (the Japanese 'XL' model) as soon as its existing stockpile of parts ran out. Well, that day has finally come for the New 3DS (the KTR-001), as Nintendo announced on Twitter earlier today. 

For the time being, customers in Japan can still receive repairs from Nintendo for their New 3DS LL, 2DS, and New 2DS LL systems, but again, it's a race against time for two of those models, so don't hang about if you're holding onto a handheld that's a bit worse for wear. 

This announcement comes less than two months after Nintendo's Japanese support site announced that the company had similarly depleted all its stock of parts for the Wii U and its peripherals, so everything from before the Nintendo Switch is definitely being phased out at this point. That's not to mention the shutdown of the Wii U and 3DS online servers back in April, which has rendered it impossible to play the online modes of games like Xenoblade Chronicles X, Splatoon 1, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf in an official capacity. With that said, one Mario Kart 7 player is still hanging on, connected with no one left to play with, so shout out to him. Even so, it's impossible to deny at this point that the Wii U and 3DS era is becoming an increasingly distant memory, which my nostalgic heart doesn't want to accept yet.

While you're here, be sure to check out our ranking of the 25 best 3DS games of all time. 

That's about to change though, because I'm in the middle of testing the new Wolverine V3 Pro that launches today, and it feels like a massive step forward. The V3 Pro is a refined version of previous Wolverine controllers, and it's compatible with Xbox Series X and as a PC controller. I actually think it's going to make PS5 players very jealous because it's solved almost every problem I had with the Wolverine V2 Pro for PS5.

In a press briefing for this new Xbox Series X controller, a representative said that the designers behind it really wanted to innovate and give players the speed and precision that keyboard and mouse players are used to. To that end, the brand's design philosophy for its gaming mice was mixed in. 

The V3 Pro features four back buttons which all use microswitches pulled straight from Razer's mice. There's a refined shape to this controller that feels more authentic to Xbox, and the back buttons have thankfully been repositioned in conjunction with that. They now lie where your fingers actually grip the thing, as opposed to previous versions that sat them more centrally on the gamepad's spine. 

There's hall sensor technology to counter stick drift, there are two top bumpers that Razer included again to offer players who use a "claw grip" more options. It comes with swappable thumbstick tops, and a carrying case - which the Wolverine V2 pro felt like it was missing. If you're a fan of some gentle RGB lighting on your gaming hardware, you'll be glad to know the V3 uses the brand's RGB Chroma to give it a highlighted look. 

As if that wasn't all enough, this is Razer's first wireless controller for Xbox platforms. After years of officially licensed gamepads on Xbox being required to remain wired-only, Razer seems to have broken through the same gap that Turtle Beach, PDP, PowerA, and now Nacon are all slipping through.

This is also one of the first Razer products to fully adopt its Haptic Feedback technology, which could point toward an official controller from Xbox including this technology as part of the rumored Xbox Series X refresh. Regardless, this is another innovation from Razer that goes hand in hand with a superfast polling rate on a PC of 1,000Hz.

If you've bought anything from Razer before, you might be starting to worry about how much this all might set you back, and while the price of the V2 Pro on PS5 was one of my biggest issues with it, I have good news for anyone who's interested in this. 

There are two versions of the Wolverine V3, which allows gamers on a budget the chance to jump in at a more suitable price point. The V3 Tournament Edition costs only $99.99 / £99.999 and is available for pre-order now. It's limited to a wired connection and doesn't come with a carrying case, RGB chroma lighting, or swappable thumbstick tops. In the US it's exclusive to Best Buy, so keep that in mind if you want to pre-order.   

The Wolverine V3 Pro is the full-fat version that comes with all the bells and whistles, and the Hyperspeed Wireless USB dongle. It costs $199.99 / £199.99, which brings it above the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox, but remains just under that $200 mark which has kept the V2 Pro far too far above the rest of the PS5 controller pack. 

Should you buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro?

As I said, I'm currently testing the Wolverine V3 Pro, and while I'm not quite ready to share my final thoughts in a review, I'm happy to report that I've never enjoyed using a Razer controller as much as this. It's making me wish the V2 Pro was never released on PS5, and this is what was released instead. It feels like a generational step up for Razer, and that's a great thing for the controller market. 

In fairness, I'm pretty fond of the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro. It isn't a bad controller by any means, but ultimately it's too pricey to recommend as enthusiastically as I'd like to. Moreover, its back buttons are too quirky to be properly viable versus the likes of the Victrix Pro BFG. For a next-gen pro controller, I also felt like it didn't offer enough customization, which was apparent when every other option supplied players with a carry case and swappable gubbins.

The back buttons on the V3 Pro are some of the most innovative I've used. They have a very unique feel because of their microswitches, and I love that you can get a lot out of this controller no matter how you grip it. 

I don't want to step on the toes of my upcoming review here, but what I will say is that in first-person shooters there's a really competitive tool to be had here. The one caveat I'd warn you about so far is that it does feel notably smaller in the hands than the chunkier Wolverine pads that have come previously. It's more in keeping with that standard Xbox controller in its shape, but it isn't the most welcoming pad if you have bigger hands. 

I have loads more to say about this fancy new controller, and it might just be one of my favorites of the year so far. Keep an eye out for a review coming in the next few weeks, but for now, I'll leave you by saying I really hope a PlayStation version of this gamepad is coming soon. At the same price as a DualSense Edge and packing the punch of six extra buttons, it would be a force to be reckoned with. 

For more Xbox gear, check out the best Xbox Series X accessories, the best Xbox Series X hard drive, and the best Xbox steering wheel.

The Backbone controller was perhaps one of my favorite pieces of tech that I have purchased in the last few years, and I think a lot of people would agree with me as it’s considered one of the best mobile controllers for a reason. Having said that, I think most people would agree that it is starting to show its age these days, especially since so many competitors have now entered the scene to steal a share of its market. 

One of those hungry rivals is the Scuf Nomad. A name you are no doubt familiar with, Scuf has finally entered the mobile controller landscape and has done so with both an impressive lineup of features and a competitive entry price, sitting at just $99/£89 - exactly the same price as the Backbone One. 

Design

One of my biggest worries when using any mobile controller, Backbone included, is that my hand will cramp mid-playthrough because of the smaller form factor. We’ve all been there, almost securing that game-winning kill on Call of Duty Mobile and then your hand decides not to cooperate and send spasms shooting up your arm - no? Just me making excuses?

Thankfully, I’ve never experienced this with the Scuf Nomad. It feels much, much larger than both the Backbone One and the GameSir X4 Aileron - feeling more comparable to the GameSir G8 Galileo. The grips of the controller feel perfectly contoured to your hands, resting naturally in the palms without feeling intrusive, in large parts thanks to the thicker handles on the base of the device which allows more of a grip. I think this is accentuated by the fact that the thumbsticks on the Scuf Nomad are symmetrical, with their placement being at the top of the device rather than the usual asymmetrical layout you’d find on most mobile controllers.

Speaking of the thumbsticks, unlike the Backbone One you’ll find full-sized sticks on the Scuf Nomad. Not only that, they utilize hall-effect technology to counter long-term stick drift, which is always appreciated - this is something you’d really expect in the best PC controllers, so it’s a welcome bonus in a more portable option. The sticks have a concave design which makes it super comfortable for your thumbs to rest on them - this can be changed via alternative thumbstick caps which allow you to change to a convex design, similar to the PlayStation 3’s Dualshock 3. Grip-wise, I have nothing to complain about here. The material that the sticks are made from is almost rubber-like which sticks to your thumb nicely but never feels tacky, and I never found myself losing my grip throughout my extensive use of the Nomad.

At the rear of the controller, you’ll find two additional back buttons which are programmable via the Scuf Nomad mobile app. Alongside this, you have the standard shoulder buttons and triggers, along with the classic Xbox layout face buttons and a disc-shaped d-pad similar to the Xbox Series line of controllers.

Features

Scuf has specifically made this controller for the iPhone, which is surprising due to the fact that it connects exclusively via Bluetooth. You’ll find no physical connector on the Scuf Nomad aside from the USB-C port at the base of the controller which charges the device. This unfortunately means no pass-through charging, so make sure your iPhone is fully charged before those long gaming sessions.

Like most of the best mobile controllers, the Scuf Nomad has a classic spine that stretches to allow your phone to be placed in the middle and clamped into place. I was very impressed by the build quality of the Scuf Nomad. I always feel that the Backbone One is very flimsy and could break if stretched too far, which I never find with the Nomad. 

The buttons have a nice feel to them when pressed and are super silent so you don’t have to worry about annoying whoever you are sitting next to on those long train journeys when your buttons keep clicking non-stop - again, just me? 

Coming with every Scuf Nomad controller for free is the Scuf Nomad Mobile app. This doesn’t need a subscription and allows you to customize your Nomad in a variety of ways. This includes the dead zones on your thumbsticks and triggers and allows you to remap almost every button on the controller including the extra rear buttons. I really appreciate the fact that the app is free, this is a nice change of pace compared to the Backbone which requires you to pay to make the most of it. Similar to the Backbone app it acts as a hub to enter games and other apps such as PlayStation Remote Play and Apple Arcade.

One of the greatest features that I think will often get overlooked is the ability to use this controller without removing your ridiculously expensive iPhone from its protective case. This was a feature I didn’t know how much I actually needed or wanted. It saves mere seconds of time but it’s just so much nicer not to have to remove it every time I fancied jumping into Hades for five minutes on my lunch break.

Performance

Honestly, I can sum up the performance in a simple sentence: I have not once considered picking up the Backbone One since the Scuf Nomad arrived. It just outperforms it in every way. Not just the Backbone, but I found it even outperformed the Android-only GameSir X4 Aileron too, and I awarded that a commendable 4.5/5. 

As I previously mentioned, the Nomad features full-sized thumbsticks in a symmetrical layout, more akin to the Steam Deck OLED, or the CRKD Nitro Deck+ than your usual mobile controller. This simple change made it a much more pleasurable experience which allowed me to use the controller for much longer gaming sessions, I can’t recall ever actually experiencing cramps during my time with the Scuf Nomad. However, admittedly, I would have liked a way to increase the tension of the thumbsticks. They are a little on the loose side for my liking and there is no way of changing this so I was forced to adapt. I managed to and I no longer feel like it’s an issue, but it’s worth noting - perhaps this will be remedied on Scuf’s next foray into the mobile market. 

The face buttons sitting underneath the thumbstick took some getting used to, especially considering they are much smaller than your usual controller buttons. Like the loose thumbsticks, I did manage to get used to them fairly quickly, but it is something to be aware of. For my first few hours playing Call of Duty Mobile I did find I’d occasionally be thrown off and press the wrong button due to their unfamiliar location and size. Like I said, I quickly adapted to this and now feel very comfortable using them but it was a bit of a shock to the muscle memory.

However, the size and location of them did really help in the long run when playing long gaming sessions as it never felt uncomfortable to use and meant I wasn’t stretching my right thumb too much - I often mapped the face button functions to the back paddles anyway and this both helped with the size issue and allowed a more relaxed positioning of my hands.

Speaking of those back buttons, they are placed perfectly where your middle fingers will naturally find them. These were perhaps the most comfortable back buttons I’ve used on any controller to date, particularly mobile controllers. They can be a little stiff to press but I really enjoyed that aspect of them as I never found myself accidentally pressing them in high-stress situations in games - this is something I have found occasionally happens when using Xbox controllers such as the GameSir Kaleid. Mapping them couldn’t be easier either since it’s done via the aforementioned app. Something I really appreciate about it though is you can set profiles and assign them to certain games. For example in Call of Duty, I had them mapped to my reload and crouch buttons, but as soon as I switched over to WWE 2K24 on PS Remote Play they were mapped to my reversal and finisher buttons - this quality of life addition is highly appreciated.

If you were paying attention earlier you’ll have noticed I said this was a Bluetooth-only device for iPhone. Immediately upon hearing that when Scuf announced it, alarm bells rang in my mind. Cloud gaming, one of the primary reasons to use mobile controllers, can have enough latency already that you don’t want Bluetooth adding even more to it. Well, I’m happy to admit I was wrong to worry. I’m not entirely sure how they did it but I didn’t experience a single bout of latency on the controller end throughout my 30+ hours using the Scuf Nomad across multiple games and services. I really didn’t give it an easy time either as I tried every racing game I could - often the genre of game that latency rears its ugly head in - including Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox Cloud Gaming and The Crew Motorfest on Amazon Luna, but there wasn’t a single sign of struggle. It was the same case when I jumped into first-person shooters like Call of Duty Modern Warfare III via PS Remote Play.

I almost feel bad for the Backbone. Like I said, I haven’t considered picking it up since the Scuf Nomad arrived and I doubt that will change any time soon. I used to use The Backbone every single day and carried it with me almost everywhere I went but now it’s been replaced by a much cooler, more feature-rich controller in the Scuf Nomad. The experience of using it is so good that I found myself choosing to play games remotely and via streaming using the Nomad way more than I expected, even with my PS5 and Xbox sitting right there packed full of games.

Should you buy the Scuf Nomad?

If you are looking for one of the best mobile controllers on the market then you can’t really go wrong with the Scuf Nomad. It offers a console-controller-like experience but in a portable package, along with a competitive price point. Symmetrical sticks make this unique in a market filled with offset rivals. Genuinely, if you prefer this style then it’s undoubtedly the best choice for you. I’m not exaggerating when I say I doubt I will go back to the Backbone controller or the GamerSir X4 Aileron now. The Scuf Nomad was such a pleasure to use that I canceled my Backbone subscription - I knew I wouldn’t need it again. 

The biggest issue with the Scuf Nomad is the lack of support for Android. It actually baffles me that for a controller that is Bluetooth only, it lacks the ability to be used on a wider range of devices. It feels like Scuf is leaving money on the table there, but maybe a bespoke model will come out in the future. 

However, Scuf’s business decisions are none of my concern. My concern is finding the best way to play my games on the go and if you have an iPhone then it doesn’t get much better than the Scuf Nomad.

How we tested the Scuf Nomad

I used the Scuf Nomad for around a month and used it as my primary way to play games, both at home and on the go, for about a week and a half of that time period. Using my iPhone 14 Pro Max I played through the first 7 hours of Watch_Dogs 2 on Amazon Luna, around 6 hours of Marvel’s Midnight Suns via Nvidia GeForce NOW and PS Remote Play, and multiple testing sessions on racing games Forza Horizon 5 and The Crew Motorfest both via cloud gaming services. Natively I played Call of Duty Mobile for more hours than I can actually count or keep track of and far too many unsuccessful runs in Hades. 

Throughout my testing of the Scuf Nomad, I would compare it directly with the Backbone One controller as this is the market leader and is considered one of the best mobile controllers.

For more on how we test the latest controllers, check out our full hardware policy.

Hunting for the perfect gamepad? Check out the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best joysticks.

There's been a healthy skepticism from fans online about a VR-focused sequel of another VR-only Arkham game, but from my early hands-on time with Batman: Arkham Shadow, it shows great promise in evoking that same thrill of being the Bat and exploring the underbelly of Gotham City that the Rocksteady games succeeded at. GamesRadar+ also spoke with Camouflaj head and Batman: Arkham Shadow game director Ryan Payton about making a direct sequel to Batman: Arkham Origins and why Rocksteady's original Arkham Asylum was a core influence on giving Batman a new life in VR.

The Bat's VR comeback

2016's Batman: Arkham VR from Rocksteady Studios was the series' first attempt at VR, but while novel, it felt more like an experiment with the budding technology than a full experience. But with Arkham Shadow, developer Camouflaj is building its Arkham Origins sequel as a return to "classic" Batman: Arkham while adapting the full combat, stealth, and investigation experiences into a new dimension.

Building off of the dev's work on Iron Man VR, Arkham Shadow puts a significant focus on capturing the experience of being Batman, right down to getting players to match his many mannerisms to execute actions using the cape to glide or stun enemies, extending your arm to aim the grappling hook, or swiping your arms to toss batarangs. When working on the adaptation to VR, game director Ryan Payton explains that despite challenges with bringing that Arkham experience to VR, some things made for a natural fit for the new medium.

"We actually found that some aspects of the Arkham gameplay adapted well from the flat experience. For instance, the detective vision mapped really well into VR, like to a surprising degree," says Payton. "You activate the detective vision by bringing the right motion control to your right temple and tapping the button, and then you're completely enveloped in the familiar detective vision mode, and it's a nice way of allowing the players to understand very quickly and clearly what to interact with. There were aspects I wasn't convinced at first would translate well into VR, but if anything, I think parts of the game feel even better in VR. You're more a part of this world with VR."

From the opening hour, Arkham Shadow feels like a very deliberate throwback to the structure of Arkham Asylum – except the perspective is entirely in first-person and uses a unique control scheme focusing on motion controls and face buttons from the Quest 3 controllers. It's a different way to engage with a Batman: Arkham experience, but one that got surprisingly intuitive and familiar the more I played. 

Arkham Shadow's most significant deviation from the core formula is combat, which now goes for a more tempo- and gesture-based attack flow. As soon as you launch yourself towards the enemy, you have to follow specific patterns for each individual opponent as they can block and counter any careless strikes from you. Finishing moves are now triggered by swiping your controllers up or down to execute grabs or slam attacks. The action in Arkham Shadow makes for intense sessions, and I quickly worked up a sweat.

It took some time to get used to this flow, but when I did it gave me the same sense of satisfaction I got from taking out foes in previous Arkham games. One frustrating aspect was incoming attacks, which require you to jut your forearm in the same manner that Batman does in the Arkham games in the specific direction of an off-screen attack. The counter timing's tricky and awkward to get a handle on in the middle of combat. 

While combat is different but still satisfying, the investigation and stealth gameplay in VR are the most engaging and enjoyable sections of Arkham Shadow. The VR stealth in particular functions just like the original games, but with a focus on gesture-based actions. For example, by actually making a grabbing motion with the controllers, you can perform stealth takedowns. It's thrilling to play these sections in VR as executing vertical takedowns and gliding in first-person was so fun to pull off and VR really heightens the tension in stealth; very familiar set-piece sections suddenly feel new with the change of perspective.

Early years and familiar haunts

Making Batman: Arkham Shadow a direct sequel to Arkham Origins, which had such a novel approach to the series, is the most interesting choice the developers made. Arkham Origins brought lesser-known characters into the story and featured a more character-driven plot that showed more genuine pathos to characters like Batman and Joker in ways that its predecessors didn't.

With Arkham Shadows set six months after the end of Arkham Origins and its spin-off Blackgate, Gotham City is under siege by a mysterious organization known as the Cult of the Rat King during the week of the Fourth of July. As crime escalates, Batman (voiced by returning actor Roger Craig Smith) investigates the cult while teaming with Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent to find the leader. Along the way, Batman encounters other characters from the Rogues Gallery, including deep-cuts like the Ratcatcher and Lock-Up, who also have a role to play in Gotham's summer of violence.

According to Payton, post-Arkham Origins was a rich era left untapped in the larger Arkhamverse – and it was also an opportunity to revisit one of the Arkham series' most underappreciated games.

"We're committed storytellers, and I always look for character-focused stories and take them to interesting places," says Payton. "The timeline around Origins was such an interesting place. We see Batman as very confident but still in his early years, and he's now made himself more known to Gotham City. It's such an unexplored space compared to the very crowded time of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, and we had so much breathing room to tell an original story that tapped into what made Origins great while going deeper on returning characters and bringing in some new ones."

Arkham Shadows does revisit some familiar locations and regions of Gotham City, such as the Monarch Theater and its district, but the developers stress that it is not an open world game. It's structured through interconnected zones for a more story-driven experience, to give players more time to fully take in areas for exploration and activities, along with finding hidden collectibles such as the Rat King's radio broadcasts scattered throughout the game.

"I feel like going for a more Arkham Asylum-type experience was an appropriate place for us to go, especially with this being our first Batman game," he says. "Also, fans were ready for a tight, interconnected Arkham Asylum-like experience with a more defined and set area to explore. Even though the franchise just got bigger and bigger in scale, it was a great opportunity for us to have that tighter structure while returning to this Origins era."

In fact, fans might be surprised to learn just how faithful Arkham Shadow is to the formula of an Arkham game. From the opening hour I played, Batman: Arkham Shadow's atmosphere and pacing felt similar to Arkham Asylum and its larger interconnected metroidvania structure, which felt right for the focus on VR gameplay. It's also refreshing to see Batman: Arkham Origins get a direct follow-up, as, in my view, it's low-key the best Arkham game thanks to its tighter cast of characters and a plot that dealt with Batman's steady growth into becoming Gotham's protector.

So far, Batman: Arkham Shadow is shaping up to be a worthy and satisfying continuation of the series. While owning a Meta Quest 3 and one's mileage for enjoying VR games may prove to be a hurdle for many, Arkham Shadow is still a promising revisit to everything that made Arkham work in the first place. It doesn't reinvent the Batwheel, but it does heighten what made the games so great with its change of perspective.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is set to release for the Meta Quest 3 in October 2024. While you wait, you could always check out some of the best VR games.

This impacted some of the best CPUs for gaming, including Intel’s flagship 14th Gen ones, and mainly the higher-end 13th Gen chips. Luckily, warranties have now been amended so that any consumer impacted by the faults can claim a new processor that won’t suffer the same issues. Motherboard manufacturers have rolled out fixes in the form of BIOS updates, which will ensure the problems don’t spread to chips that haven’t been affected thus far. 

But even so, this doesn’t fill consumers with a huge vote of confidence - especially with AMD’s alternatives usually costing less. With that in mind, we’re asking if it’s safe to buy these otherwise excellent gaming processors again. To understand fully, I think it’s important to give you a full rundown of the problems themselves. 

Instabilities, explained 

So what was causing these strange instability issues in the first place? Well, inside the best gaming PCs, you have a processor that essentially acts as your computer’s brain. Each core of that brain takes a certain amount of volts to operate, and they request that specific voltage through a microcode algorithm it uses to communicate with the motherboard. When the CPU is under load, these voltages can go up, and usually, when they’re not working so hard, they’re less demanding. This requested level is known as the operating voltage, and it’s something we monitor whenever we test the latest CPUs. 

It turns out that Intel’s Raptor Lake processors had a fault in their microcode algorithm that saw them request elevated operating voltages from the motherboard. That can cause instability because too high a voltage can wear chips like these out with time. The brand said this in its community forum:

“Our analysis of returned processors confirms that the elevated operating voltage is stemming from a microcode algorithm resulting in incorrect voltage requests to the processor.”

Hopefully, with my explanation above, that very tech-bro statement can actually make sense to you.

In the same way that overclocking can be dangerous for your PC parts if done haphazardly, CPUs demanding too much voltage for themselves can do the same. Essentially, Intel’s CPUs were overvolting themselves, and that can cause the slew of random issues gamers started reporting earlier in the year. The annoying part is that there’s no way to amend things for processors that are already impacted, so you can understand why people were frustrated.

The fixes

Unfortunately, for its products that were already proving volatile, Intel couldn’t fix the issues. If your CPU has started acting up, which you’ll be able to monitor through your preferred software, you’ll need to go with one of the following fixes.

Intel has now amended the microcode algorithm on its 13th and 14th generation products going forward, so that new ones sold from this point onward won’t suffer the same issues. Fortunately, it’s also extended the warranty period for boxed CPUs. If you bought your processor separately, reaching out to Intel Customer Support is your best bet to claim a new model. 

If you bought a gaming rig with the CPU already installed, you should reach out to your system’s manufacturer, who should be able to help due to this warranty as well. For the full warranty details, check out Intel’s announcement. 

Intel has worked with motherboard manufacturers too, and has provided a microcode patch that will block elevated voltage requests from new processors. You should check your motherboard’s firmware and support page to see if a BIOS update has been rolled out that you can benefit from.

So, what now?

So, with that all laid out, should you buy Intel’s 13th or 14th gen chips? For now, we’d cautiously say yes. We’ve deliberately waited for the dust to settle on the BIOS update fixes and the warranty claims before writing this because we wanted to see how the solutions would be received. 

In my opinion, it seems like these processors are safe to buy again, because even if you manage to get one that acts up, the extended warranty will cover you, and in all likelihood, your motherboard’s latest BIOS will prevent the issue if you haven’t run into it yet.

We would, however, take this opportunity to recommend getting yourself a decent cooler, and looking into some decent CPU monitoring software. Even the Intel Core i5-13600K I use in my personal machine can run a little hot with just an air cooler, and Intel’s latest processors have a reputation for running hot. Keeping a CPU cool, whether it’s for gaming or content creation, is one of the best ways to care for it over time. Granted, I chose that riskier air-cooling route because it’s in an ITX case with limited room, but our 13900K review shows that Raptor Lake products used in combination with the right cooler can be manageable. 

If you do choose to go for a new Intel chip, the best course of action for anyone who’s paranoid about these issues persisting is to monitor your voltages closely. Undervolting might help you, but keeping an eye on things with programs like HWiNFO, NZXT CAM, MSI Afterburner, or your motherboard’s own software, can give you a solid picture of your chip’s health.

For more on PC parts, check out the best graphics cards, the best RAM for gaming, and the best PC cases. 

But there are two things working in the PSVR 2's favour at the moment. Firstly, it's currently an astonishing, record-breaking AU$549 at Amazon, and secondly, the PSVR 2 PC adapter has just launched, meaning you can finally use the device on a PC, which has waaay more VR games to choose from.

The PSVR 2 PC adapter is itself ridiculously expensive at AU$94, but it's a reasonably small price to pay to make the PSVR 2 much, much more useful than it would be otherwise.

Meanwhile, if you've any interest in Horizon VR spin-off Horizon Call of the Mountain, a PSVR 2 bundling that game is currently AU$629, down from AU$959.95.

Discounted or not, the question remains: is the PSVR 2 worth it? Duncan addressed this question early last year, concluding that it is with a number of caveats. Some of those caveats (including price, and limited software support) are definitely less relevant right now, with the discount and the PC adapter. 

Unless it's not obvious, you'll need a PS5 to use the PSVR 2—it's not a standalone unit like the Meta Quest headsets. If you don't have the console, want to play PSVR 2, and have money to burn, the standalone PS5 is currently AU$759, down from AU$799.95.

Not happy with that PS5 price? Check out our regularly updated page on the best place to buy a PS5 in Australia.

It feels like the best graphics card options have been allergic to discounts for a while. Perhaps that’s a symptom of the long stint of inflated prices we had to deal with a few years ago, which made grabbing a GPU at MSRP near impossible. We’re absolutely in a better place since that fiasco, especially with the crypto mining craze done and dusted, but I can’t help but feel card makers could do more when it comes to deals. 

Just to clarify, I’m not saying graphics card deals are non-existent, and I’ve managed to spot a few decent discounts this year alone. However, I still don’t feel like enough price cuts are happening as we approach the end of the current generation. Traditionally, GPUs tend to get a bit more affordable when newbies are on the cards, but despite constant rumors relating to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and its kin, I’ve yet to see any savings that feel appropriate. 

MSRP Problems

Out of all the current-gen graphics cards out there, the RTX 4090 exemplifies the whole issues with GPU deals right now. If you head to Amazon, you’ll see plenty of price cuts on the enthusiast-grade card, but not a single offer brings it down below Nvidia’s MSRP. The retailer admittedly only has “custom” models by vendors that boast extra features for an elevated price tag, but a slight factor overclock didn’t use to mean a price tag a few hundred dollars higher. 

For context, the cheapest RTX 4090 I can see right now at Amazon is $1,701.80 for a PNY Verto model. It’s technically down from $1,849.99, but considering the card’s MSRP is $1,599, it’s hardly what I’d call a real saving. 

On the AMD side of things, discounts seem to be a little more common, and the red team’s flagship RX 7900 XTX did manage to drop to a remarkable $799 just last month. That’s absolutely the sort of deal I want to see on these top-tier GPUs at this stage, and I genuinely don’t feel like it’s a big ask two years into a generation. Yet, plenty of vendors are still asking for over $1,000 for this same GPU, which makes it feel like only some AIB partners like XFX care about facilitating offers. 

Yes, I hear you – deals on premium GPUs don’t matter if you’ve got a smaller budget. For what it’s worth, you are more likely to find discounts on entry-level and mid-range graphics cards than anything near the top end. Are they good deals? Well, occasionally, but we’re still seeing prices hovering around MSRP in the guise of some sort of price cut. 

Let’s use the GeForce RTX 4060 as an example, as the GPU is one of the more affordable current-gen models at $299. At least, it would be that price if any manufacturers had standard variants, but we’re instead seeing versions with triple cooling fans for $304.99 (down from $339). I’ve spent enough time with a dual fan 4060 to know that most players aren’t going to need the extra cooling, so I’m not sure why cardmakers aren’t at least making basic models available at MSRP. It honestly wouldn’t take much to impress me. Knock $20 off the RTX 4060’s MSRP and I’ll be all over it. 

How long should you wait? 

I don’t want to pretend to be some sort of GPU deal Nostradamus, nor do I think the graphics card market is that predictable in 2024. That said, there are a few basics I’d stick to when planning to pick up a new card. The obvious one is to wait for sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, as brands normally wait till these events to reveal substantial discounts. Do random savings happen throughout the year? Absolutely, but if that RX 7900 XTX deal mentioned above is anything to go by, stock is usually slim and returns to full price fairly quickly. 

The second, which might also be obvious, is to wait until next-gen GPUs rear their head. I’m laughing at that piece of advice, as it didn’t really work out with the RTX 30-series since all the prices remained just as high, but I believe it’s a slightly different situation this time. Before RTX 4000 models were released, prices were all well beyond MSRP, and it took new versions to arrive to get things even remotely near their original asking price. Simply put, current cards have much less of a fall to make, meaning companies are theoretically losing less by cutting prices. 

Of course, all of this depends on the MSRP of new cards. If the RTX 5090 rolls up with a much higher price tag than its 4090 predecessor, manufacturers may be less compelled to cut prices. After all, the Lovelace card will look like a bargain without even trying if the new flagship costs a chunk more, which means nothing will really happen to prices come the new generation.

The above all sounds pretty morbid from a GPU deal standpoint, and I’m aware that things can change quickly. From where I’m standing, the whole thing feels like a “wait and see” scenario, especially when it comes to flagship 4K GPUs. I’ll naturally be checking regularly for any real discounts and sharing them with you, but if you’ve got a card that can run the latest games right now without too many caveats, I’d put the brakes on any potential upgrades.

On the flipside, if you’re building a gaming PC right now and want to ride out 2024 with a decent build, I’d personally stick with the entry-level to mid-range cards for now. You can plan the rest of your rig to suit higher specs with DDR5 RAM and a powerful CPU, but using something like an RTX 4070 will keep you from spending over $1,000 and mean you can upgrade to something more premium when prices become acceptable.

If you go with that latter approach and end up with a RTX 4090 rig for substantially less come 2025, come back and let me know!

 Need more parts? Check out the best gaming CPU and best gaming RAM for powerhouse components. Alternatively, swing by the Alienware gaming PC for something that's hot to go. 

There’s far more to the best gaming monitors than refresh rate, and while the $599 / £599 AOC AGON Pro AG246FK is ridiculously fast, it’s not going to be for everyone. I’m pretty sure most players out there will think that even 360Hz, which is understandable since the 4K monitor scene only just reached 240Hz peak. Even I’m having to  chow down on my own words, as I previously said I couldn’t imagine ever needing a 500Hz monitor in my Alienware AW2724HF review. Silly Phil – if only you’d known what ramping things above that figure could do for your FPS game sessions. 

Admittedly, I do still feel like this screen compromises on the fidelity front a bit too much for me to use full-time. The fact AOC has stuck with 24-inches for the Agon Pro AG246FK does help its full HD capabilities look less offensive than they would on a larger panel, and I was actually pretty impressed with its vibrancy considering we’re dealing with TN tech. But, when all is said and done, this is a gaming monitor for players who prioritize speed above all else, and trading away other qualities absolutely has its benefits.

Specs

I’ve already let most of the AGON Pro AG246FK’s specs out of the bag, but let’s recap what this high refresh rate monitor has to offer. The screen comes equipped with a 24.1-inch 1080p 540Hz “Ultra-Fast TN eSports” panel with a 0.5ms GtG response time. Accompanying those competitive grade qualities are DisplayHDR 400 certification and AdaptiveSync Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) capabilities, alongside an anti-glare coating that keeps aggressive reflections at bay. 

In terms of ports, the AG246FK comes with two HDMI 2.0 and one Displayport 1.4. I can already sense you PS5 monitor users out there reaching for your virtual pitchforks, but if we’re being honest, you’ll be using DisplayPort on PC to hit 540Hz anyway, as even HDMI 2.1 doesn’t support past 240Hz. I guess it’s a bit of a bummer if you’re aiming to use a console next to your PC, even though I’d suggest going for something other than a 24-inch TN panel in that case.

Design

At a glance, the AG246FK looks like a fairly conventional 16:9 display, with the most notable thing on the front being the panel’s three-sided frameless design. The last thing you really want is any aesthetic that could distract you in competitive scenarios with a monitor like this, so I completely understand the need to keep things vanilla. Yet, AOC has reserved its freaky side for its pedestal stand, as for whatever reason, it uses an asymmetrical pentagonal base. 

I imagine the look on my face was priceless when I went to line up the monitor, thinking I’d just placed it down at an angle, only to find it was purposely designed that way. It almost feels like it's mocking the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 with its straight pentagon base, even though both use a low-profile approach that makes it easier to slide over soundbars like the Blueant Soundblade. Simply put, the weirdo stand beats V-shaped feet or any other desk-dominating nonsense.

There is something slightly funky going on with the AG246FK’s height adjustment and pivot approach, which had me messing around with the screen for a solid 10 minutes. When lifted to its max height, the bottom bezel will hit off the base when switching to vertical, meaning you’ll have to tilt it slightly to swivel things around. That’s perhaps not a biggie, but it was a strange hiccup in the otherwise smooth process of rotating the monitor. 

Round the back you’ll find all the bulk you’d expect from a high refresh rate TN panel, with a hump integrating a two-port USB hub, video inputs, and even a pop-out headphone stand. If you’re into RGB, you’ll also potentially dig the lighting “ring”, which is just as oddly shaped as the monitor’s stand. I imagine some of you will be dragging this screen to LAN events where people can actually see behind the monitor, so putting on a show for them while you play is probably worthwhile. You’ll even be able to avoid cable management embarrassment thanks to some clips on the pedestal stand. Phew.

If you’ve read any of my monitor reviews, you know what’s coming next – the obligatory rant about OSD joystick controls. The AG246FK commits extra sins by using a ridiculously wobbly nub that dares to be the same shape as the stand. Good luck feeling any sense of direction with this movable button, as you’ll pretty much need to just fumble around and hope for the best. 

Features 

Like most monitors, the AGON Pro AG246FK has got an OSD menu filled with novel gaming options. In this instance, the screen splits these up into their own “Game Settings” menu, with other collective compartments including dials for “Luminance” and dedicated Picture-in-Picture and RGB lighting sections.

Keeping everything to the right-hand side of the display and having a shortlist of options in each setting does aid navigation, as I never felt stuck with where to find things. I would perhaps like settings like Freesync and HDR to be upfront and out of the way of the “sniper” overlays and other quirks, but that’s just what I’d do if I were putting together a monitor OSD. 

It admittedly feels like a standard feature at this point, but the AG246FK does come with a two-port USB hub. These days, I’m not really fussed unless a screen comes with USB-C capabilities and Power Delivery that’ll satiate my handheld shenanigans. But, since you’ll likely be hooking up a gaming mouse and keyboard to your rig with this monitor to play competitively, you can at least do so via a single cable. 

Performance 

Alright, strap yourselves in, as we’re about to dive into the Wild West of high refresh rate gaming. To check whether I could feel the difference between this Agon 540Hz screen and other speedy displays I’ve used thus far, I stuck to primarily playing both Overwatch 2 and Halo Infinite multiplayer. To also ensure I was able to boost fps appropriately, I also used the Alienware Aurora R16, as I know for a fact the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 inside can deliver the PC performance required. 

Playing Overwatch 2 at 540Hz felt a little surreal, with all my first-person movements noticeably translating as if in real-time. By that, I mean it was like watching something moving right before me in reality rather than the virtual realm. Weirdly, I’ve never experienced this when playing at 360Hz, but something about the unconventional jump here provides a whole new sensation entirely. 

In practice, this meant that my twitchy reactions flying around as Pharah felt far more precise, resulting in missiles flying precisely where I needed them to. Visually speaking, the way I was playing looked frankly ridiculous, as I was throwing my mouse around in a way that wouldn’t normally be possible, but the fast refresh rate meant I was able to see everything clearly and move with intent. I would have potentially put all of this down to a placebo effect sparked by knowing it was a 540Hz screen if I hadn’t got Play of the Game four times in a row the other night – something that rarely happens when I play at 144Hz. 

It’s also worth noting that I’m just off the back of finishing both my Hisense U7N and LG OLED G4 reviews, both of which are gaming TVs that can hit 144Hz. I naturally tried both the PS5 and PC versions of Overwatch 2 on those larger panels, and it helped amplify the benefits of using the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK at a desk. There’s a good chance I might not even go back to playing the hero shooter in the living room after this review, as now that I know how responsive and slick things can get with a monitor, the idea that I’m too slow will be lingering in the back of my head. Just to be clear, I am still very much a casual FPS player, but I think there’s a tiny part of all of us that wants to be at peak performance. 

While I was able to consistently hit 540fps+ in Overwatch 2 to satiate the AG246FK, the same didn’t quite happen with Halo Infinite. Microsoft’s shooter is a bit more sporadic when it comes to maps and frame rates, and I averaged out at around 480fps. Still more than high enough to be considered competitive, but it does feed into the “do we need 500Hz monitors” argument. Again, I’m using an RTX 4090 build for testing, so there won’t be much enthusiasts can do to hit higher performance in this instance.

Despite that, Halo Infinite felt stupidly slick on the AG246FK. One of my most memorable moments using the monitor to play the shooter involved a Super Fiesta match where the objective was to wreak havoc with random powerful weapons. Did I use a M41 SPNKr or a fancy energy weapon to get the job done? Nope, all I seemingly needed was a 540Hz screen and a Mk50 Sidekick pistol. I came out the other side of that battle with more kills and no deaths.

The extra responsiveness, stability, and sheer speed here are what I believe helped me ultimately up my game. Yes, I’m not what I’d call a skilled player, and I usually jump into multiplayer sessions for fun or to test screens like the AG246FK. The thing is if I can take advantage of 540Hz visuals as a casual player, imagine what either you or someone who’s fully dedicated to competitive play could achieve. Those few split seconds it’d take to swing around to make a shot on a slower screen can matter, especially if you’re up against fierce rivals. 

So, we’ve established that the AG246FK is a speed demon, but what about its visual capabilities? I expected to find this AGON Pro model to be a little unsightly at 1080p, especially when running games I normally play at higher resolutions on an OLED. Yet, its abilities are fairly serviceable, managing to pull off colors that just avoid looking completely washed out and decent brightness too. 

In Cyberpunk 2077, HDR provided Night City with the usual lick of realism I’ve become accustomed to, with glowing neon signs standing out against the game’s concrete jungle. You will notice some softness as a result of playing at 1080p, but if you keep the 24-inch monitor at an appropriate distance away, it won’t feel quite as obvious. I’m still of the opinion that if you’re looking to play new single-player adventures where frame rates aren’t a deal breaker, this probably isn’t the screen for the job. That said, if you mostly play FPS games and merely want acceptable results when you do occasionally launch into something else, you won’t be horrified by the visuals on show.

Should you buy the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK? 

Whether you’re a budding esports player or just someone who likes getting competitive in your spare time, the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK is going to elevate your experience. You’re going to need a rig that can actually match its 540Hz refresh rate with appropriate performance, and this gaming monitor does trade away other visual qualities for speed. Still, if you’re hellbent on improving your performance in first-person shooters and want an ultra-response screen, opting for this display won’t disappoint. 

As for the general player, I wouldn’t outright advise avoiding this monitor, but this TN panel might not feel like a big visual upgrade for $600. It’s fast, sure, and you’re not going to find many other models that can hit over 540Hz. What you will be able to grab is 360Hz screens like the Samsung OLED G6 for less than $200 more, which could be a much wiser choice due to its phenomenal colors and contrast. 

In any case, I’d like to personally thank the AGON Pro AG246FK, as this gaming monitor made me feel like an esports pro, even if in reality I shoot like a stormtrooper.

How I tested the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK

For two weeks, I used the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK as my main monitor for playing FPS games. Specifically, I used Overwatch 2 and Halo Infinite with low settings enabled on an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC with an RTX 4090 graphics card to boost fps to match the displays 540Hz panel. During gameplay, I observed qualities like responsiveness and speed in addition to brightness and contrast to get a feel for whether the higher refresh rate comes with caveats.

In addition to those competitive FPS games, I also tested Cyberpunk 2077 in order to evaluate the screen's HDR and resolution scaling abilities. In turn, this helped a visual establish a comparison point between other reviewed monitors.

For more information on how we test gaming monitors and other screens, take a peek at our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Looking for more screens? Check out the best 4K monitors for gaming and the best monitors for PS5. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming TV for large living room panels with a punch.