I love every part of Splatoon... Except actually playing it — a problem the upcoming Splatoon Raiders might just fix.

In my eyes, the series’ art style is one of the best in Nintendo’s incredibly strong catalog. It has an attractive urban fantasy world populated by adorable, squid-like characters that feels both modern and fresh. The bright, shiny colors give everything a decidedly Gen Z vibe — one that’s further reinforced by the fashionable street clothes available for your in-game character to wear.

The concept of a third-person shooter all about ink is wonderfully original too, and I adore how the pristine blank stages are gradually smothered in your team’s colourful ink as matches progress. The problem, at least for me, is how incredibly sweaty the player-versus-player (PvP) side of the game inevitably becomes. Both Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 offered me a few weeks of fun around launch, but after a while it started to feel like the only people I matched up against had thousands of hours in the game and could destroy me in a flick of a wrist with the twitchy motion controls.

A skill issue, perhaps, but I know that I’m not alone, and it seems like Nintendo has cottoned on as well. While Splatoon 3 offered a single-player campaign, it wasn’t the most exciting, but the developer has clearly taken everything it learned from creating it, alongside the game’s roguelike Side Order DLC, and poured it into this new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.

Splatting solo

After playing for a few hours at a recent preview event, I can already see that Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be the ultimate experience for those who, like me, are enamored with the series but just aren’t cut for competitive online play. Everything that I enjoyed in the main games is here, starting with the character creator.

You can choose to be either a squid-like Inkling or Octoling (an alternate species introduced in the Splatoon 2 expansion), with a few body types and hairstyles to flick through. The designs are all fantastic and aggressively on-trend.

I particularly appreciated the cute bangs available if you choose an Octoling, decked out in shiny plastic charms like a Fairy Kei model. Your options are limited at first, but there’s a decent roster of great-looking outfits to unlock and further customize your look as well.

The character you create is an anonymous mechanic, trapped on a remote island with Shiver, Frye, and Big Man (the iconic television hosts from the in-game Deep Cut broadcasts that trigger every time you log in to Splatoon 3, who it turns out also moonlight as a team of treasure hunters) after an expedition gone awry.

This island serves as your hub world, offering a little firing range and various stations where you can upgrade your gear. The base itself can be upgraded too, adding new targets to the firing range, unlocking new types of gear upgrades, and even introducing a little arcade cabinet where you can play charming retro-style mini games.

While I pored over every little detail, you’re only meant to spend a little bit of time here in between replayable missions. These drop you into surrounding islands to fight off waves of Salmonids — the rabid fish creatures from the other games’ Salmon Run co-op modes.

The shooting is as satisfying as ever, with all the most important weapon types of Splatoon 3 returning from the rapid-fire Splattershots and Dualie Squelchers to long-range options like the Jet Squelcher and Splat Charger.

Fighting fishy foes

There's a good level of enemy variety, with a good selection of basic grunts to mow down on top of some more advanced, and surprisingly tricky, types. I also spotted a handful of new arrivals, like the massive Salty Tongue — a huge, fat salmon that slides around the battlefield on a bed of evil goo and takes a good few shots to beat. Defeated foes drop glowing orange eggs, charging a gauge for a devastating special attack.

Most levels are quite large and open, with your main goal being to recover upgrade material and hidden treasures throughout. A compass guides you towards the available objectives, though eagle-eyed explorers will spot a small number of hidden detours filled with extra loot.

As in the main games, spraying on the ground coats it with a layer of bright slime that you can quickly swim through in a squid form while replenishing your tank of inky ammunition — a mechanic now used for platforming challenges to break up the fights against enemy waves. These are paired with fun little segments that see you surfing across water or floating through the air on wind currents.

It’s clear that Splatoon Raiders is intended to be more approachable than the multiplayer games. It offers three difficulty levels and isn’t particularly punishing if you do die: you retain most of what you’ve collected and can thus invest it in upgrades to make your next run easier. There’s co-op too, which lets you tackle the levels of the campaign with up to three friends if you really need a the added hands.

I’m eager for a second helping when Splatoon Raiders drops on July 23, 2026.

Mobile gamers are in for a treat with Ugreen's new Honkai: Star Rail collaboration. The mobile accessory brand has unveiled five new special edition products that are out right now, plus a massive limited edition gift box with some exclusive merch for true collectors.

They're all based on the popular Star Rail character Yao Guang and includes two high-end power banks, a charger brick, retractable USB-C cable, and a little Apple Find My compatible tracker. All of the items have a special Yao Guang inspired design, with a clean blue color scheme and loads of little details to appeal to her biggest fans.

I've used plenty of Ugreen charging gear in the past, and can vouch for their quality. In fact, my go-to laptop and phone charger is the Nexode model from the brand's Genshin Impact collaboration last year.

All of these latest products are available with discounted launch pricing, as you can see below.

New Ugreen x Honkai: Star Rail collab products

• Ugreen has released a new line of Honkai: Star Rail collab products
• It includes charging accessories and a little tracker
• They're all inspired by the character Yao Guang

Mobile accessory maker Ugreen has launched a new collection of Honkai: Star Rail collab products and they seem perfect for mobile gamers.

Hot off the heels of the brand's successful Genshin Impact collaboration, this new line contains five officially licensed items inspired by the popular character Star Rail character Yao Guang.

The most expensive is the $89.99 MagFlow Air Magnetic Power Bank Honkai: Star Rail Edition, a compact power bank with an integrated braided USB-C cable which actually doubles as a carrying handle when it's not in use.

Despite its small size, the power bank boasts a massive 10,000mAh battery capacity. It supports MagSafe, so is capable of snapping to the back of a compatible phone for simple cable-free charging, and could come in clutch if you find yourself running out of juice in an intense mobile gaming session.

Of course, the whole power bank is decked out in a unique blue colorway and decorated with an illustration of Yao Guang on one side and some patterns inspired by her in-game abilities on the other.

If you're after a more traditional power bank, then the $59.99 Ugreen Nexode Pro Power Bank Honkai: Star Rail Edition is the model to go for.

You lose MagSafe compatibility, but gains a built-in smart display that lets you monitor the remaining battery capacity and check the charging speed— up to 45W (or 55W with compatible Xiaomi devices).

Like its thinner sibling, this model has a massive 10,000mAh battery capacity and a built-in braided USB-C cable that can double as a useful carrying strap.

The design of this is a bit brighter, though, with full color artwork and lots of little flourishes for fans to appreciate.

The $49.99 Ugreen Nexode Air Charger Honkai: Star Rail Edition might seem a little pricey for a charger brick, but does has some high-end specs on top of its special edition design.

It's meant to charge everything from your laptop to smartphones and tablets with its 65W output, and comes bundled with a 1M long USB-C cable.

The plug's prongs can be folded down, which is ideal if you want to keep it in your rucksack without inadvertently scratching something else.

There's another cable too: the Ugreen Nexode Retractable USB-C Cable Honkai: Star Rail Edition. It costs $19.99 and supports up to 100W fast charging.

It retracts into a compact disk (emblazoned with some character artwork) and is meant to help keep your desk or bag tidy by cutting down on cable clutter when not in use.

Although charging is clearly a big focus with the collection (and a big concern for most mobile gamers, as intensive titles like Honkai: Star Rail tend to burn through battery fast), the final collab item is actually a location tracker.

The Ugreen FineTrack Mini 2 Honkai: Star Rail Edition looks like an adorable AirTag alternative, and is exclusively compatible with Apple Find My.

Unlike an AirTag, the Ugreen FineTrack Mini 2 does not offer a replaceable battery: once it runs out of charge, you need to buy a new one.

This is a shame, though the brand does estimate that each unit will last more than seven years and claims that a disposable battery cell actually has lower carbon emissions than a rechargeable one.

It's also IP68 waterproof thanks to the sealed design, and is a touch cheaper than an AirTag at $21.99.

All the items are available separately today via Amazon and the TikTok Shop with some launch day discounts to be had.

For the most dedicated fans, however, Ugreen has also released a limited time collectible gift box that costs $249.99 .

It contains the four items from the product line (the MagFlow Air Magnetic Power Bank, Nexode Air Charger, Nexode Retractable USB-C Cable, and FineTrack Mini 2) plus loads of exclusive merchandise including an acrylic stand and power bank pouch.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 could take more than a day to download for those with slow Wi-Fi speeds
• This is according to experts at comparison website Uswitch, who estimate that the game could be around 120GB
• Pre-loading will begin on November 12 for those who pre-order the game

With Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders officially available, many are already making plans for the November 19, 2026, launch date. Developer Rockstar Games has confirmed that those who pre-order the game will be able to begin pre-loading it on November 12, and it seems making good use of that time will be incredibly important for those eager to dive in on day one.

This is because new research by the broadband experts at comparison website Uswitch suggests that the game could take over a day to download for those with slower Wi-Fi connections.

They predict that the GTA 6 file size could be 120GB, only a little more than GTA 5. This means a download time of more than one day if you're stuck on old copper ADSL connections (which offer speeds of roughly 10Mbps), while those with the UK average 170.2Mbps download speed will have to wait an hour and 34 minutes for the game to be ready to play.

Things are much better over in the US, where the average download speed is roughly 300 Mbps, with just a 53-minute and 20-second wait according to Uswitch's download time calculator.

You can use the table above to work out how long GTA 6 might take to download for you based on that 120GB estimate, though Uswitch notes that actual download times can vary based on real-world conditions like server demand and peak-time congestion.

Their in-house broadband expert, Max Beckett, says you can also make sure you're getting the best possible speeds with some "simple moves" like using an Ethernet cable to connect your router directly to your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X or Series S in order to keep speeds consistent.

He advises that "positioning your Wi-Fi router in a central, open area of your home can help maximise speeds" and recommends Wi-Fi extenders to ensure coverage in larger homes.

If you're still suffering from slow speeds, then he suggests shopping around for other plans: "You may find that you can get a much faster speed for very similar prices these days."

Sometimes I feel like the only person who actually liked Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. Sure, the old third-person shooter isn’t exactly the most fun to play — but that’s entirely the point.

It’s the gory swansong of two disgusting men, presented entirely through the low-res lens of a handheld camcorder that intentionally leaves you disoriented as you navigate the towering concrete skyscrapers of Shanghai. The game does everything it can to overwhelm, with its fragmented plot told almost entirely in a language that you can’t even understand.

The whole experience is devoted to being as unapologetically miserable as possible, and that’s exactly what makes it so alluring. Like a grimy slasher movie, you just can’t look away. In my eyes, there’s never really been an experience quite like it. That is until now.

Pure rage

When an ad for Better Than Dead came across my Instagram feed, I instantly knew it was just what I’ve been looking for. The camcorder perspective is the most obvious similarity, although unlike Kane & Lynch 2, the camera in Better Than Dead is being held by the protagonist, so everything unfolds in first-person.

The storytelling is just as raw. The game opens on a visual of a bright blue sky, distorted by the fisheye lens and film grain effects. This serene scene is nothing more than a clever visual trick, a poster plastered to the wall of the cell where our young woman protagonist has been confined.

You look around to discover a mattress covered in blood, gross scraps of discarded food, a filthy squat toilet, and an alluring side table bathed in light from a little lamp.

On it, you find a pistol, accompanied by an unknown message in Chinese and a drawing of a bird fleeing a cage. You don’t need a translation to know the stakes: something horrible is happening here, and this gun is your only way to escape.

From there, your rampage begins, sprinting through the corridors of what turns out to be a dodgy porn studio, gunning down members of the triad before eventually bursting out onto the street.

After this, each level has you infiltrating other triad-affiliated locations, like seedy restaurants or shifty back alleys, to take out every gang member in sight. It’s paced almost like a first-person Hotline Miami, with dense layouts and tricky enemy placements that require at least a few goes to learn the ropes, and an emphasis on speed and brutality.

You’ve got a slick slide that helps dodge incoming fire and offers a sliver of bullet time — vital for success as you die in just two hits.

Back for more

The gunplay isn’t exactly simple, though. Although our protagonist is fueled by pure rage, she’s still untrained with firearms, with swaying hands that make it difficult to land hits on target. Mercifully, ammunition is unlimited, so dumping a whole magazine in the general direction of enemies is the way to go.

Can it be frustrating? Incredibly, but that only increases the satisfaction of pulling off the perfect massacre. Throw in the fact that the game isn’t afraid to touch on some pretty dark subject matter, and I’m feeling the same rush that had me so in love with Kane & Lynch 2.

I can’t fault the presentation either. If you can look past the crude menu UI, the total lack of on-screen icons in the game lends the action a cinematic, realistic feel. The strong camcorder effects and wise decision to pixelate characters’ faces (facial animation is usually a sticking point for lower budget games) do a great job of smoothing out the visuals. Squint, and you could even mistake what’s on screen for real video footage.

The sound design is impeccable as well. Gunfire is meaty, and enemies scream in pain when they’re shot, often dropping to the floor and twitching a little before you finish them off. Given that all of this comes from a solo developer and costs just $14.99 / £13.75 / AU$ 20.95, it’s a pretty impressive achievement.

Better Than Dead is currently in early access via Steam and is receiving frequent updates. There are only a handful of levels now, but in the time I’ve owned the game, the developer has already added the start of a hub world with a handy practice firing range and is constantly tuning things based on player feedback.

Kayne and Lynch 2 fans (I know there are potentially dozens of us out there), this is one to watch.

With Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders live right now, many are wondering when the next big trailer will be. We've only had two released so far, and while they're both great showcases of the game's visuals, neither has really shown us any proper gameplay or explained any potential new mechanics.

This would normally be pretty unusual—when was the last time you can remember being offered the chance to pre-order a game before you'd even seen any gameplay footage?—but not a big surprise coming from developer Rockstar Games.

In fact, the GTA 6 marketing so far has played out in a very similar fashion to that of the studio's last release, Red Dead Redemption 2, and I think that looking back at the past gives us a pretty good idea of what to expect this year.

GTA 6 trailer 3 could arrive very soon

After a few cryptic teasers, the first Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer dropped on October 20, 2016. It didn't tell us that much beyond introducing the setting and giving us our first look at the open world.

It also ended with a release window, Fall 2017, which Rockstar failed to hit with the game actually finally releasing in 2018.

The GTA 6 similarities should be obvious already. GTA 6 Trailer 1 was released in December 2023 and mainly focused on the upcoming game's Vice City setting and, just like Red Dead Redemption 2, gave us a 2025 release window that eventually turned out to be a year out thanks to delays.

It took practically a whole year for the next Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer to appear, a big gap that we saw replicated when the second GTA 6 trailer took 518 days to arrive.

There was then a much smaller seven-month wait between Red Dead Redemption 2 trailers 2 and 3, and I suspect we'll see a similar pattern this time. It's been over 400 days since GTA 6 trailer 2, so a third gameplay trailer coming in the next few weeks would still represent a smaller gap than that initial 518 days.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rockstar Games has one in the bank for when GTA 6 pre-order hype starts to wane as a way to give sales a boost.

Before we dive in, here's how to get your hands on a GTA 6 pre-order if you haven't placed one yet.

What about gameplay?

Red Dead Redemption 2 received two meaty gameplay trailers: one 85 days before its release and another 25 days before.

It seems Rockstar likes to wait as long as possible before actually showing gameplay and, if GTA 6 follows the same pattern, we're likely seeing our first glimpse of gameplay about three months before launch.

That means the first gameplay trailer is likely to drop sometime in early August. The second could then follow in late October, or even right at the start of November, when the November 19, 2026, release date is right around the corner.

Expect GTA 6 Online after launch

GTA Online launched on October 1, 2013 — just a few weeks after GTA 5 hit shelves.

Red Dead Online followed a similar trajectory. It rolled out to players in a beta state on November 30, 2018 (or a few days earlier for Ultimate Edition owners).

Both modes received standalone releases a few years down the line.

The PlayStation Store listing for GTA 6 states that the game is strictly a "single-player experience," which rules out availability at launch. I predict that it will arrive in some form in December, even if that's just as an early access beta.

If the previous games are anything to go by, this would be followed by a full release in 2027 and a standalone version a few years later.

And finally a PC port after a year

Red Dead Redemption 2's PC port took roughly a year to arrive, dropping in November 2019. As the most recent Rockstar Games release, I think it could give us an idea of when a GTA 6 PC version is likely to arrive.

I predict that it will come out in December 2027 if it follows the same pattern. This might even coincide with the full release of GTA 6 Online in order to really drum up the excitement.

Of course, all of this is speculation based on past events, and the release timeline could play out in any number of ways. We'll just have to wait and see whether Rockstar has any curveballs in store.

If you're an Xbox One or Xbox Series X owner, then the Amazon Prime Day deals represent the perfect time to stock up on new games.

I test the console extensively whenever I'm experimenting with new Xbox accessories as part of my job here at TechRadar Gaming, so I have a strong handle on the best titles on offer.

• View all of Amazon's current prices and deals on Xbox games this Prime Day

Below you will find a selection of games that I recommend, spanning all the way from massive adventures like Crimson Desert to recent spy thriller 007 First Light. These are the releases that I'm spending the most time in right now, so I can personally vouch for the quality of each one.

Amazon Prime Day game deals

• PS5 games: God of War Ragnarok for just $32 and more
• Xbox games: loads of deals, including NBA 2K26 for just $10
• Nintendo Switch 2 games: Save $12 on the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

Amazon Prime Day – the best Xbox games I'd buy right now

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

• Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently available to pre-order
• The standard edition version of the game costs $79.99 / £69.99
• The majority of those we polled said its price was too high

With Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders live right now, there's been plenty of discussion about the game's price.

Two versions of the game are available: a standard edition that costs $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95 and an upgraded Ultimate Edition that throws in some bonus digital content for $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$159.95.

In my eyes, it's a pretty reasonable price point. The game has taken over a decade to develop and is estimated to have a massive budget, which has led some analysts to suggest that prices could start at as much as $100 / £100 / AU$200 before they were made official.

In the US, it's $10 more expensive than most major games, which generally go for $69.99. In the UK, it's actually the same price as most other releases with the likes of Ghost of Yotei or Stellar Blade also costing £69.99.

Still, according to a poll we ran with TechRadar readers, some fans are disappointed, particularly given the fact that physical versions of GTA 6 won't actually contain a proper disc but rather a printed download code.

Most think GTA 6 costs too much

We took to our almost 400,000 member strong WhatsApp channel to find out what our readers think and, after 459 responses, the results are pretty interesting.

Overall, the majority (59%) of responses said that GTA 6 is priced too high. Of that group, 68% stated that they would not by the game — vowing that "Rockstar just lost a sale" — while 32% admitted they would buy the game anyway, even if they thought it was too much.

Meanwhile, 41% were keen to get a pre-order locked in, selecting the option that said they will definitely "be there day one". This means that on the whole 59% said they were going to buy the game, even if they expressed concern with the price.

This leaves a sizeable minority that have seemingly been completely turned off. We'll have to wait and see whether this reservation is reflected in the official sales figures when they eventually release.

The original Nintendo Switch is heavily discounted over Amazon Prime Day, but I would still recommend picking up the newer Switch 2 instead. Right now, the original Switch could be yours for just £197.74 (was £239.95) at Amazon, the lowest price that it's ever been at the retailer.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

The Nintendo Switch 2, in contrast, is currently up at only £369.95 (was £385) at Amazon - or £172.21 more. What does that extra cash get you, though? A much newer console with multiple years of support ahead of it, a range of high-quality exclusive games, more premium build quality, and substantially improved specs.

Today's best Nintendo Switch deals

I would definitely advise picking the Nintendo Switch 2 if you have the budget, but that's not to say the original Switch is a disastrous choice. If you're shopping for a young child and want something more inexpensive (and smaller), then it could be a good pick.

There are also plenty of Nintendo Switch-compatible games still releasing today, even now that the Switch 2 is out. This includes recent hits like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and the upcoming Rhythm Heaven Groove.

Just bear in mind that this support might not continue beyond the next few years.

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

I've been using the Nintendo Switch 2 since its launch week, playing practically every title released for the platform either as part of my work covering games here at TechRadar Gaming or my own personal enjoyment.

I've spent hours in everything from big new entries in first-party franchises like Mario Tennis Fever and Mario Kart World to groundbreaking ports such as Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. I'm not just playing the big hitters either, and have invested loads of time in getting to grips with underrated gems including Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army.

• View all of Amazon's current prices and deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games this Prime Day

While many of these games will be discounted over the course of the ongoing Amazon Prime Day deals, every title that I've included is well worth your time and attention regardless of its price.

Amazon Prime Day game deals

• PS5 games: God of War Ragnarok for just $32 and more
• Xbox games: loads of deals, including NBA 2K26 for just $10
• Nintendo Switch 2 games: Save $12 on the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

Amazon Prime Day – the best Nintendo Switch 2 games I'd buy right now

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

Developer Rockstar Games has unveiled a deluge of new promotional screenshots, alongside the confirmation of the game's price and GTA 6 pre-order information.

In an email sent to outlets including TechRadar Gaming, the publisher shared 63 new images, which can also be found on the game's official site.

They mainly focus on the content included with the Ultimate Edition, or the Vintage Vice City Pack pre-order bonus DLC, but still reveal some interesting titbits about the game and point to some potential key mechanics.

Expect plenty of flashy cars, and vehicle customization

Loads of the new screenshots focus on cars and car customization, with the press release accompanying the images confirming that Ultimate Edition owners will be able to visit two exclusive vehicle mod shops.

We know that interiors will be customizable, alongside rims, paint jobs, and more.

Clothing stores and hairdressers are returning too

As in past games, it's clear that players will be able to visit clothing stores to customize how their characters look as the Ultimate Edition comes bundled with access to the exclusive Stock 305 Clothing Store.

There will also be hairdressers if you need a trim, including Sara's Unisex Salon if you buy the Ultimate Edition version.

The game will also feature tattoo parlors, again just like previous games.

You can get your own boats

One of the biggest benefits of the Ultimate Edition seems to be access to the Shitzu Squalo, a flashy boat that you can use to explore the sea and access a weapons crate. Like Grand Theft Auto 5, it seems players will be able to own and presumably customize their own ships.

You'll have somewhere to stay on land as well

When you're on land, you will be able to access safehouses, with one included in the Ultimate Edition. It will allow you to store vehicles and, I assume, access other features.

Weapon customization is back with a bang

Loads of the screenshots show flashy weapons (or characters holding them). The fact that you will be able to customize weapons has been confirmed, which should mean access to skins and attachments. like scopes or suppressors.

Pre-order buyers get a dose of nostalgia

While the screenshots so far have focused on the Ultimate Edition, 12 of the 63 sent out today are all about the Vintage Vice City Pack.

This is one of the bonuses that will be given to fans who pre-order, and includes some outfits, hairstyles, and weapons that you can see above.

They're clearly inspired by the world of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and so should offer a big dose of nostalgia to returning fans.

• A digital Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-order comes with a free month of GTA+
• The subscription service offers access to GTA Online benefits and the ability to play older GTA games
• Here's everything you need to know about the service

If you place a GTA 6 pre-order on a digital storefront for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X and Series S, you immediately get access to a free month of GTA+.

But what exactly is it, and how should you use it? Here's what you need to know.

What actually is GTA+?

GTA+ is Rockstar's subscription service, primarily intended for the most devoted GTA Online players.

It gives you access to a load of benefits in the multiplayer game, including a monthly $500,000 in-game cash injection, a 15% bonus when you buy Shark Cards (the game's currency gift cards), and reward multipliers in certain missions.

You also get access to The Vinewood Car Club, where you can claim a free vehicle or modify your existing collection in its exclusive workshop. The Car Club also boasts a 100-car garage for you to use.

This is on top of monthly drops that include exclusive liveries, special paint jobs, and unique clothing. Other smaller benefits include free taxi rides in-game, access to a discounted gun store, the ability to bribe the police to reduce your wanted level, and some other additional features.

These are some fantastic benefits if you're a big GTA Online player, but GTA+ does also have something to offer with its game library...

Which games does GTA+ include?

Alongside its GTA Online benefits, GTA+ includes access to a range of Rockstar Games title. The selection changes on a regular basis, but right now the following GTA games can be played:

• Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS5, Series X / S, PC)
• Grand Theft Auto Online (PS5, Series X / S)
• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - The Definitive Edition (Android, iOS)
  • Grand Theft Auto 3 - The Definitive Edition (Android, iOS)
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Android, iOS)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Android, iOS)

That's not everything, though, as there are some titles from other series included too:

• Bully (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC, Android, iOS)
• Red Dead Redemption (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)
• L.A. Noire (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)

As you can see, the games are available on a wide range of platforms, with some even available for mobile devices.

Out of all the games here, I would recommend checking out Vice City the most ahead of GTA 6, either as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition or its standalone The Definitive Edition version.

With GTA 6 set to take place in the same fictional city, it's likely going to offer important context and should get you up to speed ahead of the new game.

How much does GTA+ usually cost?

One month of GTA+ usually costs $9.99 / £6.99 / A$11.95 per month.

If you do make use of the free month, remember to cancel the auto-renewal unless you wish to continue your subscription at those rates.

• Crime Boss: Rockay City is still receiving massive free updates
• The latest added a new story mode and two new heists
• The developers are already teasing more

Remember Crime Boss: Rockay City? The co-op heist shooter that launched back in March 2023 and didn't get the best review scores. It's not a perfect game, but I've always defended it.

The shooting feels great for a mid-price title; the 1980s Miami setting is pretty cool, and, importantly, I think it's a lot more fun than its biggest competitor: Payday 3.

I like to boot it up every few months as it's always receiving new content drops, and it sounds like developer Ingame Studios has no plans to slow down three years on.

The game just received its 21st major update, bringing it into what the studio dubs "Version 2.0". It's billed as the biggest set of additions yet, and includes a whole new story campaign.

Originally, the game followed an almost roguelike format, with randomized campaigns and deaths that would reset your progress. Now, it has a more traditional, linear story experience with a selection of new cutscenes added to bridge it all together.

This mode also incorporates all of the narrative content from the Gold Cup and Cagnali's Order expansions, creating one unified Crime Boss experience.

If that massive change wasn't enough, the game also just received two new missions as part of the update. This includes the 'Hell's Kitchen' heist, which looks like a take on the iconic 'Cook Off' mission from the Payday franchise that has players trying to cook up piles of drugs while fending off waves of law enforcement.

The devs are even teasing more, urging players to "stay tuned" because the "story isn’t over yet" in a press release.

I'm excited to dive in, and I won't even need to part with any extra cash to do so, as the update is free on every platform where Crime Boss: Rockay City is available — PC, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PlayStation 5.