It's been twenty years since Valve launched Steam. Devised as a way to push updates for games online, Steam blossomed into the juggernaut PC gaming storefront it is today, including hardware like the Valve Index and the Steam Deck. Now, Valve is celebrating its 20th birthday with a sale, commemorating the storefront's legacy, and the biggest games on the platform throughout the years.

Steam's Anniversary Sale scores deals on games of yesteryear

Booting up Steam, players will be greeted on the store with a banner for Steam's 20th anniversary celebration. Valve also redesigned the website's homepage with a 2003 look. The celebration itself includes heavy discounts on all Valve titles. Alongside this, players will be able to look back on some fun facts from Steam's history throughout the years. All of which, is accompanied by special art showcasing Valve characters re-enacting notable memes and pop culture references throughout history. Notable pieces on the page include Scout from Team Fortress 2 as Rick Astley and a Keyboard Cat Headcrab. There's also Chell from Portal speaking her first words ever, those being "I'm sad, Wheatly play Despacito", and two Counter Strike characters mimicking the Barbie movie mugshots.

There are plenty of Steam sale titles added straight from Valve's library, of course. Portal, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, and others are among those listed for 90% off. That leaves some of them discounted to less than a dollar, while Half-Life Alyx sits at $20.39.

However, the sale doesn't only celebrate Valve titles. Under each fun fact from 2003-2023, players will see a list of the top-selling games of that year. Aside from the Valve titles, players can score discounts on games like Arma 3, Total War Rome II: Emporer Edition, Watch Dogs, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!, Assassin's Creed Origins, and all Call of Duty titles (except Modern Warfare 3 (2011). The ever-popular Battlebit: Remastered is discounted as well.

Valve also took to their official Steam YouTube channel to deliver a thank you message to everyone, which also showcases a Halloween costume of a seductive Steam Deck. Steam's 20th-anniversary celebration will continue from today until September 19, So players have a chance to celebrate for the rest of the week.

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With the roaring success of Demon Slayer, Aniplex has been dipping their toes into the proverbial pool of licensed games. 2022's The Hinokami Chronicles brought the series into the hack-and-slash genre to a fairly positive reception. However, the next Demon Slayer title trades the arena battles for dice blocks and minigames.

Announced as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mezase! Saikyou Taishi!, via Gematsu, players will battle one another in the classic Mario Party formula with a twist.

As shown in the trailer provided by Aniplex, up to four players will roll the dice, walk spaces around the board, and compete in minigames to win currency to use against one another. Some of the games shown include a cup-and-ball-type game, and one where the players must slash targets as they rise from the ground. Much like Mario Party, some spaces will activate events where you may get an item to turn the tides of the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTE19wee424

Kamado Party

After some time, the game will transition from day to night, where players will be able to take on the many demons roaming around the board. Once you encounter them, all four players will have to work together to defeat it. The Demon Slayer party game also boasts a roster of characters from all throughout the series, allowing you to choose from a handful of your favorite characters.

Though Aniplex hasn't announced who's going to be developing the game, Aniplex itself is producing the title. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mezase! Saikyou Taishi! is currently slated for a 2024 release on the Nintendo Switch for Japan, with no mention of other consoles.

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Team Reptile has been hard at work on their latest title, a spiritual successor in gameplay and style to Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk's sleek cel-shaded, Dreamcast-esque graphics are just the start. Team Reptile wants to bring the whole shebang together with music from Hideki Naganuma, the man behind the original. Now, their latest trailer shows a whole lot of what's to come, and for more platforms.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk was already locked in for Nintendo Switch and PC, but Team Reptile has confirmed it will also launch on Xbox and PlayStation, albeit a little later. Xbox and PlayStation owners will be able to check out the Jet Set successor on September 1, a few weeks after its August 18 release for PC and Switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKDfO51Ja4

The Latest Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Trailer

The trailer still keeps the mystery of what's going on in the game, as Team Reptile has been very tight-lipped about what Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is going to actually be about. However, the latest trailer teases a bit more. For one, much like it's spiritual predecessor, players will have the choice of choosing between multiple characters. There also styles including BMX, skating, and skateboarding.

We also get a look at some drone enemies, which may take the antagonistic role, like the Tokyo-to Police in JSR. There's also a strange monochromatic environment. Although what it means is still up in the air.

Alongside all there, there are other gangs, antagonistic presences, and many other forces at work in the city. None of it's clear just yet, but we'll probably find out more at launch. There's also another excellent track in the trailer, "Operator" by GRRL.

The truth will be revealed when Bomb Rush Cyberfunk releases on September 1st for Playstation, Xbox, and PC, and August 18 for Nintendo Switch

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Recently, the ESRB and digital identity firm Yoti filed an application to the FTC. The application details a design for "Facial Age Estimation," used to guess the age of users using the front-facing camera of a cell phone. Reports of this application soon followed, speculating that the ESRB might use this technology to scan children's faces and verify their ages.

However, the ESRB recently responded to these statements, saying it would not be used for this reason. Instead, the ratings board says this tech is going to be used for parental consent when signing up for new games.

[caption id="attachment_393524" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Provided by FTC & ESRB[/caption]

ESRB Responds to Reports about FTC Application

In an email sent to IGN, the ESRB clarifies the claims being made about their application for "Facial Age Estimation."

For those unfamiliar, the program allows users to scan their faces with their cellphones, in a similar manner to unlocking your phone with a scan. Reports about this application speculated that it might scan children's faces to verify their age, before they tried to purchase an age-restricted title. However, the ESRB has come out saying this would be used as part of the parental consent process, clarifying this in an email to IGN:

"First and foremost, this application is not to authorize the use of this technology with children. Full stop. Nor does this software take and store 'selfies' of users or attempt to confirm the identity of users. Furthermore, this application makes no mention of using age estimation to prevent children from purchasing and/or downloading restrictively rated video games, nor do we intend to recommend its use in that way."

The ESRB continues its email by claiming that the "verifiable parental consent mechanism" is only to be used by parents as an alternative to previous methods. This will not use any technology like Apple's FaceID scanners on iPhones; rather, it only verifies via a facial scan. The image itself will not be stored, but rather, pieces of the image are cross-referenced between a pre-existing database. The program could then determine if the face scanned is over the age of 25, to prevent older-looking teens and children from spoofing the scan, and spit out a binary "yes or no".

The ERSB says the facial scans are live, and not "facial recognition" which is used to determine identity. The representative goes on to describe a scenario in which this technology is used.

"When a child attempts to sign up for a new service (website, application, video game, platform, etc.), by U.S. law, they will be prompted to provide a parent’s or caregiver’s email address or other contact information. The parent is then usually sent an email asking them to confirm their consent for the collection of certain data from their child. If the company collecting the data is using Yoti technology, the parent will be asked for their consent and prompted to use their front-facing camera to scan their face (which must be live and in person). Yoti’s technology encrypts the information gathered from the scan, then breaks down portions of this scan to accurately estimate the parent’s age. Our application to the FTC recommends that the age threshold be set at 25 to prevent teenagers or older-looking children from pretending to be a parent."

The ESRB asserts the data used in the process will not be stored. Nor, will it be used for AI training, or shared with anyone. With it being a cut-and-dry way of verifying if the consenting parent is over the age of 25, the ESRB claims that it's a "highly privacy protective solution for VPC."

While the claims about "carding" young gamers when purchasing restrictively rated titles seem to be debunked, much is still unknown about how this is going to be used. The application and the ESRB email are largely theoretical, at this stage. However, where and how it will actually be used remains to be seen.

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Doot me up inside

It cannot be understated how much music has influenced the public consciousness. Certain songs have become the theme of generations, and the constant evolution of music, and music creation is still one of the most prevalent forms of expression today. Take someone like Moshibass for example, and his Kirby Otamatone.

[caption id="attachment_392731" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Moshibass[/caption]

Kirby Otamatone leads Troupe in Bring Me to Life Cover

For those who are unfamiliar, the Otamatone is a portable music synthesizer created in the shape of an eighth note. To play the instrument, you squeeze its head. This is followed by sliding your fingers up and down the "stem" to change the pitch. You can also add vibrato to the sounds played by shaking the Otamatone. Its popularity has skyrocketed online, especially thanks to Moshibass' cover of Bring Me to Life by Evanescence.

The cover contains a full backing track, with main vocals provided by a Kirby-themed Otamatone Deluxe. Backup vocals are performed by Hello Kitty and Gudetama-themed Otamatones. Moshibass brings their previous knowledge as a musician and music teacher to cleverly translate the lyrics of the classic 2000s song into a silly ballad with cutesy musical notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmxLja-DRIw

If you've heard the song, you'll be able to hear the lyrics coming from Kirby and the rest of the Otamatones. You can see the video, and Moshibass' other Otamatone covers on their youtube channel. The channel also includes a tutorial on how to play your own Otamatone, as well as tutorials for popular video game songs on guitar, and ukelele.

The post This Kirby Otamatone brings angst back with this Bring Me to Life Cover appeared first on Destructoid.

A new platform for development

Unreal Editor for Fornite has opened the doors for aspiring game developers to get a foothold on game development. While you might think this would only appeal to novices, the doors are open to everyone. This has led some established developers to see this as an opportunity. Look North World is a small "community-focused" development studio aiming to develop social experiences in Fortnite.

[caption id="attachment_392365" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Look North World[/caption]

AAA Devs open new studio to make games in Fortnite

Look North World is founded by Alex Seropian, co-founder of Bungie, Patrick Moran of Disney, and developers who've worked for EA and Amazon. The studio's focus is to develop experiences within the battle royale shooter and work with the community to deliver titles they want to see. Players can give feedback and interact with the developers through their Discord server. To showcase their dedication to the community, they're offering beta testing access to the first 1,000 players who join their discord server.

As of writing, Look North's first title is a 1v1 skill-based shooter called Outlaw Corral. 16 players will work through a tournament bracket to determine a champion through 1v1 fights. The developers claim that this island will help players sharpen their 1v1 skills. While not available yet, their second title, codenamed "Murcielago," is in development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThTb26MZo2g

It seems strange that a developer would dedicate their studio to developing games exclusively in Fortnite. In a press release, Alex Seropian goes on to justify their studio's business decision.

"Developing in UEFN opens a whole new world of opportunities and we are in uncharted territory. Through experimentation, we will see what the players like and involve them in decisions. We will throw in a mix of fun game components that players love with a healthy dose of humor when we can. We are jumping into it with a 'the virtual sky is the limit' mentality. As we develop creative ideas, we will learn how these platforms engage, entertain and boost social interactions in order to iterate accordingly"

Look North World claims that the studio aims to put community and fun first. With only one game released, it seems only time will tell if Look North World will rise through the ranks of Fortnite Creative's competitive environment. Players can try out Outlaw Corral now by entering the island code 0985-8384-1768.

The post Former AAA devs open new studio to make games in Fortnite appeared first on Destructoid.

PlayStation's accessibility answer

The PS5 Access Controller has finally gotten a release date. The circular controller launches on December 6, 2023. Pre-orders will become available for the controller starting on July 21.

[caption id="attachment_391877" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Sony[/caption]

PS5's New Access Controller to Launch on December 6

The controller is going for a price of $89.99 and features 8 onboard buttons for its disc-shaped design. The control stick, which can be replaced with a joystick design, sits on the side. The controller allows for up to 30 control profiles, as well as toggleable commands. The controller also supports four 3.5mm expansion ports that allow for external devices to issue commands as well.

The Access controller is also able to adjust its control stick length, as well as including attachments for an AMPS Pattern mount. The Access controller can also be used in conjunction with the DualSense, to allow for more customization options. Up to two access controllers can be used in conjunction with a single DualSense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KUmHFU51NU

Each cap on the controller can also be switched out, changing their form factor, and the icon on the cap. This allows for buttons to match the on-screen display without a need for marking the device or purchasing third-party replacements. Each cap has multiple textures as well, as described on the controller's page.

This is a massive jump in accessibility for PlayStation. Combining this with the accessibility options in their first-party titles, Sony opens the door for more players to experience games on its platforms. Xbox has a similar device in its adaptive controller, which has received awards for its design. These tools make it easier for everyone to engage with games, removing barriers and making this hobby more accessible in the process.

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Battle Bus, Roll Out!

Fortnite has shown that it will collaborate with just about any major IP. From Marvel to DC, to even Dragon Ball, Fortnite has become the Who's Who? Of Battle Royales. Their latest IP they've managed to snag is none other than Transformers, and they're making sure they can get in on the fun.

The Fortnite Battle Bus gets the Autobots Treatment in Latest Physical Pack

Fortnite's Latest Physical Pack, which includes three new skins, three new back blings, 1,000 v-bucks, two emotes, and three new pickaxes is coming soon. Entitled the "Transformers Pack" this bundle will cost about $25 USD without taxes, and includes Bumblebee, Megatron, and a new Transformer based on the Fortnite Battle Bus.

[caption id="attachment_390110" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot From Epic Games[/caption]

Bumblebee comes with a back bling based on his car-door wings, as well as a Stinger Sword Pickaxe. The pickaxe also comes with a built-in "Battle Ready" emote.

[caption id="attachment_390111" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot From Epic Games[/caption]

Megatron's portion of the pack comes with a Decepticon logo back bling, and the Energon Mace Pickaxe. The built-in emote for this Pickaxe turns it into his iconic Fusion Cannon.

[caption id="attachment_390112" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot From Epic Games[/caption]

Last, but not least, Fortnite's own battle bus becomes a Transformer as well, complete with the "Bot Air Balloon" back bling, and the Pick Axle Pickaxe.

The physical pack will be sold in retail stores on October 13th, with digital versions of the pack being available on October 21st. There's still time to work through Chapter 4: Season 3's battle pass, to complete the Transformers collection with Optimus Prime before he leaves at the end of the season!

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Pixelated perfection

There's something enamoring about the 1998 Game Boy Camera. Sure, it wasn't a photographer's best friend, but its all-in-one camera and software made it a delightful piece of tech from Nintendo. It turned a handheld game console into a digital camera for budding photographers.

Even 25 years later, the Game Boy Camera is still being celebrated. But few support the quirky device more than Christopher Graves, who recently reworked the entire thing to fit into a (basically) standard-size Game Boy cartridge. This is the Game Boy Mini Camera.

[caption id="attachment_390099" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photos By Christopher Graves[/caption]

The Game Boy Mini Camera Mod

On the surface, the Game Boy Mini Camera takes Nintendo's iconic peripheral and shrinks it down. Thanks to Graves' work, this homebrew creation makes the Game Boy Camera look remarkably similar to any other cartridge for the system. This lets it run on any Game Boy model, including the chunky DMG launch model.

It packs some interesting new technology too. For starters, the Game Boy Mini Camera contains a custom PCB from fellow enthusiast Martin Refseth. This allows for stored images to stick around, no batteries required. The camera itself retains its mapper chip and sensor, and the lens itself has been taken from an iPhone XR.

Graves showcases the slight differences with the lenses in a Twitter thread, though it does retain the same 2-bit picture quality despite the more modern lens array.

This isn't Graves' first rodeo modifying this nostalgic piece of tech. For an especially impressive example, take a look at the Game Boy Camera M. This takes a Game Boy Pocket and turns it into a dedicated Game Boy Camera machine, with the ability to swap lenses and adjust focus. It modernizes the 2-bit digital camera to do more, while still retaining its pixelated charm. They've also created a Macro lens, stretching the limits of 2-bit photography.

Graves describes the Game Boy Mini Camera as a "selfish project," with no plans to sell to other enthusiasts. However, Graves' mentioned that they will "more than likely" release the files to the public, allowing anyone to make one themselves.

The post Game Boy Camera mod makes it the size of a cartridge appeared first on Destructoid.

Fetch Me Their Souls!

When you initially think of Call of Duty, the idea of fighting a nonstop horde of the undead probably isn't the first thing you'd think of. Well, at least until after the Zombies mode became a staple of the Call of Duty series, becoming as much a part of the franchise as its multiplayer and campaign modes.

Since its original inception in Call of Duty: World at War, many players have grown attached to Zombies, as it provides a fun four-player co-op excursion from the series' standard modes. However, with so many titles now including the mode, the amount of available maps has skyrocketed.

Here are 10 of them that remain the best the series has offered to date.

[caption id="attachment_387446" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

10. Nacht Der Untoten - World at War

If you were someone who had just completed the campaign for Call of Duty: World at War, you may have been greeted by this map right as the credits ended. Originally, "Nazi Zombies" was hidden away from players until they completed the main storyline. Once the credits ended, players would be immediately thrust into the first Zombies map, Nacht Der Untoten. Translating to "Night of the Undead", this small locale was an edited version of a building from the campaign mission "Hard Landing"

Players are trapped inside the building with no means of escape, as the undead march to the many windows keeping them out. Players would then have to fend off the zombies for as long as possible. Nacht is a simple map, focusing on the main gameplay loop of round-based survival. Players gain points from shooting zombies and can upgrade their arsenal by purchasing weapons with the points. Whether that's by purchasing them from the chalk drawings on the walls, grabbing the sniper from the upstairs cabinet, or taking their chances by opening the "Mystery Box" in the room on the ground floor.

Players only had their skills to rely on, as the onslaught of zombies was relentless, and help wasn't coming anytime soon.

[caption id="attachment_387447" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

9. Der Reise - World at War

Der Reise, or "The Giant" was the final map to be given to players in World at War's life cycle, joining DLC as an addition to standard multiplayer maps. Since the Zombies first appeared in Nacht Der Untoten, the mode had undergone some changes, transitioning from defending a single location to a more expansive map where letting in the undead didn't spell the end of your crew.

Der Reise puts players at ground zero of the Zombie outbreak, a facility ran by the elusive "Group 935". While the lore wasn't at the forefront of the gameplay, dedicated players could tune into the many radios around the map to uncover the story of Dr. Edward Richtofen, the betrayal of his partner Ludvig Maxis, and the horrific creation of the undead army, including the hellhounds that attack the player every five rounds.

Der Reise also solidified the "Perk-a-Cola" system into the game. Brand new to Der Reise, was the Pack-a-Punch machine. Players could now invest in their favorite weapons by upgrading them to become more powerful variants. Players who were clever enough to stick with weak weapons like the Colt M1911 would be rewarded with a pistol that shot explosive rounds, telling players that all weapons are worth at least upgrading once.

Der Reise's high replayability and the formal introduction of the series' lore gave players something to think about as they waited for the next Treyarch game to release, hoping that the questions they were left with would finally be answered.

[caption id="attachment_387444" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

8. Ascension - Black Ops

Ascension refines what's already been learned in previous maps, but keeps it fresh by adding to the mechanics in fun and intuitive ways. The map starts out with the player entering it through a lunar lander. The color fades to monochrome, and the only way to turn the color back on is by activating the power station.

Pack-a-Punch is opened by riding lunar landers between the three main locations on the map, allowing players to launch a rocket stationed in the background, opening the room housing the Pack-a-Punch.

The map functions similarly to Der Reise, though the lunar lander has to be called to each location before riding it. This waiting period, and the short ride back to the start, provide small breaks for the player to reload and recoup before continuing the fight. Special rounds return, though the hellhounds are nowhere to be seen, replaced by terrifying space monkeys, who attack the Perk Machines players have used. If they're stopped before dealing any damage to the perks, players will be able to net themselves a free perk, bypassing the four perk limit set by all maps.

Ascension also introduced players to "Easter Eggs" a story quest that can be done throughout a session to gain rewards, and directly impact the plotline of the series. It's not front and center, and compared to other maps, Ascension's is quite simple, but access to a 90-second Death Machine, (a devastating piece of weaponry), is a fine reward for the most skilled zombie slayers.

Ascension is a perfect map for all player types, keeping them on their toes with the special rounds, but close in complexity to World at War's maps to let players just enjoy a game of Zombies.

[caption id="attachment_387443" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

7. Kino Der Toten - Black Ops

Kino is the first map players got to play in Call of Duty: Black Ops. Originally meant to be an extra map in World at War, it instead became an "on-disc" map for Treyarch's next title. This worked to its benefit, as the new engine and similar design to previous maps in the Zombies mode made it into the iconic map it is today. With Kino Der Toten (Theater of the Dead) as the main on-disc Zombies map for Black Ops new players have a perfect entry into the mode.

Kino Der Toten's simple design guides players around either side of the theater, either through the backstage or onto the stage from the alleyway. Once the power is turned on, the open area on the stage provides plenty of room for players to train zombies. Pack-a-Punch is as simple as linking one teleporter to the pad the players started the game on as well, providing a safe spot to upgrade your weapons and a short break from the horde of zombies.

With both paths being linked to one another multiple strategies can be executed by neglecting to open doors on either side of the map, allowing for solid camping strategies utilizing the traps found around the map.

While it's not the most complex map, Kino Der Toten lives in the hearts of many players, as it's a map even the most hardcore Zombies fans will come back to.

[caption id="attachment_387439" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

6. Shadows of Evil - Black Ops III

Completely contrasting Kino Der Toten is Black Ops III's own on-disc map, Shadows of Evil. With the gameplay shift to more complex maps that started in Origins. Taking notes from both Mob of the Dead, and Origins, Shadows of Evil's H.P. Lovecraft-inspired aesthetic recontextualizes the many mechanics players loved about the maps utilized in Black Ops II.

The map consists of a lengthy "set-up phase" in which players will need to complete four rituals around the map to open the Pack-a-Punch Machine. Players will have to use Beast Mode to open rooms and activate perk machines in the same way afterlife mode worked in Mob of the Dead. This is also how players will open the central hub underground the main junction between all four locations in the map.

Shadows of Evil includes a plethora of extra content to do once the set-up is complete. Players can find symbols hidden in the decor while riding the train, which they can use to unlock a hidden wall underground to begin the quest to gain the Apothicon Sword, adding another weapon to their arsenal without taking up a weapon slot. Finding three fuses around the map will also net you the Civil Protector, a mechanical automaton that will help you fight the undead for a short amount of time.

While Shadows of Evil isn't a good map to introduce players to the Zombies mode, it is a perfect map for fans who want not only a challenge but a map with something to do around every corner.

[caption id="attachment_387448" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

5. Zombies in Spaceland - Infinite Warfare

The only map on this list that was not designed by Treyarch, Infinity Ward decided to do their own take on Zombies for Infinite Warfare. Being completely separated in lore, this iteration was a more comical take on the game mode, introducing a new story, characters, and maps inspired by movie genres of the past.

Their debut map, Zombies in Spaceland, sent players to an '80s theme park, filled to the brim with out-of-this-world attractions and undead. The gameplay loop was extremely similar to Treyarch's previous entries, with players first unlocking the upgrade machine by using three teleporters around the park.

However, survival wasn't the only thing players could do in Spaceland. The theme park's multiple attractions could be used to help destroy the undead, such as the spinning Escape Velocity, or out-of-control bumper cars. The map is filled to the brim with actual interactives as well, playing one of the many arcade games in the Astrocade, or riding the rollercoaster will net you tickets, which you can then spend on myriad helpful gear.

Perks were also included in this new rendition as well, taking the form of "Perk Candies", but retaining the same effects as in the Treyarch maps. Previously removed perks, such as the PhD Flopper, returned in Infinite Warfare. Some perks were even based on fan suggestions, like Trailblazers, which left a trail of fire as a character slid along the ground. Dying in Spaceland doesn't set players too far back either. Bleeding out would send you to the Afterlife Arcade, which allows players to complete fun arcade games in order to jump back into the match without having to wait until the round is over.

Infinity Ward managed to make Treyarch's mode their own, and in turn, delivered one of the freshest takes on the mode. All without straying away from the original formula.

[caption id="attachment_387440" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

4. Der Eisendrache - Black Ops III

The first DLC map for Black Ops III brings back the Primis crew, the alternate universe versions of Richtofen, Dempsey, Nikolai, and Takeo that players met in Origins. Der Eisendrache or "The Iron Dragon" takes players to a medieval castle run by the elusive Group 935, where they must fight against the onslaught of undead, including special enemies like the Hellhounds, and Panzer Soldats.

Returning from Origins is a wonder weapon with four variants, one for each player. After feeding the dragons throughout the map, players can pick up the Wrath of the Aincents. This bow can be upgraded into one of four variants, each with its own devastating effects. The map also introduces low gravity and wall-running, which is part of the BO3's advanced movement system.

Der Eisendrache also begins BO3's main storyline. After completing the Shadows of Evil main quest, Richtofen will steal away the Summoning Key, a device used to harvest souls, in an attempt to "Secure a Better Tomorrow"

If players choose to, they can work through the main quest to gain access to Ultimis Dempsey's body and save his soul in the summoning key. This culminates in the first official boss fight in Zombies history. However, the map's replayability, buildable nature, and wonder weapons create a perfect balance between complexity and accessibility, sitting it comfortably on this list.

[caption id="attachment_387445" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

3. Moon - Black Ops

With the release of the Zombies-only "Rezurrection Pack" DLC, Moon marks the end of Black Ops' story. The DLC included all of the World at War maps, as well as the new map, Moon. Moon is a unique map thanks to its many different mechanics. Starting the map doesn't begin on round one, rather it begins on a timer in Groom Lake. While players start right next to the Pack-a-Punch machine, an infinite onslaught of zombies will continue to spawn. After a few seconds, they'll pick up speed, making it more dangerous to stick around with just a pistol. Once you step onto the teleporter, you'll be transported to the map proper, where you can get a significant head start if you're skilled enough to survive in Groom Lake.

From here, you'll need to put on the PES Suit, as there's no oxygen. Once you turn on the power, and activate the life support systems, you can explore the labs without the PES. If you happen to find the Hacker in the labs, you can switch out the PES for one of the most powerful items in all of Zombies.

The hacker can do many things, such as opening any door for 200 points, gifting any player 500 points out of your own pocket, changing any powerup into a max ammo, and even refunding perks you don't need anymore. If you're playing Moon, you may also notice a zombie in an astronaut suit sporting the name of one of your friends. If caught in the astronaut's grasp, he'll teleport you to a random part of the map, and remove one of the perks from your loadout.

Players can teleport back to Groom Lake, as it's the only way to gain access to Juggernog, Speed-Cola, and the Pack-a-Punch Machine. However, every player in the match needs to be on the teleporter pad to make their way back. This adds a co-op element, but makes it difficult to head back if someone in the squad isn't playing along. With the right crew, planning trips to Groom Lake can net you and your pals more than enough points to upgrade.

The Hacker also allows players to shield themselves from the horde while Pack-a-Punching. This gives everyone a small reprieve, though they'll need to be prepared once the doors open. With Moon being the finale, players see the culmination of all the maps quests, using items they acquired in previous maps, players can conclude the storyline in Moon.

During the Main quest, players will come face to face with Samantha Maxis, the mastermind behind the zombies. Richtofen, in his grand scheme, will control the zombies by switching minds with Samantha, changing the voice lines for the player who's controlling Richtofen. This all culminates in the group firing rockets at the earth, destroying the planet, and setting in motion the events of Black Ops II.

Moon serves as an exciting culmination of Black Ops' Zombies mode, and its inclusion in the Rezurrection DLC proves that Treyarch was taking notice of Zombies' overall popularity.

[caption id="attachment_387442" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

2. Mob of the Dead - Black Ops II

Black Ops II's story picked up where Black Ops' left off, giving us a new plotline following a new crew of characters named Victus. However, Mob of the Dead is not a map in their story.

Mob of the Dead instead follows the story of four mobsters trapped in purgatory on Alcatraz Island. Sal Deluca, Finn O'Leary, Billy Handsome, and Al "The Weasel" Arlington find themselves in a twisted version of their prison where the undead run rampant, and the warden aims to lock up their souls forever.

This is the first taste of more complex maps that would become the norm in the second half of Black Ops II's life cycle, and into Black Ops III. Players would spawn as souls in the new Afterlife mode and a mechanic where going DBNO turns you into a ghost. Aside from being able to revive yourself, Afterlife allows players to see passageways and secrets only visible through their ethereal form, introducing specific ways to open up the prison's many secret rooms. There's not a single power switch that powers on everything, rather, electrical boxes players need to shock are spread around the map, and Afterlife's electric blast is the only way to power them on.

Around the map are also three hellhound heads, feeding each head a group of zombies gives them the Hell's Retriever, a tomahawk that can be thrown like a boomerang to pick up powerups, or kill groups of zombies. Mob's wonder weapon, the blundergat, is a four-barreled shotgun that shoots one blast at a time, a powerful weapon on its own, and when upgraded into the Acid-Gat, can dispatch hordes with ease. Pack-a-Punching the Acid Gat causes its bolts to attract zombies, turning a powerful weapon into an even powerful tool.

Every so often "The Warden" will appear, a powerful special zombie with unique abilities. For one, he'll disable any Perk Machine, buildable table, or mystery box in his path, forcing the player to chalk up 2000 points to reopen it. Once you knock off his helmet, the warden will then cover himself in a smokescreen before charging at you once more. While this doesn't do anything to mask the warden, it does obfuscate any other enemies you may be fighting.

The real meat and potatoes of the map are how players will access Pack-a-Punch. Around the map are several pieces players need to find to build a plane to escape from Alcatraz. Finding all of them, and boarding the plane will send the mobsters flying, only to have them crash on the golden gate bridge, where the only escape is via electric chair. Once you come back, you'll have to refuel the plane to go again.

If you complete the main quest, you'll be greeted with an audio tour of the prison, while fighting the horde you'll uncover the story of the mobsters, as they planned their escape in the same way as they do in the map. However, the plane you fly to Pack-a-Punch on was never built, as the Finn, Sal, and Billy, kill Al on the roof of the prison. The three are sentenced to death for the murder of Al, placing the four in the events of Mob of the Dead. Once you fly to the golden gate bridge for the final time. the mobsters will have to face off with Al once more, though this time, Al is aided by the zombies, in the only PvP zombies interaction in series history. Whether the mobsters won, or Al survived, the game would end, giving Zombies its first-ever win condition.

Mob of the Dead was a taste of what the new age of zombies was going to be, with players being given a checklist of tasks to complete, with optional quests, and buildables to make survival easier. This blend of set-up and casual survival, combined with the grungy, otherworldly aesthetic makes Mob of the Dead a one-of-a-kind map that hasn't been replicated since.

[caption id="attachment_387438" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Origins - Black Ops II

The final map to release in Black Ops II is a refinement of some of the mechanics found in Mob of the Dead. Although, what Origins did that Mob didn't, was refine what would become the standard for Zombies maps going forward in the Black Ops series.

Taking place "on the battlefields of the great war" players would once again take control of the classic characters, Richtofen, Dempsey, Nikolai, and Takeo. However, these characters were different than the inherently goofy and sarcastic versions of them they had been removed from since Black Ops. These characters were more mature, more refined, and more grounded. The world around them, was not.

Origins took place in an alternate, steampunk timeline, where giant robots roamed the WWI trenches, and zombies terrorized the battlefield. The map was split into multiple sections, as players had to hold out on 6 generators to activate the Pack-a-Punch, excavated from the mysterious dig site that caused the zombie outbreak.

Players would find pieces of magic staffs throughout the map, by either entering the robot by shooting a hatch as it stepped on them, or digging them up during the brief times it snowed. finding the gramophone and record would open magic portals around the battlefield, allowing players to find a gem to complete their staff. with four buildable staffs, each player was able to wield a powerful wonder weapon, allowing them to incinerate, freeze, electrocute, or blow away hordes of zombies with ease.

At round eight, a Panzer Soldat would spawn in, a powerful enemy with a flamethrower, and a grappling hook, ensnaring players who were too far, and setting ablaze those who were too close. If you could survive that long, Origins kept you busy by having templar zombies attack the generators, forcing you to move to and stop them before you had to hold out on more difficult rounds.

Challenges were also introduced as a main mechanic, allowing players to complete challenges to unlock special rewards. Getting 115 headshots rewarded you with a free pack-a-punched weapon while spending 30,000 points would award you with a bottle of Double Tap, letting you bypass the perk limit.

Any perk that wasn't available as a machine could be found in the Wunder-Fizz which functioned like the Mystery Box, but for perks. Origins did retain its four-perk limit, but you could increase the amount of perks you could hold by upgrading your shovel. Once you acquired the gold shovel by using it enough, using the new powerup Zombie Blood, would allow you to see special dig spots invisible by normal means, digging them would give you a free perk. Digging enough spots with the golden shovel would net players with the golden helmet, preventing them from taking any damage when being stepped on by the giant robots.

The main quest would see players freeing Samantha from Agartha, though much like the new crew, this Samantha was different, guiding players through the mission, rather than acting as the antagonist. Completing the easter egg ended the game, much like Mob of the Dead. However, this ending was a fully animated cutscene, where players discovered that the events of the map were nothing but action figures being played in Samantha's imagination...

...At least, that's what players assumed... until the plot of Black Ops III changed everything.

Origins sits atop the list of 10 best Call of Duty Zombies maps not just because of how influential the map is to the series, but due to its intuitive set-up phase, its many side objectives, its powerful wonder weapons, and its entertaining and challenging main quest. It remains a map that fans will always come back to, no matter what mood their in, as it readily satisfies every player's zombie-slaying needs.

The post The 10 Best CoD Zombies maps, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

I can show you the Worlds

VRChat is a very interesting place. Perhaps it's not the first thing someone thinks of when it comes to a "VR Game," as the title originally started out as a social hub. It's birthed many memes and content through its years of life on the Oculus DK1 and Steam (and 4 on Meta Quest), but it's also evolved. Thanks to the introduction of Udon, VRChat's in-house coding language, players are now able to build more complex worlds. This has led to a slew of new experiences, and most importantly, very impressive games. Here's a collection of 10 worlds that you need to see if you ever log onto VRChat.

[caption id="attachment_386986" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

10. Eccentric Rooms

Author: suzuki_i

Compatibility: PC Only

While this room is PC Only, it's a great way to start off this list. It's not a game, nor is it a hangout spot. Rather, Eccentric Rooms provides exactly what is shown in the title: a collection of rooms that bend the mind and show players what VRChat's Udon coding is capable of. Some of the highlights of the world include a room where you can walk on walls, a planetoid where gravity allows you to walk on its surface, a third-person VR Camera, and a Recursive room, where a small room in the middle is a mirror of that exact room, and looking out from the open ceiling reveals a larger you staring in.

This world is fun to explore on your own, but it's recommended you grab some friends (and surprise them with this world) and try out the many rooms available, as some of them won't make sense without other players.

[caption id="attachment_386985" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

9. Power Stars!/Power Stars 2!

Author: DSMT

Compatibility: PC & Quest

These two worlds share the same spot, as they're technically the same idea. Power Stars (and Power Stars 2) ports two levels from Super Mario 64 into VRChat using Udon. Power Stars includes Bob-Omb Battlefield, while Power Stars 2 contains Whomp's Fortress. Both worlds include every star from each level, including the 100-coin star, as well as functional cannons, boss fights, and Mario's ground pound, triple-jump, and long jump.

The world isn't co-op, so each player will have to complete each star on their own, but having everyone in the same instance will allow players to race. Completing the world will net you the wing cap in Power Stars 1, and the Owl in Power Stars 2 as a reward. Author DSMT has also listed speedrun times on Power Stars 2, so if you're a fan of speedrunning, attempt to snag a spot on the leaderboard!

[caption id="attachment_386987" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

8. Udon Sword II

Author: KOMETARO

Compatibility: PC Only

Udon Sword II brings classic dungeon crawling into VRChat, allowing four players to make their way through a dungeon, each with their own intricate classes. Players can take on Udon Sword II as a Tank, Healer, Archer, or Monk, each with their own abilities. The Tank can provoke enemies to attack them, while Healers can cast multiple spells from their book.

It's a lengthy dungeon, and it's best if you bring along some friends for the quest. It's a must-visit for players who want to take on hordes of enemies with a band of adventurers.

[caption id="attachment_386988" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

7. Instagib Tournament

Author: ville672

Compatibility: PC & Quest

Instagib Tournament is exactly what it says in the title. This brings the classic action of Unreal Tournament's Instagib modifier into VRChat. Supporting up to 12 players, (or bots if you're playing solo) you'll spawn into two high-rise towers with a railgun. It's a free-for-all deathmatch where your only chance for survival is your quick reflexes and fast moves, as the clock ticks down and the frag limit determines the winner.

Instagib Tournament also includes a double-jump modifier, so players can really test out their movement abilities, as well as an announcer for when you go on a killing spree.

[caption id="attachment_386989" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

6. Scanner

Author: Trixelized

Compatibility: PC & Quest

Transitioning to a more cerebral world, Scanner allows players to team up and uncover a hidden environment using LiDAR scanners. The world is completely pitch-black, and impossible to see; though, by using the LiDAR scanner, you can unveil the world and explore its hidden secrets.

Multiple players can see what others have scanned, and you're able to choose how long the scan lingers before de-spawning. There are multiple hidden areas to explore, as the world is quite large, and while you can see through the walls, you can't pass through them. Your only means of navigation being the Scanner in your hand.

Also hidden throughout the world are floating question marks, each one unlocking a new theme for your scanner. With environments like a bedroom, a library, and even a graveyard hidden in the world, you'll spend a lot of time trying to find everything Scanner provides.

[caption id="attachment_386990" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

5. Super Tower Defense

Author: DragonCookie

Compatibility: PC & Quest

Super Tower Defense is a simple world, but it's a highly engaging one. Players can work together to defend their stack of hearts from the oncoming invasion of small cars using powerful weaponry. Using items like a Minigun, a Rocket Catapult, or even the powerful Miracle, this simple tower defense game becomes more complex as you work together to find which towers synergize as you take on the endless waves of cars.

However, even after you beat the game at wave 50, you can continue into an endless mode as cars become more and more powerful. Some upgrades require you to sacrifice hearts in conjunction with your cash, but boast an even higher tier of power.

[caption id="attachment_386991" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

4. EvolvedAnt Arcade

Author: EvolvedAnt

Compatibility: PC & Quest

EvolvedAnt Arcade brings the delightful memory of arcades and indoor playpens into the VR experience. The world spans multiple sections, allowing players to explore and play to their heart's content. Sporting an indoor play space with climbable walls, a ball pit, and enough tubes to make your head spin, players can either explore the play space or engage in a game of tag, complete with silly chase music emanating from the person who's "It."

Also included in the world is a trampoline park, allowing players to bounce around and toss large billiard balls into hoops, the hoops themselves are in the same spot for everyone, so trying to score into the hoop before someone else can is a great way to challenge your friends.

Furthermore, the arcade provides multiple games for players to try. While this section of the world is the most unfinished, it does sport a functional version of Tetris (called Udontris), Flappy Bird, and Pop the Lock. With its most recent update, the arcade also introduced its own take on Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, allowing players to take on a custom bomb with its own manual.

Lastly, walking down the hallway (where the floor functions as a working piano) players reach the Party room, complete with a video player to upload your own tunes, and a dance floor for when the party really starts!

[caption id="attachment_386983" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

3. Gun Em Down VR

Author: Dinky_

Compatibility: PC & Quest

Gun Em Down VR is a high-stakes 8v8 team deathmatch game inspired by old-school World War 2 Call of Duty titles. The game sports a fully functional ranking system, with each level unlocking something new.

Players can save their progress by snapping a picture of the code found on the typewriter next to their loadout, allowing them to leave the world, and pick up right where they left off.

The title sports four weapons for the Axis and Allies teams, as well as multiple perks, and functional killstreaks like a Scout Plane, a Care Package, and of course, plenty of Air Strikes.

Each weapon is manually reloaded, having players chamber rounds with the bolt action of their sniper, or insert the clip into their Garand, hearing the classic ping when they run out of ammo.

For players wanting a classic Call of Duty experience in VR, Gun Em Down offers this in spades.

[caption id="attachment_386992" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

2. Maple's Kuso House

Author: MapleJava

Compatibility: PC & Quest

Stepping away from games, Maple's Kuso House is a classic VRChat hangout world, perfect for when you're winding down after world hopping with friends. The world sports a cozy home, with plenty of simple trinkets and locations to enjoy.

Inside the house, players can find a video player in the living room to play some videos or music, and the bar in the back allows players to mix together colors to make fancy drinks. Upstairs in the house, you can find a functional billiards table, supporting 1v1, or 2v2 games. Also upstairs is a bedroom with a computer, a couch, and a bathroom with a working faucet and shower head.

While the room is mostly for show, the hidden harmonica behind the bedroom couch unlocks a portal in the living room to a mystical island in space, with a mirror for players who want to admire their avatars.

However, the main attraction of the world is outside. The house sits on a beach, where players can take a crack at Suikawari, or Watermelon Splitting. Out on the dock of the beach, players can also find four fishing rods, which can be cast into the water, and allow players to fish for some of the many creatures in the sea.

However, if you're unlucky (or lucky) enough, you may find yourself reeling in a sandal, or even a boot!

[caption id="attachment_386982" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Fate of the Irbloss

Author: xCirrex

Compatibility: PC Only

The final spot on this list goes to Fate of the Irbloss. It's a fully functional co-op space adventure based on FTL: Faster than Light, Eve Online, and Freespace. Up to five players will take one of many roles as the crew of the rickety spaceship, The Irbloss.

Players can join in on the ship as either the Pilot, Weapons, Shields, or Hacker, each with their own duties and responsibilities. However, space isn't a forgiving place and plenty of people are out to blast you into stardust. As your ship is attacked by enemies, you'll need to make repairs. Whether it's fires in the hallway, breaches in the ship draining oxygen, or invaders hijacking your teleporter, you'll need to use your secondary class to determine the most effective way to solve these problems, using your blaster to dispatch the invaders, or using your welding gun to repair crucial parts of the ship.

Each victory nets you scrap, which you can use to upgrade your ship, increasing its evasion, its shield capacity, or the power of your hacking. You can also spend your scrap at shops as well to repair your ship, buy some new weapons, or purchase passive abilities that make your voyage easier, such as the ability to not consume missiles upon use, or drones to help repair your ship.

Fate of the Irbloss is the closest thing to a full game inside VRChat, complete with three separate endings, which you'll have to discover yourself.

The post 10 VRChat worlds that are a must visit appeared first on Destructoid.

The Maze & Chase Master

If you're talking about some of the biggest arcade games of the '80s, names like Donkey Kong, Joust, Tempest, and even Mario Bros. may be brought up. But despite all of these classic titles, one arcade game has chomped more quarters than any of them: Pac-Man. Despite Pac-Man being most well-known for his original arcade cabinet, there are plenty of games in the Pac-Man series that go beyond the classic maze action gameplay of the original. From party games to racing titles to 3D platformers, he's done it all and then some. Here's our ranking for the Top 10 Pac-Man titles.

[caption id="attachment_386290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

10. Pac-Land (1984)

Made only a few years after the original arcade title, Pac-Land traded the maze for a 2D side-scrolling adventure. Pac-Land sees players running from the left of the screen to the right. All the while, Pac-Man must avoid the ghosts attempting to keep him from reaching the magic door at the end of the level. Once Pac-Man makes it to the magic door at the end of each trip, he'll be given a pair of enchanted shoes to run home before time runs out. It's a simple platformer game with delightful sounds and fun gimmicks on each trip. Made as a response to the popularity of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, Pac-Land is a charming game, just like it's a cartoon.

[caption id="attachment_386292" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

9. Pac-Man 99 (2021)

With the popularity of Tetris 99, and Mario 35, Namco teamed up with Akira Co. Ltd. to develop its own version of the retro battle royale. Much like Akria's previous endeavors, Pac-Man 99 pits 99 players against one another in a Pac-Man gauntlet. Players have to survive through the classic maze, avoiding ghosts and collecting dots. Any ghost a player eats is sent to another player's maze as a Pac-Man that will slow them down upon contact. Whoever is left at the end is crowned the victor. Pac-Man 99 is a nail-biting, high-adrenaline take on the classic title, putting even the most seasoned Pac-Man veterans to the test. It's too bad the game is getting delisted this October.

[caption id="attachment_386294" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

8. Pac-Man Vs. (2003)

Wanting to find a way to showcase the power of the Game Boy Advance Link Cable, Shigeru Miyamoto himself teamed up with Nintendo EAD to create a multiplayer version of Pac-Man. Pac-Man Vs. lets four players take on the roles of both Pac-Man and the ghosts as they compete to see who can achieve the highest score. All ghosts may have the same goal of capturing Pac-Man. If any of them are able to do it before all the pellets are cleared from the stage, they take over as Pac-Man in the next round.

Both Pac-Man and the ghosts can pick up the fruits that appear in the maze. While awarding bonus points for Pac-Man, the ghosts will get a larger view of the maze, making it easier to track down their target. Charles Martinet also makes a cameo as Mario, taking the role of the announcer for the game. Hearing Mario call out, "Pac-Man Ate a Power Pellet!" or "Oooh, this-a looking not so good!" as the game reaches its conclusion is the cherry on top of the cake.

Pac-Man Vs. is a terrific party game, giving players the chance to play as ghosts, and allowing friends to compete with one another in a novel Pac-Man experience.

[caption id="attachment_386289" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

7. Pac-Man World Rally (2006)

Pac-Man has had his boxing gloves in just about every genre during the height of the GameCube, and racing games are no exception. Don't listen to contemporary reviews of this game, because Pac-Man World Rally is a delightfully fun arcade racer in the same vein as Mario Kart or Crash Team Racing. However, some  Pac-Man-centric gimmicks keep it from being a clone of other titles. World Rally brings back mechanics from Pac-Man World into its races. For example, some tracks incorporate fruit gates, allowing players a shortcut if they've snagged a fruit to pay. Pac-Dots also litter the map, but instead of souping up your car, they transform your car into a chomping machine, turning all enemy racers into ghosts.

Charging multiple drifts also fills a meter up, allowing you to store 3 shields, which can block you from many attacks. The game has two main factions for characters as well. The heroes include Pac, Ms. Pac, Jr. Pac, Pooka, and The Prince from Katamari Damacy. And, the villains, including all four ghosts, as well as Toc-Man, Spooky, and Erwin, the villains from all 3 games in the Pac-Man World series.

While the presentation isn't the game's strong suit, its tight controls, fun soundtrack, and unique Pac-Man-centric mechanics make it a must-play for both Pac-Man fans and arcade racing fans alike.

[caption id="attachment_384984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

6. Pac-Attack (1993)

If it wasn't for the Pac-Man branding and characters, this wouldn't pass as a Pac-Man game. However, Pac-Attack is a delightfully fun and addicting puzzle title. This falling block puzzle game has the player putting down tiles to clear lines. Some tiles include ghosts, making it impossible to clear those lines. This is where Pac-Man comes in, as every so often, the ghost-chomping hero will appear instead of a ghost. Once placed, he'll head in a direction until he can't move anymore. If any ghosts are in the way, they'll be swiftly eaten, and the tiles they blocked will fall into place. It's an amazingly fun title, though it's a shame Pac-Man Museum+ only includes the Super Nintendo version, as the PlayStation 1 version of the game allows the player to rotate the blocks in either direction.

[caption id="attachment_386293" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

5. The World's Biggest Pac-Man (2011)

The World's Biggest Pac-Man is an interesting addition to this list. This is due to how downright massive the scope of the game is. Created by Namco, Microsoft, and Soap Creative, The World's Biggest Pac-Man is a browser game that connects multiple user-made mazes together via the exits on the top, bottom, and sides of the maze. The gameplay itself is functionally similar to the original Pac-Man, although, by exiting the map, you're connected to another maze made by someone else. With some mazes only having one or two exits in their creation, this builds a maze, inside, a maze. As players can leave one maze, and get lost in the near infinity The World's Biggest Pac-Man provides.

This makes The World's Biggest Pac-Man one of the most unique takes on the classic title.

[caption id="attachment_384976" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

4. Ms. Pac-Man (1982)

Whatever the original Pac-Man did right, Ms. Pac-Man did it better. Introducing new maps, more ways to be caught, and an overall more enhanced version of the original, what started out as a modification for Pac-Man usurped its predecessor. The only downside to this game is the feud between Namco and AtGames, all but erasing Pac-Man's better half from any new releases.

[caption id="attachment_384978" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

3. Pac-Man World 2 (2002)

The second entry into Pac-Man's foray into 3D platforming, this 2002 title took everything that made Pac-Man World so entertaining and cranked it up to 11. Introducing a silly Saturday morning cartoon plot, and having Pac-Man trek through forests filled with trampolines, skate down icy mountains, and battle mechs piloted by the four main ghosts. Pac-Man World 2 oozes charm from every place possible, and it would be in the top spot if it wasn't for the two mandatory submarine levels that kill the pace of the game. Here's to hoping it gets the Re-Pac treatment like its older brother.

[caption id="attachment_386291" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

2. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (2013)

Pac-Man Championship Edition DX is one of the most high-octane takes on the Maze & Chase style of gameplay and for good reason. Pac-Man CEDX puts the player on a set time limit with one goal...Eat Everything. Completing Pac-Dot Chains and starting a train of ghosts following Pac-Man will increase the speed of the game, making it easier to complete chains faster, and easier for players to make a mistake. Every so often, a power pellet will be placed on the chain, and Pac-Man can turn around and chomp the lengthy train of ghosts at his back, racking up some serious score. Once time runs out, players can post their scores online or take on a new maze if they're up for the challenge.

Aside from the five or ten-minute time limit, there's also a time attack mode as well. Players can also customize their maze with different visuals, as well as change the bassy beats to chomp dots, too. The only thing Pac-Man Championship Edition DX is missing is an endless mode.

[caption id="attachment_384979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Pac-Man Arrangement (1996)

Not to be confused with the PSP title of the same name, Pac-Man Arrangement was introduced to the arcades within the Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2 cabinet. This is the pinnacle of the "Maze & Chase" titles, keeping the classic top-down perspective with charming graphics, multiple powerups, several maze gimmicks, and a fifth ghost that can be a walking power pellet if Pac-Man catches it, or a serious threat if he merges with a ghost. Making it to the final level will see the ghosts pilot a massive robot with one goal, to take down Pac-Man once and for all. This final boss fight, while playing like an average Pac-Man level, is a joy to play through as each dot brings the fight closer to its conclusion.

Finishing the game lands the player a simple congratulations, but also leaves them with a message:

The game never really ends.
Someone, somewhere
Is being chased by monsters!

The post 10 best Pac-Man games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Link's (many) Adventures

The Legend of Zelda series has been going on for what seems like forever. However, the series just marked its 37th anniversary in February of 2023! With so many games released on all Nintendo Platforms, it's hard to keep track of them all. However, we've got your back.

Here's every mainline Zelda game in order of release! (Sorry Link's Crossbow Training, and Zelda CDI)

[caption id="attachment_384719" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda (NES)

Released: February 19, 1994 (Famicom)

The game that started it all. This classic 8-bit adventure saw Link roaming Hyrule and completing dungeons in order to defeat Ganon and save Zelda. While other titles have since usurped the original, it cannot be understated how much of an impact this game had on the adventure genre.

[caption id="attachment_384720" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Released: January 14, 1987 (Famicom Disk System)

The second entry in the Zelda series turned from overhead dungeon exploration to a 2D side scroller. Gone were the rupees of the first game, replaced with XP. Link could use magic, and his shield was a focal point to combat in the game. While considered the black sheep of the franchise by some, it is the first time players were introduced to the mysterious "Dark Link".

[caption id="attachment_384721" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Released: November 21, 1991 (Super Famicom)

A Link to the Past is where the series really started hitting its stride. Returning to the top-down look of the first game, and a more concrete story for players to follow along with. With the "Dual World" feature letting Link travel between the Light World and the Dark World, players had double the dungeons to explore and double the puzzles to solve, making this title a certifiable classic.

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The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Released: June 6, 1993 (Game Boy)

DX Version: December 1st, 1998 (Game Boy Color)

Link's first adventure on handheld consoles. After being shipwrecked on the Isle of Kohonit, Link must awaken the Wind Fish if he ever wants to return home. The first game to take place outside of Hyrule, as well as a full-sized adventure on a handheld device. Link's Awakening DX was released a few years after for the Game Boy Color, allowing players to take on a special dungeon called the Color Dungeon, which wasn't available in the original game.

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Released: November 21, 1998 (Nintendo 64)

Ocarina of Time marks the first game in the series to be brought into 3D. The title introduced Z-Targeting with Navi, as well as hints on what to do next thanks to her. Players were able to take on a whole new story and were introduced to the first human incarnation of Ganon, Ganondorf.

The game started out with Link as a child, only to find out when they pulled the Master Sword out from its pedestal in the Temple of Time, that they were transported into the future, where Link is an adult, and the kingdom of Hyrule has fallen to ruin. Players had to make their way between time periods to solve puzzles and defeat bosses. It was the most ambitious title so far.

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The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Released: April 27, 2000 (Nintendo 64)

The direct sequel to Ocarina of Time. After being given his Childhood back, Link travels through the lost woods, looking for Navi. During his search, Link encounters the Skull Kid, who transports him to an alternate world.

With three days until the Moon collides into the Earth, link must work his way through Termina, and find a way to prevent the apocalypse and his own demise. The title borrowed assets from Ocarina of Time, but its story, and world were impactful enough to burn the Moon's snarl into the minds of players for years to come.

[caption id="attachment_384725" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons

Released: February 27, 2001 (Game Boy Color)

The first mainline game not developed by Nintendo, the publisher called upon Capcom to produce Link's second handheld adventure. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons launched on the same day and, while they are two different titles, they're both connected. It didn't matter which one you played first as if you finished one title, you would be given a passcode to use at the start of the second one.

Using this passcode, you were able to continue the adventure in the new title, right from where you left off. This crossplay option also allowed you to obtain a secret ending that allowed you to beat Ganon on either version.

[caption id="attachment_384726" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

Released: December 2, 2002 (Gameboy Advance)

Packaged in with the re-release of Link to the Past on Gameboy Advance, players got an adventure called Four Swords. It told the story of a magic sword that split Link into four identical copies, allowing four players to take on Hyrule and the new villain Vaati, together.

The title was a co-op/competitive title with an arcade-like gameplay loop, with multiple stages rather than one continuous open world, as in previous installments. The game was subsequently re-released on DSiWare to celebrate Zelda's 25th anniversary in 2011. This version included new stages based on previous titles. Unfortunately, it was delisted one year later, only resurfacing on the 3DS e-shop for a single month in January 2014.

[caption id="attachment_384727" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Released: December 13, 2002 (GameCube)

The GameCube's first 3D Zelda title. At first, players were astonished to see that the art direction for the Wind Waker was taken in a cel-shaded direction. While this cartoony style didn't sit right with players at first, the improvements to the 3D formula, like being able to parry attacks, as well as its sailing mechanics, allowed Link to seamlessly transition from sailing the seas to docking at an island. Furthermore, its story didn't shy away from a classic, dramatic tale, despite its cartoony appearance.

[caption id="attachment_384728" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Released: March 18, 2004 (GameCube)

The second entry in the Four Swords series, and the first 2D Zelda on the GameCube. Borrowing its looks from Wind Waker, four players can link up their Gameboy Advance and play through this adventure cooperatively. The title follows a similar structure to the original Four Swords game, with each stage being separated into levels like an arcade title. However, this linear style allows for easy pick-up and play, which is paramount for a multiplayer game.

[caption id="attachment_384729" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Released: November 4, 2004 (Gameboy Advance)

The first original Zelda adventure to be brought to the GBA. While Four Swords was the first, The Minish Cap is a formal adventure in the style of Link to the Past and other 2D Zelda titles. This is the first and only time the Picori (or Minish) are introduced into the series. Link and the player will be traveling between the world of the Picori, and Hyrule as they take down Vaati once more, as they need to restore power to the four swords.

[caption id="attachment_384730" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Released: November 19, 2006 (Nintendo Wii)

December 11th, 2006 (GameCube NA)

The first game in the series to be released on both a new and previous generation of consoles, Twilight Princess launched on Nintendo Wii but also released on the GameCube, due to Nintendo promising a new mainline game for the console. While similar in scope to the Wind Waker, the more mature art style, as well as its darkened colors make for a version of the game that is a stylistic about-turn compared to Wind Waker. Twilight Princess is also the introduction of Wolf Link, and the player's companion, Midna.

[caption id="attachment_384731" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass

Released: June 23, 2007 (Nintendo DS)

With the release of the Nintendo DS. 2D Zelda was changed. While retaining the art style of The Wind Waker, players used the DS Touch Screen as their main control method, following Link on his journey through Being a sequel to The Wind Waker, Link, Tetra, and the other pirates are separated, as Link wakes up on an island he's never been to.

Working with Ceila the Fairy, Link needs to uncover the mystery of the island and find Tetra.

[caption id="attachment_384732" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Released: December 7, 2009 (Nintendo DS)

A direct sequel to The Phantom Hourglass, Link is now bound to a train when crossing the overworld. Players will upgrade the train over time adding cannons and other means of defending themselves. Link is also accompanied by Zelda, whose spirit and body have been separated. Only able to be seen by Link, the two much recover Zelda's body and stop the villain Malladus.

[caption id="attachment_384733" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Nintendo[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Released: November 18, 2011 (Nintendo Wii)

This iteration of 3D Zelda sees the introduction of the Nintendo Wii's motion controls, while Twilight Princess didn't include the Wii's Motion Controls, Skyward Sword took full advantage of the Wii Motion Plus to ensure that the player's inputs would be precise. This also marks the beginning of The Legend of Zelda timeline.

[caption id="attachment_384734" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Nintendo[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Released: November 22, 2013 (Nintendo 3DS)

The first full Zelda adventure made for the 3DS. Using a Link to the Past as the main inspiration for the game, players will be thrust back into a top-down Hyrule as the antagonist Yuga turns Link into a painting. Luckily for both Link and the player, this gives Link the ability to swap between both painting and physical forms. Thus, opening the door for more movement opportunities and exploration. A Link Between Worlds also brings back the Dark World, called Lorule, as well as a mysterious character named Ravio.

[caption id="attachment_384735" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Nintendo[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes

Released: October 23, 2015 (Nintendo 3DS)

In this, the third multiplayer game in the series, Players will be sent to the distant Kingdom of Hytopia to rescue its princess. Borrowing concepts from Four Swords, and Four Swords Adventures, players will have to complete pick-up and play levels co-operatively to overcome this adventure. The game plays similarly to A Link Between Worlds, although players can customize their Link, which will give them new abilities during gameplay.

[caption id="attachment_384736" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Released: March 3, 2017 (Nintendo Wii U & Nintendo Switch)

One of the most popular games in the entire franchise, Breath of the Wild turns the Kingdom of Hyrule into an open-world adventure. Link, after waking up from a 100-year slumber, must travel to Hyrule castle to defeat the scourge known as the Calamity. However, while players could run to the final boss from starting the game, it's advised against. It's encouraged to scale mountains, cook food, defeat the four Divine Beasts, and Recover the Master Sword, to give Link a fighting chance.

[caption id="attachment_384737" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by MobyGames[/caption]

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Released: May 12, 2023 (Nintendo Switch)

A direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, players will once again take control of Link in this sandbox open world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. Though, the world has been further expanded, thanks to the addition of the mile-high Sky Islands, and murky sub-terrain of The Depths, the world has tripled in size.

Link's abilities have also been expanded as well, with the addition of Zonai items, the Acsend ability, allowing him to swim up through ceilings, and the iconic Ultrahand, which gives him the power to attach items together to form new contraptions, forming the backbone of the entire game and its puzzles.

The post All mainline Zelda games in order of release date appeared first on Destructoid.