Month: January 2018

The first update of 2018 for Fortnite: Battle Royale is out out now across PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. The update’s big new addition is the silenced pistol. As explained in this forum post, the silenced pistol can be found in treasure chests, supply drops, or regular loot. You can find it in either Epic or Legendary rarity level.

Today’s Fortnite: Battle Royale update also gets ready for a new “limited time mode” called Sneaky Silencers. In this mode, you can only use suppressed SMG and suppressed pistols, so you will have to think ahead and plan accordingly for your stealthy attacks. Additionally, traps are disabled and the Bush item–which you can use to conceal yourself–sees its drop rate “greatly increased.” It sounds like this new mode is all about pure stealth.

The Sneaky Silencers mode will be available from January 5 through January 8, so there is only a small window of time to check it out. This mode will replace the previous limited time mode, High Explosives.

Battle Royale is Fortnite’s free, PUBG-style survival mode. It’s available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Epic recently rolled out a new update for the mode that introduced smoke grenades, two new leaderboards, and Xbox One X support. The update also added new items and content to Fortnite’s Save the World mode.

Microsoft had big plans for its motion-sensing Xbox camera, Kinect, but things did not work out exactly as the company wanted. And now, after selling millions across its Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions, Kinect is effectively at the end of its days. Microsoft has confirmed that it is no longer producing the Kinect adapter that is needed to connect the Kinect to an Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or other Windows device.

“After careful consideration, we decided to stop manufacturing the Xbox Kinect Adapter to focus attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming accessories across Xbox One and Windows 10,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to Polygon.

The representative declined to say if Microsoft would ever bring Kinect back. However, the company confirmed that the adapter “will no longer be available” to purchase.

The discontinuation of the Kinect adapter is no big surprise. It comes after Microsoft announced in October 2017 that it was killing off the Xbox One’s Kinect camera.

Originally launched partway through the Xbox 360’s life cycle, Kinect sold millions and opened the platform to new types of games, like Dance Central. Microsoft then decided to make it a mandatory part of the Xbox One package, driving up the price of the system at launch to $500. It would later be made optional, allowing Microsoft to bring the price down and attempt to appeal to those with no interest in voice controls or motion sensors.

Something else to be aware of is that Kinect voice commands work without the camera, as you can use a headset microphone.

26. Hulk Hogan vs The Rock (WrestleMania 18)

In this matchup between of the two biggest names in the business, the Rock bested Hogan in front of a record 68,237 fans. The “Icon vs. Icon” match didn’t feature the two wrestlers at the peak of their powers, but the up-and-down bout electrified the crowd.

Result: The Rock defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

Photo: WWE

25. Triple H vs Shawn Michaels (SummerSlam, 2002)

In his first match in four years, Michaels returned to fight his former best friend, Triple H. The friends-turned-rivals battled it out in the ring, but the real action didn’t happen until Triple H hit Michaels with a sledgehammer after the match.

Result: Michaels defeated Triple H in an Unsanctioned Street Fight.

Photo: WWE

24. Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 24)

This bout between two Hall of Fame wrestlers past their prime was one of the most legendary matches ever. Michaels was initially hesitant to beat the Nature Boy, but after three Sweet Chin Musics, Michaels finally pinned the Nature Boy after saying, “I’m sorry, I love you.”

Result: Michaels defeated Flair in a Career Threatening Match.

Photo: WWE

23. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels (Badd Blood: In Your House, 1997)

In the inaugural Hell in a Cell match, the Heartbreak Kid and the Phenom showed how fun and brutal this kind of match can be. Although ‘Taker was dominating the match, his undead brother, Kane, made his debut and screwed over his sibling.

Result: Michaels defeated Undertaker to be the No. 1 contender for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Photo: WWE

22. Ric Flair vs Randy Savage (WrestleMania VIII)

Before battling it out at WrestleMania VIII, Flair decided to play mind games with Savage. All it did, however, was motivate Savage to batter the Nature Boy and win the title.

Result: Savage defeated Flair for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Photo: WWE

21. Triple H vs Cactus Jack (Royal Rumble, 2000)

Prior to the big Royal Rumble match in 2000, Triple H and Mick Foley (as Cactus Jack) battled it out in a Street Fight for the WWE Championship. While chairs, thumbtacks and a barbed wire two-by-four were used in the bloody brawl, it was Triple H’s Pedigree that wound up ending Jack’s shot at the title.

Result: Triple H defeated Cactus Jack to retain the WWF Championship.

Photo: WWE

20. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules, 2012)

In his first match since 2004, Lesnar bloodied Cena with devastating elbows. Somehow, Cena was able to survive the punishment long enough to hit Lesnar with an Attitude Adjustment… right into the metal steps.

Result: Cena defeated Lesnar.

Photo: WWE

19. John Cena vs AJ Styles (Royal Rumble, 2017)

In one of Cena’s greatest matches, he needed multiple finishers–including an Attitude Adjustment from the top rope–to defeat the champion, AJ Styles. Cena’s victory tied Ric Flair’s record with his 16th world title reign.

Result: Cena defeated Styles to win the WWE Championship.

Photo: WWE

18. Royal Rumble Match, 1992

This epic Royal Rumble match had even higher stakes than usual, with the winner becoming the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. The roster of 30 wrestlers was completely stacked with old and new stars. In the end, The Nature Boy bested Sid Justice, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.

Result: Ric Flair won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship by eliminating Sid Justice.

Photo: WWE

17. Shawn Michaels vs Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 21)

For nearly 30 minutes, two of the best technical wrestlers of all time went head to head. Both men kicked out of multiple pin attempts, but in the end, Angle finally secured an ankle lock on the Heartbreak Kid.

Michaels earned a standing ovation after the bout.

Result: Angle defeated Michaels by submission.

Photo: WWE

16. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (WrestleMania X)

In a bitter battle between brothers, the Hart siblings battled in the first televised match of WrestleMania X. Owen got the better of Bret by escaping multiple submission holds to win.

Bret–performing double duty–would go on to beat Yokozuna for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in the main event.

Result: Owen Hart defeated Bret Hart.

Photo: WWE

15. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI)

Billed as a “Streak vs Career” bout, this no-disqualification main event at WrestleMania 26 was one for the books. After numerous finishers by both men, ‘Taker finally hit his third Tombstone Piledriver, winning his 18th straight match at WrestleMania and ending the Heartbreak Kid’s wrestling career.

Result: The Undertaker defeated Michaels in a No DQ Streak vs. Career Match.

Photo: WWE

14. Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)

In this Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII, sixty minutes wasn’t enough to determine a winner between bitter rivals Hart and Michaels. The match ultimately headed to sudden death where the Heartbreak Kid scored his Sweet Chin Music finisher on the Hitman to win the title.

Result: Michaels defeated Hart in sudden death overtime to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Photo: WWE

13. John Cena vs CM Punk (Money in the Bank, 2011)

Vince McMahon was desperate for Cena to defeat CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011. After McMahon and John Laurinaitis interfered in the match, Cena could have had an easy victory but he decided to try win it fair and square. That plan backfired when Punk hit his finisher and won the WWE Championship. He then disposed of Albert Del Rio who tried to use his Money in the Bank power.

Result: CM Punk defeated Cena for the WWE Championship.

Photo: WWE

12. Bret Hart vs The British Bulldog (SummerSlam, 1992)

Although the Intercontinental title was known as the No. 2 WWF title at the time, this bout between the British Bulldog and Hart was the main event at Summerslam in 1992. After the British Bulldog escaped the Sharpshooter submission, he countered and pinned Hart to win the championship.

Result: The British Bulldog defeated Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

Photo: WWE

11. The Ultimate Warrior vs Randy Savage (WrestleMania VII)

In arguably the greatest retirement match ever, The Ultimate Warrior survived five Savage elbow drops to end the illustrious wrestling career of the Macho Man.

Result: The Ultimate Warrior defeated Savage.

Photo: WWE

10. Shawn Michaels vs Mankind (Mind Games, 1996)

Although the WWF was struggling to keep up with WCW in 1996, the former had Michaels, arguably the world’s best wrestler, at the height of his powers. The Heartbreak Kid showed a more ruthless and calculated persona in this bout with the deranged Mankind. This match elevated both their careers to new levels.

Result: Michaels defeated Mankind by disqualification.

Photo: WWE

9. Edge And Christian vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz (WrestleMania 17)

Dubbed “TLC II,” this Tables, Ladders and Chairs match featured three of the best tag teams of the era in a high-flying fight that saw spears, Swanton Bombs, and more. Eventually, Edge and Christian outlasted their opponents in one of the craziest battles in WrestleMania history.

Result: Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Photo: WWE

8. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock (WrestleMania 17)

In a showdown between two of the most popular wrestlers ever, it was Stone Cold–with the help of his former nemesis Vince McMahon–who defeated the People’s Champion after the two used each other’s finishers a multitude of times. The shock of Austin turning heel only added to the drama of this epic bout.

Result: Austin defeated The Rock for the WWF Championship.

Photo: WWE

7. Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant (WrestleMania 3)

It wasn’t the most technically skilled wrestling tilt ever, but that doesn’t matter when it comes to a match this entertaining. Andre the Giant entered the ring by stepping over the top ropes, but the Eighth Wonder of the World found himself on the wrong end of an iconic slam delivered by Hogan, ending Andre the Giant’s 15-year undefeated streak.

Result: Hogan defeated Andre the Giant to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Photo: WWE

6. The Undertaker vs Mankind (King Of The Ring, 1998)

In one of the most discussed fights of all time, the Undertaker brutally beat Mankind in and out of the ring. The most iconic moment came when the Phenom threw Mankind off the top of the cell into the announcer’s table.

Result: Undertaker defeated Mankind.

Photo: WWE

5. Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)

With Ken Shamrock as the special guest referee, Hart used his signature Sharpshooter leg lock, causing Austin to pass out from pain and loss of blood. After the hard-fought battle, Hart turned heel while Austin became one of wrestling’s biggest stars.

Result: Hart defeated Austin by submission.

Photo: WWE

4. Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart (Survivor Series, 1997)

In his last match with the WWF before departing for the WCW, Hart lost the World Heavyweight title to Michaels after Vince McMahon decided to award the title to the Heartbreak Kid without the Hitman’s knowledge. It’s notoriously known as “The Montreal Screwjob.”

Result: Michaels defeated Hart by submission to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Photo: WWE

3. Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon (WrestleMania X)

In absolutely stacked card, the Michaels-Ramon Ladder Match stood out above the rest. The battle had a multitude of epic moments, such as HBK’s iconic splash from the ladder. In the end, Ramon came away victorious after Michaels got tangled in the ropes.

The bout was voted the Match of the Year by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1994.

Result: Ramon defeated Michaels in a Ladder Match to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

Photo: WWE

2. Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat (WrestleMania III)

While the Andre the Giant versus Hulk Hogan match stole the headlines, it was the battle for the Intercontinental Championship that truly excited fans. Savage and Steamboat went back and forth at a frantic pace, with Steamboat eventually using the small package move to steal a victory–fand the Intercontinental title.

Result: Steamboat defeated Savage for WWF Intercontinental Championship.

Photo: WWE

1. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker (WrestleMania 25)

At WrestleMania 25, the Heartbreak Kid and the Phenom put on the best match in WWE history. ‘Taker escaped with a victory after catching Michaels with a Tombstone Piledriver to extend his WrestleMania streak to 17 consecutive victories. The battle was named the Match of the Year in 2009 by the WWE Slammy Awards, Pro Wrestling Illustrated and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Result: Undertaker defeated Michaels.

Photo: WWE

The Nintendo 3DS has enjoyed a long lifespan and it’s still very much relevant in gaming today. It has a vast library of amazing games at this point and the system itself has had a few iterations. So, if someone on your shopping list has yet to dip into the 2DS/3DS ecosystem, it’d be a good time to gift them a great handheld. Even if they already own one, we have a few pointers for accessories to pair with this Nintendo system. Check out what we rounded up!

New 2DS XL Poke Ball Edition

The Nintendo New 2DS XL launched earlier this year as another revision to the long-lasting handheld system, a non-3D version with the clamshell chassis design. It’s still a great system, and if someone you know still hasn’t dug into the 3DS’s vast library or has one of the older DS models, now would be a good time to get them a New 2DS XL. And if they are a fan of Pokemon, why not spice things up with the Poke Ball Edition? It sports a red, black, and white color scheme and a little button (non-functional) at the center of the Poke Ball design!

Retail price: $160

SanDisk Ultra 32GB microSDHC Card

New 2DS and 3DS systems come with a 4 GB microSD card, but that’s nearly enough to store many of the bigger downloadable games. A 32 GB SanDisk Ultra microSDHC card will do the trick and they’re a great value for the amount of storage you get. For reference, Super Smash Bros. For 3DS has a download size of 2.1 GB and and Pokemon Sun / Moon takes up 3.2 GB. That extra space will come in handy.

Retail price: $14 to $20

AmazonBasics Carrying Case

There’s nothing too fancy about the AmazonBasics carrying case for 2DS XL and 3DS XL systems, but it’s a semi-hard case that’ll keep your handheld in tact. Inside the case are straps to keep the system from moving around and there are three pockets to store a few games. It’s a much better option than having your handheld thrown in a bag.

Retail price: $12 to $15

Hori 3DS XL Screen Protective Filter

The two screens on the DS systems aren’t prone to as many accidents as, say, a Nintendo Switch since both 2DS XL and 3DS XL models feature a clamshell body design. But that doesn’t make the displays immune to getting scuffed. A pair of screen protectors can come in handy, and they’re pretty cheap. The screen protective filter from Hori fits XL screens just right and comes with a cleaning cloth for application prep.

Retail price: $9 to $13

Hori Game Card Case

Long-time owners of any of the 3DS family of systems probably have a ton of games by now, and carrying around a bunch of cartridges gets unwieldy. A simple case for all those carts can be a big help for portability and the one from Hori, which holds 24 carts, is only going to run you $10.

Retail price: $10

Nintendo eShop Digital Card

You can always rely on a Nintendo eShop card if you can’t decide on a particular 3DS accessory to gift. These act as currency in the eShop store where you can purchase and download digital games. It’d make for a convenient gift that puts the decision-making burden on the recipient, which is great for you! These come in either $10, $20, $35, or $50 amounts with the cast of Mario characters printed on them.

Retail price:$10, $20, $35, $50

SNES Classic

The SNES Classic may be tough to find, but it’d make an incredible gift not just for its rarity, but because it packs some of the most iconic games from the early ’90s. Its lineup, which includes the likes of Super Mario RPG, Final Fantasy III (VI), Super Metroid, and Super Mario World, makes the SNES Classic much more than a novelty or collector’s item to keep on a shelf. Most of its included 21 games are still worth playing today.

Street price: $80

Bluetooth Earbuds: Jabra Sport Pace Wireless Earbuds

If you’re looking for Bluetooth earbuds that offer top-notch sound for around 50 bucks, the Jabra Sport Pace are a good choice. Its audio quality stands out among other wireless earbuds, putting out decent mid- and high-level frequencies. The Jabra Sport Pace Wireless earbuds hook around your ears, which help them stay put when you’re running or working out.

Street price: $50

Power Bank Portable Charge: Aukey 12000

With mobile devices being so vital to our daily lives, it’s essential to keep them up and running. That’s why it’s important to carry a power bank. One of the best portable chargers is Aukey’s 12000. As the name implies, it offers 12,000 mAh of juice. That’s more than enough to fully charge an iPhone 8 more than four times over. To top it off, it’s very portable and offers high-speed charging.

Street price: $26

Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears Boom 2

The UE Boom 2 is arguably the best portable Bluetooth speaker around. It’s loud enough for small parties, rugged enough to survive five-foot drops, and is waterproof up to one-meter for 30 minutes. This makes it a great speaker to use in the shower or at the beach. It’s also got a big battery that can last 15 hours on a single charge.

Price: $150

Drone: DBPower U818A FPV Drone

While high-end drones can be really expensive, DBPower makes a good entry-level one for $113. The company’s U818A FPV Drone comes with a 720p camera that you can control with your phone.

Street price: $113

4K HDR TV: TCL 55P605

TCL’s 55P605 is arguably the best budget 4K TV. Considering it also supports HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and costs $600, it almost sounds too good to be true. To top it off, the ultra high-definition TV comes with Roku support built in.

Price: $600

Projector: OCDAY 2800 Lumens Video Projector

OCDAY’s 2800 Lumens is arguably the best budget video projector on the market. As the name suggests, it’s capable of providing 2800 lumens, which is bright enough for most rooms. It’s also a 1280×768-resolution projector that is optimized to shine on surfaces between 50 and 200 inches away.

Street price: $210

Star Wars: Jedi Challenges AR headset

Developed by Disney using Lenovo’s augmented reality headset, Star Wars: Jedi Challenges allows you to become a Jedi in AR. The game compilation features three gameplay modes. One allows you to wield a lightsaber against hologram foes like Darth Vader and Darth Maul, but there are other modes that allow you to play Star Wars chess or engage in a top-down strategy game where you can spawn tiny Clone Troopers to duke it out on your living room floor. At $200, though, it’s really for only for the most hardcore Star Wars fans.

Street price: $200

Set Top Box: Nvidia Shield

The Nvidia Shield not only supports your standard array of popular streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Video, but it allows you to play a bunch of Android games and stream PC games from locally networked computers. The Shield supports Google Assistant, so users can ask it to keep them up to date with reminders and more. It also supports Google Cast, which allows people to stream videos to the device using their phones.

Price: $199.99