Month: January 2019

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If you picked up a Nintendo Switch over the holidays, and you’ve been aggressively filling it with games, you may have noticed it’s nearly filled up. The 32GB of internal memory is nice and all, but when it approaches full, you have a very important choice to make: do you delete some games, or add more storage?

Unlike PS4 or Xbox One, increasing the internal storage on your Nintendo Switch is as easy as popping in a micro SD card. You can’t hook up an external HDD to the Nintendo Switch like you can with the other consoles, but since it’s designed to be portable, having a micro SD slot makes a lot of sense. The Nintendo Switch also supports micro SD card capacities up to 2TB, which is incredible given the fact there currently doesn’t exist a micro SD card that large.

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We’ve wanted to see gameplay of so many of our favorite characters from the roster of Dead or Alive 6 and now we get our chance. Here’s some action packed match-ups including Christie, Helena and so much more. Captured on PS4 Pro.

The NPD Group’s analysis of the video games industry in 2018 is one that tells quite a story. Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 was the No. 1 selling game of the year–but it was another huge, record-breaking year for Nintendo as well, thanks in large part to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

According to a release from NPD analyst Mat Piscatella, the games industry sold $7.1 billion in console, portable, and PC games in 2018, a 7% increase over 2017 and the highest total since 2012, which saw $7.5 billion in sales. October’s Red Dead Redemption 2 led the list of best-selling games for year, followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops IV in second, NBA 2K19 in third, Madden NFL 19 in fourth, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in fifth. Marvel’s Spider-Man, Far Cry 5, God of War, Monster Hunter: World, and Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey made up the rest of the top 10, in order. NPD’s report does not include individual sales numbers.

While Red Dead racking up the most sales of the year is indicative of the huge following enjoyed by Rockstar, the story of Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. might be even more impressive. Piscatella writes that Smash Bros. set the record for launch month sales for an exclusive title in December 2018, eclipsing Halo: Reach’s launch all the way back in 2010. With just one month worth of sales, Smash Bros. managed to take fifth on NPD’s list for 2018–and the analysis firm notes that its figures don’t include digital sales of the game, which it currently doesn’t track. That means Smash Bros. smashed Reach’s record, and eclipsed other major releases, based on physical sales alone.

And while Red Dead Redemption 2 took the top spot for game sales, that position isn’t without caveat: NPD doesn’t currently track PC digital game sales for Black Ops 4. Piscatella took to Twitter to make note the lack of PC digital numbers, saying it “made all the difference to the rankings.”

Smash Bros. wasn’t the only console exclusive to have a huge year in 2018. Sony charted twice with two big games that were only released on its PlayStation 4: God of War, from Sony Santa Monica, at No. 8 for the year, and Marvel’s Spider-Man, from Insomniac Games, at No. 6. Piscatella wrote that Spider-Man was the best-selling superhero game in more than a decade, since Spider-Man: The Movie 2 grabbed the No. 5 sales spot back in 2004.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Top 20 list for 2018 has some interesting additions. Rockstar’s latest entry in another monolithic series, Grand Theft Auto V, managed to be the eleventh best-selling game in 2018, despite releasing in 2013. Nintendo charted with three of its older Switch games: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe came in at No. 12 for the year, Super Mario Odyssey was No. 15, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was No. 17. All three games came out in 2017. Those big hits helped Nintendo become the publisher to generate the highest software revenue of 2018–a title the company hasn’t enjoyed since 2009.

The full rankings lists for December and all of 2018 are below, ranked by dollar sales. You might also check out GameSpot’s choices for Best Games of 2018 to see how they stack up with NPD’s top sellers.

2018 Top 20 Games

* indicates digital sales are not included.

^ indicates PC digital sales are not included.

All Platforms

1. Red Dead Redemption II
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4^
3. NBA 2K19
4. Madden NFL 19^
5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man
7. Far Cry 5
8. God of War 2018
9. Monster Hunter: World
10. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
11. Grand Theft Auto V
12. Mario Kart 8*
13. FIFA 19^
14. Battlefield V^
15. Super Mario Odyssey*
16. Call of Duty: WWII^
17. Dragon Ball: Fighterz
18. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
19. Super Mario Party*
20. Pokemon: Lets Go Pikachu*

December 2018 Top 20 Games

All Platforms

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
2. Red Dead Redemption II
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4^
4. Battlefield V^
5. NBA 2K19
6. Mario Kart 8*
7. Madden NFL 19^
8. Super Mario Party*
9. Pokemon: Lets Go Pikachu*
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man
11. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
12. Pokemon: Lets Go Eevee*
13. Super Mario Odyssey*
14. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
15. Just Cause 4
16. FIFA 19^
17. Grand Theft Auto V
18. Minecraft#
19. Spyro Reignited Trilogy^
20. Fallout 76*

Xbox One

1. Red Dead Redemption II
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
3. Battlefield V
4. Madden NFL 19
5. NBA 2K19
6. Forza Horizon 4
7. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
8. Just Cause 4
9. Grand Theft Auto V
10. FIFA 19

PlayStation 4

1. Red Dead Redemption II
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man
4. NBA 2K19
5. Battlefield V
6. Madden NFL 19
7. Just Cause 4
8. FIFA 19
9. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
10. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Nintendo Switch

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
2. Mario Kart 8
3. Super Mario Party
4. Pokemon: Lets Go Pikachu
5. Pokemon: Lets Go Eevee
6. Super Mario Odyssey
7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
8. Splatoon 2
9. Minecraft
10. Just Dance 2019

Nintendo 3DS

1. Luigi’s Mansion
2. Mario Kart 7
3. Pokemon: Ultra Moon
4. Pokemon: Ultra Sun
5. Super Smash Bros.
6. Super Mario 3D Land
7. Minecraft
8. Detective Pikachu
9. Mario Party: The Top 100
10. New Super Mario Bros. 2

Mortal Kombat 11 has some sweet looking introductions and victory animations as well as some sick kostumes. Here’s all of them from the characters we’ve seen so far. What character are you hoping to see in the final roster?

It’s almost time for the greatest WWE PPV of the year–take that, Wrestlemania. The Royal Rumble is coming to the WWE Network and to pay-per-view on Sunday, January 27. Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona will host the event, and it should be a good one, mainly because the two Royal Rumble matches are the driving force of the PPV.

If you want to watch it for yourself, tune into the WWE Network this Sunday at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT, but keep in mind that a Kickoff Show will begin airing two hours prior, and there are normally a couple matches on that show.

Every non-Rumble match on this card is a title match, and we’re bound to see at least a couple of title changes, right? A wild Brock Lesnar appears to defend–and hopefully lose–his Universal Championship. If you’ve forgotten, the Universal Championship is the red one which shows up on TV four times a year. Additionally, there are two women’s title matches that should be a blast to watch, especially the Smackdown bout as it’s Becky Lynch vs. Asuka. Check out the match card below.

Royal Rumble match card:

• Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami (Cruiserweight Championship)
• The Bar (c) vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)
• Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch (Smackdown Women’s Championship)
• Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks (Raw Women’s Championship)
• Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship)
• Women’s Royal Rumble
• Men’s Royal Rumble
• Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles (WWE Championship)
• Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Balor (Universal Championship)

Obviously, this won’t be the final card for the show, and the matches listed above may not appear in the order listed. You can see our predictions for the big event below–including Rumble picks from GameSpot’s wrestling fans–and make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, January 27 for live coverage of the show and a review after its all over.

Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship)

This is a rivalry I’ve been lukewarm on, even though I love both of these competitors. Rusev got his recent push a little too late, as he had been over with the crowd forever before getting this title, and Nakamura keeps getting these great main event spots, but then brushed aside and forgotten about. While Smackdown has been pretty fantastic with its booking, heel Nakamura–which is AMAZING–has fallen by the wayside. He’s not upper-midcard. He’s main event. Get him back to the main event please.

Prediction: Rusev wins

Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami (Cruiserweight Championship)

Well, this will be your match of the evening, even though it will probably get overshadowed by something that isn’t 205 Live-related. Time and time again, the cruiserweight matches have put on stellar performances during the WWE PPVs, and this one will be no different. If anything, it will be more chaotic, as there will be four competitors in the ring. As for the win, this one is going to Hideo Itami simply because he needs to be champion.

Prediction: Itami wins

The Bar vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon (Smackdown Tag Team Championships)

It’s weird for a WWE PPV and not see either The New Day or The Usos on the card. However, Smackdown’s tag team division is in a bit of a transitional period, mainly because it’s been The New Day vs. The Usos since the bland split. Considering my pick for the Royal Rumble winner, it’s pretty obvious who I’m picking here. The Miz and McMahon are not going to win the tag team championships. It doesn’t make sense, as The Bar are a fantastic, well-oiled machine, while Miz and McMahon are two people trapped in a storyline.

Prediction: The Bar wins

Asuka vs. Becky Lynch

I’m about to do something I have NEVER done in one of these predictions pieces. I am predicting Becky Lynch will lose. Stay with me. Becky Lynch is the hottest thing in wrestling right now–sorry The Elite. However, in order to make my Royal Rumble prediction work–which you’ll read about later–Lynch needs to lose here, unless WWE has no problem having a Champion vs. Champion match at Wrestlemania, which just doesn’t seem likely. So, I’m sad to announce, that Asuka will win, even though I’m a huge fan of hers.

Prediction: Asuka wins

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks (Raw Women’s Championship)

Hey, Sasha Banks is finally back in the spotlight. Sadly, it’s in a match I find to be unwinnable for her, as Rousey is being booked as an unstoppable force. As much as I love seeing Banks in the main event picture–where she belongs–I don’t see her winning the title at the Rumble. Hopefully, after the Wrestlemania dust has settled, Banks can move back up into the spotlight.

Prediction: Rousey wins

The New Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles (WWE Championship)

Vince McMahon used his evil powers to unlock the “new” AJ Styles, who will kick you in the family jewels. He’ll be facing a man who did that very thing to him, the “new” Daniel Bryan. While the new era of WWE stated there wouldn’t be title rematches, there are a couple on the card here–including this one. There will be quite a bit of low blows during this match when the ref’s back is turned, without a doubt. However, at the end of the match, Bryan’s carbon footprint will knock out Styles. I’m calling Bryan’s “Yes Kicks” the “Carbon Footprint” from now on.

Prediction: Bryan wins

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Bálor (Universal Championship)

Why is Brock Lesnar still champion? Why didn’t WWE give the title to someone else when Roman Reigns vacated it? Well, Balor gets his shot at the title, finally, and I am DYING to see a fighting champ again. Someone who shows up every week. Someone who defends the title at PPVs. Lesnar’s reign as champ has stained the Universal Championship. It’s a meaningless title. If WWE cares about it, they’ll give it to Balor and say “bye bye” to Lesnar for good.

Prediction: Balor wins–even though we all know WWE will book Lesnar to win because Creative hates us.

Men’s Royal Rumble Picks:

The Miz

Understandably, The Miz is already involved in a storyline with Shane McMahon trying to win the Smackdown Tag Team Championships, but he’s destined for bigger and better things. And yes, that means headlining Wrestlemania again, but this time around, the people (smarks) will actually want to see it. Sure, the door to their rivalry is seemingly closed, but since Daniel Bryan has gone heel and the Miz has essentially turned face, it could bring something new to this battle between the two. More importantly, the Miz needs to be in the main event picture. He’s more than earned it. Sure, he’s not confirmed to even be in the match, but if I didn’t pick him, I’d probably do something completely improbable and pick Kenny Omega, Joey Ryan, or someone else that has no chance of even showing up, let alone winning.

–Mat Elfring

Seth Rollins

I hate to be the boring one here. I would love nothing more than for The Miz to win the Rumble as he certainly deserves it. As many people as WWE tries to push to the top, it’s hard to think of a more entertaining male star of the last several years than Miz and seeing him and Daniel Bryan main event WrestleMania would be a delight. That said, I’m going with Seth Rollins. We all want Finn Balor to beat Brock Lesnar and send the beast away once and for all at the Rumble, but that’s not going to happen. Instead, Seth will win the Rumble and the Kingslayer will become the Beastslayer, win the title, and probably feud with Dean Ambrose some more. While Rollins is deserving and will certainly work his heart out in the eventual match against Lesnar, there’s something about it that’s just not exciting. That’s not Seth’s fault, though. That falls on the shoulders of Lesnar. Every time he comes back and dominates the entire roster, Raw gets more dismal and less interesting. One of these times, maybe he’ll go away, and it’ll stick.

–Chris E. Hayner

Women’s Royal Rumble Picks

Becky Lynch

Get ready for some leaps in logic because–as always–I’m picking Becky Lynch to win. Even without Lynch, Smackdown’s women’s division is fine. There are enough top stars there to keep moving fine. However, Raw needs something–anything–to make it less of “the Ronda Rousey show.” We’re all still dying to see Rousey vs. Lynch, and the easiest way to get there is to have Lynch win the Rumble, and chose to fight Rousey at Wrestlemania. If WWE is going to start listening to fans, this is the way to go, as long as you completely forget that Lynch is fighting Asuka for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. The time to cash in on Lynch’s popularity is right now, WWE. Let’s aim for the fences.

–Mat Elfring

Becky Lynch

If this hasn’t all been building to Becky and Ronda in the main event of WrestleMania, then the last few months are a waste of everyone’s time. Becky is, hands down, the most over star WWE has. Ronda is the unstoppable force who, truthfully, still needs to be carried to a great match. That’s not a knock against her, as she’s still green as grass. It’s been less than a year since Rousey had her first professional wrestling match, and in that time most of her bouts have been short and dominating victories. If WWE wants Ronda to main event WrestleMania, there’s nobody better suited to be that opponent than The Man, herself. And this year, the Rumble winner needs to leave Mania with the belt.

–Chris E. Hayner