WWE’s Braun Strowman is a complex character, believe it or not. Sure, on his surface, he’s a monster who flips things over and destroys everything in his path. But there’s another side to Strowman, a man who is constantly involved in comedic segments and hilarious storylines–and he doesn’t get enough credit for it.
This more comedic version of Strowman surfaced in April 2017, when the Monster Among Men flipped over an ambulance on Raw. It was a shocking segment meant to show off the power of the character, but in reality, it was goofy in an entertaining way, and fans wanted more of that. In the two years since that over-the-top moment, Strowman has flipped other vehicles, been crushed inside both an ambulance he didn’t flip and a garbage truck, come to the ring as his smarter twin brother “Brains Strowman,” won the Raw Tag Team Championship with a 10-year-old boy at Wrestlemania, and played a stand-up bass like a guitar, breaking all the strings during a performance. Strowman’s career, so far, is littered with exceptionally entertaining and memorable moments.
But how does Strowman feel about this? There’s always the question lingering in the back of fans’ minds as to whether or not these WWE superstars take themselves too seriously to be involved with comedy bits. In the case of Strowman, is that a reflection of who he truly is, outside of WWE? “Oh absolutely,” Strowman told GameSpot while promotingWWE 2K20‘s Bump in the Night DLC. “When you guys see the ha-ha stuff that Braun does, that’s my real life persona coming out. I’m a giant kid-man. I live life like there’s no tomorrow, and I look forward to everyday with the opportunities to travel around the world. And it’s really cool when I get to mix in a little bit of that comedic relief and show the world the range and personality that I actually have as a human being, and that I’m not just this monster that rips people in half and eats their souls or whatever people think.
“It’s fun to throw the comedic stuff in there because it helps with people being able to connect with my character. Because before, when I was just this cold, calculated killer, it was hard to relate to me, being the size that I am. Let’s face it. I’m larger than nature intended, and there’s not a lot of people walking around on this earth that know what it’s like to walk a mile in my shoes. So I think with the adding the little bit of comedy in there shows a little more of a human side, and it allows my fans to engage with me even more and know that I have traits that everyone else does. That I’m yeah, not just this giant that does whatever he wants to do, that I have personality.”
Strowman’s finishing move during his WWE battles is the Running Powerslam; however, if you ask most fans, he’s just as well known for flipping over things. From tables to cars to even a semi, Strowman has been seen on WWE television performing superhuman feats of strength. And this begs the question, what could Strowman flip over next? “I’ve pitched a couple of times in battle royales where I come out of nowhere and lift up the ring and dump everybody out of the ring before, so that I think would be a fun one,” explained Strowman. “I don’t think there’s much left to flip unless I ripped a whole roof off the stadium or something like that. I think I’ve destroyed about everything they’ve put in front of me. And Lord knows I’m glad I don’t have to pay for all the stuff that I break.”
One of his most talked about moments came from Wrestlemania 34, where he picked a kid from the audience to be his partner for the Raw Tag Team Championship match. Strowman and his partner, Nicholas, ended up being victorious. But will the two ever reunite to battle for the titles they were forced to vacate? “Right now, Nicholas is doing Nicholas. He’s been taking karate classes, staying in school, and doing his schoolwork, which I told him is the most important. He’s got his whole adult career to come back and wrestle if he wants to wrestle. Right now, he needs to worry about being a kid and having fun and continuing to ride that high of winning those tag titles a couple of years ago with me in New Orleans and enjoying life. But you never know man, at WWE we like to keep you on your toes, and you never know what’s going to happen.”
You can see Strowman turned into the horrific monster FrankenStrowman in the first WWE Originals DLC pack titled “Bump in the Night” this October in WWE 2K20, which will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. This year’s game should have an incredibly large roster, and here is who is confirmed so far.
There is no way this list could not end without mentioning the episode “Dark Harvest.” Not only is it the best episode of the show, but it’s also the most disturbing. As usual, it begins with Dib making fun of Zim for not being human–in this case for his lack or organs–and Zim going the extra mile to hide his true identity.
There are so many disturbing moments in this episode alone it is hard to pinpoint the best one. We start with a shot of the camera going inside a kid’s bellybutton to find that his liver has been replaced with an ankle monitor. As soon as Dib figures out that Zim is harvesting the organs of children to appear more human, he goes to the cafeteria and scans them, only to find organs replaced left and right with common items like an alarm clock, a milk carton, and even a cat. Again, as thought-provokingly gross as it is funny. This is an episode that referencesAlien and Halloween. There’s even a nod to A Nightmare on Elm Street with a boiler room scene. You know, children’s favorites movies!
The moment that takes the cake happens when Dib finally catches up to Zim, now looking like “a hideous blob of stolen organs”. Having stuffed his grotesque body with as many organs as possible, he has so many organs (including 6 different hearts and spleens of 3 colors) that he belches up an intestine and then slurps it up like spaghetti.
Death Stranding has no shortage of Hideo Kojima’s oddball sense of humor, but on the whole it appears to deal with fairly serious subject matter. A video from GameXplain takes the edge off of some of that dire seriousness by mixing and matching it with the bright and colorful world of Super Mario 64.
More precisely, it mixes in the music and sound effects of Mario 64, but that’s enough to drastically change the tone of the game. Instead of the quiet serenity of nature, we get the Whomp’s Fortress song. Sam “wah” and “wahoos” his way up the hillside to make a delivery. There’s even a magic mushroom. Of sorts.
An extended gameplay demo debuted at Gamescom Opening Night Live. The event shed a lot more light on how Death Stranding controls and plays, including a surprise cameo from the event’s host, Geoff Keighley. Kojima hinted at more cameos in the game, and we may be able to guess some of them based on who has been visiting Kojima Productions.
Death Stranding is releasing on April 16, 2020. The Collector’s Edition for $200 includes a ton of extras like a life-sized BB Pod statue and Ludens keychain. Check out our pre-order guide for more details.
Stewart originated the role of Captain Picard way back in 1987 with the launch of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The series ran until 1994, and was followed-up with four movies featuring the same crew: Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis.
That last movie came out in 2002, and found Picard battling a cloned version of himself raised in horrific conditions by Romulans, with the plan of using the clone to place a spy in Starfleet. That clone, Shinzon, instead led a military coup against the Romulan Empire, and while he initially makes overtures to diplomatic relations with the Federation, Picard later discovers Shinzon means to invade and use his ship to wipe out all life on Earth. Picard manages to stop Shinzon, but the movie serves as an interesting examination of Picard’s character as he wonders about how he might have turned out differently as a person if he’d faced the hardships that Shinzon did.
At the time, Picard was still a captain, having refused promotions because of his desire to be an explorer. We know he eventually becomes an admiral, so there’s a lot more to learn about Picard between where we last saw him in Nemesis.
While everyone’s busy with Gamescom, things are still happening over at Netflix. The streaming platform’s puberty-focused comedy Big Mouth is set to finally return, as Netflix has confirmed Big Mouth Season 3 will air on Friday, October 4.
The show’s official Twitter account shared the news and a photo with the words “equal parts shock and aww” written above hormone monster Maurice’s hand. The tweet, captioned with a simple “shook,” features nothing else apart from the October 4 release date for Big Mouth Season 3
Big Mouth Season 3 premiering on October 4 makes it one day shy of a year after the show’s second season, which streamed in its entirety on Netflix on October 5, 2018. Back in February, Big Mouth debuted an approximate 50-minute Valentine’s Day special dedicated to everything love and heartbreak.
We chatted with series creator Nick Kroll (who voices Nick Birch) and various voice actors during New York Comic Con 2018 about how nothing is off limits in Big Mouth Season 2. “I think that’s what we’re always trying to do in the show, which is take some big swings, do some kind of raunchy, dirty stuff,” Kroll said. “But also be saying these larger things about trying to get people to fall in love with their own bodies and who they are and what’s happening to them, and demystify a lot of that stuff.”
Gamescom 2019 is officially underway, and it’s brought a ton of exciting news and announcements for gaming fans. Not only did we get a look at a number of new and upcoming titles during the Gamescom: Opening Night Live presentation, but some of the industry’s biggest publishers also hosted their own livestream broadcasts ahead of the expo, including Nintendo.
Just before Gamescom proper began, Nintendo aired an indie-focused “Indie World” presentation, which spotlighted an array of unique and eye-catching titles coming to Nintendo Switch (and other platforms) over the next few months. In all, the company showcased two dozen indie games on the way to its hybrid system this year and in early 2020, from anticipated sequels like Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince and Risk of Rain 2 to beautiful, classic-style adventures like Eastward and the Zelda-inspired Sparklite.
Since shortly after the Nintendo Switch‘s launch, I’ve been on the hunt for new Switch controllers. It’s a versatile little console, allowing for a wide range of different controller options, from playing with your PS4 and Xbox One controller to pads that resemble the classic controllers of the past. The Switch Pro controller is an obvious and great choice, but it’s also expensive, and in my experience, the D-Pad leaves a lot to be desired.
Thankfully, there are a ton of options from third-party companies like 8Bitdo and PDP that help account for personal preference while also introducing new features not found in first-party Nintendo Switch controllers. They aren’t all winners, but I have tested and identified some solid options worth considering if you need something a little different at a more affordable price.
We’ll keep this article updated as we test new controllers, adapters, and more. In the meantime, read on for an overview of the best Nintendo Switch controllers we’ve tried and can vouch for. Note that all pricing indicated below is subject to change–Amazon slashes the price on these products regularly, so you may see a discount when clicking through that we haven’t listed here.
The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.
Quick look: The best Nintendo Switch controllers we’ve tested
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The best first-party Switch controller
The Good:
The best ergonomics of any controller I’ve used
Buttons are satisfying to press
Features NFC/Amiibo support, HD rumble, and motion controls
The Bad:
D-Pad is prone to incorrect inputs
$70 price tag is a bit steep
First off, we can’t talk about the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market without talking about Nintendo’s first-party option, the Switch Pro controller. It’s a great pad with very few faults. For me, it has the best ergonomics among Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony’s first-party controllers. It’s the perfect size for my large hands, and the triggers are shaped just right for resting fingers. The face buttons feel good to press; the +, -, Home, and Screenshot buttons click wonderfully; and the analog sticks have a good amount of tension. The one problem I have with the Pro Controller is the D-Pad. It’s prone to incorrect inputs, which is most noticeable when playing puzzle games like Tetris 99 or fighting games like Mortal Kombat 11. This usually happens when you press a direction on the pad, but you’re a little off-center, causing an input in the wrong direction. It’s not something that breaks the experience completely, but when I’m playing a game that relies particularly heavy on the D-Pad, I always opt for a different controller.
The Pro Controller also boasts a lot of features that most third-party controllers rarely include. This includes NFC/Amiibo support, HD rumble, and motion controls. These things aren’t required for the vast majority of games, but every now and then, a certain utilization of them can put a smile on your face–HD rumble is used excellently in Super Mario Odyssey, for example. However, the Pro Controller’s price tag is also $70 USD, which is more expensive than both the DualShock 4 and latest Xbox One controller. There’s no doubt the Pro Controller is an excellent pad, but when there are great options at cheaper prices, it’s hard to justify buying a second, third, and/or fourth for your friends to use.
The best way to use PS4 and Xbox One controllers on the Switch
The Good:
Enables use of a DualShock 4, Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One, Wii U Pro, Wiimote, DualShock 3, and any compatible 8Bitdo controller
Easy to set up
The Bad:
Some games can cause abnormal vibration, which requires firmware updates to fix
Can’t wake up the Switch from Sleep Mode
The first time I plugged the 8Bitdo Bluetooth adapter into my Switch’s dock, it felt like black magic. I was using my DualShock 4 on a Nintendo platform, hitting Circle when it asked for A, Cross when it asked for B. And when it asked for X? You guessed it: Triangle. There was definitely a period of getting used to what buttons I should be pressing for each input the Switch requested, but once this passed, the adapter proved an excellent way to use not just the DualShock 4, but a wide array of Bluetooth-enabled controllers that don’t already connect to the Switch directly.
Of course, any controller you’ll use with this adapter won’t include features like HD rumble, motion controls, or Amiibo support. These losses are negligible for the vast majority of experiences, especially when using your favorite Bluetooth controller is the trade-off. One downside to this adapter, however, is a rumble issue that crops up with certain games. Most recently, I’ve experienced this with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, where your controller will vibrate abnormally even if you turn off rumble in the Switch’s system settings. This issue has been fixed for games like Splatoon 2 and Crash Bandicoot: N Sane Trilogy, though this requires you to plug the adapter into a computer to update the firmware.
Adjustable dead-zones for analog sticks and triggers
Customizable rumble functionality
Removable, rechargeable battery
Allows for the use of two AA batteries
Also doubles as an excellent option for classic games
The Bad:
The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro Plus is one of the more exciting Switch controllers. Not only does it feature a design inspired by the SNES, it also features extensive customization for button mapping, analog sticks, trigger inputs, and vibration adjustments. It allows you to swap button inputs, invert the X and Y axis on your analog sticks, and more. You can even create macros of up to 18 inputs. All of this customization must be done on a computer, but 8Bitdo’s customization software is a breeze to use. The one downside is that there are no extra buttons or paddles on the controller, so the remapping is restricted to swapping buttons.
My personal favorite thing about this controller is the fact that it includes a removable, rechargeable battery and also allows for disposable batteries. As someone who is currently sitting next to a box of dead PS3 controllers, I’m happy to know there is a great alternative to the Switch’s Pro controller that I’ll be able to use long after its rechargeable battery dies.
Audio port works great for voice chat-enabled games and listening with headphones
The Bad:
Can hit paddles by accident in some cases
Can’t wake the Switch up from Sleep Mode
When I learned the Switch had a Pro controller alternative that included an audio port, boasted remappable paddles, and only cost $25, I didn’t expect much in the way of quality. The PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ wired controller exceeded my expectations and is now one of my favorites to use with the Switch. Holding it, it feels very similar to Nintendo’s Pro controller. I don’t think any of these controllers beat the Pro controller in pure ergonomics, but this PDP pad comes close. The general shape is the same, but the sticks and triggers come up a touch higher. I like the raised height of the triggers, but I feel like they could have been reshaped a bit to better fit the natural curve of your fingers.
Nevertheless, this hardly ruins the experience. The inclusion of remappable paddles is a fantastic addition. You can map any button to these paddles, and I found it incredibly useful for games that assigned sprint to a face button. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I’m able to sprint, jump, and glide, all while controlling the camera with my thumb firmly planted on the right stick. Of course, this can present some problems in certain games. When switching from Breath of the Wild to Super Mario Maker 2, I would instinctively squeeze the paddle while making some jumps. And unfortunately, there’s only one configuration profile and no way to turn the paddles off, so if you don’t want to use them, you’ll have to go through the short process of mapping them to each other–this makes it so there’s no input when pressing them. It’s a minor issue, but an annoying one nonetheless.
Thankfully, the PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ feels good enough to use to deal with the occasional accidental button press. Its analog sticks have a similar tension to the Pro controller’s, and it has a great D-Pad. The 3.5mm audio port is a good option for voice chat in supported games (e.g. Fortnite), though I spent most of my time using the port to listen through my favourite pair of headphones. This works really well, with the ability to control your volume on the controller itself and within the Switch’s menu. And with its wired connection, you don’t have to worry about its battery dying. Because that wired connection powers the Switch, however, you won’t be able to turn the console on from Sleep Mode–you’ll have to hit the Power button on your docked Switch before starting to play. As long as you’re okay these few inconveniences, then I can wholeheartedly recommend the Faceoff Deluxe+.
The best, most convenient option for a D-Pad in handheld mode
Very comfortable for games that excel with a D-Pad
The Bad:
Restricted to handheld use only
Incompatible with most cases and grips
Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the Switch is the lack of a proper D-Pad on its left Joy-Con. It’s not an automatic dealbreaker, with games like Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate not utilizing the D-Pad for anything super demanding, but when the situation calls for it, the Hori D-Pad Joy-Con feels a lot more precise and comfortable when playing in handheld mode.
The D-Pad on Hori’s Joy-Con is softer than what I usually look for, but it’s hard to deny just how pleasant the experience is. I didn’t realize how much I missed a D-Pad until I used this to play games like Mortal Kombat 11, Tetris 99, and Super Mario Maker 2. These games, as well as many others, have since been a lot more enjoyable in handheld mode.
There are a few things that are important to note, however. First off, this Joy-Con can’t be used wirelessly, so you’re restricted to using it in handheld mode. Secondly, it’s incompatible with most cases and grips. This is because the latch button protrudes out further than Nintendo’s official Joy-Cons. I took a pair of scissors and cut out a space for it on my cheap Orzly grip case, but I likely won’t be doing the same to my more expensive accessories.
Also compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and Raspberry Pi
The Bad:
Not suitable for all games
8Bitdo’s M30 controller might just be one of my favorite pads ever. As a Sega Genesis kid, I’ve always held a special place in my heart for the six-button controller, which is what the M30 emulates and improves on. Its ergonomics have been shaped differently to make it more comfortable to hold than the Sega original, and the D-Pad is by far my favorite of any 8Bitdo controller. Classic titles, platformers, and fighting games are the obvious choice for the M30, but I’ve also found myself enjoying Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with it. It’s definitely not going to work with every game, especially those that rely on a second analog stick, but it’s a controller I’ll always go to if it’s possible to do so.
Better shoulder buttons than the subscription-exclusive NES Joy-Cons
Includes a Home button
Connects directly to Nintendo Switch
Also compatible with retro receivers and USB adapters
The Bad:
Not suitable for all games
The 8Bitdo N30 isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s an NES-style controller that is great for very specific games, like everything in the Switch Online NES library and very few others. I prefer the NES controller’s shape and button layout for that console’s games, but in trying to find other uses for the N30, I was largely unsuccessful. Even modern Tetris games like Tetris 99 and Puyo Puyo Tetris require more than the D-Pad and B and A buttons–the extra two face buttons on the N30 are restricted to Turbo. The N30 includes shoulder buttons for L and R, which does extend the number of games it can be used with (e.g. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe), but the options are still limited.
I mostly use my N30 in conjunction with a retro receiver that lets me use it with real NES hardware and RetroUSB’s AVS. It’s my new favorite pad for that console. It’s also an excellent option for the Switch, but it’s not necessary to enjoy any game, NES or not. However, if you are looking for that very specific NES experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend the N30. Nintendo’s own NES Switch controllers are good, but they have inferior shoulder buttons and need to be charged the same way as your Joy-Cons–not to mention, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription that’s required before you can even purchase them. With all this considered, the N30 is perfect for the job.
The SN30 Pro Plus discussed earlier might be the best Switch controller on this list, and with its SNES-style layout, it’s great for classic games. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more authentic to the SNES experience, then the basic SN30 is your best alternative. Like both the M30 and N30, it doesn’t work with every game, but there are plenty of great options with the Switch’s excellent selection of platformers and fighting games. And if a recent FCC filing indicates anything, we could be seeing SNES games on the Switch in the future.
The SN30 also comes with a retro receiver that can be plugged into a SNES. If you still have a Super Nintendo–or an Analogue Super NT–then this is an awesome option to play classic games on that console. And as a bonus, this retro receiver can also be connected via USB, as long as you have an extra USB-C cable attached.
One of the first crossover events for Monster Hunter World was with the PlayStation 4 exclusive Horizon Zero Dawn. Now with MHW’s Iceborne coming soon, Capcom is crossing over with Horizon again with PS4-exclusive content modeled after the Horizon DLC, The Frozen Wilds.
A brief trailer shows off the crossover. It transitions from Aloy skulking in a snowy forest–which could be at home at either game–to close-up shots of her armor and a projectile weapon. The teaser didn’t suggest exactly how you’ll get your hands on the armor sets, but if it’s anything like the last Horizon set, you’ll just need to complete a limited-time quest. It’s notable that unlike many of the game’s traditional armor sets, the first Aloy armor could only be worn as a full set that changed your appearance entirely. The same is likely to be the case here.
The unveiling was part of MHW’s presence at Gamescom, which also included a new trailer for the Iceborne content. That one showed off the explosive Brachydios and a fearsome ice dragon. Iceborne is coming to PS4 and Xbox One on September 6.
Iceborne is the first large-scale expansion for Monster Hunter World, coming more than a year after its initial launch. That first year has been the most successful in series history, having most recently crossed 13 million units sold worldwide. In fact, it has become overall one of Capcom’s most successful games of all time, and earned a spot as one of GameSpot’s Best Games of 2018.
Two months on from Shadowbringers release, the events keep on rolling in Final Fantasy XIV. The Moonfire Faire event began earlier this month and is still ongoing, allowing you to unlock various clothing material and even a kid’s swimming pool for your housing. Then, starting August 26, a new event called The Rising will kick-off for all players level 30 and above.
The Rising will be located in Eastern La Noscea, Bloodshore, and will send you on an important quest to unlock a Brave New Y’shtola minion and numerous pieces of artwork to decorate the walls of your housing with.
Reviewer Ginny Woo awarded the Shadowbringers expansion a score of 9/10 in GameSpot’s review, saying, “It’s not just the sheer scale and strength of the narrative weaving in years of old lore without cheapening the experience for new players, or the immaculately designed boss fights replete with spectacular music and thematic touches. It’s also the implementation of the Trust system and the chance to truly feel the impact of the Warrior of Light’s decisions over the past expansions through exploring the stories of your companions. For a story that starts with a laser focus on your character’s motivations and misgivings, it tells a tale that ends up being the biggest and the best that Final Fantasy XIV has ever told. Equal parts redemption, vengeance, cruelty, and sassy Elezen, Shadowbringers promises a hell of a lot when you take your first steps into Norvrandt and delivers a truly spectacular finish even if it stumbles a little along the way.”
