The Game Collection

The Game Collection is an online Video Game Retailer. We don't just sell video games though we're gamers and want to share some of our musings about gaming through our blog. We write reviews, news and updates from the various shows we visit each year...

[thegamecollection]

PICK YOUR PERFECT PARTNER!

No, believe it or not, this is *not* a virtual dating game! Although as deals go, we *do* think you'll fall in love...

In the market for Switch joy-cons or an Xbox gamepad this Christmas? Then it's no surprise that this offer's making eyes! 👀😍

First thing's first, don't be alarmed by the Perfect Partners charm! While these things are often too good to be true, this is genuine and just for YOU!

thegamecollection.net/featured/perfect-partners

Simply select any gamepad, joy-con or headset from List 1:

And get yourself any title from List 2 for just 1p... Yes... ONE PENCE!

More of a steal than a deal, right? It doesn't require Santa's pending trip to make this one a hit!

Pick your Perfect Partner and even secure an early stocking thriller with us here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

CALLING ALL TEKKEN BATTLERS!

Are you ready to enjoy the new Seaside Resort map to bring a tropical flavour to your duels? That’s no excuse for your gear to go on holiday: you will need the best tools to succeed as the heat turns up!

Our suggestion is the Fighting Stick Alpha for PS5 by acclaimed arcade stick maker HORI, which you can have in this tailor-made Tekken 8 version with official artwork! You can even download character artwork for the cast or print out your own design to make it truly your own fighting gear!

On top of the ultra-fast Hayabusa buttons and lever, tried and tested on the battlefield by professional fighting game champions, you also have the flexibility of an ultra-portable, tournament-ready stick with an unprecedented degree of customisation. And beyond the hardware, you can also map custom profiles through a dedicated app and make sure you adapt to every scenario.

Dominate your opponents and settle the score with the Fighting Stick Alpha!

Secure yours for £159.95, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

LUIGI'S MANSION 2 HD - REVIEW ROUNDUP!

If someone was to ask me what the best game on 3DS is, I'd almost certainly say Luigi's Mansion 2. I was glued to my console for a full week when it launched and was even told to put it down at the dinner table... Sorry family.

Tomorrow sees the game's HD re-release hit our Nintendo Switch consoles, and I'm looking forward to once again being called rude at meal times!

The review scores are in, and here's what the best of the big names have to say:

NintendoLife - 8/10

"Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is Luigi's Mansion 2 with a fancy HD lick of paint. Surprise! It looks great, and the new models, animations, and revamped visuals make for a game that's close to the glorious Luigi's Mansion 3 in how modern and swish it all is."

Read the full review here.

IGN - 8/10

"With its substantially enhanced graphics and more flexible twin-stick control setup, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is undoubtedly the definitive version of Luigi’s second apparition-filled adventure."

Read the full review here.

VGC - 4/5

"Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is another strong Nintendo remaster which doesn't mess around with the original too much, but delivers enough improvements (particularly in terms of visual detail) to make it a worthwhile release."

Read the full review here.

GameInformer - 7.75/10

"I am a big 3DS fan, but I am grateful to have Luigi’s Mansion 2 on the Switch. Dropping the Dark Moon subtitle and giving it a number also feels like a specific choice to make sure this game is fully recognized as part of the Luigi’s Mansion canon, which it fully deserves to be."

Read the full review here.

GodisaGeek - 9/10

"To be clear, then, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remake with a modern look, and no real bells and whistles to speak of otherwise. But that doesn’t make it a bad game, far from it, in fact. And if you’ve never had a chance to experience this fairly lengthy experience before, you’re getting the best version along with a multiplayer offering that’s easy to access, and a great amount of fun."

Read the full review here.

GAMINGbible - 9/10

"If you’re a Mario completist or have played either of the other two Luigi’s Mansion games, you’re likely going to be buying this no matter what I say. If you’re on the fence, I can only put forward my experience which was filled with joy."

Read the full review here.

Order Luigi's Mansion 2 HD with us before 2pm for same-day dispatch, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

MAKE IT A 'HORI SPLIT PAD' SUMMER!

Hello TGCollectors! Enjoying the sun and warmer weather? Summer is just around the corner!

 Whether you’re out and about during your day or enjoying some time on holiday, there’s an excellent way for you to level up your portable Nintendo Switch experience! We’re talking about the Split Pad range by HORI, a famed Japanese accessory manufacturer.

These controllers connect to your Switch’s rail connector and provide you with excellent ergonomics, full-size buttons and sticks and a host of extra features, ranging from programmable back buttons to turbo function!

They also come in two sizes: Pro, for larger hands, and Compact, for smaller hands and added portability. Pick your favourite design from a number of characters including Sonic, Gengar and Pikachu!

Check out the range, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

ASTRO BOT NEWS!

Ever since last week's State of Play, I've been struggling to get the confirmation of a new Astro Bot game out of my mind!

As I've only owned a PS5 for just shy of 2 years, the Astro's Playroom experience is still gloriously fresh for this guy, and has easily been one of my most pleasurable Platinum trophy runs to date.

Before going any further, in case you've somehow missed the reveal trailer for Astro Bot, it's right here. Watch it. No, WATCH IT.

Now that you're educated in the ways of the Bot, we can continue. Oh and yes, that piercing scream you heard last Thursday night was in fact me after seeing PaRappa The Rapper in Astro form:

PlayStation royalty right there.

Now, moving on to what we know so far...

80+ levels spanning across 6 galaxies.

4 times the size of Astro's Playroom.

300 bots to rescue.

Dozens of new powers and features to discover.

NO in-game purchases or microtransactions.

PS5 exclusive - NOT releasing on PS4.

150+ PlayStation cameos.

NOT releasing on VR :(

Team Asobi look to have created something special for Astro in this standalone adventure that launches on 6th September!

We hope to bring pre-orders live to the website soon, TGCollectors!

*Excitement intensifies*

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

Get ready to conquer the racing track with HORI’s Racing Wheels!

Are you looking to up your racing experience with some immersive kit for a more engaging experience? Look no further than HORI’s Racing Wheel APEX for PlayStation®5 and Racing Wheel OVERDRIVE for Xbox Series X | S!

HORI, a Japanese accessory manufacturer with over three decades of expertise crafting specialised control peripherals, bring you a great way to spruce up your simulation experience, whether you’re trying to be the fastest F1 pilot around, braving a perilous rally track or just enjoying the ride!

With two 100% officially licensed console versions, your needs are covered whether you’re team PlayStation or team Xbox. Both also come with adjustable rotation angles, an included table mounting kit, authentically sized pedal and an app to customise mappings and sensitivity to your liking! And did we mention you can use either configuration on PC through XInput?

Learn more and bring yours home for £89.95, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

'PAPER MARIO: THE THOUSAND-YEAR DOOR' - REVIEW ROUNDUP!

Tomorrow's launch of a legendary 2004 Paper Mario remake is so close, we've given ourselves a paper cut! That's what we get for handling stock before release...

If you were looking for a reason to grab this recycled classic with a glossy finish, then here's six of them in the form of big-name review scores:

VGC - 5/5

"Alongside last year’s excellent Super Mario RPG remake, The Thousand-Year Door is one of the very best Mario spin-offs on Nintendo Switch, whether you’re an old fan or discovering it for the first time."

Read the full review here.

Gamespot - 9/10

"Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for Nintendo Switch is an incredible turn-based RPG that is every bit as charming, witty, and joyful today as it was two decades ago."

Read the full review here.

NintendoLife - 9/10

"For 20 years, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has been held as the best Mario RPG of all time, and the Switch remake proves it has earned that title. This is a fantastic RPG adventure, whether you’re a Mario fan or not, with some best-in-class combat, brilliant writing, and a few little creases ironed out to make this the definitive way to play Thousand-Year Door."

Read the full review here.

IGN - 9/10

"Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an amazingly loyal and visually dazzling remake of a treasured RPG, and the improvements made throughout easily make this the definitive way to experience Mario’s unforgettable quest."

Read the full review here.

GodIsAGeek - 10/10

"Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a masterpiece. It was when it hit GameCube, and it remains so in 2024. Whether you’re being awed by finding a pipe that takes you into the background, or being impressed at the depth of combat, character personalities, and stunning audio and visual revamp, it’s hard to see anyone being disappointed with this remake."

Read the full review here.

NintendoInsider - 9/10

"With fourth-wall-breaking gags, a riotous storyline and a thrilling turn-based combat system, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has it all. This fan-favourite GameCube classic has long deserved a second chance to take to the stage, and this is the perfect opportunity to marvel at its quirky treasure hunt – whether you’re returning to Rogueport or searching for the Crystal Stars for the first time."

Read the full review here.

Last chance to pre-order and receive a FREE Paper Plane and Sticker Sheet!

Order before 2pm for same-day dispatch with us at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

BLEAK FAITH FORSAKEN!

Three words you may have only just become acquainted with, but aren't likely to forget in a hurry if you're a fan of the Souls-like subgenre!

Coming from Perp Games, the team behind the likes of MADiSON (Supposedly the scariest game ever made) and Slender: The Arrival, we can now say that we saw Bleak Faith Forsaken at the recent event with PLAION, and yes, it looked awesome.

"You may weave dreams, yes... But I... can untangle them."

No gameplay suggests that this one is a while from allowing us to "explore the last remnants of civilization in this vast, unforgiving, and interconnected world", but the teaser is enough to leave fans of the genre (that's us) sharpening their swords!

This is just the beginning for Bleak Faith Forsaken, so prepare to "go on a journey like no other in the soul crushing, dark, oppressive world" in the hopefully not too distant future!

Stay tuned for more as it's revealed, TGCollectors!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

"WHY DID THE WORLD HAVE TO END UP LIKE THIS?"

A question asked by our protagonist, Fiend Prince Beelzebub at the start of this brand new SAND LAND trailer, that ironically could be asked in today's real world...

But as always, music is the remedy! And Bandai Namco have not held back when selecting one of the most iconic dance tunes of all time to accompany just under two minutes of explosive action from these barren lands!

"It takes a little evil... to save the world."

So why not look forward to doing just that, with Darude's Sandstorm as your soundtrack? Bit of a rhetorical one, eh? TUNE.

In case you missed it, we're extremely proud to be offering the UK EXCLUSIVE COLLECTOR'S EDITION of the game on PC!

And that's not all... Any pre-ordered edition will ensure that you earn an EXTRA £10 REWARDS at dispatch! Yes - an extra £10 discount off a future purchase!

Secure your copy of this nostalgic and heartwarming Action-RPG created by the late Akira Toriyama, right here at The Game Collection!

The end is only the beginning...

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

"IT'S A GOLDEN AGE FOR THE UNDERWORLD..."

The time of opportunity has well and truly knocked for Kay Vess, our favourite new scoundrel in the galaxy!

Tuesday's release date reveal for Star Wars Outlaws not only confirmed multiple editions (3 days early access for the Gold), but it also came with this 10/10 Official Story Trailer that unveils the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi!

How do we know that, you ask?

Well:

Like no doubt millions of others, I gave a huge point and a scream at my screen when I saw Han in carbonite... Fan service at its finest.

Kay and her companion, the mischievous Nix, will find themselves fighting, stealing, and outwitting their way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as they join the galaxy’s most wanted on 27th/30th August!

So, why pre-order with us at The Game Collection?! I've got 3 undeniable reasons for you...

1 - ALL copies of Star Wars Outlaws will come with a FREE and EXCLUSIVE Steelbook that you won't get anywhere else in the UK! *While stocks last*

2 - The game is in our EXTRA £10 REWARDS promotion, meaning you'll bag yourself an extra tenner of store credit when your pre-order has been dispatched...

3 - We're awesome. (Bias may or may not have played a part in this reasoning).

Gold Edition - 27th August - 3 days early access, Season Pass included, and Pre-order bonus 'The Kessel Runner Bonus Pack':

Standard Edition - 30th August - Pre-order bonus 'The Kessel Runner Bonus Pack':

If you've been frozen in carbonite yourself, or somehow missed the reveal - hit play on the trailer at the top to see just what it's got! (A lot - it has a lot).

Pre-order your copies with the FREE Steelbook right here at The Game Collection!

If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity...

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

EVE-NING READING!

With that four-day Easter weekend and dodgy April Fools Day out of the way, our eyes are firmly fixed on this month's PS5 exclusive, 'Stellar Blade'!

In this brand new short but sweet vignette, we formally meet EVE, member of the 7th Airborne Squad, sent to Earth from an off-world Colony to save mankind from the malevolent Naytibas!

Korean developer SHIFT UP are the team behind this action adventure that drops on 26th April, and with the future of humanity balancing on the edge of a blade, it's up to us as EVE to destroy the malevolent force that has devastated it.

Pre-order Incentives:

Early unlock of Planet Diving Suit for EVE.

Early unlock of Classic Round Glasses for EVE.

Early unlock of Ear Armor Earrings for EVE.

Secure your copy for £64.95, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

'DRAGON'S DOGMA II' - REVIEW ROUNDUP!

The scores are in for this (seriously) long awaited action-RPG sequel that arrives on Friday! If you're still on the fence, prepare to be convinced to set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!

Eurogamer - 5/5

"Even if I hadn't have played the first Dragon's Dogma, I can tell you with complete certainty that I'd have come to same conclusion I have now, and I'd have given Dragon's Dogma 2 the same score I have now, simply because no other game in recent memory has inspired the same feeling of captivation and wonder in me."

Read the full review here.

GameInformer - 9/10

"Dragon’s Dogma 2 captures the spirit of the original without sanding down the edges of what made it excellent. Its insistence on player exploration and discovery, coupled with an ending I will think about for the rest of the year, makes Dragon’s Dogma 2 a standout game and a worthy successor."

Read the full review here.

Gamespot - 9/10

"Even after 40 hours, my heart continues to grow fonder for this special game. It's an exceptional achievement that's quite unlike anything else, and I wouldn't hesitate to place it amongst the pantheon of Capcom's very best."

Read the full review here.

IGN - 8/10

"Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a strange and wonderful game that seems haunted by some of yesteryear’s bugaboos. It is a retelling and reimplementation of all of those wonderful ideas from the 2012 cult-classic, including an awesome dynamic world and some of the best combat in the genre that integrates a subtle but amazingly complex physics system."

Read the full review here.

GodIsAGeek - 9/10

"It can be incredibly stubborn, annoyingly obtuse, and occasionally awkward, but it’s also huge and beautiful, filled with adventure, danger, and wonder, and if you’re willing to immerse yourself in its systems and play it the way it was intended to be played, there’s simply no other action RPG experience like it."

Read the full review here.

VGC - 5/5

"Dragon's Dogma 2 is one of the best RPGs of the last decade. Capcom's incredible run has reached unfathomable heights with a game that's destined to be beloved by players and revered by developers in turn. It's a game that refuses to hold your hand, but will give you all the tools to experience an adventure that's one for the ages."

Read the full review here.

We told you...

Last chance to secure your copy with us here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

FORGE YOUR FATE THIS FRIDAY!

Samurai swords at the ready - this is about to get tasty!

We're into release week of Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin, and this recently dropped Launch Trailer crams more tension into one minute than we could create in a month!

As a masterless warrior – a Ronin, your destiny is your own... Meaning the story unfolds in different ways depending on the choices you make!

Given the developer's rich history with such titles as Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, all early signs suggest that Rise of the Ronin will be another mark of honour to its name...

Take a look at the trailer above, and if you've not done so already, secure your copy with us for £62.95 - right here at The Game Collection!

Pre-Order and get the following DLC

Early unlocks of four Combat Styles, including:

Hayabusa-ryu for Katana.

Hayabusa-ryu for Naginata.

Nioh-ryu for Katana.

Aisu Kage-ryu for Katana.

Early unlock of Iga Ninja's Katana.

Early unlock of Iga Ninja’s Armour set.

Explore a beautifully-rendered recreation of 19th-century Japan THIS FRIDAY!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

'SPIDER-MAN 2' UPDATE THIS WEEK!

For those of you web-heads that played and completed 'Spider-Man 2' at launch, the wait for the New Game+ update has been a slow crawl... But for this guy who only got the platinum trophy last weekend, his spidey-senses are spot on!

This Thursday 7th March will see version 1.002 of the game get its rollout, and Insomniac Games have been hard at work to deliver what the fanbase have been asking for.

Whether it's to scratch the itch of replaying your favourite missions, or restarting the story on a harder difficulty with all of your suits and abilities carried across, this update will tick all of your tech-crate boxes!

Other updates include:

New Suit Styles - Symbiote, Hellfire Gala.

Photo Mode - Action figure mode, Stickers, Time of day change.

Accessibility - Audio Descriptions, Screen Reader, Cinematic Captions.

Fly N’ Fresh Suit Pack - Paid content at release of update, free at a later date. Find out more on the PlayStation Blog.

Pack includes:

Fly Suit for Peter

Fresh Suit for Miles

10 photo mode stickers

2 photo mode frames

(Both images used are taken from the PlayStation Blog).

Sit tight, Spidey(s) - it's two days before we're coming back swinging!

You can start your own journey in the sequel for £62.95, right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

'FINAL FANTASY VII: REBIRTH' - REVIEW ROUNDUP!

The LONG awaited next chapter in the Final Fantasy VII story launches tomorrow in the form of REBIRTH! But you already knew that. In fact, if you're a fan and have pre-ordered then you're probably not even reading this... You're sat at your front door waiting for tomorrow's postal delivery.

However, if you ARE reading and are looking for that little push towards the checkout, I've gotcha. Every 'Cloud' and all that...

IGN - 9/10

"Final Fantasy VII Rebirth impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion, both as a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenges and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long."

Read the full review here.

Twinfinite - 5/5

"Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is, for all intents and purposes, a phenomenal second act in the Remake series. Though it’s open world design isn’t perfect, the game is finely honed in every other area and provides as luxurious of an experience as FF VII Remake did."

Read the full review here.

Destructoid - 9.5/10

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth somehow manages to spin multiple plates without smashing any of them. It’s over-the-top serious when it wants to be, and it’s utterly absurd in the next moment. Great Final Fantasy games have always managed to walk this line, and it’s a testament to how the brand has stayed relevant for decades on end."

Read the full review here.

GodIsAGeek - 10/10

"Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is a phenomenally good video game. It has a habit for self-indulgence, but earns every pause with some shocking story moments, and some of the best combat I’ve experienced."

Read the full review here.

GamesRadar - 4.5/5

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth delivers all the charm of Remake while making the needed improvements to side-content to ensure the original's step-out moment is worth taking once more."

Read the full review here.

Dexerto - 5/5

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is ultimately worth the four-year-long wait, leaving you wanting for the next installment. This is Game of the Year material and an exceptional follow-up to a revered first entry. It handles the beloved material with care while still establishing its own new voice, making for a stellar sequel."

Read the full review here.

VGC - 5/5

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is an excellent RPG with some of the best characters in the gaming canon. While some open-world content skirts the edges, and the game's main narrative is left somewhat deflated, the time spent with Aerith, Tifa, and the gang makes this a hugely enjoyable road trip you'll be playing for hundreds of hours."

Read the full review here.

Secure your copy of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth with us right here at The Game Collection!

-Jack

[thegamecollection]

BORDERLANDS MOVIE UPDATE!

Announced back in 2015, yes, you read that right... Going through multiple directorial changes, many writers, and 2023's post production nightmare rumours swirling, even the most optimistic of Borderlands fans would be admitting defeat. That is until today!

Courtesy of People Magazine (image above credited: People) we have it confirmed that not only is the movie coming out, but as early as 9th August 2024!

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Kevin Hart as Roland, and Jack Black as Claptrap, we can apparently expect a new trailer for the film TOMORROW!

After an almost 10 year wait, fans of Borderlands can rejoice! Now keep 'em peeled for that trailer...

-(Handsome) Jack

[thegamecollection]

IT'S PRE-SHOWTIME!

You can keep the roses, chocolates and cards... We've had the only thing we wanted this Valentine's Day with another trailer for Princess Peach Showtime!

Don't let us keep you! Hit play above and check out another FOUR showstopping transformations that Peach has up her sleeve on 22nd March!

"Get ready to skate, swing, swim, soar and more" is the most romantic thing you could have written to us... We love you too, Nintendo.

All pre-orders placed with us will include a FREE Pin Badge while stocks last:

Secure your copy for £42.95 on Nintendo Switch, right here at The Game Collection!

Life is peachy, ain't it?

-Jack