After an interesting but games-lite reveal, we wanted to see much more from Switch 2 - and Nintendo has delivered, with an hour-long Direct that goes into depth on first and third-party games, hardware, new system level features and much more. Rich, Oliver and John share their notes on the show, the games and the console. And of course, there's a range of pixel counts and performance tests on some of the games we saw. Just don't go looking for any ray tracing...

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:22 Displays: 120Hz VRR HDR 1080p internal display, 4K60/1440p120 docked display output

0:10:09 Battery and battery life

0:11:55 Controller changes: GameChat, magnetic attachment, mouse control, Pro controller upgrades

0:18:14 Storage: 256 GB internal, MicroSD Express support, Game Cards and Game-Key Cards

0:26:27 Game compatibility: games with support issues, Switch 2 upgrades and Switch 2 Editions, GameCube backwards compatibility

0:38:15 Pricing: Console prices, game prices, and value

0:46:45 First party games: Mario Kart World

0:52:31 Kirby Air Riders

0:53:57 Donkey Kong Bananza

0:57:02 Third party games: The Duskbloods

1:00:39 Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, FF7 Remake, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4

1:08:56 Closing thoughts on the presentation and system

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In a rare Rich-less Direct, John, Alex and Oliver compare notes on the latest, news-packed Nintendo Direct - which raises plenty of discussion points and controversy despite no showing of Switch 2. Meanwhile, there are hints that The Witcher 4 and Intergalactic may well be cross-gen/next-gen titles, Alex vents on the quality of recent Nvidia drivers, while John shares impressions of his first ever GDC.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:17 News 1: Nintendo Direct - Metroid Prime 4

0:11:02 Pokémon Legends: Z-A

0:22:08 Patapon, Everybody’s Golf, Tomodachi, Dragon Quest, Witchbrook, Shadow Labyrinth, Gradius, Marvel Cosmic Invasion

0:33:02 Switch 2 C button leak and Nintendo Today app

0:40:01 News 2: Nintendo introduces Virtual Game Cards

0:54:01 News 3: Switch 2 game rollout revealed?

1:00:33 News 4: Witcher 4, Intergalactic to arrive after 2026

1:09:51 News 5: Alex’s Nvidia driver woes

1:19:36 News 6: John’s GDC thoughts

1:32:44 Supporter Q1: What’s your favourite GPU of all time?

1:39:07 Supporter Q2: Will Valve release a Steam Deck 2 soon?

1:44:31 Supporter Q3: Should PC settings be changed to improve branding?

1:52:02 Supporter Q4: Could Xbox One have succeeded if it had been better introduced?

2:00:12 Supporter Q5: Is disc degradation a concern with Blu-ray media?

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Another week, another DF Direct Weekly, with Rich, Alex and Oliver tackling a range of topics including the unfortunate (for Microsoft) Xbox/Steam leak and the reveal of Microsoft's DXR 1.2 - which essentially standardises key features from Nvidia's RTX 40-series to all GPU vendors. Meanwhile, Alex isn't particulary impressed by the recommended specs for The Last of Us Part 2, while Rich is probably even less taken by the PC port of Rise of the Ronin. However, the levels of disappointment here can't compare with Oliver's reaction to the Mac port of Assassin's Creed Shadows...

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:58 News 1: Xbox App Steam mock-up leaks

0:14:03 News 2: Assassin’s Creed Shadows disappoints on Mac + Supporter Shadows questions!

0:37:56 News 3: DXR 1.2 announced

0:49:02 News 4: The Last of Us Part 2 PC specs drop

0:58:56 News 5: Rise of the Ronin PC tested!

1:08:56 Supporter Q1: Should developers include a console settings preset in their PC versions?

1:19:38 Supporter Q2: Will Switch 2 have a 120Hz, VRR, HDR capable screen?

1:23:30 Supporter Q3: How long will it take for handhelds to have PS5-level power?

1:28:56 Supporter Q4: Should reviewers test PC gaming in multitasking-heavy scenarios?

1:35:24 Supporter Q5: If consoles were to disappear, would developers be able to more closely optimize their games for PC?

1:40:27 Supporter Q6: What’s Alex’s recovery regimen after reviewing a bad PC port?

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Another packed DF Direct sees Rich, Alex and Oliver at the mics, discussing topics as diverse as the Project 'Kennan' Xbox handheld, the brilliant Death Stranding 2 trailer, the mooted Oblivion UE3 remake and Sony's AI character demo. Meanwhile, Rich gets scalphed on the Ryzen 9 9950X - buit look at those benchmarks! Plus: can PS5 Pro actually run FSR 4? Is cross-gen gaming here forever? And will Xbox Series X become the definitive Xbox back-compat console?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:38 News 1: Xbox-branded Windows handheld reportedly in development

0:19:36 News 2: Death Stranding 2 gets release date, new trailer

0:30:23 News 3: 9950X3D launches with impressive performance

0:46:43 News 4: Elder Scrolls Oblivion remake rumoured

0:55:51 News 5: AI Aloy prototype debuts in leaked footage

1:09:19 Supporter Q1: Have we underestimated PS5 Pro’s ML performance?

1:19:31 Supporter Q2: Is Nvidia betting on a big gaming performance increase for the 60 series?

1:26:47 Supporter Q3: Could the PS4 survive indefinitely as a platform?

1:31:30 Supporter Q4: How should we understand generational leaps for PC gaming?

1:36:10 Supporter Q5: Will the Series X become a sought-after retro console?

1:40:55 Supporter Q6: Could you produce videos showing carefully tailored experiences for certain graphics cards?

1:46:56 Supporter Q7: Is Nvidia’s focus on proprietary tech helping or hurting PC gaming?

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A new DF Direct sees the team discuss comments from Mark Cerny on Project Amethyst, and how a version of FSR 4 is in development for PS5 Pro. Beyond that, we rake over the coals following the RDNA 4 release - has AMD made major strides in competing against Nvidia? What about FSR 4 upscaling? What about RT and path tracing? Meanwhile, Rich tests out Lossless Scaling's dynamic frame generation technology, while John joins us to discuss the potential of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 along with his experiences with the remarkable Scalable Video Switch!

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:48 News 1: Version of FSR 4 planned for PS5 Pro

0:13:46 News 2: RDNA 4 review reaction!

0:39:28 News 3: RDNA 4 exhibits mixed path tracing performance

0:49:23 News 4: Lossless Scaling introduces adaptive frame gen

1:01:01 News 5: Apple releases new Mac Studio… with last gen chip

1:09:36 News 6: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remakes announced

1:18:20 News 7: Scalable Video Switch offers hassle-free analog gaming

1:30:04 Supporter Q1: What CPU should you pair with a 5090?

1:36:53 Supporter Q2: Should AMD or Nvidia release driver-level ML upscaling tech?

1:42:53 Supporter Q3: Why don’t PCs move towards unified RAM setups like Macs?

1:48:56 Supporter Q4: Is Nvidia going to neglect their gaming audience?

1:55:07 Supporter Q5: This gen, are we going to be able to build a console-like PC for a console-like price?

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AMD's long awaited RDNA 4 reveal is assessed by the team and the verdict? AMD's latest looks seriously impressive. Meanwhile, the team reacts to the news that Microsoft's Fable has slipped to 2026, La Quimera from 4A off-shoot Reburn intrigues, while John gets seriously excited about Terminator 2D: No Fate. Beyond that, enhancements for Forza Horizon PS5 Pro are discussed and no, Pokémon Legends: Z-A wasn't shown running on Switch 2. And if it was, we'd be worried.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:46 News 1: AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards unveiled

0:24:17 News 2: Fable delayed to 2026

0:33:38 News 3: La Quimera impresses in debut trailer

0:41:28 News 4: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds beta tested!

0:49:39 News 5: Terminator 2D: No Fate revealed

0:56:15 Supporter Q1: What do you make of Forza Horizon 5’s modes on PS5 and PS5 Pro?

1:00:51 Supporter Q2: Was Pokémon Legends: Z-A actually exhibited running on Switch 2?

1:07:28 Supporter Q3: Will we see FSR 4 in handhelds soon?

1:11:35 Supporter Q4: Could you do a video comparing top-end PC experiences versus consoles?

1:23:31 Supporter Q5: Why have PS5 Pro sales dropped behind PS4 Pro?

1:34:07 Supporter Q6: Could a Steam Deck 2 release in 2025?

1:42:15 Supporter Q7: Should prospective PC gamers just buy a PS5 Pro, given the high price of new GPUs?

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Rich, John and Alex are back in the Direct hotseats for our 202nd edition, discussing the range of enhancements coming (for free) to the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 5. Meanwhile, clues start to emerge about the make-up of CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk sequel, while Alex talks about Microsoft's MUSE AI game generation research. Finally, there's disappointment with Nvidia as the 5070 Ti launch is accompanied by entirely predictable chaos, while Alex demonstrates starkly how the deprecation of 32-bit CUDA support impacts legacy PC PhysX games for even the most powerful RTX 50-series cards.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:04 News 1: GTA 5 slated for PC upgrade

0:15:32 News 2: Microsoft announces game generating AI

0:32:49 News 3: Cyberpunk 2 job listing suggests ultra realistic crowds

0:44:53 News 4: 5070 Ti launches to price hikes and scalping

1:06:35 News 5: Nvidia deprecates 32-bit PhysX on 50 series GPUs

1:19:16 Supporter Q1: Couldn’t frame extrapolation solve input lag for PC games?

1:24:20 Supporter Q2: Why are so many people underwhelmed with current-gen graphics?

1:36:32 Supporter Q3: If Microsoft is giving up on console market share, where does Sony’s primary competition come from in the future?

1:42:45 Supporter Q4: With FSR 4 delivering good results, why should Sony continue to develop PSSR?

1:47:53 Supporter Q5: How can we prevent digital licensing issues when PSN is offline?

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It's a gigantor-scale DF Direct Weekly as Oliver, Alex and Tom deliver a 155-minute show kicking off with the verdict to Sony's latest State of Play, followed up by the sad news of layoffs at Crytek and a highly uncertain future for Crysis 4. Beyond that, Alex shares his thoughts on Assassin's Creed Shadows PC specs, while Oliver tests out the PS5 Pro patch for Astro Bot. And in the background, a flu-stricken Rich does nothing much except to write this description.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:11 News 1: State of Play: Tides of Annihilation

0:09:37 MindsEye

0:16:38 Days Gone Remastered

0:22:28 Saros

0:29:12 Dreams of Another

0:36:59 Lost Soul Aside

0:41:39 Other games: Borderlands 4, Sonic Racing Crossworlds, Onimusha, Midnight Walk

0:59:34 Overall impressions of the State of Play

1:06:43 News 2: Crysis 4 put “on hold” as Crytek lays off employees

1:16:24 News 3: Assassin’s Creed Shadows PC specs revealed

1:36:32 News 4: Astro Bot gets PS5 Pro upgrade

1:42:59 Supporter Q1: After 3 months, what do you think of the PS5 Pro and PSSR?

1:52:53 Supporter Q2: Why don’t more developers use CryEngine?

1:59:40 Supporter Q3: Will Nvidia “gate” new AI features to their most recent hardware?

2:09:17 Supporter Q4: Does RTX Mega Geometry eliminate the need for proxy geometry for RT?

2:15:17 Supporter Q5: Could Oliver address some of the recent state of the art AI tech?

2:26:52 Supporter Q6: How much do you need to spend on a GPU to have a good experience?

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Through a combination of the passing of time and regularly turning up every week to do the same thing, DF Direct Weekly 'celebrates' its 200th edition! We reminisce over the creation of the show before moving onto the news at hand - Switch 2 pricing and some intriguing new Nintendo patents, along with our first look at the new Battlefield. Meanwhile, we're not particularly enthused with Monster Hunter Wilds performance, Star Wars Outlaws on PS5 Pro gets a PSSR upgrade and the RTX 5080's overclocking prowess plays havoc with RTX 4090/4080 Super performance differentials.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:07 News 1: DF Direct celebrates episode 200!

0:32:01 News 2: Nintendo sets Switch 2 price expectations

0:46:17 News 3: Next Battlefield shown in brief teaser

0:55:45 News 4: Monster Hunter Wilds beta, benchmark tested

1:09:05 News 5: RTX 5080 overclocking tested

1:26:52 News 6: Epic admits Unreal Engine has a #StutterStruggle problem

1:34:17 News 7: Star Wars Outlaws updated with new PSSR version

1:41:07 Supporter Q1: Could you test the 5090 with no AI features vs. the 5080 with all AI features?

1:47:23 Supporter Q2: Could DF establish a latency rating system?

1:54:41 Supporter Q3: Would increasing resolution and AA quality be enough for Nintendo Switch 2 games?

1:57:53 Supporter Q4: Is a Bloodborne remaster imminent?

2:03:32 Supporter Q5: Could 1080p actually be preferable to 4K for Switch 2 games?

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Join Rich, Alex and Oliver for another huge Direct, covering off the 'no red lines' Xbox news and the Forza Horizon 5 PS5 announcement, hints from Phil Spencer about next-gen Xbox, along with early impressions on Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC. Meanwhile, the team field questions about the controversial RTX 5080 release, while Alex tests out the surprise new feature - Nvidia Smooth Motion. Finally, Oliver is very, very excited about DeepSeek - but does it spell the end of Nvidia's AI dominance?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:00 News 1: Forza Horizon 5 headed to PS5

0:12:04 News 2: Phil Spencer: Xbox hardware will be the differentiator

0:30:37 News 3: Spider-Man 2 PC disappoints

0:44:44 News 4: RTX 5080 review reaction

1:11:48 News 5: Nvidia Smooth Motion adds frame gen on all games

1:18:46 News 6: DeepSeek R1 LLM impresses!

1:32:51 Supporter Q1: Does AMD have a big opportunity with the RX 9070 series?

1:40:31 Supporter Q2: Is there a risk in shipping console hardware ML acceleration too early?

1:45:00 Supporter Q3: What kind of techniques do you think will be accelerated by ML in the future?

1:51:02 Supporter Q4: Should GPU reviewers test different upscalers at “equivalent image quality” settings?

1:55:28 Supporter Q5: What would Apple need to do to compete in AAA gaming?

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