The Pop-Off
Video game reviews, news, and deals
Latest Stories
MultiVersus: 12 Characters We Want to See Fight
From Carrie Bradshaw to Tony Soprano, these are the streaming video characters we'd like to see knuckle up in the free-to-play platform fighter.
5 Reasons You Should Play Balatro Now
Haven't heard of Balatro? We tell you why the roguelike deckbuilder is already one of our favorite games of the year.
First Look: Palworld's Not Bad, But I’m Mad I Bought It
Still in Early Access, the Pokemon-inspired monster-catching sensation has some fun moments—and many red flags.
RIP E3: 9 Jaw-Dropping Moments From Years Past
E3 is officially no more, putting an end to the world's largest video game show. We celebrate its rich history by reflecting on its many awesome and oddball moments.
The Switch 2 Needs Nvidia's DLSS Tech to Compete With Next-Gen Consoles
Rumors suggest that the Switch's successor will use Nvidia's groundbreaking DLSS technology to deliver greater visual fidelity. Nintendo should go all in.
Inclusive, Provocative...and Downright Horny, Baldur’s Gate 3 Gets Sex Right
The popular RPG's groundbreaking sex scenes are a stark departure from the video game industry's often immature and embarrassing takes on sexuality.
Sony's Latest State of Play Was Disappointingly Familiar
Where are PlayStation 5's new games? Maybe we'll see them at the Tokyo Game Show, but if that's the case, what was the point of having a State of Play event?
PlayStation Productions Leans Into a Creative Curve With Gran Turismo Biopic
The company's latest movie highlights the many intriguing ways that Sony adapts its popular video game franchises.
Fable, Forza, and Starfield Lead Xbox's Summer Game Fest Charge
After another rocky start to a console generation, Microsoft’s summer showcase gave Xbox owners renewed hope.
Immortals of Aveum's Fantasy Firefights Prove Not All Shooters Need Guns
The upcoming title's Summer Game Fest trailer highlights that it's good to blast spells, not bullets.
3 Reasons Why Street Fighter 6 Sets the Stage for a Final Fight Comeback
Street Fighter 6's World Tour mode spotlights Final Fight's Metro City in a big way, but it's just one piece of a puzzle that points to a return of the legendary brawler series.
The Street Fighter 6 Hype Proves the Franchise Is Bigger Than Fighting Games
The game's new open beta highlights that the original World Warrior has developed a legacy far greater than a mere genre.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Is Nintendo’s Ultimate Toy Box
Even in its most epic adventures like Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo outshines other developers by putting play above all else.
Evo 2023: Execs Talk Street Fighter 6, Sony's Influence, Hitbox Controversies
Evo tournament bigwigs Rick Thiher and Stuart Saw join us on this episode of the PCMag Pop-Off to discuss the future of fighting game competition.
Why Mastering Sifu's Defensive Gameplay Is So Rewarding
Sloclap’s Sifu is a triumph of defensive options that make conquering this beat ‘em up one of the most rewarding experiences in the genre.
Game Journalism Layoffs: Everyone Suffers Without Expert Criticism
Fans, developers, and the rest of the gaming community are harmed when hostile market forces push talented writers and editors out of the industry.
The Steam Deck Replaces the PlayStation and Xbox, Not the Switch
Valve’s high-powered Steam Deck handheld and its vast PC library make traditional home consoles much less appealing.
Stop Giving Your Money to Game Publishers That Sell Now, Patch Later
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's next-gen update for PCs was released in a broken state, making it the latest high-profile video game to disappoint fans on launch day.
Forget Elden Ring, Bayonetta 3 Is the Best Game of the Year
You can’t always control which games resonate with you the most or why. For me, 2022’s best game was this long-awaited, bewitching, controversial threequel.
The Limited-Time Content Trap: Fortnite, FOMO, and Games as a Service
Epic Games and other companies capitalize on your fear of missing out to generate big dollars. Learn how these money-grabbing gameplay mechanics work, and how to best navigate that nagging feeling to drop cash on limited-time, in-game items.
