Author: Matthew Arcari

Matthew Arcari is the games and technology editor at The AU Review. You can find him on Twitter at @sirchunkee, or at the Dagobah System, chilling with Luke and Yoda.

Aspera Mobile announces the launch of the Nitro 2 smartphone

Australia’s Aspera Mobile has announced that its newest smartphone, the Nitro 2, is now available for purchase. In a bid to combat the rising cost of living, Aspera Mobile’s follow-up to the Nitro smartphone aims to pack in as many premium features as it can, for the low price of A$179. The Nitro 2 will…

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The OPPO A79 5G might take smaller steps forward, but they’re still in the right direction

We’ve reviewed a few OPPO phones over the years, and have enjoyed most of them for their sleek design and decent performance. While they’re great value for money, the train seemingly keeps rolling with new solid options on the market each year. Enter the OPPO A79 5G. Its predecessor, the A78 5G, might have been…

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PAX Aus 2024 tickets are now on sale

It’s that time of the year once again. PAX Aus 2024 badges are now officially on sale as you read this, with Early Bird 3-Day and Single-Day badges for Friday, Saturday and Sunday ready to snap up. The event will take place from October 11-13 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and highlight all…

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The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is a safe bet for new and existing users alike

Ring has been responsible for a range of doorbell iterations and cameras alike over the past few years, best known for their reliable quality and ease of use. While there are many ways to work around a security setup for your home, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro takes many previously exclusive premium features and packs…

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The Tineco Floor One S6 Pro Extreme makes small, yet solid improvements over its predecessor

We recently took the time to review the Tineco Floor One S5 Combo and were pleasantly surprised with the results. The next iteration, the Floor One S6 Pro Extreme takes every opportunity to bolster the multiple features of its predecessor, ultimately making it a success for anyone looking to pick up a vacuum and mop…

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Rise of the Ronin merges fantastic combat with bloated open-world design

My past couple of weeks with Rise of the Ronin have left me feeling a little conflicted. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the logic of my mind and the feeling of my heart. In many ways, this is a true cut above developer Team Ninja’s previous efforts with something like Nioh. Its combat…

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Contra: Operation Galuga provides some safe, old-school fun

I’ve been a huge fan of the Contra series over the years, and still go back to the original when it pops up. Upon hearing that Contra: Operation Galuga would reimagine the first entry with some fresh visuals and gameplay, I was pumped. Contra: Operation Galuga is certainly a good time as far as 2D…

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The SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL gaming keyboard is a safe, yet solid bet

I’ve reviewed a few SteelSeries keyboards over the years, and they have ultimately become my go-to option for both general everyday use and gaming. I currently use a SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL as my daily driver, and it has not really disappointed me in the slightest. In many ways, the Apex 9 TKL is an…

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The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S Wi-Fi 7 router packs a huge punch, if you’re willing to pay the price

It only feels like we just got Wi-Fi 6 and 6E up and running in most of our routers and devices. But Netgear has decided to move things forward once again with Wi-Fi 7, introduced via their new RS700S Tri-Band router. This review might feel a little heavy, but we’ll do our best to punch…

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DreamHack returns to Melbourne this April, tickets on sale Thursday

DreamHack returns to Melbourne in April this year and is well-known for hosting a wide range of esports competitions, from open-entry tournaments to some of the more elite competitions, which will be held in Margaret Court Arena. Games like Counter-Strike 2 will be on display, while League of Legends Circuit Oceania will host its Grand Final live on…

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WWE 2K24 stands out as one of the best wrestling titles in recent years

We all remember WWE 2K20. If you don’t, there isn’t much to see before you realise exactly why the franchise took some time off to revitalise and regroup. That being said, recent iterations have been much better for it, with WWE 2K24 wrapping up pretty much all there is to love about the sport and…

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Game On Cancer giveaway returns in March with over 400 prizes on offer

The Great Game on Cancer Giveaway has returned with more than 400 prizes on offer, valued at more than $30,000. The event will run from the 1st to the 31st of March and anyone who donates AUD $50 or more, will get a prize value at $50 or more, randomly selected from a pool of…

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Microsoft confirms the four games that are headed to the PS5 and Switch

Microsoft revealed last week that four exclusive games were finally making their way to other platforms, namely the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. While they had not mentioned the games by name then, they did say that two of these games simply deserved more love on other platforms, while the two other games could use…

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Here’s every announcement from the Nintendo Direct February 2024 Partner Showcase

Nintendo came out yet again with a new showcase based primarily around third-party reveals, along with a few fan-favourite Xbox games that are on their way to the Switch. Here’s every announcement below: EPIC MICKEY IS BEING REMASTERED WORLD OF GOO 2 PENTIMENT IS ON ITS WAY TO THE SWITCH GROUNDED IS THE SECOND XBOX…

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Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a haunting, yet wonderful tale of love and loss

I’ll be the first to admit that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden remained relatively low on my radar up until its release. It looked interesting but was yet to draw me in with anything I hadn’t seen before. I am now incredibly glad that I gave this a chance. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden borrows…

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Tekken 8 is one of the best entries in the franchise to date

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Tekken franchise. In fact, Tekken 3 was one of the first games I ever played, back when I got my original PlayStation all those years ago. Since then, I’ve stuck with the franchise, and while most entries have been good, not all have been great. Be it…

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The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Vacuum is a lightweight wonder

When it comes to cordless stick vacuums, my needs are relatively basic. Good suction and decent battery life are usually enough to complete the job. While I mean no disrespect to my current stick vacuum, the Shark Cordless Detect Pro has blown my expectations out of the water. Complete with its auto-emptying station, lightweight design…

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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a near-perfect blend of style and substance

I consider myself a casual fan of the Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise, yet, I’ve played almost all of them. Having played this game’s predecessor Yakuza: Like a Dragon sometime after its launch, I was pleasantly surprised at the decision to bring combat into the turn-based frontier, making for a more tactical blend of…

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5 gaming franchises that need to make a return

It seems like every week, a new game is either hitting digital physical shelves, or we’re hearing about some new and exciting franchise on the way. Make no mistake, this is a great problem to have if you even consider it one in the first place. But through it all, we feel as though there’s…

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WWE 2K24 announced, will celebrate 40 years of WrestleMania

2K has announced this morning that the next instalment in the popular wresting series will be WWE 2K24. It will also highlight 40 years of WrestleMania, along with iconic superstars via a new 2K Showcase mode. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes has also been revealed as the cover star for the Standard Edition, while multi-time…

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle got its first trailer, will be in both first and third-person

We might have gotten wind of a new Indiana Jones game from publisher Bethesda and developer MachineGames when it was teased back in 2021. But thanks to yesterday’s Xbox Developer Direct 2024 conference, we now have our first gameplay trailer, highlighting Indy’s iconic look and multiple gameplay perspectives. Titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,…

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Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown excels as a fast and energetic platformer

The Prince of Persia franchise might have been in hibernation for the past few years, but there’s no doubt that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the latest entry in the franchise, looked to bring things back to the old school. With the franchise beginning back in 1989 as a 2D side-scrolling adventure, it’s simply…

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Interview: Ubisoft Producer Abdelhak Elguess on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and its newest features

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is right around the corner, bringing with it the return of an age-old franchise with some new tricks up its sleeve. We got the chance to speak to Abdelhak Elguess, Producer at Ubisoft, about the upcoming game and its newest features. Thank you Abdelhak for taking the time to…

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Tech Review: The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 plays it safe

I’m all for Microsoft’s Surface range being a great Windows-based alternative for those looking for something either smaller, light or longer-lasting to take out on the go. However, over the years, Microsoft seems focused more so on refining its current range, rather than evolving it. We took a look at the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop…

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The Best Games of 2023

It’s that time of the year once again. The holiday season is upon us, Summer has hit down under, and the ever-expanding backlog of games has hit its peak. But at the end of the day, these must lay their claim to the game of the year conversation. As always, we’ve rounded up an honourable…

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Tech Review: Anker’s 10,000 mAh 30W Power Bank packs a punch when on the go

Power banks are becoming increasingly important not only when out and about, but when using multiple devices too. While my phone is inevitably with me wherever I go, I might decide to bring along a secondary device. But even when those devices are fully charged, longer trips away call for a larger battery, with a…

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Tech Review: The Anker 5,000 mAh USB-C Nano Power Bank is small but mighty

Power banks feel somewhat essential these days, with the ever-growing list of portable devices along for the ride when we’re on the go. While it’s always handy to leave the house with a full battery, sometimes it’s just nice to have that reassurance there, in that something as important as your phone, for example, doesn’t…

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Tech Review: The SteelSeries Alias is a solid premium contender for all types of content creation

SteelSeries has spent the better part of the past two years redesigning and reinvigorating its entire range, along with the introduction of the Alias; a new pro-grade PC microphone aimed at not only gamers but those interested in all types of content creation and streaming. While its price is admittedly a little steep at A$399,…

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Tech Review: The CRKD Nitro Deck is a must-have for any Nintendo Switch user

I use my Nintendo Switch quite often, and usually in handheld mode when I’m on the couch or out and about. And while I’ve put up with the standard joycons for several years now, there’s no denying that they’re not really the comfiest things to hold during longer play sessions. Enter the CRKD Nitro Deck….

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Here’s when and where you can watch The Game Awards in Australia

The Games Awards are once again upon us, with Geoff Keighley’s show becoming one of the most heralded and anticipated gaming events of the year. The event will crown the best game of the year, and reveal some hotly anticipated trailer and upcoming games for next year and beyond. The show will take place tomorrow…

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