Two-thirds of adults are side sleepers, but is sleeping on your side good for you? We asked a sleep expert to help us investigate the pros and cons of this popular position.

Most people have a favorite position that they like to lie in at night, and for the majority of us, it’s on our sides. But is sleeping on your side good for you? And does it matter which side you prefer? 

We’ve all experienced periods of bad sleep, whether it’s down to stress, life changes or getting into bad habits. But your favored position can affect both the quality of your sleep, and your health during waking hours. We reached out to sleep physiologist Guy Meadows (PhD), to learn more about side sleeping, and its potential pros and cons for your health. 

The good news is that if you do it ‘correctly’, side sleeping is actually one of the best positions for your spine. Having the right sleep setup is important – check out our guide to the best mattress for side sleepers for options that’ll offer both a good balance of cushioning and support in this position. Read on to learn more.

(Image credit: Getty)

What are the benefits of sleeping on your side?

Nearly two thirds of adults sleep on their left or right side. There are many health benefits of side sleeping – which are mainly connected to the mouth and breathing.

If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnoea, it’s the best position for undisturbed sleep for you and your sleeping partner. “[Side sleeping is] very much recommended for heavy snoring or sleep apnoea sufferers because it’s a kind of positional therapy; it helps to keep the tongue out of the throat, which means your airways are clear for you to breathe better,” says Dr. Meadows.

For anyone that occasionally suffers from acid reflux, Dr. Meadows says sleeping on the left side is best, as research shows. If you sleep on your right side and suffer from acid reflux or heartburn it can spill stomach acid into the lining of your oesophagus, creating that uncomfortable burning feeling. 

“It’s better for digestion as our stomach is found on the left side,” says Dr. Meadows, “Studies have shown that reflux is worse when sleeping on the left side. Although digestion slows down when we sleep, this process continues to work throughout the night.”

What happens when you lie on your side?

Although laying on your side for sleep is great for snoring and acid reflux it won’t be as great for your back or spine alignment. 

Dr. Meadows explains that sleeping on your side “can put pressure on the lower back. As it pushes the spine out of neutral alignments, and so that increases the chance of aches and pains in the morning.” This is the case especially if you hug your knees into your body as your spine is no longer elongated, as it would be in the daytime.  

(Image credit: Helix Sleep)

What if you find this the most comfortable position, but you start to get a bad back? “Popping a pillow between the knees is often a great way of just reducing the pressure on the lower back,” says Dr. Meadows, as it’ll reduce any stress on your spine and hips.

Should you sleep on your side if you’re pregnant?

It’s recommended you sleep on your side if you’re pregnant – you’re likely to find it more comfortable, especially as your baby bump starts to grow. 

When you sleep on your side it allows more blood flow directly to the baby. Research from separate studies – including this one in Sydney from 2015 –  concluded that it was safer for women, especially in the third trimester, to sleep on their side. Women who sleep on their backs, especially during the third trimester, have an increased chance of having a stillbirth according to the research.

The best position is your chosen side, with your legs bent, but does it matter which side? 

According to Dr. Meadows: “Research around pregnancy shows that sleeping on your left side increases the blood flow from the mother to the baby, although, interestingly, a review came out in 2019 and they analysed all the data, and found no difference between both sides. So, it really is down to preference.”

Why do some of us lie in the foetal position?

Sleeping on your side, in the foetal position, as we did in the womb, is a popular position – especially among people with insomnia. Dr. Meadows says this has to do with safety:

“People like to be tucked up in a ball – probably because there’s that sense of sort of safety or security. Our ability to be aware of what is going on is fundamental to our survival.”

“We know that there are many reasons why insomnia keeps people awake – and one is that they’ve learned to associate the night with danger. So, there’s definitely that sort of connection to being in a foetal position in the womb.” 

(Image credit: Getty)

What’s the best position to sleep in?

Sleeping on your side can be bad for your lower back but it can help those with acid reflux or even more serious conditions such as sleep apnoea. However, if you don’t suffer from any of these problems sleeping on your back is the healthiest position for your overall health and spine. 

Sleeping on your back, which some do find uncomfortable, will keep your spine in alignment and give you the most restful sleep. Sleeping on your front is reported to be the least healthy position as over time, it’ll create a natural curve in your back. For most of us, the most amount of weight is found in our stomachs. 

However, Dr. Meadows says that comfort is always key. “Unless there’s some overriding medical condition, I would opt for sleeping in the position which you find most comfortable.”

It’s crucial to sleep on the best mattress for your preferred sleep style, as that’ll ensure you’ll get the support and pressure relief you need in the right places. Alternatively, you can pick up a mattress topper to make your current bed as comfortable as you need it. 

Finding the best pillow for your dominant sleep position is also key to a good night’s sleep. You can perform this simple test to find out if you’re sleeping on the wrong pillow.

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Here’s everything you need to know about Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is gearing up to be a tear-jerking swansong for director James Gunn and its fantastic cast. The forthcoming Marvel movie will be the final time we see this merry band of eclectic characters on the big screen (in their current guise, anyway), so make sure you bring plenty of tissues with you.

We’re less than two months out from this Marvel Phase 5 movie debuting in theaters, too, so it’s high time you read up on what’s worth knowing about it. Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, including its release date, trailers, cast, story, and more.

Full spoilers follow for Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2, their Disney Plus Holiday special, and the group’s appearances in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 release date

Hey, Gamora, when is Guardians 3 out in theaters? (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 launches in theaters worldwide on May 5. It’ll be out two days earlier, though, in the UK and Ireland (per industry insider Tom Linay). 

Director James Gunn has also confirmed (via Instagram) that the threequel’s runtime will be “longer than 1 and 2”. How much longer, however, is unclear. Lastly, Guardians 3 has been rated PG-13 in the US (that’s 12A in the UK) for “intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references, and thematic elements.”

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 trailer

Guardians of the Galaxy 3‘s official trailer arrived on February 12. Pleasingly, it showcases more of the gang’s dry and bickering sense of humor, meaning the team’s potentially final MCU outing (in this guise) won’t be a complete tearjerker.

That said, there are plenty more emotional moments in this brief look. We see more of baby Rocket (if anything happens to him, I swear…), Drax saying how grateful he is to fight alongside his friends (we’re not crying…), and some real ‘this looks like the end’ flashes for some of our favorite MCU characters.

We’re also treated to more information on The High Evolutionary’s aims, with the film’s villain saying it’s his “sacred mission” to make a “perfect society”, much to Rocket’s chagrin. With lots more besides – space rock operatic tones, action, and heart-wrenching moments – on show, too, Guardians 3 looks like it’ll be the perfect capper to James Gunn’s MCU trilogy.

Missed the first teaser, which showed a six-armed, gun toting Groot, the live-action debut of Adam Warlock, and a baby version of Rocket? Check it out below:

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 cast

Chris Pratt returns as Peter Quill/Star-Lord. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here’s Guardians of the Galaxy 3’s cast list so far: 

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord
Zoe Saldaña as Gamora 
Dave Bautista as Drax
Karen Gillan as Nebula
Pom Klementieff as Mantis
Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon
Vin Diesel as Groot
Sean Gunn as Kraglin
Will Poulter as Adam Warlock
Chuwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary
Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog
Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha
Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord
Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex
Daniela Mechior as TBA
Nico Santos as TBA

Pratt, Saldaña, Bautista, Gillan, Klementieff, Cooper, Diesel, and Gunn all reprise their roles from previous Guardians movies. Bakalova (Bodies Bodies Bodies, Borat 2) also returns as Cosmo, the telekinetic spacedog that made its MCU debut in the Guardians’ Holiday Special. Meanwhile, Debicki, Stallone, and Rosenbaum are back in their supporting roles from Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

Of the newcomers, Poulter’s Adam Warlock is perhaps the most significant. The powerful superhero, who director James Gunn describes as “more of a traditional superhero – although hero might be pushing it” (via Entertainment Weekly (EW)) – was teased in one of Guardians 2’s post-credits scenes, but he’ll make his official debut here.

In the comics, Adam Warlock is an artificial, perfect human specimen created by a group of scientists known as the Enclave. After he rebels against his creators (and throws down with Thor), Warlock – simply referred to as “Him” in his early comic book appearances – encounters The High Evolutionary, who gives him the title “Warlock”. Adam helps The High Evolutionary save his artificially created planet – Counter-Earth – from the evil Man-Beast and receives the Soul Gem (where have we heard that name before, eh?) before departing. 

Adam Warlock’s comics history becomes somewhat complicated after that. For one, he helps the Avengers defeat Thanos, but he also has an evil version – Magus – who’s born after Warlock temporarily wields the Infinity Gauntlet. Given his ties to The High Evolutionary – more on him shortly – and how his origins have been retrofitted for the MCU (he’s created by Debicki’s Sovereign leader Ayesha in Guardians 2, not the Enclave), we suspect some parts of his comic history will be used in Guardians 3.

As for The High Evolutionary, he’s a genius-level geneticist who creates highly-evolved, anthropomorphic creatures and artificial worlds. As mentioned, he created the planet Counter-Earth and he’s the individual who experimented on Rocket (in the MCU, anyway), turning him from an ordinary raccoon into a bitter, cynical, gun-loving humanoid animal.

Even though he’s worked alongside superheroes in the comics, such as Adam Warlock and Thor, The High Evolutionary isn’t a good guy. He uses them as a means to an end – i.e. to protect his research and self-indulgent experiments – which makes him more of a villain. Chukwudi Iwuji, who’ll play The High Evolutionary, has described him as “sociopathic” and “narcissistic” (per Collider), and “extremely powerful” and “complex” (per The Hollywood Reporter (THR)). Unsurprisingly, he’s the main antagonist in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Potential cast spoilers follow.

Guardians 3 will pick up after their Disney Plus Holiday Special. (Image credit: Marvel)

Two actors’ roles are yet to be revealed. Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) has signed on to feature (per Deadline), and MCU insiders have suggested she’ll voice Lylla, an anthropomorphic otter who Rocket falls in love with in the comics. We see Lylla in both teasers, so she’ll appear in Rocket’s flashback scenes. Don’t be surprised if she ends up dying, though, which would explain why Rocket is so misanthropic when we met him in Guardians 1.

Nico Santos (Superstore, Crazy Rich Asians) is also part of the cast (per Deadline), but nobody knows what role he’ll play. It’s possible he might voice a new character called Blurp, who we see Peter and Gamora protecting in the second teaser. James Gunn has confirmed this creature’s name on Twitter. Either way, we’ll find out when the movie’s out.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 plot

The High Evolutionary will be Guardians 3‘s big bad. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here’s the official plot synopsis: “In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.”

Not much to go on, then, but we have some idea of the plot, based on the Guardians’ MCU outings, the film’s trailers, and what the cast and crew have said.

First, Guardians 3 will be incredibly moving. Speaking to Collider, Gunn said “it’s different from what people are going to expect”. In a chat with EW, Gunn also said it’s the “hardest thing I’ve ever done”, adding: “This is where things really happen. This is where we get to know the truth about who these characters are, and we face the biggest stakes.”

Bigger stakes mean a more emotional journey for these characters – and the actors playing them. Saldaña told ScreenRant Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is a “bittersweet moment” for everyone involved, while Gillan revealed the film’s script left the cast in “floods of tears” (per Yahoo).

Thankfully, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 won’t be an entirely somber affair. The threequel retains the self-deprecating humor that made the other films so enjoyable, with Gillan telling The Wrap: “There’s been way more improv for me this time around than I have ever given before. I don’t know if they’ll make the cut but I hope they do.”

Music lovers will be delighted to hear Gunn has put together another banging, licensed soundtrack for the Guardians’ potentially final hurrah. With Peter Quill gaining access to a Zune MP3 player at the end of Guardians 2, Gunn had free reign to add any number of songs to the film’s soundtrack, telling EW: “I worked twice as hard on this soundtrack as I did on both the first two soundtracks combined.”

So, where are the Guardians at when the movie begins? (Potential story spoilers follow). 

For starters, they’ve set up a safe haven for alien refugees on Knowhere, which was revealed in the Guardians’ Holiday Special. The group purchased Knowhere from the Collector after they parted ways with Thor in Love and Thunder. Cosmo has also joined the team in the interim period.

Quill/Star-Lord is still mourning Gamora, his former love, who was sacrificed by Thanos in Infinity War in exchange for the Soul Stone. However, thanks to Endgame’s time-travel-based events, a younger version of Gamora – an alternate timeline variant of the one Saldaña previously portrayed – is loose in the MCU, and Peter wants to track her down. 

We see him searching for her on the Milano’s computer at the end of Endgame and, as the trailers and first-look images reveal, the pair cross paths in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Gamora will be reintroduced as the Ravagers’ new leader (per THR), which explains why Stallone’s Stakar and Rosenbaum’s Martinex are back. Expect sparks to fly, romantic or otherwise, between Peter and Gamora.

As for the “protecting one of their own” storyline hint, this has to refer to Rocket Raccoon. MCU fans might think The High Evolutionary is looking for Rocket for some reason, meaning the Guardians will have to protect him.

We’ll learn more about Rocket’s backstory in Guardians 3. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

However, we actually think they need to keep Rocket safe from the Sovereign/Adam Warlock. Viewers will remember Rocket (and the Guardians by proxy) double-crossed the Sovereign in Guardians 2’s opening sequence. By the time that movie ends, the Guardians had escaped the Sovereign’s clutches, leading Ayesha to create Warlock to exact revenge on them.

Or so we thought. It seems the Sovereign enlisted The High Evolutionary’s help to create Adam Warlock, with the aim of sending him after Rocket and the Guardians. We suspect Warlock will attack Knowhere, but he’ll be unsuccessful in his attempts to kill anyone. That’ll lead Peter and company to track down The High Evolutionary – which is why they travel to Counter-Earth – to discover more about Warlock and stop him, Ayesha, and The High Evolutionary from killing them or, in the latters’s case, enacting some form of diabolical masterplan. Gunn has suggested Rocket is the “secret protagonist” of the Guardians franchise and that the third movie shows the “importance of Rocket’s character and who he is” (per EW). So it sounds like Rocket will play a major role.

Lastly, the big question on fans’ minds is: which Guardian could die? Rumors abound that Drax and Rocket are the most likely to perish, but MCU leaker Grace Randolph has claimed multiple death scenes were filmed to – ironically – stop the movie’s ending from being leaked. In short: just wait until you see Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3: will there be another movie?

Will Adam Warlock join the Guardians of the Galaxy? (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Probably, but some individuals won’t return after the threequel.

For starters, Gunn isn’t helming any more MCU projects. He was confirmed as the new co-head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran in October 2022, with the duo tasked with reviving Warner Bros. Discovery’s flagging DC Cinematic Universe (DCU). Meanwhile, Dave Bautista told GQ Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is his final outing as Drax, confirming what we heard back in 2021. 

It’s unclear which other main players will depart. Much will depend on how Guardians 3 ends, but it’s possible Rocket could leave for pastures new. That’s if he doesn’t die by sacrificing himself to save the Guardians and defeat The High Evolutionary. Meanwhile, if the 2014 version of Gamora doesn’t join the Guardians, Saldaña might call time on her MCU career, too.

Will Gamora stick around after Guardians 3? (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

We’d expect the Guardians to exist in some form moving forward. Klementieff told the D23 podcast that the franchise isn’t “over, but it’s going to be different”, while Pratt told Extra TV he doesn’t know if he’ll have an MCU future post-Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Speaking to Deadline, Gunn added: “It’s not ever going to be the same group of characters for a lot of different reasons. Who knows what will happen with the Guardians franchise in regards to future characters, but in terms of this group of characters, this is the end of their story.”

Adam Warlock has led the group in the comics so, if Pratt hangs up Star-Lord’s twin pistols and helmet (or if he dies), Warlock could lead the likes of Mantis, Groot, and Nebula in a new-look team. For his part, Poulter would “love to go on a journey” as Adam Warlock (per The Playlist). We’ll have to see what the future holds for the Guardians, but we’d be amazed if they aren’t part of the next two Avengers movies – The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars – at least.

For more MCU-based content, find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order. Additionally, read up on where we placed the first two Guardians films in our Marvel movies ranked article. 

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The LG C3 OLED made its debut appearance at CES 2023, following in a long line of incredible C Series OLED screens worth paying attention to.

The LG C3 OLED TV is LG’s mid-range OLED TV from its 2023 line-up – and is the model that should be the most popular this year, as our full LG C3 review explains. More affordable than the LG G3 OLED TV, but with better picture quality and connectivity than the LG B3, it’s the sweet spot.

Despite other offerings from LG this year, including the wireless M3 OLED, and heady competition in the form of the (more expensive) Samsung S95C, LG’s C-series screens are always a smash hit – and the LG C3 OLED is one to watch this year.

But what’s different about the LG C3 OLED compared to other C Series screens, and is it worth buying over its older LG C2 predecessor? We’ve put together a guide filled with everything we know about the LG C3 OLED screen.

LG C3 OLED: price and release date

The LG C3 OLED became available in spring 2023, for the prices listed below:

OLED83C3: $5,299 / £6,499 / around AU$7,900
OLED77C3: $3,599 / £3,999 / around AU$5,370
OLED65C3: $2,600 / £2,899 / around AU$3,900
OLED55C3: $1,899 / £2,099 / around AU$2,830
OLED48C3 $1,499 / £1,599 / around AU$2,240
OLED42C3: $1,399 / £1,499 / around AU$2,100

LG C3 OLED: design and features – what’s new?

The LG C3 OLED isn’t a significant evolution over previous models. It features the same OLED Evo panel as the C2, with its brightness-boosting capabilities in sizes of 55 inches and up (brightness is lower in the smaller sizes). But there is an upgraded Alpha9 Gen6 chip, which is LG’s latest and greatest image processor, and should be able to push the panel that little bit harder. 

As ever, this is a 4K HDR TV with a 120Hz panel, support for Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos compatibility – and you can expect a crisp resolution and capable upscaling alongside a full suite of premium formats. A new composite fiber construction also reduces the weight of this year’s C Series screen.

A new algorithm helps distinguish between the picture’s foreground and background, seemingly helping to ramp up the brightness in important places. Regardless, the deep blacks and incredible contrast in self-emissive OLED displays should be suitably jaw-dropping here.

The speaker system hasn’t seen a meaningful upgrade; this is still a 2.2 channel speaker with 40W output. Despite LG’s claims that the C3 can offer “virtual 9.1.2 surround sound” through its AI Sound Pro feature, we’re somewhat sceptical of this. By the looks of it, you’ll still need one of the best soundbars if you want to get top-quality sound out of this TV.

Some changes to the smart platform include a sleek new homepage and improved user profiles to allow for more customization. When you set up the TV, you’re guided through a custom picture preset to ensure the default settings work for your tastes, which is a nice touch.

The C3 features four HDMI 2.1 ports, including one that supports eARC (enhanced audio return channel) and two-way soundbar communication. These high-spec ports are great for gaming with next-gen consoles, while the screen boasts sub-10ms input lag and a negligible response time. 

What’s new this time is a feature called Quick Media Switching VRR, so far unique to LG OLED TVs (though it’s part of the HDMI spec), which LG says “can eliminate the momentary ‘black screen’ that sometimes occurs when switching between content played from different source devices connected via the TV’s HDMI 2.1a compliant ports.” So if you tend to jump between Netflix and your PS5 pretty often, this should make for a more seamless experience. It will be especially welcome for Apple TV 4K users, because this set-top can use the feature to change its framerate.

(Image credit: Future)

LG C3 OLED: What we think so far

The LG C3 OLED is likely to be a bestseller, like the C1 and C2 TVs that came before it. There’s not much change in this year’s model, though, and older models will likely see a price cut as the C3 releases to market. With that in mind, there’s not much reason to upgrade – we didn’t see any of our predictions for a new C3 model come to fruition. Although an improved webOS experience, upgraded lighting algorithms, and fast media switching may be enough to nudge some towards the latest iteration of the C Series OLED, but probably not if you have the C2 or C1.

The C3 is still the obvious, all-round choice from LG’s OLED TV range – neither too expensive nor too compromised by its price point. But we’ll have more thoughts on this in our review later in the year. With a new QD-OLED screen coming from Samsung, it’s possible that more significant leaps made by other TV makers could dim the C3’s spotlight in the year to come – the race to be the best OLED TV of 2023 will be an interesting one!

Read our LG C3 OLED TV review.

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Is the Nintendo Switch OLED worth upgrading to? Find out what it offers over the standard Nintendo Switch model.

Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED is worth looking into for fans of the handheld console potentially looking to upgrade to the fancier model. Both showcase their docked and handheld capabilities well, but with the Nintendo Switch starting to show its age, the OLED has since stepped up with newer features, extended storage and better panel technology.

The original Nintendo Switch console was refreshing back in 2017, and it still manages to present impressive visuals despite its aging Tegra X1 processor. And while the Nintendo Switch OLED doesn’t improve performance, it stands out thanks to its gorgeous OLED display and doubled storage capacity.

These aren’t the only two options, though. The Nintendo Switch Lite also launched back in 2019 as a handheld-only option, lacking the regular Switch’s removable Joy-Con controllers. For some people keen on the hybrid design of the original Switch, that’s a major deal-breaker, but a solid option if you’re mostly keen on handheld play. In the same year, Nintendo also released a refreshed version of the original Nintendo Switch, boasting an improved battery life.

In this guide, we’ll look at why the Nintendo Switch OLED is a better option when compared to the original LCD version, and the other upgrades you get if you choose the updated flagship. We’re going through everything here to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

You may also want to browse our Black Friday gaming deals page, or take a closer look at our Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals and Black Friday Nintendo Switch OLED deals guides for a range of early discounts. Here are the best deals right now:

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch – price

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The Nintendo Switch OLED costs $350 / £309 / AU$539, and was released on October 8, 2021. That’s $50 / £30 / AU$90 more than the original Nintendo Switch was at launch, which instead costs $300 / £279 / AU$449. However, since the OLED’s launch, the original model saw a small price reduction, now retailing for £259.99 / $259.99 / AU$435 instead.

Given their popularity, we rarely see either model enjoy discounts. That applies for most current-gen consoles these days, but below, you’ll find a roundup of any Nintendo Switch deals that are live right now. 

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch – design

The Nintendo Switch OLED looks similar to the original Switch after its 2019 refresh. It has removable Joy-Con controllers, the same button layout, and even offers that familiar bright Neon Blue and Red color scheme. 

However, the version you’ve likely seen online for the Switch OLED is the new White version. This more sedate, grown-up color scheme is the sort of garb we expected to see from the rumored Nintendo Switch Pro. The Switch OLED may not be the Switch Pro, but this is the closest we’ll get for now. Many of the leaks previously believed to point to the Pro are found in this redesign.

You’ll find some other important design changes, too. The thick bezels of the original Switch’s display have been significantly trimmed down, and the 6.2-inch LCD panel has been replaced with a vibrant 7-inch OLED panel.

The Nintendo Switch OLED has more slender bezels (Image credit: Nintendo)

This gives the new Switch a less-dated appearance and means there’s no significant difference in size with the new model, despite the use of a larger screen. It’s 0.1 inches longer, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H).

Because of that, any Joy-Con controllers you previously bought will work just fine with the Nintendo Switch OLED. Assuming they weren’t previously suffering from notorious Joy-Con drift, that is. The new console uses the same ‘rail’ system for such accessories. 

Nintendo has reworked the Switch’s kickstand to make it much less fragile, too. It now runs across much of the console’s back, which we found keeps it upright more securely. The stand is also adjustable as well, allowing for different display angles when playing in tabletop mode.

You wouldn’t know it from a glance but Nintendo also redesigned the Switch OLED’s speakers. They still sit on the bottom of the handheld, one to each side, and offer enhanced audio over the original speakers. They’re far punchier, more impactful, and don’t distort at maximum volume.

As before, the OLED Switch comes with a dock to let you play games on your TV. However, it does not offer the 4K output many hoped for in a Nintendo Switch Pro console. Playing docked and 1080p remains the max output resolution, and the display is 720p when playing in handheld mode.

An Ethernet (LAN) port is the extra we do get. tgake a cable from your home internet router and plug it into the dock for a more reliable signal than you’d see from the Switch’s own Wi-Fi connection. You can still get a wired internet connection when playing docked on the original Switch, but this requires buying a separate LAN Adapter.

Nintendo has doubled Switch OLED’s internal storage from 32GB to 64GB. Like before, you can also add a microSD card for Nintendo Switch if you need more room, supporting up to 2TB of extra storage. Battery life remains the same as the refreshed Nintendo Switch at 4.5 to nine hours. This is better than the launch Switch’s 2.5 to 6.5 hours, but the OLED Switch brings no real improvement here.

There’s numerous accessories you can get to upgrade your experience with all versions of the Nintendo Switch console, but we particularly like the ZenGrip Pro OLED. This adds handles to the console while in handheld mode, making it easier and more comfortable to hold since it’s otherwise completely flat. 

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch – display

The classic Nintendo Switch is a similar size, but has chunkier screen bezels (Image credit: Nintendo)

Here’s the interesting part: the new Nintendo Switch has an OLED screen. These display panels have emissive pixels, which means black parts of the screen image will look perfectly inky black even if you play under the covers in perfect darkness. 

With a standard Nintendo Switch, blacks end up looking slightly gray in these conditions. The OLED Switch is much better for bed-time gaming than the old model, helping Nintendo’s already colorful art style stand out even more. This is also the largest screen put into a Switch console yet. It measures 7 inches across, up from the 6.2 inches of the original Nintendo Switch and the 5.5 inches of the Switch Lite.

Just be aware that there is no change in resolution. The Nintendo Switch OLED remains a 1280 x 720 pixel display. Many had hoped for a bump to 1080p (and there were even rumors of a 4K offering) in this “next generation” design, but that never materialized.

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch – power

The Nintendo Switch uses a LCD panel for its display, which isn’t as vibrant as OLED panels. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Wachiwit)

While the OLED screen makes games look richer, bolder, and more immersive than before, the new Switch console doesn’t boost performance in any way.The Switch OLED has the same Nvidia Custom Tegra processor and RAM as the standard Switch model, so there’s no performance upgrade under the hood. 

That means it won’t unlock any new potential for developers to bring more comprehensive games to the new console. As such, it can’t really be compared to previous mid-generation console upgrades, like the New Nintendo 3DS, PS4 Pro, or Xbox One X. What it does mean though, is the Switch OLED will be able to play all the same games as the Switch – and vice versa. 

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch – verdict

The Switch OLED is an improvement, but it’s not the revolution some were expecting. (Image credit: Nintendo)

If you were hoping for a Nintendo Switch Pro with a 1080p screen and 4K output to your living room TV, the Nintendo Switch OLED won’t meet that demand. Games will feel the same, but at least they look prettier when playing in handheld mode and tabletop mode, which is the main draw. 

So, if you’re mostly playing docked, Switch OLED doesn’t offer much new. The Ethernet port on the dock is welcome, as is the increase in storage to 64GB, but ultimately, we’d say the Nintendo Switch OLED is a clear case of evolution over revolution.

Looking to improve your Nintendo Switch experience? Consider browsing our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games and best Nintendo Switch controllers for all the best hardware and software recommendations.

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Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will tell a new story set in the world of Avatar. Here’s what we know so far.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is currently in the works over at Ubisoft. We’ve known about it for a while, though we’ve yet to see a full reveal of the game. Gameplay, story and the open-world are still a bit of a mystery.

Running on the latest iteration of Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine for the latest consoles, we’re expecting it to be a showcase of what the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 can do. From what we’ve seen so far, the development team is putting a lot of focus on the open-world of Pandora, filling it with NPCs and a dynamic weather system.

We haven’t heard much on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora lately, likely due to a reshuffling at Ubisoft amid several game cancellations. Hopefully, given that the game is planned to release over the next year, we’ll hear more sooner rather than later. Here’s everything we know about the game so far, including all of the latest news.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: cut to the chase

What is it? A game set in the world of James Cameron’s Avatar movies

When can I play it? Sometime between April 2023 and March 2024

What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Amazon Luna

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora release date and platforms

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will release sometime in fiscal year 2023-2024 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, and Amazon Luna. This means at some point between April 2023 to March 2024.

Frontiers of Pandora was officially revealed during Ubisoft’s Ubisoft Forward showcase at E3 2021. It took us all somewhat by surprise, but we’re still waiting for Ubisoft to narrow down that release window. We know (via GameSpot) that the game was previously delayed into Ubisoft’s financial year starting April 2022 in response to the delay of Avatar: The Way of Water, which was finally released in December 2022.

Frontiers of Pandora’s release, while originally targeting 2022, is on track to release in fiscal year 2023-2024, despite Ubisoft revealing in January 2023 that it had scrapped three unannounced projects and has further delayed its upcoming pirate adventure Skull and Bones due to underperforming releases in late 2022.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora trailers

Latest trailer

Ubisoft released a tech showcase for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and while it doesn’t show any new footage from the game, it does give a little bit of an insight into what the team is looking to do with the new iteration of the Snowdrop engine.

We’ve included some key trailer for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora throughout this article. To see every trailer released for the game so far, be sure to visit Ubisoft’s official YouTube channel.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora story and setting

Details on Frontiers of Pandora’s story are a bit light currently, but we’ve been able to gather a few potential snippets from the reveal trailer and Ubisoft’s site. 

The official site for the game describes it as a “first-person action adventure” that’s set in an “immersive, open world”. The description also states that the game will take players into a “standalone story” where they’ll “play as a Na’vi and embark on a journey across the Western Frontier, a never-before-seen part of Pandora”. 

The first-look trailer gives us a brief look at this first-person perspective. We also see a Na’vi riding a mount – that doesn’t quite look like a Direhorse – suggesting that we will hopefully be able to partake in mounted combat, or we’ll at least be able to traverse Pandora on (kind of) horseback. 

The world also seems to be inhabited by creatures we both have – and haven’t – seen in the film, so expect some surprises. There also seems to be some sort of hub for Na’vi to congregate in. We’re hoping this could mean online play – we also hope we can customize our Na’vi. 

From the trailer, it also looks like Pandora’s native Na’vi will take on the RDA, like in the film, who threaten to destroy their world and have significant armed tech at their disposal. This trailer shows RDA helicopters on the warpath, trying to destroy a Na’vi. The Na’vi jumps on a Great Leonopteryx, firing arrows at the helicopter, before a final arrow fixed with an explosive device hits the vehicle, which then bursts into flames. 

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

James Cameron shares his thoughts on Frontiers of Pandora
James Cameron revealed his thoughts on Ubisoft’s upcoming game during an IGN interview in 2022. Confirming he’s taking a hands-off approach, he explained: 

“We’re very excited about what Ubisoft is doing with their game authoring. I don’t tell them what to do — they know their world, their business, their market. We just keep a close eye that they don’t do anything that’s not canonical in terms of Na’vi culture and what the RDA is doing on Pandora and all that sort of thing.”

Years of post-launch content
Ubisoft is planning a long life for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora when it releases later this year it seems. In a Q2 earnings call in 2022 (via TweakTown), Ubisoft CFO Frederick Duguet said, “Avatar Frontiers of Pandora is a big game next to the highly-awaited movie. The development is progressing well and is a beautiful world delivered by the Snowdrop engine. That will be a very long game in terms of content delivered over many years.”

NPCs will “understand the state of the world”
In a video showcasing the tech behind the game, the development team of Avatar discussed how the game’s NPCs will behave and react more realistically to the game’s world. In the video, Lead Narrative Realization Designer, Alice Rendell, said that “the different activities that NPCs can perform in the world, and the different animations they have, can make the world feel really alive”. As a result, according to Rendell, the team “wanted to take this one step further and created a system where our NPCs understand the state of the world – for example, weather, player progression, or time of day”. 

Even plant life will react in some way, with Senior technical artist Kunal Luthra explaining that “the advantage of Snowdrop is that it can handle quite complex shaders”. “To add life to the vegetation of Pandora, we’ve created many interactive shaders that can be affected by the player, from real-time wind simulations and interactions to intelligent plants reacting to your presence,” Luthra explained.

These are the upcoming games we’ve got our eye on

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Assassin’s Creed Mirage is still set to release later this year. Here’s what we know about the game so far.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is still planned to come out later this year, though for now, we don’t have a specific release date. From what we’ve seen and heard from the developers, the game will be a very different one to the last few mainline entries.

Starring Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Basim Ibn Ishaq, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set in Baghdad, 20 years before the events of Valhalla, and will take the decades-spanning series back to its roots. So far, this seems to mean that the game will be smaller in scope, and less of an action-packed RPG. Perhaps this means that stealth and parkour could return in a big way?

While we wait for more on Assassin’s Creed Mirage, this page contains everything we know about the game so far. You’ll find the latest news, a look at trailers, and some comments from the developers on what to expect once the game eventually launches. As new info is revealed, you’ll find it here.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: cut to the chase

What is it? Assassin’s Creed game set in Baghdad 

When can I play it? TBC 2023

What can I play it on? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: release date and platforms

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is launching in 2023, though we don’t have a specific release date just yet. Ubisoft confirmed the game’s existence and release window in 2022, following a ton of leaks around the upcoming title.

In terms of platforms, Ubisoft has confirmed that Mirage will be a cross-generation release. As such, expect to see it on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, and cloud streaming service Amazon Luna. There’s, unfortunately, no free upgrade between generations, but it’s also cheaper than recent big releases, launching for $49.99 / £39.99 RRP.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage trailers

Latest trailer

We got our latest official look at Assassin’s Creed Mirage during the Ubisoft Forward digital showcase in September 2022. While there’s no gameplay footage included, this provided a cinematic look at Mirage’s story, which you can check out in full below:

More trailers

Unfortunately, we have only received one trailer for Assassin’s Creed Mirage so far. As soon as we see more, you will find this page to be updated with more trailers.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: story and setting

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is taking the series back to basics: set in Baghdad 20 years before Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Basim Ibn Ishaq, who was introduced in Valhalla, takes center stage. According to reports, Mirage began as a Valhalla spin-off before escalating into its own fully fledged entry.

Basim is part of the first Assassin Brotherhood, and Mirage takes us on one of his earlier adventures. Here, he’s being taught by Roshan, a Persian assassin portrayed by Shohreh Aghdashloo. Rather than the open-world RPG gameplay of more recent years, Assassin’s Creed Mirage focuses on stealth and parkour once again.

As such, expect a smaller experience overall, likely around 15 to 20 hours. When asked about the game’s length in an IGN interview, executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté said, “Not everything has to be a 150 hour RPG, right?”, confirming:

“It is a smaller Assassin’s Creed project. This was conceived [and] built to celebrate the 15th anniversary. So that’s why we’re using our modern Valhalla engine to build a smaller game that pays tribute to our original game by focusing more on stealth, on close-quarter combat, on parkour, and a denser city that goes back to our roots in the Middle East with Baghdad as the centerpiece.”

Assassin’s Creed Mirage gameplay

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

While we’ve yet to see gameplay, Ubisoft has confirmed that Baghdad is the only city in the game, split into four zones, though we’re also visiting Alamut. Each one contains a boss ready to be thwarted, but it’s unclear how that unfolds in-game. What we do know, according to narrative director Sarah Beaulieu, is that this story will include various historical figures.

As for how you’ll navigate Baghdad, lead producer on Assassin Creed Mirage Fabian Salomon said in an interview with Arab Hardware (via PCGamesN) that Mirage’s parkour will take some inspiration from the mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Unity:

 “We are seriously trying to reach this level with Mirage, and since Baghdad is dense as I mentioned, we want the players to enjoy their time in the city through parkour, which was and still is one of the important pillars that we depended on in the style of playing with Assassin’s Creed Mirage”.

In fact, as part of going back to the series’ roots, Salomon said Mirage will take inspiration from other early titles. This includes the return of Assassination Contracts from Assassin’s Creed II and Brotherhood. He does also, however, mention “new and different opportunities to interact with the environment in Baghdad”, including “new mechanics” in hiding and in assassination among crowds. 

Assassin’s Creed Mirage news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Fans helped shape Ubisoft’s decision to create the “more intimate” Mirage
Speaking to Gamesradar as part of its Big in 2023: Assassin’s Creed Mirage story (opens in a new tab), creative director Stéphane Boudon commented on how fan feedback helped build the starting point for Mirage’s world design:

“Amongst our fans, we started hearing the desire for a character-driven story, focused on the core pillars of the first ACs in a more intimate scale. It resonates with us as well, as developers, and this was the starting point of the project.”

Assassin’s Creed Mirage looks to fix my biggest problem with Valhalla

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Skull and Bones has been pushed back, and does not currently have a release date. Here’s what we do know.

Skull and Bones was delayed again recently, and at present, does not have a release date. We have a vague idea as to when it could be coming out, but at this point, we’re waiting for Ubisoft to slap a new date on the upcoming pirate adventure game.

Skull and Bones has already been delayed a number of times but the latest delay has pushed the game’s release date into “early 2023-24,” according to Ubisoft, meaning we won’t get our hands on it for a few months yet.

Since having been announced many years ago, Skull and Bones has gone through some pretty dramatic changes. What started out as a class-based ship battling game has evolved into more of a standard Ubisoft adventure game. There’s still PvP, but the main bulk of the game appears to be more of a single-player RPG.

Here’s what we know about Skull and Bones so far, including a prediction as to when it’s likely coming out.

Skull and Bones: cut to the chase

What is it? Ubisoft’s upcoming pirate adventure

What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

When can I play it? “Early 2023-24”

Skull & Bones: release date and platforms

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Skull and Bones has been delayed for a sixth time, with the pirate adventure now set to release sometime in “early 2023-24”. 

Skull and Bones will release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. When the game was first announced was announced it was only confirmed to release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Though, back then, it was due for release in 2018. After many delays, and the launch of the new generation of consoles, Skull and Bones has now dropped PS4 and Xbox One. It’ll still be on PC but instead, it’s coming to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, too.

Skull and Bones will also be Ubisoft’s first game to sell under a $70 / £70 price tag for new-gen consoles, something it previously hadn’t committed to. 

Skull & Bones trailers

Latest trailer

Following the most recent delay for Skull and Bones, Ubisoft released a 30-minute video showcasing some of the new gameplay mechanics. You can watch it below to get a better idea as to how the game has changed over the last year or so.

More trailers

We’ve included some key Skull and Bones trailers throughout this article but you can find all the Skull and Bones trailers that have been released to date on Ubisoft’s official YouTube channel.

Skull & Bones gameplay

When Skull and Bones was first revealed it was more akin to Rainbow Six Siege than it appears now. The game was a small team PvP game where each player took on the role of ship, kitted it out with specialised guns and armor, and then the two teams would blast each other to splinters with their cannons and muskets.

That’s all changed, or at least it’s no longer the focus. Now, Skull and Bones is a survival game first. You start life as a shipwrecked pirate. You have to scout out resources to build a tiny, practically defenceless sailing vessel, and from those humble beginnings you will raise yourself up to become a pirate lord.

Using your ship you will sail around an open world, scouting out lumber, precious metals, and all the other resources you could need to craft equipment. You’ll face AI enemies, such as other ships, but also wild animals, like hippos and sharks. And you’ll harvest more resources and booty from them, using it to trade for money at pirate dens and other outposts, or use it in your crafting.

The best way to earn money, equipment, and blueprints is to take on contracts. These jobs will see you hunting down bounties, assaulting towns, or seeking out long lost treasure. The contracts you have access to are determined by your ‘infamy’ and completing contracts will also help your raise your infamy level. While you can buy gear and ships with the booty you pick up, Skull and Bones lets you craft equipment to fit out your schooner.

As you roam the seven seas of Skull and Bones, you’ll discover blueprints. These may be rewards for completing contracts or hidden away at the bottom of treasure chests. They will be essential for the game’s crafting. With blueprints and resources you find in the world, either from scavenging shipwrecks, harvesting natural resources, or hunting animals in the sea, you can build entirely new ships, create new weapons and armor, and upgrade all of the fittings on your ship.

Some of the most powerful hulls and equipment will need to be crafted. So if you want to become the most fearsome pirate on the seven seas you’ll have to invest your time in crafting and blueprints.

Skull and Bones Multiplayer

Skull and Bones started life as a PvP game, but it’s since evolved into a survival game that can be played entirely solo. It’s quite a drastic change from the original vision for Ubisoft’s open world pirate game. However, Skull and Bones multiplayer still exists in a changed form.

While the whole game can be played alone, you can open it up to other players, both friends and foes. When taking on a contract mission and set out into the world to earn loot, you can invite another player into your party, joining up to take on the mission together. While it will make the game a little easier and you will need to split some of the earnings, because you’ll often find yourself taking on more enemies and earning more loot than your hold can, er, hold, sharing it with a friend doesn’t mean you’ll end up with less.

You can also open up your game to enemy players, turning the seven seas into a PvP arena. While you can’t be attacked in the safe waters around a pirate den, as soon as you slip out of its boundaries you can be targeted by other players. Of course, on the way out to a mission you may not attract much attention but when you’re on the way back to port, your hold full of booty, enemy players will see you as a high value target on the amp and may come to hunt you down.

In this way, PvP and co-op do still have a part in Skull and Bones but it is in a much reduced form. 

Skull and Bones ship types

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

There will be multiple ship types in Skull and Bones, each with significant strengths and weaknesses. The three kinds Ubisoft confirmed in the Ubisoft Forward were Cargo Ships, Navigation Ships, and Firepower Ships. There may be more types we’ve yet to see, but as well as these categories, we know there are multiple hulls of each type, so there will be lots of opportunities to find the perfect ship for your playstyle.

Cargo Ships
Larger and slower than the cover ship types, cargo ships have large holds that let you carry much more loot than any other ship type. While they may not be as good in a fight as the firepower ships, nor as fast as the navigation ships, if you take a cargo ship into battle you won’t need to leave any loot behind.

Navigation Ships
While you won’t have much in the way of armor or hardpoints where you can install lines of cannons, the navigation ships are the fastest and most maneuverable type of vessel. Not only are they good for scouting ahead, in a battle a good captain will be able to weave between their enemies and stay ahead of their guns. Their other weakness is a small hold, so this ship type is best used when you have a friend to help pick up the loot after a battle.

Firepower Ships
If you want to bring the fight to a battle then this is going to be the ship type for you. It may not be fast as fast or as maneuverable as a navigation ship, it may not have the armor or the hold of a cargo ship, but the firepower ship can load up the most guns, and dominate the battlefield.

Skull and Bones: news

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Skull & Bones is ‘not a narrative-driven game’
If you’re hoping for a great story in Skull & Bones, you may want to temper those expectations. Speaking in an interview with True Achievements, game director Ryan Barnard told us:

“Skull and Bones is not a narrative-driven game. We have narrative pieces — in the game, you’ll meet important NPCs called Kingpins which have their own stories that you’ll learn as you develop rapport with them by taking on contracts with them. There is an underlying story to the game with which we build the entire world lore, but that’s not the main focus. We want players to create their own stories and be able to choose the type of pirate they want to be.”

Instead, Barnard calls the progression system, Infamy, to be the driving force in this campaign. Given that this is a live-service experience, this isn’t that surprising that story isn’t the center of attention, though it may prove disappointing for those after a fresh single-player pirate adventure. 

Skull and Bones isn’t the only game on the horizon.

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