STACK #261 July 2026

YOUR

TO MOVIES, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & TECH TO MOVIES, TV,

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

jbhifi.com.au/stack

ISSUE 261 JUL ’26

STACK Issue 261 JULY 2026 “Don’t get any funny ideas.” WIN!

INSIDE:

FREE MAGAZINE

STACK ’S ULTIMATE AUDIO GUIDE 2026 FIND YOUR PERFECT AIR PURIFIER

WIN A BOSE LIFESTYLE ULTRA SOUND SYSTEM

PERKS see page 5 for details

CONTENTS

ISSUE 261 JUL

2026

GAMING 6 Take 5/Charts/Q5/Wham, bam, game exam! 8 Say Halo to my little friend! Halo: Campaign Evolved interview 10 Sync or swim! Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced interview 12 Splat’s the way I like it! Splatoon Raiders preview 14 Squeak-easy! Mouse: P.I. for Hire Q+A 16 Get into the groove! Rhythm Paradise Groove preview 17 What’s out this month 18-19 More big games heading our way in 2026 20 The Riot stuff! Sketch Riot PowerA Advantage Plus wired controller interview 22 A mouse for all seasons: Razer Orochi V2 Wireless Gaming Mouse TECH 26–27 Your guide to smarter audio shopping 28 Why open-ear headphones are cool right now 30 What are bone conduction headphones? 32 Premium headphones for luxe listening 34 Sennheiser’s new Momentum 5 headphones 36 Sony’s premium 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones 38 Mix and match: Modular sound systems 40 CD players are making a comeback! 42 Turntable cartridges: What you need to know 44 Check out the hottest audio gear at JB 46 JBL’s new Live headphone range 48-50 Your quick guide to air purifiers 52-54 Find your perfect air purifier 56 Oura Ring 5: Small in size, big on insights 58 Sony’s new BRAVIA RGB TVs 60 The new HONOR 600 smartphone series 62 Unfold the new HONOR Magic V6 64 Why creators will love the Insta360 Luna Ultra 66 The new Google Home Speaker brings 360° sound 68 Logitech’s foldable mouse for those on the move 70 Logitech Spotlight 2 reinvents presenter remotes MUSIC FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 2 Take 5/My first album/ STACK exchange 3 Still Rolling: The Rolling Stones’ new album, Foreign Tongues 5 New album: Madonna - Confessions II 6 New albums: Ariana Grande - Petal / Charli XCX - Music, Fashion, Film 7 New album: Heated Rivalry soundtrack 9 New album: Amy Shark - Soft Pop 10-11 What’s out this month? 12 Vital vinyl: Lady Gaga - The Fame MOVIES & TV 14 Take 5/Charts/Cinema highlights/Bob J’s Film Buff Bafflers 16 Robyn Malcolm on Pike River /Chris Hemsworth, show stealer in Crime 101 18 The next level: Super Mario Galaxy Movie / Wonder awaits! The Magic Faraway Tree 20 Return of the King - EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert /Akira Kurosawa: The master who changed cinema 21 Bob J: The Hunt for Red October still holds course 22 Reel classics: New from Imprint Films 24 4K all the way 26 What’s out this month? 28 Merch of the month

WELCOME

Few games can claim to have changed the industry. Fewer still remain as influential 25 years later. That’s why the recent announcement of Bungie’s Halo: Combat Evolved ’s return is more than a simple nostalgia play – it’s the revival of a genuine gaming landmark. When Halo landed alongside Microsoft’s original Xbox in 2001, it didn’t just introduce players to the iconic Master Chief. It redefined what a console first-person shooter could be and put the Xbox on the map. Its cinematic storytelling, revolutionary controls, intelligent enemy AI, and expansive sci-fi world helped establish a blueprint that countless games would follow. For many players, it was their first taste of online multiplayer obsession, LAN-party rivalry, and blockbuster gaming on a scale previously reserved for Hollywood. Twenty-five years later, Halo: Combat Evolved remains a touchstone for game design, storytelling and multiplayer innovation. Its DNA can still be found in countless shooters released today. Revisiting the franchise’s origins in Halo: Campaign Evolved highlights what separates a classic from a curiosity. Great games don’t survive on nostalgia alone – they endure because their ideas, innovations, and sense of wonder remain as powerful today as they were on day one. Spartan, your new adventure awaits! Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

jbhifi.com.au/stack

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones, James O’Connor Contributors Jeff Jenkins, Billy Pinnell, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Trista McConville, Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2026 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

4 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

BEST SELLERS at

What’s your earliest video gaming memory?

JUNE 2026

JULY

My mum buying me a PS3 and having to decide whether I wanted it to come with either Battlefield 4 or FIFA . She was not impressed once she saw the Battlefield 4 gameplay...

’ s ROVING REPORTER

What’s your all-time favourite game or game series?

1 007 FIRST LIGHT

Infamous Second Son still holds a special place in my heart as the game that it didn’t even feel like I platinumed.

2 STAR FOX

ZAIN WARWICK @ JB Erina, NSW

What have you been playing most lately?

3 TOMODACHI LIFE: LIVING THE DREAM

Recently I’ve been playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 zombies again. The nostalgia from finishing school and racing home to try to complete the ‘Origins’ Easter egg is really taking me back.

4 LEGO BATMAN: LEGACY OF THE DARK KNIGHT

What’s the best thing about working in games at JB?

5 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2

You can only have one games console from any era – what would it be and why?

It’s awesome interacting with people that also play the games that I enjoy and being able to share experiences with those people. At the moment, we all seem to be stuck playing Marvel Rivals , and everyone shakes their head when I tell them I play Moon Knight!

6 POKÉMON POKOPIA

I would have to pick the PS3, as I made so many memories on that console, like staying up to midnight playing Destiny with my school friends.

7 EA SPORTS UFC 6

8 FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Are you up to answering all eight of this month’s game related posers?

1. What is the Rhythm Paradise series known as in the US? 2. Which Nickelodeon series, which spawned many games, starred a dopey cat and a bonkers chihuahua? 3. Who is the main protagonist in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag ? 4. What was the full title of the first Mickey Mouse game on the SEGA Mega Drive? 5. To which rhythm adventure series from the PSP is Ratatan a spiritual successor? 6. What’s the name of the shapeshifting cephalopod protagonists of the Splatoon games?

9 FORZA HORIZON 6

10 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES

GAME EXAM

!

7. What’s the full name of the protagonist in Halo: Combat Evolved ? 8. What was the name of the first Razer gaming mouse, released in 1999?

ANSWERS on page 17

Street Fighter VI

1 What was the first game that you played? My dad bought me an Atari when I was six, and I remember playing some sort of shooting game, but I can’t remember the name of it! That was an early core memory that inspired me to get into the game industry. 2 What was the last game that you finished? One quirk about me is that I find it hard to finish games I love. A great game allows you to escape into a beautiful (or dreadful!) world you can’t get enough of, so I tend to slow down before I finish a game, and sometimes I end up not finishing it, and returning to it when I need an escape. I honestly can’t remember when I last finished a game. I’ve been playing all the Resident Evils in the recent years, Cyberpunk 2077 , the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, Star Trek Voyager: Across the Universe , Strange Horticulture ... but I’ve never finished any of them! 3 What’s your favourite video game/series of all time? It’ll be impossible for me to list just one, but Street Fighter is a large part of me growing up, and I’ve been playing Street Fighter VI as well. Star Control II had a big impact on how I viewed open world games. I loved The Last of Us , The Witcher , and the Mass Effect series, too. 4 What do you think is the most underrated video game of all time? Picking just one feels unfair! If I had to pick a recent one I’ve played, it would be Dahlia View . It’s a beautiful, stylised detective adventure, where you play an old man in a wheelchair, solving a mystery in his neighbourhood. The dark, mature tone and the unique premise of the game is just amazing to dive in. 5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? That’s a tough one! I would have loved to work on the Dishonored, Thief, or Deus Ex franchises. I’m a big fan of immersive sims. Thief was particularly inspiring for me when I was just a teen.

Creative director on Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced at Ubisoft PAUL FU

JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

6

Available at

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

2001 Halo: Combat Evolved 2004 Halo 2 2007 Halo 3 2009 Halo Wars HALO RELEASE TIMELINE 2009 Halo 3: ODST 2010 Halo: Reach 2011 Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary 2012 Halo 4 2013 Halo: Spartan Assault 2014 Halo: The Master Chief Collection 2015 Halo: Spartan Strike 2015 Halo 5: Guardians 2017 Halo Wars 2 2018 Halo: Fireteam Raven 2021 Halo Infinite 2026 Halo: Campaign Evolved

been able to carefully rebuild almost every level and every encounter with more fidelity,” Szlagor says. “As we’re building the technology for this game, we’ve had to do it piece by piece, which included reevaluating all of the individual elements as we’re revisiting them in the original game.” Fans of multiplayer are in for a treat, with original split-screen play joined by up to four-player co-op. But it’s required some consideration of space. “Now the campaign supports up to four-player co op, we had to think about how all the original encounters

GENRE: Shooter MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

It’s 25 years since we first stepped into the boots of Master Chief.To celebrate, this month sees the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved , which brings us a modernised spin on the campaign from Halo’s Xbox debut. Creative director Max Szlagor at Halo Studios tells us more. Words Bec Summer T his remake harnesses the power of Unreal Engine 5, bringing us an experience that is true to the original while delivering more SAY HALO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!

and spaces can scale to accommodate that many players. For different co-op counts, we’ve made some of the spaces larger. “We also want to make sure we're authentic to the encounters themselves. So, it's a balancing act between that difficulty tuning and, you know, making those encounters the right size for the right space.” So, the experience will be familiar for original fans, but they’ll still have the excitement of something new around some corners. “We learned from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary that there was still an appetite for things like better wayfinding, navigation, and diversity in enemy encounters,” Szlagor states. “In The Library specifically, which features several Flood encounters, we wanted to reevaluate the pacing and enhance the environmental storytelling. We’ve added new lines to Guilty Spark, which guide players through the level, and there’s new dialogue that gives more insight into the narrative as it plays out.” Ultimately, canon purists need fear not, for Szlagor stresses that they’ve worked on enhancing the original story, rather than replacing any of it. “It was really important that we preserve the original story as it is,” he underlines. “We’re not changing the stories, it’s about refining and adding context to this moment, and other levels like it, so players can stay on track.”

– including 4K visuals, enhanced animations, re recorded voice lines, and remastered music. Oh, and it’s the first time that a Halo game will be available on PlayStation – PS5 specifically – too! But a new coat of paint isn’t the end of it, as the Halo Studios team is also adding nine weapons that didn’t appear until later series releases, as well as adding three whole new bonus prequel campaigns. Basically, the development team has taken on board 25 years of feedback, with the aim to deliver the ultimate experience for both newcomers to the franchise, and fans who’ve been there right from the start. “It's a great time to revisit Combat Evolved , says Szlagor, enthusiastically. “For new players, for established Halo players,

and maybe even for old friends playing on

different hardware today, to allow them to play together and enjoy the franchise together again. “Our player-first approach has informed so many decisions for the better,” he continues. “Whenever we make a change, the number one thing was to be true to the original game. “When we introduce new features or make creative choices, we’re constantly checking in with players through our user research studies and our Halo Insider program. Their feedback helps us stay grounded in what feels authentic to Halo.” The team saw this as a great opportunity to enhance the original, while staying true to it. “Because this is a remake, we’ve

• Halo: Campaign Evolved is out Jul 29

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

DOOM: The Dark Ages, Battlefield 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

8

Available at

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

• Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is out Jul 9

THE STORY OF ANVIL Fu tells us that Ubisoft’s proprietary Anvil engine has been huge in bringing Resynced to life. “On top of raytracing, Resynced takes advantage of Anvil’s micro polygon tech, allowing us to see extreme details up close, and atmosphere, fuelling our dynamic weather and time of day. Anvil allows us to push dynamism, such as destructible objects

While Resynced retains the classic open world of the original, players will discover changes to how it plays. “The core naval gameplay has been expanded with secondary fire for each of the Jackdaw’s weapons. Secondary weapons work at different ranges, with different functions, so players can switch between them depending on tactical needs in battle. Officers, when recruited, also give you a naval

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

Whether you were a fan of the pirates, or the franchise itself, Black Flag remains one of the Assassin’s Creed series’ most popular entries. Now it returns as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced , rebuilt from the ground up. We chatted with Paul Fu, the game’s creative director at Ubisoft’s Singapore Studio, to find out more. Words Amy Flower W ith so many games in the series ripe for remaking, we were curious as to why Black Flag received the treatment. Fu is quick to explain. SYNC OR SWIM!

perk, which provides another layer of depth in naval gameplay. “Ground combat has also been completely overhauled to become an action adventure experience. It's a parry-driven system where every move has pros and cons, and the player will find themselves needing to vary their moves to survive.” Modern tech also means less waiting in-game. “Cities are now seamless and no longer require loading,” beams Fu. “Edward can also dive underwater anywhere, which breaks line of sight for stealth gameplay. Plus, he’s now able to heal, with stealth functions such as whistle and smoke bomb more accessible for quick use. We've lost count of the number of new things we’ve added!” These additions include new characters to meet, too, as Fu explains. “Three new officers have as well, adding to both realism and gameplay.”

“ Black Flag has always had a special place in the Singapore Studio,” he says with a smile. “Many of us who worked on the original still remain. Black Flag felt like the right fit, and we went for it!” It’s also personal for Fu. “Also, Edward’s story has always moved me, and he’s one of my favourite Assassins. Edward’s story is a very relatable one. He’s a pirate, but he’s also just a man who wants to provide for his family.” When revisiting a fan favourite, it can be challenging balancing the demands of fans with catering for modern tastes. Fu tells us that they were mindful of potential pitfalls. “We knew going in that the expectations were going to be sky high – so we picked our battles. We focused on keeping the core story authentic and expanded on what we knew fans wanted – more narrative with fan-favourite characters. “We also knew that having new content was important for any remake, so we chose to focus on expanding Edward’s story, with a new end game chapter, as well as additional questlines

been added, each with their own side missions for the player to perform. Two new characters have also been added to the hideout, with bits of narrative for the player to discover. These side missions take you to areas where you may not have been in the original – or completely new crafted locations.” Ultimately, Fu and his crew hope that this remake is received warmly by fans of the original. “ Resynced was crafted as a

with new officer characters. It was a lot to do, but we wanted to do more.” That’s not the full extend of the upgrades, though. “We also expanded the naval core systems and overhauled the ground combat system,” Fu continues. “The parkour community also wanted old school moves, so we added back ejects, manual

love letter to our fans – including ourselves! We hope that fans will love returning to the Caribbean again as Edward Kenway and that they’ll feel our passion when they play the game.”

jumps, and other moves into the mix. In short, we zoomed in on fan feedback way back from 2013, and from community workshops that we ran for Resynced .”

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Skull and Bones, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

1 0

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

THE RAID!

Chaos is set to get a fresh coat of ink in this month’s series spin-off, Splatoon Raiders . Taking more of a story-based approach, join the action shooter madness as Inklings and Octolings dive into another wild and energetic adventure. Bulging with neon-soaked arenas packed with treasure hunts, tricked-out gear, cool mechs, and all manner of bizarre creatures, you’ll assist a trio of swashbuckling musos known as Deep Cut as their in-house mechanic. This introduces survival and raid mechanics, including making your own ship hub, plus unlocking weapon and character upgrades, as well as scavenging resources, as you go. While essentially a single player experience, four-player co-op means that friends can always join in on the inky fun.

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

L

P A

A T’S

S W

H

T

E T

K

I

!

I

E

Y

I

L

It started with cubes and, since its arrival in 2015, Splatoon has become one of Nintendo’s most successful new franchises. With the series' first spin-off, Splatoon Raiders , ready to have us inking big this month, we take a quick look at where the series has been, and where it’s heading... Words Amy Flower

new moves, weapons, and collectibles, while new modes – such

IN THE BEGINNING The Nintendo people were hardly short on big, eminently exploitable franchises when they launched the Wii U console back in 2012. While we did see the famous likes of Mario, Link, Kirby and more doing their stuff in style on the system, some young blood at Nintendo had plans to introduce something new. That big new thing was Splatoon . While basically a classic multiplayer third-person shooter, it swapped out the more un-Nintendo bullets and warfare realism for a cartoony future Earth world of cephalopods, cute characters, ink, and Nerf-ish weaponry. It worked a treat. With fun the name of the game, Splatoon boxes with ink-shooting schnozzes rather than characters. Once the team had nailed the enjoyment aspect, the search was on for characters to populate this inky new world. After a brief dalliance with rabbits, the idea of squids came to the fore, offering a handy solution to the need for the game’s inhabitants to be able to hide in and glide through the seas of ink that were central to the game. When they evolved from a black-versus white tech demo that featured

needed to shoot, they morphed into humanoid shapes, before returning to their squidliness when hiding. Hello, Inklings! TAKE ONE Featuring everything from much fascinating and super-stylish lore to an engaging single-player story mode and multiple multiplayer options, Splatoon ’s arrival brought a palatable take on the shooter concept for a broader audience, and it was an instant hit. So far, so good! In time, the game content updates and special ‘Splatfest’ events, but the writing was on the wall for the Wii U. After the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch, a Splatoon sequel was a safe bet... TAKE TWO Splatoon 2 , already in development before the console’s launch, arrived soon after the Switch itself, in July of 2017. A direct sequel, it stuck with the single-player campaign coupled with numerous multiplayer romps formula. Knowing that they nailed it first time out, this was more of an evolution of the original, adding saw several substantial

as the wildly popular co-op fest Salmon Run - found their way in. Many more themed Splatfests also followed. TAKE THREE Then, in September 2022, a long-overdue sequel arrived in Splatoon 3 . It delivered a further evolution of all that we loved about the series, including new single and multiple player pursuits. An array of new weapons joined the established favourites, including the

very cool Tri-Stringer ink bow, as we journeyed from Inktropolis to the desert-based, more post apocalyptic Splatsville. Splatfests returned, a new Tableturf card battle game gave us thrills, and more game expanding DLC meant that Splatoon 3 continued the series’ must-play vibe.

• Splatoon Raiders is out Jul 23

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, de Blob, Luigi’s Mansion 3

12 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

Available at

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Where’s the cheese? We knew that Mateusz must have a favourite cheese pun from the game, and it is... “Cheese-Louise, lady! You're in pieces!”

GENRE: Shooter MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

fun, and it’s difficult to list a favourite! There are notable guns, like the Devarnisher, which fires balls of turpentine that melt the skin of enemies, or even the Jar Head, which unleashes psionic waves that can pop their heads. You nabbed voiceover superstarTroy Baker to voice the main character, Jack Pepper. What was he like to work with? Troy Baker was fantastic to work with. He was someone we long had in mind for the role, and our Australian publisher, PlaySide Studios, helped us to secure his involvement. As soon as we heard him in the booth, we immediately knew that he was the perfect choice. Finding the voice of Jack Pepper was quite a collaborative process. Yes, we did have an idea of what we wanted - a hard-boiled, grizzled detective and war veteran from New York who sounded like he ate a few too many cheese sticks. Troy then took the ball and ran with it, quickly leading to the voice you hear in the game today. The jazzy, swingy musical accompaniment is a blast. How did you go about scoring it? Working closely with Damian Czajka, our lead audio designer, the goal was simple: compose music that danced around the player's moves. To get an authentic sound, we assembled a band with various instruments, including saxophone, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, grand piano, bass, and even drums. What do you most hope that players take away from their time with Mouse: P.I. for Hire ? The main message that we always wanted fans and players to take away was that Mouse: P.I. for Hire is more than just a fancy art project. Yes, we completely understand that the initial hook for many is the art style, but we also poured so much of ourselves into every aspect of the game - it’s a handcrafted tale born of ink, sweat, and stubborn dreams, and we hope

Classic animation style and full-on FPS action meet in the super-fun Mouse: P.I. for Hire . As it hits physical media this month, we had a chat with Mateusz Michalak, the CEO and co-founder of Fumi Games, to peek behind the scenes of how their baby came to be. Words Amy Flower SQUEAK-EASY!

The first-person shooter genre was ripe for a 1930s, Prohibition era-set outing – but doing it in the rubbery animation style of the time? Brilliant! Please, tell us more about how the idea to go the FPS route in such a humorous style came about… The history of Fumi Games is rooted in animation. We always wanted to make a video game that utilised the rubber hose style of the 1930s, and we were particularly inspired by the era’s more violent classic cartoons, such as Popeye the Sailor and Bimbo by Fleischer Studios, to name some examples. Equally, we are also huge fans of the FPS genre, especially boomer shooters like DOOM , Quake , and Blood . So, we asked ourselves at the time, “Why has nobody made a game which combines the two?”. This is how the initial idea for Mouse: P.I. for Hire came about, and the rest is history! Does working in black and white throw up any interesting challenges? Developing a video game entirely in black and

white is certainly challenging, particularly when using 2D sprites in a 3D world space. We needed to carefully utilise lighting, shadows, movement, audio, and other elements so that “readability” was as clear as possible. For instance, in-game items that aren’t interactable are typically obscured in shadow and “coloured” a bit darker, whereas interactable items are brighter and exhibit bouncing rubber hose movement. Strategic lighting and signage are also used to direct players through the world, and we even implemented a directional helper called the “Detective Brush”, which directs players where to go next. In combat specifically, to help enemies stand out more they're animated in flat 2D utilising rubber hose, which is juxtaposed against a 3D environment utilising a slightly different art style. Was it fun coming up with the cartoonish weapons arsenal? Do you have a favourite? Designing all the weapons was incredibly

players can see that by the time the credits roll!

• Mouse: P.I. for Hire is out Jul 10

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Cuphead, Splatoon 3, DOOM: The Dark Ages

14 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

GENRE: Rhythm MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

game’s quirky humour worked just as well worldwide as it did in its homeland. A third hit Next up came Rhythm Paradise Fever for the Wii in 2011 (Japan)/2012 (the rest of the world). With no touchscreen, the series returned to button-only controls, and it worked a treat. Being on console rather than handheld, it also allowed the series to extend its tendrils into party game territory, becoming a firm favourite at get-togethers worldwide. Number four Despite its success on the Wii, it was onward to the 3DS in 2015/2016, with the release of Rhythm Paradise Megamix . As the name suggests, it took classic minigames from the series past and changed them up, while adding 30 new, fun outings to keep things fresh. This one had a simple narrative attached, in which players were charged with guiding a character named Tibby home to Heaven World. And now… It’s time for fans to rejoice, as Rhythm Paradise Groove is here, the first new series outing in a decade, and it's bringing us a whole bunch more of the crazy, endearing, nutty, and always boppy rhythm minigames that we’ve loved so

Rhythm game fans, get ready for the return of one of the genre’s shining lights this month as Rhythm Paradise Groove lands, unleashing a whole new wave of weirdness for us to play along with. Let’s look back at one of Nintendo’s most wonderfully out-there series ever. Words Amy Flower

Surprise! It will come as no shock to any fan that the Rhythm Paradise series – known as Rhythm Heaven in the USA and Rhythm Tengoku in Japan – was originally orchestrated by WarioWare creator Kazuyoshi Osawa. So, what’s it all about? Like those games featuring Mario’s antithesis, the Rhythm series presents a bunch of eclectic minigames, but here all of them are keyed to keeping a specific rhythm. There are no scrolling note highways, but you may encounter the odd – very odd - bout of slapping and stomping sumo wrestlers, just to mention one famous minigame example. The Rhythm series embraces charm, simplicity, and its own unique and joyous take on absolute weirdness, with a focus on timing rather than musical literacy. The start The Rhythm franchise made its debut in 2006 with the Japan-only release Rhythm Tengoku on

the Game Boy Advance. It set the tone for all the games that followed. There were no complicated controls to master, rather players simply tapped, flicked, or pressed buttons in time with tunes while carrying out bizarre tasks such as plucking hairs from an onion, or trying to keep a troop of singing monkeys on beat. The tunes From the beginning, Japanese music legend Tsunku, formerly of chart-topping rock band Sharam Q, supplied most of the joyous and infectious J-pop tunes featured in the Rhythm games. He was also responsible for the original idea that spawned the series. Going global The world outside Japan was finally able to catch the bug when Rhythm Heaven/Rhythm Paradise released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, following its Japanese launch in 2008. With its touchscreen, the DS was able to introduce new rhythmic gestures, and the

much for many years now. Single players will be able to gorge upon 80 of them, while there are 30 for those doing the multiplayer thing. Music legend Tsunku has once again brought the tunes. As for the minigames themselves, we’ll be doing everything from guiding serious

faced ball creatures through rings, to squashing drink cans, to snatching pieces of cake, and going the chop in the kitchen. So, Switch players, prepare for another outbreak of utter joy when Rhythm Paradise Groove hits this month!

• Rhythm Paradise Groove is out Jul 2

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle, Samba de Amigo: Party Central, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival

16 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

PREVIEWS GAMING

WHAT’S OUT THIS MONTH? No matter what style of game is your vibe, there’s sure to be something to get excited about amongst these fresh releases heading to JB this month. Words Amy Flower

EDITOR’S PICK RHYTHM PARADISE GROOVE RELEASE DATE: Jul 2 GENRE: Rhythm FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No We first fell under the spell of Rhythm Paradise – also known as Rhythm Heaven overseas - back in the Nintendo DS days. Its mix of rhythm game challenge with bonkers minigames based on everyday things proved fiendishly addictive. We’d slice onions, punch wrestlers, even pluck hairs – but perfectly on the beat, of course! Adding to all this fun was the fact that the catchy tunes were ultimate earworms – it was impossible to resist! Now Switch users get to join in the fun, as Rhythm Paradise Groove hits, promising more wild antics that will have us variously bouncing fruit off biceps, squishing drink cans, flapping along with birds, going veggie ninja in ‘Slice N Dice Kitchen’, and heaps more Complete with tracks from revered Japanese musician Tsunku, if you’ve never had the pleasure, then you’re in for a wild rhythmic treat!

NICKELODEON EXTREME TENNIS: NEXT! RELEASE DATE: Jul 1 GENRE: Sports FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Nickelodeon fans say “Yay!”, as your

MOUSE: P.I. FOR HIRE RELEASE DATE: Jul 10 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Immerse yourself in a hardboiled detective tale in a handdrawn

1930s-inspired world, blending fast-paced FPS action with noir mystery. Guide Jack Pepper through Mouseburg’s corrupt underbelly, battling gangs and uncovering conspiracies, while wielding crazy cartoony weapons. Conquer more than 20 levels of big band jazz-infused retro shooter action, bulging with secrets, style, and toon mayhem!

favourite characters bring chaos to the tennis court in this fast, family-friendly showdown. Customise your characters with hundreds of outfits and dive into easily learned couch co-op matches, unleashing wild ultimate abilities as you go. With added minigames and a narrated story mode there’s plenty to do, as you chase trophies with stars from the worlds of SpongeBob, TMNT, and more.

ASSASSIN’S CREED BLACK FLAG RESYNCED RELEASE DATE: Jul 9 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No The legendary swashbuckling Assassin’s

RATATAN RELEASE DATE: Jul 16 GENRE: Rhythm action FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes The brains behind the legendary Patapon games bring us a new rhythm-driven

roguelike adventure! As the Ratatan, you’ll issue musical orders and trigger Fever Mode for frenzied power boosts as you command adorable Cobun warriors in beat based battles and crazed melees – with over 100 characters onscreen! Charming 2D animation, strategic rhythm play, and four-player multiplayer combine for toe-tapping trials.

Creed pirate tale roars back to life as you sail the Caribbean once again as Edward Kenway. Rebuilt combat, smoother stealth, upgraded naval battles, and a fully enhanced open world mean every raid is set to feel richer than ever. Add new storylines, returning icons, fresh allies, pets, and sea shanties to the adventure and Black Flag is now more immersive – and charming - than ever!

GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK – ENDLESS RAGNAROK RELEASE DATE: Jul 9 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes A classic returns, presenting new

SPLATOON RAIDERS RELEASE DATE: Jul 23 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes The splat is back, as a wild new Splatoon adventure splashes onto

Nintendo Switch 2. A spinoff from the main series, gear up with gadgets and ink-blasting weapons, adding your own custom style as you team up with the band Deep Cut, and explore the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. You’ll splat Salmonids in chaotic shootouts, hunt for sweet, sweet loot, and tinker with tech as a fearless mechanic in this quirky quest.

threats as strange ragnalia emerge, chaotic realms open, and powerful foes descend upon Zegagrande. Expanded solo and coop content introduces summons, primal bursts, master traits, new quest tiers, and The Conflux, a challenging mode filled with unpredictable trials. With fresh stories, bosses, and crossplatform multiplayer, the adventure pushes characters further than ever.

ECHOES OF AINCRAD RELEASE DATE: Jul 10 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No

HALO: CAMPAIGN EVOLVED RELEASE DATE: Jul 28 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes This remake of the O.G. preserves the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign

Hey, intrepid hero! A perilous ascent through the floating fortress of Aincrad

awaits, where every clash demands skill and strategy, and each victory unlocks new abilities. Make your hero, tailor weapons and stats, and work with a trusted partner in realtime combat as you explore vibrant cities, hidden dungeons, and expanding regions that are filled with quests, treasures and – of course - deadly foes.

while adding modern features, fresh tactics, rebuilt HD visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a new three-mission story featuring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. Classic combat is expanded with extra weapons, vehicles, enemies, and replay changing Skulls. Plus, play solo, two-player split-screen co-op, or four-player online co-op.

Coming in AUGUST MARVEL TŌKON: FIGHTING SOULS (Aug 7) BEAST OF REINCARNATION (Aug 4) STAR WARS ZERO COMPANY (Aug 27)

Answers: 1. Rhythm Heaven 2. The Ren & Stimpy Show 3. Edward Kenway 4. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 5. Patapon 6. Inklings 7. Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 8. Razer Boomslang

!

GAME EXAM

17

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

MORE BIG GAMES HEADING OUR WAY IN 2026! We’ve had some top releases already this year, but things are set to get even hotter in the second half of 2026. Here are 15 titles, presented in release order,

that are slated to hit before year’s end that we’re super-keen to get our hands on…

THE BLOOD OF DAWNWALKER Release date: Sep 3

MARVEL’S WOLVERINE Release date: Sep 15 If you love Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, then you’ll be hanging for their take on Marvel’s mighty Wolverine. We’ll be stepping into his shoes in this action adventure, which will be largely based on the character’s comic book mythology, combined with other media appearances by the Ol’ Canucklehead. Rejoining Team X, he helps investigate the disappearance of mutants. And yes, it’ll be set in the same universe as the Spidey games.

FIRE EMBLEM FORTUNE’S WEAVE Release date: Sep 17

Prepare for blood-letting dark fantasy adventure set in 14th century Europe, as vampires rise from the shadows to seize power. We’ll play as Coen, a newly turned Dawnwalker who’s torn between two worlds while fighting to save his family – be it with sword or claws. Choices made will shape the open-world story, as we navigate shifting day and night abilities, and face decisions that push time ever forward.

The 18th core entry in the storied Fire Emblem tactical RPG series, continuing the much loved Three Houses story, this new adventure will drop us in the middle of a gladiatorial event known as the Heroic Games. They’re hosted by the Divine Sovereign, who promises wish fulfilment to the victors, with entrants coming from all walks of life, all with desires and motivations that are just as varied.

CONTROL RESONANT Release date: Sep 24

SILENT HILL TOWNFALL Release date: Sep 24 Scotland, 1996. Simon Odell answers the call of the heavily fogbound island town of St. Amelia, to ”put things right” in this first person spin-off entry in Konami’s legendary survival horror series. He finds himself in a world of evasion, confrontation, and twisted puzzles that reveal themselves as he gradually uncovers the truth of the town – as well as his connection to it and its inhabitants.

ONIMUSHA WAY OF THE SWORD Release date: Sep 25 After 20 years, we’re finally set to get our eager hands on a new instalment in Capcom’s legendary Onimusha series. Set during the Edo period, we’ll follow samurai Miyamoto Musashi through a dark fantasy reimaging of Osaka, as he takes on rival swordsmen, demons, and assorted other supernatural threats. Harvest souls while engaging in swordplay that requires skill and agility to succeed.

2019’s Control was a blast, and this sequel promises even more thrills – and the odd familiar face. After years in FBC confinement, Dylan Faden emerges into a twisted Manhattan that’s gripped by a paranatural crisis. Tasked with stopping a reality-reshaping cosmic entity, Dylan wields growing powers, including deadly shapeshifting melee weapon the Aberrant, against the Hiss, the Mold, and other threats overrunning the city.

18 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

FEATURE GAMING

MINECRAFT DUNGEONS II Release date: Sep 29 Get ready for fresh new blocky action! Create the perfect hero with legendary gear – weapons, armour, and artifacts - and join up to three friends to unleash chaos, pushing your combat skills in this new Minecraft Dungeons chapter. Journey through unexplored lands, battle hordes of mobs, clash with menacing foes, and race to stop a fierce rising evil from ripping apart not one but two worlds.

RAYMAN LEGENDS RETOLD Release date: Oct 1 If you thought that Rayman Legends looked stunning upon launch back in 2013, wait until you see it now! As 30th anniversary celebrations continue for our limbless legend, this remake will deliver updated visuals, an expanded story, new musical levels, and up to four player couch co-op. If that’s not enough joy, Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition will also be included to double the platforming fun!

ACE COMBAT 8 WINGS OF THEVE Release date: Oct 2

Prepare to live out your Top Gun fantasies once again, as the combat flight sim series returns for an eighth outing. Once again budding pilots will be tasked with missions including dogfighting with hostiles, destroying ground targets, eliminating superweapons, and a whole lot more – and all with an overarching story to add to the heroic immersion!

GEARS OF WAR E DAY Release date: Oct 6 Have you ever wondered where it all began for Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago versus the Locust Horde? Well, we’ll be wondering no more as we head back in time to the events of Emergence Day, 14 years before the original Gears of War kicked off. We’re promised all the bug blasting action that we love, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 for unprecedented gooey graphical goodness.

STAR WARS GALACTIC RACER Release date: Oct 6

CASTLEVANIA BELMONT’S CURSE Release date: Oct 15

Racing has long delivered thrilling Star Wars moments, so get ready to pilot legendary landspeeders, podracers, and speeder bikes! Set in the New Republic era, this racing adventure will bring modes aplenty as players enter the Galactic League. Solo racers get a campaign with off-track adventure and arcade time trials, while multiplayer will support 12-player races across classic series planets.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Castlevania , the game so influential that it became half of an actual game genre along with the equally classic Metroid . To celebrate, Konami is bringing us this old school-styled side scrolling gem, which continues the saga in the heart of 1499 Paris. We'll step into the boots of the daughter of vampire Hunter Trevor Belmont, Rose, who’s armed with the trusty family whip.

NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS RESORT Release date: Oct 22

CALL OF DUTY MODERN WARFARE 4 Release date: Oct 23

GRAND THEFT AUTO VI Release date: Nov 19 With GTA V still a top-seller 13 years after first hitting the streets, this mega follow-up is shaping as the biggest game release of all time. We’re off to the state of Leonida – loosely based on Florida – which includes our old series haunt, Vice City. We’ll be following the criminal duo Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos in what Rockstar are billing as ”the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.” Strap yourselves in!

If you’re into simulated sports and family fun, then this one’s for you! The latest release in Nintendo’s Sports series packs in 12 different events to get busy in – boxing, table tennis, archery, tennis, volleyball, bowling, basketball, golf, thumb wrestling, skateboarding, power cruising ( Wave Race 64 revisited!), prop plane, and jump rope. Expect competition to the max at your family gatherings with this one!

A new conflict erupts on the Korean Peninsula, placing players in the role of Private Park, a young South Korean soldier resisting a major northern invasion. Meanwhile, Captain Price operates offgrid pursuing a worldending weapon... The campaign will span global cities, while multiplayer will boast 12 launch maps, bring us Ballistic Authority for more authentic gunplay, and introduce Kill Block dynamic battlegrounds.

19

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

JB EXCLUSIVE

A little while back, a contest was run amongst staff in JB Hi-Fi stores to come up with a new controller design.The result is the Sketch Riot PowerA Advantage Plus wired controller, the winning designer Michael Brinkley at JB Chermside in Queensland.We had a chat with Mike about the experience. Words Amy Flower T he obvious question was about what it felt like to find out he’d submitted the winning design. It’s fair to say that Mike The RIOT STUFF

– I first learned to draw by copying Garf ield comics when I was young. Because of this I've favoured a very 'cartoony' style in my art ever since. Since then, I studied visual art and graphic design. I'm still always learning as well, I continue to use various art books and online courses to further improve my skills and to practice new techniques and styles.” While he resisted the temptation to pop The CONTROLLER Officially licensed by Xbox, and suitable for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PCs, the Sketch Riot PowerA Advantage Plus wired controller – never worry about flat batteries again - features pioneering quick-twist thumbsticks with three adjustable height settings, as well as Hall Effect technology to help make stick drift a thing of the past. Mappable advanced gaming buttons and dual rumble motors add to any gaming experience, while a generous three-metre USB-C cable offers plenty of wiggle room for even the most hyper gamers.

was rapt. “I was so excited! I couldn't believe it, to be honest! The amazing feedback and support I've gotten since has been so amazing, I definitely feel very lucky and thankful.” However, for a while at least, he had to hide his excitement. “The hardest thing was that I had to keep it a secret for about six months until it was announced officially! It was so hard going to work and not being able to tell everyone, especially when someone would say something like, ‘Hey, did they ever announce who won that controller comp yet?’” As a keen illustrator, Mike got to let loose with one of his favourite types of drawing for his Sketch Riot design.

any hidden easter eggs into his design, the Sketch Riot controller does bear his signature. “I was planning to

at one point, but I decided against it. But you may notice my signature on

the back has a red dot for the ‘I’, this comes from my logo that

I've always used, which is a cartoon clown with a red nose. It was why we decided to have the one red joystick, and red buttons on the back.” It won’t come as a big surprise to learn that Mike is also a keen gamer. “I'm a big gamer, always have been, in fact my very first game console was the original Donkey Kong Game & Watch handheld, so I've been a massive Nintendo fan from an early age. But I love all gaming really, I love my consoles and my gaming PC. I often jump around with what genre I'm into all the time. “Currently I'm going through a big retro phase by playing lots of old school shoot 'em up and beat 'em up games. I've been revisiting old arcade classics and discovering lots of awesome newer released ones as well.”

“It's a ‘doodle’ style drawing that I really

Michael Brinkley

love making and that’s become one of my art specialties. They’re super relaxing, almost meditative as I have no goal or idea in mind when I start, I just put pencil to paper and let the drawing create itself in a way. It makes every one of these drawings unique, which is why I wanted to do one for the competition as it's very different and very uniquely me.” Not surprisingly, Mike tells us that he’s loved drawing since a young age, but he continues to study the craft. “I've always loved drawing and art

Check out more of Mike’s wild art on his Instagram: mr_brinks

• The Sketch Riot PowerA Advantage Plus wired controller is available now, exclusively at JB.

20 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Dual connectivity The Orochi V2 is a completely wireless mouse, and it supports both Razer HyperSpeed Wireless connectivity and Bluetooth, offering the ability to easily switch between high performance gaming and power efficient productivity. Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless, which uses an included USB dongle that lives inside the mouse for travelling, brings ultralow latency performance that even rivals wired mice, which comes from a combination of an optimised data pipeline and the use of a fast radio frequency. This means a blisteringly quick click latency of under 195 microseconds. Meanwhile, Bluetooth mode is perfect for everyday use or travel, eliminating the need for a dongle as well as maximising battery life. Speaking of battery life... Needing to charge a mouse is a drag, so the Orochi V2 eliminates it. Yes, it’s battery-only, and this brings advantages to the table. The battery life truly is a standout feature, as a single AA battery (one of which is included) can deliver up to an astonishing 1100

If you’re a gamer who’s always on the go, then the ultra lightweight Razer Orochi V2 Portable Wireless Gaming Mouse could be your new favourite travelling companion. Words Amy Flower A MOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS

hours of use in Bluetooth mode, and a still impressive 445 hours using HyperSpeed Wireless. That’s a mega amount of life

The brief Razer set about designing the Orochi V2 with one key purpose in mind, and that was to deliver top-notch gaming performance in a compact and travel-friendly form. So light! With a mere weight of just under 60 grams (without a battery), the Razer Orochi V2 is one of the lightest wireless gaming mice out there. While many lightweight competitors use a honeycomb shell to achieve their lack of heft, The Orochi V2 features a solid chassis – meaning more strength, and less likelihood of gathering gunk. With this lightness and its small footprint, it’s a doddle to take on the go – you can just slip it into a backpack, handbag, or even a pocket. It’s your handy travel companion! Shaping up Many mice are for right “Orochi” literally translates to “big snake” in Japanese. DYK?

Underneath All the lightness in the world would be nothing if the mouse in question didn’t also have the moves to suit. The Orochi V2 features pure PTFE feet to ensure that it glides smoothly across various surfaces, as well as offering minimal drag for fast flicks. Making sense

before having to scrounge about for a replacement battery. In a novel move, the

Orochi V2 supports a choice between either an AA or AAA battery – when weight really matters. The two battery slots are positioned to deliver balanced weight distribution, too, so no matter

which way you go you won’t feel like you’re struggling against an off-balance mouse. Get it just right Razer’s handy Synapse 3 software lets users get their Orochi V2 just how they like it. Six programmable buttons can be remapped, DPI stages can be adjusted, and performance settings can be tweaked. That would mean nothing without the ability to store those settings, so a single onboard memory profile lets them travel with the mouse.

Under the bonnet, the Orochi V2 packs in Razer’s 5G Advanced Optical Sensor, which brings up to 18,000 DPI, 450 IPS tracking, and 40G acceleration to the table. These work in tandem with second-gen mechanical switches that are rated for a mighty 60 million clicks, so that’s precision and durability sorted.

handed folk only, but the Orochi V2 is suitable for righties and lefties. It supports multiple grip styles, too, so whether you prefer claw, palm, fingertip, or hybrid you’ll be right at home. Razer listened to community feedback when refining its shape, which features a taller rear hump, tapered ends, and a natural thumb groove.

Take your pick! All these great features

combine to make for one super competitive wireless gaming mouse – and it’s also super affordable. All you need to do now is make a choice – black, white, or quartz (pink)?

The Razer Orochi V2 Portable Wireless Gaming Mouse is available now

22 JULY 2026

jbhifi.com.au