Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Watch Pokémon

What will happen when Pokémon discover how to hack our Roombas, our security systems, or the means of production? Why would these adorable little pocket monsters even try to? Perhaps this week’s Photoshop contest can shed some light on the matter. Update 11/25/16 — We’ve got just inside of 24 hours to see how much…

How To Not Be A Jerk On Black Friday

Black Friday is the Armageddon of retail, and even has the name to fit. On that unholy day, armed soldiers of capitalism move on local games outlets with just one thing on their minds: new shit for less money. This piece originally appeared on November 23, 2016. Gaming equipment is expensive. We get it. But…

Endless Space 2’s Communists Have A 5000-Year Plan

Endless Space 2 is a promising 4x game that’s still in Early Access. I played it a few months ago and liked what I saw, and I’ll be dipping back in soon now that the game has got its first major update. A new faction, The United Empire, has been added, and I liked this…

Cheer Up, Soldier Folks

Ihor Pasternak is a concept artist and illustrator who works at Plarium, an MMO and mobile studio whose games aren’t for us but which feature very nice art. You can see more of Ihor’s work at his personal site and ArtStation page To see the images in their native resolution, click on the “expand” button…

Watch Smash Bros. Melee Players Compete For One Of The Biggest Cash Prizes In The Game’s 15 Year History

This is what it looks like when one incredible Melee player shows no mercy. DreamHack Winter 2016 is going on right now at the Elmia Convention Center in Jönköping, Sweden, meaning that in addition to tournaments for everything ranging from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Hearthstone, you can also catch some of the best Smash Bros.…

Mimikyu Is Terrifying In The Pokémon Sun and Moon Anime

Fans felt sympathy for Mimikyu in Pokémon Sun and Moon because of a tragic backstory which claims that it dresses up in Pikachu rags because it, too, wants to be loved like the icon. That’s NOT how Mimikyu feels in the anime, though. The latest episode of the Pokémon anime aired in Japan recently, and…

Obsessive Anime Comparisons Between TV And Blu-ray Versions

Of course, the home releases of anime programs often look better than the broadcast versions. Anime studios have more time to tweak their art, and they can also make some extra scratch on the Blu-ray. Previously, Kotaku showed comparisons between the disc releases and the TV originals. And for a while now, YouTube folks have been…

Work Better With Meowth From Pokémon

If you spend lots of time working on the computer, you might wish you had a cushion for your wrists. You might wish you had this. This Meowth computer cushion is designed for desk work, hopefully improving posture and helping to reduce wrist strain. Or maybe you can put Meowth to work. Like so. Type,…

Shot on Film. Tokyo, Japan. By Sandy Sze JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line! 

The Best Planet Coaster Creations

Planet Coaster is a game that’s at its strongest when you’re building stuff. And unless you’re very talented, the stuff you build probably won’t be as cool as this stuff With such healthy Steam Workshop support, user-created content is an important part of the Planet Coaster experience. From minor cosmetic touches to new rides to…

Custom Titanfall 2 Screenshots Look Absolutely Beautiful

Screenshot artist Berduuis to thank for these gorgeous snaps of Titanfall 2, which go way beyond what we’re capable of grabbing by mashing a button in Steam or Fraps. If you’ve ever wanted to try this kind of thing yourself, the shots were taken using this camera tool You can see more of Berduu’s work…

The Unexpected Joy Of Repetition In Video Games

Video games send us to exotic locales, charging us to do countless tasks. Amidst what can feel like a jumbled mess of quests, goals, and waypoints, finding something consistent can be a treat. Let’s look at the ways in which finding something we can do repeatedly in a game can provide a welcome relief from…

‘The Last Game I Make Before I Die’: Fighting Cancer By Making A Video Game

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Crashlands, a mash-up of Diablo, Pokemon, and Don’t Starve lobbed at Steam’s collective face with unfettered glee. It’s ambitious, funny, and fun. Turns out, it was conceived when its creator found out he had cancer. This post originally ran on 2/10/16. Sam Coster is the co-founder of Butterscotch…

Snacktaku Eats A Turkey TV Dinner Alone In A Dark Room

Not every Thanksgiving meal is a lavish feast. In honor of those who find themselves alone or with meager means on America’s snackiest holiday, Snacktaku shares the traditional cheap-ass alternative, the turkey TV dinner. Swanson’s Hungry Man turkey dinner is no replacement for a house full of friends and family within one or two words…