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Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: one-minute review

The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller launched alongside the console itself, and I’ve been using it as my go-to Switch 2 gamepad since launch day. While I was already impressed with it at a Switch 2 hands-on preview event a few months back, actually having it at home has solidified it as perhaps my favorite controller of the year.

The mission statement is a simple one: provide an updated version of the excellent Nintendo Switch Pro Controller - easily one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers for that original console - while keeping the things players loved about that original model intact. I feel this has mostly been achieved with the Switch 2 Pro Controller.

It’s incredibly comfortable in the hands, sporting simply lovely build quality from chassis to buttons. The thumbsticks are ultra-smooth and responsive, and additions like two remappable buttons on the rear, as well as a headphone jack, are extremely welcome.

Furthermore, the original Pro Controller is remembered fondly for its frankly absurd battery life, lasting around 40 hours on a single charge. I’m happy to report that’s also the case with the Switch 2 Pro Controller; after three weeks of testing for a few hours most days, I’ve only just seen the low battery warning flash up on my screen.

So what’s holding it back from truly being the greatest of all time? Well, unlike the original Pro Controller, this new model isn’t currently compatible with PC. It’s likely we’ll need to wait for a Steam compatibility update, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens in the near future. I also would’ve loved a trigger lock feature, allowing players to switch between digital and analog sensitivities to suit a wider range of genres (analog triggers naturally work better for racing games, for example).

Lastly, Nintendo seemingly remains committed to not having Hall effect thumbsticks, which is a massive shame. What this means is that, eventually, I expect the Switch 2 Pro Controller to develop stick drift. Perhaps not as quickly as the Joy-Con 2 - of which there are already reports of users experiencing drift - but for a controller that costs as much as it does, the lack of sturdier Hall effect thumbsticks hurts. Doubly so, considering the sticks themselves feel fantastic during play.

(Image credit: Future)Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: price and availability

• $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95
• Cheaper on average than a set of Joy-Con 2 ($94.99 / £74.99 / AU$139.95)
• A price increase in the US bumped it up from the originally planned $79.99

If there’s one potential criticism I can levy at the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it’s that it certainly isn’t cheap.

It’s available to purchase now from Nintendo’s own website as well as stocking retailers for $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95. US folks have it slightly worse here due to a price increase that’s seen the controller’s RRP pushed up from the original $79.99.

Overall, though, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is cheaper in the US than a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers ($94.99), while being priced the same as those in the UK (£74.99).

That said, cheaper alternatives do exist in controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 ($69.99 / £59.99 - around AU$90). This is an exceptional controller that’s well worth looking into, especially as it’s recently received a firmware update to allow for Switch 2 connectivity.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Specs

Price

$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

Weight

8.3oz / 235g

Dimensions

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2

Connection type

Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB Type-C)

Battery life

Around 40 hours

(Image credit: Future)Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: design and features

• Pleasing light gray-on-black aesthetic design
• Adds GameChat and GL/GR buttons, as well as a headphone jack
• Otherwise, very similar to the original Pro Controller

Put the Switch 2 Pro Controller side by side with the original model, and you’ll notice a lot of similarities. Its large face buttons are about the same size here, the d-pad is very similar, and the controller still uses digital triggers. I think an option for quicker triggers would’ve been nice here, via trigger locks, for genres like racing games. But there are some other upgrades here that I’m very happy about.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller adds some very welcome features. There’s a dedicated GameChat button like we see on the Joy-Con 2 for accessing the console’s bespoke voice chat system. Additionally, you’re getting a 3.5mm headphone jack, which - alarmingly - wasn’t present on the original Pro Controller. Lastly, a pair of GL/GR buttons on the rear of the pad can be remapped on a per-game basis, though I’ll touch more on those in the following performance section.

In terms of looks, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is simple, but pretty eye-catching. The semi-translucent look of the original has been replaced with a matte black shell. Meanwhile, the top that houses the bumpers and triggers - as well as the thumbstick shafts - have taken on a light gray coating that I think looks nice juxtaposed against the otherwise all-black gamepad. I wouldn’t say it’s winning any awards in the aesthetics department, but it’s a simple and elegant design that doesn’t look out of place.

Otherwise, there isn’t much to report on the design front beyond the fact that this is an incredibly comfortable asymmetrical controller that sits firmly in the hands. I find that the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s grips are of a perfect size, and the pad fits snugly in my hands with my index fingers set firmly on the triggers. I felt this way about the original Pro Controller, too, but its successor does feel ever so slightly more refined in this regard.

(Image credit: Future)Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Performance

• Thumbsticks feel excellent during gameplay
• A frankly absurd amount of battery life
• GL/GR buttons are actually a godsend

Right away, let’s talk about the thing that most people fondly remember the original Pro Controller for - its seemingly endless battery life. While there have been no noticeable improvements here with the Switch 2 Pro Controller, I can’t exactly say that’s a bad thing.

Yep, you can expect this new model to go the distance with around 40-45 hours of battery life. Since launch, on average, I’ve played my Switch 2 with the Pro Controller for around 1-3 hours daily.

Three weeks later, I have only just seen the low battery warning flash up on my screen. This is absolutely best-in-class battery life that leaves even the best Nintendo Switch controllers in the dust. It is worth noting that such a hefty battery does take some time to charge up again - around 3-4 hours to be exact - but do this overnight via USB-C and you’ll never need to worry about running out of juice.

Otherwise, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is just a joy to play games with. The thumbsticks are the real heroes here, feeling almost impossibly smooth and incredibly responsive during play.

This makes precise platformers like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury or white knuckle racers like F-Zero GX feel fantastic to play (even if the latter still benefits more from the wireless GameCube controller’s button layout).

(Image credit: Future)

My one gripe here would be that the thumbsticks are not Hall effect, with Nintendo seemingly opting once again for more traditional potentiometers. It’s a frustrating commitment that we also see from Sony and Microsoft in their first-party pads, and as a result, it’s currently hard to gauge just how long the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s sticks will last before developing drift. That said, the thumbsticks here do feel decidedly sturdier than those on the Joy-Con 2, so I do expect them to last a good deal longer.

However, I think my favorite addition to the Switch 2 Pro Controller has to be the rear GL/GR buttons. We’ve seen remappable buttons like these on countless third-party controllers, but I really like how Nintendo has implemented them. By holding down the Home button while in-game, you’ll bring up a quick menu that lets you assign GL and GR as secondary inputs.

This works on a per-game basis, too, meaning you don’t need to constantly reassign them while you’re hopping from game to game. They can be an absolute lifesaver, too. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for example, I bound the sprint and jump actions to these buttons, letting me still have access to camera controls.

Similarly, in Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, binding the left and right d-pad inputs to GL/GR let me cycle through my inventory of items without having to stop moving or adopt an awkward claw grip instead.

Otherwise, you can expect a controller that performs just as well as the original where it counts. Gyro aiming is still incredibly solid and accurate for games like Splatoon 3, and you still have near-field communication (NFC) support for scanning amiibo figures in your favorite games.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller?Buy it if...

You want a cheaper (and better) Joy-Con 2 alternative
Sure, you’re not getting the Joy-Con 2’s fancy directional rumble or their aptitude for co-op play. But given the lower US price point, higher comfort factor, and sublime thumbsticks and GL/GR buttons, the Pro Controller wins out for me.

You prefer wireless play
You’re absolutely laughing here, as the Switch 2 Pro Controller seriously goes the distance in terms of battery life, putting in an impressive 40+ hours on an average full charge.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
While I wholeheartedly recommend the Switch 2 Pro Controller at its price point, I can’t say it’s exactly cheap. There are more affordable options around $10-$20 cheaper that do a similar job, such as the excellent 8BitDo Ultimate 2, or indeed the original Pro Controller.

You’ve had bad luck with stick drift
Without drift-resistant Hall effect sticks, I can’t say for sure just how long the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s thumbsticks will last before developing drift. If you’ve fallen foul of stick drift in the past, you may want to consider some alternatives.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Also consider

If the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t exactly what you’re after, there are a couple of great alternatives for you to consider.

Switch 2 Pro Controller

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Switch Pro Controller

Price

$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90 (or $59.99 / £49.99 for PC-only model)

$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.95

Weight

8.3oz / 235g

8.7oz / 246g

8.7oz / 246g

Dimensions

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

5.9 x 4.2 x 2.4in / 152 x 106 x 60mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2

PC, Android (Switch/Switch 2 version sold separately)

Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC

Connection type

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Battery life

Around 40 hours

10-15 hours

Around 40 hours

8BitDo Ultimate 2
A fantastic follow-up to my favorite Nintendo Switch controller, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 takes everything that made the original so good - Hall effect sticks, superb build quality, included charging dock - and upgrades it. Battery life is sadly worse overall, but you honestly can’t go wrong with either this or the original model.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The original Pro Controller is still a worthy purchase and compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. You may want to opt for this one if you’re looking to save some cash, especially as it’s still a top contender in the field of Switch accessories.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review

How I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

• Tested for three weeks, on average 1-3 hours per day
• Compared to the original Pro Controller and similar third-party gamepads
• Played a wide variety of games, both modern and retro

I tested the Switch 2 Pro Controller from launch until now - a period of around three weeks. On average, I played with the controller for around one to three hours a day, largely opting for docked mode play on my LG CX OLED TV.

In my time with the controller, I put it through its paces with games across a wide variety of genres. This includes The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, F-Zero GX, Deltarune, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.

I compared the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s feature set to that of the original Pro Controller and third-party gamepads, including the GameSir Tarantula Pro and the original 8BitDo Ultimate. While I do wish Nintendo’s pad brought Hall effect sticks to the table, its overall feature set and comfortable play experience still make it well worth considering in a crowded controller market.

First reviewed June 2025

Read more about how we test

At issue is the Louisiana legislature's creation of a Black-majority congressional district, which a group of voters claimed was an illegal racial gerrymander.

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Here are CNET's top picks of the best ISPs and internet plans in Frederick for fast download speeds and reliable service, chosen by our internet experts.

The ruling is the first time that the court has imposed requirements on adult consumers in order to protect minors from having access to sexually explicit material.

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At issue was whether school systems are required to provide parents with an "opt-out" option when parents claim their religious beliefs conflict with their children's course material.

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• 10% of the 150,000+ SaaS apps on offer could be affected by Entra ID vulnerability
• It was first disclosed in 2023, but many apps still remain affected
• App vendors need to issue patches or you risk account takeover

Semperis has released new research uncovering a severe flaw in Microsoft's Entra ID, called nOAuth, and its effects could span 10% of SaaS applications globally.

The vulnerability involves a cross-tenant authentication flaw affecting Entra ID integrations – attackers could execute full account takeover with just access to an Entra tenant and the victim's email.

The report explains that the attack is a low-complexity, low-effort one that bypasses even multi-factor authentication (MFA), conditional access policies and zero-trust security architecture – all things that are generally characteristics of companies with strong cybersecurity postures.

Entra ID vulnerability could have broad effects

Additionally, attackers can get away without leaving much trace, and the Entra ID vulnerability cannot be defended against without vendor-side fixes.

Given that there are an estimated 150,000 SaaS apps in use globally, Semperis suggests more than 15,000 SaaS applications could be affected.

Once an attacker gains access to one of the apps at risk, they can impersonate the victim, gain access to personally identifiable information or exfiltrate data.

Currently, there is no effective way to detect the attack, and prevention is also proving to be troubling without the right fixes from software vendors. Alarmingly, it was first disclosed in 2023, but Semperis' 2025 research shows that it still affects many apps.

Semperis' Chief Identity Architect, Eric Woodruff, commented: "customers are left with no way to detect or stop the attack, making this an especially dangerous and persistent threat."

As such, SaaS vendors are being urged to audit and patch affected apps as quickly as possible. The Microsoft Security Response Center has also advised vendors to follow its guidelines or risk being removed from the Entra gallery.

"We’ve confirmed exploitation is still possible in many SaaS apps, which makes this an urgent call to action. We encourage developers to implement the necessary fixes and help protect their customers before this flaw is exploited further," Woodruff added.

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A Menlo Ventures report finds 91% of AI users have a default artificial intelligence assistant they turn to for their AI tasks.

I do love a good treasure hunt, and the more dysfunctional it is the better – so I'm really intrigued by Low Life, which is one of the latest Korean dramas to come to one of the best streaming services.

Disney's been streaming some really good stuff from Korea lately: its Nine Puzzles was a rewarding slow burn of a serial killer thriller, and while Low Life is a very different kind of story, it sounds like it's going to be of similarly high quality.

The 11-parter is written and directed by Kang Yun-seong, who wrote Disney+'s Big Bet and directed the hit movie The Outlaws. It's a tale of small-time schemers who hear about the ultimate treasure hunt and decide to make it theirs. Naturally a whole host of other people have the same idea, and many of those people are exactly the kind of people you don't want to run into.

What we know about Low Life so far

Low Life is a period drama set in the 1970s amid South Korea's "murky" underworld, and as The Hollywood Reporter reports, the star of the show is veteran Korean star Ryu Seung-ryong – who you may have seen in Disney Plus's Moving. He plays conman Oh Gwanseok, a veteran crook who's looking for the obligatory one last score, and he recruits his rather naive nephew Oh Heedong (rising star Yang Se-jong) to help.

I haven't seen the show yet but I like the setup: it reminds me of countless odd-couple dramas such as the peerless Midnight Run, which starred Robert De Niro and James Brolin. Having mismatched protagonists facing all kinds of obstacles is usually a recipe for a thoroughly entertaining time, and the buddy dynamic tends to be a lot of fun, so I'm hoping this will earn a spot as one of the best Disney+ shows.

Low Life will premiere as a Hulu Original in the US and will stream internationally on Disney+. The premiere is on July 16, with three episodes available at once, and the remaining eight episodes will be released weekly until the two-part finale on August 13.

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Death Stranding 2 was revealed at The Game Awards 2022 and follows on from what we think is one of the best PS4 games ever. Better yet, it's out now.

Given that Death Stranding 2 is available now for all players, we've actually been busy over the last couple of weeks playing a pre-release version of the game. You can check out our 5-star Death Stranding 2 review to read what we liked, and didn't, about the star-studded sequel.

Here's what you need to know about Death Stranding 2, including a look at the confirmed platforms, the latest trailers, and all of the latest news. As more details come to light post-launch, no doubt drip-fed over the next few months or so, we'll be sure to update this page.

Death Stranding 2 - cut to the chase

• What is it? The sequel to 2019's Death Stranding
• When did it come out? June 26, 2025
• What can I play it on? PS5
• Who's making it? Kojima Productions

Death Stranding 2 release date

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2 is currently only released for PS5, and launched June 26, 2025.

Death Stranding, one of the best PS5 exclusives you can play right now, actually launched on PS4. It was originally published by Sony for PlayStation 4, before later seeing a PC version later on, published by 505 Games. It's possible that a similar thing could happen with Death Stranding 2, but, for now, it's only confirmed as a PS5 exclusive.

You can, of course, also load up Death Stranding 2 on PS5 Pro. Thanks to some slight but nonetheless impressive upgrades, the game has already landed on our list of the best PS5 Pro games to play in 2025.

Death Stranding 2 trailers

At SXSW 2025, a detailed trailer was revealed for Death Stranding 2. It announced the release date for the game, and gave a new look at the story. You can view it below:

We received a new Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer in 2024, and it was quite the showing. It confirms the true name of the game (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach), and lasts around 10 minutes. There's a puppet, lots of bridges being blown up, and a fight that involves a weaponized guitar. See for yourself, below:

There's only been two Death Stranding 2 trailers released so far. The reveal trailer is four minutes of classic Kojima misdirection, with plenty of big names thrown in. Check it out below:

In terms of what it all means... well, the Death Stranding 2 reveal trailer definitely raises more questions than answers. For one, Sam 'Porter' Bridges is grey now, and Fragile appears to be cured. Not only that, but she has a baby, which she later fails to protect from unknown enemies. There's a creepy-looking BB, a giant ship rising from tar, as well as a new villain wearing a very familiar red mask. We'll have to wait and see how it all pays off and develops into a fuller narrative.

It could be a while before we see more about Death Stranding 2, though it's still penned for later this year. Until then, it's worth keeping an eye on the official PlayStation YouTube channel for new trailer drops.

While not a proper trailer per se, there is a full PlayStation Presents presentation on Death Stranding 2. It was released during Tokyo Game Show, and features some new footage from the game, including a look at photo mode.

Death Stranding 2 cast

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

As expected, Death Stranding 2's main cast features some big names from the worlds of both movies and gaming. You can check out the confirmed cast below:

• Norman Reedus
• Léa Seydoux
• Elle Fanning
• Shioli Kutsana
• Troy Baker
• George Miller

Death Stranding 2 gameplay

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Thanks to the latest Death Stranding 2 trailer, we've gotten our first extended look at gameplay. Things look similar to the first, with players hiking across open areas, encountering ghostly enemies along the way. The main differences here appear to be in the terrain, which seems much more treacherous. Landslides, flash floods and tougher enemies present more of a challenge, with much more of a focus on action this time around.

We see Sam using bikes to get around, and weapons to dispatch enemies. Whether or not we'll be delivering packages in the same way as in the first game remains to be seen, but given Fragile's new Drawbridge network filling in for the UCA, we're betting there'll be plenty of bridge-building, albeit across larger and more detailed environments.

Death Stranding 2 early access - how to play early

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

You can play Death Stranding 2 two days early by pre-ordering the Collector's Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition of the game. This will give you a whole host of bonuses and goodies. Full info in the PS Blog.

Death Stranding 2 latest news

Hideo Kojima shows 9 seconds of Death Stranding 2 title screen footage
In a Tweet, Hideo Kojima has shared a first look at Death Stranding 2's loading screen, though he has warned that it is "very temporary".

Death Stranding 2 has a release date, but Hideo Kojima isn't ready to share it yet
During a recent PlayStation presentation for the Death Stranding sequel, the director revealed that the game already has a decided release date but he was unable to announce it at the event due to "unforeseen circumstances" (via VGC).

Death Stranding 2 will launch in 2025
We now know that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will arrive at some point in 2025. Beyond that, there's been no indication of a release window. Stay tuned!

Hideo Kojima rewrote Death Stranding 2 completely following the pandemic
Speaking to the Japanese outlet Natalie, Kojima has outlined exactly what changed with the sequel's story in the wake of COVID-19. In the interview, the Metal Gear Solid and Snatcher creator explained that the plot for Death Stranding 2 was written before the pandemic, which surged in Asia in late 2019 before going global in early 2020.

Hideo Kojima shares a picture of Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus
Hideo Kojima has sparked an online furor by posting pictures of Death Stranding star Norman Reedus with Keanu Reeves, kicking off speculation that The Matrix star may appear in Death Stranding 2.

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What's the next big Xbox game?

(Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment)

The next big Xbox game is Grounded 2, which arrives July 29, 2025. It's an evolution of the excellent co-op survival game, and it's already looking like a much bigger experience at launch. Then there's Gears of War: Reloaded, which is a remaster of the first game, before The Outer Worlds 2 arrives in October to steal the show.

Fable 4, also currently just known as Fable, is a reboot of a beloved trilogy of fantasy action role-playing games (RPGs) originally developed by Lionhead Studios. However, the series is in the process of being revived under its new stewards Playground Games.

The Fable series is renowned for two things: enabling the player to craft exactly the kind of character they want and side-splitting dark humor. For some, the original trilogy stands among the best RPGs ever made, offering an emphasis on player agency that rivals some of the best single-player games.

Fortunately, if Fable 4's most recent trailer is anything to go by, it looks as though we can expect the series' trademark sense of humor in spades. While we've not seen any reveals as to the upcoming game's mechanics, the trailer did show off some stellar writing, as well as a hilarious performance from British actor Matt King.

That said, we do know that Fable 4 will be an RPG. It also seems likely that it will follow the mold of its predecessors, offering real-time action with plenty of quests to complete and places to explore. Read on to find out everything we know about Fable.

Fable 4: cut to the chase

• What is it? The fourth installment in the mainline Fable franchise
• When is it coming out? 2026
• What can I play it on? TBC, but it's an Xbox exclusive
• Who is making it? Playground Games

Fable 4 release year and platforms

(Image credit: Playground Games)

Fable 4 will be released for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC sometime in 2026, where it will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. It's unknown if it'll arrive on Xbox One consoles, but it seems unlikely.

This Xbox exclusivity makes it exceedingly unlikely that Fable 4 will arrive on a PlayStation console. We'll have to wait until the game is shown again, as currently, we have no information on when it's expected to come out. It's worth noting that recently, some Xbox-exclusive games like Sea of Thieves have and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle have come to PS5, so it's certainly possible that Fable will do the same.

Fable 4 trailers

The most recent trailer for Fable came alongside the news of a delay to 2026. It features some new gameplay, check it out below:

A trailer for Fable was released at the Xbox Games Showcase event that aired on June 9, 2024. It was another cinematic trailer, showing Peep Show actor Matt King playing a retired hero. It was a fun trailer but once again offered a distinct lack of concrete information about the wider plot or game mechanics. It did reveal that Fable will be arriving at some point in 2025 (later delayed to 2026). You can check it out below:

Right now, only three Fable trailers have been released: the latest one, the world premiere announcement trailer, and the one shown off at Xbox Games Showcase 2023. While we wait for more, you can head to the official Xbox YouTube account to keep an eye out for new info.

Fable 4 gameplay

While we've yet to receive any concrete details about Fable's game mechanics, there were some glimpses of what we might be able to expect in the second trailer. Sword combat was shown, with a warrior depicted in battle with a bandit before performing a sort of finishing move, throwing them to the ground.

Another shot of gameplay showed the main character throwing a fire bomb at a group of enemies, suggesting that these sorts of items might also be making a return. Unfortunately, this is all we've seen so far, alongside some in-engine cinematics.

That said, Aaron Greenberg, general manager of Xbox Games Marketing at Microsoft, did make it clear after the reveal that "it's obviously going to be a role-playing game" (via GamesRadar). Though this gives us little to go on in terms of specifics, it confirms that Fable 4 will likely place an emphasis on storytelling, character customization, and player agency, much like its predecessors.

Fable 4 main character

(Image credit: Xbox)

We don't yet know much about the Fable 4 main character, but there are a few details we can glean from the teasers we've seen so far. First, it seems likely that the main character will be a 'hero' of some kind. This could potentially spell a connection to The Guild of Heroes - a powerful organization of do-gooders who feature in the original Fable (2004).

It also seems likely that our hero will have to do battle with Richard Ayoade's giant at some point. The Fable franchise is no stranger to including celebrated actors and comedians. Fable 3 famously included Monty Python veteran John Cleese, comedian Stephen Fry, and actor Simon Pegg. The inclusion of Ayoade in Fable 4 beyond just a cameo in the trailer seems likely, given this tradition.

While it hasn't been confirmed, it also seems probable that our main character will also be highly customizable. The Fable games have always been big on letting you tweak your character physically and cosmetically and it would be odd for Fable 4 to not continue the trend. We might also see the return of appearance changes based on character morality, too. In the original trilogy, evil choices would net you devil horns and sinister-looking eyes while good choices would get you a halo and angel wings. We imagine Fable 4 will iterate on these systems in some way, though we're not sure quite what's in store at this stage.

Fable 4 FAQ

(Image credit: Playground Games)Who's developing Fable 4?

The new Fable game is being worked on by the fine folks over at Playground Games. This team previously worked on the Forza Horizon series, so this is quite a switch up. Regardless, this is an excellent studio with a real knack for creating amazing environments with gorgeous atmospheric effects. There's no doubt that Fable 4 could be a very beautiful looking game indeed when it launches in 2026.

Will Fable 4 be on Game Pass?

The new Fable game will launch on Game Pass, available for subscribers at no extra cost. This has been confirmed since the game was first shown off, so expect it to drop onto your games lineup some time this year.

Will Fable come to PS5?

Currently, there are no announced plans to bring Fable to PS5, though that doesn't mean it won't happen. Recently, Xbox games have started to be ported over to PlayStation, including Sea of Thieves. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5 also have PS5 versions, so it's possible that Fable could follow a similar release pattern.

Fable 4 news

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Xbox confirms Fable has been delayed to 2026, shares new pre-alpha gameplay footage offering a brand new look at the game
"We are actually going to give Fable more time. It's going to ship in 2026 now. While I know that's not maybe the news people want to hear, what I want is to assure people that it's definitely worth the wait." - full story here.

Xbox re-reveals Fable
Fable was finally re-revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 event. Not much was shown, but it's clear that the game now has a strong tonal direction and comedic vibe to it. Hopefully, the next time we see the game, we'll get a look at the game mechanics as well as what to expect from the story.

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• Xiaomi says it's sold more than 2,000 YU7s within three minutes of launch
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• Huge demand means the company’s plant capacity is sold out until 2027

Not content with ripping up the performance EV rulebook in the Nurburgring-shattering SU7 Ultra, Chinese technology giant Xiaomi is now entering the popular and hotly-contested SUV market with its YU7.

There are no guesses for which best-seller its latest model is gunning for, seeing as Xiaomi’s Tesla-baiting model betters Musk’s best-selling creation in almost every statistic.

It is faster from 0-62mph, the range is substantially higher than a Model Y (in YU7 Max versions) and it operates on a modern 800V architecture for ultra-rapid charging – all of this and it is roughly $1,400 cheaper than a Base Model Y in China.

Offered in three distinct variants (Standard, Pro and Max), Xiaomi’s YU7 delivers a variety of performance and electric range figures, with the entry-level Standard version offering almost 520 miles on a single charge, according to China’s notoriously generous Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).

The 800V silicon carbide platform means it supports ultra-fast charging at up to 5.2C (a rate of 5.2 times its capacity in one hour), this allows it to nail a 10–80% charge in as little as 12 minutes and can add up to 385 miles of range in 15 minutes.

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Performance is strong, too, with the marque’s HyperEngine V6s Plus endowing the YU7 Max model with 690hp, which translates into a top speed of 146mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of just 3.2 seconds.

It is a veritable tech-fest under the shapely, almost Ferrari-esque skin, with Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor chips powering advanced levels of autonomous driving, as well as the new Xiaomi HyperVision Panoramic Display that projects information onto the lower half of the windshield.

The tech giant also says that the powerful infotainment system offers bags of entertainment, including mic-free karaoke and the option to fall in love with a digital pet capybara or an otter. The virtual critters act as the AI assistant, apparently.

Cleverly, Xiaomi has even installed dual-thread ports with power on both sides of the dashboard that can house operational accessory smartphone cradles, while the rear-view mirror can accommodate a 4K gimbal camera.

Analysis: coping with demand is Xiaomi’s biggest problem

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Last year, the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in China and it continued to hold its own against an onslaught of domestic rivals that have launched in recent months. That said, Car News China reports that Tesla sales are still down 24% so far this year.

Xiaomi’s YU7 poses a serious threat to Tesla’s foothold in the country, but it is to be followed by Xpeng’s much-lauded G7 and Li Auto’s i8, which is said to feature the latest generation fast-charging NMC battery from CATL.

Musk has responded by announcing a China-only version of the Model Y that can be configured with either six or seven seats, but it hasn’t seen fit to update the vehicle beyond the tweaks it made earlier this year, which didn’t include faster charging capability.

However, some media outlets in China have reported that Xiaomi could well struggle to keep up with demand of both the recently-launched SU7 performance sedan and the YU7 SUV, with Car News China stating that wait times for the SU7 Pro are almost a year.

It currently only has a single plant in Beijing that is dedicated to producing its electric vehicles, meaning that unless it can increase output, the rampant pre-orders mean everything is sold out for the next year and a half.

A nice problem to have for Xiaomi, and a small glimmer of hope for Tesla.

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It was supposed to be the answer to IT’s flexibility dilemma. Hybrid cloud, with its blend of on-premises control and public cloud scalability, gave businesses the agility to respond to new demands without overhauling infrastructure. But what started as a strategic advantage has, for many CISOs, evolved into a patchwork of fragmented tools, siloed teams and visibility gaps.

The result is an increasingly difficult environment to secure. And the solution isn’t just more technology. It’s a rethink of how CISOs lead in a hybrid world.

Why the old playbook no longer works

In traditional data centers, security was built around well-defined perimeters. The rise of cloud computing forced a shift to more distributed security models. But hybrid cloud has created something altogether more complex — an environment where workloads move between clouds, teams manage different platforms, and security responsibilities blur across IT, DevOps and compliance.

This complexity undermines many of the assumptions baked into earlier security strategies. Tools that worked well in isolated environments struggle to deliver unified protection across platforms. Policies become inconsistent. Incident response slows down. Most concerning of all, blind spots develop — not out of negligence, but out of an inability to see and manage everything at once.

The challenge isn’t visibility. It’s integration

Many security leaders have responded by investing in more observability tools. But even with best-in-class dashboards and alerts, visibility alone doesn’t equal security. It’s not what you can see that protects your environment, but how quickly and intelligently you can act.

That’s where integration becomes essential. Security needs to be embedded into the fabric of hybrid infrastructure, not added on after deployment. This means consolidating policy controls, enabling workload portability without security drift, and ensuring that response actions can be automated and orchestrated across environments.

It also means designing security to work with the business, not against it. Hybrid strategies are often driven by performance or cost optimization goals. When security becomes a bottleneck, teams find workarounds, and that’s when risk increases.

Leadership starts with simplification

The most effective CISOs today are not simply technologists. They are architects of simplification. Instead of trying to manage complexity through sheer effort, they look for ways to reduce it at the source.

This might mean consolidating infrastructure platforms to reduce the number of control points. It could involve standardizing security policies across cloud and on-prem environments. It often requires working more closely with enterprise architects and business leaders to design security in from the beginning, rather than retrofitting it later.

Partnerships that bring infrastructure and security closer together can play a pivotal role here. For example, when hybrid cloud platforms are tightly integrated with next-generation firewall capabilities, CISOs gain more than visibility. They gain a consistent, policy-driven approach to security that travels with workloads, automates enforcement, and simplifies day-to-day operations.

Bringing security closer to the workload

Rather than layering security tools on top of an existing environment, an integrated approach embeds protection directly into the virtual network fabric, enabling precise control over how applications and data communicate across both public and private clouds.

Through virtual private cloud (VPC) capabilities, organizations can isolate and secure multitenant environments with greater confidence. This alignment offers a practical path forward for CISOs aiming to implement zero-trust principles.

Policies based on user identity, application behavior and contextual risk can be applied consistently, regardless of whether workloads reside in a data center or a hybrid multicloud setup. Continuous verification, least-privileged access, and deep threat inspection all become easier to manage when security is embedded at the infrastructure layer.

Importantly, this model supports automation. Using policy tags and centralized tools such as Palo Alto Networks Panorama, teams can manage firewall deployments across environments and streamline security operations within CI/CD pipelines. It’s a significant step toward security that adapts as the business scales and a compelling example of how simplification and strategic integration can go hand in hand.

From silos to synergy. A new operating model

What begins with tighter integration at the infrastructure level is now evolving into broader operational change. Organizations are starting to move away from fragmented roles and responsibilities. Instead of separate cloud and data center teams, some are creating platform teams that manage hybrid environments as a whole. And rather than relying on a patchwork of point security products, they are turning to solutions that bring networking, security and operations into a cohesive, centrally managed layer.

This improves efficiency and makes it possible to apply zero trust principles more effectively. When identities, workloads and data flows are managed consistently, the attack surface shrinks — not because there are fewer threats, but because there are fewer gaps to exploit.

Crucially, these organizations are moving from reactive security to proactive resilience. That’s the real goal in a hybrid world. You cannot prevent every breach, but you can design systems to detect, contain and recover more effectively. That’s what gives the business confidence to move faster without sacrificing safety.

Rethinking the role of the CISO

Hybrid cloud is becoming more entrenched as organizations balance cost, performance and regulatory demands. For CISOs, the new burning question is how to lead with hybrid cloud in a way that makes it secure by design.

This starts by embracing simplification, fostering collaboration, and embedding security into every layer of hybrid operations. It’s not easy. But it’s also not optional. Because in today’s environment, complexity is the greatest vulnerability, and clarity is the most powerful defense.

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