August, 2019 - Softonic English

Fortnite gets a Borderlands crossover

The world of Pandora has come to the Fortnite island as part of a surprise Borderlands crossover. Players that head to the game’s desert biome will be able to see a variety of areas inspired by 2k’s upcoming shoot-and-loot game as part of the Fortnite x Mayhem event.

Fortnite gets a Borderlands crossover

fortnite borderlands crossover — Image courtesy Epic Games

Borderlands 3 made headlines and caused controversy earlier this year when it was announced that the forthcoming game would be exclusive to the Epic Games store. That partnership between 2K and Epic seems to be continuing in the form of a massive bundle of Borderlands content for Fortnite. Players that visit the in-game store will be able to purchase a Psycho character skin; these marauders are some of the most prevalent enemies in the Borderlands world. In addition, a pair of Buzz Axe mining tools and Claptrap back bling are also available for purchase.

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Claptrap is just as annoying (or lovable?) as ever, acting similar to one of Fortnite’s in-game pets. He’ll provide color commentary during play and react extensively to the world, and is easily one of the most animated and lively back blings in the game to date.

fortnite psycho skin — Image courtesy Epic Games

In addition to the new store items, players have until September 10th to complete a set of Borderlands-inspired challenges. Doing so will net tons of Borderlands themed rewards, from stickers to emotes to weapon skins worthy of any Vault Hunter.

borderlands fortnite area — Image courtesy Epic Games

Jumping into the game itself, players that head to the southeastern edge of the map’s desert area will find themselves in for a trip to the lawless world of Pandora. The game world within the Rift Zone has been given an almost total overhaul. The first and most apparent feature is the change to the game’s visuals. The saturated color palette and cel-shaded graphics in the area are ripped straight from Borderlands, and will leave players wondering if they accidentally stumbled into a different game.

The area itself is also loaded with new locations and items, such as Pandora’s alien-looking flora and fauna and collections of ramshackle wasteland settlements. Even the game’s chest have received a makeover to look like in-game loot chests from Borderlands.

It’s an ambitious crossover, and one that serves to cement the relationship between 2K and Epic. Borderlands 3 will be available September 13th, and the Fortnite event will run until September 10th. Hopefully, though, this colorful new Borderlands area will stay in-game until the end of Season 10.

Top 5 best Mario games

Which one of Mario’s countless adventures was his best?

Mario is the king of video games. He is to video games what Mickey Mouse is to kids’ cartoons, or what Batman is to comics. He has set the standard for what video games should strive to accomplish, and every time he graces our consoles, he sets that bar higher and higher.

We decided to pay homage to our favorite mustached plumber by counting down our five Mario favorite games.

Look, Mario has been in a stupid amount of video games. Also, he has been in an even stupider amount of side games. For this list, we are sticking with main series Mario games. We will not be considering any of his sports games, the Mario Kart games, or the Mario Party games.

Top 5 best Mario games

Super Mario Galaxy

The Nintendo Wii was both famous and infamous for its motion controls. You probably remember playing Wii Sports with the entire family and having a blast. However, you probably also playing games like Red Steel with broken motion controls that made you want to chuck the Wii Remote through the wall.

When we found out we were getting a main series Mario game for the Wii, we were both excited and worried. Sure, Mario rarely disappointed us, but we were worried that developers were going to force the shoddy controllers in the game. Fortunately, Mario soared through his time on the Wii with an incredible game. Mario Galaxy was a lot of fun with all of the things we love about the franchise. It also introduced us to Roselina, who has become a beloved character in the series.

It’s not the best Mario game by a longshot, but we are always willing to dust off our old Wii to play this sucker time and time again.

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Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3 took all of the things from the NES Mario games and added about 1,000 other things that made this game legendary. Mario has a bunch of new power-ups that fans love. From the Frog Suit, to the Hammer Bros. Suit, to the Tanooki Suit, everyone has a favorite.

This was the first time that a Mario game really got a fully fleshed-out story. You don’t have to read the back of the box to get an idea of what the story entails, you can find out simply by playing through the game. It’s a simple story, but it’s one we will gladly play through over and over again.

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Super Mario Odyssey

In a way, Super Mario Odyssey feels more like another sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. However, the new controls and mechanics in the game make this such an unforgettable experience. There is never a point in the game where you don’t feel like you’re in control. If you can imagine Mario doing something, there’s probably a way to make him do it.

We have to talk about the hat-throwing mechanics. The mechanics allow the player to not only control enemies while taking their abilities, but it also adds another way to navigate through each level. The worlds in Super Mario Odyssey are basically like jungle gyms for Mario, and his hat can make him leap and bound through these jungle gyms like a pro!

The game is a celebration of every Mario game that has come before it. It is uplifting, and will even make the more nostalgic gamer a bit misty-eyed from time to time.

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Super Mario World

Super Mario World is insane.

There really isn’t another game where you can choose your own path as flawlessly as you can in Super Mario World. Sure, if you want, you can play through each normal level until you face Bowser in the finale. Or, you can find one of the million warp zones hidden throughout the world so you can skip huge chunks of the game.

If you want, you can beat this game in just a few hours. However, if you want to play everything the game has to offer, it’s going to take you a few days to finish this beast off.

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Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is the mac-daddy of 3D platformers. Players have taken this game and have stretched the possibilities to their fullest extent. Don’t believe us? There’s a guy who collected all 120 Stars in the game in less than two hours.

Your average gamer would probably need a few weeks to accomplish that feat, but that’s just how crazy this game has made some of us. We want to see how far we can push it. We want to see if there’s anything else left to be found. We want to see just how much we can challenge Mario. Why? Because time and time again we have seen that the game still has more to offer.

Top 10 NES games of all time

From the field of Hyrule to the Mushroom Kingdom, these games defined a generation.

The Nintendo Entertainment System was a monumental video game system. After Atari caused the great video game crash, consumers weren’t ready to buy back into video games again. However, after games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda hit the mainstream, anybody who was anybody had to have one of those giant gray boxes.

For this list, we looked at the games that made the NES the legend it is today. If your favorite game didn’t make this list, let us know in the comments below!

Top 10 NES games

10. Metroid

Back in the day, video games had a simple concept: you take your character from the left side of the screen to the right side. Metroid took that concept and threw it out the window. In this game, you navigate a labyrinth with bad guys and power-ups hidden everywhere. Once you get some of those power-ups, you can circle back to areas you’ve already explored and then uncover more secrets hidden in this world.

On the NES, there were dozens of games that mimicked Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. However, there was only one Metroid and it is still untouchable.

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9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game

The first Ninja Turtles game on the NES is pretty bad, to say the least. It is notoriously difficult and almost impossible to control. Despite that game being a massive flop, the Ninja Turtles were sucking down quarters at the arcade like crazy. Nintendo decided that the best course of action was to port the arcade game to the NES.

Guess what? The game was phenomenal.

The game had much of the same moves and mechanics as the arcade game. The best part of it was that you didn’t need to put in a quarter every time you lost!

8. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

The Castlevania games on the NES were notorious for being difficult. However, people who loved these games were willing to brave through the relentless difficulty to reach the best parts of the game. From the gothic ambiance to the phenomenal musical scores, there is plenty to like about the games.

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse had all of the best parts of the previous Castlevania games, but included another great feature: three new characters. The new characters provided a breath of fresh air from the typical whip-toting Belmont boys.

If you’re willing to play one of the most difficult games on the NES, you won’t be disappointed.

7. Contra

UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A START

If you’re a gamer, you know better than anyone that the above cheat code is the secret to “eternal life.”

Well, not really. The above cheat code is the famous method players frantically inputted on their controllers to start Contra with 30 lives. Contra is easily one of the best shooters of all time. You play as a ‘roided-out soldier that’s out to thwart an alien-invasion with nothing but the gun strapped to his shirtless back.

The game was notoriously hard, and the 30-man code was absolutely necessary for first-timers. Pick this game up if you’re ready to lock and load. Also, don’t be embarrassed if you need more than 30 lives.

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6. Punch-Out!!

Punch-Out!! is a right-of-passage. You’re not much of a gamer unless you’ve watched Glass Joe hit the canvas like a sack of bricks. Punch-Out!! was one of those games that really united kids back in the day. These were the days before you could just look up on the internet how to beat a boss. Kids were reliant on playground knowledge. If you didn’t know how to beat King Hippo, you sometimes needed to have your buddy come over to show you that you needed to punch him in the mouth at the right moment.

Punch-Out!! is a legendary game. It hasn’t lost any steam in the time it has already spent on this planet, and we don’t expect it to any time soon.

5. Tecmo Bowl

In the beginning, there were jocks and there were gamers. Then, by a twist of cruel fate, there were video games about sports. Your average gamer doesn’t want to play football, baseball, or soccer when they have the option to stop an alien invasion or save the princess from a dragon. As a result, there was a huge divide in video games between those that play sports games and those that despised their existence.

That’s where Tecmo Bowl came in. Sure, it’s a sports game. However, it’s one hell of a good game. It’s easy to pick up and jump into, and playing it is wildly addictive. Nowadays, there are games like Madden that have insanely huge followings. Madden and its following would not exist if Tecmo Bowl had not paved the way.

4. Tetris

There are games on here with wild storylines, gameplay, and trend-setting mechanics. Then there is Tetris. Tetris is a brutally simple game. If you hand the game to a three-year-old, they could figure it out in a matter of minutes. However, Tetris is brilliant because it is so simple. Any person of any age can play Tetris and be great at it. It doesn’t take any sort of special skill or knowledge to be a Tetris champ; it just takes practice.

Tetris has gone through a bunch of cosmetic changes throughout the years, but the core game has mainly remained unchanged.

Do we really need to sell this game any more to you? Tetris has been around for this long already, and we won’t be surprised if it outlives every game on this list.

3. Mega Man 2

The phrase “ahead of its time” is used so much these days that it has lost a lot of meaning. With that being said, Mega Man 2 was so wildly ahead of its time. It’s downright crazy just how complicated of a game the developers were able to fit on an NES cartridge. The game feels like it came out one or two generations earlier than it was supposed to.

Each level is so iconic from the enemies, to the music, to the boss battle at the end. Even after you beat the game, all you want to do is start over again and replay those same wonderful iconic moments.

Need more convincing? Here’s a mariachi band playing the music from the game:

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2. The Legend of Zelda

What can we really say about The Legend of Zelda that hasn’t been said already? It’s one of the most iconic games ever made on top of being one of the best games ever made.

It has all of the best qualities of the rest of the games on this list, and it has so much more. So, instead of talking about why the game is great, we’ll talk about why the game is not the best game on the NES in our opinion.

The Legend of Zelda is cryptic, to say the least. It was a game that made you have to buy a subscription of “Nintendo Power” in order to beat it. There are things in the game that you couldn’t figure out on your own in a million years. The Legend of Zelda is quite literally a living legend, but it is not our top pick.

1. Super Mario Bros. 3

It’s 1989. You dragged your parents to the movie theater to see “The Wizard.” With not much time left in the movie, you’ve realized what your parents probably knew 10 minutes into the movie: “The Wizard” really sucks.

However, all of a sudden the movie takes a turn. It looks like they are showing a new game that you’ve never seen before. How could this piece of garbage movie have such a hidden gem inside? Well, it did. And man-oh-man did it blow our minds:

Movie aside, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a masterpiece. It is simply a cut above the rest, proving to be a once-in-a-lifetime type of game. You do the same stuff you do in the previous two games, but this time there’s more everything. There’s fresh mechanics, new challenges, new power-ups, enemies you’ve never faced before, a new level to the story, and a jolt of electricity in it that makes you hungry for more.

Wrapping up

Did you agree with the list? What do you think should’ve made the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Which Mortal Kombat character should you play? (Quiz)

Ready to step into the ring? There’s dozens of kombatants waiting to earn the title of Mortal Kombat Grand Champion. But which one will take the crown? More importantly, which is the one you’re best at playing? Which will earn you the favor of the elder gods in their search for a victor? Take our quiz below and find who will topple your challenge tower!

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Are you a sassy showman like Johnny Cage? Or are you more an honorable duelist like Liu Kang? Maybe you’re a complete oddball like Goro. Satisfied with your result? If not, take our quiz again. Practice makes perfect!

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Climactic battle for Earthrealm

Secret review groups may skew online eCommerce ratings

You may think twice about trusting online reviews after reading this.

It’s no secret that online reviews play a huge role in what products we purchase. Virtually every eCommerce site allows users to leave reviews. In order to save time and aggravation, we often sort by “most recommended.” But that’s a loophole some manufacturers are looking to exploit.

In some cases, fake reviews flood these sites. It’s hard to know whether you’re dealing with an actual human’s review or something generated by a bot or an army of spam reviewers. In other cases, real people might be compensated to leave a positive review. But there’s a very grey area that doesn’t get a lot of publicity…

Does free stuff influence online reviews?

Some online retailers offer a program where companies can give their products to “trusted reviewers” for free. The reviewers get to keep the product in exchange for sharing their opinion of it. But it’s fair to wonder if the “free stuff” has an impact on those reviewers.

For Amazon, the program is called Vine. For Home Depot, it’s Seeds. For Lowe’s, it’s called Loop (and there’s no link on their website to provide details).

Let’s say you’re a grill manufacturer, hoping to get a slew of 5-star reviews on a page as soon as your new model of grill hits store shelves. To accomplish this, you might hook up with one of those retailers to identify the “good” reviewers on the site. You’ll send them a free, brand-new grill before it’s available to the general public. The reviewer tries the grill, enjoys it, and gets to keep it, so they write up a favorable review. When the grill goes on sale to everyone else, it already has a head start with a handful of positive reviews.

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Of course, it makes sense that any manufacturer would want positive reviews. And it helps if those reviews come from real people. But the clear ethical dilemma is that these reviewers don’t have to pay for the item they’re testing. To put it another way, you’re likely to be happy with virtually any free pizza, but if you have to plunk down $20, your standards are probably going to be higher.

We understand the impulse to get the quick and fast recommendation from your fellow users, but if you’re weighing a major purchase, it’s worthwhile to take your cues from a site like The Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, or Mr. Dad Reviews. In each case, you have real people testing products and giving unbiased feedback. Those publications pay for each of the products they test, so they won’t be influenced by any under-the-table money.

As always, it’s best to maintain a healthy skepticism with any review, but once you know some reviewers are getting free stuff for their participation, it’s one more reason for mistrust.

Why you should be using 2-factor authentication

Cybersecurity is no joke; there are people online trying to get the information of others, and if you’re not paying attention you can open yourself to a world of hurt.

Now, while that opening may sound scary and probably clickbaity-y, the intentions are good: this is leading to a simple suggestion that can greatly decrease your chances of a run-in with account theft!

Let’s talk about…

Why you should be using 2-factor authentication

What is 2-Factor Authentication?

As the name implies, 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) doubles the number of steps a new device must undergo to gain control over an online account. It’s a %100 increase from 1 to 2…

That’s actually a big deal, we promise.

How does it work, you ask? That depends on which program you’re using, since there may be a range of available methods. Sometimes, you’ll receive a verification text on your phone. Other programs allow an authentication app. Whatever the case, it adds another level of security beyond the password alone.

And, why is that important?

Most “hacked” accounts occur due to data breaches on company sites, social engineering, easily guessed passcodes, and the everyday bad choices of internet users, and 2-Factor Authentication greatly increases the chances that those tactics won’t work!

You could verbally give your password to a stranger (please never do that, regardless) and they wouldn’t be able to enter your account without access to your cell phone or laptop… (Just so long as you don’t have multiple accounts with the same password that aren’t protected by 2FA. Remember to use various passwords and keep them on record somewhere safe!)

The Reasons Against 2FA

So, why wouldn’t someone use 2FA? Two reasons: lack of trust and the time spent setting up/using the new system. Let’s discuss those.

2-Factor Authentication may sound scary and unusual to those still building tech savvy, but we can assure you there are almost zero downsides. You’re not giving any more information to the website, you’re only making it safer by linking your phone, a tried-and-tested application, one-time-use passcodes, and more.

As for time, we promise the setup process should take less than five minutes, and the hassle of new logins is one thousand percent worth avoiding an account breach! We know from personal experience.

Still, if you’re not ready to put 2FA everyone, we strongly advise setting it up on at least one account: your email. Since emails are often used for recovery of accounts with lost passwords, they are the central hub of security for modern users. So at the very least, protect that account.

And to show you how, we have an…

Example: 2FA on Gmail

If you use, Gmail, congratulations. We have a quick tutorial on establishing 2FA on your account to demonstrate its ease. First, head to “my account” at Google and choose Security from the bank on the left:

Here, you’ll be able to find the settings 2-Factor Authentication (called “Verification” here). Look for the “Signing in to Google” menu.

Google has the two main options: you can link a cell phone or download their Google Prompt application. However, they also allow secondary options: create one-time use passcodes or register USB-connected devices that act like keys. Cool stuff!

For our personal email, we chose the phone option, as you can see below. This process takes about ten seconds to enter your number, but ensures nobody can log in without the code, which is sent by text message!

If you want to skip that process, Google’s authenticator app takes longer to download but will allow you to log in quicker by simply hitting “yes” to greenlight an account login.

See? It’s as easy as that!

Conclusion

We don’t want anyone to lose access to one or more of their profiles, especially not an all-important email account. Please consider protecting your information with 2-Factor Authentication! It’s a solid line of defense that can ensure your data stays under lock and key. We wish you the best!

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The Cloud Storage Showdown: Dropbox VS pCloud VS Google Drive

Solve your privacy and storage woes with pCloud!

Our team is always looking for things we think our readers will value. If we make a content partnership like the one featured in this article, then we may receive compensation for publishing.

Choosing the right cloud storage solution can help you optimize hardware costs, improve transfer speeds, and easily share files and folders within your organization. Fortunately, there are several cloud storage platforms out there that can help you share data in a secure and efficient way.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at three of the most popular cloud storage solutions – Dropbox, pCloud, and Google Drive. Before we begin, let’s quickly take a look at why cloud storage is important for you as a business and as an individual.

Why Cloud Storage Is Important?

Moving to the cloud enables businesses to save on server hardware. It brings…

Convenience
Enhanced security
Mobility
Scalability

… to your team, clients, and customers, which is important for growing businesses.

Cloud storage also allows individuals to easily share files with their family and friends in a secure way. In addition to this, photographers can securely store photos with large image sizes while still being able to access them anytime, anywhere. Similarly, students can use its file sync functionality to collaborate on projects with group members.

Dropbox vs pCloud vs Google Drive

Here, we’ll take a look at three of the most popular cloud storage solutions to see how they stack up against each other.

Over the past few years, Dropbox has acquired a significant portion of the cloud storage industry. It first introduced the sync folder giving users easy access to cloud storage. As of this writing, around 500 million users across the world use Dropbox.

However, there are signs that Dropbox’s growth rate has recently begun to plateau, raising questions around the sustainability of its customer satisfaction levels.

pCloud is a lesser-known player in the cloud storage market. The company focuses on security as its top priority. With more than 8 million users, it has already acquired some big-name clients like BMW and Coca Cola.

Considering pCloud is not as prominent as Dropbox and Google Drive, we’ll make sure to closely examine its features and capabilities.

Google Drive is the most widely used cloud storage platform with around a billion users worldwide. It helps individuals and teams collaborate on projects and features an extensive library of third-party add-ons.

Factor #1: File Sync

File sync enables you to automatically share your files across different devices using the cloud. For instance, if you create a text file in your desktop sync folder, that file will be distributed to all other devices signed into your cloud account.

File sync with Dropbox

Dropbox works by installing a sync folder to your device. Once you’ve installed the client, you’ll easily be able to add files to your Dropbox folder and have them be uploaded directly to the cloud.

It uses block-level file copying – a process in which only the modified part of a file is sent to the cloud instead of the whole file. This helps you save bandwidth and speeds up file uploads.

This cloud storage client will automatically sync all the recent versions of your files. The Dropbox Plus account gives you 30 days of versioning whereas you get 180 days with Dropbox Professional. However, be aware these features can cost up to $200 a year.

File sync with pCloud

pCloud comes with a number of sync features and uses Windows, Mac, and Linux clients to add a pCloud sync folder to your desktop. This sync folder contains all of the files you want to distribute across your devices and have access to at all times. All you have to do is add the files to the sync folder and they’ll automatically be uploaded to pCloud servers and shared with your synced devices.

The newest version of your files will replace the older versions. You’ll still be able to access the older versions using pCloud Rewind. This allows you to revert unencrypted files which are useful in case you accidentally delete files from the pCloud folder or need access to information from previous versions.

It’s also worth mentioning pCloud allows its users to upload any type of file, regardless of its size. The platform allows users to download/upload files with no speed limit as well, regardless of the user’s subscription plan.

File sync with Google Drive

Google Drive’s sync function creates a sync folder in your file system. When you add a file to this folder, it will be shared with the cloud and other devices signed into the associated Google account. You’ll be able to backup and sync folders between the cloud and your computer using Google Drive’s desktop client.

Factor #2: File Sharing

Dropbox, Google Drive, and pCloud come with built-in distribution options enabling you to easily share photos, videos, documents, and other files with friends and family or within your organization.

File sharing with Dropbox

Dropbox lets you share files and folders using the desktop client. Simply right-click on the folder you want to share and click the Share button. You’ll be given two different options to share your files: public link and send by email.

If you choose to share files by email, you can give special edit access to users. This will allow anyone with access to modify, delete, and view files within the sync folder. You’ll also be able to set passwords and expiration dates to file links by getting Dropbox Professional.

File sharing with pCloud

pCloud offers three different ways to share files:

Upload links
Invite to folder
Direct link

Direct link works from a web interface where you simply move your mouse over the files you’d like to share and click the share button. A sharing link is automatically generated that you can use to share the files with others.

You can also invite other pCloud users to view your files. This enables you to easily collaborate with team members on projects. Additionally, you can choose to restrict file sharing options to only allow users to download (or upload files) to your cloud account.

File sharing with Google Drive

Google Drive exceeds other file sharing solutions when it comes to file sharing and storage. You can create all kinds of documents and quickly share them with your family, friends, or team members.

To share a file or folder link using Google Drive, simply generate a link, copy it, and paste it or share it with your friends via email. This will allow them to view, comment, or modify the file based on the access permissions you grant.

Factor #3: Security

Storing files in the cloud makes you vulnerable to cybercrime including attacks related to poor password choices and data breaches.

Security with Dropbox

Dropbox doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption during transit. When you choose to upload a file to Dropbox, it’s first encrypted on your desktop then sent to Dropbox servers where it’s decrypted and encrypted again. This is done to extract metadata from your files for indexing which enables you to access them faster.

Dropbox uses 128-bit AES and TLS/SSL encryption to encrypt files during transit. However, when the files reach the server, they are encrypted using more secure 256-bit AES encryption.

Data breach track record: Dropbox has suffered a breach in 2012, which lead to 68 million Dropbox users having their email and password data on sale in the darknet marketplace.

Security with pCloud

pCloud has a robust security setup that offers powerful data protection features. It uses TLS encryption to protect your files during transfers. As a result, your data stays safe during the uploading and downloading processes. TLS encryption prevents hackers from viewing your files via man-in-middle and other eavesdropping attacks.

pCloud utilizes top-notch 256-bit AES encryption to keep your files protected.

Crypto is an optional encryption method (exclusive to pCloud) that you can use to protect your files. Files are first encrypted on your desktop, uploaded to pCloud servers, and later decrypted when you download those files. This privacy method applies zero-knowledge encryption, which means that even pCloud themselves aren’t able to view their users’ files.

Data breach track record: pCloud has yet to suffer a data breach and hold a clean track record.

Security with Google Drive

Google Drive utilizes AES 128-bit encryption to transfer your files while they are present on its servers. TLS protocol is used to protect the files during transit. You can also choose to enable two-factor authentication to further secure your files.

Data breach track record: Google has suffered a breach by the so-called “Gooligan” at 2016, exposing 1.3 million Android users’ Google accounts, including Google Drive.

Google was also recently found responsible for putting an unknown number of its enterprise customers at risk, by mistakenly storing their passwords on Google’s systems in plaintext.

Factor #4: Cost of Storage

Pricing may become a decisive factor when it comes to choosing a cloud storage platform. Here, we’ll compare the costs of using Dropbox, pCloud, and Google Drive to securely store your files.

Cost of storage with Dropbox

Dropbox offers a free storage plan for up to 2GB data. Here’s a quick breakdown of Dropbox’s pricing plans:

Dropbox Plus costs $9.99 per month
Dropbox Professional costs $16.50 per month
Dropbox Standard costs $12.50 per user per month
Dropbox Advanced costs $20 per user per month

Dropbox Professional offers advanced sharing features, 180-day file versioning, text and image search, and smart sync.

Cost of storage with pCloud

pCloud comes with free cloud storage for up to 10GB. Here’s what’s on offer with pCloud’s Lifetime Plan:

Premium costs a one-time payment of $175 for 500GB data
Premium Plus costs a one-time payment of $350 for 2TB data

While Premium and Premium Plus offer the same features, the only difference is based on how much storage space you get. So, although it isn’t a budget option, the lifetime plans give users serious value in the long run and aren’t something other companies in the cloud storage space offer.

pCloud also offers a lifetime plan for the entire family. You get 2TB data and Premium features for up to five people. The Family Lifetime Plan will cost you a one-time payment of $500.

Cost of storage with Google Drive

Google Drive offers 10GB of free storage space that can be expanded up to 15GB by completing a multi-step process after registration. Here’s a look at Google Drive’s pricing plans:

15GB: Free
100GB: $1.99 per month
200GB: $2.99 per month
2TB: $9.99 per month
10TB: $99.99 per month
20TB: $199.99 per month
30TB: $299.99 per month

Conclusion

Cloud storage solutions can help you transfer files in a secure way, save on storage costs and hardware, and improve work productivity.

If all you care about is file sync capabilities and budget is not an issue, we’d recommend going for Dropbox. You’ll get block-level file copying and 30-day versioning on the Plus
However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective plan along with state-of-the-art security, then pCloud is the right option for you. It uses TLS/SSL encryption with an option of upgrading even to zero-knowledge encryption, and their lifetime plans offer price points that are far more cost-effective for both businesses and individual users.
If you’re just starting out and don’t have the budget for premium cloud storage, Google Drive is a good starting point. However, it lacks most of the features and intuitive capabilities that are necessary if you wish to collaborate and keep your data safe and encrypted.

Considering all of the above, we believe the winner in this showdown has to be pCloud.

With client-side encryption and a clean track record of data breaches, pCloud clearly outdoes its competitors when dealing with security. In regards to pricing, pCloud for Family takes the cake by offering lifetime storage of 2 TB for a one-time fee of $500, for 5 users.

Which cloud storage solution do you use to transfer your files? Let us know by commenting below.

Top 10 Zelda games

What Zelda game is the best? Check to see if yours topped our list!

Take a look at any list of the best games on any Nintendo console. For each system, you can expect to see a Zelda game at or near the top of the list.

Why is that?

It’s because Nintendo knows that The Legend of Zelda series is special. Each entry in the franchise is a game-changer in terms of gameplay, puzzle-solving, and graphics.

With that being said, there is so much contention to which Zelda game is the best. Arguably, there is more debate as to which Zelda game is the best than any other series of games ever created. As lifelong fans of the series, we took this list very seriously, and we are open to further discussion in the comments below.

Top 10 Zelda games

10. The Legend of Zelda

It’s kinda crazy just how much the first Zelda game was able to cram in that NES cart. Along with a huge amount of power-ups, dungeons, and secrets, the game even had a save feature. Think about that: the Mario franchise (which was Nintendo’s golden child for years) have just as much to cram in its games but didn’t include a save feature.

As popular as the game was when it first came out, it’s still a jam today. There are even a ton of gamers who play the game with various challenges.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, you need to go back to where it all started. The Legend of Zelda is still just as fun today as it was back in the day!

9. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap has really fallen under the radar in terms of Zelda games. It’s definitely not a title you hear brought up often when people discuss their favorite Zelda games. However, that’s a crying shame because The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a phenomenal game.

The game takes elements from other Zelda games such as enemies, characters, and power-ups, but it tells a creative story and adds an original mechanic to the series. Link now has to solve puzzles both in his normal size and also while the size of a bug. Sometimes, in order to get to a boss’s weak point, you’ll have to shrink like Ant-Man to get past the armor to its weakness. The shrinking mechanic is a ton of fun. The best parts of the game are just exploring the world in your shrunken state and seeing how you can now interact with the world around you.

8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

The Nintendo DS received two Zelda games: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. When compared to other DS games, they’re not bad. When compared to other Zelda games, they’re trash. They employed heinous controls for Zelda standards paired with extremely sub-par stories and dungeons. Yeah, there’s a reason why they aren’t on this list.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds truly learned from the mistakes of its predecessors. A Link Between Worlds has great controls and great dungeons that all tie in with a great story!

7. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

There simply isn’t another Zelda game like Link’s Awakening. It has a story unlike any Zelda game and introduces characters extremely dissimilar from your typical Zelda game.

Link is trapped on an island and is planning his escape. While on the island, the community takes him in and treats him like one of their own. Unfortunately, the island is only an illusion in the mind of a giant flying fish. If that sounds weird it’s only because it is.

Link has to make the choice about whether he should live in this dream world with his new friends, or escape the island to return to his home. This wildly emotional story somehow fits entirely on a small GameBoy cartridge.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Let’s go back to E3 2005 really quick when we first saw the trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Oh man, this trailer is still incredible. When this trailer first dropped, fans went ballistic. The internet erupted with speculation about what Link would be facing, why he turned into a wolf, who the children were, and what on Earth was happening to Hyrule.

Unfortunately, Twilight Princess didn’t quite live up to the hype. Him transforming into a wolf was by far the weakest part of the game. The wolf mechanics weren’t as polished as they should have been, and the collecting missions you did while you played as the wolf were insanely boring.

However, beneath all of that, there is still a really good game. Some of the dungeons in this game are the best in the entire franchise. New weapons like the Double Clawshot and the Ball and Chain have become series favorites. Also, the game’s new character Midna is so beloved that fans are begging for her return.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

When we first saw trailers and screenshots of Wind Waker, fans were pretty upset. The more cartoony version of Link just wasn’t what anyone was expecting. The games always had a more adult and serious look, so seeing Link look like a cringey anime character was disheartening.

The hatred was so loud that a lot of fans boycotted the game and refused to buy it. However, those fans missed out on something truly great. Wind Waker has quite possibly the smoothest combat mechanics in all of Zelda. Link works his sword like an artist. It always seems like every time you get hit, there was something you could’ve done to parry it, or to avoid it altogether.

If you can look aside from the artistic choices the game made, you are in for one of the best games in the franchise.

4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Oh man, here comes the controversy.

No, we don’t think Link to the Past is the best Zelda game. We don’t even think it should make the top three. However, it is still a darn good game.

In many ways, Link to the Past set the framework for every game to come. At first, you think that the game is going to be relatively short. After beating only three dungeons, you go toe-to-toe with the game’s main villain. However, you then discover that you aren’t even close to being done. You now have to rescue seven maidens (one of which is Zelda) from being trapped in the Dark World, and then face the game’s true final boss, Ganon. No other Zelda game had that same shift in tone. However, so many other Zelda titles have followed that same formula since: (Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Wind Waker, and Skyward Sword just to name a few).

Link to the past is an incredible game. However, it missed the top three by just a hair.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

It’s so weird but Majora’s Mask feels both dead and alive at the same time. The game takes place in this extremely somber world where all of the characters are facing certain doom. There aren’t a lot of happy moments. Instead, there is an over-arching feeling of dread encroaching on this world. However, everyone still goes about their day like everything is normal.

The game runs on a schedule where everyone makes their in-game appointments. You always know that the Goron is going to make a reservation at a certain time, you know that there is a wedding scheduled mere minutes before doomsday, and you know that aliens are going to invade a farm at night!

The game is made with all of the same bones of Ocarina of Time, so sometimes it feels like you’re playing a really good ROM Hack. However, the completely original story, mechanics, and gameplay make for a truly refreshing game.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild isn’t just a Zelda game; it’s a celebration of Zelda. It takes pieces of core Zelda traditions and turns them into a masterpiece. There are only four main dungeons (minus the DLC), as well as a final battle in a castle filled with booby traps and easter eggs.

The game is centered on exploration and charting your own course. You decide the order in which you take down the dungeons, and you decide how you will tackle each obstacle. Do you want the Master Sword? Go get it! Do you want to skip all of the dungeons and go straight to Ganon? It isn’t optimal, but you can do that too!

On top of all of that, there are dozens upon dozens of mini-dungeons in the form of shrines throughout the game. You simply can’t play this game for just an hour. You will only be satisfied if you spend hours upon hours taking this monster apart.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

We had to. There simply isn’t a better game.

Not only can you see the change in the Zelda franchise from before and after Ocarina of Time came out, but you can also see it in the history of video games altogether. This is the type of game that makes other game studios go “What are we even doing with our lives?”

Ocarina of Time is the embodiment of everything that’s great about video games. It is universally loved and adored by gamers everywhere. It’s not just the greatest Zelda game, but it’s also the greatest video game ever created.

Mic drop.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time turns 20. Here’s how it changed gaming forever Read Now

Spawn, Joker, and the Terminator coming to Mortal Kombat 11

DLC characters and more have been announced for Mortal Kombat 11!

Mortal Kombat fans rejoice!

We finally got to see the DLC characters for Mortal Kombat 11, and we are hyped. Joining the world of Mortal Kombat, we have Joker, Spawn, and the Terminator. Also, Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, and Sindel are also returning to the arena! Each character will be getting new skins and gear that will also be in the DLC. There will also be 19 additional skins for other characters.

This isn’t Joker’s first time entering the carnage that is Mortal Kombat. In 2008, he appeared in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. That game was decent, but the lack of gory fatalities upset hardcore fans of the series.

Speaking of the Joker, we have to talk about his new look:

Although he isn’t sporting tattoos and grills like in “Suicide Squad,” this younger-looking Joker still looks… off-putting. He doesn’t look much like the Clown Prince of Crime, and instead kinda looks like some weird kid’s cosplay.

Shang Tsung and Nightwolf are available now. The Terminator will be available in October. Sindel is coming in November. Joker is coming in January and Spawn is coming in March.

Fortnite Season 10 Week 4: Smash and Grab Challenge Guide

Week 4’s challenges want you to move quickly and strike hard, exactly as the name implies. These challenges seem almost designed to tire you out, but if you’re persistent and smart about when and where you land, you should be able to knock them all out in fairly short order. Here’s our step-by-step guide so you don’t have to work too hard for those Battle Stars.

Fortnite Season 10 Week 4: Smash and Grab Challenge Guide

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Search a chest within 60 seconds of landing from the Battle Bus (3)

fortnite battle bus season 10 week 4 — Image courtesy Epic Games

Exactly as the name implies, you’ll want to choose your drop zone carefully to ensure you get this one done. We recommend landing at a named settlement, but one that’s a good distance from the Battle Bus’s flight path. That way you can mostly avoid any opponents, and you’ll have an abundance of available chests to choose from. You’ll need to perform this feat three times to complete this stage in the challenge.

Land at a Hot Spot in different matches (3)

For those that might not know, Hot Spots are randomly selected named areas that spawn swarms of Loot Carriers. You can spot them by looking for locations highlighted in yellow on the in-game map. Nothing fancy here, just pick any Hot Spot and drop in.

Deal damage within 30 seconds after using a Launch Pad (100)

This challenge is doubly difficult, as you’ll first have to find the Launch Pad, then use it close enough to opponents that you can deal damage within the 30 second time limit. You’ll probably have the most luck at this one in Team Rumble. Launch Pads tend to spawn more plentifully, and once the storm closes in you should have no shortage of targets to choose from once you land.

Search two chests within 30 seconds of each other (3)

fortnite season 10 week 4 chests — Image courtesy Epic Games

Again, we suggest picking a Named Location for a landing zone, as Named areas tend to have the largest selection of available chests. If you’re able, try to pick your two chests before opening them, so you don’t have to scramble to find a second after opening the first.

Pick up a Legendary item in different matches (3)

This challenge is a bit of a roll of the dice, as you’ll essentially need to luck into finding Legendaries to complete it. Your only guaranteed source of Legendary items is in Supply Drops, but you might also stumble upon a Legendary in a chest or at a vending machine as well. You’ll need to find 3 over the course of different matches to mark this challenge off the list.

Search a Supply Drop within 10 seconds of it landing (3)

This one can be tricky, as Supply Drops tend to be pretty hot commodities. Though Supply Drops are more plentiful in Team Rumble, you might be better off attempting this one in Solo, as there’ll probably be fewer enemies- and teammates- scrambling to open the Drop when it lands. That said, there’s a fair chance it’ll take you longer to complete using that method.

Deal damage to opponents at Hot Spots (200)

Just as the name implies, head to a Hot Spot and start plugging away at opponents. Once you’ve hit the 200 damage threshold, you’re all set.

Prestige Challenges

Search a chest and an ammo box within 30 seconds after landing from the Battle Bus (3)

The Prestige Challenges just keep getting trickier, particularly in the case of this week’s selection. Again, we suggest shooting for a Named Location to complete this one. You should be able to find ammo boxes and chests clustered fairly close together. You’ll need to perform this two-stage challenge 3 times to collect your Battle Stars.

Destroy Loot Carriers within 60 seconds after landing from the Battle Bus (3)

fortnite season 10 week 4 loot carriers — Image courtesy Epic Games

Loot Carriers only spawn in Hot Spots. That said, there’s no shortage of them, and it should be pretty easy to shoot down 3 of them in the required 60-second time limit.

Eliminate an opponent within 30 seconds after using a Launch Pad (1)

A step up from this week’s standard Launch Pad challenge, this time you need to get an elimination rather than simply inflict damage. Our same tips still apply, but we also suggest grabbing a high damage weapon so you can finish the job as quickly as possible after landing. A shotgun of some kind should suffice.

Search 3 chests within 30 seconds of each other (3)

We probably sound like a broken record at this point, but head to a Named Location to find the greatest concentration of chests.

Pick up three Legendary items in a single match (3)

Your best bet for this one is probably popping open a Supply Drop. Usually, they contain at least two Legendary items, if not more. As such, head to Team Rumble, where Supply Drops spawn much more frequently than in other modes.

Collect 100 of each material within 60 seconds after landing from the Battle Bus

fortnite season 10 week 4 landing — Image courtesy Epic Games

This one can be a bit tricky, as you won’t be able to collect the required amount using standard mining. Team Rumble is the mode you’ll want for this challenge, as all mined resources in that mode are multiplied and you’ll be able to gather the materials much faster. You’ll also want to pick an area where you’ll easily be able to find Stone, Wood, and Metal clustered together. We recommend a town or city in location, such as Paradise Palms.

Eliminate an opponent at a Hot Spot

Finally, a simply challenge to round off this week’s selection. Simply head to a Hot Spot and take out whatever unfortunate opponent happens to cross your path. Should be a welcome change of pace after this week’s exhausting challenges.