Aaron McKinley-Contributor

Aaron McKinley

Contributor

October, 2024
Bachelor of Science in English with a minor in Journalism, 6+ years as a content writer
Zelda, Nintendo, Halo
  • 622
    articles
  • 615
    News
  • 3
    Features
  • 4
    Reviews

About Aaron McKinley

Aaron McKinley is a writer, blogger, and video game enthusiast with over six years of experience in web content and many more in playing games until the wee hours of the morning.

A passion for writing (which a degree in English certainly helped with) and a lifelong hobby of playing and disecting games led Aaron to put the two together and write about gaming professionally. 

Apart from GameRant, Aaron has worked as a content marketer and copywriter since graduating college. His work spans many topics, types, and sites, but technology and gaming account for much of it — and are his personal favorite.

Aaron has been playing games his entire life, which has led to thousands of hours across the Zelda series, countless Halo: CE runs, and time spent playing every single console generation since the NES.

Proudest Gaming Achievement

I once beat Halo: Combat Evolved using an Easy Bake Oven keyboard attachment as a controller. I had to lower my difficulty, and there's no official achievement for it, but how many other people can say they've done that?

Favorite Games

If I had to pick just one, I'd say Breath of the Wild is my favorite game, but Wind Waker and Tears of the Kingdom are close seconds. The Bungie-era Halo games also hold a special place in my heart, as does the Bioshock trilogy (yes, even 2 and Infinite).

Industry Focus

Mostly gaming news, especially regarding leaks and rumors, broader industry trends, and unexpected quirks players discover about the games they play.

Latest

Nintendo shares plummet following low sales expectations
Nintendo's Stock Price Falls 10% Due to Sales News

Nintendo shares suffer their deepest loss in months after the gaming giant confirms disappointing hardware and software sales projections.

Some versions of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight leak early
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Leaks Early

Gamers discover some versions of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight are playable more than a week ahead of the game's release date.

Insomniac confirms Marvel's Wolverine will release on September 15, 2026
Insomniac Games Gives Encouraging Update on Wolverine

Insomniac Games reassures fans about the much-anticipated Marvel's Wolverine as the months left before PS5 exclusive's release date shrink.

Nintendo is raising the price of the Switch 2
It's Official: The Switch 2 is Getting More Expensive

Nintendo confirms what many gamers had feared was coming and raises the price of Switch 2 consoles and some services across multiple regions.

Steam-Controller-Promo-Image
Valve Announces Steam Controller Reservations Ahead of Restock

Valve offers another chance to order a Steam Controller to anyone who initially missed out, this time with anti-scalper measures in place.

Star Fox's digital edition is cheaper than the physical version
Star Fox Reveals Cheaper Price Point, But There's a Catch

Nintendo reveals the new Star Fox remake will have a lower-than-normal price, but not every version of the game offers the same deal.

A rumored 2D Zelda game could launch in 2026 and revolve around Ganondorf
New Zelda Game With Surprise Protagonist Leaked for 2027 (& It's Not the Ocarina of Time Remake)

A leaker claims there's a new Legend of Zelda game in the works apart from the rumored Ocarina of Time remake, and it could come out in 2027.

007 First Light may get a sequel if fan reception is positive enough
007 First Light Could Get a Sequel 'If This Goes Really Well'

IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak suggests the studio could make more Bond games after 007 First Light if the title is a big enough success.

Valve promises to restock Steam Controller inventories after a rapid stock-out.
Valve Issues Official Statement on Steam Controller Restock

Valve acknowledges the widespread complaints about the Steam Controller's availability and reassures fans that help is on the way.

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The Switch 2 is getting a Pokemon Pokopia bundle in Australia and New Zealand
Nintendo Announces Switch 2 Pokemon Pokopia Bundle, But There's a Catch

Nintendo reveals a new bundle offering fans a Switch 2 console and a copy of Pokemon Pokopia, but not everyone will be able to take advantage of it.

Valve says demand expectations and supply shortages are delaying the Steam Machine
Valve Explains Why the Steam Machine Is Taking So Long

Two of the Valve designers behind the Steam Machine explain why the PC-console hybrid is taking so long to release after its initial announcement.

Rockstar has been accused of crunch ahead of GTA 6's release
'We Are Humans Too' Rockstar Accused of Crunch Ahead of GTA 6 Release

A user claiming to be a Rockstar employee accuses the company of crunching as Grand Theft Auto 6 enters the final stages before release.

Battlefield 6 players can now pre-order Battle Passes before a season begins
Battlefield 6 Now Lets Players Pre-Order Battle Passes

Battlefield 6 players spot a new feature that lets users buy Battle Passes before they become available as the game's third season approaches.

Take-Two's CEO comments on how it approach GTA 6's pricing
GTA 6 Boss Comments on the Game's Price

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick reveals how the company is approaching Grand Theft Auto 6's price as the long-awaited release date draws nearer.

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 studio doesn't confirm or deny that it's working on a LOTR game
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Studio Comments on Rumored Lord of the Rings Game

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 developer Warhorse Studios responds to the rumors that it's working on an unannounced Lord of the Rings game.

Naughty Dog devs say The Last of Us Online was the best multiplayer they've played
The Last of Us Online Was Reportedly 'The Best Multiplayer Game' Many Naughty Dog Devs Ever Played

The Last of Us Online's director says multiple Naughty Dog employees have called the canceled title the best multiplayer game they've played.

Pokemon Winds and Waves may have the series' biggest region to date
Pokemon Winds and Waves Leak Points to the Biggest Region Yet

A recent leak suggests the upcoming Pokemon Winds and Waves may put players in the largest region of any game in the series to date.

Xbox confirms its rethinking making exclusive games again
‘We Will Reevaluate Our Approach’ Xbox Considering Changes to Exclusivity Strategy

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty confirm the company is reconsidering its recent move away from exclusive first-party games.

Xbox Game Pass may lose more day-one releases in the future
Analyst Predicts Xbox Game Pass Could Be Cutting More Day One First Party Games

An industry analyst suggests Call of Duty may not be the last Microsoft-owned franchise to move away from day-one releases on Xbox Game Pass.

Gears-of-War-E-Day-Marcus
Rumor: Leaker Narrows Down Gears of War E-Day Release Date

A leaker offers a specific release window for Gears of War: E-Day while The Coalition and Xbox remain quiet about the upcoming prequel.

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