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Giovanni Colantonio

Giovanni Colantonio

Senior Gaming Editor
Author/Co-Author of 1837 articles

As Digital Trends' Senior Gaming Editor, Giovanni Colantonio oversees all things video games at Digital Trends. As a veteran of the industry who first began writing about games professionally as a teenager, Giovanni brings a wealth of knowledge and historical context to Digital Trends' gaming coverage. He brings that expertise to everything he writes, from interview features to reviews. His specialty is criticism and he's committed to raising the bar for video game reviews. Just read his ambitious UFO 50 review as proof!

Giovanni majored in Film and Photography at Ithaca College, and that skill set had intersected with his games writing through his career. He previously worked as a Segment Producer on Polygon's daily gaming show, Speedrun, and has contributed video content for sites like Prima Games and Hard Drive. He's always willing to experiment with new media, whether that be via podcasts or creating videos for Digital Trends' YouTube channel. He has previously written for Inverse, Fanbyte, The Inventory, and more. He began working with Digital Trends in 2019 as a Destiny 2 guides contributor before moving into his current role as Senior Editor.

His love of gaming dates back decades. Giovanni grew up in Massachusetts with his mother's hand-me-down Atari 2600. He was hooked from that point on, spending his childhood obsessively playing Sega Genesis or Super Smash Bros. Melee with his friends. He carried that passion into college, where he hosted and produced Ithaca College's own studio format video game news show. Since then, he has been committed to giving back to the video game industry that raised him by providing honest criticism, sharp analysis, and thorough coverage.

Giovanni is currently based in Brooklyn, New York where he works alongside his cat, Mirah. On weekends, you can find him birdwatching in local parks or watching professional wrestling, his second love behind gaming.

Mario Kart World plays on a Nintendo Switch 2 screen.

Nintendo Switch 2 review: exactly the upgrade we needed, with a few catches

The Nintendo Switch 2 is an impressive handheld that's a big upgrade for Nintendo, even if battery life is a step down.
Kids stare down a giant bug in Grounded 2.

Grounded 2 exists for one reason: fans wanted to ride the bugs

We got more details on just how big Grounded 2 is in a hands-on session, as well as the one fan requested feature that pushed the team to make a sequel.
A person on an alien world in The Outer Worlds 2.

The Outer Worlds 2 already feels lightyears ahead of its predecessor

We went hands-on with The Outer Worlds 2 and discovered a heavily reworked sequel that addresses all of its predecessor's weaknesses.
A ninja faces off against an enemy in Ninja Gaiden 4.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is PlatinumGames at its best (and bloodiest)

We played a bloody slice of Ninja Gaiden 4, which finds developer PlatinumGames at the absolute top of its game.
Atom Eve and Invincible fight an opponent on the moon in Invincible Vs.

Invincible Vs is like Mortal Kombat mixed with Killer Instinct

We fought a few round sof Invincible Vs and learned much more about how the mix between Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct works.
Two sisters stand on a mech in front of food in Dosa Divas.

The best games we played at Summer Game Fest 2025

We played tons of upcoming games at this year's Summer Game Fest, from Lumines Arise to Dying Light: The Beast. These were the best games we played.
A man aims a gun at his doppelganger in Directive 8020.

Directive 8020 is straight up a playable version of The Thing

We played Directive 8020 at Summer Game Fest and it's straight up a playable version of John Carpenter's The Thing.
Little critters fight a crab boss in Ratatan.

Ratatan successfully transforms an 18-year-old PSP classic into something new

Ratatan looks to revive the spirit of Patatapon, and it's already pulling that off based off our first demo with it.
Xbox Ally

The ROG Xbox Ally fixes the worst problem with Windows handhelds

We took the ROG Xbox Ally for a short test drive and discovered how it's fixing the worst problem with Windows-based gaming handhelds.
A man walks over a railway in Baby Steps.

If you only play one Steam Next Fest Demo, make sure it’s Baby Steps

Baby Steps is the ultimate walking simulator and we're already in love with its slapstick charm.
A character points a gun at a glowing door in There Are No Ghosts at the Grand.

The Xbox Showcase’s most surprising reveal is a spooky British home renovation musical

There Are No Ghosts At the Grand is a new game revealed during Xbox's 2025 Games Showcase, which mixes home renovation and horror into a British musical.
A ninja stands in front of a lightning strike in Ninja Gaiden 4.

Everything announced at Xbox Games Showcase 2025: Black Ops 7, Persona 4, and more

The Xbox Games Showcase returns today to show off what's coming to the console. Follow along with our live recap of the show.
A rat sits in a living room in Squeakross: Home Squeak Home.

I have finally found the perfect game, and it is Animal Crossing meets picross

For over a decade, I have been on a quest: to find the perfect picross game. “How hard can that be?” you may ask. After all, picross is a fairly straightforward puzzle format. You fill in squares on a grid using clues in each column and grid and wind up creating a sort of paint […]
Lego characters race on unicycles in Lego Party.

Lego Party’s demo was so nice, I played it twice

We played a round of Lego Party at Summer Game Fest and had enough fun that we went in for seconds.
Sonic flies through the air in Sonic Racing: Crossworlds.

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds has one big advantage over Mario Kart World

We played more Sonic Racing: Crossworlds at Summer Game Fest and walked away wishing Mario Kart World had some of its best features.
A ninja jumps over enemies in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance.

I’m loving how fast and furious Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance may sound like a lot of other retro revivals on paper, but it stands out thanks to its incredible sense of speed.
A giant zombie getting shot with a grenade in Dying Light: The Beast.

Dying Light: The Beast turned me into a bloodthirsty animal

We played Dying Light: The Beast at Summer Game Fest and walked away hungry for more of its brutal action.
James Bond smirks in 007: First Light.

To make 007: First Light, Hitman’s creators had to get uncomfortable

Io Interactive's Christian Elverdam told us more about 007: First Light and where it connects and diverts from Hitman.
Luca slashes upwards in Possesor(s).

Possessor(s) has all the makings of a strong Metroidvania already

We went inside Possessor(s), a stylish new Metroidvania from the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter.
Deadpool appears against a yellow background in art for Deadpool VR.

Marvel’s Deadpool VR is just as bloody as you’d expect

Marvel's Deadpool VR was just revealed at Summer Game Fest and we've already given the bloody action game a try.
Enzo aiming a rifle in Mafia: The Old Country.

Everything announced at Summer Game Fest 2025: Resident Evil Requiem, Code Vein 2, and more

Summer is starting right with a two-hour long edition of Summer Game Fest. Follow along with us live as we chronicle every announcement.
Characters walk on a Joy-con in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour review: the perfect pack-in that could have been

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is both a surprisingly fun piece of edutainment and an egregious advertisement for console add-ons.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom runs on a Switch 2 screen.

PSA: Don’t fall for Nintendo Switch 2 horror story hoaxes this weekend

The Nintendo Switch 2 is out so be wary: You're bound to see a lot of hoax videos of the console for the next few days.
The Switch 2 next to a TV with Mario Kart.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch day buying guide: what you need and what you don’t

The Nintendo Switch 2 is out now, alongside a mess of accessories. Here's everything you need (and everything you don't).
Players GameChat in Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2’s GameChat has a hidden screen sharing restriction

The Nintendo Switch 2's GameChat allows you to broadcast your game footage with friends, but our early testing shows that some games are restricted.
A samurai fights a boss in Nioh 3.

Everything announced at PlayStation’s June 2025 State of Play

PlayStation's 2025 State of Play is here, bringing 40 minutes of news on upcoming PS5 games. Here's our full breakdown of the event.
The Nintendo eShop appears on a Switch 2 screen.

I just got my Nintendo Switch 2 and its faster eShop is already a step up

We've finally gotten access to the Nintendo Switch 2's eShop and can confirm that load times have been drastically improved.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is played on a fake gaming handheld.

Fill the Zelda-sized hole in your heart with one of 2025’s best indies

The Switch 2 may not have a new Zelda game at launch, but Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo will happily fill that void for you.
Two samura face off in

PlayStation State of Play June 2025: How to watch and what to expect

Summer game reveal season kicks off tomorrow with PlayStation's State of Play. Here's when it airs and what'd likely to appear.
A pack of Yoshi race in Mario Kart World.

Mario Kart World feels like it really could last the full Switch 2 lifecycle

We got an extensive tour of Mario Kart World, where we played all of it's solo and multiplayer modes before launch.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom runs on a Switch 2 screen.

I thought the Switch 2 couldn’t surprise me anymore. I was wrong

We spent a full day with the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of launch and discovered plenty of the system's secret features.
A Playdate sits on a table as Dig Dig Dino appears on screen.

If you can’t get a Switch 2, now might be the time to get a Playdate

Does the Switch 2's price tag have you down? Then it might be time to grab a Playdate.
A white-haired woman wielding a sword with a white dragon behind her stares at a black haired man also wielding a sword with a blue and black dragon behind him.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a solid first RPG for Nintendo Switch 2

As the Nintendo Switch 2's first big RPG, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma gives patient players plenty to sink their teeth into.
Three players fight a giant monster on the steps in The Duskbloods.

The Duskbloods needs to fix Elden Ring: Nightreign’s biggest problem

Elden Ring: Nightreign's archaic online multiplayer system has me worried about The Duskbloods.