This week in video games, August 21, 2017: Two special-edition Nintendo systems due

This week, information on how you can get in on the beta testing for Call of Duty: WWII and Destiny 2, Windows edition. Plus, three excellent games that are releasing this week. But first, Nintendo has two special-edition consoles coming out.

Catch two new special edition Nintendo systems

Hot on the heels of the 2DS XL with larger screens, Nintendo's got a special Mario themed 2DS releasing this week. The red-and-white coloured device comes with New Super Mario Bros. 2 preinstalled and is available on Friday for $110.

And on September 8, special Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch bundles will be sold exclusively at Walmart stores in Canada for $500.

The bundles include a carrying case for the Switch console, Joy-Con controllers with Splatoon's neon-green and -pink colouring, and a code to download a digital copy of the game.

Call of Duty: WWII multiplayer private beta arrives August 25 for PS4 players

The new Call of Duty shooter game from Activision—this one is being developed by Sledgehammer Games—doesn't arrive until November 3, but a beta for the game's multiplayer is coming much sooner than that.

This is a private beta, so you'll need a code to join in. One way to get a code is to preorder Call of Duty: WWII, which is coming to PS4 and Xbox One. After a few years of modern and futuristic warfare, the series goes back in time with this installment.

If you're playing on PS4, you get early and exclusive access. The beta runs from August 25 through August 28 only for PS4 players.

From September 1 through September 4, the beta opens up to both PS4 and Xbox One gamers.

Windows beta for Destiny 2 begins August 29

Next week, Windows gamers finally get their chance to test out Destiny 2, as Bungie will be running a beta starting August 29. Players who have preordered the game get to start a day earlier. The beta ends on August 31.

This is the first time that the first-person shooter will be playable on Windows, and it will be available through Battle.net, the online storefront of Blizzard Entertainment, which is owned by Activision, the publisher of the Destiny games.

The Windows edition of Destiny 2 supports monitors with a 21:9 aspect ratio, 4K resolution, and uncapped framerates.

Destiny 2 releases for PS4 and Xbox One on September 6. The Windows edition launches on October 24.

Games released or releasing

• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is an exclusive to PS4. Nathan Drake's story is finished, so in this game we get to learn more about the characters of Chloe Fraser and Nadine Ross, who were secondary characters in previous Uncharted games.
• Madden NFL 18, the latest football simulation from EA Sports, is available for PS4 and Xbox One. Look for the box with Tom Brady on the cover.
• F1, for PS4, Windows, and Xbox One. Developed by Codemasters and published by Deep Silver, the auto-racing game supports online play with up to 20 racers.