You. Do you crave more Nintendo Directness than you’ve already had this month? Do you want to learn more about Mario Kart World? Well, big Ninty has confirmed hoe long the special MKW Direct it pencilled in during the Switch 2 Direct will run for. You can also watch it right here.

Hey, it’s not like you’ll have anything better to do on a Thursday than watch Mario and Luigi show off their latest attempt to run each other of the road, because only one brother can remain.

You’ll be able to tune into this Mario Kart World Direct via the video above on April 17, 2025. It’s set to kick off at 2PM BST, which is 6AM PT, 9AM ET, and 3PM CEST. Just press play at that time wherever you are and boom, racing action with Toad, Daisy, and all the other characters who’re riding their coat-tails if we’re being honest.

It’ll run for “roughly 15 minutes” – about the length of a Grand Prix – and tell you a bunch more stuff about the game on Switch 2. Will the entire chat be screaming ‘DROP THE PRICE’, like they were during the Treehouse livestreams the other week?

We’ll have to see, but Mario Kart World’s price tag has definitely been a part of all that controversy, though it certainly hasn’t been the lone source of ire. The console itself, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and most recently the Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have all caught flak from fans due to Nintendo’s pricing decisions.

In other recent Nintendo news, a leaker has claimed that Switch 2 pre-orders in the US and Canada could be back on soon, after Ninty delayed them so it could see how those pesky tariffs played out.

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Platinum Games is hiring new staff for an online action game, following the departure of several well known developers from the company.

Spotted by Tech4Gamers, the company listed a game designer role on its official website, stating that an online action game is in the works at the studio. The job listing lists some desired skills, including experience working on online action games as well as history in level design for online or “open field” games.

Platinum Games, which is currently working on Ninja Gaiden 4 alongside Team Ninja, has had a mixed run these past few years. Bayonetta 3, got a positive review from us, Babylon’s Fall was an astronomical failure, and senior developers have left, including but not limited to Hideki Kamiya.

Given Babylon’s Fall, the online action title listed in this job ad would be the studio’s second attempt at this style of game. Platinum Games has long struggled with financial success, even as its single player games have proven critically popular, garnering a loyal fanbase over the years. Games like Astral Chain, which were absolutely mint, never quite brought in the big bucks. The company’s desire to pursue online games makes business sense with this in mind, even if older Platinum Games fans see the sort of games they loved become less of a priority.

Given that Platinum is only hiring right now for this online action game, it’s safe to say we probably won’t see it any time soon. But still, it’s something to keep an eye out for. We know Platinum Games has several games cooking in the oven at the moment (Ninja Gaiden 4 included), so while recent years have marked a new era for Platinum, it’s clear the studio isn’t finished just yet.

Do you think making an online action game is the smart move for Platinum? Let us know below!

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Vanillaware might not be a household name to some of you, but it’s got a library that hangs up there with the best of them. Odin Sphere, Dragon’s Crown, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, all games that I have seen their biggest supports plead for you to play them on sites like Dwitter and Bluesky. Only problem for us lot is that none of them are on PC. Well, most of them, as just this week it was announced that one of their earlier titles Muramasa: The Demon Blade will finally be coming to PC. And, as it seemingly turns out, Vanillaware would like more of their games to be made available on PC… it’s just not up to them.

Author and founder of indie game festival BitSummit James Mielke took to Bluesky to share word from Vanillaware founder George Kamitani about the studio’s interest in further PC ports. “Glad to see Muramasa coming to PC,” Mielke wrote, continuing, “I asked Vanillaware’s George Kamitani why he hasn’t put his other games on PC and he said he totally wants to, but it’s up to the publisher to finance the ports. So if you want 13 Sentinels, Dragon’s Crown, Unicorn Overlord, Odin Sphere etc. on PC, make some noise.”

This did cause some confusion for some, as Atlus, who published Unicorn Overlord, said that their agreement with Vanillaware meant that only a console release was planned. In turn, this led some to believe that Vanillaware didn’t want their games on PC. One user on Bluesky responded to Mielke regarding this, with Mielke explaining that “the reports were wrong,” about Vanillaware not wanting PC ports.

Whether any of the aforementioned games get a PC port in the future does now seemingly come down to enough people causing a bit of a fuss to make it happen. Maybe don’t tag the publishers in question on your social media of choice with expletives or anything, but a friendly email might do the trick. I know I’d certainly like to see 13 Sentinel’s gorgeous art in particular up on my monitor, so, hop to it you lot.

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We’ve subbed a few younger players into the squad — which now features Switch 2 players — and many of the games below are on sale right now, to boot. Enjoy! *blows whistle*

Football is the world’s most popular sport, from the elite level of child-like millionaires with dazzling skills and impressive diving techniques, to actual children on playgrounds using jumpers for goalposts.

Being a football/soccer fan who owns a Switch (or Switch 2), however, can be slightly confusing. Nintendo’s system somehow misses out on the ‘Premier’ games while getting bombarded with loads of smaller releases, and it can be hard to know which ones are worth a kickaround.

We haven’t reviewed every football game on Switch 1 and 2, so let’s be upfront and say that some will be missing on this list that may be worth checking out. However, we’ve reviewed enough of them to share a winning 11 (plus five subs) of the better ones here — oh yes, how very clever of us — and there’s plenty of variety to be found. If you want simulation, tactics, comedy, or arcade action, there’ll be something here for you.

So, let’s have a look at the best football games on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, in alphabetical order. Grab your jumpers, set out your goals, and enjoy!

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Following on from the announcement that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusive, Xbox execs have made some clarifying statements about what this means going forward.

Speaking with Gamertag Radio Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty explained that this is not a hard and fast rule, but much more nuanced.

“We know that exclusives are important, that’s why we’ve got Gears [of War: E-Day] coming in 2026, Clockwork [Revolution] in 2027.” Booty said, but also noted that “If we’ve promised something to players already, we are going to honour that promise.,” Booty stated, adding exclusivity will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

This follows up the statement on Xbox Wire that, “As part of our focus on the return of XBOX, we also announced that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be XBOX console exclusives. These are not timed exclusives. Games already announced for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan – we’re committed to investing in and growing XBOX both on console and beyond.”

We can break this down into three buckets:

• Live service and multiplayer-first games will all be coming to PS5 in addition to Xbox and PC.
• Any game already announced and confirmed for PlayStation 5 will still be coming to PS5.
• Everything else will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Got that? Let’s look at some examples.

Call of Duty will obviously never now be an exclusive – and it’s not clear how this statement relates to Activision anyway – given that it’s heavily multiplayer focussed and has long-standing promises about multi-platform availability.

Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable were previously announced for PS5, and so they will still come to PlayStation. For the future of Halo, Microsoft will need to decide if it’s a live service or multiplayer-first series, but there’s now precedent for a remake or remaster to then not have a cross-platform sequel – Gears Reloaded and E-Day.

State of Decay 3, which is heavily co-op and online similar to a Grounded 2 makes sense to be cross-platform, but then Senua, which is a single-player action-adventure game would surely have been a prime candidate to be Xbox exclusive. But maybe that gets an exclusion because the first game launched first for PlayStation 4?

And, look, The Elder Scrolls VI will be on PlayStation because they want it to sell bucket loads after the middling reception to Starfield, but now there’s a seed of doubt about it, isn’t there?

In general, I think I’m in favour of Microsoft going back to having exclusives. It does feel odd having Halo and Gears on PlayStation, but there do need to be good reasons for people to stay with Xbox as a platform (or PC) for it to remain viable. So this is a good move for the platform as a whole, but let’s not pretend that it isn’t just like in 2023 when the former executive team struggled to explain what the plan really was.

Source: Xbox, Gamertag Radio via VGC

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Nintendo put out an updated version of its Nintendo User Agreement last night. While this may not sound especially exciting, some of these changes and additions to the fine print set the stage for some serious consequences to those looking to mess around with the Switch 2 and its various games and services.

Spotted by Stephen Totilo at Game File, the changes seem to target those who like to modify Nintendo hardware, which would imapct those who hack the consoles for emulation purposes or otherwise. The cost of doing so (and getting caught) may now “render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part.”

The old clause in the User Agreement was written as follows: “You are not allowed to lease, rent, sublicense, publish, copy, modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble all or any portion of the Nintendo Account Services without Nintendo’s written consent, or unless otherwise expressly permitted by applicable law.” Now, additions extend both the actions that breach the user agreement and the the punishments for doing so extensively.

It’s now stated that to “distribute, offer for sale, or create derivative works” breaches the agreement, which appears to be a direct blow against the creators of emulators (a topic that has been brought into the spotlight recently with the shutdowns of Yuza and Ryujinx last year).

There’s more. The User Agreement goes on to state users may not, “bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services, including through the use of any hardware or software that would cause the Nintendo Account Services to operate other than in accordance with its documentation and intended use; […] obtain, install or use any unauthorized copies of Nintendo Account Services; or […] exploit the Nintendo Account Services in any manner other than to use them in accordance with the applicable documentation and intended use, in each case, without Nintendo’s written consent or express authorization, or unless otherwise expressly permitted by applicable law.”

That’s a lot of words to essentially say that any modification of Nintendo hardware or software which differs from the intended purpose of both (buying the console and games to play them without Nintendo giving the go ahead) is against the new rules. To breach this risks the permanent nonfunctionality of the the Nintendo games and/or consoles. A steep price for certain.

Okay, so what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re a standard user that just buys the consoles and games, not much. However, if you’re a fan of jailbreaking consoles or getting all up in the guts of hardware/software, doing so will prove a touch riskier. It also will make future emulation attempts harder, which strikes a blow against attempts at game preservation. That is, unless these folks in the future manage to get explicit permission from Nintendo to do so, something the company certainly hasn’t given up to this point.

What are your thoughts on these changes? Let us know below!

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“We learn, we accept, we lose our ability to wonder”. This is Rise of the Tomb Raider’s opening monologue, but it might as well apply to all the ports of older games coming to Switch 2. For every impressive feat of engineering – like last week’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – there’s another that doesn’t, or can’t, translate the full experience from other consoles across to Nintendo’s lower-powered platform. Rise of the Tomb Raider sits somewhere in the middle, and while it’s a great game for Nintendo owners to experience, you will find better versions of it elsewhere.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is arguably the Empire Strikes Back of the modern Tomb Raider trilogy, meaning it’s the best one. And it’s in the middle. And Lara has clear daddy issues. And she gets her hand chopped off. Well, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. This is the 20 Year Celebration version of the game,  that…. look, I hate to do this to you, but it’s basically 10 years old in its own right. This edition bulks out the game up with all of its DLC, including Lara’s Nightmare and Endurance Mode, and a host of different outfits to dress Lara up in as you lead her to her repeated deaths.

Rise of the Tomb Raider on Switch 2 looks pretty good, though there are still the edges of the handheld’s limitations. From the fluffy hood on Lara’s coat, leafy boughs and branches through to the mountainous rock formations in the opening moments of the game, some elements look a little rougher than I remember them being before. There’s some clear anti-aliasing shimmer, and some light pop-in, but for all of that, it presents a smart image, with impressive draw distances, decent hair effects, and dynamic shadows.

The Switch 2 edition is targeting the same 30fps as the PS4 version, a platform to which it is roughly analogous in terms of raw power, though it’s a shame to lose the different graphical options that PS4 Pro players were privy to. It does reliably hit that 30fps target throughout, which is great, but it is disappointing in a game where movement and accuracy play such a big role not to have found a way to implement a 60fps or even a 40fps option by leaning on DLSS upscaling in some way. There are occasional drops or wobbles, but I think they are fairly consistent with the earlier versions of the game, and pop up more prominently when the game transitions between gameplay and cutscenes.

What hasn’t lost any of its feel is Rise of the Tomb Raider’s audio. From the cast’s excellent voice acting through to the drama-soaked orchestral strains of the soundtrack, Rise of the Tomb Raider sounds like a blockbuster production from beginning to end. Combine it with a surround sound system, and it feels truly cinematic, and definitely helps to strengthen your perception of the game on Switch 2.

Aspyr have included some Switch 2 specific functions, but as we saw with the release of the first game in the trilogy, there’s no consistency to the way they’re implemented. There’s HD rumble, and that adds a satisfying additional layer to your interactions, but while there are gyro controls, they’re not implemented in the place you’d want them: aiming. Instead, all you can do with them is twist and turn objects you’ve collected as you look at them. It’s nice enough, but everyone wants to aim Lara’s bow with a gyro control, and for some reason Aspyr don’t want to let them do it.

That might be mildly made up for by the inclusion of mouse controls, and these are a major step up from the implementation in the first game. Mainly because they work, and you can choose from different button setups to tailor the experience to how you play. While Rise of the Tomb Raider isn’t the type of game that I immediately think of playing with mouse controls, it’s great to have the option.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a top class production, and whether it’s your favourite Tomb Raider game or not, it’s well worth revisiting, or indeed, checking it out for the first time before the upcoming high-profile remake of the original Tomb Raider game. The Switch 2 version dispenses itself well, and while I really wish Aspyr would push a little harder with their ports, this is a great game whether you’re playing at home or on the go.

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Akupara Games has announced two new publishing partnerships, adding indie veterans Pixeljam and Behold Studios to its growing portfolio of developers.

While both studios may not be household names outside indie circles, they’ve spent years creating memorable experiences long before independent games became a major force in the industry. Now, Akupara plans to help bring many of those beloved titles to new platforms and fresh audiences.

The agreement includes several well-known games from Behold Studios, including the Power Rangers-inspired tactical RPG Chroma Squad and the chaotic multiplayer survival title Out of Space.

Meanwhile, Pixeljam’s catalog joining the partnership includes Dino Run DX, Grid Ranger, Last Horizon, Snowball!, and Cheap Golf.

Pixeljam is also preparing to release two new projects, Cornhole Hero and Dino Jump, both scheduled to launch on July 23.

“I have fond memories growing up renting games from the video store and grabbing my first NES from a garage sale. When I look at what Pixeljam and Behold Studios built during the renaissance of gaming, I get that same warm feeling. Publishing both of these studios’ titles is an exciting trip down memory lane and an opportunity for an entirely new generation of players to discover them. We can’t wait.”  – David Logan, CEO, Akupara Games

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A new lawsuit has been filed against major gaming companies Roblox, Microsoft, Epic Games, and Mojang AB in Pennsylvania. The lawsuit alleges that the companies encourage compulsive gaming that has led a 15-year-old girl to develop significant social and mental problems. 

The lawsuit says that Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite have incorporated operant conditioning into their games, offering players rewards to continue playing. Operant conditioning is a learning process where behavior is modified by stimuli. 

It says the companies use the “outrageous, unethical, reckless” technique with the goal of increasing the time children spend playing their games. 

Girl Suffering From Gaming Addiction

The unnamed girl began playing Minecraft at 6 years old and later extended her gaming to Roblox, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and several other titles. She now plays games for more than six hours a day and suffers a range of problems as a result. 

Problems cited in the lawsuit include social isolation, physical inactivity, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, digestive issues, loss of interest in previous hobbies and entertainment, deceiving family members or others regarding the amount of gaming, and the use of games to escape or relieve negative emotions.

The lawsuit claims that the companies employ psychologists with the specific goal of creating addicted gamers. In addition, they have suppressed the American Psychological Association (APA) from recognizing video game addiction as a disorder. The APA offers a more general definition, placing it under the category of internet gaming disorder. 

“This deliberate misclassification has resulted in patient abandonment, leaving children

suffering from video game addiction without access to the necessary medical diagnosis and

Treatment,” says the complaint.

Companies Profiting From In-Game Purchases

The 87-page complaint demands compensation for the girl’s spending on the games. It says each company “is aware that continuous and excessive use of video game products

increases its revenue, as the more time a player spends on its products, the greater the likelihood that the player will make in-game purchases.”

It likens in-game purchases to microbetting, terming small, low-cost purchases as microtransactions, which quickly accumulate to lead to financial losses. 

In addition to seeking damages, it also wants the games to display warning messages that they are conditioning players. 

Similar Lawsuits Seek Damages

A similar lawsuit was filed against the same companies in March, claiming that they have irresponsibly created addictive games that harm children. 

The complaint was filed by the family of an 18-year-old in Michigan. The complaint said that he started gaming at 11 years old and now plays for 12 to 14 hours a day. According to the lawsuit, 

“he is incapable of restraining his own usage, as are the people around him”.

Last month, Roblox agreed to pay $23 million to Alabama and West Virginia to settle child-safety investigations. The states claimed that the platform exposed young users to predators, grooming, and sexual and violent content.

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