Following the big Steam leak that revealed achievement lists and more for upcoming games, Microsoft has officially released the list of Achievements for Gears of War: E-Day, and there is a Shrek/Smash Mouth-inspired one among them.

Players can unlock an achievement called "HEY NOW, YOU'RE AN ALL STAR..." by accumulating 25,000 kills in the Versus multiplayer mode. This Achievement provides 25 Gamerscore.

For anyone just catching up, 2001's Shrek famously featured the Smash Mouth song, "All Star,"

The most difficult Achievement to unlock appears to be "Dead Serious," which requires players to 100% the campaign on the highest difficulty, Insane, reach 25,000 kills in Versus, achieve max player level, and max out four classes. Players who do that will be rewarded with 85 Gamerscore, which is the most for any single Achievement in the game.

It is a big year for both Xbox and Shrek, as both celebrate their 25th anniversaries this year. The original Shrek movie was re-released in theaters this past summer, and Shrek himself showed up in various video games. As for Xbox, the biggest news event for the 25th anniversary has been Microsoft's decision to lay off thousands of people, close development studios, and cancel games.

Gears of War: E-Day releases on October 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with early access arriving October 1 for people who pay more. E-Day will also be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. There was a lot of evidence that Microsoft canceled a PS5 edition at the last minute; Microsoft denies this, but no one believes them.

Achievement NameAchievement DescriptionPointsThe Lucky Ones Died on E-DayEarn all other Achievements.0FNGComplete Boot Camp.15Emergence BeginsUnlock during Act 1 of the Campaign.15We Must ImproviseUnlock during Act 1 of the Campaign.15The Bigger They Are…Unlock during Act 1 of the Campaign.15The Scorched LegionUnlock during Act 2 of the Campaign.15You Want What On the Front of a Gun?!Unlock during Act 2 of the Campaign.15Got to the ChoppaUnlock during Act 2 of the Campaign.15Get Back You Eight-legged FreakUnlock during Act 3 of the Campaign.15Twice the Pride, Double the FallUnlock during Act 3 of the Campaign.15…The Harder They FallUnlock during Act 3 of the Campaign.15End of the LineUnlock during Act 4 of the Campaign.15The Only Good Bug is a Dead BugUnlock during Act 4 of the Campaign.15Nothing Left but the FightUnlock during Act 5 of the Campaign.15For My BoysUnlock during Act 5 of the Campaign.15You’re My BrotherComplete all Acts of the Campaign on Co-Op (any difficulty). 15Side PieceComplete all Secondary Objectives in the Campaign (any difficulty).15Relax. I’m the Map.Discover all Hard Cases in the Campaign.15Memories From E-DayFind all Collectibles in the Campaign (any difficulty).15Lift Outta HellComplete and Survive 50 Horde Siege Missions (Infantry difficulty or higher).15Best I Can Do Is a Pizza PartyComplete any 100 Secondary Objectives in Horde Siege.15Turn It Up to 11Execute 50 enemies Stunned by the Sonic Disruptor in Horde Siege.15Never Fight AloneExtract from Horde Siege with all squadmates alive on Allfather difficulty.15Just Let Me Get One More…Get 100 Revives.15I Am Heavy Weapons GuyKill 10 enemies in a row using a single detached turret.15I’m All Amped UpMaintain 30 seconds of Adrenaline with the Injector in Horde Siege.15Somebody Set Us Up the BombPlant the bomb in Demolition and have it explode without the enemy defusing it.15Spotted and SlottedPulse 1,000 enemies with the Pulse Drone in Horde Siege.15Field ServiceReach Player Level 100 and Re-Up for the first time.15Form-Up!Receive the max reward from a Perk Cache in Horde Siege (any difficulty).15Who Loves Ya, Baby?Revive 20 players from other squads in Horde Siege.15Down, but Not DeadRevive 250 squadmates from DBNO with the Stim Vaporizer in Horde Siege.15BrotectorSave another player from a struggle with a Locust.15Stacks, On Stacks, On StacksSpend 150,000 Energy at the Supply Cache in Horde Siege (any difficulty).15Like a BossSuccessfully complete 25 Invasion Events in Horde Siege (any difficulty).15Quartermaster Unlock all Supply Cache items in the Campaign.15This Is My RifleUnlock all Weapon Mods in Horde Siege.15It Only Game, Why You Heff to Be Mad?Win a game of Conquest without the enemy team scoring.15Crepe du RavenCarefully inspect the underside of a Raven in Horde Siege.15Okay, Boomer.Carve-up a Boomer.15Days Since Last Accident: 0Commit a workplace safety violation on Battleship in Versus.15Right in the TickerConvert a Ticker to express air mail and return to sender.15Chainsaw Go BrrrrrrrrrLet a chainsaw do what it does best against a Locust in Campaign or Horde Siege.15Explosive IndigestionPlay a game of explosive cornhole with a Bilefrog.15I Didn’t Hear No BellSave your entire squad while you’re moments from death in Horde Siege.15Two Grubs, One Gut-PunchShow two Grubs what a single Gut-Puncher round can do.15Payback’s A PitchTake revenge on an Armored Wretch that stunned you.15Remember KalonaComplete all Acts of the Campaign (any difficulty).25Today We Are Canceling the ApocalypseComplete all Acts of the Campaign on Insane difficulty.25HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL STAR…Get 25,000 kills in Versus.25I WILL MASSACRE YOUKill 50,000 Enemies in Horde Siege (any difficulty).25Siege SpecialistReach max level with the Assault, Breacher, Marksman, and Medic classes in Horde Siege.25Got Your Wings Re-up for the final time and claim your wings.25For Whom The Bell TollsComplete Campaign on Insane, complete all side missions, find all hidden items.75Dead Serious100% Campaign on Insane, 25,000 kills in Versus, max Player Level, and max 4 classes.85

Activision has revealed new information about one of the perks for preordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and it's a bit unusual.

People who preorder the game on any platform get the Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint, but those who preorder on Xbox will get a translucent OG green version of the gun to celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary this year. Like the OG translucent Xbox, the weapon blueprint allows players to see through it.

If you preorder MW4 on any other platform, you'll get the same gun, but without the Xbox flourishes. Not only that, but if you're playing on PlayStation or Switch 2, you won't even see the translucent Xbox design. Only people playing on Xbox will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgE7Bx9juyE

Both versions of the gun are functionally identical, however, featuring the same attachments and gameplay characteristics.

The standard version The translucent Xbox version

Beyond this exclusive weapon variant, Microsoft is rewarding Xbox MW4 players by offering them a $5 credit to buy it on Xbox.

Microsoft owns Activision and the Call of Duty franchise, so this kind of exclusive offering makes sense. When Microsoft bought the franchise, it promised regulators that it would not water down Call of Duty games for platforms outside of Xbox, claiming 100% parity between platforms.

“We have no goal of somehow trying to use Call of Duty to get you to buy an Xbox console," former Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said in 2023.

Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.

A group of 1,900 employees at Blizzard Entertainment has successfully signed a union contract with Microsoft, securing several guarantees for members. Represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the contract has given the Blizzard workers more workplace flexibility and guaranteed wage increases, but several other industry-first agreements could make this a blueprint for other video game unions to follow.

One of the big wins for the Blizzard union is artificial intelligence guardrails, as the contract stipulates that Microsoft cannot use AI to automate or replace jobs without first talking to the union. Another big win are the job-recall rights for employees, because if they're laid off, Blizzard must offer them an open role within 14 months and inside the union's network before hiring someone from outside. Laid-off union members will also get an additional four weeks of pay--regardless of how long they worked at the company--hybrid schedules that allow them to work from home, and formal systems to settle disputes within the workplace.

"It's a new day at Blizzard, where greater power for workers is translating into more innovative games for players," CWA president Claude Cummings, Jr. said to Game Developer. "I am so proud of CWA bargaining teams, taking on tough fights and winning strong contracts that set new standards for working people across our industries."

In an interview with Aftermath, Blizzard workers spoke about how the negotiating process with Microsoft dragged on. As one Blizzard employee explained, Microsoft eventually agreed to ratify the union contract after it was convinced that it would be mutually beneficial. Union leaders and members mobilizing outside of Blizzard headquarters to protest also helped seal the deal on the contract.

These protections come at a time when Microsoft has been called out for mass layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, which started with 1,600 retrenchments and will see another 1,600 people let go throughout the year. It's not the first time rolling layoffs have hit Xbox either, as thousands of jobs have been cut since the company finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The gaming industry has also historically had very few unions, leaving workers with very little say during these dark times.

Things might be slowly changing, as unions steadily gain more power in the industry. Across the pond, a group of former Grand Theft Auto 6 developers who accused Rockstar Games of union-busting are preparing for a legal battle against the developer. A hearing at the Glasgow Tribunals Centre will begin on September 10 and could run until October 15, while the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain will hold a rally to support the staff it also represents.

Nintendo's new 40th-anniversary Zelda-themed Switch 2 console went on sale on September 8, the same day it was announced, and it sold out immediately.

I bet you can guess what happened next. Listings for the $520 limited-edition console popped up on eBay the same day, with sellers hoping to make tidy profits. There are numerous listings on eBay asking for $800 and $850--that's about 50% more than the list price. It appears there is a single seller account offering five different units, so this is very clearly a scalping scenario, and it may run afoul of eBay's own rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymw9UTRu1V0

This kind of thing is pretty normal, as people are known to take advantage of a limited-edition product to make some money on the demand.

The Zelda console releases on October 29 as part of Nintendo's celebration of the franchise's 40th anniversary. The console sports a spiffy black-and-gold design, featuring the Triforce design as well. Nintendo is also selling anniversary editions of the Switch 2 Pro controller and a Switch 2 carrying case, both of which also feature the Triforce design. The Pro controller ($100) also sold out.

The Switch 2 Zelda system has been described as being a limited-edition, so it remains to be seen if Nintendo will replenish stock soon, or ever.

The next Zelda game is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake, which releases on November 6 for Switch 2. The game features a lot of significant changes from the 1998 original, and the internet had some thoughts.

For more, check out GameSpot extended coverage of the Ocarina of Time remake via the stories below:

• Why Is Link The Worst-Looking Character In The Ocarina Of Time Remake?
• Is The Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Even Bothering With Its Big Twist?
• Ocarina Of Time Remake’s Map And Level Design Looks Quite Similar To The Original So Far

Another Nintendo Direct came and went without mention of a new Mario game, ending the franchise's 40th anniversary year not with a bang, but with a resounding "huh?"

Despite rumors and murmurs from noted leakers, there was no reveal of a 3D Mario game at the September 2026 Nintendo Direct. In fact, the only mention of Nintendo's mascot was a free update to Mario Kart World, which allows you to play SNES courses already in the Free Roam map in Versus mode.

Traditionally, Nintendo consoles have been blessed with a 3D Mario not long after they hit stores. Super Mario 64 was a launch title for the Nintendo 64, and Sunshine, Galaxy, 3D Land, and Odyssey all released within a year of their respective platforms' lifecycles. (Wii U title Super Mario 3D World launched a year and four days after the console, but that's close enough.)

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/2097696070990016647?s=20

Meanwhile, there hasn't even been a hint of a 3D Mario game for Switch 2. At the very least, Mario fans have been able to enjoy Donkey Kong Bananza, which was developed by the same team that made Super Mario Odyssey--and it certainly has a lot of Odyssey's DNA. Still, the lack of a mainline Mario game puts a damper on a monumental anniversary year for the jump-happy plumber.

Yes, Mario hit it big at the box office with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, but all Switch 2 owners have gotten are ports and a tennis game. And while Nintendo counted the adorable Yoshi and the Mysterious Book as part of the celebration, that game is notably Mario-less.

Zelda fans are at least getting a full remake of the beloved Ocarina of Time for that franchise's 40th, and a brand-new 3D Kirby game marks the pink puffball's 35th birthday. Even Metroid fans are eating well now. Mario will surely have his due soon, and video game development is a notoriously long and difficult process. But Nintendo seemed ill-prepared for Mario's 40th birthday, and the fact that a successor to Super Mario Odyssey might not come until a decade after that game's release is a disappointment tantamount to finding that the princess is in another castle.

The Duskbloods, From Software's new game and one of the Switch 2's biggest exclusives, was missing-in-action during the September Nintendo Direct.

That normally wouldn't be too shocking, except for the fact The Duskbloods is still slated to release this year. With less than four months to go until the end of the year, the window for The Duskbloods is closing.

One might have assumed the next game from the creators of Elden Ring would receive a release date as part of the presentation, as well as perhaps a glimpse at some of the maps and playable characters not featured in a recent The Duskbloods closed network test. The fact it wasn't shown or mentioned at all is more than a little worrying.

The closed network test for The Duskbloods in August didn't exactly go as planned, with From Software actually cancelling the first day of sessions due to technical difficulties and server issues. Its problems were later resolved for the playtests' subsequent days, allowing players to jump in and take a stab at The Duskbloods' unique blend of cooperative and competitive soulsborne action. It wouldn't be surprising if, given the network test, From Software realized it needed more time to iron out The Duskbloods online multiplayer kinks. 

Nintendo could, of course, be waiting to hold a special The Duskbloods Direct in the coming weeks just ahead of the game's launch. It's an approach Nintendo has been fond of more recently, holding dedicated Directs for big games like its Star Fox remake, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. In the case of Star Fox and Ocarina of Time, both games received release dates as part of their dedicated presentations.

A similar scenario could definitely play out with The Duskbloods, though it's still odd that the game was a no-show at a presentation dedicated to games coming this winter and early next year. 

Whether The Duskbloods will release this year, or be pushed into 2027, remains to be seen. Demand, however, is certainly there. A From Software employee recently revealed interest in The Duskbloods playtest surpassed that of Elden Ring Nightreign's. 

Though we didn't get another look or release date for The Duskbloods, there were some big announcements during the latest Nintendo Direct. Metroid Ravenous, a new 2D entry in the series, is coming early next year. An open-world Kirby game, Kirby and the World Beyond, is slated for Spring 2027.

Sony has confirmed which games are coming to the PlayStation Plus games catalog for September 2026 for Extra and Premium subscribers.

This month, subscribers can look for ward to WWE 2K26, Ball x Pit, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, and Date Everything. Slitterhead, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Dungeons of Hinterberg, and Sniper Elite: Resistance are also on the way for Extra subscribers.

PlayStation Plus Premium members, meanwhile, are getting Mega Man X Command Mission and Metro Redux. You can see the full list of PlayStation Plus games for September below, along with their release dates.

More games are on the way.

PlayStation Plus Extra

• RuneScape: Dragonwilds (September 15)
• WWE 2K26 (September 15)
• Ball x Pit (September 22)
• Date Everything! (September 9)
• Slitterhead (September 22)
• Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (September 29)
• Dungeons of Hinterberg (September 29)
• Sniper Elite: Resistance (September 29)

PlayStation Plus Premium

• Mega Man X Command Mission (September 15)
• Metro Redux (September 15)

When Rockstar released GTA 6's first trailer in December 2023, the game looked like it was coming along well, but it wasn't "fully formed" back then. That's according to Rockstar North boss Rob Nelson, who said in an interview that the trailer's song, Tom Petty's "Love is a Long Road" was a "mission statement" for the developers to rally around to get the game finished.

"With the first trailer for this game, the Tom Petty song was a real sort of mission statement. You don’t have the game fully formed, you have an idea of what it’s going to be, but you really have to push hard to pull that together and so when this team is able to do that--and it’s definitely made with everything that you’ve got, but it’s the best of everything you’ve got at that point--it’s put together in such a way that it helps be a bit of a guiding light of what it needs to feel like," he told Trois Couleurs.

Also in the interview, Nelson spoke about how one of the first things the developers did after deciding that GTA 6 would be set in Vice City AKA Miami was to travel there.

"We'll go there. And just feel it, and go out and just drive around. Almost always on our own at very first, just a handful of people, and we’ll take a ton of pictures, and soak as much of it up as we can and see what speaks to us and start to talk about it and share ideas about what we want to incorporate," he said.

GTA 6 is set for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. According to SensorTower's data, the game has already sold 5 million copies via preorders, generating more than $500 million in revenue.

Rockstar is partnered with Sony for GTA 6, and part of that deal includes a GTA 6-themed DualSense controller. It goes on sale September 10 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET for $85.

As part of the Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo announced a free update for Mario Kart World that adds courses from the original Mario Kart game, 1992's Super Mario Kart. People don't have to wait--the update is out today.

Classic courses from that game, including Choco Island, Vanilla Lake, and Ghost Valley, will be available to play in Versus. There are 10 courses in total.

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/2097696070990016647

Additionally, players can ride over question-mark panels to grab items, just like it worked decades ago in the original game.

Additionally, two new routes are coming to Mario Kart World's Knockout Tour. These include Turnip Rally and Propeller Rally.

All of these updates are coming to Mario Kart World today, September 9, via the game's free 1.8.0 update. For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of all the big news from the Nintendo Direct.

Square Enix has announced a remake of the 1995 RPG classic, Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United, during the September Nintendo Direct. Billed as a "full 3D remake" by the company, this new version of Romancing SaGa 3 will feature upgraded graphics, fully voiced cutscenes, overhauls to combat and other mechanics, selectable difficulty levels, and several more new features.

Set in a world with scheduled despair, the game follows eight protagonists on their quest to find the survivor of a calamity. Each protagonist has their own reason for doing so, but the driving force behind their actions is the Rise of Morastrum, an event that occurs every 300 years and results in all newborn life being destroyed, save for one survivor, the Child of Destiny.

Like the original game, players will have the opportunity to meet and recruit over 20 other characters along the way, each with individual stats and abilities. These characters can be further fine-tuned with a Nonastrum, a star of fate that the player assigns, which influences their affinity for techs and spells. The Freeform Scenario System will also see player choices shape the characters they meet, and in battle, these warriors can "glimmer" new techniques, gain evasion skills, and perform powerful United Attacks.

Square Enix added that War Mode and the Business minigame will also return, allowing players to command armies or grow a trading empire when they're not busy with the main storyline.

Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United will launch for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch consoles on February 16, 2027. The SaGa series was a hit franchise for Square, with the first entry in the sci-fi RPG kicking off in 1989 on the Game Boy. A pioneer in open-world exploration and non-linear storytelling, Romancing SaGa and other entries in the franchise have periodically cropped up over the years, and in 2024, Square Enix released Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven.

Onyx: The Dark Grip was a surprise announcement at today's Nintendo Direct, especially considering it's playable only in handheld mode. A Switch 2 exclusive, the 2.5D horror title comes from Bloober Team, the developer behind the Silent Hill 2 remake and Chronos: The New Dawn.

The portable-only title will see players becoming "the mysterious Entity," using touch-screen controls to "manipulate reality," according to the YouTube trailer. The protagonist's name is Holden, and he enters a desolate, fog-filled town where things aren't normal (surprise, surprise). Along with the touch screen, motion controls are also utilized to "realign reality."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS7-Se04c8w

Bloober Team has talked about this Nintendo project in the past, which was previously referred to as Project M. Additionally, the studio noted last year that it wants Switch 2 to become the scariest place in gaming. The Direct helped that cause, too, as Capcom revealed that ports of remakes for Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 are on the way for Switch 2 on October 16.

As for Onyx: The Dark Grip, it's slated to hit Switch 2 in 2027.

Today, during the Nintendo Direct livestream, Nintendo announced Metroid Ravenous, a new 2D adventure coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 early next year.

The debut trailer introduced a new group of mysterious villains, as well as a look at some of the new locales Samus will be traveling through to hunt then down. We also see hints of a a new mechanic where Samus "feeds" on enemies to gain extra powers, though exactly how Samus is augmented by feeding is still a mystery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku-vSTDNsT8

We also see a new suit, with green armor and a glowing energy sword. This suit was later revealed to be called the Metroid Suit, with an Amiibo figure of the suit included in the Collector's Edition of the game.

Ravenous marks Samus's return to 2D for the first time since 2021's Metroid Dread. Her most recent adventure, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, launched in December after nearly a decade in development.

The Nintendo Direct also featured the reveal of Kirby and the World Beyond, a new open-world adventure starring the famous pink puffball, as well as new editions of Pikmin 4 and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Third-party announcements during the Direct included Persona 6 coming to Nintendo Switch 2, a Switch 2 edition of Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Reunion, and a port of Monsters Hunter Wilds.

Metroid Ravenous launches January 28, 2027, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

The black sheep of the Star Fox series, Star Fox Adventures, has landed on the Nintendo Switch Online service. As announced in the September 2026 Nintendo Direct, the GameCube title is available to play as a Nintendo Classic today for subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

Star Fox Adventures came out in 2002 and marked a departure from the dog-fighting gameplay the series is known for. Developed by Rare, the game began life as Dinosaur Planet for Nintendo 64 before Shigeru Miyamoto proposed converting it into a Star Fox game.

Featuring Zelda-like action-adventure gameplay, Adventures has Fox McCloud stepping out of the Arwing and exploring Dinosaur Planet on foot, fighting enemies with a staff and solving environmental puzzles. Adventures also introduced the blue fox character Krystal, who later becomes the first female pilot in Star Fox.

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/2097689692883816580

Star Fox Adventures is a particularly divisive entry in the franchise, straying from the flight-combat-simulator roots of the original games and delving into Zelda-like territory. It's also famously Rare's last game for Nintendo before the studio was acquired by Microsoft.

Some fans might argue that Adventures was when the franchise started to go awry, with its follow-ups Assault and Command receiving lukewarm receptions, and the eventual attempted Star Fox Zero is generally looked down on by fans and critics alike. The series did win back goodwill from fans with this year's remake of Star Fox 64 on Switch 2.

Other than the shadowdrop of Star Fox Adventures, the Direct also revealed that a free update is coming to the new Star Fox game, adding new multiplayer features and maps. The Star Fox update launches on September 29.

The September Nintendo Direct has wrapped up, and, as in previous years, this broadcast offered a fresh look at everything coming to Switch consoles from Nintendo and its third-party partners. There weren't too many first-party reveals--sorry, 3D Mario fans--but we did get a first look at both a new Kirby adventure and another Metroid 2D game that leans hard into its "eat or be eaten" theme. In case you missed it, you can catch up on all the reveals below.

Monster Hunter Wilds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA8HYCvG0W8

And we're off! The Direct kicked off with Monster Hunter Wilds for Switch 2. It'll be coming to the console on December 4, 2026. This version will include local co-op, and the big Ascendance expansion is also coming to the Switch 2 edition of the game.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egHsxXxNXLk&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

In case you needed a reminder, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will launch for Switch 2 in April 2027. Preorders for this version open later today. The prequel game, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy Reunion, is also coming to Switch 2 today.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Definitive Edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1oeWfFW1Fk&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

Hyrule Warriors is getting a Switch 2 version, which upgrades the game with improved visuals and a harder difficulty mode. It'll be out on February 25, 2027.

Meccha Chameleon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnXbU-pIgN8

The best hide-and-seek video game, Meccha Chameleon, launches later today for Switch 2.

2026’s Best Friendslop Game Is Coming To Switch 2 Today

Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a6VU78MISA

The next part of the Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass is all about style! It adds new in-game accessories like sunglasses, ribbons, and bow ties.

Star Fox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcwlg9KJcm0

A free update for Star Fox will add local four-player split-screen, and it'll be available starting September 30. Star Fox Adventures is also being added to the Nintendo Classics library today.

Now You Can Play Star Fox Adventures On Switch 2 And Decide If It’s Terrible Or Great Yourself

The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Remastered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNKo-EH76rY

You've played it on PC and several consoles; now get ready to play The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Remastered on Switch 2! The game's new expansion is also headed to the Nintendo console.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPyvhKrwjYE

Keeping things focused on swordplay, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 heads to Switch 2 soon. The gameplay shown off does look quite rough though.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHP77mZYuMQ

The next chapter in the popular Fire Emblem turn-based RPG series is out next week, and yes, it features a nun with a gun.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJ8miJWI18

In the mood for a detective story? Professor Layton and the New World of Steam has a December 10 release date, and this game will feature the "biggest" mystery in the series to date.

After 9 Years, We’re Finally Getting More Of The Excellent Professor Layton

Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76L1JKQWB8w

The Yo-Kai Watch games are pretty cool if you're looking for a spooky twist on the Pokemon formula, and you can collect new spirits in Yo-Kai Watch 2 when it's eventually out. There's no release date yet for this game.

Pikimin 4 is getting a Switch 2 edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Fei-sLLQc&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

For its Switch 2 upgrade, Pikmin 4 + Dandori Academy is being enhanced with dozens of new stages, voice commands for your space-pooch, and community events.

Kirby Air Riders Amiibo are out soon

You can add these beastly Kirby Amiibo to your collection when Sword Kirby & Dragoon and Noir Dedede & Hydra launch on November 12.

Onyx: The Dark Grip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS7-Se04c8w

Bloober Team's new horror game has been revealed, and it looks like this is the rumored Switch-exclusive game from the studio. It has a few interesting ideas, from shifting perspectives to mind-reading powers.

A New Handheld-Only Switch 2 Game Is Coming From The Silent Hill 2 Remake Devs

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Switch 2 Edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4DiPlQcH_c

If you need something to consume dozens of your spare hours, then Xenoblade Chronicles 3 should fit the bill. The Switch 2 upgrade for the RPG includes the new Heroes Vault mode--which looks kind of like Vampire Survivors--and the new hero, Shimmer.

Stage Fright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgClMqJy2VQ

The next game from the developers of Overcooked, Stage Fright, is out in 2027. Two players trapped in different dimensions must fight side-by-side and solve puzzles together if they want to rescue a lost friend in this co-op game.

Disney Dreamlight Valley: The Keepsake Sea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSttSiBrmi0

Under the sea, down where it's wetter, that's where it's better in this new expansion for Disney Dreamlight Valley. And in case you haven't figured it out yet, this new DLC has a Little Mermaid theme to it.

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjpIPYlBho&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

One of the best Batman games of all time--don't let the Lego aesthetic discourage you--Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is out on September 18 for Switch 2. Plus, new DLC featuring the Joker and Harley Quinn is also out soon.

Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya's Tasty Tale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiA4Et4yiWM

Well, this looks adorable! Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya's Tasty Tale launches for Switch in 2027, and the trailer has made me very hungry, thanks to its heartwarming world and cuisine inspired by the rich cultures of Southeast Asia.

Metroid Ravenous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtIZCfCoajE

The next Metroid 2D game has been announced, and it launches on January 28, 2027. Metroid Ravenous has an "eat or be eaten" theme to it, and it looks like it'll push Samus Aran to her breaking point.

Samus Is Returning To 2D In Metroid Ravenous, And She Talks Again

Metroid Ravenous Amiibo

These look pretty cool! The Metroid Ravenous Amiibo will be available on the same day as the game.

Metroid Ravenous: Special Edition

And if you're thinking of preordering, here's what the Metroid Ravenous Special Edition looks like.

Cairn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqNfImlqR_I

Climbing game Cairn was released earlier this year, and a Switch 2 version of it launches in early 2027.

A whole bunch of Resident Evil is on the way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOBBvmV2Q8A&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

Capcom's brilliant Resident 2-4 remakes are launching on October 16 for Switch 2.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fG2mhBgTH4

The remake of the very first Tomb Raider is now confirmed for a Switch 2 release on February 12, 2027.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZmCtpTSI4E&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

Feeling sporty? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort launches for Switch 2 on October 22.

Mario Kart World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nX7R2DI_tE

A whopping 10 classic Mario Kart SNES tracks are coming to Mario Kart World alongside two new Knockout Tour routes in an update later today.

Mario Kart World Free Update Is Out Today With All This New Stuff

Mega Man Dual Override https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac-c2InQQtY

I still can't believe we're getting a new Mega Man game at long last, and this new trailer showed off some cool gameplay of the new tricks that players will have up their robotic sleeves. It's out in Spring 2027.

Eternal Anima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8kvR_eJ1jQ

Time for a new turn-based RPG, set in a world where people only live for today and have given up on tomorrow. As you'd expect, you see things differently, and you set off on a path that diverges from apathy. Eternal Anima launches on March 4.

Danganronpa 2x2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZbIzlndR88

A new mode is coming to Danganronpa 2x2 on January 14, and it's called Slayhem mode. We love it already.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Za4-IxvxEs

In case you need another fighting game for your Switch collection, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves lands on Switch 2 on October 22. Two of the brawlers from the hit manga and anime series Tokyo Revengers, are also being added to the game roster.

Metal Slug: Ultimate Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YITB8v8WKI

Sticking with SNK, a massive Metal Slug collection heads to Switch 2 next year.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzGpTjuzelg

I played way too much Yu-Gi-Oh! GX on my PSP, so I'm keen to see an updated version on Switch 2. It's time to d-d-d-d-d-duel on February 16.

Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtX1kIvG7-g

The 1995 RPG classic, Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United, is getting a remake! This revival of the cult-classic game is being upgraded with 3D graphics, combat overhauls, fully voiced cutscenes, and much more. You won't have to wait too long to play it either, as it launches on February 16, 2027, for PC and consoles.

Romancing SaGa 3 Is The Latest Surprise RPG Remake

Persona 4: Revival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvjTOhXVSKY&pp=0gcJCf4LAYcqIYzv

What, you thought the next Persona remake wasn't coming to Switch 2? You thought wrong! Persona 4: Revival is coming to the Nintendo handheld, but a lot later than the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S versions. You'll have to wait until February 18, 2027, if you want to play it on the handheld.

Persona 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAMM22ZeklA

And that's not the only Persona game coming to Switch 2! Persona 6 is also confirmed to be coming to it, eventually.

It's time for a sizzle reel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAY2dza_FDg

Nintendo also released a trailer that revealed even more third-party games are on the way to Switch 2. Here's the full list of them from the montage:

• 007 First Light (2026)
• Fading Echo (December 17)
• Far Cry 3: Classic Edition (Spring 2027)
• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Classic Edition (Spring 2027)
• The Crew Motorfest (October 8)
• The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother (Early 2027)
• House Flipper 2 (October 15)
• Sonic Pico Park (November 12)
• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World (September 9)
• Torneko's Mystery Dungeon: Classic HD ()
• Hela: Of Mice and Magic (December 1)
• Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (December 3)
• Stellar Blade: The Complete Edition (November 5)
• The Ascent: Ultimate Edition (December 2026)
• It Takes Two (October 15)
• Palia (December 2026)
• Bluey's Happy Snaps (October 15)
• Hot Wheels Infinite Rush (September 10)
• Hell is Us (October 8)
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Encore Edition (November 5)

Kirby and the World Beyond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL4JXbpllfA

Closing off the show was the reveal of a new 3D Kirby game, Kirby and the World Beyond. Players can freely explore an expansive world and put Kirby’s Copy Abilities to creative use in this adventure. It has a Spring 2027 release window, which just so happens to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Kirby.

Kirby And The World Beyond Announced, Fully Leans Into Kirby As Elder God

Anthropic alignment science lead Evan Hubinger has said the AI company behind Claude and other AI products "earnestly" believes that AI "could kill all humans," and it could happen in the next decade.

Posting in response to Anthropic AI researcher Jacob Coxon's own resignation from the company due to safety concerns, Hubinger said, "We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it is >10% within the next decade."

He added: "I believe Anthropic is trying its best, but we do not yet have a plan to solve alignment for superintelligence and are not clearly on track to."

Hubinger, who still works at Anthropic, went on to cite Anthropic's own latest risk report that says the risk of AI wiping out humanity from present models is "low." However, Hubinger said he is worried that superintelligence could arise from "recursive self-improvement," which is the term for AI rewriting its own code and constantly improving itself.

For his part, Coxon said the AI market leaders Anthropic and OpenAI are not "acting responsibly" with regards to safety. "Do not underestimate the power of this technology. These will soon be superhuman systems that can hack anything, revolutionize any field overnight, and acquire real power and resources. We have all witnessed the progress in each of these domains, and progress is not slowing," Coxon wrote.

He said Anthropic is pushing ahead despite these concerns because the company is "locked in a race to get there first." He said a company like OpenAI isn't taking the issue seriously enough but Anthropic understands the "civilizational stakes," and, if "no one else will act responsibly ... they must do it themselves, despite the risk."

Unsurprisingly, these posts have generated a lot of debate and discussion. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said, "AI threatens our economy, privacy, democracy and the well-being of our kids." He is lobbying Congress to "stand up to the big tech oligarchs and protect the American people."

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, meanwhile, advocated for "a regulatory system that allows the research to continue, but in a way that doesn't destroy us."

https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/2097669346814304677

Veteran media and technology reporter Taylor Lorenz, meanwhile, said Hubinger's comments are "sanctimonious doomer" statements that may lead to "passing the worst laws imaginable." She called on Hubinger, if he truly believes AI systems could endanger society, to provide "actual proof and receipts."

"Otherwise you're just vagueposting and fomenting fear which will result in terrible policy," she said.

Another matter at play here is that Anthropic is expect to go public this year at an expected valuation of north of $2 trillion. Some have theorized that the "kill all humans" comments from Anthropic itself could be strategic move to create panic in the marketplace in a bid to follow the business strategy of "create the problem and then sell the solution." If Anthropic expects there to be AI regulation, the thinking goes that they could be the ones to help write the rules in ways that would benefit them. Anthropic boss Dario Amodei previous said AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white collar jobs in the coming years, comments that many took to be aimed at fundraising.

Whatever the case, AI business today is helping fuel the growing US economy, and many are expecting the bubble to burst, leading to big pain in the market. AI is a big topic in video games, too, and it was just recently revealed that EA Sports used generative AI to clone a commentator's voice. The use of AI and generative AI in video games has been controversial, with many expressing fears of numerous negative effects like job losses and heavier workloads.

Today is not a good day to be hit with Kingdom Hearts 4 spoilers, as thanks to what appears to be a massive Steam leak, achievement lists for multiple games have appeared online. Amongst the games caught in the leak is Kingdom Hearts 4, and if the data is real, several of the game's worlds have been revealed early. So far, only the world of Pixar's Coco has been officially confirmed by Disney, but it looks like players might be visiting one of the biggest IP from the House of Mouse, for the first time ever. Consider yourselves warned, as there are potential spoilers below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3NrZKxdh6Q&pp=ygUZZ2FtZXNwb3Qga2luZ2RvbSBoZWFydHMgNA%3D%3D

The various achievements uploaded to the achievement-tracking site Exophase mention various Disney worlds, but Star Wars is easily the biggest of them all. The iconic franchise has grown massively since Disney acquired it in 2012, expanding with a new sequel trilogy, spin-offs, and animated series. Which era of Star Wars could Sora visit? That's going to be the real surprise if and when Disney announces it.

This isn't the first time that Star Wars has been linked to Kingdom Hearts 4. Back in 2022, a trailer for the game featured a quick glimpse of what appeared to be an All Terrain Scout Transport--the big mechanized troop-carriers from the iconic Hoth battle in The Empire Strikes Back--and the world that footage was taken from was a dead ringer for the forest moon of Endor, the home of the Ewoks.

Beyond Star Wars, the leaked achievements also listed the following worlds for Kingdom Hearts 4:

• Haunted Mansion
• Imagineer Planet
• Galaxy Far, Far Away (Star Wars)
• Land of the Dead (Coco)
• Monochrome Origins
• Quadratum
• Savanna Central (Zootopia)
• Scala ad Caelum
• Toy Box (Toy Story)

That's a pretty safe selection of worlds for Kingdom Hearts 4, if the leak turns out to be accurate. Toy Story and Zootopia have been big box-office draws for Disney, Coco allows for an imaginative tour of the afterlife, and original worlds like Scala ad Caelum fit the bill for a Square Enix destination that has a weird name attached to it. Sadly, the list doesn't include worlds from other Disney IP, like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the Predator homeworld of Yautja Prime, or a hellhole infested with Xenomorphs. We're never going to see Frank get a Keyblade, are we?

While it has been a long time since a new installment in the Kingdom Hearts series was released, it looks like you won't need to wait much longer for this new chapter. Franchise co-creator Tetsuya Nomura recently spoke about the game at Disney's D23 Expo, promising that Kingdom Hearts 4 will come out in 2027. And who knows? We might even get a Kingdom Hearts movie one day.

One of the talking points surrounding the upcoming Resident Evil movie is that director Zach Cregger took an original idea and slapped the Resident Evil name on it. That's not true, Cregger has said, and now he's shared more of his thought process as it relates to some of the blowback from fans of the games.

He told IGN that, in retrospect, he feels it was "naive" to think that fans of the games would immediately embrace his pitch for his Resident Evil movie.

"I thought fans of these games, like me, would be thrilled that somebody was coming along and turning Resident Evil into a survival horror movie. I was like, ‘That’s great.’ I did not really appreciate the sentiment that, ‘We’ve been waiting forever for Leon’s story.’ And I appreciate that, and I’m sorry that’s not the story I’m bringing. I get it, I understand the frustration," he said. "I understand it so well because I haven’t seen the earlier [Resident Evil] movies, because they don't look like the Resident Evil that I love, so how could I be frustrated with fans who have that same attitude?"

Cregger went on to say he hopes fans of the game see his movie "regardless of their skepticism or their disappointment" that he's not re-telling a story from the games. He said he hopes fans of the games "feel seen" when they watch the movie and see "all of the love for the games that are in this movie."

"This is not me just telling a story and slapping Resident Evil on it so I can get a budget. This is me telling a Resident Evil story. I understand the resistance, I do, because I have it myself. It is coming from a true place of love," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNd1gb19A-c

In a separate interview with The Playlist, Cregger said the press tour he's doing to promote Resident Evil feels more like an "apology tour" given all the negative sentiment from fans. "I feel like I’m running for office, trying to get these people not to call me a LARPer," he said.

"Now, I’m just like, 'You know what? See the movie.' If you still feel the same way after you’ve seen it, then whatever you think is fair. You’re going to decide if I’m an actual Resident Evil fan or a fake. What can I say? I think the movie is going to speak for itself," he added.

Also in the interview, Cregger addressed the possibility of working on another Resident Evil movie project in the future. He said he "can't help" to think about "other places this story could go," adding that he has "ideas." At the same time, Cregger pointed out that his movie isn't even out yet. "Let's see what happens," he said.

In a different interview, Cregger said he's done with franchise movies and will only make original projects going forward. His next movie is The Flood, a sci-fi film set in space. Cregger previously directed Barbarian and Weapons.

Resident Evil releases in theaters on September 18, starring Austin Abrams as a medical courier who visits Raccoon City where all hell breaks loose.

A massive Steam leak has revealed hundreds of achievements for upcoming games, including highly anticipated titles like Kingdom Hearts 4, Persona 6, and Fable. On the website Exophase--which tracks achievements for games on Steam, Epic Games Store, and more--the achievement lists for numerous in-development games were uploaded to it and made public. It looks like the site trackers scraped up all the achievements uploaded to Steam recently, resulting in potential story spoilers and the reveal of several unannounced--or canceled--titles. 

"Seems like a possible screw-up on Valve's end, a bunch of games with achievements that should be private are accessible through the API right now, and that's why they got scanned into the site," Exosphere owner Mike Bendel AKA x3sphere wrote in a ResetEra post. "I usually never see games without an actual name pop up with achievements, yet over the past hour or so, a bunch have (when there's an unknown name, we just set it to the AppID)."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3NrZKxdh6Q

It's worth noting that many of these achievement lists appear to be incomplete due to the use of placeholder text, but many of them are rife with spoilers. While we won't mention them here, the leak has revealed more of the Disney-themed worlds that players can travel to in Kingdom Hearts 4, and story details for Persona 6 have surfaced. People are, of course, digging deep into the list, so if you're looking to go into any particular game without fear of spoilers, it might be time to start muting certain keywords before it's released.

This isn't the first time Steam has been responsible for leaking data. Last month, a security breach saw 13TB of information on unreleased games and prototypes uploaded to online spaces and made available for download. This leak covered games uploaded to Steam between 2003 and 2013, including pre-release builds of major games from the era, such as Spore, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and an early Portal 2 prototype.

With yesterday's Legend of Zelda Direct in the bag, it's time to take a broader look at what's coming to Switch consoles with the September Nintendo Direct. Yesterday's broadcast was mostly focused on the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but today, we're expecting to see a whole lot more than just the hero in green. In case you can't make it, we'll be covering each new announcement and trailer as they drop, so keep on scrolling to see all the reveals and hit your F5 key to refresh your feed as we dive into what should be a massive Nintendo Direct presentation.

How to watch the September Nintendo Direct

Once again, you can watch the presentation through Nintendo's official YouTube and Twitch channels.

• YouTube
• Twitch

Nintendo Direct start time

Hope you're in the mood to start your day bright and early, as the broadcast starts at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET on September 9. Nintendo says the show will run for roughly 45 minutes, and it'll be followed by a Nintendo Treehouse livestream that'll feature gameplay from select titles.

• 7 AM PT
• 10 AM ET
• 3 PM BST
• 4 PM CEST
• 11 PM JST

What to expect

That's the big question, isn't it? As you'd expect, Nintendo is keeping quiet ahead of the Direct, but we're expecting the usual first-party games, upcoming titles from third-party partners, and related news.

According to leakers, we could be in for a bumper reveal of Switch exclusives, as they're teasing a new Super Smash Bros. fighting game, a brand-new Star Fox, and a new 3D Mario to end the broadcast with a bang. Nintendo may need to pull a few heavy hitters out, considering that the Switch 2 price increased by $50 earlier this month, and having a stacked selection of upcoming games could be just what the company needs to start shifting units.

Could we also get a new look at Pokemon Winds and Waves? Pokemon continues to be one of the biggest franchises on Nintendo hardware, and we wouldn't say no to a quick look at the game's region or even a few new pocket monsters.

Xbox Game Pass grows today with the addition of a popular Call of Duty game. New to the service from today, September 8, is 2020's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It's available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass, and the game supports cloud streaming as well.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops Cold War is set in Cold War-era 1981, with its campaign following Russell Adler as he and his team seek out a spy named Perseus. The game also has multiplayer, of course, along with Zombies.

Black Ops Cold War was a bit hit, becoming 2020's best-selling game overall in the US.

Game Pass isn't done adding more titles this month, as The Royal Writ and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage arrive on September 10, followed by RuneScape: Dragonwilds on September 15.

After Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard, many assumed that back-catalog Call of Duty games would flood Game Pass, but that didn't happen. Instead of releasing Call of Duty games en masse to Game Pass, Microsoft has taken more of a selective approach. Black Ops Cold War is now just the sixth Call of Duty game on Game Pass, joining Call of Duty: WWII, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops 6.

Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6 were released day-and-date into Game Pass, but that's ending this year, and any Game Pass subscriber who wants to play Modern Warfare 4 at launch this October will have to pay for it ... or wait a year.