I play hundreds of hours of Madden NFL every year, but one thing I haven't done in nearly 20 years is play Madden on a Nintendo platform. To my recollection, the last time I played the series on a Nintendo system was Madden 08. After that, I switched to playing the game on Xbox consoles, and I've never looked back, as Xbox became my preferred platform. Just a few years after I quit Madden on Nintendo, EA Sports quit Madden on Nintendo, too. But the Switch 2 promises a new beginning for Madden on Nintendo platforms, and based on a Madden 26 demo I played on Switch 2, that future may be brighter than the pairing's lackluster past.

The last Madden game released for a Nintendo device was Madden 13, released in August 2012 for the Wii and Wii U. After that, EA stopped supporting the platform with its American football game, seemingly because technical limitations made it untenable to continue. In the Wii and Wii U era, the games routinely underperformed critically, offered fewer new features than their counterparts on Xbox and PlayStation, and performed worse graphically. I played a game of Madden 26 on Switch 2 in handheld mode--I didn't see it docked--and though it did look like a graphical step down from what I later played on PS5, nothing else about it felt compromised by the platform.

Even in the case of the visual downgrade, it was no different than what I'd expect if I were to play Madden 26 on my Steam Deck. Handhelds still come with the baked-in understanding that you're losing a bit of luster for the convenience of the experience, and knowing that, I was able to enjoy Madden 26 on Switch 2.

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When Madden NFL 26 arrives this August, it'll adopt a key aspect of College Football 25: its speed. Ask anyone who's played both of EA's American football games over the last year and they'll surely tell you College Football is much faster--they'll probably also tell you they preferred it over Madden's intentionally more sluggish gameplay. At the time, College Football was finding its old self, as the game was the first in EA's series in 11 years, and the entries of yesteryear tended to play faster and looser than Madden, too.

For the NFL sim, however, the slower gameplay was meant to differentiate it from College Football, and capture the way NFL players are on more even footing than their collegiate counterparts, where the delta between pro-bound elites and average student-athletes should and does feel vast. However, the Madden team has considered a great deal of community feedback and has decided to accelerate Madden 26, bringing it closer to the feel of the College Football series.

EA Tiburon's Isaac Etheridge, also known as "Spade" from his days as a Madden content creator, spoke at length about the changes players can expect, specifically based on player feedback. He led with game speed, signaling just how much the team understands this was an area it had to focus on. "We believe the NFL is the home of the fastest, most explosive players on the planet, right?So we knew something had to change. We started to validate this, both internally and externally," Etheridge said, explaining how the team used a prospective build of a faster Madden to test its favorability with players.

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Original Switch owners aren't being forgotten with the new Switch 2 update for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. While the free patch offers more on Nintendo's new system--like visual enhancements--the action-adventure game will allow players to select favorited echoes after collecting more than 30 of them on either console.

Nintendo detailed the version 1.1.0 update, which went live yesterday, June 3. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom received "a feature to display only favorited echoes in the list of echoes after 30 or more echoes have been learned" on Switch or Switch 2. This streamlines the process for Zelda picking an item or enemy to use in the game. A common complaint before was people having to sift through a ton of echoes to find their preferred options.

It was previously known Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was getting a free Switch 2 update. The game will see optimized visuals and HDR support, with the former hopefully addressing frame-rate issues that were highlighted in GameSpot's Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review. A similar problem has seemingly been addressed with Pokemon Scarlet/Violet's free Switch 2 update.

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Sony has released the top-downloaded games on PlayStation Network for May 2025 in North America and the EU. Forza Horizon 5, previously available only on PC and Xbox, arrived on PS5 in late April and surged on the sales chart, becoming the top seller for the month.

On PS5, Elden Ring Nightreign claimed the number-two spot in North America and number five on the EU charts, a stellar position for a game that launched near the end of the month. A big game that was on the rise was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which had a late-April release, but jumped several spots up. Grand Theft Auto V, EA Sports FC 25, and the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages rounded out the top five. This top 20 download list also includes The Precinct, Split Fiction, NBA 2K25, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.

Over on the PS4, Star Wars Battlefront II ranked at the top for both North America and the EU. Red Dead Redemption 2 is staying near the top, in the second slot. Usual heavy hitters like The Last of Us and Minecraft are still going strong, too.

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The Switch 2 is launching this week, but it's not the only major event in gaming coming up. Sony's latest State of Play broadcast is on tap for today, June 4, and it's expected to be a big one. In this post, we're rounding up all the key details, including how to watch the State of Play, when it begins, and what to expect.

After the State of Play, the Switch 2 launches on June 5. Then on June 6, Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest begins. The Xbox Games Showcase, meanwhile, takes place on Sunday, June 8. GameSpot will bring you all the major news from the events as it happens.

How to watch the State of Play

You can stream the State of Play on YouTube and Twitch. The event will be broadcast in English.

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There'll be no shortage of developer showcases this month, but don't expect Ubisoft to make an appearance through its annual Ubisoft Forward presentation. This is the first time that Ubisoft is not holding a showcase since it began hosting them in 2020, and it'll instead have a presence at events like Summer Game Fest and the PC Gaming Show.

"We are always eager to connect with our players and showcase our games," a Ubisoft representative said to Game File's Stephen Totilo. "We are continuing to explore opportunities to share updates, and we look forward to providing more information at a later date."

Ubisoft Forward, which has been a digital and in-person showcase for the company's games just about every June, isn't happening this year. A company rep tells me Ubisoft will participate in IGN Live (June 7-8) and PC Gaming Show (June 8) and will also be at GamesCom

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo.bsky.social) June 4, 2025 at 1:03 AM

It's not too surprising to hear that Ubisoft won't have a dedicated showcase, as it recently announced that it had delayed multiple upcoming games. The company didn't name any of them specifically when it dropped this news during its latest earnings report, but it mentioned that some of its "biggest productions" are affected.

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The newest PlayStation 5 system update has arrived, but no one should expect any groundbreaking new features or major improvements.

Version 24.04-11.40.00 is out now, and the patch notes are a single line long: "We've improved the messages and usability on some screens." That's all there is. It's not much, but for anyone encountering issues with messages and usability on some screens may see those experiences improved now.

The PS5 gets these kind of smaller, more granular system updates from time to time. Others have focused on improving system stability.

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Fallout 76's latest update marks the start of Season 21: Gone Fission and unsurprisingly, it's all about fish. The update adds a new questline, new recipes, rare fish to collect and display in your C.A.M.P., and of course, a chill new pastime that can be enjoyed anywhere across the map.

Fishing can be unlocked through the new Casting Off questline, which can be accessed through a new location in the Mire known as Fisherman's Rest. The questline will give players the base-level fishing rod, which can then be upgraded through Tinker's Workbench.

The fishing rod isn't an item that needs to be manually equipped; instead, just go up to any body of water and select the "Fish" command when it shows up on screen. Fishing isn't contained to just the new area. You can fish anywhere across the map with a handy mantra: If you can swim in it, you can fish in it.

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Heads up, Nintendo Switch Online members: Nintendo has added a cool physical reward to the My Nintendo Store that can be bought with points earned from playing Nintendo games. The reward is a metal display piece based on the original Super Mario Bros. 3 box art, and it can be yours for 1,000 Platinum Points.

"Showcase your love for the Super Mario Bros. 3 game with this exclusive metal desktop display," the My Nintendo listing reads. "Featuring vibrant artwork on metal and a sleek black acrylic base etched with the My Nintendo logo, it's a stylish tribute for any fan or collector."

The artwork is an exact replica of the Super Mario Bros. 3 box art, complete with tagline, NES logo, and the iconic Nintendo seal of quality.

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Building a gaming PC is kind of like building a hot rod--sure, the parts that make the car go fast are important, but if you're going to spend all that time on it, shouldn't it look cool, too? As such, PC gamers who build their own systems love to look for the PC case that fits their aesthetic. Computex, the annual computing convention held in Taipei, Taiwan, is where PC case-makers go to show off the chassis they'll be selling throughout the year. Some are purely cosmetic, while others put function over form, but many are fascinating. It's important to note that, due to the international trade situation caused by U.S. tariffs, the availability of some new computing items is in question. That said, here are some of the cases we loved from the show.

Hyte X50 Air

Hyte has become a prominent name in PC cases in the last couple of years, and the X50 Air makes it easy to see why. With its rounded edges and unique color options--lavender, matcha, pink, and red to go with the standard black and white variants--the design language calls to mind the iMacs of yore.

In the interview with Gamers Nexus in the video above, HYTE Product Director Rob Teller explains just how hard it is to put an airflow-friendly mesh onto a curved surface, as they've done with this case. He shows off a variety of failed test models, including one with metal so soft that it began to rust in a week and another where the edge of the mesh acted more like a "tear here" perforation line. The end product, though, is a truly unique-looking case with gentle curves inside and out.

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Pokemon Scarlet

$48 at Walmart | $52 at Amazon (was $60)

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Pokemon Violet

$49.50 at Walmart | $50 at Amazon (was $60)

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Double Pack

$105 (was $120)

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Several Nintendo Switch games will be getting free performance updates on the Switch 2, and if there's one game that really needs an upgrade, it's definitely Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Early footage of the Switch 2 edition running at 60fps looks promising so far, and if you've been looking to start an adventure in the Paldean region, now is a good time to grab the collect-'em-all game for the new Nintendo console.

While Pokemon Scarlet and Violet did have its fair share of technical issues on Switch, the Switch 2 version will offer a higher frame rate and a larger draw distance alongside other much-needed tweaks. With those issues hopefully addressed, this should allow the game to shine and emerge as one of the best Pokemon experiences out there, as it offers a lot of fun. All the basics of a Pokemon experience are covered here, from a vast world full of unique Pokemon to the pursuit of Pokemon League glory, and for longtime fans of the series, the quality-of-life updates are very welcome.

Pokemon Scarlet $48 at Walmart | $52 at Amazon (was $60)

Like previous Pokemon game releases, there are some distinct differences between the Scarlet and Violet Pokemon games. Each one has version-exclusive Pokemon, different lore, outfits, and even version-exclusive outfits. For Pokemon Scarlet, the unique Legendary Pokemon is Koraidon, and some of the Pokemon that you won't find in Pokemon Violet include Armarouge, Stonjourner, and Oranguru. Several Paradox Pokemon are also exclusive to this game's endgame location, Area Zero, but you can trade for them with owners of Pokemon Violet.

You can get Pokemon Scarlet for $48 at Walmart or $52 at Amazon. Both of these deals are sold by third-party resellers and fulfilled by Amazon/Walmart.

• Amazon -- $52
• Walmart -- $48
• Target -- $60
• Best Buy -- $60

See at Amazon See at Walmart See at Target Pokemon Violet $49.50 at Walmart | $50 at Amazon (was $60)

For Pokemon Violet, version-exclusive Pokemon include Ceruledge, Bagon, and Misdreavus. Your Leegndary Pokemon you encounter in the game is also different, as instead of Koraidon, you'll befriend Moraidon. Another noticeable difference between the games is the overall theme, as Pokemon Violet leans harder into sci-fi ideas, whereas Pokemon Scarlet adopts a prehistoric motif.

Just like with Scarlet, you can save around 10 bucks on Pokemon Violet at Amazon or Walmart.

• Amazon -- $50
• Walmart -- $49.50
• Target -- $60
• Best Buy -- $60

See at Amazon See at Walmart See at Target Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Double Pack $105 (was $120)

Don't feel like trading with other people? Then you can get both Pokemon games inside of a single bundle. Of course, this does mean that you'll need to play through the game twice, but no one said that catching 'em all was going to be easy!

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Double Pack is up for grabs for $105 (was $120) at Walmart. Note: This deal is shipped and sold by a third-party reseller--designated by Walmart as a "Pro Seller"--with positive customer ratings.

• Walmart -- $105
• Amazon -- $120
• Target -- $120

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Beyond Scarlet and Violet, more than a dozen Switch games have been optimized for the Switch 2 via free updates, but Nintendo has only provided a small number of details on what these upgrades entail. In general, most of the games on this list will look better on high-resolution TV screens and several of them will have improved frame rates.

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Epic Games and the Lego Group have announced that two major updates for Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) will be released this month, including the highly requested brick-by-brick building feature.

Announced during the State of Unreal 2025 event on June 3, Lego Brick Editor and Lego Bloom Tycoon will arrive on June 17, and are said to "further extend the Lego System in Play in a digital setting".

Lego Brick Editor will bring brick-by-brick building to UEFN, with 50 Lego bricks available for users to experiment with at release, simulating the snapping and connectivity of real-life Lego bricks. Creators will be able to build custom assets like bridges, houses, animatable props, and static meshes, and also customize individual elements using a color picker from a selection of 42 production-specific colors matching actual Lego bricks.

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Dive into the long-awaited parallel story to UNDERTALE! Fight or spare your way through action-packed battles as you explore a mysterious world alongside an endearing cast of new and familiar characters. Create your avatar, meet strange friends, and jump into the darkness: DELTARUNE is waiting!