Ys X: Proud Nordics Deluxe Edition

$70 | Releases February 20

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February has several JRPGs to look forward to, including the new, updated edition of the latest Ys game, Ys X: Proud Nordics. If you're planning to get the game for Switch 2 or PS5 when it releases on February 20, the $70 Deluxe Edition offers several tempting preorder incentives. This physical edition of Ys X: Proud Nordics comes with a mini art book and a mini-poster featuring elegant artwork of the protagonists Adol and the Karja, flanked by their comrades in the background.

Ys X: Proud Nordics Deluxe Edition $70 | Releases February 20

The physical Ys X: Proud Nordics Deluxe Edition includes the game, a mini-artbook, and a fold-out poster featuring the main cast.

Preorders for the Switch 2 and PS5 physical versions are priced at $70 each at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop. Note that the Switch 2 version of Ys X: Proud Nordics is a Game Key-Card release, meaning no game data is stored on the card. Instead, they serve as authentication keys for the downloaded game, so you'll need enough space to download the game to your Switch 2. The game's file size has not been confirmed. However, like other physical games, Game key-Cards can be used in multiple Switch 2s--you just have to download the game data before playing.

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Ys X: Proud Nordics is an action RPG that focuses on the adventurer Adol and the proud Norman Karja as they find themselves bound together by the shackles of Mana. With the looming threat of the undying horde known as the Griegr drawing close, the duo works together to gather a trusty crew of friends and allies to help save the day. Proud Nordics is an enhanced version of Ys X, offering improved performance, rebalanced gameplay, and quality-of-life updates compared to the original game, which launched on PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC in 2024. There's also a brand-new story centering around Öland Island, and the devious time-trial dungeon Muspelheim. On top of all that, the game includes new Mana Actions, Mana Ride racing, and all DLC content from the original game.

As mentioned above, there are more JRPGs to look forward to throughout February. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is out first on February 5, and this is a complete remake of the original game from 2000. The new version features a gorgeous art style reminiscent of sculpted figurines and big changes to the story and gameplay aimed at making the game less of a slog to play. Preordering any version of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined gets you a special costume for the main hero and three Seed of Proficiency items. These preorder bonuses are included with all physical and digital preorders, while preordering the Digital Deluxe Edition on any platform gets you 48-hour early access to the full game starting February 3.

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R-Type Dimensions III Standard Edition

$40 | Releases May 19

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R-Type Dimensions III Special Edition

$70 | Releases May 19

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R-Type Dimensions III: Collector's Edition

$200 | Releases May 19

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Arriving on May 19, R-Type Dimensions III is a massive remake of the classic shoot-em-up, R-Type III: The Third Lightning. Originally released in 1993, the game is receiving a modern makeover for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with updated graphics, a new soundtrack, and several quality-of-life features. You can even bounce back and forth between the updated art style and the original at the press of a bunch, so whether you want to relive the glory days or enjoy the action from a new perspective, Preorders are now open at Amazon, and while you can preorder the standard edition anytime ahead of its May 19 launch, preordes for the premium Special Edition and Collector's Edition are only available from Strictly Limited Games through February 8.

R-Type Dimensions III Standard Edition $40 | Releases May 19

This is the most affordable version of R-Type Dimensions III, getting you the base game and nothing more. Physical preorders are currently only available at Amazon--though even here, not all of them are live. The PS5 listing is active, while the Switch and Switch 2 versions are listed as "currently unavailable." They'll likely be updated soon, and we're expecting the game to arrive at other retailers ahead of its launch.

Preorder at Amazon R-Type Dimensions III Special Edition $70 | Releases May 19

If you're a long-time fan of the series, the Special Edition might be more enticing. For an extra $30, you'll get the following:

• Base game
• Printed manual (full color)
• Art booklet featuring concept art, behind-the-scenes designs, info on ships, weapons, and enemies, and various developer commentary and insights
• Original soundtrack on CD

Preorder at Strictly Limited Games R-Type Dimensions III: Collector's Edition $200 | Releases May 19

It's pricey, but no doubt it packs in some cool collectibles. The Collector's Edition is only available to preorder up until February 9, so keep that deadline in mind if you're thinking about adding it to your home. Along with the base game, you'll get the following:

• Premium Collector's Edition box featuring metallic accents and embossing
• Base game
• Printed manual (full color)
• Dobkeratops vs. R-90 Ragnarok Figurine (15cm)
• Art book (120 pages)
• Two-disc soundtrack set
• Fold-out poster
• Sticker sheet
• Boss card set
• Individually numbered certificate of authenticity

Preorder at Strictly Limited Games R-Type Dimensions III Collector's Edition

Whether you're an R-Type newcomer or a fan of the classics from decades past, R-Type Dimensions III caters to both players with some useful quality-of-life updates and expanded features. For long-time fans, you can dive into Advanced Mode--with faster enemies and denser projectile patterns, it'll put your skills to the test. And as mentioned above, you can swap between retro 2D graphics and enhanced 3D graphics at the press of a button. Newcomers can explore new "introductory settings" to help them get up to speed with the game's fast pace. You can also play locally with a friend in two-player co-op, which should make it a bit easier to bring down the game's most challenging foes.

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Software giant Adobe sees many of its popular programs, such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Premiere used in the creation of games and other popular entertainment media. Their programs factor into many different development pipelines, and are so ubiquitous as to be almost unavoidable--which is why many developers were extremely dismayed to wake up to an email from Adobe announcing the program's discontinuation on March 1.

"We’re contacting you to let you know that Adobe will be discontinuing Adobe Animate on March 1, 2026. As an existing Animate user, you may continue to use Animate, but please note that technical support will no longer be available after March 1, 2027," states part of the email sent to users.

The email suggests alternative Adobe programs for certain functionality, and also notes that "access to your Animate files and project data will end on March 1, 2027."

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Ubisoft Montreal veteran David Michaud-Cromp--who most recently worked on Assassin's Creed Shadows--has confirmed that he was terminated by the company after a 13-year run. While Michaud-Cromp didn't disclose a reason for his dismissal, he spoke out against Ubisoft's return-to-work mandate in January.

"Today, I was terminated by Ubisoft, effective immediately," wrote Michaud-Cromp on his LinkedIn account. "This was not my decision. I won't be discussing internal details or circumstances. I'm taking time to regroup and will share next steps when appropriate."

Last week, Michaud-Cromp disclosed that he had been suspended for three days without pay. He added that Ubisoft told him that it was "related to public comments I expressed regarding the company's return-to-office policy, and based on an alleged breach of the duty of loyalty."

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Chad Grenier, the studio head at Wildlight Entertainment and director of the free-to-play raid shooter Highguard, has said it "doesn't matter" how many people play the game.

Speaking to Polygon, Grenier said, "Whether it gets a thousand people or a hundred million people, it doesn't matter. What matters most is that the game is loved by the people who played it."

He added that his hope is that Highguard becomes a game that "people love and becomes part of them."

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Nearly seven years ago, People Playground debuted on Steam and invited players to terrorize their ragdoll stick-figure creations. Now, someone has created a malicious mod that's wrecking havoc on People Playground's saves and other files.

People Playground's solo developer, mestiez, shared an urgent message on the game's Steam page warning players about what happened and how they should handle it. The steps are reproduced below:

• Update the game by verifying game files
• Go to your game directory and delete the "mods" folder.
• Go to "Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\1118200" and delete the folder.
• Unsubscribe from mods that were updated/uploaded after January 30.
• If you have any uploaded mods, check if they were recently updated without your consent.

As explained by mestiez, the offending code was added through People Playground's workshop, which has now been temporarily disabled. According to mestiez's description, the mod removes the Contraptions folder as well as other PPG-related files. It also overwrites any mods and replaces them with itself.

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World of Warcraft secret hunters now have a place to call home, as an over a decade-old mystery dating back to the Cataclysm expansion now has a new purpose.

As discovered by the WoW Secret Finding & Collections Discord community (via Icy Veins), a strange pearl on the very edge of the Vash'jir map that has perplexed players since 2010 now serves a peculiar new function. Bumping into the pearl teleports players to a mysterious location that looks to be an alternate version of the Seat of Knowledge from Pandaria, one where a secret group called the Cabal of the Mind-Seekers meets.

This secret room essentially serves as a display room for all of the game's unlockable "secrets" that have been added to Blizzard's MMORPG over the years. There are locations for 30 of the game's secrets to each be displayed, once a player has personally completed the corresponding secret.

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Polish developer Bloober Team has launched a teaser website pointing to some kind of reveal this month, and while it remains a mystery, the studio has now ruled out a few possibilities for what it could be.

Responding to speculation that the project might be a remake, or more specifically a remake of 2006's horror game Rule of Rose, Bloober CEO Piotr Babieno said, "Nice guess, but no."

"It definitely doesn't refer to any remake," the executive added in a post on LinkedIn (via TheGamer). It's also not related in any way to Rule of Rose, and it's not a new Observer game.

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The Resident Evil franchise has a mixed track record in the cinematic landscape, and a new live-action short film promoting Resident Evil Requiem may put all previous efforts to shame.

Titled "Evil Has Always Had A Name," the roughly three-and-a-half-minute-long film features Maika Monroe, who starred in horror films It Follows and Longlegs. Monroe portrays the mother of a young girl, and the two appear to be living a happy life--unfortunately, they were living in Raccoon City amidst the T-virus outbreak depicted in Resident Evil 2 and 3.

You can probably see where this short film is going without us telling you, and it ends in a somber yet heartfelt fashion. The video provides glimpses of the city during the chaos and destruction, and some viewers even believe they heard Nemesis yell his famous "STARS" line in the background.

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World of Warcraft's two most iconic cities, the Alliance capital Stormwind and the Horde capital Orgrimmar, could be receiving major revamps in the future.

In an interview with PC Gamer, associate game director Paul Kubit and manager for visual development Gabriel Gonzalez said reimaginings of the two major cities are something Blizzard would like to tackle.

First, however, the team is waiting to see how its revamp of the Blood Elf capital of Silvermoon, coming as part of the new Midnight expansion, is received. The updates to Silvermoon and the surrounding areas are substantial, with massively improved visuals and reworked locations. Many of the old locations players know and love, like Murder Row, the Royal Exchange, and the Bazaar, are all still there, but expanded on with updated architecture and lighting.

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Season 2 of Call of Duty is packed with new content, including Ranked Play modes for both Black Ops 7 multiplayer and Warzone's battle royale. Activision has revealed the big update will also include improvements to Call of Duty's Ricochet anti-cheat.

In a new blog post, the publisher says its top priority is "launching Ranked Play with the strongest protections possible" to ensure matches are decided by player skill and not exploits. Part of this focus is targeting unapproved third-party hardware, such as Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix devices that can be used to alter player inputs and obtain an unfair advantage.

"We know what an unfair match looks like: losing a close gunfight to aim that never seems to miss, recoil that never kicks, or reactions that don't feel human," Activision says.

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Diablo 4 is getting a popular gameplay system from Diablo 3 for its upcoming Season 12--killstreaks.

Originally introduced in Diablo 3, killstreaks reward players for racking up a large number of kills in quick succession, with stacking XP bonuses for how high a player's killstreak climbs.

The system will be largely the same in Diablo 4 (minus rewards for destroying breakable objects or killing enemies with the environment, as in Diablo 3). There will be five tiers of killstreaks players will be able to earn, with increased XP and seasonal reputation bonuses based on the highest tier achieved during the streak. Those five tiers are:

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Freddi Fish Collection

$50 | Releases April 17

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As far as children's video games are concerned, few are as iconic as Freddi Fish. First launched in 1994, the point-and-click adventure game challenges players to solve puzzles and mysteries, featuring a colorful cast of characters and charming animations. The games were incredibly popular when they first hit the market, and you (and your kids) can relive the glory days with the upcoming Freddi Fish Collection. Currently available on most digital storefronts, the Freddi Fish Collection is getting a physical Switch and PS5 release on April 17.

Freddi Fish Collection $50 | Releases April 17

Freddi and friends went on five adventures between 1994 and 2001, and this bundle pulls them all together into a single collection. Here's a look at what you'll find:

• Freddi Fish: The Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds
• Freddi Fish 2: The Case of The Haunted Schoolhouse
• Freddi Fish 3: The Case of the Stolen Conch Shell
• Freddi Fish 4: The Case of The Hogfish Rustlers of Briny Gulch
• Freddi Fish 5: The Case of the Creature of Coral Cove

These are all faithful recreations of the classics, with voice acting, a catchy soundtrack, and an old-school animation style. Limited Run Games was previously offering a bundle that pulled together this Freddi Fish Collection plus an official soundtrack, though it has already sold out. These physical copies at Amazon are likely to be just as popular.

Note: There appears to be a slight hiccup with the listings--the PS5 version is showing artwork for Switch, while the Switch version is showing artwork for PS5. Be sure you double-check the listed platform to ensure you're grabbing the right one.

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If you want to add another kid-friendly game to your collection, check out Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club. Currently on sale for $35 (was $40), it has you teaming up with the entire Peanuts cast as you trek around town and solve a variety of mysteries. For something a bit more energetic, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is just $24 (was $40) on Switch. It offers tons of customization options if you really want to tinker with your build, but even young players should be able to have some fun flying around its tracks.

Other choices include Hot Wheels Let's Race: Ultimate Speed for $30 (was $40), Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 for $30 (was $60), and Bluey: The Videogame for $18 (was $40). The Hot Wheels game gets you racing action similar to CTR, while Mario & Sonic might be a good choice since the Winter Olympics are right around the corner. Keep in mind that you'll be competing in summer events like track and field, not winter ones like hockey--but the accessible mini-games are great for kids of all ages. Bluey, meanwhile, features four interactive levels for kids to explore. And with support for co-op, it's a fun choice for a laidback game night.

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If you've ever wondered just how many differences exist between the (surprisingly) many different versions of Half-Life 2 there are, then a new deep dive into each one offers some interesting answers.

Youtuber Ocelot has gone through seven different versions of Half-Life 2, poring over each detail from the game's opening to Black Mesa East. The video starts by looking at the original PC build from 2004, which isn't the version you'll find on Steam today. That version, released in 2024 to commemorate the game's 20th anniversary, makes some significant visual enhancements to trick your brain into thinking Half-Life 2 has aged considerably better than you think. And while that's still true, it's remarkable to see how small, meaningful changes make a big impact.

Curiously, it's also fascinating to see how much the current PC version has in common with the considerably older Xbox 360 and PS3 ports, down to peculiar bugs and visual oddities that exist across all three. Perhaps the most noticeable concerns the ominous opening with G-Man, and in particular the glow to his green eyes. This isn't present in the original or the 20th anniversary edition, and is subjectively better in its "bugged" state in The Orange Box port.

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Things appear to be in shambles at the California-based developer Intrepid Studios. Game director Steven Sharif resigned at the end of January "in protest" of the company's management board, which led to several other senior staff members quitting and leaving the developer's ambitious MMORPG, Ashes of Creation, in turmoil.

Funded through a combination of Kickstarter backing (to the tune of $3.2 million) and Sharif's personal investment in 2017, Ashes of Creation is described as an "old-school take on the modern MMORPG set in a living, reactive world where your choices shape civilization." It was in a lengthy alpha phase before launching in early access via Steam on December 11 for a discounted $50. Now, however, the game and its studio are experiencing some tough turbulence. On January 31, game director Steven Sharif announced his resignation in Discord (via PCGamesN) as a result of the management board's decisions that he felt he "could not ethically agree with or carry out."

"I can make a limited statement in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the company, regarding the situation," Sharif wrote. "Control of the company shifted away from me, and the Board began directing actions that I could not ethically agree with or carry out. As a result, I chose to resign in protest rather than lend my name or authority to decisions I could not ethically support. Following my resignation, much of the senior leadership team resigned. Following those departures, the Board made the decision to issue WARN Act notices and proceed with a mass layoff."

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Helldivers 2's introductory cinematic/slick propaganda is arguably its best recruitment tool. Within minutes, the sight of an idyllic lifestyle being torn apart by a rampaging Terminid makes you want to sign up to bring Managed Democracy to the far-flung corners of the galaxy. Thanks in part to the motion-captured performance of actor Craig Lee Thomas--better known to the fanbase as John Helldiver--the game sets its tone and stakes quickly, and it's one that came about at the eleventh hour as Arrowhead revealed more details on how the iconic cinematic was created.

As part of the two-year anniversary for Helldivers 2, Arrowhead has released a new "Dev Tales" video that features behind-the-scenes content. Former Helldivers 2 lead writer Russ Nickel explained how he was contacted a week before the scene was meant to be shot, with animation studio Goodbye Kansas having a completely different actor in mind for John Helldiver.

"They actually hadn't really done any casting," Nickel explained. "They were just going to use this actor who's based in Sweden--who was perfectly good--but I was like, this is going to be John Helldiver! We can't just get someone who's good, like, we need to get the funniest person we can possibly find."

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Doom and Wolfenstein creators id Software is celebrating its 35th anniversary, with studio director Marty Stratton teasing some announcements during the momentous occasion.

Stratton, in a new video from the studio marking the anniversary, vaguely mentions that the team have "a lot coming up this week to celebrate with all of you", continuing on to say that "throughout the years we'll be celebrating this anniversary, and a lot of other anniversaries." The studio's X account also shared a promotional image for the anniversary, depicting the Doom Slayer from the studio's most recent title, Doom: The Dark Ages.

Stratton and game director Hugo Martin thanked the studio's dedicated fanbase, while also praising id as a "visionary studio" and thanking its original co-founders. "We always say we stand on the shoulders of giants," Stratton concluded.

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Starbites: Deluxe Edition

$50 | Releases March 31

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2026 is kicking off with several big RPGs, but one of the lesser-known upcoming releases is Starbites. Published by NIS, the story-driven RPG mixes traditional console RPG gameplay like turn-based combat and a cast of unique characters to customize with a unique sci-fi setting that sees you exploring a backwater planet with the aid of giant mechs. If you're looking for something that can stand out among the droves of fantasy-flavored RPGs launching this year, this one might be worth a look when it launches for PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and PC on March 31. Even better, Starbites is getting a physical Deluxe Edition release on consoles that includes several pieces of exclusive content, and it's only $50. Preorders are now live at multiple online retailers.

Starbites: Deluxe Edition $50 | Releases March 31

The Deluxe Edition is actually the cheapest version of Starbites up for preorder. It's bundled with the base game, a digital soundtrack, and a mini art book. Considering it's just $50 across PS5, Switch, and Switch 2, that's a pretty great offer. Note that the Switch 2 version is offered as a Game Key Card, meaning you'll need to download the full game before you can start playing.

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart Preorder at GameStop Starbites Limited Edition$90 | Releases Early 2026

If you want a few additional goodies with your game, swing by the NIS Online Store. Here you'll find the Starbites Limited Edition up for preorder. It currently says its release is slated for "Early 2026," not March 31, but it comes with the following:

• Base game
• Collector's box
• Starbites art book
• Digipak original soundtrack
• Acrylic stand
• Rubber keychains (Set of 3)
• Metal Pins (Set of 6)

That's a pretty nice list of extra collectibles for $40, and if you're a fan of previous NIS America launches, it might be worth the investment. The Switch 2 version is already out of stock, and it's unclear how long the PS5 and Switch versions will remain available. Head over soon if you're interested in securing a copy at release.

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EA Sports has released the results of its annual Super Bowl simulation using Madden, and this year, the simulation predicted that the Seattle Seahawks will beat the New England Patriots by a score of 23-20 in Super Bowl LX.

The game will come down to the very last play, according to the simulation, but the Seahawks will ultimately get it done and avoid losing at the last-second to the Patriots again like they did at Super Bowl XLIX 2015. Seahawks QB Sam Darnold will be named Super Bowl LX MVP, according to the simulation.

EA's simulation has accurately predicted the past two Super Bowl winners, as it chose the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVIII and the Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl LIX.

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The fallout continues from Dispatch launching in a censored state on Switch and Switch 2 last week. While developer AdHoc Studio initially implied this issue was because of the platform holder, Nintendo responded that it "does not make changes to partner content." Now, AdHoc is admitting that "people have a right to be pissed" and is hoping to release an update for the game "to address at least some of the censored content."

Eurogamer received a new statement from AdHoc about why nudity was covered up on Switch and Switch 2--along with changes to other sexual content. "We initially assumed, like some of you, that because games like Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk [2077] are on the platform with similar types of uncensored mature content, Dispatch would be allowed to do the same," AdHoc said. "During the porting process, it became clear that was not the case."

AdHoc added that "it was our intent to go out of our way to tell people looking to buy the game that the content was censored." The Dispatch developer explained that the disclaimer about the censored content should have been more prominent on the eShop store page for the game. "Wires got crossed, and we put the disclaimer in the field literally titled 'Disclaimer' instead of the 'About The Game' section," AdHoc said. This created a situation where the PSA was put in "the absolute worst spot that makes it look like we were trying to hide it," according to the developer.

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