Nintendo has announced it is hosting another Switch Online Playtest Program later this month. The closed beta is slated to begin on July 28, and it will give eligible users another chance to sample the same mystery service that was tested out during the October 2024 Playtest Program.

As before, the Switch Online Playtest Program is only open to select players on a first come, first served basis. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription as of July 17.

We will perform another test in the #NintendoSwitchOnline: Playtest Program. From 8:00 AM PT on July 21st, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can apply to participate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out more: https://t.co/xed7zzwzBb pic.twitter.com/JfnMRd9eoH

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 17, 2025

This time around, Nintendo is allowing players to apply either individually or as part of a group. You can create an application starting on July 18 at 3 PM PT/6 PM ET, with registration formally opening on July 21 at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET. Full details can be found on Nintendo's website.

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for PS5 / Xbox Series X

$70 | Releases September 25

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for Nintendo Switch

$60 | Upgrade to Switch 2 for $10

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the latest arcade racer from Sega, releases in just over two months on consoles and PC. Along with familiar faces from Sonic the Hedgehog, the largest roster in series history will feature characters from Persona, Like A Dragon, Minecraft, and other popular franchises. CrossWorlds will also have cross-platform online multiplayer for PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch when it races into stores September 25. Preorders are live now for physical and digital editions, and you can get exclusive bonuses and even discounts by ordering early.

It's worth noting that Sega is developing a dedicated version for Switch 2, but it won't be available until the holiday season in digital format. A true physical edition for Switch 2--the full game on a 64GB game card--will arrive in early 2026. If you want to play at launch, you can grab the Nintendo Switch edition for $60 and then pay $10 to upgrade when the Switch 2 version launches.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon-Exclusive EditionSonic Racing: CrossWorlds at Amazon

CrossWorlds is one of several upcoming games with an Amazon-exclusive edition. If you preorder a physical copy for Switch, PS5, or Xbox Series X, you'll find an exclusive poster, shown below, tucked inside the box. This edition was announced shortly after Amazon unveiled its exclusive edition of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, which also includes a poster and launches a few days after CrossWorlds.

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The weight of expectation that Sucker Punch Production is carrying is rather heavy. As one of the few first-party PlayStation games of 2025, many players will be looking to it to scratch the story-driven AAA blockbuster itch that has been out of reach for a lot of the year. But, beyond that, it has the unenviable task of following up the beloved Ghost of Tsushima.

Ghost of Yotei has been kept behind the curtain throughout most of its development, but recently, it had a big showing as the focal point of a State of Play broadcast. Depending on who you ask, they'll either say it looks stunning and has some potentially exciting gameplay evolutions or it looks good... but also very familiar.

That split in perspective isn't surprising to directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox. In fact, that very much is the intent. The challenge, however, is in finding a good balance between the two, which is easier said than done. Following the State of Play, GameSpot spoke to Connell and Fox about the success of Ghost of Tsushima and how Sucker Punch approached its sequel, as well as what players can expect when the game launches in October.

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Shadow Labyrinth Standard Edition

$30 | Releases July 18

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Shadow Labyrinth Secret Edition

$60 | Releases July 18

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Pac-Man has starred in many different types of games since becoming an arcade legend, but Bandai Namco's latest game might be the hero's strangest outing yet. In Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man teams up with a swordsman in an action-platformer rated T for Teen by the ESRB. Shadow Labyrinth is a side-scroller within the metroidvania genre that's earning pretty decent reviews ahead of its July 18 release (74 on Metacritic). Metroidvania and Pac-Man fans who haven't preordered a copy yet still have time to secure a neat preorder bonus as well as a discount for PC or budget-friendly collector's edition on consoles.

Shadow Labyrinth Physical Editions at Amazon:Shadow Labyrinth Secret Edition

All preorders for Shadow Labyrinth include the "Original Arcade Sound FX" bonus. As the name suggests, this DLC unlocks Pac-Man's sound effects from his arcade glory days.

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (4K Steelbook)

$40 | Releases August 5

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Back in 2003, audiences were introduced to oceanic battlefields with the release of Master and Commander: Far Side of the World. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Russell Crowe, the film was a big hit thanks its depiction of naval battles during the Napoleonic Wars and strong performances. The movie is finally getting a 4K release--and a striking steelbook cover as well--and you can preorder it now for $40 ahead of its August 5 launch. The upcoming edition also comes with the film on a standard Blu-ray disc and a digital streaming code for it.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (4K Steelbook) $40 | Releases August 5

Master and Commander's Limited Edition Steelbook features a striking cover of Crowe's character Captain Jack Aubrey alongside his ship, the HMS Surprise. The back cover has a compass motif, and there's a subtle cartography influence for the maritime background. The interior artwork shows Aubrey staring out at the ocean.

This is a native 4K remaster (2160p) based on the original camera negative with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos.

For the extras, there are deleted scenes, a trivia track for history fans, and a pop-up map that tracks Aubrey's ship across the film.

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One thing that's worth noting here is that the DVD release of Master and Commander offered a far greater variety of special features, which never made their way onto previous standard Blu-ray releases of the film. That two-disc DVD edition has been out of print for ages now, and while there are still copies of it available, it can be pricey. Still, if you're looking to really dive deep into Master and Commander, it makes for a nice companion piece as it has several in-depth documentaries.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Steelbook Edition

Master and Commander has held up very well in the decades since it was first released. The movie is a loose adaptation of the epic historical fiction series by English author Patrick O'Brien, and it tells the story of Captain Aubrey and his pursuit of a deadly French warship--the privateer ship Acheron--that threatens Britain's naval supremacy. Torn between duty and his friendship with ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), Aubrey chases after the Acheron.

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As one of the biggest video game platforms in the world, and with a particularly high proportion of minors among its player base, Roblox has had to invest heavily in trust and safety technology over the past decade. As part of its ongoing effort to disrupt abuse, misuse, and harm, the company is rolling out a new system to verify players' age: "age estimation" through analysis of video selfies.

In a press release, Roblox announced that it is reconfiguring how its social features work to better protect minors from untrusted or potentially exploitative interactions. First, it is introducing a two-tiered "Connections" system to govern how players are linked to one another: normal and "Trusted Connections."

We’re always innovating how people connect on Roblox. Today, we're introducing Trusted Connections, Age Estimation, well-being tools, and new insights for parents—delivering features that elevate connection, transparency, and digital well-being. https://t.co/Pbe3akLnTx pic.twitter.com/c9Cc4pcm5Z

— Roblox (@Roblox) July 17, 2025

Two players who are Trusted Connections will be able to communicate with each other without restriction, including via party and text chat with no filters. However, becoming Trusted Connections will require clearing several hurdles designed to reduce the potential of child exploitation or other types of harm.

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The Boy and the Heron 4K Blu-ray Steelbook Edition

$26 (was $45)

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Studio Ghibli's Oscar-winning animated film The Boy and the Heron is available for one of its lowest prices yet at Amazon and Walmart. The 4K Blu-ray Steelbook Edition is discounted to just $26, which is the best price we've seen since it reached an all-time low of $25 in March.

The 4K Steelbook Edition of The Boy and the Heron is actually cheaper than the standard 4K edition ($30.73) and only a few bucks more than the 1080p Blu-ray ($23) at the moment. While you're picking up The Boy and the Heron, check out the newly released Grave of the Fireflies Steelbook Edition. The steelbook case design for the 1989 Ghibli film about World War II--it's rated PG-13--matches the style of The Boy and the Heron's cover art.

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What does a day in the life of billionaire gaming boss Gabe Newell look like? Speaking to Zalkar Saliev from one of his yachts, the Valve co-founder said he enjoys the benefit of living on a boat while maintaining a fairly regular work schedule.

"I get up, I work, I go scuba-diving, work some more, [then] either go on a second scuba dive or I go to the gym and work out. I live on a boat so I just hang out with everybody on the boat. Then I work," he said, and PC Gamer confirmed with Valve that this interview is real. "I work seven days a week: I'm working from my bedroom as you can tell. I like working, it's fun, to me it doesn't feel like work. The kinds of things that I get to do every day are super-awesome."

Newell said the traditional idea of retirement is that you "stop doing your horrible job and go do what is most fun and entertaining," and in that sense, he said he feels like he's been retired for a while.

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The current gaming industry is filled with remakes and remasters; some of them are faithful to their source material, while others are more open to changing things around when needed. It's not too often that the original creator of a remade work speaks about a modern reimagining, but recently the co-creator of Crash Bandicoot took to LinkedIn to give his thoughts on 2017's N. Sane Trilogy--and the "most important 30 milliseconds" worth of change that made a world of difference.

As spotted by GamesRadar, Naughty Dog co-founder Andrew Gavin posted a wide range of thoughts about the modern remasters of Crash Bandicoot 1-3, While he says the games "nailed the visuals" and said they "looked great [and] faithful to the original," in his mind, things went south when it came to jumping--or, as he put it, the team "completely botched how jumping works."

That polar bear is just happy to see Crash, right?

The original game, Gavin explains, read how long the player held the jump button down and measured Crash's jump accordingly--the longer a player held the button, the higher Crash jumped. This mechanic was lost in the N. Sane Trilogy, according to Gavin, and replaced with a system when every jump is always the maximum height possible.

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Steam has partnered with the Make-A-Wish charity to launch the "Wish 200 Week Charity Sale" that sees numerous games go on sale to help support the organization. This charity drive benefits Make-A-Wish UK, but anyone can participate.

"Gaming is a lifeline for critically ill children--it's not just entertainment. From when they’re undergoing treatment and unable to attend school or clubs with their friends to urgently needed respite and distraction from the challenges they face every day. Gaming offers a welcoming and inclusive community where critically ill children can be who they want to be again," reads a line from the sale's page.

A portion of sales from the Wish 200 Week Charity Sale now through July 20 will be given to Make-A-Wish UK to help critically ill children. Some of the games on sale include Vampire Survivors ($4), Let's Build a Zoo ($7), Bassmaster Fishing ($7.50), and Haven's Vault ($10). You can visit the sale site to see them all.

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Earlier this month, Unknown Worlds' parent company Krafton reportedly forced out the studio's co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, as well as former CEO Ted Gill, before pushing Subnautica 2 to 2026. The subsequent war of words between the former leadership team and Krafton led to a lawsuit. Now, Cleveland has shared the full details of the lawsuit which alleges a multi-year push by Krafton to deny Unknown Worlds a promised $250 million payout.

The lawsuit has been posted online, and it accuses Krafton of actively attempting to sabotage the early-access release of Subnautica 2 by refusing to perform pre-launch activities it had previously agreed to do. It also notes that Unknown Worlds had a clause in the 2021 buyout that prevented Krafton from firing its leadership team without cause.

Bloomberg was the first to report that Krafton was supposed to pay $250 million to Unknown Worlds if the company reached certain financial goals in 2025. The lawsuit suggests that Krafton's decision to fire Unknown Worlds' leadership team was only made to prevent Subnautica 2 from being released in any form in 2025, which would make it almost impossible for the financial targets to trigger the $250 million payout. The lawsuit goes on to demand that Krafton be forced to pay the previously agreed upon amount and to return creative control of Subnautica 2 to the former leaders of Unknown Worlds.

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Donkey Kong Bananza didn't arrive right in time for the Switch 2 launch, but it's essentially a launch title--and a very good one, by all accounts. Both GameSpot's Donkey Kong Bananza review and the wider critical space have plenty of praise to heap on the game. If you're diving in soon, you'll want to know how long it takes to beat Donkey Kong Bananza. We have that information, along with the game's chapter list, right here for you.

How long is Donkey Kong Bananza?

DK's latest banana-fuelled quest will differ greatly in length depending on how committed you are to finding all of its collectibles, completing optional challenges, and exploring the many sublayers of its mining-focused world. For a typical player--someone who beats the game through to the final boss and does some optional objectives, you're looking at a playthrough of 15-20 hours. However, there's more than one way to play, too.

For someone seeking out every last banana, Banandium Gem, challenge course, transformations, and all Style Shop costumes for both DK and Paulina, a full 100% playthrough will run you closer to 50-60 hours. Careful, as there is such a thing as too much potassium.

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Call of Duty's cartoon-themed content continues for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, as Activision has now officially confirmed the American Dad operator bundles that leaked earlier this month.

Activision released a new trailer for Black Ops 6 and Warzone to reveal the operator bundles for Call of Duty's crossover with Seth MacFarlane's American Dad animated sitcom. Call of Duty's in-game shop will feature bundles for the characters Stan Smith and Roger.

The Stan Smith bundle goes live sometime later today, and Roger's bundle is scheduled to hit the shop July 20. Stan's bundle includes one operator skin and various cosmetics, while Roger's bundle is packed with three different skins for the character as well as additional items. Both bundles also feature operator voice lines, as previewed in the trailer.

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Donkey Kong Bananza just hit store shelves today, and it's earning rave reviews from critics. And if you're looking for a fun accessory to complement the instant Game of the Year contender, you'll find the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Pro Controller: Donkey Kong Reveal available for preorder.

Turtle Beach bought PDP last year--so if you've ever used a PDP Rematch, this is essentially the same controller, just with new branding. The Donkey Kong-themed model releases October 12, but with DK being all the craze nowadays, it probably doesn't hurt to lock in your order if you're interested. You won't be charged until it ships.

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Pro Controller: Donkey Kong Reveal $60 | Releases October 12

This controller is designed to work with Switch and Switch 2, though it lacks the C button for GameChat. Beyond that, it's fully compatible with the new hardware. Officially licensed by Nintendo, it offers up to 40 hours of play on a single charge, support for motion controls, two remappable back buttons, and an ergonomic design that should keep you comfortable during extended play sessions.

Overall, the Rematch is a good controller with well-rounded features and a solid build. There are better controllers for the price, but the main draw here is the striking artwork.

Covered in hues of green and black with red accents, it features DK and Diddy Kong racing through the jungle. The back buttons are red while the triggers are green, which should make it stand out in your game room. Its lenticular design means that, as you move the controller, the design will slowly morph, revealing new layers of detail. This is a fairly uncommon design feature--and one that makes it a bit more exciting than your standard gamepad.

Preorder at Amazon Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Pro Controller: Donkey Kong Reveal

Donkey Kong Bananza

$69 at Amazon and Walmart | Releases July 17

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Donkey Kong & Pauline Amiibo

$30

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Donkey Kong Bananza + Amiibo Bundle

$98

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“Come on now, if we all pull together, we can lift up the weight of the world from your shoulders.”

This is a line from the song "Glorious You" by one of my favorite musical artists, Frank Turner, and it’s a lyric that constantly comes to mind as I play Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

For those who haven’t played either of the games, you are, regardless, likely already familiar with the series' core concept: You play as a porter who delivers packages between outposts in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ahead of the first entry's launch in 2019, game director Hideo Kojima stated that Death Stranding was to kickstart a new “Strand” genre. “By incorporating the concept of connection(strand), it's [a] totally brand-new genre called action game/strand game(social strand system),” tweeted Kojima earlier that summer.

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The trailer for Mortal Kombat 2 has officially arrived, and as you'd expect, it looks like this sequel to the 2021 film reboot will be even bloodier. With the threat of Outworld casting a shadow over Earthrealm, it's up to several chosen warriors to step up and win the Mortal Kombat tournament if they want to prevent Shao Kahn's invasion.

Mortal Kombat 2 will hit theaters on October 24, and it has an ensemble cast of new and returning actors. Ludi Lin (Liu Kang), Jessica Mcnamee (Sonya Blade), and Mehcad Brooks (Jax) are back for a fresh round of ultraviolent brawling, and they'll be joined by The Boys and Dredd actor Karl Urban, who plays brash Hollywood superstar Johnny Cage.

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As previously reported by CharlieIntel, some players are receiving messages when logging in to play Call of Duty, requiring them to enter a date of birth before continuing to the game.

An age-verification measure shouldn't be too surprising. Call of Duty games are packaged with a Mature rating in the United States, which means the content is only intended for audiences aged 17 and up, as classified by the ESRB. Call of Duty receives these ratings due to the games featuring blood and gore, strong language, mature themes, and sometimes drug use. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone feature a variety of popular weed-smoking operators, such as Cheech and Chong, Jay and Silent Bob, Seth Rogen, and Snoop Dogg.

Call of Duty now requires players add their birthday to their account. If you’re underage, Parental Consent Required pop up appears with info on how to continue to play.
Activision statement: “In accordance with our efforts to deliver a positive community experience as detailed… pic.twitter.com/q8GJg9Bxm6

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) July 17, 2025

"In accordance with our efforts to deliver a positive community experience as detailed in the Call of Duty Code of Conduct, Activision players are being asked to provide updated information to their accounts," Activision said in a statement provided to CharlieIntel.

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There's a new voice for Donkey Kong--one of Nintendo's biggest mascots. The credits for Donkey Kong Bananza unveil that Kouji Takeda is the person behind the titular ape. It's actually not Takeda's first time voicing Donkey Kong, with previous experience on the Japanese dub of The Super Mario Bros. Movie as well as last month's Mario Kart World.

According to IGN, Takeda has replaced Takashi Nagasako, who voiced Donkey Kong for over two decades. Meanwhile, there's a new voice for Pauline as well in Donkey Kong Bananza, with Jenny Kidd taking over the English role from Kate Higgins, who had voiced her in Super Mario Odyssey.

Nintendo has seemingly been switching many of the voice actors behind the company's collection of characters over the past few years. For instance, recently Princess Peach and Toad voice actor Samantha Kelly says she was replaced after 18 years with Mario Kart World. In 2023, Charles Martinet stepped back from voicing Mario after being behind the character since Super Mario 64 in 1996. Last month, Martinet explained that he won't say anything weird as Mario for fans to preserve the character's "integrity."

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The Rubik's Cube is one of the most iconic toys on the planet, estimated to have sold around 500 million units since its inception in 1974. And after decades of brain-busting dominance, it looks like the gadget is finally ready for a shakeup. The Rubik's WowCube is launching later this year--giving you an interactive 2x2 cube that can play a variety of games, launch different apps, or simply serve as a piece of home décor.

Rubik's WowCube Pricing TBD

The Rubik's WowCube doesn't have a firm price or release date yet, but most of its other details have been made public. At a glance, it looks like a small, 2x2 Rubik's Cube. But get a little closer, and you'll see that each cube is actually comprised of tiny interactive screens. These can be used in a variety of ways. You can play games like Space Invaders and Cut the Rope, display apps that highlight information like text messages and the weather, or simply launch a relaxing scene to use it as a display piece on your desk.

See at WowCube

The cube still rotates like a traditional Rubik's Cube, but because of its many screens and built-in gyroscopes, there are countless ways you can use the WowCube. It's earning a lot of praise from folks in the tech industry like Steve Wozniak, and it looks like a wild new take on the traditional Rubik's format.

The WowCube loading a gameGallery

What might be most exciting about it, however, is that the WowCube is an open platform. That means any number of developers can create their own programs, software, and games for the device, which could lead to truly unique experiences in the future. Its library will probably be quite limited at launch (so far we've only seen a few games and apps on the device), but it could grow exponentially as folks get their hands on the cube and its devkit.

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Paper Mario: The Origami King is celebrating its five-year anniversary today, July 17, 2025. Below, we examine the ways the Paper Mario series has changed over the years, and how Origami King tried to recapture its early magic.

Though Mario's platforming adventures are universally adored, the Paper Mario series has a much more mixed reputation. Its first two installments, Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 and its GameCube sequel, The Thousand-Year Door, are widely regarded as Mario's finest role-playing outings, enchanting players with their imaginative storybook worlds and irreverent humor. As the series progressed, however, it gradually deviated from its RPG roots, shedding many of the elements that had made the first two games so beloved. While the series has never quite been the same since, its Switch installment, Paper Mario: The Origami King, is the only one that has come close to matching the heights of the original titles.

Paper Mario's identity crisis can be traced all the way back to 2007's Super Paper Mario. Originally announced for the Nintendo GameCube, this particular entry effectively began life as an offshoot of an offshoot--one last hurrah for the aging purple console spun out of repurposed assets and ideas from The Thousand-Year Door. By that point, however, GameCube sales had flatlined and a new generation was on the horizon, prompting Nintendo to move the title to the Wii, where it became many new players' introduction to the series.

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