The arrival of the new era of Scarlet & Violet Pokémon TCG cards is now only four weeks away. As worldwide players prepare themselves for the big shift from the V cards to the rebirth of “ex,” in Japan the base sets have already been out for over a month, and now the follow-up set, Triple Beat, is revealing some…
Steve from Minecraft was added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in October of 2020. In the years since, sentiment around the character has gotten worse and worse due to accusations that the character is broken and overpowered. Now, a recent discovery around a competitively advantageous glitch has brought these…
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, the latest Soulslike from action game masterminds Team Ninja, is an enrapturing amalgam of Bloodborne and Nioh 2 with some Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice sprinkled in for good measure. It’s punishing as hell, but also one of the most approachable games in a genre known for bludgeoning your…
In a recent, wide-ranging interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert, uber-successful director Steven Spielberg talked about his family, his long career, and his love of films. But we aren’t here to talk about that. Instead, what’s that over there behind you Stephen and Steven? Is that…oh yup. It’s a Star Wars…
The big baby update for The Sims 4 is nearly here, and Kotaku got an inside look at how the new Growing Together Expansion Pack DLC and the free base game updates will play out.
Stardew Valley celebrated its seventh anniversary Sunday while still reigning supreme as the ultimate cozy game. Nearly a decade on, Stardew Valley has become one of the most fascinating case studies among indie game successes. Created over four and a half years by lone developer Eric Barone, who goes by ConcernedApe,…
Give Me Toilet Paper! is a game built around a simple universal concept: At some point in our lives, we’ll forget to check the toilet paper roll before we sit down. That’s exactly what happened to these digital helpless businessmen, trapped behind an unfeeling bathroom stall. Only you can save them—by sticking a Joy-C…
Square Enix is getting a new boss. Yosuke Matsuda has served as the Final Fantasy publisher’s CEO for 10 years, and spent the last couple of those hyping up NFTs and other blockchain scams. He’s now set to be replaced by a relative newcomer, pending shareholder approval in June.
Man, Ash and Pikachu are really leaving the Pokémon anime pretty soon, huh? With every farewell episode that airs in Japan and every new piece of information on the new animated series that comes out, the departure of the show’s long-time protagonists feels more and more real. If you were having a hard time…
I wasn’t sure if we’d ever see the day, but after years of waiting, the top hits from the Game Boy Advance are steadily trickling onto the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Fusion joins the Switch Online Expansion Pack library next Wednesday, perfectly timed for everyone who just beat Metroid Prime Remastered and is still…
Go look through your Steam Library, flick across the spines of your PlayStation collection or gaze up at the shelf with all your Xbox games on it and tally for yourself: how many games are there set in the world you live in?
The last time we were checking in on the legal tussle over the proposed $69 billion sale of Activision Blizzard, Sony was complaining of “harassment” at the hands of Microsoft, who were asking to see all kinds of records, emails and internal documentation as part of the case’s discovery process.
When you work hard, you’re entitled to, in the immortal words of Parks and Rec, treat yo self. That’s what YouTuber Ludwig “Ludwig” Ahgren did in August 2022 when he imported a 1997 Subaru Sambar from Japan for roughly $7,000. It was his “dream car,” as he put it. A few days ago the prized mini truck was briefly…
It’s 2023, and Kotaku has a new look. Those of you who regularly read our homepage are probably noticing all sorts of changes, from the layout to the colors and even how pictures are framed on the page. So, what gives–and what’s new?
Early last month, two powerful earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey, killing tens of thousands of people. Millions more have been rendered homeless in what has quickly become one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory. The stories emerging from the region are tragic and recovery efforts are taking a long time,…
Earlier today on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show, guest Jack Black appeared wearing a Bowser costume that showed off a lot of his private toadstool and koopas, forcing the network censors to awkwardly blur his entire crotch.
Six years ago, former Valve and Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw posted a fictional letter on his website that sure read a lot like an outline for the never-likely-to-be-released Half-Life 2: Episode Three. Now, looking back years later, he regrets the decision, and says he was “deranged” when he chose to publish the…
I’m usually a skeptic whenever Genshin Impact fans whine that an upcoming character will be underpowered. We did this song and dance with meta-definers like Kazuha, Kokomi, and Alhaitham. Now it’s happening again with Dehya, a mercenary captain who had been integral to helping us save a troubled nation. Even while…
To celebrate the start of The Mandalorian season 3, the eponymous character and his surrogate child, Grogu, appeared for the first time ever at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida on March 1—and it was predictably chaotic. While The Mandalorian and not Baby Yoda are regulars at California’s Disneyland, they had…
Congratulations, you made it to March, when it’s still freezing, but you might notice a tulip poke its green head out of the dirt. Like flowers as we get deeper into the year, video game releases are also beginning to flourish. But, perhaps controversially, I rarely manage to get myself excited about new games without…
I’ve had a rough go of it in Octopath Traveler II’s first few hours. As someone who loves RPG parties most when they feel like real units of friends and found family, Octopath’s anthology-like storytelling wasn’t doing it for me. Its eight playable characters felt like islands I had to walk to and from, rather than a…
Dead by Daylight is getting the video game adaptation treatment. Atomic Monster (Aquaman director James Wan’s production company) and Blumhouse (the famed horror production company behind Megan and Get Out) announced on March 2 that they are working with developer Behaviour Interactive on a feature film adaptation of …
Mario Day is coming on March 10. You don’t get to take the day off work, but you can save some money on a video game as Nintendo just announced new Switch deals ahead of the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie.
Earlier today, Sonic the Hedgehog co-creator Yuji Naka admitted to doing insider trading while working at Square Enix.
Earlier last month, Pikamee, a popular vtuber canceled her Hogwarts Legacy stream and went offline for three weeks, neither tweeting nor creating video content from February 8 through March 1. Yesterday, she announced she will retire from her vtubing career entirely. Angry fans have latched onto the Hogwarts Legacy…
Cities: Skylines II was announced at today's Paradox Announcement Show, and it’s coming later this year.
This follow-up builds upon its 2015 predecessor with new features, such as fully-realized transportation and economy systems. Paradox didn’t reveal too many other specifics beyond stating in a press release that the game features “ a wealth of construction and customization options and advanced modding capabilities.” Cities: Skylines II is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (including Game Pass), and PC. Check out the teaser trailer below:
The original game was a big success, having sold over 12 million copies and filling the simulation gap left by SimCity's hiatus. Developer Colossal Order has supported it with multiple updates and expansions, including a VR port and a recent current-gen remaster. You can read our original reviews of Cities: Skylines on PC here and the console edition here.
Per tradition, WWE 2K23 will receive several post-launch DLC superstar packs that will bolster the already large roster with even more playable wrestlers. 2K has unveiled the contents of all five packs, revealing a number of top stars from Raw, Smackdown, and NXT, as well as legends.
The first pack hits in April, roughly a month after 2K23’s launch, and will release every month through the end of the summer. Combined, the packs will add 24 superstars. Each bundle can be purchased individually and will be rolled out to season pass holders (which comes included with the Deluxe and Icon Editions of the game). Check out the contents of each pack below.
Steiner Row Pack - April 19
Pretty Sweet Pack - May 17
Race to NXT - June 14
Revel with Wyatt - July 19
Bad News U - August 16
Puma has unveiled a new shoe collection inspired by the popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV.
The collaboration will consist of four shoes: two Puma Slipstream models and two RS-X models, as reported by Techraptor. For each model type, there's a (Warrior of) Light version and a Dark version, which basically equates to white and blue-green, and black and purple-pink. All four of the shoes look great but before you get too attached, these shoes are Japan-only for now. There's no word on if they'll come to the U.S.
Check out the shoes in the gallery below:
Seth Rogen announced in 2020 that he was producing a new animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and today, Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for it...and it looks great!
What's especially notable about this trailer is the animation style, which is quite unique for both the TMNT franchise and animation in general. It's reminiscent of stop-motion mixed in with the comic-style vibes of Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, although it's also very much its own thing.
Check it out for yourself below in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem trailer below:
From permanent teenager @SethRogen, a new generation of heroes will rise...from the sewers.
— TMNT (@TMNTMovie) March 6, 2023
Watch the new teaser trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: #MutantMayhem - Only in theatres August 4, 2023. #TMNTMovie pic.twitter.com/SBFK4QFq8g
As you can see, the movie is clearly harkening back to the comic book origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with its visual style, and the action looks great. The voice cast is great, too, although that's not surprising considering how stacked the cast is.
Dead Cells is one of the best roguelites I've ever played and was one of the standout games in the very crowded 2018. However, its success is only possible through standing on the shoulders of the giants that trailblazed the genre. Of all the franchises Dead Cells drew inspiration from, perhaps no series was as influential as Castlevania. Because of this, the crossover between the two, which comes in the form of premium DLC for Dead Cells called Return to Castlevania, is a natural fit that not only resurrects Konami's dormant franchise but gives a nostalgic shot in the arm to one of the best roguelites available today.
Diving back into Dead Cells for the first time in years, I couldn't help but effortlessly fall back into the hooks of the stellar gameplay loop. I love discovering secret areas of the randomized biomes, obtaining more and more powerful weapons and equipment, and pushing just a little further than the time before. Paramount to that, though, are the permanent upgrades you receive for completing tasks within the world, like helping NPCs, defeating Elite enemies, and discovering new areas. Though you start each run with minimal power, a definite sense of progression drives you to do "just one more run."
A new Resident Evil 4 remake augmented reality game has been discovered and you can participate in it right now.
This ARG is full of puzzles and riddles for participants to solve, and it seems to set up the beginning events of Resident Evil 4, specifically how Ashley is kidnapped prior to the remake's start, as reported by IGN. If you're interested in checking the ARG out, you can do so now by going to babyeagleismissing.com.
We haven't run through it ourselves yet, but based on IGN's reporting, it doesn't sound particularly challenging. If you manage to get through it today, let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
For more about Resident Evil 4, which was Game Informer's February cover game, head to our Resident Evil 4 exclusive coverage hub for video interviews, gameplay, features, and more.
[Source: IGN]
Bandai Namco has revealed a new Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi game.
Yesterday, the publisher released a short teaser trailer for the game, running less than a minute, that highlights footage from previous Budokai Tenkaichi games before showcasing what appears to be the new one. In the footage of the new game, we see Goku powering up. And then the words, "Get Ready For Battle" and "A New Sparking Begins" appear on screen.
Check it out in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi teaser trailer for yourself below:
／
— ドラゴンボールゲームスバトルアワー2023公式 (@db_eventpj_jp) March 5, 2023
「ドラゴンボール Sparking！」シリーズ
最新作情報が解禁！
＼
映像はコチラから↓#ドラゴンボール #バトルアワー pic.twitter.com/VMMPWWeSUr
As you can see, the game might be called, in some variation, Dragon Ball Sparking (that's what the tweet calls it if you use Twitter's built-in translate function, too). But regardless, the trailer ends with "A New Budokai Tenkaichi" begins, quelling any doubt that this is a new game in the series that has laid dormant for 16 years. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 was released in 2007.
Pokémon Day 2023 has come and gone, so this week's episode of All Things Nintendo is dedicated to recapping everything that came out of the Pokémon Presents live stream. Wesley LeBlanc joins Brian for that, including a rundown of how they did with their predictions, as well as the news out of this week.
If you'd like to follow Brian on social media, you can do so on his Instagram: @BrianPShea. You can follow Wesley on Twitter: @LeBlancWes.
The All Things Nintendo podcast is a weekly show where we can celebrate, discuss, and break down all the latest games, news, and announcements from the industry's most recognizable name. Each week, Brian is joined by different guests to talk about what's happening in the world of Nintendo. Along the way, they'll share personal stories, uncover hidden gems in the eShop, and even look back on the classics we all grew up with. A new episode hits every Friday!
Be sure to subscribe to All Things Nintendo on your favorite podcast platform. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
Castlevania is coming to Dead Cells in a big way with the Return to Castlevania expansion. It adds weapons, characters, bosses, levels, and more from the famed Konami series. Join Kyle Hilliard and Brian Shea for a look at the impressive expansion, which is coming to all platforms where the game is available on March 6.
For more on the Castlevania expansion, head here for an interview with its creators to learn about how the game came to exist.
For more previews and discussions of some of the biggest games of 2023 and beyond, be sure to head over to our YouTube page for NGTs about Final Fantasy XVI, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, Atomic Heart, Metroid Prime Remastered, WWE 2K23, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, and more.
Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix, is stepping down after 10 years in the position.
The official announcement states that he’ll be replaced by the relatively new Takahashi Kiryu, a company director who joined Square in 2020, as part of an organizational restructuring. The proposed change will be voted for approval at the 43rd Annual Shareholder’s Meeting in June. Square Enix’s reason for the change is as follows:
Capcom has announced that a Capcom Spotlight presentation will air next week.
More specifically, this Capcom Spotlight will air on March 9, with the pre-show beginning at 2:10 p.m. PT/5:10 p.m. ET and the main show starting at 2:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. ET. As for what to expect, the official Capcom Twitter says this presentation will showcase Resident Evil 4, Exoprimal, Monster Hunter Rise, Mega Man Battle Legacy Collection, and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective.
Check out the announcement trailer for yourself below:
Tune in to the Capcom Spotlight on March 9 for news on Resident Evil 4, Exoprimal, Monster Hunter Rise, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective!
— Capcom USA (@CapcomUSA_) March 3, 2023
Pre-show - 2:10PM PT
Main Show - 2:30 PM PT
📺 https://t.co/R1Onsc3VtO pic.twitter.com/Z0JwpIjSeQ
If you're excited about these games, be sure to tune in next Thursday.
In the meantime, check out Game Informer's Resident Evil 4 exclusive coverage hub for a month's worth of features about the upcoming remake.
The Pokémon Company has released a new teaser trailer for its upcoming Pokémon reboot.
The Pokémon Company revealed back in December that the long-running Pokémon anime starring Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu would be coming to an end soon, set to be replaced by a new Pokémon anime with two new protagonists. The Pokémon Company has released a new trailer that reveals these two new main characters are Loko, "the girl with the awe-inspiring pendant," and Roy, "the boy with the mysterious Poké Ball." Plus, we get another look at Friede, who is the Professor of this anime, alongside Captain Pikachu.
Check it out for yourself below:
Gear up for adventure in this upcoming new animated Pokémon series! 🌅 pic.twitter.com/4jDkXYIh0a
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) March 3, 2023
The trailer above also reveals that this new Pokémon anime will debut in Japan with an hour-long special on April 14. As for the rest of the world, the release remains unknown but the trailer does say 2023 and beyond so hopefully sometime this year.
Here's another look at the three characters introduced in today's trailer:
Nintendo has revealed that Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers can jump into Metroid Fusion when the game is added to the NSO library on March 8.
After surprise releasing Metroid Prime Remastered last month, Metroid fans have another game from the series' history to play through, this time in the Game Boy Advance game first released in 2002. Once Fusion is live with NSO, players can finally experience Samus Aran's full 2D series journey on the Nintendo Switch, starting with the original Metroid game all the way through Metroid Fusion and 2021's Metroid Dread.
Check out the Metroid Fusion Nintendo Switch Online trailer announcing the news below:
"In Metroid Fusion, interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran is attacked by an X parasite while exploring the mysterious planet SR388," Nintendo's description of the game reads. "This organism is not only deadly, but it can mimic the abilities of any creature it infects – including Samus herself! Saved from the brink thanks to an infusion of Metroid DNA, the X parasite's only natural predator, she soon discovers that the parasite has spread to the research station orbiting SR388. Weakened and out of options, Samus must do whatever it takes to destroy the X threat before it's too late."
In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show, the crew discusses Team Ninja's latest Soulslike, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and why it might be a sleeper hit. Wesley comes back from New York City to discuss his hands-on time with Final Fantasy XVI; and then we chat about Atomic Heart's very weird open world.
Follow us on social media: Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken), Kyle Hilliard (@KyleMHilliard), Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7), Wesley LeBlanc (@LeBlancWes)
The Game Informer Show is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join host Alex Van Aken every Thursday for a chat about your favorite games – past and present – with Game Informer staff, developers, and special guests from around the industry. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
The overlap of Powerwash Simulator fans and Final Fantasy VII diehards hits in full force today, thanks to the launch of a free DLC pack for the popular sim. You can use your high-pressure hose to blast dirt and grime off of popular locations in Midgar, and the best part is that the experience is totally free.
The Midgar Special Pack is available now for all versions of Powerwash Simulator. It adds five new levels, including Tifa’s Seventh Heaven bar and the Mako Energy Exhibit. Additionally, you’ll be cleaning up vehicles and mechs such as Cloud’s Hardy-Daytona motorcycle, Shinra Hauler, the Scorpion Sentinal, and the Airbuster. The pack also adds new dirt types, such as bio-residue.
This DLC was created in collaboration with Square Enix, with Final Fantasy VII Remake director Tetsuya Nomura writing in a press release,
“When I heard about the proposal for a collab, I was quite busy with various other collabs and reviews, but I was especially excited about this one. I had just been playing PowerWash Simulator and was daydreaming about cleaning things from my titles. My immediate response was, 'let’s wash the entire Shinra building.' Unfortunately, that seemed to be a bit difficult, but the final line-up is exciting, nonetheless. This is something I have been looking forward to a lot, and hope everyone has a great time!”