Game Informer

Bandai Namco has revealed Tekken 8, a new sequel in the popular and long-running fighting game franchise. 

Tekken 8 was revealed in a new cinematic trailer that aired during today's PlayStation State of Play. It began with a few shots to set up the scenery before cutting to two series mainstays, Kazuya and Kazuya's son, Jin. The two duke it out in what appears to be a fair fight, that is until Kazuya calls forth the power of the devil gene inside him to finish the fight. 

Check it out for yourself in the reveal trailer below:

Unfortunately, this trailer doesn't reveal much else. Tekken 8 looks very much like Tekken, which is great. The trailer also doesn't reveal a release date – it just says to stay tuned for more information. 

 

As one of the most influential and beloved shooters of all time, GoldenEye 007 is a special game for many who played it in the late '90s. However, it's been a long time since the game has been playable on modern consoles. That changes soon, as the revolutionary first-person shooter received a duo of announcements today. First, we learned about a Switch version as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 catalog. However, we also learned the title (which was developed by now-Microsoft-owned Rare), is also coming to Xbox as a part of Game Pass and Rare Replay.

When the game arrives on Xbox, it will include the classic campaign, complete with the original difficulty settings and cheat codes (no word on if "DK Mode" will be renamed to something more generic like "Big Head Mode" for the Xbox version). The Xbox version will also include the split-screen local competitive multiplayer mode that made the game such a mainstay for get-togethers in the N64 era.

Unfortunately, it does not appear as though the online multiplayer available in the Nintendo Switch Online version will make the jump to the Xbox version. However, the Xbox version of GoldenEye 007 does include improved control options (including dual analog stick support), native 16:9 resolution up to 4K Ultra HD, a consistent refresh rate, and full achievement support. 

I never thought I would write these words: I'm leaving Game Informer.

For nearly 30 years, I looked forward to each workday, eager to see what game news would break, what I would be writing about, and on the best days, what I would be playing. In the time it took to create 330 monthly magazines, I was privileged to work alongside some of the most talented and amazing people I've ever met. For a kid who couldn’t get enough of video games growing up, I was living a dream. I knew how lucky I was and never took it for granted. I worked hard. I wanted Game Informer to be the place to go to celebrate games. I think we accomplished that tenfold and have created an outlet unlike any other.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll transition from writing game news to creating it. I’m entering the world of game development and publishing at a well-known North American studio. I can't say where I am heading yet, but you don't have to wait long, as I will reveal my destination next week. I always wanted to make a game, and I now get the chance to see what development is all about and will hopefully contribute to the process in meaningful ways. I’m terrified of entering a new line of work, but I couldn’t be more excited as I’m about to live another dream. I hope this one lasts just as long as my writing career and is equally as rewarding as my time at Game Informer was.

In the lead-up to Nintendo Switch Sports, Nintendo promised two major free updates following the launch. The first free update, which came out earlier this summer, added the ability to use the leg strap accessory for entire soccer matches instead of just shootouts. The second, more anticipated free update is set to add a new playable sport to the package: golf. Originally set for release this fall, Nintendo today announced a small delay to the update, saying it now arrives this holiday season.

The Nintendo Switch Sports version of golf lets you tee up across 21 holes carried over from the Wii Sports series. You can play locally with other players or hit the links with up to eight players online in the new Survival Golf mode. In Survival Golf, whoever takes the most strokes each round is eliminated.

This free update to Nintendo Switch Sports arrives this holiday season. For more about Nintendo Switch Sports, you can check out our full review here.

Today's September 2022 Nintendo Direct was quite the doozy, jam-packed with highly anticipated announcements, surprising reveals, returns to franchises we haven't seen in years, and so much more. If you weren't able to catch the 45-minute Direct today, no worries – we have you covered!

Here's Everything Announced During Today's Nintendo Direct

Just as a note, the following are not in the order they were revealed. 

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

That's right! Finally, after years of waiting, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's sequel has a title, and it's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Not only did we get this new title, but we got a new trailer featuring gameplay as well as a May 2023 release date. You can read more about this announcement in our full story here. 

Ever since its summer 2019 announcement, fans have been dying to know the official name of the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. During today's Nintendo Direct presentation, we not only learned that but also, finally, a release date. We now know the game's name is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players can explore the surface of the version of Hyrule they traveled across in Breath of the Wild as well as various floating islands in the sky. In the new trailer, we see Link go from the sky to the surface, then from the surface to the sky.

There's still so much we don't know about Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but in addition to the official name, we also now have a release date. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingom arrives exclusively on Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023.

Dauntless developer Phoneix Labs has announced a new title that, needless to say, is dramatically different than its monster-slaying RPG. Fae Farm is a cozy life simulation that whisks players to a world of magic and wonder where you'll flex your green thumb as a farming savior. 

As the name suggests, the bulk of the experience involves running a farm as an adventurer and newcomer to a community in the land of Azoria. Though you’ll work to bring peace to this troubled land, you’ll also kick back and leisurely explore various environments, collect resources, and build homesteads. Fae Farm is built with cooperation in mind. The title features drop-in/drop-out co-op, both locally and online, allowing players to farm and quest together. 

“With Fae Farm we wanted to take our favorite elements of the sim genres we love, infuse them with magic and beautiful art, and wrap everything in a light-hearted cooperative experience,” said creative director Katie De Sousa in a press release. “I can’t wait to see what kind of cozy homesteads players build in Azoria.”

Fae Farm is slated to release during Q2 2023 exclusively for Switch.

Today's Nintendo Direct was loaded with surprises, including an enhanced port of the 2011 Wii game, Kirby's Return to Dream Land. On this colorful adventure, Kirby uses a variety of copy abilities to solve puzzles and platforming challenges. These abilities, like a sword and whip, can also be used for combat encounters. This updated version of the game also includes a new Mecha ability, which adds long-range rockets, a close-range dash, and a mighty blast to the arsenal.

Up to four people can play cooperatively using Joy-Cons on the same system. Multiplayer is also available in the expanded minigame collection, giving players a new challenge called Magolor's Tome Trackers.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe launches exclusively on Switch on February 24, 2023. Preorders begin today.

Capcom is bringing its best horror games to Nintendo Switch later this year via the handheld's cloud gaming capabilities. Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the recent remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 will all be available on the eShop before the end of 2022. While we don't know every game's exact release date, Capcom announced that Resident Evil Village Cloud is launching on October 28. Additionally, a free demo of Village will be available later today on the Switch eShop if you'd like to test the quality of the cloud version yourself. 

This release coincides with the global launch of the Resident Evil Village Winter's Expansion, which introduces new story content surrounding the protagonist's daughter, which is also arriving on October 28. However, the expansion won't be available to play on the Nintendo Switch cloud until December 2.

I can't believe I'm writing this: Pikmin 4 is real, and it's out next year. 

Let's get right to it – check out the official Pikmin 4 announcement trailer below: 

Here's what Nintendo had to say about Pikmin 4 in a press release following today's reveal: 

 

"The first sneak peek at the next game in the Pikmin franchise revealed a tranquil park and a napping Bulborb, but it was still missing one important element … Pikmin! Where could they be? More details about this new title for Nintendo Switch will be revealed ahead of its 2023 launch."

 

Pikmin is a very special franchise to many people, but despite its niche popularity, it's never quite reached the heights of other Nintendo franchises. In total, the franchise has sold more than 8 million copies. Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch proved the franchise still had some (fruit) juice in it by selling roughly 2 million units in less than a year – a quarter of the series' entire sales – and fans speculated this had proved to Nintendo that it was time for a proper sequel. 

Square Enix has announced Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, the next entry in the Final Fantasy rhythm series. This first console entry in the series includes modernized visuals for the backgrounds and nearly 400 songs included in the base game.

The soundtrack includes favorites like "One Winged Angel," "Torn from the Heavens," "Suteki Da Ne," and plenty more. With 385 songs included in the base game, Square Enix understands it might be difficult to sort through them all, so it included a way to sort by game. The game can be enjoyed by two players locally or four players online.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line comes to PlayStation 4 and Switch on February 16. Square Enix also announced that players can look forward to paid DLC from the Saga, Nier, Octopath Traveler, and Live A Live series for a total of 90 additional songs. There's also a Season Pass which will add 27 extra songs.

Nintendo today announced GoldenEye 007 is coming to Switch via Switch's Online Expansion Pack membership. No gameplay footage was shown during today's Nintendo Direct, but Nintendo said the game will feature online play.

GoldenEye won't be alone when it arrives on Switch. Nintendo also announced players can download Pilotwings 64, and Mario Party 1 and 2 at some point in 2022. In the following year, Mario Party 3, Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2, 1080 Snowboarding, and Excitebike 64 will release on Switch.

To learn more about Nintendo's classic game support for Switch, check out our complete list of NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis games available for the service.

Nintendo has revealed when we can expect to take part in the first post-launch Splatoon 3 Splatfest, and we don't have to wait too long. That's because it's happening later this month!

More specifically, the first post-launch Splatfest will begin at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET, on Sept. 23 and end at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Sept. 25. As for what we'll be fighting for, you can choose to be on team Gear, Grub, of Fun (in regards to what you'd bring with you to a deserted island). It should be a great time if the pre-launch Splatfest held recently is any indication.

Check out the Splatfest trailer for yourself below: 

The trailer above also reveals that some additional Splatoon 3 updates are on the way, too, although it stopped short of telling us exactly what to expect. 

Are you going to take part in this Splatfest? Let us know in the comments below!

Nintendo revealed a brand new Fire Emblem game during this morning's Nintendo Direct — and you won't have to wait long to play it. Beloved characters like Marth and Celica return alongside a new cast in Fire Emblem Engage, a turn-based tactical RPG coming to Nintendo Switch on January 20, 2023. 

An ornate white tunic and cape adorn the red and blue-haired protagonist. You control this character, known as the Divine Dragon, fighting alongside iconic warriors from past games to help seal away the ancient Fell Dragon that has reawakened and is threatening the Continent of Elyos. 

Fire Emblem Engage: Divine Edition, a physical collector's copy of the game, features unique box art, a logo-less steelbook, art cards, a sizable art book, and a copy of the game. 

On November 4, Hazelight and Electronic Arts' It Takes Two launches on Switch. This heartwarming adventure originally released in 2021 on PC and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. It received a 9.25 out of 10 review from Game Informer and also won The Game Awards' 2021's Game of the Year honors.

It Takes Two can only be played cooperatively and can either be played on a single Switch via splitscreen or on two Switches via local wireless or online via the free friend's pass.

In my review of the Xbox One version, I said "It Takes Two may not be the platforming juggernaut that it aspires to be, but it more than makes up for it with its big heart, wealth in variety, and gorgeous imagery. All of its individual actions are things we’ve done in other games, but when applied to this distinct cooperative approach, they take on a whole new life and are used in wonderful ways over a long adventure. The action will have you laughing and screaming at your TV, and the story stays strong throughout, creating the backbone for an entertaining adventure that roars with excitement and should keep you glued to the controller to see if this couple’s lost love can be rekindled."

Preoders for the Switch version begin today.

Nintendo has revealed Octopath Traveler II, a sequel to 2018's Octopath Sequel, and it's out next year.

The first game in the series, Octopath Traveler, was released exclusively on Switch in 2018 before making its way to PC the following year, Stadia in 2020, and finally, Xbox One in 2021. It seems Nintendo is ready to take us back to that world and its excellent HD-2D visual style because it announced Octopath Traveler II is coming to Switch February 24, 2023. 

You can check out the reveal trailer below:

As you can see, Octopath Traveler II is looking great, as expected. Rather than picking up with our previous heroes, this sequel presents us with eight new travelers: the warrior Hikari, the dancer Agnea, the merchant Partitio, the scholar Osvald, the thief Throné, the cleric Temenos, the hunter Ochette, and the apothecary Castii. What's more is that each of their path actions will differ based on whether it's night or day in-game. The game also seems to take place during a completely different time period and era for the Octopath universe, although more specific details about this weren't shared during today's Direct. 

Here's what Nintendo had to say about Octopath Traveler II in a press release following today's reveal: 

Cyberpunk 2077 is having a bit of a resurgence at the moment. CD Projekt Red's 2077 anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, developed by Studio Trigger and Netflix is out (as of today!) and the Phantom Liberty expansion for the game is due out next year. While Phantom Liberty has been confirmed to be 2077's first and only expansion, it seems CDPR is not yet ready to part with this world. 

During the CD Projekt Group H1 2022 earnings call, CDPR's vice president of business development Michał Nowakowski said the studio is committed to doing more with this IP, as reported by IGN. 

Developer Platinum Games and publisher Square Enix have revealed that Babylon's Fall will shut down next year, less than a full year after its March 3 launch this year. 

More specifically, Platinum Games will terminate the game's service on February 27, 2023. As for why, the team didn't really outline the reason but it's likely due to the game's poorly received launch and its lack of players since then. Square Enix tried to remedy the game's issues by sending players a survey asking them how the team can improve the game and shortly after, Platinum Games said it has "no plans to reduce the scale of development on Babylon's Fall." It seems things have changed because Babylon's Fall will fall early next year. 

"With the desire of delivering an exhilarating online multiplayer action RPG set in an elaborate high fantasy world, we launched the game's official service on Thursday, March 3, 2022, and have continued to undertake additional development and operations," a statement reads. "However, it is with deep regret to inform you that we will be terminating the game's service on February 27, 2023. 

Hot on the heels of the announcement of a long-awaited Nintendo Direct, PlayStation announced that tomorrow will also feature a special livestreamed presentation of its own. Now, in addition to that aforementioned Nintendo Direct tomorrow morning, we're now also receiving a PlayStation State of Play stream in the afternoon.

The news comes as Tokyo Game Show looms, giving publishers a massive convention to piggyback off of. According to PlayStation, tomorrow's show will feature updates from some of the company's Japanese partners, as well as surprises from developers all around the world. Tomorrow's presentation is set to last approximately 20 minutes and will feature new updates and gameplay footage from 10 games across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR2.

This PlayStation State of Play stream is set for tomorrow, September 13 at 3 p.m. Pacific/6 p.m. Eastern. You can watch it live on PlayStation's Twitch and YouTube channels. Of course, if you miss the show, we'll have all the biggest announcements covered right here on Game Informer.

Following the launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, multiple video game publishers bumped up the price of new-gen versions of some of their games. While Ubisoft resisted that trend to this point, CEO Yves Guillemot tells Axios in an exclusive interview that it is making $70 the standard price for bigger triple-A experiences published by the company. 

We already knew that the new-gen versions of Ubisoft's long-in-development pirate game, Skull and Bones, would retail for $70, but now it appears to be the start of the standard pricing for Ubisoft. In that interview with Axios, Guillemot stated that "Some of the games will come at the same price as the competition. The big AAA games will come at $70." 

In 2020, Ubisoft CTO Frédérick Duguet said that games released in 2020 would not reach the $70 mark (and they didn't, outside of special editions). Then, last year, Duguet said, "In terms of pricing, we've been analyzing the competitive dynamics of the past quarter, and we are still looking at new opportunities, but we have not made any decision yet." Today's Axios interview with Guillemot is the first indication that Ubisoft has come to an official decision regarding its pricing.

When Danny Peña was a child, he would spend hours playing games at his local New York arcade before he received his first console, an Atari 2600, from his grandmother. Peña knew early on that he wanted to do something in the games industry, but he didn't know what. All along the way, he was told that video games won't pay the bills, but he didn't let that deter him. Flash forward a couple of decades, and Peña returned to New York to show his mother a billboard featuring his face in Times Square – a monument to his success in the games industry, but not one that was easy to achieve. Now, with a new children's book called Danny Loves Video Games about his life and career set to release this week, I sat down with Peña to chat about his road to this point.

While the 2021 Times Square billboard served as an important milestone for Peña, it's just another in a long list of accolades for the lifelong gamer. Peña started Gamertag Radio in 2005, a time when gaming podcasts were numbered in the tens instead of the tens of thousands. In 2015, Peña was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame, and in 2020, Gamertag Radio became the first gaming podcast to reach 1,000 episodes. In addition to podcasting, Peña also heads up games editorial at G4TV, the revitalized gaming network that features the likes of Attack of the Show, X-Play, and myriad other iconic programs. But before leaving an indelible mark on games industry content creation, his first games-related business was a small store in the Dominican Republic.

Bonnie Ross, who co-founded current Halo developer 343 Industries and has served as the studio head since 2007, is leaving 343 and Xbox. The news comes by way of Ross' Twitter account, which mentions that she wished to stay with Halo until the upcoming Winter Update, but she is leaving the studio amid a family medical issue. 

Since the studio's founding in 2007 under Ross, 343 Industries has worked on several Halo games, including Halo 4, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite. The studio fully took over the Halo franchise following Bungie's departure from the brand after 2010's Halo: Reach. Ross oversaw the Halo franchise for Microsoft and Xbox ever since. She first joined Microsoft in 1994 and has worked on several projects in myriad roles, including studio manager, producer, general manager, and, most recently, corporate vice president and studio head. In 1997, she co-founded the Microsoft Women in Gaming community to help women in the industry network and support each other.

pic.twitter.com/dy2HAbyPaV

Reviewed on: PC
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher: Funcom
Developer: The Outsiders
Release: September 15, 2022
Rating: Teen

Metal: Hellsinger knows precisely what it is from the second it begins: a love letter to fast-paced first-person shooters, especially Doom, and a tribute to metal music and the culture surrounding it. It’s a no-frills shooter that asks, “What if you had to blow bodies to pieces to the beat of a metal album made by genre greats?” It excels at answering that question. It’s not perfect – the bosses are uninspired at times, and it could use an extra dash of variety in combat design – but my criticisms mattered little to my overall enjoyment of my 11-hour playthrough. What the game gets right far outshines what it doesn’t, and the developer, The Outsiders, has created what I hope is just the start of a new FPS franchise set in Hell.

Nintendo has revealed that it will livestream a Nintendo Direct tomorrow.

More specifically, the Direct will begin at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET tomorrow, Sept. 13, and it will run for roughly 40 minutes. That's one of the largest Directs of the year, so it will likely be jam-packed with new looks at previously announced games and new ones, too (perhaps a Zelda port or two, if rumors about this Direct are correct). As for what to expect, Nintendo says the Direct will "mostly" focus on Switch games launching this Winter. 

Tune in at 7 a.m. PT tomorrow, 9/13, for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information mostly focused on #NintendoSwitch games launching this winter.

Watch it here 🎥:https://t.co/CqYDjy0iHo pic.twitter.com/xIplXiSvkO

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 12, 2022

The key word here is "mostly" because that leaves just enough room for Nintendo to discuss and/or announce games coming next year. Only time will tell, but fortunately, we don't have to wait long because the Direct is less than 24 hours away. 

If you're in the U.K., please see the tweet below: 

Splatoon 3 is already shaping up to be another hit for the franchise and Nintendo. Selling 3.45 million copies since Friday in just Japan, Splatoon 3 had the best launch ever for a Switch game in Japan, as reported by Eurogamer. 

This includes both digital and physical sales. It's safe to say the squid (and Octoling) community are off to a great start with the threequel that's exclusive to Switch. According to Eurogamer, however, despite the game also being number one on the U.K. boxed charts, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz, overall launch sales are down 9% compared to Splatoon 2 there. The U.K.'s boxed chart only included physical games, though, so it's possible that decline isn't present when digital games are taken into account. There's no word on how Splatoon 3 is fairing in the U.S., but it typically follows trends in the U.K. 

Today's Ubisoft Forward was mostly about Assassin's Creed, and it had a lot to talk about. There were new games announced, further details about Mirage released, and so much more. 

Here's Every Assassin's Creed Announcement

Let's take it from the top, shall we? 

Assassin's Creed Mirage

This game was officially revealed last week following extensive leaks, and as expected, Ubisoft had a lot more to share about it during today's Ubisoft Forward showcase. Basim Ibn Ishaq, the master assassin from Assassin's Creed Valhalla, is taking the lead role this time, but he'll be much younger. This game follows his journey from a thief on the luscious and diverse streets of Golden Age Baghdad in 861 to an apprentice of the Hidden Ones to a master assassin. It also represents a return to the series' roots, with heavy inspiration from the first Assassin's Creed game that started it all. For more details about everything Ubisoft revealed today regarding Mirage, check out our feature here. 

Following numerous leaks over the previous few weeks, Ubisoft officially revealed that Assassin's Creed Mirage is real. As expected, Ubisoft revealed a lot more about Mirage during today's Ubisoft Forward showcase, including the game's protagonist, setting, and more. 

If you've been paying attention to leaks and rumors, you likely already had a good idea of what Mirage will be, doubly so after today's presentation. Basim Ibn Ishaq, the master assassin from Assassin's Creed Valhalla, is in the lead role this time around. However, he's not the polished warrior you might remember him as because Mirage takes place years before Valhalla. In this game, he's a young thief, and his playground is the luscious and diverse streets of Baghdad, Iraq. Set in 861, a period when Baghdad was the epicenter of science, art, and trade in the world, Basim will stumble upon the Hidden Ones. 

He'll be taken under the wing of mentor Roshan, voiced by Emmy-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, who will help him grow from street thief to apprentice to master assassin. 

Ubisoft and Netflix have announced an expansion of their partnership that was first announced in 2020 with a live-action Assassin's Creed series that is still on the way and the Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars movie that arrived on the service earlier this year. Today, we learned that Netflix subscribers will have exclusive access to three upcoming Ubisoft mobile games as a part of their existing memberships, with no ads or microtransactions. This announcement comes as Netflix prepares to enter the gaming space with its first releases later this year.

First up, is a sequel to Valiant Hearts, a World War I puzzle-adventure. This new title is in development by the team behind the first game and will bring a new story exclusively to Netflix members in January 2023. That same year, a sequel to Mighty Quest, the roguelite hack and slash, will arrive for subscribers. Finally, Ubisoft is currently working on a new, original Assassin's Creed mobile title, which, again, will be available exclusively to Netflix subscribers.

In addition to the Assassin's Creed live-action series, Ubisoft and Netflix are currently collaborating on three animated series: Captain Laserhawk: Blood Dragon Remix, Far Cry, and Splinter Cell. While Netflix is set to enter the games industry later this year, we'll have to wait until at least next year to experience these three new mobile titles for Netflix subscribers.

Huge reveals in video games, movies, and TV are currently unfolding at D23 Expo, Disney's annual consumer show held in Anaheim, California. Yesterday we received our first looks at an unnamed Marvel game, a new Tron title, and Mickey Mouse and crew teaming up in a platformer. Today, Marvel and Lucasfilm unloaded a flurry of announcements and trailers for projects hitting in 2022 and beyond.

On the Marvel Cinematic Universe front, we learned Fantastic Four will be directed by Matt Shakman, who worked on Wandavision and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Dominique Thorne's Ironheart will take on the villain The Hood (brought to life by Anthony Ramos) in the Ironheart Disney Plus series. Sam Wilson's first mission as Captain America in New World Order will be against The Leader, with Tim Blake reprising this role 14 years after 2008's The Incredible Hulk.

We also learned who the Thunderbolts are in the forthcoming film. The team consists of anti-heroes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Valentina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Red Guardian (David Harbour), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen, and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan).

During today's Ubisoft Forward presentation, the publisher showed off new footage of a boss battle in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. The crossover game, which combines the iconic Mushroom Kingdom crew with the zany Rabbids, looks to expand in the first 2017 turn-based tactical game in the series, Kingdom Battle, in myriad ways, including the new Sparks that can add various buffs to the heroes and debuffs to the villains.

This time around, we got a look at battles on a train, including Bowser joining the team. The battle takes place on the train as the crew tries to cleanse an angered Wiggler of corrupted darkness eyes as it runs alongside the train. Ubisoft also announced that it has post-launch plans including free DLC with the third content drop introducing a new playable hero: Rayman.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope comes exclusively to Switch on October 20.

In the world of Marvel Comics, the word "ensemble" invokes thoughts of the Avengers, X-Men, or Fantastic Four. Recently, we learned Skydance New Media and Marvel Entertainment were working on an ensemble Marvel video game. The internet's rumor mill believed this game would focus on Reed Richards and his fantastic family. Yesterday, during the Disney & Marvel Games Showcase, we learned this ensemble wasn't Fantastic Four, Avengers, or any known Marvel team whatsoever. Skydance is creating its own team of four heroes, set to the backdrop of World War II.

The timeframe has Captain America front and center fighting against Hydra and Nazi troops. Through a narrative twist, Wakanda gets involved, and players gain control of Black Panther, but not the one you know. This Black Panther is Azzuri, T-Challa's grandfather. If you think that's a deep cut into Marvel lore, the other two characters are even lesser known. From the Howling Commandos, players will suit up as Gabriel Jones, who plays a mean trumpet in the comics. The fourth character is Nanali, the leader of a new Wakandan spy network, who has only been in a few comics.

The most puzzling aspect of this game's reveal is the lack of a name. Following the announcement, I sat down with Amy Hennig, Skydance New Media's president, and Marc Bernardin, Skydance's story consultant. I asked them why they decided to announce a project without a name.

Disney Speedstorm, the upcoming free-to-play kart racer starring a who’s who of Disney and Pixar icons, got a new trailer highlighting the terrifying (or hilarious, depending on your reaction) inclusion of Monsters, Inc.

Monsters, Inc. is represented with its own themed course that takes players throughout the corporate office and the department of doors. We also got to see Mike Wazowski, Randall, and Celia behind the wheel as playable racers, joining the previously announced Sulley, Mickey Mouse, Mulan, and Jack Sparrow. 

Disney Speestorm still has no release window, but it’s slated to launch on Switch and PC.

During today's Disney & Marvel Games Showcase at the D23 Expo, we got a look at the first game from Skydance New Media. While we didn't get a name or release date, we did get a cinematic trailer from which we can try to extract information. The biggest news right out of the gate is that this game stars Black Panther, Captain America, and two additional heroes.

This new triple-A game takes place during World War II. As the camera pans over a table covered with things like a brochure for Paris and a flyer for a jazz performance, the items quickly take a turn for the insidious with things like a dagger, a pistol, documents, a hat featuring the Hydra insignia, and, finally, Captain America's iconic shield scratched by what appears to be claws.

This narrative-driven ensemble game stars Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Panther Azzuri (T'Challa's grandfather), U.S. soldier and member of the Howling Commandos Gabriel Jones, and leader of the fledgling Wakandan Spy Network, Nanali. All four characters will be playable at different parts of the story. According to Skydance, players can look forward to "intuitive controls and exhilarating second-to-second gameplay that captures the action and excitement of Marvel, inspired by landmark comics, television, and films, as they navigate this all-new glob-trotting adventure."

Gargoyles is back! Well, sort of. The 1995 Sega Genesis side-scroller based on the beloved 90’s animated series is getting the remaster treatment, bringing Goliath and his team (much to their chagrin) back into the spotlight.

Unfortunately, the reveal didn’t come alongside a trailer, a list of platforms, or a release window. However, it sounds like we should expect a similar treatment that the Disney Classics Games Collection received. Those games were enhanced with high-res graphics, a rewind ability, a level skip, and art galleries showcasing concept sketches and other historical goodies. 

You can see the announcement at the 12:33 mark.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns has a new gameplay trailer and release date following its delay out of October. Firaxis' superhero RPG is set to arrive on December 2.

The gameplay trailer offers a montage of tactical card-based combat, as well as choice-driven relationship building. Give it a watch below. 

We also got word that a series of animated shorts serve as a prequel to the game’s plot. The first episode arrives on October 31 on Marvel's YouTube channel.

Firaxis previously announced Marvel’s Midnight Suns will have a staggered launch, so the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions will launch on December 2. Meanwhile, the Switch and last-gen versions hit sometime later. 

Disney and Bithell Games have revealed Tron Identity, a new PC game coming to Steam sometime next year. 

This reveal kicked off today's Disney and Marvel Games Showcase, a first for the company. Unfortunately for those looking for more information about the game, the reveal trailer falls more in line with being a "teaser" than anything else. It does feature the Identity Disc, which is typically used for combat in the Tron world, but that's about it. However, in an interview after the showcase, Bithell Games' Mike Bithell said the game takes place "in a world where Flynn created an Ark, where Flynn created a second grid for them to go to, promising that he'd come back."

"As we know from [2010's Tron: Legacy], though, he didn't," Bithell continued. "Tron fans will also know that time moves much much faster in that world, so we enter it hundreds, thousands of years after those events. What's the society and the culture that's evolved on that grid? It's an amazing sci-fi storytelling opportunity which we've been able to do thanks to the amazing collaboration with Disney, who have just allowed us to create this story, tell this story in this new world, and expand on this amazing and rich heritage that Tron has." 

Marvel announced Marvel Snap, a new free-to-play collectible card game for PC and mobile devices developed by Nuverse and Second Dinner, earlier this year. Now, thanks to a new trailer released during today's Disney and Marvel Games Showcase. 

The trailer also showcases roughly a minute of new gameplay, which reveals more about the strategy card game. It looks quite dynamic, with plenty of fun animations to accompany your card's individual moves.

Check it out for yourself below: 

As you can see, Marvel Snap is set to hit PC, iOS, and Android devices next month, on Oct. 18. 

"The adrenaline-pumping, superpowered card battler lets fans assemble their Marvel dream team of heroes and villains and then battle their way through the multiverse to glory – all in just three-minute play sessions," a press release reads. "Marvel Snap is super easy to learn, but will take a lifetime for even the best of players to master. Nuverse and Second Dinner also released the game's pre-registration page today, where players can sign up to get the latest information on the game and snap it up the moment it launches on October 18." 

For more, read Game Informer's coverage of the game from earlier this year. 

This week on All Things Nintendo, Brian and fellow Game Informer staffer Wesley LeBlanc break down their final verdicts on Splatoon 3, the first major fall 2022 release for Nintendo. Before that, Marcus Stewart joins the show to talk about the new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer, Dragon Quest Treasures' new information, and give his verdict on Ooblets.

If you'd like to follow the people from this episode on Twitter, hit the following links: Brian Shea (@brianpshea), Marcus Stewart (@marcusstewart7), Wesley LeBlanc (@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!

Disney and DLaLa Studios have revealed Disney's Illusion Island, a 2D platformer starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, and of course, Goofy. 

Revealed during today's Disney and Marvel Games Showcase, Illusion Island looks a lot like Disney's Mickey Mouse show that consists of various shorts starring original Disney characters like, well, Mickey and all of his friends. 

It seems that in Illusion Island, we'll be controlling Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy based on what obstacles might be in our way. Mickey, for example, seems to be able to bounce off of walls, whereas Minnie has a grapple hook-like rope useful for clearing large gaps. Donald can swim – duh – and Goofy uses condiments (it kind of looked like mustard, but it might also be paint) to float and bounce above the stage below. 

Reviewed on: Switch
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Publisher: Glumberland
Developer: Glumberland
Release: September 1, 2022
Rating: Everyone

Ooblets offers a smile-inducing amalgamation of monster collecting, farming simulation, and relationship building. However, this delightful chill pill becomes tougher to swallow thanks to a tedious, grind-heavy progression that tests your patience in less enjoyable ways.  

The adventure whisks players to Badgetown, a quirky village where residents harmoniously live alongside Pokémon-esque creatures called Ooblets. Despite your newcomer status, the townsfolks turn to you to restore the city to its former glory. That involves tasks such as reopening buildings and cleaning up trash, all while making friends along the way. In many ways, Ooblets feels like a more purpose-driven Animal Crossing, which appealed to me as someone who prefers working towards tangible goals.