Nintendo has dropped a new trailer for its much-anticipated shooter sequel, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, offering a better look at combat and platforming, alongside a cheeky nod to the iconic Akira slide.

The minute-long trailer, titled “Survive”, showcases the title’s various gameplay elements, with protagonist Samus Aran seen exploring a variety of alien landscapes from windy peaks, deserts and an icy facility amidst a snowstorm, alongside giving fans a more in-depth look at its core first-person shooting action and exploration, with scenes show her scanning enemies mid-battle, using a high-tech whip to yank open locks, and making platforms appear for traversal.

Additionally, the trailer also featured segments showing off segments that switch to the third-person perspective, including Samus using her iconic Morph Ball alternate form for both traversal and to avoid a boss enemy’s attacks, as well as vehicle sections with her Vi-o-la bike, even sneaking in a reference to the bike slide from the classic 1988 anime film Akira.

The game is also set to incorporate Nintendo’s Amiibo accessories, where physical collectibles can translate into unique in-game digital items, with the trailer ending off with a showcase of three Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Amiibos to coincide with the game’s release: Samus, Samus & Vi-o-la (releasing on 6 November 2025), and the game’s antagonist Sylux (4 December 2025). Details on the trio’s functionality within the game itself is set to be announced at a later date.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will Akira slide onto the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on 4 December 2025.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Trailer Pays Homage To The Akira Slide appeared first on Geek Culture.

This interview has been edited for clarity. 

Navigating the space between nostalgia and innovation is tricky work, especially for a seminal work like Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII. Following its debut nearly three decades ago, the beloved role-playing game (RPG) has grown into one of the most respected gaming icons, with its charm persisting into the modern landscape. 

Part of the longevity can be attributed to various interest renewal efforts over the years, from enhanced ports on different platforms to multimedia projects, but 2020’s high-definition remake arguably has the most bearing on its return to the spotlight. It’s not quite the same experience from memory – change is a constant, after all, and as the franchise continues to shift from traditional turn-based gameplay to real-time action, so did the original formula. 

The team eventually settled on a mix of both elements for Final Fantasy VII Remake, which is getting another lease of life on the Nintendo Switch 2 next year. Instead of the base title, though, the port will be that of FFVII Remake Intergrade, an enhanced version for the PlayStation 5 released in 2021 that includes a bonus adventure starring Yuffie Kisaragi, and ships with new features like Streamlined Progression. 

Building on director Naoki Hamaguchi’s explanation of integrating Streamlined Progression, as shared in a previous interview during this year’s Tokyo Game Show, battle director Teruki Endo highlights that it was designed to support different play styles, and still retain the battle excitement and “overall sense of action” even with the reduced technical depth. 

“Offering players a choice in how they want to enjoy the elements – it’s not something that undermines the essence of the battle system,” he shares with select Southeast Asian media at gamescom asia X Thailand Game Show 2025. “Also, one of our key goals was to make the early part of the series earlier to get into, so that more players can enjoy all three titles.”

As of now, the last instalment of the planned trilogy has no release date or title, and like last year’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, is expected to introduce original narrative content and new gameplay mechanics. It helps that the goal for the first title was centred around “establishing a solid foundation and an action system that could naturally incorporate strategy command elements,” eliminating the need to rethink or review the core system in the sequel – following some tweaks made along the way.

Citing the start of development on Yuffie’s outing, Episode Intermission, Endo looks back on how the ninja’s play style came about after experimenting with various approaches that involved shifting the focus on balancing action and command strategy to more of the latter, without changing the action-based system:

“According to the first experiment, Yuffie ended up being slightly stronger in performance as compared to the four main characters from Remake. But since we were already planning to bring the other characters up to match her in Rebirth, we didn’t worry about that and instead, focused on making Episode Intermission a fun experience.” 

The result is a versatile fighter who can attack both in close-range and long-range, allowing her to easily switch between different damage-dealing roles at any given point during battles, with low durability being the trade-off. Yuffie’s tailor-made kit sets it apart from that of Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith, each with different strengths and roles to play in combat – the Buster Sword wielder, for instance, excels in dealing raw damage with wide area-of-effect and enemy counterattacks, while Tifa’s martial arts-focused fighting style uses punches and kicks. In contrast, the latter two work best at a range, armed with gatling gun attacks, plus magic and healing capabilities, respectively. 

As the battle director puts it across, “Every character in the game has their personality and charm, and we’re sure that as you play, you’ll find someone who really resonates with you, a character you can truly care about and connect with. We’ve worked hard to make each of their individuality stand out, not just through the story, but also in the battles.”

The distinctive flair also extends to other characters in FFVII Remake Intergrade, such as Turk members Reno and Rude, whose abilities were on full display during a showdown against Cloud and friends in Chapter 12, which Endo regards as his favourite boss fight. Where the former is defined by evasive movements, the latter relies on guarding, and the title puts players through solo encounters with each of them first, before a combined fight against them simultaneously.

“They move a lot during the battle, so the way the fight unfolds changes dynamically, almost like an action sequence,” Endo explains, adding that he “really enjoyed the process of planning how to approach each shot and adapt on the fly”.

As for the not-so-major encounters, he gives a special shout-out to the Airbuster sequence, in which the party is split into one and two members, before the trio comes together in a slightly unconventional clash along a T-shaped corridor. 

The action combat specialist shares, “In the final phase, the Airbuster takes flight, moving closer and farther away, which forces you to rethink your strategy on the spot. The dramatic shifts in the situation tied in well with the battle strategy, making it a really enjoyable encounter.” 

With the trilogy coming to a close, anticipation and curiosity about the forthcoming threequel continue to be on the rise. While Endo is unable to share anything at this juncture, he offers his opinion on the future direction of combat in the RPG genre: 

“Speaking for myself, I don’t really see games through the lens of turn-based or action-based. For me, when a new game comes out, the system is simply a result of pursuing what makes that particular project fun or challenging. I personally love both turn-based and action battles, and as a developer, I don’t feel tied down by the genre.”

It’s never too late to start on a new journey, and the FFVII Remake Intergrade port for the Nintendo Switch 2 looks to recreate a similar experience for on-the-go play. Just a word of friendly advice for first-timers – don’t go swinging into Don Corneo’s Colosseum without proper preparation. 

“We got feedback that Hell House was extremely difficult,” he remarks sheepishly, referring to the infamous, multi-stage battle in Chapter 9. “Sorry, sorry. Maybe we did it too much!” 

Cue roaring laughter from all in attendance. 

FFVII Remake Intergrade comes to the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S on 22 January 2026. 

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘FFVII Remake Intergrade’s Teruki Endo Reveals Yuffie’s Play Style Origins Ahead Of Nintendo Switch 2 Launch appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s been a long time coming, but Southeast Asia is finally getting the Nintendo eShop treatment. Months after releasing the Nintendo Switch 2 and following the establishment of a new entity on local soil, the gaming juggernaut has announced that Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online services will launch in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on 18 November.

The expansion comes as part of its aim to accelerate business in the region, allowing users to download and purchase games, demos, and DLC content, as well as check out sales, discounts, and upcoming releases. In territories where eShop isn’t supported, this is done by changing the country associated with their Nintendo Account online through the official website, with all information presented in local currency and language.

Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch Online grants access to online battles and co-op play, a selection of titles from past Nintendo consoles and exclusive games available only to subscribers, and additional features like Save Data Cloud.

Within the larger Asia-Pacific, Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online are currently available in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia (China has one, but it’s phasing out in 2026). As stated in the official announcement post, both services are also expected to roll out in the Philippines eventually.

The announcement comes at a ripe time – the company’s next tentpole title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, is due to bow on both the Switch 2 and its predecessor tomorrow, 16 October – and amid internal change-ups, including the appointment of nine-year video game industry veteran Devon Pritchard as the successor to chief operating officer Doug Bowser, who’s retiring this December. Satoru Shibata, a longtime Nintendo executive who previously led Nintendo of Europe, will also join Nintendo of America as CEO while simultaneously continuing his duties at Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto.

Nintendo eShop launches in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on 18 November, with specific service contents to be announced at a later date.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Nintendo eShop Finally Launches In Singapore, Malaysia, And Thailand On 18 Nov appeared first on Geek Culture.

This interview has been edited for clarity. 

As an enduring classic, Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) is the logical choice to be zinged up for the modern crowd. The first in the massive cult video game series to introduce full motion video and 3D computer graphics, the 1997 darling is credited for popularising the JRPG genre worldwide and remains one of the most influential video games of all time, spawning enhanced ports on various platforms, a multimedia subseries, and, most recently, a high definition remake trilogy.

It’s been five years since the first part of Final Fantasy VII Remake, but the story of Cloud Strife and his friends looks set to unravel again on a new platform – the Nintendo Switch 2. Instead of the base game, it’ll be a port of FFVII Remake Intergrade, an enhanced version for the PlayStation 5 (PS5) released a year later that includes a bonus adventure starring Yuffie Kisaragi, with a new Streamlined Progression feature in tow, giving the option to simply gameplay significantly, from the ability to inflict 9,999 damage with every attack and constantly maxed-out HP and MP, to unlimited access to most items. 

The God Mode-like addition can be toggled on and off, joining other existing difficulty scalers like the Head Start Mode, granting access to a pre-powered-up inventory, level 45 characters, corresponding skill points, 50,000 gil, and more when starting a new save, to accommodate different play styles and user preferences. In a group interview with director Naoki Hamaguchi ahead of Tokyo Game Show 2025, he confirms there are plans to bring it to the PlayStation 5 and PC versions, though a date cannot be confirmed, as the team is “currently focused on developing Part 3 of the Remake series”.  

Outside of that, the core experience remains largely unchanged. Amid the technical challenges of porting a title with such a big file size (95GB on the PS5 and 100GB on Steam) and plenty of particle effects over to the Switch 2, one of the most important considerations was to preserve the character’s expressions, primarily determined by the lighting, without taxing the console too much. The fog and post effects, then, became the main basis for optimisation.

“If we limit the processing for the lighting, this is going to impact the player’s experience in terms of how they perceive the character expressions, which we felt was vital,” explains Hamaguchi. “And so, we took the route of making sure that, in terms of lighting and ensuring that these character expressions are intact, this is going to be aligned with the PlayStation versions. We balance this by optimising the fog and post effects to avoid undue strain on the console.”

The result is a surprisingly smooth performance in both handheld and docked modes, as observed in a separately held hands-on preview for FFVII Remake Intergrade. While there wasn’t an opportunity to check out Cloud and Barrett’s expressions in close-up detail, switching between the duo in the fight against the Scorpion Sentinel boss at the Mako Reactor proved seamless, with little to no signs of latency. 

Movement, be it shooting from a distance or chaining combos with the Buster Sword, is as dynamic as one would remember, and more bombastic set pieces, such as when the Scorpion Sentinel summons a salvo of tiny missiles or brings down the EM Field, still retain their flourish. Barring the occasional frame rate drops during heavy particle load, the Switch 2 port runs more than decently, and the console is warm, but not hot, to the touch, contrary to expectations. 

According to Hamaguchi, the other ingredient for successful implementation boils down to the controversial key card, which doesn’t contain full game data and is a key to download the game, and it’s not for the reason most think. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade requires 64GB of storage on Nintendo’s latest device, making it seem like the determining factor for this treatment, except the real answer lies in the faster loading speeds that key cards offer. 

“To answer that, instead of the storage size of the cartridge, it was actually more about the loading speed, in that when working with a more high-end or high-spec game, such as this one, the loading speed wasn’t sufficient, so that’s the primary reason for choosing the key card over the cartridge this time,” he clarifies. 

Assuring fans that development for Part 3 and the rest of the Remake series hasn’t been affected by working on the port, the 44-year-old also gives some insights into the Nintendo approach, starting with the younger audiences that their titles attract. 

“The player base for Nintendo games themselves is a younger crowd, so we wanted to reach out to these players. With Sephiroth and Cloud entering the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, I think a lot of them are quite familiar with the characters in the franchise.”

Hamaguchi adds, “I hope to continue supporting this so that players can not only get to know Final Fantasy VII, but we’ll be an entryway into the rest of the Final Fantasy franchise as well.” 

For now, the trilogy’s future on the Switch 2 looks to be bright. Square Enix has announced that all three instalments – currently comprising Remake and 2024’s FFVII Rebirth – will eventually come to the console, and hopefully, there’s more to come. 

“My personal thoughts on this are that this is only the beginning, and certainly not the end in terms of partnerships for Nintendo,” he reveals, “For this title, I’m very much hopeful and wanting to strive towards a much continuous, stronger partnership”.

FFVII Remake Intergrade hits the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on 22 January 2026.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post TGS 2025: Optimising ‘FFVII Remake Intergrade’ For Nintendo Switch 2, From Character Expressions To Key Card appeared first on Geek Culture.

Level 5 just announced the delay for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Originally slated for 2025 release, it is now pushed back to 2026, so that the team can “deliver the game in the best possible form”. The good news is, it is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 as well, and a new playable demo was showcased on the showfloor of Tokyo Game Show 2025. Check out the full demo playthrough below, captured in 4K, using Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse mode:

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam takes place one year after the events of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future from way back in 2008 (on the Nintendo DS). The story now takes place in Steam Bison, America, where the power of highly advanced steam engines has ushered in a new world, greatly surpassing even London’s technological development. And now, due to the mysterious incident in Steam Bison, a new adventure for Professor Layton and Luke begins.

There’s more gameplay to check out from last year’s TGS showfloor too:

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is now coming to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in 2026.

Yonk

Yonk is a geek who is fortunate enough to have an equally geeky Star Wars fan for a wife, who owns a LEGO Millennium Falcon encased in a glass coffee table as their home’s centre-piece.

The post TGS 2025: ‘Professor Layton and the New World of Steam’ Full Nintendo Switch 2 Demo Playthrough appeared first on Geek Culture.

One repairs, while the other destroys, and so the archetypes fall in place – the former is the good guy, and the latter, an antagonist. The dichotomy between Mario and Donkey Kong goes as far back as 1981, but it’s easy to forget that the latter came first before the cap-wearing Super mascot, who got his first solo outing in 1985 and went on to become the pet favourite. 

That’s not to say there’s no love for the hulking gorilla, because as one of Nintendo’s most enduring icons, he’s had his fair share of titles spanning different genres, from platforming and action-adventure to even rhythm. Still, the difference is stark when comparing Mario’s broader library of 200-plus games to DK’s first 3D platformer in more than 25 years, as well as his first starring role in over a decade!). 

Donkey Kong Bananza snaps attention back to the ape, looking the spiffiest he’s ever been. He’s also literally having a smashing good time, as he pummels and punches through everything without a care in the world, whether it’s concrete blocks or hostile creatures. Hailing from the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey, the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive appears as a crossbreed between the globe-trotting 3D adventure and the latest The Legend of Zelda duology, topped off with large-scale extravagance carried over from Final Fantasy XV, which game director Kazuya Takahashi previously worked on.

A delightful romp is the result, oozing charm and character that makes players understand DK’s love for demolition. It’s mind-numbing, therapeutic, and most importantly, a-peels (hah) to the primal instinct to have fun, even if there are some hiccups along the way. In line with the Donkey Kong playbook, the overarching story is no less straightforward and whimsical here, following the ape as he ventures underground to recover banana-shaped diamonds from a sinister group of apes. 

Shortly after, he crosses paths with Pauline, a 13-year-old girl who wants to return to the surface, and together, they head deeper into the planet’s core in search of a legend who can allegedly grant them their respective wishes. For those wondering, Pauline is indeed the same one whom DK kidnapped in the original arcade game, except now they are best buddies bonding over wreaking havoc, and it’s all the better for it. 

The addition of a spirited sidekick opens up a co-op option, where the second player, as Pauline, can shoot explosive projectiles from DK’s back. Fundamentally, the gameplay in Donkey Kong Bananza revolves around using different types of punches against destructible environments in any direction, unlocking access to hidden pathways (or a quick bail-out when lost), gold, and collectibles like Banandium Gems to upgrade skills, various-sized fossils required for purchasing cosmetics, or discs.

Traversal is made more accessible with a free-climbing ability that allows DK to mount non-slippery surfaces, eliminating the issue of stamina management, and Turf Surfing, which lets him move faster than on foot, break through objects, and overcome dangerous terrain – reminiscent of Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom’s shield-surfing mechanic. The transition from one manoeuvre to another unfolds smoothly across the screen, lending a smooth quality to general movements. 

Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t as easy as simply pulverising wide swathes of sand, rock, and the like, however. Not only is the level design walled off by unbreakable metal girders, preventing players from fully brute-forcing their way through, but different foes and environmental hazards also call for strategic interaction with the surroundings. Thorny vines, for instance, will deal damage to DK if he attempts a punch, while magma cannot be crossed normally without getting hurt. 

The workaround? Dislodge a slab of rock from the ground and hack away at the vines, or throw it across the fiery hot stretch, causing the flowing liquid to solidify and form a path. Enemy encounters work on the same logic, so hurling a chunk at airborne creatures takes them down, while metallic enemies can withstand DK’s fists. The hierarchy of materials matters here, which means a stone won’t be sufficient to destroy harder surfaces and more powerful opponents; that honour goes to concrete or obsidian. 

In terms of exploration, this encourages players to think about how best to engage with the environment, especially for completionists, rewarding them with a sense of satisfaction that comes with the problem-solving process. The intuitive controls add to the experience, which delivers noticeable weight behind DK’s throwing motions and changing sound effects for the type of material that’s being interacted with – a crisp crunch when tearing into the purple-glowing Boom Rock, a mushy squelch when trudging through mud, and a bright ring when destroying Banandium Gems.

Here’s where the first hint of cracks shows itself. While Donkey Kong Bananza makes it easy to aim, the interaction system can be imprecise, leading to situations where players have the wrong object in hand. It’s negligible under normal circumstances, but it becomes a more pressing issue in cases where quick, accurate tosses are necessary, especially when there are multiple enemies and roadblocks in the way. Still, the clumsiness pales in comparison to its most frustrating and major shortcoming: the camera. 

Where the auto-adjusting is jarring and disrupts focus for most, players who are prone to motion sickness will get the short end of the stick, as the constant jolting can be nausea-inducing and require breaks from exploration. There’s no option to turn it off, either – available settings include camera shake and sensitivity level – and the clipping that occurs when digging underground certainly doesn’t help matters. Alongside the see-through effect, which renders external textures transparent, the fixed viewing distance also reduces the visibility of nearby terrain to near zero, making it difficult to keep track of where DK is going. In the worst-case scenario, he ends up falling into acid or straight into the path of an enemy. 

Some may find the jank endearing, but personally, it seems to clash with the overall design and spirit of a smash-everything title. Fortunately, the same cannot be said of navigating out in the open – just like peeling a banana, Donkey Kong Bananza splits its 3D map into top, middle, and bottom layers, similar to that of its Legend of Zelda counterparts, to reflect the lay of the land, proving handy for directional aid. Places and objects of interest are highlighted, and the paths are linear and relatively straightforward, occasionally requiring some simple puzzle-solving. Go off the beaten track, and side challenges, time trials, and even trivia tests await. 

If players get lost at any point, Pauline’s singing, activated by holding down the LB shoulder button, guides them to the next objective point. It’s not the only form of assistance she offers, with her kit granting DK access to variations of the powered-up Banaza state, each with its unique move sets. In this form, the tie-wearing gorilla has special abilities that can be used to traverse different terrain and progress through the game’s layers, such as Kong Bananza, whose punches pack more power, or Ostrich Bananza, allowing him to glide, fly, and drop egg bombs on foes. For series veterans, these transformations are a nifty nod to past games and serve to satisfy their nostalgic cravings. 

All five variations will be unlocked as part of the story, and their respective abilities can be upgraded with Banandium Gems. For the most part, the particular Bananza type featured in a level ends up being employed in the final boss encounter, which is surprisingly easy across the board. Case in point – the first two fights in this review playthrough clocked sub one-minute timings, and there were hardly any deaths or game overs during these one-on-one showdowns. 

Instead, hostile environments, common enemies in numbers, and the side challenges pose more of a threat up until the late-game battles, where players are forced to tap into different Bananza forms and switch between them mid-fight. The skill tree system, meanwhile, feels underdeveloped and superfluous, as some abilities should have been available from the get-go, with most upgrade effects lacking noticeable impact after a certain point.

Outside of combat and exploration, Pauline offers good company for DK, particularly during downtime. The latter’s animated and expressive displays endear him to players, but Pauline’s energy is infectious and brings a wholesome touch to their dynamics. Taking naps at Getaway Points – designated rest points that restore and grant temporary health – triggers idle conversation and entertaining musings from Pauline, further elevating the charm.

As the duo continue their journey, the clever level design never gets old. Each biome sports a distinctive visual flair with interactive elements unique to its own, such as the switcheroo mechanic in the Divide or the Ice Maker in the Freezer layer, alongside a wealth of easter eggs scattered throughout the map. It gives character and breathes life into the larger world of Donkey Kong Bananza, with the workings of these mini-puzzles proving as intuitive as the navigation paths, in the same way players would come across a conveniently placed nook in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom and instinctively check it out.

Most importantly, the platformer has heart. Donkey Kong Bananza may not be perfect, but it unearths a goldmine of wonder, smashing fun, and nostalgia. For longtime fans, the a-peel-ing blend of novelty and familiarity represents the best reinvention of a beloved formula in recent years, showing that there’s merit in going back to the basics. As for those simply here to have a good time? DK’s latest outing offers chaos and destruction in spades. Move over, Mario – there’s a new favourite in town to go bananas over.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Donkey Kong Bananza – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Between the quality-of-life refinements and meaty patches, Hades II gives the impression that it’s a full game. The past year or so, however, has put it in pre-release state, and now, Supergiant’s action roguelike sequel is ready to let the witchcraft run wild.

Announced during the September Nintendo Direct showcase, it will officially launch on 25 September for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, as well as PC. Early Access players will automatically upgrade to the full release at no extra cost, with support for cross-save across all platforms. There’s no word on a release date for PlayStation and Xbox yet.

According to Supergiant, Hades II runs at 120 frames per second (FPS) when the Switch 2 is docked, and 60 FPS at 1080p. The original console supports 60 FPS at 720p in both TV and handheld mode, and an upgrade to its more powerful sibling is available for free. A physical version of the game for the Switch 2 arrives on 20 November.

Since its release in Early Access, the title has added plenty of new content across its major patches, from the Olympic Update to the final Unseen Update, featuring an all-new Hidden Aspect for each of the Noctural Arms, a unique variation of each Guardian Encounter, and more. The 1.0 version will reveal its true ending.

Where Zagreus was the protagonist in the first game, Hades II shifts the focus to his sister, Melinoë, princess of the underworld, who seeks to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, with the aid of other Olympian Gods.

It leaves Early Access on 25 September.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Hades II’ Leaves Early Access In Sep, Will Hit 120 FPS On Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Geek Culture.

The Heroic Games will soon dawn on the Nintendo Switch 2, as Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave has been confirmed as the next entry in the long-running turn-based tactics series. Unveiled as the closing announcement of the Nintendo Direct livestream held on 12 September, it will be available sometime in 2026 and follows a new cast of characters participating in a gladiator-like contest for their own personal reasons.

The debut trailer showcases the familiar stylings of the franchise’s tactical combat, some story beats, and a first look at protagonist Cai, who enters the tournaments to save his father’s life, alongside Theodora, another character seeking more strength to serve her people. Making a surprise appearance is the adult version of Sothis, the mysterious girl from 2019’s Fire Emblem: Three Houses, who is seen sitting on a throne at the end of the trailer.

Coincidence? There’s even a part showing the characters wielding Heroes’ Relics, lending more credence to the possibility that it could be part of the same continuity.

Set on the continent of Fódlan, divided between three ruling powers currently at peace, Fire Emblem: Three Houses puts players in the role of Byleth, a mercenary-turned-professor who must choose to lead one of three distinct student houses — Black Eagles, Blue Lions, or Golden Deer — each tied to one of the continent’s major nations. It made history as the single best-selling title in the franchise with 4.12 million copies sold worldwide, and went on to win Best Strategy Game and the Player’s Voice Award at The Game Awards 2019.

As for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, the official blurb is as follows:

“The Heroic Games have begun. The newest entry in the Fire Emblem series is set to enter the arena. The debut trailer provided a glimpse of the intertwining story, characters and turn-based tactical RPG gameplay that awaits players when the game launches for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.”

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave’ Hits Switch 2 In 2026, May Tie Back To ‘Three Houses’ appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s been a while since Mega Evolution took the spotlight, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will celebrate its return in style. In the lead-up to the game’s release on 16 October, The Pokémon Company has kicked off its first wave of new Mega Pokémon reveals, with Mega Hawlucha coming in as the latest addition.

The Fighting / Flying-type critter is the third name on the list, joining Mega Dragonite and Mega Victreebell. Unlike the latter two, which hail from the original Kanto Pokédex, Hawlucha made its debut in Generation VI, spanning 2013’s Pokémon X and Y to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in 2014. In its superpowered form, it gets a glittering gold coat and chest piece that resemble a Mexican wrestler’s mask together.

“It uses its muscles, bulked up by Mega Evolution, to take hit after hit from opponents’ moves and flex its own strength,” reads the official blurb for the birdlike creature. “After luring its opponent into attacking, it retaliates to make them flinch before diving at them using its signature move, Flying Press, to aim for victory. Before Mega Evolving, Hawlucha would sometimes let its guard down as it became caught up in parading its flashy moves, but with newfound confidence in its own defensive capabilities, it can now show off again and again to both its opponent and its Trainer. It lifts both hands and spreads its wings, constantly putting its beauty and tough pectoral muscles on full display.”

Out of the three, Mega Hawlucha arguably sports the coolest design — Mega Dragonite oozes goofiness, while Mega Victreebell won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. What’s neat about the latter, though, is the way it was announced in a horror-style found footage video, a bold and unconventional (in a good way!) approach for The Pokémon Company.

Here are the descriptions for its other two counterparts:

“For Mega Dragonite, ending a Pokémon match quickly is an act of kindness toward its opponent. Its kindhearted nature gets amplified when it Mega Evolves, and it launches powerful attacks at its opponent with a smile. At the same time, if it senses someone in trouble, it has the kindness to instantly rush to their aid — even if it’s in the middle of an intense battle.”

“Its body has swollen as a result of Mega Evolution. Even the leaves on top of its head have grown bigger. It flaps the leaves on its sides and moves its large body by bouncing around. It opens its large mouth to let loose a Sludge Bomb. It looks more like a Victreebel when it has deflated. It has so much acid that even closing its mouth tight isn’t enough to hold it in, so it contains the acid by wrapping its own vines around its throat.”

While Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t expected to introduce brand-new Pokédex additions with its Kalos (Gen VI) setting and cross-generation starters, it will feature a revamped battle system that includes real-time mechanics. The game’s story follows players as they take down Rogue Mega Pokémon, essentially the Mega Evolution forms of local wild creatures, in what appears to be a mass phenomenon with their own Mega Pokémon, alongside another one of their allies from Team MZ. It’s unclear how many Mega Pokémon will be in the title, but confirmed ones include Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Absol, Mega Charizard X, and more.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A hits Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on 16 October.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ Adds Mega Hawlucha To Fresh Batch Of Superpowered Evolutions appeared first on Geek Culture.

Gearbox Entertainment’s upcoming looter-shooter sequel, Borderlands 4, has now landed a Nintendo Switch 2 version, with the game headed to the hybrid console on 3 October 2025, just one month after its main release.

Taking to X/Twitter, Gearbox head Randy Pitchford announced the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 launch date in his signature casual style, reminiscent of his previous reveal of the title’s early release. In the clip, he addressed fan concerns that the Switch 2 version would not arrive anytime soon due to the lack of pre-order announcements, and cheekily set up the notion that it would not release this year, only to drop the reveal of its October launch right at the end.

The announcement of Borderlands 4’s Switch 2 launch date within the year will certainly be great news for fans eager to take the mayhem with them on the go, especially considering Gearbox’s previous statements that the version would arrive later than other platforms. This was in part due to the team’s decision to make a dedicated Switch 2 version of the game over a simple port, with Pitchford explaining that the hybrid console was “a joy to work with” and that it was “pretty astonishing how perfect [the] platform is for Borderlands 4.”

With Borderlands 4’s early launch date of 12 September 2025 on the PlayStation, Xbox and PC, things are already looking pretty promising for the upcoming shooter sequel, which looks set to ramp up the mayhem fans know and love, with Pitchford and Gearbox Global Creative Executive Officer Andrew Reiner explaining during a previous interview with Geek Culture how the team is bringing the series back to its roots while expanding on core concepts.

Now, with an early-than-expected release date on the Nintendo Switch 2, the game will also attract a brand new legion of fans when Borderlands 4 drops on the hybrid console on 3 October 2025.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post ‘Borderlands 4’ Nets Nintendo Switch 2 Version A Month After Main Release appeared first on Geek Culture.

When he’s not out jumping on evil mushrooms to rescue princesses from castles, everyone’s favourite moustachioed plumber, Mario, also has a pretty lucrative side gig in go-kart racing. The platforming and sometimes super-smashing hero, along with his friends, have taken to the streets on multiple occasions with the Mario Kart franchise, and for its latest outing, he’s taking the series out on the open road with the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World.

As the main launch game of Nintendo’s next-generation hybrid console, the pressure is on for Mario Kart World to provide an experience worth buying the console for, and fortunately for returning fans of its excellent 2017 predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, on the Nintendo Switch, the latest title’s core gameplay fundamentals remain identical. Players will still be racing down vibrant tracks with their friends or against the AI, drifting through sharp corners and collecting power-ups to gain an upper hand.

The difference in Mario Kart World, then, lies in the various new additions that enhance the racing formula rather than shake things up too drastically. Take the new movement mechanics, for example, as apart from the aforementioned drift boosting and air tricks from the previous game, players now have three additional methods of gaining extra speed.

These consist of a charge jump, which is performed by holding down and releasing the drift button while not tilting the left stick, a move that not only grants a short boost upon landing but can also transition into a wall ride by charge jumping into a vertical surface. Maps are also now littered with grindable rails, which players can grind automatically upon contact or charge jump into, granting a further boost in speed upon pressing the drift button to jump off at any time.

These three moves don’t just provide new ways to gain speed, but also new opportunities for shortcuts, allowing players to reach previously impossible areas to gain an advantage in races, offering additional ways for competitive players to study and plan out the best routes to take in each map.

And yes, while the characters and vehicles remain the same, maps and races are another facet that have seen a substantial update. In addition to the traditional three-lap courses, new “intermittent” or “intermission” courses have been introduced and these are races which consists of two laps worth of straight roads, usually presented as highways of long stretches of dirt roads leading from the end of one track to the start of another, before one full lap of the actual stage. These new courses play a huge role in Mario Kart World’s new Grand Prix stage re-design, as instead of taking part in four separate courses in the traditional three-lap formula, players only take on the first course in this format, with the subsequent races presented as being part of this new “intermittent” course design.

While this design change makes sense from an in-game world perspective of moving between tracks, the main issue here is that the new course designs aren’t as interesting as the traditional races, as after the initial novelty of these stages wears off, each of the maps boils down to lengthy stretches of straight and wide roads, which is nowhere near as exciting as the twists and turns of traditional courses. And since each Grand Prix cup consists of one traditional map and three straightaway ones, tedium quickly sets in, and it feels like a missed opportunity for Nintendo to include an option to have a more traditional four-course system from the previous title.

So why did Nintendo choose to include such maps? The answer lies with Mario Kart World’s biggest new feature and also its namesake, its open world. Once in the main menu, players can now enter Free Roam mode and freely explore the game’s new interconnected map, a massive playground of sights and sounds that serve mainly to let players enjoy a leisurely drive and take in the views. 

Despite being such a heavily advertised feature, Free Roam is unfortunately as bare-bones as it gets. Yes, there are side activities to do, but these mostly consist of collectables like Peach Medallions, hidden Question Panels that reward stickers, and food powerups that unlock costumes for characters. Mini side activities, known as P Switch missions, are also scattered around the map, but these eventually boil down to the same few templates, such as reaching a set goal or collecting a certain amount of blue coins within a time limit. These missions are obviously designed to help newcomers learn the ropes, also some do ramp up the difficulty drastically to offer veterans an apt challenge.

As a whole, then, free roam is mostly targeted at two main audiences – those who wish to take a relaxing drive and explore the game’s world in between matches, and avid collectable hunters who wish to unlock all of the games stickers to customise their karts, of which there are over 1,000 total in the game. While extensive, it’s also a daunting task that the average player probably won’t bother engaging with.

Probably the best use of the game’s open world design lies in its new Knockout Tour mode. This elimination-style race essentially tasks competing players to travel from one end of the map to the other over six back-to-back segments, operating like a Battle Royale game of sorts, gradually eliminating the bottom four of its 24 total racers with each checkpoint until one emerges victorious. It’s chaotic in the best way, and witnessing players using all the power-ups at their disposal in a frantic rush to stay out of the bottom four never gets old.

Due to its cross-map design, each Knockout Tour route also presents the best way to appreciate the game’s many different locations, as players can end up driving through snowy mountains, peaceful farmlands, picturesque beaches, and intimidating castles, all in the same race, a true showcase of the variety of locales on offer.

In terms of course count, Mario Kart World offers 30 in total, of which 16 are brand new, including Dry Bones Burnout, Peach Stadium, and a completely different take on Bowser’s Castle. Due to the game’s interconnected world design, even returning courses barely seem recognisable on first glance, such as Choco Mountain, which has seen a glow-up with new twists and turns, additional grind rails, and far more detailed background scenery. Meanwhile, other returning maps, like the ever-recognisable Moo Moo Meadows, don’t see the same amount of changes, essentially playing out virtually identical to what fans know and love.

Apart from its maps, the game’s character and vehicle roster have also been substantially increased, now featuring 50 racers spanning both iconic mainstays like Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi, but also side characters too, like Rocky Wrench, Cheep Cheep, and a personal favourite, a literal cow. Most of these new characters will need to be unlocked by completing Grand Prix Cups, or being affected by a special Kamek powerup during races.

For completionists, there are also the dozens of unlockable outfits for some characters, like Mario, Peach or Donkey Kong, which can be earned by collecting a new power-up known as Dash Food, which is scattered around the world at specific points in both races and Free Roam.

Finally, there are the karts, and although the customisation system from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are gone, the game makes up for this with an expanded roster of 40 karts in the game, with players having access to 11 at the start, unlocking a new one randomly for every 100 coins they collect while taking part in races. With so much content to unlock, it goes a long way in providing players a reason to keep playing long after experiencing all the maps the game has to offer.

All this is supplemented by the game’s rock-solid performance on both handheld and docked modes, never dropping once from its 60fps target, no matter how many simultaneous power-ups were activated on-screen at once. The one exception to this lies in its split-screen mode, as despite the advances in technology for the Nintendo Switch 2, playing split-screen with three or more players is somehow still hard-locked to 30fps, and although this doesn’t really affect the gameplay due to its simple control scheme that doesn’t require players to constantly pan the camera, is still rather jarring especially coming from the smooth single player, online and two-person split-screen modes.

So, where does Mario Kart World stand when compared to its 2017 predecessor? In a way, it’s equal parts a step forward and back. The game’s main Grand Prix mode is by far better in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe due to the more traditional three-lap races over Worlds’ inferior “intermittent” maps, while the new Knockout Tour mode is the clear standout improvement among this game’s latest additions. The highly-touted Free Roam, however, remains the most disappointing of the lot, boiling down to nothing more than a gimmick catered to only the most hardcore of collectable hunters.

Still, Mario Kart World shouldn’t be faulted for trying new innovations, and the game, at the very least, serves as an intriguing starting point for things to come, similar to how its predecessor was greatly expanded via its Deluxe version’s content since its 2014 release on the Wii U. As it stands, the game does have a solid foundation but it still has a long drive ahead before it can stand on the same podium as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Mario Kart World – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Before 2017, the idea of playing games on a home console that could double as a portable gaming device remained a pipe dream for many, until the reigning king of video games introduced, well, a game-changer (pun intended). Nintendo packed the best of both worlds into the Nintendo Switch, which served as a strong bounce back for the Japanese giant following the commercial failure of its previous Wii U console.

The hybrid 6.2-inch offering, which came with a home docking station, went on to become the third-best-selling console of all time, behind the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS, even as its distinctive red/blue controller design became a household sight. While its first-party titles certainly worked their magic, the extended support for third-party games and lack of region lock also contributed to its overwhelming popularity, prompting two more hardware revisions along the way – the handheld-only Switch Lite in 2019, and an upgraded model with a 7-inch OLED display in 2021. 

Suffice it to say, the arrival of its successor has been hotly anticipated. The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a monumental shift in the industry giant’s strategy, introducing the next technological leap to address the original’s increasingly ageing gameplay experience. But the price to pay for monolithic success is sky-high expectations, and this follow-up system falls short of the mark, bogged down by a difficult-to-justify price tag, especially since it no longer brings the same lustrous novelty as before, and puts itself on a two-steps-forward, one-step-back situation.

The familiarity hits right out of the box, except everything is bigger. As the scaled-up version of the original, the Switch 2 measures 272 x 116 x 13.9mm, and weighs 535 grams with the new Joy-Cons, versus 238 x 102 x 13.9mm and 399 grams on the original, and 241 x 102 x 139mm for the 422-gram OLED iteration. At first glance, the extra screen real estate is immediately prominent and the added heft does little to disrupt its existing streamlined silhouette, as the unit comes with a new kickstand, sleeker buttons, and an all-black aesthetic that lends a refined touch to the hardware. 

In hand, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels luxurious, as the solid chassis shows no hint of flex. Meanwhile, the build quality of the larger Joy-Con controllers is a step up, offering firmer key presses and a more satisfying tactile experience. A welcome tweak sees a second USB port on the unit, opening up the option for users to charge in handheld mode – a godsend for those travelling on long-haul flights – and connect external devices like camera accessories simultaneously, including an official one sold separately from the device. 

Building on its predecessor’s signature slide-and-click mechanics, the Joy-Con controllers are now held together and detached using a new magnetic attachment system. The process works as seamlessly as before – simply press down on the protruding button on the rear, located directly below the shoulder trigger, triggers a crisp-sounding snap. Gone, too, are the concerns of loose controllers, which were a drawback of the original railing system, as these sturdier Joy-Cons won’t budge unless the release lever is pressed.

It’s too early to determine how this overhauled feature will hold up in the long run, but its intuitive and clever design makes the Nintendo Switch 2 feel more cohesive than before. Still, there’s a lingering sense of loss – more than just a pop of colour as the red-and-blue styling gave character to the previous Joy-Cons – as the subtle detailing here robs them of that charm. Based on personal experience with the original model, the rubber rims may also experience wear and tear more quickly than expected, especially in tropical and humid climates like Singapore. 

The other gripe lies in middling ergonomics. While Nintendo’s latest is less bulky than the Steam Deck and most of its portable contemporaries, the placement of the joysticks and directional buttons are no less cramped than before and not using the larger real estate of each controller, causing heavier strain over prolonged use in handheld mode, which is already exacerbated by the increased weight and size. While the bigger, firmer ZL and ZR trigger buttons make things slightly more tolerable in horizontal placement, it’d be good if the straight edge could have a groove for a tighter, more comfortable grip. 

Speaking of grip, users can now rotate each Joy-Con on its flat side (that connects to the display) on a table, and use it as they would a computer mouse, to move a cursor around the screen. It works on most surfaces, from fabric to even the palm, but not glass, extending smooth and easy control over actions like navigating menus, scrolling, and in specific cases, gaming. Using mouse controls in Fortnite at the preferred sensitivity level yielded precise aiming and responsive wrist flicks, as well as fluid on-screen tracking, although the swiping and sideways grip require some getting used to.

The initial experience can feel weird, and it’s only normal with any introduction of a previously unheard of interface feature. In Epic Games’ battle royale shooter, one controller will be face-down while the other remains upright, and each is tied to different functions – the former to rotate the camera, picking up or using items, and switching between weapons, and the latter, primarily for controlling player movement. Get into the swing of it, and the gameplay will start becoming more intuitive and enjoyable, even as game compatibility of this feature is currently limited to 18 other titles, including Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Fortnite, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Donkey Kong Banaza. Call it a gimmick or a quirk (Nintendo needs to maintain its ‘weird uncle’ reputation after all), but there’s little to complain about the execution. 

Porting over from an older-gen Switch proves to be a breezy affair, too. As with data transfer between Apple devices, it involves logging into a Nintendo account and placing both devices within proximity after downloading an update via an Internet connection. In our case, the whole set-up took around 20 minutes, with all save files, settings, and captured content perfectly intact. 

There’s just one caveat to note – instead of using standard microSD cards, owners looking to expand their storage will have to use microSD Express cards. Although the 256GB of internal storage here, which is already an upgrade over the 32GB and 64GB on the base and OLED model on the original console is sufficient to tide things over temporarily, the lack of options on the current market can be inconvenient, especially since microSD Express cards are the newer and pricier of the two. 

In terms of processor, the Switch 2 boasts a custom-built NVIDIA processor featuring eight ARM Cortex A78C CPU cores and a T239 chipset running on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture – the same one used to power the RTX 30-series of graphics cards. The Nintendo Switch 2 promises, and delivers, vast improvements in performance and visuals, including support for ray tracing and noticeably faster loading speeds, whether it’s accessing the Nintendo eStore – a choppy mess on the Switch – or navigating in-game menus. 

More importantly, its backwards-compatible nature means older Switch titles can be enjoyed on this newer, enhanced system. Docked play outputs 4K resolution (3,4820 x 2,160) at 60 frames per second (60 fps) for supported games, as compared to 1080p previously. Dropping the resolution to 2,560 x 1,440 or 1,920 x 1,080 pushes frame rates up to 120 fps, while handheld mode caps out at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 120 fps (versus 720p at 30 fps on the original). 

In reality, though, the performance gap between the Switch 2 and its predecessor varies from one title to another, even if all of them runs smoothly in both TV and handheld mode. Mario Kart World, released exclusively for the sequel device, delivered an optimised, fluid experience with little to no frame rate dips, whereas both enhanced editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom meant for the Switch 2  kept stutter to a minimum, showcasing game environments and animated cutscenes in sharper detail. Pokémon Scarlet, available as a free update on the Switch 2, is easily the best point of comparison, transforming the notoriously laggy Casseroya Lake into a pleasant free-roaming experience and bringing a velvety quality to Koraidon’s movements. 

As for third-party games, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Bayonetta 2, and Fire Emblem Warriors all registered an impressive uptick in performance. Where the heavy particle effects would send the Switch into a sluggish state, the fighting action now flows a lot more seamlessly, which is important for the fast-paced gameplay such titles demand. Conversely, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim isn’t quite as impressive, with flat textures, murky detail, and stilted movement showing its age. 

Here’s where the inconsistencies of backwards-compatible optimisations come into sharp focus, amplified on the larger TV display. When docked, the artefacts and jagged edges in Marvel Ultimate 3 are more prominent to the eye, and it’s harder to ignore visual imperfections like motion blur in Pokémon Scarlet. Handheld mode remedies (not solves, because its bigger-than-the-first display leaves it susceptible to similar issues) the situation, although Switch OLED owners should lower their expectations for visual enjoyment. 

In an unexpected and bizarre back-pedal, the Switch 2 has opted for a wide colour gamut LCD panel, so expect duller colours, lower brightness, and weaker contrast levels than its higher-grade OLED predecessor. Users who prefer docked play will be less affected by the downgrade, but the disappointment is justified, especially since Nintendo has already set a precedent with an OLED option. It’s not that the display is bad by any stretch, mind you, as it’s more than decent on its own, delivering a snappy and immersive experience. 

No matter the mode, the next-gen offering tends to run hot. Diving back into Hyrule for a mere 10 to 15 minutes, peppered with the occasional battles, was enough to push our review unit beyond lukewarm standards, and Fortnite’s constant firefights called for the need to cool down after a few rounds. Fortunately, the heat doesn’t throttle performance, and the welcome handling is undermined by a subpar battery life that leaves much to be desired. 

Compared to the original’s 4,310mAh battery capacity, the Switch 2 marks an improvement with a 5,220mAh one, though its duration takes a hit. A 40-minute Pokémon Scarlet romp drained around 25 percent of the battery bar (in comparison, the official website puts 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on a single charge), with third-party titles seemingly consuming more juice at a quicker pace. In a separate test, Mario Kart World registered an almost 40 per cent dip after three rounds of Grand Prix races, totalling up to 16 races for two players.  

Also new to the device is a nifty lending system that makes it easier to share and access titles between consoles. Designed to function similarly to physical ones, Virtual Cards are created automatically with every digital purchase from the Nintendo eShop, and can be loaned out to members of the same Nintendo Switch Family account one at a time for up to two weeks. Personally, though, physical cards are still the way to go, and here, a bright red design has replaced the original black cartridge. 

GameChat is another Switch 2-exclusive feature, accessed through the ‘C’ button on the right Joy-Con and enabling users to chat with up to 11 others, share their screen, or activate a video call with a compatible camera accessory. While there wasn’t any opportunity to test it out, the setup process was quick and easy to follow. On the flip side, the official launch of the free Nintendo Switch app means users in Singapore can now get the most out of experiences that are linked to it, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with the fuss-free setup serving as a sweet bonus. 

Alas, the biggest bone of contention is price. The Nintendo Switch 2 costs a whopping S$719, nearly twice the base price of the OLED model (S$369), or S$769 for the Mario Kart World Bundle, which comes in at S$195 less than a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (S$669) and PlayStation Portal (S$295) combo that offers a bigger game library. At launch, only two exclusives will be available – Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, with the latter more of a glorified tech demo than a full-fledged release. 

Then, there are the upgraded versions of existing games, not to be confused with updates. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, as mentioned previously, fall into the first category, whereas Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is an example of the second, joining the likes of ARMS, Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, Game Builder Garage, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Link’s Awakening. 

The neat thing is that the above game updates will be available at launch for free, though what’s not is the additional bucks needed to complete the upgrade jump. For starters, both The Legend of Zelda upgrade packs set existing users back by US$9.99 each, and unlike PlayStation’s very own tech demo Astro’s Playroom, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour isn’t included as part of the free package. The Nintendo Switch 2 titles, exclusives or otherwise, aren’t the most wallet-friendly, either – while prices vary across the board, the S$119.90 price tag of Mario Kart World is telling, considering the S$60-plus average previously. 

To be fair, jacked-up prices aren’t unique to Nintendo. Triple-A gaming has gotten expensive in recent years, with standard PS5 prices ranging anywhere from S$60 to over S$100. Still, the Japanese giant has built a reputation for being kid and family-centric, and well, that’s certainly not something a child can afford (unless they are a scion of a rich family or of that ilk). Let’s not forget other hidden costs that will add up over time, too, from microSD Express cards to the various subscription features.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a shiny new toy. Between impressive technological refinements, intuitive design tweaks, and a great deal of visual polish, the follow-up device presents a compelling proposition for fans of the brand and its exclusives. The absurd price hike from its predecessor makes it difficult to recommend, however, compounded with mild frustrations that outweigh the benefits, and especially with more affordable and powerful alternatives on the market.

As is always the case with new tech offerings, it’s also advisable to ride out the hype for now and wait until more choices are available. In the same breath that it introduces delightful surprises, there are also accompanying downsides, but those who don’t mind shelling out the extra cash will likely learn to live with them, and appreciate the fresh touches on existing experiences, in addition to the promise of more to come.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 — Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

As the Nintendo Switch 2 is slowly but surely rolling out across the world, fans are constantly trying to source for the cheapest or best option to obtain the hot selling console. As we have compiled in our price comparison list, Hong Kong actually sells the world’s cheapest Nintendo Switch 2. However, should you always go for the cheapest? What about warranties and peace of mind? Or physical game cards versus digital downloads?

Interestingly, of all the versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundles sold around the world, it seems only the Singapore set comes with a physical game card of the game.

As you can see from the packaging above, it is quite easy to tell the Singapore set apart from the Hong Kong set. The Hong Kong set has the additional “Hong Kong Official Product” badge on the top right of the box, whereas the Singapore set has “MARIO KART WORLD Game Card Included” printed at the bottom. Although Singapore fans will be paying a little more for their console bundle, the local set benefits from a one-year local warranty and you can of course, pass the game card around with other friends and family. Buying the Hong Kong set would require you to create a HK Nintendo eShop account to redeem the game code, which will then take up 23.6GB of your precious internal storage space.

So at the end of the day, if you are one who prefers physical game media, and would rather have peace or mind knowing there is local one-year warranty support for your console investment, the Singapore set is the clear choice.

Yonk

Yonk is a geek who is fortunate enough to have an equally geeky Star Wars fan for a wife, who owns a LEGO Millennium Falcon encased in a glass coffee table as their home’s centre-piece.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle: Singapore Vs Hong Kong appeared first on Geek Culture.

Nintendo has just announced the pricing for its latest console, the Nintendo Switch 2, for Singapore, which launches at S$719 (US$560) on 26 June 2025.

With the latest figures, here’s a complete list of the console’s release date and pricing across all currently available regions/countries:

Apart from Japan’s local Japanese-language set, which currently sits as the cheapest option available at 49,980 yen (approx. US$347.31), Hong Kong currently offers the cheapest Switch 2 at HKD3,450 (US$440). On the other hand, Malaysia has the most expensive Switch 2 price at RM2,688 (US$585).

For more, check out our list of 10 things you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Price Comparison Across All Regions appeared first on Geek Culture.

Pokémon fan or not, there’s no denying that Scarlet and Violet could have been released in a better state. From game-breaking glitches to inconsistent frame rates, the ninth-generation titles saw dampened excitement levels at launch, even if they ended up being Nintendo’s fastest-selling entries.

Fans can expect to bid these issues farewell on the Nintendo Switch 2, where the games will receive a free performance upgrade. Ahead of the console’s launch on 5 June, with pre-orders for Singapore starting from 9 June, the company has dropped a gameplay preview running at 60 frames per second and 4K resolution on its Nintendo Today news app.

The footage is locked down on the platform, but a 33-second-long recording by Bluesky user Wario64 offers a promising glimpse of Paldea in docked mode. In it, the player is seen traversing various key locations, including the Pokémon Academy in Mesagoza and Casseroya Lake, notoriously known for its major frame rate dips and stutter in the original build, with relative smoothness. The visual experience remains largely unchanged, however, maintaining the same flat textures as before.

The update for Scarlet and Violet may be too little, too late, but it does signify a big leap in the right direction, especially with the launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A just right around the corner. Featuring similar mechanics to its 2022 predecessor Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the highly anticipated title is set in Lumoise City and will introduce cross-generational starter critters Totodile (Generation II), Chikorita (Gen II), and Tepig (Gen V).

Combat has also been revamped, with the turn-based tradition eschewed for real-time features akin to other role-playing games, such as active player positioning and dodging. Additionally, the Mega Evolution system is set to return after its last outing in Sun and Moon.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on 16 October for both the Nintendo Switch and its upcoming successor. The next-gen console will launch in most regions on 5 June, before landing in Southeast Asia on 26 June.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’: First Looks At 4K 60FPS Gameplay For Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Geek Culture.