Month: June 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 has emerged as the fastest-selling home video game console ever, quickly closing in on Steam Deck sales despite the latter’s three-year head start. While many anticipated the success of the Switch 2, its rapid ascendancy has surpassed initial expectations. This new console has set records not just for Nintendo, but also for the gaming industry as a whole. Skeptics of the Switch 2 have referenced past failures of Nintendo, particularly the Wii U, which was a stark contrast to the exceptional sales of the Wii.

Although the original Switch positioned itself as a potential best-seller, it didn’t assure equal success for its successor. However, the Switch 2 is currently surpassing its predecessor’s sales within the same timeframe, reinforcing its status as a hit product. For those transitioning from a Switch 1 to a Switch 2, transferring games and save files is a seamless process, making it easy to continue enjoying gaming experiences. Since the original Switch’s debut, numerous handheld gaming options have emerged, including Valve’s Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck offers significant functionality, similar to the Switch, and provides access to various digital storefronts and emulation, raising questions about the necessity of the Switch 2. Current estimates suggest that the Steam Deck has sold between 4 to 5 million units since its launch in 2022, while the Switch 2 achieved 3.5 million sales in just a few days. It is positioned to surpass the Steam Deck’s figures soon, especially given that the Switch 2 is available both online and in physical stores, reaching a wider audience compared to the Steam Deck, which targets existing Steam users primarily. When it comes to pricing, the Switch 2 is framed within a competitive market, costing $449.99 for its standard bundle and $499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle.

In contrast, the Steam Deck’s prices range from $399.00 to $649.00, with higher-end models currently sold out. Although there’s some overlap in functionality, the two devices cater to different audiences, and the upcoming gaming handhelds from other companies are unlikely to significantly impact Nintendo’s stronghold in the handheld market. Despite its competitive success, the Steam Deck has thrived in its own right, and future gaming devices may similarly capture consumer interest.

Upcoming details about Resident Evil Requiem, also known as Resident Evil 9, are beginning to emerge. This new installment aims to unveil the “hidden truth” surrounding the infamous Raccoon City outbreak.

Recently showcased at the Summer Game Fest, Resident Evil Requiem is set to be released on February 27, 2026, just eight months away. As the launch date draws closer, fans can anticipate more information, especially with a presence confirmed at Gamescom 2025.

The game takes players back to a long-neglected setting within the Resident Evil universe. According to the official website, the storyline revolves around FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, who investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding a body found in an abandoned hotel.

Intriguingly, this location holds personal significance for Grace, as it is the same hotel where her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak, died years earlier. This investigation will lead her down a path filled with unanswered questions regarding the Raccoon City incident, hinting at undisclosed elements of the outbreak.

Raccoon City itself is a pivotal location in the Resident Evil series. Previously depicted in earlier titles like Resident Evil 2 and 3, the city is now reduced to ruins after its destruction.

Although the Umbrella Corporation is primarily blamed for the outbreak, the new narrative suggests there might be more to unravel regarding this dramatic event. The decision to return to Raccoon City has caught the attention of fans, especially given its desolate state in Requiem.

The environment, once bustling with life, is now a wasteland, where iconic places like the Raccoon City Police Department have crumbled. Notably, while Grace has been confirmed as a playable character, there are rumors that Leon S. Kennedy will also be featured, leaving fans eager for more revelations in the near future.

Following the release of Splatoon 3 version 10.0.0, Nintendo acknowledged a slight graphical downgrade for the game on the original Switch. This decision aimed to ensure consistent frame rate performance in multiplayer modes across both the original Switch and the newer Switch 2. On June 11, the launch of Patch 10.0.0 introduced various performance enhancements specifically for the Switch 2. The update included multiple texture improvements in places like Inkopolis and Splatsville, alongside more detailed screen displays.

Animations for characters such as Salmonids and jellyfish were refined, and the resolution for screenshots taken on the Switch 2 was elevated. Similar to other titles, the upgrade for Splatoon 3 was provided free of charge to all users with version 10.0.0. Even though Splatoon 3 initially debuted on the original Switch, the differences in hardware became apparent with the introduction of the Switch 2 and the associated 10.0.0 update. According to Nintendo Life, adjustments were also made to the graphical aspects of the original Switch version to ensure fairness among players who had yet to transition to the Switch 2.

Key areas affected included stages for modes such as Clam Blitz, Splat Zones, Rainmaker, and Tower Control. Nintendo’s modifications were designed to minimize performance disparities between the two consoles, ensuring that competitive matches remained fair for players on both platforms. The graphical changes in Splatoon 3 mark the first time Nintendo has implemented performance adjustments specific to the Switch and Switch 2 generations. The downgrades primarily focused on background elements that would minimally impact gameplay, allowing original Switch players to maintain competitiveness with their Switch 2 counterparts.

As comparisons have been made between the Switch 2’s graphical capabilities and the Xbox Series S, it remains to be seen if other Nintendo titles with online features will adopt similar strategies. Following the 10.0.0 update and the announcement of Splatoon Raiders, fans of the series are eager to witness what Nintendo has in store next.

Hello Games has released its second minor update for No Man’s Sky since launching the Beacon update in June. This new patch aims to address various bugs that players have noticed following the recent major content update. The developers are commendably tackling these issues quickly across all platforms, including the newly launched Nintendo Switch 2. Even nine years after its initial release, Hello Games continues to show commitment to its space exploration title.

The recent Beacon update marked the 38th major content addition, introducing new planetary settlements, enhancements for player-owned settlements, and a host of valuable quality-of-life improvements. The latest update, version 5.72, is available on Steam and will soon roll out to other platforms. The version 5.72 patch includes a range of bug fixes specifically tied to issues from the Beacon update. Notably, it resolves a serious bug that could prevent players from finding Autophage settlements.

Additionally, it addresses various rendering and camera glitches, fixes rare game crashes, and optimizes memory usage for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game. With the transition to the Nintendo Switch 2, players who own the original version can upgrade at no extra cost. The Switch 2 edition retains the full features of No Man’s Sky, including multiplayer support and enhanced graphics. However, some platform-specific issues persist, such as bugs preventing multiplayer connectivity.

Hello Games has acknowledged these ongoing problems and is working on further updates. The fixes in the patch include corrections to mission tracking, rendering issues with specific base parts, and various text errors. Support for Autophage base components introduced in the Beacon update has also been improved, ensuring smoother gameplay for all users.

Nintendo Switch Online services are currently facing connectivity issues due to a significant outage affecting Google Cloud. This disruption impacts various games, such as Mario Kart World, and popular mobile applications, including Pokemon GO. Players will find these titles partially inaccessible until Google resolves the underlying problems. The connectivity issues were first identified around 3:30 PM Eastern time by a user on Twitter named OatmealDome.

The major outage at Google Cloud is directly affecting Nintendo’s online services, particularly the multiplayer functionalities of several games, such as Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart World. Reports on Down Detector show over 14,000 users confirming their difficulties connecting to the server infrastructure. Additionally, approximately 4,000 users reported issues with Nintendo’s mobile games, confirming the wide impact of this outage. While many services are affected, OatmealDome noted that the Nintendo eShop and certain online games, such as Tetris 99, remain functional.

In response, Google acknowledged the situation in a statement released at 3:41 PM Eastern. Their engineers have pinpointed the issue and are implementing measures to alleviate the outage. That said, users may continue to experience varying connectivity problems on Google Cloud until a complete resolution is achieved. No estimated time for full recovery has been provided by Google as of this update.

This outage spans multiple regions globally, impacting not only Nintendo’s services but also various platforms that rely on Google Cloud’s infrastructure. As this story is still developing, updates will follow regarding the restoration of Nintendo Switch Online services and affected games.

Doomfist has been temporarily removed from Competitive Play in Overwatch 2 due to a glitch that exploits his abilities. This bug allows him to empower his Rocket Punch without depleting his ultimate charge when he cancels his Meteor Strike using his Power Block.

As a result, players could gain unlimited strengthened Rocket Punches whenever Power Block was available. Blizzard has disabled Doomfist for Competitive mode but not for Quick Play or Arcade, meaning players can still utilize this glitch in more casual formats.

Overwatch 2 has seen significant changes since its launch in October 2022, particularly with hero roles and abilities. Doomfist transitioned from being a damage character in the original Overwatch to a tank in its sequel.

Alongside this, there’s growing anticipation for updates on other heroes, particularly Sombra, who is known for her hacking abilities. The current glitch involving Doomfist was highlighted by player Lo-fi Youth, who shared footage of the unintended ability interaction on social media.

While the exact cause is still being investigated, the developers are expected to address this issue promptly. Fans are optimistic that Doomfist will be reintroduced to Competitive Play shortly.

Overwatch 2 is also preparing for Season 17, set to launch on June 24, which will introduce the Aatlis Flashpoint map, Map Voting in Competitive Play, new heroes, and various balance adjustments. The community is curious about whether Doomfist will receive any changes in the upcoming season but hopes that these adjustments will not lead to further game-breaking issues.

As an ever-evolving free-to-play action game, Overwatch 2 continues to engage players with new content and daily challenges across diverse global locations, ensuring a fresh experience with each match.

Electronic Arts and Maxis have announced a new expansion pack for The Sims 4, titled Enchanted by Nature. Players can pre-order this whimsical addition, which is set to launch in July 2025. Since its release in 2014, The Sims 4 has seen a plethora of content, with 18 expansion packs and 20 themed collections known as “stuff packs.”

The most recent expansion, Businesses and Hobbies, was introduced in early March 2025. Enchanted by Nature, revealed on June 12, offers players a magical experience in the scenic world of Innisgreen. Scheduled for release on July 10, this expansion invites Sims players to explore lush greenery and vibrant neighborhoods.

Pre-orders will remain available until August 20, 2025. Key features of this expansion include the enchanting neighborhoods of Innisgreen, where players can meet their Sims’ basic needs without traditional amenities like beds or plumbing. A standout feature is the ability to transform Sims into Fairies, new characters who thrive on emotional energy rather than food.

These Fairies can choose between Harmonious or Discordant life paths, each offering unique abilities, customization options, and survival mechanics that revolve around emotional energy. The aesthetics of Innisgreen draw inspiration from nature, Irish architecture, and Celtic folklore. Its three neighborhoods are crafted by well-known The Sims 4 content creators, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Inhabitants can engage with the environment by foraging for food, using the Privy Bush for relief, and even sleeping outdoors. To incentivize early purchases, EA is offering three bonuses for those who buy Enchanted by Nature before August 21, 2025. These include the Lofty Leaf Pond, Luminous Mycena Lantern, and Disguised Dwelling Fairy Home.

The expansion will retail for $39.99, just like previous packs.