Month: June 2025

In Mario Kart World, players in first place should think twice before using the Blue Shell, also known as the Spiny Shell. This powerful item can dramatically change the outcome of a race, but it can also have unintended consequences if misused. Since its recent launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, Mario Kart World has been drawing in gamers eager to explore both new features and the beloved mechanics from earlier entries in the franchise.

The Blue Shell has been a staple of the Mario Kart series since Mario Kart 64 and is notorious for its ability to target and knock out the racer in first place. When deployed, the Spiny Shell tracks down its target, culminating in a massive explosion that can also affect nearby racers. However, those leading the race must exercise caution; utilizing the shell while in first place can backfire dramatically.

This was demonstrated by Twitter user Retrora, who shared a clip of their unfortunate slip-up that cost them the lead, prompting questions from fellow users about their expectations. While players have the option to evade the Spiny Shell in previous games, such as through well-timed boosts or the use of the Super Horn to neutralize it, these strategies are of no use if the player mistakenly fires the shell at themselves. Therefore, the wisest decision for anyone in the lead is to refrain from activating the Blue Shell altogether.

Interestingly, beyond its presence in the game, the Spiny Shell was featured recently in a LEGO set as a bonus for LEGO Insiders, released just prior to its debut in Mario Kart World. This combination of nostalgia and new challenges continues to make the Mario Kart franchise a lasting favorite among gamers.

Reliable insiders have revealed exciting details about Sony’s anticipated next-generation handheld console. This device is expected to feature built-in support for AI upscaling, which could enhance gaming visuals significantly. The new PlayStation handheld is rumored to include 16GB of GDDR5X RAM, although it will have less memory bandwidth compared to the base PS5.

The console is likely to be powered by AMD’s upcoming UDNA GPU architecture, which promises improved performance per compute unit compared to existing models. Insiders indicated that this handheld may borrow a prominent feature from the PS5 Pro, reinforcing speculation that Sony is ready to dive back into the portable gaming market. The conversation around a new PlayStation handheld began last year, spurred by the success of competitors like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.

Sony, known for its successful PSP and less successful PS Vita, has steered clear of the handheld market since the PS Vita was discontinued in 2019. However, the recent launch of the Remote Play-focused PlayStation Portal in late 2023 saw significant success and reignited interest in portable consoles. Rumors suggest that the PlayStation Portal’s popularity may have spurred Sony to pursue a standalone handheld with more advanced capabilities.

Insider KeplerL2 has shared ongoing updates about this new system, including its potential adoption of AMD’s AI upscaling technology, reminiscent of the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) found in the PS5 Pro. While this portable device is set to have 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it will feature only a third of the PS5’s memory bandwidth, around 150GB/s. However, it is expected that performance will be augmented by additional cache technologies.

Interestingly, KeplerL2 also noted that AMD currently has no plans for a Z3 mobile chip that would support AI upscaling, suggesting that this feature could be unique to the new PlayStation handheld, potentially giving it a competitive advantage over future handhelds from various manufacturers.

Genshin Impact fans have the opportunity to pre-register for Version 5.7, earning themselves 30 free Primogems. This version will introduce a new endgame mode, but players should be aware that the estimated number of Intertwined Wishes available for free-to-play accounts is only about 54.

The first half of the update will feature Skirk and Shenhe. With Skirk’s debut, Genshin Impact players can take advantage of the pre-registration bonuses, which will provide them with additional Primogems for this highly anticipated character.

However, it’s worth noting that despite the new mode, the patch will still offer a limited number of Primogems, which may affect players hoping to maximize their resources. Moreover, alongside Skirk, Shenhe is touted as one of her best teammates, enhancing the gameplay for those who invest in both characters.

The second half of Version 5.7 will spotlight Mavuika and Emilie, with Emilie being particularly appealing for players focusing on Burning teams. Given the upcoming changes, every Primogem becomes crucial, and players can easily obtain the 30 Primogems by pre-registering through the official Genshin Impact website.

These Primogems will be delivered via mail once Version 5.7 launches on June 18, 2025, along with ascension materials for Skirk by subscribing to update notifications. An additional benefit of pre-registering is access to an event calendar, which outlines how many Primogems can be collected throughout the events and their respective start dates.

The flagship event, “Battle of Imagined Arrays,” will kick off on June 20, 2025, and reward players with a total of 970 Primogems. It’s important for players to strategize, as they will only acquire about 34 Intertwined Wishes in the first half, potentially leaving Skirk enthusiasts at a disadvantage.

Additionally, Version 5.7 is expected to introduce Dahlia, a 4-Star Hydro Sword character, further enriching the game’s narrative and mechanics.

The recent update to Rainbow Six Siege X has led to a remarkable increase in player activity, with concurrent player counts on Steam reaching 142,000. This significant surge can be attributed to various gameplay changes, enhanced visuals, improved audio quality, and the introduction of new maps alongside balance tweaks for operators.

The newly launched free-to-play mode has also attracted a surge of new gamers, but there are ongoing concerns about whether these players will remain engaged in the long run. Launched on June 10, almost a decade following the original game released in December 2015, Rainbow Six Siege X marks the largest update for Ubisoft’s tactical shooter.

Over the years, the game has seen numerous adjustments, but this latest update introduces substantial enhancements that address long-standing player feedback. For instance, the update features five revamped maps, upgraded directional audio, a new communication wheel, and a range of balance adjustments for several operators.

Moreover, players can now enjoy a new 6v6 mode, additional operator dialogues, and new playlists such as Enlisted and Field Training. In a conversation with Game Rant, game director Joshua Mills discussed what inspired the major update and its direction going forward.

Following the update’s launch, the game’s player count skyrocketed from approximately 60,000 concurrent players to a peak of 142,025 within just 24 hours. With this leap, Rainbow Six Siege X has secured the fifth spot in Steam’s top 100 most-played games, trailing just behind Dune: Awakening.

While the introduction of a free-to-play model likely contributed significantly to this boost, Rainbow Six Siege X’s success remains uncertain. The free access tier limits players to 26 playable operators and specific game modes such as Unranked and Quick Play, leading to questions about long-term retention.

Historically, Rainbow Six Siege has had a reputation as a highly competitive shooter, which may intimidate newer players. However, the updated free tier might cater more to casual gamers than before, especially with features like the new communication wheel, potentially helping to sustain the influx of new participants.

The recently released 2.2.3 Update for Diablo 4 addresses several ongoing issues within the game, including problems with Lair Boss quests being assigned too early and Ensemble items in the Wardrobe failing to save correctly. This update comes amid Season 8 of the game, dubbed “Belial’s Return.” Players can automatically download the patch upon logging into Diablo 4, as it is currently available for PC users. Since its launch in 2023, Diablo 4 has featured multiple seasons, each introducing gameplay tweaks to keep the experience fresh.

Season 8 has introduced exciting new mechanics, such as Boss Powers and revamped endgame content involving Lair Bosses, along with new items to enhance gameplay. Most discussions about the game have focused on its character classes, leading gamers to compare their strengths and weaknesses in various tier lists. The 2.2.3 Update comprises 12 fixes aimed at both the base game and the Vessel of Hatred DLC. Notably, it corrects several gameplay glitches, including the improper spawning of the Speaker of Fel Flames and issues related to Aether visibility within Infernal Hordes.

Additionally, it resolves specific accessibility problems, ensuring a more inclusive gaming experience. Alongside this update, Blizzard has launched the second anniversary event for Diablo 4. Running until June 17, the event features incentives such as additional Gift of the Tree caches when players complete Grim Favors, as well as the Mother’s Blessing, which boosts both experience and gold drop rates. While Season 8 is still ongoing, speculation regarding Season 9 has begun to surface, with leaks hinting at new pets, including a free brown and white goat.

Despite the anticipation building for the future, there will be no major expansion until at least 2026. Nevertheless, Blizzard continues to refine Diablo 4, promising further updates and improvements in the years ahead.

Infold Games has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to release Infinity Nikki on the Nintendo Switch 2, even though future potential remains. The company is currently dealing with some significant challenges that complicate any expansion to new platforms. Players expressed their dissatisfaction with Version 1.5 due to the increased difficulty in obtaining outfits, leading to a boycott movement that has gained traction. Alongside this negative feedback, Infold Games faces other pressing concerns.

Reports of bugs on the PC version, disappearing in-game currency, and unfinished game zones have emerged, all of which require the company’s attention. Though Infinity Nikki was launched in December 2024 and is available on PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile devices, hopes were high among fans that it would also appear on the new Switch 2, especially following Nintendo’s console release on June 5. In response to fan queries, Infold Games has indicated that extending Infinity Nikki to new platforms is indeed a part of their business strategy. However, their primary focus remains on enhancing the gaming experience for players on existing platforms.

This includes plans for meaningful content updates, performance improvements, and bug fixes, particularly after the backlash from Version 1.5. Despite the challenges, players can anticipate new content in Version 1.6, featuring two exciting outfits as Infold works to restore its reputation following the controversy. Meanwhile, the community is closely monitoring developments, wondering when Infinity Nikki might transition to the Switch 2. Furthermore, to mitigate some of the backlash, Infold has offered players in-game currency as compensation for the issues faced, while some fans have continued to voice their concerns, creatively renaming the boycott to a “girlcott.”

Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 is set to launch on consoles on June 25, broadening its reach to a wider audience of gamers. This latest installment introduces new antagonists and discloses the fate of certain characters from earlier chapters.

Despite the game’s overall popularity, Chapter 4 has been met with mixed reviews due to bugs and various technical issues. Initially released for PC in January 2025, Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 will become available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

Players can now wishlist the title on the respective digital stores. Since its first chapter debuted in October 2021, the independently developed game by Mob Entertainment has garnered a substantial following, largely driven by the reactions of popular horror game streamers.

The game’s unique combination of horror elements and colorful, child-like characters has further captured the interest of the gaming community. The new chapter, titled “Safe Haven,” is priced at $19.99 across all platforms, aligning with the current price on Steam.

The story continues from a pivotal reveal made in Chapter 3, detailing the tragic events surrounding the Playtime Co. factory, where the workers faced a horrific fate at the hands of the very toys they created. Chapter 4 also clarifies the fate of Kissy Missy, who experienced a dramatic moment off-screen in the previous chapter.

First-time players will encounter new characters, including Yarnaby, a hostile, rainbow-hued lion-like yarn doll who poses significant danger, and Doey the Doughman, a capricious yet helpful resident of Safe Haven. Additionally, an antagonistic computer program known as The Doctor makes an appearance.

However, despite its growing popularity over the past three years, Chapter 4 has earned the least favorable reception. While earlier chapters maintain “Very Positive” ratings on Steam, Chapter 4 sits at a “Mixed” rating, with persistent technical issues affecting its overall reception.

Many players are hoping for improved stability when it arrives on consoles.

ChatGPT faced a significant challenge when it was pitted against the Atari 2600 in a chess match, resulting in a disappointing performance. This experiment revealed that, despite advancements in artificial intelligence, ChatGPT struggled to understand the game, leading to what observers described as it getting “absolutely wrecked” by the vintage console. Even with the Atari 2600 nearing its 50th anniversary, ChatGPT failed to navigate the chessboard effectively, barely making it through the match before ultimately forfeiting after 90 minutes of confusion. The difficulties of AI language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT extend beyond chess.

Users have experienced various issues, particularly with the phenomenon known as “hallucinations,” where AI generates incorrect information. In one instance, an apology for the game Lord of the Rings: Gollum was reportedly generated by ChatGPT without the consent of the development team, highlighting potential misuse of the technology. Robert Jr. Caruso, the engineer who conducted the chess match experiment, noted that ChatGPT itself suggested the challenge to display its skills. However, the AI frequently became confused about the placement of pieces and made questionable decisions, such as sacrificing knights for pawns.

Even after switching to standard chess notation, the AI continued to blunder, demonstrating significant limitations in its gameplay understanding. Similar struggles have been observed in other AI models. For example, a user attempted to engage OpenAI’s o3 model in Pokemon Red. While it has shown some progress, the AI’s speed in decision-making has proven to be much slower than that of human players, including young children.

After over 366 hours of gameplay, the AI still had not reached Victory Road. On a more positive note, some AI, such as Google’s Gemini, have fared better in gaming contexts, reportedly completing Pokemon Blue in 800 hours. This suggests that while some AIs face hurdles in gaming, others may be capable of performing better in these environments.

Game-key card games, which require downloads, are becoming increasingly similar to digital copies. This shift has raised concerns among gamers who fear that companies will cease producing physical versions of games.

Recently, Capcom announced that it counts the sales of Switch 2 game-key cards as digital sales, igniting a debate among fans who still prefer physical copies. These game-key cartridges are a new type of physical media for the Switch 2 that do not include the full game; instead, they require additional downloads for gameplay.

The introduction of game-key cards by Nintendo in May sparked a strong reaction from a segment of gamers, reigniting the long-standing debate between physical and digital media. Simultaneously, Xbox faced criticism when it was revealed that Doom: The Dark Ages lacked the base game on disk, indicating a possible trend towards less reliance on full physical releases.

In light of the controversy, Nintendo of America CEO Doug Bowser assured fans that physical games remain a priority for the company’s immediate future. Capcom’s recent financial briefing further stirred the discussion, as it classified physical game-key cartridges as digital copies in its sales reports.

Many in the gaming community quickly recognized the rationale behind this decision, noting that the mandatory downloads effectively equated the Switch 2’s game-key cards to digital copies. However, critics voiced concern that this could distort sales records in favor of digital media, potentially justifying a shift toward a more digital-centric future.

Despite Capcom’s stance, there are still prominent developers advocating for physical game ownership. CD Projekt Red, for example, ensured that the entire Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition was included on a 64GB cartridge for the Switch 2.

Additionally, Nintendo’s first-party games, like Mario Kart World, are confirmed to be fully available on their respective cartridges. The ongoing trend towards digital-only gaming, exemplified by the rise of disc-less consoles and subscription services, raises questions about true ownership and the preservation of games.

As Nintendo prepares to launch its Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, with notable titles, it will be interesting to see how the company navigates the evolving landscape of gaming and the expectations of its fanbase concerning physical and digital formats.

Hollow Knight: Silksong has recently updated its official website to include the PS4 and Switch 2 among its list of supported platforms. This development has sparked excitement among fans eagerly awaiting the game’s arrival, particularly since the release is anticipated in 2025. While no official release date has been set, the updates suggest that significant progress is being made towards the launch. First revealed in February 2019, Hollow Knight: Silksong has been on the radar of gamers for over six years.

In this sequel, players will control Hornet, a character from the original Hollow Knight, as they explore a new and vibrant kingdom. The visuals for this new world showcase significant differences from the original title, while fans can still expect the challenging boss battles that have become a hallmark of the series. Recently, information surfaced about updates on Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Steam page, alongside the website refresh. Although some speculated an announcement might occur at the Summer Game Fest, this did not materialize.

Nevertheless, insider comments, like those from leaker Nate the Hate, predict that the game could release before summer 2025. Team Cherry’s marketing manager, Matthew “Leth” Griffin, has also provided clarification on the release timeline, stating it would occur before the holiday season, specifically before Christmas. However, fans are advised to temper their expectations for any possible summer release until an official confirmation is received from the developers. As anticipation builds for Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will take on the role of Hornet, embarking on a deadly pilgrimage filled with fierce challenges and ancient secrets in a new kingdom governed by silk and song.

This epic sequel promises to build on the award-winning formula of its predecessor while introducing fresh adventures and gameplay elements.