Month: June 2025

On June 26, Nintendo announced that Super Mario Strikers will be available on the Nintendo Switch Online service through the GameCube app starting July 3. This exciting addition marks the fourth playable game in the GameCube app, which is available exclusively to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Originally launched in late 2005, Super Mario Strikers is a dynamic five-on-five soccer game developed by Nintendo and Next Level Games. Players can control teams led by iconic characters such as Mario, Luigi, and Peach, alongside three sidekick characters like Toad and Koopa, while a Kritter takes on the role of goalkeeper.

The game features traditional soccer mechanics but also incorporates beloved Mario franchise power-ups like the Mushroom and the Star, providing players with unique advantages during matches. Notably, Super Mario Strikers was the last title in the Mario franchise to be released on the GameCube in North America and Japan before the Wii launched the following year.

With the addition of Super Mario Strikers, players will have another classic title to enjoy on the GameCube app on their Nintendo Switch. A trailer released by Nintendo showcases the game’s fast-paced action, and it joins other titles like F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur 2.

Other anticipated GameCube games, including Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness and Super Mario Sunshine, will be added in future updates. However, access to these games requires the Expansion Pack upgrade for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

The anticipation surrounding Super Mario Strikers has also attracted the attention of imitators. In January 2025, an Xbox title called Mariostro Strikers: Soccer League briefly appeared on Microsoft’s storefront before being removed, likely due to its similarities to the beloved franchise.

As July unfolds, with Super Mario Strikers and the launch of Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Switch 2 edition, fans are eager to see what surprises Nintendo has in store for the GameCube lineup.

The recently launched co-op game PEAK has generated significant buzz in the gaming community, thanks to its engaging gameplay and the efforts of developers Aggro Crab and Landfall Games. They have expressed their gratitude to players for their enthusiastic support, which has been crucial for the game’s success. As indie games are often overshadowed by major titles, PEAK’s achievement serves as a reminder that smaller developers can still capture players’ attention.

Aggro Crab, known for their prior hit Another Crab’s Treasure, and Landfall, famous for their quirky title releases like Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, have come together to create a delightful and wholesome climbing adventure. This collaboration has resonated well with gamers, making PEAK an instant favorite. The developers are committed to enhancing the player experience, and they have shared future plans, including the introduction of localization and various updates ranging from quality-of-life improvements to new content.

The game’s launch was met with remarkable success, selling two million copies in just nine days. Players have overwhelmingly praised PEAK, dubbing it a “peak” game that offers a “fun and replayable” experience. Additionally, the developers hinted at upcoming merchandise ideas to further engage their fans.

Despite some technical issues like disconnection bugs and crashes, the dev team is actively working on fixes to enhance performance. With its rising popularity, PEAK is already being regarded as one of the best co-op games available, alongside titles such as Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure. As localization efforts ramp up, the game’s global reach is expected to grow, allowing even more gamers to enjoy this charming experience.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a new wave of refunds for Fortnite players, stemming from a significant settlement in 2022 where Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million. This decision came after allegations that the company engaged in deceptive practices, tricking consumers into making unintended purchases. The first batch of refunds, distributed in December 2024, saw over 629,000 players receiving an average payout of $114 as compensation for their claims.

The FTC’s initial announcement outlined the reasoning behind these refunds, highlighting issues with the game’s button configuration. They described it as “counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing,” which likely led to accidental purchases by players. More recently, on June 25 and 26, the FTC revealed that around $126 million has been allocated for the second round of refunds.

When combined with the first round, this brings the total refunds to approximately $198 million, leaving about $47 million remaining from the original settlement. Players eligible for these refunds can submit new claims until July 9 at ftc.gov/fortnite. To qualify, individuals must adhere to certain stipulations: if refunds are issued through PayPal, they must be accepted within 30 days; for checks, they must be cashed within 90 days.

The FTC’s claims against Epic Games included violations related to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for collecting minors’ personal information, as well as the burden of confusing purchase prompts. Besides financial restitution, the settlement mandated that Epic Games must obtain positive consent before charging players and stop locking them out of their accounts over disputed transactions. While these changes are promising for consumer rights, it remains to be seen if Epic Games will adequately address ongoing issues that have led to previous refund situations.

A Nintendo Switch 2 owner, known as Funaoe24, has issued a cautionary tale to the gaming community regarding the irreversible consequences of a permanent ban from Nintendo. With the Switch 2 being as closely managed as its predecessor, the company maintains strict control over online services. Violating their terms of service can lead to users being barred from accessing these services, sometimes for seemingly trivial reasons. Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, sales have soared, and excitement for upcoming exclusive games has been palpable among fans.

However, the platform isn’t without its issues. Funaoe24 shared a disheartening account that their sister experienced a harsh penalty after changing her username to “Twink Link,” which melds a playful reference to LGBT+ culture with a nod to Legend of Zelda’s protagonist. This seemingly harmless change resulted in a permanent “System Ban,” eliminating access to any Nintendo services for the console. Upon reaching out to customer support, Funaoe24 was informed that the only resolution would be to attempt to return the console to the retailer for a replacement.

The community reacted to this story with empathy, acknowledging the loss of significant online features from the console through what many perceived as an overly punitive action by Nintendo. While some users made light of the situation, suggesting the humorous name change was worth the ban, others expressed skepticism about the rationale behind Nintendo’s decision. The incident underscores Nintendo’s swift and uncompromising approach to enforcing its rules. Although many view these actions as excessive, they serve as a reminder for users to be cautious, especially regarding username selections.

As the successor to the original Switch continues to thrive, players should consider the potential risks involved in their online interactions.

Resident Evil Requiem, the much-anticipated newest addition to the franchise, is set to return players to Raccoon City on February 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Initially planned as an open-world game featuring multiple protagonists and online co-op gameplay, the final direction of Requiem has taken a more traditional approach. The game was notably highlighted at Summer Game Fest 2025, where it was the last big announcement of the event. In this installment, players will take on the role of Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak.

Grace is depicted as a nervous introvert, venturing through Raccoon City three decades after a devastating missile strike. The challenges she faces will include horrifying threats that push her to confront her deepest fears. Despite several design experiments that had the game leaning toward an action-oriented and cooperative style, director Koshi Nakanishi expressed that these directions didn’t align with fan expectations. During a Capcom Spotlight broadcast, it was revealed why beloved character Leon S. Kennedy is not the lead in this game.

Nakanishi described Leon as “a bad match for horror,” highlighting that his character’s demeanor doesn’t lend itself to the fear-driven narrative that Requiem strives for. In contrast, Grace’s fearful nature makes her journey through terror more compelling. Though fans will have to wait until 2026 to experience the game, excitement is already building, evidenced by over a million wishlists added. Players can expect a horror experience that allows for switching between first and third-person perspectives while staying true to the franchise’s roots.

Capcom assures fans of a single-player and offline experience, catering to the expectations of long-time residents of the Resident Evil universe.

Arrowhead Game Studios has announced a new update for Helldivers 2, featuring the highly anticipated Pillars of Freedom cape. This item has been a topic of conversation among players for months, especially in light of a review-bombing campaign the game successfully navigated.

The update aims to enhance the overall gameplay experience, coinciding with a recent significant battle on Super Earth and the removal of region locks from the PC version. In addition to the new cape, the studio has teased exciting future content, including leaks about an Automaton Homeworld and a new enemy type named the Observer.

For now, fans can enjoy the long-awaited cape, which emerged from the controversy surrounding PSN Account Linking on the PC and the subsequent review bombing. This update also features balancing changes, particularly aimed at leveling the battlefield against players by buffing a notorious enemy faction.

Arrowhead addressed various bugs in a smaller hotfix and responded to player feedback by nerfing Leviathans. Notably, they reduced their spawn rates, made their cannons destructible, and adjusted damage mechanics to create a more enjoyable gameplay environment.

Moreover, the Pillars of Freedom cape is not the only new cosmetic item. Following a recent event where players successfully repelled Illuminate forces, another cape named Protector of the Heart was introduced, displaying the Helldivers logo in a striking design.

With Helldivers 2, players can immerse themselves in thrilling cooperative gameplay, strategizing alongside friends to combat alien threats. The game emphasizes teamwork, allowing players to utilize powerful weapons and unique abilities to complete missions effectively.

Enlist today and become part of Super Earth’s elite military unit dedicated to promoting peace and democracy in a chaotic universe.

A player of Dune: Awakening recently voiced concerns on Reddit about the rise of griefers in the newly expanded PvE zone of the Deep Desert. With the release of patch 1.1.0.17, Funcom altered the game’s dynamics by significantly shrinking the PvP area in the end-game map, leading to tensions as players adapt to the changes. The Deep Desert in Dune: Awakening is structured into nine layers, each consisting of nine sectors, totaling 81 sectors. Previously, eight layers were dedicated to PvP encounters.

However, the current patch has transformed this landscape by extending the PvE zone to cover five and a half layers, resulting in a 50-50 split between PvE and PvP. The southern half of the Deep Desert is now entirely dedicated to PvE activities. In his Reddit post, user xxTRYxxHARDxx shared his frustrating experiences with griefers who are exploiting the game’s mechanics. These players, using Scout Ornithopters, have been ambushing those operating Carrier Ornithopters and Harvesters collecting Spice.

They utilize the collision system to ground Carrier Ornithopters and force players into vulnerable positions, where they risk being attacked by the Sandworms. This tactic poses significant challenges to players trying to thrive in these new PvE zones. Numerous posters chimed in, recounting similar instances of harassment and suggesting measures like the separation of PvP and PvE zones or enforcing stricter penalties for griefers. While some individuals connect these acts to dissatisfied PvP players, others argue that such behavior doesn’t reflect the majority of the PvP community, which typically seeks fair competition.

As Funcom contemplates solutions, the player base is eager for a resolution. Dune: Awakening, an open-world survival MMO, relies on maintaining an active community to flourish. With its captivating settings and immersive storytelling, players are keen to engage with the rich world of Arrakis without the threat of persistent griefing.

Nintendo recently shared insights into the use of Game-Key Cards for their Switch 2 console. These cards have sparked considerable debate among gamers since the console’s release on June 5, which saw over 3.5 million units sold in just four days. The controversy stems from the fact that Game-Key Cards do not contain the actual game data; instead, they provide a key to download the game, leading to frustration among many players. During Nintendo’s annual shareholders meeting on June 27, President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed concerns raised by shareholders, one of whom referred to the Game-Key Cards as a “half-baked measure.” Furukawa clarified that the decision to implement these cards was driven by the large file sizes of games for the Switch 2.

He emphasized that Game-Key Cards were designed to offer third-party publishers an option for distributing their games in retail, highlighting that the company consulted with these publishers before introducing this method. Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, added that Game-Key Cards help keep production costs low and provide developers with more flexibility. However, he acknowledged that they have not been well-received by gamers. The largest cartridge capacity for Nintendo Switch games is currently 64GB, which further complicates the physical distribution of larger titles.

On a positive note for fans, Nintendo has confirmed that there are no plans to use Game-Key Cards for its first-party titles. While it is uncertain whether this policy will extend to games developed by external companies but published by Nintendo, the company’s commitment to ensuring some physical copies actually contain the full game offers some reassurance to dedicated players.

Hideo Kojima, the renowned game director, has shared his motivation for including VTuber Usada Pekora in the recently launched Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. He expressed that his fondness for Pekora was the main reason behind her inclusion in the game. Initially, fans anticipated that Pekora might only appear as a brief cameo, but her role turned out to be more significant.

Usada Pekora is a well-known Japanese VTuber affiliated with Hololive Production, making her debut in 2019 as part of the third generation of Hololive. The announcement of her involvement in Death Stranding 2 was made in May when Kojima Productions revealed that she would appear as a Prepper NPC. Although the studio did not provide extensive details about how players would encounter her, they hinted at more celebrity cameos in the game.

Since its release on June 26, Death Stranding 2 has received positive acclaim for effectively building upon the strengths of its predecessor. During a recent interview, Kojima elaborated on his decision to include Pekora. He mentioned that after auditioning many potential cameos, he had to decline a large portion, ultimately stating, “If I like something, I will add it in [to the game].”

Kojima found Pekora’s gameplay amusing, which he viewed as a valid reason for her presence in the game. Interestingly, Usada Pekora’s role in Death Stranding 2 goes beyond a mere cameo; she plays a character integral to the game’s main quest. Players will encounter her during “Order 25: Deliver Piping Hot Pizza to the Data Scientist,” where they must deliver a pizza within a tight time frame.

Alongside Pekora, other notable cameos include celebrities like Conan O’Brien and Ma Dong-seok. After the game’s successful launch, Kojima expressed gratitude to fans for their positive feedback and acknowledged the challenges faced during development, noting moments when he felt the game might never reach completion. Following the release, Kojima Productions also issued a patch to resolve a crashing issue related to certain cargo deliveries, ensuring players enjoy a smooth experience in this eagerly anticipated sequel.