Category: Games

Kingdom Two Crowns is now available on PC Game Pass, about four months after it was introduced on other tiers of the service. This addition is part of a broader update, as Xbox Game Pass is set to welcome five more titles within the next six days. One of the most notable new titles is Barbie Project Friendship, which has recently joined the Game Pass library.

This title marks the fifth addition to the service since early June 2025. Alongside Barbie Project Friendship, another game has been added to the PC Game Pass catalog. Developed by Xaloc Studios and Casual Brothers, Barbie Project Friendship is an adventure game set in Malibu, allowing players to explore various mini-games and activities.

The game also offers a couch co-op mode, which adds to its appeal. Although it launched in late October 2024 with modest critical reception, player feedback has been more favorable, as evidenced by its “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam and a 3.6-star rating on the Xbox Store. On June 11, Barbie Project Friendship officially became available on Xbox Game Pass, coinciding with the addition of Kingdom Two Crowns.

This 2018 strategy game has been accessible to console players since February 2025 and features both local multiplayer and online co-op modes. Kingdom Two Crowns has received “Very Positive” reviews on Steam and holds a 78 average rating on OpenCritic. While neither title is a day-one release, they are now part of the non-Core tiers of Xbox Game Pass.

They represent the midpoint of the June 2025 Wave 1 lineup, which will also include EA Sports FC 25 on June 12, followed by The Alters on June 13, and additional titles on June 17. A Wave 2 announcement is anticipated around June 17, featuring titles such as Against the Storm and the upcoming Grounded 2. However, Game Pass subscribers should be aware that seven titles will be removed from the service on June 15.

Epic Games has initiated legal action against a Fortnite player accused of creating and selling cheat software. This lawsuit asserts that the individual, identified as Ediz Atas, also known as Sincey Cheats and Vanta Cheats, has been marketing software since January 2023 that provides players with unfair advantages, such as the ability to see through walls and auto-aim at enemies.

According to Epic, this cheating undermines the integrity of the game, violates its end-user license agreement, and affects player retention, which in turn impacts the company’s revenue from in-game purchases. The lawsuit also highlights allegations that Atas impersonated an Epic Games employee, sending misleading emails to YouTube’s copyright team to evade takedowns related to the software.

Epic has made it clear that they have banned thousands of players caught utilizing this cheating software. Furthermore, the lawsuit targets five unnamed individuals who are reportedly selling the software through platforms like Discord and various websites.

In gaming news, Fortnite has launched Chapter 6 Season 3, which centers around superheroes. This season features an exciting battle pass that includes characters such as Robin and a version of Superman inspired by an upcoming James Gunn film set for release on July 11.

Recently, a significant collaboration with the Star Wars franchise allowed players to experience epic moments, like blowing up the towering Death Star. Additionally, rumors are swirling about a potential new game mode for Fortnite OG, sparked by leaks from known Fortnite insiders.

It is suggested that Epic might eliminate bots from the OG version, creating a more competitive environment filled solely with real players. There’s also talk of a casual version of Fortnite OG that could incorporate a mix of players and bots, although these changes remain unconfirmed.

Overall, with a vibrant new season and potential new features on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating what comes next for Fortnite.

Street Fighter 6 has achieved remarkable success, selling over 5 million copies since its launch in June 2023. The game’s popularity surged following its release on the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting the impact of new hardware on sales. Capcom has also announced that the upcoming Season 3 DLC will introduce characters like Sagat, C. Viper, Alex, and Ingrid, keeping the excitement surrounding the game alive.

The impressive sales numbers for Street Fighter 6 reflect its favorable reception from both fans and critics. The game secured the title of Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2024, further cementing its status in the fighting game community. This announcement follows Capcom’s earlier reports of franchise sales, where Resident Evil topped the charts with over 170 million units sold across all entries.

Although Street Fighter has sold 56 million units over its history, it remains a strong contender in the competitive gaming landscape. The release of Street Fighter 6 on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5 coincided with new modes and gameplay features compatible with the console’s Joy-Con 2, which may have contributed significantly to its recent sales boost. While the game now comes on a Game-Key Card for the Switch 2, players have voiced concerns regarding the DLC being available only through a code that will expire in two years.

Many are puzzled as to why previous DLC content wasn’t included on the card itself. Looking ahead, fans anticipate the arrival of new characters in Street Fighter 6’s roster. Sagat is expected to launch this summer, with C. Viper and Alex following later in the year, while Ingrid is set to debut in Spring 2026.

Players can engage with both legendary and new characters in this edition, which features enhanced gameplay systems, a Real-Time Commentary Feature, and an immersive single-player story mode called World Tour. With a focus on community through the Battle Hub, Street Fighter 6 fosters player interaction and competition, ensuring a vibrant gaming experience.

Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 recently introduced the new Strategist hero Ultron and the Hellfire Gala: Arakko map. However, players have raised concerns about changes made to hitboxes after the patch, claiming they are now excessively accurate. Released in December 2024, Marvel Rivals has emerged as a free-to-play 6v6 shooter featuring over 30 Marvel characters, set in a variety of destructible maps. Players can engage in various modes, including Domination, Convergence, and Doom Match.

This latest update not only introduced Ultron but also the limited-time Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol and several new skins, such as Mister Fantastic’s Future Foundation skin and Hawkeye’s Binary Arrow skin. The season also offered a sneak peek at upcoming Future Foundation skins for popular heroes like Invisible Woman and The Thing. Despite these additions, complaints have surfaced within the community regarding the accuracy of hitboxes. A player on Reddit shared video footage showing K-pop star Luna Snow attempting to attack Spider-Man.

Despite being close to hitting him, Spider-Man managed to evade the attack, leading to discussions about the adjustments made to hitbox accuracy. Players pointed out that these changes require a heightened level of skill, noting that even slight positional shifts can result in missed shots. Players have been vocal about their frustrations, with requests ranging from disco-inspired skins to ongoing hitbox complaints. Some compared the hitbox adjustments to nostalgic moments from games like Halo 3, highlighting the balance between enjoyable gameplay and frustrating experiences in competitive settings.

On a positive note, rare skins are making a return, including Venom’s Snow Symbiote bundle and Hawkeye’s Galactic Fangs bundle. Additionally, holiday skins, like Magik’s Frozen Demon bundle, offer players new opportunities to enhance their character appearances during the summer season.

Barbie Project Friendship is set to arrive on Xbox Game Pass on June 11. This local co-op game features a mini-game reminiscent of Overcooked, combining fun gameplay with casual competition. I’m looking forward to diving into it, especially as a fan of local co-op modes. Xbox Game Pass has had a remarkable year so far, consistently rolling out high-quality titles, and June 2025 is no exception.

In addition to Barbie Project Friendship, several new games have already been added to Xbox Game Pass this month, including Crypt Custodian, Symphonia, and enhanced versions of the classic Baldur’s Gate series. The excitement continues with the remaster of Space Marine 1 launching on June 10, followed by Barbie Project Friendship on June 11. Players will also see other titles like Kingdom: Two Crowns, EA Sports FC 25, and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time arriving throughout the month. As someone who enjoys playing co-op games with my wife, discovering new local multiplayer titles is always thrilling.

Although my experience with the Barbie brand is limited to the recent Greta Gerwig movie and an old CD-ROM game, the local co-op nature of Barbie Project Friendship compels me to give it a chance when it joins Xbox Game Pass. In this game, players assume the roles of two Barbies working to save the Malibu Waves Community Center by completing various quests and mini-games. From the screenshots, it looks like they can participate in a tennis mini-game or a salon experience reminiscent of Overcooked. While it may not offer deep gameplay, it has the potential to provide an entertaining co-op experience.

Though Barbie Project Friendship doesn’t have extensive professional reviews, it holds a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam. I wouldn’t normally consider buying it, but with its addition to Xbox Game Pass, it’s an opportunity that’s hard to pass up. If it turns out to be disappointing, at least it’s a low-risk endeavor, especially with so many other exciting titles available this month.

GameStop has introduced an enticing offer for customers looking to trade in their original Nintendo Switch. If you show a receipt for a Nintendo Switch 2 purchase, you can receive 20% more trade-in value for your Switch until June 15. This promotion is available to all customers, including GameStop Pro members, and applies regardless of where the new console was bought.

This offer comes shortly after GameStop’s Switch 2 global launch, during which some customers reportedly experienced issues stemming from improperly handled packaging. Specifically, a GameStop store in New York stapled receipts to the front of the Switch 2 boxes, damaging both the packaging and the consoles themselves. Fortunately, GameStop and Nintendo addressed the situation, offering free replacement units to the affected buyers.

With the excitement surrounding the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, GameStop is clearly trying to encourage customers to trade in their older models, such as the original Switch or the Switch OLED. The standard trade-in value for an original Switch is typically $75, or $82.50 for GameStop Pro members. With the additional 20% from the Switch 2 purchase receipt, these amounts increase to $90 and $99, respectively.

The offer is even more appealing for those trading in a Switch OLED, where GameStop Pro customers can receive up to $124.40 in store credit. Before you trade in your original Switch, consider performing a system transfer to retain your save data and system settings. Once both consoles are updated with the latest firmware, you can initiate the transfer through the System Settings option on the original Switch.

The Switch 2 will prompt you to import data during setup, ensuring a seamless transition between devices. As the gaming landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how many customers take advantage of this trade-in offer.

Nintendo Switch 2 users will be pleased to learn that their old Joy-Con controllers from the original Switch are still compatible with the new console. While the upgraded Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 come with enhanced features and improved ergonomics, retaining the older models can be advantageous as backup controllers. The new Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 offer several upgrades.

They are larger than the original versions, providing a more comfortable grip for many players. Additionally, the new Joy-Cons feature improved connectivity thanks to their magnetic capabilities and introduce features that the previous generation lacked, such as the GameChat button. Each new Switch 2 console includes one pair of Joy-Cons, which works well for solo gaming.

However, for those who enjoy multiplayer experiences, having extra controllers can be beneficial. Some fans have raised concerns regarding the design of the Switch 2, specifically about potential issues it may present to users. On a brighter note, players have discovered that their older Joy-Cons can still be synced with the Switch 2, even if they do not connect physically.

One Reddit user showcased their experience of pairing a new right Joy-Con with an older left controller, confirming that they could play with this mismatched setup. While some players have questioned the practicality of using two different Joy-Con models, there are scenarios where this pairing could be advantageous. For instance, players with smaller hands may find the mixed configuration beneficial for accessing the Switch 2’s mouse-like features.

Ultimately, many players might choose to keep their old Joy-Cons for backup use or local multiplayer gaming. Given that new Joy-Cons cost around $90 and the Pro Controller is slightly less, holding onto older controllers can help save money, especially with the Switch 2’s launch price at $450. With up to eight controllers able to sync simultaneously, the old Joy-Cons remain valuable assets, far from being mere dust collectors.

An insider has recently suggested that The Elder Scrolls 6 could make a surprise appearance at the Xbox Games Showcase scheduled for June 8. Since its initial reveal in 2018 through a brief cinematic trailer, details about the game’s development have been scarce. The absence of updates since then, along with the emergence of new projects like Starfield, has left fans eagerly anticipating any news regarding the next installment. Speaking on the Xbox Two podcast, journalist Jez Corden addressed the speculation surrounding The Elder Scrolls 6.

He stated that while the game remains a “pie in the sky” possibility, recent rumors indicating increased internal discussions at Microsoft may suggest that a trailer could be circulating within the company. This hints at a slight possibility of the game’s appearance at the upcoming showcase, despite it not being a certainty. Corden also noted that it’s not unusual for Microsoft to showcase games internally without revealing them to the public. This means that although there is a chance for The Elder Scrolls 6 to be featured, it’s still far from being a sure thing.

Nevertheless, considering the massive excitement surrounding this RPG among gamers, any hint of a reveal could generate considerable buzz in the gaming community. As fans continue to wait for news on The Elder Scrolls 6, the successful remaster of Oblivion has demonstrated that the franchise remains incredibly popular. Despite the long gap since the last mainline release, interest in the series has not waned, and expectations are high when the game eventually makes its debut. Until then, fans are left with a mix of hope and patience as they anticipate Bethesda’s next move.

Players have the exciting opportunity to vote for the next companion in Disney Dreamlight Valley, selecting options for species and aesthetic. Upcoming updates will introduce classic characters, Peter Pan and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, enriching the game’s vibrant roster. The Community Companion Design Challenge allows players to play a pivotal role in shaping future updates. They can influence details such as friendship levels with companions and the aesthetics of new characters.

Voting for the next companion is open until June 9, with certain aspects already determined while others remain up for grabs. Gathering beloved Disney characters in one village is a core concept of Disney Dreamlight Valley. Since its early access launch in 2022, the game has regularly expanded, introducing new characters with free updates and Expansion Pass content. Peter Pan is set to enter the game on June 18, followed by Aurora’s addition in a paid update on July 9.

There’s also potential for superheroes from the Marvel franchise to eventually join the community. In addition to human and humanoid characters, Disney Dreamlight Valley features companion animals. This includes familiar faces like Moana’s Heihei and Pua, alongside generic small animals. Currently, players are participating in a five-round vote to collectively design the next companion, deciding on various factors.

Initial rounds revealed a baby dragon as the leading choice and a cottagecore aesthetic prevailing over others. The third round is ongoing, focusing on neckwear, while the themes for the final two rounds remain undisclosed. Following the upcoming update, players’ choices in the design challenge will significantly impact their experience. A recent Developer Update announced that with the release of “Mysteries of Skull Rock” on June 18, players will be able to build friendship levels with their companions, enhancing interaction just like with regular villagers.

Looking ahead, more updates are planned, including content related to “Inside Out” and a return to “Beauty and the Beast,” with hints of a charming new duo to come. A winter update may also introduce a new villager likely connected to Cinderella.

Shiny hunting in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has become notably easier with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to enhanced spawn rates and improved performance. The recent update allows the game to run at up to 60 frames per second, which aids in making Shiny hunting faster and more efficient. Players familiar with the original version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have reported significant improvements under the Switch 2 patch.

This update permits more Pokémon to appear simultaneously on the screen, making it easier to encounter Shiny variants, especially when utilizing methods like the Sparkling Sandwich. This new patch addresses many of the technical issues the game faced since its launch in November 2022, including long loading times and erratic frame rates. As players continue to explore the possibilities created by the Switch 2, they’re finding new Pokémon to add to their collections.

Some users on the r/PokémonScarletViolet subreddit have documented their Shiny hunting successes using the improved capabilities of the game. Examples include ChaoticBlueShells showcasing multiple Flutter Mane, with seven of them being Shiny during a brief clip from Area Zero. The update allows over 30 Pokémon to appear on-screen, greatly enhancing the Shiny hunting experience.

When combining the upgraded performance with level 3 Sparkling Sandwiches, trainers can significantly boost their chances of finding Shiny Pokémon. For instance, JayyQuizzleGaming demonstrated the effectiveness of using a Sparkling Sandwich with a Fairy buff, successfully locating several Ralts within just 30 minutes. Given the shared Fairy-type between numerous Pokémon, including Flutter Mane and Ralts, now is an exceptional time for players eager to engage in Shiny hunting amidst ongoing events like the Porygon2 Mass Outbreak.