After much anticipation, Nintendo has confirmed that the development team behind Donkey Kong Bananza is the same group responsible for creating Super Mario Odyssey. This new 3D platformer marks the next significant installment in the Donkey Kong franchise, where players will control Donkey Kong and Pauline as they venture underground in search of Banandium Gems, which hold the power to grant wishes. Donkey Kong Bananza was first introduced during the Switch 2 Direct stream on April 2, 2025, and further insights into its mechanics and storyline emerged in a follow-up stream on June 18, 2025.

Since the announcement, fans have speculated about the identity of the development studio due to Nintendo’s deliberate secrecy. Certain stylistic choices and gameplay elements hinted that the creators of Super Mario Odyssey would eventually be confirmed as the developers for Donkey Kong Bananza. This speculation was validated at a recent preview event, where Nintendo disclosed that the Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development team, alongside 1-Up Studio, is behind the project.

However, the company has yet to share which specific members are involved. Nintendo’s last major title, Super Mario Odyssey, was released in late 2017, just after the original Switch launch. Eight years later, it remains the latest mainline Super Mario game, leaving fans curious about what the development team had been up to.

The findings from the recent footage further support this connection. The shops seen in the gameplay showcase a similar design to those in Super Mario Odyssey, and the visual cues when Donkey Kong collects Banandium Gems resemble those of Mario’s Power Moons. Additionally, the character Pauline returns as a younger version of herself, further linking the two titles.

While this reveals a promising future for Donkey Kong Bananza, it may delay the arrival of the next flagship Super Mario game. With many of the original Super Mario Odyssey developers onboard, fans can expect yet another top-tier 3D platformer from one of Nintendo’s most esteemed teams.

Thursday, July 10 is set to be an exciting day for fans of The Sims 4. This date marks the launch of the new expansion pack, Enchanted by Nature. Since its debut over a decade ago, The Sims 4 has experienced a rocky start, initially facing criticism for the absence of key features that fans of the series had come to expect. However, the game has significantly evolved since then, thanks to numerous free updates and paid expansions, which have continuously introduced fresh content and features.

The upcoming Enchanted by Nature expansion is particularly noteworthy as it will finally introduce fairies to the game. Players will have the opportunity to immerse their Sims in nature, allowing them to live outdoors and forage for various items. A key highlight of this expansion is that Sims can adopt fairy characteristics, complete with unique traits that will transform gameplay. To complement this content, the new Innisgreen world features three specialized neighborhoods designed for all the new adventures players can embark on.

The expansion pack will retail for $39.99 upon its release. For those who purchase Enchanted by Nature before August 21, bonus items will be included to enhance the gaming experience. Early buyers will receive exclusive gifts such as the Lofty Leaf Pond, Luminous Mycena Lantern, and the Disguised Dwelling Fairy Home. However, players will still find an abundance of new items available regardless of when they choose to buy.

While there is ongoing interest in a potential Sims 5 or more details about Project Rene, many players are content with the support and updates for The Sims 4. With Enchanted by Nature on the horizon, it certainly seems that the excitement for this life simulation game will continue for the foreseeable future.

Surgent Studios has recently unveiled a new horror game titled “Dead Take,” featuring renowned voice actors Neil Newbon and Ben Starr. Newbon, known for his roles in “Detroit: Become Human” and “Baldur’s Gate 3,” along with Starr, who gained recognition in “Final Fantasy 16” and “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” are set to lead this eagerly anticipated project. “Dead Take” is the second offering from Surgent Studios after their upcoming Metroidvania title, “Tales of Kenzera: Zau,” slated for release in 2024.

Positioned as a psychological horror game, “Dead Take” is expected to launch on Steam in 2025. In the game, players will navigate through a lavish Hollywood Hills mansion in search of a missing friend, encountering escape room-like puzzles along the way. As the chilling narrative unfolds, players will uncover the dark secrets of the entertainment industry, a theme that resonates with Creative Director Abubakar Salim’s insights drawn from personal horror stories shared with Newbon and Starr.

The announcement of “Dead Take” was accompanied by an intriguing trailer, offering glimpses of the game’s atmosphere and environments. Players will interact with an in-game cinema to compose live-action clips, with settings ranging from a vibrant dance club to a glamorous red carpet. The trailer also teased a mysterious character named Willie, who appears to be intertwined with the protagonists Chase Lowry and Vinnie Monroe.

This project is crucial for Surgent Studios, especially following financial struggles after “Tales of Kenzera: Zau” struggled to perform commercially despite critical acclaim. With “Dead Take” representing a significant opportunity for success, its release is highly anticipated within the gaming community.

A passionate fan of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has ingeniously recreated the iconic villa from the reality show Love Island within their village in the popular life simulation game. Since its release for the Nintendo Switch in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has captured the hearts of players, solidifying its place as the second best-selling game on the console with around 47 million copies sold.

This impressive achievement highlights the game’s widespread appeal and community engagement. The creative potential of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is vast, allowing players to personalize their island resorts with unique designs.

Fans have utilized the game’s advanced terraforming tools and decorative elements to pay homage to various cultural properties, including famous landmarks like Princess Peach’s Castle and the Great Deku Tree. The game’s intricate clothing design system further enhances creativity, enabling players to craft custom outfits.

In a recent showcase on the official subreddit, a Reddit user known as Small-Horse-6833 displayed their remarkable design inspired by Love Island. The user successfully recreated the villa’s exterior, featuring a large couch, a pool, and a ping pong table.

The interior showcases a detailed reimagining of the show’s bedroom and common areas, complete with custom posters that mirror the show’s promotional material. This impressive design comes on the heels of Animal Crossing: New Horizons receiving its first updates in two years.

In June, Nintendo released several small updates aimed at improving game performance, especially on the newly launched Switch 2. Excitingly, discussions have emerged surrounding the future of the franchise, with rumors suggesting that Nintendo might announce a new entry in the series, potentially during an upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Fans of Animal Crossing have much to be excited about in the near future.

A recent mysterious post from Mojang, the developers behind Minecraft, has ignited extensive speculation and discussion within the game’s community. This interest follows the release of a new free content package and the Vibrant Visuals graphical overhaul on Bedrock Edition.

As Minecraft shifts its development focus from large annual updates to smaller, more frequent ones, fans are eagerly anticipating what 2025 will bring. The intriguing post showcased a screenshot of a lush cavern environment from the game, capturing player attention with its subtle hints.

Notably, the number “29” appears shaped into the ground, alongside the letters “CU” in the background. Additionally, a console message indicates that players are teleported to the coordinates 29, 11, 63.54.

Many players enjoying the newly released Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies update are excited to discover the new marketplace add-ons. While numerous theories have emerged about the post’s meaning, one interpretation has gained significant traction: Mojang may be teasing a future update focused on copper.

This speculation is supported by several connections—the atomic symbol for copper is “Cu,” its atomic number is 29, its atomic mass is 63.54, and it belongs to group 11 on the periodic table. Some fans have wondered if the numbers could indicate a specific release date for the next content drop, although this theory remains less likely.

There’s hope for another drop this fall, and an overhaul to copper could introduce exciting new mobs, items, and weapons, enhancing Minecraft’s gameplay experience significantly. The recent Chase the Skies update features the delightful happy ghast mob, which players can care for and ride.

This new addition not only adds a whimsical element to the game but also opens up endless possibilities for exploration and creativity. Ultimately, Minecraft offers players a unique experience that allows for personal expression and adventure.

Whether building intricate designs, exploring vast landscapes, or engaging with the game’s myriad creatures, the possibilities are virtually limitless. The community aspect further enriches the experience, enabling players to share their creations and collaborate within diverse worlds.

Pokémon GO is set to introduce an exciting Hisuian form during its upcoming July event, showcasing one of the most beloved variants from the Hisui region. Since its launch nearly a decade ago, Niantic has continuously expanded the creature roster for players to capture.

Recently, there have been hints of Eternatus making its way into the game later this year, making the announcement of a Hisuian event even more thrilling. This summer promises a busy schedule for Pokémon GO, featuring a variety of events in the coming months.

In July, players can look forward to several “Spotlight Hours” featuring fan favorites like Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Feebas. Additionally, Niantic has revealed the “Max Finale” event, associated with the 2025 Pokémon GO Fest, highlighting Sword and Shield Legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta in their Crowned forms.

Early July will also introduce a much-anticipated Hisuian form as part of these events. To further enhance the excitement, the creators of Pokémon GO are providing free reward codes for the GO Fest 2025, offering players a chance to snag bonus goodies.

The newly announced “Ultra Unlock” event will spotlight various Hisuian forms, introducing Hisuian Zorua and its evolution, Hisuian Zoroark, for the first time in the game. Players will need 50 Zorua candies to evolve Hisuian Zorua, with increased encounter rates for other native Hisuian Pokémon such as Hisuian Qwilfish and Voltorb.

Notably, space-time anomalies will return during this event, allowing players to experience mysterious phenomena and encounter different Pokémon. Participants can also enjoy 4x XP and Stardust for catching Pokémon, alongside increased chances to find shiny variants of the featured Hisuian Pokémon.

The “Ultra Unlock” event will run from July 8 to July 13, bringing numerous perks and special Pokémon for players. As Pokémon GO marks its ninth anniversary, players can expect increased spawn rates for Kanto starters and significant updates like the introduction of Gold Bottle Caps for competitive gameplay.

With so much in store, Pokémon GO fans have plenty to anticipate for the remainder of the year.

Steam has introduced an exciting new update that equips players with tools to monitor their system performance during gaming sessions. While similar features are available through various third-party applications, this integrated solution from Valve simplifies the gaming experience by reducing the number of programs users need to run alongside their games. In late 2024, Steam also added video recording options for both its PC platform and the Steam Deck.

Players welcomed this built-in feature, as it allows them to capture gameplay without relying on external software. This move not only streamlines the user experience but can also enhance overall gaming performance by minimizing background resource usage. The latest update, rolled out in June 2025, addresses several issues while introducing convenient enhancements to the platform.

One notable addition is the performance monitor, designed to overlay directly onto the player’s game screen. This tool provides real-time information on frames per second (FPS), as well as CPU, GPU, and system RAM usage. Users can also customize the performance monitor by adjusting the display’s color saturation, text size, and opacity, ensuring that it remains visible yet unobtrusive.

To activate the new performance monitor, players need to enable it in their Steam settings. They can access this feature by navigating to the In-Game category in the settings menu and selecting their preferred overlay position, like the top-left or bottom-right corner. Additionally, a toggle key can be configured for easy access without repeatedly navigating through settings.

Valve is committed to refining the performance monitor, with plans to add more troubleshooting data and detailed analysis within the Steam overlay. While currently aimed at Windows users with common GPU hardware, the feature is expected to expand support for older systems and non-Windows platforms in the future. User feedback has been positive, indicating a promising start for this new feature.

The latest beta build for Genshin Impact has introduced significant changes to the character Ineffa. Her abilities have been weakened, while a newly enhanced Elemental Reaction called Lunar-Charged has been added.

As the game gears up to transition from Natlan with Version 5.8, players can expect the debut of a permanent Summer Event zone, alongside a prologue for the next Archon Quest Chapter. Ineffa is a 5-Star Electro Polearm character from Nod-Krai and plays a crucial role in connecting various storylines within the game.

Though Ineffa does not belong to prominent groups such as the Hexenzirkel, Knights of Favonius, or the Fatui Harbingers, she will introduce players to the Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop. The character shares thematic elements with figures like Wanderer and Albedo, while her gameplay is similar to Emilie and Fischl.

In terms of balance, recent updates to Ineffa’s abilities have reduced her personal damage output, though her overall contribution to team dynamics is expected to remain stable. The nerf to her Elemental Skill is notable, but the damage multipliers for the Lunar-Charged reaction have been buffed.

This change positions Lunar-Charged as a clear upgrade over Electro-Charged, which should foster new team compositions in the game. Looking ahead, players are advised to plan their character pulls strategically.

Ineffa is anticipated to pair effectively with upcoming characters, notably a 5-Star Geo female who may introduce Lunar-Crystallize. Meanwhile, those with Electro or Hydro hypercarries will benefit from including Ineffa in their teams.

As Genshin Impact approaches its next update scheduled for July 30, 2025, players are encouraged to explore the expansive world of Teyvat, filled with elemental mysteries and diverse allies.

A recent leak has highlighted an exciting new ability for Wolverine in Marvel Rivals, ahead of the anticipated launch of Season 3 on July 11. While NetEase Games has yet to officially announce Season 3, numerous details have surfaced through leaks regarding new heroes, maps, and overarching themes. Current speculation indicates that Season 3 may revolve around Knull, the creator of the Symbiotes, with a variety of new Symbiote-themed skins poised to be included. Additionally, fan-favorite characters Phoenix and Blade are rumored to appear, with Blade’s potential introduction being teased during Season 2.

His presence in the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda map suggests he could be playable sooner rather than later. As details unfold, the focus has increasingly shifted to Wolverine’s updates. According to leaker X0X_Leak on Twitter, Season 3 is likely to unveil a new team-up ability for Wolverine and Phoenix. This ability could arrive as early as the season’s launch date and is said to significantly enhance Wolverine’s gameplay.

Specifically, the new ability is rumored to provide Wolverine with both increased movement and a Rage reward. While the exact amount of Rage is still uncertain, its introduction hints at the retirement of Wolverine’s current Fastball Special ability. Moreover, it’s suggested that this new team-up ability might block Wolverine’s Feral Leap. Nonetheless, fans should remain cautious, as all these rumors surrounding Marvel Rivals Season 3 are unofficial until confirmed by NetEase Games.

In the meantime, the developers are offering fans a taste of upcoming content, set to roll out in Season 2, including Captain America’s Captain Klyntar and Spider-Man’s Future Foundation skins on July 3. A new map featuring Klyntar is also on the horizon.

Marvel Rivals has announced exciting new skins for two of its most beloved characters, Captain America and Spider-Man. These skins represent the final releases of Season 2, which is set to conclude in mid-July. Earlier in May 2025, the game showcased Future Foundation skins for Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing, and Spider-Man, amidst much anticipation as Spider-Man’s outfit was initially kept under wraps. With the conclusion of Season 2 approaching, eager fans can finally enjoy a detailed look at Spider-Man’s variant as well as Captain America’s new skin.

The developers revealed through a social media post that both Spider-Man’s Future Foundation skin and Captain America’s Captain Klyntar variant will be released on July 3 at 7:00 PM PDT. Spider-Man’s new look features a sleek white spider suit adorned with black stripes and a belt showcasing the Future Foundation logo. In contrast, Captain America’s Klyntar skin showcases him in a full black outfit, utilizing Symbiotic matter to extend his limbs. In addition to these notable skins, a trailer for Spider-Man’s Future Foundation costume has demonstrated its ability to change colors during combat.

Marvel Rivals hints that Captain America’s Klyntar costume could be a glimpse into the themes of Season 3, which fans speculate may focus on Klyntar symbiotes. Although details remain unofficial, it appears that Season 3 could launch on July 11, following the conclusion of the current Battle Pass. As for future characters, leaks have suggested that Blade and Jean Grey may be making their debut in Season 3, each possessing unique abilities. With an extensive roster of Marvel heroes and villains, players can enjoy fast-paced 6v6 action with dynamic strategies and ever-evolving battlefields in this thrilling superhero shooter.