The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will receive a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition when the system launches June 5. But the open-world game might feature "certain improvements such as faster load times" even for players who don't pay for the enhanced upgrade. That's because original Switch titles could get performance boosts without spending extra money on Switch 2.Speaking with GameSpot, Takuhiro Dohta was asked whether it was possible to see a performance boost in Zelda: Breath of the Wild without upgrading to the Switch 2 Edition. "First I'll start with what happens when you play a game without applying the update, which is that, and this will depend heavily on how the original game was created and also how it was designed. But I think you can expect certain improvements such as faster load times, maybe improved frame rate. But again, it'll depend on how that game was built," explained Dohta, who's the Switch 2 director and previously served as technical director on Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (another title with a Switch 2 Edition). Last week, Nintendo noted that some Switch games will receive free updates for Switch 2, such as Super Mario Odyssey and Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. It's unknown exactly what will improve for each title, but Clubhouse Games will get GameChat functionality, for instance.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Grammy-winning artist Sabrina Carpenter is on her way to Fortnite with skins, music packs, and more. Officially announced in a blog post on the Fortnite website, the artist will headline Fortnite Festival Season 8 as this season's Icon, beginning on April 8.For those unfamiliar, Festival is sort of like a Rock Band-like game mode that lives within Fortnite and lets up to four players perform together online. Carpenter is the latest of Festival Icons joining Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Metallica."I've always found it exciting for fans to be able to interact and engage with music through different art forms and to interact in a way that’s genuinely fun," Carpenter told Rolling Stone in a statement. "So, for the fans that haven't been able to come to the tour, or to any new fans, this is such a special way to still be a part of Short n' Sweet world."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

With the Switch 2 generation, Nintendo will introduce Game-Key cards, which don't contain the game's data and instead trigger a downloadable version for you to play. Since the card will act as an authentication device, that has left potential Switch 2 buyers concerned about the resale value of their game. Fortunately, it looks like Game-Key cards won't be tied to your Nintendo account, as it has been revealed that regardless of the Switch 2 unit that they're inserted into, the user will be able to play the game tied to them."So key cards will start up on the console or system that it is slotted into, so it's not tied to an account or anything," Nintendo's Tetsuya Sasaki explained to GameSpot.It's not clear yet why certain games will use the Game-Key format, but the Nintendo customer support page did confirm that a Game-Key Card is required to remain inserted in the Switch 2 after that game has been downloaded and installed. An internet connection is only required when booting up a Game-Key Card for the first time, after which the game can be accessed in offline mode on the Switch 2. Game-Key cards will also be marked by a white banner at the bottom of Switch 2 game cases, to differentiate them from Switch 2 cards that contain the full game on them.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Transformers Collaborative: Sonic the Hedgehog x Transformers Action Figures $35 (was $50) | Releases June 22 Preorder at Target The Transformers franchise is no stranger to crossovers. Several popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Monster Hunter, and even Canon cameras have been turned into robots in disguise, and at long last, Sonic the Hedgehog is getting a Cybertronian overhaul. Preorders are now live for the Sonic and Tails Transformers figures ahead of their June 22 release, which reimagine the Sega icons into Transformers. You'll get both of them in a single pack, and best of all, the bundle is discounted from $50 to $35. Target rarely does this with preorder deals, so there's a good chance that these toys will sell out fast. Transformers Collaborative: Sonic the Hedgehog x Transformers Action Figures $35 (was $50) | Releases June 22 The pack include the Blue Booster and Wingtail Tansformers five-inch action figures, which are based on Sonic and Tails, respectively. Blue Booster converts from a chunky blue robot into a car that resembles Sonic's vehicle from the game Sonic All Stars. For accessories, he comes with a ring shield and jewels. The Wingtail figure transforms into a biplane and features a detachable engine thruster that becomes a blaster. Preorder at Target Sonix x Transformers Wingtail and Blue Booster figures in vehicle modeWhile the rest of the Sonic cast doesn't feature in this new line of toys, you can complement the Transformers with some mech-nificent Lego sets that are on sale. The best character from Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles, has a 276-piece Guardian mech Lego set that's on sale for $29.74 (was $35) at Amazon. The completed mech features tons of articulation, and the set also includes minifigures of Knuckles and Rouge, a giant Master Emerald, and a glider vehicle piloted by Rouge. There's also the $30 the 290-piece Tails Cyclone Lego set, which lets you build a bipedal mech based on Tails' iconic biplane, and comes with minifigures of Tails and Metal Sonic.Sonic the Hedgehog Mech Lego SetsLego Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles Guardian Mech (276 pieces) -- $29.74 ($35)Lego Sonic the Hedgehog: Tails Cyclone vs. Metal Sonic (290 pieces) -- $30More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Is First Switch 2 Game You Can Preorder In The US Dune Lego Set Gets Rare Discount - Snag The Ornithopter For Its Best Price Yet Astro Bot PS5 Console Bundle Deals Still Available At Amazon + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5) Minecraft Movie Steelbook And Exclusive Crafting Table Edition Up For Preorder Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Delayed Due To Tariffs, Release Date Still June 5 MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2 - Here Are Your Options Lego Mario Kart Building Sets Get Nice Discounts At Amazon Pac-Man Fans Can Preorder Shadow Labyrinth Secret Edition For Only $60 Info from Gamespot.com

The long-rumored remake of Bethesda's popular 2006 RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion continues to come into focus. Reporter Jeff Grubb of GameSpot sister site Giant Bomb offered an update on the project today during GameBreaking News, saying he expects the game to release soon.In fact, Grubb said he expects Bethesda to shadowdrop the game "at any moment this month." That means Bethesda would announce and release the game at or around the same time, it appears.This tracks with previous rumors and reports that said Bethesda might announce and release the game close together, at some point in April. An earlier report said Bethesda was considering a June launch.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The Last of Us returns to HBO on April 13, and it’s shaping up to be another emotional journey for Joel and Ellie. And if you’re looking for some inspiration for your spring wardrobe, consider taking a note from Joel. His iconic jacket isn’t some exclusive Hollywood costume. Instead, it’s a premium piece from Flint and Tinder that’s available for $298. It's a bit pricey for a jacket, but it’s earned rave reviews from buyers thanks to its durable construction and upscale design. Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket $298 Sold by the popular lifestyle retailer, Huckberry, the Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket is designed to grow better with age. According to the manufacturer, its weather-resistant Martexin sailcloth ages like leather or denim--meaning it’ll pick up a unique patina based on your wear patterns. It’s also designed to be soft and wearable right away, so you won’t have to worry about “breaking in” your new jacket.Along with its waxed and weather-resistant Martexin 7 oz. sailcloth, the jacket is insulated for added warmth, features a body and sleeves lined with a striped blanket fabric, and comes with an interior pocket to hold your phone.Four different colors are available, but stick with the standard Field Tan if you want the same one as Joel. You’ll also find seven different sizes and two different fits (classic or tall). Free shipping and returns are included for addresses within the US. See at Huckberry Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker JacketGallery If you're curious how Season 2 is shaping up ahead of its premier on April 13, be sure to check out GameSpot's The Last of Us Season 2 review. Reviewer Mark Delany praises the first batch of episodes as a worthy follow-up to Season 1 and a great adaptation of the video game, saying, "Like its first season, The Last of Us Season 2 is a heart-wrenching examination of the ever-shifting distance between right and wrong, and as a whole, it's well on its way to becoming the best video game adaptation there is."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Bungie is set to finally reveal what playing Marathon, an extraction-shooter revival of Bungie's sci-fi FPS series, will be like. A gameplay reveal showcase is slated for April 12 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.Marathon's social media accounts sparked to life in the past week, pointing to an ARG (alternate reality game) that led to online sleuthing for puzzle solutions and secrets, in the process unveiling new artwork for the game and presumably helping to unlock Bungie's official announcement of the gameplay showcase.Nothing compares to a warm dead body. 🐈Join us on Saturday, April 12 @ 10AM PT for the Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase.#MarathonReveal📺🟣 https://t.co/j72GOyFm9y pic.twitter.com/kcFuZnARLA — Marathon (@MarathonTheGame) April 6, 2025 Bungie's next game was announced two years ago with a stylish trailer but few details other than it would be an extraction shooter set in the same universe of Bungie's old, pre-Halo IP that ended with Marathon Infinity in 1996. Marathon is Bungie's first new game since the release of Destiny 2 in 2017, though Destiny has received regular updates and expansions since then.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Nintendo confirmed to GameSpot that it is actively in discussion with developers whose Nintendo Switch games have compatibility issues on Nintendo Switch 2.Shortly after last week's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, a webpage emerged outlining all of the Switch games with compatibility issues on the Switch 2. Although the majority of the original Switch's library is compatible with the new piece of Nintendo hardware, some titles have in-game compatibility issues while others have problems just starting up in the first place. These problems aren't just popping up for obscure indies either.Games like Another Crab's Treasure, Doom Eternal, and Fortnite are having problems with start-up, while titles such as Harvestella, Overcooked: All You Can Eat, and Stumble Guys have in-game compatibility issues. In an interview with Nintendo's Technology Development Division General Manager Tetsuya Sasaki, GameSpot asked if Nintendo was in discussions with and offering insights to the developers behind these Switch games with Switch 2 compatibility issues.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The next big title update has been announced for Assassin's Creed Shadows, and this will see numerous quality-of-life upgrades added to the game, improvements to the PS5 Pro version, and several bugs are addressed. Title update 1.0.2 will be available to download on all supported platforms on April 8, starting at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET.Ubisoft says that it has focused on various game improvements, like an auto-follow option for players when they're on horseback. While this function was present in several of the previous Assassin's Creed games, it was absent when Shadows launched in March. To use it, players can activate the pathfinder feature to enable auto-follow to a marked destination. Horse speeds in cities have also been increased, but you'll still want to watch out for pedestrians so that you don't anger the local authorities. Other highlights of the patch include the option to tag and sell/dismantle multiple items in shops or at the hideout forge, the ability to reset Mastery nodes in the skill trees, and a new shortcut for direct access to the investigation board. If you're playing the game in Performance mode, the Hideout will no longer be capped to 30fps when you visit it.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The Plucky Squire: Devolver Deluxe Edition $46.54 (was $55) for PlayStation 5 See at Amazon The Plucky Squire: Devolver Deluxe Edition $50 (was $55) for Nintendo Switch See at Amazon The Plucky Squire Standard Edition $33 for PS5 or Switch (was $35) See at Amazon The collector's edition of one of the most charming and joyful games of 2024 is on sale for the first time at Amazon. Officially called The Plucky Squire: Devolver Deluxe Edition, this physical edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch is packaged in an oversized box that contains the game, an art book, and the original soundtrack. The Devolver Deluxe Edition of the whimsical storybook action-adventure released on February 21 for $55. If you're interested in picking it up, you can get the PS5 version for $46.54 or the Switch edition for $50.The Plucky Squire originally released on digital storefronts last September for $30. There's also a standard physical edition without the extras for $33 (was $35).Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

One of the more mysterious elements of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was the Upgrade Packs, the one-time-purchase codes that let owners of certain Nintendo Switch games to access each game's upgraded Switch 2 Edition versions. The biggest mystery surrounding the Upgrade Packs was the cost, and Nintendo of America VP of product and player experience Bill Trinen has confirmed in an interview that the codes will cost $10 each--at least for the two Zelda games.Speaking with IGN, Trinen responded to a question regarding the Upgrade Packs by confirming that anyone who has purchased The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom can make a one-time purchase of an Upgrade Pack for $10. The $80 MSRP that emerged after the event, Trinen says, is only for those who have not previously purchased the game. "For somebody who has bought Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild, the upgrade packs for those are $9.99," Trinen said. "And if you happen to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the Zelda upgrade packs are inclusive within that membership. So there's no additional charge for those."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Standard Edition $70 Preorder at Amazon Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Limited Edition $100 Preorder at Amazon Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is available to preorder now ahead of its September 5 launch. The sequel to the 2019 Switch exclusive, which was later ported to PC, will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on release day. Though Switch 2 console preorders in the US have been delayed, you can already preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion. That makes it the first Switch 2 game available to preorder from a US retailer.A brand-new copy of Daemon X Machina typically fetches higher prices today than it did at launch ($60)--you can get a preowned copy from GameStop for $40--so preordering early may be a wise move, especially if you're interested in the collectible edition with extra goodies. Daemon X Machina's Limited Edition costs $100 and comes with a handful of extras despite only being priced $30 higher than the standard edition.Let's take a closer look at Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion preorders for both physical editions.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Artificial intelligence remains one of the biggest talking points in video games and many other industries, and now Nintendo of America's president has weighed in to share his thoughts.Doug Bowser told CNBC that he sees opportunities for AI technologies to enhance productivity in some areas, but when it comes to actual game development, humans will always lead the way."If developers choose to use AI--and it is a discussion right now at Nintendo--it's not the only method of developing games," he said. "We still believe that what makes our games special is our developers. Their artistic capabilities. Their insight into how people play. So there is always, always going to be a human touch and a human engagement in how we develop and build our games."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

For decades, Nintendo has introduced a string of iconic characters that have transcended their video game spaces and become pop culture icons. From television to movies to their own theme parks, Mario and friends have become a merchandising machine--something the company has understood for some time now, and what Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser wants to continue."Going all the way back to our origins in 1889, we were all about entertainment. We started out as a manufacturer for playing cards...through our history, we've had various interactions of gameplay. Whether that's toys, bowling alleys, a whole host of things," he said on MSNBC. "Now? Absolutely. Video games are at the core of our entertainment experiences, but we've also learned that these characters and these worlds have the ability to step beyond the video game environment." He was asked if Nintendo was "coming after Disney" with this kind of approach. Bowser didn't see it that way, but wanted to state the company's important mission statement.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Nintendo has said that Switch 2's eShop won't have any theme music, just like the first Switch didn't, as a result of not wanting to disrupt the user experience.In an interview with Polygon, Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto said, "Unlike back then, the eShop now has lots of videos that are showcasing the games." Before the Switch, systems like Wii and Wii U had music themes playing as users browsed their respective eShops. "We didn’t want to intrude on that, so we don’t have music there."Kawamoto added that he wanted to make sure that browsing the Switch 2 eShop was a smooth experience, that the list doesn't stall, and that pages load fast. Due to those factors, the eShop won't have any theme music.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com