Gaming

You can now cuddle Helldivers 2’s beloved SEAF troopers, though maybe don’t do what I did and try it when a Crusher’s standing next to you

• Helldivers 2 now lets players cuddle SEAF troopers.
• It is a small, flavourful interaction.
• Avoid doing it near a Crusher.

Helldivers 2 players can now cuddle SEAF troopers, adding a small, affectionate interaction with the game’s much-liked allied soldiers. The change matters mainly as a characterful addition to the co-operative shooter, giving players another way to engage with its war-torn setting beyond combat. The article cautions that the…

Pokémon Leak Claims Iconic Retro Games Will Get A New Switch Port Soon

• Rumour suggests Hoenn’s original games could arrive in autumn 2026.
• No official confirmation or release details have been announced.
• A release could coincide with Rayquaza-themed card products.

A leak claims that Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald may be released on a modern Nintendo platform in September or October 2026. If accurate, this would give players official access to the original Game Boy Advance versions for the first time on current hardware, while helping fill the…

Sony has ‘zero understanding for what their customers want’ says gaming preservation group

• Preservation group criticises Sony’s move away from game discs.
• Many modern physical games still require downloads to work fully.
• Advocates want lasting ownership and offline access.

Game-preservation advocate Clemens Istel has criticised Sony over its expected move away from physical disc support, arguing that it shows poor understanding of customers’ desire to retain control of games they buy. He says the shift could further weaken ownership rights, make games more dependent on online services…

‘The End of Oak Street’ Review: The Jurassic Park Knockoff We Didn’t Know We Needed

• An effective, nostalgic dinosaur adventure with time travel.
• Creature design and spectacle are the film’s strengths.
• Human characters and science explanations are less convincing.

The End of Oak Street is praised as an unexpectedly successful Jurassic Park-style adventure, using time travel to strand a suburban neighbourhood in the age of dinosaurs. The review argues that director David Robert Mitchell captures the appeal of 1980s Amblin cinema more effectively than recent Spielberg-inspired films,…

Fight Night Round 3 on Xbox 360 Was the First ‘Holy Sh*t!’ Game of the HD Era

We're looking back at milestone games in the run up to Xbox's 25th anniversary, and today it's time to remember the mind-blowing visuals of Fight Night Round 3.

Mini Review: Future Knight (Switch) – Channels The Spirit Of Tiger Handhelds To Great Effect

• Stylish, surreal shooter with strong retro handheld-inspired visuals
• Combat is rewarding despite limited originality
• Better suited to larger screens than handheld mode

Nintendo Life’s review finds Future Knight a distinctive and enjoyable Switch action game, chiefly because of its deliberately retro Tiger handheld-inspired visual style and surreal comic-book premise. Although its run-and-gun gameplay is not especially original and some platforming feels awkward, the reviewer considers its personality, well-designed combat and…

How Two Jingle Writers Turned a Sudden Video Game Obsession Into a Hit Novelty Song in 1981

• Jingle writers made Pac-Man into a timely 1981 novelty hit.
• Arcade sound effects helped make “Pac-Man Fever” distinctive.
• The hit prompted an entire album about video games.

In 1981, Georgia jingle writers Gary Garcia and Jerry Buckner turned their sudden enthusiasm for Pac-Man into “Pac-Man Fever”, a novelty song that became a hit as arcade gaming surged in popularity. Its success showed how quickly popular culture could be converted into music when the subject, timing…

Stardew Valley Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Goes Old School With Physical Game and Manual

• Physical Switch 2 edition arrives on 5 February 2027.
• It includes a cartridge and 18-page manual.
• Existing owners can download the upgrade free.

A physical Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Stardew Valley is due to launch on 5 February 2027, replacing the current digital-only option with a cartridge and an 18-page printed manual. It matters mainly to new players and collectors, offering a more traditional boxed release with a map and…

Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition reaches PS5 on 1 October

• Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition arrives on PS5 on 1 October 2026.
• It adds a roguelike bounty mode and story expansion.
• Existing owners can upgrade for £11.99/$14.99.

Sony will release Ghost of Yōtei: Complete Edition exclusively for PS5 on 1 October 2026. The definitive version of the 2025 action game adds a roguelike survival mode and a new story episode, while allowing existing owners to upgrade rather than buy the game again. The new Most…

Gears Of War: E-Day’s New Xbox Controllers Are Metal As Hell

Gears of War: E-Day is Microsoft's next big exclusive, and as you'd expect, a limited-edition Xbox wireless controller has been announced for the game. Fans will also have the option to design their own controller, as the Xbox Design Lab has been updated with a new Emergence Day-themed skin. Priced…