Gaming

Nintendo Direct June 2023: All the trailers you missed

A new 2D Mario, Detective Pikachu, and Pikmin 4

Published

June 21, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

A Nintendo Direct often includes only a handful of big announcements and a more overwhelming smattering of smaller titles. This time, however, Nintendo went with the big guns. If you’re a Mario fan, this month’s Direct is a treasure trove of new and upcoming titles.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Let’s get the biggest gun out of the way first. To cap off the direct, Nintendo announced a new 2D Mario game coming to the Switch. The platformer will focus on a new powerup called the Wonder Flower. After getting the Flower, “expect the unexpected,” as the Direct explains. The power-up causes a lot of different effects including making pipes come to life and stretching Mario vertically like a spring.

Besides the Wonder Flower, the game will also have an elephant-themed power-up to turn the player into the animal. Plus, Daisy is a playable character — going along with Mario, Luigi, Daisy, and Toad.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will launch October 20, 2023.

Super Mario RPG

Older fans rejoice! The original Super Mario RPG from the SNES is getting a remaster for the Switch. Featuring updated graphics but the same gameplay, the upcoming title will drop on November 17, 2023.

To go along with the new game, Nintendo also teased two new titles: an upcoming Peach game and a remake of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon from the 3DS.

Pikmin 4

Though the Mario franchise got a well-deserved boost during this Direct, the spotlight is firmly on Pikmin 4. Releasing on July 21, the fourth entry in the series got a gameplay trailer to show off what players can do in the title. This time, players must repair their spaceship and find lost Pikmin with a rescue dog name Oatchi.

Plus, for the first time, players can explore at night. Night expeditions will feature a new type of Pikmin called Glow Pikmin. Creatures will also be more aggressive at night, adding an element of risk for nighttime explorers.

To go along with the new major release, Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2 are now available for the Switch.

Detective Pikachu Returns

Let’s not forget the Pokémon franchise. The Direct saw the debut of a new game in the Detective Pikachu series. In Detective Pikachu Returns, players are once again solving mysteries around town. Unfortunately, the trailer does not spoil what exactly those mysteries are. However, Mewtwo does pop up, so expect larger plotlines in the title.

Detective Pikachu Returns will drop on October 6, 2023.

WarioWare: Move It!

Finally, WarioWare: Move It! has finally received a launch date. The title will feature over 200 microgames involving the Joy-Cons. It encourages players to… well, move it. The movements involve a variety of activities including washing a dog and balancing through a Mario 64 sliding course.

WarioWare: Move It! will launch on November 3, 2023.

Old titles coming to the Nintendo Switch

If the Switch is your main console, you’re getting a variety of classic titles to play. First of all, the Batman Arkham trilogy in its entirety — including all three games and DLCs — is coming to the Switch. Also, Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 — which includes the first game, Sons of Liberty, Snake Eater, Snake’s Revenge — will bring the Metal Gear Solid franchise to the Switch. Just Dance 2024 is also confirmed for the console on October 24.

To round off the slate of announcements, Nintendo has also announced that Vampire Survivors is coming to the console on August 17. It will feature four-player couch co-op.

Gaming

Tides of Annihilation opens first public demo at Gamescom 2026

First hands-on

Published

August 6, 2026

Leez

Tides of Annihilation will make its public playable debut at Gamescom 2026.

Developer Eclipse Glow Games announced that attendees can try an extended demo of the upcoming action-adventure game during the event in Cologne, Germany. Players can find the demo at Hall 6, Booth B-050 inside Koelnmesse.

The studio will also reveal a new trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, before the show floor opens.

Demo offers more exploration and combat

The Gamescom demo gives players a longer look at Tides of Annihilation. It features branching paths that lead to different exploration routes and combat encounters. Players can also explore key locations and experience several of the game’s biggest set pieces.

“Gamescom will be an incredibly important moment for our team since this will be our first global playtest and we’re excited to see how first-time players experience our game,” said Ary Chen, Game Director and Co-CEO of Eclipse Glow Games.

“The team has poured heart, soul, and maybe even a few tears into developing the game over the last few years, and it’s finally our opportunity to share it with players. We’re looking forward to seeing their reaction.”

Members of the press and content creators can also schedule private hands-on sessions with the development team during the event.

Arthurian-inspired adventure

Tides of Annihilation blends fast-paced action with a Neo-Medieval vision of modern London. The story follows Gwendolyn after an Outworld invasion leaves the city in ruins.

Driven by a mission to save her sister, she travels between a shattered London and the mythical realm of Avalon. Along the way, she uncovers the mystery behind her newfound powers. She must also decide the fate of reality itself.

Eclipse Glow Games is developing Tides of Annihilation for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Gaming

Street Fighter 6 adds first Filipino fighter Yasmine to its roster

Eskrima fighter joins battle

Published

August 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Street Fighter 6 has officially welcomed Yasmine, making history as the first Filipino martial artist to join the franchise’s playable roster. The new character is now available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the game’s Year 4 content.

Yasmine practices Eskrima, having learned the Filipino martial art alongside her older brother under their grandfather’s guidance. She wields Karambit knives in battle and embarks on a journey to find her missing brother.

Players can access Yasmine by purchasing the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass. Her default outfit features traditional Eskrima-inspired combat attire, while a school uniform serves as her second costume. In combat, she specializes in fast, aggressive attacks that build toward an enhanced Bayani Mode.

Yasmine is the first of four Year 4 fighters, followed by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also arrives alongside battle balance adjustments affecting the entire roster.

Onimusha crossover arrives this week

Capcom also announced a limited-time collaboration between Street Fighter 6 and Onimusha. Running from August 7 to August 31, 2026, the event introduces Oni EX character colors, themed Battle Hub decorations, avatar items, and additional rewards for players who log in during the event.

The update also adds new Avatar Arcade courses, additional ending scenes, a Frame Meter option for Avatar Random Match, and refreshed Master ACT rewards.

Philippine launch event set for August 9

Capcom will celebrate Yasmine’s debut with an official Philippine community launch event on Sunday, August 9, at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. The event runs from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features a double-elimination tournament, gameplay showcases, giveaways, and community activities.

Attendees can also receive limited-edition Yasmine merchandise, including event T-shirts, lanyards, and collectible keychains while supplies last. Special guests and cosplayers are also scheduled to appear. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to venue capacity.

Gaming

Gangstar Mirage City launches on August 20 with SEA localization

Join a faction now for a chance to win rewards

Published

August 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

Gangstar Mirage City is set for a full regional launch on August 20, with localization for the Southeast Asia region.

Published by Level Infinite, the free-to-play multiplayer, urban, open-world action game is available for download on iOS and Android.

The full regional release features an expanded open world, a new PvP Arena mode, and local languages.

In Gangstar Mirage City, players can team up for up to 4-man co-op heists, drive powerful vehicles, customize their arsenal, build an empire, and fight for control of Rooklyn City.

Players can register on gangstarmiragecity.com for in-game rewards.

In Southeast Asia, players can also register as a member of their respective local faction and get an exclusive in-game Avatar to represent their loyalty:

Philippines: Manila Brigade
Indonesia: War Kanda
Malaysia: Taiko Tedung
Thailand: SIAM APEX

Factions will be ranked based on how many players join and support them. The winning faction will enable all members to get 300 Diamonds, sent directly to their accounts.

Meanwhile, all players, including those who already began their journey in Rooklyn City with the soft launch last July, are invited to join the Global Vault Heist.

Reaching the final Registration Milestone will unlock the Full Tilt Vehicle Pack. These are the rewards up for grabs per milestone: