Gaming

All the announced Switch 2 games will make you buy the console

Open-world Mario Kart, 3D Donkey Kong platformer, a new FromSoftware title

Published

April 2, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

It’s safe to say that PC-based handheld consoles are now put on notice. After Nintendo’s more detailed announcement of the console, the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to reclaim its crown as the world’s best handheld console. While we have a breakdown of the console’s hardware here, it’s time to talk about the games you can play on the console.

Mario Kart World

The recently concluded Direct started off with a bang. It announced the upcoming Mario Kart World. Whereas the previous sneak peek showed off the game’s racing, the new trailer reveals something much more amazing than just a racing game.

For the first time, Mario Kart is an open-world game. Though you have the usual circuits and races, you also have the option to drive towards the next race. There’s also a free roam mode wherein you can just explore the world in your chosen car and character. It’s similar to arcade racers on other platforms such as Forza Horizon 5.

There’s a new mode called Knockout Tour which works like a battle royale. There are new cosmetics and power-ups. It’s definitely a revolution of the Mario Kart franchise.

Plus, it’s a launch day title, so you can get the new game as soon as the Switch 2 launches on June 5.

Donkey Kong Bananza

From the very beginning of the Direct to its ultimate end, here’s Donkey Kong Bananza. The presentation did not reveal a new 3D platformer for the Mario franchise. In lieu of that much-awaited announcement, Nintendo revealed a similar revolution for the Donkey Kong series.

Donkey Kong Bananza is the 3D platformer that we’ve been waiting for since Super Mario Odyssey. The platformer maximizes the Switch 2’s hardware. The graphics look amazing. Donkey Kong’s fur looks amazing. Plus, unlike Super Mario Odyssey, Bananza will feature destructible terrain. It’s not just Odyssey with a new skin; it’s something new.

Donkey Kong Bananza releases on July 17.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The Zelda franchise is also getting a nod for the new generation. Developed in partnership with Koei Tecmo, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a new title in the Hyrule Warriors series. It also ties directly into Tears of the Kingdom.

Zelda — not Link! — finds herself in the past participating in the Imprisoning War. With the help of Hyrule’s mightiest warriors, she must fight against the forces of darkness to save Hyrule. Because it’s a Hyrule Warriors game, it’s more action-packed, compared to the laidback style of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

It will launch this winter.

Kirby Air Raiders

Finally, Kirby is also getting a new title for the upcoming console. Though it’s practically just a teaser than an actual trailer, Kirby Air Raiders will continue the original Air Ride launched way back during the GameCube era.

We don’t know much about the upcoming title yet, but it’s coming from the original director, Masahiro Sakurai.

It is coming in 2025.

The Duskbloods

We now live in a world where FromSoftware can announce a new title and franchise during a Nintendo Direct. Despite Nightreign still launching later this year, FromSoftware is already laying down the tracks for its next major franchise, The Duskbloods.

Upon first seeing the trailer, you will be forgiven for assuming a sequel to the widely successful Bloodborne. In fact, it uses much of the same language including blood and moonlight. But this is an entirely new franchise.

As is typical with all FromSoftware trailers, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the new trailer. However, it does look like the game combines horror, cyberpunk, and the dark whimsy of Alice in Wonderland all into one title. It has the vibes of Lies of P. Then again, it’s FromSoftware, so we can assume something more.

The Duskbloods launches in 2026 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

This is one of the most recurring fever dreams for gamers. Is Silksong real? Fans of Hollow Knight know that, despite having the sequel announced six years ago, an actual release date is still a myth.

Nintendo just blew everything out of the water. In a brief four-second clip, the Direct announced that the much-awaited sequel to the widely successful Hollow Knight is launching this year. This was also supported by a tweet posted by Nintendo itself.

Is Silksong real? The Switch 2 wants to make it real.

Nintendo GameCube classics

As a new addition to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, the Switch 2 will give subscribers access to a growing library of Nintendo GameCube classics including The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Soul Caliber II.

Tons of modern games coming to the Switch 2

When the Switch 2 was announced, we assumed that the console was going to function similarly to the original console. That is, it’s a console meant specifically for Nintendo’s game but sprinkled sporadically with a few third-party releases operating at lower specs. Nintendo is thinking differently.

Today’s most popular games are coming to the Switch 2. These aren’t shabby titles either. The Direct confirmed that massive games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Borderlands 4, Yakuza 0, and Elden Ring, are playable on the new console.

The Switch 2 is making a statement, and it’s not looking good for the world of handheld consoles. Nintendo’s upcoming console is powerful enough to play modern games at a decent resolution. Plus, it can play Nintendo’s lineup of games, a feat you can’t do on other consoles.

Gaming

Life is Strange: Reunion now available on consoles and PC

Max and Chloe return for an emotional finale

Published

March 27, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have officially launched Life is Strange: Reunion, the latest entry in the narrative adventure series. Developed by Deck Nine Games, the title is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. A physical PlayStation 5 edition is also available across Southeast Asia.

The launch comes with an official trailer, marking the return of one of the franchise’s most beloved storylines.

A long-awaited reunion

Set 11 years after the original events, Life is Strange: Reunion brings back Max Caulfield and Chloe Price as they reunite to solve a new timeline-spanning mystery. This time, the stakes center on a devastating inferno threatening Caledon University–Max’s workplace as a photography teacher.

Returning from a trip, Max discovers the campus engulfed in flames, with lives lost across the university. She survives only by using her Rewind ability, a power that allows her to reverse time.

The situation takes an unexpected turn with Chloe’s sudden arrival–an outcome tied to the timeline-merging events of Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Now dealing with fractured memories and an unstable sense of reality, Chloe once again finds herself relying on Max.

Dual perspectives, new gameplay dynamics

For the first time in the series, players can take control of both Max and Chloe, switching perspectives as the story unfolds.

Max’s Rewind power lets players revisit decisions, reshape conversations, and manipulate environments to solve complex, time-based puzzles. Meanwhile, Chloe brings her signature Backtalk ability, allowing her to push conversations in her favor and access situations Max cannot.

This dual-character approach expands both narrative depth and gameplay variety, offering different ways to uncover clues and influence outcomes.

A character-driven finale

Life is Strange: Reunion continues the series’ focus on grounded, emotional storytelling, with choices that carry meaningful consequences. The game builds toward a dramatic climax that aims to close out Max and Chloe’s journey.

As the final chapter in their story, Reunion positions itself as both a continuation and a conclusion–tying together years of narrative threads while delivering a new mystery shaped by time, loss, and choice.

Gaming

Nintendo will make it cheaper to buy digital games than physical

Physical releases will have the same price.

Published

March 26, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The days of lining up for a newly released game are well and truly over. Though some games still experience shortages in brick-and-mortar stores, such as the widely successful Pokémon Pokopia, gamers can get their titles digitally. Now, Nintendo is making digital releases more enticing by offering a tempting discount on the eShop.

Starting in May, Nintendo will start charging different prices for the physical and digital releases of first-party games. While physical releases will still have the same prices going forward, digital releases via the eShop will enjoy a discount.

The discount, of course, will likely depend on the title itself. Nintendo has already given the upcoming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book as the first example. The new platformer will cost US$ 70 from retailers. However, it will cost only US$ 60 on the digital eShop.

The company says that the new pricing scheme “simply reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format.” With the prices of chips skyrocketing, it’s no surprise that the physical release is more expensive than the digital one.

To be more technical about it, Nintendo has started skipping a physical game card for a while now. The physical release of Pokémon Pokopia, for example, has only a game-key card or a code to download the game. In this format, physical releases are just pretty cases you can display on your shelf.

Also, digital releases do carry the added risk of getting delisted on the whims of the developers, the publishers, or Nintendo itself. It is, however, still a cheaper option, especially in a world where getting any discount is a welcome thought.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo sues the United States

Gaming

Razer Blade 16 (2026) packs more cores, faster memory

Razer’s thinnest gaming laptop yet

Published

March 26, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Razer has officially unveiled the 2026 version of its Blade 16, doubling down on what it does best: squeezing high-end performance into an ultra-slim chassis.

This year’s refresh focuses on meaningful internal upgrades. That includes a new Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, faster LPDDR5X memory, and NVIDIA’s latest RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs — all while keeping the Blade 16 as the thinnest gaming laptop in Razer’s lineup.

Performance gets a serious bump

At the core of the new Blade 16 is the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, featuring 16 cores and up to 4.9GHz boost clock. Razer claims a 33% increase in core count versus the previous generation, translating to stronger performance across gaming, content creation, and AI workloads.

There’s also an integrated NPU capable of up to 50 TOPS, enabling faster on-device AI tasks like image generation and live translation.

Memory gets a notable upgrade too. The Blade 16 now supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM, which Razer positions as the fastest available in a laptop today. The result: quicker responsiveness for heavy multitasking, creative apps, and AI-assisted workflows.

On the graphics side, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series (Blackwell architecture) brings DLSS 4 and enhanced AI capabilities for both gaming and creator use cases.

Display and design stay premium

Razer isn’t fixing what isn’t broken. The Blade 16 retains its signature CNC-milled aluminum chassis, measuring just 14.9mm thick and weighing around 2.14kg.

The display remains a highlight. You get a 16-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, now brighter and certified for VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. It supports full DCI-P3 coverage, Calman calibration, and NVIDIA G-SYNC, making it just as suited for creators as it is for competitive gaming.

Battery life and efficiency improve

Despite the performance gains, Razer is also pushing efficiency. Thanks to Intel’s newer architecture and system-level optimizations, the Blade 16 can hit up to 13 hours of productivity use and up to 15 hours of video playback under ideal conditions.

That’s a notable improvement for a machine in this class, especially given its slim form factor.

Connectivity and audio step up

The 2026 Blade 16 gets a future-ready connectivity suite, including Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. There’s also a full set of ports, from USB-A to HDMI 2.1 and an SD card reader.

Audio gets an upgrade too. The six-speaker system now supports THX Spatial Audio+ with virtual 7.1.4 surround, aiming to deliver more immersive sound both on speakers and headphones.

Price and availability

The Razer Blade 16 configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB VRAM) and 32GB LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM is priced at US$3,499.99 / €3,599.99 MSRP.

It is available now, exclusively via Razer.com and select RazerStores worldwide.

Still the Blade, just sharper

At a glance, the 2026 Blade 16 doesn’t reinvent the formula. But under the hood, it pushes performance, memory speed, and efficiency forward in ways that matter.

It’s still the same idea: a no-compromise gaming laptop that looks like it belongs in a minimalist workspace — just faster, smarter, and a bit more future-proof this time around.