Gaming

I played Mario Kart World and it was a full-throttle race to the finish

It’s the most intense Mario Kart yet!

Published

April 4, 2025

Mario Kart World is everything you love about Mario Kart, but crazier. From new characters to fresh game modes, it takes what we know and pushes it further. And let me tell you, I had no idea what I was in for.

First things first, character selection. The roster is massive, featuring all the familiar faces plus some unexpected new ones — including, believe it or not, a literal cow from Moo Moo Meadows.

Yes, I actually raced as the cow on my first go. The new vehicles look super glossy, and picking one is much simpler now. No more choosing a glider.

If you are in the air, you automatically get wings. If you hit water, your kart just turns into a boat. No fuss, no overthinking.

Knockout Tour

The real difference is the number of players. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had 12 racers. In Mario Kart World, there are 24.

Imagine the amount of bumping into each other, the amount of objects flying around, the constant shifting of your position. It is crazy.

One second, I was in fourth place, feeling good about myself. The next thing I knew, I had dropped to 16 or 17. If you are not careful, you can go from leading the pack to fighting for your life in an instant.

After some test runs in handheld and docked mode (shoutout to my friend, Enebong, for the friendly competition), it was time for the real deal.

We were all ushered into a big room with 24 players standing side by side, ready to test out the new mode called the Knockout Tour.

This is how it works. There are six races back-to-back. No breaks. At each checkpoint, there is a cut.

First, you have to finish in the top 16. Then the top 8. Then the top 4. Once you get to the final four, it is a battle for first place.

I would love to say I dominated, but that would not be true. Every round, I just barely made the cut.

I was never at the top, always just scraping by. When I made it to the final four, I was in fourth place. But somehow, when it mattered the most, I got to first and held my lead till the end. I still do not know how that happened, but I am not complaining.

Beyond the racing, there is something completely unexpected. Mario Kart World introduces an open-world concept. Think Forza Horizon, but with Mario.

Instead of being stuck on a track, you can roam around, interact with NPCs, and explore. I did not get enough time to figure everything out, but there are tasks, coins to collect, and maybe even some hidden surprises. I am curious to see what you can actually do with those coins.

Bonus adventure

Just when I thought I was done, I also got to play Donkey Kong Bananza. It is best described as Super Mario Odyssey, but with Donkey Kong as the lead.

He is fully dressed this time, and the whole game is centered around mining for gemstones. You smash things, hurl obstacles, and collect ores, all leading to the ultimate prize — a banana-shaped diamond.

I played through both levels of the demo, and I already know I want more. It has that platformer style I enjoy, but with more brute force. There is something so satisfying about just smashing your way through a game.

Shaking things up

Mario Kart World is going to be a very exciting game to play, whether you are just messing around with friends or taking on the Knockout Tour.

The 24-player madness, the way you can lose your lead in a blink, and the open-world exploration all make this something I can see myself coming back to again and again.

And if Donkey Kong Bananza is any indication, Nintendo is cooking up some really good stuff this year.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to schedule my next Mario Kart night. See you on the track.

Related Topics:Mario Kart Mario Kart World

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: