Gaming

Arms Review: The Sweet Switch Science

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I love fighting games. But I’m terrible at them. For all my desire to play a real-time game of chess, in which I predict and counter my opponent’s every move, I still launch into a Shoryuken when I meant to let loose a Hadoken. I am mechanically bad at the genre, so I have enjoyed fighting games only at the margins. Arms changes all of that.

Springing into action

Arms is exhilarating from the get go. The sick vocal samba track (which we recommend listening to as you read our review) amps you up for the bouts to come, punctuated (punch-tuated?) by the title screen that strikes with its graphic design. This is from a Nintendo infused with bold new blood.

The game pits people who woke up one day with extendable arms and decided to fight with them, to the adoration of fans worldwide. Just go with it. You control your colorful fighter — in my case, a Chinese woman named Min Min who has literal noodles for arms and a ramen bowl beanie — in over-the-shoulder one-on-one battles where you use your extendable arms as projectile fists. It’s boxing with Voltes V’s ultraelectromagnetic tops.

Mask on, mascots

The art direction in Arms speaks for itself. The characters are instantly recognizable. Hero games are all the rage (think Overwatch), and Nintendo enters the ring with this fighter that fuses the dev team behind Mario Kart with the freshness of Splatoon, proving again that they are the masters of creating video game icons.

Each of the game’s ten characters are instantly readable — you’ll never confuse Ribbon Girl with Mechanica. All thirty of the game’s titular arms (the weapons at the end of Min Min’s noodles) are also easily identifiable, and tell you if this particular fist is electric or fiery, heavy or light. The springiness of the characters’ arms communicates immediately whether your opponent’s attack will reach you, or whether you have enough time to slip in a counter. This readability is aided by the flawless 60 frames per second and 1080p/720p in docked/handheld mode, with antialiasing to boot. These visual elements combine to help you keep abreast of everything at any point during a match.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

Fighting in Arms feels great. I started off using traditional controls in handheld mode, and fell in love immediately. Nearly all inputs are one button, from dashing, jumping, blocking, and activating your super (here called the Rush). Left or right punches are thrown with the respective triggers. You grab by punching with both arms at once. The left analog controls your movement as well as allows you to curve the punch. That’s it. Its simplicity makes Arms not about complicated button combinations, but about spacing, movement, and timing: the fundamental fighter essentials distilled.

There is one egregious issue in the traditional controls — no button remapping. Block is mapped to clicking in the left stick (my least favorite input), which has led to the double-edged sword of me never blocking. This leads to Muhammad Ali-like weaves through punches, but also renders me vulnerable to Rush attacks that I’m unable to dodge fully.

His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see

Nintendo polishes a central mechanic to the point that it’s blinding. Grand Prix, the game’s single-player component, does a great job of putting it all together and serving as a tutorial for the brutality of online.

The mode has seven difficulty levels, which represents the most gentle learning curve I’ve ever seen. Ranked is locked behind beating Grand Prix at difficulty level 4, so upon beating the cakewalk level 1, I jumped right into 4… and immediately got annihilated by the CPU. But by taking it one increment at a time, I was trained in the game’s basics. By the time I made it back to level 4, I could stand toe to toe with the AI, and even managed to score a Perfect against the secret final boss.

The mechanics are such that every time you lose, it’s your fault, and the game shows you why. You can review a CPU match immediately afterward with the replay functionality. It lets you see things in slow motion from the opponent’s point of view, from an overhead perspective, and from a variety of cinematic angles. Even if you lose, it still feels good, because hopefully you’ll learn from it.

Rumble, young man, rumble

This positive reinforcement is good training for the saltiness of online. The Party Mode is good clean fun, with a volleyball variant (the ball is a bomb that explodes when it hits the ground) and a basketball minigame (your opponent is the ball, and if your grab succeeds, you dunk your opponent or get three points if you’re behind the line).

There’s a more serious 1v1 fight mode, but it’s peppered in between the sports modes and the absolutely insane 1v1v1, 2v2, and 3vCPU modes. It’s a great way to practice against real people, and the lobby is refreshingly presented — there will be times when you aren’t matched up, but you can peek into the progress of ongoing fights via the bubbles in the lobby. As of the most recent patch, a proper Spectator Mode has been added, but that’s currently limited to four in a lobby — two fighting, two spectating (normal lobbies have a max of 10 players).

The real meat of Arms is in Ranked. It’s gated behind beating the Grand Prix at level 4, so everyone there should theoretically know how to play. I say “theoretically” because I rocketed from ranks 1 to 7 without losing a single best-of-three game (Ranked peaks at 15 for now). I’ve never been competitive at a fighter before, and there’s nothing like the mind game of prediction, counter-prediction, and reading your opponent.

It’s early days yet for Arms, and figuring out the intricacies and depth brought by the different characters and arms (each of the ten characters can use all of the thirty available arms) is exciting. By getting in on the ground floor, we’re building the metagame in real time. It’s a good start for Nintendo’s branching out into games as a service.

Fast casual

“Let’s play,” I tell Belle, my cousin. We’re waiting for our food at Pancake House, and I figure this is the perfect time to live out a Nintendo Switch commercial. For medical reasons, I’d never tried the motion controls before. Belle boxes in real life, so I know she’ll like this. I pop off the neon blue and red joy-cons and hand them to her, and take out another pair. They’re Arms yellow, vibrant as a highlighter.

She looks through the character screen with great interest. “Is she black?” says the palest, most privileged woman in our family who’s learning about social justice at the Ateneo de Manila University. She’s talking about Twintelle. “She uses her hair to punch? I want her.”

By this point, I’ve had Arms for a week and am deep into Ranked with Min Min. I use a different character for the first time — Kid Cobra, who’s tearing through the tier lists because of his innate advantages in the current metagame that is focused on charged attacks and dashes.

We play three best-of-three matches, and Belle wins every time. Maybe Arms makes savants out of us all.

SEE ALSO: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review: The quintessential Switch game

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Match Pulse: ROG Xbox Ally X

The handheld finally feels like it belongs in your hands.

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October 15, 2025

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ROG Xbox Ally X

We’ve spent enough time with the ROG Xbox Ally X to say this: it’s no longer just a novelty, it’s a handheld that finally knows what it wants to be.

The first Ally from 2023 was exciting — a bold step toward making PC gaming portable. But after a few sessions, it felt more like a prototype for what was coming next.

This one? It feels complete.
So, in this edition of Match Pulse, let’s talk about how the Ally X grips better, plays longer, and why it finally deserves the Xbox badge printed on it.

First look

ROG Xbox Ally X

The first touch felt awkward — the kind of feeling you get when you’re not sure how to hold something new. But the longer you hold it, the more it starts to make sense.

The redesigned grips, patterned after Xbox controllers, give it a natural curve that rests well in your palms. It still doesn’t dig in as much as I’d like to – the way it does on the Legion Go S – but it’s certainly an improvement.

It’s subtly heavier than the original, but the weight works in its favor. The balance feels right. The texture, more grounded. It feels made for long sessions, not quick demos.

This is where ASUS seems to have listened. What was once a bit slippery now feels like an extension of your hands. The matte finish stays clean, the edges no longer bite. It’s a small but significant shift — and one that makes a world of difference in how it’s used.

First date

ROG Xbox Ally X | NBA 2K26

We tested it the same way we tested the original Ally: unplugged, Turbo mode, 25W TDP, NBA 2K Quick Play.

Back then, we couldn’t finish more than a single game and a few minutes of freestyle practice before the battery flatlined.

This time, it’s double that.

Two full games before reaching for the charger — and that’s without dialing down the settings. The new 80Wh battery doesn’t just promise endurance; it delivers it.

The cooling system has also been reworked, quieter yet just as efficient. It’s the kind of update that doesn’t make headlines, but you hear it – or I guess In this case, not hear it as much.

Together, these tweaks make the Ally X something the original never quite managed to be — a handheld that lets you play longer unplugged.

First impressions

ROG Xbox Ally X

The Xbox influence is everywhere, and it’s not just branding. The Ally X now boots straight into the Xbox app, with the familiar button logo acting as your home key. Press it, and you’re instantly back in the Xbox ecosystem.

It feels less like a PC pretending to be a console, and more like a handheld that understands both worlds.

You can still jump into Steam or Game Pass with ease, but the default experience is unmistakably Xbox — intuitive, familiar, and cohesive.

All these refinements add up to something simple but powerful: this finally feels like a true successor.

The ROG Xbox Ally X doesn’t reinvent the idea of handheld gaming, but it refines it where it matters — in the way it feels in your hands, in how long it lasts, and in how effortlessly it connects to what you want to play.

If the original was a promise, this one is fulfillment – still with room for improvement, sure, but I trust you get the gist.

Learn more: https://ph.rog.gg/playALLYourgames2025
Where to buy: https://ph.rog.gg/wheretobuy2025 

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A Pokémon leak reveals an MMO-style remake of Hoenn, Sinnoh

It’s scheduled to launch in 2028.

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October 14, 2025

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For a company that’s notoriously litigious, The Pokémon Company has done a remarkably poor job at keeping its details safe from leaks. Today, a new Pokémon leak has revealed so much more about what the franchise has in store for gamers in the coming years.

Exactly a year ago, a massive leak called the Teraleak revealed a trove of information for the series. At the time, the leak focused mainly on the upcoming Legends: Z-A (which coincidentally launches later this week) and the mysterious tenth generation.

Now, via Centro LEAKS, the team behind the Teraleak has uncovered more information. Most importantly, the upcoming tenth generation of games will feature MMO-inspired elements. It will feature a central hub where players can interact with others online. It will also have co-op raid bosses and the ability to explore underwater.

The tenth generation will reportedly have the name Pokémon Wind and Wave, scheduled for a 2026 release. Supposedly, they even found a logo for the duo already.

Past 2026, the leak says that a new Legends game is coming in 2027. This time, the faster paced franchise will take players to the Galar region.

Then, in 2028, the developers are reportedly releasing a dream project that will make every older Pokémon fan’s heart flutter. Project Seed is supposedly a multi-region remake set in a new region between Hoenn and Sinnoh. Being in between worlds, players will get the ability to traverse the two aforementioned regions from the past. It’s also an MMO, so it’s a big dream come true for fans.

That said, these are leaked plans from 2020. As crazy as this slate sounds, there’s still a chance that TPC’s plans have already changed today. As with all leaks, take it with a grain of salt.

SEE ALSO: Massive Pokémon leak reveals plans for Gen 10

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What to Expect at gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025

Bangkok gears up for Southeast Asia’s biggest gaming weekend yet

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October 13, 2025

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gamescom asia thailand game show

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok is about to become ground zero for gamers across the region as gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 takes over from October 16 to 19. With global heavyweights like Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, Capcom, and Ubisoft leading the charge, fans can look forward to four packed days of world premieres, hands-on demos, cosplay, esports, and exclusive merch.

Bandai Namco’s biggest booth ever

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia (BNE Asia) is going all out this year with its largest-ever title showcase, bringing both blockbuster releases and new surprises to Bangkok.

Playable titles include Little Nightmares III, MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice, Digimon Story Time Stranger, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, Once Upon A KATAMARI, and PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC, plus localized Thai demos of Little Nightmares III and ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition.

Fans can also look forward to Square Enix titles like FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake showcased within the same space. Completing the experience are exclusive freebies via a stamp rally, a photo op for CODE VEIN II, and a special guest appearance by Final Fantasy VII Remake Battle Director Teruki Endo on October 18.

Capcom brings new reveals, live shows, and cosplay power

Capcom’s lineup blends nostalgia, live entertainment, and fan engagement. Headlining the booth is the first Southeast Asian demo of Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, featuring all seven remastered titles in the series.

On the main stage, fans can catch developer sessions for Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, featuring Producers Kadowaki Akihito, Satoru Nihei, and Ryozo Tsujimoto.

Meanwhile, Thai YouTuber Gssspotted will host live gameplay demos of Resident Evil Requiem and PRAGMATA, followed by a Street Fighter 6 showcase led by Shuhei Matsumoto and Takayuki Nakayama — complete with a Top 16 tournament and a 30,000 THB prize pool.

Fans can also expect a daily cosplay gathering at 4 PM hosted by emcee YUKI, alongside exclusive Capcom merchandise and a custom illustration wall by artist Ryuta Fuse.

Ubisoft celebrates 10 years of Siege and showcases new games

Ubisoft is marking a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of Rainbow Six Siege, kicking off with a fireside chat featuring Creative Director Alexander Karpazis on October 16.

Across the weekend, the Ubisoft x Intel booth will feature hands-on gameplay for Anno 117: Pax Romana, Morbid Metal, Just Dance 2026, and Rainbow Six Siege, with exclusive goodies and cosplay meet-and-greets.

The publisher is also giving away a custom Intel x Siege PC — fans can join by snapping a photo at the Siege X booth and posting it online. Esports fans can catch daily 6v6 Siege showmatches, a creator exhibition match, and the Rainbow Six Siege Thailand Finals happening live on October 19.

A celebration beyond the main stages

Beyond the major showcases, the event floor will also be buzzing with more booths and interactive zones from top hardware brands like AMD, Intel, Predator, SteelSeries, Nubwo x EGA, and SIGNO. Visitors can explore even more game and publisher spaces from Nintendo, Xbox, HoYoverse, The Pokémon Company, Mytona, 4Divinity, Amazing Seasun, Razer Game Services, Staika, Ukiyo Studios, VNGGames, NCV Games, and Thermite Games — each bringing demos, merch drops, and activities that keep the energy going from one hall to the next.

Whether you’re there for Final Fantasy nostalgia, Monster Hunter reveals, or the Siege anniversary showdown, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 is shaping up to be the ultimate celebration of gaming culture in Southeast Asia — a rare crossover event uniting the world’s biggest publishers under one roof, all in the heart of Bangkok.

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