Gaming

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions review

A fun anime game that feels more like versus fighting than football

Published

September 10, 2020

GadgetMatch

Captain Tsubasa Rise of Champions encapsulates the concept of fun and dumb!

When I first opened up Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions I’ve been jaded with the same old football games that come out year after year. I have been playing other football games every year since 2010, I remember enjoying every novel idea those games had to offer. However, as the years went by I grew tired of a lack of proper game innovations that didn’t involve the word “lootbox”. In comes Captain Tsubasa.

Become a superstar

Although Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions is a soccer/football game, it’s core mechanics are anything but. The game feels more like an anime fighting game, in the same vein as jump force. There are combos, special moves, power meters to enjoy.

Every action feels involved, we are told to wittle down the opposing goalkeeper’s “spirit” by peppering him with shots, until his spirit is broken and he allows a goal. Other ways to secure a goal exist, such as the titular Captain’s “Drive Shot” — a super kick from the half way mark, that when shot with a full super meter, will always secure a goal.

Attacking is incredibly fun, but, defending is another matter. Defending feels like you’re playing a henchman about to get beat by a superhero. When you try to steal a ball, it makes sense to aim for a ball, right? Wrong, you have to run towards the opposing player and to knock them back.

This lack of intuition is shared even with the AI, as the game will automatically switch your defending character without warning and with no sense, allowing your opponent to score an easy goal.

Experience the anime

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions follows three major arcs of the 2018 Captain Tsubasa anime to a tee. I mean, they really follow those arcs.

In this game is a 30 hour story, complete with gameplay, romance, drama and everything a person might love from the anime and more. This game has a rich story with characters you can root for. Instead of giving us a generic main character with a generic story, like some “journeys” out there, Captain Tsubasa gives us a whole roster of iconic characters to engage with.

Just when you might feel like you could just watch the anime to experience the story, the game also gives you the opportunity to affect the story, as Rise of Champions, gives you your own created character to rise through the ranks.

The game lets you increase his stats through training, playing well and forming bonds with both teammates and enemies alike, letting you choose how you play your own superpowered football star.

The issues with the game also start and end with the anime. The story is as cliché as it can get, and it doesn’t really you give you anything other than try your best and achieve your dreams. Don’t expect shakespeare coming into this story.

Test your skills around the world

Once you finish the story you can either play through the story again to make more football stars, or you can jump online. Online gameplay lets you use any of the teams you’ve encountered in Story Mode, and you can use them in any way you want. You can tweak formations, tactic. I used my team to mimic my favorite team Liverpool football club and it works wonders.

Then, when you really want to test everything the game has to offer, you can create your own custom team featuring the players you’ve made and completed the game with. You can take this team to online tournaments and battle it out to see who’s the next world champion superstar.

A beautiful rendition

The art style of game is incredible, and although Yoichi Takahashi’s art style may seem dated to modern anime fans, the game beautifully renders it with such stunning detail and dynamic particle effects you’ll feel like every kick feels like breath style from Demon Slayer or a Kamehameha from Dragon Ball.

The sound design is also well done, featuring soaring orchestral music to match the highs one can feel when achieving victory.

**Does Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions soar?**

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of Champions is one of the better anime games I’ve played in a while. It’s not to the level of Persona 5 but it definitely stands head and shoulders above its peers. As a football game I’d say it’s so different from the standard affair to even compare.

In the end if you like anime, and anime games you owe it to yourself to give it a go, this game is fun and ridiculous. If you’re a football fan looking for an alternate to PES and FIFA, I’d say give this game a hard pass.

This game was reviewed on a PlayStation 4 by David Martin. He is an avid anime and video game fan who loves to work hard and play harder.

Gaming

Kingdom Hearts IV gets new trailer, confirms Switch 2 release

Collection [I~III] launches October 8

Published

June 11, 2026

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV, offering another look at Sora’s next adventure and confirming the game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Alongside the update, the company announced that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] will launch on October 8, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. Pre-orders are now open, while a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind is available starting today.

Kingdom Hearts IV returns

The new trailer offers another look at Quadratum, the mysterious city first revealed when Kingdom Hearts IV was announced.

According to Square Enix, Sora will encounter new characters, visit new worlds, and awaken new powers as the next chapter of the long-running action RPG series unfolds.

The publisher did not announce a release date for the game, saying more details will be revealed in the future.

Kingdom Hearts IV will launch for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Collection bundles the series’ major releases

Square Enix also confirmed that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] brings together Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind in a single package.

The collection includes Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts III, and the Re Mind DLC, alongside several movie and cutscene compilations.

The release marks the arrival of native versions of these titles on Nintendo Switch 2. Previously, the games were available on Nintendo’s platform through cloud versions.

Free demo available now

Players can download a free Nintendo Switch 2 demo for Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind starting today.

The demo includes the opening portion of the game through Olympus, with save data carrying over to the full release. It also features a separate section set in Toy Box, the Toy Story-inspired world, although progress from that segment will not transfer.

Players who purchase the collection or Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind will receive platform-exclusive Keyblades. Nintendo Switch 2 players get Long Night, PlayStation 5 players receive Midnight Blue, while Xbox Series X|S players receive Phantom Green.

Digital pre-orders on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S also include 48-hour early access for Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind.

Gaming

Final Fantasy fans have two big reasons to look forward to 2026

HD remasters and HD-2D

Published

June 11, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Final Fantasy X-X2 | Final Fantasy Resonance

The latest Nintendo Direct delivered a pair of announcements for Final Fantasy fans, with Square Enix confirming the arrival of classic remasters on Nintendo Switch 2 and unveiling an all-new HD-2D adventure.

First, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23. Both physical and digital versions will be available.

The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy X launch in Japan. It also gives longtime fans and newcomers another way to experience two of the series’ most beloved RPGs at home or on the go.

Square Enix also released a new trailer alongside the announcement.

Final Fantasy Resonance launches this October

The bigger surprise from the showcase was Final Fantasy Resonance. It is the first HD-2D title in the Final Fantasy series.

The game launches on October 22, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Steam version arrives a day later on October 23.

Square Enix will also offer a Digital Deluxe Edition with the base game and additional in-game items.

A Collector’s Edition is planned as well. It includes the game, an artbook, a soundtrack, and a promotional Final Fantasy Trading Card Game card.

A modern take on a classic Final Fantasy formula

Square Enix describes Final Fantasy Resonance as a celebration of both classic and modern Final Fantasy. The game combines retro-inspired HD-2D visuals with a strategic turn-based battle system that adds modern mechanics to the traditional formula.

Players can expect familiar series staples including chocobos, espers, and airships. The game will also feature appearances from iconic characters such as Cloud Strife, Tidus, and Warrior of Light.

While Resonance draws from the first story arc of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Square Enix says it is far more than a direct port. The title has been extensively rebuilt into a full-fledged console RPG experience.

More details about Final Fantasy Resonance will be revealed closer to launch.

Gaming

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen to launch on October 9

A massive expansion and a two-phase roadmap revealed

Published

June 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Capcom has officially announced Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, a massive new expansion slated to launch on October 9.

Arriving as a complete bundle, the title will mark the franchise’s highly anticipated debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, while simultaneously launching as separate expansion DLC for players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The Dark Arisen expansion aims to enrich the base game’s dynamic fantasy world with three goals in mind: enhanced gameplay, expanded adventures, and enticing value.

Update roadmap underway

To prepare the realm for the expansion, Capcom has laid out a comprehensive, two-phase update roadmap for the base game:

Title Update 3.1: Focuses heavily on immediate quality-of-life improvements, most notably more significantly accessible map traversal through highly requested Eternal Ferrystone.
Title Update 3.2: Shifts focus toward system and engine adjustments; patch will deliver crucial performance and frame rate improvements, introduce additional save slots, implement system-level save adjustments, alter Dragonsplague mechanics, and further refine pawn and enemy actions.

Three major additions coming

When the expansion officially drops in October, players will be able to dive into a wealth of brand-new content built to push the Arisen to their limits:

Forsaken Dominion: Players will travel to Norgan, a frozen, long-abandoned northern region of Vermund blanketed in heavy snow. Home to savage hordes and creatures of immense power, the Arisen must team up with an enigmatic figure named Eir to uncover the dark secrets of an undying Fallen Dragon.
The Relic System: Defeating monsters and exploring the icy wastes of Norgan will yield powerful, hidden spoils of war known as relics. Taking these back to the Norgandian Settlement for appraisal unlocks high-tier gear boasting enhanced offensive and defensive capabilities.
Lost Rites Dungeons: For those looking to truly test their mettle, the expansion introduces 12 unique dungeon challenges. Overseen by the Pathfinder, these trials task players with clearing deadly gauntlets to reclaim legendary, dormant treasures once wielded by past Arisens.

The robust character creator is also receiving an update with a fresh wave of hairstyles and tattoos via Meszeteres Cosmetics, giving players even more ways to personalize their Arisen and Main Pawn.

Pre-order bonuses and editions

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen will be available in both digital and physical formats. The standalone Switch 2 release will include both the base game and expansion content right out of the box, while existing owners on PS5, Xbox, and PC can simply purchase the separate expansion DLC.

Players who pre-order the digital version or secure an early physical copy will receive the Explorer’s Camping Kit, the Dragon’s Dogma Music & Sound Collection, and the exclusive Norgan Fashion Set: Northern Attire.