Gaming
CM Punk headlines WWE 2K26 Showcase: Punked
Relive, rewrite, and reimagine CM Punk’s career in WWE 2K26.
WWE 2K26 puts CM Punk front and center.
Following the debut of the Showcase trailer, 2K dropped a new Ringside Report. It dives deeper into 2K Showcase: Punked. CM Punk narrates the mode himself. The report also outlines major gameplay upgrades coming to this year’s title.
2K Showcase: Punked lets players step into Punk’s boots. It traces his rise across WWE. It blends real milestones with alternate timelines and fantasy matchups.
Relive the highlights
The Showcase opens at WrestleMania 41. Players control Punk in a triple-threat match against Seth “Freakin’” Rollins and Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman stands in Punk’s corner.
From there, the mode jumps across Punk’s career. Players can recreate iconic bouts. That includes Randy Orton at WrestleMania 27. It features The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29. It also includes Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood 2024.
Punk provides candid commentary throughout. He shares behind-the-scenes insight. Players face WWE Legends and World Champions such as The Rock, Rey Mysterio, JBL, John Cena, and more.
Rewrite history
2K Showcase: Punked does more than revisit the past. It asks bold questions.
What if CM Punk never left WWE in 2014? What if key rivalries ended differently?
Players can change pivotal outcomes. They can reshape Punk’s legacy. One alternate-history match features CM Punk and AJ Lee versus The Miz and Maryse. More “what if” scenarios will follow.
Enter Fantasy Warfare
The mode also introduces Fantasy Warfare.
Players can book dream matches. Punk steps into the ring with Superstars he never faced in WWE. That includes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Eddie Guerrero. More names will be revealed soon.
These battles take place in a new arena called the CM Punkvillion. It serves as the backdrop for these crossover showdowns.
Survive The Gauntlet
WWE 2K26 adds a new optional challenge called The Gauntlet.
Players can choose CM Punk or AJ Lee. They must defeat all 20 Showcase opponents in consecutive matches. There are no shortcuts.
Clear The Gauntlet and you complete the Showcase instantly. You also unlock every reward in the mode. That includes playable Legends, alternate attires, managers, championships, and arenas.
Gameplay upgrades detailed
Last week’s Ringside Report focused on core gameplay improvements.
WWE 2K26 adds new match types. The game introduces interactive environments and objects. It expands surprise attacks and start-of-match actions. It also upgrades A.I. sequences and rivalries.
The game features a new commentary team and interactive entrances. 2K plans more deep dives ahead of launch.
WWE 2K26 releases March 6, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
Four editions are now available for pre-order. The King of Kings Edition, Attitude Era Edition, and Monday Night War Edition launch March 6, 2026. The Standard Edition follows on March 13, 2026.
Gaming
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION physical edition now available for Switch 2
Zack Fair’s story comes to Switch 2.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and SQUARE ENIX have released the physical edition of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION for Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia.
Players can also purchase the game digitally on the platform. Availability may vary by region and retailer.
Zack Fair’s story returns
Set in the mako-powered metropolis of Midgar, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION follows Zack Fair, a young operative in Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit.
Zack investigates the mysterious disappearance of SOLDIER operatives alongside his mentor, Angeal, and the legendary Sephiroth. His journey reveals the events that shaped the world of FINAL FANTASY VII and his connection to Cloud Strife.
The game revisits Zack’s story with an HD graphical overhaul of its character models, user interface, and environments. It also features fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, alongside an updated action-combat system.
Players can trigger Limit Breaks and Summons as they battle their way through the story. The game also supports handheld and docked play on Nintendo Switch 2.
A look back at Zack’s legacy
Originally released as a remaster of the PSP classic, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION offers a refreshed take on one of the franchise’s most significant prequel stories.
In our GadgetMatch review, we explored how the remaster brings Zack Fair’s journey to modern platforms while preserving the emotional core of his story.
The release also gives players another way to experience the events leading into FINAL FANTASY VII, ahead of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, the third and final entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake series.
For more information about CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION and other Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia titles, visit the official website.
Gaming
Dune: Awakening makes it way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X
Surviving the harsh land of Arrakis one sandstorm and bloodlust at a time
Back in June of 2025, Funcom released its multi-nominated open world survival game, Dune: Awakening. Inspired by the renowned movie franchise, the game takes place within the deserts of Arrakis as players survive and thrive through intense combat and strategic decision making. Now, in the big 2026, Funcom is finally bringing that experience to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players as Dune: Awakening officially launches on console!
For the newbies finally getting it on console, here’s all you need to know:
Take the lead or do it together
Dune: Awakening takes you into the desolate land of Arrakis, and gives you the option to do it on Single Player or Multiplayer upfront. Through your own bidding in strategy, combat, and resource management, your goals are simple: survive the terrain, make more allies than enemies, and conquer the land through your affiliation to the powers that be.
This version of the game is as exact and as one-to-one as it possibly could with the PC version released last year, down to the story arcs, quests, and PvE/PvP areas you take on. Since launch, Funcom has introduced new weapons, areas, and cosmetics through DLCs that will be available to console players, as well. Also, several key features in story and mission progression that have changed on the PC version will take into effect.
If you want to engage with multiplayer, it is still a viable option when you want to gather more resources and reinforce your bases against other players and the natural elements. However, you still won’t be able to host your own server on a console just yet, as it is more stable to do so on the PC version.
Become whoever and whatever to survive
Character customization became the game’s bread and butter through its extensively library of features and unique take on story progression. As you begin your journey, Lady Jessica welcomes you in and asks you on your origin story, mentorship, and initial skill set — all of which are to your choosing based on your play style. Honestly, none of these completely influence the difficulty in progressing the story too much but it will give you full control of the experience.
As you progress further into the game, you will unlock more skills and abilities to aid you in your quest for power and survival. These will help you earn XP, along with accomplishing tasks, gathering resources and researching newer technologies, plus engaging in combat both within the PvE and PvP areas. Ultimately, you and, potentially, other players must build enough rapport and influence to shape the world of Arrakis to your liking.
Consistent visual expectations
For most players on the PC version, graphical fidelity relied heavily on the hardware of choice. When transitioning the game into a console-friendly environment, Funcom worked out the details seamlessly by adding a Performance and Quality mode. In this fashion, you can opt for crystal-clear graphics at a decent 30 FPS or go for a constant 60 FPS to keep up with the action.
No matter which mode you choose, the overall visual identity of the game doesn’t change drastically. Environments look rich and vibrant, while the tiniest of details within character models are preserved. Although, given frame rate differences, rendering of background elements also reflects that but it won’t ruin the gaming experience.
Dune: Awakening will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22. For Xbox Game Pass owners, this will also be a Day One release with Play Anywhere support and cross-play within Xbox and PC players upon launch.
Funcom has also planned an exciting map update later this year plus potential DLC tie-ins to the upcoming Dune: Part Three theatrical release in December.
The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.
Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.
Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.
This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.
If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.
SEE ALSO: Valve announces its own console called the Steam Machine
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