Gaming

I tried playing Just Dance 2022 using a smartphone

And some thoughts on this year’s version as a whole

Published

January 5, 2022

Gab Orlina

Just Dance 2022 is a simulation game wherein the goal of every single level is to score 5 stars by perfectly copying the moves done on screen. I know, it’s that easy with either enough practice or with enough swing in your hips. However, with each new iteration of Ubisoft’s dancing simulator, the choreography turns up to another level.

When I say “another level,” I literally mean it on both how the game plays and how you play the game. For the past two iterations, Just Dance doesn’t require you to play with a camera module attached to your console to play the game. Although, in my opinion, playing with a dedicated console camera optimizes the experience a whole lot! So, why don’t we test that out, especially on a next-gen console?

Before we begin, I’d just like to point out that the version of the game used is the one for the Xbox Series X|S. This game is also available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a ridiculous trip down Just Dance 2022!

As legacy as it could possibly get

Like previous iterations of the game, Just Dance 2022 is rather easy to get around. In essence, you score points by copying the choreography as accurately as possible. Of course, early on, this game required the use of a camera module to track your movements properly. From the PlayStation Camera to the Xbox Kinect, these were essential for the optimal experience.

Also, if you’re not really up for competition with your family and friends, there’s always Sweat Mode. With Sweat Mode, you’re not keeping track of points and stars to earn for each level; instead, you’re more focused on the calories you burn. While this is great for those who want to use the game like zumba, I still don’t know how they actually measure that.

Basically, mechanics-wise, it’s still the same game as before with all the bells and whistles. There’s nothing particularly different, but in the later parts, I felt the experience changed a little bit.

A music library that just keeps expanding and evolving

With each new game, Ubisoft adds a new set list of tracks that comprise of both old and new hits (by old, I mean literally early 2000s). Apart from these, the game’s dedicated subscription service, Just Dance Unlimited, kept adding popular tracks from previous iterations. Honestly, this is a trend I appreciated a lot from the franchise as it caters to all ages and genres.

Another thing I also appreciated about this version and Just Dance 2021 was how committed the developers were to bring official choreographies onboard. Specifically, I wanted to see if they would do this for all the K-Pop tracks they added into the game. They set a precedent for this with BLACKPINK’s Kill This Love in 2020 and TWICE’s Feel Special in 2021.

This year, they included pieces of original choreo for SuperM’s Jopping and near full choreography for BLACKPINK’s BOOMBAYAH, K/DA’s POP/STARS and æspa’s Black Mamba. Yes, freaking Black Mamba with the signature knee drop in the chorus! Also, these tracks already have them available as Extreme versions right off the bat, instead of having to unlock it by completing the Alternate versions. That alone already deserves a round of applause!

How to play on a smartphone, senpai?

Remember when I mentioned that I have the next-gen version of this game, and it’s the Xbox Series X|S version no less? The thing is, if I had a PlayStation 5, this wouldn’t be an issue to bring up since you can buy the HD Camera module for it. With the Series X|S, it’s a different story since it currently does not support the Kinect camera at all.

In cases where your console doesn’t support a camera like the Nintendo Switch and the aforementioned next-gen Xbox, the game tracks your movement through your Joy-Con or smartphone. Believe it or not, the developers found a way to do this since Just Dance 2020 just by tracking your hand. Of course, for me, this isn’t the most optimal way of playing the game but it’s a compromise they had to make.

For the most part, it just seems weird when you want to go all out and copy the choreography to earn points. In these cases, it’s almost 50-50 when it comes to scoring Perfect moves when the game relies on one hand. Also, it’s quite difficult to dance properly when you’re holding something in your hand. Although, I still got 5 stars on Black Mamba so maybe it isn’t that terrible.

Is this worth playing for any console?

Do I think that Just Dance 2022 is a great game to play for any occasion? Of course, it is given the amount of tracks to choose from and it’s multiplayer! It sticks to what works for the longest time, and tries to improve on the intricacies every year. While this year’s version doesn’t seem like it’s anything new, I would argue the experience just feels different.

Whether or not you should play it on any console is where I would draw the line just a tiny bit. I still believe that the optimal experience is to track your dance moves from head to toe. In doing so, you learn the movements and appreciate said intricacies in game design. Again, this only works when your console has a camera module to aid the game.

If you want to play this game, keep in mind that currently, the optimal experience is on the PlayStation and the Xbox One versions. It is playable on the Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch, but you might miss out on truly immersive Just Dance gameplay. Still, it’s something worth your time keeping in your game library, especially when you can have guests over.

Gaming

Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter arrives August 3

Yasmine arrives in August.

Published

July 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

Capcom is celebrating the arrival of Yasmine, the first-ever Filipina character in the Street Fighter series, with an official community event in the Philippines this August.

The Official Street Fighter 6 ‘Yasmine’ Community Event takes place on August 9, 2026 at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. Doors open at 2:00 PM, with tournament matches, community activities, giveaways, and free play sessions scheduled throughout the day.

Meet Yasmine, Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter

Yasmine joins Street Fighter 6 as the first playable character in the game’s Year 4 roster.

According to Capcom, she learned to fight alongside her older brother under the guidance of her grandfather. After her brother’s disappearance, she returns to combat using high-speed Eskrima techniques while wielding a Karambit knife.

She is joined in the Year 4 lineup by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also coincides with balance updates for the entire Street Fighter 6 roster.

Yasmine becomes available on August 3, 2026 for players who own the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass.

Community tournament and exclusive merchandise

The Makati event will feature a double-elimination tournament, beginning with Best-of-3 matches before switching to Best-of-5 during the Top 8 Finals.

The schedule includes:

2:00 PM: Doors Open, Player Check-in, Controller Button Checks, and Free Play Warmups
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Welcome Speech & Official Street Fighter 6 Yasmine Gameplay Showcase
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Pools
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Top 8 Finals (Main Stage Broadcast) & Prize Presentation Ceremony for Champion, 2nd and 3rd Placements.
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Premium Community Giveaways, Group Photo Ops, and Closing Remarks
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Free Play and Community Networking

Attendees can also receive exclusive event merchandise while supplies last, including a Yasmine-themed T-shirt, lanyard, keychains, and themed food and refreshments.

Capcom says admission is subject to venue capacity and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Watch the event online

Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the tournament live through the Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channeland the Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel.

Capcom also teased additional announcements, including appearances from cosplay personalities, fighting game veterans, and content creators, which will be revealed closer to the event.

Street Fighter 6 Yasmine community event details

Date: August 9, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant, Palanan, Makati City
Tournament: Double-elimination (FT2, Top 8 FT3)
Livestream: Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channel and Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel

Gaming

Most of the world’s PlayStations will be officially useless by 2028

PlayStation’s disastrous no-disc policy is now a lot worse than you thought.

Published

July 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last week, we lamented the loss of the PlayStation disc. As we described, the loss isn’t just a major blow to nostalgia for aging gamers, but it also puts a huge question mark on game ownership. Well, there’s another wrinkle that the world is slowly realizing. By deleting physical discs, PlayStation has effectively blockaded their entire service from countries without an official online store.

If you haven’t heard, PlayStation is ceasing the production of physical discs for new games starting 2028. The console will become an all-digital platform. Now, we can blather on and on about how this sucks for ownership, but all gamers will still have access to games online at the very least. Right?

Wrong.

Not every country has an official PlayStation Store or the ability to create a PSN account. In fact, a staggering amount don’t; 121 countries (or 62 percent of the entire world) don’t have official access to the online storefront.

If you live in any of these countries, you’re likely familiar with some unofficial solutions: that is, setting your country elsewhere where the store exists. But, because it’s an unofficial solution, doing this is technically against PlayStation’s policies and can result in bans.

That being said, as noted by users on Reddit, this means that, on a very technical and legal level, these 121 countries will no longer be able to buy physical or digital games starting 2028. Because of a clarified policy, you can still play older games, but if you want to play the latest Call of Duty or NBA 2K, you are out of luck.

There’s no official list of affected countries, other than those collated by others manually. But if you’ve never been able to set your own country on the PlayStation Network, you’re a part of it.

Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced comes to life at Skypark Macau

Themed event lets fans experience the game in real life from July 17 to 26

Published

July 13, 2026

GadgetMatch

Assassin’s Creed fans are invited to celebrate the launch of Black Flag Resynced through a limited-time themed experience at the Skypark Macau Tower.

The experience will run from July 17 to 26, and will feature elements from the title brought into a real-world setting. There’s themed installations, photo opportunities, and exclusive event rewards.

Aside from that, there is a concept art gallery and replica props inspired by the action-adventure.

The experience opens to the public from 11:00 A.M. on Friday, and will remain available until the last Sunday of the month.

It will be more fulfilling to come on the first day, as there will be exclusive merchandise sold only on July 17.

Guests who purchase the game on-site, or present proof of purchase of the game at the event will be eligible to redeem an exclusive item, available only until supplies last.

Moreover, those who complete an eligible activity during the Assassin’s Creed event period at Skypark Macau will receive a paper scroll replica of the “Letter for Duncan Walpole”, while supplies last.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Rebuilt from the ground up and powered by the latest Anvil engine, the game features updated visuals, enriched gameplay, and new narrative content.

Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, the game invites players to sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway. The rebellious pirate captain is drawn into the centuries-old conflict between Assassins and Templars.

As the protagonist pursues glory and fortune, he crosses paths with legendary figures such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack. All this while the fate of everything the pirates have built hangs in the balance.

The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.