Gaming

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

It’s the most intense Mario Kart yet!

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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.

Gaming

NBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more

First gameplay details revealed

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NBA 2K27 gameplay

NBA 2K27 is giving fans their first look at this year’s gameplay.

2K has released the official gameplay trailer for NBA 2K27, showcasing enhanced visuals and several gameplay updates ahead of the game’s September 4 launch. The trailer also features cover athletes Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose while teasing changes across Gameplay, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and the MyPLAYER Builder.

The publisher also confirmed the Preseason Breakdown: NBA 2K27 Game Reveal, which streams on August 18 at 10:00 AM PT. During the presentation, 2K will reveal this year’s biggest gameplay innovations and mode updates before Early Access begins on August 28 for Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition owners.

Smarter AI and a new Dunk Meter headline gameplay changes

NBA 2K27 introduces several gameplay refinements based on community feedback.

AI defenders now contest shots more effectively and hold their defensive positioning better, especially in online modes like The REC. The changes aim to create a more balanced experience on both ends of the floor.

The game also introduces a fully dynamic Dunk Meter. Instead of locking in the timing at takeoff, the meter continuously evaluates defensive positioning throughout the dunk attempt. Open driving lanes create a larger green window, while late defensive rotations shrink it, making each dunk attempt feel more responsive to the action on the court.

MyPLAYER Builder expands with more Badges

The MyPLAYER Builder now features 53 total Badges, up from 40 in last year’s game. Players can also experiment with 19 brand-new Badges designed to support more specialized builds.

Cap Breakers are also making a return. This time, players can preview attribute boosts directly inside the Builder before finalizing their character.

MyTEAM and MyNBA receive community-requested updates

MyTEAM introduces the franchise’s first unified Auction House across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The shared marketplace creates the largest pool of community-listed cards in the mode’s history. It should also make card prices more consistent across supported platforms.

Winning an auction is now faster, too. Purchased cards go straight into your collection without a verification delay.

MyNBA also receives several franchise management updates that reflect today’s NBA. These include second apron salary cap rules from the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement and the ability to offer No-Trade Clauses to free agents.

Rucker Park comes to MyCAREER

The City returns with the same centralized layout introduced last year. This time, however, it gets a new nighttime look filled with neon lights.

NBA 2K27 also recreates the legendary Rucker Park. The iconic streetball court serves as the setting for this year’s MyCAREER prelude story, Fire & Concrete, and also appears in the Street Kings mode.

NBA 2K27 launches on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition can jump in early starting August 28 through Early Access.

Watch the full trailer. 

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Gaming

God of War Laufey finally confirms its highly anticipated launch date

Set your calendars next year.

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It’s about time we get excited for God of War Laufey. The upcoming entry into the acclaimed franchise takes off on a tangent as it follows Faye, Kratos’s late wife, as she traverses an afterlife filled with similarly deceased gods. It’s a different perspective but with still the same action we’ve come to expect from the series. Now, we know when to expect it: February 16.

In the ongoing Norse saga, Faye’s death is everything. Her passing pushes Kratos and Atreus towards a path that eventually led to Ragnarok. In Laufey, a deceased Faye wakes up in Everywhen, an afterlife where gods from different mythologies converge. She then discovers that the carefully laid plans she made to help her husband and her son are unravelling, so she has to find a way to save the living world from past the veil.

Laufey will still have the iconic battles that the God of War series is known for. However, because Faye is nimbler than the burly Kratos, fighting is more fast-paced with a mix of grounded and air-based fighting. All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about for Laufey, despite its different take on the series.

Over the weekend, during San Diego Comic Con, PlayStation confirmed when the title is launching. Thankfully, it’s not a long wait. God of War Laufey is launching for the PlayStation 5 on February 16 next year.

Additionally, Santa Monica Studio has also confirmed that Kratos will lead another entry after Laufey.

SEE ALSO: God of War Laufey puts Faye in the spotlight

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Gaming

FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster launches on Nintendo Switch 2

Classic RPGs returng

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Final Fantasy X | Nintendo Switch 2

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have announced that FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are also on sale across Southeast Asia.

The collection brings together FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2, two of the most celebrated entries in the long-running RPG franchise. Both games feature enhanced HD visuals while preserving their original stories and gameplay.

Two classic adventures in one package

In FINAL FANTASY X, players follow Tidus, a star blitzball athlete whose journey becomes intertwined with the summoner Yuna as they travel across the world of Spira to confront a devastating threat.

Its direct sequel, FINAL FANTASY X-2, takes place two years later. Players take control of Yuna alongside Rikku and Paine as they uncover ancient mysteries and face new enemies.

The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original launch of the game in Japan, giving longtime fans and newcomers another opportunity to experience the pair of RPG classics at home or on the go.

Bandai Namco notes that physical edition availability may vary by country across Southeast Asia.

Watch the launch trailer below:

About the FINAL FANTASY series

The FINAL FANTASY franchise has entertained players for more than 35 years. Known for its cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, imaginative worlds, and technical innovation, the series has sold more than 212 million copies worldwide.

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