Gaming

Niantic releases official statement on Pokémon Go global rollout

Published

August 4, 2016

Michael Josh Villanueva

Here’s a breakdown of what we know about Pokémon Go‘s global release so far in order of date:

The game is out now in the Philippines and 14 other countries in Asia and Ocenia. Swing by this page for the full list.
As of today, August 4, Pokémon Go is now available in Central and South America. The news comes just in time for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil. The world’s best athletes training in Pokémon gyms could be a thing now. Yay!
Nintendo announced on July 27th that Pokémon Go Plus, the watch-like companion device that alerts you of nearby monsters, will be available in September, not late-July.

Pokémon Go debuted in France and Hong Kong on July 25. Reports said the game has seen more than 75 million downloads between the iOS and Android app stores.
Pikachu is home. Pokémon Go was released in its native Japan on July 22, two days after servers were originally scheduled to go live.
On July 17, the game was unleashed in Canada.
July 16th marked Pokémon Go’s launch in 26 other countries across Europe, namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Pokémon Go went live in Italy, Spain, and Portugal on July 15.

As Pokémon Go finds its way to more users around the world, the question on everyone’s minds is: Where will the coveted augmented-reality game launch next?

As of this writing, the game is only officially released in 37 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.S., and most of Europe. Yes, we’re counting!

Of course, that hasn’t stopped speculation from mounting. Some websites even went as far as saying that Pokémon Go will be made available in some parts of Southeast Asia by July.

Now, we can say with certainty that won’t be the case. Fortyseven Communications, the PR firm of Pokémon Go developer Niantic Labs, earlier released a statement on behalf of the company, saying the game developer can’t give a release date for Pokémon Go for the rest of the world.

“The team is currently heads down working on the game. We do not have any announced plans for countries beyond New Zealand, Australia, US and Germany at the moment.”

That doesn’t mean the app isn’t on its way to more regions, including Southeast Asia, where it has been reported that servers were temporarily turned on for a few hours. Regardless, it’s best to keep expectations in check until further notice.

And word may be out soon. In a recent interview with Reuters, Niantic Labs chief executive John Hanke said he wants a wider rollout for Pokémon Go, adding he expects 200 more countries and regions to join in on the fun “relatively soon.”

Pokémon Go took the world by storm recently, and has since seen more daily active users than Twitter and Tinder, and people spend more time time on it than on Facebook. It has even overtaken the mighty Candy Crush Saga.

It is estimated the game generates millions within minutes, and it isn’t even available in most parts of the world yet. Perhaps even more impressive, Nintendo has doubled in market value since the game’s release.

For our part, we’ve set up our own Pokémon Go watch, which entails round-the-clock hourly checks of the app and related content on the web. As soon as we have an update, you’ll be the first to hear it.

This story was published on July 15. It has been edited to reflect Pokemon Go’s availability to more regions and details from Retuers’ interview with Niantic head John Hanke.

[irp posts=”7858″ name=”Pokémon Sun and Moon out now”]

Source: IGN Southeast Asia

Related Topics:Niantic Nintendo Pokemon Go

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.