Gaming

The hidden costs of the Nintendo Switch 2

How much to upgrade your games? Is the Joy-Con durable?

Published

April 8, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Last week’s Nintendo Direct painted an extremely positive picture of the Switch 2. It did, however, leave a few questions unanswered. Now, we’re beginning to learn more about the unreleased console, and the rose-tinted glasses are slowly coming off. If you’re planning to get the Switch 2 in June, here are a few more costs you need to think about.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Let’s start with the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. After pulling the wraps from the console, Nintendo announced a small game to showcase its features. It shrinks the player down to expl0re the inner workings of the console, while offering small mini-games for a more practice demonstration. The Welcome Tour is essentially a tech demo akin to PlayStation’s Astro’s Playroom. The main difference is that the former is a paid game.

The game’s announcement as a paid product sparked the first questionable moment of the Direct. How is a more interactive instruction manual not free? If you’re still interested to get the software, we now know how much it will cost: US$ 9.99.

To be fair, it’s smaller than a full-priced game, but it’s still ten dollars more than free.

Game upgrades for the Nintendo Switch 2

Most users will likely skip the Welcome Tour. However, it’s a bit more difficult to skip game upgrades.

Games made for the original Switch are naturally compatible with the Switch 2. However, to maximize the new console’s hardware, a few games will have a Switch 2 edition. Owners of the original game can pay a small sum to upgrade them to the new version, which will tout enhanced resolutions and framerates.

During the Direct, Nintendo did not reveal how much an upgrade will cost. Now, we have a better idea.

Nintendo has just announced, via IGN, that upgrading Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will cost an additional US$ 9.99 apiece. This means that, all in all, they’ll cost US$ 70 and US$ 80, respectively. Upgrades for other compatible games are currently unannounced, but they will likely cost the same.

Arguably, players can do without the upgrade. After all, the games are still playable in their current states.

All the accessories

Even if you can skip the Welcome Tour or the upgrades, it’s practically impossible to live without the new Joy-Cons. Now, we’ve known the price of the controllers since the Direct. A pair will cost an eye-watering US$ 89.99.

With enough care, a pair of Joy-Cons should last a long time, so you don’t need to keep buying new ones. However, a new piece of information makes the price even more important.

Despite prevalent drifting controversies with the original Joy-Con, the new controllers will not use Hall Effect joysticks, making them potentially prone to the same issues of the original. According to Nintendo, the new Joy-Cons are constructed differently to mitigate the drifting issues.

However, without an actual years-long test, we can’t tell just how durable the new controllers are. In the meantime, it’s fair to assume that purchasing multiple Joy-Cons is still in our future, and they don’t come cheap.

While we’re on the subject, the Switch 2’s other accessories are also costly. For example, the new Camera will cost US$ 49.99. A charging grip will cost US$ 34.99. A carrying case with a screen protector inside will cost US$ 34.99.

A potential price increase?

Finally, let’s talk about the effect of ongoing tariffs coming from the United States. Soon after the Direct, President Trump announced a wave of tariffs against a number of countries. Because of how interdependent the world is, a tariff affecting a large country will ultimately affect the products made in another country.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is no different. As a result of the global sanctions, Nintendo indefinitely delayed the start of the console’s preorder period in the United States, while it’s evaluating the economic impact of the tariffs. It’s entirely possible that the last hidden fee of the Switch 2 that we don’t know about is a price increase right before the launch on June 5.

Related Topics:Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2

Gaming

Bloodborne is getting an R-rated animated film adaptation

And it’s going to be produced by Sony and Jacksepticeye.

Published

April 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

FromSoftware fans are eating well these days. Though gamers are still anticipating the arrival of The Duskbloods on the Switch 2, the studio’s other franchises are getting well-deserved nods for adaptations: Sekiro, Elden Ring, and now, Bloodborne.

Sekiro has already been slated for an anime adaptation for a while now. Meanwhile, Alex Garland recently confirmed that he is adapting Elden Ring for A24. Today, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the studio is working on an R-rated animated film based on Bloodborne.

Via Variety, Sony Pictures president Sanford Panitch says that the upcoming adaptation will keep the game’s essence of horror and gore. With a name like “Bloodborne,” you can’t have an adaptation without a heaping of blood.

Besides Sony, the animated project has another big name attached to its production: YouTuber Jacksepticeye. Throughout his career, the creator has been vocal about considering Bloodborne as his favorite game of all time. He even has a tattoo of the Hunter’s Mark on his forearm. For this project, Jack will be a co-producer.

Though the creator’s skill in filmmaking is still a relative unknown, Jack’s love for the game should give the project a gamer’s voice. If anything, Markiplier’s recent Iron Lung adaptation offers optimism that YouTubers can also create decent films.

Gaming

Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 launching next week

New characters, 3rd anniversary rewards, more

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

It hasn’t even been that long since Version 4.1 of Honkai: Star Rail dropped, and now, the space fantasy RPG will launch its Version 4.2 update on April 22.

Called “So Laughed the Masses,” this update continues the Trailblazers’ adventure in Planarcadia. The state of the Phantasmoon Games has grown increasingly complex, following the announcement that the victor will permanently become the Aeon of Elation.

Even more plots and schemes are bound to surface as Research Society of Happy Smiles leader Fulwish invites all Supplicants to a public debate. Trailblazers must successfully navigate every hurdle, obtain more Wishpower, and resolve the hidden crisis.

In Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2, all-new limited 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia will become playable companions.

Furthermore, limited 5-star characters The Dahlia, Castorice, and Firefly, as well as Tribbie, Sunday, and Feixiao, will all appear respectively in the first and second-phase Warp events.

Trailblazers will also be able to unlock the brand-new Path of Elation.

The Version 4.2 update coincides with the third anniversary of the space fantasy RPG, and the title has prepared a series of special events and generous rewards for players.

Players can get 20 free pulls, Stellar Jade giveaways, and free character redemptions. And for a chance to win a Silver Wolf LV.999-themed car and other surprise gifts, simply participate in the “Aha’s Chosen: Spreading Elation Everywhere” online event.

For more on the update, here’s the latest trailer from HoYoverse:

Gaming

Honor of Kings: World opens sign-ups for PC Alpha Test

Be among the first to explore Primaera

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

TiMi Studio Group has announced the first-ever overseas closed PC Alpha Test for Honor of Kings: World.

Players can register now via this link for a chance to experience the Eastern Fantasy multiplayer action RPG.

The anticipated title is rooted in the globally renowned MOBA game, Honor of Kings, which has 260 million monthly active users.

The RPG counterpart expands the series’ vast lore, turning it into an open world filled with adventure, mystery, and legendary heroes for players to explore.

It is set against the backdrop of Eastern Fantasy and infused with futuristic elements. It introduces players to “the Flow,” a powerful and mysterious force shaping the fate of the world.

In Honor of Kings: World, players begin their journey as students at the prestigious Jixia Academy before venturing across the continent of Primaera.

Along the way, they will encounter iconic heroes, forge alliances, and ultimately challenge the “Chain of Fate” to create their own legend.

Alpha Test details

Participants in the Alpha Test will gain early hands-on access to the game whilst development continues.

This early test will provide valuable insight into core gameplay systems and offer players a first look at the world and features of Honor of Kings: World.

Features include:

Free exploration of the Primaera continent
Dynamic combat system with dual hero Flow Styles
Rich blend of PvE adventure and competitive PvP experiences
Skill-based combat with precise parries, perfect dodges, and highly responsive action gameplay
Cooperative multiplayer boss encounters with evolving mechanics
Social features such as shared world hubs and co-op activities
Home building, farming, and crafting systems

The test will be open to select countries in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. The title will be available only in English for now, but more languages are expected to be added.