Gaming

Now Playing: Yakuza 0 on Switch 2

Perfect entry point for a hesitant fan

Published

August 11, 2025

I’ll be honest: I’ve never finished a Yakuza game. The closest I got was Judgment, and even that’s still sitting in my backlog. Seeing the franchise’s massive catalog used to feel a little intimidating. But Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on the Switch 2? It’s somehow the perfect reentry — and maybe even the ideal starting line — for someone like me.

A polished gem in every mode

Reviews across the board agree: this isn’t just a capable port — it’s a shining one. Whether docked or handheld, the game runs at a locked 60fps, with docked mode sometimes hitting glorious 4K territory. Even cutscenes hit 60fps, a continuity upgrade that some reviewers felt diluted the original cinematic feel — but personally, I found it made the game feel more alive.

Graphically, you won’t get PS5-level detail, but that doesn’t hurt the vibe. The neon-drenched streets of Kamurochō and Sotenbori still look sharp — gritty, atmospheric, and unmistakably ’80s. Load times? Almost nonexistent — one reviewer joked they blinked and the loading screen had gone by.

A real “certified definitive edition”

Director’s Cut isn’t just a re-release — it’s a re-lift. You get never-before-seen cutscenes that add roughly 20–30 minutes of story. There’s also a brand-new English dub, plus expanded subtitle options in several languages. The much-hyped multiplayer horde mode, Red Light Raid, lets you play as just about anyone from the series for some cooperative chaos.

Not every addition lands perfectly — some reviewers felt the new scenes feel a bit tacked on, and the raid mode can feel more like a gimmick than a lasting hook (Nintendo World Report, Nintendo Life). Still, they’re nice bonuses to the already solid core.

Why it clicked for me

For a non-completer like me, Yakuza 0 on any platform might’ve felt daunting. But the Switch 2 version made it feel manageable — accessible, even. The game keeps its depth — emotional story, ridiculous substories, dense environments — but the smoother performance and intuitive portability make it easier to stick with it in bite-sized play sessions.

Combat remains tight: three distinct styles per character, satisfying weight to the hits, and plenty of rhythm to the fights. Side content — karaoke, real estate, arcades — is still just as addictive. And the pacing is perfect: you get high-stakes drama mixed with wacky distractions, which mostly came from real experiences I’d read about and now get to enjoy firsthand.

A new favorite, maybe?

Critics across the board call it the best traditional Yakuza game and an ideal entry point. A standout Switch 2 launch, too — packed with enhancements, running great, with just enough new content to feel special.

So here’s the deal: Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on Switch 2 isn’t only the best path for newcomers; it might also be my doorway into finally finishing a Yakuza story. And I suspect it might do the same for more people who, like me, always felt the series was a bit too big to jump into.

h/t: Nintendo World Report, RPG Site, Impulse Gamer, The Guardian, Nintendo Life, GameSpot

Gaming

Wild Rift announces 5th anniversary song with aespa’s Ningning

“Miss This Life” celebrates the players’ journeys and the game’s evolution

Published

November 5, 2025

GadgetMatch

League of Legends: Wild Rift is marking its fifth anniversary with a musical collaboration with aespa’s Ningning.

“Miss This Life”, an electro-pop anthem performed by aespa’s Ningning in collaboration with Riot Games, celebrates both the players’ journeys and the evolution of Wild Rift over five epic years.

The song is launching in-game and on major streaming platforms. It captures the nostalgia and energy shared between players and the Wild Rift universe.

The track parallels a player’s journey from college life to adulthood, reflecting both personal growth and the enduring stories of the title’s champions.

In addition, Nidalee has officially joined the Wild Rift roster as part of Patch 6.3. The assassin-mage excels as a Jungler, being able to shapeshift from human to cougar. She has the ability to deal both ranged and melee burst damage.

Also part of the fifth anniversary updates are the pro player-inspired Augments on the AAARAM game mode.

Lastly, Wild Rounds: SMASH, the MOBA’s grassroots competitive series, continues to grow, spanning over 20 regions and thousands of players worldwide.

It reflects the game’s vibrant and expanding community ecosystem. The next installment will take place in Vietnam from November 14 to 16.

Gaming

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage out now

30th anniversary edition, free upgrade, discounted price all available

Published

November 2, 2025

GadgetMatch

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, SEGA announced.

The latest entry to the Virtua Fighter series, the new 3D fighting game brings the fight across platforms with crossplay support.

A Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage 30th Anniversary Edition is also edition. It includes swimsuit costumes for characters, plus a must-see collection of pre-production materials, a soundtrack album, and more exclusive bonuses.

Here’s a full breakdown of the 30th Anniversary Edition contents:

Base game
30th Anniversary Swimsuit Costume Set
30th Anniversary Music Selection
Virtua Fighter pre-production secret materials
Virtua Fighter Legendary Pack DLC, Yakuza Series collaboration pack DLC
30 new anniversary celebration ranking titles

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage features rollback netcode, improving the responsiveness of online matches.

This way, players can take on counterparts worldwide in smoother and more intense battles than ever before.

This all-new immersive single player mode will let players travel the globe and compete in a massive tournament. Along the way, there will be formidable foes, including CPUs based on world-renowned players.

Moreover, Dural makes her long-awaited debut as a playable DLC character. Unleash the final boss and teach opponents the meaning of fear.

Those on Steam will automatically have their Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. upgraded to World Stage. They will be able to jump into the updated version at no extra cost, and all unlocks and progress will be carried over.

Lastly, players who own Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown on PlayStation 4 can grab the PlayStation 5 version of World Stage at a special discounted price. All DLCs will be carried over as well.

Gaming

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake launches, completing the Erdrick Trilogy

Completing the Erdrick Trilogy

Published

November 1, 2025

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have released DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake. It’s available on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S. It’s also coming to PC via Steam and Microsoft Store for digital editions. Physical copies are available on Switch 2, Switch, and PS5.

The launch marks the final chapter of the Erdrick Trilogy, following last year’s acclaimed DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake.

A launch trailer is now available, and more information can be found on the Square Enix blog.

Two classic quests rebuilt

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake brings the first two entries of the series back with modernized visuals and expanded content. Set after the events of DRAGON QUEST III, both titles feature new story moments and updated systems. There are also additions such as a fully explorable underwater world and a new playable character in DRAGON QUEST II.

Players follow the descendants of Erdrick as they bring the trilogy’s story to a dramatic close.

Erdrick Trilogy Collection out now

The DRAGON QUEST Erdrick Trilogy Collection, which bundles DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake with DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake, is now available digitally.

The HD-2D series

The HD-2D art style blends pixel art with 3D rendering to refresh classic RPG gameplay. The remakes feature this approach alongside a modernised UI and new quality-of-life improvements.

About DRAGON QUEST

Created by Yuji Horii, DRAGON QUEST is one of Japan’s most iconic RPG franchises, debuting in 1986 and later reaching the US as DRAGON WARRIOR. The series has shipped over 95 million units worldwide across 11 mainline entries, multiple spin-offs, and adaptations in film, anime, novels, and manga.

DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age remains one of its most celebrated titles, earning multiple accolades and shipping nearly 8.5 million units globally.