Our first hands-on impressions of Mega Man: Dual Override
Posted on 12 hours ago by Richard Ford in Previews, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments
Mega busters at the ready, because the super fighting robot Mega Man is back in mainline classic action after almost a decade sitting on the sidelines, and he’s got a few new tricks up his sleeve this time around. The initial reveal of Mega Man: Dual Override during The Game Awards last year had me jumping and sliding with excitement, and the more of the game that was getting teased in the intervening months had only heightened that hype. At Gamescom this year, I got to sit down with the game for an hour and really get into the nitty gritty of what makes this new Blue Bomber title unique compared to other entries in the series. Thoughts?
More: Capcom, highlight, Mega Man: Dual Override, top
We got a first look at Stellar Blade on Nintendo Switch 2, here are our thoughts
Posted on 18 hours ago by Richard Ford in Previews, Switch 2 | 0 comments
I can’t speak for others, but it really caught me off-guard with how big a splash Stellar Blade made when it launched back in 2024. It felt like the game came out of left field and immediately built a large fanbase, sold brilliantly well, and led to a sequel getting put into production quite rapidly afterwards. Stellar Blade was a really graphically intense video game, however, so it wasn’t able to make it to Nintendo Switch players’ hands. Well, I’m happy to say that the version of Stellar Blade for Nintendo Switch 2 I played at Gamescom 2026 was a very strong, competent port that is of comparable quality to other versions already released.
Inside a booth at Gamescom, I found myself sat at a table with ShiftUp’s DongKi Lee opposite me, a translator sat to my left. In the middle of the small table between was an undocked Nintendo Switch 2 with Stellar Blade booted up. As I played the game, Mr. Lee would provide some tips and tricks for me after learning I hadn’t played the game previously.
More: highlight, Shift Up, Stellar Blade, top
Rayman Legends Retold hands-on preview: first impressions of the platformer remake
Posted on 3 months ago by Ellie Lutes in Previews, Switch 2 | 0 comments
Very few platformers have a reputation that can compare to Nintendo’s own Mario collection of games, but Ubisoft’s Rayman series has consistently delivered across consoles and time. After spending some hands-on time with Rayman Legends Retold, it’s incredibly easy to see why the choice was made to revive this classic with a new, more cinematic approach.
More: highlight, Rayman Legends Retold, top, Ubisoft
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream preview: our last look at the Nintendo Switch game before launch
Posted on 5 months ago by Ellie Lutes in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo is bringing back one of its strangest and most charming social life simulators with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on the Nintendo Switch, and after checking it out during a virtual preview event, it appears that this sequel is doubling down on creativity, personality, and player-driven storytelling in ways that captivated me almost instantaneously.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II preview
Posted on 1 year ago by Ellie Lutes in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
Nihon Falcom has long been known for delivering compelling RPGs that blend peerless storytelling with robust and engaging gameplay mechanics. The studio’s latest entry continues this tradition, promising an experience that builds on its predecessor while introducing new elements to keep players engaged. With its western release set for February 14, 2025, anticipation is high among fans of the series. Having attended a preview event for the game, I’m excited to share a deeper dive into its features, beginning with the refined battle system that has become a hallmark of the franchise.
[Preview] Reynatis
Posted on 1 year ago by Ellie Lutes in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
Battling through modern-day Shibuya may seem like a fantastical story to some, but for fans of Japanese games, Reynatis may not be their first battle down the iconic streets of Japan’s most cutting-edge cultural hub. The region’s layout is as true to the real Shibuya as possible – and traversing its streets might just feel a bit more magical than usual this time, though maybe not as flashy as one might expect, unless of course you feel like spending some time in Wizard Jail, or whatever its called.
More: FuRyu, highlight, NIS America, Reynatis, top
[Preview] Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Posted on 2 years ago by Reina Proctor in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is certainly one of the more interesting games I have had the chance to play in recent times. It is the definitive-edition of the original game released in November 2021 for Switch. The new version will include all the DLC, but even more significantly, a brand-new story campaign. I admittedly did not have a ton of experience with the franchise until SEGA recently gave me a chance to go hands-on with it for our preview, but this game’s unique story, atmosphere, and solid turn-based elements made it obvious why it’s so well loved by its fans.
More: highlight, SEGA, Shin Megami Tensei V, top
[Preview] Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble
Posted on 2 years ago by Reina Proctor in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble has a relatively complicated road ahead of it. It is the first brand new game in the series in nearly twelve years, and trying to balance its new content on top of reconnecting the series to its roots. Based on my recent one-hour preview, it seems to be living up to the task.
More: highlight, SEGA, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble, top
[Preview] Roman Sands RE:Build
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
Roman Sands RE:Build is one of the strangest games I’ve played in a while, and that’s saying something, because I’ve played a lot of weird games lately. On a surface level, this first-person adventure appears to be an eccentric experience about performing menial tasks for the entitled guests of a strange luxury resort. It quickly becomes apparent that there’s much more going on behind the scenes: time seems to be looping, and also, the apocalypse might be nigh – or did it already happen? Despite having demoed this game twice now, I’m still not entirely sure what it’s about, but I can confidently say I’ve never played anything quite like it.
[Preview] Two Strikes brutal ballet of bloody combat is a blast to play
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
Typically when I’m playing a fighting game, it doesn’t take much to recover from a sloppy combo or a mild beating from an opponent; there are usually plenty of chances to get my fighter back on their feet when my skills inevitably lapse. Two Strikes, on the other hand, isn’t quite so merciful. This upcoming fighting game from Retro Reactor promises exactly what it says on the tin: take damage twice, and you’re dead, often in gloriously gory fashion. I had the chance to demo the game briefly at Day of the Devs in San Francisco, and while I didn’t have enough time to get wholly acquainted with the nuances of battle, I enjoyed familiarizing myself with the tense, careful dance of Two Strikes’ vicious combat.
