There should have been two major extraction shooters launching in the last quarter of this year. One of them is Arc Raiders, which is in fact coming out later this month. The other is Marathon, which, well, you know. Interestingly, though, with both games hosting tests earlier in the year, there was an opportunity for Arc Raiders’ developers to learn something from Marathon.
An impressive new mod for The Simpsons Hit & Run has rebuilt the game to instead feature Futurama, catching the attention of the cult classic’s original lead designer.
Futurama Hit & Run, as the mod is called, is available now in demo form as a free download — you’ll just need a copy of the original Simpsons game on PC in order to play.
The Simpsons Hit & Run originally launched for PC, PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox back in 2003, and was heavily inspired by the Grand Theft Auto games of the era. Gameplay for this Futurama mod also feels familiar, as you run around as Fry and complete missions for characters such as Bender, Professor Farnsworth and Dr. Zoidberg.
ANNONCE 📣 🎮 : La démo de Futurama Hit & Run, sera disponible le 19 octobre ! Une idée juste parfaite ! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/cy8WBhoLYL
— Mooonaa 💕 (@lycheemoona) October 18, 2025
There’s driving too, of course — with Fry able to zoom around a section of New New York in a hover car. One particular mission has Fry escorting Bender back to the Planet Express headquarters while avoiding police in hover cop cars. But there’s no sign yet of actual flying — perhaps in future.
Currently, the demo includes four story missions, plus a set of street races, vehicles, costumes and other Easter eggs to find and unlock. The demo also comes with an acknowledgement that it currently uses AI-generated dialogue as a “temporary placeholder.” The mod team states: “Professional voice artists are already engaged, and their recordings will replace the placeholder content in a future update.”
Response to the demo has been positive, not least from Joe McGinn, who worked on the original The Simpsons: Hit & Run over two decades ago. “As the lead designer of the original game, I can only say… this looks awesome!” McGinn wrote in a comment on the mod’s trailer. “I want to play it.”
Fans have long hoped for another Simpsons game, and previously cheered on a separate unofficial Hit & Run project that looked set to remake the entire title in Unreal Engine 5. Alas, that idea ran into legal issues with Disney, and its creator has now said the finished version will never be released.
Still, there may well be something new and official for The Simpsons fans to play in the not-too-distant future, as the franchise’s long-awaited Fortnite mini-season now finally appears to be near.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Though I deeply wish for it to not be the case, unfortunately the reality you and I find ourselves in is one where AI is being forced into every single crevice the worst corporations you know can fit it in to. It hasn’t completely dominated any of the arts just yet, but its usage is becoming more and more common. If you’re one such developer considering doing so, voluntarily, I would normally offer you some potentially unkind words, but instead I’ll point you towards the one and only Nobuo Uematsu, whose stance on AI is one I’m quite fond of.
Virtual dreams.
It’s time to talk trademarks again, as Nintendo of America has had a new filing for ‘Virtual Console’ bumped up to the pending phase. But let’s be clear right from the jump, it probably doesn’t mean what you’re thinking.
As brought to our attention by @MikeOdysseyYT on X, the trademark was initially submitted on 21st April 2025, and got boosted up to the pending phase last week on 17th October. The application pertains to two different goods and services classes: IC 009 for “Recorded electronic game programs; downloadable electronic game programs; recorded video game programs” and the like, and IC 041 for “Providing non-downloadable online electronic publications, namely online journals and interactive online blogs featuring user generated or specified content in the field of video games and online publications in the nature of e-books in the field of video games” amongst other things.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Here’s your weekly Pokémon TCG pricewatch and stock update, and it’s an absolute banger. Amazon seem to be listening to me and the rest of community calling out their ridiculously high pricing on Pokémon TCG right now, but probably not. Regardless, we’re seeing their exclusive Blaziken ex and Volcanion ex Premium Collection in stock for MSRP. That’s right, no price hikes and no where near it’s market value that’s north of $90. Could this mean something positive for the future of Pokémon TCG at Amazon?
Unfortunatley that’s where the hope ends for big box retailers. TCGplayer is cheaper on every in-stock Pokémon sealed product on Amazon right now. There’s usually one or two, but it’s looking grim for them. For you it’s great, as you’re getting the proper market value from Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundles ($59.96) and Surprise Boxes ($43).
Trainers and collectors will get five Destined Rivals Boosters and five Journey Together Boosters in this bad boy, so that’s about the right kind of ball park for ten booster packs, plus you’re getting the promo Volcanion ex and Blaziken ex promo card and a jumbo version of Blaziken ex.
I think these promo’s would work great together in a fire-themed deck. Use Blazikens Seething Spirit to grab fire energy from your discard pile to build up Volcanion. In the meantime Volcanion can burn opposing Pokémon then use Scorching Cyclone for 160 damage then transfer all it’s energy to a benched Pokémon. So many possibilities here.
Mega Evolution seems to be a well-printed start to the next era of Pokémon TCG. I’m seeing boosters in convienience stores and some products on physical shelves, not to mention the Booster Bundle ($52.89), Gardevoir ETB ($88.81) and Three Booster Blister ($28.90) available on Amazon. Like the rest of the products in this carousel though, the cheapest is TCGplayer right now.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Sequels! More often than not, they’re completely unnecessary, but until we’re at a point where we don’t have to bow to the whims of the free market, studios of all sizes will likely continue to push them out. Right now people like familiarity, there’s a risk in paying for something new. What if the thing you’re buying is a waste of what little money you have? Ah, but a sequel to a thing I already like, more of the thing I know enjoy, that’s the stuff. So it’s quite refreshing to see Dead Cells developer Motion Twin completely ignore that, and put their heart into making something new, a topic the studio spoke about their feelings on in a recent interview.
Let’s get this over with early: Bloodlines 2 probably should not have been called Bloodlines 2. Shared setting and a couple brief, questionable cameos (plus one utterly rubbish bit of cosmetic DLC) aside, there is little tying this game to Troika’s original janky cult hit FPS/RPG hybrid. This is not an RPG with deep mechanics, a wide variety of character builds or dialogue that reacts to mechanical choices. If that is what you need out of a game bearing this most hallowed of names, then you will be disappointed and frustrated.
But if you are willing to lay decades of dreams to rest and approach it purely on its own terms, you might find an entertaining if flawed romp through the World Of Darkness. A brawl-heavy, linear action game punctuated with Telltale-esque reactive dialogue and held together by a surprisingly compelling, century-spanning undead detective mystery.
The third instalment of Frontier Developments’ moreish dinosaur park sim, Jurassic World Evolution 3, is almost here. You’ll get to manage your very own park full of dinosaurs in this much-anticipated park management simulator sequel that yes, really does feature the Megalodon this time. Gulp.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 will be open its doors again for players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S on October 21. As a global release, it’ll unlock simultaneously for all players regardless of where they are in the world — here’s when that will be in your timezone (and unfortunately, no, there’s no way to unlock the game in early access ahead of its street date).
“Just about everything I’ve seen so far of Jurassic World Evolution 3 has me excited to thrill my guests and make my lawyers nervous,” we wrote in IGN’s Jurassic World Evolution 3’s final preview. “From dino breeding to dramatic and different new park locations to extremely robust customization tools, it feels like it truly deserves its spot at the table with Planet Zoo and Planet Coaster now, rather than relying on the, you know, freakin’ dinosaurs to make up for some of what it was missing.”
PDT (San Francisco):
EDT (New York):
BST (London):
CEST (Paris, Rome, Berlin):
EEST (Turkey):
HKT (Hong Kong):
CST (Beijing):
JST (Tokyo):
AEST (Sydney):
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Never released in the US of A!
“Among the finest action role-playing titles ever crafted, possibly even the finest, and a game that absolutely no RPG fan should miss.”
This quote, from our 2009 review of the 1995 action-RPG, Terranigma, should give you some idea of just how highly we regard the third slice of what’s known as the “Gaia Trilogy” — that’s Illusion of Gaia, Soul Blazer and then this bad boy — all developed by Quintet.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
To celebrate the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, we took the fight sky-high — literally. Imagine this: two helicopters slicing through the Miami night sky, one carrying a 26-foot wide screen (200+ sq ft in size), the other with Team Ninja Community Manager, Emmanuel “Master” Rodriguez, and diamond-certified recording artist Swae Lee.
The result? A jaw-dropping, first-of-its-kind spectacle that fused gaming, technology, and pure adrenaline. The event also set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest video game display flown by helicopter.
As the city lights shimmered below, Yakumo of the Raven ninja clan leapt into the night, battling enemies across an enormous screen suspended in the sky. Every slash, every grapple, every heart-pounding moment of combat came alive against the backdrop of snippets of an exclusive new record from Swae Lee entitled ‘Flammable’.
The inspiration behind this stunt comes straight from Ninja Gaiden 4’s in-game lore. The denizens of Tokyo have escaped the toxic floodwaters by building skyward. The skyscraper district towers above the ruined city below, a breathtaking vertical landscape that mirrors the high-flying action we brought to life.
Technology played a starring role in making this dream a reality. Using advanced sports broadcasting tech, we streamed live gameplay from Emmanuel’s helicopter to the massive screen – built by pioneering aerial media company, Heli-D – in the other.
Timing, precision, and nerves of steel were everything — a misstep would have grounded the Raven. But as Yakumo fought and triumphed across the illuminated sky, it was clear that the risk was worth it.
This is more than a launch; it’s a celebration of everything Ninja Gaiden 4 stands for — precision, skill, and pushing limits. From the game’s lore-rich skyscrapers to the Miami skyline we soared across, we’ve redefined what it means to experience a video game live.
In the dead of night, the ninja truly awakened — and for those lucky enough to witness it, the sky has never looked more alive.
Ninja Gaiden 4 arrives tomorrow, October 21 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – also available on Steam and PlayStation 5. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
The Deluxe Edition includes future gameplay content “The Two Masters”, along with additional character skins, weapon skins, and in-game items. Pre-order either the Standard Edition or the Deluxe Edition to get the Dark Dragon Descendent Yakumo skin at launch.
More on Swae Lee
Swae Lee first saw mainstream recognition as the younger and melodic half of southern hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. Swae has made a name for himself outside of his duo work, showcasing himself as a force to be reckoned with both within and beyond the hip-hop world. Tracks such as French Montana’s diamond-certified ‘Unforgettable’ highlight his singing chops, while his impressive list of writing credits includes Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’.
Swae’s melodic repertoire, however, is not relegated exclusively to the R&B and hip-hop sphere as his crooning can also take on ballad form and mesh into a more electronic background as well—a complex Gemini in many ways. His impact on the music industry is also underscored by his record-breaking achievements, including the historic success of the Grammy-nominated track, ‘Sunflower’, which became the first-ever song to be certified 2x Diamond by the RIAA and holds one of the biggest streaming records in history. In addition to ‘Sunflower’, Swae’s contributions to hits like Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode’ have also earned diamond certifications, further cementing his place as a dominant force in modern music.
Xbox Game Studios
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
Xbox Game Studios
Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition! The Deluxe Edition includes:
• NINJA GAIDEN 4 base game
• Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
RETURN OF THE LEGEND
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
EPIC HACK AND SLASH COMBAT, EVOLVED
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
AN ANCIENT ENEMY RETURNS
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
*For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.
The post Battle in the Heavens: Ninja Gaiden 4 Makes Gaming History in the Air appeared first on Xbox Wire.
