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Ahead of Pokémon Day later this month, The Pokémon Company has announced it will be releasing “all four episodes” of its Netflix series ‘Pokémon Concierge‘ on YouTube.
Trainers will be able to tune in and watch these episodes for a limited-time. These episodes will be released sequentially from 21st February 2025 until 9th March 2025. After this, you’ll need to have access to a Netflix subscription to watch them again.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Dungeon crawler board games are easily one of the deepest genres in the hobby – both in terms of gameplay as well as the sheer amount of fantastic options. Because there are so many great board games to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Dungeon crawlers can run the gamut from horror to fantasy and just about everything in between. Even franchises from Marvel to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have tried their hand in the space and have been met with great success.
Defining the dungeon crawler genre can be a contentious topic among tabletop enthusiasts, but these games typically include tactical combat, character progression, loot, and, of course, dungeons. These dungeons don’t have to be literal, however. In fact, some of the best board games in the category aren’t stereotypical monster-battling RPGs set in a fantasy world. One other thing these titles do generally have in common, though, is that they are rich in lore and mechanics. For those looking for lengthy cooperative campaigns, you have come to the right place.
Gloomhaven arguably set the standard for deep dungeon crawler board games, but the original is currently out of print. Fortunately, its follow-up, Frosthaven offers an equally engrossing campaign set in the same universe. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, on the other hand, gives gamers a streamlined option that requires far less prep time – addressing one of the original’s few critiques. The two games themselves are interconnected; even the characters created in one can transfer over to the other. Jaws of the Lion is arguably a better starting point for newer players due to its decreased setup time, but fans of fantasy epics can’t go wrong with either.
Both titles serve as a sort of choose-your-own-adventure novel meets tabletop game. The respective campaigns are long and rich with both lore and adventure. Characters within the game will even depart after completing their primary objectives, serving as a bittersweet moment where players say goodbye to old familiar faces but excitedly welcome in new ones. Both options are great cooperative multiplayer titles, serving as some of the best board games for two players and the best board games for four players.
For more information about both of these tabletop masterpieces, check out our review of Gloomhaven and hands-on impressions of Frosthaven.
While lots of dungeon board games feature plenty of plastic eye candy in the form of plastic figures, seasoned gamers will be aware that’s only half the story. This third, fully cooperative iteration of the Descent dungeon-crawling franchise fills the gap with a jaw-dropping lineup of 3d cardboard scenery to furnish its dungeons, and a cavernous box to store it all in. Of course that’d all be just window dressing if the base game were no good, but it’s a clever mashup of tabletop tactics, dice rolling, and app-based resource management, allowing you to easily implement crafting, levelling up and all the other fun stuff for your characters while also enjoying randomized dungeon layouts in an engrossing narrative campaign. Its a great RPG board game as well as an amazing dungeon crawler.
For our take on this game, you can check out our in-depth Descent: Legends of the Dark review.
Not all dungeons have to be fantasy labyrinths deep underground: the maze-like maintenance corridors of an Imperial base serve just as well. That’s the setup for this Star Wars dungeon crawler, in which a plucky band of rebel operatives work together against another player controlling the Empire’s forces across a scenario-based campaign. You might be swapping swords and bows for lightsabers and blasters, but the feels are very much the same as you loot crates, explore secrets and level up as you attempt to take down the bad guys in tactical melee combat. But as a bonus, you’re likely to run into a whole range of your favorite characters from the Star Wars universe to fight alongside you. This is just one of many Star Wars board games out there, but it’s a great one.
Veterans of this hugely popular video game will be well aware of its deck-building roots so it’s only a tiny hop to turn it into a tabletop experience. The advantage of going so, aside from a bit of new content and mechanical streamlining, is that you can now climb the spire – a dungeon you ascend rather than crawl – alongside your friends, working together to defeat whatever of the spire’s many potential monstrous denizens and bosses the game chooses to send your way, making the experience social as well as strategic. And all the addictive magic of carefully curating your cards and slinging them into tactical action against all manner of foes is very much still intact.
We had the chance to review Slay the Spire: The Board game and loved every second of the gameplay.
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is an engaging cooperative mystery horror game. Each player selects one of eight investigators to solve puzzles and collect weapons while attempting to fight off both monsters and insanity. Meanwhile, an intricate set of mysteries begins to unfold. The box contains four different scenarios that range from 60-360 minutes with the latter boasting quite a deep and engrossing campaign. Aiding in the immersive storytelling is an app that narrates the story and keeps track of various player actions. Apps in board games are either a pro or a con depending on who you ask, but it is widely agreed that Mansions of Madness: Second Edition got it right with this one. Not only does the app add to the tension with its eerie music and excellent voiceovers, but it also helps streamline the game, making it easier to start and teach.
Don’t let the “2” in the title fool you; this follow-up is quite the departure from its predecessor. Sequels can often be offputting for those unfamiliar with the original, but just about any tabletop fan can pick up Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape, throw some dice, slay some monsters, and have a great time, regardless of their familiarity level with the series. Massive Darkness 2 follows many of the classic dungeon crawler tropes, but it sets itself apart with six unique character classes that play differently from one another while still feeling cohesive. Beating down monsters, looting dungeons, leveling up, and upgrading gear is a satisfying loop that can be played across a wide variety of scenarios. Not to mention, the various classes included in the box change up the game so much that replaying as a different character feels like a wholly unique experience.
While the Alien franchise does have several licensed board games, arguably none of them embody the spirit of the series quite like Nemesis. No, Nemesis doesn’t have any official ties to the film saga, but the creeping terror that accompanies sneaking through corridors while attempting to avoid dangerous aliens will likely be a familiar feeling to fans. To further ramp up the tension, Nemesis gives players objective cards that affect their approach to the game – several of these cards require players to go against the best interests of other players. Because these cards are kept hidden until the end of the game, it’s difficult to know who to trust. Still, as survival is the main objective, teamwork is generally required. On the surface, everyone is striving toward the same goal, but you never know whether a traitor is secretly operating amongst the crew.
Alongside the base game, there are quite a few Nemesis expansions you can purchase separately as well as additional miniatures.
Cthulhu: Death May Die is a cooperative horror game inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. There are various standalone scenarios packed in, but the story generally involves stopping a dangerous ritual meant to summon powerful beings. Interestingly, the characters in Cthulhu: Death May Die gain strength as their remaining sanity dwindles throughout the game. This is a sort of risk, reward mechanic, however, as losing track of your character’s sanity entirely could spell disaster. Unlike some other popular dungeon crawlers, Cthulhu: Death May Die is rather easy to pick up – even if it can be difficult to beat. Seeing as the different scenarios don’t have to be played with the same group of players, this dice chucker is even more accessible.
Clank! Catacombs asks players to do it all; fight monsters, free prisoners, collect gold, and beware the dragon. There are several great iterations in the Clank series, but Clank! Catacombs dives most into the dungeon crawler genre, and it’s arguably the best entry in the franchise to date. What makes this installation great are various tiles that expand the map as you play, essentially turning Clank! Catacombs into a tabletop roguelike. As these tiles are shuffled before each game, no two playthroughs of Clank! Catacombs are the same.
While fans of the dungeon crawler genre generally appreciate massive boxes with dozens of detailed miniatures, Clank! Catacombs opts for a smaller footprint thanks to most of the game playing out through various cards and tiles. So, if your board game closet or bookshelf is starting to get a bit overstuffed, Clank! Catacombs might just be the dungeon crawler to grab.
The Zombicide titles are an incredibly popular series of cooperative survival board games, but Marvel Zombies is arguably one of the best entries to date. Taking inspiration from the What If comic series, Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game takes the outbreak to the heroes of the Marvel universe. Marvel Zombies isn’t just a reskin of the popular series, either. For one thing, Marvel Zombies lets players play as the zombies. Additionally, new mechanics change up the formula and streamline the classic experience, so even experienced Zombicide players might want to check out this iteration. Not to mention, the various miniatures are fantastic for fans of the comic book characters. Not unlike the more traditional Zombicide titles, there are plenty of expansions to the Marvel Zombies line. Additionally, there are plenty of great Marvel board games for those looking for even more fun in the comic book universe.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant is arguably one of the most underrated dungeon crawlers in the medium. Perhaps the biggest knock against TMNT: Change Is Constant is that those who aren’t fans of the franchise won’t likely find much of interest here. That said, fans of TMNT will likely love the various miniatures, character cards, the scenario booklet, and even the lovely box itself. Aside from the fanfare, Change is Constant introduces a unique mechanic where part of the player’s dice roll impacts their adjacent teammates. This makes TMNT really feel like a cooperative game true to its theme. Change is Constant can be played as a fully cooperative game or as a one-versus-many experience with one player operating as the villain. Either option offers an excellent experience, making TMNT: Change is Constant ideal for four or five players.
There are already great horror recommendations on this list, but fans of the historic video game franchise may want to check out Resident Evil: The Board Game. The cooperative survival horror game is set in the iconic Spencer Mansion and features recognizable characters from the series. Like the video games, Resident Evil: The Board Game features puzzles that unlock new areas of the map, limited resources, and, of course, plenty of zombies.
Unlike the Resident Evil video game series, however, the board game versions of Resident Evil 2 and 3 both came out before the original. Also unlike the video game series, the original is arguably the best. That being said, all three titles are worth checking out for fans of the franchise, with Resident Evil: The Board Game serving as an ideal starting point.
In a genre full of gruesome monsters and darker themes, Arcadia Quest opts for a different approach with a chibi art style. This welcoming aesthetic is matched by its easy-to-pick-up gameplay. However, Arcadia Quest adds a slight competitive twist with PvP quests that ask players to face off against each other during a scenario. While dungeon crawlers can often be entirely cooperative, Arcadia Quest plays against type and appearance a bit through these mandatory face-offs. Unfortunately, this means Arcadia Quest cannot be played solo. Seeing as how the game is built around a campaign, it means you’ll probably want the same group of players at the table each time as well. That might be a bit of a barrier to entry for some, but those who can manage to wrangle up some friends or family members to play through an entire campaign are in for a fantastic dungeon crawler loaded with personality.
For even more recommendations check out the best cooperative board games or even our best board games for adults. Those looking for titles that offer a bit of something for everyone may want to peruse our list of the best family board games.
Bobby Anhalt is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering board games and LEGOs. He has more than 8 years of experience writing about the gaming industry with bylines at Game Rant, Screen Rant, TheXboxHub, and Ranker. You can follow him on Twitter.
Try it out today.
Nintendo’s Switch eShop is always getting new demos and the latest one is for the 2v2 fighting game Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age.
Diesel Legacy made its debut last December, and is described as being a brand new take on fighting games with its 2v2 co-op-style gameplay and unique three-lane system set in “Dieselpunk world”. This demo can be downloaded from the eShop right now.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
A new Street Fighter movie has selected its challenger, I mean, director.
The Hollywood Reporter says Kitao Sakurai, writer, director, and executive producer on the absurd comedy show The Eric Andre Show, will direct a new film adaptation of Street Fighter for Legendary Entertainment.
Capcom is said to be “deeply involved” with the adaptation with the movie already given a March 20, 2026 release date.
This will be the latest attempt at bringing Street Fighter to the big screen, though who can ever forget the 1994 film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile, Ming-Na Wen as Chun-Li, and the late Raul Julia as M. Bison. A masterpiece, even if critics at the time didn’t think so.
No word yet on casting, but you can probably expect to see some of your favorite Street Fighter characters appear in this one.
A previous version of this film initially had Talk to Me directors Danny and Michael Philippou attached to helm the film, but they departed the project in the summer of last year. The choice of Eric Andre Show alum Sakurai could mean that Legendary is moving in a new, more absurdist direction for the film. As a fan of the more cartoony elements of Street Fighter, I’m actually excited if this is the case.
In the meantime, you can play the most recent Street Fighter game, Street Fighter 6 which recently released its newest fighter, Mai Shiranui. Check out our full Street Fighter 6 review here.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.
After roughly a decade in development, Lost Soul Aside is finally scheduled for a launch. Originally the passion project of solo developer Yang Bing, Lost Soul Aside has grown to become a major Sony-published title under the company’s ‘China Hero Project,’ with Bing now the founder and CEO of Shanghai-based studio Ultizero Games.
With a release date of May 30 on PlayStation 5 and PC closing in, IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Yang Bing to discuss the long road to launch. So many years of development went into this single-player action game, escalating from a solo creator’s vision to a trailer reveal at Sony’s State of Play. Through it all the hype has grown, with some calling Lost Soul Aside an exciting mix of Final Fantasy characters and Devil May Cry combat — even from the moment Yang Bing’s initial reveal video went viral in 2016.
With the help of a translator, IGN asked Yang Bing about the early origins of Lost Soul Aside, its inspirations, what challenges the team has faced over the years, and much more.
It’s been almost nine years since the first glimpse of Lost Soul Aside, on your YouTube channel. How did you get started on this project, and how old were you at the time?
Yang Bing: So I remember our first promotional video was released in 2016. I was born in 1990, so when the video was released, I was about 26 years old, so that was actually when the project started. I remember [Lost Soul Aside] probably started around, at the end of 2014, the beginning of 2015.
What were the original inspirations behind Lost Soul Aside? Has that ever shifted over the course of development?
Yang Bing: So personally, I have loved playing games since I was young. And of course, back at that time, I had some personal favorite genres. Later on, [my] passion towards games wasn’t changed, didn’t change a lot. So I wanted to develop something that I really like. And then the tools and game engines were relatively mature. So that was the beginning of [Lost Soul Aside].
The overall style and then, the inspiration, has not changed that much. From the beginning, the beginning of 2016 until now, about like nine years or 10 years, it continues to feature a blend of fantasy elements with some realistic visuals, characterized by this real-life aesthetic. So this style has not changed. The combat style has also consistently leaned towards high speed and flashy action. So this is something that we have been sticking to for all these years. During this development process, we, of course, continued to see some new and excellent works, which maybe we got some influence through, [on] our thought along the way. So from the beginning, this personal trailer gradually evolved into a more mature and well-run version, I should say.
How did the Sony collaboration come around? Can you describe what that first meeting was like, and how the partnership has been since?
Yang Bing: Well, actually, back to 2016, I had some contact [with a] PlayStation colleague. That was, for me, a turning point, which I think is quite remarkable. So when I released this promotional video, I got a message from a colleague at PlayStation, who said that they wanted to discuss the project in detail and explore a potential collaboration. Back at that time, I was still in South Korea, and I felt really grateful for this opportunity. At the end of 2016, I went back to China and then immediately, I went to PlayStation, Sony in Shanghai, visited them, and met with them in person. And so from that time, we kind of started our collaboration.
In recent years, the collaboration has been continuously deepening. Initially, it started with the Sony China Hero Project. And then, later on, we kind of joined this collaboration with Sony, and then Sony officially announced that it’s going to be published by PlayStation.
What would you say makes Lost Soul Aside stand out from other games in its genre?
Yang Bing: So the play will be very smooth, because we think that when the players play, they will likely be impressed by the overall operability of the game, including the combat experience and the interaction with the environment. It will be very smooth. And in order to achieve this kind of smooth feeling, we actually try our best, utmost, to ensure that the player’s input receives immediate feedback. For example, all the weapons can be switched seamlessly.
Additionally, the combat for this kind of skill combination can be combined seamlessly as well. All the skills can be canceled as well. We have spent a significant amount of time ensuring that everything flows as smoothly as possible. So, this is something that I think will impress players the most. And then, furthermore, the intent, our intention, is to shape the two main characters, the combination, Kaser and Arena. So we can provide players with the option like turning Arena into a weapon and other elements, to help Kaser fight in battle. [He] can provide some help during his journey. So I think that all these elements combining together can become a very outstanding and recognizable aspect for our game.
Where did the concept for Arena, the transforming dragon companion Kazer has, come from?
Yang Bing: So that kind of idea and thought actually started at a very, very, very early stage, even before this project started back to 2016. So, I remember I watched some YouTube video… there’s a special effects creator who makes a segment featuring a crystal that can [transform] into various weapons, a shade, and many other things. Combined with my idea, I always thought about this idea, about a dragon [that] can transform, all kinds of shapes. Even before this game project has started, I had the idea about something like this.
Other than this dragon, I was thinking that the protagonist has a companion, which at that time is somewhat similar to a dragon-like creature that can transform into a weapon, [to help] the character, assisting in the battle. So I always had this kind of idea from the beginning, I had the idea to incorporate [it] into this project. This idea that the protagonist has a dragon partner that can become a weapon, this idea actually, I had it since 2014.
What ideas and themes does Lost Soul Aside center on, that you want players to take away from this game?
Yang Bing: So, the core theme primarily just revolves around Kaser, the protagonist, and his companion Arena, and they embark on various adventures together. And of course, during that process they face numerous challenges, including traps and a variety of formidable enemies. So the focus is on Kaser, who starts off as an ordinary individual, an ordinary person. And then after he meets Arena, and then later, they continuously establish some kind of relationship with other characters. So in this adventure, we want the players to experience the growth of the characters, transforming from ordinary people, or him from an ordinary person at the beginning, to a hero who can save the world by the end. Of course, saving the world was not his initial intention, but players can gradually and consciously embrace the idea of saving the world and defeating villains throughout the process.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced, working on this one game for so long?
Yang Bing: So, well, it started from the idea, [my] personal idea, and then it’s a promotion video, it’s a conceptual idea. And then we have to accumulate experience and to enhance the development experience during all this process and all these years. So, I think this is very essential, for developing this kind of skill and type of project, this is one thing. And then the other challenge for me, I should say this because for me, I started from my personal ideas. I work. I used to work just by myself. And later on, I continuously [accumulated] knowledge on how to collaborate with other members as a team, with the help of Sony PlayStation, and now because we have established a team. So it requires everyone to come together to make the idea happen. So for me, this is constantly a learning process, and I need to overcome this challenge to make the project a successful one.
You’re planning to launch day one for both PC and PS5? What was the reasoning behind targeting both for the launch, over just PlayStation?
Yang Bing: So, launch for PC as well. I think it’s a very new experience for players and it would be quite intriguing for them, I think. So this is the final stage, and the final decision was made during the communication process between me and Sony. So I feel that everyone cooperated in a very good manner and harmoniously throughout all the process.
After working on Lost Soul Aside for so long, are you excited for whatever comes next for yourself and Ultizero Games?
Yang Bing: Well, so at this stage, and then both my team, and myself, and the PlayStation team, we’re continuously communicating with each other about the follow-up plans. I’m sorry, I cannot provide a very clear answer at this moment.
But you’re excited to get Lost Soul Aside out there?
Yang Bing: Yes.
Lost Soul Aside launches on PS5 and PC on May 30, 2025.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
Available later this year.
The critically-acclaimed horror game Mouthwashing will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch later this year after publisher Critical Reflex celebrated 500K+ sales on Steam.
Physical editions will be available via Fangamer, and while pre-orders aren’t available just yet, you can sign up for notifications so you don’t miss out.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
As Marvel Rivals players plot how they’ll use the Human Torch to smoke enemy teams when he arrives alongside a mid-season update later this week, others are already worried the fiery Fantastic Four member will be overpowered at launch.
NetEase Games pulled back the curtain on its next Duelist hero addition yesterday, revealing a first look at how Johnny Storm’s gameplay will light up the Marvel Rivals battlefield. While it’s easy to look at things like flight as standout features for the character, there are a few specific abilities that have players fearful of Human Torch takeovers once the Season 1.5 update launches February 21.
Concerns about the fire-based Marvel hero’s impact really kicked off when content creator Necros shared an early peek at some of the character’s abilities. It was here players got a closer look at how the Pyro Prison ability, which allows Human Torch to burn enemies within a certain area, can be used to control a match. In short, Pyro Prison’s reach can extend across massive portions of a stage, inflicting constant damage to any enemy who steps in the affected location. It’s not an insignificant amount of damage either, as the viral clip shows training range bots losing health at a staggering pace.
Holy… Human Torch’s Flame Walls does damage to EVERYTHING inside the walls.. #MarvelRivals pic.twitter.com/yDcnZsVebf
— Cozy (@ACozyGamer) February 18, 2025
There’s also Human Torch’s team-up ability with Storm, which allows the X-Men hero to create a giant fire tornado. The move seems to be one of Marvel Rivals’ stronger team-up moves, and although we don’t know exactly how effective it will be in your average match, there are plenty of players already worried about running into this exact strategy for the next few weeks. X/Twitter user @xBattledR0id is convinced this means we’ll see Human Torch “perma banned” in upper-tier competitive games out of the gate.
“I am just being honest,” they added in a follow-up post. “Between this and the Storm team-up there will be very few games where he isn’t banned.”
this is absolutely getting nerfed within a week😭
— Nery (@sadwestgoatfan) February 19, 2025
This ability looks like it was designed to ruin friendships
— leila🏳️⚧️ (@Transsleila) February 19, 2025
yea bro never seeing the light in ban phase
— Cuhso (@vummrs) February 19, 2025
Making matters worse is Human Torch’s ability to fly, a feature that has already had players fearful of Iron Man attacks from the sky since launch. As with any live-service title, new character additions will draw attention from players regardless of their preferred playstyle. In other words, expect to see a lot of Johnny Storms lighting up matches for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, some fans are looking for their own solutions to a potential Johnny Storm problem. Many have jokingly come up with the idea that water-based heroes like Jeff the Land Shark and Namor should be able to extinguish Johnny’s flames or even do a bit of extra damage. There’s no sign that any such mechanic will be made available in Marvel Rivals for now, of course. We won’t really know how the new hero will shift the meta until he launches in a few days.
The Human Torch isn’t the only Fantastic Four member touching down this Friday. When the Season 1 mid-season update launches, it will also introduce The Thing as the newest Vanguard member. Although the rocky hero isn’t quite as scary as his silver-tongued teammate, he’ll almost certainly be showing up in most players’ matches in the weeks ahead.
For more on Marvel Rivals, you can read about NetEase’s recent decision to cut members of Marvel Rivals’ U.S.-based design team in Seattle. You can also learn more about why NetEase those rumored hero leak plants are nothing to worry about.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Is it all Sleep Talk?
Next week, on 27th February 2025, Pokémon will be celebrating its 29th birthday. And you know what that means? It’s time for some Pokémon Presents.
After a relatively ‘muted’ 2024, there’s a lot on people’s minds. Inverted commas there because, come on, if muted means releasing a brand new mobile game which has taken the world by storm, hundreds of new lines of merch, frequent events, codes, new trading cards (and new scandals), and way more, then even Whismur could be confused.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Are you ready to rev it up and unleash your fury? SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the legendary ’90s fighter reborn, launches on April 24, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S. Eager to sink your teeth in early? The Open Beta kicks off tomorrow, running from February 20–24, giving you an early shot at the fight. Prepare to feast on next-gen brawling—powered by revolutionary game mechanics, a stunning comic-inspired art style, and flexible control options tailored for both newcomers and seasoned veterans. Wolves, start sharpening your claws and get ready to take on South Town’s greatest and latest!
The Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Open Beta invites the hungry pack to step into the ring and test out the integrated rollback netcode and cross-network play functionality with eight of the game’s characters to choose from. Players can battle it out with friends across three online modes in cross-network play: Ranked Match, Casual Match, and Room Match. Those who are new to Fatal Fury can learn the ropes in the offline Tutorial mode, which offers the perfect training ground.
Debuting in City of the Wolves is the Rev System, a customizable toolset designed to supercharge offensive strategy from the very first clash. Only the strongest wolves can master (and balance) every Rev technique to reign as champion of South Town. Hit the books and study the Rev systems via our official Fighting Guide to learn more.
On the topic of South Town, the Open Beta will give players access to some of the tropical city’s legends, including the Legendary Wolf himself, Terry Bogard, and the fan-favorite fiery ninja, Mai Shiranui.
Joining the roster are new challengers: Preecha, a diligent Muay Thai dynamo with calculated strikes, and the enigmatic Vox Reaper, whose demonic presence and deadly karate bring a fresh yet familiar intensity to the fight.
Rounding out the Open Beta roster are a mix of returning legends and fresh faces ready to join the fray:
A diverse pack of wolves—with more to come in the full game—are raring for battle. The streets of South Town are a hotbed of action, wild dreams, and even wilder ambition. Here, at long last, a new legend is about to unfold…
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is perfect for both new and experienced players, providing two control schemes tailored to all levels of experience: Arcade Style and Smart Style. Arcade Style offers traditional fighting game controls, while Smart Style streamlines gameplay, allowing flashy special moves and combos with simple directional inputs and single-button presses. Making its triumphant return after 26 years, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves aims to wow old and new fans with its dynamic art style, a mix of new and familiar fighters, and modernized battle systems. Read more on how to play on our official website.
Pre-orders for the Special Edition of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves are now live for $59.99 USD / €59.99 EUR, featuring the Base Game and Season Pass 1. Players who pre-order will unlock a classic Terry Bogard costume inspired by his original Fatal Fury appearance, along with three days of early access to the full game, starting April 21, 2025.
Get ready for the Open Beta and gear up for the full launch on April 24, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S. In the meantime, check out Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and the KOF Studio on X, Instagram, and the official Discord.
SNK CORPORATION
SNK’s beloved Fatal Fury series first hit the market in 1991, spearheading the fighting game boom of the 1990s that swept the industry thereafter. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES (released in 1999) has, for some time, served as the franchise’s most recent installment. But that is all about to change: 26 years on, a brand-new entry—FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves—is set to arrive on the scene!
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves features a unique art style that stimulates the senses, an innovative REV system that supercharges the excitement, plus a host of other battle systems even more robust than before. The game also breathes new life into the series by introducing two distinct control schemes (ensuring fun and excitement for newcomers and veterans alike) as well as other fresh features and elements.
The streets of South Town are a hotbed of action, wild dreams, and even wilder ambition. Here, at long last, a new legend is about to unfold…
The post Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – Details and Tips for the Open Beta, Beginning Tomorrow appeared first on Xbox Wire.
The Nintendo Switch is going out in a blaze of glory, with some exciting games launching to make way for the console’s successor: the now officially announced Switch 2. Whether they’re exclusively developed for the Switch or ported over from other platforms, these upcoming Switch games will wrap up the Switch’s final year while also being compatible with the Switch 2 upon release.
In 2025, we’ll get our hands on the last few games that were announced during last year’s Nintendo Directs as well as The Game Awards 2024. Whether you own the original Switch or are looking ahead to what will release on the Switch 2, here are all the new Switch games we can look forward to in 2025 and beyond.
Take a look at our guide to all upcoming video games for release dates on every platform.
Duelists, rejoice. This collection comes jack-packed with some of the earliest games in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series: 16 of them, to be precise. Most of the Konami-developed titles originally released in the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance generations, with highlights including 2001’s The Eternal Duelist Soul and 2002’s The Sacred Cards.
Not the first, and probably not the last, remastered compilation of Konami’s first two Suikoden games. Suikoden I & II were first released on the original PlayStation back in the late 90’s and were previously remastered for the PlayStation Portable in the 2000’s. In early 2025, new HD remasters of the classic RPGs are arriving on the Nintendo Switch.
Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson are all featured on the cover of this year’s MLB The Show, which will celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary. The baseball sim has advertised more enhancements to baseball mechanics, including an all-new Ambush Hitting difficulty, as well as more personalization in its “Road to the Show” gameplay mode.
Xenoblade Chronicles X was originally released on the Wii U back in 2015, and a “visually enhanced” Definitive Edition of the action RPG is coming to Switch in 2025. This release follows a Definitive Edition of the original Xenoblade Chronicles that was released for Switch back in 2020, while Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3 were released straight onto the handheld console in 2017 and 2022, respectively.
The newest addition to Koei Tecmo’s Atelier series introduces a new alchemist, Yumia Liessfeldt, and a host of new companions. Try to uncover the mysteries of an empire’s fall while learning synthesis skills to defeat enemies in real-time combat.
A cozy farming game set in The Shire is pretty much a match made in heaven. Tales of the Shire lets you create your own hobbit during a time of peace in Middle-earth. Starting in March 2025, you’ll be able to indulge in the ultimate fantasy by spending your days cooking and eating delicious meals with your friends.
Remember the Care Bears? Apparently the show got rebooted in 2019 as “Care Bears: Unlock the Magic,” and now the family-friendly franchise is getting a Switch game tie-in. The arcade-style collection features staple characters from the cartoon, including Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, and Funshine Bear.
Star Overdrive is an upcoming indie adventure game set on a distant alien planet. Fly around on your hoverboard while conquering enemies and solving puzzles to try and reunite with your lost love.
Several years after Nitroplus revealed Rusty Rabbit in a concept trailer, the side-scrolling action platformer is finally coming to Switch. Play as the middle-aged rabbit, Stamp, who has built his own mech to traverse a post-apocalyptic frozen wasteland.
This remastered collection brings the two original Lunar JRPGs, LUNAR Silver Star Story and LUNAR 2 Eternal Blue, to modern consoles. The remasters come with several quality-of-life improvements, including enhanced graphics and both English and Japanese voice-acting.
That’s right, it’s another fighting game collection. This time, Capcom is compiling games released between 1998 and 2004, which is what some would call a peak era for arcade fighting. This second fighting collection includes both the English and Japanese versions of six games total, including Capcom vs. SnK and the Power Stone beat-em-up series.
The highly-anticipated sequel to 2014’s Fantasy Life finally has a release date. This “slow-life” RPG combines adventure storylines with life-sim mechanics, allowing players to build a life (and a city) on a deserted island while facing mysteries of the past. Explore randomized dungeons, switch between 14 different “Jobs,” and meet friends to help you in your journey.
The iconic RPG social sim is back. As a powerful Earth Dancer, you must travel across the eastern nation of Azuma to battle monsters and restore villages. The new Rune Factory game looks like it places a stronger emphasis on action and anime-style character designs, though improved Switch performance with an all-new storyline will hopefully mark an improvement over Rune Factory 5. This is Rune Factory, so there will be plenty of romance, now with fully voiced “scenarios” and even the ability to romance the unselected MC.
There are plenty more Nintendo Switch games in development that don’t have a solid release date yet. Here are some more Switch games we know are on the way:
Over the last year, we’ve been hearing rumors about the Nintendo Switch successor regarding its appearance, release date, and name. On January 16, Nintendo finally confirmed a decent chunk of these rumors with the official announcement of the Switch 2. While the announcement trailer shows off some new features (including what looks like the potential to use the Joy-Con as a mouse), it doesn’t provide any insight into specs or game launches. More official info, including pricing and a release date, will arrive via a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.
One thing the trailer confirms is that the Switch 2 will be, for the most part, backward compatible, supporting both physical and digital games from the original Switch. Otherwise, it definitely looks like the trailer features a new Mario Kart game, and plenty of leaks have suggested third-party games like Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be ported onto the console. For more info, you can check out our list of games reportedly set to release on the Switch 2.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.
