Fatal Fury 2 and two other Super Nintendo Entertainment System games have joined the Nintendo Switch Online library.
A trailer released by Nintendo, below, announced Fatal Fury 2, Sutte Hakkun, and Super Ninja Boy are all now available in the SNES collection.
Fatal Fury 2 arrived in 1992 as a fighting game sequel and introduced new characters Kim Kaphwan and Mai Shiranui. They joined the classic roster of fighters such as Terry Bogard and Big Bear to round out the roster to eight.
Sutte Hakkun, meanwhile, hasn’t been released in English until now. This is side-scrolling puzzle game about gathering arinbow shards as a wee beastie called Hakkun.
Finally, the relatively ahead of its time Super Ninja Boy hits Nintendo Switch Online 34 years after its 1991 release. It blends role-playing game and with action elements as players control Jack and beat up baddies. It features multiplayer too, with a second player able to jump in at any time.
In just a single day, the company’s share price dropped by more than 16% from 142.35 USD to 118.58 USD. Things are levelling out somewhat at the time of writing, but it certainly marks one of the most volatile downturns in the company’s history.
Both Blizzard Entertainment and Grinding Gear Games have declined to say whether they plan to ban accounts belonging to Elon Musk after the X/Twitter owner reportedly admitted to cheating, leading some fans to accuse the developers of undermining the integrity of their games.
Screenshots of a private conversation between Musk, the world’s richest man, and a YouTuber showed Musk’s admission of paying for account boosting in action RPGs Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2.
Account boosting is a form of cheating where a player logs into another player’s account to raise (or boost) their rank to a higher tier and violates pretty much every live service video game’s terms of service. Blizzard’s end user licence agreement specifically warns players that account boosting or power-leveling, in exchange for payment, is prohibited.
Following Musk’s admission this week, Diablo 4 developer Blizzard Entertainment and Path of Exile 2 developer Grinding Gear Games have faced questions about whether they will now take action and ban Musk’s accounts for cheating.
“Are there any comments from GGG regarding this? Maybe in [Early Access] it’s not a high priority, or it’s garnering too much free press, but as a longtime supporter, this is a massive blow to the credibility of RMT [real money trading] enforcement.
“I’m not trying to shitpost or troll with this, I’m just extremely disappointed that GGG isn’t getting out the ban hammer.
“Anyone else feel this is undermining the integrity of the game?”
There’s a similar sentiment on Battle.net. “Is boosting against the rules?” asked one player. “If it is, then shouldn’t Elon Musk’s account get banned since he flat out admitted that he boosts his account? I assume he doesn’t get to break the rules just because…”
When contacted by IGN, Grinding Gear Games declined to comment. Blizzard also declined, saying it does not comment on individual player account behaviors or enforcements.
Musk had bragged about his gaming prowess on multiple occasions, most notably in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan in which he said he was in the top 20 players in the world for Diablo 4. More recently, Musk had a hardcore level 97 Path of Exile 2 character, although it has since perished. He has said he plays video games “to quiet my mind.” “Some days are real tough, so playing video games is my strange solace,” he added.
However, Musk’s self-proclaimed gaming prowess was brought into question as players began to take a closer look at his performance and knowledge of the games he plays. Some had questioned whether Musk was capable of dedicating the huge amount of time that would be needed to reach his high levels in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 given his commitments as boss of Tesla, SpaceX, X/Twitter, and now as Donald Trump’s efficiency tsar. Then an early January livestream that saw Musk tackling endgame tasks in Path of Exile 2 drew criticism from fans who said he failed to demonstrate a basic understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Many had assumed that Musk might have been paying others to boost his Path of Exile 2 character for him, and so it proved. A video posted on Sunday by the Diablo player NikoWrex showed a direct message conversation with Musk on X in which Musk admits to account boosting, insisting it was the only way to compete with players in Asia.
“Have you level boosted (had someone else play your accounts) and/or purchased gear/resources for PoE2 [Path of Exile 2] and Diablo 4?” asked NikoWrex. Musk responded with a 100% emoji. He later added: “It’s impossible to beat the players in Asia if you don’t, as they do!”
“But when I post a video of a game or am streaming, that’s 100% me,” he added. Musk was asked whether he intended to take credit for having a high level hardcore Path of Exile 2 character. “No. Never claimed that,” he replied. “The top accounts in Diablo or PoE require multiple people playing the account to win a leveling race.” Musk then went on to question the need to apologize for his actions.
Following the revelations, the musician Grimes, who has three children with Musk from a previous relationship, tweeted in his defence, saying: “Just for my personal pride, I would like to state that the father of my children was the first American druid in Diablo to clear abattoir of zir and ended that season as best in the USA. He was also ranking in Polytopia, and beat Felix himself at the game. I did observe these things with my own eyes. There are other witnesses who can verify this. That is all.”
Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson – Pool/Getty Images.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Good news for anyone eager to meet a big talking catfish. A new trailer for action adventure game South Of Midnight sees players battering monsters from the folklore of the US’ Deep South. It shows hero Hazel arguing with her mum before a supernatural hurricane cuts off the family drama and sends Hazel wandering the swamps to encounter giant alligators, giant fish, giant dolls, and giant people. Maybe Hazel is just very small. Either way, it also dangles an important morsel in front of our snapping jaws: a release date. Come see.
The Steam Deck is very much focused on the PC market, but even it’s seemingly been unable to avoid the excitement of the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement last week with a reported slump in sales revenue.
As highlighted by Twisted Voxel (via Steam Deck HQ), the Steam Deck is regularly trending at the top of the “top sellers” chart on Steam, but between 14th January – 21st January, Valve’s portable PC hardware dropped from the top three to the 47th spot. This is supposedly its “lowest global ranking since its launch in 2022”. At the time of writing, it’s now back up in second place on the charts – so it’s business as usual.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will land on the Switch this March, and ahead of this Wii U title’s return, pre-order deals are now going live in North America.
If you’re planning on picking up a physical copy, you might want to check out Best Buy, as it will be offering a fancy mini metal poster and stand featuring the game’s key artwork. If you’ve already pre-ordered from this store, this should be added to your existing order.
Doom: The Dark Ages is set to release for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC on May 13 if you buy one of the more expensive editions, or May 15 if you buy the standard edition. The latest in a long line of heavy-metal-infused, demon-slaying first-person shooters, Doom: The Dark Ages promises to offer plenty of pools of blood and gore as you blast your way through the hordes of hell. Fun times. It’s available to preorder now in handful of editions (see it at Best Buy). Below, you’ll find details about what comes in each edition, where it’s available, and more. Put on your Slayer suit and let’s dive in.
If you’ve preordered the standard edition, or you plan to play the game via Game Pass, and you want the premium items or to play two days early, the premium upgrade gets you that. It basically turns your standard edition into the premium edition.
The collector’s edition comes with the premium edition of the game on disc, plus the following:
12” Doom Slayer statue
Key card replica in steelbook
Up to 2 days early access
Campaign DLC
Divinity Skin Pack
Digital artbook and soundtrack
Doom: The Dark Ages Will Be on Game Pass
Like all Microsoft-published games, Doom: The Dark Ages will be available to play on Game Pass Ultimate at launch. However, “launch” means the release date of the standard edition, which is May 15. If you want to play it two days early (May 13), you can purchase the premium upgrade above.
Doom: The Dark Ages Preorder Bonus
Preorder the game, and you’ll receive the Void Doom Slayer skin at launch.
During the latest Developer_Direct, we showed off tons of brand new gameplay and provided developer insights on four upcoming games launching for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and cloud – and even surprise released a bonus remaster along the way.
We visited the studios behind DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the never-before-seen NINJA GAIDEN 4 to get an inside look at new gameplay footage, as well as key information from each game, direct from the developers working on them. Plus, to celebrate the return of NINJA GAIDEN, we also announced that a remastered version of the beloved Xbox classic, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Blackwill be available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass from today.
In addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming, all the games in our show also support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy them through the store on Xbox or Windows, they’re yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.
Here’s a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct today:
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Launching May 15, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*
The team at id Software shared a deep dive into DOOM: The Dark Ages and revealed that the cinematic, epic first-person shooter will launch on May 15, 2025.
DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, is set in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOM’s immediately recognizable hellish twist. In the segment, three core pillars of the game were explored: Combat, which dug into deadly new weapons of mass destruction the Slayer can wield; Exploration, which offered a glimpse at an incredible new medieval-inspired setting that will take players to never-before-seen dark and sinister realms; and Story, which gave an overview of the characters and stakes the Slayer will face in his journey to turn the tides of a war.
This is the most ambitious DOOM game to date. id Software is seizing the chance to present both newcomers and long-time fans alike with an epic adventure as the super weapon in a medieval war against hell itself. Find out more about the game, with extra information from the developers in our Xbox Wire article.
South of Midnight – Launching April 8, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and play it day one with Game Pass*
Compulsion Games took us behind the scenes at their studio in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, their new third-person action adventure game which releases on April 8, 2025.
In Compulsion’s segment, we learned more about the journey of Hazel, the game’s protagonist, which leads her into a darkly magical world where she discovers her new abilities as a Weaver. Her story is filled with macabre Southern Gothic folklore and encounters with mythical larger-than-life creatures that shape her growth and understanding of her newfound powers.
You can see more of South of Midnight’s hand-crafted art style, world building, and combat in South of Midnight’snew story trailer and get ready to explore the American Deep South with Hazel by pre-ordering today – and play up to five days early with the South of Midnight Premium Edition. Find out more about the game’s story in our exclusive Xbox Wire article here.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Launching April 24, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass* (see developer website for other platforms)
We visited Montpellier, France, home of Sandfall Interactive, as they develop their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th Century France, where the world is facing an existential threat, one year at a time. The developer shared a deeper look at the game’s innovative mechanics, such as the “Reactive Turn-Based” system, and the unique art direction that brings the game’s world to life. We even got a first look at Expedition 33’s expansive overworld map.
As the coup de grace, Sandfall Interactive confirmed the game’s release date: our journey to stop the Paintress begins April 24. For more on the team’s creative vision and deep customization options, we’ve got more on Xbox Wire here.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 – Launching Fall 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*
Team NINJA announced the return of a beloved franchise with the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4. After more than a decade, the masters of action at Team NINJA and PlatinumGames have partnered with Xbox Game Studios Publishing to bring us an exciting new chapter in the NINJA GAIDEN series, a series with a long history on Xbox.
We were introduced to Yakumo, a new protagonist whose objective lies at the heart of a devastated Tokyo. On his mission, Yakumo will not only encounter fiends and demons , but also the legendary master ninja himself: Ryu Hayabusa. Gameplay footage showed that Yakumo will introduce players to a stylish new take on ninja action with Bloodbind Ninjutsu, alongside legacy techniques like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop. Ryu will also return as a playable character with a revamped arsenal that stays true to his signature brutality and precision.
During the segment, developers from both PlatinumGames and Team NINJA shared details about the game’s story, the setting in a near-future Tokyo, and its action-packed combat mechanics. We also got a glimpse into the creative process behind this highly anticipated title, which will be released in Fall 2025, and can be wishlisted on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5. For the latest information, follow Team Ninja on social media (YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram). Check out an exclusive interview with the developers on Xbox Wire.
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black – Available Today!
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass*
The highly-acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 returns graphically remastered! NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black features the high-speed ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.
Looking Ahead
As with every Developer_Direct, today’s show marks just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. Next up is Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming fantasy RPG, which launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. With our own studios and incredible partners working on new experiences, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and Xbox social channels this year to see why there’s never been a better time to be an Xbox player.
Hello everybody! This is Hugo Martin, Game Director on Doom: The Dark Ages reporting from the offices at id Software – we are all hard at work polishing this latest installment in the franchise. It’s almost ready and we can’t wait for you to play it. In the meantime, we have a new look at gameplay we put together for you. There’s lots to breakdown from the video, so let’s get started – I’m guessing you’ve got some questions, let me try and give you some more details…
What’s the new combat loop in Dark Ages, and how’s it different from Eternal or Doom (2016)?
High level – you could say it’s a blend of the two but with a new, medieval toolkit. We’re looking to create an experience that has the depth of Eternal’s loop with the simplicity of Doom (2016)’s control scheme. As a player, you performed a lot of cool actions in Eternal, and each action/attack had its own input. In Dark Ages we have a brand-new set of cool medieval actions to perform but this time, with fewer buttons to press!
The depth/simplicity is achieved by making the behavior of items like the Shield-Saw change based on the material it interacts with. It’s contextual: the shield throw ricochets off plasma shields hitting other enemies (feels awesome), it sticks into flesh (stun locking larger demons), or it can shatter armor creating an AOE blast – all with a single button press.
I love analogies: it all adds up to us having fewer strings on the guitar this time – but we added frets to maintain the mechanical depth of the experience, giving the player something new to learn and master.
With all of this, we are relying on familiar FPS inputs to execute these moves, giving the loop an intuitive learning curve. The actions feel impactful and fun to execute, and the results give you a tactical advantage – fun on the outside smart on the inside.
What do the “rings” around enemies indicate?
The yellow rings you see appearing around the characters are falter indicators. “Falters” is a meta in Eternal and 2016. Great players figured out what caused falters and they started to stack those attacks to stun-lock powerful enemies (which is what we hoped they’d do). It’s important that we clearly identify the moment an enemy falters in Dark Ages so more players can begin to explore what causes it and how they can use it to their advantage. You don’t have to rely on falters to be successful but on higher difficulties it can give you an extra advantage – and if you choose to play on Ultra Nightmare you’ll need every advantage you can get!
More story in Doom?
Yes! There are three pillars of engagement in Dark Ages; combat, exploration and story – three reasons to play, narrative is just one of them. Players don’t want a story in Doom, they want a good one, something that enhances the power fantasy, gives you even more motivation to fight through to the end of the campaign. Through story we can build bigger and better adversaries, worlds to discover and obstacles to overcome.
The story synopsis reads: With the Slayer imprisoned at the start of Dark Ages the balance of power between good and evil is shifting, and time is running out. Our hero is a feared outsider among an imperiled people, his strength controlled by the gods they serve, in a world under siege by an ancient evil.
At this point in the Doom Universe timeline, this game being a prequel – we start at the beginning of the Slayer’s time with the Sentinels. He is the outlander, blessed with power by the Sentinel’s gods known as the Maykrs. Our subjugated hero stands now as the superweapon in a medieval war against the armies of hell.
When does it come out?
May 15, 2025! We are so excited for you to get your hands on what we hope will become – the best Doom game we’ve ever made. It’s got something for everyone, loads of great combat, tons of exploration and an awesome action story that’s worthy of the Slayers legend. Plus you’ve got encounters with the Atlan (giant Doom mech) and Dragon to look forward to!
Anyway, thanks for reading – look out for more info to come.
