When you’ve got a shiny new handheld like the Switch 2, getting a good carry case is of the utmost importance. However, not all carry cases are created equal; some are fine when it comes to providing a modicum of protection on the move, while others are built with a little more robustness. I’m pleased to report that Genki’s Sleeper Case ($42.99 / £36) is definitely in the latter camp and perhaps represents one of the best Switch 2 cases on the market right now.
The first thing that struck me when I removed the Sleeper Case from its packaging was just how sturdy it felt. According to Genki, the case is constructed with “materials trusted in motorsport gear”, and it certainly feels that way.
007: First Light. Project Fantasy. MindsEye. IO Interactive has a lot going on in the coming days, months, and years. But one key franchise of theirs has been conspicuously quiet: Hitman.
So I asked Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive, if that was the case when we sat down for an interview this past weekend following the reveal of 007: First Light. And he reassured me that Agent 47 was still on active duty.
“The Hitman series is definitely not done,” Abrak said. “We’re not done with Hitman. IO has been synonymous with Hitman, despite the other IPs we have done. We absolutely are proud, grateful, and happy with Hitman. But obviously doing another new IP, Project Fantasy, and doing Bond, it takes a lot of our resources and time. But as you saw, we announced the Hitman co-op, which is a big dream of mine. And they will be maybe in different shapes, but they will definitely be more Hitman in the future.”
My question to Abrak was sparked by our prior discussion of the differences between Agent 47 and James Bond. Though IO Interactive’s espionage pedigree is certainly what led to the studio being trusted with the Bond license [to kill], the two heroes are quite different in practice. Bond leans more toward action, with Agent 47 preferring stealth and disguise. And while Bond certainly has a classy sense of humor, the Hitman games are renowned for being… well, pretty silly! Agent 47 dresses up in a flamingo mascot suit at one point, for Pete’s sake.
So will 007: First Light still have that Hitman flavor? Yes, said Abrak, but it will have a tone all its own.
“It is very, very important to get the humor right. In Denmark, we love dark humor and the silliness because it takes away from the seriousness of being an assassin. Bond is different. Bond, the humor is first of all very British. And the humor there is to support the energy and his personality, which is much more front and center. So I would say less silly. It’s not flamingo disguises, as you said, but still entertaining.”
Abrak continued: “And it’s a game that plays differently. It’s emphasizing more action, for sure. And the structure of Bond is more like it’s breathing more. Like there are more linear parts where you have the spectacle moments and exotic vehicles. And then we also give space in Bond to open up a bit and breathe a bit. So you have definitely glimpses of IO Interactive, as you would know from Hitman games as well, but it’s more front foot. It’s less of an analytical mind, chess play, where you sit and meticulously plan. All the clockwork things in Hitman where if you do this or do this, where Bond is more impulsive, more reckless sometimes. It’s more like he’s just taking things and acting and handling it more as they arise.
“So it’s a different dynamism, because we want to make something that feels true for a Bond fantasy. So it’s definitely not a re-skin of a Hitman kind of thing, but I feel that people will see IO Interactive, that is a game made by Interactive, but they will also see that this game is something else. It’s something that’s true to what we are hopefully going to deliver 360, an ultimate Bond experience.”
We’ll be publishing our full interview with Abrak later this week, including discussion of not just Hitman, but also 007: First Light and upcoming IO Interactive-published game MindsEye.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Nintendo has hidden a few cool Easter eggs for the GameCube within Switch 2, fans have discovered.
With the launch of Nintendo’s new console, fans can finally play GameCube games using Nintendo Switch Online — but load up a title from the era of Nintendo’s beloved purple brick, and you’ll note that something is missing: the console’s iconic startup animation.
Anyone who owned a GameCube will have the image of the console’s logo unfurling around the screen burned into their memories, as its chirpy soundtrack played. Well, with a simple button press, Nintendo actually allows you to restore this sequence — not that the console ever specifically tells you how.
Credit, then, goes to Spawn Wave for noting that you can prompt the GameCube startup animation by holding the Switch 2’s control stick in any direction while loading the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube app. This will then play the retro console’s startup sequence, just as you remembered it.
Except this isn’t quite as you remembered it — it’s actually polished up in 4K. Yes, this is the shiny new version of the logo that debuted during Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct earlier this year, when GameCube games were first confirmed for the console.
“Cool, when the stick drift starts you can get it every time,” one fan quipped when learning of the secret.
As tested by IGN, a further version of this Easter egg allows you to replicate the secondary GameCube startup sound, prompted on the original console by holding down its Z button. On Switch 2, you must tilt the control stick and hold down the R button (try doing it just as the ‘2’ on the Switch 2 app logo pops up).
Now, fans are wondering the third GameCube startup sound might also be included, hidden behind an even more secret button combination. This could originally be prompted by the Z button down on four GameCube controllers at once.
Right now, the Switch Online’s Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection is looking pretty thin, with just the original version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, plus F-Zero GX and SoulCalibur 2 available.
Still, Nintendo has confirmed a number of other GameCube classics will follow (including Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Mario Smash Football, Luigi’s Mansion and Chibi-Robo!), though there’s no word yet on when they might materialise.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
The collective desperation for Hollow Knight: Silksong has evolved. Rather than people getting all up a height about the prospect of getting any news about it, they’ve now been left up a height due to confusion around some news they have gotten about the game. Cue Team Cherry having to step in to offer a bit of clarification about Silksong’s Xbox Showcase cameo yesterday.
In case you were washing your hair, Silksong popped up during the bit that saw Microsoft introduce its handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally. There was the usual hardware spinning around and looking cool, plus Xbox’s Sarah Bond saying when Silksong popped up on the handheld’s screen that the game’ll be “available at launch and in Game Pass when the Ally releases later this year”.
Some players took issue with the quality of the graphics, coloring, animations, and lighting, while others were frustrated that there were no further details like a release date or a confirmed Nintendo Switch 2 version.
“Man, the graphics looks like stock Unreal lol,” said one player. “Honestly, almost looks fanmade (don’t hit me),” to which another replied: “Highly underwhelming trailer, lol.”
As this remake was one of the worst-kept secrets in gaming, some fans speculated that the teaser was put together simply to acknowledge that yes, it was in development.
“This is a ‘damn, here you go’ ass trailer,” responded this fan, while another said: “Feels like they threw this thing together after the VAs said they weren’t returning. I could imagine they walked over to marketing and asked them to throw together a 30-second clip the same day.”
Following the reveal, P-Studio director Kazuhisa Wada popped up on social media to reassure fans that Atlus is “actively preparing for the future development of the Persona series as a studio.”
“We are very pleased to announce the release of Persona 4 Revival. We look forward to sharing even more information in due time,” Wada wrote. “Persona 4 has spawned numerous spin-off works, including TV anime, Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, and Persona 4: Dancing All Night, and is a special title that has been a part of Atlus for many years and holds a personal place in my heart.
“We are currently working on this project with all our passion and love. We are confident that this will be a fresh and surprising product for both newcomers and long-time fans and we look forward to sharing it with you all.”
Wada added: “Additionally, we are actively preparing for the future development of the Persona series as a studio. We are working hard to meet the expectations of fans around the world, and our work is progressing well.” Wada then thanked fans for their support and teased that they should “stay tuned” for more updates.
We gave the original Persona 4 a 9/10 back in the day, saying: “A significant improvement over the previous Persona games in many ways, Persona 4 provides a deeper dungeon crawling/social link experience that makes it engaging to play.” An enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, has since become the best way to enjoy the game on modern consoles, but fans have long lamented that it’s not available on Nintendo Switch, despite years of begging.
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.
Mewgenics, the long-in-development endless cat breeding game from devs Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, has just had its release pencilled in for February 10th, 2026, by a fresh trailer. Yes, it’s still looking very weird and nigh impossible to explain to a mate in less than two minutes.
Following on from the trailer it got in April, this latest one roped in the most fitting collab Binding of Isaac developer McMillen and co could have landed, in the form of sinewy surrealism expert and YouTuber MeatCanyon. We’ve also gotten a nice overview of where the devs are at in assembling their weird feline with two heads.
Xbox has officially entered the handheld space with the announcement of two new devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X.
Launching toward the end of 2025, the new portable systems are the result of a collaboration between Xbox and Asus. They aim to take advantage of Xbox Anywhere, a service that lets you play across console, PC, and supported handhelds.
The appearance of Bernband during last night’s PC Gaming Show had a few of us at RPS clicking our fingers and pointing at our monitors yelling: “Bernband! Bernband!” This remake of the best sci-fi walking sim of 2014 has been in the works for a while. Creator Tom van den Boogaart has dipped in and out of working on the alien wanderer, often switching focus to other projects such as Grunn. But now it looks like we are once again getting a trickle of sweet extraterrestrial wanderlust. Here’s a trailer.
Rebel Wolves — the studio led by former The Witcher 3 game director and co-director for Cyberpunk 2077, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz — has confirmed its upcoming dark fantasy action-RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, will release in 2026.
At yesterday’s Xbox Games Showcase, Rebel Wolves showed off some pre-beta gameplay footage, following Coen, “a young man turned into a Dawnwalker, human by day and vampire by night,” as he comes to grips with his newly acquired abilities.
That’s not all, though. On June 21, we’ll find out even more as Rebel Wolves invites us to join it on the longest day of the year, “where the veil between day and night blurs, bringing unexpected outcomes.” The 45-minute-long event will reveal around 15 minutes of new gameplay content, accompanied by an extended developer commentary.
Interestingly, we’ll also learn more about “several key gameplay features,” including the directional combat system that blends swordfighting, spells, and vampiric powers, as well as how players navigate Vale Sangora’s locations and “further explore the game world and highlight the gameplay differences between day and night, which will have a significant impact on the story and its course.”
“It’s been a pleasure to finally show you more of the game, and I want to thank our community for the incredible support,” Tomaszkiewicz said. “Back in January, when we first revealed the game, we promised to shed more light on the gameplay this summer — and that moment has finally arrived.
“We’d like to invite you to join us on June 21 for our Gameplay Reveal Event. You’ll learn more about the abilities Coen gains as he becomes the Dawnwalker — a mysterious being balancing the line between the world of day and the realm of night.”
In The Blood of Dawnwalker, you play as Coen, a young man who is a being no longer fully human, yet not entirely a vampire. With just 30 days and nights to save Coen’s family or exact bloody revenge on his sire, regardless of the consequences or the cost of Coen’s thirst for blood. But the most important question for players remains: is it worth sacrificing your humanity for the ones you love?
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.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance arrives on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5 on August 29, 2025. This brand-new title continues the legacy of the Shinobi series, which first came to arcades in 1987.
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Lizardcube, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Streets of Rage IV (2020), return to breathe life into Joe Musashi’s latest quest for vengeance with their iconic art style.
Recently, we had the chance to sit down and play two stages ahead of the game’s launch, and found ourselves immediately captivated by the art style, fluid controls, and fast-paced combat system. In our latest blog, we break down what makes the game so enjoyable and how it captures the essence of being a ninja.
Journey through a stylistic dystopian world
A paramilitary faction known as ENE Corp seizes territories across the world, decimating their defenses in little time. Only one threat to their dominion remains: the Oboro Clan, led by the legendary Joe Musashi.
Ruse, the mastermind behind ENE Corp, takes matters into his own hands and launches a devastating attack on Oboro Village. Joe Musashi, upon finding his village burned to the ground and his clan turned to stone, sets off on a quest for vengeance, ready to face an unparalleled evil.
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Joe Musashi
The protagonist. Head of the Oboro Clan, a tribe of ninjas that has protected peace from within the shadows for generations. Though he’s a man of few words, his clan puts their utmost trust in him.
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Lord Ruse
The mastermind behind paramilitary organization ENE Corp. He commands his troops with callous tact and an iron fist. Fearing the might of the Oboro Clan, he sets in motion a plan to eliminate them once and for all.
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Your journey will see you traverse through a variety of stages, from neon-lit cityscapes and military strongholds to the top of a speeding freight train and more. The game’s hand-drawn aesthetic pulls you into a world that feels as if it were lifted straight from a comic book. They’re so gorgeous that you’ll want to stop and admire the visuals.
In your quest for vengeance, you’ll need to harness new skills, uncover hidden paths, and use your wit and skill to overcome the obstacles in your way.
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Stage Overview 1: Oboro Village
On a training excursion to Oboro Village, Musashi and his students encounter rival ninjas and discover that the village is under attack. You’ll need to master jumping, dodging, Ninpo, and other fundamental fighting moves as you rush towards the goal.
It’s really easy to get lost in learning the basics, but make sure you step back and soak in the beauty of the world. You can see how much attention and care went into every little detail, like the mist surrounding the plains and bamboo trees or the sunlight streaming through the treetops.
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Once you pass the halfway point, you’ll come across the smoldering ashes of the village and a ninja estate rigged with traps. Some sections may seem unpassable at first glance, but if you look carefully and get creative with your ninja skills, you’ll find ways to get around!
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Stage Overview 2: Lantern Festival
Upon learning that ENE Corp may be operating in the shadows of a lakeside festival, Joe Musashi wastes no time in giving chase.
To kick this stage off, you’ll have to traverse a path of wooden planks and wrecked ships to get across the lake. Linger too long and they’ll sink, sending you to a watery grave. This is a challenging stage that requires you to stay on the move, leaping from platform to platform as you vanquish foes along the way.
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Once you arrive at the village, you’ll be greeted by the sight of fireworks and lanterns shaped like dragons, tigers, and other creatures. However, there’s no time to admire the view. The stage will keep on scrolling along, so you’ll need to take to the skies and stay one step ahead. Take advantage of your surroundings and use double jump and aerial dash to help you maneuver across the area.
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Master the way of the shinobi with Ninpo and powerful Ninjutsu
It’s impossible to talk about SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance without mentioning its fast-paced, hard-hitting combat system. In addition to katana- and shuriken-based techniques, you also have an array of Ninjutsu and Ninpo at your disposal. Beautifully rendered in smooth, fluid animation, every attack is intuitive and easy to execute.
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Of course, there’s more to the game than simply mashing buttons. You’ll need to adapt to various situations using the skills in your toolkit. Getting accustomed to combos will help you clear stages quicker, so once you get the hang of it, try developing your own combos and polishing up your playstyle. Aside from basic commands, you can also perform the following maneuvers:
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Ningi
Ningi are helpful abilities that can be performed by entering special commands and have no limitations. You can obtain new Ningi by progressing through the story or visiting the shop.
The Cannon Punch, which can be unlocked in the demo, deals heavy damage to armor, making it possible to hurt enemies who are impervious to regular attacks. Once you’ve broken their guard, you can follow up with a combo to deal even more damage. When you get your hands on the full version of the game, try it out in battle! The Cannon Punch can also destroy Yokai Barriers, opening up new paths for you to explore!
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Shinobi Execution
Enemies have an Execution Gauge which is the white bar beneath their health bar. Inflicting damage on them will fill it up. Once it’s maxed out, you’ll see an icon appear above them, marking them for Execution. Perform a Shinobi Execution to finish them off instantly.
Defeating an enemy with this move nets you additional loot, and if your attack kills multiple enemies, you’ll earn even more bonus rewards. Mastering Shinobi Executions takes practice, but once you understand their damage output and how to pull them off effectively, there’s honestly no better feeling than getting to wipe out all your enemies on-screen with it.
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Ninpo
Ninpo are special attacks that can be executed once your green gauge is maxed out. You can fill up the gauge by attacking enemies. In the demo, Fire Ninpo lets you breathe fire, dealing damage to enemies in front of you, while Water Ninpo puts you in a defensive stance where you’ll perform a powerful counter on any enemy attacking you.
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Water Ninpo is only usable under specific conditions, but if performed successfully, it’ll boost your Execution Gauge and deal heavy damage to armored foes. Mastering it will turn it into a powerful tool in your arsenal!
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Ninjutsu
Defeating enemies and collecting the red Rage Orbs that they drop will charge up your Rage Gauge (the bar surrounding Joe’s portrait). Once it’s fully charged, you’ll be able to cast Ninjutsu, powerful full-screen attacks.
Karyu, for example, engulfs the entire screen in flames, dealing tremendous damage to all enemies. When used against large swarms of enemies, you’ll achieve an astonishingly high hit count. However, unlike other moves, Ninjutsu have a drawback in that they need time to charge up, so play conservatively and unleash them when the time is right.
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Collect Oboro Relics to attain upgrades and new gear
Each stage features a shop run by a yokai where you can upgrade your health and stats or purchase new Ningi and Ninpo. To help the store thrive, however, you’ll need to find Oboro Relics—five of which are hidden in each stage. By giving these items to the shopkeeper, they’ll be able to expand their wares, allowing you to purchase new Ningi, Ninpo, and other items.
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Items in the store can be purchased with the gold you obtain from defeating enemies. Powerful Ningi and Ninpo can be expensive, so to build up your funds more efficiently, try using Shinobi Executions to quickly decimate your foes. If you’re stuck on a stage or a boss is giving you trouble, you can always backtrack and defeat more enemies for gold. That will allow you to learn new Ningi and boost your stats, better preparing you for the trials ahead.
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Pre-orders for the Digital Deluxe Edition available now
Pick up the Digital Deluxe Edition to get the base game, a Starter Pack filled with in-game items, the SEGA Villains Stage (releasing early 2026) which features bosses based on iconic SEGA villains, the Digital Artbook, and a soundtrack! Plus, if you pre-order the game, you’ll be allowed to play the game 3 days early!
Digital Deluxe Edition
＜Contents＞
■Base Game
■Starter Pack (Ghost Outfit, Medic Lite Amulet, and In-Game Currency)
■SEGA Villains Stage (Coming Early 2026)
■Digital Artbook and Soundtrack
■Product Information
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance
Publisher：SEGA
Platform：PlayStation 5 / PlayStation 4
Genre：Action Platformer
Release Date：August 29, 2025 (Fri)
Players：1
*The PlayStation 4 version is only available digitally.
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