Ubisoft’s free-to-play shooter XDefiant defies its March release, server test due before ‘locking’ a new date

XDefiant, the free-to-play arena-shooter – a la Apex Legends, Overwatch 2, Valorant or the multiplayer team-based game of your choice – built around classes and factions from across the Ubisoft universe games from Splinter Cell and Far Cry to Ghost Recon and Watch Dogs, has been delayed. Originally outlined for a launch before the end of March – you’ll note that we’re now in April – the upcoming FPS will apparently now decide a release date after an upcoming stress test for its servers.

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Tekken 8 Director Responds to the Many Fans Asking for a Waffle House Level

In response to a wave of fans lobbying for a Waffle House-themed stage in Tekken 8, the game’s director Katsuhiro Harada finally broke the silence and addressed the high demand for this unique stage.

Over the weekend, Harada responded to a request one fan made in his replies about adding a stage based on Waffle House to the latest installment in Bandai Namco’s fighting game series. In a rare instance, Harada responded and asked why so many people keep asking him to add this seemingly unrelated breakfast restaurant to the game.

Many fans flocked to the replies to explain why they would love to see a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. For those unfamiliar with Waffle House, it’s a chain of Southern diners with nearly 2,000 locations in over 20 states, most of which are located in the South and Midwest.

In its nearly 70 years of operation, Waffle House has become a cultural icon for a few reasons, two most notable ones being it is an open-all-night eating spot (even during emergencies) and because it has become the centerpiece of a lot of memes, most of them surrounding the fact that people have posted photos and videos of fights breaking out at various locations. Even SNL made a skit based on the meme.

After the large volume of responses he received explaining the memes, Harada followed up on his question by thanking fans for explaining “why” they wanted it so much. But as you might have expected, he said that making the stage would not be easy because Waffle House is a registered trademark and he would need permission from the owner of the rights to Waffle House to make the stage.

Nevertheless, fans of Waffle House and/or the Waffle House memes have some hope that, just maybe, they will get a Tekken 8 stage based on the eatery.

For more on what’s actually in Tekken 8 right now, check out our Tekken 8 review and all the details on Eddy Gordo, its first DLC fighter that’s arriving today, April 1, for Year 1 Pass holders.

Image Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

April Fools 2024: All of This Year’s Best Video Game Jokes

April Fools’ Day has arrived once more and has brought with it some hilarious video game jokes and pranks, some of which we wish actually came true!

There are SO many that get revealed by companies around the world and it can be hard to keep track of them, so you can check out all the best ones below to ensure you don’t miss a thing! We’ll also be updating this article throughout the day as more are found, so be sure to keep checking back!

Let us know which prank is your favorite below!

Exclusive: Virtual Boy Pro Revealed! All the Details on Nintendo’s Wildest System Yet

To kick off the April Fools’ Day festivities, IGN was proud to exclusively reveal the Virtual Boy Pro! In what may be Nintendo’s wildest system yet, the Virtual Boy Pro is a VR-headset style device that docks into the Nintendo Switch System.

Much like the Apple Vision Pro, it looks to be focused mostly on augmented reality experiences with a Nintendo twist. In the trailer you can see above, you can catch a glimpse of gameplay from Link’s Korok Catcher, Super Mario Home Run, Animal Crossing: Moving Day, Luigi’s Mansion 4, and Mario Kart: Open Road.

Pokemon Is Holding an Epic Pokemon Sleep Tournament to End all Tournaments

Pokemon tournaments can be some of the most epic in all the world, but you’ve never seen anything like the Pokemon Sleep Champion Tournament 2024. Players from around the globe will compete in an eight hour and 30 minute tournament to prove they can sleep better than anyone else.

The Razer Cthulhu Is a Gaming Chair with 8 A.I. Arms Ready to Do Your Bidding

If you ever wished you were Doc Ock, Razer has the next best thing with its new gaming chair called the Razer Cthulhu. This chair features 8 A.I. arms that “cater to your every need,” including feeding you, brushing your teeth, shaving, and much more to ensure your can put all your focus into gaming.

In fact, the announce trailer takes a bit of a dark turn as the chair may never let you leave your gaming session, which may be ok for some people?

The best part? The A.I. arms are ” outfitted with a Razer Skynapse Chip and trained with over 1,337 TB. We can assure a 96.9%* chance of the tentacles always listening to you!” That sounds nothing like Skynet, no not at all!

Palworld’s More Than Just Pals Is the Dating Sim You’ve Been Waiting For

Palworld’s big new update will be a dating sim where you’ll be able to fall in love with some adorable Pals, a student named Zoe, and even the black marketeer! And no, this isn’t creepy at all!

“Will you remain friends or fall in love? Or dismantle and eat them… Pals take off their clothes?! An adult version will also be released!”

Like we said, not creepy at all!

Capcom Is Getting Into the Helicopter Business After All Their Successes in the Resident Evil Series

Capcom has revealed it is taking a bold step forward into the helicopter business. Which, you know, makes a lot of sense after all the… um… successes it has had with helicopters in the Resident Evil series! There’s no chance any of these will go down in a spectacular, explosive fashion!

Developing…

Players’ Choice: Vote for March’s best new game

March led the way in exploring new places, cultures, and franchises. From road trips and long hikes to turn-of-the-century inventions and futuristic tech, which excursion was your top pick?

How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation.Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog. PlayStation Store will also showcase some top Players’ Choice winners throughout the year.

What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, while remakes are reserved for ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.

How are nominees decided? The PlayStation.Blog and PlayStation Store editorial teams will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. Write-in votes will be accepted.

Random: The Pokémon Company’s April Fool’s Joke Is A Right Snoozefest

No, literally.

April Fool’s Day is now in session and many gaming companies are getting in on the action with their own amusing, harmless pranks.

One such company is, of course, The Pokémon Company, which has decided to lean into the sheer absurdity of its Pokémon Sleep app to reveal the ‘Pokémon Sleep Champion Tournament 2024’. The video itself, which clocks in at just under 4 minutes, is actually reasonably funny and is probably the best way that the firm could advertise its sleep app without relying on demonstrating its functions and interface.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Rumour: ‘1-2-Switch: Flashmob Frenzy’ Is Apparently Coming Holiday Season 2024

Neigh.

Well, this is an odd one to kick off an Easter Monday morning.

With internal developer resources having shifted almost 100% to the upcoming (yet still unannounced) ‘Switch 2’, Nintendo’s flagship game for the 2024 Holiday period will see a return to a less-than-fan-favourite party game series for a first-second-third outing.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

TY The Tasmanian Tiger: Bush Rescue Bundle Announced For Switch

Three games on a single cartridge.

TY the Tasmanian Tiger has made a comeback in recent years, and now to add to this, Krome Studios and U&I Entertainment have announced a new physical game bundle for the Nintendo Switch. There’s no release date or price just yet.

The TY the Tasmanian Tiger: Bush Rescue Bundle will come packaged with TY the Tasmanian Tiger HD, TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue HD and TY the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns. And don’t worry, in this collection, all three games will be included on a single cartridge with no download required.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Daily Deals: Resident Evil 4, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, Persona 3 Reload

Happy weekend, everyone! Sunday is here, which means the weekend is set to come to a close once more. But before it does, it’s time for you to kick back and check out the best deals available this weekend. Whether you’re searching for new games, technology, or accessories, we’ve got you covered. The best deals for Sunday, March 31, include Persona 3 Reload, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario RPG, NHL 24, Horizon Forbidden West, and more.

Resident Evil 4 for $29.99

2023’s Resident Evil 4 is one of the best titles Capcom has ever released. With its revamped action and gorgeous environments, each minute of Resident Evil 4 (2023) is captivating like never before. For $29.99, this is a must-play title if you’re a fan of action, survival, or horror titles. Additionally, it’s perfectly acceptable to start with Resident Evil 4, even if you’ve never played a Resident Evil title before.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Amazon has the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro discounted by 20% to $280.99. While this is still expensive, this is one of the best gaming headsets on the market and normally starts at $349.99. The Nova Pro features Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) through four microphones placed around the headset. Additionally, you can customize your audio with the Sonar Software and Base Station.

Persona 3 Reload for $39.99

Persona 3 Reload is already one of the biggest 2024 releases so far. The remake brings in new gameplay features, new voice actors, and an impressive slew of technology, including ray tracing. It’s on sale right now at Amazon for $39.99, which marks a new all time low for the title. If you’ve never experienced the story of Persona 3, this is the definitive way to do so.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for $39.99

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in the long-running RPG series. Kiryu Kazama returns following the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, uniting with Ichiban Kasuga in a wild adventure you won’t forget anytime soon. This $30 discount just a few months after launch is a great deal you shouldn’t pass up on, though newcomers should aim to play the previous titles in the series before jumping in.

Super Mario RPG for $49.39

The remake of Super Mario RPG is $10 off at Walmart right now, which is a great price for this classic title. If you’ve yet to either play the original or check out the remake, this is the perfect time to do so. Composer Yoko Shimimura returned to compose the remake’s original soundtrack, and each boss and environment has been expertly recrafted for the Nintendo Switch. It’s the perfect Mario title to check out if you’ve already beaten Super Mario Bros. Wonder!

G502 X Lightspeed Mouse for $99.99

This G502 X Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is perfect for any gamer’s setup. With up to 25,600 DPI, precision is your friend. This mouse offers 68% faster response time with new technology, so you’ll always be on top of your game in any scenario. Sitting at just 102 grams, the G502 X Lightspeed Mouse is an excellent choice, especially with this discount.

Save on LEGO Minecraft The First Adventure Set

This LEGO Minecraft set makes an excellent addition to any collection. The set itself is staged across three stories, with a grasslands, minecart, and cave all present in this set. You will get both Steve and Alex, so you can adventure together across any LEGO creations you make. Additionally, a moobloom, horned sheep, dyed cat, and two skeletons are included in this set.

Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2 for $19.99

Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2 took to the scene last year, offering a massive upgrade from its predocessor. We gave the game a 9/10 in our review stating, “Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 knocks nearly every single one of the first game’s problems into the blast zone while also introducing the exciting new Slime mechanic, a more interesting roster, and better visuals throughout.”

Horizon Forbidden West for $23.99

Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best showcase titles on PlayStation 5. Guerrilla Games crafted one of the most impressive titles that still holds up years later, with impressive visuals, physics, and immersion. The story picks up right after Horizon Zero Dawn, so it is recommended that you play that title first.

Save 22% Off The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Original Soundtrack

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild features a beautiful, atmospheric soundtrack that reigns as one of the best in the series for numerous reasons. Now, you can take home the five disc soundtrack and save 22% while you’re at it! Be sure to head over to Amazon before this deal is gone.

Save 20% Off Dragon Ball Z Original Soundtrack Vinyl Pre-Order

The Dragon Ball Z Original Soundtrack is one of the most memorable soundtracks found in any anime. From the epic tracks during fights to the subtle music throughout the world, the soundtrack by Chiho Kiyooka, Takeshi Ike, and Keiju Ishikawa is one to remember. With a 20% discount, you can snag a sweet discount on this 2LP set, which comes in a classy orange finish.

NHL24 for $24.99

NHL 24 brought all-new gameplay and dozens of new features to the hit EA Sports series. This is the lowest price we’ve seen NHL 24 at so far, so if you’ve been on the fence, be sure to pick up the game while this sale is live. There are a total of over 75 new goal celebrations in NHL 24, which elevates the presentation and immersion to new heights.

Guide: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For April And May 2024

Paper Mario! Endless Ocean! TMNT!

Can you believe we’re already a quarter way through the year? 2024 might be rushing by, but we’ve still got plenty of great games to look forward to on Nintendo Switch.

We’ve been busy rounding up our usual selection of games headed to retail over the next couple of months, including some highlights picked by us as well as lots of other games and accessories that are launching soon. Have a browse through and see if anything takes your fancy:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com