Games

Outside of all the regularly-scheduled character trailers, Bandai Namco gave us a closer look at the gameplay systems for Bleach: Rebirth of Souls. The overview trailer covers everything from the battle system to options over the course of six minutes and some change, closing out with a tease of what's to come as part of the Season Pass.While the specific characters have yet to be revealed, the Season Pass will include four playable characters from the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime. Players with the Season Pass will be able to download and play as the new additions before they fully launch during a one-week early access period.

After what feels like years of rumors, leaks, and tidbits of information direct from the source, Nintendo finally officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 through a first-look teaser video on the company's official YouTube channel. The video confirms the Switch 2's look, its expanded size compared to the now eight-year-old original Switch and a 2025 release.Nintendo Switch 2 TeaserThe above teaser also includes a quick tease of something new to do with Mario Kart.  It confirms that most original Switch games will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, as the new console uses the same type of cartridge as the Switch.

Weekly character trailers continue for Bleach: Rebirth of Souls ahead of the fighter's March launch. The latest revealed via the official Bandai Namco Entertainment YouTube channel centers on Shunsui Kyoraku, and you can see his two Zanpakuto in action below.  Bleach: Rebirth of Souls Shunsui Kyoraku TrailerHere's how Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the game:In BLEACH REBIRTH OF SOULS, players can engage in thrilling action-packed battles with iconic characters from the legendary anime franchise including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado (Chad).

This week marks the debut of a true virtual pop star icon in Fortnite, as Vocaloid queen Hatsune Miku prepares to join Epic Games' wildly popular game as the Festival Season 7 Icon. The festivities begin when v33.20 launches on January 14 and will run until April 8.  Players will be able to unlock a Hatsune Miku Outfit, Instruments and more with the purchase of a Music Pass, which is priced at 1,400 V-Bucks.

We officially have less than a month to go until the second SNK addition to Street Fighter 6, which will add Mai Shiranui on February 5. Along with the release date, Mai is in the spotlight in a new gameplay trailer that shows off her slick moves.  Street Fighter 6 Mai Gameplay TrailerMai will be available to purchase with Fighter Coins, and she's also included as part of the Year 2 Character Pass or Year 2 Ultimate Pass.

Initially announced in September 2024, a release date is in place for LUNAR Remastered Collection. The two-pack of classic RPGs, which includes the PS1 versions of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, is coming to PlayStation 4 (compatible with PS5), Xbox One (compatible with Xbox Series X|S), Nintendo Switch and Steam on April 18.In addition to the $49.99 digital versions, physical releases will be available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 for $54.99. Amazon listings will go live for North America soon, with Europe's coming via Clear River Games.

The Octava Espada is the latest character on display in Bleach: Rebirth of Souls, which brings the battle to consoles and PC this March. Watch as the madness unfolds in the Szayelaporro Grantz character trailer below.Bleach: Rebirth of Souls Szayelaporro Grantz TrailerHere's how Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the game:In BLEACH REBIRTH OF SOULS, players can engage in thrilling action-packed battles with iconic characters from the legendary anime franchise including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado (Chad). Players can use each character's moves, or Zanpakuto action, to knock down their opponent’s reishi in a 1 v 1 action battle, reducing their konpaku, or overall health bar.

If you'd like your Gundam battles to be a bit more tangible, there's a new tabletop game on the way to scratch that itch. Bandai Spirits revealed GUNDAM ASSEMBLE during the BANDAI CARD GAMES Fest 24-25 -WORLD TOUR in ORLANDO- event over the weekend alongside a teaser trailer and the launch of the official website.GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is a tabletop game that uses 5cm-size Gunpla in battle, with each unit having its own specific stats and characteristics. There are scenarios based on existing Mobile Suit Gundam stories, but players can also dig into "situations that transcend the world [of the series]." GUNDAM ASSEMBLE Teaser TrailerRules and product specs will be announced at a later date.

Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale first delivered its unique style of item shop simulation and dungeon crawling back in 2007, and now it's getting ready to return. Developer EasyGameStation announced plans for a remaster titled Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale HD Edition, which is currently planned for a 2025 launch on PC in Japan.  Details are light outside of a couple screenshots, so we'll have to stay tuned for more on the remaster's release plans.Here's the original RPG's Steam description:Recettear is the story of an item shop, the girl who lives in it, and the fairy who turned her life upside down.

The next stage of the Madoka Magica saga is now scheduled to launch in spring 2025, unlocking the memories of magical girls from across the franchise's many installments. While we're still a little way away from that launch, we do get a new look at the many magical girls available to us in Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra.Check out the two cuts of the commercial—one 30 seconds long and one 15 seconds long: So far, we know that this new title will follow on from Magia Record in some regard, featuring Iroha Tamaki and other magical girls from the previous mobile game. Players will control "Name," a blank slate Magical Girl, as she collects and observes memories of other Puella Magi with the help of a green Kyubey named A-Q.SINoALICE developer Pokelabo teamed up with Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story's f4samurai on Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra, with Aniplex set to distribute the game in Spring 2025.

Step into the shoes of Haruka Sakura and the rest of Bofurin in WIND BREAKER: Rebel Heroes! The upcoming mobile game turns the CloverWorks anime into a gacha fighting game, letting players relive key fights from the series.Today, a new trailer shows us more of the gameplay and graphics, as well as previewing the anime's voice actors returning to their roles:WIND BREAKER: Rebel Heroes TrailerPre-registration is now open for the mobile game, which will go live in Japan on March 12, 2025. At present, there is no word on whether the game will receive a global release.Toshifumi Akai (Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia) directs the WIND BREAKER anime, based on the manga by Satoru Nii, at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroshi Seko (Chainsaw Man), character designs by Taishi Kawakami and music by Ryo Takahashi (SK8 the Infinity).

The first video game for the Natsume's Book of Friends series was recently revealed, and now we have more info on what's in the works. Natsume Yujin-cho: Hazuki no Shirushi is coming to Nintendo Switch and PC in Japan on June 5, 2025 from publisher Bushiroad Games and developer Toydium.Natsume Yujin-cho: Hazuki no Shirushi puts players in the shoes of Takashi Natsume, allowing them to move through the world of the series and spend their summer with its many characters. You'll be able to hang out with classmates, help family members and hear the troubles of various yokai.

Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga has a new game on the way. Kingdom: Hadou is a free-to-play mobile strategy game, which Bandai Namco and Koei Tecmo are bringing to iOS and Android devices in Japan.There's currently no launch date in place, but a closed beta test is lined up for sometime in January 2025. Those looking to check it out can apply via the official website until January 2, 2025, after which just 5,000 participants will be selected.

Bandai Namco is doing something a little different with the latest trailer for Bleach: Rebirth of Souls. The new "special trailer" takes things in a more cinematic direction to introduce another playable character, Shinji Hirako.Bleach: Rebirth of Souls Shinji Hirako TrailerHere's how Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the game:In BLEACH REBIRTH OF SOULS, players can engage in thrilling action-packed battles with iconic characters from the legendary anime franchise including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado (Chad). Players can use each character's moves, or Zanpakuto action, to knock down their opponent’s reishi in a 1 v 1 action battle, reducing their konpaku, or overall health bar.

A major figure of the Japanese video game industry is no longer with us, as it was recently announced that Nihon Falcom founder Masayuki Kato has passed away. According to Nihon Falcom's statement, Kato passed on December 15 at the age of 78.  Kato was 34 years old when he founded Nihon Falcom in March 1981.

Dimps and Sony's PS Vita action-RPG Freedom Wars is celebrating its 10th anniversary at the top of 2025 with a remaster from Bandai Namco Entertainment. The HD update is in the works for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, and while we wait for its debut next month the opening movie made its way online.Freedom Wars Remastered Opening MovieFreedom Wars Remastered is set to launch on January 10, 2025. There are also some visual improvements to look forward to, including 60 FPS gameplay and 4K resolution.Here's how Bandai Namco describes the story:In the distant future, humanity is in a struggle to survive.

It's time to take a look at another playable character in the Bleach: Rebirth of Souls roster. The latest trailer heats things up with Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and you can see some his fiery moves as he builds up his Inferno Gauge below.  Bleach: Rebirth of Souls Yamamoto TrailerHere's how Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the game:In BLEACH REBIRTH OF SOULS, players can engage in thrilling action-packed battles with iconic characters from the legendary anime franchise including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado (Chad).

Info is very light at the moment, but the official accounts for Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yujin-cho) announced that the series' first video game is in the works. Other than the teaser art above we just know the title: Natsume Yujin-cho: Hazuki no Shirushi.Nothing has been announced regarding the developer, platforms, or even what type of game it will be. Thankfully, we'll find out more on December 23 at 8:00 a.m.

The many worlds of isekai are crossing over once again. No, it's not another season of ISEKAI QUARTET—it's a game bringing together nine popular isekai titles, with promises of more to come.Details on the upcoming Isekai∞Isekai are sparse, but we do know a few things so far.

If you ever wondered what the Monster Hunter series is all about, or if you just want a refresher along with some solid footage, Daisy Ridley is here to help. Capcom enlisted the lead from the most recent Star Wars film trilogy, We Bury the Dead and more to narrate a new trailer. This one serves as a meaty introduction to the world, lore and monsters of the games, which have been keeping the hunt alive for the past 20 years.Get up to speed ahead of Monster Hunter Wilds in the 10-minute video below.Welcome to Monster Hunter feat.

We may be waiting until 2025 to play it, but Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is back in the spotlight with a new addition to the roster. The latest to be previewed is Morel, who puts the smack down on foes with his giant pipe.  Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact Morel TrailerHunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is in the works for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

The next DLC character to join the roster of Tekken 8 may seem out of left field, but Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI couldn't be more fit to fight. A trailer made its debut during The Game Awards, revealing some footage and plans for a December 16 release date with a 72-hour early access period.Tekken 8 Clive Rosfield TrailerTekken 8 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.  Source: The Game Awards

It's almost time for another event celebrating everything in the world of Dragon Ball games. Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025 is locked in to return from January 18-19, 2025 at the Shrine Auditorium in LA, and registration for the free event is open now.  Those who attend will get a chance to purchase some exclusive merch, including items celebrating the 40th anniversary of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball saga.

Konami is getting ready to mine some nostalgia with Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection, which brings over a dozen classic entries in the series to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on February 27, 2025. Now the full lineup has been revealed, including games never released outside of Japan like 2001's Yu-Gi-Oh!