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Apple Planning To Release Gaming App Near Nintendo Switch 2’s Launch – Report

by admin May 28, 2025

There’s reportedly a new dedicated gaming app from Apple planned for all of its devices–from iPhone to Apple TV–that the company looks to launch around Nintendo Switch 2’s release on June 5. The app sounds like a mix of a store launcher to pick up games as well as a social hub to replace Game Center.

According to Bloomberg, this will be a major push from Apple to appeal to players and game developers. The app will apparently feature achievements, leaderboards, and social features. Additionally, the Mac version supposedly will include games bought and downloaded from other storefronts. Rumblings of a dedicated gaming app first appeared late last year at 9to5Mac.

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Now Playing: iPhone 16 and 16 Pro Step Up AAA Gaming On Mobile

That’s not all from Apple on the gaming front, either. Earlier this week, the company acquired Sneaky Sasquatch maker RAC7, per Digital Trends. The purchase of the two-person studio is reportedly the first time Apple has ever bought a gaming developer. Sneaky Sasquatch is one of the most popular games on the subscription service Apple Arcade.

The dedicated gaming app also comes almost five years after Fortnite maker Epic took Apple (and Google) to court over App Store policies that didn’t allow for companies to get direct payment from users. In fact, Fortnite finally returned to iOS in the US just over a week ago after almost a half-decade off the platform.

Apple has also spent years touting its gaming pedigree, even stating the iPhone 15 Pro was going to be the best gaming console in 2023. Then, last year, Apple launched the iPhone 16 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and support for AAA games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Death Stranding.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

The Nintendo Switch 2’s latest discourse asks an important question: will your grandparents notice a massive number two right under their noses?

by admin May 28, 2025

You. You’ve asked an elderly or non-gaming person to buy you either games or a console before, right? Well, the Nintendo Switch 2’s latest discourse is all about whether doing that with Ninty’s latest hardware is likely to result in you accidentally getting an OG Switch instead.

Yep, people are fiercely debating whether a box having a fairly big number two on it next to the words ‘Nintendo Switch’ is enough to stop it being mixed up with another box that doesn’t have a two on it, but does also say ‘Nintendo Switch’. This is important, please stop rolling your eyes.

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The chatter about this kicked off yesterday thanks to a tweet from YouTuber BeatEmUps, who shared a picture of Switch 2 box next to the classic Switch box, and declared that they reckon two are “far too similar and a bit confusing for the general public”.

Cue a bunch of people across Twitter and ResetEra pointing out that the Switch box’s got a fairly sizeable number two on it, while a bunch of folks who’ve worked in retail argue that probably won’t be enough to stop some people from buying the wrong one.

So, why am I writing about this? Well, for one, funny headline, and for two, I’ve made sure to do some important journalistic looking into this important issue. I reached out to members of my own family to ask whether they reckon, having seen the two boxes side by side, my grandparents or any other potential would-be Switch 2 purchasers who might not be immersed in gaming or its culture would be at risk of buying the wrong thing because of box similarities.

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“Put it this way, I’d want to be with [them] when [they] bought it,” my sister responded, adding that she could see my grandparents in particular thinking they were getting a bargain on a Switch 2 by picking up an OG Switch. My dad, on the other hand, reckoned the placement of the number two was key, arguing that making sure to put it directly to the right of the words ‘Nintendo Switch’ rather than next to the Switch logo might help erase potential confusion.

Naturally, I wasn’t done journalisming there. I asked multiple members of the VG247 team for their views, with the general consensus being that it’d obviously be no problem for those in the know, but that non-gamers could well struggle. As for what Nintendo could or should potentially have done with the packaging to help minimise any confusion, there were no solid answers. The obvious would be not making both of them red boxes of a similar size, but that’s Ninty’s branding.

So, what do you do? Make sure whoever’s asking someone who might get confused to buy them a Switch 2 goes along to see that the right thing’s bought. You might have to sacrifice Santa Claus if it’s a holiday-season related purchase, but needs must.

In other Switch 2-related news, the console’s already reportedly made its way into the hands of some online folks, but they seemingly can’t actually play any games until it gets an update.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Switch 2 will bring new features to NSO’s Nintendo 64 catalogue, including the ability to rewind gameplay

by admin May 28, 2025

In the run up to the Switch 2’s release next week (next week!), Nintendo has released a new video highlighting the changes N64 classics will have on the console’s debut.

Those with a Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack subscription are able to play classic games from the N64 days, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Pokémon Snap, and a personal favourite, GoldenEye 007.

And soon, those on Switch 2 will be able to play these games, and then rewind them when things don’t go quite as planned (what, that has never happened to me), pop on a CRT screen filter and remap the controls. You can check out how this all looks via the video below.

Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: Features Update. Watch on YouTube

While those on the original Switch consoles won’t be able to utilise that rewind feature or the CRT screen filter, they will be able to remap the controls when this update goes live.

Image credit: Nintendo

As to when all this is happening, that would be next Thursday, 5th June. That’s the day Switch 2 releases.

In the meantime while we wait patiently for next week, you can check out the full run down of games available on Nintendo’s subscription service via our handy guide: All Nintendo Switch Online games available to play right now.

As for the Switch 2, while it is not technically available just yet, some have managed to get their hands on the console early. Last night, footage was shared online of someone unpacking their new console, however they were unable to play it due to it requiring a day one update to function. Nintendo obviously didn’t seem best pleased with this video making the rounds online, and soon removed the footage from the internet.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Target Leaves 20 Switch 2 Consoles In A Cage On Store Floor

by admin May 28, 2025

Nintendo’s next big console, the Switch 2, is set to arrive on store shelves in just 10 days. So it’s not surprising to see photos showing dozens of Switch 2 consoles sitting in store warehouses and back areas. However, I wasn’t expecting a bunch of Switch 2 consoles to be sitting in a metal cage in the middle of a Target already.

Nintendo Switch 2 Could Launch With Almost No Reviews

The $450 Nintendo Switch 2 launches next week on June 5. After years of rumors and leaks and more rumors, it’s nearly time to actually buy one of these consoles and start playing around with $80 games like Mario Kart World. So, with launch right around the corner, the consoles themselves have to be making their way to stores in time for players to pick them up next week. Thanks to Redditors and retail employees, we now have photo evidence that Switch 2 consoles are indeed arriving at big-box stores. And apparently, at least one Target has left some Switch 2 consoles sitting in a cage in the middle of the store.

On May 26, YouTuber Jake Randall posted a photo that appears to show 20 or more Switch 2 consoles sitting inside a metal cage on wheels inside a Target. Based on the items near the cage, it seems this Target has left the consoles locked up in the electronics department between some phones and TVs.

This Target seems to be begging someone brave (and stupid) with wire cutters to show up and snag a few Switch 2 consoles. Or just push the whole cart, which is on wheels, out of the store. Throw on a red shirt, name badge, and khaki pants, and you might be able to pull off an Ocean’s 11-like heist.

Elsewhere, someone on Reddit allegedly shared some photos of Switch 2 consoles and games located in the back storage area of a Target. There are quite a few Switch 2 consoles back there, but I bet they’ll be gone in minutes on June 5. Another post showed Switch 2 consoles in a metal cage, similar to the one mentioned above, but was later deleted.

So yeah, Switch 2 consoles and games are now sitting inside retail stores like Target and Walmart. That means it’s very likely that a few of these have probably already been swiped by people or have “accidentally” gone missing. I wouldn’t be shocked if, in the next few days or so, we see some leaked footage of Switch 2 games running on consoles that slipped out the door before June 5.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Alleged Switch 2 Unboxing Video Claims Day-One Patch Needed

by admin May 28, 2025

Screenshot: a2dubai / YouTube / Kotaku

Switch 2 hardware appears to be officially out in the wild, but it doesn’t sound like anyone will be able to play the console early. A day-one patch is needed for it to fully work, according to someone who uploaded a brief unboxing video of the new Nintendo console to YouTube.

Nintendo Switch 2 Could Launch With Almost No Reviews

The video, published by a user named a2dubai, is simply titled “Nintendo switch 2 unboxing” and is less than eight seconds long. It shows an apparent Switch 2 box sitting on a table next to the existing Switch. The person opens it to reveal exactly what you’d expect: a Switch 2 screen and the corresponding Joy-Con wrapped in plastic.

Why don’t they keep the camera rolling and turn it on? “Nintendo locked the switch 2,” a2dubai claims in the comments section. “It needs update to function so I am waiting for June 5th to unlock it.” Even so, fans are already pushing the pre-launch acquirer to do a full unboxing of the new hardware. More videos might follow, though Nintendo will surely be looking for any reason it can find to keep a lid on the new hardware until it’s officially out later next week.

A big software update for the Switch 2 was previously reported by The Game Business’ Chris Dring, who listed it as one of the potential reasons why media and content creators won’t be getting much early access to the hardware to test it for pre-release reviews. Unlike with previous hardware launches, Nintendo reportedly won’t be making the Switch 2 available to many in the press until a day before launch at the earliest.

“Another person shared with me that they have a Nintendo Switch 2 as well,” gaming news and deals insider Wario64 posted on X. “I have no permission to post pics but can share that when they try to boot a Switch 1 game, a message prompts ‘Please connect to the internet and update your system.’ Needs update to boot a game.”

It’s possible the Switch 2 consoles currently sitting in storage rooms (or the middle of the aisle at Target) could require an internet connection and download before they can start playing any games. That would be bad news for fans already frustrated that Nintendo is leaning into Game Key Cards and other initiatives this console generation that place less emphasis on physical media and products that work directly out of the box without the need to connect to the Mario maker’s servers.

But it’s also possible the nature of the required update might only lock the console from being used prior to a set date and time, but let it work normally after that period even without the day-one patch. We won’t know for sure until the big day is finally here.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Only One First-Party Nintendo Game Won’t Work On Switch 2

by admin May 28, 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to play most original Switch games without any issues when it launches on June 5. According to an update from Nintendo, most big games and all first-party titles (with one tiny exception) will work on Switch 2, though you might need an update or an old Joy-Con.

Nintendo Switch 2 Could Launch With Almost No Reviews

Back in April, Nintendo revealed that over 120 Switch games would have compatibility issues on the upcoming Switch 2 console. At the time, it wasn’t clear what Nintendo meant when it listed some games as having start-up issues and other titles as having in-game compatibility problems. It seemed like Nintendo was saying that a small portion of the console’s massive library wouldn’t work very well, or at all, on the new machine. Now, we have some more clarity, and some good news for people wanting to play Doom Eternal on their Switch 2 next month.

On May 27, Nintendo posted new Switch 2 backward compatibility lists alongside some more in-depth information about what will and won’t work on the new console. The good news: Only one first-party Nintendo game, Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, is completely unplayable on Switch 2. The console maker says this comes down to the fact that Switch 2 is too big and can’t be “inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles.”

All other first-party Switch games, including the other Labo titles, will work on Switch 2. However, some titles, like 1-2 Switch and Ring Fit Adventure, will only work on Switch 2 if you connect an OG Switch Joy-Con to the new console. It should also be noted that Fitness Boxing, also published by Nintendo, will need an update to work on Switch 2.

As for third-party titles, Nintendo has tested more titles and worked with publishers to create new lists. 118 games are still listed as having “start-up issues” on Switch 2. Meanwhile, 50 games “start up on Nintendo Switch 2 but include some in-game compatibility issues,” and 54 games have in-game problems, but a patch is planned to fix these issues at launch or soon after. In April, the list of games with “start-up issues” was 130. Looking at the lists, over 20 of these games are now set to be updated and should work better on Switch 2, including Doom Eternal and Pizza Tower.

Interestingly, some software like Hulu and Crunchyroll won’t be compatible on Switch 2 at all. It remains to be seen if that’s because there are new versions of those apps coming to Switch 2 in the future or because the companies behind those streaming apps just don’t see a point in supporting the new hardware.

Regardless, it’s great to see nearly the entire Switch library will be playable on Switch 2, even if I’ll have to dig out an old Joy-Con to play games like Nintendo Switch Sports.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Switch 2 reportedly already out in the wild, but needs a day one update to function

by admin May 27, 2025

With a little over a week to go until Switch 2’s arrival, some customers are already claiming to have received their consoles – but anyone hoping to play ahead of release are apparently out of luck, as units reportedly won’t function without a day one update.

As spotted by IGN, YouTuber Ali Almarzooqi initially uploaded an eight-second video showing them opening their Switch 2 box – or at least a convincing replica – to reveal the console within. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before the video was yanked as a result of a copyright claim by Web Capio, a company that markets itself as selling “anti-piracy solutions.”

In a since-nuked comment thread below the video, Almarzooqi (AKA a2dubai) responded to a viewer asking for “more video please” by explaining, “Nintendo locked the Switch 2. It needs [an] update to function, so I’m waiting for June 5th to unlock it.”.

Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on preview.Watch on YouTube

Notably, this doesn’t seem to be an isolated incident. Gaming news and deals poster Wario64 revealed they’d received correspondence – seemingly included corroborating images – from another Switch 2 customer who’d received their console early. “I have no permission to post pics,” Wario64 wrote in a post on social media, “but can share that when they try to boot a Switch 1 game, a message prompts ‘Please connect to the internet and update your system.’ Needs update to boot a game.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard word of a big launch-day patch for Switch 2, either. The Game Business’ Chris Dring recently reported some press have been told they won’t get the console for coverage before release due to a “significant day one patch”. This, presumably, is the very same update currently thwarting early receivers from playing their games ahead of schedule. It’s currently unclear if the update is simply coming in hot or if it’s a deliberate ploy by Nintendo to prevent legitimate gameplay appearing online ahead of launch.

Switch 2, of course, arrives next Thursday, 5th June, and you can read everything we know about the machine – and its launch day games – elsewhere on Eurogamer.

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May 27, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Nintendo 64 Games Get Rewind, CRT Filter On Switch 2

by admin May 27, 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches next week, and in addition to its launch line-up, which includes brand new games like Mario Kart World, the console will get access to GameCube games through Nintendo Switch Online. However, today we learned that the Switch 2 will also get new quality-of-life features for Nintendo 64 games through NSO, making it easier than ever to play them.

When playing N64 games on the Switch 2, players will now be able to rewind their gameplay at the press of a button, potentially succeeding on missed jumps or other reflex-intensive tasks. In the example video, a player is able to redo a jump on the ice slide in Super Mario 64. The footage shows the ability to rewind a few seconds, but the UI indicates you’ll be able to go back farther than that, though the maximum length is unclear.

The Switch 2 will also have an option for a CRT filter, recreating the retro vibe of an older TV by running lines across the screen to smooth out otherwise jagged polygons. This is a fairly common option in collections of older games, so it’s nice to see it appear here as well.

Finally, players can now also change the controls of an N64 game in the pause menu, either remapping buttons to other, more comfortable spots on the controller, or assigning functions to buttons that didn’t exist at the time, like mapping shortcuts to the ZL button or the d-pad. It also looks like you can adjust the inputs on the joysticks, potentially inverting the camera in games where it normally isn’t possible.

The news was announced through the Nintendo Today app, the company’s new go-to platform for major announcements. While Nintendo 64 games are playable on the original Nintendo Switch through NSO, only the button remapping feature will be available on the console. The CRT filter and the Rewind function are exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. All three features will be available when the Switch 2 launches on June 5.

For more Switch 2, check out all the Mario Kart World news from last week, including its huge number of songs, its huge number of courses, and how it was originally a Switch 1 title.

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May 27, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

N64 games get exclusive Switch 2 features to up the nostalgia

by admin May 27, 2025

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is just about a week away, yet Nintendo is still drip-feeding news about the Switch 2’s new features that’ll separate it from the original Switch. Via the Nintendo Today app on Tuesday, Nintendo shared that a new set of features on the Nintendo Switch Online platform will make its N64 games both more forgiving and more nostalgic.

First up is the ability to rewind gameplay and start again. This’ll be great for when you mistime a jump in a platformer or accidentally fling yourself off the track in Mario Kart 64 (my personal downfall in every Mario Kart game ever).

The Nintendo Today app also revealed CRT filters will be available to add scan-lines to the N64 games. Perfect for when you want to crank the nostalgia up to 11 and pretend its 1998 by making The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time look crappier.

While those features will be exclusive to the Switch 2, the OG Switch and its successor will both receive the ability to remap controls for N64 games. The video shows remapping is available for Joy-Cons as well as the Nintendo 64 controller.

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May 27, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Nintendo Blocks Fans From Sharing Switch 2 Ads In Its News App

by admin May 27, 2025

Nintendo’s emphatic dislike of sharing has reached a bizarre new level, with the Nintendo Today app now stopping users from screenshotting or videoing its advertising material.

Nintendo Switch 2 Could Launch With Almost No Reviews

Nintendo Today is just ads. There’s nothing wrong with that—plenty of people want to get new Nintendo information—and the app is a fun, if cumbersome, way of hearing the latest about what Nintendo is hoping you’ll buy. But, whichever way you slice it, it’s a commercial tool for plugging games and devices. Today on Today, underneath a cute animation from Tears of the Kingdom, you can watch a 21-second video about Donkey Kong’s hand slap in forthcoming Switch 2 title Donkey Kong Bananza.

“Cool!” you might think. “James’ll love that! I’ll grab a screenshot of the video and send it to him.” Or, if you don’t know James, you might think, “Ooh, I’m so excited for Donkey Kong Bananza! I’m going to post a video clip of this on my BlueSky account!” Except, no, you won’t do any of this. Now all you’ll get is a black screen. Here’s a screenshot I took today:

Screenshot: Nintendo / Kotaku

I can right now, on an Android phone, still screenshot the text-based stories, such as the one plugging the new Switch 2 “All-in-One” carrying case, and I can capture the screenshots recently uploaded from Mario Kart World. (Except, with the latter, the shots are included in landscape, in an app that only runs in portrait, with no way to zoom in or rotate them. Just stellar work.) It’s just videos that are being blocked.

Screenshot: Nintendo / Kotaku

Let’s be unambiguously clear: Publisher-provided screenshots and videos of a game are advertising. They have only ever been advertising. The games media is guilty of having allowed such things to be commoditized, fighting one another for the “exclusive” to publish such commercials on their own website, then becoming furious when another site reprints the adverts they wanted to be the only one to show. But ads they remain.

They exist to promote a game, with the intention of building interest and excitement in a product, and the goal of increasing sales. That’s it. That’s what they’re for. And here’s Nintendo, very cleverly encouraging millions of people to install an app on their phones that only serves to show its users these ads, and then going out of its way to stop their being shared? That’s bonkers.

But, it feels very par for Nintendo’s course. Sharing is such an anathema to this company that it even applies it to its own game footage and trailers—clips you’d imagine were created with the express purpose of being seen by as many people as possible. But no! Shut that shit down! People might get ideas.

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May 27, 2025 0 comments