Latest Nintendo Game News & Updates
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🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformCall Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Dates, Content, And How To Get In
Activision has confirmed the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer beta dates, which begin on August 21. The company also revealed how you can get it, what's in the beta, and when to expect more details. Read on to learn more. Modern Warfare 4 beta dates Early access to the open beta runs August 21-25 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The multiplayer beta then opens for everyone, regardless of preorder status, from August 28-September 1. The open beta also brings in Switch 2 as a supported platform. How to get in The early access period is available for people who preorder Modern Warfare 4, but the open beta is free and available to everyone. The fine print also states that an "online multiplayer subscription" may be required. The early access period is not available on Switch 2 because Switch 2 preorders don't begin until August 26. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-20-at-1.26.53-PM.png?w=1024) The MW4 beta begins in August. What's in the beta? The Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer includes multiple maps and modes and a "wide selection" of playable characters. The beta includes "as many as" 19 different weapons, while some of the supported modes include Search & Destroy and Kill Block, and the Training Mobility Course to help players learn the ropes. The beta also includes a "wide variety" of tacticals, lethals, field upgrades, perks, and killstreaks to try out ahead of launch. People who preorder the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 4 can use the operators and weapons included in that version of the game during the beta. These include content from the Vault Edition preorder bundles below: Hostile Alliance Operator Pack - Price - Valeria - Ghost - Blix Special Forces Operator Pack - COM SFT (France) - KSK Amphibious (Germany) - SK Special Forces (South Korea) - SAS (United Kingdom) Signature Weapons Collection - Kastov 762 Assault Rifle and “Voltspine” Blueprint - ISO Nightshade Submachine Gun and “La Sombra Venenosa” (“The Poisonous Shadow”) Blueprint - Rezi 12 Shotgun and “Shattered Code” Blueprint - Oris 8.6 Marksman Rifle and “Volt-Edge” Blueprint - Combat Knife (Melee) and “Sombra Besada” (“Shadow’s Kiss”) Blueprint More announcements to come Activision said it will share more details on what it called an "unprecedented beta experience" in the weeks to come. This will include more details on beta rewards and "other surprises." Call of Duty Next The annual Call of Duty event, Call of Duty Next, returns on August 21, Activision announced. This live event will feature new gameplay footage, an "in-depth briefing" on Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer content, along with developer interviews and "new reveals."
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformMost Nintendo Employees Found Out About Tears Of The Kingdom When You Did
Nintendo has a good track record when it comes to keeping secrets, and in the case of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom(https://www.gamespot.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom/), the Breath of the Wild(https://www.gamespot.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild/) sequel's announcement was one of the company's most confidential projects. In fact, the game's existence was so secret that many Nintendo employees only found out about it when it was teased during the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct livestream. According to former Nintendo of America marketing and PR leads Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, Tears of the Kingdom had a "higher level" of security than any other Nintendo project that they worked on, and they claimed that only a small handful of people at NoA knew about it. https://youtu.be/eeyniV4efYM?t=3329 Ellis, who was the director of social media marketing and original content at the time, said that he was trusted enough to be told about the sequel and that he had to work on it in secret, with his social team none the wiser. "I had a ton to do. There was this big communications team, like an E3 machine, cranking out materials, and obviously the main place for this was in the Nintendo Direct," Ellis said. It became clear, I have to do these different teams' jobs in secret, and when this happens, feed them this thing and tell them what to do with it." Yang added that the official teaser was a big hit amongst the surprised Nintendo employees, with staff promptly celebrating the surprise reveal. A few years later, Tears of the Kingdom landed on Switch consoles and earned rave reviews(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-review/1900-6418063/) across the world for how it expanded on Breath of the Wild and pushed its gameplay systems to new heights. Both games were also updated for the Switch 2 when it launched last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DRARZQexW4 The franchise has had a constant presence on Nintendo hardware for several years now, with last year's Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment acting as a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom by detailing the events of Zelda's trip back in time. This year will see the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-finally-reveals-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-for-2026/), and in the not-so-distant future, we're also getting a live-action Zelda movie(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-legend-of-zelda-movie-release-date-trailer-story/2900-6252/) and some new action figures(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hasbro-announces-partnership-with-nintendo-for-zelda-toys-first-will-be-revealed-soon/).
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformNintendo Switch's early demise is coming much too soon
The EU right to repair laws are much needed, but they will rob European gamers of one of few affordable options for new hardware
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformTime’s running out to save $10 on Splatoon Raiders physical preorders
Splatoon Raiders’ July 23rd launch day is almost here, so your window to preorder the physical version at a $10 discount is about to close. The digital version is $49.99, and so is the game on cartridge if you preorder at Walmart. Amazon previously honored the preorder discount, but it’s selling the game at full &8230;
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformOne Of Last Year's Best Horror Games, Total Chaos, Is Getting A Low-Poly Retro Mode And It Looks Awesome
!Total Chaos Retro Mode Trigger Happy Interactive Apogee Entertainment Doom II 2(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/b4e8e081/t2.jpg.webp) Developer Trigger Happy Interactive released its first-person horror game Total Chaos(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/total-chaos) last year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and it became one of my favorite horror games of 2025(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/total-chaos/a-haunting-catharsis). The game was great at launch, made even better with a New Game+ update that arrived earlier this year with a brand-new finale alongside a Switch 2 version, and now, thanks to an upcoming "Retro Mode" update, is set to get even more tantalizing. Publisher Apogee Entertainment revealed on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/apogeeent.com/post/3mqosmjetjk2f) today that Retro Mode will bring pixelated visuals, low-poly horrors, and yet another new ending to Total Chaos. This horror game began as a total conversion mod of Doom II, and Apogee says this new ending is inspired by those Doom II origins. You can see an example of the Retro Mode look in the header image at the top of this article, but here's another look below: !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/b4e8e081/t2.jpg.webp) The game is set within the corridors, hallways, cliffs, and bunkers of an isolated and desolate mining town run amok by a rotting disease that has infected both the protagonist's mind and the once-citizens of this place. Using first-person combat, a constantly expanding crafting system, and environmental puzzle-solving, Trigger Happy Interactive crafted an excellent horror adventure well worth the price of admission and the dozen or so hours of runtime. You can read more about why in Game Informer's Total Chaos review(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/total-chaos/a-haunting-catharsis). There's no word on when Retro Mode will arrive in Total Chaos, but Apogee Entertainment says it's coming soon. In the meantime, read my dissection of the game's themes(https://www.gameinformer.com/opinion/2025/12/26/hating-cancer-and-the-cutthroat-catharsis-of-total-chaos) and how they intersect with hating cancer, cutthroat catharsis, and more. Total Chaos is available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Have you played Total Chaos? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformStar Ocean: The Second Story R Gets Switch 2 Edition, But With The Usual Square Enix Caveats
!Star Ocean The Second Story R Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Square Enix(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/9731159c/staroceanthesecondr.jpg.webp) Square Enix has surprise-released a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Star Ocean: The Second Story R(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/star-ocean-the-second-story-r), its sci-fi RPG(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2023/06/21/star-ocean-the-second-story-remake-announced) that launched on Switch (and PlayStation and PC) in 2023. This Switch 2 version boasts 1080p resolution, both docked and in handheld mode, with a 60 FPS frame rate, making it a big improvement over the significantly lower resolution and 30 FPS frame rate of the Switch version. But, this edition comes with the usual Square Enix caveats. Similar to the Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II Switch 2 editions(https://gameinformer.com/node/127099) announced earlier this week, anyone who wants to play this Star Ocean remake on Switch 2 will have to pay $49.99; there is no upgrade path for owners of the Switch 1 version, and your save data does not transfer. It's another step down this disappointing trend for Square Enix, which expects players to fork over more money to play a game they already own on a new system – the company doesn't even opt for low-cost upgrade paths, something even Nintendo itself(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/04/02/metroid-prime-4-tears-of-the-kingdom-and-more-get-enhanced-switch-2) does with games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom/such-great-heights) and more. Maybe Square Enix is seeing enough purchases to justify it, but it's not a player-friendly practice either way. Check out the Star Ocean: The Second Story R Nintendo Switch 2 edition trailer below: Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a remake of the original Star Ocean: The Second Story, which launched on PlayStation in the U.S. in 1999. It's about a Federation officer named Claude C. Kenny who is mysteriously transported to a mystical planet. There, he searches for a way home but is drawn into a quest to save the planet by a young girl who lives there, becoming wrapped up in an ancient prophecy in the process. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch 2, Switch, and PC. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to remove mention of Star Ocean: The Second Story R being an HD-2D game, as that is incorrect How do you feel about the way Square Enix handles Switch 2 re-releases? Let us know in the comments below!
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformMario Tennis Fever gets Super Mario Galaxy-themed 1.1.0 update
Nintendo's first big patch for the Switch 2 tennis game includes a new Fever Racket, a new court, a new Special Match, and GameShare support
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformCuldcept Begins brings the Sega Saturn era to Nintendo Switch 2
Culdcept Begins revives a cult-classic series with strategic deckbuilding and a whole lot of luck.
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformYour First Chance To Play The Duskbloods Early Is Next Month
From Software's upcoming game The Duskbloods looks be quite the departure from the studio's previous work, and if you want a chance to play it ahead of its official launch, you'll soon have your chance. The game will be running a closed network test(https://campaign.theduskbloods.jp/p/event/networktest/?region=theamericas&locate=US&lang=en) in August, with registration for a chance to participate starting very soon. The Duskbloods' closed network test will run from August 21-23, and will feature support for eight-player multiplayer sessions. An application period will run from July 22-28, and participation requires a Nintendo Switch 2 system and an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ij2uQ87nc From Software says the closed network test will be focused on a few key areas: server load, multiplayer problem-solving, and game balance. It's not clear exactly how much of the game will be available during this test, but given how different The Duskbloods looks compared to From Software's traditional single-player RPGs, it's a great opportunity to see if you want to buy the full version later. The Duskbloods is planned to launch in 2026 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Though looking at screenshots may have you convinced it's a similar game to something like Bloodborne, the focus on multiplayer should make it quite different.
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformDispatch Will Finally Make Its Way To Xbox Later This Month
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2025/10/14/f490074a/dispatchofficialreleasedatetrailer0-39screenshot.jpg.webp) Dispatch(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/dispatch), the "superhero workplace comedy" game from former Telltale developers, launched on PlayStation 5 and PC last October(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/09/16/narrative-superhero-game-dispatch-launches-next-month-with-first-two-playable-episodes). It then made its way to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 earlier this year(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/12/17/update-dispatch-is-soaring-to-switch-2-and-switch-next-month), in January. Now, Xbox players can enjoy the antics of the Z-Team later this month when Dispatch hits Xbox Series X/S on July 29. The game centers on former superhero Robert Robertson (played by Aaron Paul), who becomes a dispatcher for a dysfunctional team of reformed villains. The narrative-focused game features choice-driven conversations that steer the plot down different paths, while dispatching heroes to handle a multitude of disasters unfolds as a light take on turn-based strategy. To celebrate the news, developer AdHoc Studio released a new trailer that teases some of the superhero adventures and dispatching drama that await Xbox players in the game. Check it out below: We loved Dispatch last year, and you can read why we gave it a 9 out of 10 in the Game Informer Dispatch review(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/dispatch/with-great-power-comes-guaranteed-paperwork). Have you played Dispatch? Let us know who your favorite character is in the comments below!
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformYou Might Be Able To Play From Software's The Duskbloods During A Network Test Next Month
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2025/04/02/952050c7/nintendoswitch2theduskbloodsscreenshot-51.jpg.webp) Elden Ring developer revealed during a June Nintendo Direct that its upcoming Switch 2 exclusive action game, The Duskbloods(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/the-duskbloods), would be getting a closed network test sometime this Summer(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2026/06/09/the-duskbloods-a-nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-rpg-from-elden-ring). Now, the studio has revealed the test will take place next month, from August 21 through August 23. Applications to take part in the test will open up next week on July 22, and you will have until July 28 to complete the registration. A network test like this isn't uncommon for From Software, which also held one for Elden Ring, and considering The Duskbloods is a PvPvE experience(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/04/02/the-duskbloods-from-softwares-next-game-is-a-switch-2-exclusive), it makes sense that the Tokyo-based studio wants to test online play and connectivity ahead of the game's eventual launch. Speaking of launch, there's still no release date for The Duskbloods, but it is set to launch sometime this year. From Software says the primary goals of this network test are as follows: - Game server load test: We will connect large numbers of players simultaneously to verify gameplay while putting a load on the game server. - Multiplayer test: We will test for various problems that may occur when multiple people play together in different network environments, and various phenomena that may occur by having many users participate. - Game balance test: When real players test the game together, the developers can gather data about how well the game is balanced. From Software says this network test allows for "up to eight players to participate together in each of the multiplayer matches while the game is still in development," and asks for understanding that bugs may occur during gameplay as a result. In order to take part in the test, you must apply next week, be accepted, have a Nintendo Switch, and have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. The application period starts on Wednesday, July 22, at 7 a.m. PT and lasts until Tuesday, July 28, at 6:59 a.m. PT. The selection announcement will happen on Friday, August 7, at 6 a.m. PT. The network test schedule is listed below: - Aug. 21, 2026 (Fri.) 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT - Aug. 21, 2026 (Fri.) 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT - Aug. 22, 2026 (Sat.) 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT - Aug. 23, 2026 (Sun.) 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT - Aug. 23, 2026 (Sun.) 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT For more about The Duskbloods, check out the latest trailer here(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2026/06/09/the-duskbloods-a-nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-rpg-from-elden-ring), and then check out the reveal trailer for The Duskbloods(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/04/02/the-duskbloods-from-softwares-next-game-is-a-switch-2-exclusive). Good luck!
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformYou Can Now Order Games And Consoles From GameStop With Uber Eats
GameStop has announced a partnership with Uber Eats to allow people to order things like games and collectibles through the delivery app. Inside the Uber Eats app, you can navigate to the "Retail" or "Electronics" hubs and search for GameStop to see what you can buy. Local inventories will vary, but my Uber Eats app shows things like Ubisoft's newly launched Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/black-flag-resynced-is-a-bad-remake-of-peak-assassins-creed/), a variety of collectibles, consoles like the Switch 2, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S, as well as Red Bull cans. Like with Uber Eats food orders, you can select ASAP or your own specific delivery time, and from there, you can see your driver in real time. My app shows a $6 delivery fee. GameStop is just the latest retailer to join Uber Eats' lineup of retailers. Others include Best Buy, Home Depot, PetSmart, Target, and many more. In other news, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen continues to push for his ambitious buyout of eBay for $56 billion(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ebays-rejection-letter-to-gamestops-56-billion-bid-pulls-absolutely-no-punches/1100-6539894/). eBay has said it does not plan to sell, but Cohen is still trying, and he has said he might pursue a hostile takeover. Cohen has also discussed how video games could play a major role in his plans for eBay(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-came-up-with-plan-to-buy-ebay-on-the-toilet-wants-it-to-become-re-seller-of-digital-gaming-items/), should he succeed in taking over the platform. GameStop was also in the news recently after Sony announced plans to kill off physical game discs in 2028.(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstations-disc-based-game-sales-have-dropped-dramatically-in-recent-years/) Many theorized that this would be bad news for GameStop because it sells physical games. However, GameStop's stock price did not fall after Sony announced those plans--in fact, the stock price rose. Why? One reason could be that software is the smallest part of GameStop's business today(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-is-not-hurting-after-sony-kills-discs-and-there-is-a-good-reason-why/), which is now more focused on collectibles.