I can’t stop smashing. If I were vandalising your car, that would be a terrible thing, but when it comes toDonkey Kong Bananza, there is nothing better than pounding your fists into the soil to discover what awaits beneath. From the opening moments, the titular character is encouraged to use their fists to uncover a path forward of their own making, picking up mountains of gold and other such secrets along the way....

Donkey Kong Banazahas thrown up a fair few questions for longtime Mario fans,specifically where the heck it fits in the timeline. Ever since it was revealed thatOddrock is actually a 13-year-old Pauline, questions have been raised over whether this game is set in the past, or whether some time-travel shenanigans are afoot that have displaced Pauline from her timeline. We’ve seen that Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky Kong are all in the game, strengthening the time travel theory, but a way to really prove that Donkey Kong Bananza is set in the modern Mario timeline would be to find out the main ape’s age....

Summary Doom: The Dark Agesplayers love the new Shield Saw and the mechanics it introduces, but they also missEternal’s beloved Meat Hook and all of its fast-paced verticality. Ever since Doom: The Dark Ages was first revealed, id Software made it very clear that it would be very different from both 2016 and Eternal. Now that the game is out, that claim has been proven true, and one of the main reasons for it is thenew Shield Saw that acts as the Doom Slayer’s main new tool....

A lot of celebrities have been swept up in thePokemon TCGfrenzy, hoarding expensive cards and splashing out thousands on the rarest pulls. Justin Bieber has a wall dedicated to his extensive collection, while DJ Steve Aoki even opened his own store. But the last person I would’ve ever expected to see at a marketplace hunting down treasured pulls is X-Factor and America’s Got Talent mogul Simon Cowell. The person who sold him cards joked that “one of [their] many regrets” was not singing to Cowell—who knows?...

Summary If it wasn’t already abundantly clear,PlayStation’s push into the live-service market isn’t ending anytime soon. Even afterthe shutdown of Concord, thecancellation of The Last of Us Factions 2, or eventhe cancellation of a God of War live-service title, among other movements,Sonyis still pursuing its proverbial golden goose. Beyond Bungie’sMarathon, Sony also hasFairgame$, a “competitive heist” game that was initially unveiled in 2023, though has not seen an update since. Apparently, that game, too, is in dire straits....

Manyanimehave filler episodes, which are episodes that don’t affect the story arc at all. Some go into character development, or introduce you to the backstory of a side character, like the internship episode in My Hero Academia, and other ones are completely disconnected, such as the Ouran episode that’s a tribute to Alice in Wonderland. Some filler episodes aren’t great, and fans decide to skip right past them in their rewatches....

Ambition and the limits of technology often clash when it comes to executingideas in game development. Many grand ideas, gameplay elements, and narrative beats that never see the light of day end up on the cutting room floor. Not because of a lack of trying, but sometimes, what you want to do just isn’t possible. Take making choices in games. For years, we’ve wanted the ability to choose how games go....

Last week’sGhost of Yoteideep dive gave us a better look atwhat awaits us when the game launches. Among the biggest changes are the variety of weapons, the revamped exploration and progression, and theremoval of the stance systemfromGhost of Tsushima. While we enjoyed the previous game and are looking forward to Yotei, a lot of us are probably hoping for the revival of one of Sucker Punch’s older IPs. Before Tsushima, Sucker Punch was known for being the studio behind Infamous and Sly Cooper....

Quick Links Check out theGrow Garden Tower Defense codeslisted below to claim free in-game rewards and boosts; they will give you a helpful start as you jump into the game. Just remember, these Roblox codes expire quickly, so be sure to redeem them as soon as you can. Keep in mind that we’re always on the lookout for new codes and regularly update this list, especially after game updates, so you don’t miss out on the latest rewards....

Quick Links Hell Clockis a fast-paced ARPG with roguelite mechanics, a ticking clock, and a heavy focus on build crafting through item drops, skills, and passive buffs. With randomized upgrades, limited time per floor, and flexible character progression, it can be overwhelming for new players to get their bearings. Below, we’ve put together essential beginner tips to help you survive longer, build smarter, and make the most of every run. From farming Soul Stones to adjusting your build mid-run, these tips will help you stay alive and thrive as you dive deeper into the clock....

Quick Links Marvel Mystic Mayhemis a tactical, real-time action RPG where teams of Marvel heroes battle across a variety of maps and scenarios. With each character offering unique abilities, gear, and team synergies, optimizing your build is the key to success. But there are so many options that you might struggle to discover what is best for your character. Today, we’ll focus on Emma Frost, a versatile supporter and damager who dishes out confusion effects and area control....

Quick Links Monster Hunter Wildsreceived a few new event quests with the recent Title Update 2. One of these event quests, An Inferno Laid Bare, tasks you with hunting a Nu Udra to obtain a fashionable necklace that also doubles as an option for bare-chested Hunters. you may also use your Necklace Tickets, which drop from the quest, to craft a cute Felyne Bell Collar for your Palico companion. If you’re wondering how to start this event quest, how long it’s available for, or what the new rewards looks like, you’ve come to the right place....

So, you’re making an independent game! Congratulations! You’ve entered a world of sorrow and worry, but also lots of pain! No matter what you’re making and regardless of what genre it is, you’ve already been asked at least once, “Is it the nextBalatro?” That only makes you stare into the mirror longer each night while seeing less in your reflection. It’s incredibly challenging making an indie game. You may have creative freedom, but you’re making do with less and trying to please an audience that’s often more narrow than triple-A games’ demographics....