When I reviewed PAC-MAN: Circle, theSecret Levelepisode that puts a body horror twist on Namco’s iconic pellet gobbler, I called it thestand-out episode of the season. I loved the risks it took by reimagining a classic character in such a divergent way, and I appreciated that it felt like the only episode that wasn’t just an extended ad for a new or upcoming game (or a newly cancelled one, in the case of Concord: Tale of the Implacable)....

The handheld landscape has exploded in the past few years, with dozens of companies like Retroid and Anbernic creating their own retro-inspired handhelds that can emulate your favorite games. First-party companies likeNintendohave been making handhelds forever, but it seems like the focus is shifting away from small devices that you can toss in your pocket. As handhelds get bigger and bigger, the portability aspect becomes less important than the system’s power, battery, and screen size....

I still don’t know how to feel aboutStarfield. When I playedBethesda Game Studios’ latest RPG for the first time, it absolutely floored me. Compared to the relatively restrictiveFallout 3andSkyrim, it seemed as if Bethesda had delivered on its big promise of a fully-explorable solar system. But as the story progressed, it became clear that each planet, city, and outpost was siphoned off into a disparate selection of locations kept apart by an endless stream of loading screens....

Summary Prior to its upcoming launch,Nintendo confirmed a range of gamesfrom the original Switch would be getting free updates for theSwitch 2. This included Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Super Mario Odyssey, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (which is really good on the Switch 2), and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. This was in addition to the four games,Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda:Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, andKirby and the Forgotten Land, that were receiving paid “Upgrade Packs”....

Building a life in Bywater inTale Of The Shire: A The Lord Of The Rings Game, you’ll come across delightful characters all over the shire. From a wizard in grey, to a dwarven smith, to a whole gaggle of hobbits, there are plenty of friends to be had! Your own adventures can lead you to unlocking all new trophies and achievements to track your progress. Unlocking each of them will take time, patience, and dedication–though some are much easier than others....

Summary Yakuza is a common theme inanime. Sometimes it’s mentioned briefly, and other times the anime is about it completely. Those animes can be brilliant, and sometimes they take on extremely fun twists, such as a Romeo and Juliet-type love or even babysitting people in different Yakuzas. There are so many Yakuza anime to choose from, but a few of them end up being incredibly similar. However, a deeper dive will showcase unique Yakuza-themed shows that will blow your socks off....

When the Scarlet and Violet era began for thePokemon TCG,you probably didn’t have ‘The triumphant return of Mega Evolution’ on your Bingo card, and that’s okay, neither did we. With the long-awaited return of this treasure mechanic, some of the most popular Mega Pokemon are soaring in price, but others remain as fairly cheap alternatives to the heavy hitters. Whether you’re excited about collecting your favorite Pokemon on a budget or you just want to enjoy the hype without eating into your food budget, these bargain Mega Evolutions are the perfect cards for you, so get them while they’re still affordable....

Summary Pokemondidn’t become a cultural phenomenon for no reason. Even with the limited graphical and audio capabilities of the Game Boy, the series gave us amazing designs fortons of monsters. One of the most iconic parts of the series is each Pokemon’s cry - the sound it makes when you choose it to battle. With the anime adaptation airing alongside the games and video game technology evolving quickly, it wasn’t long before we heard Pokemon cries clearly....

Summary Disneymovies are filled with enchanting quotes, ranging from those that fill you with pep and others that make goodbyes feel bittersweet. Disney is also known for having plenty of romantic quotes targeted at lovers who finally get together and others where the love takes a more platonic form. So what are the most romantic Disney quotes? From furry beasts to imaginary friends, there are multiple ways to show someone you love them....

Despite what the internet will tell you, theNintendo Switch 2has had a pretty stellar launch. Between the unexpectedly high price and it having so few launch titles, the Switch 2 has been ruthlessly mocked and criticized for weeks. But in that same time frame, I haven’t been able to put it down for a second. Call me a shill, but I’ve been through a lot of console launches, and this is one of the best there’s ever been....

Every Final Fantasy game is unique and disconnected from the rest, but tends to share similar themes, enemies, and allies. Among these recurring characters are Chocobos, large birds often used for travel. They are very popular in Final Fantasy, so there are plenty of Chocobo cards included inMagic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond crossover set with Final Fantasy. Chocobos all have a landfall theme, gaining effects whenever a land enters the battlefield....

My Hero Academiais not only reputed for its fantastic characters and refreshing twist on superpowers, but also for the smoothest, most cinematicfight scenesin action anime. And with the anime debut of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, we are sure to get more fight sequences animated in the coming episodes. The show focuses on the exploits of the Naruhata Vigilantes, illegal heroes who fight for justice outside the hero system. With All For One enacting another of his dastardly schemes again, we also get an introduction to a whole new slew of Villains, and the inevitable clashes that will come....

Video game titles have one main job: to tell you a little bit about the game, while still maintaining an air of mystery, so you’re intrigued enough to find out more. Lots of titles do this fantastically; others shoot too far and end up just being exactly what it says on the tin. Looking at you, Triangle Strategy. Some titles, however, go in the opposite direction, and completely undersell the experience you’re about to have....