Press X's 2025 GAMES OF THE YEAR Special!

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:Making Metroid Prime 4 was originally a request from Nintendo of America; when Retro Studios took over its development, they no longer had the structure to make a MP game and had to rebuild https://nintendoeverything.com/metroid-prime-4-developer-interview-origins-challenges/Its open-world hub was a concession to old pleas from fans for an open-world Metroid that it became too late to change course on later as people’s attitudes towards open-world games changed https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-discusses-its-approach-to-metroid-prime-4-and-why-it-isnt-open-world/Pikmin 3 Deluxe rated for Switch 2 in Europe https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/pikmin-3-deluxe-rated-for-switch-2-in-europeJez Corden: First Call of Duty Switch version "is nearly done and launching in a few months" https://x.com/JezCorden/status/2003171421879460027NateTheHate: The Switch 2 “devkit delivery situation has largely been resolved” (in other words, it looks like devs getting a Switch 2 devkit isn’t a problem anymore) https://mynintendonews.com/2025/12/29/natethehate-nintendo-switch-2-dev-kit-availability-has-largely-been-resolved/ Questions from Discord: Joe: What are your biggest disappointments of the year? For me it honestly might be the Switch 2. I just think outside of Donkey Kong the first-party titles aren't the best so far. Plus, the high price of the system, charging $80 for a Mario Kart with less content than the previous title, key cards, etc. Also, Microsoft, fuck ‘em.Campfire_knight: Here's a fun question: What is your annual game(s) that you replay? For me, I probably replay Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Dark Souls 3 the most of any of the games I own. They are just so near and dear to my heart.🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, Mortal Kombat Legacy KollectionGreg: Marvel Rivals, Blops 7, PSP - Lemmings, Rocket League Brett L: Super Mario Galaxy 2 (beat), Kirby and the Forgotten Land:  Star Crossed WorldBrett M: The Outer Worlds 2

Analyzing Every Game We Beat This Year! Brett on Brett Special!

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:Switch 2 Mario Kart bundle has ended production https://x.com/gamestop/status/2002874071525228771ININ Games confirms, then backtracks on Nintendo offering new Switch 2 game card sizes https://x.com/ININ_Games/status/2002062795857174721Super Mario Bros. any% world record broken AGAIN, 9 frames off from perfection, by averge11 https://x.com/averge11/status/2001594860428574773But maybe “perfection” will change? https://x.com/HappyLeeHL/status/2001773285227532385Vince Zampella, video game developer behind ‘Call of Duty' franchise, killed in crash https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/video-game-developer-vince-zampella-crash-call-of-duty/3819576/007 First Light delayed to May 27, 2026 https://x.com/007GameIOI/status/2003511022141817016Final Fantasy IX anime seemingly back in production at a new French studio with a 2028 release target https://www.rpgsite.net/news/19263-final-fantasy-ix-anime-production-reportedly-resumed-2028-release-ff9 Questions from Discord: RaxonXVI: What's the game/s you're looking forward to the most in 2026? For me, it’s Resident Evil Requiem and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Ghost of Yotei (finished 🙁)Greg: Marvel Rivals, Blops 7, PSP - Lemmings, Rocket League Brett L:  Super Mario Galaxy 1 (beat), Super Mario Galaxy 2Brett M: Fable 3 (finished) Tomb Raider (finished) Routine (finished)

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:The Game Awards 2025 reactions: Ace Combat 8, Bradley the Badger, Control Resonant, Divinity, Gang of Dragon, Highguard, Mega Man: Dual Override, No Law, Order of the Sinking Star, FOTOR, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Tomb Raider: Catalyst & Legacy of Atlantis, Total War: Warhammer 40K, Pragmata, Street Fighter movieSmaller-capacity Switch 2 cards are reportedly in production now https://x.com/SoWhatAboutGame/status/2001202387063894356 https://x.com/Nintendeal/status/2001309529339023380Dispatch coming to Switch 2, Switch on January 29, 2026 https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/dispatch-coming-to-switch-2-switch-on-january-29-2026Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade demo is out on Switch 2 and Xbox Series, running greatNovember 2025 game hardware unit sales were the lowest since 1995, physical software spending also all-time November low https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3ma6y5qpm2s2z https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3ma6t4rn7ul2wLarian is using AI to assist in creating Divinity and the internet is freaking out as usual - original Bloomberg articleSwen’s clarification: https://x.com/LarAtLarian/status/2001011042642505833Exact transcript: https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3ma5dqbmgm22o Questions from Discord: 🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Ghost of Yotei (finished 🙁)Greg: Marvel Rivals, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Rocket League Brett L: Dispatch (finished), Mario Galaxy 1Brett M: Batman Arkham City, Dispatch (finished) Keeper (finished)

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:Capcom May Finally Try to Make New Mega Man, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney Games https://www.rockman-corner.com/2025/12/capcom-moves-to-revitalize-mega-man-ace.htmlKatsuhiro Harada to leave Bandai Namco after more than 31 years https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/katsuhiro-harada-to-leave-bandai-namco-after-more-than-31-yearsUS Black Friday week hardware sales breakdown: PS5 47%, Switch 2 24%, NEX Playground 14% https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3m7du6uaaec2pGame Awards 2025 Predictions: Neverending Disappointment Questions from Discord: Joe: Any game awards predictions? Who will win stuff? Game reveals?Joe: You have infinite resources, but you can only make a kart racer. Which franchise are you using? Also your wife is really good at menu design.Jtlawbass: Do you have any gaming regrets (either IRL or in-game)? Mine are getting rid of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for the OG Xbox when I sold it and the console to afford my 360. And in Mass Effect 2 I was romancing Miranda because I loved her on Chuck but sided with Jack in an argument, so she gave me the cold shoulder for the rest of the game. 🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Ghost of YoteiGreg: Marvel Rivals, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Rocket League Brett L: Little Nightmares 3 (beat) DispatchBrett M: Batman Arkham City, Dispatch

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:Metroid Prime 4: Beyond debuts to 81 Metacritic score https://www.metacritic.com/game/metroid-prime-4-beyond/Nintendo will purchase Bandai Namco Singapore Studios, rename it Nintendo Singapore Studios https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2025/251127.htmlMore context for the purchase https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-buys-five-companies-in-five-yearsNew Dead Rising Game Reportedly in Development, Now Set in Hollywood https://mp1st.com/news/new-dead-rising-game-development-set-in-hollywoodEidos Montreal Was Reportedly Working on a Legacy of Kain Reboot Before Embracer Buyout https://insider-gaming.com/legacy-of-kain-reboot-eidos-montreal/“Sonic Universe Event Film” Set for December 22, 2028 https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sonic-spinoff-movie-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-live-action-film-2028-release-dates-1236596459/God of War has a two-season order at Amazon https://deadline.com/2025/12/god-of-war-frederick-eo-toye-production-casting-2-season-order-1236630007/Mina the Hollower needs to be a hit for Yacht Club Games - Bloomberg Link Questions from Discord: Brett L goes to Discord 🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, SilksongJohn: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (finished), Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsGreg: Marvel Rivals, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Rocket League Brett L: Keeper (finished), Dispatch, Little Nightmares 3Brett M: Batman Arkham City, Dispatch

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:NSO adds Ninja Gaiden II and Battletoads for NES and Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando for Game Boy https://x.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1993484853887566217Far Cry TV Series Set at FX from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/far-cry-tv-series-fx-noah-hawley-rob-mac-1236591190/Cyberpunk 2077 has sold 35 million copies https://x.com/Wario64/status/1993722106253885832Games we’re grateful for, for helping us in life etc.John: FFII/Lunar, Persona 4 Golden, WWF No Mercy (typed this out so I don’t forget lol)Brett:  Uncharted 2/Battlefield 2: Bad Company, Inside/Horizon Zero Dawn, Death Stranding  Will think of more lolGreg: RE2, Street Fighter II, Sonic Adventure, Halo ⅔, Mario Kart Double Dash, GTA 4, Total Carnage, Sunset Riders, TMNT Tutrltes in Time, THPS2   Questions from Discord: Brydude: (1) Do Mario fart? (2) Second question, what is your favorite movie to watch during Thanksgiving? (3) Third question, even though I think we heard it last year: I’m tryna make you guys have questions that can go on for a few minutes: What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? (4) One final question: What does the fox say?Joe: Any memorable Black Friday moments? Best deals you've gotten, any fights etc.Jtlawbass: What game has the best/yummiest-looking food? Is there any video game food you would like to learn to cook? Part of me wants to learn to cook the food from Monster Hunter Rise. It looked so good. 🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Shin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceGreg: Marvel Rivals - Gambit is here, Rocket League, Super Mario World Brett L: Silent Hill f (finished) Keeper, DispatchBrett M: Batman Arkham City, Dispatch

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:First official Legend of Zelda movie photos released https://x.com/Nintendo/status/1990434772615664067Kirby Air Riders scores 78 on Metacritic, up 17 points from Kirby Air Ride https://www.metacritic.com/game/kirby-air-riders/“I want to live a modest and unassuming life.” Masahiro Sakurai was initially reluctant about approving a manga about his life https://automaton-media.com/en/news/i-want-to-live-a-modest-and-unassuming-life-masahiro-sakurai-was-initially-reluctant-about-approving-a-manga-about-his-life/Nintendo says it didn't intend to stop third-party Switch 2 docks from functioning after recent firmware update https://kotaku.com/nintendo-just-blocked-third-party-switch-2-docks-and-it-sucks-2000644081NateTheHate claims Rockstar has done tests with GTA6 on Switch 2 https://x.com/NateTheHate2/status/1990491837182980193Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition now available for Switch 2, Switch https://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/tomb-raider-definitive-edition-now-available-for-switch-2-switchThe Game Awards 2025 nominees announced https://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/the-game-awards-2025-nominees-announced  Questions from Discord: Brydude: Might seem like a dumb question but…. How often do you guys think that Tears of the Kingdom was going to be a day-one Switch 2 game until they realized that the Switch 2 was going to come out much later than anticipated?Jtlawbass: May have been asked before but what game, games, or kinds of games do you like to play during the holiday season from October to December (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.)? Being stuck in a climate where I can usually wear shorts and flip flops on Christmas Day, I love playing games like Skyrim where I can run around in snow at least virtually.🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (finished)Greg: Marvel Rivals - Gambit is here, Rocket League, Super Mario World Brett L: Silent Hill f Brett M: Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Batman Arkham City

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct reaction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqjMaKQskW8METROID MONDAYS https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/metroid-mondays-things-will-go-boom/More Lego Zelda coming in 2026 https://x.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1988267657133687158Nintendo Switch 2 Compatibility Information site launches https://switch-software-compatibility.nintendo.com/en-USPokémon Pokopia launches March 5 as a Game-Key Card https://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/pokemon-pokopia-launches-march-5-2026Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension will launch on December 10 https://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/pokemon-legends-z-a-dlc-mega-dimension-launches-december-10Steam Hardware revealed: Steam Controller, Machine, Frame https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardwarePS5 shipments top 84.2 million; Ghost of Yotei sales top 3.3 million https://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/ps5-shipments-top-84-2-million-ghost-of-yotei-sales-top-3-3-millionTop 10 bestselling PS5 games in US https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3m5gqt2co5c23State of Play Japan: 40 minutes of absolutely nothing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJp8K40TSxcGrand Theft Auto VI delayed to November 11, 2026 https://x.com/RockstarGames/status/1986540361011880167 Questions from Discord: 🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Greg: SNES - Mystical Ninja, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals Brett L: Silent Hill F Brett M: Watch Dogs 2

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rwTopics:As of September 30, Switch 2 sold 10.36 million units, Mario Kart World sold 9.57 million units (92% attach rate, fastest-selling Mario Kart ever), Donkey Kong Bananza sold 3.49 million units https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/251104_4e.pdf https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/251104e.pdfNintendo increases Switch 2 sales forecast by 4M units: predicting 19 million units sold by end of MarchSwitch 1 sales forecast decreases as sales are drying up (sold 910K units this quarter)Key insights from Furukawa’s investor presentation https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/251105e.pdf"Moving forward, software development will be centered around Nintendo Switch 2""84% of Nintendo Switch 2 players have transitioned from Nintendo Switch" (see below)"Supply of Nintendo Switch Hardware Will Continue If Enough Demand Persists""We aim to maintain a connection with our consumers throughout the various stages of their lives"“We are continuing to prepare for the ongoing release of movies in the future.” (see below)Initiatives to strengthen game development include "acquiring development companies to make them subsidiaries" (see below) Nintendo Store app appears out of nowhere, lets you see all your old playtimes through Wii U and 3DS https://x.com/Wario64/status/1985964705312125326 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gets a new “Survive” trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fN5zFkeA4AAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition and free version 3.0 update revealed https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/animal-crossing-new-horizons-sails-ashore-with-a-nintendo-switch-2-edition-and-free-content-update-jan-15/ Nintendo staff reunited to discuss launching NES 40 years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2WDfsiLiRAFull Details Revealed for Dante’s Purgatorio, the Canceled Sequel to EA’s Dante’s Inferno https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-dantes-purgatorio-the-cancelled-sequel-to-eas-dantes-inferno Questions from Discord: Beavis Christ: This is a big one, but that's why we pay you guys the big bucks: What do you think the next console generation will be like? What will the consoles be like? What genres will rise and fall? Or any thoughts you have. (I keep remembering how in either the PS3 or PS4 gen, a bunch of people thought that not only were the end of physical game sales imminent, but so was the end of new consoles, and that if anything there would be essentially newer Pro versions of the same consoles, or add-ons to upgrade your console. Because the Sega 32X did so well I guess lol. So that's kinda what made me think of this)campfire_knight: What region-locked game do you most regret not getting in your part of the world?🦉 What we’re playing: Mary: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Hades 2, Silksong John: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (finished I) Greg: SNES - Mystical Ninja, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals Brett L: Silent Hill F Brett M: Watch Dogs 2