Xbox to compete with Nintendo Switch 2!? + Sony works on AI characters!?

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Switch 2 has 258 default profile icons, almost double Switch's 147 https://x.com/OatmealDome/status/1919774990737522957Nintendo stock price hits all-time peak again https://x.com/serkantoto/status/1917855487942615536Final Fantasy VII Remake series director all but confirms Rebirth is also coming to Switch 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm68MEd3d5cMicrosoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday https://bsky.app/profile/wario64.bsky.social/post/3lo4ena2iu32fGrand Theft Auto VI delayed to May 26, 2026 https://x.com/RockstarGames/status/1918265468076605706Context from Jason Schreier https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3lo6qieb3wc2xTrailer 2, running in engine on PS5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQRLujxTm3cGears of War: Reloaded launches August 26 on Xbox Series, PC, Game Pass, and PS5 https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-release-date/ Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time remasters announced alongside third Ecco game https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/ecco-the-dolphin-and-ecco-the-tides-of-time-remasters-announced-alongside-third-ecco-gameNew Half-Life game is allegedly being "widely playtested ahead of a possible summer reveal and winter release" https://wccftech.com/half-life-3-playtested-summer-reveal/Oblivion Remastered is the 3rd bestselling game of 2025 in the US already https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3logoljt5lk2dNo Chrono Trigger remake! https://x.com/gematsu/status/1918434161620042140 Questions from Discord: Brydude: Which Link is your personal favorite?  Ex. OoT Link, Wind Waker, etc.  🦉What we’re playing:Mary: :)  John: Lunar Remastered Collection (beat 1), Star Wars: BattlefrontGreg: Rivals, DOOM 64, (DOOM: Eternal (maybe?), COD, Apex Legends (new season baby!) Brett L:  Clair Obscur: Expedition 33  Split Fiction (beat)Brett M: Split Fiction (beat)

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Press X wins at Switch 2 preordersNintendo Switch System Update Ver. 20.0.0 adds Virtual Game Card & System Transfer to Switch 2 https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22525/~/nintendo-switch-system-update-information#currentVirtual Game Card stops the same game from being played online on two Switch consoles https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/switchs-new-virtual-game-card-system-stops-the-same-game-being-played-online-on-two-switch-consoles/Default Switch profile icons were updated https://x.com/OatmealDome/status/1917391209967821073eShop Best Sellers list reorganized https://kotaku.com/slop-nintendo-switch-eshop-best-seller-firmware-update-1851778523Survey of around 60,000 Japanese respondents shows Switch 2 drawing success rates (scroll down)Toyo Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda: Switch 2 launch sales in Japan likely between 800K-1M units, which "can be translated to around 5 million in the first week globally. That speed is unprecedented." https://archive.md/1QKclBorderlands 4 now launches September 12 and received a PlayStation State of Play https://blog.playstation.com/2025/04/30/borderlands-4-revealing-vault-hunter-skills-new-planet-kairos-and-more/EA Lays Off 300-400 Employees, Including About 100 at Respawn; Incubated Titanfall Project Canceled - Bloomberg Jeff Grubb’s take https://x.com/JeffGrubb/status/1917273189001974166GOG adds Breath of Fire IV and many Star Wars games to its GOG Preservation Program https://www.gog.com/en/gog-preservation-programSquare, Capcom, Taito, & Sega Promising To Preserve Their Past A "Fabrication" Claims GPS https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/04/claims-that-square-capcom-taito-and-sega-are-promising-to-preserve-their-past-a-fabrication-claims-gps Questions from Discord: 🦉What we’re playing:Mary: :)John: Lunar Remastered Collection, SaGa Frontier Remastered, Star Wars: BattlefrontGreg: Rivals, Rock’n’Roll Racing, COD, Rocket League Brett L: Assassins Creed Shadows (beat) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Brett M: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing Remains the Same, Retail Preorders Begin April 24 in US https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-maintains-nintendo-switch-2-pricing-retail-pre-orders-to-begin-april-24-in-u-s/Context on accessory price increases https://x.com/nintendeal/status/1913268152244617335New Street Fighter and Zelda amiibo have gone up $10 each https://x.com/Wario64/status/1914334618397946235“Now You're Playing Together ft. Paul Rudd – Nintendo Switch 2” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uGXvdbL1ysThe Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma also runs on Switch 1 https://marvelousgames.com/news/rune-factory-guardians-of-azuma-nintendo-switch-2-faqMost physical Switch 2 games so far are actually just Game-Key Cards https://x.com/gematsu/status/1915117805499777329Nintendo offering limited card sizes is the rumored theory as to why this is happening https://www.reddit.com/r/NSCollectors/comments/1jsfsaw/rumor_nintendo_not_offering_as_many_options_for/Japan is getting an official book about Pokemon animal behavior and ecology written by a real doctor https://automaton-media.com/en/news/new-pokemon-book-by-actual-doctor-of-animal-behavior-and-ecology-academically-explains-and-illustrates-behaviors-of-wild-pokemon/The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered shadow-drops on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC https://www.gematsu.com/2025/04/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc-now-availableGhost of Yōtei comes to PlayStation 5 on October 2 https://blog.playstation.com/2025/04/23/ghost-of-yotei-comes-to-playstation-5-on-october-2/Star Wars Zero Company launches in 2026 on PS5, XSX, and PC https://www.gematsu.com/2025/04/star-wars-zero-company-launches-in-2026-debut-trailer-and-screenshotsSquare Enix, Capcom, Taito, and Sega commit to "archiving past development materials" https://www.gamesindustry.biz/square-enix-capcom-taito-and-sega-commit-to-archiving-past-development-materials Questions from Discord: 🦉`What we’re playing:Mary: :) John: Star Ocean First Departure R (finished), SaGa Frontier Remastered (“beat”), Lunar Remastered CollectionGreg: Rivals, Rock’n’Roll Racing, COD, Rocket League Brett L: Split Fiction, Assassin's Creed Shadows Brett M: Split/Fiction, South of Midnight, Quest 3 VR

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Nintendo's Vietnam Production of Switch 2 Is Going Almost Entirely to the US - Bloomberg LinkNintendeal claims that most GameStop stores "are expecting ~100 Switch 2 consoles available at launch," but games/accessories "extremely limited" https://x.com/Nintendeal/status/1911810754099249648Streets of Rage, Super Thunder Blade, ESWAT: City Under Siege Join NSO Genesis game https://x.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1910498346952769825Switch 2 versions of BotW and TotK will offer occasional equipment repair via Zelda Notes https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/zeldas-nintendo-switch-2-ports-finally-let-you-repair-equipment-via-its-mobile-app/Phil Spencer comments on wanting to support Switch 2 https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/microsoft-phil-spencer-minecraft-movie-fallout-season-2-1236352653/Marathon launches September 23 as a team-based extraction shooter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJIQoWIQP8Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered leaks, apparently launches next week https://www.gematsu.com/2025/04/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered-screenshots-leak-via-virtuos-websiteTLOU season 2 premiere had 5.3 million US viewers, outpacing season 1 premiere by 10% https://deadline.com/2025/04/the-last-of-us-season-2-premiere-viewership-hbo-1236368374/ Questions from Discord: Jtlawbass: What franchise needs a new installment? For me, I’d love a new, single-player Phantasy Star game. A Nintendo franchise that I want to see make a comeback is Golden Sun.🦉What we’re playing:Mary: :) John: Super Mario RPG (finished), SaGa Frontier Remastered, Star Ocean First Departure RGreg: Rivals, Rock’n’Roll Racing, COD, Rocket League Brett L: Split Fiction, Assassins Creed Shadows Brett M: Split/Fiction

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Doug Bowser explains why Switch 2 costs $150 more than Switch: 1) "a lot of improved features" with Joy-Con 2, LCD screen, and CPU/GPU processing power, and 2) the social features like GameChat - CNBC Video“the Super Mario Bros. 2 movie” will be released next March (movie hasn’t been described as a “2” before)Bowser offers iffier quote about price to CBC that went viral https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/nintendo-switch-2-price-tariffs-1.7503598Doug Bowser claims tariffs "weren't factored into the pricing" of Switch 2, but Nintendo is "actively assessing" the situation - Wired (non-paywall) / (gives lots of similar non-answers to NPR too)Doug Bowser explains the $80 price for Mario Kart World Washington Post (non-paywall)Switch 2 Joy-Con controller was designed "from the ground up" but doesn't use Hall sticks https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-says-the-switch-2-joy-con-controllers-dont-have-hall-effect-thumbsticks-145541771.htmlNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is $9.99; BotW & TotK Switch 2 upgrades are also $9.99 each https://www.ign.com/articles/our-big-nintendo-switch-2-interview-with-nintendo-of-americas-bill-trinenSwitch 2 carts still taste bad on purpose https://www.gamespot.com/articles/switch-2-carts-still-taste-bad-designed-purposefully-to-be-spat-out/1100-6530649/Switch 2 eShop will have no music either; Switch 2 has no achievementsBuilds for old or canceled Switch games have leaked, apparently including Retro Studios' canceled music RPG, Project Harmony https://nintendoeverything.com/cancelled-nintendo-switch-games-leaked-online-with-footage-of-scrapped-retro-studios-game-ridge-racer/Xbox Game Showcase set for June 8, followed immediately by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/04/09/xbox-games-showcase-2025-outer-worlds-2-direct/ Questions from Discord: 🦉What we’re playing:Mary: :) John: Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (finished), Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden (“done”), Super Mario RPGGreg: Rivals, Apex, Rocket LeagueBrett L: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (beat) Avowed (just started) Split FictionBrett M: Split/Fiction

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5 for $449.99, Mario Kart World costs $80 https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-switch-2-launches-june-5-bringing-new-forms-of-game-communication-to-life/About Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/featured-games/switch-2-edition/Important information about compatibility of Nintendo Switch games with Nintendo Switch 2 https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/transfer-guide/compatible-games/Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Overview https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68415/kw/switch%202Nintendo Switch 2 “Japan Only” system is much cheaper than the “Multi Language” one https://www.nintendo.com/jp/hardware/switch2/lineup/index.html#mariokart Nintendo reportedly plotting a Zelda movie trilogy, with filming set for New Zealand https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-reportedly-plotting-a-zelda-movie-trilogy-with-filming-set-for-new-zealand/Halo for Nintendo DS was allegedly shut down by Nintendo, not Microsoft https://mynintendonews.com/2025/03/31/halo-ds-developer-says-nintendo-killed-the-portable-fps-rather-than-microsoft/ Questions from Discord: Joe: With the advent of the Switch 2, do you think Nintendo continues remastering or remaking games from older systems like the GameCube, Wii, and 3DS? And if they do, do you think they'd continue releasing said games on the original Switch too?🦉What we’re playing:Mary: :) John: Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (finished), Super Mario RPGGreg: Rivals, Apex, Rocket LeagueBrett L: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (beat) Avowed (just started) Split FictionBrett M: Split/Fiction

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Nintendo Direct Reactions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OqoRxXUjGA / https://businesswire.com/news/home/20250327383212/en/Latest-Nintendo-Direct-Reveals-Nintendo-Switch-Games-Virtual-Game-Cards-and-a-New-Smart-Device-App-Nintendo-Today“Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games” are a thing https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/virtual-game-cards/Nintendo joins the Accessible Games Initiative https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/introducing-the-accessible-games-initiative/The Seattle Mariners are wearing Nintendo and Switch 2 logos on their jerseys this season https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-seattle-mariners-will-wear-nintendo-and-switch-2-logos-on-its-jerseys-this-season/Ken Kutaragi had a Nintendo PlayStation in his closet all along (original tweet deleted, this is good enough) https://x.com/PlayerEssence/status/1902776604901904807A p4re.jp domain has been registered - tenuous Persona 4 remake evidence? https://x.com/ScrambledFaz/status/1902715312379752726Ubisoft creates new subsidiary, Tencent invests €1.16 billion for minority stake in subsidiary https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/1uPFqvuRRej3UoemTIgVLH/18f1d055777e1b39a3f79a951452b9e1/2025.03.27_-_Press_Release_vfinal.pdfGame Informer is back with all of its staff https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2025/03/25/game-informer-is-backChristopher Dring announces new publication The Game Business, funded by Geoff Keighley https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/geoff-keighley-and-christopher-dring-announce-new-publication-the-game-business/ Questions from Discord: 🦉What we’re playing:Mary: John: Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim (finished), Voice of Cards 1 (finished), Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden, Mario’s PicrossGreg: Rivals, Apex, Rocket LeagueBrett L: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (beat) Avowed (just started) Split FictionBrett M: Split/Fiction

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is launching to strong reviews https://www.metacritic.com/game/xenoblade-chronicles-x-definitive-edition/Nintendo Switch 2 Set for Gaming’s Biggest Ever Launch Even at $400-Plus Price Point - Bloomberg LinkFCC filing suggests that Switch 2 may get a GameCube controller https://famiboards.com/threads/new-fcc-filing-discovered-that-looks-a-lot-like-a-gamecube-nso-controller.12879/Metroid Prime 4 will allegedly "blow everything else" in the April Direct out of the water https://x.com/kiwitalkz/status/1900363827327459778Lego Pokémon is coming in 2026 https://x.com/Pokemon/status/1901999757008224693Silent Hill f is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/silent-hill-f-confirmed-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc-reveal-trailerStar Wars turn-based tactics game will be revealed on April 19 https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-celebration-japan-2025-panel-scheduleSony Interactive Entertainment establishes Dark Outlaw Games led by Jason Blundell https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/sony-interactive-entertainment-establishes-dark-outlaw-games-led-by-jason-blundellFinal Fantasy Pixel Remaster series sales top five million; Final Fantasy series sales top 200 million https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/final-fantasy-pixel-remaster-series-sales-top-five-million-final-fantasy-series-sales-top-200-millionXenosaga: Pied Piper has been preserved, English patch in the works https://x.com/RockmanCosmo/status/1901658207162093975Silksong mention https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/03/18/idxbox-developers-finding-success-with-xbox/ Brett’s Super Nintendo World AdventuresWhat we’re playing:Mary: Ace Attorney, Persona 3 Reload DLC, and maybe a gacha game or twoJohn: Dragon Age: Origins (finished), Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon RoarsGreg: Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, Cowabunga CollectionBrett L: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (beat) Avowed (just started) Split FictionBrett M: Death Stranding

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Switch 2 will have NFC and Wi-Fi 6, FCC filings show https://www.theverge.com/news/625931/nintendo-switch-2-fcc-nfc-wi-fi-6-usbLego Mario Kart launches May 15 for $169.99 (1972 pieces) https://mynintendonews.com/2025/03/10/closer-look-at-lego-mario-kart-set-out-this-may/Donkey Kong ‘94 and Mario’s Picross join Game Boy NSO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nna-zWXRjcgNiantic sells its game business to Scopely for $3.85 billion (includes Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, the dev teams) https://nianticlabs.com/news/niantic-next-chapterTony Hawk 4 remake will have no Career mode https://kotaku.com/thps-3-4-tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-4-career-mode-timer-1851768305New Dead by Daylight killer: Tokyo Ghoul/Ken Kaneki https://x.com/DeadbyDaylight/status/1899475683744575740https://x.com/DeadbyDaylight/status/1899505719411454197Sony is experimenting with AI-powered PlayStation characters https://www.theverge.com/news/626695/sony-playstation-ai-characters-aloy-horizon-forbidden-west-prototypeThe video: (AI stuff starts at 3:00) taken down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-RJ7O9Tqf4Xbox handheld reportedly planned for late 2025, full next-gen console targeting 2027 https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-hardware-report-project-keenan-next-gen-xbox-2027The Verge: handheld is Project Kennan, says Asus will release handheld https://archive.md/gbQ16The unannounced Oblivion remake could launch as early as next month https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bethesdas-oblivion-unreal-engine-5-remake-could-be-releasing-sooner-than-you-think/Chrono Trigger 30th anniversary: Square Enix is planning a "variety of projects over the next year that will go beyond the world of the game” https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/chrono-trigger-celebrates-30th-anniversary-various-projects-beyond-the-game-world-plannedMega Man X9 was briefly in development 20 years ago https://www.rockman-corner.com/2025/03/a-history-of-mega-man-x9-s-short-life.htmlMaybe: The first three Armored Core titles join PlayStation Plus Classics March 18 https://blog.playstation.com/2025/03/12/armored-core-a-history-of-from-softwares-mech-saga/?sf276633777=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawI-9EJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXd-VwHLyRctdrihnN65454-M7775VZ5dKgFt9gfpR64euzs908_YFrtuA_aem_PxgbkdJMk1u4lX6ASdjojgQuestions from Discord: 🦉What we’re playing:Mary: BG3, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain update, Ace AttorneyJohn: Dragon Age: OriginsGreg: Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty Brett L: Dragon Age: The VeilguardBrett M: BioShock Infinite, Split/Fiction, Death Stranding

Press XJoin the Press X Discord: https://discord.gg/MAXtvmv2rw Topics:Pokémon Presents Press ReleasePokémon Legends: Z-A launches late 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_KNDtKJJ-8Pokémon Champions announced for Switch, iOS, and Android https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik6IGiCzFzQMar10 Day festivities are coming https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250304659858/en/Nintendo-Announces-Fun-Ways-to-Enjoy-MAR10-Day-Wherever-You-AreSuper Soccer will be removed from NSO on March 28 https://x.com/OatmealDome/status/1895638913391173773Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 launches July 11 on all platforms https://www.tonyhawkthegame.com/Masahiro Sakurai honored by Japanese government for pioneering game design tutorials https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/smash-bros-creator-masahiro-sakurai-honored-by-japanese-government-for-pioneering-game-design-tutorials/Metaphor: ReFantazio director Katsura Hashino is getting an award too https://automaton-media.com/en/news/metaphor-refantazio-director-katsura-hashino-receives-japanese-government-award-for-remarkable-contribution-to-art/Super Nintendo consoles seem to be getting FASTER with age https://bsky.app/profile/tas.bot/post/3lj47u3fga22nSide-scrolling action game Terminator 2D: NO FATE announced for all platforms https://www.gematsu.com/2025/02/side-scrolling-action-game-terminator-2d-no-fate-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pcGame publisher Acclaim returns with focus on indie studios and classics https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/game-publisher-acclaim-returns-with-focus-on-indie-studios-and-classicsPotentially no Last of Us Part III? https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-last-of-us-season-2-abby-video-game-changes-backlash-1236327786/ Monster Hunter Wilds Surpasses 8 Million Units Sold in 3 Days and Is the Fastest Capcom Game to Do So: https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e250304.html 1 million+ player peak every day since release on Steam: https://steamdb.info/app/2246340/charts/ Questions from Discord: 🦉What we’re playing:Mary: Baldur’s Gate 3 (again), LADSJohn: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (finished), Dragon Age: OriginsGreg: Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals Brett L: Dragon Age: The VeilguardBrett M: Resident Evil 5 ✅, Avowed✅ , BioShock Infinite