The whirlwind reveal and showcase of the Switch 2 hardware and software was a complete blowout. Somanyports! A brand new Donkey Kong game! The C button actually does something! Sure, there were some pretty big issues in the fine print, but I think there’s something that Nintendo massively undersold and didn’t even really talk about much until we got some hands-on time with the games.
How many people actually leave the rumble or vibration on? With the Switch, I think I turned it off long ago because I’m always worried about the battery life of the console or the Joy-Con. The Pro Controller is different, but I also have it turned off there. It’s just how it’s always been, and since controllers have largely gone wireless, that’s how I’ve always been. Apart from the haptics of the PS5 Dual Sense, which, poor thing, has been more susceptible to drift and quick-draining battery than any other controller I’ve owned in my life.
Last week, we asked you share the epic landscapes of feudal Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
irmarie_diazshares Naoe riding a horse through agricultural fields in the fall.
visualcam9shares Naoe wandering through cherry blossoms
RivalsUniverseshares sunlight streaming through a bamboo forest
DexM_dsshares Naoe perched atop an icy winter landscape
TakaSanGamesshares a castle surrounded by cherry blossoms
tim14009498shares Naoe atop a roof overlooking a settlement in fall
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Heights SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on April 9, 2025
Next week, look down below. Share breathtaking moments taken from great heights in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
City-building can be an exhausting affair, once you’ve evolved beyond the initial joy of cottage windows lighting up at night and start having to deal with things like traffic congestion and rubbish collectors going on strike. As such, it’s nice to play a city builder in which you can rest easy in the knowledge that any urban sprawl you engineer will soon be obliterated. It’s even nicer that said city builder is free.
Nintendo has taken the unprecedented decision to delay Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S., blaming the impact of Trump’s tariffs and “evolving market conditions.”
Pre-orders were set to go live in the U.S. on April 9. Nintendo did not share an updated kick-off date, but did promise that the June 5, 2025 release date of the Switch 2 itself remains intact.
Nintendo issued IGN the following statement:
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.
“I don’t want to blow things out of proportion, but this does feel like a true crisis moment for Nintendo,” Ellis said.
U.S. markets tumbled today after China hit back against Donald Trump’s raft of tariffs. China, which faces a 54% import tax, has retaliated with an additional 34% tax on U.S. goods from next week.
Moments before the U.S. markets opened, Trump said “China played it wrong, they panicked,” and insisted his policies would “never change.”
The world is now left facing economic uncertainty, with some mainstream news media declaring the era of cheap goods now over for the American consumer. Some economists are predicting higher tariffs will automatically pass through to inflation and higher prices.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Last year Assassin’s Creed Shadows associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois made headlines by revealing that Ubisoft’s latest open world game had a “smaller” map than its predecessor, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. He compared it instead to Assassin’s Creed Origins, which recreates roughly 80 square kilometres of ancient Egypt, next to Valhalla’s exhausting 250 square kilometre expanse of land and sea.
That story sparked a couple of thoughts for me. A surge of relief, of course, because life is short and video games are often far too long. And secondly, the realisation that I don’t really know what “bigger” and “smaller” mean in a video game, and I’m not sure anybody else does either.
FromSoftware has shared some more info about its recently announced Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods. The partnership with Nintendo seemed to affect not just the style of game FromSoft is making, but even the design of the keeper of The Duskbloods’ hub area into something different — something… cute.
The trailer shown during the Switch 2 Direct this week closed on a shot of a winged rat character, with glowing glyphs drawn all over it, looking at the camera. Curious fans might have wondered what this rat’s deal was. As it turns out, this is our new hub companion.
“That character shares a similar role with the fire keepers from the Dark Souls series. They remain in the hub area, providing the player with advice and guidance,” director Hidetaka Miyazaki said in an interview with Nintendo.
“I suppose you could say we tried doing something a little Nintendo-esque in the spirit of the partnership.”
When asked what Miyazaki means by that, he added: “We tried something cute for a change. Although I will say this character is actually an elderly gentleman (laughter).”
FromSoftware’s shrine keepers have been central figures for player’s journeys through their worlds. Familiar faces like Melina, the Maiden in Black, the Doll, and others are characters you return to over and over on your trip, often offering power to help you move forward.
With a PvPvE game like The Duskbloods, though, it remains to be seen what kind of advice and guidance the winged rat will offer. Miyazaki said the team at FromSoft has tried its hands at introducing “a lot of new and interesting ideas,” so expect the unexpected when it hits Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026.
I cannot review Psycho Patrol R in any way that matters. I could approach this mech-piloting, bullet-hungry immersive policing sim like any other first-person shooter with RPG elements, and tell you about its levels, storytelling, and gamey features. Or I could evaluate it on its own terms, as a piece of hallucinogenic hypercapitalist critique wrapped in a kevlar jacket of impenetrable irony whose own €39 price tag appears to be part of the joke. Neither approach is going to work. Psycho Patrol R requires a buy-in of brain rot and an almost memetic openness to mania. You’ll need to play it to better misunderstand it.
While the title shares many similarities with previous FromSoftware games such as Bloodborne and Dark Souls, one of the most notable elements in the trailer was a rat-like character seen at the end of the footage.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Embark on an epic journey with Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose, the newest DLC that puts you in command of two well-known armies inspired by history. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to the series, this DLC delivers rich, historically inspired content that can be enjoyed across a variety of modes.
Faircroft’s Antiques: The Mountaneer’s Legacy Collector’s Edition
It’s summer in the French highlands for Mia Faircroft! Discover a picturesque mountainside town in this Hidden Object game. Explore breathtaking locations, restore priceless treasures, and help the various residents of Mont Cache!
With Earth on the brink of ecosystemic collapse, DOLOS A.E.C. leads to efforts to find a new home for the human race. Whether by chance or fate, its prototype space station, the Tiqqun, finds itself cast adrift, a disintegrating ark upon which the remnants of humanity must find sanctuary – and you, Administrator, are at its helm.
A spellbinding third-person, action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you’ll encounter creatures of Southern folklore and explore a macabre, fantastical world. You can play early starting today, April 3, by picking up either the South of Midnight Premium Edtion or the Premium Upgrade Edition for Game Pass members.
A co-op metroidvania with two genetically enhanced soldiers, special agents of a theocratic dictatorial regime. Fight your way through swarms of mutants through a desolate, dystopian space city and save humanity’s last stronghold, if, of course, anyone is still alive… You can also check out the free Anima Flux demo.
Witness the very beginning of the legendary elite WWII force in Commandos: Origins. The long-awaited sequel to the Commandos series brings you right back to the foundation of the real-time tactics genre. And to the days where Jack O’Hara, the Green Beret, and his five companions met to form the infamous unit sent to complete missions which no others would dare to accept.
A mystical Victorian detective story in which you play as a ghost girl helped by a ghost cat. Jane wakes up in a crypt as a ghost and begins investigating the death of her family. Seeking and researching evidence, you’ll build a case by utilizing a laboratory to research evidence.
Ellphaser throws you into a frozen world where every jump reshapes reality. In this 2D platformer with puzzle mechanics, platforms disappear and reappear with each jump, creating dynamic challenges at every move. Control a fearless elephant and plan each jump carefully to escape traps — sharp spikes, electric orbs, and unstable platforms are waiting for a misstep.
Little Droid – April 9 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
An adventure platformer that takes you to a world of mysteries, tough enemies, and hidden dangers. The journey is packed with challenges, requiring careful battery management to keep the droid energized at crucial moments.
Following an unfortunate episode of mental illness, Alma is sent to a cottage in the countryside where she finds peace tending to the overgrown garden. However, while admiring the large ivy growing across its fence, she discovers a leaf bearing a single written word – hello. Her father and caregiver brush it off as nothing but a hallucination, a symptom of her hysteria. Can you help Alma find her power and solve this dangerous mystery before it’s too late?
The moment of destiny has arrived — the dragon eggs are ready to hatch! As the revered Elder Dragon, it is your sacred duty to guide these young hatchlings, ensuring they grow, evolve, and rise to become majestic, unstoppable forces of nature. Will you lead them to greatness, forging a new era of dragonkind in this puzzle game inspired by Suika?
Welcome to Mt. Holly, the mysterious manor with shifting rooms. In Blue Prince, you embark on a genre-defying experience, filled with a unique mix of mystery, strategy, and puzzles that weave together to create an unpredictable journey. Will your explorative steps lead you to the rumored Room 46?
Experience the ultimate relaxing puzzle game collection with Hook: Complete Edition, featuring both Hook 1 and Hook 2 in one package. A minimalist puzzle game where your goal is to remove all hooks from the board using intuitive mechanics. No timers, no scores, just pure, stress-free gameplay complemented by a calming ambient soundtrack.
Become the leader of an ever-expanding group of survivors. Manage supplies, upgrade your team, and craft deadly contraptions to defend yourself! Remember, exploration is vital in this harsh new world. Prepare to forge bizarre alliances and, together, face the many dangers of the wastelands.
Monaco is a city overflowing with luxury and greed, which makes it a perfect target for you and your international gang of criminal masterminds. The best of the best has been assembled, and they’ll need to work together using their unique abilities to rob the city blind. Do you and your friends have what it takes to bring the city of Monaco to its knees?
Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game
Get ready for the official 2025 Supercross season with Monster Energy Supercross 25! Experience the thrill of racing on newly designed tracks that replicate real-world events and compete against the latest roster of professional riders: forge your path in a revamped career featuring intense competitions, rivalries, and strategic choices.
An exploration-based adventure game set in a colorful galaxy where you guide Pilo, an apprentice explorer, on a journey to document the universe’s wonders and solve mysteries. Using the Holobook, a powerful encyclopedia-like tool, Pilo collects stickers to record his discoveries and uncover the story behind a mysterious dark force known as the Tar.
Inspired by classic fighting games from the ‘90s such as Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, and The King of Fighters, Pocket Bravery channels the Neo Geo Pocket aesthetic for a modern fighting game with a retro twist! With original characters, vibrant colors and an impressive combat system, Pocket Bravery is designed with high-level players in mind, while making it easily accessible for beginners to pick-up-and-play!
From the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols – they’re unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!
Steel Seed is a single-player, stealth action-adventure game set in a dark sci-fi world. In her epic journey inside a hostile underground facility run by AIs, Zoe is alone with Koby, a flying drone, as her only companion.
In the rural town of Yushibana, the Ashiya family holds much of the wealth. After they discover a rare gemstone, a showing is scheduled in Ashiya Tower, drawing the attention of many of the townspeople. However, during the exhibit, the tower is flooded with smoke, activating emergency shutters that trap eight people inside. With twelve hours until their release, they must grapple with an increasingly complex series of unnatural events.
Step back into a world of thought-provoking puzzles, philosophical intrigue, and breathtaking visuals with The Talos Principle: Reawakened. This definitive edition revisits the groundbreaking narrative of The Talos Principle, immersing players in an expanded and remastered journey through the world of the Simulation.
A casual platformer designed to be simple and relaxing. With 40 short and challenging levels, you’ll guide a cute bear through obstacles at a light and pressure-free pace, thanks to infinite lives. Easy to play, fun to master – perfect for any player, anytime!
Get ready to lock, load, and dominate the wild like never before with Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy! This groundbreaking experience takes the #1 arcade hunting game to thrilling new heights, delivering over 3X the content of its hit predecessor.
A single-player, first-person psychological horror game that takes players on a chilling journey into the depths of the human psyche. When selling her soul for fame and fortune, Laila Rose faces the consequences of her actions. A tale where greed, fear, and change intertwine.
Become the best chef on the summer islands! Play as a Capybara named Capy, a young chef who is out to prove that your culinary talent can outshine even the most renowned chefs in the world! Embark on a journey full of obstacles and puzzles and cook the most delicious dishes in exciting mini-games to delight as many residents of the summer islands as possible!
The mail has been scattered! Take on the mail route from hell, recover and deliver mail to its rightful place! Mayhem Mail is a classic single screen arcade platformer with some added puzzle elements.
Experience the strangely satisfying thrill of watching your mob multiply as you aim and shoot at the gates. Witness your army grow to massive proportions! Strategically deploy your mighty champions to break through enemy mobs and reach their bases. Choose the best combo to win!
Mortisomem is an adventure, mystery, and horror game with retro visual aesthetics. The game takes place in the year 1917, in the vast forest of inland Brazil. Explore the forests of inland Brazil, meet people, uncover the region’s history, and escape from Mortisomem alive.
West Escape throws you into a chaotic frontier where the law is on your tail and alien invaders are wreaking havoc. As a fugitive desperate to reunite with your lost love, you’ll need to collect scrap, upgrade your gear, and face off against relentless extraterrestrial threats.
Embark on an exhilarating journey as a bird navigating the skies alongside your flock. In this beautifully crafted adventure, you will soar through 11 vibrant and diverse levels, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking landscapes. Your mission isn’t just about speed—it’s about staying connected with your flock as you all journey together, guided by instinct and unity.
The expensive price tag on its new games is one of the drawbacks of the Nintendo Switch 2, of which preorders have already been going live early (Amazon included(. Luckily, ShopTo is taking the sting off for UK customers by allowing you to get Donkey Kong Bananza for only £63.50.
While this is still more than the £58.99 RRP for digital copies, it’s the best price possible right now for those who want to actually own their games, and hold them in their hands like a newborn bab. This handy bargain comes as the result of using ShopTo’s “SPRING” coupon code, which allows you and other future Nintendo Switch 2 players to knock 5% off various games, consoles, gift cards, and more across your order on the website.
Once you use the code at checkout, £3.35 will be taken off so you’ll only have to pay £63.50 instead of £66.85. There is a catch, however.
While you can preorder Donkey Kong Bananza to pay at dispatch normally, you’ll only be allowed to use the discount code if you pay right away. So, if you currently don’t have the funds and weren’t planning to pay until DK Bananza’s 17th of July 2025 release date, this preorder deal sadly won’t be ideal for you.
That said, if you manage to free up some cash, you can use the “SPRING” discount code also works for Mario Kart World, which is also for sale at ShopTo. Currently at £74.85, you can get £3.34 knocked off so you’ll only have to pay £71.10.
We know that the Nintendo Switch 2 bundled with a code for Mario Kart World is a great deal, essentially getting you a digital version of the game for around half the price, but any discounts on the game from retailers is also great for you physical collectors out there.
The discount also works for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller over at ShopTo, but is currently sold out at the time of writing.
Nevertheless, we’ll be keeping an eye on it incase the retailer happens to add any more stock, so you can take advantage while the coupon’s still active.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
