This weekend, gamers are diving into a diverse array of titles, from critically acclaimed remakes like Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2 to indie gems such as Cult of the Lamb and MIO: Memories in Orbit. Several staff writers and contributors share their personal gaming plans, highlighting updates to Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and ongoing engagements with popular franchises like Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Sega is set to broaden the character selection in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, aiming to incorporate a wider array of beloved figures from the extensive Sonic franchise. This initiative reflects the development team's recognition of the deep affection fans hold for the diverse characters spanning the series' history.

Highguard, an upcoming hero shooter, has adopted an unusual silent marketing strategy, sparking controversy and debate within the gaming community. Unveiled at The Game Awards, the game's minimal communication has led to both criticism and intrigue, highlighting a shift in how game developers interact with their audience in the modern digital age.

Hideki Konno, a prominent game designer, director, and producer, has reportedly left Nintendo after a distinguished 40-year career. His departure, noted on his Facebook page, occurred in July 2025, following the retirement of fellow industry veteran Kensuke Tanabe. Konno's extensive contributions include early work on "Super Mario Bros." series, directing "Super Mario Kart" and "Yoshi's Island", and producing hit titles like "Mario Kart 8" and several mobile games.

Discover the latest movies and shows hitting major streaming platforms and VOD this week. From romantic fantasies like "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" and anime musicals such as "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" on Netflix, to documentaries like "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" on HBO Max, and horror films including "Mother of Flies" on Shudder, there's a diverse selection for every viewer. Plus, don't miss new rentals like "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants" for family fun.

Luke Ross, a prominent VR mod developer known for converting popular games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghostrunner into VR experiences, has taken down all 40+ of his mods from Patreon. This decision follows multiple DMCA notices from major game publishers, including CD Projekt and 505 Games, along with a warning from Patreon regarding copyright infringement. Ross expressed frustration with what he perceives as a system that disproportionately favors large corporations, preventing modders from monetizing their work.

Wildlight Studios' free-to-play PVP shooter, Highguard, is set to launch on January 26th. Following a period of silence since its December announcement at The Game Awards, the game is now gaining momentum with an upcoming official launch showcase. This showcase promises an in-depth look at gameplay, year-one plans, and more, reassuring fans that the game is on schedule.

Michael Gamble, executive producer for the Mass Effect franchise, is actively recruiting a Production Director for the upcoming installment. This high-level position, requiring extensive industry experience, signals a renewed commitment from EA to advance the series, despite recent upheavals within BioWare and the broader gaming landscape. The role focuses on translating creative vision into a tangible game, ensuring the next Mass Effect maintains its acclaimed legacy.

Arknights: Endfield, initially perceived as a typical anime gacha game focused on character collection and combat, has surprised players with a significant factory building and base management component. Many players, including a Reddit user and the author, found themselves unexpectedly engrossed in constructing efficient material processing systems, shifting their focus from battling to industrial expansion. This unique integration sets Endfield apart from other gacha titles.

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE is a powerful wireless gaming keyboard featuring advanced HE switches, a thoughtful layout, and durable keycaps. While offering exceptional precision and customization for gamers, its high price tag raises questions about its overall value compared to more affordable alternatives in the market.

A recent analysis, GOG Year 2025, reveals that GOG users tend to unlock more achievements than their Steam counterparts, despite Steam users playing a higher median number of games. This new feature from GOG provides players with a personalized annual review of their gaming statistics.

Intel is placing a significant bet on its latest manufacturing process, 18A, and the upcoming Panther Lake chip generation to redefine its future. Despite recent challenges, the company's Q4 earnings call highlighted the strategic importance of these innovations, particularly for the x86 ecosystem and Intel Foundry. Early tests of Panther Lake show promising performance in mobile gaming, coupled with impressive battery life claims. This strategic direction aims to strengthen Intel's position against competitors like TSMC, leveraging advanced US-based manufacturing capabilities.