Video Game News Roundup – April 03, 2025
Welcome to our daily review of the most recent video game news! Today’s highlights are as follows:
- Nintendo’s formidable CEO once summoned Shigeru Miyamoto to inquire about the quality of Tetris. Miyamoto’s response was, “Your secretaries and accountants are all engrossed during lunch breaks and after work. This kind of engagement is unprecedented.”
- The BAFTAs have stirred controversy by declaring Shenmue and a game released just two months ago as more influential than Tetris, raising eyebrows in the gaming community.
- Get the latest scoop on the Switch 2: Release Date, Price, Launch Games, and Everything Else You Need to Know.
Join us as we delve deeper into the captivating developments in the gaming world today.
Shigeru Miyamoto was once questioned by Nintendo’s CEO: “Is Tetris really that good?”
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
This week saw the release of Henk Rogers’ memoir, The Perfect Game—Tetris: From Russia With Love. The book recounts his extraordinary journey through the gaming industry, with a specific focus on his significant role in the development and popularization of Tetris. Aside from the game’s creator, Alexey Pajitnov, Rogers is perhaps the most influential figure in bringing Tetris to the global stage.
Rogers, a significant partner for Nintendo, had the unique advantage of having a positive relationship with the company. This was largely due to his relocation to Japan and his ability to build a rapport with Nintendo’s then CEO, Hiroshi Yamauchi, based on their mutual interest in the board game Go.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
The BAFTAs Rank Shenmue and a Recent Release as More Influential Than Tetris
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
A few months ago, the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), often considered the British equivalent of the Oscars, took an unorthodox approach to determining the most influential game of all time. They turned to the gaming public for their views, with surprising results. Today, the BAFTAs announced that according to their poll, Yu Suzuki’s 1999 Dreamcast opus, Shenmue, tops the list of the most influential video games ever created.
The academy praised Shenmue as “a pioneer for open-world gameplay, laying a roadmap that others would follow in subsequent years.” It also recognized the game’s role in popularising “the use of Quick Time Events (QTEs)” in later games.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
All You Need to Know About the Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Price, Launch Games and More
Source: GameSpot – April 02, 2025
Seven years after its debut, with 150 million units sold and over 1 billion games sold for the original Switch, Nintendo is poised to introduce its next console – the Nintendo Switch 2. Amidst a flurry of rumors, leaks, and reports, Nintendo shared significant details about the Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct session on April 2. This update-packed session was chock-full with exciting announcements. This article delves into everything we know so far about the Switch 2 including its price, release date, launch titles, backward compatibility, and more. Preorders for the Switch 2 will commence on April 9, and the console is set to launch on June 5, priced at $450 in the US.
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Elden Ring Switch 2 Extras Coming to PC as Game Achieves Remarkable 28 Million Sales
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
Yesterday, a substantial Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2 was held. Among various highlights was the unveiling of a new FromSoftware exclusive bearing a strong resemblance to a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. Also revealed was the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for the upcoming console. This edition combines the original Elden Ring game with its acclaimed DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, and introduces additional features. “The Tarnished Edition includes four new armor sets and the option to alter the appearance of the spirit horse Torrent (with a total of three variations),” states a post from the official FromSoftware X account.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
New Elden Ring Nightreign Trailer Unveils the Nightmare Archer of Anor Londo
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
The release of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Nightreign is fast approaching, and Bandai Namco, the publisher, has kicked off an aggressive marketing campaign. The campaign features what will likely be a sequence of short videos focusing on the game’s characters. A notable departure from FromSoftware’s other Souls-like titles, Nightreign offers player characters as preset archetypes. This time, we’re given a glimpse into the bow-wielding character, Ironeye. The character’s dynamic speed and fresh animations for various bow actions are particularly striking. Although bows have always been handy weapons in Souls games, they’ve been fairly basic. Nightreign takes a different path. Ironeye has the ability to shoot while moving, shoot while jumping, and in a standout moment of the trailer, impale an enemy at close range with an arrow, then rip it out as a riposte.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘WE WON!’ – The Gaming Community Celebrates New Silksong Footage
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
The recent revelation of Silksong’s official release year, confirmed by the snippets of news disseminated through various platforms, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the gaming community. This announcement brings a close to the agonizing six-year-long wait, filled with numerous delays and prolonged periods of silence. The release of new footage, after a three-year hiatus, has sparked an outpouring of relief and exhilaration. The anticipation for Silksong’s release is palpable, and any further delay could potentially distress the eagerly-awaiting fans.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
First Hands-On Preview: Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2
Source: IGN – April 03, 2025
After a decade of anticipation, Mario Kart World has arrived as the first new home console Mario Kart game. We had the opportunity to delve into this Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, testing it across various modes. So, let’s dive into our experience!
One of the most significant features of Mario Kart World is the introduction of a massive, Forza Horizon-style open world. This vast landscape is filled with numerous courses for racing against friends and foes. Players have the freedom to explore this expansive playground at their leisure, either alone or with friends. Additionally, the traditional menu-based track selection is also available for those who prefer it.
Read the full IGN article here →
First Hands-On Preview of Donkey Kong Bananza
Source: IGN – April 03, 2025
Nintendo has seemingly placed Donkey Kong on the backburner in recent years, while other beloved characters enjoyed their moment in the spotlight with standout releases on Switch. The iconic ape, once reigning supreme atop the girders of Nintendo’s foundational arcade cabinet, seemed to stumble amidst a slew of ports, remakes, and remasters. However, with the introduction of Switch 2, Nintendo appears poised to restore Donkey Kong’s former glory. A brand-new, flagship, launch window 3D action-platformer is on the horizon, and our first 30-minute engagement with Donkey Kong Bananza suggests that the character, once Mario’s chief competitor, is ready to reclaim his lofty position.
Read the full article at IGN →
Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 Set to Launch in June, 7 Years After Initial Debut
Source: PC Gamer – April 02, 2025
The DELTARUNE Nintendo Switch 2 Announce Trailer was not the only highlight from today’s Nintendo Direct showcase. After years of anticipation, Deltarune developer Toby Fox revealed that Deltarune Chapters 1-4 will be launching on June 5. These chapters will be available on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. The first chapter of Deltarune, a sequel to Undertale, was initially released on PC in 2018 and was available free of charge; its follow-up chapter arrived in 2021, also free of charge.
For more details, read the full article at PC Gamer →
Nintendo Responds to Joy-Con Stick Drift Concerns for the Nintendo Switch 2
Source: IGN – April 03, 2025
Every Nintendo Switch owner is all too familiar with the notorious Joy-Con stick drift, where the Joy-Con Control Sticks cease to respond accurately, often resulting in “drifting.” The outcry over the Joy-Con drift issue was so widespread that Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, issued an apology for the inconvenience and initiated a free repair program. Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s president, addressed the ongoing struggle to rectify the Joy-Con drift issue, assuring customers that Nintendo is committed to implementing continuous improvements. The problem was so significant that it sparked a class-action lawsuit from parents in the U.S., although Nintendo successfully defended itself. In 2022, a UK consumer group claimed that the persistent Joy-Con drift issue on the Nintendo Switch was due to a fundamental design flaw.
Continue reading the full article at IGN →
Astroneer Studio Announces New Game: A Deep Space Multiplayer Voyage of Discovery
Source: PC Gamer – April 02, 2025
Astroneer developer, System Era Softworks, has announced a new game amidst the recent Nintendo Direct fanfare. Named ‘Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions,’ it promises to be a multiplayer journey of discovery, cooperative expeditions, and camaraderie set in the vastness of deep space. The game revolves around the ESS Starseeker, an ever-evolving space station where players can plan expeditions, upgrade their gear, and socialize with fellow space explorers.
Players aboard the ESS Starseeker will need to work together to achieve planet-wide objectives across multiple star systems using advanced technology. Expect encounters with extraterrestrial beings and the inevitable challenges that space exploration brings.
Read the full article at PC Gamer→
First Impressions: Donkey Kong Bananza and Red Faction Gorilla
Source: GameSpot – April 03, 2025
Donkey Kong, the versatile primate from Nintendo, has transitioned from a notorious video game antagonist to hero of his own platformer series, rhythm game star, and beyond. Despite a rough foray into the world of 3D platformers with Donkey Kong 64, the beloved ape is making a comeback. After a hands-on experience with the new Switch 2 game, it’s clear that Donkey Kong Bananza could mark his triumphant return to the 3D platformer genre. While Donkey Kong Bananza shares similarities with other Nintendo games, its core gameplay mechanic is entirely unique.
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Participate in the Discussion
Which news item captured your interest today? Is it the Tetris drama or Switch 2 news that piques your excitement? We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!
