Video Game News Roundup – April 08, 2025
Welcome to our daily roundup of the latest video game news! The highlights of today’s gaming world are:
- The Last of Us Part 2 demonstrates that 8GB of VRAM is sufficient, even at 4K with maximum settings. We explore why more games aren’t utilizing the same ingenious asset-streaming tactic.
- Framework is ‘temporarily suspending US sales’ of certain laptops due to Trump’s tariffs, stating, ‘At a 10% tariff, we would have to sell the least expensive SKUs at a loss.’
- Jennifer Coolidge shares her thoughts on her on-screen chemistry with Nitwit the villager, her love interest in A Minecraft Movie, describing it as ‘like fire.’
Now, let’s dig into the specifics of today’s gaming news.
The Last of Us Part 2 Demonstrates 8 GB of VRAM Suffices Even at 4K with Maximum Settings: Why Aren’t More Games Utilizing this Smart Asset-Streaming Strategy?
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
Two years ago, Sony’s acclaimed game The Last of Us Part 1 made its way to the PC platform. Many hoped it would mark a turning point for console ports. In a way, it did, but not for the reasons we anticipated. It was notoriously buggy and unstable, excessively taxing your CPU and GPU. Most notably, it attempted to consume more VRAM than what most graphics cards possessed. This situation, unfortunately, reinforced the debate that ‘8 GB of VRAM isn’t sufficient.’ Although most of these issues were remedied through a series of patches, like many high-budget, high-graphics games, if you were to play it on Ultra settings at 4K, the game would gladly utilize more VRAM than available.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Trump’s Tariffs Lead to Temporary Pause of US Sales for Some Framework Laptops
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
Major hardware manufacturers are experiencing difficulties due to Trump’s tariffs. In just one week, both Nintendo and modular laptop manufacturer Framework have announced order delays. Framework announced via their Framework X account (as reported by Ars Technica), “Due to the new tariffs effective from April 5th, we’re temporarily pausing US sales on a few base Framework Laptop 13 systems (Ultra 5 125H and Ryzen 5 7640U)”. In response to a follow-up question, Framework clarified, “We initially priced our laptops when tariffs on imports from Taiwan were 0%. At a 10% tariff, we would be forced to sell the lowest-end SKUs at a loss”.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Jennifer Coolidge Discusses On-Screen Romance with ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Character, Nitwit the Villager
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
One of the standout aspects of ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is undoubtedly the unexpected romance between Jennifer Coolidge’s character and Nitwit, a villager who embarks on an adventure after escaping the Overworld. This unique love story, filled with surprising twists, has been praised by audiences and critics alike. Interestingly, Coolidge herself admitted to the palpable chemistry between her and her virtual co-star. During an interview with BBC Radio 1, she candidly shared, “Sometimes, you arrive on a movie set, and your on-screen romantic partner hasn’t been cast yet. It can lead to moments of uncertainty, where you find yourself questioning, ‘Do I really want to portray a romantic relationship with this person?'”
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
20 Underrated Nintendo Switch Games
Source: IGN – April 08, 2025
As the Nintendo Switch nears the end of its eight-year lifespan, anticipation for its successor, the Switch 2, is building. However, before you retire your current console, it’s worth exploring some underrated gems. While most Switch owners have undoubtedly enjoyed popular titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, numerous other games deserve your attention. These underrated games continue to sparkle on Nintendo’s hybrid console, and while you may have heard of them, you might not have had the chance to play them.
Read the full article at IGN →
Police Intervention at Minecraft Movie Screenings Causes Stir
Source: PC Gamer – April 07, 2025
Minecraft’s debut on the big screen has surprisingly stirred up a frenzy among its youthful fans. Their exuberant reactions during screenings have led to popcorn showers and repeated shouts of “chicken jockey!” This phenomenon has escalated to the point where police intervention has been required in at least two instances. For the uninitiated, a chicken jockey is a rare in-game event where a baby zombie rides a chicken. This peculiar event was highlighted in the Minecraft movie when Jack Black’s character encountered a chicken jockey, triggering a wave of excitement in the audience. Driven by social media platforms like TikTok and the inherent human tendency to partake in collective behavior, these scenes have sparked a trend. Over the past weekend, kids in certain theaters have enthusiastically embraced this trend, shouting the line, capturing the moment on their phones, and tossing popcorn in the air.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
John Carmack Praises Microsoft’s AI-Generated Quake 2 Despite Nauseating Gameplay
Source: PC Gamer – April 07, 2025
Over the weekend, Microsoft showcased a new technology demonstration from its AI Copilot research labs. The generative AI created a version of Quake 2 from scratch, albeit with a few dizzying differences. Despite the game’s nauseating effect on some players, John Carmack, the lead programmer of the original Quake 2, was impressed by the project. It’s worth noting that Carmack’s praise was not directed at the game’s graphics or performance. Instead, he acknowledged the impressive research work behind the project on a public platform, responding to a critic with: “This is impressive research work!”
The research behind this innovative project was published in the prestigious science journal, Nature. For those like myself who were drawn into 3D graphics programming by games such as Quake 2, the complexity of this research is akin to deciphering an ancient alien script carved into an enigmatic material.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders: UK Stock Updates, Availability at Argos and Amazon
Source: IGN – April 08, 2025
Argos has a fresh batch of Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in stock as of today, April 8. This availability is not limited to the console alone but extends to games and accessories as well. If you missed the previous opportunity, this is your chance to secure your purchase hassle-free. Amazon UK, in a recent update, has announced the removal of its invitation system for purchases. Listings are expected to be available for direct purchase soon, perhaps even later today, so it’s advisable to stay alert. Nintendo’s own store is also likely to adopt a similar approach, with invites for purchase anticipated to be sent out today. Unlike in the US, the preorder process in the UK continues to run smoothly, with no price hikes or delays observed.
Read the full article at IGN →
AMD Allegedly Plans ‘Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme’ Chip for Handhelds Despite Potential Battery Drain Concerns
Source: PC Gamer – April 07, 2025
AMD is rumored to be developing a new iteration of its Strix Point APU for handhelds, incorporating a fully functional AI-accelerating NPU. As per information from poster Hoang Anh Phu, via VideoCardz, this new chip will likely bear the name ‘Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme’. This leads to the question: what benefits would an NPU bring to a gaming handheld? Let’s delve into this. AMD’s ‘Z’ chips are versions of its APUs tailored explicitly for handheld gaming devices, like the Asus ROG Ally X. The ‘Z2’ signifies the second generation of these APUs for handhelds, and this is where things start to get complex.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Major Japanese Gaming Studios and Publishers Face Struggles in 2025 Due to US Tariffs
Source: PC Gamer – April 07, 2025
In 2025, despite the gaming industry’s numerous challenges, including layoffs and studio closures, the Japanese gaming industry seemed to defy the odds. As mentioned by an industry analyst last month, five out of eight major Japanese publishers and studios achieved record share price highs at the start of the year. Their only significant obstacle was a shortage of staff. However, the introduction of US tariffs has begun to curtail this success. Last week, the Trump administration imposed “reciprocal” tariffs worldwide, with Japan expected to face a 24% tariff effective from April 9. This move has significantly impacted the stock market.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Nintendo Declares Mario Kart World and DK Bananza as Defining Moments in Their Respective Franchises
Source: GameSpot – April 08, 2025
According to Nintendo’s Bill Trinen, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza represent significant milestones in their respective game series. In a recent interview with GameSpot, Trinen explained that these games were strategically developed to demonstrate the capabilities of the Switch 2. They serve as flagship titles that aid in promoting the console. “Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are exemplary of how games can define their genres and franchises, particularly by leveraging the unique features of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware,” he stated.
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera Falls Short of Standard Camera’s Image Quality
Source: GameSpot – April 08, 2025
Despite its adorable design, the Piranha Plant camera for the Switch 2 may not satisfy your image quality needs. According to Nintendo UK’s website, this Hori-made accessory can only deliver 480p resolution – far from true HD quality. VGC highlights that the standard Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, on the other hand, supports a full 1080p resolution. This substantial difference in image quality could be a main factor in their pricing disparities in the UK market. The Hori’s Piranha Plant camera comes with a price tag of £34, while the superior Nintendo camera is priced at £50. Both will be available for purchase at the Switch 2’s launch on June 5.
Read the full article on GameSpot →
Create Classic Game Theme Tunes with 3D-Printed Fidget Toys
Source: PC Gamer – April 07, 2025
Every time I encounter a 3D printer, I contemplate buying one. However, what would I use it for? As it turns out, the answer might be creating a vast array of musical fidget toys that play classic game theme tunes. Not only would this serve as a source of personal entertainment, but it could also serve as a fun annoyance for various family members. Yes, I am delightful to live with. Maker World’s creator, Kida, has generously uploaded printable designs for various game themes, including Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., Undertale, and Minecraft (via Hackaday).
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Switch 2 Stock Already in the US as Nintendo Gears Up for Launch Demand
Source: GameSpot – April 08, 2025
Nintendo is gearing up for the launch of the Switch 2, set for June 5, by already distributing inventory worldwide. The Switch 2 has indeed arrived in the United States. In a CNBC interview, Nintendo of America president, Doug Bowser, discussed preorders and plans for meeting the launch demand. When asked about Nintendo’s ability to keep up with the demand on launch day, he responded, “It remains to be seen, but that is certainly our goal.” Bowser went on to express his hope, stating, “We’ve had some time to build up inventories on a global basis, and we genuinely hope to meet the demand.”
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Today’s Best Deals: MAINGEAR Gaming PC, Pokémon Tins, SanDisk microSD Express, and Skyrim Collectibles
Source: IGN – April 07, 2025
Today’s top deals are certainly an exciting mix. We have a handcrafted MAINGEAR rig that not only looks like a piece of art but also easily crushes modern games. For the Pokémon TCG fans, we have a tin that adds an element of surprise to your collection. And for those who love a good thrill, there’s a Humble Bundle packed with giant alien bugs and chaotic gameplay. The lineup also includes a custom RTX 5070 PC from MAINGEAR, Pokémon TCG tins, and a collectible Skyrim Dragonborn Helmet.
Are you waiting for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders? In the meantime, I’ve found a great deal on a Sandisk 256GB Micro SD Express card. And for those who’ve always wanted to own a piece of the Dragonborn legend, the IGN Store has a distinctive desk ornament that will satisfy any Skyrim fan.
Read the full article on IGN →
Join the Conversation
What gaming news captured your interest today? Is it the latest developments on The Last of Us or the updates on Switch 2 pre-orders? We’d love to hear your thoughts and insights. Share them in the comments section below!
