Video Game News Digest – April 09, 2025
Welcome to our daily digest of top video game news! Today’s highlights feature:
- Helldivers is still making waves in the gaming community and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
- Big Rigs, infamous for its strong candidacy on any ‘worst games of all time’ list, curiously boasts a Mostly Positive user rating on Steam, throwing a spotlight on the paradoxes of democracy.
- ‘No existing lawsuit’ against Schedule I: Amidst mounting negative Steam reviews, the publisher of Drug Dealer Simulator appeals for peace in a public statement.
Now, let’s get into the intricate details of today’s gaming news.
Big Rigs, Notorious for its Noteworthy Flaws, Earns a Mostly Positive User Rating on Steam
Source: PC Gamer – April 09, 2025
Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing, the infamous 2003 truck racing game, was inaccurately named. It would have been more aptly titled as Big Rigs: Through the Road Racing or perhaps Through Buildings and Bridges. This game was notorious for lacking collision detection, enabling players to drive through literally anything, including opponents. However, the term ‘opponents’ is used loosely here as in the initial version of the game, your rival would remain immobile, leaving you to finish the race unchallenged. Upon completing the race, a crudely designed trophy would pop up on the screen accompanied by the now infamous phrase “YOU’RE WINNER !”.
After being recently released on Steam, this semi-trailer-themed game has surprisingly received a deluge of positive reviews, likely spurred by a sense of irony among the gaming community.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Contradicting Negative Steam Reviews, ‘Drug Dealer Simulator’ Publisher Asserts ‘No Lawsuit’ Against ‘Schedule I’
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
Despite the accumulation of negative Steam reviews, Drug Dealer Simulator’s publisher, Movie Games SA, has publicly addressed the controversy involving its investigation into the indie sensation, Schedule I. The publisher posted a clear and concise message on the DDS 2 Steam page, stating, “There is no lawsuit.” The past few days have been challenging for Movie Games SA. Yesterday, the company confirmed it was conducting an investigation into Schedule I for potential infringement of its Drug Dealer Simulator intellectual property. This investigation includes aspects of the game’s plot, mechanics, and user interface. Furthermore, Movie Games SA clarified that no legal action had been initiated against Schedule I. This was corroborated by Schedule I’s creator, Tyler of TVGS. The publisher emphasized that the investigation is part of the company’s legal obligations.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Arrowhead’s Vision for Helldivers 2: A Lasting Legacy and Potential Warhammer 40,000 Collaboration
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
Helldivers 2 continues to soar in popularity and acclaim. Out of its five nominations, the game recently clinched two prestigious BAFTA Game Awards for Best Multiplayer and Best Music. These BAFTA wins cap off a successful awards season, underlining an exceptional year for the Swedish developer Arrowhead.
It’s worth noting that Helldivers 2 has set an unprecedented record as the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time. It achieved an impressive feat of selling 12 million copies in a mere 12 weeks, a record unlikely to be surpassed by any first-party Sony-developed game in the future.
For a more detailed look at the story, read the full article on IGN.
The Absence of OLED Screens in Handhelds: ROG Ally X, Legion Go, and the Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
James Bentley, a hardware writer at PC Gamer, shares his thoughts on the week’s developments. (Image credit: Future) This week, he’s been eagerly following the news about Nintendo Switch 2 while also keeping an eye on the tariff news. As usual, it’s been a mix of anticipation and concern. Reflecting on his personal gaming experience, he remembers the significant enhancement that came with switching to an OLED monitor. The superior contrast, more vibrant colors, and deeper blacks provided an unparalleled visual experience. He describes the enriched color display as something that’s hard to truly convey unless one experiences the vibrant colors lighting up the screen firsthand. Now, the 1440p OLED screen has become a staple in his gaming setup, making his secondary monitor seem inadequate, even for basic tasks like browsing the internet.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Bongo Cat, a Cat in a Hat Drumming on Your Windows Taskbar, is Currently a Top Game on Steam
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
PC Gamer’s editor, Lauren Morton, insightfully declared in February, “desktop pets are making a comeback”, and she couldn’t have been more accurate. Currently, one of the most popular games on Steam is a charming little app that places a whimsical white cat on your screen. This cat, known as Bongo Cat, playfully taps an imaginary bongo drum each time you click or type. As simple as it sounds, that’s exactly what it does. To experience this, simply add the free game to your Steam account, install it, and launch it. Bongo Cat will then appear, occupying a small area on your screen. Its default location is the Windows taskbar, but you can relocate it as you prefer.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
LocalThunk Advocates for Blue Prince’s GOTY Nomination at The Game Awards
Source: PC Gamer – April 08, 2025
The exceptional quality of Blue Prince, touted as “one of the best puzzle games in years” by PC Gamer’s Chris Livingston, has not gone unnoticed. Balatro’s creator, LocalThunk, is so impressed by the game that he’s urging Geoff Keighley to consider it for a Game of the Year nomination at the 2025 Game Awards. “Blue Prince will get a GOTY nomination at TGA,” LocalThunk confidently declared on Bluesky. He supported his claim by linking to Metacritic, where Blue Prince currently holds a 92 overall rating and is the top-rated video game of 2025, edging out Split Fiction by one point.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Preorders for Nintendo Switch 2 Now Live in the UK: Latest News, Where to Buy, and Restock Updates
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
The past week has seen a surge in preorder activity for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK. Nintendo’s exclusive games and accessories for the Switch 2 are now available directly from the company’s official store. Those interested should check their emails for invitations to pre-order the console and its accompanying bundles. Amazon UK previously had an invite-only system for preorders, but it recently opened up to all customers. Unfortunately, the console has since sold out on Amazon, but more preorders are expected to become available in the lead-up to its release on June 5.
Argos, another major retailer, launched a new wave of preorders on April 8. The offerings included the Switch 2 console, the Mario Kart World Bundle, as well as various games and accessories. However, as it stands, the Switch 2 console is currently unavailable for preorder at Argos and all other major retailers in the UK.
Read the full article at IGN →
Microsoft Announces Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct for June
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
Microsoft has confirmed its June schedule, announcing the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct. As per tradition, Microsoft will be hosting a showcase in June to unveil upcoming Xbox games, and 2025 is no exception. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 will be live-streamed on Sunday, June 8, commencing at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK time. Microsoft has promised a sneak peek at future titles from its first-party studios, along with exciting new games from third-party partners worldwide.
Read the full article at IGN →
Hot Deals Today: Pokémon Surging Sparks Bundle, INIU Chargers, Fallout Backpack
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
The highly demanded Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Booster Bundle is once again available at Amazon, now priced at $45.02. Although this is still higher than the official MSRP of $26.94, when compared to the inflated rates in secondary markets, it represents the most viable mainstream option currently available. Notably, the product ships directly from Amazon, providing assurance against third-party sellers. The bundle incorporates six booster packs from the recently released Surging Sparks expansion. This expansion has been notoriously difficult to retain in stock due to the introduction of new chase cards and a surge in collector demand. Whether you’re aiming to complete your collection or simply searching for a reliable sealed product, this bundle offers one of the safest options to secure it without excessive expenditure.
Read the full article at IGN →
Trump’s Tariffs Impact PC Hardware: Razer Gaming Laptop Withdrawn From Sale
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
The import tariffs implemented by U.S. President Trump continue to resonate in the gaming community, with Razer’s Blade 16 gaming laptop being the latest victim. Tariffs, which are taxes imposed on certain imported goods, often result in increased costs for end consumers if companies in the supply chain decide to pass on these increased costs. This unfortunate reality could increase prices, especially for technology and gaming products. In some instances, items have been temporarily withdrawn from sale. As reported by The Verge, the Blade 16, which was available for purchase in the U.S. as recently as April 1, is no longer listed on the website.
Read the full article at IGN →
Exploiting Physics in ‘Schedule 1’ to Evade Police and Soar in the Sky
Source: PC Gamer – April 09, 2025
In the occasionally unpredictable world of the drug-dealer simulation game ‘Schedule 1’, creative players have found ways to manipulate the physics to their advantage, pushing the boundaries of the game. For instance, a video shared by @imrags on YouTube demonstrates an ingenious method to turn the game into a fast-paced rooftop chase. This tactic involves a jump-boost, activated by rapidly hitting the spacebar while positioned against any inclined object, be it a car, stairs, or even a well-placed rock. But this is just the start of the game-breaking exploits.
Players have discovered that they can “store” jumps by standing under an object that blocks their jump action. This ingenious trick further expands the game’s possibilities, allowing for even more daring escapes and exploration.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Hades 2 to Launch as a Timed Console Exclusive on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
Source: IGN – April 09, 2025
Supergiant Games has confirmed that Hades 2, the much-anticipated sequel, will be released as a timed console exclusive on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Although the exact release date remains undisclosed, the developer assures that the game will simultaneously launch on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and the original Nintendo Switch later this year. This information follows last week’s Nintendo Direct event, where it was first announced that Hades 2 would grace Nintendo’s upgraded Switch 2 console. Supergiant has now further clarified that the timed exclusivity extends to both versions of the Nintendo console.
The team recently confirmed on Twitter: “Hades II v1.0 will launch simultaneously on our Early Access platforms (Steam and Epic Games Store), Nintendo Switch 2, and the original Nintendo Switch.”
Read the full article at IGN →
Join the Discussion
What gaming news captured your interest today? Is it the Schedule 1 news or the upcoming Xbox Games showcase that piques your excitement? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share them in the comments section below!
