You know that moment when you finally sit down to game after a long day, only to be interrupted by some bizarre bug? Yeah, that’s the Pokemon Champions experience on the Switch 2 right now. Apparently, you have to undock the system to bypass a glitch. Personally, I find this both hilarious and mildly infuriating. It’s like Nintendo’s playing a prank on us. But hey, that’s not the only thing happening in the gaming world today. Let’s look into the latest stories, keeping our thumbs busy and our minds slightly distracted from grown-up responsibilities.
Pokemon Champions Bug On Switch 2 Demands You Briefly Undock The System
For the RPG fans who snagged a Switch 2, you might be scratching your head at the bizarre Pokemon Champions bug. Turns out, if you start the game while docked, you’re stuck with a resolution that makes it look like you’ve traveled back to the early 2000s. The fix? Simply undock and re-dock your console for those shiny 4K visuals. Yes, it’s as goofy as it sounds.
Centro Leaks highlighted this glitch, getting plenty of attention from the community. Joe Merrick from Serebii chimed in too, pointing fingers at ILCA and the Unity engine. These guys are no strangers to Pokemon issues, having handled the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes. You’d think they’d have ironed out the kinks by now.
The Pokemon Company is aware of this and other bugs, like monsters getting lost in Pokemon Home and some awkward gender mishaps. No official fix for the Switch 2 issue yet. But hey, at least we’re getting a mobile version of Champions soon. So, if you’re tired of docking and undocking, maybe just wait for the app. Because who doesn’t love a tech workaround when they’d rather be catching ’em all?
Read the full article on GameSpot
The anime movie ChaO puts a bizarre spin on Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Staying in the live-service world, have you ever wondered what would happen if The Little Mermaid took a dive into the world of anime? Well, Director Yasuhiro Aoki and Studio 4°C are here to satiate that curiosity with ChaO. This isn’t your childhood fairy tale, though. It’s more like if Arielle landed in an episode of Black Mirror while floating through Monty Python’s world.
Polygon reports that ChaO throws a bizarre mix of grotesque animation, fish-out-of-water comedy, and a dash of sci-fi into the pot. The result? A visual stew that’s both perplexing and oddly enticing. Think of it as a fever dream where fish have existential crises, but in a good way. It’s weird, it’s funny, and it might make you question why you ever liked fork-based hairdos. This is a modern take that feels as far from Disney as you can get while still technically being a mermaid story.
Studio 4°C, known for pushing the boundaries of animation, seems to have found their stride here. If you’re in the mood for something that stretches your imagination and leaves you questioning animation norms, ChaO might just be what you need.
Read the full article on Polygon
Framework: ‘There is a very real scenario in which personal computing as we know it is dead’
On the other side of the industry, Framework is stirring the pot with its bold proclamation that personal computing as we know it could be on its last legs. They’re hosting a “Next Gen” live launch event on April 21, and their manifesto’s got us thinking. Framework’s founder, Nirav Patel, isn’t shy about his goals. He says, “I built this company specifically to reset and fix a broken industry”, but admits that the job isn’t done yet.
According to Patel, we’re staring down the barrel of skyrocketing prices for memory, storage, and silicon. It’s an “AI-first world” where computing access might soon require a budget bigger than your kid’s college fund. PC Gamer reports Patel’s concern that if we don’t hit the reset button soon, our wallets could become collateral damage in the tech arms race.
Now, we know that sky-is-falling claims are a dime a dozen, but Patel’s sentiment isn’t entirely unfounded. We’ve all seen how tech giants are pushing for more control over the market, and that usually doesn’t bode well for us. Here’s hoping Framework’s outspokenness sparks some much-needed introspection from the big players.
Read the full article on PC Gamer
“This is not a game that is about to face some sort of imminent shutdown” – Marathon reportedly had a budget of $200m, and while player numbers are dipping, team morale remains good
If you’re a Nintendo person, you might not care about Marathon’s latest numbers, but the rest of us are keeping an eye on this one. It seems Bungie’s sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, had a staggering development budget over $200 million, probably even north of $250 million. Despite player numbers taking a dip, the team morale is reportedly still pretty good. Eurogamer gives us the inside scoop, suggesting that despite the hefty costs and dwindling player engagement, there’s no looming shutdown. It’s like watching a high-stakes poker game, and honestly, we’re intrigued to see how Marathon goes all in.
Read the full article on Eurogamer
Link Shouldn’t Speak In The Legend Of Zelda Movie But He Definitely Will
If you’re a Nintendo person, brace yourself. The Hero of Time might be joining the chat. Kotaku reports that Link is likely to break his traditional silence in the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie. I know, I know, the idea of a chatty Link might sound blasphemous to die-hard fans. Most of us love the silent hero vibe that lets us project ourselves into his green-tunic-wearing shoes. But let’s face it, Hollywood loves to fill silence with chatter, and it seems our boy Link might not be immune. Maybe there’s a chance they’ll limit him to grunts and the occasional “Hey” but given the way these things go, we might be in for a full-on monologue. Let’s just hope they get someone who can pull off the courage, wisdom, and maybe even power behind Link’s voice.
Read the full article on Kotaku
Another GTA 6 Delay Would Make Game “Cooler,” But I Wouldn’t Pay $100 For It, Actor Says
Shifting gears, Jay Klaitz, our beloved Lester from GTA 5, recently chimed in on the hotly anticipated GTA 6. In a chat with El Dorado, Klaitz mentioned that another delay for the game could make it even “cooler.” Sounds like a classic Rockstar move, right? But what really stands out is Klaitz’s opinion on pricing. He hopes the game doesn’t launch at a whopping $100. Can’t blame him. He joked about pricing it lower to reel us in and then milk us with GTA Online. With all the hype around GTA 6’s Florida-inspired Leonida setting, we’re left wondering if Rockstar will sneak in a parody of Disney World. “Psycho Park”? Now that’s a ticket I’d buy.
Read the full article on GameSpot
Amazon will force your old Kindle into obsolescence this May
For the RPG fans, here’s some news that might sting: Amazon is pulling the plug on support for older Kindles starting this May. We’re talking about the OG models that have been around since before streaming services were even a thing. According to Polygon, this move is part of Amazon’s not-so-secret strategy of planned obsolescence, and it’s got Kindle loyalists pretty upset. Now, if you’ve been clutching onto your first-gen Kindle like a nostalgic artifact, it might be time to brace for impact and consider an upgrade. Or, you know, dig up that library card and go old-school for a while.
Read the full article on Polygon
All Pokémon in Pokémon Champions: Complete Pokédex
Shifting gears, let’s look into a new way to catch ’em all in Pokémon Champions. With almost 200 Pokémon from multiple generations, it’s like a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a few surprises thrown in. The list is impressive, featuring fan favorites like Charizard and Gyarados to newer additions like Dragapult and Garchomp. But let’s be real, it’s hard to keep track of all of them without a spreadsheet, or, more conveniently, a guide like the one Destructoid breaks down for us.
These lists are perfect for collectors and competitive battlers alike, especially when trying to remember if that Mega Stone is worth hunting down. And if team building isn’t your forte, those Replica Codes got you covered with the team strats from the pros. So whether you’re just catching them all or aiming for the Pokémon League, this guide is your best friend.
Read the full article on Destructoid
Epomaker HE68 Lite gaming keyboard review: a properly cheap mechanical board with premium tricks
Staying in the live-service world, even a keyboard can feel like it’s part of it. Epomaker’s HE68 Lite is a prime example of how “cheap” doesn’t always mean a downgrade. Rock Paper Shotgun gave it a whirl and noted its sleek yet somewhat plastic design. For fifty bucks, you’d expect a throwaway product, but this board offers surprising value with its mechanical keys. Sure, it’s not as hefty as its pricier counterparts, but its 65% form factor and premium features make it a solid choice for those tight on cash. If you can live with a slightly scratchy plastic feel, this might be the budget mechanical keyboard you’ve been waiting for.
Read the full article on Rock Paper Shotgun
Final Fantasy 14 patch 7.5 site teases a potential return to the void for its next expansion
Staying in the live-service world, Final Fantasy 14 fans might want to dust off their Interdimensional Keys. The patch 7.5 site has dropped some interesting hints about the next expansion, and it looks like a trip back to the void could be on the cards. We’ve been cruising through the Dawntrail story arc without much fuss, but this might be the shake-up we’ve been waiting for. The Interdimensional Key was a curious little nugget we picked up during the main story quest, and it seemed too important to just sit in our inventories gathering virtual dust.
PC Gamer reports that the site was released ahead of the live letter scheduled for April. So until then, we’re left to speculate whether this means we’ll finally be visiting some of those unexplored reflections. Keep an eye on your calendars and maybe start practicing your void-slaying skills. We might need them sooner than we think.
Read the full article on PC Gamer
Nintendo confirms a summer release date for Rhythm Heaven / Paradise Groove
If you’re a Nintendo person, mark your calendars for July 2. Nintendo just confirmed that Rhythm Heaven Groove is hitting the Switch this summer. Our friends over in Europe will know it as Rhythm Paradise Groove. Seems like Nintendo is sticking to their regional naming conventions, which is more than I can say for some of their localization choices.
This is the fifth entry in the rhythm action series, and once again, we’ll be jamming to tunes crafted by Japanese maestros. If the price isn’t music to your ears, here’s the cost rundown: it’s £33.99 in the UK and $39.99 in the US, as per the Nintendo Switch eShop pre-order page. VGC spilled the beans on this one, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend a summer afternoon than getting lost in some quirky rhythm challenges.
Rust 2 isn’t in development, Facepunch boss confirms after suspicious Steam page sparks speculation
For the RPG fans, let’s put the rumors to rest. Rust 2 isn’t happening, at least not anytime soon. Facepunch founder Garry Newman has confirmed there’s no sequel in the works after a suspicious Steam page had folks speculating like crazy. It all started when a Rust 2 listing popped up, sparking hopes of a follow-up to the survival game where you start off with nothing but your birthday suit and a rock. Yeah, it turns out it’s just a false alarm. So for now, we’ll have to keep getting our survival fix from good ol’ Rust. Rock Paper Shotgun has the scoop, putting an end to the chatter for now.
Read the full article on Rock Paper Shotgun
So there you have it, folks. Whether you’re wrestling with a stubborn Switch 2 in docked mode or just trying to catch that elusive shiny, the gaming world keeps throwing us curveballs. Here’s to hoping the next adventure is bug-free, at least in the technical sense. We’re all trying to squeeze our gaming in between life, work, and whatever else gets thrown our way. Keep the controllers charged and your spirits high. We talk about all of this and more in our Discord.