You know that moment when you’re about to catch ’em all, but suddenly you’re hit with a paywall? Pokémon Champions might just be giving us that vibe. Do we really need Nintendo Switch Online to dive into this new adventure? Personally, I can’t help but feel a little irked at the idea of more subscription fees on top of an already pricey gaming habit. But hey, let’s look into today’s roundup and see what else is brewing in our pixelated universe. We’ve got a dozen stories to sift through, and some might just surprise you!
Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online To Play Pokemon Champions?
If you’re a Nintendo person, you’ve probably heard about Pokemon Champions hitting the Switch and Switch 2. The big question for many is whether you need Nintendo Switch Online to dive into this Pokemon showdown. GameSpot assures us you don’t. Yep, you can jump into those global Pokemon brawls without shelling out for an Online membership. Just snag the app from the eShop and ensure your internet connection is as strong as your Charizard’s Flamethrower.
Pokemon Champions is free-to-start, but don’t be fooled. There are still ways for you to part with your cash. We’re talking a monthly membership that’ll set you back $5 if you want those extra box spaces and some exclusive goodies. And if you’re feeling particularly flush, there’s a fancy Premium Battle Pass for ten bucks a season. But hey, if you’re like me and resist most microtransactions, just stick to the free Battle Pass and enjoy the thrill of the fight.
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: offline play. In Pokemon Champions, it’s as bare-bones as it gets, think tutorial and menu browsing. Need that local multiplayer fix? You’re out of luck for now. Fingers crossed they add that down the line. Until then, enjoy battling other trainers online and maybe save those pennies for the next cool skin.
Read the full article on GameSpot
Overwatch’s Switch 2 version is currently missing the promised 60 FPS boost, but a fix is coming soon
Over on the PC side, Overwatch has been having a bit of a renaissance. The game’s relaunch managed to capture some of the original magic that got us hooked in the first place. Season 2 dropped with the intriguing new DPS hero, Sierra, and things seemed peachy. But then the Switch 2 version showed up and it’s like they forgot to include the magic. The much-touted 60 FPS boost is MIA, leaving fans feeling a bit cheated.
Eurogamer reports that Blizzard’s aware of the issue and promises a fix is on the way. But let’s be real, a game like Overwatch running under 60 FPS on newer hardware is hardly a good look. Especially when you’re trying to woo back the skeptical gamers among us who have spent years with the original. Look, we’re busy folks. We want our games smooth and ready to go out of the box. Here’s hoping that fix comes fast because in the games industry, summarized, patience isn’t endless.
Read the full article on Eurogamer
Weapons and Resident Evil director Zach Cregger is making a sci-fi movie next
Staying in the live-service world, Zach Cregger, the director who brought us the eerie atmosphere of “Barbarian” and a whole lot of survival horror vibes in the Resident Evil series, is now heading into sci-fi territory. Polygon tells us that Cregger is teaming up with Warner Bros. and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin to deliver what he claims is “the best thing I ever wrote.” Set to drop in 2028, that’s quite the wait for something he’s already hyping as his magnum opus.
Given Cregger’s knack for creating tension and Spielberg’s legendary status in the sci-fi arena, this project could be a match made in genre heaven. But let’s be real, we’ve heard “it’s the best ever” before, and sometimes it flops like a fish out of water. Still, it’s intriguing enough to keep an eye on, especially if you want to see how Cregger transitions from zombie-infested nightmares to intergalactic adventures. Just don’t hold your breath for any sneak peeks soon. We’ve got five years to wait, folks.
Read the full article on Polygon
Halo composer Marty O’Donnell welcomes Trump endorsement in Nevada Congress race, despite previous statements that Trump is an ‘idiot’ he loathes
On the other side of the industry, we’ve got some interesting political moves. Marty O’Donnell, the maestro behind Halo’s iconic tunes, is wading back into politics. He’s running for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District and has secured a rather surprising endorsement. Yep, none other than Donald Trump himself is backing O’Donnell, despite the composer’s past colorful opinions on Trump.
O’Donnell had previously called Trump an “idiot” he loathes, yet Trump’s recent Truth Social post paints a different picture, describing O’Donnell as an “America First Patriot”. According to Kotaku, O’Donnell’s run for Congress didn’t go as planned last time around, finishing fourth in the Republican primary.
Read the full article on PC Gamer
Telltale-Like Star Trek Game Is Getting Pulled From Sale Forever
Speaking of sequels, or the lack thereof, Star Trek: Resurgence is about to vanish into the digital ether. Kotaku reports that the narrative adventure game, which had us solving interstellar mysteries with a distinct Telltale vibe, is being pulled from Steam and Epic soon. If you wanted to snag it, now’s the time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. This isn’t a sequel cancellation, but it might as well be for those who were banking on catching up with Captain Solano’s crew in the future. So, grab it if you’re keen or prepare to boldly go without it. It’s a shame, really. This is one of those games that delivered a bit of nostalgia wrapped in starship packaging. Why the sudden disappearance?
Read the full article on Kotaku
Elden Ring Movie’s Popcorn Bucket Should Be Iron Fist Alexander, Fans Declare
Meanwhile, we’ve got some wild news on the movie front. You know the Elden Ring movie is coming at us, right? Yeah, it’s by Alex Garland, the guy who brought us Ex Machina and Annihilation. Fans are already in a tizzy about what the popcorn bucket will look like. FromSoftCentral tossed out the idea of using Iron Fist Alexander as the bucket. Imagine munching on popcorn from a warrior jar. It’s a bit morbid if you think about it too much. The filming kicked off in Scotland, and word on the street is that Nick Offerman might join the cast. No confirmed actors yet, but with Garland and George R.R. Martin involved, we’re probably in for a treat. Also, Sony Pictures is working on an R-rated Bloodborne animated film. Our popcorn barrels runneth over. GameSpot has all the details if you’re curious.
Read the full article on GameSpot
Rockstar hackers actually made Take-Two’s stock increase, after leaking how much GTA Online is making
Staying in the live-service world, it turns out that a hacker group’s threats can actually boost a company’s stock. Go figure. When ShinyHunters threatened Rockstar by promising to leak how much dough GTA Online rakes in, you’d think the stock market would panic. But nope. Instead, Take-Two’s stock had one of its best days this year. Who knew that airing out the financial laundry could be a good thing?
Rockstar confirmed the data breach but reassured everyone that it wouldn’t affect the development of GTA 6 or the studio’s overall operations. So, maybe there’s something to be said for the transparency, even if it’s through less-than-legal means. Maybe the market saw all those dollar signs and just couldn’t resist. Either way, not a bad week for Take-Two, despite the hacker drama. Thanks, VGC, for the scoop!
PlayStation 5 sees massive sales spike in the US, beating 2026 records so far as eager consumers rush to beat RAM crisis price hikes
Meanwhile, PlayStation 5 sales in the US have gone through the roof. Thanks to some upcoming price hikes, folks are rushing to snag the console before their wallets take a bigger hit. Circana’s retail tracking service shows that in the week ending April 4th, PS5 sales topped everything else this year. It’s not every day we see a console make a comeback like this, especially a few years post-launch. But hey, if there’s one thing gamers love, it’s a good deal. Or at least avoiding a bad one. So if you were thinking about getting a PS5, maybe it’s time to stop thinking and start buying. Before the prices skyrocket even more.
Read the full article on Eurogamer
PlayStation Plus Extra games for April reportedly include Horizon Remastered and more
Meanwhile, our wallets might need a little extra flex next month. Thanks to Dealabs insider billbil-kun, who seems to be the Nostradamus of gaming leaks, we’ve got a peek at the PlayStation Plus Extra lineup for April. The headliner? Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Remember when you spent hours roaming those post-apocalyptic landscapes, dodging robo-dinos like it was just another Tuesday? Now you get to do it all over again, but prettier. While it feels like Sony’s squeezing the juice out of its franchises, who can say no to a fresh coat of paint on an already stellar adventure? It’s like getting back together with an ex who’s sorted out their issues. Let’s see what else Sony throws in to justify that subscription fee.
Warhammer Classics brings fan-favorite Warhammer games to Steam
Meanwhile, Warhammer enthusiasts, rejoice. Those classic Warhammer games you’ve been craving are finally landing on Steam, all remastered for your nostalgic pleasure. According to Polygon, the Warhammer Classics collection brings back beloved titles, giving us a chance to relive those epic battles and strategic maneuvers we fondly remember.
If you ever spent a late night strategizing in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War or savoring the grim fantasy of Warhammer: Vermintide, this collection is like a trip down memory lane. It’s perfect for when you’re tired of the latest AAA titles and just want some classic, no-frills action. Considering the remaster effort, it seems like a good deal, even if it means sacrificing a few nights of sleep. But hey, sleep is overrated anyway, right?
Read the full article on Polygon
Giving Graveyard Keeper away for free apparently earned its publisher ‘almost 250k’
On the other side of the industry, giving away a game for free can actually make you money. Who would’ve thought? Graveyard Keeper’s publisher, Tinybuild, decided to celebrate the announcement of Graveyard Keeper 2 by making the original game free for a limited time. Smart move. While it sounds counterintuitive, this clever promo led to a windfall of almost $250,000 from selling DLCs. And that’s just on Steam, where the DLC is currently 80% off. PC Gamer shed some light on this unexpected revenue boost. Free game, expensive extras, and everyone loves a bargain. It’s a win-win.
Read the full article on PC Gamer
Mouse: PI For Hire: The Kotaku Review
Speaking of sequels, Mouse: PI For Hire isn’t one, but it feels like it should be. This game takes the noir detective genre and mashes it up with classic cartoon vibes and first-person shooting. Imagine if Mickey Mouse swapped detective hats with Humphrey Bogart, picked up a gun, and went on a gritty adventure. Kotaku reports that it’s one of 2026’s coolest games, and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
The gameplay is a delightful mix of shooting sequences and narrative-driven storytelling. The art style charms you with its nostalgic feel, yet keeps you on your toes with its unexpected twists. If you’re a fan of either classic cartoons or noir storytelling, you’ll probably want to pencil in some gaming time for Mouse: PI For Hire. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s worth checking out.
Read the full article on Kotaku
So, do you really need Nintendo Switch Online to enjoy Pokémon Champions? It’s the eternal question for every Switch owner wondering if the subscription fee is worth it. Keep chipping away at that backlog and remember, gaming is supposed to be fun, not another stressor. Agree with our take? Think we missed the mark entirely? Let us know in the Discord. We promise we won’t judge. Much.