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Embark Studios is seemingly unfazed by the recent backlash about its use of AI in the development of Arc Raiders, saying it doesn't want to "open the floodgates" on AI, but neither has the recent feedback "changed [its] outlook," either. Read more View the full article

Just days after Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) board of directors once again rejected Paramount Skydance's amended tender offer, Paramount has filed a lawsuit against WBD and demanded the court reveal the terms of Netflix's offer. Read more View the full article

Valve has once again exceeded its own concurrent record for its digital games storefront and client, Steam. Read more View the full article

Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most celebrated games of the past decade, so it's no wonder fans want to play it on as many platforms as possible. While it's available to play on Valve's Steam Deck handheld, last year's Switch 2 launch had many wondering whether it would make the jump to Nintendo's new platform as well. Hopes only raised higher with the recent announcement that Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian's previous game, Divinity Original Sin II, would come to modern platforms, including the Switch 2. However, it seems that the D&D adaptation is likely not going to follow in its footsteps. The news comes from a recent Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) in which some members of Larian Studios answered questions for members of the r/Games subreddit. When user u/darkwai asked "Baldur's Gate 3 for Switch 2? Is it even possible?" Larian game director Swen Vincke replied, "We would have loved to but it [sic] wasn't our decision to make." Vincke is potentially alluding to the now-fractured relationship between Larian and D&D IP owner Wizards of the Coast. After Baldur's Gate 3, Larian canceled its DLC plans and decided to end its relationship with Wizards of the Coast to return to its fully independent state. Despite the studio's continued support of the game, it's not the sole owner of the rights, so there are some potential hurdles that might come with bringing it to other platforms. That said, this is all speculation – all we know for sure is that a Switch 2 version of Baldur's Gate 3 likely won't happen. For more on Larian's future, check out the announcement of their next game, currently just known as Divinity. For more Baldur's Gate 3, read about its final big update and see where it wound up on our list of the best games of 2023. View the full article

Warner Bros. Games has reportedly dismissed an unknown number of staff at its San Francisco studio. Read more View the full article

The Lego Group and The Pokémon Company International have finally unveiled the first-ever Lego Pokémon sets ahead of their launch on February 27. The sets range in price and size, from the smaller standalone Eeevee set, to the more expensive Pikachu with a Poké Ball set, to the giant trio stand set that included Blastoise, Charizard, and Venasaur (with a big price tag to match). These sets launch this year as part of The Pokémon Company International's wider celebration of the franchise's 30th anniversary. Anyone who purchases the Lego Pokémon Venasaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set between February 27 and March 3 will receive a Lego Pokémon Kanto Region Badge Collection as a gift. However, you must purchase the trio Pokémon via Lego's official website or official Lego stores. Lego Pokémon Eevee "Celebrate Eevee's irresistible charm with Lego Pokémon Eevvee, a 587-piece set that brings the cherished Pokémon to life in dynamic detail," a press release reads. "Eevee's expressive face, movable tail, head and limbs allow builders to pose the fan-favorite, either at rest or ready to jump into action. With the Build Together app, this set presents fans with the ability to build together with friends and family." Price: $59.99Pieces: 587Dimensions: 7.5 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 8.5 inches deepAvailable: February 27Preorder: January 12Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball "This set lets fans recreate one of the most iconic scenes from the franchise: Pikachu jumping out of the Poké Ball ready for battle," a press release reads. "[The] 2050-piece set features a black lightning rod-shaped base, with lightning energy emitting from the Poké Ball as Pikachu exits, ready for action. Key easter eggs include a '25' displayed on the base, signifying Pikachu's Pokédex number." Price: $199.99Pieces: 2050Dimensions: 13.5 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 15.5 inches deepAvailable: February 27Preorder: January 12Lego Pokémon Venasaur, Charizard, and Blastoise "The truly epic Lego Pokémon Venasaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set brings three of the most celebrated Pokémon to fans in one of the Lego Group's largest ever display sets," a press release reads. "Made up of over 6,838 pieces, the set features three Kanto first partner Pokémon evolutions, for the first time, in Lego brick form. Each of the three figures faithfully capture the original designs with remarkable authenticity and with their own unique articulation. These Pokémon can be displayed individually or together on the action base, which hides Easter eggs for fans to discover as they build. The base features design details inspired by each of the featured Pokémon's biomes, adding further depth to the display." Price: $649.99Pieces: 6838Dimensions: 20 inches tall, 21 inches wide, and 14 inches longAvailable: February 27Preorder: January 12While waiting for these Lego Pokémon sets to be released next month, read Game Informer's Pokémon Legends: Z-A review, and then check out Game Informer's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review. After that, read Game Informer's Pokémon Legends: Arceus review. Are you going to buy any of these sets? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Maxis has emphasised its "values have not changed" following the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by an investor consortium, which includes the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Read more View the full article

Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 raises over $2.4m | News-in-briefView the full article

It's Friday – congratulations, reader, you made it to the end of the traditional work week! Here at Game Informer, we've been hard at work publishing stories each and every day, from previews to reviews to exclusive interviews and the daily onslaught of gaming news, to behind-the-scenes proofing and editing on the next issue of our magazine. Speaking of, it features [REDACTED] on the cover and wowsers, it's a beaut (and the story is fantastic and packed with the kind of game development details you won't find anywhere else). Also, hey, this is the first This Week On GI story we've made for the site! Newsletter subscribers are familiar with our weekly round-up of stories, but fret not – this is its own thing. Now, as the Newsletter writer, I highly recommend subscribing to it because I bring a more laid-back, casual vibe to it that's not befitting of the CMS here. What I want This Week On GI to be is a post you can look forward to every Friday that not only catches you up on the latest Game Informer housekeeping, but will also neatly organize all the stories we published this week. We know life can get busy, and you might not be able to refresh the greatest video game website ever made hourly; this article is for you. Below, you'll find our general Game Informer housekeeping section followed by the article round-up underneath it: Game Informer Housekeeping We've seen that many of you have already received our latest magazine issue, which features World of Warcraft: Midnight on the cover and is extra-large due to our extensive Game of the Year coverage, Editor's Top 10s, and more. If you've already received it, I hope you love and appreciate it as much as we did creating it – if you haven't yet, don't worry because it's in the mail and on the way to your mailbox. We're aware of shipping hiccups that occurred in 2025 and continue to do our best to remedy any situation where someone didn't receive an issue they should have. If you missed it, the government shutdown affected postal services across the country last year, and that heavily affected our shipping processors; that's not your fault, though, and we apologize for any inconvenience or stress this may have caused you. With the World of Warcraft: Midnight issue, we're seeing that our shipping is seemingly back to normal, and people are receiving issues in a timely manner. As for what's in the pipeline, we can't quite share what game is gracing the next edition of Game Informer, but trust me: you don't want to miss it. Plus, it features a massive round-up of our most anticipated games of 2026 and beyond, making it the perfect issue for those of you who like to plan out your year of gaming (like me). If you aren't already a Game Informer subscriber, there's still time to become one and receive this awesome issue – you can subscribe here. Story Round-Up Below, I've divided up the various sections of Game Informer's published stories, (hopefully) making it easy to check out the articles you might have missed. ReviewsDeath Howl Review – A Spirited Shuffle (8.75(PreviewsCode Vein II Preview – The Past Is PrologueFeaturesNeowiz Q&A – CEO Of Lies Of P Publisher, Neowiz, Talks 2025, Overture Expansion, Release Strategy, Gen AI, And More2026 Video Game Release Schedule – Every Video Game Launching In 2026 And WhenNewsTowerborne, The Action RPG By The Makers Of The Banner Saga, Launches Out Of Early Access Next MonthFire Emblem: Path Of Radiance Joins Switch Online GameCube LibraryAvowed, Xbox's First-Person Fantasy RPG, Is Coming To PlayStation 5 Next MonthThe 29th DICE Awards Nominees Have Been Revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 And Ghost Of Yōtei Lead The PackNew Mario Tennis Fever Trailer Highlights The Biggest Roster Of Playable Characters In Series HistoryNew JoyCon 2 Colors Will Launch Alongside Mario Tennis Fever Next MonthJanuary Xbox Developer Direct Will Feature Forza Horizon 6, Fable, And Game Freak's Beast Of ReincarnationCall Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Crosses Over With Amazon's Fallout TV Show Tomorrow With New Event PassPlayStation 5 Hyperpop Console Covers And Controllers Coming In MarchUbisoft Shuts Down Recently Unionized Halifax Studio007 First Light PC Specs And System Requirements Revealed By IO InteractiveFormer Naughty Dog President Evan Wells To Be Inducted Into AIAS Hall Of FameXbox Game Pass Starts 2026 By Gaining Resident Evil Village And Losing Neon WhiteDragon Quest VII Reimagined Demo Drops Tomorrow, Opening Cinematic ReleasedVideoSuper Replay – Sonic And The Black Knight: Part 1And that's what happened... This Week On GI! If you have thoughts, suggestions, or anything else you want to share about This Week On GI, please do drop a comment below! View the full article

A new year is here, and that means an entirely new slate of games to look forward to! Polygon editor-at-large Giovanni Colantonio joins Marcus, Charles and Eric to discuss what they played over the holidays, as they picked at their backlogs and indulged their guiltiest pleasures. Then, we roll some dice for a snake-style draft and each pick our five most anticipated games of 2026. From the big games like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil to the hidden gems you should keep an eye out for, there's a little bit of everything in this week. Let us know in the comments who you think won the draft! The Game Informer Show is a weekly podcast covering the video game industry. Join us every Friday for chats about your favorite titles – past and present – alongside Game Informer staff and special guests from around the industry. Podcast: Drafting Our Most Anticipated 2026 Games Listen to "Drafting Our Most Anticipated Games Of 2026" on Spreaker.Follow our hosts (and guests) on social media:Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7)Charles Harte (@ChuckDuck365)Giovanni Colantonio (@marioprime)Eric Van Allen (@seamoosi)Jump ahead to a specific segment: 00:00 - Intro07:11 - What We Played Over The Holidays41:33 - Drafting Our Most Anticipated Games Of 2026 View the full article

The holidays are officially behind us and now represents a rare window (for Game Informer writers anway) where we can basically play what we want. We don't have to worry about new releases too much because so few have released this early in the year. As a result, we're playing random games from our backlog and we're ready to tell you all about them It's Friday and it's time for the weekend and our usual recommendation of games and things you should check out! But before that, here's a recap of the biggest stories of the week: CEO Of Lies Of P Publisher, Neowiz, Talks 2025, Overture Expansion, Release Strategy, Gen AI, And MoreFinding The Game: What Video Games Can Learn From Improv ComedyWhy I'm Excited To Become The Boogeyman In IllFonic's HalloweenWe Connected King's Quest Creator Roberta Williams To Her Biggest Fan, Comedian Mike DruckerGame Informer's Top Scoring Reviews Of 20252026 Looks Like A Great Year For Nerdy FandomThe Games You Should Check Out This Weekend Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora's From The Ashes Expansion Kyle Hilliard Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora released in 2023 (and was a Game Informer cover game), but I only spent about an hour with it around launch, even though I have to admit to myself that I am an Avatar fan. I was turned off by the first-person perspective, but thought the game looked great and I like the conceptual idea of Far Cry: Avatar, though I admit there is more nuance than that. With the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, I was eager to spend just a little more time on Pandora after leaving the theater, but rather than start from the beginning (or near-beginning), I decided to jump straight to the DLC, which I am grateful was an option. Narratively, it places you after the events of the main game, which means you do not need to unlock your flying steed. It does, however, strip you of your weapons, so you do have to rebuild your arsenal. That's a good thing. You are incentivized to unlock new attacks and find new things. There is an upward ramp, which is exactly what I wanted. Also, a recent update allows you to play in third-person, so you can finally see your Na'vi leaping between floating tree limbs, which makes a big difference. Ultimately, finally spending time with the game didn't convince me I had missed out on some phenomenal 2023 experience, but as an extension of the film and a chance to explore more of that world, I had a good time. And if you liked the film, I recommend you do the same. Wes is right though in that the game is missing one crucial detail from the film. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Eric Van Allen Nintendo added another game to its Switch Online retro offerings this week, and it's a big one. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is on its GameCube services, meaning you won't have to pay $300+ just to experience the first 3D Fire Emblem. This Fire Emblem's notable for quite a few reasons, though. Notably, it's just a darn good Fire Emblem. For as big of a shift as moving to 3D and the GameCube was, Intelligent Systems managed to transpose the tiles and tactics to a new production quite well. Riding the surging wave of international visibility thanks to the GBA entries and – oddly enough – two Fire Emblem fighters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Path of Radiance quickly became a prized addition to GameCube libraries. Personally, I can't wait to dip back in. I've always liked this shift towards the mercenary Ike for Path of Radiance's story, and characters like Soren and Titania were fast favorites, alongside the neat designs around the Laguz animal-warriors. This is a classically styled Fire Emblem that I'm hoping stands the test of time, and worth dipping back into if you've ever been interested in the history of the franchise. Fear Effect Kyle Hilliard If you're unfamiliar, Fear Effect is a 2000 PlayStation 1 game from the height of competing developers trying their best to make their own Resident Evil. It was ported to contemporary platforms with only a handful of added frills back in September, but I was happy to make some time for it recently. This particular flavor of Resident Evil-like came from Eidos and it is a weird one. It's less a horror game (though there are demons and zombies if you make it far enough) and more of a cyberpunk, noir thriller with some misguided attempts to also be sexy and adult. I have fond memories of playing it, though only after finding it in a discount bin in the mid-2000s. It was an early example of cel-shading and it sets itself apart from Resident Evil by making all of its pre-rendered backgrounds dynamic and moving. It is a game that absolutely looks old by today's standards, but even playing it again now on my Switch 2, it feels like it cost a lot of money at the time with its impressive production value. It also lets you shoot in two directions at once, which was unheard of for the genre. I love it as a bizarre time capsule of the year 2000. It's a game that was shooting for the moon, and did not hit it (though it did well enough to receive a sequel, which will also be ported soon). If you miss the days of classic Resident Evil gameplay, and happened to miss Fear Effect, I would give it a look. Metroid Prime Remastered Wesley LeBlanc I finished Death Stranding 2 during my holiday break after 66 hours (absolutely loved it, especially that bonkers ending and also, maybe one of my favorite performances from Troy Baker and proof we need him as a villain in more games). Looking ahead to January, I realized I had the rare opportunity to dive into my backlog because the month is so chill for new releases. I whittled my options down to Yakuza 0, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, and Metroid Prime Remastered… and Samus Aran’s big round shoulders won. I’m roughly halfway through it now, and I am enjoying it, but I’m not so sure it works as well for someone who hasn’t played the original. Of course, this game originally launched more than two decades ago and this is not a remake; it’s a remaster. Its visuals hold up well, especially given the remastering work that has upgraded what I’m seeing on screen. I can’t lie, though – the 2002 of it all is making it an annoying experience to interact with. Fortunately, I’m enjoying it more than I am becoming frustrated by it but, man, I would have killed for some quality-of-life updates like auto-save and reworked controls. I don’t mind visiting save points to save my progress, but sometimes, the sequences I must endure are extensive and packed with enemies, making it easy to die and lose upwards of 45 minutes of progress (looking at you, Thermal Visor runback). It’s also frustrating switching between visors, weapon types, and more using Remastered’s control scheme. I can’t point to a specific aspect I dislike, but it just doesn’t feel great when I’m pressing buttons, doubly so when playing handheld on Switch 2 with Joy-Cons. Anyway, I’m fresh off losing 45 minutes of progress this morning because of that dang Thermal Visor, so I’m feeling more jaded on it than not, but I do think it’s a great game. It’s nice to revisit a classic and experience where a game that has so clearly inspired countless others began; I’m just not so sure it holds up as well as other classics, especially as a first-time player. View the full article

Side-scrolling co-op action RPG Towerborne is winding down its Early Access period and will launch in 1.0 next month. Towerborne comes from Stoic, the studio behind The Banner Saga series. The news was announced during yesterday's New Game+ Showcase. Towerborne first entered Steam Early Access in September 2024 and Xbox Game Preview in April 2025. It is a co-op fantasy action RPG in the vein of a classic beat ‘em up. Players control an immortal warrior named Ace who must defend the land against a deadly corruption while solving the mystery of a crumbling city. The side-scrolling combat emphasizes combo-heavy melee action, and Ace can be customized with gear that alters your playstyle. When Towerborne first launched in Early Access, it was billed as a free-to-play, always-online title. Stoic has since reworked the game into a traditional paid experience that can be played offline, though it supports online co-op. Additionally, paid cosmetics have been removed; players now unlock cosmetics for free by playing, and new items will be added in the 1.0 version. The 1.0 update also features a completed main story, two new bosses, new gear/player abilities, a reworked difficulty system including a new Brutal difficulty setting, and an updated world map. The final version of Towerborne also boasts new music from famed composer Austin Wintory Towerborne launches in full on February 26, and it will debut on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC. The Standard Edition is $24.99. The Deluxe Edition, which includes two cosmetic sets, crafting materials, and more, is $29.99. View the full article

Retailer GameStop has reportedly closed hundreds of its stores in the United States. Read more View the full article

Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most iconic characters in all of video games, but not all of his games were hits. Sonic and the Black Knight is allegedly one of those games, but associate editor Charles Harte remembers playing it as a nine-year-old and feeling like it might be the coolest game of all time. Nearly 17 years later, we're revisiting this medieval adventure to see whether or not he was correct. Originally released on March 13, 2009, Sonic and the Black Knight is the second and final game in the now-abandoned Sonic Storybook Series, which began in 2007 with Sonic and the Secret Rings. Both games see Sonic get sucked into the worlds of classic folklore, with Black Knight whisking him into the world of Camelot. Armed with the legendary blade Excalibur, he embarks on a quest to save the kingdom. Critics at the time of release were less than enthusiastic about the outing; Sonic and the Black Knight was released to mostly poor reviews, including a 5/10 on page 87 of issue 193 of Game Informer. Join Charles Harte and Marcus Stewart as they wield a Wii remote and travel back in time to the mythical days of 2009. You can check the action out live on Twitch or YouTube at 2 PM Central Time on Friday, January 9. View the full article

Belgian games developer Larian Studios has confirmed that there will be no generative AI used for concept art during the creation of the upcoming RPG Divinity. Read more View the full article

One of the best Fire Emblem games is now available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers on Switch 2. 2005’s Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is the first game of 2026 to join the GameCube classics library, as promised by Nintendo last year. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance originally launched for the GameCube in the U.S. on October 17, 2005. It was the third game in the series to come stateside, but it is actually the ninth entry overall. Players control a mercenary named Ike, making his series debut, on a quest to free the kingdom of Crimea from the control of the invading nation. Path of Radiance is also the first Fire Emblem game to feature 3D graphics, voice acting, and full motion cutscenes. The game was generally well-received, and established Ike as one of the series most popular characters, to the point he would become a mainstay in the Super Smash Bros. series as a playable fighter. You can fire up Path of Radiance right now (we checked), though it’s worth reiterating that the GameCube library is only available on Switch 2. To keep up with every other GameCube game available on Switch 2 and much more, check out our complete database of every Nintendo Switch Online classic game. For more on Fire Emblem, check out the debut trailer for the next mainline entry set to launch this year, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. View the full article

Avowed, Xbox's first-person fantasy RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released on Xbox and PC last year, is coming to PlayStation 5. More specifically, Avowed launches on PS5 on February 17, a day shy of the game's first anniversary. The Standard Edition will cost $49.99, and the Premium Edition, which includes a digital artbook and soundtrack as well as two player armors and eight companion skins, will cost $59.99. The same day Avowed hits PS5, the game will get a new anniversary update on all platforms that adds New Game Plus, new races to play (Dwarves, Orlan, and Aumaua), a new weapon type, Photo Mode, and more. "Explore a dangerous and beautiful land shaped by ancient magic," a blog post reads. "Traverse its wilds, reveal hidden truths, and delve into secrets buried beneath its surface. Play your way by experimenting with a wide range of weapons, abilities, and powers in combat that rewards creativity and adaptability. Shape your journey through the choices you make, from how you fight and explore, to how you answer the Living Lands when they push back." Check out the Avowed anniversary update trailer for yourself below: Avowed hits PS5 on February 17 and is currently available on Xbox Series X/S and PC. While waiting for its PS5 release, read Game Informer's Avowed review, and then check out our review of The Outer Worlds 2, which is another game Obsidian Entertainment launched last year. Have you played Avowed? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below! View the full article

Game publisher Hooded Horse has said that it is refusing to work with developers who are using generative AI. Read more View the full article

The co-creator of indie smash hit Peak, Nick Kaman, has said that there is always going to be an audience for good games, but there are fewer opportunities to have them made. Read more View the full article

The 29th Annual DICE Awards nominations have been revealed, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei leading the charge. Both games secured eight nominations, including Game of the Year. Read more View the full article

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has revealed the nominees for its 29th annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost Of Yōtei lead the pack with eight nominations each. The award show will be livestreamed from the Aria Resort in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 12. Amongst the thousands of games released in 2025, 64 make up the nominations for this year's awards show. At the top of the list with eight nominations each are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost Of Yōtei, followed by Arc Raiders and Dispatch with six nominations, Blue Prince with five nominations, and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach with four. Kinda Funny co-founder Greg Miller and media personality Stella Chung (who previously worked at IGN), return as co-hosts of the show this year – the two revealed the nominations during today's episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily before AIAS released a press release with the nominations. "First, thank you to our peer panelists," AIAS president Meggan Scavio writes in a press release. "Your dedication and expertise in our judging process, and your work in selecting the best games of 2025, is truly appreciated. And on behalf of all of us at the Academy, I extend my congratulations to all of our finalists. Each of these games has impressed us through its creativity, artistry, and technical achievement, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards." Notably, the D.I.C.E. Awards are voted on by a panel of judges who are all game developers, which differs from other shows, like Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards, in which the panel of judges is made up of media outlets (like Game Informer). Unlike The Game Awards, there are never any video game announcements, reveals, or world premieres at the D.I.C.E. Awards. You can find the full list of nominations for every award below: Outstanding Achievement in AnimationDeath Stranding 2: On The BeachGhost Of YōteiMonster Hunter WildsSouth of MidnightThe Midnight WalkOutstanding Achievement in Art DirectionClair Obscur: Expedition 33Death Stranding 2: On The BeachDispatchGhost Of YōteiThe Midnight WalkOutstanding Achievement in CharacterClair Obscur: Expedition 33 – EsquieClair Obscur: Expedition 33 – MaelleDispatch – Courtney/InvisigalDispatch – Robert Robertson III/Mecha ManGhost Of Yōtei – AtsuOutstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionClair Obscur: Expedition 33Ghost Of YōteiHerdlingMario Kart WorldSword of the SeaOutstanding Achievement in Audio DesignArc RaidersDeath Stranding 2: On The BeachGhost Of YōteiLumines AriseSplit FictionOutstanding Achievement in StoryClair Obscur: Expedition 33Consume MedespeloteSouth of MidnightThe DrifterOutstanding Technical AchievementArc RaidersAssassin's Creed ShadowsDeath Stranding 2: On the BeachDonkey Kong BananzaDOOM: The Dark AgesAction Game of the YearAbsolumArc RaidersDOOM: The Dark AgesHades IINinja Gaiden 4Adventure Game of the YearBlue PrinceDispatchDonkey Kong BananzaGhost Of YōteiHollow Knight: SilksongFamily Game of the YearLEGO Party!LEGO VoyagersLumines AriseMarvel Cosmic InvasionPOPUCOMFighting Game of the Year2XKOCapcom Fighting Collection 2Fatal Fury: City of the WolvesMortal Kombat: Legacy KollectionWWE 2K25Racing Game of the YearEA Sports F1 25Kirby Air RidersMario Kart WorldWheel WorldRole-Playing Game of the YearClair Obscur: Expedition 33Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward VectorKingdom Come: Deliverance IIMonster Hunter WildsThe Outer Worlds 2Sports Game of the YearEA Sports FC 26PGA Tour 2K25MLB The Show 25NBA 2K26RematchStrategy/Simulation Game of the YearThe AltersDrop DuchyEuropa Universalis VThe King is WatchingStarVadersImmersive Reality Technical AchievementGhost TownHotel InfinityMarvel's Deadpool VRStar Wars: Beyond Victory – A Mixed Reality PlaysetUnloopImmersive Reality Game of the YearDemeo x Dungeons & Dragons: BattlemarkedGhost TownMarvel's Deadpool VRThe Midnight WalkThief VR: Legacy of ShadowOutstanding Achievement for an Independent GameBaby StepsBlue PrinceConsume MedespeloteDispatchMobile Game of the YearPersona 5: The Phantom XUmamusume: Pretty DerbyWhat The Clash?Where Winds MeetOnline Game of the YearArc RaidersBattlefield 6Mario Kart WorldMarvel RivalsSplit FictionOutstanding Achievement in Game DesignArc RaidersBlue PrinceHades IIKingdom Come: Deliverance IIÖooOutstanding Achievement in Game DirectionBlue PrinceClair Obscur: Expedition 33Ghost of YōteiHades IIKingdom Come: Deliverance IIGame of the YearArc RaidersBlue PrinceClair Obscur: Expedition 33DispatchGhost of YōteiAnd those are all the nominations for the 29th annual D.I.C.E. Awards. What game do you think will win Game of the Year? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Grab Bloons TD 6 for free on Epic Games Store! Bloons TD 6 is a massive 3D tower defense game with 4-Player co-op. View the full article

Nintendo revealed Mario Tennis Fever, a Switch 2 exclusive, during a Direct that aired last September. Now, with roughly a month to go until the game's February 12 release date, the company has released a new overview trailer highlighting nearly 6 minutes of gameplay, including a look at the series' largest roster of playable characters. That's because Mario Tennis Fever features 38 different characters, ranging from fan-favorites like Mario and Luigi to more mischievous players like Dry Bones and Baby Waluigi. Alongside those 38 characters, Mario Tennis Fever features 30 Fever Rackets, which are all-new to the series and allow you to equip your character with unique abilities. The Ice Racket, for example, turns parts of the court into a slippery tundra, while the Mini Mushroom Racket shrinks your opponent to bite size. "Just fill up your Fever Gauge to unleash a Fever Shot," a press release reads. "And if you're on the receiving end of one, don't worry – you can try and send it back at your opponent before the shot hits the court, so they feel the effects instead." That's an especially useful skill to learn when up against rackets like the Shadow Racket, which causes the receiving player to see double as it duplicates the player using the racket. Check all this out and more in the Mario Tennis Fever overview trailer for yourself below: Mario Tennis Fever will feature a single-player Adventure Mode, a campaign in which mysterious monsters turn Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Wario, and Waluigi into babies, forcing them to re-master their tennis skills and overcome challenges to return to normal. Elsewhere in the game, the Trial Towers mode forces players to take on a series of challenges as they climb their way to the top of a tower, and Mix It Up mode allows you to play matches with unconventional rules, like Ring Shot, where you have to hit balls with precision through rings to earn points and Forest Court Match, where you can expand the court's size by feeding Piranha Plants tennis balls. Returning modes include Tournament, with play-by-play commentary from Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Talking Flower, and online modes like Online Room for casual play with customizable rules and Ranked Matches, where you can play against players around the world. There's even a Swing Mode where you gently swing your Joy-Con 2 controller to hit different kinds of shots. Mario Tennis Fever launches exclusively on Switch 2 on February 12. For more, check out the Mario Tennis Fever reveal trailer, and then read Game Informer's Mario Tennis Aces review. View the full article

After seven months on the market, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally getting newly colored Joy Cons. Today, via the Nintendo Today app (and later on other social media platforms), Nintendo announced that two new Joy Con 2 colors would be hitting shelves on the same day as Mario Tennis Fever, February 12. You can take a look at the new Joy Con 2 colors below: Dubbed "Light Purple" and "Light Green," the new controllers follow the color pattern established by the original Joy Con 2s. Each controller's respective color accents the joystick and connection points, but the shell is still mostly dark gray. Until now, the only Joy Con 2 colors available were red and blue: the option included with the console. Even this is fewer options than the original Switch, which launched with a Red/Blue model and a gray model. While it's a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things, if you live in a household with multiple Switch 2s or visit a friend with the console to play some multiplayer, it's hard to tell the handhelds apart. This provides the first official pathway to customization. That said, the controllers, which are currently available for pre-order on Nintendo's website, are the same price as red and blue Joy Con 2s – a whopping $99.99. It's a reminder of Nintendo's recently high price tags, though it hasn't stopped the console itself from having a successful launch. However, a recent report also shared last November had the lowest number of consoles sold in a long time, so that aforementioned success depends on your perspective. View the full article

Xbox has announced that it will air a Developer Direct showcase later this month on Thursday, January 22, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. It will feature Playground Games' Fable and Forza Horizon 6, both of which are set to launch this year, and Pokémon maker Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation. The showcase, stylized as "Developer_Direct," promises new gameplay and insight directly from the developers working on these games. More specifically, it will feature the first extended look at Fable as well as the debut of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6, which is set in Japan, a setting fans of the series have wanted for years. The third game to be featured is Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, which was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase last year – the Developer Direct will reveal new details about protagonist Emma's plant manipulation abilities and gameplay with her canine companion Koo. Here's what Xbox has to say about each game the Developer Direct will feature: Fable – "Playground Games welcomes players back to the fairytale land of Albion, with the first in-depth look at Fable – one of 2026’s most anticipated titles. Devs from the Playground team will unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay. Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike." Forza Horizon 6 – "The Forza team from Playground Games will share a deep-dive on the much-anticipated Forza Horizon 6 as the open world racer takes players to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. The segment will deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features – and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new installment." Beast of Reincarnation – "Join us as we delve into Game Freak’s intense one-person, one-dog action RPG. For the first time, Game Freak will reveal details of our protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. In Beast of Reincarnation, a profound and dangerous world unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan. Discover the development secrets behind its creation in Developer_Direct." Though there's no indication of it in the blog post announcing this Developer Direct, Xbox has used these showcases to surprise viewers with additional reveals and more. Notably, Hi-Fi Rush was shadow-dropped at the 2023 Developer Direct. Nonetheless, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation are three hotly anticipated games, so this showcase is likely going to be an exciting one for fans of these developers. View the full article