News

• Spotify is now asking UK users to prove their age to access mature content
• The age verification checks have been introduced as part of the UK's Online Safety Act
• Spotify says it will present age checks if it suspects you're under 13, but many users have encountered checks despite being over 18

Spotify has become the latest app to introduce measures designed to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act, by asking users to undergo age verification checks if they want to view or listen to age-restricted content – and many users aren't happy.

The age verification requirements of the Online Safety Act came into effect from July 25, and requires all platforms that display adult content to verify that users are over 18 using age verification checks.

So far, we've seen the likes of Xbox, Discord and Reddit introduce age verification, and now Spotify has done the same.

Like Reddit and X, Spotify has partnered with digital identification firm Yoti, a service that conducts age checks via facial scanning. For Spotify users, Yoti will use different means of age verification, from facial scanning to requesting a scan of your ID if it suspects you’re under 13 (Spotify’s minimum age requirement).

It will also use algorithmic methods to estimate a user’s age. But Spotify is taking it a step further, stating in its official outline that "your account will be deactivated and eventually deleted" if you fail to complete the age verification process.

While Yoti claims that your data will be kept safe, and eventually deleted, the new requirement has caused uproar among some Spotify users.

Some have take to forums such as Reddit to point that young people are clever enough to find ways around the checks, for example using a VPN to change their location to somewhere other than the UK – and a minority have even threatened to revert to piracy (see below).

This is the burning question among Spotify fans, considering the music streaming app doesn't host X-rated content on the same scale as Reddit or X. However, the platform does have certain features that are aimed at mature users.

In Spotify's case, you may be asked to verify your age if you try to "access some Spotify content and features, like Music videos that are labeled as 18+ by rightsholders". This could also apply to podcasts that discuss mature content and songs with explicit lyrics.

Fortunately, there is a way back if your account becomes deactivated due to an inaccurate age estimation. According to Spotify, you'll get an email that "allows you to reactivate your account within 90 days of deactivation", after which you'll need to go through age verification checks again.

So far, I haven’t been asked to verify my age in the Spotify app when trying to access mature podcasts and music videos, but a handful of users on forums like Reddit who are well over the age of 18 have have already encountered the checks.

Spotify has explained in various community posts that it isn't designed to work with VPNs, and you naturally shouldn't use one to circumvent any age verification checks.

However, this hasn't stopped free VPNs from dominating Apple's UK App Store, as internet users look to find ways of protecting their data from future breaches, or perhaps even bypass those checks completely.

VPNs work by encrypting your internet traffic, but they're not all equal – so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Free VPNs can log an excessive amount of data, which could ultimately put your privacy at risk, and sometimes lack important security features.

If you're interested in some of the best deals for paid VPNs, you can check them out below.

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• The Lenovo Legion Go 2 prototype outperforms the MSI Claw A8 in new benchmark video
• The MSI Claw A8 featured in the video has 16GB of RAM, while the Legion Go 2 has 24GB
• The Legion Go 2 prototype is available on second-hand markets in China, but is yet to launch officially

As we approach the latter stages of 2025, several new contenders are about to enter the handheld gaming PC market – and one of them in particular, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, looks like it will make a big impression.

As highlighted by Notebookcheck, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 outperforms the MSI Claw A8, according to a new benchmark by Lines Tech on YouTube. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the MSI Claw A8 hit an average of 44 fps, while the Lenovo Legion Go 2 had an average of 49 fps, the latter producing 10% better performance.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is still in its prototype phase, but is already available on second-hand markets in China. Both the Legion Go 2 and the MSI Claw A8 utilize AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, so it may be a bit confusing to see the former managing better performance.

However, it more likely comes down to the amount of RAM available; the MSI Claw A8 has 16GB of RAM, while the Legion Go 2 has 24GB, which is 8GB more. It's also worth noting that the Legion Go 2 appears to have a placeholder CPU name, but we know it has the iGPU that's in the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which is the Radeon 890M.

For the MSI Claw A8, there has strangely been been little to no mention of other configurations featuring less RAM than the marketed 24GB (according to the specifications on its website), which should specify 'up to 24GB', but that's beside the point.

Ultimately, based on these benchmarks, the Lenovo Legion Go 2's top configuration (featuring 32GB of RAM) should outperform the MSI Claw A8, which will be limited to a maximum of 24GB of RAM. We'll need to see both handhelds and their 24GB configurations go toe-to-toe, and if Lenovo's handheld still comes out as the victor, it could simply be due to better cooling.

Having seen the performance benchmarks of the MSI Claw A8 and personally used its similar counterpart, the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I've already written off a purchase of both handhelds. While the performance leap from AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme is evident, it's not enough to warrant such a huge expense, but that's slightly different with the Lenovo Legion Go 2.

If the Lenovo Legion Go 2 doesn't come with an unreasonable price tag above $1,000, I could see it being a big hit considering all the benefits. It has an 8.8-inch OLED screen powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, and if it wasn't clear already, the OLED display is what gives it an extra edge.

However, I'm worried that potential buyers will be thrown off by pricing – or worse, a lack of availability. Even if I had decided that I wanted to buy an MSI Claw 8 AI+, the stock would disappear before I could even come to a decision.

Fortunately, that's gradually changing with better availability at Currys in the UK, but I could easily see the same stock woes happening with the Claw A8 and the Lenovo Legion Go 2 when it eventually goes on sale.

Tariffs on Taiwan are certainly part of availability issues, as it's where both Lenovo and MSI manufacture these handhelds. Let's just hope it doesn't get out of hand...

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Update: I asked Samsung to expand on its original statement and Vice President Blackard responded. His quote is included below

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a hit, at least compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and every Fold that came before. Samsung says the “Galaxy Z Fold7 received the most preorders in Z Fold history in the U.S,” even though this is the most expensive phone I’ve ever seen at retail, with a $1,999 starting price. I’m not sure what spurred this interest in foldables, but I’m on board and hoping Samsung uses this momentum to push forward with a big Galaxy tri-fold next year.

It wasn’t just the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that was popular among early adopters. Samsung also says its Galaxy Z Flip 7 has been selling briskly, and the two models together combined achieved more than a 25% increase in preorders versus last year’s Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 costs about the same as last year’s Z Flip 6, depending on your region, but it comes with a much larger cover display, a sticking point that held previous Galaxy Z Flip phones back. The phone also uses a Samsung Exynos 2500 processor, instead of the bespoke Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset found in the rest of Samsung’s flagship phones.

Samsung says that preorders from mobile carriers in the US saw an even greater jump, with advanced sales up 60% over last year’s models. Right now, AT&T will give you a Galaxy Z Fold 7 for 55% off the full price if you pay for it on a 36-month payment plan. That means you’ll pay $25 per month until 2028 if you want to buy this big foldable. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is available for free from all three major US carriers, with a new contract agreement.

It’s mindblowing that the expensive Galaxy Z Fold 7 is beating its predecessor so handily in early sales. Samsung says the Z Fold 7 is outpacing the Z Fold 6 by nearly 50% since it landed on store shelves on July 25.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers the same 200MP camera sensor as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, one of our favorite camera phones. That bridges the camera divide that has separated foldable phones from flat phones, and finally makes the Galaxy Z Fold a serious contender among the best phones you can buy.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 also gives up the S Pen, a surprisingly anti-Ultra move by Samsung, but perhaps the right call. Previous Galaxy Z Fold phones could use a special version of the Samsung stylus, but it had to be the Z Fold edition of the S Pen or else it could scratch the delicate folding display inside.

I’ve reviewed and extensively used just about every Samsung Galaxy foldable phone for the past four years, and I’m rooting for the success of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 because, frankly, Samsung finally listened to me (and its customers).

After years of awkward designs and a cover display that looked more like a narrow bowling lane than a smartphone screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 design is a triumph. It looks and feels like a typical, compact smartphone when it’s closed, but it gives you an iPad mini-sized screen when it’s open.

Samsung likewise attributes its success to listening to me (and its customers). Samsung VP Drew Blackard says, “we’ve addressed consumer feedback year after year and have arrived at the kind of experience you can’t get on any other device.” I’m guessing that feedback included 'why is my phone so heavy' and 'why does the cover screen look so weird,' because those are the big improvements this year versus last.

I asked Samsung to expand on this - what specific customer feedback did they address? Blackard told me "Our goal since our first foldable has been to offer the kind of innovation that couldn’t be achieved with a standard bar-type smartphone alone. Now, we’re refining that experience further with these incredibly thin and light designs, while keeping usage practical, intuitive, and powerful. Consumers are telling us they can immediately feel the difference when they go hands-on with these devices. This is further evidence that there’s no longer a trade-off for the foldable experience — and that’s something we are proud of."

So it seems like making the Fold 7 so incredibly thin and light was the key. When folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is only about a half millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it's actually 12g lighter than Apple's biggest iPhone. If you'd told me seven years ago that a foldable phone could hide in plain sight like any flat phone, I wouldn't have believed you.

It’s time for foldable phones to have their moment. Let’s be real – AI features aren’t selling smartphones. Phone makers have needed a new hook to get people interested. It seemed like foldable displays could be that hook, but buyers hesitated, likely because they were afraid the phones weren’t durable, or weren’t worth the premium price tag.

The price has climbed higher, but so has the durability rating. Samsung’s IP48 rating means the phone still can’t handle dust and fine particles, but it’s totally water-resistant for a dip in the pool.

And the phone may be more durable than Samsung lets on. I’m not a fan of Jerry Rig Everything on YouTube – I question his unscientific testing and claims – but his inability to destroy or even crack the screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the most compelling teardown videos I’ve seen. He bends the phone backward, and not only does it NOT crack – it doesn’t break at all! The inner display looks perfectly normal after his abuse.

Now I want to see Samsung unlock its foldable potential. I’ve been skeptical of Samsung’s foldables, mainly due to uncorrected mistakes – the narrow front screen on the Z Fold line and the small, useless cover display on the Z Flip phones. Those mistakes are gone, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that sales are higher than ever.

Samsung should launch its triple-folding phone as soon as possible. There have been rumors that Samsung has a Huawei Mate XT competitor in the works, and now is a great time to show the full force of Samsung’s design power. I would love to see Samsung capitalize on the Z Fold 7’s popularity and show up next July with a new Samsung G Fold, the rumored name for the triple-screen foldable.

It will cost a fortune, probably twice as much as today’s Z Fold 7. It will also be spectacular, with Samsung’s latest thin design and best-in-class productivity software. Maybe if it’s good enough, it will put an end to all of the fervor over AI features and get people excited about new hardware and phone designs again.

• New Samsung tri-fold leaks may have revealed its launch window and official name
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• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection has been announced at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase
• The third game in the series is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC via Steam
• The game has a 2026 release window

Capcom has announced the next game in its Monster Hunter Stories turn-based series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.

Revealed during the July 31 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC via Steam in 2026.

Capcom is calling the game "the next evolution of the turn-based, story-rich RPG series," and we got a first story trailer with an art style reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, teasing an open world, a new cast of characters, and Rathalos.

"Twin Rathalos, born in a twist of fate, ignite the long dormant flames of war between two fractured nations: Azuria and Vermeil," the trailer description reads.

"You are the heir to the kingdom of Azuria, and the sole Rathalos Rider in the kingdom. On the brink of war and amidst strange phenomena threatening the world, a life changing event propels you beyond the Meridian, and on an unforgettable journey in search of the truth."

Twisted Reflection follows the second game in the series, Wings of Ruin, which was released in 2021.

It will also be the first Monster Hunter Stories title to arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 since the console's release, and although the details haven't been confirmed, 60FPS is a possibility on the Switch 2 version.

There's no release date just yet, but the official website is now live.

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The next Nintendo Direct presentation has been and gone, and gave us a look at upcoming third-party publisher games for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and a smattering of extra life being breathed into the older Switch models.

From existing AAA games now coming to the Switch 2, from updates on new and upcoming games, there was broadly something for everyone - even if our own Rhys didn't do quite so well on his own Nintendo Direct Bingo Card.

We have covered the whole event and build-up live, so if you're looking for a one-stop shop for all that was announced, then we have you covered.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

• Story trailer ( it looked *very* Breath of the Wild)
• Coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• 2026 release

Once Upon A KATARAMI

• Gameplay trailer showing customisation
• Music gallery with songs from OG composers
• Switch release on October 24, 2025.
• Pre-orders open

Just Dance 2026 Edition

• 40 new tracks
• New co-op mode
• October 14 release Nintendo Switch

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

• Switch and Switch 2 release
• Over 180 fighters
• Relive Dragon Age stories from the perspective of different characters
• Custom Battle Mode
• Motion controllers using Joy-Cons
• November 14, 2025
• Pre-orders open today

Plants Vs Zombies

• Switch 2 gameplay tease
• October 23 release date
• Switch and Switch 2

EA Sports FC 26

• September 26 release date

• Gameplay trailer
• Local co-op confirmed
• September 26 release
• Switch and Switch 2
• Pre-orders open today

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Invalice Chronicles

• Trailer about things we already knew because this game was announced ages ago
• September 30 release date
• Switch and Switch 2

Persona 3 Reload

• Coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• October 23 release
• Pre-orders open today

Zelda: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

• New gameplay trailer showcasing Zelda and other characters
• Story details showing the canonical events that led to Tears of the Kingdom
• Coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• No release date

Madden NFL 26

• Coming to Switch 2
• August 14 release date

Chillin' by the Fire

• Developed by Oink Games
• Switch 2
• Cute sim game
• Camera and party system
• Level system and a timer feature
• Releasing today

Apex Legends

• Coming to Switch 2
• August 5, 2025

Hela

• Developed by My.Games
• You play a mouse with a magical froggy backpack
• Explore open world
• Online 4 player co-op
• Releasing 2026
• Nintendo Switch 2

Star Wars Outlaws

• Coming to Switch 2
• September 4, 2025
• Pre-orders open today

Cronos: The New Dawn

• Third-person, sci-fi action game
• Limited resources to fend off enemies
• If a monster absorbs a fallen enemy, it becomes stronger
• Rifts that let the player travel back in time but you'll be haunted by strange visions
• Switch 2 exclusive
• September 5 release

Yakuza Kiwami 2

• Coming to Switch 2
• November 13 release date
• Yakuza Kiwami is also coming to Switch 2 the same day
• Additional language support

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

• Top-down RPG
• Gameplay trailer showing weapon types, combat, and monsters
• Two players can control Elliot and Fae
• Switch 2 release

Octopath Traveler 0

• December 4 release
• Switch and Switch 2 releases

As ever, the most reliable and straightforward place to catch today's Nintendo Direct was the official Nintendo YouTube channel or on the official Twitch page.

You can catch the link for the YouTube video below.

July's Nintendo Direct took place today on July 31, 2025. It started at 9am ET / 6am PT / 2pm BST.

Nintendo confirmed the Direct via a social media post, and we saw that this one lasted "roughly 25 minutes".

Hey gamers! We're officially less than a couple of hours away from today's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. This is the first big Nintendo Direct presentation we've had since the launch of Switch 2. While we're not expecting any big first-party announcements along the lines of Mario, Zelda, and so on, there's likely still going to be plenty of exciting games from third-party developers and publishers. We hope you'll join us for up-to-date coverage as the presentation happens.

I know it, you know it, we all know it. Every Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase and Indie World Showcase is inevitably accompanied by the same question: "Where's Silksong?"

There's a big difference this time, though. We know Hollow Knight: Silksong is scheduled to launch sometime in 2025. And recently, Microsoft has made waves with its announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. Xbox has also stated that Silksong will be playable on these devices when they launch.

Recent leaks have suggested that the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds could launch during Gamescom 2025, on August 20. This could also mean that Hollow Knight: Silksong will arrive around that same time.

So what does that have to do with this Nintendo Direct? Well, it's entirely possible Nintendo has beaten Xbox to the punch with its own Silksong announcement plans. We also saw around five seconds of the upcoming game at the initial Switch 2 Direct way back in April. So Nintendo certainly has previous with the anticipated indie title.

We'll know for sure (or not) in less than two hours...

Nintendo stunned the world when it revealed the Switch 2 would be getting an exclusive title from acclaimed developer FromSoftware. The Duskbloods is set to launch in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2 only, and will be an asymmetrical multiplayer-focused title.

The game will differ from Elden Ring Nightreign in that it will have a strong PvP element, as opposed to Nightreign's strict PvE gameplay. One similarity, though, is that The Duskbloods will feature preset characters, all with their own skills and backstories.

Quite obviously taking cues from Bloodborne, The Duskbloods explores a gothic horror setting. But there does appear to be more modern elements, such as trains and a railway system.

Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki was interviewed by Nintendo in a Creator's Voice piece. I strongly recommend reading this if you haven't already, as Miyazaki provides a lot of insight into the game and its development.

Whether or not The Duskbloods makes an appearance at this Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase remains to be seen, but I've certainly got my fingers crossed.

At Nintendo Direct showcases, we're used to expecting big first-party announcements. However, Partner Showcases differ in that the focus is less on Nintendo itself, and more on its third-party partners who'll be bringing games to Switch and Switch 2.

On that note, don't expect any big Nintendo-centric announcements here. We don't know when the next big Nintendo Direct will be, but this isn't quite one of them. Even still, Partner Showcases still have the capacity to surprise us. Developers like Capcom, Square Enix and Bandai Namco have shown up in the past to deliver plenty of excitement, and I hope that will also be the case here.

We've made a simple bingo card for the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, which you can see just below. Feel free to play along!

I (Rob) really enjoyed both Star Wars Outlaws and Assassin's Creed Shadows - the latter more so - and can definitely see Ubisoft having the intent on getting both onto Nintendo's latest handheld console.

The Assassin's Creed ports on the original Nintendo Switch were pretty successful and ran nicely so there is precedent in those games coming to such systems. And with the Switch 2's beefier specs, it should be more than capable of running Outlaws or Shadows with a bit of optimisation.

What do you think? Would these be good additions to the Switch 2's third-party library?

It's a strong possibility. Especially as we know this Switch 2 version of Elden Ring is due to release in 2025. Tarnished Edition packs the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion into one. There's also going to be new starter classes, customization options for Torrent and even new weapons. These updates will also be coming to other versions of the game on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, so there's no fear of missing out if you don't own a Switch 2.

If we don't get The Duskbloods here, this would be the next best thing from the FromSoft camp. Unless they do something mad and put a King's Field collection on Switch 2. I'd be so down for that.

Just an hour left before the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase begins!

I actually can't believe I forgot to include the speedy blue hedgehog in the bingo card! Something Sonic-related has a very good chance of showing up at today's Partner Showcase.

Most likely, this will be a new trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Sega has pulled out all the stops when it comes to marketing this game, to the point where it seems like we're getting a new trailer or gameplay snippet every week. It wouldn't be too crazy to expect another one at this showcase, perhaps revealing some new tracks or guest characters.

We're now at the half-hour mark! Just 30 minutes left until the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase kicks off. Remember, this one's only going to be 25 minutes long, so don't expect an absolute abundance of announcements. Still, we're hoping there'll be plenty of top quality games to look forward to over the coming months.

The best place to watch today's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is going to be on the official Nintendo YouTube channel. Nintendo of America draws in the biggest viewer numbers, but the UK channel is also a reliable place to watch. You can also watch on the official Twitch page if you prefer. As a pro tip, you may also wish to check out the Japanese version of the Partner Showcase after the fact, as these often show games that you won't see on the Western broadcasts.

Just 15 minutes to go before the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase begins, folks! Get your snacks and drinks in now, as well as any last-minute predictions!

The event has begun! And the first announcement is...

Capcom has kicked off the Partner Showcase with a first-look at Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection! The game looks absolutely gorgeous and seems to be a lot more open in nature, especially compared to the relatively linear worlds of the first two games. Looks a bit Fire Emblem-y as well!

No release date just yet outside of 2026.

A brand new Katamari Damacy game is coming to Switch! Once Upon a Katamari looks very similar in gameplay to the others in the series, but I'm never saying no to more Katamari. Online multiplayer is supported too!

The game launches on October 24.

Obligatory Just Dance 2026 Edition trailer. No massive surprise here, we kind of expected this!

It's launching on October 14.

Dragonball Sparking! Zero is coming to Switch 2! It's a bit like the old Budokai games as an arena fighter, really good fun.

Yep, Plants vs Zombies is coming to Switch systems! Plants vs Zombies Replanted is coming October 23.

We're getting another Pac-Man remake. Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2 is coming September 26.

Some new looks at Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles! Launching on Switch and Switch 2 on September 30.

Persona 3 Reload is getting a Switch 2 release! This is a fantastic remake of a classic PS2 RPG. It's coming to Switch 2 on October 23.

Technically yes, this is a third-party game! Coming from Koei Tecmo and Omega Force, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment gameplay just got shown off at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. Expect massive battlefields and cool character abilities.

Still no release date, though!

Yep, it's Madden! Another EA sports franchise is coming to Switch 2. Madden NFL 26 launches on August 14.

A proper cozy little campfire game just got announced. Really like the look of this one. Super chill vibes. Roast marshmallows and keep the campfire going in several different weather conditions. Also supports GameChat and the camera.

It's coming today!

Apex Legends is also coming to Switch 2! It's coming to Switch 2 on August 5.

Outlaws was announced at the initial Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but we now have a better idea on when we can expect the game to land on the console.

Star Wars Outlaws is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 4.

Bloober Team's next horror game is also coming to Switch 2. The Silent Hill 2 remake developer's sci-fi spookfest definitely has a Dead Space feel to it, so I'm looking forward to seeing what this one does differently. Love the time travel setting.

Cronos: The New Dawn is coming to Switch 2 on September 5.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is coming to Switch 2! This is a remake of Yakuza 2, that takes Kazuma Kirui to Sotenbori where he clashes with the tyrannical Ryuji Goda. This one's awesome, so don't miss it if you've recently gotten into the series.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 comes to Switch 2 on November 13.

Too many games to count here! But it's a sizzle reel of several great looking games coming to Switch 2. Borderlands 4, NBA Bounce, Hello Kitty, Romancing Saga 2, Shinobi Art of Vengeance and more are all heading to Switch 2 soon.

Square Enix has announced an all-new game in its HD-2D engine: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. It's definitely got the Octopath Traveler flavor to it, featuring big explorable areas. As an action RPG, combat looks like it takes place in real time, as opposed to turn-based of Octopath and Dragon Quest.

The game will launch in 2026, with a demo available now.

A brand new Octopath Traveler game! Octopath Traveler 0, judging by the title, could be a prequel to the other two games in the series. It seems to have a different gameplay focus. While turn-based battles remain, there are some city building elements and what appears to be a character creator.

It's launching on December 4.

That's it for the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. Absolutely tons of game announcements here, so much that it was admittedly hard to keep track!

Quite a lot to look forward to, though. Monster Hunter Stories 3 and Octopath Traveler 0 were very big surprises. I'm also looking forward to Persona 3 Reload and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

No Duskbloods or Hollow Knight: Silksong, though. We'll have to wait a touch longer for more info on those!

Honestly, I did bloody awful. Hope you guys did a bit better in your predictions!

If you're looking for a complete list of everything shown at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, we did our best to cover absolutely everything shown. On this page, we now have a comprehensive list of all the games with some preliminary info. So if you were late to the show or unable to catch it, be sure to scroll back through our live blog to see everything you missed!

Hello gamers! Hardware Writer Dash here.

I've been asked to pick out my personal game of the show, and I can't pretend that it's anything other than Just Dance 2026 Edition.

I've been a huge fan of Just Dance since it made the leap over to a full live service, and a new annual song pack is just what's needed to get me back climbing the leader boards once again.

This is the first Just Dance game making its way to Nintendo Switch 2 too, if you don't count previous backwards compatible entries, so I'm interested to see how it will make use of the console's features.

Will we see full Nintendo Switch 2 Camera support? I certainly hope so, as it could lead to much more accurate and responsive scoring online.

The Japanese Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase broadcast had quite a lot of games that didn't feature in the Western versions.

Chief among these was a full trailer for Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, as well as upcoming RPG Varlet. A HoloLive game featuring iconic VTubers was shown, as well as a cute cafe sim and an eclectic board game title.

You can check out the full Japanese broadcast here.

I'm an absolutely massive Musou fan, and a pretty big Zelda fan, too. Hyrule Warriors combines these worlds and gameplay styles together, and Age of Imprisonment is no different there.

The best revelation for me is that the game will be a canon entry in the Zelda series, unlike Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which was annoyingly relegated to being a non-canon side story / what-if scenario.

I've been on a real Warriors kick lately, revisiting games like Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme Legends, Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Warriors: Abyss. Here's hoping that Age of Imprisonment can match the quality and longevity of the original Hyrule Warriors.

It's coming to Switch 2 sometime in the winter. So expect it late on, maybe November or December time.

It's me, the Ubisoft-liker again.

Sadly, I can't use Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 hardware for accessibility reasons, but if I were able to, and if I were a Switch 2 player, then I'd be champing at the bit to jump back into Star Wars Outlaws.

It's a world and game that I can imagine translating to the small screen of the Switch 2 - as long as it can be optimised adequately and appropriately. We all remember how that game launched anyway, but with some time to cook on this hardware (one assumes), I reckon this could be a cracker!

I can imagine there's nothing more satisfying than playing a big open world game (natively) on a handheld and neatly chipping away at its contents... That's certainly what I found on the PlayStation Portal when playing Outlaws last year, too.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 next year. This HD-2D action RPG from Square Enix differs in that combat takes place in real time, ditching the turn-based gameplay of titles in the engine like Octopath Traveler.

If you're curious about the game like I am, a demo is available on Nintendo Switch 2's eShop from today, where you'll be able to check out what is presumably an early gameplay snippet.

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• However, the realistic marketing campaign has gone down well with fans
• The new movie is in theaters from August 8

Weapons is the hugely anticipated new movie from Zach Cregger, and while fans may be thoroughly spooked by the marketing they've seen so far, the director has revealed he was nervous at first.

The new horror movie, which arrives in cinemas on August 8, centers around a group of children who simultaneously disappear at 2:17am.

Speaking to TechRadar, Cregger said: "They came to me and they were like, 'we're thinking of doing this'. They had a term for it that I wasn't even aware of, but they're like, 'we're gonna make this website, we're gonna make it seem like it really happened.'

"And I'll be honest, I was like, 'I don't think I like this idea because we're trying to trick people', and then are people gonna get annoyed and they realize it's just a movie and they're gonna be like f*** this movie."

He added: "That was my fear, but they were like just trust us. So I was like, 'OK!', and then sure enough, everybody really responded to it, so they get all the credit, you know, and I, and I love what they did. I love it, but I was not a believer at the beginning, I'll tell you."

The website Cregger is referring to is MaybrookMissing.net, which is set up to look like a real missing person's case. There's teasers for the movie, fake CCTV footage and even a reference to his previous movie Barbarian for eagle-eyed fans.

Weapons has really gone hard on this marketing technique, which is known as an Alternate Reality Game. Movies such as Cloverfield and District 9 have adopted this approach in the past, setting up websites and hotlines to entice audiences into a story.

In my opinion, they work incredibly well with horrors or mysteries and it really got me hyped to see the movie, so it's a job well done.

This led me to ask about fan theories based on the marketing campaign, as I was sure people have drawn their own conclusions about what to expect from it. Cregger told me: "Oh yeah, I've seen a lot of theories and I don't even really want to comment on them because if I discredit some of them, then it's, I'm giving people ammo for for for spoiling it.

"But the one that I will say that I've seen a lot that I'm always just kind of like, 'wow', is that people say like an alien is involved in this, and I think that's probably my favorite fan theory."

With plenty of intrigue here, you'll have to go and see the movie if you want to unravel the mystery.

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• Square Enix has announced The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and Octopath Traveler 0
• The Adventures of Elliot arrives in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC
• Octopath Traveler 0 is exclusive to Switch and Switch 2 and is releasing on December 4

To close out the July 31 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Square Enix announced two new HD-2D role-playing games (RPGs), The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and Octopath Traveler 0.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is an all-new action-adventure RPG set to arrive in 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Although the game isn't releasing until next year, Switch 2 players can download a free 'Debut Demo' today that provides an early look at the game.

Developed by Team Asano, the developer behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default, The Millennium Tales tells the story of Elliot in a fast-paced adventure that combines thrilling real-time action and rewarding exploration.

Set in the world of Philabieldia, humanity’s last bastion is the Kingdom of Huther, protected by its tall walls and Princess Heuria’s powerful magic.

"When a mysterious set of ruins is discovered, a young adventurer named Elliot and his fairy companion Faie are sent off on a journey to investigate. What seems like a simple, if dangerous, mission soon becomes a grand saga that will be woven across time and space," Square Enix describes.

As Elliot, the player will explore an expansive world equipped with multiple weapon types, like swords, bows, chains, and sickles, which can be customized to increase stats. Faie will also have a 'Sprint' power that lets Elliot zip around faster.

The final reveal of the showcase was Octopath Traveler 0, which is the newest entry in the Octopath Traveler series, coming to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2025.

"Start from zero and discover the newest entry in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series. Experience a story of restoration and retribution over the divine rings—an epic saga that unfolds across the realm of Orsterra," the game description reads.

This new entry brings all-new features and returning core elements from the series, including the HD-2D graphics that blend retro pixel art and 3D CG art, Path Actions, the Break and Boost battle system, and more.

For the first time in the series, players will be able to play as their own customized protagonist and "rebuild their hometown after great destruction is brought to it".

Physical pre-orders for Octopath Traveler 0 are now available, with digital pre-orders coming later.

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