Embark Studios has opened up about how it will make the second Expedition in Arc Raiders more enticing after the first left its community wanting more.

The developer behind the popular sci-fi extraction shooter updated fans with a blog post on its website. Included are a February 25 sign-up date and a March 1 departure date for the account reset event, as players are told to look forward to more worthwhile rewards before sending their beloved Raiders into the unknown and starting from scratch.

Stash value requirements were the first thing Embark addressed, telling fans that they’ll now need just 3 million coins to reach the maximum bonus of five skill points. That means you’ll need only 600,000 per point, a significantly more achievable task than the previous Expedition’s ask of 1 million per skill point.

What’s more, Raiders who participated the first time around but didn’t amass enough coins can benefit from a new catch-up feature. Missed points can be claimed for 300,000 each, with coins first going toward Expedition 2 before being used for the makeup points for Expedition 1. In other words, you’ll need the 3 million for the five new skill points and an additional 300,000 per skill point missed. As Raiders jump into Expeditions for the first time, they’ll need to start by unlocking rewards from Expedition 1, leaving the catch-up feature only for returning players.

Other new permanent rewards for the second reset include a new Scrappy outfit, an evolved Patchwork outfit with more toggles and colors, and, thankfully, 12 more stash space slots. Returning expeditioners gain 5% more XP (10% total), a 6% boost to Scrappy materials (12% total), and a 10% increase to repair value (70% total).

All of the upcoming changes to Expeditions arrive after Embark noted a somewhat disappointing reception to its first crack at the account wipe feature. Design director Virgil Watkins told PCGamesN last month that "a little over a million players" successfully cleared their accounts and suggested the studio would keep its ear to the ground going forward.

"We completely acknowledge that it isn't the most engaging thing to just go for money," he said at the time, "[and it has] the potential outcome of disincentivizing using your gear, which is kind of what people look forward to towards the end of a reset cycle. So yeah, we're looking at revisions on that."

Arc Raiders launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S October 30, 2025. Its Escalation roadmap laid out Embark’s early 2026 plans late last month, with Expedition windows planned for February and April. Headwinds kicked things off with a solo vs. squads queue option and the Bird City map condition when it arrived January 27.

Following a coordinated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack last week, the developers are still doing their best to combat ongoing reports of cheaters. For more, you can read about why we think some of the rarest Arc Raiders weapons need more tuning.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Ubisoft has reportedly canceled a multiplayer, cooperative Assassin's Creed title that has been in development at French studio Ubisoft Annecy.

This comes from a report by French publication Origami, which IGN has independently translated. According to the report, the project was codenamed "AC League", was originally conceived as a DLC for Assassin's Creed Shadows, and would have potentially taken place in the same feudal Japan era. The DLC would have involved four assassins joining forces to take on a series of scripted missions with up to four players that would have ultimately concluded the story told in the game's (canceled) Season Pass. You may have already heard of AC League if you pay close attention to Assassin's Creed gossip, as it was previously rumored last year in a report from Insider Gaming.

The project, Origami reports, was apparently fairly ambitious and was intended to serve as a baseline for future multiplayer features throughout the series, such as a return to a hybrid solo/multiplayer playstyle as existed in Assassin's Creed Unity or Black Flag (a remake of which has been rumored for some time now). However, as the AC League project progressed, directors at Ubisoft Annecy reportedly began to question whether it made sense to attach League to Shadows, as they worried it would take too long to make, and came up with a different plan that turned it into a small, standalone title borrowing pieces of the Assassin's Creed: Shadows open world. Development on this progressed with an intended invite-only alpha planned for May of 2026.

Unfortunately, AC League was allegedly just the latest victim of the ongoing upheaval at Ubisoft. For several months now, the company has been undergoing a massive restructure alongside major cost-cutting measures, canceling numerous projects, closing studios, and reorganizing its creative houses. It was to this restructuring that AC League fell victim, with leadership at Ubisoft Annecy being informed just last week that AC League was being canceled.

However, there is still a sliver of hope for the project, Origami reports. Apparently, a handful of Annecy employees have been selected to transfer the technical advancements the team made back into the company's proprietary Anvil engine, with the goal of eventually making it easier to add replayable multiplayer modes to future Assassin's Creed titles that would be less expensive to develop. Unfortunately, that leaves more than a quarter of the 270 individuals working at Annecy without a project at the moment, leaving a lot of lingering anxiety that layoffs may be coming next.

IGN has reached out to Ubisoft for comment.

Ubisoft's quarterly earnings will be reported next week, and all eyes are on the company to see if it can pull itself together amid some drastic financial times. Upon last reporting, the company had thrown out its previous fiscal year guidance for new, significantly reduced financial expectations, reflective of the fact that the company just closed two stories, laid off a lot of employees, and canceled six projects. It's also handed off its three biggest franchises to Vantage Studios, a newly-created business entity owned by Ubisoft but with a 25% stake from Tencent to help keep the lights on.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Article translation courtesy of Blythe Dujardin.

We now have our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, a new console from one of the biggest names in gaming. Alas, a new console is only as valuable as the library of games you can build on it.

Thankfully, Nintendo hasn't been shy about planned releases over the next year, which include a mix of Switch 2 exclusives, third-party releases, and the benefit of backward compatibility with any games still launching on the original Switch. Without further ado, here are all of the new Switch 2 games we can look forward to in 2026.

All Upcoming Switch 2 Games With Release Dates

PGA Tour 2K25 (February 6, 2026)

If you found Wii Sports golf to be a little too easy, here you go. PGA Tour, 2K's golf series, is coming to a Nintendo console for the first time since 2K21. Take on tournaments as your favorite pro player or build up your own character through the MyCareer mode. IGN's 8/10 review gave the game some solid praise, highlighting that "new swing mechanics, paired with the significantly improved graphics, makes for a much more realistic ambiance." Let's hope that performance holds up on the Switch 2.

Tokyo Scramble (February 11, 2026)

Tokyo has been destroyed in a massive cave-in. In the aftermath, Anne wakes up underground to find a subterranean organization filled with creatures called Zeno. If they catch you, they’ll kill you. To escape, you’ll have to focus on stealth. Announced during the February Nintendo Partner Direct, Tokyo Scramble is launching on Switch 2 pretty darn soon.

Mario Tennis Fever (February 12, 2026)*

Mario Tennis is making its return with the first new release since 2018’s Mario Tennis Aces. The sports game will continue the more recent tradition of a Story Mode alongside Tournament, Trial Towers, and Mix It Up modes, all while featuring a whopping 38 playable characters.

A new island just came to Fortnite that features a digital reimagining of Qatar’s capital city, Doha, as well as Hamad International Airport and a Qatar Airways aircraft. Called QVerse Island, it’s meant to give travelers an immersive way to experience the sights of the city and its airport. There are lots of minigames, a glimpse at some of the city’s unique architecture, and a hidden golden ticket that you can find for a chance to win a free Qatar Airways flight.

You can reach QVerse Island within Fortnite by searching for “QVerse” or using code 6020-0265-6735. When you arrive on the island, you’ll pull up to Hamad International Airport and get a look at the skyline of Doha with re-creations of its real-life skyscrapers. You’ll be greeted by Sama, Qatar Airways’ digital cabin crew member, who will give you five quests to complete.

After you’ve talked to her, you’re free to explore the city and do things in whatever order you choose. Right off the bat, you’ll see floating coins that give you 10 gold each. You can spend that gold at the airport vending machines for things like faster running speed, a jetpack that lets you double jump, or consumable items. You can also look for a hidden door that takes you inside the Business Class cabin of a Qatar Airways aircraft, where you’ll join other Fortnite characters as passengers.

Once you exit the airport and make your way to the street, you’ll see you can summon a car with one button press, making traversal of the city quick and easy. Your HUD will have icons for the island’s biggest attractions, which is also where you can complete the quests Sama gave you. These are some of real-life Qatar’s most recognizable landmarks, like the National Museum of Qatar, West Bay, Katara Towers, and The Pearl Island. And QVerse Island has a persistent day/night cycle, so you can watch the sunset around these locations and see the whole city light up at night.

Each location has a minigame associated with it. At the National Museum of Qatar, you’re given a scavenger hunt to find five lost artifacts that lie scattered around the city. At West Bay, you can use your summoned car to complete a time trial race. At Katara Towers, you’ll need to cross between the towers, high in the air, while a rotating bar tries to knock you off. And at The Pearl Island, you can take on a parkour obstacle course that runs across the rooftops of the city.

While you’re exploring, you’ll notice a timer counting down to the next departure. Once the countdown finishes, you’ll be transported to a multiplayer minigame with other people currently on the island. There are four minigames in all: Wild Wheels Safari, Neon City Drop, Jumpus Maximus, and Home Run Rush. For all four, the last person standing wins.

In Wild Wheels Safari, you drive cars around a desert arena while floor tiles gradually fall away. If you fall into a hole, you’re eliminated. Neon City Drop is a similar concept, but you’re on foot and the floor is made up of brightly colored panels that fall away over time. Jumpus Maximus puts you on a giant spinning wheel in the air while rotating bars of different heights try to knock you off. And Home Run Rush gives everyone a superpowered baseball bat that can launch other players out of the stadium.

In between all the fun and games, you can explore QVerse Island to find the golden ticket. You’ll get an on-screen alert letting you know in what area of the map it just spawned, and then it’s up to you to find it. It only stays in one place for a few minutes, so you need to hurry before it moves again.

Once you find it, take a screenshot of your in-game character with it. Then post that photo to Instagram, Facebook, or X/Twitter with the hashtag #FlyWithQR, follow Qatar Airways on Instagram, and you’ll be entered in a drawing. A winning entry will be randomly selected, and that person will win a Qatar Airways flight ticket. There will be a new drawing each week and the contest will run for 10 weeks. If you don’t win one week, you can try again the next.

QVerse Island is available to explore now, and between February 7–20, gaming content creators around the world will join in on the fun, too. So be sure to check that out. Who knows who you’ll get to face off against in all those minigames? To keep up with the latest news and updates from Qatar Airways, you can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or X/Twitter.

A new report has shed light on Microsoft’s Xbox plans for 2026, while confirming one unannounced game is still in the works.

As Microsoft announced last month, Playground's Forza Horizon 6 is out in May. The Verge said Halo: Campaign Evolved is tentatively targeting a release in the summer. Gears of War: E-Day, meanwhile, is set for the second half of the year. Playground's Fable, as we know, is due out in the fall. Microsoft reportedly wants both Gears of War: E-Day and Fable to avoid GTA 6’s gargantuan November launch.

According to the report, the Fallout 3 remaster fans are desperate to see announced is still in “active development,” three years after it appeared in FTC documents as part of Microsoft’s bid to buy Activision Blizzard. The Verge said Bethesda is keen to ensure the game is polished enough to enjoy a successful launch similar to last year’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which Bethesda chief Todd Howard recently told IGN he was "really, really pleased" with.

Amazon's Fallout TV show countdown turned out not to be Fallout 3 or Fallout: New Vegas Remastered, so news that the Fallout 3 release is still happening will be of some comfort to fans. The Verge did not provide an update on the potential Fallout: New Vegas remaster.

Bethesda's space RPG Starfield, meanwhile, is reportedly set for new content soon, and it looks like we’ll hear about the heavily rumored PlayStation 5 version soon, too. Double Fine's recently revealed Kiln is reportedly out in April.

In terms of hardware, The Verge said Microsoft will release a new Xbox controller this year. It will reportedly include Wi-Fi connectivity to reduce Xbox Cloud Gaming latency. There's no suggestion Microsoft will release its next-gen Xbox this year, which tallies with recent comments from the boss of AMD. However, The Verge expressed hope that Microsoft will talk more about its next-gen console plans later this year.

Last month, Microsoft held an Xbox Developer Direct Showcase where it revealed new information and gameplay on everything from Forza Horizon 6 to Fable. Check out everything announced here.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Bethesda has trumpeted the news that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be squeezed onto a proper Switch 2 Game Card for its physical release — though other titles coming to the console will just be codes in a box.

During today's Partner Direct broadcast focusing on upcoming games coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Bethesda boss Todd Howard briefly appeared to welcome a swathe of games coming to Nintendo's newest console.

In a press release sent to IGN following the broadcast, Bethesda has now detailed its launch plans further, and announced on social media that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would get a full-fat cartridge launch, rather than on one of Nintendo's widely-disliked Game-Key Cards.

And yes, the game is on Game Card.#IndianaJones https://t.co/jJ0cTDKLLL

— Bethesda (@bethesda) February 5, 2026

Bethesda's social post has received a string of praise, with many fans wondering how the game has been made to fit onto a Switch 2 cartridge. "Wow, totally unexpected," wrote Digital Foundry veteran and game preservation fan John Linneman in response.

Late last year, one Switch 2 developer initially suggested that Nintendo was preparing to make more sizes of Game Cartridge available for manufacturers to ship titles on, rather than relying on Game-Key cards. However, the developer then scrubbed most of this information from the internet, and implied it was unable to announce anything that Nintendo itself had not confirmed officially.

Bethesda's other three titles getting physical launches on Switch 2 this year will not be on Game Cartridges, or even Game-Key cards. Instead, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition will all have physical editions that are "code-in-a-box," Bethesda has said. Of course, all of these games will be available via digital download too, via the Switch 2's eShop.

As announced (and leaked) earlier today, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch digitally and physically on May 12. The game's DLC, The Order of Giants, will also be available download separately on that date.

Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition launches digitally on February 24 and physically on April 28. Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available digitally already, and will come in a box on April 28. Finally, Oblivion Remastered has a vague "2026" launch window for now.

For much more, here's everything else announced in today's Nintendo Partner Direct.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Odds are, if Mouse: P.I. for Hire caught your eye, it's because of its unique, hand-drawn, black-and-white 1930s-era "rubber hose" animation style. But it's aiming to be a lot more than just a pretty face. We played Mouse last year – and we'll be doing so again as part of this month's exclusive IGN First coverage – but today we're taking a deeper dive into its wild cartoon arsenal and its boomer shooter-inspired combat.

The developers at Fumi Games told us, "The core combat gameplay revolves around an 'Always Be Moving' approach, encouraging players to stay constantly on the move to survive." Complicating that will be environmental hazards, like freeze, turpentine, fire, and explosive barrels that can either be used against you or used by you. But ammo and health are scattered about, encouraging further exploration of the environment. And you won't be a tank; just a few hits can put hero Jack Pepper in a serious world of hurt.

Meanwhile, an assortment of core abilities and unlockable ones will help you Always Be Moving, such as a slide, dash, double jump, pipe crawl, kick, wall run, and wall climb – along with your multipurpose tail that, over the course of the campaign, can be used for lockpicking, helicoptering, and as a grappling hook.

Power-ups, too, will spice up the moment-to-moment gameplay, like Spinach (think: Popeye), Coffee (activates Cuphead-like finger guns that shoot rapidly), Chili Peppers (damage bonus + rate of fire bonus + fire damage), and Cheese (health powerup that can be activated anytime you want).

But let's get to the stars of the combat show: the weapons (See a bunch of them in the gif gallery above). There are a whopping eleven of them, starting with your fists if you run out of ammo – but you'll probably never use them if given any other choice. Moving up from there, the Micer pistol is what you'd expect, though it does have a burst-shot alt-fire. Your Boomstick, meanwhile, packs a short-range punch – with a hold charge/pump fire as an alt.

Things get more interesting and unique with the Devarnisher, which melts the skin off your foes, Roger Rabbit-style, courtesy of the balls of turpentine it fires. Its alt-fire is a larger blob that explodes to affect more enemies. The James Gun is a Tommy gun that stops enemies from attacking and has a spray fire for an alt.

The Kiss Kiss is a double-barrelled shotgun that adds fire damage thanks to its exploding shells. The alt fire on this one is a larger, area-of-effect explosion. The Loose Cannon, meanwhile, really leans into Mouse's cartoon framework; it's a literal cannon like you'd find on a pirate ship that has knockback effects as well as doing big damage. In alt-fire mode it launches a charged-up burst shot. The Jar Head, on the other hand, fires waves of psionic power that stun and eventually kill enemies – and it carries an AoE. Its beam-attack alt is particularly potent if you aim at the opponent's head.

The last of the arsenal starts with the Portable Freezer, firing a cold beam that slows and eventually freezes foes in their tracks, allowing you to shatter them. The alt-fire spits speedy snowballs. I'm eager to try the Hellrazor, a chainsaw that pummels enemies with fire damage if they get hit with the wave. Its alt-fire is a traditional chainsaw that you do not want to be caught on the business end of.

And finally, the D-namite can take out certain walls and floors in addition to blasting the bad guys to bits. All told, I'm eager to try out all of these toys. Circle March 19 on your calendar, as that's when Mouse: P.I. for Hire will be released on PC, PlayStation platforms, Xbox platforms, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our semi-retired interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

Square Enix is planning to "share more updates than ever before" on its Final Fantasy 7 Remake project this year, according to game director Naoki Hamaguchi.

This comes from a tweet posted by Hamaguchi following today's Nintendo Switch Partner Direct, during which Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth received a June release date for Switch 2 and Xbox consoles. The post, which Hamaguchi wrote in both Japanese and English, reads as follows:

"We’ve announced that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will launch on June 3.

"With the addition of Switch 2 and Xbox, the game will be released as a full multi‑platform title.

"This year, we plan to share more updates on the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake Project than ever before.

"We look forward to celebrating together with even more players around the world."

We’ve announced that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will launch on June 3.
With the addition of Switch 2 and Xbox, the game will be released as a full multi‑platform title.
This year, we plan to share more updates on the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake Project than ever before.
We look… https://t.co/GFImeiPiC7 pic.twitter.com/f0TaiDHlhJ

— 浜口直樹 /FFVII REBIRTH launches on Switch2&Xbox Jun 3 (@nhamaguc) February 5, 2026

This is exciting news for Remake fans, who have been on the edge of their seats for the last few years, waiting for news of the third game in the trilogy, which we have yet to see at all. Though Hamaguchi didn't outright say it, this feels like a tease for a reveal this year. Rebirth left the story on one heck of a cliffhanger, with players left doubting whether the game's most famous twist really took place or not. The third game has a lot of work to do to land the plot plane set up by Remake and Rebirth, and it will be interesting to see how Square Enix does it. Fans have already been speculating as to what Part 3 will be called, following the "Remake" and "Rebirth" titles as well as "Reunion" on the recent Crisis Core remake. Popular suggestions include Reincarnation, Revival, Reawakening, Redemption, and Return.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake first launched in 2020. At the time we gave it an 8/10, saying that it "breathes exciting new life into a classic while standing as a great RPG all its own." The game was originally a PS4 exclusive, but came to PS5 in its fancy DLC-filled form with Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, later to PC and Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 as well just last month.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was also excellent, with us giving it a 9/10 and saying it "impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion, both as a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenges and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long."

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Today's Nintendo Switch Partner Direct has revealed a new exclusive for Switch 2 — bizarre-looking dinosaur survival game Tokyo Scramble.

While a trailer shown during the Partner Direct focused on tension, and the fact that protagonist Anne has to rely on setting traps for survival, a subsequent video posted by Binary Haze takes a more light-hearted approach.

In a montage of scenes we see a dinosaur (officially here called a "Zino") getting stuck going the wrong way up an escalator, as Anne makes a quip about its daily steps. Further clips show dinosaurs getting pelted with beach balls, repeatedly flattened and set on fire by various objects, electrocuted by a tripwire, rammed by a minecart and yanked off by a robot arm. Honestly, it's enough to make you feel sorry for them.

As well as hairy velociraptors, other Zino species include one that looks like a vampire bat, and another hairy creature that looks a cross between a dragon and that thing from The Neverending Story.

"A life-or-death struggle begins deep below Tokyo, where clear thinking and split-second decisions could make all the difference," reads an official blurb. "You play as Anne, a survivor who finds herself in a network of subterranean caverns overrun by Zino – mysterious creatures that resemble dinosaurs. Use stealth, strategy, quick thinking and unwavering determination to escape the prehistoric world alive."

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the game is your ability to share control with up to three other players across Switch and Switch 2 consoles via GameShare. Here, control of Anne's movement, actions, abilities and even the game's camera can be portioned out to a group.

Tokyo Scramble launches exclusively for Switch 2 on February 11 via the Nintendo eShop. For much more, here's everything announced in today's Nintendo Partner Direct.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Fans of 2023's Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, got a delightful surprise this morning during the Nintendo Partner Direct, with the reveal of a surprise sequel coming to Nintendo Switch. It's called Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse, and it's coming out in just two weeks, on February 19.

The Mermaid's Curse follows a young pearl diver named Yuza who one day, while working, sees a ghostly version of himself. This sets off a chain of other strange incidents: corpses washing up, a girl with no memories, and townsfolks with ulterior motives. As Yuza, you'll question people around the island to try and find out what's going on, while also diving into the waters of the bay for clues. All of it has ties somehow to a centuries-old legend of a mermaid, and true to form, it all seems kind of creepy!

The original Paranormasight debuted in 2023 on Switch, PC, and mobile. While thematically similar, it told a different mystery story with different characters, and it's unclear if there will be narrative times between The Seven Mysteries of Honjo and The Mermaid's Curse. The first Paranormasight was well-received, and currently stands at an 85 critic score and 8.9 user score on Metacritic. We're still waiting to hear if the new game will come to other platforms, but given the mobile and PC releases of The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, it seems like a reasonable expectation.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Nintendo Direct right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Sony has finally announced Guerrilla’s Horizon live service multiplayer game, Horizon Hunters Gathering. It’s due out for PlayStation 5 and PC.

A “small-scale” closed playtest is due at the end of February, which you can sign up for via the PlayStation Beta Program. Expect crossplay and cross-progression. There's no release date yet, nor is there word on whether it's free-to-play or a premium game. The debut trailer, which includes gameplay, is below.

As you can see from the trailer and screenshots, Horizon Hunters Gathering has a cartooney art style, which is in contrast to the photrealistic visuals of the mainline Horizon series. Clearly, Sony and Guerrilla are trying to create a more lighthearted experience with Hunters Gathering, with the Zero Dawn and Forbidden West more serious offerings. There are strong Monster Hunter vibes, too.

In a post on the PlayStation Blog, game director Arjan Bak said that in Horizon Hunters Gathering, you fight deadly machines in tactical three-player co-op action and adapt your Hunter for intense missions.

"Combat is tactical, reactive, and deeply skill-based, building on the tactical precision of the Horizon games while embracing the dynamics of team play," Bak said. "The foundation of Horizon Hunters Gathering centers around challenging and replayable hunts."

Bak confirmed two game modes: Machine Incursion, which is described as "a high-intensity mission" where waves of machines pour out from underground gateways, led by a "formidable boss"; and Cauldron Descent, a longer, multi-stage trial in which "ever-changing rooms push Hunters to their limits, from brutal machine encounters to hidden doors that promise power and reward for teams prepared to open them." Both modes wil be available in the upcoming closed playtest.

There's a roster of Hunters to play as, each with distinct melee or ranged playstyles and weapons. Bak said there's also a rogue-lite perk system to craft the build you want. Story wise, there's a narrative campaign "which will introduce new mysteries, characters, and threats, but we’re keeping it under wraps for now," Bak said. "What we can say is that Hunters Gathering is fully canon and its story doesn’t stop at launch!"

The social hub is the name of the game: Hunters Gathering. It's "a vibrant social hub where players can connect, prepare, and celebrate victories together. Here, you can customize your Hunters, visit vendors, upgrade gear, and team up for your next adventure."

Horizon Hunters Gathering isn't the only multiplayer game set in the Horizon universe. Bizarrely, NCSoft and Sony are working on Horizon Steel Frontiers, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game designed for mobile devices, but also playable on PC. NCSoft is said to be working closely with Guerrilla to craft the world, but this is very much an NCSoft-developed game. Horizon 3, meanwhile, was in late 2024 described as being "a ways off." Sony is said to be aiming to start filming its live-action Horizon Zero Dawn movie this year, with a release at some point in 2027.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Listen, I’m always going to have a Leon-sized hole that needs filling and from playing his portions in the latest Resident Evil 9 Requiem demo, I’m pretty sure I’ll be taken care of (for the year, at least). The roundhouse kicks, the corny one liners, and the brutal blood-splattering finishers – things I loved from the recent Resident Evil 4 remake round out what’s otherwise a terrifying survival horror experience. And the crux of that survival horror is stealth and having the proper mechanics in place to make that tension tangible. So, not only does Grace’s side of Requiem evoke a petrifying sense of dread atop the classic puzzle-solving of the series, it’s also a fantastic expression of the kind of stealth-action gameplay I’ve been wanting for a while.

Our previous Resident Evil 9 Requiem preview by my colleague Dale Driver touched on plenty of sentiments I share; most notable for me being the refreshing balance between the drastically different playstyles of Grace and Leon as dual protagonists. Grace being timid and having to rely on moving slowly and carefully, contrasting with Leon being the action hero who blasts through every zombie. But it’s the Grace sections where Capcom is doing something really special with stealth gameplay that feels natural and forward-thinking.

Capcom has made a big deal out of zombie behavior where their presumed personalities as humans feed into how they move and react in the game world as zombies. One example being the zombie fixated on light switches in a dark hallway you have to pass through as Grace – instead of taking him head-on with your limited resources, you can slip by and hit a light switch down the hall to distract him to clear the path to the other end. While this isn’t a complicated situation on its own, it’s a microcosm of how Requiem is challenging you as Grace, where observation and environment are just as important as staying out of sight. The game doesn’t outright tell you this, so thinking outside the box can lead to more elegant solutions.

This notion of watching out for zombie behavior is flipped around at times, too. Like when walking through the dining room where zombies are just feasting on the dead bodies on the table, not giving a damn about your presence and leaving you alone. I wasn’t sure if they’d react to me poking around picking up items, yet I still treaded carefully and let them do their thing. Naturally figuring out how these enemies respond to you and their surroundings is a fascinating way to give variety to navigating the labyrinthine halls, and a touch of detail that isn’t often seen.

What’s more frightening is the butcher who roams the kitchen. Early in the preview, you have to slip through by pushing a cart to clear the path across the kitchen, and you have to do this undetected, which requires you to pay attention to his patrol pattern. It’s simple enough, and making a mistake means he’ll chase you down and show you how terrifying he is; one hit and you’re dead. But later in the playthrough where you have to revisit that general area, he begins patrolling the hallways around the kitchen, and here, his presence is truly felt. Hearing his footsteps set off alarms in my brain that he began lurking, and the tension that created changed how I navigated an area I already mapped out.

I would duck and peek out from adjacent rooms to see if he was coming, and make a mad dash to where I needed to go hoping for the best and not looking back. One time, I was peeking from the parlor room thinking I was out of sight, but the butcher caught me peeking just a little too confidently and pulled up on me – I now had this cat-and-mouse chase, luring him in one direction before juking him to get out of the room.

Probably the biggest comedy of errors during my playtime came from dashing to the cold storage room where my next objective was. I had a straight shot from, like, three hallways down and I risked it all by booking it and letting fate take the wheel. Just as I got to the last stretch, there was the butcher turning the corner and ending up right in front of me along his new patrol pattern. I backpedaled in a panic, pumped my one remaining shot from the superpowered Requiem pistol and the rest of my 9mm rounds, but it wasn’t enough; so I just took the L and reloaded my save.

The first time I got hit with a jump scare was when Chunk burst out into a hallway after I picked up a quest item. It began chasing me and it was easy enough to run to a room for safety since it couldn’t get through normal-sized door frames. But the rest of the surrounding hallways were fair game. And like many Resident Evils with puzzles, backtracking to this area later on filled me with dread. Thankfully, Chunk wasn’t as overbearing, but it’d more frequently completely block certain paths, forcing me to either take the long way around or wait things out until the coast was clear. But on my first attempt, I wasn’t exactly sure what its behavior pattern would be. And that’s a key part of making stealth gameplay interesting and horror work well – it’s that unpredictable nature of hostility.

These stalker-type enemies aren’t meant to be killed (as Grace, at least), and they’re also not quite like the persistent threats of Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 or Nemesis in Resident Evil 3. Each one seems to play different roles and present a different kind of dread throughout Requiem, which I suspect will lead to more variation. Even thinking back to the very first Requiem preview I played last year with the monstrous patient roaming the halls of the patient wing in Grace’s opening section, that was closer to a specifically scripted sequence. But it was a much more close-quarters stealth challenge where the windows of opportunity to escape were tighter. So, already, that’s three unique enemies playing into a horror experience in their own ways.

Requiem being primarily a survival horror game means it’s going to be a bit outside of what I traditionally expect from stealth-action games; or rather the stealth mechanics you see in so many action games. Hiding in tall grass, waiting for enemies to turn their backs, and getting a one-hit kill undetected is a tired trope at this point. Grace does get craftable single-use items for stealth kills, and I hope we’re challenged by limiting quantities so we have to really consider when to use them. But even then, Requiem doesn’t just deal in patrol patterns or throwing an object to cause a distraction, it also deals in vulnerability and the fear of unpredictability for Grace’s chapters. It’s not just the fear of getting detected, but the consequences that come with it.

Grace's portion of Requiem was about an hour-and-a-half to two hours of playtime. And after that, I was pretty exhausted from the tension. Don’t get me wrong, I was exhausted in a good way. However, that’s what makes the interstitial Leon sections so important. They’re a reprieve and an outlet to get all that stress out, a palette cleanser to balance things out and look at some of the same environments from a different perspective. This also offers a sort of best-of-both-worlds for the series, the slow and deliberate pacing of Resident Evil 7 alongside the top-tier action from Resident Evil 4, as examples.

After getting hands-on with a total of about four hours of Resident Evil 9 Requiem at this point, and sharing that experience with colleagues, I’m more excited for the series than I have been in recent memory. It’s the old mixed with the new, but all in a modern package with two protagonists I already like a lot. No shade to RE7 and RE Village, but Ethan Winters doesn’t compare to Grace, and definitely not my guy Leon. And with a thoughtful mix of action and stealth gameplay, February 27 can’t come soon enough when Resident Evil 9 Requiem hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Wait, Leon Kennedy is in Resident Evil: Requiem? Yeah, okay, we've known that for a bit now, perhaps longer than Capcom wanted us too. But what is news today is that the long-rumored Leon S. Kennedy amiibo is real, and coming alongside the previously announced Grace Ashcroft amiibo this summer.

This was announced during today's Nintendo Partner Direct, which showed a trailer for Reqiuem mostly containing footage and news we've seen already. We knew about the February 27 release date, the Gold Editions of Resident Evils 7 and 8 releasing alongside it, and the special Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. We'd also already heard about the Grace Ashcroft amiibo before.

But we didn't actually know about Leon. He was, uh, strongly suspected, even before we officially knew he was going to be in the game, something Capcom tried to keep hidden way longer than was necessary. Since his official reveal at The Game Awards, we've seen a sudden surge of love for the classic protagonist, with fans referring to him as a "Hot Uncle" and comparing him to Keanu Reaves. He's set to be getting a roughly equal amount of screentime to fellow protagonist Grace, so it only makes sense they'd both get amiibos.

We've seen a lot of Reqiuem on multiple platforms in the lead-up to its February release. Most recently, we previewed it on the Nintendo Switch 2 at a Nintendo event, and our previewer said that "I was so terrified by being relentlessly stalked by this monster that any concerns I had about the version I was playing instantly melted away." We also recently learned that speculation the game would be open world was "dead wrong" according to the game's direct.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Nintendo Partner Direct right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

During today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation, Square Enix made an exciting appearance to show off Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, which will be joining its predecessor Remake and catching Switch players up on the story at last on June 3, 2026. We also learned via the Xbox Store that the game will hit Xbox consoles simultaneously.

We have known the entire FF7R saga would be on Nintendo platforms at some point. It was just a matter of time. Rebirth's appearance will effectively catch players on Nintendo platforms up with the story so far, just in time for what we hope will be the announcement and release of the third and final part of this saga.

Pre-orders for Rebirth on the eshop begin today, and there are various digital bonuses available for those who take advantage of that.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake first launched in 2020 to insanely high expectations...and yet delivered anyway. We gave it an 8/10, saying that it "breathes exciting new life into a classic while standing as a great RPG all its own." The game was originally a PS4 exclusive, but came to PS5 with Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, and later to PC and Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 as well just recently.

We similarly loved Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, giving it a 9/10 and saying it "impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion, both as a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenges and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long."

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales has reappeared at today's Nintendo Partner Direct with a proper release date of June 18, 2026.

Today's trailer highlighted four different "ages" that the main character, Elliot, will visit over the course of the game: The Age of Safekeeping, Reconstruction, Magic, and Budding. As he visits these ages, Elliot will see the scenery and people living in his hometown change, and he'll collect items and magic unique to each time period.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales was first announced last July at a Nintendo Partner Direct. And though we've had a free demo available already, this is Elliot's first real emergence since the initial announcement.

The Adventures of Elliot is Square Enix's first attempt to translate its HD-2D style into a more action-focused game than a turn-based RPG. Rather than a part of heroes, Elliot can use different weapon types that will play differently and can be advantageous or disadvantageous against different foes. His fairy companion, Faie, can also either attack enemies herself or be controlled by a second player in a co-op mode.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Nintendo Partner Direct right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

I may have only played the opening couple of hours of Planet of Lana 2, but I lost count of the number of ways it reminded me of Star Wars. From just a single glance at one of its many gorgeous landscapes, you can see in the geography and architecture what look like Studio Ghibli interpretations of Ralph McQuarrie’s original sketches for Lucasfilm’s immortal sci-fi series. Peek within that frame and you’ll see rickety sci-fi vehicles and clunking robots that wouldn’t be out of place on the streets of Mos Eisley. Lend your ear to that scene, and the whirring sounds of those same droids and digitised radio chatter of enemy guards could easily be coming from R2-D2 and Stormtroopers, respectively. All of these aspects add up to something that is far more than referential, though, instead shaping a confident, expansive puzzle platformer sequel of its own original design.

One of the first things that hits you when booting up Planet of Lana 2 is the music. Again, the soaring of its strings and the twinkle of its brass conjure up strong images of a galaxy far, far away. But, this time, it shouldn’t come as a surprise — the sequel's score is once again composed by Star Wars: The Clone Wars orchestrator, Takeshi Furukawa. Incidentally, he’s also behind the music of The Last Guardian, a game that greatly inspired Wishfully, the small Swedish developer behind Planet of Lana 2. It carries on that same “child on a dangerous, yet wondrous adventure with a fantasy animal companion” legacy, this time with a darker tone as shades of Limbo and Inside come to the fore.

The 2.5D stealth-puzzle-platforming takes place on a bigger canvas compared to its 2023 predecessor. Two years after the events of that game, protagonist Lana has settled back into family life on the planet of Novo, though clearly mystery and intrigue still remain, both on its surface and bubbling below it. After a short tutorial section investigating the corpse of the hulking spaceship that brought her people to this new land, Lana’s sister is taken ill, and you’re promptly sent on a mission to hunt down rare ingredients for a remedy. This journey takes Lana to new regions of the world, which gives Wishfully’s art team new scope to stretch their creative muscles, but also presents welcome new ideas when it comes to puzzle design.

A now older, more confident Lana is more agile than before, able to slide under low-hanging metal for quick escapes and even dive into the ocean to solve whatever conundrums its depths are hiding. Lighter on her feet this time around, she’s practically a backflip and a handstand away from moving more like a Lara than a Lana. Whether clambering through caverns or broaching darkened mine shafts, platforming is more about patience and precision than speed and reflexes. The sequel’s expanded vision also extends to the framing of its puzzles, with larger areas demanding further exploration of the scene – you must look for helpful items in areas high above and further off-screen than you might expect.

That said, many of the challenges I faced through this two-hour demonstration were largely the sort of combat-avoidant stealth sequences that reward patience – as in, you must remain motionless while waiting for obstacles to morph into the required shape, or for enemies to turn the other way, creating a safe passage through. I would never say this becomes tedious, but for those who prefer a bit more zip and thrust to their action, here's a heads up that I wouldn’t necessarily expect that here. To those who didn’t play the original Planet of Lana, it’s much closer to a Little Nightmares than it is to a Metroid in its level design and enemy encounters. But similar to Samus’ space adventures, there’s a great sense of tactility to every heavy lever pull, as heavy machinery and hulking robots lurch and creak inside a mountain facility, dwarfing Lana and her even smaller, spherical companion, Mui.

This little ball of charm provides a furry edge to many of Planet of Lana 2's puzzles, with their newly increased ability set adding welcome extra variety to the mix alongside their existing skillset. I particularly enjoyed further explorations of Mui’s somewhat telepathic ability to control creatures around the world of Novo. For example, fish can be sent to zip around and deploy clouds of ink that masks the vision of larger-finned foes, and sticky balls of blob can create trails of sludge that transform into paths of fire to remove flammable obstructions. These fuse-like puzzles, which task you with examining the level geography as you trace its edges to reach your goal, were some of my favourites in this preview demo.

Although I’ve only seen around a third of the game, even at this early stage, I am wary that some mechanics are already on the edge of being used one too many times, threatening to turn some brainteasers into busywork. But, largely on the whole, the puzzles have proven fun and fair, compelling me to pause and think, but never to the detriment of the momentum of the story. It fits the urgency of the tale being told, with many mysteries lurking in the background. It's this intrigue that drove me through these early hours on the path to discovery, as well as the distinct sense of adventure as you hop around this thoroughly alien planet, painted with beautiful art and soundtracked by a sensational score.

Much like Star Wars does with its flashy lightsaber duels and thrilling space battles, Planet of Lana never forgets to put character front and centre, even in its puzzles. Reassuring nods and moments of murmur in an alien tongue help solidify the bond between Lana and her furry friend, all while keeping the story of their adventure foremost in mind. And, just like The Empire Strikes Back, Planet of Lana 2 teases in these early hours that it’s certainly not afraid to enter darker territory on a grander scale, whilst leaving plenty of time for those smaller moments. It’s all very promising, and a reassuring sign that the heart of its short and sweet predecessor is being carried over into this expanded, more ambitious sequel on March 5th.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

Pearl Abyss has dropped another exciting features overview video for Crimson Desert, offering a better look at how combat will work as you "learn what it means to fight like a Greymane," unlocking skills, upgrading equipment, facing the threats of Pywel, and "grow into a formidable fighter."

The 10-minute trailer is packed with new details and insights, and focuses specifically on combat and progression, including how you can parry and counter attacks and upgrade your weapons.

Confirmation that dual-wielding is still coming is particularly exciting; as some of the overwhelmingly positive comments on the Crimson Desert subreddit explain, we've seen very little of the ability up until now.

Oh, and there's also a peek at how you can travel around Pywel, including by bear. No, that's not a typo — you ride a massive bear.

"My last bits of apprehension for this game have disappeared because of this," commented one happy fan. Another simply said: "March 19th cannot come soon enough."

"This game just gets better and better with every video. It is so impressive," added another impressed fan, while someone on YouTube wrote: "I honestly can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a game. Everything shown so far looks incredible, and I truly hope it delivers a deep, immersive adventure. I’m really looking forward to getting lost in this world and experiencing something special."

"It's not crazy to say that I'm more interested for this game's release than GTA 6," joked another impressed fan.

There's one more final features overview video still to come, but Pearl Abyss didn't reveal when just yet.

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel. Discover adventure, uncover wonders, and experience thrilling action as you witness the saga surrounding Kliff, leader of the Greymanes, whose mission takes him on an incredible journey. It's set to release on March 19 2026, for PC and Mac, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. For more, check out our thoughts about whether Crimson Desert is promising too much.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

The February 2026 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase has come and gone after revealing three Bethesda games for Switch 2, an upgrade for Hollow Knight fans, and more.

The presentation was previously said to bring 30 minutes of Switch and Switch 2 announcements from Nintendo’s third-party partners, and it did just that. Highlights include a Switch 2 upgrade for the original Hollow Knight, a release date for the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and more Resident Evil Requiem. Plus, Bethesda fans with Nintendo’s latest hybrid console now know to look forward to ports for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Fallout 4, and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.

Fans didn’t see everything they were hoping for (we’re looking at you, The Duskbloods), but the show did still manage to pack in tons of announcements. We gathered all of the biggest reveals, so be sure to check out everything announced at the new Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase below.

Old School Anime-Inspired Co-op Game Orbitals Narrows Nintendo Switch 2 Release Window

Help Maki and Omura save their home! Use your wits in this 2-player co-op adventure to overcome the odds in a retro anime-inspired galaxy. @OrbitalsGame is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 this summer! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/uFClReKRVI

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Orbitals has captured the attention of anime and gaming fans since it was first announced, and now, developer Shapefarm is confirming plans to launch for Switch 2 this summer.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse Scares Up February Release Date for Nintendo Switch

Players will follow Yuza Minakuchi, a pearl diver who uncovers a spooky version of himself underwater, when the latest Paranormasight comes to Switch later this month. Pre-orders ahead of its February 19 release date are available today.

Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters Gameplay Kicks Up Switch Launch With Stylish Soccer Gameplay

Anime action met tense soccer gameplay in a brief look at Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter shown during today’s Nintendo Direct. Expect to see Bandai Namco bring it to Switch sometime later this year.

Tokyo Scramble Delivers Underground Dino Horror With Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date

Tokyo Scramble will drop players (and their friends) into a subterranean dinosaur nightmare when Tokyo Scramble launches exclusively for Switch 2 nextg week, February 11. Its creatures, called Zino, can kill players instantely, so as today's gameplay shows, quick thinking and strategy are necessary for survival.

Valheim Brings Survival Gameplay to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026

Gather your friends, sharpen your axe, and set sail on your very own Viking adventure! @Valheimgame arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 this year. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/acO1rMOCcg

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Popular Viking survival game Valheim is officially coming to Switch 2. First released in 2021, developer Iron Gate will bring its online building-and-crafting game to Switch 2 sometime later this year.

Hollow Knight Upgrade Shadow Dropped for Nintendo Switch 2

Forge your own path!

Experience higher resolution, improved frame rates, additional effects, and more in Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition from @TeamCherryGames today. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/f5Aoao1TuH

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Everyone’s favorite bug warrior is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with an upgrade that’s free for owners of the original – and it’s out today. It’s a surprise update for Team Cherry’s original hit Metroidvania that follows last year’s massively successful Hollow Knight: Silksong, adding in improved framerates and enhanced visuals.

eFootball Kick-Off! Scores Summer Switch 2 Launch

Get ready to conquer the world in @play_eFootball!

Take to the field and build your dream soccer club in “World Tour” mode, or chase glory in “International Cup” mode.

eFootball Kick-Off! arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 this summer! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/zPKvvwTTIB

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Real-world soccer is coming to Switch 2 with eFootball Kick-Off!. A short gameplay trailer revealed a sneak peek at how Konami’s football game looks on the Nintendo console ahead of its launch sometime this summer.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Takes Players on a Trip Through Time This June

Square Enix is bringing its time-hopping adventure, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, to Switch 2. A gameplay trailer for the HD-2D journey promised a release date of June 18, 2026.

Super Bomberman Collection Explodes Onto Switch Consoles

It’s all the Bomberman you could ever ask for. Konami announced that its bundle of Bomberman classics, titled Super Bomberman Collection, is out for players on Switch and Switch 2. It’s a shadow-drop that unleashes the digital version today, with a physical release planned for August 2026.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Confirmed

The fate of the planet is in your hands.@FinalFantasyVII Rebirth is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on June 3! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/UG976uv15H

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Hot off the heels of the launch of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade for Nintendo fans, Square Enix made a surprise appearance during today’s Nintendo Direct to confirm that its sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is coming to Switch 2. It has a release date, too, with the publisher telling fans they’ll be able to continue Cloud and Sephiroth’s story June 3, 2026.

Pragmata Release Date Set for April

Capcom’s all-new science fiction action adventure with a unique hacking twist, @PRAGMATAgame, is coming April 24 to Nintendo Switch 2! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/iIEEGy5510

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Capcom's Pragmata isn't Mega-Man, but it is coming to Switch 2 April 24, 2026. It's a release date that puts the puzzle action game out in a few months, with a demo out later today for those who just can't wait to see what it's like.

Turok Origins Announced for Switch 2 With Fall 2026 Release Window

The legend of Turok returns!

Hunt down prehistoric beasts and fight an alien threat across the Lost Lands in @Turokorigins, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this fall. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/L4CQe8du0y

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Saber Interactive is mixing dinosaurs and aliens with Turok Origins on Switch 2. Highlights from its gameplay trailer showed off third- and first-person gameplay, co-op support, and a release window of fall 2026.

Kyoto Xanadu Transports Players to an Alternate Reality This Summer

Dive deep beneath Kyoto to defeat the monsters and mysteries awaiting in Xanadu.

Kyoto Xanadu, a brand-new action RPG from @nihonfalcom, is coming this summer on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/gDVr0wrU1g

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Nihon Falcom’s Kyoto Xanadu mixes 2D and 3D action with social gameplay, and it’s coming to Switch and Switch 2 this summer.

“Set in an alternate reality where Kyoto is the capital of Japan,” an official description says, “Kyoto Xanadu players take on monsters and mysteries coming from the great labyrinth known as Xanadu. As a student, players will challenge the labyrinth and grow through their battles within Xanadu while also deepening bonds with various people during your daily life.”

Digimon Story Time Stranger Materializes on Switch and Switch 2 in July

Players will engage with the digital world once again when Digimon Story Time Stranger comes to Switch and Switch 2 July 10, 2026. Both consoles get physical and digital versions of the Bandai Namco release, with Switch 2 players also able to choose their preferred graphics mode. Pre-orders are available today.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Launches for Nintendo Switch 2 in July

Cygames is bringing stunning action RPG gameplay to Switch 2 July 9, 2026. Gameplay for the project highlighted some of the massive beasts fans will fight with and against, with local and online co-op also available for those looking to team up with friends.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Lands March Release Date

Capcom is bringing Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection to Switch 2 with a March 13, 2026, release date. A demo is available now, with players able to carry over their save data to the full game once they purchase it next month.

Arcade and Console Archives Revisit Classics in 2026

Get ready for classic gaming at home! A brand-new series, Console Archives from @HAMSTER_Corp, starts today.

The first two titles, Cool Boarders and NINJA GAIDEN II: THE DARK SWORD OF CHAOS, are available now with more games coming later this year. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/edofHoC0RX

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Console Archives is taking retro gamers with Switch 2s on a trip down memory lane with the release of Console Archives Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Console Archives Cool Boarders later today. Rave Racer is also joining the Arcade Archives lineup later this month, with more Console Archives titles, such as Doraemon and Sonic Wings Special, also set to launch throughout the year.

Is it Really a Nintendo Direct Without a Sizzle Reel?

From cozy comforts to epic adventures, there’s even more to discover on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch! Check out even more games that are coming this year. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/VBK9lZtd3I

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

Nintendo loves to show off other games fans can expect to play in the near future by mashing them together for a quick sizzle reel. The February 2026 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase had its own highlights, too, including a rundown of just a few titles for Switch and Switch 2. You can see the full list of every title shown below:

• Scott Pilgrim EX (March 3, 2026)
• Another Eden Begins - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Summer 2026)
• Reanimal (February 13, 2026)
• WWE 2K26 (March 13, 2026)
• Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown (February 18, 2026)
• Disney Dreamlight Valley - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (March 25, 2026)
• PGA Tour 2K25 (February 6, 2026)
• Culdcept Begins - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (July 16, 2026)
• Goat Simulator 3 (April 1, 2026)
• Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (March 18, 2026)
• Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition (May 22, 2026)

Resident Evil Requiem Footage Highlights Gameplay and New Amiibo for Nintendo Switch 2

Ready to face bone-chilling terror with FBI analyst Grace, and pulse-pounding action alongside agent Leon? A new era of survival horror arrives with Resident Evil Requiem by @RE_Games on Nintendo Switch 2 on Feb 27. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/34oPTb50br

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 5, 2026

It’s no secret that the ninth mainline Resident Evil game, Resident Evil Requiem, is coming to Switch 2, with today’s Nintendo Direct doubling down on its February 27, 2026, release date with new gameplay. The footage shown also highlighted a new themed Pro Controller, as well as two new amiibo for Leon and Grace.

Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition Comes to Nintendo Switch 2 Later This Month

Bethesda Game Studios’ 2015 RPG Fallout 4 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. As announced during today’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, the Anniversary Edition will bring the base game, as well as some additional goodies like DLC, to players February 24.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Gets Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date

Microsoft is continuing to support Nintendo consoles, with Wolfenstein developer MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle now set to launch for Nintendo Switch 2. Expect to take Indy’s latest adventure on the go when it launches May 12.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Comes to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026

Bethesda’s last announcement – and the final reveal of the Nintendo Direct – is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered for Switch 2. Unlike Indiana Jones and Fallout, there’s no release date for the beefed-up version of the classic fantasy RPG, with the publisher instead only telling fans to look forward to its launch sometime this year.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

With perfect timing, the modders behind the Van Buren remake in Fallout: New Vegas have released a new teaser trailer.

UnitedWestTeam released the teaser, which sets up Fallout: The New West, the fan-made total conversion mod for Fallout: New Vegas inspired by Fallout: Van Buren, the cancelled Fallout 3 that was in development at Black Isle Studios in the early 2000s before the franchise moved over to Bethesda.

Why is this well-timed? Because Van Buren would have been set in post-apocalyptic Colorado, which is exactly where Amazon’s Fallout TV series is headed for Season 3.

Fallout: The New West aims to adapt the core narrative threads of Van Buren and turn them into a fully playable story built in the New Vegas engine. Expect modern gameplay systems, expanded roleplaying opportunities, and “the mechanical depth and tone that defined classic Fallout,” the modders said.

Here’s the official blurb:

Fallout: The New West is a fan-made total conversion mod for Fallout: New Vegas. In many ways, it tells the same broad story envisioned by Fallout: Van Buren, but restructured and expanded to form a cohesive, playable experience. The project’s primary narrative goal is to take the disparate plot threads and unfinished concepts found in the original design documents, including for example, the NCR–Brotherhood conflict, the Great Tribal War between Caesar’s Legion and the Daughters of Hecate, the fight for the soul of the Mormon State and much more, and weave them into a satisfying, unified narrative that adheres to the main plot as described in the design documents.

Players assume the role of a new protagonist, released from captivity in 2253, known as “the Prisoner,” and the story is set in an alternate continuity that predates and reinterprets the events of Fallout: New Vegas. Unfortunately due to many Van Buren concepts being folded into FNV, we cannot set the project in the same timeline. Our secondary goal is to incorporate many of the modern gameplay conveniences introduced through Fallout: New Vegas and its more than 15 years of modding, while preserving the distinctive mechanics and design quirks of classic Fallout found in the original design documents. Much of Fallout’s original charm is an acquired taste, and one that we believe remains worth acquiring.

It sounds exciting, and given the success of Fallout: London, which had Bethesda’s blessing, it may even have a chance of survival. Indeed, a new demo is apparently due out soon (an initial demo, which released under the name Fallout Revelation Blues, came out last year). This alternate start demo under the new name of Fallout: The New West will be followed up with the entirety of Act 1 of the game as a vertical slice, the modders said.

If Fallout: The New West does make it to release, it will see Van Buren realized — albeit in fan-made form — 20 years after it fell by the wayside. In 2024, Fallout creator Tim Cain revealed new information on how it ended up canceled amid significant financial problems at Interplay.

Cain, who worked on the first two, much-loved Fallout games in the mid-to late 90s before leaving Interplay to start a new studio called Troika Games, revealed that in the middle of 2003, an unnamed Interplay vice president asked him to play the Van Buren prototype, saying: “I don’t think they can get it done, so I’m just going to cancel it. But if you look over it and give me an estimate there’s a chance I wouldn’t cancel it.”

Cain said he played the prototype for two hours and asked the development team a number of questions before delivering his verdict to the vice president. “I said, ‘I’m convinced in 18 months you could have a really good game shipped.’ And he said, ‘huh, could it be done any faster?’ And I was like, 'oh, shoot, I’ve said too long.' I said, ‘well, even if you did a death march crunch I don’t think you could do it faster than 12, and then you’d be shipping something that was unbalanced and buggy, and the team would be destroyed. So I don’t recommend that.’

“And he said, ‘OK, thanks.’ As we walked out he basically explained any answer over six months was going to result in him having to cancel it, meaning the answer I just gave got the game canceled. But he was going to cancel it anyway. He thought it couldn’t be done in six months, and I just confirmed that to him.”

According to Cain, the cancellation of Van Buren was, ultimately, about money; Interplay’s dire financial situation meant it simply did not have enough cash to fund more than six months of further development. Interplay went on to close Black Isle Studios and cut its entire staff. The company released the console spinoff Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel in 2004 for the Xbox and PlayStation 2, but it was not enough. That same year, Interplay announced a licensing deal with The Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda for future Fallout games, and in 2007, Interplay sold the Fallout IP to Bethesda outright. The rest is history.

And if you’re wondering about the Fallout TV show’s journey to Colorado, check out what co-showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet and even Todd Howard himself have had to say about it.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

UPDATE: Nintendo has now confirmed the Switch 2 release dates of various Bethesda games first identified in leaks earlier today — as well as upcoming Switch 2 launch of last year's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.

Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition will launch digitally on February 24 and in a box on April 28. As expected, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle arrives on May 12. Last but not least, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is also on the way — later in 2026.

For much more, here's everything announced in today's Nintendo Partner Direct.

ORIGINAL STORY: Microsoft's next pair of games headed to Nintendo platforms now have leaked release dates, ahead of today's Partner Direct broadcast.

Dealabs' ever-reliable billbil-kun has now spilled the details of both Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition, which were previously confirmed for launch on Switch 2 last year.

Up first will be the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition, which will launch its physical edition (containing a digital download code) on April 28, priced $59.99. Dealabs suggests the game could arrive digitally via the Nintendo eShop even sooner — perhaps as soon as today — though this is unconfirmed.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will then arrive on May 12, priced $69.99. Dealabs believes this date will apply to both the game's physical edition (likely containing a Game-Key Card) as well as its digital eShop release.

Finally, a physical version of Skyrim Anniversary Edition is also reportedly coming, following its eShop debut back in December 2025, albeit with notable performance issues. Boxed copies will be available from April 28, Dealabs reported, and contain a download code inside.

Fallout 4's Anniversary Edition includes the base game, six official add-ons, and over 150 pieces of Creation Club content. It's apparent announcement today would be well timed, following the finale of Fallout Season 2. Here's hoping it's more enjoyable than Amazon's disappointing Fallout announcement tease.

The beloved Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, meanwhile, launched on PC and Xbox back in December 2024 to rave reviews — IGN's own verdict returned a 9/10. A PlayStation 5 edition followed in April 2025, while its short-but-sweet expansion The Order of Giants followed last September.

These latest leaks come just hours after an updated ratings board listing suggested that Hollow Knight's Switch 2 Edition could arrive today as a shadow drop.

Officially, of course, we'll just have to wait and tune in to Nintendo's big Partner Direct broadcast, which is set to air imminently — at 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern or 2pm UK time.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social