Nintendo releases new commercials for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Minecraft
Nintendo's long tail grows
Sure, Nintendo loves making games, but they might like promoting them for years after even more. Nintendo absolutely adores a longtail seller, which is why they keep sharing commercials for games years after they’ve released.
Nintendo continues that trend of promoting years-old games today by sharing two commercials for Switch games that have been available for quite some time. In the spot above, you can see Animal Crossing: New Horizons get the spotlight. Below, you’ll see a spot featuring Minecraft on Switch.
You likely know all there is to know about these games by now, but Nintendo is still trying to reach Switch owners who haven’t given these games a shot, alongside newcomers who might be jumping into Switch for the first time.
Sure, Nintendo loves making games, but they might like promoting them for years after even more. Nintendo absolutely adores a longtail seller, which is why they keep sharing commercials for games years after they’ve released.
Nintendo continues that trend of promoting years-old games today by sharing two commercials for Switch games that have been available for quite some time. In the spot above, you can see Animal Crossing: New Horizons get the spotlight. Below, you’ll see a spot featuring Minecraft on Switch.
You likely know all there is to know about these games by now, but Nintendo is still trying to reach Switch owners who haven’t given these games a shot, alongside newcomers who might be jumping into Switch for the first time.
Former Nintendo dev shares why he thinks F-Zero has gone dark
Sorry, Captain Falcon...
Diehard Nintendo fans love all of the company’s franchises, and that includes the ones that we haven’t seen installments in for quite some time. When the topic of dormant franchises comes up, F-Zero is almost always the first mentioned. Now we might have a little bit of insight as to why.
VGC had the chance to speak to Takaya Imamura, a former Nintendo developer who worked on the F-Zero series. Imamura was asked why a series like F-Zero gets considerably less attention from Nintendo than something like Star Fox, which is certainly a quieter Nintendo franchise as well, but gets a bit more love. You can see Imamura’s response below.
I think it’s because Mario Kart is Nintendo’s most popular racing game, and a new F-Zero would cost a fortune. My impression is that Miyamoto-san is very affectionate about Star Fox.
You could always tell that Miyamoto was especially attached to Star Fox, so there’s no doubt his sway helps bring about new games in that series. Unfortunately, it seems that the success of Mario Kart has pushed F-Zero into a corner for the time being, but hopefully someone at Nintendo comes along to be the champion for F-Zero soon.
Blizzard says to expect a sizable gap between Overwatch 2 story mission releases
Hope you're patient!
The launch of Season 6 in Overwatch 2 is going to bring with it a round of story missions, which is something fans have been waiting to see for quite some time. Hopefully those same fans find plenty to enjoy with that release, as it’ll be quite some time until the next round of story content arrives.
Overwatch 2 executive producer Jared Neuss recently popped in on a Twitch stream with Emongg, and he talked about what’s in the works for Overwatch 2. The upcoming Season 6 story missions were a bit topic of discussion, which is where Neuss revealed that the wait between story mission drops will be of considerable length.
“Don’t expect the next round [of story missions] in the next season and the season after that, or anything like that. It is very much like trying to find that balance between getting [story missions] in front of players quickly because we love story stuff, and giving ourselves enough time to make changes or add features.
To be fair, there’s a bunch of stuff that we want to do next year, or that are already in development for next year, that will fill the gaps that people will have in between. We’re trying to make it so that it doesn’t feel like ‘and then there’s nothing’ for a long extended period of time. It’s more like ‘there’s this cool thing!’ and ‘there’s this other narrative thing’, ‘there’s this other narrative thing’ - we keep telling interesting stories and moving that all forward.”
Get Together with Fellow Trainers on the Pokémon Community Forums
The perfect place to meet other trainers
Get connected with fellow Trainers by joining the conversation at the official Pokémon Community Forums! You can stay up to date with the latest Pokémon news, discuss who your favorite Pokémon is, and even help the community at large by submitting bug reports for Pokémon TCG Live or Pokémon UNITE.
There are currently dedicated forums for the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon TCG Live, and Pokémon UNITE, as well as general forums for all things Pokémon—so if you have a burning question or just want to meet like-minded Trainers, it’s the perfect place to start your journey.
A Pokémon Trainer Club account is needed to register an account for the Pokémon Community Forums and can be created here. Enjoy connecting, Trainers!
Delphox Is Coming to Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Tera Raid Battles
Set to arrive on July 6th
Delphox with the Mightiest Mark is coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet black crystal Tera Raid Battles! You can try putting a stop to Delphox’s Mystical Fire from Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 9, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. PDT, then again from Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. Delphox cannot normally be encountered in Paldea, and the Delphox appearing during this event has Fairy as its Tera Type. Be prepared—this Pokémon is a formidable foe, and it’s got the Mightiest Mark to prove it!
When choosing which Pokémon to send into a 7-star Tera Raid Battle, it’s important to plan for your opponent’s original type as well as its Tera Type. Although Poison- and Steel-type moves are usually a Fairy-type Pokémon’s worst nightmare, keep in mind that any Fire- or Psychic-type moves known by Fairy–Tera Type Delphox will benefit from a same-type attack bonus on top of being super effective against Poison- or Steel-type Pokémon.
For the opportunity to encounter this Pokémon in Tera Raid Battles, you’ll need to have downloaded the latest Poké Portal News. You can do this by selecting Poké Portal in the X menu, then Mystery Gift, then Get Poké Portal News. After that, whenever you see a sparkling pillar of light shining from a Tera Raid crystal, you can walk up to the crystal and interact with it to start a Tera Raid Battle with a Tera Pokémon.
To challenge Delphox, Trainers will need to either complete the postgame events that follow the main story or join a 7-star Tera Raid Battle hosted by a Trainer who has completed those events. This special Delphox can be caught only once per save data. You can still participate in Tera Raid Battles against this Delphox if you’ve already caught it to obtain other rewards—including significant amounts of Exp. Candy for leveling up your Pokémon, treasures that can be sold at Pokémon Centers, items for improving your Pokémon’s stats, and Fairy Tera Shards for changing your Pokémon’s Tera Type.
Be warned: Delphox is certain to put up a tough fight. If you’re looking for more tips on how to defeat this powerful Pokémon, head on over to our Tera Raid Battle Tips article. Learn the ins and outs of Tera Raid Battles in the Paldea region so that you never miss a chance to catch a powerful Pokémon or earn handsome rewards.
Team Flare Is after Zygarde in Pokémon the Series: XYZ, Coming Soon to Pokémon TV
The classic adventures continue
The action is getting hot in the Kalos region thanks in no small part to the ambitions of Team Flare in Pokémon the Series: XYZ, coming soon to Pokémon TV.
In this 19th season of the animated series, the villainous Team Flare has sinister plans for the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde. They’ve also been experimenting with Mega Evolution—what could they be plotting? They’re not the only ones studying Mega Evolution, though. Ash and his friends encounter Alain, a Pokémon Trainer who, along with his Mega Charizard X, hopes to find the source of the powerful evolutionary technique. Thankfully, our heroes will have some more strength on their side when Ash and his Frogadier reach surprising new heights, just like Gym Leader Olympia predicted!
When you tune in to watch Pokémon the Series: XYZ, remember you can visit watch.pokemon.com or load up the Pokémon TV mobile app and enjoy these classic episodes on the go!
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg "Guide to Atelier Marie" trailer
See what makes Marie tick
Ahead of its July 13th, 2023 release, a new video has been released for Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg. Take a tour of the Atelier and learn the fundamentals of Alchemy and experiencing what Atelier Marie has to offer!
In Atelier Marie Remake: Alchemist of Salburg, players are reintroduced to Marie, a struggling student at the Royal Academy of Magic whose teacher gifts her an alchemy atelier for her upcoming graduation exam.
Marie’s ultimate goal is to create an item within five years that will satisfy her teacher, but to do this, she’ll need to improve her alchemy skills, gather materials, and earn money for reference books and tools, as well as hire adventurers. Where to start is up to the player, as they’ll be able to navigate the game at their own pace in this carefree adventure, with the ultimate goal to graduate from the academy.
Dragon Ball FighterZ "World Tour 2023" announced
Tune in to the next exciting installment
Brace yourself for the ultimate clash of power and skill as the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour returns. Secure your place at the DBFZWT Finals, starting with the explosive kickoff at EVO 2023. It’s time to unleash your fighting spirit and seize victory!
Looking for more information on player’s path and how to qualify for the DBFZWT finals? The helpful series of slides below will show you how to get in on the action.
2 new videos released for Fitness Circuit
Stretching you thin
Back at the end of May, Spike Chunsoft, Inc. released Fitness Circuit on the Switch. If you still aren’t sold on the exergame just yet, perhaps a some new gameplay videos will do the trick! You can check those out throughout the post, and then remember that there’s also a free demo available on the Switch eShop!
Fitness Circuit utilizes Super Circuit Training, a workout method that alternates aerobic and strength-building exercises to burn calories efficiently, increase endurance, and improve muscle strength in a short period of time. This method is designed to have a high training effect, so you won’t need to play every day. Complete a standard workout session in just 10 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Exercise effects and results will vary per individual.
Fitness Circuit doesn’t require anything more than a little space to move and Joy-Con controllers. No need for extra equipment or busy gyms.
Pokémon GO is celebrating seven stellar years, and it’s time to party
7 years of catching them all
Trainers, there’s always something happening in the world of Pokémon GO, and soon, that’ll be the game’s seventh anniversary! Join Niantic for the 7th Anniversary Party event, featuring rotating bonuses, glimmering Gimmighoul coins, different Pokémon appearing each day to help you celebrate, the return of a shiny Masterwork Research Story, and more!
The Pokémon GO’s 7th Anniversary Party kicks off Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. and runs until Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time. You can see a complete breakdown of what this event has to offer below.
Pokémon debuts: New costumed Pokémon will appear during this event!
- Wartortle wearing a party hat
- Blastoise wearing a party hat
*You can use Squirtle Candy to evolve Squirtle wearing a party hat into Wartortle wearing a party hat, and then into Blastoise wearing a party hat.
Event Bonuses
- Increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends.
- Increased chance of Pokémon becoming Lucky through trades.
- Chance of finding 7, 77—or more!—Gimmighoul Coins when you spin a PokéStop with a Golden Lure Module.
In addition to the above, each day of the 7th Anniversary Party will have its own unique bonuses! These bonuses will last from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. local time each day.
- July 6: 2× XP for catching Pokémon.
- July 7: 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon.
- July 8: 2× Candy for catching Pokémon.
- July 9: 1/2 Egg Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed in an Incubator on this day.
- July 10: Friendship levels will increase twice as fast.
- July 11: 2× Candy for transferring Pokémon.
- July 12: 2× XP for evolving Pokémon.
Wild encounters: The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.
- Squirtle wearing a party hat
- Pikachu wearing a cake hat
- Meowth
- Ponyta
- Togedemaru
- Galarian Ponyta
- Absol
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently on certain days.
July 6:
- Bulbasaur wearing a party hat
- Charmander wearing a party hat
- Squirtle wearing a party hat
July 7:
- Chikorita
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
July 8:
- Treecko
- Torchic
- Mudkip
July 9:
- Turtwig
- Chimchar
- Piplup
July 10:
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
July 11:
- Chespin
- Fennekin
- Froakie
July 12:
- Rowlet
- Litten
- Popplio
Raids: The following Pokémon will appear in raids.
One-Star Raids
- Bulbasaur wearing a party hat
- Charmander wearing a party hat
- Squirtle wearing a party hat
- Pikachu wearing a cake hat
Three-Star Raids
- Magneton
- Lapras
- Flareon
- Snorlax
- Sealeo
Five-Star Raids
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
Mega Raids
- Mega Blastoise
Anniversary-themed Field Research tasks will be available! Complete them to earn encounters with first-partner Pokémon, such as Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Mudkip, and more! Some Field Research tasks will also award Mega Energy for the following Pokémon.
- Venusaur
- Charizard
- Blastoise
- Sceptile
- Blaziken
- Swampert
Timed Research: For US$2.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access event-exclusive Timed Research. Complete the event-themed research tasks, such as hatching seven Eggs or evolving seven Pokémon, to receive the following.
- 1× Incubator
- 1× Super Incubator
- 1× Premium Battle Pass
- 1× Lucky Egg
- 1× Rocket Radar
- 1× Star Piece
- 1× Incense
- 77,777 XP
- An encounter with Pikachu wearing a party hat
IMPORTANT: Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Trainers will be able to purchase and gift tickets to any of their Pokémon GO friends that they have achieved a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher with. Please note that purchases—including those made for other Trainers—are non-refundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins.
The 7th Anniversary Party Timed Research ticket will only be available in the in-game shop until July 11, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
For US$5.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to pick up the Masterwork Research story, All-in-One #151. Originally available during Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto in 2021, we’re making this Masterwork Research story available once more as part of our 7th Anniversary Party. Complete it for an encounter with the elusive Shiny Mew!
Once purchased, you’ll be able to access a Masterwork Research story, intended to be completed over a long period of time. Tickets for this Masterwork Research story will be available to purchase until Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Ticket holders will gain access to the Masterwork Research story during the 7th Anniversary Party event. To receive the Masterwork Research, you must open Pokémon GO at some point between Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time. After you’ve received the Masterwork Research, you can complete it at any time.
Trainers who purchase or have previously received this Masterwork Research story can also enjoy the following bonuses for the duration of our 7th Anniversary Party event.
- 2× Incense duration
- 2× Daily Adventure Incense duration
- 2× Lure Duration
Please note that you will not be able to gift this Masterwork Research ticket to other Trainers. Trainers who purchased a ticket to Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto will not be able to purchase this Masterwork Research story.
To celebrate the 7th anniversary of Pokémon GO, a Community Day Classic featuring Squirtle, Pokémon #0007, will be held Sunday, July 9, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. local time.
The following avatar items will be available to purchase in the in-game shop during this event, and they will continue to be available after the event ends!
- 7th Anniversary Top Set
- 7th Anniversary Pants
You’ll be able to get event-themed stickers by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and purchasing them from the in-game shop.
Need some extra supplies to celebrate during our 7th Anniversary Party? Check out the Pokémon GO Web Store for an exclusive Anniversary Box, available from July 6 to July 10!
RUMOR: Pikmin 4 may be retconning the previous Pikmin games
It was just a bad dream, Olimar...
Pikmin 4 is the latest installment in the long-running Pikmin franchise, and early word is that this entry could have a major impact on the series’ story up to this point.
It’s not like there’s a deep story to the Pikmin franchise by any means, but there are some events that have happened. The biggest of those events being Captain Olimar getting marooned on earth and needing rescue. Now, some inside information from Pikmin 4 seems to indicate that Nintendo will be rewriting the past to a degree.
A ton of information on Pikmin 4 has leaked, thanks to dataminers digging through the game’s demo. What those dataminers have discovered are some story logs that’ll appear in the game, and they seem to indicate that Olimar’s previous adventures may have been a dream. It’s not clear if that’ll be the case when the story is said and done, but some of the logs point to Pikmin 4 being the first time Olimar has been stranded on earth.
Again, nothing mind-shattering here as the story in the Pikmin franchise is pretty much window dressing, but still an interesting discovery. It’s clear Nintendo is trying to make Pikmin 4 the biggest entry in the franchise and one that welcomes newcomers, so making it an installment that retcons the previous games would make sense. We’ll all find out of that’s the case comes July 21st, 2023!
Persona 5 Tactica 'Character Spotlight 1' trailer
Meet some of the cast
Conquer the battlefield with Joker, Morgana, and Erina! Utilize each member’s unique set of skills as you face off with the tyrannical Legionnaires.
After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves?
Overthrow your enemies with powerful Personas, an assortment of weapons, and wipe them out with style in this fresh new tactical RPG from the award-winning Persona 5 game.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE's box hides a secret code
What does it all mean?!
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE came out on Switch last week, and plenty of people have already jumped into the game to solve some mysteries. Those who picked up a physical version of the game may not know that there’s another case waiting for them to solve, and it’s right in front of their faces.
Some eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the cover art for Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE includes an odd code on its side. You can see that code in the image above, which reads “hs++–+gfh 5566-++66656+5nhjid kj in 42554 jjiuk ji jkrj bjb hjn”. Sleuths the world over are trying to decipher what this code means, but no one has come up with an answer just yet.
Think you’ve got some ideas as to what this code could means? Got a few notions as to how it could be deciphered? No one out there knows the answer just yet, but you could be the first to crack this case!
Boxing game 'Punch a Bunch' comes to Switch July 20th, 2023
Feeling punchy?
Console gaming enthusiasts are in for an adrenaline-pumping experience as Punch a Bunch, the highly anticipated fighting game, prepares to make its debut on the Nintendo Switch. The game is set to release on July 20, 2023, and promises to test players’ fighting skills like never before.
Developed by YouTuber and Developer Pontypants and ported in a collaboration between him and Polish publisher No Gravity Games, Punch a Bunch aims to bring the excitement and intensity of the original game to a wider audience. Previously available exclusively on Steam, this release on Nintendo Switch will allow gamers to enjoy the captivating gameplay and dynamic battles on their favorite console.
Punch a Bunch will be available for digital purchase on the Nintendo eShop for the price of $14.99, with a (40%) discount offering players an opportunity to grab this exciting title at an even more affordable price. Don’t miss out on this chance to join the Punch a Bunch community and prove your fighting prowess.
Embark on an exhilarating journey with Punch A Bunch, a highly engaging and thrilling boxing game that places a strong emphasis on player skill, demanding dedicated time and practice to truly reach mastery. Prepare yourself for an immersive experience as you step into the ring and face formidable opponents across three distinct championships, each presenting its own set of unique challenges and adversaries.
Become a Champion!
Fight your way to the top through 3 championships from Amateur to Pro, each featuring unique and challenging opponents.
Punch A Bunch focuses on you learning the game mechanics to improve your skills rather than relying on “leveling up” or “attribute points”.
The controls are uniquely designed to give a fresh experience. Most people start off pretty rough, the game is designed to give you great satisfaction through honing your skills and mastering the controls.
You have everything you need to become a champion right away, the question is, are you up for the challenge?
MAIN FEATURES:
- Unique controls giving you full control but takes practice to master.
- Quick tutorial to get you started on your boxing journey.
- 100% physics-based.
- Lots of additional challenges to keep completionists coming back for more.
- Play against friends in Local Multiplayer.
- 100+ unlockable items to customize your character with.
- Classic “Just One More Try” experience.
TAITO Milestones 1 + 2 physical release available to pre-order
The ultimate retro collection
ININ and TAITO have again come together to provide retro gamers and arcade fans with the ultimate gaming experience.
As previously announced, the TAITO Milestones Collection will receive its deserved sequel, with the two partners bringing ten more beloved classics from TAITO’s vault to modern consoles. But for everyone who has already got to experience the first TAITO Milestones, ININ prepared a few options that will allow you to expand your personal arcade collection, as often before, available for pre-order NOW through their partner store Strictly Limited Games. All editions will be released on September 29th!
Apart from the Retail and Digital Edition of TAITO Milestones 2, with the retail edition already available for pre-order, TAITO Milestones 2 will be available worldwide as a Limited Edition, for 39.99 €.
As a tribute to our collectors, ININ prepared some bundle options for you to have all 20 arcade classics in one single collection.
TAITO Milestones 1&2 Bundle offers all 20 gems in one Limited Edition Collection, featuring an additional Arcade booklet in an attractive cardboard slipcase, limited to 400 copies worldwide, for 69.99€.
TAITO Milestones 1&2 Bundle Upgrade is designed for those who have already purchased the first Milestones collection, featuring the Limited Edition of TAITO Milestones 2 and an exciting Arcade booklet in a colorful cardboard slipcase which will let you also store the edition you already own! This bundle will be available for 39.99€, and to thank you for your continued support, by purchasing this option, you will also receive a discount on shipping cost.
TAITO Milestones 1&2 Collector’s Bundle is the ultimate TAITO’s vault Collector’s Edition, featuring the Collector’s Edition of the first TAITO Milestones collection, the Limited Edition of the second TAITO Milestones collection and of course the educative Arcade booklet, all in a colorful cardboard slipcase. Limited to 400 copies worldwide, it will be available for 109.99€.
TAITO Milestones 1&2 Collector’s Bundle Upgrade is designed for our biggest supporters, who have already put their hands on a TAITO Milestones Collector’s Edition and only wish to complete their collection. Featuring the Limited Edition of TAITO Milestones 2 and the exciting Arcade booklet, this bundle comes in a colorful cardboard slipcase which will let you also store the edition you already own! for 39.99€. Once again, to thank you for your continued support, by purchasing this option you will also receive a discount on shipping costs.
Take a deep dive into the golden age of gaming with TAITO Milestones 2 (and 1)! Don’t miss out on the chance to own 20 iconic arcade classics that have shaped the gaming industry, and never ceased to entertain generations of gamers.
Pre-order now and expand your collection with our exclusive bundle options in limited quantities worldwide. Step into the arcade time machine and relive the magic today! All editions will be released on September 29, 2023, and you can take a closer look at the packages here.