BitSummit PUNCH Award Nominees Revealed

By
Saras Rajpal
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The staff behind BitSummit PUNCH have announced the nominees for its annual awards. They also revealed that Shuhei Yoshida will be the judge and presenter for the awards. 

Alongside the major rewards, there’s also the Popular Selection Award and Kids Selection Award that is voted by fans. The rest of the awards and nominees are as follows:

VERMILLION GATE AWARD / 朱色賞 《 Grand Prize 》

Awarded to the most outstanding title exhibited at BitSummit PUNCH.

  • Denshattack! — Undercoders
  • Am I Nima — HO! Games
  • Algolemeth — Medium-Rare Games
  • Satoyama Note: Spring Stroll (里山のおと 春さんぽ) — Satoyama Note
  • City of None — Extremely OK Games, Ltd.
  • Artis Impact (アーティス インパクト) — Mas
INTERNATIONAL AWARD / インターナショナルアワード賞

Awarded to the most outstanding title submitted from outside Japan.

  • The King Is Watching — Hypnohead
  • Sledding Game — The Sledding Corporation
  • the Berlin Apartment — PARCO GAMES
  • TCG Card Shop Simulator — OPNeon Games
  • Surfpunk — Double Stallion Games
  • Whisper Mountain Outbreak — Toge Productions
  • Dungeon Clawler — Stray Fawn Studio
INNOVATIVE OUTLAW AWARD / 革新的反骨心賞

Awarded to a title pushing boundaries in technology, concept, or design.

  • On Air! Taxi Detective Casebook (放送開始！タクシー推理事件簿) — 373 STUDIO
  • Surface Maze Kurumab (表面迷宮くるまぶ) — KUMAZASA
  • Type & Magic — Decoboco Games
  • YaoyoroZOO — AlSH
  • Sloppy Forgeries — Playful Systems
  • Bytes and Knights – ADVENTURE — Jonathan Holmes (crait)
  • Hermit Computer — VIA studio (Visual Interactive Arts)
  • The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time — Coin Drop Game
EXCELLENCE IN GAME DESIGN AWARD / ゲームデザイン最優秀賞

Awarded to a title demonstrating outstanding game design.

  • Lost and Found Co. — Bit Egg Inc
  • Werewolf Burger (人狼バーガー) — uracon
  • Astromine — Alientrap Games
  • Parking Together! — Yaneuragames Co., Ltd.
  • OPUS: Prism Peak — SIGONO
  • NIGHTMARE OPERATOR — DDDistortion
VISUAL EXCELLENCE AWARD / ビジュアルデザイン最優秀賞

Awarded to a title with outstanding visual design.

  • High Fructose — Chazak Games
  • Satoyama Note: Spring Stroll (里山のおと 春さんぽ) — Satoyama Note
  • FEAR FA 98 — Jacob Jazz
  • Finding Polka — lidlocks
  • Moldwasher — Anshar Publishing
  • ダレカレ (Darekare) — yona・TearyHand Studio
  • Into The Haunted Land — Kevin Lai
EXCELLENCE IN SOUND DESIGN AWARD / オーディオデザイン最優秀賞

Awarded to a title with outstanding audio design.

  • Katuba’s Poacher — Joe Yu Studio
  • Liquid Abyss: The Melted Jelly (リクイッド・アビス – The Melted Jelly -) — Hello Quest
  • Starless Umbra — Alcuria Games
  • DEATH A LIVE — Rabbit Trigger
  • Cento — Hoshimadara Lab.
  • Mekururiwitchi (めくるりウィッチ) — SleepingMuseum
  • Toroa: Skycall — Atawhai Interactive

Lastly, BitSummit PUNCH will take place from May 22 to May 24 Miyako Messe in Kyoto. 

3rd Mononoke Film Reveals New Trailer

By
Saras Rajpal
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3rd Mononoke Film Reveals New Trailer

Twin Engine has revealed a new trailer for the upcoming 3rd Mononoke film, titled Gekijōban Mononoke Dai-San-Shō: Hebigami (or Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3: Snake God). The film will premiere in theaters on May 29, 2026. 

The cast of the movie includes:

  • Hiroshi Kamiya as the Medicine Seller
  • Atsumi Tanezaki as Sachiko
  • Miyu Irino as Tenshi
  • Kenjirō Tsuda as Hokuto Mizorogi
  • Yoshiko Sakakibara as Suikōin
  • Tomoyo Kurosawa as Asa
  • Yōko Hikasa as Fuki Tokita
  • Haruka Tomatsu as Botan Ōtomo
  • Miyuki Sawashiro as the wife of the Third Emperor
  • Fumi Hirano as Tokiwai
  • Mariko Honda as Kawa

Kenji Nakamura returns from the second film as the general director, and Tomoaki Koshida is directing the third film at Studio Kafka and EOTA. Additional staff members include:

  • Screenplay: Yasumi Atarashi
  • Character Design: Kitsuneko Nagata
  • Animation Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yūichi Takahashi
  • Art Setting: Yōichi Katōno
  • Art Directors: Akira Kuramoto, Yōko Saitō
  • Art Supervision: Takashi Kurahashi
  • Color Design: Kunio Tsujita
  • Visual Director: Yoichi Senzui
  • 3D Director: Kenichi Shirai
  • Editing: Shigeru Nishiyama
  • Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki
  • Producers: Kimiaki Sato, Kōichi Naruse, Haruka Kato, Minami Agematsu
  • Planning Production: Kōji YAMAMOTO

Check out the new trailer for the 3rd Mononoke film below:

Lastly, Crunchyroll describes the series as follows:

In feudal Japan, evil spirits known as mononoke plague both households and the countryside. Only one person has the power to kill them where they stand: the Medicine Seller. But in order to draw his spirit-slaying sword he must first understand the Form, Truth, and Reason of the mononoke. Armed with sharp wit, he wanders from place to place striking down the evil spirits in his wake.

Battle Suit Aces Available Now on Crunchyroll Game Vault

By
Saras Rajpal
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Battle Suit Aces Available Now on Crunchyroll Game Vault

Crunchyroll has announced that Battle Suit Aces is now playable on iOS and Android via its Crunchyroll Game Vault. The game initially released in October 2025 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. 

Check out the trailer revealing Battle Suit Aces‘ release on mobile devices below:

The Steam page describes Battle Suit Aces as follows;

When a new threat to the galaxy emerges, Union Command dispatches a ragtag team of pilots and scientists. Join Captain Heathcliff and his Patchworks crew as they search for the solution within ancient Relic Suits in a tale of friendship and belonging.

STORY

Lead the Patchworks crew through 45 episodes of their thrilling space adventure. Uncover the mysteries of the Relic Suits as you get to know your endearing team.

BATTLE

Command a wide array of mecha pilots in card combat. Pair pilots with energy-generating Drones and potent Command Cards.

CREW

Recruit and bond with pilots from five powerful factions. Outfit their Suits with transformative mods and amplify their unique abilities.

Features

    • Enjoy fully-voiced dialogue! Every one of the 75 characters is brought to life by the amazing voice cast.

    • Hum along to the soundtrack! Over 40 spectacular tracks by composer Carlos “insaneintherain” Eiene guide you through combat and camaraderie.

    • Strategize to dominate! Lane-based attack patterns and special card passives create a deep system that’s easy to learn.

    • Tackle hand-crafted scenarios! Battles are woven into their episode’s narrative. Prepare for ambushes, heists, Starball matches, and more.

    • Power up your Suits and ship! Dozens of mods let you supercharge your strategies to win the way you want to.

Square Enix Emphasizes Nintendo Switch 2 in Multi-Platform Strategy

By
Soul Kiwami
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Square Enix released its financial results for fiscal year ended March 2026 and held its briefing going over all the information, revealing some more insight into the company’s multi-platform strategy and initiatives for the next fiscal year. Takashi Kiryu, the CEO of Square Enix, emphasized that the company will polish promising IPs and further promote its multi-platform strategy, placing a focus on Nintendo Switch 2.

“We will polish promising IPs and so that we can deliver certain upside from those new IPs,” said Takashi Kiryu. “On top of that we’d like to further promote the multi-platform strategy especially the Nintendo Switch 2.”

In its financial results presentation, Square Enix specifically referenced Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy in a shift “from quantity to quality” while completing the transition to a multi-platform strategy. Among the list is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold, both of which are coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on June 3, and a free demo is available on both platforms. The demo contains Chapters 1 and 2, the Streamlined Progression system, and save data transfers to the full game. Pre-orders for the Day One Edition are available for $49.99 at the Square Enix Store with an exclusive Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY ‘Zack Fair’ promo card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura and a reversible inlay with alternate cover art.

Digital pre-orders for the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions are also available now. Standard Edition pre-orders include the Magic Pot Summoning Materia, Accessory: Reclaimant Choker, Armor: Orchid Bracelet, digital artbook and mini-soundtrack. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the Standard edition bonuses, the Moogle Trio Summoning Materia, Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Armor: Shinra Bangle Mk. II and Armor: Midgar Bangle Mk. II.

GooNECT√2 Releases on May 12 for Nintendo Switch and Steam

By
Saras Rajpal
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GooNECT√2 Releases on May 12 for Nintendo Switch and Steam

Phoenixx, Inc. has announced that GooNECT√2 will release for both Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on May 12. A launch sale will be available on both the Nintendo eShop and Steam upon release until May 31. 

GooNECT√2 is a sequel to the Japan-exclusive two-player cooperative game, Goonect. The sequel will release worldwide and will be available with both English and Japanese language options. The game will cost $19.99. Further, the game features original sound design by Okan P and a theme song featuring Okan P and Mumeixxx. The GooNECT√2 theme song will be available for download starting May 21st. Lastly, the official website describes the game as follows:

Set off on a spirited journey through a vibrant 3D world where two players must hold hands the entire time to reach the end! Grab a buddy for a classic couch co-op experience or become besties with an online partner to navigate unlimited, randomly-generated stages across eight difficulty levels.

Put stretchy, rubber-like arms to the test while completing platforming challenges and dodging obstacles that could tear the pair apart. Once players let go of each other’s hands, it’s game over! Overcome towering wooden blocks, giant basketballs, and powerful wind gusts by pulling, launching, or even using each other as a stepping stone.

Reach the goal while perfectly in sync with a friend, or choose to control both characters at once for a solo excursion offline. Aim for a high Bestie Level at the end of each stage, which is calculated based on clear time, number of restarts, and number of hearts collected.

Drecom Establishes Drecom Creators Studio

By
Saras Rajpal
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Drecom Establishes Drecom Creators Studio

Drecom has officially established the Drecom Creators Studio, a new studio committed to supporting indie developers. It will exhibit at BitSummit PUNCH from May 22 to 24. 

The official website for the newly established studio outlines its mission statement:

DRECOM CREATORS STUDIO is an indie game studio dedicated to discovering the potential of works created by game creators and providing comprehensive support, from development through to long-term IP expansion. We cater to a wide range of projects, from solo creators to small teams, and aim to ensure that these works continue to be loved across generations and borders while preserving the creators’ artistic vision and the essence of their work.

Through comprehensive support, including the sharing of development expertise, financial assistance, marketing support, and integrated media campaigns. We create an environment where creators can focus on their work, unlock the full potential of their creations, and together bring them to the world.

Drecom’s most recent game, Hungry Meem, is available now for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in 2025. The Steam page describes the game as follows:

One day you came across a picture book about Meems, hungry creatures that lives under the World Tree. But the ending of the story was very sad…

You can help the Meems by interacting with the picture book. Guide the Meems and bring the story to a happy ending!

Help the Meems!

Meems are charming but hungry creatures that live beneath the World Tree. One day, the Miraculous Pot that can cook any food deliciously was destroyed, and Meems are in danger of extinction!

Help the surviving Meems and rebuild the settlement of Meems into an ideal world!

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth Reaches 3 Million Copies Sold

By
Soul Kiwami
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Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth

Bandai Namco has announced that the Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth series has surpassed 3 million copies sold worldwide. To celebrate 3 million copies sold, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth and Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Hacker’s Memory are heavily discounted.

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam worldwide. Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Hacker’s Memory is also available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam worldwide.

Bandai Namco and Media.Vision recently announced a major DLC expansion for Digimon Story Time Stranger is coming in 2027. According to producer Ryosuke Hara, development of the Digimon Story Time Stranger expansion has begun, and Aegiomon voice actor Mutsumi Tamura will be working with the team once more. When asked about the story taking place in a parallel world or the future, Hara noted that this question was from an “excellent line of reasoning.”

Digimon Story Time Stranger is available now worldwide for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions launch on July 10. Final Weapon reviewed Digimon Story Time Stranger and gave it a 4.5/5 score, noting that the game is “the boldest entry in the franchise to date, delivering a thrilling narrative, stunning environments, and over 450 Digimon to collect. Its deep combat system, expansive quality-of-life improvements, and superb English voice acting elevate it alongside the best RPGs of the year. Minor issues aside, this is the definitive Digimon experience fans have been waiting for.”

Moss: The Forgotten Relic Announced, Releases in Summer 2026

By
Saras Rajpal
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Moss: The Forgotten Relic Announced, Releases in Summer 2026

Polyarc has announced Moss: The Forgotten Relic, which will combine both Moss games into one unified package and will release in summer 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. 

While previous entries in the series have been VR exclusive, the newest entry compiles both into one cohesive experience that doesn’t need the peripheral. For the first time, it will be available on Xbox, Nintendo, and PC platforms. Check out the trailer for Moss: The Forgotten Relic via IGN below:

The Steam page describes Moss: The Forgotten Relic as follows:

Moss: The Forgotten Relic is an emotional and atmospheric adventure set in the pages of a living storybook, brimming with myth and ancient magic. Guide a tiny but determined hero on a heartfelt journey of challenge, courage, and connection.

Traverse a fallen kingdom, solve environmental puzzles woven into the landscape, and embark on a timeless adventure…

Venture through a mythic land marked by the ruins of a ancient realm slowly being reclaimed by an enduring and untamed nature.

Form a powerful bond with Quill, a small and courageous mouse who looks to you for guidance, protection, and trust at every step of her journey.

Uncover hidden secrets, navigate puzzling places, and confront arcane forces in an intimate and epic fable inspired by classic fantasy adventures.

Additional Features 

    • Explore a fallen kingdom slowly reclaimed by nature

    • Guide a tiny hero through mysterious places and towering dangers

    • Solve handcrafted, diorama-like environmental puzzles

    • Discover hidden secrets and surprises off the beaten path

    • Face arcane threats with optional “skip combat” accessibility

    • Uncover the epic and heartfelt tale of a hero who needs you

    • Thoughtfully designed and lovingly crafted by a small team

    • Critically acclaimed with over 160 awards and nominations 

    • Orchestral soundtrack by acclaimed composer Jason Graves

Reimagined as the Definitive Adventure 

Moss: The Forgotten Relic brings Moss and Moss: Book II together as one complete, enhanced experience debuting on PC first time. New features include:

    • Play 2 beloved and critically acclaimed experiences as one

    • Enhanced Visuals and Performance

    • New Handcrafted Cutscenes and Smart Follow Camera

    • All Twilight Garden DLC included

    • New Accessibility Option “Skip Combat”

IRA Releases for Nintendo Switch 2 in Summer 2026

By
Theodore Millard
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ABShot has announced that its bullet hell roguelike, IRA, will release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in the summer via the Nintendo eShop. Its arrival on Switch 2 follows both an early access release on Steam in August 2021, and a full release on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store in October 2023.

It comes from developers ABShot and publishers Pikii and Nicalis. Further, the developers initially announced the port for IRA on their website. The Steam page describes the game as such:

Embrace the Beauty of Bullet Hell!

High up in the heavens, the ancient crystal known as Ira maintains the peace of an entire world… until a mysterious figure shatters the crystal, allowing Chaos to return. As malevolent creatures suddenly appear across the land, a young girl is chosen by an ancient god to collect the fragments of Ira and restore order, assisted by the apostles who once served Ira’s creator.

Find the Remnants of Ira and Save the World!

A character-based shooter with roguelike elements, IRA celebrates the artistry of what shooter fans call “bullet hell”: enemy projectiles that weave intricate, geometric patterns across the screen and force you to seek out the precarious safe spaces between them. Set in an Eastern-influenced fantasy world marked by ethereal beauty as well as grave danger, it’s a procedurally generated action game that requires skill, inspires strategy and rewards patience.

FEATURES
    • Shoot arrows from 166 different bows
    • Choose three special “perks” (power-ups) each time you level up
    • 150 unique relics (passive buff items)
    • 43 different synergies from bow + relic combinations
    • 5 different Apostles that can be conjured for special ultimate skills and passive perks
    • Procedurally generated maps across more than six different stages
    • Boss battles with exceptionally devious projectile patterns

Lastly, check out the trailer for the Nintendo eShop release of IRA:

The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World Anime Reveals New Trailer

By
Douglas
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The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World

The staff for the upcoming anime adaptation of Yoneori’s The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World light novel series revealed a brand new trailer, additional cast members and a brand new key visual. Additionally, Onkan Lemonade will perform the ending theme song “Holy Sweet Home.”

The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World key visual
© 2026/米織・仁藤あかね/KADOKAWA/「捨てられ聖女の異世界ごはん旅」製作委員会

 HIDIVE will stream The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The newly announced cast members include:

  • Sumire Morohoshi as Aria
  • Shinnosuke Tachibana as Senon
  • Shōya Chiba as Ed
  • Kaede Hondo as Gomamiso

The anime’s main cast includes Sora Tokui as Rin Takanashi and Yūki Ono as Vil.

INUWASI performs the opening theme song “Butterfly.”

Atsushi Nigorikawa directs the anime at EMT Squared. Takashi Aoshima is in charge of series scripts, novel illustrator Akane Nitou is credited for the original character designs, and Izumi Ishii is drawing the characters. Ankichi Kobo is credited for production assistance. Joining the staff lineup will be Hiroto Morishita, who serves as the anime’s sound director at Bit Grooove Promotion. Kana Utatane is composing the music, and Lantis is producing the music. INUWASI will perform the opening theme song titled “Butterfly.”

Yoneori launched the series on the Shosetsuka ni Naro website in 2019. Kadokawa began publishing the novels with illustration by Nitou in 2020. Nana Kogami launched the manga adaptation on Kadokawa’s ComicWalker website in 2020, and the fourth compiled book volume was shipped in May 2025.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the series via Manga Dex:

Rin Takanashi, a caregiver in her thirties, was unceremoniously discarded as “trash” despite being summoned as a saint. However, as a lover of the great outdoors and all things camping, she was blessed with a special skill, [Survival], as well as another unique skill!

Thus, a riveting tale begins: one of sweat, tears, and insatiable hunger as Rin, together with companions she picked up along the way, leisurely explores this parallel world and savours gourmet cuisine to her heart’s content… Or so the story should have gone, but it looks like their road is going in an unexpected direction…?

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