Devolver Digital and Le Cartel Studio has officially announced Heave Ho 2, the sequel to its beloved 2019 party game, during the recent Nintendo Indie World showcase. It will release in summer 2026 for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Similar to how Heave Ho only released on Switch and PC, it is likely that its sequel will not be available on other platforms. Check out the debut trailer for Heave Ho 2 below:
The bedlam is back, and now it’s online too. Grab and swing through all-new weird and wonderful worlds with up to four players in online and local co-op and versus play.
Take your partners by the hand (or head) and swing your ungainly chain from platform to pillar and beyond. Let go at the wrong moment and meet your splattery end, but a solid grip and pro swinging will take you over the finish line in sweet harmony!
Adding to the game’s couch co-op roots, Heave Ho 2 takes the chaos online for the first time. Get a grip on faraway friends, then drop them into the void from a safe distance!
Launch yourself and your friends through eight themed worlds of fiendish fun, from weightless space and kitchen chaos, to medieval mayhem, ninja nonsense, and much more.
Pop guns, drones, space ships, ski lifts, keys, and ketchup are just a few of the items you’ll play with on your swinging travels. And lasers. Of course lasers.
Take revenge on your underperforming co-op teammates in versus mode through a series of frantic challenges, cunningly designed to start a completely different argument every time!
MoonHood and Fast Travel Games have announced that The Midnight Walk will release for Nintendo Switch 2 on March 26. The game released last year on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5.
Final Weapon reviewedThe Midnight Walk and gave it a 4.5/5. We described it as an “astounding achievement of artistic vision that triumphantly tells both a heart-warming and terrifying story of perseverance and finding light in the darkest of times. It is an impressive labor of love that hopefully will find the audience it deserves and be at the top of game of the year lists come Winter.” Check out the latest trailer for The Midnight Walk below:
Embark upon The Midnight Walk in this reverent dark fantasy adventure built in clay, from the minds behind Lost in Random and Fe.
Become The Burnt One, befriend a lost lantern creature named Potboy, and use his flame to light your way through a conflicting world of wonder and suspense. Survive and outsmart the many monsters eager to devour your little friend’s flame as you experience five tales of fire and darkness, featuring an incredible cast of odd characters.
Marvel at every disturbing detail in a landscape painstakingly handcrafted with real life clay and animated in a stop motion style. Fully playable in both flatscreen and with a VR headset.
Journey with Potboy along the twisted trail of The Midnight Walk. Work with your companion to outsmart monsters, using his flame to distract while you hide from and evade the many threats of The Dark Itself. Encounter new friends and experience awe-inspiring sights as you navigate a path fraught with both peril and affirmation.
During the recent Nintendo Indie World presentation, Klei Entertainment announced that Rotwood will release for Nintendo Switch 2 later today. The game initially released on Steam Early Access in 2024.
Currently, Klei Entertainment haven’t yet confirmed if the game will also release version 1.0 on Steam today. It will likely confirm more details as the day continues. Check out the latest trailer for Rotwood below:
UPDATE: Klei Entertainment has indeed confirmed that Rotwood has left Early Access on PC via Steam. The game costs $29.99 on both PC and Switch 2.
The world has fallen into chaos, and it’s up to you and your friends to battle the corrupted beasts that threaten your home. Choose your weapon, upgrade your gear, sharpen your skills, and get ready to take on the frenzied foes of Rotwood!
Surviving Rotwood is no easy task. You’ll need practice, strategy, and refined combat skills to tackle the game’s toughest encounters.
Featuring rich and varied combat mechanics, play solo or co-op with up to three friends, fighting increasingly challenging encounters as you battle your way through 7 unique locations.
Complex and Rewarding Combat
Rotwood focuses on combat mastery and gear progression to defeat enemies that you once thought impossible.
Pick your target carefully and sharpen your skills as you face increasingly difficult encounters. Battle your way through deceptively vicious rots in search of your true foe, a powerful, corrupted boss battle that will put your abilities to the test.
Experiment with various gear combinations and refine and perfect your build to best make use of these strange powers. However, true success comes from skill, adaptability, and strategy.
Diverse Weapons and Combat Styles
Button mashing and decent gear will only get you so far. Practice and perfect combo attacks for each weapon type to reach your destructive potential. Discover and upgrade different weapons and armor to further enhance your combat effectiveness.
Master a variety of weapons or specialize in the one that suits you best. Each weapon type offers its own distinct combat style and benefits. Get in close to smash, slam, pierce, or hang back and blast your foes from a distance.
Dreamotion has announced that My Little Puppy will release for the Nintendo Switch on May 29. A physical edition for the game will release in June.
My Little Puppy released last year for PC via Steam. Dreamotion confirmed that the game would also release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, however, it is currently unknown if both versions will release on the same day as the Switch edition. Check out the new trailer for My Little Puppy below:
Here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:
“There is a saying that when you depart from this world, the dog who went ahead will warmly welcome you.”
Bong-gu the Welsh Corgi was once an abandoned dog. Judging by his docked tail, someone had once cared for him, but for some reason, he became unwanted. As an 8-year-old senior dog with various illnesses, it was hard for him to find a new family. Trapped in a cage at an animal shelter, each day passed gloomily for Bong-gu.
Then one day, a miracle happened. Bong-gu met a new family. The man who took Bong-gu had a somewhat scruffy appearance and seemed slightly awkward, but Bong-gu loved his scent. From that day on, Bong-gu lived out his remaining days just like any other dog would: playing tug-of-war, running around, eating, and sleeping. In the end, he crossed the rainbow bridge, having lived out a simple yet joyful life.
Sniff sniff… this scent… One day in dog heaven, Bong-gu wakes from his nap to a very familiar scent. Sniff sniff… it’s dad!. Though faint, surely it is dad’s scent he has been waiting for. Jubilant, Bong-gu escapes dog heaven and embarks on a journey to meet his dad – a journey that may hold unexpected dangers. Just as his dad once found him by some miracle, it is now Bong-gu’s turn to find his dad.
Will Bong-gu be able to see his dad again?
An adventure in a beautiful world filled with stories of dogs and people
Teetering on the border between life and death, a world outside of dog heaven feels both familiar and strange. Embark on an adventure through beautifully crafted landscapes including deserts, snowy mountains, and beaches. Experience diverse gameplay across adventure, action, racing genres. And remember, Bong-gu is a dog! Actions like sniffing, barking, running, and jumping come with limitations. To overcome his limitations and reunite with his dad, he must meet, give, and receive help from people and other dogs, each with unique stories to share. Unlike cats, there is only so much a dog can do alone!
In the end, this is a story for all of us
At the end of his journey, Bong-gu finally reunites with his dad. The journey is filled with joy and excitement, but also moments of hardship and sadness. Yet, the ending has always been written: those destined to meet again will find their way back together. My Little Puppy may be a story about a dog, but it is also a story of relationships, farewells, and reunions that speaks to us all. For those waiting to see their once-in-a-lifetime friend or family member again, or those preparing for an inevitable parting that may come, we hope this story brings warm comfort. One day, we will meet again.
During the recent Nintendo Indie World presentation, Undercoders revealed that Denshattack! will release on June 17. A demo is available today on Nintendo Switch 2.
At launch, an exclusive in-game skin will be available for Switch 2 owners. The game will also be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Further, you can play the demo on Steam as well. Check out the latest trailer for Denshattack!, confirming its release date, below:
Hop aboard your custom gravity-defying train and embark on a hectic quest to defeat the sinister Miraidō corporation, alongside a vibrant pack of outcasts.
Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through Japan’s biggest cities, as well as a world of meadows, volcanoes and oceans. Rack up points and chase that sweet high score as you flip, trick and stick the landing in your customisable ride.
Face off against a lineup of reimagined Japanese trains, gain the respect of an underground network of gangs and rebels, and turn rivals to allies as you master your skills. Journey from naive beginner to seasoned pro as you strive to race the fastest train in existence and become a legendary Denshattacker!
From mecha magical girls to moving castles, and mechanical worms to a Denshattacker army — face a flurry of madcap bosses that get wilder and wilder the further you get. Use what you’ve learned to stop them in their tracks.
Travel from the countryside of Kyushu through the metropolises of Osaka, Tokyo and more, now sealed under domes by Miraidō. Venture across Japan to the snowfields of Hokkaido… and beyond! Each new region holds fresh challenges to beat and rules to break.
I love it when a video game has a good story; getting immersed in well-done storytelling is something I never tire of. Sometimes it takes a while for a story to click with me, but when it does, I immediately jump onboard. When I began my journey with Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale, I never expected to get so drawn in – I’m so glad I was. While a short adventure, Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale delivered an experience that very few games can, resonating with me and leaving a lasting impression.
Last month, I previewed the first three chapters of Apopia. When I was finished, I was very interested in seeing how the rest of the adventure would unfold. Now that I fully experienced this game, my high expectations were proven right, as Apopia left me pleasantly surprised. There are a few hiccups along the way, but the story more than makes up for it.
A Blizzard of Story
Apopia begins with Mai, falling into the sugar-filled kingdom of Yogurt while exploring a mountain with her mother. Mai teams up with a mysterious cat named Nico and a few other citizens to escape and reunite with her family. At first, I wasn’t too interested in the plot, but that was until the game started teasing an emotional story for Mai. Inside Mai’s mind are two versions of her mother, one red and violent, the other blue and nurturing. As the game progresses, you learn that both sides paint a complex picture, with Mai struggling between the two. The game takes a dark turn, and this twist was what really hooked me. By the time the credits rolled, I was surprised by how Apopia’s story resonated with me.
Apopia has a dark side beneath the sugar-filled land; the characters have all gone through tragic or traumatic moments in their lives that have shaped them into who they are now. Nowhere can it be seen better than with Moly, one of the most well-developed characters of Apopia. She begins as someone who wants to help Mai get home and get rid of the ruler of Yogurt, named Boss, so Moly can reclaim the throne that was taken from her long ago. When the pacing began to pick up, I assumed she would not be too pivotal to the plot, but I’m glad she was. Her relationship to the final boss and final dark world is so important to not only the world of Apopia but also the heart of the game’s message. Without her, the game would’ve still been good, but with her, it is great.
While I really loved those two characters, almost everyone else felt underdeveloped. Characters like the three swordsman had glimmers of interesting storytelling, but none that really showed up during the main story. The same goes for the black guard; they were all so close to being interesting, but left the story before they managed to leave any impression on me. Nico was another such case. When you meet him at the beginning of the adventure, he has a shadow of mystery. As you go further into the game, you learn more about his past and even play as him. I really enjoyed his character and empathized with him, but by the time I started to understand him better, he left the story, and the final part of the game began.
Overall, Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale has a strong narrative that took a while to hook me, but once it did, it never let go. Some characters are underdeveloped, but the strong development of Mai and Moly made up for it with how their stories resonated with me.
Switching Things Up
The gameplay of Apopia is simple: you explore the world of Yogurt while solving puzzles to advance the story. There are times when it changes into different genres; one moment it’s a dating sim, the next a dungeon crawler. These moments keep Apopia from getting repetitive and keep me interested, with Chapter 3 being a highlight of the adventure. In between the main puzzles, small bite-sized trials keep the momentum going, so no moment is spent in downtime. Unfortunately, this caused some backtracking, making certain sections tedious, but at least most were over quickly.
An aspect of the game teased early on is the existence of dark worlds, with Mai able to enter them. These areas represent a character’s subconscious, with Mai able to find memories or clues important to the plot. Each dark world has a wildly different art style, each being based on the character’s personality. The deeper you explore each character, the more their past comes to light. A few offer tragic pasts that make you empathize with them. Mai can access dark worlds and affect the overworld with her Mai Trick ability. With this shes able to turn off lasers, influence robots, and learn what an opponent is thinking. It’s a very useful tool that constantly keeps Mai and her friends one step ahead of their enemies.
Areas of Improvement
There are only a few issues I have with Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale. For starters, the controls can be a bit off, especially in one segment involving Nico and another character chasing a robot. The controls felt slippery, causing me to fail a few times. There were other places that I felt could’ve done with some tweaking, but they were few and far between. I struggled a bit with a later dark world as well. To advance, I needed to press the correct musical notes after hearing a specific melody. Unfortunately, the song’s audio was faint, and even after raising the volume, it took longer than expected to advance.
I only experienced one major bug throughout my time with the game, which happened early on, thankfully. I found myself out of bounds, unable to reenter, causing me to restart the game from the beginning after attempting to reenter for 30 minutes. While it detracted from my overall fun, it wasn’t a dealbreaker. I was able to return to where I was after a few hours, and luckily, there wasn’t any major issue like this again. I’m also expecting this will be addressed in a patch sometime after launch.
Sugary Sweet
I enjoyed my time with Apopia; the story was fantastic, with the gameplay struggling on a few occasions. Mai and Moly were among the best parts of the game, but other characters needed more time to stand out and receive the development they needed. As a world, Yogurt was a dreamland of interesting characters and fun puzzles.
Moments of backtracking should’ve been cut down, but most segments ended before they became a problem. Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale, while short, is packed to the brim with charm, passion, and heart. This is an adventure I will be thinking about for quite a while.
Disclaimer: Happinet provided a PC (Steam) copy of Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale for review purposes.
Previously released at The Game Awards 2025, Mega Man: Dual Override is the next entry in the long-running Mega Man action platformer series. Mega Man: Dual Override launches in 2027 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection launches March 27 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders for Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection include exclusive bonuses such as four arranged BGM tracks and two main menu customization characters: Geo Stelar (Casual Wear) and Omega-Xis.
PRAGMATA will launch on April 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. As an exclusive bonus, players who pre-order will receive Hugh’s samurai-styled Neo Bushido outfit and Diana’s ninja-inspired Neo Kunoichi costume.
Capcom will release new amiibo for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection alongside the game on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. A free demo for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is now available.
Marvelous has announced that STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 28 for $49.99. The PS5 version of STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar will be sold physically and digitally worldwide, with the physical release being exclusive to Amazon in the U.S.
Similar to the original release, the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar will receive Digital Deluxe and Super Digital Deluxe Editions for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the game and the “Trunk of Transformation” set. The Super Digital Deluxe Edition includes Digital Deluxe Edition contents, a digital soundtrack, and digital art book. All digital editions include the “Cow Set” as an added bonus, according to the game’s official website.
Previously, Marvelous released STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar update 1.4.0 with new Deluxe Bingo Cards and two new Cherry Blossom-themed gliders to celebrate Lunar New Year. Bingo rewards can be obtained by playing rounds of Happy Bingo, a minigame that grants in-game items and cosmetics for completing various in-game activities.
STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar launched on August 27, 2025, for $49.99 on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam) and $59.99 on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are available at participating retailers and the Marvelous Online Store. Final Weapon previously reviewed STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaarand gave it a 4.5 out of 5 score, noting that the game is “much more than just a simple remaster of the original on Nintendo DS.”
Analogue has announced that it will restock the Analogue Pocket and Analogue Dock, and that both will be available to order on March 4. The two will ship in June 2026.
Alongside both, you can also order Analogue Cartridge Cleaners, which maintain the quality and condition of cartridges for the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance, which are playable on the Pocket. The Dock will allow players to play the Pocket on their TV. The Dock will cost $99.99, while the Pocket costs $239.99. Originally, the latter cost $219.99, but due to recent tariffs, the pricing has been adjusted.
Check out the announcement post confirming the Analogue Pocket and Dock restock below:
Analogue Pocket & Analogue Dock – restock.
A tribute to portable gaming. Out of the box, Pocket is compatible with the 2,780+ Game Boy, Game Boy Color & Game Boy Advance game cartridge library and more.
A multi-video-game-system portable handheld. A digital audio workstation with a built-in synthesizer and sequencer. A tribute to portable gaming. Out of the box, Pocket is compatible with the 2,780+ Game Boy, Game Boy Color & Game Boy Advance game cartridge library. Pocket works with cartridge adapters for other handheld systems, too. Like Game Gear. Neo Geo Pocket Color. TurboGrafx-16. Atari Lynx & more. Completely engineered in two FPGAs. No emulation.
Pocket is designed around a first-in-class 3.5”, 615 ppi, LCD. With a 1600×1440 resolution, Pocket has 10x the resolution of an original Game Boy. Yeah. We can hardly believe it, either. Pro level color accuracy, dynamic range, and brightness. The display is even made from Gorilla Glass. There has never been a display this advanced in a video game system.
Transform Pocket’s display into the display on an original GB, GBC, or GBA. Quirks and all. Pocket’s 615ppi display allows astonishingly accurate recreation of original hardware display characteristics like backlight LCD effects, pixel grid patterns and LCD subpixel patterns.
A new official trailer for the Sakamoto Days live-action film was released, revealing the theme song “BANG!!” by Snow Man. Ren Meguro, a member of Snow Man, stars as Tarō Sakamoto (shown above and in the trailer below) in the Sakamoto Days film.
Yūichi Fukuda (Gintama live-action) directs and writes the script for the film. Keiya Tabuchi is directing the action. CREDEUS and Avex Pictures are producing the film.
Sakamoto Days Part 2 premiered on July 14, 2025, on Netflix. Rock band Kroi performs the opening theme song “Method,” and go!go!vanillas perform the ending theme song “Dandelion.”
Masaki Watanabe directs the anime at TMS Entertainment. Taku Kishimoto oversees the series scripts, and Yō Moriyama is the character designer. Kōki Uchiyama plays the role of Gaku in Sakamoto Days Part 2 alongside Hisako Kanemoto as Nao Toramaru, Tomoaki Maeno as Jōichiro Kaji, and Tatsumaru Tachibana as Shinaya.
Yuuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days manga is still ongoing in Japan, with 20 volumes being available in English right now through VIZ Media.
