‘Soccer Underdog Epic’ Game Fantasista Asuka Launches on February 12

By
Soul Kiwami
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Fantasista Asuka

Japanese studio qureate has announced “soccer underdog epic” game Fantasista Asuka will release on February 12 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. Fantasista Asuka will cost $19.99 / 2,480 yen, and there will be a 10% launch discount, according to the Japanese Nintendo eShop.

Here’s an overview of the game, via the official website: 

About

Become the coach of a women’s soccer team and lead them to victory!

In this real-time soccer sim, play as the coach of a women’s soccer team tasked with guiding your eccentric players towards victory! Gameplay for matches is simple and approachable, consisting of quick time events. Unlock new players and power up your team by winning heated matches against your rivals! In addition, look forward to some mind-blowing rules you definitely won’t find in a real soccer match! Draft your convention-busting dream team and shoot for the win!

Story

A chance encounter brings together Daisuke Aozora, a coach with ambitions to train a Japanese women’s soccer team that can compete on the world stage, and Asuka Tenma, a player from the bottom-ranked soccer club, the Golden Balls.

Seeing potential in Asuka, Daisuke decides to coach for the Golden Balls.

“I’ll guide you from the weakest to the strongest.”

From that one chance encounter… From that one promise…
Asuka and her teammates’ fates begin to change.

The bottom-rank team’s miracle run…!
Strap in for a soccer underdog epic filled with passion and perseverance!

Mario Kart World Update 1.5.0 Adds Team Races to Knockout Tour in Multiplayer Rooms

By
Soul Kiwami
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Mario Kart World update 1.5.0

Nintendo has revealed the patch notes for Mario Kart World update 1.5.0, which is available now on Nintendo Switch 2. Mario Kart World update 1.5.0 introduces team races to Knockout Tour in multiplayer rooms for Online Play and Wireless, and a Polish language localization was also added.

Like previous updates, update 1.5.0 applies several bug fixes as well. Nintendo also outlined team races and the new Mario Kart World update in a dedicated blog post, in case you want more specific details on how rooms work.

The patch notes for the new Mario Kart World update can be read below, via Nintendo’s official support website:

Mario Kart World Update 1.5.0 Patch Notes

General

  • Added team races to Knockout Tour when playing in a room during “Online Play” and “Wireless Play”.
  • The game now supports the Polish language.
    • Note: You can change your selected language using the “Language” setting in the “System” menu of “System Settings.”

Fixed Issues

  • Fixed an issue where the game would sometimes end if a player plays as Kamek on Choco Mountain.
  • Fixed an issue where the displayed rating would sometimes be incorrect when joining “Everyone” in “Online Play” while in a room.
  • Several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Anime Reveals Ending Theme Song

By
Soul Kiwami
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Ascendance of a Bookworm Adopted Daughter of an Archduke

The official website for Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke, the latest anime adaptation of Miya Kazuki’s Ascendance of a Bookworm light novel series, revealed that Nogizaka46 member Erika Ikuta performs the anime’s ending theme song “Ima mo, Arigatō (Even Now, I Thank You).” Little Glee performs the opening theme song “Pages.”

 

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke will premiere on April 4 and will run for two consecutive cours.

Yuka Iguchi and Show Hayami will be reprising their roles as Rozemyne and Ferdinand, respectively.

Yoshiaki Iwasaki known for his work on Kowloon Generic Romance, is directing the new series at Wit Studio. Mariko Kunisawa returns to write the series scripts, and Aiko Minowa is the new character designer. MICHIRU returns to compose the music.

Other staff members include:

  • Color Design: Makiho Kondō
  • Art Setting: Seiki Tamura, Ayami Hidaka, Ikuko Tamine, Yifei Lyu
  • Art Director: Seiki Tamura
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Mayuko Koike
  • Editing: Jun’ichi Masunaga
  • Sound Director: Jun Watanabe (returning)
  • Sound Effects: Hiromune Kurahashi
  • Animation Producer: Keita Yoshinobu

Miya Kazuki released the Ascendance of a Bookworm novels from 2013 to 2017 on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website. You Shiina illustrates the print edition. The main series concluded with its 33rd volume in December 2023, which has sold more than 11 million copies.

In October 2019, the light novel received its anime adaptation. The first season of the anime aired in 2019, followed by a second season in 2020, and a third season in 2022. These three seasons are streaming on Crunchyroll.

Here’s a description of the anime series via Crunchyroll:

Avid bookworm and college student Motosu Urano ends up dying in an unforeseen accident. This came right after the news that she would finally be able to work as a librarian like she had always dreamed of. When she regained consciousness, she was reborn as Main, the daughter of a poor soldier.

She was in the town of Ehrenfest, which had a harsh class system. But as long as she had books, she didn’t need anything else. However, books were scarce and belonged only to the nobles. But that doesn’t stop her, so she makes a decision… “If there aren’t any books, I’ll just create some.”

Arknights: Endfield Celebrates Launch with Login Bonus Rewards

By
Soul Kiwami
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Arknights: Endfield

GRYPHLINE and Mountain Contour have released Arknights: Endfield for Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and PC via Epic Games Store, and to celebrate the launch, players earn an assortment of rewards for free. 6-star character Ardelia, Firewalker’s Trail HH Permit x5, and Chartered HH Permit x12 are among the rewards that Arknights: Endfield players can earn with the series of login bonus events extending past launch day. In total, players can earn a total of 135 pulls for free shortly after launch through normal progression and login bonuses.

“Bringing the Arknights IP into a 3D space is a huge milestone for me personally,” said Light Zhong, Co-Founder & Director at GRYPHLINE. “Making that leap from 2D to 3D is no small feat as a developer, and from the start, we knew we didn’t want to make something that felt like everything else out there. Instead, we leaned into what we genuinely love playing ourselves, factory automation, and committed to seeing that idea through. It took a long time, and a lot of hard work, to turn that obsession into the Endfield you’re seeing today.”

Zhong continued, “I believe people support our games because they can feel the quality and the heart behind them. I hope you enjoy the experience, and I look forward to hearing your feedback as we continue shaping the game together.”

Ahead of launch, Final Weapon reviewed Arknights: Endfield and gave it a 3.5/5 score, noting that despite some of the game’s flaws, “Arknights: Endfield undeniably is a visual masterclass with an easy to learn but fun to master combat system and world to explore.”

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Original Soundtrack Plus Announced, Releasing April 1 in Japan

By
Noah Hunter
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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Original Soundtrack Plus

Square Enix has officially announced the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Original Soundtrack Plus album, containing a total of five CDs of music not yet released from the major RPG. This release follows a similar album that Final Fantasy VII Remake received, allowing players to listen to tracks that were not released on the Original Soundtrack or with Intergrade.

Currently, this album is set to release on April 1 in Japan, with the official Square Enix Store shipping out copies in May 2026. The album’s cover art features the new key art that was released alongside the PC version, featuring the game’s main characters with Sephiroth looming in the background. Square Enix describes this release as follows:

“From FFVII REBIRTH comes the Soundtrack Plus!

The “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Original Soundtrack ~Special edit version~”, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Original Soundtrack”, and “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH GOLD SAUCER and MINI GAME DISC” do not include these tracks. This release features in-game background music previously unavailable on those albums, compiled across five CDs.”

This news comes just around the launch of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S. In our 4.5/5 review, we wrote, “Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an absolute joy to play on Nintendo Switch 2. This fantastic RPG is filled with memorable characters, an amazing narrative, and an engaging combat system that’s almost impossible to put down. The game runs great and looks excellent, with performance consistent at 30 FPS. While some visuals can appear grainy due to heavy DLSS usage, it’s a small trade-off for having this wonderful game on the go.”

Be sure to check out our UNDER THE PLATE video series on YouTube, where we discuss brand new Final Fantasy VII topics each week.

Street Fighter 6 DLC Character Alex Releases on March 17

By
Soul Kiwami
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Street Fighter 6 DLC Character Alex

Capcom has announced that Street Fighter 6 DLC character Alex will release on March 17. A new gameplay trailer was released to showcase Alex before he arrives in Street Fighter 6. 

Capcom previously released the “Fighter Sports Meet Fighting Pass” for Street Fighter 6. The Fighting Pass added an EX Color for Rashid’s Outfit 3 and E. Honda’s default outfit, two new titles, five new avatar gear cosmetics, three music tracks (“Beautiful Bay Stage -Vietnam-,” “Run-down Back Alley Stage -China-,” “Festival At The Old Temple Stage -South Korea-“), two new challenger screen illustrations for Manon and Ed, a new emote, a new challenger screen effect, three stickers, and a Capcom Sports Club arcade cabinet.

The previous DLC character, C. Viper, released on October 15, 2025 with a new update and more new content, including the new Sim Sim Stickers feature. Players can complete move-based challenges while playing Street Fighter 6 with their favorite characters in order to unlock stickers for online chat and the in-game camera. Essentially, the Sim Sim Stickers feature rewards Street Fighter 6 players for learning how to play the game and use characters.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. On Nintendo Switch 2, Street Fighter 6 features a new Local Wireless mode. Local Wireless also includes Avatar Matches, allowing players to use their custom avatar from World Tour. What’s more, the Nintendo Switch 2 version supports tabletop mode with single Joy-Con play, Gyro Battle using dynamic motion controls. There’s also Calorie Contest Mode, which allows players to test their strength and endurance with exercises.  

Fighting Force Collection Releases on January 23

By
Soul Kiwami
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Fighting Force Collection

Limited Run Games has announced that Fighting Force Collection will release on January 23 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. 

Fighting Force was developed by Core Design and released for PC in October 1997, followed by the original PlayStation the following month. A Nintendo 64 version was released in June 1999. The sequel, Fighting Force 2, was released in December 1999 for PlayStation and SEGA Dreamcast. Fighting Force Collection will feature both of these games in one package.

Lastly, here’s an overview of Fighting Force Collection, via Steam:

Two PlayStation 1 classics return: Fighting Force and Fighting Force 2!

Fighting Force: Originally released in 1997, this beat ’em up classic let players become Hawk Manson, Mace Daniels, Alana McKendricks, or Ben “Smasher” Johnson as they fight to take down the evil Dr. Dex Zeng.

Features:

      • Choose from two male or two female characters, each with different skills and strengths.
      • Play alone or in co-op mode to defeat your enemies.
      • Dozens of moves per character.
      • Seven action packed levels in 22 different stages.
      • Pick up weapons like rocket launchers, shotguns, pipes, guns, grenades and more!

Fighting Force 2: This follow-up released in 1999 – in this game, players take the role of Hawk Manson, who is covertly investigating human cloning experiments by the Knackmiche Corporation.

Features:

      • Negotiate through complex R&D facilities featuring amazing visuals and advanced special effects.
      • Fierce hand-to-hand combat including deadly combination moves.
      • Use an arsenal of over 20 lethal weapons to assist in removal of key personnel and complete destruction of environments.

All You Need is Kill Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is Now Streaming

By
Soul Kiwami
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All You Need is Kill

The All You Need Is Kill Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring music by composer Yasuhiro Maeda is now available on streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music.

“I didn’t write this soundtrack to tell a story, but to create sounds that enhance the visual experience,” Yasuhiro Maeda said in a press release. “Listening to the music on its own, I feel the album ended up having a much broader range than I originally expected.”

Here’s the track list for the original soundtrack:

All You Need is Kill Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Track list

All You Need is Kill Album Art

  1. introduction
  2. red flash
  3. darol
  4. something is wrong
  5. sudden rampage
  6. doubt
  7. isolate
  8. dread
  9. relentless dread
  10. mother
  11. flashback
  12. tedious repetition
  13. know the future
  14. Blame the Future
  15. resolution
  16. over and over
  17. jacket
  18. improvement
  19. weapon
  20. don’t be afraid!
  21. this won’t do
  22. Unbroken
  23. battle-axe
  24. found it!
  25. despair
  26. uncertain
  27. tailing
  28. 92nd time
  29. experiment
  30. my hero
  31. feelings of closeness
  32. cooperation
  33. just a little more!
  34. disappointment
  35. research institute
  36. quartz spores
  37. together
  38. reconciliation
  39. beautiful world
  40. heart wound
  41. trauma
  42. inside
  43. premonition of doom
  44. two of us
  45. bond
  46. alone
  47. tomorrow
  48. Alias

Warner Bros. Japan and STUDIO4°C’s anime film adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka and Yoshitoshi ABe’s All You Need Is Kill light novel opened on January 9 across 10 theaters in Japan, followed by North America on January 16. GKIDS is also distributing the film in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

The English dub cast includes:

  • Stephanie Sheh as Rita
  • Jadon Muniz as Keiji
  • Lisa Kay Jennings as Shasta
  • Cherami Leigh as Rachel
  • Jonny Cruz as Yonabaru

Kenichiro Akimoto directs the anime at STUDIO4°C. AKASAKI performs the theme song “Tsuretette.” 

The Japanese cast includes:

  • Ai Mikami as Rita
  • Natsuki Hanae as Keiji
  • Kana Hanazawa as Shasta
  • Hiccorohee as Rachel
All You Need is Kill key visual
©坂洋／集英社・ALL YOU NEED IS KILL製作委員会

The All You Need Is Kill novel was published by Shueisha in 2004. In 2009, Viz Media acquired the series and began publishing it in English. A manga adaptation by Takeshi Obata and Ryōsuke Takeuchi was released in January 2014.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the series via VIZ Media:

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally—the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death?

Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos to Feature Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel

By
Soul Kiwami
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Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos

Niantic and The Pokémon Company have announced that Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos will mark the in-game debut of Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel. The Overturning Pokémon, Mega Malamar, and the Flycatcher Pokémon, Mega Victreebeel, are the first Mega Evolutions originating from Pokémon Legends: Z-A to arrive in Pokémon GO. 

Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel will both appear during the in-person Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos events on Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22 in Los Angeles and Tainan, and lucky players will be available to get rare Shiny variants. The global event will run from Saturday, February 28 to Sunday, March 1, giving players around the world a chance to obtain the Mega Pokémon. 

Special Pokémon backgrounds inspired by Pokémon X and Y are available for a variety of Pokémon caught throughout the event. What’s more, with a purchase of an additional ticket add-on, players can participate in Mega Night once the main events in Los Angeles and Tainan conclude. Mega Night offers additional chances to catch a rotating lineup of Mega-Evolved Pokémon with special backgrounds, along with a special gift. Paid ticketholders can also complete branching Research to encounter Xerneas or Yveltal with a special background.

During Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos – Global, players can expect Mega Evolved Pokémon from Pokémon X and Y in Mega Raids, including Mega Charizard X and Y, along with Special Research and Field Research. There will be event bonuses, and players can benefit from an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon with a purchase of an additional Global event ticket.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is Producer Kensuke Tanabe’s Last Game at Nintendo

By
Soul Kiwami
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Metroid Prime 4 Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond producer Kensuke Tanabe has confirmed that the latest entry in the series is his final game at Nintendo in a new interview with Nintendo Dream. The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond producer notes that while a sequel is still uncertain, Risa Tabata and Retro Studios will be able to tell the full story of the Sylux Saga, which began with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

“I have confirmed that I will no longer be involved in the production of the series moving forward,” Tanabe told Nintendo Dream. “Whether a sequel will be made is still uncertain, but I sincerely hope that one day, Ms. Tabata and Retro Studios will be able to tell this story completely and bring it to a close.”

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is available now for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. As previously revealed, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition includes two different graphics options, Quality Mode and Performance Mode, which output at 4K 60 FPS and 1080p 120 FPS, respectively. Both of these modes support HDR, and there’s even the option to play with mouse controls with Joy-Con 2. 

Final Weapon reviewed Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and gave it a 4.5/5 score, noting that the game’s “overall approach to gameplay and the narrative does a great job of evolving the series while staying true to what made it special in the first place.”

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