Category: Gaming

  • Crankboy Brings Full-Speed GB Emulation to Playdate for $10

    Crankboy Brings Full-Speed GB Emulation to Playdate for $10

    Key Takeaway

    – Crankboy brings a functional Game Boy emulator to Playdate for $10, with four pre-installed homebrew games and the ability to run ROM hacks and other titles via the Crankboy app.
    – It’s notable but pricey: the $10 price plus a Playdate (and potentially refurbished unit) makes the total cost comparable to or higher than buying a standalone Game Boy.
    – The developers, Sodium and Stonerl, achieved snappy performance on the Playdate by slimming the core to about 2KB and leveraging the device’s tightly coupled memory, plus targeted audio tweaks for stability.

    Playdate maker Panic has now officially added “Crankboy” to its Catalogue, letting owners use the quirky yellow handheld to revisit classic Game Boy titles, including four homebrew games included with Crankboy.

    Pricing and availability

    The Crankboy Game Boy emulator for the Playdate isn’t free: it costs $10, which is a tad expensive given the Playdate’s unique but limited platform and the fact that the device itself is already $229. Users can, however, still snag a refurbished unit for as low as $179. This would still cost nearly as much as purchasing a standalone, renewed Game Boy on Amazon.

    Included games

    Once you purchase Crankboy from the Playdate Catalogue, you get four pre-installed homebrew games: Life’s Too Short GB by Pixel Ghost, Dashosaur by Sleeping Panda, GBBS95 by Beatscribe, and Lo-Fi by Beatscribe, a music album built inside the Crankboy emulator but actually intended for your Playdate.

    How to use

    Playdate owners can download ROM hacks and other homebrew games directly within the Crankboy app. If you’re looking to play some classic retro Game Boy titles like Pokémon Red and Blue, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Metroid II: Return of Samus, or Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, that’s entirely possible as well.

    Technical notes

    The catch is that you’ll have to legally dump your own Game Boy cartridges and use the Crankboy Manager tool to import your games onto your Playdate and into the Crankboy emulator.

    Development and performance

    The developers behind the project, known as Sodium and Stonerl, poured months of effort into making Crankboy run at full speed and feel snappy on the Playdate’s modest hardware. When hype around the Playdate was at an all-time high, people wondered whether it could ever run emulators, but skeptics figured it was too underpowered to handle even lightweight Game Boy games. However, the two developers managed to prove them wrong. In an earlier interview with ReadOnlyMemo, developer Sodium said:

    “A lot of people were speculating that the Playdate is too underpowered to be able to run a Game Boy emulator. But it turns out not to be true. The trouble is that until recently, most people were not aware of what exactly the performance bottleneck on the emulator was. The real bottleneck was the size of the cache.”

    To bypass this limitation, the two developers decided to slim the emulator’s core code to a mere 2 kilobytes, using the device’s tightly coupled memory (TCM) so that data and code remain in place between frames rather than being copied in and out.

    Stonerl also had to make specific audio tweaks because certain sound channels could lead to frame drops, which, of course, is a no-go for a $10 Game Boy emulator on a niche $229 gaming handheld with a crank.

    Ultimately, you can play Game Boy titles with 44.1 kHz audio, support for multiple save slots per game, and plenty of tweaks for retro gamers, such as widescreen support.

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  • Call of Duty Nintendo Switch 2 Debut Reported Confirmed

    Call of Duty Nintendo Switch 2 Debut Reported Confirmed

    Key Takeaway

    – NateTheHate corroborates that Modern Warfare 4 will be the first Call of Duty game on Nintendo Switch 2.
    – Timing aligns with prior hints that a Switch 2 CoD release was imminent, despite delays and kit access concerns.
    – No official confirmation yet from Microsoft or Activision; leaks and credible teasers (billbil-kun cover art) add weight to the rumor.

    Overview

    Reliable gaming insider NateTheHate has just added more weight to the growing body of evidence around Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 (curr $449 on Amazon). In a comment on the r/GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit, he has affirmed that the rumoured Modern Warfare 4 will be the first CoD title on the platform. When a commenter suggested as much, NateTheHate, who regularly monitors the subreddit, replied with a simple “Yes.”

    Context and Timing

    The timing makes sense, considering everything that’s been pointing in this direction for months. Windows Central’s Jez Corden stated last December that “the first CoD Switch version is nearly done and launching in a few months.” He later clarified that 2026 was the safer bet for a release window. The delay had previously been attributed to Nintendo being selective about which studios initially received Switch 2 dev kits. Most likely, this left Activision without the tools it needed to get started.

    Leaks and Rumors

    The MW4 name itself surfaced this week via billbil-kun, a credible leaker who posted a heavily blurred cover art for an unnamed Activision game alongside the Korean character “사” — the Sino-Korean word for four. The community immediately read that as a Modern Warfare 4 confirmation.

    Company Commitments

    Microsoft committed to bringing CoD to Nintendo platforms as part of its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Granted, this makes the long absence from Switch 2 something of an awkward gap in that promise. A Sledgehammer Games job listing seeking a Senior Technical Artist with “AAA mobile or Switch experience” had already dropped crumbs regarding something in the pipeline.

    Official Confirmation Status

    Neither Microsoft nor Activision has officially confirmed MW4 or its platform lineup. But with billbil-kun’s cover art and NateTheHate’s confirmation landing within the same thread, it’s becoming kind of hard to dismiss.

    • u/KekanKok on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours
    • u/Loose_Society9485 on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours
    • @billbil-kun on X/Twitter


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  • Forza Horizon Devs Tease First AAA Project Ahead of State of Play

    Forza Horizon Devs Tease First AAA Project Ahead of State of Play

    Key Takeaway

    – Maverick Games, formed in 2022 by ex-Forza Horizon developers, is developing a first AAA, narrative-led open-world driving game.
    – The reveal is scheduled for June 2, ahead of a State of Play event.
    – The project aims for a story-focused experience in an open world, potentially aligning with tonal elements seen in Need for Speed titles.

    Opening note about the new open-world racing project

    When it comes to open-world racing games, Playground Games has solid experience with the genre. With the sixth instalment in the Forza Horizon series becoming the biggest in the franchise, a team of developers who worked on past titles is now gearing up to reveal their first open-world racing game. Not a lot is known about the title, but the reveal is coming up soon.

    Origins of the new studio and its leadership

    Maverick Games was formed in 2022 by Mike Brown, who worked as the Creative Director for Forza Horizon 5. The studio consists of some other former Forza Horizon developers, and they have been working on their first game, a AAA “narrative-led driving experience” in an open world setting. Taking to X, the studio teased that the reveal is happening on June 2, hours before the State of Play event goes live.

    Funding and corporate background

    Maverick Games was originally funded by Amazon but went independent after the tech giant made significant changes to its games business.

    What we know about the game’s design and focus

    As for the game itself, it’s quite a mystery, as there have been no leaks or rumors around it. It is going to be an open-world game that is being written by Jamie Brittian. With the “narrative-led driving experience” setting, it could have a deeper focus on the storyline like some Need for Speed titles of the past. Even though Forza Horizon 6 also has an overarching story, the focus is more on the variety of races.

    Maverick Games on X, Maverick Games on YouTube, The Game Business

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  • FIFA Heroes Delayed to June 22 After May Window Missed

    FIFA Heroes Delayed to June 22 After May Window Missed

    Key Takeaway

    – The game’s global launch was postponed twice, with a new date set for June 22, 2026, after missing the May window.
    – June 22 places the release during the World Cup group stage, increasing competition for attention with live football.
    – Android soft launch remains unchanged in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines; console timelines remain unannounced.

    ENVER Studio and Solace Games delay FIFA Heroes launch again

    ENVER Studio and Solace Games committed to a May 2026 global launch for FIFA Heroes on April 23. The May window is now dead by the developers’ own hand. ENVER Studio has confirmed a new global launch date of June 22, 2026, marking the game’s second missed window since its original April 28 release date. The shifting dates have left fans waiting and uncertain about when the game will reach players across platforms.

    Original plan versus new timing

    FIFA Heroes was originally set for April 28 on iOS and Android. Days before that date arrived, ENVER and Solace moved it to May with no explanation. The April 23 announcement framed the new window as timed to arrive ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. No specific date in May was given. This change created confusion among potential players who had been tracking the release for months.

    Current launch status across platforms

    The game remains in soft launch on Android in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. That status has not changed. Console versions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox were already on a separate, unannounced timeline before the May commitment was even made. The fragmented rollout strategy complicates expectations for a unified global release and points to ongoing development adjustments by the publishers.

    Rationale and timing considerations

    ENVER and Solace built their entire launch strategy around the World Cup. A pre-tournament release was supposed to give FIFA Heroes the best possible conditions: a global football audience primed before the first match was played. That window is gone. June 22 drops the game into day 12 of the tournament, deep in the World Cup group stage, which runs through June 27. The decision to target the group stage has sparked discussions about competition with live football and how it may affect player engagement and retention in those early days of competition.

    What’s known and what remains unclear

    Launching during the group stage means competing directly with live football for the attention of the audience, and the game was designed to capture. ENVER and Solace have confirmed June 22 as the new date, but have not explained why May was missed for the second time. The lack of clear reasoning leaves players speculating about internal delays, certification hurdles, and strategic re-evaluations that may have driven the shift between windows.

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  • Dragon Quest XI S Switch 2 Has No Upgrade or Save Transfer Path

    Dragon Quest XI S Switch 2 Has No Upgrade or Save Transfer Path

    Key Takeaway

    – No save transfers between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and no upgrade path from Switch to Switch 2, prompting potential restart for some players.
    – Definitive Edition adds 3D graphics toggle and extra content, with performance mode vs graphics mode options.
    – Physical Game-Key Cards issue: likely downloads will dominate the file size, raising concerns among cartridge supporters.

    Dragon Quest XI Switch 2 Version Announced

    Dragon Quest XI is seeing yet another iteration, with Square Enix announcing a Switch 2 version. Players can expect optimized graphics, but with no save transfers, some Switch owners will have to restart their adventures. Further frustrating fans is the lack of a discounted upgrade path for the new Game-Key Card release.

    Definitive Edition Details and Release

    Square Enix revealed Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition during the RPG franchise’s 40th anniversary stream. With a September 24th release date and $39.99 price, pre-orders are now available.

    What’s New on Switch 2

    The Switch 2 game is essentially the same title that debuted on the Switch in 2019. Featuring a 3D graphics toggle and additional content, the S version was already an improvement over the 2017-2018 PS4, 3DS, and PC ports. The Definitive Edition does allow players to choose between a higher frame rate performance mode and a graphics mode.

    Fan Reactions and Save Transfer Woes

    Despite the new options, followers have reason to feel disappointed. On social media, Wario64 shared that the game’s Japanese site ruled out save transfers between console generations. English speakers then discovered the disclaimer on the Switch page, “There are no plans to sell an upgrade pack to upgrade the Nintendo Switch version to the Nintendo Switch 2 version.”

    Playtime and Value Considerations

    For full playthroughs of Dragon Quest XI S, gamers would often devote 100 hours or more. Veteran players have to decide if the marginal enhancements are worth the added cost and time investment.

    Publisher Strategy and Comparisons

    So far, the publisher has taken a mixed approach to Nintendo’s latest handheld. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles both offered free upgrades for Switch owners. On the other hand, Octopath Traveler 0 shipped without the same perk.

    Physical Media and Game-Key Cards

    Game-Key Cards remain another contentious issue for physical media supporters. It’s likely that the title is more than compact enough to fit on a cartridge. Yet it will depend on downloads for the bulk of its files.

    Critical Reception and Future Prospects

    Critics are labeling the Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition Switch 2 version as greedy. Nevertheless, Square Enix is confident that the turn-based RPG can find a larger audience on its September 24th release date.


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  • Why Illegal ROMs Appear on the Lenovo G02 Game Boy-Style Handheld

    Why Illegal ROMs Appear on the Lenovo G02 Game Boy-Style Handheld

    Key Takeaway

    – Lenovo confirms the G02 exists and is produced under a regional brand license for China, not part of Lenovo’s official global lineup.
    – Lenovo disclaims responsibility for ROMs and pre-installed games, stating third-party retailers may add software or content without Lenovo’s control.
    – The alleged pre-installed ROMs have led to embarrassment and skepticism, with retailers on platforms like AliExpress implicated; the device is no longer available there.

    Overview

    The G02 is a gaming handheld in a Game Boy-style format and designed for emulation – unlike the Legion Go. At first, it was unclear whether the device actually came from Lenovo or whether a third-party manufacturer had simply copied the Chinese company’s branding. According to reports, the G02 is said to ship with pre-installed ROM collections, including Nintendo games, which would be highly questionable from a legal perspective. Lenovo has since commented on the matter. According to the company, the handheld does indeed come from Lenovo.

    Origin and Licensing

    Speaking to Retro Dodo, Lenovo confirmed that the G02 is not a fake, but was produced under a regional brand license for the Chinese market. Accordingly, the device is not part of Lenovo’s official global portfolio. However, Lenovo rejects responsibility for the ROM allegations: neither Lenovo nor authorized licensees offer devices with memory cards or pre-installed games. Lenovo told Retro Dodo that it has no control over third-party retailers that add software or content. In short, the illegal ROMs must have found their way onto the handhelds through retailers.

    Reception and Community

    In the Reddit community, this explanation has received a lukewarm response. Many users are mocking Lenovo, saying the company apparently merely contributed its name, after which an OEM built a cheap white-label device and retailers on AliExpress added ROM collections as usual. All in all, then, this is not a major scandal, but still a rather embarrassing showing for Lenovo. The Lenovo G02 is currently no longer available on AliExpress or Alibaba. The reasons for this remain unclear.

     

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  • Pokémon TCG Pocket Paradox Drive Is Here

    Pokémon TCG Pocket Paradox Drive Is Here

    Key Takeaway

    – Introduction of Ancient and Future subcategories with new deck archetypes centered on their bonuses
    – Headlining ex Pokémon: Koraidon ex (Ancient) and Miraidon ex (Future) anchoring the set
    – Key Supporter pair: Professor Sada enabling ancient energy acceleration and Professor Turo enabling future energy recycling/defense
    – Notable rares: Flutter Mane ex (Ancient Misdreavus) and Iron Bundle ex (Future Delibird) with additional one-star and one-diamond cards rounding the lineup
    – Paradox Drive events calendar: Emblem Event, Community Week trading rewards, Ceruledge ex Drop Event, and Wonder Pick promos mid-June

    Paradox Drive: A Themed Booster Pack for Pokémon TCG Pocket

    Paradox Drive, the latest themed booster pack for Pokémon TCG Pocket, goes live today at 6:00 PM PDT. The pack draws from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet’s roster of Paradox Pokémon and introduces Ancient and Future as playable card subcategories in the game for the first time.

    Headlining Legendaries and New Archetypes

    Koraidon ex and Miraidon ex lead the set as the headline four-diamond Legendary cards. Koraidon is the Ancient Paradox Legendary from Pokémon Scarlet, Miraidon is the future counterpart from Pokemon Violet. Both are expected to anchor new deck archetypes built around the subcategory bonuses.

    Ex-Level Power and New Mechanics

    Flutter Mane ex and Iron Bundle ex bring ex-level stats to each side of the mechanic. Flutter Mane is the Ancient Paradox version of Misdreavus; Iron Bundle is the Future variant of Delibird. Raging Bolt and Iron Boulder join as one-star illustration rares, with Iron Hands, Farigiraf, and Scream Tail filling out the one-diamond tier.

    Supporters and Archetype Identity

    Professor Sada and Professor Turo are the Supporter cards that define the competitive identity of each archetype. Sada lets you attach three different energy cards from your discard pile to one of your ancient Pokémon, giving ancient decks a direct acceleration path that bypasses the standard one-energy-per-turn rule. Turo takes the opposite approach, shuffling one of your future Pokémon in play back into your deck as a protection and recycling tool that keeps high-value units out of the knockout zone.

    Event Schedule and Availability

    The Paradox Drive Emblem Event opens in the final days of May and runs into early June, offering emblems, shinedust, and additional items through ranked battles. Community Week follows in early June with a trading focus: trade hourglasses and cosmetic accessories are the primary rewards. A Ceruledge ex Drop Event and a Wonder Pick event featuring Sableye and Floragato promos are both scheduled for mid-June. Paradox Drive is the B3a-themed booster pack in the Pokémon TCG Pocket’s current series. The game is available on Android and iOS.

     

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  • Intel Arc G3 Extreme and Arc G3 Release Ahead of Schedule

    Intel Arc G3 Extreme and Arc G3 Release Ahead of Schedule

    Key Takeaway

    – Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme debut on May 28, with early showings anticipated before Computex 2026; handheld devices from MSI and Acer expected to accompany the launch.
    – Both models use a 14-core CPU (2 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 4 LPE-cores); Extreme variant boosts to 4.7 GHz and pairs with a faster Arc B390 GPU (12 Xe cores) versus Arc B370 in the standard G3 (10 Xe cores).
    – Initial simulated benchmarks place Arc G3 Extreme ahead of AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, with Panther Lake positioned as power-efficient for handheld gaming where thermal/power limits matter.

    Intel Panther Lake handheld chips tease and rumors collide

    when intel showed off panther lake at ces 2026, it teased two unnamed handheld chips without divulging any specifics. initially thought to be the core g3 and core g3 extreme, subsequent leaks confirmed they’d launch as the arc g3 and arc g3 extreme. now, videocardz learned that intel could show both chips off earlier than their rumoured computex 2026 (june 2-5) release window.

    Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme launching date and devices

    intel will unveil the arc g3 and arc g3 extreme on may 28. msi is expected to show off a new 8-inch handheld console powered by the chips, likely a revision of the claw series. even acer is expected to join in on the fun with the predator atlas 8. one can only hope it actually launches, unlike the nitro blaze that never saw the light of day after a rather pompous reveal.

    Specs in brief and what differs

    specs-wise, both the arc g3 and arc g3 extreme come with a 14-core cpu with 2 p-cores, 8 e-cores and 4 lpe-cores. the ‘extreme’ variant has a slightly faster boost clock (4.7 ghz vs 4.6 ghz) and a faster arc b390 gpu with a 12-core gpu. the arc b370 used on the regular arc g3 comes with 10 xe cores. on paper, the spec differences are marginal, and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare against each other in the real world.

    Early benchmarks and power considerations

    initial benchmarks on simulated hardware show promising results, with the arc g3 extreme handily outperforming amd’s flagship ryzen z2 extreme. panther lake is a fairly power-efficient architecture, so it has the potential to shine in power-restricted environments—something that is a must in handheld gaming consoles.

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  • Xiaomi 240Hz Gaming Monitor Launches Globally

    Xiaomi 240Hz Gaming Monitor Launches Globally

    Key Takeaway

    – 240 Hz native refresh rate with 1 ms GTG and FreeSync Premium, aimed at esports/competitive gaming.
    – 24.5″ Fast IPS panel, 1080p (1920×1080), brightness ~400 nits, contrast ~1000:1; limited feature set with only tilt stand (no height/swivel).
    – Ports are limited to HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4 plus audio out; no advanced ergonomic adjustments.
    – Price in Europe around €180 (listed by some retailers), but availability locally is uncertain.
    – Additional features: crosshair display and a night-vision/gradation color tuning capability.

    Xiaomi G25i 2026 gaming monitor: Europe launch details

    the Xiaomi G25i 2026 gaming monitor is coming to Europe. this is confirmed not only by a listing on Xiaomi’s global website, but the EU version of the monitor is also already listed by at least one distributor and a Finnish retailer. There, the Xiaomi Gaming Monitor G25i 2026 is listed at a price of €180, although this price should still be treated with caution for now. The monitor is not yet available through local retailers. Xiaomi also advertises the Xiaomi Gaming Monitor G25i 2026 as suitable for esports, which naturally primarily refers to the higher refresh rate and low response time. The native refresh rate is listed at 240Hz, and the gray-to-gray response time is specified at one millisecond. FreeSync Premium is supported.

    Display specs and panel details

    the Fast IPS panel measures 24.5 inches diagonally, while the resolution is listed as 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is not necessarily standard anymore. Higher-resolution and similarly fast displays are now also available at very mainstream prices, including on Amazon. The Xiaomi Gaming Monitor G25i 2026 is, to put it positively, pragmatically equipped, with just one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and the obligatory audio output. The limited feature set is not restricted to the ports, as ergonomic adjustment options are also missing. Only tilt adjustment is possible, not swivel or height adjustment. The typical contrast ratio is listed at 1,000:1, while typical brightness is specified at 400 nits. A crosshair can be displayed, and there is also said to be a kind of night vision feature. We suspect that some kind of sharp gradation or color curve is applied.

     


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