Nintendo says it is not considering another price increase for the Switch 2 after raising the console’s starting price to $499 earlier this year. The company also reported that Switch 2 sales have dropped 37.4 percent.
12:24 PMThe Verge52 stories from 5 sources
Switch 2 slowdown meets a strong classic-game push
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is out, and early critic reactions are strongly positive. Musician and Zelda superfan Jon Batiste has also shared an early take on the reimagined game and its famous score.
2:13 PMVariety
Ocarina of Time producer Eiji Aonuma says Zelda’s own team can be caught off guard when a new game takes the series in a different artistic direction. Even developers close to the project do not always know how dramatic those changes will feel until they see them.
1:17 PMPolygon
Nintendo’s Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time blends the original N64 adventure with updated visuals and more modern gameplay. The development team aimed to preserve the game’s identity while making the experience feel cleaner and more contemporary.
12:00 AMThe Verge
Rockstar has released 39 new screenshots from Grand Theft Auto 6 as the game’s launch approaches. The images offer another look at the world, characters, and criminal adventures waiting in the highly anticipated sequel.
10:34 AMIGN
EA is rereleasing 25 classic games on Steam and GOG, including every Ultima RPG, both Crusader games, Strike Commander, Theme Hospital, and multiple Wing Commander titles. The standard releases cost $4.99, while seven Anniversary Editions with modern improvements cost $9.99.
2:32 PMIGN
Sony posted a major jump in quarterly profit, reaching 449.6 billion yen, or about $2.84 billion. PlayStation helped drive the gains, along with the blockbuster performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
6:00 AMThe Verge
A new documentary will chronicle BioWare's final two years, with cameras filming the studio as it worked through a turbulent period. The project promises a behind-the-scenes look at one of gaming's most influential developers.
2:48 PMIGN
The story of BioWare and the end of Mass Effect’s original era is being turned into a documentary film. It will look at the studio’s history and the events surrounding the franchise’s long, complicated journey.
12:43 PMPolygon
Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Xbox PC app that it says can launch up to 60 percent faster. The refresh also reaches Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web and smart TVs, with Xbox Insiders getting the first chance to test it.
12:00 PMThe Verge
G2 Esports has dropped head coach Luka “Perkz” Perković after a lengthy post on X drew strong backlash. The split follows a controversy that quickly became too big for the team to ignore.
3:57 PMIGN12:24 PMThe Verge
Nintendo says it’s not planning another Switch 2 price hike
Summary
Nintendo says it is not considering another price increase for the Switch 2 after raising the console’s starting price to $499 earlier this year. The company also reported that Switch 2 sales have dropped 37.4 percent.
Nintendo is trying to calm buyers who may already be feeling sticker shock. Holding the
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The Switch 2 is staying at $499 for now, even as demand cools.
2 stories · 2 sources
2:13 PMVariety
What ‘Legend of Zelda’ Superfan Jon Batiste Thinks of ‘Ocarina of Time’ Remake and the Game’s Iconic Score
Summary
The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is out, and early critic reactions are strongly positive. Musician and Zelda superfan Jon Batiste has also shared an early take on the reimagined game and its famous score.
Batiste brings an unusually relevant perspective here, since the original game's music is almost as
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A heavily loved classic is getting a warm early reception from both critics and a very musically qualified fan.
1:17 PMPolygon
'What!?': Ocarina of Time Producer Admits Even the Zelda Team Was Shocked At Art Changes
Summary
Ocarina of Time producer Eiji Aonuma says Zelda’s own team can be caught off guard when a new game takes the series in a different artistic direction. Even developers close to the project do not always know how dramatic those changes will feel until they see them.
That surprise helps explain why Zelda’s visual shifts can spark such strong reactions. The series
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It offers a glimpse at how boldly Zelda’s developers approach visual reinvention.
12:00 AMThe Verge
Nintendo’s designers strove for ‘elegance’ when remaking Ocarina of Time
Summary
Nintendo’s Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time blends the original N64 adventure with updated visuals and more modern gameplay. The development team aimed to preserve the game’s identity while making the experience feel cleaner and more contemporary.
That balance is tricky: too much change can drain the nostalgia, while too little can
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The remake shows how Nintendo is modernizing a beloved classic without losing its original charm.
10:34 AMIGN
Rockstar Games Releases 39 New GTA 6 Screenshots to Celebrate Two Weeks from Launch
Summary
Rockstar has released 39 new screenshots from Grand Theft Auto 6 as the game’s launch approaches. The images offer another look at the world, characters, and criminal adventures waiting in the highly anticipated sequel.
Rockstar is keeping the hype machine moving with carefully timed glimpses instead of dumping everything
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GTA 6 is close enough to launch that Rockstar is shifting from buildup to the final promotional push.
2:32 PMIGN
EA Brings Every Ultima and Wing Commander Game to Steam and GOG with Quality-of-Life Updates
Summary
EA is rereleasing 25 classic games on Steam and GOG, including every Ultima RPG, both Crusader games, Strike Commander, Theme Hospital, and multiple Wing Commander titles. The standard releases cost $4.99, while seven Anniversary Editions with modern improvements cost $9.99.
For retro PC fans, this is a substantial archive dump rather than a token nostalgia
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
EA is making a large portion of its classic PC catalog affordable and more practical to play.
2 stories · 2 sources
6:00 AMThe Verge
Playstation and Spider-Man performance see Sony profits surge
Summary
Sony posted a major jump in quarterly profit, reaching 449.6 billion yen, or about $2.84 billion. PlayStation helped drive the gains, along with the blockbuster performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Sony is getting a boost from both sides of its entertainment empire. Strong game business
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Sony's games and film divisions are reinforcing each other as major profit engines.
2:48 PMIGN
BioWare's Final Years Were Filmed and Will Be Revealed in a New Documentary
Summary
A new documentary will chronicle BioWare's final two years, with cameras filming the studio as it worked through a turbulent period. The project promises a behind-the-scenes look at one of gaming's most influential developers.
BioWare's recent history has been shaped by major releases, delays, and internal change, so the
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The documentary could provide an unusually close look at how a major game studio navigated its latest upheaval.
12:43 PMPolygon
Mass Effect Studio’s Closure Is Getting Its Own Movie
Summary
The story of BioWare and the end of Mass Effect’s original era is being turned into a documentary film. It will look at the studio’s history and the events surrounding the franchise’s long, complicated journey.
BioWare’s rise and struggles have all the ingredients of a gaming industry drama: beloved worlds,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The film may turn one of gaming’s most influential studios into a case study in creative ambition and industry pressure.
12:00 PMThe Verge
Xbox overhauls its PC, web, and cloud apps with a faster design
Summary
Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Xbox PC app that it says can launch up to 60 percent faster. The refresh also reaches Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web and smart TVs, with Xbox Insiders getting the first chance to test it.
Microsoft is making Xbox feel less like a single console and more like a service
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Xbox is polishing the software that connects its PC, cloud, and smart TV audiences.
2 stories · 2 sources
3:57 PMIGN
G2 Esports Parts Ways With Head Coach Luka 'Perkz' Perković After His 'Tweet Bomb' Sparks Backlash
Summary
G2 Esports has dropped head coach Luka “Perkz” Perković after a lengthy post on X drew strong backlash. The split follows a controversy that quickly became too big for the team to ignore.
In esports, public comments can affect an organization just as quickly as results can. G2’s
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A divisive post has cost one of esports’ biggest teams its head coach.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Bill Skarsgård says appearing in Hideo Kojima’s Physint is especially meaningful because he has long been a huge Metal Gear fan. He also recalled bonding with Kojima over their shared love of cinema.
5:45 PMIGN
The Great Fairy’s Fountains in Ocarina of Time unlock magic and useful abilities, but they are not always easy to spot. This guide maps out every location and explains what each fountain provides.
5:11 PMPolygon
A side quest asks players to locate Richard, a white dog hiding among the streets of Ocarina of Time’s remake. The guide explains where to search and how to identify the correct dog.
5:10 PMPolygon
Nintendo says classic remakes will remain part of its Switch 2 strategy. The company sees refreshed versions of older games as a way to bring familiar favorites to new players and modern hardware.
5:00 PMPolygon
A collection of guides covers the major challenges in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2. It includes walkthroughs, solutions, locations, and other help for players working through the game.
4:11 PMPolygon
Fortnite’s Fortune treasure hours return during the Chapter 7 mini season, bringing timed opportunities to grab extra rewards. The schedule lists when each event begins and what bonuses players can expect.
4:02 PMPolygon
Trying to round up every Cucco in Kakariko Village? This guide points you to each bird’s hiding spot in the Ocarina of Time remake. It should make that oddly urgent chicken hunt a lot less frustrating.
3:15 PMPolygon
Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart expand Link’s health, and this guide maps out every one in Ocarina of Time. Collect them all and you can reach the game’s maximum number of hearts.
3:05 PMPolygon
A 52-year-old Japanese YouTuber has started learning karate after taking inspiration from Tekken's fighters and wanting to train with his son. He is studying the characters' moves as part of a real-world martial arts journey.
2:44 PMIGN
Rust is adding a monthly subscription called Rust Premium, but it will not work like the battle pass system many players expected. The announcement offers a less alarming version of paid extras, though players will still be watching what the subscription includes.
2:34 PMPolygon
GOG is marking its anniversary with a set of announcements, including a touch-up for Road Rash and a new publishing arm. The company says that arm will focus on new games with a classic spirit, while GOG continues to emphasize DRM-free ownership.
2:22 PMIGN
Need to move from day to night, or the other way around, in Ocarina of Time? You can wait by sleeping or use the Sun’s Song to change the time instantly. The guide explains both methods in the remake.
1:25 PMPolygon
New screenshots confirm that rapper Kodak Black will appear as an NPC in Grand Theft Auto 6. His inclusion has already prompted speculation about which other musicians might turn up in the game.
12:32 PMIGN
World of Warcraft Forever launched with a huge player turnout, but its servers reportedly stayed remarkably stable. Blizzard devoted more than 200,000 gigabytes of RAM to handling the launch load.
12:27 PMIGN
A Japanese TV program highlighted Street Fighter 6 trading cards that contain 12 milliliters of an energy drink. Each card features a character from Capcom’s fighting game roster, turning collectible game merchandise into a tiny beverage shot.
11:25 AMIGN
The next Elder Scrolls game is expected to visit Hammerfell, a desert region with a very different setting from Skyrim. The hope is that Sentinel will embrace that difference instead of repeating Skyrim’s snowy landscapes and familiar formula.
10:30 AMIGN5:45 PMIGN
Bill Skarsgård Explains Why Starring in Hideo Kojima’s Physint Is a ‘Big Deal’ for Him
Summary
Bill Skarsgård says appearing in Hideo Kojima’s Physint is especially meaningful because he has long been a huge Metal Gear fan. He also recalled bonding with Kojima over their shared love of cinema.
For Skarsgård, this is more than another game role. Kojima’s projects blur film and games,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A major Metal Gear fan is stepping into one of Kojima’s next big cinematic experiments.
5:11 PMPolygon
All Great Fairy's Fountain locations in Ocarina of Time
Summary
The Great Fairy’s Fountains in Ocarina of Time unlock magic and useful abilities, but they are not always easy to spot. This guide maps out every location and explains what each fountain provides.
These visits can make Link much stronger, so finding them early pays off. Just bring
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Tracking down every fountain gives players important upgrades for the adventure ahead.
5:10 PMPolygon
How to find Richard the dog in Ocarina of Time
Summary
A side quest asks players to locate Richard, a white dog hiding among the streets of Ocarina of Time’s remake. The guide explains where to search and how to identify the correct dog.
It is a small task, but the crowd of similar-looking dogs can make it surprisingly
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Finding the right dog is the key to finishing one of the remake’s easy-to-miss errands.
5:00 PMPolygon
Nintendo Hints the Switch 2 Will Keep Getting Classic Remakes
Summary
Nintendo says classic remakes will remain part of its Switch 2 strategy. The company sees refreshed versions of older games as a way to bring familiar favorites to new players and modern hardware.
Nintendo is clearly not done looking backward, especially when older games can benefit from better
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The Switch 2’s future lineup could include a steady stream of updated Nintendo classics.
4:11 PMPolygon
Zelda Ocarina of Time guides and walkthroughs
Summary
A collection of guides covers the major challenges in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2. It includes walkthroughs, solutions, locations, and other help for players working through the game.
Ocarina of Time is iconic, but its puzzles and sprawling progression can still trip people
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Players can use the guide hub as a one-stop reference for completing the remake.
4:02 PMPolygon
Fortune treasure hours schedule in the Fortnite Chapter 7 mini season
Summary
Fortnite’s Fortune treasure hours return during the Chapter 7 mini season, bringing timed opportunities to grab extra rewards. The schedule lists when each event begins and what bonuses players can expect.
These events are built around showing up at the right moment, so missing the window
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Players can plan around the event times to collect limited Fortnite bonuses before they disappear.
3:15 PMPolygon
Cucco locations in Kakariko Village in Ocarina of Time
Summary
Trying to round up every Cucco in Kakariko Village? This guide points you to each bird’s hiding spot in the Ocarina of Time remake. It should make that oddly urgent chicken hunt a lot less frustrating.
Cucco quests are classic Zelda busywork: simple in theory, surprisingly easy to fumble in practice.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It helps players finish one of Ocarina of Time’s most recognizable side tasks without missing a bird.
3:05 PMPolygon
All Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart locations in Ocarina of Time
Summary
Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart expand Link’s health, and this guide maps out every one in Ocarina of Time. Collect them all and you can reach the game’s maximum number of hearts.
Extra health makes the tougher fights and late-game exploration much more forgiving. The real challenge
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It gives completionists a clear path to maxing out Link’s health.
2:44 PMIGN
52-Year-Old YouTuber Learns Karate by Studying Tekken to Train With His Son
Summary
A 52-year-old Japanese YouTuber has started learning karate after taking inspiration from Tekken's fighters and wanting to train with his son. He is studying the characters' moves as part of a real-world martial arts journey.
It is a charming example of a game pushing someone beyond the screen and into
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A fighting game helped spark a family activity and a serious new challenge later in life.
2:34 PMPolygon
Rust Premium Officially Confirmed and It’s Not What Players Feared
Summary
Rust is adding a monthly subscription called Rust Premium, but it will not work like the battle pass system many players expected. The announcement offers a less alarming version of paid extras, though players will still be watching what the subscription includes.
The distinction matters because battle passes have become a familiar source of frustration in live-service
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Rust is introducing a new paid layer without leaning on the battle pass model players were worried about.
2:22 PMIGN
GOG Announces Road Rash Touch Up and a Publishing Arm for 'New Games With a Classic Soul'
Summary
GOG is marking its anniversary with a set of announcements, including a touch-up for Road Rash and a new publishing arm. The company says that arm will focus on new games with a classic spirit, while GOG continues to emphasize DRM-free ownership.
The strategy fits GOG's identity: preserve older games, make them work on modern machines, and
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GOG is expanding from a classic-game storefront into a broader home for preservation-minded releases.
1:25 PMPolygon
How to change the time of day in Zelda Ocarina of Time
Summary
Need to move from day to night, or the other way around, in Ocarina of Time? You can wait by sleeping or use the Sun’s Song to change the time instantly. The guide explains both methods in the remake.
Time matters in Ocarina of Time because certain events, enemies, and paths only appear at
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It shows players how to control the clock and reach time-sensitive areas more efficiently.
12:32 PMIGN
Rapper Kodak Black Will Be an NPC in GTA 6, Creating Speculation Over Other Artists Appearing In-Game
Summary
New screenshots confirm that rapper Kodak Black will appear as an NPC in Grand Theft Auto 6. His inclusion has already prompted speculation about which other musicians might turn up in the game.
GTA has always blurred the line between its fictional world and real pop culture, so
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Kodak Black's cameo adds another real-world connection to one of the most closely watched games in development.
12:27 PMIGN
World of Warcraft Forever's Launch Was Running on Over 200,000 Gigabytes of RAM
Summary
World of Warcraft Forever launched with a huge player turnout, but its servers reportedly stayed remarkably stable. Blizzard devoted more than 200,000 gigabytes of RAM to handling the launch load.
That is an absurd amount of computing power for a game launch, but the payoff
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The launch shows how much infrastructure can be needed to keep a major online game running under intense demand.
11:25 AMIGN
Japanese News Show Features Drinkable Street Fighter Trading Cards
Summary
A Japanese TV program highlighted Street Fighter 6 trading cards that contain 12 milliliters of an energy drink. Each card features a character from Capcom’s fighting game roster, turning collectible game merchandise into a tiny beverage shot.
It is a wonderfully strange bit of gaming merchandise: part trading card, part energy boost.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Street Fighter is getting a collectible format that is meant to be consumed in every sense.
10:30 AMIGN
I’m Excited For Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel To Be Nothing Like Skyrim
Summary
The next Elder Scrolls game is expected to visit Hammerfell, a desert region with a very different setting from Skyrim. The hope is that Sentinel will embrace that difference instead of repeating Skyrim’s snowy landscapes and familiar formula.
After years of Skyrim, another icy fantasy world would feel more like a rerun than
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The next Elder Scrolls game will need a fresh identity to escape Skyrim’s enormous shadow.
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