Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
A native PC port of Donkey Kong 64 called DK64 Rekongpiled has released, built entirely through manual recompilation without any generative AI tools. The project runs at 4K and 200 frames per second with mouse support while preserving the original 1999 graphics and soundtrack.
The Fibbage Card Game brings Jackbox's popular digital bluffing party game to the tabletop with 300 prompt cards and dry-erase boards. While the adaptation captures the clever, creative gameplay that made the original a hit, a handwriting recognition issue threatens anonymity in smaller groups unless players adopt a simple workaround.
Crunchyroll's new 12-part fantasy series Goodbye, Lara reimagines The Little Mermaid in modern Japan with a tactile, hand-crafted animation style that recalls classics like Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. The series debuted July 6 and blends fairy-tale structure with local Shiga Prefecture specificity under director Takushi Koide.
IGN editor Michael Higham went hands-on with an early alpha build of State of Decay 3 at gamescom 2026 and found a survival experience that builds meaningfully on the series' fundamentals. The 30-minute demo showcases improved gunplay, deeper character systems, and expanded base management mechanics. A closed playtest is scheduled for late 2026 ahead of a 2027 release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
IGN has compiled every Nintendo exclusive reviewed at 8 or above on Switch 2, with Donkey Kong Bananza earning the platform's first 10/10. The 3D platformer beats out Zelda upgrades, a new Splatoon RPG, and Mario Kart World for the top spot.
IGN has unveiled 11 minutes of exclusive gameplay footage for Join Us, the upcoming open-world co-op cult simulator from Wolf Haus games. The reveal includes a live-action trailer featuring four real-life former cult members with over 50 years of combined experience. The game launches on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S in March 2027.
Capcom confirmed at Gamescom that Mega Man: Dual Override is a mainline series entry celebrating the franchise's 40th anniversary with a new segmented stage structure and the titular Dual Override mechanic. The game features returning bosses like Astro Man R alongside new foes such as Twinkle Girl, while its story stands alone in the canon so newcomers can jump in without playing the previous 11 titles.
Amazon has slashed $400 off the Asus ROG Flow Z13, bringing this ultra-portable 2-in-1 gaming laptop down to $1,699.99 with free shipping. The configuration packs an AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 CPU, Radeon 8050S integrated graphics, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 13.4-inch 180Hz touch display into a chassis that weighs just 2.65 pounds.
Technology analysts have declared Grand Theft Auto 6 the most visually advanced game ever demonstrated, citing its unprecedented lighting, geometry, and animation fidelity. The assessment arrives as Rockstar Games prepares the title for its 2025 launch window on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Players can expect a generational leap in open-world realism that redefines what current hardware can deliver.
Gameplay footage from EA Motive Studio's long-silent Iron Man project has surfaced online, showing an early development build with flight sequences, combat mechanics, and a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier appearance. The leak arrives after years of minimal updates since the game's 2022 reveal, easing fan concerns that the project had been quietly canceled.
