This update, launched six months after Mario Kart World came out with the Switch 2, adds a lot of new features for both online and offline play, and also fixes several older problems.
Researchers have developed a new communication protocol that efficiently transmits the key properties of quantum states, even when using imperfect classical channels.
The fourteenth season of Chicago Fire began with some significant shifts in the team, as Sam Carver and Daniel Ritter left, and a new member, Sal Vasquez, joined Firehouse 51. While it’s still unclear where Sal’s story will lead, the show has been highlighting his personal journey. The latest fall finale introduced another challenge: budget cuts that put the entire Engine 51 team, led by Mouch, at risk.
The controller’s advanced vibrations and textures are designed to fully pull you into the game, realistically simulating everything from different surfaces to the feel of weapons. The buttons even change how they feel based on what’s happening on screen, making it feel like an extension of the game itself. It also brings back the convenient touchpad and speaker from the previous PlayStation controller. Unfortunately, not every game takes full advantage of these features.
These games are incredibly engaging and thoughtfully made, so you’ll likely find yourself still thinking about them even when you’re not actively playing. Let’s dive in!
Released on December 5, 1976, Bound for Glory is a biographical film directed by Hal Ashby. It stars David Carradine as folk singer Woody Guthrie, telling the story of his travels from Texas to California during the Great Depression. The film was well-received by critics, who particularly praised the acting and the beautiful cinematography, which won an Academy Award. While it’s not as widely remembered today, Bound for Glory is historically important because it was the first feature film to use the Steadicam, a device that revolutionized filmmaking.
Most fighting games on the Neo Geo followed a typical formula, but the Last Blade series stood out by focusing on weapon-based combat. The Last Blade 2 improved on the original with additions like an EX mode that boosted both speed and power. It also told a story through longer cutscenes, making it feel more like a movie than many other fighting games of the time. While not perfectly balanced, the game encouraged players to master each character’s unique abilities. The Last Blade 2 was a great fighting game, but it remains relatively unknown despite being released on multiple platforms over the years.
Issue #11 of the Star Wars: Legacy of Vader comic, created by Charles Soule and Luke Ross, takes place between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. The story focuses on Kylo Ren’s efforts to emulate Darth Vader, and this issue brings that storyline to a turning point. Interestingly, Kylo Ren also acquires a new lightsaber in this issue and, through physical contact, turns its blade blood-red – a similar effect seen last year in the series The Acolyte.
I’ve been super excited about Starsand Island ever since I first heard about it back in May! They haven’t given us a definite release date yet, but they’re aiming for early 2026. It started as a PC game, but the developers have been slowly letting us know it’s coming to other platforms. And now, the best news ever: Seed Lab just announced Starsand Island will have a Switch 2 version right when the game launches! They also dropped a new gameplay trailer, and it looks amazing – it’s a 3D life sim that I can’t wait to play.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 continues the story a year after the first film, bringing back Piper Rubio as Abby Schmidt, alongside returning cast members Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, and Matthew Lillard. New to the series is Skeet Ulrich, playing Henry Emily, who, according to the game’s backstory, co-created Fazbear Entertainment with William Afton (played by Lillard). However, the sequel hasn’t been well-received; Eric Eisenberg of TopMob gave it a 1.5 out of 5 star rating, calling it a new low for the franchise.