You’re Probably Sleeping on One of the Most Exciting State of Play Game Reveals (But You Shouldn’t Be)

by

PlayStation fans were treated to a lot of exciting announcements at this week’s 2026 State of Play presentation. The showcase highlighted upcoming exclusive games, with a detailed look at Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine being a major highlight. However, with so much information shared in just over an hour, some reveals may have been overlooked. I want to bring attention to one game I was particularly excited about, which might have flown under the radar for many viewers.

This year’s State of Play showcase featured major games like Marvel’s Wolverine and the recently revealed God of War Laufey. We also saw more of the Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remake. But beyond these big titles, some smaller developers shared their new projects, including a prequel to the popular game Dave the Diver. I was particularly excited by this announcement, and I want to explain why you should definitely keep an eye on it.

Dave the Diver‘s Prequel is a Perfect Pivot for Mintrocket

When the trailer for Bancho the Chef began playing during the State of Play presentation, I initially thought it was advertising the upcoming DLC for Dave the Diver. However, while the In the Jungle DLC is still planned, this new game from Mintrocket is a completely separate project. And it honestly feels like a natural next step after the success of Dave the Diver.

The trailer describes this game as a prequel to Dave the Diver, unfolding slowly to reveal Bancho’s backstory. As you might expect, the game features Bancho, the enigmatic sushi chef, and shows how he became the skilled chef players know. We’ll also revisit familiar locations like Dave and the Blue Hole.

I never saw this coming, but looking back, it’s exactly the right move for Mintrocket. The new game features a character we know, but with updated 3D graphics, a brand new story, and different ways to play. It’s not a typical prequel or sequel trying to be completely different – it still feels like part of the same world as Dave the Diver, which is fantastic. I can’t think of a more exciting announcement from this team.

Bancho Goes 3D in His Own Cooking Sim & I Need it Immediately

Bancho is a fascinating and enigmatic character in Dave the Diver, so learning more about his background is really appealing. And since Bancho is a chef, Bancho the Chef also functions as a cooking game. This suits his personality well, and the 3D food shown in the trailer looks fantastic.

Dave the Diver is incredibly engaging, blending underwater exploration with running a restaurant. While you play as Dave, you focus on collecting ingredients and serving customers – the actual cooking is done by the chef, Bancho. That’s why I’m so excited about a follow-up game where we get to step into the kitchen and cook alongside Bancho!

It seems this game will let you create the unique and flavorful dishes you’d expect from a Bancho-style restaurant. There’s also fishing, which will likely create a relaxing and satisfying gameplay cycle for many players. Beyond that, the game features exploration and adventure, offering a complete experience that feels fresh while still capturing the enjoyable gameplay loop that made Dave the Diver so popular.

I’m seriously so excited for Bancho the Chef – you really need to check it out! We don’t have a firm release date yet, but it’s planned for both PC and PS5, and you can already add it to your Steam wishlist!

Read More

2026-06-06 21:13