Gamereactor UK

Orcas are returning to Britain's coast in numbers rarely seen before

marcus@gamereactor.eu (Marcus Persson) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:36:36 +0200

Scientists and nature enthusiasts are reporting an increase in the number of orcas along the east coast of the United Kingdom. According to data from Northumberland, five confirmed sightings were recorded last year, after the species had been rare in the area for several decades.

This trend appears to have continued in 2026. In April, fishermen observed a pod of up to ten orcas off the coast of Northumberland, and just a few weeks later, tourists on a boat tour near the Farne Islands saw around 30 animals swimming through the area. The sighting is described as one of the largest pods ever seen in the region.

Speaking to the BBC, one of the project coordinators said:

"We went out and spoke to boatmen in all the ports along the North East and nobody could actually remember seeing them in the past. Now, all of a sudden, sightings—in Northumberland at least—are definitely up."

Previous reports have also indicated that orcas are appearing more frequently along the British east coast. Experts have previously expressed cautious optimism that more individuals appear to be visiting British waters and that certain groups may have expanded their movement patterns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv__zCjrqzY

A Kenyan protester has been shot dead in the head outside a quarantine centre

alberto@gamereactor.eu (Alberto Garrido) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:57:59 +0200

According to eyewitnesses, police opened fire on demonstrators protesting outside a US Ebola quarantine centre set up in the town of Nanyuki, near Mount Kenya. Its construction has caused great uncertainty among foreign tourism agencies on which much of the region's economy depends, centred on eco-tourism and photographic safaris to Mount Kenya and the rhino reserves.

One fatality has been reported, caused by a gunshot wound to the head. The victim is Patrick Wahome, one of the organisers of the protests against the establishment of the facility, who is also calling for attention to be given to the more than 500 people affected by Ebola in the region. Witnesses speak of hooded armed police opening fire indiscriminately on the demonstrators. Reuters reporters did not witness the shooting, but they did see Wahome's lifeless body, with a large bullet wound to the head, which was loaded into the back of a van and taken away from the area.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission, a non-profit organisation, also reports the arbitrary detention of 19 other people. A High Court judge has twice issued orders prohibiting the Kenyan government from taking steps to build or commence operations at the site. Her latest order gave the government a week to disclose all agreements relating to the facility, but that deadline would also have expired days ago.

Body of missing American university student found dead in Kyoto

alberto@gamereactor.eu (Alberto Garrido) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:44:52 +0200

The body of a 20-year-old American citizen identified as James Higginbotham has been found dead in a mountainous area near Kyoto, Japan. The young man had been missing since 29 May, when a family argument led him to "get some fresh air", according to his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, on social media. Shortly afterwards, the signal from James' mobile phone disappeared in the area, and he remained missing until today, she also told Reuters.

James was travelling with the whole family to celebrate his younger brother's high school graduation. An initial search involving more than a hundred personnel, including police, dog units and helicopters, proved unsuccessful, and it was during a new search, which expanded the area, that he was located. For the time being, details regarding the cause of death remain confidential.

Kioto mountains.

Bulgaria's new defence minister to stop weapon shipment to Ukraine

david@gamereactor.eu (David Caballero) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 +0200

Bulgaria's got a new government led by former president Rumen Radev, and its defence minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, now announced that Sofia is no longer planning to provide Kyiv with weapons, arguing that peace is achieved off the battlefield, as Reuters reports.

It's a shift from Bulgaria's previous position, as they were supplying in the past two years. As a NATO and EU member on the Black Sea, Bulgaria had sent anti-tank missiles, mortars, armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, and infantry weapons. The new government is more cautious in its stance towards the war. Although Radev was considered pro-Russian, he has pledged to remain pro-EU with his policies. The announcement breaks the 10-year cooperation deal signed between the two countries in March.

Soldiers in Ukraine in 2023.

Destiny 2 community rallies: Steam player count nearing twice Marathon's all-time peak

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:34:08 +0200

Whether or not you like how Marathon is often being used as a sticking point for the downfall of Destiny 2, and to a degree, of Bungie too, there is evidence that the community are far more interested in seeing the Destiny franchise live on and thrive when compared to Marathon.

Ever since Marathon launched, the game peaked at a total concurrent player count of 88,337 on Steam (as per SteamDB), which is actually rather low for a major AAA extraction shooter. It's also a rather concerning figure as after the launch period, when it was reported that Marathon had shipped 1.2 million copies, it was also noted that the game had predominantly sold on PC, with around 2/3 of all copies attributed to the platform. Essentially, if Steam peaked at sub 90,000 players, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 won't have been nearly as high... Likewise, since launch, the player figures have dropped off (as happens for all games) but now Marathon sits at a regular player count on Steam of around 26,000, and this is despite Season 2 only launching last week.

The point is, Marathon hasn't been a roaring success and yet Bungie has already decided that the game is its future, as Destiny 2, as of today, June 9, will not be getting any additional updates or support.

Naturally, this has massively upset the enormous Destiny 2 community who has been hoping Bungie would get its affairs in order and figure out how to properly support Destiny once again, and the community is showing this frustration over recent choices and support for the game by flocking back in-line with this 'death date', if you will.

As of writing, the player peak on Steam (again, not counting PlayStation and Xbox players) is up to 152,855, which is almost twice what Marathon has ever achieved, an impressive feat for a game that debuted nine years ago.

The evidence is clear, the community are making their voices heard, and now it's up to Bungie to make a decision. There have been reports that Destiny 3 is not in development at Bungie, but perhaps this will change some minds, especially at Sony who have been desperately hunting for a new live-service success.

Devil May Cry 5 is landing on Switch 2 this month in the Devil Hunter Edition

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:16:40 +0200

During the Nintendo Direct, Capcom was on-hand to share updates for a few of its recent games, namely that it is bringing some recent hits to the Switch 2 in the form of dedicated ports. While Dragon's Dogma 2 was promised at the start of the show, as was Onimusha: Way of the Sword, midway through, Devil May Cry 5 made an appearance and promised a Switch 2 edition launch rather soon.

This will specifically be the Devil Hunter Edition of the game, which collates the base game and an array of DLC to make for an unmissable and jam-packed whole. The Switch 2 version of the popular action title is already open for pre-order and the launch is close too, with plans to debut as soon as June 23, just a few days before Star Fox arrives.

We're told that this version of the game will be able to operate in 60 fps both in TV and handheld modes, with a jolt in resolution likely available for the docked iteration over the handheld option.

With all of this in mind, you can see the Switch 2 trailer for Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition below ahead of its arrival in a couple of weeks.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will be debuting on Nintendo Switch 2 in November

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:07:47 +0200

You may have missed some of them, as frankly there were a lot shared, but one of the many Nintendo Switch 2 ports promised during the Nintendo Direct related to an acclaimed Atlus title.

Following launching at the tail end of 2024 and coming to most platforms, now Atlus has decided the time is right to also bring Metaphor: ReFantazio to Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Offering the full experience, albeit tailored to suit the handheld and docked capabilities of the Switch 2 system, the exact launch date for the version is set for November 12.

With this in mind, you can see the announcement trailer for the Switch 2 edition of the game below, and if you haven't had a chance to play Metaphor: ReFantazio yet, don't miss our glowing review.

Peru election neck and neck as overseas ballots boost Fujimori

david@gamereactor.eu (David Caballero) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:54:04 +0200

The ongoing presidential race in Peru is now incredibly tight as the gap between the two candidates just shrunk to less than 0.1%. Leftist Roberto Sanchez remains slightly ahead conservative Keiko Fujimori, but overseas ballots have lifted the latter, according to Reuters.

As with other conservative leaders, markets have reacted positively to a potential Fujimori comeback. These include US-listed Peruvian shares, Peruvian own stocks, and the local sol currency. They reacted inversely with a selloff when Sanchez proposed to reshape the country's mining-focused economy.

The final winner won't be announced officially until perhaps next month (July), as per electoral authorities. Sanchez gained strength in rural vote, while pending overseas and reviewed ballots look more favourable to Alberto Fujimori's daughter, who already was First Lady of Peru replacing her mother and who is running for the fourth time.

Keiko Fujimori.

Xi Jinping promises stronger ties to North Korea as official visit comes to an end

magnus@gamereactor.eu (Magnus Groth-Andersen) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:16:47 +0200

Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up his two-day visit to North Korea, his first since 2019. It's been two days filled to the brim with everything from red-carpet shows to advanced acrobatic performances, obviously in an effort to impress.

As the BBC reports, it seems that no actual deals have been made between the two parties, yet Xi did describe the two countries during a banquet to be "linked by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny".

The two also confirmed to attending media at a press briefing, that they've reached an important "consensus", that being that the two must "grasp the trend of the times". With this, it's believed that the two powers will solidify their ties going forward.

While China is North Korea's biggest economic benefactor, analysts have noted that there seemed to be no discussion of denuclearisation, a topic which has previously been debated between the two.

Trump says US "must respond" to Iran shooting down Apache helicopter

magnus@gamereactor.eu (Magnus Groth-Andersen) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:09:29 +0200

Despite previously touting that peace talks were progressing steadily, both the US and Iran has continued to fire upon one another. Now, these military moves have escalated, as it's been confirmed that Iran fired and took down an Apache helicopter off the coast of Oman.

As CNN reports, the two pilots were subsequently rescued by an uncrewed drone boat, but it's the first loss of an Apache since the conflict began.

President Trump has confirmed through a post on Truth Social, that the US will respond:

"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he says.

It's currently unclear how this affects diplomatic efforts, or how the US will respond.

The EU is barring Russian military personnel from entering the Union

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:01:46 +0200

The EU and other countries around the world continue to impose new restrictions on Russia due to its war against Ukraine, and today the EU has announced yet another set of measures. Under the EU's 21st sanctions package, Russians who have served in the military since 2022 are now banned from visiting the EU.

The package was presented by EU President Ursula von der Leyen, and judging by social media, many are now wondering why this was allowed in the first place.

https://www.threads.com/@24hoursofukraine/post/DZXd4ZsCDPu

The price of oil could double within a couple of months

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:58:03 +0200

The crisis surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continues, driving up fuel costs worldwide. And we haven't seen the peak yet, as Rystad Energy's chief economist, Claudio Galimberti, warns via CNBC (via Omni) that prices could spike in just a few months.

She believes a price increase of up to $150 per barrel is realistic, which is over 50% higher than today. SvD Näringsliv also quotes commodities analyst Christian Kopfer, who says it won't stop there, but believes we could face a doubling of prices if the crisis isn't resolved soon.

High fuel prices, of course, don't just mean higher costs for those who drive cars, but it also affect everything from shipping and food production to countless industries, so it risks becoming a significant burden for everyone.

Splatoon Raiders is getting its own Nintendo Direct in June, new Joy-Con 2 colours

javier@gamereactor.eu (Javier Escribano) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:45:46 +0200

Splatoon Raiders, an upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game releasing on July 23, appeared at the Nintendo Direct showing some new gameplay of this single-player focused action adventure game, and also confirming that a Splatoon 3 Direct is taking place later this month.

If you want to know more about the game, check on June 30, 2026, for a Splatoon Raiders Direct. More information will be revealed, but don't expect any major announcements like Splatoon 4 just yet. In fact, Splatoon 3, released in 2022 and is playable on Switch 2 with a free update (no Switch 2 version for this one) will have a special Splatfest between July 11-13 to celebrate the launch of the new game.

And if you want to know more, the Nintendo Today App will launch a series of daily comics between June 23 and July 23, the month before the game's release, talking about the story of the game and its characters.

https://x.com/Splatoon__news/status/2064366037944926405

That's not all, because (only in Japan) Nintendo is launching a special pack of Nintendo Switch 2 with the game. What will arrive everywhere is a new set of Joy-Con 2 with new colours, Blue and Yellow, available from July 23 too.

Are you excited for Splatoon Raiders on Switch 2?

Xbox head of strategy: Gears of War: E-Day is just the beginning of exclusive Xbox games

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:40:00 +0200

Although there had been rumours beforehand, it was obviously big news when it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase that Gears of War: E-Day would be an exclusive title, but the fact is that it isn't the only one, as Inxile's role-playing game Clockwork Revolution was also confirmed to be an Xbox exclusive.

Apparently, confirming exactly two games was very important. Xbox Head of Strategy Matthew Ball explains this in an interview with The Game Business founder Christopher Dring (transcription via Resetera):

"We could have announced Clockwork was going to be exclusive later at the end of the year, when we got closer and closer to the 25th anniversary. We could have kicked off 2027 by talking about that as an exclusive. It was important for us to include two titles so that people understood this was not a one-off. It was not commemorative. We were not saying, 'It's our 25th anniversary, it's Gears' 20th anniversary, we're returning to Xbox, here's an exclusive.'"

Instead, he explains, this should be seen as the start of something entirely new. Exclusive games will be a thing from now on, and there is a detailed strategy in place:

"This is the start of a program. And players can expect a reliable pipeline that validates their historical investment in the Xbox platform, keeps them as Xbox players going forward, and everyone in the industry understands that exclusives are important to the growth and branding of that platform."

Ball also adds that much may seem unclear today, but a policy is in place so the Xbox team will know which games will be Xbox exclusives, and the goal is for this to be significantly clearer for everyone going forward:

"We know what those are going to have to be. We know how we're going to make those decisions. We know how we're going to be evaluated against those decisions. But what's important there is that framework has to be external eventually."

Microsoft is expected to participate in Gamescom in August and will hold its own event in conjunction with the Xbox 25th anniversary in November, and hopefully we'll learn more then.

https://xcancel.com/geoffkeighley/status/2064032381791858748

World's mangrove forests are making a surprising comeback

marcus@gamereactor.eu (Marcus Persson) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:33:41 +0200

After decades of deforestation and exploitation, new research findings show that the world's mangrove forests are finally heading in the right direction. The study, published in the journal Science, is based on approximately 40 years of observations and shows that the extent of mangrove forests today is significantly more stable than previously estimated.

Between 1980 and the 2010s, nearly 2,900 square kilometres of mangrove forests disappeared, but over the past 16 years, growth has outpaced the rate of deforestation.

There are multiple reasons for this positive trend. However, researchers point to several restoration projects and increased environmental protection, among other factors. At the same time, in many places, the forests have reclaimed areas previously used for aquaculture and shrimp farming, for example.

Novak Djokovic congratulates Alexander Zverev after his first Grand Slam title

javier@gamereactor.eu (Javier Escribano) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:33:11 +0200

Alexander Zverev finally won a Grand Slam title on Sunday in Roland Garros, defeating Flavio Cobolli, and everyone seemed to agree, whether they were fans of the German player or not, that he deserved it. In fact, it had been way overdue: that a player of his quality hadn't won a major title at this point was really surprising and unfair... but he had the misfortune of playing at the end of the "Big Three" era and at the start of the "Big Two" era between Alcaraz and Sinner.

In fact, Zverev has become one of the oldest players to win his first Grand Slam, at 29 years and 48 days: the sixth men of all time, in a list that includes Rod Laver, who win his first Wimbledon in 1968, at the age of 29 years, 332 years, and went on to win four more.

Novak Djokovic, the player with the record for more Grand Slam titles in men's tennis, congratulated Zverev, whom he shares a "respectful and friendly relationship". And on Instagram, the Serbian congratulated him.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZU4lAfiNak

"Sasha, I have known you since you were 10 years old. You were battling on the practice courts with my youngest brother while I was competing against your older brother, Mischa, on the big stage in both junior and pro circuit", recounted Zverev. "I've nurtured a respectful and friendly relationship with your entire family for many years. We had countless conversations on tennis tactics, strategic plays, life, family, business. We had fun time on and off the court."

"Knowing what you had to endure with your illness since the young age, overcoming the greatest mental hurdle within yourself and shutting down critics who thought you would never win GS, makes this Grand Slam win even more special and memorable. Seeing the tears of joy you had together with your parents, brother and other team members made me emotional. I'm happy that you made it and you absolutely deserve this success because you have worked so hard on every front to make it happen", said Djokovic.

Djokovic is referring to Zverev's Type 1 diabetes. The German player was diagnosed at age 4, a condition that didn't stop him from being one of the best tennis players of all time, and in fact he has helped other children launching a foundation bearing his name in 2022, helping kids get life-saving insulin.

Not one, not two: All three main Xenoblade Chronicles games will be getting native versions on Nintendo Switch 2

alberto@gamereactor.eu (Alberto Garrido) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:02 +0200

It seems Nintendo wants to accelerate its plans for the Monolith Soft franchise. Xenoblade Chronicles follows the much-criticised Definitive Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X. During today's Nintendo Direct, it was announced that the three main instalments in the series will receive native versions on Nintendo Switch 2, which will boost performance to a stable 60 fps, as well as 4K resolution when outputting to a display via the console's dock. In handheld mode, it will run at FHD 1080p/60fps, which isn't bad at all.

In addition, a number of quality-of-life improvements have been added to each title depending on their specific needs; in Xenoblade Chronicles, for example, we'll have a hovercraft to move more quickly across the map, which is particularly useful when crossing bodies of water; control the Blades in squad battles in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and a wave-based gameplay mode for Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

The release of these versions of the Xenoblade Chronicles series will be staggered, with the first instalment arriving digitally today, whilst the physical version will be released on 30 July. The digital version of the second game will go on sale on the same day, and the third (digital version) will arrive on 3 December 2026.

Ready to embark on epic adventures once again with Xenoblade Chronicles on Nintendo Switch 2?

Major Nelson confirms he will be a part of the Xbox 25th Anniversary celebrations

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:12:00 +0200

During the FanFest held in conjunction with the Xbox Games Showcase, a familiar face to the Xbox community appeared to host the event: Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb. For nearly two decades, he was the public face of the community side of things, until he left Microsoft in 2023.

Lately, he has been frequently seen talking about Xbox and has openly expressed interest in returning to Xbox. That hasn't happened yet, however, and as mentioned, he was "just" hosting FanFest, but on social media he also writes that he will help "celebrate the Xbox 25th Anniversary as a host for the upcoming Fan Fest events."

In other words, it sounds like we'll be seeing a lot more of Larry Hryb now that Xbox is turning 25, and many are probably keeping their fingers crossed that this will continue even after that.

https://x.com/majornelson/status/2063996375009038678

Star Fox Switch 2 developer announced, and it's absolutely not who you think

javier@gamereactor.eu (Javier Escribano) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:53:05 +0200

Star Fox is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in only two weeks, rebooting a franchise that had been dormant for a long-time (10 years since Star Fox Zero on Wii U) right after Fox McCloud appeared in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. This remake of the Nintendo 64 classic was briefly highlighted in the Nintendo Direct, confirming that a demo is now available.

Beside the demo and new gameplay, a surprise announcement was made... by Velan Studios, an American studios based in New York that has revealed themselves as the developers behind this game. "Collaborating with Nintendo and bringing Fox McCloud and crew to Nintendo Switch 2 is truly an honor."

https://x.com/velanstudios/status/2064365600755912861

Velan Studios, made of former Vicarious Visions devs, has worked with Nintendo

We didn't expect it: Star Fox is not being developed internally in Nintendo, but by a little-known third party studio, one that however has a history of working with Nintendo. Founded by brothers Guha Bala and Karthik Bala in 2016, both also founders of Vicarious Visions back in 1991, Velan Studios developed the unusual Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for Nintendo Switch, a mix between a video game and a toy (a real RC car).

Velan is also behind Knockout City, a short-live dodgeball online multiplayer games published by Electronic Arts in 2021... which was shut down two years later.

Before that, the Bala brothers in Vicarious Visions worked on the Skylanders franchise, and Karthik Bala even appeared in the Nintendo Digital Event of E3 2015, talking about Bowser and Donkey Kong figures exclusive to the Wii U version.

From working with Crash Bandicoot and Spyro and all kinds of licences games in the 2000s, to now rebooting Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2, quite a story for Guha Bala and Karthik Bala and the folks at Velan Studios!

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World will launch in December

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:47:23 +0200

There has become a bit of a trend in seeing video games avoiding launching in November at all costs and also even largely evading a December launch plan, likely due to the presence of Grand Theft Auto VI in mid-November. But the folks over at Bandai Namco and Square Enix are up for the challenge...

During the Nintendo Direct, the two Japanese companies revealed Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World will officially be debuting on December 3, with plans for the game to even get a Nintendo Switch 2 edition too.

This has been confirmed in a new trailer for the game, which you can see in full below and which documents the monster-taming and then battling gameplay, with the promise of "hundreds" of monsters to discover too.

Will you be playing Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World this December?

Donkey Kong Bananza DLC announces collaboration with Super Mario, but only for a limited time

javier@gamereactor.eu (Javier Escribano) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:27:51 +0200

Nintendo announced a new thing for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers: the DK Challenges, a series of mini-games based on the classic Switch 1 games available on the classic's library (or Donkey Kong Bananza if you already own it).

At the same time, Nintendo announced a new collaboration for the Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, DK Island & Emerald Rush, which released last September but was pretty insubstantial given its price... However, if you own it, now you have an excuse to boot it again as a limited time collaboration with Super Mario starts today. In DK island you will find special Super Mario blocks, coins and other elements, as well as Mario and Luigi outfits for DK and Pauline

But beware, because it will also be a limited time collaboration only... in four waves. After that (just like all the other Donkey Kong Bananza DLC limited-time events) all of the Super Mario elements will disappear.

Wave 1: June 9 to June 30

Wave 2: July 14 to July 21

Wave 3: August 4 to August 11

Wave 4: August 25 to September 1

You'll be able to try out The Duskbloods this summer

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:20:56 +0200

One of the most anticipated upcoming games for the Switch 2 is undoubtedly FromSoftware's {The Duskbloods}. The adventure is set to be exclusive to Nintendo's hybrid console and release in 2026, and many of us were expecting to get a release date during today's Direct broadcast. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, but we did at least learn that a demo of the title will be made available on the platform this summer.

A so-called Closed Network Test is set to take place sometime in the vague timeframe of "Summer 2026," but unfortunately, we don't know much more than that. We also don't know what the requirements will be to participate in this beta, but we hope that as many people as possible will be able to join in and play when the time comes. Check out the latest trailer below.

Pokémon Pokopia is being expanded with several expansions

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:18:54 +0200

If you've already collected 'em all in {Pokémon Pokopia} and are looking for something new to do, we have some exciting news. During today's Nintendo Direct, two expansions for the game were revealed.

One of them offers exploration beneath the surface, where creatures like Vaporeon, Magikarp, and Poliwag naturally thrive. Fortunately, this expansion, which will be released in August, is completely free to download for those who own the game. The game will also receive an Expansion Pass that will include three updates. This will cost money, but it will add a lot of new content in the form of buildings, new creatures, and even a new area. This add-on will be released in three phases, with the first arriving in August, the second later this year, and the last sometime next year.

A trailer showcasing elements from the upcoming expansions is available to watch below.

DK Challenge explained: Limited-time mini-games for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers

javier@gamereactor.eu (Javier Escribano) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:15:32 +0200

Nintendo has come up with a new idea to keep Nintendo Switch Online subscribers entertained (only for Switch 2 users): the DK Challenge, which is not exactly a game, but a collection of challenges, similar to what you would find in Nintendo World Championship NES Edition or in NES Remix a few years ago, all of them based on the Donkey Kong games available in Nintendo's library of classic games in Nintendo Switch Online.

Those games are the Donkey Kong Country trilogy on SNES, the Donkey Kong Land trilogy on Game Boy, and the NES ports of the arcade games. If you also own Donkey Kong Bananza, you will be able to play challenges based on the most recent DK game too. If you complete them, you will win special digital cards to create a digital collection.

But beware! These DK Challenges will only be available for a limited time: between June 9 and September 1, 2026. After that, those challenges will be gone, so you better play and finish your digital card collection.

It's also worth noting that instead of being a game in the menu, you will access these challenges through the Nintendo Switch Online circle-shaped icon in the console's menu. And only for Switch 2, not the original Switch.

Donkey Kong Bananza DLC has a Mario collaboration, but also limited time

At the same time, Nintendo announced that the Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, DK Island & Emerald Rush, will have a limited time collaboration with Super Mario: elements like blocks will appear in DK island, and you will win special Mario and Luigi outfits for DK and Pauline.

But beware, because it will also be a limited time collaboration only... in four waves:

Wave 1: June 9 to June 30

Wave 2: July 14 to July 21

Wave 3: August 4 to August 11

Wave 4: August 25 to September 1

Pikuniku is going 3D in sequel debuting on PC and Switch 2 in 2027

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:08:14 +0200

During the Nintendo Direct broadcast, developers Arnaud De Bock and Remi Forcadell made the announcement that they will soon be serving up a sequel to the wonderfully weird adventure title Pikuniku.

Known simply as Pikuniku 2, this game will expand on the original by transitioning to become a 3D project. Beyond that, it will still be an odd and strange game where the aim is to meet with peculiar folk, hear their unusual stories, reunite friends, and ultimately travel full-circle and return home.

We're promised "deep state conspiracies" to uncover, "playful puzzles" to solve, "strange encounters" to overcome, and all set in "eye-melting environments" that merge bold contrasts and primary colours.

With all of this in-mind, check out the reveal trailer for Pikuniku 2 below, with launch planned for PC and Switch 2 in 2027.

Kingdom Hearts IV reveals a new trailer in the Nintendo Direct

alberto@gamereactor.eu (Alberto Garrido) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:04:36 +0200

For the first time in... what feels like an eternity, Square Enix has given us a new update on the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts IV. Following confirmation that the original trilogy will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on 8 October in enhanced versions, and with a Kingdom Hearts 3 demo having just been released on the eShop, we were all already thinking about the closing announcement featuring Zelda on the Direct. However, there was still one more thing to come.

Kingdom Hearts IV, with a new trailer, appeared on screen. We were treated to another glimpse of the battle between light and darkness, with the return of Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and the rest, whilst a host of original characters from the series also made a comeback. But, above all, we saw a more teenage and almost adult Sora wielding the Keyblade against his enemies once again.

In this new instalment of the action-RPG series developed and published by Square Enix, Sora will encounter a diverse cast of characters in the mysterious city of Quadratum. Our protagonist will once again travel to different realms, where new characters will cross his path and a new chapter will unfold as he gains new powers.

It was all cinematic, with no gameplay, which is why it saddens us a little to see that Kingdom Hearts 4, although it will also be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on launch, still has no release date, or even a year. But as long as there is light, as in this trailer, there is hope. And now it seems closer.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will be released in September

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:02:10 +0200

There have been rumours that the next instalment in the Fire Emblem series, titled Fortune's Weave, would be released this summer, and during today's Nintendo Direct, the publisher confirmed the news. While it is indeed set for the very end of summer, the tactical role-playing game is scheduled to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 17.

During the same broadcast, we also got to see a new trailer showcasing parts of the story, its characters, and some gameplay, and it certainly looks like an adventure worthy of the series' name. You can check out the {Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave} trailer below.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is the sequel to Wii Sports Resort

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:59:33 +0200

Try saying that five times fast. A long-awaited sequel to the legendary Wii game that everyone could play has now been confirmed, with intuitive gameplay via physical movements taking centre stage. You can look forward to beating your friends in a total of 12 disciplines, including: table tennis, archery, jet skis, boxing, tennis, volleyball, bowling, basketball, golf, thumb wrestling (not yet an Olympic sport, but we hope it's coming), skateboarding, hang gliding, and jump rope.

{Nintendo Switch Sports Resort} launches on October 22 and should be just as essential as previous titles in the series.

Will you be bowling or smashing on the Switch 2 this October?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake revealed for Nintendo Switch 2, without exact date or new name

david@gamereactor.eu (David Caballero) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:59:32 +0200

"There was one particular boy who did not have a fairy"

The new The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2 will include voice acting and seemingly realistic graphics. And that's pretty much what we can tell you because the remake only got a few seconds of a teaser. The tale of the Kokiri and the Great Deku Tree told over some fabric artworks, the awakening of Link in his house at the beginning of the game, the Triforce of Courage already glimmering on his hand (something that wouldn't happen like that in the original game).

Without any subtitle or "Remake" addition to the name, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will release on Nintendo Switch 2 this year as previously leaked and it's expected to be Nintendo's big title for Christmas, but we didn't get a fixed official date.

Big Walk takes us out for a stroll this August

alex@gamereactor.eu (Alex Hopley) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:50:59 +0200

It's summer, the perfect time to go out and enjoy the wildlife, see some green, and feel the sun. If that doesn't really sound like your thing physically, you can do it virtually in Big Walk, the co-op game from House House which just got its release date. Big Walk will release on the 4th of August.

A bit like Peak, Big Walk takes you through a large map of the natural world, where you and your friends will have to solve puzzles together by walking and talking. The game makes use of spatial audio, meaning you'll have to pull out the megaphone if you want people to hear you from far away.

Big Walk also gives you multiple tools which you can use to keep track of your friends and solve puzzles. Here's hoping it can recreate that Peak magic, and give us a co-op experience to remember when it launches on the 4th of August.

One Piece: Grand Gourmet announced

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:50:50 +0200

If One Piece and food are among your main interests, you should check out the recently announced {One Piece: Grand Gourmet}, which was presented during the Nintendo Direct. In this pixelated adventure, you get to cook and run a restaurant in the One Piece universe, and the whole thing looks just as vibrant as it sounds.

Among other things, a whopping 400 characters will be available, and you can check out the game's first trailer below. One Piece: Grand Gourmet is set to release on October 23 for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Steam.

Final Fantasy is getting a HD-2D overhaul in the upcoming Resonance

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:49:19 +0200

Fans of the HD-2D style will be treated in a couple of weeks when The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales arrives on a variety of platforms, but they will also be treated again in the months ahead, as another project using this style has in fact been announced.

During the Nintendo Direct, we've just been told about Final Fantasy Resonance, a new HD-2D experience that will be coming to Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 (plus PlayStation, Xbox, and PC) as soon as October 22.

Yep, the autumn is getting even more hectic and busy, with Square Enix finally giving one of its other tentpole franchises the HD-2D treatment. It'll be a turn-based RPG once more, more akin to Octopath Traveler than The Adventures of Elliot, and will feature some of Final Fantasy's more iconic stars and characters, including Cloud, Zidane, Terra, The Warrior of Light, Shantotto, and Y'shtola.

Expect more information from the game in the weeks ahead as we edge ever closer to launch.

Muramasa: Revenant Blades for Switch 2, PS5, and PC means the highly requested return of Vanillaware's masterpiece

david@gamereactor.eu (David Caballero) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:43:30 +0200

Vanillaware is all about hand-painted RPG masterpieces. And after getting modern versions of Dragon's Crown and Odin Sphere, and after blowing the minds of many with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim a few years ago, everyone asked the same question: Where is Muramasa? The original Muramasa: The Demon Blade was one of the very best games for Wii and PS Vita 20 years ago, but due to license complications, it was nowhere to be seen. Now it's back and reborn.

The confusing announcement during the Nintendo Direct showed a Muramasa: Rebirth title briefly, then the official Muramasa: Revenant Blades (Oboromuramasa Kaikitan) logo for an early 2027 release. We now know it's an enhanced remaster of the beloved original, with protagonist duo Kisuke and Momohime joining Okoi, Arashimaru, Rajaki, and more once again so that modern audiences can enjoy the celebrated 2D action-RPG.

It's so far the surprise of the day as this return seemed impossible in recent times, and also due to the fact that it will release not only on the Nintendo Switch 2, but also on PlayStation 5 and, shockingly on PC via Steam.

Nintendo shows the first few minutes of Xenoblade Genesis, due out in 2027

alberto@gamereactor.eu (Alberto Garrido) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:43:16 +0200

Nintendo has finally revealed the long-awaited continuation of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, although it seems that this time, rather than a sequel, it is a new beginning. Xenoblade Genesis takes us to a new land called Leukos, where the Anima permeates and shapes, gives life (and death) to everything that exists. The world of Leukos is like a Halo ring, and we'll be able to explore it on mounts resembling feathered reptiles, whilst the plot once again touches on the central themes of anti-militarism, compassion for others and a sense of duty.

For now, we don't know any further details about Xenoblade Genesis, but the trailer shown by Nintendo in the Direct leads us to suspect that Monolith Soft's work is quite advanced at this stage, and they have already confirmed that it will arrive in 2027.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this September

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:39:53 +0200

Credit to Jagex, the developer has managed to make an appearance in near every major showcase of the past week, as it popped up in the State of Play to present more from RuneScape: Dragonwilds and to reveal a September launch window and a PS5 edition, then followed up during Summer Game Fest to confirm the exact September launch date and an Xbox Series X/S version too. It then skipped the Xbox Games Showcase, but has now made an appearance in the Nintendo Direct.

The information that's important this time is simple: RuneScape: Dragonwilds will be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 at launch as well on September 15. Yep, if you're excited for the project, it's now confirmed to be coming to all major platforms in a few months time.

Lies of P: Complete Edition brings the acclaimed Soulslike to Nintendo Switch 2

alex@gamereactor.eu (Alex Hopley) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:39:39 +0200

The Nintendo Switch 2 is continuing to collect well-received games from the past few years like they're Infinity Stones, and now it has been revealed that Lies of P: Complete Edition is heading to the platform. The 2024 Soulslike is arriving in both digital and physical formats when it lands on Switch 2.

The digital edition of Lies of P: Complete Edition launches on the 6th of August digitally, while the physical edition launches on the 2nd of October. Pre-orders are available as of today on the Nintendo eShop.

As you may expect, Lies of P: Complete Edition brings not only the base game, but the Overture DLC as well. We can expect this will become the new way to purchase the game on most platforms, giving us access to the prequel expansion as well as one of the best Soulslikes to come out of a non-FromSoft studio.

Orbitals launches on the 3rd of September

alex@gamereactor.eu (Alex Hopley) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:36:27 +0200

Orbitals, the new co-op game from Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive, has got its release date. For anyone who thought they might be getting a break at any point in September, we've got some bad news, as it releases on the 3rd.

With stylish, anime-inspired visuals, Orbitals is set in a retro galactic world, where you'll have to use futuristic gadgets to keep your ship afloat through the stars and explore abandoned space stations filled with puzzles and more for you to find.

With Hazelight keeping itself as the dominant force in purely co-op experiences for two players, we'll have to see if Shapefarm can take a shot at the king, and deliver a great game to stand out in the saturated space of September 2026.

Stellar Blade announced for the Switch 2

jonas@gamereactor.eu (Jonas Mäki) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:30:54 +0200

During this afternoon's Nintendo Direct, Stellar Blade was showcased for the Switch 2, where Eve - wearing more or less nothing - takes over Nintendo's platform after sweeping the board on the PlayStation 5, in what can be considered something of a modern classic. A sequel in the series was shown during Sony's State of Play a couple of weeks ago, but now Nintendo players will also get to kick and shake their booty in Shift Up's epic.

We have a third-person game to look forward to where timing, precision, and acrobatics take centre stage. The game has been rumoured to be in the works, but it's now confirmed to launch in 2026. We didn't get a specific date, but expect more details later this year.

Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble Survivaton will offer a Vampire Survivors-like experience later this year

ben@gamereactor.eu (Ben Lyons) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:29:52 +0200

Recently, developer Poncle teased that it had a ton of projects in the pipeline, leaving many to wonder what exactly the small indie team was working on. We now have an answer in part, as during the Nintendo Direct, we were introduced to Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble Survivaton.

This is a Vampire Survivors-like experience set in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, offering players the chance to use familiar characters and faces all while holding off hordes of attacking enemies, and with a similar pixel art direction.

We know Poncle is developing the game and Shueisha Games is publishing the project, but we are lacking firm details about the launch plans. Still, it will be debuting on Nintendo Switch 2 at the least and arriving sometime in 2026.

Ninjala 2 is now an open-world action adventure and a Switch 2 exclusive

david@gamereactor.eu (David Caballero) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:28:01 +0200

It'll release in the spring of 2027 (or at least its "first part"), but the ongoing Nintendo Direct just gave us a first glimpse at Ninjala 2, the sequel to the 2020 massively successful original by GungHo, which combined hectic combat, chewing gum, and a trendy visual style clearly inspired by Splatoon.

The new game will go full open world action adventure. Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet tasks players to traverse a large map with their ninja-gum, introducing new gum powers, weapons, and ninjitsu. Besides, up to four players can co-op locally or online to work together.

It's unclear what that "first part" actually means, but we'll find out closer to the release of this Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.