Latest news with #Cuphead
Tom's Guide
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Huge Nintendo Switch game sale from $9 ahead of Prime Day — 17 deals I'd shop now
In case you hadn't heard, the Nintendo Switch 2 is out now. Whether you're looking to get yourself set up with a big library of games, or need something to entertain yourself while you track Nintendo Switch 2 restocks, you're in luck with this massive selection of Nintendo Switch game deals I've found. Over at the Nintendo Store, you can get a ton of awesome digital deals on best selling titles. For example, right now you can get Resident Evil 4 for just $9 at Nintendo. This blood-pumping action horror game is still just as great as it was when it originally released all the way back in 2005. Plus, Amazon has Nintendo Switch game deals from $17. This includes one of our favorite Nintendo Switch titles, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope on sale for $17 at Amazon. Keep scrolling to see all my favorite Nintendo Switch game deals. Plus, check out our Amazon promo codes, and see the Stanley deals I'd shop from $19 at Amazon. The sequel to 2017's Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Sparks of Hope once again reunites the residents of the Mushroom Kingdom with the zany Rabbids. This time the unexpected allies are venturing into the stars for an intergalactic adventure. Offering colorful strategy combat, and plenty of planets to explore, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is one of the most overlooked games on Nintendo Switch. Step into the plastic shoes of over 100 Marvel heroes in this family-friendly adventure. Play as the Avengers, the X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four and more in an original comic-book-inspired tale. Plus, there are hundreds of items to collect in an open-world NYC hub area. Persona 5 Royal is part turn-based RPG and part high-school simulator. You play as a new student who has recently moved to Tokyo. Soon you discover the ability to transverse a strange alternate reality and form The Phantom Thieves in an effort to fix the corrupt society around you. Just be warned, Persona 5 Royal will consume all your free time once it gets its hooks in. Don't be fooled by Cuphead's family-friendly visuals, this action-platformer puts up a serious fight. Inspired by the classic cartoons of the 1930s, Cuphead is a devilishly difficulty but highly rewarding experience that pits you against a range of memorable bosses as well as run-in-gun levels. This Nintendo Switch version packs the Delicious Last Course expansion, which includes new bosses and a new playable character, Ms. Chalice. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most popular Switch games available. Even years after its launch it continues to dominate the best-sellers chart. This means any form of discount is pretty rare, but you can currently save on this must-have family-friendly hit. And if you want even more courses, be sure to pick up the Booster Pack DLC that adds 48 new tracks including fan-favorite picks. This is one of the games that helped get many people through a tough couple of years, letting you jet off to an untamed island courtesy of business raccoon Tom Nook. It's up to you to bring civilization to that island, and turn into a villager's check: $52 @ Amazon MLB The Show is back with a new roster, game modes and more. Our MLB The Show 25 review mentioned that while there are some upgrades in tow, there probably isn't enough new content here to entice players who already have The Show 23 or 24. But if you haven't played in a couple of years, this version of the big-hitting baseball franchise is tons of fun. Join Mario and friends' biggest party yet in Super Mario Party Jamboree. With 110 mini games and seven boards, this party game is packed with content and is an excellent way to gather friends and family for a fast-paced, competitive multiplayer experience. Tired of catching Pokémon? Why not take pictures of them instead? In this game you'll need to explore beautifully detailed environments and snap pictures of Pokémon in their natural habitats. This isn't the longest Pokémon game you can buy, but there is decent replay value here if you want to strive to get the best possible shots of each creature. Ultimate by name, ultimate by nature. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together every single fighter in the franchise's history for a showdown of epic proportions. This hugely popular party game is now on sale. This side-scrolling adventure is a wonderfully refreshing spin on the classic Mario formula. Venturing to the Flower Kingdom, you'll discover stage-altering Wonder Flowers which can warp levels, create new platforming challenges and even turn Mario into an elephant. Playable in up to four-player co-op, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a platforming marvel for the entire family and one of the very best Nintendo Switch games you can play now. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highly-anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild, and it doesn't disappoint. Step back into the world of Hyrule, and embark on Link's most perilous quest to date. You'll need to master new abilities such as Ultrahand and Fuse in order to unravel the mystery of what happened to Princess Zelda and defeat the sinister Ganondorf.
Engadget
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Troy Baker is the big cheese in Mouse: P.I. for Hire
Troy Baker will don the cartoon fedora and play the lead role in Mouse: P.I. For Hire . The game has garnered buzz for its unique blending of genres. Imagine a film noir-infused cross between Cuphead and Doom . Baker will play Private Investigator Jack Pepper, the game's protagonist. He's a war hero turned detective who begins his journey responding to a cliché damsel in distress. Pepper's investigation then peels back the layers of the city's dark underbelly. It sounds like developer Fumi Games ticked all the items off the noir checklist. Oh, and don't forget the minor detail that he's a rodent. Expect plenty of cheesy (meaning puns about cheese) one-liners. Being a first-person shooter, Mouse: P.I. For Hire has plenty of Rambo-style room-clearing. Pepper's weapons range from conventional (shotgun) to comically ludicrous (turpentine cleanser). There's even an ode to Popeye: Down a can of spinach to beat your foes to smithereens. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. The game's animation draws inspiration from the same 1930s cartoons as Cuphead . Like that game, Mouse: P.I. For Hire 's monochromatic visuals are all hand-drawn. (But whether it's as punishingly difficult as the 2017 classic remains to be seen.) Watching the delightfully wacky trailers, it's easy to see why gamers are keeping an eye on this one. It sounds like a wild ride. But that doesn't necessarily point to a game in need of an industry titan like Baker. So, perhaps there's more to the game's narrative than you might expect. Or, maybe The Last of Us actor is merely checking "played rodent" off his bucket list. (Couldn't blame him!) Baker said he's been following the game's development from its first teaser. "Its art style, gameplay and 1930s film-noir aesthetic continue to win me over. I cannot wait to keep working with the team to bring Jack Pepper to life and hope to have some exciting things to share as we get closer to launch!" You can check out the game's new trailer here. Mouse: P.I. for Hire arrives later this year. It will be available on all major platforms, including Switch 2.
Globe and Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Pixune Unveils Insights into the Future of 2D Animation: Trends Redefining the Industry in 2025
In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting viewer expectations, the world of animation continues to thrive, adapt, and transform. While 3D animation has taken center stage in many blockbuster films and video games, 2D animation is far from obsolete. In fact, it's undergoing a renaissance. From nostalgic revivals to social media storytelling and AI-enhanced workflows, the 2D animation industry is embracing new directions without losing its signature charm. This resurgence is fueled by a dynamic mix of creative freedom, affordability, and a renewed appreciation for traditional artistry. Today's 2D animation agency isn't just drawing frame-by-frame cartoons — it's shaping culture, driving brand narratives, and leading the charge in global visual storytelling. 1. The Return of Nostalgia: Classic Style, Modern Spin One of the biggest trends in 2D animation today is the comeback of retro aesthetics. Studios are tapping into the emotional power of nostalgia by recreating the look and feel of classic cartoons from the '80s and '90s — but with cleaner lines, smoother transitions, and updated storylines. Shows like The Owl House and Cuphead exemplify this blend of vintage inspiration and contemporary polish. Whether through grainy textures or deliberately limited color palettes, these animations deliver a sense of comfort and familiarity to both older audiences and younger viewers fascinated by the 'old-school' style. For any forward-thinking 2D animation agency, this trend provides an exciting opportunity to bridge generations with animation that feels timeless yet fresh. 2. Streaming Services Fuel Demand for Diverse Content Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have radically reshaped content consumption. The demand for original, short-form, and niche content is at an all-time high — and 2D animation is perfectly suited to meet it. Why? Compared to 3D animation, 2D projects are typically faster and more cost-effective to produce. This makes them ideal for streaming platforms hungry for frequent content drops. Additionally, audiences crave diversity in storytelling, and 2D's stylistic flexibility allows creators to explore stories from a wide range of cultures, identities, and genres. The rise in streaming has empowered 2D animation agencies to expand their portfolios with web series, animated shorts, and even feature-length films targeting highly specific demographics. 3. Motion Graphics and Brand Storytelling 2D animation is no longer just for entertainment. In recent years, brands across industries — from tech startups to healthcare providers — have embraced animation as a core part of their marketing and communication strategies. Animated explainer videos, brand stories, product demos, and onboarding tutorials are increasingly stylized with 2D motion graphics. They're eye-catching, easy to understand, and cost-effective to produce — all essential in the fast-paced world of digital marketing. As a result, a modern 2D animation agency often finds itself collaborating with brands to deliver content that's not just engaging, but strategically crafted to convert and inform. 4. The Rise of Remote Collaboration and Global Talent Thanks to cloud technology and powerful remote collaboration tools, the 2D animation industry has become more global than ever before. Animation teams can now be dispersed across continents, with artists, writers, voice actors, and editors all contributing from different parts of the world. This shift has democratized production and allowed 2D animation agencies to tap into global talent pools, resulting in richer, more diverse visual styles and storytelling approaches. It's also enabled small studios and freelancers to compete on a larger scale, working on international projects without the need for expensive studio space. 5. Integration of AI and Automation Tools Artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in the 2D animation workflow. While creativity remains at the heart of the process, AI-powered tools now assist with tasks like in-betweening (filling in the frames between key animations), lip-syncing, and coloring. These tools significantly reduce production time, allowing studios to meet tighter deadlines and take on more projects. This doesn't replace human artists — rather, it enhances their capabilities, giving them more time to focus on storytelling, design, and performance. 2D animation agencies adopting AI early are finding themselves more agile, efficient, and competitive in a fast-paced marketplace. 6. Animation for Social Causes and Advocacy Today's audiences are more socially aware than ever, and animation has become a powerful medium for advocacy. From climate change awareness to mental health education and political commentary, 2D animation is being used to communicate complex, sensitive topics with clarity and empathy. Its visual simplicity allows creators to break down abstract concepts into digestible, emotional narratives. NGOs, educators, and activists are increasingly partnering with 2D animation agencies to develop content that resonates and mobilizes. This socially conscious trend is expected to grow, as audiences seek meaningful content and organizations look for engaging ways to make an impact. 7. Vertical Animation and Mobile-First Content With the explosion of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, vertical animation is becoming its own category. Creators are now designing animations specifically for mobile viewing — short, punchy, and formatted to be viewed on a phone screen. These animations are typically under a minute long, often looped, and optimized for social sharing. They may include educational tidbits, quick stories, or brand-driven narratives. A savvy 2D animation agency understands that animation no longer lives just on TV screens or movie theaters — it's in your pocket, ready to engage at a moment's notice. 8. Hybrid Animation Styles As boundaries blur between 2D and 3D animation, hybrid styles are emerging as a unique and engaging middle ground. These techniques combine 2D characters with 3D environments, or use 3D tools to simulate 2D aesthetics (as seen in movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). This creative fusion allows animators to harness the expressive charm of 2D with the depth and dynamism of 3D. It's also pushing visual storytelling into exciting new territory, encouraging experimentation and innovation. Agencies equipped to work across both formats are in high demand, especially those that can deliver stylized, hybrid visuals that feel both fresh and emotionally resonant. Conclusion: A Bright Future for 2D Animation In 2025 and beyond, 2D animation continues to thrive not just as an art form, but as a powerful tool for storytelling, marketing, education, and beyond. Its blend of emotional resonance, stylistic freedom, and adaptability makes it an evergreen medium in a constantly shifting digital world. For any brand, creator, or organization looking to engage an audience, partnering with a skilled 2D animation agency can open doors to unforgettable narratives, impactful visuals, and meaningful connections. As technology advances and the appetite for creative content grows, one thing is certain: 2D animation is not only surviving — it's evolving, expanding, and leading the next wave of visual innovation.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch Games Done Quick's Frost Fatales speedrunning event from March 9
Games Done Quick's next weeklong charity speedrunning shindig kicks off this weekend. Frost Fatales, one of GDQ's two events celebrating women and femmes, runs from March 9 to 16, raising money for the nonprofit National Women's Law Center. Frost Fatales is the winter installment of the pair of events organized by GDQ's Frame Fatales speedrunning community. (Its summer counterpart is Flame Fatales.) Last year's Frost Fatales raised $155,000 for the same nonprofit, which fights for gender justice in issues central to the lives of women and girls. Since the first Frame Fatales event in 2019, the biannual speedruns have raised over $1 million for charity. This year's festivities dive right into the deep end with a run of the charmingly punishing Cuphead at 1PM ET on Sunday, followed by Super Mario Odyssey a mere hour later. Anyone who can beat Cuphead in that time deserves a Medal of Honor. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Other notable runs from the week include the OG Legend of Zelda on Sunday, the Wii reboot of Punch-Out!! on Monday, a "girl squad" three-way race in Final Fantasy X-2 on Wednesday and a race to defeat Ganon (again) in Breath of the Wild on Saturday. The week wraps up with a one-handed (say what?) speedrun of the indie platforming classic Celeste later that night. You can check out GDQ's schedule for the full lineup of games. The weeklong event streams exclusively on the GDQ Twitch channel (also embedded below), starting with that must-see Cuphead run at 1PM ET on Sunday.
