Latest news with #MetroidPrime
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JAKKS Pacific Reveals All-New SUPER MARIO, THE SIMPSONS, DC X SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, BENDY and DOG MAN Toys and Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2025
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today, during a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con unveiled an all-new dynamic lineup inspired by iconic franchises including , , , , and . The crowd went wild with excitement for the Super Mario Big Bad Bowser, a towering 12-inch tall figure with sound effects, 'fire breathing' light feature and slashing arms, storming exclusively into Costco this fall. Yours Truly, Princess Peach with her iconic floaty jump pose and 25+ quotes, sounds, and music made her a huge hit. Fans of The Simpsons lit up at the reveal of the Treehouse of Horror Countdown Advent Calendar, packed with 31 days of spooky mystery characters and accessories, as well as two all-new 5-inch Premium Figures, the monstrous King Homer and the winged Fly Boy Bart. Another standout moment came with the reveal of new figurines and plush inspired by the thrilling DC x Sonic the Hedgehog crossover event. At midnight this morning, the new Sonic the Hedgehog™ Shadow 18-inch Ice Cream Bar Plush became available for pre-order exclusively through GameStop, and panel attendees were given the first in-person look at the realistic, giant, super soft collector's item with a dark chocolate scent. The panel also unveiled Metroid Prime items featuring newly refreshed packaging, including the 2.5-Inch Bounty Hunter 3-Pack, 2.5-Inch Chozo Suit 3-Pack, and 6-Inch UV Metroid figure. It then introduced a first-ever 4-pack featuring the 2.5-inch Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong figures. In addition, the presentation highlighted key products announced earlier this year, including the Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Star Lightning R/C, DC x Sonic the Hedgehog 5-inch Figures, Target-exclusive DC x Sonic the Hedgehog Power vs. Speed Pack Multipack, The Simpsons Talking Funzo Plush Doll, Super Mario Spinning Spirit House Diorama and Super Mario Spinning Spirit House Playset. A full list of the all-new JAKKS Pacific products revealed at SDCC can be found below. Images can be found HERE. For more information, visit Super MarioBig Bad Bowser roars exclusively into Costco this October! Standing 12 inches tall with 13 points of articulation, this figure features a 'fire-breathing' light effect, and multiple button triggers that activate a variety of iconic sounds and music. This item will be available in October for $ Truly, Princess Peach stands 12 inches tall with six points of articulation and fun interactive features. Kids can press multiple activation points to hear classic quotes and songs, and her dress billows out like it does in the game! The figure will be available in December for $39.99. The SimpsonsAvailable exclusively at Costco this fall, Treehouse of Horror Countdown Calendar features 31 days of mystery characters and accessories. Different Treehouse of Horror episodes are represented through miniature scale 1.5-inch figures with fun holiday themed reveal packaging. The calendar will be available for $ exclusively at Target this fall, the Fly Boy Bart 5-inch Premium Figure includes multiple points of articulation and a teleporter with interactive push-button to activate the green 'transformation light.' The set also includes a tiny Fly Boy Bart figure. The figurine will be available for $ King Homer 5-inch Premium Figure is restrained and waiting to break free! Push the button on the back to release him from the chair. The figure includes multiple points of articulation, and includes a restraint chair accessory along with a mini-Marge Figure. The figurine will be available for $ exclusively at Target this fall, The Simpsons Sedan with Family Figures includes Homer's iconic sedan and 2.5-inch figures of Homer and Bart, both exclusive to this set, as well as Lisa, Marge and Maggie. The set will be available for $29.99. DC x Sonic the HedgehogMultiple 2.5-inch and 5-inch figure multipacks, inspired by the hit crossover comic book series and a great gift for fans of DC and Sonic the Hedgehog, will be available this fall for $19.99 USD each. Each pack includes a quintessential pairing of two heroic characters! The sets include Shadow as Batman & Batman, Tails as Cyborg & Cyborg, and Knuckles as Superman & all-new 9-inch DC x Sonic the Hedgehog plush will hit shelves this fall for $9.99 USD each. The ideal size for a huggable and cuddly experience, each plush will feature deluxe fabric and ultra-soft material Wave 1 spotlighting Sonic as The Flash, Silver as Green Lantern, Knuckles as Superman, and Shadow as Batman. Collect them all! Sonic the HedgehogThe realistic, giant, super soft Shadow 18-inch Ice Cream Bar Plush stands out with its collector packaging and dark chocolate scent inspired by the iconic treat. The must-have addition to any Sonic collection is now available to pre-order through GameStop for $44.99. BendyAvailable this fall, the Bendy: Lone Wolf Crane Game Mini Plush features seven mini plushes from the new video game, Bendy: Lone Wolf, including Bendy, Boris, Alice, Charley, Barley, Edgar and Carley. Featured in Crane game style packaging, each plush is 3 inches tall. Available this fall, the set retails for $24.99. Dog ManRecreate the action from the hit movie with the Dog Man 2.5-inch Squirrel Tank with Figures. A fantastic gift for any young hero, the set includes Dog Man and Petey 2.5-inch articulated figures and will be available this fall for $29.99. Dog Man 2.5-inch Supa Cool Figure Pack Wave 2 and 3 will be available this fall for $19.99 each. Each figure is designed with unique details, ready for action to ensure hours of playtime excitement. Recreate your favorite scenes from the Dog Man movie with the Dog Man and Lil' Petey 5-inch figures, available this fall for $14.99 each. Each comes with multiple accessories and points of articulation for dynamic poses and interactive play. About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific's popular proprietary brands include: AirTitans®, Disguise®, Fly Wheels®, JAKKS Wild Games®, Moose Mountain®, Maui®, Perfectly Cute®, ReDo® Skateboard Co., Sky Ball®, SportsZone™, Xtreme Power Dozer®, WeeeDo®, and Wild Manes™ as well as a wide range of entertainment-inspired products featuring premier licensed properties. Through our products and our charitable donations, JAKKS is helping to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Visit us at and follow us on Instagram (@ Twitter (@jakkstoys) and Facebook (@ ©2025 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at CONTACT: Media Contacts: Jessica Kavanaugh JAKKS Pacific, Inc. PublicRelations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
These are the 8 best Nintendo Switch 2 games you'll want to play first
The Nintendo Switch 2 is barely out of its box, but we're starting to see a range of titles launch on the console. Whether you've just powered yours on or you're still desperate to find one in stock, there's only one big question: what should you play first? While Mario Kart World is the only true first-party exclusive launch title made just for the Nintendo Switch 2, there's already a decent little launch line-up to play now. From upgraded ports with buttery-smooth frame rates to third-party titles that now shine on Nintendo's beefed-up system, there's lots to stick your teeth into. We've rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 games you'll want to play today, and we'll be updating this list as more drop. We're especially looking forward to Donkey Kong Bananza, the Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Party Jamboree and Jamboree TV, which turns the party game into a gameshow hosted by Toad, and the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, due later this year. Here's what to play (so far). How we tested We've spent several hours playing each of the featured titles. Our picks are based not just on how good the games are, but how well they run on the Nintendo Switch 2. That means looking at frame rate, loading times, graphical upgrades and overall performance, especially for games that have been ported or updated for the new console. We also factored in any new features or content that enhance the experience specifically on Switch 2, such as cross-save support, QR code sharing or Joy-Con functionality. Where games haven't changed much, we focused on whether they still feel good to play today, and whether this is the best version of the game to play in 2025. Why you can trust us Alex Lee is The Independent 's senior tech critic, specialising in consumer tech and gaming. He's been reviewing Nintendo Switch games for years and has been covering Nintendo's new console since before its release. Jake Brigstock is our gaming correspondent and reviews games across all platforms. Together, we've played through the Switch 2's early library and hand-picked the best titles worth your time right now. The best Nintendo Switch 2 games of 2025 are:
CNN
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Why wait for Amazon Prime Day? These great Nintendo Switch deals are live right now
Whether you were lucky enough to score a just-released Nintendo Switch 2 or are still rocking your original model, now's a great time to get a jump on some early Amazon Prime Day Switch deals. And fortunately for you, I've been obsessively tracking Amazon deals since the system came out so that you don't have to waste any time getting right to some actual good sales. Some of my all-time favorite Switch games and accessories are discounted ahead of Prime Day, making it a great time to snag some essentials. Better yet, many of them will work on your new Switch 2, not to mention select titles have been enhanced to run even better on Nintendo's new console. So, while you wait for that next Nintendo Switch 2 restock (or if you're impatient and just want to save on an old Switch), here are some great Prime Day deals on games and gear worth buying now. Nintendo Switch OLED If you're tired of waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2 to come back in stock — or you just never jumped on the Switch train — the Switch OLED is still a fantastic console in 2025. Its OLED screen is more vibrant than even the Switch 2 display, and it'll still get plenty of big upcoming Nintendo games like Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends Z-A. Read our review PowerA Nintendo Switch Wired Controller PowerA makes some of our favorite Switch accessories, and this officially licensed wired controller is an absolute bargain at this close-to-lowest price. It's perfect if you need a spare gamepad for multiplayer sessions, and it'll work with both your Switch and Switch 2. PowerA Enhanced Nintendo Switch Controller Wireless If you want something more premium but don't want to shell out upwards of $85 for Nintendo's Pro Controller, PowerA's Enhanced Wireless gamepad is an excellent choice. On top of offering many of the same key features as Nintendo's controller, it also sports two programmable back buttons that are especially great for competitive gamers. It comes in a variety of themes too. CRKD Nitro Deck+ We dug the original Nitro Deck as a way to make your old Nintendo Switch feel bigger, beefier and more ergonomic, and the new Nitro Deck+ adds a new symmetrical joystick layout and supports docked TV play via an adapter. Put one of these on your Switch and you might just feel a little less FOMO toward your friends who have a Switch 2 already. Orzly Nintendo Switch Carry Case In my eight years of tracking Switch accessories, I still haven't seen a case more popular and well reviewed by customers than this Orzly model. It's got storage for your Switch or Switch OLED, up to eight game cards and multiple sets of Joy-Cons and cables for playing on the go, all of which can be had for a near-lowest price right now. The company also just dropped a new Switch 2 version of its case. SanDisk 256GB microSDXC Card Licensed for Nintendo Switch Every Switch owner should have a microSD card given how quickly digital games can eat up your storage. SanDisk makes my favorite ones, and this model gets you a generous 256GB of extra space complete with some cute Pikachu artwork for a good price. Just note that this card will not work on your Switch 2; you'll need a pricier microSD express card for expanding storage on Nintendo's new console. Super Mario Odyssey Super Mario Odyssey is unquestionably one of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time and a must-play for anyone who's into things like fun and joy. We've seen it discounted more in the past, but it's still a great game for this current on-sale price, especially now that it's gotten a nice performance update for the Switch 2. Super Mario 3D World and Bowser's Fury As well deserved as the hype around Odyssey is, this Mario game — which delivers a beautiful four-player hybrid of 2D and 3D Mario gameplay — remains one of my favorites in the franchise. The Bowser's Fury expansion essentially adds an entire second game to the mix, and the whole thing has been updated for Switch 2 with better performance and GameShare support so you can more easily play with friends. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom An underrated gem, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom takes the classic top-down Zelda formula and flips it on its head by finally letting you play as the series' titular princess with her own unique range of abilities. It's also one of many Nintendo games that's gotten enhanced for the Switch 2. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics I don't think there's a single game I logged more hours in last year than this collection, which brings together the entire Marvel vs. Capcom franchise in all its chaotic comic book combat glory. It's a must for both Marvel fans and fighting-game enthusiasts, especially at this lowest-ever price. While this current batch of early Prime Day Switch deals are relatively modest, they include a few lowest or close-to-lowest prices on some of the best accessories and games for the system. Deals on Nintendo hardware are especially rare, so we're happy to also see a discount on the excellent Nintendo Switch OLED. And with Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories only getting more expensive, this is a great chance to stock up on some great backwards-compatible titles and gear for your new console. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been covering gaming for more than a decade and has put nearly as many hours into tracking Nintendo Switch deals as he has into playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. (Spoiler: It's a lot.)
Android Authority
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
Goodbye, emulators: Native GameCube fan ports are now a reality, starting with Mario Party 4
TL;DR Mario Party 4 for the Nintendo GameCube has been completely decompiled. The process took a year and a half, resulting in nearly perfect source code replication. A PC port is in the works, and more Mario Party decompilations are currently underway. We are entering a golden age of game decompilations, with hard-to-emulate consoles like the N64 and even the Xbox 360 getting tools to make recreating source code easier than ever. Now, the Nintendo GameCube has joined the ranks, with a Mario Party 4 decompilation project reaching full compatibility (via MattKC Bytes). This is the first GameCube game to be decompiled, and one of the very few 6th-gen console games to get the full treatment. Previously, Metroid Prime received a pseudo-decompilation called Metaforce, but the code was heavily altered. The initial goal was not to recreate the original game's source code faithfully, but rather to create a working game. A full decomp is underway, but it still sits at 16% after years of work. However, that project led to new tools that made GameCube decompilations easier, including a GameCube-to-PC translation layer called Aurora. It isn't as extensive as Wiseguy's incredible mod-enabled N64: Recompiled tool, but it's a start. A working PC port of the Mario Party 4 decomp is currently underway. The project took just a year and a half to complete, which is remarkably fast. Other decompilation projects have taken years to complete, but a few lucky factors sped up the process. For example, the code was not optimized, so the compiled code resembled the original source code more closely. Additionally, the team had access to debug symbols from another game using the same engine, called Adventure Island. That combination of lucky turns made the team prioritize Mario Party 4, which isn't otherwise one of the series' fan-favorite entries. It's definitely not a passion project like the recent Sonic Unleashed decomp for the Xbox 360. Still, the team is currently working on decomps for nearly every other Mario Party game and has big plans for the future. With the source code in hand, it would be possible to combine all boards into a single game or add online multiplayer. Online multiplayer hacks are available on the Dolphin emulator, but they don't compare to native online support. That's likely years away from coming to fruition, but it's an exciting prospect for Mario Party fans. The current Mario Party 4 decompilation was just completed and doesn't have a working port, but a PC port is currently being developed using the aforementioned Aurora tool. It may take longer to port to Android, but the future is still bright. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
CNET
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Getting a Switch 2? Wait To Buy These 3 Nintendo Games
After the Switch 2 Direct, we finally have a good idea of what games are coming to the highly-anticipated Nintendo console. There's a good mix of launch day games from first-party developers, as well as popular AAA games from publishers like Microsoft that are already confirmed to be coming to the Switch 2. We also know that the Switch 2 is going to be backward compatible with the original Switch's game cartridges, letting you keep your library intact. Nintendo's official webpage explained the new virtual game card sharing system for the Switch and also confirmed that "Switch 2 editions" of existing games are in development -- and we got a look at the first batch of those games during the Nintendo Direct showcase. We don't know how many Switch 2 edition games are in development, but we can confirm that seven separate Switch games will have Switch 2 editions on the console's launch day. They're mostly older games that pushed the original Switch's hardware to the limit, with a couple exceptions. Here are all of the confirmed Switch 2 upgrades so far. Every Switch game getting a Switch 2 Edition upgrade Nintendo CNET has compiled an extensive list of games getting a Switch 2 edition upgrade during the launch day release batch. These are the seven games we know are getting Switch 2 editions: Super Mario Party Jamboree Pokemon Legends: Z-A Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Kirby and the Forgotten Land Sid Meier's Civilization 7 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom If you want to know more about what kind of upgrades you can expect from a Switch 2 edition of an old game, we've collected all of the info here. How much will Switch 2 Edition upgrades cost We don't currently know how much a Switch 2 edition for an old game will cost or how much it'll cost to upgrade your game if you already own the original version. We only know that the Switch 2 editions for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will both be free upgrades for anyone that has a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The games I wanted to see Switch 2 editions for (and why) Before the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct stream, I wrote about the old Switch games I wanted to see Switch 2 editions for. While two of the items got crossed off of my wishlist, there was one glaring omission. Here are some of the first-party games that could benefit the most from versions fully utilizing the Switch 2's more powerful hardware. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Scarlet and Violet's obligatory "Pikachu clone" scurries through some rough-looking grass. Nintendo Game Freak has struggled to make mainline Pokemon games work on the Switch. Sword and Shield's toxic "Dexit" controversy largely overshadowed the fact that the game had some of the most mediocre graphics on the console, and Pokemon and NPC models frequently suffered from sudden pop-ins as players explored the game's Wild Area. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet caught even more flak for its performance issues. The pop-in issue returned, but this time around faraway models you could see frequently skipped frames in their animation cycles. While the game was larger and more ambitious with a grander open world, the game's performance suffered as a result. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have both had a hard time reaching 30 frames per second (FPS) outside of most towns, and certain areas like Kitakami and Tagtree Thicket absolutely tank the frame rate. The Switch 2's presumably stronger hardware would likely support Game Freak's more ambitious open world designs, and grant the developer a chance to give Pokemon the 3D graphical fidelity the franchise deserves. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Tears of the Kingdom's art style does a lot of heavy lifting, but the Switch 2 can really help this game out. Nintendo There's no doubt that Tears of the Kingdom is beautiful game, thanks in large part to its strong art direction and cel-shaded models that make the world feel vibrant and alive. Despite that, the game doesn't do much to improve on Breath of the Wild's visual fidelity, and it suffers from blurry, low-texture terrain that muddies up the experience. But Tears of the Kingdom's true sin lies with its performance. While the game fairly consistently reaches its 30 FPS cap, there are sections of the game that drop the performance to 15 to 20 FPS, which makes Tears of the Kingdom feel choppy and outdated. Areas like The Great Sky Island and the Depths, rainy days and even the core Ultrahand ability all push the Switch to its limit and the game is drastically slower when you're in these areas or just trying to glue two items together. Tears of the Kingdom is an iconic Switch game in one of Nintendo's flagship franchises. It's a perfect candidate for a Switch 2 upgrade with beefed up graphics and performance optimization to help it consistently hit 60 FPS on the stronger console. Kirby and the Forgotten Land The uncanny blend of real and cartoony graphics is a key part of the Forgotten Land, but the game is held back by some low-texture models. Nintendo Plucked out of Dream Land and plopped down into an eerily real world, the titular pink power puff stands in stark contrast from his environment in this 3D Kirby game. Kirby and the Forgotten Land creates a world that in many ways visually clashes with the protagonist and his enemies, which makes it more interesting to explore. The new Forgotten Land is an analog to the real world, and it's modeled very differently from the usual cartoony landscapes and character designs that players have come to expect from the franchise. The issue with this new, realistic world is that the game is graphically inconsistent. Stages like Everbay Coast's Scale the Cement Summit stand out as winners benefiting from the new artstyle, combining fantastic water lighting events with impressive graphics for the level's waterlogged buildings. However, other areas like the Natural Plains and Winter Horns end up looking disappointing in comparison, with grass and snow textures that don't hold up to the rest of the game. The environment is incredibly important to the story of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, so it makes sense that an upgraded version of this game would buff out some of the weaker textures and deliver even more strongly on developer HAL Laboratory's intended vision.
