Latest news with #PiranhaPlant
Metro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Where to pre-order Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle and accessories in the UK
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have now opened around the world, so here's where you can pick up a console in the UK. Nintendo's reveal of the Switch 2 may still be suffering from some confusion over the finer details, but that hasn't stopped millions of people from pre-ordering the console. The Switch 2's launch is just over a month away, on June 5, 2025, and many retailers have already sold out. This week, pre-orders in the US and Japan also opened, with the latter seeing unprecedented demand. Nintendo's next console looks set for a record-breaking launch, but retailers across the UK and Europe are still only getting intermittent restocks – which makes securing a console very difficult. In the UK, the Switch 2 base console costs £395.99, while the limited time Mario Kart World bundle is priced at £429.99. This knocks off £33 from the game's £66.99 digital price, effectively making it half price. The bundle is currently sold out at most retailers, but there were restocks at The Game Collection and Amazon this week – so it's vital to keep an eye on the list belowto see if the bundle comes back into stock. Alternatively, you can pre-order Switch 2 accessories (now without an invite) through the My Nintendo Store. This includes the GameCube controller, priced at £58.99, which will launch on the same day as the Switch 2, to promote the roster of GameCube games arriving on Nintendo Switch Online. Elsewhere, there's the Switch 2 camera, which is required if you want to broadcast your face while playing Mario Kart World. More Trending here's also a cheaper camera modelled after a Piranha Plant, but the image quality is worse, at 480p resolution compared to the former's 1080p. All the accessories listed below launch alongside the console on June 5, 2025. Nintendo GameCube controller – £58.99 Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – £74.99 Joy-Con 2 controller set – £74.99 Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – £29.99 Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case – £66.99 Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector – £20.99 Nintendo Switch 2 camera – £49.99 Piranha Plant camera – £33.99 Along with Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 launch line-up includes Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Capcom teases Resident Evil 9 reveal as it celebrates sales milestone MORE: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered review – remaster of the year MORE: Games Inbox: When will there be more UK Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders?
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Morning After: The Switch 2 pre-order struggle
Nintendo may not have enough Switch 2 consoles for everyone, it seems. It's struggling to meet demand both in Japan and the US, where pre-orders were already delayed due to the tariff fiasco. The official release date for the console, June 5, remains unchanged. However, if you signed up ahead of time on Nintendo's site, you may have received an email granting you access to place your order through Nintendo. The company recently emailed users to inform them it has noted 'very high demand' for the console, so 'your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, scheduled for June 5.' Yeah, your chance to pre-order might happen after the console has already gone on sale. In Japan, when Nintendo offered the chance to 'register your interest' in purchasing a Switch 2, 2.2 million people applied. That's almost two percent of the country's population. You don't have to buy your console direct from Nintendo, of course, but getting the Switch 2 elsewhere has also been challenging. Best Buy, Walmart and Target pre-orders opened at midnight yesterday, while GameStop in-person and online pre-orders started at 11am. And all of those retailers have either already sold out, or list the console as 'coming soon.' Did you manage to get an order in? And did you get the Piranha Plant camera? — Mat Smith MasterClass subscriptions are 40 percent off right now Motorola made a foldable Razr with a wooden body Remedy's co-op shooter FBC: Firebreak comes out June 17 Netflix subtitles are now available in a dialogue-only format After adding music and math to its app, Duolingo is now introducing lessons for the true love language: chess. Lessons for beginners and intermediate players will initially be in beta in its iOS app. The app will start by asking you how much you know about chess, then tailor lessons based on your level — I assume it asks you what the horsey piece is called. If you already know how each piece moves, you'll face Duolingo's Oscar in mini -puzzles, where you have to capture certain pieces using a specified piece. You can also play full level-appropriate games against Oscar — but no other humans for now. Continue reading. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has many excited. Maybe it's the dreamy Belle Époque aesthetic and design. Maybe it's the gloriously pulpy concept of an all-powerful Paintress dooming humankind to an ever-shortening mortal clock. Maybe it's the characters, bolstered by a starry voice-artist roster, and nuanced animation and story. (Maybe, at this point in gaming, it's the $50 price tag.) The surprise boss, however, might be the remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, which stealth-launched the day before Expedition 33. Our lives can only take one RPG at a time — this compelling, gorgeous RPG is worth your time. And it's already on Xbox Game Pass. Continue reading. Razer's Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is the company's first vertical mouse. Vertical designs can be a more ergonomic mouse options, particularly if you experience discomfort when spending long stretches at a computer. Like me, hi. The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition has eight programmable buttons and promises a battery life of up to six months. It has a 71.7-degree tilt, so you hold it in a handshake-like grip, which can reduce strain in long-use sessions. There's also a support on the base that aims to cut down on wrist friction. The cost of ergonomic comfort? $120. Continue reading. Motorola is introducing the Moto Buds Loop, the company's first take on wireless open-ear earbuds. Instead of completely covering your ear, the Moto Buds Loops cuff the outside, almost like a piercing, blocking out less of the world around you, while still letting you hear your music. Motorola says the earbuds have 12mm drivers and Sound by Bose technology, which means they're tuned for clarity and balance. They also use a combination of AI and dual microphones to minimize background noise. Continue reading.
Business Mayor
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Here's the cheaper Nintendo Switch 2 camera that's small enough to go handheld
After debuting a fun Piranha Plant-inspired alternative to Nintendo's own $50 Switch 2 camera, Hori is back with another camera accessory for the console that's less fun but more functional. Standing just shy of two inches tall and weighing 30 grams, the camera is small and light enough to be connected to the Switch 2's top USB-C port without making the console feel top-heavy while playing in handheld mode. Hori's USB Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 is currently listed on the Amazon Japan website for 3,981 yen, or around $28, making it much cheaper than the company's $60 Piranha Plant cam. It's not known if the tiny camera will be exclusive to Japan, but since the Piranha Plant is already listed on Hori's US website, there's a good chance this one will also see wider availability. For now, only Amazon Japan has the new camera listed with a June 5th, 2025 release date. In addition to being small enough to perch atop the Switch 2, the GameChat-compatible camera can also be attached to an included weighted base allowing it to stand alone on an entertainment center like Nintendo's own camera is designed to. The base also has a fold-down support on the underside so you can sit the camera on the top edge of a TV, assuming that edge is thin enough. Hori's latest camera seems like a better alternative to Nintendo's in terms of portability, but like the Piranha Plant it's limited to a resolution of only 640×480 – a significant step down from the 1080p capabilities of Nintendo's. That's potentially enough resolution to match the quality of Nintendo's camera when Hori's is perched atop the Switch 2 and right in front of your face. But when it's zooming in on you from across the room while the camera is sitting next to your TV dock, there will likely be a significant reduction in video quality while using GameChat. Read More 6 Wine and Video Game Pairings We Celebrate - Wine Spectator Nintendo says 'any compatible USB-C camera you'd like' will work with the Switch 2 so you can probably use the external webcam you bought for work. But the company also warns that 'not all cameras may work as intended' and it has included a testing tool in the Switch 2's settings to make sure. If you'd rather play it safe and know ahead of time, both of Hori's cameras are officially licensed Nintendo accessories. READ SOURCE
Malaysian Reserve
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
How to plan a trip to Universal's Epic Universe
All throughout are spontaneous opportunities to interact with characters, test your skills at games and even cosplay as a Viking, wizard or monster by CHRISTOPHER PALMERI DRAGONS, monsters, Super Mario and more. Epic Universe, the biggest new theme park in Orlando in 26 years, opens to the public on May 22. And it is indeed epic. Themed 'lands' extend out from an expansive central garden where weary guests can decompress. To reach each one, you pass through 'portals' that use music, clever landscaping and visual effects to create suspenseful, surprising reveals intended to transport guests through time and space, be it 1920s Paris or the monster-filled Darkmoor Village. The US$7 billion (RM30.88 billion) resort from Comcast Corp's Universal Destinations & Experiences division was announced six years ago. Spanning more than 100 acres (40.47ha), it has over a dozen rides and attractions, 32 dining options, two shows, 21 shops and multiple places where guests can meet and greet characters, from the creepy Invisible Man to Princess Peach from the Nintendo Co video games. But that doesn't convey the way in which Epic is most inventive, which is its ability to immerse guests in highly believable, fantastical worlds. All throughout are spontaneous opportunities to interact with characters, test your skills at games — such as trying to smash enough ringing alarm clocks to put a giant Piranha Plant back to sleep — and even cosplay as a Viking, wizard or monster. Epic is a direct shot at Walt Disney Co's empire next door, aimed at the same families with younger children, but also appealing to thrill-seeking teens and adults. With Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Universal now has three theme parks in Orlando, plus three new hotels in a partnership with Loews Corp that offer perks such as early park access. All that will help the company market its Florida resort as a full-fledged weeklong destination — not just a place to spend a day after visiting Disney. The Hiccup's Wing Gliders rollercoaster in the How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk area of Epic Universe Theme park consultant Dennis Speigel estimates that Epic Universe will draw more than six million guests in its first 12 months, which will make it an economic driver for central Florida. Carissa Baker, an assistant professor who studies theme parks at the University of Central Florida, which is located across the street from Epic, also expects it to influence future theme-park designers. 'It's pretty impressive to see,' she said. Bloomberg News got to preview the park in early April as part of a group of journalists, online influencers and Comcast employees given early access; starting on April 16, Universal will extend that early access to a larger group of guests, including annual passholders and active duty military personnel. Below is everything you need to know to navigate the resort, including a personal ranking of Epic Universe's five themed lands and their must-try thrills. Dark Universe The Concept: The spooky backstory for this and — Universal's first permanent tribute to its classic movie monsters — posits that the world's scariest characters have gathered in Darkmoor Village, in the shadow of Frankenstein Manor. To your left, riders scream on the Curse of the Werewolf coaster, and just beyond that, a windmill bursts into flames in a recreation of the climactic scene from the 1931 Frankenstein film. Best Thrill: The Monsters Unchained ride is set inside the manor where Dr Victoria Frankenstein, descendant of the infamous physician, is trying to harness the power of Dracula. When a 9ft tall Frankenstein animatronic walks out at the beginning, you'll see how far Universal has come in creating creatures that outshine what Disney, and even Dr Frankenstein himself, could make. The ride twists and turns and takes you close enough to the monsters to feel a bit of werewolf spittle. Surprise Winner: Watching a guest try to snag a photo with an awkward, unsmiling Frankenstein as his bride lets out a blood-curdling scream is almost worth the price of admission. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic The Concept: Universal already has popular Potter-themed lands at its other two Orlando parks, so what more could the company do here? Take Potter to Paris, as seen in the Fantastic Beasts series of prequel books and films. Best Thrill: Queuing up for Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry — a twisting, turning elevator-like ride — is almost more brilliant of an experience than the main attraction itself. The Ministry's lobby is awash in fireplaces, green tile, golden statues and offices that seemingly stretch to the sky. Along the way, you're lectured by Higgledy, the house elf, as a feather duster magically flies around the room, cleaning. The ride pits Potter and his friend Hermione Granger against their nemesis Dolores Umbridge — but look out for the giant, rhinoceros-like Erumpent creature as well. Surprise Winner: The US$85 wands at the Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique store vibrate and connect to an app. They unlock magical tricks in the surrounding streets. In one instance, a creature pops his head from inside a fountain and shoots water at wannabe wizards nearby. How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk The Concept: 'We, my friends, have dragons!' reads a sign atop the archway to this faux Viking village. The land, based on the How to Train Your Dragon novels and films, includes 36 of the fake creatures in various configurations. Snow Wraith breathes icy mist at guests, while Hookfang, a drone ingeniously disguised as a dragon, glides overhead. Best Thrill: On Fyre Drill, a gamified boat ride, passengers shoot water cannons at the winged creatures — and sometimes at each other. Surprise Winner: The cutest part of the land is the photo op with Toothless, the friendly dragon from the films. Guests can pet or hug the animatronic character in his Haddock Paddock home, as he blinks, smiles and gently roars. Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Super Nintendo World The Concept: Lands devoted to popular Nintendo video game franchises have been a huge hit at Universal parks in Los Angeles and Osaka. Epic's version includes Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge, an indoor ride where guests don goggles and try to score points by shooting characters while racing through a video-game-like world. Power-Up wristbands, priced at about US$40, allow guests to compete in challenges, in some cases with strangers, throughout the land. Best Thrill: The Mine-Cart Madness ride, one of the standouts in the whole park, is an indoor-outdoor family coaster that tumbles into water and seems to go off the rails at several points. Surprise Winner: Unlike Universal's Los Angeles Park, Epic includes a Donkey Kong Country area with a tropical vibe. With palm trees, bongos, thatched huts and a Golden Temple, it's a fun place just to relax and people watch and eat a banana float from the Bubbly Barrel snack stand. Princess Peach greets guests in Super Nintendo World Celestial Park The Concept: Inspired by New York's Central Park and Paris' Luxembourg Garden, this central area has trees, statues, fountains and some of the resort's best dining options. There's also an old-time carousel featuring zodiac characters. Best Thrill: While the scene here is mostly serene, this land features Stardust Racers, a dual-track roller coaster that tops 62mph and lets inverted guests stare at riders on the other track as they fly near each other. Surprise Winner: Three times a night, an Apollo statue shoots a glowing arrow across the park as water dances below it. It sets alight the moon of Luna, the goddess whose statue is at the entrance. A Cheat Sheet to Navigating the Epic Universe A couple of pointers for planning your first trip to this truly epic destination. How to Get Tickets: Guests who want to see Epic Universe in its first week will have to buy three-day tickets to Universal's properties, which will include one day at the new park. After that, single-day ticket prices will run from about US$139 to US$199 for adults, depending on the day, with weekends, summer and holidays costing the most. How to Beat the Lines: The Universal Express Pass, priced from US$140 per person, lets you jump into shorter queues, using facial recognition technology to allow guests to skip the regular lines once per ride. (The tech feature means you can't let your spouse or kid ride something twice when you don't want to try it yourself.) For US$420-plus per person, guests can get a VIP tour of the park for four hours. Personal guides will pepper them with tips and park trivia and would even let them cut the line multiple times on the same ride. Prices for both options vary by date and demand. How to Get Around: Free shuttles connect Universal's hotels, parks and CityWalk outdoor mall to Epic Universe, which is about seven miles from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers prime fountain and light-show viewing The Park's Best Bites: In the Harry Potter land, Café L'air De La Sirène offers worthy French pastries. Get the Butterbeer Crepe to start your day: It's filled with shortbread cookie butter cream, topped with strawberries and drizzled with butterscotch. Another soon-to-be signature item is the Mac & Cheese cone at Hooligan's Grog & Gruel snack bar in Isle of Berk; the crunchy, handheld treat comes topped with Goldfish crackers or pulled chicken. For the best quick service food, try the dungeon-like Das Stakehaus in Dark Universe. You order through an app and have your food brought to your table. The Bloody Roast pork belly was good enough to be served at any fine-dining establishment. It came with mashed potatoes and carrots, drizzled with a blood-red sauce (made from beets). I paired it with a tasty Dead Guy Ale from the Oregon's Rogue brewery, then ordered a brain-shaped panna cotta, dripping with raspberry sauce, for a deliciously macabre dessert. But sometimes at theme parks you need a place to really rest your feet. Atlantic, a full-service restaurant with glass walls overlooking Neptune's pool at Celestial Park, has dishes such as a sea bass in lemongrass broth with starfruit and snap peas. Where to Stay: Orlando has hundreds of hotels, but the three newest are all operated by Loews and near the new resort. Two lower-priced options, the Universal Stella Nova and Universal Terra Luna, have an intergalactic travel vibe with rooms that look like space ships at about US$200 per night. There's ample space at the pool and you can walk to the park, but the restaurant is more of a cafeteria. More luxurious is the copper-domed Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which stands majestically at the end of Epic Universe and has a private entrance to the park. Room rates for mid-June run about US$700. But it will be the place to watch the water fountains and light shows in the park at night. — Bloomberg This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Adorable Piranha Plant Switch 2 Camera Just Upstaged Nintendo's Own Version
Nintendo's new chat camera is getting some unexpected competition—from a Piranha Plant. One of the most surprising elements of the Switch 2 has been how heavily Nintendo has emphasized the new chat feature, which includes a brand-new camera accessory. But if that plain black camera isn't quite to your taste, you're in luck — there's an adorable Piranha Plant alternative. Interestingly, the Piranha Plant camera doesn't actually come from Nintendo itself, but from third-party accessory maker Hori. Spotted on the German site the Piranha Plant camera appears to function just like the standard Switch 2 camera, but looks far snazzier sitting on your TV stand. The camera is currently retailing for €39.99, or roughly $43, which comes in slightly under the $49.99 price tag for Nintendo's official camera. If the lower price isn't reason enough, there are a couple of extra features that might make the Piranha Plant even more appealing. For one, it has an ingenious built-in shutter to block the camera — simply close the mouth. A beautifully simple solution. At the same time, the Piranha Plant's pot is actually a USB extension for the camera, as the camera itself pulls out of the pot and has another USB attached to the plant itself. Meaning, you can take your little buddy on the road with you, allowing you to use that Chat feature anywhere and everywhere — just be careful with that amount of power. The Piranha Plant camera hasn't been officially announced by Hori yet, so we don't quite have a release date, but it's likely to come out at or close to the Switch 2's release. It also makes it clear that accessory-makers are ready to go all-in on Switch 2, and Nintendo is ready to let them. Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025.
