The Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and it has forced the two opposing sides to improvise weapons during the conflict. That’s why the European Union is reportedly proposing a ban on all video game console sales to Russia.
As reported by Financial Times, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that PlayStation and Xbox consoles may land on the sanctions list because Russia has used them to “operate drones.”
Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony stopped selling their consoles in Russia in March 2022, roughly a month after the Russian invasion began. However, that didn’t stop second-hand sellers from getting consoles to Russian buyers. The proposed sanctions would be aimed at closing off that loophole.
An article in the New York Times from last summer demonstrated Ukraine forces using Steam Decks to control gun turrets, as well as unmanned drones on the ground and in the sky. Russia has utilized video game technology in similar ways while unleashing relentless drone attacks on Ukraine’s cities and utilities. Military use of video game controllers isn’t uncommon, as even US forces utilized them for laser canons and drones.
When Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time was unveiled by Level 5 in 2023, the game was originally announced as only going to Nintendo Switch. However, a new report suggests that The Girl Who Steals Time is also making the leap to Sony’s PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
Via Video Games Chronicle, Gematsu spotted a PlayStation Store page for The Girl Who Steals Time that listed April 23 as a release date for both the PS4 and PS5 versions. The page was subsequently removed, but a screencap was posted on Gematsu’s X account.
A PlayStation Store page for FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time was published before being quickly removed last night. It lists PS5 / PS4 versions, and an April 23 release date (or April 24—time zones). Currently only *officially* announced for Switch release in April. pic.twitter.com/MlD0UIjOix
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time was announced as a 2023 title for Switch before it was subsequently delayed to 2024 and again to April of this year. Like its predecessor, Fantasy Life, The Girl Who Steals Time is a role-playing life simulation game. The new game also introduces a time travel element, as players will be able to customize a ruined island by going back one thousand years into the past while making changes that affect the present and future. Players can also assume up to 14 different jobs on the island, including farmer and artist.
Level 5 is also planning to release two other games this year, including Professor Layton and The New World of Steam and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road. Additionally, Level 5’s Decapolice is expected to follow in 2026.
Solid Snake is one of the coolest collectibles in Nintendo’s line of Amiibo figures, but the master of stealth has been sold out for years. Finally, Snake has snuck back onto store shelves. Over at Best Buy, you can preorder the reprint of the Solid Snake Amiibo for $16 ahead of its February 13 release.
Solid Snake was first introduced to the Amiibo line in 2019 and has been a consistently popular character since then. This particular version is based on his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and like other Amiibo, he offers an in-game bonus when a user taps his figure on the NFC reader of a Switch console. The figure is packed with small details like a flowing bandana, textured combat suit, and even painted-on facial hair.
Snake is also a rarity in the Amiibo line, as he’s one of a handful of non-Nintendo characters to receive the Amiibo treatment. Another example of this would be Sora from Kingdom Hearts, a hard-to-find Amiibo that’s back in stock as well. Just like the character who was introduced in the 2002 game, this replica of Sora comes with a big grin on his face, even bigger shoes, and his signature Keyblade weapon.
If you’re looking to complete your Amiibo collection, you can check out the list below for all the figures currently in stock at Best Buy. These feature some of Nintendo’s biggest characters–from Mario to Donkey Kong–and several recent games are also presented with Amiibo collectibles here. They’re also some of the best-looking collectibles in this price range, with highlights here being the Metroid Dread two-pack or the Ganondorf and Princess Zelda Amiibo based on their Tears of the Kingdom designs.
Most of them cost $16 each, with only a handful being a little bit pricier due to the added size and complexity of the designs. You can also preorder the upcoming reprint of Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles for $30 at GameStop ahead of its March 20 release, which is the same day Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launches.
Fatal Fury 2 and two other Super Nintendo Entertainment System games have joined the Nintendo Switch Online library.
A trailer released by Nintendo, below, announced Fatal Fury 2, Sutte Hakkun, and Super Ninja Boy are all now available in the SNES collection.
Fatal Fury 2 arrived in 1992 as a fighting game sequel and introduced new characters Kim Kaphwan and Mai Shiranui. They joined the classic roster of fighters such as Terry Bogard and Big Bear to round out the roster to eight.
Sutte Hakkun, meanwhile, hasn’t been released in English until now. This is side-scrolling puzzle game about gathering arinbow shards as a wee beastie called Hakkun.
Finally, the relatively ahead of its time Super Ninja Boy hits Nintendo Switch Online 34 years after its 1991 release. It blends role-playing game and with action elements as players control Jack and beat up baddies. It features multiplayer too, with a second player able to jump in at any time.
Here’s a list of the games and DLC included with the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Log in to track what games you want to play, you’ve played, finished, or abandoned.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered’s physical editions are discounted for Nintendo Switch and PS5 at Walmart and Amazon. The Deluxe Edition, which comes with some cool extras, is up for grabs for just $30 on Nintendo Switch at both retailers. The PS5 Deluxe Edition is only available for $30 at Walmart, and only in select locations. If you just want to play the remasters, the standard edition is discounted to $20 for Switch and PS5.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered’s Deluxe Edition comes with a steelbook case, exploration map book with 80 pages of secrets from the original trilogy, and a voucher to download the collection’s digital soundtrack. Everything is packaged in the shiny gold box shown above.
The Deluxe Edition sold out multiple times during the preorder phase prior to its September launch, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Deluxe Edition disappear from Amazon soon. The Deluxe Edition is only available for Nintendo Switch for Nintendo Switch at Amazon.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a comprehensive collection of the original trilogy of games starring Lara Croft. They’ve all been given a fantastic visual makeover, but thanks to the game making use of original assets, you can switch back to the blocky original graphics if you’re feeling nostalgic. On top of the original globetrotting campaign, this collection also bundles in all of the DLC released for those titles.
Nintendo finally unveiled the Switch 2 this week with a brief teaser trailer. The full reveal is slated for a Nintendo Direct on April 2, so fans will have to wait a few more months to find out when the next-gen console hits store shelves. In the meantime, you can clear out your Switch wishlist and chip away at your backlog for less thanks to Woot’s massive ongoing Nintendo Switch game sale. Dozens of Switch games, many of which are exclusives, are discounted at the Amazon-owned retailer. The lineup of Switch game deals includes a bunch of Super Mario, Pokemon, and Zelda games.
Woot recently made a change to its Nintendo Switch game listings. The retailer no longer discloses whether you are getting a North American release or an imported game. All Nintendo Switch games are region-free, and every game in the list above is playable in English. That said, this is important to consider for games with DLC, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. If you do not get a North American version and want the DLC, you will need to purchase that content from the eShop matching your game. So if you get a UK game, you need to download DLC from the UK eShop, which requires making a separate Nintendo account. Not many games in the list above–or Nintendo games in general–have DLC, but this is worth keeping in mind.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Steelbook Editions
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Limited Edition Steelbook – Exclusive to Walmart, releases March 4
Lunar Remastered Collection launches on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 18, and the console versions are getting Amazon-exclusive physical editions. At the time of writing, Amazon hasn’t unlocked preorders yet, but store pages are live for physical editions for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. We’d recommend double-checking by clicking the links below, as preorders should unlock very soon. We’ll update this preorder guide once Amazon starts taking preorders.
The Lunar Remastered Collection includes enhanced versions of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and its sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete.
Both games feature retouched graphics, enhanced audio, new English localizations, and gameplay tweaks like optional battle speed increases to make the classic RPGs more approachable.
The Amazon-exclusive physical editions have reversible cover art featuring both Lunar and Lunar 2 by series illustrator and anime artist Toshiyuki Kubooka.
A digital version of the collection will also be available for consoles and PC via Steam.
This collection sounds like an excellent way to experience two of the most important RPGs from the 16-bit and 32-bit console eras. The original Lunar: Silver Star Story is considered a landmark title in the Japanese RPG lineage and was one of the first console RPGs to feature voice acting, animated cutscenes, and CD-quality music thanks to its original platform, the Sega CD. It was later remade for PS1 and Sega Saturn as Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, which is the version included in the Lunar Remastered Collection. Its sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, also launched on PS1 and Saturn and built upon the gameplay and story presentation of the first game, featuring even more voiced dialogue and a larger cast.
Voice acting, cutscenes, and high-quality soundtracks are now common elements of video games, they were groundbreaking at the time–though the voice performances and the localized English script are now notorious for their uneven quality. However, the new Remastered Collection includes all-new English text and voice acting for both games. While the new English voice tracks replace the originals, the Lunar Remastered collection includes the option to play with Japanese voice acting instead. You can also swap between the new enhanced visuals or the PS1 visuals for both games.
Lunar isn’t the only classic RPG series getting long-awaited remasters this year. Konami RPGs Suikoden 1 and 2 are also returning with the Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster that launches , and cult-classic Tales of Graces f is returning with a remaster on consoles and PC on January 17 and preorder now.
More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders
2025 looks to be a huge year for handheld gaming. After many years in the wilderness, pushed aside by the rise of mobile games and the departure of PlayStation from the handheld market, there’s now a medley of portable consoles and gaming PCs enjoying a renaissance in quality on-the-go gaming experiences.
The biggest name among them: the Nintendo Switch 2. The company pulled off an incredible comeback with 2017’s Switch, reversing its fortunes after a limp response to the Wii U, selling 150 million units over the next seven years, recycling its underutilised Wii U library, and launching two of the best Zelda games ever made. With a new version expected in early 2025, everyone is waiting with baited breath to see what Nintendo has up its sleeve, though it’s likely Nintendo will play things safe to continue its current winning streak.
The Switch 2 looks to be less of a revolution, and more of an evolution, with backwards compatibility for Switch games and a similar form factor to the 2017 console. However, while we’re low on official details, we are high on leaks.
Reports so far suggest an expanded 8-inch LCD screen, 1080p output in handheld mode, 4K upscaling in docked mode, electromagnetic Joy-Cons that ditch the current Switch’s rail attachment system, and a custom version of Nvidia’s T234 mobile processor that should at least beat the PS4 and Xbox One for performance. You might even be able to use a Joy-Con as a mouse!
While I’ll personally miss the benefits of the Switch OLED’s display, I can’t deny the draw of a more powerful LCD Switch, and it’s very likely to be a hot purchase for many years to come. It’s just worth asking whether the Switch 2 is going to be quite as successful, or desirable, in a market now crowded with excellent handheld competitors,
Alongside the ongoing success of Valve’s Steam Deck, we’ve just seen a fleet of new gaming PCs unveiled at CES, many of which build on previous 2024 devices and have allowed manufacturers to iterate faster than Nintendo’s near-decade-long console cycles. So can the Switch 2 repeat its victory lap in 2025, or not?
The First Switch Era Comes to a Close, Will a New One Begin?
For the first few years of the Nintendo Switch’s lifespan, there was no meaningful competition – handheld gaming had been largely abandoned by other electronics manufacturers, content to leave the space to mobile gaming and the steady succession of Nintendo DS consoles.
The Switch blew apart the assumption that handheld consoles had fallen out of favor with the gaming public, showing a massive appetite for on-the-go gaming bolstered by modern display technologies and a pinch of Nintendo ingenuity (Home console? Handheld? Why not both?).
However, success naturally breeds imitators. In 2022 we got Valve’s Steam Deck, a gaming PC that cost a little more than the mainline Switch, but managed to ride on Nintendo’s popularisation of handheld gaming while offering a distinct modus operandi – bringing a PC gamer’s entire Steam library on the go.
The Steam Deck cleaves pretty close to the Switch in many areas, including an equivalent 1280×800 resolution and a price tag only slightly higher than the $350 Switch OLED (for the base Steam Deck model, at least). However, it’s set apart by access to the Steam library, and a chunkier, more ergonomic build that isn’t as focused on fitting a child’s hands.
While there’s no immediate Steam Deck 2 in sight – likely not until 2026 or beyond – Valve’s machine is still very much in demand, and now surrounded by competitors. There’s a wide range of handheld gaming PCs running on the Windows operating system, from the Asus ROG Ally X to the GPD Win 4, which offer the full benefits of a Windows desktop PC, with access to Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, GOG, and itch.io stores alongside other apps and services.
And with a new suite of AMD Z2 chipsets launching in 2025 for improved performance and battery life, these portable gaming PCs look better placed than ever to take on a Switch successor.
Who’s the competition?
The biggest story in new handhelds is the Lenovo Legion Go S, a newer, lighter version of last year’s Legion Go that ditches the former’s removable controllers for an all-in-one design, doubles its RAM to 32GB, and packs a 120Hz display.
What’s most interesting is that it comes in both Windows 11 and SteamOS configurations, meaning you can opt for a third-party Steam Deck or a more fleshed-out Windows ecosystem. You’ll also be able to choose between models with the new Z2 Go chipset and an older Z1 processor, meaning a wide range of prices from $599 to $729 when taking all the different configurations into account.
A next-gen Legion Go 2 is also on the horizon this year, packing in a new AMD Z2 Extreme processor and doubling its battery capacity – helpful given the Legion Go tended only to last an hour or two between charges.
Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2025 (That We Know Of)
Elsewhere, Acer’s Nitro Blaze range is expanding with an 11-inch handheld with a 2560×1600 120Hz display that should make the Switch’s screen look positively scrawny – even if it costs $1199 and sounds like a literal handful. And the MSI Claw 8 AI+, an update to the MSI Claw, has a new Intel Lunar Lake chipset, an improved 80WHr battery, an 8-inch 120Hz display, a $899 price tag, and a lot to prove after the dour reception of last year’s model.
I also wouldn’t rule out the Asus ROG Ally range. The $799 ROG Ally X topped our best handheld gaming PC guide last year, thanks to a hefty 80WHr battery, 1TB of storage, and brilliant on-the-go performance. We said in our review that, “with more and faster memory and double the battery as the original Ally, the Ally X will run any modern game without dying in an hour and a half.” There’s no official announcement for a 2025 successor, but the Ally X could well find a 2025 audience, or get a replacement later in the year.
Which Handheld Will Win 2025?
These souped-up Windows (and SteamOS) handhelds have some key benefits over the Switch 2. They largely sidestep the sub-$400 market, leaving that easily-won territory to Nintendo or less capable devices, and focusing on more impressive specs.
Compared to the Switch ecosystem, you can generally expect more powerful processors, higher resolutions and frame rates, and the openness of a Windows ecosystem that can access multiple game storefronts and therefore a greater variety of games. Even if you’re locked into SteamOS, Steam alone has over 70 thousand games, compared to only a handful of thousand on Nintendo Switch. So it’s worth remembering that the Switch, for all its charm and first-party exclusives, has a much smaller list of available titles overall.
However, Windows 11 is not an ideal interface for a handheld gaming PC, given it was never designed with that purpose in mind. There’s something to the focus and simplicity of Nintendo’s operating system, which is often what draws people to a dedicated console in the first place.
A new Switch will likely fall short on specification compared to many handhelds released in 2025, without the pure power that comes with pricier processors and a focus on playing AAA PC games. But an improved handheld experience, and some AI upscaling to boost its capabilities in docked mode, should go some way to plugging the gap. And given its domination of the sub-$400 market, and the strength of the Nintendo Switch name, I don’t think any of these competitors are going to meaningfully dent the Switch 2’s success, or come close to its sales numbers, and I’d call Switch 2 the best choice for most gamers in 2025.
For committed PC gamers, or anyone with a lot more than $400 cash to splash, then the Lenovo Legion Go S may be the best shout – especially with a SteamOS option for those who don’t want to bother with Windows 11’s nonoptimal interface. Until we see an official Steam Deck 2, this is likely the best way to play your Steam library on the go.
For a Windows handheld, it gets a little trickier. I don’t have too high hopes for MSI’s latest handheld, and while Acer may have cornered the 11-inch handheld market, it probably won’t be a good fit for most, uh, hands. I’d probably recommend the Legion Go S in a Windows formulation, or stick to the Asus ROG Ally range.
A decade ago, a surge in portable consoles would have seemed ludicrous, but the category is seeing explosive growth with no sign of letting up just yet. Now, there’s a huge suite of options to enjoy, whether you’re after a portable Steam library, a Windows gaming handheld, or a souped-up Zelda machine. There’s only one real winner in 2025 – and that’s handheld gamers.
Microsoft will launch Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, according to a recent report, and that might not be all.
NateTheHate revealed this on his podcast recently, adding that Final Fantasy VII Remake is coming to Xbox as well in 2025. Windows Central reporter Jez Corden corroborated this and said, “Microsoft isn’t stopping there.” Corden reported that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Age of Mythology, and Gears of War Ultimate Edition are scheduled to come to PS5 this year. Whether or not they show up on Nintendo Switch 2, however, wasn’t mentioned in the report.
Of course, plans can change at any moment, for any number of reasons, so while these reports claim to have accurate information, nothing is locked down for sure. GameSpot has contacted Microsoft in an attempt to get more information.
This report comes not long after an analyst said they expect 2025 to be the year that Microsoft begins to bring “all their big games” to PS5. None of this should be terribly surprising, though, as Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer himself has said any Xbox game could come to PS5.
In May, it was reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood are mandating increasing margins at all divisions, including Xbox. At the time, it was reported that Microsoft might look to release even more of its first-party games on PlayStation to help increase revenue. There is said to be an internal plan within Microsoft called “Latitude” that is focused on formulating plans to bring more first-party Xbox games to rival systems.
In other Xbox news, Microsoft is holding the next Xbox Developer Direct event on January 23, and the broadcast will feature a “brand-new” game.
Among a multitude of a Nintendo Switch 2 leaks and third-party accessory marketing, yet another leak has emerged. This time, the supposed leak shows a full 3D render of the console and its Joy-Cons.
Tech and phone website 91mobiles, in collaboration with OnLeaks, published the renders. They depict a black handheld console, which looks similar to the Switch, albeit larger than either the OLED or original models. With the Joy-Cons attached, 91mobiles published the following dimensions: 271 x 116.4 x 31.4mm (10.67 x 4.58 x 1.24 inches). The stated screen size is 8.4 inches.
These dimensions match prior calculations based on Genki’s Switch 2 mock-up, made to promote the company’s line of accessories. Genki further claimed the system will launch in April and clarified that it does not know the system’s internals; representatives only claimed knowledge of the physical body and features like magnetic controllers.
As for other features depicted, the renders show a USB-C port on top of the console. The right Joy-Con has a “c” button. Both Joy-Cons feature additional “triggers” next to the ZL and ZL buttons, which the report speculates will be used to detach the magnetic controller from the screen. There is a U-shaped kickstand on the back of the screen.
In other Switch 2 news, supposedly leaked GameStop listings claims support for express card functionality for expanded storage. The listings claim the system will still use microSD cards. While Nintendo has confirmed that news about the Nintendo Switch 2 (which yet other leaks claim is the console’s actual name) is coming before the end of March 2025, it has yet to officially disclose any concrete details. Without official word, any details shared in these leaks should be taken with a grain of salt.
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