Pokémon & Nintendo — new reveals, game updates, Nintendo Direct news, Switch content, Pokémon announcements

• Square Enix just announced that Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler 2 are coming to the Switch 2 with improved visuals and performance. Forget about simple upgrades; these modern RPG classics are going to look better than ever on Nintendo's latest hardware!
• Rumor has it that Nintendo is already reportedly considering a Switch 2 OLED model to eventually swap out the launch LCD screen. While it seems less likely to happen soon, it's a very exciting glimmer of hope for display purists!
• Atari is doing what Square Enix won't by bringing Outlaws + Handful Of Missions to the Switch 2. They've even confirmed a completely free upgrade for players, which makes other publishers' paid upgrade paths look even worse by comparison.
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles just received a small but welcome update on the Switch 1 & 2. The patch bumps up the game with various enhancements, changes, and fixes following last month's major overhaul.
• Did you know Nintendo's Japan-only 'bit Generations' series still plays like little else 20 years after its Game Boy Advance debut? These boldly experimental games were incredibly ahead of their time and remain must-plays for design enthusiasts.
• Nintendo's next Lego collaboration looks to be an incredibly detailed retro Donkey Kong arcade machine. Following their near-perfect Game Boy replica, this upcoming set is sure to be highly sought-after by collectors.
• Lego is going all-in with the franchise, confirming an exciting wave of upcoming August 2026 Pokémon sets. Fans can officially look forward to building legendary heavyweights like Mewtwo and Rayquaza!
• In wonderfully weird news, Pokémon Champions has revealed that Mega Gengar actually has tiny little feet. The community is feeling very uncomfortable about this bizarre anatomical reveal!
• Frustration is currently brewing in the competitive community over the highly disliked Pokémon Worlds 2026 ticket lottery system. Many dedicated fans are understandably asking what the organizers are even doing with this confusing process.

Call of Duty — Warzone/Black Ops updates, new seasons, weapons, competitive

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone are gearing up for an epic Season 5 launch later this month. The roadmap includes a wild pinball-themed multiplayer map and the return of Heavy Metal Heroes to battle royale!
• The stellar run of Black Ops 7's Zombies storyline is officially coming to an end this August. Activision and Treyarch confirmed that the final new map, Rex Infernus, will drop with season five.
• The newly released PlayStation 4 and 5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being heavily criticized by players. These updated releases cost a lot of money and barely offer any upgrades over the original titles.
• As we look to the future, there is growing concern that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 risks sidelining its oldest and most loyal fans. Many believe it desperately needs its own version of Black Ops 7's Classic mode to recapture the classic gameplay magic.

Indie Games — notable releases, hidden gems, devlogs, Steam Next Fest picks

• Palworld is absolutely smashing it right now, pulling in almost 900,000 concurrent players over the weekend. This massive surge follows the monumental release of Version 1.0, marking the game's second-highest peak ever!
• If you're craving some retro espionage, the GoldenEye-inspired FPS Agent 64: Spies Never Die is finally hitting PCs this August. It even features hilarious optional big head modes to shake up the classic nostalgic gameplay!

Steam & PC — top charts, big sales, Steam Deck compatibility, major PC releases

• Dragon's Dogma 2 developers are actively looking to "win back the trust" of RPG fans with the upcoming Dark Arisen DLC. The team recently discussed the big fast travel U-turn and lessons learned from the base game's launch.
• Over in the hero shooter scene, Marvel Rivals has upset players yet again with some highly peculiar balancing choices. A recent patch actually buffed some of the strongest heroes in the game, leaving the community baffled.
• Valve is officially rolling out Steam Machine compatibility checks across their storefront. However, early looks show that not every single game on the store enjoys a rating just yet, leaving some hardware questions unanswered.
• In slightly frustrating PC news, the Steam backend reveals Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is still barred from purchase in 117 countries. While that's technically an improvement from the previous 132 blocked regions, it remains a headache for fighting game fans globally.

Gaming Roundup — other notable news, trailers, industry moves

• Game Freak's upcoming action-RPG Beast of Reincarnation is shaping up to be something truly special ahead of its early August launch. It's bringing some serious Sekiro vibes, but developers promise it won't utterly beat you down!
• In disheartening industry news, developers at Ubisoft Barcelona who worked on the recent hit Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced are facing layoffs. The studio claims the company has "turned its back" on them instead of celebrating the game's success.
• Since Rockstar Games refuses to make Bully 2 anytime soon, a brand new game is stepping up to let you relive the chaotic horrors of high school. It looks like a fantastic alternative for fans desperate for that classic classroom mischief.
• It might only be July, but Hallmark is already debuting an incredibly accurate 2026 Keepsake Ornament of the original PlayStation console. Best of all, pressing a button actually plays the legendary console's iconic startup sound!