Quick Hits

• The console pricing wars took a wild turn today, as the Xbox Series S is officially more expensive than the Nintendo Switch 2 in Europe and the UK for the remainder of August.
• Space Marine 2 just deployed a massive update that introduces Terminator Sorcerers, integrates Steam Workshop support, and incredibly, lets you jump into massive 10-player co-op missions.
• If you loved Buckshot Roulette, creator Mike Klubnika just unveiled Machine Party, a delightfully brutal, flesh-mangling take on the Mario Party formula.
• Game Freak is stepping outside of the Pokémon universe, and you can currently preorder their upcoming action RPG Beast of Reincarnation at a discount with free DLC.
• The highly anticipated Palworld TCG has officially launched, but IGN reports that eBay scalpers are already driving prices sky-high to profit off Pocketpair's new collectible cards.

Pokémon & Nintendo

It’s a fantastic time to be a Nintendo fan, especially with the Switch 2 currently undercutting the Xbox Series S in price across European and UK markets. If you're looking to expand your digital library, Nintendo Life has just dropped their July 2026 eShop Selects, highlighting the very best downloadable games available right now for both the original Switch and the Switch 2.

Game Freak is also making major waves outside of the Pokémon franchise by opening discounted preorders for their new action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation. The upcoming title presents a great opportunity for players to grab some free DLC while exploring a brand-new world from the developers behind our favorite monster-collecting adventures. Speaking of monster-collecting phenomenons, the Palworld TCG has officially hit the market, though eager collectors should be wary of eBay scalpers who are already inflating prices to profit off the launch.

Prepare to feel incredibly ancient: Kotaku reports that the beloved Japanese comedy program Retro Game Master is officially considering titles from the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 for its retro gaming show. Over on the r/pokemon subreddit, the community is sharing some incredible fan creations, including a stunning, hand-stitched patch-style Bulbasaur tattoo with a New York City twist, an impressive custom Ball-Jointed Doll Ampharos, an adorable ninja fight illustration, and a nostalgic haul of retro cartridge pickups like Pokémon Emerald, White 2, and Pearl.

Indie Games

Developer Mike Klubnika, the brilliant and twisted mind behind the viral indie hit Buckshot Roulette, is back to terrify us once again with Machine Party. Described by Kotaku as a black-hearted massacre, this upcoming collection of flesh-mangling micro-games forces players to run, crawl, chisel, and smoke for their lives in a horrifying, high-stakes spin on traditional party games. For those who love to read about their favorite medium, Nintendo Life also published a glowing review of CTRL: Essays On Video Games, calling it an affecting, brilliantly varied anthology that examines the deep cultural impact of gaming through highly personal reflections.

Steam & PC

PC gamers are eating incredibly well today, starting with a colossal new update for Space Marine 2. Alongside the terrifying addition of Terminator Sorcerers, the game now features full Steam Workshop support and the absolute chaos of 10-player co-op operations. Over in the simulation space, SCS Software announced a brand new American Truck Simulator expansion that will send players trundling off to the enchanted highways and giant bovines of North Dakota.

If you're rocking an older handheld, PC Gamer points out that iFixit has officially restocked OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries, though the replacement part will now cost you a hefty $130. In broader hardware news, PC Gamer's latest Steam Week in Report poses a serious question about the future of the industry, examining whether Valve's mainstream-friendly PC gaming hardware can survive the ongoing memory crisis.

Gaming Roundup

In a surprisingly casual announcement, Eurogamer revealed that Capcom is officially working on a Hard Mode for the upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expansion. If you're looking to save some cash on your gaming backlog this weekend, IGN has compiled the best daily deals for August 1 and August 2, featuring massive discounts on Death Stranding 2, Saros, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, and even physical LEGO Pokémon sets and DDR5 RAM. LitRPG fans should also check out IGN's curated list of five incredible books to read if you loved the wildly popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Outside of the gaming sphere, the Royal Shakespeare Company revealed the full stage cast and first portrait for the Game of Thrones: The Mad King theatrical prequel, which is officially set to open its doors on August 8.