The 2020s are halfway over. Let’s take a look at this decade of gaming

It’s hard to believe, but the decade of the 2020s is more than halfway over now. Time flies, but time also slows to an actual crawl when a decade begins with a global pandemic. That said, ever since 2020, the gaming industry has seen an influx of awesome games that deserve to be in the discussion of the GOATs. Many would argue that the gaming industry is on a downturn, and in some aspects, it definitely is....

June 2, 2025 · 2 min · 280 words · Johnny Ramos

The Pokémon Regional Championships in Birmingham was organized chaos in the best way

It was a rush. ThePokémonRegional Championships in Birmingham was buzzing with energy as crowds of people played their matches, watched the main stage, and surged the stores to the side of the action. After almost becoming Frozen Solid by waiting in wintry weather at Wolverton station for 48 minutes because of a delayed train, I was finally at the NEC in Birmingham. After going to many conventions, I’m used to long lines to enter the premises, but after waiting behind just one person, I finally received my armband to get in and experience the organized chaos of the Pokémon Regional Championships....

June 2, 2025 · 4 min · 711 words · Michael Hawkins

This Rayman: Origins trailer shows you ten ways to travel

One of the first games I can remember renting for the PS1 was the originalRayman. While the 3D entries were all fantastic (Rayman 2: The Great Escapebeing the most notable), I’ve always longed for the series to go back to its 2D roots. WhenRayman: Originswas announced a couple years ago and was touting an exceptionally gorgeous 2D engine, you know I was all about it. This new trailer only reaffirms my initial excitement....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 115 words · David Wheeler

Valkyria Chronicles 4 announced for 2018, coming to PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Alive and kicking! Earlier this year, theValkyriafranchise was in a bad state with the release ofValkyria Revolution, which released topoor scoresand some of the worst sales in thehistory of the franchise. It seemed like it was about to be laid to rest, among the numerous IPs in the Sega graveyard, despite the success of the re-release for the original game. However, it would appear that those fears were for nothing, as the company has announced the next main entry in the franchise will be deploying in 2018....

June 2, 2025 · 2 min · 323 words · Michelle Miller

Very Quick Tips: The Wonderful 101

Morph on [This article was original published forWonderful 101‘s Wii U release, but we are bumping it forward due to the remaster. All the same tips apply, and face button clarifications for the newplatformsare provided!] The Wonderful 101is finally here, and behind the cute Super Sentai veneer is a moderately technical action game. At first,101can seem incredibly complicated, foreign, and overwhelming. But once you start learning how to combo, dodge, and block (the latter two abilities need to be purchased first, funnily enough!...

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 98 words · Aaron James

VVVVVV lands on Nintendo Switch with local co-op

I love this trend for Switch ports I’ve strategically fallen my way through Terry Cavanagh’s darling platformerVVVVVVcountless times before, but what’s one more gravity-shifting romp? The game is out today on Nintendo Switch and this version sports a two-player cooperative mode. That’s exactly the sorta thing to spur a triple-dip. I like my co-op to be more on the hectic side, so I could see later levels being a lot of fun....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 93 words · Mariah Douglas

Watch a pro DOTA 2 team’s journey to the top

With Jimmy ‘DeMoN’ Ho If you’ve been wanting a new eSports documentary, Red Bull is currently producing one centered onDOTA 2. The doc will focus on Jimmy ‘DeMoN’ Ho as well as his former Team Liquid (he’s currently with Champions of Summer’s Rift) as they work their way towards the International 4 competition in 2014, with a prize pool of $11 million. Spoiler — they didn’t win. The intro video above isn’t exactly riveting, but I like that stories like this are being told, and seeing what types of challenges stand in the way of professional eSports players, so I’ll be giving it a watch....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 105 words · Marisa Smith

Weekend Reading: Remakes, revamps, and the fabled definitive version

Right, so let’s get the confusion over quickly: I’m not DMV, I’m his mid-season replacement. But just like any proper stepfather, I’ll only be around long enough to shatter your self-esteem and devalue your home with discarded, oily car parts left in the front yard. I might even destroy your sexuality with some ill-timed pats on the ass. Anyway, ol’ DMV will be back next week. But for now: Capcom? A word, please....

June 2, 2025 · 8 min · 1596 words · Karen Lopez MD

What game are these sushi USB sticks for?

A few days ago, I received a package that contained USB sticks shaped like sushi. Yeah, that’s them up there. But why? The sticks came as a promotion for the upcoming SouthPeak title,Sushi Go Round, which hits Nintendo DS and Wii in March. Part of what SouthPeak calls the “eat ’em up” genre (clever!),Sushi Go Roundhas you in charge of your own sushi restaurant with a series of mini-games that has you keeping your customers happy as you prepare sushi for them....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 128 words · Joshua Costa

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is an Epic Games Store freebie you need to pick up

And Railway Empire should keep you on-track Epic has been on an absolute roll for the past month or so. Anyone who’s diligent about picking up free games has gottenInto the Breach,Hitman,A Total War Saga: Troy, andRemnant from the Ashesas of late. This week has another can’t-miss game. Americana folklore adventurerWhere the Water Tastes Like Wineis free on the Epic Games Store this week. It has been, frankly, underappreciated ever since its 2018 release....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 151 words · Alison Roberts

Wild Arms and Shadow Hearts creators announce double Kickstarter for spiritual successors to both series

Two RPG classics are back in spiritual form The creators behind two RPG franchises are joining forces to crowdfund.Wild ArmsandShadow Heartsare teaming up for a “double Kickstarter” to fund spiritual successors to both series. Shadow Heartscreator Matsuzo Machida andWild Armscreator Akifumi Kaneko announced the news today. Thedouble Kickstarter campaignis for two games:Armed FantasiaandPenny Blood. The first,Armed Fantasia, is a follow-up toWild Armsset in a similar Westernpunk world. Kaneko will handle lead game design and scenario writing, while Tomomi Sasaki is on the character design....

June 2, 2025 · 2 min · 345 words · Maria Johnson

World of Warcraft Classic is adding the best expansion, Burning Crusade, into the mix

Selama ashal’anore! This moment has been a long time coming for Destructoid readers. For years we’ve mused onour favorite expansions and moments inWorld of Warcrafthistory. WhileWrath of the Lich Kingtook the top spot as the most-favored expansion,Burning Crusadewas right on its heels in second place: and my personal favorite era to boot. Even just a few months agowe discussed and voted on where we’d like to seeWorld of Warcraft Classicgo next....

June 2, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · James Black

$18 XCOM 2 and $5 South Park kick off new PC Summer Sale

Let’s just game through summer Steam’s Summer Sale has been over since July 5, but if you’re still in the market for some cheap PC games this seasonGMG’s 2017 Summer Salejust went live. They’re following the old Steam Sale formula of 12-hour flash deals on top of a huge 1,600 game main sale. As one would suspect, the flash deals are going to be the best prices and nearly all are at their cheapest ever price....

June 1, 2025 · 2 min · 421 words · Patricia Robinson