Dispatch from AdHoc Studio launches on July 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming: https://www.respec.net/news/106-dispatch-xbox-release-date-trailer

Update 2: The resolution upgrade for Once Upon a Katamari on Switch 2 is exclusive to the Switch 2 version and not available in the free Switch 1 patch: https://www.respec.net/news/104-once-upon-a-katamari-switch-2-release-date-free-update-frame-rate-resolution-katamari-damacy-rolling-live-dlc

Update: Once Upon a Katamari + Katamari Damacy Rolling Live (the Apple Arcade exclusive) bundle launches on October 8 in Japan: https://www.respec.net/news/104-once-upon-a-katamari-rolling-live-release-date-ps5-xbox-switch-2-pc

Bandai Namco has announced a Switch 2 version of Once Upon A Katamari. It launches on October 8 in Japan and will be released as a Game-Key Card physically: https://www.respec.net/news/104-once-upon-a-katamari-nintendo-switch-2-release-date-physical

Sony has dealt the fatal blow, but Tom's been mourning the death of physical games for years https://www.respec.net/feature/102-sony-has-dealt-fatal-blow-but-ive-been-mourning-death-ofphysical-games-for-years

Marvel Tokon's Episode Mode includes five unique stories written by Kieron Gillen: https://www.respec.net/news/98-marvel-tokon-episode-mode-single-player-story-kieron-gillen

Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition from Nightdive launches July 16. It includes up to 4K 120fps support and is a free upgrade for existing owners: https://www.respec.net/news/97-outlaws-handful-of-missions-remaster-nintendo-switch-2-edition-release-date-4k-120fps

Some people are sick of remakes, but Tom wants loads more of them. His most anticipated game of the year is the Ocarina of Time remake: https://www.respec.net/feature/16-i-love-remakes-id-welcome-loads-more-them

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has sold over 2 million copies worldwide: https://www.respec.net/news/96-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-sales-numbers-2-million-copies

“Why not embrace our direction - go for it” - Ambrosia Sky's @softrains.bsky.social are sticking to the vision, not becoming “market palatable” https://www.respec.net/interview/93-why-not-embrace-our-direction-go-for-it-ambrosia-skys-creators-are-sticking-to-vision-not-becoming-market-palatable

The Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Game Original Soundtrack featuring 57 songs is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube: https://www.respec.net/news/94-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-soundtrack-spotify-apple-music-youtube-streaming

A Switch 2 version of 1000xResist from sunset visitor and Fellow Traveller has been rated by the ESRB. 1000xResist is currently available on Switch, PS5, Xbox, and PC: https://www.respec.net/news/92-1000-x-resist-nintendo-switch-2-version-rated-esrb

A free demo for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on Nintendo Switch 2 is now available. Save data from the demo can be carried over into the full release: https://www.respec.net/news/91-yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book-switch-2-demo-download-now-available

Update: 136 id Software workers and 22 from Bethesda Game Studios' office in Austin have been reportedly laid off: https://www.respec.net/news/85-obsidian-id-software-layoffs-xbox-july-2026-bethesda-game-studios

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is an easygoing joy of a game that feels right at home in 2026. This is a pirate adventure for the ages. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/89-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-review

Mario Kart Tour is shutting down on September 29, no offline version planned: https://www.respec.net/news/90-mario-kart-tour-end-of-service-date-shutting-down

Fortified Zone, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, and The Sword of Hope II for Game Boy and Dr. Mario & Puzzle League for Game Boy Advance are available today for Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack subscribers: https://www.respec.net/news/88-nintendo-switch-online-july-2026-new-games

Rhythm adventure game Unbeatable is getting a physical release on PS5, Xbox, and Switch 2 alongside a vinyl soundtrack from iam8bit with pre-orders now live: https://www.respec.net/news/84-unbeatable-physical-release-switch-2-ps5-disc-vinyl-soundtrack-preorder-xbox

Xbox layoffs reportedly include roughly 25% of Obsidian and 50% of id Software: https://www.respec.net/news/85-obsidian-id-software-layoffs-xbox-july-2026

The Switch 2 console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, S2 Pro Controller, & more in Europe will be replaced on a rolling basis by revisions featuring a user-replaceable battery: https://www.respec.net/news/82-switch-2-user-replaceable-battery-revision-europe-model-switch-1-sales-stopping-to-retailers-nintendo

Xbox has announced that it will be laying off 3200 employees and that select studios leaving as a part of what the company describes as "the most significant restructure in Xbox history": https://www.respec.net/news/83-xbox-layoffs-ninja-theory-compulsion-double-fine-arkane-undead-labs

Nintendo of Europe has announced that it will stop selling Switch 1 systems (Lite, OLED, and Switch) to retailers and on the Nintendo Store from mid-February 2027: https://www.respec.net/news/82-switch-2-user-replaceable-battery-revision-europe-model-switch-1-sales-stopping-to-retailers-nintendo

Halo: Campaign Evolved is now Steam Deck Verified ahead of its July 28 launch: https://www.respec.net/news/79-halo-campaign-evolved-steam-deck-verified-valve-rating-pc

Rhythm Heaven Groove's new Ado song 'Love me forever!' is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and more alongside the Nintendo Music special sampler for the game: https://www.respec.net/news/77-rhythm-heaven-grooves-new-ado-song-love-me-forever-now-streaming-nintendo-music-sampler-also-released

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is Steam Deck Verified ahead of next week's launch: https://www.respec.net/news/76-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-steam-deck-verified-pc-handheld

In its current state, Sonic Frontiers - Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is not definitive in any way. Our port review with comparisons and more: https://www.respec.net/review/65-sonic-frontiers-definitive-edition-switch-2-review-vs-ps5-switch-1-pc-steam-deck

Physical game disc production for new games on PlayStation will be discontinued starting January 2028: https://www.respec.net/news/75-new-playstation-game-disc-production-discontinued-january-2028-console-games

Mario Kart World version 1.7.0 update adds two new routes to Knockout Tour, Stickers in Photo Mode, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/74-mario-kart-world-july-2026-update-patch-notes-knockout-tour

Nintendo has shared 39 new Splatoon Raiders screenshots going over customization options, amiibo unlocks, multiplayer details, and more following the Direct: https://www.respec.net/news/73-splatoon-raiders-new-screenshots-amiibo-customization-difficulty-options-call-for-help-switch-2