The start of June this year is quite packed, with video game showcases happening this weekend in wee hours of the morning and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles being sold overseas. We’ll touch on the latter in the next paragraph.

The Big Picture

Nintendo has always marched to the beat of its own drum. When they said they don’t give out early review copies of the hardware to the majority of media outlets (mainstream and niche) before launch, it’s just them knowing full well their status quo in the world. 

Being the owner of lucrative IPs like the Mario series and making bank out of past consoles like the Wii, the Game Boy portables, and the Switch, it’s clear as day that they really don’t need extra coverage to get ahead. Simply put; they already ARE ahead. Even with the pricing of the console and some of its top games, the company’s reputation for exclusives and all-ages quality gaming have yet to be tarnished on a mainstream level. 

Nintendo has seen failure in sales a good number of times -see the Nintendo GameCube, 3DS, and Wii U as prime examples. Where other companies would have shut down after one major setback, Nintendo took its hit like Manny Pacquiao and soldered on, better than ever.

And they will take their time releasing its new console to bigger markets outside the Southeast Asia, because they know where the money is. And there’s not much gaming fans outside of first-world countries can do apart from wait, despite how much loyalty you give corporations like them. 

Short Beats

Arc System Works and Sony Interactive Entertainment have announced a new fighting game using the Marvel Comics license called Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. The 4-versus-4 2D fighting game will be out in 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC, and features a colourful & hyper anime aesthetic along with popular superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan). 

A 007 game is in the works by IO Interactive, the creators of the Hitman franchise. 007 First Light will be out for PC and consoles in 2026. 

Capcom has unveiled new gameplay for its scifi action-adventure title Pragmata after a few years of silence. The game will be out in 2026. 

Hirogami is a new 3D platformer where you play as an origami-made hero who can transform into origami animals to solve puzzles and traverse through hazards. The game is made by Bandai Namco Singapore and will be out for PlayStation 5 on 3rd September. 

The remastered version of classic PlayStation 1 strategy role-playing game Final Fantasy Tactics has been made official. The remaster will be out for PC and consoles on 30th September 2025, and features enhancements like updated user interfaces, fully voiced dialogue, and graphical improvements. 

Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture have announced a new “bloody” acting game: Romeo Is A Dead Man. The action title will be out in 2026. 

Music puzzle title Lumines is making a comeback with a new entry called Lumines Arise. The game is coming out in Fall 2025 for PlayStation 5. 

Koei Tecmo has announced two new developments. Its 2D action title Ninja Gaiden Ragebound has a release date: 31st July 2025. Meanwhile, the company is making Nioh 3, the next demon-slaying action RPG featuring samurais and ninjas slated for early 2026 for PlayStation 5. 

CD Projekt Red has shown off The Witcher 4 using Unreal Engine 5 during the State of Unreal expo keynote presentation.

Nintendo Switch 2 consoles will go on sale publicly in Singapore, Thailand, and The Philippines on 26 June onward. There’s no word on the console’s availability in Malaysia due to official distributors awaiting approval from the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM).

Here’s a recap of Summer Game Fest 2025. The games-filled show was capped off with an official annoucement of Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mothership survival horror title. The game will be out for PC and consoles on February 26, 2026.

Op-Eds

We found a ton of Marvel Comics and Marvel Cinematic Universe references and easter eggs in the trailer for upcoming fighting game Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.

Games Out This Week

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is an action RPG and simulation hybrid that takes place in a new fantasy land filled with dragons and deities that need dealing with. You also need to help rebuild seasonal farms and villages, as well as bond with colourful locals. 

Dragon is Dead is a hack-and-slash roguelite action platformer featuring tons of character skill trees, a gothic dark fantasy world, and loads of bosses to fight. 

Zenless Zone Zero is finally out for Xbox Series. This HoYoverse-made action title with role-playing elements has you controlling a group of agents as they fight through deserted scifi wastelands called Hollows for clients in a cyberpunk-esque cityscape. 

A slew of Nintendo Switch 2 games are out in regions outside of Southeast Asia: Bravely Default Remaster, Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and many more. We’ll only be seeing these on sale officially in Malaysia later this month, hopefully. 

Recommended Viewing

Here’s a recap of Summer Game Fest 2025 in video form:

The Southeast Asian Games Showcase will go live this Sunday 7th June 3am GMT+8. You can check out the livestream here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/16_LM0ZBSmc?si=kIj-Nt2Qa_JhP1S8