Twentytwo13

Nintendo marches to the beat of its own drum

A child clicks on the Minecraft game on a Nintendo Switch.

June is packed with video game showcases and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles being sold overseas. 

Here is this week’s gaming and animation round-up.

The big picture

Nintendo has always marched to the beat of its 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 very 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 don’t need extra coverage to get ahead. Simply put – they are already 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 has yet to be tarnished on a mainstream level.

Nintendo has seen failure in sales several times – Nintendo GameCube, 3DS, and Wii U as prime examples. While other companies would have shut down after one major setback, Nintendo took its hit like Manny Pacquiao and went on to become better than ever.

The company will take its time releasing its new console to bigger markets outside Southeast Asia because it knows 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 and 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 Sept 3.

The remastered version of the 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 – July 31. 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 starting June 26. 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).

Op-Eds

We found a ton of Marvel Comics and Marvel Cinematic Universe references and easter eggs in the trailer for the 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 the colourful locals.

Dragon is Dead is a hack-and-slash 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 the Xbox Series. This HoYoverse-made action title with role-playing elements has you controlling a group of agents as they fight through deserted sci-fi 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

The Southeast Asian Games Showcase will go live tommorrow (June 7) at 3am (GMT+8). Check out the live stream here.