First Look at Taiko No Tatsujin on PlayStation 4

Bandai Namco has released a first look at the newest Taiko game: Taiko No Tatsujin: Session de Dodon ga Don! The newest entry in the rhythm series is being released on PlayStation 4 later this year, with a new local multiplayer function to give the game a classic arcade-feel, as well as multiplayer “ghosts” to compete with your friends when they’re not there.

The trailer above also gives us a look at the new drum controller from HORI for PlayStation 4. The latest title features over 70 tracks, including Your Name’s theme song “Zenzenzense” by RADWIMPS, and more.

NCSoft Launches MasterXMaster

NCSoft just surprised everyone by releasing their own take on the MOBA that’s been made popular by games such as Heroes of the Storm, and League of Legends. They’re taking a Blizzard approach to the game, allowing players to select Champions from various NCSoft titles, such as Blade & Soul, and even the older City of Heroes.

The game features a unique tag-system allowing players to select two Champions, and includes WASD movement. You can hit the jump to watch a video overview on full gameplay for MasterXMaster, or check out the Official Website to download the game for free.

Diablo 3’s Necromancer Finally Hits This Month

The Necromancer class in Diablo 3 has been teased for what seems like ages, and now, we’re finally getting it on June 27. The Necromancer will be priced at $14.99 and will require the Reaper of Souls expansion on PC to play. The pack will also grant access to additional character slots, a portrait, banner, sigil, accent and pennant, a brand new pet and some items for your pets.

Blizzard also revealed the new Eternal Collection for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, that will give console players full access to the game and all of its DLC, including the Necromancer.

WWE 2K18 Cover Revealed

This morning, on SportsCenter, WWE superstar Seth Rollins revealed that he’s the new cover star for this year’s WWE 2K18. He did so with a kick-ass reveal trailer for the game, calling back to many of the games past classic cover stars and DLC characters.

You can hit the jump to get a full look at this year’s cover, and cover star, Seth Rollins, along with the announcement trailer.

IO Interactive Now Independent

After entering negotiations last month into a management buyout, things have quickly reached a satisfying conclusion, with Hitman developer IO Interactive now being an Independent studio again, while also retaining the rights to the Hitman series. Square Enix decided to divest itself of the developer and the franchise for unknown reasons, but it seems things have happened for the best with the studio now able to freely operate with partners and publishers in the future.

IO Interactive is best known for its Hitman series of games, as well as Kane & Lynch.

Mistwalker to Announce New Title

Mistwalker head, and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi is set to announce a new title from his acclaimed studio Mistwalker. Mistwalker hasn’t released a core console title since The Last Story on the Wii, and even further with Lost Odyssey on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The new title will be announced on a Famitsu live stream on June 22. You can check it out on NicoNico LIVE at 8:00pm JST (Japan Standard Time), with a special guest appearance by Nobuo Uematsu.

New Xbox Avatars Unveiled

Part of me always hoped that Microsoft wouldn’t give up on Xbox Avatars. I loved the customizability they had, and they did well to make the Xbox a bit more fun. Plus, with tons of ways to express yourself, you could always make your Avatar look more like you than your Mii ever could.

Now, Microsoft has announced that they’re coming back to the forefront after disappearing since the release of the Xbox One. The new Avatars are definitely suited for 4K, with new options for hair customization, clothing, and even prosthetics, and vehicles.

Super Mario Odyssey Theme

Nintendo has released the endlessly-catchy theme song that present in the new gameplay trailer for Super Mario Odyssey, and it’s something else. A big brass band plays, with some fantastic meta vocals by Pauline, the damsel-in-distress from the original Donkey Kong game, who just so happens to also be the mayor of New Donk City, the home of Odyssey.

Metal Gear Survive Delayed

Normally, I wouldn’t really post about this, as this game is a complete cash-grab and mockery of all that makes this series so memorable. But, it’s pretty damn hilarious. Konami has stated to Polygon that Metal Gear Survive has been “pushed back a few months” to allow for more polish on the game.

Metal Gear Survive was announced in 2016, and will have a mysterious single player mode, as well as multiplayer that will pit teams of players against zombie-like enemies. The game is set an alternate universe after the events of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the prequel to Phantom Pain.

New Kingdom Hearts III Trailer

Last night at the Kingdom Hearts Orchestra World Tour Concert in Los Angeles, Square Enix unveiled a surprise trailer for the third and final installment in the saga, and has since put the trailer, with Japanese dialogue, up online.

The new trailer shows action from Sora, Goofy and Donald, and some cutscenes with Hades, Pete, and Maleficent. They also reveal that a completely new trailer with debut on July 15th at the D23 Expo, giving us something fantastic to look forward to on top of all the inevitably amazing news to come out of that show.

Crash Bandicoot Announcement Incoming

After passing the torch from Naughty Dog to Vicarious Visions, it seems Activision is privy to the excitement around the release of the Crash Bandicoot N’Sane Trilogy releasing later this month for the PlayStation 4.

According to the full Activision schedule for E3, there’s going to be a Special Crash Bandicoot Announcement lodged between Call of Duty and Destiny 2. What that means could be anyone’s guess? Maybe the trilogy won’t be a PlayStation 4 exclusive? Maybe we’re getting a full new Crash game?!

A New Bubsy Game?

In what is most certainly not something anyone was expecting, developer Accolade, which closed their doors in 2000, has just announced a new game for their… popular character, Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back. The last Bubsy game to be released was in 1996, with Bubsy 3D. To say it did less than great would be an understatement.

Bubsy: the Woolies Strike Back is an all new Bubsy adventure featuring Bubsy in a bevy of exotic locations as he travels the planet looking for the beloved Golden Fleece. Bubsy must use all of his classic moves and a few new ones to dodge and out bobcat a battalion of Woolies, sharks and bess, not mention the gnarliest UFO bosses to ever grace a Bubsy adventure.

Pokémon GO First Anniversary Event

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of the phenomenon, Niantic has announced the Pokemon GO Fest Chicago on July 22nd. This accompanies the Solstice Event that begins on June 13th. The Solstice Event will feature XP bonuses for accurate throws, discounted Lucky Eggs, and Fire-type and Ice-type Pokémon.

You can hit the jump to check out the full press release.

Pokemon Gold and Silver Coming to Nintendo eShop

It would seem Nintendo had one more Pokemon related surprise for us today, with the announcement that Pokémon Gold and Silver are both coming to the Nintendo eShop for 3DS and 2DS the same day that Pokkén releases, September 22nd.

Like other Virtual Console Pokémon releases, players will be able to trade and battle wirelessly, as well as load their caught Pokémon to the Bank for other versions of the game.

Pokémon Nintendo Direct

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company held a Nintendo Direct this morning, if it can be called that. The entire direct can be seen in the (really awesome) video above. While more of a trailer, than a Direct, it does reveal some new announcements.

There are no new games, but Pokkén Tournament DX is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch. Also Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have been announced for later this year on the Nintendo 3DS.