What a weird news week. I worked nightshift this week (please support me I don't want to do this shit anymore!) and on Wednesday night my phone vibrated for at least 10 minutes as a wave of unreleased game achievements leaked online. A day later, like 24h later on the dot, my phone vibrated again for multiple minutes as Sony dropped 'Physint' and Xbox picked it up and on top on this Nintendo gave us two Directs. Pretty sure we will talk about this week in the future again.

Oh! And I finally got a new fish tank! My first tank after at least 13 years.

Stories of the week:

Sony is Phys-phobic

This week Sony published a statement where they announced that they have dropped Hideo Kojima's upcoming espionage game 'Physint'.

Shortly after Xbox announced that they have picked it up followed by a statement from Kojima where he explains that Sony wanted to cancel the game out of nowhere in June and that he searched for a new publisher in the last 3 months.

Bloomberg's Jason Schreier (also known as One Take Schreier) investigated and according to his sources Sony pulled out of 'Physint' because of budget concerns about potential profitability and missed deadlines. The 'Death Stranding' series also did not meet Sony's expectations.

PlayStation Ditched Hideo Kojima’s ‘Physint’ on Budget Concerns, Missed Deadlines

The legendary Japanese creator of ‘Death Stranding’ will take his new game to Xbox

BloombergJason Schreier

Steam Leak

The company not the aggregate state.

On Wednesday a wave of Steam achievements for some unreleased and unannounced games including 'Kingdom Hearts 4' and 'Persona 6' leaked online.

The achievements description included some pretty juice details like unannounced worlds for 'Persona 6'. The owner of Exophase, a website which tracks achievements, said Steam changed something in its API which was the reason behind this leak.
▸source: Gematsu

The Most Annoying Mystery Dungeon Fan Has Something To Say

Nintendo hosted 2 Nintendo Directs this week. In the main Direct Nintendo and Square Enix shadow dropped 'Dragon Quest Heroes - Torneko's Mystery Dungeon -Classic HD-', the father of the Mystery Dungeon games, for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon -Classic HD- on Steam

A thousand adventures in one! — Discover the roots of the Mystery Dungeon series. Packed with the challenge, tension, and rewarding gameplay of a classic roguelike adventure, this is a journey we’re excited for a new generation of players take on!

STEAM

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ᴊᴏɪɴ ⁄⁄⋐ ᴅɪꜱᴄᴏʀᴅ ꜱᴇʀᴠᴇʀ

Gaming News Recap

Week 37 | September 4 - 11, 2026 | Edition 191

This week's news categories: Xbox [05], PlayStation [06], Nintendo [12], Other News [17], Numbers [05], Cross-Media [01], Releases Infos [68].

Xbox

1. Blizzard workers have ratified a historic union contract that includes guardrails around AI usage, layoff protections, including remote and hybrid work benefits.
2. Xbox Insider update: customize you startup animation, new search feature, improved remote play experience, continue downloading while playing on cloud, and voice clarity
3. A new look at Spyro's new design has been revealed.
4. Project Dream the prototype which reportedly became 'Banjo-Kazooie' has been uploaded online by a user named FvckAsha&Phil.
5. Xbox is publishing Hideo Kojima's 'Physint' after Sony dropped it.
6. Microsoft's head of comms, Frank Shaw is leaving the company after nearly 30 years.

PlayStation

1. Hideo Kojima says that Sony wanted to cancel 'Physint' out of nowhere in June, they searched 3 months for a new partner and teamed up with Xbox (again).
2. Bloomberg: Sony pulled out of 'Physint' because of budget concerns about potential profitability and missed deadlines. The Death Stranding series also did not meet Sony's expectations.
3. PlayStation Plus Premium/Extra September 2026: 'RuneScape: Dragonwilds', 'WWE 2K26', 'Ball x Pit', 'Date Everything!', 'Slitterhead', 'Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound', 'Dungeons of Hinterberg', and 'Sniper Elite: Resistance'. Classic: 'Mega Man X Command Mission' and 'Metro Redux'
4. 'Forza Horizon 6' PS5 version still planned for 2026.
5. RPCS3 now supports physical PS3 discs.
6. AdHoc Studio (Dispatch) has partnered with Firesprite for the story of 'Until Dawn 2'.
7. [Rumor] According to MP1ST, a new 'Killzone' game is in very early stages of development at Guerilla and a third party studio.

Nintendo

1. Nintendo released a new update for the Nintendo Switch 2 which finally adds VRR support while docked.
2. Games need an update to support VRR on Nintendo Switch 2 and so far only 'Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour' is supporting it.
3. Nintendo of America announced a special Customer Appreciation Sale which is made possible in part by tariff-related refunds.
4. 'Kirby Air Riders' is getting 2 new Amiibos on November 12^th.
5. 'Metroid Ravenous' is coming with 3 new Amiibos.
6. 2 new 'Mega Man: Dual Override' Amiibos announced.
7. Young Link and Young Zelda Amiibos launch in 2027.
8. 'Star Fox Adventures' now available on Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
9. Free 'Mario Kart World' update now available. Including 10 courses from 'Super Mario Kart' and two new Knockout Tours.
10. Lego and Nintendo (Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip) announced a third Lego The Legend of Zelda set.
11. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Nintendo Switch 2 and Pro Controller launches October 29^th.
12. 'The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake' theme now available on Nintendo Music.

Other News

1. The game is not even out yet but modders have already reinstated Ariana Grande's character from 'Final Fantasy Brave Exvius' in 'Final Fantasy Resonance'.
2. Sega says there has been a rise in fans who don't play the games, and their engagement with IPs can be even higher than that of gamers.
3. Nippon Ichi Software CEO Kenzo Saruhashi says they're currently don't see a difference in sales between Game Key Cards and full on card.
4. Capcom says its focusing on re-activating IPs that haven’t had a new title launch recently alongside releasing major new titles each year.
5. Sega president Shuji Utsumi explained Super Game was Sega's attempt to make a successful live service game but the current industry climate and the scale of investment and operations would have to grow enormously to match the scale of the service.
6. Naoki Hamaguchi is also overseeing the development of 'Kingdom Hearts 4' alongside 'Final Fantasy VII Revelation'. He also says Square Enix President, Takashi Kiryu calls 2027 the big fight back for us, where everything turns around.
7. JPGAMES asked Hamaguchi about the impact of the choices you make in 'Final Fantasy VII Revelation'. Basically the party members you choose have an impact on how a sidequest goes and the result/end can be different and in the end everything comes together.
8. The Highwind in 'Final Fantasy VII Revelation' can be upgraded and is serving as a new hub. The ship is only one aspect of weapon fights with different phases in fights with special mechanics, minigames and more. Also the Chocobo stable has been expanded.
9. tinyBuild Connect 2026 set for September 14^th.
10. Saudi Arabia is considering a merger of its Savvy Games Group and Electronic Arts.
11. Keighley and 'Knack' creator Mark Cerny teaming up to launch a fellowship program for game design graduates. The Nova Games Foundation is a university-affiliated fellowship program, intended to offer six-figure grants to 20 young game designers each year.
12. Rebel Wolves is already working on a 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' sequel.
13. A change in Steam's API leaked dozens of infos of unreleased games including 'Persona 6', 'Kingdom Hearts 4' and a game called 'Penis Bird'.
14. KO_OP is laying off 13 employees.
15. FuturLab has cancelled its non-Powerwash Simulator title and is laying off 7 employees. Employees were reportedly instructed to not to use the term redundancy and refer to those affected as the leavers.
16. Crytek has laid off 23 people.
17. Don't Nod says it may not have enough funding to operate beyond January 2027. They also considering cutting up to 90 jobs in France as it restructures.

Numbers

1. 'Meccha Chameleon' has already sold 100K copies on Nintendo Switch 2 on its first day.
2. 'Dave the Diver' has sold over 10M copies.
3. 'The Exit 8' has sold over 3M copies.
4. 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword' has already sold over 1M copies.
5. 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' surpassed 1M copies sold.

Cross-Media

1. The Legend of Zelda movie is coming to theaters on April 30^th 2027.

Release Infos

1. 'Fading Echoes' is coming to XBS, PS5 and Switch 2 on September 17^th. Already on PC.
2. 'DevilConnection' launches January 21^st on Mobile and Nintendo Switch.
3. 'Muramasa: Revenant Blades' launches February 4^th on PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
4. Playism will publish 'Sea Sniffers'. Launches in 2027 on PC.
5. 'Holy Horror Mansion' launches in 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
6. 'Snack World: Reloaded' launches in 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
7. 'Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain' also coming to PS5 and PC alongside the previously announced NS2 version.
8. 'FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time' DLC The Celestial Express announced.
9. 'Inazuma Eleven: Bold Revolution' announced.
10. 'Decapolice' launches in 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
11. 'Friends vs Friends' free Gamblition update now available.
12. 'Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster' launches in 2027 for Nintendo Switch and PC.
13. 'Hela: of Mice & Magic' launches Dec. 1^st on XBS, Game Pass, PS5, Switch 2 and PC.
14. 'Truckful' launches October 9^th on Android and PC.
15. 'Bluey's Happy Snaps' launches Oct. 15^th on XBO, XBS Game Pass, PS4/5, Switch 1&2 & PC.
16. 'Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon -Classic HD-' now available on XBS, PS5, Switch 1&2 and PC.
17. The Steam version of 'Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon -Classic HD-' got a free DLC which adds interactive streaming features to the game.
18. 'Stellar Blade' launches Nov. 5^th on Switch 2 alongside Bayonetta Crossover (multiplat).
19. 'Danganronpa 2x2' launches January 14^th on Xbox Series, PS5, Switch 1&2 and PC.
20. 'Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United' launches February 16^th on Xbox Series, PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
21. 'Stage Fright' from the creators of Overcooked and published by HelloGames is coming to Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC in 2027.
22. 'SONIC PICO PARK' launches November 12^th on Xbox Series, PS5, Switch 1&2 and PC.
23. 'Meccha Chameleon' is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 today! Already on PC.
24. 'ONYX: The Dark Grip' launches exclusivly on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027.
25. 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TAG FORCE GX' (enhanced version of TF GX 3) launches February 16^th on Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
26. 'Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4' Remake are coming to Switch 2 on October 16^th.
27. 'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Definitive Edition' NS2 Edition launches February 25^th.
28. 'Xenoblade Chronicles 3 NS2 Version' launches December 3^rd on Nintendo Switch 2. Including a new hero named Shimmer.
29. 'The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother' launches in early 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
30. 'Professor Layton and the Curious Village Remake' launches in 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
31. 'Professor Layton and the New World of Steam' launches December 10^th on PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
32. 'Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World' Demo now available.
33. 'Cairn' is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. Already on PS5 and PC.
34. 'Metal Slug Ultimate Collection' developed by M2 launches in 2027 on Xbox Series, PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
35. 'Pikmin 4 - NS2 Edition + Dandori Academy' launches Nov. 12^th on Switch 2.
36. 'Persona 4 Revival' is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on May 20^th.
37. 'Persona 6' is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2.
38. 'Ondeh Ondeh Kaya's Tasty Tale' launches on 2027 on XBS, PS5, Switch 2 and PC.
39. 'Star Fox - Battle Mode Free Update' launches September 29^th.
40. 'Eternal Anima' launches March 4^th on Xbox Series, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
41. 'Monster Hunter Wilds' launches December 4^th on Nintendo Switch 2.
42. 'Kirby and the World Beyond' launches on Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring 2027.
43. 'Metroid Ravenous' launches on January 28^th on Nintendo Switch 2.
44. 'Arcade Archives KARNOV' launches September 10^th on XBS, PS4/5 and Switch 1&2.
45. 'Console Archives Nobunaga's Ambition Il' launches Sep. 10^th on PS5 and Switch 2.
46. 'No Man's Sky' COSMOS update now available.
47. 'Banchou Tactics: Lion Heart' launches Sep. 10^th on Nintendo Switch 2.
    October 10^th on Xbox Series and PS5. Already on PC.
48. Amigo from 'Samba De Amigo' is now available in 'Sonic Racing CrossWorlds'!
49. 'Spy Drops Gaiden' launches October 12^th on PC.
50. 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' launches November 5^th on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical version comes with a textured foil cover.
51. 'Happy Wheels' is coming to Steam on September 21^st.
52. 'Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients' announced for PS5, Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
53. 'Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories' launches February 25^th on Xbox Series, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
54. 'After the Wane' from Nova Box launches November 10^th on PC!
55. 'Lightspeed Lina' announced for PC!
56. 'Okko The Exiled' launches Sep. 30^th on PC. Coming to XB, PS and Switch in 2027.
57. Arjun joins 'Street Fighter 6' on October 13^th.
58. 'CaTHaRSiS: The last of atelier' announced for PC.
59. 'Bonespire' announced for PC. From the devs of Cryptmaster.
60. 'Rain World: Anthology Edition' announced for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
61. 'PLANTED!' launches October 29^th on Xbox Series, PS5 and PC.
62. 'Forastero' announced for Xbox Series, PS5 and PC.
63. 'Chalk Warfare' announced for PC.
64. 'Airframe: Ultra' launches November 5^th on PC!
65. 'Mana Alchemy' from the studio behind 'Sea Fantasy' announced for PC.
66. 'Dicevaders' launches September 29^th on Nintendo Switch 1&2 and PC.
67. 'Gley Lancer: Overdrive' announced for XBS, PS4/5, Switch & PC.
    Also coming to Neo Geo MVS arcade board and AES home console platforms.
68. SNK and Plaion have delayed the NeoGeo AES re-release to September 16^th 2027. That's nearly a whole year.
69. 'Fallen Tear: The Ascension' delayed to September 23^rd.
70. 'Chronoscript: The Endless End' delayed to early summer 2027.

Opinion

Third time the charme
(minus the charme)

This week Nintendo finally broke its silence and gave us the first deeper look for its upcoming 'The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake' which launches on November 5^th, two weeks before 'GTA VI'.

First I must admit, when they originally revealed the game back in June I was not a fan of how it looks... Still not a fan, but I can look at it now without complaining the whole time... which is good!

So first thing first let's talk about the other smaller elephant on Hyrule Field, is this a 1:1 remake?
Short answer, no, and I'm confused why people still believe that.

The most prominent changes are:

• the buildings relocations in Kakariko Village
• new small locations, like after you crawl through the small tunnel when you enter the castle for the first time you normally land right into the yard but in the remake you land into the bottom of a well
• finally, the biggest one, a jump button which should change a lot!

Most obvious of course is the art style itself. Like I said I'm not too keen of the design but I stopped complaining and started to search for bit of cool things. So here are my lows and my bit of high.

I don't like the look of Zelda, Link, Epona and Sheik.
Zelda and Link look like cursed puppets. Zelda looks like a character straight out of the Dark Crystal. Epona (the horse) got yassified and Sheik looks a bit too feminine, which kinda oppose the original design of OMG who is this mysterious dude-vibes.

They also changed the design of the Lense of Truth which is now a pair of goggles and Lonlon Farm is now on ground level instead of a small hill which will probably changes Epona's escape, I'm really curious how this will work out. Those are some weird changes but I'm not against it.

I believe the biggest disappointment for many are how the world looks, because it looks like a game which has AI or UE5 Nintendo hire this fan-stank on it but I think it looks okay in motion. Yes, the green tunic is maybe a bit over-designed but it has some pretty neat details from the whole Zelda lore which kinda rocks?!

The biggest star for me in this whole presentation was Hyrule Field and Deku Tree, it perfectly captures the Zelda magic for me.

Anyway, time flies and November is right infront of us. Let's see if the Remake can fully convince us.

That's all for this week!

Next Wednesday, if everything worked out as planned, I will publish the first interview. And every 2 weeks (for now) a new one should follow from different parts of the gaming industry.

As always thank you for reading all of this, I really appreciate it!
If you want to support me please feel free to share my work so more people can find me.

Hope you have a nice weekend,
Knoebel.

Written by Knoebel & edited by viaz