All posts by kindaixin
kindaixin

Jax is an avid gamer since young. Starting from SUper Mario on NES, he discover his passion for the world of video gaming. Currently a PS3 and Xbox 360 gamer, Jax is actively looking for the 'next better game'. Jax is also the chief editor for GameTrader.SG blog.
Game News

BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X Heads to Switch 2 on 13 August — Platinum Joins Free

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BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 13 August 2026, and it brings one of the franchise’s most beloved characters with it. Developer 91Act and publisher Astrolabe Games have confirmed that Platinum — the hammer-swinging, bubble-flinging magical girl from BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma — joins the roguelite roster in a free major content update dropping on the same day across all platforms. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 Edition opened today.

Blazblue Entropy Effect X – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition & Platinum Major Update Announcement Trailer — via BlazBlue Entropy Effect X Global – Official on YouTube

Platinum Enters the Sea of Possibility

Platinum launches a rainbow star-beam attack against enemies in a cyberpunk Japanese setting in BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X
Image courtesy of Arc System Works / 91Act

Platinum’s moveset translates into BBEE X’s fast-paced 2D roguelite action with exactly the chaotic flair her fans expect. The announcement screenshots show her launching rainbow-arcing magical blasts and triggering full-screen star explosions that fill the arena with sparkle and fire — a playstyle that should feel very different from the more straightforward brawlers already in the game.

The free August 13 update also brings an upgraded Training Space and new branching route options for each run. That second addition is particularly welcome: more diverging paths between attempts means each run through the Sea of Possibility feels less predictable, which has a real impact on long-term replayability.

Platinum triggers a large star-burst explosion alongside cute panda-cannon enemies in BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X
Image courtesy of Arc System Works / 91Act

Switch 2 Edition — What You Actually Get

BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X Nintendo Switch 2 Edition key art showing the August 13 2026 launch date and all supported platforms
Image courtesy of Arc System Works / 91Act

The Switch 2 Edition is a native build with enhanced visuals, an improved frame rate and GameShare support — so you can invite a friend into your session even if they don’t own a copy. Exclusive cosmetics for Switch 2 players include the Old World Fantasy Platinum palette and a Dango Balloon chibi avatar, a small but fun differentiator for early adopters.

For players who already own BBEE X on the original Nintendo Switch, the Upgrade Pack costs just US$1.99 — making it one of the most affordable Switch-to-Switch-2 upgrades out there. The stand-alone Switch 2 digital version is priced at US$24.99, consistent with what the game cost at launch. The title is listed on the Nintendo Southeast Asia eShop, so Singapore players can pre-order directly.

Free Content for Everyone on All Platforms

Platinum charges into a group of enemies wielding her oversized golden hammer in BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X
Image courtesy of Arc System Works / 91Act

The biggest news for existing players is that the August 13 update is free across every platform BBEE X currently runs on: PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, Steam and Nintendo Switch. Platinum, the revamped Training Space and the new run-branching options arrive for everyone, no additional purchase required. Singapore players who picked up the game at launch on PS5 or PC get a meaningful content refresh at no extra cost.

BBEE X launched in February 2026 to strong critical reception for its stylish 2D action, tight roguelite loop and deep BlazBlue fan service. With Platinum’s addition and the Switch 2 native build both landing on 13 August, it’s shaping up to be one of the better mid-year content moments for fans of the franchise. Check the Nintendo eShop or Steam for pricing in your local currency.

For more game news, keep following GameTrader.SG.

News, Shop and Merchandise

Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A Mega Plushies Drop Today — Starmie, Greninja, Zeraora and Lucario Z

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Four new Mega Evolution plushies inspired by Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A went on sale this morning at Pokémon Center Online Japan — and Mega Starmie’s unsettling humanoid legs are already the talk of the fandom. The collection also includes Mega Greninja, Mega Zeraora, and Mega Lucario Z, drawing from both the base game and its paid Mega Dimension expansion.

The Full Drop — All Four Mega Plushies at a Glance

All four plushies went live at 10:00 AM JST today, July 16, at the Pokémon Center Online Japan store and at physical Pokémon Center locations across Japan. Here’s what’s in the collection:

  • Mega Starmie — ¥5,500 (approx. S$49 before shipping) · 30×16×36 cm · 348g
  • Mega Greninja — ¥5,500 (approx. S$49 before shipping) · 31.5×36×53 cm · 244g
  • Mega Zeraora — ¥6,050 (approx. S$54 before shipping) · 32×17×39 cm · 316g
  • Mega Lucario Z — ¥6,050 (approx. S$54 before shipping) · 19×23×42 cm · 241g
Mega Starmie plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mega Starmie and Mega Greninja — The Base-Game Pair

Mega Starmie is the undoubted centrepiece of this wave. Its Pokédex entry in LEGENDS: Z-A notes that its “movements have started to feel more human-like” — the plush leans fully into that with two elongated humanoid lower limbs that double as legs. It’s the Mega most fans are here for, and at 36 cm tall it’s a substantial shelf presence. The design has been viral ever since LEGENDS: Z-A first revealed it, and this is the first official soft-toy version.

Mega Greninja — also introduced in the base game — is the tallest of the four at 53 cm, making it the most imposing on a display. It includes an attachment string if you prefer it suspended rather than standing. Both carry the ¥5,500 price point.

Mega Greninja plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mega Zeraora and Mega Lucario Z — From the Mega Dimension DLC

Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension | Get Charged Up with Mega Zeraora! — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

The ¥6,050 tier covers the two Mega Evolutions that arrived with the paid Mega Dimension DLC. Mega Zeraora gave the Mythical Electric-type a sharper, more aggressive look that divided and ultimately won over LEGENDS fans; the plush at 39 cm captures that energy well. Mega Lucario Z — the second DLC pick — takes Lucario’s signature steel-and-aura silhouette to a more intense place, and at 42 cm it holds up well next to the taller Greninja on a shelf.

Mega Zeraora plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A Mega Dimension DLC at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Mega Lucario Z plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A Mega Dimension DLC at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Getting Them in Singapore

This collection is currently Japan-exclusive, available at Pokémon Center Online Japan and physical centres across the country. Singapore fans will need to import: Pokémon Center Online Japan does ship internationally, though you’ll want to factor in shipping costs and any applicable customs duties on top of the yen prices listed above. SGD equivalents above are approximate at current exchange rates and do not include delivery.

The Pokémon Company has been rolling out LEGENDS: Z-A Mega plushies steadily since the game launched — earlier waves included Mega Dragonite and Mega Raichu X and Y — so if your favourite Mega isn’t in this drop, there’s a reasonable chance it will appear in a future wave. Check our shop and merchandise section for updates, and browse our game news feed for the latest Pokémon Centre drops and local gaming news.

Manga Anime, News

Pokémon Summer Mac Burgers Revealed: Bulbasaur Beef, Charmander Chicken and Squirtle Shrimp Drop 22 July

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McDonald’s Japan has just dropped the details on the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Burgers — the next phase of the Pokémon Summer Mac campaign we covered when it launched. Eight new menu items go on sale 22 July 2026, and every main burger comes wrapped in the face of one of the original Kanto starters. (Japanese source: Famitsu.com)

Three Starter-Themed Pokémon 30th Anniversary Burgers

Tartar Demi Thick Beef burger for Pokémon Summer Mac at McDonald's Japan
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The three burgers each carry the packaging design of one original starter, and the flavour profiles lean into each Pokémon’s personality:

  • Tartar Demi Thick Beef (タルタルデミ肉厚ビーフ) — Bulbasaur packaging. A thick beef patty on corn-dusted buns with tartare and demi-glace sauce. ¥580 single / ¥880 value set.
  • Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic (ジューシーチキン旨辛ガーリック) — Charmander packaging. Crispy chicken with a pepper garlic mayo that delivers a Charmander-worthy kick. ¥490 single / ¥790 value set.
  • Sesame Tartare Shrimp (焙煎ごまタルタルシュリンプ) — Squirtle packaging. A breaded shrimp cutlet finished with roasted sesame tartare sauce. ¥490 single / ¥790 value set.
Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic burger — Charmander design, Pokémon Summer Mac 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan
Sesame Tartare Shrimp burger — Squirtle design, Pokémon Summer Mac 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The Full Lineup: Evening, Morning and Sides

Beyond the three mains, the campaign adds five more items to round out every daypart:

  • Evening (夜マック, from 5 pm): Tartar Demi Double Thick Beef — two patties for ¥840 single / ¥1,140 value set.
  • Morning (朝マック, until 10:30 am): Tartar Demi Sausage Muffin with Pikachu packaging, ¥420 single.
  • Side: Shaka Shaka Potato Seaweed Salt (シャカシャカポテト のり塩味) — shake-to-season fries with a nori-salt sachet, +¥50 to any fries order.
  • Drinks: Mac Fizz Okinawan Pineapple at ¥300 and Mac Float Okinawan Pineapple at ¥380, available all hours.

All items run from 22 July to early September 2026 at participating McDonald’s Japan locations.

Full price chart for Pokémon Summer Mac burgers at McDonald's Japan 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The Official TV Campaign

McDonald’s Japan × Pokémon Summer Mac 2026 official TV commercial — via oricon on YouTube

PokéStops and What Singapore Fans Need to Know

The wider campaign still has two more beats incoming. From 20 July, every one of McDonald’s Japan’s roughly 3,000 outlets becomes a sponsored PokéStop and Gym in Pokémon GO — running through 1 September. And on 31 July, the Pokémon Happy Meals arrive, details to be confirmed.

The entire promotion is Japan-only with no Singapore rollout announced. If you are planning a Japan trip this summer, 22 July is the date to mark — the burgers are available nationwide and the GO PokéStop tie-in starts just two days earlier. For those staying in Singapore, the latest gaming and Japan culture news will keep you covered.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

MotoGP Rivals Launches Today in Singapore — Free Mobile Strategy Game

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MotoGP Rivals, the official team-management mobile game from Tiny Digital Factory, has soft-launched today across Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region. The game is free to download on both iOS and Android, bringing the full 2026 MotoGP rider and team roster to your smartphone with no upfront cost.

Marc Márquez in MotoGP Rivals
Marc Márquez is among the fully licensed riders in MotoGP Rivals. (Image: Pocket Tactics)

What is MotoGP Rivals?

MotoGP Rivals isn’t a traditional racing game — you won’t be tilting your phone to steer through Sepang’s corners. Instead it’s a team-management and live-strategy title where you assemble a roster of real MotoGP riders, tune their machines, and call tactical commands during each race event. Think fantasy motorsport crossed with a card-based RPG: build your squad, develop your riders through upgrades and packs, and execute your race-day calls at the right moment.

The game carries a full Dorna Sports licence, meaning all official 2026 MotoGP teams are represented — from the factory outfits down to the satellite squads. Marc Márquez, the multi-time world champion, is among the featured riders available to recruit.

MotoGP Rivals race gameplay showing the ATTACK command
Live race commands like ATTACK, PUSH and SAVE let you influence the outcome as the race unfolds. (Image: MotoGP Rivals official trailer)

How the strategy layer works

During races, the on-track action plays out automatically while you manage stamina and issue live commands. The command set includes ATTACK, PUSH and SAVE — each with a cooldown timer, so you cannot simply repeat one button the whole way through. Watching a rival’s stamina bar deplete before triggering ATTACK, or choosing SAVE during a tricky mid-race stint to protect tyres for the final push, gives the game a genuine rhythm. Between sessions, the management loop covers tyre strategy, qualifying preparation and rider card development.

MotoGP Rivals team selection screen showing official MotoGP teams
All official 2026 MotoGP teams are available to select and manage. (Image: Google Play Store)

Team building and race strategy

The team selection screen shows all official MotoGP outfits side by side with their characteristic liveries and rider pairings. Whether you run a top-tier factory squad or build a mid-grid satellite team from the ground up, the game gives you room to take your own approach. Rider cards earned in-game provide the progression path for developing your roster across a full season.

A top-down circuit view — featured in the store listing under the heading “Master Race Strategy” — displays the track with live stamina indicators for each rider. It’s a clean mobile take on the data feeds real pit-wall engineers monitor throughout a race weekend. Spotting when your nearest rival is running low before you call a push gives the strategy layer meaningful depth for a free-to-play mobile title.

MotoGP Rivals race strategy view with stamina bars and PUSH/SAVE controls
The race strategy view shows each rider’s stamina bar alongside PUSH and SAVE command controls. (Image: Google Play Store)

Official soft launch trailer

The official trailer walks through the team-building loop, rider card system, and race action:

Where to download

MotoGP Rivals is available now on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store — search “MotoGP Rivals” to find it on either platform. The game is free to play; in-app purchases cover rider packs and upgrade materials. If you follow the 2026 MotoGP calendar, the official licence and real-season roster make this worth a download — the strategy loop holds up well enough to keep you occupied between race weekends.

Game News

The Novel That Started Persona Is Now in English — Read It Free Before July Ends

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Aya Nishitani has quietly fulfilled a three-year-old promise: the Digital Devil Story novels — the 1986 light-novel trilogy that directly inspired Atlus to create the entire Shin Megami Tensei franchise — can now be read in English for the first time, and the window closes at the end of this month.

What Is Digital Devil Story? The Novel That Spawned Persona

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei Vol. 1 — the 1986 light novel by Aya Nishitani
Image courtesy of Tokuma Shoten

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei is a trilogy of science-fiction light novels written by Aya Nishitani and illustrated by Hiroyuki Kitazume, published by Tokuma Shoten’s Animage Bunko imprint between March 1986 and February 1988. The story follows Akemi Nakajima and Yumiko Shirasagi — reincarnations of the Shinto deities Izanagi and Izanami — as they use computer technology to summon demons, with consequences that spiral out of their control.

The series sold 800,000 copies in Japan, spawned a 45-minute anime OVA co-produced by J.C. Staff and Animate Film in 1987, and became the direct source material for Atlus’s landmark Megami Tensei video game the same year. That 1987 Famicom title launched a franchise that has since grown into Shin Megami Tensei, Devil Summoner, Digital Devil Saga, and — the branch most Singapore gamers know best — Persona. Despite that enormous influence, the original novels have never been officially translated into English, until now.

The Complete History of Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei — via DATALOG on YouTube

Read the Digital Devil Story English Translation Free on Note.com — Until 31 July

In July 2026, Nishitani published his own English translation of the first novel — Prologue through Chapter 3 — on his Note.com page at note.com/aya_nishitani. The backstory: three years ago he made a personal promise to an American reader that he would translate the series himself. As Nishitani wrote on his Note page, “In order to fulfill that promise, I am publishing this translation.”

A caveat the author states upfront: the translation is faithful to the original Japanese but has not received professional editorial polish. That is partly by design — Nishitani and a partner have resolved the underlying contractual matters and are now in active talks with an overseas publisher about an official, properly edited English release. The self-translated text is intended to serve as a reference for a professional translator down the line. No publisher, release window, or edition details have been confirmed yet.

The temporary translation will be taken down at the end of July 2026 regardless of where those publisher talks stand. There is a real deadline.

Forty Years from Light Novel to Persona 30th Anniversary

Persona 30th Anniversary key visual featuring protagonists from every mainline entry, by Shigenori Soejima
Image courtesy of Atlus

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Persona sub-series, making this an unusually fitting year for the source material to surface in English. The lineage runs in a straight line: Nishitani’s 1986 novels led to the 1987 Atlus game, which built through the 1990s Megami Tensei line, branched into Persona with the first entry in 1996, and eventually reached the modern run of Persona 3, 4, and 5 that turned the franchise into a global cultural phenomenon.

Persona 3 Reload — a direct descendant of the Digital Devil Story lineage
Image courtesy of Atlus

For Singapore fans of the Persona series — and the community is substantial, with Persona 3 Reload recently surpassing three million copies worldwide — this is a rare chance to read the fiction that started it all. The atmosphere of Digital Devil Story maps directly onto what makes Persona distinctive: teenagers wielding technology and mythology against forces beyond their control, with Shinto cosmology underpinning the world-building. Reading it now, while it is still free, is about as close as you can get to the beginning of the whole lineage. Head to note.com/aya_nishitani before the month is out.

For more gaming and Japan culture coverage, browse our Game News archive.

Game News, News

Arknights 6.5th Anniversary: PC Client Arrives 13 August, “First of a Thousand Autumns” Starts Tomorrow

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Arknights is marking its 6.5th Anniversary with two pieces of news Singapore players will want to know: the game is getting a dedicated PC client on 13 August, and the “First of a Thousand Autumns” story event kicks off tomorrow (16 July) with a fresh limited 6-star Operator joining the pool.

The floating Yan nation city, a key setting in Arknights’ 6.5th Anniversary event ‘First of a Thousand Autumns’
The Yan nation takes centre stage in the “First of a Thousand Autumns” story event.

PC Client Launches 13 August

The official Arknights PC client — separate from emulator workarounds — is set to launch on 13 August 2026. It supports full cross-save with your existing mobile account, meaning your operators, progression, and resources carry over with no loss. If you have been grinding on mobile for years, nothing disappears when you make the switch to PC.

The PC client also conveniently aligns with the close of the anniversary period, so you will have a fresh platform ready to jump into whatever content follows.

“First of a Thousand Autumns” Story Event — 16 July

The anniversary’s centrepiece event takes Operators deeper into the lore of Yan, the game’s Chinese-inspired nation. The event runs from 16 July 08:00 (SGT) and brings new story stages and Proofreading missions. Complete those missions to earn the five-star Operator Ju for free — no pulls required.

Limited Banners: Wang and Ch’en the Dawnstreak

Festival Limited Headhunting banner showing Wang (left) and Ch’en the Dawnstreak (right) with dates 07/16 08:00 to 07/30 03:59
Wang and Ch’en the Dawnstreak on the “Ashes to Ashes / Ages on Ages” Festival Limited Headhunting banner.

Two 6-star Operators are available on the Festival Limited Headhunting banner from 16 July 08:00 to 30 July 03:59 (SGT):

  • Wang (★★★★★★, Limited) — a brand-new Caster making their debut this anniversary. Wang is a first-time addition to the pool, so this is the only window to get them until a future rerun.
  • Ch’en the Dawnstreak (★★★★★★) — a fan-favourite returning limited Operator, back for a rerun alongside the Yan celebrations. If you missed her the first time, this is your second chance.

Both operators share the same banner under the “Ashes to Ashes / Ages on Ages” Festival Limited pool.

Anniversary Free Rewards

Arknights 6.5th Anniversary Special Appreciation Gift screen listing 1,200 Orundum, Kernel Headhunting Permits, and multiple T5 upgrade materials
The Special Appreciation Gift is one of the more generous one-time bundles Hypergryph has put out for a milestone anniversary.

Hypergryph is being generous for the 6.5th Anniversary. The anniversary period includes daily Originite Prime login rewards (adding up to over 20 pulls’ worth) and a 10x free Headhunting Permit. On top of that, a one-time Special Appreciation Gift is available in-game containing:

  • 1,200 Orundum
  • 90,000 LMD
  • 30× Strategic Battle Record
  • 2× Polymerization Preparation
  • 3× Crystalline Electronic Unit
  • 2× Rephasic Enantiomer
  • 2× Nucleic Crystal Sinter
  • 2× D32 Steel
  • 2× Bipolar Nanoflake
  • 2× Chip Catalyst
  • 2× Kernel Headhunting Permit

That is a solid stack of T5 upgrade materials for anyone working on elite operators. Be sure to claim the Gift in-game before the anniversary window closes.

Five New Operator Outfits

Five new limited-time operator outfit skins: Ling, Dusk, Surfer, Philae, and Yu, available from 16 July to 13 August
Five new operator outfits are available in the Outfit Store from 16 July 08:00 to 13 August 03:59 (SGT).

Five limited-time operator skins go live in the Outfit Store from 16 July 08:00 to 13 August 03:59 (SGT):

  • Ling — A Gallant Dream
  • Dusk — Hazy Jade
  • Surfer — By the Lamplight
  • Philae — An Opera of Flowers
  • Yu — Clear Morning View

These outfits are only available during the anniversary window, so if any of your favourites are on the list, do not sleep on it.

Ch’en the Dawnstreak — Operator Preview

A Big Anniversary for Singapore Players

Arknights has a sizeable following in Singapore, and the PC client is a long-requested quality-of-life upgrade. Late-game content — particularly high-difficulty Integrated Strategies runs and Contingency Contract stages — benefits meaningfully from a larger screen and a proper keyboard-and-mouse setup. With cross-save, veteran players can switch to PC without sacrificing anything they have built on mobile.

The “First of a Thousand Autumns” anniversary celebrations begin tomorrow, 16 July. Log in to claim your free gifts, decide whether you are pulling for the new limited Wang or banking resources, and mark 13 August on your calendar for the PC client launch.

Sources: Arknights official anniversary trailer | Ch’en the Dawnstreak operator preview (Arknights Official — Yostar) | event coverage via GamingOnPhone

Manga Anime, News

Crunchyroll Store Goes Members-Only in August — What Singapore Fans Need to Know

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If you’ve been browsing the Crunchyroll Store as a free user or a basic Fan subscriber, that’s about to end. Crunchyroll announced on 14 July that, starting this August, the Crunchyroll Store will be exclusive to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan members — locking out everyone on a lower or no-cost plan.

What’s Actually Changing at the Crunchyroll Store?

The current Crunchyroll Store is an open marketplace anyone can browse and buy from — collectibles, apparel, Blu-rays, manga, and more. From August 2026 onwards, that open access disappears. In its place, Crunchyroll is launching what it calls a “brand-new shopping experience” focused on convention-style merch: curated limited-release drops, exclusive collectibles, and member-only product bundles.

In Crunchyroll’s own words: “This August, we are transitioning the Crunchyroll Store to a brand-new shopping experience that will be available exclusively for Mega and Ultimate Fans.”

Anime collectible figure from the Crunchyroll Store
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

The shift follows Crunchyroll’s 2022 acquisition of Right Stuf, a move many collectors hoped would expand the store’s anime merchandise range. Instead, fan communities have documented years of shrinking product availability and rising prices — and the membership paywall is the latest source of frustration. Reaction online has been blunt, with collectors arguing it pushes loyal fans to import directly from Japanese retailers instead.

What Does This Cost Singapore Crunchyroll Subscribers?

Here’s the breakdown that matters if you’re in Singapore. Current membership pricing runs approximately SGD 3.89/month for Fan, SGD 5.19/month for Mega Fan, and SGD 7.69/month for Ultimate Fan (check Crunchyroll’s official site for the latest local pricing, as rates can update). The minimum tier that keeps store access is Mega Fan at around SGD 5.19/month — roughly SGD 1.30 more per month than the Fan tier, or about SGD 15.60 extra per year.

Dragon Ball collectible figure from the Crunchyroll Store new arrivals
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

Whether that’s worth it depends on how often you actually shop the store. The new members-only model promises exclusive drops and curated product releases that won’t be available elsewhere — so for serious collectors, Mega Fan access could pay for itself with one limited-edition item. But if you only buy occasionally or prefer direct import from Japan, the upgrade may not make sense.

Summer Sale Running Now — Act Before the Switch

Crunchyroll kicked off a Summer Sale on 14 July with up to 50% off select items, coinciding with stricter return policies on select products. This is your last window to browse and buy from the store at full open access before the membership gate drops in August.

A few other key dates: Crunchyroll Store gift cards remain valid through 14 August 2026 — after that, unused balances cannot be redeemed. Existing orders placed before the transition will continue to be processed and shipped normally, and customer support will keep handling delivery, address, and defective product issues.

For Singapore fans who shop Crunchyroll regularly, the smart play is to use any gift card balance now and stock up during the Summer Sale while open access lasts. Keep an eye on our anime and merchandise news for updates as Crunchyroll reveals more details about the new members-only store experience.

Game News, Travel

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 Starts Tomorrow — Your Tokyo Guide

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The JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally is back — and this year, Pokémon’s 30th anniversary turns it into something special. Starting Thursday, 16 July, fans in Tokyo can ride the trains, collect stamps at 36 stations across the network, and walk away with exclusive prizes unavailable anywhere else. For Singapore families heading to Japan this school holiday season, the timing could not be better.

What Is the Pokémon Stamp Rally?

An annual summer tradition in Tokyo, the stamp rally is run in collaboration with JR East — Japan’s largest commuter-rail operator. Participants pick up a free stamp booklet at a major station, then travel the network collecting character stamps at each participating stop. Complete a course and present your booklet at the goal counter to claim a limited-quantity prize on a first-come-first-served basis. This year the rally runs from 16 July to 31 August 2026, with prize exchanges accepted through 1 September.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 participating station map Greater Tokyo
Image courtesy of JR East

2026 Theme: 30 Years of Starters

Pokémon’s 30th anniversary gives this year’s rally a bigger scope than usual. Stamps and prizes pull from the full franchise history, featuring starter Pokémon from every mainline generation — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle through to the newest — alongside Captain Pikachu (star of the current TV anime), Koraidon and Miraidon from Scarlet and Violet, and newer anime faces Masqueranda and Weenibal. Pokémon-branded train wraps will also run on three of Tokyo’s busiest lines from August: Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Chuo Line Rapid.

Four Courses — Four Sets of Prizes

6-Station Course

Collect stamps from any 6 of the 36 participating stations and head to the goal counter near Oimachi Station. Rewards include a Captain Pikachu collectible figure from the Pokémon Frienda prize machine, a ticket-style commemorative sticker, and a Captain Pikachu sun visor — ideal for a Tokyo summer.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 6-station course prizes Captain Pikachu
Image courtesy of JR East

9-Station Course

A fixed nine-station route spotlights starter Pokémon — one per station, with a choice of stamp at each stop. The goal counter is at Tokyo Station. Complete it for a special starter Pokémon neck strap spanning every generation.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 9-station course prize neck strap
Image courtesy of JR East

36-Station Course

The full challenge: collect stamps at all 35 JR East stations and 1 Tokyo Monorail station on the list. Redeem the completed booklet at Tokyo Station for a limited-edition rally key ring exclusive to the 2026 event.

Shinkansen Course

Travelling beyond Greater Tokyo? Seven bullet-train stations across the Tohoku and Shinetsu regions also carry stamps. Finish the Shinkansen course for a dual-sided Koraidon and Miraidon medal made for the 30th anniversary.

Pokémon Trains and Photo Spots

Riding the Pokémon-wrapped trains is half the fun — and you can never quite predict which platform one will pull into. From August, special liveries appear on the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo Line Rapid services. Dedicated photo spots are set up at Tokyo Station, Waters Takeshiba, and the Oimachi Tracks business park. Waters Takeshiba also hosts a unique layered stamp experience where four overlapping designs combine into a single picture, plus a Honda Koraidon display on the ground floor.

JR East Pokémon stamp rally 2026 Pokémon-wrapped train livery Yamanote Keihin-Tohoku Chuo
Image courtesy of JR East

Captain Pikachu Meet-and-Greet

A free Captain Pikachu character meet-and-greet is scheduled at two venues — advance reservation is required and no same-day slots are available.

  • Oimachi Tracks: 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 July
  • Waters Takeshiba: 1, 8, 15, 22 August

Up to four guests per group; 15 groups per session across four daily sessions. The reservation window for Waters Takeshiba opens 27 July at noon JST (11:00 AM SGT) through 29 July at noon. Full booking details are on the official JR East event site (Japanese).

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 deluxe special stamp book with Pokémon pass case
Image courtesy of JR East

How to Participate — Tips for Singapore Visitors

Getting started requires nothing more than showing up at a major JR East station from 16 July and picking up a free stamp booklet at the dedicated desk. Your existing IC card or Suica — the same card you use to get around Tokyo — is all you need to hop between stations. A JR Pass also covers Shinkansen course stations.

If you want something more substantial to keep, a deluxe edition stamp booklet bundled with a Pokémon-themed pass case is available at NewDays convenience stores inside JR East stations for ¥2,420 (roughly S$21) while stocks last.

Prizes are limited and distributed first-come-first-served at the goal counter, so if the 36-station challenge is on the list, build a dedicated station-hopping day early in the rally rather than saving it for the final weeks of August. All prizes must be redeemed by 1 September 2026.

Looking for more Japan trip ideas? Browse our travel guides for Singapore gamers.

Game News

Denshattack! Launches Tomorrow on Switch 2, PS5 and Steam

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Tomorrow, Tuesday 15 July, is the day Denshattack! stops teasing and hits the tracks for real. Developed by Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games, it is the kind of game that resists a one-line pitch: imagine Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, except your board is an entire gravity-defying train and the backdrop is a neon Japanese dystopia built from the bones of the Dreamcast era.

Trick Your Train Through Dystopian Japan

Denshattack! puts you in the boots of Emi Araki, a 19-year-old ramen delivery driver who stumbles into the underground world of Denshattackers — rebels who pull skateboard-style stunts on trains to resist the Miraidō Corporation, a shadowy megacorp that has sealed the ultra-rich inside protective urban domes while the rest of Japan runs wild outside.

The gameplay is pure arcade satisfaction: ollie, kickflip, grind, and chain manuals across 60+ stages roaming through recognisable Japanese regions — Kyushu, Osaka, Tokyo, Hokkaido — before spilling into fantastical set pieces that defy geography entirely. Boss battles escalate from eccentric to completely unhinged, each drawing from regional gang culture to keep the surprises coming.

Denshattack! train riding a pink looping track through a surreal landscape
Image courtesy of Fireshine Games

Watch the Official Trailer

Denshattack! — Creator Reveal Trailer via Fireshine Games on YouTube

A Soundtrack Worth the Ticket Alone

The music is one of Denshattack!’s genuine standout credentials. Undercoders brought in Tee Lopes — the composer behind the Sonic Mania soundtrack and a go-to name for that electric Y2K arcade energy — alongside Richard Jacques and SEGA veteran vocalist Takenobu Mitsuyoshi. The full game ships with both English and Japanese voice acting, and the aesthetic sits squarely in Dreamcast territory: if Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi had a train-obsessed little sibling, Denshattack! would be it.

Denshattack! yellow train bursting through a manga-style speed lines effect
Image courtesy of Fireshine Games

Where to Play — and How to Get In Free First

Denshattack! launches tomorrow across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. For Singapore Xbox subscribers it arrives as a Day One Xbox Game Pass addition (Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers), which is the easiest entry point if you are already on the service.

A free demo is live right now on Steam and on Switch 2 if you want to feel the trick system before committing. The demo has earned Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam — a rare signal for a pre-launch build. Check the Steam store page for SGD pricing.

Denshattack! customised yellow train racing along gold tracks with a giant boss looming
Image courtesy of Fireshine Games

For fans of the Japan-culture aesthetic, the Y2K arcade soundtrack, or just anyone who bounced off Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and wants the same energy at a faster pace — Denshattack! looks like a strong bet. Keep an eye on Game News for first impressions once the review embargo lifts at launch tomorrow.