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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.
News

Nintendo Direct Tipped for 9 June — What Singapore Switch 2 Fans Should Watch

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Two of gaming’s most reliable Nintendo insiders are pointing to this Tuesday, 9 June 2026, as the date for a full Nintendo Direct — and if the leaks hold up, Switch 2 owners in Singapore could be in for a very big 9pm.

Nintendo has not officially announced anything yet, but independent corroboration from two credible sources is about as close to a lock as the pre-Direct rumour cycle gets.

Why This Nintendo Direct Looks Real

The two insiders driving the buzz are Jeff Grubb of Giant Bomb’s Last of the Nintendogs podcast and the leaker known as NateTheHate, who has built a strong track record with Nintendo predictions.

On a recent episode, Grubb stated he had specifically heard “Tuesday, next Tuesday” and “Tuesday morning specifically” — pointing squarely at 9 June. NateTheHate, writing separately, confirmed the Direct “will take place next week, the second week of June — that is the week of the 8th.”

Crucially, NateTheHate has already proved his Nintendo credentials: he accurately predicted the Star Fox announcement weeks before it was officially revealed at the Star Fox Direct on 5 June 2026. That track record makes this particular leak harder to dismiss.

Important caveat: Nintendo has made no official announcement. If the company confirms (or reschedules) the event between now and Tuesday, we will update this post.

When to Watch — Singapore Time

Nintendo Directs traditionally air at 6:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time, which converts to 9:00 PM SGT on Tuesday, 9 June. That is an excellent evening slot — you can watch it live from the sofa rather than dragging yourself out of bed at dawn.

The stream will go out on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel. There is no registration required; just open YouTube at 9 PM and search for the Nintendo Direct broadcast.

Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of Nintendo
Star Fox — Overview Trailer — Nintendo Switch 2 via Nintendo of America on YouTube

The Headline Rumour — Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

The announcement that fans are most loudly hoping for is a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2. NateTheHate has said the title is coming in 2026, with a holiday window being most commonly cited by the community.

The timing has a neat logic to it: 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, which first launched in Japan in February 1986. A rebuilt Ocarina of Time — widely considered one of the greatest games ever made — would be a fitting anniversary centrepiece, and Switch 2’s hardware has no trouble doing the original justice.

Again, Nintendo has not confirmed this title. But with NateTheHate’s credibility freshly validated by the Star Fox call, the Zelda community is treating this as a near-certainty rather than idle wish-listing.

Other Switch 2 Reveals to Watch For

A full Nintendo Direct rarely hangs on a single announcement. Based on what is known about Nintendo’s 2026 roadmap, here are the other segments Singapore gamers should pay attention to:

  • Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave — Announced for 2026 but still without a firm release date. A tactical JRPG with serious Singapore fandom; a date reveal here would be huge.
  • Splatoon Raiders — Launching 23 July, so a deep-dive trailer and potentially a Splatfest announcement are on the cards.
  • Third-party ports — Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2 have been named in community speculation circles as Switch 2 candidates. Neither is confirmed; treat these as hopeful noise rather than expectation.
  • A new 3D Mario — NateTheHate has said this is a 2027 title, so a first-look teaser is possible but not guaranteed.

Switch 2 Games Already Confirmed for 2026

To put the Direct in context, here is where the Switch 2 slate currently stands:

  • Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Already out (launched 3 June 2026)
  • Star Fox — 25 June 2026
  • Rhythm Heaven Groove — 2 July 2026
  • Splatoon Raiders — 23 July 2026
  • Pokémon Winds & Waves — 2027 (no firm date yet)

A strong Direct on 9 June would fill in the gaps in that calendar and carry the Switch 2’s momentum well into the second half of the year.

Last Words

Singapore gamers, set your alarms for 9 PM on Tuesday, 9 June. If Jeff Grubb and NateTheHate have it right, this could be the most packed Nintendo showcase since the Switch 2 launch last year — and a Zelda: Ocarina of Time reveal would make it an all-timer. We will be covering every announcement as it drops, so check back here for the latest Nintendo news right after the stream.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

MLBB at EWC 2026 Paris — Singapore’s Watch Guide for MSC and MWI

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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is heading to Paris this July under the banner “Two Champions, One Game” — and Singapore’s MPL team has a direct slot at the biggest Mid Season Cup in the tournament’s history. If you follow MLBB esports, this is the one to circle in red.

Two Championships, One Stage at EWC 2026

MOONTON Games unveiled its “Two Champions, One Game” vision in April, placing the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) and the rebranded MLBB Women’s International (MWI) side by side as equal world championship pillars — not one marquee event with a side show, but two full-calibre titles on the same global stage.

The 2026 Esports World Cup runs 6 July to 23 August at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, France. The event relocated from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in May 2026 due to regional uncertainty, with Paris confirmed as the host on 20 May. Combined, MSC and MWI carry a prize pool of US$3.5 million — the largest sum allocated to a single esports title in EWC history.

MLBB Two Champions One Game EWC 2026 key visual
Image courtesy of MOONTON Games

MSC 2026: Schedule, Format and Singapore’s Slot

The Mid Season Cup 2026 is the biggest edition of the tournament to date, with 25 teams competing for a US$3,000,000 prize pool (US$1,000,000 to the champion). Three stages decide the champion:

  • Wild Card (1–4 July): 10 teams in a single round-robin group — a pre-event qualifier held just before the main EWC festival.
  • Group Stage (22–26 July): 16 teams split into two 8-team double-elimination brackets.
  • Knockout Stage (29 July – 1 August): Single-elimination bracket culminating in a best-of-7 Grand Final.

The pool of regions has expanded significantly this year. India, Thailand, and Western Europe each have new qualification pathways, while MPL Singapore retains its direct slot, meaning Singapore will have representation at every stage of the main event. The full confirmed regional breakdown includes Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Middle East/North Africa, Europe, Turkey, East Asia, and the Americas.

MLBB MSC and MWI at EWC 2026 banner
Image courtesy of MOONTON Games

MWI 2026: Women’s Esports on the World Stage

The MLBB Women’s International runs 14–18 July at Paris, with a US$500,000 prize pool and open qualifiers spanning more than 60 regions worldwide — including the debut of Western Europe qualifiers. At EWC 2025, MWI became the first women’s esports tournament in history to surpass 100,000 Average Concurrent Viewers. That milestone cemented MOONTON’s case for elevating MWI to equal championship status alongside MSC.

Player Vivian from Team Vitality, who clinched her third MWI title with a flawless international run in 2025, became the first female MLBB athlete featured on the Las Vegas Sphere. The MWI 2026 field will be the largest in the tournament’s history.

When to Watch from Singapore: Your SGT Cheat Sheet

Paris operates on Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during July and August. Singapore runs on SGT (UTC+8), meaning you’re 6 hours ahead of Paris. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • Paris 10:00 → 16:00 SGT — afternoon viewing, very comfortable
  • Paris 14:00 → 20:00 SGT — prime time, perfect for match night
  • Paris 19:00 → 01:00 SGT — late night territory
  • Paris 21:00 → 03:00 SGT — die-hard fans only

MOONTON typically schedules marquee matches in late afternoon to evening Paris time to maximise European viewership, which unfortunately lands in the midnight-to-3am window for Singapore. Your best bets for accessible watching are Wild Card matches (1–4 July) and early-day group stage slots in late July. Once the full schedule drops, filter for morning or early-afternoon Paris timeslots.

How to Stream MLBB at EWC 2026

MLBB Esports broadcasts live on the official MLBB Esports YouTube channel, the MLBB Esports Facebook page, and on Twitch. The EWC also hosts a centralised broadcast at esportsworldcup.com. Commentary options typically include English, Bahasa Indonesia, Filipino, and other regional languages. Check the official MLBB socials closer to the event for the confirmed streaming lineup and language options.

Keep an eye on our Singapore gaming scene coverage for schedule updates, team breakdowns, and live reaction posts as the tournament approaches.

Last words

MLBB has been the banner carrier of SEA mobile esports for years, and EWC 2026 in Paris is shaping up to be its grandest showing yet. With Singapore’s MPL team confirmed in the main draw, the expanded MWI giving women’s competitors a proper world-championship platform, and a combined US$3.5M on the line, there’s plenty to get excited about. Start planning those late-night watch parties — Wild Card kicks off on 1 July.

Manga Anime, News

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames Opens in Singapore Cinemas on 6 June

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One of the most beloved anime series in Shonen Jump history is back on the big screen — and Singapore fans can catch it starting 6 June 2026. Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames is now showing at Golden Village (GV) cinemas across Singapore, brought to us by local anime distributor Odex.

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames 2026 theatrical film key visual
Image courtesy of BN Pictures / Shueisha
Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames — Final Battle Official Trailer — via Gintama Official Channel on YouTube

What Is Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames?

This is not a simple re-release. Yoshiwara in Flames is a fully reanimated compilation film produced by studio BN Pictures, under director Naoya Ando with a script by Taku Kishimoto. It revisits one of Gintama’s most iconic story arcs — covering events from episodes 139–146 of the original anime — in a brand-new cinematic presentation with a widescreen cinemascope format (2.35:1).

The Yoshiwara in Flames arc follows Gintoki and his unlikely band of allies as they storm the red-light district of Yoshiwara to rescue Seita and confront the fearsome Housen, ruler of the underground city. It is widely regarded as one of the series’ greatest action arcs, blending intense combat with emotionally charged storytelling.

What’s New This Time Around

The film is not just a HD upscale — it is a ground-up reanimate with added story material. New characters and original storylines have been woven into the narrative, including Enkaku, a brand-new character voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi. Familiar faces like the Shinsengumi and Katsura Kotarou also make appearances in the arc for the first time, expanding the scope of what was originally shown.

Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi commented on the production: “Thanks to everyone’s support, Gintama has once again been adapted into anime, and now another movie is being produced.”

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames 2026 announcement visual
Image courtesy of BN Pictures / Shueisha

How It Performed in Japan

The film premiered in Japan on 13 February 2026, debuting at #2 at the box office and selling 262,700 tickets in its opening weekend alone — earning over ¥405 million (approximately US$2.64 million) in just three days. It currently holds an impressive 8.7 on IMDb, making it one of the better-reviewed anime theatrical releases of the year.

Where and When to Watch in Singapore

Odex is bringing the film to Golden Village (GV) multiplex cinemas in Singapore starting 6 June 2026. Check the GV website or the Odex official site for the latest showtime listings and to book your seats. The same Odex release is also screening in Thailand and the Philippines on June 6, with Indonesia following on June 10.

For fans who missed Gintama when it first aired, this is a great opportunity to experience the Yoshiwara arc with fresh eyes on a cinema screen. And for longtime fans? You already know what you are in for.

Last Words

It is genuinely great to see Gintama getting this kind of theatrical treatment in Singapore. Odex has been a consistent bridge between Japanese anime and Southeast Asian audiences, and bringing a beloved arc like Yoshiwara in Flames to local cinemas is exactly the kind of event Singapore fans deserve. If you are a fan of the series — or even just a fan of well-crafted anime action — this one is worth a cinema seat. Head over to our News section for more anime and gaming updates.

Game News, Retro Gaming

Donkey Kong 64 Is on Nintendo Switch Online — Play It Now

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After 27 years — and only one previous digital re-release — Donkey Kong 64 is finally on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, live from toda

With the Nintendo Switch 2 having launched in Singapore on 26 June last year at SGD $719, it remains a great time to assess whether the Expansion Pack subscription is worth it for you. Priced at SGD $69.90/year for an individual plan, the subscription grants you access to 40 N64 titles (now including Donkey Kong 64), along with GBA, Game Boy, NES, SNES, and SEGA Genesis libraries—plus added GameCube access on your Switch 2. The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 today only adds more value to the service. For the full library list, visit Nintendo Singapore’s Expansion Pack page.

y, 4 June 2026. Singapore players with the Expansion Pack tier can download and play the full 1999 N64 platformer right now, with no extra charge beyond the subscription.

Donkey Kong 64 – Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics – Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What You Get with Donkey Kong 64 on Nintendo Switch Online

Rare’s legendary 1999 collect-a-thon platformer lets you take control of five members of the Kong family — Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong — each with their own special abilities and upgrades. Together they climb, swim, and puzzle-solve their way through treacherous worlds to reclaim DK Island’s Golden Bananas from the villainous King K. Rool and his Kremling army.

The Nintendo Switch Online version comes with quality-of-life improvements: higher-resolution output, smoother ~30fps performance (fixing some of the N64’s notorious frame wobble), fully rebindable controls, widescreen display support, and save states — so you’re not forced to marathon every Golden Banana run in one session.

Donkey Kong 64 gameplay on Nintendo Switch Online showing Diddy Kong in a jungle level
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Four-player split-screen battle arenas return too, so you can settle Kong supremacy debates with friends locally.

How Singapore Players Can Access It

You need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. In Singapore, the plan is priced at SGD $69.90 per year for an individual account, or SGD $119.90 per year for a family plan covering up to eight Nintendo Accounts. Once subscribed, DK64 is available inside the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics library app directly on your console.

This addition brings the N64 catalogue on Switch Online to 40 titles, sitting alongside Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, and other classics. Switch 2 owners on the Expansion Pack also get access to the GameCube library — and the Switch 2 launches in Singapore on 26 June.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack June 2026 new additions including Donkey Kong 64
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Note: DK64 is not available on the base Nintendo Switch Online tier — the Expansion Pack upgrade is required.

Why This Matters for Nintendo Fans

Donkey Kong 64 is one of Nintendo’s most beloved — and most elusive — retro titles. After its Wii U eShop availability ended when that storefront closed in 2024, the game vanished from all legal digital outlets. This Switch Online addition is only its second official digital re-release, making it genuinely hard to come by for anyone who hasn’t kept the original N64 cartridge around.

For veteran Singapore gamers who grew up with the N64 in the late 1990s, this is a proper nostalgia hit. For younger players, it’s the first accessible chance to experience the DK Rap in its natural habitat — and to discover why this collect-a-thon’s scope still impresses nearly three decades later.

Last Words

With the Nintendo Switch 2 having launched in Singapore on 26 June last year at SGD $719, it remains a great time to assess whether the Expansion Pack subscription is worth it for you. Priced at SGD $69.90/year for an individual plan, the subscription grants you access to 40 N64 titles (now including Donkey Kong 64), along with GBA, Game Boy, NES, SNES, and SEGA Genesis libraries—plus added GameCube access on your Switch 2. The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 today only adds more value to the service. For the full library list, visit Nintendo Singapore’s Expansion Pack page.

Game News, News

PlayStation State of Play June 2026: God of War Laufey, Wolverine & the Fall Hits You Need to Know

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Sony’s June 2 State of Play ran for over 60 minutes and packed in more than a dozen game reveals — but one announcement silenced every PlayStation fan in the room. We now have a new God of War, and Kratos is not the one holding the axe.

State of Play | June 2, 2026 [English] — via PlayStation on YouTube

God of War Laufey — A New Protagonist, a New Era

The show’s finale dropped the biggest surprise of the night: God of War Laufey, starring Faye — Kratos’ wife, Atreus’ mother, and a warrior who was supposed to be dead. The premise is tantalising: “Death was supposed to be the end, but for Laufey, a new adventure is just beginning.”

No release date was confirmed beyond TBA 2026, but the gameplay footage shown was clearly running on PS5 hardware, and the mythology-soaked world looks every bit as stunning as Ragnarök. For Singapore PS5 gamers who have been waiting for the next chapter after Ragnarök‘s cliffhanger, this is it — and we are watching Faye’s story unfold.

Marvel’s Wolverine Gets a Date: 15 September 2026

Marvel's Wolverine PS5 gameplay - State of Play June 2026
Image courtesy of PlayStation

Insomniac Games’ long-awaited Marvel’s Wolverine finally has a launch date — 15 September 2026, PS5 exclusive. The extended gameplay reveal showed Logan fighting alongside Jean Grey and clashing with cybernetic Reavers serving the industrialist Bolivar Trask. Sabretooth appears to be lurking as a key antagonist.

Combat looks brutal in the best way: a Rage meter builds with successful hits, Tier 3 unlocking a stylised monochromatic slaughter mode. The Healing Factor activates as a Last Stand mechanic when health hits critical. This is a full single-player action game — no multiplayer, no live service — and that alone has us excited.

Confirmed pricing: Standard Edition at US$69.99 / ¥8,980; SGD pricing has not been officially announced at the time of writing, though local PlayStation partners typically price at a comparable SGD rate to Japan’s yen figure. Keep an eye on the PlayStation Singapore store.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword — 25 September, and It Looks Stunning

For fans of Capcom’s beloved samurai series, Onimusha: Way of the Sword now has a firm date: 25 September 2026 on PS5. Set in early Edo-period Kyoto, the game brings the demon-slaying, oni-gauntlet action of the classic PS2 series into full modern 3D for the first time. A playable demo was also announced as part of the State of Play reveal.

This one matters particularly for Singapore and Southeast Asian gamers — Onimusha has always had a devoted following in this region. The feudal Japan aesthetic, the brutal sword combat, the yokai enemies: it all holds up, and then some.

The Full Fall 2026 PS5 Lineup at a Glance

Beyond the headliners, the State of Play confirmed a stacked September–October 2026 window for PS5:

  • Dune: Awakening — 22 September (open-world survival MMO)
  • Marvel’s Wolverine — 15 September
  • Control Resonant — 24 September
  • Silent Hill: Townfall — 24 September
  • Onimusha: Way of the Sword — 25 September
  • Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve — 2 October
  • Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition — 1 October
  • Rayman Legends Retold — 1 October
  • Phantom Blade Zero — 29 October
  • No Rest for the Wicked — October (date TBC)

That is eight confirmed releases between mid-September and end of October. Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition alone will have Southeast Asian gaming cafes buzzing — the Warriors franchise is a staple here.

Longer-Term Reveals Worth Noting

Until Dawn 2 is coming in 2027 as a standalone horror sequel from Firesprite, this time dropping ghost hunters onto an abandoned tropical island — branching choices intact. Kemuri, a yokai-hunting co-op action game from Ikumi Nakamura’s studio UNSEEN, also debuted for 2027; the Tokyo setting and supernatural enemy design look genuinely original.

PlayStation Plus subscribers get some treats too: Runescape: Dragonwilds hits Game Catalog day one, and Premium members get Gitaroo Man this June and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams in August — great timing to revisit the series before Way of the Sword drops.

Last Words

For Singapore PS5 owners, the State of Play just turned the second half of 2026 into one of the most expensive gaming seasons in recent memory. God of War Laufey has no date yet, but Wolverine, Onimusha, Dune Awakening, and Dynasty Warriors 3 all land within six weeks of each other. Budget wisely.

The full 60-minute show is on PlayStation’s YouTube channel if you want to watch every reveal back to back. And check out our coverage of other gaming news to stay up to date ahead of Summer Game Fest this week.

News

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Revealed — First-Ever Worldwide Release on 16 September

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The Pokémon Trading Card Game is turning 30 this year, and The Pokémon Company is pulling out all the stops. On 1 June 2026, they officially revealed Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration — a landmark expansion that introduces a new rarity, guarantees a foil Pikachu in every single pack, and is set to drop simultaneously across the globe on 16 September 2026. That last part alone is a big deal for us here in Singapore.

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration official logo
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What Is the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Set?

The 30th Celebration expansion (Japanese set code: m6a) commemorates three full decades of the Pokémon Trading Card Game since its 1996 debut in Japan. The set takes a dual approach: brand-new cards designed for 2026 play standards, alongside lovingly foiled reprints of iconic cards from across the game’s history.

Every single card in the set — including Basic Energy — is a foil card. There are no non-holographic commons here. Crack a pack and every card you pull will have that shine.

A Pikachu for Every Trainer — 30 Unique Designs

Here is the headline mechanic: each booster pack is guaranteed to contain one of 30 different Pikachu card variants, each illustrated by a different artist. Among the confirmed illustrators are Atsuko Nishida (who drew the original Base Set Pikachu back in the day), Yuu Nishida, and OKACHEKE. Completing all 30 Pikachus will be the collector challenge of 2026.

Each pack contains five foil game cards, one foil Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card — a lean but premium format that keeps every pull meaningful.

Meet the Futuristic Rare — a Brand-New Rarity

Mewtwo ex Futuristic Rare card from Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration, illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Futuristic Rare is a completely new card rarity debuting with this set. The inaugural Futuristic Rares are Mewtwo ex (157/128) and Mew ex (158/128) — both illustrated by renowned Japanese visual artist YOSHIROTTEN, whose work blends retro-futuristic aesthetics with vivid, almost holographic colour. The result is unlike anything we have seen on a Pokémon card before.

Beyond rarity, these are competitive cards. Mewtwo ex arrives with 230 HP and the attack Psychic Powers (230 damage, with a recovery restriction on the following turn), while Mew ex features Memory Helix for creative attack-copying plays. Both are set to be noteworthy in tournament metas.

Other new competitive additions include Greninja ex and Sylveon ex, alongside Illustration Rares for Espeon, Umbreon, Lapras, Hisuian Zorua, Drifloon, and Lycanroc.

Classic Reprints with a 30th Anniversary Touch

Classic Base Set Charizard reprint from Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration with special foil treatment
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The set also includes 30 classic reprints drawn from across the game’s eras — each receiving a special foil treatment and a 30th anniversary stamp. Confirmed so far: the legendary Base Set Charizard, and the Pikachu & Zekrom-GX from 2019’s Sun & Moon — Team Up expansion, among others. Classic reprints are not legal in the Standard format, but they can be played in formats that permit the original printings.

Think of them as wearable nostalgia — cards that look stunning in binders and feel great to pull.

What This Means for Singapore Trainers

Here is the part that matters most to us: 16 September 2026 is a worldwide simultaneous launch. In the 30-year history of the Pokémon TCG, international markets — including Singapore — have consistently received sets weeks or even months after Japan and the US. A coordinated global release date is genuinely historic, and it means local game stores and hobby shops in Singapore will have product on the same day as everyone else.

With the Pokémon Center Singapore reopening at Jewel Changi Airport on 1 July 2026, there is every reason to expect the Center to carry 30th Celebration stock from day one. Pricing in SGD is to be confirmed closer to launch.

If you are a competitive player, mark 16 September on your calendar — the new Mewtwo ex and Mew ex Futuristic Rares will almost certainly shake up the post-Worlds meta, and having them on release day rather than weeks later puts Singapore players on equal footing with the rest of the world for the first time.

Last words

Thirty years. Every card foil. Thirty Pikachus. A new rarity. A simultaneous global launch. The Pokémon TCG has not had a set this loaded with significance since the original Celebrations in 2021 — and even that set did not come with a worldwide day-one release. Whether you collect, play competitively, or just love the nostalgia hit of cracking a shiny Charizard, 30th Celebration is the one to watch in 2026. Keep an eye on GameTrader.SG as we get closer to September for local pricing, pre-order alerts, and whatever else The Pokémon Company announces for Singapore.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Star Fox Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 June — What Singapore Players Need to Know

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Fox McCloud is back, and this time he’s bringing the whole Lylat system with him. Star Fox, a sweeping remake of the beloved Nintendo 64 classic Star Fox 64, launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 June 2026 — and Singapore is on the launch roster. Whether you grew up screaming “Do a barrel roll!” or you’re discovering the mercenary crew for the first time, here’s everything you need to know before take-off.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 key art featuring Fox McCloud
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What Is Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2?

This is not a remaster or a port. Nintendo has rebuilt Star Fox 64 from scratch — same stage layouts you know by heart, but everything else is brand new. The visuals have been completely overhauled, the characters redesigned with a more animalistic look, and the entire game voiced from scratch with a full orchestral soundtrack replacing the original MIDI compositions. New cutscenes have been added between every campaign stage to flesh out the story of the Star Fox mercenary team and their mission to save the Lylat system from the mad scientist Andross.

Most notably, the game kicks off with a brand-new prologue: you play as James McCloud, Fox’s father, in a mission that sets up the events of the main campaign. It’s the kind of lore expansion long-time fans have been asking for since 1997.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay screenshot
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Game Modes Breakdown

There’s more here than a straightforward story replay. Nintendo has added three distinct game modes:

Campaign Mode

The classic rail-shooter campaign with branching paths — complete or miss optional objectives to unlock different routes through the Lylat system. Three difficulty levels are available, from a more forgiving entry point right up to the punishing Expert run that series veterans will remember.

Challenge Mode

Replay individual stages with fresh objectives not found in the main campaign. Think time attacks, score challenges, and new mission parameters. Normal and Expert difficulties are both available here, giving you a reason to keep coming back long after the credits roll.

Battle Mode — 4v4 Online Dogfights

This is the big new addition. Up to eight players split into Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf for competitive online dogfights across three dedicated stages: Corneria, Fichina, and Sector Y. Objectives rotate between zone control and cargo retrieval, adding some tactical variety to the classic space battles.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 multiplayer Battle Mode
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Switch 2 Features: Mouse Controls, Co-op and GameChat

Nintendo has built in several Switch 2-specific features that set this apart from simply playing the N64 original:

  • Joy-Con 2 mouse mode — Place a Joy-Con flat on a surface and use it like a mouse for aiming. It’s an optional targeting style that some players may find far more precise than analogue stick aim.
  • Co-op Pilot and Gunner mode — Two players can tackle the campaign together sharing one console: one pilots the Arwing, the other handles weapons. Great for playing with a sibling or friend who prefers not to worry about navigation.
  • GameChat AR filters — Chat with friends mid-session using Star Fox character filters overlaid on your face, similar to AR avatar features on other platforms.
  • GameShare — Compatible with the original Nintendo Switch, so you can share the game wirelessly with a friend nearby.

One thing for Singapore players to note: the Nintendo 64 Wireless Controller is not available for purchase in Southeast Asia, as confirmed by Nintendo’s Singapore page. You can still use Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2 without any issues — it’s just the optional nostalgia controller that won’t be on local shelves.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Arwing in flight
Image courtesy of Nintendo

How to Pre-Order Star Fox in Singapore

Pre-orders are open now on the Nintendo eShop Singapore. The global digital price is US$49.99 and the physical edition is US$59.99 — check the Nintendo eShop Singapore for local SGD pricing, as regional prices may vary. Physical copies should be available through local game retailers; keep an eye on GameTrader news for Singapore retail listings as they go live closer to 25 June.

The game requires a Nintendo Switch 2 to play — it is a Switch 2 exclusive and will not run on the original Nintendo Switch.

What This Means for Singapore Gamers

Star Fox has been on ice for nearly a decade. The last mainline game — Star Fox Zero for Wii U — landed back in 2016, and the series has been largely dormant since. This remake is Nintendo signalling that it believes in the franchise again, and the Switch 2 exclusive status means it doubles as a system-seller for anyone on the fence about upgrading.

For Singapore Switch 2 owners, 25 June is shaping up to be a genuinely exciting date. The Battle Mode online component also means Singapore players can jump into competitive dogfights with the global community from day one. If the online servers hold up in the SEA region — and Nintendo’s recent Switch 2 network performance has been solid — this could be a game people are grinding well into the second half of the year.

Mark 25 June in your calendar. Do a barrel roll.

Game Review, GameTrader.SG's Comments

K-Pop for Dance Central?

1 Comment

Dance Central (DC) is an awesome game. After playing this game, a couch potato can be transformed into an amateur dancer in matter of days. Learning dance routine using Dance Central is a lot simpler for noobs like me who struggle with mass dance and Singapore workout. Just like any of the other Harmonix’s games, Dance Central offers downloadable new songs which you can get from Xbox Live. However, most of the songs available aren’t what I usually listen to.

Given the  rise of K-Pop, I hope Harmonix can consider getting K-Pop songs into Dance Central. Most of the K-Pop songs have dance routines that are suitable for Dance central. Imagine if songs such as ‘Sorry Sorry’, ‘Gee’ and other hot Korean pop songs are available for DC, wow…I would definitely by throwing my money to get those songs.

I just can’t stop myself from embedding some SNSD’s dance routine!
GEE

Genie

Hoot

And while I am at the topic of K-pop, what about having REAL Korean stars teaching you how to dance? Download Girl Generation virtual dancer for DC! Wow, that will be even more cool. Ok maybe they can have a new Dance Central K-Pop Remix game. I will be the first to buy this title.

Maybe Harmonix can also consider user-generated-content. User can choreograph their own dance routine and upload to the internet for all to download. This feature would be cool too!

Game Preview

Little Big Planet 2 – A reinvention of its predecessor?

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Little Big Planet 2 (LBP 2) demo was available for download at Playstation Store about a month or two ago. Trust that some of you might have already downloaded it and tried out the much anticipated title. The demo features three playable levels which demonstrated the various tools that are unique to LBP 2.

In the beginning of the first level, you might not feel that you are playing LBP2 but LBP 1 since the level outlook, physic and controls are almost the same as its predecessor. However, you soon get to try your hands on the new Grappling Hook which allows you to swing around. For those who played Worms 2 before, it is the same as the ninja rope in that game. Nothing amazing in my opinion.

For the second level in the demo, you are introduced to several of these robots that you can control. The first robot you get to ride on is a rabbit. Controlling the robo-rabbit does pose some challenge and you might lose control of it as times. Will be fun if you are playing with your friends and family seeing how they lose control of their robo-rabbit and get electrocuted when they touches those electrified pads.

After jumping your way around the first part of this level, you are presented with another robot. This time it is a dog that can emit ultrasonic wave. The waves emitted by the dog can push away movable platform making path for you to cross.

Finally, the last creature that you can ride on is a furry hamster that in my opinion looks kind of mutated. The ‘robo-hamster’ can charge in the direction it is facing much like Sonic. This part of the level is also designed to be a bit ‘Sonic-like’. Ok so much for my reminiscence. It can be inferred in some of the trailers I have seen that you might be able to create your own robot to ride on.

After playing through level two, you should have a basic idea of how sackboy can now ride on different kinds of robots. Until this point, I feel that LBP2 still lacks of something innovative, something that can really deliver the punch to make our money worth while buying this sequel. Basically, I feel that the first two level can be easily done with a patch to LBP 1.

In the last level, Media Molecule (the company who made LBP) included a multiplayer head-on level. Unlike traditional platform level, players are now thrown into a small area where the sackboys are equipped with a rocket launcher on their head. The objective of the game is to shoot each other and gain points. I think the developers have learnt the importance of multiplayer from LBP1 and are trying to provide a new competitive ways that players can compete with each other in LBP2.

This is kind of new compared to LBP1 but honestly, I think that players would want more than shooting rockets at each other. The demo ends with this playable level. However, if you have been following news on LBP2, you would know that there is more that this title can offer compared to the demo. In some of the videos I have seen, you can play shooter, racing and even real-time strategy games on LBP2. And it supports PS Move as well! You can also compose your own musical track this time!

LBP2 is coming to you this month! Look out for it!