Category Archives: News

Game News, News

FFXIV Mobile Shuts Down in September — Global Version Officially Cancelled

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If you have been holding out hope for a global launch of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, today is not the news you wanted. Square Enix and Lightspeed Studios — Tencent’s game development arm — announced on 17 July 2026 that the China-exclusive mobile adaptation will end service on 30 September, and that the once-promised worldwide release has been cancelled entirely.

FINAL FANTASY XIV MOBILE | Global Official Reveal Trailer — via LightSpeed Studios on YouTube
Final Fantasy XIV Mobile in-game entertainment venue scene
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Mobile Eorzea Is Closing Its Doors

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile launched in mainland China in June 2025, developed by Lightspeed Studios under an official licence from Square Enix. The project was ambitious — a mobile adaptation of one of the most beloved MMORPGs ever made, with producer and director Naoki Yoshida personally involved in its introduction to players. It ran for just over thirteen months.

The shutdown announcement, posted in-game and signed by the FINAL FANTASY XIV MOBILE (Chinese Edition) Operations Team, cited “adjustments in business operations and changes in the market environment” as the reason Tencent and Square Enix mutually agreed to terminate their licensing agreement. The statement was frank about the disappointment this would cause beyond China’s borders as well: “To everyone who has been looking forward to the global version, we also offer our sincere apologies for being unable to meet your expectations.”

The Shutdown Timeline

Official FFXIV Mobile shutdown notice dated July 17 2026
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The winddown has already begun. Here is every date to know:

  • 18:00 (UTC+8), 17 July 2026 — In-game top-ups and new user registrations suspended. (This has already taken effect as of today.)
  • 11:00 (UTC+8), 30 September 2026 — Game servers shut down; the official website goes offline; players can no longer log in.
  • 11:00 (UTC+8), 15 October 2026 — Community forums and dedicated customer support close.

After the servers go dark, player account data and character information will be deleted in accordance with China’s Personal Information Protection Law. No compensation or refund scheme has been announced.

What Singapore Players Need to Know

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile gameplay screenshot: Warrior of Light riding a chocobo
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The China-only mobile release was always a closed door for Singapore players — you were never able to download it through official regional channels. The news that stings here is the global version. Square Enix had been hinting at an international launch, Lightspeed Studios had set up a dedicated global website with pre-registration pages, and the reveal trailer released through the official LightSpeed Studios channel framed the game for a worldwide audience. Many Singapore fans of the PC MMORPG signed up, watched the trailers, and waited.

That wait is now over. With the licensing agreement terminated, there is no partner to carry the project forward and no timeline to revive it. The main Final Fantasy XIV on PC — the Dawntrail-era live game, with the Evercold expansion confirmed for January 2027 — is completely unaffected and continues as normal. But the mobile dream is done.

It is worth remembering how much anticipation this project carried. FFXIV is not a small IP in Singapore; the game has a vocal, active local community, and a polished mobile port that retained the look and feel of Eorzea on the go was exactly the kind of project that could have pulled in a whole new generation of players. The studio had the backing of Tencent’s Lightspeed, one of the largest game developers in the world. And it still did not survive its first year in the market.

A Short but Earnest Run

Reading the official shutdown letter, there is a genuine warmth to it that is easy to miss beneath the corporate language. The operations team described the player community as having “truly brought Mobile Eorzea to life,” praised the veteran Warriors of Light who mentored newcomers through Eorzea’s complexity, and called those shared mornings and nights “a memory we will always treasure.” Whatever the commercial realities were, the people who worked on it clearly cared.

For Singapore players who had been watching from the sidelines, that sentiment lands differently. We never got to step into Mobile Eorzea, and now we never will. If you have been on the fence about the PC version of Final Fantasy XIV, the upcoming Evercold expansion in January 2027 is as good an entry point as any — the News section will keep you covered on all things FFXIV going forward.

Manga Anime, News

Tiny Metal: Zero Line Anime Revealed — Studio Khara Director, Fire Emblem Artist, and a First Teaser

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If you grew up queueing tanks and infantry on a grid — Game Boy Advance cartridge in hand, trying to out-think the enemy AI — the name Tiny Metal probably means something to you. AREA35’s turn-based tactics series has spent nearly a decade earning its reputation as the spiritual heir to Advance Wars, and now the franchise is making the leap to anime. The project is called TINY METAL ZERO LINE (零戦線), and its debut teaser, screened at Japan Expo 2026 in Paris on 9 July, has strategy fans across Asia paying close attention.

An Advance Wars Heir Gets Its Anime Moment

Major Nathan Gries in military helmet — still from the Tiny Metal: Zero Line official teaser
Still from AREA35’s official teaser

AREA35 unveiled the project alongside animation studio SAFEHOUSE — the team behind Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance — and a pilot episode directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi, a storyboarder and key animator whose credits span DAN DA DAN, The Heike Story, and Tatami Time Machine Blues, all produced under the banner of Studio Khara. It is Kobayashi’s directorial debut, and the choice of SAFEHOUSE for animation suggests AREA35 is aiming for something with serious visual ambition rather than a quick franchise cash-in.

Series scripts are handled by writer Hirotaka Inaba, with original story and production supervised by AREA35 founder Hiroaki Yura. Rounding out the crew are composers Yuu Miyake and Jessica Mao, and an art direction credit for Koji Moriga.

The Character Designer Singapore Gamers Will Recognise

Tiny Metal: Zero Line Official Teaser — via TINY METAL GAME on YouTube

The name that will turn heads among fans of Japanese tactical RPGs is Yūsuke Kozaki. Alongside character designer Go Takahashi, Kozaki is responsible for the anime’s visual identity — and his portfolio reads like a highlight reel of beloved Asian gaming: he designed the characters for Fire Emblem Fates and Fire Emblem Awakening, two entries in Nintendo’s strategy RPG series that remain hugely popular across Southeast Asia. His aesthetic sensibility — clean linework, expressive faces, military detail — fits the Tiny Metal world well, and it is one reason the early character art has made an impression even before broadcast details emerge.

The voice cast is equally notable. Toshiyuki Toyonaga plays protagonist Major Nathan Gries, Kenjiro Tsuda voices Lord General Isoroku Tsukumo, Mikako Komatsu takes the role of Wolfram — leader of the White Fangs — and Riho Kuma plays Nora Godwin.

The Story So Far

Tiny Metal Zero Line 零戦線 title reveal from the official teaser
Still from AREA35’s official teaser

The anime’s setting is a post-war world haunted by what the story calls “the Lost Tech” — caches of powerful military hardware buried and forgotten after a devastating conflict, now a powder keg waiting for the wrong hands. Major Gries believes the only way to keep that powder keg cold is to locate and lock down every cache before they can be weaponised. Things get complicated when an unknown signal is detected beneath the Northridge Alps, drawing Gries, Tsukumo, and Wolfram’s White Fangs into an uneasy alliance.

Fans of the game series will recognise the world’s mix of retro military aesthetics and anime character energy — think grimy tanks alongside sharp character designs, low-stakes political intrigue that can turn lethal. For the uninitiated, the teaser gives just enough: moody lighting, tense faces, and the promise of armoured combat on a human scale.

Release Window Still TBA — But Already on Radar

No broadcast or streaming platform has been announced for TINY METAL ZERO LINE, and no premiere window has been confirmed. AREA35 is simultaneously developing the game series: Tiny Metal 2, which was rescheduled from 2026 to spring 2027 for Steam and other platforms, will also feature SAFEHOUSE cinematics, meaning the anime and the sequel game are being built in parallel.

For strategy fans in Singapore and across the region, this is the rare case of a game-based anime adaptation that actually has the pedigree to justify excitement. The anime and manga space is full of rushed adaptations — this one, at least, has taken the time to assemble a crew worth watching. We will be keeping an eye on the official TINY METAL GAME YouTube channel for the next teaser.

Manga Anime, News, Shop and Merchandise

Chiikawa Movie UT Tees Drop in Japan Today, Uniqlo Singapore Gets Them Mid-August

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The Chiikawa × Uniqlo movie UT collection went live in Japan today — and Singapore Uniqlo is confirmed to carry it from mid-August.

Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island – tropical island key visual
Key visual for Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island, opening in Japan 24 July 2026. © Nagano / Chiikawa Movie Production Committee

What’s in the collection

Launching today (17 July) at Uniqlo Japan stores and online, the Chiikawa movie UT collection includes eight graphic tees — four women’s cuts at ¥1,500 each and four kids’ sizes at ¥990 — all featuring original artwork drawn from scenes in Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island. The designs lean into the island holiday aesthetic: flower crowns, grass skirts, and all three main characters looking cheerful about whatever the Siren Arc is about to put them through.

Three sweatshirt styles follow on 24 July — the same day the film opens in Japan — rounding out the collection for the Japanese market.

Chiikawa movie goods banner featuring Usagi in island grass skirt and flower crown
The island-themed outfits carry across the full movie merch line. © chiikawa.toho-movie.jp

Singapore: mid-August

Uniqlo Singapore has confirmed the collection is coming in mid-August 2026. No exact date has been announced yet, but the range is already listed on the Uniqlo SG website. Chiikawa UT drops here tend to move quickly, so mid-August is worth marking.

About the film

Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island is the first theatrical film for Nagano’s manga, adapting the Siren Arc — the storyline where Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi head to a mysterious island promising “basically free” food in exchange for some tasks. As you’d expect, it’s not entirely what it seems.

Chiikawa movie limited theater-entry bonus keychains showing characters in island outfits, distributing from 24 July
Limited-quantity theater-entry bonus keychains, distributed from 24 July. The same island outfit aesthetic inspired the UT designs. © chiikawa.toho-movie.jp

Directed by Oikawa Kei with animation by Cygames Pictures, the film opens in Japan on 24 July in IMAX and standard formats. Haruka Aoki, Makoto Tanaka, and Ari Ozawa reprise their roles as Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi respectively. Singapore release date is still TBC.

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island — teaser trailer (via Far East Films)

For the full movie breakdown including the Singapore release situation, see our earlier post: Chiikawa’s First Movie Opens 24 July — Is Singapore Next?

Short version: The UT tees are live in Japan now. Singapore Uniqlo gets them mid-August. Set a reminder.

News, Shop and Merchandise

Godzilla × Sanrio Characters: Hello Kitty Goes Kaiju — Merch Hits Japan 22 July

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Toho and Sanrio have pulled off one of the sweetest cross-franchise collabs of 2026: seven of Sanrio’s most beloved characters are suiting up as Godzillas from five different film eras, and the merchandise arrives at Japanese retailers on 22 July 2026.

Sanrio Characters Dressed Across 70 Years of Godzilla

The lineup draws from the full sweep of the Godzilla franchise rather than sticking to a single era, which is exactly what makes it so nerdy-fun. Each Sanrio character is paired with a specific version of the King of the Monsters:

  • Hello Kitty — the 1954 original, grey-scaled and roaring
  • Cinnamoroll — also the 1954 Godzilla, complete with his floppy ears still visible inside the suit
  • My Melody — the Heisei-era Burning Godzilla, rendered in warm reddish-brown
  • Kuromi — a dark, spiked version drawing on the MechaGodzilla design
  • My Sweet Piano — a creamy beige kaiju variant all her own
  • Pompompurin — a fire-chested Godzilla with glowing orange accents
  • Hangyodon — a sleek dark-blue variant with distinctive shoulder fins

The official key art shows all seven marching side by side, Godzilla footprints and Sanrio motifs — bows, skulls, apples, swirls — scattered across the background. It should not work as well as it does.

Godzilla Sanrio Characters flat merch — stickers, acrylic stands and keychains
Image courtesy of Toho / Sanrio

Full Merch Lineup and Prices

The collection spans a wide range of price points, from affordable flat goods to collectible plush pieces:

  • Plush mascot keychains (マスコット) — ¥3,080 (~S$28) each; Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin, Hangyodon, and My Sweet Piano all available, each with a ball-chain and a hidden zip detail at the back
  • 3D rubber keychains (立体マスコットキーホルダー) — seven characters in soft-rubber form on coloured strap clips
  • 3-link acrylic keychains — three characters on a single keychain set
  • Random mini acrylic stands (blind box) — ¥660 (~S$6); 10 types plus one secret variant
  • Die-cut stickers and flake sticker sheets — from ¥660 (~S$6)
  • Embroidered mini towels (刺繍ミニタオル) — ¥990 (~S$9) in three colourways, printed with character motifs and Godzilla footprints
  • Melamine tumbler (メラミンタンブラー) — ¥935 (~S$8.50); features a sweet surprise — once the drink is gone, a hidden Piano-chan illustration appears at the bottom of the cup
Godzilla Sanrio 3D rubber mascot keychains featuring Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin and Hangyodon
Image courtesy of Toho / Sanrio

On Sale 22 July at the Godzilla Store, Don Quijote and Bic Camera

The collection hits three retail channels simultaneously across Japan on 22 July 2026: the official Godzilla Store (Tokyo and other locations), Don Quijote branches nationwide, and Bic Camera stores. The wide retail spread gives the collab real reach beyond the niche collector market.

Godzilla Sanrio embroidered mini towels and melamine tumbler with hidden Piano-chan surprise at the bottom
Image courtesy of Toho / Sanrio

No international shipping or online storefront has been confirmed at time of writing, which makes this effectively an import-only line for Singapore fans. If you have a Japan trip planned this summer’s school holidays — and Don Quijote is already on your Tokyo itinerary — this is one more reason to budget some extra baggage space. Proxy and forwarding services are the other obvious route if you cannot make it in person.

Godzilla Sanrio plush mascot keychains — Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin and Hangyodon in full kaiju costume
Image courtesy of Toho / Sanrio

Check the official Godzilla website for any additional stockist updates closer to the launch date, and keep an eye on our merch coverage for any word on regional availability.

Game News, News

FF Resonance Pixel Trailer: Lid, Nichol, and Four New Visions Revealed

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Square Enix dropped the Pixel Trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance today, and it is the most detailed look yet at Lancarse’s HD-2D RPG since the game’s initial reveal last month. Two brand-new party members stepped into the spotlight, the Vision roster ballooned to more than ten classic Final Fantasy heroes, and a pair of new world regions opened up — all arriving on PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC on 22 October 2026.

If you missed the original announcement, we covered all the essentials when Square Enix first unveiled the game. Today’s trailer is a genuine follow-up with substantial new reveals.

FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE – Pixel Trailer — via Square Enix Asia on YouTube

Two New Party Members Join Rain’s Crew

The big character news in the Pixel Trailer is a pair of new playable faces neither of the earlier reveals mentioned.

Lid hails from Dirnado, the continent famous for its airship technology. She is an engineer who built her own mechanical chocobo companion — called Mechabo — from scratch. Completing Lid’s subquests unlocks new skills for Mechabo, making her side content worth chasing for gameplay reasons as well as story ones.

Nichol comes from Olderion, a naval nation protected by the Wardens of the Waters clan. He is described as a careful strategist, though the trailer makes clear his more cautious nature constantly runs up against his adventurous companions. Together, they round out a cast that now also includes the original trio of Rain, Lasswell, and Fina.

Rain and party on a grassy field in Final Fantasy Resonance, showing HD-2D character art
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Four More Visions — Cecil, Bartz, Squall, and Zidane

The Vision system — which lets party members equip crystallised essences of legendary FF heroes for stat boosts, unique abilities, and devastating Resonance finishers — now has four new confirmed entries from across the series’ history:

  • Cecil Harvey (FFIV) — Versatile kit covering light and dark attacks alongside healing, making him a Swiss-army-knife Vision for tricky encounters.
  • Bartz Klauser (FFV) — Fire and ice sword skills built for staggering enemies; a strong pick for triggering the Resonance combo window quickly.
  • Squall Leonhart (FFVIII) — Damage that scales with consecutive standard attacks, rewarding aggressive play that avoids abilities.
  • Zidane Tribal (FFIX) — Debuffs enemy vitality and speed while buffing his own stats; useful for drawn-out boss fights.

These join the previously confirmed roster of Cloud, Terra, Tidus, Y’shtola, Shantotto, and the Warrior of Light — already one of the broadest cross-series casts in any Final Fantasy title.

HD-2D town exploration in Final Fantasy Resonance with pixel characters and moogles
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The World of Lapis Opens Up

Two new locations were shown for the first time:

Dilmagia (Machinopolis) is a steel-forged industrial city and the birthplace of airship technology, home to successive generations of engineers who all share the name Cid — a classic FF nod that fans will appreciate immediately.

Olderion (Aquapolis) is a coastal naval hub protected by the Wardens of the Waters clan and, according to the trailer, watched over by a deity of water. Nichol’s home region, it also holds the esper Titan, who unleashes Gaia’s Wrath when summoned.

Airship soaring over the lush 3D world map of Final Fantasy Resonance
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Combat Depth: Stagger, Resonance, and a Colosseum

The trailer fleshed out what happens after you land a stagger: knock out the entire enemy party’s stagger gauges in a single turn and you trigger a Resonance with your equipped Vision, dealing an especially destructive burst of damage. This gives turn order and target selection real strategic weight — you want to build toward that Resonance window rather than just mashing the strongest skills available.

Espers received more detail too. Confirmed summons now include Ifrit (Hellfire), Shiva (Diamond Dust), and Titan (Gaia’s Wrath). Each fights alongside the party for three turns before unleashing their signature attack.

For post-game players, the Pixel Trailer revealed a Colosseum with tiered difficulty fights that reward progressively better items — higher leagues pit you against iconic FF bosses. There is also the Twelve Legendary Arms system: twelve exceptionally powerful weapons obtainable only by hunting sealed monstrosities scattered around Lapis. Weapon crafting with the Vision character Aileen (who needs adamantite, found in crypts and side content) rounds out the late-game loop.

Rain and party facing the armoured Sworn Six antagonists on a grand staircase in Final Fantasy Resonance
Image courtesy of Square Enix

How to Pre-Purchase Before 22 October

Final Fantasy Resonance is available to pre-purchase now on Steam and the PlayStation Store. The Standard Edition is priced at USD 49.99, the Digital Deluxe Edition at USD 59.99. Pre-purchase before 6 November 2026 to receive the Blessed Cuirass and Mist Ether bonus items. SGD pricing has not been confirmed at the time of writing; check the Steam or PlayStation Store listings for local pricing once live.

The game launches across PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and PC on 22 October 2026. Check our Game News section for any further reveals before launch.

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.

News, Shop and Merchandise

FFX Turns 25 This Week — Daimaru Tokyo Pop-Up Opens Tomorrow

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Twenty-five years of Spira. Final Fantasy X marks its silver anniversary on 19 July 2026, and Square Enix is celebrating with a dedicated pop-up store that opens tomorrow, 17 July, at Daimaru Tokyo. The timing is sharp for Singapore fans: the FFX/X-2 HD Remaster hits Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia on 23 July, so anyone passing through Japan this week can grab exclusive merchandise before the game even drops locally.

Official Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary chibi art of Tidus and Yuna by Square Enix
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Daimaru Tokyo Pop-Up: Dates, Hours and How to Get In

The Square Enix Pop-Up Store — Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary runs at two Daimaru Matsuzakaya department stores in Japan.

  • Daimaru Tokyo (11F Event Hall, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku): 17 July – 3 August 2026, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (closes 6:00 PM on the final day). Entry passes for 17 and 18 July are distributed from 8:30 AM at the ground floor near the Louis Vuitton entrance — plan to arrive early on opening weekend.
  • Daimaru Shinsaibashi (9F Event Space, 1-7-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka): already open and running through 30 August 2026, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Both stores feature 25th anniversary commemorative wall art and deformed character mini panels alongside the merchandise. Purchase receipts from either location count towards the free-gift spend thresholds, so splitting purchases between Tokyo and Osaka is fine.

The Full Merch Breakdown — ¥400 Capsule Toys to the Fashion Collab

The pop-up carries an extensive range across collectibles, lifestyle goods, and premium fashion. All prices are tax-inclusive.

Collectibles and Daily Goods

  • Character plushies — Tidus, Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, Auron, Kimahri, Rikku, Jecht: ¥4,400–¥4,620 each
  • Graphic T-shirts: ¥4,620 | Shoulder bag: ¥5,280 | Tote bag: ¥6,050 | Canvas pouch: ¥2,420
  • Mini clear poster box set (12 designs, two variants): ¥11,880
  • Capsule toys (mini acrylic blocks): ¥400 per play

Music and Art Books

  • LP Vinyl set −Eternal Calm− (clear-coloured pressing, 20 curated tracks, includes MP3 download): ¥9,350
  • Eternal Spira visual art book (new Tetsuya Nomura illustrations, A4 hardcover, approx. 128 pages): ¥2,750
  • Memorial album: ¥3,520
Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary premium metal pin badge tin set, featuring three enamel and metal pins with the FFX logo tin
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Free Gifts With Purchase

Spend ¥6,600 or more and you receive one random rubber coaster from a set of eight character designs (Tidus, Yuna, Lulu, Kimahri, Auron, Wakka, Rikku and Seymour) — limited to one per customer while stocks last. Spend ¥3,300 or more for a random cup marker from a separate eight-design set. Both bonuses are distributed on the day of purchase.

Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary promotional rubber coasters showing all 8 character portrait designs including Tidus, Yuna, Auron, Seymour, Rikku and more
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The Daimaru Matsuzakaya Fashion Collection

Alongside the regular pop-up is the Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary × Daimaru Matsuzakaya Collection — over 20 fashion and accessory pieces designed around the game’s themes of ephemeral beauty and elegance. Highlights include a Stadium Jumper (¥38,500), Seymour Jacket (¥22,000), character graphic tees (¥7,700), logo cap (¥5,500), and a backpack (¥15,400). Square Enix has confirmed that post-event mail-order sales are planned online (Japanese), so SG fans not making the Japan trip will be able to order select pieces after the stores close.

Watch the Switch 2 Remaster Trailer

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster | Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announcement Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

FFX/X-2 HD Remaster Arrives on Switch 2 in SEA on 23 July

If Japan isn’t on your travel calendar, Singapore gamers still have reason to mark the calendar: Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster drops digitally on Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia on 23 July 2026, four days after the anniversary itself. The Switch 2 version adds a high-speed mode, a random encounter toggle, and sharpened visuals at full HD in handheld mode. Owners of the Torna ~ The Golden Country expansion also receive the visual upgrade free.

Final Fantasy X scene image panel strips featuring in-game screenshots of key moments, available as merchandise at the 25th anniversary pop-up store
Image courtesy of Square Enix

For those who cannot visit Japan, the Osaka Shinsaibashi store runs through 30 August, and the online sales window is coming. Check our shop and merchandise coverage for updates once Square Enix opens international ordering.

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Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Confirmed for Nintendo Switch — October 15

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Switch owners were left wondering when Konami first announced Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse earlier this year — the reveal trailer pointedly omitted the Nintendo Switch logo while confirming October 15, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. That uncertainty ended today: Konami’s official Castlevania social media account confirmed the Switch version launches simultaneously on 15 October 2026, day-and-date with every other platform. No delay, no timed exclusivity — everyone gets it at the same time.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse official key art featuring Rose Belmont and cast of characters
Image courtesy of Konami

Who Is Rose Belmont?

Belmont’s Curse centres on Rose Belmont, daughter of the legendary Trevor Belmont, wielding the Belmont family’s sacred whip, the Vampire Killer. The setting is Paris in 1499, twenty-three years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — and fans of the Netflix animated series will recognise the familiar timeline. A dark conspiracy lurking beneath the city’s streets pulls Rose into a conflict that echoes the battle her father fought a generation earlier.

The whip is not just a weapon here but a traversal tool: Rose can swing between anchor points, scale walls, and close gaps using the same weapon she uses to stagger and destroy enemies — a satisfying loop that keeps movement and combat intertwined.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse – Rose Belmont swinging with the Vampire Killer whip in a gothic interior
Image courtesy of Konami

Bosses Become Power — The Arcana System

The game’s signature mechanic is the Arcana system: when you defeat a major boss — Death, Medusa, Carmilla, Joan of Arc, and others — their essence is sealed into a tarot card that grants Rose new abilities. The loadout you build through these Arcana, combined with seven categories of weapons and equippable Relics, lets you shape your playstyle as you push deeper into the Metroidvania-style map.

It’s a design philosophy that should feel immediately familiar to fans of Dead Cells — and that’s no coincidence.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Release Date Trailer — via Konami on YouTube

The Dead Cells Team Brings Their Expertise

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse – atmospheric platforming scene in crimson-lit Paris rooftops
Image courtesy of Konami

Evil Empire and Motion Twin — the studios behind Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia — are developing Belmont’s Curse for Konami. That pedigree matters: Evil Empire has spent years iterating on tight action-platformer feel, expanding Dead Cells with a consistency that is rare in the live-service era. Applying that expertise to the Castlevania formula, under the supervision of Konami and for the series’ 40th anniversary, is about as encouraging a creative pairing as you could wish for.

The gothic art direction, visible in the screenshots, leans into vivid colours over the grimdark palette many modern titles default to — closer in spirit to the classic SNES-era Castlevania games than to more recent takes on the franchise.

What About Switch 2?

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse – Rose Belmont fighting a towering boss in a candlelit grand hall
Image courtesy of Konami

Konami has not announced a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 version. The game will be playable on Switch 2 via backwards compatibility — meaning Singapore players who have already upgraded to Nintendo’s new console can still pick it up at launch without waiting for a native port. Whether a Switch 2 edition with enhanced visuals follows later has not been addressed.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse releases on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store) on 15 October 2026. Physical pre-orders opened in Japan following today’s confirmation — digital pre-orders are expected to follow on the Switch eShop. For more game news, including our coverage of other upcoming Switch and Switch 2 titles, head to our news section.