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Nintendo suggests there will be enhanced Switch 2 versions of some Switch games

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In the small print of an explainer about its new Virtual Game Card system for digital purchases, Nintendo appeared to confirm that some Switch games will get enhanced versions for Switch 2 — or at any rate, versions native to the Switch 2 console. A footnote to the article reads, “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games can only be loaded on a Nintendo Switch 2 system.” The note also implies that the Switch 2 will use the Virtual Game Card system as well, and will be able to exchange Switch 1 games with an original Switch. The Switch 2 is confirmed to be fully backward compatible with its predecessor’s software, so it will be able to play ( almost ) any Switch game regardless. But Nintendo’s mention of “Switch 2 Edition games,” as opposed to “Switch 2 exclusive games,” suggests that some Switch games will get cross-gen versions that run natively on Switch 2 rather than through the backward-compatibility layer. This opens the door to enhanced version...
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MLB The Show does co-op better than its sports game competitors

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Modern AAA sports games have been overrun by card-collecting modes. The explosive popularity (and profitability) of EA Sports FC’s Ultimate Team has compelled most of the other major sports game franchises to imitate it — each EA title has its own Ultimate Team mode, the NBA 2K franchise has MyTeam, and MLB The Show has Diamond Dynasty. Beyond the predatory microtransactions that are ever present in some of these games, these card-collecting modes can make it feel like the genre is running away from its roots: having fun playing virtual sports with your friends. Most of these modes try to awkwardly shoehorn in a way to play cooperatively in an attempt to overcome this, but only MLB The Show is able to deliver on an actually fun co-op experience.  Diamond Dynasty’s ranked co-op is simple. Before games, each player chooses three hitters, one starting pitcher, and two relievers from their individual Diamond Dynasty roster to add to a collective roster that both players build toget...
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Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is an anime that makes knowledge exciting

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Though on the surface they seem to have next to nothing in common, I couldn’t help but think of Rogue One and Andor while watching Orb: On the Movements of the Earth , the latest anime by Hunter x Hunter and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End studio Madhouse. Specifically, it was Luthen’s speech in Andor when he says, “I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see,” that kept coming to mind. Though one is set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away and the other in a fictionalized version of 15th century Poland, you could swap the Death Star plans in that one hallway scene in Rogue One for an even vaguer and more abstract concept — the theory of heliocentrism — and you get at the core of this poignant, emotionally devastating, thought-provoking, inspirational anime.  Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is based on the manga of the same name by Uoto. It takes place at a time when knowledge is dangerous, and the Church’s Inquisition hunts down and punishes anyone d...
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Marvel Rivals gave Venom a twerk emote

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NetEase is giving Marvel Rivals fans what they want: a twerk emote for Venom, the team-based multiplayer shooter’s most caked-up anti-hero. The existence of Venom’s booty-popping animation comes courtesy of prolific Marvel Rivals leaker RivalsInfo . While Venom’s throwing-it-back emote is not publicly available yet, its arrival appears imminent and may be released officially with Thursday’s patch . Truly, one can almost hear the klaxon of this dumptruck ass backing up, it feels so achingly close. The inclusion of the twerk emote is an acknowledgement from Marvel Games and NetEase that Marvel Rivals fans can’t get enough of Venom’s meaty cheeks, and that the game’s makers can thereby profit from it. NEW Venom Twerk Emote In-game 🔥 #MarvelRivals pic.twitter.com/BMbQbk3tuZ — RivalsInfo (@RivalsInfo) March 27, 2025 You’ll notice that the Venom in the above clip is also orange — one could argue a bold peach . That color scheme is part of a new pick-up bundle for Marvel Ri...
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The 5 best cleaning games

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Spring is here, and that means it’s time for spring cleaning! No, I’m not referring to my actual home, which I guess I’m also going to clean at some point, but we aren’t going to discuss that today. I am referring, of course, to the far more soothing experience of cleaning up a virtual space in a video game. There’s just nothing quite like the sensation of moving a mop icon on top of a digital dirt pile and clicking, clicking, clicking until it all disappears. If real-life mopping were that satisfying and simple, maybe I would actually do it (instead I own this robot mop , which is great , but again, that’s not why we’re here). You might not know it, given how often I talk about my love of Elden Ring or parrying in Dark Souls , but cleaning games are one of my favorite video game genres — the perfect counterpoint to a tough FromSoftware title, if I may say so. Also the perfect end to a tiring real-life day! The five games on this list have seriously soothed my brain, and now I pass ...
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Daredevil: Born Again has my favorite supervillain battle: The Kingpin vs. the 0.1%

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In Disney Plus ’ double drop of Daredevil: Born Again episodes this week, the first one, “With Interest,” stands out as a great one-and-done superhero adventure that displays the pros of an interconnected setting and none of the cons. But episode 6, “Excessive Force,” deserves a nod, too, for introducing one of my favorite subplots of modern Marvel Comics: The hyper-rich running rings around Wilson Fisk .  Through its season, Born Again has built a steady drumbeat out of Wilson Fisk clashing with the usual mayoral way of doing things — but this week’s episode is the first one where he doesn’t manage to bulldoze over the hurdles within the same scene that they’re introduced. Hobnobbing around at a high-class event, the Kingpin finds that there’s nothing in his reputation, his pocketbook, or even his imposing physical presence that can earn him the respect of the truly wealthy.  The realization leaves him flustered, backfooted, and impotent in a way that we’ve rarely seen f...
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Win a Switch 2 from Polygon!

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We cover a lot of things at Polygon, but nothing gets us more excited lately than the Nintendo Switch 2 . And now you have a chance to win your very own Switch 2! All you need to do is take a few seconds to submit an entry. If selected, you’ll win a new Switch 2. As of now, Nintendo has yet to announce the price or release date for the console, though experts are predicting a June launch . In fact, Nintendo has said very little about the Switch 2 so far, but based on a mix of confirmations, leaks, and informed speculation, it seems that the console will have a larger 8-inch screen and will feature magnetic Joy-Cons , and that the Joy-Cons will allow for mouse functionality . Nintendo is expected to reveal more details during the April 2 Nintendo Direct , which will be dedicated to the Switch 2. To enter, simply subscribe to Polygon’s Switchboard newsletter using the widget below. Once you’ve signed up, you can submit additional entries by visiting Polygon on Instagram (@polygondotc...
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