Donkey Kong, Cyberpunk 2077, EA Sports FC 26... - This week's top stories #19
, by Thibaut
This week was one of adaptations. Donkey Kong, Zelda, Assassin's Creed and Mortal Kombat will all be adapted for the big screen or TV series. For the rest, we have redundancies, football and the critical success of a new Switch 2 exclusive.
Here's what you need to know about the week's news.
1. Donkey Kong Bananza gets rave reviews
It's now official: the new Donkey Kong is a critical success, averaging 90% on Metacritic. It is currently the third-highest-rated game on Switch 2, just behind the re-releases of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
2. Cyberpunk 2077 gets the 2.3 patch and a Mac version
Players can now download the new update for CD Projekt RED's title. It adds vehicles, customization options, graphical settings and automated driving. The game is also available on Mac.
3. Nintendo has announced the two main characters for the Zelda movie
The two main characters for the live-action Zelda movie has finally been cast: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will be Link and Bo Bragason Zelda. Keep in mind that it's coming to cinemas on May 7, 2027.
4. EA Sports FC 26 arrives in September
Electronic Arts' next soccer simulation will be released on September 26, 2025. Seven days of early access will be made available to Ultimate Edition owners. Gameplay improvements will be introduced in this entry.
5. The Need for Speed IP has been put in brackets
According to new rumours, EA has decided to put its racing franchise on the back burner. The publisher has also cut funding for a site dedicated to car culture.
6. Netflix and Ubisoft confirm Assassin's Creed series
The adaptation of Ubisoft's saga into a TV series has been given the green light by SVOD giant Netflix. It will deal with well-known themes from the franchise. No release date has been given.
7. Donkey Kong is getting a movie?
According to a U.S. trademark filing, a Donkey Kong movie will be released in the not-too-distant future. Nintendo has not yet made any official announcement on this subject.
8. Microsoft gives priority to Fallout
Behind the cancellation of ZeniMax Online Studios' MMO lies Microsoft's desire to bet on licenses that work. Several Fallout projects are currently being studied, and the development of the fifth entry in the franchise has been approved by the American manufacturer.
9. Rockstar Games Social Club closes its doors
Some 17 years after its first version, the Rockstar Games Social Club community site has finally been closed. No word yet on whether the star-spangled firm will be offering an alternative.
10. Virtuos announces major layoffs
Despite the success of Oblivion Remastered, Virtuos has decided to lay off 7% of its global workforce, or around 300 people. The studio in in the mids of a strategic change and will focus solely on ambitious projects from now on.
11. The Elder Scrolls VI is quite playable now
Although we haven't seen it in over seven years, The Elder Scrolls VI is well and truly in development. Journalist Jez Corden has declared that the game has reached a "quite playable" stage.
12. We finally know the ROG Xbox Ally price
We may already know the price of Microsoft's next two portable consoles designed by Asus. The ROG Xbox Ally is expected to retail at €599 and the ROG Xbox Ally X at €899.
13. July's Nintendo Direct becomes clearer
Although Nintendo has not yet announced anything, many rumors suggest that a Direct will be broadcast in the second half of July. Rumors included the possible announcement of an unprecedented Animal Crossing.
14. Santa Monica Studio is not working on a new license
If some thought that the studio behind God of War was working on a new franchise, this would not be the case after all. Indiscretions indicate, however, that it is possible to get the impression that this is a new license. We can assume that the game in question is some kind of reboot.
15. The Mortal Kombat 2 movie gets a new trailer
Expected in cinemas around the end of October, we've finally seen a Mortal Kombat 2 movie.