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Nintendo is officially raising the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, bumping the hybrid console’s base MSRP from $450 to $500. With current retail bundles already vanishing from storefronts, this weekend marks your final opportunity to lock in original launch pricing before hardware costs go up.

News & Reviews

Fable’s Main Quest Will Take About 20 Hours to Beat · IGN Playground Games associate game directors Will Kennedy and Craig Littler confirmed that Fable will feature roughly 15 to 20 hours of mainline quest gameplay, accompanied by an additional 15 to 20 hours of side quests and open-world exploration. While considerably leaner than 50-plus hour open-world behemoths like The Witcher 3 or Elden Ring, it stands as the longest campaign in franchise history and is backed by limitless life simulation systems that players can pursue indefinitely. It is shaping up to deliver focused storytelling without unnecessary filler when it launches on February 23, 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

GTA 5’s Michael Actor Defends GTA 6 After Doubters Say Rockstar’s Games Look Too Similar · IGN Ned Luke, the actor behind Grand Theft Auto 5 protagonist Michael De Santa, fired back at vocal online critics who claim Grand Theft Auto 6 looks too similar to its 2013 predecessor, calling naysayers “out of their minds”. Luke pointed out that the 13-year technical evolution is immediately visible in genuine human locomotion, detailed character models, vehicle destruction, and visual polish that surpasses even Red Dead Redemption 2. His spirited defense adds veteran weight to Rockstar’s showcase ahead of the game’s anticipated launch on November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

4 Penny Coffins Lets You Play 19th-Century Detective – Or a 10-Foot Demon Ripping Friends in Half · IGN Other Ocean Interactive debuted a gameplay look at 4 Penny Coffins, an eight-player social deduction title described as Jack the Ripper meets Among Us with a dose of Tim Schafer-style irreverent humor. Seven investigators utilize distinct forensic abilities—such as blood spatter and fingerprint analysis—to expose the murderer before another killing occurs, while one undercover player can transform into a 10-foot demonic beast to butcher teammates. Featuring a striking monochromatic graphic novel art style inspired by From Hell and an offline solo “Magistrate” deduction mode, it is shaping up to be an inventive party game for mystery and horror fans.

The Pokémon Company on PokémonXP’s Lottery System, Long Lines, and Limited Access to Workshops · IGN The Pokémon Company International responded to attendee frustration regarding badge shortages, long lines, and exclusive workshop lotteries at the inaugural PokémonXP fan convention in San Francisco. Global events producer Chris Brown explained that an interest list lottery was the only stable solution after more than 130,000 fans registered for just 50,000 available passes. Brown emphasized that attendee feedback will dictate future operational adjustments, while confirming plans to expand future World Championships internationally and double competitive player qualification over the next five years.

GTA 6 Fans Think They Found Jason and Lucia’s Vice City Apartment in Real Life · IGN Dedicated Grand Theft Auto sleuths used historical Google Maps Street View data dating back to 2013 to identify the real-life architectural inspiration for Jason and Lucia’s Vice City apartment as Miami’s former Belmar Condominium. Public property records indicate the 1973 complex was sold for $12 million in 2022 and subsequently demolished, meaning players cannot visit the physical location today. Archived real estate listings revealed that Rockstar meticulously reproduced both the external facades and internal apartment layouts seen during recent gameplay footage.

Every Cosmere Tabletop Game Based on Brandon Sanderson’s Epic Book Universe · IGN Brotherwise Games is actively expanding author Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy universe across the tabletop scene with titles spanning Call to Adventure: The Stormlight Archive, the Cosmere RPG, and Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game. The releases translate novel lore into strategic card drafting, Allomantic metal burning, and narrative roleplaying systems. Enthusiasts can also look forward to upcoming expansions, including The Well of Ascension for the deckbuilder, dedicated Mistborn TTRPG rulebooks, and the area-control board game War for Roshar arriving on Kickstarter.

Free Games & Deals

Hardware deal hunters have a fleeting window before Nintendo’s price hike: Woot currently has Grade A Refurbished Nintendo Switch 2 consoles backed by full diagnostics and original accessories for $399.99, saving $50 off the current baseline and $100 off next week’s price. On the software side, Amazon has discounted the critically acclaimed Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake to $39.99 (rated 9/10 by IGN), alongside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2 for $34.99, which bundles an exclusive Zack Fair Magic: The Gathering promotional card. Additional console physical discounts include Nioh 3 on PS5 down to $39.99 at Best Buy, Resident Evil Requiem on sale for $53.99 at Target, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch 2 Edition down to $59.99 at Woot. Note that no active weekly giveaways or Epic Games Store free game claims were announced in today’s source catalog.

Also Worth Knowing

• Star Wars and Jurassic Park VFX Legend Phil Tippett Closes Studio and Auctions Memorabilia (IGN): Academy Award-winning visual effects pioneer Phil Tippett closed his Berkeley studio following Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidated decades of iconic cinema props, including original stop-motion The Empire Strikes Back AT-AT models.
• Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars Bombs in Theaters With $19 Million Global Opening (IGN): Ridley Scott’s $80 million post-apocalyptic thriller faltered with a 5th-place $19.3 million global box office debut, while fan-backed hybrid comedy Coyote vs. Acme secured second place with a robust $15.46 million domestic opening.
• Everything Coming to Disney+ in September (IGN): Disney+ unveiled its September 2026 programming schedule, highlighted by the streaming arrivals of Toy Story 5 and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, alongside live esports coverage of the KeSPA Hanwha Life Invitational.
• Grab Philips Shavers at a Steep Discount at Amazon Right Now (IGN): Amazon kicked off sizable discounts across personal care electronics, featuring price cuts up to 51% off on high-end models like the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra.

🎮 Would you like me to put together a targeted buyer’s breakdown comparing the upcoming post-hike Switch 2 bundles versus snagging the refurbished hardware deal today?