Gaming News — 2026-07-23#
Top Story#
Nintendo is finally taking us back to our favorite virtual vacation destination with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, bringing back the beloved Wuhu Island from the Wii days. The game is poised to avoid its predecessor’s lackluster launch by offering 12 sports out of the box and finally taking full advantage of the Joy-Con’s gyro capabilities for a much-improved motion experience.
News & Reviews#
Halo: Campaign Evolved Review · IGN Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, this remake is an impressive technical test that thankfully retains the series’ classic, satisfying combat calculus. While the glossy new visual sheen arguably alters the original game’s melancholic atmosphere, the addition of three brand-new prequel missions starring Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson adds a couple of hours of highly welcome, fresh cooperative action.
Microsoft Launches Test for Ad-Supported Xbox Game Streaming · IGN Microsoft is rolling out a test for Xbox Insiders that allows users to play supported Xbox cloud games for free with ads, bypassing the need for a Game Pass subscription. Players will sit through two minutes of ads prior to a 1-hour gaming session—a massive industry shift designed to offset skyrocketing hardware costs and an increasingly tough console market.
Warhammer 40,000 Warbond Confirmed for Helldivers 2 · IGN Arrowhead is officially bringing the Grimdark to Super Earth on July 30 with a legendary crossover Warbond. A teaser officially revealed the iconic Bolt Pistol, and fans are eagerly crossing their fingers for Chainswords, Lasguns, and Astra Militarum-style armor to properly squash the Tyranid-like Terminids.
Disgaea Creator Slams Sony for Scrapping Discs · IGN The outrage over Sony killing off physical PS5 game discs starting in 2028 continues to grow, with Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa slamming out-of-touch executives, stating if they eliminate discs they “might as well eliminate the hardware too”. Compounding the PR nightmare, reports claim Sony heavily anticipated this blowback and issued its strictest social media guidelines ever to gag their developers from commenting on the controversy.
Marvel’s Wolverine: Deep Cuts SDCC Panel · IGN Insomniac Games took the stage at San Diego Comic-Con to reveal highly anticipated details on their unapologetically violent PS5 exclusive. The panel promises a deep dive into the game’s story and characters, showcasing co-op combat with Jean Grey and a fresh look at Lady Deathstrike.
Free Games & Deals#
Foretales is currently free to claim on the Epic Games Store until July 30. It’s a clever story-driven adventure card game where your distinct playstyles and choices actively determine the fate of the world.
If you’re hunting for hardware discounts, you can snag a “New-Open Box” Logitech G29 Racing Wheel Bundle on Woot for just $156 with the promo code “LOGITECH22”, which is a massive 60% saving on a fantastic entry-level setup. Additionally, the 2024 GOTY winner Metaphor: ReFantazio is heavily discounted down to $24.99 on PS5.
Also Worth Knowing#
- Xbox Gamers Slam Paramount After Avatar Legends Delay: Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game was abruptly delayed exclusively on Xbox just hours before launch due to an unforeseen “backend feature,” sparking intense backlash from the community.
- Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Beta Leak: A massive, long-lost Game Freak internal documentary has leaked online, revealing over 100 scrapped monster designs and cut evolutions from the Sinnoh region.
- Steam Deck Demand Has Reportedly Cratered: Following recent price hikes and fierce market competition from newer handhelds like the Xbox Ally X, demand for Valve’s portable PC has reportedly dropped by up to 82% compared to last year.
- Virtua Fighter Crossroads Preview: Sega is taking its legendary 3D fighting franchise in a bold new direction, leaping ten years into the future with a heavy emphasis on a grounded narrative, Yakuza-style side content, and an accessible combat system.