Профиль

We caught up with the Game Preservation Society to see how their efforts are alive and well.

INTERVIEW – Inside the Game Preservation Society’s movement to preserve Japan’s rich video game history before it’s lost to timeFrom platforms no longer being supported to IP rights issues plaguing a game's legacy, there are several reasons we've seen games become unable to come to modern platforms. PlayStation's recent announcement that it will discontinue physical discs in 2028 does not help matters, either. However, one organization intends to take this matter into its own hands and preserve the legacy of Japanese video games. In comes the Japanese Games Preservation Society (GPS), an organization that seeks to immortalize Japan's rich history of everything surrounding its legacy; from software to magnetic tapes and floppy disks, to manuals, magazines, and technical documents, GPS is dedicated to archiving absolutely everything surrounding the nation's history in video games. All of this in collaboration with the Japanese government, no less!smashpad.com

This is a fantastic Splatoon game, and that's exactly what millions of other fans and I were looking for. If you've been wanting to experience this series but wanted a single-player focused experience, this is where you'll want to start. Our review:

REVIEW – “Splatoon Raiders” is the funnest single player experience in the seriesIf you don't like Splatoon, you won't like this game. That's quite literally the only real criticism here. With the exception of the looting mechanic, this game is essentially just more of the Splatoon formula. If you're looking for innovation here, you won't really find it.smashpad.com

We're back for another stream as we check out the silliest indie game of the week in Truck-kun is Supporting Me From Another World?! Join us! www.twitch.tv/smashpad

SmashPad - Live on TwitchTruck-kun! Let's crash into a bunch of stuff to save somebody in another world! | Streaming truck-kun is supporting me from another world?!.www.twitch.tv

Halo: Campaign Evolved really needed to put out a strong showing to make revisiting this for the third iteration worth the time. What Halo Studios has done is just that.

REVIEW – “Halo: Campaign Evolved” is a nostalgic, but still legendary, adventureSo, with not much changing, and The Master Chief Collection already providing a remastered experience (with multiplayer), Campaign Evolved had a lot to prove as a campaign-only experience. Well, most concerns fell by the wayside, even with the removal of nostalgia lenses. They nailed it. The title speaks for itself: Halo Studios evolved the campaign.smashpad.com

Rhythm Heaven Groove is a game with tremendous value, no matter how much time you put into it. Our better late than never review:

REVIEW – If “Rhythm Heaven Groove” is the Switch’s swan song, it offers a bow worthy of the loudest applauseIf you're the type of person who doesn't mind randomly playing a video game with a friend, family member, or loved one present, they probably already know that you're someone into the medium and will likely won't bother you for the rest of the session. Every once in a while, though, there's a game that'll get the attention of such people, likely to a point where they'll want to join you or at least ask "What are you playing?" To me, that's one of the best feelings in the world, and it's a feat that I think Rhythm Heaven Groove will accomplish whenever it's being played. That's part of why this series is so great.smashpad.com

Danreb was only in San Diego for one day, but he was lucky enough to try Nintendo Switch Sports Resort while he was there. Check out his preview from SDCC!

[SDCC 2026] HANDS-ON – Two thumbs up to Thumb Wrestling and more in “Nintendo Switch Sports Resort”Nintendo showed up to San Diego Comic-Con in a big way last weekend. In addition to wraps on San Diego Metropolitan Transit System trolleys, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort took over the bayside area of the Hilton Bayfront that overlooks the San Diego Convention Center. With a huge inflatable arch and a stage that would eventually host creators Dinocornel and The Rizzler, the Hilton was a nice quick getaway from the SDCC madness.smashpad.com

We’ve been getting a decent amount of Crazy Taxi clones over the past few years from various indie studios trying to find the hook that makes them stand out, and Truck-kun Is Supporting Me From Another World?! seems like the best of them all so far. Our review?!

REVIEW – “Truck-kun Is Supporting Me From Another World?!” brings Crazy Taxi chaos to an isekaiStrange Scaffold has stepped up with Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?!, which brings isekai concepts into a Crazy Taxi-style game where you’re frantically accomplishing goals while your buddy in the other world is fighting monsters based on how well you’re crashing into things.smashpad.com

Splatoon Raiders - SmashPad Plays youtu.be/iLFAadRmhsM?...

Splatoon Raiders - SmashPad PlaysYouTube video by SmashPadyoutu.be

Kusan: City of Wolves is kinetic, deliberate, bloody, and fun. There are many ways to play it, which is commendable for individual expression and replayability. I hope it finds an audience and a tight community to show us how the game can really be played. Our review.

REVIEW – “Kusan: City of Wolves” revels in astonishing, kinetic violence in an animalistic worldOne-hit deaths, no difficulty or assist options, ridiculous gore, fast reflexes required. Kusan: City of Wolves is about as hardcore as it gets.smashpad.com

The story mode can provide a challenge for the most hardened shmup vets, the heartstopper mode can offer a casual entry point into the genre for new players, and the arcade mode is there for players who want to experience a little more. Our review of Truxton Extreme

REVIEW – Despite some misfires, “Truxton Extreme” is good at its coreFor the first time since 1992, the Truxton series returns with its newest title, Truxton Extreme. With high-octane and vertical shoot’em up action, just how extreme does Truxton Extreme get?smashpad.com

Day 0 Update #588 - Hasbro's Hubris

Day 0 Update #588 – Hasbro’s HubrisIn this episode of the Day 0 Update: We talk about some good and bad Xbox news, Hasbro's hard times in publishing games, and games to look forward over the next couple of months. All this and more, up next! Intro What Are We Playing? C: Splatoon Raiders, Lazy Kickers, Leaf It Alone, Pro Spirit 2026, PowerWash Simulator 2 B: Splatoon Raiders, Deltarune…smashpad.com

Let's Weekend #526 - Return of the Tariffs

Let’s Weekend #526 – Return of the TariffsIn this episode of Let’s Weekend: We talk about the return of more Trump tariffs, a new outbreak of the diarrhea parasite, and what to expect of a reboot of Robocop under Amazon. Intro What Are We Up To? C: King of the Hill, Star Trek, Mortal Kombat II, eBaseball Pro Spirits 2026, SSone B: Splatoon Raiders, Deltarune, books, Savageland…smashpad.com

Our queen of MTG, Marie Ablaza, interviewed Head MTG Designer Mark Rosewater at #SDCC, talking about finding community as a new player, favorite mechanics and best sets for new players, hidden design decisions, learning MTG today, and the question Mark wishes more new Magic players asked!

[SDCC 2026] INTERVIEW – Magic: The Gathering head designer Mark Rosewater talks design for new players, communityAs someone who’s only been playing Magic: The Gathering for about two years, getting the opportunity to talk with Head Designer Mark Rosewater at San Diego Comic-Con was both exciting and a little surreal. I didn’t want to approach our conversation as someone trying to sound like a longtime expert; instead, I leaned into my own experience as a newer player still discovering the game.smashpad.com

While it can be on the shorter side if you're not aiming to crack open every treasure chest, Fading Echo is a fantastic action-adventure game with some simple RPG mechanics for upgrading your combat and traversal skills.

REVIEW – “Fading Echo” is a fluid action-adventure experienceIntegrating elements into games is usually an interesting time. Whether it's one of the various types in Pokémon or Persona, or if it's something that enhances your combat abilities like materia in Final Fantasy, elemental features can be fun to mess around with. Fading Echo is a game that allows the player to become one with the elements and use them to their advantage, all while playing as a girl-blob hybrid.smashpad.com

We played 45 minutes of Phantom Blade Zero and could not get enough of its stunning graphics and engaging sword combat. Check out our preview!

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Phantom Blade Zero” could be the big action fantasy gamers have been waiting forWhen it was announced at the tail end of 2023’s PlayStation Showcase, I had a good feeling Phantom Blade Zero was going to be a title worth watching. As time passed, and journalists, like those at SmashPad, got their hands on the game, I was hoping my chance would come. Well, Summer Game Fest offered the perfect opportunity, and I jumped at it. After playing 45 minutes of the upcoming action RPG, I can say that Phantom Blade Zero is worthy of the hype and, yes, plays just as well as it looks.smashpad.com

EARLY ACCESS REVIEW – “Tears of Metal” is a thoroughly humbling experience disguised as an invigorating hack and slash roguelike Tears of Metal is the world's premier roguelike haggis and slash. The action is tight, the style is Cool with a capital C, and the progression is intriguing if a little…

EARLY ACCESS REVIEW – “Tears of Metal” is a thoroughly humbling experience disguised as an invigorating hack and slash roguelikeTears of Metal is the world's premier roguelike haggis and slash. The action is tight, the style is Cool with a capital C, and the progression is intriguing if a little front-loaded. But to enjoy its fruits, you need to have turnips the size of the stones in Machrie Moor.smashpad.com

We're back to stream as we check out the new Splatoon Raiders to get some loot, upgrade our base, and kill a bunch of Salmonids. Join us! www.twitch.tv/smashpad

SmashPad - Live on TwitchSplatoon Raiders seems cool! | Streaming splatoon raiders.www.twitch.tv

OP-ED – Star Wars games are better when they have a point of view Star Wars can support almost any kind of video game. It has sword fights, space battles, military campaigns, criminal underworlds, racing, survival stories, slapstick comedy, and enough unexplored planets to keep open-world…

OP-ED – Star Wars games are better when they have a point of viewStar Wars can support almost any kind of video game. It has sword fights, space battles, military campaigns, criminal underworlds, racing, survival stories, slapstick comedy, and enough unexplored planets to keep open-world designers busy for decades. That range is one of the license’s greatest strengths. It is also a trap.smashpad.com

We got a chance to play with the newest character from Street Fighter 6 year 4's lineup, and this Filipina is going to be an absolute demon. Check out Danreb's thoughts and his take on her Tagalog moveset!

[EVO 2026] HANDS-ON – Pinoy Pride: New character Yasmine is going to put “Street Fighter 6” back in my regular rotationI got a chance to play 30 minutes of matches during Evo, and while Street Fighter has never been my forte, I'm eager to jump back in for some more Yasmine fun. In this piece, I'll go over that experience while discussing her known moveset, which is entirely in Tagalog (the primary language of the Philippines).smashpad.com

The best thing about Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game might be the fact that, first and foremost, it's a good fighting game. All fans of the Avatar have to do is watch it in action to see that it plays great homage to the series. Our review:

REVIEW – “Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game” demands discipline in a fast and intricate FGC experience that exceptionally uses source materialAvatar Legends: The Fighting Game is a little less concerned about catering to casuals and beginners overall and is just a good game first.smashpad.com