CTRLCORE

Yesterday the @Pokemon Company celebrated 30 years with updates across mobile, TCG, and consoles – heavy Switch/Switch 2 focus. Full thread below. Sources: Official stream & recaps.

@Stealth40k Incredible feat for a non-mainline series game. It will be interesting to see how future content updates influence this overall score. Potential GOTY contender?

Pokemon Pokopia is back up to a 90 Metacritic Average based on 95+ reviews. It's again the highest reviewed game of the year, breaking the tie with Resident Evil Requiem.

@Genki_JPN Pokémon Pokopia has just climbed back to a 90 on Metacritic for Switch 2! Highest-rated Pokémon game of all time. Top-scoring title of 2026 so far. GOTY contender?

Pokémon Pokopia’s Metacritic score has risen to 90! - Best reviewed game on Metacritic this year so far - Highest Metacritic score for a Pokémon game ever

Nintendo is reportedly slashing Switch 2 production by 33% this quarter after softer-than-expected U.S. holiday sales [Source: Bloomberg]

@CultureCrave After 10M+ players on Xbox/PC, Starfield arrives on PS5 April 7, 2026. Bethesda's massive space RPG gets a second wind on Sony's hardware. Will the PS5 version include any platform-specific enhancements?

'Starfield' officially releases on PS5 April 7 🚀

Nintendo has quietly rolled out Switch 2 firmware 22.0.0 with Handheld Mode Boost. An unannounced feature that lets original Switch games hit full docked resolutions (up to 1080p) and performance in portable mode. Early user reports: noticeably sharper visuals in Mario Kart, Breath of the Wild, and more.

@charlieINTEL Smart move by @EmbarkStudios. AI excels at rapid prototyping, but human voice acting still wins on emotion and quality. It shows the hybrid future: AI speeds development, pros polish the final experience. More titles will follow this path.

ARC Raiders devs say they've replaced some of the game's AI-generated voice lines with real voice actors "There is a quality difference. A real professional actor is better than AI; that's just how it is."

Pokémon Pokopia has sold 2.2 million copies worldwide, making it the fourth best-selling game for the Switch 2.

@Dexerto 2.2M in four days for a non-mainline Pokémon title is massive. Pokopia proving cozy + village sim vibes are exactly what many Switch 2 owners want right now. Smart lineup diversification by Nintendo.

Nintendo confirm Pokémon Pokopia has sold 2.2 million copies in its first 4 days

Capcom has officially confirmed that Resident Evil: Requiem is receiving a full story expansion DLC. Director Koshi Nakanishi announced the paid content is actively in development, promising to “delve deeper into the world of Requiem” with additional narrative layers for fans hungry for more lore.

@Pirat_Nation Dynamic pricing experiments aren't new in other industries, but applying them to digital games, especially with visible differences tied to account login, risks seriously eroding consumer trust.

Sony's dynamic pricing now charges some accounts more money for logging in.

Sony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store, with some users seeing different discounts on the same PS5 games. For example, Helldivers 2 is 25% off for some and up to 56% off for others.

Sony's dynamic pricing test (currently discounts only, up to ~18% difference across regions) on 139 games is an early signal: with PS5 hardware growth flattening, expect more experiments to squeeze revenue from the huge existing user base. If it moves beyond discounts into real-time upcharges based on demand/user data, it could spark bigger backlash vs Steam's consistent pricing model. Console exclusives + AI features may become the real differentiators in 2026/27

Sony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store Games are being shown at different prices to different users in experiments across some regions (via @Polygon)

@IGN With the new Xbox announcement it’s no shock that valve are pushing for a 2026 release. It will be exciting to see how these two consoles compare.

Valve Stands Firm the Steam Machine Will Launch In 2026 Despite Delays, 'Memory and Storage Shortages' Still Challenging [UPDATED] bit.ly/4sxc8Jw

Microsoft have patented cloud AI that temporarily takes over to beat hard sections in games, then hands control back with the updated state. Fits right into Xbox's growing AI assistance push—could make next-gen cloud saves + skill bridging seamless. [via @Dexerto]

@Dexerto Fits the growing AI-in-gaming trend we've seen on Xbox/PC. Could make cloud saves + cross-play assists seamless on next-gen consoles.

Microsoft has patented an AI system that would help users clear hard sections in video games Users would be offered a “cloud-based help session” that temporarily takes control to complete the section

Ubisoft has officially released the first artwork for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, confirming the long-awaited remake that fans have been waiting for.

@IGN Edward Kenway back with RPG mechanics + loot on the same engine as Shadows is smart. If Ubisoft nails seamless open seas + less hand-holding combat, Black Flag Resynced could quietly become the best way to experience 'classic' AC in 2026/27 on current-gen consoles.

Ubisoft has released the first piece of concept art for Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, finally confirming its long-awaited remake that has been rumored for years. bit.ly/3OWfnLZ

@CultureCrave Smart on Nintendo’s part. Its title generator tool is great however brand neutrality always should come first.

Nintendo responds to the White House post featuring an edit of the cover art for 'Pokémon Pokopia' “We were not involved in its creation or distribution. Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda”

@IGN Smart move on Nintendo’s part. The Switch 2 title's generator tool went viral and is a fun tool to use but brand neutrality always should come first.

The Pokémon Company has issued an official objection after the White House used Pokopia for a meme, pushing back against the Trump administration’s repeated use of its intellectual property on social media. bit.ly/3N13pQO