Table of Contents
The gaming world’s been on fire this past week, with the Future Games Show Spring Showcase dropping fresh reveals, a UFC gaming upset tying into virtual fists, and whispers of Xbox’s handheld future keeping us on edge. From March 17 to today, March 24, here’s what’s been shaking up controllers and keyboards everywhere.Future Games Show Spring Showcase Steals the SpotlightLast Thursday, March 20, the Future Games Show Spring Showcase lit up screens with over 50 game reveals, hosted by GamesRadar and streaming across Twitch, YouTube, and more. Standouts included Billie Bust Up, a whimsical 3D platformer headed to PC soon, blending charm with tight mechanics—think Crash Bandicoot with a musical twist. Arcas Champions brought ape-fueled shooter chaos, while Lan Party Adventures tapped nostalgia with a mystery vibe for retro LAN fans. Bigger names shone too: System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster nabbed a release date, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 flaunted its eerie beauty, and Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak teased three-player co-op madness. Posts on X hailed it as “a buffet of indie and AAA hype,” and the follow-up FGS Live from GDC (ongoing through March 21) kept the momentum with developer interviews and world premieres. If you missed it, GamesRadar’s got the full recap—it’s a must-watch for 2025’s roadmap.Superlek’s Real-World Upset Echoes in GamingOver the weekend, ONE Championship 172 delivered a shocker: Nabil Anane upset Superlek by unanimous decision, knocking him down early and dominating throughout. Superlek, a kickboxing legend, looked off his game after missing weight, sparking X debates about his form. Why’s this gaming news? UFC 5 and fight game fans are buzzing—Nabil’s rise could shake up future rosters, while Superlek’s stumble might tweak his in-game stats. Trending on X, some called it “a wake-up call for virtual fighters too,” with EA Sports UFC patches already a hot topic. It’s a reminder: real-world bouts still ripple through our digital rings.Xbox Handheld Rumors Heat UpMicrosoft’s gaming future got a jolt this week when Windows Central’s Jez Corden spilled details on “Project Keenan”—an Xbox-branded handheld eyed for late 2025, alongside a next-gen Xbox for 2027. X lit up with “Game Pass on the go” dreams, picturing Starfield or Halo Infinite in your pocket. No official word from Microsoft yet, but with Nintendo’s Switch 2 looming and Steam Deck thriving, the timing’s ripe. Posts on X lean hyped but cautious—can Xbox nail the hardware? It’s a story to watch as GDC 2025 (March 17–21) unfolds in San Francisco, where whispers might turn to shouts.Assassin’s Creed Shadows Stumbles Out of the GateThursday, March 20, saw Assassin’s Creed Shadows launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, thrusting players into feudal Japan with ninja Naoe and samurai Yasuke. Hopes were sky-high for this dual-protagonist epic, but four days in, it’s a mixed bag—and not the good kind. Sales are tanking—Steam charts show it lagging behind Monster Hunter Wilds and even WWE 2K25, while X posts lament “Ubisoft’s worst AC launch in years.” Twitch streams are middling too, with viewership dwarfed by older titles. What’s the deal? Bugs galore—players report crashing cutscenes and glitchy stealth—plus the usual Ubisoft bloat: a bloated map, repetitive quests, and microtransaction nudges. Some on X still praise the combat and visuals, calling it “flawed but gorgeous,” but the vibe’s sour. Ubisoft’s mum on numbers, but this samurai tale’s off to a rocky start—Japan’s gaming glow from Rise of the Ronin last week feels far away.Current Kings: Monster Hunter and MoreSpeaking of charts, Monster Hunter Wilds (out since February 28) keeps its crown, dominating Steam and Twitch with Capcom boasting “record engagement.” Split Fiction (March 6) from Hazelight is another co-op gem, rocking a 90 on Metacritic—X posts dub it “friendship glue.” WWE 2K25 (early access March 14) is slamming streams too, with cover stars Paul Skenes and crew drawing wrestling fans in droves. Meanwhile, Two Point Museum (March 4) chills at 84 on Metacritic, a cozy hit for sim lovers. These titles are keeping pads hot as new drops roll in.NCAA Madness Meets GamingYesterday, March 23, Selection Sunday unveiled the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket, with games tipping off tomorrow, March 25. NBA 2K25 players are already simming brackets, while the College Basketball Crown Tournament (starting March 31 in Vegas) adds fuel. Expect Twitch to blend hoops and headshots as March Madness grips the community—gaming and sports are colliding hard.The Wrap-UpThe past week’s been a whirlwind: Future Games Show served a 2025 preview platter, Superlek’s upset bled into fight game chatter, and Xbox handheld rumors teased a portable future. Assassin’s Creed Shadows slashed in but stumbled, while Monster Hunter Wilds and Split Fiction held strong. With GDC still cooking and NCAA fever rising, gaming’s not slowing down. What’s your highlight—Shadows’ struggles, the handheld hype, or something else? Drop it below—I’m listening.
Comments