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We’re only two days into April, but the gaming world’s already buzzing with blockbuster reveals, shaky launches, and a dash of April Fools’ silliness. From Nintendo’s long-awaited Switch 2 drop to Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ rocky sales, here’s what’s making waves this week as of 3:32 PM EDT today, April 2, 2025.Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Steals the ShowToday’s the day—Nintendo pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2 with a massive Direct, clocking in as their longest ever. The console hits shelves June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99 solo or $499.99 bundled with Mario Kart World, a launch title packing 24-racer chaos, dynamic weather, and off-road thrills. Pre-orders kick off April 9, and X is already predicting a Day One sellout. Other bangers? Kirby Air Riders revives GameCube vibes for a 2025 racer, Street Fighter 6 and Elden Ring join the lineup, and a new 3D Donkey Kong Bananza lands July 17. FromSoftware teased a steampunk-tinged mystery too. Posts on X are hyped but wallet-weary—$450’s a jump from the OG Switch, but Nintendo’s betting big on power and nostalgia.Assassin’s Creed Shadows Sales SlumpLast week’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows launch (March 20) isn’t aging well. By today, it’s clear Ubisoft’s feudal Japan epic is struggling—Steam charts show it trailing Monster Hunter Wilds and WWE 2K25, while Twitch viewership’s lukewarm. X posts peg it as “Ubisoft’s weakest AC launch in years,” citing buggy cutscenes, glitchy stealth, and the usual open-world bloat. Microtransactions aren’t helping either. Some fans still dig the ninja-samurai duo of Naoe and Yasuke, but the shine’s fading fast. Ubisoft’s quiet on sales figures—ominous for a title meant to rival Rise of the Ronin’s samurai swagger.April Fools’ Day Brings the GagsYesterday, April 1, was a prank parade. Palworld doubled down on its faux dating sim More Than Just Pals, adding a Steam hub, trailer, and a Lovander body pillow contest—X wonders if it’ll actually happen. PowerWash Simulator teased an Animal Crossing crossover, while NieR flaunted an 8-bit remake. PUBG dropped a playable dating sim with in-game rewards, and Sonic’s Japanese account pitched The Weekly Hedgehog with headlines like “Knuckles hires thieves for emerald duty.” X loved the creativity, though some groaned at the cringe. A few, like Croc’s Commodore 64 text adventure, even let you play the joke—check Time Extension for that gem.Future Games Show Echoes LingerLast week’s Future Games Show Spring Showcase (March 20) still resonates, with Billie Bust Up and Arcas Champions building indie buzz, and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster locking a date. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak keep the AAA hype alive—perfect timing, as Expedition 33 hits April 24. X calls it a “2025 preview feast,” and with GDC 2025 wrapping tomorrow (March 21), devs are still dishing details.Notable Bits: UFC, Xbox, and Weather WoesElsewhere, Nabil Anane’s upset over Superlek at ONE Championship 172 (March 23) has UFC 5 fans on X speculating roster shakeups—virtual fists might feel that punch. Xbox’s “Project Keenan” handheld rumors (late 2025) gained steam via Windows Central, with X dreaming of portable Starfield. And a wild card: a monster storm stalling over the U.S. Midwest, per The New York Times, threatens “generational” flooding and tornadoes this week. Gamers in Memphis might be stuck indoors—good thing WWE 2K25 (out March 14) and Monster Hunter Wilds (February 28) are still dominating.The Wrap-UpThis week’s a rollercoaster: Switch 2’s reveal has us counting pennies, Shadows’ stumble has Ubisoft sweating, and April Fools’ gags keep us chuckling. Monster Hunter Wilds and Split Fiction (90 on Metacritic) hold the fort, while the Future Games Show teases what’s next. What’s your vibe—Switch 2 hype, Shadows woes, or a prank that stuck? Hit me up below—I’m all ears.
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