29 Aug 2025
Our Summer Festival 2 Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "A Bunch of Mini-Games Set in a Japanese Festival" 🎈 @SAT_BOX_2011 #IndieGame #GameDev
QUICK LOOK: QUARTET – "A Pixel Art RPG That Channels Pure SNES Nostalgia"⚡ @SomethingClassc #IndieGame #GameDev
28 Aug 2025
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown Xbox Series X Review 8/10 ‘Turtle Renaissance’ 💙🐢 @StrangeScaffold #IndieGame #GameDev
Leonardo leads.
Donatello does machines.Raphael is cool but crude.
Michelangelo is a party dude.
Anyone (over forty) knows this to be true. Though “doing” machines is not something one ought to interrogate too closely. Anyway, I, like everyone I knew at school, loved the Turtles (NB. ‘Ninja’ in America, ‘Hero’ in soft-shelled Britain). And this game from Strange Scaffold promises to bring back the radicalness of the teen greens and blend it with turn-based tactics.
I am a great fan of the XCOM and Rabbids games, and as a starting point, TMNT:TT (as I’ll snappily refer to it) can be summed up as just that, a mix of those two. It’s not as detailed as XCOM, and it isn’t as silly and fun as Rabbids, but it manages to succeed on its own terms.
27 Aug 2025
Psygnosis: Games People Play - Tome One - Book Review By Britt – Author - Christophe Boucourt / Publisher - Editions 64K 🔖📖 @editions64K
First off, Editions 64K are a pleasure to work with and take their processes seriously, the book turned up swiftly and was incredibly well-packaged, almost to Bitmap Book levels of safety, with thick polystyrene corners ensuring that even during a bumpy delivery ride, your book will turn up in pristine condition. The cover of the book is mostly black, with a bold and stylish classic Psygnosis logo taking centre stage. ‘Psygnosis Tome One’ in a classic Psygnosis typeface runs down the spine, with the close-up ‘Owlface’ logo on the back, with a couple of blocks of synopsis text below.
Is OFF Still Brilliant in 2025? Nintendo Switch Ten Minute Taster Gameplay📴 @OFFtheRPG @pr_pirate @MortisGhost
26 Aug 2025
Acclaim Returns: A Bold New Chapter Begins September 10th 2025 🎮
The legendary publisher Acclaim is officially back—not as a reboot, but as a full-blown rebirth. Once a dominant force in gaming with classics like Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam, Acclaim is stepping into a new era with fresh energy and a clear vision for the future.
On September 10 at 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT, Acclaim will host its first-ever Play Acclaim Showcase on its official YouTube channel, offering fans a glimpse into its upcoming 2026 slate. A newly released teaser video, titled Transmission Received: A New Era Is Coming, hints at what’s next—flashing fragments of new titles through the glow of CRT static, blending legacy with innovation.
🔥 Not Just Nostalgia — It’s Retrofuturenostalgia
Acclaim’s revival isn’t about chasing ghosts. It’s about channeling the chaos and creativity that defined its past into something fresh and forward-looking. As CEO Alex Josef puts it:
“The old screens are cracking, and what’s coming through is something exciting and different.”
This new phase embraces Acclaim’s DNA while building a future that’s bold, energetic, and shaped by its own story. Expect surprises, indie collaborations, and a renewed commitment to high-quality, premium games.
EA AND FULL CIRCLE REVEAL SEPTEMBER 16 EARLY ACCESS RELEASE DATE FOR SKATE 🛹
Electronic Arts and Full Circle have officially announced the Early Access launch of skate. — the next evolution of the beloved skateboarding franchise — landing on September 16 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the EA app.
Free-to-download, fully cross-platform, and supporting cross-progression, skate. is built to be as accessible as possible for both longtime fans and newcomers. Set in the sprawling city of San Vansterdam, players will explore four unique neighborhoods — Hedgemont, Gullcrest, Market Mile, and Brickswich — each packed with skateable spots, from rooftop ramps to repurposed churches.
🎮 What’s New in skate.?
Flick-It System Returns: Rebuilt in Frostbite™ for precision and control
New Tricks: Wallies, slappies, firecrackers, and more
Off-Board Controls: Climb, roam, and discover new vertical playgrounds
Quick Drop: Place ramps, rails, and benches anywhere
Spectate Mode: Instantly jump into live sessions via Spectaport
Skatepedia: Learn tricks and styles with ease
🌍 Built With the Community
From day one, skate. has been developed in collaboration with its player base. Full Circle promises seasonal updates during Early Access, including new challenges, cosmetics, music, and world expansions. As Jeff Seamster, Head of Creative, puts it:
“No gatekeepers, no barriers — just a city built for skating and a community that keeps it alive.”
Whether you're grinding rails or just vibing with friends, skate. is more than a game — it’s a living, breathing skateboarding sandbox.
🕹️ Hyperkin’s “Competitor” Controller Launches October 2025 — Built for Precision, Priced for Everyone 🎮 @Hyperkin
Hyperkin has officially announced the release of its long-awaited Competitor controller, set to launch in October 2025 with a retail price of just $49.99.
Designed for serious gamers and casual players alike, the Competitor blends premium features with affordability—making it one of the most anticipated controller drops of the year.
🎮 GuliKit at Gamescom 2025 🎮 @GuliKitDesign
🎮 GuliKit at Gamescom 2025: The Future of Gamepads Has Arrived
GuliKit has officially raised the bar for controller tech at Gamescom 2025, unveiling a suite of next-gen hardware that blends precision engineering with player-first design. From the lightning-fast ES PRO to the customizable TT MAX, this year’s line-up isn’t just iterative—it’s revolutionary.
Whether you're a competitive gamer chasing milliseconds or a casual player tired of joystick drift, GuliKit’s new offerings promise to redefine how we interact with games. With innovations like the 720° tension-adjustable TMR joystick and Hyperlink 2 Bluetooth tech boasting record-breaking latency, the company is making serious waves across platforms.
Gaucho and The Grassland – “Latin Cowboy Life Sim!” 🤠 @epopeiagames #IndieGame #GameDev
22 Aug 2025
Quick Look: Star Racer ~ PC Ten Minute Taster ~ "F Zero Vibes in 2025!" 🚀 @whatnotgames_ #IndieGame #GameDev
In this quick look, we test drive the game’s blistering speed, retro-futuristic visuals, and pulse-pounding soundtrack. Is this the spiritual successor fans have been waiting for?
Quick Look: Dear Me, I Was ~ Nintendo Switch 2 Ten Minute Taster 🎨🖼️ @ArcSystemWorksU
Rich takes himself on a short, emotionally resonant interactive adventure, Dear me, I was... invites players into the quiet yet profound life of a woman navigating her personal journey. Through watercolour visuals and rotoscoped animation, the game captures her everyday experiences—joys, sorrows, and growth—woven together by the people around her.
21 Aug 2025
A Cat and His Boy (also available on PC) - Developer – Howdy Riceball *a short and simple adventure in a Game Boy style* 🐈👦 #IndieGame #GameDev
Whilst this is a fun little game that touches on topics such as alienation and how an unstable household can affect the children involved, it’s such a breezy experience that things don’t get too heavy.
20 Aug 2025
Giant Machines 2017 Xbox Series X Review 5/10 *Big machines with big problems* 🚜
The game begins with a pretty solid opening, yes it all feels very ‘assety’ – par for the course with a lot of ‘simulator’ type games – but the Southern American drawl that acts as your mission co-ordinator comes over the radio and tells you that you need to get into a transport cart and head on over to an enormous structure to prepare it for silicon ore mining. Leaving the vehicle shed, there is an incredible sense of scale as you flick through the radio stations on offer and trundle across the empty desert ground to the excavation machine, first fixing a hose, then moving lining it up for the mining, drilling, filling up the haulage truck, and finally getting the ore out of the complex. Played mostly in first person perspective, with various cameras selectable when on a vehicle / machine, the sounds of construction work really well, with each machine having a real sense of weight and power to them. It’s when you want to actually ‘move’ them that the real problems come into play.
19 Aug 2025
Alien Breakout Nintendo Switch Review 8.5/10 "An accessible, 100 level alien platformer!" 👽 @Vergiuu @eastasiasoft #IndieGame #GameDev
18 Aug 2025
Slaughter: The Lost Outpost Nintendo Switch Review 6/10 "Take Back Control of A Prison Run By Inmates!" 💥 #IndieGame #GameDev #SlaughterTheLastOutpost
Inmates of a massive, labyrinthine prison have broken free and anarchy reigns, cue the entrance of your lone hero – named Russell, natch – a man who is here to bring law and order to chaos…by shooting everyone dead in a blizzard of bullets and gore.
A third-person shooter with a focus on head-on action as opposed to strategic, cover-based gameplay, Slaughter: The Lost Outpost makes a solid first impression, running at 60 fps on the ageing Switch hardware, and the initial sections consisting of tense, close-quarter combat with armed prisoners, either blasting you from afar and dashing behind doors, or rushing you with knives. The industrial surroundings, little shortcuts through vents, and smooth ambient work gave off some pretty positive vibes for my first thirty minutes or so with the game.
15 Aug 2025
Golden Tee Arcade Classics Xbox Series X Review 7/10 "True Golf Classics Approach The Tee Once More" ⛳ @DigitalEclipse #RetroGaming
The Golden tee series of golf games were a mainstay in arcades here in the UK back in the ‘90s, and I have many fond memories of playing them throughout the country on various holidays and trips (and more recently, thanks to the awesome folks at Timewarp Arcade in Bridgwater). It was always good to see golf games in amusement centres, with the main two being the Golden Tee series and of course, the mighty Neo Turf Masters.
What set Golden Tee apart, however, was the trackball…which we will talk about later.
14 Aug 2025
Collectible Cars Shop Simulator Nintendo Switch Review 7.5/10 "That Endless Loop Has Become Oddly Relaxing" 🚗 @nostra_games_ #IndieGame #GameDev
13 Aug 2025
Quick Look: Operation Night Strikers (Operation Wolf, Operation Thunderbolt, Night Striker and Space Gun) on Nintendo Switch 💥💣
🕹️ X Rocker Levels Up: New Brand Identity & RGB-Powered Product Lineup 💺🎮
Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation with Veleno 2.1 RGB, Sparta RGB & Battlebunk XL RGB
X Rocker™, the global leader in gaming furniture, has officially entered a bold new chapter. Marking a decade of innovation, the brand has unveiled a striking new identity — complete with refreshed logo, dynamic iconography, and two new mascots, Neo and Melody — designed to reflect its evolution from audio-first chairs to full-spectrum gaming environments.
The rebrand, revealed in a cinematic brand film, celebrates X Rocker’s transformation under CEO Gary Shaw, spotlighting its rise as a powerhouse in immersive gaming furniture. To mark the occasion, X Rocker is launching three standout products that embody its new design direction and lifestyle-driven ethos.
🎧 Veleno 2.1 RGB Gaming Chair – £169.99 (Smyths)
Built for eSports and everyday play, the Veleno 2.1 RGB puts gamers at the centre of the action.
- Neo Motion™ App-Controlled RGB Lighting for infinite customisation
- Integrated 2.1 Audio System with twin headrest speakers and subwoofer
- Ergonomic Foam Padding for long-session comfort
- Universal 3.5mm Compatibility with PlayStation®, Xbox®, Nintendo®, and PC
Compact, stylish, and performance-packed — it’s a throne for serious players.
🎮 Gioteck™ Adds a Splash of Summer to Switch 2 🎮 @GioteckArmy
Introducing the Colourful New WX5 & WX5+ Wireless Controllers — Available Now!
Gioteck™ has unveiled its vibrant new WX5 and WX5+ Wireless Controllers — fully compatible with both Nintendo® Switch™ and the new Switch™ 2 consoles.
Designed to deliver next-gen performance without breaking the bank, the WX5 and WX5+ offer lag-free wireless gameplay across Switch 1, Switch 2, and PC. With bold summer-inspired designs and advanced features, these controllers are built to elevate every session — whether you're grinding through RPGs or battling online with friends.
12 Aug 2025
Rallyallyally Nintendo Switch Review 5.5/10 *A chaotic racer that’s fun…for a few minutes* 🛣️ @hairyheartgames #IndieGame #GameDev
There are very few options available to customise your approach to Rallyallyally - although you can choose from a large variety of vehicles – and the game quickly becomes repetitive, with some of the environments getting in the way, and the zooming single-screen action sometimes tipping over from chaos into seeming randomness, as you struggle to even find yourself onscreen, or which direction in which you are currently zooming!SUMMARY
A game that is fun for a short while, but the lack of customisation options combined with the fact that variety in the gameplay means that this is a tough one to recommend beyond those gamers that enjoy true, pure chaotic action in their racers.
11 Aug 2025
"RC Racing Reimagined" | ReCharge PC Ten Min Taster Quick Look 🚙⚡@play_recharge #IndieGame #GameDev
“Meet the G7 Pro: GameSir’s Most Advanced Controller Yet” 🎮 @mygamesir
🎮 GameSir G7 Pro: Next-Level Control Across Xbox, PC & Android
GameSir has officially unveiled the G7 Pro, a cutting-edge multi-platform controller engineered for elite performance and deep customization. Building on the legacy of the G7, G7 SE, and G7 HE, the G7 Pro introduces a suite of premium upgrades designed to elevate gameplay across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Steam, and Android.
50 Indie Games that Changed the World 📖 @BitmapBooks #IndieGames
We're super excited to announce the impending launch of 50 Indie Games that Changed the World from Bitmap Books!
https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Penned by experienced video game journalist Aaron Potter, and featuring an opening guest foreword by an indie game veteran in Thomas Was Alone’s Mike Bithell, you’ll discover the stories behind 50 of the most influential indie games released in the past two decades – from pixelated classics like Shovel Knight and Dead Cells to early masterpieces like Super Meat Boy and Limbo.
Each game’s chapter is also accompanied by a raft of behind-the-scenes concept art and high-quality screenshots that further showcase the level of variety only possible in indie games that are able to span a wide range of excitingly fresh genres and unique art styles.
How Game Designers Use Schema Patterns to Create Better Levels 💻
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Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash |
Video game level design is both an art and a science. Behind the most memorable gaming experiences lies a carefully structured framework that guides players through challenges, rewards, and discoveries. Game designers have long relied on schema patterns, recognizable templates and structures, to create levels that feel intuitive yet surprising. These patterns serve as the invisible architecture that shapes how players interact with virtual worlds.
Schema patterns in game design function much like familiar templates in other creative fields. They provide consistent frameworks that players can recognize and understand, while still allowing for creative variation. From hub-and-spoke layouts of adventure games to gradually escalating difficulty curves of platformers, these patterns create a sense of order that helps players navigate detailed environments without feeling lost.
8 Aug 2025
Indie Casino Games You Can Try Today 🎰🎲
Many gamblers have become tired of the same old slots and roulette wheels offered online at online gambling sites. While the top-notch game developers dominate most casino libraries, a new wave of indie casino games brings fresh energy and creativity to the online gambling scene. Smaller studios or independent developers make these captivating games and often feature imaginative themes, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a more artistic flair that catches players' attention. Whether you are a casual spinner or a strategic bettor, trying out indie titles could offer a welcome change of pace. This comprehensive guide takes a deeper dive into indie casino games and explores what makes them so special and which ones are worth trying today.
Primal Planet PC Gameplay – "Dinosaurs & Caveman Chaos!" 🦖 🦕 @ThePrimalPlanet #IndieGame #GameDev
Rich steps into the pixelated chaos of Primal Planet—a prehistoric Metroidvania where cavemen clash with dinosaurs and ancient tech. In this gameplay episode, Rich explores the lush jungles, battles ferocious beasts, and uncovers mysterious relics.
QUICK LOOK: Drill Core on PC "They Said Don’t Drill Here. I Did Anyway" 🕳️⛏️ @DrillCoreGame #IndieGame #GameDev
Rich descends into the treacherous depths of Drill Core, a tactical mining simulator where every decision counts. In this full PC gameplay session, Rich navigates hazardous terrain, upgrades drilling systems, and uncovers hidden resources critical to survival and progression.
7 Aug 2025
Quick Look: PINEAPPLE: A Bittersweet Revenge 🍍 @p_e_works #IndieGame #GameDev
🍍 A Bittersweet Feast of Vengeance 🍍
6 Aug 2025
Labyrinth of the Demon King PS5 Review 8/10 “Let’s Horror like its 1996” @jrhudepohl #IndieGame #GameDev
Composer World - Developer: Dynamic Voltage Games Available on: Nintendo Switch *Create music on your Switch!* 🎶🎺🥁
Write music in many styles! Classical, retro, electronic, synth, pop, jazz, etc - with a controller or touchscreen.
Composer World is a unique way to write music. It includes hundreds of instruments/drum sets across many styles. You can create music that sounds like a real orchestra, or compose a track that sounds like it's from a retro game console.
Includes a multi-touch piano with over 100 sounds to choose from - as well as drum pads. Use these to practice, brainstorm a song, or to record in music in real time.
5 Aug 2025
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset for Nintendo Switch - Review By Britt 🎧
Compatible with Nintendo Switch™ | Nintendo Switch™ Lite | Nintendo Switch™ - OLED Model | Nintendo Switch™ 2, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 comes in white with Nintendo branding, as this is an officially licensed product. Coming in at under £30,this is a bargain wired headset that covers a lot of ground in terms of flexibility – fitting both myself, my partner, and our young son, comfortably – whilst sporting straightforward design and ease of use.
4 Aug 2025
Dance Of Cards Nintendo Switch Gameplay "A Roguelite That Shuffles the Deck" 🃏🎴 @pineapple_works #IndieGame #GameDev
Rich buys in to sit at the table in Dance of Cards – a tactical roguelite where every shuffle can seal your fate! In this video, Rich dives deep into the card-slinging combat, explores deck-building mechanics, and uncovers why this Switch title might be the hidden gem of the year.
✨ Gameplay Highlights:
Unique roguelite mechanics 🔁
Strategic card battles that test your tactics 🧠
Beautifully moody visuals & chilling soundtrack 🎼
First impressions from the GamesFreezer crew 👀
🎲 Whether you're into strategy games or just love a twist of randomness, this one’s for you!
🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more gameplay deep-dives and retro-inspired picks!
🔎 Read The review by Britt here:
GuliKit Elves 2 Controller Review By Britt 🎮 @GuliKitDesign
A couple of months ago, I covered the very cool Gulikit Elves 2 Pro Controller, and here we are covering their new Elves 2 controller, which is available now from Amazon!
In terms of shape and feel, there isn’t much distinction between the two - both being of high quality – but there’s a lot going on under the proverbial bonnet, which I’ll highlight below. The main visual difference is that they come in different styles, for instance, the Elves 2 Pro comes in black and Japanese Sega Saturn-style form, whereas the Elves 2 comes in black, or coral – which really stands out for me.
Both controllers also come with an included cover, which I personally find incredibly useful, especially if you store your controllers in a drawer, or travel with them a lot, I can’t express how it keeps them from being knocked around and damaged when not in use, I wish this was an industry standard!
GuliKit continue to produce controller at an extremely high level of quality that scratch that retro itch whilst being affordable, all the while sporting modern convenience, it’s a 100% record of thumbs up for their products here at GF!
1 Aug 2025
Quick Look - Wild Hearts S on Nintendo Switch 2 👹⚔️ @koeitecmoeurope #WildHeartsS
🔥Welcome to the Wild Hunt!🔥
Join Rich as he dives into Wild Hearts S on the Nintendo Switch 2—an epic fusion of feral beasts and Karakuri-powered combat! In this gameplay video, you’ll witness beautifully savage creatures infused with nature’s wrath, and see how Rich adapts with ancient tech and customized gear to take them down [or not].
⚔️ Highlights include:- Four-season hunting grounds 🌸❄️🍂☀️
- Crafting traps, gliders, and healing stations mid-battle with Karakuri
- Co-op hunting in seamless multiplayer (Switch 2 exclusive!)
- Upgrading weapons and armour with beast materials
- Tactical takedowns of towering Kemono beasts