https://www.scmp.com/rss/36525/feed Nintendo is the world's largest video game company by revenue, and is also the majority owner of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball team. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto never imagined that the “little character I drew would become so big”, bouncing through the decades from pixelated New York sewers to a silver-screen space epic. There were more technical constraints when the red-capped plumber made his 1980s debut, says Miyamoto, the design mastermind of Japan’s Nintendo, as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits the cinemas this week. In the earliest Mario arcade games, the character was only 16 pixels tall, a far cry from the rich... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348737/tough-choices-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto-made-new-movie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348737/tough-choices-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto-made-new-movie?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +0000 James Mottram James Mottram 2/5 stars It will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that Nintendo’s crown jewels, those lovable plumbers Mario and Luigi, are back. The Super Mario Bros Movie was a staggering hit in 2023, grossing US$1.36 billion and showing just how beloved these video game icons really are. Now comes the inevitable sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Loosely inspired by the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy and its 2010 follow-up, the film takes us back to the hallucinogenic Mushroom Kingdom and its... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348483/super-mario-galaxy-movie-review-nintendo-sequel-looks-great-lacks-laughs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348483/super-mario-galaxy-movie-review-nintendo-sequel-looks-great-lacks-laughs?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:00:09 +0000 dpa dpa Nintendo Switch 2 just got its indie power-up – and it is wild: a Zelda-like game with a roguelike bite, a psychedelic Souls-like co-op, and Super Meat Boy going full 3D chaos. At every Game Developers Conference, Nintendo highlights projects from independent studios through its Nintendo Partner Preview. The coming projects on their systems are not all exclusives, but they are proof that indie studios care about being on the company’s platforms. The surprising part of the preview was that all... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347927/3-stand-out-indie-nintendo-switch-2-games-coming-soon-blighted-mina-hollower?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347927/3-stand-out-indie-nintendo-switch-2-games-coming-soon-blighted-mina-hollower?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:15:08 +0000 dpa dpa In Pokemon Pokopia, the development studios Game Freak and Omega Force show how the Pokemon phenomenon can be applied to Nintendo’s tried-and-tested gameplay formula from the Animal Crossing series. The result is a sugary-sweet treat for anyone who has wanted a cosy life-simulation game in the Pokemon franchise, enriched with a surprisingly sophisticated building system and a slightly melancholic story. In the game, you step into the role of a Ditto. This Pokemon has the ability to transform its... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347985/pokemon-pokopia-nintendo-switch-nuanced-love-letter-entire-genre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347985/pokemon-pokopia-nintendo-switch-nuanced-love-letter-entire-genre?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The US ⁠customs agency is readying a system within 45 days to process refunds on President Donald Trump’s tariffs that were struck down as illegal, a customs official said in a court filing on Friday. The declaration by Customs and Border Protection official Brandon Lord came just before government lawyers met with a federal trade judge to try to hammer out a broad settlement process for returning US$166 billion in tariff ‌payments to around 330,000 importers. Last month, the US Supreme Court... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345783/us-tariff-refund-system-be-ready-45-days-after-trump-duties-struck-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345783/us-tariff-refund-system-be-ready-45-days-after-trump-duties-struck-down?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:52:42 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak This year’s Pokemon Day, which falls on February 27, also marks the 30th anniversary of the internationally known and loved multimedia franchise. Helmed by the determined and compassionate Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum and his loyal but stubborn “pocket monster” partner Pikachu, this Japanese IP has spawned a huge range of anime series, films, video games and merchandise. The now multibillion-dollar franchise began life as a role-playing video game series created by Satoshi Tajiri for the Game Boy... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3344721/how-pokemon-took-over-world-beloved-franchise-turns-30?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3344721/how-pokemon-took-over-world-beloved-franchise-turns-30?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:15:07 +0000 dpa dpa Playing Tetris could help reduce distressing memories of trauma, a study has found. Health workers who played the classic computer game as part of their treatment experienced fewer flashbacks, researchers say. Experts are now hoping to test the method, which they describe as “accessible, scalable and adaptable”, on a larger group of people. The trial, carried out by researchers in the United Kingdom and Sweden, included 99 National Health Service (NHS) staff exposed to trauma at work – such as... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3344065/how-playing-tetris-can-help-reduce-traumatic-memory-flashbacks-according-new-study?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3344065/how-playing-tetris-can-help-reduce-traumatic-memory-flashbacks-according-new-study?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters Nostalgia for 2016 has been circulating on the internet over the last few weeks. People welcomed the new year by reminiscing 10 years into the past, sharing decade-old photos of themselves online. There is even a Wikipedia page for “2026 is the new 2016”. Of course, 2016 was before the Covid-19 pandemic rocked the world and the widespread use of generative AI (artificial intelligence) made us question what on our feeds was real and fake. Back then, people used social media mostly to stay... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341778/2016-trends-pokemon-go-poke-bowls-looking-back-10-years-goes-viral-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341778/2016-trends-pokemon-go-poke-bowls-looking-back-10-years-goes-viral-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Gamers of a certain age will remember when beat ’em ups ruled arcades. Although most arcades are gone, those experiences live on thanks to developers such as Tribute Games, which has made a name for itself by finding new life in the genre. In 2022, the team released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, an excellent adventure inspired by Konami’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games on the Super Nintendo and in arcades. Now, its follow-up echoes another classic. Marvel Cosmic Invasion... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3336165/marvel-cosmic-invasion-review-iron-man-wolverine-et-al-unite-modern-beat-em?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3336165/marvel-cosmic-invasion-review-iron-man-wolverine-et-al-unite-modern-beat-em?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:15:09 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Fans of Japanese singer-songwriter Kokia were disappointed on Wednesday night when a “last-minute technical issue” forced the cancellation of a concert in Beijing. The organiser of the event apologised on Thursday for one of a series of Japanese cultural events that have been cancelled or delayed since China and Japan became embroiled in a diplomatic row this month. “This should have been announced earlier! People waited for an hour and a half, and many came from out of town,” one fan said,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333439/young-chinese-fans-fear-losing-access-japanese-pop-culture-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333439/young-chinese-fans-fear-losing-access-japanese-pop-culture-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:04:21 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Savvy Games Group, the video gaming powerhouse owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is looking to the Chinese market for inspiration as it embarks on a new phase of global expansion, according to company executives. During a recent visit to Shanghai, Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, vice-chairman of Savvy, highlighted China’s appeal, citing its vast consumer base and exceptional talent pool. “What is unique to China is its ability to be successful in games and esports... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3332027/saudi-video-gaming-giant-savvy-eyes-china-after-success-delta-force-black-myth-wukong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3332027/saudi-video-gaming-giant-savvy-eyes-china-after-success-delta-force-black-myth-wukong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:00:15 +0000 Mathias Woo Mathias Woo Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis is more than a mere zoning plan; it is a crucial part of China’s development strategy and a pivotal step towards elevating the Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) global profile. With development now under way, the conversation must shift to a new realm: soft power. The Northern Metropolis should not be just another new town designed to address Hong Kong’s housing and industrial needs. Rather, it must emerge as a zone of cultural emancipation that takes the GBA’s development... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329196/more-tech-hub-northern-metropolis-can-be-cradle-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329196/more-tech-hub-northern-metropolis-can-be-cradle-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Japan’s wildly popular Pokémon franchise distanced itself on Friday from a recent viral US government video that linked the brand’s “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan to Washington’s immigration crackdown. The US Department of Homeland Security posted a clip on social media this week that showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. The clip showed armed police and border patrol officers handcuffing what it portrayed as illegal immigrants, with Pokémon’s famous English-language theme... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3327037/japans-pokemon-slams-us-immigration-video-using-gotta-catch-em-all-slogan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3327037/japans-pokemon-slams-us-immigration-video-using-gotta-catch-em-all-slogan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:20:07 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A simple pixel game about taking care of a grandma that was developed by a man in China has touched the hearts of many people online. His creation has evoked a feeling of nostalgia among netizens about their own experiences interacting with the elderly in their families. In the five-minute game called Grandma, which has been released on a game distribution platform for free, players need to finish tasks involved in looking after a grandmother who injured herself in a fall, reported the Xinmin... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3324297/chinese-man-honours-late-grandma-creating-video-game-based-their-daily-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3324297/chinese-man-honours-late-grandma-creating-video-game-based-their-daily-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 01:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Nintendo’s chirpy Italian mascot Mario has run and jumped his way to four decades of global stardom, broadening the appeal of the video game industry as one of its most beloved characters. Here is a look at the Mario phenomenon in numbers: 40 million cartridges The original Super Mario Bros cartridge game was released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console in the United States and elsewhere, and in Japan on the Famicom console. It sold 40.2 million copies worldwide,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3325022/crazy-mario-speedrun-record-us16-million-cartridge-nintendos-mascot-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3325022/crazy-mario-speedrun-record-us16-million-cartridge-nintendos-mascot-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:15:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Surrounded by thousands of objects bearing the likeness of Nintendo’s mustachioed plumber, 40-year-old Kikai reflects that his life “would be totally different without Mario”, who also marks four decades this week. The colourful Super Mario Bros, released for Nintendo’s home consoles in Japan on September 13, 1985, was a landmark of early video gaming. Players controlled the eponymous character as he ran and hopped his way from left to right through a colourful world of platforms, pipes and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3324981/how-mario-went-nameless-jumpman-icon-he-marks-40-years-first-nes-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3324981/how-mario-went-nameless-jumpman-icon-he-marks-40-years-first-nes-game?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:15:07 +0000 Hyewon Lee Hyewon Lee Once considered a niche hobby, video gaming is now decidedly mainstream, standing alongside films and TV series that dominate pop culture. With blockbuster adaptations, a billion-dollar streaming industry, and a growing list of celebrity gamers on the scene, video games are reshaping the world of entertainment. Some of Hollywood’s biggest names have shared their love for gaming. From simply championing their gaming passion to even voicing characters and developing their own games, these seven... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3322451/7-celebrity-gamers-henry-cavill-and-mila-kunis-tom-holland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3322451/7-celebrity-gamers-henry-cavill-and-mila-kunis-tom-holland?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung For scores of Hongkongers who grew up during the 2000s (this writer included), many of their formative years would have been spent hunched over a mechanical keyboard, jostling for shoulder space with one or two adolescent friends and smashing the keys as pixelated, Dragon Ball-inspired characters battled it out on-screen in the free PC side-scroller Little Fighter 2. Such was its popularity, and so strong is its trigger for nostalgia for simpler times, that Little Fighter 2 has managed to... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3321930/hong-kongs-restart-beyond-gaming-exhibition-joyful-trip-down-memory-lane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3321930/hong-kongs-restart-beyond-gaming-exhibition-joyful-trip-down-memory-lane?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:45:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The big-screen success of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies has brought new fans to Japanese videogame company Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades. Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001, instead focusing on making games for other platforms. Meanwhile, its former arch-rival Nintendo has gone from strength to strength, with its recent Switch 2 console selling more in its first month than any other console in history. But... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3318548/how-segas-sonic-movies-are-setting-former-gaming-giant-glorious-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3318548/how-segas-sonic-movies-are-setting-former-gaming-giant-glorious-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Jul 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Sarah Keenlyside Sarah Keenlyside On Instagram feeds cluttered with polished 3D renders and AI-generated everything, the retro charm of pixel art cuts through like a glitch in the matrix. And right now, one of the genre’s rising online stars just happens to be a 33-year-old Hongkonger. For ex-gamers, or frankly anyone who grew up in the glow of a Game Boy screen, a single post by the creator known as Fatbeard delivers an instant dopamine hit of nostalgia. Best known for his nuanced depictions of Japan, he recently got a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3316997/hong-kong-pixel-artist-going-viral-his-nostalgic-instagram-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3316997/hong-kong-pixel-artist-going-viral-his-nostalgic-instagram-art?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:14:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Nintendo said Wednesday it had sold a record 3.5 million Switch 2 units worldwide in the first four days after the console was launched. “This is the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days,” the Japanese video game giant said in a statement. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the Switch 2 is an upgrade to Nintendo’s blockbuster Switch console. It was released last Thursday to a global swell of fan excitement that included sold-out... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314076/nintendos-new-switch-2-console-breaks-sales-records-first-4-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314076/nintendos-new-switch-2-console-breaks-sales-records-first-4-days?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:34:16 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service The Nintendo Switch 2 console has officially been released. It is the follow-up to Nintendo’s second bestselling gaming device ever, the 2017-released Switch, which, with sales topping 150 million, is behind only the Japanese gaming giant’s handheld Nintendo DS. Thus, the Switch 2 carries expectations. Though it has a larger, higher-resolution 1080p screen and more processing power than its predecessor, it is not a wholesale reimagining. It looks similar, albeit just a tad larger, and again... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3313289/should-you-buy-switch-2-will-price-go-what-know-about-nintendos-new-console?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3313289/should-you-buy-switch-2-will-price-go-what-know-about-nintendos-new-console?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters Microsoft’s Xbox is increasing the prices of its video gaming consoles, controllers, first-party titles and other accessories, following similar moves by competitors due to US tariffs affecting global supply chains. In a blog post on Thursday, Xbox said it would raise prices of its products in the US, Europe, Australia and the UK. The more powerful Xbox Series X console will now retail for around US$600 in the US, an increase of US$100. The move comes a few weeks after PlayStation maker Sony... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3308762/xbox-joins-playstation-raising-console-prices-amid-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3308762/xbox-joins-playstation-raising-console-prices-amid-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 May 2025 03:00:19 +0000 “It’s alive! It’s alive!” That quote from the 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein ushered in an era of classic monster films for the production company Universal Pictures. Now, almost 100 years later, it is helping Universal herald a new era of theme parks in the US state of Florida. Opening on May 22, Universal Epic Universe is the third theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort – fourth if you count Universal Volcano Bay water park – and the first major traditional park to open in the state... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3307277/guide-universal-epic-universe-theme-park-florida-rides-and-worlds-hotels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3307277/guide-universal-epic-universe-theme-park-florida-rides-and-worlds-hotels?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 11:15:07 +0000 While US President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on his proposed tariff hikes, exporters are still dealing with the uncertainty of a 10 per cent universal levy returning if trade deals aren’t struck as his administration envisages. Meantime, the list of companies from Europe to Asia halting shipments of everything from cars to toys is growing, meaning consumers in the US might find there aren’t even the goods to pay for as products pile up in ports. Here’s a look at what could go... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3306485/what-us-consumers-are-losing-trump-tariffs-christmas-toys-swiss-watches-japanese-whisky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3306485/what-us-consumers-are-losing-trump-tariffs-christmas-toys-swiss-watches-japanese-whisky?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:00:09 +0000 The shelves lining Luke Malpass’ home workshop are a gamer’s treasure trove stretching back decades, with components of vintage Game Boys, Sega Mega Drives and Nintendos jostling for space and awaiting repair. Parcels from gamers seeking help arrive from around the world at RetroSix, Malpass’ Aladdin’s cave. He has turned a lifelong passion for gaming into a full-time job, answering the common question of what to do with old and worn machines and their parts. “I think it can be partly... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3305779/sony-nintendo-and-sega-why-retro-video-game-consoles-and-titles-are-trending?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3305779/sony-nintendo-and-sega-why-retro-video-game-consoles-and-titles-are-trending?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Overseas retailers have raised prices for goods ranging from lipstick, shoes and clothes to Nintendo games in response to the United States’ sweeping tariffs on its global trading partners, but a Hong Kong lawmaker has said products imported from mainland China remain unscathed so far. The move by overseas retailers followed an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last week, prompting fears of further price increases on imported goods with a fresh 34 per cent tariff on Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3305738/hong-kong-consumers-hit-higher-prices-foreign-goods-tariffs-loom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3305738/hong-kong-consumers-hit-higher-prices-foreign-goods-tariffs-loom?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:44:18 +0000 Nintendo on Friday said it was delaying pre-orders of its hotly anticipated Switch 2 gaming console as it assesses the fallout from the Trump administration’s trade tariffs. “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the US will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” the company said, adding that the launch date of June 5 remains unchanged. The Japanese video game giant revealed details about the Switch 2 on Wednesday, announcing an... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3305310/nintendo-delays-switch-2-pre-orders-us-over-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3305310/nintendo-delays-switch-2-pre-orders-us-over-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:52:23 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Nintendo will release its new Switch 2 console on June 5, seeking to keep the No 1 spot in video-game devices with a new version of the top-selling model it introduced in 2017. The new product would start at US$450 in the US, the company said Wednesday, an increase from the US$300 the company charged for the original Switch. Shares of Nintendo fell 5.9 per cent Thursday morning in Tokyo, part of a broader sell-off on fears that tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump would harm Asian... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3304988/nintendos-switch-2-priced-us450-june-5-launch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3304988/nintendos-switch-2-priced-us450-june-5-launch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:00:07 +0000 With over 60 million downloads and an estimated US$180 million in revenue since late October, a new Pokémon mobile game app is enjoying worldwide success as the latest incarnation of the hit Nintendo-owned franchise. Released on October 30, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a virtual version of the collectible card game that has captivated schoolyards since the late 1990s. Developed by The Pokémon Company, a Nintendo subsidiary, it combines opening “boosters” – the equivalent of sealed card... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291537/pokemon-tcg-pocket-earns-us180-million-6-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291537/pokemon-tcg-pocket-earns-us180-million-6-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:45:07 +0000 Hardcore gamers can be difficult to shop for during the holidays. They may already have the game that you bought for them or it could be the right one, but for the wrong platform. Plenty of gift-buying pitfalls exist for the uninitiated. With that in mind, here are gift ideas for gamers that have everything – a mix of items that enhance the player’s experience, top games of the year and lifestyle products. 1. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Headphones are a natural way to level up a gaming... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3290101/8-great-gift-ideas-gamers-christmas-2024-headphones-consoles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3290101/8-great-gift-ideas-gamers-christmas-2024-headphones-consoles?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:15:07 +0000 At launch, 30 years ago, things initially didn’t look very good for the first Sony PlayStation. Critics listed various reasons as to why the Japanese electronics company’s new games console would not hold up against those of Sega and Nintendo. Technically, the first Sony console was superior to the devices of its powerful competitors. But while Nintendo and Sega offered gamers a choice of hundreds of games, Sony only had a handful. What’s more, when the PlayStation launched in Japan on December... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3289080/how-decades-old-snub-japans-nintendo-created-gaming-giant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3289080/how-decades-old-snub-japans-nintendo-created-gaming-giant?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Dec 2024 03:10:52 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Tencent Holdings will gradually cut off online sales and services for the Chinese version of the Nintendo Switch console from 2026, potentially affecting millions of users in the world’s second-largest video gaming market. The Tencent-operated eShop for the Chinese Nintendo Switch console will stop selling or offering paid and free video games and software on March 31, 2026, according to a statement published on Tuesday on the console’s mainland website. Certain downloads and code redemptions,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3288377/chinese-nintendo-switch-users-limbo-tencent-winds-down-online-services-console?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3288377/chinese-nintendo-switch-users-limbo-tencent-winds-down-online-services-console?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Nov 2024 11:00:14 +0000 Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park will let visitors soar on dragons’ backs, fly like a comet, cast wizards’ spells and flee werewolves and vampires when it opens in central Florida next summer. The Universal Epic Universe theme park will open on May 22, 2025, just before Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in the United States, with more than 50 rides, attractions, shows, restaurants and experiences. Epic Universe tickets went on sale this month; daily visitors will be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3284113/universal-epic-universe-bring-more-harry-potter-magic-super-nintendo-world-florida?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3284113/universal-epic-universe-bring-more-harry-potter-magic-super-nintendo-world-florida?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:15:07 +0000 Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Link – the mere mention of these names conjures fond memories for millions of gamers around the world. Whole generations have grown up with these heroes from the Japanese video game developer Nintendo. These are cult figures, legends even – and a piece of pop culture history. Fans can now find out how it all began at the world’s only Nintendo Museum, near Kyoto in Japan. The nostalgic journey through the company’s history is a mixture of products and interactive... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3281358/nes-game-boy-nintendo-switch-get-hands-new-nintendo-museum-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3281358/nes-game-boy-nintendo-switch-get-hands-new-nintendo-museum-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:16:09 +0000 Long maligned as antisocial escapism for sulky nerds and introverts, video games could be a way to feel happy, at least temporarily, according to the University of Oxford in England. Well, one game at least. A study of gamers found that after playing PowerWash Simulator, seven out of 10 gamers reported being in a better mood than they were before they picked up a controller. “We find that playing [the] popular commercial video game [PowerWash Simulator] is linked with a small improvement in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3280676/how-boost-your-mood-study-suggests-playing-video-game-could-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3280676/how-boost-your-mood-study-suggests-playing-video-game-could-help?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Oct 2024 11:15:08 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng China’s video game regulator has approved another 15 foreign-developed titles for the local market, bringing this year’s total to 75, with domestic tech giants Tencent Holdings and NetEase securing licenses for some big games. Tencent secured approval to release Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, one of the most popular tactical shooter games, and role-playing game Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Nintendo Switch platform in China, according to a Friday statement by the National Press and... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3273012/tencent-netease-win-big-rainbow-six-and-marvel-video-game-approvals-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3273012/tencent-netease-win-big-rainbow-six-and-marvel-video-game-approvals-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:27:37 +0000 China’s video gaming regulator has approved a new batch of 15 foreign video games, with titles from League of Legends-maker Riot Games, Nintendo and Sega among those to be released in the domestic market. The mobile version of Valorant, a popular first-person shooter from Riot, which is based in the US but owned by Tencent Holdings, is among the titles approved on Wednesday by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), the agency in charge of licensing video games in China. Under... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3265519/nintendos-pokemon-and-riot-games-have-titles-approved-sale-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3265519/nintendos-pokemon-and-riot-games-have-titles-approved-sale-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:00:16 +0000 In recent months, two gamers have made waves globally. Teenager Willis Gibson, a competitive Tetris player from Oklahoma in the United States, became the first person to beat the original Nintendo version of the game. He even caused the popular game, which requires players to get falling blocks of different shapes to fit together and create solid lines inside a box, to freeze because there was no more code to support further advancements. Another gamer broke a three-year-old record to win an... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3250563/video-games-are-not-just-commercial-gold-mine-they-can-be-force-good?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3250563/video-games-are-not-just-commercial-gold-mine-they-can-be-force-good?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:30:13 +0000 A US teenager has beaten classic computer game Tetris, forcing it into a game-ending glitch in a feat previously achieved only by artificial intelligence. Willis Gibson, 13, a competitive gamer known as “blue scuti”, became the first human to reach the “kill screen” of the Nintendo version of the puzzle game, as fellow players followed his progress online. “Oh my God!” Willis screams repeatedly towards the end of a more than 40-minute video he uploaded to YouTube this week. “I can’t feel my... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3247216/us-teen-willis-gibson-becomes-first-human-player-beat-unbeatable-tetris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3247216/us-teen-willis-gibson-becomes-first-human-player-beat-unbeatable-tetris?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jan 2024 03:22:56 +0000 Gamers love to gear up and snatch any piece of equipment that will help them beat a final boss or in online competition. The problem gift buyers face is that there is a dizzying array of controllers, headsets and gadgets on the market. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the extensive options and find the perfect gift for the gamer in your life. 1. DualSense Edge Sony finally jumped on the elite-style controller bandwagon and introduced its DualSense Edge controller this year. It feels... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3243190/6-gifts-gamers-2023-playstation-xbox-nintendo-switch-controllers-meta-quest-3-vr-headset-joystick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3243190/6-gifts-gamers-2023-playstation-xbox-nintendo-switch-controllers-meta-quest-3-vr-headset-joystick?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:15:15 +0000 Early on in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the new video game from Nintendo, the nemesis Bowser, up to no good in a new kingdom, transforms himself into a heavy-metal-loving sentient castle. Mario and Co. need to come to the rescue. But before the run-and-jump platforming action begins, a little yellow flower has a message for Team Mario: “I believe in youuu!” it says in a chirpy, sing-songy voice. The statement arrives like a hug. And there will be more. Throughout the game, flowers cheer us on,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3239276/super-mario-bros-wonder-review-new-nintendo-switch-game-love-letter-unexpected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3239276/super-mario-bros-wonder-review-new-nintendo-switch-game-love-letter-unexpected?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Oct 2023 20:15:09 +0000 A US federal judge on Tuesday resurrected Microsoft’s US$69 billion buyout of video gaming giant Activision Blizzard by refusing to allow the temporary suspension of the long delayed deal. The US Federal Trade Commission, the Washington-based antitrust enforcer, requested that the blockbuster transaction be halted pending an investigation on competition concerns. But Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said “the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim.” The decision handed a major... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3227367/microsoft-activision-us69-billion-deal-back-track-after-us-court-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3227367/microsoft-activision-us69-billion-deal-back-track-after-us-court-win?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:18:51 +0000 A US judge late on Tuesday granted the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request to temporarily block Microsoft Corp’s acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard and set a hearing next week. US District Judge Edward Davila scheduled a two-day evidentiary hearing on the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction for June 22 to 23 in San Francisco. Without a court order, Microsoft could have closed on the US$69 billion deal as early as Friday. The FTC, which enforces antitrust law, asked... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3224012/microsofts-activision-acquisition-temporarily-blocked-us-judge-ftc-challenge-awaits-hearing-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3224012/microsofts-activision-acquisition-temporarily-blocked-us-judge-ftc-challenge-awaits-hearing-court?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:51:21 +0000 It starts with an archaeological mission. Princess Zelda, all braided golden hair and enchanting oval eyes, is a leader and a scholar. She’s directing Link, the voiceless video game hero who has come to her rescue many a time since the mid-1980s, to follow her lead and walk in the shadow of her torch as she guides them down into the caverns beneath a medieval castle. These tunnels, Zelda tells us, have long been forbidden, forever off limits even to royalty such as her. “I can’t tell you how... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3220291/legend-zelda-tears-kingdom-totally-upends-everything-we-know-about-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3220291/legend-zelda-tears-kingdom-totally-upends-everything-we-know-about-series?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 May 2023 04:10:13 +0000 The previous entry in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series was acclaimed for its momentous sense of exploration. The next game adds a new dimension – construction – that will undoubtedly turn it into one of the most memeable video games of the year. Nintendo has mostly kept quiet about the details of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which will be released on May 12. But a recent demo of the game in New York City gave journalists more than an hour of hands-on time with the sequel and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3218673/minecraft-meets-zelda-nintendos-new-legend-zelda-sequel-gives-players-creative-powers-making-it-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3218673/minecraft-meets-zelda-nintendos-new-legend-zelda-sequel-gives-players-creative-powers-making-it-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 09:15:13 +0000 The modern video game era has been a showcase for interactive narratives, and it seems like the rest of the entertainment industry is starting to pay attention. Two of the most acclaimed animated TV series over the last year were ones inspired by League of Legends and Cyberpunk 2077, and in a few weeks, HBO will launch an anticipated show based on The Last of Us. But these examples just reinforce something game players have long known: some of the best stories in recent years have been found in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3205627/10-video-games-stories-we-cant-wait-2023-star-wars-zelda?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3205627/10-video-games-stories-we-cant-wait-2023-star-wars-zelda?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:45:08 +0000 In 1981, Shigeru Miyamoto created a video game character whose entire personality was contained in what the designer first described as “16 dots by 16 dots”. As that character evolved, those pixels would comprise red braces, a pouch of a tummy, an oversized nose, a bushy moustache and eventually a whole lot of jumpy pluckiness, making him an unlikely but confident hero as he sought to rescue a damsel in distress. Miyamoto at first called him Mr Video, a prescient and self-assured designation for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3205386/youre-going-be-video-game-super-nintendo-world-universal-studios-hollywood-theme-park-bold-statement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3205386/youre-going-be-video-game-super-nintendo-world-universal-studios-hollywood-theme-park-bold-statement?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:15:11 +0000 China has granted licences to 44 imported games, marking the first such batch of approvals in 18 months, providing a measure of relief to the world’s largest video gaming market amid tightened government regulation. The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), the agency responsible for licensing video games in China, on Wednesday published its latest list of approved titles, which included submissions from the country’s top gaming companies Tencent Holdings and NetEase. On the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3204844/china-gaming-ban-beijing-issues-licences-44-imported-games-first-time-18-months-approvals-tencent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3204844/china-gaming-ban-beijing-issues-licences-44-imported-games-first-time-18-months-approvals-tencent?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:12:13 +0000 It very well may be the greatest Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) ever made. In a way, this is all you need to know about Persona 5 Royal, the wild and crazy role-playing game from developers Atlus and Sega. Released in 2016 on the PlayStation 3 and 4, Persona 5 is an ultra-intense JRPG that blends a gutsy, captivating story with characters who jump to life and feel distinct, and stunning anime-level visuals. Persona 5 Royal, an enhanced version released on the PlayStation 4 that added new... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3199224/persona-5-royal-re-release-takes-perfect-japanese-rpg-another-level?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3199224/persona-5-royal-re-release-takes-perfect-japanese-rpg-another-level?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Nov 2022 11:45:08 +0000