Catch up with the gaming and movie news you may have missed. Let’s recap!
Future of The Sims
The Sims team at EA dropped a “Future of The Sims” blogpost on their website to look ahead to 2026 for the franchise, which includes “experiences across PC, Console, and Mobile.”
Each experience carries the heart, humor, creativity, and lore you love, while introducing its own world, focus, and way to play. Every experience will stand strong on its own. And together, they open up a larger world of possibilities. We’re excited to share more about what we’re cooking up…as we’ve all learned from The Sims – a good grilled cheese takes time (and no fires!)
You can read the full blogpost to get the full scope, but I do want to highlight EA reiterates that “single-player PC and console experiences will always be a part of our future, with more than half of our global development team dedicated to The Sims 4 and the next evolution.”
‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ New Villagers + Amiibo Compatibility
Nintendo also shared more details about the long-awaited upcoming free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons on January 15.
Everything Revealed About Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ 3.0 Update
The major new features included in the 3.0 update includes Kapp’n’s family venture the Resort Hotel, the long-awaited return of Resetti, Slumber Island via Nintendo Switch Online and more.
The blogpost gave us the list of updated amiibos that will be compatible after the game updates along with new Villagers “inspired by the games who can visit your island, along with a list of compatible amiibo” to add them including:
The Legend of Zelda
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- Tulin – New Villager
- Link (Super Smash Bros.)
- Toon Link (Super Smash Bros.)
- Young Link (Super Smash Bros.)
- Link (Majora’s Mask)
- Link (Skyward Sword)
- Toon Link (The Wind Waker)
- Zelda (The Wind Waker)
- Link (Archer) (Breath of the Wild)
- Bokoblin (Breath of the Wild)
- Daruk (Breath of the Wild)
- Revali (Breath of the Wild)
- Zelda and Loftwing (The Legend of Zelda)
- Link (Tears of the Kingdom)
- Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom)
- Tulin (Breath of the Wild)
- Yunobo (Breath of the Wild)
- Mineru
- Zelda (Super Smash Bros.)
- Sheik (Super Smash Bros.)
- Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros.)
- Wolf Link (Super Smash Bros.)
- Link (Ocarina of Time)
- Link (Twilight Princess)
- Link (The Legend of Zelda)
- Link (Rider) (Breath of the Wild)
- Guardian (Breath of the Wild)
- Zelda (Breath of the Wild)
- Urbosa (Breath of the Wild)
- Link (The Legend of Zelda)
- Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom)
- Sidon (Breath of the Wild)
- Riju (Breath of the Wild)
- Tulin – New Villager
Splatoon
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- Viché
- Inkling (Super Smash Bros.)
- Inkling Girl (Orange) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Boy (Blue) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Squid (Splatoon)
- Marie (Splatoon)
- Inkling Girl (Lime green) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Boy (Purple) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Squid (Orange) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Girl (Neon pink) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Boy (Lime green) (Splatoon)
- Inkling Squid (Purple) (Splatoon)
- Pearl (Splatoon)
- Inkling (Yellow) (Splatoon)
- Frye (Splatoon)
- Marie (Alterna) (Splatoon)
- Pearl (Side Order) (Splatoon)
- Big Man (Splatoon)
- Cece
- Callie (Splatoon)
- Marina (Splatoon)
- Octoling Girl (Splatoon)
- Octoling Boy (Splatoon)
- Octoling (Blue) (Splatoon)
- Smallfry (Splatoon)
- Shiver (Splatoon)
- Callie (Alterna) (Splatoon)
- Marina (Side Order) (Splatoon)
- Big Man (Splatoon)
- Viché
‘Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance’ hits Nintendo Classics
Nintendo Classics on the Nintendo Switch 2 got a great addition this week with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, which originally released for the Nintendo GameCube system in 2005.
Two races, the human beorc and the half-human laguz, share a history of strife, mistrust, and uneasy compromise. Now, sinister forces have emerged from the shadows to shatter the fragile peace, pitting the two against each other. Only the young mercenary Ike and his colorful band of soldiers-for-hire stand between Tellius and chaos.
Experience the classic strategy role-playing mechanics Fire Emblem is known for in this beloved installment. Players can enjoy cutscenes with voice acting and 3D maps alongside the return of the brutal battle system, where your units are gone for good if they fall in a fight. So, choose your party members wisely, prepare them for combat by equipping weapons and skills, and issue orders to complete each map’s objective with minimal losses.
The game is available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.
‘Good Luck, Have Fun Don’t Die’ Official Trailer
We got the official trailer for Good Luck, Have Fun Don’t Die ahead of its theatrical release on February 13.
‘Black Phone 2’ Streams in January
Ethan Hawke’s Black Phone 2 hits Peacock on January 16.
True evil transcends death and the black phone rings again as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) torments Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing his sister Gwen (Madeline McGraw). Haunted by horrific visions, the teens set out to stop their psychological torture only to uncover a disturbing secret as they confront a killer who has only grown more powerful in death.
‘The ‘Burbs’ Official Trailer
Peacock is getting another all-star show on the platform when all 8 episodes of The ‘Burbs premieres on February 8. We got the official trailer this week, showing us what’s to come from Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall.
Inspired by the 1989 horror-comedy film of the same name and set in present-day suburbia, THE ‘BURBS follows a young couple who have reluctantly relocated to the husband’s childhood home. Their world is upended when a new neighbor moves in across the street, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light, and new deadly threats shatter the illusion of their quiet little neighborhood.
‘The Wrecking Crew’ Official Trailer
The Wrecking Crew his Prime Video on January 28.
In this action comedy, two estranged half-brothers, Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart. Together, they are ready to WRECK anything that gets in their way. Set in the streets of Hawaii, the film is directed by Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle) and also stars Claes Bang, Jacob Batalon, Stephen Root, and Morena Baccarin.
‘Code Vein II’ Character Trailer
We also got a look at The Blinded Resurgence Offspring character ahead of Code Vein II‘s release on January 30.
‘Undertone’ Official Trailer
Undertone hits theaters on March 13, starring Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, and Jeff Yung.
The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.
‘The Bluff’ First Look
Amazon MGM Studios released on first look images of The Bluff, which premieres on Prime Video on February 25.
Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) thought she had escaped her violent past as a pirate, finding peace in the Cayman Islands with her loving husband T.H. (Ismael Cruz Cordova), their son Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo) and her sister-in-law Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green). But when her notorious former captain, Connor (Karl Urban), arrives seeking revenge, Ercell’s world is torn apart.
Forced to confront the demons she’s tried to bury, Ercell is thrust back into a deadly game of secrets and survival. Armed with lethal swordsmanship, cunning traps, and a fierce will to protect those she loves, she wages a brutal war against Connor’s merciless crew. Ercell’s fight to save her family becomes a journey of redemption, as she reclaims her power and embraces the warrior she once was. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cayman Brac’s Skull Cave and towering bluffs, producers Anthony and Joe Russo present The Bluff; a gritty, adrenaline-fueled action-adventure about family, survival, and the indomitable strength of a mother’s love.
‘Aniimo’ Developer Preview Ahead of Second Closed Beta
The creature collector’s upcoming “Paws Up” Closed Beta Test will begin on January 23. Aniimo will release on PC and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.
Developer’s held a preview livestream and revealed a variety of new information about the upcoming test. I’m sharing their summarization verbatim:
- New Aniimo – Brand-new Aniimo have been added, from Fentuft & Nimbi, whose mood impacts their environment, to Eko, an Aniimo that is great for sound-detection, a highly requested feature by the community. Many previously available Aniimo will also feature new evolutions, behaviors, and animations. As always, players have the opportunity to not only collect but “twine” with any Aniimo to experience the world from a new perspective.
- New Boss Aniimo will also appear across regions, including powerful iridescent variants. Players can also encounter the first ever Legendary Aniimo, Irelia, which is a story-driven legendary. Irelia’s full story unlocks for the first time during the Paws Up test.
- Regions, Environments, & Ecology – Multiple new areas and ecosystems can be explored in the new beta, each with their own interconnected Aniimo behaviors. These include Driftwise Meadow with its emotion-based ecology, the fiery Sandcastle Hill and flourishing Rosetower Wood, while existing regions will receive expanded features and new native Aniimo.
- Homeland – In the Homeland system, players can farm and harvest with their Aniimo, decorate their home to their preferences, and treat Aniimo to fun fairground rides whilst simultaneously working together to achieve their goals. Facilities are powered by Aniimo, and can be accessed from the RV Campsite. Homeland is a feature where community feedback is especially welcome!
- Operation: Egg Heist – A major new gameplay mode, this large-scale PvE/PvP mode is set on the Lost Isles, where teams of three explore outer zones and dungeons to find treasure and eggs. Featuring maze-like dungeons and opportunities to use creative mechanics to trick enemies, the mode’s primary objective is to team up to compete with Pathfinders from the whole server for the Aniimo Egg.
- Social & Multiplayer Enhancements – New social tools are available to players, including the Horn to call for help from friends and strangers in the open world, the Flute to invite others to a location or discover players nearby, and the Come to Me ability which instantly calls one’s allies. This beta also adds the Follow & Gift System, which allows players to travel together and gift Aniimo.
- Technical Upgrades – Since earlier tests, Aniimo has also received major visual and customization improvements, with improved environments, NPC models, lighting, and player character customization.
