Welcome to Video Games Weekly on Engadget. Here, you can expect a fresh story every Monday or Tuesday (or even Thursday!). Each installment is divided into two parts. The first part features short essays and musings about current video game trends and related topics, curated by me, Jess Conditt. I’m a reporter with over 13 years of experience covering the gaming industry. The second part of this series includes essential video game news from the past week, along with headlines from beyond Engadget. Enjoy the read, and I look forward to connecting again next week!
Since the launch of the Switch 2 on June 5, I’ve been enjoying it alongside 3.5 million fellow gamers. My gaming adventures have predominantly revolved around Mario Kart World, a title I’ve eagerly anticipated for months. This game perfectly fulfills my need for couch co-op gaming, and I can’t help but rave about it. Mario Kart World is vibrant, engaging, and offers immense replayability.
One standout aspect of Mario Kart World is its elevated skill ceiling. This new installment introduces exciting mechanics like wall riding and rail grinds, significantly changing the gameplay for advanced players. At the highest levels, mastering shortcuts and strategically navigating tracks is essential. While the competitive nature of Mario Kart may not lend itself to professional tournaments, players are already working hard to refine their skills with these new moves. It will be fascinating to see what secrets the gaming community uncovers in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, Mario Kart World is designed for a more enjoyable gaming experience compared to its predecessor, Mario Kart 8. While I don’t have hard data to back this up, it’s evident every time I play: the moment-to-moment gameplay feels significantly less frustrating. Collisions with shells, banana peels, and obstacles are now more forgiving. The recovery time after being hit with a red shell seems shorter, allowing players to get back into the race with minimal disruption. Whether this is due to faster post-collision acceleration or reduced stun time, the effect is palpable and appreciated.
The tracks in Mario Kart World are visually stunning, particularly fan-favorites like Starview Peak and Rainbow Road. The character roster includes a delightful mix of new faces, and the motorcycles offer improved stability compared to previous titles. The introduction of a 24-player Knockout Tour adds an exciting competitive element. With up to 23 items potentially aimed at your character, it’s smart for Nintendo to enhance the recovery mechanics, making the gameplay flow more seamlessly.
In the latest news, Xbox President Sarah Bond announced that the next generation of Xbox hardware will be powered by AMD, similar to the current Xbox Series X/S and the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. This revelation hints at a significant shift in Microsoft’s gaming strategy. Xbox appears to be transitioning towards a platform-agnostic approach, emphasizing PC and handheld gaming while creating a unified storefront that spans devices. The next Xbox could resemble a PC that connects to your television, rather than being a traditional closed-system gaming console.
In a major development, the SAG-AFTRA video game strike has ended. After nearly a year of negotiations regarding AI use and actor compensation, the union has reached an agreement with ten major video game studios. The new deal includes salary increases for over 24 percent of performers and establishes protections concerning the use of AI and digital replicas in games.
In other news, Bungie has announced an indefinite delay for the game Marathon. This decision comes after a series of setbacks, including significant layoffs and accusations of a toxic work environment. Whether the game needs a complete revamp or Bungie simply requires time to regroup, this delay seems to be a wise choice.
In a light-hearted update, it has been confirmed that Borderlands 4 will retail for $70, not the previously speculated $80. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief!
Exciting news for horror fans: Bloober Team has officially taken on the remake of the original Silent Hill for Konami. This project follows their successful reimagining of Silent Hill 2, which received critical acclaim upon its release in October 2024. While no release date has been announced, this remake joins several other projects in the Silent Hill universe, including Silent Hill Townfall and Silent Hill: Ascension.
Finally, I highly recommend checking out Senior Reviews Writer Sam Rutherford’s thorough review of the Switch 2. His insights are invaluable, and it's a must-read for anyone interested in this fantastic console.
Although the Summer Game Fest 2025 officially concluded on June 9, exciting articles, interviews, and hands-on impressions continue to emerge. Engadget’s team has published new content covering various titles, including Resident Evil: Requiem, Mixtape, Mouse: PI for Hire, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Grounded 2, End of Abyss, and Pragmata.
