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• Nintendo Life runs poll on favourite Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave character

  Nintendo Life published a feature by Jim Norman that invites readers to vote for their favourite of the four main Flame Lords and Eshmel in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. The article presents a snap and a short summary for each of those five characters and includes Norman's own descending ranking plus some personal likes and dislikes. Norman writes that players can flip between the game's storylines at almost any time and says he limited the poll to those five characters to avoid listing all recruitable heroes. The piece concludes with an embedded poll where readers can place their vote.

• PlayStation 6 and Xbox Helix chips reportedly taped out

  Insider Gaming reported that the processor designs for PlayStation 6 and Xbox Helix have reportedly been taped out. The article explains that a tape-out means the final chip designs have been sent to manufacturers and that the design phase is effectively finished. Known hardware leaker KeplerL2, via a post on NeoGAF and cited by Insider Gaming, claimed the PlayStation 6 would have 40 teraflops and the Xbox Helix 56 teraflops. The report also notes that teraflops measure theoretical raw compute power and that major design changes would be unlikely unless a manufacturing-stage design flaw is discovered.

• Pokemon TCG launch reportedly sparks scalper fights and one arrest

  TheGamer reported that scalpers broke into physical fights across the country during the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game launch, with one reported arrest. The story was published on September 23, 2026 and written by Rhiannon Bevan of TheGamer. TheGamer's coverage frames multiple confrontations as linked to the release activity but does not, in the available excerpt, provide comprehensive counts or locations for those incidents. The published item presents the incidents as occurring at scale across the country, per TheGamer's reporting.

• PC Gamer: Side buttons on gaming mice are for copy and paste on desktop

  PC Gamer's Jacob Ridley argued in a 23 September 2026 opinion piece that the two side buttons found on many gaming mice are best used for copy and paste on desktop. The article says the PC Gamer hardware team debated Razer's new MMO gaming mouse, which it reports has 12 buttons, and that this prompted disagreement about how to use side buttons. Ridley reports that most people and default mouse assignments use the typical two side buttons for forward and back navigation in web browsing. The piece is presented as a contrarian hardware-team opinion rather than as a quantitative study of user behavior.

• Mad King Redemption added to Xbox Game Pass on September 23, 2026

  GameRant reports that Mad King Redemption joined Xbox Game Pass on September 23, 2026. The article describes the title as a 2026 couch co-op game featuring unique 2.5D graphics. GameRant says the game joined several Xbox Game Pass tiers. The story includes source images credited to Xbox and Secret Mission / Pixel Doors.

• World of Warcraft: Forever — PC Gamer reports level cap will be raised to 30

  PC Gamer reported that Blizzard will raise the level cap in World of Warcraft: Forever to 30 sometime soon. In a personal feature, Harvey Randall said they deliberately left completed quests unturned to prepare for the cap increase and now regrets that choice. Randall wrote that many Vanilla-era quests require picking up quest items and that they only have 8-slot bags, which created inventory problems. The piece was published on 23 September 2026 and includes an affiliate disclosure.

• Minecraft Dungeons 2: Standard and Deluxe pre-order editions detailed

  Insider Gaming reports Mojang's Minecraft Dungeons 2 will be offered in two pre-order editions — Standard and Deluxe — with differing pre-order bonuses and a reported $20 price difference. The outlet says the Deluxe Edition contains more bonuses and comes at a higher price point while the Standard Edition offers the base package. Insider Gaming describes Minecraft Dungeons 2 as a sequel to the original that features exploration and combat against a range of foes. The article includes a breakdown of what each edition includes, but the excerpt does not list full edition prices or a release date.

• Fortnite gets a limited-time Toy Story 5 Creative map with collectibles

  Polygon reported that Epic Games and Disney published a limited-time Toy Story 5 Creative map in Fortnite that includes collectible items. Polygon wrote the map places players in Bonnie’s room and frames a scenario in which Toy Story characters have disappeared through a rift. The article said players can play the Creative map to find the collectibles while it is available. Polygon published the report on September 23, 2026.

• Halo Studios reportedly reduced to about 20 staff after Microsoft layoffs

  Insider Gaming reports that Halo Studios was reportedly reduced to as few as 20 employees after Microsoft’s September 22 round of layoffs. The claim that only about 20 staff remain was attributed to pro player aPureGangster, as cited by Technical Halo, and Insider Gaming notes those figures cannot be independently verified. Microsoft announced on September 22 that development of future Halo titles would move to Activision and that Activision has been handed stewardship while Halo Studios will remain in some capacity. Insider Gaming also cites Windows Central’s Jez Corden saying Halo Studio is “looking at major layoffs in the 100s,” and notes it may take time for precise staffing figures to emerge.

• Activision reportedly plans Halo reboot after Xbox hands franchise to Activision

  Insider Gaming reports Activision is planning to reboot the Halo franchise after Microsoft’s Xbox restructuring handed stewardship of the series to Activision. The claims, Insider Gaming says, originate with TechnicalHalo on X, which stated the reboot would launch Halo into “a new chapter” and that existing lore would not be continued. Insider Gaming also reports that a recent round of Xbox layoffs affected Halo Studios and that the stewardship transfer was included in the announcement of changes. Insider Gaming says it has not been able to verify the claims and that no details on forthcoming games were shared.

• Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 limited-edition cover spurred retailers to increase orders

  Nintendo Life reports the Switch 2 limited-edition textured foil cover for Zelda: Ocarina of Time prompted at least one retailer to attempt to double its orders after physical software sales outperformed expectations, IGN Brazil said via My Nintendo News. The publisher says retailers and online stores are running out of copies of the game in some locations. Nintendo Life also reports a separate limited-edition 40th Zelda collection of hardware and accessories sold out at select locations. Gamer Hut commercial director Ricardo Vieira told IGN Brazil the team initially felt prepared during purchase forecasting but that changed when the first print cover was announced during the Direct.

• New Sonic game 'in development' with 'whole new kind of gameplay', Iizuka says

  Nintendo Life reports Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka told 4Gamer at Tokyo Game Show that a new Sonic title is currently in development and aims to deliver a "whole new kind of gameplay experience." The team declined to provide specifics about the project, according to Nintendo Life. Iizuka said, via a machine translation published by Nintendo Life, that he believes there is room for the series to evolve. Nintendo Life also places the announcement alongside ongoing Sonic activity, noting another live-action movie and additional games are in the pipeline.

• Steam requires credit card to access R18+ PC games in Australia, PC Gamer says

  PC Gamer reports that Valve's Steam now requires Australian users to provide a credit card to access or purchase R18+ PC games. The change is part of an age-verification step Valve implemented earlier this month, which PC Gamer says responds to Australian legal requirements. PC Gamer describes Valve's approach as a brute-force, user-negligent implementation and notes a Reserve Bank of Australia study showing many Australians do not use credit cards. PC Gamer's coverage also frames the situation as unique to Steam, saying other PC shopfronts generally allow R18+ purchases without a credit card.

• Genshin Impact: Vodyanitsa best with Hydro/Cryo DPS, can fit Stellar Swirl teams

  GameRant reports that Vodyanitsa in Genshin Impact pairs best with Hydro and Cryo DPS characters but can also participate in Stellar Swirl Anemo teams when her passive is used. The article describes Vodyanitsa as one of the best supports and highlights her ability to buff Cryo and Hydro characters, calling her a top-tier utility option. GameRant explains her passive extends her utility to Anemo characters whenever a Stellar Swirl reaction is triggered, enabling alternative team builds. The piece lists example team compositions including Vodyanitsa + Skirk + Furina + Escoffier and Vodyanitsa + Vesna + Odette + Faruzan as sample lineups.

• GameRant explains every evil version of Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers

  GameRant published an article titled "Every Evil Version of Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers, Explained." The piece is credited to Nicholas Beach and was published on September 22, 2026. The article title indicates it aims to explain every evil incarnation of the Power Rangers character Tommy Oliver, according to GameRant. The excerpted evidence supplied here includes the headline, publication date, and the author's biographical details but does not include the article text or the list of versions.

• Middle-earth release confirmed for Switch 2 on September 30

  GameRant reported that Middle-earth Enterprises confirmed a new official Middle-earth release for the Switch 2 scheduled for September 30. The GameRant article was published on September 22, 2026 and lists Middle-earth Enterprises as the source. GameRant identifies the platform as the Switch 2 and the date but does not provide a full product title, edition, or detail other platforms. The report was written by Adrian Morales for GameRant.

• Aniimo: TheGamer publishes a guide to freebie codes and how to redeem them

  TheGamer published a guide by Allyson Cochran on September 22, 2026, listing Aniimo's redeemable freebie codes and a 'How To Redeem Them' section. The article reports that Aniimo's codes can grant free in-game items that give players a small financial boost without spending resources. TheGamer frames Aniimo's code collection as similar to those found in other games with redeemable codes. The article presents a fact-based summary and redemption guidance rather than announcing new in-game content or dated code drops.

• GameRant: Five classic superhero games described as 'painful to play' today

  GameRant published a list article by Nick Rodriguez titled "5 Classic Superhero Games That Are Painful To Play Today" on September 22, 2026, reporting that five older superhero games are "painful to play" today. The article is presented as a five-entry feature and uses the phrase "painful to play" in its headline, according to GameRant. GameRant's page identifies Nick Rodriguez as a freelance writer from Chicago with a BA in Creative Writing who has contributed to GameRant and ScreenRant. The supplied evidence does not specify which specific titles appear on the list or include any developer or publisher responses.

• Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — Switch 1 owners to get free Switch 2 upgrade, says THQ Nordic

  THQ Nordic says owners of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed on the original Nintendo Switch will receive a free upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version. According to an official FAQ cited by Nintendo Life, the upgrade will be delivered through a free patch on the Nintendo Switch 2 console and applies to both digital and physical owners. Nintendo Life reported the Switch 2 release is planned "next month" and that the FAQ includes instructions for redeeming the Switch 2 version. The article excerpts the FAQ but does not provide a full, confirmed step-by-step redemption procedure in the supplied evidence.

• Counter-Strike 2 'Rush Hour' patch adds silent reloads and new gamemode

  Dust2.us reported Valve released the 'Rush Hour' update for Counter-Strike 2 on September 22, 2026, introducing silent reloads and a new gamemode. The report says the update also includes multiple quality-of-life changes and specific alterations to Premier. Dust2.us describes the patch as resolving several minor but longstanding issues and one of the larger updates of the year. The article notes silent reloading works by holding the Reload key and makes reloads take a few seconds longer, a trade-off Dust2.us says could affect the game's meta.

• Undead Labs confirms significant layoffs after independence from Xbox; says State of Decay 3 unaffected

  Undead Labs confirmed it underwent "significant" layoffs after becoming independent from Xbox and said State of Decay 3 remains in active development and its launch will not be impacted, IGN reported. The studio announced on LinkedIn that it was parting ways with a "significant" number of staff, according to IGN. IGN updated the story on Sep 22, 2026 with a statement from Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt reiterating that the game's release will not suffer setbacks. IGN also reported the studio's separation from Xbox follows Microsoft's brand reset earlier this summer.

• Polygon calls Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave a cure for a 'terrible RPG habit'

  Polygon's analysis by Jen Glennon (published Sep 22, 2026) reports that Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave "is the cure for a terrible RPG habit." Glennon says she spent hours meandering the game's world map and pursued gifts obsessively, describing every day as 'Black Friday' while pursuing presents. She reports cleaning out vendors' stock to buy gifts for several dozen recruitable characters and handing them items such as pastries or fish sauce over several in-game months. After that period, Glennon reports realizing she wasn't enjoying the game to its fullest.

• Dressmaker overtakes Control Resonant and Silent Hill: Townfall on Steam

  TheGamer reports that indie game Dressmaker overtook Control Resonant and Konami’s Silent Hill: Townfall on Steam’s charts and has an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on its Steam page. TheGamer said both Control Resonant and Silent Hill: Townfall were released back-to-back in September and were among that month’s most anticipated games. TheGamer framed Dressmaker’s rise as notable because it occurred despite those high-profile September releases. The report was published on Sep 22, 2026.

• Stuntboost released as Tech Deck-style first-person skateboarding platformer

  Rock Paper Shotgun reports that Stuntboost is out now as a first-person skateboarding platformer. The article describes the game as presented like riding a miniature skateboard through cardboard courses in a bedroom and compares it to Tech Deck play. RPS notes the player’s hand is not visible during play, though the movement appears to replicate hand-operated Tech Deck tricks. The piece was published Sept. 22, 2026 and includes an image credited to Byting Games.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 emerges as frontrunner for Game Awards 2026 Game of the Year

  Polygon reports Grand Theft Auto 6 is increasingly in pole position to win Game of the Year at the 13th Game Awards, scheduled for Dec. 10, 2026. Polygon says the likelihood of any title stopping GTA6 from sweeping the night looks increasingly slim, though it notes Rockstar's timing leaves jurors limited time to play and consider the game. Polygon also reports that several expected competitors, including Marvel's Wolverine, have underperformed or 'flamed out', contributing to what the piece describes as a weaker year than it initially appeared.

• Counter-Strike: Luminosity and 3DMAX reach Logitech G Play Connect grand final

  HLTV reports Luminosity and 3DMAX advanced to the Logitech G Play Connect grand final after semi-final wins. Luminosity beat B8 2-0 in their semi-final, while 3DMAX reached the final by reverse-sweeping Inner Circle, HLTV says. HLTV adds Luminosity will have a chance to secure the organization's first LAN Counter-Strike title in over 10 years, and notes 3DMAX have been linked with a reported move to Envy. The grand final between Luminosity and 3DMAX is scheduled for 23/09/2026 at 18:00, according to the published match listings.

• World of Warcraft: Forever beta players find rule-breaking items in early levels

  PC Gamer reported that players in the World of Warcraft: Forever beta have discovered new items in the early leveling experience that break longstanding class and skill rules, including an axe that allows its wielder to mine ore without the Mining skill. The article says Blizzard introduced subtle changes to early quests and NPCs that can be missed by players without deep familiarity with the original game. PC Gamer notes these discoveries have appeared after players reached the beta's level 20 cap. The report adds that these items may hint at broader design changes planned for the full game, though those plans are not confirmed.

• Resident Evil (2026) ending: courier becomes Nemesis, divides fans

  IGN reports Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026) film ends with medical courier Bryan Hodukavich bitten, transformed into a Nemesis, and killing the remaining Umbrella scientists on the hospital’s top floor. IGN says that conclusion has proven divisive among fans, who are debating whether it is a fitting end to the film’s tragic story. The outlet reports Cregger avoided a direct adaptation of the pre-existing Resident Evil games and instead follows Bryan as he transports a package to Raccoon City General Hospital that turns out to be a chemical agent necessary for creating a vaccine after Umbrella scientists unleash a virus. IGN also reports Bryan is infected after being bitten by an infected girl before his transformation.

• Rayman Legends Retold remake impresses in Polygon three-hour preview

  Polygon reports that after three hours with Ubisoft's Rayman Legends Retold, the preview writer said the remake could be 2026's surprise best remake. The piece is a preview of an upcoming Ubisoft platformer and describes the game as a remake of 2013's Rayman Legends. The Polygon article was written by Jason Venter and published Sep 22, 2026. The write-up is based on roughly three hours of play and is presented as a preview rather than a full review.

• Rayman Legends Retold remake signals relaunch of Rayman, producer says

  PCGamesN reports Ubisoft Montpellier is fully remaking the 2D platformer Rayman Legends as Rayman Legends Retold. In an interview published September 22, 2026, PCGamesN says Brand Producer Loïc Gounon described the remake as the start of rebuilding the Rayman IP and relaunching the series. PCGamesN reports Gounon said the team chose a full remake rather than a remaster, and the article's headline states he "will not say no to anything" regarding new Rayman games. PCGamesN notes the last brand-new mainline Rayman release was 2013's Rayman Legends, with only mobile runner titles and a 30th-anniversary version of the original released since.