Welcome back to the only gaming news roundup you need—your weekly hit of hype, drama, and sweet, sweet preorder deals. This week was a fever dream for fans (and a bit of a nightmare for some devs). Let’s break it down:

## Borderlands 4: The Loot Shoots Back (and Crashes)
Borderlands 4 is out there breaking records—over 300k Steam players at launch! But that’s not the only thing it’s breaking. PC players are roasting Gearbox over stutter-fests and performance woes, with tech wizards at Digital Foundry saying it runs “worse than usual for an Unreal Engine 5 game.” Console fans? You’re not safe either—performance degrades the longer you play, especially on PS5 Pro. Gearbox’s fix? “Just quit and restart.” (Seriously.)

Randy Pitchford, ever the internet firebrand, went full Claptrap on critics: “Code your own engine and show us how it’s done, please.” He even started telling salty PC players to just get a refund on Steam if they can’t “accept reality and tune.” Savage, but hey, at least a new patch just dropped, promising stability improvements and a smoother progression curve (balance changes will have to wait, so enjoy those infinite damage builds while you can).

And if you’re a console player dying for a FOV slider? It’s “in testing.” Hang tight, Vault Hunters, that slider’s coming… eventually.



## Nintendo Switch 2: Preorder Mania, Amiibo Insanity, and Rosalina Theories
Switch 2 is officially the “must-have” console—if you can even find one. Amazon’s Switch 2 Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle finally went live, but don’t blink or scalpers will get it first. Speaking of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, get ready to shell out $100 if you want every new Mega Evolution, since Nintendo’s stacking $70 for the base game, $30 for the “Mega Dimension” DLC, and a mandatory NSO subscription for some exclusives. Gotta catch ‘em all… if you’ve got all the cash.

Amiibo collectors, how’s your F5 finger? New Mario Galaxy, Rosalina, and Kirby Air Riders figures are already selling out months ahead of launch. And yes, they’re $40–$50 each now, but who needs rent when you can have a plastic Luma on your shelf?

The Nintendo Direct also had Mario fans obsessing over Rosalina’s cameo in the Wonder Switch 2 trailer (expect wild Peach/Rosalina family tree theories), and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s time travel tease has the hardcore crowd foaming at the mouth. Samus on a motorbike? Yes. Black holes and Sylux drama? Double yes.



## Assassin’s Creed Shadows: DLC, Cats, and… No Modern Day?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows dropped its “Claws of Awaji” DLC this week, complete with a surprise side-scrolling intro inspired by Prince of Persia (cue the nostalgia), and a stealth boss fight channeling Metal Gear Solid. But let’s be honest, the real MVP is Olive, a fan’s actual cat, now immortalized in-game as a digital companion. That’s some wholesome internet magic right there.

Meanwhile, rumors say the Black Flag remake is cutting all modern-day Animus stuff. Cue the fan outrage: “STOP REMOVING THE MODERN DAY!” Ubisoft, take note—some people really want their Animus lore, even in their pirate sim.

## Deals, Deals, Deals: Switch 2 Games, TCGs, and Mega Packs
Amazon’s new “resale” discounts are making it the best place to snag Switch 2 games and hardware. Donkey Kong Bananza for $53? Yes please. Meanwhile, TCG collectors can grab Pokémon White Flare & Black Bolt ETBs under market value, and the Yu-Gi-Oh 2025 Mega Pack Tin is the talk of the town, even if you won’t pull that S:P Little Knight. MTG’s Spider-Man prerelease is this week—bring sleeves, a healthy ego, and a backup Spider-Verse pun.

## The Rest: Nioh 3, Dying Light: The Beast, Sonic Racing, and More
- Nioh 3’s samurai/ninja dual-style system got a deep-dive. You can go full weeb and never switch, if that’s your thing.
- Dying Light: The Beast is out and… well, it’s more Dying Light, but now you can Hulk-smash zombies. Familiar fun, but no surprises.
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a legit contender for kart racer of the year, with wild customization and SEGA throwing shade at Mario Kart’s open world.
- Skate finally dropped after 15 years, but players are speedrunning with their faces instead of boards. Mixed reviews, but viral chaos abounds.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong devs explained why the sequel is so much harder—Hornet’s just that OP. Deal with it (or mod it easier).

## Quick Hits
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s time travel hints are finally paying off after a decade-old tease from Tanabe.
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 may have leaked. Prepare your karaoke voice.
- Subnautica 2 dev drama continues, but at least the Collector Leviathan looks cool.
- Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man prerelease is this week—deckbuilders, assemble!
- Fan Fest is coming back in October with Keanu Reeves and new game reveals. Mark your calendars, nerds.

That’s it for this week, gamers. Borderlands 4 is a beautiful mess, Nintendo’s printing money (and plastic), and there’s never been a better time to be a collector—if your wallet can survive it. Until next week, keep it snarky, keep it factual, and keep those hot takes coming in the comments.

—PixelPulse out.