Astral Chain
News, coverage and analysis tracking Astral Chain across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: Is the video games industry dying?
Multiple readers express concern over the current state of the video games industry, citing high development costs, studio closures, and a perceived decline in quality. There is a debate about whether the industry is truly dying, particularly in the West, with some readers finding solace in Nintendo's unique approach and the enduring appeal of physical media.
Stellar Blade boss offers to help PlatinumGames make Bayonetta 4
Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim has expressed a desire to collaborate with PlatinumGames on future projects, specifically offering to help design characters for Bayonetta 4. This comes after a successful collaboration on Bayonetta-themed skins for Stellar Blade's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 release. Both Kim and PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba spoke positively about each other's work and expressed genuine interest in future partnerships.
Weekend Console Download Deals for Sept. 18: Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale
Nintendo is holding a significant Customer Appreciation Sale on its first-party Switch titles, with discounts on popular games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Additionally, sales are available for PlayStation and Xbox platforms, featuring a wide array of third-party titles across various genres.
Nintendo’s Customer Appreciation Sale Flubbed The Goodwill Gesture Attempt
Nintendo's Customer Appreciation Sale is criticized for offering modest discounts primarily on older games, with prices barely making a dent in the full list price. The article argues that tying the sale to tariff-related refunds is a poor public relations move, making the goodwill gesture feel insulting rather than beneficial to consumers.
Nintendo announces return to Gamescom 2026 in August
Nintendo has announced its return to Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, scheduled for August 26th to 30th, 2026. While not confirmed, there is speculation about potential game announcements during a rumored June Nintendo Direct. The article also references past Nintendo presences at Gamescom, highlighting titles like Luigi's Mansion 3, ASTRAL CHAIN, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Super Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Nintendo has discounted a bunch of its Switch games in new rare sale
Amazon is currently offering a rare sale on digital Nintendo Switch games, featuring discounts on titles like Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, Bayonetta 2, and Metroid Dread. Many games are priced at $40, with select titles available for $30. The sale's end date is not specified, and other publishers like Bandai Namco and Koei Tecmo are also running significant discounts on the Nintendo eShop.
10 best video game hidden gems on PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
This article highlights ten overlooked video games available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch that deserve more attention. It features titles like Returnal, Marvel's Midnight Suns, and Astral Chain, discussing their unique qualities and commercial underperformance.
Games Inbox: Is Crimson Desert worth getting?
Readers express skepticism about Crimson Desert's mixed reviews and potential console performance issues, drawing parallels to Cyberpunk 2077. Other topics include the nature of Pokémon, the decline of Red Storm Entertainment and its franchises, and the potential impact of AI on game graphics.
Switch 2 boost mode is so popular fans want even more game upgrades
Nintendo has released a new handheld boost mode for the Nintendo Switch 2, which significantly improves the visual fidelity of backward-compatible Nintendo Switch games. While not affecting Switch 2 native titles, the update has led to fans replaying many older games and expressing a desire for dedicated Switch 2 upgrades for certain titles.
Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games - Every First-Party Title To Pass One Million Sales
This article details the best-selling first-party games on the Nintendo Switch, listing 87 titles that have surpassed one million units sold as of March 2026. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads the pack with over 71 million sales, followed by Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The list includes sales figures and brief descriptions for each game, also noting some early Switch 2 titles that have reached the milestone.
