BeXide has released Namco Legendary Mountains on iOS and Android, a Voxel-based puzzler where players match up iconic characters from Namco's classic coin-op era to create chains and prevent a stack from spilling over a bowl's edge.
NAMCO LEGENDARY Mountains is a 3D puzzle game set to launch for iOS and Android on September 24, priced at .99. The game features classic Namco arcade games in voxel form, with players tossing, stacking, and merging Voxels to achieve high scores. Key features include dedicated stages and sounds from classic titles like DIG DUG and PAC-MAN, over 100 unique Voxels to collect, and online rankings for score attack.
In February, Epic Games announced plans to enhance the Epic launcher, aiming for a five-fold increase in startup speed by June, along with improvements to the storefront, such as personalized game recommendations and easier access to categories and patch notes. Market analyst Emmanuel Rosier expressed doubt about Epic's ability to compete with Steam, noting that players often collect free games without engaging with them. He suggested that Epic has overextended itself by competing on multiple fronts but acknowledged positive developments in Fortnite, particularly its integration of characters from other franchises and new gameplay elements focused on collection. Despite these advancements, Rosier remains skeptical about Epic's recovery in the marketplace.
Security researchers found that several Samsung Smart TV applications, including Pac-Man, were embedding residential proxy SDKs from data brokers like Bright Data. In response, Samsung has banned the inclusion of residential proxy functionality in new app submissions and is working to remove existing apps with such software. The investigation by Norwegian cybersecurity firm Mnemonic revealed that the Bright Data SDK was integrated into various gaming applications, some promoted by Samsung. While Samsung TVs were not automatically sharing internet connections, the SDK could be activated remotely by developers, requiring user consent. Once consent was granted, the proxy service could operate in the background. Many Samsung TV applications were found to download most of their code from remote servers, complicating verification processes. The issue of residential proxy software is not limited to Samsung, as it has also been identified in various Android apps and devices. Following these findings, LG and Google have also taken measures to address the risks associated with residential proxy networks.
Guy Spelunky is the protagonist from the game Spelunky and will be featured in Fraymakers, an indie fighting game developed by Team Fray. Fraymakers includes a diverse roster of characters such as Octodad, the Impostor from Among Us, and Hat Kid from A Hat in Time. A reveal trailer showcasing Guy Spelunky’s abilities and gameplay is available on YouTube.
As the end of the financial year approaches in 2026, Australian retailers are preparing for sales events to provide relief to consumers facing rising prices and a shortage of components due to advancements in artificial intelligence. The gaming sector has become less accessible, with the PlayStation 5 disc model now priced at AU9 (up from AU9 at launch) and the Nintendo Switch 2 set to rise to AU9.95 from its launch price of AU9.95. Retailers participating in the EOFY sales include:
- Amazon: Deals on consoles, games, toys, and more.
- Kogan: Savings on games, consoles, peripherals, and gaming accessories.
- eBay: Coupons for discounts on peripherals and games.
- Fanatical: Offers on Steam keys and bundle game packages.
- Green Man Gaming: Selection of games for PC, Mac, and consoles.
- HP: Direct sales of peripherals and gaming laptops.
- JB Hi-Fi: Range of Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles and games.
- JW Computers: PC parts, peripherals, and monitors.
- Lego: Various sets, including the Pac-Man Arcade.
- Lenovo: Monitors and peripherals for gaming.
- Mighty Ape: Collectibles and games.
- Mwave: Controllers, gaming laptops, and monitors.
- PB Tech: PC parts and accessories.
- Razer: Peripherals and laptops.
BeXide, in partnership with Bandai Namco, is launching a 3D puzzle game called NAMCO LEGENDARY Mountains this summer on Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam. A demo will be available at BitSummit PUNCH from May 22 to 24 in Kyoto, Japan. The game features classic Namco arcade characters reimagined as "Voxels," allowing players to toss, stack, and merge them for high scores. Key features include dedicated stages for classic titles, over 100 unique Voxels to collect, a "Collection Room" for showcasing Voxels, and online score attack competitions.
The animated series Pac-Man, produced by Hanna-Barbera from 1982 to 1983, features characters such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man (Pepper), and Pac-Baby living in Pac-Village, which is governed by the Pac-President and protected by Super-Pac. The series includes antagonists like Mezmaron and a group of ghost monsters: Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde, and Sue. Mezmaron seeks to capture Pac-Man for his knowledge of Power Pellets, which grow on Power Pellet Trees in the Power Pellet Forest. The show consists of 44 episodes over two seasons and often concludes with Pac-Man consuming the ghosts, who then return to Mezmaron in new ghost suits. The humor is aimed at children but lacks cleverness, and notable voice actors include Peter Cullen and Alan Lurie. The second season introduced a younger version of Pac-Man named PJ and increasingly bizarre plots.
March has seen the release of several notable gaming titles including Slay the Spire 2, Crimson Desert, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Timberborn. The Steam Spring Sale offers discounts on a variety of PC games, running from March 19 to March 26. Featured titles in the sale include:
1. Dispatch: 20% off - .99 / £19.99
2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off - .99 / £24.99
3. Routine: 20% off - .59 / £26.79
4. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader: 60% off - .19 / £17.19
5. Maze Mice: 50% off - .49 / £4.49
6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 50% off - .49 / £12.49
7. Blue Prince: 34% off - .84 / £14.84
8. Dungeons of Hinterberg: 66% off - .45 / £6.45
9. Star Wars Jedi Survivor: 90% off - .99 / £5.99
10. Dread Delusion: 50% off - .74 / £7.74
Shadow Labyrinth is a Metroidvania game featuring Pac-Man in a grimdark setting. The game has received a mixed reception, with critiques focusing on poor controls, sparse save points, and punishing difficulty spikes, leading to a muted impact on Steam. In response, Bandai Namco released an update that includes a new gameplay mode called "Veteran Mode" and improvements to controls, such as enhanced mid-air control and a dedicated button for vertical jumps. Reviewer Abbie Stone criticized the game's narrative as overly talkative and filled with clichés, noting that its self-serious tone detracts from the experience. The game faces competition from other titles in the genre, particularly Hollow Knight: Silksong.