The March 17 Nintendo Indie live stream showed off a ton of great new indie titles, including some console exclusives like Exit the Gungeon. We also got a chance to see the latest game from the team behind No Man’s Sky – the somber and beautiful The Last Campfire, due out sometime this summer.
Whatever your preference, there’s probably a game in here for you, so check out the complete list of what was featured in the March 17 Nintendo Indie stream. What are you most excited about?
Baldo
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
This action-adventure RPG from Italian studio Naps Team is full of eccentric and silly characters done in the style of a Studio Ghibli film, so if you’re an anime fan, this one’s for you. In Baldo, you’ll complete puzzles and make your way through dungeons in a big, interactive open world.
B.ARK
(Image credit: Tic Toc Games)
Release Date: Late 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
B.ARK stands for “bio-interstallar ark” and it’s a side-scrolling couch co-op that lets you and your friends team up to play as pugs, cats, bunnies, and bears looking to save the solar system. In B.ARK, you’ll be able to combine and upgrade ship abilities, collect coins, and defeat enemies with your friends and family by your side. It’s animal astronauts, need I say more?
Blair Witch
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020
Bloober Games’ take on the iconic Blair Witch story will head to Nintendo Switch this summer, so you can take fear on the go. Head deep into the woods in search for a lost young boy with nothing but an early aughts cellphone, a flashlight, and your dog Bullet by your side. Prepare for scares.
Blue Fire
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
This dark, haunting 3D platformer will have you exploring mystical temples and taking on strange quests in a world that has long been forgotten. You’ll run into “peculiar” survivors who will help you find valuable collectibles as you navigate the world and get comfortable with the game’s movement style and hack-and-slash combat.
Bounty Battle
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020
Originally for PC, this hero brawler will drop on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4 later this summer. Pit your favorite indie heroes from games like Owlboy, Dead cells, and Darkest Dungeon against each other in a frenzy of fighting.
Cyanide & Happiness – Freakpocalypse: Part 1
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
“Nobody likes you, school sucks, you can’t find a prom date, everybody bullies you (including your teachers) and your attempts to help only make things worse.” Did someone pull a game idea from my high school diary? In Cyanide & Happiness – Freakpocalypse: Part 1, you’ll play as Coop McCAathy and you’re just trying to make things better. The game world is just like the animated cartoon for which the game is named, but with dialogue, unlockable costumes, and more.
Dicey Dungeons
[embedded content]
Release Date: Later in 2020
The rogue-like deck building game is coming to Nintendo Switch and mobile sometime this year. You’ll become a gigantic walking dice and have to make your way through ever-changing dungeons.
Eldest Souls
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
Boss-rush gameplay meets combat customization in this Souls-like game set in a dark fantasy world. Eldest Souls tasks you with slaying ancient Gods, exploring a mysterious Citadel, and unlocking various talents and abilities to help take on ancient enemies.
Exit the Gungeon
[embedded content]
Release Date: Out now, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
The sequel to the excellent Enter the Gungeon is out for Nintendo Switch right now and it’s translated the game into 2D stages. You’ll encounter familiar guns, enemies, and art styles in this dungeon crawler, with perilous elevator fights and ever-changing weapons. Ascend to escape the collapsing dungeon and dodge roll your way out of danger.
Faeria
[embedded content]
Release Date: Spring 2020
This strategic card battler was originally a mobile game, but it’s coming for Nintendo Switch in the near future. Build your own deck to shape the battlefield and gain a victory over your opponents. There’s over 100 hours of solo content, plus co-op missions, and puzzles galore.
Ghost of a Tale
[embedded content]
Release Date: Spring 2020
This action RPG originally released for PS4, Xbox One, and PC will hit Nintendo Switch this spring. In it, you’ll play Tilo, a mouse and minstrel who gets roped into a dangerous adventure in order to find out the fate of his true love. You’ll need to use stealth, agility, and disguises to make your way through a kingdom ruled by rats.
I Am Dead
[embedded content]
Release Date: Later in 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
Annapurna Interactive is bringing the team behind Hohokum’s puzzle adventure game to the Nintendo Switch before anything else. Explore the afterlife in brilliant technicolor with an X-Ray Vision puzzle mechanic that will help you discover secrets of the land of the dead.
Moving Out
[embedded content]
Release Date: April 28 for Nintendo Switch and other platforms
What’s more fun than moving? For the silly characters you embody in Moving Out, literally nothing. This couch co-op is like Overcooked but with fragile furniture, and as GamesRadar+ saw at PAX East, it’s a wildly fun time. You can play alone or locally with friends on more than 50 levels across three different modes. There’s a free demo out now for the Switch, so check it out for yourself.
PixelJunk Eden 2
(Image credit: Q-Games Ltd.)
Release Date: Summer 2020, Nintendo Switch exclusive
PixelJunk Eden 2 is a beautifully psychedelic sequel where you play as a Grimp trying to save your fellow Grimps. You’ll need to collect pollen and grow gardens back into full bloom, and each stage generates based on your actions as a player. It’s a completely immersive sensory experience, and you can play it alone or with a friend via local multiplayer.
Quantum League
[embedded content]
Release Date: Later in 2020
Quantum League is a FPS that originally dropped on Xbox One, PS4, and PC back in 2018. In this time-paradox shooter you’ll battle within a time loop, teaming up with your past and future selves in online 1v1 or 2v2 matches. Choose from six different characters to play and unlock new outfits as you evolve.
Sky Racket
[embedded content]
Release Date: Out now
A Switch version of this genre-blended game dropped during the Nintendo Indie presentation, so you can try it out right now if it interests you. Sky Racket is a blend of shoot-’em-ups and block breakers, in which you’ll have to make your way through pixel art levels with your laser tennis racket. You can also play Sky Racket as a co-op game with friends to help you get through the hordes of fluffy enemies.
Summer in Mara
[embedded content]
Release Date: Spring 2020, timed Nintendo Switch exclusive
Customize your very own island and explore the open ocean in Summer of Mara. You’ll be able to visit over 20 other islands, plant crops, tend to farm animals, and more in this farming adventure. There are over 300 quests you can partake in that will help make Mara a better place and over 25 characters to meet and befriend. A truly tropical, feel-good experience.
Superliminal
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020
The puzzle game is heading to Switch this summer, so prepare to have your mind blown, as Superliminal uses gameplay elements centered around optical illusions and forced perspective.
The Good Life
[embedded content]
Release Date: Later in 2020
You’re a journalist from New York who heads to a town in the English countryside called Rainy Woods, a cherry town that has a bizarre secret. On nights with a full moon, the townsfolk turn into dogs and cats. Sounds like my kind of village. You’re a journalist, so you’ll have to snap pics and upload them to earn money and help solve a murder. Don’t worry, you’ll get a chance to transform into a cat or dog, too.
The Last Campfire
[embedded content]
Release Date: Summer 2020
The latest game from Hello Games, the studio behind No Man’s Sky, is here. You play as Ember in this beautiful, somber game, and you have to find your way home. Find hope and bring it with you as you journey to light the last campfire and encounter other lost souls.
Wingspan
[embedded content]
Release Date: Spring 2020
The strategy card game is heading to Switch, bringing with it bird enthusiasm and wildlife preserves. In Wingspan, you’ll compete against up to five players to build up your own nature preserve in a limited number of turns – with each bird you draw you’ll extend a chain of combinations in a habitat, which in turn focuses on an aspect of growth in your preserves like laying eggs or gathering food.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
