Justin Kahn

Update 8/21: Pre-orders for the Kirby Air Riders are now live at $69 via Walmart – this is the lowest priced option – and over at Amazon.

Creator Masahiro Sakurai hosted a dedicated Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct today to give us our very first look at gameplay from the upcoming Switch 2 title, and that he very much did. We got a lengthy look at just about every aspect of the experience, from the rider roster and a good look at the courses, the City Trial mode, riding machine details, and a whole a lot more. But we also got the official release date. 

The new Google have arrived and with them comes the usual influx of new cases and accessories. You won’t be able to use your old Pixel 9 case, so you might be on the hunt for a new one and if you’re not going to go with the showstopper Arc Pulse metal bumper case, perhaps something from Spigen’s ultra-affordable lineup will do the case. With pricing starting from $17 and bonus discounts applied at checkout on just about every model, the new Pixelsnap-ready magnetic Spigen Pixel 10 cases have arrived. 

Well, it finally happened. After seven long years of waiting and getting drip fed tiny bits of info, imagery, and a demo years ago now, Team Cherry hosted a special announcement on YouTube this morning that finally gave us what we have (all) been waiting for – the Hollow Knight Silksong release date! 

Just before Hollow Knight Silksong takes center stage later this morning for a special announcement of its own, the Xbox gamescom livestream broadcast will kick into gear for day 2 of the world’s biggest gaming show. Yesterday’s livestream was loaded with game reveals, updates on upcoming titles, and we even got the official release date for the upcoming Xbox ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handhelds. 

Update 8/21: Chibi-Robo is now playable as part of the Switch 2 GameCube library.

Nintendo has now officially announced the next expansion for the Switch 2 GameCube library. The latest classic game library for Nintendo Switch Online members and Switch 2 owners launched alongside the next-gen console with three titles before Nintendo brought the classic Super Mario Strikers in late June, and now it is readying a fifth title. 

Update: Hollow Knight Silksong officially releases on September 4, 2025.

After being confirmed as an official sequel way back in 2019, with development starting before that to some degree, it’s been a very long wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong. After years of no-shows at gaming events and showcases, and becoming one of most wishlisted titles on Steam ever, it looks as though Team Cherry is finally ready to break the silence in a major way and finally give us the good news. 

The big summer game showcases came and went, and still no release date or even a proper look at the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong. But gamescom 2025 is here, and so is Silksong. We still didn’t get a proper look or a release date for the bigger-than-indie 2D side-scrolling adventure at the Opening Night Live event yesterday, but industry darling and Game Awards boss Geoff Keighley did specifically say that it is “100%” for sure releasing this year, and we are almost certainly going to get the actual launch date tomorrow morning. 

Those old traditional power banks are on their way out in favor of what look to be much safer and more reliable semi-solid state models. There has been issues for years in some capacity or other, but with recalls surfacing on once universally accepted power banks with traditional Li-ion batteries seemingly ramping up, new solid models are the way of the future it would appear and STATIK just unveiled its new State Power Bank with some launch deals. 

After Sony decided to increase the price on PS5 hardware outside of the U.S. it seemed it was only a matter of time before the price hikes would land stateside, and that day has come. Sony has now taken to its official PlayStation Blog, right smack in the middle of the Xbox gamescom broadcast, to announce imminent price increases across the PS5 lineup – it begins tomorrow. 

Amazon has now launched a collection of discounts across its current-generation Fire TV Stick streaming device lineup. While not quite as low as we saw during the Prime Day bonanza last month, these deals are on par with the best we have tracked otherwise, delivering both the latest entry-model at $24.99 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $25, and the Game Pass Ultimate-ready 4K models starting from just $29.99. The details await below. 

The 2025 gamescom festivities kicked off in major way yesterday with the Opening Night Live livestream, and today it’s Microsoft’s turn. After Mr. Keighley got things going yesterday, guaranteeing Hollow Knight: Silksong will 100% be launching in 2025, followed by a string of new game reveals and new looks at a series of highly-anticipated titles, the ball rolls on today with the Day 1 Xbox @ gamescom broadcast. 

Just when you thought were surely going to get an update on the long-awaited Hollow Knight Silksong at tonight’s gamesome Opening Night Live, it looks like we are not. But not all is lost, as the official Team Cherry YouTube channel has posted a “Special Announcement” video set to go live on August 21…this could actually be it. 

Just as promised, we are getting a new exclusive look at the highly-anticipated Resident Evil Requiem at gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live. Host Geoff Keighley said we would, and after revealing the game back at the Summer Game Fest, gamescom is delivering once again and the next look at one of the biggest new titles on the Horizon. 

At today’s gamescom opening Night Live 2025, Activision announced the official release date for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Anyone who has followed our coverage of the leak that already surfaced won’t be in for any surprises here. 

The official 2025 gamescom Opening Night Live is about to do just that to kick off the world’s biggest gaming convention of the season straight from Cologne, Germany. While the actual show floor isn’t open to the public until tomorrow, the festivities actually get going tonight with the massive 2-hour long livestream showcase set to be packed to the brim with game reveals and updated looks at some of the biggest upcoming titles. 

Spigen, as you likely already know, is a brand perhaps best known for its iPhone and smartphone cases, but its lifestyle products are also quite popular around here. Products like its $20 Titanium Keychain Pocket Knife and its Magnetic Keychain Key Holder have drawn quite a bit of attention among readers, and we just spotted a stealthy release of its sweet-looking new Tumbler Carrier. Check it out below. 

While it seemed like we were going to have to wait until the usual September slot for the next big Nintendo Direct, today is the day folks. After seeing two Nintendo livestream presentations in as many weeks with IndieWorld and the Partner Showcase, Nintendo did not make us wait all that long for its next big presentation, and this time it’s all about Kirby Air Riders. 

Nintendo has now officially announced the next Nintendo Direct. As part of an update that just landed on the official Nintendo Today! app, and likely to surface everywhere else momentarily, the Mario maker has confirmed another Nintendo Direct showcase for this week, and it’s all about the new Kirby Air Riders! 

Update: Pre-orders are now live – Best Google Pixel 10/Pro pre-order deals: $200 in FREE Amazon credit, up to $350 on 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, more

We are now over 2-days out from this year’s Made by Google event where we will get our first official reveal for the new Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, among others. While you can certainly already get a good look and a ton of details on the new slate of Pixel devices set to take center stage later this week over at 9to5Google, we wanted to highlight the exclusive offer the Google Store is offering folks ahead of the official reveal on Wednesday. 

That’s a wrap for the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, but The Pokémon Company did have a series of new announcements and reveals for the closing ceremonies this year. CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara took to the stage with updates on everything from Pokémon GO and Pokémon TCG to the upcoming Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Legends: Z-A ahead of its release on Switch and Switch 2 in roughly two months time. 

Welcome to 9to5Toys News Weekly – your go-to spot to catch up on the latest new product releases, features, and hands-on reviews. This weekly roundup collects all of the coolest new gadgets, the most interesting updates in the world of tech, and more from the past week, and organizes it into a single handy reading list for you to sift through every Sunday morning.

The next big Switch 2 game release lands later this month with the updated version of Kirby on the Forgotten Land, but it’s the other Kirby game many of us are waiting on – the actual new Switch 2 exclusive Kirby game. There’s really only a few truly Switch 2 exclusive games left that are slated for 2025, and Kirby Air Riders is the only one we still know almost nothing about. 

Your annual Call of Duty leak has arrived – it appears the Black Ops 7’s official release date and launch platforms have surfaced alongside details on when you’ll get to see the game in action next. 

Today’s short and sweet list of iOS game and app deals is loaded with top-tier titles, from Iron Marines Invasion and Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance to Crying Suns, and a rare deal on Super Farming Boy. Those offers also join a host of notable hardware discounts including up to $149 off Apple Watch Series 10 just after Apple announced the Blood Oxygen feature is making a return in the U.S. as well as AirPods 4 starting from $80, a $300 price drop on Apple’s 1TB 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro, and a rare discount on this 1TB M4 Mac mini at $100 off. Head below for a closer look at all oof today’s best app deals. 

What will the next Switch 2 GameCube release be? And when do we expect it to arrive? Nintendo just officially announced the August Switch 2 GameCube release with the quirky but largely underrated Chibi-Robo! – it was a game we expected to land in the Switch 2 GameCube library at some point, and we now know it will do so next week. But what’s next?

The relatively recently revealed and particularly compelling look new LEGO Voyagers game is getting a new trailer today. And more specifically, a release date trailer – the game is now just over a month out from release. 

Everyone hoped Donkey Kong’s arch nemesis King K. Rool would make a triumphant return in the new DK Bananza, and you go it. And, after the release of the new Donkey Kong  and Pauline amiibo, Nintendo has decided to issue a re-release of the King K. Rool amiibo in celebration – you can pre-order it right now. 

Resident Evil: Requiem has been one of the more popular reveals of the summer around here, and we now know when you’ll get another good look at the game. While it isn’t schedule to actually hit store shelves until early next year, one of the more highly-anticipated titles of 2026 is set to take center stage once again, and very soon at that. 

The official new Nike LEGO Dunk Lows have arrived, plus a whole lot more. After Nike and LEGO announced an official partnership, the first new building set landed in the form of a brick-built Nike Dunk back in late May. Fast forward to today and the two behemoths have now announced what’s next –  the Nike Slam Dunk x LEGO Set (43010) and the Nike Dunk Trickshot x LEGO Set (43021) – alongside a host of LEGO-themed Nike apparel. Get a closer look down below. 

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones are now $100 off at Amazon, including all of the colors it offers. Regularly $200, you’re looking at a straight up 50% price drop here on the brand’s latest on-ear releases in Matte Black, Black/Gold, Cloud Pink, and Slate Blue down at $99.95 shipped. Details below. 

Welcome to 9to5Toys News Weekly – your go-to spot to catch up on the latest new product releases, features, and hands-on reviews. This weekly roundup collects all of the coolest new gadgets, the most interesting updates in the world of tech, and more from the past week, and organizes it into a single handy reading list for you to sift through every Sunday morning. Today’s collection is starting with a last shot at the massive Apple week sale event that will (mostly) end this evening alongside some hands-on reviews, the new My Mario 3D wood block amiibo sets, the leaked Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld release date, LEGO’s 2025 Advent Calendars, and the “world’s fastest OLED monitor,” but that’s just for starters.

Market analysts warned us ahead of launch that it would happen, Nintendo just officially increased the price on Switch hardware and Switch 2 accessories (again) in the U.S., and it seems it’s only a matter of time before Switch 2 console prices go up too. The new systems and bundles launched at a list much higher than last generation, but, judging by the way things are going, it’s might be going up from there, and it could be as soon as this year – if you don’t have one yet, now might be the time to strike. 

Burton Goods recently unleashed a series of new leather accessories with its latest lineup of wallets, card holders, and the passport model, but it also released the gorgeous new Leather Techfolio Cord Organizer as well. What quite possibly might be the prettiest new way to tame your tech accessories on-the-go or at home has arrived in the 9to5toys offices, and we have now put it to the test. 

I came way feeling pretty good about the recent Indie World showcase, but mostly just because of the Mina the Hollower confirmation and the subsequent FREE demo you can play right now. Others, not to so much – Hollow Knight: Silksong did not make an appearance, because of course it didn’t, but it will be making an official appearance at the Switch 2 gamescom booth in Germany later this month, according to one of Nintendo’s EU X accounts. 

Way back before the Switch 2 was even made official earlier this year, folks spotted patents that uncovered the mouse mode that indeed came to fruition. And now, recently spotted and newly filed Nintendo patents are suggesting some additional Switch 2 Joy-Con functionality could be on the way. 

Not long after gracing the word with its next-generation Switch 2 hardware, some new Nintendo toys are inbound. Nintendo is officially releasing a new platform of sorts known as “My Mario.” Consisting of a range of new toys and products, including a FREE interactive app for iOS, Android, and Switch, the particularly sweet-looking 3D Mario wood block sets, and a “Hello Mario!” Board Book, it is all set to begin releasing in Japan this month with an early 2026 launch slated elsewhere. 

Late last month Twelve South released its latest charging accessory – the PowerBug. The wall charger-meets-MagSafe mount is following a few different hybrid charging and tech accessories we have seen releasing over the last year and we have been testing it out for a few weeks now to see if it’s any good, or useful. 

Nintendo’s Indie World showcase went live this morning with short but (mostly) sweet look at some interesting new indie titles coming to Switch and Switch 2 this year and next. But some of the games on display in today’s live stream actually released today, and one of the titles I’m personally most excited about actually dropped a FREE demo ahead of launch this fall. 

One of the standout announcements of today’s Nintendo Indie World showcase for me, and plenty of other folks, was the new Mina the Hollower trailer, its Switch 2 release date, and the FREE demo you can now play on Switch and Switch 2. 

What will Nintendo show in today’s Indie World Direct? When does the next Direct go live? And where to watch today’s Indie World showcase? We, of course, don’t know for sure, the next “Direct” is today – it’s an indie game showcase, and you can watch it right here starting very soon at 9 a.m. ET. Details below. 

Yesterday Nintendo made it official – we are getting our second Direct show case in as many weeks and this time it’s going to be all about the indies. While it might not be the first big-time traditional Direct showcase of the Switch 2 era we are all waiting on, the next Indie World Direct is another chance for Nintendo to show off some notable experiences coming to Switch 2 outside of the big-time first-party releases we are anticipating, and it’s time to take a look at what we expect to see, what we are hoping to see, and what games will actually make tomorrow’s Indie World a success. 

The 2025 LEGO Advent Calendars are finally up for pre-order. This year’s lineup has been known for some time, but they are now finally available for purchase directly from LEGO ahead of release on September 1 – don’t expect them to last for very long as they tend to sell out quite quickly. 

Just after hosting its first major Direct Partner Showcase of the Switch 2 era, Nintendo has now officially announced when the next IndieWorld Showcase will go live. The livestream is set to give us a look at what’s next for Switch 1 and Switch 2 from the indie side of things and it goes live this week. 

Nintendo has recently issued an official statement via one of its Japanese X account warning users of potential Switch 2 overheating and crashing issues with summer temperatures expected to hit all-time highs in select regions.