First Pass

23 stories from 3 sources

D23 put Kingdom Hearts back at the center

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

8:51 PMPolygon

Kingdom Hearts 4 Gets Full Reveal in New D23 Extended Trailer

Summary

Kingdom Hearts 4 received a much fuller reveal during its D23 presentation. The extended trailer shows more of the game's world and confirms dedicated gameplay for Mickey Mouse, Donald, and Goofy.

The reveal gives fans a better sense of the game's direction while keeping plenty of

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Why it matters

Kingdom Hearts 4 is finally moving from vague teases toward a clearer picture of its gameplay and cast.

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2 stories · 2 sources

8:48 PMIGN

'I Want to Set the Record Straight: That Is Not Happening' — Kingdom Hearts 4 Devs Say KH4 '100%' Will Not Be Delayed Past Late 2027 Launch | D23 2026

Summary

Kingdom Hearts 4 co-director Tai Yasue and series creator Tetsuya Nomura are pushing back on delay worries. They say the game will launch by its late 2027 window, calling that commitment a "100% thing."

That is unusually firm language for a game still years away, especially from a series

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Why it matters

Kingdom Hearts 4 currently has a clear late 2027 target and an emphatic promise against further delays.

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3:41 PMPolygon

'Fortnite's Unstable Event And Sonic Comic Seemingly Confirm Massive Chapter 7 Season 4 Leak

Summary

Fortnite's Unstable story event appears to line up with leaked key art for Chapter 7, Season 4. A new Sonic crossover comic adds another clue, making the rumored season look increasingly legitimate.

Epic has not fully confirmed the leak, but the timing is hard to ignore. When

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Fortnite players may have their first strong look at the game's next major season before Epic officially reveals it.

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6:30 AMPolygon

What to Expect in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 and its Gaming Theme

Summary

Fortnite's next season, Override, is built around gaming and hacking. The update is expected to bring recognizable video game characters and a new layer of tech-themed chaos to the battle royale.

Fortnite has long treated crossover events as a central feature, and this season leans directly

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Why it matters

Override could turn Fortnite into an even bigger crossover hub while giving the new season a clear visual and thematic identity.

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5:56 PMThe Verge

Matt Groening lets slip that Simpsons: Hit & Run might be making a comeback

Summary

Matt Groening hinted that The Simpsons: Hit & Run could return in some form during a D23 panel. A follow-up from showrunner Matt Selman muddied the message, but the exchange sounded more like a tease than a firm denial.

That could mean a remake, remaster, sequel, or something less exciting entirely. Still, the cult

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One of gaming's most beloved licensed titles may finally be getting another shot.

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9:42 AMPolygon

The Simpsons: Hit & Run' Fans Finally Have Hope For A Remaster After 23 Years, Thanks To Matt Groening

Summary

Matt Groening has offered encouraging comments about the possible return of The Simpsons: Hit & Run. After 23 years, fans finally have a reason to think a remaster or revival might not be completely off the table.

Nothing has been formally announced yet, so this is still hope rather than confirmation. But

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Why it matters

A proper remaster could give a new generation a chance to play a cult classic that has been stuck in the past.

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10:49 AMPolygon

'Rideshare Stimulator' Developers Disclose AI Use Steam After Days Of Controversy

Summary

Saber Interactive has added an AI disclosure to Rideshare Stimulator's Steam page after several days of criticism over AI use in the game. The move brings the game's development practices into the open, though it comes after the controversy had already gained momentum.

Players are increasingly asking for clear answers about where generative AI appears in games and

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Why it matters

The dispute shows that transparency around AI is quickly becoming a basic expectation for game developers.

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3:51 AMIGN

Disney Animation Studios Boss Jared Bush Isn't Ruling Out a Possible Kingdom Hearts Movie

Summary

Jared Bush, the chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, was asked about turning Kingdom Hearts into a feature film. He did not shut down the idea, leaving the door open for a movie someday.

That is hardly a formal green light, but it is notable coming from one of

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Why it matters

Disney is still leaving room for one of gaming's biggest crossover worlds to make the jump to theaters.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

9:01 PMPolygon

Pokémon Go Nickit Community Day event guide

Summary

Pokémon Go's Nickit Community Day brings increased Nickit spawns, shiny-hunting opportunities, and event-specific moves. The guide covers the key details, including timing, bonuses, evolution requirements, and the best movesets.

Community Day is one of the easiest ways to stock up on a featured Pokémon

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A quick event checklist can help Pokémon Go players make the most of Nickit's limited-time spotlight.

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7:30 PMIGN

Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit Lets You Keep Helping Hondo Ohnaka in Fortnite After You Leave Disneyland

Summary

Fortnite's new Smuggler's Gambit turns the Disneyland Smuggler's Run experience into a multiplayer PvE game you can keep playing with friends. Linking Epic Games and MyDisney accounts through a QR code can also unlock a special in-park Smuggler's Run experience.

It is a neat bit of crossover design: the theme-park ride sends players home with

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Why it matters

Disney and Epic are blending a theme-park attraction with an online game in a way that could make both experiences feel connected.

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6:29 PMIGN

D23 Deep Dive Into Kingdom Hearts Panel: Everything Announced

Summary

Disney's D23 convention is hosting a dedicated Kingdom Hearts panel packed with potential news and reveals. Updates are arriving live as the presentation unfolds.

Kingdom Hearts fans are used to waiting through long stretches of silence, so even small

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Why it matters

The franchise's next major move could become one of D23's biggest gaming moments.

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6:00 PMPolygon

12 Best Zelda: TOTK Replay Ideas and Challenge Runs

Summary

A collection of 12 challenge runs and roleplaying ideas offers new ways to tackle Tears of the Kingdom. Suggestions include banning fast travel, taking on a specific character role, and even joining the Yiga.

Tears of the Kingdom gives players so much freedom that a few self-imposed rules can

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A little structure can turn a finished Zelda playthrough into a surprisingly different second run.

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2:00 PMPolygon

Hades Fans Need to Try 2019's Co-op Riff on the Roguelike Formula

Summary

Children of Morta offers a strong co-op spin on the roguelike formula, with a cast of family members taking turns in the fight. Like Hades, it gives its action real emotional weight by making family drama central to the story.

It is a good pick for players who love Hades for more than its fast

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Why it matters

Children of Morta shows that roguelikes can build compelling character stories while still working brilliantly as co-op games.

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12:23 PMIGN

100% Marvel's Spider-Man Games with One Month of Free IGN Guides Checklists

Summary

Players can use a month of free checklists to chase 100 percent completion across Marvel's Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Spider-Man 2. The guides organize collectibles, missions, and side activities so finishing every corner of New York is less of a chore.

It is a handy shortcut for completionists who want to see everything without constantly hunting

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Why it matters

A structured checklist can turn a sprawling superhero game into a much more manageable cleanup project.

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12:00 PMPolygon

The 10 Best Classic Video Games That Need Modern Remakes

Summary

A collection of classic games from consoles and computers gets the remake treatment on paper, with each pick offering something modern players could appreciate. These are not just nostalgia choices, but games whose ideas could benefit from updated controls, visuals, or quality of life features.

The best remake candidates are not always the biggest names. Sometimes an older game needs

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Why it matters

A smart remake could rescue overlooked classics while giving new players a better way to experience them.

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12:00 PMIGN

I Love Handhelds, But I’m Worried the RAM Crisis is Going to Kill Them

Summary

Handheld gaming PCs have improved quickly, bringing stronger performance and better screens to portable play. But soaring memory prices could push these devices into territory where they are too expensive for shoppers and too risky for manufacturers.

The appeal of a handheld depends heavily on getting console like convenience at a reasonable

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Why it matters

A RAM crunch could make the next generation of gaming handhelds harder to build and much harder to afford.

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11:01 AMPolygon

'Disney Dreamlight Valley' Will Get Free 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Updates

Summary

Disney Dreamlight Valley is adding free content updates tied to Lilo & Stitch in September and The Nightmare Before Christmas in December. The roadmap gives players two new seasonal reasons to return to the life sim and expand their valley.

The mix of tropical chaos and spooky holiday style should give the game two very

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Why it matters

Players can look forward to two major free updates that broaden the valley's characters, themes, and seasonal appeal.

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11:00 AMPolygon

Bejeweled on Xbox Game Pass is a Smooth-Brain Puzzle Masterpiece

Summary

Bejeweled 2 and Bejeweled 3 have landed on Xbox Game Pass in their Xbox 360 versions. Their simple match-three loops remain so satisfying that they can easily swallow an entire afternoon.

There is no complicated system to learn or story to follow, just colorful gems and

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Game Pass just gained an ideal low-effort time killer with remarkably durable appeal.

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10:31 AMPolygon

How to perform air skills in Forza Horizon 6

Summary

Forza Horizon 6 players can complete the Horizon Mascot Party challenge by pulling off three air skills. The trick is to find a suitable ramp or jump, catch enough height, and land cleanly.

This is one of those challenges that sounds harder than it is once you know

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A simple jumping route can turn a fiddly seasonal objective into a quick win.

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8:00 AMPolygon

Super Mario Sunshine and Wind Waker Doomed the GameCube but Saved Nintendo

Summary

Nintendo spent the 2000s fighting to keep pace with PlayStation while frustrating some of its own fans. Games like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker may have hurt the GameCube's position, but they also pushed Nintendo toward the creative strategy that helped it recover.

The GameCube era looks less like a failure than a necessary reset. Nintendo lost the

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Why it matters

Nintendo's biggest comeback grew out of the same missteps that made the GameCube fall behind.

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8:00 AMIGN

I Hope GTA 6 Borrows a Lot From GTA 4

Summary

A return to Grand Theft Auto 4 has revived appreciation for the game's characters, mood, and grounded storytelling. Those are exactly the qualities fans hope Rockstar brings into GTA 6.

GTA 4 was grittier and more focused than the series' later entries, even if its

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The next GTA does not just need to be bigger, it needs the kind of personality that made GTA 4 memorable.

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7:30 AMPolygon

WheelMates Is Like It Takes Two and Micro Machines Combined

Summary

WheelMates sends players into a massive laboratory to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a mad scientist. It mixes cooperative puzzle-solving with fast, miniature-vehicle action, creating a setup that feels part It Takes Two and part Micro Machines.

That combination gives the game an immediate hook: teamwork and exploration on one side, frantic

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Why it matters

WheelMates could offer a fresh co-op spin by turning tiny cars and a mysterious laboratory into one chaotic adventure.

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