Weird Mind News Room Episode 172: June 8th - 14th

 *Music for revealing the truth*

Well hello to all of you very fine and very wonderful people once again. My name is Sam and I am back once again to bring you a selection of the weekly series with Weird Mind News Room where for another week I will be providing a selection of all of the new releases, trailers and News that their is to come from the wide world of Media that you may have missed. But lets not waste too much time on the usual intros and lets get to talking on all things media for this week.

New releases Day

Movies

Disclosure Day

So this is a rare occasion on this series in general but we only have 1 new release this week and its in a focus to one of the big blockbusters of the year and of the summer and for the concept on what their is to expect with this title, it all comes together when its from the father of the blockbuster creation, as Steven Spielberg has returned with a new summer film and back to the roots of Sci-fi as we have the release of the all new film known as Disclosure Day. Now we have have a plot for this as well as it will focus on a meteorologist (Emily Blunt) and a Cybersecurity expert (Josh O'Connor) find themselves at the center of a movement to expose the governments cover-up of extraterrestrial secrets. Reception on this new title has been well recieved with praise on its concept, its performances (especially with Emily Blunt), the direction and return to form of a Spielberg event film, eve if there is some that find it a little odd or underwhelming in some aspects but if you want to learn the truth and learn of all the secrets that could frighten you, then you can catch this new film out now in cinemas.

Trailers to amaze

The Bear Final Season

So moving onto to trailers and the first focus of this week will be seeing us cooking up quite a storm of a tasty meal that will quench the appetite across multiple different dishes of seasons, but now it will soon be time to prepare the dish for one more tasty serving in mind as it will soon be time for the final total bill as we have the release of the trailer for the final season of the Bear. The season will follow on from the events of the 4th season finale with Sydney taking over the restaurant the morning after they receive the news from Carmy and will focus on her ordeal of stepping into this new leadership role and the focus on Ebraheim discussing on taking the business and making it a franchise. It has been a case this series has had its ups and downs with the show starting off with a strong focus, especially in the first 2 seasons and while some have said the latter half of the show has seen a bit of a dwindling appeal in being a bit underwhelming, it still has shown some strong sense of appeal in the project direction it is taking overall. The likes of wrapping it up after a 5 season run seems to be a new modern form for things and I can say at least with this regards that its still a focus on being a flowing narrative that is not taking leaps and bounds or expecting a massive spectacle every time and I am sure I will get around to see the rest of this series and others in due time and I am sure it could be a satisfying dish when it is served up onto Disney+ and Hulu from the 25th of June.

The Dog Stars

Our next trailer in focus will be bringing us back to another big name figure in film and will be giving us a new spin on a world gone to ruin but in the sense that when things seems dire that a simple signal could be a hope for a return to humanity, as we have the release of the 2nd trailer for the upcoming new film from Ridley Scott with The Dog Stars. Now based on the novel by Peter Heller, the film is set in a world after the events of a devastating Flu Pandemic that has almost eradicated humanity and will follow Hig (Jacob Elordi), a civilian pilot, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a hardened Ex Marine as they confront outside threats and hold onto the possibility of a better life beyond where they currently live when they search for a signs of a mysterious radio transmission. It has been quite the ups and downs for ol Scott as it seems some feel his filmography of recent memory has not been the most focused or strong, but there is a few that still appeal to many including the likes of The Last Duel, House of Gucci and even to the case I will say even Gladiator 2 was a decent watch but I can see the case that Scott can make decent projects overall and I see with this title it does look like it has a interesting outcome and watch and hopefully this will show he still has an appeal overall and I am sure we will see by its release on August 29th.

The Cat in the Hat

The next trailer and the first of the animated affair of this week will be giving us a new take and perspective of an iconic character getting a new form and look to adapting the well beloved story and it seems that chaos and hijinks will be a focus in mind for this powerful humanoid creature and his very zany hat as we have the release of the 3rd (its actually the 2nd but there is a joke in the film that explains this numbering) trailer for the upcoming new animated take on The Cat in the Hat.  In this first fully animated film version of this story, The Cat (Bill Hader), does what he does best - spreading joy to kids in his own hilarious signature way and transport them on a magical journey to worlds they have never seen before. In this case he takes on his toughest job yet for the I.I.I.I. (or the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC) to cheer up Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, if it all fails it could be this agent's of Chaos last chance to prove himself.... or else he will lose his magical hat. It has been quite the gap since the first of these trailers as this film was initially supposed to have already released this year and was coming out the week before Hoppers was set to drop but then it got moved around from One Battle After another and The Bride! that it now drops later, but even still with this delay I do like the approach and aesthetic they are going with this film in the likes of animation and visuals overall from the difference of the more normal detailed look in the human world and the overly bright and colourful world of the Cat's land that gives off the aesthetic of a Dr Suess book and I still think this could have a good sense of appeal and I know its a case of the only comparison is with the 2003 live action one (a film I still love and is so quotable) that I am sure this will be a decent adaption and overall expansion on this iconic character but I am sure we will see by the release of this film into cinemas from the 6th of November.

The Social Reckoning

This next trailer I would say is probably the only Biographical project on the list and one that initially I was not expecting to see actually be a thing as I was thinking this was a follow up to another biopic film from about a decade ago but it seems that so much time has passed and what was once the powerhouse in social media has become a destruction of itself as we have the trailer for the upcoming follow on to the Social Network with the Social Reckoning. Now based on the memoir from the Wall Street Journal from 2021, the film will focus on Facebook engineer Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) and Wall Street journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) as they blow the whistle on the social networks most guarded secrets hidden by the head of the company of Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong). So when I heard the plans for a social Network follow up I thought was this really necessary but I can see what they can go with from the past 15 years since that first film and then I heard some solid word of mouth from the cinemacon attendance, especially with Strong's Zuckerberg that I was quite shocked to see his look in this film that it is so scarily accurate to how he did in the late 2010s and early 2020s before his new look and the resemblance is kind of scary, but from what I can see from the trailer it looks like it is going more for a serious drama tone then the slightly lighter tone of the original and I can say from this that I have a lot of interest in this then I initially did and I am sure it will be worth checking this out when it does but I guess we can see by the release of this film into cinemas from the 9th of October.

Elle

For the next trailer and the 2nd and last tv show in focus, it will be time to return to a classic series from the early 2000s that has spawned a duology of beloved films and even some musical stage play, but in this case before they proved themselves in the world of Law and politics, we go back to where before it all began, without the lack of Blonde and Pink as we are presented with the trailer for the upcoming new series based on Legally Blonde with Elle. Set 6 years before the events of the original film, the series will follow a teenage Elle Woods as she deals with moving to Seattle and having to fit in with a crowd that sees her as an outsider and look to find herself that will lead her to the path we know her for in the original. It is a case that I do actually like those original 2 films and it has their moments in tone to everything that I feel with a focus to showing that it was not always the perfect focus and life for this character who felt like she had everything under control seems like an interesting one. I know the likes of the prequel aspect can be a bit of a debated aspect but there is methods where it will work out in some form overall and personally it seems like it could be a decent watch (which must be given it was already renewed for a 2nd season) but I am sure we will see what will come of all of this when the series premieres on Amazon Prime from the 1st of July.

Moana

The 2nd last trailer we will be given a focus to is in the area that even with the varying will they won't they, they seem to keep on making them and that is in the side of the Live action remake from Disney where similar to the appeal of how this lead hears the ocean, the box office call them to wonder how far they'll go for the profit as it will be seen with this overall next take on a film whos remake feels really short in release as we have the final trailer for the upcoming live action remake of Moana. Now this is of course based on the film from 2016 that follows the titular character who is a Polynesian Princess who destines to travel across the vast oceans to see what lies beyond her home. Soon that chance come to pass when her home begins to show signs of decay and despair from the removal of the Heart of Te Fiti and will soon go on a journey to locate the Demi God Maui and restore the heart to its rightful place before the world turns to Ruin. So it is a case that the live action remakes have been here, there and everywhere in quality with some that are fine, some are bad and some that are better then people make them out to be, but it is a case with this one that I feel it is way too soon and too short of a release in difference for this title. I feel that overtime it looks fine but given that the original film is not even 10 years old, even by its release will be something that I will question in general to this, but I would not be surprised if we see an overabundance of project in the works of these remakes getting shorter and shorter in release from animated to live action, but I am sure we will see by its outcome (and for me to add this to an eventual part of the rewatchathon) by the release of this title from the 10th of July.

Gatto

The last of the trailers that we have for this week is bringing us to the studio of animation that I hold a special place in my heart and in the case will be discussing them with their big release next week that I was not expecting to see this first look at their next project until a least another 2 or 3 weeks time but in this regards in looks like this new perspective will be making us an offer that we cannot refuse, as Pixar has come along and unveiled to us the first teaser for their newest film with the title of Gatto. The film will follow Nero (Mark Ruffalo), who after years of maneuvering the the canal-ridden, superstitious city of Venice, begins to question whether he's lived the right lives. Indebted to Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), the local Feline Mob Boss, Nero soon finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose - unless Venice gets to the better of him first. The ideals of this concept of what is essentially a cat version of the Godfather seems like an interesting foundation to start with and it is seen with the short teaser we got of an interrogation scene of the main 2 leads in focus. I will also have to say the new approach of these appealing visual animation does look really great and appealing and I have to say the mixed media could be something interesting to see (that I am not sure if its a similar visual media in the upcoming Toy Story film) but from this teaser so far I am very much interested (as I am with any Pixar titles) and I will be for sure checking this out when the film releases on March 5th next year.

News of the other worlds beyond

Doing it for the Players: The roundup from Xbox Showcase

So similar to last week in focus and tone we have another set of conferences in focus to gaming and while last week we focused to the state of Play at PlayStation and saw a great summer of many games fest, but for the first of this week will be in the focus on the other side of that often console wars as it will be now time for Xbox and Microsoft with a focus of about just under 30 titles announced at the event and while I will not cover all of them in deep focus, I will at least acknowledge all of them overall in quite an entertaining showcase so lets delve in on all that was announced.

So they started off strong with the presentation with the focus on the all new title in the popular series of Gears of War with E-Day that will be a focus to the events that happen before the original games title and showing the start of the decimation of society after a state of calm and peace from dangerous adversaries and seeing a younger version of some of the familiar and popular characters from the series making a return after the change of cast in the more recent titles, but I am sure there will be appeal and given its officially an XBox exclusive title I am sure it may bring some appeal when it releases on October 6th.

From sci-fi over to fantasy, we were then treated to an all new look and focus to the world of the upcoming new entry and revival of Fable which gave us a focus of some of the visuals of the narrative as well as a focus to a possible ally or antagonist with Isabel who is being portrayed by Hayley Atwell and I have to say on the visuals of the character design and some of the narrative and world that is about to be presented and play through is going to be something that will appeal overall and it does look like a well worthy entry in the series and I am sure will be giving this a try when this game now releases on February 23rd next year.

Then it will time to be a focus in all about one thing and that will be to finish the fight in an all new look and system too as we got an all new look at the upcoming remake of the Original Halo with Campaign Evolved that showed off the focus of the updated visuals and the confirmation this new version will be adding 3 extra new missions that are seen as a prologue to the original game that will explain the hectic all out action the original title started with and I have to say that I hope with any form with this series that has seen a lot of mixed outcomes that hopefully this will bring it back in a right direction with this title set for release from the 28th of July.

It was then given a focus of an all new look to the newest title in the Plague tale series with Resonance that will be seeing a focus to the realm of this dangerous curse and plague hitting the realm of the ancient gladiatorial Minoan Period and how it will connect and affect the middle ages too and it seems like the action focused approach to the usual stealth approach may be something to delve into and be worth a try on this new entry in the series with it now set for release on the 27th of August.

We are getting a focus over now to the realm of the anime based title as we got an all new look and better showing off of the 4th Persona remake / remaster, showing the updated visuals, gameplay and narrative that made the original a beloved title and will give some new fans of the series a chance to play this title and it now has gotten an official release date with it set to drop from the 18th of February next year.

It was then time for some undead survival as they unveiled a new entry of the State of Decay series that will of course see your custom made survivor traversing across a decaying landscape in search of supplies, refuge and to take down some evolved and unsettling zombies that roam the lands and I am sure there will be appeal and continued evolving of the series when the title releases sometime next year.

Next was the first of the updates which was for season 20 of Seas of thieves getting a new custom seas update to make your own custom expeditions, but for the next reveal and focus was getting an all new look and perspective at the newest entry of the Metro series with a focus on the gameplay and visuals of the game that will see a focus of a change in the regime of the different factions in post war Russia and I do say that a new Metro is probably well worth a release of a new entry and so far it does look decent but I am sure we will see by its release sometime in February next year.

Then we have a new indie title that looks to be what I would see as a spiritual successor to Untitled Goose Game with Bad Magpie that will see you as a titular bird that may be missing its wings and from that ordeal will have you wielding a flaming branch and causing chaos in the meadow and nearby town. If it has the vibe of that Goose game then I am all for trying this title out but I am sure we can see by its release next year.

Then what I initially thought was some DLC for the recent Nioh title, it was actually the reveal of a new game from Team Ninja with a sequel to Wo Long with Wings of Ember that will be another high octane, fast paced battle title from this studio that I am sure if the appeal from the first title is there, then I am sure this follow up will surely will be worth a play and you can play this when it releases in Early 2027.

Then something that seems a little on the nose to some things that are present in the modern day but we have a form of simulator game with the title of Join Us that will see you become the leader of your own cult and you make the effort to recruit new followers, change society in your own ways and all other forms of hijinks and ordeal that I am sure will be something worth a bit of a laugh and not be a title that will ruin you financially and your lineage and will be worth a play when it releases in March next year.

Then the focus from a Sacrifice and a Saga, we have another title coming along that will bring us back to the world of Hellblade with the new title just known as Senua that will be set after the events of the sequel and see Senua trapped between Life and death in a form of Purgatory and I am sure I can give these titles and try before this new title makes its debut to continue this characters saga when it releases sometime next year.

Then the case that it was 2 pieces from Bethesda that first started with some free week for Fallout 76, but the real focus is the unveiling of the all new campaign DLC for Doom the Dark Ages with Revelations that will see the Doom Slayer in Purgatory and must battle against the demons on their home turf in hell as the land has frozen over with the focus of dealing with the dark truths and hellscape of his twisted mind and I am sure if the appeal of this series is still there for many people and will be worth playing this new title when the DLC drops from the 7th of July.

Then it is time to get crazy and wild with a blast back in time to a world of high octane craziness as we have the reveal of an all new entry and title of the popular Crazy Taxi series with World tour that will see you take on jobs and bring the thrill to the customers across multiple locations across the globe and while there has been a bit of concern as some elements of AI tools have been possibly confirmed to be used for the title, I am sure it will have some appeal to be fixed before its release onto consoles sometime next year.

Then we had one bit of tech based news with the unveiling of an all new 25th anniversary Series X that will bring back the iconic form of the translucent console that actually looks really cool and would love to see a return of some of these items in the future with this set to drop in November this year (and the case of the new head of the company doing a big W by giving all that came to that showcase at some screening event a free version of this console when it does release).

Then we had a focus of another title with some small update on Age of Empires IV Enemies of the North DLC coming later in the year, but the next reveal was surprisingly a sequel to the Minecraft dungeon series that will see you and a group of friends take on new and improved dungeons full of mysteries, discoveries and new enemies to deal with that I am sure may have the appeal of those that enjoyed the original title will find some entertainment with this follow up but I guess we will see come its release on September 29th.

This next title I will have to say is probably a title I was the most surprised and invested in and this is with the reveal of the new title of the Magicians The Devils Deal that will see you play as a man named Jacob who seems to have made some deal with the devil and using his powerful magic tricks and spell casting will have to find a way to get out of this hellish landscape and it just seems from this visual art styles and the unique approach in the gameplay mechanics, this is one that really invested me and personally I am all in for playing this title and I am sure will be worth a play when it releases sometime next year.

Then a title that actually had a cool looking approach in a new look at the title of valor Mortis that will see an alternate universe where Napoleon has continued a never ending war and has spawned a sort of supernatural curse and the ideal of a soulslike based on a bit of a real world conflict seems really interesting and from the demo that released on the day, it is proper solid so I am sure it will be well worth trying out when the title releases on September 24th.

The next 2 in focus was another pair of games already released getting updates with Elder Scrolls online with the Thieves Guild (I really question if Bethesda is even making Elder Scrolls 6 at all) and then a national parks update for Flight Sim, but the next is technically a game that has released but I will allow it as while the title of Where winds meet is not the major focus in mind with it now released on Xbox, it is more in the ideal of the all new expansion with Hidden Mountain that will see you take on a new journey and battle of some ancient mystery and legacy to uncover and do battle against in the tall and dangerous mountains on the horizon, but I am sure we will see about that ordeal with that DLC coming out in July.

Then it was time for the one Metroidvania based title for this entire showcase as we have gotten an all new look at the newest entry of the Castlevania series of Belmont's Curse where we will play as the daughter of Trevor Belmont with Rose as she enters and takes on what manifests inside these halls that has appeared in the heart of Paris and it seems like the focus and appeal of the overall series is still present throughout this franchise and I am sure it will be quite the interesting take on the series to try when it releases on October 15th.

Then a title that I was very surprised in the visual department alone and that is with the new title of Vivarium that will see you in this cozy based title that looks like it is a game that was made to be a studio Ghibli title and it seems like this could be some very cozy and comfy based title and I am for sure this could be well worth playing when the title releases sometime next year.

Then in the case of while there was not majorly a lot shown with this next reveal, a small tease alone has really set the world on fire as after initially being a leak, a 6th entry for Persona is in development and it could be tapping into some more supernatural based focus from this cryptic teaser and I am sure this could be well worth playing and checking out when this title releases in the near future and we get an idea of what their is to come from it all.

Then from a big reveal to another massive one, we are returning to a far off place full of magic, fantasy and Dragons as after being dormant with a new entry for over a decade (besides a certain remake trilogy) the small purple dragon is back as we have been given a reveal of an all new Spyro title with a Realm beyond that will see the iconic platformer back in his natural look and form and seeing a massive new world to explore and I for one welcome him back and given this is a success, it looks like a certain Orange Marsupial may be back sooner then later but we will see by this titles release in the Spring of next year.

For the 2nd last title in focus was a game that appealed to me from last years showcase and that is with the new title of Clockwork Revolution that is given me some steampunk vibes and a little bit of the world of Bioshock and it is still a game that is appealing to me and I am for sure going to be checking this out and exploring this vast new world when this releases sometime next year.

And then to round out all of the new reveals and looks at the showcase was how the last event ended as we got a new look at the next entry of Call of Duty with the recently unveiled Modern Warfare 4 with the focus on the new look at the upcoming DMZ mode on the game as you get across a vast no mans land in an abandonded town as you make your way to obtain a target or item and extract out of there and just showing off more of the back to roots and grounded approach to the game but I am sure we will see if it keeps the promise when the title releases from the 23rd of October.

And with all of that, this was all that the Xbox showcase had to offer and I will say this was quite the appealing showcase as it had a lot of titles that were straight to the point and not overly reliant on the updates to already released games and many of the new reveals and surprises made it a top tier showcase and I am well intrigued to see what this new head of the studio will have to offer and I need to get a Xbox when I can too, but we will work on that.

But what are your thoughts on all of this Xbox showcase, what are you the most excited from this event and what did you hope would be revealed? Let me know what you think of it all down below.

Switching it up: All to be from the Nintendo Direct

Now from one presentation to another, it has been a bit of time for this one but we have finally gotten an official Nintendo Direct for the last of the showcases that is not an Indie World or Partner Showcase focus and is the first of the First Party included directs and while there is a bit of a mixed opinion on this one, there is still a fair amount of announcements (at least over 30) to talk on from this presentation, so let see what Nintendo brought to us with the wave of projects in focus.

So before the direct reveals, we have one update to 3 titles that was not shown off but given an official reveal, the first being that the upcoming Switch adaption of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has gotten an official release date of August 28th after being initially delayed from 2025 due to some poor performance elements initially from some showcases, but it seems they are on the mend to be a solid outcome when it releases in about 2 months time.

The 2nd game not shown at the event but given an update was given the aspect that the recent title for this new massive LEGO game had seen a delay for this port but it was finally unveiled that the recently released LEGO Batman title of Legacy of the Dark Knight now has a release for the Switch 2 with it set for September 18th which also coincides with the release of the big Joker based DLC releasing on the same day so I guess the delay of about 3-4 months is doable in that regards to play this new title.

The last of the titles not shown but had recently been given updates of release on the console was the reveal that the title of Hell is Us is also coming to the Switch 2 with that version releasing a year after the PC and PS5 version and coming out on the 24th of September and a case I have been meaning to try and pick this game up so trying it on the go may be my best approach to this now as the other formats seem to be a bit more a short window of release.

So we started off the event with the first of the 1st party titles with the new look at the upcoming Rhythm Heaven games with Groove that will see you play to the beat of the music with some new challenges, co-op games and even a special rhythm based RPG campaign that seems like it could be a fun little game to try when it releases on July 1st.

On the array of titles being shown from the event, it started with the confirmation that the upcoming new entry of the Onimusha series will be making its way over to the Switch 2 and will bring the high octane action, sword battles and visual narrative to the hybrid console as well with this title dropping on the same day as other consoles on September 24th.

Another big 3rd party title on the way to the new system is with the RPG based game of Dragons Dogma 2 that will have you hacking and slashing across vast ancient lands full of powerful dangers and allies to help on your journey to restore this land and also to learn of its many secrets that I am sure will be worth trying out when it releases on October 9th.

Then a very surprising release to come from the event was the reveal that the original entry of Stellar Blade coming to the console that will bring this fast paced and high octane title that was a hit (and bit of drama) when it released a little over 2 years ago and I am sure could work well on the handheld, but I am sure I will give this a go when it releases later this year.

We got an all new look at the game that has my appeal from the visuals alone was that new co-op title of Orbitals that will see you and a partner teaming up to travel across a vibrant and colourful galaxy to save the day with some unique gameplay elements and everytime I see anything of it I am more interested to try it out and thankfully we have a date for it with it set to drop now from the 3rd of September.

Then while this was revealed at the State of Play the previous week, I have to acknowledge that the upcoming remake of Rayman Legends will also be heading to the handheld that told us a little more on what to expect with updated visuals, 4 new music levels, more new normal levels, worlds and narrative elements and I am just so excited to return to this title with the new dimension and fresh coat of paint when it drops on October 1st.

Then the developers behind Untitled Goose Game has come along and given a proper new look at their next title of Big Walk where you take control of some goofy little sphere based creatures and head off on a big cozy walk in the far wilderness and solving strange puzzles found along the journey and I feel this could be a fun and enjoyable cozy co-op title to try out when the title get up and moving from the release on August 4th.

Then it will be time to get your crew together and set sail for some high cuisine as we have the reveal of an all new One Piece Game of Grand Gourmet that will see you take control and create your own form of the Baratie and make it the best franchising of this floating cuisine with the aid of all the Straw Hat Crew by your side and I am sure it will give you a tasty meal when the title drops on October 22nd.

Now while the next mainline title will be another year away, we will be returning to one of the most profitable Media IPS with the recent title as Pokopia is back with some more new content in the form of a new domain to build some new locales and scenery to have for your Pokémon friends with an underwater domain for the water types that seems like its well due to see more to come from this game. The only nitpick I have with this was unveiling their is a free update and then confirm after a Paid DLC expansion pass is also happening but hopefully the price is not too bad (especially after the price to pay for this title) but I guess we can see with this Update and DLC coming out in the Summer.

Then the next of the first party titles getting a new update at this direct after its unveiling back in September, we finally got an all new look at the upcoming new entry of the Fire Emblem series with Fortune's Weave that will have you take your chance to become the champion of a high octane contest across multiple champions across the lands and prove who is the best while stopping a powerful evil from destroying it all. I definitely need to get to playing these titles and stream some of them and hopefully with this will be a place to get on that series but I am sure it will be worth a try when this title now has an official release date for September 18th.

Then what I thought was a follow up to that Bubblegum Splatoon knock off, it seems I was mistaken as we have a follow up to the title of Ninjala that will see you transported to a strange world after the breaking of an ancient seal and will see your skills and bubblegum usage to help battle your way to get back home and save the day and I am sure it could be worth trying out when the title releases when it comes out in the summer of next year.

There was a focus then to the Great Ape getting some special new focus with a limited time event known as the DK challenge that will see you take on over 30 challenges across multiple classic titles all the way up to Bananza to unlock some special cards collection which could be an interesting approach to try with this event going from June 10th to September 1st. For non limited event I think, the recent Bananza DLC alsog got a special crossover for the Mario 40th Anniversary with an all new update including a costume for DK and Pauline based on Mario and Luigi and some elements of items from those games that will be part of some more limited events with the first wave available now as well.

Then the developers of Vampire Survivors have come along and announced an all new title that will be crossing over with the popular anime of Jujutsu Kaisen to create Rumble survivaton that will see you play as some of the popular characters from the series as you do battle against waves of enemies and then battle one another to be the best of the best and I am sure it will have its appeal if Survivors was great as well but I am sure we will see when this title drops sometime later this year.

For more 3rd party entries making the jump to this hybrid console, we got the confirmation that the upcoming title of Lords of the Fallen will be on the way with a focus of the high octane action and souls like gameplay that I am sure if the original had the appeal to get a follow up that I am sure it will be worth a try when it releases sometime this fall.

Then a title I am all for coming out on the console was the announcement that the popular title of Lies of P will be dropping on the console in the complete edition that will include the original soulslike based narrative based on the story of Pinocchio as well as the add on DLC all in one package and I for one will be playing this again when it releases with the digital version dropping on August 5th and a physical edition releasing on October 2nd.

Then another high octane action title will be on its way real soon as the newest entry of the Devil May Cry series will be coming to the console with the hunter edition of 5 with Dante, Vergil, V and Nero as you change the world with high octane weapons and other means to take control and while it may not be a new 6th entry, this will appeal a bit more until then with this Switch 2 version releasing on June 23rd.

Then we got the reveal of an all new entry of the Muramasa series with the title of Revenant Blades that while not showing too much on the title in gameplay, we got a look at the visuals, some brief narrative and some of the characters that will be a part of your journey as we head off on the adventure with the title set to be released sometime in early 2027.

Then a focus of a new batch of Switch 2 editions is on the way with the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy coming to Switch 2 with a focus of updated visuals and new features from transport methods, weapons and upgrades and more all in the focus to help bring the series to 4K and all releasing in waves with the first title dropping the day of the event with physical out on July 30th, 2 out digitally on July 30th and Physical on October 1st and then 3 dropping on December 3rd.

But if you were looking for a new title in this series then you are also in luck as it was revealed that a new title in the form of Genesis is also on the way that will see a new world, characters, action and narrative of a strange and unknown curse that will need to be resolved and restore the land to its rightful glory and I am sure it will be something that will appeal to the fans with this title set to drop sometime next year.

Then it was back to an all new 1st party title and it is time to get active again and return to the all new and improved WuHu Island as we have the release of the Switch Sports Resort reveal that will see up to 12 new games from classics like Golf, Tennis and Archery, to new ones likes skateboarding and thumb wrestling (with a very suspect clip of the host playing the game) and it is nice to see the return to this island paradise and I am sure it will be fun to play this new entry when it releases from the 22nd of October.

It will then be time for a high octane adventure as the newest title based on the series of Runescape with Dragonwilds and will be a focus to seeing how all of it will come together to scavenge, loot and battle to save the lands from the dragon curse that will be an interesting approach to try and I am sure it could be worth a try to play on your own or with a few friends when it releases on September 15th.

Another Iconic IP is making the leap into the board game party titles with the character of Hello Kitty getting a Mario Party inspired title with Party Land that will see you play across 6 boards and up to 40 minigames to challenge the rivals for the best in all of party land and I am sure we will see what will come of this game when it releases on October 29th.

Then we got another new brief look at the upcoming new retelling of the original Star Fox game getting a new 4k upgrade on the Switch 2 with a brief look at the new visuals and updated narrative in play for this title and the confirmation of a free demo available to play now on the console before this team will take off when it releases on the 25th of June.

Then taking a page out of the recent Kings Quest titles, it looks like Final Fantasy is also getting the HD-2D remake approach with the title of Resonance that I believe will be given the recently shuttered Mobile title getting the full pixelated Visual treatment of the title and I am sure it could appeal to see more of the original titles get the same treatment with the title set for release on October 22nd.

Then things are getting really weird and goofy but in a really fun way as a sequel to the title of Pikuniku is on the way and will be bringing a lot of weird and wonderful things from odd character designs, strange narratives and conspiracies and all in an all new dimension of 3D and while it looks goofy I am definitely giving this a try when it releases sometime next year.

Then it is time to focus on a return to another popular IP getting a new open world title adventure of Dragon Quest worlds with the Withered World that will see you travel across a vast lands and obtain many of the well known and even some new monsters found from this popular JRPG series that I am sure will have its appeal to the fans overtime and will be set to explore this new world when it releases on December 3rd.

Then after being quiet for about 14 months, we finally got a new very brief look at the upcoming new Fromsoftware exclusive title with the Duskbloods that will show this vamperic and gothic location that feels like a possible sequel to Bloodborne and while it was not much we got the confirmation that the game will be getting a closed Networks test releasing in the summer and likely a full release later in the year.

Then it was a new entry in a long running popular series with the new single player focused narrative of Splatoon Raiders that will have you as a scavenger as you and a research team look for materials and resources to help with some things back home and will soon find yourself in a strange and dangerous new place when the title getting a new Direct focus on June 30th before its release next month on July 23rd.

then coming in a little over a year since the last entry part of this series, we will be heading back down in the strange and colourful kingdom found in the strnage room in the school as the 5th chapter in the ever continuing Deltarune has been revealed with glimpses of new enemies and old returning favourites making an appearance for you to challenge your sense of determination and I will need to get to those last 2 chapters and be ready to play when this free new update drops from the 23rd of June.

Then a popular award winning JRPG will be making a jump to the handheld as it was revealed that the titel of Metaphor Refantazio will be coming to Switch 2 with the focus of your character looking to be elected as the new royal of the land by making appeal and favour to the people of the land and battle strange creatures called humans that I have been looking to make for some time and now it looks like it is well worth trying on the go and we have a date of them releasing the title on November 12th.

And similar to its release on every form of console, pc and mobile device, it also looks like Minecraft will be getting a Switch 2 edition with updated visuals and elements for this new version of the title with the Switch 2 edition set to build its onto the new system later this year.

It was then the usual montage of titles near the end of the event that started with a brief look at the new entry of Atelier Karia with the Night Kingdom and the Guide of Memories that looks to bring high octane action, fast paced combat and some interesting world and narrative to explore which will all come together when it releases in early 2027.

The popular title of Warhammer 40K Space marine 2 is also making the jump to Switch 2 and will see you in big mech and big weapons smashing up enemies and dangers for the greater good and I am sure it could be worth a try when it releases later this winter.

Then things will be getting a bit scary in the cyberspace as we get the confirmation of the remaster redux of Observer that will have you trying to escape a digital hellscape that you have found yourself trapped in and I have heard a fair amount of decent appeal to this title and I may give this a try in the future when it releases on June 18th.

Then a title I was not expecting to see drop was the reveal that the massive online multiplayergame of DayZ is coming to the console that will see you scavenge supplies and stay alive from the undead and other survivors that I have heard has improved since its very early days about a decade ago but I am sure it will be worth to see if it works well when it releases later this year.

We then got another new look at the upcoming 2nd volume of the Metal Gear solid title that will consist of MGS4 and Peace walker that I feel is a little light on content compared to vol.1 but maybe they can do at least one more volume with more recent titles but I guess we can see by its release on August 27th

Then a surprise reveal was the next entry of the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy with Rise of the Tomb Raider with the 20 year celebration edition was unveiled and see the continued narrative of Lara's next adventure following the 2013 reboot and I am sure it will be well worth seeing how it plays with this title being the other game releasing on the day of the event.

Then an all new look and reveal was given to the remaster of tales of eternia that will bring you back to an all new visually updated look at the popular title from the past that looks very clean and may be a bit of an interesting title to try when it releases on the 16th of October.

then one last title releasing on the same day of the event is the title of Snowrunner that will see you travel across rough terrain and weather elements to get to your destination and get the cargo to the location on time and I am sure there is an appeal and I will maybe give it a look in due time.

Then the 2nd last title in this montage was the reveal of another Switch 2 edition title with getting moving and exercising with a release of Fit Boxing 3 that will have you punching to the beat of the music and pattern on screen to help you to really get in shape and I am sure this could appeal similar to the likes of Ring Fit or Just Dance when this title version releases on July 16.

The last of the titles in the montage of other games to come was with the title of Everbloom which seems to be the sole cozy farming sim of the event that will have you take control of some cute anthropomorphic animals and create a cozy way of live for all of them and it looks nice and simple and I am sure there is an appeal but I guess we will see by a release in early 2027.

Then it is time for some more magical adventures to find what is pure from the darkness as it was announced the complete collection of Kingdom Hearts will be making its way to the switch 2, escaping from the cloud versions found on the original Switch that will consist of the complete editions of the first 3 games with the bonus content, which does appeal I will day and having them all in one place makes it totally worth investing in with the title set to drop from the 8th of October.

It was not the only news of this series at this event as immediatly after this reveal and the first time in about 4 years, they finally show some brief new footage of the 4th mainline Kingdom Hearts game that will now also be confirmed to be coming to the console that will see a new real world setting, darker and more powerful creatures and many new worlds to explore and I am sure this will be worth a try when it releases in the near future.

And then to bring this conference to an end, just 3 simple notes were enough to activate many in a sense of joy as after reported rumours, it turned to be true that an all new remake of the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is on the way and just shown a brief teaser of young Link and of the legend has enough to invest many people into the new console and I for one am excited to see how this remake plays in motion and we thankfully know this iconic adventure will be back in out lives from sometime later this year.

and that was all that Nintendo had to offer at this direct which felt a little lacking in the first party titles and quite a few games that have released on other platforms but in this regards overtime, I think it was a decent conference overall, and while I had hoped for one or 2 other things like a reveal of a new Ace Attorney, a new 3D Mario game and a release date for the new Professor Layton, I am sure we will see them in due time, but overall am looking forward to playing these titles in due time on this hybrid console.

But what do you think of this direct, what did you hope to see revealed and what are you the most excited for from this? Let me know what you think down below.

A selection of suspects to choose from

And then to wrap up all of the news and topics for this week, it is the usual array of a hodge podge in focus mainly on film and TV that will consist mainly of new release announcements, projects and some casting updates that are sure to come from the wide world of media in due course so let us see what their is for choice from this week to discuss.

So we will start off with a small bit of news updates for a project that we know about on the way from a few weeks ago and it seems with this case that while they were not really much behind the camera with this take, it looks like it will be the approach for this new upcoming follow up as it was announced that Wild Robot director of Chris Sanders will be handling directing duties for the upcoming live action sequel of Lilo and Stich. Now this is not the first time that he has been involved with this project as while also being the voice to the chaotic Blue Alien, Sanders was a co-director on the original film in the series from 2002 so seeing him come back is quite the surprise (and probably explains why Sanders is not directing that Wild Robot sequel) and while I would've been fine with the return of the first live action remakes director, I feel having it in control with Sanders could help in some capacity. Now as it is we have no idea if this follow up will follow one of the straight to DVD films or sequels from Stich the Movie, Stitch has a glitch or Leroy and Stitch, but given they need to introduce some other characters into the series that more then likely it will see something slightly new (and likely fix some peoples opinions on the divisive ending of the first part) but I guess we will see as we get closer to the May 2028 release date and once we have an idea on anything else I will provide it in a later episode.

So speaking of directors, it looks like another well known director who we have talked about earlier in this episode is possibly on their way to their next adaption and it seems with this regards that they will be aiming to hit the high seas in this regards, as it was announced earlier that director Ridley Scott may have his eyes set on a new adaption of a well beloved book and that is the case he is looking to make an adaption on Treasure Island. It is not the only bit of news that was confirmed as it looks like he already has someone in mind to be casted for this title with the confirmation that the director is eying Hugh Jackman for the title and may have him playing the role of Long John Silver. The choice on it is not bad and to be fair Jackman has a fair bit of Charisma to play the character (and has already played a pirate before in that often forgotten Peter Pan origin story from a decade ago) and I would be interested to see who they will get as Jim and some of the other characters of this narrative (and even if its more a sci-fi hoped one day even to get a live action take on Treasure Planet). Now at the moment it is unclear if this is Scott's next project after Dog Stars cause there is reports he is making a Biopic on the Beegees as well, but if I hear anything else about this then I will provide it in a later episode.

The next of the project announcements is one that was initially seen as a bit of a comedic joke that was in focus from the end of the last entry of this previous entry, but it looks like these 2 will be going back undercover for an all new mission as was announced on Wednesday on this week that we are getting an all new entry in the Jump Street series with 24 Jump Street. Now I know what you are thinking, what about 23? well in the focus of the image of the script that was posted it makes the joke that it took so long to make that they had to skip one, so the ideals of a follow up in that method makes sense of a joke overall. Now we have some ideas of some involved as it was confirmed the trio of stars of Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube will all be making a return in this follow up, but we also know that the film will be helmed by Rodney Rothman, one of the writers of Into the Spider-verse who will be directing and also writing the script with Hill and Megan Malloy so I am interested to see the case of what they do with this title. Now the 2 questions I have is will this cover one of the joke parody Jump Streets they had in the credits for 22 Jump street from medical, foreign exchange and even a form of space camp (or maybe this will bring back the initial concept for a 3rd film that was going to be a crossover with Men in Black) and the other is will the duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller be involved in any form as they were the directing duo of the original cause I feel their flair, even if its as an executive producer will still appeal. Now I am intrigued to check this out and currently there is not projected release date for this, but once I hear anything about this project, I will also provide it in a later episode.

The last of the project announcements is bringing us back to another classic from the bygone era of the 80s and this one will be bringing a lot of pop, sparkle and music magic as it was confirmed earlier this week that an all new tv series based on the classic cartoon of Jem and the Holograms is currently in the works for Amazon Prime and being helmed by Kilter films, the company created by Lisa Joy and Johnathon Nolan. Now for those uninitiated, Jem is a series from the 80s that focus on a woman named Jerrica Barton, the head of a record label known as Starlight Music by day, but by night becomes Jem, the lead member of the rock Band Jem and the Holograms using the power of a powerful Holographic computer known as Synergy and must keep her dual identities a secret, the Holographic technology from falling into the wrong hands and dealing with rivals in career and bands (essentially an animated 80s version of Hannah Montana). Now the ideals of this being made into a series from a 80s television series was likely going to happen as we have seen that with other big franchises of the time like Transformers, G.I Joe and He-Man and its not the first attempt of it as well as they tried to do it with a film in 2015, but the less said about that film the better. Now the likes of when we will see this project as well as who will portray Jem and her bandmates is currently unclear, but once I hear about that as well I will provide it in a later episode.

The last story I have in focus is with some news relating to an upcoming project that many of us have been waiting for a very long while and delay for and that is with the case of the man that would be known as Vengeance will be coming to us real soon, as we have some news in relation to some characters from the upcoming sequel to the Batman. Now the big news first is to confirm that they have actually started filming the title just this week and the excitement is growing, but we are not hear just to confirm that, but rather there is some reports of some updates to this casting of the project and it mainly comes in the focus of 2 of the stars. Now we have heard for the last few weeks that Winter solider himself Sebastian Stan has been eyed to play the role of Harvey Dent / Two Face and that was initially what was being presented, but it seems this may not be the case now, as according to rumours, instead of Two-face he is reported to be playing the character of Victor Zsasz, a crazed individual who cuts a mark into his flesh on all of the people he has killed. Now while this would be an interesting performance by this character, the likes of Two-Face is still a possibility in this title and the reported case is that this role will actually be played by Spider-verse and Transformers One star Brian Tyree Henry and personally in that regards, I would not have much of an issue with that as I see Henry as a really solid performer and it will harken back to how it was initially planned for Billy Dee Williams to portray the same character in Batman Forever before that was recasted to Tommy Lee Jones (though got his chance in The Lego Batman Movie). Now both choices for these roles are interesting and in all regards I would be fine with these performances but I guess we can see by the release next October, but if anything is confirmed from these rumours I will let you know down the line.

But what do you make of these stories, do you think Sanders is a good choice for the Lilo and Stitch sequel, Do you think Ridley Scott can do a solid Treasure island adaption, what do you see the location of the new Jump Street film will entail, what are your thoughts of a live action Jem series and who should play the lead and do you see those 2 characters swapping roles or is it all just speculation? Let me know what you think down below.

And with all of that, this bring us to the end of the 172nd edition of Weird Mind News Room and I hope you enjoy the rambles for another bit of time. Let me know your thoughts on all that was discussed down below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday and I will see you all in the next episode :)

Take care, keep being you, Signing off

Sam H :)