Game On: Nintendo releases Switch 2, ‘Mario Kart World’ this week

“Game On” is The Fly’s weekly recap of the stories powering up or beating down video game stocks.

NEW RELEASES: The biggest new release this week is on the hardware side, with Nintendo’s (NTDOY) Switch 2 console available June 5. Among the original launch titles for the console are Nintendo-published “Mario Kart World” and even the lower-priced “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour,” as well as Switch 2 upgrades for “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.” Meanwhile, multiple third-party publishers will be releasing games for the console on day one, including ports of Sega’s (SGAMY) “Yakuza 0,” CD Projekt’s (OTGLY) “Cyberpunk 2077,” Capcom’s (CCOEY) “Street Fighter 6” and “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess,” Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) “Hogwarts Legacy,” and Take-Two’s (TTWO) “Civilization VII.” Additionally, Square Enix (SQNXF) is releasing role-playing game “Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster,” a remaster of 2012’s “Bravely Default,” on Switch 2 at launch.

APPLE GAMING APP: Apple (AAPL) is planning to launch a dedicated app for video games on its devices in an attempt to draw more players and convince developers that it can be a leader in the market, Bloomberg’s Mark Gruman reported last week. The iPhone maker will preinstall the app on its iPhone, iPod, Mac, and Apple TV devices later in 2025, the author said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The app will serve as a launcher for games and centralize achievements, leaderboards, communications, and other actions, Bloomberg noted.

ZENIMAX UNION PACT: Over 300 quality assurance workers working at Microsoft (MSFT) subsidiary ZeniMax Media and represented by Communications Workers of America announced that they have reached a tentative contract agreement with the company. ZeniMax Workers United-CWA and Microsoft have been negotiating for a first contract for nearly two years. “The new contract sets new standards for the industry and includes substantial across-the-board wage increases as well as new minimum salaries for workers. The agreement also includes protections against arbitrary dismissal, grievance procedures, and a crediting policy that clearly acknowledges the QA workers’ contributions to the video games they help create. It also incorporates a previously announced agreement on how artificial intelligence is introduced and implemented in the workplace,” the union said in a statement.

EA CANCELS ‘BLACK PANTHER’ GAME: Electronic Arts (EA) is canceling its planned video game based on Marvel Comics’ “Black Panther” and is shuttering development studio Cliffhanger Games, IGN’s Rebekah Valentine reported last week. EA Entertainment president Laura Miele said in an email to staff that such changes, alongside other recent cancellations and job cuts, are parts of the company’s efforts to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities,” the author notes. Meanwhile, EA is also laying off some staff on both its mobile and central teams, the author says. Miele added in the email that the game maker is focusing on a small handful of franchises going forward, namely “Battlefield,” “The Sims,” “Skate,” and “Apex Legends.”

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MORE VIDEO GAME NEWS:

• Microsoft has shelved its handheld Xbox console for now, Windows Central reports
• The Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in Taiwan on July 10, 2025
• Nintendo’s “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” will launch on Switch and Switch 2 on October 16, 2025
• Capcom will likely reveal “Resident Evil 9” this week, Insider-Gaming reports