Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally available, and we've been playing the highly anticipated Metroidvania. In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show, we dive into our impressions of Silksong's first act (roughly the first eight hours, up until the Greymoor area) and boss fights. Beforehand, Marcus interviews Gearbox leads Graeme Timmins and Andrew Reiner (big disclaimer: Reiner was formerly EIC of Game Informer) about Borderlands 4, which was released a few days ago. Finally, we round out the show by breaking down our Hell is Us review, a fascinating investigation puzzle game with action elements. Notably, Hell is Us is not a Soulslike. 

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Listen to "Silksong Act 1 Impressions, Hell Is Us Review, Borderlands 4 Interview" on Spreaker. Jump to a specific discussion using these timestamps:00:00 - Introduction03:35 - Borderlands 4 Interview50:32 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Act 1 Impressions01:27:17 - Hell is Us Review01:50:39 - Outro

One of the biggest eyebrow raisers for the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem was the surname of its protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. That's because she's the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, an investigative reporter and oft-forgotten character who last appeared in the equally overlooked Resident Evil Outbreak. For the many unfamiliar RE fans, this begs the question: Who the heck is Alyssa Ashcroft, and why has she suddenly become a big deal? To prepare for the next mainline Resident Evil game, we're going to answer this tantalizing question. 

Resident Evil Outbreak launched for the PlayStation 2 in North America on March 30, 2004. Set only a couple of days after the initial T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City, the game unfolds across five scenarios across different areas of the doomed city.  Outbreak features eight playable characters, including Alyssa Ascroft, along with an RCPD officer, a Vietnam War veteran, a bar waitress, and a surgeon, among others, fighting for survival against the infected. 

Join Marcus Stewart and Charles Harte (as well as occasional special guests) for two hours each Friday on Twitch and YouTube starting at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET as they journey through Outbreak for the first time. If you can't catch the broadcasts live, they'll be uploaded to the official Game Informer YouTube channel. 

Catch up on previous episodes below:

Episode 1
Episode 2

The main advantage of Nintendo Switch 2 over its predecessor is its improved hardware, so it's nice that so many developers, Nintendo included, are taking advantage of it to boost Switch 1 titles. Today's Nintendo Direct may have announced huge new games, like Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, but we also got smaller improvements to some exciting games from the Switch 1's lineup. From Stardew Valley to Hades II, here's every Switch 2 version we learned about today.

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Which of these upgrades will you be checking out? Let us know in the comments!

Today's Nintendo Direct featured all kinds of announcements and reveals, from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to a new Yoshi game to a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date and more. It also featured a fresh batch of amiibo releasing over the coming months for games like Super Mario Galaxy 1 and Super Mario Galaxy 2, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. 

There's a lot to keep up with the new amiibo, including release dates, what the amiibo do, and more. Fortunately for you, we've got it all here in one place. 

September 2025 Nintendo Direct Amiibo Round-Up

Below, we'll list the games, the amiibo associated with them announced today, the release date for the amiibo, and what they do in-game. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Sylux 

 

• Description: An enigmatic bounty hunter with a deep-seated grudge against the Galactic Federation—and Samus. This deadly sharpshooter finally catches up with Samus during an assault on a Federation base, but an accident in the wake of their clash causes a massive explosion of light that engulfed the entire base.
• What it does: Nintendo says details about its functionality in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and other games will be revealed at a later date.
• Release date: November 6, 2025

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Samus

 

• Description: Samus Aran, one of the greatest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Capable of completing any mission—no matter the danger. After an unexpected accident in a clash with the deadly sharpshooter Sylux, Samus finds herself transported to Viewros—a mysterious planet once inhabited by an ancient race. Now she must explore this planet, all while battling the strange creatures that inhabit it, to find her way home.
• What it does: Nintendo says details about its functionality in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and other games will be revealed at a later date.
• Release date: November 6, 2025

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Samus & Vi-O-La 

 

• Description: Famed bounty hunter Samus Aran, wearing her Vi-O-La Suit. She rides Vi-O-La, a technologically advanced bike to explore the mysterious planet Viewros.
• What it does: Nintendo says details about its functionality in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and other games will be revealed at a later date.
• Release date: November 6, 2025

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Mario and Luma

 

• Description: Mario never hesitates to leap into action when there's trouble. Known for saving the world (and Princess Peach) countless times from Bowser, Mario is a true superstar. He's got amazing jumping skills and makes use of a wide range of transformations. Mario has powered up into countless roles—and here he is launching into a journey across the stars in the Super Mario Galaxy game! This amiibo figure is larger than standard size, and features Mario soaring into space with a Luma companion following close behind.
• What it does: In the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 games, tap the Mario & Luma amiibo figure to receive a Life Mushroom.
• Release date: April 2, 2026

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Rosalina and Lumas

 

• Description: Rosalina travels through space in a starship called the Comet Observatory. Motherly and protective of the many Lumas that she travels with, she guards the cosmos against any and all threats. Wielding a Star Wand and her signature blue dress, Rosalina always seems cool even in the face of danger. This amiibo figure is larger than standard size, and features Rosalina reading from her storybook with a pair of Lumas by her side.
• What it does: In the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 games, tap the Rosalina and Lumas amiibo figure to receive a 1-Up Mushroom.
• Release date: April 2, 2026

Kirby Air Riders – Kirby & Warp Star

 

• Description: Round, pink and surprisingly powerful, Kirby is one of the most iconic heroes in video game history, most well-known for using a big mouth to inhale things, copy their abilities, and spit them back out again. In the Kirb Air Riders game, Kirby and others can ride machines like the Warp Star: an Air Ride Machine that both drives and glides perfectly well. An easy ride with no clear weaknesses.
• What it does: In the Kirby Air Riders game, place this Kirby amiibo figure on the Warp Star amiibo to create a Rider & Air Ride Machine combo. Tap the amiibo to train it up as an FP (Figure Player), which will gain FP levels and machine proficiency. If you have another Air Ride Machine amiibo, you can place Kirby amiibo onto the other machine to create a new Rider & Air Ride Machine combo and earn machine proficiency. Kirby will retain FP levels when placed and tapped with a different machine.
• Release date: November 20, 2025

Kirby Air Riders –Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star

 

• Description: Bandana Waddle Dee has joined Kirby and others on several adventures. Bandana Waddle Dee is small, but has a big heart—and a big spear that stings like a hornet! In the Kirby Air Riders game, Bandana Waddle Dee and others can ride machines like the Winged Star: an Air Ride Machine that is slow on the ground but soars gracefully in flight.
• What it does: In the Kirby Air Riders game, place this Bandana Waddle Dee amiibo on the Winged Star amiibo to create a Rider & Air Ride Machine combo. Tap the amiibo to train it up as a FP (Figure Player), which will gain FP levels and machine proficiency. If you have another Air Ride Machine amiibo, you can place Kirby amiibo onto the other machine to create a new Rider & Air Ride Machine combo and earn machine proficiency. Kirby will retain FP levels when placed and tapped with a different machine.
• Release date: November 20, 2025.

And those are all the new amiibo Nintendo announced during today's massive direct. Let us know which ones you're excited to pick up in the comments below!

Many regard 2003's Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly as the best – and scariest – entry in the cult favorite Fatal Frame series, and players new and old can experience its scares thanks to a new remake coming next year.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a modern overhaul of the terrifying journey of twin sisters Mio and Mayu Amakura, who explore a lost village, encountering supernatural horrors with only a mystical camera to defend themselves.  It's unclear what the exact improvements the remake will have beyond the obvious graphical facelift; we do know the game is being developed by Ninja Gaiden and Nioh masterminds, Team Ninja. 

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake launches in early 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC.