Nintendo’s Unstoppable Momentum: Switch 2 Dominance, Zelda’s Ocarina of Time Remake, and a Hollywood Dream — Plus All the Week’s Biggest Gaming News
Published: September 20, 2026
What a week it’s been in the world of video games. From Nintendo flexing its muscles with jaw-dropping hardware sales and the reveal of a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, to Rockstar finally letting us hear the beats of Grand Theft Auto 6, to Marvel’s Wolverine slashing through controversy to sell nearly 2 million copies — the industry is moving at a breakneck pace as we barrel towards the most stacked holiday season in memory. Let’s dive into every major story you need to know.
🎮 Nintendo’s Golden Era: Switch 2 Sales, Ocarina of Time Remake, and the Zelda Movie
If you thought Nintendo had peaked with the original Switch, think again. The launch of the Switch 2 has been nothing short of historic. Last year, the console became the fastest-selling video game hardware device in US history, usurping the PS4’s long-held golden record that many thought would stand for a generation. And the momentum hasn’t slowed one bit. Nintendo of America COO Devon Pritchard sat down with Variety this week to remind everyone that, in her own words: “This is just the beginning.”
The numbers behind Nintendo’s current winning streak demand attention. Nearly 20 million Switch 2 units have been sold within its first year on the market, making it the second-fastest selling console in US history behind only the PS4’s record — which the Switch 2 itself had previously broken in its launch window. A hardware price increase that went into effect earlier this year was expected to cool demand, yet sales remained robust. Blockbuster first-party hits like Pokémon Pokopia — which crossed 5 million copies sold — and other exclusive titles have kept the ecosystem thriving, while third-party support has grown stronger than any Nintendo platform since the SNES era.
Let that sink in. Nearly 20 million units sold within its first year. The second-fastest selling console in US history. A hardware price increase that didn’t even dent demand. Blockbuster first-party hits like Pokémon Pokopia — a game that already crossed 5 million copies sold. Nintendo is operating on an entirely different plane right now.
But the real headline grabber this week? The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake. Nintendo confirmed earlier this year that one of the most beloved games of all time is getting the full remake treatment for Switch 2, and the footage shown in a recent Nintendo Direct has left fans in awe. Rebuilt from the ground up in the same engine that powered Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, this isn’t just a remaster — it’s a complete reimagining of Link’s time-traveling adventure with modern visuals, refined combat, and new gameplay elements.
Pritchard name-checked Ocarina of Time specifically in her interview, signaling that Nintendo knows exactly what kind of cultural event this game represents. And it’s not just the games: Nintendo’s partnership with Sony Pictures for The Legend of Zelda film is progressing rapidly. Principal photography wrapped in New Zealand earlier this year, following in the esteemed footsteps of The Lord of the Rings’ production, and the first proper trailer is expected to drop before the end of 2026. After the staggering $1 billion haul from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — which pulled in $372.6 million in its opening weekend alone — expectations for Zelda’s big-screen debut are sky-high. The film is currently slated for an April 2027 theatrical release, and casting rumors continue to dominate Hollywood trades.
For longtime fans, the convergence of an Ocarina of Time remake, a live-action Zelda film, and Switch 2’s dominance feels like a golden age. The wait for a proper Ocarina remake has been over a decade — ever since the 3DS version proved that Nintendo’s magnum opus still had magic left to share. With modern visuals powered by the same engine that made Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom look stunning, this version promises to be definitive. Enhanced combat, expanded story sequences, and quality-of-life improvements are expected, though Nintendo has been characteristically tight-lipped about specifics ahead of a fuller reveal.
“We’re working with Sony Pictures. We are going to have a movie come out at the end of April,” Pritchard confirmed. “Those partnerships and touchpoints with companies like Sony around how we can bring those experiences more broadly… I think that’s one of the most exciting things for us over the next few years.”
In a media landscape more competitive than ever, Nintendo’s strategy is clear: build experiences that create relationships lasting generations. And with Switch 2, Ocarina of Time, and a Zelda movie all converging, they’re succeeding spectacularly.
🎵 GTA 6 Original Soundtrack Revealed: 34 Tracks, and You Can Listen to Six Right Now
Rockstar Games pulled back the curtain on something unique this week: Grand Theft Auto 6’s original soundtrack — a full 34-track album featuring original music from some of the biggest names in music, made specifically for the game. And yes, you can listen to six tracks right now.
The album, titled simply Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album, drops November 19 alongside the game itself. Available on vinyl, CD, and all major streaming platforms, it represents Rockstar’s most ambitious musical endeavor yet. Here’s what we can already hear:
- Yung Lean — That’s It (feat. Future & Metro Boomin)
- Travis Scott — RHYNO (produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk)
- CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.. & Etienne de Crécy — Sexy Magic
- Morgan Wallen — Last Thing You Need
- Rauw Alejandro — Macacoa 2000
- Keith Richards — Bright Lights, Big City
The lineup is an incredible cross-section of genres — hip-hop, Latin, country, electronic, and rock all represented. Having a Rolling Stones legend like Keith Richards alongside modern icons like Travis Scott and Future speaks to Rockstar’s signature ability to curate a world that feels both timeless and cutting-edge. The production involvement of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (one half of Daft Punk) on Travis Scott’s track “RHYNO” is particularly intriguing, hinting at the kind of genre-blurring experimentation that has defined GTA’s musical identity since the very first game.
The limited edition vinyl ($125 / £109) has already sold out on the UK site, which tells you everything about the hype levels. Standard vinyl ($50 / £45) and CD ($20 / £11) versions remain available for pre-order, and the album can be pre-saved across Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music. Six tracks are streaming now — meaning you can get a taste of Vice City’s radio culture before you ever step foot in the game.
This soundtrack reveal follows a string of teasers from featured artists, who shared GTA 6-stylized promotional posters across social media in the days leading up to the announcement. Earlier this week, it was also confirmed that King of the Hill legend Stephen Root is among the game’s cast — adding yet another layer of star power to what is already the most anticipated entertainment product of the decade. With GTA 6 launching November 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the hype train shows no signs of slowing down.
The album pre-save is live across Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music. GTA 6 launches November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and this soundtrack is shaping up to be the perfect companion to what might be the biggest entertainment launch of the decade.
🦸 Marvel’s Wolverine Sells 1.9 Million in Three Days Despite Controversial Reviews
Let’s talk about a game that’s been impossible to ignore this week: Marvel’s Wolverine. Insomniac Games’ latest superhero outing launched to a chorus of mixed reviews and, let’s be honest, some pretty brutal online mockery. Memes about Logan’s persistent “fart scent trail” mechanic and its hand-holdy design choices spread across social media like wildfire. Eurogamer’s review called it “just fine” — hardly the kind of reception Sony was hoping for.
And yet? 1.9 million copies sold in its first three days. Over a million of those came from pre-launch digital pre-orders alone. Total revenue: upwards of $130 million. Alinea Analytics’ Rhys Elliott reported the numbers this week, and they paint a picture of a game that, despite the discourse, is performing exceptionally well at retail.
Perhaps most interesting: over 22.9% of revenue came from physical editions. This is noteworthy because Sony has publicly stated it plans to end production of discs for new PlayStation games by January 2028. Yet here we are, with more than one in five Wolverine buyers choosing a disc. (For comparison, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 did 35% physical, and Ghost of Yotei did 37.6%.)
Wolverine’s audience overlap data is fascinating too: 82% of buyers previously played Marvel’s Spider-Man, 70% played Spider-Man 2, and a substantial 43% have also played Marvel Rivals. There’s clearly a hungry Marvel gaming audience that shows up regardless of review scores. Whether Insomniac and Sony can build on this foundation or if the franchise will follow the “diminishing returns” pattern remains to be seen, but for now, Logan is laughing all the way to the bank.
🐕 Wardogs Is the PC Hit of 2026: 2.2 Million Sold, Outearning Marathon
If you haven’t heard of Wardogs yet, you will. Bulkhead Interactive’s tactical dog-soldier game has become one of the biggest PC launches of the year, selling 2.2 million copies and generating $70 million in revenue — putting it at number seven on Steam’s 2026 list of new games ranked by revenue.
The numbers are even more impressive when compared to its peers: Wardogs’ Steam launch momentum outpaced both Arc Raiders (1.7 million in its comparable period) and Helldivers 2 (1 million). And here’s the kicker: Wardogs has already made more money than Bungie’s Marathon across all platforms, despite only being available on a single one — PC. (PlayStation and Xbox ports are planned for 2028.)
At a $40 price point, Wardogs hits what analysts call the “pricing sweet spot” — below the $70 triple-A friction point while still delivering a premium experience. 57% of its Steam Wishlists were added in the last month before launch, indicating what Elliott describes as “a late, hot hype cycle” rather than a slow burn. 11% of all wishlists converted into sales, which is a remarkably strong conversion rate.
The launch hasn’t been without controversy, however. Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer found himself in hot water after comments about crunch culture and hiring practices on a podcast. His original remarks — in which he suggested the studio wouldn’t hire people who “constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging” — sparked immediate backlash across social media and gaming press. Brammer later issued a new statement to Eurogamer clarifying his comments: “I was speaking informally about our culture and the kind of environment we have at Bulkhead, rather than setting out our formal recruitment process. We admitted to staff that this was crunch,” he said, attempting to contextualize his earlier statements.
The controversy highlights a persistent tension in the games industry: the gap between the celebratory tone of blockbuster launches and the often-uncomfortable labor realities behind them. Wardogs is unquestionably a success story — Bulkhead’s $70 million in revenue and its rank as Steam’s #7 new release of 2026 speak for themselves. But as the industry continues to grapple with questions of work-life balance, fair compensation, and sustainable development practices, stories like these serve as a reminder that commercial success and ethical operations don’t always go hand in hand. The coming months will show whether Bulkhead can build on Wardogs’ momentum while addressing the cultural concerns that have dogged the studio’s public image.
💾 Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Will Be “Around 200GB” — With Sephiroth and Vincent DLC
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7 Revelation — the final chapter of the Remake trilogy — is shaping up to be an absolute monster. Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed in an interview with VGC this week that the game will likely clock in at “around 200GB.” Let’s put that in perspective:
- FF7 Rebirth: 91GB on Switch 2, 145GB on PS5, 169GB on Xbox Series, 155GB on PC
- FF7 Revelation: ~200GB — potentially double the size of Rebirth depending on platform
This gargantuan file size is exactly why the game won’t ship entirely on disc at launch — a decision that has sparked plenty of debate. Hamaguchi addressed the criticism directly: “I understand there are a lot of opinions about this topic, but at the end of the day, the fact is we need to overcome the hardware to a certain extent.” He also confirmed the game won’t ship on two discs like Rebirth did, because even that wouldn’t be enough.
On the DLC front, Hamaguchi revealed plans for two post-launch expansions similar in scope to Intermission from Remake Intergrade. The focus? Sephiroth and Vincent Valentine. Whether these stories take place in the past or present remains a mystery, but the prospect of diving deeper into Vincent’s tragic history and Sephiroth’s backstory has fans buzzing.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launches April 8, 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 — and with a 200GB install size, you might want to start clearing that SSD now.
🔄 Xbox Game Pass at a Crossroads: Major Shake-Up Reportedly Coming in 2027
The Xbox Game Pass subscription service — long hailed as gaming’s answer to Netflix — may be facing its most significant transformation yet. A new leak from ResetEra’s Slayven (who correctly predicted the 2025 price hike) suggests that major changes are coming between February and April 2027.
The rumored changes are dramatic. Here’s what’s reportedly being planned:
- Three tiers: one ad-supported ($13/mo), one ad-free ($20/mo or $240/year), and a third with access to the existing library plus online multiplayer ($15/mo)
- Day-one games removed from all tiers — the service’s biggest selling point would vanish
- Cloud streaming removed from all tiers, replaced by a $6/month add-on bundle granting 25 hours of playtime
- Online multiplayer still requires a separate $11/month subscription
- Family plan option: $6/month extra
Microsoft’s official response to the rumors was characteristically non-committal: “We regularly test different Game Pass offerings and look at what works best for players in different markets. We don’t have any changes to announce today or plans that have been finalised.” Not a denial, in other words. Noted leaker NateTheHate vouched for Slayven’s credibility, saying “the individual giving them information clearly has knowledge of some matters.”
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had previously signaled that change was coming, stating in April: “We will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.” Given that Microsoft already removed Call of Duty as a day-one title when it dropped Game Pass prices earlier this year, the writing does seem to be on the wall. The question is whether removing day-one games — the service’s killer feature — will be a bridge too far for subscribers.
⚔️ Fable Reboot Was Given 10 Years of Development — and It Shows
Playground Games’ Fable reboot has had one of the longest development cycles in modern gaming. Director Ralph Fulton revealed in a Guardian interview this week that actual development started in 2016 — meaning by the time it launches in February 2027, the game will have been in the works for over a decade.
“I genuinely think Fable is an important game,” Fulton told the Guardian. “What has protected us over a long development cycle is that so many people within Xbox view Fable as vital to the DNA of the platform. I would go a step further and say it’s important to video games as a whole. It offers a combination of elements that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else.”
The game features an incredible cast of comedic British talent, including Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) and Natasia Demetriou (What We Do in the Shadows). Fulton shared a delightful anecdote: “Richard Ayoade virtually improvised a new script for his scenes on the spot. Listening to him conjure that dialogue was one of my favourite days on this project. Natasia Demetriou brought a level of British swearing to her character that honestly shocked us, but it’s brilliant and we let her run with it.”
Fulton also addressed the challenge of crafting a satisfying finale in an era where only about 25% of players finish most games. “It’s easy to look at industry metrics and decide not to invest heavily in the finale. But we relentlessly pursued quality here. In great Fable fashion, it culminates in a choice that really challenges you to think about who you are, with a real personal cost to weigh against the outcome.”
Fable launches February 23, 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S — and in a historic first, it’s coming to PlayStation.
📊 The Big Picture: Gaming in September 2026
What ties all these stories together? September 2026 feels like the calm before a truly epic storm. Nintendo is riding a historic wave, with hardware flying off shelves and a Zelda renaissance — both in gaming and cinema — on the horizon. GTA 6 is just two months from launch and its soundtrack alone is making headlines. The holiday lineup is stacked: Wolverine is already a commercial hit, Wardogs is proving that smart pricing wins, and Fable is gearing up for a 2027 release that could redefine action RPGs.
But it’s not all celebration. The rumored Game Pass changes signal that the subscription model — once hailed as the inevitable future — is hitting real economic headwinds. FF7 Revelation’s 200GB file size raises questions about digital infrastructure and physical media’s viability. And the labor conversations sparked by Wardogs’ crunch comments remind us that the human cost of game development remains an unresolved issue.
One thing is certain: there has never been a more exciting — or more complex — time to be a gamer. Whether you’re revisiting Hyrule, preparing for Vice City, or commanding a squad of tactical dogs, the next six months are going to be unforgettable.
Article by Vito Ruocco | September 20, 2026 | Ruocco.it Gaming