Technology

• Kaspersky uncovers counterfeit Android smartphones preloaded with Triada malware
• The researchers speculate the supply chain might have been compromised
• More than $270,000 in crypto has already been stolen

Counterfeit versions of popular Android smartphones are being sold with malware pre-installed, experts have revealed.

Cybersecurity researchers Kaspersky have warned users about buying heavily discounted Android smartphones from shady online stores after it observed at least 2,600 victims, located mostly in Russia, who received their brand-new smartphones carrying the Triada Trojan.

“The new version of the malware is found in the firmware of infected Android devices,” reads the machine-translated announcement. “It is located in system framework, meaning a copy of Triada makes its way into every process on your smartphone.”

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Targeting journalists

The malware was said to have a wide range of functionalities and can give the attacker “almost unlimited possibilities” for controlling the compromised devices.

Among other things, Triada can steal user accounts in messengers and social networks, stealthily send messages on behalf of the victim, steal cryptocurrencies, monitor the victim’s browser activities, replace links, swap numbers during calls, monitor and intercept SMS messages, download and run apps, and block network connections.

Dmitry Kalinin, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky Lab, said Triada remains “one of the most sophisticated and dangerous threats to Android,” but added that the researchers don’t really know how the devices got infected.

“It’s possible that one of the stages in the supply chain is compromised,” he said, “so the stores selling the devices may not even suspect that they’re selling Triada-infected devices.”

These thousands of victims have already suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, the researchers concluded.

Kaspersky claims around $270,000 in cryptocurrency was already siphoned out, suggesting that the number could be even greater since some of the transactions were made in difficult-to-trace Monero.

The best way to avoid this risk is to only buy smartphones from authorized sellers. Alternatively, users could reflash their device using a clean system image from Google.

Via BleepingComputer

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Windows 10 end of life is rapidly approaching, with updates ceasing on October 14 2025, and many are starting to make the switch to Windows 11.

But questions still remain. Do I really need to use the best antivirus with Windows 11?

Is Windows Defender good enough? Can I trust it to protect me from hackers especially when Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world? Let's find out.

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Should I upgrade?

In short, yes. Once Windows 10 reaches its end of life it will stop receiving critical updates such as new security patches that stop known vulnerabilities from being taken advantage of.

Considering Windows has a considerable market share for PC operating systems, it is a very lucrative target that cybercriminals are constantly trying to hit.

Let me put it this way - one of the main reasons the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 was so devastating was because many organizations were using Windows operating systems that were well past their end of life.

Even though Microsoft had released a patch that could have prevented the WannaCry ransomware from infecting their devices, some had chosen to turn off updates or were using outdated systems.

Additionally, if we follow the trend of Windows 10 which was released in 2015, Windows 11 will likely also receive updates for at least the next 10 years, making it a worthy update for those who haven't made the switch already. What's more, if you are already running Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free!

I understand that there are some purists out there who insist on using the operating system they are most familiar with - and I can sympathize.

I miss Windows Vista. But aesthetics aren't everything, and its never too late to learn something new.

How big of a target am I?

It's easy to think that you are not a target when it comes to this big digital world we all live in, but there are hundreds of ways a hacker might see value in targeting you.

For example, they could be looking to add your computer to a global botnet that they use to launch attacks on businesses without you even knowing.

Or they could be looking to steal your social media accounts to use in disinformation campaigns, or they just want to disrupt as many people as possible with their latest malware.

The Malwarebytes' State of Malware report places ransomware as the biggest threat in 2024 and attacks have grown 13% year-over-year.

In 2025 this trend is likely to continue, boosted by the increase of AI agents to distribute malware and help write phishing emails that are more convincing and harder to spot.

While cybercriminals have turned to targeting big companies with bigger budgets in order to make a living, small fries such as you and I are still viable targets for smaller, less advanced cybercriminal groups.

Lets not also forget that a cybercriminal could be looking to steal your identity, or commit credit fraud in your name using data they can steal from your computer. Some groups just want to cause disruption and make a name for themselves by hitting anyone and everyone.

Windows Defender Antivirus: is it enough?

Windows Defender Antivirus comes pre-installed as standard with Windows 11.

In numerous tests, Windows Defender Antivirus does a pretty good job of protecting against new malware threats including those distributed through the web and via email.

In AV-TEST's February 2025 testing, it managed to detect 100% of 0-day threats and widespread/prevalent threats discovered in the last 4 weeks. Not bad.

But, Windows Defender Antivirus is a very simple, barebones solution. Yes, it protect against malware, but it doesn't offer additional security features such as a VPN or dedicated parental controls.

So when people say "Windows Defender Antivirus is enough", what they mean is it is enough for malware-based threats, not everything else that could put your device or those who use it at risk.

For example, if you don't use a VPN while using a web browser, your internet traffic is likely unencrypted, meaning that anyone could intercept it and see what your are doing, or pull potentially sensitive information from your traffic.

Windows Defender Antivirus' feature set is gradually catching up to the features offered by many of the best antivirus providers, but it will likely always be one step behind in its offerings as a free service.

Is antivirus for Windows 11 worth it?

As a security expert who is constantly writing about new attack vectors, data theft, and service outages, it would seem that using a premium antivirus service is probably a good choice for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Windows Defender Antivirus only protects against your Windows machine, and doesn't offer any protection for the rest of your devices.

Many antivirus services offer compatibility across Apple, Android, Chromebook, Windows, and Linux, allowing you to protect all of your household devices under one umbrella.

But computer security doesn't just start and end with antivirus, as every single online account you use is also a potential target for a hacker.

That's why many services offer password managers as an included tool, providing you with passwords that would take billions of years to crack, autofill capabilities to help you log in faster, and in some cases an authenticator app to keep your accounts super secure.

And best of all, you don't even have to spend a penny to increase your protection. There are tons of great free antivirus apps that you can install on your Windows 11 device, and as an added bonus Windows Defender Antivirus can be put into passive mode to work alongside another third-party antivirus solution.

• Read more: How to choose the best antivirus for you

• It's the world's first sub-250g 'bi-copter' drone
• Created by ZZR, the makers of our favorite selfie drone, the HoverAir X1 Pro
• Promise of faster acceleration, unmatched agility and quieter flight

Following a soft reveal on the V-Copter website last month, Zero Zero Robotics has fully unveiled its V-Copter Falcon Mini drone on the product's crowd funding page.

It's the world's first sub-250g bi-copter drone – a radically different design to the best quad-copter DJI drones, and the supposed upside is faster acceleration, unmatched agility, plus quieter and longer flight.

We covered the V-Copter Falcon Mini after it appeared on the V-Copter website – it follows the beefier Falcon that largely flew under the radar, but weighs in under 250g which means it's more accessible to more people – and now we know the full specs and pricing.

The tantalizing $299 list price (around £270 / AU$550) sees the Falcon Mini rival DJI's Mini 4K and Mini 3 drones, plus the recent Potensic Atom 2, and if it delivers its promises, the 4K bi-copter offering could be the best pick for people wanting extended flight fun.

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(Image credit: Zero Zero Robotics) Could the V-Copter Falcon Mini disrupt the drone market?

Most of the best consumer drones are quad copters, but the Falcon Mini features just half the propellers, which sit in a v-shape above the drone's body.

This bi-copter design and propeller positioning enables a range of motion – the twin rotors can work independently, tilting in opposite directions for sharp turns and precise maneuvers, hence the 'unmatched agility'.

Another benefit of such a design is that the rotors can tilt downwards to optimize airflow and thrust for fast and powerful acceleration, within miliseconds of the drone being engaged. A Reverse Flight Kit debuts too, unleashing flight skills and tricks such as upside down flight and a 'reverse one foot spin' – file those under flight fun, rather than for aerial shots.

Flight stability is supposedly top drawer too, thanks to real-time flight adjustments and a 0.01 rotor angle precision. Together with a three-axis gimbal-stabilized camera, users should enjoy smooth 4K video footage, with 2.7K vertical video also possible.

The product is now available for backers on the V-Copter Falcon Mini crowdfunding page, with a limited number of early backers able to bag the drone for $199 (around £180 / AU$350), or for the full $299 price.

As always back at your own risk. However, we would say that Zero Zero Robotics' recent history is assuring – its recent HoverAir X1 Pro 'selfie' drone was put through crowd funding, and today is the best of its kind.

In fact, ZZR is doing drones differently; first was a selfie drone that DJI responded to with its recent Neo, now a bi-copter mini drone. For us, the competition ZZR is posing DJI, and more so its innovation, is most welcome.

The Falcon Mini is a drone we're really looking forward to testing – and of course, we'll share our experiences. Watch this space!

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Fierce London rivals face off at Stamford Bridge.

Here's a handful of advice you should remember before starting Compulsion Games' new adventure.

Emma Frost and Ultron are joining the Rivals roster.

• Nintendo has released a list of over 120 Switch games that have "start up" and "compatibility issues" on the Switch 2
• Each game is currently "being investigated"
• The only game that is confirmed to not work is Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit

The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been revealed, and although the console might be backward compatible, we've now learned that a ton of original Switch games will have compatibility issues.

Following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct yesterday, the company published two lists containing 122 games that won't run properly on the Switch 2. The first is for games with "start up issues," while the second lists games that start up but have some "in-game compatibility issues".

There are no details regarding the specific issues each game has, but Nintendo notes that they are "being investigated".

Games that have start up issues include the likes of Fortnite, which is also getting a Switch 2 port, Fall Guys, Warframe, and Rocket League, while titles like Alan Wake Remastered, Alien Isolation, and Overcooked! All You Can Eat have compatibility problems.

"The Nintendo Switch 2 system's hardware is different from Nintendo Switch, and some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2," the company explains.

The only game that we know for certain cannot be played on the Switch 2 is the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, which makes sense, considering it was specifically designed for the original Switch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99, with preorders scheduled to open on April 8.

TechRadar Gaming attended an exclusive hands-on preview and spent four hours testing out the Nintendo Switch 2.

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• Google's note-taking app, Google Keep, could be getting more interface upgrades
• First-look images provided by Android Authority suggest that its toolbar and image attachment feature could get a revamp
• The functions aren't live yet, but could appear in a future version

Google Keep, the note-taking app without which many of us wonder how we would manage our daily lives, appears to be in line for some welcome design upgrades.

Android Authority has provided first-look images from an APK teardown that show changes to the app’s toolbar and image attachment feature. While these design updates aren’t live for users yet, there’s a good chance they’ll appear in a future update.

Following the introduction of the app’s floating action buttons (FAB) in November 2024, as well as its very recent addition of ‘Create text notes by default’ option and an Audio shortcut for Google Keep in Android, it looks like Google’s next tweak for one of the best note-taking apps is to give it a new look – starting with refreshing its toolbar.

The toolbar could be one of the next upgrades, as Android Authority’s photos reveal that its icons for functions such as inserting attachments, changing note background and color, and text formatting appear much larger than the current icons, with a rounded background that changes color depending on your device’s theme. Certain sub-heads such as H1 and H2 appear slightly smaller than before.

(Image credit: Android Authority )

In addition to its toolbar revamp Google Keep could also introduce a small change to the way image attachments appear when you upload them to a note document in the app. At the moment, when you add an image in Google Keep it takes up the full width of the screen, but the photos provided by Android Authority show that Google could introduce margins on either side of the image, giving it rounded edges and a cleaner look.

(Image credit: Android Authority)

When the in-app FABs were introduced to Google Keep last year, it made navigating note-taking features a lot easier for users as it grouped a selection of functions together in one place at the bottom of the screen. These first-look photos hint that the icons for the buttons could switch from the right side of the text to the left, and that the icons could be darker and have darker text.

As mentioned, these new features aren’t live yet, so we’ll have to wait and see if they appear in a future update.

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When a movie comes the end of its theatrical release, you can almost always rely on Prime Video to bring it to the platform at some point (depending on if it gets licensed out) – it's just one of the many reasons we praise it for being one of the best streaming services.

Over the past year or so, Prime Video has been quick to snatch up the streaming rights for movies fresh from the cinema, some titles that come to mind include The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) and more recently Sing Sing (2024) starring Colman Domingo. This month, you'll be able to stream Oscar nominees Conclave (2024) and Nickel Boys (2024), as well as its usual array of the best Prime Video shows.

There's nothing I love more than seeing brand new movies on streaming platforms, as it gives me a chance to do some major catching up on the ones I missed in the cinema. And it goes without saying that when these movies become available, our roundup of best Prime Video movies will definitely need a fresh revamp.

Everything new on Prime Video in April 2025

Arriving on April 1

2 Guns (movie)
12 Strong (movie)
48 Hours seasons 1–5 (TV show)
1984 (movie)
A Fistful of Dollars (movie)
A Guy Thing (movie)
Alert: Missing Persons Unit seasons 1–2 (TV show)
All Dogs Go to Heaven (movie)
America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation (movie)
Annie Hall (movie)
Baby Boy (movie)
Basic Instinct 2 (movie)
Battleship (movie)
Be Cool (movie)
Beauty Shop (movie)
Bones and All (movie)
Bull Durham (movie)
Cheech & Chong Get Out of My Room (movie)
Dazed and Confused (movie)
Death at a Funeral (movie)
Death Warrant (movie)
Death Wish 3 (movie)
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (movie)
Death Wish II (movie)
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (movie)
Dog (movie)
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (movie)
Dunkirk (movie)
Fargo (movie)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (movie)
Fighting With My Family (movie)
For a Few Dollars More (movie)
Ford v Ferrari (movie)
Forrest Gump (movie)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (movie)
Freaks and Geeks season 1 (movie)
Get Shorty (movie)
Green Zone (movie)
Hackers (movie)
Hair (movie)
Hang 'Em High (movie)
Hannah and Her Sisters (movie)
Hannibal (movie)
Harvey (movie)
Hoosiers (movie)
Hot Pursuit (movie)
Hot Tub Time Machine (movie)
Hotel RwandaIgor (movie)
Jeepers Creepers (movie)
Jerry Maguire (movie)
Jesus Christ Superstar (movie)
Joe Dirt (movie)
King Solomon's Mines (movie)
Kung Fu Panda 3 (movie)
Lady Chatterley's Lover (movie)
Lars and the Real Girl (movie)
Last Tango in Paris (movie)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (movie)
Legion (movie)
Lifeforce (movie)
Lions for Lambs (movie)
Lost in Translation (movie)
Max (movie)
Max 2: White House Hero (movie)
Meet Joe Black (movie)
Mermaids (movie)
Mind the Game season 2 (TV show)
Missing in Action (movie)
Mission: Impossible (movie)
Mission: Impossible II (movie)
Mission: Impossible III (movie)
Mission: Impossible IV Ghost Protocol (movie)
Moonstruck (movie)
Mr. Mom (movie)
Navy Seals (movie)
Original Sin (movie)
Out of Sight (movie)
Out of Time (movie)
Over the Top (movie)
Overboard (movie)
Passengers (movie)
Pineapple Express (movie)
Quigley Down Under (movie)
Rain Man (movie)
Red Dawn (movie)
Return to Me (movie)
Rob Roy (movie)
Robin Hood (movie)
Safe House (movie)
Sense and Sensibility (movie)
Sleepover (movie)
Soul Plane (movie)
Spaceballs (movie)
Speak No Evil (movie)
Species (movie)
Species II (movie)
Species III (movie)
Stigmata (movie)
Street Fighter (movie)
The Amityville Horror (movie)
The Aviator (movie)
The Benchwarmers (movie)
The Big Country (movie)
The Big Lebowski (movie)
The Boy Next Door (movie)
The Chosen seasons 1–4
The Cutting Edge (movie)
The Deer Hunter (movie)
The Delta Force (movie)
The Eiger Sanction (movie)
The Game (movie)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (movie)
The Great Escape (movie)
The Greatest Story Ever Told (movie)
The Last Temptation of Christ (movie)
The Man in the Iron Mask (movie)
The Menu (movie)
The Nanny seasons 1–6 (TV show)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (movie)
The Prodigy (movie)
The Serpent and the Rainbow (movie)
The Unforgiven (movie)
The Visit (movie)
The Way West (movie)
The Young Messiah (movie)
Thelma & Louise (movie)
Three Thousand Years of Longing (movie)
Till (movie)
Timeless seasons 1–2 (TV show)
Titanic (movie)
Top Gun (movie)
Uptown Girls (movie)
Wargames (movie)
West Side Story (movie)
What's the Worst That Could Happen? (movie)
Women Talking (movie)
Yours, Mine & Ours (movie)

Arriving on April 8

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (TV show)
Spy High (TV show)

Arriving on April 10

G20 (movie)

Arriving on April 11

Utah Royals vs. Portland Thorns

Arriving on April 13

Conclave (movie)
Godfather of Harlem (TV show)

Arriving on April 14

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (movie)

Arriving on April 17

#1 Happy Family USA (TV show)
Leverage: Redemption (TV show)

Arriving on April 18

LOL: Se Rir, Já Era! (TV show)
Seattle Reign vs. Portland Thorns

Arriving on April 22

Gladiator II (movie)
Teenage Kraken (movie)

Arriving on April 24

American Horror Story season 12 (TV show)
Étoile (TV show)

Arriving on April 25

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC

Arriving on April 29

Nickel Boys (movie)
Wear Whatever the F You Want (TV show)

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• Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2 adds support for hotpatching
• You can install some security updates without rebooting
• AMD64 and Intel supported now, Arm64 later

Microsoft has confirmed hotpatch updates are now available for compatible business devices running Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2, which is great news for organizations looking to reduce downtime.

Hotpatch updates allow OS security updates to be installed in the background without needing to restart the device, reducing user disruption without sacrificing security.

To be eligible for hotpatches, companies will need to be running a x64 (AMD64 or Intel) CPU and have an active Microsoft subscription (Enterprise E3/E5/F3, Education A3/A5 or Windows 365 Enterprise).

Windows 11 hotpatching comes to enterprise devices

In a blog post, Microsoft's David Callaghan explained hotpatch” updates take effect immediately upon installation, providing rapid protection against vulnerabilities.”

Callaghan also noted hotpatched devices receive the same degree of protection as devices that updated more conventionally on the company's traditional Patch Tuesday releases, but because they don't require the PC to restart, workers will experience fewer interruptions.

Companies will need to create a hotpatch-enabled quality update policy via Microsoft Intune, and keen-eyed IT admins will note different KB numbers and OS versions for devices enrolled in hotpatched updates.

Four times a year in January, April, July and October, devices will still need to restart upon installation of security updates, but the subsequent two months of each quarter will not require a device reboot.

In terms of eligibility, Callaghan also noted Arm64 devices are in public preview, indicating further support eventually.

“From the Microsoft Intune admin center, navigate to Devices > Windows updates > Create Windows quality update policy and toggle it to Allow,” the article details.

Generally available as of April 2, 2025, Microsoft only confirmed that Arm64 devices would gain support “at a later date.”

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What's the next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for 2025?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for a 2025 release is Mario Kart World, which launches alongside the console on June 5. In addition, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour and Survival Kids will also be available on launch day as well. To make sure you're set up and ready for the new Mario Kart, be sure to check out our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order page.

Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives include a brand new Mario Kart game, as well as a very Bloodborne-esque multiplayer game called The Duskbloods developed by FromSoftware. There are new versions of older Switch games too, that make use of the Switch 2's new chat and camera features.

In terms of upcoming games and Switch 2 launch games the next couple of months are absolutely stacked with Nintendo Switch 2 games. Some are exclusives like Kirby Air Riders, while others are new versions of old games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. One thing's for sure, there will likely be some new contenders for our best Nintendo Switch games list by the end of the year.

Here are the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. We'll only be covering games that have been officially confirmed for release, many of which already have solid release dates locked in. In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.

Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives

(Image credit: Future)

There are currently quite a few Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives planned and confirmed for future release on the upcoming console. We've listed them below, alongside their release dates where available.

The games below include those only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.

• Mario Kart World - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Survival Kids - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Drag x Drive - Summer 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Kirby Air Riders - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)
• Civilization 7 - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Breath of the Wild - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Tears of the Kingdom - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)

(Image credit: FromSoftware) The Duskbloods - TBC 2026

New blood

Let's kick off this list of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives with perhaps the most surprising reveal of the latest Nintendo Direct. The Duskbloods is a brand new game from Bloodborne and Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and it'll launch sometime in 2026. Beyond that, we don't know too much about it, other than it. being described as a PvPvE multiplayer game. Whether this will be similar to how things work in Elden Ring, with players invading your game, or more akin to what Elden Ring: Nightreign is going for remains to be seen.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Mario Kart World - June 5, 2025

Off the beaten track

Next up is Mario Kart World, which looks set to evolve the tried and tested formula that we all love. This arrives June 5, 2025, alongside the Nintendo Switch console. The big change here is that you'll be able to explore a huge interconnected map, as you race between courses, and explore off the beaten track. Up to 24 players can battle it out in each race, and there looks to be a lot more characters to choose from this time around. Mario Kart World will only be available for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - June 5, 2025

Let's show you the ropes

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is another launch game, and one that'll help players get to know the new hardware. Part game, part tutorial, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will guide you through the console's new features, highlighting the mouse function, the magnetic Joy-Con attachments and more. Interestingly, this isn't free with the console, but it will be Nintendo Switch 2-only when it launches.

Survival Kids - June 5, 2025

Don't go it alone

Survival Kids is the third Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that'll launch alongside the new console on June 5, 2025. This one is a revival of a 26 year old GameBoy title, adding in seamless co-op play across a series of desert islands. Alongside three others, you'll fish, gather materials, and cook as you explore and solve puzzles. Definitely a game that'll be fun to play with friends, using the new Chat button on Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Donkey Kong Banaza - July 17, 2025

Go bananas!

DK fans rejoice, there's finally a new Donkey Kong 3D platformer, and it looks absolutely beautiful. As Donkey Kong, you'll explore an underground world teeming with enemies to smash and secrets to unveil. Alongside new allies, Donkey Kong works to foil the plans of VoidCo, a mysterious new group that's got its eyes on the Golden Bananas that are buried in the ground. So far, it's looking like a great mix of Super Mario Odyssey, and the mine-cart mayhem of the best Donkey Kong games. We don't have long to wait either, as Donkey Kong: Bananza launches July 17, 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Drag x Drive - Summer 2025

A whole new ballgame

Drag x Drive is a 3v3 sports game that makes use of the new Joy-Con mouse function. By dragging Joy-Cons up and down a surface, you'll control the character's wheelchair. You can pull off tricks, throw the ball and score points, and even play against other players online. There's no solid release date for this one just yet, only a release window of Summer 2025. Drag x Drive will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - TBC 2025

Back to where it all began

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a third-person action game that serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It all plays out in that classic Dynasty Warriors style, with the story set around the Imprisoning War that kicks off Link's journey to save Hyrule with the help of the Zonai. From the looks of things, we'll be able to fight as Princess Zelda against large groups of Ganon's army. There's other playable characters too, like the masked champions from Tears of the Kingdom. This one doesn't have a release date yet, only that it'll launch sometime in 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo) Kirby Air Riders - TBC 2025

The sequel to a GameCube hidden gem

Kirby Air Riders, a brand new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year – directed by Masahiro Sakurai. We don't know much about it yet, though it'll be a flying racing game starring Kirby and his pals for sure. The original featured items that transformed Kirby, giving him abilities like Link's sword. Hopefully this mechanic returns when the game launches some time in 2025.

Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives - new versions of Switch games

(Image credit: Nintendo)

In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives listed above, there's also Switch 2 versions of existing and upcoming Switch games to contend with. Here are the games being upgraded and receiving separate Switch 2 editions:

• Civilization 7 - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Breath of the Wild - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Tears of the Kingdom - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)

Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives FAQ

(Image credit: Nintendo) Is The Duskbloods only on Nintendo Switch 2?

The Duskbloods is only planned for Nintendo Switch 2 as things stand. This means that it's not likely to arrive on any other platforms, even Nintendo Switch. By the looks of things, this is a collaboration between FromSoftware and Nintendo, so you'll need to pick up the new console to play it in 2026.

Will all new Nintendo games be Switch 2 exclusive?

While some new Nintendo games like Mario Kart World are indeed Nintendo Switch 2 only, there are still games coming to Nintendo Switch. Namely, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on both.

This will likely continue for a while, until eventually, things will move to be Switch 2 only. Even with a new console launching soon, you'll likely be able to play new games on your old Switch for a while yet, though you will miss out on the bigger titles like Donkey Kong: Bananza, and The Duskbloods.

Will Pokemon Z-A be Switch 2 exclusive?

Pokémon Legends Z-A is not a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. At launch, there will be separate versions for both Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. On the new console, it'll run at a better frame rate, and have improved visuals, but the game will be functionally the same on both devices.

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• Fans are demanding that Nintendo "drop the price" of the Switch 2
• The Treehouse: Live chat gets hijacked as fans spam the same request
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99, while Switch 2 games will cost upwards of $80

The Nintendo Switch 2's controversial price has fans divided, and they're now taking their frustrations directly to the source.

Nintendo's first Treehouse: Live of the week is now live, showcasing some of the Switch 2's brand new games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Welcome Tour.

However, instead of expressing excitement for the launch lineup, fans are practically begging Nintendo to "drop the price!" of its upcoming console, which is confirmed to cost $449.99 / £395.99.

With over 120K viewers watching, as of writing, it's hard to find just one comment that isn't demanding a lower price tag, with some joking that they will be "spending their life savings" on the console.

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Nintendo Treehouse: Live chat (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

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(Image credit: Future)

While others are blaming United States President Donald Trump for the recent increase in tariffs, there are also fans commenting on the high cost of Switch 2 games.

They're currently retailing for upwards of $79.99 / £75.99 and $89.99 / £85.99, with some arguing that a console and one single game together is simply too expensive.

Following the release of the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, Nintendo significantly reduced the price of the handheld from $249.99 to $169.99, following poor launch sales. Considering the contentious price of the Switch 2, it wouldn't be surprising for Nintendo to pull a similar move if it finds itself in the same situation.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct aired yesterday, confirming that the console will launch on June 5, 2025, with Switch 2 preorders scheduled to open on April 8.

TechRadar Gaming attended an exclusive hands-on preview and spent four hours with the Nintendo Switch 2

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• Amazon is making some models of Nvidia or AMD GPUs exclusive to Prime members
• A handful of RTX 5000 and RX 9070 models fall into this category
• The idea is to stop scalpers, or at least throw another hurdle in their way

Amazon appears to have made some changes that mean those who are Prime members stand a better chance of buying one of AMD or Nvidia’s new GPUs.

As you can’t have failed to notice, since they launched, it’s been a painful scramble for stock when it comes to Nvidia Blackwell and AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards, with would-be buyers finding it very difficult to secure a GPU.

Club386 was keen-eyed enough to catch (via Tom’s Hardware) that Amazon in the US now has some RTX 5000 or RX 9070 models marked as ‘reserved’ for Prime members. If you’re logged into your Amazon account and are a Prime subscriber, you’ll see these GPUs available to buy. But if you aren’t a Prime member, you won’t see them.

It’s also worth noting that you may not realize that these are Prime exclusives, as that isn’t flagged for those who are logged in – they just see that the GPU is on sale.

To give you a quick example, if you search for RTX 5080 models on Amazon (US), you’ll see that the Asus ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 OC Edition is an exclusive for Prime subscribers, as is the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 Gaming OC.

On those pages, those who aren’t Prime members will see a box to ‘Join Prime’ instead of the usual ‘Add to cart’ or ‘Buy now’ options (for those GPUs which are in stock, of course).

There are still more of these (relatively) new Nvidia or AMD GPUs available to everyone than reserved models for Prime members, granted – but there’s more than a handful of the latter.

(Image credit: Future / Asus / AMD) Analysis: Prime movers

What’s the reasoning behind this? Well, it’s another way of tempting folks to sign up for a Prime membership, of course, but it’s also a defensive measure against scalpers.

Price scalping types looking to buy MSRP level graphics cards – or more affordably priced models – as soon as they come in stock, to resell in order to make a profit are a scourge on the GPU world. They’ve made it particularly hard to get hold of more expensive GPUs (Nvidia models in the main), as they can be jacked up to even more ridiculous prices, and we’ve seen exactly this happening on auction sites this year.

Requiring a Prime membership for certain graphics cards at least shields them from some scalpers who, in the main, probably haven’t bothered subscribing to Prime. (Although that’s not to say some price gougers won’t, of course – or that they can’t sign up there and then).

Still, this should make it a little bit easier for Prime members to grab a GPU. Right now, for example, there’s an RTX 5070 overclocked edition from Asus available for Prime members at $700. That’s still a quarter over the MSRP, but there’s always going to be a premium for overclocked models, and in that light, it doesn’t look like a terrible buy. (Or it wouldn’t if the RTX 5070 was a better GPU in general, but sadly, it falls well short of what Nvidia has managed with other Blackwell GPUs).

On the AMD side, equally sadly, more affordable RX 9070 GPUs just aren’t available at Amazon currently, although they have been very recently, as Club386 highlighted. They may turn up once again before long, with any luck, and the situation with Nvidia’s Blackwell graphics cards certainly seems to be improving (dare I say it) on Amazon.

As far as I can tell, this is a US-only scheme for now, and certainly Amazon in the UK isn’t running it (at least not yet, at the time of writing).

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