Weekend Whimsy: What Exciting Plans Do You Have? (14th December)

We’re here with a fresh note for our weekend gaming itinerary in the most typical version of What Are You Playing!

Before we jump into the action, let’s review the events of the past week. Mr. Video Games himself, Geoff Keighley, was gracing our screens once again at The Game Awards, and although it wasn’t entirely a Switch showcase, we did receive news of a gentle Sonic Racing title, Hideki Kamiya’s Okami sequel, and a quirky new Pac-Man game.

But that wasn’t all about the awards! We received a fresh dose of ‘Switch 2’ speculation with new 3D prints, updated intellectual property notices, and a blurry image from a Satisfye trailer. Nintendo officially acquired Monolith Soft completely and added more Tetris games on NSO. Plus, The Pokémon Company announced a 2027 collaboration with Aardman, the studio behind Wallace and Gromit. Now, that is some incredible cheese!

On top of all that, we also found time to check out Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, Victory Heat Rally, The Thing: Remastered, and more.

Phew! Time for some gaming, I think. What are we all up to this weekend?

Jim Norman, Staff Writer

I am very close to finishing Loco Motive, so close that I can almost smell it (wicked). I would definitely like to get that wrapped up this weekend before hopefully diving into a little Splatoon 3: Side Order before the year wraps up, BUT I do have friends coming to visit so I would be surprised if I manage to play much more than a few rounds of Golf on Nintendo Switch Sports.

And yes, Marvel Rivals may not have come at a worse time. I have enough Switch games to play, Moon Knight! Please stop disrupting my sleeping hours with all this talk of Khonshu’s return!

Gavin Lane, Editor

I’ve still got some Lorelei and the Laser Eyes to enjoy, but I can confirm it has jumped right into my GOTY list – what a game! In other areas, I would like to try Arco this weekend, although I’ve heard the Switch version might not be the most optimal. A bit of research is needed there, then.

Otherwise, it’s still 9 Sols and Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for me. Have a great one, folks!

Alex Olney, Senior Video Producer

You probably won’t believe this, but I think this might be a Switch-free weekend for me. I know, I know.

The truth is that I recently received Armored Core VI as a birthday gift, and I haven’t had a chance yet to dive into it. That, combined with playing games like Marvel Rivals with Felix, Jim, Craig, and Aaron from the wider Hookshot team, means I probably won’t get to think about anything Switch-related until the following week.

Well, there is Antonblast coming, so that might spice things up a little.

Kate Grey, Contributor

For some reason, this weekend, I find myself playing three incredibly AAA games: Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s been quite strange switching between all of them — RDR2 has you picking up cigarettes and brandy as healing items, Indy takes down fascists with shovels, and I just reached the romance segment of Veilguard, which might be more thrilling if it weren’t this bizarre, overly-chaste aspect story about holding hands or whatever. Where’s the Dragon Age smut?!

Out of the three, I’m playing Indy the most. Is it firmly dedicated to the films? Yes. But is that kind of cool? Also yes.

I’m also considering if I might get a game for the Christmas break. I’ll make sure not to work during a three-week vacation with family. It may very well be time for Fields of Mistria, finally!!!!

Gonçalo Lopes, Contributor

I’m truly enjoying how Stray does world-building through its atmosphere. I’m finding Neon Blood quite enticing, but the arrival of my physical copy of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics could derail all other weekend plans. Arcade Archives: Viper Phase 1 was a pleasant surprise along with the exciting Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, which will likely keep me busy well into the holidays. Still, there’s no excuse to skip my Fitness Boxing 3 daily workouts, mind you.

My game of the week is a return to an overlooked racing treasure from eight months ago. After finishing Senna on Netflix, I jumped right back into my career on New Star GP where I’ve developed a fierce rivalry with fellow competitor “Nigel Mawson.” It was all fun and games until Nigel snuck into our pit spot and repainted my F1 car’s livery with horrendous pink and purple, forcing me to race in Brasilia in such a palette atrocity. Still a few GP races left to finish the season, but I can assure you I will be using Nigel’s car as “brake assistance” in every corner I find him.

(… and did I mention there’s a world 9 in Abathor!? Will this game ever end?)

Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor

I’m deep in a…