Mario Galaxy Star Sparks Viral Moment with Outrageous Question

Would the Lady of the Canyon and the Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom hit it off if they crossed paths? Are you keeping an eye on the new Thomas the Tank Engine train simulator? Or maybe you’re eagerly awaiting Starfield on the Switch 2? Welcome to the latest edition of Morning Checkpoint, where we dive deep into gaming discussions.

I took a look at that copy of Pokémon Yellow I mentioned yesterday, and guess what? One of my old super squads is still going strong. Who’s got a Game Link Cable and wants to challenge me during lunch?

I will never cut the cord. Television forever.

That’s what Anya Taylor-Joy, known for her role in Queen’s Gambit, was asked this week during an interview. Host Craig Melvin brought up her rumored roles as both Joni Mitchell and Princess Peach. Did he throw that out there on a whim, or was it a calculated move? Here’s how it went down:

Melvin: You’re rumored to be playing Joni Mitchell, one of the most significant women in music recently. And then there’s Princess Peach, an iconic figure in gaming. What’s the connection?

Taylor-Joy: What’s the connection between Joni…

Melvin: And Princess Peach, yeah.

Taylor-Joy: And Princess Peach…

*Awkward pause*

Taylor-Joy: They’re both unique. You can’t compare them. They stand alone.

This is why live TV is still a thrill.

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor launched this week, and a trailer shared by an outlet quickly garnered millions of views. It appears to be a typical train sim reimagined with characters from the beloved children’s series. One commenter questioned, “Who’s the target audience for this?” to which the outlet humorously replied, “Skyrim fans.”

The pottery brawler is set to release on April 23. It originated during a game jam back in 2017 and has been simmering ever since. Teams will craft pots to transport water and extinguish the enemy team’s kiln, all while smashing each other’s creations.

The sci-fi visual novel adventure has emerged as one of 2024’s standout titles, marking a strong debut for the indie team behind it. Sunset Visitor teased something “special” is on the way, set to be unveiled at the Triple-i Initiative indie gaming showcase on April 9.

The newly announced Jaleco Arcade Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 features a treasure trove of arcade classics from the ’80s and ’90s. Included are the robot shooter Cybattler, the side-scroller Saint Dragon, and the fantasy action game The Astyanax.

CEO Kenzo Tsujimoto is optimistic that PCs will outshine consoles in the future. Is he betting on Steam Machines or just the overall decline of dedicated living room gaming hardware? “I believe that the PC will further establish itself as the world’s leading gaming platform, which will enhance the value of the PC market,” Tsujimoto stated in the recent annual report.

The indie action platformer has new DLC arriving that introduces iconic Sega characters as new foes, including Dr. Eggman, Death Adder from Golden Axe, and Goro Majima from Yakuza. It’s priced at $10 and drops on April 3, but the base game, which is definitely worth your time, will also receive a free update adding a new hardcore mode.

Bethesda’s latest RPG was officially announced for PlayStation 5 along with a significant patch, but there’s still no word on the rumored Switch 2 port. Podcaster NateTheHate claims it’s still in development but proving more challenging than anticipated.

I conquered PATH OF PAIN with ONE FINGER – the ending was a mess because I panicked and forgot my controls, but I did it!! For those curious, L3 is jump unless the analog stick is directly down, in which case L3 becomes attack.