Nintendo is pulling out all the stops to bid a glorious adieu to the original console.
Fans have been treated to some of the highest rated titles as Nintendo orchestrates a farewell celebration, promising an array of exclusive releases, limited-edition bundles, and jaw-dropping discounts on beloved games.
Gaming enthusiasts can expect a cascade of nostalgic and new game releases, showcasing the versatility of the original Switch one last time. The Japanese gaming giant aims to make this transition an unforgettable experience, allowing fans to reminisce about the original console while getting excited for what lies ahead with Switch 2.
Nintendo aims to underline its dedication to both loyal fans and newcomers, cementing the legacy of the original Switch in the annals of gaming history. It’s a chance for enthusiasts to grab their favourite titles and relish the last moments with a gaming companion that has been a part of countless adventures.
Some of the notable titles include:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game released in 2023, developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This instalment serves as a sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017). “Tears of the Kingdom” maintains key features of its predecessor, such as the expansive open world of Hyrule, now enhanced to facilitate increased vertical exploration with the introduction of The Great Sky and The Depths. Players take on the role of Link, embarking on a quest to locate Princess Zelda and thwart the plans of the Demon King, aiming to save the world from destruction.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platformer where players can choose from eight characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, Toadette, Nabbit, and Yoshi. In this game, players navigate through levels in the Flower Kingdom with the help of talking flower-like inhabitants.[3][4] Similar to previous Super Mario games, the objective is to guide the chosen character to the end of each level, avoiding adversaries like Goombas and Piranha Plants while utilising Warp Pipes for transportation. Throughout each stage, players can gather various “Wonder Seeds” as collectibles.
Metroid Prime: Remastered In the depths of space, the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran responds to an urgent distress call emanating from a stranded frigate orbiting the enigmatic planet Tallon IV. As she delves into the mysteries of the derelict vessel, she uncovers a chilling revelation—it is a Space Pirate research hub, where horrifying genetic experiments involving the enigmatic Phazon substance are conducted. Within this ominous facility, Samus crosses paths with her arch-nemesis, Meta Ridley, setting off a relentless pursuit that eventually leads them both to the surface of Tallon IV.
Now, the fate of the galaxy rests squarely on Samus’s shoulders as she embarks on a solitary mission to explore the interconnected regions of this enigmatic world, unravel its concealed secrets, and thwart the looming intergalactic menace posed by the ominous Phazon.
In Short:
– OpenAI is launching Sora 2, a social media app with AI-generated videos, competing with TikTok.
– The app features a unique identity verification system and provides short video content without uploads.
OpenAI is set to unveil Sora 2, a new social media app that imitates TikTok by offering AI-generated video content. The strategy positions OpenAI to directly challenge established platforms in the AI video market.The platform has begun internal testing. Employees have reacted positively, raising productivity concerns among managers. Sora 2 features swipe-to-scroll navigation and offers personalized video recommendations.
A unique identity verification system allows users to authenticate their likeness for use in AI-generated videos. Users will be notified when their likeness is used in videos, regardless of whether these are published. Video lengths are capped at 10 seconds, with no capability to upload personal content.
The app includes typical social media features like likes and comments, with a user interface that resembles TikTok’s “For You” page.
Strategic Launch
OpenAI’s timing for this launch is strategic, coinciding with uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s U.S. operations. Recent deals aim to transfer majority control of TikTok’s American business to U.S. investors while permitting ByteDance a minority stake.
OpenAI perceives the current turbulence as a unique opportunity to introduce a competitive platform for short-form videos, appealing to users seeking alternatives during this period of regulatory scrutiny.
In Short:
– Optus faces pressure after a second emergency service outage, affecting 4,500 customers for nine hours.
– Calls for CEO Stephen Rue’s resignation intensify amid scrutiny over network investment and safety mechanisms.
Australian telecommunications company Optus is under increasing pressure to address leadership concerns following a second emergency service outage in ten days.
The incident occurred in Dapto, south of Sydney, where around 4,500 customers were unable to reach Triple Zero emergency services due to a faulty mobile tower for nine hours.Optus confirmed all affected individuals were safe, but the repeated outages have raised significant alarms. The first incident took place on September 18, when a firewall upgrade blocked approximately 600 emergency calls across multiple states for 13 hours, resulting in at least four fatalities.
Calls for CEO Stephen Rue’s resignation have intensified, with opposition spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh stating that citizens need confidence in the emergency network.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as “completely unacceptable.” The response from Optus has faced criticism, especially regarding the delay in notifying emergency services after the September 18 incident.
Efforts to address the failures are underway, with Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon scheduled to meet with Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched an investigation into the outages.
Governance experts caution that merely replacing leadership will not resolve underlying issues, suggesting that reduced spending on network infrastructure is a contributing factor.
Federal Investigation
New scrutiny has emerged regarding Optus’s network investment, with reports indicating a budget decrease from $850 million in 2024 to $613 million this year.
Concerns have been raised about the absence of critical safety mechanisms, including a reliable system to reroute emergency calls when failures occur.
In Short:
– Meta is launching autonomous robots, beginning with a CA-1 AI robot in Germany for domestic tasks.
– The company plans to hire 100 engineers as part of a $60-65 billion AI investment for 2025.
Meta ventures into robotics, joining a market where Tesla’s Optimus robot showcases in controlled settings. Apple is also exploring robotic devices, with planned humanoid concepts by 2027.
Google is advancing robotics via DeepMind with AI models tailored for robotics applications.
Meta recently launched its first autonomous robot in Germany through a partnership with Circus SE, deploying a CA-1 AI robot at its Munich office.
The initiative is part of Meta’s objective to gather data to support its robotics focus on domestic tasks such as cleaning and laundry folding.
Strategic Investment
Industry analysts point to Meta’s software-licensing strategy as crucial in the competitive landscape, where firms often encounter challenges with hardware costs.
By positioning itself to gain from various robotics manufacturers’ successes, Meta utilises lessons from its virtual reality investments, which have seen substantial spending with limited consumer uptake.
The company is set to hire around 100 engineers for its robotics programme within a broader $60-65 billion AI infrastructure investment plan for 2025.
The indicates a strong commitment to integrating AI into physical applications.