Sunday, 23 August 2026
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P-P

P-P is the founder and lead developer of Pixel Smile, the indie studio behind the rhythm game Step Theater, which released a demo on Steam on July 23, 2026. He is a game streamer with over 680,000 YouTube subscribers who began streaming in 2010, worked as a programmer at a game company around 2015, and went independent in 2024 to pursue indie game development.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated Jul 23

P-P, a game streamer with professional game development experience, has released his first public title as an indie developer. The rhythm game Step Theater, developed by his studio Pixel Smile, launched a demo on Steam on July 23, 2026. The demo includes two stages and a playtime of about 20 minutes, with the full version scheduled for release on Steam later in 2026. The game features sound by Mafumafu and Blackmagic, and graphics by Aramon and Subikaka.

P-P began streaming in 2010 and worked as a programmer at a game company around 2015. He went independent in 2024 to focus on indie game development. His YouTube channel has over 680,000 subscribers. The development team plans to use player feedback from the demo for future development.

Key facts

Founded studio
Pixel Smile ↗
First public release
Step Theater demo on Steam on July 23, 2026 ↗
YouTube subscribers
over 680,000 ↗
Streaming start year
2010 ↗
Previous employment
programmer at a game company around 2015 ↗
Independent start year
2024 ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Noted
P-P began streaming in 2010, worked as a programmer at a game company around 2015, and went independent in 2024 to pursue indie game development. · 2026-07-23
Noted
streamer P-P · 2026-05-25

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/p-p. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

1d ago

Tokyopop Licenses 7 New Manga Including Garagarapon

Tokyopop announced at Anime NYC on Friday that it has licensed seven new manga, all scheduled for release in 2027. The slate includes Garagarapon, a story about government officials resolving conflicts between the real world and imagined ones, and And Then, She Became Mina., about a girl who receives the heart of a mass murderer. Also licensed: What Goes On Behind the Scenes, SIX: Paths of Horror, The Commander's Proposal Is Out of the Question!, and Breathe Out, Look at Me.

1d ago

Tokyopop Licenses Lily of the Valley and Magic Soup Manhwa for 2027

Tokyopop announced two new manhwa licenses at Anime NYC: Lily of the Valley by Rangrari and Magic Soup by Kimpeacock and Tropicalarmpit. Both are scheduled for release in 2027 as part of a nine-title licensing lineup that also includes seven new manga titles. English versions of both manhwa are available on Tapas and Tappytoon.

2d ago

Overlord Momonga Joins POP UP PARADE SP Figure Line

Good Smile Company is adding Momonga from Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom Movie to its POP UP PARADE SP figure line. The painted plastic finished figure stands about 270mm tall, includes a rocky terrain base, and uses metallic paint and weathering on the armor and great swords. It releases in April 2027 for 15,800 yen.

2d ago

Puppergeist Rhythm Game Launches Today on PC, Switch, Xbox

Serenity Forge released Puppergeist on August 21 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. The rhythm visual novel costs 590 yen and supports Japanese. Players guide witch Claire through the Doggy Underworld to find her lost dog, with rhythm challenges built from dog barks. Art is by NomnomNami, with music by Kan Gao and Kawai Sprite.

3d ago

Pop Pap Polters Trailer Reveals Cast, Staff, October 4 Debut

The official website for Pop Pap Polters, a series of miniature stop-motion anime shorts by director Mozu and MOZU STUDIOS, unveiled the full trailer and key visual on Thursday. The trailer announces the cast, additional staff, and an October 4 premiere. Atsumi Tanezaki voices the three ghost siblings, with Junya Enoki as the homeowner.

5d ago

Poppy Playtime Huggy Wuggy Statue Priced at 70,000 Yen

Inforenz will release a 1/10 scale statue of Huggy Wuggy from the horror game Poppy Playtime. The polystone figure reproduces his fur and eerie expression with bared teeth, and includes a display base inspired by the game. It is priced at 70,000 yen and scheduled for late September 2027.

6d ago

NHK Rebroadcasts Satoshi Kon Interview Special Ahead of Death Anniversary

NHK General will rebroadcast 'NHK Video File: Want to Meet That Person Encore Satoshi Kon' on August 22 at 5:40 AM. The program compiles interviews with the late director Satoshi Kon and airs ahead of the August 24 anniversary of his death. It originally broadcast on August 23, 2025.

Aug 11

Map-Making Adventure 'Map Map' Dev Cites GeoGuessr and Zelda Influences

Pipapo Games' Laura discusses 'Map Map - Map-Making Game', a PC title released May 29. The game centers on completing maps by measuring distances and using tools like compasses and sextants. Laura cites 'GeoGuessr' as the biggest influence on the core system, with art inspired by 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'.

Aug 8

MOTORED CYBORG RUNNER Adds POP TRACKER Action Figure for July 2027

Max Factory and Sentinel's MOTORED CYBORG RUNNER series adds POP TRACKER, a new action figure from illustrator AF_KURO's original project. The figure features a diecast body with new gadgets including a megaphone, game console backpack, and clear PVC side bag. It releases in July 2027 for 24,800 yen.

Aug 7

Paprika 4K Remaster Expands to 98 Theaters Nationwide

The 4K remaster of Satoshi Kon's 2006 film Paprika will expand from select theaters to 98 nationwide starting August 7. The screenings are part of Filmarks' revival project, with advance screenings at Kyoto's Demachiza from July 31. Millennium Actress will also screen. Collaboration items and a giveaway accompany the expansion.

Jul 23

Pixel Smile's Step Theater Demo Launches on Steam

NB Games released a demo for the rhythm game Step Theater on Steam on July 23, 2026. The game is the first title from indie developer Pixel Smile, which is led by game streamer P-P. Players step to the rhythm to advance a story displayed on a screen called the Step Theater, with the goal of restoring a movie theater's vitality. The demo includes two stages, Two Mochiya and Apprentice Ghost, with a playtime of about 20 minutes. The full version is scheduled for release on Steam in 2026, with pricing not yet announced. The game features sound by Mafumafu and Blackmagic, and graphics by Aramon and Subikaka. The development team plans to use player feedback from the demo for future development. P-P began streaming in 2010, worked as a programmer at a game company around 2015, and went independent in 2024 to pursue indie game development. He has over 680,000 YouTube subscribers.

Jul 23

HTC Launches Virtual Idol Audition Program VPOP ASIA

HTC's XR content production company VIVE ORIGINALS has officially launched the virtual idol audition program 'VPOP ASIA'. The program began airing on July 18 on Taiwan's TVBS Entertainment Channel and CATCHPLAY+, and from July 23 it will stream every Thursday at 21:00 Japan Time on the VPOP ASIA official YouTube and Twitch channels. The show combines virtual production, Chinese-language pop music, and digital IP, featuring newly arranged versions of 120 classic Chinese-language songs from the past 30 years. Fifteen virtual trainees participate, with 29 musicians, artists, and producers from the Chinese-language music scene serving as judges and production staff. The host is Taiwanese entertainer Lulu (Huang Lu Ziyin), marking her first time co-starring with virtual idols. Japanese VTuber Kson makes a special appearance. Production took one and a half years. VIVE ORIGINALS General Manager Liu Siming stated the goal is not to recreate nostalgia but to create the future, positioning the program as a platform for expanding virtual entertainment collaboration across Asia.

Jul 18

Love and Deepspace 2.5th Anniversary Bloomit Purikura Collab Starts July 20

Fryu has announced a limited-time collaboration between its purikura machine Bloomit and INFOLD's mobile game Love and Deepspace, celebrating the game's 2.5th anniversary. The event runs from July 20 to August 31, 2026, at approximately 500 Bloomit machines nationwide. Players can take two-shot style photos with five male leads: Seiya, Rei, Homura, Shin, and Mahiru. Each character has a dedicated photo frame, sticker design, and newly recorded guide voice. The photo session includes in-game music: "Pop Candy" plays during shooting and "Spring to Flowers" during the doodle phase. Printed stickers mimic the characters' own SNS feeds, complete with a personal message. A limited run of 65 machines will feature special character wrapping in five designs. Downloading photo data requires a Pictlink premium membership (550 yen per month). The collaboration mode may not be available at all stores. Love and Deepspace has surpassed 80 million users worldwide since its 2024 Japanese release.

Jul 17

Komugiko 2000 Solo Exhibition 'POP QUEST' Opens in August

Komugiko 2000 will hold a solo exhibition 'POP QUEST' at Harajuku Space from August 22 to 31, 2026. Advance tickets cost 1,500 yen; same-day tickets are 1,800 yen. The show features illustrations from 2016 to 2026, including newly drawn works and the manga 'Ghost Teller', plus hands-on animation projects. Limited-edition goods and an exhibition catalog will be sold on site.

Jul 17

Popee the Performer DVD Re-Release to Replicate 26-Year-Old Hologram Spec

The 2000 CG anime 'Popee the Performer' will receive a DVD re-release with the same sparkly hologram packaging as the original 26 years ago. An early sale begins August 11 at the Shibuya Cine Quint merchandise corner during a special event, with general retail shipments starting August 17. The series is a silent comedy known for its absurdist black humor and strong visual impact.

Jul 15

The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest Manga to End With 36th Volume

The manga adaptation of Shinkoshoto's light novel series The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest is ending with the 36th volume, which ships on September 11. The adaptation launched in 2017. The 35th volume shipped June 11, while the 21st novel volume shipped in June 2025. The series also had a 2022 anime adaptation.

Jul 15

Avatar Call App POPOPO to End Service Six Months After Launch

POPOPO Inc. announced on July 15, 2026, that its smartphone communication app POPOPO will end service on September 17 at 15:00 JST. The app, which launched on March 18, 2026, operated as a "videophone that doesn't need a camera," allowing users to converse via 3D avatars that animate automatically based on voice input. The company cited a review of the future business environment and service optimization as the reason for termination. The shutdown timeline includes a halt to new premium member registrations and coin sales on July 22, followed by the end of new downloads on August 31. Unused paid coins will be refunded between September 17 and November 17. During the remaining service period, updates will add external VRM avatar loading and LIVE point exchange features. After service ends, all account data and HoloSuit avatars will be deleted, with no migration to other services. POPOPO was launched by entrepreneur Masuo Kawakami, with a board that included GACKT, Hiroyuki Nishimura, and Hideaki Anno.

Jul 14

Puppet Sunsun Gets Blu-ray and DVD Release with Deluxe Editions

Fuji Television released the Blu-ray and DVD of the short puppet series "Puppet Sunsun" on July 15. The show, which airs weekly on the morning program "Mezamashi TV," is now available in deluxe and regular editions. The deluxe set includes an NFC keyholder, a diorama acrylic stand, and a postcard set. Bonus footage includes the show's TV commercials and a performance from the 2025 FNS Kayousai.

Jul 14

Paper Shredder Turns Office Drudgery Into Incremental Game with Mandatory Positivity

Developer Embers is bringing Paper Shredder to Steam, an incremental game where players shred office documents to earn a $1 million reward. A dedicated Happiness Manager provides mandatory mental support and toxic positivity to keep motivation at 100%. Players may also discover former colleagues who escaped through the shredder.

Jul 12

Pikotaro's PPAP Still Reigns as Japan's Top Meme Song a Decade Later

An Amazon Music Unlimited feature on meme songs reports that Pikotaro's "PPAP" remains the number one meme song originating from Japan, ten years after its debut. The Long Ver. has surpassed 500 million views. The article also highlights Hiroyuki Sawano's "UNICORN" from Mobile Suit Gundam UC as a past viral hit on Nico Nico Douga.

Jul 7

Rich Girl Caretaker Premiere Fails to Land Its Central Dynamic

The first episode of Rich Girl Caretaker introduces Itsuki, a normal student who becomes the secret caretaker for the outwardly perfect but inwardly messy Hinako. The episode frames Itsuki's abandonment by his gambling parents as comedy, and Hinako's dependency on him as a running joke. The review finds the humor flat and the central relationship more uncomfortable than charming, comparing it unfavorably to Kare Kano.

Jul 7

1/6 Scale 'i Buy Series Nurse Call' Figure Pre-Orders Open from Animeone and POPQN

A collaboration figure between Animeone and artist POPQN, titled '[i Buy] Series Nurse Call,' is now available for pre-order in 1/6 scale at Amiami. The figure stands approximately 280mm tall and includes interchangeable face and arm parts, an IV stand, blood transfusion bag, and syringe. It is priced at 8,140 yen (tax included) directly from the manufacturer, with Amiami offering it at 7,890 yen. Release is scheduled for January 2027.

Jul 6

Popee the Performer Gets First Theatrical Screening in Shibuya

The legendary CG anime 'POPEE the Performer' will screen in theaters for the first time at Shibuya Cine Quinto from August 11 to September 6, 2026. The event, titled 'Wolf Circus Troupe Shibuya Triumphant Return,' includes a special exhibition and merchandise sales, marking the franchise's return after 26 years.

Jul 6

GKIDS Announces Home Video Releases for Look Back, Angel's Egg, More Films

GKIDS announced during its Anime Expo panel on Sunday several home video releases, including a 4K UHD Collector's Edition for Look Back on September 8, a 4K UHD Collector's Edition for the 4K remaster of Angel's Egg on September 22, and a Blu-ray Disc release for Hideaki Anno's live-action film Love & Pop on October 6.

Jul 5

Tokyopop Licenses Five Manga at Anime Expo 2026

Tokyopop announced five new manga licenses during its Anime Expo panel on Sunday, including omnibus editions of How I Attended an All Guy's Mixer, a Hololive comic, and three other titles spanning romance, fantasy, and comedy.

Jul 5

2026 Summer Anime Roundup: Grand Blue Season 3, Cat and Dragon, and More

ASCII.jp's 2026 Summer Anime Special Part 7 highlights five titles: Grand Blue Season 3, The Cat and the Dragon, The Strongest Dregs Prince's Secret Imperial Succession Struggle, The Case of the Transfer Student's Pure and Lovely Beautiful Girl Being a Childhood Friend I Used to Play with Thinking She Was a Boy, and X-Men '97. Grand Blue Season 3 premieres July 6.

Jul 2

BanG Dream! Ave Mujica VR Event Details Announced

Tablier Marketing Co., Ltd. has released ticket and experience details for the VR event 'Ave Mujica XR 'Ave Mujica -pupa ludere-'' based on the TV anime 'BanG Dream! Ave Mujica'. The event will run from July 18 to August 30, 2026, at the Entas event space in Akihabara's Onoden Building. Tickets go on sale at 6:00 PM on July 6 via the special website. Attendees will explore iconic scenes from the series in a VR space, with an immersive experience lasting about 30 minutes. Newly recorded audio by voice actors Riko Sasaki, Yuzuki Watase, Mei Okada, Akane Yonezawa, and Kanon Takao will be featured. A built-in camera function allows commemorative photos with characters, which can be taken home. XR production is handled by ABAL and Sanzigen. Weekday tickets are 1,500 yen, weekend and holiday tickets 2,000 yen. The event is organized by Tablier Marketing and planned by the BanG Dream! Ave Mujica XR Project.

Jul 1

Puppet Sunsun and Zoff Launch Eyewear Collection With Food-Themed Designs

Eyewear brand Zoff has released a collaboration collection with the popular character franchise Puppet Sunsun, titled "Zoff | PUPPET SUNSUN." The collection launched on July 3, 2026, at select Zoff stores nationwide and the Zoff official online store. It features eight types of eyewear designed around a food theme, including glasses and sunglasses adorned with Sunsun's favorite bread and donuts. The lineup includes six glasses models priced between ¥9,900 and ¥12,200, and two sunglass models at ¥9,900 each. All eyewear comes with an exclusive glasses case and cloth featuring illustrations of Sunsun, Nonnon, and Zonzon. Additional accessories include die-cut glasses cloths, mascot cleaners, stand-type glasses cases, multi-straps, sacoche-type glasses cases, and a fluffy glasses case. A web-exclusive trading acrylic keychain complete set is also available for ¥2,500. The collaboration marks the first time Zoff has worked with Puppet Sunsun, a franchise whose social media following exceeds 3.5 million across platforms.

Jul 1

Wallpaper Engine To Remove Application-Type Wallpapers After Malware Reports

The Wallpaper Engine Team announced on June 30 that it will delete all application-type wallpapers from the Steam Workshop within about a week, following reports of malware in the format. The decision comes after cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported on June 16 that dozens of application-type wallpapers on the Steam Workshop contained malware, with each downloaded thousands or tens of thousands of times. Application-type wallpapers, which allow creators to run executable (.exe) files as wallpapers, account for only 0.5% of all wallpapers on the platform, and the number of affected users is very small. The team explained that the application type was a legacy feature from the software's early development, inspired by Android sideloading, and was hidden by default with a warning screen. Development has since progressed with built-in editors and SceneScript, a JavaScript-based language that can handle events like time and mouse clicks, making custom executables unnecessary. The team stated that the risks of maintaining the application type now outweigh its benefits. Users who wish to keep their application-type wallpapers can back them up locally before the deletion. The removal applies only to the Steam Workshop; users can still create application-type wallpapers on their own.

Jul 1

Game Boy Emulator 'Paper Boy S3' Runs on E-Paper Dev Kit

Chinese hardware engineer Wenting Zhang released a Game Boy emulator called 'Paper Boy S3' running on the M5Stack PaperS3 microcontroller development kit with an E-ink display. The emulator uses high-refresh-rate E-ink technology from Zhang's Modos Flow project, reproduces the Game Boy LCD with touch controls, and supports quick save/load. It is available via M5Burner, though the PaperS3 is discontinued.

Jun 28

Popgoes Arcade, Official FNaF Spin-Off, Free on Steam Until June 29

Clickteam is distributing the retro-style RPG 'POPGOES Arcade' for free on Steam until June 29 at 3:00 AM. The game, an official spin-off of Five Nights at Freddy's selected for the Fazbear Fanverse Initiative, holds an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating with 96% of 1,452 reviews recommending it. A version 3.1.9 update with bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements was released on June 25.

Jun 27

XGIMI TITAN and Elfin Flip Plus Win VGP2026 Summer Awards

XGIMI announced that its new projectors, including the TITAN, Elfin Flip Plus, and Elfin Flip Laser, won multiple awards at the VGP2026 SUMMER audio-visual awards in Japan. The TITAN received the Grand Special Award and a Gold Award in the Audio-Visual Division, while the Elfin Flip Plus earned the Planning Award and Gold Awards in two categories. The Elfin Flip Laser also won a Gold Award.

Jun 27

Crowdfunding Campaign Launches for New NES Game Starring a Deceased Cat

Developer Jay Otten, inspired by his late cat Rip, has launched a Kickstarter for "Rip P.I. Case File 01 - Dog Gone It," a side-scrolling platformer for the NES. The game follows Rip, now a detective, searching After Life City for a missing demon dog. The $500 goal has been exceeded, with pledges over $6,200 as of writing.

Jun 24

Sayaka Mogi's Kuro-neko-sensei to Hotsureta Kanja-tachi Volume 1 Released

The first volume of Sayaka Mogi's new manga "Kuro-neko-sensei to Hotsureta Kanja-tachi" was released as an e-book on June 24, 2026, from Hayakawa Publishing. The dark fantasy follows a quack doctor treating stuffed animals with strange illnesses, including a rabbit with suicidal ideation and an elephant that gave away its button eyes. The obi carries a recommendation by Yosuke Takahashi. Store-specific bonuses include different newly drawn manga.

Jun 23

Disney+ Promotes Simpsons Episode With Paprika Poster Parody

Disney+ promoted a new double-length Simpsons episode with a poster parodying the American movie poster for Satoshi Kon's 2006 anime film Paprika. The poster for "The Simpsons Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition" features a silhouette of Marge Simpson filled with episode scenes, mirroring the Paprika poster's silhouette design. The episode began streaming on Disney+ last Wednesday.

Jun 19

Gunpla 45th Anniversary Tour Makes Final Domestic Stop in Yokohama

The Gundam Base Pop-Up World Tour, celebrating 45 years of Gunpla, will hold its last domestic event at the Yokohama Sky Building from July 10 to August 31, 2026. The venue offers exclusive Gunpla kits, merchandise, a 2-meter Gundam statue, and purchase bonuses including a card game promo and a limited tote bag.

Jun 18

KRAFTON Steam Publisher Sale 2026 Offers Discounts on Dinkum, Hi-Fi RUSH, and More

KRAFTON JAPAN has launched the "KRAFTON Steam Publisher Sale 2026" on Steam, running from June 18 to June 26, 2026. The eight-day sale offers special prices on over 30 titles from KRAFTON, its creative studios, and partner studios. Featured games include the survival life simulation game "Dinkum," the rhythm action title "Hi-Fi RUSH," the pet-raising game "My Little Puppy," the sci-fi action game "MIMESIS," and the action RPG "Last Epoch." The maximum discount reaches 85% off on "The Callisto Protocol." During the sale, a separate promotion for "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS" gives players double G-Coin when they purchase the in-game currency. The event page also highlights upcoming titles, including the new game "Age Twisters" and a public test for the in-development "PUBG: Black Budget." Some titles may not be available depending on language settings, and discount periods for certain games may end on June 25.

Jun 18

Fallout Pip-Boy 3000 Replica Launches in Japan on June 19 for 77,000 Yen

Infolens announced on June 18 that the Fallout Pip-Boy 3000 Replica will go on sale in Japan starting at 10:00 AM on June 19. The wearable replica reproduces the Pip-Boy 3000 from Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas at a 1:1 scale. It features a die-cast metal front case, injection-molded ABS body, and memory foam cuff. The device includes an IPS LCD display that shows in-game screens such as status and maps, a clock and alarm function, and an FM radio tuner. It can also play the Fallout 4 minigame Atomic Command. A gimmick simulates monitor distortion that can be fixed by tapping the screen. The product comes with a metal display stand, USB-C charging cable, FM radio antenna cable, size adjustment cuff, spacer bar, and a RobCo hex tool. The price is 77,000 yen including tax. Sales will be conducted through the INFOLENS GEEK SHOP online, at the Ikebukuro Parco store, and at the Fallout Collection in Nagoya PARCO until June 21. The replica was developed in collaboration with The Wand Company based on the in-game 3D model.

Jun 17

Malware Found in Wallpaper Engine Steam Workshop Wallpapers

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported on June 16 that it discovered malware embedded in wallpapers for the popular Steam utility Wallpaper Engine. Dozens of infected wallpaper packages were found on the Steam Workshop, with each recording thousands to tens of thousands of downloads. Attackers exploited the software's 'application-type wallpaper' feature, which can execute Windows programs, to sneak in malicious code. Two main infection methods were identified: directly bundling malicious executable files, DLLs, or scripts into the wallpaper package, and hiding malware inside a password-protected archive with the password embedded in the archive name or configuration file. The malware includes information-stealing tools like Lumma and Vidar, the RenEngine loader, and the DarkKomet backdoor. One sample from December 2025 appeared to function normally by launching an embedded desktop game while deploying DarkKomet and installing a modified library to collect Steam account information and hijack logged-in sessions. The primary target was China, accounting for 89.4% of downloads, followed by Russia at 5.5%. Kaspersky believes multiple independent threat actors are behind the attacks, not a single group. By the time the findings were published, the malicious wallpapers had been removed from the platform, but Kaspersky warned that new ones may appear.

Jun 16

Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Surpasses 400,000 Units Sold Worldwide

Dragami Games announced that the remastered zombie action game Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP has sold over 400,000 copies worldwide as of the series' 14th anniversary on June 14, 2026. A winning costume from the design contest, the Kogal Costume, will be distributed at the end of June.

Jun 13

World K-Pop Center Signs Exclusive Japan Contract With The Crown Production

The global K-Pop education platform WORLD K-POP CENTER has signed an exclusive contract with The Crown Production, a subsidiary of R2 Co., Ltd., to expand into Japan. The partnership aims to provide K-Pop education systems and international networks to Japanese youth, and includes discussions toward establishing a future J-POP CENTER. The collaboration is part of the BORDERLESS WAVE project.

Jun 11

Arcade Racing Game '4PGP' Launches on PS5 and PC

Publisher 3goo released the arcade racing game '4PGP' on PS5 and PC (Steam) on June 11, 2026. The download-only version costs 1,980 yen including tax. The game is a multiplayer racing title that channels the feel of 1990s arcade racers, supporting up to four-player split-screen play in modes including Quick Race, Championship, and Time Attack. It features 14 circuits themed after countries and 19 cars modeled after real formula cars. The PS5 and PC versions add analog input for accelerator and brake, control settings and key mapping, and 4K/60fps display. A new machine called the 'SAFETY CAR' is also included. The PC version supports Steam Remote Play Together for online multiplayer. Alongside the new releases, a free update for existing Switch 2 and Switch versions adds the same new features and content, plus CPU behavior improvements and balance adjustments. The game involves creators from classic racing franchises: design by Kenji Sasaki, known for 'Sega Rally' and 'Ridge Racer', and a soundtrack by Tomoyuki Kawamura of 'Virtua Racing' and 'Shutokou Battle' fame. Director Jonathan Maulor, who worked on 'Test Drive Unlimited' and 'The Crew', oversees development with his company Vision Reelle co-developing.

Jun 10

Puppet Sunsun Pop-Up Tour to Hit 12 Cities With Over 90 New Goods

Puppet Sunsun's pop-up shop "HELLO! PUPPET SUNSUN" will run in 12 cities nationwide starting July 1, 2026 in Tokyo. Over 90 products will be available, including new art goods and first-time items featuring Fanfan and Tsukutsuku. For the first time, each venue will sell local limited items such as stickers and acrylic keychains with city-specific sign motifs. Purchase novelties include random trading cards.

Jun 8

Narrative Adventure 'Bub' Blends Papercraft Art With Memory Exploration

At Summer Game Fest 2026, Day of the Devs featured a hands-on demo of 'Bub,' a narrative adventure from New York-based studio Paperfrog. The game uses paper-cut, paint, and collage visuals to depict memories. Play involves movement, interaction, and timed input sequences, with transitions from conversation to memory fragments.

Jun 7

Co-Op Horror Game Pipes.exe Announced at PC Gaming Show 2026

Publisher Critical Reflex and developer Moving Pieces Interactive announced the cooperative first-person horror game Pipes.exe during the PC Gaming Show 2026 on June 8. The game supports one to four players who take on the role of low-level QA testers at a company called SYSTEM 6D. Players enter a software environment styled after 1990s-era Windows PCs, navigating procedurally generated worlds that resemble classic screen savers. The objective is to collect artifact items and deposit them into a trash bin, then reach an exit to clear each stage. Gameplay involves climbing pipes, avoiding monsters, and dealing with gimmicks such as pipe tips that attack like snakes, bugs that cling to inventory, and streams of stars that cause falls. There are six stages total, and two consecutive wipes on the same stage result in a game over. Between stages, players can purchase items at a shop. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam. A live-action trailer was also released, set in a 1990s-style office with unsettling atmosphere.

Jun 5

Rhythm Adventure 'Puppergeist' Launches July 16 on Switch, Xbox, and PC

Serenity Forge announced its rhythm adventure game 'Puppergeist' will launch July 16 on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, with the Steam version releasing July 17. Players follow witch Claire into the Doggie Underworld to find her lost puppy, petting dog souls in rhythm minigames to heal them and unlock stories. Art is by NomnomNami, music by Kan Gao and Kawai Sprite.