Category: Previews

Hands-On: “Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream – Welcome Version”

by Kayla Merritt | Nintendo Switch Previews | 0 Comments | 25 Mar 2026

omodachi Life: Living the Dream Welcome Version is a demo of the upcoming Nintendo Switch life simulator that gives you a little sample of what the game is like. It’s about an hour long and starts you out with creating your Mii, getting your island set up, and starting relationships with other Miis on your island. It doesn’t get too in-depth into what makes this game special, but it gives audiences a little taste of what’s to come.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Nomori” is what you get when you make Portal cozy

by Danreb Victorio | GDC PC Previews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 24 Mar 2026

One of my favorite media events during GDC is the Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase, formerly known as the ID@Xbox Showcase (but something makes me think they’ll go back to the old name next year, assuming they’re back). On top of the awesome games on the floor, normally with a developer or two alongside them, there’s a bunch of food, an open bar, and it presents an opportunity to network with other people in games media. It’s a reunion of sorts with unreleased games and great vibes, but once you get through all that, the real joy is uncovering a gem here and there. That’s what I think I might have done with Nomori.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe” is the Perfect Game for Cozy Gaming

by Adriana Rodriguez | GDC PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 23 Mar 2026

SmashPad attended The MIX + Kinda Funny’s Spring Game Showcase during GDC. To be honest, while walking around the venue, I was very overwhelmed and didn’t know what to play and almost didn’t play anything. It was technically day two…

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Talaka” represents Brazilian folklore in both approachable and hardcore ways

by Danreb Victorio | GDC PC Previews | 0 Comments | 20 Mar 2026

Last week I set up an appointment with Brazil Games to see four fun-looking titles being made by Brazilian developers, and while they all had some neat aspects, Talaka stood out to me the most.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City” really makes you a ninja turtle, dude!

by Danreb Victorio | GDC PC Previews VR | 0 Comments | 19 Mar 2026

I’m not the biggest VR guy. I think the last time I messed with anything in VR was when I first got my PlayStation VR. But to be fair, I enjoyed a lot of the games I got, especially Beat Saber, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, and Batman Arkham VR. When I was asked if I wanted to take a GDC offsite appointment to play a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, I was all the way down. Say less.

[GDC 2026] First Look: “My Arms Are Longer Now” is set to be the best kind of bother

by Danreb Victorio | GDC PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 19 Mar 2026

Jackbox is getting into the publishing game with their first wacky project, My Arms Are Longer Now.

We took a look at the game at GDC.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: Climb the Corporate Ladder in “Worming From Home” 

by Adriana Rodriguez | GDC PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 19 Mar 2026

Day of the Devs had a delightful surprise for us called Worming From Home. The first ever worm-life simulator about working from home as a worm.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: Don’t sleep on “Bubsy 4D”

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Previews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 18 Mar 2026

Bubsy is a meme for all the wrong reasons. Nearly every game in the series is arguably terrible, and the self-deprecating jokes are often just as bad.

Well, Bubsy is back.

Again.

But all of a sudden it looks like he has the sauce. Out of the 30 game demos I played during GDC, Bubsy 4D is in my top three, and it’s not number three.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: Smoke with “Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch” when it comes out on 4/20

by Danreb Victorio | GDC Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Previews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 18 Mar 2026

Yeah, I know. This stupid headline writes itself, and I’m going to keep it that way because I find it funny.

I wrapped up my Atari meetings at GDC with a 30-minute session with the latest Jay and Silent Bob game, and I left with roughly the same opinion I have about the movies.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Marvel MaXimum Collection” brings back the 90’s arcade classics with accessibility in mind

by Adriana Rodriguez | GDC Handheld Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Previews Retro Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 17 Mar 2026

Limited Run Games had a special presentation for Marvel MaXimum Collection during GDC, and while we only got to try one of the six games, we came away impressed with the accessibility options.

FINAL PREVIEW – We’ve seen enough: We need “Pragmata” now

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Previews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 17 Mar 2026

This is the fourth preview I’ve written on Pragmata. I’m sold. I don’t need to see any more of the game until its launch, but when Capcom invites you to their San Francisco headquarters before GDC to play the game for two hours, you go.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: I need to uncover “The Secret of Crystal Mountain” as soon as possible

by Danreb Victorio | GDC Nintendo Switch PC Previews | 0 Comments | 16 Mar 2026

It’s been a couple years since The Secret of Crystal Mountain was announced, and to be honest, I had no idea it was. I took the appointment at GDC to preview the game for a half hour and came away impressed with what Chris Rosenthal and Revolutron Games has so far.