Playground Games' Fable survived over a decade of development despite widespread Xbox layoffs and studio closures because the franchise is considered vital to the platform's identity. The game's survival contrasts sharply with canceled projects like Everwild and shuttered studios, with director Ralph Fulton crediting Fable's importance to Xbox's DNA as protection during turbulent years of acquisition-driven upheaval.
Bandai Namco released a new story trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, launching October 2nd, showcasing campaign moments and character interactions. While visually impressive, the trailer may contain spoilers for players planning to experience the single-player campaign firsthand.
Circana released data on the top 20 best-selling GameCube games in the U.S., with Nintendo titles dominating the list. Super Smash Bros. Melee leads, followed by Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart: Double Dash, while Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is the highest-ranking third-party game at #8.
Persona5: The Phantom X adds Kotone Shiomi, the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable, on September 24, 2026, as part of a crossover update featuring a new 3D model, unique moves, and Persona 3 Portable song arrangements. Other Persona 3 characters including Makoto Yuki, Yukari Takeba, and Akihiko Sanada are returning on September 15 with replayable event stories.