Can the latest knock-off Vita out of China impress without breaking the bank? Blizzard QA testers win protections against AI and crunch. And Apex Legends will be unplayable on the original Switch starting later this year. Morning Checkpoint, Kotaku‘s daily roundup of gaming news, rumors, and culture is back after unexpectedly taking a day off so this is a bit of a beefier edition.
I’m getting to be an old man and recently said “$2 for beans, in this economy?” out loud at the supermarket to nobody in particular. So I feel this Earthbound inflation meme deep in my bones.
Anbernic reveals a bunch of new Vita-inspired retro handhelds
From the Ayn Odin 2 Mini to the Trimu Smart Pro, the market for Vita-likes continues to grow. However, Anbernic, which arguably leads the pack when it comes to new retro and Android-based handhelds, announced new Vita-likes that literally have “Vita” in their names. The RG Vita and Vita Pro come in white and black with some slick little design touches. There’s no pricing yet or specs, so we’ll have to wait to see how they stack up. The Pros look very nice, though. The OG Vita still looks the best, but these should be fun alternatives, at least until Sony announces its own new rumored handheld.
The Division: The Definitive edition is just a DLC bundle
There was some speculation, and lots of fan copium, that the recently leaked definitive edition of The Division would be some sort of next-gen port or include new content. Instead, it has appeared on the Xbox store and in the process revealed that it’s simply a new SKU that bundles a bunch of existing DLC for $50. *Long, extended sigh*
Arknights: Endfield‘s rogue gacha microtransactions, explained
The Genshin Impact meets Factorio action-RPG had to shut off PayPal integration after players randomly got charged thousands of dollars. What happened? “Based on our review, the issue affected 3,429 orders across servers, involving around 1,800 players,” the company told Eurogamer in a statement. “The total value of the affected orders was approximately $80,000, with the highest single affected transaction amounting to $5,289.” On the plus side, everyone accidentally defrauded gets their money back and the rewards they were accidentally charged for.
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Edition strategy lowkey sucks
Getting hands on (head on? 🤔) with the Virtual Boy attachment for #NintendoSwitch Online. pic.twitter.com/8dL44ZQRUa
— GameSpot (@GameSpot) February 3, 2026
Okay, that sounds harsh, but I think IGN‘s Logan Plant makes a compelling case for it. Nintendo held a recent round of media previews for its upcoming late winter and early spring lineup. The optional Virtual Boy attachment sounds too uncomfortable to be worth $100 for an authentic way to experience such a random assortment of subscription-only games. The new Mario Tennis Fever sounds fun, but not necessarily like the Switch 2’s first killer multiplayer game. And what about the curious Switch 2 upgrade for Super Mario Bros. Wonder?
Its new edition includes some extra modes, bosses, and multiplayer minigames. “Nothing here comes close to justifying the $80 price tag attached to Mario Wonder’s Nintendo Switch 2 Edition,” Plant writes. “Yes, there’s a $20 upgrade pack for folks who already own Wonder, but for new buyers, a visually upgraded version of a 2023 Switch 1 game with a few new Bellabells and whistles costs more than 2025’s Switch 2-exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza, which just feels completely out of whack.”
Blizzard QA testers ratified their first union contract
It guarantees annual wage increases, protects against mandatory crunch, and includes guardrails for how genAI is used. “After nearly two decades in the video game industry, it feels great to work with my fellow union members in ratifying a fair contract that makes it easier to see a real, long-term career in this work,” Blizzard Austin senior quality analyst Matt Gant said in a press release. “This agreement gives us a better working environment with increased pay, benefits, and layoff protections that include recall rights and ensures that quality assurance work remains a stable and respected role for the workers who will build games long after us.”
Sony patents an endlessly customizable PlayStation controller
VGC reports on a new PlayStation controller patent that turns the whole thing into a touchpad. It was filed back in 2023 and covers “designs and methods for a game controller.” Instead of remapping the individual buttons, the patented design would allow players to customize where the buttons themselves go. “Due to the size of physical control elements, game controls may be limited. In addition, inclusion of controls can increase controller size,” it reads. “There exists a need and a desire to allow for improvements and modifications to game controllers.” Probably not actually happening anytime soon, but it’s a neat idea!
Apex Legends is quietly ditching the OG Switch
Respawn announced the move late last week, with season 29 being the final season update to come to the older hardware. “Starting August 4, 2026 (Season 30), Apex Legends will no longer be playable on the Nintendo Switch system,” the studio wrote. “Until August 4, 2026, players can continue to jump into the action, earn rewards, and enjoy matches per usual.”
How does Larian’s new RPG end?
“With a lot of fire.” The tease came from CEO Swen Vincke during a studio livestream of Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Switch 2. He also confirmed the game’s ending will include credits and be dependent on players’ choices. Bold reveals!
