Shadowgate’s Simple Melodies Conjure Danger And Unease

Welcome to Morning Music, Kotaku’s new, daily hangout for folks who love video games and the cool-ass sounds they make. The deadly adventure game Shadowgate was an unlikely hit on the NES, and I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest its tremendous soundtrack played a role in that. Shadowgate was originally a…

Pikachu Stars In The PPAP Singer’s New Music Video

In 2016, comedian Pikotaro went viral with his song “PPAP.” Earlier this year, he released a song to encourage people to wash their hands. Now, he’s back, and this time he’s hanging out with an electric rodent. The new song is called “Pikataro and Pikotaro” (Pika to Piko in Japanese). In much of it, Pikataro…

This Isn’t Anime, But A Model Diorama

Twitter user Annkoromoti makes incredible models, bringing them to life in anime-like dioramas. Pictured is a Valkyrie from the Macross anime—a model with a cell-shaded paint job. Have look! Amazing, no? Here is how it compares to an anime still: This is truly great. A close-up look really shows the detail: We’ve previously seen other…

Akihabara Will Look Different After This Arcade Closes [Update]

The Sega Akihabara 2nd arcade, which was formerly known as Akihabara Gigo, is closing at the end of the month because 2020 sucks. The arcade, a two-minute walk from Akihabara Station, is famous for its Sega-emblazoned escalators and is an area landmark. The official notice states that the arcade’s last day of operation is August…

After Nine Years, A New Haruhi Suzumiya Novel Will Be Released

Originally a light novel, Haruhi Suzumiya launched an iconic anime and manga in the 2000s. The manga is ongoing, but there hasn’t been a new Haruhi novel since 2011. Until now. This November, a new Haruhi volume will be released in Japan. According to Japanese site Kai-You, it will be out November 25. Titled Suzumiya…

Track: Cathedrals of the Mind | Artist: Doves | Album: The Universal Want

Track: Caution | Artist: The Killers | Album: Imploding The Mirage

That’s One Good Looking Capybara

Age of Empries III: Defintive Edition comes out October 15 and it updates the classic RTS with new and improved 4k visuals and modern features like crossplay. But it will also include some HD capybaras. I didn’t realize I wanted HD capybaras until now. Look at that original capybara compared to the new one. It’s…

‘Shop Contest: Lonely Crash Bandicoot

Gamescom’s Opening Night Live event happened earlier this week. It had a few game announcements, some new trailers, and other stuff. But it also provided us with a haunting image that summarizes 2020 in a single photo. Your challenge this week: Put sad Crash in images. Within the fiction of Opening Night Live, Crash had…

Sunday Comics: Adorable

Hello! It’s time for Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Corpse Run by Alex Di Stasi. Published Aug. 27. Read more of Corpse Run Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published Aug 24. Read more of Awkward Zombie Clueless Hero by…

Ubisoft Apologizes For Tom Clancy Game Imagery That Suggests Black Lives Matter Is Part Of A Terrorist Plot

Today Ubisoft announced it will remove raised fist imagery from the opening cinematic of its new mobile game, Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad, following widespread criticism that the game’s intro plays on right-wing conspiracies about the Black Lives Matter movement. Elite Squad, which came out on iOS and Android earlier this week, begins with a narrated…

‘Shop Contest: King Shark, Winners!

If you are a fan of comic book character King Shark, last week was a treat. We got two different and new versions of King Shark announced at DC’s online FanDome event. One from the new Suicide Squad movie and one from the new Suicide Squad game. So to celebrate, I asked you all you…

Some Heads Are Gonna Roll

This week on Snapshots: Control’s latest DLC just came out and it seems a lot of folks are going back to the game and taking some cool screenshots. Of course, we also have more Ghost of Tsushima photos too! One day people might stop taking great pics of that game..but that ain’t today. And some…

The People In Ghost Of Tsushima Need To Clean Up All The Corpses

Imagine you are visiting a quiet little inn or village out in the countryside. The sun is up. The sky is clear and life is good. You are happy. And then you round a corner and you see a dead body just lying in the middle of the place, with people walking around and going…

Ariados Is One Cold-Hearted Bastard

Every Pokemon is interesting and worth talking about. I don’t play a ton of Pokemon, but I do enjoy the universe and I love learning more about the creatures in it. So, Here’s Another Pokemon! It’s Ariados! Ariados Details Type: Bug/Poison Average Height: 3′ 07″ Average Weight: 73.9 lbs First Added In Generation II Imagine…

How’s It Going?: Mobile Games Edition

I see you. Yes, you! Come on in. Come chat with other Kotaku readers in another one of our daily open threads. I have a bunch of consoles and big TV that they are all hooked up to. I also have a large list of games I want to play or replay and I have…

Peace Was Never An Option

This week we ponder delaying the next generation, throw Mario into a dryer, check out the new trailer for LEGO Star Wars, find out more about the weird far-right conspiracy featured in a Black Ops: Cold War trailer and yell at some capybaras. Great Kotaku Content From The Past Week A fantastic and important story…