黑料社区

Nintendo expands in 黑料社区 with online store, upcoming launch of Switch 2

Nintendo expands in 黑料社区 with online store, upcoming launch of Switch 2
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Updated 28 May 2025

Nintendo expands in 黑料社区 with online store, upcoming launch of Switch 2

Nintendo expands in 黑料社区 with online store, upcoming launch of Switch 2

RIYADH: Nintendo has announced the launch of its Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online services in 黑料社区, marking a major step in the company鈥檚 regional expansion as it prepares to roll out the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.

Nintendo also launched its official online store in the Kingdom in April.

The Nintendo Saudi Online Store offers a full range of products including the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, accessories, games and amiibo figurines.

In a press release, Nintendo said the move was part of a broader push to strengthen its presence in new markets and improve local accessibility to its ecosystem.

While the company has not yet revealed the exact launch date for the eShop and online subscription services in 黑料社区, it confirmed that 鈥渄etails will be announced at a later time.鈥

Coinciding with the Saudi store launch, Nintendo also revealed full details of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is being positioned as the next evolution in hybrid gaming.

The new console will feature upgraded performance and a more immersive experience through a 7.9-inch (20-centimeter) full high-definition screen, redesigned magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers with mouse-like capabilities, 256 gigabytes of internal storage and spatial 3D audio.

鈥淣intendo Switch 2 is the next step in at-home gaming that can be taken on the go, based on eight years of play and discovery that began with Nintendo Switch,鈥 said Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo鈥檚 president, in the press release.

鈥淲ith its new features that expand the possibilities of gaming experiences, I truly believe that Nintendo Switch 2 is a leap forward in our journey of putting smiles on the faces of everyone that Nintendo touches.鈥

A key new feature is GameChat, a built-in system allowing voice and video communication for up to 12 players during gameplay. Players will be able to use a built-in microphone or an optional USB-C camera to chat, share screens or see each other in real time.

GameChat will be available to all Nintendo Switch 2 users until March 31 next year, after which it will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Nintendo Switch 2 will also include GameShare, enabling users to share compatible titles with friends and family even if they do not own the games themselves, as long as they are part of the same Nintendo Account family group.

At launch, the system will debut with several major titles.

These include Mario Kart World with its new Knockout Tour mode, the exclusive 3D platformer Donkey Kong Bananza, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, EA SPORTS Madden NFL, and Super Mario Party Jamboree 鈥 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV.

With the online store now live and digital services on the way, 黑料社区 is set to become a key market for Nintendo as it rolls out its next-generation console under the global theme: 鈥淎ll Together, Anytime, Anywhere.鈥


鈥極cean鈥 鈥 bleak indictment of mankind offers a glimmer of hope

鈥極cean鈥 鈥 bleak indictment of mankind offers a glimmer of hope
Updated 13 June 2025

鈥極cean鈥 鈥 bleak indictment of mankind offers a glimmer of hope

鈥極cean鈥 鈥 bleak indictment of mankind offers a glimmer of hope
  • David Attenborough鈥檚 latest documentary is a vital, compelling call to action

JEDDAH: 鈥淥cean with David Attenborough鈥 was released regionally on Disney+ on June 8 鈥 World Ocean Day. It hit cinemas in May, on the 99th birthday of its venerable and venerated presenter, the famed biologist and broadcaster.

Like all Attenborough-fronted nature docs, 鈥淥cean鈥 is gorgeously shot and an immersive viewing experience. But while the vast majority of his output leaves you speechless at the on-screen beauty, 鈥淥cean鈥 also strikes you dumb at the horrifying devastation wrought on the open seas by the 40,000+ super-sized fishing trawlers operating around our planet constantly.

Sweeping the seabed with their giant nets, these ships commit slaughter on an unimaginable scale, leaving little alive in their rapacious search for a few specific species that humans actually eat. In their wake they leave something akin to the dystopian portrayals of a nuclear winter in post-apocalyptic dramas. These grim, heart-breaking shots are interspersed with glorious, vibrant scenes of what a healthy seabed should look like 鈥 towering forests of kelp, sea meadows, abundant diverse communities of extraordinary marine life鈥 A reminder of what we are destroying every minute of every day.

Attenborough lays out for us with all of his trademark passion and authority just what is at risk here. The seas, he stresses, are vital for the survival of humankind. And humankind is putting the seas in terrible jeopardy. Marine ecosystems are delicately balanced and linked in complex, subtle ways that we are only now beginning to understand. And industrial fishing is far from subtle. As Attenborough notes, if rainforests were being razed at this rate, the protests would be global and furious. But because this destruction takes place miles below the surface of the water, it goes mainly unnoticed. Incredibly, this mindless, untargeted carnage is not illegal; it is positively encouraged 鈥 and heavily subsidized 鈥 by many governments. 

Thankfully, there is hope. Attenborough reveals that scientists have discovered that 鈥 if left alone through the imposition of 鈥渘o-take zones鈥 鈥 the oceans can recover at an incredible rate, and the most barren of sea floors can once again flourish in just a few years. There is now an international pact to turn one-third of Earth鈥檚 seas into no-take zones by 2030. And if this does happen 鈥 note the if 鈥 then there鈥檚 a good chance that man-made damage can be reversed not just in the water, but on land, as sea life is, it turns out, extremely adept at reducing carbon. The sea could save the world.

As nature documentaries go, it鈥檚 hard to imagine 鈥淥cean鈥 being bettered (except perhaps for the distracting clich茅d mishmash that serves as its soundtrack, which deserves to be classified as a man-made disaster itself). This is a compelling, vital and urgent narrative delivered by an expert scientist and broadcaster accompanied by awe-inspiring, mind-boggling cinematography showing us wonders that most of us will never come close to seeing first-hand. And it lays out a path for survival. Whether we actually take that path...


Streaming successes: What鈥檚 coming to your screens later this year聽

Streaming successes: What鈥檚 coming to your screens later this year聽
Updated 13 June 2025

Streaming successes: What鈥檚 coming to your screens later this year聽

Streaming successes: What鈥檚 coming to your screens later this year聽
  • From stressed-out cooks to foul-mouthed spymasters, the must-see shows still to come in 2025聽

鈥楽quid Game鈥 season 3 

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon 

Where: Netflix  

When: June 27 

The final season of the South Korean survival thriller about a game show where the rewards are enormous but loss means death, Seong Gi-hun (or player 456, as you might know him) and his friends must fight for survival in ever-more fiendish challenges. The VIPs 鈥斺痶he wealthy individuals who fund the games 鈥 return to the island once again, perhaps setting the stage for a vengeance-fueled finale and a showdown between the Front Man and his brother, police officer Jun-ho. 

鈥业谤辞苍丑别补谤迟鈥&苍产蝉辫;

Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross 

Where: Disney+ 

When: June 25 

This Marvel miniseries is a spinoff from the 鈥淏lack Panther鈥 movie franchise and follows MIT student and genius inventor Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, who was responsible for creating the vibranium detector that sparked the events of 2022鈥檚 鈥淏lack Panther: Wakanda Forever,鈥 in which she also invented an exoskeleton to rival that of Tony Stark/Ironman so that she could fight alongside the Wakandans. Now Williams has returned home to Chicago, where she meets Parker Robbins, aka The Hood, who is able to access dark magic, setting Williams on a 鈥減ath of danger and adventure.鈥  

鈥楾he Bear鈥 season 4 

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri 

Where: Disney+ 

When: June 26 

The first two seasons of the horribly tense kitchen-based drama 鈥淭he Bear鈥 were fantastic TV. The third? Not so much. (Although it should be said that even weak episodes of 鈥淭he Bear鈥 are still better than the vast majority of shows.) But hopefully season four finds super-talented chef Carmy Berzatto and his crew back on form as they try to make a success of the titular family restaurant which they鈥檝e shifted from run-down sandwich shop to fine-dining venue. And after a wait of almost a year, we鈥檒l finally get to find out what that all-important review said. 

鈥榃ednesday鈥 season 2  

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman 

Where: Netflix  

When: August 6 

Wednesday Addams is back at Nevermore Academy for another year. And this time around, the rest of her spooky, kooky family will be spending a lot more time there, too 鈥斺痬uch to Wednesday鈥檚 chagrin 鈥 and not just because her brother Pugsley has enrolled. Co-showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar have promised a 鈥渄arker, more complex鈥 series. And at Netlix鈥檚 live Tudum event last month, it was announced that Lady Gaga will be guest starring as the 鈥渕ysterious and enigmatic鈥 Nevermore teacher Rosaline Rotwood. 

鈥楽low Horses鈥 season 5 

Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas 

Where: Apple+ TV 

When: Sept. 24 

Former British super-spy Jackson Lamb and his unfortunate crew of misfit spooks return for another series of this excellent, darkly humorous espionage drama. This time around, the trouble starts when Slough House鈥檚 resident tech nerd Roddy gets a glamorous new girlfriend, who everyone 鈥斺痮r, at least, everyone except for Roddy 鈥 can see is well out of his league. The show is an adaptation of Mick Herron鈥檚 鈥淪lough House鈥 novels, and this season is based on 鈥淟ondon Rules.鈥 鈥淭ed Lasso鈥 star Nick Mohammed is perhaps the biggest new name to join the cast; he'll be playing an ambitious London mayoral candidate. 

鈥楽tranger Things鈥 season 5 

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown 

Where: Netflix 

When: November 26 

The final (really?) season of the phenomenally successful Eighties-set sci-fi horror drama has a lot to live up to. Once again, psychokinetic Eleven and her pals in Hawkins, Indiana, must fight to save the Earth from the alternate dimension known as the Upside Down. Since its arrival on our screens in 2016, 鈥淪tranger Things鈥 has been one of the world鈥檚 most talked-about and beloved series. Showrunners The Duffer Brothers have got pretty much everything right so far. Can they stick the landing? 


鈥楩ever Dream鈥 starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix

鈥楩ever Dream鈥 starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix
Updated 11 June 2025

鈥楩ever Dream鈥 starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix

鈥楩ever Dream鈥 starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix

DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Faris Godus鈥 latest feature 鈥淔ever Dream鈥 is now available to stream on Netflix, bringing together a star-studded local cast including Fatima Al-Banawi, Sohayb Godus, Najm, Hakeem Jomah and Nour Al-Khadra.

Supported by the Red Sea Fund, the film, which explores themes of media manipulation, digital identity, and the cost of fame in the age of online influence, had its world premiere at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival. 

It tells the story of Samado, a retired football star who, burdened by media scrutiny and public notoriety, finds a chance to reclaim control. Partnering with his daughter, he sets out to take revenge on a powerful social media portal. But as they plunge deeper into their pursuit of fame and digital redemption, the line between ambition and obsession begins to blur.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Najm plays Ahlam, the daughter of Samado, while Jomah appears as Hakeem, a PR agent hired to help restore Samado鈥檚 public image. Al-Banawi takes on the role of Alaa, another key PR agent working alongside Hakeem.

Godus is famous for his work 鈥淪hams Alma鈥檃rif鈥 (The Book of Sun), which also streamed on Netflix, and 鈥淧redicament in Sight.鈥 

He previously said in an interview with Arab News: 鈥(In 黑料社区), we have a rich soil to build content on and so many stories to tell. I do believe that nowadays the support coming from our country is just awesome. People have so many chances to create films now.鈥

Meanwhile, Al-Banawi is recognized for her roles in 鈥淏arakah Meets Barakah鈥 and the Saudi thriller 鈥淩oute 10.鈥 

She made her directorial debut with 鈥淏asma,鈥 in which she also plays the title role 鈥 a young Saudi woman who returns to her hometown of Jeddah after studying in the US. Back home, she is confronted with her father鈥檚 mental illness, strained family ties, and the challenge of reconnecting with a past life that no longer feels familiar.

鈥淚 really went into cinema 鈥 in 2015 with my first feature as an actress 鈥 with one intention: to bridge the gap between the arts and social impact and psychology,鈥 she previously told Arab News. 鈥淎nd I was able to come closer to this union when I positioned myself as a writer-director, more so than as an actor.鈥 


Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels

Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels
Updated 10 June 2025

Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels

Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels

DUBAI: US singer-songwriter Mya Marie Harrison, who goes by the stage name Mya, showed off accessories by a part-Syrian designer at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Grammy Award鈥搘inning singer and entertainer Mya showed off a handbag and jewelry by accessories designer Alexis Bittar on the red carpet before she delivered a dynamic performance of her 2000 hit 鈥淐ase of the Ex.鈥

On the carpet, she was fully accessorized in Bittar鈥檚 flashy, decadent pieces 鈥 from an extravagant pendant at her neck to an eclectic stack of bangles, all topped off with a sparkly silver clutch.

Known for his bold, organic designs and use of mixed materials, Bittar infuses distinct Middle Eastern flair into his work. The New York鈥揵ased designer, who is half Syrian on his father鈥檚 side, has built a global reputation for his statement-making accessories.

Grammy Award鈥搘inning singer and entertainer Mya showed off a handbag and jewelry by accessories designer Alexis Bittar. (Getty Images)

Mya is far from his first celebrity client. His expansive portfolio includes the likes of Michelle Obama and Cameron Diaz, and he famously served as the costume jewelry designer for HBO series 鈥淪ex and the City,鈥 helping define character Carrie Bradshaw鈥檚 now iconic looks.

On Monday night, Bittar鈥檚 creations were just one part of a star-studded evening that balanced fashion, purpose, and powerful performances.

The BET Awards delivered a night of major star power and poignant moments, marking the ceremony's 25th anniversary with a mix of comedy, emotion and calls for justice, the Associated Press reported. The festivities included a powerful speech by Doechii, Jamie Foxx鈥檚 emotional reflection and Kevin Hart鈥檚 sharp comedic opener.

Doechii, in particular, made her presence felt early during the five-hour ceremony, using her acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist to draw attention to the immigration raids and protest crackdowns taking place just miles from the venue.

Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award. They were selected due to their impact on entertainment as well as their community impact and advocacy.

Carey said this was her first time collecting a trophy at the BET Awards.

鈥淚t took me a while, but I finally realized that life is far too short to live for anyone else's approval, which is something I always did,鈥 said Carey, a five-time Grammy winner. 鈥淚 decided to own who I am.鈥

 


Gerard Butler on bringing Stoick to life in live-action 鈥楬ow to Train Your Dragon鈥

Gerard Butler on bringing Stoick to life in live-action 鈥楬ow to Train Your Dragon鈥
Updated 11 June 2025

Gerard Butler on bringing Stoick to life in live-action 鈥楬ow to Train Your Dragon鈥

Gerard Butler on bringing Stoick to life in live-action 鈥楬ow to Train Your Dragon鈥

RIYADH: Scottish actor Gerard Butler is returning to the Viking Isle of Berk, but this time he is trading his animated voice for full costume and presence in the live-action adaptation of 鈥淗ow to Train Your Dragon鈥 鈥 a remake of the beloved DreamWorks franchise, helmed by three-time Oscar nominee Dean DeBlois.

In this new retelling, which releases on June 12, Mason Thames plays the inventive Hiccup, a young Viking who defies tradition to befriend Toothless, a Night Fury dragon. Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup鈥檚 formidable father, stepping from the recording booth into full-bodied performance.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big change,鈥 Butler told Arab News. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 doing the recording, the animation, I could pretty much turn up in my pajamas if I wanted to. But there鈥檚 no getting away with that here. It was all of me. There鈥檚 no excuses.鈥

He described the live-action shift as 鈥渁 chance to bring Stoick鈥檚 bigness and smallness鈥 to life in a whole new way.

Butler praised his co-stars, including Nico Parker as Astrid and Nick Frost as Gobber, and especially young lead Thames.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

He reflected on the dynamic between the father and son, saying: 鈥淲ell, he鈥檚 an incredible young actor. And I feel like the characters and the relationships that our writer-director Dean DeBlois (has created), there鈥檚 a reason they became so beloved and people feel so strongly because they鈥檙e incredibly emotional.

鈥淪o, I think to play that Viking father who expects so much from his son, and his son who鈥檚 trying his best and actually has all these incredible characteristics that I just can鈥檛 see, was beautiful to delve into ... on sets with our clothes, with our costumes, and really believe that we were in that world. That was pretty epic.鈥

Returning to 黑料社区 for the film鈥檚 press tour, Butler shared his affection for the Kingdom, saying: 鈥淚 had an incredible experience here and made some really nice friends. AlUla is beyond. I became very attached to that place, to its energy, its history, and to the community there.鈥

Butler expressed his excitement for the audience, adding: 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much 鈥 for them to see because there鈥檚 so much in this movie. I think that some of the scenes of the dragons flying are some of the most beautiful, immersive, powerful scenes that I鈥檝e seen on a big screen. But on top of that, I think that we have very complex, emotional, heartfelt performances and a story that they can also climb into. I think we have a lot of modern references that we can all like; the characters are so relatable.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big honor for me to be able to play this character again. I feel very lucky to be part of this franchise. I feel very protective of it because I was there. I was actually there even before Dean DeBlois was there, you know, because we had a different director way, way back. So I鈥檝e been with it for a long, long time, and to see it start as just a little planet and then become a whole universe has been amazing.鈥