STACK #264 October 2026

GAMING PREVIEWS

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WHAT’S OUT Words Amy Flower

No matter what style of game is your vibe, there’s sure amongst these fresh releases heading to JB this month.

BLUEY’S HAPPY SNAPS RELEASE DATE: Oct 15 GENRE: Simulation FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Set off on a playful photo-taking adventure starring everybody’s

CLIVE BARKER’S HELLRAISER: REVIVAL RELEASE DATE: Oct 8 GENRE: Survival horror FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Dive deep into the mind of Clive Barker

EDITOR’S PICK NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS RESORT RELEASE DATE: Oct 22 GENRE: Sports FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes When it comes to gaming memories, one that’s right up there is first getting hands on a Nintendo Wii controller and waggling away at the original Wii Sports , and later Wii Sports Resort . While Switch 2-equipped sports fans have been able to play Nintendo Switch Sports via backwards compatibility, there’s been no dedicated sports compendium for their console – until now! Nintendo Switch Sports Resort brings 12 great fun sporting activities to the now famous in-game Wuhu Sports Resort – boxing, table tennis, archery, volleyball, bowling, basketball, golf, tennis, skateboarding, power cruising (think the classic Wave Race 64 ), prop plane (shades of another Nintendo classic, Pilotwings ), and, to round things out, thumb wrestling! Of course, with their advanced motion and tilt features the Joy-Con 2 controllers are just perfect for emulating all these events in the comfort of our home (don’t forget the wrist straps!) – some events, including skateboarding, even use the

favourite blue heeler pup, exploring much loved places from the show, snapping fun moments, and filling up a scrapbook with treasured moments. With simple ideas for real-life play, unlockable stickers, and lots more, it’s all about having fun exploring and pretending, while capturing memories with Bluey and Bingo. Two editions offer all sorts of ace bonus goodies.

as Aidan enters a brutal new chapter of the legendary horror series, using a mysterious puzzle box to navigate the nightmarish Labyrinth and save Sunny, while bargaining with the infamous Pinhead. This first-person action horror outing will have you wielding supernatural powers in vicious combat against Cenobite cultists and all manner of wretched, hellish evil.

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE RELEASE DATE: Oct 2 GENRE: Simulation FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Prepare to live out your Top Gun fantasies

KINGDOM HEARTS COLLECTION (I-III) RELEASE DATE: Oct 9 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No An absolute treat for fans and newcomers

once more, as the top-notch combat flight sim series – with a hint of arcade action - returns for an eighth outing. Once again budding pilots will be tasked with missions that include dogfighting with hostiles, destroying ground targets, eliminating superweapons, plus a whole lot more – and all with an overarching story to add to the heroic immersion!

alike, this collection unites Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMix-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind into one definitive package. That’s ten whole games in which to experience Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s journey across Disney and Pixar worlds with dynamic real-time combat and rich storytelling in a complete saga optimised for modern consoles.

GEARS OF WAR: E-DAY RELEASE DATE: Oct 6 GENRE: Shooter FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Have you ever wondered where it all began for Marcus Fenix and Dom

JUST DANCE: DECADES OF HITS RELEASE DATE: Oct 13 GENRE: Party FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Get ready for this! Just Dance takes a

Santiago versus the Locust Horde? Well, you’ll be wondering no more as we head back in time to the events of Emergence Day, 14 years before the original Gears of War kicked off. We’re promised all the bug blasting action that we love, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 for unprecedented gooey graphical goodness.

detour this year to bring us a decade-spanning dance adventure where you move through themed worlds, bopping away to iconic hits from the ’70s to today from the likes of ABBA, Run DMC, TLC, Britney, Gorillaz, and Sabrina Carpenter. Build playlists across eras, customise your dancer, and share the fun with friends and family in a colourful experience for all generations.

STAR WARS: GALACTIC RACER RELEASE DATE: Oct 6 GENRE: Racing FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Racing has long delivered thrilling Star

VALOR MORTIS RELEASE DATE: Oct 13 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No

mouse functionality for extra accuracy. With local and online multiplayer options, get set for a whole lot more super-competitive family and friends waggling!

A new Soulslike from the people behind the Ghostrunner games? Sign us up!

You’re a fallen soldier of the Grande Armée who rises into a 19th-century Europe that’s ravaged by a supernatural plague. Wielding its corrupting power to survive, and with each death fuelling new abilities, you explore a warped world, battling plague-twisted foes, and unravelling the conspiracy behind your unholy resurrection.

Wars moments, so get ready to pilot legendary landspeeders, podracers, speeder bikes, and all-new skim speeders! Set in the New Republic era, this racing adventure brings modes aplenty as players enter the Galactic League. Solo racers get a campaign with off-track adventure and arcade time trials, while multiplayer supports 12-player races across classic series planets.

24 OCTOBER 2026

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