Image: Nintendo LifeSorry, everyone! We were a little distracted by yesterday's Mario Kart World Direct and had to push the latest numbers from Famitsu aside for a little while. But have no fear, we're back to provide the latest look at the Japanese charts. Much like last time, it has been a pretty quiet week in the wake of Nintendo opening the floodgates on Switch 2, but Super Mario Party Jamboree has still managed to find itself on top with an additional 6,146 sales — just imagine the numbers once the + Jamboree TV expansion drops.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube808kWatch on YouTube We've got a new entry at eighth in the shape of Hakama Inc.'s Progress Orders, which managed to shift 3,349 units in its first week, but other than that, it's business as usual. Monster Hunter Wilds stands as the only non-Switch entry, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is still holding onto a top-five spot, which is more than can be said for its UK performance. For the full breakdown, here's a look at the latest top ten: Position Game Platform Unit Sales (7th - 13th Apr) Total Unit Sales 1 Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 7,041 1,264,884 2 Monster Hunter Wilds PS5 6,149 793,546 3 Minecraft Switch 5,208 3,857,392 4 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch 4,299 6,303,574 5 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Switch 3,774 101,429 6 Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 3,550 8,106,663 7 Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Switch 3,414 253,335 8 Progress Orders Switch 3,349 NEW 9 Nintendo Switch Sports Switch 2,712 1,573,028 10 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2,543 5,745,219 Hardware is much the same as we've come to expect in recent weeks, with pretty sluggish sales across the board. That said, the Switch family still comes out firmly on top, with the three SKUs combining for 25,035, and the three PS5 models totalling 8,866. Oh yeah, the Xboxes come in with a total of 196 weekly sales, but let's not dwell on that... Here's your look at this week's Japanese hardware chart in full: Position Console Unit Sales (7th - 13th Apr) Total Unit Sales 1 Switch OLED 14,064 8,941,474 2 Switch Lite 8,409 6,524,751 3 PlayStation 5 5,210 5,636,963 4 Switch 2,562 20,089,166 5 PlayStation 5 Pro 2,534 195,315 6 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition 1,122 964,885 7 Xbox Series S 101 333,883 8 Xbox Series X Digital Edition 58 20,149 9 Xbox Series X 37 319,706 10 PlayStation 4 17 7,929,425 < Previous charts Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games What do you make of this week's charts? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below. [source famitsu.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility List Provides Updates On Two Titles Here's what you can expect

For startups around the world, the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield program offers unmatched exposure, credibility, and connections to scale their businesses. TechCrunch has long been committed to spotlighting companies solving real-world problems in scalable and sustainable ways — making it a powerful launchpad for startups both in and outside the U.S. Several Latin American startups have thrived in this environment. Tackling critical challenges in their regions with bold, innovative solutions, these companies have turned Startup Battlefield momentum into international success. With increased visibility and valuable connections, they’ve attracted global investors, expanded into new markets, and grown their teams. Some LatAm startups that have used Startup Battlefield as a springboard to the global stage Salva Health (Colombia) Salva Health is transforming breast cancer detection with its Julieta screening device, making early detection more affordable and accessible. Winning 2024 Startup Battlefield supercharged their visibility and positioned them for rapid growth.  Check out this episode of the Equity podcast to hear Salva’s founder discuss how the competition helped propel the company forward. SSalva Health Co-Founder and CEO Valentina Agudelo Vargas, winner of the Startup Battlefield 2024.Image Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch Ripio (Argentina) ​Ripio (formerly BitPagos) is a blockchain-powered fintech company offering digital wallets, crypto trading, and decentralized credit to promote financial inclusion in Latin America. After being selected as a Startup Battlefield New York finalist in 2016, Ripio raised a $50 million Series B led by Digital Currency Group, fueling expansion into Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain. Jefa (Mexico) Jefa is a digital challenger bank built for unbanked and underbanked women in Latin America, offering mobile-first services like savings accounts and debit cards. After rising to prominence as a 2020 Startup Battlefield finalist, Jefa was acquired by fintech company Tala, accelerating its mission to close the gender gap in financial access. Olho do Dono (Brazil) Olho do Dono uses 3D imaging to help livestock farmers in Latin America monitor cattle weight and health without the need for physical scales. Why LatAm startups should apply Global exposure Being featured by TechCrunch puts startups in front of a global audience of investors, customers, and collaborators — amplifying their reach far beyond local markets. Investor visibility Startup Battlefield draws attention from top-tier venture capitalists, angels, and global investors who closely follow the competition. The exposure can lead to valuable conversations and funding opportunities with aligned backers. Credibility and validation Participation signals that a startup’s solution is globally relevant and scalable. This validation helps attract interest from media, enterprise partners, and investors alike. Access to a powerful network Founders join a dynamic community of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry leaders. The program fosters organic connections that often lead to partnerships, guidance, and long-term support. Ready to be the next LatAm success story? Apply now to Startup Battlefield and show the world what you’re building.

At the recent Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan, Lucasfilm’s President Kathleen Kennedy and CCO Dave Filoni announced the newest Star Wars universe project, Star Wars: Starfighter, will debut exclusively in theaters May 28, 2027. Star Wars: Starfighter, which will be directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things) and star Ryan Gosling (Barbie, La La Land), is a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Production will begin this Fall. Who doesn’t want to see Ken in Space? Source: Lucasfilm Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) secretary Sean Duffy declared yesterday the federal government is taking over New York Penn Station’s renovation and “withdrawing” the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from the project. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has placed Amtrak, under USDOT’s tutelage, in charge of the critical infrastructure project. MTA CEO Janno Lieber, said in a statement the MTA expects to “participate in the administration’s and Amtrak’s efforts to ensure future plans meet the needs of everyone who uses it.” The MTA’s plan from 2023, and is now seemingly moot. Duffy said the takeover is meant to curb excessive government spending and save taxpayer dollars. “New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean,” he said. “The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed. By putting taxpayers first, we’re ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to create a transit hub all Americans can take pride in.” The National Civic Art Society (NCAS) was quick to react, and take advantage. After Duffy’s announcement, NCAS president Justin Shubow issued a statement on behalf of NCAS. “The National Civic Art Society is delighted that the administration is taking charge,” Shubow said. “Only President Trump can get a new Penn Station built after generations of politicians have failed. It is also heartening news since as president Trump has proven he understands the beauty and popularity of classical civic buildings. We hope he will make Penn Station classical again.” Alexandros Washburn, of the Grand Penn Community Alliance, has support from the National Civic Art Society for his vision for Penn Station. Shubow and the NCAS have, for years, been advocating for the demolition of Charles Luckman’s New York Penn Station and Madison Square Garden complex, and the replacement of this ensemble with a “new Penn Station evocative of the original Beaux-Arts design completed in 1910” by McKim, Mead & White, destroyed in the 1960s. The Grand Penn Community Alliance issued the following statement after it was announced the government would take over the project: “The Grand Penn Community Alliance has had very positive and productive meetings with officials in Washington following our public unveiling last month.  It is clear that our plan is the best plan worthy of the President’s bold vision for a reimagining of Penn Station while building a classical, world class transit hub and creating a vibrant neighborhood around it. This is the beginning of a new process and an opportunity for the kind of transformative development that our plan will allow with a soaring new train hall, public park and a new arena across the street.” The takeover arrives not long after Gateway Phase One started construction, which will deliver a new, rail tunnel connecting New Jersey and Midtown. It also arrives after Assemblyman Tony Simone proposed an alternative masterplan to Vornado’s ten commercial towers the real estate powerhouse ideated for the blocks around Penn Station, as reported by Bill Millard for AN. Instead of hulking commercial towers, Simone proposed a mixed-use complex that’s one-third housing, and two-thirds offices. Two other proposals circulating for Penn Station and its surroundings are by ASTM-Halmar, HOK, and PAU; and ReThinkNYC and Richard Cameron. Moving forward, ReThinkNYC’s Sam Turvey hopes FRA continues to support implementing through-running service at Penn Station. “The best way to cost effectively leverage the multibillion dollar investment in the Gateway Tunnels and Penn Station is to convert commuter rail at Penn Station to the internationally acclaimed through-running operating model which is also expressly favored in our FRA guidelines,” Turvey told AN. “This is likely the most important land use decision in this region in this century,” Turvey added.  “We are hopeful that the FRA and DOT will dispense with this nonsensical  and prohibitively expensive approach and see the way towards a through-running conversion at Penn Station as the best way to ‘transformatively revitalize Penn Station’ and confer quite material benefits to all 20 million plus regional residents. We choose to be cautiously optimistic that this path will be chosen.” Disclaimer: The author previously worked for ReThinkNYC.

Photo © Joshua Rozells, shared with permission A Stunning Image of the Australian Desert Illuminates the Growing Problem of Satellite Pollution April 18, 2025 NaturePhotography Grace Ebert In January 2021, Joshua Rozells ventured out into the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia, intending to photograph a star trail. But after shooting for more than three hours and reviewing his images, he realized that the light patterns he captured weren’t what he had hoped for. “There were satellite trails visible in almost every single photo,” he wrote on Instagram. “Instead of trying to get rid of them for a star trail, I decided to put the satellite trails together into a single image to show how polluted the night sky is becoming.” Stitching together 343 distinct photos, Rozells illuminates a growing problem. When Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched Starlink in 2019, 60 satellites filled the skies, with a race from other companies to follow. That number has now topped 10,000, with tens of thousands more in the works. SpaceX alone plans to launch 40,000 more. Rozells’ composite visually echoes pleas from astronomers, who warn that although satellites collect essential data, the staggering amount filling our skies will only worsen light pollution and our ability to study what lies beyond. Because this industry has little regulation, the problem could go unchecked. “Thankfully, astronomers across the globe have taken notice of this growing issue and are starting to speak up,” Rozells adds. “Organisations such as the International Astronomical Union’s Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky are advocating for the regulation and protection of the night sky.” (via Kottke) Next article

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What just happened? HP has agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations that it misled customers with deceptive pricing on its website, bringing closure to a class-action lawsuit first filed in October 2021. The case centered on claims that HP's website displayed inflated original prices for computers and accessories – creating the illusion of significant discounts that, according to the plaintiffs, rarely existed. The lawsuit accused HP of using "strike-through" pricing – showing a higher, crossed-out price next to a lower sale price – to suggest that shoppers were getting a special deal. However, the complaint alleged that these original prices were often not the actual regular or recent prices of the products in question. For example, one cited incident involved an HP All-in-One computer advertised as discounted from $999.99 to $899.99, even though the higher price was rarely, if ever, used in the months leading up to the sale. Plaintiffs argued that such tactics induced consumers to pay more than they otherwise would have, believing they were benefiting from limited-time offers and low inventory – when, in reality, the lower price was the norm. Under the settlement terms, HP will establish a $4 million fund to compensate affected customers, cover administrative costs, pay attorneys' fees, and provide service awards to the lead plaintiffs. Eligible consumers include those who purchased HP desktops, laptops, mice, or keyboards at a discount directly from HP's website between June 5, 2021, and October 28, 2024 – provided the product was on sale for more than 75 percent of the time it was offered. Compensation will range from $10 to $100 per product, depending on the item purchased. Higher-end models, such as HP Spectre and Envy laptops, qualify for larger payments. Each claimant's final amount may be adjusted based on the number of valid claims submitted. // Related Stories The settlement does not require HP to admit any wrongdoing. The company denied the allegations in a statement but agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense and uncertainty of ongoing litigation. The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 21, 2025, and class members must submit claims by June 9, 2025, to be eligible for compensation. HP's case highlights a broader issue in the e-commerce industry, where misleading reference pricing has come under increasing scrutiny. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other major retailers, including Amazon, which faces allegations of advertising fake "limited-time" discounts on its Fire TV products using inflated list prices that do not reflect recent sales. In Australia, Dell was fined AU$10 million (about $6.5 million) after a court found it had overstated discounts on bundled monitors, sometimes charging customers more for add-ons than if the items were purchased separately. While the $4 million settlement is a modest sum for a company of HP's size – it reported $13.5 billion in net revenue for its most recent fiscal quarter – the case reflects growing consumer frustration over deceptive online sales practices and signals that courts and regulators are increasingly willing to hold tech companies accountable for misleading advertising.

There has been a lot of speculation around the Nothing Phone 3, but in an Ask Me Anything thread on X, Nothing’s CEO just confirmed its launch window: quarter three of 2025. Considering today is not April Fool’s Day and Carl Pei runs the company, we can’t think of a more reliable source for information on this. The launch window also lines up with previous releases; the Nothing Phone and Phone 2 both launched in July, and it looks like the third in the series is likely to follow. The Nothing Phone 3 will be the company’s third release this year, following the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro. Nothing also revealed images of the CMF Phone 2 Pro with a new, redesigned look, and more information on the handset will be shown on April 28 at its global launch event. Recommended Videos Pei’s AMA had a few more surprising bits of information, too. When asked how Nothing plans to handle the potential tariffs and increased prices, Pei said the company is “looking into increasing exports from India.” He also shared that it takes Nothing anywhere from nine to 18 months to develop a product from its initial idea, although that time can vary depending on exactly what the product is. Nothing has kept quiet on specific details regarding the Phone 3. However, if it’s launching in July, then it likely won’t be long before more concrete information, such as what chipset it uses and other internal specs, start to make themselves known. Related The price is also unknown. The Nothing Phone 2 launched at almost $600, but with the economic uncertainty and potential of price increases due to tariffs, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Nothing Phone 3 land around $700. That said, we don’t expect it to go much beyond that. There’s too much competition above the $800 mark, and Nothing currently occupies a comfortable gap in the market. Editors’ Recommendations

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"I needed the money" Regrets: Actors who sold AI avatars stuck in Black Mirror-esque dystopia Is $1,000 worth being the AI face of obvious scams? Rueful actors say no. Ashley Belanger – Apr 18, 2025 2:25 pm | 3 Credit: arvitalya | iStock / Getty Images Plus Credit: arvitalya | iStock / Getty Images Plus Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more In a Black Mirror-esque turn, some cash-strapped actors who didn't fully understand the consequences are regretting selling their likenesses to be used in AI videos that they consider embarrassing, damaging, or harmful, AFP reported. Among them is a 29-year-old New York-based actor, Adam Coy, who licensed rights to his face and voice to a company called MCM for one year for $1,000 without thinking, "am I crossing a line by doing this?" His partner's mother later found videos where he appeared as a doomsayer predicting disasters, he told the AFP. South Korean actor Simon Lee's AI likeness was similarly used to spook naïve Internet users but in a potentially more harmful way. He told the AFP that he was "stunned" to find his AI avatar promoting "questionable health cures on TikTok and Instagram," feeling ashamed to have his face linked to obvious scams. As AI avatar technology improves, the temptation to license likenesses will likely grow. One of the most successful companies that's recruiting AI avatars, UK-based Synthesia, doubled its valuation to $2.1 billion in January, CNBC reported. And just last week, Synthesia struck a $2 billion deal with Shutterstock that will make its AI avatars more human-like, The Guardian reported. To ensure that actors are incentivized to license their likenesses, Synthesia also recently launched an equity fund. According to the company, actors behind the most popular AI avatars or featured in Synthesia marketing campaigns will be granted options in "a pool of our company shares" worth $1 million. "These actors will be part of the program for up to four years, during which their equity awards will vest monthly," Synthesia said. For actors, selling their AI likeness seems quick and painless—and perhaps increasingly more lucrative. All they have to do is show up and make a bunch of different facial expressions in front of a green screen, then collect their checks. But Alyssa Malchiodi, a lawyer who has advocated on behalf of actors, told the AFP that "the clients I've worked with didn't fully understand what they were agreeing to at the time," blindly signing contracts with "clauses considered abusive," even sometimes granting "worldwide, unlimited, irrevocable exploitation, with no right of withdrawal." "One major red flag is the use of broad, perpetual and irrevocable language that gives the company full ownership or unrestricted rights to use a creator's voice, image, and likeness across any medium," Malchiodi said. Even a company publicly committed to ethically developing AI avatars and preventing their use in harmful content like Synthesia can't guarantee that its content moderation will catch everything. A British actor, Connor Yeates, told the AFP that his video was "used to promote Ibrahim Traore, the president of Burkina Faso who took power in a coup in 2022" in violation of Synthesia's terms. "Three years ago, a few videos slipped our content moderation partly because there was a gap in our enforcement for factually accurate but polarizing type content or videos with exaggerated claims or propaganda, for example," said Alexandru Voica, head of Synthesia's corporate affairs. Synthesia offers opt-outs, vows to protect actors For actors who risk AI potentially replacing them in the market, AI avatars could be one path to shore up income and ensure their livelihoods. Since 2023, Synthesia has sold its avatars to about half of Fortune 500 companies, Bloomberg reported, and their business only seems to continue exploding. For brands, the allure of using AI avatars is reducing the time and costs of production for marketing campaigns, so that demand seems unlikely to wane. But for actors who already regret inking deals that prevent them from taking down harmful videos, the money may no longer seem worth the trouble. Yeates was paid about $5,000 for a three-year contract with Synthesia that he signed simply because he doesn't "have rich parents and needed the money." But he likely couldn't have foreseen his face being used for propaganda, as even Synthesia didn't anticipate that outcome. Others may not like their AI avatar videos but consider the financial reward high enough to make up for the sting. Coy confirmed that money motivated his decision, and while he found it "surreal" to be depicted as a con artist selling a dystopian future, that didn't stop him from concluding that "it's decent money for little work." Potentially improving the climate for actors, Synthesia is forming a talent program that it claims will give actors a voice in decision-making about AI avatars. "By involving actors in decision-making processes, we aim to create a culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement," Synthesia's blog said. The company also said it has built security features, minimizes abuse, and protects actors from harmful content. Critically, those efforts include restricting AI avatar use in paid advertisements on social media or broadcast media. Perhaps most importantly, they also give actors opt-out controls they can use "at any point, if they no longer wish for their corresponding stock avatar to be used in new videos." An ejection seat may provide relief, but it won't impact videos already out there. For now, Synthesia claims to be the "only enterprise-focused AI video platform to proactively monitor and extensively prevent the generation of harmful content," with policies "ensuring our talent’s likenesses are not used inappropriately." Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 3 Comments