Mario Kart World is one of the year's hottest games, but its pivot to an open world setting, while peeling back kart customization options, opened a massive rift for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to drift into. And Sega is determined to do everything possible to make its kart racer the one to beat by including numerous guest characters and cross-platform, multiplayer contests. I took Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for a test drive at the Summer Game Fest, and it's a strong contender racing game of the year.Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' Deep Kart CustomizationThe biggest difference between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World is that Sega's title focuses on kart customization. I'm not just talking about colors and tires; CrossWorlds introduces Gadgets, add-ons that augment your car, giving your whip helpful abilities to bring into the race. (Credit: Sega)Each ride has a license plate with six slots where you can slot your chosen Gadgets. A Gadget can take up one, two, or three slots, so the idea is to find a mix that pairs well with character traits. There's a surprising amount of depth for people who want to min/max their favorite anthropomorphic animal.I chose Sonic, a speed character, and added a Gadget that started him with two boosts (one slot), a Gadget that improved his speed while trailing an opponent (two slots), and a Gadget that improved acceleration (three slots). There were so many Gadgets that I could have easily spent my entire demo session building a car to match my playstyle. I envision people happily getting lost in the weeds before participating in their first race.(Credit: Sega)Gameplay: This Ain't Mario Kart WorldAlthough it's not an open world like Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds injects a unique spin on traditional kart racing. The familiar trappings are all here, such as rings to boost your top speed. Each Grand Prix consists of three maps, but the gimmick at play is stage transitions. Recommended by Our EditorsAbout a third of the way down a course, a giant ring-portal opens, presenting a new world and track (hence the name "CrossWorlds"). The shift in tone and terrain keeps the races fast-paced and unpredictable. I particularly liked how whoever is in first place can sometimes choose which CrossWorlds track to go down, controlling the tempo. With every race completion, you earn credits based on your performance that you can cash in for new car parts.In a stark contrast to Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is far more aggressive, even on lower difficulties. At the start of each grand prix, the game assigns you a rival—this is the character to beat, and the one who taunts you all match. Beat them all, and you can race high-powered Super variants.Just about everything caused you to lose rings: bumping into other players, the walls, and, of course, getting hit by items. The series' trademark rubberband AI is still in place, too. Even in the press demo, I wasn't safe from taking four items back to back and being knocked off the stage mere feet away from the finish line.(Credit: Sega)The demo didn't include the new characters that debuted at the Summer Game Fest, but I studied the character screen to see who else could be coming to the game. Including the 12 Sonic characters available in the demo, I counted a whopping 64 character slots. They include Hatsune Miku (the ultra-popular Vocaloid), Joker (from Persona 5), Ichiban Kasuga (from Like a Dragon), and Steve (from Minecraft). However, I hope to see other classic Sega IPs like in previous Sonic Racing titles.Platforms and Release DateWill Sega do what Nintendon't? I had an exhilarating time playing Sonic Racing: CrossWorld, and I can't wait to see more wild track compositions. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on Sept. 25, 2025. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned for later in the year.

In Brief Posted: 10:54 AM PDT · June 14, 2025 Image Credits:Mario Tama / Getty Images Waymo limits service ahead of today’s ‘No Kings’ protests Alphabet-owned robotaxi company Waymo is limiting service due to Saturday’s scheduled nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and his policies. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed the changes to Wired on Friday. Service is reportedly affected in San Francisco, Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, and is entirely suspended in Los Angeles. It’s not clear how long the limited service will last. As part of protests last weekend in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, five Waymo vehicles were set on fire and spray painted with anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) messages. In response, Waymo suspended service in downtown LA. While it’s not entirely clear why protestors targeted the vehicles, they may be seen as a surveillance tool, as police departments have requested robotaxi footage for their investigations in the past. (Waymo says it challenges requests that it sees as overly broad or lacking a legal basis.) According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city’s fire chief told officials Wednesday that “in a period of civil unrest, we will not try to extinguish those fires unless they are up against a building.” Topics

Hell is Us has been on my radar since it was first announced in April 2022, and I’ve finally been able to spend some time with it via its demo. The war-torn world of Hell is Us is immediately chilling and the demo’s brief glimpse of the gameplay, despite some minor hang-ups, has me eager for more.You play as Remi as he ventures to the fictional country of Hadea. A civil war has broken out, dividing and devastating Hadea’s people. Remi must travel through the war zone in search of his parents, and quickly comes across a farmer who exposition-dumps plenty of information that may or may not stick. Essentially, shit is bad, tragically so, and Remi is about to discover just how bad.You wander around a forest while an unsettling Returnal-esque score accompanies you. Eventually you gain access to ruins that turn out to have been some sort of dungeon for prisoners long ago. It’s here that Remi encounters the first of hopefully many “oh, shit!” moments. He comes across a creepy-ass enemy I can best describe as if Spot from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was designed to horrify — a pale white humanoid with a black circle for a face who contorts around the level like a marionette. A mask-wearing woman shows up out of nowhere to take down the creepy foe, but dies saving Remi. Without explanation, Remi decides to don her poncho, take her drone, and wield her BGS (big glowing sword).Image: Rogue Factor/NaconTurns out he’s pretty good with a sword. Remi will encounter a couple dozen enemies throughout the demo; the combat is easy to pick up and is somewhat standard third-person-melee, though it does rely heavily on stamina management. Your max stamina is also reduced when you take damage, so you really don’t wanna get hit much.You can heal using consumable med kits as well as a pulse mechanic. Attacking enemies creates floating particles around Remi and once those particles form into a circle, you can press your controller’s right bumper to activate a healing pulse. It’s an interesting mechanic, and I like how Hell is Us is giving players a way to recoup health in the midst of combat. However, actually doing it is a bit clunky; keeping one eye on an enemy and the other on the particles around Remi is distracting, and timing the pulse is a challenge — you can only activate it during a brief window, and you’ll likely be in the middle of a combo when a pulse opportunity presents itself.While Hell is Us’ combat has surface similarities to Soulslikes — like parrying blows from creepy enemies — it felt less punishing and more forgiving than what you’d expect from a FromSoftware title. I only died once in the demo, compared to countless deaths in the opening hours of Soulslikes such as Lies of P or Elden Ring. Notably, enemies don’t respawn when you save your game, so you don’t have to worry about repeatedly striking down the same foes.Image: Rogue Factor/NaconBecause dead enemies remain dead, exploration is encouraged in Hell is Us. Developer Rogue Factor boasts that the game has “no map, no compass, no quest markers,” so you’re free to wander around the game’s world without a guiding hand and discover its secrets. For example, that farmer I mentioned earlier told Remi about how three of his sons died in this war. Later on, when exploring the World War I-like trenches outside of the ruins, I found a note from a soldier on the other side of the conflict bragging about killing three brothers “cowering in a farmhouse.”The note also mentioned taking a gold watch from one of the boys, which I grabbed and returned to the farmer — without a quest marker to guide me or a journal entry saying “give this item to the farmer.” This completed a “Good Deed” and I was told a reward may come from it later in the game; I’m curious how these types of quests will play out in the full release. The prospect of doing good deeds in this torn-asunder country is especially appealing.A Soulslike-adjacent game placing greater emphasis on user-guided exploration than combat sounds enticing, and Hell is Us is delivering on that promise so far. Its demo is available on Steam through June 16 before the full game launches Sept. 4 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.See More:

You’ll be able to play all the best Xbox exclusives like Call of Duty, Fable and Halo as well as third-party hit blockbusters on the moveTech14:04, 12 Jun 2025The new Xbox handheld consoleXbox has new hi-tech handheld gaming devices on the way to take on Switch 2.Teaming up with Asus, the ROG Xbox Ally X is all about on-the-go gaming, with a full immersive Xbox experience for the first time in handheld and a packed gaming library with access to installed games from leading PC storefronts and the console firm.‌Using Windows 11 software, you’ll be able to play all the best Xbox exclusives like Call of Duty, Fable and Halo as well as third-party hit blockbusters.‌It’ll include a dedicated Xbox button for chat, apps, and settings through an enhanced Game Bar overlay.And the machine will have the latest AMD Ryzen chipset technology so that it’s super powerful, with a 7in 1080p display and up to a terabyte storage under the hood for plenty of download space.There will be two devices though, the Ally as well as the Ally X.Article continues belowThe Xbox Ally XREAD MORE: June 2025's biggest new game releases for console and PC, including Nintendo Switch 2READ MORE: Does Nintendo Switch 2 have a YouTube app? All we know so farThe difference is chip quality and storage, so the Ally will likely be cheaper. We have no prices yet. They are expected to hit stores by Christmas.A spokesman said: “Everything at Xbox starts with the player. That’s why we’ve dedicated years to reimagining how to make it easier to enjoy the games you love—wherever you are—through Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), Remote Play, and more. Whether you’re at home or on the go, your favorite games should follow you.‌You'll be able to play Call of Duty on the goREAD MORE: Daily Star's newsletter brings you the biggest and best stories – sign up todayASUS shares that same commitment. Known for pushing the boundaries of handheld gaming, ASUS is similarly driven by innovation that delivers high-performance experiences that put players first.“Together, we’ve combined our strengths and technical expertise to introduce something entirely new .‌“These handhelds are built to make it easier than ever to access your favourite games—from Xbox, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts—all from a single device.”It comes after the Nintendo Switch 2 sold more than 3.5 million units worldwide in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling Nintendo hardware ever.Luciano Pereña, CEO and President of Nintendo of Europe, said: "Nintendo Switch 2 represents the next evolution of Nintendo Switch, and we’re very happy and grateful to see it already being embraced by so many players across Europe.Article continues below“We look forward to seeing players connecting through games like Mario Kart World, sharing the experience with friends and family whether near or far.”‌‌‌

Sign up for the YVO3D waitlist and get early access here: https://yvo3d.com/ Are you tired of spending hours, even days, on 3D modeling? Prepare to have your mind blown! In this video, I'm introducing YVO3D, the groundbreaking AI tool that's set to revolutionize how we create 3D models forever! Seriously, this isn't a drill. YVO3D can generate stunning, high-quality 4K 3D models in as little as 9 minutes – models so detailed and realistic, they're ready for AAA game production or professional rendering, with no extra software or complex steps. In this video, you'll see: The Shocking Speed: Watch me generate a complex 4K model in minutes right before your eyes. Insane Quality: Get a close look at the unparalleled detail and realism of the AI-generated textures and meshes. Effortless Workflow: A quick tour of YVO3D's incredibly intuitive UI – just type a prompt or upload an image, and let the AI do the rest. Seamless Unreal Engine Integration: See how easily these GLB models import into UE5, ready for your projects. Future-Proofing Your Workflow: I'll share an exciting announcement about YVO3D's upcoming native integrations with major 3D software like Blender, Unreal Engine, and Unity! This isn't just a new tool; it's a new paradigm for 3D creation. Stop modeling and start generating! Join the waitlist now while there's still space to be among the first to experience the future of 3D. 🧰 Scene Used in This Video: https://www.fab.com/listings/88dd113a-865c-4d61-bc15-49754b22fa04 Mario Bava Sleeps In a Little Later Than He Expected To by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

I’m going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader’s Feature GameCentral Published June 15, 2025 6:00am Mario Kart World – is it a let-down? (Nintendo) A reader is unimpressed by Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2 and argues that the controversial free roam mode is not its only issue. As a day one Nintendo Switch 2 owner I have to admit I’m a little disappointed. Not with the console itself, which I think is pretty much prefect for the price and what it has to do, but with the only game worth getting at launch: Mario Kart World. Now, I don’t think it’s terrible, but I do think that not only is it not as good at Mario Kart 8 but that it’s kind of a flawed experiment and one of the weakest entries in the whole series. But I’ll talk about the positives first, just to show it’s not all bad. Knockout Tour is great, I think everyone would agree. A bit boring in single-player, but fantastic online and the game’s best feature. I also like all the weird extra characters, although how you unlock them and the costumes is very random and unsatisfying. The open world is also very nicely designed in its own right, and very large, but… that’s kind of all I’ve got in terms of praise. First, I’ll get the obvious thing out of the way: the open world is completely wasted. None of the challenges in it are interesting, if you can even find them, and a lot of them are overly hard and frustrating. There’s no story or dialogue or anything. You just drive around at random in free roam and hope you come across something interesting, which you almost certainly won’t. If any game was born to have fetch quests in it, it was this and yet there’s nothing like that. It all feels like it’s waiting for the actual game to be dropped onto the world but there’s nothing there. Maybe it will come in DLC, but even if it’s free why wasn’t it there from the start? Why wouldn’t you go all out for basically your only launch game? It’s baffling. But for me that’s not the real problem because, rightly or wrongly, free roam is really just a side show. My problem is that the actual racing in the two main modes is very dull. It may not seem that way when you’ve got a dozen people firing shells at you at once, but that gets old very quickly, and it doesn’t actually happen that much, especially in single-player. Expert, exclusive gaming analysis Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Most of the time you’re just driving along (even 150cc isn’t that fast) and taking slow bend after slow bend in what aren’t even really courses at all. Knockout Tour is worst for this, because you’re essentially driving point-to-point and it really does feel like you’re just road racing, with nothing in terms of exciting or unexpected track design. Grand Prix is barely any better either, with very few lapped races and too many wide roads that are too easy to take. I went back to play Mario Kart 8 and it’s filled with tightly designed courses and weird and physically impossible track designs. It seems a weird to say but Mario Kart World is basically too realistic, or rather too mundane in its design. Everything about it feels flabby and under-designed. Sure, occasionally you fly vertically up into the air or down the side of a volcano, but when you get down to the actual racing it’s so plain and boring. The tracks aren’t designed for time trials and racing skill, they’re designed for power-ups and 24 player online races, and that has ruined everything. More Trending I’m sure other people will enjoy the game but as someone that has enjoyed every previous Mario Kart it’s not for me. Which means I’m now left with a neat new console with nothing to play on it, except for old Switch 1 games. And that will definitely include Mario Kart 8. By reader Lambent What is the future of Mario Kart World? (Nintendo) The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Image: CD Projekt RedIt's now been more than a week since the arrival of the Switch 2, so we've taken another quick look at the US eShop "best sellers" chart to see what users are buying as of 14th July 2025. Mario Kart World once again takes out the top spot and Cyberpunk 2077 has moved up the ladder to second place, with the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom upgrade pack in third. Fantasy Life is also higher on the list and No Man's Sky has entered the top ten after its Switch 2 Edition update (it's also on sale right now). Switch 2 eShop Best-Sellers As for download titles in this same location, Welcome Tour has dropped from first to second, with Deltarune taking out the top spot. The other games on this list have also been in the top nine over the past week: Switch 2 eShop Best-Sellers (Download-Only Games) Keep in mind this is just one region and depending on your location, your Switch 2 eShop's top-selling games might look a bit different. Still, this provides an idea of what people are buying in the launch week of Nintendo's new system. In the UK, the lists are mostly the same - with Mario Kart in first, Cyberpunk in second, and Fast Fusion is in third place overall, No Man's Sky has also entered the top ten, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is listed as one of the most downloaded eShop titles in this location as well. Highway to Shell Here comes the choom-choom train Museum peace Have you bought any games from the Switch 2 eShop yet? Let us know in the comments. Related Games Share:2 0 Liam is a news writer and reviewer across Hookshot Media. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of many iconic video game characters. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Mario Kart World: All Costume Unlocks & Complete Outfit List It's a fashion race Mario Kart World Guide - All Courses, Cups, Missions, Collectibles, Tips & Tricks Your ultimate Mario Kart World resource Review: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - A Sublime Sequel, Now Sublimer Come on and join the Kohga

Home Is the Newly Revealed Xbox Handheld a Switch 2 Killer? News Is the Newly Revealed Xbox Handheld a Switch 2 Killer? 6 min read Published: June 14, 2025 Key Takeaways Xbox has announced two new handheld gaming devices in partnership with Asus: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. They’re expected to compete with Nintendo’s Switch 2, which has sold 3.5M units in just 4 days of its launch. Xbox aims to bring a wide range of game titles to portable handheld devices in order to cater to the gaming PC market. Xbox has entered the handheld gaming market with two new launches: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in partnership with ASUS. Interestingly, Nintendo released its Switch 2 just last week. The public has received it with much enthusiasm, seeing as it’s already sold around 3.5M units in the first four days of its release. Needless to say, Xbox and Nintendo will be direct competitors in the handheld segment now. We looked at the spec sheets and customer reviews, and both handheld gaming devices seem to have different target audiences. Let’s unpack them in detail. Memory and Storage The ROG Xbox Ally comes in standard white color and features the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, with a 60Wh battery. The Ally X, on the other hand, comes in striking black with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, 24 GB of memory, and 1 TB of storage, and a 80Wh battery. Source: Rog Ally Life Right off the bat, we believe that Microsoft has done a good job with the storage and processors. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 has 12GB of memory with just 256GB of internal storage. On paper, the Xbox series looks to have an advantage over the Switch 2, which uses a custom NVIDIA T239 chipset for raw power. Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super-Sampling), however, gives Switch 2 an advantage over Xbox’s AMD Ryzen processors. DLSS can render games at lower resolutions and, therefore, achieve higher in-use frame rates, which boosts its overall performance. Simply put, despite the gap in on-paper specifications, the Switch 2 may render comparable performance to the Xbox Ally. Take this with a pinch of salt, though, because we’ll only be able to confirm this once we get our hands on the new Xbox handhelds. Display Both the Xbox handhelds feature a 7-inch Full HD (FHD) screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. In comparison, the Switch 2 screen is bigger, with a 7.9-inch display, also rendering at 120 Hz. However, Switch 2 also features HDR10, giving it a significant edge over Xbox Ally. HDR10 ensures a much wider range of brightness levels and a broader spectrum of colors, so the display looks more vibrant and lifelike. Plus, you’ll see more detailed blacks and whites on the screen with better realism and depth, enhancing your overall gaming experience. The Switch 2 also features VRR technology, which prevents screen tearing and reduces stutter. Notably, the Xbox Ally range has its own version of the VRR, FreeSync Premium. So, truth be told, you might not experience much of a difference in that area. However, HDR10 can definitely prove to be a winner for Switch 2. Product Market Fit While both the Switch 2 and new Xbox handhelds are apparently the same genre of products, Microsoft and Nintendo seem to have different target markets in their minds. Microsoft is focusing more on the Windows handheld market, targeting players who want an on-the-go PC gaming experience. With access to Game Pass and titles from Steam and Epic Games, the Xbox Ally offers a more comprehensive library of games. Nintendo, on the other hand, looks to build on the legacy of the OG Nintendo Switch, which has sold 152M units since its launch in 2017. It aims to tap in on the Nintendo fan base with original titles such as Mario and an improved gaming experience. Also, Xbox is in direct competition with Valve’s Steam Deck. Both are essentially handheld PCs with wide access to PC-compatible aggregated game libraries on the go. Xbox is also introducing the ‘Xbox Experience for Handheld’ feature for its new Ally range, which will make Windows 11 more compatible and optimized for its handheld device – something similar to Valve’s SteamOS on the Steam Deck. Xbox Exploring a New Market Segment The global mobile and handheld gaming market is expected to expand at a rate of 13.8% CAGR till 2034. It may reach a market value of $35.189B.  Valve’s Steam Deck managed to sell around 3.7M units by the end of 2024. On the other hand, Windows-based devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw have sold ~5.9M units so far as per early 2025 reports. This shows there’s certainly demand for Windows-based handheld gaming devices.  Plus, Xbox’s partnership with ASUS could bring along a brand-value advantage for the product. With a seamless Windows 11 experience on an on-the-go device, these sales figures are expected to swell once the Xbox Ally hits the shelves. However, pricing will be a key determinant. The Switch 2 currently sells at $449.99 – or $499.99 with the Mario Kart bundle. The Steam Deck starts at $399.00 and goes up to $649. This means that the price range according to the current market demand is around $400-$600. Anything more than that may result in market adoption issues. The original ASUS ROG Ally is currently priced at $499. There’s little doubt, however, that Xbox would add a premium to this price. So, we’re expecting the price of the ROG Xbox Ally to be around $600, while the ROG Xbox Ally X may cost more than $700. This means that Xbox will be participating in the premium handheld gaming sector, which is something Nintendo and Steam do not cater to. Let’s wait for confirmation regarding the pricing and the launch date. Remember, this was only a feature comparison of the two products, and we’re yet to test them out for a detailed hands-on gaming experience comparison. Stick around for that. Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide. A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors. More from News View all View all

Casa Morena | © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG In the coastal enclave of Lagos, Portugal, Mário Martins Atelier has crafted Casa Morena. This residence quietly asserts itself as an ode to the dialogue between architecture and its natural setting. Completed in 2024, this project demonstrates a considered response to its environment, where the interplay of light, material, and landscape defines a sense of place rather than architectural imposition. Casa Morena Technical Information Architects1-5: Mário Martins Atelier Location: Lagos, Portugal Project Years: 2024 Photographs: © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG A simple house, one that wishes to be discreet and to be influenced by its location, to become a house that is pleasant with thoughtful landscaping. – Mário Martins Atelier Casa Morena Photographs © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG © Fernando Guerra / FG+SG A Contextual Response to Landscape and Light The design of Casa Morena finds its genesis in the site itself, a pine-scented plot overlooking the expanse of a bay. The pine trees, longstanding witnesses to the landscape’s evolution, provide the project’s visual anchor and spatial logic. In a move that both respects and celebrates these natural elements, Mário Martins Atelier structured the house’s reticulated plan to echo the presence of the trees, creating a composition that unfolds as a series of volumes harmonizing with the vertical rhythm of the trunks. The solid base of the house, built from locally sourced schist, emerges directly from the terrain. These robust walls establish a tactile continuity with the ground, their rough textures anchoring the architecture within the landscape. In contrast, the upper volumes of the house adopt a distinctly lighter expression: horizontal planes rendered in white plaster, their smooth surfaces catching and refracting the region’s luminous sun. This duality, earthbound solidity, and aerial lightness establish an architectural narrative rooted in the elemental. Casa Morena Experiential Flow Casa Morena’s spatial arrangement articulates a clear hierarchy of public and private domains. On the ground floor, the house embraces openness and transparency. An expansive entrance hall blurs the threshold inside and out, guiding inhabitants and visitors into a luminous social heart. The lounge, kitchen, and office flow seamlessly into the garden, unified by a continuous glazed façade that invites the outside in. This deliberate porosity extends to a covered terrace, an intermediary space that dissolves the boundary between shelter and exposure. The terrace, framed by the garden’s green canopy and the swimming pool’s long line, becomes a place of repose and contemplation. The pool itself demarcates the transition from a cultivated garden to the looser, more rugged landscape beyond, its linear form echoing the horizon’s expanse. Ascending to the upper floor, the architectural language shifts towards intimacy. The bedrooms, each with direct access to terraces and patios, create secluded zones that still maintain a fluid relationship with the outdoors. A discreet rooftop terrace, accessible from these private quarters, offers a hidden sanctuary where the interplay of views and light remains uninterrupted. Material Tectonics and Environmental Strategy Casa Morena’s material palette is rooted in regional specificity and tactile sensibility. Schist, extracted from the site, is not merely a structural element but a narrative thread linking the building to its geological past. Its earthy warmth and rugged surface provide a counterpoint to the luminous white of the upper volumes, an articulation of contrast that enlivens the building’s silhouette. White, the chromatic signature of the Algarve region, is employed with restraint and nuance. Its reflective qualities intensify the play of shadow and light, a dynamic that shifts with the passing of the day. In this interplay, architecture becomes an instrument for registering the ephemeral, and the environment itself becomes a participant in the spatial drama. Environmental stewardship is also woven into the project’s DNA. Discreetly integrated systems on the roof harness solar energy and manage water resources, extending the house’s commitment to a sustainable coexistence with its setting. Casa Morena Plans Basement | © Mario Martins Atelier Ground Level | © Mario Martins Atelier Upper Level | © Mario Martins Atelier Roof Plan | © Mario Martins Atelier Elevations | © Mario Martins Atelier Casa Morena Image Gallery About Mário Martins Atelier Mário Martins Atelier is an architectural studio based in Lagos and Lisbon, Portugal, led by Mário Martins. The practice is known for its context-sensitive approach, crafting contemporary projects seamlessly integrating with their surroundings while prioritizing regional materials and environmental considerations. Credits and Additional Notes Lead Architect: Mário Martins, arq. Project Team: Nuno Colaço, Sónia Fialho, Susana Jóia, Mariana Franco, Ana Graça Engineering: Nuno Grave Engenharia Landscape: HB-Hipolito Bettencourt – Arquitectura Paisagista, Lda. Building Contractor: Marques Antunes Engenharia Lda.

Image: NintendoNintendo mentioned how there were all sorts of surprises to discover in Mario Kart World and a week after the game's launch it looks like Totaka's Song has been discovered. As highlighted on social media and elsewhere online (via Nintendo Everything), you can hear Yoshi humming this Nintendo tune in the game's character menu. Here's a story and video shared over on the Mario Kart subreddit by the user 'charizardtelephone': "I was idling on the character select screen when I noticed Mario began humming after enough time passed. I thought, “Huh, they could totally hide hidden tunes like that.” Wait. Hidden music? In a Nintendo game? With Yoshi? It was too good to be true. But after a few seconds, lo and behold, yoshi begins humming Totaka’s song like the idle yoshis do in Mario Kart 8. Very cool Easter Egg. Not sure if anyone else has noticed it yet."When we tried this out ourselves, Yoshi started humming the same song just seconds later. It might also be a bit harder to hear depending on the music playing in the background. This famous song by the Japanese Nintendo composer Kazumi Totaka is often slipped into many of company's games. And if you're wondering why it's specifically Yoshi that hums this tune, it's because Totaka also happens to be Yoshi's voice actor, and once again voices the character in Mario Kart World. This Easter Egg has also popped up previously in Mario Kart 8 along with series like Animal Crossing and Zelda, and was inserted into titles such as Mario Paint back in the day. Have a listen Have you heard this tune in Mario Kart World yet? Let us know in the comments. [source nintendoeverything.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 0 Liam is a news writer and reviewer across Hookshot Media. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of many iconic video game characters. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Mario Kart World: All Costume Unlocks & Complete Outfit List It's a fashion race Best Nintendo Switch 2 Cases To Carry And Protect Your Console Look after your Switch 2 in style