Control Resonant: Release Date and System Requirements, Notable SSD Space Needed

### The Game Boy Jukebox Returns, Nintendo’s Stock Repurchase, and More: Morning Checkpoint

In a thrilling turn of events for gamers, the cherished Game Boy is making a whimsical comeback as the **Game Boy Jukebox**, which solely plays music tracks from the Kanto region’s iconic Pokémon games, **Red** and **Blue**. Revealed during the **Pokémon 30th Anniversary Presents**, this charming yet peculiar lo-fi device requires users to insert one of 45 distinct cartridges to enjoy their chosen track. With a surprisingly steep price of $70, it serves as both a collectible for enthusiasts and a potential resource for DIY chiptune musicians interested in homebrew customizations. The Game Boy Jukebox is slated to **launch later today**, promising to be a nostalgic addition to any collection.

### Disgaea Moves into Action-RPG

In another intriguing update, the **Disgaea** franchise is expanding its horizons with the latest title, **Disgaea Mayhem**. This spin-off reimagines the tactical JRPG as a real-time action brawler, featuring a candy-loving mercenary equipped with various weapons familiar to fans of the series. Though early trailers indicate somewhat floaty and rigid gameplay mechanics, enthusiasm remains high for the title expected to debut on **Switch, PS5, and PC this summer**.

### Fallout 76 Update Enhances XP Rewards

The **66th update for Fallout 76** has brought significant enhancements to in-game events, enriching the overall player experience. XP rewards are now adjusted according to player levels, with numerous events offering quicker completion times to alleviate monotony. Newly updated map icons are designed to improve player navigation and interaction with events. This update might encourage players to return to Appalachia and discover these enhancements.

### Nintendo’s Huge Stock Repurchase

In corporate developments, Nintendo is making headlines with a staggering **$1.9 billion stock repurchase**, mainly from significant institutional banks like **MUFG Bank** and the **Bank of Kyoto**. This strategic initiative aims to reassure concerned investors, especially amid external pressure on companies to minimize exposure to outside shareholder influence.

### He-Man’s Nostalgic Beat-Em-Up Release Date Announced

Fans of classic animation have a reason to cheer as the upcoming **He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction** has officially announced its release date of **April 28** across all major consoles and PC platforms. The newly unveiled trailer captures vibrant nostalgia promising classic gameplay, while also raising hopes for improved mechanics compared to previous licensed retro games.

### Guidance for Microsoft’s New Gaming CEO

In a recent interview, former Xbox executive **Peter Moore** extended his support and counsel to **Asha Sharma**, the newly appointed Microsoft Gaming CEO. Moore stressed the significance of concentrating initially on the internal dynamics of the company and suggested a ‘listening tour’ to gain a better understanding of the varied opinions and perspectives within the gaming sector. He also advised careful consideration when addressing sensitive issues such as AI throughout her term.

### ICYMI

For enthusiasts of unconventional gaming content, check out **Balatro University**, which features innovative gameplay with an impressive 755 card deck devoid of Jokers, showcased by **DrSpectred** on social media.

Stay tuned for more gaming news and happenings in the next edition of Morning Checkpoint from Kotaku!

### Improve Your Wi-Fi Range with a Range Extender

Nearly everyone has that one elusive spot in the house where the internet just won’t cooperate. You walk into that area, and suddenly your phone can’t open a webpage, videos begin buffering, and downloads freeze. This can be particularly annoying if that dead zone is somewhere you rely on for stable service, such as the bathroom. With Wi-Fi range extenders, you can get rid of those weak spots and enjoy uninterrupted connectivity throughout your home.

#### The Importance of a Wi-Fi Range Extender

A Wi-Fi range extender amplifies your current wireless signal, effectively broadening the reach of your network into those tricky locations. For example, the TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 range extender is engineered to deliver ample coverage and outstanding performance, making it a top choice for households dealing with connectivity troubles.

Right now, this Wi-Fi 7 model from TP-Link is available at a 25% discount, costing $90 instead of the usual $120. This not only saves you $30 but also alleviates the headaches associated with poor internet coverage.

#### Exceptional Speeds and Performance

The TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 technology provides high-speed download and upload rates, achieving up to 3.2 Gbps. This facilitates smooth 8K streaming, lag-free online gaming, and an overall more responsive internet connection across your home.

– **Dual-Band Support**: The extender supports dual-band signals, with the 2.4 GHz band delivering speeds of up to 688 Mbps and the 5 GHz band reaching up to 2,594 Mbps.
– **Compatibility Note**: Keep in mind that these speeds can only be attained if your router, modem, and internet plan can handle them.

#### Wide Coverage

This TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 range extender enhances your home’s Wi-Fi coverage up to nearly 2,400 square feet. It is equipped with two high-performance antennas that collaborate to amplify and extend the wireless signal, allowing it to penetrate walls and connect to areas that may have been unreachable by your primary router.

In addition, it can support as many as 64 extra devices simultaneously. This means you can easily accommodate smartphones, smart TVs, streaming sticks, Alexa Echo devices, security cameras, smart bulbs, and other connected gadgets.

#### Intelligent Adaptive Roaming

A notable feature of the TP-Link range extender is its intelligent adaptive roaming functionality. Your devices will automatically connect to the strongest signal in your home, helping provide seamless transitions as you move around. For instance, if your main router is downstairs and the TP-Link extender is upstairs, your phone will effortlessly switch between the two signals without any manual intervention.

#### Compatibility with Mesh Networks

For those utilizing a mesh network, the good news is that the TP-Link range extender is EasyMesh-compatible. This feature enables it to work effectively with other EasyMesh-compatible routers or nodes, further improving the Wi-Fi coverage across your property.

### Summary

With the right Wi-Fi range extender, such as the TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 model, you can finally achieve robust and stable Wi-Fi signals in every corner of your home. Take advantage of the current 25% discount, and enhance your internet experience without the concern of frustrating dead zones.

For additional information and purchasing options, check [here](https://shop.kotaku.com/go/6367/).

**Will Generative AI Be Involved in the Creation of Stellar Blade 2?**

The inquiry regarding the involvement of generative AI in the creation of *Stellar Blade 2* is gaining momentum, particularly after statements made by Shift Up’s CEO, Hyung-tae Kim. The South Korean game development studio, which is presently working on a sequel to the highly awaited 2024 sci-fi action game, considers AI a potential vital component in equalizing the competitive landscape against larger development teams, particularly those located in China.

In discussing the competitive environment of the gaming sector, Kim pointed out that while Shift Up employs about 150 staff for a single title, their Chinese rivals frequently have teams consisting of 1,000 to 2,000 members. In a recent event dubbed “2026 Economic Growth Strategy,” Kim remarked that this difference in workforce could obstruct smaller studios’ ability to compete effectively regarding quality and content volume. “We do not have the capability to compete, both in quality and content volume,” he stated, underscoring the difficulties encountered by smaller developers.

Kim’s insights imply that the adoption of generative AI and other large language model (LLM) technologies could be essential for smaller studios to boost productivity and production. He mentioned that with AI’s assistance, “one individual can accomplish the tasks of 100 individuals,” highlighting the revolutionary potential of technology in the realm of game creation.

Even with the promise of heightened efficiency through AI, Kim confirmed that this would not necessarily result in widespread job losses within the industry. From his viewpoint, global competition would still require the full utilization of the available workforce, indicating that AI could enhance human skills instead of replacing them.

Whether Kim’s worries regarding competition from China are merely strategic or reflect real concerns remains a topic for discussion. The success of the first *Stellar Blade*, which sold millions of copies on multiple platforms without AI assistance, indicates that Shift Up possesses the capability to succeed amid intense rivalry from significant Chinese publishers like Tencent and Net Ease, who are saturating the market with AAA free-to-play games.

At present, it appears that Shift Up is placing a high priority on employee wellbeing, as shown by recent reports from *Seoul Economic Daily*. All 300 employees at the studio were rewarded with AirPods Max, Apple Watches, and a generous $3,400 bonus to celebrate the company’s profitable 2025 – a shift from traditional gifts like gaming consoles, which had been previously distributed.

Looking to the future, Shift Up aims to launch *Stellar Blade 2* prior to the end of 2027. As development moves forward, the question lingers: will they integrate generative AI into their process? Only time will reveal whether this technology will become a common feature in future game development projects.