Mitch Sabbagh
@mitchformer.bsky.social
Writer at Zugalu (Formerly at Frogwares) + Past Bethesda QA; Stoic; Britophile; SEGA Fan; INTJ; Bluenoser; Neoclassical Liberal; Contrarian; Praise the Unknown; Views Mine.
Having been a TimeSplitters for 20 years now, Rewind is an unabashed love letter to FPSs of yore.
Between the punchy gunplay, colorful cast, and varied maps, this remix of peak 2000s shooting action stands as one of 2025's best releases.
Welcome back, childhood of mine.
Between the punchy gunplay, colorful cast, and varied maps, this remix of peak 2000s shooting action stands as one of 2025's best releases.
Welcome back, childhood of mine.
November 27, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Having been a TimeSplitters for 20 years now, Rewind is an unabashed love letter to FPSs of yore.
Between the punchy gunplay, colorful cast, and varied maps, this remix of peak 2000s shooting action stands as one of 2025's best releases.
Welcome back, childhood of mine.
Between the punchy gunplay, colorful cast, and varied maps, this remix of peak 2000s shooting action stands as one of 2025's best releases.
Welcome back, childhood of mine.
20 years ago, one of gaming’s most consequential pieces of hardware leapt onto the scene.
The 360 didn’t just play host to trendsetters such as Gears of War, BioShock, Halo, and Oblivion. It also rendered the act of play interconnected and global in perpetuity.
Jump in forever.
The 360 didn’t just play host to trendsetters such as Gears of War, BioShock, Halo, and Oblivion. It also rendered the act of play interconnected and global in perpetuity.
Jump in forever.
November 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
20 years ago, one of gaming’s most consequential pieces of hardware leapt onto the scene.
The 360 didn’t just play host to trendsetters such as Gears of War, BioShock, Halo, and Oblivion. It also rendered the act of play interconnected and global in perpetuity.
Jump in forever.
The 360 didn’t just play host to trendsetters such as Gears of War, BioShock, Halo, and Oblivion. It also rendered the act of play interconnected and global in perpetuity.
Jump in forever.
Rolled credits on MGS2: Sons of Liberty.
Compared to the original, the sequel was a slower burn (at least on the narrative front). But once those revelations kick in, man. Nothing like it.
No wonder it was the talk of the town in '01 (and not just because of *that* switcheroo).
Compared to the original, the sequel was a slower burn (at least on the narrative front). But once those revelations kick in, man. Nothing like it.
No wonder it was the talk of the town in '01 (and not just because of *that* switcheroo).
November 15, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Rolled credits on MGS2: Sons of Liberty.
Compared to the original, the sequel was a slower burn (at least on the narrative front). But once those revelations kick in, man. Nothing like it.
No wonder it was the talk of the town in '01 (and not just because of *that* switcheroo).
Compared to the original, the sequel was a slower burn (at least on the narrative front). But once those revelations kick in, man. Nothing like it.
No wonder it was the talk of the town in '01 (and not just because of *that* switcheroo).
Rolled credits on the original Metal Gear Solid for the first time.
Between the slick presentation and thoughtful narrative, I can definitely see why folks took a shine to Kojima and co.'s stealth title back in '98. One of a kind.
Will tackle Sons of Liberty soon enough.
Between the slick presentation and thoughtful narrative, I can definitely see why folks took a shine to Kojima and co.'s stealth title back in '98. One of a kind.
Will tackle Sons of Liberty soon enough.
October 27, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Rolled credits on the original Metal Gear Solid for the first time.
Between the slick presentation and thoughtful narrative, I can definitely see why folks took a shine to Kojima and co.'s stealth title back in '98. One of a kind.
Will tackle Sons of Liberty soon enough.
Between the slick presentation and thoughtful narrative, I can definitely see why folks took a shine to Kojima and co.'s stealth title back in '98. One of a kind.
Will tackle Sons of Liberty soon enough.
Replaying MGR: Revengeance. Still holds up to this day. It and Vanquish are proof that the 360 days spoiled us with peak action.
Also doesn’t hurt that, as with MGS titles, it has something to say about society and world affairs.
Also doesn’t hurt that, as with MGS titles, it has something to say about society and world affairs.
October 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Replaying MGR: Revengeance. Still holds up to this day. It and Vanquish are proof that the 360 days spoiled us with peak action.
Also doesn’t hurt that, as with MGS titles, it has something to say about society and world affairs.
Also doesn’t hurt that, as with MGS titles, it has something to say about society and world affairs.
20 years ago, Monolith Productions unleashed Alma Wade onto the world and had First Encounter Assault Recon look into the paranormal incident.
To say this game rewrote the rulebook of what it meant to be an adrenaline-pumping shooter's an understatement.
May its legacy live on.
To say this game rewrote the rulebook of what it meant to be an adrenaline-pumping shooter's an understatement.
May its legacy live on.
October 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
20 years ago, Monolith Productions unleashed Alma Wade onto the world and had First Encounter Assault Recon look into the paranormal incident.
To say this game rewrote the rulebook of what it meant to be an adrenaline-pumping shooter's an understatement.
May its legacy live on.
To say this game rewrote the rulebook of what it meant to be an adrenaline-pumping shooter's an understatement.
May its legacy live on.
Happy 11th and 8th birthday to Tango Gameworks’ The Evil Within 1 and 2.
Both titles hold a special place in my heart, with the OG getting me back into survival horror and its sequel being the first game I worked on at Bethesda upon graduating from college.
Great, simpler times. 🥲
Both titles hold a special place in my heart, with the OG getting me back into survival horror and its sequel being the first game I worked on at Bethesda upon graduating from college.
Great, simpler times. 🥲
October 14, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Happy 11th and 8th birthday to Tango Gameworks’ The Evil Within 1 and 2.
Both titles hold a special place in my heart, with the OG getting me back into survival horror and its sequel being the first game I worked on at Bethesda upon graduating from college.
Great, simpler times. 🥲
Both titles hold a special place in my heart, with the OG getting me back into survival horror and its sequel being the first game I worked on at Bethesda upon graduating from college.
Great, simpler times. 🥲
Playing at my gym.
October 4, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Playing at my gym.
Blitzwing model built!
October 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Blitzwing model built!
Man alive, so much peak coming out within a single month. When will I have time to play them, haha
September 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Man alive, so much peak coming out within a single month. When will I have time to play them, haha
10 years ago, I decided to wax lyrical about anime and FPSs by penning my very first Game Developer article (and very first piece of game-related writing).
Who would’ve thought I’d be where I am today?
Who would’ve thought I’d be where I am today?
August 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
10 years ago, I decided to wax lyrical about anime and FPSs by penning my very first Game Developer article (and very first piece of game-related writing).
Who would’ve thought I’d be where I am today?
Who would’ve thought I’d be where I am today?
Thoughts on Switch 2 a month later:
- Build more premium than the OG
- System-level interface and NSO/eShop are breezy to navigate
- Fast game loading thanks to microSD Express
- Back-compat w/ SW1's a godsend
- Pro Controller's a must-buy
- Native game library's small but solid
- Build more premium than the OG
- System-level interface and NSO/eShop are breezy to navigate
- Fast game loading thanks to microSD Express
- Back-compat w/ SW1's a godsend
- Pro Controller's a must-buy
- Native game library's small but solid
July 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Thoughts on Switch 2 a month later:
- Build more premium than the OG
- System-level interface and NSO/eShop are breezy to navigate
- Fast game loading thanks to microSD Express
- Back-compat w/ SW1's a godsend
- Pro Controller's a must-buy
- Native game library's small but solid
- Build more premium than the OG
- System-level interface and NSO/eShop are breezy to navigate
- Fast game loading thanks to microSD Express
- Back-compat w/ SW1's a godsend
- Pro Controller's a must-buy
- Native game library's small but solid
According to Business Insider, 80% of Ninty’s software revenue stems from first-party offerings.
June 16, 2025 at 8:32 PM
According to Business Insider, 80% of Ninty’s software revenue stems from first-party offerings.
Gave Sonic Superstars a shot on my Switch.
Focus on exploration is a nice lil’ touch that adds depth to the level design, even if it clashes with the “gotta go fast” mentality the in-game timer emphasizes.
Also have to mention the reversible cover. Oozes classic Genesis energy.
Focus on exploration is a nice lil’ touch that adds depth to the level design, even if it clashes with the “gotta go fast” mentality the in-game timer emphasizes.
Also have to mention the reversible cover. Oozes classic Genesis energy.
June 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Gave Sonic Superstars a shot on my Switch.
Focus on exploration is a nice lil’ touch that adds depth to the level design, even if it clashes with the “gotta go fast” mentality the in-game timer emphasizes.
Also have to mention the reversible cover. Oozes classic Genesis energy.
Focus on exploration is a nice lil’ touch that adds depth to the level design, even if it clashes with the “gotta go fast” mentality the in-game timer emphasizes.
Also have to mention the reversible cover. Oozes classic Genesis energy.
Picked Mario Wonder as the first title to test my Switch 2 with. Nintendo did a stellar job updating the 2D Mario formula with its dynamic levels and new power ups.
June 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Picked Mario Wonder as the first title to test my Switch 2 with. Nintendo did a stellar job updating the 2D Mario formula with its dynamic levels and new power ups.
Happy 65th anniversary to SEGA, whose arcade/console offerings got me into games (and subsequently game development) in the first place.
Between their memorable console library and eclectic game lineup, the house of Sonic’s hardly shy about taking risks in the name of pure fun.
Between their memorable console library and eclectic game lineup, the house of Sonic’s hardly shy about taking risks in the name of pure fun.
June 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Happy 65th anniversary to SEGA, whose arcade/console offerings got me into games (and subsequently game development) in the first place.
Between their memorable console library and eclectic game lineup, the house of Sonic’s hardly shy about taking risks in the name of pure fun.
Between their memorable console library and eclectic game lineup, the house of Sonic’s hardly shy about taking risks in the name of pure fun.
Happy birthday to SEGA and yours truly! :)
June 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Happy birthday to SEGA and yours truly! :)
If there’s one thing the Wii had the 360 and PS3 beat on, it was its roster of quality rail shooters.
HOTD: Overkill and S&P: Star Successor were great throwbacks to the arcade/N64 days, while RE: DC and DSE did a great job adapting their respective series to light gun mechanics and gameplay loops.
HOTD: Overkill and S&P: Star Successor were great throwbacks to the arcade/N64 days, while RE: DC and DSE did a great job adapting their respective series to light gun mechanics and gameplay loops.
June 2, 2025 at 8:16 PM
If there’s one thing the Wii had the 360 and PS3 beat on, it was its roster of quality rail shooters.
HOTD: Overkill and S&P: Star Successor were great throwbacks to the arcade/N64 days, while RE: DC and DSE did a great job adapting their respective series to light gun mechanics and gameplay loops.
HOTD: Overkill and S&P: Star Successor were great throwbacks to the arcade/N64 days, while RE: DC and DSE did a great job adapting their respective series to light gun mechanics and gameplay loops.
Rolled credits on Binary Domain.
Despite looking like a Gears clone from the seventh-gen days, the Yakuza folks’ take on the formula provides a hearty blend of punchy gunplay and solid characterization that’s undergirded by increasingly relevant themes.
Don’t sleep on this one.
Despite looking like a Gears clone from the seventh-gen days, the Yakuza folks’ take on the formula provides a hearty blend of punchy gunplay and solid characterization that’s undergirded by increasingly relevant themes.
Don’t sleep on this one.
May 31, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Rolled credits on Binary Domain.
Despite looking like a Gears clone from the seventh-gen days, the Yakuza folks’ take on the formula provides a hearty blend of punchy gunplay and solid characterization that’s undergirded by increasingly relevant themes.
Don’t sleep on this one.
Despite looking like a Gears clone from the seventh-gen days, the Yakuza folks’ take on the formula provides a hearty blend of punchy gunplay and solid characterization that’s undergirded by increasingly relevant themes.
Don’t sleep on this one.
Having watched lotsa anime and played many JP games in my time, I think I pinpointed my favorite (fe)male seiyuu.
(Chiwa Saito and Marina Inoue were *very* close seconds, but Takahashi’s energy was hard to resist.)
(Chiwa Saito and Marina Inoue were *very* close seconds, but Takahashi’s energy was hard to resist.)
May 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Having watched lotsa anime and played many JP games in my time, I think I pinpointed my favorite (fe)male seiyuu.
(Chiwa Saito and Marina Inoue were *very* close seconds, but Takahashi’s energy was hard to resist.)
(Chiwa Saito and Marina Inoue were *very* close seconds, but Takahashi’s energy was hard to resist.)
Happy 46th anniversary, Capcom!
From mastering the action genre to doubling down on survival horror, the minds behind Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, and Dino Crisis bear many a notch on their belt.
Eager to see what else they have in store for folks in ‘25 and beyond.
From mastering the action genre to doubling down on survival horror, the minds behind Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, and Dino Crisis bear many a notch on their belt.
Eager to see what else they have in store for folks in ‘25 and beyond.
May 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Happy 46th anniversary, Capcom!
From mastering the action genre to doubling down on survival horror, the minds behind Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, and Dino Crisis bear many a notch on their belt.
Eager to see what else they have in store for folks in ‘25 and beyond.
From mastering the action genre to doubling down on survival horror, the minds behind Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, and Dino Crisis bear many a notch on their belt.
Eager to see what else they have in store for folks in ‘25 and beyond.
Got this wicked-looking Ubel (Frieren) figure in the mail. My digs are infinitely more menacing now, haha.
May 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Got this wicked-looking Ubel (Frieren) figure in the mail. My digs are infinitely more menacing now, haha.
What’s interesting about game companies is that many are directly involved in the toy manufacturing biz—with some keeping (most of) production in-house.
Examples include Konami (Yu-Gi-Oh! cards), SEGA (Sega Prize), Bandai Namco (Gundam, Digimon), and Square Enix (Play Arts).
Examples include Konami (Yu-Gi-Oh! cards), SEGA (Sega Prize), Bandai Namco (Gundam, Digimon), and Square Enix (Play Arts).
May 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
What’s interesting about game companies is that many are directly involved in the toy manufacturing biz—with some keeping (most of) production in-house.
Examples include Konami (Yu-Gi-Oh! cards), SEGA (Sega Prize), Bandai Namco (Gundam, Digimon), and Square Enix (Play Arts).
Examples include Konami (Yu-Gi-Oh! cards), SEGA (Sega Prize), Bandai Namco (Gundam, Digimon), and Square Enix (Play Arts).