Stephen Totilo
@stephentotilo.bsky.social
Reporter covering video games at Game File (gamefile.news). Previously launched games coverage at Axios and MTV News. Was Kotaku EiC. stephen(at)gamefile(dot)news he/him
Not sure how my play clock hit 54 hours.
And don’t know why it has such a big prominent blacklist option!
Probably nine years since I last booted it up.
And don’t know why it has such a big prominent blacklist option!
Probably nine years since I last booted it up.
November 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Not sure how my play clock hit 54 hours.
And don’t know why it has such a big prominent blacklist option!
Probably nine years since I last booted it up.
And don’t know why it has such a big prominent blacklist option!
Probably nine years since I last booted it up.
This is exciting!
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is exciting!
It’s unfortunate that Nintendo hasn’t made the key, earlier Metroid Prime games easily accessible to the public, for those who want to be up to speed ahead of Prime 4
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
November 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It’s unfortunate that Nintendo hasn’t made the key, earlier Metroid Prime games easily accessible to the public, for those who want to be up to speed ahead of Prime 4
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Pretty good night so far
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Pretty good night so far
I think this is the only autograph I’ve ever gotten.
October 16, 1996
October 16, 1996
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I think this is the only autograph I’ve ever gotten.
October 16, 1996
October 16, 1996
A year ago, Microsoft touted its D&I filing as "our most global and transparent report to date."
This year, there just isn't one
(This is a chart from the 2024 report)
This year, there just isn't one
(This is a chart from the 2024 report)
November 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A year ago, Microsoft touted its D&I filing as "our most global and transparent report to date."
This year, there just isn't one
(This is a chart from the 2024 report)
This year, there just isn't one
(This is a chart from the 2024 report)
Is not fully against the idea of a kind of Polymarket-for-kids on Roblox. Says it'd need to be money-free.
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Is not fully against the idea of a kind of Polymarket-for-kids on Roblox. Says it'd need to be money-free.
Fascinating interview with the CEO of Roblox
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Fascinating interview with the CEO of Roblox
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
One more Metroid Prime 4 thing... the mysterious world map
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
November 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM
One more Metroid Prime 4 thing... the mysterious world map
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
News Tower is, among other things, an argument for making games about topics video games don't usually cover. And it was inspired by an article from a decade ago showing photos of how The New York Times was made in 1942.
More here: www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
More here: www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
News Tower is, among other things, an argument for making games about topics video games don't usually cover. And it was inspired by an article from a decade ago showing photos of how The New York Times was made in 1942.
More here: www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
More here: www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
I left the room, returned, and solved the puzzle. Main difference is no tutorial/controls-reminder when I begin executing the solution
Nice to have these options. I plan to scan a lot and keep tutorials off.
Nice to have these options. I plan to scan a lot and keep tutorials off.
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I left the room, returned, and solved the puzzle. Main difference is no tutorial/controls-reminder when I begin executing the solution
Nice to have these options. I plan to scan a lot and keep tutorials off.
Nice to have these options. I plan to scan a lot and keep tutorials off.
Here's my playthrough of it, across two clips. In the first one, I'm scanning various things in the room and am actually more interested in breaking the wall on the side (clearly can't yet)
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Here's my playthrough of it, across two clips. In the first one, I'm scanning various things in the room and am actually more interested in breaking the wall on the side (clearly can't yet)
Here's another puzzle Samus encounters a few minutes later, first with Nintendo's tutorial-on footage
Note that they do some scanning, which provides clues, but quickly get control prompts (not fully giving the solution away, but reinforcing the controls)
Note that they do some scanning, which provides clues, but quickly get control prompts (not fully giving the solution away, but reinforcing the controls)
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Here's another puzzle Samus encounters a few minutes later, first with Nintendo's tutorial-on footage
Note that they do some scanning, which provides clues, but quickly get control prompts (not fully giving the solution away, but reinforcing the controls)
Note that they do some scanning, which provides clues, but quickly get control prompts (not fully giving the solution away, but reinforcing the controls)
That clip was from Nintendo's b-roll, which includes text that will always appear when you get this upgrade, and then step-by-step control tips for solving the puzzle that appear immediately
Here it is from my playthrough, with tutorials off
Here it is from my playthrough, with tutorials off
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
That clip was from Nintendo's b-roll, which includes text that will always appear when you get this upgrade, and then step-by-step control tips for solving the puzzle that appear immediately
Here it is from my playthrough, with tutorials off
Here it is from my playthrough, with tutorials off
Something Metroid Prime 4 related that's not about you-know-who...
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Something Metroid Prime 4 related that's not about you-know-who...
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
Later, there's a firefight on a bridge. Technically, Myles joins the fight to help you. He's not that helpful. I wanted to see how helpless he might be and let him die. It wasn't easy!
Then, game over.
A new trailer today showed other companions who might be better combat buddies
Then, game over.
A new trailer today showed other companions who might be better combat buddies
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Later, there's a firefight on a bridge. Technically, Myles joins the fight to help you. He's not that helpful. I wanted to see how helpless he might be and let him die. It wasn't easy!
Then, game over.
A new trailer today showed other companions who might be better combat buddies
Then, game over.
A new trailer today showed other companions who might be better combat buddies
Another scene: Myles is s awestruck by the jungle that he and Samus are exploring. He comments about that. Soon, he sees an enemy and yelps in fear
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Another scene: Myles is s awestruck by the jungle that he and Samus are exploring. He comments about that. Soon, he sees an enemy and yelps in fear
I shared a clip earlier about how I appreciated Retro bringing back a classic Prime touch: you can track down collectibles by listening for them. You hear the hum, find the upgrade, enjoy the silence. With Myles along, he breaks the silence.
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I shared a clip earlier about how I appreciated Retro bringing back a classic Prime touch: you can track down collectibles by listening for them. You hear the hum, find the upgrade, enjoy the silence. With Myles along, he breaks the silence.
Shortly after the rescue, Samus gets her first missile upgrade.
This clip is a bit long, but you'll hear Myles volunteer to tag along, then nudge Samus to check her map, then--a bit later--urge her to shoot a plant she just scanned, then nudge her to use her missiles
This clip is a bit long, but you'll hear Myles volunteer to tag along, then nudge Samus to check her map, then--a bit later--urge her to shoot a plant she just scanned, then nudge her to use her missiles
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Shortly after the rescue, Samus gets her first missile upgrade.
This clip is a bit long, but you'll hear Myles volunteer to tag along, then nudge Samus to check her map, then--a bit later--urge her to shoot a plant she just scanned, then nudge her to use her missiles
This clip is a bit long, but you'll hear Myles volunteer to tag along, then nudge Samus to check her map, then--a bit later--urge her to shoot a plant she just scanned, then nudge her to use her missiles
Earlier, I posted a cutscene of Samus giving him a deadpan reaction. Some folks said, hey, I like this. No judgment on your taste!
More clips can provide more context
First, here's where I rescued him. I'd been solo-exploring the jungle for 18 minutes. Then I heard him.
More clips can provide more context
First, here's where I rescued him. I'd been solo-exploring the jungle for 18 minutes. Then I heard him.
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Earlier, I posted a cutscene of Samus giving him a deadpan reaction. Some folks said, hey, I like this. No judgment on your taste!
More clips can provide more context
First, here's where I rescued him. I'd been solo-exploring the jungle for 18 minutes. Then I heard him.
More clips can provide more context
First, here's where I rescued him. I'd been solo-exploring the jungle for 18 minutes. Then I heard him.
Let me share a bit more about Myles MacKenzie, the notorious new Metroid Prime 4 sidekick
Just who is this guy?
Well, being a professional Metroid previewer, once I rescued Myles in Prime 4, I scanned him (this is how Samus greets everyone, even at parties)
His bio says he's "extremely talkative"
Just who is this guy?
Well, being a professional Metroid previewer, once I rescued Myles in Prime 4, I scanned him (this is how Samus greets everyone, even at parties)
His bio says he's "extremely talkative"
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Let me share a bit more about Myles MacKenzie, the notorious new Metroid Prime 4 sidekick
Just who is this guy?
Well, being a professional Metroid previewer, once I rescued Myles in Prime 4, I scanned him (this is how Samus greets everyone, even at parties)
His bio says he's "extremely talkative"
Just who is this guy?
Well, being a professional Metroid previewer, once I rescued Myles in Prime 4, I scanned him (this is how Samus greets everyone, even at parties)
His bio says he's "extremely talkative"
A subtle but intriguing detail: After I first linked up with Myles and he started tagging along, he eventually set up shop in the area you see in the clip above. On the map, that spot was then marked as "base camp." No idea why, but it's suggestive of a system of gathering spots and excursions.
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A subtle but intriguing detail: After I first linked up with Myles and he started tagging along, he eventually set up shop in the area you see in the clip above. On the map, that spot was then marked as "base camp." No idea why, but it's suggestive of a system of gathering spots and excursions.
For better or worse, canonically, Samus seems to think that Myles MacKenzie sucks, too
As noted in my preview, the impression I got from Nintendo is that he's not a game-long companion. That you'll mostly explore without him. A trailer today does shows other allies.
As noted in my preview, the impression I got from Nintendo is that he's not a game-long companion. That you'll mostly explore without him. A trailer today does shows other allies.
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
For better or worse, canonically, Samus seems to think that Myles MacKenzie sucks, too
As noted in my preview, the impression I got from Nintendo is that he's not a game-long companion. That you'll mostly explore without him. A trailer today does shows other allies.
As noted in my preview, the impression I got from Nintendo is that he's not a game-long companion. That you'll mostly explore without him. A trailer today does shows other allies.
And I can confirm that the legally-required Samus face reflection tech has returned
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
And I can confirm that the legally-required Samus face reflection tech has returned