Bancho the Chef revealed for PS5, from the culinary masters behind Dave the Diver https://ift.tt/4F0dlfT
Hi everyone, I’m Jaeho Hwang, the director and game designer behind Dave the Diver. While our studio is getting ready for the upcoming release of Dave the Diver’s next big DLC expansion, In the Jungle, we’ve also been cooking up another unique project that we wanted to share with everyone on PlayStation. It’s not DLC, but an entirely new game, starring the best chef you’ve met at the Blue Hole… Bancho. And at today’s show, we debuted the first trailer. Check it out below.
There are so many Dave the Diver characters that resonate with fans, but the love for Bancho always stood out to us as next level. Bancho has been ranked 1st place in a massive fan vote and is one of the most-cosplayed characters we see whenever we go to gaming events.
Bancho The Chef is Mintrocket’s new game for PlayStation 5, which tells the story of Bancho’s growth as he travels across Japan, Korea, China, and other Asian regions, learning cuisine from master chefs in each locale.
A mix of cooking sim, RPG, and adventure, this all-new standalone prequel is set in 2004, 19 years before the events of Dave the Diver. Back when Bancho still had his hair and was yet to walk the path of a sushi master, and you’ll be with him on every part of his journey.
Unlike Dave the Diver, where the player only served dishes in the sushi bar, the core gameplay loop this time has you cook meals and serve them to customers directly within a time limit. This would mean growing as a chef, raising each restaurant’s reputation in each region, and learning techniques from each locale’s culinary master.
Bancho the Chef isn’t just about cooking. Just like its predecessor Dave the Diver, the game packs in a rich variety of gameplay that refuses to stay confined to a single genre, including mini-games like fishing and petting cats. Beyond the simple cook&serve routine, Bancho takes on cooking requests from the unique locals of each region, gaining experience and gradually evolving into a true master chef.
What we poured the most effort into for this title is, without a doubt, the act of “cooking” itself.
You’ll already see from the trailer just how much attention we’ve paid to each dish and its construction. This time, we moved from pixel art to 3D in order to express the textures and fine details of cooking that pixels alone couldn’t quite capture. We invested countless hours into the smallest culinary details, like the glistening sheen on a fillet of fish, the splatter of oil during frying, the rising smoke from the grill, and so much more.
Beyond visual delight, our vision for this game is to let players physically feel the joy of cooking with their own hands. In this regard, the DualSense controller is the ideal partner for Bancho the Chef. We’re fully leveraging DualSense wireless controller’s features, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and even the gyro sensor, to recreate the textures and sensations of cooking.
For instance, when slicing fish, you can feel the contact between knife and cutting board through haptic feedback. When cracking an egg, the adaptive triggers and the controller’s built-in speaker work together to make it feel as if you’re handling the ingredient yourself. And when washing dishes, we’ve used DualSense wireless controller’s touchpad to recreate the tactile sense of scrubbing a plate by hand.
There are plenty of other elements Dave the Diver fans will love, but we hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve revealed today. We’ll have more to announce later this year, so please stay tuned.
In the meantime, be sure to add Bancho the Chef on your wishlist. We’ll be by to take your order soon!
MP Maps: Season 04 expands the Multiplayer map pool with a selection of brand-new and returning favorites. Maps include:
Liminal (New): Descend into a Guild procedure, where the center of the map actively changes. Stay alert and adapt on this new small-sized map.
Primetime (New): Jump into Primetime, a new 6v6 Multiplayer map themed around a Japanese game show obstacle course.
Vertigo (Remastered): First introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Vertigo returns fully remastered and ready for action in Black Ops 7.
Zenith (New) (Mid-Season): Breach a luxurious cliffside estate, with a waterfall in the distance and pristine lighting guiding you through the immaculate grounds.
Launch (Remastered) (Mid-Season): First introduced in the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, Launch returns!
MP Modes: A stacked roster of modes arrives throughout the season, including:
Black Ops Classic (New): Wind back the clock with this new throwback mode inspired by classic Black Ops gameplay.
Blueprint Gun Game (Returning): Blueprint Gun Game returns for its Black Ops 7 debut, challenging players to advance through a lineup of Weapon Blueprints.
6v6 Gunfight (Returning): Get ready to up the ante as Gunfight returns with a 6v6 spin.
Team Blueprint Shooter (Returning) (Mid-Season): Drop into Team Blueprint Sharpshooter, the 6v6 Multiplayer mode where Weapon Blueprints rotate every few seconds.
Knife Fight (Returning) (Mid-Season): This is the melee-only take on the fan-favorite Gunfight mode that forces Operators into intense, close-quarters fights.
Black Ops 7 Ranked Play: Ranked Play returns for another season of the competitive experience in Black Ops 7.
Endgame overview
The Guild strikes back at launch with Operation Wall Breaker, introducing new challenges and rewards alongside the deadly Command Killer Glitch Fracture. In Mid-Season, keep up the fight in Operation King Killer.
Zombies overview
New Survival Map: Fight off waves of the undead through a hellish cul-de-sac in the Nuked Survival map.
Totenreich Directed Mode, Starting Room: Take on the Main Quest with extra assistance in this Directed Mode and see how far you can get in Eidskallen Landing in the map’s Starting Room Mode.
Introducing Rogue Run: Return to Ashes of the Damned in a roguelite twist on Round-Based Zombies. Survive each wave, choose your reward, then teleport to the next arena.
New Mid-Season Round-Based Map: The crew heats things up as the battle relocates to a feudal Japanese castle set near a live volcano in the new Kowakujō Round-Based Map arriving in Season 04 Reloaded.
Call of Duty Warzone overview
Fortune’s Keep Refresh: It’s the Fortune’s Keep you know and love, now playable like never before. Revisit your favorite haunts and explore three updated micro POIs, with enhanced movement and fresh features that bring a new depth to gameplay.
Modes to Come: The 52v52 Clash mode arrives in Verdansk at launch. In the Mid-Season, be the first squad to cycle through every weapon in Squad Gun Game.
A New Season in Rebirth Island: The snow has melted and a new season arrives in Rebirth Island. Hang up your snow gear and push toward that next victory.
New Gameplay Features: Gain access to a mobile Black Market with the new Shadowlink Contract exclusively available in Fortune’s Keep Refresh. Get back on your feet with the Advanced Self Revive, and, later in the season, see if you have what it takes to acquire and complete the difficult Champion’s Quest.
Resurgence Ranked Play: Rank up in a new season of Ranked Play: Resurgence.
Battle Pass & BlackCell overview
Battle Pass & BlackCell: Progress through a brand-new Battle Pass bringing new Weapon Blueprints, Operator Skins, and more. Purchase BlackCell for additional rewards including the unique Catalyst New Operator and a Mastercraft Weapon Blueprint, both featuring additional unlockable variants via in-game challenges.
New Weapons: Eliminate enemies with six new weapons, including the KRS-7.62 Marksman Rifle and CBRS-3 SMG available at launch in the Battle Pass. Via Events and Weekly Challenges, gain access to the Grimhawk Special, VX Compact Assault Rifle, Executioner’s Duet Melee, and the AN-94 Assault Rifle.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone is available on PS5 & PS4.
When the original PlayStation first launched over 30 years ago, gaming was mostly about you sitting in front of an old-school CRT television, controller in hand. While that’s still the case for many, there are now more options than ever to customize your gaming environment.
Fast forward to 2026, and PlayStation now offers a variety of controllers, headsets, and devices to give players options for the best way to play. This expansion of players’ options continues as new pricing and info for upcoming PlayStation products were just announced, and we were fortunate enough to go hands-on. Read on to learn about the FlexStrike wireless fight stick and Pulse Elevate wireless speakers.
This article includes contributions from both O’Dell Harmon Jr. and Kristen Zitani
Download the image
FlexStrike wireless fight stick
Fighting game hopefuls and fanatics can rejoice, as FlexStrike is primed to be a premier fighting stick that is both beginner-friendly and tournament-ready for all skill levels. First and foremost, it can be used both wired and wirelessly, with the wireless option leveraging PlayStation Link to deliver ultra-low latency as fast as 4 milliseconds from the controller to the included PS Link adapter*.
Comfort and customization
Understanding that players have different ways of sitting and resting their wrists, the stick is designed to be played both in your lap and on a table. The bottom is covered in a non-slip material that also grips to prevent sliding. FlexStrike stayed cool while on my lap and didn’t slide around as I tested various movements and sudden body shifts. The stick is also shorter than average and the face buttons rest on a slightly angled surface, reducing fatigue and increasing comfort and ergonomics. It performed just as well on the tabletop.
Download the image
The feature I was most excited about was the toolless swappable restrictor gates for the custom-designed digital stick, which let you easily switch between square, circular, and octagonal gates. The back cover is magnetic and can be popped off, so you can switch between the gates within seconds. I grew up playing charge characters in Street Fighter, so square gates are my natural calling, but when switching to the octagonal gates I could feel each distinct corner, and I could make smooth circle motions with the circular gate.
Download the image
Tools of the trade
FlexStrike comes with a sling carry case that can be worn crossbody or on the back.The inside of the case features special sections to keep the digital stick safe and secure, along with pouches for cables and any other tools you might need. You don’t have to worry about things moving around or going out and buying any extra equipment to keep it in top condition.
In Southeast Asia, the FlexStrike wireless fight stick releases on August 6, 2026 for SGD 279 / MYR 999 / IDR 4,199,000 / THB 7,790 / PHP 13,178 / VND 6,499,000 (sling carry case included) with pre-orders starting on June 12, 2026.
Download the image
Pulse Elevate wireless speakers
Audiophiles will have a new way to immerse themselves into sonic gaming soundscapes with PlayStation’s first pair of wireless stereo speakers. I had the chance to turn up the volume in person to test out its sleek but powerful features with my own ears.
Planar magnetic drivers
Like Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore before it, the studio-inspired speakers are powered by planar magnetic drivers that help reproduce sound with near perfect accuracy along the entire audible spectrum. Paired with ultra-low latency and lossless PlayStation Link technology, these wireless speakers can provide lifelike audio in a portable form factor.
Download the image
In a hands-on run through of the dangerous biomes in Saros, that translated to a crisp-yet-rich mix of gameplay sound and adrenaline-pumping music. Audio cues from spawning enemies thanks to the Tempest 3D AudioTech immersed me in Arjun’s world, allowing me to weave through combat with lethal precision. The range of tones makes it easy to sink into the soundtrack’s thrumming bassline while still staying alert to incoming threats, and the ultra-low latency via PlayStation Link delivered sounds as they happened.
Tailored soundspace
Beyond the robust tech inside, the look and feel of the speakers were right at home both beside a monitor while playing on PS5 and and stationed off their dock around the room. The built-in rechargeable battery allows for 12 hours of play, and each speaker can be tilted to your preferred angle. As someone who often works from home, I imagined all the ways I could move them across my apartment throughout the day: taking a call or listening to music while working on my laptop, then seamlessly switching to playing on PS5 after work.
Download the image
Built-in mic with AI-enhanced noise rejection
Similar to Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headphones, the Pulse Elevate speakers can utilize PlayStation Link simultaneously with another Bluetooth audio connection, meaning I can take a phone call while gaming without any latency or interruption. But they also have a headphone-style noise-filtering feature that blew me away.
In a demonstration on a laptop, we made a call speaking at a normal volume while music loudly flowed through the Pulse Elevate speakers. When a recording of the call played back, all we heard was the clear speaking voice. The built-in mic had cut through the noise without having to pause music or change the volume at all. A seamless experience end to end.
The Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are set to launch later this year – stay tuned for more details on PlayStation Blog.
*PC compatibility for FlexStrike wireless fight stick will roll out following launch, with availability expanding to more users over time.
**Features available with compatible devices and supported games, sold separately.
When the original PlayStation first launched over 30 years ago, gaming was mostly about you sitting in front of an old-school CRT television, controller in hand. While that’s still the case for many, there are now more options than ever to customize your gaming environment.
This article includes contributions from both O’Dell Harmon Jr. and Kristen Zitani
Download the image
FlexStrike wireless fight stick
Fighting game hopefuls and fanatics can rejoice, as FlexStrike is primed to be a premier fighting stick that is both beginner-friendly and tournament-ready for all skill levels. First and foremost, it can be used both wired and wirelessly, with the wireless option leveraging PlayStation Link to deliver ultra-low latency as fast as 4 milliseconds from the controller to the included PS Link adapter*.
Comfort and customization
Understanding that players have different ways of sitting and resting their wrists, the stick is designed to be played both in your lap and on a table. The bottom is covered in a non-slip material that also grips to prevent sliding. FlexStrike stayed cool while on my lap and didn’t slide around as I tested various movements and sudden body shifts. The stick is also shorter than average and the face buttons rest on a slightly angled surface, reducing fatigue and increasing comfort and ergonomics. It performed just as well on the tabletop.
Download the image
The feature I was most excited about was the toolless swappable restrictor gates for the custom-designed digital stick, which let you easily switch between square, circular, and octagonal gates. The back cover is magnetic and can be popped off, so you can switch between the gates within seconds. I grew up playing charge characters in Street Fighter, so square gates are my natural calling, but when switching to the octagonal gates I could feel each distinct corner, and I could make smooth circle motions with the circular gate.
Download the image
Tools of the trade
FlexStrike comes with a sling carry case that can be worn crossbody or on the back.The inside of the case features special sections to keep the digital stick safe and secure, along with pouches for cables and any other tools you might need. You don’t have to worry about things moving around or going out and buying any extra equipment to keep it in top condition.
The FlexStrike wireless fight stick releases on August 6, 2026 for $199.99 USD (sling carry case included) with pre-orders starting on June 12, 2026.
Download the image
Pulse Elevate wireless speakers
Audiophiles will have a new way to immerse themselves into sonic gaming soundscapes with PlayStation’s first pair of wireless stereo speakers. I had the chance to turn up the volume in person to test out its sleek but powerful features with my own ears.
Planar magnetic drivers
Like Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore before it, the studio-inspired speakers are powered by planar magnetic drivers that help reproduce sound with near perfect accuracy along the entire audible spectrum. Paired with ultra-low latency and lossless PlayStation Link technology, these wireless speakers can provide lifelike audio in a portable form factor.
Download the image
In a hands-on run through of the dangerous biomes in Saros, that translated to a crisp-yet-rich mix of gameplay sound and adrenaline-pumping music. Audio cues from spawning enemies thanks to the Tempest 3D AudioTech immersed me in Arjun’s world, allowing me to weave through combat with lethal precision. The range of tones makes it easy to sink into the soundtrack’s thrumming bassline while still staying alert to incoming threats, and the ultra-low latency via PlayStation Link delivered sounds as they happened.
Tailored soundspace
Beyond the robust tech inside, the look and feel of the speakers were right at home both beside a monitor while playing on PS5 and and stationed off their dock around the room. The built-in rechargeable battery allows for 12 hours of play, and each speaker can be tilted to your preferred angle. As someone who often works from home, I imagined all the ways I could move them across my apartment throughout the day: taking a call or listening to music while working on my laptop, then seamlessly switching to playing on PS5 after work.
Download the image
Built-in mic with AI-enhanced noise rejection
Similar to Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headphones, the Pulse Elevate speakers can utilize PlayStation Link simultaneously with another Bluetooth audio connection, meaning I can take a phone call while gaming without any latency or interruption. But they also have a headphone-style noise-filtering feature that blew me away.
In a demonstration on a laptop, we made a call speaking at a normal volume while music loudly flowed through the Pulse Elevate speakers. When a recording of the call played back, all we heard was the clear speaking voice. The built-in mic had cut through the noise without having to pause music or change the volume at all. A seamless experience end to end.
The Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are set to launch later this year – stay tuned for more details on PlayStation Blog.
Download the image
PlayStation’s 27” Gaming Monitor with a DualSense Charging Hook
While we moved the Pulse Elevate speakers all around our hands-on demo space, when playing on PS5 we kept them docked alongside PlayStation’s new gaming monitor. Coming to the US and Japan, the monitor opens up a world of play outside just the living room and packs a powerful punch.
Impressive visual details
The gaming monitor offers a Quad High Definition (QHD) IPS display up to 2560 x 1440 resolution,** and High Dynamic Range support that can automatically adjust HDR settings during setup on PS5 and PS5 Pro. What that meant for our demo playing Saros was the vivid and colorful world of Carcosa coming into focus, with crisp picture quality whether opening menus or activating dangerous environments of the in-game eclipse. The monitor also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and refresh rates of up to 120 Hz on PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles and 240Hz on compatible PC devices for a smooth gameplay experience.
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Desktop ready
With personal playing spaces in mind, the 27-inch screen is easy to imagine in my at-home office set up. Combined with the Pulse Elevate speakers and the built-in DualSense Charging Hook that let me rest a DualSense or DualSense Edge controller below the screen, I could see my future desktop gaming setup coming to life.
PlayStation’s 27” Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging Hook launches starting August 27, 2026 for $349.99 USD with pre-orders starting on June 5, 2026.
*PC compatibility for FlexStrike wireless fight stick will roll out following launch, with availability expanding to more users over time.
**Features available with compatible devices and supported games, sold separately.
FlexStrike wireless fight stick, 27’’ Gaming Monitor launching in August, followed by Pulse Elevate wireless speakers later this year https://ift.tt/6uEl85q
Last year, we provided a first look at a number of upcoming new gaming accessories coming to the PS5 console and PC. This includes our first wireless fight stick, FlexStrike, our 27” Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging Hook, which will be available in the U.S. and Japan, and our first wireless desktop speakers, Pulse Elevate. Today, we’re pleased to share some new updates on these products.
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FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick launches globally starting August 6, 2026
FlexStrike wireless fight stick will launch starting on August 6, 2026just in time for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. It’s built for PS5 and PC* and is designed with competitive play and portability in mind. With an included sling carry case and a built-in rechargeable battery, it’s easy to bring your fight stick to a tournament, meetup, or a friend’s place to jump right into the action.
Download the image
FlexStrike wireless fight stick will be available for pre-order starting June 12, 2026 for a recommended retail price (RRP) of $199.99 USD | €199.99 EURO | £179.99 GBP | ¥34,980 JPY (including tax). Pre-orders will be available at direct.playstation.com (where available) and at participating retailers.
27” Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging Hook, launches in the U.S. and Japan starting August 27, 2026
We’ve continued to see more players playing games outside of the living room – especially in personal spaces and on desktop gaming setups. The 27’’ Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging Hook is built for players who want a high-quality display experience beyond the living room TV. It features a 27-inch QHD IPS display (2560×1440) with VRR, supporting up to 120Hz on PS5 and PS5 Pro, and up to 240Hz on a compatible PC or Mac.
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Starting June 5, 2026, the 27’’ Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging Hook will be available for pre-order through direct.playstation.com and Best Buy in the U.S., along with participating retailers in Japan, for an RRP of $349.99 USD | ¥49,980 JPY (including tax).
Pulse Elevate Wireless Speakers, coming later this year
Pulse Elevate wireless speakers share many of the notable innovations featured in our Pulse Explore and Pulse Elite headsets – expanding our efforts to make the gameplay experience more immersive through enhanced sound. These wireless speakers will launch later this year and will pair perfectly with the 27” Gaming Monitor, creating a rich experience beyond the living room for players. We’ll have more information to share soon, including the suggested retail price and when pre-order begins. Be sure to check back for updates on the Pulse Elevate wireless speakers.
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We’re excited to bring the FlexStrike wireless fight stick, 27” Gaming Monitor, and Pulse Elevate wireless speakers to players, and to continue providing more choices in how and where they play. As always, thank you for being part of the community, and we look forward to continuing to come up with new ways to enhance your PS5 experience.
Starting June 12 at 10:00am ET in the U.S., and 10am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, players will be able to pre-order the FlexStrike wireless fight stick through direct.playstation.com in limited quantities.
Starting June 5 at 10:00am ET in the U.S., players will be able to pre-order the 27’’ Gaming Monitor with DualSense Charging hook through direct.playstation.com in limited quantities.
When ordering directly from PlayStation, enjoy free launch day delivery for eligible pre-orders. Visit direct.playstation.com for more details.
* PC compatibility for FlexStrike wireless fight stick will roll out following launch, with availability expanding to more users over time.
EA Sports F1 25: Enhanced PSSR available alongside 2026 Season Pack https://ift.tt/OJf1iBa
Find out how enhanced PSSR is powering the Ultimate Racing Experience in EA Sports F1 25: 2026 Season Pack, as Codemasters Technical Producer Si Lumb unpacks how the team has implemented the new system and the benefits to the on-track action.
Has special work gone into creating this PS5 Pro version, or is this a fairly straightforward implementation? Also, has the game been cleared to include a “PS5 Pro Enhanced” badge on PS Store? F1 25 launched with a PS5 Pro Enhanced badge, building on the team’s launch day support of PS5 Pro in the previous game, F1 24. We are delighted to continue to support PSSR in the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack update and bring the latest version to our players. The team at Sony made upgrading our title to use enhanced PSSR incredibly simple and including it at launch was an easy decision.
Does the PS5 Pro version notably increase the game’s resolution or use PSSR?
At Codemasters we pride ourselves on delivering locked 60fps gameplay in our exclusive ray tracing enhanced Quality mode, the introduction of PSSR gives us more performance and a higher quality image. Players should notice a sharper image when booting F1 25 at the launch of the 2026 Season Pack.
Does the PS5 Pro version increase framerate, or add new rendering modes that address framerate? The PS5 Pro benefits from Quality mode: our ray tracing enhanced presentation with enhanced PSSR, that is the best you can get on console hardware. Our performance mode delivers 120Hz gameplay for compatible screens, and our spectacular 8K “resolution” mode is there for those with the high-resolution televisions to enjoy it.
Does the PS5 Pro version improve ray tracing or enhance ray tracing features such as global illumination? We feature Ray Traced reflections, dynamic diffuse global illumination, and ray traced global illumination in our PS5 Pro quality mode.
Are there any other areas where PS5 Pro stands out from other versions of the game? All these enhancements come together in spectacular fashion in the 2026 Season Pack, particularly with the new Madring circuit, the first track built from the ground up with all these new features in mind. This crazy new high-speed street circuit is the perfect location to experience enhanced PSSR and all our Ray Tracing features at their very best.
What is included in the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack?
The F1 25: 2026 Season Pack introduces the full 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship experience to EA Sports F1 25, featuring updated rules and regulations, new teams Audi and Cadillac, refreshed driver line-ups, and the brand-new Madring circuit.
Players will experience a new era of F1 gameplay with active aerodynamics and the new Overtake mode, delivering more tactical and action-packed racing. The pack also expands Career and My Team, allowing players to forge their racing legacy or become the 12th team on the grid with fully customizable team management.
If I don’t own F1 25, how can I play the DLC?
The F1 25: 2026 Season Edition is the game for you. Not only does this include all of the 2026 Season Pack content, but you will also get F1 25 featuring a revamped My Team mode, the thrilling third chapter of Braking Point and more.
When does it launch?
The F1 25: 2026 Season Pack and F1 25: 2026 Season Edition launch worldwide on June 3, 2026 on PlayStation 5!
