The Nintendo Switch 2 is just a week away from launch, and excitement for the new console has gamers around the world anxious and excited. While most of the general specs for the new Nintendo device have been revealed, players haven’t had a chance to try it out in person. However, Best Buy is about to solve this problem.

Despite its age, the Nintendo Switch and its offshoots, the OLED and the Lite, have remained a staple for gamers for nearly a decade. Because of this, many are ready to give up the $450 required to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 when it drops on June 5, 2025.

However, the price tag and fears that the console won’t deliver a product worth such a cost have left many anxious to jump in with both feet. This has been especially challenging thanks to a lack of hands-on testing prior to release. Luckily, Best Buy is looking to change that by hosting GameTruck demos around the US.

Switch 2 Comes to Best Guy GameTruck

Newly listed on Best Buy’s website, the retailer plans to set up demo testing stations in the parking lots of stores via the GameTruck program. Kicking off on June 7, 2025, Best Buy states, “Here is your chance to experience the Nintendo Switch 2 system. Best Buy parking lots will be hosting GameTruck theaters on Saturdays throughout the summer. During these events, participating Best Buy stores may have limited Nintendo Switch 2 inventory for purchase. Check back throughout the summer to find a Best Buy store near you.”

This is the perfect opportunity for Nintendo gamers to try the Nintendo Switch 2 before purchasing it, to make sure the second-gen console is the right fit for their playstyle and personal needs. Below are the dates and locations for the GameTruck demos.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

• #107 Torrance, California
• #1411 Kissimmee, Florida
• #501 Kennesaw, Georgia
• #454 Westbury, New York
• #180 Frisco, Texas

Saturday, June 14, 2025

• #872 Downey, California
• #106 Palmdale, California
• #129 Roseville, California
• #1790 Saint Johns, Florida
• #305 Schaumburg, Illinois
• #325 South Bend, Indiana
• #1886 Gateway Brooklyn, New York
• #589 NE Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• #169 Knoxville, Tennessee
• #57 Arlington, Texas
• #178 Cedar Park, Texas

Saturday, June 21, 2025

• #253 Camelback, Arizona
• #179 Culver City, California
• #184 El Cajon, California
• #141 Modesto, California
• #424 Gainesville, Florida
• #311 Burbank, Illinois
• #230 Greenwood, Indiana
• #472 Union, New Jersey
• #453 Salem, Oregon
• #269 Springfield, Virginia

Unfortunately, there is a lack of GameTruck demos in the Pacific Northwest, so those living in the area may want to plan for a trip to California if they want a chance to look at the device in person before buying.

Related: Nintendo Switch Missing Feature Reportedly Coming With Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a slew of updates, including a better cooling system, larger screen, higher resolution, and updated graphical performance, among other changes. These updates are the key to getting games like Elden Ring and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on the portable system.

With so many titles already announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, there will be plenty to jump in and play on launch day. From free ports of existing games to titles announced with specific Switch 2 optimization, the library is already growing. With the hands-on demos, hopefully, players will learn everything they need to know before grabbing one from the shelves.

[H/T Nintendo Everything]

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The Nintendo Switch App has received an update ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, finally adding features that should have been available from the start. With this new update, players can finally upload photos and videos from the Nintendo Switch 2 directly to the app. In addition to this, the Nintendo Switch App has many other new features added for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The new update allows players to upload photos and videos directly from the Nintendo Switch 2 to the mobile app. This is leagues better than the previous system which either required players to use email or a social media app. The new system should make it easier to get photos and videos off players’ consoles and onto other devices.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch Console Update Released, Here’s What Changed

The Nintendo Switch App update also adds new notification features. Players will now be notified of the Game Chat feature when receiving an invite to the Nintendo Switch 2. Notifications also alert players to new friend requests and when friends are online. Players can also add friends by inputting their respective Friend Code.

New features will likely be added for upcoming and previous games. The Zelda Notes function allows players to take notes for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Zelda Notes adds new navigational features, uploading and receiving designs, and even depositing items.

It is hard to imagine more features like Zelda Notes won’t be available on the Nintendo Switch App in the future. Mario Kart World’s open world and its various missions seem like an easy way to integrate the app into the game. That said, those who do not use the Nintendo Switch App will not miss out on anything if they only play Nintendo’s games on the Nintendo Switch 2.

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A Nintendo DS game — which was also available on the Game Boy Advance — is returning with a new release on modern consoles and PC 19 years later. More specifically, with a new release on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Right now, there is no word of it coming to Nintendo Switch 2 though. And right now, there is also no word of a release date, but the Steam page notes it will be out in 2025.

The game in question is Scurge: Hive from developer Orbital Media and publisher SouthPeak Interactive. That said, the new release — which is just a port of the original game — is being handled by neither of these companies, but Ratalaika Games.

For those unfamiliar with the original 2006 game, it is an action-adventure game that garnered Metacritic scores in the 70s when it released. And after its release, nothing ever happened with it. It never got a follow up nor did it receive any ports. To this end, this will be the first time the game is available on anything but Nintendo consoles.

“Take on the role of acclaimed bounty hunter Jenosa Armaon a shocking and dangerous mission,” reads an official description of the game for those unfamiliar with it. Our heroine has been contracted by the Military to recover a top-secret science laboratory on an obscure distant planet. To her surprise, the cause of the disaster is a notorious virus known as ‘Scurge,’ which has the ability to enslave all things to its destructive will. Powered by bio-protective armor, Jenosa is able to resist but not destroy ‘Scurge.’ She must use her agility, her weapons, and her wits to contain and ultimately defeat the cruel virus before it spreads.”

RELATED: Nintendo Switch AAA Game on Sale for Just $5.99

It is unclear why this game of all games from this generation is being brought forward as it wasn’t very popular when it released, and it is hard to imagine a straight port of the game 19 years having much demand. That said, it is certainly a treat for those who played this nearly two decades ago, whether on DS or Game Boy Advance.

For more coverage on all things Nintendo — including all of the latest Nintendo news, all of the latest Nintendo rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo deals — click here.

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Super Smash Bros. has always featured an all-star cast of Nintendo’s characters, but third-party characters have only been added since Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These have been expanded in each iteration of the series, but there are still plenty of third-party characters that can be added. Super Smash Bros. is a celebration of gaming history, and not just any character can be selected for this honor. Characters that have made advancements to the industry, showcase popular eras of gaming, or have proved they are worthy are ones that should be considered.

We have selected eight third-party characters that are perfect for Super Smash Bros. Many of these have been fan requests for a long time, while others are recent suggestions. Here are the third-party characters Nintendo needs to bring to Super Smash Bros. in the future.

Astro Bot

Given Astro Bot’s success, it makes sense to include Sony’s new mascot. After claiming numerous awards, including Game of the Year 2024, things are looking up for the adorable bot, and Super Smash Bros. is the perfect next step. The Super Smash Bros. series is a celebration of gaming history and Astro Bot matches its aesthetic perfectly. Not only that, but Astro Bot’s cheer is adorable and infectious. Nintendo could easily incorporate his facial expressions, songs, and dancing into his kit. Astro Bot could be a light and fast character, or more balanced like Mario.

Astro Bot’s move set would use many of his in-game moves and abilities. His smash attacks and specials could easily use the different power-ups from the game. Astro Bot’s recovery could either be his Chicken Rocket or Octoballoon, offering a speedy or slow up-special. The Bulldog Backpack makes sense to be a side-special and blast Astro Bot forward to strike opponents. The Iron Ball or Elephant could be his down-special, either creating platforms and traps similar to Steve. Nintendo has a lot of flexibility when designing Astro Bot while honoring its games.

Kratos

Kratos is easily one of the most recognizable characters in gaming. Adding God of War to Super Smash Bros. would further bring Sony into the iconic series, and Kratos is a perfect fit. His gameplay would translate well to a hard-hitting, heavy character that still has speed. Kratos could switch between slow and brutal attacks with the Leviathan Axe to fast, devastating strikes with the Blades of Chaos. This would allow players to swap move sets to better suit their situation, depending on whether they are in neutral, advantage, or disadvantage.

Nintendo could use any of Kratos’ Runic Attacks to form his kit. With two different weapons to choose from, Kratos could essentially play as two different characters. Down-special makes the most sense to swap between the two weapons, similar to how Zelda could transform into Sheik in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Runic Attacks could be strong, but have a cooldown to match how they work in the game. His Final Smash would be entering Spartan Rage, becoming faster, dealing more damage, and having no knockback.

Dante

Dante has seen a huge boost in popularity, and it’s surprising the half-demon hasn’t been added to the game yet. With Bayonetta’s addition in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, another hack-and-slash character would not be out of place. Nintendo could use a similar combo system for Dante to show his roots and honor his stylish fighting style. His move set could be pulled from a combination of the many Devil May Cry games.

Dante is known for using guns and swords and this would allow him to fight at range and close quarters in Super Smash Bros. Ebony and Ivory would let him shoot at opponents while they are far away, but could also be added to his melee moves for chip damage, similar to how Bayonetta shoots foes while striking them. However, Rebellion would be Dante’s primary melee weapon and give him range even up close. Dante should be a fast character, able to dart in and out of striking distance.

Master Chief

Master Chief has been one of the most requested characters in Super Smash Bros., and it is surprising he hasn’t been added. With Microsoft being more friendly with Nintendo, the next Super Smash Bros. game seems poised to add the Spartan. Master Chief should play like a mix of Samus and Fox, being able to fire various projectiles, possibly even switching weapons, and using his armor’s speed and strength to finish off opponents. Halo Infinite’s inclusion of the grappling hook gives Master Chief the easy addition of a tether recovery.

When designing Master Chief’s specials and smash attacks, he could swap out different weapons. His standard special attack could be the classic Assault Rifle, while a forward smash could see him equip a Covenant Energy Sword. Master Chief is also skilled at hand-to-hand combat, so he doesn’t even need a weapon to deliver powerful blows. A Final Smash could be calling in air support to bomb the stage, or, maybe, a Covenant ship shows up and glasses the stage instead.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Solaire from Dark Souls is likely the more popular pick, but Malenia would be an excellent addition to Super Smash Bros. Elden Ring is the more recent game, and Malenia’s design is both iconic and incredible. Plus, it would not only add another woman to the game but bring even more villains to the series as well. Most of her moveset could be lifted from Elden Ring, though Nintendo would likely have to make some adjustments to keep her from being OP.

Malenia’s phase one should be where most of her moves are drawn from, but her Final Smash could see her swap to phase two, and her moves change accordingly. Her normal attacks could incorporate various kicks and sword swings, but her specials could use her iconic moves. Waterfowl Dance is a must and it could work similarly to Sephiroth’s recovery by dashing forward and performing multiple rapid strikes. Malenia could also have an ability that lets her inflict opponents with Scarlet Rot, dealing damage over time.

2B

2B may be a controversial addition to Super Smash Bros., but Bayonetta proves there is a possibility. Nintendo has censored other characters’ costumes in the past, as seen with Pyra and Mythra, and would likely do the same with Nier Automata’s android. That said, 2B would fit right in beside the other sword users in the series and she could have unique mechanics that fit with Nier Automata’s combat. Her moveset could also honor how she plays in the game by drawing direct inspiration from her attacks.

2B could have attacks that launch the opponent into the air and combo easily with one another. This could lead to different strings and flashy combos as seen in Nier Automata. Nintendo could easily include additional costumes that change her appearance to A2, 9S, and other androids from the series. She could play like a faster version of Sora without the different magic spells and floatiness.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is considered one of the best indie games of all time and was notably absent in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, especially seeing Shovel Knight, another indie legend, included. With Hollow Knight: Silksong on the horizon (hopefully), adding a character from the game would be perfect timing. Nintendo could opt to use the Knight from the first game or go with Hornet to line up her addition with Silksong’s release. A wild choice would be to choose another character, like Quirrel, but these two make the most sense.

Regardless of which character is chosen, Nintendo could simply take their moves from Hollow Knight and translate them to Super Smash Bros. The Knight is more fleshed out with spells and unlockable powers, but Hornet could pull from her boss moves. That said, Team Cherry could share Hornet’s kit from the upcoming Silksong and Nintendo could use this when designing her character. Adding Hollow Knight to Super Smash Bros. would honor the indie community and bring a beloved series into the fold.

Stardew Valley

This may be a weird choice, but no one can doubt Stardew Valley’s impact on gaming. It brought farm simulators back into mainstream appeal, and so many others have taken inspiration from it. When choosing a character, it would make sense to either have a playable avatar with different designs, similar to how the Villager is in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or Nintendo could add the residents as alternative costumes for the fan-favorite characters. This could include characters like Sebastian, Leah, Elliot, Abigail, Harvey, Penny, Shane, and Emily.

The Stardew Valley Farmer’s move set would be similar to Villagers but pull inspiration from the game. The Farmer would have access to a sword, pickaxe, axe, hoe, and watering can. These would be used to form many of its attacks. A move similar to Peach’s turnip pull would pull out different fruits and vegetables with different effects, possibly even a geode that would be more powerful. The Farmer from Stardew Valley would be an interesting choice, but a great way to honor one of the best indie games released.

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A brand new Nintendo Switch 2 leak has fans upset. Nintendo is one of the most beloved companies out there in the gaming industry, but they have had their fair share of criticism over the years. The Wii U was a big fumble for Nintendo following the massive success of the Wii, something that really hurt the company despite the fact the console had some great games. The hardware itself just wasn’t well-marketed or in high demand by comparison. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch was a big saving grace for the company that changed everything forever. Now, Nintendo is doubling down with its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s a beefed up, more powerful version of its predecessor with great games to boot.

Although the console looks great and the games look fun, Nintendo has been criticized for making Nintendo Switch 2 games so expensive. Although some will still be $60 – $70, others will be priced at $80. It’s a huge uptick from the standard $60 pricing of the last Nintendo console and one that has made some weary of buying the console. Still, it’s going to be a huge release, but some fans are already upset with the console despite it not even being out.

Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles Leak, But They Don’t Work

It would appear that some Nintendo Switch 2 units have slipped through the cracks in the week leading up to launch, but Nintendo isn’t just gonna let those people play it. Unfortunately, if you somehow come into possession of a Nintendo Switch 2 before next week, it’s basically a brick. The console requires an update to be used at all and that update isn’t available yet. According to Wario64, someone with a Nintendo Switch 2 told him that they tried to boot a Switch 1 game on Switch 2, but were prompted with the following message: “Please connect to the internet and update your system.”

Naturally, gamers aren’t happy. Although this may be some sort of security measure to prevent leaks, some fear what this means for preservation and those without internet. Is the Nintendo Switch 2 virtually useless if you don’t connect it to the internet at least once? It seems like it might be, at least with this launch version of the console. Of course, it’s a portable console, so you could take it anywhere with an internet connection to update it, but fans still aren’t happy.

All of this news comes after confirmation that not every Nintendo Switch game will have a proper physical version. Instead of just offering one-time download codes like before, Nintendo has created game keys, which are sort of a digital license for the game on a small cartridge. However, they still require an internet connection to download, unlike a regular Switch 2 cartridge which just plays the game as normal. Part of the reason for this comes down to the cost of manufacturing larger cartridges, but fans are still frustrated. Some games like Cyberpunk 2077 have made an effort to have the entire game on its cartridge, however, which is a big win for physical media fans. Some have also raised concerns if the Nintendo servers will be able to handle everyone trying to update their consoles at the same time, for instance.

What do you think of the Nintendo Switch 2 being unplayable without an update? Let me know in the comments.

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Electronic Arts has never been the best when it comes to supporting Nintendo systems. This has been true for decades, though the situation started to improve on Switch. With a new system around the corner, it seems EA and its subsidiaries are looking to bring a lot more games to Nintendo Switch 2. Split Fiction will be available on the system on day one, and both EA Sports FC and Madden NFL have been announced for release as well. However, it seems there might be even more to look forward to. In an interview with Traxion (via Nintendo Life), F1 25 creative director Gavin Cooper addressed the possibility of the racing series making its way to Switch 2.

“We need some smart people to look at it and see what the console can actually do and whether it’s actually a good fit for the kind of experience that F1 is,” Cooper told Traxion. “We’ll certainly be having those conversations internally, but there’s nothing we can talk about at this point.”

This doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll be seeing F1 25 on the system in the immediate future; for the time being, the game is only confirmed to arrive on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. That said, Codemasters sounds open to the possibility, and that’s worth noting. The developer released just one game on Switch during the system’s lifespan, and that was a port of Grid Autosport all the way back in 2019. We’ll have to wait and see if anything actually comes of this, but that openness does show just how much EA’s overall approach to Nintendo has shifted.

Beyond the F1 series, there are a lot of EA games that would make sense on Switch 2. The NHL series in particular would be a nice fit, given how few hockey games have been released on Switch over the last eight years. Fans of the sport have been forced to make do with the (very fun) Super Blood Hockey, but there hasn’t been a game that actually features the NHL license. EA’s Star Wars Jedi games would make a lot of sense on the system, and have been frequently rumored for Switch 2. The Sims franchise would also make sense based on Switch 2’s new Joy-Con mouse controls.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Report Offers New Hope for Physical Games on the System

Hopefully EA will have a lot more Switch 2 announcements to come. The system is set to be released next week, and rumors suggest that we could be getting a Nintendo Direct presentation around that same time. If that is the case, we can probably expect some announcements from third-party publishers, in addition to Nintendo. EA could have some new games to show off, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see how things play out.

Are you happy to see EA putting more support behind Switch 2? Which of the publisher’s games would you like to see on the system? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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A PS4 console exclusive could be shedding its exclusivity and be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 six years after its release, or at least that is what the new speculation is. The Nintendo Switch 2 release date — June 5 — is right around the corner. Looking at the Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup, and what’s been announced for it already, it is safe to assume there will be many ports of games already out that never came to the Nintendo Switch. That said, what nobody is expecting is a PS4 console exclusive from 2019 to come to the console.

Back in 2019, developer Ys Net and publisher Deep Silver released Shenmue 3 for the PC and PS4 only. And these are the only platforms it is available on six years later, making it a PS4 console exclusive. At this point you would not expect it to shed its console exclusivity, but that may be what it is doing and it actually wouldn’t be that surprising when you consider the publishing rights where transferred to ININ Games back in 2024, who presumably wants to do something with the game, unlike Deep Silver.

To this end, ININ Games was recently asked by a Shenmue fan when the game is hitting the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox consoles. Responding to this, an official social media account for ININ Games responded “I will let you know.”

Obviously, this response makes no commitment nor is it even a tease. However, if there was no plan for this then presumably there would be no response from ININ Games or it would be clearly communicated. The “I will let you know” response is fairly nebulous, and not only leaves the door open for the possibility, but invites speculation and even anticipation.

Meanwhile, there is also important context to consider. When ININ Games acquired the rights for Shenmue — which itself suggests intent because it is certainly not selling many copies on PC and PS4 anymore — it noted it would “shepherd Shenmue 3 into its next phase.” In other words, it seemingly teased plans to do something with the game, and what more could it do than port it to other platforms?

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Fans Divided Over Controversial Feature: “This Keeps Getting Worse”

Right now, we don’t have anything concrete, but take this new response and combine it with the historical context, and the dots start to connect and suggest Shenmue 3 is coming to other platforms, including probably Nintendo Switch 2.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is less than a month away, and while this new hardware won’t immediately replace the Nintendo Switch in individual households, it’s likely to have a high adoption rate as the first new console from Nintendo since 2017. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a large boost in both fidelity and performance, toting 60 fps and 4K resolution. However, the original Nintendo Switch still has charm and plenty of games to play through in the backlog.

The Nintendo Switch has had a long lifespan and is now over eight years old. While PlayStation and Xbox players have battled over the premium gaming platform, Nintendo has comfortably led as the market leader for family-friendly console gaming, being the only space to officially play Nintendo games, and a great environment for remastered titles that can be experienced on the go. Nintendo has capitalized on the nostalgia factor with the remaster of some of its oldest games, while other publishers have taken notice and have brought over some of its own remasters to the Nintendo Switch.

With that said, is a list of five remastered games on the Nintendo Switch that you should be playing, perhaps before diving into the next-gen content on Nintendo Switch 2.

1) Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Three for the price of one is a pretty solid deal when it comes to Nintendo’s remastering business model, especially given all of these titles belong to the AAA class of Mario. Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy each had their moment in the sun during their release across each generation of Nintendo consoles from the N64, GameCube, to the Nintendo Wii.

The nostalgic factor is driven to the max with all three of these games. Super Mario 64 was the first of its kind for 3D Mario adventures, with the ability to travel from world to world through paintings. The subsequent 3D adventures were built on that original core loop but included new mechanics like the F.L.U.D.D. water system or new environments, such as Mario in outer space. Getting to a point of full appreciation for Super Mario Odyssey, the game mechanics and story, realistically starts with a journey through these separate games, which were masterfully wrapped into one package for Nintendo Switch owners.

The only downside is that Super Mario 3D All-Stars is no longer sold digitally or physically by Nintendo, which means the only way to pick it up is secondhand.

2) Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection

Assassin’s Creed II is a reminder of how great nostalgic gaming experiences can be. Assassin’s Creed II offered up a rich narrative and gameplay centered around Ezio Auditore da Firenze. This second installment of Assassin’s Creed honored the roots of the original Assassin’s Creed, but created more unique side-quests and activities that felt less redundant, and at a scale that avoided having too many wasteful quests.

On the Nintendo Switch, it acts like a time capsule of gaming to relive those glory moments not only from AC2, but also Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed Revelations. The spark of what made Assassin’s Creed such a successful franchise is realistically rooted in these games. Mixed in with the ability to play it on the go, it’s an easy win to cozy up on the couch and relive those moments.

3) Metroid Prime

Knowing that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is on the horizon in 2025 is a friendly reminder that the original Metroid Prime was remastered for the Nintendo Switch and is either a great way to refresh on the Prime series, or a great means towards getting acquainted with it for the first time.

Metroid Prime is the first 3D Metroid game that still follows the tried and true style of a Metroidvania game, with non-linear exploration and the need to acquire key items to unlock new areas for exploration. Metroid Prime debuted during the GameCube era, but the refresh on graphics feels like it was natively built for the Nintendo Switch, and the gameplay aged gracefully to remain relevant for modern gaming audiences.

4) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

If there has ever been a game that has been remastered, then it is certainly The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. However, the game has been remastered so many times for modern audiences for a reason – it’s an exceptional game. The lore and narrative are rich, the gameplay mechanics allow full customization of your character and their skill-set, and the intro scene is one of the most meme’d and iconic in the history of gaming.

So, when you can play it on a host of consoles, why the Nintendo Switch? The simple answer is it’s a great game to play on the go. In handheld mode or docked, you’ll be able to play one of the best Elder Scrolls games continuously. Given that the game is easily over 200+ hours of game time, handheld mode is perfect for continuing to play the game while keeping up on Netflix in the background. Depending on the amiibo you might have, there is also exclusive Zelda: Breath of the Wild gear that can be unlocked.

5) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

If you are looking for a remastered/remade masterpiece that should have gotten more attention, then look no further than The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. This title was originally released in 1993 for the Nintendo Game Boy. And quite realistically, the game was rebuilt from the ground up with a major graphics overhaul to the most charming and beautiful visuals.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is nothing short of a modern interpretation of a classic title. The gameplay and story follow closely to the original release and are similar to other top-down styles of Zelda games. However, the claymation-esque graphics make Link’s Awakening a wholesome and refreshing modernization of the top-down style that keeps this type of Zelda game relevant for modern audiences, in contrast to perhaps the more popular open-world RPG Zelda games. Realistically, all top-down Zelda games from prior generations would benefit from similar love and graphical updates.

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Nintendo fans already have a lot to look forward to over the next few weeks, and it seems like there’s going to be even more to celebrate. If rumors are to be believed, a new Nintendo Direct will be happening in the very near future. According to Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe (via the Famiboards), better known as the leaker PH Brazil, a Nintendo Direct will take place either during the week of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, or the week after. Unfortunately, the leaker did not offer any details about what will be shown. However, we probably have some idea what to expect, based on what we already know.

During last month’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, several games were revealed for release this year. Of the first-party games shown, only Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and Donkey Kong Bananza were given firm release dates. That leaves Drag x Drive, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment all without set dates, even as most (or all) should be arriving sometime this year. A Direct presentation around or after the Switch 2 launch would give Nintendo a chance to show more attention to the games releasing later this year, and potentially announce more.

As with any leak, readers are advised to take this with a grain of salt, pending an official announcement. That said, there’s additional reason to suspect that we’ll be getting a Nintendo Direct in June. Following the collapse of E3, the video game industry as a whole has embraced June as a month to shore up plans for the second half of the year, and tease things to come in the months beyond. Nintendo is no exception, and has used the month of June to announce big plans. Last year’s June Direct saw the surprise announcements of Mario & Luigi: Brothership and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, a pair of games that were released just a few months later.

Given Nintendo’s current lineup, it’s hard to imagine getting any surprises for 2025 in terms of first-party releases; assuming a monthly release schedule for the games announced thus far, the year is looking pretty dense. That doesn’t mean we won’t see anything announced by third-parties though, and it’s possible we could get hints about next year. At the moment, we don’t really know what to expect in 2026. With a new Mario movie set to be released next April, it’s possible Nintendo will look to capitalize with a new 3D Mario game, or a follow-up to Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Some announcements for the current Switch are also possible, including more remasters of older games. Recent trademark filings might have revealed some plans for just that.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Report Offers New Hope for Physical Games on the System

Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5th, so if there really is going to be a Direct that week, we should hear about it very soon. Even if it doesn’t happen until further into the month, Nintendo fans shouldn’t have any shortage of stuff to enjoy with the new console launch finally happening. It’s been a long time since a new Nintendo system was released, and there seems to be a lot of excitement surrounding this one.

Are you looking forward to the next Nintendo Direct? What are you hoping to see announced during the show? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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When Nintendo Switch 2 launches next month, the system’s early library will boast several third-party games, including titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Sonic x Shadow Generations, and Street Fighter 6. In most of these cases, publishers are utilizing “Game-Key Cards,” which are cartridges that do not include the game on them, and instead act as a download key that allows the game to be played on the system. Nintendo fans have already shown contempt for these releases, and there’s a lot of concern that the system won’t see many true physical games from third-party publishers.

Thankfully, there does seem to be some hope for physical game collectors. In a new interview with Nintendo Life, Limited Run Games founder Josh Fairhurst has said that the company has “no plans to support the Game-Key Card format on titles where we are the manufacturer and publisher.” Basically, the company is going to continue focusing on physical releases as it always has. That won’t be the case in situations where LRG is handling just the collector’s edition of a game, such as the upcoming Raidou Remastered. Since LRG is basically buying those standard editions from partners and distributors, they won’t have any involvement in the decision making process about physical editions.

Interestingly, Fairhurst suggested that Limited Run Games could end up offering “true” physical releases for games that are only getting Game-Key Card versions. This is actually something that the company was trying to do with games that had digital codes in the box in the Switch era, but the LRG founder says that it’s been “a surprisingly difficult pitch.” So far, publishers have shared concerns that it could end up having a negative impact on “pre-existing retail stock,” which is why it hasn’t happened yet. However, Fairhurst says that he’s “sure some partners will bite.” Who those partners will be remains to be seen, but it’s worth noting that LRG seems to have a close working relationship with Sega.

It will be interesting to see what comes of all this. The Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 has seen a lot of interest ahead of launch, based largely on the fact that CD Projekt Red is releasing the full game and DLC on the cartridge. If the game ends up outselling many other third-party games on Switch 2, it could show publishers that there’s a clear interest in genuine physical games being made available on the platform. It’s worth noting that Nintendo’s own physical games will not utilize Game-Key Cards, including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

RELATED: Newly Revealed Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers Include a Highly Demanded Feature

The future of physical game releases has been a hot topic of conversation for several years now. The fact of the matter is that both physical and digital games have their benefits. However, the key appeal of physical games for collectors is that cartridges and discs can be played into the future. There’s a very large market for retro games right now precisely because those games can still be played decades after their original release. Whether or not we’ll be able to say the same about today’s games remains to be seen.

Do you care about physical game releases? Are you more likely to buy “true” physical releases versus those on Game-Key Cards? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Nintendo fans and future Nintendo Switch 2 owners are divided over a newly confirmed and already contentious feature. The big talking points since the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal has been its price increase compared to the Nintendo Switch and the fact that Nintendo will be charging $80 for some of its Nintendo Switch 2 games. Combine this with pre-release hype and all the game reveals, and you get a storm of news and anticipation that drowns out many of the finer details about the console. However, one smaller detail has risen above the noise and has been garnering attention, and that is because it has angered many Nintendo fans.

More specifically, Nintendo has revealed that those hoping to use the new Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat feature that is being introduced with the console, and that attempts too offer a Discord-like experience right on the machine, will need to have a phone number to use. Nintendo doesn’t say why this is required, but it is clearly a safety measure and a moderation tool to filter out those who violate the Nintendo Switch Online guidelines.

For those out of the loop, GameChat is a new integrated feature that is accessed via the dedicated C Button on the right Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con. It allows players to voice chat and video chat with their friends, as well as share screens. And this can all be done without leaving the game.

RELATED: SNES Mario Game May Be Making a Comeback on Nintendo Switch 2 Over 30 Years Later

As Discord users will know, Discord does not require a phone number, however, certain servers do. To this end, one Nintendo fan notes this is a good “advertisement for Discord.” And this has been a common reaction. Not only are their privacy concerns, but this makes the feature unusable for those without a phone. In some parts of the world, this may not be an issue, but there are plenty of markets the Nintendo Switch 2 is selling at where smartphone ownership is not as common.

“This keeps getting worse,” reads another reaction. Meanwhile, a third Nintendo fan adds: “They literally had one job. I should’ve known there was going to be some sort of catch to Nintendo finally having a modern party chat with extra features. I mean as a adult I have a phone number but I do hate that you have to enter it into your account.

That said, other Nintendo fans are actually happy with the news, noting that it is good to have “accountability.” Some are also happy that Nintendo is taking steps to protect children, in particular, which is something PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass don’t always do a great job with.

“This will protect children in case the parental controls fail,” reads a reply happy about the news, unlike the reactions above. “Anyone doing any mischievous stuff for children beyond gaming will probably have their accounts and or console bricked.”

Another reaction adds: “Not a problem unless you’re underaged, or don’t think before you speak in games for all ages.”

The good news for those that like this requirement is that there is no chance Nintendo is going to remove it, even if it is causing controversy. The bad news for those unhappy with this requirement is that Nintendo is very unlikely ever going to lift this requirement.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Fans Divided Over Controversial Feature: “This Keeps Getting Worse” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s premier figures, a core mascot whose widespread appeal continues to grow, placing him among the company’s most cherished characters. His image is globally recognized, thanks to his digital jungle adventures, appearances in countless spin-offs, and even a role in the box-office-shattering The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In addition, Donkey Kong’s significance is being underscored by Nintendo with the official announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza, an ambitious new title to be released soon after a new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, an honor usually reserved for franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Yet, despite this decades-spanning fame, a fascinating piece of trivia often eludes even dedicated fans: the first video game appearance of the Donkey Kong most people know and love today isn’t the groundbreaking 1981 arcade cabinet that bore his name.

The original Donkey Kong arcade game, unleashed by Nintendo in July 1981, was a cultural phenomenon that rescued Nintendo of America from a financial crisis and established its iconic characters. Nintendo sold approximately 132,000 Donkey Kong arcade cabinets in Japan and the United States, a monumental achievement during the golden age of arcade games. To put this figure into perspective, Defender sold around 55,000 units, and Asteroids around 70,000, and both are remembered as heavy hitters of the video game industry. This commercial triumph not only catapulted Nintendo into the global gaming consciousness but also effectively pioneered the platformer genre.

[RELATED: Donkey Kong Bananza Hands-On: DK Embarks on His Own Odyssey]

The arcade Donkey Kong presents a straightforward scenario: the titular great ape kidnaps a damsel in distress, initially known as Lady (later Pauline), and carries her to the top of a perilous construction site. Players control Jumpman (later famously renamed Mario), a carpenter determined to rescue Lady by navigating four challenging stages. Donkey Kong is the primary antagonist of each level, hurling barrels, springs, and other obstacles to thwart Jumpman’s ascent. This Donkey Kong is a brute, a kidnapper, and the clear villain, a far cry from the tie-wearing hero audiences recognize today. His image overhaul happened in the early 1990s, when Nintendo decided to retcon the canon to transform Donkey Kong into a heroic figure.

Nintendo Retconned Donkey Kong’s Debut in 1994

The transformation of Donkey Kong from arcade villain to beloved hero began with the groundbreaking release of Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in November 1994. Developed by the British studio Rare, this title was a graphical marvel, utilizing pre-rendered 3D graphics that gave its characters unprecedented detail and visual flair. More significantly, Donkey Kong Country reimagined its titular character. This new DK was a powerful, banana-hoarding, tie-wearing protagonist, tasked with recovering his stolen fruit from the villainous Kremlings crocodiles. The game was a massive critical and commercial success, revitalizing the Donkey Kong brand and introducing a whole new generation to the character. It also cleverly introduced a curmudgeonly old ape named Cranky Kong, who, as it turns out, held the key to understanding the Donkey Kong lineage.

The instruction manual for Donkey Kong Country was the first place to explicitly state that Cranky Kong is the ape from the 1981 arcade game. The game manual explicitly describes Cranky as the “original Donkey Kong who starred in his own coin-op smash!” Further cementing this, the manual for Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest reiterates, “This is Donkey Kong’s grandpa, who, in his youth, was the original Donkey Kong who battled it out with Mario in the arcade.” Even handheld adaptations maintained this lore, with the Donkey Kong Land manual for the Game Boy referring to “Cranky, the original Donkey Kong.” In addition, Cranky Kong’s in-game dialogue throughout Donkey Kong Country and its sequels consistently reinforces this notion. He frequently breaks the fourth wall, grumbling about the good old days of simpler graphics and single-screen gameplay, often referring to his past arcade exploits.

This retcon effectively positions the heroic Donkey Kong of Donkey Kong Country and subsequent adventures as Donkey Kong III, or more commonly, the grandson of the original arcade villain. This narrative change ingeniously preserved the entire history of the Donkey Kong arcade games as canon within the new series, by giving the 1981 barrel-tosser a new role as the grumpy elder statesman. Simultaneously, this narrative maneuver allowed the new Donkey Kong to emerge as an unambiguous hero, free from any past villainous baggage. As a result, Donkey Kong Country allowed Nintendo to build a new heroic IP around a classic name, leveraging the brand recognition while crafting a character that players could root for without reservation, effectively turning a former antagonist into the patriarch of a new generation of heroes. That means that DK’s first game is not the 1981 title, but 1994’s Donkey Kong Country.

Donkey Kong will return with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17th.

The post The First Donkey Kong Game Is Not What You Think appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo eShop has discounted a AAA Nintendo Switch game to just $5.99. This is down $34 from its normal $39.99 price point, courtesy of a whopping 85% discount on the Nintendo Switch game. That said, this Nintendo eShop deal is only available for a limited time. More specifically, it is only available until May 31. After this, the Nintendo eShop deal will expire and the Switch game will revert back to its normal price point until its next sale.

As for the Nintendo Switch game in question, it hails from 2017, the launch year of the Nintendo Switch, and some of the very best Nintendo Switch games: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. That said, while the game in question, which comes the way of Bethesda, debuted in 2017 it didn’t actually come to Nintendo Switch until 2018.

For those that haven’t connected the dots, the Nintendo Switch game in question is Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, an action-adventure game meets first-person shooter from Swedish developer MachineGames. The seventh mainline installment in the long-running and historic series and the sequel to 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus earned an 88 on Metacritic at launch and won Best Action Game at The Game Awards that year. And it sold well enough for a spin-off/sequel, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, to be issued and released in 2019. Unfortunately, this spin-off was nowhere near the same quality of its two predecessors, and there remains no word of a proper third game in the rebooted and incomplete trilogy.

“America, 1961. Your assassination of Nazi General Deathshead was a short-lived victory,” reads an official story synopsis of the game for those unfamiliar with it. “Despite the setback, the Nazis maintain their stranglehold on the world. You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka ‘Terror-Billy,’ member of the Resistance, scourge of the Nazi empire, and humanity’s last hope for liberty. Only you have the guts, guns, and gumption to return stateside, kill every Nazi in sight, and spark the second American Revolution.”

RELATED: SNES Mario Game May Be Making a Comeback on Nintendo Switch 2 Over 30 Years Later

Those that decide to take advantage of this Nintendo eShop deal will need to prepare for a 22 GB download of the game. In addition to this plus $5.99, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED users will need to set aside about 10 to 17 hours to beat the game’s campaign. Completionists, meanwhile, will need more like 30 hours set aside.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is set to be backward compatible on the Nintendo Switch 2, so this deal also lets future Nintendo Switch 2 users score one of 2017’s best games for the price of a Happy Meal.

For more Nintendo Switch coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch deals — click here.

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With the advent of video game adaptations, we could see Pikmin hitting the big (or small) screen soon, if the creator of the series’ wishes come true. The series, which started in 2001, has been going strong since, with four mainline games and a handful of spinoffs and re-releases. While its cute and cuddly Pikmin characters and realistic aesthetic are massive draw-ins, its strategic gameplay stands out against Nintendo’s other franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Now, as Nintendo broadens its horizons with entertainment, as well as with the Nintendo Switch 2, it seems that Pikmin’s likability could lead to an adaptation in the future.

Adapting properties, especially from Nintendo, was, at one point, an impossible task. The Japanese-based company stood their ground on adaptations with the commercial failure of Super Mario Bros. in 1993. However, Illumination changed that with the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was worked hand-in-hand with many series icons like Shigeru Miyamoto, and the film skyrocketed with fans and critics. The box-office success led Nintendo to greenlight not only a sequel, but a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), set to release in 2027. It’s clear that the company is more willing than ever to put their franchises on the big screen, which makes Miyamoto’s comments on Pikmin much more enticing.

Shigeru Miyamoto Says Pikmin Has “A Lot of Potential” for an Adaptation

Recently, at the grand opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida where Super Nintendo World, a massive Nintendo-filled theme park, is, IGN talked with creator Shigeru Miyamoto. In the interview, the question was asked if Pikmin could see any expansion into theme parks or even films and shows given its appeal.

In response, Miyamoto stated,”Obviously, I can’t say yes or no here.” He replied, “But I really see Nintendo as sort of like a talent agency and we have, within our roster, a lot of talented characters. So we create a game with a certain gameplay concept, gameplay experience, and then we look at the roster and see who would best fit this gameplay concept or experience. So, looking at things from that perspective, I think Pikmin has a lot of potential to be used in many different occasions. When you’re looking at small kids, they have a certain appeal for things that are cute, and when they grow older, maybe in their twenties, they start to lose appeal for that. But I think Pikmin has this unique ability to have appeal across a broad range in that it’s still appealing for both younger audiences and older audiences and in Japan. And so I’m hoping that we can expand that globally. So, whether it’s some kind of a movie or show, things like that would be really fun.”

RELATED: The Ultimate Video Game Movie Showdown Will Happen in 2027

While it isn’t any indication that a Pikmin film or show is in the works, it does at least show that the company, or at least Shigeru Miyamoto, is open to it being done. Given the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there is definitely an audience for Pikmin and the colorful and vibrant world it has created. Animated shorts surrounding the series, called Pikmin Short Movies, were released prior to Pikmin 3 and were produced by Miyamoto himself. It does seem like it can be done, as many fans still enjoy watching the films, but it’s up to Hollywood to give those little plants a chance to grow on the big screen.

Would you like to see Pikmin adapted? Would it work better as a TV show or a film? Let us know in the comments below! For all things Pikmin, Nintendo, and more, keep it here at ComicBook.

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A Mario SNES game from 1992 may be making a comeback via the Nintendo Switch 2, or so some Nintendo fans think. Gaming in 1992 was defined by the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Final Fantasy V, Dragon Quest V, Super Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighting, Shining Force, Wolfenstein 3D, Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, and Streets of Rage 2. What people probably don’t immediately think of when they think of 1992 is Mario Paint, despite it being one of the best-selling games of its year. And this is because the series has been dormant since the 90s. There was a successor released in 1998 via the N64 called Mario no Photopi, but only in Japan. Otherwise Nintendo has forgotten about the series and so have many others. That may be all changing soon though.

Recently, Nintendo released new Nintendo Switch Online icons featuring various Nintendo hardware from yesteryear, which have libraries on the Nintendo Switch, and soon the Nintendo Switch 2 as well. There are icons for GameCube, N64, and every other nostalgic console accessible through the Nintendo Switch. And then there is an icon for the Super NES Mouse, which has caught the attention of Nintendo fans, because there is no such game that makes use of this piece of hardware available via Nintendo Switch Online. Nor is there a Nintendo Switch Super NES Mouse accessory for it either.

The most prominent game to use the Super NES Mouse is no doubt Mario Paint, so if there is no anything to the usage to the new Super NES Mouse icon, there is a decent chance Mario Paint is involved. Unfortunately, right now though all we have is speculation.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Version of One of the Best Games of All Time Leaked

As you would expect, Nintendo has had no comment on any of this speculation or why the Super NES Mouse is included in the new batch of icons. It is indeed an odd inclusion though there have a few isolated examples of this with other random Nintendo hardware in the past.

For all of our previous and all of our extensive Nintendo coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and the latest Nintendo Switch 2 speculation — click here.

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Nintendo has announced the next catalog of retro Game Boy games that are now available on the Nintendo Switch Online for subscribers. The four games that are available today include Gradius: The Interstellar Assault, Kirby’s Star Stacker, Survival Kids, and The Sword of Hope. For those looking for a retro gaming experience and a look at what each game offers, here is a breakdown.

Gradius The Interstellar Assault

This horizontal side shooter was released in 1991 by Konami. In Gradius: The Interstellar Assault, players take control of Vic Viper in this follow-up sequel to Nemesis on the Game Boy system. As Vic Viper, you’ll need to fly through five different stages to destroy the Bacterian Army. This sequel title still utilizes all traditional forms of the power-bar that exist within prior iterations of the Gradius series.

Kirby’s Star Stacker

Kirby’s Star Stacker is a 1997 puzzle game published by Nintendo for the Game Boy system. The aim of the game is similar to other falling block type games like Bejeweled, to find matching pairs of blocks, which will allow Kirby to collect stars. The blocks are themed from characters in other Kirby games and include Coo the Owl, Rick the Hamster, and Kine the Fish. Letting the blocks reach the top of the stage will result in elimination!

Survival Kids

This 2D adventure is played top-down like other popular Game Boy games of the time, like Pokémon, Ninja Gaiden, or Zelda games. Survival Kids was released by Konami and requires the same survival skills as modern survival games, but was launched back in 1991. This means that players will need to keep track of hunger, thirst, and a fatigue meter whilst ultimately planning, surviving, and crafting items. The story follows either one of two protagonists, Ken and Mery, who are stranded on a deserted island, and need to plan and craft to find their way back to civilization.

The Sword of Hope

The Sword of Hope was released to international audiences in 1991, but was a native title to Japan that originally came to those audiences in 1989. Players assume the role of Prince Theo, who lives a wayward life after being rescued from the castle by an old sage. Prince Theo’s father, King Hennessy, was unfortunately corrupted by an evil dragon. This corruption further led to the degradation, corruption, and enslavement of the kingdom. Now that Prince Theo is of age and trained as a skilled warrior, he will return to the castle and free his father from the influence of the evil dragon.

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Nintendo Switch 2‘s release is just around the corner, and fans will have plenty of peripheral options when the system launches. As was the case with the original Switch, Nintendo will be releasing plenty of products that were created in-house, and there will also be several fully licensed products from outside manufacturers. One of those manufacturers is PowerA, who will be offering alternate controller options next month. These controllers do lack some of the bells and whistles of Nintendo’s own Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, but they do have one notable advantage that fans have been asking for.

It has been confirmed that PowerA’s Nintendo Switch 2 controllers will have Hall effect sensors and magnets. These are located in the thumbsticks, and are meant “to help with precision and longevity.” Basically, the combination helps to prevent wear, and problems like drift from occurring. Earlier this year, it was discovered that Nintendo’s Alarmo uses Hall effect sensors, which led to speculation that the Switch 2 Joy-Cons and Pro Controller might also include them. That proved not to be the case, so the PowerA controllers do have a significant advantage for those concerned about drift being a problem.

The PowerA controllers are also significantly cheaper than the Pro Controller: $39.99 versus $84.99, and come in multiple styles. There are some notable trade-offs, though. The biggest difference is that PowerA’s controllers are wired, rather than wireless. They also lack NFC compatibility, which means they won’t be able to scan amiibo for games like Street Fighter 6. Fans will have to decide for themselves if that trade-off is worth it, but the combination of a cheaper price point and increased durability could be a tipping point for anyone that was on the fence about buying a new Pro Controller. Preorders are currently available on Best Buy’s website right here.

Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5th, and it will be interesting to see what peripherals people embrace at launch. On day one, Nintendo will have a lot of stuff available, including several games, the Pro Controller, a camera, and new amiibo. That’s on top of cases for the system, screen protectors, and more. Those planning on buying a Switch 2 on day one will have to carefully manage what they plan to purchase, especially after the tariff related price increases that have been announced. While the system and software has not seen an increase, basically everything else has. That’s going to force some buyers to think carefully about what they’re willing to spend.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

While Hall effect sensors are not present in the Joy-Cons and Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, that doesn’t mean drift will be a problem again in the Switch 2 era. The designers have apparently rebuilt the controllers from the ground up for the new system. Hopefully that means less frequent problems when it comes to drift, but Nintendo fans will have to wait and see.

Are you concerned about controller drift? Do the Hall effect sensors make this a more likely purchase for you? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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As part of their subscriptions, Nintendo Switch Online users can get free profile icons in exchange for Platinum points. These profile icons are typically themed around either new game releases or classic titles available through Nintendo Switch Online. Over the next few weeks, Nintendo is doing something a little different by offering icons based on video game systems that are playable through Nintendo Switch Online. If you have a standard subscription, you can get icons based on the NES, Game Boy, and SNES, and if you have a subscription to the Expansion Pack tier, you can also get icons based on N64, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube.

Right now, icons based on NES and N64 are available for 10 Platinum points each, with new waves coming next week and the week after. What’s interesting about this promotion is the specific timing. The third and final wave happens to be coming out the same week as Nintendo Switch 2, which is when the GameCube app will arrive through Nintendo Switch Online. In addition to the GameCube icons, there will also be a profile icon based on the SNES mouse. This is notable, as the SNES Nintendo Classics app does not currently have any games that can be played that used that old peripheral. However, with mouse controls coming to Nintendo Switch 2, this could hint at a surprise release for some of those games.

On its own, this hint wouldn’t necessarily mean anything. However, a dataminer discovered last September that Nintendo updated mouse emulation in the SNES app; mouse support had already been enabled in the backend since the app first launched, but it was never offered to the public in any capacity. The fact that Nintendo updated it last year seemed to be a hint at plans of finally adding games that supported the SNES mouse peripheral. In the months since then, mouse support was confirmed as a major feature for Switch 2.

So what does this all mean? The SNES featured a lot of games that supported the mouse, but the most prominent one was Mario Paint. The game was basically a digital art studio that also featured a fun and frantic game where you controlled a fly swatter. Mario Paint would seem like the ideal candidate for a return, as would Mario & Wario. Mario & Wario was never released outside Japan, but the game was fully in English. That would make the game an easy one to offer in the SNES app. It’s also worth noting that the game was developed by Game Freak, a few years before they released Pokemon Red and Green.

RELATED: I’ve Played Nintendo Switch 2 and Mouse Controls Will Be a Game-Changer

It remains to be seen whether any of the SNES mouse games will actually come back through Nintendo Switch Online. For now, readers should take this all with a grain of salt. However, it does seem very curious that Nintendo is releasing that profile icon in the same week Nintendo Switch 2 is about to launch. It seems like a pretty big coincidence given the timing! For now, subscribers will have to just wait and see what the company is planning.

Would you like to see SNES mouse games playable on Nintendo Switch 2? Have you ever played Mario Paint on the original system? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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The Nintendo DS played host to a number of unique and quirky games, many of which have never been made available again. That’s been changing a bit over the last few years, as games like Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective and the DS Castlevania games have made the leap to modern platforms. It seems that another game could be getting a similar treatment, based on a recent trademark filing by Nintendo. The company has renewed the trademark for Hotel Dusk: Room 215, which could suggest that a remaster of the game or a new series entry is in the works.

Released in 2007, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 was a point-and-click adventure developed by Cing and published by Nintendo. The game put players in the role of former detective Kyle Hyde. Hyde’s former partner has gone missing, and players must solve the mystery by questioning witnesses. Reviews for the game were mostly positive, and a sequel was released on Nintendo DS a few years later. However, the sequel was never made available in North America, only seeing release in Japan and Europe. This is very similar to what happened with Another Code: Two Memories, which was also developed by Cing, and also had a sequel exclusive to those two regions.

In 2024, Nintendo and Arc System Works remastered and rereleased the two Another Code games in a package on Nintendo Switch. It’s possible Nintendo is planning a similar return for Hotel Dusk and its sequel. It might seem like an unusual game for a remaster, but this type of release could be a way for Nintendo to continue supporting the current Switch. We know Nintendo isn’t going to immediately abandon the system after Switch 2 launches, as 2026 will see new games like Rhythm Heaven Groove and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Outsourcing remasters of a pair of DS games to a partner studio like Arc System Works could give Switch another exclusive, and help to keep owners invested in the system if they don’t plan on upgrading to Switch 2 right away.

For now, readers should take all of this with a grain of salt. Trademark filings do not necessarily indicate that a new game is in the works. It could just mean that Nintendo is still interested in retaining the rights to that name. However, as noted by Nintendo Everything, this situation is somewhat unique, as it’s a new listing, and not a renewal. This is also the first time Japan has trademarked the name, as the DS game was known under the title “Wish Room” in that region. For those that enjoyed Hotel Dusk on DS back in the day, or those that missed out on an opportunity to play it, this could be promising.

RELATED: Nintendo DS Is Now 20 Years Old (and You Should Still Play It)

It’s worth noting that this is not the only Nintendo DS game that had a trademark filing recently. Nintendo renewed the trademark for Metroid Prime Hunters a few days ago, a game that was released on the system a year ahead of Hotel Dusk. It might be too much to hope that we could actually see remasters of two well-regarded games released on the system in the near future, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see.

Would you like to see Hotel Dusk make a comeback? Have you ever played the game on Nintendo DS? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Earlier this month, Nintendo updated its official privacy policy as a result of the new GameChat feature coming to Nintendo Switch 2. That updated policy specifically notes that Nintendo “may also monitor and record your video and audio interactions with other users.” Nintendo of Europe has now clarified how this policy works, and for what purpose. Essentially, when people use the GameChat feature, it records three-minute clips. This way, if a player needs to report inappropriate conduct from the other party, it can be sent to Japan for the purpose of moderation. Basically, it’s a safety feature to protect users and discourage people from the types of activities that can become problematic in video chat.

“If you encounter any language or behaviour that may violate applicable laws, the Nintendo Account Agreement or NOE’s Community Guidelines, you may review the last 3 minutes of the relevant recorded communication content on your User Device and report it to NCL. In this case, the communication content, if it was stored on the User Device, and other information about the chat session (e.g. time and date of the chat, camera usage and traffic details) will be transmitted to NCL’s servers,” the privacy policy reads.

Obviously, there was a lot of initial concern about the updates to the privacy policy, but hopefully this will help to put Nintendo Switch 2 users at ease. Nintendo’s products appeal to a wide age range, so the company was always going to take precautions when it comes to moderation of video and audio chat. As noted by OatmealDome on X/Twitter, Nintendo’s handling is actually very similar to what’s currently offered by PlayStation and Xbox. The biggest difference is the amount of time users are able to clip; while Nintendo allows for three minutes, Xbox only allows for 60 seconds, and PlayStation’s clips are capped at 40 seconds.

The GameChat feature will launch alongside Nintendo Switch 2 next month. Nintendo will be releasing its own camera for use with the feature, and there will be an officially licensed Piranha Plant camera made available from Hori. Japan is also getting a camera specifically for use when playing Switch 2 in handheld mode, but this has not been confirmed for release outside of the region.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

Right now, it remains to be seen whether Nintendo Switch 2 users will embrace GameChat. The feature is getting a big push, but there could be some hesitation to purchase a compatible camera on top of the price of the system itself, as well as games. It’s worth noting that the camera was also one of the products that increased in price as a direct result of the tariffs in the United States. The peripheral was originally set to be released at $49.99, but increased to $54.99. That increase could be a dealbreaker for anyone that was already on the fence.

How do you feel about the Nintendo Switch 2 camera? Will you be using GameChat on the new system? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: OatmealDome]

The post Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Records 3-Minute Clips to Report Players appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Following leaks a few weeks back, LEGO has officially taken the wraps off their lineup of Nintendo Super Mario sets for the Summer of 2025. The wave includes six new sets, the majority of which are in the Mario Kart lineup that was supercharged in May with the release of the LEGO Mario Kart Standard Kart set (72037). Everything you need to know can be found right here.

Specifically, all of the LEGO Super Mario sets outlined below will be available to order starting on July 31st / August 1st at 9pm PT / 12am ET right here at the LEGO Shop. You can find all of the upcoming LEGO releases here in the “Coming Soon” section.  After the launch, they will shift here in the “Available Now” section. Some of the new releases will be available here on Amazon, but in most cases you’ll want to stick with LEGO to take advantage of their monthly launch promotions. That said, you can bet that free sets will be available on August 1st and that most of these promotions will be LEGO Insider exclusives. You can get started with the program (it’s free to join) right here.

• Prince Florian & Castle Bowser / 72042 / $99.99 / 1,251 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: “This play-and-display set includes a large buildable Castle Bowser toy figure, plus a Pink Yoshi, a Fiery Note Piranha, Prince Florian and Wonder Bowser Jr.”
• Mario Kart – Bowser’s Castle / 72039 / $99.99 / 1,068 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: “Get ready to race at Mario Kart – Bowser’s Castle with this LEGO Super Mario toy vehicle racing set, featuring Bowser’s Castle with foldout walls, a spinning Fire Bar, and 4 LEGO Super Mario figures.”
• Mario Kart – Interactive LEGO Mario & Standard Kart / 72043 / $54.99 / 278 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: “Create your own racetrack and team up with LEGO Mario in his Standard Kart for interactive races with this brick-built Mario Kart toy playset.” The Standard Kart features drifting action and shell-launching function. There’s also an interactive LEGO Mario figure, Bob-omb and Thwomp figures, plus a Banana element with face decoration.
• Mario Kart – Wario & King Boo / 72038 / $49.99 / 512 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: This set set features Wario and King Boo Super Mario figures, “brick-built models of the iconic Badwagon and Teddy Buggy vehicles, plus 2 traffic cones. Each kart has a shell-launching function and drifting action, and the Badwagon has a detachable glider that also fits on the Teddy Buggy.”
• Party at Toad’s House / 72041 / $29.99 / 276 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: “The Toad Househas a kitchen and bedroom (with a Peach’s Castle painting) and removable furniture for easy play, and the set also includes a picnic table, gramophone and party accessories”. Includes Blue Toad and Green Toad figures.
• Captain Toad’s Camp / 72040 / $14.99 / 159 pieces / August 1, 2025 / See at LEGO: “Use building bricks to create a tent and bonfire, hunt for treasure, make a bridge collapse, defeat enemies and more at Captain Toad’s camp. Features Captain Toad, a turnip and a Goomba toy figure, plus a buildable backpack and pickax, pan and diamond accessories.”

The post LEGO Super Mario Summer 2025 Sets Officially Unveiled appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When Nintendo Switch 2 launches next month, the system will have an LCD screen, just like the original Switch. While the screen features a number of notable improvements over the original system, some fans have lamented the fact that Switch 2 will not have an OLED option from the start. Apparently, that could change in the future. Samsung is providing “the main chips” for the Switch 2 according to a new report from Bloomberg (via Nintendo Life), and the company has apparently “pushed for OLED panels to be used when Nintendo refreshes the Switch 2 in future.”

The original Switch launched in 2017, and Nintendo released a version with an OLED screen in 2021. Refreshing Nintendo Switch 2 in a few years with that screen upgrade would be in keeping with what we saw previously, but it should be noted that this is according to just one source for Bloomberg. There’s no telling what the next few years will bring, and it should be noted that there are multiple reasons why Nintendo chose to use an LCD screen with Switch 2.

During a press event in April, Nintendo’s Tetsuya Sasaki said that “a lot of consideration” went into the decision to go with an LCD screen over OLED. The company was able to make a number of improvements on the new LCD that were not only impossible on the original Switch, but also on the OLED model. Notably, the Switch 2 screen is capable of HDR, which the Switch OLED was not. There has also been speculation that sticking with LCD enabled Nintendo to keep the cost of the system down at launch, leading to less sticker shock.

If Nintendo truly does release an OLED refresh in a few years, it will allow the company to cater to those that don’t mind spending the extra money. That makes more sense than forcing the entire audience to pay more. It also allows Nintendo to focus on production of a singular model at launch, which is helpful when high demand is expected. The Bloomberg report notes that Samsung could “ramp up production” if needed and generate a “higher-than-projected 20 million units by March 2026.”

RELATED: Mario Kart World Hands-On Preview: A Fresh Take on an Old Favorite

For now, readers should take all of this with a grain of salt. Just because Samsung is pushing for this to happen down the line, it doesn’t mean that Nintendo will feel the same way. With all of the improvements the company has made with the Switch 2’s LCD screen, it’s possible that many fans won’t actually feel the need for an OLED upgrade. In my hands-on time with the system last month, I found myself largely impressed with the screen so far, even as someone that owns the current Switch OLED. That’s something that many other outlets have echoed, based on improvements like HDR and the larger screen size.

How do you feel about the Switch 2 having an LCD screen? Would you choose to upgrade if an OLED option was offered? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Report Offers Hint About Future Console Refresh appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Right now, 2025 is positioned to be a big year for Metroid fans. More than eight years after it was first announced, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally coming out for Nintendo Switch, and it will also be launching on Nintendo Switch 2. That would be big enough news on its own, but a pair of trademark renewals could hint at some future plans. As noticed by Insider Gaming, Nintendo has renewed the trademarks to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Metroid Prime Hunters. Since neither of those games is available on Switch, it could hint at plans for rereleases or remasters.

It should be noted that trademarks are renewed all the time by companies, and it does not necessarily mean that anything new is happening; Eternal Darkness fans can attest to the fact that Nintendo has renewed the trademark in the past, but continues to let that series languish. However, Metroid fans have some reason to be cautiously optimistic about these particular renewals. Thus far, Nintendo has remastered the original Metroid Prime on Switch, but no other entries in the series. This could suggest that other games are now being prioritized.

While the idea of a Metroid Prime Hunters remaster might sound unusual compared to a game like Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (which fans have long requested), it actually would make some sense. The DS game introduced the character Sylux, who will be the central antagonist in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. After playing a major role in Metroid Prime Hunters, Sylux returned in a brief teaser at the end of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. If Nintendo wanted to get players reacquainted with the villain ahead of the launch of Metroid Prime 4, it would make sense to bring these two games to modern platforms.

A remaster of Metroid Prime Hunters would give Nintendo a perfect opportunity to rectify some of that game’s shortcomings. While the title was critically praised when it launched back in 2006, some fans took issue with the DS control scheme. A remaster on a more powerful platform with standard controls could hold a lot of appeal to fans of the Metroid series, particularly those that skipped out on the game when it first released.

RELATED: Metroid Prime 4 Hands-On: A Stunning Showpiece for Nintendo Switch 2

Until we get some kind of announcement from Nintendo, readers should take all of this with a grain of salt. It’s possible that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the only planned release for the series right now, and this is all wishful thinking. Still, the timing of these trademark renewals is pretty interesting, and it’s fun to speculate about what Nintendo might be planning. Traditionally, Nintendo Direct presentations have been held in the month of June, allowing the company to lay out its plans for the rest of the year. It remains to be seen whether that will happen next month, but if it does, that would be the perfect place for Nintendo to announce some remaster plans.

How would you feel about remasters of these two Metroid games? Do you think we should read anything into these trademarks? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Renews Trademarks for Surprising Metroid Games appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new Nintendo Switch 2 feature is a major upgrade from the current Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED, all of which have no such feature. As a successor console, you would expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to have features that are examples of refinement. When making the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has years of Switch data to guide the console’s development. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch 2 doens’t have as much upgrades as you would hope, but it certainly has some.

The latest to be revealed involves the Nintendo Switch 2 battery. With the second Nintendo Switch console, there is now a battery deterioration prevention feature in the console’s settings that can be turned on. Why it is not on automatically, we don’t know.

With the feature on in the Nintendo Switch 2 settings, the console will automatically stop charging around 90 percent, or at least this is what it will often will do. Obviously, this shortens its charge by 10 percent, however, Nintendo says it will help reduce the loss of battery capacity over time. This, in particular, seems like an especially relevant feature for those who use the console docked where it is regularly charged to 100 percent and maintained at 100 percent.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Version of One of the Best Games of All Time Leaked

It remains to be seen just how much this will impact the long-term health of the Nintendo Switch 2 battery in comparison to the Nintendo Switch battery. If Nintendo has tested this out and seen results, it has not shared said results. Surely there is an appreciable difference though otherwise Nintendo would have not included the option.

The trajectory of the Nintendo Switch battery has not been great, so any upgrades that allow it to have better long-term battery health are much needed. That said, with the Nintendo Switch 2 set to have a shorter battery than the Nintendo Switch, losing 10 percent of battery off the top may prove too tedious and inconvenient for Switch handheld users. In other words, it remains to be seen how many Nintendo Switch 2 owners will use this feature.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release worldwide on June 5, starting at $450. For more coverage on the upcoming Nintendo console — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

The post New Nintendo Switch 2 Feature Is a Major Upgrade the Current Switch Does Not Have appeared first on ComicBook.com.

From the very beginning, Pokemon Go has encouraged players to travel around the world in order to catch ’em all. Over the years, the game has featured several regional exclusives, which can only be found by players that live in or visit those specific areas of the world. One such Pokemon is Hawlucha, which can only be obtained by players in Mexico. That restriction will soon change, however, as Niantic has confirmed that Hawlucha will be made available during the Pokemon Go Fest 2025 events that are being held in Paris, Jersey City, and Osaka.

This is great news for players that plan on attending these events, but it seems players in the rest of the world are still out of luck. From the phrasing, it sounds like Hawlucha will only be available during the in-person events, and not during the global one set to take place on June 28th and 29th. This has naturally led to some disappointment from players across social media, who are lamenting the fact that they still won’t be able to find this particular Pokemon in Pokemon Go.

While this announcement is disappointing for players, it’s worth noting that the limitations on Hawlucha could be lifted in 2026. While nothing has been announced just yet, this year’s Pokemon Go Tour focused on the Unova region from Pokemon Black and White. In theory, Kalos from Pokemon X and Y will get the focus next year. That should make Hawlucha much easier to come by, as we’ve seen done for other regional exclusives. That’s all just hypothetical right now, but it’s a pretty safe bet based on everything Niantic has done over the last few years.

On one hand, regional Pokemon can be a cause of frustration for a lot of players. Not everyone can afford to travel to areas like Mexico or Hawaii (the latter of which has the exclusive Pokemon Comfey). However, it also adds an incentive to spend some time with the game while traveling. And those that do travel can always try to snag a rare Pokemon to trade with a friend when they get home. That also helps to keep the social aspect of the game thriving.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Fans are Frustrated Over New Evolution Requirements

As far as regional exclusives go, Hawlucha has always made a lot of sense for Mexico, given that the Pokemon’s design was inspired by luchadore wrestlers. Still, it has made fans in other areas a bit jealous, given that the Pokemon is somewhat popular. On top of the fact that Hawlucha has a fun and unique design, it was used by Ash Ketchum in the Pokemon anime. Hopefully Niantic will make Hawlucha more widely available one of these days, but for now, fans that can’t travel to Mexico or to an in-person Pokemon Go Fest event are out of luck.

How do you feel about the regional exclusives in Pokemon Go? Are you frustrated that Hawlucha won’t be available in the global event? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon Go Will Make a Regional Pokemon Easier to Find, But There’s a Big Catch appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch 2 will have several games to choose from at launch, including Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Sonic x Shadow Generations. However, the system’s biggest day one game is Mario Kart World. Not only will the game be sold individually, it will even be offered in a bundle with the system. This is the first Mario game to debut alongside a Nintendo system since 2012, and the first time a Mario Kart in particular was chosen as the big launch title. In an interview with Inverse (via Nintendo Everything), Nintendo senior vice president of product development Nate Bihldorff said that the reason for this decision was the franchise’s wide appeal to different player types.

“Mario Kart World is, in my mind anyways, one of the most broadly accessible games possible. The skill ceiling is incredibly high for people who are really into it. You saw this with Mario Kart Deluxe as well. But if you really want to play it at a high level, at the highest speed, the highest competitive level online, you’re going to spend a lot of time with this game, finding the best routes, finding the best techniques, all that,” Bihldorff told Inverse. “But at the same time, this is a game that, like Mario Kart [8] Deluxe, has as many settings as you’d like to basically make it so that a kid, really any age, or a person of any skill level can also do it, so stuff like auto accelerates, stuff like smart steering, which basically guides you back onto track, which we actually have been able to have. Those are the sorts of things that you can basically turn them all on. If you have a five year old kid, give them the controller played on 50cc, they may beat you.”

Bihldorff went on to mention that sales of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe showed “that there’s a lot of appetite for racing games” among the general public. Over the last 8 years, it sold more than 67 million copies on Switch, making it one of the best-selling video games of all-time. Launching Switch 2 with the game’s direct sequel makes a lot of sense, even if it’s not something Nintendo has ever done with the series. Mario Kart World seems like it could end up being the biggest reason to own a Switch 2 this year, at least for most people.

While Mario Kart World is the big Switch 2 launch game, it’s not the only first-party title Nintendo will have available at launch. The company will also be releasing Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a $10 digital game that acts as a walkthrough of the system’s new features. Several existing Nintendo Switch games will also be getting paid upgrades on day one, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Those upgrades can be purchased on their own for existing owners, but Nintendo will also be selling physical releases of these games with the new content on the game card.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

It remains to be seen whether Mario Kart World will be able to drive interest in Nintendo Switch 2, just as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did with the original Switch. However, in my short time with the game, I’ve come away pretty impressed so far. It already feels like a significant leap for the series, while maintaining the familiar elements fans have come to love about Mario Kart since the series launched back in 1992.

Do you think Mario Kart World is a smart launch game for Nintendo Switch 2? Or would you have preferred to see a different Nintendo franchise? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Reveals Why Mario Kart World Is the Big Switch 2 Launch Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

According to a new report, a Nintendo Switch 2 version of one of the best games of all time is in the works. It is very rare for a game to achieve both immense critical success and sell a boatload of copies. The number of games that check both of these boxes is very slim. In other words, it is a very exclusive club. And this is mostly because to appeal to the mainstream whilst appealing to critics is a difficult balance to strike. Many of the best-selling games of all time were not particularly that well received by critics or hardcore gaming enthusiasts. There is really only a handful of games — at best — each generation that achieve this dual accomplishment.

One of the best examples of this is Red Dead Redemption 2. At a 97 on Metacritic, there are only three games that are more critically acclaimed than RDR2: 2008’s Grand Theft Auto IV, 1999’s SoulCalibur, and 1998’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has sold 13 million copies to date. SoulCalibur has only sold a little over a million copies. And GTA 4 sold 25 million copies. None of these come close to Red Dead Redemption 2, which has sold 74 million copies and counting.

Whether Red Dead Redemption 2 is on the Mt. Rushmore of video games, probably not, but it is in the conversation. And according to a new report, it is coming to a new platform for the first time since 2019, when it came to PC and Google Stadia. More specifically, it is reportedly coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

This information is according to Gamereactor, a fairly reliable source. And it has been echoed by another new, separate report from Nintenduo. According to the latter, specifically, Rockstar Games is planning to release the port before the end of this fiscal year, which is to say before April 1, 2026.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Bananza Is Already on Sale Ahead of its Switch 2 Release

Of course, like every Nintendo Switch 2 report or rumor or leak before this, take this new intel with a grain of salt. So far, it has not drawn out Rockstar Games nor Nintendo for comment, and we do not expect this to change for a variety of reasons. If it does though, we will update the story accordingly.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Version of One of the Best Games of All Time Leaked appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo’s flagship cozy series is Animal Crossing, and fans have been diving into the games for over two decades. The latest entry in the series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, proved to be one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch, and previous entries have had similar success on their respective platforms. The series has seen many changes over the years, mostly for the better, but some features have been pulled from previous games when going forward. Fans are eager to see what the next Animal Crossing game holds for the series’ future on Nintendo Switch 2 and what improvements will be made.

Comparing each game in the Animal Crossing series shows that some games are better than others, though almost all of them are good. That said, we have listed and ranked which Animal Crossing games are the best in the series below.

8) Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival

Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival was a great idea with a lot of potential. It could have rivaled the Mario Party series, but instead, it faded into obscurity almost immediately. While it captured the charm and cozy feelings of the series, its gameplay was boring and cumbersome. So many things held this game back from being successful, and Nintendo could potentially revive it with a sequel if significant changes are made. The visuals and identity are all set, but everything else about Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival needs to be tweaked.

RELATED: 5 Things Animal Crossing Needs to Do on Nintendo Switch 2

An amiibo Festival sequel absolutely needs to improve on mini-games. More variety would be a good start, but they need to be fun and engaging. Players also need to be able to encounter these more often. Another change is removing the clunky implementation of amiibo. Requiring such a heavy use of amiibo makes the game agonizingly slow and difficult. A sequel could still use amiibo, but remove the need to use them as a rolling device. Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival is a disappointing entry in the series, but it doesn’t mean it can’t work if done right. Giving it the full treatment like Mario Party on Nintendo Switch 2 would make for an amazing sequel.

7) Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer

As far as spin-off titles go, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer does a better job of succeeding than amiibo Festival. So much so, it was added as an expansion to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Instead of running a town or village, players were in charge of designing Villagers’ homes in this game. While it had some good ideas, it ultimately fell short when compared to mainline games and didn’t offer enough to keep players returning.

The creative freedom of Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer brought a breath of fresh air to the series, even if it did limit the scope of how players could use this freedom. Sacrificing the wider pool of simulation features for a specific avenue allowed Nintendo to showcase this feature, and players loved it. However, the gameplay loop quickly became repetitive and didn’t offer enough rewards or challenges. This was expanded on in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and paired with the main gameplay of the series, showed the potential of this spin-off.

6) Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp was one of Nintendo’s first ventures into mobile gaming, and it largely worked. The daily routine of Animal Crossing is perfect for quick sessions on mobile devices. At launch, Pocket Camp was fairly bare-bones, but updates greatly expanded the game’s content and offered new ways to play. However, players also criticized the microtransactions of the game and the delayed nature often seen in mobile games.

Nintendo has since launched Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp as a fully paid game. This has seen both positive and negative reviews, with many feeling the price is set too high. Pocket Camp is full of features and offers a robust experience, which may be why Nintendo priced it as such. As a free-to-play title, Pocket Camp was well worth its time, but now that fans have to pay for entry, it feels like a missed opportunity.

5) Animal Crossing: City Folk

Animal Crossing: City Folk was an ambitious entry on the Wii, bringing multiplayer features to the series like never before. With the ability for four players to each have a house in a single village and a city to visit, City Folk almost seemed like an MMO. However, Nintendo went a little too hard on the multiplayer aspects, which ultimately caused those playing alone to suffer. It also marked the return of Animal Crossing to a home console, which did detract from some of the quick sessions the series is known for.

RELATED: 5 Best Lazy Villagers to Invite to Your Animal Crossing Island

While Animal Crossing: City Folk expanded with multiplayer, many of the other core pillars of the series didn’t see much improvement. Many saw this as a simple port of Animal Crossing: Wild World with a fresh coat of paint and multiplayer tacked on. It would set the stage for Animal Crossing: New Horizons multiplayer features, but did little to stand apart on its own. This isn’t to say it’s a bad game, but Animal Crossing has many other titles that outclass it.

4) Animal Crossing

It all started with Animal Crossing on the GameCube or the Nintendo 64 in Japan. While it largely doesn’t hold up today, this title set the template for the rest of the series and made it as popular as it is today. On release, its charm and simple gameplay enraptured players, and many still hold it as their favorite Animal Crossing title to this day.

While Animal Crossing may be considered basic compared to recent entries, it was revolutionary when it was first released. When ported to America, it came with extra features that further expanded the game. The fundamentals of Animal Crossing made it a relaxing and cozy experience that players could enjoy playing at their own pace. The unlockables and sense of progression brought players back day after day.

3) Animal Crossing: Wild World

Animal Crossing: Wild World was the biggest change to the series yet, allowing players to play on the go. The Nintendo DS was the perfect platform for Animal Crossing’s relaxing gameplay loop. Mobility allowed players to check in to their village anywhere, whether to complete a few tasks or make a lot of progress. Players had freedom like never before and this made Animal Crossing: Wild World a special entry for many.

The touchscreen added a new element to the game, and the permanent day and night skyline brought an amazing ambiance. The touchscreen opened up so many new options, like organizing the inventory, writing messages, and even drawing designs for clothes. Animal Crossing: Wild World set the tone for all future games. It increased the available customization and allowed players to modify the environment. Animal Crossing: Wild World even introduced online play for the first time.

2) Animal Crossing: New Leaf

There is no doubt that Animal Crossing: New Leaf is one of the best games in the series. There is even a lot of debate that it is the #1 Animal Crossing game, but this is subjective to what players want in their game. New Leaf took everything that Animal Crossing had so far and made it better. For the first time, players were the mayor of a town and not working for Tom Nook, at least not directly.

The municipal power allowed players to shape their village as they saw fit for the first time. Player customization was the best it had ever been thanks to these new powers, and players went wild. New activities accompanied new characters, including the new fan-favorite Isabelle. In addition to this, the number of events had increased, and players could even take advantage of the Nintendo 3DS’s SpotPass feature to interact with their friends. New Leaf still holds up to this day, and many fans are still playing their starter village.

1) Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The most recent game in the series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is without a doubt the best yet. It does suffer from some issues, like repeated dialogue and general repetition, especially when compared to Animal Crossing: New Leaf, but the quality-of-life features and new additions more than make up for this. New Horizons is the biggest and most ambitious game yet, giving players an entire island they can mold to their liking.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the most featured full game yet, giving players so much to do. While the experience was a little barebones at launch, the multiple free updates and paid DLC increased the amount of content to a staggering level. The multiplayer aspects also make the game incredible and more cozy while playing with friends. Another major aspect of Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ success is launching during the pandemic, solidifying itself in many fans’ hearts. Nintendo plans to let players bring their New Horizons data to the Nintendo Switch 2, increasing the lifespan of this game further.

The post Every Animal Crossing Game, Ranked appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo is a beloved developer and publisher for a good reason. Not only does the Japanese gaming giant chase innovation with its consoles, but it’s also been a great incubator for fan-favorite series. That said, they can’t all be the best, so we’ve put together our list of Nintendo’s worst series.

Before diving in, it’s important to note that we didn’t want to make this easy by going with forgotten franchises like Fossil Fighters or Nintendogs. To make this list, the series has to have released a game in the last decade and have at least three games under its umbrella. With those caveats outlined, here are our picks for the worst Nintendo series.

Mario Party

Let’s ease ourselves into this list with Mario Party. Look, if you’re enjoying a few beverages with your buds, Mario Party is a great time. However, it’s important to note that having fun with friends doesn’t mean you’re playing a good video game. You just like your friends! Don’t let Nintendo trick you.

Mario Party is filled with groan-inducing mechanics and mini-games that will leave you both frustrated and in the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. There isn’t a single person on the planet who plays Mario Party by themselves. And if you’re the exception to the rule we just made up, we hope to never meet you.

Star Fox

The first two Star Fox games are legitimately good, if a little dated, though we could do with fewer of Peppy’s constant catchphrases. However, Star Fox 64 came out in 1997. The second Jurassic Park movie came out that year, and that franchise has gone on to release four more mostly successful films with a fifth on the way this summer.

Star Fox, on the other hand, has mostly languished. Nintendo has tried to appease fans with a few bad spin-offs, and we did finally get Star Fox 2 in 2017; however, the publisher has essentially shoved the series into the back of the linen closet, like that ratty quilt your grandma knitted for your fifth birthday in ’97.

Fire Emblem

Let’s be clear, Fire Emblem sells very well and routinely reviews even better; however, the dating sim mechanics make this a “masterpiece” that’s easy to skip. It’s not as easy as it used to be when Advance Wars was cranking out high-quality strategy for Nintendo without the extra fluff, but if you want a pure tactical game, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is the way to go.

It’s also worth noting that Fire Emblem is currently trending down. Three Houses was a series high point, but we still can’t get over how creepy it is to date your former students. We don’t care about your time skip. Engage received middling reviews, partially because of how bad the plot was. Still, the strategy gameplay is some of the best in the series. Hopefully, Fire Emblem takes the memo and puts the focus squarely back on gameplay with whatever comes next.

Kirby

Kirby released a couple of good games in the early 90s and has been coasting on its cuteness ever since. Nobody played Kirby 64, and if they did, they quickly realized how stale its gameplay is. Epic Yarn received solid review scores on the Wii, but again, those scores were boosted by how cute the yarn gimmick was.

Even Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which is the most ambitious game fans of the series have ever received, felt overly simplistic once you figured out the best powers. It’s not a bad game, and that final boss battle is one of the wildest things Nintendo has ever put into a game, but it still felt like the first outing in a series. It’s not something you’d expect out of a franchise with more than three decades of history.

Yoshi

Outside of Yoshi’s Island, there has never been a good Yoshi game. Nintendo has tried to Epic Yarn-ify the series by upping its cuteness in Woolly and Crafted World, but we weren’t fooled twice, much less thrice.

Look, if you need to entertain someone under the age of 10, any of the Yoshi games will probably do it. Nintendo has been clear that the Yoshi series isn’t about best-in-class gameplay or innovative level design. You know you’re getting mediocre at best, but it’s going to look phenomenal. Which, to be fair, is a description we’d be happy to hear about ourselves in our personal lives. Good for you, Yoshi.

The post 5 Worst Nintendo Franchises Ever appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 era hasn’t officially started just yet, but one character has been conspicuously missing from Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. We’re talking of course about Diddy Kong, DK’s longtime partner. The character’s absence from even promotional materials had fans fearing the worst, but Nintendo has finally shown off the character’s new design, which has been adjusted to match the new look Donkey Kong is getting. The new look for Diddy was shared through Nintendo News on the Switch system, and features a familiar pose for the character, but with some notable differences.

In this new piece of art, Diddy can be seen standing alongside the Donkey Kong redesign. To casual fans, Diddy might look largely the same, but eagle-eyed fans have already pointed out several changes. As noted by @Stealth40k on Bluesky (who shared the new look), Diddy now has teeth, redesigned feet, and a slightly bigger belly. Most interestingly, Diddy’s hat has been switched up, removing the Nintendo logo. Something else is there instead now, but it’s impossible to tell exactly what has been added.

For many fans, the new art should be something of a relief. Not only has Nintendo stayed faithful to the character’s iconic look, this also confirms that Diddy Kong isn’t going anywhere. There had been rumors online that a certain trial centered around someone else going by “Diddy” might have led Nintendo to drop the character for a bit. That always seemed farfetched; Nintendo probably would have just renamed Diddy Kong the way that they changed Spike’s name in Japan a few years ago. Regardless, Diddy Kong seems to be sticking around, and we’ll have to see where the character shows up next.

Diddy Kong was not one of the original playable characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but he was added through the game’s DLC. Many fans have wondered whether or not he’ll be returning in Mario Kart World, but the character was not present during my hands-on last month, and has not been seen in any promotional material. Diddy has also been completely absent from anything shown in Donkey Kong Bananza, which has only confirmed the return of Cranky Kong so far.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Bananza Won’t Have One of the Best Elements from Donkey Kong Country

Diddy Kong has been DK’s partner in crime since the days of the Super Nintendo, debuting in the original Donkey Kong Country. He’s been a fan favorite ever since, so hopefully we’ll see the character show up somewhere soon. Since Nintendo clearly went to the effort of redesigning him, it’s hard to imagine we won’t see Diddy in one or both games… or perhaps in something that we don’t know about yet! Either way, Nintendo Switch 2 is about three weeks away from release, so we should start to get a lot more answers to these questions, one way or another.

How do you feel about this new design for Diddy Kong? Would you like to see the character show up in Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Reveals New Diddy Kong Redesign Just Like Donkey Kong appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Video games have always brought people together. That’s been true ever since couples would play Pac-Man and Donkey Kong together in smoke-filled bars in the ’80s, and it remains the case decades later. This has continued on into the internet era, where matchmaking in video games can mean more things than one. That seemed to be the genesis for “SmashTogether,” a suggestively titled app meant to bring together those that play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. On May 12th, the app’s X/Twitter account reported that more than 400 people had pre-registered for the chance to find love through the series, but it seems that it’s not meant to be.

Just two days after announcing pre-registration numbers, the creators of SmashTogether claimed that they have been given a cease and desist from Nintendo. The so-called “premium dating app for Smashers” was supposed to launch in beta today. The app’s creators have avoided offering any additional details, so fans will just have to speculate about what happened. It’s possible Nintendo was uncomfortable with the prospect, and the company has stepped in before when things have gotten a little too suggestive in the fan community. For example, the company shut down a fan-made game called “Peach’s Untold Tales” back in 2020.

Since the initial announcement, reception to the concept has been pretty mixed online. While the idea itself is pretty funny, the whole thing was pretty niche, and it’s hard to imagine many people actually getting paired up thanks to a single fighting game franchise, even one as big as Super Smash Bros. has been over the years. Of course, there’s no way of knowing for certain that this was shut down by Nintendo; it’s possible this was all just a silly concept that was never going to actually happen, and the cease and desist was a funny excuse for not launching the beta this week.

Whatever the case might be, Super Smash Bros. players looking for love will have to do so in more conventional ways. Just because there won’t be a dedicated gaming app for meeting the perfect Inkling main, it doesn’t mean that there’s no longer hope for finding someone that shares that same passion. Given the popularity of gaming, it’s almost surprising we haven’t seen more dedicated apps that try to pair people together based on their preferred genres and franchises, so maybe this will lead to something a little bigger.

RELATED: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Director Reveals All the Work That Went Into Adding Sora from Kingdom Hearts

Super Smash Bros. has been one of the biggest fighting game franchises since launching in 1999. The series started life in the N64 era, and has appeared on every Nintendo home console since, while also getting an entry on 3DS. The future of Super Smash Bros. in the Switch 2 era is currently unknown, but there have been hints about a new entry in development at Bandai Namco. Hopefully there will be a new game for players to bond over in the near future!

Would you have signed up for a Super Smash Bros. dating app? Do you think the idea was too silly to actually find an audience? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Nintendo Life]

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2025 looks like it should be a very big year for fans of the Mario Kart franchise. Over the last few months, LEGO has released multiple Mario Kart sets, but those options have been part of the overall Super Mario line, which is aimed at builders of all ages. By contrast, the LEGO Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set is aimed squarely at adult collectors. I had the chance to review the new set ahead of launch and found it to be a nice option for those looking for a display piece, or a way to kill time ahead of Mario Kart World‘s release. However, there are a couple of elements that hold it back from the greatness of past LEGO and Nintendo collaborations.

At 1,972 pieces, the Mario & Standard Kart set is one of the biggest sets LEGO has produced based on a Nintendo franchise. Across various Mario Kart games, the Standard Kart model has changed quite a bit, but LEGO’s designers went with the one specifically introduced in Mario Kart 8. In its finished form, the LEGO set faithfully captures the design, bringing the iconic vehicle to life in a way that should appeal to fans of the video game series. There’s even a bit of play value to the set, as the wheels offer a lot of traction, and Mario’s pose can be changed inside the Kart.

In addition to the Kart itself, the set also tasks buyers with putting together Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot himself. It’s a great likeness of Mario, and should offer some relief for those who aren’t fond of the figures that come with the LEGO Super Mario starter kits. Unfortunately, the LEGO Mario included in the Mario Kart set leads to one of the biggest problems with the build: while the figure can be easily removed from the Kart itself, LEGO has made it so that Mario cannot stand on his own. The legs aren’t totally fixed in place, but the designers gave Mario a flat bottom that makes it impossible to move the legs any lower.

The Mario figure is easily the most disappointing aspect of the set. Given its $169.99 price point, it feels like a strangely cheap decision on the part of LEGO. Nintendo fans already willing to spend that kind of money on a Mario Kart set would have probably been willing to pay a little extra for a figure capable of more play value and articulation. It seems like a safe bet that hardcore LEGO builders will come up with a workaround, but it’s confounding that this option wasn’t included from the start. It really does hold the set back, while making it harder to recommend compared to other options aimed at the 18+ crowd.

Speaking of the set’s recommended age rating, the Mario & Standard Kart set does offer a pretty good challenge. LEGO’s instructions remain of much higher quality than basically any other toy manufacturer, but I found that it can be very easy to make a mistake when putting the set together. I made a lot of mistakes with piece placement while putting it together, either due to bags filled with similar colors or some of the more unique choices made in the design. The result is nice, and the Kart itself feels sturdy when complete (though Mario’s head is a little flimsy), but I did find a lot more difficulty than I was expecting, even compared to some other big builds.

Mario is the most glaring problem with the Mario & Standard Kart set, but there are a couple of other elements that hold it back. For one thing, the set simply isn’t as enjoyable to build as last year’s Super Mario World – Mario & Yoshi set. That design had a lot of fun nuances, and there was a bit of joy to be found in discovering which pixel elements were being built throughout the process. With so many bags of red and black, the Mario & Standard Kart set just wasn’t as enjoyable to put together. It also would have been nice to get a hidden interactive element that worked with the standard LEGO Mario figure, like we saw with Super Mario World. The exclusion is all the more puzzling when you consider that the LEGO Mario Kart set (which is priced at $19.99) does come with an interactive brick piece.

In total, most LEGO builders should expect to spend between eight and nine hours to put together the Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set. The Kart itself takes about 5 hours to complete on its own, with the rest of the time dedicated to building the Mario figure and the Kart’s stand. That’s pretty close to the amount of time that The Legend of Zelda Great Deku Tree set took to complete, so fans should be prepared to set aside a lot of time. Of course, LEGO sets are often about the journey as much as the destination, so most collectors probably won’t mind.

RELATED: Mario Kart World Hands-On Preview: A Fresh Take on an Old Favorite

While the LEGO Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set has some notable flaws, it’s still a very nice option aimed at older collectors. Nintendo’s greatest strength is that its games have always managed to appeal to a wide range of players, and it’s clear that LEGO is looking for ways to appeal to both subsets of Nintendo’s fan base. All in all, the Mario & Standard Kart set is a nice option for those that don’t mind parting with some coins this close to the release of Mario Kart World.

How do you feel about LEGO’s various Nintendo sets? Is there a set design you’d like to see next from the company? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post LEGO Mario Kart Review: A Set for the Diehards appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2 are right around the corner. While most Nintendo fans are prepping for the new console’s launch on June 5th, Nintendo surprised its players by releasing an update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With the next entry so close, this is the potentially final update for the fan-favorite kart racer. While the update is small, its timing is of more importance here as we near the launch of Mario Kart World. Mario Kart 8 began on the Wii U and saw a Nintendo Switch port with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, giving the titles over a decade to delight fans. Mario Kart World is poised to be the most ambitious entry in the series yet, but it is nice to see Nintendo give Mario Kart 8 Deluxe attention still.

Version 3.0.4 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe resolves some issues with the game, specifically with 3DS Music Park in Time Trials and an issue with coins on N64 Rainbow Road. These are minor updates, but for those who aren’t picking up a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch, they are appreciated.

RELATED: 10 Nintendo Crossovers We Want in Mario Kart 9

For a full list of patch notes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Update 3.0.4, continue reading below.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Update Version 3.0.4 Patch Notes

General

• Fixed issue where, when playing “3DS Music Park” during Time Trials and the player opened and closed the pause menu over and over, the timing of the “notes” jumping lost sync with the background music and ghost data that was registered would start not playing correctly.
  • The timing of the “notes” jumping still loses sync with the background music when opening and closing the menu even after applying updated data, but they will jump at correct timing when the ghost data plays.
  • Ghost data for “3DS Music Park” that was created in Ver.3.0.3. or earlier cannot be uploaded.
  • Ghost data that has this problem occur may be deleted without prior notice from “Online Ghosts.”
• Fixed issue where coins thrown by spectators disappear before they fall onto the course in “N64 Rainbow Road.”

The post Mario Kart 8 Gets Surprise Update Ahead of Mario Kart World appeared first on ComicBook.com.

We’ve known that The Super Mario Bros. Movie was getting a sequel since March of last year. However, further details about the project have been scarce, despite the occasional unconfirmed leak hinting at what’s to come. Now, it appears that NBC accidentally unveiled the title of the upcoming project, which was originally announced to hit theaters in April 2026. In an article on the NBC Universal newsroom website, which appears to have since been edited, the film was referenced as Super Mario World. That detail has been removed, but not before industry sources got a screenshot.

The screenshot in question comes from reputable source @Wario64, who often shares breaking news and reliable intel about video game news and deals. Their post shows an original list of movies that would get big theatrical releases, followed by exclusive streaming release on Peacock. The list has since been shortened to no longer include the Mario title, though the other, not-so-secret films remain. You can get a look at the original text via Wario’s post below:

If this information is to be believed, it’s a bit of a surprise. Previous leaks suggested the film would, somewhat predictably, be called Super Mario Bros. 2. This would’ve kept in line with the progression of the video games, taking on an adaptation for the next game in the series. If this new, accidental reveal proves to be accurate, that means the movies will be skipping right over Super Mario Bros. 2 and heading straight for Super Mario World.

What We Know About the Super Mario Bros. Movie Sequel

The confirmed info we have on the next Super Mario Bros. movie is pretty scarce. We know that it’s happening and that it’s planned for a theatrical release on April 3rd, 2026. Beyond that, we’ve mostly got comments from the movie’s cast that are more speculative than fact. Keegan Michael-Key, who voiced Toad in the first film, has previously shared that we’ll see a mix of favorites and less well-known characters in the second installment. Meanwhile, the controversial voice of Mario, Chris Pratt, has speculated that the film could spawn a Nintendo Cinematic Universe.

RELATED: Super Mario Bros. Movie Actor Reveals Why He Thinks He Won’t Be in the Sequel

For now, though, we don’t have much on the project beyond its release date and a few cast announcements. This leak from NBC may well be a reliable confirmation of the film’s title being Super Mario World, which heavily suggests that the movie will be based on the game of the same name. However, given that it was quickly removed, it could either have been accidentally revealed early or be inaccurate information. Until we get official confirmation, the leak is no guarantee that the movie will stick to that title upon release.

What do you think about the next Super Mario Bros. movie skipping right to Super Mario World? Are there any elements from the game you hope to see, if the leak proves reliable? Let us know in the comments below!

The post New Leak Reveals Title for Super Mario Bros. Movie Sequel (And It’s Not What You Think) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While there are many cozy games out there, Animal Crossing has proven to be one of the best franchises in the genre. Between its relaxing atmosphere, real-time simulation, and social aspects, Nintendo fans have enjoyed multiple entries over the years. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is widely considered the best game in the series, though some feel it lacks content and feels repetitive compared to past entries, particularly Animal Crossing: New Leaf. With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 approaching and no news on the next Animal Crossing game, Nintendo has the opportunity to make this future entry incredible, but it needs to add more engaging content.

One way Nintendo can improve the Animal Crossing series is by adding more activities. Many play Animal Crossing daily to complete a checklist, but by adding more things to do, players will spend more time in-game. We’ve gathered five activities Nintendo can add to the next Animal Crossing game to make it that much more special.

1) Group Activities

One of the best parts of the Animal Crossing series is welcoming new Villagers to your town. However, there isn’t all that much to do with them besides talk and give them gifts. For the next entry, Nintendo needs to allow players to get their Villagers together and have group activities. This could be playing sports, singing and playing music, playing hide and seek, and so much more. 

Expanding upon the Villager system would make Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch 2 feel so much more lifelong and give even more social immersion. Nintendo could add a list of group activities and then expand on these with updates. Seasonal events, such as a Secret Santa game or Trick-or-Treat on Halloween, would expand upon this system. Villager personalities could dictate what kind of activities they would join the player in, and how the player designs their town could further affect this.

2) Bike Riding

Animal Crossing has always been about having a leisurely life, and riding a bike through town would perfectly capture this. Not only could the player have a bike, but Villagers could ride bikes too. Having bike meetups or seeing two Jock Villagers racing would be a charming sight and add more life to the game. Bikes or skateboards would offer faster transportation, ways to have more conversations with Villagers, and provide different features based on looks.

RELATED: 5 Things Animal Crossing Needs to Do on Nintendo Switch 2

Players could customize and design their bikes to their liking. Perhaps adding a basket would give extra storage, or a horn could startle bugs and make them easier to capture. Nintendo doesn’t even have to settle on bikes. Kayaks would be a great addition as well, especially if Nintendo incorporates rivers and oceans. Maybe even a hang glider to jump from a cliff and soar over the town. Adding vehicles would add a new way to travel and take in the beautiful scenery that players have built.

3) Running a Store

This seems like a feature that should have been in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but players should be able to run a store. A resale store would be an excellent way to offload furniture and accessories players no longer want, but also share with Villagers. Selling used furniture to Villagers, or even allowing them to sell their own furniture to one another, would make the economy more fluid. It would also be incredibly wholesome to see furniture being passed around the island.

Nintendo could also let the player sell bugs, fish, and other collectibles. Prices could be set or can be flexible, like the Turnip Stock Market. This would further incentivize players to collect items and could be a quick way to make money. Villagers could put in requests or orders and encourage the player to get these items for a big profit. While selling to Nook’s Cranny is fine, it doesn’t have the same flair as running your own local business.

4) Add an Arcade

Arcade machines are already present in Animal Crossing: New Horizons; however, they are little more than props. It would be an incredible feature for these machines to offer playable mini-games. Nintendo could incorporate older games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and more. Obviously, it wouldn’t make sense for Nintendo to make these classic games fully playable via Animal Crossing’s arcade games, but it would be a nostalgic blast to get a demo of these classic titles.

Nintendo could also create arcade games that offer little mini-games, such as the ones seen in the Mario Party series. These could be Animal Crossing-themed, and Villagers could even play them too. Adding a favorite game category to Villagers would allow them to compete with the player for the high score and give them more personality. A prize grabber could also offer new ways to get items and recipes as well.

5) Diving and Underwater Exploration

Diving is technically present in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but it is a barebones feature. In its current state, players simply dive down to a bubbly spot and collect an underwater creature. The next Animal Crossing game should expand on this and add an underwater environment players can explore. This can be an unlockable area that players can explore by upgrading scuba gear. Not only would this give players more to do, but it could add an underwater portion of the town.

Imagine an underwater town for both the player and the Villagers to explore. While many of its residents would be sea-dwelling species, land-dwelling species could don scuba gear and hang out underwater too. Players could start off only being able to hold their breath underwater, but then expand the town by exploring with better gear. A dark underwater cave could add a new way to explore and discover treasure, further offering ways to enjoy Animal Crossing.

The post 5 Activities Animal Crossing Needs to Add on Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo just quietly announced a new feature for the Switch 2 that wasn’t seen with the original version of the Switch. With the Switch 2 now less than a month out from its release date, most of the major selling points of the hardware have already been detailed by Nintendo. This includes not only its specs, but its dimensions, new Joy-Con upgrades, and changes to its dock. Now, with such little time left until launch, Nintendo has revealed one other aspect of the Switch 2 that many will surely find to be quite helpful.

Detailed on the Nintendo Today app, Nintendo informed fans that the Switch 2 will now come with a “Security Lock” function. This feature, while relatively basic, will allow Switch 2 users to set a PIN number that then has to be input in order to unlock the console. It’s a pretty standard feature that is seen in mobile phones, tablets, and other devices, but wasn’t included with the Switch 1. Now, for the Switch 2, Nintendo has added an option to the console’s settings menu that will let users turn this feature on or off at their discretion.

While the addition of Security Lock isn’t going to make or break one’s decision to buy a Switch 2, it’s definitely a nice quality-of-life feature for the platform to now have. It’s especially helpful for those who might end up sharing their Switch 2 with others within their family, as it will ensure that younger users can’t gain access to the platform without some oversight.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Leaks Early and Reveals Major Weakness

As mentioned, the Nintendo Switch 2 is now incredibly close to its release date, which is that of June 5th. The console is set to release at a price of $449.99, with $499.99 bundles that come with Mario Kart World also being sold.

[H/T The Verge]

The post Nintendo Quietly Announces Helpful New Switch 2 Feature Ahead of Release appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of the most exciting accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the official GameCube Controller launching alongside Nintendo’s new console. The controller has gone up for pre-order on the official My Nintendo Store, but users are facing an issue as soon as they get on the site. With the large volume of clicks, fans are being placed into a queue with no indication of how long the queue will take or their spot in line. This is the only potential avenue for purchasing the GameCube Controller at this time, though this may change in the future. Regardless, Nintendo fans will need to wait out the queue and hope stock still remains.

The GameCube Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 is up for pre-order at $64.99. While the website shows hopeful buyers placed into a queue, Google lists it as “Out of Stock” and others see this message when they finally reach the website. This may be an error, as there is a limit of one item per account. Those interested in pre-ordering should stick with the queue and place their order now if they can.

RELATED: Nintendo Fans Left Confused After Best Buy Quickly Changes Switch 2 Listing

Some fans are reporting they have been able to purchase the controller, while others are stuck in queue. Some have said going to the site on their phone has given better results, but your mileage may vary, as it did not change anything on our end.

Those in the queue are advised not to refresh or close the page, lest they forfeit their spot in the queue. Sadly, the only thing to do is wait out the queue and hope you get through. Nintendo may restock the GameCube Controller before launch, and it will likely offer sales after the Nintendo Switch 2 is released.

Nintendo’s announcement of GameCube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online was met with happiness considering the legendary games in its catalog. While players can use the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, the GameCube Controller will provide the most authentic feeling.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller Goes Up for Pre-Order (With a Queue) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t set to be released for a few more weeks, but one of the system’s launch titles is already being sold at a significant discount. The title in question is Hogwarts Legacy, and WB Games is offering a big incentive to buy the game early. The title has been marked down to just $17.99 on the Nintendo Switch eShop, which is 70% off its normal price on the current Switch. After buying it, a $10 upgrade path for the Switch 2 will become available. So, if you were planning to buy the game at launch for the system, you can get it now for $27.99, versus the standard $59.99.

Several existing Switch games will offer upgrade paths for Nintendo Switch 2, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. What’s notable about Hogwarts Legacy is that it’s the first third-party game that we’ve seen offering an upgrade path for existing Switch owners. Notably, Sonic x Shadow Generations is also being released at launch for Nintendo Switch 2, but Sega has specifically stated that there will not be an option to upgrade from the current Switch version. This led to some speculation that the same would be true for Hogwarts Legacy, but that clearly will not be the case.

This could bode well for other third-party titles, especially those published by WB Games. The publisher has not announced a Switch 2 version of Mortal Kombat 1, but it would seem like a prime candidate for an upgrade. While the game has apparently improved quite a bit since launch, it would be nice to see the developers take advantage of the system’s upgrades to offer something even closer to the versions on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. That’s clearly what we’re seeing for Hogwarts Legacy, based on everything Nintendo has shown thus far.

The Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy had to make a number of compromises compared to the one released on other platforms. The port was developed by Shiver Entertainment, who also handled Mortal Kombat 1 on the system. While the limitations of these games put them behind other versions, Nintendo was clearly impressed with Shiver’s work; last year, Nintendo published the studio from Embracer Group, with the intention of having them continue to work on ports “for multiple platforms.” That seemed to suggest they’ll be working on bringing some games to Nintendo Switch 2 as well, but nothing has been announced at this time.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

The current discount on Hogwarts Legacy will only last through May 18th, so those hoping to get the game on Switch 2 for cheap will want to take advantage while the deal is live. However, the $10 upgrade for current owners of the Switch version should be available without any restrictions.

Do you plan on taking advantage of this discount? What Nintendo Switch 2 games will you be purchasing at launch? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Wario64]

The post Hogwarts Legacy Is Already More Than 50% Off on Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch 2 can currently be pre-ordered at a discount, courtesy of Costco. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game won’t release until July 17, more than a month after the Nintendo Switch 2 itself releases on June 5. And when it releases, it will cost $70. This is how much it also currently costs to pre-order, unless you have a Costco membership. If you have a Costco membership you can currently pre-order the game from Costco for just $62.99.

It is currently unclear if this is a permanent offer or a limited time offer that could expire at any second. There are a couple things to note though. First is that shipping is free, which is a nice extra perk. Second, this is indeed — as the photo suggests — for a physical copy of the game not a digital code. Sometime retailers advertise digital codes as if it they are physical copies, but they aren’t. Lastly, you will be charged immediately upon purchase, not when the item ships or arrives.

As you would expect, Nintendo fans are appreciative of the deal. With Nintendo charging up to $80 for Nintendo Switch 2 games following a generational price increase, fans are happy to save money when they can.

“This is why I was never too worried about the price increase,” writes one Nintendo fan over on Reddit. “It does suck for sure but there’s always cheaper ways to get games, even on launch.”

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Leaks Early and Reveals Major Weakness

Donkey Kong Bananza is set to release worldwide, via the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 only, on July 17. The 3D platformer is set to be the first major Donkey Kong game since 2014’s Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and the first 3D platformer since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64.

“Get ready for Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new 3D platforming action adventure — available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2,” reads an official description of the game. “Crash, bash, and climb through nearly everything in DK’s path and tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration. The more that is demolished with powerful punches, the more areas open up to discover. Break on through this adventure full of mayhem, surprises and bananas when Donkey Kong Bananza crashes onto Nintendo Switch 2.”

The post Donkey Kong Bananza Is Already on Sale Ahead of its Switch 2 Release appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Super Smash Bros. fans are divided about new redesigns being in the next Super Smash Bros. game for Nintendo Switch 2. What the future of Super Smash Bros. looks likes following Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains a mystery. Of course, there will be another Super Smash Bros. game, but when and what it will be remains to be seen. Right now, all signs point to it being very far away though. While there is still no official word of the next Smash game that hasn’t stopped fans of the Nintendo series from speculating like mad over it. To this end, fans recently speculated over what recent redesigns will feature.

The most notable and contentious Nintendo redesign since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is its redesign of Donkey Kong. This new design is not only used in the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza, but it is being used in Mario Kart World. And it will presumably be used in the next Super Smash Bros. game as the standard design of Donkey Kong going forward. In addition to this, there have been recent redesigns of Samus in Metroid Dread and the upcoming Metroid Prime 4. And of course, there are the Zelda redesigns in Tears of the Kingdom to consider.

As you would expect, Super Smash Bros. fans have a wide array of opinions on these redesigns, but many agree the Donkey Kong redesign is guaranteed to be in the game. The others though, there is more debate on.

“I think Samus will be based on Metroid Dread and Shulk will still be standard XB1 Shulk but otherwise yeah,” reads the top comment on the post above. “And add Tears of the Kingdom Link and Bayonetta 3 Bayonetta.”

While this is the most popular comment, and probably mostly accurate, there is one issue which is that redesigning Link would require more than just changing how he looks, but how he plays, which could be a stumbling block for it happening.

“Please for the love of God don’t do that to the Zelda characters,” reads another comment. Another comment adds: “Honestly love the Donkey Kong design, he actually looks like he has personality.”

All of this is to say, there are going to be lots of opinions — and probably some blowback — when the next Super Smash Bros. game is revealed and released based on which characters it does and doesn’t go with a modern redesign for.

With speculation that the next Super Smash Bros. game may reboot the series after Ultimate took it to its peak, it is possible for a metric ton of reworkings and redesigns to happen. That said, and as always, feel free to leave a comment letting us know what you think.

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A new Pokemon Gen 10 rumor has surfaced online and has been making the rounds, despite being dubious. According to the rumor, which originates from 4chan, the next mainline Pokemon games following Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be called Pokemon Gales and Tides, and take players on an island adventure complete with 16 main islands and over 150 smaller islands, though many of the latter will be rudimentary in design and ambition.

Most notably, the rumor claims that the starters of Pokemon Gen 10 are going to be a “fire goat” called Embaah, a “water octopus” called Ocotpop, and a “grass snail” called Mosshell. It is also claimed Charmander is going to get a regional variant that will make the fire type ground type. Other Pokemon mentioned include: “an early route Griffin, a sea hare, a green snake with four eyes, a generic black beetle, and a hermit crab with different shells” (up to six, including a soda can).

“New battle gimmick is called Gigaxis,” adds the rumor. “Each of the 16 main islands has a guardian Pokemon. Some Pokemon can swear their loyalty to a guardian Pokemon, which unlocks a Gigaxis (temporarily changing their appearance and typing). After
some use, the temporary change becomes permanent.”

Other details mentioned is the box art of both games will be a single legendary called Thalorion, however the legendary is different depending on the game. In Pokemon Gales it has “pledged loyalty to the winds” and in Pokemon Tides it has pledged loyalty to the sea.

It is also mentioned there are no gyms, but an island challenge similar to Pokemon Sun and Moon where players earn stamps to earn access to other islands.

The rumor concludes claiming there is some “heavy Kanto pandering” in the game. It also mentions your rival is a girl from your village called Sofia with short brown hair and brown closed eyes. And that is the extent of the rumor.

Of course, remember to take everything here with a grain of salt. While 4chan has provided some of the biggest leaks over the year, it has also provided a metric ton of hogwash. So far, none of the implicated parties — Game Freak, The Pokemon Company, and Nintendo — have not commented on the rumor. If this changes we will update the story accordingly.

For more Pokemon coverage — including all of the latest Pokemon Gen 10 news, all of the latest Pokemon Gen 10 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Pokemon Gen 10 speculation — click here.

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The motherboard of a Nintendo Switch 2 console has reportedly leaked early, which in turn has provided new insight into how the console performs. And included in this insight is word of a major weakness of the console. More specifically, the CPU of the Nintendo Switch 2 is notably lacking, which means the console may have a hard time running a few different types of games and genres, including: real-time strategy games, grand strategy games, simulation games, MMORPGs, and to a lesser extent, demanding open-world RPGs and games with advanced physics and AI. Beyond the CPU, the console has checked out so far in performance tests.

The performance test comes the way of popular YouTuber Geekerwan, who was able to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 motherboard early thanks to Xianyu, which is essentially the Chinese version of eBay. And as Centro Leaks notes, there are a few interesting details that can be pulled from the test.

For one, it appears the SoC was taped out in 2021, which presumably means this console could have been released much earlier if it was not for the pandemic and the disruption it caused.

Meanwhile, a simulated benchmark performed on a PC with the closet specs to the Nintendo Switch 2 shows that the GPU while docked is quite strong and similar to a GTX 1050 Ti. In portable mode, it is of course weaker, and more similar to a PS4.

While the GPU checks out, the CPU leaves plenty of room for improvement, with testing finding it pretty week, and considerably weaker than 2022’s Steam Deck. When running many games, this probably won’t be much of a problem, but just like the Nintendo Switch, it is going to keep a lot of games from certain genres off the Switch 2, especially high-end real-time strategy and grand strategy games.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Confirms Return of Wii Feature

Of course, take everything here with a grain of salt. None of this is official information, and even if this information is accurate, it is not entirely conclusive. So far, Nintendo has not been drawn out for comment, but if this changes we will update the story accordingly.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

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Nintendo’s amiibo line has been going strong for more than a decade now, first launching back in the fall of 2014. In that time, Nintendo has released a whole bunch of the figures based on various games, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If you’re still in need of some amiibo based on that particular game, you’re in luck, as GameStop has dropped the price on five of them: Pikachu, Charizard, Duck Hunt, Daisy, and Ness can all be found right now for just $9.99. These figures normally cost $15.99, so if you’re looking to fill out your collection, this might be the best opportunity to do so. The figures can be found at the links below:

• Charizard
• Daisy
• Duck Hunt
• Ness
• Pikachu

Starting with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, Nintendo has released an amiibo of every single fighter in the series. Some characters like Cloud and Bayonetta have actually received multiple amiibo, featuring variant costumes used in the games. Owning every single one from the series is an expensive undertaking, so any discount is a welcome one. It’s unclear how long this discount will last from GameStop, but fans in need of these figures might want to take advantage while the deal is live.

The price drop is all the more notable given the fact the recent price increases on amiibo releasing later this year. As a result of the tariff situation playing out in the U.S., several upcoming amiibo based on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Street Fighter 6 have seen a large jump in price. The Zelda figures launching in June were supposed to be priced at $19.99, and are now debuting at $29.99, while the Street Fighter line jumped from $29.99 to $39.99.

No one really knows what the future holds for amiibo. Over the last 10 years, fans have questioned how long Nintendo will continue to support the toys even as every other toys-to-life line faded into obscurity, from Disney Infinity and Skylanders, to LEGO Dimensions. There’s a lot of concern among collectors that the tariff situation could be what finally kills the amiibo line after more than a decade, so fans hoping to fill in some gaps in their collection might want to take advantage while these are still on shelves.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

With Nintendo Switch 2 launching next month, fans are also wondering when the next Super Smash Bros. game will be announced. It’s a safe bet that the fighting game series will see some kind of iteration on the new hardware, but what form that takes is anyone’s guess. We could see a whole new game at some point, or a “deluxe” version like we got with Mario Kart 8 on Switch. Notably, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai is working on a new game for Nintendo Switch 2, but it’s Kirby Air Riders. Whatever Nintendo is planning for the series, new amiibo would seem like a safe bet, but that might not happen if interest in the figures drops as a result of the current pricing.

Are you planning to take advantage of these discounts? Do you think the amiibo line can survive the recent price increases? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Multiple Nintendo Amiibo Figures Get a Rare Discount appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has confirmed the return of a feature that got its start during the Wii generation. The feature is not supremely consequential, but Wii nostalgics will be happy to see it back for another Nintendo console generation. More specifically, it has been confirmed, by Nintendo, that Miis are not dead and will be part of the Nintendo Switch 2 console experience like they have been a part of the Switch experience.

Just like with the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 will allow owners to use various profile icons from various Nintendo games. Switch 2 owners will also have the option of not using any of the pre-made profile icons in favor making their own Mii and using it as an avatar.

While Nintendo has confirmed that Miis are back on Nintendo Switch 2, it is unclear if there any improvements, upgrades, or any other type of changes. The lack of information suggests they are implemented just as they are on the Nintendo Switch, with nothing new or different.

“I’m kind of hoping Miis finally get upgraded,” writes one Nintendo fan of the news. “Thank goodness. Mii’s are a staple at this point,” adds another Nintendo fan.

RELATED: A New Super Smash Bros. Is Necessary For Switch 2

Of course, Miis returning isn’t that surprising, especially when you consider Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is in the works for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled to release in 2026. Meanwhile, with the Nintendo Switch 2 being backward compatibility it makes sense all of the Switch settings and console features are returning. After all the Nintendo Switch 2 is essentially just a Nintendo Switch Pro. In other words, it is far more iterative then we sometimes see from Nintendo, and with iteration comes carrying forward everything the previously console did and offered.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release worldwide on June 5, 2025, priced at $450. For more coverage on the upcoming Nintendo console — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 speculation — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Confirms Return of Wii Feature appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch games that normally cost $40 on the Nintendo eShop are on sale right now for just $2.38 thanks to a massive 94% discount that is live until May 19. The deal is specifically for a bundle of two games, so this essentially means Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED users are only paying a little over $1 per Switch game.

This is the lowest price the pair of Nintendo Switch games have ever been on the Nintendo eShop and anywhere else other than Steam. The deal gives Switch users the opportunity to grab Figment 1 and Figment 2 for a combined price of $2.38. For those unfamiliar with the pair of games, the first debuted back in 2017 via Bedtime Digital Games. Upon release, the action-adventure game garnered a solid Metacritic score of 77, which pairs nicely with its 87% approval rating on Steam.

Six years later, Bedtime Digital Games followed this up with Figment 2: Creed Valley in 2023, which itself has a 76 on Metacritic and a 94% approval rating on Steam. Like its predecessor, it is also an action-adventure game.

Those that decide to trigger this Nintendo eShop deal should expect to sit down for about five to six hours with Figment, and roughly four to six hours with its sequel, Figment 2: Creed Valley. Combined this is 10 to 12 hours of content.

“An action-adventure set in the recesses of the human mind… Welcome to the world of Figment. A strange and surreal world; a place filled with our deepest thoughts, urges and memories, populated by the many voices we hear in our heads,” reads the official description of the first game. And here is an official description of its sequel: “Figment 2: Creed Valley is an action-adventure game set in the human mind. Nightmares are spreading chaos and enemies have overrun once-peaceful lands. Join Dusty, the Mind’s courage, as you make your way through puzzles, musical boss fights and unique environments. Face your fears head-on.”

RELATED: Nintendo Switch eShop Gets Major Upgrade Ahead of Switch 2

After purchasing the pair of Nintendo Switch games, Nintendo fans will need to clear 3.4 GB of space to download both games onto their Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED.

For more Nintendo Switch coverage – including all of the latest Nintendo Switch news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo eShop deals like this one – click here.

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While many fans are excited for Nintendo’s upcoming Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2, there have been concerns about AI. Nintendo has recently been accused of using AI in the development of the next Mario Kart, specifically in the art department. This allegation comes not long after the reveal and shortly before the official Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World release. Nintendo has denied the use of AI repeatedly, and most recently clarified the absence of AI in Mario Kart World. Previously, Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, reassured fans that Nintendo was focused on its human touch when developing games, and Shigeru Miyamoto himself weighed in on the topic.

However, Nintendo has directly denied the use of AI in Mario Kart World in a new statement given to Eurogamer. While brief, Nintendo’s message on the topic was definitive.

“AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World,” Nintendo said plainly.

The AI allegations arose during Nintendo Treehouse Live following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. The assumed AI art, seen at the 9:15-minute mark, is found on billboards of a bridge and a skyscraper. These were called out for having strange lines and oddly placed assets. Another billboard of a car was questioned because of the car’s makeup, specifically its windows.

The Mario Kart series has never been known for its realism, so it is possible these are just artistic interpretations. The artwork seen may not even be final. The build used for this footage may not be the full release that players will see when Mario Kart World launches. Nintendo has always prided itself on its visuals and aesthetics, something only possible with a human touch.

RELATED: Mario Kart World Is Bringing Back a Popular Guest Character (But Not How You’d Expect)

Nintendo’s stance on AI remains unchanged for the time being. Regardless, some will remain unconvinced that AI was not used in development. Many developers have admitted to using AI in some form, but until Nintendo says otherwise, it is not one of these developers.

The post Mario Kart World AI Allegations Addressed by Nintendo appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Donkey Kong Bananza is set to be released in July, but Nintendo has kept a lot of elements of the game secret thus far. There’s a lot we don’t know about the game, but fans might have uncovered an unannounced local multiplayer mode. On the Famiboards, a user named Triistan discovered and shared a Nintendo Store listing that lists Donkey Kong Bananza among several games with local multiplayer elements. It’s possible that this was a mistake on Nintendo’s part, but Triistan also points out that the eShop page for the game has a big “TBD” in the section for the number of players.

Unsurprisingly, this has already led to some speculation about what the local multiplayer elements could be. Famiboards users have guessed that the game could implement an option similar to Super Mario Odyssey, which allowed a second player to control Cappy. It’s possible players could similarly control Odd Rock, Donkey Kong’s new companion. At this time, we don’t know who is developing Donkey Kong Bananza, but it has been heavily speculated that Nintendo EPD is responsible for the Nintendo Switch 2 game. If it really does share a development team with Super Mario Odyssey, it’s possible it could offer a similar multiplayer component.

Odd Rock briefly appeared in our hands-on time with Donkey Kong Bananza, but little information was provided about the character. Odd Rock seems to serve as a source of exposition and tips for the player, but there have been hints that there could be more to it than that. A leak last month suggested that Odd Rock could actually be Pauline, a character that was kidnapped by Donkey Kong in the original arcade game.

Since Odd Rock’s role in the game is being kept under wraps, the character having some connection to the multiplayer would make the most sense. However, other posters have guessed that Donkey Kong Bananza‘s multiplayer component could have some connection to Diddy Kong. Despite the character’s huge popularity, Diddy Kong has yet to appear in any screenshots or videos revealed for the game thus far. It’s hard to imagine the character not appearing in some capacity, even if it’s just in a supporting role like we’ve seen with Cranky Kong. For that matter, most of the major Kongs seem to be missing, including favorites like Dixie and Funky.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Bananza Won’t Have One of the Best Elements from Donkey Kong Country

While Nintendo has kept largely quiet about Donkey Kong Bananza since its announcement, that will likely change over the next few weeks. The game is set to be released on July 17th, so we can probably expect more news next month. Over the next few weeks, we’ll probably see a bigger focus on Mario Kart World instead, since that will be the major launch title for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th. Once that game is out, we can probably expect to see a shift towards Donkey Kong Bananza, and several other Switch 2 titles launching this year, including Drag x Drive, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

What kind of multiplayer mode would you like to see in Donkey Kong Bananza? Are you excited for the game’s release? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Nintendo Life]

The post Donkey Kong Bananza Leak Might Have Revealed a Multiplayer Mode appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in just four weeks, and it remains to be seen how the system will perform from a sales perspective. Nintendo has some lofty expectations in that regard, and the company laid out its forecast during its most recent financial results briefing. According to the company, it expects to sell 15 million units in the fiscal year ending in March 2026, as well as 45 million pieces of software. Nintendo says that number does not account for copies of Mario Kart World bundled with the system itself, or upgrade packs for existing Switch games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

There are already some good signs that sales will be strong out of the gate. Last month, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that demand “far” exceeded expectations in Japan, and that the company would not be able to fulfill all requests from those that registered an interest. In the U.S., pre-orders have also sold out from various retailers, including GameStop, Target, and Walmart. It’s impossible to say what supply will be like on launch day, but Nintendo seems to be gearing up for high-demand.

During today’s briefing, sales figures for the current Nintendo Switch were updated, and the system has now sold 152.12 million units worldwide. That still puts the system slightly below the Nintendo DS, which managed 154.02 million during its time on the market. It’s likely Switch will surpass that number sometime in the near future, but it still has a way to go before it can reach the PlayStation 2, which remains the highest-selling video game system ever.

One thing that bodes well for Nintendo is the fact that Switch continues to see great interest more than eight years after its release. Several exclusive Switch games released over the last year have cleared 1 million units sold, including titles such as Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The number of annual users playing Switch is also more than 128 million; given how many people are still playing the system and buying new games, it’s not a leap to imagine many people wanting to upgrade to play exclusive titles like Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5th, so we won’t have to wait long to see how the system performs in terms of sales. Nintendo is going to have a hard time meeting or surpassing lifetime sales of the current system, but it’s clear that the company’s confidence is high. When the original Switch was released, the system outsold the 10 million in sales that had been projected, forcing Nintendo to increase its expectations. Whether or not history repeats remains to be seen.

Are you planning to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 next month? Do you still regularly use your current Switch? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Expects to Sell a Lot of Switch 2 Systems This Year appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When Nintendo Switch 2 arrives next month, the system will add a new GameChat feature, which will allow users to talk with one another while sharing video of their gameplay. Nintendo put a big focus on the new feature during April’s big Switch 2 Direct, but one thing that did not get mentioned is that the company might record these video sessions. As noticed by Nintendo Everything, Nintendo’s official privacy policy has been updated, and it features some new details ahead of GameChat’s launch. Specifically, the company might record interactions between users.

“Our services may allow you to create, upload or share content such as text, images, audio, video, your nickname and user icon, or other content that you create or is licensed to you. With your consent, and to enforce our terms, we may also monitor and record your video and audio interactions with other users,” the updated policy reads.

So far, reception to the policy change has been largely negative. No one likes the idea of a company recording their interactions, and there are genuine concerns over privacy. However, there are very real reasons for this policy being in place. A lot of gamers have abused video chat features on other platforms over the years, and having these kinds of security measures in place allows Nintendo to protect itself and users. Basically, companies like Nintendo have to be able to record interactions to verify in circumstances where one user reports another. If a user reports another over inappropriate conduct, it allows Nintendo to look back at the recordings and see if they line up with the report.

It will be interesting to see whether Nintendo fans embrace GameChat. Nintendo is clearly starting to offer more robust online features than it has in the past, and this could give users more opportunities to interact and communicate. A frequent complaint about Nintendo is that many of the company’s online options have been stuck in the past; the current voice chat option on Switch requires the use of a cell phone and Nintendo’s mobile app. However, making things more modern does come with some trade-offs, and that might mean a little less privacy than most users would prefer.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

GameChat is getting a big push ahead of the launch of Nintendo Switch 2. The feature was prominently showcased in a commercial starring Paul Rudd and Joe Lo Truglio. To use GameChat, Switch 2 owners will need a compatible camera, and multiple options are going to be offered from Nintendo and its partners. The service will be free to use through March 31st, 2026, at which point a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online will be required.

How do you feel about GameChat recording your sessions with other players? Is this something you plan on using when Nintendo Switch 2 is released? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 “May” Record Video Sessions, and Many People Aren’t Happy appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When Nintendo Switch 2 releases in stores next month, Cyberpunk 2077 will be one of the first games available at launch. The game is getting a lot of positive attention from Nintendo fans, largely because of its physical release. For Nintendo Switch 2, most third-party developers are offering Game-Key Cards, which are basically cartridges used to download the game online, and don’t contain any other data. Cyberpunk 2077 will be one of the rare exceptions, with the full game on the cartridge, alongside the DLC. In an interview with The Game Business, CD Projekt Red VP of business development Jan Rosner addressed the decision, and the future of physical game releases.

“Nintendo at physical retail is still strong, and retail is, in general, not going anywhere. I don’t think we’ll soon experience a reality where we’re just having all games digital. But again, it’s especially important for the Nintendo audience. We maybe could have got away with it, but is there a point? The right thing to do was to have it out on the cartridge with a plug and play experience,” said Rosner. “Do not underestimate the physical edition. It’s not going anywhere and Nintendo players are very appreciative of physical editions that are done right.”

In late April, Nintendo released a Creator’s Voice video focused on the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077. While the video itself didn’t touch on the physical release, the comments were still filled with people talking about it. It remains to be seen whether this decision will lead to increased sales for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2, but this is something Nintendo fans clearly care about, and it sounds like they’re ready to vote with their dollars when the new system arrives on June 5th.

Physical game releases have been a hot topic of conversation in the video game industry over the last generation or two. Publishers have increasingly moved to discs that require downloads before they can be played, and this has led to frustration from physical game collectors. The reality is, there are a lot of people that currently enjoy playing old games via cartridges and discs, and many people worry about the future viability of games that can’t be played without an internet download first.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: The Successor I’ve Spent Years Waiting For

Rosner and CD Projekt Red have clearly done their research; when it comes to physical game releases, the Nintendo audience does feel very passionately about this topic. Over the last eight years, it’s become common to see Switch owners with huge collections of physical games. These fans don’t want Game-Key Cards, and it’s easy to understand why. Hopefully this move on the part of CD Projekt Red will show other publishers that there’s still a big market for true physical games.

How do you feel about Cyberpunk 2077‘s Nintendo Switch 2 release? Do you plan on checking out the game next month? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Nintendo Everything]

The post Cyberpunk 2077 Developer Says Physical Release Was “Especially Important” for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.