Nintendo Archives - ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/tag/nintendo/ Comic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:00:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://comicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/cropped-ComicBook-icon_808e20.png?w=32 Nintendo Archives - ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/tag/nintendo/ 32 32 237547605 Metroid Prime 4 Shows Just How Nintendo Is Different From Xbox & PlayStation https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/metroid-prime-4-development-time-nintendo-plan/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/metroid-prime-4-development-time-nintendo-plan/#respond Sun, 17 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1454722

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to be released before the end of the year. Nintendo has yet to announce exactly when it’s coming, but the latest from Retro Studios is positioned as one of the company’s big games to close out 2025. We don’t know how the finished product will turn out, but things […]

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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to be released before the end of the year. Nintendo has yet to announce exactly when it’s coming, but the latest from Retro Studios is positioned as one of the company’s big games to close out 2025. We don’t know how the finished product will turn out, but things seem very promising so far. Regardless, the game’s existence is a testament to Nintendo’s faith in Retro as a developer, and it says a lot about how the company’s approach to its studios differs from Xbox and PlayStation.

Retro Studios has had a tough 11 years. After releasing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Wii U in 2014, the developer has had basically nothing else come out. The team apparently spent several years working on a never-announced music-based RPG. According to podcaster Reese “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly, the game turned out to be “a huge disaster,” and Nintendo eventually pulled the plug. After facing similar problems with Metroid Prime 4 (which was initially in development at another studio), Nintendo rebooted development from scratch in 2019, with Retro now back at the helm.

Metroid Prime 4’s Long Development Time Exemplifies Nintendo’s Studio Approach

image courtesy of nintendo

It’s hard not to compare Nintendo’s handling of Retro to the way that things have played out at a lot of PlayStation and Xbox-owned studios over the last few years. In fact, the situation at Retro has some eerie similarities to Xbox’s handling of Rare. The UK-based studio apparently began working on Everwild in 2014, with the game being announced officially in 2019. After an 11-year development cycle, that game was cancelled by Xbox in 2025. The cancellation happened as 9,000 staffers were let go from Xbox-owned studios, with an unrevealed number of layoffs taking place at Rare. While both teams were working on projects for several years that didn’t pan out, there were no mass layoffs at Retro, and the company’s developers were instead reassigned to something that proved to be a better fit.

Part of the reason Nintendo has found so much success with its studios is because it hasn’t tried to acquire huge teams. Nintendo’s approach to smaller acquisitions has been beneficial, both to the company and the developers. It gives Nintendo a better chance to work closely with its teams and figure out potential problems early. Retro Studios is one example, but we’ve seen Nintendo invest in small teams more recently. One example is Next Level Games, a studio Nintendo acquired in 2021 after working with them for several years. Next Level Games might not be as big of a name as Bethesda or Bungie, but the studio’s partnership with Nintendo resulted in the massively successful Luigi’s Mansion 3, which has sold more than 14 million copies since 2019. Investing in smaller teams versus giant publishers has made it easier for Nintendo to manage its acquisitions, identify problems earlier, and avoid mass layoffs.

Gaming Industry Layoffs Haven’t Hit Nintendo — Why?

image courtesy of nintendo

During a difficult time for the company in 2013, Nintendo’s then-CEO Satoru Iwata told shareholders, “If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results, employee morale will decrease. I sincerely doubt that employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world.” While Iwata died in 2015, that philosophy clearly seems to be continuing at Nintendo. The company could have laid off employees at Retro after the team’s music-based RPG failed to come together. It could have even closed the studio altogether, which it acquired back in 2002. But it would have been at the cost of Metroid Prime 4, which was the best game that I played at the Nintendo Switch 2 media event back in April.

Acquisitions and mergers have always been a part of the video game industry, but the last five years have seen Xbox and PlayStation locked in an acquisition arms race, with Xbox buying the massive Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, and PlayStation seemingly responding by purchasing Bungie. While those moves might prove worth it in the long term, they have both had significant consequences. After the Bungie purchase, Xbox found itself saddled with the disappointing Redfall, and closed Arkane Austin just a year later. PlayStation’s investment in Bungie doesn’t seem to be paying off, either. The move was supposed to help PlayStation’s live-service strategy, which has already seen several games cancelled. As a result, mass layoffs took place at the studio last summer.

How Nintendo Stands Out From Xbox & PlayStation In Today’s Industry

image courtesy of nintendo

In an era where cancellations, studio closures, and mass layoffs are a tragically common occurrence in the video game industry, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond stands as a testament to what can be achieved with patience and strong guidance; if Everwild truly was in a state where it needed to be cancelled, someone at Xbox should have identified the problem sooner. It remains to be seen how Metroid Prime 4 will turn out, and if sales will justify Nintendo’s decision-making over the last 11 years. However, at the end of the day, Nintendo can afford some monetary losses, especially if it means happier employees and quality experiences for those that buy platforms like Switch and Switch 2. There’s a lesson to be learned in all that. Hopefully, PlayStation and Xbox can figure out a better way to manage the high level of talent they both have.

Are you looking forward to Metroid Prime 4? Do you think Nintendo has done a better job managing the teams it acquires? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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New Nintendo Studio Is Responsible for a Surprising Switch 2 Game https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-shiver-wwe-2k25/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-shiver-wwe-2k25/#respond Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:49:45 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1457648 Image Courtesy of Nintendo
Nintendo, Nintendo Games, Nintendo Franchises

In 2024, Nintendo surprised a lot of people when it announced the acquisition of a new studio. Nintendo is no stranger to acquisitions; the company has strategically looked for studios that help fill specific needs in its software lineup. However, most of those development teams were acquired for the purpose of creating exclusive games. By […]

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Image Courtesy of Nintendo
Nintendo, Nintendo Games, Nintendo Franchises

In 2024, Nintendo surprised a lot of people when it announced the acquisition of a new studio. Nintendo is no stranger to acquisitions; the company has strategically looked for studios that help fill specific needs in its software lineup. However, most of those development teams were acquired for the purpose of creating exclusive games. By contrast, Nintendo purchased developer Shiver Entertainment specifically to “port and develop software for multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch.” Shiver had previously ported games like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 to Switch, and it seems Nintendo was impressed with the team’s work.

It seems Shiver has jumped right back into this familiar role in the Switch 2 era. According to a posting on LinkedIn (spotted by Nintendo Everything), the studio handled development on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of WWE 2K25. As we reported last month following the game’s release, the game’s performance has gotten a lot of praise from players. While there’s been some unhappiness with the removal of the Community Creations feature, the port seems to run pretty well. That’s a good sign of things to come for future Switch 2 ports.

image courtesy of 2K Games

Nintendo’s acquisition of a studio solely dedicated to working with third-party publishers on ports is a sign of just how much things have changed for the company. There was a point where Nintendo seemed to put a lot less focus on the importance of third-party games on its platforms. That negligence really hurt a lot of past Nintendo systems, to the benefit of companies like PlayStation and Xbox. Switch saw a big shift, and the system received the best third-party support a Nintendo platform has had since the days of the Super Nintendo. The system got an absolute plethora of games from major studios, as well as indie teams.

Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing what Shiver will work on next. There’s no shortage of third-party games that went unreleased on Switch that can (and should) be released on Switch 2. If Nintendo can speed up the process by having Shiver work on high priority ports, it could really benefit Switch 2. The system has been selling very well for Nintendo since launch, but its long-term success will largely depend on a steady stream of games. Not just exclusives, but big third-party games that are available elsewhere.

Hopefully we’ll learn more about Nintendo’s future plans soon, as there have been rumors about a Nintendo Direct presentation in the month of September. Nintendo closed out July with a Partner Showcase focused entirely on third-party games. The company followed that in August with an Indie World showcase, but there has been no sign of a “general” Nintendo Direct. The company has typically held Nintendo Direct presentations in the month of September, which gives some credibility to those rumors. However, we’ll have to wait patiently to see what gets announced.

Do you think the acquisition of Shiver was a smart move for Nintendo? What ports should the team be assigned to next? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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10 Things Even Mario Fans Didn’t Know About Waluigi https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/waluigi-facts-trivia-nintendo/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/waluigi-facts-trivia-nintendo/#respond Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1456135

The enigmatic Waluigi emerged from the shadows in 2000 for a game of tennis, and this weird, tall, purple dude has been a fixture in Mario sports and party games ever since. Without a proper backstory, the character of Waluigi is shrouded in mystery. Yet, he’s developed a cult following in his 25 years of […]

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The enigmatic Waluigi emerged from the shadows in 2000 for a game of tennis, and this weird, tall, purple dude has been a fixture in Mario sports and party games ever since. Without a proper backstory, the character of Waluigi is shrouded in mystery. Yet, he’s developed a cult following in his 25 years of existence due to his underdog status and chaotic nature.

There are very few concrete facts widely known about Waluigi, other than that he hates Luigi for vague reasons, he probably has a crush on Princess Daisy, and Nintendo stubbornly refuses to put him as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. But we’ve gone down in the depths of Waluigi lore, with some interesting findings that even the most devoted Mario fans may not know.

1) Waluigi (Sort Of) First Appeared In A Manga

Technically, this first factoid is a bit of a stretch, but in a manga adaptation of the Game Boy title Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which had Wario’s first appearance, a character named Waluigi appeared, ahead of Waluigi’s proper debut several years later.

However, this iteration of Waluigi is a result of Luigi giving into his “dark side” rather than being an original character. His design is also quite different, lacking the L-shaped mustache and featuring a W and L on his hat rather than an upside-down L.

2) Waluigi Has An AI Phenomenon Named After Him

The rising influence of AI and large language models (LLMs) in our real-life society has broken everyone’s brains, and there’s one phenomenon twisted enough that it’s actually named after Waluigi. The so-called “Waluigi effect” refers to when an LLM or chatbot “goes rogue” and behaves in ways against its original intention.

It’s hard to track exactly who coined the phrase, but it’s a well-known enough theory that it has its own Wikipedia page. Waluigi always strives for popularity, but this probably isn’t how he imagined he would reach it.

3) Wario And Waluigi Aren’t Brothers

The relationship between Wario and Waluigi has been up for debate for as long as anyone can remember, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that they have no familial relationship. Comments from developers, flavor text from various official games, and even offhand pieces of dialogue from the games have confirmed that they aren’t brothers.

So how did Waluigi emerge, and why does he hang out with Wario all the time, other than their shared dislike of the Mario brothers? Do the two even like each other? These are questions that perhaps will never be answered.

4) Waluigi Cameo’d In A WarioWare Game

Waluigi infamously has never appeared in a mainline Mario or Wario game, but he does appear in a WarioWare game in some form. One of the “souvenir” extras that players can unlock in WarioWare Gold for the Nintendo 3DS is Wario’s amiibo Sketch. Wario offers to paint any character based on what amiibo you scan on your 3DS, and Waluigi is one of the many ones you can scan.

It’s a rather crude drawing of Waluigi, barely capturing the proper shape of his mustache, but it does accurately depict his height and sniveling nature. To be fair, the rest of Wario’s character drawings look as bad, too.

5) Waluigi Has One Role As A Main Villain

One spin-off game that Mario fans probably jettisoned from their memory is Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, which is exactly what you think it is. This dancing game from Konami features a story mode, and the inciting incident has Waluigi break into the Truffle Towers to steal some Macguffins known as the Music Keys.

It’s the first, and really the only time, that Waluigi has been featured as a main antagonist. Even so, the player defeats him in a dance-off fairly early on, and he’s never seen again.

6) Kate McKinnon Once Played Waluigi On SNL

In a 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live that probably hasn’t aged well, host Elon Musk portrays Wario in a sketch that depicts him as on trial for the murder of Mario.

The sketch, which features SNL cast members speaking in their best fake Italian accents, has appearances from Luigi and Princess Peach, but sitting in the courtroom is Waluigi, portrayed by Kate McKinnon.

7) Waluigi Has The Cheapest Road In Nintendo Monopoly

A Nintendo-licensed version of Monopoly hit stores in 2006, and despite featuring a number of all-star Nintendo characters like Mario, Link, Samus, and more, Waluigi somehow made the cut, getting his own space on the board.

Unfortunately for Waluigi, his space is the lowest-valued space on the board, which goes to show just how much value Nintendo sees Waluigi having.

8) Miyamoto Rejected Waluigi Getting A Girlfriend

When making the Nintendo 64 Mario Tennis game, the developers at Camelot paired Mario with Princess Peach as double partners, while bringing back Princess Daisy to serve as Luigi’s partner. When Camelot suggested to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto that Wario and Waluigi should have their own girlfriends, Miyamoto apparently said (according to Camelot’s Hiroyuki Takahashi in a Nintendo Power interview) that he “didn’t even want to see their girlfriends.”

Concept art for a “Wapeach” eventually emerged, showing us what maybe could have been from those character concepts.

9) Waluigi’s Hat Is Comically Cheap

As technology improves and character models receive additional, high-resolution detail, we learn a lot about our favorite video game characters — perhaps more than we want to. But a hilarious minute detail from a render of Waluigi for Super Mario Party shows that the upside-down L on his hat is actually a sticker.

Mario, Luigi, and Wario have their letters embroidered onto their caps, so Waluigi looks like a cheapskate in comparison. It only adds to the mystery of Waluigi’s unknown background and his unfortunate status as a loser.

10) Waluigi Had His Own Disgusting Video Game

The internet in the early 2000s was a weird beast. As part of the official website promoting the Nintendo 64 Mario Tennis title, a flash game titled Waluigi’s Foot Fault (or promoted in Nintendo Power as “Waluigi’s Toenail Clipping Party”) allowed you to clip off Waluigi’s gross toenails.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), this game is no longer playable, and all that internet sleuths have been able to uncover is a file of the game’s start screen. But read any online comments about the game, and you’ll see people who absolutely swear they remember playing Waluigi’s Foot Fault all those years ago, so this isn’t some sort of Mandela effect shared delusion.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Fans Say New $10 Game Is “Absolutely Amazing” https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-game-new-is-this-seat-taken/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-game-new-is-this-seat-taken/#respond Sat, 16 Aug 2025 20:51:03 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1457340

Beyond Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo Switch early adopters have not had much to play. This will change later in the year with the likes of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment all on the horizon and scheduled to release before 2026. […]

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Beyond Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo Switch early adopters have not had much to play. This will change later in the year with the likes of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment all on the horizon and scheduled to release before 2026. Until then, Nintendo Switch 2 fans are going to have settle for searching the Nintendo eShop for the latest indie release. Thankfully, there are plenty of indie games releasing any given month on the Nintendo Switch 2 to make this task easy.

To this end, there is a new Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 game — which is actually a console exclusive — that was stealth released onto the Nintendo eShop that has been garnering some positive attention. The Switch 2 game is called Is This Seat Taken, and it is a puzzle game that only costs $10. That said, perhaps developer Poti Poti Studio and publisher Wholesome Games Presents should have charged more because it is proving to be a fan favorite.

Right now, the puzzle game — which can only be had on PC and iOS if not being purchased on the Nintendo eShop — has an 82 on Metacritic, a solid score, but user reviews suggest this is perhaps a little low. For example, on Steam it has an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating after 1,194 user reviews. This is the highest rating a Steam game can earn, and is thanks to an 98 percent approval rate. Meanwhile, there is also been praise for the game on the Nintendo Switch 2 Reddit page.

“Is this Seat Taken is an absolutely amazing game,” reads a title of one of the top posts on the Nintendo Switch 2 Reddit page this week. “The aesthetics are perfectly ‘Nintendo,’ and it’s such an awesome ‘sit down with friends and figure this out’ kind of game.

Of course, as an isolated single post this wouldn’t be that noteworthy, but it is not an isolated opinion, as both the popularity of the post reveal and some of the comments.

“It caught my eye immediately in the Indie World presentation, and my God was it worth the money. Absolute wonder of a game,” reads one of these comments. “I finished it yesterday and loved it,” adds a second comment.

Naturally, your mileage may vary, but the new puzzle game appears to be one of the surprises of the month, and it only costs $10 to find what the buzz is about, which no doubts make it easier to take the plunge into the new release.

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Nintendo Switch Exclusive Game Only $4.79 for 24 Hours https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-lite-oled-game-exclusive-mario-sale/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-lite-oled-game-exclusive-mario-sale/#respond Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:08:26 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1457121

A Nintendo Switch exclusive game is only $4.79 for roughly the next 24 hours. This is obviously a lowest price ever for the Nintendo Switch game, which came out in 2017. 2017 was eight years ago, so this price point may seem not all that surprising, as games of this age are regularly discounted to […]

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A Nintendo Switch exclusive game is only $4.79 for roughly the next 24 hours. This is obviously a lowest price ever for the Nintendo Switch game, which came out in 2017. 2017 was eight years ago, so this price point may seem not all that surprising, as games of this age are regularly discounted to the ballpark of this price point. However, major Nintendo Switch exclusives games, whether from Nintendo itself or one of its partners, very rarely get even mediocre discounts, let alone an 88% discount.

That said, right now that is exactly the discount for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. The deal though does not come directly from the Nintendo eShop, so many Nintendo fans will no doubt have missed it.The new Nintendo Switch deal, which is set to expire on August 17, comes the way of Humble. Consequently, those after retail copies of this Nintendo Switch game, which do exist, will find nothing of value here because this Humble deal is for a Nintendo eShop digital code of the Nintendo Switch game. Meanwhile, there is no native Nintendo Switch 2 version of this game, however, the Nintendo Switch version is playable on Nintendo Switch 2 via backward compatibility.

Sequel Also on Sale

Not only is Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on sale for $4.79 on Humble, but its 2022 sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, is also on sale. To this end, it is on sale at Best Buy for 74% off, which means it is on sale for $15.49. Similarly, it is $16.19 at Target right now. We do not know how long either of these deals are going to be available for though. Meanwhile, this pair of deals are for physical copies of the games, unlike the deal for its predecessor, which is digital only.

One of 2017’s Best Nintendo Switch Games

There are a few reasons that make this deal notable for Nintendo Switch users. For one, as noted, it is very rare for Nintendo Switch exclusive games to be discounted to anywhere near this price. To this end, you can’t find another Mario game even remotely close to this price.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is just one of the best strategy games on Nintendo Switch, and one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2017. We scored it a perfect 5/5 back at release and, even if you don’t take our word for it, the game maintains an 85 on Metacritic – not to mention securing Best Strategy Game at The Game Awards the year of its release.

Those worried about the Rabbids aspect of this crossover gam, meanwhile, should note that Ubisoft actually blends Rabbids and Mario together quite well in the game. Meanwhile, while the idea of tactical gameplay may be daunting to those who don’t play strategy games often, it shouldn’t be because it is a pretty mainstream experience that is very easy to learn and get into.

The games are also notable because they mark the last time these characters might crossover – as chances of a Sparks of Hope sequel seem to have gone cold; though, the development team is still hoping some future collaboration with Nintendo might be possible in the future. For that reason, fans who are interested in the concept should probably just pick these ones out rather than holding out for a near-future sequel release.

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New Nintendo Switch Stealth Release Is a “Must Have” for NES Fans https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-nes-new-game-stealth-release-eshop/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-nes-new-game-stealth-release-eshop/#respond Fri, 15 Aug 2025 23:44:23 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1456580

A new Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 stealth release on the Nintendo eShop is a “must have” for NES fans and “insanely good,” according to Nintendo fans on Reddit. More than this, the recent Nintendo eShop stealth release is a console exclusive. This means it isn’t available on any console beyond the Nintendo Switch […]

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A new Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 stealth release on the Nintendo eShop is a “must have” for NES fans and “insanely good,” according to Nintendo fans on Reddit. More than this, the recent Nintendo eShop stealth release is a console exclusive. This means it isn’t available on any console beyond the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It is also on PC, but not on PlayStation or Xbox, which makes the release all the more notable. That said, those interested in checking out what all the buzz is about will need to fork over $24.99.

The new Nintendo Switch console exclusive game is called UFO 50 from developer Mossmouth, best known for Spelunky and its sequel. UFO 50 debuted last September on PC and PC only. Now it is finally on another platform, giving more gamers the opportunity to check out what was one of the highest-rated games of 2024. To this end, UFO 50 has a 91 on Metacritic, which not only makes it one of the highest-rated games of 2024, but now one of the highest-rated games on the Nintendo eShop in general.

Unsurprisingly, Nintendo Switch users are enjoying the game, as multiple posts across Reddit reveal.

  • “UFO 50 is a blast, glad I got it,” reads one of the top posts on the Nintendo Switch Reddit page this week. “If you love playing NES era games, this is a must have.”
  • “UFO 50 is insanely good,” adds another top post, but on the Nintendo Switch 2 Reddit page. “Been keeping my eye on this one for any console release and picked it up a few days ago. It is easily worth the asking price and they could honestly get away for asking more if they wanted. The value here is really good…. overall easily a standout title and in my opinion a must have for any fan of the NES or classic games in general.”

Check out the UFO 50 trailer below:

Those that decide to fork over $24.99 and download this Nintendo Switch stealth release that offers well over 100 hours of content if you sink your teeth into it. Meanwhile, for those unclear why this is a “stealth release,” it is because Nintendo Switch fans did not know it was coming, and when they did, it was immediately available on the Nintendo eShop.

While fans may not know a lot about UFO 50, the studio’s prior release, Spelunky remains a beloved indie entry from the prior console generation – so much so that the game was recently updated to run even better on PS5.

For more coverage on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and 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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Kirby Air Riders Gameplay Reveal Coming “Soon,” Says Sakurai https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/kirby-air-riders-gameplay-detail-reveal-sakurai/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/kirby-air-riders-gameplay-detail-reveal-sakurai/#respond Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:21:33 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1455865

Kirby Air Riders, a reimaged version of the GameCube hit Kirby Air Ride, was first revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April. Since then, Nintendo has been focused on the Switch 2 release and the first first-party titles, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. With both of those games out in the […]

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Kirby Air Riders, a reimaged version of the GameCube hit Kirby Air Ride, was first revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April. Since then, Nintendo has been focused on the Switch 2 release and the first first-party titles, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. With both of those games out in the world, fans want to know when we’re getting Kirby Air Riders. Now, Kirby creator and game director Masahiro Sakurai says we can expect new info soon.

No release date has been confirmed for Kirby Air Riders, though the game is slated to arrive in 2025. It also reportedly has received an official age rating in some countries, suggesting the game is nearing its release. But aside from the initial reveal trailer and confirmation that Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai is returning for the game, we haven’t actually seen too much about this new Kirby title.

The initial reveal trailer was largely cinematic, offering little insight into the actual gameplay features for Kirby Air Riders. Naturally, that leaves players curious to hear more about the game that will follow up on the iconic GameCube classic Kirby Air Ride. Since Kirby Air Ride was released in 2003, there are over 20 years between the two games. So, it will be interesting to see how this new entry builds on the concept, and what we know so far has offered little insight.

Gameplay Trailer for Kirby Air Riders Likely Coming Soon

Given that Kirby Air Riders is a successor to Kirby Air Ride, it’s likely the gameplay will include similar elements. But as we saw with Mario Kart World, Nintendo is expanding its idea of what a racing game can be. So, it’s likely Kirby Air Riders has some surprises to share. When the developers finally show off gameplay footage, that is.

Today, in a post on X celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sora Co, Ltd., Masahiro Sakurai teased that we’ll see “some information soon.” This comment came after acknowledging that fans haven’t seen any gameplay footage for Kirby Air Riders yet. So, while it’s not a direct confirmation of an incoming gameplay trailer, it seems likely that gameplay footage is what Sakurai is teasing here.

Image courtesy of Nintendo

With Kirby Air Riders eyeing a 2025 release, it’s not too surprising to expect more info soon. For many gamers, the next big release for the Switch 2 will be Pokemon Legends Z-A, which will be available on the original Switch as well. So, it’s likely Nintendo is gearing up to start promoting the next Switch 2 exclusive first-party game.

It’s unclear whether the information Sakurai is teasing here will include the actual release date for Kirby Air Riders. But given how much of 2025 is left, it’s certainly a distinct possibility we’ll get this information soon, along with gameplay footage. Kirby fans will want to keep an eye out for news about the next game in the coming weeks, as this teaser suggests we’re going to get something new soon enough.

Are you looking forward to Kirby Air Riders? Let us know in the comments below!

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7 Best Zelda Characters That Aren’t Link, Zelda, or Ganon https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/legend-of-zelda-characters-best/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/legend-of-zelda-characters-best/#respond Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1425678

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most storied series in video games. With dozens of mainline games and spin-offs, Nintendo has put together an extensive cast of characters to star alongside series’ regulars Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganon. With all of those characters, there are a few that stand out from the rest, […]

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The Legend of Zelda is one of the most storied series in video games. With dozens of mainline games and spin-offs, Nintendo has put together an extensive cast of characters to star alongside series’ regulars Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganon. With all of those characters, there are a few that stand out from the rest, becoming fan favorites in their own right. Below, I’ve put together a list of the best Legend of Zelda characters ever, but decided to skip over Link, Zelda, and Ganon so that others can shine. With that in mind, here are the seven best Zelda characters ever, presented in alphabetical order.

7) Beedle- Wind Waker

Beedle has become the go-to merchant for the Zelda series. He first popped up in Wind Waker, where he ran a boat shop, but came back for Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom.

Resident Evil 4 proved that merchants can become major characters, and while Beedle doesn’t quite live up to that purveyor of goods, it’s always a delight when he reappears. And perhaps one day he will match the importance of Capcom’s version.

6) Midna – Twilight Princess

Image courtesy of Nintendo

There have been several iconic companion characters in Zelda, with the Ocarina of Time‘s Navi likely the most famous. However, Navi’s constant exclamations make her much more of an annoyance than a beloved character.

Midna starts out somewhat similar to Navi, but she slowly grows on players throughout Twilight Princess. She proves that she’s willing to put everything on the line for Link, and the reveal of her being Princess Twili was an unforgettable moment in one of Legend of Zelda‘s strongest games.

5) Purah – Breath of the Wild

With Breath of the Wild, Nintendo seemingly made a concentrated effort to introduce tons of new characters to fill out the open world. Purah is the director of Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and the creator of the Purah Pad, which you’ll use throughout the game. Not only did she develop the ingenious device, but she also serves as Link’s guide through BOTW and Tears of the Kingdom.

We also learn that she is actually 124 years old but appears as a child due to her reverse-aging tech. In TOTK, she ages back up, but keeps her child-like personality. After two games, she’s quickly become a fan favorite and seems like a shoo-in to stick around as a returning character moving forward.

Ravio is the mysterious merchant from A Link Between Worlds who rents Link new equipment. I’ll be honest, part of his appearance on this list is my love of the rental system, but he’s also revealed to be Link’s counterpart in the Dark World.

The cowardly Ravio’s reveal helps paint Link in a new light, giving players another way to view the hero. Fortunately, Ravio makes amends with Princess Hilda, and the two work together to rebuild Lorule after A Link Between Worlds‘ final battle.

3) Skull Kid – Majora’s Mask

Skull Kids technically make their first appearance in Ocarina of Time, but I’m specifically referring to the main villain in Majora’s Mask. Well, Skull Kid isn’t really evil and is being influenced by the titular Majora’s Mask, but he’s still become one of the series’ best baddies.

While he’s never made another canonical reappearance (though some might argue the Skull Kid in Twilight Princess seems to be him), Skull Kid is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends, using the Ocarina as his main weapon.

2) Tingle – Majora’s Mask

I can see some fans not wanting Tingle on this list. The self-proclaimed fairy is one of the oddest characters not only in Zelda but in all of Nintendo’s long history. That said, I’m on the positive side of this divisive character and love to see this weirdo pop up throughout the series.

Unfortunately, he didn’t come back for BOTW or TOTK, which is a bit surprising given how important the Great Fairies were in both games, but I’m holding out hope we haven’t seen the last of Zelda’s resident weird little guy.

1) Urbosa – Breath of the Wild

All of the Four Champions in Breath of the Wild are memorable, but none stand out more than Urbosa. The leader of the Gerudo is a strong fighter, but also a mother figure to Princess Zelda. Plus, she might have the best abs in the series.

She quickly becomes one of Link’s best allies, giving him the “Urbosa’s Fury” attack, a devastating electric blast that stops many enemies in their tracks. On top of that, she’s one of the more powerful playable characters in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, making her a fan favorite in more than one Zelda game.

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15 Nintendo Games That Must Be Remade for Switch 2 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-remake-wishlist/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-remake-wishlist/#respond Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1450303 Image Courtesy of Nintendo
A Link Between Worlds

The Nintendo Switch 2 just launched, so it is very early in its life cycle. As a result, there haven’t been any major remakes or remasters for the console. That doesn’t mean they’re not coming. So many games got remakes or remasters for the original Switch, including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend […]

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Image Courtesy of Nintendo
A Link Between Worlds

The Nintendo Switch 2 just launched, so it is very early in its life cycle. As a result, there haven’t been any major remakes or remasters for the console. That doesn’t mean they’re not coming. So many games got remakes or remasters for the original Switch, including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Pokémon Diamond, Super Mario RPG, Metroid Prime, Pikmin, Super Mario 3D World, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland, and so many others.

Those all occurred during the seven years that the Switch was Nintendo’s top console. Assuming the Switch 2 has a similar lifespan, which seems incredibly likely, there will be tons of remakes and remasters. With the console’s improved power, they could be even better than before. As a result, here are 15 games Nintendo needs to bring back over the next few years on Switch 2.

15. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is considered by so many to be the pinnacle of the Zelda series, but it hasn’t had a proper remake since 2016 on Wii U. While other games are experiencing a longer drought, few have come with as many demands for a new version as this. The community is desperate for a great Zelda game to be made with modern controls and graphics, and that’s a valid request.

14. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island

Among 2D platformers, few can rival Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. It has incredible music, level design, story, and bosses. It manages to stand very much on its own in the slew of somewhat similar 2D platformers Nintendo has managed over the years. It’s now 30 years old with one mediocre DS version in the years since its relevance, which is a long way of saying it’s overdue for a remake.

13. Donkey Kong 64

With Donkey Kong Bananza firmly cementing the titular monkey as a character to be reckoned with, much more Donkey Kong is probably on the way. But in lieu of working on a totally new game, one that would probably take a lot of time, Nintendo can just remake one of DK’s original adventures, updating it with modern graphics and better mechanics, two things that would do Donkey Kong 64 some good.

12. Super Mario 64

Is Nintendo ever going to remake Super Mario 64? Probably not. That would undo all the work they did to create scarcity with the limited-time Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection that released a few years ago. Still, it is begging for a remake. It’s one of the first major 3D platformers anyone made, and it totally changed Mario forever. That said, the controls, specifically the camera, are painfully dated, so it could use an overhaul on Switch 2.

11. Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing
Image Courtesy of GameStop

There have been no remakes or remasters for Animal Crossing, which is a surprise. It’s one of Nintendo’s best franchises, and yet they restrict it to a new game every few years. It has been a long time since New Horizons, and it’s unclear what’s on the franchise’s horizon. In order to fill the gap better, Nintendo can easily just remake the original, which so many gamers today probably didn’t get to play. It would open the door for remakes of other good Animal Crossing games, which might be really great for those who enjoy the series. Online gameplay would be largely nonexistent, but that’s only a small loss.

10. Nintendogs

There was something absolutely incredible about giving gamers the chance to do something rather mundane, in taking care of dogs. This is something so many people already do, but it was so much fun on the Nintendo DS. It’s a shame this franchise has gone by the wayside since, but it needs to be brought back. It was such a great game that it doesn’t need to be tweaked, though, so a remaster of the original would be perfect.

9. Super Paper Mario

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was a huge hit for Nintendo at the end of the Switch 1’s shelf life. It is considered easily the best Paper Mario title, and plenty of players loved what the remake brought to the table. It should’ve pushed the series back firmly into the limelight, but it really didn’t. To really fix this, Nintendo can just remake another old game, potentially removing some of the issues and downsides from the Wii version. If two new, good remasters for the series don’t generate enough interest, then it might be best to abandon it, but something tells me it would be enough.

8. Mario Sports Mix

Mario Sports Mix
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

Mario Golf: Super Rush and Mario Strikers: Battle League were two mediocre attempts to revitalize the Mario sports franchise. They just weren’t the same as some of the older games. How can Nintendo recapture that magic? The most straightforward way is just by bringing it to a modern console. Mario Sports Mix has several different sports in one, so it’d be easier than remastering Super Mario Strikers, Mario Super Sluggers, Mario Tennis, and others all individually.

7. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Much like Twilight Princess, fans have been clamoring for a new version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It’s now much more popular than it was in its time (thanks to the somewhat controversial choice to totally redesign the aesthetic). It also had a remake for the Wii U, although it was in 2013. Gamers have been begging for this one, but it’s probably not going to happen since Nintendo dropped it on Switch Online for Switch 2.

6. Duck Hunt

Duck Hunt
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

There’s a distinct lack of retro games on the Switch and Switch 2. There are plenty through Nintendo Switch Online, but that style has really gone away. It should come back, and the perfect avenue to do so is through one of the most popular retro games, Duck Hunt. The gameplay was simple but addictive, and Nintendo would have to do very little work to get a new version of this game out in 2025. It would be a bit of a curveball, which might also entice some older gamers to pick one up to revisit the glory days.

5. Punch-Out!!

Similarly, Punch-Out!! is deserving of a remaster. Few fighting games are as iconic as the Mike Tyson-led game, and characters like Little Mac remain popular thanks to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Speaking of, that’s by and large the only real fighting game on Nintendo consoles right now, so it’d be a great idea to revitalize another dormant series by remaking one of the older titles. The original from the late 1980s would be a smash hit, most likely.

4. Star Fox

Star Fox hasn’t been relevant in a long time. The last new game was in 2016, and the franchise has slowly petered out of relevance since then. Nintendo probably has no plans for anything new with the series since there’s not a lot of demand for it, but demand would probably spike if there were a remake. Players would be reminded of how good the series once was, and they’d be filled with nostalgia, two very powerful things. It could work to revive the franchise, but it would easily be a successful remake even if fans didn’t want new titles in the future.

Out of all Zelda titles, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds remains one of the most difficult to play. It is currently only available on the Nintendo 3DS, which is not a common console anymore. It’s not on any Switch Online platform, and there’s been no remake. There is a way to currently play almost every single Zelda game, with a few exceptions. A Link Between Worlds is one of them, and it’s arguably the most inaccessible. A remake or remaster would be challenging given the 3DS capabilities compared to the Switch 2, but it would be very much worthwhile.

2. Mario Party 2

As of now, there is not a wholly new Mario Party on the Switch 2. Super Mario Party Jamboree got a Switch 2 upgrade, but that does not count. Neither do the versions available on Switch Online. But since the developers are probably working on something huge for the first real Switch 2 Mario Party, a placeholder could be a remake of an old game. Mario Party Superstars was more or less a remake of some of the old ones, so one specific one could be chosen and remade by itself. Mario Party 2 is a great candidate since really good items and maps, though some of the maps have been reimagined in recent iterations.

A Link to the Past
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

It is astonishing that The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has not been remade. It stands as arguably the peak of the 2D Zelda games. It is probably responsible for the franchise’s success today. The original was solid, but the sequel was kind of disastrous. Enter A Link to the Past, the 2D game that catapulted the series into the upper echelon and saved it. Why it hasn’t had a remake yet is beyond me, but with the success of the Link’s Awakening remake (and the success of Echoes of Wisdom in the same style), a version of A Link to the Past just like that would be incredibly popular.

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How Much Money Gamers Spend Annually Revealed by New Report https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/north-american-video-game-consumer-spending/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/north-american-video-game-consumer-spending/#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:08:27 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1452540 Courtesy of Lucas Ortiz on Unsplash

A new white paper analyzing spending trends for games, DLC, microtransactions, and subscriptions has revealed how gamers will spend this year and identified an interesting outsized influence among North American and European players. Despite these two groups representing only 20% of the total global player base, they account for almost half of global game spending. […]

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Courtesy of Lucas Ortiz on Unsplash

A new white paper analyzing spending trends for games, DLC, microtransactions, and subscriptions has revealed how gamers will spend this year and identified an interesting outsized influence among North American and European players. Despite these two groups representing only 20% of the total global player base, they account for almost half of global game spending. In total, North Americans spend $52.7 billion, and European players spend $33.1 billion annually.

The report, published by gaming monetization platform Tebex and video game industry market intelligence firm Newzoo, totaled the expenditures of PC, console, and mobile players worldwide to provide insights into the rise of gaming spending.

Based on the data collected from consumer spending on physical and digital gaming titles, the report projects that the global games market will reach $188.9 billion in revenue by the end of 2025, with North America and Europe accounting for 46% percent of that total. 

This projection for 2025 indicates a 3.4% year-over-year increase in total global gaming spending, with North America expected to see a 4.2% increase and a 3.6% increase in Europe.

Newzoo notes that this revenue data has specific exclusions, like advertising dollars, taxes, and transactions in second-hand markets. The data also excludes certain B2B services and the betting and online gambling side of the games industry.

According to the report, North America is the leading region in the world for video game purchases, with the average gamer spending approximately $325 per year. These insights line up with other data points reported this year. In July, Mat Piscatella, senior director at market research firm Circana, reported that U.S. video game subscription spending reached an all-time high in May, following three consecutive months of growth.

US video game subscription spending reached an all-time monthly high in May 2025 ($0.6B), while experiencing its 3rd consecutive month of growth.Looks to me that the pressures of higher prices in everyday spending categories like food and general economic uncertainty has folks looking for value.

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T13:23:54.142Z

Just what explains current game spending trends? One insight Piscatella mentions, also present in the Newzoo x Tebex report, is that value-driven in-game purchases are boosting revenue across different gaming platforms. 

PC Players in North America do 50% of their spending in-game, along with 48% of console players. Mobile game players spend 99% of their gaming dollars on in-game purchase items like battle pass subscriptions, cosmetics, and other micro-transactions. It seems that players are also increasingly spending more on content or services separate from access to a full game copy.

In Europe, the share of in-game transactions is even higher for PC and console players, with rates similar to those for mobile games among those of North American players. However, European gamers spend almost three times less on average than their North American counterparts.

These are insights that big players in the video game industry seem to have already taken notice of. Microsoft continues to double down on its profitable Game Pass subscription service, a product whose efficacy has been doubted by some over the years. In July, The Verge reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed on a Q4 earnings call that Xbox Game Pass Revenue set a new record, nearly reaching $5 billion for the first time in 2024.

It seems like the gaming landscape will continue to shift toward in-game purchases and micro-transaction monetization strategies, which have led to an increase in spending as players resist $70 and $80 price tags for full-priced gaming experiences.

How much do you spend per year on video games? Do you come close to the projected North American average of $325 per year?

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Nintendo Switch 2 Is Still Greatly Lacking With One Major Genre https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-no-fighting-games/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-no-fighting-games/#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1451102 Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Games

Variety is one of the keys to a successful video game system. Having a wide swath of available titles undoubtedly helped the PS2 and Nintendo Switch ascend to all-time status. The Switch 2 is doing fine enough in this respect in its early days for the most part, but it truly needs to punch up […]

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Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Games

Variety is one of the keys to a successful video game system. Having a wide swath of available titles undoubtedly helped the PS2 and Nintendo Switch ascend to all-time status. The Switch 2 is doing fine enough in this respect in its early days for the most part, but it truly needs to punch up more in at least one specific area: fighting games.

Fighting games have always been a semi-unsung hero of portable systems. While rarely the best way to play these games when compared to their console or PC counterparts, they often make up for it through their convenience. Being able to blast through a few rounds while on the toilet is the type of short-term commitment that portable systems thrive on. Of course, spending more time labbing combos and knocking out arcade ladders is usually an option, but fighting games get right to the action in a way that’s conducive to the burst sessions that are common with portable consoles.

The Switch 2 is currently lacking in this regard. Its Street Fighter 6 port is a solid way to experience the acclaimed fighter and can even interact with the other versions, but this shouldn’t be the lone big fighting game on the system. There aren’t even many other ports of other recent games on the horizon to speak of. Despite a potential retail listing from January and the controversies around its almost universally despised Season 2 update, there’s been no official word of Tekken 8 making its way to the Switch. The same goes for other fresh and more niche genre entries like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact.

New Games, Ports, and Updates Are Nintendo’s Way Into the FGC

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Games

There haven’t even been updates to existing fighting games on the Switch to take better advantage of the hardware. While retro collections and well-optimized games like Guilty Gear -Strive- don’t need much work, the same cannot be said for titles that stretched the hardware too far, like Mortal Kombat 1 (and, frankly, its predecessor MK11). Even with patches that got it to a reasonable state, MK1’s Switch version is clearly in need of more horsepower with its muddier textures and longer load times. NetherRealm Studios has even supported newer systems with its flashier upgrades of Injustice: Gods Among Us and Mortal Kombat 11 for the last two console cycles, but it’s unclear if MK1 will continue that trend, especially since the team has mostly pulled support in favor of its upcoming mystery title. The Switch 2 helps power through some of the lackluster port’s rough edges, but a native version (with cross-platform play) would undoubtedly be better.

Not even Nintendo is putting in the work with its own premier fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With over 36 million units sold, it is the third best-selling Switch game and deserves some sort of refresh for the newer Nintendo handheld hybrid. Updated visuals and faster load times (although the Switch 2 naturally improves them quite a bit) would be nice, but decent netcode is essential and is the biggest reason it needs a touch-up. Its current suboptimal online play severely hampers this game’s long-term prospects and is an easy selling point for those still grinding away at this crossover brawler. An Ultimate refresh also might help hold people over until a new Smash Bros. comes out, whenever that may be. 

Nintendo Needs More Fighting Games on Switch 2

Image Courtesy of Sony INteractive Entertainment

Many of the Switch 2’s fighting game prospects come from the past because there’s not much confirmed for the future. Invincible VS, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, 2XKO, and Virtua Fighter 6 — the biggest upcoming fighting games — have only been announced for other consoles and PC. It’s possible some will eventually come to Nintendo hardware since the Switch 2 is still a new system and the original Switch got its fair share of late ports, but it’s a little worrying to not see any official Switch 2 confirmation yet. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage and Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection are both getting native Switch 2 ports, and while they are all technically old games, any and all fighting games are more than welcome to join the fray.

The PSP had Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, multiple Tekkens, retro titles, and a whole host of anime fighters. The Vita had Mortal Kombat 9, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Dead or Alive 5 Plus, Street Fighter X Tekken, and, of course, a handful of anime fighters, too. And the Switch had its share of fighting games, from all the old school compilations to contemporary titles like Mortal Kombat 11, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Samurai Shodown, just to name a few. 

The Switch 2’s backwards compatibility inherits that back catalog, and that’s fine for now, but it deserves fighting games that take better advantage of the hardware. Whether they are native ports, big updates, or new titles altogether, the Switch 2 has plenty of opportunities to fill out its fighting game roster with a ton of new and old genre heavyweights. It just needs to wake up in this first round before it’s too late.

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Donkey Kong Bananza Players Call Out Major Issue With Switch 2 Game https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-issue/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-issue/#respond Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1451400 Photo Credit: Nintendo
Donkey Kong Bananza

For all the impressive features of the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s not a perfect console. There is hardly one perfect console, but the Switch 2 is still admittedly a little bit underpowered in terms of current competitors. It’s reportedly similar to the Xbox Series S, but it does not reach the levels of the Series […]

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Photo Credit: Nintendo
Donkey Kong Bananza

For all the impressive features of the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s not a perfect console. There is hardly one perfect console, but the Switch 2 is still admittedly a little bit underpowered in terms of current competitors. It’s reportedly similar to the Xbox Series S, but it does not reach the levels of the Series X or the PlayStation 5. Donkey Kong Bananza gamers are discovering this now. Despite all the improvements, there are still things the console just can’t handle. Donkey Kong Bananza developers pushed the system to (and maybe past) its limits by making almost the entire world destructible.

That is a lot for one system to handle, and some fans are noticing that frame rate issues are popping up the lower Donkey Kong travels.

Donkey Kong Bananza Gamers Uncover Serious Frame Rate Issues

Nintendo games have never been perfect because they’re always on lackluster (in terms of power) consoles. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had frame-rate drops, especially when fusing a ton of items together. Donkey Kong Bananza has them from time to time, even despite the upgraded console.

Over on the Switch 2 subreddit, user u/Ferniferous_fern posted that they “get” why people have complained about the console’s power, explaining, “When DK Bananza first came out, I didn’t have any frame rate issues, not one. Sublayer after sublayer went by, fight after fight, 900, 1000, 1100…nothing. …then I got to the final Void fight. Lag. Central. From that point on, everything had frame rate problems until post-game.”

Many players agreed to the tune of almost 500 upvotes. Nearly 200 comments were posted, with many pointing out other areas where they had frame-rate struggles. u/bobwade22 said that building bridges with blue material led to serious lag.

u/RoflChief said there’s always a frame drop when the menu is opened, also adding that they sometimes forget that Nintendo gamers don’t always have experience with refined FPS numbers. u/Steel_Ketchup89 posited that Nintendo ran some of the fights at 30 FPS, saying, “It seemed like Nintendo needed to make some serious concessions to get those crazy fights to work.”

However, despite all the issues, one player did find that handheld mode was smoother than docked on a television.

“I played exclusively handheld and almost never noticed framerate issues other than with Void’s battle. I guess it’s the VRR in handheld doing its thing,” u/AldiNotAldis said.

Another chimed in that they still didn’t find the lag or frame drops to be terribly troubling. u/ConflictPotential204 wrote, “A Switch 2 is not a $3000 PC. It’s a $450 tablet. It’s a technical miracle that Nintendo is able to make games like this run at all.” While there were certainly some complaints, a bad experience with the frame rate was far from universal for Donkey Kong Bananza gamers.

The game utilized voxel technology to a high degree. That is what made the environment so destructible, allowing players to literally tunnel their way through almost anything. That is a huge undertaking for any console, let alone one that’s still not quite up to date on modern power.

What do you think of the Donkey Kong Bananza issues? Let us know in the comments below!

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Nintendo Bringing Its Exclusives to PS5 and Xbox Would Ruin the Brand https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-games-exclusives-ps5-xbox-ruin/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-games-exclusives-ps5-xbox-ruin/#respond Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:15:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1447541

PlayStation has effectively signaled that its exclusives will no longer be exclusive. For one thing, PC has some of those titles already, and Xbox is about to get Helldivers 2 at the end of this month. Pretty soon, it’s feasible that Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, and others will be available on Xbox consoles. As […]

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PlayStation has effectively signaled that its exclusives will no longer be exclusive. For one thing, PC has some of those titles already, and Xbox is about to get Helldivers 2 at the end of this month. Pretty soon, it’s feasible that Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, and others will be available on Xbox consoles.

As a result, the days of consoles having exclusives seems to be coming to an end. Xbox gave up its games a long time ago. The only stalwart remaining is Nintendo, a company that has been criticized for not letting PC or any other platform get access to its IP. Now, as the final remnant of that era, it’s even more imperative for Nintendo to stand strong. Otherwise, it might ruin things for them.

Nintendo Doesn’t Need to Cave to Pressure

Nintendo’s been called out for a lot of things, namely the pricing on the games and consoles. They’ve also been criticized at times for clutching precious IP extremely tightly in the day when the console wars are effectively complete. Nintendo is and always has been extremely protective of its characters.

There were complaints about not being able to mod The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a PC, which also would’ve probably helped the game run a little smoother than on the original Switch. Those complaints will likely increase in frequency once PlayStation “exclusives” drop on Xbox, too.

Nintendo need not cave to pressure, though. Sure, they’ll be looked at as anti-consumer by not making the games as widely available as possible, but that’s a label the company has worn for a while, and it arguably wears that with pride. There shouldn’t be a world where Mario can be played on a PlayStation 5 or where Zelda is seen on an Xbox, fitting as the green colors would be.

In doing so, Nintendo would effectively be waving the white flag on a war it is currently winning. Nintendo’s sales are good, and it’s because of its first-party IP. People want to play Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and the rest. The only way to do so is on a Nintendo console, so the sales are inextricably linked.

Sure, Nintendo would make money on the games because a wider audience would be purchasing them. But they’d lose so much in console sales that it probably wouldn’t be worth it. No one would buy a Switch 2 when they can just get a Steam Deck for portable gaming or a PlayStation 5 for console gaming. The consoles that Nintendo produces will become obsolete, in that case.

And while that might ultimately lead to more profit since consoles are expensive to make and ship, it would be a disappointment. Nintendo consoles do not push the bounds of gaming power. That’s why the Nintendo Switch 2 is five years late in matching the Xbox Series S in power.

Nintendo does, however, push the bounds of creativity. Nintendo tries to do things differently. The Switch was a revolutionary console. Can you imagine if Nintendo had just not made it and put the games elsewhere? The Switch 2 is innovative, too, and that would’ve been lost to history. Who knows what they’ll come up with next, but at least we will get to know and experience it when Nintendo does it.

Don’t Expect to See Mario or Zelda on Anything Else Ever

Fortunately, this is highly unlikely to happen. Nintendo isn’t suffering quite as much as some other gaming brands right now, so there’d be no reason for the company to sell off IP. And truthfully, with PlayStation admitting defeat on that front, Nintendo stands to gain even more by remaining the only place to get certain games.

Nintendo has never even considered being lax about the IP they have crafted. Cease and desists are sent to fan-made games. ROM emulators are taken down all the time because they use Nintendo assets or games. That is largely because Nintendo can’t make any money off of them, but it’s also because those characters belong strictly on a Nintendo console.

As long as Nintendo wants to continue making consoles and finding ways to innovate, there will be no Pokémon on Xbox or Splatoon on PC. That’s ultimately a good thing for the gaming world as a whole, but it’s vital to Nintendo’s success from here on out.

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Nintendo 3DS Game Available for Just $1.14 for a Limited Time https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-3ds-game-exclusive-sale-steamworld/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-3ds-game-exclusive-sale-steamworld/#respond Mon, 11 Aug 2025 12:43:30 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1450127

A Nintendo 3DS game from 2013 is currently only $1.14 thanks to a new and limited time 89 percent discount. This deal comes the way not of the Nintendo eShop, but via Fanatical, who has discounted Steam codes of the 12-year-old game to this price point. This price point is only available until August 21 […]

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A Nintendo 3DS game from 2013 is currently only $1.14 thanks to a new and limited time 89 percent discount. This deal comes the way not of the Nintendo eShop, but via Fanatical, who has discounted Steam codes of the 12-year-old game to this price point. This price point is only available until August 21 though. After this, the game in question will revert back to its normal price, and it is unclear when it will ever be this cheap again.

In 2013, Nintendo fans were treated to 3DS games such as Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Pokemon X and Y, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Mario Party: Island Tour, Monster Hunter 4, and more. It wasn’t the greatest year in 3DS history, but there was plenty to play. One game from this year of 3DS history often forgotten is SteamWorld Dig, partially because in the years after 2013 it came to other console platforms. When it released though, it was a Nintendo 3DS exclusive that could not be played anywhere else. Consequently, it is often viewed as a Nintendo 3DS game despite the fact it eventually was playable on other machines. A platformer meets action-adventure game, SteamWorld Dig was the second SteamWorld game following 2010’s SteamWorld Tower Defense. It was developed and published by Swedish studio Image & Form, and upon release, generated an 82 on Metacritic. And it did well enough to get a direct sequel in 2017.

$1.14 Is a Steal

$1.14 for just about any video game is a steal. That is essentially the price of a candy bar, but instead of three bites and a sugar crash you get five to nine hours of content, and according to various user reviews across the Internet, a very high quality five to nine hours of content. For example, on Steam it has a 94% approval rating after more than 6,000 user reviews.

Unlike many 2013 games — especially 2013 3DS games — SteamWorld Dig still holds up very well in 2025, and this is because it is not reliant on pushing hardware. If it were made today, it would be a pretty similar product.

Sequel Also on Sale

Making this deal better is the fact the sequel, SteamWorld Dig 2, can be picked up for similarly cheap, also on Steam and via Fanatical. To this end, it is also 89% percent off, but its starting price is a little higher so its current price is $2.29. This means you can get the entire SteamWorld Dig series for less than $5, which is a complete steal. However, like the deal for its predecessor, this deal is only live until August 21.

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Free Nintendo Switch Download Is a Must-Play for Game Boy Fans https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-game-boy-free-download/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-game-boy-free-download/#respond Sun, 10 Aug 2025 14:06:46 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1448487

A new free download on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users is a must-play for Game Boy fans. Many Nintendo fans, especially the nostalgic ones, would argue the Game Boy was the peak of handheld gaming not just on Nintendo, but across all platforms. Of course, there are challengers to […]

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A new free download on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users is a must-play for Game Boy fans. Many Nintendo fans, especially the nostalgic ones, would argue the Game Boy was the peak of handheld gaming not just on Nintendo, but across all platforms. Of course, there are challengers to this title, including the DS and 3DS, as well as the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, though the Switch consoles are not true handhelds. PlayStation fans may even make a case for the PSP. And of course, what Game Boy machine, specifically, reigns at top is an even more fierece debate. That all said, those with Game Boy nostalgic will want to check out a new free download on the Nintendo eShop.

The new free download is specifically a free demo, and it is for a long-anticipated Nintendo Switch game, which is also now scheduled to come to the Nintendo Switch 2. The release date of the the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 game is a little ways out still, not coming until October 31. Before this though, a free demo is now available on the Nintendo eShop until August 21. The game in question is coming to other platforms on October 31 — including PC, PlayStation consoles, and Xbox consoles — however, this demo is exclusive to the Nintendo eShop. As for the game in question, it is Mina the Hollower from Yacht Club Games, the long awaited follow up to 2014’s Shovel Knight, after years of Shovel Knight expansions and spin-offs. This is obviously a long wait, and it’s been a long wait since even the game’s announcement, which came all the way back in 2022.

It is unclear what part of the game the free Nintendo Switch demo offers up or how much of the game it offers up. Whatever the case, it is an opportunity to play the highly-anticipated indie game early, after years of waiting. And it appears like it will be a must-play for fans of the 8-bit and early 16-bit era, especially those who grew up playing the Game Boy. And considering how high quality Shovel Knights was before this, it is safe to assume Mina the Hollower will be equally efficient at transporting its players back in time to a totally different ear of gaming.

It is currently unclear whether or not this new and free Nintendo eShop demo is only available to download until August 21 or if it is only playable until then. It is presumably the former, but this particular aspect of the release has not been made clear.

For more coverage on the Nintendo Switch and all things Nintendo in general — including everything from the latest Nintendo Switch to the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news — click here.

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The Next 2D Mario Game Must Be a Super Mario Wonder Sequel https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/super-mario-wonder-sequel-switch-2-hopes/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/super-mario-wonder-sequel-switch-2-hopes/#respond Sun, 10 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1428051

Super Mario Bros. Wonder was dumped at the end of the Nintendo Switch’s life cycle. In 2023, when it first came out, everyone knew the Switch was on its way out. Even though it took almost two years, they weren’t wrong. The Switch didn’t go on much longer. Wonder marked the second major 2D platformer […]

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Super Mario Bros. Wonder was dumped at the end of the Nintendo Switch’s life cycle. In 2023, when it first came out, everyone knew the Switch was on its way out. Even though it took almost two years, they weren’t wrong. The Switch didn’t go on much longer. Wonder marked the second major 2D platformer for Nintendo in the Mario series during the Switch’s tenure, but it is easily the one that’s going to last the longest in the collective mind. It was such a surprisingly good game that it demands a sequel, and if Nintendo knows what’s good for them, they’ll make that as their next 2D platformer no matter what.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder was a major breath of fresh air for the series. 2D platforming is a pretty simple genre, so no game ever has to be mindblowingly good. That said, Nintendo’s typical star had dimmed a bit in recent years.

Super Mario Bros. U was a relative misfire, even if the game is still moderately enjoyable. Historically, though, misfires have been few and far between. Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island are maybe the absolute pinnacles of the genre, and Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros., New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and many more are huge, undeniable successes.

So when stacked up, it’s clear to see that Nintendo had to do something different, so that’s what they did. Different might be selling it short. The word unique is accurate but also feels insufficient, because Wonder was new and absolutely brilliant.

Every single level had such incredible detail and creativity. It felt like Nintendo finally had something good to work on instead of just rehashing old platformers for modern audiences. It also felt like they finally enjoyed making a game.

It’s zany, innovative, imaginative, and a world of fun. The only downside is that it’s a little on the shorter side. HowLongToBeat lists it at 10 hours. Even if you’re a completionist, the game is only 20 hours long. While short games are nothing new nor a problem like some modern gamers might suggest, there’s still a feeling of immense longing when the game is over, hoping for much more of the lightning in a bottle you just experienced.

There’s plenty to play and return to, but what’s better than doing the same game and squeezing every bit out of it? A new game in the same series that adds more than has ever been seen before. Instead of doing everything possible in Super Mario Galaxy, fans could eventually play Super Mario Galaxy 2.

So whenever Nintendo does return to the 2D platforming genre, which is about as inevitable as anything, even if Donkey Kong is currently getting the platform, it absolutely must be a Super Mario Bros. Wonder 2 type of game.

Imagine the sort of levels and power-ups that Nintendo could cook up with the Switch 2’s processing abilities. If they were able to do some of the things that Wonder did at the end of the Switch’s life cycle, then the possibilities are truly endless with a theoretical sequel.

It was very obvious that people enjoyed Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It inadvertently started a new series, because most others had just been a variation on the Super Mario Bros. formula. Whether that ran stale or Nintendo just ran out of ideas, it birthed a new, totally fresh take, one that should not be a one-off.

Mario Wonder
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

Is this going to happen? It’s sensible, logical, and would probably be well-received, but good ideas aren’t always taken up by gaming companies. However, as mentioned, it’s highly likely that Nintendo makes a 2D platform very soon in the Switch 2’s life cycle.

And since Donkey Kong just got the 3D platformer, it makes sense to remind everyone how popular and great Mario is with a 2D game, and the formula is right there with a Wonder sequel. If they decided to go a different direction, it would probably be less favorable with audiences and would inevitably draw comparisons to the brilliance of Wonder until the end of time, so the smart thing would be to just make a sequel.

Would you like a Super Mario Bros. Wonder sequel? Let us know in the comments below!

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Nintendo’s Newest Amiibo Figures are Some of the Strangest Ones Yet https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-strangest-amiibo-yet-mario/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-strangest-amiibo-yet-mario/#respond Sun, 10 Aug 2025 13:03:02 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1449319

Nintendo’s amiibo line has been around for more than a decade now, and in that time, we’ve seen a lot of variations on the concept. The original plastic figures are the most common take, but we’ve also seen amiibo cards, plushes, and even Power-Up Bands that can also be scanned and used throughout Super Nintendo […]

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Nintendo’s amiibo line has been around for more than a decade now, and in that time, we’ve seen a lot of variations on the concept. The original plastic figures are the most common take, but we’ve also seen amiibo cards, plushes, and even Power-Up Bands that can also be scanned and used throughout Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios. The one thing amiibo all have in common is that they can unlock extras in various video games. Nintendo is once again doing something really different with amiibo, as part of the upcoming My Mario product line.

The My Mario product line features various items aimed at younger fans. One of the products being introduced is a wood block set, consisting of several key Nintendo characters. Notably, the set includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi, alongside several items and Power-Ups from the franchise. According to Nintendo’s press release, these wooden block “figures” work just as a normal amiibo would, which means they can be scanned in games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in place of a standard amiibo. Given how passionate amiibo collectors have been since the line debuted, it’s possible we could see high demand for these items beyond the targeted age group!

image courtesy of nintendo

As of this writing, Nintendo has not announced a local release for the wood block figures, but we do know that certain products from the My Mario promotion will be coming to the U.S. in 2026. A set that appeals to both younger fans and collectors would probably be a safe bet, but we’ll have to wait for some kind of confirmation. Of course, collectors that already own the traditional amiibo versions of these Mario characters can just stick to using those, should these remain exclusive to Japan.

Nintendo debuted the amiibo concept at the height of the toys-to-life craze that spawned games like Skylanders, Disney Infinity, and LEGO Dimensions. While all of those toylines and their corresponding games are long dead, amiibo have continued to see a steady stream of releases from Nintendo over the last 11 years. In fact, over the last few months, we’ve seen toys based on games like Street Fighter 6, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Donkey Kong Bananza. Those ones have all been a little more “traditional” compared to this new Mario block set.

Since the amiibo line debuted, a lot of fans have questioned just how long it will continue to see support. The line recently saw a bunch of price increases, seemingly as a result of the tariff situation unfolding in the United States. That could hurt the line going forward, as Nintendo fans are forced to make tough decisions about which ones to buy, and which ones to leave on store shelves.

Are you planning to purchase these new wood block amiibo for your collection? Have you continued to collect amiibo over the last 11 years? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Major 2025 Game Skipping Nintendo Switch 2, And Nintendo Fans Are Disappointed https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-game-2025-nhl/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-game-2025-nhl/#respond Sat, 09 Aug 2025 17:47:52 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1448866

A major 2025 game scheduled to release later this year is going to skip Nintendo Switch 2, which has left Nintendo fans disappointed as a result. Looking toward the remainder of the year, Nintendo fans arguably have the most to be excited for with exclusive games such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Drag x Drive, […]

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A major 2025 game scheduled to release later this year is going to skip Nintendo Switch 2, which has left Nintendo fans disappointed as a result. Looking toward the remainder of the year, Nintendo fans arguably have the most to be excited for with exclusive games such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Drag x Drive, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Kirby Air Riders all looming. While things look solid on the exclusives front, things don’t look as great on the third-party front. And this was the problem with the Nintendo Switch, which quickly became an exclusives and indies machine as larger third-parties and makers of AAA games skipped the console for various reasons.

To this end, a popular EA series that never featured on the Nintendo Switch is continuing this pattern of abscence on the Nintendo Switch 2. And if the first game from it since the Nintendo Switch 2 launch is skipping the console, it doesn’t bode well for the rest of the generation because if there was an installment you would want on the console, it would be the one releasing around the console’s launch due to the very high attachment rate of early launch window games. EA doesn’t seem to agree though or simply doesn’t have any interest in the first place.

On September 13, EA is set to release NHL 26, which is obviously not a release for everyone, but it is a release for many. The NHL series isn’t as popular as EA’s other sports series, but it is still popular compared the majority of game releases. And it skipped the entire Nintendo Switch generation. Now, it looks poised to skip the entire Nintendo Switch 2 generation, and some Nintendo fans who had hoped the Nintendo Switch 2 would be a new start are now disappointed.

“So NHL 26 was announced and it’s not coming to Switch 2,” reads a recent post on the Nintendo Switch 2 Reddit page. “I wanted to make a post for this as a lot of people including myself were hoping to get this game. I’m pretty disappointed, hopefully it comes next year but I don’t see any reason to be optimistic.”

A comment adds to the disappointment: “I was hoping for NHL on the Switch 2, but after no announcement today, I think I’m giving up.” Another comment further drives home the point: “Damn this sucks I’d love a portable one.”

What makes the situation all the more odd is that EA is finally bringing Madden NFL to Nintendo fans with Madden NFL 25, which is scheduled to release on August 14 via a variety of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2. This could be an indicator NHL will follow in the future, but it could also be an indicator of the exact opposite because why wait? Clearly, EA was able to get development units early enough because Madden NFL is Switch 2 bound, and it is releasing a month earlier. More than this, if the plan was to bring NHL to Nintendo Switch 2 in the future, this would have presumably been communicated rather than be left up for speculation.

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Nintendo Switch Game Normally $50 on Sale for $2 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-game-eshop-sale-august/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-game-eshop-sale-august/#respond Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:23:02 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1448684

A Nintendo Switch game that is normally $50 is currently on sale for just $2.49, thanks to a massive 95% discount on the Nintendo eShop that is live until August 20. In addition to being available to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED users, the deal is also available to Nintendo Switch […]

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A Nintendo Switch game that is normally $50 is currently on sale for just $2.49, thanks to a massive 95% discount on the Nintendo eShop that is live until August 20. In addition to being available to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED users, the deal is also available to Nintendo Switch 2 users as well. The video game in question does not have a native Nintendo Switch 2 version, but it is playable on the machine via backward compatibility. Meanwhile, because the discount comes courtesy of the Nintendo eShop, it is limited to digital codes for the Switch game. That said, it has long been hard to find a Switch retail copy of the game, Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game, anyway so this isn’t very surprising.

This LEGO game actually released in 2017, the launch year of the console, however, it was not a Switch launch game. Rather, it came to the console later that year. Likewise, it is not as notable as the biggest launch year Nintendo Switch games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, Arms, and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. That said, none of these Nintendo Switch games are $2 or even close to $2. Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game, from developer TT Games and publisher WB Games, is though. As the name suggests, this is the official video game adaptation of The Lego Ninjago Movie from the same year. Upon release, the Lego game did not overly impress critics as evident by its mixed review scores, but it did impress the average consumer, or at least this is what positive user reviews across the Internet suggest. For example, on Steam it has an 87% approval rating after more than 1,000 user reviews.

Lowest Price the Game Will Ever Be

At a 95 percent discount, it is unlikely this game will ever be cheaper on the Nintendo eShop. 95% is typically the cut-off from WB Games when it comes to its discounts. In other words, there will never be a better time to buy this game on Nintendo Switch than right now.

Of course, the Lego game is not the best Lego game, let alone one of the all-time great video games. Not at all. But for fans of Lego games, which there are many of, it is a competent action-adventure experience that offers up to 18 hours of content. That is roughly nine hours of content for every $1 spent, value that really can not be beaten.

More LEGO Games on Sale

The Lego Ninjago Movie is not the only Lego game on sale. Those who like one Lego game, usually like the others as they are all very formulaic and similar to each other. The IPs — the coat of paint — vary, but the gameplay systems and more are pretty streamlined.

Those interested in other discounted Lego games on the Nintendo eShop will find the following deals: Lego DC Super-Villains for $4.99, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 for $4.49, Lego The Incredibles for $4.99, Lego Worlds for $2.99, Lego Brawls for $3.99, and Lego Horizon Adventures for $29.99. There are a few other Lego games discounted on the Nintendo eShop right now, but the discounts are not noteworthy.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A Leaked Mega Evolution Designs Made Real in New Fan Art https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-legends-za-mega-evolution-designs-leaked/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-legends-za-mega-evolution-designs-leaked/#respond Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:22:57 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1447485

Pokemon Legends: Z-A marks the return of the fan-favorite gimmick, Mega Evolution. The Pokemon Company and Game Freak confirmed new Mega Evolutions would be added in the game, as seen with Mega Dragonite. However, it has not revealed any others that fans can expect. Leakers have revealed potential designs for new Mega Evolutions, and one […]

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A marks the return of the fan-favorite gimmick, Mega Evolution. The Pokemon Company and Game Freak confirmed new Mega Evolutions would be added in the game, as seen with Mega Dragonite. However, it has not revealed any others that fans can expect. Leakers have revealed potential designs for new Mega Evolutions, and one fan has brought them to life ahead of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s launch on October 16th.

IcyBoi33 has painstakingly drawn every leaked Mega Evolution for Pokemon Legends: Z-A over the past five months. Some were drawn based on leaked images, while others were recreated using leaked descriptions. Fans have shown their support and appreciation of IcyBoi33’s work and voiced their hope that these images end up closely resembling the in-game models.

While the drawn designs look incredible, some fans are skeptical that all these will be in the game. The Mega Feraligatr design used was debunked as a fake by the original artist. However, it is entirely possible that many of these designs are real and will be seen in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. With any leak or rumor, being skeptical is the best course until proven otherwise by an official statement.

Another major leak that has fans excited is a new online mode that was not present in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. While the mainline games have typically had some form of online, with Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet having the most fleshed out, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was completely offline. If this leak is true, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will have a “Link Play” feature. While not much is known, the emphasis on battling would make online PvP the best fit.

Fans will likely learn more as Pokemon Legends: Z-A has a playable demo at Gamescom. Players can head to the Nintendo booth and try out the upcoming Pokemon title. With its new combat system, fans are eager to see how this affects the series. Instead of the classic turn-based battling, Pokemon Legends: Z-A uses a real-time action battling system similar to that of Xenoblade Chronicles. The system looks great, but fans won’t know for sure until they get their hands on the game.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A will release later this fall on October 16th for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

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Donkey Kong Bananza Players Surprised by “Unbelievable” Detail https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-detail/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-detail/#respond Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1446147 Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza has officially been out for almost a month, and gamers everywhere are enjoying it. It’s quickly become a really good reason to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 and is cementing itself as one of the best 3D platformers available. It’s already gaining steam as a potential 2025 Game of the Year contender, […]

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Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza has officially been out for almost a month, and gamers everywhere are enjoying it. It’s quickly become a really good reason to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 and is cementing itself as one of the best 3D platformers available. It’s already gaining steam as a potential 2025 Game of the Year contender, too.

Amongst all of this, Bananza is also proving to be a quality game that’s well-made. Players have taken notice of some impressive details, with one in particular catching the eye of several on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit.

The attention to detail in Donkey Kong Bananza is pretty incredible, especially for a game designed around destroying literally everything. Developers didn’t have to bother putting in little details that might be ignored since whatever it is will almost assuredly be broken by Donkey Kong and Pauline, especially gold, since it’s useful as a weapon and for in-game currency. They did anyway.

u/MindPrize120 posted on Reddit, “It’s unbelievable how detailed [Donkey Kong Bananza] is. Gold is a soft material, so DK leaves his footprints on it.” While this does not add anything to the actual gameplay, it does add a layer of realism, which is helpful even if the game isn’t realistic whatsoever. Donkey Kong is huge, so it makes perfect sense that he’d leave prints in softer material.

The post got over 600 upvotes and over 100 comments, but many of the comments went in a different direction to uncover why gold is explosive aside from gold being weird in Nintendo games (floating in Mario titles, for example). That’s a key part of the game, and as it turns out, it’s also fairly realistic.

For one thing, u/GL_original said, “Because it’s not regular gold, it’s Banandium Gold. I believe a loading screen text explains this at some point.” There is also a real-world explanation, though. “Upon googling, apparently gold is reactive through certain processes and can explode!” u/surrealmirror revealed.

As for the gold footprints, u/ConflictPotential204 commented, “Pure gold is very soft/malleable. It’s neat because most games/media don’t represent gold this way.” On the other side of this conversation, though, were gamers who were surprised that this was of note.

They pointed out how old games, even old Nintendo games, have had footprints on softer materials. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Metal Gear Solid were a couple of notable examples. u/BloodyTearsz said, “If all you ever and only play is Nintendo games/consoles, sure, but this has been around for so very long.”

Regardless, the general sentiment is that this level of attention to detail to showcase how big and heavy Donkey Kong actually is is fairly positive. The developers didn’t have to add that feature, as so many players probably never even noticed it while playing, but they did anyway.

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Nintendo Switch Shadow Drops Three New Games (Including a 2024 GOTY Contender) https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-shadow-drops-new-games-2024-goty-contender-ufo-50/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-shadow-drops-new-games-2024-goty-contender-ufo-50/#respond Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:16:09 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1446292

An Indie World showcase took place this morning, and it gave Nintendo a chance to shine a light on a bunch of games coming to Switch from smaller developers. As is often the case with this type of presentation, Nintendo is shadow dropping several games on the eShop, which means users will be able to […]

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An Indie World showcase took place this morning, and it gave Nintendo a chance to shine a light on a bunch of games coming to Switch from smaller developers. As is often the case with this type of presentation, Nintendo is shadow dropping several games on the eShop, which means users will be able to download them at some point today. In total, three games shown during today’s presentation are getting that treatment. There’s also a demo going up today for Mina the Hollower, the highly-anticipated new title from Yacht Club Games, the developer of Shovel Knight. The following games will be available on the eShop today:

Is This Seat Taken?

image courtesy of poti poti studio

When Unpacking was released back in 2021, the game proved that there is a way to make organization a lot of fun. Is This Seat Taken? seems to build on a similar concept, but instead of unpacking items and placing them around a room, you’re organizing people instead. The game has several social situations filled with groups of different characters, each with their own specific wants or needs. Players must figure out the best place for each of these characters in locations such as limousines, diners, movie theaters, and more.

Tiny Bookshop

image courtesy of neoludic games

Management sims are a big part of the indie sphere, and Tiny Bookshop is no exception. The game allows players to open their own little cozy bookstore, which they can decorate and stock as they see fit. As they get to know the people around town, they’ll make recommendations for the reading material that seems to be the best fit for that specific person.

UFO 50

image courtesy of mossmouth

Unlike Is This Seat Taken? and Tiny Bookshop, UFO 50 has already been available on PC. However, the game’s arrival on Nintendo Switch today is very good news. Since launching last year, UFO 50 has received “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam. In total, UFO 50 features 50 different games for players to check out, which largely draw inspiration from the NES era. Given the sheer variety, players should have no problem finding something that appeals to them, and some of the games include multiplayer options.

The good news about all three of these games is that they’re playable on both Nintendo Switch as well as Nintendo Switch 2. Today’s Indie World Showcase did feature some Switch 2 exclusives, but none of the games being shadow dropped today are exclusive to the new platform. While Switch 2 has already managed to find a pretty big audience in just two months, the reality is that not everyone is going to upgrade right away. From everything we’ve seen, the original Switch should still see plenty of games released from both Nintendo and its partners for a while. That should continue well into 2026, and possibly beyond even that.

Are you planning to check out any of these games that are being shadow dropped today? Which of these games most appeals to you? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Nintendo Switch’s Price Increase is a First in Gaming History https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-price-increase-history/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-price-increase-history/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1443034

Console owners of a certain age will remember that back in the day, platforms generally received price cuts later in their product lifespans. But that trend appears to be one in the past, with the big three console manufacturers instead raising the recommended retail prices of their platforms. Nintendo’s decision to raise the price of […]

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Console owners of a certain age will remember that back in the day, platforms generally received price cuts later in their product lifespans. But that trend appears to be one in the past, with the big three console manufacturers instead raising the recommended retail prices of their platforms.

Nintendo’s decision to raise the price of the original Switch (from $300 to $340), its OLED model (from $350 to $400), and even its Lite version (from $200 to $230) is particularly shocking, given it’s an increase for a previous console after the release of its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2.

While this isn’t the first time a console manufacturer has increased the price of a product currently on the market, doing so when the next product is out is highly unusual and goes against the usual cadence of price cuts for consoles.

A History Of Console Price Drops

Pretty much every major console has received numerous price cuts throughout its life cycle, usually indicating slower demand, improved manufacturing processes, or a desire to increase sales.

Looking at Nintendo consoles specifically, here’s how the USD retail prices for the company’s consoles since the Nintendo 64 have looked:

ConsoleLaunch PriceFinal Retail Price
Nintendo 64$199 (September 1996)$99 (August 1999)
GameCube$199 (November 2001)$99 (September 2003)
Wii$249 (November 2006)$129 (October 2012)
Wii U$299 Basic /$349 Deluxe (November 2012)$299 Deluxe (September 2013)
Nintendo Switch$300 (March 2017)$340 (August 2025)

While none of these numbers reflect inflation, it’s clear that the price has always trended downward. The same can be said for PlayStation, Xbox, and back in the day, Sega.

Lowering the price has historically been a strategy from the console manufacturers, with companies trying to get a leg up on their competitors. Back in E3 1995, Sony made waves in the news after executive Steve Race took the microphone to simply utter “$299” to applause, a clear knock on Sega Saturn’s $399 price.

Sony also made a similar move when it announced that the PlayStation 4 would be $100 cheaper than the Xbox One, which had a controversial $499 price tag at launch.

But due to current market conditions, and possibly in response to tariffs imposed by the United States government, it appears that Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are primarily trying to offset losses rather than competing to offer the most affordable machine on the market.

Recent Console Price Increases From The Big Three

The latest Xbox consoles had their own price increases this year, but compared to Nintendo’s situation, the Xbox Series X and S are the latest platforms from Microsoft. It’s not like they’re bumping the price of the now-basically-ancient Xbox One, which has been out of production for nearly half a decade now.

Outside of the United States, the PlayStation 5 received a price bump in Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. While this hasn’t occurred in the States yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sony made the decision to do so in the near future.

Needless to say, it’s sad to see the normal trend of console price cuts seemingly dying off. Consumers are already having negative reactions to price increases for individual games — after potentially setting a precedent with $80 games in the form of Mario Kart World, the rest of the industry is reckoning with whether they should follow suit, but it’s clear that consumer pushback to expensive games will continue.

The current world economic situation may be beyond Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft’s control, but raising their product prices– particularly Nintendo’s price hike on an over-eight-year-old machine — could do more harm than good.

But Nintendo is also setting a standard that launch is when consoles are most affordable, creating a craze where everyone is trying to preemptively get their hands on the new product in fear that it’ll be more expensive later. Maybe that explains Nintendo Switch 2’s record-breaking launch.

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SNES Games Just Got Better on Nintendo Switch Online https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/snes-games-nintendo-switch-online-upgrade/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/snes-games-nintendo-switch-online-upgrade/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:18:44 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1444814 Image Courtesy of Nintendo
NSO, SNES

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) has been a huge win for the Nintendo Switch Online service. Not only is it one of the biggest libraries of any NSO app, but it also has some of the best games available to players with the base subscription. These include Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World 2: […]

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Image Courtesy of Nintendo
NSO, SNES

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) has been a huge win for the Nintendo Switch Online service. Not only is it one of the biggest libraries of any NSO app, but it also has some of the best games available to players with the base subscription. These include Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby’s Dream Land 3, Star Fox, Super Metroid, and others out of a library with over 100 titles. Playing those games just got a whole lot better, apparently.

Old games were played on different controllers. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is very different from the NES controller. The GameCube controller, SNES controller, and Game Boy controls all differ a little bit, too. In the past, that was just an annoyance to work through for SNES games. Now, it doesn’t have to be as the latest update has changed that.

The latest patch to Nintendo Switch Online allows for button-mapping for SNES games. If you are struggling with the controls for a certain game, you can change them to better fit your controller or what buttons are most comfortable to you.

This can be especially important if you also play on Xbox or PlayStation, two consoles with controllers that have different button layouts. Going back and forth can be challenging and confusing, and this is an easy way to alleviate it if you’re playing Ghost of Tsushima and A Link to the Past at the same time.

The controls will be game-specific, so you won’t have to wonder what you’re changing. In the game, it will say what that button does. For example, you can change the buttons for Diddy and Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Country without any confusion. You can also reset the controls back to the defaults if things don’t work out right.

This comes alongside two other major changes to the SNES Nintendo Switch Online app. First, it got a slight makeover to more closely resemble the N64 and GameCube apps. It’s not a major change, but the CRT filter is a little smoother. It’s essentially a shader, and while the games aren’t going to look like they were made this century or anything, it is a slight quality-of-life upgrade to better the experience.

Finally, the SNES app also now has a major reason to play. Nintendo just added Mario Paint, a very popular art video game on the console, to the library. Now, you can revisit the unheralded fan favorite and change the controls for it as you see fit.

The button remapping feature is a big one for other Nintendo Switch Online apps, too. While the SNES controller isn’t as different as the N64 one is, it’s still really helpful to be able to customize it. As with all of them, the changes are on a game-by-game basis, so there’s really a lot of different ways to play Switch Online titles. This update is available for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System regardless of whether you’re on Switch or Switch 2.

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7 Games We Want to See in the July 2025 Nintendo Indie World Showcase https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-indie-world-predictions/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-indie-world-predictions/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:59:13 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1445075 Nintendo Indie World

Following the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Nintendo is hosting another event to showcase upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. With the return of Nintendo’s Indie World showcase on August 7th, fans will be treated to roughly 15 of games from new and well-known indie developers. Sadly, one insider is claiming there […]

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Nintendo Indie World

Following the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Nintendo is hosting another event to showcase upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. With the return of Nintendo’s Indie World showcase on August 7th, fans will be treated to roughly 15 of games from new and well-known indie developers. Sadly, one insider is claiming there will be no mention of Hollow Knight: Silksong, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some great games present.

Indie titles have increased in popularity and 2025 has numerous promising titles on the way. With only 15 minutes, it will be hard to fit all of them in. That said, here are the seven indie games fans should want to see during Nintendo’s Indie World showcase.

1) Hades 2

Hades 2 Key Art
hades 2’s protagonist, melinoe.

Hades 2 is one of the most anticipated indie games of all time, and not far behind Hollow Knight: Silksong. Supergiant Games has been steadily approaching a full release, and considering a recent leak and Hades 2’s Nintendo console exclusivity, it seems likely fans will get something during Nintendo’s July Indie World. Many expected the game to appear during the Partner Showcase, but sadly, this proved not to be the case. With Supergiant’s indie developer status, fans have another show tomorrow.

2) Witchbrook

Witchbrook Broomstick Flight
Flying on a broomstick in Witchbrook

Cozy gamers have been wanting Witchbrook since Chucklefish first revealed the game. A pixelated take on Harry Potter that lets up to four friends explore a witch life-sim seems like an easy way to print money. With Chucklefish’s status as an indie publisher and developer, many are expecting to see Witchbrook during the July Indie World. Fans may finally see a release date announced for the beloved indie game, and hopefully, it will be soon, considering how long the game has been in development.

3) Slay the Spire 2

Slay the Spire II Necrobinder
new character, the necrobinder, in slay the spire 2.

Slay the Spire 2 is another legendary indie game, and one that fans have eagerly been awaiting. Developer Mega Crit has confirmed the rogue-like deckbuilder will launch in early access during 2025. A Nintendo Indie World is the perfect opportunity to reveal a finalized release date, or at the very least, show off new gameplay. Fans have already seen one new character and have confirmation of returning characters, but there is still so much more that remains a mystery.

4) UFO 50

UFO 50
One of UFO 50’s many games.

UFO 50 is an odd but endearing collection of games that span different genres by developer Mossmouth, the team behind Spelunky and Spelunky 2. The title has an Overwhelmingly Positive review score on Steam, and fans are desperate for the game to come to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The nature of the games would be perfect for Nintendo’s handheld consoles, as proven by UFO 50’s popularity on Steam Deck. Revealing a port tomorrow would be an absolute win for Nintendo.

5) Katana Zero DLC

Katana Zero
The psychiatrist treating the protagonist in Katana Zero.

Katana Zero proved to be one of the best indie games, and fans were eagerly anticipating the DLC. However, it never came, but six years later, there is hope again after the DLC was confirmed to be coming during the Triple-I Interactive show. It will pick up right where the story of Katanza Zero left off, bringing more content, stories, and gruesome action to the wildly loved game. No release date was given, but Nintendo’s Indie World may shed some light on when the free DLC will arrive.

6) Skate Story

Skate Story
Skate Story’s beautiful visuals.

Skate Story’s hauntingly beautiful visuals immediately captured gamers’ attention. Combining this with its unique story of skating through Hell, it soon joined many fans’ wishlists. Currently, the game is confirmed for PC and PlayStation, but many are hopeful it will come to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Devolver Digital has been quiet about the game, and it has faced some delays. That said, appearing at the Indie World will bring it to new audiences and show the game is still on track.

7) Death Howl

Death Howl
the mother overlooks her child in the afterlife in Death Howl.

Death Howl proved to be one of the most popular demos during the Steam Next Fest. It has a unique approach, combining soulslike elements with deckbuilding and tactical combat. Its haunting narrative and beautiful world further draw players in and make them want to explore its roguelike gameplay loop. Developer The Outer Zone and publisher 11 bit studios are only eyeing PC as a launch platform, but Nintendo’s handheld consoles are perfect for Death Howl, and many are hoping to see it mentioned during the Indie World.

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Everything Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in August https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-august-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-august-2025/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 18:31:16 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1438249

Nintendo Switch 2 is coming off a pair of very big months. The system debuted in June with Mario Kart World, and followed up in July with Donkey Kong Bananza. While those two games were the big highlights, the system also saw some notable third-party releases such as Cyberpunk 2077 and WWE 2K25. Naturally, those […]

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Nintendo Switch 2 is coming off a pair of very big months. The system debuted in June with Mario Kart World, and followed up in July with Donkey Kong Bananza. While those two games were the big highlights, the system also saw some notable third-party releases such as Cyberpunk 2077 and WWE 2K25. Naturally, those who bought the console are already curious to see what the month of August will bring. To start, things are looking a little quieter. There isn’t anything too huge just yet, but there are some promising titles that Switch 2 users should keep an eye on.

This list is pretty small so far, but it’s worth noting that there’s still a lot we don’t know about Nintendo Switch 2’s lineup for the rest of the year; it’s entirely possible that we could see some surprises over the next few weeks. Readers should also keep in mind that the vast majority of Switch games are backwards compatible with the new system, so any games coming to that platform will also be playable on Switch 2. The list of games set to be released in August can be found below.

Drag x Drive

image courtesy of nintendo

Release Date: August 14th

A brand-new IP from Nintendo, Drag x Drive is a futuristic take on the real-life sport of wheelchair basketball. The game uses both the left and right Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons in mouse mode to simulate controlling each wheel with one hand. Drag x Drive already feels like one of the most unique games on the system, and the price is actually pretty reasonable, costing just $19.99 on day one. Those on the fence might want to check out the Global Jam demo, which is set to take place a few days prior to the game’s release date.

Madden NFL 26

image courtesy of ea, nfl

Release Date: August 14th

At the start of the Switch 2 era, it looks like EA is starting to change its philosophy when it comes to Nintendo platforms, with a lot of early support in a short amount of time. For example, it’s been a long time since the Madden franchise saw a release on a Nintendo system, but EA Sports will finally rectify that oversight. It remains to be seen how Madden NFL 26 will stack up against the versions coming to PC, Xbox, and PS5, but the prospect of a truly portable NFL experience is an exciting one. This year’s game will also bring in a host of new features across all platforms. Madden NFL 26 will apparently add quarterbacks that feel authentic to their real-world counterparts, while bringing in an improved weather system that forces a change in strategy based on precipitation.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar

Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar Selling at Market
Image courtesy of Marvelous

Release Date: August 27th

The Story of Seasons series has been delighting fans of the cozy genre for decades now, and a new entry will be released this August on Nintendo platforms. Not only is the game coming to the original Switch, but developer Marvelous will offer a Switch 2 version with a handful of enhancements. These will include a higher resolution and frame rate, as well as mouse controls. Best of all, there is an upgrade path being offered; that means those who buy the game on Switch now can get all of the improved features on the new system for just $10 later. That’s not something we’re seeing universally from publishers, so it’s definitely a nice inclusion.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World

image courtesy of nintendo

Release Date: August 28th

Since the Switch 2’s release, Nintendo has offered a steady stream of upgraded takes on existing Switch 1 games. We saw it first with games like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree, and now Kirby and the Forgotten Land is getting a similar treatment. In my 2022 review for the game, I found it to be one of the best entries the series has produced thus far. The new version promises upgraded visuals and performance, as well as new content exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. It remains to be seen whether the game will be worth the cost of an upgrade, but hopefully, this proves to be more of a good thing.

It’s possible Nintendo and its partners could have a lot more Switch 2 games to reveal in the near future. The original Switch has seen a very steady stream of games over the last eight years, and those that have upgraded to the new system will surely want to see more software that takes advantage of the superior graphics and processing power. Even if August remains a relatively quiet month, the rest of the year should have plenty to look forward to between games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

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New Super Mario Party Jamboree Update Released, Here’s What It Does https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mario-party-jamboree-update-switch-2-august-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mario-party-jamboree-update-switch-2-august-2025/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:55:12 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1444776

Super Mario Party Jamboree has proven to be a popular title in the series, though the Nintendo Switch 2 version has left fans divided due to some strange choices. One issue, however, has caused some anger amongst fans, and Nintendo has now released an update to address and fix this issue. Though this update is […]

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Super Mario Party Jamboree has proven to be a popular title in the series, though the Nintendo Switch 2 version has left fans divided due to some strange choices. One issue, however, has caused some anger amongst fans, and Nintendo has now released an update to address and fix this issue. Though this update is small, fans are happy to see it resolve this issue and make the online fun again.

The Version 2.1.1 update for Super Mario Party Jamboree fixes a bug that allowed players to upload false records for certain mini-games. Using this method, players could upload records they had not achieved and claim a false spot on the leaderboard. While this may seem minor to some, there are those players who enjoy holding records, and thanks to this update, each record will now be legitimate.

Here are the full patch notes for Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Version 2.1.1 Update:

Super Mario Party Jamboree Version 2.1.1 Patch Notes

  • Fixed a bug where, when playing on Nintendo Switch 2 and following certain steps, in online rankings for certain minigames, records are uploaded that haven’t actually been achieved.

This marks the second update for Super Mario Party Jamboree since it launched on the Nintendo Switch 2. While the Version 2.1.1 update is exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, previous updates have been released for both versions. Fans can likely expect this to be the trend going forward, depending on what content is addressed in the update.

There are a few games that rival the chaotic multiplayer fun of the Mario Party series. Fans are hopeful for a new entry on the Nintendo Switch 2, but for now, Super Mario Party Jamboree offers the best experience. The Nintendo Switch 2 has breathed new life into old games and brought them to an even wider audience.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Rumor Has Bad News Ahead of Nintendo Showcase https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hollow-knight-silksong-reveal-nintendo-rumor/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hollow-knight-silksong-reveal-nintendo-rumor/#respond Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:43:49 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1444397

Nintendo has announced an upcoming Indie World that will air on August 7th and feature approximately 15 minutes of footage. The wheels are already turning, and Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have begun putting their makeup on. With the highly anticipated indie game absent from last week’s Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, many are expecting it to […]

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Nintendo has announced an upcoming Indie World that will air on August 7th and feature approximately 15 minutes of footage. The wheels are already turning, and Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have begun putting their makeup on. With the highly anticipated indie game absent from last week’s Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, many are expecting it to be here. However, one Nintendo insider has made it definitively clear that this will not be the case.

SwitchForce, a popular Nintendo YouTuber and insider, has reported that Hollow Knight: Silksong will not be shown during Nintendo’s upcoming Indie World. He did say that fans can look forward to the game at Gamescom, where a demo will be available to all who attend the event. This is undoubtedly sad news, but Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have had many years to get used to disappointment.

The good news is that Gamescom will give a more in-depth look at the game. Fans can expect gameplay footage of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s demo, which will give the best look at the game yet. There is also an expectation that Team Cherry will finally reveal a release date that aligns with its statements about a 2025 release.

Hollow Knight: Silksong will also be shown off at the Melbourne Museum on September 18th as a part of the Game Worlds exhibition. There is reportedly going to be a public demo of the game, as well as unique art showcasing the protagonist, Hornet.

Fans have waited years for Hollow Knight: Silksong, and it seems that the game is finally nearing release. What started out as a DLC for Hollow Knight turned into a sequel and has no doubt ballooned from there. Gamescom may finally be the turning point where not just fans, but all gamers, start to believe the game is real.

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Nintendo Switch Online Has New Wario Freebies https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-online-membership-wario-free/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-online-membership-wario-free/#respond Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:12:09 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1443979

Paid members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service can receive some complimentary Wario-related icons inspired by the Wario Land games as part of the membership reward for this month. This feature is an excellent incentive for Nintendo Switch Online members to take full advantage of their subscription benefits while playing through some of Nintendo’s […]

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Paid members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service can receive some complimentary Wario-related icons inspired by the Wario Land games as part of the membership reward for this month. This feature is an excellent incentive for Nintendo Switch Online members to take full advantage of their subscription benefits while playing through some of Nintendo’s classic games. However, those wishing to add these icons to their collection will need to do so soon, as they are only available until September 1st.

The process for obtaining the rewards is relatively straightforward. Players who have the appropriate membership tiers for Nintendo Switch Online need only boot up Wario Land 3 and Wario Land 4 to make the different icons available to unlock with Platinum Points. Every icon that players want to receive will cost 10 Platinum Points each, unlocked for purchase through this limited-time “Play to Unlock” event during August.

Platinum Points are the currency accumulated on a player’s My Nintendo account when they complete various missions. If a player doesn’t have sufficient Platinum Points and still wants to unlock the icons, then additional effort will be required on their part to access these event-exclusive Wario-related icons.

Nintendo Switch Online rewards are permanent additions to a player’s account, even if they later cancel their membership and go back to playing their Nintendo Switch products as a free user. Unfortunately, some of these icon rewards require players to have the enhanced “Expansion Pack” version of the membership service to access the Game Boy Advance app and Wario Land 4, so those who still need to upgrade to get these icons won’t be able to get them completely for free.

The standard tier of Nintendo membership costs $19.99 per year, while the Expansion Pack upgraded membership costs $49.99 per year. A free trial is offered to new members, but it only covers the standard membership, not the Expansion Pack membership. While the Expansion Pack version is quite a bump in price, it grants access to additional Nintendo Classics game apps, including:

  • Nintendo Gamecube (Switch 2 exclusive)
  • Nintendo 64
  • Game Boy Advance
  • Sega Genesis

Those paying for the standard subscription tier still have access to NES, SNES, and Game Boy through the Nintendo Classic apps. Wario Land 3 was originally released on the Game Boy Color in 2000, and Wario Land 4 was released on the Game Boy Advance a year later in 2001.

Unfortunately, it has been quite some time since the last Wario Land-related game. The last release, Wario Land: Shake It!, was released in 2008 on the Wii. The WarioWare games have essentially replaced the Wario Land in terms of stand-alone Wario titles. Wario Land 4 was brought to Nintendo Switch Online just in February, so it’s clear that Wario is currently on Nintendo’s mind. Here’s hoping that for Wario fans’ sake, a new series title or rerelease is also one of those things on the company’s mind for the future.

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Nintendo Fixes 5 Games for the Switch 2 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-fixes-5-switch-1-games/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-fixes-5-switch-1-games/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:15:01 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1443222

It’s no secret that Nintendo Switch 2 has had some compatibility issues with games released on the original Switch. The vast majority of games work on the new system without problems; in many cases, they actually run better than they did before. However, there are still some games that are unplayable, or face specific issues […]

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It’s no secret that Nintendo Switch 2 has had some compatibility issues with games released on the original Switch. The vast majority of games work on the new system without problems; in many cases, they actually run better than they did before. However, there are still some games that are unplayable, or face specific issues when played on Nintendo Switch 2. Thankfully, that list continues to shrink. As reported by Nintendo Everything, five more games have now been updated, ensuring that they now run smoothly on the new system. The full list of patched games can be found below:

  • Cotton Reboot High Tension
  • D.C.III: Da Capo III – Plus Story
  • DarkStar One: Nintendo Switch Edition
  • Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless
  • Vagante
vagante image courtesy of nintendo switch eshop

We’ve seen a lot of problems with Switch 1 games resolved over the last two months, and that’s pretty impressive considering just how many games have been released for the system over the last eight years. Lack of compatibility is bound to cause frustration for anyone hoping to continue playing some of their existing library on Nintendo Switch 2. The system’s most notable games are all working just fine at this point; you’re probably not going to have any problems with games like Splatoon 3 or Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the reality is that there are a lot of other great games people want to continue to access, especially if they decided to sell off their original Switch.

On top of Nintendo’s own fixes, some developers are also taking advantage of the jump to Switch 2. Square Enix recently announced a free upgrade path for Dragon Quest III: HD-2D Remake on Switch 2, improving the visuals and performance of the Switch 1 game. Sega also revealed that Yakuza Kiwami is not only getting a Switch 2 version later this year, but there will also be an upgrade path for the version released last year. There are a lot of opportunities for developers to similarly upgrade their games now that Switch 2 is available, including some notable games that simply did not perform on the same level they did on PlayStation or Xbox platforms.

Given the cost of Nintendo Switch 2, there’s a big incentive to fix and improve older games. Most of the people spending $500 on a Mario Kart World or Pokemon Legends: Z-A bundle aren’t going to want to buy a whole new set of games; carrying over an existing library is one of the biggest incentives to buy a new video game system. Hopefully the list of games with issues will continue to shrink, and we’ll see even more games upgraded to take advantage of everything Switch 2 has to offer. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what games get fixed in the coming weeks and months.

Are you happy that more Nintendo Switch games continue to get patched? What games are you still having issues with? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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This Piranha Plant Webcam Brings Mario Madness To Your Switch 2 Setup For Cheap https://comicbook.com/gear/news/this-piranha-plant-webcam-brings-mario-madness-to-your-switch-setup-for-cheap/ https://comicbook.com/gear/news/this-piranha-plant-webcam-brings-mario-madness-to-your-switch-setup-for-cheap/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:08:31 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1443116 HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2

It finally happened. Nintendo gave us a webcam shaped like a Piranha Plant, and somehow, it’s both completely awesome looking and surprisingly useful. It’s also fairly affordable thanks to a big sale that’s happening right now. The officially licensed HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 is now just $39.99, down from its original […]

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HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2

It finally happened. Nintendo gave us a webcam shaped like a Piranha Plant, and somehow, it’s both completely awesome looking and surprisingly useful. It’s also fairly affordable thanks to a big sale that’s happening right now. The officially licensed HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 is now just $39.99, down from its original $59.99 price here on Amazon and Walmart. If you’ve ever wanted to FaceTime your friends with the literal mouth of a Mario villain, this is your moment.

And it’s not just for show. The Piranha Plant camera works in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes, capturing 30fps video at 640 x 480 resolution. The flexible neck lets you pose it like a Smash Bros taunt, while the chomping mouth doubles as a privacy shutter. It plugs in via USB-C and even includes a weighted stand and adapter, so you can mount it on your Switch 2, TV, or desk. It’s part gaming gadget, part shelf prop, and all kinds of Nintendo weirdness in the best way.

Chat With Your Friends Through the Nintendo Piranha Plant

HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2

  • 640 x 480 Resolution
  • 30 FPS Frame Rate
  • 85 Degree Viewing Angle
  • 33% Discount ($39.99)

This isn’t just for Zoom cosplay. The Piranha Plant camera is fully compatible with Switch 2’s online chat features, letting you hop into video calls during gameplay or use it in supported games with video capture features. Whether you’re trading Pokémon with friends, teaming up in Splatoon 4, or arguing about strategy in Mario Party Superstars 2, you can now do it with your face front and center inside a plant pot.

The built-in clip attaches securely to your TV if you want a classic webcam experience. But if you’re on the go, you can connect it directly to the Switch 2 in portable mode, turning your handheld console into a mini video chat station. It’s perfect for players who travel, stream, or want to see friends while gaming even if the conversation is occasionally interrupted by an animated vine with teeth. 

Why You’ll Use It More Than You Think

HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2

  • 640 x 480 Resolution
  • 30 FPS Frame Rate
  • 85 Degree Viewing Angle
  • 33% Discount ($33.99)

Is it necessary? No. But neither is dressing like Mario in Animal Crossing or collecting 42 Joy-Con colors. That’s kind of the point. The HORI Piranha Plant Camera is part webcam, part collectible, and all-in on that Nintendo charm.

And it opens up some fun, creative opportunities. Use it for video calls during Switch 2 online play, record reaction clips with the plant’s mouth acting as a goofy filter, or just keep it perched next to your Mario Kart racing wheel as part of your themed gaming setup. If you’re already deep in the Nintendo ecosystem, this might be the most fun little addition to your desk since the Nendoroid Pikachu.

If you’re diving into Switch 2 upgrades, pair the Piranha Plant cam with:

Or check out our feature on the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories to fully upgrade your setup. Keep checking ComicBook for guides, top picks, and real-world setup ideas to help you decide what fits your space. We bring you top discounts on the best tech gear ahead of the crowd, so keep looking.

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The Tide Has Slowly Turned Against $80 Video Games https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/video-games-pricing-80-dollars-shift/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/video-games-pricing-80-dollars-shift/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1442273

No one likes paying out the ear for the things they enjoy, and video game fans are no exception. It was disappointing for everyone to hear that Nintendo would be pricing some of its new titles like Mario Kart World at a whopping $80, but since then, it seems like the price hike hasn’t caught […]

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No one likes paying out the ear for the things they enjoy, and video game fans are no exception. It was disappointing for everyone to hear that Nintendo would be pricing some of its new titles like Mario Kart World at a whopping $80, but since then, it seems like the price hike hasn’t caught on. Big studios like Electronic Arts (EA) and Xbox have both made changes to their pricing since initial announcements, lowering a few prices from the original $80 to the industry-typical $70 instead. Hopefully, this marks a general industry consensus to keep prices where they are—or lower.

EA and Xbox Walk Back Initial Commitment to $80 Price Tag

Courtesy of 2K

Soon after a Nintendo Direct announced that new Nintendo Switch 2 games would be selling for $80, the general gaming community groaned in dread that other large studios would take this as permission to price their own high-ticket games accordingly. Unfortunately, this seemed to be the new trend in gaming, and games like The Outer Worlds 2 and Borderlands 4 were announced to be following suit. Many studio executives seemed to see the price hike as a way to combat increasing production costs of AAA titles, but in mid-June of 2025, something changed.

All of a sudden, Xbox was committed to selling their games for $70, walking the initial The Outer Worlds 2 price back down to what was initially expected for the game and locking in that price for their holiday releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as well. This seemed to prompt EA, a company that’s famous for nickel-and-dime-ing its players, to announce that it wouldn’t be selling $80 games either.

Despite Randy Pitchford’s proclamation that “real fans” should be willing to pay $80 for Borderlands 4, Take-Two announced that they, too, would be lowering the price of their mainline titles to $70 as well. Suddenly, all of these studios that could have, and were predicted to, follow Nintendo’s lead in raising prices across the board backed down, leaving Nintendo the sole bastion and defender of the $80 price tag.

Increasing the Price of Games Isn’t the Answer to High Production Costs

Since the early 2000s, the cost of making games has only gotten higher while the sales of games have stayed more or less consistent. The original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 came out in 2009 and cost an estimated $200 million to make, which is around $360 million adjusted for inflation. In comparison, the 2019 remake of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare cost around $640 million to make, which translates to roughly $780 million adjusted.

This is a significant jump in cost after only ten years—production costs increased by almost $300 million dollars and Activision, which published both games, surely isn’t the only one that has seen an increase in costs as time has gone on. It makes sense that studios would want to find a way to recoup these costs so they can still make a profit; however, foisting that cost increase on consumers who are already finding prices for everything rising all around them isn’t the best course of action.

Early in 2025, the gaming community saw some of the results of studios trying to save money with the large-scale layoffs that impacted the gaming industry severely. Thousands of game makers are now out of work, but this can’t be the best solution for an industry that relies so heavily on the passion of its game makers to thrive. Games are difficult to make, innovative and explorative ones even more so, but there must be a better way to make them financially feasible.

Grand Theft Auto VI Could Make or Break the $80 Price Tag

Grand Theft Auto 6‘s price still hasn’t been revealed, but its pricing could set the new standard for games. Many were theorizing that it would retail for $100, but even if it releases at $80, studios might take this as permission to do the same. GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games of the last decade, and is one of the few that might be able to get away with such an inflated price tag, but such a stand-out game shouldn’t set a trend. Not every game is GTA 6, and very few games can get away with what it might.

Any game selling for $80 and succeeding in its sales goals is another step towards normalizing the price tag for studios and players alike. If higher-ups and business types in studios see that players are willing to pay $80 for games, it will be pushed harder and harder. It’s likely only through pushback and consistency from the larger gaming community that studios will be pressured to find other ways to keep rising costs down. Whether this is through less ambitious projects, lower graphical goals, or an overhaul of production cycles remains to be seen, but at least for now, the gaming community is safe from the dreaded $80 headline game.

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One of the Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games Is a Major Problem for Pro Controller Owners https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-pro-controller-split-fiction/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-pro-controller-split-fiction/#respond Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:44:26 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1441930

One of the very best Nintendo Switch 2 games, and one of the best games of 2025, is proving to be a major problem for Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller owners. To this end, it works terribly with the premium Switch 2 controller. For $84.99, Nintendo fans can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, […]

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One of the very best Nintendo Switch 2 games, and one of the best games of 2025, is proving to be a major problem for Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller owners. To this end, it works terribly with the premium Switch 2 controller. For $84.99, Nintendo fans can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which offers an improved controller experience compared to using the Joy-Cons. The use of “Pro” in the product name is a little misleading though, because it isn’t anything like the “Pro” controllers on PlayStation and Xbox. In terms of build and features, it is a standard controller. That said, for those who play the Nintendo Switch 2 in docked mode, it is a must own. Those that plan on playing Split Fiction specifically though, may want to reconsider using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to play it.

As of right now, Split Fiction from Hazelight Studios — the Josef Fares studio that previously put out A Way Out and It Takes Two — and EA is the third highest-rated game of 2025, behind only Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince in that order. It has a 91 on Metacritic, and it has been available on the Nintendo Switch 2 since the console’s launch in June. And it runs great on the Switch 2, but it has a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller problem.

Using social media platform X, user Quinn Nelson notes that Split Fiction on Nintendo Switch 2 uses rumble so often that the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller linear vibration motors will begin to overheat and consequently shut off. For those who have not played Split Fiction on Nintendo Switch 2, indeed does use rumble a ton.

The good news is this can be fixed in a patch. Right now, it is unclear if Hazelight studios is even aware of the problem, let alone working on a solution, assuming it desires a solution in the first place, which is not currently clear.

At the moment of publishing, none of the implicated parties — Hazelight Studios, EA, and Nintendo — have commented on the situation. If this changes, we will update the story accordingly. In the meantime, for more coverage on all things Nintendo Switch 2 — 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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N64 Classic Game Available for Just $1.79 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/n64-nintendo-64-game-doom-64-sale/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/n64-nintendo-64-game-doom-64-sale/#respond Sat, 02 Aug 2025 19:53:29 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1441511

A N64 game from 1997, a classic of the console, is currently available for just $1.79. While the game in question is an N64 exclusive, this new deal does not come courtesy of the Nintendo eShop. In other words, it is not available to Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 users. Nintendo fans will rather […]

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A N64 game from 1997, a classic of the console, is currently available for just $1.79. While the game in question is an N64 exclusive, this new deal does not come courtesy of the Nintendo eShop. In other words, it is not available to Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 users. Nintendo fans will rather need a PC capable of playing games to take advantage of the deal because the new deal comes the way of Fanatical, which has Steam codes of this game for this dirt cheap price until August 17.

The N64 game in question was released specifically on April 4, 1997 by the now defunct Midway Studios San Diego, with Midway Games serving as the publisher. For those that have not connected the dots yet, the N64 game is Doom 64, the fourth release in the Doom series, and the second spin-off following 1996’s Final Doom.

Upon release, the N64 exclusive earned a 73% on GameRankings, a decent score, but a little low for the series. However, its status as a cult-classic in the coming years suggests it may have been underrated when it was initially released.

In 2020 the cult-classic was remastered and brought to Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. And it is this remastered version that is on sale on Steam via Fanatical.

“Years have passed since you stopped Hell’s invasion of Earth. Quarantined for humanity’s safety, the UAC research facilities on Mars were abandoned and forgotten…until now,” reads an official synopsis of the game for those unfamiliar with it. “A signal from a degraded satellite suggests a single entity remains, and it has the power to resurrect the demons. As the only surviving marine who fought Hell’s forces, you are sent on a lone crusade to hunt down the Mother of Demons and stop a renewed demonic invasion.”

Those that decide to hop on this deal and grab Doom 64 for less than $2 should expect a campaign that lasts about 7 to 11 hours depending on the completion rate. Meanwhile, like all Doom games, it boasts an “M” for “Mature” rating.

For more coverage on all things Nintendo 64 — including all of the latest N64 news, all of the latest N64 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest N64 deals like this one — click here.

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Every Nintendo Switch Console and Accessory Getting a Price Increase https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-console-accessory-price-increases-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-console-accessory-price-increases-2025/#respond Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:43:04 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1441383

Generally, gamers expect an older console to get more affordable over time. That’s especially true once that brand’s newest offering hits shelves. But Nintendo shocked fans yesterday when it announced that, rather than getting cheaper, the original Nintendo Switch will instead see a price adjustment due to market conditions. In other words, the console and […]

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Generally, gamers expect an older console to get more affordable over time. That’s especially true once that brand’s newest offering hits shelves. But Nintendo shocked fans yesterday when it announced that, rather than getting cheaper, the original Nintendo Switch will instead see a price adjustment due to market conditions. In other words, the console and several other Nintendo products are expected to increase in price starting August 3rd.

Nintendo shared a list of several impacted products in its initial announcement of price adjustments. That said, the official price list won’t be posted until prices change on August 3rd. However, due to a few retailers accidentally revealing prices early, we have a pretty good sense of what to expect. Here is every Nintendo Switch console and accessory that will be getting a price increase, and the expected change in price.

All Nintendo Switch Console Price Changes

Nintendo Switch Lite
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

The following Nintendo Switch models will see a price adjustment in the U.S. starting on August 3rd. The exact price changes are not confirmed, but anticipated based on Target’s early posting of new price points.

  • Nintendo Switch – $340, up from $300
  • Nintendo Switch OLED – $400, up from $350
  • Nintendo Switch Lite – $230, up from $200

This list includes every available standard model for the Nintendo Switch, so fans should expect to pay more for a new Switch regardless of the type going forward. The original Nintendo Switch now costs more than it did when it was first released back in TK, marking a first in gaming history.

As of now, the Nintendo Switch 2 will not see any additional price adjustments in the U.S. It remains $449 for the console alone, or available as part of a Mario Kart World or Pokemon Legends Z-A bundle for $499.00.

All Nintendo Switch Accessory Price Changes

Image courtesy of nintendo

Certain Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 accessories will also see a price adjustment. Most of the impacted accessories are for the original Switch, but Switch 2 Joy-Cons and straps will cost a bit more going forward, as well. Here is the expected list and new prices.

  • Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons – $90, up from $80
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – $80, up from $70
  • Nintendo Switch AC Adapter – $35, up from $30
  • Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Stand – $35, up from $30
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons – $100, up from $95
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Straps – $15, up from $14

In addition to Nintendo Switch consoles and accessories, Nintendo has confirmed price adjustments for a few other products. These include the Nintendo Alarmo clock, which is expected to cost $110, a $10 price increase. “Select amiibo” will also go up in price, but we don’t yet know which ones or by how much.

For now, actual games for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 will not have prices adjusted. Instead, accessories and older consoles are impacted. Nintendo has shared that it may implement additional price adjustments in the future, and that could well include games. This marks the second wave of price adjustments for Nintendo fans in the U.S. following select adjustments in reaction to previous tariff announcements earlier this year.

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Pokemon Gen 10 Rumor Reveals Starters and Legendaries of New Switch 2 Game https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-starters-gen-10-nintendo-switch-2-new-game/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-starters-gen-10-nintendo-switch-2-new-game/#respond Sat, 02 Aug 2025 02:51:16 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1441125

A new rumor about Pokemon Gen 10, aka the next mainline Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch 2, and the sequel to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, has surfaced online. Most notably, the new Pokemon Gen 10 rumor has details on the three starters. And according to this rumor, starters will not be recycled, but be brand […]

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A new rumor about Pokemon Gen 10, aka the next mainline Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch 2, and the sequel to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, has surfaced online. Most notably, the new Pokemon Gen 10 rumor has details on the three starters. And according to this rumor, starters will not be recycled, but be brand new, as is always the case with mainline Pokemon games.

More specifically, the new rumor describes the Grass starter Pokemon as being Grass/Fighting and a “Wooden Horse.” Adding to this, it is claimed the Water starter Pokemon is a Water/Ghost type with “dead skin of snake.” And then, lastly, the Fire starter Pokemon is simple described as a “Phoenix,” and is said to be Fire/Physic.

The Legendary Pokemon of Pokemon Gen 10 are also mentioned by the rumor. To this end, one is described as being a “Horse with wings” and “pure Flying.” The other is described as being a “Horse with fins” and that is “pure Water.”

The rumor further claims the Nintendo Switch 2 game is set in the Xenia region, which is supposedly based on the Greek islands, with every island being unique from each other. And this region is supposedly home to extreme storms, especially in the sea and sky, and when storms get intense Pokemon get more aggressive and will attack you in groups.

Other details include the following: Professor being an 80-year-old philosopher, the bad guys being called Kratos, the Champion being your father, and a battle gimmick called “Divine Pokemon” that give different Pokemon in the game “hyper abilities” and even “new forms.” There is also word a type of Battle Frontier in the game and a cross-breeding system that results in new Pokemon.

Now, this entire rumor comes the way of 4chan so take it with a grain of salt. 4chan has a reputation for hogwash rumors, but over the years, some of the most random rumors from it have turned out to be true. Probability is working against this rumor, but there is a chance.

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

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New Xenoblade Chronicles Game for Nintendo Switch 2 Potentially Leaked https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/xenoblade-chronicles-4-nintendo-switch-2-game-leak/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/xenoblade-chronicles-4-nintendo-switch-2-game-leak/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 22:48:38 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1441028

A new Xenoblade Chronicles game for Nintendo Switch 2, possibly Xenoblade Chronicles 4, may have been leaked. There are two different points of interest for fans of the action RPG series that got its start in 2010 on the Nintendo Wii. The first involves a well-known Chinese leaker on Weibo who appears to be teasing […]

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A new Xenoblade Chronicles game for Nintendo Switch 2, possibly Xenoblade Chronicles 4, may have been leaked. There are two different points of interest for fans of the action RPG series that got its start in 2010 on the Nintendo Wii. The first involves a well-known Chinese leaker on Weibo who appears to be teasing a new Xenoblade Chronicles game on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Using Chinese social media website Weibo, the leaker posted “This goodbye is not the end,” accompanied by an image of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Considering the user’s history as a leaker, there are two ways to take this. It is possible this is a hint at Xenoblade Chronicles 3 getting a Nintendo Switch 2 version. Right now, the 2022 Nintendo Switch game is playable on the new Nintendo console, but only via backward compatibility. That is one way to interpret this cryptic post. The other is that this is a tease at a new Xenoblade Chronicles game specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2. Whether this be Xenoblade Chronicles 4 or not, hard to say.

In addition to this, the series composer Manami Kiyota, recently took to social media platform X to share that she is working on a new project. Now, she has credits beyond the Xenoblade Chronicles, but this has been her main gig over the last decade or so. To this end, she has been the composer of each and every Xenoblade Chronicles game.

If she is doing new work, then that would rule out this mystery Nintendo Switch 2 game being a port of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. What it would suggest is this is Xenoblade Chronicles 4 or some other new entry.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition Featured image

Of course, this is all speculative. In other words, remember to take everything here with a grain of salt. Nothing here is official, and even if it accurate, it subject to change that could render it inaccurate over time.

At the moment of publishing, neither developer Monolith Software nor publisher Nintendo have been drawn out for comment. If this changes, we will be sure to update the story accordingly. In the meantime, 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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New Switch Price Increase Says a Lot About Nintendo’s Upcoming Games https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-price-increase-games-future/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-price-increase-games-future/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1440387 Nintendo Switch

Nintendo made a surprising announcement today that it plans to adjust the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch accessories pricing, and while Nintendo was cagey about what this meant, a leak confirmed it would be a price increase. This does not bode well for those who have the original Nintendo Switch and likely points to fewer […]

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Nintendo Switch

Nintendo made a surprising announcement today that it plans to adjust the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch accessories pricing, and while Nintendo was cagey about what this meant, a leak confirmed it would be a price increase. This does not bode well for those who have the original Nintendo Switch and likely points to fewer games coming to Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED consoles as Nintendo focuses on the Nintendo Switch 2.

With Nintendo increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch consoles, fans should expect less support. New accessories have stopped releasing for some time now, but games have been either released for the Nintendo Switch or for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. This likely marks the end of new games coming to the first Nintendo Switch, and fans may want to start considering an upgrade.

Will Nintendo Release More Nintendo Switch Games?

metroid prime 4 may be one of the last games released on nintendo switch.

Some Nintendo games are currently expected for both Switch and Switch 2 later this year. This includes Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4, which have already been announced. However, after these, it is very possible that Nintendo will not support the Nintendo Switch with new game releases.

We’ve already seen several Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza opted to launch only on the Nintendo Switch 2, and both Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment are skipping Nintendo’s previous generation. Fans should expect this to be the norm going forward. It is possible some smaller games will still release to both, but for Nintendo to increase the cost of the Switch 1 but not Switch 2, it shows that the company is clearly trying to push consumers to its new console.

That said, other publishers are still supporting the Nintendo Switch. Square Enix revealed that Octopath Traveler 0 is planned to come to both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase showed off several games that would launch on both platforms, meaning there is still some life left in the Nintendo Switch library.

At the same time, however, other publishers are jumping ship and supporting just the Nintendo Switch 2. Even Square Enix is following this, as its newest IP, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tale, is launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. It even dropped a demo that’s only on Switch 2 right now.

The writing is on the wall for the Nintendo Switch. While there is still some support and new games are coming, players can likely expect this catalog to dwindle in 2025 and likely disappear entirely in 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the future for Nintendo, and it is certainly encouraging its fan base to get in line if these price increases are anything to go by.

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This Switch 2 Update To A 9-Year-Old Sci-Fi Game Is Incredible https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-no-mans-sky-upgrade/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-no-mans-sky-upgrade/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1439016

The Nintendo Switch 2 allows players to upgrade games from the Nintendo Switch to take advantage of the new console’s increased power and functions. This has led to many games being better than ever, and this is true of one of the biggest games in gaming. The best part is that players do not even […]

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The Nintendo Switch 2 allows players to upgrade games from the Nintendo Switch to take advantage of the new console’s increased power and functions. This has led to many games being better than ever, and this is true of one of the biggest games in gaming. The best part is that players do not even need to pay to upgrade this game on Nintendo Switch 2, with the game in question being No Man’s Sky.

No Man’s Sky was initially criticized heavily on release in 2016, but has since turned this reception around nine years later. Thanks to the recent Beacon update, No Man’s Sky is better than ever, and this is especially true of the Nintendo Switch 2 version. No Man’s Sky initially had issues on the Nintendo Switch, which were improved with patches from Hello Games, but this Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade makes the game incredible.

The biggest addition of the Nintendo Switch 2 Beacon update is the improved settlements in No Man’s Sky. Players can now oversee multiple settlements, up to four, and manage the citizens and buildings there. These can be used to produce vast amounts of resources to improve crafting times. Not only that, but the new record-keeping feature allows you to see the history of your settlements.

New events have also been added to settlements to make them feel more alive than ever. On the opposite end, Autophage Settlements can be discovered that are run by robotic lifeforms, and with enough trust, players can even become overseers for these. For every settlement, players can inspect the buildings there and learn how they contribute to the settlement. This is only a fraction of what players can expect with No Man’s Sky’s Beacon Update on Nintendo Switch 2.

Multiplayer has been added and revamped for No Man’s Sky on Nintendo Switch 2. This takes advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s Game Chat and in-game friend list display. The game has also seen visual enhancements, bringing it almost up to par with No Man’s Sky on other platforms. The new cross-saves feature allows players to take their games on other platforms and play them on the go.

The Beacon Update has turned No Man’s Sky around on Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch version was criticized for missing features and having performance and graphical issues, but nearly all of these have been fixed with this upgrade. Multiplayer and settlements were two areas where Hello Games majorly stepped up and made No Man’s Sky worth it once more.

In brief, the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade for No Man’s Sky is a complete game-changer. Those who held off on purchasing the game on Nintendo Switch won’t find a better time to get into the game now. With the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade being completely free, there is no reason not to jump into No Man’s Sky. This is also true for those who put the game down, as this is the perfect time to get back into it and restart your space empire.

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Nintendo Just Announced Price Changes for the US (And It’s Probably Bad News) https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-price-changes-us-tariffs-nintendo-switch-console-games-accessories/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-price-changes-us-tariffs-nintendo-switch-console-games-accessories/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:08:12 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1440262

Update: As of 11 AM EDT, some retailers have updated pricing on Switch consoles and accessories. This article has been updated to reflect what we know about expected price increases on Nintendo products. The ongoing tariff situation in the United States continues to evolve. And as it does, it’s impacting prices for all manner of […]

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Update: As of 11 AM EDT, some retailers have updated pricing on Switch consoles and accessories. This article has been updated to reflect what we know about expected price increases on Nintendo products.

The ongoing tariff situation in the United States continues to evolve. And as it does, it’s impacting prices for all manner of goods – including game consoles. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 were even delayed while Nintendo worked out appropriate pricing for the console. Now, the company has confirmed plans to make some changes to pricing on the original Nintendo Switch and several other items “based on market conditions.” In other words, it’s probably not going to be good news.

Today, Nintendo announced that “Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch family of systems and products will change” in the U.S., effective August 3rd. The statement does not confirm whether the “change” in question will be a price increase or decrease. However, some retailers have already updated pricing on Nintendo products, and it looks bleak.

Image courtesy of nintendo

The vague nature of the statement and referring to the change as an “adjustment” rather than a decrease likely means prices will go up, and now, it looks like that’s certainly the case. After all, President Trump’s August 1st trade deal deadline is up, and he recently announced plans for additional changes to tariffs. While Nintendo’s statement doesn’t directly mention the tariffs, “based on market conditions” largely implies this is at least part of the reason behind the change.

Which Nintendo Products Will Have Price Changes Come August 3rd

The price changes will mostly impact the original Nintendo Switch, but Switch 2 owners won’t be entirely unaffected. The Nintendo Switch models that will see price adjustments on August 3rd are listed below. Now that Target has updated its prices for these products, we’ve also noted the apparent price increase for each Nintendo console.

  • Nintendo Switch OLED Model – Likely $399.99 (previously $350)
  • Nintendo Switch – $339.99 (previously $300)
  • Nintendo Switch Lite – $229.99 (previously $200)

Along with the consoles, “select Nintendo Switch accessories” will also be impacted. But that’s not all. The price adjustments will also hit other Nintendo products, including:

  • Certain Nintendo Switch 2 accessories – $100 (previously $95)
  • Select amiibo – Change still TBD
  • Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo – $110 (previously $100)
Image courtesy of nintendo

For now, the Nintendo Switch 2 itself will remain at its current price. Similarly, physical and digital games for both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 will not be impacted at this time. That said, the statement from Nintendo notes “price adjustments may be necessary in the future.”

In the post regarding price adjustments, Nintendo links to the US store for pricing information. As of now, those prices are still at the current rates. However, we’ll likely get official confirmation of these new prices come August 3rd. From the looks of it, even older Nintendo Switch products will be more expensive headed into the holiday season.

[H/T: Wario64]

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Nintendo Switch 2 Needs Special Edition Consoles for These 6 Games https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-special-edition-consoles-wishlist/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-special-edition-consoles-wishlist/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1432920

The original Nintendo Switch had almost 20 different editions that featured characters, games, or more from the world of gaming. Instead of the standard edition, gamers had the chance to get special editions that featured unique colors, styles, or imaging. The Switch 2 doesn’t have any yet, but after seeing that there’s going to be […]

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The original Nintendo Switch had almost 20 different editions that featured characters, games, or more from the world of gaming. Instead of the standard edition, gamers had the chance to get special editions that featured unique colors, styles, or imaging. The Switch 2 doesn’t have any yet, but after seeing that there’s going to be a Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle, surprisingly without a special edition, it begs the question: What games will and should get these unique pieces of hardware?

6. 3D Mario

Since there’s not going to be a special edition of the console for Donkey Kong Bananza, there should absolutely be one for the next 3D platformer on the Switch 2, which is undoubtedly going to be Mario’s chance to shine again. Whether it’s Super Mario Odyssey 2 or Super Mario Galaxy 3, there is going to be a new 3D Mario sometime soon.

And when that game comes out, it is most likely going to be part of a special edition console. Right now, the Switch 2 is fairly bland with one option for gamers, and Nintendo won’t miss the chance to include its most iconic mascot on a console that will surely excite people and get them to purchase.

5. The Next Zelda Game

Tears of the Kingdom
Image Courtesy of Nintendo

Similarly, there’s absolutely going to be a new Zelda title at some point. Given that it took Nintendo six years to develop Tears of the Kingdom following Breath of the Wild (admittedly with a pandemic in the middle), it might be a little while before the franchise gets a big, new game.

However, it should come with a new Switch 2 special edition. Tears of the Kingdom got a special edition OLED Switch that was pretty popular, so it stands to reason that fans would love a new version of the Switch 2, complete with the Tri-Force and more.

4. Generation 10 Pokémon

As mentioned, it was a bit of a surprise to see that the Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle is only a bundle. Nintendo missed a golden opportunity to make a special edition console. The bundle is undoubtedly going to convince fans on the fence to buy the console when it’s available, but a special edition would do that tenfold.

There was literally a special edition of the original Switch for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, so it would be a big surprise if the next mainline game for Generation 10, whenever that actually comes out, didn’t have its own unique piece of hardware.

3. Animal Crossing

Given that Nintendo largely abandoned Animal Crossing: New Horizons a couple of years ago, it stands to reason that a new cozy game is coming for the Nintendo Switch 2 sooner rather than later. And when it does, it should also get a special edition.

New Horizons had both a special edition Switch and Switch Lite, so it’s clear that Nintendo sees value in customizing things toward Animal Crossing. Again, it would be a huge shock to see a new game in this franchise come and go without getting one.

2. Smash Bros.

Smash Bros.
Image Courtesy of Amazon

If Mario Kart 8 Deluxe wasn’t the end of the Mario Kart series after its brilliance, then Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is also going to have a sequel at some point. The original Switch had a special edition for Ultimate, and the sequel should follow suit, because it has endless possibilities.

Nintendo has the chance to do something fun and unique with this one. Unless it strips back the roster significantly, there are numerous characters from non-Nintendo franchises that could join Nintendo characters on this special edition Switch 2. Imagine a console with Sonic, Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Ryu, Cloud, and Richter. That would be very difficult with licensing, but one can certainly dream.

1. Cyberpunk 2077 or other AAA third-party

The original Switch had a few different third-party games get special editions, such as Fortnite and Monster Hunter Rise. Therefore, we can state that any Switch 2 special collector’s editions don’t necessarily have to be for Nintendo IPs. They can be anything.

So with that in mind, a big third-party game should absolutely get a special edition. Right now, the biggest is arguably Cyberpunk 2077, but more will certainly get added in the future, and something of that ilk should be rewarded with a unique console.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Is Becoming the Go-To Place to Play RPGs https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-rpg-direct-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-rpg-direct-2025/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1439460

Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct solidified that the Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be one of the best platforms for RPG fans. With an extensive list of already released and announced RPGs, these new additions are the cherry on top. With even more RPGs likely to come to the Nintendo Switch 2, such as […]

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Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct solidified that the Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be one of the best platforms for RPG fans. With an extensive list of already released and announced RPGs, these new additions are the cherry on top. With even more RPGs likely to come to the Nintendo Switch 2, such as the rumored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, fans have even more to look forward to as the console’s library grows stronger and stronger.

The July Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase revealed even more RPGs coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Persona 3 Reload is one of the biggest games in the genre, finally bringing Atlus’ remade and beloved JRPG to Nintendo’s handheld on October 23rd. Newcomers to the series or veterans can enjoy the remade gameplay and visuals for this stylish JRPG.

Square Enix showed three upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch 2. Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles has already been revealed, and fans got another look at the upcoming tactical RPG coming on September 30th. Many have been desperate for a remake of Final Fantasy Tactics, and Square Enix has finally answered these pleas, bringing one of the best RPGs of all time to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Another big announcement was Octopath Traveler 0, the third entry in the series, excluding the mobile game. For the first time, players can create their own protagonist as they explore two narratives, one of revenge and the other of rebuilding. A new battle system sees players using eight characters in combat, and there are thirty different characters to meet and recruit on December 4th when the game launches.

Octopath Traveler 0
Octopath Traveler 0.

The third game is a completely new IP that is launching in 2026. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a brand new action-RPG utilizing the beautiful HD 2-D art style made popular by Square Enix. While the game has no official release date, a demo for the game was released the same day it was revealed, giving fans a taste of the upcoming title.

These newly announced games will only add to the incredible RPG roster on Nintendo Switch 2. Cyberpunk 2077 has proven to be popular among players, which comes as no surprise. It is considered among the finest RPGs and scored big points thanks to including the game and DLC all on a physical card rather than a game key card.

These are just some of the current and upcoming RPGs for the Nintendo Switch 2. Fans can also look forward to Bravely Default Flying Fairy, Disgaea 7 Complete, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 Remake, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, among others. Even more RPGs are bound to come to the handheld console, but considering this is its first year, it is already an impressive lineup.

Part of why the Nintendo Switch 2, and the Nintendo Switch before it, are so popular for RPG players is the pick-up-and-play nature. RPGs tend to be longer games, and being able to both take a game on the go or play at home allows for maximum play time.

Not only this, but the Nintendo Switch’s built-in sleep function effectively allows you to pause the game at any time. RPGs, especially JRPGs, are known to limit your ability to save, so having a pseudo save feature is lifesaving for longer and more challenging titles.

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New Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Trailer Teases “Canonical” Zelda Storyline https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hyrule-warriors-age-of-imprisonment-trailer-canonical-zelda-story-switch-2/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hyrule-warriors-age-of-imprisonment-trailer-canonical-zelda-story-switch-2/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:06:04 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1438944

While today’s Nintendo Direct was a Partner Showcase, that didn’t stop one of the most iconic Nintendo characters from making an appearance. The Koei Tecmo developed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was given an all-new trailer today, offering a closer look at the game ahead of its launch later this year. The new trailer didn’t […]

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While today’s Nintendo Direct was a Partner Showcase, that didn’t stop one of the most iconic Nintendo characters from making an appearance. The Koei Tecmo developed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was given an all-new trailer today, offering a closer look at the game ahead of its launch later this year. The new trailer didn’t reveal too much, but it did offer some interesting hints of things to come, including some kind of mysterious creation that shows up at the very end. Clearly, Nintendo still has a lot to reveal from the game.

Interestingly enough, Nintendo is calling Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment a “canonical tale,” which implies that the game’s events are actually part of the official narrative connected to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo heavily implied that was the case with the previous Hyrule Warriors game, Age of Calamity. However, that story involved time travel and an alternate universe. From everything Nintendo keeps saying and showing, it seems that really won’t be the case for the third game in the series. Readers can find today’s trailer below.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is whether or not Link will be a playable character. Tears of the Kingdom saw Princess Zelda trapped in Hyrule’s ancient past, so it makes sense that Link might not appear. However, this would mark the first time that the hero wasn’t playable in a Hyrule Warriors game. Zelda did just get a chance to serve as the main character in last year’s Echoes of Wisdom, so it’s not unthinkable that she could take Link’s place once again. However, that teaser at the trailer’s end leaves a lot of questions.

Unfortunately, today’s trailer did not offer any kind of indication about when the next Hyrule Warriors game will actually be released. Nintendo is sticking to its “winter” release window, which means nothing has changed since it was first announced. Plans for Nintendo published games have been strangely quiet recently; we know that Drag x Drive is coming in August, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be arriving in October. However, nothing has been confirmed for September, November, or December, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is one of three games seemingly coming before the end of 2025.

The next mainline Zelda game could still be pretty far away. Tears of the Kingdom was released on the original Switch in 2023, and we got Echoes of Wisdom as a 2D entry in 2024. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment could help fill the void, while also fleshing out the storyline from Tears of the Kingdom. There are still a lot of plot holes fans would like to see resolved, and this could do just that, if the game really does prove to be canon. For now, fans will have to keep waiting for more information on the game.

Are you looking forward to the new Hyrule Warriors game? What did you think of today’s new trailer? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Classic Square Enix Game Coming to Nintendo Switch This Year https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/square-enix-game-nintendo-switch-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/square-enix-game-nintendo-switch-2025/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:07:52 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1438822

A classic Square Enix game from 2012 is coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED this year. Right now, the 2012 Square Enix game coming is not coming Nintendo Switch 2 at the same time, but will be released for the console in 2026 instead. In the meantime, it will be […]

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A classic Square Enix game from 2012 is coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED this year. Right now, the 2012 Square Enix game coming is not coming Nintendo Switch 2 at the same time, but will be released for the console in 2026 instead. In the meantime, it will be playable on the new Nintendo console via backward compatibility, there just won’t be a native Switch 2 version, unless something changes between now and the planned late 2025 release.

When exactly in late 2025 the Square Enix game is coming to Nintendo Switch, the Japanese games maker does not say. This presumably refers to a release in October, November, or December, but this is just speculation based on what this window usually means when it is given to a game release. Interestingly, this is set to be the first time the game has ever been available on a Nintendo platform.

The game in question is none other than Hitman Absolution from IO Interactive. For those that do not know, this is the fifth installment in the Hitman series, and the direct sequel to Hitman: Bloody Money, which was released six years prior in 2006. The PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 game garnered Metacritic scores that range from 79 to 83, a respectable return, but below its predecessor. And it coupled this with a few million copies sold. Nonetheless, it was followed by a reboot in 2016, so it appears Square Enix wasn’t too pleased with its performance. Yet, it is bringing it to a new platform in 2025, so who knows.

“When the execution of a contract to kill his old handler unexpectedly puts the fate of a teenage girl in his hands, Agent 47 must decide where his loyalties lie,” reads an official pitch of the game. “Branded an enemy by the agency he once served and hunted by his old colleagues, 47 must use all his skills and tradecraft to evade his former employer’s agents and eliminate the corruption in its ranks.”

Those anticipating Hitman: Absolution on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED should expect a game that, on average, and across various playstyles is about 12 to 20 hours long. However completionists will need somewhere closer to 35 or 40 hours with the stealth game.

For more coverage on all things Nintendo Switch — 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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Game Boy Advance Exclusive Finally Releasing on New Platforms Soon https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/gba-gameboy-advance-games-release-new-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/gba-gameboy-advance-games-release-new-2025/#respond Wed, 30 Jul 2025 22:08:34 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1438427

A game that has been exclusive to Game Boy Advance handhelds is finally going to be releasing for new platforms in the coming month. Over the past decade, some of the best GBA games have slowly been getting ported to modern hardware in the form of various ports, remasters, remakes, or additions to Nintendo Switch […]

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A game that has been exclusive to Game Boy Advance handhelds is finally going to be releasing for new platforms in the coming month. Over the past decade, some of the best GBA games have slowly been getting ported to modern hardware in the form of various ports, remasters, remakes, or additions to Nintendo Switch Online. Now, this trend will once again be continuing with another popular Game Boy Advance game that surprisingly only launched earlier this year.

As of today, developer WayForward revealed that Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC next month on August 19th. Originally started on Game Boy Color in 2002, the Shantae franchise has continued to see new games come about at a frequent cadence on a variety of platforms. Risky Revolution happens to be the latest game that is now getting a wide release, much to the joy of fans.

“Shantae is back in an adventure 20 years in the making!” says the game’s official synopsis. “The nefarious pirate Risky Boots has a ‘groundbreaking’ new plan that will leave Sequin Land spinning — by rotating the continent, she can move any town right to the coast for easy plundering! As Shantae, turn the tectonic tables on Risky by taking control of the land itself: shift, twist, navigate, and explore by swapping between mix-and-match multilayered levels! Hair-whip and belly-dance your way through scrambled lands, misplaced towns, monster-filled crypts, and daunting labyrinths. Six creature transformations, fierce boss battles, and a 4-player versus mode await!”

What’s unique about Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is that it hasn’t been exclusive to Game Boy Advance for long. Originally, Risky Revolution was set to launch on GBA over 20 years ago but was eventually canceled by WayForward. The Shantae series would later return with a new entry on DS, which led to subsequent sequels. However, Risky Revolution remained left in the past. That is, until this year.

Earlier in 2025, WayForward finally returned to Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution through a partnership with Limited Run Games. Before bringing the game elsewhere, WayForward made sure to follow up on a 20-year promise by releasing Risky Revolution on Game Boy Advance handhelds in the form of a physical cartridge that LRG distributed. It was a rare instance of the GBA getting a new game in 2025, some 15 years after the hardware was discontinued by Nintendo.

After having been exclusive to GBA handhelds for a little over three months, WayForward is now finally ready to bring Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution to current-generation platforms. This new release will almost certainly lead to more fans finally playing the game, as many certainly don’t have a GBA at their disposal nowadays. Hopefully, this 20-year wait to play Risky Revolution will be seen as worth it and won’t lead fans to think that the Shantae game should have been left unreleased.

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8 Games We Might See in the July 2025 Nintendo Direct https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-direct-partner-showcase-8-games-we-might-see/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-direct-partner-showcase-8-games-we-might-see/#respond Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:45:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1437990

A Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase has been officially announced and will be airing on Thursday, July 31, 2025. As is usually the case, very few details have been announced just yet, but the one thing we do know is that Nintendo’s own internally developed games won’t be appearing. That means fans hoping for a release […]

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A Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase has been officially announced and will be airing on Thursday, July 31, 2025. As is usually the case, very few details have been announced just yet, but the one thing we do know is that Nintendo’s own internally developed games won’t be appearing. That means fans hoping for a release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are out of luck. However, there could be a lot of things to look forward to. The livestream is going to be 25 minutes long, which means we can probably expect to see a lot of games shown off for Nintendo Switch 2, as well as the original Switch.

This new Nintendo Direct will likely have two goals: the first is to show the support Nintendo has built for Switch 2 among its partners. We got a taste of that over the last two months, but we really don’t know what the rest of 2025 will bring outside of a few announced games. The second goal will be to show existing Switch owners that the system isn’t being completely abandoned. With that in mind, here are some of the games we can likely expect to see.

1. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

image courtesy of nintendo

This one probably seems like a cheat. After all, this is a Partner Showcase, and we’re talking about a game that features Princess Zelda as the main character. However, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is not developed by Nintendo, and is instead coming from Koei Tecmo. There’s also precedent for this sort of thing, as Endless Ocean Luminous was announced during a Partner Showcase back in 2024, and that game was similarly published by Nintendo, but developed by an outside team (in that case, the developer was Arika). The new Hyrule Warriors game is supposedly coming this year, so this would be a smart way for Nintendo to reveal new information, and possibly give us a release date.

2. Final Fantasy VII Remake

final-fantasy-7-remake-intergrade-trailer-1260910.jpg
image courtesy of square enix

Square Enix was a big supporter of Switch, but many of the company’s biggest games were deemed too powerful for the system. That’s clearly not the case for Switch 2, and Final Fantasy VII Remake was one of the earliest games announced for it. We know the game is coming at some point in 2025, and with the year more than halfway over, Square Enix is running out of time to let us know exactly when it’s happening. Of course, the publisher could surprise everyone with the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX remake, which would fit with this year being the game’s 25th anniversary.

3. Xbox Games

sea-of-thieves.jpg
image courtesy of xbox

Xbox made a big pivot in 2024, bringing many of the company’s biggest first-party titles to PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The latter came up a little short in that exchange, as titles like Sea of Thieves, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Forza Horizon 5 have all made it to PS5, but not a Nintendo platform. That will likely change in the Switch 2 era, and Microsoft has been oddly quiet since the system was announced. Any of those games would be big “gets” for Nintendo, but the one that would likely cause the most excitement is Halo. The series has remained an Xbox exclusive up to this point, but there have been rumors that suggest this could change.

4. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

star-wars-logo-1281667.jpg
image courtesy of ea, disney

The current Switch has a massive library of Star Wars games. Over the last eight years, the system has seen a steady stream of remasters of classic titles like Dark Forces and wholly-new games like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. However, Switch missed out on one of the biggest Star Wars games of the last decade in Jedi: Fallen Order. EA has already shown a major willingness to support Switch 2, with Split Fiction at launch and Madden NFL 26 coming next month. It’s impossible to imagine we won’t see Cal Kestis on the system at some point, and this is one game Nintendo fans would be happy to have.

5. Konami Games

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Naked Snake
image courtesy of konami

Konami has a pair of very big games coming this year to PS5 and Xbox in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Silent Hill f. As of this writing, neither of these games has been announced for a Nintendo system, but both seem like fair possibilities. The publisher is clearly working hard to reestablish both of these franchises after years of neglect, and doing so will require attracting bigger audiences than they’ve found in the past. Metal Gear Solid 3 was actually released on the Nintendo 3DS many years ago, with a Yoshi Hunt replacing the PlayStation version’s Ape Escape mini game. History could repeat itself, and help sell the game to some Nintendo fans that might be less familiar with the franchise.

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

image courtesy of team cherry

Fans of the original Hollow Knight have been waiting a very long time for the sequel. The often delayed game still doesn’t have a release date, despite assurances that it’s coming this year. A Nintendo Direct would be the perfect place to finally rectify that, and for once, it might not just be wishful thinking; we know that the game will be playable at Gamescom in August. Revealing the release date ahead of time would build up a lot of hype among fans of the first game.

7. Hades II

Hades 2 Key Art
image courtesy of supergiant games

Like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II is confirmed for both the original Switch and Switch 2. We know it’s coming at some point, it’s just a matter of when. However, there have been some hints that the game could be coming soon. Fans recently discovered that achievements for Hades II were added to Steam, but quickly removed. It could be nothing, but it could also be a hint that someone jumped the gun ahead of an announcement coming later in the week. A Hades II shadow drop on Nintendo platforms would make a lot of people happy.

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown

image courtesy of paramount, strange scaffold

For nearly four decades, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had a close association with Nintendo systems. That association has continued into the Switch era, and last year saw TMNT: Splintered Fate released as a timed console exclusive on the handheld hybrid. This year, developer Strange Scaffold released Tactical Takedown, a new TMNT game that features turn-based combat and diorama-based stages. The game has only been released on PC thus far, but franchise fans have been asking for a console version ever since it was first announced. The franchise’s popularity and the game’s lower technical requirements would make it a great addition to the original Switch library.

As is often the case with Nintendo Direct presentations, it’s impossible to say exactly what Nintendo is cooking up. However, there’s a lot of excitement among Switch users ahead of the show. Hopefully, Nintendo will be able to deliver a satisfying showcase that leaves people excited for the rest of 2025 and has them looking ahead through early next year.

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New Nintendo Direct Announced https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-direct-partner-showcase-announced-july-2025/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-direct-partner-showcase-announced-july-2025/#respond Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:07:47 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1435180 Nintendo Direct

A new Nintendo Direct has been announced, and will be taking place later this week. According to Nintendo, the presentation will be happening on Thursday, July 31st at 9 a.m. ET. As is usually the case, details about the presentation are slim at this time, but this time around it will be a Partner Showcase […]

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Nintendo Direct

A new Nintendo Direct has been announced, and will be taking place later this week. According to Nintendo, the presentation will be happening on Thursday, July 31st at 9 a.m. ET. As is usually the case, details about the presentation are slim at this time, but this time around it will be a Partner Showcase seemingly focused on games coming to both Nintendo Switch 2, as well as the original Switch. Leaks earlier this month had suggested that we might see a presentation before the end of July, and it seems like that really did prove to be the case. The presentation will last for 25 minutes in total.

Though we don’t know exactly what games will be spotlighted during the presentation, there are a few things we can probably expect to see. Nintendo has several third-party games slated to be released before the end of 2025, and this new presentation could give us a better idea of when these games are actually coming out. One of the most notable is Final Fantasy VII Remake, which was announced at the April Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

image courtesy of square enix

Some details about announced games would be nice, though the unannounced games are going to be the ones that fans most want to hear about. Now that Nintendo has a more powerful piece of hardware on the market, it can handle a lot of games that couldn’t be released on Switch without major compromises. There are some games that would seem like very safe bets for Switch 2, including titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel. Many third-party developers have been quiet about their plans for Nintendo Switch 2, and this Nintendo Direct would seem like the perfect opportunity to discuss them.

Hopefully the presentation will prove worth the wait! Many fans had undoubtedly hoped that it would be a full Direct with updates about games being released by Nintendo themselves, but this should still be cause for excitement. There’s still a lot we don’t know about what third-parties have planned for the rest of 2025, and this could give people an incentive to pick up a Switch 2 that might not have otherwise. Hopefully we’ll see more details from companies like Capcom, Sega, and perhaps even Konami. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is also a possibility, given that the game is being developed by Koei Tecmo.

We can assuredly see some games announced for the original Switch in addition to Switch 2. Not everyone has upgraded to the new system just yet, and we already know of some smaller first-party games coming to the system in 2026. The last Nintendo Direct of the Switch 1 era revealed Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Rhythm Heaven Forever. Those obviously won’t appear during tomorrow’s showcase, but hopefully we’ll learn about some other games that are in the works for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

What are you hoping to see during the next Nintendo Direct? Are there any specific games or franchises you’re hoping to see on Nintendo Switch 2? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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New Splatoon Raiders Details May Have Leaked https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/splatoon-raiders-new-details-leak-nintendo-switch-2/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/splatoon-raiders-new-details-leak-nintendo-switch-2/#respond Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:57:16 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1437123

Shortly after the launch of Switch 2, a new Splatoon spin-off was announced by Nintendo. Titled Splatoon Raiders, the game has a single-player focus, and the members of Deep Cut seem to be playing a major role in the narrative. Nintendo hasn’t offered much in the way of details since that initial announcement, but it […]

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Shortly after the launch of Switch 2, a new Splatoon spin-off was announced by Nintendo. Titled Splatoon Raiders, the game has a single-player focus, and the members of Deep Cut seem to be playing a major role in the narrative. Nintendo hasn’t offered much in the way of details since that initial announcement, but it seems more information may have leaked thanks to a retailer in Malaysia (via GoNintendo). According to this retailer, the game will emphasize “adventure and exploration,” with a bigger focus on story than we’ve seen from past Splatoon games. Players can also expect some kind of a quest system.

The leak goes on to note that the player character in Splatoon Raiders will be “skilled in mechanical modification.” Considering that Nintendo has thus far referred to the character as The Mechanic, that’s not too surprising. In fact, what we know of the game so far is that Deep Cut members Shiver, Frye, and Big Man have found themselves stranded on the Spirhalite Islands following a helicopter crash. The game’s campaign seems to center around the player using their skills to build them a way home.

image courtesy of nintendo

Interestingly enough, this apparent leak claims that Splatoon Raiders will be released in 2025. Nintendo has thus far avoided offering any kind of a release window for the game, but that would be pretty surprising based on what we know of the company’s plans for this year. On August 14th, Drag x Drive will be released on Nintendo Switch 2, while Pokemon Legends: Z-A is coming on October 16th. Beyond those two games, we know of at least three more Nintendo published games supposedly coming out in 2025: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Kirby Air Riders. Assuming Nintendo will stick to releasing one of these games a month, 2025 is looking pretty full.

It’s likely we’ll get some clarity about the company’s release schedule during the next Nintendo Direct. As of this writing, Nintendo has not announced when it will host its next livestream, but rumors suggest that we’ll be seeing one before the end of July. That would be the perfect place to lay out plans for the rest of 2025, and possibly offer our next look at Splatoon Raiders. This game is the first spin-off in the 10 year history of the franchise, so this is a pretty big deal, and it will be interesting to see how it differs from a DLC expansion.

The existence of Splatoon Raiders could suggest that Splatoon 4 is still pretty far off. While newer content for Splatoon 3 has slowed down since the Grand Festival Splatfest last year, we’ve still seen some new Splatfests, additional weapons, and even a Switch 2 upgrade. Hopefully the combination of Splatoon Raiders and more Splatoon 3 content will be enough to tide fans over until the next true mainline entry.

Do you think Splatoon Raiders will actually come out this year? When do you think we’ll see Splatoon 4 released? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Long-Lost Comment From Pokemon Designer Explains Mega Dragonite’s Awkward Look https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-legends-z-a-mega-dragonite-design-explained/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-legends-z-a-mega-dragonite-design-explained/#respond Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:28:22 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1437011 Image via The Pokemon Company
Mega Dragonite Pokemon legends ZA

Mega Dragonite’s reveal has been a conversation point for fans since the July 2025 Pokemon Presents. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s new trailer was a highly anticipated part of the showcase, many were put off by what should have been the cherry on top. However, Mega Dragonite has been met with mixed reviews. Pokemon players have […]

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Image via The Pokemon Company
Mega Dragonite Pokemon legends ZA

Mega Dragonite’s reveal has been a conversation point for fans since the July 2025 Pokemon Presents. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s new trailer was a highly anticipated part of the showcase, many were put off by what should have been the cherry on top. However, Mega Dragonite has been met with mixed reviews.

Pokemon players have been asking for Mega Dragonite since the X & Y era of the franchise, with fanart and imaginative 3D models filling Twitter and other social media platforms. Because of this, many players had an idea of what this magnificent Dragon-type could look like. For many, the official reveal did not meet expectations stoked by years of imagination.

However, one YouTuber’s deep dive on the topic unearthed an old interview with Pokemon designer Ken Sugimori, and it might be the answer as to why this design feels a bit strange.

Mega Dragonite Got The “Uncool” Effect

In a social media post by YouTuber Cecilily, the Pokemon fan breaks down thoughts on the negative reception of Mega Dragonite.

Cecilily’s YouTube video questions the reasons why fans dislike the new Mega, with key points focusing on the upset over how “cute” it looks. Many of the original Mega designs were sharp, “cool”, and perceived as powerful. One of the biggest negative pieces of feedback for Mega Dragonite is that the design seems too soft, or lacks the edge that some players were hoping for.

Ceciliy argues that this is not a reason to dislike the Pokemon, calling out fans who specifically wanted a more hardcore or “masculine” look for Dragonite. They then cut to a clip of Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori working on designs, with a snippet of an old interview originally posted on Siliconera read aloud.

In the interview, Sugimori explains one of the key elements of creating a “memorable” Pokemon design: “I often tell members in charge of design to ‘take away from designs that are too cool,” but that is probably a sentiment that is difficult to grasp. What’s cool and what’s not is all subjective in the end. To put it extremely, my job is to get something that would look cooler if it didn’t have this or that on it, then put it in on purpose. [laughs] Basically, if it looks too cool then it takes away from what makes it memorable for the players.”

He then goes on to add, “After all, as Pokémon that are being sent out to the world, we want them to always remain memorable; however, I feel that in order to do so you have to add a touch to it. For example, look at Oshawott’s cheeks. It has three freckles, and if you take them away Oshawott becomes cuter. However, taking them away makes its face less memorable. Actually, a lot of people told me “I want you to get rid of the freckles,” but I strongly insisted, “It is better to have them.” Going by my standards, this is the correct way to design Pokémon.”

It is possible that this method is exactly why Mega Dragonite has turned out looking the way that it does. The fanbase imagined versions of Mega Dragonite that were complex, intense, and sharp. The official version has some powerful elements, but tweaks have been made not just to look interesting, but to be memorable. The more complicated something is, the harder it is for that thing to stick in a player’s brain.

By keeping it simple and adding a few quirky details, Mega Dragonite becomes more iconic and recognizable.

This is the first Mega to get mixed impressions from fans. Mega Slowbro is, after all, trapped inside a giant shell. And Mega Glalie is absolutely terrifying.

While Mega Dragonite’s design might be challenging the expectations of fans, there is no doubt that its odd design won’t just be a talking point, but a memorable version of the Kanto Dragon-type.

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NES Series From 1991 Reportedly Returning With New Game on Switch 2 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nes-nintendo-switch-2-game-yoshi/ https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nes-nintendo-switch-2-game-yoshi/#respond Sun, 27 Jul 2025 14:41:17 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1434816

A series that started on the NES, the Nintendo Entertainment System, is reportedly returning with a new game on the Nintendo Switch 2. While the series can trace its origin point all the back to the first Nintendo console and 1991, it hasn’t exactly been dormant since then. In fact, it has been a pretty […]

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A series that started on the NES, the Nintendo Entertainment System, is reportedly returning with a new game on the Nintendo Switch 2. While the series can trace its origin point all the back to the first Nintendo console and 1991, it hasn’t exactly been dormant since then. In fact, it has been a pretty steady series for Nintendo, and got a new entry as recently as 2019, on the Nintendo Switch 2’s predecessor, the Nintendo Switch. Suffice to say, the idea that a new entry is in the works on Switch 2 is not surprising, however, there has been no official word of this. There is now unofficial word though.

The new rumor comes the way of a well-known Nintendo insider and leaker that goes by Nash Weedle, who specifically claims that a new Yoshi game is in the works for Nintendo Switch 2, under the codename on Sunny, and using the Unreal Engine.

Unfortunately, there are not many details in the report beyond this. The only other detail claimed is that it appears the game began development for Nintendo Switch 2 back in mid-2024. In other words, it is still at least a couple to a few years away.

Of course, everything here should be taken with a grain of salt. Not only is everything here unofficial, but subject to change that could render it inaccurate over time. Nash Weedle, specifically, is a source with a track record of accurate scoops, but not the most consistent track record. Further, everything here comes via translation, and sometimes vital meaning and context is lost in translation.

At the moment of publishing, Nintendo has not commented on this new rumor in any capacity. It typically does not comment on rumors so it is very unlikely this will change, but if it does we will update the story accordingly.

Yoshi 3D Game Nintendo Switch 2

The Yoshi series has not just been running since 1991, but has seen many releases in this time between mainline installments and spin-off. To date, there has been: 1991’s Yoshi, 1992’s Yoshi’s Cookie, 1993’s Yoshi’s Safari, 1995’s Super Mario World 2: Yoshia Island, 1997’s Yoshi’s Story, 2002’s Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, 2004’s Yoshi’s Universal Gravitation, 2005’s Yoshi Touch & Go, 2006’s Yoshi’s Island DS, 2014’s Yoshi’s New Island, 2015’s Yoshi’s Woolly World, 2017’s Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World, and 2019’s Yoshi’s Crafted World

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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