Pokemon Go Tour: Unova – Global isn’t set to take place until March 1st and 2nd, but Niantic plans on building hype a little early this year. The developer has announced the Road to Unova event in Pokemon Go, which will begin on Monday, February 24th at 10 a.m. local time, running through the start of Pokemon Go Tour. During this event, players will start to see Pokemon from the Unova region in the wild, during Raids, and through Field Research tasks. The game will also be adding new avatar items, new stickers, and new opportunities to encounter Mythical Pokemon.

As with any event, Road to Unova will have some bonuses for all players to enjoy. The limit on Remote Raids will be increased to 20 that week, with no cap during Go Tour: Unova. Hatch distance will also be cut in half for all Eggs placed in Incubators during the event. There will be free Timed Research available, and players will be able to encounter Pokemon such as Terrakion, Cobalion, Virizion, Genesect, and the Therian formes for Tornadus, Thunderus, and Landorus.

During Pokemon Go Tour: Unova, Niantic will be introducing a new Tour Pass feature, which will be free to all players. This progression track will be available for a limited time, and will allow players to unlock bonuses as they complete specific tasks and collect Tour Points. The free Tour Pass will be unlocked at the start of the Road to Unova event, and will conclude at the end of Go Tour: Unova on March 2nd at 6 p.m. local time.

In addition to the free version of the Tour Pass, Pokemon Go players can look forward to the Tour Pass Deluxe, which will be a paid option. This version will offer faster rewards, and will grant an automatic encounter with the Mythical Pokemon Victini. Normally, Pokemon Go prevents players from obtaining multiples of Mythical Pokemon, but all players that purchase the Tour Pass Deluxe will be able to get Victini regardless of whether they’ve caught one in the past.

Speaking of Mythical Pokemon, Shiny Meloetta will make its debut in Pokemon Go during the Road to Unova. Starting on March 24th at 10 a.m. local time, players will be able to purchase a Masterwork Research ticket for $4.99. The ticket will only be sold through the end of Pokemon Go Tour: Unova. Unlike the Tour Pass Deluxe, the Masterwork Research never expires, so once players do purchase it, they’ll have as long as they need to complete it. That works out nicely, as Masterwork Research tends to take a long time to finish!

Two more paid research tickets will be sold during Road to Unova. The Road to Unova: Raids ticket will offer event-exclusive timed research centered around Raids, while the Road to Unova: Hatch ticket will center around hatching Eggs. Each of these tickets will be available for $4.99, and will include different rewards, including avatar items.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Players Want This Temporary Feature to Become Permanent

Pokemon Go will be making some changes during this event. Players can expect to see an overhaul to the Pokedex, which will apparently make it easier for players to navigate and find out Pokemon they’ve yet to obtain. Pokemon will also start to appear in more areas than before, and Niantic says that as a result “densely populated, rural, suburban, or densely expanding areas” might see increased numbers of Pokemon. It remains to be seen how all of this will play out, but hopefully the changes will lead to a better experience for players.

Do you plan on checking out the Road to Unova event? Will you be purchasing any of the paid tickets? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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During the Game Boy Advance era, a number of classic games were released, many of which would later be made available on future platforms. Not every game has been so lucky, however, forcing curious gamers to spend a lot of money if they want to play an under-the-radar favorite. Ninja Five-O is one such example, and the game’s value on the secondary market is pretty absurd, with loose copies commanding hundreds of dollars, and sealed or graded options commanding more than $1,000. Thankfully, a much cheaper option is on the way, as Ninja Five-O is coming to modern platforms.

Nearly a year after the game was announced for modern platforms, Konami has finally set a release date for Ninja Five-O on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC. The game will receive a digital release on February 25th. Pre-orders are available right now, and the game will cost $24.99. Not only will players get a faithful recreation of the original GBA game, they can also look forward to some new improvements, including a time trial mode, saving and loading at any time, and a rewind feature.

While some gamers will always prefer having an original copy of a game, it’s nice that a lot more people will have a chance to experience what Ninja Five-O has to offer, without breaking the bank. The GBA version was released back in 2003, and was very well-received by reviewers at the time. It will be interesting to see what modern audiences think of Ninja Five-O after two decades, but we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.

For those unfamiliar with the game, Ninja Five-O puts players in the role of Joe Osugi, who happens to be both a ninja and a detective (the game’s European name was “Ninja Cop”). Joe works in Zipangu city, and is tasked with stopping terrorists that are being influenced by the mystical “Mad Masks.” On his quest, Joe will be forced to take down the Mad Masks and protect innocent people that they’ve taken hostage. In total, the game features five missions, which are divided into three levels and a battle with a Mad Mask boss.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed

With Ninja Five-O set to release next month, it will be interesting to see if more GBA games get a similar treatment. The system remains a fan favorite after all these years, and that’s in large part due to its library. While Nintendo has made a lot of its own GBA games available on Switch, the vast majority of third-party games have never gotten a second release. Titles like Sonic Advance, Gunstar Super Heroes, and Astro Boy: Omega Factor would seem like strong candidates, but we’ll have to wait and see what other games make the jump in the future.

Are you planning to check out Ninja Five-O next month? Did you ever play the game on the GBA? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Extremely Rare GBA Game Makes a Comeback Next Month appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Within recent months, Nintendo updated the official timeline for the Legend of Zelda franchise, offering fans some additional clarity about Echoes of Wisdom. While the game featured a Hyrule heavily inspired by A Link to the Past, the game’s graphic style evoked the 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening. We finally have a specific answer from Nintendo, as the company revealed that Echoes of Wisdom takes place in the same timeline branch as those two games, only much further into the future. On one hand, it’s nice to have some clarity, but it also begs the question: does the Zelda timeline actually matter?

The Zelda timeline has been a topic of debate going back to A Link to the Past. That game essentially acted as a reboot of the series, with a new take on Link, and no prior knowledge needed from the first two games. Despite feeling disconnected, Nintendo long insisted that the SNES game was a prequel to the two NES Zelda games. Things got even more complicated with Ocarina of Time, which also seemed to reboot the series entirely from scratch. For a while, it seemed like Zelda was Nintendo’s equivalent to Final Fantasy; some games got direct sequels, and others simply maintained familiar elements between them. No one really complained too much, because the games were some of the best in the industry.

All of this changed with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia in 2011. In that book, Nintendo offered a significant amount of background information about the series and finally laid out its official Zelda canon. The timeline quickly captured the attention of fans, as it established a definitive starting point (Skyward Sword), and three separate branches that all spun out from the time travel elements in Ocarina of Time. In the years since that book was published, Nintendo has added new games to the timeline, but has waffled a bit with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which exist outside the rest of the timeline. It remains to be seen whether we’ll see future Zelda games cut off from the timeline in a similar manner, or if the Breath of the Wild continuity was simply a one-off thing.

What’s interesting about the Zelda timeline is that the fans seem to put a lot more stock into it than Nintendo does. The company has often said that it focuses on gameplay first, and story second. Somehow though, when the company does find ways to link the games together, it comes across natural and it feels like there’s a real payoff for having invested in the series. The world map in Echoes of Wisdom is one such example, but there are other ways Nintendo has brought together disparate games. For example, The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess can be enjoyed without any knowledge of past games, but they also act as direct sequels to Ocarina of Time, but in different timeline branches. Having previous knowledge of the series greatly rewarded players in both of those cases.

While these ties between games are fun to look for, it feels like Nintendo’s own approach to the Zelda timeline is ultimately the best one. Timeline placement can often become an obsession for Zelda fans, and it often takes over a lot of the franchise discussion online. However, finding out that Echoes of Wisdom and A Link to the Past have some connectivity between them should be icing on the cake, rather than the full dessert. When I played Echoes of Wisdom, the map similarity wasn’t something I immediately put together. I was too invested in new additions like the Echoes system to worry about which games this one might (or might not) be connected to. Some fans might get frustrated that Nintendo has to answer timeline questions after the fact rather than in the game, but I’d rather see the gameplay mechanics remain the team’s primary focus.

RELATED: Nintendo Music Celebrates What Most Streaming Services Devalue

None of this is to say that fans shouldn’t care at all about the timeline. At the end of the day, Zelda fans should get whatever enjoyment they can out of the series, and if it feels more fulfilling when Nintendo keeps the games connected, that’s perfectly okay. However, fans shouldn’t let that take away from all the other elements that the developers have built up. Generally speaking, Nintendo has maintained a high level of quality across each Zelda entry. As long as that continues, the timeline should continue to remain an afterthought, both for Nintendo and for the fanbase.

Do you put a lot of stock into the Zelda timeline? Should Nintendo put more effort in connecting the various Zelda games? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Mario is Nintendo’s mascot and one of the most iconic characters in all of gaming. He’s done it all, from his debut as a platforming master to playing sports, racing, fighting, and partying. Without a doubt, one of Mario’s greatest accomplishments is the ability to bring people together. Local multiplayer games are some of the best that Mario stars in, especially Mario Kart. The series is fun for all ages and has had some stellar entries, but has yet to hit its peak. As a result, the best Mario game is right there for Nintendo to make, and yet, the studio hasn’t done it and may never do it.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best games in the series, and easily one of the most enjoyable multiplayer games. But how could Nintendo top it? The studio has deviated from the classic Mario Kart formula with Mario Kart: Double Dash, and even added in characters from other series like The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon. Heck, there is so much content in the game with over 40 characters, 96 courses, and a boatload of vehicles and vehicle parts. How does Nintendo make a better Mario Kart?

RELATED: Super Mario Kart: The Beloved Nintendo Franchise Drifted On to SNES 32 Years Ago

The answer is simple: Mario Kart Maker. Imagine the ability and freedom to create courses using environments from the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. With numerous Mario games, the possibilities are endless and Nintendo fans have shown their creativity in the past. Launching Mario Kart Maker on the Nintendo Switch 2 would solidify Nintendo as a champion of multiplayer games forever.

But Nintendo hasn’t made this leap yet, and the question is why? ModNation Racers on the PlayStation 3 proved it was possible to create a kart racer with player-led customization. ModNation Racers was praised for its ability to let players create their dream tracks but was held back by longer-than-average loading times and AI difficulty. But its multiplayer aspect with other players was where the game shined, especially when combined with its track creation feature.

ModNation Racers sadly never broke out to compete with the likes of Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7, both of which released around the same time, and its servers went offline in 2018. Fans pushed back against the announcement of the servers being taken down, delaying the inevitable a few short months. But in the end, Sony took ModNation Racers down, and aside from a lackluster PS Vita sequel, the series remains in the dark.

With Nintendo’s pedigree, Mario Kart Maker could utilize the formula of ModNation Racers and knock it out of the track. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is easily one of the best kart racers of all time, and Nintendo could easily use that game’s structure to give players content creation abilities. The concept has been proven to work in ModNation Racers, and Nintendo’s own Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2 show the studio has the right ideas when giving players these creation tools.

RELATED: LEGO Reveals Mario Kart Sets

Even Super Smash Bros. Ultimate received the stage builder, allowing players to create custom stages to battle on with their favorite Nintendo characters. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake also featured the ability to create dungeons, showing another step in Nintendo giving players more creation freedom. Aside from Super Mario Maker 2, Nintendo’s foray into giving players more control of creating their own content has been done with baby steps, but they’ve increasingly shown a willingness to do so.

This is why the time is right for Mario Kart Maker. Taking advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s increased hardware and implementing better online features would Mario Kart Maker the ultimate launch title for the Switch’s sequel.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the rest of the series have so many tracks and characters, Nintendo could give players one of the most content-packed games in the series. Allowing players to use a track editor to further increase the content, by sharing custom tracks with others and playing them online, would bring new life to the series. Mario Kart Maker practically prints money and would help push the launch of a new console.

That said, implementing a track editor into Mario Kart would be an impressive undertaking. Comparing the 2D tilesets of Super Mario Maker 2 with the 3D tracks and environments of a single Mario Kart course, the level of detail is completely different. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features 96 courses, each with a unique identity and assets. Even trying to recreate a fraction of these and let players design their courses would be incredibly difficult.

ModNation Racers handled this by releasing various track themes, and then supplying props and decorations based on selected themes. Players could then draw their track’s path and implement AI pathing. Once the track had been constructed, or during this phase, players could place props, alter heights, include ramps, and more. These tracks could then be uploaded and downloaded, allowing players across the world to enjoy them.

A similar system could work for Mario Kart Maker. Nintendo could include a handful of themes at launch, likely covering the most standard themes such as grassland, desert, arctic, jungle, metropolitan, and space, as this would give players access to designs many of the official tracks use. Within these themes, there could be subcategories, such as metropolitan, which could have different settings to create tracks like Toad Harbor, Neo Bowser City, or any of the Mario Kart Tour tracks that were later added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

By including a handful of themes at launch, Nintendo would give players a base variety to use when designing tracks. These could be expanded through DLC, adding new themes and props. Nintendo showed DLC works with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass, and something similar would work in Mario Mart Maker. Nintendo could even incentivize DLC by adding tracks and then allowing players to take the themes of those tracks to make their own content.

Nintendo could incorporate a single-player mode similar to that of Super Mario Maker 2 with tracks the studio created along with a charming story. This would introduce players to the game and its mechanics, while still allowing Nintendo to showcase its own creativity and track design. Pairing a strong single-player with robust creation features would make Mario Kart Maker stand out against any other kart racer.

But will Nintendo do it and finally create Mario Kart Maker? No one knows, but the likely answer is probably not. Nintendo has been reluctant to give players too much freedom within its games, to the point where fans have believed that Nintendo wants to control how they have fun. Unleashing Mario Kart Maker would give fans unprecedented control of kart racing in the Mario universe and would be harder to regulate.

Nintendo is quick to take down content they don’t agree with, including fan-made games and even levels in Super Mario Maker 2 that infringe on Nintendo’s guidelines. There is no doubt players would make inappropriate tracks in Mario Kart Maker, which could be one reason Nintendo has been hesitant to create such a game.

The Mario Kart series has had its spin-offs, including the mobile title Mario Kart Tour and the VR game Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Even arcade versions of Mario Kart have appeared, showing Nintendo isn’t afraid to experiment with the series. Other spin-offs and titles have been canceled though, including the likes of VB Mario Kart, Mario Kart XXL, and Mario Motors.

Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sit among the best-selling video games of all time, despite only being available on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, proving how much fans love the racing franchise. There is no doubt releasing Mario Kart Maker would smash these records. If Nintendo goes through with Mario Kart Maker and includes both single-player and multiplayer, it has the potential to be the best game ever made featuring Mario.

Mario Kart Maker would be a dream come true for fans and Nintendo would be smart to consider creating it. But it does leave another question: If Nintendo makes Mario Kart Maker, where does it go from there? It’s not impossible to have both Mario Kart Maker and Mario Kart 9, similar to how Nintendo has Super Mario Maker 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but the fanbase may be divided forever between fan-made content and Nintendo-made content.

Ultimately, there is no telling what the Nintendo Switch 2 holds for the future. Porting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the Nintendo Switch certainly brought joy to many players and showed how wonderful the game is, but it may have stopped any chance of a new entry on the Nintendo Switch. With luck, the newly revealed Mario Kart 9 won’t prevent a Mario Kart Maker from also being possible on Switch 2.

The post Nintendo Could Make the Best Mario Kart Game if It Learns From PlayStation appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Over the last few years, Nintendo Switch Online has grown into a must-have subscription for those that own the console. In addition to making it so that subscribers can play games online, it also features exclusive profile icons, old video games playable through various apps, and even a music streaming service. Nintendo has once again provided subscribers with a new freebie, this time for Nintendo Music. The company has added the soundtrack for Super Mario Kart to the app, offering users a chance to listen to iconic songs from the original Super Nintendo game. In total, 37 music tracks can be found.

Super Mario Kart was the very first entry in the Mario Kart franchise, and was originally released in 1992. These days, the game feels somewhat archaic, with just 8 playable characters to choose from, and a far smaller number of tracks to race on compared to later games. However, Super Mario Kart still has a lot of charm, and that extends to the soundtrack as well. Mario Circuit remains one of the most memorable music tracks in the game, but it’s also hard to deny the upbeat allure of Koopa Beach.

Since launching last year, the Nintendo Music app has been slowly adding new soundtracks spanning the company’s various gaming platforms. Thus far, the selection based on the Super Nintendo era has been pretty limited, with Super Mario Kart being just the fifth game from that particular console. Nintendo has been updating the app pretty regularly though; last week saw music added from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. While Super Nintendo representation is pretty sparse at the moment, we can probably expect to see a lot more games added in the near future.

Interestingly enough, Nintendo Music additions have been timed to coincide with some of the company’s other announcements. Over the last few months, we’ve seen the soundtracks for the Donkey Kong Country trilogy made available, seemingly in an attempt to build hype for Donkey Country Returns HD, which was released last week on Nintendo Switch. Similarly, we’re getting the soundtrack to Super Mario Kart just a few days after Nintendo revealed the next game in the series alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

RELATED: Nintendo Music Celebrates What Most Streaming Services Devalue

When Nintendo Switch Online first launched, there was a lot of griping from fans about having to pay for a subscription service. However, Nintendo has slowly made that service a better bargain, with the rollout of more playable games, more unique profile icons, and music that can be enjoyed ad-free on mobile devices. There are still a lot of ways Nintendo Switch Online can (and should) be improved, but the service’s regular updates and freebies continue to make it well worth the cost.

Do you plan on checking out the soundtrack to Super Mario Kart? Have you been enjoying the steady stream of updates to Nintendo Music? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers Get New Mario Kart Surprise appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The first Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Switch 2 rumor is here, from an all too familiar source. Eight games have been officially announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 so far, and only one of them has been from Nintendo. That one Nintendo game is the new Mario Kart, which we don’t even have a title for. Suffice to say, Nintendo is keeping its cards close to the chest at the moment. There is no Nintendo Switch 2 release date, Nintendo Switch 2 price, any hardly any announced Nintendo Switch 2 games. The expectation is Nintendo will reveal all on April 2, 2025 with the first ever Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Until then, prepare for lots of rumors, including Super Smash Bros. rumors.

It’s been a while since there was a Super Smash Bros. rumor. Before Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was revealed though, Nintendo fans were flooded with rumors about the next game. And when it was revealed and released, there were still constant rumors about characters and DLC characters alike. It was non-stop. A lot of the rumors ended up not being true, obviously, but some of the most random and dubious rumors did end up being true.

Many forget, but Super Smash Bros. Ultimate having every previous character from every previous game leaked on 4chan before it was revealed. So did the addition of Ridley. Both of these things were leaked by an anonymous 4chan leaker a day before their reveal. It was the most infamous Super Smash Bros. Ultimate leak, so perhaps it is fitting the first Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Switch 2 rumor is from 4chan where it is being claimed by an anonymous leaker a new Super Smash Bros. game for the new Nintendo console is releasing summer 2026.

RELATED: New Pokemon Gen 10 Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Is Great News for All Nintendo Fans

The rumor further claims that the entire roster of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is back, despite creator Masahiro Sakurai wanting to make cuts. This was supposedly blocked by Nintendo.

In addition to this, it will feature a few new characters: Waluigi, Toon Zelda, Noah and Mio from the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Armorouge and Ceruledge from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Sol Badguy from Guilty Gear. It’s added that Paper Mario is being planned as the first DLC character for day one buyers like Piranha Plant was for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

As you would expect, it is alleged some characters have had major overhauls, including Link, who now has powers from Tears of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Samus is said to have the dash from Metroid Dead and Cloud some new special movies based on the Remake games.

Other redesigns and changes include: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf, Ryu and Ken redone to look like their Street Fighter 6 versions, Bayonetta redone with her design in Bayonetta 3, Kazuma redone with his Tekken 8 design, and Donkey Kong redone with his movie design, which is also his design in the new Mario Kart.

While there are more characters, there are said to be fewer stages or, more specifically, 50 to 55 stages. This was said to be done to shift resources and focus to other things, like bringing back Trophies. Speaking of Trophies, the rumor alleges they have detailed descriptions and are dished out for completing missions, playing Arcade mode, and other random tasks.

Lastly, the rumor mentions Adventure mode, which is said to be like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s world map and Spirit fights, but with Subspace Emissary story and cutscenes. To this end, there is supposedly over an hour of cutscenes like Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

This is where the rumor ends. Of course, take everything here with a grain of salt. Normally 4chan rumors aren’t worth paying much attention to, but considering the series’ history with 4chan leaks, this one has the attention of some Super Smash Bros. fans.

The post Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Switch 2 Rumor Reveals New Characters and 2026 Release Date appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Last week, the curtain was finally pulled back on Nintendo Switch 2, the next video game system from Nintendo. Nintendo’s announcement was pretty light on details, offering a short glimpse at the console itself, as well as the new Mario Kart game. More details are coming during a Nintendo Direct on April 2nd, but it seems fans can look forward to another Nintendo presentation ahead of that date. Rumors suggest that the company will also be holding a Nintendo Direct presentation in February, and it will focus on games for the current Switch hardware.

A Nintendo Direct in the month of February wouldn’t be too surprising. It’s basically an annual event at this point, where Nintendo lays out plans for the first half of the year. Nintendo has yet to confirm its existence, so fans have been speculating if it’s still going to happen this year, and about games that might get featured. In a recent episode of his podcast, the leaker PH Brazil claimed that not only can we expect a Nintendo Direct next month, but it will also reveal the last major first-party game from Nintendo on the system. The game will apparently be a new entry in a beloved series, but also one that’s smaller compared to some of Nintendo’s other franchises. In a post on the Famiboards, PH Brazil clarified that this mystery game is “not a remaster.”

While the Switch era has been pretty good for most of Nintendo’s franchises, there are a lot that haven’t gotten a new entry in a while. PH Brazil’s comment has already led to speculation that we could see a new Golden Sun, Chibi-Robo, or Star Fox. F-Zero is another possibility, and would make sense following the release of F-Zero 99. While none of those franchises have the same draw as Mario, Zelda, Metroid, or Pokemon, all would generate a lot of excitement among Nintendo fans. Fans have spent years lamenting the fact that Team Star Fox hasn’t gotten a new game on Switch, outside of the characters appearing in games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Starlink: Battle for Atlas.

As with any rumor, readers are encouraged to take this with a grain of salt. While PH Brazil tends to be a pretty reliable source, there’s no way of knowing for sure what Nintendo is planning for the end of the Switch era. That said, there’s a lot we don’t know right now, and a Nintendo Direct next month would be a great way to enlighten fans about the future. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is supposed to be released on the current Switch hardware this year, but we don’t have a release date, and we haven’t seen the game since last summer. It’s possible the game could be getting a dual release on Switch 2, or that it could launch sometime before the new system.

RELATED: How Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s DLC Paved the Road for Nintendo Switch 2’s New Mario Kart

Presuming a Nintendo Direct is happening in February, it would likely take place in the first half of the month. A Pokemon Presents will happen on February 27th, which will likely put a big focus on Pokemon Legends: Z-A, another major Switch game set to be released in 2025. The two companies could better spread out their announcements that way, so we might have an announcement about the Direct at some point in the very near future.

Do you think we’ll get a Nintendo Direct next month? What Nintendo franchise are you still waiting to see on Switch? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Reddit]

The post Rumor: Nintendo February Direct Will Reveal Last Major Switch Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally revealed last week by Nintendo. Unfortunately, it was only shown off alongside one game, a new Mario Kart, complete with controversial changes. And while there are many rumored Nintendo Switch 2 games, including a 2024 game of the Year nominee, next to none have been confirmed for the console. In the coming weeks and months this will obviously change. To this end, many major Nintendo Switch 2 games will no doubt be revealed in April at the first-ever Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

Removing rumored games from the equation, as well as unconfirmed games in general, you are left with just eight confirmed Nintendo Switch 2 games. This is at least the case as of January 19, 2025.

Most of these games are not very consequential. Indeed, two of the eight games are smaller releases no doubt seeking a little extra attention by announcing a Nintendo Switch 2 release before everyone else. That said, those looking for the games that have been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2 so far have come to the right place. They are as follows:

Mario Kart

A new mainline Mario Kate is finally in development and expected to release alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game. What the new Mario Kart game is called, we don’t know. There are zero details on the game, and only a couple of seconds of footage in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer.

Yooka-Replaylee

Yooka-Replayee is a remake of 2017 3D platformer, Yooka-Laylee. The remake is being handeled by the same developer, Playtonic Games. Right now, there is no word of a release date.

Littlelands

Littlelands from duo Rafael Martin and Kyle Creamer is an action-adventure game with a cozy and cutesy aesthetic. There is no word of when it will release.

Bestiario

Bestiario is described by developer Wiggin Industries as a turn-based RPG with social sim elements mixed in. It also does not currently have a release date.

[RELATED: New Pokemon Gen 10 Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Is Great News for All Nintendo Fans]

Synth Beasts

Synth Beasts from Radhood Advance is described as an action-RPG where you capture and tame different beasts, who you in turn level up and develop with new abilities. It doens’t have a release date, but is said to be “coming soon.”

Aurascope

Aurascope is pitched as an action-adventure platformer with both light puzzle and RPG elements. It is being made by lone-wolf developer of Nick Oztok, who has yet to announce a release date.

My Time at Evershine

My Time at Evershine is pitched by developer Pathea Games a sandbox simulation game meets RPG with cozy vibes. It currently does not have a release date.

Secret Forest

Secret Forest is an open-world MMORPG being made in Unreal Engine 5 from Zelcar Games. It does not have a release date, but a Closed Beta is coming in “early 2025.” This beta will obviously not be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 though.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest official Nintendo Switch 2 news to the latest unofficial Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks — click here.

The post All 8 Nintendo Switch 2 Games Confirmed So Far appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of The Sims franchise, and it seems fans could have some things to look forward to this year. A user on the MySims subreddit has seemingly uncovered listings on EA’s website for a pair of unannounced games. The games in question are the “MySims Action Bundle” and “MySims Beacon Bay.” As of this writing, these listings are unconfirmed, and it’s hard to say how trustworthy of a source this might be. However, fans are speculating about what games these could include, and how soon we might expect to see an official announcement.

Right now, most fans seem to agree that the Action Bundle might contain MySims Agents and MySims Heroes. That would seem to fit well with the description, but it’s impossible to say for certain. Beacon Bay is a bigger question mark. The name Beacon Bay was used in the Nintendo DS version of The Sims 3. In that era, EA used to release unique versions of The Sims games on handheld platforms, and Beacon Bay only appeared in that specific game. It’s possible this could be something completely new, but with some kind of connection to the elements introduced in that Sims game. For now, there’s no way of knowing!

The MySims: Cozy Bundle was released on Nintendo Switch last year, offering remasters of the first two games in the Sims spin-off series: MySims and MySims: Kingdom. The bundle seemed to be pretty successful, so it’s not surprising that EA might be planning to bring more games in the series to modern platforms. It could also be a way to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise.

Until we get official word from EA, readers should take this with a grain of salt. While the rumor of more MySims games getting remasters seems very possible, it’s difficult to say how legitimate the sourcing might be on this one. The leak of these games was shared to Reddit by a fairly new poster, which is always something that raises red flags with moderators. However, the poster did share some video evidence of their discovery on the EA website, and some posters have opined that would be hard to fake.

RELATED: The Sims 4 Has the Weakest Neighborhood Set-Up in the Series

The MySims: Cozy Bundle was first announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation last year. The company has historically held Nintendo Direct presentations in the month of February, and fans of The Sims are wondering if these new games might be revealed in a presentation next month. Nintendo has yet to announce a Direct (outside the Nintendo Switch 2 presentation in April), so it’s hard to say for certain. If EA really does have more of these remasters on the way, hopefully we’ll get more information in the near future.

Would you like to see more MySims games on modern platforms like Switch and PC? Do you think we’ll see these games announced soon? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post New Sims Remasters Possibly Leaked by EA appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Over the last few days, Pokemon Go has implemented a temporary change to the way that Shadow Raids work in the game. During the Fashion Week: Takeover and the Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day events Niantic has made it so that players can participate in Shadow Raids remotely. This is the first time this has been possible since Shadow Raids were added to the game, and it’s safe to say players are pretty happy about it. So far, reception has been extremely positive on the Pokemon Go subreddit, and players are hoping the change becomes a permanent one.

In a thread appropriately titled “Make Shadow Raids Permanently Remotable,” original poster Slow_Rabbit_2758 shared an image of a Shiny Shadow Registeel encounter. “I’m hardly ever able to do shadow legendaries. Thanks to this event I was able to get a shiny shadow Registeel AND a hundo purified one. Implement this permanently, Niantic!!”

Several other posters shared their hopes that Niantic will make this a running change for the future. User ForensicVette notes that “outside of big event days I can never get enough locals to do them.” Being able to participate in Raids remotely not only opens up the game to players in rural areas with fewer Gyms, it also makes it easier to get the number of players required to take down tougher opponents. User Sdrawkcabstiho speculates that “if not permanent, they’ll probably roll it out as a common feature/bonus for raid weekends and events.” While that wouldn’t be as ideal as a permanent shift, it would at least make these events more enjoyable for the community!

Remote Raids were added as a feature at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The idea was that Remote Raid passes would allow players to continue enjoying Pokemon Go Raids, even when large gatherings were being discouraged. In 2023, Niantic made the decision to greatly scale back on the feature, increasing the price of Remote Raid passes, and limiting the number that players could participate in per day. The developers also introduced new Raids that could only be participated in locally, such as Shadow Raids and Max Battles. The goal was to get players participating in Pokemon Go events locally, but it made the game significantly more difficult for players with disabilities, those in areas with inclement weather, or those located in rural areas.

RELATED: The 7 Best Pokemon with Hats in Pokemon Go (that Aren’t Pikachu)

It remains to be seen whether this temporary change to Shadow Raids might end up becoming a permanent one. It would be nice to see Niantic start to loosen back up about remote raiding. Clearly, the community enjoys the freedom Remote Raids provide, and players are willing to spend their PokeCoins on the passes (though most wouldn’t mind seeing the price decrease). Hopefully the company will listen to the community on this one!

Are you happy that Shadow Raids were made remotely playable over the last few days? Did you use the opportunity to participate in Shadow Raids? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon Go Players Want This Temporary Feature to Become Permanent appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new Mario Kart game was revealed last week alongside the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2. Unfortunately, lots of salient details are missing. Not only is there no release date for this Mario Kart game, there aren’t any details at all on it. In fact, a title hasn’t even been announced. All Mario Kart fans got was a few seconds of gameplay teases, though there was plenty to dissect in these teases. For example, the new Mario Kart has double the racers of Mario Kart 8. Meanwhile, a new item can also be spotted in the brief teases. The biggest talking point though has been one minor, but controversial change made with the new release.

Unless you’re paying attention, you probably wouldn’t notice, but the design of Donkey Kong has been changed. This was immediately caught by some fans, but missed by some because the character is only in the background for one quick shot. That said, if you freeze the shot you will notice he doesn’t look like the Rare-designed Donkey Kong design of the past two decades that has been in every Mario Kart game. Rather, the character has undergone a makeover that makes him look like more like he does in the arcade classics from yesteryear and how he looks in the recent Mario movie. Some fans, especially old school Nintendo fans, dig the change, but some absolutely hate it.

To this end, one of the top posts on the Mario Kart Reddit page this week is a post about the design change, and it has absolutely divided the Reddit page.

RELATED: Mario Kart 9 Shouldn’t Forget These 10 Nintendo Characters

“He looks more like his arcade design than the usual one. I like it,” writes one fan pleased with the change. “I actually really like this goofy design,” adds another fan in agreement.

“Looks like a cross between existing DK and Mario movie DK and I hate it,” adds a third fan, in disagreement. The only copium I can huff is that maybe, just maybe, a new Donkey Kong game is in development that uses this redesign. But I still hate it. He looks so derpy.”

A fourth fan further sums up the dislike of the change: “It’s so ugly, I hate it so much.”

Interestingly, only Donkey Kong appears to have had a design overhaul. Some characters look a little different, but that is also to be expected. This is the first mainline Mario Kart game in many ways. And the last time we got a mainline Mario Kart game, it was a Wii U game, so you’d expect things to look a little bit different a decade later.

For more Mario Kart coverage — including all of the latest Mario Kart news, all of the latest Mario Kart rumors and leaks, and all of the latest speculation surroknding the new game — click here.

The post Mario Kart Fans Divided Over Controversial Change in New Game: “I Hate It So Much” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Over the last year, Xbox has been making a concerted effort to bring more of its games to competing video game platforms. The reality is, video game development is a costly thing, and Xbox has looked to offset costs by making its first-party games more widely available. While the company has been largely quiet about its plans for 2025, rumors suggest that not only will this strategy continue, but Nintendo Switch 2 will be getting a lot of support as a result. Leaker PH Brazil (via Gaming Leaks and Rumors) has said that he is aware of more Switch 2 games coming from Xbox than any other publisher.

PH Brazil is not saying that Xbox will be the biggest supporter of Nintendo Switch 2, only that it’s the biggest that he currently knows of. As with any rumor, readers will want to take this with a grain of salt. That being said, there are many reasons to believe Xbox could be preparing a lot of games for Nintendo’s new system. NateTheHate, who accurately leaked the reveal date for Nintendo Switch 2 last week, has claimed that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection are both in development for Switch 2. Jez Corden of Windows Central recently stated that he expects “way more than that.”

Since Xbox began this initiative of bringing its games over to other platforms, Nintendo users have seen both Pentiment and Grounded brought to the current Switch. There are a lot more games Xbox could bring over to Nintendo Switch 2, including Sea of Thieves, which was ported to PS5 last year. Another possibility is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. That game is currently exclusive to Xbox, but will be coming to PS5 at some point this year. We can also expect some games in the Call of Duty franchise, as a result of the contract signed between Nintendo and Microsoft.

For now, Nintendo fans will have to wait patiently to see how all of this plays out. Nintendo Switch 2 was only officially announced on January 16th, so details on the console are pretty slim at this point. We don’t know when it will be released, how much it will cost, or very many games that will be released for it outside of the new Mario Kart. A Nintendo Direct presentation will take place on April 2nd, which should offer a lot more information on the system itself, as well as many games that will be made available.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Trailer Seemingly Confirms Leaked Joy-Con Upgrade

The idea of Xbox being a major supporter of a Nintendo system once would have seemed completely ridiculous, but it sounds very plausible given everything that’s happened over the last few years. Hopefully this is a sign that publishers have big plans for Nintendo Switch 2, and that we’ll be seeing a lot of good games on the platform.

Are you hoping to see a lot of Xbox games on Nintendo Switch 2? What games do you think would be a good fit? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Rumor Claims Xbox Will be One of the System’s Biggest Supporters appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo fans finally received the Nintendo Switch 2 confirmation they’ve been waiting for in thanks to a recent reveal video. Given how little was actually confirmed from this shiny production featuring the new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal raised more questions than it answered. And one thing on many gamers’ minds is whether the new console will inspire Nintendo to overhaul Nintendo Online and the Nintendo eShop. Recent rumors suggest Nintendo Online will get a price increase when the Switch 2 comes out, but does that mean improvements to the subscription model are on the way, too?

Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo’s answer to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus… sort of. While the subscription has held steady on price point compared with the other two, it’s also arguably fallen behind when it comes to value – and functionality. The base Nintendo Switch Online membership includes the ability to play online and access to select games from previous systems like GameBoy, Super Nintendo, and more. While this back catalog is nice in theory, many of the more enticing titles are locked behind the heftier Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

In reality, Nintendo Switch Online is mostly the price for playing games that require online connections to play with others. Compared to many game subscriptions that include a catalog of more current games, Nintendo Switch Online feels more like a mandatory solution for ensuring data saves to the Cloud and being able to visit other gamers in Animal Crossing than it does anything gamers actually want to have. And then there’s the issue that, half the time, the online connection doesn’t actually work.

And speaking of what gamers want to have, Nintendo Switch Online isn’t the only thing that needs a rehaul when it comes to the Switch’s online features. The Nintendo eShop’s functionality has long been a concern for fans just trying to find and buy the games they want.

Nintendo Switch 2 Needs a Functional eShop & Online Connectivity

As more and more gamers opt for digital purchases over physical game cartridges, a solid online shop is a requirement for any major console. Yet the Nintendo eShop lacks basic usability, with poor search function and a confusing multi-step process to actually get to the purchase point. While the Nintendo Switch 2 likely won’t be compatible with every Switch game, it’s likely to launch with a decent catalogue of backwards compatible games and newly announced titles. That means people will be looking for a smoother process to acquire those games digitally, right from their shiny new Switch 2 console.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Price Reportedly Revealed (And It’s Expensive)

With physical stores like GameStop shutting their doors, this is becoming even more essential. And Nintendo’s eShop has been in need of an update for quite some time, so people can more easily get the games they want. Since most prior consoles have had their own version of the online store, hopefully the Switch 2 will give Nintendo a good reason to redesign the eShop and give gamers a better purchase experience.

Alongside issues being able to find and buy the games players want is the fact that Nintendo Switch Online often struggles to actually get players connected. In an increasingly wireless age, gamers are frustrated with the struggle of actually getting their Switch to stay online and let them play multiplayer games with their friends. As a portable console, “try an ethernet cable” isn’t always the most ideal solution for getting online play to work, and if the Switch 2 plans to keep up with the promise of portability, its online functionality needs to be able to keep up.

Gamers have waited a long time to learn about the Switch successor, and now that it’s almost here, they also want to know that it’s going to improve upon the biggest downsides to the current model. All around improvements to Nintendo’s online features are going to be essential pieces of the Nintendo Switch 2’s success… or lack thereof.

A release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 console has not yet been announced yet, but opportunities to prepare for preorders are already going up ahead of time.

The post Nintendo Needs an Online Overhaul Before the Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch window games are set to include a 2024 Game of the Year nominee, according to a new report. After months and months of leaks, Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 this week. While the reveal featured the first official look at the console, and a new Mario Kart game, featuring a controversial change to Donkey Kong, it did not feature the Nintendo Switch 2 release date nor the Nintendo Switch 2 price. And there were no Nintendo Switch 2 games revealed other than the aforementioned new Mario Kart.

In the absence of official information, there is plenty of unofficial information. For example, the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly been revealed. Meanwhile, a “launch window” game has also supposedly been revealed, and it’s one of last year’s best games.

Last year at The Game Awards, the Game of the Year nominees were as follows: Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong, Balatro, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio. Of these games, Astro Bot ended up taking home Game of the Year. Unfortunately, this is not the game supposedly coming to Nintendo Switch 2. While it would be fitting for the platform, it’s a PlayStation game, and thus unlikely to ever come to the Nintendo Switch 2 or any other platform other than perhaps PC. What is supposedly coming to Nintendo Switch 2 is Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Developed by Atlus — the studio best known for the Persona series — and published by Sega, Metaphor: ReFantazio debuted on October 11, 2024 as a brand new fantasy RPG series. Upon release, it notably garnered a 94 on Metacritic, making it the joint highest-rated game of 2024, a title it shares with Astro Bot and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Coupling the immense critical reception, it notably sold one million units at launch, making it the fastest-selling game from Atlus to date.

Right now, Metaphor: ReFantazio is available via PC, PS4, PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. It is not available via the Nintendo Switch, but it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2, according to Nintendo insider PH Brazil. More specifically, it is supposedly a “launch window” game.

RELATED: Mario Kart 9 Shouldn’t Forget These 10 Nintendo Characters

Now, PH Brazil has proven reliable in the past, hence why people take his scoops with interest. However, he has also been off the mark on more than one occasion in the past as well. In other words, take this new information with a grain of salt.

At the moment of publishing, none of the implicated parties — Nintendo, Atlus or Sega — have commented on this new rumor. We don’t expect this to change for a handful of reasons, but if it does, we will update the story accordingly.

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

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Games Reportedly Include 2024 GOTY Nominee appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 price may have been leaked by retailers such as Best Buy. Yesterday, Nintendo finally officially revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside a new Mario Kart game. What didn’t accompany the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal was the Nintendo Switch 2 release date or the Nintendo Switch 2 price. When this information will be revealed in an official capacity, remains to be seen, but the latter information may have been leaked by Best Buy and a Dutch retailer called Coolblue. That said, the two retailers list the Nintendo Switch 2 at different prices.

According to a Best Buy listing, the Nintendo Switch 2 price is going to be in line with the price of the current Nintendo Switch, or at least the OLED Nintendo Switch. When the Nintendo Switch released back in 2017, it did so with a $300 price point. Four years later, the OLED Nintendo Switch followed at the price point of $350. Best Buy is currently listing the Nintendo Switch 2 at this same price of $350.

At first glance, the idea that Nintendo would sell the Nintendo Switch 2 at the same price of the OLED Switch seems preposterous, but it’s not that crazy. The OLED Switch is almost certainly being sold at a hefty profit as a premium version of a pre-existing machine. This is almost always the case with luxury revisions. Meanwhile, it is fairly common for new consoles to be sold at a loss in favor of mass adoption. The money making in consoles is less in upfront hardware sales and more in the software and subscription sales that come from hardware sales. And because of this, new consoles are not often, but sometimes sold at a loss. This could explain the crossover in price between the Nintendo Switch 2 and the OLED Nintendo Switch.

According to Coolblue, the Nintendo Switch 2 price is going to be much more than this. More specifically, the Dutch retailer has the Nintendo Switch 2 price listed at $500. For what it is worth, this lines up with a recent report from a fairly reliable source that claims the console will be priced at $450 or $500 for a bundle version including Mario Kart.

$500 would be pretty steep considering the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s not going to be more powerful than the PS5, for example, which could be had for $400 when it released. That said, console manufacturing has become more expensive since then and the handheld element of the Nintendo Switch 2 also inflates the price. In other words, $500, while pricey, isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Just Had One of the Worst Console Reveals Ever

The million dollar question is whether either of these retailers have actual official details or inside information informing these listings or if they are merely speculative placeholder prices. They are probably the latter, but the former can not be ruled out at this point.

At the moment of publishing, none of the implicated parties — Nintendo, Best Buy, or Coolblue — have commented on any of the information above. We don’t anticipate this changing for a variety of reasons, but if it does, the article will be updated accordingly. In the meantime, for more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and the latest Nintendo Switch 2 speculation — click here.

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The long-awaited and highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed. After so many leaks, fans were delighted to get an official, if somewhat brief, look at the upcoming Nintendo console. What excites fans the most are new features with the console and Joy-Cons, as well as new games, such as Mario Kart 9 which was shown during the reveal. Information is scarce about the console for now, but this will change as Nintendo reveals more information about the Nintendo Switch 2. But each change and feature has fans excited and theorizing about its function: so let’s take a look.

We’ve broken down everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2, from new features to returning ones. Look below at everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Console Features and Changes

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Won’t Play All Switch Games

The console for the Nintendo Switch 2 largely looks like the original Nintendo Switch, though some key differences are noticeable. The most visible differences are the increased size of the Switch 2, a second USB-C port, and a new, improved, and more versatile kickstand. A lot of returning features were also spotted in the reveal as well. Here is everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

• New Features:
  • Larger and thicker than original Switch (Screen and casing).
  • More rounded casing.
  • Larger, more central, and multiple angled kickstand.
  • Second USB-C port.
  • New Joy-Con connection pieces.
• Returning Features:
  • Headphone jack on top of console.
  • Volume buttons on top of console.
  • Power button on top of console.
  • USB-C port on bottom of console.
  • Game Cartridge port on top of console.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Features and Changes

The Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 also featured obvious changes from the originals. The connection piece is the most notable, no longer featuring a rail but a snap piece. New buttons were spotted alongside the larger buttons, as well as a lens that may indicate the Joy-Cons can function as mice. Here is everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons.

• New Features:
  • Larger and more rounded casing.
  • New connection port to console/grips.
  • New button below the Home Button on right Joy-Con.
  • New lens on Joy-Con next to connection piece.
  • Standard black color shown (red and blue Joy-Cons may be coming).
  • Colorful accents on analog sticks and edges.
  • Detachable grips and straps are colored.
  • Larger buttons and triggers.
  • Power LED on Joy-Con moved to be front facing.
• Returning Features:
  • Same button layout and configuration.
  • Same Joy-Con controller piece (though it is larger to match the new size).
  • Straps are the same design.

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Features and Changes

It is hard to tell exactly what is going on with the Nintendo Switch 2 dock from the small reveal Nintendo shared. The obvious changes are the larger size and more rounded top. Without seeing more angles of the dock, it’s hard to pinpoint if more features have been added. Here is everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 dock.

• New Features:
  • Larger.
  • More rounded.
• Returning Features:
  • Connection ports on back.
  • LED power display on front.
  • Nintendo Switch 2 slips in.

More information will be revealed as time goes on, especially as the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct draws near on April 2nd. Nintendo is also hosting in-person experiences, which will be a great opportunity to see the console. As more information is revealed, we will update this post to reflect it.

The post Every New Nintendo Switch 2 Feature Confirmed (So Far) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

After a long leadup with plenty of rumors and leaks, the Nintendo Switch 2 console was officially revealed on January 16th. The announcement video primarily focused on the look of the new console, leaving gamers with plenty of questions about what the Switch 2 can do. These questions will likely be addressed during the Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 livestream, which was announced alongside the console reveal. However, new rumors suggest Nintendo might have a bit more to share before they talk Switch 2.

The Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 will take place on April 2nd, 2025. The livestream will likely include more details about the new console, such as its capabilities, price, and perhaps even the specific release date. These Nintendo Direct events typically also highlight upcoming game releases, and this showcase may well give us news of additional Nintendo Switch 2 games beyond the new Mario Kart. However, rumors suggest there may be another Nintendo Direct before the company is ready to talk Switch 2.

According to leaker PH Brazil, there may be a Nintendo Direct in February 2025. This wouldn’t be unheard of, as the typical yearly pattern for Nintendo Direct events generally falls around February, June, and September each year. However, it would be interesting timing this year, with a new console on the way.

2025 May Have One More Nintendo Direct Before the Switch 2 Direct

Given that the April Nintendo Direct will focus on the Switch 2 and likely some of the first games that will release for it, a February Nintendo Direct seems a little weird at first glance. Directs usually focus on new game announcements, but it’s unlikely these would be Switch 2 games before the big Direct that focuses on the console. It’s possible they’re ready to talk Switch 2 games, but also perfectly likely there are a few more Nintendo Switch game releases to highlight before the company goes all in on the new console.

As some Nintendo fans point out, this wouldn’t be new for the company. They often reveal a new console while still having a few tricks up their sleeve for the current model. When the Switch was revealed, the next Nintendo Direct still had news for upcoming 3DS games to cover. Just because we know the Switch 2 is on the way doesn’t mean Nintendo is entirely finished with its plans for the current console.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Makes One Very Subtle Change Over the Switch 1

It’s also important to remember that Nintendo hasn’t yet revealed when in 2025 the Nintendo Switch 2 will drop. If it isn’t coming until later in the year, the company likely won’t want that big a gap in their new release calendar. That means there may well be a few more big titles to highlight for the original Switch console before April 2025 rolls around.

While not every Nintendo Switch game will be playable on the Switch 2, the console does include backwards compatibility. That means it’s possible that whatever Nintendo wants to show off in February will be available on the Switch 2 when it drops – even if it isn’t a shiny new Switch 2-specific game release. So, it makes sense Nintendo might want to keep fans in the loop even if it needs a little more time to cook on the Switch 2 specific Direct.

The post Next Nintendo Direct Reportedly Coming Before Switch 2 Direct (And Coming Soon) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo has finally announced the Nintendo Switch 2 and it already has one very subtle change from the original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo is one of the greatest companies in the gaming industry and have had their flag planted since gaming was in its infancy. The company made a name for itself not only with its hardware, but incredible games like Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and more. To this day, no one else really does it like Nintendo (for better or worse, in some instances), and that’s why they’ve been able to stay relevant while other competitors like Sega have had to shift gears to survive. However, that doesn’t mean Nintendo hasn’t had some missteps.

Nintendo nearly crumbled a little over a decade ago when it followed up one of its most successful consoles, the Wii, with one of its biggest failures: the Wii U. Although the console had some amazing games, there was a lack of interest from mainstream audience. The name was confusing to some who thought it was an accessory to the Wii, the tablet for the console was uninteresting to others, and ultimately, it came out a year before the PS4 and Xbox One which were more appealing options for the next-generation of consoles. Regardless, it prompted Nintendo to stage a large scale comeback with the Nintendo Switch, a console that has totally redefined gaming in the last decade and inspired companies like Steam to make their own powerful handhelds.

With that said, many have been eager to see what Nintendo will do for its next console. Nintendo Switch 2 rumors have been plentiful for the last few years and the Japanese gaming giant ended speculation today with a proper reveal. The first trailer showcased our first official look at the console, though there were plenty of leaks that gave fans an idea of what to expect ahead of time. Although there was no commentary, it highlighted new buttons, revisions to the Joy-Cons, and even teased a brand new Mario Kart game. While we will have to wait a while to learn more specifics about the Nintendo Switch 2, there was one other detail that largely got overlooked amidst all the excitement.

Nintendo Switch fans are likely very familiar with the now iconic snap noise that can be heard anytime the Switch logo is displayed in a video. It’s synonymous with the console and has conditioned players to expect a new look at a great game thanks to its use in Nintendo Directs and various trailers. However, the Switch 2 will have a very different noise. Nintendo is now using more of a clap noise. This difference comes from the fact that the snap noise was born out of the noise the Joy-Cons make when snapped into place on the Nintendo Switch.

Now, the Nintendo Switch 2 uses magnets to lock its Joy-Cons into the screen. As such, instead of sliding in on rails, they get shoved in sideways and it makes the clap noise. It’s a very small change, but it is one of many ways that Nintendo is trying to differentiate the two consoles. Given the Nintendo Switch 2 is visually very similar to the Switch 1, it’s important to find ways to create different identities for the console. Having two different noises is one of a few ways Nintendo is doing this.

With all of that said, it’ll be interesting to see how else Nintendo tries to distinguish the consoles. Will Nintendo have notably different colors or box art for the Nintendo Switch 2? The Nintendo Switch 1 made use of the color red for a lot of its imagery and it does seem Switch 2 will still utilize that. It’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo makes any notable changes to the box art for games beyond having the number 2 in the corner. The Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible, but not all Switch games will be playable on the new console. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until April for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to find out more.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Makes One Very Subtle Change Over the Switch 1 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The internet has been ablaze with rumors and leaks about the Nintendo Switch 2. Fans have eagerly been awaiting Nintendo’s next console, adding fuel to the theory crafting. From games to specs, it almost seems like everything about the Switch 2 had been revealed in some form or another prior to the official unveiling. Yet, despite all the leaks, Nintendo remained suspiciously quiet, only making a statement that leaked accessories were not official and possibly trolling fans with a Mario Party Jamboree Tweet. One has to imagine how Nintendo is feeling with all the leaks being released, and former employees have weighed in on how they think the company is feeling.

Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, two former Nintendo employees and PR managers, sat down to discuss how the leaks have impacted Nintendo, and how the company is feeling within. Notably, the pair stated “I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level,” Yang said. “We joke around about the hot exclamation mark emails. They are hot hot hot. How many exclamation marks could be at the end of this? They are very, very, very upset by this.”

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Reveal Four More Games Coming to the Console

And it is completely understandable and expected for Nintendo to feel this way. The company is notoriously tight-lipped until it is ready to reveal anything, being more than happy to delay things when needed. Having so many leaks coming out has to be heartbreaking for the company after pouring so much into the Nintendo Switch 2 and wanting to surprise fans.

Kit and Krysta go on to discuss how a possible investigation into the leaks affects staff members, even those who have nothing to do with the leak. The pair believe it will have a negative impact on Nintendo staff, preventing focus on preparing the Switch 2 launch and even causing undo chaos around a new console launch, which is already a challenging feat.

The idea that Nintendo is behind some of the leaks was brought up and shot down. Kit and Krysta rebuked this idea, saying Nintendo giving lectures on “the value of surprise.” Nintendo would absolutely put surprising fans over anything else, and, further more, the company would want complete control on how the Nintendo Switch 2 is revealed.

Kit and Krysta are certain Nintendo will get to the bottom of the leaks, citing “They do have very good people who investigate these things” and expressing their confidence in Nintendo uncovering the truth. No doubt Nintendo will increase security going forward because of the leaks.

Nintendo finally gave the Nintendo Switch 2 an official reveal, but only after a ton of leaks sought to spoil every part of the console from new features to launch games. More games will be showcased later in a Nintendo Direct that’s been announced with hands-on opportunities also happening around the United States in the next couple of months, but we still don’t know when the Nintendo Switch 2 will release.

The post Nintendo Is “Really Mad” About Switch 2 Leaks, Claim Former Employees appeared first on ComicBook.com.

I am as excited as anyone else about the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year, but I have to admit that the hardware’s initial reveal is arguably the worst ever for a new video game console. When starting any new console generation, the first glimpse of the next platform you’ll be using frequently in the years ahead is arguably the most exciting moment of all. I still remember where I was in 2013 when Sony first showed off the PS4. Or in 2011 at E3 when Nintendo held a captivating, yet confusing, presentation for the Wii U. Console reveals are supposed to be a big deal and are meant to capture your imagination. But for some reason, Nintendo seems to have treated the unveiling of the Switch 2 as a borderline afterthought.

To be fair to Nintendo, a lot of the reasons why the Switch 2’s announcement didn’t pack a punch this week was because, well, we basically already knew everything about the hardware. Over the better part of the past year, there have been numerous leaks that have detailed everything about the Switch 2 from its magnetic Joy-Con, to its new logo, to even its updated color scheme. The leaks all being accurate meant that when Nintendo chose to unveil the Switch 2 for the first time, it simply matched up with what we had already known about thanks to various mockups.

Still, I have to fault Nintendo to some degree for not revealing the Switch 2 on its own terms. As time has continued to drag on, it always seemed likely that leaks of the Switch 2 would happen as the platform would enter production. As such, a reveal trailer for the Switch 2 in the final months of 2024 would have been ideal and would have beat these leaks to the punch. Instead, Nintendo chose to sit on the announcement of the Switch 2 until January for no other reason than to make the Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED the focus of one final holiday push and not dissuade would-be buyers.

Outside of being essentially beaten to the punch with its own reveal, the manner in which Nintendo opted to build up anticipation to the trailer of the Switch 2 was essentially nonexistent. This time around, there was no teaser image of Mario peeking behind a curtain telling fans when to tune in for the announcement of its Switch successor. Rather than build anything up, Nintendo chose to drop a random post on social media without any prior warning at 8:09am linking to the Switch 2 trailer that said nothing more than, “Here’s an update from Nintendo. Please take a look.” For a company that has historically had charm in spades, this announcement was about as devoid of emotion as you can get.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Price Reportedly Revealed (And It’s Expensive)

Even when it comes to the content within the “First-Look Trailer” for the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s hard to be all that thrilled about what Nintendo opted to show. The reveal of a new Mario Kart game stands out as the central piece of the trailer, but otherwise, there’s not a lot to latch onto at the moment. Nintendo fans are still left wondering just how large the Switch 2 is in comparison to the original Switch, whether or not its screen will be LCD or OLED, and what its internal specs are. You can’t expect all of these questions to be answered in the first trailer for the Switch 2, but what Nintendo chose to spotlight in this video is about as barebones as you can get.

The cherry on top of all of this is that we’re now left to wait over two months until the Nintendo Switch 2 is shown again. Nintendo is set to hold a Direct on April 2nd that will seemingly center around nothing but the Switch 2 and its games. Between now and then, though, fans are going to keep asking the same questions over and over again. Answers might come in the form of new leaks, but this will only perpetuate the cycle of Nintendo being unable to be the first to break its own news.

I don’t want to come across as a negative Nancy because, again, I’m stoked about the Switch 2. I will be there on day one and I will be thrilled to play the new Mario Kart and whatever else might be on the system at launch. Still, I can’t help but feel like an older version of Nintendo would have gone a bit more over-the-top with its initial showing for the Switch 2 and in the process made its fanbase that much more ecstatic about what’s to come. By comparison, today’s debut felt more like Nintendo’s way of saying, “Here’s the Switch 2, now please quit asking about it.”

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Just Had One of the Worst Console Reveals Ever appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has only just today released on Nintendo Switch, but it’s already on sale at one retailer. Generally speaking, it’s rare for Nintendo games to ever get hit with discounts even months after their initial launch. Unlike other publishers, Nintendo will continue to charge $60 (or $70) for its biggest Switch games nearly a decade after arrival. Fortunately, for those looking to get ahold of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a slight discount on the Switch title can now be taken advantage of.

At the time of this writing, the newest Donkey Kong game can be snatched up on Woot for the price of $49.99. While this deal isn’t a massive one, it has still brought the value of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD down by 17%, which essentially never happens to any game on the first day of its launch. This sale is set to last for the better part of the next three weeks, but will expire if Woot runs out of inventory prior to that time.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Price Reportedly Revealed (And It’s Expensive)

What makes this deal that much better is that Woot is a company that is owned by Amazon. As such, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can get free shipping on your purchase. The only downside is that shipping through Woot tends to take a bit longer than Amazon, which means that your order wouldn’t arrive until late January or early February. Still, if you’re content with waiting just a bit, it’s still a great way to save some money.

To learn more about Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to see if it might be for you, you can find the official description and launch trailer below. You can also read our own official review of the game right here.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

“Help DK and Diddy Kong recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe in this visually enhanced version of the Wii game. Stomp enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets, minecarts, and even Rambi the Rhino in 80 levels across nine worlds, including the additional levels from the Nintendo 3DS version. You can even join up with a buddy for two-player local co-op!”

The post Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Hit With Immediate Sale appeared first on ComicBook.com.

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Nintendo Switch 2 was finally announced this morning. Nintendo kept the details light on its new system, instead letting a brief video do most of the talking. However, there are a lot of interesting details that can be determined throughout the trailer, from changes to the Mario Kart franchise, to new features that can be expected. The trailer seemed to confirm one major change to the Joy-Con controller, which leaked several months ago. According to that leak, the Joy-Cons will have a new function that allows one to be used like a mouse on a PC.

At the 1:12 mark in today’s video, the two Joy-Con controllers can be seen in a position on their side moving upwards. The Joy-Con wrist straps can be seen growing out of the controllers, making them resemble something similar to a tail. So not only does it look like it’s being used as a PC mouse, it also resembles its animal namesake. If Nintendo isn’t hinting that Joy-Cons can be used like a mouse on Switch 2, that would seem like a pretty big coincidence. The trailer for the system can be found below.

Allowing developers to use the Joy-Con controller as a mouse could open up a lot of possibilities. First-person shooters are the most obvious use case, and would be a huge deal, especially with Call of Duty games coming to the platform. Nintendo and Microsoft signed an agreement ahead of the latter company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the series is guaranteed to start releasing on Nintendo Switch 2. However, there are a lot of other games that would work as well. Games like RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, which had a cumbersome control scheme on Switch, could be far superior now. The Sims games have largely avoided the current Switch, but that could change on Switch 2, and mouse support would make the experience closer to PC.

Another possibility is that Nintendo could use a mouse-like feature to bring old Super Nintendo games to Nintendo Switch Online. Last year, datamines suggested that games that used the old SNES Mouse peripheral might be coming to Switch. Mario Paint and Mario & Wario could both make the jump to Switch 2, and it’s possible Nintendo could even make new versions of these games as well.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Revealed

While all of these possibilities are pretty exciting, Nintendo fans will have to wait and see what gets officially revealed. The company has already confirmed that a Nintendo Direct will take place on April 2nd, which will offer more information about the new system. It’s possible we could get some announcements in the weeks leading up to that presentation, including details about the Joy-Cons, and backwards compatibility. There’s simply no way of knowing what the plan is right now, but Nintendo fans seem pretty excited, judging from the early reactions!

Do you think the Joy-Cons will have a feature similar to a PC mouse? Do you think developers will put that feature to use? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Trailer Seemingly Confirms Leaked Joy-Con Upgrade appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 seems to have been narrowed thanks to new info that has come from Nintendo. Perhaps more than anything else at this point, Nintendo fans simply want to know when the Switch 2 will be released and how much it will cost. Currently, Nintendo itself has only broadly committed to the arrival of the Switch 2 at some point in 2025, but based on other info from the Japanese publisher, we now have a better idea of when the console will hit store shelves.

After announcing the Nintendo Switch 2 this morning, Nintendo revealed that it would be showing off the console for the first time to patrons in a series of events. These hands-on showcases will take place across a number of cities around the globe and will begin in early April. They will then continue into May before wrapping up in early to mid-June.

So how do these events inform the release date of the Nintendo Switch 2? Well, it can be presumed that Nintendo wouldn’t launch the Switch until after these presentations come to a close. Assuming that this is true, it would mean that the absolute earliest window in which the Switch 2 would arrive would be June 2025. In all likelihood, a launch in June or July would be the most feasible as it would allow these in-person events to naturally lead into the formal release of the next Switch console.

The only way that this might not be true would be if Nintendo ends up doing a staggered release of the Switch 2 across different territories. If this happened, it would mean that regions like the United States, Japan, and Europe could get the Switch 2 as early as May, with other territories to follow at later dates. Given that the original Switch was released around the globe simultaneously, though, it’s unlikely that Nintendo would opt to do this.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Sign-Ups Already Opening

For now, we’re left in the dark when it comes to the exact launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, but we do know when a date should be announced. A new Nintendo Direct centered entirely around the Switch 2 is planned to transpire in just a few short months on April 2nd. At that time, we’ll almost certainly hear more definitive details about when Nintendo’s next video game console will begin rolling out.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Narrowed After New Info Emerges appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 price has reportedly been revealed, and if the newly leaked price is accurate, the successor is going to cost substantially more than its predecessor. When the Nintendo Switch released back in 2017, it cost only $299.99, a humble price point that no doubt helped facilitate early adoption and eventually mass adoption. The Nintendo Switch is the best-selling single Nintendo console of all time, and on track to pass PS2 as the best-selling console across all platforms ever released. Presumably Nintendo would want to stick to a core part of the Switch strategy, its cheap price point, but a new report suggests otherwise.

Thanks to massive inflation, lasting negative effects of the global Covid pandemic, and a steep rise in the price of components, making gaming consoles is far more expensive than it was in 2017. Everything is far more expensive than it was in 2017, and gaming on Nintendo hardware is apparently going to be no exception.

The new report about the Nintendo Switch 2 price comes from Nick Baker, a well-known and fairly reliable industry insider. Baker took to social media platform X this morning and relayed word that he has heard from a source, who has had good information on the Nintendo Switch 2 so far, that the console is going to be $449.99 or $499.99 for a Mario Kart bundle. This would be a $150 increase from the launch Switch and a $100 increase from the current OLED Switch.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Sign-Ups Already Opening

Of course, this rumor also suggests that the new Mario Kart will be a launch game, and the big launch game at that. And this was implied with it being shown off alongside the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2.

When we will officially hear about the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is hard to say. The April 2 Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Nintendo Switch 2 seems the most likely place for this information to be revealed, depending on when the console will release and how long Nintendo wants to run pre-orders for.

In the meantime, take this new information with a grain of salt. While Baker has proven reliable in the past, he has also been off the mark on occasion, and it seems like he isn’t fully confident in this new intel. Further, it’s worth pointing out that a price may not be locked in yet, and could change rendering this potentially accurate information as inaccurate over time.

At the moment of publishing, Nintendo has not commented on this Nintendo Switch 2 price leak. We do not suspect this will change for a variety of reasons, but if Nintendo does come out with a comment on this particular bit of intel, we will update the story accordingly.

For more coverage on the 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.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Price Reportedly Revealed (And It’s Expensive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Back in November, Nintendo confirmed that its new console would have some form of backwards compatibility. At the time, there was uncertainty about whether or not the new system would feature backwards compatibility with just digital games, or physical ones as well. During today’s Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, fans got an answer to that question, as the system was shown playing a physical cartridge of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. However, the trailer did raise a new question about which games might work on the platform. In the trailer, Nintendo explicitly says “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.”

It’s possible this is just a case of Nintendo covering its bases. It’s worth noting that PlayStation said something similar about PS5 backwards compatibility, and it turned out that the vast majority of PS4 games could be played on the new system, with some minor exceptions. The most likely scenario is that some games that leaned specifically on Nintendo Switch tech are the ones that won’t be playable. For example, it’s possible Nintendo Switch 2’s redesigned Joy-Cons might not work with Labo’s cardboard constructions (remember Labo?). Certain other peripherals might have the same difficulties. That might even be what Nintendo means when it says “fully compatible,” as games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can use the Labo Vehicle Kit right now, and that might not be possible on the new console. There’s simply no way of knowing what games might be excluded, but those are some possibilities.

The one thing Switch owners can be assured of is that most of their games should have no trouble running on Nintendo Switch 2. While language like this is bound to worry some Switch users, the fact of the matter is that Nintendo Switch was a massive success around the world. While Nintendo has had a lot of popular systems over the years, Switch has been the company’s second most successful. That success also translated to huge software sales, with games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe selling tens of millions of units. Nintendo Switch 2 should not only allow those users to keep playing their current games, but also open the door to those that never owned a Switch in the first place.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2: Nintendo Needs to Bring These 5 Franchises Back to Life

We should get a lot more details about things like backwards compatibility within the next few months. A Nintendo Direct presentation has been announced, and will take place on April 2nd. That presentation will focus largely (or perhaps totally) on Nintendo Switch 2, and could clarify a lot of the details we learned today. We can probably expect some announcements in the weeks leading up to that date, but it’s impossible to say for certain. Hopefully Nintendo will add some clarity to today’s statement, and end speculation quickly.

Do you think Switch 2 will play most Switch games? What exceptions do you think we’ll see? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Won’t Play All Switch Games appeared first on ComicBook.com.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 finally being revealed and not being leaks in the wild anymore, fans are going crazy and generating hype. Between the new details of the console and the newly revealed Mario Kart, there is a lot to talk about. Nintendo only gave fans a brief look at their upcoming console during the shadow drop, but did announce a full Nintendo Switch 2 Direct for April 2nd. However, another announcement slipped through the cracks, and one that Nintendo fans should be greatly excited for: a chance to see and experience the Nintendo Switch 2 in person.

Nintendo has announced three different Nintendo Switch 2 experiences, taking place in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The events will be held on the dates below.

RELAED: Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed

• New York, NY: April 4 – April 6
  • Center415, 417 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016
• Los Angeles, CA: April 11 – April 13
  • Television City, 7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Dallas, TX: April 25 – April 27
  • Embarcadero Building at Fair Park, 1229 Admiral Nimitz Dr. Dallas, TX 75210

The events are free and tickets can be won through a randomly selected drawing. Fans will need to register for the event throughout the registration period. This period takes place from Jan. 17 at 12 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET until Jan. 26 at 11:59. Each event has individual registration and times are reflective of the local time zone where the events are being held.

A Nintendo account is required to enter the drawing, but this is free to make. Once the drawing takes place, winners will be notified soon after the registration period ends. There are of course other factors and requirements listed below the event details. Be sure to read through everything before entering. Nintendo has also provided an FAQ to answer the most common questions.

The Nintendo Switch 2 official reveal was early on January 16, 2025, and while it was brief, the hype train is rolling. Leaks gave fans ideas of what to expect, but that is nothing compared to seeing the Nintendo Switch 2 in all its official glory. The surprise of the new Mario Kart footage was the icing on the cake.

Fans will have to wait until April 2nd to get an in-depth look at the console. Launch titles, specifications, and more will likely be shown during this Direct. Whether the new Mario Kart will be a launch title remains to be seen, but with the popularity of the system it wouldn’t be surprising. A new Mario Kart would absolutely help move consoles.

The Nintendo Switch has been one of the best selling and most popular consoles, and it’s likely the Switch 2 will follow. Rumors are already swirling of mass amounts of quantities being ordered by big box retailers. Hopefully, this is the case and fans won’t face a shortage of consoles when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On Events Announced appeared first on ComicBook.com.

During today’s Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, the company showcased a brand-new entry in the Mario Kart franchise. Just a brief snippet of footage was shown, but in that clip, there were a lot of surprising details, offering a hint at what’s to come. One notable change is the number of racers on a track at a given time. That number seems to be increasing from 12 to 24, which should change things up pretty significantly. At the very least, races are going to get a lot more frantic, and it’s going to be interesting to see how tough it is to go from last place to first!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was not a launch title for Nintendo Switch, but the game came very shortly after, and helped to generate huge sales for the console. In the last 8 years, Nintendo has released the mobile title Mario Kart Tour, and the side game Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. However, we haven’t had a true successor to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The closest thing we’ve had is some DLC, and fans have been desperately wondering how Nintendo might change up the formula. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has offered what is basically the definitive Mario Kart experience. With more than 60 million copies sold, it was always a safe bet that Nintendo would have a new Mario Kart close to the launch of its new system. Clearly, Nintendo has spent the last 8 years thinking about how to shake things up, and the number of racers per track is certainly one way to approach it.

While the number of racers is one change we can expect to see, today’s trailer offered some additional hints about the future. For one thing, the character model of Donkey Kong has been changed. Rather than the look we’ve seen in the series since Mario Kart 64, the new Mario Kart game has a design that more closely resembles the character’s appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. That’s an interesting design choice, and it could mean that Nintendo will be going with that look for future Donkey Kong games as well. While some fans might be disappointed to see things changed up, this isn’t nearly as drastic as the change between Super Mario Kart (which featured DK Jr.) and Mario Kart 64!

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Revealed

As of this writing, further details about the new Mario Kart are very slim. However, a Nintendo Direct has been announced for April 2nd, which will focus on the new console. That’s where we can likely expect to see more details on Mario Kart, as well as other games coming to Nintendo’s new platform. That wait is going to be tough on some Mario Kart fans, but considering how long they’ve been waiting for a new game in the series, it’s safe to say a few more months won’t be too painful!

Do you think the change in the number of racers will be a good thing? Are you excited for the new Mario Kart? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post New Mario Kart Makes Change to the Number of Racers appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new Mario Kart game has been revealed alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. Right now, the new Mario Kart game does not have a title, and like the Nintendo Switch 2, does not have a release date. Meanwhile, the first look at the first proper Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 8 is a teeny look at the game, only featuring a few seconds of footage. And there aren’t many salient details in that footage, however, we do see many racers in the brief look at the game, including Donkey Kong. And Donkey Kong looks different.

In the new Mario Kart game, Nintendo has changed the Donkey Kong design everyone is used to something that resembles his look in the recent Mario movie, which itself draws more from the classic design of Donkey Kong rather than the more modern counterpart everyone knows the character for.

At the moment, this is appears to be the only character with the more cartoony look as seen in the Mario movie. Some have suggested Mario looks a bit more like his movie counterpart as well, but if he does, the changes are less definitive whereas the change to Donkey Kong is very noticeable.

As you would expect, Nintendo fans are divided about the change. Many Nintendo fans did not like the look of Donkey Kong in the Mario movie, and they don’t like the change here either.

“What the hell happened to Donkey Kong between Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 9,” writes one fan of the change. “For the record Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 9 looks ridiculous and they need to go back to the 90’s Rare design immediately,” adds another fan.

A third fan further adds: “They ruined Donkey Kong for the new Mario Kart like wtf like I never liked him but the new design is awful.”

Why Nintendo has decided to change the Donkey Kong design, we don’t know, but it could be indicative of an overall art style change. However, everything else shown looks just like Mario Kart 8, but slightly upgraded. It’s just Donkey Kong that looks different.

For more Mario Kart footage — including all of the latest Mario Kart news, all of the latest Mario Kart rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Mario Kart speculation — click here.

The post Mario Kart Fans Divided Over Huge Change to Donkey Kong Design appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Following this morning’s announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, a new Nintendo Direct has been announced by the company. On April 2nd, we can expect to see a Nintendo Direct focused on the new system, but no time has been confirmed just yet. Presumably, this will be when Nintendo offers a lot more details about the console, including its launch lineup. This morning’s trailer for the console revealed a new Mario Kart game, which will presumably be the major launch game for the system. At this time, we don’t know much else beyond that, but it’s possible third-party publishers could start to make their own announcements ahead of April.

An actual release date for Nintendo Switch 2 has not been made available. Presumably, we’ll see the console sometime in the first half of 2025. Fans were hoping for March, but with a Nintendo Direct happening in April, May or June seems the most likely scenario. Of course, it’s also possible Nintendo could wait until the holiday season! We have no way of knowing, but we should get a lot more details over the next few months.

The April Nintendo Direct should provide the company with a big opportunity to highlight the future of Nintendo. Over the last year and a half or so, most Nintendo published games have been remasters, or smaller games developed by external studios. While Nintendo has had a hand in games like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Mario & Luigi: Brothership, development was largely handled by outside companies like Grezzo and Acquire. In theory, Nintendo’s own internal studios have been hard at work on Switch 2 games, so we could see some very big games announced in April.

Nintendo has a number of franchises that could be highlighted in the Nintendo Direct. It’s been five years since Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we at least got a tease for a new game. Another Splatoon also seems like a strong possibility, given the popularity of that series in Japan in particular. While Mario Kart seems to be the big focus at launch, a new 3D Mario in year one is a strong possibility, since Super Mario Odyssey came out all the way back in 2017.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Revealed

With more than two months left to go ahead of the next Nintendo Direct, we’re probably going to see a lot of speculation about what will be announced on April 4th. Nintendo clearly has the attention of fans right now, and the video game industry as a whole. Hopefully the company can deliver something new and exciting that convinces fans to upgrade to the new system!

What do you want to see announced during the Nintendo Direct? What franchises do you expect to see on the system in the first year? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Direct Focused on Nintendo Switch 2 Announced appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo has officially revealed the Nintendo Switch 2. After months of waiting, the company has finally pulled back the curtain on its new console. In a brief video shared this morning, the company unveiled its new system. At this time, details about games are minimal but a brand-new Mario Kart was shown briefly. Today’s trailer, which lasts just over two minutes, largely focused on the hardware itself. Nintendo has teased that more details will be coming during a Nintendo Direct on April 2nd, so we should start to get a lot more info in the coming weeks!

Among other things, today’s trailer officially confirmed the console’s name. In the past, Nintendo has struggled to get users to migrate from one system to the next, and that has sometimes been attributed to the company’s naming conventions. The Wii U is perhaps the best example of this, with Nintendo’s follow-up to the highly-successful Wii struggling to find an audience. Today’s trailer confirmed that Nintendo is using the Switch 2 name, which should make it clear to everyone that this is a brand-new era for the company. The trailer can be found below.

A launch window for the new Nintendo system is currently unknown besides a vague “2025.” Switch launched in March 2017, which is pretty unusual for a video game system. However, the move proved to be a smart one, as it gave Nintendo plenty of time to stock the shelves with hardware and software ahead of the console’s first holiday on the market. Given how well that worked back in the past, fans have speculated that Nintendo will attempt something similar with Switch 2. We can probably expect it in May or June given the April Nintendo Direct, but there’s no way of knowing just yet.

At this point, Nintendo Switch has been on the market for nearly eight years. That’s a very long lifespan for a video game platform, and fans have spent years wondering when Nintendo might release a follow-up system. It’s a testament to Nintendo’s strong support for Switch that the console continues to sell well in spite of its age. Previous systems like N64 and GameCube saw support dwindle in their later years, as Nintendo’s internal studios shifted their resources to working on the next platform. Switch has been an outlier in that regard, with first-party games continuing to see release at a near-monthly pace. Nintendo seems to have found a way to avoid its past issues, leaning on remasters and smaller games handled by outside developers like Grezzo, Arika, Good-Feel, and Tantalus Media. The move seems to have freed up Nintendo’s internal studios to work on games for the Switch successor, so it will be interesting to see what they’ve been up to.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Revealed

Despite strong sales for Nintendo Switch, fans have been eager for a more powerful system to take its place, and it will be exciting to see the impact this has on Nintendo’s franchises. While games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have pushed the system’s technical abilities to its limits, there’s something exciting about the prospect of seeing Nintendo games that are more technically demanding. It’s been a long journey to the Nintendo Switch successor, but the future looks pretty bright!

Do you plan on checking out Nintendo’s new console? What do you think of today’s reveal? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers across Switch, Switch Lite, and OLED Switch have a new free download set to bring all that snag it back to 2010 and the era of the Wii. By the time of 2010, the Wii had already been on the market for four years, debuting in 2006. The fever pitch around the console had begun to fade by this time, but this was still two years before the release of the Wii U. And one year before the release of the 3DS. This is to say, in 2010 the Wii was the primary machine for Nintendo.

The marquee Wii release of that year was no doubt Super Mario Galaxy 2, one of the best games of all time according to many. In the shadow of Super Mario Galaxy 2, but no doubt the second biggest Nintendo release on Wii in 2010, was Donkey Kong County Returns. That said, where Super Mario Galaxy 2 has never been brought forward — not on the Wii U nor the Nintendo Switch — Donkey Kong Country Returns is set to hit the latter console, the Switch, tomorrow, January 16, 2025.

Ahead of the port, the first major Nintendo Switch release of 2024, Nintendo has a freebie for all Nintendo fans anticipating the re-release. More specifically, for the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has released “custom icons” of the game. These icons include Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and more.

Those without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription will not be able to access these icons — which cost five to ten Platinum Points each — because they are exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online.

Meanwhile, those interested will need to keep track of some dates as the icons are set to release in waves lasting seven days. The first wave runs from January 15 to January 22. The second wave runs from January 22 to January 29. The third wave runs from January 29 to February 5. And the fourth and final waves runs from February 5 to February 12.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review: Pulse-Pounding Platforming Gets an HD Makeover

Once claimed, each icon is free to keep and is retained beyond a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. In other words, while a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is needed to access these Wii freebies, it is not required to keep them once they are claimed.

It’s worth noting that it is not often Nintendo Switch Online icons return in a second release. And when they do, it is typically required to own the game to download any of the associated icons on the second time around. To this end, Nintendo fans will want to be prompt with each wave, because once the wave is over, the icons will be gone, and could be gone for good.

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

The post Nintendo Switch Online Has a New Wii Free Download appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A Nintendo Switch 2 Star Wars game has potentially been leaked ahead of the reveal of the new Nintendo console. According to a plethora of rumors and reports — from credible and dubious sources alike — the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be formally and officially announced on January 16. Before this, another Nintendo Switch 2 game has been outed ahead of its own official announcement, and this time the leaked Nintendo Switch 2 game is going to be of interest to Star Wars fans.

The newly leaked Nintendo Switch 2 game is unfortunately not a brand new Star Wars game in development for Nintendo Switch 2. There could be a new Star Wars game in development for the Nintendo console, however, this is not what is presented in the latest leak.

The new, and unofficial, intel comes the way of Daniel Camilo, a GamesIndustry writer, as well as publishing and gaming consultant in the industry. According to Camilo, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is in the works for the Nintendo Switch 2. Whether it will be a launch game, a release window game, or a launch year game, Camilo does not specify. To this end, it is possible the port could be 2026 or beyond, but this seems unlikely.

For those unfamiliar with the game, it came out back in 2023 via the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It never came to Nintendo Switch, but it did oddly enough come to PS4 and Xbox One last year. And now it’s reportedly being lined up for the Nintendo Switch 2. It is possible it could be coming to both generation of Nintendo consoles, but Camilo only mentions the Nintendo Switch 2.

Of course, take this information with a grain of salt. While this is not an anonymous 4chan leak or from Chinese forum boards, this information does come from a source with little to no track record of leaks to back up the claim. This doesn’t rule it out, but it’s worth taking into consideration.

RELATED: 3 Major Star Wars Questions That Still Need to Be Answered

Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by EA, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Upon release, it garnered an 85 on Metacritic and sold appreciably. Further, it is set to get its own follow up, though this third game in Star Wars Jedi trilogy has yet to be formally announced.

Speaking of EA, it has not commented on this rumor in any capacity, nor has Nintendo. We do not suspect this will change, but if it does, we will update the story accordingly. In the meantime, for more coverage on the Nintendo Switch 2 — including the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and the latest Nintendo Switch 2 speculation — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Star Wars Game Leaked Ahead of Reveal appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The latest rumor tied to the Nintendo Switch 2 has potentially revealed three games that are bound for the console. At the time of this writing, it’s presumed that Nintendo’s formal reveal of the Switch 2 is under 48 hours away. While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed this itself just yet, all credible leaks and reports are pointing to an announcement of the hardware on January 16th. And while this initial showing of the system is said to not be centered around games, we have an idea of some third-party titles that might be in the works for Switch 2.

According to insider Nate the Hate, ports of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Assasin’s Creed Mirage, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows are all in development for Switch 2. Although Metal Gear Solid Delta still doesn’t have a release date, it’s presumed that this Switch 2 version of the game could arrive at some point in 2025. As for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, this is reportedly going to be a title that will release in proximity to the Switch 2’s arrival. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is then claimed to be further off, but is still something that Ubisoft is actively developing.

In addition to this trio of games, another Nintendo insider who goes by PH Brazil has asserted that Atlus is looking to bring Metaphor: ReFantazio to Switch 2. Metaphor is said to be targeting a release on Switch 2 at some point during the console’s “launch window”, though, and won’t be a day-one release for the hardware. Still, this move on the part of Atlus is one that makes sense given that games such as Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal (among others) have all come to Switch recently.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles Apparently Released Into the Wild Early

Assuming that all of these games do indeed end up releasing on Switch 2, it would suggest that third-party support for the console is going to be quite extensive. What remains uncertain, though, is what Nintendo’s own games for the Switch 2 will be. Fans have naturally assumed that a new Super Mario game will be one of the biggest titles on Nintendo Switch 2 in its first year and may even be released in tandem with the platform. If this is truly the case, we could end up learning more about this Super Mario title at some point later this week.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Reveal Four More Games Coming to the Console appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s no secret that Niantic has made Pokemon Go‘s Remote Raids much worse over the last two years. From jacking up the cost, to placing limits on how many players can participate in each day, the developers have made it much harder to Raid remotely when it’s inconvenient to do so in person. These changes were made specifically because Niantic wants to encourage people to play the game locally, and sees that as important for the longterm health of Pokemon Go. It’s surprising then that the company has announced a positive change that we can expect to see during the Fashion Week: Takeover event and the upcoming Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day.

For the first time ever, players will be able to remotely participate in Shadow Raids during these events. Considering that it’s the month of January, and many places are dealing with very cold temperatures, this should open up Shadow Raids to a much larger number of players. It should also make some of the tougher Shadow Raids a lot more manageable, which is a very good thing. At this time, it’s unclear whether this will be a running change for all future Shadow Raids, or if we should just expect to see Niantic open them up during specific events.

Whatever the case might be, this change is definitely a good thing. There was no real advantage to blocking remote players from participating in Shadow Raids. If anything, this was making it harder for local players, as well, because it results in a smaller pool of players to pull from. It will be interesting to see what comes of this change, and if it might open the door for other Remote Raid changes. One of the biggest complaints about Gigantamax Raids right now is that it’s simply too difficult to enlist enough local players to defeat them. Hopefully, Niantic will consider allowing players to participate in Max Raids remotely, as well.

The timing of this change is pretty convenient for Pokemon Go players. During Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day, participants will have an increased chance of encountering a Shiny Ho-oh. Shiny Ho-oh has a gorgeous gold and white color scheme, in place of the standard orange. This could be a really good opportunity for players to find one, either for use in Pokemon Go, or for sending over to Pokemon Home for use in the mainline games.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Reveals Lunar New Year Event and Gigantamax Max Battle Day

The Fashion Week: Takeover event begins in Pokemon Go on Wednesday, January 15th at 12 a.m. and runs through Sunday, January 19th at 8 p.m. local time. The Ho-oh Shadow Raid Day event will take on Sunday January 19th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

Are you happy about this change to Remote Raids? Will this make you more likely to participate in Shadow Raids? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon Go Makes Surprising Remote Raid Change appeared first on ComicBook.com.

For months now, fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game have been waiting to find out when the next McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion will arrive in U.S. locations. A Pokemon TCG promotion landed in France last year, with a theme centered around the Year of the Dragon. Now that it’s the Year of the Snake, the theme has changed just slightly, but the cards seem to be headed our way later this month. Each Happy Meal will be accompanied by a booster pack that includes four promo cards, one of which will be a holo. The cards will largely feature Dragon-types like Drampa and Dragonite, but will also include fan favorites like Pikachu and Charizard.

According to reporting from Poke Beach, the Pokemon Dragon Discovery Happy Meal campaign will launch in the U.S. on January 21st, and will run through February 24th. That means we can expect it following the current promotion centered around Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Apparently, four Happy Meal boxes will be offered, highlighting different Pokemon: Charizard, Dragonite with Pikachu, Rayquaza, and Roaring Moon. In addition to the cards, the Happy Meals will also include stickers and a double-sided poster. Fans of the Pokemon TCG should be aware that the cards that are being offered have appeared in past sets, but offer some slight differences in the holos, and the card numbering.

At this time, McDonald’s and The Pokemon Company have not officially confirmed the starting date for the Happy Meal promotion. Some restaurant offerings can also vary, so Pokemon fans might want to check with their local McDonald’s before making a special trip. McDonald’s normally allows the purchase of a toy without a full Happy Meal, but the company has avoided doing that for past Pokemon promotions. The reason of course being that some resellers made it hard for fans and kids to actually get their hands on the cards. At this time, we don’t know if the same can be said for the Dragon Discovery promotion, but it’s probably a safe bet!

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together Officially Announced

The Pokemon Dragon Discovery Happy Meal should be a nice way for fans to start off 2025. This year promises to be a good one for the Pokemon franchise. Pokemon Day is February 27th, just three days after the McDonald’s promotion will apparently come to an end. Pokemon Day is an annual event where The Pokemon Company reveals news about upcoming releases. This year’s show should be an exciting one, as Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be made available on Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025. The last time we heard about the game was last year on Pokemon Day, so we’re long overdue for an update. There have already been some leaks about TCG sets based on the game, so we might learn some details about those, as well!

Are you looking forward to this Pokemon Happy Meal promotion? Have you had trouble getting the cards during past McDonald’s promotions? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon x McDonald’s Collab Sets a Date for These Promo Cards appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Over the last few months, several things have leaked about Nintendo’s next video game console, tentatively known as “Nintendo Switch 2.” While the system seems to have a design similar to the current Switch, Nintendo has made some changes, including the addition of a new “C” button on the Joy-Cons. What that new button does has been a topic of debate for a while now, but dataminers looking at the current Switch operating system believe that the C stands for “Campus.” Apparently, players will be able to communicate and share rooms with up to 12 other Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. They’ll also be able to share screens.

Dataminers shared their findings on Discord, which were picked up by users on the Gaming Leaks and Rumors subreddit. The original poster claims that the community elements will be “nothing like Miiverse,” so fans of the Wii U era should not expect to see something along those lines. Presumably, this feature will be implemented in online games like Mario Kart, Splatoon, and Animal Crossing. Screen sharing could also be a way for players to help one another when they get stuck in games, which is something currently available on PS5.

As with most things related to Nintendo Switch 2, none of this information is confirmed, and readers should take this with a grain of salt. However, it does seem plausible. The company has been slower to embrace things like voice chat and communication, and the current method through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app is clumsy at best. A dedicated button that allows users to chat and share screens would be a big step forward, and bring Switch 2 closer in line with other modern platforms.

Last May, Nintendo stated that the company’s new system will be revealed at some point before March 31st, 2025. The company has yet to narrow down the date, but according to a rumor first shared by NateTheHate, the Nintendo Switch 2 console will be revealed on Thursday, January 16th. Since that initial rumor surfaced, several outlets have chimed in that they’ve heard similar information. If that rumor is to be believed, this week will see the unveiling of the console, with information coming about the games sometime after. Assuming all of that is correct, and Nintendo is focused purely on the system itself, we’ll probably find out about new features, so we could have confirmation about the new button and what it does exactly.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review: Pulse-Pounding Platforming Gets an HD Makeover

While the current Switch has been a massive success for Nintendo, the system has a lot of room for improvement, from the weak communication options, to the system’s graphics and processing power. Fans are eager to see Nintendo stepping up its game, and it will be interesting to see what gets revealed. Hopefully the company can meet or exceed the current hype, and convince current Switch owners to purchase a new system.

Are you looking forward to finally seeing Nintendo’s new console? Do you want to see improved communication features? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals What Mysterious New Button Does appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Step aside Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo hardware that everyone really wants is the Alarmo alarm clock. Make your mornings slightly less miserable by waking up to one of 42 scenes that deliver “immersive sounds and music” from classic Nintendo games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ring Fit Adventure, Pikmin 4, Spatoon 3, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Plus, additional games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be added as free updates in the future.

However, the clock does more than just wake you up. It can also “add Nintendo ambiance to your living space with an hourly chime and Sleepy Sounds themed to your chosen scene”. It can even track sleep patterns, respond to gestures, and get progressively intense with wake up calls from characters like Bowser if you’re in danger of oversleeping. Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know to get your hands on one…

Nintendo’s Alarmo clock has been available to Nintendo Switch Online members for $99.99 since October. However, you’ll be able to order one without a membership in the coming weeks. Nintendo has revealed that Alarmo will be available at retailers starting in March 2025. Presumably, Amazon will be one of these retailers, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a pre-order go up sooner rather than later. If / when that happens, you should be able to reserve one here on Amazon while supplies last – which might not be long. You should also keep tabs on the official Amazon Nintendo page in case it shows up there first.

If you can’t wait for it to show up at retail, you can get a Nintendo Switch Online membership here at Walmart and here on Amazon.

“After a few seconds, someone (or some thing!) from the scene you picked will appear,” Nintendo said about the new Alarmo clock. “Wave your hand or move your body to make the clock quieter. Depending on the title you’ve choosen, you might also hear coins or other familiar game sounds when you interact with Alarmo.”

Of course, if you’re interested in Alarmo you may have at least a little interest in this whole Nintendo Switch 2 thing. You can keep up with the latest news on the Nintendo Switch 2 right here.

The post Nintendo’s Alarmo Alarm Clock Will Soon Be Available To Everyone appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In 2010, Retro Studios revitalized one of the great franchises of the SNES era. Donkey Kong Country Returns gave Wii owners a new game that drew inspiration from the Rare developed trilogy, while adding several new ideas and concepts. Nearly 15 years later, that game has received a high definition coat of paint on Nintendo Switch. The result is largely faithful to the original game, which should be good news for those that enjoyed the original, as well as those that didn’t get a chance to experience it in the first place.

In Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Donkey and Diddy Kong set out on a new journey after their banana hoard is once again stolen. This time around, the culprits are the Tiki Tak Tribe, who have also used their powers to mentally enslave the other animals of Donkey Kong Island. As players journey throughout the island’s different worlds, they’ll have to defeat animal enemies such as crabs, birds, and moles. There’s also the Tiki Tak Tribe themselves.

Anyone that has ever played a Donkey Kong Country game on Super Nintendo or through Nintendo Switch Online should be immediately familiar with the gameplay in Donkey Kong Country Returns. Donkey and Diddy jump, swing, and climb over various pitfalls as they make their way to the end of each stage. Retro Studios did an incredible job with the original version of Donkey Kong Country Returns, carrying over many of the best elements of the SNES games, right down to the nerve-wracking mine cart levels. However, the developers might have even outdone the mine carts; the Rocket Barrel stages provide some of the most tense and unforgiving moments the game offers.

Rare’s Donkey Kong Country games were always challenging, but the difficulty factor was ratcheted up once Retro Studios took over the series. There are all kinds of obstacles that will result in deaths, from precariously placed enemies, to giant gaps in the ground. In that regard, the game can be anxiety inducing. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD does carry over the easier “modern mode” from the 3DS version, so fans that want a more forgiving route can always choose that option. However, while normal mode offers a steep challenge, the game remains tough but fair. Each level has multiple checkpoints, extra lives are in plentiful supply, and it’s easy to stock up on Red Balloons thanks to Cranky Kong’s shop.

When Donkey Kong Country Returns was released on Wii, it was the first 2D entry in the series since 1996. As such, the game set out to channel a lot of the most popular parts of the early games. This really comes through in the game’s music. The game did not feature the talents of original series composer David Wise, but Kenji Yamamoto’s compositions did pay tribute to several of his tracks, offering newer takes on fan favorites like “DK Island Swing” and “Aquatic Ambiance.” The resulting tunes aren’t terribly original, but their familiarity is not a bad thing. Those tracks are favorites for a reason, and the new versions are excellent.

Donkey Kong Country Returns was already a pretty game when it released on Wii, and the new developers have done an excellent job with the HD remaster. Everything pops just a little bit more than it did on the original system, particularly in levels like Sunset Shore. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or on the TV, the visuals have an extra bit of crispness. Players shouldn’t go in expecting a 2D platformer as pretty as Super Mario Bros. Wonder; this is still a Wii game at its core. However, the work of Retro Studios holds up nicely. The developers have also added multiple control options, including a more traditional control scheme compared to the Wii version. These additions, while seemingly small, make Donkey Kong Country Returns HD the definitive way to play the game.

As with any remaster, the worst parts about Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are the elements that didn’t work in the first place. For one, the game features no water levels. Those types of levels were some of the best in the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, offering memorable areas with the fan favorite swordfish Enguarde. Their presence was definitely missed, and Retro was quick to rectify that omission with the game’s sequel. The Tiki Tak Tribe are also a lot less interesting than the Kremlings, the enemies from the SNES games. The Kremlings were more visually varied, and felt significantly more iconic (which is why King K. Rool was such a great addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Last but not least, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a fairly short game, and those that don’t set out to find every collectible and bonus stage should have no problem rolling credits in under 5 hours.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reveals First Preorder Bonus

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library. It was a great game in 2010, and it remains a joy to play after all these years. There will no doubt be plenty of debate about whether the game’s price is justified, and if this should have been packaged alongside Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Regardless, it’s great to finally have this in HD. Not only will it test your platforming prowess, but it will also help fill the gap as we all wait for DK’s next big outing. If you loved the old Donkey Kong Country games on Super Nintendo and missed Donkey Kong Country Returns when it came out 15 years ago, this is the perfect opportunity to rectify that.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is set to release January 16th on Nintendo Switch. A code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review, and it was reviewed on a Nintendo Switch OLED. 

The post Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review: Pulse-Pounding Platforming Gets an HD Makeover appeared first on ComicBook.com.

There is a new release for The Legend of Zelda fans that is free for all Nintendo fans across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. With the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal rumored to go down this week, there is a chance The Legend of Zelda fans will be treated with a glimpse at what’s next for the series. Following The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the next mainline installment is likely a ways off, and thus unlikely to rear its head at any type of Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event. However, re-releases, spin-offs, and smaller projects of course could show up at such an event. This includes the rumored Breath of the Wild remaster. Before this though, there is something new for Legend of Zelda fans and it’s free.

As noted, this new free download is only available with an active subscription of Nintendo Switch Online. The Expansion Pack, however, is not required. In other words, all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can enjoy this new free download, but only subscribers. And this is because the free download comes with Nintendo Music, which is locked behind a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

More specifically, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can now enjoy the music of GameCube Zelda game The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which joins The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Nintendo Music.

RELATED: New Rumor May Reveal Release Date of New 3D Mario Game

For those unfamiliar with the game, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was the 10th total release in The Legend of Zelda series when it hit the Nintendo GameCube in 2002. And like every other mainline Zelda game, it was very well received back in 2002. This is perhaps most evident by its 96 on Metacritic. Among the mainline installments, it sticks out from the rest courtesy of an cartoon-like art style complete with cel shading.

While The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is not among the most popular mainline Zelda games, it did get two sequels via the Nintendo DS: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass in 2007 and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in 2009.

For more coverage on The Legend of Zelda 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.

The post New Legend of Zelda Release Can Now Be Downloaded for Free appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo fans are airing their frustrations with a problem that they believe began with games on Nintendo Wii. Prior to the Nintendo Switch becoming Nintendo’s top-selling home console ever, the Wii held that record. Throughout its lifespan, the Nintendo Wii sold over 100 million units around the globe and featured a fantastic library of games that included Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, just to name a few. And while the Wii is still looked back upon fondly by most Nintendo fans, some are starting to realize that it could have introduced one annoying issue that won’t go away.

In a recent thread on Reddit, user Kitchen-Inflation-77 opened up about their experience with the recent Switch game Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Despite being initially excited about the game, Kitchen-Inflation-77 found themselves greatly disappointed by Brothership for a variety of reasons, but specifically noted that the game far too frequently tried to explain things that didn’t need explanation. This led to them feeling like they were being talked to like a child, which was a major turn-off and ultimately led to them ending their playthrough of Brothership.

This sentiment was one that numerous others echoed in the thread on Reddit, with some saying that this annoyance is one that has started to permeate throughout many of Nintendo’s games outside of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. To that end, the Nintendo Wii was pointed to as the console that seemingly began this trend of being overly “hand-holdy” with players. And while this hasn’t been the case with every single game from Nintendo since, it still proves to be an issue with some new titles to this day.

“I would say the Wii really kickstarted the whole thing since it was trying to be so inclusive. I think people forgot,” said TransitionInfamous86. “Even going back and playing Mario Galaxy 2 feels weirdly more hand-holdy than the original. Like, it’s a sequel, shouldn’t people know how to play by now? I feel like early Switch somewhat moves away from this. Breath of the Wild was a great example of how to teach new players without getting in their way. But the hand of Nintendo finds its way back in our faces from time to time.”

Related: Nintendo Wii Fans Surprised With New Support for the Console in 2025

If the Wii really is the point where Nintendo started providing far more guidance to players than needed, then that would be pretty logical. Perhaps more than any other console from Nintendo, the Wii was just as popular with casual audiences as it was with hardcore Nintendo fans. This is why games like Wii Sports, Just Dance, Wii Fit, and many others ended up being such a success on the hardware. Knowing that it had such a widespread audience of casual players, Nintendo seemingly felt the need to provide more assistance in games like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Super Mario Galaxy 2 than it ever needed to.

As mentioned, this guided gameplay format isn’t in every Nintendo game nowadays as titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Maker 2 have given players a ton of creative freedom. Still, with the Switch 2 set to be revealed and presumably released later this year, let’s hope that Nintendo continues to stray further away from this style that is clearly turning off fans.

The post Nintendo Fans Express Frustration With Issue That Began on Nintendo Wii appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Year of the Snake is officially upon us, and Pokemon Go will be celebrating with a new event at the end of the month. The Lunar New Year event will begin on Wednesday, January 29th at 10 a.m., and will run through Sunday, February 2nd at 8 p.m. local time. During the event, players will have an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends, and will have an increased chance of obtaining a Lucky Pokemon in a trade. The event will focus largely on Pokemon with elongated bodies, from those with names that spell “snake” backwards, to those the Pokedex describes as “rock snakes.” The following Pokemon will be found in the wild:

• Darumaka
• Dratini
• Dunsparce
• Ekans
• Gyarados
• Onix
• Snivy

During the event, players will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Ekans. The Shiny version of Ekans gives it a more realistic color scheme, abandoning the deep purple body for an olive green color. The normal yellow in the Pokemon’s eyes, rattle, and belly are retained, however. It’s a nice contrast to the Poison-type Pokemon’s normal coloration, and Pokemon Go players will want to keep their eyes open while they’re playing during the Lunar New Year event.

As is often the case with Pokemon Go events, Niantic will be selling Paid Timed Research for $2.00. This time around, that price will get players two Lucky Eggs and an Incubator. They’ll also get encounters with both Ekans and Nosepass. Paid Timed Research cannot be purchased by using PokeCoins. Throughout the event, players can also expect a collection challenge, PokeStop Showcases, and more.

While the Lunar New Year event is happening, Pokemon Go players can also look forward to a Gigantamax Kingler Max Battle Day. On Saturday, February 1st between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, Gigantamax Kingler will be appearing in six-star Max Battles. During that time, all Power Spots will be hosting Gigantamax Battles, and will refresh more frequently. The collection limit on Max Particles will also be increased to 1,600, and players will receive 8x the Max Particles from Power Spots.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together Officially Announced

This will mark the first time that Gigantamax Kingler has been made available in Pokemon Go. Gigantamax Battles have proven to be a big challenge for players since their arrival last season, so players should be well-prepared ahead of time, with either some of the Gigantamax Pokemon they’ve managed to catch, or Dynamax. A powered up Dynamax Venusaur with Max Overgrowth should help, and players tackling these battles together should plan on using some of the newly added Max Mushrooms for some extra assistance. Hopefully Gigantamax Kingler doesn’t prove to be too difficult for players to obtain!

Are you excited for the Lunar New Year event in Pokemon Go? Do you plan on looking for Shiny Ekans while those Shiny odds are increased? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is coming to modern platforms on January 23rd, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The original version came out more than two decades ago, but the new version will feature some improvements. Most notably, 13 additional playable characters are being added to the roster, including Rifle Droid, Staff Tusken Raider, Ishi Tib, Mercenary, and Jar Jar Binks. As the game’s release date approaches, ComicBook can exclusively reveal three more characters that will join the playable cast of characters.

Pilot Droid– The Battle Droids used by the Separatists were a massive part of the Star Wars prequels, and they came in a variety of flavors. While the Rifle Droid is great for attacking at a distance, the Pilot Droid is better for players that like to attack close up. The character has strong agility, allowing it to bring down opponents using kicks and punches.

Weequay– Like Ishi Tib, the Weequay species first debuted in Return of the Jedi, and have appeared in a significant amount of Star Wars fiction in the decades since. Most notably, the Weequay Hondo Ohnaka has been a major character over the last few years, and will be appearing in the DLC for Star Wars: Outlaws. In Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, Weequay will be a good fit for players looking for a shooter with tactical attacks.

Rifle Tusken Raider– As seen with the Battle Droids, some of the playable characters will be slightly different takes on one another. The Rifle Tusken Raider is ideal for players that want to play as one of the denizens of Tatooine, but would prefer to use a ranged weapon, as opposed to their classic staff. One of the most memorable scenes in The Phantom Menace centered on a Tusken Raider using its rifle to cause chaos in the Podrace, so this one seems like a nice fit!

Right now, it’s impossible to say how these new additions will handle in Jedi Power Battles. The original version of the game put a bigger focus on the Jedi themselves, with players being able to control characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and Qui-Gon Jinn. Obviously those original options will still be available to players, but there’s going to be a much larger pool to choose from this time. That should make the game even more appealing to single players, as well as those that plan on tackling the game in two-player co-op.

RELATED: Skeleton Crew Further Proves Star Wars Is Better Under Disney

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles was one of several games based on the first entry in the prequel trilogy. The new version is being handled by Aspyr, who also brought Star Wars Episode I: Racer to modern platforms in 2020. There are still a number of other Episode I games that could get that treatment in the future, including well-regarded ones like Battle for Naboo. Star Wars fans will have to wait and see what comes next, but hopefully more classic games will get a similar treatment in the future!

Are you planning to check out Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles? What do you think of these new playable characters? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Reveals Another 3 New Playable Characters (Exclusive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

At long last, the Nintendo Switch 2 should be revealed later this week. For months on end, Nintendo has been bombarded with questions tied to its Switch successor. To this point, Nintendo has chosen to remain completely silent despite numerous leaks of the Switch 2 appearing on the internet in recent weeks. Now, it sounds like this silence will finally be coming to an end in mere days.

In new information that comes by way of Nate the Hate, a Nintendo insider who has had a ton of accurate scoops in the past, it was said that Nintendo is planning its reveal of the Switch 2 for this week on Thursday, January 16th. At that time, Nintendo is said to only be showing off only the Switch 2 hardware via an initial teaser trailer. Games for Switch 2 are said to not be the focus of the console just yet, with a presumed event coming later to detail what software is in the works.

“I have been told Switch 2 will be revealed on Thursday, January 16th,” Nate the Hate said. “What I’ve heard is that the reveal itself is going to focus almost exclusively on the console itself. There is not going to be any presence of games. There could be a game shown running on the screen, or maybe even a TV screen, depending on how the trailer is put together, but software is not going to be a focus.”

If this info is accurate, it would suggest that Nintendo’s rollout for the Switch 2 is going to be pretty similar to how it released the original Switch. Last time around, Nintendo unveiled the Switch via an initial teaser in October 2016 and followed it up with an event in January 2017 that focused on games for the hardware. In all likelihood, a showing of games for the Switch 2 would come about more quickly this time around given that Nintendo is rumored to be releasing its new console as early as April 2025.

Related: New Rumor May Reveal Release Date of New 3D Mario Game

On virtually an annual basis, Nintendo holds its first Direct presentation of the year in February. Assuming that this holds true in 2025, it would make sense for Nintendo to announce the Switch 2 this week and then focus on games coming to the console next month during a dedicated Direct. Time will only tell if this is truly the strategy that Nintendo opts to go with, but we shouldn’t have to wait much longer to find out.

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The price of Nintendo Switch Online is going to increase with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 this year, a new rumor claims. While PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass have increased in price recently, Nintendo Switch Online has yet to have a single price increase. It’s been the same price for the entirety of the Nintendo Switch cycle. However, a new rumor says Nintendo is finally planning to adjust the price with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Right now, the price of Nintendo Switch depends on whether the Expansion Pack is included. A standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription can be had at $3.99 for a one-month subscription, $7.99 for a three-month subscription, or at $19.99 for a 12-month subscription. Then there is the Expansion Pack tier, which is only available in 12-month subscription form. And this yearly subscription costs $49.99.

What the new Nintendo Switch Online prices will be, the rumor does not say. That said, with the Nintendo Switch 2 itself rumored to release in March, Nintendo fans may be paying more for the service very soon. And they may be finding out about this price increase even sooner, as it will presumably be relayed ahead of time, likely along the reveal of the console, which itself is rumored to be revealed this month.

What’s unclear is whether this price increase will be across the board and apply to those on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED or be limited to Nintendo Switch 2. Unfortunately, the rumor does not disclose specifics on this either.

As for the source of the rumor, it is an anonymous source that claims to be a worker at Micromania, a major video game retailer in France. In other words, the source is a bit dubious, so make sure to take everything here with a grain of salt.

At the moment of publishing, Nintendo has not commented on this new Nintendo Switch Online rumor in any capacity. We do not suspect this will change, as Nintendo never comments on rumors. If it does budge though and provide a comment, we will update the story accordingly. In the meantime, for more Nintendo Switch Online coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch Online news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch Online rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch Online deals — click here.

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A new Nintendo Switch 2 rumor may reveal the release date of the new 3D Mario game. The last time Nintendo fans were treated to a proper new 3D Mario game — not re-releases like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury or Super Mario 3D All-Stars — was back in 2017 when Super Mario Odyssey released. This was eight calendar years ago. Not only has the wait for next 3D Mario game been a painful wait for Mario fans, but an abnormally long wait.

Four years, previously, separated the releases of 2013’s Super Mario 3D World for Wii U and Nintendo Switch’s Super Mario Odyssey. Before this there was Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. Nothing close to an eight-year gap. The longest gap between 3D Mario releases before this current gap was the gap between Super Mario 64 for the N64 in 1996 and Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube in 2002. Even this was only six years though.

Thankfully, the wait should finally come to an end this year. There’s been no official word of a new 3D Mario game in development for Nintendo Switch 2, but this is the expectation based on historical context and basic industry analysis. Further, it’s also rumored. However, according to this new rumor, there will not be a 3D Mario game at the launch of the Switch 2, which it says is March 3, but rather it will come after launch. The rumor does not say when exactly, but the aforementioned historical context may reveal as much.

As you may remember, the big Nintendo Switch launch game in 2017 was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This time it is supposedly going to be Mario Kart 9. This leaves two likely destinations for a new 3D Mario game.

The first is October. Back in 2017, Super Mario Odyssey was not available at the launch of the Nintendo Switch, but served as its big release for its first holiday season on the market. If the new 3D Mario game for Nintendo Switch 2 is not going to be ready at launch, having it go in this same window again would make a lot of sense. Nintendo will want a big pop for the holiday season, and Super Mario Odyssey provided exactly that back in 2017.

It’s also worth noting the first Nintendo Switch had a major release a month after launch in the form of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which hit late April that year. With Mario Kart 9 supposedly a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game, this opens the door for something else to step into this secondary splash role. This could be the new 3D Mario game.

Nintendo will want to maintain a steady flow of momentum via a steady flow of Nintendo Switch 2 releases in 2025. Right now, if a new 3D Mario game is not going to be a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game then it is almost certainly going to be the Nintendo Switch 2 holiday game. All of that said, right now all we have is speculation and rumors so remember to take everything here with a grain of salt.

The post New Rumor May Reveal Release Date of New 3D Mario Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are reportedly in the wild and available for those desperate enough to get their hands on the new Nintendo console before everyone else. According to a plethora of rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be revealed sometime this month, and potentially as early as this week. Before this though, the consoles are reportedly available to purchase.

Of course, GameStop, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, or any other retailer are not selling Nintendo Switch 2 consoles early. They are available on the Chinese black market though according to a well-known Apple leaker. This is presumably the result of the consoles being stolen off the assembly line, as it’s unlikely Nintendo has begun to send the console to any retailers, whether in the United States of China.

How much the consoles are going for on the Chinese black market, the leaker doesn’t say, but it is no doubt a hefty price. This could explain why so many Nintendo Switch 2 leaks have surfaced online and why more than one accessories maker seems to know everything about the console.

RELATED: 6 Nintendo Switch 2 Games Have Leaked Early

Of course, if all of this information is accurate, then it’s quite possible the leaks are about to get a lot of worse, though Nintendo can no doubt pursue legal action on anyone who gets to bold. The infamous reputation of the Nintendo legal team is probably enough of a deterrent and will prevent this scenario from manifesting.

That said, take this information with a grain of salt. The source — a leaker that goes by the name Kang — is indeed known in the world of Apple leaks, but this information can not be verified and it’s probably not going to be concretely verified as the Chinese black market is not exactly the easiest thing to penetrate in pursuit of information and verification.

At the moment of publishing, Nintendo has not commented on this new rumor in any capacity. Typically, it does not comment on rumors and speculation, and we do not suspect it to budge for this new development. However, considering how quickly this situation could evolve and worsen for Nintendo, its hand may be forced.

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 speculation — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles Apparently Released Into the Wild Early appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo has started canceling pre-orders for an upcoming game on Nintendo Switch and in the process has sparked theories from fans tied to the decision. For the most part, Nintendo is pretty much done releasing new games on the current Switch. Outside of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, there are no other games from Nintendo that the publisher has yet announced for the hardware. Now, in the wake of one of these aforementioned Switch games seeing its pre-orders scrapped, fans are wondering if the title is instead bound for Switch 2.

Within recent days, cancellation emails for pre-orders of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond began going out to those who had previously reserved a copy of the game. Pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4 had been live for well over seven years and had gone live not long after the game’s original announcement in 2017. Now, for one reason or another, Nintendo has chosen to cancel all of these orders despite the fact that MP4 is supposed to release later this year.

As a result of these pre-orders being scrapped for Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo fans have tried to deduce why this happened. Some have asserted that Nintendo opted to end its pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4 on Switch as it is instead planning to release the game solely on Switch 2. While it has been rumored that Metroid Prime 4 will receive a native release on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s unlikely that Nintendo would cancel the version of the game for the existing Switch.

One other possibility that some have noted could be tied to the price of Metroid Prime 4. All of these previous pre-orders for the game had been made at a value of $59.99. However, if Nintendo decides that it wants MP4 to retail for a more costly amount of $69.99, as it did with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it may have opted to end all previous pre-orders.

Related: New Nintendo Switch Game Brings Players Back to the N64 (And It Can Be Played for Free)

Perhaps the most likely option of all, though, might simply be that Nintendo is choosing to no longer do business with Amazon. This is something that has quietly started to happen over the past year as Nintendo has stopped making its own games available via the massive retailer. As such, these pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4 being canceled might only have to do with Amazon and nothing else.

Regardless of what the truth is, we should hear more about Metroid Prime 4 relatively soon. Nintendo tends to hold a Direct annually in February and assuming that this happens again in 2025, we’ll likely see MP4 in action at that time.

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A classic Nintendo 3DS game has seen its resale price absolutely skyrocket over the past year. For the most part, many games from the Nintendo 3DS library are still relatively inexpensive. Outside of a couple of incredibly rare 3DS games that didn’t get manufactured in large quantities, most titles, especially those directly from Nintendo, are pretty easy to get ahold of without hurting your wallet. For one reason or another, though, this isn’t holding true with one 3DS game that remains popular to this day.

Originally released in 2013 on Nintendo 3DS, the Nintendo-developed game Tomodachi Life has been hitting ridiculous resale prices in recent months. For the better part of the past decade, Tomodachi Life has been a 3DS game that has been pretty cheap as it has only sold on average for anywhere between $10 and $40. In late 2023, though, this began to change and saw the resale price for Tomodachi Life rapidly increasing.

Based on data from Price Charting, resale values for Tomodachi Life reached absolutely ridiculous heights to close out 2024. In the month of December, loose copies of Tomodachi Life were selling for an average of over $150 on eBay, while CiB (complete in box) editions of the game were going for roughly $175. These resale values have since fallen a bit, but at the time of this writing, Tomodachi Life is still selling for about $140.

So why exactly is Tomodachi Life increasing in value so much? Well, it likely comes down to a few factors. For starters, Nintendo shut down the 3DS eShop this past year, which means that Tomodachi Life can no longer be purchased in a digital capacity. This means that those looking to own the game can only now do so if they have a physical cartridge.

Related: Nintendo 3DS Game Finally Canceled After Nearly a Decade

Other than this, it seems that Tomodachi Life has also become a popular game for Nintendo-focused content creators to make videos on in the past year. Naturally, this spotlighting of Tomodachi Life has led to a renewed interest in the game from viewers of these channels who then decide they want to purchase it for themselves.

With all of this being said, it seems like Tomodachi Life’s resale value should start to fall a bit in the weeks and months ahead. This spike in price is likely nothing more than a bubble, and as such, I’d recommend holding off a bit on picking up Tomodachi Life if you’re actively hunting it down. Still, even if its resale price does fall, it’s likely that Tomodachi Life will remain one of the pricier 3DS games barring the release of a new sequel or remake on modern Nintendo hardware.

The post Classic Nintendo 3DS Game Is Exploding in Price to Absurd Highs appeared first on ComicBook.com.

From the very beginning, pipes have been a major part of the Super Mario franchise. Not only do Mario and Luigi use them for travel purposes, but they also can spawn dangerous enemies for the plumbers to deal with. While pipes are now a staple of the series, there was a point where creator Shigeru Miyamoto was still figuring out the core mechanics of the franchise. Shmuplations recently translated an interview Miyamoto participated in back in 2000. In the interview, Miyamoto reveals that while he was working on the Mario Bros. arcade game, he had to figure out a way for enemies to move from the bottom screen back to the top.

“Due to the way the screens worked, enemies that went to the bottom had to re-appear at the top of the screen. So that got us thinking, ‘OK, we need a path or some way for them to get back up there.’ Then one day I happened to be walking through the streets of Kyoto, and I saw a plastic pipe sticking out of a wall.”

That fateful encounter totally changed the course of the Mario franchise. The underground location established Mario as a plumber, which isn’t something we saw in his appearance in 1981’s Donkey Kong. In that same interview, Miyamoto said that the decision to set the game in a “New York-ish kind of place” was made because the developers had come up with enemies like turtles, crabs, and flies. Those enemies would make sense to encounter in tunnels. “Some huge underground tunnels that must exist somewhere… like under New York, I thought,” said Miyamoto.

As Mario grew into a franchise, pipes would get reimagined in various ways. By the time Super Mario Bros. came out (two years after that arcade game), not only could enemies come out of pipes, but Mario and Luigi could also use them for traveling to different locations and even different worlds. Even as Mario has evolved in various ways over the decades, pipes have remained an integral part of the gameplay, and the iconography of the series. You even have to enter one as you walk into Super Nintendo World parks!

RELATED: Punch-Out!! Developer Debunks Reports About the Franchise’s Death

These days, the original Mario Bros. arcade game is kind of archaic. It hasn’t aged nearly as gracefully as Super Mario Bros., or many other games in the franchise. However, the game still has some charms, and it’s safe to say that the franchise wouldn’t exist as it does if not for that game. For those that have never gotten a chance to try it, it’s worth trying out on Nintendo Switch, either through the Arcade Archives series, or through the NES port playable through Nintendo Switch Online. It might not be the best Mario game, but it’s worth it to see how the series evolved into what it is today!

Are you surprised how Miyamoto first came up with the idea to feature pipes in Mario games? Have you ever played the original Mario Bros. arcade game? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Nintendo Everything]

The post Super Mario Creator Reveals Why He Added One of the Franchise’s Most Iconic Features appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When Wii launched back in 2006, Nintendo introduced a feature that would become a selling point for many system adopters: the Virtual Console. The Virtual Console offered classic video games that could be purchased for a few dollars, with a library spanning not only Nintendo’s old systems, but also platforms like Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16. Nintendo continued to offer the Virtual Console feature on systems like Wii U and 3DS, but the Switch era saw a big change in how the company offers older games. Instead of selling them a la carte, Nintendo Switch Online lets users access them as part of their subscription.

This change has been a controversial one; a lot of fans don’t like that there isn’t a way to actually own these games. However, it seems that was not always the plan. As reported by Yakumono’s Blog (via Nintendo Life), leaked emails from iQue seem to show that a Virtual Console was in development for Switch. The blog suggests that Nintendo Switch Online subscribers would simply get to select one Virtual Console game they could download free to play for a month as a perk.

Yakumono’s Blog also details some of the issues that were debated early on. There were some concerns about fans being frustrated about having to purchase games again, and the library not being large enough at launch. Eventually, Nintendo and its emulation teams shifted to the current model, where subscribers are able to play all games on specific platforms based on their subscription tier. According to Yakumono’s Blog, the leaked documents indicate that the current model was designed with the intention of longterm support, which means that we won’t see the current apps rebooted with each console generation.

While emulation of older games isn’t perfect under the current Nintendo model, there are a lot of perks to having these apps, as opposed to selling games individually. Over the years, there have been reports that a lot of third-party developers weren’t happy with the Virtual Console, and the pricing structure made it more trouble than it was worth. Giving subscribers access to all of these games at the same time has encouraged Switch users to try games they probably wouldn’t have paid $5 or $10 to play. Personally, I wouldn’t have bought Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls or Extreme-G, but I spent time with both games when they were added to the N64 app. It’s a safe bet that a lot of other subscribers are in the same boat.

RELATED: Nintendo Announces LEGO Game Boy

Nintendo Switch Online isn’t perfect, but it’s hard to disagree with the value the NES, SNES, Game Boy, N64, GBA, and Sega Genesis apps have given the service. The death of Virtual Console might still be lamented by some fans, but if Nintendo really does plan on supporting these apps in the longterm, the value will only get better as time goes on.

Are you disappointed that Virtual Console hasn’t been made available on Nintendo Switch? Do you think the subscription model was a better decision? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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