Only Nintendo could come up with a system like this.

It's not just baseball that will have a trial this weekend if you need a sports fix.

Nintendo have announced the details for the online server test for Nintendo Switch Sports. As promised in the Direct, it will include tennis / bowling / swordfighting, and be available at the following times (all US ET, or UTC-4):

But doomsday is coming sooner than we thought.

If you still have a wish list on the Wii U or 3DS eShops, now is the time to clear them out.

Nintendo have announced on a support page that the last generation of Nintendo purchases will start winding down in May, with the final shutdown set for March 2023.

The service will stop in three stages for North America:

Now it's not just Splatoon in the circle of "popular with the youths" and "gyro controlled shooter"

A major control update is headed to the world's most popular shooter.

Fortnite's v19.3 patch will add onto the gyro controls present in the Switch version already. enabling additional controls for the Switch's aiming with both the Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller. Additional functionality will be added for modifying the speed of the gyro, as well as the ability to disable it entirely when using the right analog stick for camera movement.

The real players might be locked out, but pitchers and catchers can still report on the Switch.

MLB The Show 22 is going to get some reps before the season opens.

In a video posted to their YouTube channel, developer Sony San Diego announced a technical test for MLB The Show would be held starting Thursday the 17th. Running until the 22nd, the test is aiming to identify any issues with the cross-platform play prior to launch.

The big N confirms what many suspected.

We know now what the first project of Next Level Games as an internal Nintendo studio is.

Following the announcement of Mario Strikers: Battle League in last week's Nintendo Direct, we reached out to Nintendo in order to inquire about the developer of the game; the last Mario Strikers title, 2007's... Read more...

Don't look at Lu Bu or Lu Bu's sword ever again.

Things we missed last week: The Direct's sole shadowdrop was, somehow, GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon.

After last week's heavy start, things have slowed way down this week. Depending on your view, there are two "big games" of the week: the second round of the Voice of Cards, or Dynasty Warriors Empires... Read more...

Looks like the PS5 and Xbox Series are becoming easier to find... but somehow Nintendo's not concerned.

As the availability of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series devices in the United States continues to improve, the Switch is shifting to big software numbers in the monthly NPD Group survey.

All rankings and figures from January 2 - 29, and are based on revenue unless noted. Nintendo does not report digital sales but third parties do.

I think we had one of these in October?

Other items announced in today's Nintendo Direct:

And you could suck up A NEW CAAAAAAAR!!!

Kirby and the Forgotten Land will have a couple of sets of toys for the pink powerpuff to play with.

The main option shown in the Nintendo Direct is called "Mouthful Mode", when Kirby inhales an object so big they're unable to swallow it but still get the powers of the item. Items shown included a car (which allowed Kirby to drive around the environment) and a vending machine (whose products served as weapons).

Hey, maybe we can keep this around 24/7?

Splatoon 3 will retain one of 2's more unique modes.

The trailer shown in today's Nintendo Direct focused on the Salmon Run mode, known as "Salmon Run: Next Wave" in Splatoon 3. New boss Salmonids were shown as well as new techniques for the players, such as the ability to fling scoring orbs to teammates who have a better chance of scoring goals.

This would be perfectly timed for the World Cup if the damn thing wasn't going to be in a literal desert in November.

The third Mario sports title is retaking the pitch.

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a 5v5 arcade soccer game that will be available on June 10. Players will be able to use high-powered shots (capable of scoring multiple goals at once in some cases) and Mario series weaponry in the title, which will feature local play for up to 8 players as well as online league play for up to 20 teams.

space space space gotta go to space

Two of the most unique puzzle games of the 21st century are Switch bound from a most unusual source.

Portal (2007) and Portal 2 (2011) have been collected into the Portal: Companion Collection that will release on Switch later this year. Valve Corporation is listed as the publisher for the Switch version, the Steam developer's debut title for the platform (though they did acquire Campo Santo, developers of Firewatch, in 2018).

The second of two shocking Square Enix localizations today.

Square Enix has given the HD-2D treatment to one of its most surprising games - which will also get its first localization.

1994 Super Famicom RPG Live a Live will be remastered on Switch July 22. The original title featured seven stories in different time periods ranging from "prehistory" to the "far future", and turn-based combat set on a grid system.

ZDR has never been more inviting.

For those looking for an excuse to dive back into the depths of ZDR or for those who were initially scared off, Metroid Dread is today adding two new difficulty modes. Dread Mode turns all damage into a instant death for the player. Conversly the Rookie Mode makes health recovery significantly more generous. A Boss Rush mode is also planned as part of an additional update coming in April.

I played too much of Trigger to... wait, RADICAL DREAMERS?

The Switch is about to do a lot of dimension hopping.

A remastered version of Chrono Cross, the 2000 PS1 RPG with a unique battle system and more than 40 characters depending on character choices, will launch on Switch April 7. Digital preorders are now available, and the game will be $19.99 US.

Can they add an SP mode to Beginnings that takes out the grinding?

Two of the most requested titles for the Nintendo and Super NES libraries on Nintendo Switch Online are finally coming.

Earthbound (SNES) and Earthbound Beginnings (NES) will be added to the applications following an update later today. Although Earthbound was released on the Super NES in 1995,... Read more...

Wahoo!

Announced in today's Nintendo Direct, Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series brings both the PS1 cult classic and the PS2 sequel to the Nintendo Switch. This announcement marks the return of this iconic 2.5D mascot platformer franchise which has been without an installment since the 2008 Wii remake of Door to Phantomile. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Seriesis set to release on July 8th, 2022.

And support for... the Ring Fit Adventure leg strap.

The Switch is getting sporty in spring.

Nintendo Switch Sports has been revealed and will be released on April 29. Six sports will be included at launch: returning sports bowling, tennis, and swordplay (known as "chambara" and featured in Wii Sports Resort), plus soccer, volleyball, and badminton. An update in the fall will add the returning golf as well.

You'll have quite a few choices to make for this one.

The next Nintendo published retail game will have a demo soon.

The "final demo" for March 4's Triangle Strategy will be available on the eShop shortly. The demo will cover the game's first three chapters, and progress/decisions will carry over to the launching game.

We didn't forget you!

The long rumored and heavily anticipated follow up to 2017's Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was formally announced during today's Nintendo Direct. Set in a new region with a new cast of characters, the game will bridge the gap between the first two mainline Xenoblade titles. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is set to release in September of 2022.