Can't do much to make the acquisition of blades, the characters, or the plot better but at least it looks passable.

The RPG we don't talk about is getting a Switch 2 edition next week, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is getting another -saga Blade in the package.

An overview trailer for the game has been released claiming the July 30 patch (October 1 for a physical edition) will run at 4k resolution / 60 frames per second docked or 1080p / 60 FPS in handheld mode. Brief footage of the Merc Assault mode was also shown.

A single player focused Splatoon? In this economy?

All three regions in our tracking reached the age of majority in Switch 2 release count last week (Japan was over 20), and yet it's easy to argue that they're not as big combined as this week's major release. Splatoon Raiders blows out the single player mode of Splatoon, and at this point between... Read more...

One game in particular could see the News Editor team with a player he traded with this past weekend.

Although the 2026 Pokemon World Championships are still a month and a half out, we already have details on the 2027 schedule and one of the usual Elite Four games is getting bounced.

The biggest change in the program is the removal of Pokemon Unite from the circuit, with a standalone World Championship... Read more...

Which is to say, full price sucka.

For the second time in 72 hours Square Enix has shadow dropped one of its better received Switch RPGs on Switch 2, but is doing its previous buyers no favours.

A Switch 2 version of 2023's Star Ocean: The Second Story R was published on the eShop a short time ago for US$49.99 or equivalent. Web... Read more...

Just missed Wimbledon, and too early for Montreal / Toronto. Shame.

Mario Tennis Fever is rallying support with a new free update.

The version 1.1 update is heavily themed around Super Mario Galaxy, with the addition of a new "Galaxy Court" which introduces black holes which randomly absorb shots - or players - that end up in range. Special matches using Prankster Comets from the Galaxy endgames are also available on the court, and there are new color options when playing as Luma.

There's sixteen paths and this release strategy has annoyed people on all of them.

It was eight years ago that Octopath Traveler released on the original Switch, and Square Enix has decided to observe the anniversary with a pair of controversial release strategies.

A digital version of Switch 2 versions of Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II has appeared on the Japanese... Read more...

Including something that hasn't occurred since Switch 2 week 1.

After a weekend of grinding out my perfect Mewtwo trio (and not having to appear in an advertisement to get it) it's an overstuffed week of releases already. For one thing, the Switch 2 is hitting double digits BEFORE the Archives releases for the first time since week 1 with 11 games (12 in Japan,... Read more...

The white flag is out for the mobile racer / DLC source.

Another mobile Nintendo game is about to end service.

The website for Mario Kart Tour has posted a FAQ page announcing the shutdown of the game on September 30, 2026 at 2 a.m. ET. The game's premium content - the Gold Pass and "rubies" used for early unlocks of content - have been discontinued as of today, though all players who play between August 5 and the shutdown will get the Gold Pass benefits.

One of these feels way overdue.

A new update for the Nintendo Classics Game Boy and GBA apps tonight has brought three new Game Boy games and a single release with two different games for the Advance library.

Game Boy

Warning: The anime content this week is about 1.2 Crunchyroll.

We knew this was happening as of the Partner Showcase in February, but this week features so much anime - and possibly the eventual fate of Fire Emblem Heroes. Granblue Fantasy ReLink and Digimon Story: Time Stranger (both Switch 2 and Switch) are teaming up to bring so, so much shonen to Nintendo... Read more...

Big Man seems to be in charge of the big lore of the Splatoon-verse.

The Splatoon Raiders Direct has just wrapped and showed off a lot of the gameplay.

Among the features were the customization of The Mechanic's kit, including the ability to equip "gadgets" based on a type of tank (Power, Speed, Technical) in use. It will be possible to augment the gadgets through use and unlock new ones from finding rare relics in the environment.

The last minor heartbeat of a generational icon has been phased out.

Boston America, makers of the officially licensed Nintendo Power Mints, have begun to replace the item with new Nintendo Entertainment System Controller Mints.

I reached out to Boston America asking why the change took place and was informed that Nintendo had asked for the packaging to be updated.

Get ready for the longest Salmon Run shift of your life.

Nintendo has confirmed the usual time for the Splatoon Raiders Direct announced on the 9th.

The Direct will run tomorrow (June 30) at 10:00 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT / 1500 CET / 11:30 in Newfoundland,, and will run for 15 minutes. A Treehouse Live will follow on the American feed for 30 minutes.

I got rhythm, I got a foot infection...

For the second week in a row, Nintendo's got a major release - though discounted - with their last announced first party Switch OG game in Rhythm Heaven Groove. (Bluetooth headphones definitely NOT recommended.) Grab the demo now and be ready to tap the weekend away with the music of Tsunuku.

Apart... Read more...

The second biggest cluster*radio edit* shadowdrop in Sega history, but it's a looooooong way off number 1.

It's the fifth anniversary of Sonic's 30th Anniversary and Sega is bringing back a Switch hit on Switch 2.

The embattled Sonic Frontiers is now available on the Switch 2 in a "Definitive Edition" version that rolls up all of the game's content updates as well as most of the downloadable content (some Japan-exclusive DLC is not available). The MSRP is $49.99 or equivalent, and there is no discount upgrade option.

Try a couple before you buy.

The big buy of the week now has a demo if you're curious about how it'll play.

A demo for Rhythm Heaven Groove, the July 2-launching rhythm game for Switch, is now available: although the web store hasn't updated as of press time it can be downloaded on the console.

The demo contains the first... Read more...

The haters said that Star Fox (2026) was an N64 game with furry V-Tubers. And they were correct. Honestly, a tremendous call by the haters.

This week offers a major first party release for Nintendo as the preloads come online for Rhythm Heaven Groove... oh, Star Fox is coming too. Given how much warning we got for its Nintendo Direct, I kind of forgot. Switch 2 also gets some good games with Matt Walker's Devil May Cry 5, the multiplatform... Read more...

Bonuses for at least two members of the NWR staff.

Another system software update has come to the Switch family, and somehow the Switch is the primary beneficiary.

The version 22.5 update can now be downloaded from the Settings menu, and makes a few changes in addition to the usual stability updates.

The Switch version of the update increases... Read more...

Before we get the REAL Final Fantasy XVI in HD-2D, they're trying their hands at a Zelda.

Well after THAT happened, what do we have for an encore this week? Well, it starts with The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tale, the first game you can truly quibble the definition of "RPG" for with the HD-2D art style before they go back to whole-hog turn based later this year with Final Fantasy... Read more...

If the lot of you can't be normal on the forums or Discord about one game in particular, Donald will shoot you with a gun.

Other announcements from the Nintendo Direct today: