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.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Is This Week, Says Trustworthy Insider appeared first on ComicBook.com.

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.

The post Nintendo Cancels Pre-Orders for Upcoming Switch Game Sparking Fan Theories appeared first on ComicBook.com.

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!

The post Nintendo Switch Almost Had Its Own Virtual Console Service, Report Claims appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Costumed Pokemon have long been a highlight in Pokemon Go. Niantic has offered a lot of fun and unique ones over the years, and they’ve become a staple of the game’s events. The vast majority of the costume variants have been given to Pikachu, but the developers have shared the love among many other Pokemon, from fan favorites like Psyduck, to deeper cuts like Croagunk. While costumes can be anything from giant bows to glam rock outfits, the best ones are undeniably the hats. There’s just something appealing about a Pokemon in a big silly hat, and we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 to appear in Pokemon Go thus far.

Snorlax– Not everyone can pull off a cowboy hat, but for some reason, it works perfectly well with Snorlax. For a Pokemon that’s known for eating and sleeping over pretty much anything else, Snorlax looks a lot more alert when you toss a cowboy hat on him. His pose even makes him look like he’d fare pretty well in a quick draw competition, despite what his size would have you believe. Honorable mention goes to Slowpoke, who also rocks a cowboy hat better than you’d think.

Diglett– I don’t know who first pitched the idea of Diglett in a bowler hat, but the Ground-type looks terrific. The round hat design works great with Diglett’s round head, and the result looks like Dum Dum Dugan without the fancy mustache. Unfortunately, the design is ruined when you evolve it, because just one of Dugtrio’s heads gets a bowler hat instead of all three. Rip off!

Slakoth– A good hat should complement the wearer’s personality, and giving Slakoth a visor is perfection. It’s the headwear of someone that doesn’t plan on leaving the house, except maybe to go frisbee golfing. For a Pokemon that actually manages to look lazier (or maybe more relaxed) than Snorlax, that’s a perfect fit for Slakoth.

Wooper– All of the best costume Pokemon should elicit a chuckle, and Wooper wearing a ski cap is hilarious. He looks like he should be in an anti-drug PSA from the ’90s, or like Chris R. in The Room. This was also released during a Fashion Week event, which makes it all the funnier. Poor Wooper looks completely ridiculous, but in a way that can’t help but make you smile. Wooper might actually look better with the hat than without it!

Croagunk– I don’t think anyone realized how much Croagunk looks like Fred Durst until he got a backwards hat, but try to unsee it now. You can’t. Someone at Niantic made the conscious decision to make the hat a backwards one for Croagunk, and I applaud that choice. If the hat had been forward facing, Croagunk absolutely would have been left off this list.

Rowlet– The Grass-type owl got a great new design for Halloween this year, and the little top hat goes very well with the twin leaf bowtie that’s always part of Rowlet’s look (though that got a Halloween tweak as well). The whole evolutionary line looks good, but the costumes often look better when the Pokemon is small, so they can stand out more. That’s definitely the case for little Rowlet here!

Psyduck– A lot of Pokemon have gotten winter themed takes over the years, including Wooloo this season. Psyduck might pull it off better than anyone else thanks to his Santa hat and scarf combination. The design looks delightfully cozy, and makes Psyduck look a little less ridiculous than normal, which isn’t something you can say for most costumed Pokemon.

RELATED: Pokemon TCG Pocket’s New Year Event Is Now Live, Featuring an Awesome Free Pikachu Promo

As Pokemon Go approaches its ninth anniversary later this year, it’s likely we’ll see a lot more costumed Pokemon added to the game. Later this month, Niantic’s Fashion Week 2025 event will add costumed variants based on Cinccino and Minccino, while also bringing back some favorites for Dragonite and Butterfree. Unfortunately, none of those Pokemon will be rocking hats, so it seems our Top 7 will remain intact, at least for the time being!

Do you agree with our list of the top 7 hatted Pokemon in Pokemon Go? Are there any Pokemon you think should have made the final list? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post The 7 Best Pokemon with Hats in Pokemon Go (that Aren’t Pikachu) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Several Nintendo Switch 2 games have leaked early ahead of their reveal, or at least potentially. Nothing has been confirmed, but some of the new leaks have Nintendo fans licking their lips and chomping at the bit. According to the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, the next Nintendo console is going to be revealed later this month and release in March at a price point of $300 USD. Before the grand reveal, which will be followed by the grand release, Nintendo Switch 2 games are starting to leak or unearth via additional rumors.

One of these Nintendo Switch 2 games is a complete mystery. Thanks to an anonymous manager from FNAC, and screenshots of an internal database they sent, we now know that Take-Two Interactive has a Nintendo Switch 2 game, seemingly ready for the launch of the console. Take-Two Interactive, for those that don’t know, is the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K.

Other database leaks have seemingly confirmed a trio of ports for the Nintendo Switch 2: Tekken 8, EA Sports FC 25, and a Red Dead Redemption game. It is unclear if this is the first Red Dead Redemption or Red Dead Redemption 2, but another leak may actually shed light on this.

The last leak reveals another potential trio of Nintendo Switch 2 games. This leak comes the way of a leaker that goes by the name Average Lucia Fanatic, an anonymous leaker who built a reputation on the back of accurate leaks on the PS5 Pro. According to the leaker, both a new Mario Kart, which they call Mario Kart 9, and Red Dead Redemption 2 will be available at the launch of the console. They also relay word of a new 3D Mario game, which they say will be revealed before the release of the console, but won’t be available at launch, presumably in favor of releasing later in the year.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 GameStop Leak Confirms Wait Is Almost Over

The biggest game here is no doubt Mario Kart 9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not only the best-selling Nintendo Switch game, but Nintendo’s best-selling game of all time. Meanwhile, previous rumors have suggested because of this Nintendo is aiming big with Mario Kart 9, and in the process it has become one of its most expensive games ever made, which would be surprising considering the simple and iterative nature of the game does not lend itself to be expensive. If it is one of the most expensive Nintendo games ever made it’s because Nintendo went above and beyond injecting it with content and detail, and this would make sense considering it’s going to be arguably the console’s chief system seller.

Of course, take all of this — all three leaks and the speculation they have created — with a grain of salt. None of this is official information and it’s unlikely to draw out Nintendo for any type of comment. However, if it does, we will be sure to 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 6 Nintendo Switch 2 Games Have Leaked Early appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new Nintendo Switch game is set to bring players back to the nostalgic past of the N64. While the N64 is far from Nintendo’s best-selling piece of video game hardware, it is a favorite of many who grew up playing the console and the many classics that released for it. Sandwiched between the SNES and the GameCube, the N64 released in 1996 and experienced a fairly short lifespan, being replaced in five years by the aforementioned GameCube in 2001. Despite such a short lifespan, it was at center of the 3D revolution in gaming. And during this time, no genre enjoyed more relevance on the N64 than the 3D platformer. While in the modern era the 3D platformer genre is largely dead, it is synonymous with the N64, chiefly because of Super Mario 64.

Those that long for the glory years of the N64 3D platformer may want to check out a game called Kero Quest 64, a new title in development for PC and Nintendo Switch that aims to bring those that play it back to this beloved era of gaming.

Right now, there’s no word of a release date, which could mean this ends up being a Nintendo Switch 2 game in addition to a Nintendo Switch game. In fact, developer BroDute specifically cites “Nintendo consoles,” which all but confirms as much. And with the expected release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the coming months this makes sense.

“Kero Quest 64 is a collectathon 3D platformer inspired by other games in the genre, especially those from the late 90s,” reads an official description of the game for those interested. “You take control of Kero, a blue frog seeking to stop a prince from abusing his newly gained powers by collecting Magical Shards around the kingdom.”

The game’s official pitch continues: “In this game, you must find your way through 20+ open levels, each with its own retro 3D aesthetic. On your quest to gain Magical Shards, you will collect various things such as Gold Coins and Costumes for Kero to wear.”

RELATED: Nintendo Fans Surprised With Free Mario Party Download

While no release date is provided, developer BroDute suggests development is very far, noting all that is left is to “code a big amount of objects to fill the levels, and develop said levels.” That said, if it was going to release this year that presumably would have been communicated rather than withheld. Whatever the case, those interested in this new game and who can’t wait until an undetermined date to get their hands on it can actually currently play it, and do so for free, courtesy of a demo. Unfortunately, this free demo is not on the Nintendo eShop, but is rather limited to Steam.

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

The post New Nintendo Switch Game Brings Players Back to the N64 (And It Can Be Played for Free) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new 3D Mario Nintendo Switch 2 game leak is not quite what Nintendo fans expected. It has been seven years since the release of Super Mario Odyssey. This means it has been seven years since the last major 3D Mario game. This is a long wait for Nintendo fans, however, based on many previous rumors, many Nintendo fans have been anticipating this wait coming to an end. Many previous Nintendo rumors have not just claimed a new 3D Mario game is in development but that it is going to release alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. The latest report about the game — and the Nintendo Switch 2 — claims otherwise though.

According to this report, the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on March 3, 2025 with a $300 price point. The same report mentions that a new 3D Mario game will not be one of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games available alongside the console on March 3 though. Rather, the lineup will be headlined by Mario Kart 9 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

That said, there is something still for Nintendo fans looking forward to a new 3D Mario game to anticipate. The same report mentions that a new 3D Mario game will be revealed alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, which itself is supposedly being revealed on January 17. In other words, a new 3D Mario game is going to be revealed in exactly one week.

What the report does not mention is when the game will be released. Again, many Nintendo fans were expecting it to be the big Nintendo Switch 2 launch game — the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — but if this new report is accurate that game will be Mario Kart 9.

While this has been the expectation based on rumors, it makes sense based on Nintendo’s strategy in the past. Super Mario Odyssey was notably not a Nintendo Switch launch game, but rather came out in October that year. Nintendo may be looking to repeat this strategy with its successor.

All of that said, take everything here with a grain of salt. This is all unofficial information at the moment. It specifically comes the way of Average Lucia Fanatic, an anonymous leaker but one gained attention in 2024 for accurate leaks on the PS5 Pro and the Nintendo Alarmo. That said, while the source has proven reliable in the recent past, they do not have an extensive past of leaks.

As for Nintendo, it has not commented on this new 3D Mario report. We do not anticipate this changing for a variety of reasons, but if it does, we will be sure to update the story accordingly.

The post New 3D Mario Game Leak Is Not What Fans Expected appeared first on ComicBook.com.

According to a new report, Mario Kart 9 is set to be a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game. There is no official release date for the Nintendo Switch 2. In fact, Nintendo has yet to even officially reveal the next Nintendo console, though that is heavily rumored to change this month. While there have been plenty of rumors and leaks about the Nintendo Switch 2, there actually hasn’t been much of anything about a new Mario Kart game, which seems odd if it is going to be a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game. That is exactly what a new report claims though.

The report comes the way of an anonymous and notorious leaker called Average Lucia Fanatic. The reason this Nintendo Switch 2 report has garnered attention is because the leaker in question has proven reliable in the recent past, leaking the PS5 Pro and salient details about and surrounding the machine. They also leaked the Nintendo Alarmo before it was announced.

According to the leaker, the Nintendo Switch 2 release date is March 3. This is the same release date the current Nintendo Switch boasts. Where Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was not available at the release of the Nintendo Switch, not coming until the following month on April 28, Mario Kart 9 will be, supposedly. In other words, it’s being reported by the leaker that the Mario Kart 9 release date is March 3, 2025.

Based on the new report, Mario Kart 9 is set to be the major Nintendo Switch 2 launch game alongside the likes of Red Dead Redemption. Some have speculated that a new (and rumored) 3D Mario would be the launch game and Mario Kart 9 would come after release like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did, and this may happen, but based on this new report the plan is actually the reverse.

All of that said, of course, everything here should be taken with a grain of salt. None of this is official information, and while the source has proven reputable in the recent past, they do not have an extensive past of reliability.

At the moment of publishing, Nintendo has not not commented on this new Mario Kart 9 report in any capacity. Considering they haven’t commented on any other previous Mario Kart 9 tidbit, we do not suspect the situation will change, but if it does, we will be sure to update the story accordingly.

The post Mario Kart 9 Release Date Reportedly Revealed appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Mega Evolutions haven’t been a big thing in the Pokemon franchise over the last few years. While they were the central “gimmick” in Pokemon X and Y, their use has been more limited in recent years, having been left entirely out of games like Pokemon Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet. That’s going to change in 2025, as The Pokemon Company has confirmed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will see the return of Mega Evolutions. At this time, details are slim, but it seems Mega Evolutions will also be making a big return in the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

As reported by PokeBeach, the names of two Pokemon TCG sets have been trademarked in Japan. Those names translate to “Mega Brave” and “Mega Symphony.” At this time, we don’t know when these sets will be released, but PokeBeach notes that we often see these trademarks within 6-8 months of a set’s release, and sets are usually timed to come out within two months of a new game. However, that usually takes longer in North America; for example, the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet TCG expansion was released on March 31st, 2023, about four months after the games were released on Nintendo Switch.

Pokemon Day takes place on February 27th every year, in celebration of the original releases of Pokemon Red and Green. Each year, The Pokemon Company holds a Pokemon Presents stream, offering details about upcoming games and products. Last year’s presentation saw the announcement of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and the game is set to come out at some point this year. We can likely expect a lot more information on the game during next month’s stream, including a potential release window. It’s also possible we could learn about new Mega Evolutions that have not appeared in past games.

It’s possible the Pokemon Day stream could also give us some hints about Mega Evolution’s return in the Pokemon TCG. While these trademarks suggest the new sets are still several months away, it’s not unusual for The Pokemon Company to tease things ahead of time. During Pokemon Worlds in August, it was revealed that Trainer’s Pokemon will be making a return in the game, and that won’t actually happen until later this month for Japanese players, and in March for fans in North America.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Reveals January Community Day Classic Details

Given how many years have passed since Mega Evolutions were featured in the Pokemon TCG, we’ll have to wait and see if there will be any changes made to how the cards work during gameplay. As of this writing, Mega Evolutions have yet to appear in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, so it will be interesting to see if The Pokemon Company decides to incorporate it into the game to similarly tie in with Legends: Z-A. There are a lot of questions, but we should start to get some answers next month!

Are you excited to see the return of Mega Evolutions in the Pokemon franchise? Did you like the way the cards were factored into the TCG before? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post New Pokemon TCG Leaks Hint at More Mega Evolutions appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The partnership between Nintendo and LEGO continues to provide sets that appeal to fans both old and young alike. We already got some new Mario Kart and Animal Crossing sets to start off the year, and now we know a big one that will be coming out in October. Nintendo has released a brief teaser trailer for a LEGO take on the original Game Boy, but no images of the finished set have been provided. Instead, we got a look at the buttons and D-pad, and not much else. Unfortunately, it isn’t a whole lot to go on, but it’s possible we could learn more from the two companies in the near future (or from leakers).

While a lot of Nintendo fans have already shared their enthusiasm for the new set, many have replied to today’s news with frustration. This is the second announcement Nintendo has made today, and neither of them had anything to do with the company’s new console, tentatively named “Nintendo Switch 2.” Fans know that an announcement will happen at some point before the end of March, and everyone is clearly ready for it to happen. Nintendo doesn’t seem ready just yet though, which means we’re going to see some other announcements in the meantime! The teaser trailer for the LEGO Game Boy set can be found in the Instagram post embedded below.

This is actually the second LEGO set based on a Nintendo system. A set based on the original Nintendo Entertainment System was released back in 2020, and featured a “playable” copy of the original Super Mario Bros. game. At this time, we don’t know if the LEGO Game Boy will similarly feature a playable cartridge, but there are plenty of games that would be a good fit. Pokemon Red and Blue would be the most logical choice, given their association with the system. However, that might be difficult given The Pokemon Company’s licensing deals with Mega Bloks. Tetris would also be a smart fit, but that could also result in some licensing headaches, since Nintendo doesn’t own the game.

If the LEGO Game Boy really is going to feature a cartridge of its own, it’s possible we could see one of the Super Mario Land games. The first one isn’t very well-regarded, but Super Mario Land 2 would be a wise choice. It’s also possible that we could see The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. There has only been one Zelda set released by LEGO so far, so the Game Boy set would be a smart way to further use the license. Of course, it’s entirely possible that LEGO could make a set with multiple cartridge build options, just as the LEGO Zelda set had designs based on Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild, depending on the builder’s preference.

RELATED: LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi Review: A Must-Have for SNES Fans

Given the sheer size and quality of the Game Boy library, there are a lot of great things that can be done with a LEGO set based on the system. We also don’t know how the screen will be handled; will it feature the olive green color from launch, black and white from the Pocket era, or color like we saw with GBC? There are a lot of unanswered questions at the moment, but hopefully the final product will be worth seeking out for Nintendo fans!

Are you excited about the LEGO Game Boy? Have you purchased any of the other LEGO Nintendo sets? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Announces LEGO Game Boy appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Nintendo revealed a bunch of new details about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition this morning, alongside a new trailer. When the game arrives on March 20th, there will be a special pre-order/purchase incentive, which will be available for a limited time. An Exploration Support Pack is being offered, which includes a Survival Armor Series, Advanced Storm Assault Rifle, Advanced Iron Knife, 11 Augments, and 100,000 Credits. The Exploration Support Pack will be available to those who buy the game digitally on the eShop or through GameStop, or physically through GameStop or the My Nintendo Store. The pack will only be available through April 6th.

While this new content will be available to early adopters from the start, those that don’t get the game right away can still obtain these items through normal gameplay (note: this article has been updated following clarification from Nintendo). In addition, players can look forward to several additions and improvements in the Switch version of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. The game’s graphics have seen a big improvement over the Wii U original, and there have also been updates to the user interface. However, the most notable change is that the game will feature new story content, picking up from that cliffhanger ending that’s been unresolved for 10 years now. We’ve known that since Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition was revealed back in October, and the new trailer gives us a better glimpse at what else can be expected. Readers can check out that trailer below.

While today’s update on Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is quite welcome, it wasn’t unexpected. The leaker formerly known as Pyoro revealed earlier this week that we would be getting more details about the Nintendo Switch game. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is one of four first-party games that have been announced so far for Nintendo Switch in 2025. Next week will see the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, while Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be coming out later this year. It remains to be seen whether the system will get any other Nintendo published games this year, as the Switch 2 will be revealed sometime before the end of March.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch Leak Finally Reveals Cancelled Retro Studios Game

In terms of first-party games, Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the few remaining Wii U titles that hasn’t made the jump to Switch. Over the last eight years, Nintendo has slowly brought over several games originally released on the system, including Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Bayonetta 2, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. At this point, there are still a few games left to make the jump, including original titles like Yoshi’s Woolly World and Paper Mario: Color Splash. The biggest games still waiting to come over are the HD remasters of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker. Fans have been begging to see both of those games on Switch for years now, but it remains to be seen if it will ever happen!

Are you excited to check out Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition? What Wii U games are you still hoping to see brought to Switch? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Reveals More New Content, Including a Pre-Order Bonus appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Nintendo Switch 2 leaks continue to flood the Internet. The latest comes the way of major video game retailer, GameStop. And this new Nintendo Switch 2 GameStop leak, in particular, seemingly confirms that the new Nintendo console is going to be revealed by Nintendo imminently. This is something previous rumors and leaks have suggested, but this new GameStop leak seems to put all doubt over this to bed.

GameStop has leaked hardware and video games in the past, and activity on its website can often indicate when an announcement is imminent. To this end, it is clear the retailer is preparing for the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal as it has listed several accessory SKUs in its backend.

These accessories include 256 GB and 512 GB MicroSD Express Cards, Joy-Con charger grips, cases, and tempered glass for the console. Unfortunately, none of the listings have release dates that in turn leak the Nintendo Switch 2 release date. Over time they could be updated to include such release information, though now they the SKUs are getting attention it is unlikely GameStop will make this mistake.

Now, it is possible GameStop is just preparing its website based on all the recent leaks, knowing, like everyone else, that something with the Nintendo Switch 2 is clearly imminent. It could also simply be in contact with Nintendo Switch 2 accessory makers, and have no information from Nintendo. Even if this is the case, it either suggests something is up or knows something is up, and obviously the retailer is far more connected than the average insider or leaker, let alone the average Nintendo consumer.

Whatever the case, this new GameStop Nintendo Switch 2 leak in the ongoing Nintendo Switch 2 leaks saga, which also recently revealed our first look at the console’s new dock, is an interesting development.

At the moment of publishing, none of the implicated parties — neither Nintendo nor GameStop — have commented on this new GameStop leak and the speculation it has consequently created. Typically, neither comments on leaks and speculation so we don’t think this situation will change, but if it does, we will be sure to update the story accordingly. In the meantime, for more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 deals — click here.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 GameStop Leak Confirms Wait Is Almost Over appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A promises the return of Mega Evolutions by bringing the story back to Kalos. Set in Lumiose City, the game looks like it will cover the development and establishment of Kalos’s central hub.

To date, the Kalos National Pokédex has the largest number of Pokemon available to players without DLC – that’s 457 Pokemon in all. Currently, only 46 Pokemon can Mega Evolve, with Charizard and Mewtwo having two forms each. So who will be one of the lucky Pokemon to gain Mega Evolution?

For what I want to see, I’m setting the following rules to keep things interesting:

I am only considering Pokemon available in the Kalos Pokedex. While this is a huge number, it still leaves out all Pokemon from Sun & Moon, Sword & Shield, and Scarlet & Violet. 

There will not be any Legendary, Mythic, or Dragon-type Pokemon on this list. Personally, I want more regular Pokemon to have this special ability so they can stand a chance against Legendary Pokemon. Also, there are five Mega Evolutions with the Dragon typing. We don’t need more.

Finally, I will not include any starters. Again, this is for run-of-the-mill Pokemon that you can find on any route in Kalos. Let’s get started!

Talonflame

Talonflame is the final evolution of Fletchling. It was first introduced in Generation VI. Since then, Talonflame has been available in all mainline Pokemon games. Its design draws influence from the peregrine falcon – the fastest bird in the world. To reflect that influence, Talonflame still has the highest Speed stat of all Fire-type Pokemon.

Since Talonflame is basically a red peregrine falcon, I’d like to see the Pokemon reimagined as a phoenix. Think of Moltres, but slightly more feathers.

Azumarill

Coming to prominence in Tera Raids, Azumarill would be a great option for a Mega Evolution tank. Evolving from Marill, Azumarill has been around since Generation II. Recently, Azumarill became a popular choice for Tera Raid Challenges in Scarlet & Violet due to its high defense stats and Water/Fairy-typing. Imagine Belly Drum with a Mega Evolved Azumarill. Devastating.

Mightyena

This one just feels right, if only because Houndoom has a Mega Evolution. Introduced in Generation III, Mightyena is a very average Dark-type Pokemon that deserves more love. It has a relatively even stat spread, making it a reliable team choice. On average, it has the same total base stats as Azumarill. The only catch here is the fact that Mega Absol exists. However, Mightyena has better defensive stats and doesn’t need to rely on quick KOs to be effective.

Golurk

This is a completely personal pick because Golurk reminds me of Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist. Golurk was introduced in Generation V and most likely was inspired by golem folklore. It is a Ground/Ghost-type Pokemon that evolves from Golett. All Pokédex entries make reference to the seal on its chest – stating that if the seal is removed, then Golurk will lose control of its power. However, it’s supposed to function as a guardian.

Both its Pokédex entries and anime appearances confirm that Golurk can fly at Mach speeds. So Mega Golurk should fly.

Aegislash

On the crunchier side of gameplay, having a Mega Aegislash could really shake up competitive battle strategies. Aegislash can change forms during battle. Changing form will change Aegislash’s stats. Its Blade Forme has high attack stats and activates when Aegislash uses a damage-dealing move. Meanwhile, the Shield Forme swaps to defense-heavy stats and triggers when Aegislash uses the move King’s Shield or when it’s switched out of battle.

Rotom

It may be a big ask, but how cool would it be to have Mega Evolution designs for each of Rotom’s forms? Also, Rotom is adorable.

Currently, there are only two Electric-type Mega Evolutions – Ampharos and Manectric. No matter what form it takes, Rotom will always retain its Electric-typing. Rotom has six forms, each of which combine its Electric-typing with Ghost, Fire, Water, Ice, Flying, and Grass. Basically, Rotom could be a more versatile Charizard. Also, how funny would it be to use a super fancy lawnmower in battle?

Slowking

Like Mightyena, this one just feels right. Why does Slowbro have a Mega Evolution when Slowking doesn’t?

The logic here was the evolution mechanics. To get a Slowking, you need to trade a Slowpoke holding a King’s Rock. However, it’s much easier to trade with friends around the world now than it was when the Nintendo 3DS came out. We also have access to Pokemon GO and Pokemon Home – it’s never been easier to transfer and trade Pokemon across various systems and accounts. So it’s time to give Slowbro’s evolutionary sibling a Mega Evolution form.

Exploud

Normal-types need another win. Everyone finally realized the potential Normal-type Pokemon have thanks to the Normal Tera Type in Scarlet & Violet. But very few players keep a purely Normal-type Pokemon in their main team roster.

Exploud is the final evolution of Whismur. Unlike many other Normal-type Pokemon , Exploud has a good Special Attack stat. If anyone else is like me, then you taught Surf to a Linoone. Now, you can teach Surf to an Exploud and get better results because the Pokemon is built to have good Special Attack.

Florges

Florges was one of the first Fairy-type Pokemon ever introduced to the series. Another Kalos native, Florges has five forms: Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, and White. The forms don’t change the Pokemon’s stats, it’s purely for aesthetics.

Florges is built to be a special damage tank – its highest stats are Special Attack and Special Defense. Beyond that, think of how pretty this Mega Evolution design could be. Pokemon can be pretty and devastating.

Nidoking & Nidoqueen

Taking it all the way back to the original 150, Nidoking and Nidoqueen deserve to be treated like royalty. Currently, Gardevoir and Gallade are the only Pokemon with Mega Evolutions that come from the same evolutionary line – again, that’s why we also need Slowking!

I want the designs to have matching crowns or complement each other in some way. Maybe they could have rock capes?

The post 10 Pokemon I’d Like to See Mega Evolve in Pokemon Legends: Z-A appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A former employee at Nintendo has revealed why they think the Japanese gaming giant is refusing to announce the Nintendo Switch 2 despite ongoing leaks of the console. At this point, the Switch 2 is the most open secret in the gaming industry. While Nintendo itself hasn’t said virtually anything about its successor to the Switch, countless leaks over the past year have given us a great idea of what to expect from the console. In recent days, these leaks have only become more amplified and have potentially revealed the look and release month for the Switch 2. Even with so much info now circling about the Switch 2, Nintendo is ignoring everything that has come out as it’s claimed to be sticking to the plan it previously outlined.

In a statement shared on X, ex-Nintendo PR manager Krysta Yang shared her own insight into what’s happening at Nintendo. Yang, who worked at Nintendo from 2007 until 2022, helped launch multiple consoles while at the company. As such, she has a pretty good idea about how Nintendo likes to go about unveiling its hardware to the world for the first time. To that end, Yang said it’s likely that Nintendo has already decided on the date that it will reveal the Switch 2 and it won’t budge on this day even with so many leaks not hitting the internet.

Related: New Nintendo Switch Update Released That Most Users Likely Didn’t Notice

“As wild as these leaks are Nintendo is going to stick to their plan,” Yang said. “They have a date in mind and they are not budging no matter what.”

When it comes to when that date for the reveal of the Switch 2 might be, well, that’s hard to say. Some rumors have suggested that an announcement could be coming as soon as this week, while others have asserted that a reveal will simply happen before the end of January. Nintendo itself has to this point only said that the announcement will happen prior to the end of March, which is when its current fiscal year ends.

The post Ex-Nintendo Employee Explains Why the Company Won’t Reveal Switch 2 Despite Leaks appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Earlier this month, Nintendo fans were surprised and disappointed to hear reports that the company’s Punch-Out!! series was on indefinite hiatus. Reporter Imran Khan recently shared a story about an interaction he had with a developer at Next Level Games, the studio behind the version of Punch-Out!! released on Wii in 2009. Khan noted that this person confided that “there was significantly more backlash against the characters” than expected. The Punch-Out!! series had some outdated stereotypes in the past, which the developers had been trying to avoid with the reboot. As Khan’s story went, those changes didn’t go far enough, “so everyone just kind of furrowed their brow and called it done.”

However, the story doesn’t end there. Reporters at Time Extension reached out to multiple sources at Next Level Games to see if there was any legitimacy to those claims. While the developers requested to remain anonymous, each one claimed that there was no controversy surrounding the game’s fighters.

“I don’t recall any negative feedback from the public around stereotypes after launch nor have I seen anything since so I don’t believe that is a valid reason to prevent another version being made,” said one source at Next Level Games.

Another source also seemed to debunk the controversy, stating that “the only major controversy I recall was the Sailor Moon manga issue.” That particular controversy relates to the fact that Piston Hondo can be seen reading a Sailor Moon manga at one point in the game. The brief moment was not approved by Bandai Namco beforehand, and reportedly cost Nintendo a significant amount of money. While that controversy is well known, it seems nothing negative reached the team or Nintendo in terms of the characters or any stereotypes. Instead, the two companies had a lot of internal discussions “in regards to avoiding or perpetuating cultural stereotypes.”

In Imran Khan’s original post, he did note that “this could just be the perspective of one person and no one else.” From all of these comments from Next Level Games staffers, it seems that’s very much the case. While Next Level Games has not worked on a Punch-Out!! game since, the studio has been busy working on other Nintendo franchises, such as Luigi’s Mansion and Mario Strikers.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch Online Adds New Batch of NES Freebies

For Punch-Out!! fans, this should be something of a relief. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the boxing series will be getting a new game in the near future, but it could leave the door open for a potential remaster. After all, a remaster of Donkey Kong Country Returns is set to arrive on Nintendo Switch next week, and we did get a remaster of Another Code: R – A Journey Into Lost Memories last year. Nintendo is clearly willing to dig into its Wii catalog, so it’s possible Punch-Out!! could get a similar treatment at some point. In fact, the game made our list last year of Nintendo Switch remasters we’re still waiting to see. Hopefully the game’s lack of availability on modern platforms gets rectified one of these days!

Did you play Punch-Out!! on Wii? Would you like to see a remaster of the game on Nintendo Switch? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Punch-Out!! Developer Debunks Reports About the Franchise’s Death appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A new update for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED consoles has recently gone live, but it’s one that a vast majority of Switch owners likely didn’t notice. From time to time, Nintendo will release what is dubbed “rebootless” updates for Switch consoles. These patches are ones that Nintendo is able to make to Switch hardware without requiring a download on the user’s end. As such, since there is no download needed, these patches are often pretty minor and don’t do a whole lot. Still, adjustments have been made to the Switch all the same and we now know what Nintendo has chosen to do this time around.

Noted by Nintendo Switch data miner @OatmealDome, the latest rebootless update for the platform dropped at the start of this week. Rather than make any key changes to the Switch UI or the console’s overall performance, Nintendo only “reshuffled” the list of banned words that aren’t able to be used on the hardware. It’s not known why this reshuffling happened, but it has been theorized that it was done to avoid false positives. Other than this small tweak, the only other addition that Nintendo made was adding new words in Russian that are banned in that language on the Switch.

While this might seem like a strange update for Switch consoles, Nintendo has pretty frequently been banning certain words on the platform over the course of its life cycle. As such, this patch is pretty much in line with what we’ve seen from Nintendo in the past.

Moving forward, it’s not known when the next major firmware update for the Nintendo Switch might release. The last time that a substantial patch for the console came out was at the end of October 2024 when update version 19.0.1 dropped. Nintendo hasn’t altered anything else tied to the Switch until this week’s rebootless patch rolled out.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Release Month Revealed in Most Credible Leak Yet

In all likelihood, Nintendo is much more focused on its successor to the Switch, which should likely be called the Switch 2. Nintendo has already informed fans that it will reveal its new Switch platform at some point before the end of March, but recent leaks have all but shown off everything that should be expected from the Switch 2 in advance of Nintendo sharing the news itself.

The post New Nintendo Switch Update Released That Most Users Likely Didn’t Notice appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While the name “Nintendo Switch 2” has been bouncing around for years now, no one knows for sure what the name of Nintendo’s new system will be. However, it seems Nintendo Switch 2 may be more than just a placeholder, and will be the actual name of the system. In a post on Bluesky, Universo Nintendo editor-in-chief Necro Felipe claimed that a photo was sent to him by a source showcasing the new system’s logo. Necro Filipe then recreated the logo exactly, and it looks very similar to the one used for the current Switch. The Joy-Con logo is next to the number two, above the system’s name.

As with any leak related to the system, readers are advised to take this with a grain of salt. Leaks have been coming at a steady clip over the last couple of weeks, and it would be easy for some fake ones to make their way through the cracks. The “Switch 2” name would be very different from the naming conventions Nintendo has used over the last 40 years, which is why many fans have assumed the company might use something else. That said, putting a number in a console name is something that has worked very well for PlayStation, and has helped the company draw a distinct line between console generations.

For years now, fans have debated whether the name “Wii U” hurt Nintendo’s predecessor to Switch. Wii U was one of the biggest flops in the company’s history, and many fans believe the name was too confusing for the average consumer. Using a numbered system approach is pretty straightforward, and could help Nintendo build off the huge success the company saw with the Switch name.

The name of the console has been just one of the mysteries that have surrounded Nintendo Switch 2. We don’t know when the system will be released (though recent reports have suggested it will happen in April), and we don’t know what software to expect, especially in regards to first-party games. Nintendo said last May that it will officially unveil the new system at some point before the end of March. However, it’s likely that we’ll learn something a bit sooner, especially if that April release window is accurate.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Confirmed

Once Nintendo does pull back the curtain on the console, it will be interesting to see how many of these leaks prove to be the real deal. There are always a lot of leaks ahead of a new console announcement, and over the last week alone, we’ve seen images of the Switch 2 logo, dock, Joy-Cons, and motherboard. These all could be accurate, but it’s impossible to say. Thankfully, it feels like an end might finally be in sight.

Do you think this is the actual logo Nintendo will use for the new system? How would you feel about the Nintendo Switch 2 name? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Logo Leak May Confirm the System’s Name appeared first on ComicBook.com.

What is perhaps the most credible leak yet tied to the Nintendo Switch 2 has given us a better idea of when the console will release — and it’s far sooner than you’d think. For nearly a year, rumors and leaks of all sorts have been hitting the internet in relation to the Switch 2. Despite this, Nintendo has continued to remain quiet when it comes to its Switch successor and has only broadly confirmed that it will show off the console at a time before the end of March. Now, in advance of Nintendo sharing its own news on the Switch 2, one manufacturer that makes accessories for the hardware seems to have spilled the beans in relation to its biggest questions.

Reported by French publication Numerama, a litany of new details related to the Nintendo Switch 2 have come about. These details primarily stem from Switch accessories manufacturer Genki, which is currently attending CES 2025. While at the event, Genki has been showing off what it claims is a mockup of the Switch 2 based on official specifications that have come from Nintendo. Genki asserts that it’s able to show this off because it doesn’t have an official partnership with Nintendo.

As for the Switch 2 itself, the console is supposedly a bit larger that the current Switch and Switch OLED models that Nintendo sells. The Switch 2 then features magnetic Joy-Cons, which have leaked numerous times in recent months. It then features an additional button that has been added near the Home button on the right Joy-Con. Details on what this button might do aren’t yet clear.

You can get a look at this mockup of the Switch 2 in a video courtesy of Numerama here:

Far and away the most interesting part of this leak, though, is related to the release date of the Nintendo Switch 2. Genki claims that it has eight accessories already lined up to release for the Switch 2, which is expected in April 2025. Again, Nintendo hasn’t verified any of this information just yet, but this is likely the most credible source to have shared info like this on the Switch 2 so far.

Related: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Leaks Ahead of Console’s Reveal

If Nintendo is indeed planning to release the Switch 2 in April, it would suggest that the formal announcement for the console should be coming very soon. Some rumors have claimed that such a reveal of the hardware could happen as early as this week. For now, it’s hard to know exactly what Nintendo is planning, but it’s becoming apparent that the Japanese gaming giant might want to reveal the Switch 2 sooner rather than later or risk losing out on making its biggest announcement of the year on its own terms.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Release Month Revealed in Most Credible Leak Yet appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Once again, Nintendo Switch Online users are being rewarded with freebies based on a classic video game. This time around, subscribers can get profile icons featuring characters from the NES game Yoshi. As we’ve seen with a lot of profile icons based on older games, there is a requirement that subscribers must clear before they can obtain these icons. The requirement is that they must first play Yoshi on the NES app. Once the user has booted up the game just once, they’ll be eligible to claim five different icons: three based on Yoshi, and one icon each for a Goomba and a Piranha Plant.

While some subscribers get irritated by the play requirements for these types of Nintendo Switch Online icons, Yoshi only needs to be launched from the NES app; there’s no requirement in terms of time spent with the game. As soon as that’s done, the profile icons are unlocked. The user will also automatically receive 50 Platinum points for doing so, which is enough to get the entire Yoshi set. It’s a pretty sweet deal, and it might convince subscribers to try a game they might not have otherwise. These icons will be available to claim through February 3rd.

Yoshi first appeared in Super Mario World, which was a launch title on the SNES. Those that hadn’t yet upgraded from Nintendo’s original console didn’t get to play a Mario platformer featuring his dinosaur companion. However, Yoshi proved popular enough to get a starring role in one of the later games released in the NES era. Yoshi’s first solo title was an eponymous puzzle game developed by a studio called Game Freak. Yoshi was one of the first games developed by the team, but they would later go on to create a little monster catching franchise that proved popular on Game Boy and later Nintendo systems.

In Yoshi, images of classic Mario foes fall from the top of the screen, similar to puzzle games like Tetris and Dr. Mario. Players act as Mario on the bottom of the screen, shifting the tiles to make enemies match and clear. However, two halves of Yoshi’s egg shells are also dropping, and by matching them up on a line, players can clear out any enemies that have accumulated between them. Oddly, the profile icons offered through Nintendo Switch Online do not include the Boo enemies that appear alongside the Goombas and Piranha Plants.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch Leak Finally Reveals Cancelled Retro Studios Game

In addition to the new profile icons, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers were also treated to a new soundtrack on the Nintendo Music app. Music from Donkey Kong Country 3 is now available, completing the full trilogy of SNES games. Nintendo Switch Online has seen a big focus on Donkey Kong content over the last couple of months, between the Country soundtracks being added to Nintendo Music on mobile, and the Donkey Kong Land games joining the Game Boy app on Switch. This is all clearly an effort to build hype for the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which will be coming to Nintendo Switch next week.

Do you plan on claiming any of these freebies based on Yoshi? Have you ever played this NES game before? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Over the weekend, Pokemon Go players were able to participate in a Community Day event centered on Sprigatito. Niantic has wasted no time revealing new details about the next Community Day, which will take place on Saturday, January 25th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The next Community Day Classic will put Ralts back in the spotlight, which should be good news for those that missed out on previous options. Ralts was revealed as the Community Day Classic star in a short teaser video.

As is usually the case with Community Day events, players can expect to see increased Shiny encounter rates. Shiny Ralts has some nice differences from the standard coloration. The Pokemon’s green hair is swapped out for a lighter shade of blue, while its pink horns are switched for orange ones. That color scheme is carried over for Shiny Kirlia, Shiny Gardevoir, and Shiny Gallade, with those Pokemon also getting orange eyes, as opposed to the natural pink. The changes get even more prominent when Shiny Gardevoir Mega Evolves, with its white dress changing to black.

While Mega Gardevoir has been available in Pokemon Go for quite some time now, Mega Gallade will be making its debut in the game on Saturday, January 11th. The Mega Raid Day event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. As with other Mega Raid days, Niantic will be increasing the limit on Remote Raids, allowing players to participate in up to 20. Lucky players can find a Shiny Gallade while participating in Mega Raids, but if they don’t, they might want to save up their Gallade Mega Energy until after the Ralts Community Day Classic. In fact, that might actually be the reason Niantic chose to bring back Ralts for a Community Day Classic event this month!

When Shiny Gallade Mega Evolves, it keeps the same blue, white, and orange color pattern from the rest of the Shiny Ralts evolutionary line. Similar to Shiny Gardevoir, it also adds some black. However, while Gardevoir has a dress as part of its design, Mega Gallade has something resembling a cape. The underside of the two halves of the “cape” are black for Shiny Mega Gallade, as opposed to the normal blue.

RELATED: Pokemon Go Locks Another New Release Behind Annoying Egg Hatches

The Ralts event will be the second last Pokemon Go Community Day for the Dual Destiny season. Niantic released an event schedule prior to the start of the season, and the final one will take place on Sunday, February 9th. At this time, there has been no indication about what Pokemon will be highlighted next. We’ll probably have to wait until after the Ralts Community Day Classic, but hopefully Niantic will end the current season on a high note!

Are you happy that Ralts will be getting a Community Day Classic event? Will you be out hunting for Shiny Ralts? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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A Nintendo Switch console exclusive has returned to the Nintendo Switch eShop after being removed from sale last year on December 1. In other words, Nintendo fans have been unable to buy the Nintendo Switch console exclusive for over a month now. There was previously no word of the when the Nintendo Switch game, an RPG, would return to the Nintendo Switch eShop, leaving fans with nothing but guesses and speculation. That said, it returned today in the same out-of-nowhere fashion as its disappearance.

The Nintendo Switch exclusive in question hails from 2022, a year Nintendo Switch gamers were treated to the likes of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3, Persona 5 Royal, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, NieR Automata, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and a variety of releases in what was a decent year for the machine, though far from the highs of the machine.

One release that is often forgotten — the aforementioned console exclusive — is Triangle Strategy from Square Enix, a tactical role-playing game inspired by the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics and classic Fire Emblem games.

In the modern day, tactical RPGs are fairly niche, which perhaps explains why the game flew under the radar, despite having an 83 on Metacritic, a solid score. It also came to PC and some VR devices, but it didn’t quite resonate there either. Whatever the case, the game hasn’t been available to purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop since December 1, 2024. The issue has been resolved though.

Those interested in buying the RPG now that it is back on the Nintendo Switch eShop should expect to pay $59.99 for it and fork over 7 GB of space to download it. For this, you get a hardcore tactical RPG that is about 30 to 50 hours, with the variance coming down to how much side content is engaged with. Completionists on the other hand will need roughly 100 hours with the game.

“Command a group of warriors as Serenoa, heir of House Wolffort, in a tangled plot where your decisions make all the difference and key choices will influence the story,” reads an official description of the game on the Nintendo Switch eShop for those unfamiliar with it. “When faced with truly momentous decisions, your advisors will weigh in by casting their votes on the Scales of Conviction. Persuade them before their vote is cast to help forge your own path ahead. Remember, your allies and decisions can change the fate of Norzelia itself.”

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

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Pokemon Go‘s annual Fashion Week event is returning later this month, and players can look forward to some new Pokemon debuts as part of the event. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s Shroodle and Grafaiai will both be appearing for the first time in Pokemon Go, but obtaining them won’t be too easy. Niantic is once again locking new additions to the game behind Egg Hatches, and the Shroodle will exclusively appear in 12 km Eggs obtained during the event. Basically, if you want to get Shroodle and the 50 Candies necessary to evolve it into Grafaiai, you’re going to have to do some serious walking.

Over the last few years, Niantic has been locking a lot of Pokemon behind Egg Hatches, much to the frustration of the game’s community. Not only does this add a lot of extra effort, it also adds a lot of uncertainty; even if you get a 12 km Egg and walk the necessary amount to Hatch it, there’s no guarantee you’ll end up with Shroodle. It’s a lot of guess and check, and Pokemon Go players have called it an excuse for Niantic to sell Super Incubators, which Hatch Eggs faster, if you’re willing to cough up 200 PokeCoins.

“Please stop with the 12k egg specific hatches. They’re not good,” said X/Twitter user PokeBoy890.

“Looks like another pokemon I’ll never get because I can’t be bothered with 12km eggs. You really know how to get someone to not play your game,” said user Andrew Kozlowski.

In addition to the Pokemon Go debut of Shroodle, Fashion Week this year will see a big focus on new and returning costumed Pokemon. In the wild, players can expect to see the return of Diglett, Blitzle, and Kirlia wearing fashionable costumes. Minccino wearing a fashionable costume will also appear in the game for the first time, and players can evolve it into Cinccino. They might even find a Shiny version, if they’re lucky! Minccino won’t be in the Wild, but it will appear during One-Star Raids, and Field Research task rewards. Raids and Field Research task rewards will also bring back previous Fashion Week Pokemon such as Butterfree and Dragonite wearing fashionable costumes.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Players are Still Trying to Solve One of the Game’s Mysteries

Players can increase their chances of encountering some of these Pokemon by purchasing Paid Timed Research in the game’s Shop. Rewards for completing the Research tasks include encounters with those Pokemon, a new avatar pose, 3,500 XP, and 3,500 Stardust. The ticket will be priced at $5.00, and cannot be obtained using PokeCoins. Fashion Week will kick off on Friday, January 10th at 10 a.m., and will run through Sunday, January 19th at 8 p.m. local time. Shroodle will not begin to appear in 12 km Eggs until January 15th starting at 12 a.m.

Have you gotten frustrated with Pokemon Go‘s Egg Hatching events? Do you think these events feel like a paywall? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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2025 might be the Year of the Snake, but as far as Pokemon fans are concerned, it’s the Year of Eevee instead. Today, The Pokemon Company debuted a special new piece of artwork celebrating the event, and announced that Pokemon Center will be offering all kinds of new Eevee merchandise throughout 2025. This will include new toys, new plushies, new clothing, and more. Right now, fans can check out Pokemon Doll plushies based on Eevee and its eight “Eeveelutions.” A new figure series called Evolving Personalities will also make its debut soon, featuring nine different pieces based on each of Eevee’s forms.

So far, three of the Evolving Personalities figures have been revealed: Splashes featuring Vaporeon, Skillful Strategy featuring Jolteon, and Satisfied Snooze with Flareon. The other six figures have only seen their silhouettes revealed, with full figures set to be announced at some point in the future. The Pokemon Center website has also set up a special page that will be updated with the Year of Eevee arrivals throughout 2025.

While all of this should be exciting news for fans of Eevee, the biggest thing to celebrate in 2025 might be the arrival of the new Pokemon TCG set, which will be arriving later this month. Scarlet and Violet – Prismatic Evolutions will put a big focus on Eevee and its various evolutions. As this is a special set, individual booster packs will not be sold in stores. Instead, fans can get the new cards by purchasing bigger sets that are accompanied by various Eevee themed items. These will include things like binders, stickers, posters, and tech stickers. Basically, you’re going to have no shortage of Eevee related merchandise to find throughout the year!

At this time, it remains to be seen whether this initiative will extend beyond merchandise. However, Pokemon fans in general should have a lot to look forward to! At some point this year, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be released on Nintendo Switch. Details about the game are pretty slim right now, but the title will take place in the Kalos region from Pokemon X and Y. We should learn a lot more about the game sometime within the next two months. Pokemon Day is held every year on February 27th, so it’s a safe bet we’ll find out more during that event.

RELATED: Pokemon TCG Pocket Players are Using the Faster Rules in the Physical Card Game

The Kalos generation was pretty notable for Eevee fans, as it introduced Sylveon, the Fairy-type Eeveelution. Since then, we’ve had three different Pokemon generations: Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet. None of those games introduced a new Eevee form, and there are still plenty of Pokemon types that don’t have a dedicated Eeveelution. It remains to be seen whether that will ever change, but fans can keep hoping!

Do you plan on checking out any of the new Eevee themed merch this year? What Pokemon content are you hoping to see in 2025? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Nintendo fans have been hoping for an announcement this week, but it appears they might not get the one they’ve been waiting for. According to the leaker formerly known as Pyoro, new information will be revealed about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, a Wii U remaster coming to Nintendo Switch on March 20th. It’s been a few months since the last time we heard about the game, so it would make sense for Nintendo to provide additional details ahead of launch. However, many were expecting an announcement related to Nintendo’s new console, instead!

As with any rumor, readers are advised to take this with a grain of salt. That said, the timing would make sense! Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of two first-party Switch games that has a release date for 2025. The other game is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which will be released next week. With one game nearly out, it makes sense that Nintendo might be starting the hype cycle for the next one. While Xenoblade Chronicles X is a remaster, the first trailer for the game hinted at new story content. It’s possible we could get some information on what has changed.

The Xenoblade Chronicles series has become a significant one for Nintendo over the years. While the series started out pretty niche, it has grown quite a bit in popularity, and now has a passionate following. The release of Xenoblade Chronicles X will make it so that all four games in the series are now playable on one platform. Unlike the numbered entries in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles X does not have any connection to the other games. Depending on what the new story content is, that could end up changing, but it’s impossible to say for certain. Hopefully we’ll get some more clarity as the game’s release date draws closer.

Nintendo’s plans for 2025 are something of a mystery at the moment. Beyond Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, we know that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A will both be released sometime this year. The big mystery right now is anything beyond those four games. We know that the successor to Nintendo Switch will be revealed at some point before March 31st, when the company’s fiscal year comes to an end. This has kept Nintendo fans guessing about when the reveal will actually happen, and many people thought it might come this week. However, if we’re getting new Xenoblade news, it’s possible we won’t learn about the next Nintendo system until later in the month, or even beyond.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Images Leak Online

For now, Nintendo fans are just going to have to wait patiently to see what the next few weeks will bring! Everyone is excited to learn about the next generation of Nintendo hardware, but until the company is good and ready, we’re all just going to have to wait and settle for updates on its current slate of games.

Have you been looking forward to Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition? Did you play the game on Wii U? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Reddit]

The post Xenoblade Chronicles X Insider Teases Update This Week appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Six years ago, Nintendo made headlines when the company announced that it was scrapping development on Metroid Prime 4, and starting over with Retro Studios at the helm. While the Austin, Texas based development team had made a name for itself on the first three games in the series, it had been largely quiet since releasing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in 2014. This left a five-year gap in the company’s resume, and fans have wondered for years about what the developer was working on during the interim. After all this time, it seems we finally have an answer, and it would have been a new IP.

In a post on ResetEra, YouTuber Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly revealed that the game would have been “some type of Music RPG game where the main mechanic was singing.” While Retro worked on this new IP, Bandai Namco had taken over Metroid Prime 4. However, the music game turned out to be “a huge disaster.” Nintendo apparently pulled the plug on the project, and set Retro to work on remasters of the original Metroid Prime games. After some tensions were smoothed over with Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe, Nintendo cancelled Bandai Namco’s work on Metroid Prime 4, and the project was reborn under Retro Studios.

“When everything fell through with Bandai Namco’s work on Prime 4 it was given back to Retro, they patched things up with Tanabe after their fallout and they could only finish a remaster of the first Prime as all resources had to be moved to Prime 4,” said Reilly.

When it comes to leaks like this, we usually advise readers to take them with a grain of salt. That having been said, Reilly is one of the most reliable sources of information there is when it comes to Retro Studios. Over the last few years, the Kiwi Talkz YouTube channel has interviewed a ton of former Retro Studios developers, and we’ve gotten a lot of new context and reveals as a result. This is probably as close to an official source as we’re likely to get on the topic, so fans can probably assume this was, in fact, what Retro was working on.

Reilly went on to say that he’s unsure of the status of remasters of Metroid Prime 2 and Metroid Prime 3. While there have been a lot of rumors about remasters for these two games since the first one’s release, Retro has been busy working on the next entry in the series. It’s possible that Nintendo will outsource those remasters to a different studio; that wouldn’t be unheard of for Nintendo, and they’ve done it with other games originally developed by Retro.

RELATED: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reveals First Preorder Bonus

While the music themed RPG clearly fell through, 2025 will be the year that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally released. Fans of Retro Studios have been waiting a very long time for the developer’s next game, and the next entry in the Prime series. After more than a decade between releases, hopefully the wait will prove worth it!

Are you happy to finally learn what Retro was working on after Tropical Freeze? Do you think it’s a good thing Nintendo shifted the team to Metroid Prime 4 instead? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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A new leak all but confirms that a 1997 N64 classic is getting a new release on both PS5 and the pair of Xbox Series consoles, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Video games most synonymous with 1997 include Final Fantasy 7, Grand Theft Auto, GoldenEye 007, Fallout, Gran Turismo, Star Fox 64, Quake II, and Crash Bandicoot 2, Mega Man Legends, Tomb Raider II, Tekken 3, and Virtua Striker 2. These are the tentpole releases of 1997, but far from the only notable releases of 1997.

There are a collection of other noteworthy releases, though perhaps slightly less noteworthy than these games. One of these releases is no doubt Midway Studios San Diego’s Doom 64, which was an N64 exclusive back in 1997, and remained an N64 exclusive until 2020 when it was brought to Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. And now it looks like it’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X, and doing so soon.

There has been no official announcement from Bethesda, which owns the series, unlike back in 1997 when it was a Midway property. This technically means Xbox now owns the series because it owns Bethesda, though Bethesda operates with some level of publishing independence.

How do we know the 1997 N64 classic is coming to PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X? Well, because the Entertainment Software Rating Board — more commonly known as the ESRB — has rated the game for release on these platforms.

For those that don’t know, any game that releases in North America has to go through the ESRB, which is in charge of giving the game a rating and providing warning of specific types of content.

Recently, the ESRB updated its listing of Doom 64 with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This is not the result of an error or a mistake, but the result of the game being resubmitted by Bethesda for a release on these platforms. In other words, it’s not a matter of if this port will happen, but a matter of when it will happen. In fact, the ESRB rating the N64 game for release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S not only leaks the new release, but confirms it’s coming soon as these ESRB ratings happen typically no further out than a few months from release.

All of that said, take this information with a grain of salt. There is no wiggle room to question the validity of this leak, but it’s still not official information from Bethesda or Xbox.

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

As for the game itself, Doom 64 is a first-person shooter, the fourth game in the Doom series, and the second spin-off following 1996’s Final Doom. That said, it’s not the original version that is playable in modernity or that is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, but the aforementioned 2020 version, which is a remaster from Nightdive Studios.

Back at the time of its release, Doom 64 earned a somewhat mixed reception, evident by its 73 on GameRankings. Over time, it has gained a cult following but some still dismiss it considering it is not a release from the series’ main developer and creator, id Software.

The post 1997 N64 Exclusive Getting New Release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Believe it or not, the Nintendo Wii is set to receive new support for one popular series in 2025. For over a decade at this point, the Wii has been officially discontinued and hasn’t received essentially any new games. Despite this, the platform has still been quite popular, primarily thanks to how many units of the console sold worldwide during its run. Now, one third-party manufacturer is looking to keep the Wii alive even longer and is releasing a new peripheral to make it even more relevant.

Coming by way of Hyperkin, the gaming peripherals manufacturer announced the Hyper Strummer guitar controller for Nintendo Wii. Designed to work with the majority of the games in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series, the Hyper Strummer is a wireless guitar controller that builds upon the previous design that Hyperkin has sold previously. This new version of the controller is set to retail for $76.99 and will launch this week on January 8th.

You can get a look at a promotional image of the Hyper Strummer for yourself here:

If you’re not already aware, the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games on Nintendo Wii continue to be pretty popular to this day. While both franchises have more or less been dead for quite some time, those with Wii consoles have helped keep each series relevant in 2025. To that end, various entries like Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, and Guitar Hero 5 continue to resell for anywhere between $20 and $40. The price for original guitar and drumming controllers can also be well over $100 at resale, which is why Hyperkin chooses to still release wholly new controllers like the Hyper Strummer.

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

Despite this continuing popularity of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, though, it doesn’t seem like we’re very close to getting a new installment in either franchise. Even if this doesn’t end up changing in the future, the one thing that is certain is that a new game won’t come to Nintendo Wii. As such, if you want to keep rocking out on the Wii well into the future, the Hyper Strummer could be a great way to do so.

[H/T GameSpot]

The post Nintendo Wii Fans Surprised With New Support for the Console in 2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A Nintendo 3DS game that has supposedly been in the works for roughly a decade seems to have finally been canceled in an official capacity. By all accounts, Nintendo hasn’t supported the Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS handhelds in years. Following the launch of the Switch in 2017, Nintendo began focusing entirely on its hybrid handheld console, which led to the 3DS naturally dying off just a few years later. Now, one third-party game on Nintendo 3DS that was thought to potentially still be coming to the hardware has officially vanished.

Spotted by @LonelyGoomba on X, pre-orders for Mighty No. 9 on Nintendo 3DS have finally started to be canceled. Released originally in 2016, Mighty No. 9 was meant to be a spiritual successor of sorts to the old-school Mega Man games of the past. However, the game was panned by both critics and fans, which led to developer Comcept soon after moving on from the project.

In regard to its Nintendo 3DS version, Mighty No. 9 was a game that used crowdfunding on Kickstarter to get off the ground. One of the Kickstarter stretch goals for funding was tied to a 3DS and PlayStation Vita version of the game, which the campaign ended up meeting. While these ports were planned to be released after the console iterations in 2017, they ended up getting delayed indefinitely, only to never be heard from again.

The strange thing about this story is that physical copies of Mighty No. 9 on Nintendo 3DS have remained available on Amazon for pre-order over the past seven or eight years. As such, some fans held out a sliver of hope that this version of the game would eventually see the light of the day. Now, with Amazon officially ending all pre-orders for the 3DS version of Mighty No. 9, it’s clear that this won’t be happening.

Related: New Nintendo Switch Online Free Download Is for 3DS Fans

While it’s odd that Comcept never followed through on its Kickstarter promise of bringing Mighty No. 9 to 3DS and Vita, it’s hard to believe that anyone will really be upset about these handheld versions getting canned. As for what Comcept is doing next, the studio is working on Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, which is set to hit Switch at some point in 2025.

[H/T GameSpot]

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Fans are breathlessly awaiting the official reveal of the next video game system from Nintendo. The tentatively named “Nintendo Switch 2” has been the subject of years of rumors, but an end seems to be in sight. Over the last few weeks, we’ve gotten several leaks that seem to be coming from factory workers building the new system. A few days ago, it was the motherboard for Switch 2, and now images of the system’s Joy-Con controllers have apparently leaked online. The images first appeared on a Chinese website, and were then shared on the Switch 2 subreddit. The designs look similar to the current Joy-Cons, but with some notable differences.

Assuming that these images are the real deal, one of the biggest changes is that the Joy-Cons will have significantly bigger SL and SR buttons. That’s good news for those that like to use a single Joy-Con for multiplayer in games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The leaked images would also seem to back up a previous leak from the X/Twitter user NextHandheld, who claimed that the color scheme would be “below the surface.” That statement initially led to some confusion, but now we can see that the Joy-Cons have colored rails. A leak last year claimed that the new Joy-Cons will attach magnetically, and this leak also seems to back that up. Images of the leaked Joy-Cons can be found in the Reddit post embedded below.

As with any rumor, readers should take this with a grain of salt. It’s entirely possible that these Switch 2 Joy-Con images were fabricated by a talented designer. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that happened with a video game console. That said, these look pretty authentic! There are a lot of details on the controller, including all of the trademark stamps that appear on the current Joy-Cons. Either someone put a lot of effort into creating a forgery, or this really is the new Joy-Con design.

Nintendo should put all of this speculation to rest within the next few weeks. We know for a fact that the company’s Switch successor will be officially announced sometime between now and March 31st, when Nintendo’s fiscal year comes to an end. We don’t know exactly when the new system will come out, but rumors have suggested that it will arrive in the first half of the year. The current Switch was released in March 2017, and fans are wondering if we’ll see a similar release date for Switch 2. That window clearly worked out well for the company, but if the system is actually going to debut in March, fans and retailers will have to find out about it very soon.

RELATED: New Nintendo Switch 2 Game Confirmed

Whether Nintendo’s new system comes out in March, May, or some other month, it will be nice to finally get some answers. It’s been a long wait, and fans are eager to know what the future holds for Nintendo. Everyone is eager to know what the system will look like, what it costs, and the software it will play. Hopefully an end is finally in sight!

Do you think this is really the new Joy-Con design? When do you think Switch 2 will be officially announced? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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On January 17th, the Pokemon Trading Card Game’s next set, Scarlet & Violet – Prismatic Evolutions, will launch in North America. The new set will be putting a big focus on Eevee, as well as its various evolutionary forms. That’s the big hook, and this is a special set, which means fans will only be able to get booster packs inside larger products, such as booster bundles and the Elite Trainer Box. Unfortunately, some are predicting that demand will far exceed supply. According to a new report from PokeBeach, smaller stores are getting between 10% and 15% less than the amount of product requested from distributors.

While Prismatic Evolutions will still get the same amount of product we’ve seen for past Pokemon TCG special sets, that product is going to be stretched out between more stores. Player 1 Services is a Pokemon specialty store located in Maryland. According to owner Ben DeGuire, a lot of stores that don’t normally carry Pokemon products have displayed an interest in Prismatic Evolutions. Wanting to fulfill as many requests as possible, The Pokemon Company has been forced to give stores less supply than they would normally.

“This means there is nowhere near enough product to go around. Distributors are still giving loyal Pokemon stores a higher percentage of the supply, such as my store. But the actual amount of product a store receives is diluted because so many other stores want the product,” DeGuire told PokeBeach. “Strategically, distributors want to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible.”

DeGuire goes on to say that stores that anticipated higher amounts of product may have had to cancel preorders for the new Pokemon set. On Pokemon Center’s official website, preorders for Scarlet & Violet – Prismatic Evolutions are completely sold out. While PokeBeach anticipates that larger retailers will get the same amount of product that they always do, increased demand could lead to items being scooped up by resellers and sold on sites like eBay. That was a big problem just a few years ago, and there are concerns we could see a similar situation play out.

As noted by PokeBeach, there are already a lot of eBay listings greatly marking up Prismatic Evolutions cards ahead of the set’s release. However, it’s hard to say how many people are actually buying these; a search on eBay shows a lot of listings, but these are all Buy It Now options, as opposed to auctions. A lot of these prices could be aspirational on the part of sellers, and prices could drop significantly if The Pokemon Company manages to meet demand.

RELATED: Pokemon TCG Pocket Players are Using the Faster Rules in the Physical Card Game

Given the popularity of Eevee and its “Eeveelutions,” it’s easy to see how Scarlet & Violet – Prismatic Evolutions could end up in high demand. Hopefully The Pokemon Company is paying close attention to the demands of retailers and the fanbase, and will work to ensure that there’s ample product. While some Prismatic Evolutions products will launch this month, others will be released throughout the year, including a surprise box and mini tins arriving in February.

Are you concerned about being able to get Prismatic Evolutions cards? Do you think there will be high demand surrounding this set? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

The post Pokemon TCG’s New Eevee Set Could See Stock Shortages appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was supposed to be a link to the past… by which we mean A Link to the Past. The recent action-adventure title from Nintendo and Grezzo has been making waves across the gaming industry as it features a Zelda-led story that stands among the greats within the beloved franchise. While the game’s story might not allude to the initial development of the title, it was revealed in an interview that Echoes of Wisdom was created during the production of what was supposed to be a sequel to the 1992 SNES action-adventure title The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. 

During an interview with the Polish website naEkranie, Echoes of Wisdom creators Tomomi Sano, Satoshi Terada and Eiji Aonuma touched upon the development stages of the title, as this venture would mark their sixth collaboration with Grezzo, who brought a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening in 2019. Many fans noted the coincidence between the map and representatives of races (Zoras and Dekus) of Echoes of Wisdom and Link to the Past, which was mentioned during the interview. Echoes of Wisdom’s director Tomomi Sano stated, 

“First, we made decisions about gameplay and specific locations. Once we had those, and we had locations related to water and forest, for example, we chose specific races – River Zora and Sea Zora in water locations, and Deku Scrubs in forest. Grezzo also worked on the Majora’s Mask remake, which featured those races. We wanted to introduce them in a way that made sense to our game.”

Nintendo and Grezzo Initially Planned on Making A Link to the Past Sequel

Grezzo’s work has brought some of the classic Zelda titles to the spotlight like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for the Nintendo 3DS over a decade ago. At this point, the company had done one original Zelda title with Nintendo, which was The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes in 2015, so the switch to crafting an original story came down to the change in gameplay and character.

Curating an entirely new gameplay style was tricky, but using Echoes provided the team with an interesting approach when it came to representing the unique visuals of Grezzo’s The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. When director Satoshi Terada was asked about the echoes design, explained the team’s focus and their concerns.

“There’s a lot of variety in the game when it comes to Echoes. It was really hard to predict how players would use and play with them. That’s why we focused on goals, like reaching a certain height, pressing a specific enemy, or defeating an enemy. We left the process in the players’ hands. All we cared about was making it possible to do it and not breaking the game. At first, we thought it would be hard to balance, but with this approach it turned out to be easier than we thought.”

The addition of echoes and Zelda proved to be a wise choice seeing how the title has become one of Nintendo’s best games of 2024. While many fans would’ve liked to have seen a remake of A Link to the Past, there’s no question that the possibility of the title making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable. Seeing how The Legend of Zelda series doesn’t have any new titles launching soon, we could hope to see something new in the works between Nintendo and Grezzo.

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A new report about the Nintendo Switch 2 has relayed word of a popular Nintendo Switch game getting an upgraded port to the new Nintendo console. The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to release sometime this year, though when exactly remains unclear. What games the Nintendo Switch 2 will be packing its debut year also remains a mystery. Not only has Nintendo not even teased a single game, but there have hardly been any rumors or leaks about Nintendo Switch 2 games.

There’s been some scuttlebutt, word of a new Pokemon game, a new version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Metroid Prime 4, and the long-awaited release of a new Mario Kart. There’s even been mention of a 3D Mario, which could be the huge launch game akin to what Breath of the Wild was for the first Switch.

Another recent rumor about the Nintendo Switch 2 has claimed its launch lineup will be bigger than the Switch launch lineup. This won’t be achieved by launch games from Nintendo, but courtesy of more third-party support. An example of this third-party support may be coming the way of Hello Games.

According to a new rumor from Nintendo insider/leaker Nash Weedle, No Man’s Sky is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade. There’s no word when this upgraded port will release, but it will presumably be ready for launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 or at least within the release window of the new console.

For those unfamiliar with No Man’s Sky, it is massive action-adventure sandbox survival game that debuted back in 2016 via UK developer Hello Games. One of the most anticipated releases of its generation, it flopped and was muddied in controversy when it released for a variety of reasons. However, over time, through robust support from Hello Games, it restored its image and became one of the biggest comeback stories in the history of gaming, ultimately proving to be a massive commercial success for Hello Games. And it’s still being played by many in 2025, so it’s not surprising to hear it could be Nintendo Switch 2 bound.

The source of this new Nintendo Switch 2 information is a source that has proven reliable and reputable in the past, but they are also a source who is sometimes off the mark. To this end, be sure to take this Nintendo Switch 2 rumor with a grain of salt.

At the moment of publishing, none of the implicated parties — Hello Games and Nintendo — have commented on this rumor. We don’t suspect this will change as neither typically comments on rumor. If either does though, whatever is provided will be added to the story.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage — including all of the latest official Nintendo Switch 2 news, all of the latest unofficial Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks, and all of the latest speculation surrounding the new Nintendo console — click here.

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A new Nintendo Switch 2 leak has surfaced online with information about a new, mysterious Pokemon game in development for the new Nintendo console. The next big Pokemon game is set to release in 2025, and this game is Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Right now, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has only been announced for Nintendo Switch, but it will presumably be the first Pokemon game on Nintendo Switch 2 as well. What will come after this though, remains to be seen. A new leak though has Pokemon fans speculating that it will be a remake of a previous Pokemon game.

According to a well-known Pokemon leaker that goes by Riddler Khu on X, there is a new Pokemon game that is not Gen 10 — aka the next mainline Pokemon game following up Pokemon Scarlet and Violet — currently in development for Nintendo Switch 2. The game is not coming in 2025 though, so it still a ways off. There is no date provided, but presumably it is a 2026 release, though it could be later than this.

The current speculation is that this mystery Pokemon game is a remake of a previous mainline game. To this end, following the recent remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Black and White are next up for the remake treatment. In other words, if this mystery Pokemon Nintendo Switch 2 game is a remake, it is probably a Pokemon Black and White remake.

RELATED: Pokemon TCG Pocket Still Has One Major Issue That I Can’t Believe Hasn’t Been Changed

The possibility that this is a spin-off Pokemon game also can not be ruled out. Over the years, Pokemon fans have been treated to the likes of Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Detective Pikachu, and many other spin-off games. However, if it was a spin-off game, this presumably would have been included in the tease.

According to the leaker, the Pokemon game did not leak in the massive Game Freak data breach last year, which consequently leaked a few different Pokemon games. This may suggest Game Freak is not involved with the game’s development or that it only recently began development in the post-leak world.

All of that said, take everything here with a grain of salt. Right now, we don’t have anything official, and what we do have is laced with speculation. So far, neither Game Freak nor Nintendo have been drawn out for comment. We do not suspect this will change for a handful of reasons, but if it does we will be sure to update the story accordingly.

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

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals Mystery New Pokemon Game appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of Nintendo’s most popular franchises that has been around since the days of the NES reportedly has no plans to return any time soon. Outside of Nintendo’s major franchises like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, and Animal Crossing, there are still dozens of other properties that are synonymous with the Japanese gaming publisher. Over the life cycle of most Nintendo consoles, it seems that many of the most beloved series end up returning in one form or another. However, based on new information that has come about from one reliable source, it sounds like new entry in a series that hasn’t been seen since the Nintendo Wii is doubtful to come back.

Coming by way of reporter Imran Khan, it was said that Nintendo doesn’t expect to bring back Punch-Out!!, which is its arcade boxing series. The original Punch-Out!! first debuted in arcades in 1984 and was later followed by its most popular entry on NES with 1987’s Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!. Super Punch-Out!! then released in 1994, but the series was on ice until its revival on Nintendo Wii in 2009.

Related: New Nintendo Switch 2 Report Suggests Fans Should Lower Their Expectations

Despite this Wii version of Punch-Out!! being quite popular, it seems doubtful that Nintendo has plans for a new iteration on Switch hardware. Khan says that based on one conversation that he had with someone who had close ties to Wii edition of the game, there was more backlash against the characters included than expected. As a result, the team behind Punch-Out!!, which is that of Next Level Games, opted to just simply cut its ties to the series and work on games like Luigi’s Mansion 3, among others.

“The story I was told, and bear in mind this could just be the perspective of one person and no one else, was that there was significantly more backlash against the characters of the [Punch-Out!!] Wii game than they expected,” Khan said. “And this team spent a lot of time assuring Nintendo that they weren’t leaning into bad stereotypes that would get called out this time, so everyone just kind of furrowed their brow and called it done. Especially since other games from that team had much, much higher sales potential.”

While it might be disappointing to hear that the prospects of Punch-Out!! returning aren’t great, there’s always the chance that Nintendo could change its mind in the future. And with the Nintendo Switch 2’s release supposedly planned to happen here in 2025, maybe the console’s launch lineup of games could contain some titles from Nintendo’s past that will surprise fans.

The post Classic Nintendo Franchise Reportedly Has No Plans to Be Revived appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The latest Nintendo Switch 2 report has suggested that eager fans might want to lower their expectations when it comes to what the console is capable of. While the Switch 2 hasn’t been formally announced by Nintendo yet, it’s naturally assumed that the hardware will prove to be greatly more powerful compared to its predecessor. And while there is surely going to be a sizable bump in internal power with the Switch 2, it sounds like it won’t be anywhere close to what some fans are believing.

Coming by way of reporter Tom Warren, a recent Nintendo Switch 2 rumor making the rounds was shot down. Specifically, Warren commented on speculation that the Switch 2 will feature internals on par with what was seen in Sony’s PS4 Pro. Warren pretty blatantly indicated that this won’t be the case, which makes clear that those expecting the Switch 2 to have this much power at its disposal should dispel such a belief.

“There are so many rumors floating around about the [Nintendo] Switch 2, but the funniest one is about it being as powerful as a PS4 Pro,” Warren said.

While this might seem like a cause for concern with the Nintendo Switch 2, it really shouldn’t be. As a handheld platform, the Switch is always going to be limited in some manner as it has to function as both a home console and an on-the-go device. Even if the Switch 2 only matches up with the base version of the PS4 in terms of power, this would still represent a sizable jump from the original Switch and would give Nintendo a lot more flexibility when it comes to the games it can create.

Related: Nintendo Switch 2 Motherboard Leaks Online

Despite so many Nintendo Switch 2 rumors and leaks continuing to swirl, Nintendo itself remains silent when it comes to the upcoming console. Fortunately, it’s known that this silence won’t last a whole lot longer as Nintendo has guaranteed that it will talk about its Switch successor before March 2025 comes to a close.

Be sure to stay tuned to our ongoing coverage of the Switch 2 right here on ComicBook in the days and weeks ahead to learn more about this year’s biggest gaming release.

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