After the Nintendo Live Sydney in-person merch shop proved to be insanely popular, Nintendo promised it would allow attendees to shop the items at an online store, and it has now delivered on that promise.

If you attended Nintendo Live Sydney, you should have received an email in the last 24 hours with an exclusive link that allows you to access a hidden area of the My Nintendo shop to purchase items that were previously only available at the in-person event.

The email that was sent out reads:

“Following our previous email about the My Nintendo Store experiencing unexpectedly high demand during the event, we would like to inform you as an attendee of Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY that every item that was available at the My Nintendo Store, including Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY event-themed items, is now available for purchase or pre-purchase online* via the below link:

Please note, this link is only being shared with you as an attendee of Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY and will expire at 11:59AM AEDT on 10th December 2024. The Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY category on My Nintendo Store is not accessible without this link.”

You’ve got until December 10th at 11:59pm AEDT to shop the items and it’s one of each item per person. Do not share this link with someone else unless you absolutely don’t intend to buy as it can only be used to buy of each item.

All the goods at the My Nintendo Store at #NintendoLive Sydney pic.twitter.com/693FhHrrJ7

— Vooks (@vooksdotnet) August 31, 2024

It’s unclear if Nintendo will open these items up to the general population once that December 10th period is over, but it does seem likely, so here’s hoping as there’s some extremely amazing items that are available for purchase.

The post Nintendo Live Sydney Attendees Can Now Buy The Products Online So Check Your Emails appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has today announced another new product, and it’s not a new console, this time it’s a new smart phone app called Nintendo Music.

This is a free app, that’s accessible for Nintendo Switch Online members with music from games such as Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Splatoon, Mario, Pokemon and more with music sorted by game with special playlists as well.

You can listen to music for extended times of up to 15, 30 or 60 minutes to keep the good vibes going without interruption. There’s offline support to download the tracks, background playback and also the ability to create your own playlists.

NINTENDO MUSIC DOWNLOADS LINKS

• App Store
• Google Play Store

FULL LIST OF GAMES CURRENTLY INCLUDED:

• Pikmin 4
• Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
• Splatoon 3
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Kirby Star Allies
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Metroid Prime
• Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
• Donkey Kong Country

The post Nintendo Music Is A New Phone App Full Of Nintendo Bangers And It’s Out Now appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo is holding an online playtest for something new later this week, and people that have gotten into the test have already shared what it is as well as a bunch of information and screenshots thanks to a guide that Nintendo posted online. We’ve chosen not to share screenshots here, but here’s a lot of what the new game/service is all about.

It’s a new game that is without a name, but the purpose of the game is “to work with others to fully develop a massive expanding planet by utilising creativity and framed resources”.

The description goes on to say that “as you progress across the planet, you’ll discover new lands, enemies and resources that will become essential to your journey”.

As a player, you’ll be granted a special tool known as a beacon that helps purify and develop the land, with the higher it placed, the wider the zone becoming. You’ll need to repeat this process until the planet is considered fully developed.

The game also has another area called ‘The Dev Core’ which Nintendo describes as a social hub to gather with other players. You’ll be able to level up your character, acquire items and commune with others.

There’s also a UGC element of the game, but you’ll need to pass the UGC License Test before you can create content, by answering a number of question in a classic Nintendo fashion.

We don’t know when the game will release, or what it will be called, but for those in other parts of the world (not Australia), they’ll be playing it this week, and it’s exciting to see something totally new from Nintendo. You can see more images and read all about it over at Resetera HERE. 

The post Nintendo’s New Online Game Is A Social World Building Sim Like Minecraft appeared first on Press Start.

Analogue has announced its latest system and it’s the Analogue 3D, a console that brings the Nintendo 64 into 2024.

This isn’t emulating, but rather playing the original carts and upscaling them to 4K (1ox the resolution of the original 64). It’s region free, has Bluetooth LE, Dualband Wi-Fi and 4 original controller ports as well as a new operating system that will allow for save states, screenshots and all that good modern stuff. There’s also a number of different display modes that can mimic the original look of the console if you prefer that.

To go with the Analogue 3D, the company has also partnered with 8BitDo to create the 8BitDo 64 controller which is wireless with the six button design. It has all-effect joy-sticks, vibration and can also work with the Nintendo Switch, Windows and Android.

Both of these products come in Black and White and will be available to pre-order at 02:00am AEDT on October 22nd before shipping in Q1 2025. The Analogue 3D will cost $249.99 USD (~$374 AUD) and the 8BitDo 64 controller will cost $39.99 USD (~$59 AUD). You’ll be able to pre-order HERE. 

The post The Analogue 3D Has Been Revealed And Will Play Original Nintendo 64 Games At 4K appeared first on Press Start.

Sandisk has announced that it has partnered with Nintendo to release three MicroSD cards, which have now found their way to Australia a few months after launching in the US.

There’s a 256GB version which features Pikachu, a 512GB which features Gengar and a 1TB version which features Snorlax.

You can find the Australian prices below:

• Pikachu 256GB – $89 AUD RRP
• 512GB Gengar – $169 AUD RRP
• 1TB Snorlax – $399 AUD RRP 

These are designed to be used with the Nintendo Switch, but they offer 100MB/s read speeds and 90MB/s write speeds so can pretty much be used with anything.

The post These New SanDisk Pokemon MicroSD Cards Are Absolutely Adorable appeared first on Press Start.

The Nintendo Alarmo was announced overnight, and Nintendo Australia has now confirmed that it is coming to Australia although it will require a ballot to get one.

NINTENDO ALARMO AUSTRALIAN PRICE AND RELEASE DATE

The Nintendo Alarmo will release on November 13 as an early exclusive offer before a wider 2025 release in Australia, but you need to enter a ballot to get one. It will cost $159.95 AUD. You can register here.

It will happen in two phases:

• Round 1: Register by 10:59AM AEDT Monday 14^th October 2024  and notified by Thursday October 17th
• Round 2: Register by 10:59AM AEDT Monday 28^th October 2024 and notified by Thursday October 31st

You can register for your chance to pre-order HERE. 

WHAT IS THE NINTENDO ALARMO?

The Nintendo Alarmo features interactive motion sensor technology that respond to movements, allowing you to snooze your alarm with motion alone. It has 35 scenes inspired by five Nintendo titles including Super Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure.

When the alarm isn’t going off, you can experience immersive sounds and music from the scenes that you’ve picked, and then sounds from iconic Nintendo franchises will also play to wake you up.

There’s also a health element to Alarmo with records showing you how much you move around in your sleep and different kinds of intensity levels for the alarm itself.

Nintendo has already confirmed that scenes from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons will come a later date too.

The post The Nintendo Alarmo Australian Price And Release Date Have Been Revealed And There’s A Ballot To Pre-Order appeared first on Press Start.

If the new Nintendo Alarmo clock wasn’t enough for you, Nintendo is now teasing a brand new online experience for Nintendo Switch online.

It has announced this early because it wants people in several countries to help test the new feature, which isn’t being revealed or detailed at all.

On Twitter and on its website, Nintendo said: “We will perform a test called Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program related to a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch system. We will recruit people to participate in this test from those with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships. Customers will need to download exclusive software to their own Nintendo Switch system in order to participate.”

Unfortunately, Australia isn’t one of the countries on the list with only those in Japan, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy or Spain being able to participate. The test will take place from October 24th until November 11th, and you’d assume either before or during that time we will know what this new experience is.

For those with an account in any of those regions, you can register to apply starting later today at this link HERE.

We will be performing a test related to a new feature for #NintendoSwitchOnline on #NintendoSwitch. Starting 8:00 AM PT on Oct. 10, existing Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will be able to apply to participate on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Learn more:… pic.twitter.com/PKAz20oD5G

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 9, 2024

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UPDATE: Here’s the Australian details for Nintendo Alarmo. 

Nintendo has announced new hardware and it’s not the one we were all waiting for. It’s Nintendo Alarmo and it’s an interactive clock that is much more than meets the eye.

Alarm features interactive motion sensor technology that respond to movements, allowing you to snooze your alarm with motion alone. It has 35 scenes inspired by five Nintendo titles including Super Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild , Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure.

When the alarm isn’t going off, you can experience immersive sounds and music from the scenes that you’ve picked, and then sounds from iconic Nintendo franchises will also play to wake you up.

There’s also a health element to Alarmo with records showing you how much you move around in your sleep and different kinds of intensity levels for the alarm itself.

Nintendo has already confirmed that scenes from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons will come a later date too.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing, Nintendo Alarmo is only available in the US and Canada for Nintendo Switch Online members. It will come to retail in early 2025 and will cost $99 USD (~$150 AUD).

I highly recommend checking out the entire website HERE which has a bunch of cool information about Alarmo. 

The post Nintendo Alarmo Is A New Interactive Clock With A Bunch Of Nintendo Goodness appeared first on Press Start.

It’s been a while since we had a major Nintendo Switch System Update, but Nintendo has done just that updating the Switch to version 19.0.0 today.

Unfortunately, whilst a full number jump normally brings new features, this one does not, instead just bringing stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

NINTENDO SWITCH SYSTEM UPDATE 19.0.0 FEATURES

The post Nintendo Switch System Update 19.0.0 Just Dropped Bringing More Stability Than Ever Before appeared first on Press Start.

GameBoy Advance games have been slow and steadily added to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion pass, but two more were just added.

For those that have wanted more F-Zero in your life, that has been answered with two new games coming to the service including F-Zero GP Legend and F-Zero Climax. These will launch on October 11th.

F-Zero GP Legend launched worldwide for the GBA, and F-Zero Climax launched about a year later in Japan but never made its way across to the rest of the world.

OCTOBER NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE GBA GAMES

• F-ZERO GP Legend (GBA)
• F-ZERO Climax (GBA)

The post Two New GBA Games Were Just Announced For Nintendo Switch Online appeared first on Press Start.

The saying goes that there ain’t no party like a Mario Party. But it’s been over two decades since the first Mario Party, and despite numerous attempts to change up the formula, the series has played it pretty safe. There’s been games with wild changes to the formula, like Mario Party 9, and others that employ weird peripherals to try and change things up. Super Mario Party Jamboree isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel. Rather, it attempts to offer up all the great things about Mario Party in what is undoubtedly the biggest Mario Party yet.

Super Mario Party Jamboree has always been touted as the biggest Mario Party so far, and I am inclined to agree. There’s a lot on offer here no matter how you play – heaps of boards to conquer, over a hundred minigames to lose yourself in and some out-of-pocket modes that are another way to engage with the typical Mario Party formula. I can’t pretend that I used the word Jamboree previously, but looking at the definition of the word – a party that’s as large as it is lavish – it feels like an entirely appropriate title for what is ostensibly the biggest Mario Party so far.

While this is called Super Mario Party, my immediate early impression is that Jamboree carries much more from Mario Party Superstars rather than Super Mario Party. This is a good thing, mind you, as I enjoyed the brisk pace of Superstars, and while it was technically rehashed content, it was much more engaging than Super Mario Party, which dragged at times. At its most basic level, you also roll a dice from 1-10, which helps keep things moving at a relatively exciting pace.

Other elements from previous games return, too, though they are much better implemented. Borrowing from Star Rush and eventually Super Mario Party, the Ally system has returned but has been tweaked to make things more substantial and well-thought-out. Now called Jamboree Abilities, they will allow a character to assist you for a few turns if you complete a minigame for them after landing on their space. For example, Daisy will reduce the cost of the store’s items. Waluigi will let you steal from people you pass. It feels much more elegant than the ally system in Super Mario Party, and I’m excited to see what else Jamboree has to offer with such a large roster.

It’s a perfect example of how Jamboree is bridging the gap between the older style of Mario Party and the newer, more recent entries in the series. It’s early days, of course, but given how much original content there is here in Jamboree, it’s mechanically shaping up to be one of the most enjoyable Mario Parties so far.

Most people know how to play Mario Party already, so I won’t focus on that too much here. Instead, what really drew me to Jamboree is how it changes up the single-player experience of Mario Party. It’s early days, as I’ve said, but I’ve spent most of my boring weekday nights with Jamboree’s new single-player mode. It’s called Party-Planner Trek, and it allows you to help Kamek set up a party by travelling to different boards. It’s a simplistic story but effective enough to push you from location to location.

Party-Planner Trek is selected from the main menu, called the Party Plaza, and progress in the mode is tied to your character. When you embark on the Trek, you can select whether or not motion-controlled games will appear in the proceedings – a boon for those playing on their light or just not keen on the Joy-Con. You’re whisked away, dumped on the first board, and tasked with collecting thirty mini-stars to help start the party. From a story perspective, it’s nonsensical, but it’s a premise that works well enough here.

THE CHEAPEST PRICE: $68 FROM AMAZON WITH FREE SHIPPING

When you’re in this mode, you don’t roll a dice. Instead, You can roam the board freely – jumping from space to space on the board as you wish. It’s an interesting take on the tried-and-true Mario Party formula, though I wish the game would provide you with a map of some sort. Whether it be to familiarize yourself with the board or discover where a quest you have to finish is, wandering aimlessly across the boards can get a bit annoying. I suppose they’re simple, but it has regularly come up during my time with the game.

You earn mini-stars in a few ways. The most obvious is through playing minigames as you explore each board. You might come across someone working at a bake stand and must play a minigame involving cutting out cookies, for example. The minigames are admittedly co-opted from Jamboree’s already existing (large) selection, but it’s a neat touch to tie them into the world that you’re exploring. How you place in each of those minigames will determine how many mini-stars you receive.

The other way is through tasks or quests that various characters will give you. They’re usually relatively simple – some might have you finding an item, which you’ll find a few spaces away – but they’re the kind of mindless activities that help to break up the monotony that completing multiple minigames in a row might bring. Some are even simpler than that, requiring you to answer a question or quiz a character poses before rewarding you with stars.

You’ll sometimes find other characters on the board who will ask your character for help. You’ll then have to complete a bunch of minigames themed around that character and, if successful, said character will join you to help you finish off the board. To move on from one board to another, you’ll have to collect a total of thirty stars, though more of them are available on each board. Collecting more than the thirty nets you some decorations for the party plaza.

Of course, I did dabble a bit in the other modes available, but not as much. The typical Mario Party option is here, along with Minigame Bay. The bay serves as a mode where you can play various minigames you’ve already unlocked and packages that rotate daily so that you can compete for the best result on an online leaderboard. Three other smaller modes employ motion-based controls to allow you to fly like a paratroopa, solve puzzles in a factory run by Toads and complete rhythm-based cooking challenges. They’re interesting ways to, once again, change the way you interact with Mario Party, but I’m more excited to try them with friends to pass proper judgment.

Two other modes are played online, so we aren’t available to try at this stage. Both see larger amounts of players banding together to either win a Koopathlon or cooperate to defeat an imposter Bowser. Both modes sound interesting, and I’m keen to try them out as I spend more time with the game. If you can’t wait to hear what I think, however, Brodie was lucky enough to play them both last month and found good fun in both. I’m keen to see how they play closer to launch.

Even more encouragingly, Super Mario Party Jamboree doesn’t suffer from the performance issues that games as recent as Echoes of Wisdom have. The game’s massive roster and vibrant boards are rendered in a silky smooth sixty frames per second with minimal (if any) drops at any point. It’s a simpler game than most on the Switch, but it’s simply icing on the cake to see how slick and smooth the presentation is.

While it’s very much early days for me and my Jamboree, I’m excited to see what else it has to offer. But so far, Super Mario Party Jamboree is doing all the right things and, unexpectedly, offering options for players who want to kick on when everyone has already gone home. And that’s a nice touch, though I’m keen to see where my exploits will take me when more people are in the room. It’s shaping up to be a hell of a party!

Super Mario Party Jamboree launches on October 17th exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Amazon has pre-orders available for $68 with free release day delivery for Prime members.

The post Super Mario Party Jamboree Hands-On Preview – Bigger Can Be Better appeared first on Press Start.

It’s felt like we’ve all been waiting for this day, and fresh off winning another copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocket Pair over Palworld.

In a statement on its corporate websites, Nintendo announced that it would launch a lawsuit that would seek an injunction against the defendants as well as compensation for damages alleging that Palworld infringes multiple patents.

We posted the News Release "Filing Lawsuit for Infringement of Patent Rights against Pocketpair, Inc."https://t.co/76ttENZXtv

— ?????????????IR? (@NintendoCoLtd) September 18, 2024

The statement reads:

“Nintendo Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Minami-ku, Kyoto City; President and CEO: Shuntaro Furukawa; hereinafter referred to as “the Company”), in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocket Pair Co., Ltd. (headquarters: 2-10-2 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter referred to as “Defendant”) in the Tokyo District Court on September 18, 2024.”

“The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the defendants and compensation for damages, alleging that the game “Palworld” developed and sold by the defendants infringes multiple patents.”

“In order to protect the valuable intellectual property that we have built up through many years of hard work, we will continue to take the necessary measures against any infringement of our intellectual property, including our brand.”

We’ll keep you posted on the findings of this one, but the reality is that since Palworld was released, there’s been multiple findings of the creatures looking a lot like certain Pokemon or even allegedly taking assets, so it’ll be interesting to see what is found.

The post Nintendo Is Suing Palworld Creator Pocket Pair For Copyright Infringement appeared first on Press Start.

It feels as though it’s been a little while since we had a Nintendo Switch Online update, but Nintendo has just rectified that by announcing four new games coming to the platform.

This includes Battletoads Double Dragon, Big Run, Cosmo Gang The Puzzle and Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen’in Sh?g?!.

I can’t necessarily say I’ve heard of the others aside from Battletoads (which is a classic), but it’s great to see some updates trickling though regardless.

SEPTEMBER NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE GAMES

• BATTLETOADS DOUBLE DRAGON
• Big Run
• COSMO GANG THE PUZZLE
• Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen’in Sh?g?!

Four classic #SNES titles are now live for #NintendoSwitchOnline members!

?? BATTLETOADS DOUBLE DRAGON
?? Big Run
?? COSMO GANG THE PUZZLE
?? Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen'in Sh?g?! pic.twitter.com/r0cInFMnFm

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 18, 2024

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Nintendo has emailed attendees of Nintendo Live Sydney with an email thanking them for attending the event but also acknowledging that it wasn’t all smooth sailing with there being a heavy amount of lines, particularly the merch section.

Within this email (as obtained by Vooks), it says that it plans to off every item that was available at the My Nintendo Store available online including the Nintendo Live 2024 Sydney merch at store.nintendo.com.au at a later date.

There were a number of cute plushies from the likes of Elephant Mario to a number of Pikmin plushies that hadn’t been available in Australia outside of this event, so it’s good to see these coming to Australia more widely. You can see the full list of items here or below:

All the goods at the My Nintendo Store at #NintendoLive Sydney pic.twitter.com/693FhHrrJ7

— Vooks (@vooksdotnet) August 31, 2024

The email reads:

“THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR NINTENDO LIVE 2024 SYDNEY

We hope you had fun playing games together, meeting some of your favourite Nintendo characters as well as Mario Ambassador, Charles Martinet, and enjoyed the live stage events.

Across both event days, we experienced an unexpectedly high demand for the My Nintendo Store, and we regret that our planning and store management at the event was not sufficient to meet this demand. We apologise if you had a negative experience as a result of this, and promise that we will make improvements for future events.

We understand that not everyone was able to shop the My Nintendo Store due to this demand and we are working to make every item that was available at the My Nintendo Store, including Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY event-themed items, available for order online* at store.nintendo.com.au

These preparations will take some time, however as an attendee of Nintendo Live 2024 SYDNEY, you will be the first to know when these items are available. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further details in the near future.”

The post Nintendo Live Sydney Products And Merch Will Be Offered Online As Nintendo Apologies For High Demand appeared first on Press Start.

Fans who’ve been patiently waiting for the big, proper Nintendo Switch follow-up to 2012/2014’s excellent Fantasy Life are going to have to wait just a little longer, with developer LEVEL-5 revealing it’s pushed the game back once again.

Originally scheduled to launch in 2023, and then given a new release date of October 10th this year, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has now been delayed once again, with no new release date in sight.

“LEVEL-5 Inc. have decided to change the release date of FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time, which was scheduled to be released in October 10, 2024,” the company said in a message on the game’s official website.

“We plan to announce more details about the new release timing and so on during the online event LEVEL5 VISION 2024 TO THE WORLD’S CHILDREN.

“To all of you who have been looking forward to the release, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and sincerely appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your patience.”

We regret to announce that the planned release of Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time for Nintendo Switch on 10th October, 2024 has been delayed. More information about the new release date will be announced in the future. Thank you for your patience.

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) August 19, 2024

Nintendo also added in a tweet, “We regret to announce that the planned release of Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time for Nintendo Switch on 10th October, 2024 has been delayed. More information about the new release date will be announced in the future. Thank you for your patience.”

When it does eventually launch, FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time will allow players to build their very own life on a ruined island, erecting a thriving city, going on dangerous adventures with their chosen occupation and even travelling into the past. You can get a look at the game in the Nintendo Direct trailer below:

The post Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Has Been Delayed Again appeared first on Press Start.

As promised, this morning Nintendo took us through a first, video tour of the new Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan in a special “Nintendo Museum Direct” hosted by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto.

The opening date for the museum was also announced, with the Nintendo Museum accepting visitors beginning October 2nd, 2024.

The museum is built right on the site where the company originally used to make Hanafuda and other playing cards, before it got into the world of video games and made history, transforming a once-industrial car park area into a gorgeous plaza decorated with a classic Mario theme.

In the video, you can see a number of the museum’s exhibits, showing everything from a huge, circular wall of genuine retro Nintendo games and products, all impressively preserved and comprehensive. On the screens above these walls you can also look at videos of the games being played, with some neat directional audio technology meaning you only hear the one you’re standing in front of.

The next areas showcase the company’s history of products designed to get players moving, a history of the ? Block, a timeline of the evolution of visuals across iconic Nintendo series’ and even the pre-video game Nintendo era. The museum also has an interactive floor where attendees can use their phones (and feet) to play a giant card game.

Interestingly, the museum works on a Coin system, where entrants are given a card pre-loaded with 10 coins that they can “spend” on certain activities within. Three are shown in the video, including indoor pitching machines set inside recreation of old-school Japanese homes, a “laser clay” shooting gallery using the classic NES Zapper and SNES Super Scope, and my personal favourite – a room where you can play various snippets of NES, N64 and Wii games using giant controllers.

Visit the official site here and take a look at the full video below:

The post The Nintendo Museum Has Revealed Its Opening Date Along With A Video Tour appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Hot off of pre-registrations kicking off, The Pokemon Company has now revealed the launch date for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. The app is set to arrive on Android and iOS devices starting October 30th, 2024.

The official website has more information, and you can pre-register on the Google Play Store here, or the Apple App Store here.

Original Story: After being announced during a Pokémon Presents showcase back in February, pre-registrations for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket have now gone live on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store, suggesting a release may not be all that far away (thanks Vooks for bringing this to our attention!).

In case you missed it earlier, Pokémon TCG Pocket is an upcoming new free-to-play mobile app that’ll simulate opening packets of Pokémon cards and collecting them and trading with friends as well as offer a “streamlined” version of playing the actual TCG.

The game will also different virtual card treatments including “Immersive” cards unique to the app that let players see even more of the worlds within the card art, and while the exact mechanics of buying packs in-app wasn’t made clear, we do know that users will get two free packs to open every day.

You can find links to pre-register on both platforms below:

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Pre-Registration

• Google Play Store
• App Store

Here’s what the official description on mobile stores says for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket:

Enjoy Pokémon cards anytime, anywhere, on your mobile device!

You can open packs every day to get cards!
Collect cards every day! You can open two booster packs every day at no cost to collect Pokémon cards featuring heartwarming illustrations from the past as well as all-new cards exclusive to this game.

New Pokémon cards!
Immersive cards, a brand-new kind of card, make their debut here! With new illustrations that have a 3D feel, immersive cards will make you feel like you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration!

Show off your collection!
You can use binders or display boards to showcase your cards and share them with the world!

Casual battles—alone or with friends!
You can enjoy casual battles during quick breaks in your day!

The post The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Has An Official Release Date For Android And iOS appeared first on Press Start.

A new Nintendo Direct presentation has been announced for tomorrow morning, but it’s not quite the kind we’re used to. Instead of a look at any upcoming Switch games or, as we hope for a very time, new hardware, this will instead feature a tour of the new Nintendo Museum which is scheduled to open in the coming months in Kyoto, Japan.

The presentation is slated to run for approximately 10 minutes, and because it kind of has to at this stage, the company has already highlighted that “there will be no game announcements or mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during this presentation.”

You’ll be able to watch the Nintendo Museum Direct right in the player below at the following local times:

Nintendo Museum Direct Australia/New Zealand Times – August 20th

• 8.00 AM AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 7.30 AM ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 6.00 AM AWST (Perth)
• 10.00 AM NZDT (Wellington)

“Join us on August 20th at 8AM AEST, for a tour of the Nintendo Museum that’s scheduled to open during the fall of 2024 in Kyoto, Japan! The Nintendo Museum Direct livestream will last roughly 10 minutes.”

The post The Nintendo Museum Getting Its Own Direct Showcase Tomorrow Morning appeared first on Press Start.

We already know that Nintendo is planning to announce the much-anticipated successor to its incredibly popular Switch console before the end of its current financial year on March 31st, 2025, but if new claims from GamesIndustry.biz’s Head of Games, Christopher Dring, are anything to go by we can almost be certain that we won’t actually get our hands on the device until after that threshold.

Citing developers presumably already working with Nintendo and with knowledge on the subject, Dring opened hot in a recent episode of the outlet’s podcast by affirming his belief that the “Switch 2” won’t be launching in Nintendo’s current financial year.

“No developer I’ve spoken to expects it to be launching in the financial year,” Dring said. “In fact, they’ve been told not to expect it in the financial year. A bunch of people I spoke to hope it’s out in April or May time, still early next year, not late.

“I don’t think any of us wants a late launch for Switch 2 because, A; we all want a new Nintendo console, everyone gets very excited for it, and B; we don’t want that crunch of, like, GTA 6 and Switch and all that kind of stuff on top of each other.”

Not exactly the most surprising or hard-to-assume prospect, of course, given we still know very little about the console at an official level, but the idea that developers aren’t expecting we’ll see the new console on shelves for at least another six months does help to align expectations a bit.

Download the latest GI Microcast for our take on Krafton acquiring Tango Gameworks, financial results for Sony, Take-Two and more, plus Chris Dring's new segment: What do the numbers mean?https://t.co/wgO3GxC2p3

— GamesIndustry (@GIBiz) August 13, 2024

The most recent word out of Nintendo’s camp came as the company assured it wouldn’t have supply issues at launch and that it’d combat scalpers simply by producing enough consoles, with company president Shuntaro Furukawa saying, “Last year and the year before, we were unable to produce sufficient quantities of Nintendo Switch hardware due to a shortage of semiconductor components, but this situation has now been resolved.”

“At present, we do not believe that the shortage of components will have a significant impact on the production of the successor model.”

The post Don’t Expect The Switch 2 Before April 2025, Developers Have Claimed appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo is celebrating all things multiplayer over the next month or so, kicking off four big new offers to get Switch fans into and excited about online multiplayer gaming.

The first of these promos is one of the most appealing, with users getting an extra 2 months on the purchase of any 12 month Nintendo Switch Online membership, whether it’s a single-user standard subscription or all the way up to a Family Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

Next up is the Mega Gold Points promo, which promises an extra 20% back in Gold Points on all eShop purchases for paid NSO members, or 10% back for everyone else.

At later dates, there’ll also be a big Game Trials offer starting August 19th where Nintendo Switch Online members will be able to play the full versions of four (as yet unrevealed) multiplayer titles at no extra cost, and then it’s all being capped off by a Mega Multiplayer Sale starting August 26th.

Here’s a big more about each promotion via the Nintendo website:

Mega 12 + 2 Promotion

You can earn an additional 2 months at no extra cost when you buy any 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership*! Offer ends 8th September.

Grab the deal here.

*A bonus code for an additional two-month Nintendo Switch Online membership will be sent via email within 72 hours of purchase of a qualifying 12-month membership.

The following membership types qualify for the bonus offer:

• 12-month Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership
• 12-month Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership
• 12-month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Individual Membership
• 12-month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family Membership

Mega Gold Points Promotion – from 6pm (AEST) 5th August

From 5th August at 6pm AEST, Bonus Gold Points available on selected Nintendo eShop purchases – Earn 20% for all Nintendo Switch Online members, and 10% for non-members!

Mega Game Trials – from 19th August

Nintendo Switch Online members will be able to play the full versions of four multiplayer titles for free! Stay tuned for the line-up.

Mega Multiplayer Sale – from 26th August

Look forward to discounts on hundreds of multiplayer games including co-operative, party and online titles

The post Nintendo Is Giving Out Bonus Nintendo Switch Online, eShop Gold Points And More This Month appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has announced a brand-new official charging solution for the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, only seven-plus years after the console first launched.

This new 2-way charging station isn’t too dissimilar from other products out there by third party vendors, aside from being an official Nintendo product, and allows for those of us with multiple Joy-Con sets around the place to conveniently charge a second pair without a second console/dock. It looks and functions pretty much exactly like the Charging Grip that Nintendo already sells, albeit without the grip functionality and in a form factor more suited to standing on a shelf or cabinet.

Conveniently, it can also be used to charge the official NES wireless controllers, which is great for anyone using them to play classics via Nintendo Switch Online or who just picked up Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (you can read my review of that right here).

We first spotted the existence of this device thanks to reporting from Vooks, but now it’s been officially confirmed for a global release on October 17th. It’ll cost $39 in Australia and is available to pre-order now at JB Hi-Fi (more retailers to follow).

Charge your #NintendoSwitch Joy-Con controllers and Nintendo Entertainment System controllers with the Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) accessory, available 17th October. pic.twitter.com/HQpX0uH8P2

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) July 18, 2024

It’s a move that some speculators out there suggest could be an indication that Nintendo is getting ahead and offering a charging solution so that folks can use their existing Joy-Con controllers with the “Switch 2,” which is believed to be ditching the Joy-Con rails of the current console.

And for my money, a lot of what Nintendo’s done this year, even as far as their game output and the performance decisions there, does make it feel as though there was once a timeline where both the Switch and its successor co-existed in 2024. But also, this is Nintendo, and I don’t think that I’ve once confidently anticipated or understood any of its decisions.

At any rate, the Switch is not barrelling ahead as Nintendo’s longest-serving gaming console of all time, so it’s great to see it still getting support from all angles.

The post Nintendo Is Finally Releasing An Official Switch Joy-Con Charging Stand appeared first on Press Start.

If you were hoping to see Nintendo reveal an all-new horror franchise or team up with a renowned studio for some Switch exclusive spookiness, you might be disappointed to know that its recent and very cryptic “Emio” tease was not pointing to either of those things.

If, however, you’re someone who’s been waiting over three decades for a fresh entry in the Famicom Detective Club franchise, well – you’re actually in luck. Nintendo has revealed that Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club will launch exclusively for the Switch on August 29th.

The game appears to follow closely in the legacy left by the series’ first two entries, tasking players with assisting the Utsugi Detective Agency in solving a murder mystery through point-and-click adventure style gameplay where scenes can be interacted with via a variety of commands and the mystery slowly unfolds as new clues, discoveries and suspects come into play.

“In Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, a student has been found dead in a chilling fashion, his head covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it,” reads the game’s official description. “This unsettling visage bears a striking resemblance to a recurring clue in a string of unsolved murders from 18 years ago,as well as Emio (the Smiling Man), a killer of urban legend who is said to grant his victims “a smile that will last forever.”

Nintendo also released a short video with producer, Yoshio Sakamoto, revealing the inspiration and ideas behind the sequel 35 years in the making, which you can watch below:

Nintendo actually released a duo of remakes of the first two Famicom Detective Club games a few years back on Switch, which we reviewed and scored a 7/10. At the time, James said, “Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind are both well written adventure games with engaging stories. A striking visual overhaul does a great job of bringing both games into the twenty first century, without a doubt. Though this isn’t enough to do the same for the gameplay, which could have used a bit more streamlining.”

The post That Mysterious Nintendo Tease Turned Out To Be A Brand-New Famicom Detective Club Game appeared first on Press Start.

The brothers are back in a new adventure with Mario & Luigi: Brothership for Nintendo Switch! Set sail with Mario and Luigi on Shipshape Island (part ship, part island) and journey through the vast world of Concordia.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership launches on November 7th for Nintendo Switch.

WHERE TO GET MARIO & LUIGI: BROTHERSHIP IN AUSTRALIA

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is available to pre-order at most of the usual local retailers as a physical standard edition.

THE BEST SHIPPED DEAL IS AT AMAZON FOR $68 WITH FREE RELEASE DAY DELIVERY FOR PRIME MEMBERS

Amazon – $68

Big W – $69

JB Hi-Fi – $69

EB Games – $79.95

MightyApe – $79

Harvey Norman – $68

Gamesmen – $68 plus postage

Nintendo eShop – $79.95 (between $62.45 – $72.45 using Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers, depending on second title)

ARE THERE PRE-ORDER BONUSES?

No pre-order bonuses on offer just yet, sadly!

WHAT’S IN EACH EDITION?

Mario & Luigi: Brothership comes as a Standard Edition only.

ARE THERE TRADE DEALS?

EB Games currently have a trade deal where you receive a copy of Mario & Luigi: Brothership for free by trading in 2 selected games (usually titles worth $10 trade in value each).

WHEN DOES IT UNLOCK?

Digital versions of Mario & Luigi: Brothership should unlock at 12AM local time on 7/11/2024.

OUR MARIO & LUIGI: BROTHERSHIP REVIEW

We don’t yet have a review for Mario & Luigi: Brothership but keep an eye on this space!

WHERE ARE THE TRAILERS?

Take a look at some trailers for Mario & Luigi: Brothership below:

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS

The post Mario & Luigi: Brothership – The Cheapest Australian Pre-Orders And Deals appeared first on Press Start.

Here’s an unexpected one for the 2024 bingo card – Nintendo has dropped a creepy teaser overnight for what appears to be a horror title of some kind.

The video, simply titled Emio, simply shows an image of a person in a trenchcoat against a dark background, wearing a paper bag over their head with a smiling face drawn on. We get a few camera cuts, a flash of unsettling paper bag teeth and some classic spooky music.

It’s a confounding thing, with almost nothing in the way of a description aside from the repeated phrase of “Who is Emio?” and the fact that in Japanese the video is reportedly titled, “The Smiling Man.”

Could this be the first tease of a Switch 2 launch title? Is this an elaborate tease for a different game? Have they let Yoko Taro and Shinji Mikami co-direct the next Detective Pikachu? Whatever the project is, it’s got age ratings across the globe, so it’s definitely a game/product of some kind. In Australia, it carries an MA15+ rating for “Strong themes, violence and suicide references,” while in the NZ it’s nabbed an R-13 rating for “Violence, cruelty, domestic abuse and suicide themes,” suggesting the subject matter here is going to be well outside of the norm for the company.

#WhoIsEmio?

? https://t.co/OKJv2qrTse pic.twitter.com/TKwZu8we8b

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) July 11, 2024

Nintendo’s not dabbled a whole lot in horror outside of publishing some exclusive third-party efforts like Eternal Darkness and Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, so it’d be excellent to see the company return to the idea.

There’s a teaser website for Emio live now via Nintendo Japan, suggesting this is genuinely a new first-party title from its studios, or a third party close by, but it seems we’ll have to wait to find out anything more.

Check out the trailer at this link or just below (age gated, amusingly):

The post Nintendo Seems To Be Teasing A New Horror Title appeared first on Press Start.

Just a few months after Nintendo finally pulled the plug on the Wii U’s online services, it’s not put a final nail in the console’s coffin with the announcement that support for repairs of the console is officially ending.

The news comes with a little warning, as the company had previously let folks know that supply of replacement parts for the Wii U was dwindling, but now the time has come and Nintendo says it simply doesn’t have any spare Wii U bits lying around to fix up faulty or damaged machines.

The information can be found on the Nintendo Japan support website, which lists all of the consoles and devices that the company no longer accepts repairs for and now includes the Wii U, although at the time of writing it’s still possible to submit a request on the Nintendo Australia website to send in a faulty Wii U to be looked at for a fee – along with a number of other legacy devices.

??????????????????????2024?7?3??????Wii U???????????????????????? https://t.co/pmexAcLr4J

— ??????? (@nintendo_cs) July 4, 2024

It’s hard to imagine there are too many folks out there desperate to keep their Wii U consoles alive at this point. The device had a famously lukewarm response, and Nintendo quickly abandoned it in favour of the turnaround in success it had with the Switch. Many of the Wii U’s better first-party titles eventually got re-releases for the Switch, as well. Still, preservation isn’t just for the winners so if you’ve got a working Wii U, treat that thing with the care it deserves.

Naturally, eyes are less on legacy Nintendo hardware and more on the future at this point, with the successor to the Nintendo Switch still looming and the world anticipating the company’s previously-confirmed reveal happening at some point between now and its next fiscal year – so by March 2025 at the latest.

The post Wii U Repair Support Is Officially Over As Nintendo Has Run Out Of Parts appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo’s crusade against Switch pirates doesn’t seem to have lost any steam after its heavily-publicised lawsuit against the Yuzu emulator earlier this year which resulted in a settlement of $2.4 million USD and a complete shutdown of its services.

As reported by TorrentFreak, the company is apparently now going after two more prominent names in the Switch modding and pirating space – modchip and MIG device seller, Modded Hardware, and one of the moderators of the r/SwitchPirates subreddit.

These two cases seem a little more cut-and-dry compared to Nintendo’s court battle against Yuzu and the murkiness of emulation. Modded Hardware directly sells modified Nintendo Switch consoles and “MiG” carts and devices that allow users to quickly and easily copy retail Switch cartridges and play them on unmodded hardware – unabashedly enabling easy piracy. Nintendo reportedly reached out to its alleged Michigan-based owner and operator, Ryan Daly, threatening to sue unless he ceased selling the devices. Daly didn’t stop however, and so the company is making good on those threats.

“Defendant not only offers the hardware and firmware to create and play pirated games, but he also provides his customers with copies of pirated Nintendo games,” Nintendo’s complaint reads.

“Typically, when a customer purchases a Hacked Console or the Circumvention Services, Defendant preinstalls on the console a portfolio of ready-to-play pirated games, including some of Nintendo’s most popular titles such as its Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid games.”

“Indeed, because pirated Nintendo Switch games cannot be used or created without a Hacked Console and related software and hardware, it is only because of products and services such as those sold by Defendant that illegal marketplaces distributing pirated games exist and thrive,” it continues.

The other case is against Arizona resident James Williams, who goes by Archbox on Reddit and is alleged to be involved in multiple “Pirate Shops” and responsible for facilitating the playing of pirated Switch games in the r/SwitchPirates subreddit as a moderator.

“Defendant became a leading (if not the primary) moderator of the SwitchPirates Reddit community, which he helped grow to nearly 190,000 members. Since 2019, Defendant has posted thousands of comments and messages to the SwitchPirates Reddit Group,” Nintendo’s complaint against Williams reads.

“Defendant’s posts have included, by way of example, messages directing users to the Pirate Shops […]; and offering technical advice and encouragement to other users about how to use the Pirate Shops, how to download and install Circumvention Software, and how to play pirated copies of Nintendo Switch games.”

“Defendant is well aware that his conduct is unlawful and infringes Nintendo’s intellectual property rights. Indeed, Defendant has bragged publicly that he is a ‘pirate’ who “[isn’t] going to give Nintendo $50 for a game”,” it continues.

You can see the full complaint against Modded Hardware here and the complaint against Williams here, courtesy of TF.

The post Nintendo Is Suing Two Key Players In The Switch Piracy Scene appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has made the already-enticing Switch Game Voucher deal even sweet for the next couple of weeks, offering quadruple Gold Points with the purchase of a pair of the vouchers, which equates to another $27 to spend on future eShop purchases.

The deal runs from now until July 14th, and Nintendo says the points will come along with a confirmation email a few hours after purchasing.

In case you’re never bought or used Game Vouchers before, they’re essentially a discounted way to pick up any two Nintendo-published digital games on the Switch eShop, including pre-orders of upcoming games. A pair costs $134.95, which equates to just over $67 per game and with most Nintendo titles being around $80 on the eShop, or some like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom going up to $90, it’s a pretty good deal – now made even better by pocketing a further $27 in eShop credit.

You can grab yours right here.

Please note that the bonus amount of Gold Points is not displayed during checkout. The bonus Gold Points will be issued along with a confirmation email generally within a few hours of purchase.

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) June 27, 2024

Games you’ll be able to redeem with these include Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Princess Peach: Showtime, Super Mario RPG, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and dozens of other including the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom!

The post Nintendo Has Launched A Banger Deal On Switch Game Vouchers appeared first on Press Start.

In a recent Q&A with shareholders (and shared by VGC), Nintendo has addressed concerns around launch availability of the successor to its massively-popular Switch console.

When asked about what the company will do to prevent the new device from being widely scalped, similar to what we saw with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and in the face of semiconductor shortages in recent years that hugely affected the console market, Nintendo’s executives confirmed that the core plan to combat scalping activity will simply be to ensure there’s enough stock to begin with.

Aside from simply aiming to make sure anyone who wants to buy a “Switch 2″ at launch can do so without turning to resellers, Nintendo also said that it’s “taking into account the circumstances in each region.”

The other point of concern coming out of the Q&A is the company’s ability to produce that much hardware at launch, no doubt borne of those earlier component shortages that affected Switch supply for a hot minute. Nintendo’s Shuntaro Furukawa, though, dismissed those concerns.

“Last year and the year before, we were unable to produce sufficient quantities of Nintendo Switch hardware due to a shortage of semiconductor components, but this situation has now been resolved,” the president explained.

“At present, we do not believe that the shortage of components will have a significant impact on the production of the successor model.”

Nintendo says its main plan to avoid Switch 2 scalping is to make enough of them to meet demand in the first place.https://t.co/htEo8ji8aE pic.twitter.com/HgqTy1HPzW

— VGC (@VGC_News) July 1, 2024

Nintendo has previously said that it will announced its next console, widely believed to be a successor to the Switch in terms of general form and function, albeit with beefed-up specs.

“This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo,” a post on X earlier this year read. “We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation.”

The post Nintendo Is Making Sure There’s Enough “Switch 2” Stock To Combat Scalpers appeared first on Press Start.

Le Creuset might be a brand you’d associated with boomers who have way too much expendable income to spend on high-quality cookware, but it seems as though it’s making an earnest attempt to appeal to we millenials as we age into an era where being excited about casserole dishes is appropriate.

Case in point – a new Pokémon collection from Le Creuset that’s launching locally from next month, and actually looks delightful, if appropriately ‘spenno given the quality.

The collection will feature a number of Pokemon-inspired pieces from rice pots and marmites to a classic kettle, stacking mug sets and nesting tableware sets. It’ll be released in two phases and will include items inspired by Pokémon, Poké Balls, and more. The first phase is launching on July 30th, while the second is planned for November 2024, and everything will be available via the official Australian La Creuset online store.

Le Creuset Pokémon Collection – Australian & NZ Prices

The full collection will include:

Pokémon Rice Pot 18cm in Nectar – AU$520 / NZ$570

Enameled Cast Iron pot featuring a decal of Pikachu’s tail and finished in a Nectar colour, reminiscent of Pikachu himself. The lid is adorned with a Poké Ball-style relief, and the Iridescent Knob features a Poké Ball icon.

Pokémon Marmite 22cm in Shiny Black – AU$550 / NZ$610

Finished in Shiny Black, this Marmite is topped with a lid featuring line art of 23 different Pokémon and four types of Poké Balls, along with an Iridescent Knob that gleams with rainbow colours.

Pokémon Classic Kettle in Nectar – AU$150 / NZ$170

Enamel-on-steel kettle featuring a series of running Pikachu silhouettes. It comes in the Nectar colour, reminiscent of the Electric-type Pokémon, with a rainbow-like Iridescent Knob.

Pokémon Set of 5 Stacking Mugs – AU$160 / NZ$180

Featuring a new shape especially created for this collection, the Stacking Mugs set comes in five iconic Le Creuset colours and is printed with the silhouettes of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Snorlax, and a Poké Ball icon printed on the inside.

Pokémon Set of 5 17cm Sphere Plates – AU$170 / NZ$190

A plate set printed with the silhouettes of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Snorlax, as well as the icon of the Poké Ball.

Pokémon Set of 5 11cm Sphere Rice Bowls – AU$130 / NZ$150

Available in five iconic colours, this Rice Bowl set can be used for rice dishes, soup, cereal, and more. It is adorned with the silhouettes of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Snorlax, and each bowl interior features the Poké Ball.

Pokémon Tableware Set Poké Ball – AU$100 / NZ$110

This 25cm diameter white nesting plate set features a red plate shaped like a Poké Ball and a small round dish mimicking the
centre button. On removal of the red plate, a silhouette of Pikachu is printed on the white plate.

Pokémon Tableware Set Master Ball – AU$100 / NZ$110

This nesting tableware set consists of a purple plate inspired by the top of a Master Ball, a small round dish in the centre resembling the button, and a white 25cm diameter plate.

The post Le Creuset Is Launching Pokémon Cookware And Here’s The Australian Pricing And Release Date appeared first on Press Start.

As previously revealed, Nintendo has now removed Twitter/X integration from Nintendo Switch with the latest system version which dropped today, bringing the system software up to Version 1.8.1.0.

This means players can no longer be able to post screenshots or videos from their console or certain games to X, with Nintendo saying that the functionality will likely also become unavailable for Facebook and other services in the future. It’s also removed the ability to send friend requests to social media friends from the Switch console.

You can see the full notes for the update below:

Nintendo Switch System Update Version 18.1.0

• The following updates were made for the discontinuation of X (formerly Twitter) integration:
  • The option to “Post to Twitter” when sharing from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu was removed.
  • The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app was removed.
  • The option to link X (formerly Twitter) from “Settings” > “User Settings” > “Posting to Social Media” was removed.
• The option to link social media accounts from “My Page” > “Friend Suggestions” was removed.
• General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

As of June 10, 2024, it will no longer be possible to post screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Nintendo Switch's Album, or send friend requests to social media users via the Friend Suggestions feature.

Find out more: https://t.co/rNkouTo109

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 9, 2024

In its initial announcement of the removal, Nintendo said:

“On June 10, 2024, we will discontinue integration for X (formerly Twitter) as well as the ability to send friend requests to friends on social media (social media integration) from within the Nintendo Switch friend suggestions feature.

This impacts the following services:

• The feature for posting screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu will become unavailable.
  • While posting screenshots and videos to Facebook will continue to be available, this service may also be discontinued at a later date.
  • The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World, in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app, will also become unavailable.
• Posting features in the Nintendo Switch title Splatoon 3 will be adjusted.
  • When posting from the mailbox in Splatsville, Inkopolis Plaza, or Inkopolis Square, you will no longer be able to post to X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook; the data will be sent directly to Nintendo servers. This change will allow users to make posts without one of these social media accounts, but images posted by players younger than 13 will not be visible to other players.
  • The image created for the post will be copied to the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Images in the Album can be transferred to a smart device wirelessly or to a PC via USB cable.
• Posting features in the Nintendo Switch title Splatoon 2 will be adjusted.
  • You will no longer be able to post to X (formerly Twitter) from the mailbox in Inkopolis Square.
  • The characters that appear and posts that are displayed in the Square will be replaced by data already prepared within the game software.
• The feature for sending friend requests to social media friends via the Friend Suggestions menu on My Page, in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, will no longer be available.
  • You can continue to use the friend suggestions feature from smart devices, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U.”

The post The Latest Nintendo Switch System Update Is Out And Removes Twitter/X Integration appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has revealed that it’s set to open its fifth major Nintendo Store, with a new location coming to San Francisco at an unannounced date in 2025.

The new store will be the second in the US after Nintendo New York, with the other three spread across Japan. Perhaps Australia’s turn will come in the next decade or so.

Presumably, like the others, the store will be stocked with copious amounts of Nintendo merch, including exclusive lines, and feature plenty of neat installations and items on exhibit to make it an exciting tourist spot.

Nintendo’s announcement page reads:

“Nintendo of America today announced plans to open an official store in San Francisco’s iconic Union Square, providing a way for a wide range of visitors from near and far to experience the world of Nintendo, its products, and characters.

“The store, called Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO, will open in 2025 as the second official location in the US, joining the store in New York City.

“Please stay tuned for more information as the new store opening approaches.”

The post A New Nintendo Store Is Opening In San Francisco Next Year appeared first on Press Start.

It feels like it’s been a while, but Nintendo has announced a new studio acquisition, entering into an agreement with the embattled Embracer Group to take a 100% stake in the Miami-based Shiver Entertainment.

Shiver has a fair amount of experience with Switch including work on ports of AAA games to the platform as well as its own multi-platform development with games like Scribblenauts Showdown. Interestingly, Nintendo says that the studio will retain its focus on ports and development for “multiple platforms” including Nintendo Switch.

“Shiver is a video game development company that develops software for multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch,” Nintendo writes in the press release accompanying the announcement. “Since its establishment in 2012, Shiver has partnered with publishers and developers through commissions for large scale title developments, and recently, has worked on porting and developing software titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1.

“Nintendo will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Shiver and make it a wholly owned subsidiary. By welcoming Shiver’s experienced and accomplished development team, Nintendo aims to secure high-level resources for porting and developing software titles. Going forward, even after it becomes a part of the Nintendo group, Shiver’s focus will remain the same, continuing commissions that port and develop software for multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch.”

The terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed in the announcement, including the financial details, but Nintendo says that this acquisition will have only a minor effect on its results for the current fiscal year.

The post Nintendo Has Acquired Shiver Entertainment From Embracer Group appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has continued the release of classic games to Nintendo Switch Online and this time it’s three classic GameBoy games including what I’d argue is one of the most important games of Nintendo’s history in Super Mario Land.

The other games include Alleyway and Baseball games which are also iconic games in Nintendo history in their own right, and if I’m being honest, I’m a little surprised all three of these weren’t already on the platform.

NEW GAMEBOY GAMES ON NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE

• Super Mario Land
• Alleyway
• Baseball

Three classic games are now available to play for #NintendoSwitchOnline members!#GameBoy:
?? Super Mario Land
?? Alleyway
?? Baseball pic.twitter.com/jbQN6uLGN5

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 15, 2024

The post Three Iconic GameBoy Games Have Hit Nintendo Switch Online appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has just released its financial earnings report for the fiscal year ended March 2024, but alongside this a message from its president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has also finally acknowledged that the company has new hardware to announce soon – promising it’ll have an announcement within this financial year (between now and March 2025).

Furukawa also confirmed that a Nintendo Direct showcase is happening in June which will show off the company’s games line-up for the rest of 2024, but the new console will not be shown during this event.

“This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo,” the post on X making the announcement reads. “We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation.”

This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo. We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct…

— ?????????????IR? (@NintendoCoLtd) May 7, 2024

Based on the wording around the June Direct and the allowance of the first three months of next year to make the hardware announcement, it’s probably fairly safe to assume we’ll see the new console launch very late in 2024 at the absolute earliest, or far more likely at some point in 2025 as per the most recent round of claims made by various outlets.

While we still know very little about Nintendo’s next console in an official capacity, the most widely-believed rumours have it pegged as a pretty faithful follow-up to the Switch in form factor with a bigger 8″ LCD display, improved performance that may even include some form of DLSS technology powered by a custom NVIDIA chipset, and backwards compatibility with original Nintendo Switch games both digitally and via physical carts.

For now, this small acknowledgment is the most news we’ve had from Nintendo themselves on the next-gen front.

The post Nintendo Will Announce The Switch Successor By March 2025 appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has announced that it’s removing all X (the social media app formerly known as Twitter) integration from the Nintendo Switch starting next month on June 10th. This means players will no longer be able to post screenshots or videos from their console or certain games to X, with Nintendo saying that the functionality will likely also become unavailable for Facebook and other services in the future, and that it’s removing the ability to send friend requests to social media friends from the Switch console on the same date.

This comes not long after the company finally revealed it has a new console to announce soon, but it’s unclear if any of these changes are to do with impending changes to its app/online ecosystem alongside next-generation hardware.

As of June 10, 2024, it will no longer be possible to post screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Nintendo Switch's Album, or send friend requests to social media users via the Friend Suggestions feature.

Find out more: https://t.co/rNkouTo109

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 9, 2024

Here’s the full announcement from Nintendo:

“On June 10, 2024, we will discontinue integration for X (formerly Twitter) as well as the ability to send friend requests to friends on social media (social media integration) from within the Nintendo Switch friend suggestions feature.

This impacts the following services:

• The feature for posting screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu will become unavailable.
  • While posting screenshots and videos to Facebook will continue to be available, this service may also be discontinued at a later date.
  • The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World, in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app, will also become unavailable.
• Posting features in the Nintendo Switch title Splatoon 3 will be adjusted.
  • When posting from the mailbox in Splatsville, Inkopolis Plaza, or Inkopolis Square, you will no longer be able to post to X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook; the data will be sent directly to Nintendo servers. This change will allow users to make posts without one of these social media accounts, but images posted by players younger than 13 will not be visible to other players.
  • The image created for the post will be copied to the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Images in the Album can be transferred to a smart device wirelessly or to a PC via USB cable.
• Posting features in the Nintendo Switch title Splatoon 2 will be adjusted.
  • You will no longer be able to post to X (formerly Twitter) from the mailbox in Inkopolis Square.
  • The characters that appear and posts that are displayed in the Square will be replaced by data already prepared within the game software.
• The feature for sending friend requests to social media friends via the Friend Suggestions menu on My Page, in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, will no longer be available.
  • You can continue to use the friend suggestions feature from smart devices, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U.”

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Nintendo has just released it’s financial earnings report for the fiscal year ended March 2024, but alongside this a message from its president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has confirmed that a Nintendo Direct showcase is happening in June which will show off the company’s games line-up for the rest of 2024.

While we don’t have a date or time for the Direct just yet, we do already have one piece of confirmed information – it won’t feature the announcement of the successor to the Switch. Furakawa has finally acknowledged that the company has new hardware to announce soon, though – promising it’ll happen within this financial year (or before March 2025).

“This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo,” the post on X making the announcement reads. “We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation.”

????????2015?3??Nintendo Switch??????????9????Switch???????????????????????????2024????Switch????????????????Nintendo Direct?6????????????????????????????????????????

— ?????????????IR? (@NintendoCoLtd) May 7, 2024

Given that it looks increasingly like the next console is set for a 2025 launch, it’ll be good to have a clearer vision of what the company has lined up for the current Switch between now and then. A recent ESRB listing outed the possibility of some kind of NES Remix spiritual successor, and we still have Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door this month followed by Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD in June, but after that it’s all a little unclear.

The post A Nintendo Direct Has Been Confirmed For June 2024 appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo just released its financial results for its most recent fiscal year ending March 31st, 2023, and the company has reached a pretty impressive milestone with its current-generation hardware.

Nintendo’s console is still going strong after the company’s previous report saw the Switch confirmed as the best-selling video game console of all time in Japan, but now it’s finally crossed over 140 million units sold worldwide – reaching 141.32 million as of March 31st, 2024.

The Switch still has some stiff competition if it wants to break the biggest records, with this new number still a fair bit shy of the Nintendo DS’s 154 million and the PS2’s 155 million lifetime sales, but it’s far and away a huge success story for the console.

And to top it all off, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has also finally acknowledged that the company has new hardware to announce soon – promising it’ll happen within this financial year (before March 2025).

This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo. We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct…

— ?????????????IR? (@NintendoCoLtd) May 7, 2024

On the software side of things, total software sales for Switch have reached an astounding 1.2 billion units overall which is a massive lead on even the DS. As far as first-party releases go the usual suspects are still in their positions since the last report, with fairly incremental improvements. Princess Peach: Showtime! has entered the million-seller charts with a respectable 1.22 million copies moved in its first week or so on sale (it launched on March 22nd and the reporting ends on March 31st).

Here’s how the top 10 stand now:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 61.97 million (up from 60.58m)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 45.36 million (up from 44.79m)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 34.22 million (up from 33.67m)
• Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 31.85 million (up from 31.61m)
• Super Mario Odyssey – 27.96 million (up from 27.65m)
• Pokémon Sword/Shield – 26.27 million (was 26.02m)
• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – 24.92 million (up from 24.36m)
• Super Mario Party – 20.66 million (up from 20.34m)
• Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 20.61 million (up from 20.28m)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 17.45 million (up from 17.2m)

The post The Nintendo Switch Has Officially Crossed Over 140 Million Units Sold appeared first on Press Start.

Following earlier reporting by website DK Vine in January this year, a huge new video from DidYouKnowGaming has emerged that expands on claims that Activision-owned studio Vicarious Visions, which had previously worked on the Skylanders franchise and headed up 2020’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, was developing a new Donkey Kong game in partnership with Nintendo.

Reportedly codenamed “Freedom,” the game would’ve followed up 2014’s side-scrolling Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze with a true 3D platformer for the Switch that put an emphasis on movement within an open world island location. Project Freedom would’ve even had a sort of “skating” element with DK cruising around with bananas strapped to his feet and even grinding on vines. It’s said in DK Vine’s story that Nintendo was suitably impressed with the work Vicarious did on introducing Donkey Kong into Skylanders: SuperChargers and saw the opportunity to fill a gap in DK’s catalogue with Retro having moved on to more Metroid-adjacent things.

It would never come to fruition though, with development supposedly scrapped just six months in thanks to a shift in focus from parent company Activision Blizzard toward its Call of Duty games – Vicarious would go on to support future COD titles along with Diablo IV.

These reports also go some way to explain why Karthik and Guha Bala, the brothers that founded the studio in 1991, left in 2016 (right when this project reportedly fell through) to form Velan Studios, which would then wind up working alongside Nintendo with Mario Kart Live: Super Circuit. In 2021, Vicarious was then fully folded into Activision Blizzard to become Blizzard Albany.

The same reports from DK Vine also claim that development of this new game was moved internally to Nintendo EPD in one form or another, with franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto apparently pushing for the Donkey Kong franchise to receive more support – perhaps evident in the recent theme park expansions and rumoured standalone film.

Meanwhile, DoYouKnowGaming’s video starts with the admission that all of these rumours seemed too tenuous to be true, but then goes on to reveal that around a dozen actual, ex-Vicarious developers were reached out to and corroborated most of DK Vine’s claims. Interestingly, the video says that it was actually Vicarious who decided to start developing and pitch a new Donkey Kong game and did so in a makeshift “secret room” erected right within its regular office. Miyamoto was apparently right on board, and a relationship was formed, though changes within Activision Blizzard and Vicarious ultimately saw it all fall through.

The full video is quite fascinating and continues to delve deeper into the fate of Vicarious Visions, the changes in culture among ABK’s pivot to its other franchises, the cancellation of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 and more. You can watch it below:

The post A Donkey Kong 3D Platformer Was Apparently In The Works At Activision’s Vicarious Visions appeared first on Press Start.

After launching five official Animal Crossing sets just a couple of months ago, LEGO is already back for more with an additional two sets just revealed.

The announcement was made by possibly the most adorable iteration of famed musician, K.K. Slider, to date – in his new LEGO minifigure form. K.K. will be part of one of the two sets, which seems to depict the town hall in Autumn and also includes Isabelle and Audie.

The other set looks to be a Dodo Airlines port with minifigures of Tangy and Wilbur. Neither set has a price or piece count attached to it yet, or even an official name, but we do know that they’re launching on August 1st, 2024.

Take a look at the reveal video below (including mildly amusing disclaimer):

? K.K. is bringing some extra groove to the LEGO Animal Crossing range from August 1! #LEGO #AnimalCrossing pic.twitter.com/R2uIW9lDIa

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) April 26, 2024

If you’ve still not jumped on those earlier sets, they’re still available too. You can find them discounted on Amazon at the below links (prices accurate at time of writing):

• LEGO® Animal Crossing Julian’s Birthday Party (77046) – $17
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities (77047) – $25
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour (77048) – $35
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Isabelle’s House Visit (77049) – $59
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie’s House (77050) – $79.20

LEGO Animal Crossing

LEGO® Animal Crossing Isabelle’s House Visit (77049)

• Pieces: 389
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 6.5 in. (17 cm) high and 10 in. (25 cm) wide
• 2 characters: Isabelle & Fauna
• Price: $69.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Julian’s Birthday Party (77046)

• Pieces: 170
• Ages: 6+
• This 170-piece set measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 6.5 in. (17 cm) wide and 4 in. (10 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration
• 1 character: Julian
• Price: $19.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities (77047)

• Pieces: 164
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 8 in. (20 cm) wide and 6.5 in. (17 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration.
• 1 character: Bunnie
• Price: $29.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour (77048)

• Pieces: 233
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 11 in. (28 cm) wide and 6.5 in. (17 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration
• 2 characters: Kapp’n and Marshal
• Price: $39.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie´s House (77050)

• Pieces: 535
• Ages: 7+
• Measures over 6 in. (15 cm) high and 15 in. (39 cm) wide
• 2 characters – Tom Nook & Rosie

• Price: $119.99 AUD

The post New Animal Crossing LEGO Sets Are Coming Along With A K.K. Slider Minifigure appeared first on Press Start.

For reasons unknown, when Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was released for the Gamecube over two decades ago, I skipped it. I’ve no idea why. I’ve played and enjoyed every Paper Mario game since, but I have been missing the classic RPG feel that the original game had. I’ve often been told that The Thousand-Year Door is the best Paper Mario game, so the remake Nintendo announced last year excited me. But now, having spent considerable time with the game’s first three chapters, it’s easy to see why people love The Thousand-Year Door so much. It’s easily Paper Mario (or even Mario) at its most charming and, more importantly, most playable.

The game begins in Rogueport, a harbour town rebuilt atop the ruins of a city previously destroyed in a cataclysmic event. Since Rogueport was built, rumours abound that the fortunes of this lost civilisation were still hidden underneath the town, behind the titular Thousand-Year Door. Looking to increase her royal wealth, the game opens with Princess Peach exploring Rogueport before coming across a magical treasure map. Excited to find the treasure it leads to, she mails it to Mario, and is subsequently captured by the villainous X-Nauts. Intrigued, Mario eventually heads to Rogueport and picks up where Peach left off.

When originally released, The Thousand-Year Door was lauded for its engaging plot and witty writing. Based on what I’ve seen in the game’s first three chapters, I’m inclined to agree. While previous Mario RPGs have come to be known for their acerbic tone, I was surprised to discover just how self-aware the writers were this far back in Nintendo’s history. Even better, while Peach and Bowser both play secondary roles in the story, their subplots poke fun at the traditional roles they usually play in a Mario narrative.

But enough about the writing – how does a game that’s ostensibly twenty years old play today? Surprisingly well. The game opens with Mario in Rogueport, allowing him to explore the town and discover all the staples you’d expect in an RPG. An item shop, an inn to rest, a place to upgrade abilities and a gaggle of NPCs to interact with. It’s not long before Mario meets the feisty Goombella, a peppy street-smart female Goomba who teams up with Mario after he saves her from danger. She’s also keen to discover the treasure, and the two of them head into the sewers to find the Thousand-Year Door and learn how to unlock it.

Thousand-Year Door will partner Mario with a bunch of characters, and I was privy to see four of them in the opening chapters. Goombella serves as the perfect starter for Mario. She is a student at the local university with a thirst for knowledge, so most of her abilities revolve around telling Mario about the world or gleaning information about enemies. She also behaves slightly similar to Mario in battle too, which is where most of the action happens in Thousand-Year Door.

The battle system in The Thousand-Year Door is turn-based. Mario and one of his partners are pitted against a whole range of enemies from Mario’s storied history. Attacks can be carried out from above (such as Jumping) or from the side (with Hammers or Shells). Enemies are designed so that only some approaches work. Side attacks will miss flying enemies, for example, while spikier enemies can’t just be jumped on. It’s an incredibly simplistic battle system, but that’s hardly detrimental to Paper Mario’s combat. Instead, it’s easy to grasp and much less overwhelming than other games of this ilk.

The crux of your skill comes from timing button presses, stick flicks and the like to maximise your damage. Tapping A, just as Mario or Goombella lands on the enemy, often means another attack will be performed, which will cause more damage. Other times in battle, environmental threats may randomly rear themselves, and buttons must be pressed to dodge them. You can even tap a button at the right time to reduce the damage of an incoming attack, or if you’re brave, tap a different button at the perfect time to dodge the move and do damage back to your attacker.

AMAZON HAS THE CHEAPEST COPY AT $69 WITH FREE SHIPPING

The little elements like this make The Thousand-Year Door’s turn-based battle system more engaging than you’d expect from a game of this era. Mix into this the assortment of partners I was able to recruit in these early chapters, and you’ve got a simple but effective battle system that never gets old. Koops, for example, can withdraw into his shell and take out a row of enemies on the ground. Flurrie can blow enemies out of the stage entirely. Even the baby Yoshi you recruit can swallow enemies and spit them back out at another, damaging two enemies simultaneously.

Each of your partners has uses in the main world, allowing you to explore and find items that can be exchanged for powerful upgrades. It’s less carefully considered than a Metroid game, but some light elements exist. For example, Flurrie can use her wind blow ability to blow pieces of the environment away. At the same time, Yoshi allows Mario to cross larger gaps with his signature flutter jump. The exploration is engaging, and doing so leads to better abilities for both you and your party members, so it feels rewarding, too.

Each chapter of the game has Mario and his team looking for one of the seven stars to help unlock The Thousand-Year Door. There’s a good mix of scenarios here to play through in the early chapters – two of them have dungeons to explore, which feels decidedly old-school, while another has you working your way up a fighters tournament to win the star. The latter, Chapter 3, is particularly interesting. It was initially slightly uninspired, but the great conspiracy-laden plot underneath it made it more engaging than I’d thought it would be.

But that’s where my concern lies with the rest of The Thousand-Year Door. The first two chapters felt well thought out, with a strong dungeon design and interesting puzzles underpinning them. The third chapter feels like a palate cleanser, for sure. Still, its uninspired format has me wondering if The Thousand-Year Door maintains it’s engaging momentum from beginning to end. I haven’t played the original, in case it wasn’t immediately obvious, and won’t just go and search what happens on the internet, but it’s the only real negative of my whole experience after playing these early chapters.

That being said, there are some great little moments where you play as Peach and Bowser separately, exploring their side of the story and doing a great job of shattering the typical roles they play in a story like this. But given that I’ve played so little of their parts, it’s hard to comment on them in this preview.

But what’s immediately apparent is the care and attention that’s gone into restoring this twenty-year-old game into what it is today. The art style in the Paper Mario games was already strong, so a resolution increase was never going to be too dramatic a change from other remakes we’ve seen in the past. But The Thousand-Year Door’s remake treatment feels careful and considered. Everything is bright, crisp and colourful and the new musical renditions enhance the whole experience rather than betraying the spirit of the original. It’s a great visual showcase that performs well, too, and it’s a boon for the game, especially given previous games released late in the life cycle of the Switch.

While I’m only scratching the surface with my time with The Thousand-Year Door remake, it’s shaping up to be one of my favourite games both in the Paper Mario series and on the Switch. The humour is genuinely funny, and the story engages to the point where I can’t stop playing. This is all in great addition to the fact that the game itself is incredibly playable too. After so long, and hearing so many stories, it’s refreshing to discover that The Thousand-Year Door’s reverence can be chalked up to more than nostalgia; it’s, in fact, a genuinely good game. At least so far.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door launches for Nintendo Switch on May 23rd 2024. You can pre-order it now on Amazon for $69 with free shipping and pre-order price guarantee.

The post Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Preview – A Charming Beginning appeared first on Press Start.

Sure, I may regret throwing my last $40 down on a Princess Peach-themed cap from the My Nintendo store with payday still a distant dream, but how could I not.

Yes, Nintendo Australia has just added a variety of new Peach-flavoured items to its merch store, all direct from Nintendo TOKYO and exclusive to its own store in Australia, and there are some very nice items available.

You’ve got said cap, which is a lovely and understated design that sports Peach’s golden crown embroidered on the front, and a hot pink underbrim that reads “Our princess is on another adventure!” – very good. There’s also an adorable shoulder bag and pouch that feature a similar aesthetic with a soft and simple design embellished by bright pink elements and crown motifs. Rounding out the lot are a hair tie and hand towel, which are nice but not nearly as exciting.

You can find each of the products at the below links:

• Princess Peach Cap – $39
• Princess Shoulder Bag – $39
• Princess Peach Pouch – $28.50
• Princess Peach Hair Tie – $15.50
• Princess Peach Hand Towel – $10.50

Shout out to the good folks at Vooks for sending me broke bringing this one to my attention.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is out now on Nintendo Switch. I gave the game a 7.5/10 in my review, saying, “Despite its technical woes and pervasive simplicity, there’s just enough of a spark in Princess Peach Showtime! that it had won me over by the time the curtains closed. It might not be deserving of a standing ovation but it’s certainly got the stage presence to attract an audience. It’s good, light, family fun that’s consistently charming and perfectly cast.”

The post Some Incredible Princess Peach Merch Has Been Added To The Aussie My Nintendo Store appeared first on Press Start.

Fortnite getting its first Nintendo character in Metroid’s Samus Aran would have been a monumental moment for the game, but it never quite panned out, and now we might know why.

In an interview with Game File’s Stephen Totilo, former Epic Games Chief Creative Officer and lead creator on Fortnite, Donald Mustard (who was also behind the excellent Shadow Complex), spoke about the trajectory of the live service megahit, lamented the fall of its live events, and even spoke about the now-public knowledge that Samus nearly made it into the game.

That little detail was first revealed in the midst of the historic court battle between Epic Games and Apple, where supplied documentation revealed a number of proposed character skins which including Nintendo’s Samus. To this day we’d had no real confirmation of why the Metroid protagonist never made it into Fortnite, left only to assume Nintendo was entirely against it, but as the former creator explains, it could’ve happened if not for one sticking point.

“They got really hung up on their characters showing up on platforms that weren’t their platforms,” Mustard reportedly tells Titilo in the paywalled article (thanks IGN!).

“They would be thrilled to have Nintendo characters in Fortnite, but just only if it’s on their platform,” he adds. “For me and for all of Epic, we’re like, ‘That is an absolute must. We want to make sure that Fortnite is the same experience, no matter what screen or device you’re playing on.”

EXCLUSIVE: I spoke with @DonaldMustard in his 1st interview since leaving Epic, where he was long-time maestro of Fortnite

Covered lots
– Fortnite origins
– rise/fall of live events
– a weirder Peely
– Keanu, "DJ," …Samus?
– Plus: A tip from Steve Jobshttps://t.co/7p2AOviEC9

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) April 22, 2024

Nintendo’s characters and even some iconic items have appeared in other games in the past, like Soul Calibur II, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Minecraft, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Rocket League, and do follow that pattern of only being available on the relevant Nintendo console, so it would very much check out that the company wanted Samus in Fortnite to be a Switch exclusive or bust. Still, it’s a shame, and we can only hope that the future holds some surprises.

The post Fortnite’s Former Lead Creator Has Revealed Why Samus Never Made It Into The Game appeared first on Press Start.

Final Update: And it’s happened. This morning saw the doors shut on online services for both the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo WiiU.

As already stated, online play and pretty much anything requiring online communication in games or apps like leaderboards or live information will now no longer function. Local communication features like StreetPass can still be used as before, and digital purchases on the 3DS or WiiU made prior to the eShop shutting down last year are still available to re-download and will be “for the foreseeable future.”

Update 08/04: And the final day is here. Online services for both the beloved 3DS and the less-appreciated WiiU are going dark at 10AM AEST tomorrow (or possibly 9AM AEST, as Nintendo statements from different regions are listing different times). After this time, online play and pretty much anything requiring online communication in games or apps like leaderboards or live information will cease to function. Local communication features like StreetPass will still function as per usual, and digital purchases on the 3DS or WiiU made prior to the eShop shutting down last year will still be available to re-download “for the foreseeable future.”

Depending on when you’re reading this, that means you have 24 hours or less left to play Watch Dogs’ multiplayer online with your mates on the WiiU.

Update 24/01: Nintendo has since published the date at which 3DS and WiiU online services will go dark, confirming this will take place on April 9th at 9AM AEST.

Nintendo also shared a statement around the changes, saying:

“At 4pm PDT on April 8, 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.

“You can find more information about badges for decorating the Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu using Nintendo Badge Arcade here.

“Please note that if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, we may have to discontinue services earlier than planned.

“We sincerely thank players for using the online services of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software over a long period of time and apologise for any inconvenience.”

You can read the full post and FAQ around the changes here.

Nintendo has announced out of nowhere that it’s planning to end online services on the WiiU and 3DS consoles as of April 2024, at which point online play modes and other online-enabled features like leaderboards in games will no longer function.

The news comes only a couple of months after Nintendo restored online functionality to both Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon on the WiiU, which were taken down for five months for “emergency maintenance,” and six months after it shut down the Nintendo eShop on both platforms.

Nintendo says it will announce a specific end date and time at a later date and that “if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software” it may have to discontinue services even earlier than that.

The company posted an FAQ around the changes on its support website, which you can read below:

Will I still be able to play offline even after online services end?

Yes. Players will still be able to use features and game modes that do not require online communication.

Will any online services still be available even after online services generally end?

It will still be possible to use online services for the following software but that may also end at some point in the future.

• Pokémon Bank
• Poké Transporter

Are you also ending online services for software from publishers other than Nintendo?

With some exceptions, online services will end for all Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Please contact publishers for information about the online services for their software.

Will it still be possible to download update data or purchased software?

For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop.

When online services end, will StreetPass and SpotPass no longer be available either?

StreetPass uses local communication between Nintendo 3DS family systems, meaning that it will still be available even after online services end. However, because SpotPass uses online communication, SpotPass features will no longer be available.

For example, you will be able to use StreetPass in StreetPass Mii Plaza, which is pre-installed on Nintendo 3DS family systems, but you will no longer be able to use features that use online communication (such as receiving new panels in Puzzle Swap).

The post Nintendo’s 3DS And WiiU Online Services Have Now Shut Down For Good appeared first on Press Start.

Update 12/03: And they’re now live on the Nintendo Switch eShop! Find the Game Boy app for the Switch on the eShop right here.

Although it’s technically ticked over to March 11th locally, Nintendo has dropped a load of new announcements in celebration of March 10’s “Mar10 Day,” including brand-new LEGO Super Mario sets, release dates for some exciting upcoming games and even a new Super Mario Bros. movie.

One of those new announcements is the reveal that three more Mario games for the Game Boy are headed to Nintendo Switch Online for anyone with a subscription to download and play. Those three games are the pill-popping puzzle classic, Dr Mario, the club-swinging outing of Mario Golf and the racket-based action of Mario Tennis.

All three games will be available starting March 12th for those on the base Nintendo Switch Online membership tier or above.

You can see the announcement of these, along with the other Mar10 Day reveals, in the video below:

As you can also see in the above video, a brand-new Super Mario Bros. Movie is in the works, once again in collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination. It’ll be a bit of wait, with the film pegged for a 2026 release, but you can find out more about it right here.

In addition to what’s featured in the video, LEGO also announced earlier that Mario Kart sets are on the way in 2025, as well as three new Super Mario-themed sets coming this year. These new expansions to the ever-growing Super Mario range will include The Bowser Express Train, Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle and King Boo’s Haunted Mansion.

All three of the announced sets will be launching locally on August 1st and can be wishlisted now on the official LEGO website ahead of release. You can see the prices, info and links to each of the sets below:

LEGO SUPER MARIO 2024 SETS

• The Bowser Express Train (1392 pieces) – $199.99
• King Boo’s Haunted Mansion (932 pieces) – $119.99
• Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle (738 pieces) – $99.99

The post Three More Mario Game Boy Games Are Now Available Via Nintendo Switch Online appeared first on Press Start.

The “Mar10 Day” festivities don’t stop at LEGO, with Nintendo dropping some exciting new announcements, one of which is that a brand-new Super Mario Bros. movie is on the way, and it’s releasing on April 3rd, 2026 in the US.

The film is once again coming from Illumination, and this time it’s been announced that Nintendo and Illumination staff are working hand-in-hand to produce the movie.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released last Spring, continues to be watched by many people, including over the holidays and into this year!” Miyamoto says in the video accompanying the announcement, which you can watch below.

“The team at Illumination who worked on the Super Mario Bros. Movie is also producing this new film, together with Nintendo.”

Illumination’s Chris Meledandri also confirmed that storyboarding and design work is already underway at Illumination Paris, with animation starting soon.

Happy #MAR10Day! To mark the day, please take a look at this video for the latest news about Mario. pic.twitter.com/ZRQ74GHZPM

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) March 10, 2024

Miyamoto also teased that the world of Mario will be expanded even further with the new film, potentially teasing even more characters and worlds from the wider Super Mario universe making an appearance.

“This is Miyamoto. We are now creating a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros. This film is planned for release in theaters on April 3rd, 2026 in the US and many other markets, and throughout the month of April in other territories,” says a separate post from Miyamoto.

“We’ll let you know the details once we’re ready to share more. This time too, the staff at Illumination and Nintendo are working together. We’re thinking about broadening Mario’s world further, and it’ll have a bright and fun story. We hope you’ll look forward to it!”

We'll let you know the details once we're ready to share more. This time too, the staff at Illumination and Nintendo are working together. We're thinking about broadening Mario's world further, and it'll have a bright and fun story. We hope you'll look forward to it! [2/2]

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 10, 2024

In my review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, I wrote, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

The post The Next Super Mario Bros. Movie Has Been Confirmed For A 2026 Release appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo and LEGO are once again celebrating March 10, or “Mar10 Day,” in exciting fashion with the announcement of multiple new LEGO Super Mario sets – including the tease of Mario Kart sets that are slated to launch next year.

Aside from Mario Kart, which was only shown in the barest glimpse but appears to continue the LEGO Super Mario line of play-focused sets, LEGO has also revealed a number of new expansions to the ever-growing Super Mario range. These include The Bowser Express Train, Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle and King Boo’s Haunted Mansion.

All three of the announced sets will be launching locally on August 1st and can be wishlisted now on the official LEGO website ahead of release. You can see the prices, info and links to each of the sets below:

LEGO Super Mario 2024 Sets

• The Bowser Express Train (1392 pieces) – $199.99
• King Boo’s Haunted Mansion (932 pieces) – $119.99
• Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle (738 pieces) – $99.99

You can see everything announced, including the Mario Kart tease, in the video below:

The Bowser Express Train

Let the action-packed rides begin with this LEGO® Super Mario The Bowser Express Train toy set (71437). This kids’ adventure playset includes a detailed train, a handcar, 2 stations, a Super Star Block, ? Block and 6 LEGO Super Mario toy figures – a Hammer Bro, Boom Boom, 2 Goombas and 2 Para-Biddybuds.

King Boo’s Haunted Mansion

Encounter ghostly characters and search for the key to a treasure chest at King Boo’s Haunted Mansion (71436) with this LEGO® Super Mario adventure toy playset for kids. The set features a buildable toy haunted house that opens out for easy access to playful details such as an elevating sofa and a bookcase with a key-reveal function. It also includes 4 LEGO Super Mario toy figures – King Boo, a Yellow Baby Yoshi, a Dry Bones and a Boo.

Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle

Let kids explore, battle, role-play and more at an iconic Super Mario location with the LEGO® Super Mario Battle with Roy at Peach’s Castle set (71435). This set features a LEGO brick-built princess’s castle model that opens out ready for playtime adventures. It has easy-to-rebuild walls that collapse under siege, a tower, a catapult, a rotating throne and a fountain in the garden. There are also 3 LEGO Super Mario toy figures: Roy (for the first time in a LEGO Super Mario set), a Chain Chomp and Toad.

The post LEGO Mario Kart Sets Are On The Way Along With King Boo’s Mansion And More appeared first on Press Start.

Update 5/3: After Nintendo recently sued Tropic Haze, creator of the super-popular Switch emulator, Yuzu, the two have settled to the tune of $2.4 million USD in damages and the US District Court of Rhode Island has ordered that development and distribution of both Yuzu and Citra (a 3DS emulator) be discontinued with all websites and other services shut down.

Tropic Haze released a statement on social media confirming that both emulators are discontinued immediately and stating that rampant piracy and disseminating of early game leaks was never its intention. It will be taking its code repositories offline, discontinuing Patreon accounts and Discord servers as well as shutting down its websites. The full statement reads:

“Hello yuz-ers and Citra fans:

“We write today to inform you that yuzu and yuzu’s support of Citra are being discontinued, effective immediately.

“yuzu and its team have always been against piracy. We started the projects in good faith, out of passion for Nintendo and its consoles and games, and were not intending to cause harm. But we see now that because our projects can circumvent Nintendo’s technological protection measures and allow users to play games outside of authorized hardware, they have led to extensive piracy. In particular, we have been deeply disappointed when users have used our software to leak game content prior to its release and ruin the experience for legitimate purchasers and fans.

“We have come to the decision that we cannot continue to allow this to occur. Piracy was never our intention, and we believe that piracy of video games and on video game consoles should end. Effective today, we will be pulling our code repositories offline, discontinuing our Patreon accounts and Discord servers, and, soon, shutting down our websites. We hope our actions will be a small step toward ending piracy of all creators’ works.

“Thank you for your years of support and for understanding our decision.”

While the full ramifications are obviously not yet known, a result like this is sure to have a massive impact on the emulation scene going forward with a precedent set that major video game platform holders can and will go after these projects, and can get the result they’re looking for.

Original Story: Nintendo is suing the creators of Yuzu, a popular open-source Switch emulator that’s readily available on Windows, Linux and Android devices.

News of the lawsuit was broken by Game File’s Stephen Totilo, which can be read in full here and alleges that Yuzu facilitates piracy and circumventing of Nintendo’s protective technologies “at a colossal scale.”

“With Yuzu in hand, nothing stops a user from obtaining and playing unlawful copies of virtually any game made for the Nintendo Switch, all without paying a dime to Nintendo or to any of the hundreds of other game developers and publishers making and selling games for the Nintendo Switch,” the document reads. “In effect, Yuzu turns general computing devices into tools for massive intellectual property infringement of Nintendo and others’ copyrighted works.

https://t.co/wcDo6aXN7d

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) February 27, 2024

Nintendo also highlights that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was leaked and playable via emulator a full week and a half before Nintendo had even released the game, and claims it was illegally downloaded a million times before launch, adding that many of the websites making the game available to download were calling out Yuzu as a way to play the game.

While there are naturally a lot of complexities to the idea of emulation, and what is and isn’t legal as far as folks playing backed-up versions of their games (not to mention the importance of game preservation), Nintendo specifically calls out that “Yuzu allows users to play unauthorised copies of Nintendo Switch games by circumventing the Game Encryption at or immediately before runtime,” which is likely a key point in its argument given that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) does contain certain protections against products primarily aimed at circumventing control measures for copyrighted works.

As a resolution, Nintendo is asking the courts to not only shut down Yuzu’s operations but take away its social media, domain names, URLs and even possess any of Yuzu’s devices including hard drives that contain violating material and destroying all copies it has of the emulator.

Although the actual odds of Nintendo succeeding in this legal endeavour are already being argued against quite heavily, there could be some very real ramifications on the emulation scene if it does win its case.

The post Yuzu Is Officially Shutting Down As It Settles With Nintendo And Pays $2.4 Million USD appeared first on Press Start.

Update: The LEGO Animal Crossing sets have arrived in-stores today!

Better yet, Amazon has all of the sets at below the LEGO Store prices, so grab them from the below links while they last:

• LEGO® Animal Crossing Julian’s Birthday Party (77046) – $17.99
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities (77047) – $27
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour (77048) – $36.99
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Isabelle’s House Visit (77049) – $65.99
• LEGO® Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie’s House (77050) – $112.99

Original: After an initial announcement and tease last week, Nintendo has officially unveiled the new LEGO Animal Crossing sets.

As initially revealed through early leaks, there are five new sets in total, ranging in price from $19.99 AUD up to $119.99 AUD, and each is based on an adorable visit with iconic Animal Crossing characters. The sets are designed to all fit together as well as be extra customisable with elements that can be switched between each.

These sets are set to launch on March 1st, 2024, so you’ve got a bit of time to save.

Check out a video of all five LEGO Animal Crossing sets and get the full details below:

LEGO® Animal Crossing Maple’s Pumpkin Garden

• Pieces: 29
• Ages: 6+
• Price: $7.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Isabelle’s House Visit (77049)

• Pieces: 389
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 6.5 in. (17 cm) high and 10 in. (25 cm) wide
• 2 characters: Isabelle & Fauna
• Price: $69.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Julian’s Birthday Party (77046)

• Pieces: 170
• Ages: 6+
• This 170-piece set measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 6.5 in. (17 cm) wide and 4 in. (10 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration
• 1 character: Julian
• Price: $19.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities (77047)

• Pieces: 164
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 8 in. (20 cm) wide and 6.5 in. (17 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration.
• 1 character: Bunnie
• Price: $29.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour (77048)

• Pieces: 233
• Ages: 6+
• Measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 11 in. (28 cm) wide and 6.5 in. (17 cm) deep when arranged in standard configuration
• 2 characters: Kapp’n and Marshal
• Price: $39.99 AUD

LEGO® Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie´s House (77050)

• Pieces: 535
• Ages: 7+
• Measures over 6 in. (15 cm) high and 15 in. (39 cm) wide
• 2 characters – Tom Nook & Rosie

• Price: $119.99 AUD

The post The Official Animal Crossing LEGO Sets Are Out Now appeared first on Press Start.

Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion surprised many when it released in 2018. A deliciously challenging collection of bite-sized levels that echoed much of the design philosophy and novel ideas of Splatoon 2’s base campaign. While Splatoon 3’s Return of the Mammalians took the successes of Octo Expansion even further, it felt more like a honing of a proven formula as opposed to another reinvention.

Splatoon 3’s second wave of downloadable content in Side Order feels much more revolutionary, taking the game’s core pillars and fitting them into a roguelite framework. The end result is a relentlessly creative and impossibly moreish expansion to Splatoon 3’s suite of content that proves this franchise still has plenty of untapped potential.

Player’s once again step into the shoes of Octo Expansion’s Agent 8, who has been unexpectedly transported into the Order Sector. The Order Sector is a world built around its own rules, drained of the colour and vibrancy that typically punctuates Splatoon’s environments. Lying at the centre of a monochrome Inkopolis is the Spire of Order, an ever-changing mega-structure in place of the Deca Tower.

Also lost in the Order Sector is Off the Hook’s Pearl, who’s been transformed into a drone, and Acht, a newcomer also known as Dedf1sh whose knowledge of the spire is key to surmounting it. After picking up a signal from the other half of Off the Hook, Marina, the group sets out to climb the spire and uncover the truth behind the Order Sector.

While it’s a fairly standard narrative setup, it’s great to be back with the Off the Hook gang again as Agent 8, and Acht also provides some light comedy as she comments on the dynamics between Pearl and Marina. While the core story here provides enough of a mystery worth seeing through, the highlight of Side Order’s narrative content come in the form of its supplemental worldbuilding.

Primarily found through Marina’s dev diary entries, Side Order’s world and characters are vastly expanded through the unlocking and reading of these sequential expansions to the story. They’re by no means necessary to get the full picture of Side Order’s core narrative, but they go a long way to fleshing out the characters and exploring how things came to be the way they are. It’s always been these fun expansions to the lore that add to Splatoon’s world, and Side Order doesn’t disappoint in this regard.

As far as roguelite experiences go, Side Order doesn’t entirely reinvent the wheel, but it does a fantastic job of capitalising on the possibilities that come with this kind of gameplay format in a franchise like Splatoon. The gist of it will be familiar if you’ve played any roguelite; you’ll attempt to ascend the Spire of Order’s 30 levels without losing all lives in any given run. Failing will almost always net you some currency to spend on permanent upgrades, so you’re constantly getting to higher floors with each attempt.

Each run starts off with you choosing a Palette. Palettes are effectively loadouts, preset with a main weapon, sub weapon, and special weapon. Each is based off of a character from the franchise for narrative reasons I won’t spoil here. After choosing your Palette, you’ll enter the tower, and move through the floors. Each time you enter a new floor, you’re given a choice of three Chips to slot into your Palette, which function as upgrades that last for the rest of that run. A successful run usually goes for 30-40 minutes, making them a great fit for pick up and play gaming on the Switch.

These Chips have some really fun bonuses. Things like poison ink that gives inked turf a damage over time effect to any enemies who tread it, or increased swim speed when submerged. There’s a few basic bonuses amongst these also, but the vast majority of them allow you to experiment and create fun builds within the preset Palettes. You can also stack Chips of the same type to bolster the strength of that bonus, but these will also take up slots in your Palette. Chips are also divided by Tone, which attribute what kind of buffs they’ll give you. Where Chips of the Power Tone generally increase your damage output, Chips of the Luck Tone revolve around increasing drop rates for items.

Each Palette has two Tone types that they’re more likely to get than others, and while that sounds restrictive at first, there’s so many Chips within each Tone, that you hardly feel strapped for choice. Some weapons also just don’t synergize as well with certain Tone or Chips, and each have game plans associated with them from the outset. Understanding where a Palette’s strengths lie is important because Side Order can be quite difficult at times.

Octo Expansion was no stranger to introducing hard challenges thanks to its non-linear nature. Anything that was too difficult could be skipped past for later, or even entirely ignored. Difficulty in Side Order is usually informed by the Chip you choose for any given level. The stronger the Chip, the harder the challenge, with the general difficulty scaling up as you climb the spire. Part of how hard any given floor is, usually comes from the amount of enemies thrown at you at once.

Side Order is most comparable to Salmon Run in this regard. The enemies you face in the spire – known as the Jelletons – are mindless vertebrates made up of gelatinous black goop and white bones. They come at you hard, fast, and in large numbers. They also vary greatly in design, from the fodder type enemies like the Marching Andantes to the imposing turret-like Towering Nobilmentes. There are so many with unique mechanics, and the way they rush at you makes for exhilarating on-the-fly decision making as you scramble to make it out alive.

What makes Side Order even more difficult, is having to contend with the Jelletons while you complete objectives. These are tied to the Chip you choose when entering a new floor, but each is different in what they entail and how you approach them. They vary from destroying all the enemy portals to capturing a zone and holding it for a certain amount of time. The only issue with these is that there’s only five of them in total, so some of them eventually wear out their welcome despite having a few different level layouts. There are boss encounters on the 10th, 20th, and 30th floors to break up the pacing, but these also eventually grow tired as you rack up runs.

There are some other variables that can be introduced to levels as you climb through the tower, though. From having the floor covered in enemy ink or darkening the room, to offering you the prospect of extra Membux if you limit your toolset. There’s also floors that buff you through Colour Saturation, which replaces your entire Palette with a particular Tone type for that floor. Engaging with these harder floors and optional objectives always rewards you with extra Membux, which can be spent at vending machines for replacement sub weapons, special weapons, extra lives, and even Chips.

You don’t have to brave it all alone, though, as Pearl accompanies your every run in drone form. The Pearl Drone functions as a support buddy similar to Smallfry from Splatoon 3’s campaign, though more passive in application. You can get Chips that increase her capabilities also, allowing her to drop bombs, plant mines, and ink turf while you’re engaging the Jelletons. You can use the Pearl Drone to glide in midair as well, which is a particularly useful tool when you need to reposition. Additionally, some of the Chips you can get to bolster the Pearl Drone make for some very strong builds that unleash utter chaos on any unfortunate Jelleton in the area.

When you do get booted from the Spire of Order – and you will – you’re sent back to the base of the tower where you can spend Prlz on Hacks with Marina. Hacks function as permanent upgrades for your runs, increasing your damage output, total life count, damage reduction, and much, much more. These are drip fed to you across runs as to never feel overwhelming, but there’s more than enough in totality for long term engagement, which works well with the way Side Order promotes replay value. Prlz can also be spent to resume a failed run from the floor it ended at, which can take the sting out of losing a really good build, though it does get more expensive based on which floor you’re resuming from.

Subsequent runs after your first clear will always leave you with more story details regarding the Order Sector and its ruler. Additionally, clearing the 10th, 20th, and 30th floor for the first time with a Palette will net you keys you can use to open lockers. These award you the aforementioned dev diary entries from Marina, but also new Palettes and therefore builds to experiment and play around with in the Spire. What you get out of Side Order ultimately comes down to what you put into it, so it’s nice to always have something to work towards as you clear the Spire with new Palettes.

Splatoon 3 continues to be a showcase of the Switch’s power and how Nintendo is able to squeeze every ounce of fidelity out of the hardware. If you’ve played Salmon Run, you know how hectic things can get in Splatoon without the Switch missing a beat. Side Order is much the same – later floors can be absolutely swamped with Jelletons, exploding ink, special attack effects, and so much more, all without any impact to the overall performance. It’s impressive how stable Side Order is when you consider how crazy it gets sometimes.

The game also continues to look like a treat, and the monochromatic environments of the Spire are a great playground to ink for obvious reasons. One really neat attention to detail is the way Agent 8’s ink and hair colour changes with the Tone type that occupies the majority of your Palette slots. It provides a fun visual evolution of your power as you progress through runs.

Like Octo Expansion before it, Splatoon 3: Side Order brings more fantastic single player content that uses Splatoon’s core gameplay mechanics in fresh and inventive ways. It’s incredibly satisfying to put together a build that has Jelletons exploding in showers of ink across the battlefield, and the way in which it tells its story is always interesting. It might not have as much longevity as other roguelike experiences, but I have no doubt I’ll be taking every Palette to the top of the Spire of Order thanks to Side Order’s addicting gameplay loop.

The post Splatoon 3: Side Order Review – An Exquisite Side Dish appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo dropped its Partner Showcase-flavoured Direct presentation in the early hours of this morning and it was quite well-stocked with surprise reveals and updates on upcoming games. We got the first word of some more Xbox games headed to Switch, some neat remasters and classics and a very exciting shadow drop or two. Check out everything that was shown off:

Epic Mickey Is Getting A Remaster

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is an enhanced version of the 2010 platformer which not only features updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements but also improves gameplay with new skills for Mickey and more. Coming to Switch later this year.

World of Goo 2 Looks Goo-d

World of Goo is a classic and I’m so glad it’s back. The sequel will feature new types of Goo Balls with distinct abilities and more than 64 levels. World of Goo 2 launches on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive on May 23rd.

Pentiment Is Coming To The Switch Very Soon

The first of Microsoft’s big four Xbox exclusives coming to other platforms, Obsidian’s historical narrative-driven adventure with gorgeous illustrated art is headed to the Switch very soon in the next day or so.

Grounded Is On The Way, Too!

Another Obsidian/Xbox joint, the pint-sized co-op survival crafting game is coming to the Nintendo Switch on April 16th and will feature cross-platform multiplayer so you can join in with your mates on Xbox and PC.

Penny’s Big Breakaway Has Shadow Dropped

An acrobatic 3D platforming adventure from the team that brought you Sonic Mania where your best friend and invaluable tool is a sentient yo-yo. I really enjoyed this one in my hands-on preview and suddenly now it’s out! And on PS5 and PC, too. Get around it.

Endless Ocean Is Back

Endless Ocean Luminous is a brand-new entry in the Endless Ocean series that we last saw on the Nintendo Wii. You’ll be able to dive solo or with up to 30 players online and discover over 500 different species of marine life from the everyday to the long-extinct and even slightly mythical. Endless Ocean Luminous surfaces is out on April 25th.

Five Classic Rareware Games Are Out On Nintendo Switch Online Today

Coming to subscribers on the base Nintendo Switch Online tier are RC Pro-AM and Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll for the NES as well as Battletoads in Battlemaniacs and Killer Instinct for the SNES, while those on the higher-tier Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier are also able to play the N64’s Blast Corps.

STAR WARS: Battlefront And Battlefront II Are Getting The Remaster Treatment

The folks at Aspyr are at it again with the STAR WARS: Battlefront Classic Collection, which features both 2004’s STAR WARS Battlefront and its 2005 sequel STAR WARS Battlefront II, complete with their solo campaigns, local multiplayer matches and 64-player online battles. It’s out on Switch as well as PlayStation, Xbox and PC on March 14th.

SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! Is Still A Thing

SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! is coming to Nintendo Switch and just about everything else on March 26th, and I really can’t tell if this is going to be good or not. I’m sure it will be aggressively fine.

I Can’t Wait To Play Another Crab’s Treasure

Another Crab’s Treasure is finally nearly here, with a release date of April 25th for Switch as well as PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. It’s a soulslike but with a charming, underwater, SpongeBob-esque vibe. Shell yeah.

Contra: Operation Galuga Sure Looks Like Contra

Contra finally gets the reimagining it deserves as… basically just more Contra. This one’s being done by Wayforward though, who I’d trust to do a decent job. Coming to Nintendo Switch March 12, and a free demo is out now.

Grind Away At Pepper Grinder’s Free Demo

It’s a Devolver Digital joint, so you know it’s going to be cool as hell. It’s coming to Switch and PC on March 28th, but you can play a free demo now and get your grind on.

I Still Don’t Know What The Hell Suika Game Is But Its Getting DLC

People really like this game. I’ve still never played it, but now there’s DLC available so who knows? Maybe I’ll finally give it a go.

Super Keen For Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

This fantastic-looking action-adventure inspired by Bantu cultures is firmly on my radar and seems like it’s being made with a huge amount of passion. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU launches on Nintendo Switch and other platforms on April 23rd.

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom In The Mist Is A New One Of Those Emo 2D Platformers

Coming to Switch this year, it’s a sequel to ENDER LILIES which was also a gothic 2D metroidvania. It actually looks pretty cool despite the obnoxious title.

Those Super Monkey Ball Monkeys Are Back… With Balls!

Super Monkey Ball is back with Banana Rumble, which will feature over 300 customisation options, more than 200 stages, new moves to master, an all-new co-op Adventure Mode and 16-player online multiplayer. it’s coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on June 25th.

Monster Hunter Stories Is Getting A Remaster Because It’s Capcom

Monster Hunter Stories is back on Switch and other platforms this Winter with redone HD visuals, new voice work and a bunch of new and additional content.

I Forgot Pocket Card Jockey Existed

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On, the Apple Arcade remake of Game Freak’s card-based horse racing game, is being ported to the Switch. It’s racing meets solitaire, and this new version features new rules, updated controls for the Joy-Cons and new 3D visuals. It’s out now and a playable demo is now available on the eShop.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Is Real And It’s Headed To Every Platform

The complete version of the game will feature a brand-new storyline with new locations, demons, and choices to make. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance launches on Nintendo Switch as well as PlayStation, Xbox and PC on June 21.

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure Looks Neat

Huge Braid meets Carto vibes from this one, it looks very much like my jam. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure launches on Nintendo Switch as well as other platforms this summer.

Unicorn Overlord Is Nearly Here And Now There’s A Demo

The next big Vanillaware joint launches on March 8th, and now you can try out a free demo of this epic strategic adventure, with your progress carrying over to the full game if you decide you want more unicorns and overlords.

GUNDAM BREAKER 4, In Case Three Wasn’t Enough

I don’t really know what to say about this other than it’s more GUNDAM and it launches on Switch as well as PS5, PS4 and PC later this year.

FANTASY LIFE i Is Coming Later This Year

I quite liked Fantasy Life on the 3DS, and this one is about a girl who steals time, which sounds like a bit of a laugh. It looks super cute and it’s coming a little ways down the track on October 10th.

They’re Still Making Sword Art Online Games

SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is a new action game based on the iconic anime and manga that features both solo play and online co-op, including 20-player raids. It’s coming later this year.

It’s Better Late Than Never For Kingdom Come Deliverance On Switch

Kingdom Come Deliverance – Royal Edition is finally headed to Nintendo Switch on March 15th. I’m still not sure how this game is going to go on Nintendo’s handheld, but I’m sure there are folks out there absolutely ecstatic about taking this excruciating game with them on the go.

What The Hell Is A Snufkin? I Want It

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is an adorable-looking musical narrative adventure, which is a collection of words that has me very excited, and it’s coming to Switch and PC very soon on March 7th. Check it out!

Demon Slayer But Make It Mario Party

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board is coming to Nintendo Switch on April 26th and it basically looks like Mario Party for a hyper-specific target audience of people who want a Demon Slayer-flavoured version of that. Go nuts, I guess.

The post Everything Announced At The February 2024 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase appeared first on Press Start.

Although Nintendo’s successor to the Switch console has widely been expected to hit shelves this year, new reports from multiple outlets – and citing multiple sources – have claimed that the Switch 2 (or whatever it’ll eventually be called) has since slipped into an early 2025 release instead.

Reports first began from Brazilian games journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe, who said in a video that five separate sources informed him of an internal change to launch the next Nintendo console in Q1 2025 and that Nintendo was preparing games to target that same period.

VGC then piled on to those claims to say that numerous sources have told it the console was originally targeting a 2024 launch but that Nintendo has since briefed third-party gaming companies on an internal delay to the first quarter of 2025. A “publishing source” reportedly told the outlet that the delay was in order to prepare a stronger line-up of first-party software for the console.

And further adding to the list, Eurogamer has also jumped in to corroborate the story, saying “The console’s launch moving into early next year – but still within the coming financial year – is designed to ensure Switch 2’s launch line-up features as many titles as possible, Eurogamer understands.”

Nintendo’s upcoming fiscal year runs from April 2024 through to March 2025, so if these new whispers hold any validity we may very well see a direct repeat of the original Switch’s arrival, which was announced in late 2016 and then launched in March 2017.

Previous rumours have suggested that Nintendo’s next machine will sport an 8″ LCD display, rock a custom NVIDIA chipset and feature backwards compatibility with original Nintendo Switch games both digitally and via physical carts.

Of course, without any official word from Nintendo themselves we really don’t know anything of substance about what its future hardware plans are.

The closest we’ve come to a genuine update on the hardware front is a quote from Nintendo of America’s president, Doug Bowser, saying, “Our goal is to minimise the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another. I can’t speak to the possible features of a new platform, but the Nintendo Account is a strong basis for having that communication as we make the transition.”

The post The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Now Release In 2025 According To Multiple New Claims appeared first on Press Start.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong. A conflict as old as time. Like Godzilla and King Kong. Kind of. Putting whatever that non sequitur was aside, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a series that I’ve, once again, not had much time with before now. But the series was popular enough to spawn several sequels that I’ve always managed to evade completely. Now, Nintendo is dipping into its back catalogue for yet another remake. And this time, it’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong. But while this isn’t quite Mario as you know it, it’s still just as compelling and more evidence that Mario is genuinely one of gaming’s most versatile protagonists.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong feels decidedly old school in its execution, bringing back the classic rivalry between Mario and Donkey Kong as it was all those years ago. However, these games are a far cry from what you’d typically know Mario or Donkey Kong for. Instead, Mario Vs. Donkey Kong is more akin to a puzzle platformer. As Mario, you’ll employ a mix of platforming skills and puzzle-solving to finish each level while collecting items. Of course, there are a few showdowns with Donkey Kong, too.

Being a remake, there’s much new here from when the game first appeared on the Game Boy Advance. Two new worlds have been added to bulk up the already meaty level selection to over 130. A casual mode is now optionally available, removing the time limit on each level and allowing Mario to get hit a few times before dying, rather than ending things with a single hit like previously. The entire game can now be played co-op, with the second player taking on the role of Toad. And finally, the game has had a visual overhaul, removing the dated “fake 3D” sprites of the original and instead employing a more traditional Mario style.

Booting the game, it’s immediately apparent how much effort has gone into visually overhauling the style coming from the Game Boy Advance original. Where the original introductory cutscene was a choppy selection of still images and animations, the introduction for Mario vs. Donkey Kong has been overhauled into an entire cinematic. Whoever is doing the cinematics for Nintendo, between Super Mario RPG and this, has to be commended. These beautifully realised sequences are so crisp and high fidelity that I almost forget that I’m playing on seven-year-old Switch hardware.

The cutscenes set up the premise of the game. Donkey Kong is spending his time off watching television when he sees an advertisement for the new Mini Mario toys. Wanting one immediately, he rushes to the store, sees that they’re out of stock, and steals a whole bunch of them from a conveniently placed toy factory across the road. Mario is compelled to get the toys back for some reason, so he chases Donkey Kong through multiple worlds, retrieving one toy at a time. It’s a bizarre story with the same charming sense of comedy as a Disney-Pixar film or Looney Tunes cartoon, but it gives enough context for what happens in the game.

THE CHEAPEST COPY: $59 WITH FREE SHIPPING FROM AMAZON

The game itself is simple. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is level-based. Each level has two parts – one in which you find a key and another in which you find the Mini Mario toy. The goal of each area is to navigate without dying, usually through some gimmick that is generally unique to that level. Each level is a smaller scale than a typical Mario level, with most of them fitting on a single screen, but they’re arranged in such a way that even just discerning the correct path through them can be a puzzle in and of itself.

For this preview, I played the first four worlds of the final game. The first three are just as you’d expect, given that they’re the same as the original game. The fourth was one of the two new additions created for this remake. Each of the worlds has its own respective theme to keep things visually interesting, and, as I mentioned before, each level inside these worlds introduces a new gimmick or enemy to keep things fresh mechanically. There’s nothing as outlandish as the gimmicks introduced in each level of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but they are notable enough that I never found myself bored of the proceedings.

After completing each world, two additional levels unlock, which are structured differently from the majority – a Mini Mario stage and a Donkey Kong stage. The Mini Mario stage is like a modern take on Lemmings – Mario must lead a squad of Mini Mario toys to a toybox, protecting them from a hazardous environment and creating a path for them. They’re a tense but fun distraction from the main game, and your success in these levels directly feeds into the Donkey Kong level that follows.

The Donkey Kong levels serve as the “boss battles” of the game, pitting Mario against Donkey Kong in a fashion reminiscent of the original Arcade game. The number of toys you save in the prior level influences how many times you can get hit in the Donkey Kong stage before perishing. Each encounter I’ve played so far is fun, but they are simple, and I would love for them to be a tad more challenging.

The star of the show here is easily the co-op, however. The second player can drop in and out with minimal fuss, and adding a second player adds a second key that needs to be found in each level. But the second player adds so much – saving time by hitting switches that Mario would usually have to backtrack to hit himself. There’s even physics here that makes some of the platforming almost trivial – with the right timing, Toad might be able to jump just high enough for Mario to bounce off of him to skip some tricky platforming. It does feel like it breaks the game somewhat, but the fact that you’re sharing lives means that you’ll probably see the game over screen more often than if you were just playing solo balances it out a bit, though I guess it’s dependent on your partner.

While I’m only scratching the surface of Mario vs. Donkey Kong, I’m excited to see how much it continues to evolve and expand as I head further into the rest of the game’s levels. I’m also incredibly excited to try out the “Plus” levels, which are supposedly a more difficult post-game rendition of the main game. But for now, my brief time with Mario vs. Donkey Kong has impressed me, even if it’s a more straightforward affair than other Mario games, and the co-op is an absolute game changer that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches on February 16th, 2024 exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Amazon has physical pre-orders for $59 including shipping.

The post Mario vs. Donkey Kong Hands-On Preview – A Promising Puzzler appeared first on Press Start.

With Nintendo’s successor to the immensely-popular Switch console widely believed to be launching at some point this year, we’re no doubt going to see more and more reports and “leaks” concerning the device, especially those coming out of the manufacturing and analytical research.

One such example comes out of analyst firm Omdia, as reported by Bloomberg, with claims that Nintendo is preparing manufacture of 8-inch LCD screens for the “Switch 2” and will be responsible for a doubling of “amusement displays” in 2024 – implying that Nintendo is preparing to have a huge amount of stock ready for launch in 2024. That hopefully means we won’t see the stock shortages and rampant scalping activity of the PS5 launch.

An 8-inch display is obviously a pretty big upgrade over the regular Switch’s 6.2″ panel or even the Switch OLED’s 7″ screen. Naturally, the idea of an LCD display on the shiny new console versus the excellent OLED on the upgraded version of the Switch has some folks concerned, but if the PlayStation Portal’s excellent 8″ LCD is anything to go by there’s probably not too much cause for concern. The size alone will be a massive upgrade and a great way to show off what will hopefully be the Switch 2’s cutting-edge graphical capabilities. Or at least, like, grazing-edge?

Nintendo's Switch successor is coming this year with an 8-inch LCD, Omdia says https://t.co/ZtpED01U9l

— Bloomberg (@business) January 26, 2024

The bigger screen will also hopefully be utilised for playing backwards-compatible Switch games on the new console. Nintendo of America’s president, Doug Bowser, has been quoted as saying, “Our goal is to minimise the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another. I can’t speak to the possible features of a new platform, but the Nintendo Account is a strong basis for having that communication as we make the transition,” so hopefully that bodes well for punters being able to carry across their existing library to the new device.

The post New Reports Say The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Launch This Year With An 8″ LCD Screen appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has just revealed a new set of Joy-Con controllers to coincide with the release of the upcoming Princess Peach: Showtime! on March 22nd, and it’s a very pretty pastel pink pair.

These look to be the same pastel pink that featured in the most recent new Joy-Con colourway drop, but where that version was a left Joy-Con matched with a pastel yellow right Joy-Con, this one’s a matching pair for the first time.

Nintendo has confirmed these for an Australian release as well, with both local retailers and the My Nintendo Store stocking them in limited units. You can grab them from the below:

Nintendo Switch Pastel Pink Joy-Con Pair Pre-Orders Australia

• Amazon – $119
• JB Hi-Fi – $119
• EB Games – $119.95
• My Nintendo Store – $119.95

Princess Peach: Showtime! releases for the Nintendo Switch on March 22nd. Amazon has pre-orders for $69 including shipping.

These Pastel Pink Joy-Con controllers will debut alongside #PrincessPeachShowtime on 22/03! pic.twitter.com/l4ENyIXGz1

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) January 23, 2024

The post A Pastel Pink Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Pair Is Launching Alongside Princess Peach: Showtime appeared first on Press Start.

It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2023.

As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded the maximum of 10 points and the values would descend down to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.

A round of rapid polls were utilised to settle dead heats and finalise the top ten.

Never has a game embodied its title more than Super Mario Bros. Wonder, as it’s a genuinely wonderful time. Even as it had been a long time between drinks for side-scrolling Mario, over a decade in fact, it’s been longer still since the plumber that calls Brooklyn home has instilled such a feeling of amazement in us.

It always leaves us stupefied when a developer pours countless man hours into ideas that pop up for less than a minute, and that’s true of all the creativity that comes with the Wonder Flowers. Wild, unexpected flashes of brilliance right at home within Mario’s standard fare of exemplary platforming. 

Not only that, but the game served as a lovely footnote to another strong year, and perhaps the last if hardware rumours are to be believed, for the Nintendo Switch. In fact, we haven’t had a year like this since the last time our overalls and tunic clad friends suited up. 

In his review, James B scored Super Mario Bros. Wonder a 10 out of 10 saying:

“Super Mario Bros. Wonder is just that. A wonder. It leverages tight and concise platforming with a robust set of power-ups and skills to offer a degree of flexibility to players like never before. While it’s still slightly easier than I’d like, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an incredibly engaging Mario game and one of the best platformers available on the Switch, if not ever.”

Harry said:

“Super Mario Bros. Wonder is further proof of Nintendo’s ability to push the creative envelope and reinvent their iconic franchises. A 10 year plus break since the last mainline entry has resulted in one of the most inventive 2D platformers since Rayman Legends.

The way that an idea like the Wonder Seeds can completely flip any given level on its head is always exciting, and the whole experience is wrapped in an eye-catching new art style with incredible attention to detail. An all-round sublime return to what makes 2D Mario so special.”

Brodie said:

“In what was my first leap into a two-dimensional Mario game since Super Mario Bros. All-Stars in my youth, Wonder has been an absolute delight and a breath of fresh air. In an age where it’s bigger, open-world Mario games getting all of the plaudits, I’m so pleased that a game like this exists to prove that there’s still plenty of life left in those overalls.

The effort and love poured into each and every Wonder Flower moment, no matter how fleeting, is stupefying.”

At the time of publishing, Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands at a 92 on Metacritic.

Press Start’s Game of the Year 2023

4. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

7. Dredge

8. Final Fantasy XVI

9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

10. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

The post Press Start’s GOTY 2023 #4 – Super Mario Bros. Wonder appeared first on Press Start.

It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2023.

As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded the maximum of 10 points and the values would descend down to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.

A round of rapid polls were utilised to settle dead heats and finalise the top ten.

Although it was the year’s most anticipated game and, at one point, a short-priced favourite to take out the ultimate gong, Tears of the Kingdom was met with unprecedented competition in what has been an unbelievable year for video game releases. 

Nevertheless, Tears of the Kingdom absolutely built a technical marvel atop the promise of Breath of the Wild and delivered one of the best games that the series has ever seen. It takes the original’s retrospective plot line and places Link in the fray while offering the same sense of unstructured, joyful discovery. 

And don’t forget Ultrahand which helped make almost any intrusive, creative thought a possibility within the game’s Hyrule. It really does seem fitting that the Nintendo Switch’s life cycle has been bookended by two generation-defining The Legend of Zelda titles.  

In his review, James B scored The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom a 10 out of 10 saying:

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds upon Breath of the Wild’s robust systems to offer an experience that eclipses the original in practically every way. Not only that, but it works incredibly hard to restore some of the things lapsed players might’ve missed from the traditional Zelda experience, and it pays off in droves. While the novelty of its design will never be as impactful as Breath of the Wild’s debut, Tears of the Kingdom is one of the best Zelda experiences you’ll ever have.”

Harry said:

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom feels like an immensely fitting swansong for the Switch as a follow-up to Breath of the Wild. A staggeringly ambitious open-world experience with myriad systems that boggle the mind in their complexity and ability to afford creative player choice.

The inclusion of the Sky Islands and The Depths are genius expansions to already vast open world, that add new layers to exploration and the general gameplay loop that encourages the player to make the most of the tools available to them. A worthy sequel, and one of the greatest games in this legendary franchise.”

Steven said:

“The addition of an innovative construction mechanic adds an entire new level of freedom to what was already one of the best expressions of ‘open world’ in the medium. The return of more traditional dungeons complements the small scale shrines wonderfully.

In the history of hard acts to follow, the follow-up to Breath of the Wild must be near the top of the list. Somehow Nintendo’s effort with Tears of the Kingdom manages to improve on Breath of the Wild in almost every way.”

At the time of publishing, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom stands at a 96 on Metacritic.

Press Start’s Game of the Year 2023

6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

7. Dredge

8. Final Fantasy XVI

9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

10. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

The post Press Start’s GOTY 2023 #6 – The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom appeared first on Press Start.

Update: After revealing a banger Rare game from the N64 headed to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members in December, Nintendo has not only dropped Jet Force Gemini but it’s brought a total of three new N64 titles to the service. Here’s what’s available right now for subscribers of the top NSO tier:

• Jet Force Gemini
• Harvest Moon 64
• 1080º Snowboarding

Now that the last previously-known title, 1080º Snowboarding, along with the two fresh additions have released, we really don’t have a good read on the future of N64 games on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. We’re closing out the year with a great trio, at least:

In a bit of a surprise, Nintendo has revealed that Jet Force Gemini, Rare’s excellent 1999 sci-fi third-person shooter on the N64, is making its way to the Switch for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier membership will be able to download and play this classic starting next month.

This is big news not just because I reckon Jet Force Gemini is severely underrated and too often left out of conversations about Rare’s back catalogue, but because it’s a game that we didn’t know was coming to the Switch’s N64 library until now – opening the door for more to come just as 1080 Snowboarding remained the last known addition.

Adventure calls in the galaxy of Jet Force Gemini, coming to #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members this December! #Nintendo64 pic.twitter.com/Nne8huwalW

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) November 22, 2023

“Adventure calls in the galaxy of Jet Force Gemini, coming to Nintendo Switch for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members this December”

The post Three New N64 Games Have Dropped On Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo’s Black Friday sale has been growing, with a huge new round of games added including some banger first party/exclusive titles, indie gems and other hits. With 1000 titles discounted it’s a lot to sort through, and add to that the range of discounted digital Switch codes on Amazon (a first!) the potential for deals is huge.

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Feel more with PS5. Beyond the everyday. Beyond extraordinary. Even beyond imagination. Feel it now.

What that means is we’ve once again put in the work to bring you what we reckon are the digital deals worth paying attention to. You can shop the full sale here, or take a look at some of the best deals (including digital deals from Amazon) below:

Nintendo Switch eShop Black Friday Sale

• 15% off a range of Nintendo first party digital game and DLC codes
• 15% off Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions

Switch Exclusive Hits

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – $62.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – $53.30
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – $76.45 (digital via Amazon)
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – $53.30
• Splatoon 3 – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Everybody 1-2 Switch! – $42.45 (digital via Amazon)
• Pikmin 4 – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pikmin 1+2 – $59.45 (digital via Amazon)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – $59.95
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – $59.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – $53.30
• Fire Emblem Engage – $53.30
• Fire Emblem Engage – $53.30 (digital via Amazon)
• Bayonetta 3 – $53.30
• Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon – $53.30
• Mario Party Superstars – $53.30
• Super Mario Odyssey – $53.30
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Mario Maker 2 – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – $50.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Luigi’s Mansion 3 – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Mario Tennis Aces – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Mario Party – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Mario + Rabbids® Sparks of Hope Gold Edition – $52.75
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Yoshi’s Crafted World – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – $76.45 (digital via Amazon)
• Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition – $53.30
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – $59.95
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster – $48.95
• Astral Chain – $53.30
• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin – $29.95
• Fae Farm – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Nintendo Switch Sports – $47.60 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Violet – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Scarlet – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Sword – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Shield – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Shining Pearl – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• New Pokémon Snap – $53.30
• Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Detective Pikachu Returns – $59.45 (digital via Amazon)
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)
• Metroid Prime Remastered – $41.95
• Metroid Dread – $67.95 (digital via Amazon)

DLC

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass – $31.85 (digital via Amazon)
• Pokémon Scarlet / Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero – $44.50 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Fighters Pass – $27.60 (digital via Amazon)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Fighters Pass Vol. 2 – $33.15 (digital via Amazon)
• Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – $31.85 (digital via Amazon)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise – $31.85 (digital via Amazon)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass – $25.50 (digital via Amazon)

Digital Gems

• Cozy Grove + New Neighbears Bundle – $15.70
• Ooblets – $26.97
• Torchlight III – $7.50
• Subnautica: Below Zero – $14.83
• Wytchwood – $16.24
• A Space for the Unbound – $21
• Spiritfarer – $10.73
• Little Nightmares I & II Bundle – $20.95
• Cult of the Lamb: Cultist Edition – $27
• The Artful Escape – $14.39
• Rogue Legacy 2 – $22.50
• Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove – $28.99
• Dead Cells – $22.50
• TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge Bundle – $33.41
• Streets of Rage 4 – $18.75
• UNO® Ultimate Edition – $11.98
• WHAT THE GOLF? – $19.49
• Tinykin – $23.39
• Mato Anomalies Digital Deluxe Edition – $15.73
• Bear and Breakfast – $19.17
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – $26.19
• Disney Dreamlight Valley — Ultimate Edition – $62.97
• Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm – $27
• Neon White – $20.95
• We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie Special Edition – $35.95

Bangers Under $10

• Calico – $8.24
• Donut County – $5.29
• Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection – $3
• Florence – $2.79
• GRIS – $5.98
• What Remains of Edith Finch – $7.49
• The Messenger – $7.50
• Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion – $7.65
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – $6.79
• Portal: Companion Collection – $9.51
• A Short Hike – $6.29
• Unravel Two – $5.19
• LIMBO – $1.50
• INSIDE – $2.99
• Contra Anniversary Collection – $3
• Moonlighter – $3.74
• Burnout Paradise Remastered – $7.99
• Castlevania Anniversary Collection – $3
• Lost in Random – $5.19
• The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition – $6.75
• Loop Hero – $7.87
• Gorogoa – $5.29
• Cloud Gardens – $6.75

Massive Adventures

• Red Dead Redemption – $48.95
• GRANDIA HD Collection – $30
• South Park: The Fractured but Whole – Gold Edition – $22.99
• Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy – $31.96
• Live A Live – $34.95
• No More Heroes 3 – $34.95
• Tales of Symphonia Remastered – $35.95
• IMMORTALS FENYX RISING – GOLD EDITION – $22.49
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition – $31.98
• Sonic Frontiers – $39.82
• LEGO® Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – $26.98
• Dragon Quest® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition – $27.45
• No Man’s Sky – $39.97
• DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT + A NEW POWER AWAKENS SET Deluxe Edition – $26.45
• Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe – $51.27
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition Bundle – $47.45

Stuff I Couldn’t Think Of A Category For

• EA SPORTS FC 24 – $44.97
• Ace Attorney Turnabout Collection – $30.01
• Minecraft Legends – $29.97
• The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles – $23.98
• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition – $35.95
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy – $13.18
• Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival – $27.95
• Cities: Skylines – Nintendo Switch Edition – $15
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection – $30
• LEGO® 2K Drive Awesome Edition – $74.97
• Samba de Amigo: Party Central – $38.96

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS.

The post The Nintendo Switch eShop’s Black Friday Sale Has Added Even More Banger Digital Deals appeared first on Press Start.

Black Friday deal season is well and truly about to hit, and for those holding out hope for a Nintendo eShop gift card deal, Big W looks to be delivering this year. Thanks to our pals at Vooks, we now know that the retailer will be running a 10% off promotion on all Nintendo eShop digital gift cards, including prepaid Nintendo Switch Online membership cards and even DLC.

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Feel more with PS5. Beyond the everyday. Beyond extraordinary. Even beyond imagination. Feel it now.

The deal kicks off on November 21st and runs until November 27th, so you’ll have a good week to pop into your local Big Dub (unfortunately Nintendo eShop cards are still a physical-only thing at most retailers other than Amazon), and you can combine the savings on the currency with an upcoming Black Friday sale on the Nintendo Switch eShop itself. Yay!

Image Credit: Vooks

It’s also a great time to go shopping with Nintendo’s famous Switch Game Vouchers which can be had for for $134.95 on the eShop, and then use that to redeem any combination of two current or upcoming first party Nintendo titles – not a bad way at all to pick up the just-released Super Mario Bros. Wonder and this Friday’s Super Mario RPG.

We just published our review for Super Mario RPG too, scoring it a 9/10 and saying, “Super Mario RPG is a strong remake of an already stellar game. It successfully focuses on improving the original in all the right places: a faster and snappier battle system, strong quality-of-life improvements and more difficult optional content. These improvements combine with the game’s already quirky charm to offer an experience that easily eclipses the original. While it’s overly simplistic compared to other RPGs, that’s ostensibly the point. Super Mario RPG is an oddball piece of Nintendo’s history like no other, and that alone makes it worth experiencing.”

The post Big W Will Be Slinging 10% Off Nintendo eShop Gift Cards For Black Friday appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo held another of its exciting Indie World showcases overnight, spotlighting a heap of upcoming indie games set to grace the Nintendo Switch system, from brand-new titles to the first Switch releases of some stellar existing titles, with a whole heap to look forward to in 2024.

If you’re keen to watch the whole thing as it was shown, you can do that right here. Otherwise keep reading to see every game that was featured along with all of their trailers:

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Feel more with PS5. Beyond the everyday. Beyond extraordinary. Even beyond imagination. Feel it now.

Nintendo Indie World Showcase November 2023

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution

The lost Shantae adventure, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, is back in development after 20 years and coming to Nintendo Switch! Join Shantae as she turns the tables on nefarious pirate Risky Boots by rearranging the landscape and swapping between mix-and-match multi-layered levels, then hair-whip and belly-dance your way through scrambled lands, misplaced towns, monster-filled crypts, and daunting labyrinths. Plus: 4-player versus mode!

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is coming to Switch in 2024.

Core Keeper

Drawn towards a mysterious relic, you are an explorer transported to an ancient cavern of creatures, resources, and trinkets. It is up to you to uncover the mysteries of this strange new world and power up The Core to escape the dangers of the underground.

Core Keeper is coming to Switch in Winter 2024.

On Your Tail

Embark on an intriguing getaway you’ll never forget in On Your Tail, a sleuthy story-driven life sim and 3D adventure of relaxation, investigation, and knowing how to play your cards right. Set in the charming seaside village of Borgo Marina, On Your Tail follows the adventures of aspiring detective Diana in her pursuit of the perfect summer vacation. Developed by Memorable Games & published by Humble Games.

On Your Tail is coming to Switch in 2024.

Howl

Howl is a turn-based tactical folktale set in medieval times. A sinister ‘howling plague’ has ravaged the land, turning all who hear it into feral beasts. You play a deaf heroine plunging into danger in search of a cure. Plan up to six steps in advance to outmaneuver your opponents, wolfish creatures filled with hunger and rage. Various types of fiends are lurking in the shadows, each of them possessing particular levels of vitality and different abilities. Hence, you need to consider carefully which strategy will bring them to their knees and plot your attack while relying on your wits and an array of different abilities.

Howl is out right now on Switch.

The Star Named EOS

Immerse yourself in The Star Named EOS, a first-person storytelling puzzle adventure game about photography and the ways we can capture the fleeting moments that shape our lives. Play as Dei, a young photographer following the footsteps of his mother. Explore a beautiful world, find and collect items filled with memories, and help Dei find the truth behind his mother’s absence. As the player, you’ll recreate scenes from nostalgic memories and snap photographs of them, unraveling the mystery surrounding the protagonist’s family and finding a love that was long left unrealized.

The Star Named EOS is coming to Switch in Autumn 2024.

Backpack Hero

Master your backpack in Backpack Hero! Collect extraordinary items with incredible powers and abilities and organize your backpack to unleash their true power. Explore The Dungeon, fight foes in turn-based battles, encounter merchants and crafters, and other allies. Play as one of five Backpack Heroes with unique backpack powers, mechanics, and items. Rebuild your little village: restore, expand, and decorate Haversack Hill – help your community, and they’ll gladly help you!

Backpack Hero is out right now on Switch.

Blade Chimera

In the year 20XX, cities were suddenly flooded with demons in the form of monsters and spirits that suddenly appeared in the city, sparking an all-out Demon War. Even now, more than 30 years later, demons still roam the streets and harm humans wherever they go. In this exploration-heavy 2D action game, use your demon sword to interfere with the past, create platforms, and shield yourself from danger to explore a dystopian cyberpunk world depicted in gorgeously animated pixel art.

Blade Chimera is coming to Switch in Autumn 2024.

A Highland Song

Run, climb, scramble and spelunk your way across the winding paths of the Scottish Highlands in this narrative platformer from the creators of Heaven’s Vault and 80 Days. With music by leading Scottish folk bands and an adaptive narrative that builds itself around your choices, discover the beauty and danger of the remote wilderness in this highly replayable adventure.

A Highland Song is coming to Switch on December 5, 2023.

Moonstone Island

Explore 100 islands in the sky, collect Spirits in card combat, and make a cozy home as you work to become the world’s greatest alchemist on Moonstone Island!

Moonstone Island is coming to Switch in Autumn 2024.

Death Trick: Double Blind

Step right up to the enigmatic world of Death Trick: Double Blind! In this captivating visual novel, the star magician of Morgan’s Traveling Circus has vanished, but her name is still the hottest ticket in town! Immerse yourself in a winding, slow-burn detective story told from two distinct perspectives: a private eye hired by the circus owner and a concerned friend summoned by the missing magician. With a limited number of daily actions, unravel a web of secrets hidden beneath the circus tent. Collect evidence over multiple days, stay sharp for contradictions in witness testimonies, and piece together the puzzle to save the show. Will you crack the case, rescue the circus, and prove that the show must go on? Experience intrigue, suspense, and magic like never before in Death Trick: Double Blind!

Death Trick: Double Blind is coming to Switch in early 2024.

Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition

Welcome to the Space Program! You’re the newest recruit of Outer Wilds Ventures, a fledgling space program searching for answers in a strange, constantly evolving solar system. Strap on your hiking boots, check your oxygen levels, and get ready to venture into space. Use a variety of unique gadgets to probe your surroundings, track down mysterious signals, decipher ancient alien writing, and roast the perfect marshmallow.

Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition is coming to Switch on December 7, 2023.

Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist

Embark on your struggling artist adventure. Draw and sell art to cheeky critics to reclaim your lost art career. Explore the endearing art-starved town of Phénix and show them you’re a true artist!

Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist is out right now on Switch.

Braid: Anniversary Edition

Journey to a series of worlds where time behaves strangely and solve puzzles to rescue an abducted princess. Braid: Anniversary Edition is a remaster of the classic game with updated graphics, sound, and huge amounts of developer commentary.

Braid: Anniversary Edition is coming to Switch on April 30, 2024.

Other Mentions

Also featured in the showcase were brief looks at Planet of Lana and The Gecko Gods, which are coming to Switch in Autumn 2024, the Aussie-made Heavenly Bodies which is coming in February, Urban Myth Dissolution Center which arrives next year and Enjoy The Diner which is out on the Switch eShop right now.

The post All Of The Games Featured In The Nintendo Indie World Showcase appeared first on Press Start.

Kirby Nanoblocks! Kirby Nanoblocks!

In case you missed it, the Australian My Nintendo Store has just begun stocking a new round of Nanoblock sets based on the Nintendo Switch’s excellent Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which are incredibly adorable and include some iconic Kirby forms like Car Mouth (or Carby), Vending Mouth and Cone Mouth.

The sets can be purchased as single mystery bags for $8.99 or as a complete box of a guaranteed six individual models for $49.99 on the My Nintendo Store right here.

The store still has a range of other Kirby Nanoblock packs and boxes available as well, so you can find the full range here.

Which itty-bitty Kirby or Elfilin would you choose? ?

These #Kirby and the Forgotten Land nanoblocks are now available from My Nintendo Store: https://t.co/pNQ7YG3tVq pic.twitter.com/mnqn9BI2UH

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) November 10, 2023

Build Kirby and other Kirby characters in this nanoblock mininano range. These mini-models are a delight to build and collect.

In this 6 pack, you will receive one of each of the following mini-models:

• Kirby
• Cone Mouth
• Car Mouth
• Vending Mouth
• Light-bulb Mouth
• Elfilin

Kirby and the Forgotten Land launched early last year, and we gave it a respectable 8.5/10 in our review, saying “Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby franchise to new heights in new and interesting ways. Whilst it’s not the full step forward that I was hoping for, it’s still super enjoyable and excites me for what could be next in the Kirby series.”

The post Kirby And The Forgotten Land Nanoblock Sets Just Landed On The Aussie My Nintendo Store appeared first on Press Start.

Here’s a bit of a surprise mid-week announcement, with Nintendo having just confirmed that it’s working on a live-action movie based on its iconic The Legend of Zelda franchise.

It made the announcement quite plainly, in a post on the official Japanese website, where it was revealed that the movie is being produced in collaboration between Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad (Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse, Uncharted, Kraven the Hunter) and will be directed by Wes Ball.

The film is being co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, which goes some way to explaining how rumours of a Zelda film project cropped up earlier this year with The Super Mario Bros. Movie production company Illumination denying any involvement.

The release from Nintendo reads:

Nintendo Co., Ltd. (HQ: Kyoto Minami-ku; Representative Director and President: Shuntaro Furukawa, “Nintendo” hereafter) today announced that it will develop a live-action film of The Legend of Zelda.

The film will be produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo and Avi Arad, Chairman of Arad Productions Inc., who has produced many mega hit films.

The film will be produced by Nintendo and Arad Productions Inc., and directed by Wes Ball. The film will be co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., with more than 50% financed by Nintendo. The theatrical distribution of the film will be done worldwide by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

By producing visual contents of Nintendo IP by itself, Nintendo is creating new opportunities to have people from around the world to access the world of entertainment which Nintendo has built, through different means apart from its dedicated game consoles.

By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone’s faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible.

I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it. [2]https://t.co/2H9lzzS5Pv

— ??????? (@Nintendo) November 7, 2023

Hopefully we’ll get to see more on this soon enough.

The post Nintendo Has Officially Announced A Live Action Legend Of Zelda Movie appeared first on Press Start.

This year has seen some of the highest-profile “leaks” of purported information on Nintendo’s successor to the Switch console, with some particularly big allegations coming post-Gamescom 2023 that claimed the gaming giant had its new hardware behind well-guarded doors to show to developers and publishers in the area.

Despite the fact that those rumours were seemingly being corroborated by multiple outlets and sources at the time with some fairly detailed remarks on what was being shown – no less than an upscaled Breath of the Wild and a look at the famous The Matrix Awakens tech demo running on the device – Nintendo has now come out to deny that it was engaging in the world’s most exclusive Show and Tell at the expo in Germany.

Japanese outlet Mainichi has published a story that says that Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo President, had addressed this rumour in particular at its recent investor meeting, saying “Rumours are circulating mainly on the Internet as if they were public information, but they are inaccurate,” and claiming that reports of Nintendo showing off its Switch successor at Gamescom 2023 “untrue.”

Of course, as VGC points out, Nintendo has set itself a precedent for denying its activities based on leaked information and then proving themselves liars almost immediately, like the time it said there weren’t plans to reveal a redesigned DS console the day before it revealed a redesigned DS console:

That one time Nintendo denied having any plans for a hardware revision and then announced a hardware revision the next day ? https://t.co/T8i7WzV3Z5 pic.twitter.com/f1AX6jZqYL

— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) September 30, 2021

Nintendo also took the opportunity in the call to shut down talk of a DS-like console where one screen can be physically removed, an idea that popped up in a recent patent, reminding folks that patented ideas don’t necessarily guarantee a future product.

Whatever the truth is, there’s no denying that fans and onlookers everywhere are fully anticipating Nintendo to have something to reveal in the coming months with a rising expectation that we’ll see whatever the next iteration of dedicated Nintendo hardware is launch at some point next year, if not very soon after.

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If you took the time to look up the definition for “wonder,” you’ll find that it’s a word used to describe a feeling of amazement and admiration caused by something beautiful, remarkable and unfamiliar. It only makes sense, then, that Super Mario Bros. Wonder nails the brief wholeheartedly. It’s the first new traditional side-scrolling Mario game in over a decade and as such it’s airtight evidence that good things come to those who wait. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an achievement in practically every way you could fathom.

Our adventure begins with Mario and his friends travelling to the Flower Kingdom. It’s a new location that neighbours the Mushroom Kingdom, ruled by Prince Florian and powered by energy from the Wonder Flower. Of course, upon arriving, Bowser appears and steals the source of the power, using its energy to merge himself with the castle and become a flying fortress. The denizens of the Flower Kingdom are trapped inside their homes and Mario must subsequently rescue them. It’s a tried-and-true tale with few surprises.

The game follows the typical formula you’d expect from a Mario game of this ilk. Players select their character, jump into a world and clear courses to defeat Bowser. The structure of Mario games has remained unchanged for many years, and I’d argue that’s because it still works just fine. Similarly, the controls are tight and the platforming is equal parts challenging and satisfying. Which is a relief, since so much of Wonder’s success is dependent on these core aspects being adequately achieved.

The most obvious thing about Super Mario Bros. Wonder is that it feels like the start of a new era for Mario. The game is filled to the brim with new enemies and locales that we haven’t seen explored before in a Mario game. While some of the creatures and characters we’ve come to know from Mario’s rich three decades of history still make appearances, the bulk of Wonder is brand new. And it’s this dedication to newness that’s just one of the many reasons why Wonder feels like such a confident and charming reinvention of 2D Mario.

The other side of this reinvention is the Wonder Flowers. They’re a collectible that appears in each level that, when collected, warps the stage or twists the rules of the game to amp up the action. They start off in a rather lowkey manner – some might summon a stampede of enemies to run from. Others are more abstract – changing your perspective of the level or beginning a musical number that your character must participate in with specifically timed jumps.

I’d shown concern in my preview that the Wonder Flowers would get old. That throwing these crazy effects at the player would grow tiresome and tedious as more and more of them stacked up. But, rather impressively, they don’t. The Wonder Flowers are all unique and, while some are reused towards the end of the adventure, the circumstances in which they are reused more than makes up for it. I’d love to be able to talk about more of them, but there’s honestly some genuinely fantastic and creatively rich surprises from beginning to end that it would be remiss of me to spoil them.

The courses are similarly well thought out, with many of them introducing a new enemy or mechanic that hasn’t appeared in previous levels. It’s remarkable how Wonder manages to keep things fresh, gradually revealing itself to the player course by course in a way that remains interesting and engaging. It’s genuinely impressive achievement, and one that I found refreshing given how quickly I’ve felt compelled by other 2D Mario games to put the controller down and take a break. If it weren’t for basic human needs like sleep and work, I’d have easily been engrossed enough in Wonder to have finished it in a single sitting. It’s just that good.

Such a strong sense of pacing is owed to the fact that there are other level types included in the game too. Besides the main courses, of which there are numerous, other smaller missions with specific objectives are peppered throughout the map. “Break Time” missions are shorter stints with a specific objective. “Search Party” missions have the party exploring a semi-open level for collectibles. “Wiggler Race” is self-explanatory and has the party racing against an eager Wiggler to the end of a course. These are all uniquely created courses too, and do a great job of breaking things up, especially during longer sessions.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder also introduces three new power-ups to the fold, providing some great quirks that complement the platforming superbly. The Elephant is the simplest, allowing your character to attack sideways with their trunk or transport water from one area to another. The Bubble Flower allows you to blow bubbles to encapsulate enemies but can be used by savvier players to create bounceable platforms to jump off of. Finally, the Drill Mushroom turns your head into a hitbox, enhances their ground pounds and allows you to burrow and traverse across ground or ceiling like the spider ball from Metroid.

GET IT FROM AMAZON FOR $69 WITH FREE SHIPPING

These power-ups join the Fire Flower to offer up a set of abilities that often have a multi-faceted benefit to the player. They’re all good at defeating enemies, obviously, but so many of the new power-ups create opportunities for players to traverse courses without the need for flashy acrobatics or stage-specific mechanics. They’re incredibly clever additions to the line-up and do great work in giving players freedom in how they approach the courses in the game.

And that’s before I even talk about badges. They’re awarded to players largely by completing badge trials, which are another mission type strewn throughout the map. They buff the party in both active and passive ways, selectable before a course starts or between deaths. Some increase the height of your jump, while others might allow you to wall jump on the same wall twice to reach greater heights. One might increase the drop rate for coins, while another gives you a grappling hook-like ability. They’re simple additions that, once again, allows players to engage with the platforming in Wonder the way they want to without compromising the overall design.

Mario games have historically been fairly easy. Wonder does good work in remedying this complaint, but in a way that doesn’t exclude anyone. For the most part, the courses are fun and challenging with a naturally progressing difficulty curve that never feels unfair. But if you stray from the main path, mainly through hidden exits, you’ll come face to face with optional courses that have been tuned to be pretty difficult.

And I mean difficult. Two of them easily took around half an hour each to complete properly and one of those would’ve taken even longer if it weren’t for me playing with a friend and having the revives that multiplayer provides. It’s kind of refreshing to see something so challenging in a Mario game, even if it only makes up a small percentage of the total courses and is completely optional. If you’re somebody who enjoyed watching those challenging and gruelling courses made by players in Super Mario Maker 2, you’re going to love finding the right sense of flow to get through these tougher courses in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Unfortunately, my other major gripe with the 2D Mario games remains – there’s not a lot of variety to the boss encounters and many of them are simply too easy. I acknowledge this is a game targeting a wide audience, but these do feel like they’re over a bit too quickly. Still, they make good use of the Wonder Power concept to offer memorable battles, and they’re only a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar package.

While local multiplayer is supported, the way Wonder handles online multiplayer is also quite novel. When you’re connected, you’ll see the silhouettes of other players playing on the same course. In courses where you might be stuck or looking for something, these ghostly hints can often help point you in the right direction. It feels like Dark Souls, to a certain extent, and really helps make the world feel so much bigger than it is and was helpful in finding a hidden object I was unable to find previously.

You can also erect standees of your character wherever you want, creating checkpoints that other players can use online during more difficult challenges. Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder a strand game, then? Not quite. But the standees can be used to great effect to provide hints to other players. A tub of unassuming goo was in one level and somebody planted their Luigi standee in a post of him diving. Of course, there was something good in there, which was a nice touch. I would’ve done it anyway, but it’s a cool system that, once again, mimics Dark Souls’ notes system and works oddly well with a 2D Mario game.

As the credits rolled on Super Mario Bros. Wonder, it was fun to reflect on just how much it has to offer. While everyone’s playthrough will inevitably be different, it’s easily the biggest 2D Mario game that Nintendo has ever created. Even better, it’s the most compelling. It’s filled to the brim with delightfully realised ideas from beginning to end. And it’s more than likely not over when you’re done either – so many secrets are hidden off the main path that you’ll no doubt want to go back and uncover.

From a presentation standpoint, it goes without saying that Wonder looks phenomenal. It’s vibrant, the colours pop and everything that appears on screen just oozes personality and expression. It’s really one of the best-looking Mario games, and a huge step above the very flat and generic looking art direction seen in the New Super Mario games. All in all, it’s a visually stunning game and while it’s best to keep some of the best-looking courses a surprise, it’s easily up there for one of the best looking and performing Switch titles.

The post Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review – A World Of Ideas In Full Bloom appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has rocked the internet today with an unexpected revelation in the lead-up to the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

With its second in a series of short, animated promo spots for the game, Nintendo’s managed to confirm that iconic series antagonist, Bowser, likes his Peaches juicy. The video shows Bowser up to his usual antics in trying to woo Princess Peach, while she casually brushes him off (slay) and instead turns her attention to the new Elephant Fruit power-up that’s become a defining feature of the yet-to-be released new Mario platformer.

Upon using the power-up to transform into Elephant Peach, well, the results speak for themselves:

Say it with flowers! ?? pic.twitter.com/oAXwpB8cDo

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) October 12, 2023

Yeah, there’s going to some very questionable fan art out of this one.

We recently shared a preview of a chunk of hands-on time with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, saying, “Super Mario Bros. Wonder has done more than impress me. It’s made me start to anticipate 2D Mario games more than ever. I’ve always enjoyed dipping my toes in the 2D Mario pool from time to time. Now I’m ready to spend hours there wholly submerged. It’s shaping up to be something truly worthy of its title – a true wonder to behold.”

Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20th, 2023 exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Amazon has physical pre-orders for $69 including shipping.

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Nintendo’s set to have a massive presence at this year’s PAX Aus expo, and while we already knew it was going to feature a playable demo of the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder ahead of release at PAX Aus 2023, we now have a better idea of its plans for the show floor – including a few more playable pre-release goodies.

One of the more exciting reveals is that PAX attendees will be able to get their hands on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at the Nintendo booth, well before its release next year. There will also be hands-on opportunities for Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and Detective Pikachu Returns – which will have just released on the first day of PAX Aus, Friday October 6th.

For anyone who didn’t get to play Hollow Knight: Silksong at the Nintendo PAX Aus Booth in 2019, it’s looks to be sadly missing again this year…

Here’s (some of) what you’ll be able to play this year:

Nintendo PAX Aus 2023 Booth – Playable Titles

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask
• Detective Pikachu Returns
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Pikmin 4
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R
• Sonic Superstars

The Nintendo Stand will also include a My Nintendo Store for visitors to purchase Nintendo products and merch including the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model Mario Red Edition and Detective Pikachu Returns. My Nintendo members will be able to check in at the stand for a Super Mario Bros. 8-Bit Mario pin and the general public can also earn an exclusive Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero pin set and Detective Pikachu Returns visor.

PAX Aus 2023 is happening this October 6th-8th and tickets are available now, with Saturday badges already sold out – so grab yours here.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder releases on October 20th exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Amazon has pre-orders of the game for $69 with free shipping.

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Nintendo have another massive 40 minute Direct as they look forward to the rest of the year and the start of 2024. There was tons of stuff shown, from previously announced titles to brand-new titles. It’s looking to be stacked 6 months for Nintendo Switch owners.

Here’s everything we saw today:

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door Is Finally Getting A Remake

The fantastic Paper Mario: The 1000 Year Door is getting a long-awaited remake. This incredible GameCube RPG looks gorgeous on the Switch with improved visuals and timeless gameplay. Between this and Super Mario RPG, there’s a lot of Mario RPG goodness coming to the Switch. Not much was shown in regards to new features or content, but the base game is more than enough as is. It launches in 2024.

The previously revealed Princess Peach Game is called Princess Peach: Showtime!

Announced during Nintendo’s June direct earlier this year, Princess Peach: Showtime! follows Princess Peach as she explores a theatre with her newfound companion, Stella. Peach can use Stella to transform into different forms that give her extra abilities like Detective Peach, Swordfighter Peach, Kung Fu Peach, and much more. It looks eclectic and inventive, while echoing a bit of Luigi’s Mansion. It’s coming out on March 22nd.

Mario VS. Donkey Kong Makes A Return On The Switch

The beloved Game Boy puzzler is receiving a gorgeous remake for the Switch early next year.  The most notable inclusion is the ability to play with a friend in local co-op. Might not be the full Donkey Kong game some were anticipating, but it’s cool to see this one back nonetheless. It’s launching on February 16th.

We Got A New Look At Splatoon 3 – Side Order

We got a fresh look at Splatoon 3’s upcoming DLC – Side Order, and it seems very unique. Some real abstract design in this one based on the trailer. If it’s anything like recent Splatoon campaigns and the Octo-Expansion, it’s sure to be a banger. It’s set in the Spire of Order as you ascend the tower and level up your character. An interesting detail is that it’s designed to be replayed. It’s launching in Autumn of 2024.

Super Mario RPG Is Looking Excellent

We got another look at the Super Mario RPG Remake going over some of the returning and new features. Perfect timing now damages all enemies at once, there are new Triple Moves based on party composition, and even powered-up boss rematches. It’s shaping up to be a great package. It’s still scheduled for launch on November 17th.

Pikachu Can Ride Pokémon in Detective Pikachu Returns

We got another look at Detective Pikachu Returns, showcasing some of the abilities you can use to solve mysteries. Tracking scents with Growlithe, smashing rocks with Darmanitan, and more. It looks like it’ll be a fun time when it launches on October 6th.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Brings More of the Green Plumber

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is looking better and better. It seems to have been brought in line with the visuals of Luigi’s Mansion 3 and even brings back the co-op multiplayer mode. This one is definitely worth checking out if you missed it the first time around. It’s launching in Summer of next year.

Funky Kong Returns to Mario Kart in Wave 6 of the Booster Course Pass

Peachette, Pauline, Diddy Kong, and Funky Kong all make their debut in Wave 6 of Mario Kart 8’s Booster Course Pass when it launches later this year. More Mario Kart tracks is never a bad thing, and new playable characters is always exciting. Wave 6 is launching with Daisy Circuit alongside 7 more courses this holiday.

F-ZERO 99 is an F-Zero Battle Royale

If Tetris worked, why not F-ZERO? Much like Tetris 99, F-ZERO 99 essentially a F-ZERO battle royale as you compete against 98 other players for victory. It looks like a good bit of fun but I can already feel the disappointment unfolding from series veterans. Better than nothing I suppose?

WarioWare Move It Has 200 Microgames

Nothing better than a bit of absurd WarioWare. New whacky motion-based microgames and stacks of multiplayer modes, WarioWare Move It is looking to be a fitting party game for the holiday period. It’s launching on November 3rd.

Nintendo Museum

There’s a Nintendo Museum coming to Kyoto sometime next year! Not something you can play on your Switch, but a cool documentation of Nintendo’s history nonetheless.

More Amiibos are on the Way

The previously announced Tears of the Kingdom amiibos for Ganondorf and Zelda are due out on November 3rd. Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Noah and Mio are also releasing as an oh-so-cute dual pack on January 19th.

Ubisoft Brought A New Prince of Persia – The Lost Crown Trailer

Ubisoft also brought a new trailer for Prince of Persia – The Lost Crown. A return to the 2D roots of the series that keeps looking better and better. There was a quick look at some boss fights and the environments we’ll explore. Keep this one on your radar. It’s launching on January 18th.

The Original Tomb Raider Trilogy is Getting Remastered

The classic original Tomb Raider trilogy is coming to the Switch with remastered visuals. You can toggle between the original visuals and remastered ones too! Great games for a portable platform like the Switch. It’s launching on February 14th.

Bandle Tale:  A League of Legends Story is an all new game from Lazy Bear

The next entry in Riot’s slew of new League-based experiences, Bandle Tale is a cute community based game that seems similar to Stardew Valley and other farming games, only with a League twist. It’s being helmed by the developers of Graveyard Keeper, Lazy Bear. It’s releasing sometime next year.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story Finally has A Release Date

We got another look at one of Riot’s other projects – Song of Nunu. This whimsical story adventure game follows Nunu and Willump as they brave the treacherous wilds of the Freljord. Better yet, it’s launching on Novermber 1st.

Dave The Diver is coming to Console

The critically acclaimed Dave The Diver is coming to the Switch later this year. This fun little game has a neat loop of catching fish during the day and selling it as sushi during the night. It’s a great time and is well worth your attention. Its launching  first on Switch on October 26th, with a demo available to play right now!

Unicorn Overlord Is Vanillaware’s Next Game

ATLUS and Vanillaware are bringing us Unicorn Overlord; the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPGs. Vanillaware always does great stuff, so definitely keep an eye on this one. It sports their trademark visual style and what looks to be a well-realized medieval setting. It’s launching on March 8th.

Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes Is Coming Out Early Next Year

While this one was announced a while back, this new look shows quite a promising RPG experience. It has a unique 2D/3D hybrid visual style that’s striking in motion. Super flashy combat to boot as well. It’s launching on April 23rd.

Eastward is Getting DLC this Summer

Eastward: Octopia is set in a remote mountainside village where Sam and John start life anew as farmers. It’s a parallel world of Eastward and looks like a great time. It’s launching in Summer of this year.

Wargroove 2 is Bringing A Cutscene and Campaign Creator

Wargroove 2 got some new details including a new mouse faction, and a rogue-like mode in Conquest mode. There’s also a built-in cutscene and campaign creator which is super neat. It’s launching on October 5th.

Horizon Chase 2 Is Available Today On The Switch

Launching later today, Horizon Chase 2 is an arcade racer that can be played online and even has cross-play. Looks like a bit of arcade fun with friends. It’s out today on the eShop.

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle Has A Release Date

There’s nothing better than a good rhythm game other than a rhythm game with friends. Solve puzzles and battle bosses while you rock out to over 30 tracks, including music from iconic Konami games. It’s launching on November 14th.

SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is the Spy x Family Game We Never Knew We Needed

The Anya simulator we never knew we needed. Catalogue Anya’s daily life with a photo diary in Spy X Family’s very first video game adaptation. Absolutely riveting, ridiculously cute.

The Cult Classic Another Code Games Are Coming To Switch

Another Code: Recollection is a bundle of the two Another Code DS games, the second of which never released in North America. Surreal to see these games getting released in 2023 fully enhanced for the Nintendo Switch. The collection comes out on January 19th.

The Next SaGa Game is SaGa Emerald Beyond

The next entry into the SaGa series, SaGa Emerad Beyond seems to echo elements from Octopath Traveler with unique heroes to pick from with their own stories that crossover. It has a timeline turn-based battle system which is always a good time when done properly. It’s completely standalone and launches next year.

Trombone Champ can fuel all of your Tromboning Dreams

Trombone Champ is a wonderful recreation of playing the trombone. What’s not to love? It even has an authentic control scheme. It’s launching today on Nintendo Switch.

BATTLE CRUSH is an Adrenaline Fueled Action Game Similar to Battlerite

BATTLE CRUSH looks like a fun battle royale-esc MOBA most similar to Battlerite. Not much was shown outside of some combat and environments, but if it’s anything like Battlerite, it’ll be a great time. It’s due out in Autumn next year.

Wartales Is A Turn-Based RPG Available Today

A tactical turn-based RPG that can be played online with freinds, You can explore the overworld, recruit companions, collect bounties, and spelunk tombs. Looks like a bit of fun, and it even launches later today!

Contra: Operation Galuga is a Reimaging of the 80s Classic

A new take on the SNES classic, Contra: Operation Galuga looks like it’ll scratch that retro itch in a way only Contra can. A reimagining of the classic run-‘n’-gun formula from the 80s with modernized graphics, sound, new stages, mechanics, and more. It even has coop! It’s set to launch in early 2024.

Among Us is getting a free new map

Among Us is getting a brand-new map that’s completely free. It’s called The Fungle and launches this October. Seems like a fun map but the name is a bit sus.

The post Everything Announced At The September 2023 Nintendo Direct appeared first on Press Start.

As has been heavily rumoured to appear at some point this week, Nintendo has revealed that it is indeed broadcasting a brand-new main event Nintendo Direct, and it’s happening tonight.

The Nintendo Direct will premiere at midnight tonight AEST and feature roughly 40 minutes of information focused on Switch games coming out at the end of this year and beginning of next year.

Nintendo Direct September 2023 Australian Times

The September 2023 Nintendo Direct premieres at 12AM AEST Friday, September 15th (so at the stroke of midnight tonight) and will be available to watch right here. Here’s how that time shakes out around the rest of the nation:

• 12.00AM Friday, September 15th AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 11.30PM Thursday, September 14th ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 10.00PM Thursday, September 14th AWST (Perth)
• 2.00AM Friday, September 15th NZDT (Wellington)

Tune in on Sept. 14 at 7 a.m. PT for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information focused on #NintendoSwitch games releasing this winter.

Watch it live here: https://t.co/tUb8vyZNfx pic.twitter.com/WJcQ5ZQl1b

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2023

The post A Massive 40 Minute Nintendo Direct Is Happening Tonight appeared first on Press Start.

The Nintendo Switch has managed to sell more units in six years than the iconic Nintendo Wii sold in its entire lifetime, at least as far as sales in the US go.

That’s according to a new report from GamesIndustry.biz and sales data from Circana (formerly known as NPD). Amidst a larger published article that looks at video game spending in the US over the last 12 months, GI says of Nintendo’s ongoing momentum, “Switch has also continued to perform strongly in 2023, helped by the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In fact, the US lifetime sales of Switch hardware finally surpassed those of Wii in the US market during July 2023. Switch lifetime sales now trail Xbox 360 by less than one million units, and PlayStation 2 by fewer than five million.”

The article from GI doesn’t give any actual figures, but Nintendo’s recent financial reporting indicates that 49 million units of the Nintendo Switch were sold in The Americas up until March 31st this year, a number that’s no doubt grown quite since with the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in May – which managed to rack up a whopping 18 million copies sold in just its first seven weeks on shelves.

The rest of the report shows video game sales in general (again in the US) haven’t really shifted all that much year-on-year, with sales of PS5 consoles trending 5% over the PS4 when comparing lifetimes, and Xbox Series X|S around 10% behind on Xbox One. Subscriptions like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus haven’t seen any real growth in the US year-on-year but the overall spending on video games grew around 3% to $58.3 billion USD.

Nintendo will naturally be looking to its next-generation console, heavily rumoured to be a successor to the “hybrid portable” form factor of the current Switch, to continue its incredible run.

The post The Nintendo Switch Has Surpassed The Wii’s Lifetime Sales In The US appeared first on Press Start.

Today’s Pokémon Presents provided a load of new details regarding The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion pack for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet set to launch later this year. Split into two parts, each one explores a new region beyond Paldea, offering up new Pokémon, regional variants, and returning Pokémon not found in the base games.

Taking part in a joint school trip, you’ll journey to the land of Kitakami in Part 1 – The Teal Mask. With a huge mountain landmarking the center of the region, Kitakami is surrounded by an abundance of nature inspired by rural Japan. Each year, The Festival of Masks is held in Kitakami, inspired by an old folktale, which you’ll seek to uncover and understand as you explore Kitakami. The folktale revolves around three new Pokémon; Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti, who are said to have saved Kitakami from an ogre in ancient times.

Some other neat new features include a side adventure that sees you taking photos of Pokémon, Ogre Oustin’ which is a minigame based around popping balloons while riding Koraidon/Miraidon, and Mochi, which can improve the stats of Pokémon. There’s even a Mochi that resets base stats, giving you more control over your team. There’s also the Roto-Stick, which allows for wider angled photos, new poses, and added variety in your shots.

Part 2 – The Indigo Disc is set on the mostly underwater Blueberry Academy, housing a terrarium filled with 4 biomes filled with Pokémon and new trainers as you get to grips with life as a student at Blueberry Academy. The BB League looks to be the biggest draw of The Indigo Disc, offering up a new gym-like challenge with its very own Elite Four. Each one has their own Elite Challenge that has to be undertaken before battle, one of which lets you fly around on Miraidon and Koraidon temporarily, which is a cool addition to the mountable legendaries.

The League Club is a new extra-curricular activity with a club room you can redecorate as you see fit. You can change up the way you throw Pokéballs, and you can even invite trainers from Paldea to train and battle with. Everything comes full circle as you journey back to Paldea to discover the hidden treasure of the mysterious Area Zero.

Mew and Mewtwo are also coming to the games as an event, where you can add Mew into your team and challenge Mewtwo in a Tera Raid Battle. You can get your own Mew right now, with Mewtwo following shortly after with Tera Raid Battle events arriving over the course of August and September.

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is set to kick off on September 13th with the release of Part 1 – The Teal Mask, with Part 2 – The Indigo Disc to follow in the tail-end of this year. If you’ve got a hankering for Pokémon right now, new titles are available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

The post Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s First Expansion is Launching Next Month appeared first on Press Start.

PAX Australia has just issued a huge update for expo-goers eager to know what’s in stores for this year’s event.

The first few exhibitors have finally been confirmed for PAX Aus 2023, and the list includes the likes of Nintendo – who are running a huge Splatoon 3/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournament which you can learn more about here – as well as Bethesda, whose plans are yet to be confirmed but who had some exciting stuff for gamers to check out last year.

Confirmed to be on the expo floor itself are the usual run of hardware vendors like ASUS ROG, MSI and more along with Crunchyroll for the anime fans and Devolver Digital for those keen to kick back and play some excellent upcoming indie bangers.

PAX Aus 2023 is happening this October 6th-8th and tickets are available now, with Saturday badges already 70% sold out – so grab yours here.

You can see the full news shared in the below tweet (and copied across in text):

PAX Aus is celebrating its 10th anniversary, so dust off your finest outerwear and get your sleep in while you can, because you’re all invited and it is going to be non-stop for three days!

Nintendo returns to PAX Aus, with the Splatoon 3 AU/NZ Championship 2023 and Mario Kart 8… pic.twitter.com/FHHpt4e3yD

— PAX Australia (@PAXAus) August 7, 2023

PAX Aus is celebrating its 10th anniversary, so dust off your finest outerwear and get your sleep in while you can, because you’re all invited and it is going to be non-stop for three days!

Nintendo returns to PAX Aus, with the Splatoon 3 AU/NZ Championship 2023 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe AU/NZ Championship 2023 culminating in the live finals in PAX Arena. Teams can learn more about qualifying online for this epic showdown at Nintendo Australia’s website.

Also returning this year, Bethesda joins PAX Aus’ 10th anniversary. Stay tuned over socials in the coming weeks for more information about the awesome experience they will be bringing to the PAX community.

Step onto the expo floor where PAX Aus goers will have the opportunity to get their hands on some of the latest content, hardware and tech from our long-time friends including Devolver Digital, Audio-Technica, ASUS ROG, Aftershock PC, Cooler Master, HTC VIVE, Corsair, MSI and Crunchyroll.

And that’s just the beginning of what PAX Aus has to offer this year. We also welcome first timers including NetEase Games, who have created titles across a variety of genres and platforms. Ukiyo Studios will be bringing various international indie games to PAX Aus and we also say a big “kia ora” to PikPok Games from Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing an exclusive demo of Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days for visitors to get their hands on.

While this is just a taster, we hope you’re just as, if not more excited than us to ring in 10 years! With PAX Aus still several weeks away, there is still a lot to be announced about this year’s event so keep your eyes and ears open for news about guests, new features, schedules, exhibitors, and more.

The post The First Confirmed PAX Aus Participants Include Nintendo, Bethesda And Devolver Digital appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Eurogamer has also reported similar claims to the below through its own sources.

Rumours of a follow-up to the impossibly-successful Nintendo Switch, whether in the form of a “Switch 2” or something else, seem to crop up every day, but recent claims pointing to a next-generation Switch console could be the most convincing yet.

Video Games Chronicle has reported, through multiple sources known to the outlet that claim to have knowledge of Nintendo’s plans, that the company is currently planning to launch its next-generation Switch successor in the second half of 2024.

The same sources have also told the outlet that the console is, in fact, another hybrid portable device similar to the current Switch and will ship with an LCD screen like the standard Switch model and not an OLED display to keep costs down in the face of needing greatly increased storage space for new-generation games.

Thew device will reportedly still carry a cartridge slot for physical games, though backwards compatibility isn’t a given as of yet with third-party developers reportedly concerned about catering to older software having a negative effect on new game sales.

The outlet also says that development kits are already with “key partners,” which has likely contributed to this many early details around the new console coming out as soon as they have. Naturally, VGC has reached out to Nintendo for comment on these claims but did not receive a response before it took the story public.

We’ll update this if we learn more. You can read VGC’s full report here.

Development kits for Nintendo’s next console are now with key partner studios, with launch planned for next year, sources have told VGC.https://t.co/Of1DJPh21f pic.twitter.com/QBN7DRm2kF

— VGC (@VGC_News) July 31, 2023

The post Nintendo’s Next-Generation Console Is Reportedly A Switch Successor Coming Next Year appeared first on Press Start.

It doesn’t feel good to mention this, but it’s been almost a decade since Pikmin 3 was released. I can’t believe it. But while Pikmin’s releases have been sporadic, each game has scratched a different itch for fans. Now, with Pikmin 4, Nintendo has put its best foot forward in practically every aspect to offer one of the best Pikmin experiences ever. No, it’s not as challenging or unforgiving as the first game was, but it’s still just as engaging and charming twenty years on.

Not too keen to deviate from the tried and true narrative, Pikmin 4 once again opens with Captain Olimar crash-landing on an unknown planet and activating a distress signal to be rescued. You play as the newest recruit of the Rescue Corps, but in a continuing comedy of errors, your crew finds themselves also shipwrecked on the planet they need to rescue Olimar from. Your team is scattered across the planet, and it’s up to you to collect them and find Olimar. Again. Of course, there’s a little bit more to it, and while it’s hardly the most gripping of stories, it is one of the better Pikmin tales we’ve heard so far.

Pikmin 4 is hard to categorise. At its core, the franchise is Nintendo’s take on a real-time strategy game, but with puzzles thrown in to keep things interesting. The focus is on your horde of Pikmin that you can control. They’re plant-like creatures who can be directed to collect items, destroy obstacles and fight the hostile creatures you’ll encounter. Commanding your Pikmin is satisfying but harrowing – losing them is especially sad. This might sound a bit absurd, but Pikmin is one of the most potent games I’ve played about war that isn’t explicitly about war.

Bizarrely, every Pikmin game thus far has had a different focus, so opinions are diverse as to which one is the best. Pikmin 4 is different from other Pikmin games – it attempts to leverage the best bits of the last three games to offer the most complete Pikmin experience yet. Diehard fans will no doubt find disappointment in the statement that, yes, Pikmin 4 isn’t as challenging as the original Pikmin was. But the tension and difficulty escalate in a way that feels fair and appropriate and, as a result, much more forgiving without being insultingly easy.

Enter Oatchi. He’s a space dog found by the player when they first land on the planet and, without a doubt, the star of Pikmin 4. Oatchi can do it all – behave like a second squad leader or act like a supercharged Pikmin. He’s incredibly powerful, able to carry Pikmin over certain bodies of water or inflict massive damage against the hostile creatures you’ll encounter. His immense strength means he can hold items like a Pikmin can, and with certain upgrades, he can even resist the elements. He’s absolutely adorable and one of my favourite things about the game, though he does trivialize a lot of the difficulty in the opening areas of the game.

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Thankfully, as you progress through the story, the tendency to lean on Oatchi as a crutch becomes less tempting. Enemies will learn new tricks that will render Oatchi useless in certain situations or areas and will purposefully split you and your Pikmin away from him to get you to work harder for your wins. Make no mistake – Pikmin 4 can still be a challenging game; I had essentially halved my total Pikmin population as the credits rolled following some of the more intense battles the game offers.

Pikmin 4 is structured similarly to previous games. You have a hub area where you can upgrade Oatchi and decide where to explore for the day. The levels you’ll explore are more open-ended than in other Pikmin games – there’s rarely a linear path through them like in Pikmin 3. Pikmin 4 instead throws you onto a map and asks you to collect treasure, complete activities, and explore caves to earn enough resources to explore other areas of the planet. Each level is the biggest in series history, so there’s much to do in each. More encouragingly, they’re not just typical locales plucked from nature either; there are some new ideas explored here too.

This translates to a more open-ended experience. Pikmin 4 doesn’t have you separated from your crew and using days to catch up with them. Instead, you’re given free rein to explore each of these levels and bring back as much treasure to the ship as possible. The game splits them into four categories – Surface Exploration, Dandori Battles, Dandori Challenges and Caves.

Caves have made a long-awaited return from Pikmin 2 and a triumphant one. Easily the highlight of Pikmin 4, these caves are handmade content with a theme and puzzles and bosses to match them. Gone are the randomly generated caves from Pikmin 2. Instead, we have mini dungeons split into sub-levels that are a joy to explore. In each one, you’ll have to leverage the different Pikmin types to solve puzzles and harvest as much treasure from the dungeons as you can.

Other activities are a blast too. Dandori Challenges are designed to test how efficient you can be with a pre-determined party of Pikmin. Dandori Battles are even more hectic – pitting you against another character as you compete to collect the most treasure in an area. These battles work similarly to the Bingo Battles from Pikmin 3 and can be played with another player locally when not playing in the Story mode. They’re a fun and intense distraction with which I had more fun than I’d ever anticipated.

Sadly, the strength of the multiplayer offerings ends there. Besides these battles, Pikmin 4 does allow a second player to pick up a joy-con and throw pebbles at the screen. It’s a weird inclusion – but throwing pebbles at Pikmin will speed them up, while throwing them at enemies will whittle down their health. It breaks the balance of an already easy game and honestly feels like an afterthought. I recognize that the story doesn’t suit itself well to the robust co-op we’ve seen in Pikmin 3. However, even having a second player control Oatchi might’ve been more fun than what we got here. It just feels like a missed opportunity.

The other significant new addition is the nighttime expeditions, where the now classic feeling of tension you get from Pikmin games is found. There are ten to fifteen of them, and each has you defending mounds of glow sap from waves of aggressive enemies. As these challenges become more and more intense, you’ll have to assign Oatchi to protect specific points while you harvest Glow Pikmin (a special type of Pikmin unique to these expeditions) to build up your forces to defend yourself. They get very tense and are some of the more significant challenges in the game.

I mentioned before that Pikmin 4 feels like the most complete Pikmin experience thus far, owing to how much this game is packed. There are hundreds of enemies to encounter, over twenty caves to explore and even some other surprises that I won’t talk about. But more importantly – it’s all engaging. It’s a joy to complete and the first time in series history that I’ve 100%ed a Pikmin game on my first run without returning to it later. You’d think that making Pikmin more open-world and less story-driven would make the pacing suffer, but it doesn’t. Pikmin 4’s thirty-hour odyssey is engaging from beginning to end.

And, of course, we can’t ignore the game’s stellar presentation. Without a doubt, this is the best-looking game in the series. Not only from a technical standpoint but an artistic one too. I went back to all the Pikmin games before finishing Pikmin 4, and yes, Pikmin 4 is just a much better-executed visual feast than the games that came before it. It’s a more colourful and brighter world that’s a joy to explore. It’s also one of the best-performing games on the Switch I’ve played in recent years, which is always a pleasant surprise this late into a generation.

The post Pikmin 4 Review – The Cream Of The Crop appeared first on Press Start.

Amazon Prime Day has begun and it’s kicking off in massive fashion with some great deals on Nintendo Switch gear.

The real highlight of these deals is a number of first-party games at a ridiculously-cheap $50 a pop, so make sure you look through what’s on offer below and throughout Prime Day as we continually update.

Some of the below deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime Customers: If you haven’t been a Prime member before, you can get a 30 day trial right now which would take you through to the end of the Prime Day 2023 event.

• Amazon Prime membership – $9.99 per month (30 day trial)

Amazon Prime Day Nintendo Switch Deals

Hardware

• Nintendo Switch Console (Grey) – $349 (RRP $469.95)

Games

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – $54.95 (RRP $89.95)
• Pikmin 3 Deluxe – $54.95 (RRP $79.95)
• Mario Strikers: Battle League Football – $53.95 (RRP $53.95)
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – $49.95 (RRP $79.95)
• Super Mario Odyssey – $49.95 (RRP $79.95)
• Super Mario Maker 2 – $49.95 (RRP $79.95)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – $49.95 (RRP $79.95)
• Mario Party Superstars – $49.95 (RRP $79.95)
• Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes – $43.95 (RRP $79.95)

Accessories

• Venom Multi-Colour LED Light-up Console Stand – $35.95 (RRP $79.95)

The post Amazon Has Some Banger Prime Day Deals On Nintendo Switch Consoles And Games appeared first on Press Start.

JB Hi-Fi has just dropped a neat little eight-page catalogue dedicated entirely to Nintendo, with a few half-decent deals across Switch hardware and games, as well as accessories and Nintendo-related merch.

You’ll be able to see the catalogue for yourself on the JB website or nab one out of one of those standees most stores stick out the front, or just keep scrolling to see everything that’s featured in one handy list. Not all of what’s included is necessarily discounted, but there are definitely a few in the mix worth looking at:

JB Hi-Fi Nintendo Gaming Catalogue July 2023

10% Off Nintendo eShop Gift Cards

• $15 Nintendo Switch eShop Gift Card – $13.50 (in-store only)
• $30 Nintendo Switch eShop Gift Card – $27 (in-store only)
• $60 Nintendo Switch eShop Gift Card – $54 (in-store only)

Hardware

• Nintendo Switch OLED Model Console – $499
• Nintendo Switch Neon Console – $439
• Nintendo Switch OLED Model Tears of the Kingdom – $549
• Nintendo Switch Lite Console – $314

Accessories

• Nintendo Switch Carrying Case (Splatoon 3) – $19
• Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Pastel Pink/Yellow – $119
• Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Purple/Orange – $109
• Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Pink/Green – $109
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – $89
• Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Wheel Attachment Pair – $19
• Nintendo Switch AC Adapter – $39
• Nintendo Switch Carrying Case – $29
• Spectra Enhanced Wired Controller – $55
• Link Enhanced Wired Controller – $54
• Pikachu Enhanced Wired Controller – $35
• Mario Enhanced Wired Controller – $35
• Mario Enhanced Wired Controller (Red) – $39
• Mario Wireless Controller – $65
• PDP Link Switch Wired Controller – $39
• PDP Mario Switch Wired Controller – $39
• Link Switch Carry Case – $19
• Pikachu Switch Carry Case – $25
• GT Deluxe Carry Case – $29
• GT Deluxe Large Carry Case – $59
• GT Deluxe Splatoon Carry Case – $34
• GT Deluxe Animal Crossing Carry Case – $29
• GoPlay Game Traveler Switch Pack – $59
• PDP Link Switch Case – $19
• PDP Mario Switch Case – $19
• XRocker Video Rocker Nintendo Gaming Seats – $79
• Pokémon GO Plus+ (Out July 14th) – $79

Games

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – $72
• Pokémon Scarlet – $59
• Pokémon Violet – $59
• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond – $64
• Pokémon Shining Pearl – $64
• Pokémon Sword – $64
• Pokémon Shield – $64
• Pokémon Legends Arceus – $64
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – $62
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Gift Card – $37.50
• Super Smash Bros Ultimate – $72
• Animal Crossing New Horizons – $62
• Splatoon 3 – $62
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – $62
• Fire Emblem Engage – $62
• New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe – $62
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – $62
• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe – $62
• Super Mario 3D World – $62
• Mario Party Superstars – $62
• Bayonetta 3 – $62
• LEGO 2K Drive – $79
• Sonic Origins Plus – $59
• Minecraft Dungeons – $59
• My Universe Pets – $49
• SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake – $49
• Sonic Frontiers – $49
• Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time – $49
• Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy – $49
• Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled – $49
• Let’s Sing 2023 – $44
• LEGO Harry Potter Collection – $34
• Let’s Sing ABBA – $34
• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – $39
• Just Dance 2023 Edition – $39
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – $39
• Minecraft – $34
• Tunic (Out 28/7) – $69
• Little Friends Puppy Island (Out 13/7) – $69
• Pikmin 4 (Out 21/7) – $69

Merch

• Super Mario Guess Who? – $29.98
• Piranha Plant Posable Lamp – $44.98
• Green/Red Shell Lamp – $29.98
• Super Mario Chess – $89
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (4K Blu-Ray) JB Exclusive SteelBook Edition – $49.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (4K Blu-Ray) – $39.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Blu-Ray) – $29.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (DVD) – $19.98
• Monopoly – The Super Mario Bros. Movie Edition – $49.98
• Pokémon TCG Paldea Evolved Boosters – $7.50
• Pokémon TCG Paldea Evolved Elite Trainer Box – $89

The post JB Hi-Fi Just Dropped A Dedicated Nintendo Gaming Catalogue appeared first on Press Start.

In case you somehow weren’t one of the millions and millions of folks how saw it at the cinemas earlier this year, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now available to buy on DVD, Blu-Ray and UHD 4K Blu-Ray.

The official release date for physical copies of Nintendo and Illumination’s megahit film is this Wednesday, July 5th, but thanks to retailer embargoes looser than Cranky Kong’s morals, the folks at JB Hi-Fi already have the film on store shelves. There are a few different varieties available to buy, including a special JB exclusive SteelBook edition, so here’s what you can get hold of. There’s even a new Monopoly – The Super Mario Bros. Movie Edition!

Where To Buy The Super Mario Bros. Movie Physical Release In Australia

JB Hi-Fi (In-store July 3rd, Online July 5th)

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (4K Blu-Ray) JB Exclusive SteelBook Edition – $49.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (4K Blu-Ray) – $39.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Blu-Ray) – $29.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (DVD) – $19.98
• Monopoly – The Super Mario Bros. Movie Edition – $49.98

Amazon (July 5th)

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (4K Blu-Ray) – $39.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Blu-Ray) – $29.98
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (DVD) – $19.98

Where To Stream The Super Mario Bros. Movie In Australia

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is also available to stream right now in Australia,

Amazon Prime Video

On Amazon Prime Video the film is available to rent or buy digitally, with a $29.99 rental giving 30 days with a 48-hour viewing window once started to watch the film once, or a $34.99 purchase giving unlimited access to viewing through the associated Amazon account. Both options including the film in 4K UHD, 1080p HD and 720p SD resolutions.

Those who have not tried Prime can unlock a 30-day free trial right here, just in time to participate in Amazon Prime Day and unlock the many year-round benefits, including Prime Video.

Google Play

On Google Play, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is also available to rent or buy digitally, with a $29.99 rental giving 30 days with a 48-hour viewing window once started to watch the film once, or a $34.99 purchase giving unlimited access to viewing through the associated Amazon account. Both options are HD only.

Apple TV

Similarly on Apple TV, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is also available to rent or buy digitally, with a $29.99 rental giving 30 days with a 48-hour viewing window once started to watch the film once, or a $34.99 purchase giving unlimited access to viewing through the associated Amazon account. Both options are watchable in up to 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

In our review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s theatrical release, we said “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

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The post The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Now Available In Stores In Australia appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo have another massive 40 minute Direct as they look forward to the second half of 2023. Aside from new detail on Pikmin 4, there was a whole bunch of stuff to look forward to in the coming six months, as well as some surprises for stuff coming later down the track.

Here’s everything we saw today:

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the Next 2D Mario

A brand new 2D Mario has been revealed! Taking a page out of Sonic’s book, we see the Italian plumber grinding on rails and even hanging off them.

Wonder Flowers are brand new pickups dramatically change the landscape, allowing Mario to reach previously inaccessible collectibles.

Of course, there’s four player coop with Daisy and Peach  returning, and Mario can even turn into an elephant. It looks super imaginative and much different from the  tiredNew Super Mario Bros. series. It’s launching on October 20th.

Super Mario RPG is getting a gorgeous Remake

The rumored Mario RPG remake has been revealed! A ground-up rebuilding of the original game with new assets that seems to retain its original visual style.

It has a Link’s Awakening vibe in terms of its art style and seems to be quite the loving recreation. Even better, it’s launching on November 17th!

An all new Princess Peach Game is Coming

Hot off the heels of the Mario RPG reveal, a brand-new Princess Peach game was revealed. Not much was shown off in regards to this one, but it’s launching sometime next year.

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is getting a Remaster

Luigi hasn’t been left behind, with the criminally underrated Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon announced to be coming to the Nintendo Switch. Pretty short on details for this one also, but I think it’s safe to expect the typical deluxe treatment for this one. It’s launching sometime next year.

Detective Pikachu Is Getting A Sequel

The stoic Detective Pikachu makes his return in Detective Pikachu Returns. A sequel to the first game, Detective Pikachu Returns is set in Prime City and promises new mysteries to solve alongside a decidedly grizzled Pikachu.

The first game was a bit of fun, I suspect this one will be too. It’s launching on October 6th.

New Pikmin 4 Details Were Revealed alongside HD Remasters of Pikmin 1 and 2

Some fresh new details on Pikmin 4, with gameplay details on Oatchi. Oatchi has plenty of applications that’ll no doubt shake up the formula and offer new ways to manage tasks.

We also got a look at Dandori Battles where you have to collect more objects than your opponent so you can rescue a castaway. Rescuing castaways allows you to expand your base, teach Oatchi new skills, and eventually set out for night expeditions, which sends creatures into a frenzy. There’s also adorable glow Pikmin, which are only available at night.

This game keeps looking better and better. It’s launching next month on July 21st, and a demo is available to download on the eShop next week on June 28th.

Bolted onto the Pikmin 4 details was the announcement of HD remasters of Pikmin 1 and 2 for the Switch. These are available right now for digital purchase so go check them out before 4 drops next month!

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is Coming Soon

We got a fresh look at the expansion pack for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. As announced previously, it’s split into two parts; The Teal Mask and the Indigo Disc.

While both bring new Pokémon, characters, and settings, they look quite distinct in tone. The Teal Mask seems to have a Japanese countryside setting while The Indigo Disc is much more rooted in sci-fi, set in a futuristic academy in the middle of the sea. The Teal Mask is due out in Spring while The Indigo Disc is due out towards the end of the year.

New Tears of the Kingdom amiibo are Coming

If you haven’t already spent enough money on The Legend of Zelda amiibo, Nintendo has you covered. New Tears of the Kingdom amiibo for Zelda and Ganondorf are coming later this year. These are some fantastic designs, hopefully the Sages are to follow shortly after.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Fifth Wave of DLC Courses is Launching Soon

Petey Pirhana, Wiggler, and Kamek are all coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe when wave 5 of the booster course pack launches this year. While new tracks are coming, we only got a look at the new track called Squeaky Clean Sprint. Expect it to drop sometime this winter.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 is full of MGS Goodness

The previously announced Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 is also coming to the Nintendo Switch. It includes the original 3 MGS games, extra content, as well as the original Metal Gear games. The Metal Gear Solid games will also be purchasable individually. It’s launching on October 24th.

WarioWare Move It is the Next WarioWare game

Sporting over 200 microgames, WarioWare Move It makes use of your entire body to strike poses and complete microgames. Everyone loves a good WarioWare. It’s launching on November 3rd.

Vampire Survivors Makes its Switch Debut

The fantastic Vampire Survivors is coming to Switch! If you haven’t sunk enough hours into this game already, now you can do it on the go! Check it out if you haven’t already lost too much time to this incredible game. It’s launching relatively soon on August 17th!

We got Another Look at Sonic Superstars

We got a deeper look at Sonic Superstars, which was announced at Summer Games Fest. 12 new stages and multiple playable characters, as well as local co-op for up to four players, which is a series first. Expect to see it launching sometime during Spring.

Star Ocean The Second Story is getting the remake treatment

Continuing the tradition of modern JRPGs, Star Ocean R is being remade with the inclusion of a break mechanic. This remake looks excellent, though, with a 2D-HD art style similar to what Team Asano have been doing. It launches on November 2nd.

Palia is a free to play Adventure Sim

Palia is an adventure sim set in a village with other players that can be played online. It’s completely free to play and launches at the end of this year. Riveting.

We got some gameplay details for Persona 5 Tactica

The tactics based Persona 5 spin-off announced last week has been shown in more detail. It seems like a typical SRPG with some Persona flare in fusion mechanics and slick presentation. It’s launching on November 17th.

Mythforce is coming to the Switch this Year

While it originally launched in April of last year, Mythforce is coming to the Nintendo Switch this year. The roguelike inspired by Saturday morning cartoons looks like a bit of fun with friends, and is a great fit for the Switch. It’s going to be available sometime this year.

Splatoon 3 next Splatfest is based on Ice Cream Flavors

Another Splatfest is inbound. This time you can choose between vanilla, strawberry, and mint chip. Make the right choice. There’s also other events coming to Splatoon 3 soon. No details on expansion stuff unfortunately.

The Excellent Arkham Trilogy is coming to Switch

The Batman Arkham Trilogy is coming to the Switch! These games are timeless and deserve all the praise they get and more. Don’t pass up on this collection if you haven’t played them before. It’s launching in Spring.

The Digital Adaptation of Gloomhaven is coming to Switch

The tactical RPG Gloomhaven which is a digital adaptation of a board game with the same name is coming to Switch. It’s available on September 18th.

We got some Just Dance 2024 Details

Another year, another Just Dance. 40 new tracks, new types of music. Cool. It’s launching on October 24th.

Silent Hope is a brand new Action RPG

Silent Hope is an action RPG  where you explore ever-changing dungeons as you attempt to conquer the abyss. Materials earned in the abyss can be used to upgrade your base above, allowing you to go deeper. It seems like a bit of fun and echoes Moonlighter a bit in its structure. It’s launching on October 3rd.

Fae Farm is another farm game

Fae Farm is a Switch console exclusive and another farm game. At least you can play this one in coop with friends. It’s launching on September 8th.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is Looking Great

This sequel to the hit Hotwheels Unleashed is sporting split-screen races and breakneck speeds. This arcade racer is launching on October 19th.

Manic Mechanics will fulfill all your mechanic dreams

Manic Mechanic is getting a Switch release ahead of all other consoles.  You can work with friends or by yourself to fix up cars and such. Seems like a bit of party fun, like Overcooked but with cars. It’s launching on July 16th.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope’s Second DLC Drops Today

The Last Spark Hunter brings a new area to explore, new enemies to battle, and robot king Bob-omb! A demo of the main game is also available now on the eShop. The DLC launches later today.

Dragon Quest Monsters Is Back

A new Dragon Quest Monsters has been annoounced! This long dormant spin-off series gives big Pokemon vibes with Dragon Quest flare, with titular monsters lying at the core of the experience. It’s launching on December 1st.

Headbangers Rhythm Royale, the Pigeon Battle Royale is coming to Switch

Described as a musical pigeon battle royale, Headbangers Rhythm Royale is coming to the Nintendo Switch on October 31st. It seems like Wario Ware, just with pigeons instead of Wario.

Penny’s Big Breakaway is the next game from the Sonic Mania developers

A surprise announcement from the developers of Sonic Mania, this 3D platformer looks like a bit of high-speed fun. With a time attack mode, yo-yo based attacks, and penguins – it’s bound to be a good time. It’s releasing early 2024.

The post Everything Announced At The June 2023 Nintendo Direct appeared first on Press Start.

Dropping the news just 24 hours ahead of time, Nintendo revealed that it would be joining in on the June gaming showcase season after all with the reveal that a 40-minute Nintendo Direct is happening tonight. Or, kind of technically tomorrow depending on who you ask and which time zone they live in, but that’s neither here nor there – we’re on Nintendo Direct time now!

So far, all we really know about the upcoming Direct presentation is that it’ll run for around 40 minutes, focus primarily on games coming to Nintendo Switch this year, and will definitely include new details on Pikmin 4. If I was a betting person (never let me become a betting person), I’d say we’ll get the news of a Pikmin 4 demo dropping immediately or at least ahead of its release in a month.

If you’re keen to get watching as it happens, the Nintendo Direct is kicking off at midnight tonight June 21st/22nd AEST.

WHEN TO WATCH THE JUNE NINTENDO DIRECT

The Nintendo Direct premieres on June 21st/22nd depending on local time zones:

• 00.00 AM June 22nd AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 11.30 PM June 21st ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 10.00 PM June 21st AWST (Perth)
• 2.00 AM June 22nd NZST (Wellington)

WHERE TO WATCH THE JUNE NINTENDO DIRECT

You’ll be able to watch the Direct as it happens on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel or right here on the page:

As always, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date on everything that happens at this Nintendo Direct so you can catch up in the morning.

The post When And Where To Watch Tonight’s 40-Minute Nintendo Direct appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has dropped a new, three-minute video showcasing gameplay of its the somewhat-surprising release of Everybody 1-2 Switch, which was only announced earlier this month but is already just over a week away from launch.

The video features 16 “content creators” from around the world sharing in the fun of using both Joy-Con controllers and their smartphones to tackle Everybody 1-2 Switch’s selection of wild and wacky minigames. There’s some… interesting-looking stuff in there, like a game where 100 people attempt to signal visiting aliens through ritualistic chanting. That one’s sure to be a hit at your kids’ next birthday party.

[presto_player id=146144]

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Nintendo has described a little more of what players can expect from this sequel to the copy of 1-2 Switch that I used to stash my still have in a cupboard somewhere, which launches very soon on June 30th. You’ll be able to:

• Snap photos in the real world with smart device cameras to match a trending colour in a game of Color Shoot
• Work as a team to pump up a balloon as big as possible without popping it in Balloons
• Put your teamwork to test in a game of Ice Cream Parlor, where you’ll be keeping track of your customers’ next ice cream orders
• Test your wits (and reaction time) by answering quickly in Quiz Show where the winner can be decided by mere milliseconds. You and your guests can even create and play custom quizzes
• Relax with a classic party game, Bingo Party, but with a new twist – playable on smart devices
• And much more

Alongside the game, Nintendo is also dropping two new pairs of gorgeous, pastel-coloured Joy-Con controllers, which you can pre-order here.

Take a look at the video below and see for yourself the kind of enormous physical space and out-of-work actors in cheap horse head costumes you’ll need to get the most out of Nintendo’s next big first-party release:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67pT2fP7lgQ

The post Here’s Your First Proper Look At Everybody 1-2 Switch Gameplay appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has just dropped a bombshell, revealing that it does indeed have its own showcase ready for June 2023 with a brand-new Nintendo Direct rocking up fashionably late.

This month’s Direct will be a big one at 40 minutes long, and Nintendo says it’ll be focused mostly on games set to launch on the Nintendo Switch this year, including new details on Pikmin 4.

[presto_player id=146144]

VIDEO PRESENTED BY FINAL FANTASY XVI: COMING EXCLUSIVELY TO PLAYSTATION 5 ON JUNE 22ND. DOWNLOAD THE FREE DEMO AND PRE-ORDER NOW

You’ll be able to catch the Nintendo Direct right here at the following local Aussie times:

Nintendo Direct June 2023 Australian Times – June 21st/22nd

• 00.00 AM June 22nd AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 11.30 PM June 21st ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 10.00 PM June 21st AWST (Perth)
• 2.00 AM June 22nd NZDT (Wellington)

As always, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date on everything that happens at this upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Tune in on June 21 at 7:00 a.m. PT for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information focused mainly on Nintendo Switch titles launching this year, including new details on Pikmin 4.

Watch it live here: https://t.co/utzePnKjGc pic.twitter.com/ro5jotd6rD

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 20, 2023

Tune in on June 21 at 7:00 a.m. PT for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information focused mainly on Nintendo Switch titles launching this year, including new details on Pikmin 4.

The post A Big Nintendo Direct Is Happening Tonight And Here Are The Aussie Times appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Illumination’s CEO and producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Chris Meledandri, has denied the reports of a film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda being in the works in an interview The Wrap.

Meledandri said, ““I don’t know where that came from. I mean I can understand how people would surmise all sorts of things because obviously, we’ve had a great experience working together. My relationship with Nintendo now includes being on their board of directors, so I understand how people can surmise these things. But in terms of the specifics, that was just something that I’ve been hearing lots of reports. This is just about what’s next between Nintendo and Illumination.”

Original Story: At this stage, given the runaway success and billions of dollars raked in by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, I don’t think it would surprise anyone at all to learn that Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions are far from quenched. Also given how gripped by Zelda fever the world still is following the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it’d be similarly unsurprising if the next film from Nintendo was a Hyrulian effort.

Well, according to film reporter, Jeff Sneider, that’s exactly what’s happening. Speaking to the Hot Mic podcast, Sneider reckons that a “great source” has tipped him off that Nintendo is putting plans in motion to once again tap the House of Minions, Illumination, to produce a movie based this time on The Legend of Zelda.

“From what I’m told, getting close to official, I’m told that Universal is in fact closing a quote ‘big deal’ with the Nintendo Corporation for the Legend of Zelda,” Sneider claims.

“Zelda will be, is looking like the next big Illumination-Nintendo franchise – which again, I think we were all sort of expecting – but I’m told that that is happening and it’s costing Universal a pretty penny because of the success of Super Mario, Nintendo kind of knows its worth at this point, but yeah, I’m told that that is now going to be a reality.”

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review – A Nostalgia-Fuelled Romp For Everyone

Of course, as easy to believe as that is, it’s far from an ironclad revelation, but from the sounds of it if this continuation of Nintendo and Illumination’s partnership proves real we’ll probably be hearing about it from official sources sooner rather than later.

As it stands, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has claimed an unquestionable win as the biggest film of 2023, becoming the second highest-grossing animated film of all time and raking in over $1.3 billion USD since it premiered in cinemas in April.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is available to pre-order for a physical release on July 5th, on DVD or a 4K/Blu-Ray combo at Amazon.

The post Illumination Has Denied That A Legend Of Zelda Movie Is In The Works appeared first on Press Start.

This is absolutely something I didn’t have on my 2023 list. McDonald’s has just dropped a working Game Boy Colour game.

You can play the game on the website HERE either on your desktop or mobile, but you can literally download the ROM here and play it on a Game Boy emulator and it actually runs.

@shannongrixti

McDonald’s just dropped a new Game Boy Colour game that is actually super fun #McDonalds #GameBoy #Nintendo #GameBoyColor #mcnuggets #gaming #gamingontiktok

? original sound – Shannon Grixti | Gaming & Tech

The game sees Grimace trying to find his McDonald friends after they go missing just before his birthday party. It’s a cross between Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and a classic Mario game, and honestly, it’s a lot of fun and well worth playing through.

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You can read the breakdown of the game below:

“This is an archived file of the 2023 platformer game Grimace’s Birthday, developed by Krool Toys and published by McDonald’s for the Game Boy Color system. It was released on June 12, 2023 as part of McDonald’s currently ongoing promotion featuring the return of McDonaldland characters Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, Hamburgular and the McNugget Buddies for the Grimace’s Birthday ice cream shake product served at U.S. McDonald’s restaurants since June 12, 2023.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shannon Grixti (@shannongrixti)

The post McDonald’s Just Dropped A Brand New Game Boy Colour Game That Actually Works appeared first on Press Start.

In a revelation that has absolutely made/ruined my day, Nintendo has seemingly revealed that Bowser is canonically 34 years old.

Thanks to a help video published by Nintendo of America, that’s technically unlisted as it’s intended for embedding in their support pages, Bowser’s real age has seemingly been revealed – along with a bunch of his other personal details including a (sadly not real) email address, but never mind that.

The video walks users through setting up a Nintendo account, using the mighty Bowser, as well as Bowser Jr, as examples. Once things get to the age verification stage, Bowser’s full birth date is revealed as February 5th, 1989, making him 34 years of age. I also turn 34 this year, so this information has messed me right up and also revealed a lot about why I am the way that I am. I wonder if he also owns a bunch of unbuilt LEGO sets, including one of himself.

For what it’s worth, Bowser Jr’s birthday is March 3rd, 2011, making him 12 years old. That also leads us to the conclusion that, if we assume that Koopas have a similar reproductive cycle and egg development period to regular turtles, Bowser Jr was conceived when Bowser was just 21 years old.

It’s wild to think that Bowser himself is younger than the first game he appeared in, with Super Mario Bros launching on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. But it’s also nice to know that someone at Nintendo is keeping track of these characters’ birthdays. It also makes it all the more impressive that the dude is a millennial who owns an entire castle when I’m stuck paying $2500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igUGMtRo2sc&ab_channel=NintendoofAmerica

The post Nintendo Has Revealed Bowser’s Actual Age And I’m Having A Crisis appeared first on Press Start.

In case you needed another reminder that we are, in fact, getting a brand-new Pikmin game in this, the year 2023, Nintendo has dropped a very short new trailer revealing that the game will include an adorable character creator.

The creator looks somewhat basic, with options for skin tones, body types, a selection of preset faces and hair styles and outfit colours, but the results are incredibly cute. It’s all in keeping with the game’s central mission, which puts players in the shoes of the Rescue Corps’ newest recruit on a mission to save the rest of the Rescue Corps’, who all crash-landed on their mission to rescue the one and only Captain Olimar.

Pikmin 4 releases on Nintendo Switch on July 21st. You can pre-order it on Amazon right now for $69 including shipping.

Check out the Venture Forth, Brave Explorer! trailer for Pikmin 4 below:

Pikmin 4

Customize your look then embark on a journey to find and rescue fellow explorers. Traverse a world that seems larger than life as you see everyday objects like plants, benches, and pots tower over your explorer and Pikmin.

• Chart a mysterious planet with curious plantlike Pikmin that come in different types in Pikmin 4—like the brand-new Ice Pikmin! The capable canine, Oatchi, will also help to overcome big challenges.
• Guide pintsized creatures in a grand mission on a strange planet!
• Meet Pikmin, small, plantlike creatures you can grow, pluck, command, and overpower your enemies with!
• These curious helpers come in different types—fire is no sweat for Red Pikmin and the brand-new Ice Pikmin can freeze enemies and the environment. Use your Pikmin’s miniature might (and a bit of strategy) to explore this mysterious planet.
• You get a dog, too! Oatchi (pronounced oat-chee), resident good boy and dependable partner, can help with things like smashing obstacles and carrying Pikmin throughout your adventure. With the minuscule Pikmin and a capable canine in tow, no challenge is too big!

The post Pikmin 4’s Character Creator Has Been Revealed In A New Trailer appeared first on Press Start.

It was a somewhat surprising event to begin with – easily the most recognisable Wii and Gamecube emulator releasing on Steam in a time where Nintendo is slinging out Cease and Desists like they’re unearned and game-ruining bonus stars at the end of a round of Mario Party.

The Dolphin emulator was announced to be getting a Steam release back in March this year. Now though, it looks like the Dolphin x Steam dream is over as Nintendo has reportedly issued a cease and desist to Valve to have the emulator’s release stopped, following a DMCA against the Dolphin Steam page a few days ago. The statement from Dolphin’s official website reads:

“It is with much disappointment that we have to announce that the Dolphin on Steam release has been indefinitely postponed. We were notified by Valve that Nintendo has issued a cease and desist citing the DMCA against Dolphin’s Steam page, and have removed Dolphin from Steam until the matter is settled. We are currently investigating our options and will have a more in-depth response in the near future.”

While emulators do already exist on Steam, including RetroArch-based emulators for older Nintendo consoles, these get by on not offering any actual copyrighted Nintendo software or any intellectual property. The difference here is that Dolphin does contain something Nintendo owns – a cryptographic key called the Wii AES-128 Common Key. This key is a specific alphanumerical sequence that’s used to decrypt Wii games, and not authorised for distribution outside of Nintendo as well as being a direct circumvention of Nintendo’s anti-piracy measures.

Quoting the DMCA: "the Dolphin emulator operates by incorporating these cryptographic keys without Nintendo’s authorization and decrypting the ROMs at or immediately before runtime."

…this is objectively true. I just checked, the Wii Common Key is in the emulator source code.

— Yakumono (@LuigiBlood) May 27, 2023

Given the context of the situation with the included keys, and the fact that Nintendo clearly knows they’re being distributed by Dolphin, it’s not only looking unlikely we’ll see the emulator make its way back to Steam but there’s a very good chance that the infamously-litigious company has seen grounds to swoop in on Dolphin’s operations everywhere else.

Updated: Kotaku has published an email response that it received from a Nintendo spokesperson, who has said, “Nintendo is committed to protecting the hard work and creativity of video game engineers and developers. This emulator illegally circumvents Nintendo’s protection measures and runs illegal copies of games. Using illegal emulators or illegal copies of games harms development and ultimately stifles innovation. Nintendo respects the intellectual property rights of other companies, and in turn expects others to do the same.”

The post Nintendo Has Issued A Cease And Desist Over The Steam Release Of The Dolphin Emulator [UPDATED] appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has released its newest earnings review for Q1 2023, including updated sales figures for its Switch hardware and first-party published software.

Unsurprisingly, Nintendo products are still flying off of store shelves, but with this newest report we at least get a look into some of its recently-released software titles to see how they’ve performed overall.

Of particular note are the company’s four key releases for the quarter, Metroid Prime Remastered, Fire Emblem Engage, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, all of which have done incredibly well. Of the four, only Bayonetta Origins hadn’t managed to crack the million seller mark but it also released quite late in the quarter on March 8th.

Predictably, last November’s twin Pokémon releases have continued to rack up huge numbers with a total of 22.10 million units sold between them.

In terms of hardware, less Switch consoles sold this quarter than the same time last year, but that feels about right given how deep we are into the console’s life cycle. Nintendo’s aspirations to put multiple switches in every household should see a nice boost next quarter though, after the arrival of that shiny The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Special Edition Switch OLED. In spite of that, the company is forecasting a drop in sales for FY24 in comparison to FY23.

You can read the full report here if you’re a nerd for numbers, but we’ve included the sales highlights below:

• Nintendo Switch Console Hardware (All SKUs) – 125.62 million units (3.06 million in Jan ’23 – Mar ’23)
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 53.79 million
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 42.21 million
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 31.09 million
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 29.81 million
• Super Mario Odyssey – 23.50 million
• Pokémon Scarlet / Pokémon Violet – 22.10 million
• Super Mario Party – 19.14 million
• New Super Mario Bros U. Deluxe – 15.41 million
• Ring Fit Adventure – 15.38 million
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 14.83 million
• Luigi’s Mansion 3 – 12.82 million
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 12.64 million
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – 11.38 million
• Splatoon 3 – 10.67 million
• Mario Party Superstars – 10.17 million
• Nintendo Switch Sports – 9.60 million
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – 6.46 million
• Mario Strikers: Battle League Football – 2.54 million
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – 1.86 million
• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe – 1.46 million
• Metroid Prime Remastered – 1.09 million
• Bayonetta 3 – 1.07 million

The post Nintendo’s First Earnings Report For 2023 Shows There’s Still Steam Left In This Train appeared first on Press Start.

It’s been a good six years since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so unless you’ve done a recent replay or two, you’d be forgiven for needing to be brought back up to speed a little on what’s going on in the story here.

The six-minute video has been designed as an introduction to the events of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for both new and returning players, so even if you skipped the last one, hopefully this should give you enough context to jump into the new game and have some idea of what’s going on. As someone who never got around to the DLC, and essentially has a colander for a brain, it’s definitely helped me out.

Take a look below:

It’s going to be Zelda hype all week this week, and Nintendo has also announced a special Tears of the Kingdom Treehouse: Live presentation to lead into the game’s global launch. It’ll be a little belated for Aussies who’ll be among the first in the world to start playing thanks to timezones, but if you’re keen you can find all the local times to tune in right here.

For everything else The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, make sure to read our comprehensive Bargain Guide, check out our hands-on preview of the game, and be sure you’re staying safe and spoiler-free out there after the entire game has leaked online.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Friday, May 12th.

Amazon Has The Cheapest Pre-Order Price At $74 With Free Delivery, and the Collector’s Edition Is Still Available To Order

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – $74 with free delivery
• Collector’s Edition  – $189 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Console – $549 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Pro Controller – $109 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Carrying Case – $39 with free delivery

The post Get Ready For Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom With The Official Breath Of The Wild Story Recap appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has announced it’s holding a special Treehouse: Live gameplay demonstration in the lead-up to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s launch, showcasing the game being played live and streamed to all the usual channels.

In the tweets announcing the livestream, Nintendo revealed that the Treehouse: Live for Tears of the Kingdom will include four different segments, each featuring different gameplay. Following this, there will apparently be “more livestream content” in the countdown to the launch of the game.

Or at least, the launch in certain parts of the world. Awkwardly for them but lucky for us, Aussies will have already started to get stuck into the game for nearly 12 hours before the whole thing even starts. So, depending on whether or not you’re tuning in at work or you’ve mysteriously become “ill” on Friday, this may not be the most enlightening or timely look at the game. Still, check down below for the local times that we’ve converted for you.

The livestream will include four Nintendo Treehouse: Live segments featuring gameplay from The Legend of #Zelda: #TearsOfTheKingdom.

Stay tuned in afterwards for more livestream content counting down to the game's release!

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 5, 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Treehouse: Live Australian Times

The livestream will take place on Friday, May 12th and you’ll be able to watch it right here.

• 11.45 AM AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 11.15 AM ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 09.45 AM AWST (Perth)
• 01.45 PM NZDT (Wellington)

For everything else The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, make sure to read our comprehensive Bargain Guide, check out our hands-on preview of the game, and be sure you’re staying safe and spoiler-free out there after the entire game has leaked online.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Friday, May 12th.

Amazon Has The Cheapest Pre-Order Price At $74 With Free Delivery, and the Collector’s Edition Is Still Available To Order

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – $74 with free delivery
• Collector’s Edition  – $189 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Console – $549 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Pro Controller – $109 with free delivery
• Limited Edition Carrying Case – $39 with free delivery

The post A Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Treehouse: Live Presentation Is Happening This Week appeared first on Press Start.

With Gamescom scheduled to happen this year on August 23rd – August 27th, at least one major vendor has confirmed they’ll have a presence at the show – and it’s none other than Nintendo.

The last time that Nintendo was in attendance at Gamescom was 2019, and with the recent news that it had declined to attend (the now-completely cancelled) E3 event this year it’s a big win for the huge annual expo in Germany. It also bodes well for the annual Opening Night Live event hosted by Geoff Keighley, which kicks off on August 22nd, and may yet contain some Nintendo-related surprises.

Could this be the year we see the giant, inflatable Sonic the Hedgehog do battle with a giant, inflatable Mario?

We are excited to announce that Nintendo will be exhibiting at #gamescom2023! Many more exhibitors will follow in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/ludCq12pwe

— gamescom (@gamescom) April 26, 2023

Tickets for Gamescom are on sale now, just in case you happen to be in Cologne, Germany this coming August.

Day tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday are 27 EUR each, which Saturdays are 36 EUR, and various discounted or family package passes are also available here.

Gamescom has a lot to prove this year with one of its only competitors in terms of sheer size and volume of content and audience being E3, which was sadly cancelled for 2023 due to a number of challenges.

Organiser ReedPop had said at the time of the cancellation announcement, “This was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put toward making this event happen, but we had to do what’s right for the industry and what’s right for E3. We appreciate and understand that interested companies wouldn’t have playable demos ready and that resourcing challenges made being at E3 this summer an obstacle they couldn’t overcome. For those who did commit to E3 2023, we’re sorry we can’t put on the showcase you deserve and that you’ve come to expect from ReedPop’s event experiences.”

The post Nintendo Will Be Making Its Return To Gamescom This Year appeared first on Press Start.

It’s no secret that The Super Mario Bros. Movie has done incredibly well since it released a the beginning of April, smashing open weekend records at the box office and going on to become the biggest ever video game to film adaptation.

It’s a fair assumption, then, that Nintendo would see all of that money coming in and want to keep it going with even more big (and small) screen projects based on its wealth of beloved video game IP. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have some official word that more is on the way, and Mr. Nintendo himself, Shigeru Miyamoto, has already been dropping hints to that effect.

In an interview with Japanese financial outlet, Nikkei, Miyamoto has reportedly (translated by VGC) said, “Please keep an eye on our next production. Nintendo is like a talent agency. We have many other entertainers (on our roster),” implying that Nintendo might look to some of its other popular characters and properties to further its cinematic presence.

“There are various ways to develop characters (for the screen), including characters that are suitable for film and characters that are well known.”

On the week that The Super Mario Bros. Movie launched, ScreenRant published an interview with Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meladandri, in which Melandandri had said, “We are so focused right now on this movie, all the way up to Wednesday, and how the audience engages with the film. Nintendo and Illumination have had a really rewarding collaboration. Mr. Miyamoto and his colleagues have invited me to join the board of directors of Nintendo, and we’re working together into the future with me in that capacity. But it’s hard for us to talk about anything else at this time”

While Miyamoto had also added, “There’s nothing I can really comment on at the moment. But we started with the fact that we have a shared vision of creation, so I think there’ll be opportunities in the future.”

The post More Nintendo Movie Adaptations Have Been Hinted At By Shigeru Miyamoto appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has announced that it’s dropping a brand-new Indie World Showcase, the first of the year, where it’ll present around 20 minutes of “reveals, announcements and updates” on indie games coming for the Nintendo Switch. These events might not be as compelling to some as a full-fledged Nintendo Direct, but they’re definitely the place to be if you’re up for weird, wild and wonderful experiences from some of the world’s most creative and passionate developers.

It’s another early morning/late night one for Aussies, but if you’re keen to catch the Indie World Showcase as it drops, these are the times you need to know:

Nintendo Indie World Showcase – Thursday, April 20th

• 02.00 AM AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra/Brisbane)
• 01.30 AM ACST (Adelaide, Darwin)
• 00.00 AM AWST (Perth)
• 4.00 AM NZDT (Wellington)

If you’re braving these early mornings, the show will be available to watch live here.

Join us tomorrow, April 19, at 9:00 a.m. PT for a new @IndieWorldNA Showcase! Tune in for roughly 20 minutes of reveals, announcements, and updates on indie games for Nintendo Switch! #IndieWorld

Watch it live here: https://t.co/7iwTT7h8jx pic.twitter.com/rokw2BFXnl

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 18, 2023

The post An Indie World Nintendo Direct Is Happening This Week And Here’s When Aussies Can Watch appeared first on Press Start.

We already knew that it was lighting up the box office, but after a stunningly strong follow-through and second weekend at the cinemas, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has continued to smash records.

The film, which was produced in collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination (Despicable Me, Minions), broke records in its first weekend as the biggest debut of all-time for an animated film, but now it’s been reported that the movie has already become the biggest video game to film adaptation in history after it crossed the $500mil USD mark globally. It beats out the likes of Detective Pikachu and Warcraft for the honour.

That was before even taking to account the most recent weekend’s takings, which Deadline reports brings the total up to an eye-watering $678mil USD with no signs of stopping.

There’s no doubt that the endeavour has been a phenomenal success for all involved, including Bowser voice actor, Jack Black, whose performance of the original song “Peaches” in the film has already rocketed into charts and spawned its own official music video:

We reviewed The Super Mario Bros. Movie, saying “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

Pre-orders have already gone live for The Super Mario Bros. Movie on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Blu-Ray, including a special SteelBook Edition that’s exclusive to JB Hi-Fi locally.

You can also watch us discuss the film, as well as our hands-on preview of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and our thoughts on the latest Tears of the Kingdom trailer, in the latest video episode of the Press Start Podcast below:

The post The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Now The Biggest Ever Video Game Adaptation appeared first on Press Start.

Back in February, a thoroughly surprising leak occurred in a Discord server dedicated to Nintendo’s massive upcoming blockbuster, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Somehow, a user was able to obtain and upload scans of the entirety of the game’s 200-page official art book.

Naturally a leak of that magnitude, containing hundreds of pages of images and details on a game that wouldn’t launch for another three months, didn’t go unnoticed by the typically litigation-happy Nintendo which is reportedly now on the hunt for the offending leaker.

As reported by TF, Nintendo of America had sent a DMCA notice to Discord in February targeting the server where the leak originated from, with Discord promising to have the content removed. In the hours following, it also requested Discord remove the server entirely as it found that members were still distributing the leaked materials.

Now, the publisher has taken the case to Californian courts with an application for a DMCA subpoena targeted directly at the Discord channel’s operator, ordering Discord to disclose the user’s name, address, phone numbers and email addresses.

In the world of things that Nintendo does want you to know, a whole 11 minutes of gameplay footage showing a number of link’s new abilities was released (viewable above) as well as a shiny new Tears of the Kingdom-themed Switch OLED console, Pro Controller and carry case,

Amazon has all three as well as the standard and Collector’s Edition flavours of the game available to pre-order, as well as the new Link Amiibo:

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM COLLECTOR’S EDITION PRE-ORDER

• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Nintendo Switch OLED – $549 with free shipping
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Pro Controller – $109 with free shipping
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Carry Case – $39 with free shipping
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition (May 12)  – $189 at Amazon with pre-order price guarantee and free shipping
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo (May 12) – $21.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12) – $74.99 (was $89.95)

The post Nintendo Is Taking Legal Action Over That Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Art Book Leak appeared first on Press Start.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has had a belter of a debut since premiering in cinemas on Wednesday, and has reportedly already affirmed its record as the biggest-ever global debut for an animated film.

Deadline reports that the movie is projected to have raked in a whopping $368M USD worldwide by the five-day mark, with $173M USD of that coming from the 70 non-US markets it’s launched in. That puts it above Frozen 2 in the animated category, and eclipses 2016’s Warcraft as the biggest video game film adaptation opening by a wide margin as well.

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie also set records for the biggest single-day US box office earnings for Good Friday, beating out Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania with $55M USD for that single day in the US alone.

In our review of the film, we said “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

Pre-orders have already gone live for The Super Mario Bros. Movie on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Blu-Ray, including a special SteelBook Edition that’s exclusive to JB Hi-Fi locally.

You can also watch us discuss the film, as well as our hands-on preview of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and our thoughts on the latest Tears of the Kingdom trailer, in the latest video episode of the Press Start Podcast below:

The post The Super Mario Bros. Movie Has Already Had The Biggest Animated Film Debut Of All Time appeared first on Press Start.

Nintendo has dropped a fresh round of new products and restocks on My Nintendo Rewards, the portal where My Nintendo members can spend Platinum Points earned through various promotions and games.

The new drop includes a very bright and colourful Super Mario-themed reusable bag, various Bowser and Mario Kart stickers, a Yoshi iron-on patch set and – arguably the most exciting – a Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe-themed mouse pad.

You can find all of the new items (and a couple great restocks) below:

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• Super Mario Reusable Bag – 700 points
• Bowser Sticker – 90 points
• Yoshi Iron-On Patch Set – 300 points
• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Mouse Pad – 400 points
• Mario Kart 8 Sticker Sheet 1 – 120 points
• Mario Kart 8 Sticker Sheet 2 – 120 points
• Toad Tote Bag (Restock) – 600 points
• Splatoon 3 Gusset Bag (Restock) – 500 points

The new gear comes as the much-anticipated The Super Mario Bros. Movie has released in Aussie cinemas this week.

We recently published our full review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, saying “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

You can also watch us discuss the film, as well as our hands-on preview of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and our thoughts on the latest Tears of the Kingdom trailer, in the latest video episode of the Press Start Podcast below:

The post New My Nintendo Rewards Have Arrived Including A Kirby Mouse Pad appeared first on Press Start.

With Mario fever running rampant right now, some of you might have been hoping for news of the next mainline entry in the Super Mario franchise.

While we’re still very much in the dark about any sort of follow-up to 2017’s excellent Super Mario Odyssey, Mr Nintendo himself Shigeru Miyamoto has hinted in a recent interview with Variety that news on the series could only be a Nintendo Direct or two away.

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Speaking on camera alongside Chris Meledandri, who he co-produced The Super Mario Bros. Movie with, Miyamoto slyly responded to the question of when fans might be able to expect the next Mario game with, “Well, all I can say is, please stay tuned for future Nintendo Directs.”

Variety also writes about Miyamoto’s involvement in bringing Mario to mobile devices with games like Super Mario Run, with the legendary designer assuring the outlet that, “Mobile apps will not be the primary path of future Mario games.”

“First and foremost, Nintendo’s core strategy is a hardware and software integrated gaming experience.”

You can see the full video interview with Miyamoto and Meledandri, where the pair discuss creating the character of Mario, the evolution of Princess Peach and how the studios worked together to ensure that the film honours the spirit and feeling of the video games, below:

We recently published our full review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, saying “The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect, sometimes for worse but overwhelmingly for the better. It’s a no-frills, digestible adventure that’s absolutely jam-packed with nods to the immense history of Nintendo’s favourite plumber, and crucially it features all the charm and fun that’s fundamental to delivering that nostalgia in a meaningful way. There’s at least a little something for everyone, young or old, gamer or not, but go in ready to celebrate 40+ years of Mario and Nintendo history and you’ll have a blast.”

You can also watch us discuss the film in the latest video episode of the Press Start Podcast below:

The post Shigeru Miyamoto Has Hinted At Future Super Mario Game Announcements appeared first on Press Start.

Note: While care has been taken to ensure this review contains as few spoilers as possible, if you’re looking to go into The Super Mario Bros. Movie completely fresh, we’d advise just scrolling down to the bottom and reading the review conclusion!

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Nintendo last entrusted its most precious IP to Hollywood to produce a big-budget film. Well, given some of the sentiment towards 1993’s Super Mario Bros. maybe it isn’t so hard to fathom the lengthy dry (dry) spell, but it certainly makes this new occasion all the more monumentous. Yes, Mario is back on the big screen and this time it’s by way of a team-up with Illumination, of Minions fame, for a 3D-animated adventure.

If you’ve been paying any attention to the pre-release marketing for the film, you’ve probably got a pretty good idea of what’s going on here, story-wise. I’m obviously not going to touch on too many plot points for the sake of not spoiling anything, but the basic gist is this – Mario and Luigi are trying to boost their struggling Brooklyn plumbing business when they wander into a massive network of pipes underneath the city. Here, they stumble upon a mysterious green pipe (you know the kind) and are unceremoniously pulled from the real world into the “Mario” universe.

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It’s here that the pair are separated, with Mario landing in the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi in an altogether more dangerous realm controlled by the big bad Bowser, who’s just obtained the all-powerful Super Star. This naturally sets Mario on a mission to find his missing brother in the midst of Bowser’s war on the various realms, teaming up with Toad, Princess Peach and eventually Donkey Kong to take down the King of the Koopas – whose motivation for the hostile takeover is his amusingly-dreamy desire for a fairytale wedding with Peach.

What that means is that you’re essentially getting an Isekai-style romp through a number of recognisable Mario-verse worlds that’s as threadbare as many of the games it riffs on, a concoction of nostalgia-heavy set pieces loosely tied together by the gang’s journey to save Luigi and thwart Bowser’s marital obsessions. It very much comes from the “and then this happened” school of narrative, which might disappoint some hoping for a more inventive or subversive Super Mario story, but it gets the job done and does manage to scrape up a few memorable moments that aren’t simple nostalgia-bait.

Watch us review The Super Mario Bros. Movie on the Press Start Podcast

Go into the film with the right expectations, and you’re bound to have an excellent time. Again, you won’t catch me spoiling any of them here but The Super Mario Bros. Movie is positively lousy with gags and references to everything Mario. Just about the entire history of gaming’s most recognisable character is represented in some form, from direct nods to characters or themes from the enormous back catalogue of Mario games and media to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them sight gags and deep cuts.

Younger audiences will catch the blatant riffs on modern Mario platformers and games like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart, and enjoy plenty of the slapstick humour that Illumination’s regular animated movie output is known for, while older viewers will no doubt have a blast doing the ol’ “Leo DiCaprio pointing at the screen” meme when things get super retro.

It was always going to be dangerous territory making a big-budget animated Super Mario Bros. film that relies so heavily on nostalgia and in-jokes to please audiences, but Nintendo and Illumination have absolutely nailed it here, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie feeling far more like a celebration of the mustachioed plumber’s long and diverse history than a soulless cash grab. My only gripe in this department is that a couple of very exciting inclusions that had been hinted at in the marketing amount to little more than barely-there flashes of locales. By far the film’s biggest success is how well and how often it integrates the logic of most Mario games into its world, often to amusing effect.

It also looks positively gorgeous. Nintendo has done well to attach itself to a 3D animation powerhouse like Illumination, who’ve really nailed the assignment when it comes to bringing these iconic characters and locations to life in the highest quality we’ve ever seen. It would have been a heck of a challenge to balance staying true to the relatively simple visuals that fans know while making sure there’s enough detail and expensive-looking sheen to satisfy a modern film audience, but the result is pitch perfect as far as I’m concerned. 

If you’ve never bemoaned the lack of a more powerful successor to the Nintendo Switch before now, you will after seeing the Mushroom Kingdom rendered the way it is here.

It was always going to be tricky to tie these ubiquitous, often barely-vocal characters to such well known voices, but the casting decisions here are almost unanimously spot on (almost) with Jack Black’s Bowser in particular stealing the show and delivering some of the movie’s best scenes. Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong is featured less heavily but also delivers in spades. Sure, this version of DK pretty much just sounds like Rogen, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to separate the two in my mind going forward. Oddly enough I was less enthused with Toad, played by Keegan-Michael Key putting on a very strained voice that’s seemingly then been pitched up in post. 

Everyone else is great – Anya Taylor-Joy does Peach justice and Fred Armisen is a delight as Cranky Kong. I almost think picking Pratt as Mario was a conscious decision to keep him as unremarkable and inoffensive as possible, so if that was the plan it’s definitely worked. Say what you will about Pratt, but he certainly knows how to make as little impact, negative or positive, as possible. Charlie Day takes an excellent crack at Luigi though, and the extended, Brooklyn-ite Mario family is thoroughly entertaining in the few scenes they’re a part of – to the point that I wish there’d been even more of their real-world shenanigans here.

Even when the plot takes a backseat to the film’s need to give you as much Mario universe as possible for your buck, there’s no denying every frame is magical, and every musical motif behind it is equally so. The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s soundtrack sits firmly in the “extremely Hollywood renditions of familiar tunes with occasional sprinklings of licensed music” territory that you might have gleaned from the trailers but it did absolute numbers on the nostalgia parts of my brain throughout and I imagine I won’t be alone. 

I’m not entirely sold on some of the pop song choices – Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For A Hero must have bigger guns than Donkey Kong for all the animated film montages it’s carried at this point – but that’s quickly made up for by a wholly original song that’s sure to have a viral moment once the film is out there.

The post The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review – A Nostalgia-Fuelled Romp For Everyone appeared first on Press Start.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is out today, and by all accounts every person on Earth is planning on going to see it. In case you were on the fence and needed a clearer idea you can read our mostly-spoiler-free review right here, but if you’re already on this page then there’s a good chance it’s too late for that.

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No, you’re here because you’ve either got your tickets and you’re bum-in-seat right now in the cinema while an ad for some local pizza restaurant that you’d only ever go to on an especially-unenthusiastic date plays, or the credits have just begun to roll and they’ve dialled the lighting up just enough to signal that it’s probably okay to have a cheeky look at your phone to Google one important question:

Does The Super Mario Bros. Movie Have A Post Credits Scene?

The short answer to this is yes, in fact it has two!

The slightly-longer-but-still-not-too-detailed answer is that there’s one mid-credit sequence involving a callback to an earlier, fantastic scene in the movie, and then another one at the very end after all the credits have rolled that contains a very special surprise. If you’ve had a good time with The Super Mario Bros. Movie up to this point, we’d definitely advise sticking around to see this one.

Watch us review The Super Mario Bros. Movie on the Press Start Podcast

For the first time, the iconic global entertainment brands Illumination and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a new, big-screen adventure starring one of pop culture’s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades. Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario games, the film invites audiences into a vibrant, thrilling new universe unlike any created before in an action-packed, exuberant cinematic comedy event.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is out in Australian cinemas now.

The post Does The Super Mario Bros. Movie Have A Post Credits Scene? appeared first on Press Start.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has had its big premiere in the US, meaning early impressions from those lucky enough to attend have started flooding on social media, and the verdict so far is incredibly positive.

While in-depth reviews aren’t coming until later in the week (we’ll have our own for you right here when the review embargo lifts), social media reactions paint a picture of a love letter to the entire history of Mario video games stacked with gags and references and great performances from the cast (Jack Black’s Bowser seems to be a favourite).

You can take a look at some of the Twitter reactions (both positive and negative) to the movie below:

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Wahoo! #TheSuperMarioBrosMovie is the ultimate love letter to every era of Mario. Loved the humor & especially Jack Black’s Bowser. I felt the same way watching the movie as I do playing the games. It’s just joyful. Also, stay for the credits! pic.twitter.com/ZcKn17E3PO

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 2, 2023

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was awesome. Teared up from hype more than once. The music is the star of the show. Nintendo fans are gonna be obsessed. I'm not sure ANY movie in history has ever had THIS MANY easter eggs. AND GOOD ONES! pic.twitter.com/CxvDvPzTnQ

— Tim Gettys (@TimGettys) April 2, 2023

(Also I don’t need to say this but just because it’s pertinent…I’ve played and loved basically every single Super Mario game, owned every Nintendo system, never bought a Sega out of loyalty and used to have a Zelda room in my house. So, yeah, huge Nintendo hater.)

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 2, 2023

#SuperMarioBrosMovie REVIEW: HILARIOUS & MAGICAL DELIGHT. A charming adventure with the Nintendo plumbing duo, full of FUN cameos that’ll drain your warp pipes. This isn’t just another video game movie, it’s one of the BEST family films ever! A fitting end setting up what’s next pic.twitter.com/X8hRkznjqj

— Atom (@theatomreview) April 2, 2023

I’ve seen #SuperMarioBrosMovie three times now and I can say it is exactly what you’d expect in the best way possible. So much fan service/Easter eggs and was made with every audience imaginable that has ever loved Mario thoughtfully considered pic.twitter.com/d23PPnxxQm

— Jimmy Tickles (@NickEdwardEvans) April 2, 2023

The premiere of The Super Mario Bros. Movie was recently brought forward very slightly (after having suffered delays) to a date of April 5th, and you can pre-book your tickets at most Aussie cinemas now. The marketing for the movie has already been massive, with LUSH crossovers, Uniqlo t-shirt lines and whole murals at local shopping centres.

As previously announced, the film is being produced in collaboration between Shigeru Miyamoto/Nintendo and Chris Meledandri/Illumination and will feature a star-studded cast including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Charlie Day, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key and Charles Martinet. Take a look at the most recent (and final) trailer below:

For the first time, the iconic global entertainment brands Illumination and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a new, big-screen adventure starring one of pop culture’s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades. Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario games, the film invites audiences into a vibrant, thrilling new universe unlike any created before in an action-packed, exuberant cinematic comedy event.

The post First Impressions Of The Super Mario Bros. Movie Have Arrived And They’re Pretty Positive appeared first on Press Start.

UNIQLO has dropped another one of its popular video game/pop culture UT t-shirt collaborations, this time in conjunction with next week’s release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The set features five adult t-shirt designs and six kids designs all based on the upcoming movie from Nintendo and Illumination, and they’re all available right now online and in Uniqlo stores. We’re particularly fond of the Toad and Super Mario Bros. Plumbing designs.

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The adult Uniqlo x The Super Mario Bros. Movie tees go for $24.90 each while the kids sizes are $19.90. Click here to browse the complete collection.

Uniqlo x The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Adults

Kids

Between the most recent trailer, a special Nintendo Switch console, a collaboration with LUSH, an enormous and eye-catching mural right in the heart of the Melbourne CBD and now this new Uniqlo collection, it’s seemingly impossible to escape Mario movie mania.

The premiere of The Super Mario Bros. Movie was recently brought forward very slightly (after having suffered delays) to a date of April 5th, and you can pre-book your tickets at most Aussie cinemas now.

As previously announced, the film is being produced in collaboration between Shigeru Miyamoto/Nintendo and Chris Meledandri/Illumination and will feature a star-studded cast including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Charlie Day, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key and Charles Martinet.

Watch us review The Super Mario Bros. Movie on the Press Start Podcast

For the first time, the iconic global entertainment brands Illumination and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a new, big-screen adventure starring one of pop culture’s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades. Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario games, the film invites audiences into a vibrant, thrilling new universe unlike any created before in an action-packed, exuberant cinematic comedy event.

The post Uniqlo Has A Great Super Mario Bros. Movie Collection Out Now appeared first on Press Start.

In news that’s surprised absolutely nobody, Nintendo has confirmed the existence of the special The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Nintendo Switch OLED console that was leaked a few months ago.

The reveal came during a special Nintendo Direct dedicated solely to Tears of the Kingdom, where Nintendo also showed off a solid chunk of gameplay – you can read about and watch that right here. The game’s not far away from launch now, coming on May 12th, but fans can get their hands around this particularly shiny-looking Switch OLED even earlier on April 28th.

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The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Nintendo Switch OLED has a distinct pattern on the black backing of the handheld portion, comes with a white and gold dock with distinct visuals as well as a set of themed Joy-Cons, one white/gold and one green/gold displaying two noticeably different motifs tying them into the aesthetic themes of the game. Oh, and matching white and gold Joy-Con straps, of course.

Also revealed was a themed Pro Controller and Switch OLED carry case, both coming on May 12th:

Like most of Nintendo’s special edition Switch consoles, the only thing this one is missing is the game itself, which you’ll have to purchase separately – the Collector’s Edition is still available here, if you’re looking to splurge on other limited goodies for the game. All of the special Tears of the Kingdom items are now available to pre-order in Australia:

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Switch Console And Pro Controller Pre-Orers

• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Nintendo Switch OLED – $549.95
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Pro Controller – $109
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Edition Carry Case – $39
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition (May 12)  – $189
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo (May 12) – $21.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12) – $74.99 (was $89.95)

Take a look at the console reveal at the end of the Direct below:

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM COLLECTOR’S EDITION PRE-ORDER

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition (May 12)  – $189 at Amazon with pre-order price guarantee and free shipping
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo (May 12) – $21.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12) – $74.99 (was $89.95)

The post A Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Nintendo Switch OLED And Pro Controller Have Been Officially Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

It’s over. The Nintendo eShop for the 3DS and WiiU consoles has had its day, and the doors are shut for good.

We knew it was coming, of course, with gamers having plenty of warning to get their last-minute purchases in (or stock up on physical titles before they soar astronomically in value at resale) before everyone’s favourite, happy orange shopping bag says its final goodbyes.

The 3Ds eShop opened its digital doors in 2011, while the WiiU did the same in 2013, meaning both had at least a decade of service before being shuttered. According to Nintendo’s data (as reported here by VGC), there were over 1000 titles on the 3DS eShop with just over 600 being download-only games not available by any other means, while on the WiiU there were just over 800 games in total with around 450 digital-only titles (depending on regions).

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This also means that a huge number of Virtual Console titles will be disappearing, leaving only the library of classic games on the Nintendo Switch for NSO subscribers to hold the retro Nintendo game torch – with a significantly smaller library than what was on any previous systems.

To mark the sad occasion, fans on social media have already posted countless tributes to both the consoles, the stores, the games and of course, the friendly eShop bag who would once greet players, guide them through the store, answer questions and more.

There are countless artistic odes:

good night 3DS eshop guy.. I'll miss u the most pic.twitter.com/bhctmQUzhb

— vi ? (@starozoa) March 26, 2023

Rest well, little prince ;w;!!
Everybody downloaded with they needed before the 3DS Eshop went offline?#Nintendo3DS #eShop pic.twitter.com/6o2qV6YIqR

— Vlinderdas – Graduated!! (@ItsArtJo) March 26, 2023

time to go, kiddo ?#eShop #3DSeshop pic.twitter.com/SSkCbt70J5

— ? MicahTheBrave ? (@MicahTheBrave) March 27, 2023

And even musical tributes:

The time has come.
A piano tribute to the 3DS and Wii U eShop.

Fly high ? pic.twitter.com/SVELz823TG

— Sword (@MasterSwrdRemix) March 26, 2023

Our pals over at Vooks did… this. Why is this so emotional??

rip eshop pic.twitter.com/vtD5iVh5sy

— Vooks (@vooksdotnet) March 27, 2023

We hope everyone managed to pick up any games they’d like to play in the future before the cut-off, and of course going forward, for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and play 3DS and WiiU games online.

The post The Nintendo eShop For 3DS/WiiU Has Closed For Good And The Tributes Are Already Pouring In appeared first on Press Start.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is nearly upon us, premiering at cinemas around Australia on Wednesday, April 5th, and the marketing machine has well and truly roared to life in the lead-up.

Between the most recent trailer, a special Nintendo Switch console, a collaboration with LUSH and now an enormous and eye-catching mural right in the heart of the Melbourne CBD it’s seemingly impossible to escape Mario movie mania. The new mural, which depicts six of the film’s key characters, stretches across the walkway into Melbourne Central from Swanston Street so you can marvel at it while waiting for your Boost juice, before heading into the nearby LUSH to grab your bottle of Bowser’s jelly.

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The lengthy display is split across six distinct scenes based on the film, with a very Luigi’s Mansion-esque panel being my favourite of the lot. Luckily, if you’re not quite local enough to pop down and gawk at its enormity we’ve taken some (admittedly kind of shocking) photos of the whole thing which you can see below:

It’s always neat to see stuff like this, or that recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet tram, bringing a bit of gaming excitement into local cities.

The post A Giant Super Mario Bros. Movie Mural Has Appeared At Melbourne Central appeared first on Press Start.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom isn’t out until May 12th, but it’s already collecting awards. The game was just named ‘Most Anticipated Game’ at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards in Japan, beating out Armored Core VI and Final Fantasy XVI for the honour.

Series Producer, Eiji Aonuma, accepted the award and thanks to Twitter account @Genki_JPN, we know that Aonuma let slip a bit of a tease of what to expect from the massively-anticipated sequel during his acceptance speech:

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“In the previous title, Breath of the Wild, you were able to experience a new world of Zelda with the freedom to go wherever and do whatever you want,” the Producer said.

“In the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, furthermore, the player’s free imagination will be filled with new gameplay that will bring about changes to the game world. I think that everyone who voted will feel pleasantly surprised and I hope you can enjoy the ‘unknown’ Hyrule as you like.”

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom won Most Antipicated Game at the Famitsu Game Awards!

Here is what Eiji Aonuma said about TotK in his acceptance message: pic.twitter.com/Y1rnVXDL8O

— Genki? (@Genki_JPN) March 18, 2023

It’s a small tidbit, but given that we still know barely anything about the game less than two months out from release, anything feels important at this stage. We also have a rough idea from the most recent trailer that there will be some degree of building and vehicular gameplay involved, whether or not that has anything to do with Aonuma’s comments remains to be seen.

There’s also the fact that the game’s entire art book leaked a whole month ago, but whether or not you look into that is on you!

Amazon also still has both the standard and Collector’s Edition flavours of the game available to pre-order, as well as the new Link Amiibo:

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM COLLECTOR’S EDITION PRE-ORDER

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition (May 12)  – $188 at Amazon with pre-order price guarantee and free shipping
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo (May 12) – $21
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12) – $74.99 (was $89.95)

The post Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom’s Producer Has Teased A Changing Game World appeared first on Press Start.

It was originally announced over a year ago, but we figured it was worth a last-minute reminder – Nintendo is shutting the digital doors on the eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and WiiU console families this week.

That means that, starting March 27th, you’ll no longer be able to make any digital purchases of 3DS or WiiU games or content, including free content or demos. Anything you’ve already purchased will still be downloadable from your account, but that’s it. Although it’s not possible to add credit to your account through these systems with a credit card or prepaid card any more, linking your old Nintendo Network ID to the new Nintendo Account wallet will allow you to purchase items from the 3DS or WiiU eshop from your shared balance up until the close date.

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You can find all the info you need on the Nintendo website, or read the main points below:

As of March 27, 2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for the Wii U system and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. It will also no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos. Furthermore, as this date draws closer, related services will cease to function:

• As of May 23, 2022, it is no longer possible to use a credit card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
• As of August 29, 2022, it is no longer possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. However, it will still be possible to redeem download codes until March 27, 2023.

Users who link their Nintendo Network ID wallet (used with Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems) with their Nintendo Account wallet (used with the Nintendo Switch family of systems) can use the shared balance to purchase content on any of these systems until March 27, 2023. After that, the balance can only be used to purchase content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.

No changes are planned for Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems.

The changes to Nintendo eShop on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will simultaneously take effect in software on these platforms where it is possible to make purchases, such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade.

Even after March 27, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

The post The Nintendo eShop For 3DS And WiiU Closes For Good This Week So Buy Anything You Want ASAP appeared first on Press Start.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a pleasant surprise. Released mere months after Bayonetta 3, the game offers a pseudo origin story for the coquettish witch. It does so differently but similarly to the games that came before it. I wrote at length about how the game’s opening chapters felt simplistic but held high hope that it would turn around as the game progressed. Now, having finished the entirety of the experience, I’m pleasantly surprised. Yes, Cereza and the Lost Demon is a different experience from the Bayonetta games as we know them, but it’s a direction that I wouldn’t mind seeing more games borrow from in the future.

Definitively, Cereza and the Lost Demon takes place before the events of the original Bayonetta. You play as Cereza, an Umbran Witch in training, who sees her mother locked up by the coven for cavorting with a Lumen Sage. Cereza is thus raised by Morgana, a strict teacher who only wants the best for her pupil. Following visions coming to her in a dream, Cereza heads into the mysterious Avalon Forest, looking for power to save her mother. Simultaneously, she summons a demon named Cheshire, who needs something in the forest to find his way home. The two head off into the woods and form an unlikely alliance.

While this is a prequel to the trio of games that came before it, Bayonetta Origins does a great job of adding much-needed context to the events of Bayonetta 3. There are many references to the other games and characters directly referenced between the two. Putting that aside, the game exists as a standalone experience too. Regardless of what you know about Bayonetta, in Cereza and the Lost Demon, it’s a joy to see Cereza start off lacking confidence and eventually become the Bayonetta we know today. Cheshire is similarly a fun foil to Cereza’s inexperienced nature. I was surprised to find myself caring so much about both of them towards the end of the game’s story.

As you’d probably know by now, Cereza and the Lost Demon isn’t a typical Bayonetta game. Instead, it plays most like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. A third-person game presented from an overlooking camera, each of the thumbsticks controls Cereza and Cheshire independently. Cereza can use her entry-level magic to interact with elements of the forest and temporarily debuff enemies. Cheshire is the primary damage dealer and can utilise a wealth of abilities to protect himself and Cereza from damage. It doesn’t sound straightforward, but it comes together relatively intuitively.

When you’re not exploring the many areas of the Avalon Forest, you’ll be in combat. During combat, Cereza can use her magic to bind enemies – slowing them down or bringing them to a halt entirely. On the other hand, Cheshire can attack with melee attacks and even perform flashy combos if he’s attacking enemies already bound by Cereza. It can get a bit intense, but it’s a serviceable combat system that perfectly complements the simplistic nature of the adventure. I spent most of the time in combat watching Cheshire, so you won’t always feel overwhelmed having to control both characters in battle.

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But as you progress through the game, more abilities are doled out to the duo that keeps things interesting. Without ruining anything, Cheshire gains abilities associated with the elements such as projectiles or heavy hitting slam attacks. Cereza also gets more abilities, which I won’t ruin here, but the brunt of the combat focus is on Cheshire. He has a nice range of abilities to unlock, and a surprisingly large and detailed skill tree helps unlock more abilities for both Cereza and Cheshire.

What surprised me even more about Cereza and the Lost Demon was the breadth of enemy types you encounter and even the boss battles. While they’re not as numerous as Bayonetta or as bombastic, they come close. Some of the set pieces feel closer to the first three games than anything else in terms of their action and intensity. It’s almost intentional that as Cereza progresses through the story and starts to resemble Bayonetta from a skill perspective, the game she’s in begins to resemble the games she will be in.

But outside of combat, Cereza and Cheshire can use their abilities, often together, to navigate the forest. A semi-open world, the forest is filled with collectibles that enhance abilities or health and many of them can be found after unlocking a new upgrade for the pair. Cereza can throw Cheshire to others areas as a miniature doll to open up new areas. Cheshire can use his water form to move around bodies of water while his fire form melts ice. There’s more, too, and the puzzles you encounter are by no means complex. However, it’s still satisfying to backtrack and find a new area to explore after obtaining something new.

If you’re connecting the dots, then you’ll probably think that Cereza and the Lost Demon borrows a bit from Metroid. And it does. The Avalon Forest and its surrounding areas can all be freely roamed to find collectibles and eventually unlock costumes for the duo after completing the game. “Sanctuaries” act as little spots for Cereza to rest but also as save and fast travel points. It’s a semi-open world that invites you to explore it if you wish, mainly to improve abilities and stats, but you can be engaged with as much or as little as you want to.

However, things get a bit more involved with the Tír na nÓg areas. These are otherworldly locales that are peppered throughout the map. Some are essential to continue, and others are optional. They’re essentially puzzle trials that Cereza and Cheshire must complete to “purify” the area and highlight other activities near the Tír na nÓg. Sometimes they’re combat trials, similar to the Alfheims from the original Bayonetta. Overall, they’re a great break from exploration and combat to offer a more honed puzzle experience.

Putting this all together, Cereza and the Lost Demon is a comprehensive action-adventure title. There’s a wealth of accessibility options if you’re struggling, but I’d estimate most players could get at least twelve to fifteen hours out of the adventure. Upon finishing, there’s still more to find in the forest and even a secondary story to unlock and play through. My only real complaint, and even then it’s not a huge one, is that this could’ve benefitted from some co-op functionality in some way, though it’s by no means a deal breaker. My first impression of this game was that it might be one-and-done, but with so much to unlock and see, Cereza and the Lost Demon is anything but phoned-in.

This notion can especially be applied to the game’s presentation. Most of the story is told through a mix of lore-filled collectibles and storybook-style cutscenes that, while static in their approach, are meticulously voiced by a strong cast of actors. Combine this with an artistic style that looks like a hand-painted watercolour painting, and you have something distinct and special. Performance-wise, the game runs close to sixty frames while docked and closer to thirty frames while portable. It’s by no means the worst running game on the Switch, but it’s not the best, either. It sits firmly in the middle.

The post Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Review – A Bewitching Tale appeared first on Press Start.

A recent job posting from The Pokémon Company International has fans worried that the company is looking to dip its toes into the world of NFTs and blockchain technology.

Specifically, TPCi has posted that it’s looking for a “Corporate Development Principal” to work within the President and Corporate Development Office – a small, specialized group that’s currently under development.

The role’s description calls for three key responsibilities in Corporate Strategy, Pokémon Group Company Relations and Corporate Development and Innovation with the goal to design and build “an internal idea-sourcing platform to gather and assess TPCi employees’ innovative ideas to introduce brand new Pokémon experiences (products and experiences) to the world.”

An Unauthorised Pokémon NFT Game Being Developed In Australia Has Been Stomped By The Pokémon Company

The portion of the PD that’s of most interest is, of course, the mention of NFTs in the section calling for specific experience in applicants. Outside of the usual “minimum X years in this and that” and corporate fluff, two points in particular stand out as the specifically call out the kinds of tech buzzwords that can easily set alarm bells ringing:

• Deep knowledge and understanding of Web 3, including blockchain technologies and NFT, and/or metaverse.
• Deeply connected to a network of investors and entrepreneurs in the technology sectors above (Web3 and metaverse).

Given that everything else in this position’s description reads like The Pokémon Company is looking for candidates to research and execute new initiatives within the world of Pokémon, reading that above makes it pretty easy to assume that NFTs form at least part of that potential strategy. Whether it’s fully digital goods, NFT-enabled Pokémon TCG cards, blockchain-based games, a full-on Pokémon metaverse project or something in-between there’s obviously a ton of room in the space for something with the “catch ’em all” attitude of the franchise.

Who knows, perhaps they were inspired by that unauthorised Aussie Pokémon NFT game?

The post The Pokémon Company Might Be Getting Into NFTs appeared first on Press Start.

The “MAR10 Day” festivities are heating up as Nintendo and LEGO have just announced they’ll be showing off something new and exciting on the day.

A tweet from LEGO tells fans that “final preparations are underway for our LEGO Mario YouTube Premiere” and features images of host Jack Gardner holding the fantastic LEGO Bowser – potentially implying that what we’ll see are more traditional Mario-themed LEGO kits as opposed to the other Mario play sets aimed at a younger audience.

Final preparations are underway for our LEGO Super Mario YouTube Premiere… Tune in on March 10 for big updates… and even bigger reveals…!#MAR10Day pic.twitter.com/jVOZaArUjo

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) March 6, 2023

The Premiere will be available to watch on the official LEGO YouTube Channel at 5PM CET on March 10 which (rather unfortunately) equates to:

ALL THE AUSTRALIAN TIMES FOR THE LEGO MARIO PREMIERE – MARCH 11th

• AEDT (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra) – March 11 at 3.00 AM
• ACDST (Adelaide) – 2:30 AM
• AEST (Brisbane) –  2.00 AM
• ACST (Darwin) – 1:30 AM
• AWST (Perth) – 00:00 AM
• NZDT (Wellington) – 5:00 AM

LEGO’s The Mighty Bowser set launched last year and includes a whopping 2804 pieces, and uses new LEGO elements that have never been used before to create effects such as Bowser’s spikes, fireball launcher and a button to control Bowser’s head, neck, arms and finger movements. In short: It’s awesome.

• LEGO THE MIGHTY BOWSER 71411 AT AMAZON FOR $298 WITH FREE SHIPPING.

In other MAR10 day premiere news, a special Mario-themed Nintendo Switch bundle was announced for global regions lucky enough to get it. We’re also being treated to a final trailer for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie on Friday, March 10th at a very chill 9AM for those working on AEDT time.

The trailer will be made available to watch live on YouTube at this link.

The post LEGO And Nintendo Are Prepping A Big Reveal For MAR10 Day appeared first on Press Start.