Nintendo
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Nintendo.
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove debuts in the top 5, Star Fox still going strongThe latest UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026, shows Rhythm Heaven Groove debuting at number 5 and Star Fox holding strong at number 4. EA SPORTS FC 26 leads the chart, with a variety of other titles from Nintendo, Capcom, and Electronic Arts filling out the top 20.
Donkey Kong is celebrating his 45th anniversary, and you can join the festivities by grabbing these a-peel-ing Switch 2…Donkey Kong is celebrating his 45th anniversary, marking 45 years since his arcade debut. The article highlights various Donkey Kong-themed accessories for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, including travel cases and amiibo figures. While Switch 2 specific items are limited, older compatible accessories are also mentioned.
Palworld developer confirms when the version 1.0 update will go livePocketpair has announced that the version 1.0 update for Palworld will go live on July 10th, with specific release times provided for various time zones. While players can continue using existing saves, the developer strongly recommends starting fresh to experience the numerous overhauls to mechanics, story, and content. The article also briefly touches on the legal dispute with Nintendo regarding character design similarities.- Original Nintendo Switch family of systems will be discontinued mid-February 2027Nintendo has announced that sales of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED model will cease in mid-February 2027. This marks the end of the original Switch family of systems after approximately ten years on the market.
Nintendo announces Switch 1 systems will no longer be sold in Europe starting early 2027Nintendo has announced that it will cease sales of all Nintendo Switch family hardware, including the original model, Switch Lite, and Switch - OLED Model, to retailers in Europe starting in mid-February 2027. Sales on the official Nintendo Store will also end at that time. While hardware sales are ending, Nintendo assures that existing games, accessories, and online services will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future.- Nintendo says Nintendo Classics feeds a “sense of nostalgia” that we would like to continueNintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa believes the Nintendo Classics range, available through the Nintendo Switch Online service, effectively taps into a sense of nostalgia for players. He expressed a desire to continue offering these classic gaming experiences.
Nintendo officially announces revisions for Switch 2 and more in Europe in light of new battery regulationsNintendo has announced revisions for several European products, including the Nintendo Switch 2, starting summer 2026 to comply with upcoming EU battery regulations effective February 2027. These revisions will primarily involve the introduction of user-replaceable batteries, with minimal changes to functionality or weight. Specific product availability will vary across European countries.
Nintendo promises to keep "aiming for unique entertainment that only we could produce" as it shouts out its continued "originality" following recent fan voteNintendo has expressed gratitude after being voted the favorite developer by readers of Famitsu magazine. The company reaffirmed its commitment to producing unique entertainment and maintaining originality in its game development, referencing its history since the Famicom's release. Nintendo also acknowledged the positive reception of Mario and The Legend of Zelda series.
Summer Games Done Quick 2026: Watch Day 2 hereSummer Games Done Quick 2026 is underway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raising money for Doctors Without Borders. The event features speedrunners tackling various games, with a detailed schedule provided for Day 2, including titles like Dragon Quest 11, Super Mario Odyssey, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart across multiple platforms.
You can sort-of play Mario Kart on YouTube as an "interactive video" that could lead to more complex experimentsA YouTube channel called Atlas Arcade has created a playable "interactive video" of Mario Kart using YouTube's 360-degree spherical video function and custom subtitles. While not a full game, this experiment demonstrates the potential for more complex interactive content on the platform, building on previous adaptations of games like Flappy Bird and Five Nights at Freddy's.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rightsSony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.- These Are the Top 5 Best Selling Games on Amazon So Far This YearNintendo continues to lead Amazon's best-selling game charts for the year so far, alongside Grand Theft Auto 6. This data offers insight into the ongoing discussion surrounding physical versus digital game sales.
Meccha Chameleon sells 15,000,000 copies to become game equivalent of ObsessionThe hide-and-seek indie game Meccha Chameleon has achieved over 15 million copies sold worldwide since its launch on Steam on June 10. Developed by two Japanese indie developers in under two months, the game's success is attributed to its low price point, viral popularity on platforms like TikTok, and its classification as a 'friendslop' title. Despite its modest revenue, Meccha Chameleon has become the best-selling game of 2026 so far across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai sometimes "sounds exactly like Goku," ex-Tekken boss says: "A Saiyan who genuinely believes he's just another ordinary human"Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada compares Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai to a Dragon Ball Saiyan, noting Sakurai's seemingly effortless solutions to complex problems. Harada also briefly mentions Hidetaka Miyazaki and discusses Bandai Namco's collaboration with Sora Ltd. on the Super Smash Bros. series, particularly regarding the inclusion of Kazuya Mishima.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of gamesSony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
Weekend Discussion - July 5, 2026This Weekend Discussion article from July 5, 2026, touches on various gaming topics including Demon's Souls, the World Tendency system, ammo counters, and the eerie atmosphere of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It also features music recommendations and highlights recent Shacknews articles.
Games Inbox: Is Nintendo Switch 2 and PC the perfect combination?Readers discuss the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2 combined with PC gaming as a strong alternative to PlayStation and Xbox, especially in light of Sony's move towards digital-only releases. The conversation also touches on the importance of physical media for game preservation and the rising costs of PC hardware components like RAM and SSDs.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder dev reveals how the Inchworm Pipe sound effect was madeA developer from Nintendo shared insights into the creation of the Inchworm Pipe sound effect for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The team experimented with vibrato effects to achieve a wriggling, creature-like quality, aiming to evoke surprise and fun for players. The sound designer emphasized the importance of evoking specific feelings and adding color to the game world through sound.
Nintendo pre-order updates – July 5, 2026 – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Chef Kawasaki amiibo, moreNintendo has released its latest pre-order updates for July 5, 2026, featuring a variety of games and amiibo across multiple regions. Notable new releases include The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and the Chef Kawasaki amiibo. The list details upcoming titles for Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, with release dates and available retailers.
Japanese Nintendo eShop releases for July 9, 2026Nintendo has updated the Japanese eShop release schedule for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 for the week of July 9, 2026. Notable upcoming titles include Digimon Story: Time Stranger and Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok. The update lists both retail and digital download titles for the platforms.