Nintendo
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Nintendo.
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.
Trails In The Sky Chapter 1 Available for Free on SwitchNintendo Switch owners can play The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st Chapter for free from July 6 to July 12. Access requires a Japanese Nintendo account and an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Save data from the free trial carries over to the purchased version.- Nintendo shares message after being voted No.1 developer by Famitsu readersFollowing readers of Japanese publication Famitsu voting Nintendo as their favorite video game developer, the company issued a statement to fans expressing gratitude. Nintendo thanked them for choosing the company as the No. 1 developer.
Nintendo shares a message with its fansNintendo shared a message with fans thanking them for being voted the No. 1 "Game Developer I Like" in a Famitsu reader survey celebrating the magazine's 40th anniversary. The company expressed gratitude for the positive reception of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, highlighting its commitment to originality and creating unique entertainment experiences since the Famicom's release.- Nintendo addresses Pokemon TCG scalpingNintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has acknowledged the significant issue of scalping within the Pokemon Trading Card Game. The practice involves bulk purchases of new cards which are then resold at inflated prices on online auction sites.
- Nintendo reveals 800,000+ people have now visited the Nintendo MuseumNintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa announced that the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, has welcomed over 800,000 visitors since its opening in October 2024. The museum features interactive exhibits, including playable retro consoles and oversized controllers.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove on topRhythm Heaven Groove has topped the Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 4, 2026, overtaking Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Moonlight Peaks also debuted on the charts following pre-load availability. The article lists the top 30 games overall and the top 30 download-only titles.
5 small but notable changes Xenoblade 2’s Nintendo Switch 2 Edition could makeThis article discusses potential quality-of-life improvements for Xenoblade Chronicles 2's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Suggestions include adjusted Rare Blade drop rates, clearer tutorials, automatic collectible pickup, improved lip-syncing for English dialogue, and additional save file slots.
Metroid Has More Than One New Title in the Works Following Ravenous Rating – RumorA rumor suggests that a new side-scrolling Metroid title, potentially named Metroid Ravenous, is in development, following the success of Metroid Dread. This speculation is fueled by a rating that appeared and was quickly removed in Brazil, and further discussed by VGC's Andy Robinson.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling digital games for June 2026Nintendo has released the top-selling digital games for June 2026 on the Japanese Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch eShops. Star Fox led the charts for the Nintendo Switch 2, while Powerful Pro Baseball topped the list for the standard Nintendo Switch. The data includes a variety of new releases and popular franchises.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 3: Nintendo Summer Sale continuesNintendo's Summer Sale continues for another week, featuring discounts on first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Various digital deals are also available across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, including PlayStation Plus member exclusives and Xbox Game Pass discounts.
Star Fox Review – A Stunning, Faithful RevivalThis review discusses the Star Fox remake for the Nintendo Switch 2, which serves as a faithful revival of Star Fox 64 with significant visual upgrades and expanded storytelling. Developed by Velan Studios using their VIPER Engine, the game boasts photorealistic graphics that are a generation ahead of previous Nintendo Switch titles. While the core gameplay remains true to the original arcade rail shooter experience, the remake introduces fully animated, voiced cutscenes that adapt to in-game events and enhance character dynamics, making it the definitive edition of the classic tale.
Nintendo Switch 2 has accidentally become the most appealing console right nowAmidst rising console prices and studio closures from Sony and Microsoft, the Nintendo Switch 2 has emerged as the most appealing gaming device due to its competitive pricing and value. Despite not being as powerful as its rivals, the Switch 2 offers a more futureproof investment with strong first-party support and a growing library of third-party titles, making it a stable and accessible option for consumers.
PlayStation's disc-less future could "heavily influence" Xbox and Nintendo's approach to physical games, former Sony boss says, calling the decision "dramatic"Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden stated that Sony's decision to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2026 will heavily influence Xbox and Nintendo's future strategies. This move, described as dramatic, has sparked industry-wide concerns about game preservation and consumer rights, despite a recent increase in physical game sales in the US.
Super Mario 64 speedrunning sees its "first 16 star world record in over 3 years" by the same unstoppable player behind the last record – and every other major N64 categorySpeedrunner Suigi has set a new world record for Super Mario 64's 16-star category with a time of 14 minutes and 32 seconds, beating his own previous record set over three years ago. Suigi is a dominant force in the Super Mario 64 speedrunning community, holding top times in all major categories on the Nintendo 64.
GTA 6's price shows gaming's $80 luxury-tier is here to stay, and I don't want to upgrade my setup…The $80 price tag for Grand Theft Auto 6, along with a $100 Ultimate Edition, signals a new luxury tier for AAA games that may alienate consumers. While the price is considered reasonable for Grand Theft Auto 6 due to its market power, the author fears this will set a precedent for other major publishers like Electronic Arts and Sony. This trend, combined with rising console and subscription costs, could price many gamers out of the hobby, potentially leading to a negative feedback loop similar to that seen in the music and film industries.- Nintendo President Says The Pokémon Company Will 'Take Measures' to Respond to Widespread Card Scalping IssuesNintendo's president has acknowledged widespread issues with Pokémon card scalping and shortages, stating that The Pokémon Company will "take measures" to address the problem. This comes despite the printing of 10 billion cards last year, indicating the severity of the scalping situation.
Where did all the UK game events go?The UK faces a significant decline in major consumer video game events, with many established shows like EGX and Insomnia folding or merging, and new attempts failing. This trend is attributed to rising costs, shifting global marketing budgets of major publishers away from such events, and the overwhelming draw of larger international shows like Gamescom. While smaller niche and B2B events remain successful, the lack of large-scale consumer gatherings is a concern for the UK's substantial gaming market.- The PS Classic: All Vibe, No SubstanceThe PlayStation Classic is analyzed as part of a trend of "retro mini" consoles, following similar releases from Nintendo and Sega. Despite its nostalgic appeal, the article suggests the console lacked substance beyond its aesthetic.