Nintendo
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Nintendo.
Games Inbox: Is The Elder Scrolls 6 going to be worth the wait?Readers express concerns about the lengthy development of The Elder Scrolls 6, criticizing Bethesda's recent game output and treatment of developers. The discussion also touches upon the shift to digital-only distribution, the impact of layoffs at Microsoft and Bethesda, and the future of subscription services like Game Pass.- Sony’s No More Discs Debacle Was Inevitable, But The Worst Is Yet To ComeSony has announced the end of PlayStation disc production by 2028, implying the PlayStation 6 will be digital-only. This move, driven by market trends favoring digital sales, raises concerns about game preservation and long-term accessibility, especially with the upcoming closure of the PlayStation Store for PS Vita and PS3. The article draws parallels to Nintendo's digital storefront closures, highlighting the risks of relying solely on publishers for game access and questioning future consumer rights.
Mario Kart Tour Is Getting Off Course, Announces EOS After 7 YearsNintendo has announced the end of service for its mobile game Mario Kart Tour, which launched in September 2019. The game will officially shut down on September 29th, after seven years of operation. Sales of premium currency have been suspended, and automatic Gold Pass renewals are off, with players receiving subscription benefits for the remaining time.
Nintendo confirms Switch 1 consoles will be withdrawn from Europe following EU law change on batteriesNintendo will discontinue sales of its original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and OLED models in Europe starting mid-February 2027 due to upcoming EU battery regulations requiring user-replaceable batteries. While revised products with replaceable batteries will be rolled out from summer 2026, several Nintendo accessories will not receive such updates. The company plans to continue selling Switch hardware outside of European business regions.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book demo now available on Nintendo Switch 2A free demo for the platformer Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is now available on Nintendo Switch. The demo allows players to experience the first chapter, with save data transferable to the full game. The title, originally released on May 21, features Yoshi helping a living encyclopedia named Mr. E recover lost memories and missing pages.
Newegg's Nintendo eShop gift card deal is back, and it could help you prepare for the rest of 2026's stellar…Newegg is offering a deal on Nintendo eShop gift cards, allowing customers to purchase $200 worth of credit for $175 using a promo code. This promotion can help offset the cost of upcoming Nintendo Switch games like Star Fox, Rhythm Paradise Groove, Splatoon Raiders, Orbitals, and Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, as well as DLC such as Pokemon Pokopia Bubbly Basin.- Morning ConsolidationMicrosoft is reportedly considering making more of its first-party games exclusive to the Xbox platform. Separately, Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart Tour will become unplayable after an upcoming service discontinuation.
Mobile game Mario Kart Tour is winding downNintendo is shutting down its mobile game Mario Kart Tour on September 29, ending service for the 2019 title. The company has ceased sales of in-game currency and subscriptions, and an offline version is not planned. This comes after a history of monetization controversies and statements from Shigeru Miyamoto about the challenges of mobile game development.- Palworld Reaches A Huge Player Milestone Ahead Of 1.0 LaunchPalworld has surpassed 40 million players before its official 1.0 launch on July 10, developer Pocketpair announced. The game, currently available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, will maintain its $29.99 price point. The upcoming 1.0 update will introduce new Pals, an improved combat system, and revamped quests.
Nintendo finally adds the first Wario Land to Switch Online, with almost every other game in the series already…Nintendo has added Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 to the Nintendo Switch Online service, three years after the Game Boy library's introduction. This release brings the majority of the Wario Land series to the platform, with only a few titles remaining absent. The article also touches on Nintendo's peculiar release schedules for its classic game lineups and the series' representation in other Nintendo titles.- Nintendo will shut down Mario Kart Tour on September 30Nintendo will be shutting down its mobile game Mario Kart Tour on September 30. The company has stated that there are no plans to release an offline version of the game.
I used Nintendo's official Star Fox mousepad, but I wish I saved my Platinum Points insteadThe official Star Fox mousepad, available for 500 Nintendo Platinum Points, is described as a cheap-feeling accessory with a rough, slippery surface that hinders mouse control. Despite its low cost and Star Fox branding, the reviewer found it inferior to traditional gaming mousepads and recommends it only as a display piece.
Mario Kart Tour to go offline in SeptemberNintendo has announced that Mario Kart Tour, the mobile version of its popular racing game, will cease operations on September 30, 2026. In-game purchases and automatic Gold Pass renewals have been disabled, and the game will no longer be playable after the specified date. Nintendo has confirmed there are no plans for an offline version.
Review: Star Fox (Nintendo Switch 2)This review of Star Fox on the Nintendo Switch 2 praises its visual and audio overhaul, updated orchestral soundtrack, and fully voiced dialogue, making it a welcome nostalgic experience. While the core gameplay remains a fun on-rails shooter, the article notes some dated elements and the removal of local split-screen multiplayer as drawbacks, despite the addition of online play and a robust co-op mode.- Europe: Nintendo Store standard delivery now free for Nintendo Switch Online membersNintendo is offering free standard delivery on orders over £1 from the European Nintendo Store to members with an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. This perk is in addition to the existing benefits of online play and access to classic games.
- Nintendo announces San Diego Comic-Con 2026 lineup includes Switch Sports Resort and other “surprises”Nintendo has announced its lineup for San Diego Comic-Con 2026, featuring early access to the upcoming game Nintendo Switch Sports Resort for the Nintendo Switch 2. Attendees will also be able to try the new action-adventure game Splatoon Raiders.
Switch 1 isn't dead yet – Nintendo will "continue selling" its console worldwide in 2027, just not…Nintendo has confirmed that it will continue selling the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models worldwide beyond 2026, with production planned until 2027. This statement clarifies earlier announcements regarding the discontinuation of sales in Europe by mid-February 2027, a move influenced by new European regulations on waste reduction and product longevity. The company is shifting its focus to the next-generation Switch 2, expected early next year.
Nintendo announces 2026 San Diego Comic-Con lineup, including first hands on with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and chance to compete against The RizzlerNintendo has announced its lineup for the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con, featuring the first U.S. hands-on playable demo of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort for the Nintendo Switch 2. Attendees can also play Splatoon Raiders and have a chance to compete against social media creator The Rizzler in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
The worst Mario Kart game is shutting down very soonNintendo has announced that the mobile game Mario Kart Tour will be shut down on September 30, 2026, with no offline mode planned. The game, released in 2019, has been profitable for the company and influenced mainline titles with its courses and characters. In-game purchases and auto-renewals for the Gold Pass have already been disabled.
The retreat from mobile games continues as Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will be taken offline later this yearNintendo and Square Enix are shutting down their mobile games, Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis, respectively, later this year. Mario Kart Tour will cease service around September 29-30, while Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will end on October 6. This follows a trend of major companies retreating from ambitious mobile adaptations of big intellectual properties.