Nintendo
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Nintendo.
Nintendo talks about how its preserving the Nintendo DNA while adding more staffNintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa addressed concerns about preserving the company's unique 'Nintendo DNA' as it increases headcount. He emphasized the importance of work experience, cooperation with senior colleagues, and training, including input from Shigeru Miyamoto, to ensure these values are passed on to new employees.- Miyamoto wants to bring “new characters to the world” outside of gamesNintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto expressed interest in developing new characters beyond Mario and The Legend of Zelda for media outside of traditional video games. The company is exploring opportunities for new intellectual property or existing characters in new forms of media.
Kirby fans are eating good as Nintendo serves up pre-orders for the new Chef Kawasaki amiiboNintendo has announced that the Chef Kawasaki amiibo for Kirby Air Riders will launch on September 3, 2026, with pre-orders available at Amazon. Several other Kirby-themed amiibo figures, including King Dedede & Tank Star, Kirby & Warp Star, Meta Knight & Shadow Star, and Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star, are also available for purchase.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden on Sony's years-long debate over scrapping discs, and why this time it's probably "a straight spreadsheet decision"Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden discusses Sony's decision to end disc production, calling it a 'spreadsheet decision' driven by the shift to digital sales. He believes this move, accelerated by the pandemic, suggests future consoles like the PlayStation 6 may omit disc drives entirely. Layden also noted that concerns over second-hand sales are no longer a significant factor for the business.- Nintendo Brain Training Professor Explains Why Driving a Manual Transmission Car Is Better for Your Brain Than an AutomaticNeuroscientist Ryuta Kawashima, known for Nintendo's Brain Age series, suggests that driving a manual transmission car may be more beneficial for brain health than driving an automatic. His research indicates this could potentially help prevent dementia.
Games Inbox: Giving up consoles because of PS5 going digital-onlyReaders discuss Sony's potential shift to an all-digital PlayStation 5, with concerns about game ownership, pricing, and accessibility for those with poor internet. Some readers are considering switching to PC or Nintendo, while others see digital as a convenient and inevitable evolution, provided consumer rights are protected.- Donkey Kong Bananza AlarmoNintendo has released a new skin for its alarm clock, featuring the upcoming title Donkey Kong Bananza. The alarm clock's design includes bananas as the colon separating the numbers, hinting at a potential new release alongside the Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong 64 PC recompilation rejects "AI vibe coding" as devs try to build a port of "actually good quality before our competitor releases their poorly made one"Developers working on a PC recompilation of Donkey Kong 64 have announced their project to preempt a potentially lower-quality version being developed by a competitor. The team emphasizes their commitment to high quality, rejecting the use of AI-generated code, and aims to release their version later this summer.
Star Fox review for Nintendo Switch 2This review of Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 praises the remake of Star Fox 64 for its faithful yet transformative approach, delivering stunning visuals and polished gameplay. Developed by Velan Studios and published by Nintendo, the game enhances the classic space shooter experience with modern fidelity and new modes, making it the best iteration of the franchise to date.- Orbitals for Nintendo Switch 2 features full game on cartridgeThe co-op adventure game Orbitals will feature its full content on the cartridge for the Nintendo Switch 2, a relief for physical game collectors. The game is set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3rd.
Why Is Sony Killing Discs? It’s “All About Profitability And Control,” Expert SaysSony will discontinue support for PlayStation game discs in January 2028, citing the increasing share of digital game sales. Analyst Rhys Elliott suggests this move prioritizes profitability and control for Sony by eliminating the second-hand market and encouraging full-price digital purchases. While potentially detrimental to consumers and retailers, the shift could benefit developers by allowing for later submission of final game builds.- Japan: Star Fox sold 41,680 physical copies during its first weekStar Fox for the Nintendo Switch sold 41,680 physical copies in its first week in Japan, reaching the number one sales position. Digital sales figures have not yet been released by Nintendo.
What to do about Game Engines with Rez GrahamThis article discusses the implications of game engine choices, particularly focusing on Unity's controversial per-install fee policy change in late 2023. It explores the downsides of relying on third-party engines and the importance of valuing human assets within game development companies, referencing Nintendo's past leadership under Satoru Iwata as an example of prioritizing employees.
Rhythm Paradise Groove review - Nintendo’s final Switch 1 gameRhythm Paradise Groove marks the final first-party game for the Nintendo Switch, reviving a classic rhythm action series. Despite its minimalist presentation and challenging gameplay, the game offers a deep and rewarding experience with over 80 minigames and multiplayer modes. While the Beatspell mode is underdeveloped and modern TV lag can be an issue, the game successfully captures the surreal charm and precise rhythm gameplay that has defined the series for 20 years.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Another giant US company is looking to expand into gaming claims reportNBCUniversal, the company behind Universal Pictures and the streaming service Peacock, is reportedly considering expanding into the video game business. This potential move comes as the company is preparing for a spin-off from Comcast. While no specific plans have been revealed, NBCUniversal is assessing various growth opportunities, with gaming being one of them.
Game preservation expert says stop killing games if you don't want piracy, because companies like PlayStation and Rockstar "refuse to offer a meaningful alternative"Game preservation expert Frank Cifaldi argues that companies like Sony and Rockstar Games are contributing to piracy by refusing to offer alternatives to digital-only or soon-to-be-discontinued physical game formats. Cifaldi, director of the Video Game History Foundation, stated that piracy is currently the only effective form of game preservation due to industry practices.
Nintendo probably won't ditch physical games just because PlayStation is, analyst predicts: "Nintendo is going…Industry analyst Mat Piscatella predicts Nintendo will not follow Sony's lead in phasing out new physical game releases by 2028. Piscatella stated that Nintendo operates independently and is unlikely to alter its strategy based on competitors' decisions. Despite the industry shift towards digital, Nintendo maintains a strong physical market share, particularly with the Nintendo Switch.- Circana says that it seems unlikely that Nintendo will abandon physical mediaCircana's Mat Piscatella suggests it is unlikely Nintendo will discontinue physical media, despite PlayStation phasing out physical games by 2028 and Xbox potentially following suit with their next console. This comes as speculation arises about Nintendo's future strategy regarding physical game releases.
- Nintendo Could Inherit The Physical Gaming Crown By DefaultSony and Microsoft are rumored to be moving towards digital-only consoles for their next generations, potentially leaving Nintendo as the sole major manufacturer still supporting physical game releases. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella believes Nintendo will continue its own strategy, unaffected by competitors' shifts. While Nintendo Switch has a strong physical market share, a significant portion of its sales are digital, and some physical releases utilize Game-Key Cards, raising concerns about long-term game preservation.