Nintendo
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Nintendo.
This Week in Switch 2 - Steam Machine price reaction, Star Fox review, and AI ruins everything againThis Week in Switch 2 covers reactions to the Steam Machine's price, a review of Star Fox, and general Nintendo news. The podcast also addresses the use of AI in content creation, with Shacknews staff confirming they do not use generative AI. CEO Asif Khan also shared his background and love for Nintendo.
It's wild of Rockstar to ask us for $80, minimum, without showing a GTA 6 gameplay trailerThe article criticizes Rockstar Games for opening preorders for Grand Theft Auto 6 at a minimum price of $80 without releasing a gameplay trailer. It highlights the frustration of paying a premium for a game whose core mechanics have not been demonstrated, especially with the existence of a more expensive "Ultimate Edition." The author also expresses concern about the potential lack of a PC version at launch and Rockstar's perceived arrogance in this marketing approach.- Save 30% Off Kirby Air Riders for Switch 2 During the Amazon Prime Day SaleKirby Air Riders for the Nintendo Switch is available for 30% off during the Amazon Prime Day Sale. This title features Kirby and friends in a battle-themed kart racing experience.
Microsoft announces even more Xbox Series price increases for 1st AugustMicrosoft is increasing the prices of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles globally starting August 1st, with some models seeing a 33% hike. The company cites rising component costs, particularly for SSDs and memory, as the primary reason for the price adjustments. This follows similar price increases last year and affects consoles worldwide, with specific US pricing detailed.- Japan: Nintendo Switch 2 surpasses sales of base PS5 disc drive modelThe Nintendo Switch has surpassed the sales of the PlayStation 5 model with a disc drive in Japan, according to Famitsu's latest charts. While the Switch has not yet outsold the base PlayStation 5 console (including both models), this marks a significant milestone for Nintendo's hardware.
Xbox announces another console price hike, this time $100 more for the 512 GB and $150 for 1TBMicrosoft is implementing another worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, effective August 1. The 512GB models will increase by $100, and 1TB models by $150, due to rising component and memory costs. The disc-equipped 2TB Xbox Series X is also being discontinued.- US: Nintendo announces the Summer SaleNintendo of America has announced its Summer Sale, coinciding with the release of Star Fox on the Nintendo Switch. The sale offers discounts on various Nintendo Switch titles, including the revamped Star Fox adventure.
Star Fox Is Now Available on Nintendo Switch 2Star Fox, a remake of the classic on-rails shooter Lylat Wars, has launched on Nintendo Switch 2. The game features updated graphics, new voiced cutscenes, and includes familiar characters like Fox McCloud and his father James. It offers Campaign, Challenge, and VS modes, with local and online multiplayer options, and innovative control schemes.
Microsoft raises price of Xbox consoles once again, sunsets 2TB modelMicrosoft is increasing the prices of its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles globally starting August 1, 2026, citing a global memory hardware shortage driven by generative AI companies. The 512GB Xbox Series S will rise by $100 to $499.99, and 1TB models of both consoles will increase by $150, with the 2TB Xbox Series X being discontinued. This follows similar price hikes from Sony and Nintendo, with Microsoft explaining that consoles are typically sold at a loss, making them particularly vulnerable to component cost increases.
Nintendo announces 2026 Summer Sale for Switch 2 and Switch, here’s the full list of dealsNintendo has launched its 2026 Summer Sale, offering discounts on numerous titles for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The sale includes first-party games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Fire Emblem titles, as well as third-party games and DLC. The sale runs until July 8th.- US: Nintendo Switch 2 launch saw a big bump in physical video games soldPhysical video game sales in the United States saw a significant increase following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. This surge in physical sales offers positive news for the market, which has been trending towards digital distribution.
Now Playing at SUPERJUMP, Issue 41This issue of SUPERJUMP's 'Now Playing' features a diverse lineup of games, including the cozy simulation Tiny Bookshop, the Pokémon Trading Card Game with its new Chaos Rising expansion, and classic titles like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX. The article also touches on Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux, Resident Evil Village, and the retro-inspired Mina the Hollower, highlighting personal experiences and game design elements.- US: Nintendo Download for 25th June, 2026Nintendo of America has announced its latest download offerings for the Nintendo Switch, including details on summer sales. The update highlights new content available on the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Download: Prepare for Sortie with Team Star Fox!Nintendo has announced its latest eShop updates for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring new releases like Star Fox, DELTARUNE Chapter 5, and Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition. The company is also promoting summer sales on digital games and offering a bonus month for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships.
Nintendo Download – June 25, 2026 (North America) – Star Fox, Namco Legendary Mountains, moreThe North American Nintendo Download for the week of June 25, 2026, features new releases on the Nintendo eShop, including Star Fox and Namco Legendary Mountains for the Nintendo Switch 2. The report also details ongoing summer sales for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems, as well as special in-game events for Pokémon Pokopia and Tetris 99.
Few things get me excited like these big GTA 6 moments, but we need to talk about digital game ownership - and fastThe author expresses excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming release, particularly its promotional screenshots, but pivots to discuss concerns about digital game ownership and pricing. The article critiques the move away from physical discs, the potential for revoked licenses, and the increasing cost of games, arguing for a consumer right to true ownership rather than just a license.
Circana: Nintendo Switch 2 helped US physical game spending increase year-on-year for first time since 2009US physical game spending saw a 3% year-on-year increase to $1.6 billion for the 12 months ending May 2026, marking the first rise since 2009. Market tracker Circana attributes this to the "Switch 2 bump," with physical software sales on Nintendo platforms up 26%, though other ecosystems continue to decline. This is considered a likely temporary blip before physical drives are phased out.- Xbox CEO says Call of Duty is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic UniverseXbox CEO Phil Spencer stated that the Call of Duty franchise is more popular than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also confirmed that the next Call of Duty title will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting Xbox's strategy to leverage its acquired IPs like those from Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy maestro Tetsuya Nomura says Super Mario 64 "truly shaped my current guiding…Tetsuya Nomura, known for his work on Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, revealed that Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64 was the primary inspiration for his guiding principle of enabling free movement in full 3D. He contrasted this with the development of Final Fantasy 7 on PlayStation 1, where only characters were 3D and backgrounds were rendered images, limiting free exploration.
Nintendo gives update on its new Technology Development Center, plus a first lookNintendo has provided an update on its new Technology Development Center, located in Kyoto, Japan. This facility, previously referred to as "Corporate Headquarters Development Center, Building No. 2 (tentative name)", will serve as a new base for the company's software and hardware research and development. It is expected to be completed by March 2029 and will include development servers and other infrastructure for future R&D.