Welcome to a new episode where we break down the most talked-about preview from Pokemon Worlds 2025: the Pokemon Legends: Z-A demo!
Attendees got their hands on this highly anticipated title, and the insights are pouring in. This demo, split into two thrilling segments, provided a first look at the game's groundbreaking real-time combat system.
Gone are the traditional turn-based battles; instead, trainers must think on the fly, managing moves with cooldowns, actively dodging attacks, and even utilizing stealth attacks for tactical advantages against trainers.
We also dive deep into the revamped Mega Evolution mechanics, which require players to collect "Mega Energy" orbs during battles to activate and sustain these powerful transformations, especially when facing formidable "Rogue Mega Pokémon" boss fights.
Beyond the combat, we explore the visuals and performance on the Switch 2, noting a "buttery smooth" 60 frames per second and significant artistic improvements, including the use of ambient occlusion and a unique "hand-drawn" aesthetic that aims for a cohesive visual experience.
While Lumios City's visual density is praised, some concerns about its overall blandness and the map's apparent size are discussed.
We’ll also touch on returning features like held items and the early game introduction of characters like AZ and Zygarde 10%.
Join us as we unpack whether this demo truly indicates the series is heading into its next generation, bringing a much-needed reinvention to the world of Pokémon!
Today, we're navigating the highly anticipated launch of Star Wars Outlaws on Nintendo Switch 2, officially confirmed for September 4, 2025.
We'll dive into this open-world action-adventure, where you'll experience an original scoundrel story and embark on high-stakes missions as one of the galaxy's most wanted.
We'll explore the unique features for the Switch 2, including intuitive touch controls for menu navigation and select minigames, an optimized handheld mode, and immersive motion controls for key features, alongside new alternate controls exclusive to the system.
Plus, we'll break down the exciting content in the Gold Edition, which includes the base game and the Season Pass, featuring story packs like 'Wild Card' where Kay teams up with Lando Calrissian, and 'A Pirate's Fortune' with legendary pirate Hondo Ohnaka.
But it's not all hyperspace jumps and clear skies – the game's reveal at the July 31st Partner Direct created a complex and nuanced reaction, with concerns raised about resolution, texture quality, and framerate compared to other console versions.
Is the convenience of playing a sprawling Star Wars epic on the go worth the graphical trade-offs? Let's discuss!
On today's episode, we're unpacking the big news from Square Enix's recent Nintendo Direct on July 31st, 2025. Square Enix unveiled two major titles from its internal Team Asano studio: OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
First up, OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0, an HD-2D turn-based RPG featuring a standalone story set before the critically-acclaimed OCTOPATH TRAVELER, is launching on December 4, 2025. For the first time in the series, players can customize their own protagonist and rebuild their destroyed hometown.
This game builds upon the story of the mobile game OCTOPATH TRAVELER: Champions of the Continent, and we'll discuss the cautious optimism surrounding its mobile origins and new features, despite overall positive fan reception.
We'll also briefly touch on The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, a brand-new single-player action RPG with a free "debut demo" available now for Nintendo Switch 2, and set to release in 2026.
Stay tuned for all the details on these exciting new adventures!
Today, we're dissecting a recent announcement that's ignited passion and debate across the gaming world: Persona 3 Reload is officially making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 23, 2025!
Revealed during the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025, this highly anticipated release brings the acclaimed RPG to Nintendo's next-generation console, promising to leverage the Switch 2's updated hardware specifications, including 4K support, higher CPU/GPU performance, and increased memory bandwidth, which were previously performance concerns for the original Switch.
Players can look forward to additional scenes, new party interactions, and fully voiced cutscenes and Social Link routes.
However, the excitement for this modern reimagining has been tempered by some significant points of contention. We'll be diving into the mixed reception surrounding publisher Atlus's decision to sell the "Episode Aigis" downloadable content (DLC) as a separate purchase, despite it being a significant extension to the original story.
Plus, the choice to release the physical edition as a "Game-Key card"—meaning a download code instead of a traditional cartridge—has drawn considerable ire from collectors and those with limited internet access. Join us as we explore the thrills and frustrations of Persona 3 Reload's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 launch!
Join us as we dive deep into Nintendo's latest Partner Showcase Direct from July 31, 2025! We'll break down the slew of third-party titles announced for both the Nintendo Switch and the highly anticipated Switch 2, focusing on established franchises and long-awaited sequels.
Discover major reveals like Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection and Once Upon a Katamari, alongside highly anticipated ports and remakes such as Persona 3 Reload making its way to Switch 2, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. Action game enthusiasts can look forward to the new Dynasty Warriors-style Zelda spin-off, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and the adrenaline-pumping Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. Other notable announcements include Just Dance 2026 Edition, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, and the latest sports titles, EA Sports FC 26 and EA Sports Madden NFL 26. Plus, remakes of the Yakuza titles, Yakuza Kiwami & Yakuza Kiwami 2, and the battle royale phenomenon Apex Legends are set to arrive.
We'll highlight Square Enix's impressive showing, featuring the brand-new action RPG The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, the prequel Octopath Traveler 0, plus the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven.
But what really defines a Switch 2 exclusive? We clarify which games are truly unique to the new console, discussing titles confirmed as Switch 2 exclusives like Madden NFL 26 (launching August 14, 2025), Cronos: The New Dawn (September 5, 2025), Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 (November 13, 2025), Octopath Traveler 0 (December 4, 2025), and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (2026). We'll differentiate these from titles like Persona 3 Reload, which is a port of a game available on other platforms since February 2024. We also celebrate the current "true," first-party Switch 2 exclusives: the critically acclaimed Donkey Kong Bananza (hailed as a "masterpiece" with a stellar 91 on Metacritic!) and Mario Kart World. Plus, find out when to expect the next true exclusive, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, confirmed for a "Winter" release, which typically means sometime between December 2025 and March 2026.
Finally, we tackle the burning question: what's the deal with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond? While Nintendo officially gave the game a 2025 release window during its re-reveal, its complete absence from recent showcases has led many fans and industry insiders to believe that a 2026 release is now the most likely scenario.
Tune in for a comprehensive look at the vibrant future of Nintendo gaming!
In this episode, we're diving deep into the unexpected quiet period following the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
Despite a robust April 2025 Nintendo Direct promising over 50 games, the post-launch landscape has been remarkably sparse, especially in terms of true Switch 2 exclusives. We'll unpack why this lull is so surprising for a Nintendo console launch year.
While Donkey Kong Bananza, released July 17, 2025, has been hailed as a critical success and "one of Nintendo’s best inventions in years", it and Mario Kart World—which has been criticized as being "more of the same but shinier"—are the only two true Switch 2 exclusives to date.
Adding to the mystery, major upcoming titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A (October 16, 2025) is also releasing on Switch 1, so not an exclusive. And then Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is confirmed for Switch 2, but doesn't have a release date yet, and is rumoured to be slipping into 2026 possibly.
We'll explore various theories behind Nintendo's seemingly deliberate silence, from strategic pacing to focus on current releases, development constraints, or even waiting for a bigger reveal.
Tune in as we try to make sense of this unprecedented post-launch strategy and what it means for the future of the Nintendo Switch 2!
Donkey Kong Bananza has surprised many, with some reviewers like Cyanize calling it their "game of the year" after just five hours.
However, it's acknowledged that the game has a "slow start" that can be "a little disorienting at first". gameranx notes the opening sections are "pretty mindless" and "kind of ugly".
Nintendo Life's Felix echoed this, finding the initial intro not very pretty and the early destruction "wasn't really doing it for me". Despite this, the game quickly transforms into "one of the best and one of the more innovative platformers".
The Bananza transformations are a highlight, described by TechRadar's Dashiell Wood as adding "new mechanics and abilities that help shake things up", with Cyanize even referring to one as a "Super Banana Saiyan" form that is "powerful" and satisfying.
However, IGN's Logan Plant and Empire's Matt Kamen point out that the abundance of "Bananergy" can make these powerful transformations "sometimes too powerful" and "trivialize otherwise interesting puzzles".
Early boss battles are also noted as "incredibly easy" by Nintendo Life's Zeon and Felix, though they become more challenging later in the game. Despite these minor critiques, the game's depth of mechanics and wealth of content are universally celebrated.
In this episode, we dive into the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch release of Monument Valley 3, confirmed for July 22, 2025, on the Nintendo eShop worldwide.
Discover why fans are overflowing with nostalgia and excitement for this "masterpiece" puzzle game, with many calling it "so relaxing" and "cozy fun" to play on Switch, especially after its initial release as a Netflix Games exclusive.
We'll explore what makes Monument Valley unique, from its "breathtaking but seemingly impossible landscapes" and "conceptual bravery" to its "meditative and calming puzzle" experience, setting it apart from other games.
Get ready to guide a new hero, Noor, through evolving worlds, featuring the series' first-ever freely sailable boats and fresh puzzle mechanics.
We'll also look at its initial iOS reviews, which garnered a Metascore of 74 ("Mixed or Average") from critics, though user scores have been "Generally Favorable" at 8.3.
Finally, learn what to expect from this third installment, including promised future "major chapter updates," as it completes your Monument Valley collection on the Nintendo Switch.
Today, we're diving into a landmark legal battle brewing in Brazil, where the country's Consumer Protection and Defense Program (Procon-SP) is directly challenging Nintendo's powerful policies.
At the heart of the dispute is Nintendo's End User License Agreement (EULA) for the new Switch 2 console, which Procon-SP has declared "abusive" under Brazilian law.
This EULA reportedly grants Nintendo the ability to "brick" or permanently disable consoles for violations, such as using unauthorized accessories or pirated software, and even prohibits consumers from filing lawsuits against the company.
We'll explore why this case is so significant, impacting everything from your ownership rights to the used console market, where unsuspecting buyers have already acquired inoperable devices.
Stay tuned as we unpack this global consumer rights flashpoint.
Welcome to our latest episode, "Nintendo's New Rules: Do You Still Own Your Games?" In a digital age where buying often feels more like renting, Nintendo has just dropped a bombshell with its updated user agreement. We're diving deep into the changes that have the gaming world buzzing, specifically addressing the burning question: When you "buy" a Nintendo game, are you truly owning it, or merely acquiring a temporary license?
Join us as we unpack the aggressive new language that allows Nintendo to not only ban your account but potentially render your entire Switch console "permanently unusable" if you're caught violating their terms. Is this an overreach, or a necessary step for a company known for its iron-fisted approach to piracy and unauthorized modifications? We'll explore the implications of "bricking" devices, consider the enforceability of these sweeping End-User License Agreements (EULAs), and draw parallels to other "perpetual" software licenses that have left users feeling shortchanged.
From concerns about e-waste to the future of game preservation and the homebrew community, we're asking: Has Nintendo gone too far? Tune in to understand what these new rules mean for your gaming library and your console, and whether true ownership in gaming is becoming a thing of the past.
Welcome to our deep dive into the most talked-about console release of the year: the Nintendo Switch 2. It's a system that has sparked passionate debate, with a fascinating split in opinion between hardware experts and the broader gaming community.
On one side, you have the meticulous reviewers, like those from Digital Foundry, who've raised significant concerns about the display. They describe the LCD screen as "not particularly good", citing problematic motion blur and slower pixel response times than even the original 2017 Switch LCD, leading to a "dreadful" or "laggy" experience, especially in 2D games. The HDR implementation is also deemed insufficient, topping out at just over 400 nits without local dimming zones, making it "far too low for an HDR presentation". Reviewers also found the virtual game card system to be "convoluted" and a "drag", causing "a lot of hassle" for managing digital libraries. While appreciating the efficiency and build, they've noted minor issues like some Joy-Con play and the limited number of major new launch titles.
Yet, the community often presents a strikingly different picture. Many users, particularly those upgrading from the original LCD Switch or new to the ecosystem, are "pleasantly surprised" and "happy with the screen", finding it "bright and vibrant" and a "big improvement" over the Switch 1. For them, the Switch 2 is "absolutely worth it", praising its role as a "no-brainer" upgrade. The performance boost for Switch 1 games is a huge selling point, with many reporting that older titles "run like a dream" with improved frame rates and load times. Features like magnetic Joy-Cons, mouse mode, and the "game-changing" integrated game chat with impressive voice isolation are also highly praised. The price is often considered fair, especially in comparison to other portable gaming devices.
So, what's really going on with Nintendo's latest console? Join us as we unpack the vastly different takes.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 actually the 'Switch Pro' you've always dreamed of for your existing Switch 1 library, right out of the box?
Nintendo might have greatly undersold the backwards compatibility of the system, but our extensive testing reveals something truly remarkable. Many original Switch games, even those without receiving any sort of official update by its developer, are now running at a locked 60 frames per second. Forget the disappointing performance or absolutely god awful experiences you might remember; these titles are now playing far better, often with sharper pictures, higher resolutions, and drastically cut down loading times.
We’ll explore how games like Bayonetta 3 and Disgaea 6 go from struggling to offering a massive improvement. Hear how Saints Row III and Red Faction Guerilla, once plagued by inconsistent frame rates and visual compromises, are now transformed into a buttery smooth experience. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised and in some cases shocked at how well these games are running, often playing as they truly were intended on the new hardware.
Join us to discover why the Switch 2 is the unofficial 'Pro' for your Switch 1 library, delivering significant upgrades that you simply have to hear to believe. Tune in now!
What's got the Pokémon fandom buzzing, raging, and maybe a little bit teary-eyed?
Well, the impossible has finally been achieved: a stable frame rate for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! But hold your Poké Balls, because while the games are now undeniably "playable", the internet is absolutely on fire with outrage! Why? Because this "fix" is effectively a "$450 patch"!
Let's be real, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, released in 2022, launched as a "broken and unfinished" mess, famously "held together by glue and strings" on the original Switch 1.
The community was raging, asking: Was this just Nintendo counting on fanatic Pokémon fans to overlook the glaring issues, knowing that the "Pokémon brand" is "too powerful" and "people are going to play this game no matter what"?
Many players stopped playing due to the many performance issues. Now, provided you've invested in a Switch 2, these problems are fixed. All good, right? Wrong...
Join us as we dive deep into the comments section, analyze the ongoing controversy, and ask the burning question: Is a "playable" Pokémon Scarlet and Violet worth the "$450 fix"?Let's get into this raging online conversation!
In this episode, we're peeling back the layers of hype surrounding Donkey Kong Bananza, the unexpected Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that has taken the gaming world by storm.
Many are declaring it to have strong 'Super Mario Odyssey 2' vibes, delivering everything players wanted from a 3D Mario game this year, but with Donkey Kong at the helm.
Join us as we explore the game's surprising depth, from the pivotal role of a young Pauline as a companion — sparking theories of a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey — to innovative mechanics like extensive destructible environments, a robust skill tree, and wild transformations that offer a whole new level of destructive power and exploration.
Is Donkey Kong Bananza truly poised to be the major flagship title for 2025, bringing the Donkey Kong franchise to an unprecedented level of sales and critical acclaim? Tune in to find out if Donkey Kong has indeed stepped into Mario's spotlight and delivered a truly bananas experience!
When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 with its promising 4K capabilities and docked HDR support, many of us envisioned a seamless visual upgrade on our big screens.
But the reality for countless users has been far from smooth, sparking a massive community effort to figure out what's going on, and more importantly, how to fix it!.
In this episode, we're diving deep into the widespread frustrations and surprising successes of Switch 2 HDR calibration, all through the lens of community feedback. What are players truly experiencing?
Many are reporting a 'washed out' or 'desaturated' look, with highlights often 'blown out'. This issue is particularly prevalent for those whose TVs lack HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) support or have dynamic tone mapping enabled.
Join us as we unpack these community insights, sharing both the frustrations and the workarounds that gamers are discovering to unlock the best possible HDR picture on their Switch 2.
Nintendo's Tears of the Kingdom is back with a shiny new coat on the Switch 2, promising "buttery smooth" performance and enhanced visuals. But are players cheering or crying over the cost? Join us as we dive deep into the community reaction to the "Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2 Edition."
Commenters aren't holding back, debating intensely whether the cost of the game/console itself is justified. Many argue the performance boost, offering "locked 4k60fps" or at least much smoother gameplay, is a "dream upgrade" or finally makes the game "playable". They praise the sharper image and improved visuals.
However, the sentiment of "Tears of the wallet" is strong. Critics feel this "should have been a free update", questioning "What work, exactly, did they put into this upgrade to justify this price?". The absence of a Master Mode is a frequent point of contention, seen as a "missed opportunity" or even "criminal lowkey".
We'll explore the mixed feelings about the included Zelda Notes app, which some find helpful for completionists or lore, while others feel it's a "gimmick" or just "stupid", questioning why features aren't integrated directly into the game.
We'll also touch on the common thread of players revisiting the game, some feeling burnt out or suffering "BotW fatigue", but now motivated to start fresh or finish the game on the new hardware.
Is this simply Nintendo "milking it" with "anti-consumer" practices? Or is it a "fantastic upgrade" that makes a "masterpiece" even better? Tune in for the full breakdown of the community's passionate and divided opinions!
Despite a vocal online minority attempting to 'rage-bait' and call for boycotts over price increases, the Nintendo Switch 2 has definitively proven them wrong. Selling over 3.5 million units in just four days, the Switch 2 is now the fastest-selling Nintendo hardware ever globally, and very likely the fastest-selling game console of all time.
Welcome to our podcast, where we're unpacking the significant controversy surrounding the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This title is designed as an interactive instruction manual, blending minigames and tech demos to highlight the new console's coolest features in a hands-on way. However, the biggest talking point is its price: it costs $10 (or the equivalent in other regions like €10 or £8).
The sources reveal widespread frustration and disbelief from both a reviewer and commenters who argue that this type of software should be included for free with the console. Many point to Sony's Astro's Playroom, a free pack-in game for the PS5 that served a similar purpose and was highly praised. Nintendo's own history is also brought up, particularly the fact that Wii Sports was successfully bundled with the Wii in Western markets, a decision that reportedly required significant negotiation by Reggie Fils-Aimé.
The review itself describes the execution as a "muddled collection of quaint distractions and missed opportunities". While the minigames can be "briefly amusing," they didn't inspire high scores or completionism. The review rated it a 5 out of 10, calling it "mediocre", and stated it was "not worth your money" and would only be "barely worth your time" even if it were a free pack-in. Many commenters agreed or felt the score was too high for paid software that feels like a basic tech demo or e-manual.
Compounding the issue, fully experiencing or achieving 100% completion in the Welcome Tour reportedly requires additional peripherals such as a Pro controller, a camera, or a 4K TV. This makes the initial $10 price potentially just the beginning of the necessary investment.
Critics and commenters frequently label the decision to charge for this as a "money grab", an act of "greed", and evidence that Nintendo is "losing its love for creativity & becoming more of a company about maximizing profit". Some feel it's "disgusting", "insane", and "absolutely ridiculous" to pay for a tutorial or advertisement.
However, a few voices in the comments did express enjoyment, finding it fun, decent, or interesting despite the price, although they often conceded it should have been free. One commenter suggested it might appeal more to "developers, Nintendo enthusiasts, and video gaming enthusiasts" rather than general "gamers".
Join us as we explore these perspectives and debate whether the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a disappointing misstep, a sign of corporate greed, or a niche experience worth the ten dollars.
In this episode, we unpack the latest seismic shifts in the portable gaming landscape. We've just witnessed the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th, swiftly followed by Microsoft's reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds on June 8th. While both are powerful new portable gaming systems, they represent fundamentally different visions for how players access and enjoy games on the go.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is presented as the "experience machine". It continues Nintendo's tradition of bespoke hardware, offering significant advancements like a larger 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display, 4K output when docked, and innovative new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. Nintendo's launch strategy takes a "curated approach", prioritizing a polished and stable library from day one. The launch lineup includes one major new first-party system-seller, Mario Kart World, alongside enhanced "Switch 2 Editions" of beloved titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, receiving performance boosts. It also features high-profile third-party ports such as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Street Fighter 6, and Hogwarts Legacy. This ensures a high-quality initial offering and positions the Switch 2 as an investment in future masterpieces and unique exclusives only found in Nintendo's "Walled Garden". It launched at $499.99 and is backwards compatible with most existing Switch games. This device is primarily aimed at families and players who prioritize Nintendo's iconic franchises and the seamless ease of a dedicated console.
Just days later, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X were revealed, set for a Holiday 2025 release. These handhelds are characterized as the "content machine" and embody an "Open Universe" philosophy. Their core strength lies in the incredible value of Game Pass, offering immediate access to a vast, rotating library, including new Xbox Game Studios titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and South of Midnight the day they launch. This "all-you-can-eat" model prioritizes sheer choice and variety. Crucially, running Windows means players aren't limited to Game Pass; they can access games from various PC storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net. The devices feature an aggregated gaming library within an immersive Xbox full screen experience to consolidate these titles. Powered by AMD Ryzen AI processors, they support native play, cloud gaming via Game Pass Ultimate, and Remote Play, and integrate Xbox Play Anywhere. While pricing isn't announced, they are expected to cost over $650, with value derived from the vast library accessible through Game Pass and PC sales. These handhelds are largely aimed at PC gaming enthusiasts and those already invested in the PC/Xbox ecosystem.
This isn't a traditional console war. Instead, we see a clear strategic divergence between Nintendo's Walled Garden with its curated, exclusive experiences and Xbox's Open Universe offering colossal library access and flexibility. Both are brilliant strategies because they are laser-focused on different, specific audiences. The handheld market is now more competitive and diverse than ever before!
Join us as we break down these two distinct paths in portable gaming and what they mean for players deciding where to spend their handheld time!
Cyberpunk 2077, a game known for pushing the limits of even high-end gaming PCs, is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. How is this seemingly impossible port achieved on a console with relatively modest hardware compared to systems designed with the game in mind, like the PS5, Xbox Series, and high-end PCs? Nvidia's AI-powered DLSS technology is a key factor, acting as a "game-changer" for the Switch 2.
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI upscaling technology that leverages the GPU's Tensor Cores to improve performance and image quality in real time. It can take a frame rendered at a lower resolution and upscale it using AI to increase visual fidelity, allowing machines with modest specs to output frames at much higher resolutions than they are rendering internally. This technology also helps increase frame rates by generating additional frames.
Digital Foundry reports that the Switch 2 will support multiple DLSS modes, including DLAA, 1X, 2X, and 3X, which are likely equivalents to PC's performance, balanced, and quality presets. DLSS definitely increases the quality achievable on both handheld and TV modes. While the Switch 2 is not a high-end PC, DLSS, combined with other advancements like faster IO performance from UFS storage and MicroSD Express cards, and more RAM compared to previous generation consoles, helps the Cyberpunk 2077 version run better than it did on PS4 and Xbox One.
Join us as we delve into the technical challenges of bringing a demanding title like Cyberpunk 2077 to the Switch 2 and explore how DLSS acts as the key enabling technology, allowing players to experience this vast open world on Nintendo's new hybrid console.
