Category: Video Games

Mario Kart World Isn’t the Only Nintendo Switch 2 Game That Costs $80, Some Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games Do as Well

Amid the furore caused by Nintendo’s decision to charge $79.99 for Switch 2 exclusive Mario Kart World, it has emerged that some of the Switch 2 Edition games announced during the Nintendo Direct also cost $79.99.

A Switch 2 Edition of a game goes beyond backwards compatibility. For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Switch 2 Edition comes with a new suite of content called Jamboree TV that takes advantage of the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Switch 2 microphone, and the Switch 2 USB-C camera that will be sold separately. Along with upgraded resolution up to 1440p in TV mode and better frame rate, there are new minigames and online functions as well.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Switch 2 Edition, meanwhile, supports mouse controls with Joy-Con 2, and multiple display modes such as Quality Mode, which runs at 60fps in 4K when docked, or 1080p at 60fps on handheld; and Performance Mode, which runs a 120fps in 1080p when docked, or 120fps in 720p in handheld mode. All modes support HDR.

The Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Star-Crossed World gets new story content, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom gain additional support for the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App that provides game help. Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, only feature performance and resolution bumps as part of the Switch 2 Edition label.

Now, via listings at U.S. retailer Walmart, we know how much fans can expect to pay for some of these Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles.

  • Kirby and The Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World – $79.99
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – $69.99
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – $79.99
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – $79.99

The eye-catching pricing here is that Nintendo is going for the same $80 cost as Mario Kart World, which has already sparked a vociferous debate online. For more context, be sure to check out IGN’s article revealing what the experts have to say about Nintendo’s Switch 2 and Mario Kart World pricing.

Perhaps softening the blow somewhat is the upgrade Nintendo will offer to existing owners of these games on Nintendo Switch. However, Nintendo has yet to reveal how much an upgrade pack costs. We do know some upgrade packs, like the upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, will be included in a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This is the same membership that gives Switch owners access to online features and the classic library.

For more on Nintendo Switch 2 check out all the news announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct as well as how much it costs, and when pre-orders go up.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Shenmue beats Doom as the most influential game of all time in BAFTA poll

The most influential game of all time is Yu Suzuki’s 1999 proto open world Gashapon ’em up Shenmue, according to a public poll held by BAFTA. To claim that top spot in the top five, it beat out Doom, Super Mario Bros, Half-Life, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Minecraft hovered around the winners table laughing loudly at everyone’s jokes at number six. At number 11, Tetris had to sit on a bin because all the chairs had been taken. Dark Souls paced up and down the corridor complaining that everyone had nicked its outfit idea in 18th place, tailed in 19th by Grand Theft Auto 3. Full results below in descending order.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Game Upgrade Pack Prices Seemingly Revealed (Japan)

Here’s the estimated equivalent locally.

Nintendo hasn’t officially revealed the local pricing for Switch 2 game upgrade packs (yet), but it seems the company’s Japanese website might have already given fans a rough idea about what it might cost to enjoy certain past-generation games with various enhancements on the new system.

According to Nintendo’s Japan website, players who already own a game and want to upgrade it can expect to pay between 1,000 to 2,000 yen, which is estimated to equate to about “$10 to $15” (or the regional equivalent).

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Oops, Yoshi’s Woolly World Featured In Switch 2’s “Compatible Switch Games”

What’s going on here?

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct highlighted all sorts of new and existing titles but one of the more interesting discoveries in the American broadcast was artwork for what appears to Yoshi’s Woolly World (officially known as Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World on the 3DS) in the “compatible Nintendo Switch titles”.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle Will Apparently Be A “Limited Time” Offer

“Available while supplies last”.

If you’re considering the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle, you might need to make a decision sooner rather than later.

While this new offering might seem like it’s just a standard offering, it seems it will actually be a “limited time” deal. Yes, according to Nintendo deal will actually be a “limited time production” through to Fall 2025 (at least in the US) and available “while supplies last”.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Every Kirby Game on the Nintendo Switch in 2025

Kirby has been a steadfast Nintendo mascot for 33 years, ever since the character debuted in 1992’s Kirby’s Dream Land for Game Boy. In addition to being a Smash Bros. staple, Kirby and his ever-evolving powers of inhalation have starred in over two dozen games, culminating in the series’ best-selling game to date, Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

As we near the end of Nintendo’s current console generation, we’ve compiled a list of every Kirby game on the Switch as well as new Kirby games coming to the Switch 2.

How Many Kirby Games Are on Switch?

Six Kirby games have been released on Nintendo Switch, while 11 more retro Kirby games are playable with Nintendo Switch Online. The franchise debuted on Switch in 2018 with Kirby Star Allies; its latest release, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, arrived in 2023. A new Kirby game, Kirby Air Riders, will be releasing for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

Every Kirby Game on Switch (in Release Order)

Kirby Star Allies (2018)

Kirby’s Switch debut came in 2018 with Kirby Star Allies. The action-platformer is played with a party of four (multiplayer or local AI) and sees Kirby combine abilities with allies to solve puzzles and enhance combat.

Super Kirby Clash (2019)

Series developer HAL Laboratories and Nintendo brought the pink puff back the following year for the free-to-play Super Kirby Clash. Like Star Allies, Clash is played with a team of four that can be controlled by other human players or AI. Unlike Star Allies, this is not a platformer but rather a standalone boss rush mode; it features a hub world for changing equipment and selecting quests, though the heart of the game is the series of boss fights that serve as those quests.

Kirby Fighters 2 (2020)

A sequel to the 3DS game Kirby Fighters Deluxe (an expanded version of the subgame Kirby Fighters found in Kirby: Triple Deluxe), Kirby Fighters 2 is exactly what it sounds like: a fighting game starring Kirby. It supports up to four players and features Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Gooey, and Magolor as playable characters.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022)

The series’ standout game on Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a post-apocalyptic adventure in which Kirby gets sucked into a wormhole that appears above Dream Land. The Forgotten Land is the series’ first fully 3D platformer, complete with puzzles and Kirby’s signature ability-based combat. It’s the series’ best-selling game to date, selling more than 7.5 million copies by the end of March 2024. There’s even a Switch 2 version of this game currently listed to be available for preorder.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet (2022)

Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a dessert-themed multiplayer game released in 2022. It features three four-player game modes: race, minigame, and battle royale. The modes can be played separately or together as part of Dream Buffet’s Gourmet Grand Prix.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023)

The series’ latest game, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remake of the 2011 Wii game Kirby’s Return to Dream Land. The action-platformer came to Switch with improved visuals, a new easy mode (Helper Magolor), three new abilities (Sand, Mecha, and Festival), and an all-new two-hour adventure called Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler.

Return to Dream Land Deluxe supports local co-op for up to four players, with each player taking control of either Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, or Bandana Waddle Dee.

Kirby Games Available with Nintendo Switch Online

There are 11 Kirby games available with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Those with a regular subscription can play nine Kirby games from NES, SNES, and Game Boy, while those with the more expensive Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription get access to two additional games: Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (GBA) and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64).

Here’s the list of Kirby games playable with Nintendo Switch Online, ordered by initial release date:

A new GameCube library will also be available in the NSO + Expansion Pack membership on Switch 2, which may include Kirby Air Ride.

What’s Next for Kirby on the Switch 2?

The era of Kirby on Switch may be coming to a close, but the character’s journey on the Switch 2 has just begun. Kirby Air Riders was officially announced during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct as a follow-up to the 2003 Kirby Air Ride racing game on GameCube. Masahiro Sakurai, creator of both the Kirby series and Super Smash Bros., returns as director of the new game.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is also on the list of games that will be getting Switch 2 upgrades. The upgrade will take advantage of the Switch 2’s improved specs and includes a new story expansion. Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World will be released on August 28 with a discounted upgrade option for those who owned the original game on Switch.

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

Nintendo Devs Reveal Some Big eShop Improvements On Switch 2

Bring it on!

As if today’s Switch 2 Direct wasn’t enough of an info dump, Nintendo has also published a series of Ask the Developer interviews, so we can get even more details on the upcoming console.

In Chapter 4 of the discussion with Kouichi Kawamoto, Takuhiro Dohta and Tetsuya Sasaki, the chat moves onto the sworded issue of the eShop — something we’re all hoping will see a much-needed spruce up — and, specifically, the improvements that have been implemented on Switch 2.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

When Helldivers 2 was at its lowest, Arrowhead looked to Hello Games and No Man’s Sky to keep their chin up

I’m not sure I’ve seen people swing back and forth on a game so rapidly like they have with Helldivers 2. It’s had a few hiccoughs here and there, which has made for some tough times for developer Arrowhead, at least in terms of battling the accursed “mixed” rating on Steam (and lower). In a recent interview with The Game Business, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani quite accurately noted that it’s been “one heck of a roller coaster year” for Helldivers 2, and also went on to speak about what it was like clawing its way back from low ratings – all the while having to explain to Sony about summer holidays in Sweden.

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When Helldivers 2 was at its lowest, Arrowhead looked to Hello Games and No Man’s Sky to keep their chin up

I’m not sure I’ve seen people swing back and forth on a game so rapidly like they have with Helldivers 2. It’s had a few hiccoughs here and there, which has made for some tough times for developer Arrowhead, at least in terms of battling the accursed “mixed” rating on Steam (and lower). In a recent interview with The Game Business, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani quite accurately noted that it’s been “one heck of a roller coaster year” for Helldivers 2, and also went on to speak about what it was like clawing its way back from low ratings – all the while having to explain to Sony about summer holidays in Sweden.

Read more

How Nintendo Switch 2 Will Improve Switch 1 Games

The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here and as previously reported the Switch 2 will be largely backwards compatible with Switch 1 games. However, there appears to be a concerted effort from Nintendo to introduce specially enhanced versions of Switch 1 games to the Switch 2. And these seem to go beyond just a graphical boost and framerate bump.

What Games are Playable on Switch 2?

As Nintendo breaks down, there will be primarily three types of games playable on the Switch 2. Native Switch 2 games that are developed for the system and cannot be played on the original Switch. Compatible Switch 1 games whose cartridges can slot right into the Switch 2 and be played natively on the console. And Switch 2 Edition games which are Switch 1 games that will receive new features and performance enhancements when played on Switch 2.

This doesn’t include classic games that are available through Nintendo Switch Online which includes a library of games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and now GameCube.

So What Comes in a Switch 2 Edition Game?

The main takeaway from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is that Nintendo appears to be trying to throw in a little extra for anyone playing a Switch 2 Edition of a Switch 1 game.

For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree was a Switch game and the Switch 2 Edition will come with a new suite of content called Jamboree TV that will take advantage of the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Switch 2 microphone, and the Switch 2 USB-C camera that will be sold separately.

Along with upgraded resolution up to 1440p in TV mode and better frame rate, there will be new minigames and online functions as well.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which will be a cross-gen game, will support mouse controls with Joy-Con 2, and multiple display modes like Quality Mode which runs at 60fps in 4K when docked, or 1080p at 60fps on handheld; or Performance Mode which runs a 120fps in 1080p when docked, or 120fps in 720p in handheld mode. All modes will support HDR.

Other Switch 2 Edition titles will get new story content like Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Star-Crossed World add-on, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will gain additional support for the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App that will give you guides and game help.

Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A will only feature performance and resolution bumps as part of the Switch 2 Edition label.

When are the Switch 2 Edition Games Coming?

The Switch 2 is set to be released on June 5, 2025 and that’s around when the first batch of Switch 2 Edition games will arrive.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will get Switch 2 Editions on the day of the console’s launch on June 5, 2025.

Switch 2 Editions for Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV will arrive a little later on July 24, 2025. Same for Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s update which will arrive on August 28, 2025.

Neither Metroid Prime 4: Beyond of Pokemon Legends: Z-A have release dates yet so both Switch 2 Editions are scheduled for sometime in 2025.

How Much Will Switch 2 Editions Cost?

That depends. If you don’t own the Switch 1 version of the game, then you can purchase the Switch 2 Edition at retail, which will be distinct thanks to the new red-colored physical game case. The digital versions will also feature a prominent Switch 2 logo so you know you’re buying the right edition for your Switch 2.

If you own the game on Switch 1 and want the upgrades that will be added in the Switch 2 Edition you will need to purchase an upgrade pack from Nintendo. The upgrade packs will be available at select retailers, the official My Nintendo Store, and Nintendo eShop. However, Nintendo has not revealed how much an upgrade pack will cost just yet.

Some upgrade packs, like the upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be included in a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This is the same membership that gives Switch owners access to online features and the classic library.

So there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about the Switch 2 Editions of a game. We’ve detailed previously how Nintendo is making the jump to the Switch 2 fairly seamless thanks to its backward compatibility stance, and it looks like Nintendo is looking to bolster its launch library with improved versions of Switch classics.

For more on Nintendo Switch 2 check out all the news announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct as well as how much it costs, and when pre-orders go up.

Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.