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Nintendo
Nintendo is actively expanding its Switch 2 ecosystem with new releases, classic game re-releases, and music additions, while managing price increases and regulatory-driven hardware changes in Europe.
Synthesized from 30
Yomimono stories · updated
2d ago
Nintendo's recent activity centers on the Nintendo Switch 2, which has become the second best-selling home console in US history in its first year, with 5.9 million units sold. The platform's library is growing through both new titles and re-releases. Splatoon Raiders, the first spin-off in the Splatoon series, launched on July 23 and debuted at number one in Japan with 474,684 first-week sales. Star Fox, a remake of Star Fox 64, released on June 25 with an 81 Metascore, and Super Mario Sunshine joined the GameCube Nintendo Classics lineup on August 13. The company also added two previously unreleased Virtual Boy games, ZERO RACERS and Dragon Hopper, to the Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics service on August 4.
Nintendo has been pairing game releases with soundtrack additions on its Nintendo Music service. The Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars soundtrack arrived on the game's launch day, July 2, and the Super Mario Sunshine soundtrack followed on August 13. The service also added the full Super Famicom SimCity soundtrack on August 21, the first complete version of that score. The Nintendo Music development team won the Sound Best Award at CEDEC Awards 2026, part of a sweep that saw Donkey Kong Bananza take three other categories.
Nintendo has also faced price increases and regulatory changes. Nintendo Switch Online subscription prices rose on July 1, with 12-month individual plans going from 2,400 yen to 3,000 yen. The Switch 2 console itself rose from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen in May, and microSD Express cards for the system were quietly raised from 6,980 yen to 8,980 yen in August. In Europe, Nintendo will release a revised Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery in fall 2026 to comply with EU regulations, and original Switch models will be discontinued there after February 2027.
Key facts
- Switch 2 US first-year sales
- 5.9 million units, second-highest for any home console in US history ↗
- Splatoon Raiders first-week sales in Japan
- 474,684 copies, debuting at number one ↗
- Star Fox remake release
- Released June 25, 2026, for Switch 2, with an 81 Metascore ↗
- Super Mario Sunshine on GameCube Nintendo Classics
- Added August 13, 2026, for Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack ↗
- Virtual Boy unreleased games
- ZERO RACERS and Dragon Hopper added to Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics on August 4, 2026 ↗
- Nintendo Switch Online price increase
- 12-month individual plan rose from 2,400 yen to 3,000 yen on July 1, 2026 ↗
- Switch 2 console price increase
- Rose from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen in May 2026 ↗
- EU battery regulation
- Revised Switch 2 with user-replaceable battery launches in Europe in fall 2026; original Switch sales end there after February 2027 ↗
- Nintendo Music day-one soundtrack
- Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars soundtrack added on the game's launch day, July 2, 2026 ↗
- CEDEC Awards 2026 sweep
- Donkey Kong Bananza won three Best Awards; Nintendo Music team won Sound, giving Nintendo all four categories ↗
Timeline
- Aug 21, 2026 Nintendo Music Adds Full SimCity Super Famicom Soundtrack
- Aug 18, 2026 Pictonico! Free Mini-Games Rise to 10 Until September 15
- Aug 17, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards Rise 2,000 Yen at Nintendo Store
- Aug 14, 2026 Splatoon 3 Adds PET Shooter Replica With Raiders Clear Save Data
- Aug 13, 2026 Super Mario Sunshine Joins GameCube Nintendo Classics on Switch 2
- Aug 9, 2026 This Week's New Game Releases: Oblivion Remastered, Arknights, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam
- Aug 7, 2026 Inti Creates Shows Gunvolt GX Trailer for Switch 2 Edition
- Aug 4, 2026 Splatoon Raiders Debuts at Top of Japan's Game Rankings
- Aug 2, 2026 Unreleased Virtual Boy Games ZERO RACERS and Dragon Hopper Arrive August 4
- Aug 1, 2026 Super Mario Sunshine Joins GameCube Nintendo Classics on August 13
- Jul 26, 2026 This Week's New Games: Halo Remake, Xenoblade 2 Switch 2 Edition, and More
- Jul 24, 2026 Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Gets New Costumes, M.O.M.O. Blade
- Jul 23, 2026 Donkey Kong Bananza Wins Three Best Awards at CEDEC Awards 2026
- Jul 22, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 Splatoon Raiders Set Released Today
- Jul 22, 2026 Tsunku Opens Up About 11-Year Wait for Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars
- Jul 16, 2026 Minna de Kuuki Yomi. 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Packaged Version Launches October 29
- Jul 16, 2026 Fit Boxing 3 Switch 2 Edition Launches with Ensemble Stars DLC
- Jul 13, 2026 LEGO Game Boy Set with Mario and Zelda Cartridges on Sale for Prime Day
- Jul 7, 2026 Improved Nintendo Switch 2 to Launch in Europe in Fall 2026 with Replaceable Battery
- Jul 6, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 Gets User-Replaceable Battery in EU, Original Switch Sales End in 2027
- Jul 2, 2026 Nintendo Music Adds 7 Songs From Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars
- Jun 30, 2026 Splatoon Raiders Direct Previews Enemies, Gadgets, and Multiplayer
- Jun 29, 2026 Nintendo Switch Online Prices Rise July 1, Current Rate Extensions Available
- Jun 29, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 Game Chat Backend Uses WebRTC SFU and DynamoDB
- Jun 28, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 Becomes Second Best-Selling Console in US History in First Year
- Jun 27, 2026 Game Dev Story++ Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Released Today
- Jun 25, 2026 Star Fox Switch 2 Gets Day-One Update Adding Battle Mode and Avatar Settings
- Jun 24, 2026 Star Fox Remake for Switch 2 Earns 81 Metascore on Launch Day
- Jun 24, 2026 Star Fox, a Remake of Star Fox 64, Released on Switch 2
- Jun 24, 2026 Azure Striker Gunvolt Triangle Edition Switch 2 Edition Launches October 22
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Licensed by
- Nintendo of Europe (Europe) · 2026-10-10
- Announced
- Nintendo Switch 2 Choose Your Game Set bundle · 2026-10-06
- Announced
- Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition console · 2026-09-08
- Announced
- details on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct 2026.9.8) · 2026-09-07
- Announced
- The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct will stream on September 8 at 11:00 PM Japan time, and Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 will air on September 9 at 11:00 PM · 2026-09-04
- Announced
- PET Shooter Replica weapon will be added to Splatoon 3 (August 14) · 2026-08-14
- Noted
- streamed an overview trailer for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave · 2026-09-14
- Noted
- Pro Controller with display stand and a carrying case with screen protection sheet opened for reservation · 2026-09-09
- Noted
- console is already sold out at the Nintendo Store · 2026-09-09
- Noted
- aired The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct · 2026-09-08
- Noted
- has not issued a statement about the use of its assets · 2026-09-07
- Noted
- Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 will air on September 9 at 11:00 PM for roughly 45 minutes. · 2026-09-04
- Noted
- Nintendo released its Halloween Super Mario merchandise on September 4 at Nintendo TOKYO, OSAKA, KYOTO, and FUKUOKA, plus the Nintendo Store online shop. · 2026-09-04
- Noted
- distributed a free update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe · 2026-09-02
- Noted
- released version 1.2.0 of Pikmin 3 Deluxe on September 1, 2026 · 2026-09-01
- Noted
- Improved versions of Joy-Con 2, Joy-Con, and Pro Controller are also planned. · 2026-07-07
- Noted
- The original Switch and Switch Lite will not get improved versions and will be discontinued in Europe after February 2027. · 2026-07-07
- Noted
- submitted seven DMCA takedown notices to GitHub in a single day, removing more than 400 Nintendo Switch emulator repositories · 2026-08-29
- Noted
- The sweep targeted forks of the defunct Yuzu emulator, copies of the successor Suyu, and repositories tied to other emulators · 2026-08-29
- Noted
- cited unauthorized use of cryptographic keys and referenced two court rulings, including its 2024 lawsuit against Yuzu's developers · 2026-08-29
- Noted
- The single-day sweep shows Nintendo still enforcing against Switch emulators years after Yuzu's shutdown · 2026-08-29
- Noted
- the takedown notice processing entire fork networks, including 311 Suyu repositories at once · 2026-08-29
- Release
- music_video · 2026-08-21 · 2026-08-21
Connections
- Produces
- nintendo music, mario kart world, nintendo switch sports resort, tomodachi collection wakuwaku life, kao luigi, kao peach, the legend of zelda ocarina of time, mario kart live home circuit, meccha chameleon, xenoblade chronicles 3, paper mario, pictonico, nintendo switch online, star fox, super mario sunshine, splatoon raiders, zero racers, dragon hopper, virtual boy nintendo classics, donkey kong bananza, rhythm heaven miracle stars, the legend of zelda, super family restaurant, donkey kong 64, pikmin bloom
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/nintendo.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about Nintendo was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed Nintendo Switch 2 Choose Your Game Set bundle 6d ago · source
- Confirmed details on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Sep 18 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Donkey Kong Bananza Sep 4 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Nintendo Switch Online Sep 2 · source
- Debunked Nintendo produces Nintendo Switch 2 Sep 1 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Aug 31 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Aug 31 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Pictonico! Jun 21 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Mario Kart World Jun 18 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Nintendo Music Jun 18 · source
- Confirmed Nintendo produces Pikmin Bloom Jun 3 · source
All coverage
2d ago
A device believed to be the battery-swappable Nintendo Switch 2 headed for Europe appeared in a US FCC certification dated October 8, carrying the model number BEE-001(-01). Nintendo has said it will move the Switch 2 and several controllers to user-replaceable batteries for European battery rules, limited to regions where Nintendo of Europe operates. Separately, Japan's certification database shows BEE-021(-01) added to the Switch 2 GameCube controller on September 10.
3d ago
Universal Studios Japan is selling new winter apparel tied to its Super Nintendo World area through the official USJ online store. The lineup includes sweaters carrying a large design of Bowser's Castle or Peach's Castle on the front, described as ugly sweaters, priced at 12,000 yen each in unisex M and L sizes. Socks round out the range: Bob-omb Thick Socks at 2,300 yen and two types of Room Socks featuring Boos, ? Blocks, and Super Stars at 2,100 yen each. The Thick Socks and both Room Socks types are sold only to park visitors. Separately, a Yoshi plush keychain is on sale for 2,800 yen, with Yoshi gripping the chain in one hand in a pose that reads as mid-motion, as if about to jump. All items are Super Mario goods sold via the USJ online store.
3d ago
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, set for release on November 5, 2026, carries a CERO B rating (ages 12 and up) with four content icons: Sexual, Violence, Fear, and Crime. The Nintendo 64 original and the 3DS version Ocarina of Time 3D were both rated CERO A for all ages. The US ESRB rating is E10+, the same as the 3DS version, but it drops the Suggestive Themes descriptor.
3d ago
Nintendo added the soundtrack of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask to Nintendo Music on October 9, 2026. All 111 tracks are available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers through the service on iOS and Android. The set includes the Clock Town background music for Days 1 through 3, the ocarina's "Song of Time," and the background music of Rockville Temple. The game released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000.
4d ago
A jailbreak tool called PS5 Relapse Exploit supports PlayStation 5 firmware versions 7.00 to 13.60, which includes version 13.60 released in July 2026. That range covers consoles currently on the market as long as updates are not applied. A second tool, PS5CEMU-HAR, runs Wii U and 3DS software on the PS5, with reports of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild running there. Both are published on GitHub.
Oct 6
Nintendo will release the Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese-language, Japan-only) Choose-Your-Game Set on November 12, the company announced on October 6. The bundle pairs a Nintendo Switch 2 console with one downloadable game chosen from three options: Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and Tomodachi Collection: Waku Waku Life. The price is 63,980 yen including tax, and reservations opened on the Nintendo Store the same day. Game retailers nationwide and online shops will start taking reservations once their preparations are complete. The Japan-only console alone costs 4,000 yen less than this set, so picking any one of the three titles comes out roughly 3,000 to 5,000 yen cheaper than buying the hardware and that game separately. Standalone download prices are 8,980 yen for Mario Kart World, 5,980 yen for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and 7,100 yen for Tomodachi Collection: Waku Waku Life, all tax included. Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort are Nintendo Switch 2 titles, while Tomodachi Collection: Waku Waku Life is Nintendo Switch software.
Oct 6
Nintendo announced on October 6, 2026, that it will release the Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese language, Japan-only) Choose Your Game Set on November 12, priced at 63,980 yen. The bundle pairs the console with a download code redeemable for one of three Nintendo-published titles: Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and Tomodachi Collection: Wakuwaku Life. Nintendo Store pre-orders opened the same day, and orders will be accepted at game retailers and online shops nationwide as preparations are completed. The code is valid until March 31, 2027, and Nintendo says there are no plans to add redeemable titles before then. Because the standalone console is 59,980 yen, the gap is 4,000 yen, which works out to savings of roughly 3,000 to 5,000 yen against buying the console and one eligible game separately.
Oct 6
Nintendo began distribution of the free download software Kao Luigi and Kao Peach for Nintendo Switch on October 6. Both titles are part of the Mario-themed children's product series My Mario. Players poke, pull, and spin the characters' faces, and can touch the ? Block in the top-left of the screen to bring up items such as the Super Mushroom, Super Star, pipes, and enemies. Luigi and Peach fall asleep when tired of playing.
Oct 5
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is available for preorder on Amazon.co.jp at 88,920 yen as of October 5. The set pairs a specially designed Nintendo Switch 2 console and dock with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a limited-design Pro Controller and carrying case, plus an acrylic coaster and early purchase art cards and stickers. Nintendo releases the Ocarina of Time remake on November 5, 2026.
Oct 5
Nintendo added 62 Star Fox tracks to Nintendo Music on September 30, including "Corneria," "Star Wolf," and "Sector Y & Solar." A free update for the Star Fox game released the same day adds three Battle Mode stages, Katina, Sector X, and Venom, and supports split-screen play for up to four players on one Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Oct 4
NTT Docomo announced a campaign on September 28 that lets d Payment and d Card users enter a lottery to rent out parts of Universal Studios Japan at night. Entry runs from October 1 at 10:00 to December 31 at 23:59, with the rental held on March 13, 2027 from 20:00 to 22:00. Eligible areas include Super Nintendo World, Jurassic Park, Amity Village, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, plus a Hollywood Dream - The Ride run.
Oct 4
Nintendo released a visual book titled "Family Computer / Nintendo Entertainment System" on October 2 at the Bonus Stage shop inside the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto Prefecture. The roughly 30 cm by 30 cm book runs 168 pages and includes many photographs related to the Family Computer, among them comparisons of software circuit boards, images of peripherals including the Family Computer Robot, and a cover carrying the familiar logo.
Oct 4
Shinseido WonderGOO announced its original reservation bonus for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, set for release on November 5. The bonus is an acrylic figure measuring 100 by 120 millimeters. In-store price is 8,980 yen, while the company's e-commerce site lists it at 10,080 yen. The bonus is limited and ends when stock runs out.
Oct 4
The week of October 5 brings a dense release slate across Japan and North America, led by three featured titles. Gears of War: E-Day arrives October 7 on Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S. Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen follows on October 9 across Windows PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I-III], a bundle of four Kingdom Hearts releases, arrives October 8 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. STAR WARS: Galactic Racer lands October 6 on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 for Nintendo Switch 2 appears October 8 on Switch 2. The week also carries Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival on October 8 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and PAPERHEAD on October 9 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Roundups from Game Spark and Inside list dozens of smaller titles alongside these.
Oct 3
Nintendo used the official Zelda X account to post new footage of Hyrule Castle Town from its remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, scheduled for release on November 5. The clip shows the town center with reworked graphics, residents going about the area, shops, and the series' familiar upbeat background music. The Temple of Time appears briefly in the second half. The post is one entry in a daily sequence of location teasers tied to the November 5 launch date. Nintendo lists the game at 8,980 yen for the package version and 7,980 yen for the download version. The remake adds camera control, new actions, a Dash option for movement speed, and a voice input feature. Hyrule Castle Town is an early stop in the original adventure and a central hub that connects to the Temple of Time and surrounding regions.
Oct 3
SanDisk will release a 512GB version of its Nintendo-licensed microSD Express Card for the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 1, priced at 28,980 yen. The card joins a 256GB model that has been the only capacity in SanDisk's officially licensed microSD Express line until now. The 256GB card carries Mario's "M" mark, while the 512GB version has a Fire Flower printed on it. Sales have already started at Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo Shopping. The article notes that the 28,980 yen price appears to be affected by recent rises in memory and SSD semiconductor prices. The announcement comes as a separate Princeton 1TB microSD Express Card, verified for Switch 2, is on sale at Amazon.co.jp for 39,800 yen, down from a 55,400 yen reference price, though that card is not a Nintendo-licensed product.
Sep 19
CCFOLIA, the online TRPG session tool, is behind Table Game World CCFOLIA for Nintendo Switch 2, a digital collection of 47 table games spanning board games, TRPGs, and murder mysteries. Playable at Tokyo Game Show 2026, the title withholds turn prompts and rule enforcement, letting players run the table themselves, with each game's rules readable in-game at any time.
Sep 17
Hori will release the Umbreon & Espeon Starlight Night line of Nintendo Switch 2 peripherals and accessories in November 2026. The lineup has three items: a Quilted Medium Pouch and a Shoulder Pouch, both 4,980 yen including tax, and a Wired Hori Pad TURBO at 5,480 yen including tax. The controller also supports Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), in TV mode only.
Sep 17
HORI is displaying the Electric Ocarina of Time, an electronic instrument modeled on the ocarina Link uses, at its Tokyo Game Show 2026 booth. The product is set for a November release at 7,980 yen and works with the voice recognition feature of the Nintendo Switch 2 software The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, pairing its sound with in-game effects.
Sep 17
CCMC Corp. put Holo no Treasure Mountain Tenkomori Ver. Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on sale Thursday, September 17, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, developed by B-SiDE. The 3D puzzle game costs 2,800 yen, with a 400 yen Upgrade Pass for owners of the Switch version and support for Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), and Russian.
Sep 15
HORI announced the HORI Arcade Classic Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 14, 2026. The arcade controller is built for Hamster's Arcade Archives series and similar titles, and it supports Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 11 PCs over XInput. The price is 39,980 yen including tax. Pre-orders opened September 14 and run through October 2 at the HORI Store. The chassis measures about 50 by 29 by 11 centimeters and weighs roughly 2.0 kilograms without units. Eight buttons sit in the center of the top surface, and units mount on the left and right sides. The box includes four units: an 8-direction stick, a trackball, a paddle, and a loop lever, and they can be combined freely. HORI cites Qix for 4-direction stick input, Cybattler for the trackball, Arkanoid for the paddle, and Front Line for the loop lever. Rapid-fire and assignment functions are included. Release is scheduled for early spring 2027.
Sep 15
Nintendo published a notice about a possible console information leak on Nintendo Switch. A third party could read QR codes shown on screen during the Album's Send to Smartphone function and while using a kart in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Both cases require the QR code to be displayed on the Switch itself, and Switch 2 is not affected. The issue was fixed in System Version 23.0.0, released September 10.
Sep 14
Nintendo streamed an overview trailer for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, a new strategy RPG launching for Switch 2 on September 17. The trailer previews the Heroic Games story, four new heroes, combat with Combat Arts and Blaze Arts, class progression, and Free Time activities in the capital Dagsion. A special edition, the Dagdan Collection, includes a steel case, art cards, a map, and an artbook. Sothis from Three Houses appears.
Sep 12
The September 12 night performance of Otomate Party 2026 announced a slate of new titles. VELVET CANDY TINT KISS is a romance adventure about kissing, set in modern Japan. GENROH for Nintendo Switch lists Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite as its platforms. The event OTOMATE LOGBOOK PAGE02. "9 R.I.P. sequel" is scheduled for November 22, 2026, with two performances.
Sep 11
The column recaps a Sony State of Play that leaned on Resident Evil film news, a Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion, and a Mobile Suit Gundam game set for March 2027, plus impressions of the Final Fantasy Resonance demo. It argues Sony still routes Japanese games to a separate stream while its main show favors mainstream franchises, and it questions the Switch 2 Game Key Card format.
Sep 9
Nintendo announced during the Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 livestream on September 9 that Star Fox Adventures will join the Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics library, with distribution starting right after the broadcast ended. The 2002 GameCube title requires the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. It is the third game in the Star Fox series and moves away from the 3D shooting of its predecessors toward 3D action adventure, with Fox McCloud exploring a dinosaur-inhabited planet alongside his companion Tricky. Development was handled by the UK studio Rare. The Direct also confirmed a free update for the Switch 2 title Star Fox, adding split-screen support to Battle Mode, three new battle stages, and online play for up to four players from a single Switch 2 console. That update arrives September 30.
Sep 9
Nintendo announced during its September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct that the hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon, created by solo developer LEMORION, will be released for the Switch 2 immediately after the broadcast ends. The game launched on Steam on June 10, 2026, and several outlets report it sold over 20 million copies, with 4Gamer.net specifying sales of 15 million in less than a month. The Switch 2 version's surprise drop follows the game's rapid rise among streamers. Sources describe Meccha Chameleon as a drawing and hide-and-seek game with simple rules that is fun to play in large groups. The Nintendo Direct also revealed the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, scheduled for December 3, 2026, which adds the new hero Kaguya and the roguelike-style mode Heroes Record.
Sep 9
Reservations for the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Nintendo Switch 2 opened at Nojima Online and Yodobashi.com on September 9. The console, priced at 62,980 yen, is scheduled to ship October 29 and carries Zelda design work on the Joy-Con 2 controllers and the dock, including Triforce motifs. Nojima Online is taking orders with a limit of one per household. The same day, Nintendo's Pro Controller with display stand and a carrying case with screen protection sheet, both in the anniversary design, also opened for reservation. Separately, PowerA announced two Switch 2 accessories in a Tears of the Kingdom design: a wireless controller modeled on the decayed Master Sword at 8,900 yen and a protection case with the Hyrule and Zonai crests at 3,530 yen, both releasing October 9. The Tears of the Kingdom design is PowerA's first release of that design in Japan.
Sep 8
Nintendo announced the Nintendo Switch 2 "The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition" during its September 8 Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, with a release date of October 29. The special edition console has a green and gold color scheme with Triforce designs. A Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and a Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case release alongside it in the same design. The roughly 30-minute stream also covered the Nintendo Switch 2 action-adventure game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," which is scheduled for release in 2026, and non-game anniversary projects. Those include two amiibo, Child Link and Child Zelda, set for 2027; a Nintendo Museum admission pass with a special anniversary design distributed for about one year from September 9; a series history board inside the museum; a Super Famicom Restaurant with a Link figure opening this autumn; a new photo spot from November 5; and a Nintendo Today! app update with Zelda Collection Cards, more than 300 types received one per day from September 9. Nintendo also scheduled a main Nintendo Direct for September 9.
Sep 7
The White House promoted its new Arcade website with videos using boot-up music and visuals from the Sega Genesis, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS. The site hosts five games, including Build the Wall, which resembles Tetris. The Tetris Company said it was not involved in the game's creation and takes copyright infringement seriously. Sega, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have not issued statements about the use of their assets.
Sep 4
Nintendo announced on September 4 via its Nintendo Today app that two presentations will air on consecutive nights in September. The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct will stream on September 8 at 11:00 PM Japan time, running about 30 minutes. The following evening, September 9 at 11:00 PM, Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 will air for roughly 45 minutes. Both broadcasts come ahead of the Tokyo Game Show, and the Zelda presentation coincides with the franchise's 40th anniversary, which began with the original game in 1986. Nintendo has not detailed what either broadcast will show, but sources expect updates on the recently announced remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. That game was previously confirmed for a 2026 launch. The Zelda Direct is a dedicated anniversary presentation, while the general Nintendo Direct the next day is expected to cover a broader slate of titles.
Sep 4
Nintendo added the Paper Mario soundtrack to Nintendo Music on September 4. The 2000 NINTENDO 64 action RPG's music arrives with 148 tracks spanning 4 hours 29 minutes. The original CD soundtrack, released in 2000, went out of print and its tracks were never included in other soundtracks. Used copies sold for 50,000 to 100,000 yen, and one Amazon.co.jp listing sat at about 170,000 yen when the report was filed. The CD contained only 78 tracks, so the Nintendo Music version nearly doubles the count. Nintendo Music is available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on browser, iOS, and Android. The game itself is playable through NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics for Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Some tracks support the app's length-change feature. The opening "Hajimari da yo" and the save screen "Erande ne" are among the memorable songs in the set.
Sep 4
Nintendo released its Halloween Super Mario merchandise on September 4 at Nintendo TOKYO, OSAKA, KYOTO, and FUKUOKA, plus the Nintendo Store online shop. Prices start at 1,265 yen. The lineup includes a drawstring pouch, a mug, and two keychains, one featuring Mario and one featuring Rosetta & Chico. Mario appears in a pumpkin headpiece and cape. Nintendo Store orders placed at the time of writing are scheduled for delivery by September 26.
Sep 3
Kairosoft released Craft Ramen Shop Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on September 3, 2026, for 2,000 yen. Existing Switch owners can upgrade for 500 yen. Both are 10 percent off until September 23. The Switch 2 version adds a wider display range, 4K TV mode, and Joy-Con 2 mouse operation.
Sep 2
Nintendo added three Famicom titles to its Nintendo Classics service on September 2: Ikari, Dragon Buster, and Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom. All three are available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers at no additional cost and run on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Ikari is the 1986 SNK action shooter in which players control Ralph and Clark as they infiltrate an enemy base, with limited ammunition that must be replenished from drops. Dragon Buster, released by Namco in 1987, is a side-view action adventure starring swordsman Clovis on a quest to rescue Princess Celia from a dragon. Ninja Gaiden III, Tecmo's 1991 side-scrolling action game, follows Ryu Hayabusa after he is framed for the murder of Irene Lew.
The addition completes the Ninja Gaiden trilogy on the service, since the first two games were already available. The lineup drew strong reaction on X, where Dragon Buster trended and players welcomed the return of the three titles.
Sep 2
Nintendo distributed a free update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on September 2, 2026, adding features that use the Nintendo Switch 2's performance. Update version 4.0.0 is the first since May 2025, a gap of about one year and four months. When played on Switch 2, the game now supports up to 8-player split screen on a single console, provided each player has a controller. Camera play is also supported, using a separately sold USB camera such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. Players' faces appear above their characters during races, showing who is nearby and who overtook them, and the feature works with game chat. The update also supports the Switch 2's display and high-resolution televisions, and shortens load times for races and battles. Balance changes make race speed faster by the equivalent of one coin, and using the Boo item to become transparent no longer slows the player on dirt. Owners of the Booster Course Pass can now select 96 races in VS Race rule settings.
Sep 2
Nintendo released update Ver.4.0.0 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on September 2. On Switch 2, the racer supports clearer display on the internal screen and high-resolution TVs, up to 8 players on one console with enough controllers, and camera play via USB camera. Load times before races and battles are shorter. Race speed is up by one coin's worth, and Boo no longer slows on dirt while transparent. Booster Course Pass owners can select 96 races in VS mode.
Sep 1
Nintendo released version 1.2.0 of Pikmin 3 Deluxe on September 1, 2026, the game's first update since June 2025. The patch is aimed at the Nintendo Switch 2. It raises the game's supported resolution to full HD on the Switch 2, and adds local wireless support to the Bingo Battle mode, letting two players with one Switch 2 and one copy of the software play on their own screens. Local wireless play can be received on the original Switch as well, but game chat is limited to the Switch 2 and requires an internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the definitive version of Pikmin 3, originally a Wii U title, and includes all paid downloadable content, side stories featuring the previous game's protagonist Olimar, new mission modes, difficulty options, and hint functions. The story mode supports two-player cooperative play. The game is available for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and is currently on sale at the Nintendo Store for 6,578 yen.
Aug 29
Nintendo submitted seven DMCA takedown notices to GitHub in a single day, removing more than 400 Nintendo Switch emulator repositories. The sweep targeted forks of the defunct Yuzu emulator, copies of the successor Suyu, and repositories tied to other emulators. Nintendo cited unauthorized use of cryptographic keys and referenced two court rulings, including its 2024 lawsuit against Yuzu's developers.
Aug 28
Pioneer will release two SOUND TECTOR portable gaming speakers, the TQ-PG400K in black and the TQ-PG400WB in white, in mid-September. They work with Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, and USB Type-C smartphones. The battery-less units draw power directly from the connected device and include a charging-only port so the console can charge while in use. The price is open, estimated around 12,000 yen including tax.
Aug 21
On August 21, Nintendo began distributing the soundtrack for the Super Famicom version of SimCity on its Nintendo Music service. The 1991 game, ported by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems from Maxis's 1989 PC original, features continuous BGM composed by Motoyo Oka. This release is the first complete version, covering tracks omitted from the 1992 Toshiba EMI album, which is now out of print.
Aug 18
Nintendo will increase the number of free mini-games in its smartphone app Pictonico! to 10 for a limited time until September 15. The app turns player photos into mini-games. The free lineup now includes Oshizuka ni, Straw, Gardening, Seiza, Kumi Taiso, Jigsaw Puzzle, Hanage, Shampoo, Pero Pero Candy, and Kamu. Coins earned in free games can be used for the Photo Lottery fortune feature.
Aug 17
The Nintendo-licensed microSD Express Card 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2, sold by SanDisk and Samsung, has been quietly raised in price at the Nintendo Store and other retailers. The cards, previously priced at 6,980 yen including tax, now sell for 8,980 yen, a 2,000 yen increase. The price revision was applied on August 17 or 18, depending on the source, and no official announcement from Nintendo or the manufacturers has been confirmed. The Nintendo Switch 2 only supports microSD Express cards, a new standard with faster read and write speeds, and standard microSD cards from the original Switch are not compatible. As of the time of writing, the SanDisk version is out of stock at the Nintendo Store, while the Samsung version remains available. This follows a May price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 console itself, which rose from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen. Sources attribute the rise to semiconductor and memory shortages, as well as global inflation.
Aug 14
Nintendo announced on August 14 that a new weapon, the PET Shooter Replica, will be added to Splatoon 3 for the Nintendo Switch. The weapon reproduces the PET Shooter that appears in the spin-off title Splatoon Raiders. Its performance matches the Splattershot Collab, with the Splat Bomb as the sub weapon and Triple Tornado as the special weapon. The PET Shooter Replica is scheduled to be implemented ahead of the Summer Nights festival, which runs from August 22 to August 24. To obtain it, players must apply a future update and have save data that has cleared the main story of Splatoon Raiders. The weapon is not tied to the festival, so players who meet the save data condition can receive it from the lobby terminal at any time after implementation. The announcement also noted that gear distributed during past Summer Nights events remains available through the in-game news feature, the Squid Research Lab, by launching Splatoon 3 from the relevant news articles.
Aug 13
Nintendo added Super Mario Sunshine to the GameCube Nintendo Classics library on August 13, 2026, making the 2002 action game playable on Nintendo Switch 2 through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. The game, originally released for the Nintendo GameCube, follows Mario as he is framed for graffiti crimes on the tropical Isle Delfino and must clean the island while recovering the power of the sun, called Shine. Its signature gameplay involves using a water device known as FLUDD to defeat enemies, fly through the air, and solve puzzles. The addition had been previously announced, and its arrival on the service was anticipated by players. Alongside the game's release, Nintendo also began distributing the Super Mario Sunshine soundtrack on Nintendo Music, a music streaming service available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. This music addition follows a special distribution of 10 tracks from Fire Emblem: Ban Shikou on August 4. The GameCube Nintendo Classics service is part of Nintendo's ongoing effort to bring older titles to the Switch 2 platform.
Aug 9
Game Spark and Inside have published their weekly roundup of new game releases for the week of August 10 through August 16, covering both Japan and North America. The featured titles include The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, scheduled for August 12 on Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan and North America, and Arknights, set for August 13 on Windows PC. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches August 14 on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Other highlighted releases include BLAZBLUE ENTROPY EFFECT X - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on August 13, Wild Blue Skies on August 14, and Panzer Knights: Commander's Edition on August 13. The lists span multiple platforms, including Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Notable North American releases include No More Room in Hell 2 on August 11 and EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 on August 13. The roundup notes that release dates are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion.
Aug 7
Inti Creates released a promotional video for the additional scenario Gunvolt GX, included in Azure Striker Gunvolt Triangle Edition for Nintendo Switch 2, launching October 22. The scenario features Gunvolt and Acura fighting together, with new systems Inspiration and GX Skill shown in the footage.
Aug 4
Nintendo's Splatoon Raiders, the first spin-off in the Splatoon series, debuted at number one on Japan's video game rankings for the week of July 20-26, according to Famitsu data compiled by Anime News Network. The Nintendo Switch 2 title sold 474,684 copies in its first week, nearly triple the second-place game's weekly total. Rhythm Heaven Groove held steady at number two with 78,355 copies, bringing its cumulative total to 674,592. Tomodachi Life remained in third place with 23,468 copies, pushing its lifetime sales past 1.5 million. The rest of the top five included Powerful Pro Baseball 2026-2027 at number four and Mario Kart World at number five. The chart also saw new entries from Shochiku Games' Yog-Sothoth's Yard at number 12 and MAGES.'s Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsu no Ma ni ka Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken Memorial Vacation at number 14, both released on July 23. Long-running titles continued to appear, with Minecraft at number eight and Splatoon 3 at number 11. The list, sourced from Famitsu, covers software sales across all platforms in Japan for the specified week.
Aug 2
Nintendo announced on July 31, 2026 that two previously unreleased Virtual Boy titles, ZERO RACERS and Dragon Hopper, will be added to the Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics service for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers on August 4. ZERO RACERS is a racing game where players pilot a floating machine through courses made of connected square ducts, aiming for high rankings with acceleration, deceleration, and directional movement. Dragon Hopper is a top-down action game starring Prince Dorin, who is ousted by the rebellious minister Lexer and must find four vanished spirits to return to the fairy kingdom. Dorin can transform into a dragon with special abilities. The update also adds a color change feature, letting players switch the game screen from the traditional red to green, Game Boy-style, or Super Game Boy-style schemes. The dedicated Virtual Boy (Paper Model) hardware is on sale from July 31 to August 17 at a discounted price of 1,980 yen, down from 2,980 yen.
Aug 1
Nintendo announced on July 31 that Super Mario Sunshine will be added to the Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics lineup on August 13. The 2002 GameCube action game will be available to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on the Nintendo Switch 2. In the game, Mario arrives on vacation at Isle Delfino, a southern paradise, but is mistaken for the graffiti culprit polluting the island. He promises to clean up the island, using the water-spraying device F.L.U.D.D. on his back to defeat enemies, fly, and restore the sun's power, the Shine. The game is known for its water-based actions, which also became one of Mario's special moves in the Super Smash Bros. series. The GameCube Nintendo Classics service is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, offering classic GameCube games with improved resolution and online play support. The announcement was made via Nintendo's official social media and multiple Japanese gaming outlets.