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.