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Nintendo Switch 2 is officially here. April’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed a huge number of games for the console, with a number of additional ones being confirmed since then. There are plenty of rumors about other games that could eventually debut on the console, too.With so many to track…
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While Prime Day may be over, there are still some great deals live at other retailers. Dozens of major video games were on sale this year, especially for Nintendo Switch. If you’re on the hunt for a new Switch game still on sale, look no further than Super Mario Odyssey. Walmart has the masterpiece available for $39.39 today, and it’s hard to beat this price, as Nintendo rarely puts its first-party games on sale.
Super Mario Odyssey stars Mario and his newfound companion Cappy as the two travel across numerous Kingdoms to stop Bowser’s plans of marrying Princess Peach. It’s an adventure filled with countless gameplay mechanics, challenges, and charm. The star of the show is Cappy, as he allows Mario to take control of enemies and objects in the environment thanks to the Capture mechanic.
I spent over 140 hours in my initial playthrough of Mario Odyssey, as I hunted down every single Moon available in the game. Even almost eight years later, Super Mario Odyssey is still one of my favorite Nintendo Switch games. Between Moons and Purple Coins, there is no shortage of content to discover, so you’ll be occupied for dozens of hours after the credits roll.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
Amazon has restocked its Prime Day deal on Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition for Nintendo Switch. The six-game collection is discounted to $45 (was $75) on Switch, but the deal expires tonight when Prime Day ends (12 AM PT). The PlayStation 4 edition is still in stock as well, and Amazon has shaved a couple extra bucks from the price; PlayStation users can snag a copy for $42.74.
Released last October for Switch and PlayStation, the Anniversary Edition comes with a sticker sheet of Final Fantasy character sprites. It’s worth emphasizing that this is a true physical release, with all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters on the Switch cartridge or PS4 disc (fully compatible with PS5). Square Enix initially released the physical in 2023, but the small print run sold out extremely fast. Last fall’s re-release brought the collection to major retailers for the first time as the Anniversary Edition.
Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition includes the Pixel Remasters of the following games:
All six games received comprehensive graphical and audio overhauls for the Pixel Remaster series. Square Enix remodeled the sprites using the original pixel art as a foundation. Series composer Nobuo Uematsu supervised the creation of the rearranged soundtracks. You can also play the games with the original soundtracks, but the rearranged versions are great.
Numerous quality-of-life features were added, including quick save, customizable text fonts, experience multipliers, auto-battling, the ability to turn off random encounters, and more. You can also browse the in-game bestiary and illustration gallery as well as listen to classic tunes with a music player.
Square Enix’s Pixel Remasters project debuted on PC and mobile in Summer 2021 with the three 8-bit Final Fantasy games and came to a close with Final Fantasy VI in February 2022. The collection was ported to PlayStation and Switch in 2023 and to Xbox Series X|S last September.
The proper Final Fantasy III was exclusive to Japan until the release of the 3D remake for Nintendo DS. Long-time fans in North America may remember Final Fantasy VI, arguably the best game in the franchise, as Final Fantasy III.
The games can be played in any order, but it’s really cool to see how the series evolved from the 8-bit era on the Nintendo Entertainment System to the 16-bit era of the Super Nintendo.
If you love classic Final Fantasy games, you should also check out FF Dot: The Pixel Art of Final Fantasy. This lovely 280-page hardcover book offers an in-depth look at the gorgeous artwork that, considering the existence of the Pixel Remasters, has proven to be timeless.
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The GameSir G8 Plus Galileo Bluetooth Controller for handheld gaming on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch consoles is on sale for a great price during Walmart Deals and Amazon Prime Day. Normally $80, the G8 Plus is only $50 at Walmart and $64 at Amazon. What’s especially notable about the G8 Plus is that it’s compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, so you can use it as an alternative to the Joy-Con 2 in handheld mode.
The G8 Plus works well on Switch 2 and has several features that make it a compelling option for Switch 2 users: improved ergonomics, back buttons, Hall Effect sticks, swappable components, and a traditional D-pad. And if you’re a Marvel fan, you can play your Switch 2 on the go with an officially licensed controller themed around Hulk or Thanos.
Like the Backbone Pro, Razer Kishi V3 Pro, and many other mobile controllers, the G8 Plus has an extendable cradle for your phone, tablet, or Nintendo console. With support for devices 8.5 inches or smaller, the G8 Plus is extremely versatile. Along with Switch 2, the controller works great on Switch OLED and the original Switch. In addition to your iPhone or Android phone, you can connect an iPad Mini and a wide range of small Android tablets.
Here’s a quick look at the core features found on the G8 Plus Galileo. The specs are the same whether you pick the standard black edition or one of the two licensed Marvel models.
Key Features:
The standard black version of the G8 Plus uses a similar shade of black as the Switch 2 console. The $50 deal is sold by the manufacturer and ships from Walmart. If Walmart sells out, Amazon has the G8 Plus for $64. In June, the controller’s MSRP climbed from $80 to $100 on GameSir’s site, but now the original $80 price is back for this edition.
You can check out the pair of Marvel-themed models below and then read more about the controller’s core features.
The officially licensed Incredible Hulk Edition is discounted to $70 (was $100) at Walmart. The controller is sold by GameSir and ships from Walmart.
The Hulk Edition uses a vibrant green color accented by a few pieces of purple artwork. It’s a more subdued design than many themed controllers, since the artwork was designed to blend in with the base colors.
All five sticks and the D-pad match the darker green found on the back of the controller. The face buttons are purple (A and B) and green (X and Y). Hulk’s name is outlined in purple across the back and punctuated by his fist.
If you’d rather have a controller themed around The Mad Titan, the Thanos Edition is officially licensed by Marvel and available for $80 (was $100) at Walmart. Like the Hulk model, it ships from Walmart and is sold by GameSir.
The Thanos Edition has a gold and purple color scheme. The front is accented by glossy gold artwork, and the back is purple with “Thanos” written in large block letters across the center.
The face buttons are purple and gold (two of each), and the D-pad and triggers match the glossy gold accents. It comes with one purple stick and four gold sticks.
The G8 Plus is equipped with Hall Effect sticks that feel smooth and precise. Hall Effect sensors are considered “anti-drift,” so they should hold up well over time. The Joy-Con 2 Controllers have ALPS sticks, and some users have already started experiencing problems with drift.
As mentioned, there are several other features that make it a compelling option for Switch 2. It has a pair of remappable back buttons, one on each side, and a traditional D-pad. The back buttons can be remapped on the controller itself or in GameSir’s mobile app.
It also has a 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls and rumble motors on each side. With a more traditional controller form factor, the G8 Plus has better ergonomics than the Joy-Con 2.
The face buttons have the Xbox Controller layout, so A/B and X/Y are flipped. By default, Nintendo consoles will register the buttons as they are labeled, which may confuse some players. But there are two solutions to this problem. The G8 Plus has hot-swappable face buttons and sticks, allowing users to remove the faceplate, pop off the button caps, and switch their positions. If you don’t want to do this every time you switch between playing on mobile and Switch 2, you can enable “Switch mode” by holding the program button (M) and A. In this mode, the Switch registers A/B and X/Y as opposites.
Inside the box, you’ll find three additional stick caps that can replace the traditional sticks that come preinstalled. The trio of alternatives includes a domed model, a tall stick for FPS games, and a short stick with a smaller cap. Speaking of FPS games, you can enable hair trigger mode, which actuates the right and left triggers with shorter pulls.
There are a couple potential downsides to keep in mind when using the G8 Plus with the Switch 2. While the grip holds the Switch 2 securely in place and has a rubberized bridge and pads on each side to help prevent scratches, it doesn’t connect to the console like the Joy-Con controllers. When carrying the console around, you probably want to make sure you are holding the Switch 2 itself, not just the grip. Due to the Switch 2’s size, the edges extend beyond the top and bottom of the grips, leaving them exposed. You may want to add a protective shell to the Switch 2 when using the controller. Additionally, keep in mind that you will need to remove the Switch 2 from the cradle to dock it.
I often use the G8 Plus when gaming on iPhone. Platform versatility is a major perk here. It’s inevitable that manufacturers will release handheld Switch 2 controllers, but it’s unlikely many of them will work with other devices. So even if you wind up purchasing a different controller or adding an ergonomic grip to the console, the G8 Plus doesn’t need to collect dust. You can even use it as a wireless controller on Switch 2 (or Switch) when playing on your TV.
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You can now request an invite for Nintendo Switch 2 at Amazon, but in the chaos of Prime Day, the retailer has snuck quite a few Nintendo accessories onto its virtual shelves. From the Pro Controller 2 to additional Joy-Cons and the new camera peripheral, here are Amazon’s best Switch 2 accessories, including some early savings on cases and more.
If you’re looking to prepare for your new console’s arrival, or you’ve already been lucky enough to snag one, Amazon is now stocking a variety of peripherals from Nintendo itself.
We reckon the new Pro Controller 2 is likely to be particularly popular, offering a comfortable way to play for anyone with hands larger than a child (those Joy-Con are bigger, but they’re not that much bigger). The new version also includes additional back buttons, and the new ‘C’ button, but it’s worth remembering that if you can go without those tweaks, your Switch 1 Pro Controller will work nicely, too.
If you do want more Joy-Con 2 controllers, there’s a pair available for $94 right now. That seems steep to us, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the price fluctuate, but if you’re desperate for another pair for multiplayer shenanigans, you can order them.
Playing online and want your friends to see your smug face in Mario Kart World as you speed past them? You’ll want the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera which, despite its fairly low resolution, is $54 somehow. Still, it’s there if you want it!
Finally, the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip is available for $39.99 and lets you charge the controllers while using them in a more comfortable grip setup. Nintendo includes a Joy-Con grip in the box with your Switch 2, but as with Switch 1, it doesn’t charge them. This model has a USB-C charger on the top so you can play for as long as you want.
If you do end up with more Joy-Cons than you have chargers, this (non-Nintendo) charging cradle could be ideal, and it’s reduced to just $19.99 at Amazon.
You can’t use microSD cards for your Switch 2 games because they’re simply not fast enough, but you can expand the 256GB of storage in the system with a microSD Express card.
Sadly, they’re pretty hard to come by, but a Nintendo-branded Samsung option is available at Amazon. This 256GB card will set you back $59.99, and is ideal if you’ve got Cyberpunk and a handful of other sizeable installs.
You’ll want to keep your Switch 2 in tip-top condition, and there is already a whole host of case options available.
Tomtoc’s popular Slim case is down to just $29.99 with a 38% discount, but there are also cheaper options, too.
The StartRC Slim Case is similarly built, and comes in at $15.99, while the TiMOVO Carrying Case can hold your console, a load of accessories, and even an extra pair of Joy-Cons.
There’s also a 16-in-1 accessories bundle that includes cases, screen protectors, controller grips, and more, and it’s just $29.99 with a 40% discount.
Finally, if you just want a screen protector, JSAUX is offering a 2-pack of anti-glare ones for just $6.99 down from $11.99.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
Donkey Kong Bananza is the next project from the Super Mario Odyssey team. It is the franchise’s first 3D platformer since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64 and the first one developed by an in-house team since Jungle Beat in 2004. But why Donkey Kong, rather than a more direct Mario Odyssey sequel? And why return to 3D now? An new interview with Bananza’s developers has surfaced answers to some of these questions.
In an interview with IGN, Donkey Kong Bananza producer Kenta Motokura explained that Nintendo executive Yoshiaka Koizumi approached the team and asked them to think about making a 3D Donkey Kong. The team then discussed the possibility with Shigeru Miyamoto, who created both the Donkey Kong and Mario series. He emphasized that Kong has “unique actions” like the hand slap featured in Super Smash Bros. Koikumi, who directed Jungle Beat, added that Donkey Kong has long and strong arms, much in contrast to Mario’s more modest figure.
At the same time, one of Mario Odyssey’s developers was experimenting with voxels. This is the tech that powers games like Minecraft, where the world is made with bespoke individual shapes the player can manipulate. It even shows up in Super Mario Odyssey as snow in the game’s Snow Kingdom and cheese in the Luncheon Kingdom. The combination of these two factors–thinking through Donkey Kong’s unique abilities and experimentation with voxel tech–led to the Bananza that we see today.
To wrap it up, Donkey Kong Bananza producer Kenta Motokura said, “When we realized the compatibility of Donkey Kong’s distinctive characteristics, being strong and having these large long arms, and the possibility of voxel technology, we saw that this was a good match that led us to the idea of pursuing destruction as core gameplay in this title.”
In other Nintendo Switch 2 news, Amazon is finally selling the console, but only by invitation. The Wilds Hearts S demo is now live and you can transfer your save to the full game.
A little bit of Mario Kart trivia for you — what is the one Nintendo track you can’t play anywhere but the series’ smartphone spin-off Mario Kart Tour?
The answer is Piranha Plant Pipeline, a fun, waterslide-esque level set within the bowels of various Mushroom Kingdom warp pipes that for some reason never got ported over into Switch entry Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Mario Kart Tour’s lengthy track roster is a mix of classic tracks and new courses that also arrived in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the game’s Booster Course Pass. These included Squeaky Clean Sprint, a level partially set in a toilet, and Sky-High Sundae, which was immediately brought back for Switch 2 as part of Mario Kart World’s open-world map.
For unknown reasons, Piranha Plant Pipeline never made the jump to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and because of Mario Kart Tour’s rotating track selection it is only rarely playable. Indeed, Nintendo celebrated the track’s return with a post today on X/Twitter, while Nintendo Life notes that the course’s reappearance now marks only the third time it has ever been playable, and its first appearance this year.
“Well hello Piranha Plant Pipeline,” one fan wrote. “Missed you so much.”
If you want to try out what may be Mario Kart’s rarest track, you have until 22nd July to do it, before Piranha Plant Pipeline goes back in Nintendo’s content vault.
Could we ever see it return in another Mario Kart game? Much will likely depend on Nintendo’s plans to keep Mario Kart World fresh over the coming years — something the company is currently keeping schtum on. Fans strongly suspect that Nintendo will at some point detail a post-launch content roadmap for its hugely-popular Switch 2 launch title, though Nintendo is yet to say anything of how it may keep its racer refreshed over the coming generation.
The Pipe Tour starts today and it features Piranha Plant Pipeline! #MarioKartTour pic.twitter.com/6X76J0X7w0
— Mario Kart Tour (@mariokarttourEN) July 9, 2025
Indeed, Nintendo’s only major update to Mario Kart World so far has been its unpopular move to further limit the chances of racing on the franchise’s standard looped courses, rather than so-called open-world ‘intermission tracks’.
While Nintendo wrapped up launching new content for Mario Kart Tour back in 2023, the game remains playable on iPhone and Android devices. Originally launched in 2019, Mario Kart Tour made millions for Nintendo, though its gacha-style system for unlocking characters and karts was heavily criticised, and was later removed.
Nintendo smartphone has a mixed track record on keeping its smartphone games online, with several notable titles such as Miitomo, Draglia Lost and Dr. Mario World no longer playable. The original free-to-play version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp was shutdown, meanwhile, but replaced with a pricey paid-for alternative. Should Mario Kart Tour ever get retired, Piranha Plant Pipeline will disappear forever with it — so maybe give it a go now, while you can.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Marseille’s mClassic graphics upscalers for retro and modern game consoles are on sale for $75 each for Amazon Prime Day 2025. The $25 price cut is the best yet for the original edition as well as the mClassic Switch and mClassic Retro. The mClassic Switch Edition is tailored around upscaling the visuals on Switch and other widescreen platforms like Steam Deck, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3. The mClassic Retro Edition, meanwhile, is designed for gamers who want to improve the visual experience of older games originally designed for 4:3 aspect ratio displays when playing on modern HD and 4K TVs.
The original mClassic Graphics Upscaler offers a hybrid experience with visual improvements for modern and retro games. The new iterations have the same core enhancement modes while adding two new visual modes targeted at specific eras of gaming. Let’s take a closer look at all three options below.
The original mClassic Graphics Upscaler offers a combination of the two recently released specialty editions. It has features and modes designed for games that render in 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen) as well as tech created to enhance the picture quality and performance of retro games developed for 4:3 aspect ratio TVs.
The mClassic offers noticeable visual upgrades–though the degree to which you notice the differences depends on how discerning you are when it comes to graphics. Switch games can be upscaled up to 1440p at 60fps. It has built-in anti-aliasing tech that smooths jagged edges and sharpens the picture. The exact boost in visual fidelity varies based on the game, in our experience.
On consoles with HDMI such as Switch, PS3, and Xbox 360 (besides first-gen 360 consoles), all you need to do is plug it into your console, connect the included power cable, and then reconnect your HDMI cable from your TV into the mClassic dongle.
The mClassic substantially improves the overall picture quality and playability of game consoles from the pre-HD era–Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube, etc.–on modern flat-screen 4K and HD TVs. A CRT TV is still clearly the best option for retro gaming, but the mClassic is a great option for those who don’t want to deal with the bulk of a box TV or the hassle of finding one in general.
There’s a switch on the dongle to flip between modern and retro modes. The third “mode” on the original mClassic simply turns the device’s graphics processor off.
Note: Game consoles without an HDMI port–like the aforementioned retro Nintendo consoles–require the mClassic to be connected to an adapter, such as this $30 model or this one for $19 (with a $5 coupon)..
Note: This will not provide any benefits with Nintendo Switch 2.
The mClassic Switch Edition focuses solely on modern gaming platforms with widescreen aspect ratios (16:9). When it comes to modern HD consoles, Marseille has always geared the mClassic toward the Switch, which is why Nintendo’s console is in the new model’s name. But the mClassic Switch Edition can be used with Steam Deck, PS3, Xbox 360, and other devices with widescreen aspect ratios that lack 1440p and/or 4K resolution.
Once again, performance on Switch varies by game, but the mClassic Switch Edition is capable of upscaling to 1440p at 60fps.
You can toggle between three different visual modes on the mClassic Switch Edition:
The new mClassic Retro Edition has three different modes geared toward consoles that released prior to the high-definition era. If you are buying the mClassic to play games on SNES, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64 or any other console designed for 4:3 aspect ratio, the Retro Edition is the one to pick.
It has three modes you can switch between:
Note: Game consoles without an HDMI port–like the aforementioned retro Nintendo consoles–require the mClassic Original or mClassic Retro to be connected to an adapter, such as this $30 model or this one for $19 (with a $5 coupon).
Marseille recommends locking your Nintendo Switch to 720p while docked–the resolution for handheld mode–for the best results. Based on our testing, we agree with that recommendation, but don’t forget to turn 1080p back on before you play without the mClassic Original or mClassic Switch.
If you’re worried about an increase in latency due to your HDMI cable passing through the dongle, we’ve never noticed any. Marseille claims the device adds an average of 0.2ms on this front, but you’d probably need to be a cyborg to notice. The mClassic also has lossless audio passthrough.
Keep in mind you also need to be playing on a TV or monitor with support for 1440p or 4K resolution to take full advantage of the mClassic’s features. However, if you are playing on a 1080p panel, the mClassic still offers an improvement in picture quality.
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Fans of Animal Crossing and comfortable clogs rejoice — Nintendo’s adorable life-sim series is coming to a pair of feet near you, thanks to a range of officially-licensed Crocs.
The shoes will go on sale later this summer with a platform clog design for adults and a classic kids clog design for children. Each is adorned with an Animal Crossing background, featuring fruit trees and a sandy shoreline.
And, of course, each can be customised with additional character charms, featuring Tom Nook, Isabelle and KK Slider, if you’re willing to pay extra for the privilege.
The Animal Crossing Platform Clog for adults will cost $69.99, while the smaller Kids Animal Crossing Classic Clog will cost $54.99. Both are set to go on sale next month, on August 26.
Two packs of additional “jibbitz” charms will also available, priced at $16.99 — each. The first includes the three fashionable Sable sisters, plus a backpack and shirt. The second includes musuem owner Blathers, stargazing owl Celeste, scallop-loving Pascal, a fossil and a seashell.
Alternatively, you can pick up charms featuring villagers Rosie, Marshall or Bunnie for $4.99 each.
“Animal Crossing lets players enjoy a relaxing, slow-paced life while interacting with a cast of unique animal characters,” Nintendo wrote, describing the introduction of this newly-licensed shoe range. “Since its debut in 2001, the games have been enjoyed by millions of players worldwide becoming a cherished title for fans of all ages. Now, for the first time ever, Crocs is partnering with Nintendo to debut a special collection launching Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
“This new collection features elements inspired by the lush, natural setting from the game. From the green tone that represents the land to the sole and strap inspired by the sea, see if you can discover all the Animal Crossing moments throughout the design of the shoe.”
What next then for Animal Crossing, beyond shoes? Nintendo wound down ongoing support for Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons several years ago, despite its huge popularity. But with Switch 2 now released, a further sequel toetally feets inevitable. A shoo-in, if you will?
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
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