Famitsu is back with the latest look at the boxed charts in Japan, and unsurprisingly, Pokémon Pokopia is still on top by a fair margin.
That said, its sales have slowed down a little. If you remember, it managed a whopping 114,515 units last week, but this week it’s only managed 48,772. We say “only” like that’s a bad thing, and it really isn’t, but it definitely looks like the momentum is starting to ease up.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup at Bellabel Park
Switch 2
10,158
NEW
4
Mario Kart World
Switch 2
7,005
2,880,343
5
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Switch 2
5,477
53,489
6
Crimson Desert
PS5
5,265
35,373
7
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (Download Card)
Switch
5,214
11,146
8
Winning Post 10 2026
Switch
4,747
NEW
9
Mario Tennis Fever
Switch 2
4,657
95,632
10
Winning Post 10 2026
PS5
4,540
NEW
There’s very little change with the hardware chart this week; again, sales for the Switch 2 have dropped slightly from last time by just under 16,000 units, but it’s still way ahead of the competition.
Japan is clearly favouring the PS5 Digital Edition at the moment thanks to the cheap, single-language SKU that’s available in the region, but we suspect the other consoles will drop off even more now that prices have gone up.
All three Switch SKUs this week total 18,542, while the three PS5 SKUs combined total 19,404. A win for the PS5, then! Y’know, if you ignore the Switch 2… Heh.
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it’s bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!
Switch 2 eShop – Highlights
Super Meat Boy 3D(Headup Games, 31st Mar, $24.99) – In this tough-as-nails platformer, you’ll play as an animated cube of meat trying to save his girlfriend from the evil Dr. Fetus – in 3D! This meaty hero will leap from walls, over oceans of buzz saws, through crumbling caves and pools of trash, and sacrifice his own well-being all to save his damsel in distress. Super Meat Boy 3D brings the old school difficulty of classic retro titles and streamlines them down to the essential, straight-forward instant reflex platforming.
Darwin’s Paradox!(Konami, 2nd Apr, $24.99) – Embark on a grand adventure worthy of a true animated movie with Darwin, an octopus as charming as he is clever, who was ripped from the ocean and trapped in a massive and mysterious industrial complex. Use his extraordinary intelligence and incredible abilities – swimming, camouflage and many other fascinating skills – to help him overcome the most formidable traps and dangers to rescue his friend in this captivating platformer, adventure and puzzle game!
Switch 2 eShop – New Releases
Content Warning [Switch 2](Landfall Publishing, 1st Apr, $9.99) – Film your friends do scary things to become SpookTube famous! (strongly advised to not go alone). HERE’S THE PLAN! Get famous or die trying! Content Warning is a co-op horror game where you film spooky stuff with your friends to try and go viral.
Haste(Landfall Publishing, 1st Apr, $19.99) – HASTE is a high-speed third-person running game, set in a collapsing universe. Race through a variety of worlds, master your movement and use items and abilities to progress through each level before it falls apart around you. You’ll encounter challenges and characters on your journey, seeking answers about what lies behind the destruction, and how to escape it!
People of Note(Annapurna Interactive, 7th Apr, $24.99) – In People of Note, experience turn-based combat like never before: each battle is an interactive musical performance with evolving combat conditions, real-time rhythm-based attacks, and genre-bending mashup attacks!
Switch eShop – New Releases
15-in-1 Mega Bundle(Gametry, 3rd Apr, $39.99) – Dive into a diverse 15-in-1 game collection packed with action, puzzles, and adventure! Battle through space in Galaxy Battle, explore dangerous lands in Shadow Quest and Dungeons and Goblins, and test your skills in challenges like Ramp Bike Racing, Parking Pro: Top-Down Challenge, and Nightshade Ninja Warrior. Relax with clever puzzles in Pool Puzzles, Pipes Master, and Word Quest, or chase high scores in fun arcade titles like Bounce Journey, Foxy’s Coin Hunt, and Cloud Roll. With racing, strategy, puzzles, and arcade fun, this bundle offers something for every type of player.
Adrenaline Overload Bundle(FuriouSoftPhoenix, 3rd Apr, $14.99) – Drive at the limit through lands where nature unleashes its fury. Face wild obstacles that tear into your path — from tornadoes ripping across the horizon to forces determined to stop you — and fight your way to the finish line against a world that refuses to let you pass.
Adrenaline Rush 4-Pack(FuriouSoftPhoenix, 3rd Apr, $14.99) – Have fun with this pack of 4 amazing games: Pure Chase 80’s, Tower of Babel, Xtreme club racing, and Final light, The prison.
All-Stars 4-Game Collection(FuriouSoftPhoenix, 3rd Apr, $14.99) – Have fun with this pack of 4 amazing games: YellowPips, wild west apocalyptic, Tower of Babel, Final light, The prison, and Sportitions’24.
Asphalt Racing Bundle Hypercar & Speedway(SuperPowerUpGames, 3rd Apr, $14.99) – This pack includes the games: Hypercar & Speedway Racing. In Hypercar Racing you’ll enjoy the dirtiest, fastest, and most spectacular races at speeds over 200 Mp/h, avoiding multiple collisions against 8 adversaries. The game has different modes, such as Championship, Arcade, and 4-player multiplayer. In Speedway Racing, you will enjoy the fastest, most spectacular races at over 350 Km/h, avoiding multiple collisions against 12 rivals.
BUTTON PRISON(Regista, 2nd Apr, $6.99) – A new-style horror game where pressing buttons advances the story. Rely on your memory to press the specified buttons. Avoid pressing unnecessary buttons—something terrible might happen
Casual Sport Series: Boxing(Revulo Games, 27th Mar, $5.99) – Throw heavy punches, chain quick combos, block high and low, dodge at the right moment, and punish your opponent with powerful counters in intense, easy-to-read matches. With simple-to-learn mechanics, strong visual feedback, and plenty of room for mastery, Casual Sports: Boxing delivers exciting, satisfying fights whether you’re chasing victory solo or battling it out on the couch
Cat-up!(GAME NACIONAL, 4th Apr, $9.99) – Jump across unlikely platforms, balance on crazy objects, and prove that feline curiosity truly has no limits. Collect coins along the way and unlock new cats to customize your adventure. Beware of ghosts that may attack you along the path. The real challenge? Stay calm, calculate every jump, and prove that no obstacle is too great for a cat!
ChainStaff(Mommys Best Games, 8th Apr, $14.99) – Our planet is under attack from the Star Spores, and they’ve warped life on Earth into ferocious uber-bugs. Even worse, a nasty alien has made its new home directly attached to your head. But it’s not all bad news – your new best friend has provided both the strength to fight back against the mutated horde, and control over a weapon that can tip the balance of the battle in humanity’s favor: the ChainStaff. As you traverse the surreal landscape, you’ll encounter your fellow soldiers, stranded in harsh environments.
Content Warning [Switch 1](Landfall Publishing, 1st Apr, $9.99) – Film your friends do scary things to become SpookTube famous! (strongly advised to not go alone). Every run goes on for 3 days, the more scary stuff you film, the more you go viral. The ad revenue from your SpöökTube videos enables you to upgrade your gear to film better videos and survive more easily in the Old World. If your team accumulates enough views in three days – you get to keep going with your SpöökTube Career and live a life of fame and fortune
Cozy Bay Hike(Downmeadowstreet, 4th Apr, $4.99) – Cozy Bay Hike is a relaxing exploration game where you wander across a charming island, uncovering every hidden location at your own pace. There are no enemies, no timers, and no pressure — just you, the breeze, and a beautifully crafted world waiting to be discovered. Features: > Peaceful island exploration > Discover hidden locations > Complete your discovery journal > Relaxing atmosphere & soundtrack > Simple, cozy gameplay
Cozy Life Collection(REDDEER.GAMES, 30th Mar, $49.99) – Explore the sun-drenched, Mediterranean islands and take pictures of all the adorable cats you can find in SnapCat: Mia’s Cozy Adventure. Help your toy friends furnish and decorate the tiny homes of their dreams. Become a Parisian chef and charm everyone with your masterfully crafted meals. Challenge yourself as a restaurant owner, cook the most delicious meals, and try new recipes as you improve your skills. Spend quality time with your children or siblings learning while playing fun mini-games with The Smurfs: Learn and Play.
Duck Battle Royale(CGI LAB GAMES, 2nd Apr, $7.99) – Duck Battle Royale is a chaotic battle royale where the fiercest competitors are ducks. Enter a world full of quirky quacks, encounters, and unpredictable chaos.
EGGCONSOLE C-SO! MSX(D4 Enterprise, 2nd Apr, $6.49) – This action game was originally released in 1985. Players control the protagonist, Jun-kun, to battle against the “Warugaki” gang. However, Jun-kun’s only move is jumping. You must fight by skillfully using the C-SOs, trampolines, and other features placed throughout each stage. When you step on a C-SO, a countdown begins; during this time, any gang member caught in the C-SO can be crushed and defeated.
Eko and the Bewitched Lands(REDDEER.GAMES, 7th Apr, $12.99) – Princess in peril? Best friend kidnapped? It’s just another Tuesday for Eko. Dive into a charming yet ruthless world where your reflexes are your best ally. Eko and the Bewitched Lands blends fast-paced action with deep roguelike strategy, ensuring no two rescue missions are ever the same.
Extreme Garage: Offroad(IntuitiveComputers, 2nd Apr, $3.99) – Extreme Garage: Offroad is a high-speed racing game. Get ready for the ultimate offroad racing challenge! Push your skills to the limit, earn cash and build a garage of high-performance cars.
Fit and Fry: Mise En Place(Afil Games, 3rd Apr, $4.99) – Fit and Fry: Mise en Place is a casual puzzle game set in a restaurant, where every challenge takes place inside a frying pan. The goal is to perfectly organize the ingredients on the board, fulfilling customer orders and progressing through 40 levels that mix strategy and fun.
Garden Work Simulator 2026(Evgheni Carasiov, 28th Mar, $9.99) – Cultivate. Trade. Grow. Welcome to Garden Work Simulator 2026, a relaxing yet engaging garden management experience where every seed you plant shapes your success. Start with a small plot of land and gradually transform it into a flourishing garden through careful planning, patience, and smart decisions.
Hidden around the World(Ogre Pixel, 6th Apr, $7.99) – Travel the world in this cozy hidden-object adventure inspired by real cities like Tokyo, Paris, Rio, and Venice. Explore charming hand-drawn scenes, relax, decorate, and discover hidden treasures across iconic destinations.
Hotel Simulator 2026(Eclipse Interactive, 27th Mar, $7.99) – Welcome to the world of luxury, chaos, and leaky ceilings. You’ve just bought a rundown hotel with more problems than guests — but with a bit of grit (and a lot of disinfectant), you might just turn it into the hottest destination in town.
Japanese Basics HIRAGANA Fill-in Quiz(TT, 2nd Apr, $8.99) – Start learning Japanese with Hiragana—the essential first step. In this simple fill-in-the-blank quiz game, a missing character is hidden with a circle. Choose the correct Hiragana to complete each word! Short questions make it perfect for quick study sessions, and repeated play helps you recognize shapes and readings naturally. Great for beginners, refreshers, and families learning together.
Living Dead House(Flynns Arcade, 2nd Apr, $4.99) – Survive the Night. Escape the Dead. Darkness descends and the undead rise. Armed with only a handful of weapons and the shelter of an abandoned house, you must fight to see the sunrise. Can you hold out, or be overwhelmed?
Magic Exposure 2(eastasiasoft, 2nd Apr, $4.99) – Magic Exposure 2 is a cute yuri-themed visual novel adventure with a supernatural twist! Take the role of Bianca in a story spanning 15,000 words and featuring 2 romance options to date. Make critical choices for Bianca to affect the narrative and explore multiple endings, unlocking special CG scenes along the way!
Manafinder(Ratalaika Games, 3rd Apr, $11.99) – Manafinder is a RPG with rich exploration, nostalgic turn-based combat, and original pixel art. In a vast and untapped world, powerful wild beasts roam the dangerous lands. A community of survivors known as the exiles depends on heroes like Lambda to obtain the power of manastones to keep their civilization safe. Fight your way against ferocious beasts and other enemies in the quest for manastones as you define the fate of the exiled!
MARVEL MaXimum Collection(Limited Run Games, 27th Mar, $24.99) – The Definitive Archive for True Believers MARVEL MAXIMUM COLLECTION: THE DEFINITIVE RETRO ARCHIVE Welcome to the Vault. Limited Run Games is proud to present one of the most comprehensive gatherings of Marvel’s early gaming legacy. Featuring every major iteration across Arcade, 8-bit, 16-bit, and portable consoles, this collection is a curated journey through the evolution of the 1990s Marvel Universe in pixels. It’s more than a game—it’s a piece of history, preserved with modern features and bonus content for the ultimate fan. – Read our MARVEL MaXimum Collection review
Mighty Aphid 2(Cascadia Games, 3rd Apr, $3.49) – It’s World War Worm! Victoria is under siege at the battle front. After a two-year absence, Mighty Aphid returns to battle Lady Bug and her evil horde once again. This time, the villainess has created her own Mighty warriors to take on the pint-sized hero. Run, shoot, swim, dash, and fly. Rescue the innocent. Fight mighty bosses. Earn powerful upgrades.
Morkull Ascend to the Gods(Pdpartid@games, 2nd Apr, $14.99) – Morkull Ascend to the Gods is a 2D action video game focused on boss battles, once again taking control of the charismatic God of Death: Morkull. Set in the original world of Morkull Ragast’s Rage, locked up and aware that he is in a new video game, you must help him escape so that he can carry out his evil plans for the world and rule by subjecting everyone to his will (yes, including you).
MotionRec(PLAYISM, 2nd Apr, $9.99) – Use the ability to record your own movements and play them back elsewhere to explore a world of devastation. You can record the trajectory of your movements, from walking to jumping. Use stage gimmicks to create and record more complex movements to traverse the world.
Not Human Nightmare(CGI LAB, 3rd Apr, $12.99) – Welcome to a horror experience set during a long, lonely night inside an empty office building. What begins as a normal overtime shift quickly turns unsettling. The building grows quiet and the silence becomes almost unbearable. Something about the place feels wrong — as if the office has changed.
Owlen and Whispering Woods(EpiXR Games, 2nd Apr, $9.99) – Begin a heartfelt journey through enchanted forests where magic lingers in every branch and shadow. As a small owl guided by gentle spirits, you soar above glowing marshes, whispering trees, and ancient groves. Your purpose is to restore balance by flying through magical circles that awaken plants, revive wildlife, and breathe life back into forgotten woodlands. Along your journey, you will find memory shards hidden beneath canopies, inside hollow trees, or deep within misty swamps.
Panda Keeper(Afil Games, 2nd Apr, $4.99) – In Panda Keeper, you take on the role of the keeper and must use logic, patience, and a bit of strategy to push the big fluffy buddy around the enclosure without getting him stuck in tight corners. Each level is a new habitat filled with rocks, fences, and corridors that turn a simple “little push” into a delightful brain teaser.
PULMO(Sometimes You, 3rd Apr, $9.99) – PULMO is the ideological continuation of ALVEOLE and the second part in a trilogy about the human journey. Our project explores human behavior in a society where everyone will find their own meanings. Your goal is to change the environment around you to influence people’s behavior by solving spatial puzzles. The crowd in the game acts according to its own rules, sometimes helping, sometimes interfering, but always reacting to your actions.
ROGOLF(Seabird Interactive, 2nd Apr, $9.99) – Play mini-golf, buy equipment and score enough points to reach the top. Each level has it’s own rules and each game is different. You are hired as a mini-golf level tester by the french company ROGOLF. Management will always expect big quality scores from your golfing skills… Thanks to the help of the Smuggler, cheat your way through the floors of this strange office building, or get fired trying to!
Sigma Star Saga DX(WayForward, 7th Apr, $19.99) – The classic shooter/RPG is back and better than ever! Featuring a unique mix of side-scrolling shoot-’em-up space battles and top-down planetary exploration, Sigma Star Saga DX is an explosive genre mashup that lets you take control of Allied Earth Federation pilot Ian Recker and infiltrate the alien Krill Empire as a double agent in a last-ditch effort to save mankind.
Sprunki Hell Towers(RandomSpin Games, 2nd Apr, $4.99) – Sprunki Hell Towers is a dynamic platformer with horror elements, where every jump matters. You play as one of the Sprunki and climb sinister towers to save friends captured by the villain Black. Each tower is a separate trial with its own atmosphere, mechanics, and mood: from bright and almost cheerful levels to anxious, oppressive sections with horror elements. The game is built on fair but demanding gameplay. Mistakes are punished, but always fairly — no randomness or injustice. Difficulty grows gradually, forcing you to learn, adapt, and feel real progress.
Spy Guy Europe(Trefl S.A, 3rd Apr, $13.99) – Spy Guy is an amazing detective who searches for hidden objects in various locations and cities around the world. This time, he has been tasked with traveling to Europe to find hidden objects in European capitals and cities. Spy Guy Europe, with a new hint system and three game modes, is a great choice for anyone who loves searching for hidden objects and solving puzzles.
Stunt Race(RandomSpin Games, 2nd Apr, $2.99) – Take the wheel and launch into the sky in STUNT RACE — an adrenaline-fueled driving experience where gravity is just a suggestion. Race through impossible tracks suspended high above a sprawling city. Loop through aerial rings, dodge obstacles in the clouds, and prove your skills on death-defying courses designed to push your reflexes to the limit.
VECTORED(ASTXRIAL Works, 2nd Apr, $8.49) – Pilot your drone through a dark, corrupted forest in VECTORED. Endless AI swarms adapt as your score rises. Easy to learn, brutal to master. Can you survive the swarm?
What will you be downloading this week? (93 votes)
Super Meat Boy 3D13%
Darwin’s Paradox!15%
Content Warning0%
Haste6%
People of Note6%
15-in-1 Mega Bundle0%
Adrenaline Overload Bundle0%
Adrenaline Rush 4‑Pack0%
All‑Stars 4‑Game Collection0%
Asphalt Racing Bundle Hypercar & Speedway0%
Button Prison0%
Casual Sport Series: Boxing0%
Cat-up!0%
ChainStaff1%
Content Warning1%
Cozy Bay Hike0%
Cozy Life Collection0%
Duck Battle Royale0%
Eggconsole C-so! Msx0%
Eko and the Bewitched Lands0%
Extreme Garage: Offroad0%
Fit and Fry: Mise En Place0%
Garden Work Simulator 20260%
Hidden around the World0%
Hotel Simulator 20261%
Japanese Basics HIRAGANA Fill-in Quiz0%
Living Dead House0%
Magic Exposure 20%
Manafinder0%
Marvel Maximum Collection12%
Mighty Aphid 21%
Morkull Ascend to the Gods1%
MotionRec3%
Not Human Nightmare0%
Owlen and Whispering Woods0%
Panda Keeper1%
Pulmo0%
Rogolf0%
Sigma Star Saga DX10%
Sprunki Hell Towers0%
Spy Guy Europe1%
Stunt Race0%
Vectored1%
Nothing for me this week26%
So that’s your lot for this week’s North American Nintendo Download. Go on, be a sport and drop a vote in the poll above, and comment below with your hot picks!
We’re not joking about this, but just days after Nintendo ended its GameChat “Welcome Offer” promo, it’s now running a new “Missions & Rewards” event, encouraging Switch 2 users to make use of the system’s voice chat and video features.
This “limited time” offer allows you to unlock GameChat themed user icons when you open GameChat and complete the setup process. To get started, you need to press the C Button on your right Joy-Con 2 controller.
Of course, you’ll now need to pay to access this feature. Here’s the official description, along with a look:
“You can start GameChat by tapping the icon on the HOME Menu on your Nintendo Switch 2 system or by pressing the C Button on your Joy-Con™ 2 (R) controller. If you haven’t completed the initial setup for GameChat yet, you’ll need to do so before you can get your reward.”
Image: Nintendo
When you’ve fulfilled the requirements, you’ll then be able to purchase these icons for 10 Platinum Points each. These icons will be available until 22nd April 2026. During this period, Switch Online members who follow these steps will also earn 100 My Nintendo Points.
In case you did miss it, Nintendo was previously running a promotion for Switch 2 owners, where they could test out all the GameChat features for free. Now that this promotion has ended, you’ll need to have an active Switch Online membership to access these features.
Have you tried out GameChat on the Switch 2 yet? Let us know in the comments.
Deadline reports the film has experienced the “best opening day so far this year” in the US – reaching $34 million. This puts it ahead of Project Hail Mary on $33.1 million. Galaxy has also managed to claim the best “opening Wednesday” in April, taking the title from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made $31.7 million.
The same outlet previously reported that Mario’s movie sequel is projected to make $350 million worldwide across the five-day Easter weekend, which would be slightly lower than the $377 million achieved by The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023.
Based on the trajectory of the first movie, if the “3- and 5-day numbers hold”, Galaxy movie would bank “the biggest 5-day domestic opening” since Moana 2 ($225.4 million) and the “biggest 3-day opening” since Wicked: For Good ($147 million).
And although it’s early days, Mario’s new movie is already expected to “rep the biggest U.S./Canada opening” year-to-date.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been labelled one “for the fans”. On Rotten Tomatoes it’s currently got an audience score of 92% and a critic score of 43% overall. In comparison, the audience score of the first movie was 95%, with the critic score for this one averaging out at 59%.
Here on Nintendo Life, we said Mario’s Galaxy outing was a “faithful but overstuffed sequel” awarding it six out of ten stars.
Stay tuned over the coming days, weeks and months as more is revealed about The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s worldwide box office performance.
Have you seen the Super Mario Galaxy Movie yet? Let us know in the comments.
Too Kyo Games and Marvelous are still showing support for The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy in 2026 with regular updates, and the latest one has now been announced.
It’s a relatively small one compared to some of the previous updates, but it does include some notable improvements such as added language support and colorblind support via the options menu. As usual, there are also some bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.
Here’s what you can expect, according to the official Steam game page:
The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy (Version 1.2.0)
[ver1.2.0] Update Notice 2026/4/1
Improvements
– Changed the ability to start a new game from “HUNDRED LINE 2”
– Changed the ability to skip enemy movement animations during battles using the cancel button
– Changed the ability to select from the beginning of Day 0 in Chapter Select
– Added “Colorblind Support” to the options
– Added Korean language support (text)
Bug Fixes
– Fixed a bug where some achievements were not unlocking
– Fixed other minor bugs and typos
Thank you for your continued support of ”The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-”.
This follows Too Kyo Games and Marvelous revealing earlier this year that this title is actually two games in one. You can read more about this in our previous coverage here on Nintendo Life:
Have you tried out this game on the Switch yet? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.
We all need a little bit of lightness in the world at the moment, right? Pokémon Pokopia has been providing a lot of people that on Switch 2, but if you’re out and about in London between now and 30th September, there’s another way you can get some adorable Pokémon goodness in your life right now.
The Pokémon Company International has opened up a public garden in London’s Acton Mount in the UK. Themed around the recent cosy game release, the garden has been put together with local businesses and is designed to bring a moment of calm to your busy life.
Little details themed around Pokopia are dotted throughout the garden, and you’ll also be able to take in the calm while admiring the terrariums, flowers, and “living walls”.
And, hey, we actually got to check it out yesterday ahead of its opening to the public. It’s as cute as it looks! We got a few shots of it over on our Instagram, but there are some official snaps from TPC International too, just in case you can’t make the trip over to the big smoke yourself:
Pokémon Pokopia has taken the world by storm and it’s currently one of the best-reviewed video games of the year, with shortages of physical copies being the only thing slowing it down even slightly.
Perhaps you could take your Switch 2 to Acton Town and get cosy in the garden?
Will you be checking out the Pokémon Garden in Acton, London this year? Let us know in the comments.
Nintendo has been hit with another blow in its ongoing legal battle with Palworld, as the US Patent Office has rejected its controversial ‘summon character and let it fight’ Pokémon patent.
According to Games Fray‘s Florian Mueller (via VGC), the non-final rejection — meaning Nintendo has two months to respond (or more if it choses) — the USPTO has rejected all 26 claims made in the patent, which essentially revokes it, unless Nintendo chooses to respond.
Mueller reports that the patent was “revoked” without the need to play or even look at a single game, as it’s based on prior art reference from previous US patent applications
Specifically, Squires highlighted four previous patents: Taura, a patent granted to Nintendo in 2020 that talks about sub-characters who battle alongside players; Yabe, which was granted to Konami in 2002 and looks at both automatic or manually-controlled sub-characters (and pairs nicely with Taura, as you might have guessed). These make up 18 of the 26 claims.
Motokura, granted to Nintendo in 2022, and Shimomoto, granted to Bandai Namco in 2020, are also named in the document. Combining these two with Taura, or combining Yabe and Shimomoto with Taura, invalidates all of Nintendo’s claims in the patent.
Palworld is due to launch in 1.0 this year — Image: Pocketpair
It’s perhaps not a surprise given how widespread the use of summoning characters or sub-characters has been in gaming for years — say hello to Digimon, Persona, SMT, and even Elden Ring to some degree. We’re not even mentioning the countless indie titles that use monster-catching and battling in some fashion.
And it was for this reason that, after the USPTO granted the patent last year, it drew heavy criticism. Former TPC legal expert Don McGowan said he thought companies would “ignore it” because of how widespread it already is, while video game lP lawyer Kirk Sigmon said “I strongly disagree with this result: In my view, these claims were in no way allowable.”
Again, since this is non-final, Nintendo has a chance to respond and even appeal to the Federal Circuit. And, if even one claim in the patent is Valid, Nintendo can still use it to go after others who use this mechanic.
Of course, this is all tangential to the Palworld lawsuit in Japan, where three main patents are involved — two focusing on monster catching, and one related to animal mounts and characters. One of these patents, focusing on using objects to catch creatures, has already been rejected in Japan.
What do you think of this decision? Do you think Nintendo will respond? Let us know in the comments.
Following the lead of The Super Mario Bros. Movie back in 2023 (we hear that did pretty good business), Nintendo and Universal aren’t wasting any time getting retail listings for the home release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie live. They’re up now, in fact.
You’ve got your typical suite of DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K Blu-ray releases ranging from around £10/$20 to £35/$40 for the snazzier Steelbook option if you go for the Ultra HD version (which also bundles in the regular Blu-ray, as per usual). The outside of the latter case has a printed leather-bound look aping Rosalina’s book from the game/film and a moody shot of Peach’s castle on the inside:
There’s no word on an exact home release date for the movie just yet, with “31st December 2026” being a placeholder date.
However, if it follows suit with the original film, we’re likely to see it land in June sometime (the first one came out on 13th June following an April cinematic release), with a streaming release to follow later in the year.
In addition to the lineup above, Walmart also has an exclusive ‘Tin Egg’ version of the 4K release, though it’s sold out at the time of writing. Have a gander here, though:
If you’re wondering if the film’s any good or not, you can read our verdict now (spoilers: if you liked the first one, you’ll probably like this one, as well), and check out the wider critical reception in our review round up.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Goat Simulator 3 is now available on the Switch 2, with all major DLC expansions available for purchase separately, including Multiverse of Nonsense, Baadlands Furry Road, Hocus Pocus Pack, Super Duper Pack, and the newly-announced Buck to the Future Pack.
If you happen to already own Goat Simulator 3 on the original Switch, however, keep in mind that you can bag 70% off the Switch 2 port. That brings it down from £26.99 to £8.09 in the UK, and from $29.99 to $8.99 in the US.
Gameshare is also available on the Switch 2 version as standard, so if you want to go frolicking with a buddy, then you can just link up via local connection with just one copy of the game.
The Buck to the Future Pack, meanwhile, contains 22 new items of gear along with the ‘Robocock’ (strewth) costume. You’ll also be able to mess around with gravity and ‘gigantify’ NPCs around the world. The pack costs £6.49 / $7.99.
Will you be picking up Goat Simulator 3 on the Switch 2? What do you make of the new content pack? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.
If you’ve seen The Super Mario Bros. Movie, then you’re probably already aware that it contains not one, but two additional scenes after the credits roll. The question, however, is whether the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, follows suit with its own post-credits scene.
The short answer is yes, so if that will suffice, then stop reading right now and go watch the thing. If you’d like more information, though, then feel free to stick with us. In this guide, we’ll go over just how many scenes you can expect along with how they play out.
With that in mind, we’ll make it clear right here that this article will contain heavy spoilers, so be warned!
Does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have a post-credits scene?
Yep! Just like the first movie, there are two scenes to enjoy after the credits start rolling.
The first comes mid-credits, right after an animated credits sequence laying out the main cast members and creatives. The second comes right at the end of the credits, so stick with it for one final treat.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie post-credits scenes explained
Okay, so you now know to expect two scenes after the credits start rolling, but what actually happens in them? We’ll go through each in detail right here, so this is your final spoiler warning.
Image: Nintendo / Illumination
Scene #1
The mid-credits scene takes place at a large prison facility in which Bowser and Bowser Jr. are being held following their defeat.
Toad and Fox McCloud leave through the front door, with Toad asking McCloud what his immediate plans are. McCloud confirms that he’s about to set off toward his home planet before hopping into his Arwing, which feels like an incredibly blatant nod toward a potential Star Fox movie.
After this, Bowser and Bowser Jr. plot their escape, but are interrupted by the terminally-nihilistic Lumalee from the original movie, now serving as a prison warden.
Scene #2
The final scene takes place in the Gateway Galaxy, during which the incredibly mischievous Ukiki commits a theft before sprinting off. He doesn’t get very far, however, as an unseen character whacks him in the face and sends him sprawling.
The camera pans around to reveal a new character for the movie series: Princess Daisy.
Boom, scene ends.
Will there be a third movie?
Nothing has been officially announced at the time of writing beyond the makers’ desires to make more films, but a third entry seems extremely likely given the early projections for this instalment. We’ll keep an eye out for that all-important Nintendo Today! announcement in the coming months.
As for what a second sequel might entail, we really have no idea at the moment. Honestly, some of us thought this sequel would be an adaptation of Super Mario World before its official reveal, so we were way off.
Wario was mistakenly hinted at by third-party sources prior to release, so we guess it’s possible he might finally show up in a future movie, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Image: Nintendo / Illumination
So there you have it! Have you caught the the Mario Galaxy Movie yet? Did you stick around for the post-credits scenes? Let us know with a comment.
