The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is almost here, and in a promotional teaser today, some Nintendo characters you might not have expected to see have been spotted.
Yes, after featuring at Super Nintendo World, on the back of football shirts, and popping up in their very own animated short last year, it looks like…spoiler alert…the next outing for Nintendo’s tiny plant-style creatures known as Pikmin could appear in Mario’s movie sequel next month.
The latest short only runs for 10 seconds, but alongside Mario, Toad and Peach, you can also see characters such as R.O.B., a Ninji, and Wart, and at the six-second mark the original yellow, red and blue Pikmin appear on screen.
Nothing else has been shared about the Pikmin featured here, or what exactly to expect from them. Still, it’s great to see this particular Nintendo series potentially getting some extra publicity as part of Mario’s upcoming movie.
Pikmin creator Shigeru Miyamoto has always had a soft spot for these little creatures, and has previously spoken about how he considers them to be Nintendo’s most “global characters”, so Pikmin appearing in places you might not expect is on brand.
What are your thoughts about this Pikmin sighting? Let us know in the comments.
According to Nintendo of America’s official support page, this is scheduled to be released locally in this region on 18th March 2026 (so very soon). It bumps the game up to Version 11.1.0 and includes balance adjustments to the game’s matchmaking and multiplayer.
The development team has also shared some details about the next update after this one – revealing it will focus on “changes to the balance of battles”. For now, here are the full details about the latest update due out this week:
Splatoon 3 – Version 11.1.0 (Releasing March 18, 2026)
All changes apply to both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Changes to Multiplayer
Specifications for some main weapons have changed.
Weapon
Change Details
Splattershot Nova Annaki Splattershot Nova
Increased the speed of shots by approximately 25% without changing the flight distance.
Flingza Roller Foil Flingza Roller
Adjusted the damage-falloff rate based on distance for vertical swings, allowing them to deal 50.0 damage/100 damage farther than they did before.
Octobrush Octobrush Nouveau Cometz Octobrush Orderbrush Replica
Reduced the amount of ink consumed when swinging the brush by approximately 10%.
Bamboozler 14 Mk I Bamboozler 14 Mk II
Increased movement speed while charging or firing by approximately 13%.
Bloblobber Bloblobber Deco
Increased damage from 30.0 to 32.0.
Douser Dualies FF Custom Douser Dualies FF
Reduced the time between doing a Dodge Roll and being able to take another action by approximately 1/30th of a second.
Reduced the amount of ink consumed by launching the canopy by approximately 23%.
Dynamo Roller Gold Dynamo Roller Starz Dynamo Roller
Lessened the effect of the ink-consumption reduction when equipping the Ink Saver (Main) ability.
Specifications for some special weapons have changed.
Special Weapon
Change Details
Ultra Stamp
Decreased the radius of the 220.0 damage area of the explosion at the point of impact when throwing the stamp by approximately 10%.
Points required for some special weapons have been changed.
Weapon
Before
After
Splattershot Hero Shot Replica Order Shot Replica
210
200
Sploosh-o-matic
180
190
Splash-o-matic
200
210
Luna Blaster Neo
180
190
Blaster
180
190
Custom Blaster
180
190
Rapid Blaster Pro Deco
190
200
Dynamo Roller
190
200
Inkbrush Nouveau
180
190
Heavy Splatling Order Splatling Replica
200
210
Dapple Dualies
170
180
Splat Dualies Order Dualie Replicas
190
200
Changes to X Battles
Changed the system for matchmaking so that, rather than having players with similar X Power at that time battle each other, now players whose final X Power will likely become similar after accumulating matches will be paired for battles.
Changed the systems for matchmaking and team division to make it less likely to result in skill disparity between teams, even in time zones or regions where there are not many players.
In the Tentatek Division, players with X Power less than 2000.0 and players with X Power of 2000.0 or higher may now be matched together.
Changed the matchmaking system to allow battles against more different weapons than before.
This update focuses on making changes to matchmaking and multiplayer balance.
For X Battles, we have changed the systems for matchmaking and team division.
First of all, rather than simply gathering players with similar X Powers at that point in time, we have made it so that it will instead gather players whose final X Power will likely become similar after accumulating matches.
With this change, extreme matches will be less likely, even immediately after the start of the season or immediately after finishing calculation.
Also, when matchmaking is taking a long time, it will gradually soften the criteria for determining a “similar level of ability,” but we have changed these criteria and the system for team division to ensure that the level of ability of players on both teams will be symmetrical, even in time zones and regions with fewer players.
Additionally, we have changed the pairing system for the weapons that players may battle against.
Up until now, weapons have been divided into several groups, and the system more frequently paired weapons belonging to the same group for battles.
We have changed this system to make it so that players more frequently battle with weapons of similar preferred ranges, regardless of group, in order to reduce the likelihood of a player’s weapon always being pitted against weapons with a longer (or shorter) preferred range.
As for multiplayer balance, we made changes based on the battle data from version 11.0.0.
Among the weapons that were upgraded in version 11.0.0 or were greatly affected by changes to the battle system, we made changes to slightly reduce the performance of some weapons that the battle data showed have become highly impactful.
For some of the weapons that did not receive much benefit from the battle-system changes, we have made changes to slightly raise their performance and make them easier to wield.
The next update will focus on changes to the balance of battles.
If you haven’t already tried out Splatoon 3 on the Switch 2, it actually received some updates for this platform last year, enhancing the experience. This included smoother animations and much more.
You can find out about the existing updates for Splatoon 3 in our previous coverage here on Nintendo Life:
What do you think of the latest update for Splatoon 3? Let us know in the comments.
The Pokémon Company is no stranger to a collaboration, and its upcoming crossover is for all those who assumed Minccino can come in a Grande size with cream and syrup.
That’s right, Pokémon is teaming up with coffee brand Grind on a new range of products. The collection will consist of “drinks inspired” by the world of ‘mon — best not to think too deeply about that one — as well as other goodies.
Honestly, we’re still not completely sure what, exactly, the collaboration will entail at the moment. What we do know is that it will arrive in Grind stores from 24th March, and there’s even a special launch party in London to mark the occasion (tickets for which are already sold out, naturally).
We love Pokémon, and we love coffee, so what’s not to like about this one? Hey, it’s finally a crossover that Detective Pikachu can get behind.
Will you be checking out this collaboration later this month? Let us know in the comments.
In case you missed it, Nintendo Switch 2 received a rather large system update last night. The big talking point out of the ver. 22.0.0 patch is the new “Handheld Mode Boost“, naturally, but the update also added a handful of other fresh features besides, including the ability to add notes to your Friends List.
To make these newbies even easier to add, the note function has now been added to the Nintendo Switch App in the ver. 3.3.0 update — so you can add a line or two to your Friends List even when you’re away from your Switch.
The app update also tweaks iOS screen time settings and gets rid of some bugs along the way.
The full patch notes were shared on the App Store, and we have gathered them together for you to check out below.
Nintendo Switch App Ver. 3.3.0 (17th Mar 2026)
You can now leave notes for yourself about users on your friend list, for example to help you identify specific friends more quickly. Note contents can be checked and edited from the “Friends” tab or from the “Friends” section of the “Home” tab.
iOS 26 Screen Time settings are now judged appropriately.
Other small bug fixes and improvements have also been made.
For the full rundown of the big Switch 2 ver. 22.0.0 system update, be sure to check out our coverage below.
Will you be making the most of the Nintendo Switch App’s new Friends List note features? Let us know in the comments.
So far, I tried out Thousand-Year Door, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Breath of the Wild (not upgraded), Pokemon Shield, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Wavetale, Cuphead, and Smash Ultimate. Of these, Wonder and BOTW got the most noticeable improvements for me, though the rest of these games also are now looking much better (except Cuphead, which never looked very crunchy to begin with and looks indistinguishable from pre-Handheld Boost).
This update will make me want to revisit a bunch of my Switch games.
Alex joins Street Fighter 6 today, but it doesn’t end there, with Capcom announcing some free content has also been released.
This is part of a new Mega Man Star Force & Battle Network collaboration. When you log in, you’ll be given some collaboration items. The Battle Hub will also get a fresh look and there’s a special voting event taking place online.
During the Capcom Cup last weekend, Capcom also revealed it was working some free DriveTech outfits, which will be distributed to every player at some point this year. Here’s a teaser of what’s to come:
Image: Capcom
Last but not least, here’s a look at Alex’s launch trailer, which also highlights various other new content that’s been released.
You can check out the full patch notes and balance adjustments for this latest update to Street Fighter 6 on Capcom’s official website. New outfits are also available for Elena and Dee Jay.
Alex will be followed by the next paid DLC fighter Ingrid, who is arriving later this year as the final Season 3 pass character.
Will you be checking out this new Street Fighter 6 collab featuring Mega Man? Let us know in the comments.
If you’ve been wondering what’s next for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Sega has this week lifted the lid on three more free DLC characters.
This includes Red from Angry Birds, Goro Majima (Captain Majima) from Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Arle, who you might know from Puyo Puyo. The first two characters are scheduled to arrive at some point next month in April 2026, and Arle will follow in May 2026.
Each character also comes with their own vehicle – Super Roaster (Red), Goromaru (Goro), Twinkle Bayoen (Arle). On top of this, Sega is also adding eight new songs from its many racing titles. You’ll be able to enjoy bangers such as ‘Magical Sound Shower’ on the jukebox as you race about:
What do you think of these latest free DLC characters to be announced for Sonic Racing? Let us know in the comments.
Nintendo has been quite busy today with the rollout of a system firmware update for the Switch 1 & 2 and a new “Handheld Boost Mode”.
It hasn’t forgotten about the weekly Nintendo Music app update, announcing it’s (finally) added the album from the 1994 SNES title, Super Metroid.
This album was composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano. Yamaoto has composed multiple Metroid games over the years and he was most recently credited on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Hamano has also been involved with many Metroid titles throughout her career and was also credited on Samus’ latest outing.
This album features a total of 28 tracks and it runs for just over an hour. Here’s every song included:
Opening (Destroyed Laboratory)
Title Screen
Theme of Super Metroid
Samus Aran Appears
Planet Zebes: Arriving at Crateria
Stillness
Item Obtained
Crateria: Space Pirates Appear
Brinstar: Heavy Foliage Area
Mini-Boss Battle BGM (Spore Spawn / Botwoon)
Brinstar: Red-Soil Area
Boss Battle BGM (Kraid/Crocomire/Phantoon)
Norfair: Hot Lava Area
Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior
Wrecked Ship
Maridia: Rocky Underground Water Area
Maridia: Quicksand Underground
Norfair: Ancient-Ruins Area
Boss Battle BGM (Ridley/Draygon)
Samus Aran’s Final Scream
Mysterious-Statue Chamber
Tourian
Tension
Mother Brain
Escape
Planete Zebes Explodes
Operation Complete
Ending
As usual, to listen to this soundtrack on the Nintendo Music app, you’ll need to have an active Switch Online subscription. Super Metroid is also playable via the Switch Online’s ‘Nintendo Classics’ SNES library. Of course, you’ll also need a membership to access this.
Will you be listening to this soundtrack on the Nintendo Music app? Let us know in the comments.
As detailed by Nintendo in the patch notes for Version 22.0.0, when enabled, this option will allow compatible Switch software to run as if it’s “in TV Mode” on the Switch 2 while in handheld. The Switch 2 has a display of 1080p in handheld, while the original unit is 720p in this mode, so expect some “improved” visuals.
Nintendo has also shared a page about this new feature, detailing the steps to activate it, and some additional details about how it works:
How to use Handheld Mode Boost on Switch 2
Follow these steps to enable or disable the Handheld Mode Boost setting on Nintendo Switch 2.
Information
When enabled, Handheld Mode Boost causes the performance of Nintendo Switch software while undocked to run as if it were being played in TV mode.
Complete these steps
Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
Scroll down on the right and select Nintendo Switch Software Handling.
Select Handheld Mode Boost to enable or disable this setting.
Additional information
While enabling this setting can result in improved visuals, it may also increase the system’s power consumption.
The effect of Handheld Mode Boost will vary based on the software. Some Nintendo Switch software will be unaffected, and this option has no effect on software for Nintendo Switch 2.
Because this option forces TV mode operation, some instructions may be incorrect or fail to operate correctly.
Handheld Mode Boost may prevent Nintendo Switch software from using the system’s touch screen, and will cause attached Joy-Con 2 controllers to be treated as a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
To use other controllers, first detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console.
Image: Nintendo Life
As you can see in the additional information, while there may be improved visuals and similar performance to the software being played in TV mode, this option can also impact the console’s power consumption. Things like touch screen functionality are also disabled when playing. And this option has “no effect” on Switch 2 software.
And just remember – before you can use this mode, you’ll need to update your system’s firmware to Version 22.0.0. This feature is also obviously a Switch 2 exclusive. You can see what else is included in the latest system update in our patch notes post.
Will you be making of Handheld Mode Boost? Let us know in the comments.
Nintendo has released a new update for the Switch 2 and Switch this week, bumping the system firmware up to Version 22.0.0.
On the Switch 2, this update comes loaded with new GameChat features, language and accessibility updates, and multiple other improvements and updates. Most notably, though, it adds the new “Handheld Mode Boost“, which allows compatible Switch software to run as if it’s “in TV Mode” during portable play.
Nintendo has shared a guide on its official support page about how to access and use this new feature, which we’ve covered here on Nintendo Life in a separate post.
Below are the official patch notes for Switch 2’s Version 22.0.0 update:
Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
The following features were added to support GameChat:
Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you’re participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.
Friends that haven’t finished GameChat initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven’t used a Nintendo Switch 2.
It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.
Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.
Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
Added the option to add the following data to “Automatic Uploads” from Album.
Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.
Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to “GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text” languages in Accessibility.
Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.
Please see Nintendo Switch 2 First-Time Setup and Connection for instructions on how to turn text-to-speech on in the first-time setup.
Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.
Added the ability to perform an audio test when “Linear PCM 5.1 Surround” is selected for TV Sound in Audio.
Changed the “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea” region to “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia” in Device.
Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.
The following features were added to Airplane Mode:
When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.
Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.
Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
The updates for Switch Version 22.0.0 include some adjustments as well as general system stability improvements. Here’s what’s included:
Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
Again, you can find out more about the handheld boost in our PSA. This update for the Switch and Switch 2 follows an update in January, which included some general stability improvements.
The Nintendo Switch App for mobile devices has also received an update today, bumping it up to Version 3.3.0. It allows you to now save notes about users on your friends list, to “help you keep track of who’s who” and also includes some other “small bug fixes and improvements”.
Have you downloaded this update yet? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.
