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The Verge
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Friendslop is coming for the Switch 2
During today's Nintendo Indie World showcase, I had two epiphanies. The first was the realization that friendslop games are about to hit the Switch 2 like a falling piano in a Road Runner cartoon. The second was that I love that for me, because that means I can finally play them. My friends love 'friendslop,' the initially derisive but now descriptive nickname given to indie co-op games with a loose gameplay structure that permits the kind of chaos that can make games go viral on social media. And from what I've seen, I would love it, too. Friendslop is known for low-quality graphics (hence the 'slop' part) that give a game a stylized look that's common among other indie games. The term hasn't become a ubiquitous genre descriptor like metroidvania or soulslike, but it's still useful for labeling the kinds of casual co-op games that have recently exploded in popularity, primarily on Steam. The problem is that playing them typically requires me getting off the couch, something I do not do. I'm a comfort gamer. If a game cannot be played from my couch, I don't want it. Co-op games with a console release like Phasmophobia are perfectly fine, but PC-only games like Peak are nonstarters to me. GameChat opens the door for a ton of similar games making their way to the Switch 2 Seeing the trailer for Content Warning during Indie World showed how the Switch 2's GameChat feature can solve the problem and close that gap, opening up more multiplatform releases for previously PC-only games. Before its arrival, playing co-op games like Among Us with your Switch-having friends required either being in the same room, time-consuming triangulation via Discord, or attempting to use the Nintendo Switch App. GameChat sands down those spiky bits of friction, allowing you to connect with friends at the press of a button to play online together like in Mario Kart World, or play together separately, each person in the little four-player lobby chatting away while doing their own thing. The Switch 2 GameChat feature eliminates my barrier to entry in these kinds of games. There's no worry of trying to figure out my Steam Deck's text or voice chat or playing on my Deck while I chat through a Discord call on my phone. (Remember, I'm lazy.) With one button on one device, I can connect with my friends and yap to my heart's content as we're all eaten alive by underwater cryptids. Content Warning, for example, is a game where you and your friends explore an underwater ruin in hopes of filming supernatural phenomena to farm clout and ad revenue on social media. How you do that, and whether all your friends survive the trip, is up to you. In friendslop games, cooperation is important but not required. And in fact, working against each other can be just as fun as working together. GameChat breaks open the door for a ton of similar games to make their way to the Switch 2. Peak, for example, sold almost 5 million copies in under a month and is the exact kind of casual, indie co-op game the Switch is suited for. Peak and games like it on the Switch 2 have the potential to be incredibly successful. These games aren't graphically or mechanically intensive — and even if they were, the Switch 2's hardware upgrades can handle it. And they're focused on partying with your friends, a key feature in some of the most popular games out there right now. People want to play with their friends on the platforms their friends play on and with GameChat, the Switch 2 can finally be that platform. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Ash Parrish Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Analysis Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Nintendo Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Report
Digital Trends
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Everything announced at the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase July 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 is out today and that's a cause for celebration. Players who were able to score one will no doubt spend the day racing in Mario Kart World, testing out their Joy-con's new tricks in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and testing out new features like GameChat. There's bound to be a lot of excitement, but also plenty of complaints. You're bound to see players sharing their issues with the system this weekend, which may leave you wondering if it's worth waiting to buy one until the bugs are ironed out. That would be a totally healthy response, but be warned: The fakers are coming. Take everything you see and hear this weekend with some healthy skepticism until the dust clears.
Business Wire
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo News: Draw Inspiration from Mario Paint – Available Now on Nintendo Classics!
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Mario Paint game is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems via the Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics library 1! The 1992 Super NES game turns your system into a canvas, with an array of colors and drawing tools available to create digital works of art. You can even animate your drawings and compose music to craft your own video creations! Get ready to unlock your inner artist using the Joy-Con 2 controller's mouse functionality on Nintendo Switch 2, or by using a compatible USB mouse (sold separately) on a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch – OLED Model system. And just like in the original game, you can access the Coloring Book featuring fun designs and character art or play the Gnat Attack training game for some extra mouse control fun. Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that gives players access to a multitude of benefits, including a library of classic games and online play in compatible games. Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat 2 feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing. Brush up on your skills and create your Mario masterpiece! For more information, visit Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site. 1 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. 2 Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately. Until March 31, 2026, GameChat can be used without a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat.
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
TRADITION MEETS PLAYING TOGETHER THIS DIWALI AS NANAK FOODS AND NINTENDO CELEBRATE FAMILY CONNECTION
SURREY, BC, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - In a delicious celebration of family, tradition, and fun, this Diwali, Nanak Foods and Nintendo of Canada invite Canadian families to gather around timeless Indian favourites like Rasmalai, Gulabjamun and Aloo Tikki, while creating unforgettable family moments with the magic of the Nintendo Switch 2 system. Diwali is a time for light, laughter, and meaningful connection—a celebration that brings families and friends together in the warmth of shared traditions. This festive season, by pairing delicious, ready-to-enjoy Nanak dishes with the joy of light-hearted competition and cooperative play on Nintendo Switch 2, this collaboration aims to celebrate the moments that bring us all together. Whether it's sharing the joy of playing with Mario and friends - available on Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch ™, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite systems- or savouring the rich tastes of India, it's about celebrating the little moments and creating lasting family memories. To keep the fun going, from August 1 to October 31, 2025, Nanak Foods are giving Canadians the chance to win the new Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle *, so families can experience the magic of playing together. The system is home to a variety of exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of games, including Mario Kart Word, Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Have family living abroad? No problem! With the addition of GameChat ** on Nintendo Switch 2, players can talk like they are in the same room, even if they're miles apart. Whether sharing a victory or just waving hello with the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, GameChat makes it feel like online friends are right there on the couch in your living room. Nintendo is not a sponsor, co-sponsor, or administrator of this contest. * Limited-time production through Fall 2025 (available while supplies last). ** Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately. Until March 31, 2026, GameChat can be used without a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat. About Nanak Foods Founded in 1997, Nanak Foods is North America's leading processor of traditional South Asian dairy-based foods. Specializing in paneer, ghee, yogurt, and a wide variety of ethnic appetizers and desserts, Nanak Foods operates CFIA-, FDA-, and EU-approved facilities that meet the highest standards of quality and food safety. Headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, with an additional production facility in Bellingham, Washington, Nanak brings the authentic taste of South Asia to households across the globe. Committed to innovation and community, Nanak is currently expanding in a new 300,000 state-of-the-art facility in South Surrey to enhance its product offerings and support continued growth.
Metro
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Donkey Kong Bananza is Nintendo and gaming at its best - Reader's Feature
A reader is very impressed by Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2 and praises it for focusing on being a video game above all else. From the moment the game boots up, Donkey Kong Bananza feels like a celebration of everything Nintendo stands for: bold creativity, joyful chaos, and a deep respect for its own legacy. It's not just another platformer, it's a vibrant love letter to the spirit of play. The game doesn't try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it polishes it to a gleam and sends it rolling down a jungle hill with barrels flying and bongo beats thumping. It's Nintendo in full swing, embracing its roots while swinging forward with confidence. The character of Donkey Kong himself is emblematic of Nintendo's genius. He's not sleek or edgy, he's a big-hearted brute with a goofy grin and a penchant for bananas. And yet, he's iconic. In Bananza, his personality bursts through every animation, every sound effect, every triumphant chest pound. There's a tactile joy to his movement, a weight and rhythm that makes every jump and roll feel satisfying. Nintendo's mastery of feel is on full display here, and it's something few other developers can replicate. What makes Bananza shine is its level design. Each stage is a playground of surprises, packed with secrets, alternate paths, and clever environmental puzzles. The game trusts the player to explore, to experiment, to fail and try again. It's challenging without being punishing, whimsical without being shallow. There's a sense of craftsmanship in every vine swing and barrel blast, a deliberate layering of mechanics that rewards curiosity and skill. It's the kind of design that makes you smile not just because you succeeded, but because the journey was so much fun. The music is pure Nintendo magic. Infectious jungle rhythms, cheeky melodies, and atmospheric flourishes create a soundscape that's both nostalgic and fresh. It's the kind of soundtrack that sticks with you, that you hum while making toast or walking to the bus. It elevates the game's energy and reinforces its identity – playful, adventurous, and unmistakably Nintendo. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Multiplayer in Bananza is another triumph. The game fosters laughter and camaraderie and makes use of Game Chat in the most perfect way. It's chaotic in the best way, with moments of unexpected hilarity and clutch teamwork. Nintendo has always understood that games are better when shared and Bananza leans into that philosophy with gusto. It's a game that brings people together, whether they're seasoned gamers or just picking up a controller for the first time. But perhaps what makes Donkey Kong Bananza truly special is its heart. There's no cynicism here, no gritty realism or forced drama. It's pure joy, distilled into pixels and sound. It reminds us why we fell in love with games in the first place – not for high scores or achievements, but for the thrill of discovery, the delight of movement, the laughter of shared moments. Nintendo at its best doesn't just entertain, it uplifts. It creates worlds we want to live in, characters we want to root for, and experiences we want to revisit again and again. More Trending Bananza is a triumph not because it's perfect, but because it's unmistakably Nintendo. It's bold, it's silly, it's brilliant. And in every vine swing and banana hoard, it reminds us that play is a beautiful thing. By reader BaldB3lper The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: The best thing the PS6 can do is be less powerful than PS5 – Reader's Feature MORE: The standards for video game reviews need to be higher - Reader's Feature MORE: Zelda: The Wind Waker is still an amazing game that can inspire future sequels – Reader's Feature
