Latest news with #NintendoSwitchOnline
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Nintendo Switch Phone App Just Got A Lot Better
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in exactly one week, and in the lead up to the new console, Nintendo has updated the Nintendo Switch Online app and made it much more useful. It also has a new, pithier name. Say goodbye to the Nintendo Switch Online App, and say hello to the Nintendo Switch App. On May 28, Nintendo quietly pushed out update 3.0.1 for the Nintendo Switch Online app. As mentioned, this abbreviated the app's name and also reworked some of its UI. But the big news is that the Switch App will now let you upload screenshots and videos from the Switch 2 directly to your phone without needing to use a QR code. You can even set the Switch 2 to automatically upload up to 100 screenshots and videos to the app. These will remain available to download from your phone for 30 days. Even better, this new feature is available for free, no paid Switch Online membership is needed. However, this new option is only available on the Switch 2. Some other great changes include the ability to add friends via the app itself, and the ability to receive notifications on your phone when your friends log on. A lot of these features are things that have existed in Sony and Microsoft's apps and consoles for years now, so it does feel like Nintendo is finally catching up. Still, it's nice that the Switch app on phones will feel more modern and be far more useful. As someone who never shared a screenshot from my Switch to my phone, I was gobsmacked that you had to use a QR code and transfer it over wifi. Using the cloud and letting the console do it automatically is a huge improvement. Here are the full patch notes for the big update: The app name has changed from Nintendo Switch Online to Nintendo Switch App. Elements of the app design have been updated. Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are now supported. Screenshots and videos saved in your console's album can now be uploaded to the app. You can now receive GameChat invitations. More friend features are now available in the app. You can now add friends via the app. You can choose to receive a notification in the app when a friend comes online. Various other small improvements and bug fixes have been made. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Still Looking for a Nintendo Switch 2? Try Costco on Launch Day
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Nintendo's Switch 2 arrives on June 5 and preorders are largely sold out, but a few unexpected retailers say they will have the gaming handheld in stock. Costco now has a dedicated page for the Switch 2, which says the console will be available for purchase on June 5. You can buy one unit per week, provided you have a Costco membership. The store was not part of last month's preorder blitz. A note on its Switch 2 listing says, "This product is expected to be in stock and available for purchase soon. Check back again later." Costco's website also only lists the Mario Kart World bundle at the moment. There's no price on but the bundle has been going for $499.99 for the Switch 2 console, Mario Kart World game, and 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online. The standalone Switch 2 costs $449.99. There's no guarantee that the stock will be available at your local Costco. "Item may be available in your local warehouse, prices may vary," the website says. If you're unable to get the console from Costco on launch day, there are a few other retailers you can try. Staples, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target are expected to have additional stock. On the other hand, if you preordered the console, check your order as some users are seeing their purchases get canceled without reason.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch 2 Releases Next Weekend: Here's How You Can Still Pre-Order
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Nintendo's Switch 2 console went up for preorder on April 24, and unsurprisingly it was a big deal. Retailer sites crashed and preorders sold out quickly. Launch day for the consoles is June 5, and hopefully you got a pre-order in at one of the many stores offering them. If you missed out, don't give up. It's not over yet. There are absolutely still going to be Switch 2 machines available on June 5 for savvy shoppers. While most locations say that they are temporarily sold out, we'll teach you how to watch out for new Switch 2 preorder opportunities. Nintendo reportedly has a stockpile of over a million Switch 2 consoles already stateside in preparation for purchase, and we don't know how many were allocated to each individual retailer. That said, the original Switch blew through a million units sold shortly after it launched, so don't sleep on the value of a preorder. Every retailer that offered preorders on April 24 has closed them as of today. That said, this isn't a permanent move, and we'd expect a few of them to re-open Switch 2 sales soon. The biggest retailer of them all, Amazon, still hasn't even sold a single Switch 2 console, and Nintendo's unique preorder method is still available. Because nothing in life is fair or easy, multiple retailers have begun reaching out to pre-order purchasers and telling them that they will not be getting the system on June 5. Buyers at both Target and Walmart have posted their cancellation notices on Reddit. This implies that these stores will not be getting Switch 2 hardware in the amount they forecasted, sending shockwaves down the purchase chain. Not great! We haven't seen any cancellations from Gamestop or other early sellers yet, but be aware that this is happening. Nintendo's online store is handling preorders differently than any other retailer, using a loyalty program to place potential buyers on a waitlist without any financial commitment. If you have a Nintendo account and you're 18 years of age or older, you can register your intent to purchase right now. This is not a binding commitment, but it is a way to get an exclusive purchase link. There are two lists here: If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 paid months and 50+ gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025, you get put on the priority list. If not, you're in the second set of invites after all the first group has gone. Read our rundown of why the Nintendo Switch 2 preorder system favors Switch Online members. It's also important to note that Nintendo will only tell you if you're on the list on May 8 or later. Nintendo also announced that even if you preorder on May 8, you're not guaranteed to get your console on June 5. You can still register your interest to purchase up until the Switch 2 actually launches, but Nintendo has not given any estimates on how long they will take to get systems in the hands of late registrants. Other retailers opened up preorders on April 24th and quickly sold out, but we've got the links to check stock and see if they've found a few more to sell. One of the weirdest stories from this whole Switch 2 pre-order saga is that Amazon simply... didn't participate. The mega-retailer is usually pretty dependable when new electronics come around, letting consumers pre-purchase and often giving them Amazon gift cards for doing so as an incentive. But they just didn't do it for Switch 2 consoles. Whatever the reason, you can check for Switch 2 stock here, and we'll update when we see any sign of Switch 2 consoles at Amazon. Walmart was the last retailer to close preorders during launch week, so they're probably the first place you should check stock on each day. The store hasn't made a statement as to whether it will be getting more in stock. Customers in the Pacific and Mountain time zone who preordered will be able to purchase a Switch 2 console in-store at 9 p.m. PDT / 10 p.m. MDT on June 5. Walmart also does curbside delivery, and if you preorder a Switch 2 before 8 a.m. on June 4, they promise that they can get the system to you by 9 a.m. local time on June 5. Some restrictions apply. Even though they specialize in PC products, Newegg is an underrated spot to pick up consoles as well. They are currently sold out at their Switch 2 preorder page. You can sign up to be notified when the base console or the Mario Kart World bundle come back in stock. GameStop is sold out of Switch 2 consoles for preorder, but they may get more inventory in before the release date and you can sign up for notifications on the product page, so do that now. They also have all the accessories and games you'd expect. If you join GameStop Pro as a new member, you can get $65 off on your purchase. Target is out of preorder stock on both Switch 2 console offers. More may become available as we get closer to release day. You can sign up using your Target account to be notified by phone or e-mail when they are back in stock. No discounts, rebates or bundle deals have been announced there. Early reports from Target employees indicate that many stores will have between 40 and 60 Switch 2 consoles available for sale outside of pre-order on launch day. Best Buy ran out of Switch 2 hardware almost immediately. They still have a landing page for Switch 2 information, but they're out of consoles to preorder. They do have plenty of games and accessories to peruse. Best Buy Plus and Total members will get $20 bonus rewards for every $150 spent on select Nintendo games and hardware. If you want to try your luck at a brick and mortar store, many locations will be opening at 12:01 a.m. on June 5 and may have additional consoles to sell. No matter where you want to preorder your Switch 2, make sure you're logged in to your retailer accounts, your billing information is up to date, and your shipping info is correct. Shoppers and scalpers grab consoles at lightning speed, so any wasted time harms your chances of getting a Switch 2. If you did happen to miss out on a preorder at your retailer of choice, don't panic. They'll be negotiating with Nintendo and other suppliers to get more inventory in. Bookmarking as many different retailers as possible will improve your odds on getting a purchase through. One method we'd recommend avoiding after the console releases is reseller sites like eBay. Scammers and scalpers gravitate to these sites to make a quick buck off of people desperate for the new hotness, and will often elevate prices, post deceptive listings and more to separate you from your money. We're not saying all resellers are bad, but they don't have the level of trust that major retailers do. Another way to get the inside scoop on preorders is with the Nintendo Today! app. This iOS and Android app gives you a direct line to the legendary game company with updates every 24 hours, but we're hearing rumors that the company might drop Switch 2 news there. It's also a good idea to follow us on X for up-to-the-minute deals. If you need a rundown on the hardware, we've got you covered. Lead analyst Will Greenwald has the complete rundown of the system's specs. If you want the Cliff's Notes, it has a similar footprint to the original Switch, with an all-in-one unit that contains both the console hardware and a 7.9-inch LCD screen, coupled with removable Joy-Con 2 controllers. But even the things that look similar have been redesigned from the ground up. Go ahead and check out our comparison of the Nintendo Switch 2 versus Switch 1 for a deeper dive on how they stack up. One interesting thing is that many physical Switch software purchases won't have the game software on a cartridge, but rather a "Game Key card," which require an Internet connection to use. When you insert the card into the Switch console for the first time, it downloads the actual game to the card from an external server. After that initial download, you no longer need an Internet connection to play it. It's an offbeat idea, and we've got all the details here. The new Joy-Con 2 controllers look similar to the first version, but now attach to the console and other accessories magnetically, for a secure fit. They also feature mouse controls, meaning you can slide them across a flat surface for cursor-moving input, as well as a new dedicated button that activates voice chat features. As for games, you can guarantee that Nintendo is going to have can't-miss first-party titles available at launch. We ran down our top 5 Switch 2 launch titles, including Switch 2 upgrades for both of the exceptional open-world Legend of Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which will feature faster load times, better graphics and Switch App integration. The bundled Mario Kart World is also a spectacular next step in the storied racing franchise, and a new Bravely Default RPG will eat up all your free time. The system itself promises "significantly improved CPU and GPU performance" according to Nintendo, along with USB-C ports on both sides so that you can charge the console while you play, as well as video output up to 4K and 120FPS, video chatting, and a GameShare feature that lets you play online with people who don't own the game you bought. We do still have a few questions, but overall the console looks great. If you didn't snag a Switch 2 in the preorder crush, there are tremendous deals to be found on existing Switch hardware and games. We gave an Editors' Choice award to the OLED refresh of the original Switch in our review, saying that the console was an all-around improvement thanks to the brighter, bigger and more colorful screen, increased onboard storage and improved kickstand. Everything you loved about the original Switch is here, from the intuitive and responsive controls to Nintendo's unbeatable first-party games. This is the best way to play original Switch titles until the Switch 2 comes out. Mario Kart World is one of the Switch 2's launch titles, so if you're a little rusty behind the wheel it might be smart to practice with what we called "the most comprehensive Mario Kart game to date" in our review. The pioneer kart racing game got an Editors' Choice award from us thanks to its massive selection of courses, intuitive and powerful controls and revamped Battle Mode. If you don't know the drill, these games are about speeding and drifting through colorful tracks, picking up weapons and ruining other drivers' days. Pick it up at a 16% discount right now. The Pokemon franchise is one of Nintendo's most reliable performers, and while it will be a bit before we see a new full-fledged adventure of monster collecting, the spin-off games are just as good. New Pokemon Snap takes you on a safari through the Lental region with your trusty camera, tasking you with photographing more than 200 of the creatures in their natural habitat, earning stars for good composition, focus and more and unlocking new areas to explore. We gave it an "Excellent" rating in our review, particularly enjoying the charming animations and unlockable customization options. Need to save even more? Our deals page has the best prices on tech products, gaming consoles and more.
Engadget
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Nintendo's updated mobile app will make sharing Switch 2 screenshots a lot easier
Nintendo is gearing up for the launch of the Switch 2 on June 5, and to ensure you're ready to go when the console arrives at your door, you'll need to download the latest update for the newly renamed Nintendo Switch App. The app, which was previously called the Nintendo Switch Online app, had added a number of new features, including a more seamless screenshot interface, GameChat functionality and placeholder icons for game-specific services like Zelda Notes. The latter will become usable on launch day. Arguably the most useful addition is the revamped screenshots and video upload feature, which allows you to link your phone to your Switch 2 and wirelessly upload in-game media to the app, either manually or automatically. This was already possible on the original Switch (and is hardly a revolutionary feature), but doing so involved some needlessly clunky QR code scanning that didn't always work. Now, screenshots and gameplay clips should just appear in the app, where you can save them locally. Up to 100 files can be stored in the app for 30 days from the point of upload, and once you hit the limit the oldest files will disappear if not saved. Another big Switch 2 feature is GameChat, Nintendo's new multiplayer voice chat functionality. Via the Nintendo Switch App you'll be able to receive notifications for GameChat invites, friends coming online and friend requests. Your added friends will be displayed on the home screen of the app. Again, no one who's been playing games on a modern PlayStation or Xbox console for the last decade is going to be blown away by any of this stuff, but it looks like playing online with friends on Switch 2 is going to be mercifully less fiddly than on its predecessor. The Zelda Notes icon now appears when you open the Nintendo Switch App, but it won't be functional until June 5. The app, which is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom , effectively functions like a sat nav for tracking down missing Koroks and shrines on your save file. You can also share your Autobuild creations in TotK with friends, edit in-game photos and check play records such as the number of enemies defeated and total game overs. Nintendo is making small tweaks to some of its other services ahead of the Switch 2's arrival. Over on Nintendo Switch Online (not to be confused with the mobile app), where you can play a selection of emulated classics from Nintendo's back catalogue, a new Switch 2-exclusive rewind feature will be added to the N64 library, as well as a new CRT filter option. These features were already available for NES and SNES games on the service, and it's not entirely clear why original Switch owners won't benefit from the additional N64 options as well.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo Download: Tales of Stars, Swords and Storms
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week's Nintendo Download includes the following content: Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online SURVIVAL KIDS – Put your survival skills to the test! In this survival-role-playing title released in 1999 on the Game Boy Color system, you play as the young child of a renowned explorer. A vicious storm hits while you're on a cruise with your dad, and you're left stranded on an uninhabited island. Now, with no help in sight, the only one you can rely on is yourself! Search the island for food and water, and combine items to create the tools you need to survive. If you scour every corner of the island, you might find a way to escape! SURVIVAL KIDS is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members*. GRADIUS THE INTERSTELLAR ASSAULT – The odds of your survival are one million to one. In this side-scrolling shooter released for Game Boy in 1992, the battle is over, and the alien bile on your flight suit has dried. Your fingers twitch as if wrapped around the trigger of your ship's guns. Suddenly, BLAM! Fire erupts on all sides. A swarm of doomships is closing in! With the three available weapons – MISSILE, DOUBLE and LASER – you'll need to shape your attacks to each stage's terrain and enemies. Just remember DOUBLE and LASER weapons can't both be equipped at once! GRADIUS THE INTERSTELLAR ASSAULT is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members. The Sword of Hope – The story of Prince Theo, who bears the mark of the chosen one. This role-playing game was released for the Game Boy in 1991 and features Prince Theo as its protagonist, who was born with a dagger-shaped birthmark on his arm – the mark of the chosen one. As the chosen one, you must set out to find the Sword of Hope, which is said to have the power to defeat the darkness. With it, you will save the land from the king, once good and mighty, but now possessed by evil. Press on using the magic and weapons at your disposal to defeat the creatures who block your path. Three commands will be essential for your adventure. LOOK allows you to inspect people and your surroundings to get information, and OPEN allows you to open treasure chests to find precious items. Using HIT carelessly may lead to someone getting angry with you – but sometimes it can yield unexpected results! The Sword of Hope is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members. Kirby's Star Stacker – Join Kirby as he stacks the falling stars with help from his friends: Rick, Kine and Coo (who look like a hamster, sunfish and owl, respectively) in this puzzle game. Blocks rain down constantly from above, while whole lines appear with unrelenting clock-like regularity from below. Sandwich the stars between Kirby's pals and you'll be on your way to a high score. Watch out for King Dedede – he's out to stop you! But with a few quick moves and a well-timed strategy, you can outwit him and move on to the next challenging level. Kirby's Star Stacker is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members. Pre-orders: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – In this reimagined Rune Factory experience, you will call upon the forces of nature to restore the land and gods of the eastern region of Azuma. In this brand-new adventure, you'll use your power as an Earth Dancer to fight corruptive forces, rebuild seasonal-themed villages to inspire villagers to return, and experience Rune Factory staples like romance and farming. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will be available June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop. SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS – SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 system! Sonic the Hedgehog is back with a classic and modern take in this collection featuring two unique experiences. Play as Shadow in a story campaign with abilities that demonstrate why he's known as the Ultimate Life Form. Speed through iconic stages from Shadow's history, discover hidden secrets in an expansive hub world and unlock new powers to take on Black Doom and save the world. Also experience SONIC GENERATIONS, a time-traveling adventure featuring a greatest-hits collection of 3D and 2D Sonic stages, now with upgraded visuals and new bonus content. SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS launches on Nintendo Switch 2 June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop! Fast Fusion – Get ready for the fastest anti-gravity racing game! Race your antigrav vehicle through brilliant tracks like the beautiful Redwood Forest, the storm planet Tempesta or through the lofty heights of Yama Crest. Use your 'Fusion' ability to create hundreds of unique racing machines by fusing your favorite vehicles into new ones, with cool upgrades and unique looks. Risk it all by mastering the new antigrav hyper jump technology to get ahead of your opponents! Fast Fusion races onto Nintendo Switch 2 June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop. Nintendo Music: Activities: My Nintendo – LEGO Mario Kart Race to Win! Sweepstakes – Rev your engine and get ready to speed into fun with the My Nintendo – LEGO Mario Kart Race to Win! Sweepstakes***! Enter from now until Sept. 3 at 11 p.m. PT for a chance to win an ultimate prize for building and racing fans: LEGO Super Mario: Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set (72037). For more information, visit Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch: Check out the full list of deals available this week at Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch: Another World Series -Slit Mouth Woman VS AOONI- Arcade Archives RYUKYU Bubble Trouble: Adventures – Available May 30 Bunny Cubed – Available June 4 Call of Glory – Critical Warfare Cipher Monk Coral & The Abyss Dad's Coming Deep Under – Available May 30 Escape game R00M04 Escape Game The Empty School Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 Ghost Frequency Hill Climb on a Motorcycle – Available May 30 Jamjam – Available May 30 Lunara: Planet IX – Available May 31 Maniac MYSIDE REALITY Mystery Lover 2: Forgotten Truth Narcissus – Available June 4 Nice Day for Fishing Paint & Panic Bundle Penguin Flight: Beyond The Clouds Pinball Spire Rally Arcade Classics – Available June 1 Ramen! Road to Mastery Remnants of the Rift REPORT:Horror Haul Shikhondo: Youkai Rampage Spin Around Staffer Case: A Supernatural Mystery Adventure Submersed 2 – The Hive Superation The JerryMaya Detective Agency Theater Unrest Two Strikes Vasilisa and Baba Yaga – Available May 31 Welcome to Empyreum Werewolf Hunter – Survive The Howl Wilmot Works It Out Wizard's Fortress: Tower Defense * 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. ** Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart-device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. *** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 13 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 p.m. PT on 5/15/2025 and ends at 11:00 p.m. PT on 9/3/2025. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) visit (3) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (4) redeem 10 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo – LEGO® Mario Kart ™ Race to Win! Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. There will be three (3) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set (72037) (ARV $169.99 USD). Total ARV of all prizes: $509.97 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that allows members to team up or face off online in compatible Nintendo Switch games, such as Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo Switch Sports and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Members also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Kirby's Dream Land, among many others. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, players get access to even more benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC, Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately) and retro SEGA Genesis games. Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems. Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems both on-device and from the Nintendo website. Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. Nintendo Switch players who register a Nintendo Account gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about parental controls on Nintendo Switch and other features, visit and Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
