Latest news with #SuperMarioOdyssey
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Games Inbox: Is Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 a disappointment?
The Friday letters page is surprised the Sony State of Play didn't go down better with more people, as readers share images of the Switch 2 midnight launches. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ Initial experience I've spent a few hours playing Mario Kart World in single and multiplayer, and my first impression is that it's a bit… boring. The free roam aspect of the game seemed like it had heaps of potential but, for the most part, it feels aimless. Sure, there are things to collect and discover, but in-between there's just driving. Lots and lots of driving. It's not exactly a world brimming with things to do in the same way as the sandbox areas in Super Mario Odyssey, for example. As for the races, in principle it makes sense that the tracks need to be wider to accommodate 24 racers. However, the races themselves don't generally feel any busier because you're still, generally, just competing against those closest to your level of ability. Consequently, I felt the game lacks the chaotic energy of jostling your rivals to get ahead because there's so much space on the otherwise well-designed courses. I know it's unfair to compare Mario Kart World to Mario Kart 8 at this point, given the latter spanned two consoles, with a plethora of content reflecting that. But it's hard not to feel that while the free roam section is a solid demonstration of technical advancement (even if the inability to integrate it with Grand Prix mode seems like a missed opportunity), the core gameplay is consistent, at best. In some respects, I'd say it's more of a step backwards, if anything. That being said, I don't think this is the same version of Mario Kart World we'll be playing five years from now. Free roam mode feels like a playground in which Nintendo can experiment, and I fully expect them to do so. There'll undoubtedly be a slew of DLC and perhaps better integration of the various modes into one seamless experience. 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. In the unlikely event that this is the final iteration of Mario Kart World, it's currently a six or (generous) seven out of 10 and probably the least enthralled I've ever been with a new Mario Kart title. But I'll give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt for now because this doesn't feel like a game that's even close to being finished. Needlemouse Just add Sony Firstly, I'm surprised by the relatively lukewarm response to the State of Play from some people; I thought it was one of the best in recent memory and there were only a few games that I personally had little interest in. The main reason for writing in is the recent addition of Destiny 2: The Final Shape to PS Plus subscription. In short, I played a lot of Destiny 2 back in the day but have subsequently not played any of the most recent DLCs/additions. Can The Final Shape be played as a standalone? (both logistically and in terms of the story)? John GC: We think people were upset that Sony themselves had nothing to show from their first parties, even though we agree it was overall a good show. As far as we understand, you don't need any other expansions to play The Final Shape. Only one Just a quick heads up for anyone buying digital content on either a Switch or Switch 2 console, if you are Switch online subscriber you can purchase a voucher for £84 that lets you purchase any two titles from a list of games. This reduces each game to a reasonable £42 and the vouchers are valid for a year. I didn't get an alert about this until after I'd purchased Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which I paid £59.99 for. I did at least then go on to buy a voucher for £84 and redeemed each token for Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario 3D Land + Bowser's Fury. Charlie H. GC: It's important to note these can't be used for Switch 2 exclusive games. Email your comments to: gamecentral@ Midnight gathering I've seen a lot of pictures from the Switch 2 launch, so I thought I'd send you a picture of the queue at Smyth's in Dublin city centre, a couple of minutes after midnight. I think there were a couple of hundred people there when I arrived. if I'd known then that I wouldn't get out of the store until 2:30am, I might have gone home and tried again in the morning. But in the end, I'm glad I waited. I've just been tinkering with it so far, hooked it up to the TV, and played a little bit of Mario Kart World and Cyberpunk 2077, so I can't really give any conclusions. But when my (dedicated non-gamer) wife saw it, her reaction was, 'Oh, it looks much better! Can I play it?' So I think Nintendo are on to another winner. Mickah American retail I was on my way down to Smyths Leeds to collect my Switch 2 Mario Kart bundle, that I had pre-ordered a month ago. I called in at Costco on the way and was surprised to find they had the Mario Kart bundle for £419.99, so I decided to get one from there. It was late afternoon Thursday and they looked to have plenty left. It is limited to one per customer. I will let my pre-order lapse so it will cancel in two days. Martin GC: We had no idea Costco existed in the UK. Maybe we're not the only ones and that's why they have so many left. C'mon Doreen Somebody (not me, don't know how) should start a petition to get Squirrel Girl in that Marvel game for you guys. How good did it all look? How good was that showcase? What have Sony been up too? That's what. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is already on my wishlist. That surfing sword game wasn't bad either. With Nintendo too, great times ahead. Indiegaz (PSN ID) GC: At least she's in Marvel Rivals. Autumnal purchase So I won't be buying the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch. I'll be instead visiting Tenerife in August. But I do hope the system reviews well and those who have purchased it are zooming around on Mario Kart World. I'll be hopefully purchasing the device before autumn of this year. But you never know what could happen. So my sister paid for my ticket and it of course must be paid back. A debt is a debt. Which is quite fitting, since I just finished my playthrough of Red Dead Redemption and just as John Marston paid his debt to a life of crime and Edgar Ross paid his debt to a vengeful son. I'll be hopefully paid up in less than three months, then I'll be purchasing the Switch 2 and with more information on the games, reviews, and what's to come for the future. For now however, I look towards a week spent in the beaches of Spain and my focus on the remainder of my maths course. Also, a playthrough of Resident Evil 3 remake. Only six hours long. Can't complain. Shahzaib Sadiq Free for all Borderlands 2 and Hellslave are currently free on Steam on PC. Hellslave is available for free until Sunday, 15th June. Also, Deathloop is currently free on Epic Games Store. I hope everyone who gets a Switch 2 enjoys it. I will have to probably get one next year now, as I need to buy a new gaming computer because my current gaming PC will not upgrade to Windows 11, unfortunately. Andrew J. Old reliable Just writing this after a couple of hours with the Switch 2. I always end up with whatever Nintendo's latest console is at some point in its lifetime (going back to the Game Boy Advance) but for the first time I decided to jump onboard day one. The price rises for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have shown that the assumption consoles will get cheaper in the medium term isn't a guarantee, and the feature list for the Switch 2 ticked pretty much every box I wanted from an upgrade to the original. Bump in specs, sturdier Joy-Con, and a new interface with the mouse controls. What I've not seen many people comment on yet is the set-up experience. It isn't always a given with Nintendo that this is going to be smooth, but I found that the transfer from my original to Switch 2 was seamless. I had one error message in setting up GameChat, but restarting the process fixed that, and now I can settle into at least another few years of Nintendo gaming joy. As I approach the business end of 40 years old, it's a comfort to know that the likes of Mario, Yoshi, and the other inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom are still karting away 30-odd years after the SNES original. Electric Crocosaurus GC: That's a cool name. Inbox also-ransYes! My Switch 2 has turned up and have the rest of the week off, and it's Summer Game Fest on Friday night. Now that is what I call eating well for games fans! Lempton As promised, here is the pic from the queue at Smyths toy store at midnight. Sorry I couldn't get one from inside but they were only letting two at a time in. Not a bad turn out. I had about 20 people behind me too. woz_007 (NN ID) Email your comments to: gamecentral@ More Trending The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: What are your Nintendo Switch 2 first impressions? MORE: Games Inbox: When will there be Nintendo Switch 2 console reviews? MORE: Games Inbox: How much are you spending on the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
Engadget
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
More Switch games are getting Switch 2 upgrades
More original Switch games are getting the Switch 2 treatment. Although their enhancements are subtler than the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom , at least these will be free updates. On Friday, Nintendo detailed the legacy Switch titles that will receive upgrades for the Switch 2. They include some of the console's best games from the company's biggest franchises. Most of the platform's big Mario games are included: Super Mario Odyssey , Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe . You'll also find the platform's top-down Zelda titles: Echoes of Wisdom and Link's Awakening . A pair of Pokémon games makes the cut: Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet . Even Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker gets in on the action. The enhancements vary by title. They range from various visual upgrades to multiplayer GameShare functionality. Here's the complete list: ARMS – visual upgrades (resolution, frame rates and HDR) Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain – GameShare (up to four players, local / online GameChat sharing) Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – visual upgrades (resolution and HDR) and GameShare (two players in all courses, local / online GameChat sharing) Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classic s – GameShare (up to four players can play 34 games, local / online GameChat sharing) Game Builder Garage – visual upgrades (resolution), Joy-Con 2 mouse control New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – visual upgrades (resolution) Pokémon Scarlet – visual upgrades (resolution, frame rates) Pokémon Violet – visual upgrades (resolution, frame rates) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury – visual upgrades (resolution, frame rates and HDR), GameShare (up to four players in Super Mario 3D World, two players in Bowser's Fury and local / online GameChat sharing) Super Mario Odyssey – visual upgrades (resolution, frame rates), GameShare (two players, local / online GameChat sharing) The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – visual upgrades (resolution, HDR) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening – visual upgrades (resolution, HDR) All of the free updates will be available on the Switch 2's June 5 launch date. You'll first need to install a system update for the new console.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Road To Nintendo Switch 2: ‘Super Mario Odyssey'
Super Mario Odyssey Credit: Nintendo Yesterday, in my new Road to Nintendo Switch 2 series, we took a look at Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Today, in the second entry, we're tackling 2017's excellent Super Mario Odyssey, the last mainline 3D Mario game to have been released. Unless you count Bowser's Fury, that is, even though it's more of a half-game than a full Mario experience. A Mario sampling, if you will. A dash of Mario. No cap. (Please refer to the joke I made in the last article, for the love of God, before you judge me on the internet). Let's get this out of the way: Super Mario Odyssey might be the best platformer I've ever played. It's so incredibly fun to control and experience that it could possibly be illegal in some states and countries, so please check with your local government and law enforcement before partaking. It's honestly one of those games wherein proper progression seems superfluous; you can simply run around as Mario and feel utter joy without the need to collect anything or beat a level or, let's face it, rescue the princess. All this time later, the visuals are still stunning and make great use of the Switch's aging hardware. Super Mario Odyssey Credit: Nintendo I guess what I'm trying to say is Super Mario Odyssey is proof of Nintendo's enduring reputation, at least in my mind, as the video game industry's Disney. This is a game that's impossible not to play. The mechanics and colorful world are enticing in a way that simply isn't present in most games, and I do wonder what creates such a gravitational pull. I guess it has something to do with the way Nintendo approaches game design, how they zero in on what makes a video game fun. Fun comes first, and then they build experiences around this feeling, and the resulting quality is undeniable. I guess this is why they can charge $450 for what is basically an upgraded Switch. People will pay for that Nintendo seal of quality, as it were. In Super Mario Odyssey, Bowser kidnaps Peach to… marry her? I think that's the story. There's various mentions of wedding dresses and weddings and general sacred promises. Just a dinosaur trying to recite his heartfelt vows to a helpless princess. A tale as old as time, really. So you follow Bowser and his bunny henchmen (I'm not joking) around the world in Mario's trusty spaceship, the Odyssey, in an effort to save the day. Grabbing a design page from Pikmin, you help Mario gather moons in different environments to power said spaceship so you can globetrot and save Peach from her dreaded wedded bliss. Super Mario Odyssey Credit: Nintendo Mario's hat Cappy is the star of the show here, and you can throw it at an assortment of enemies and objects to transform our heroic plumber into myriad forms. This includes everything from a literal t-rex, to a manhole cover, to a giant slab of sirloin, a caterpillar, and even everyone's old green pal, Yoshi. The transformations play a huge role in the game, and it feels damn good to use the hat, almost as if it's always been part of the gameplay. In this sense, Mario has a permanent weapon to use, rather than needing to seek out power-ups for projectile offense. There aren't any power-ups in Super Mario Odyssey, by the way, not in the transitional sense. No fire flowers or mushrooms to grow, basically. So yes, you're globetrotting and using your hat to transform into all manner of in-game things, and collecting ubiquitous Power Moons, and it's a total blast. Like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Super Mario Odyssey feels completely handcrafted. The attention to detail oozes out of every pixel, and there's a real sense of discovery and adventure permeating every lush location. Within each level, you can collect coins to upgrade Mario with different outfits, and this gives the game a welcome RPG-lite flavor. One of the later outfits is a Super Mario 64 polygonal getup and it's glorious. Plus, it foreshadows a visit to the classic Nintendo 64 Mushroom Kingdom hub later on in the game, and that's just downright rad. The nostalgia, it burns. Super Mario Odyssey Credit: Nintendo By the way, this game is another showcase for the Pro controller. Man, it drives like an absolute dream, minus any of the finicky motion controls. It's weird that Nintendo was still forcing waggle inputs into a game back in 2017, and playing Odyssey now, it's very apparent how annoying they still are. I can only hope that they're less keen on implementing motion stuff with the Switch 2. This said, it took me around 15 hours to complete my initial playthrough of Super Mario Odyssey, though I'm already going back in to grab more coins and Power Moons. I really want to buy the elusive Skeleton Suit, as well as more stickers for my Odyssey. I do wish you could further customize the spaceship, but at least you can decorate the sitting room with statues and trinkets. I also wish there were some gameplay segments that let you directly control the Odyssey, maybe in the vein of Star Fox, but it's a nitpick. The bottom line is, Super Mario Odyssey could be the best platforming game ever made, at least until Mario officially hits the Switch 2 in the coming years. There isn't a better controlling, better looking (even at 1080p!), better designed platformer around, in my humble opinion. I just wish Nintendo had released some DLC for the game, as it's ripe for expansion. I'll have to content myself with Bowser's Fury for the time being, though it couldn't be more different than Odyssey. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Super Mario Odyssey Credit: Nintendo Maybe we'll get a remaster for Switch 2, because playing this title in 4K would be marvelous. Or maybe Nintendo will issue one of those controversial upgrade packs for the game, allowing owners to bring Super Mario Odyssey over to the Switch 2 with new bells and whistles. Only time—terrible, horrific time—will tell. Well, that about wraps up this edition of Road to Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for the next installment, which should slash expectations, if you know what I mean. (How could you know? It's a surprise!)
Metro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Nintendo confirms new Super Mario game for Switch 2 but when is it out?
Nintendo has said that fans should 'stay tuned' for news of a new 3D Super Mario but why is taking so long? As the most famous Nintendo character, and star of both the world's best-selling video game franchise and the highest grossing video game movie (for now at least), it was surprising not to see a new Super Mario game announced, or even teased, at this month's Nintendo Switch 2 showcase. Yes, Nintendo is launching a new Mario Kart alongside the console, which is still a very smart choice for a killer app, but a traditional 3D platformer starring the portly plumber was presumed to be among the Switch 2's first wave of games. It always seemed fair to assume one is underway but while Nintendo has now confirmed that it is, it's still unclear when exactly it's going to be announced or released. In the wake of the Switch 2 showcase, at the beginning of April, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser sat down with CNN to discuss the new console. When the topic of a new 3D Mario was brought up, Bowser said: 'Stay tuned. You know, we have a long, long catalogue, and a long list of (intellectual property) that I'm sure will make its way to the platform.' The fact that there would be a follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey, which sold more than 29 million copies, was never in doubt, but as you can see, Bowser is purposefully not saying any more. The uncertainty around the next 3D Mario centres around what developer EPD (Entertainment Planning & Development) is doing at the moment, since Nintendo's top studio has been behind the series since the early 90s. EPD is split into several different teams and Nintendo doesn't usual specify which one works on what games (Nintendo's general attitude towards crediting developers has been shameful in the last year, as they've repeatedly withheld the details of who makes their games until the last possible moment). Nevertheless, it's believed that the Odyssey team, under Yoshiaki Koizumi, hasn't worked on anything significant since that game was released in late 2017. It was rumoured years ago that the Super Mario Odyssey team was working on a 3D Donkey Kong game and that seemed to be confirmed by the annoucement of Donkey Kong Bananza, which will launch on July 17, just over a month after the Switch 2. Nintendo has not said who the developer is, but if it is the Odyssey team then that could mean the next 3D Mario is still many more years away. That seems hard to believe though. Nintendo won't want the Switch 2 to lack a premiere Mario platformer for too long, especially when Odyssey was such a sales success. And especially because 3D Mario games, as opposed to 2D ones, don't necessarily always sell that well – Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii sold less than half that of Odyssey, for example. The most likely explanation is that either Donkey Kong is not by the Odyssey team or somehow EPD is managing to churn out two big budget titles in quick(-ish) succession, which is not something they normally do but which they do have the capacity for, in theory. If Donkey Kong Bananza is not by EPD there's very few other developers that would have the expertise to make a game like that or who Nintendo would be willing to trust with such an important IP. Luigi's Mansion 3 developer Next Level Games is one possibility, especially as they haven't announced a new game since 2022's Mario Strikers: Battle League Football. Although three years doesn't seem quite enough time to make a game of Bananza's importance. Before the Switch 2 showcase, most would've been confident in predicting that a new 3D Mario would launch for the console by the end of 2025, but it's looking like that may not be the case. More Trending If it were, you'd think Nintendo would make that known during the showcase. Instead, its big 3D platformer for the year is the aforementioned Donkey Kong Bananza, with other franchises like The Legend Of Zelda, Metroid, and Pokémon padding out the rest of 2025. Mario Kart World – June 5 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – June 5 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – June 5 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – June 5 Donkey Kong Bananza – July 17 Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – July 24 Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World – August 28 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment – Winter 2025 Drag X Drive – 2025 Kirby Air Riders – 2025 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 2025 Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 2025 The next best guess would be 2026, if only because Nintendo has the second Super Mario Bros. movie locked in for April 3, 2026. Although, Nintendo had no new game to cross-promote with the first movie, when it hit cinemas in 2023, so there's no evidence that Nintendo considers that important. Doug Bowser's 'stay tuned' comment makes it seem like fans won't have to wait too long for news to be shared on a 3D Mario, but if Nintendo does have one prepped for the near future, it'd be even stranger that it didn't show it as part of its big Switch 2 preview. It's all very puzzling and as the chances of a release in 2025 ebb away, there's no obvious answer as to why Nintendo didn't consider the game a priority for the Switch 2's first year. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: How Nintendo Switch 2 must reinvent 3D Mario for the Astro Bot era MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 ad brings back Paul Rudd in a 90s throwback MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 avoids price hike in US but accessory costs go up
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo accidentally leaks an unrevealed Donkey Kong Bananza character that might unironically have big lore implications for the Mario universe
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Not many people were expecting the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to reveal Donkey Kong Bananza, the character's first new game in over a decade and his first 3D adventure since the N64, but the game's mere existence isn't the only surprise. Nintendo itself (maybe) accidentally just showed off that an unrevealed character is front and centre in the game. (Naturally, there might be some spoilers for the game's, err marketing, but don't worry about spoilers for the game itself since we're just going to talk about its box art.) The Nintendo Korea website currently includes Donkey Kong Bananza's full cover art, which features what looks like a much younger version of Pauline riding and holding on to DK's iconic tie with a smile on her face, all while he smashes the ground to pieces. The upcoming Switch 2 game's reveal trailer doesn't mention Pauline (or any another sidekick) at all, and all of the game's promotional materials elsewhere have DK causing havoc on his lonesome. Pauline is, of course, the damsel in distress in Donkey Kong's first ever video game - the arcade cabinet from 1981 that saw Mario jumping over barrels to save her from the then-villainous monke. She then took up mayoral duties in Super Mario Odyssey's New Donk City and has showed up in a bunch of other recent Mario spin-offs. This seemingly younger Pauline then has huge implications for the MarioVerse. Were Pauline and DK pals before he decided to kidnap her? Is Donkey Kong Bananza a prequel for one of gaming's oldest icons? Did Mario get entirely the wrong impression when he decided to 'rescue' Pauline? Heck, that might actually be Pauline's relative or an entirely new character altogether who's just revelling in the chaos. There are so many possibilities, but one thing's for sure: I did not expect to be so interested in this game's story. (Also, where's Diddy Kong, Nintendo?) For now, find out about every Nintendo Switch 2 launch game that we know about so far.
