Mario Kart World is one of Nintendo’s more interesting Switch 2 exclusives. Launching day-and-date with the console itself, MK World felt like somewhat of an incomplete experience – especially compared to the previous Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. That said, Nintendo has ever so slowly but surely been updating the title with ‘new’ content. Live right now, version 1.8.0 adds “10 classic courses from Super Mario Kart”; except for the fact that these courses were already technically available.

Officially announced during Nintendo’s most recent Direct showcase, Mario Kart World update 1.8.0 brings with it new-yet-pre-existing tracks to race on across its VS Race, Time Trials and online modes:

• SNES Mario Circuit (1, 2 and 3)
• SNES Ghost Valley (1, 2 and 3)
• SNES Choco Island (1 and 2)
• SNES Vanilla Lake
• SNES Koopa Beach

Of course, the addition of 10 new tracks is nothing to sniff at. That said, all of these SNES courses have been present since day-one; albeit only when free roaming (which begs the question as to why they weren’t included in VS Races from the get-go).

Beyond this, Mario Kart World has also received two new Knockout Tour tracks – Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally – as well as a plethora of QoL features, including:

• Time Trials lap improvements with new visual indicators
• Spectator mode improvements
• Up to 26 players can now join a room in Online Play
• Nerfs to multiple different power items
• Other balance tweaks and bug fixes

While content-wise, Mario Kart World has been somewhat underserved, it is welcome at the very least to see Nintendo continuing to update the game with various bug fixes, quality of life improvements and other minor conveniences – something which the console maker has typically struggled with in the past.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest update? Are you glad to see Nintendo continuing to balance the game? How long will we have to wait for actual new, original tracks? Let us know down below.

Mario Kart 8 is easily one of Nintendo’s longest-supported titles, with the 2014 Wii U original receiving plenty of DLC at the time, followed by a Switch 1 Deluxe Edition in 2017 and its Booster Course Pass in 2022-23. Despite its successor (MK World) being in its second year on the market, Nintendo has released a surprise Switch 2 update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In an unexpected move, Nintendo announced and released a dedicated Switch 2 update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Listed as version 4.0.0, the patch brings in a bunch of welcome and surprise enhancements, including:

• Higher resolution output on Switch 2 and external displays
• Reduced loading times
• Local split-screen support for up to 8 players
• Switch 2 CameraPlay functionality
• Overall player speed increased by the equivalent of one Coin
• Boo power-up no longer slows you down
• New ‘96 Race’ challenge option

It is worth noting that this update is available on both the OG Switch as well as the Switch 2. That said, the main additions – being the 8-player split-screen and higher resolution – are understandably locked to Nintendo’s current-gen system.

Regardless, it is interesting to see Nintendo still occasionally updating Mario Kart 8 Deluxe despite the fact that MK World currently stands as THE Mario Kart experience for Switch 2. Hopefully the aforementioned Mario Kart World sees just as much support over the course of the Switch 2’s life (and perhaps beyond).

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Does Nintendo’s lack of consistency with updates bother you? Are you disappointed in the fact that 4-player split-screen does not run at 60fps on Switch 2? Let us know down below.

Ever since Nintendo announced their Switch Online subscription service almost a decade ago, fans had been yearning for the console maker to bring forward its library of Nintendo GameCube offerings. Finally, with the Switch 2, Nintendo has been slowly but surely adding GameCube classics to its library. Marking one of the most requested offerings, Super Mario Sunshine is finally coming to NSO next week.

Making the official announcement, the console maker confirmed that Mario Sunshine will finally join NSO, taking to its socials to write: “Dark days loom over Isle Delfino! Clean up a polluted island with FLUDD at your side in Super Mario Sunshine, coming to Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics on Nintendo Switch 2 for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members on Aug 13!”

As of now, only 9 GameCube classics are available through Nintendo Switch Online, with the most notable being The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker; Luigi’s Mansion and F-Zero GX. Given this, the addition of Mario Sunshine is a big deal.

That said, it will be interesting to see how this ‘port’ is handled, especially as Mario Sunshine is technically already playable on Switch thanks to the limited-release Mario 3D All-Stars from back in 2020.

Alongside Sunshine, Nintendo is also set to include two more Virtual Boy games: ZERO RACERS and D-HOPPER – arriving tomorrow on the 4th of August alongside ‘screen-colour customisation’ for Virtual Boy games.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nintendo Switch Online in 2026? Would you prefer they bring back the Virtual Console program? Let us know down below.

While Nintendo is highly protective of its IPs, the console maker did dip its toes into the mobile gaming space for a while, releasing a variety of titles based on Mario; Animal Crossing; Fire Emblem and others. Some succeeded, while others did not. Though the Switch maker is unlikely to leave the mobile space entirely (especially when it comes to Pokemon), one of its biggest successes will soon be shut down forever – with Mario Kart Tour going offline in September.

Making the official announcement, Nintendo took to their support page to reveal that Mario Kart Tour will soon be going offline, writing: “Service for the Mario Kart Tour game for smart devices will come to an end as of 11:00 p.m. Pacific on September 29. We sincerely thank the many players who have loved and supported the game since service began so long ago. Thank you for playing Mario Kart Tour.”

Full details on the shut down can be found HERE, including how this will impact the sale of Tour’s in-game items.

Mario Kart Tour is an interesting title. Released during the drought following Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the game was barebones in many ways, featuring limited controls while not even allowing for landscape play.

Over the years however, the game changed quite a bit, with Nintendo adding tons of new tracks, characters, skins and more – all the while getting rid of some of its more predatory practices. A good number of original tracks made for Tour would even wind up being added to MK8 Deluxe as part of the game’s Booster Course Pass.

All this is to say it is unfortunate to see Mario Kart Tour being fully shut down. The game was already in maintenance mode, with no new content being added as of 2023, but shutting down access forever is another matter entirely.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Mario Kart Tour? Did it satiate your MK needs on mobile? What did Tour do better than other mainline entries? Let us know your thoughts down below.

Being Nintendo’s most expensive game to date, many fans held high expectations for Mario Kart World, especially when it came to post-launch support. Unfortunately, Nintendo’s 10 million+ seller has seen very little in this regard, especially compared to some of its contemporaries. It seems Nintendo hasn’t completely abandoned the game however, with MK World having just gotten a small-yet-welcome update.

Announcing and releasing the free update simultaneously, Nintendo officially detailed Mario Kart World Update 1.7.0. As mentioned, the list of changes is rather small in nature. That said, it still does bring some new features, namely:

• Two new routes added to Knockout Tour
• Drill Rally
• Boomerang Rally
• More routes to be added in the future
• You can now use your collectible stickers in photo mode

Given the potential offered by Mario Kart World, it is disappointing to see Nintendo doing so very little with its updates. That being said, the console maker knows that MK World will continue to sell consistently for the rest of the Switch 2’s life, and so they’re likely just taking their time with drip feeding content.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest update? Has Nintendo been ignoring Mario Kart World? Did you expect to have gotten new/additional tracks by now? Let us know down below.

Following the massive success of 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo / Illumination were quick to announce that a sequel was in the works, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie officially arriving 3 years later – launching in cinemas this past April. Given the success of its successor, it comes as little surprise that a 3rd film is seemingly in the works, with the voice actor for Toad claiming a planned release year of 2029.

Taking part in an interview with the publication ScreenRant in anticipation of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s digital release, the voice actor for Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) teased that a 3rd film is on the way, stating:

“We want to get it right. We want to get everything right. We want to get all the details right. And Michael and Aaron, who are our directors, have a real passion for this. I think they're as passionate about these projects as the audience is. And so we got to get it right, we got to get it right. So I apologize. But it'll be worth the wait.”

While the confirmation of a 3rd film is far from surprising, Key also suggested that the next entry could likewise arrive 3 years on from the last, adding: “It'll be worth the wait…'29 is better than sometime, right?”

Released at the start of April, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie was met with far harsher criticism than the first, with professional reviews giving the sequel a Rotten Tomato score of just 42% (compared to 59% for the first). That said, fans were much kinder to both projects, receiving overall scores of 88% (Galaxy Movie) and 95% (Mario Movie) respectively.

Regardless, with the first film going on to make over $1.3 Billion, and its sequel currently nearing the $1 Billion mark, it was always safe to assume that a 3rd film would be greenlit. It will be interesting to see whether The Super Mario Odyssey Movie (or whatever it winds up being called) chooses to focus more on plot and character development, or if it will once again double down on nostalgia and ‘member berries.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie? How does it compare to the first? What direction would you like them to take for the next film? Let us know down below.

In an unexpected announcement last week, Nintendo officially unveiled Star Fox: A remake of the 1997 N64 classic coming to Switch 2 in just over a month’s time. While a surprise to many, the title was technically leaked prior to its official announcement. According to the same insider, half a dozen other secret titles are currently in the works, including a new 3D Mario game scheduled for 2027.

Prior to its official announcement by Nintendo, leaker malo932 shared a list of roughly half a dozen Switch 2 titles which were said to be in the works. One of these games was reportedly a ‘classic’ Star Fox title set to arrive in June.

With Nintendo now officially announcing the remake, it stands to reason that the remainder of the leaks are also true. Of course, the list should still be taken with a pinch of salt. That said, according to the insider Nintendo has at least half a dozen other games in the works:

• A Star Fox Adventure game (sometime after 2026)
• The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake (2026)
• New Switch Sports game (Summer 2026)
• New 3D Mario game (2027)
• Wario Land revival (possibly 2027)
• Super Metroid Remake (said to be “close” to announcement)

A number of these leaked titles were also later shared by known insider NateTheHate, lending further credence to their existence.

Nintendo’s strategy for the Switch 2 so far has been somewhat unusual, with the console maker focusing heavily on releasing Switch 2 Editions of past titles. That said, assuming these leaks to be true, Nintendo could have a pretty big 2027 – especially with a new 3D Mario reportedly on its way.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this leaked line-up? What franchises would you like to see represented? Could a new 3D Mario arrive as early as next year? Let us know your thoughts down below.

While reception surrounding the recently-released Super Mario Galaxy Movie may have been less-than-stellar, the sequel film developed by Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment is an undeniable hit – currently sitting as the highest grossing film of the year with over $830 million and counting. As such, it comes as little surprise that a 3rd film seems to have been greenlit, with an untitled Nintendo/Illumination project set to arrive in 2028.

As discovered by ResetEra user ‘ContractHolder’ Universal Pictures International Spain recently published a chart breaking down all of the distributor’s upcoming releases.

Though details so far are light, one of the projects listed is said to be an “untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Film” with a release date currently scheduled for the 12th of April 2028.

Whether this will be a direct sequel to the Super Mario Galaxy Movie or not is currently unknown, especially with the second film introducing a wider variety of Nintendo characters.

Regardless, unless the film in question winds up being an obscure Pikmin movie or something similar, expect whatever Nintendo has planned to once again easily make a Billion at the box office.

KitGuru says: Have you seen the Mario Galaxy film? How does it compare to the original? What do you think this untitled film is going to be? Let us know down below.

Like its predecessor, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie seems destined to go down as one of this year's most divisive films, which is kind of odd when you think about it. These generally inoffensive crowd-pleasing movies based on a near-universally-beloved IP, carefully shepherded by Shigeru Miyamoto himself, probably shouldn't be getting folks so riled up, and yet! Following in the footsteps of 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, professional reviews for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have been witheringly negative, and to listen to some folks, the flick represents nothing less than the demise of cinema. An egregious example of […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-review/

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is yet another box office success for Nintendo and Universal's Illumination, becoming the biggest theatrical debut of the year in the United States. According to NBC's estimates, the film earned $131.7 million in the first three days, rising to $190.8 million in the first five days. Internationally, the movie also earned an estimated $182.4 million (including previews), bringing the total earnings to around $372 million. It narrowly failed to surpass its predecessor, though. The Super Mario Bros. Movie had earned $204 million domestically and $377 million worldwide. Still, there's more than reason enough to celebrate […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/super-mario-galaxy-movie-is-2026s-biggest-theatrical-debut-in-the-us/

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a huge success for Nintendo, with the console maker’s first proper foray into the film scene going on to earn over $1.3 Billion at the box office following its release back in 2023. With its sequel ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ officially out now in cinemas, we’ve started to see reviews go live – with it currently sitting at a Rotten Tomato critic score of just 46%.

With a total of 98 critic reviews, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has so far achieved a Rotten Tomato score of 46% – putting it comfortably in the ‘rotten’ tier. Metacritic is seeing similarly rough scores, currently sitting at a 37 across 35 reviews.

It is worth pointing out that critically the original Super Mario Bros. Movie didn’t do too well either, receiving a Rotten Tomato score of 59% and a Metacritic rating of 46. In both cases, user reviews were much kinder, landing at 95% and 8.1/10 respectively.

In terms of the critiques themselves, many agree that while the visuals themselves are impressive, the story in Galaxy leaves plenty to be desired, with much of the film being a pure nostalgia trip.

That said, for Nintendo these films represent an opportunity to expand the Mario IP out to even wider audiences, and so we will have to wait and see just how much money this – seemingly worse – sequel manages to rake in.

KitGuru says: Have you seen The Super Mario Galaxy Movie yet? How does it compare to the first? Will it break the $1 Billion mark? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The Nintendo community is currently starving for news and looking ahead to the next proper Nintendo Direct. Known insider Nate the Hate suggested in a new podcast that while a new presentation could still be a few months away, the remainder of 2026 is going to be packed with notable releases, including a new Star Fox game. Unfortunately, the next Super Mario 3D game won't be among them and will supposedly only launch in 2027. "From what I have been hearing, it doesn't sound as though there is going to be a general direct in the immediate future… it doesn't […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/nintendo-switch-2-super-mario-3d-2027/

Nintendo has been pretty quiet on its first-party game line-up for the Switch 2 so far this year. That may start to change soon though. Recent leaks have claimed that Nintendo is currently developing a new Star Fox game, with plans to launch this summer, followed by a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time later in the year. 

According to both VGC and Nate the Hate, Nintendo is working on a ‘classic' Star Fox game for the Switch 2, with plans to launch this summer. If accurate, the game would be launching a few months after the Super Mario Galaxy movie, which is also set to feature Fox McCloud as a new character.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Zelda, Nintendo is also said to be planning a full remake of Ocarina of Time, one of the most beloved games in the entire series. This wouldn't be the first time that Nintendo has done this, as a version of the game had also been rebuilt for the 3DS. This remake however would target higher fidelity graphics, taking full advantage of the Switch 2's more powerful hardware.

While there is good news for Star Fox and Zelda fans, it sounds like Super Mario will be taking this year off. According to the same report, the next 3D Super Mario game is targeting a 2027 release window.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The next Nintendo Direct is unlikely to take place until June, so it will be a while before any of this is officially confirmed. If accurate though, it does sound like the Switch 2 is going to have a very successful second year on the market.