A new animated film collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination is set to release on April 12, 2028. This exciting news comes from an updated release schedule on Universal’s Spanish website, hinting at the continuation of a successful partnership following the blockbuster success of the Super Mario movies, which have collectively grossed over $2 billion worldwide. The untitled project is anticipated to be an animation, and speculation is rife about its potential connection to a broader Nintendo cinematic universe.

Sanrio, the beloved creator of Hello Kitty, is making a significant leap into the gaming industry with the launch of Sanrio Games. This initiative will see the introduction of a party game featuring its iconic characters on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms, with plans for ten titles over the next three years. This move not only showcases Sanrio’s commitment to diversifying its revenue streams but also highlights a growing trend among Japanese IP owners to tap into the lucrative interactive entertainment market.

Nintendo has just released a free demo for the highly anticipated game, Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream, almost a month ahead of its official launch on April 16. Dubbed the Welcome Version, this demo not only allows players to dive into the quirky world of Miis but also rewards them with a unique Mii hamster costume for their early engagement. Initially launched in Europe, the demo is expected to roll out in the US shortly.

In a recent financial call, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed concerns regarding the rising costs of memory and its potential impact on the pricing of the Switch 2. While he reassured shareholders that there are currently no plans to increase the console’s price, he acknowledged that if memory prices continue to surge, the company would need to re-evaluate its pricing strategy in the future. Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo is actively engaging with suppliers to secure a stable supply of components, which has helped mitigate the impact of rising memory costs on hardware profitability.

The anticipation for the next installment in The Legend of Zelda series is building, especially with hints from series producer Eiji Aonuma. He recently suggested that the upcoming game could draw inspiration from the recently released Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a title that blends the beloved Zelda universe with Koei Tecmos action-packed gameplay. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which debuted on the Nintendo Switch, retells significant events from the Zelda timeline while offering fast-paced combat and character-switching mechanics.

In an exciting turn of events for Nintendo fans, both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza have been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Console Game of the Year’ at the Golden Joystick Awards. This recognition not only highlights the quality of these titles but also underscores the strong start of the Switch 2’s game library, which has already garnered multiple nominations in various categories. The competition is fierce, with both games facing off against notable titles such as Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Ytei.

The excitement in the gaming community is palpable as two of Nintendo’s flagship titles, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, have been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Console Game of the Year’ at the Golden Joystick Awards. This recognition marks a significant milestone for the newly launched Switch 2, showcasing its impressive game library and the quality of its exclusive titles. Both games are not only competing for the top honor but are also nominated in other categories, with Mario Kart World vying for ‘Best Multiplayer’ and Donkey Kong Bananza for ‘Best Audio Design’.

Japan’s National Diet Library (NDL) has made a significant decision regarding the preservation of video games, stating that Switch 2 Game-Key Cards will not be included in its collection. This decision highlights a crucial distinction in the digital age: what constitutes physical media and how we preserve our digital culture. Established in 1948, the NDL requires all domestic publishers to submit copies of new publications for preservation. While it has successfully archived over 9,600 video games since 2000, the NDL has determined that Game-Key Cards, which serve merely as download keys rather than containing game data themselves, do not meet their criteria for preservation.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has made a monumental impact on the gaming market, smashing sales records in Japan by selling over 1.5 million units in its first month alone. This remarkable figure not only outpaces the original Switch’s launch sales by threefold but also surpasses the legendary PlayStation 2’s first-month sales, marking a significant milestone in gaming history. According to Famitsu, which aggregates data from over 3,000 retail stores in Japan, the Switch 2’s sales performance is unprecedented.

In a surprising twist, Nintendo’s mobile game, Mario Kart Tour, is set to receive its first major update since 2023. This update, dubbed the Sunshine Tour, will roll out starting July 22, coinciding with the recent launch of Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2. After a long hiatus following the game’s winding down last year, fans are excited to see new content that pays homage to the beloved franchise.