One of the biggest talking points following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was how Mario Kart World is priced at $80 USD. That's $10-$20 higher than most major AAA games, prompting people to voice their opinions about the price hike. Nintendo isn't charging $80 for all Switch 2 games, but why is it doing so for Mario Kart World?

Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told GI.biz that Nintendo is doing this simply because they can, and any online "uproar" will blow over in time.

"I think they raised software prices across all these regions because they think they can," Toto said. "Nintendo already priced in the protest and uproar by part of the fan base, betting this will all blow off and gamers will come to accept a new normal eventually. And I think they will be correct about this."

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Microsoft has announced the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, and it's coming on June 8, promising details on upcoming Xbox games. There will be another event, The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, immediately following.

The Xbox Games Showcase promises details on upcoming first-party Xbox games, as well as "incredible new titles from our third-party partners across the globe." It takes place on Sunday, June 8, beginning at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK. The Outer Worlds 2 Direct will follow immediately after.

This format is in keeping with tradition for Microsoft, as the company held double-feature Xbox Games Showcase events in 2023 and 2024, with a main Xbox event followed by briefings for Starfield (2023) and Black Ops 6 (2024).

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A new GameCube controller will launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 console in June, but don't expect this device to work on anything but classic GameCube titles. While the NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers can be used on more games than just the ones they were intended for--depending on the inputs required--the GameCube controller will be the exception.

That's according to the disclaimer from the GameCube Classics reveal trailer from the Nintendo April Direct (and spotted by VGC). "The controller is only compatible with Nintendo GameCube: Nintendo Classics," the fine print reads.

Always read the fine print.

What makes this an odd omission is that the GameCube controller has almost every input necessary for the majority of modern games, even if the placement of buttons is a little bit unusual when compared to the standard arrangement on other current-day controllers. It is worth noting that it offers extra functionality compared to the original as well, as it includes features such as wireless connectivity and the Switch 2's brand-new C button for live chat.

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Mario Kart World for Switch 2 was recently officially unveiled, but Nintendo made no mention of the franchise's most iconic track, Rainbow Road. It appears it will indeed once again return, as an image that leaked from Nintendo Korea's website appears to tease Rainbow Road.

As spotted by Eurogamer, the Nintendo Korea website for Mario Kart World posted--and swiftly removed--the image below. It seems to suggest Rainbow Road is coming back, and might be featured on the Mario Kart World map near Princes Peach's Castle.

Rainbow Road has finally been found. It seems it will be unlocked later in the game.
byu/TonkyTc inmariokart

For anyone just catching up, Mario Kart World features a sprawling, interconnected world where players can drive from one course to another. Members of the press got to play Mario Kart World during a Switch 2 demo event recently, but the game's open-world map was limited.

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Jack Black stars in A Minecraft Movie as Steve, but Black wasn't apparently the first choice to play the role. According to Puck, actor and comedian Matt Berry was originally cast in the role.

The What We Do in the Shadows actor still shows up in the movie, however, voicing a villager named Nitwit. Jennifer Coolidge's character, Marlene, hits him with a car and later goes on a date with him.

Berry took this smaller role reportedly due to "scheduling conflicts" that came about after the 2023 actor strike.

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A Donkey Kong Bananza promotional image posted by Nintendo Korea may have accidentally revealed one of the game's major characters--a young girl who looks suspiciously similar to Pauline.

As picked up by GamesRadar, the character's appearance in the Nintendo Korea box art has led to a flurry of speculation as fans try to decipher what role Pauline might play in the game, and whether her young appearance means Bananza is in fact a prequel.

For those less familiar with the extended Mario/Donkey Kong universe, Pauline is a side character who first appeared as the iconic damsel in distress in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. While she disappeared from the games for some time after that, she reappeared as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey, and has since become a regular character in Mario spin-off titles.

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Supergiant Games has revealed some new details about Hades 2, including the fact that it runs at 60fps on Switch 2. The game is also launching later this year on the upcoming system as a timed console exclusive (alongside Switch 1).

"We learned so much from developing the original [Hades] on Nintendo Switch and we wanted to take those learnings forward to Nintendo Switch 2," explained studio director Amir Rao in a new Nintendo Creator's Voice video. "That meant for us being completely uncompromising when it comes to performance. We really really want our games to perform at 60fps."

He added that the extra power from Switch 2 will allow the studio to push Hades 2's graphical features. It got its second major update, the Warsong update, last month, which added in areas from the first game. The PC version has been in early access since last year.

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PROGRESS ORDERS is the guild where many adventurers meet. Your unique story begins as you support your companions as the guild master! The protagonist, who has been alone, is led to the guild after finding a letter from the grandfather. Though the grandfather is nowhere to be found at the guild, the protagonist decides to work there in search of more clues. Through a ritual to become the guild staff member, the protagonist gains the ability of “Clairvoyance”, which allows seeing and hearing through the eyes of others. Complex dungeons progress automatically for each party, and you may choose to step in during monster encounters, which develop into the thrilling, strategic “Reading Command” battles. You can alternatively have the adventurers fight on their own and focus on your other tasks! Include 6 members, 3 men and 3 women. Each of your stories with them will unfold as you develop further relationships with the partners. Build up your guild while getting closer with your favorite partners!

Texas, 1980. Walton City is a sprawling, coastal metropolis in the grip of a scorching heatwave and crippling economic crisis. Everything changes when an unstoppable zombie outbreak reaches US shores. Walton City is soon overrun by hordes of the undead, the few remaining survivors cut off from any chance of outside help. Forced to band together, these everyday people must make their way to a rumored safe zone outside of the city and their only chance of survival. Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a side-scrolling shelter survival game that tasks you with guiding a desperate group of zombie apocalypse survivors to safety. Craft weapons, scavenge resources, balance your group’s needs, and try to get everyone out of danger alive.

Witness the very beginning of the legendary elite WWII force in Commandos: Origins. The long-awaited sequel to the Commandos series brings you right back to the foundation of the real-time tactics genre. And to the days where Jack O'Hara, the Green Beret, and his five companions met to form the infamous unit sent to complete missions which no others would dare to accept. Whether it is a daring raid, a covert sabotage, or a courageous rescue mission - the Green Beret, the Sapper, the Sniper, the Driver, the Marine and the Spy will need to combine their skills to meet the most challenging tasks. Your mission can only be achieved through well-thought planning and the smart combination of stealth and destruction that come with the unique skillsets of this elite troop. From the icy plains of the Arctic to the vast deserts of Africa, from the western coastlines of Europe to the Eastern front, it's up to you to lead your commandos to success in high-risk missions. Guide them in their fight against the growing Nazi occupation which is menacing the free world.

Used Cars Simulator - trade used or stolen cars, fix and customize them, drive around, and explore the open world! Grow your business, complete quests, and have fun with a physics-based sandbox!

In this game, you adventure to become a successful gambler by challenging others at the game of Texas Hold‘em Poker. Use various skills to achieve victory in poker, expose the hands of the witches, All-in to steal their winnings, and become the ruler of the gambling district. In this game you will challenge others in a 1v1 battle of a chaotic variant of poker, based on Texas Hold‘em. Become victorious by reducing the enemy chips to 0.

It's time to conquer the world of extreme sports. This is Descenders Next. Grab your snowboard and tackle the steep, snowy slopes, or tear up the harsh, lush terrain with your mountainboard! Feel like taking on the challenge with a squad? Match up with your friends and Descenders players all around the world, and take on the tracks together! The mountain is calling - will you master it?