Nintendo Cartridge Society

Patrick and Mark spent the week in a pressure cooker labeled The Duskbloods and the DK Challenges, with a ticking clock on opportunities to do both. What did the guys think of FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive, and were they able to make progress in the Donkey Kong challenge before time runs out? Plus, the Nintendo Switch 2 price increase hits next week, Terranigma, the legendary SNES RPG that never made it to North America, is finally getting a release, and more. The guys also talk about: A listener comment on their ranking of enemy armies (inspired by the Salmonids). Patrick dives back into Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta kicks of this Friday. Should Mark buy Elden Ring or wait for The Duskbloods? Or both? SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Splatoon Month is in full swing! Patrick and Mark take themselves to the school of (punk) rock as they educate themselves on the bands of the Splatoon series. The format is simple: pull a random band from the series, try to figure out who they are and what music they play based only on the name, then find out how wrong they are. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

If the leaks are to be believed, Nintendo is preparing to test Patrick and Mark's wills by releasing a Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 and Pro Controller 2 later this year. Surely they don't need new Switch 2's already...and yet... Plus, Nintendo of America offers a new incentive for completing the DK Challenge, the end of the road for Pokemon Bank, and more. The guys also talk about: Super Mario Sunshine hitting Nintendo Classics. Patrick's continued adventures in Big Walk. A new DLC pack for Marvel Cosmic Invasion. An easter egg in Splatoon 3 for players who've completed Splatoon Raiders. Kingdom Hearts IV news out of D23. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Splatoon Month continues! Inspired by the Salmonid hordes of Splatoon Raiders, Patrick and Mark marshal their forces to rank Nintendo's greatest enemy armies, from the Koopa Troop to the Kremling Krew and beyond. Which army marches to victory, and which one falls on the battlefield? SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Stop, or that nun will shoot! Last week's Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Direct was packed with surprises, but are Patrick and Mark excited about the game after all the details were unveiled? Plus, Patrick goes exploring in Big Walk, new Zelda movie casting rumors, and more. The guys also talk about: Patrick's hands-on with D-Hopper, Zero Racers, and V-Tetris on Virtual Boy. Mark wraps up Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Being SELECTED for The Duskbloods Network Test. The lastest Switch 2 sales numbers and other updates from Nintendo's financial report. A Final Fantasy VII Revelation "new look" happening at Gamescom. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark kick off Splatoon Month with a deep dive into Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo's first single-player Splatoon spin-off for Switch 2. From the looter-shooter gameplay on the Spirhalite Islands to Deep Cut's expanded role, the guys break down all of the Salmonid-slaying combat and debate what a sequel should fix. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Capcom wants to release a new Resident Evil game every year, but what happens when they run out of games to remake? With Resident Evil Veronica already announced for 2027 and only a handful of others left in the remake pipeline, Patrick and Mark wonder where the series goes long-term. Plus: the Virtual Boy library on Nintendo Switch Online gets its final update, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 lands its ESRB rating, and more. The guys also talk about: The Leon amiibo is not a man with a gun, but a man with a hatchet. Super Mario Sunshine joins GameCube Nintendo Classics next week. Orbitals announces support for a “Global Friend’s Pass app.” Thimbleweed Park 2 is announced. A Splatoon Raiders-themed Tetris 99 Maximus Cup kicks off on Friday. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

With Nintendo remaking Star Fox 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, Patrick and Mark look back at every game Nintendo published on the 3DS to ask: does it deserve a remake on Switch 2? SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark share their first impressions of Splatoon Raiders, ahead of a full month of Splatoon-themed episodes kicking off next week! Plus, they delve into Miyamoto’s recent remarks on game remakes, sparking discussions about Nintendo’s current release strategy, wonder if Nintendo will celebrate Zelda's 40th anniversary, and more. The guys also talk about: Details on the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Final Fantasy XIV Online's release date on Switch 2. Some new insights on Nintendo support studios A new Tetris 99 event with an opportunity to snag themes at a discount. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

With The Odyssey in theaters, Patrick and Mark go searching for Nintendo's own epics: games built on heroic quests, divine intervention, and the occasional 1-Up Mushroom along the way. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark log into the world wide web to prepare for the upcoming network tests of two major Switch 2 games: The Duskbloods and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Plus, a new update for Mario Tennis Fever and Nintendo's evolving strategy for game updates, Hasbro and Nintendo team up for toys based on the Zelda series, and more. The guys also talk about: The joys of Game Share. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has a confirmed release date on Switch. Level-5 teasing a thoughtful ending for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Hallmark reveals their 2026 Nintendo-themed holiday ornaments. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark cross the finish line on their definitive ranking of every Mario Kart World alternate racer costume, zippering last week's tier decisions together into one giant 103-costume ranking. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Reports of Nintendo exploring a Switch 2 OLED revision have Patrick and Mark asking if the time is right for a major upgrade. Plus, Nintendo announces plans to discontinue the Switch 1 in Europe, Mario Kart Tour shuts down in September, and more. The guys also talk about: That moment in a game when you figure out the limitations of its gameplay loops. A Kingdom Hearts panel announced for next month's D23. GameStop's fire sale on the Switch 2 camera. A new demo for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Details on Nintendo's presence at San Diego Comic Con. An update to The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales adds a much requested feature. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Start your engines! Patrick and Mark embark on a journey to definitively rank all of the Mario Kart World alternate racer costumes. The first step? Sorting them into tiers. Can the likes of Wampire Waluigi and Aristocrat King Boo withstand the test of sartorial scrutiny? SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

A new game rating from Brazil may have accidentally revealed the next Metroid title: Metroid Ravenous. Patrick and Mark discuss what the title suggests about the game and speculate about its potential release date. Plus, Mark's first impressions of Rhythm Heaven Groove, details from the Splatoon Raiders Direct, and more. The guys also talk about: Patrick’s progress in Xenoblade Chronicles on Switch 2 and his evolving feelings about the game. A new update for Mario Kart World introduces two new routes to Knockout Tour, along with other changes. PlayStation announces the discontinuation of physical games in 2028. Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo gets a release date and a price. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

To celebrate the release of Rhythm Heaven Groove on Switch, Patrick and Mark look back on the history of Nintendo rhythm games, from Donkey Konga to Wii Music. Then, they talk about some notable rhythm mechanics in otherwise non-rhythm games. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Will Patrick and Mark be forced to rename the Slippy B. DeFrog Award for Achievement in Obnoxious Characters? The new, great Star Fox game has the guys reconsidering their position. Plus, Patrick revisits Donkey Kong 64 to see if his thoughts on the game have changed after all these years, an update on Nintendo's new headquarters, and more. The guys also talk about: Patrick attempts to get into Xenoblade Chronicles once again. A crisis of faith looms with the release of the newest Kirby Air Riders amiibo. Takashi Tezuka not fully retiring from Nintendo after all. An (almost) record setting sales start for the Switch 2 in America. New DLC for Monster Hunter Stories 3. A Star Fox-themed Tetris 99 Maximus Cup takes off in July. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark are joined by special guest Drew Mackie to explore the amusing, unexpected, and outright strange elements of Mario's history and lore, as detailed in Drew's "Mario 101" chronicle. The guys discuss the unique, cross-continent environment in which Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom were formed, how different regions understand the Mario universe in different ways, favorite surprising facts, and lots more. Check out Mario 101: https://www.thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com/blog/mario-101-history SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Yes, it's still a Nintendo podcast, but this week Patrick and Mark take some time to talk about the Steam Machine and what its over-$1k starting price tells us about the state of the video games industry. Plus, Patrick reaches Mina the Hollower's endgame, the Nintendo Museum expands with a new restaurant, and more. The guys also talk about: Nintendo goes into turbo mode with Nintendo Music updates. A new eShop experience on the original Switch. Why Final Fantasy VII's final chapter is called "Revelation." Europe gets in on the Pokopia bundle party. A Diablo 4 Switch 2 port seems imminent, but can it survive Microsoft's changing strategies? SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark revisit the first year of the Switch 2. From pre-orders and launch day through first-party games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokopia, game pricing controversies, Switch 2 Editions, and more, they cover it all and talk about where Nintendo stands heading into year two. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050