Update: Walmart is now throwing in an extra free exclusive steel water bottle with pre-orders on physical copies of Nintendo’s upcoming Switch Sports title at $49.99 – the same price pre-orders sell for at Amazon and elsewhere without the bottle. 

It has been a big month for Nintendo fans after an exciting Direct presentation, a series of upcoming Mario Kart 8 courses, and more, but now it’s time to dive into the new Switch Sports. As a sequel to the best-selling Nintendo game of all-time, Wii Sports, Nintendo is looking to re-capture some of the magic from its motion-controlled blockbuster from way back in 2006 with an updated version for its current-generation hardware. After selling well over 82 million copies, and now that Switch has finally overtaken the console it was made for in sales, it seems a fitting time for Switch sports to make a triumphant return. Head below for more details on the upcoming title, how to play it early, and more details on how to score the leg strap.

The next Nintendo Direct has now been confirmed. The house of Mario will launch the next Nintendo Direct tomorrow afternoon with a string of details on the latest batch of new Nintendo Switch games on the way. This will mark the first Nintendo Direct presentation of 2022 and will give us a good look at what seem to be just titles that will be launching in the first half of the year. Head below for more details. 

Sales reports put the Switch as the best-selling Nintendo console ever. While it seems as though, mostly due to COVID-19 and subsequent shipping shortages industry-wide, that console sales would be much lower than normal – and to some degree they are, but the Switch has surpassed Nintendo’s juggernaut Wii sales numbers according to the latest numbers. After Xbox Series S had a strong holiday season last year and Sony looking to put another million PS4 consoles out in the wild this year to make up for a lack of its latest machines, the latest Switch sales numbers clock in at 103.54 million since its launch back in 2017, making it the best-selling Nintendo console ever. More details below. 

Banjo-Kazooie is set to make a not so triumphant return to Nintendo hardware this week. While it has been years since we saw a proper Banjo title on a Nintendo system, this one will be coming as part of the arguably controversial Nintendo 64 Switch Online library that is locked behind the Expansion Pack paywall. While some gamers were a little bit salty over the more pricey online tier, Nintendo is indeed bringing Banjo-Kazooie to its N64 Switch Online this week. Head below for more details. 

Some Kirby 30th anniversary content is on the way from Nintendo. This year marks the adorable little guy’s 30th year as everyone’s favorite pink gaming mascot after debuting way back in 1992 with Kirby’s Dream Land on the Game Boy. After launching a slew of new content for Mario’s 35th anniversary back in September of 2020 (including a new Mario battle royale game, the Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection, and a new Game & Watch-style handheld), Nintendo has already started the festivities for Kirby with some deals and freebies. Head below for a closer look. 

A new Mario Kart game is apparently in the works at Nintendo. Recent reports suggest a new Mario Kart Switch game, or Mario Kart 9 as it will likely be called, is on the way and is already in development at Nintendo. Considering the franchise has long since been one of the most popular, well-received, and best-selling titles on just about every gaming platform Nintendo has put out over the last decade or more, it’s probably about time anyway. Nintendo has heavily relied on titles outside of the Mushroom Kingdom like Animal Crossing most recently to drive sales, but it sounds like Mario’s latest console is about to get a whole new racing circuit soon.