
Issue #474
March 15, 2026
Nintendo talks ‘going too far’ with Bananza
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Nintendo “cagey” about letting games on Switch 2, wants to avoid “slop fest” — The eShop is still filled with such titles being released as original Switch titles of course, but if this is any indication of a change of heart in regards to a quality filter of sorts going forward, then I’m all or it. Ollie Reynolds // Nintendo Life Pokopia is already one of the best-selling Pokemon spin-offs, after just four days — There’s a narrative that the success of this game has caught some off guard. Whether that’s true or not, considering it’s a new Pokemon game, releasing exclusively on new hardware, timed to launch at the peak of the 30th anniversary celebrations, and has countless complimentary comparisons to Animal Crossing, Minecraft, and others….well, maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise. Andy Robinson // VGC Pokemon Pokopia sells out in UK, is “seriously undersupplied” Chris Brandrick // Hanafuda Report Is GDC over? — Friend of the newsletter Jay reports from GDC 2026, touching upon the broader realities of the show (attendance of which is down some 30% over last year). Jay Rooney // Game & Word INTERVIEW ‘It probably went too far’ say Donkey Kong Bananza’s creators on the elephant transformation’s destructive power — Brian spoke with producer Kenta Motokura and programmer Tatsuya Kurihara about how the level of destruction in Bananza was accomplished, how it impacted level design, and more. Brian Shea // Game Informer ▶ Donkey Kong Bananza — A superb, detailed look through the development of this early Switch 2 smash. Beta64 // YouTube ▶ The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — Final Trailer — In case you missed it… Illumination // YouTube ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ casts Donald Glover as Yoshi Jordan Moreau // Variety Yoshi and the Mysterious Book releasing May 21st Daniel Vuckovic // Vooks LEGO and Nintendo are (finally) giving us Super Mario minifigs — Ah good, a non-cursed Mario minifig. Michael McWhertor // Polygon After thirty years, I finally understand Pokemon John Warren // VGBees Resident Evil Requiem sold me on Switch 2 ports, but they’re still a work in progress Jordan Minor // PCMag REVIEW Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection – Another excellent monstie collecting spin-off Thomas Whitehead // Nintendo Life REVIEW Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake — Great atmosphere but never quite comes into focus Mitch Vogel // Nintendo Life The Donkey Kong family tree explained — This one really gets into the weeds…or vines maybe? Justin Berube // Nintendo World Report REVIEW Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem — A mammoth 6,000 word review of this 2002 GameCube classic. How is this not on the Switch Online service yet? Cathy // Indie Gamer Chick New survival game ‘Pickmon’ is just asking to be sued into oblivion — If you thought Palworld was bad…. Ollie Reynolds // Nintendo Life Jack Yarwood // Time Extension
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