Sunday, 12 July 2026
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Nintendo

Nintendo has released the Switch 2, which became the second best-selling console in US history in its first year, and is supporting it with a slate of new and remade titles including Star Fox, Splatoon Raiders, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, while also raising Switch Online prices and releasing smartphone and museum projects.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated 5d ago

Nintendo's 2026 output is defined by the Switch 2 launch and a wave of software that leans heavily on remakes and spin-offs of its legacy franchises. The console itself sold 5.9 million units in its first 12 months in the US, the second-highest first-year total for any home console, behind only the Game Boy Advance. Demand remained strong enough that Nintendo reinstated a 50-hour playtime requirement for multilingual model purchases after detecting hoarding, reversing a late-May relaxation.

The software lineup is anchored by a full remake of Star Fox 64, released June 25 with an 81 Metascore, new story scenes, Mouse Mode, and online Battle Mode. A demo launched 16 days before release. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time received a remake announcement for 2026, its first full remake since the 3DS version. Splatoon Raiders, a single-player PvE spin-off, launches July 23 with a manga serialization and a dedicated Direct preview. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, a sequel to the 2022 title, arrives October 22 with 12 sports including finger wrestling and skateboarding using Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.

Nintendo also expanded its mobile and subscription offerings. The smartphone game Pictonico!, developed by Intelligent Systems, turns phone photos into WarioWare-style mini-games. Nintendo Music added a browser version and car support. The Nintendo Switch Online service will see price increases starting July 1, with subscribers able to lock in current rates for up to three years. The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will open a new restaurant, SUPER FAMILY RESTAURANT, in fall 2026. Third-party support includes ports like Azure Striker Gunvolt Triangle Edition and Dark Auction, both offering discounted upgrade passes for Switch 1 owners, though Atelier Yumia's Switch 2 Edition faced performance issues that Koei Tecmo is investigating.

Key facts

Switch 2 first-year US sales
5.9 million units, second-highest first-year total for any home console ↗
Star Fox Switch 2 Metascore
81 out of 100 based on 76 reviews ↗
Splatoon Raiders launch date
July 23 on Nintendo Switch 2 ↗
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort release date
October 22, 2026 ↗
Ocarina of Time remake announced
Launching for Switch 2 in 2026 ↗
Switch Online price increase date
July 1, 2026 ↗
Pictonico! developer
Intelligent Systems ↗
Switch 2 multilingual purchase condition
50 hours of Switch play time as of May 31, 2026 ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Connections

Produces
splatoon raiders, nintendo switch online, the legend of zelda, pictonico, super family restaurant, nintendo switch 2, the legend of zelda ocarina of time, nintendo switch sports resort, star fox, donkey kong 64, nintendo music, mario kart world, pikmin bloom
Staff change
shigeru miyamoto

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/nintendo. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Nintendo was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed Nintendo produces Pictonico! Jun 21 · source
  • Confirmed Nintendo produces Mario Kart World Jun 18 · source
  • Confirmed Nintendo produces Nintendo Music Jun 18 · source
  • Confirmed Nintendo produces Pikmin Bloom Jun 3 · source

All coverage

5d ago

Improved Nintendo Switch 2 to Launch in Europe in Fall 2026 with Replaceable Battery

Nintendo of Europe will release an improved Nintendo Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery in fall 2026 to comply with EU battery regulations. The new model has a slightly smaller battery (5,172mAh vs 5,220mAh) and is 10g heavier. Battery replacement kits will be sold separately. Improved versions of Joy-Con 2, Joy-Con, and Pro Controller are also planned. The original Switch and Switch Lite will not get improved versions and will be discontinued in Europe after February 2027.

5d ago

Nintendo Switch 2 Gets User-Replaceable Battery in EU, Original Switch Sales End in 2027

Nintendo of Europe announced on July 6 that it will gradually release revised versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 and several peripherals with user-replaceable batteries, starting in summer 2026 and continuing into early 2027. The change is in response to the EU Battery Regulation, which will require portable devices sold in Europe to have user-replaceable batteries from mid-February 2027. Nintendo stated there are no functional differences between current and revised versions, though minor spec changes occur: the Switch 2 console's battery capacity drops from 5220mAh to 5172mAh (a 1% reduction) and its weight increases by about 10g. The Switch 2 Pro Controller sees a 16% battery reduction to 897mAh. Revised products include Joy-Con (some colors, summer 2026), Switch 2 (autumn 2026), Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller (winter 2026), and N64 and GameCube controllers (early 2027). Meanwhile, the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, Switch Pro Controller, Pokémon GO Plus+, and several retro controllers will not receive revised versions. Their sales in Europe will end in mid-February 2027. Already purchased products remain usable, and services like the eShop and Nintendo Switch Online will continue. The changes apply only to the EU region.

Jul 2

Nintendo Music Adds 7 Songs From Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars

Nintendo has added seven tracks from the newly released Rhythm Heaven Miracle Stars to its Nintendo Music streaming app. The songs are available as a special playlist starting July 2, the same day the game launched. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to use the app.

Jun 30

Splatoon Raiders Direct Previews Enemies, Gadgets, and Multiplayer

Nintendo streamed a Direct video for Splatoon Raiders, a single-player spinoff for Nintendo Switch 2 launching July 23. The preview showed treasure hunting gameplay, enemies including Salmonids, over 100 weapon variations, three tank types, facilities, outfits, stages, and four-player multiplayer. A manga adaptation begins July 15.

Jun 29

Nintendo Switch Online Prices Rise July 1, Current Rate Extensions Available

Nintendo will raise prices for all Nintendo Switch Online plans starting July 1, 2026, at 0:00 JST. The individual plan's 12-month subscription will go from 2,400 yen to 3,000 yen, a 600 yen increase. The family plan's 12-month subscription will rise from 4,500 yen to 5,800 yen, a 1,300 yen increase. For the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the 12-month individual plan will increase from 4,900 yen to 5,900 yen, and the family plan from 8,900 yen to 9,900 yen, each a 1,000 yen increase. Shorter individual plans also increase: the 30-day plan goes from 306 yen to 400 yen, and the 90-day plan from 815 yen to 1,000 yen. Subscribers whose automatic renewal payment date falls on or after July 1 will be charged the new rates. However, current subscribers can purchase additional vouchers for the same plan at the current price before the revision to extend their subscription period. The maximum extension is 1,095 days, achieved by purchasing up to three 12-month vouchers. This allows users to lock in the lower rate for up to three years. The extension can be done through the Nintendo eShop, the official Nintendo Store, or by redeeming voucher cards from retailers.

Jun 29

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Chat Backend Uses WebRTC SFU and DynamoDB

At AWS Summit Japan 2026, Nintendo Systems engineers detailed the backend architecture for Nintendo Switch 2's Game Chat feature. The system uses WebRTC SFU for real-time audio and video communication, supports up to 12 simultaneous users per group, and employs Amazon DynamoDB for group management. The backend is split into SFU servers deployed across multiple AWS regions, a single-region group server, and a proprietary SFU instance manager.

Jun 28

Nintendo Switch 2 Becomes Second Best-Selling Console in US History in First Year

Circana reports the Nintendo Switch 2 sold 5.9 million units in its first 12 months in the US, the second-highest first-year total for any home console. The Game Boy Advance holds the record at 6.5 million. The Switch 2 was the best-selling console in the US in 2025 and led May 2026 hardware sales, which rose 38% year-over-year to $249 million.

Jun 27

Game Dev Story++ Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Released Today

Kairosoft released Game Dev Story++ Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on June 25, 2026, for 2,000 yen. The Switch 2 version supports 4K resolution in TV mode and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. An upgrade pass for Switch owners costs 500 yen. The game is also available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, and Android.

Jun 24

Star Fox Remake for Switch 2 Earns 81 Metascore on Launch Day

Nintendo released Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. The game is a remake of the 1997 Nintendo 64 title Star Fox 64, updating visuals, audio, and story while preserving the original gameplay. The packaged version costs 6,480 yen and the download version costs 5,480 yen. On Metacritic, the game holds an average score of 81 out of 100 based on 76 reviews, with 86 percent of critics posting positive reviews. IGN gave it an 80, praising the new Challenge Mode. Eurogamer also gave an 80, calling it one of the most beautiful Nintendo remakes. The remake adds new story scenes, including a prologue depicting Fox McCloud's father James, and expands character interactions. New features include a Mouse Mode using the Joy-Con 2's mouse function, a Cosplay Filter that transforms the player's face into a character via USB camera, and a 4-on-4 online Battle Mode. A demo version is available on the Nintendo eShop. The game supports both rail shooting and all-range mode stages, and includes vehicles like the Arwing, Landmaster, and Blue Marine.

Jun 24

Star Fox, a Remake of Star Fox 64, Released on Switch 2

Nintendo released Star Fox for the Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. The title is a full remake of the 1997 Nintendo 64 shooter Star Fox 64, with completely renewed graphics and character designs. New features include a Story Mode with branching routes across 16 stages, a Challenge Mode for cleared stages, and a Battle Mode supporting 4 vs. 4 team battles online or locally. Players can choose from three vehicle types: the Arwing, Landmaster, and Blue Marine. Three difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, Expert) are available, and Joy-Con 2 share play allows two-player co-op in Story Mode. A demo is live on the Nintendo Store and eShop, offering the prologue, tutorial, and the early stage Meteo. The package version costs 6,480 yen; the download version is 5,480 yen. An orchestral soundtrack of 10 rearranged songs is available on the Nintendo Music app for Switch Online subscribers. Early player reactions, reported by ASCII.jp, include comments such as "It was many times better than I imagined" and "I bought a Switch 2 just for this." A day-one update (Ver. 1.1.0) fixes a bug where repeated boosting in certain stages could prevent stage completion.

Jun 24

Azure Striker Gunvolt Triangle Edition Switch 2 Edition Launches October 22

Inti Creates announced on June 24 that Azure Striker Gunvolt Triangle Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will release on October 22, 2026. The compilation includes all three main series games-Azure Striker Gunvolt (2014), Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (Sou) (2016), and Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 (Gibus) (2022)-plus all downloadable content. A new scenario, Azure Striker Gunvolt GX, features a team-up between series protagonist Gunvolt and Acura, the hero of spin-off White Steel X 2. It introduces new weapons and an Inspiration system that leverages synergy between the two characters. The standard package costs 7,590 yen, the download version 6,480 yen, and a limited edition priced at 16,280 yen includes an A4 setting material collection, a seven-disc complete soundtrack, and a bonus song CD. Owners of the Nintendo Switch version can upgrade via a 1,500 yen pass. The Switch 2 Edition supports 4K television output and improved frame rates. Store-specific pre-order bonuses include tapestries, acrylic stands, and other items.

Jun 23

Splatoon Raiders 4-Panel Manga Launches on Nintendo Today! App

Nintendo has begun serializing a 4-panel manga titled 'Surimi Alliance Chakapoco Distress Log' for the upcoming Switch 2 game 'Splatoon Raiders' on the official Nintendo Today! app. The manga will be updated daily for one month from June 23 to July 22, depicting the survival life of the Surimi Alliance and the Mechanic after crash-landing on the Uzushio Islands.

Jun 23

Nintendo Switch Online Price Increase Set for July 1

Nintendo has issued a reminder that its Nintendo Switch Online service will see price increases starting July 1, 2026. The revised pricing applies to all plans. For the standard Individual Plan, one month will cost ¥400 (up from ¥306), three months ¥1,000, and 12 months ¥3,000 (up from ¥2,400). The Family Plan for 12 months will be ¥5,800. For the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, the Individual 12-month plan rises to ¥5,900 from ¥4,900, and the Family 12-month plan to ¥8,900. Nintendo also warned that automatic renewal payments scheduled on or after July 1 at 0:00 will be charged at the new rates. Subscribers can still extend their current subscription at the existing prices by purchasing additional tickets, up to a maximum extension of 1,095 days. The next scheduled payment date can be checked on the Nintendo Account website. The price revision was first announced earlier and is now being reiterated ahead of the implementation date.

Jun 22

Nintendo 64 Reaches 30th Anniversary Milestone

The Nintendo 64, released on June 23, 1996, marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. A retrospective article highlights how the console's three-pronged controller and analog 3D stick established the basic grammar of modern 3D action games, and looks back at launch titles Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64.

Jun 20

Nintendo's Pictonico! Turns Phone Photos Into Surreal Mini-Games

Nintendo released Pictonico! for iOS and Android on May 28, 2026. The free app uses photos from the user's phone to power a series of surreal, WarioWare-style mini-games. Players can buy Game Packs to expand the library: Vol. 1 offers 50 games for 800 yen, Vol. 2 offers 30 games for 600 yen. Three modes are available: Stage, Score Attack, and Random 10.

Jun 19

Nintendo Museum to Open Super Family Restaurant This Fall

Nintendo announced a new dining facility called SUPER FAMILY RESTAURANT will open at the Nintendo Museum in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, in fall 2026. The restaurant will serve food and desserts, with details on the opening date and menu to be announced later. Interior photos hint at decorations themed around Nintendo characters like Link and Samus.

Jun 18

Koei Tecmo Investigating Low Frame Rate on Atelier Yumia Switch 2 Edition

Koei Tecmo announced on June 17 that it is investigating and addressing low frame rate and heavy processing issues in Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, released June 10. The frame rate drops are especially noticeable in Quality Mode and handheld mode, with some players reporting 15-20 fps and calling the performance a downgrade from the Switch 1 version.

Jun 13

Nintendo Launches Smartphone Game Pictonico! With WarioWare DNA

Nintendo has released Pictonico!, a free smartphone game that turns photos of faces into instant mini-games. Developed by Intelligent Systems, the studio behind WarioWare, the app offers three free trial games and paid packs totaling 80 games. The game continues Nintendo's history of face-based play from titles like Face Shooting and Utsusu WarioWare.

Jun 11

Nintendo Adds Play Time Condition to Switch 2 Multilingual Purchases After Hoarding

Nintendo has added a new purchase condition for the multilingual Nintendo Switch 2 on My Nintendo Store: accounts must have 50 hours or more of Nintendo Switch play time as of May 31, 2026. The move follows confirmed multiple orders suspected of hoarding, which prompted a temporary sales suspension. The condition applies only to the multilingual model, not the Japanese domestic version.

Jun 11

Dark Auction Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Released Today

IzanagiGames and Good Smile Company released the mystery adventure game 'Dark Auction Nintendo Switch 2 Edition' on June 11, 2026. The package version costs 6,040 yen, and the download version costs 5,050 yen. Owners of the original Nintendo Switch version can upgrade for 100 yen via an Upgrade Pass. The game features an original story and scenario by Rika Suzuki, known for 'Another Code' and 'Wish Room', with character design by Kohsuke, the manga artist of 'GANGSTA.'. Music is by Yuko Komiyama, who worked on the 'Monster Hunter' series, and Tsukasa Masuko, known for the 'Megami Tensei' series. The Switch 2 Edition offers improved resolution, higher frame rate, and faster loading times. The game is set in 1981 Europe, where protagonist Noah, voiced by Kengo Kawanishi, searches for his missing father Leonardo, voiced by Rikiya Koyama, who disappeared after attending a mysterious auction. Players explore a castle and participate in an auction where memories are used as currency. The game was previously released on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam in January 2026.

Jun 10

Splatoon Raiders Trailer Reveals Mechanics, July Launch Date

Nintendo showed a new trailer for Splatoon Raiders during a Nintendo Direct livestream, detailing the single-player spinoff's mechanics. The game launches July 23 on Nintendo Switch 2, alongside three new amiibo of the Deep Cut band members Frye, Shiver, and Big Man.

Jun 9

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Gets Switch 2 Remake in 2026

Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday a remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The remake will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. The company showed a narrated trailer featuring protagonist Link. The original Ocarina of Time debuted in November 1998 in the U.S. and Japan, and in December 1998 in Europe and Australia. It is the fifth mainline game in the Zelda series and the first to use 3D graphics. The game has been rereleased on several platforms, including GameCube collection discs, the Wii Virtual Console, and the Nintendo Classics app on Switch. A remastered edition for Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, came out in June 2011. The 3DS version and one GameCube disc included a version with different dungeons called Master Quest, based on a Nintendo 64DD title. A manga adaptation by Akira Himekawa was released in 2000, and Viz Media published it in English. The announcement follows the 2024 release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the first mainline game starring Zelda as the playable character.

Jun 9

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Announced, Releasing October 22

Nintendo announced Nintendo Switch Sports Resort during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct broadcast. The game is set on a resort island and includes 12 sports: ping pong, archery, boxing, tennis, volleyball, bowling, basketball, golf, sumo finger wrestling, skateboarding, marine bike, jump rope, and propeller plane. It is scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2. During the Direct, Nintendo's Yoshiaki Koizumi demonstrated finger wrestling gameplay. The title follows the 2022 release of Nintendo Switch Sports and uses motion controls with the Joy-Con 2, including mouse operation for skateboarding. Pre-orders open after the broadcast ends.

Jun 9

Star Fox Demo Launches After Nintendo Direct 2026.6.9

Nintendo released a demo for the new "Star Fox" game immediately after the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct broadcast. The demo includes a tutorial covering Arwing controls and one early stage. The full game is scheduled for release on June 25, 2026, priced at 6,480 yen (tax included). The announcement was made during the Nintendo Direct 2026.6.9 stream. Multiple outlets confirmed the demo is available on the Switch 2 platform. The demo offers players a chance to familiarize themselves with the Arwing's operation before the full launch.

Jun 9

Nintendo Direct 2026.6.9 Gets 95-Minute Treehouse: Live Follow-Up

Nintendo announced that the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct will be followed by a 95-minute Nintendo Treehouse: Live segment featuring live gameplay of titles shown in the main broadcast. The main Direct runs roughly 50 minutes, making for a combined 145 minutes of programming.

Jun 4

Nintendo Adds Donkey Kong 64 to Switch Online Classics

Nintendo has added Donkey Kong 64 to the NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics service for Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. The 1999 3D platformer now includes rewind and save-anywhere features, and the official N64 controller remains available for purchase separately.

Jun 2

Star Fox Switch 2 Remake Overview Trailer Previews Characters, Stages, Battle Mode

Nintendo released an overview trailer for the Star Fox remake of Star Fox 64, showing characters, stages, and Battle Mode. The game launches June 25 on Nintendo Switch 2. It retains the original layout and mechanics while adding cinematic briefings, fully voiced dialogue, an orchestral soundtrack, Challenge Mode, and multiplayer Battle Mode with 4-on-4 fights.

Jun 2

Nintendo Music Browser Version Launches on PC and Tablet

Nintendo released a browser version of its Nintendo Music streaming service on June 2, 2026, expanding access beyond the existing iOS and Android app. The web version requires no installation and works on PCs and tablets after logging into a Nintendo Account. It displays available titles and playlists on a larger screen. The update also adds support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enabling in-car listening with voice input for hands-free control. A new "Recommended Mix" playlist feature, available in the app version, automatically curates songs daily based on listening history and played games. On the same day, music from the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World began streaming, including tracks such as "Main Theme," "Mario Bros. Circuit," and "Rainbow Road (Finale)." Songs from the Free Run mode will be added later. Nintendo Music requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

May 30

Pikmin Bloom Reaches 4.5 Years With Super Mario Galaxy Movie Collab

Niantic and Nintendo's location-based game Pikmin Bloom celebrates its 4.5-year anniversary on June 1, 2026. The game features a collaboration with the film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and a real-world event in Seoul. The article highlights Decor Pikmin collection and the game's casual walking mechanics.

May 27

Table Game World for Nintendo Switch 2 Launches November 2026, Up to 8 Players

At BitSummit PUNCH, developer Toratou Meu and Granding CEO Yukio Futatsugi revealed that Table Game World, a new Switch 2 title using the Cocofolia platform, will launch in early November 2026. The software supports up to eight players via Game Chat and includes about 20 tabletop games, with a focus on not automating rules.