Author: colinssamplega

  • Our Favorite Gaming Moments of the Last Decade

    Our Favorite Gaming Moments of the Last Decade

    As we settle into a new generation of Nintendo gaming, our team looked back at the moments from the past decade that defined our love for this hobby. Here are the ones we’ll never forget.

    The Switch Reveal (October 2016)

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    When that first trailer dropped — showing someone seamlessly pulling the Switch from the dock and continuing their Zelda game on the go — the entire gaming world held its breath. It was such a simple, powerful concept. The hybrid idea seemed too good to be true, but Nintendo delivered exactly what they promised.

    Breath of the Wild’s Great Plateau (March 2017)

    The moment you emerge from the Shrine of Resurrection, the camera pans across Hyrule, and you realize you can go literally anywhere you can see. It redefined what a Zelda game could be, and arguably what an open-world game could be. Pure magic.

    Animal Crossing During Lockdown (March 2020)

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    New Horizons launching during a global pandemic was serendipitous in the most bittersweet way. For millions of people, those virtual islands became genuine sources of comfort and connection during the most isolating period of our lives.

    The Metroid Prime Remastered Shadow Drop (February 2023)

    “Available today” might be the two most exciting words in gaming. Nintendo just casually dropping one of the greatest remasters ever made, with zero prior announcement, was an absolute power move.

    Here’s to the next decade of incredible Nintendo moments. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments or on our Discord!

  • Spring Cleaning Your Game Collection: Organization Tips from Our Team

    Spring Cleaning Your Game Collection: Organization Tips from Our Team

    Spring is the perfect time to organize your game collection. Whether you have 20 games or 2,000, these tips from our team will help you get everything sorted.

    Physical Games

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    Decide on an organization system and stick with it. Most collectors organize by console first, then alphabetically within each platform. Some prefer to organize by franchise or genre. There’s no wrong answer — the best system is one you’ll actually maintain.

    Invest in proper storage. Universal game cases can replace damaged or missing original cases. Protective sleeves for cartridges prevent dust and scratches. For CIB retro games, acrylic display cases let you show off your collection while protecting it.

    Digital Library Management

    If your Switch home screen is a mess, use the “Group” feature to create folders. Organize by genre, play status (currently playing, backlog, completed), or however makes sense to you. Archive games you’re not currently playing to free up storage without losing your save data.

    The Hardest Part: Letting Go

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    If you have games you know you’ll never play again, consider trading them in or selling them. That money can fund new additions to your collection. We accept trade-ins at our Portland store — or if you’re looking to expand your collection, browse our store for your next favorite game.

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Day: What to Expect and How to Prepare

    Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Day: What to Expect and How to Prepare

    The next generation of Nintendo gaming is almost here. With the Switch 2 launch approaching, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of day one.

    Transfer Your Data

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    Make sure your current Switch is updated to the latest firmware before launch day. Nintendo has confirmed a streamlined data transfer process, but having everything up to date will make the transition smoother. Back up your save data to Nintendo Switch Online cloud saves as an extra precaution.

    Your Library Carries Over

    One of the best things about the Switch 2 is full backwards compatibility. Your physical Switch game cards and digital purchases will work on the new hardware, often with performance improvements. That library you’ve built over the past eight years? It’s coming with you.

    What About Your Old Switch?

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    Don’t trade it in just yet! The original Switch and Switch Lite are still great dedicated handheld devices, especially for kids or as a travel console. Many families find it useful to keep the old system around.

    We’ll have Switch 2 consoles, accessories, and launch titles in stock. Check availability in our store.

  • Back to School 2025: Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids

    Back to School 2025: Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids

    Looking for something to reward your kids for a great school year — or to keep them occupied while you enjoy some quiet time? Here are our favorite kid-friendly Switch games, organized by age group.

    Ages 5–7

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    Kirby and the Forgotten Land — The perfect first 3D platformer. Kirby can’t die easily, the co-op mode lets a parent or older sibling help out, and the Mouthful Mode abilities are endlessly entertaining for little ones.

    Yoshi’s Crafted World — A beautiful, gentle platformer made of cardboard and craft supplies. The flip-side mechanic encourages exploration, and Mellow Mode makes it very forgiving.

    Ages 8–10

    Super Mario Bros. Wonder — Creative, surprising, and joyful. The online ghost system means kids can get help from other players without traditional multiplayer chaos.

    Splatoon 3 — A shooter that’s colorful, non-violent (it’s ink, not bullets), and incredibly fun. The single-player campaign is a great adventure on its own.

    Ages 11+

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    The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom — Open-world adventures that reward curiosity and creative thinking. These games can genuinely spark a love of problem-solving and exploration.

    Pokemon Scarlet/Violet — The first open-world Pokemon games are perfect for this age group. Catching, training, and battling Pokemon never gets old.

    Browse our full family-friendly collection for more ideas!

  • Summer Game Night Ideas: 5 Ways to Host an Epic Nintendo Party

    Summer Game Night Ideas: 5 Ways to Host an Epic Nintendo Party

    Summer is the perfect season for gathering friends and family for a game night. Here are five tried-and-tested formats that our community swears by.

    1. The Mario Kart Grand Prix

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    Set up a proper tournament bracket. Each round is a 4-race cup on random tracks. Keep a scoreboard on a whiteboard. Provide themed snacks (mushroom-shaped cookies, star-shaped sandwiches). Crown a champion at the end of the night with a silly trophy.

    2. The Retro Relay

    Set up multiple stations with different retro consoles. Teams rotate through stations every 15 minutes, trying to achieve the highest score or fastest time at each game. Classic NES and SNES titles work best for this since they’re easy to pick up and play.

    3. The Smash Bracket

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    Double elimination, random stage selection, 3 stock, 7 minutes. Assign random characters for extra chaos. The loser of each match picks the next random character for the winner. It’s surprisingly competitive and hilarious.

    4. Pokemon Card Draft Night

    Everyone buys a few booster packs and drafts cards to build a deck on the spot. Then you play a mini tournament with your drafted decks. It’s a great way to introduce people to the TCG without requiring existing collections.

    5. The Cooperative Challenge

    Pick a co-op game like Overcooked, Snipperclips, or Super Mario 3D World and try to complete as many levels as possible in one evening. Order pizza, keep the energy up, and see how far you get. It’s less competitive but equally memorable.

    Need supplies for your game night? We’ve got extra controllers, party games, and Pokemon TCG packs ready to go!

  • Splatoon 3: One Year Later — Why We’re Still Playing

    Splatoon 3: One Year Later — Why We’re Still Playing

    Splatoon 3 has been out for over two years now, and the Splatsville plaza is still bustling. Here’s why Nintendo’s ink-based shooter has such remarkable staying power.

    Constant Content Updates

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    Nintendo has been phenomenal about keeping the game fresh with new weapons, stages, and seasonal events (Splatfests). The ongoing competitive seasons give players something to strive for, and the catalog system provides long-term progression goals. Big Run events bring the community together in a way few other games manage.

    The Core Gameplay Loop

    At its heart, Splatoon’s territory control mechanic is genius. Painting the ground is satisfying, inking opponents is exhilarating, and the interplay between different weapon types creates a deep meta game. The 3-minute match length makes it perfect for quick sessions, but the “one more game” factor means sessions rarely stay short.

    A Unique Identity

    In a genre dominated by military shooters, Splatoon stands out with its vibrant art style, incredible music, and irreverent personality. It’s a shooter that the whole family can enjoy together, which is a rare and valuable thing. The fashion and customization elements add a layer of self-expression that keeps players invested beyond just the gameplay.

    Haven’t jumped in yet? It’s not too late. Check out our Splatoon collection for the game and themed accessories.

  • Metroid Dread to Prime Remastered: The Metroid Renaissance

    Metroid Dread to Prime Remastered: The Metroid Renaissance

    After years in the wilderness, the Metroid franchise has experienced a remarkable resurgence on the Nintendo Switch. Let’s look at how Samus made her triumphant return.

    Metroid Dread: The Long-Awaited Conclusion

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    Originally conceived for the Nintendo DS, Metroid Dread finally materialized in 2021 as a Switch exclusive. And it was worth the wait. MercurySteam delivered a tight, atmospheric 2D action game that concluded the story arc that began with the original Metroid in 1986. The E.M.M.I. sequences added genuine tension, and the boss fights were spectacular.

    Metroid Prime Remastered: A Masterclass in Remasters

    Shadow-dropped during a Nintendo Direct, Metroid Prime Remastered set a new standard for how to remake a classic. The visual overhaul was stunning — this looked like a brand-new game, not a 20-year-old GameCube title. Retro Studios rebuilt every texture, model, and effect from scratch while keeping the level design and atmosphere perfectly intact. Modern dual-stick controls made the game feel contemporary without losing its identity.

    What’s Next

    With Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon, the future of the franchise looks brighter than it has in decades. Nintendo has recognized that Metroid fans are passionate and loyal, and they’re rewarding that loyalty with top-tier releases.

    Explore our complete Metroid collection including both modern titles and retro classics.

  • How We Authenticate Retro Games: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

    How We Authenticate Retro Games: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

    We get a lot of questions about how we verify the authenticity of our retro game inventory. Given the increasing sophistication of counterfeit cartridges, it’s a fair question — and one we’re proud to answer in detail.

    Step 1: Visual Inspection

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    Every game that comes through our doors gets a thorough visual inspection. We check the label quality, cartridge shell color and texture, screw type, and overall condition. Our team has handled thousands of authentic carts and can often spot a fake at a glance — but we never stop at just a visual check.

    Step 2: Board Inspection

    We open every single cartridge and inspect the circuit board. We’re looking at the ROM chip markings, PCB layout, component quality, and solder joints. We compare against our reference database of authentic boards. Counterfeits often use generic flash memory chips, incorrect PCB revisions, or tell-tale glob-top ICs.

    Step 3: Functional Testing

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    Every game is tested on original hardware. We verify it boots, saves properly (for battery-backed games), and plays without glitches. For games with save batteries, we test battery voltage and note the expected remaining lifespan in our listing.

    Our Guarantee

    If you ever receive a game from us that turns out to be inauthentic, we’ll refund you in full, pay for return shipping, and send you a $25 store credit for the trouble. In four years of business, we’ve never had to honor this guarantee — and we intend to keep it that way.

    Browse our authenticated retro game collection with confidence.

  • Celebrating 5 Years of Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    Celebrating 5 Years of Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    Five years ago today, Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched — and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Releasing just as the world went into lockdown, this gentle island life simulator became a cultural phenomenon that transcended gaming.

    A Game That Changed Everything

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    New Horizons wasn’t just a game in 2020 — it was a lifeline. When people couldn’t see friends and family in person, they gathered on each other’s islands. Wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, memorial services — all held in Animal Crossing. It was a reminder that games can be so much more than entertainment.

    The Numbers

    New Horizons went on to sell over 44 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of all time and the second best-selling Switch game behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It sold 13 million copies in its first six weeks alone — numbers that even Nintendo didn’t anticipate.

    The Legacy

    Five years later, islands around the world are still thriving. The 2.0 update and Happy Home Paradise DLC added enormous amounts of content. The terraforming and decoration tools inspired incredible creativity — some of the islands people have built are genuinely jaw-dropping works of art.

    Whether you’re a day-one player or you’re just discovering it now, there’s never a bad time to start your island life. Shop our Animal Crossing collection.

  • Fire Emblem Engage vs. Three Houses: Which Strategy Epic Should You Play?

    Fire Emblem Engage vs. Three Houses: Which Strategy Epic Should You Play?

    With two excellent Fire Emblem games on Switch, newcomers to the series often ask us which one to start with. The answer depends on what you’re looking for.

    Fire Emblem: Three Houses — The Story-Driven Choice

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    Three Houses is the better game if you want deep characters, branching storylines, and a world you can really sink into. The Garreg Mach monastery serves as a hub where you build relationships with your students, manage their skills, and eventually lead them through a war. The four distinct routes offer massive replay value, and the moral ambiguity of the story is exceptional for a Nintendo game.

    Fire Emblem Engage — The Gameplay-First Choice

    Engage strips back the social simulation elements and doubles down on the tactical combat. The Emblem Ring system, which lets you summon heroes from past Fire Emblem games, adds deep strategic layers. Map design is arguably the best in the series. If you want pure, refined tactical gameplay, Engage is your game.

    Our Recommendation

    Start with Three Houses if you’ve never played Fire Emblem — its characters and story will hook you on the series. Then play Engage for the refined combat. Both are among the best strategy games on any platform. See our Fire Emblem collection.