Author: colinssamplega

Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Announced: Here’s What We Know

It’s finally official. Nintendo has announced the successor to the Nintendo Switch. After years of speculation, leaks, and rumors, we now have our first official look at the next generation of Nintendo hardware.

What We Know

The new console maintains the hybrid handheld/docked form factor that made the original Switch so successful. From the reveal trailer, we can see a larger screen, redesigned Joy-Con controllers that appear to attach magnetically, and what looks like a significant graphical upgrade.

Backwards Compatibility

Nintendo has confirmed that the new system will play Nintendo Switch game cards and digital games. This is huge — it means your existing library carries forward, and the new console launches with access to the Switch’s incredible catalog of thousands of games.

What We Don’t Know (Yet)

Price, exact release date, full specs, and launch titles are all still TBA. Nintendo has promised a full Direct-style presentation in the coming months with all the details. We’ll be covering every announcement right here on the blog.

In the meantime, there’s never been a better time to build your Switch library — backwards compatibility means every game you buy now is an investment in your next-gen collection too. Browse our catalog.

January 16, 2025
New Year, New Games: What We’re Most Excited for in 2025

Happy New Year from the Power-Up Games team! 2025 is shaping up to be an absolutely massive year for Nintendo fans. Here’s what our team is most hyped about.

The Switch Successor

The worst-kept secret in gaming — Nintendo’s next console is widely expected to be officially revealed in early 2025. Everything we’ve heard points to a significant hardware upgrade while maintaining the hybrid form factor. Backwards compatibility with the Switch library seems very likely. We’ll have full coverage as soon as there’s news.

Metroid Prime 4

After being announced in 2017 and restarted from scratch in 2019, Metroid Prime 4 is finally on the horizon. The teaser from last year looked incredible, and the anticipation in the Metroid community is through the roof.

The Retro Market

With a new console generation potentially shifting attention, we expect some interesting movement in the retro market. Late-era Switch physicals may become more collectible, and the launch of a new system historically drives nostalgia interest in older Nintendo hardware. We’re already seeing increased demand for GameCube and N64 titles.

Whatever 2025 brings, we’ll be here with the products, coverage, and community you’ve come to expect. It’s going to be a great year. Start it off right in our store.

January 6, 2025
Black Friday 2024: Our Biggest Deals of the Year
It’s here! Our biggest sale event of 2024 kicks off now. Here’s what’s on offer — but move fast, quantities are limited on many items.

Doorbuster Deals
- Nintendo Switch OLED — $299 (save $50)
- Nintendo Switch Lite — $149 (save $50)
- Pro Controller — $49.99 (save $20)
Game Deals
- Select first-party titles — up to 40% off
- Buy 3 Switch games, get the cheapest free
- All retro games — 15% off storewide
Collectibles & Merch
- amiibo — buy 2 get 1 free (entire lineup)
- All apparel — 30% off
- Pokemon TCG booster boxes — 20% off
- Collectible figures and statues — up to 25% off
Sale runs through Cyber Monday (November 28th). Power-Up Rewards members get early access starting at midnight and earn triple points on all purchases. Free shipping on everything — no minimum!

Shop the sale now
November 25, 2024
Staff Picks: Our Team’s Favorite Hidden Gems on the Switch eShop

The Switch eShop has thousands of games, and it’s easy for brilliant titles to get buried. We asked our team to share their favorite under-the-radar picks — the games they can’t stop recommending to customers.

Alex’s Pick: Celeste

“Celeste is a masterpiece disguised as a simple platformer. The controls are pixel-perfect, the difficulty curve is challenging but fair, and the story about anxiety and self-acceptance genuinely moved me. The Assist Mode means anyone can experience it. If you play one indie game this year, make it this one.”

Sarah’s Pick: Return of the Obra Dinn

“A logic puzzle game where you’re an insurance investigator determining the fate of everyone aboard a ghost ship. The 1-bit art style is hauntingly beautiful, and the ‘eureka’ moments when you crack a difficult identification are unmatched. Unlike anything else I’ve ever played.”

Marcus’s Pick: Hades

“Supergiant knocked it out of the park. The combat is tight and endlessly varied, the story unfolds brilliantly through the roguelike structure, and the characters are some of the most well-written in any game. I’ve done over 100 runs and I’m still finding new dialogue.”

Priya’s Pick: Outer Wilds

“I wish I could erase my memory and play Outer Wilds again for the first time. It’s a game about exploring a solar system that’s stuck in a 22-minute time loop, and every discovery feels genuinely earned. Go in blind — don’t read anything about it, just play it.”

All of these are available on the Nintendo eShop. Grab an eShop gift card from our store to get started!

September 20, 2024
Pokemon TCG: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Collection

The Pokemon Trading Card Game has exploded in popularity over the past few years, attracting new collectors and players of all ages. If you’re just getting started, it can feel overwhelming. Here’s everything you need to know.

Collecting vs. Playing: Choose Your Path

The first question to answer is whether you want to collect cards, play the competitive game, or both. Collectors focus on art, rarity, and completing sets. Players focus on building decks with strategic synergy. There’s no wrong answer, and many people do both.

Where to Start

For collectors: Start with an Elite Trainer Box from a current set. You get 9 booster packs, card sleeves, dice, and a nice storage box. It’s great value and gives you a foundation to build from.

For players: Buy two theme decks or a Battle Academy box to learn the rules. Once you’re comfortable, start looking at competitive deck lists online and picking up singles.

Protecting Your Cards

Invest in penny sleeves and top loaders for valuable cards. Use a binder with side-loading pages for your collection. Keep cards away from direct sunlight and humidity. Proper storage isn’t just about preservation — it’s about maintaining value.

Ready to start? Browse our Pokemon TCG collection for booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, and special collections.

August 15, 2024
Community Spotlight: How Our Discord Hit 5,000 Members
We’re thrilled to announce that the Power-Up Games Discord server just crossed 5,000 members! What started as a small chat room for our most loyal customers has grown into one of the most active Nintendo fan communities online.

How We Got Here

We launched the Discord in early 2023 with about 50 members — mostly regulars from our Portland store. The server grew organically through word of mouth, fueled by genuine community events rather than marketing pushes. Weekly game nights, monthly tournaments, and our popular #retro-finds channel (where members share their thrift store and garage sale pickups) kept people coming back.

What Makes It Special

Our community is remarkably welcoming and positive. We credit this to a few things: active moderation that focuses on fostering good conversations rather than just policing bad ones, dedicated channels for every Nintendo franchise, and regular engagement from our store staff who are genuinely part of the community (not just there to promote products).

Some highlights from the past year:
- Over 200 multiplayer sessions organized through the server
- A community-run Pokemon tournament with 64 entrants
- Our charity stream marathon that raised $2,800 for Child’s Play
- Countless friendships formed between members who’ve never met in person
Thank you to every single member. You’re what makes this community special. Here’s to the next 5,000!
July 8, 2024
Retro Spotlight: The N64 Games That Defined a Generation

The Nintendo 64 launched in 1996 and ushered in the era of 3D gaming. While its library was smaller than the PlayStation’s, the N64’s best games are among the greatest ever made. Let’s revisit the titles that defined a generation.

Super Mario 64

The game that proved 3D platforming could work. Mario 64’s analog stick controls, dynamic camera, and brilliantly designed worlds set the template that countless games would follow. Playing it for the first time in 1996 was a genuine “future of gaming” moment.

GoldenEye 007

Before Halo, before Call of Duty, there was GoldenEye. Rare’s FPS masterpiece proved that shooters could thrive on consoles. The multiplayer — four players crowded around a split-screen TV — remains one of gaming’s most iconic social experiences. No Oddjob allowed.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Frequently cited as the greatest game ever made, and it’s hard to argue. The first time you walked onto Hyrule Field, heard that music swell, and realized the sheer scale of the world ahead of you — nothing in gaming had ever felt like that before.

Other essentials: Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros., Star Fox 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Majora’s Mask, and Paper Mario. We carry many of these in our N64 collection — just know that prices reflect the enduring love for this console.

June 28, 2024
Why the Nintendo Switch OLED Is Still the Best Way to Play in 2024

Three years after its release, the Nintendo Switch OLED remains the definitive way to play Switch games. While rumors of a Switch successor swirl, here’s why the OLED model is still absolutely worth buying today.

That Screen

The 7-inch OLED display is a genuine game-changer for handheld play. The deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and improved contrast make games like Metroid Dread, Hollow Knight, and Ori look stunning. Once you’ve played on an OLED Switch, the original model’s LCD screen feels washed out by comparison.

Build Quality Improvements

The wider adjustable kickstand is a massive improvement over the original’s flimsy little prop. Tabletop mode is actually usable now. The dock includes a wired LAN port, the speakers are noticeably better, and the overall build feels more premium. Double the internal storage (64GB vs 32GB) is a nice bonus too.

The Library Argument

The Switch has one of the strongest game libraries of any console ever. Over 5,000 games, including some of the highest-rated titles of all time. Buying a Switch OLED today means instant access to seven years of incredible games. That’s a massive advantage over buying a brand-new console at launch with a handful of titles.

Verdict: Still a fantastic purchase. Whether you’re upgrading or buying your first Switch, the OLED is the way to go. Check our console selection.

May 12, 2024
Spring Sale: Up to 30% Off Select Switch Games and Accessories
Spring is here and so are the savings! We’re running our biggest sale of the season with discounts on dozens of Switch games, accessories, and collectibles.

Highlights
- Select first-party Switch games — up to 25% off titles including Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- Pro Controllers — 20% off all Pro Controller variants including the Splatoon 3 and Xenoblade editions
- amiibo Figures — buy 2, get 1 free on select amiibo
- Pokemon TCG — 15% off all booster boxes and elite trainer boxes
- Retro Games — 10% off our entire retro catalog (yes, including the rare stuff)
Sale runs April 5th through April 21st. Free shipping on all orders over $35 during the sale (reduced from the usual $50 threshold). Shop the sale.

Power-Up Rewards members earn double points on all sale purchases. Not a member yet? Sign up — it’s free.
April 5, 2024
The Complete History of Zelda: How a Small Adventure Game Became Nintendo’s Crown Jewel

In 1986, Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka released a small golden cartridge for the Famicom Disk System that would change gaming forever. Nearly four decades later, The Legend of Zelda is one of the most revered franchises in entertainment history. Let’s trace its incredible journey.

The NES Era: Breaking New Ground (1986–1994)

The original Legend of Zelda was revolutionary. In an era of linear, left-to-right games, it dropped players into an open world and said “figure it out.” The sense of discovery was unlike anything else on the market. Zelda II took a controversial detour into side-scrolling RPG territory — divisive then, but increasingly appreciated as a bold experiment.

The SNES and N64: Defining Generations (1991–2000)

A Link to the Past refined the formula into something approaching perfection. The dual Light/Dark World mechanic was mind-blowing in 1991 and the dungeon design remains a gold standard. Then came Ocarina of Time in 1998, which didn’t just define 3D adventure games — it defined 3D games, period. Majora’s Mask followed with a darker, more experimental take that’s aged like fine wine.

The Modern Era: Reinvention After Reinvention (2000–Present)

Wind Waker’s cel-shaded art style was controversial at reveal but is now considered visionary. Twilight Princess gave fans the “realistic” Zelda they’d asked for. Skyward Sword introduced motion-controlled swordplay. And then Breath of the Wild tore up the entire rulebook, delivering one of the greatest open-world games ever made.

Tears of the Kingdom proved the formula had even more room to grow, adding verticality and a physics-based building system that sparked limitless creativity.

What makes Zelda endure isn’t just nostalgia — it’s Nintendo’s willingness to reinvent the series while keeping its soul intact. We carry the full Zelda library across every era. Explore our Zelda collection.

March 18, 2024