Category: Reviews

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

After years of the “New” series playing it safe, Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes 2D Mario in a bold, creative direction — and it absolutely works.

The Wonder Effect

The headline feature is the Wonder Flower, which transforms each level in unexpected ways when collected. Pipes might start walking, the perspective might shift, you might turn into a Goomba — the possibilities feel endless and the game never repeats the same trick twice. It’s the most surprising Mario game in decades.

Art and Animation

The visual overhaul is stunning. Characters are more expressive than ever, with fluid animations that give them real personality. The Flower Kingdom setting allows for vibrant, diverse worlds that feel fresh compared to the grass-desert-ice-fire formula.

Multiplayer That Actually Works

The online multiplayer, where you see ghost-like shadows of other players, is a stroke of genius. You can’t grief each other but you can help by leaving standees as checkpoints. It makes the world feel alive without the chaos of traditional co-op platforming.

Score: 9/10 — A joyful reinvention of 2D Mario. Creative, gorgeous, and endlessly surprising. Essential for any Switch owner.

Available now in our store

Pikmin has always been Nintendo’s quiet achiever — never the console seller, never the headline grabber, but always delivering something genuinely unique. Pikmin 4 doesn’t just continue that tradition; it perfects it.

What’s New

The biggest addition is Oatchi, a lovable space dog who serves as both a mount and an additional Pikmin-like helper. Far from being a gimmick, Oatchi fundamentally changes how you approach puzzles and exploration. You can ride him across water, use him to carry heavy objects, and even have him lead a separate squad of Pikmin. The strategic possibilities are wonderful.

The new night missions add a tower-defense twist that’s more engaging than it has any right to be, and Dandori Battles offer frantic competitive challenges that test your multitasking skills to the limit.

The Verdict

Pikmin 4 is the most accessible entry in the series while also being the deepest. The difficulty curve is gentle enough for newcomers but the post-game content will challenge veterans. The time-rewind feature removes frustration without removing tension. It’s a masterclass in game design.

Score: 9.5/10 — A near-perfect blend of strategy, exploration, and charm. If you own a Switch, you owe it to yourself to play this.

Pick up Pikmin 4 in our store