Nintendo Cartridge Society

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are headed to Nintendo Switch on Pokemon Day (which Patrick and Mark definitely know is February 27). The guys discuss Nintendo’s full-court press to stay ahead of the pricing conversation. Plus, their thoughts after a week with Virtual Boy on Switch, a major shakeup at the top of Microsoft Gaming, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Mark's first thoughts on Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse.
The surprise announcement and release of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
A Treehouse Live presentation for Super Mario Bros...

Resident Evil Month continues! Patrick and Mark are joined by special guest Roxy Polk to take a detour from the mainline horror and explore every strange, experimental, and occasionally baffling Resident Evil spinoff.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Last week’s Sony State of Play featured a surprising number of games also headed to Switch 1 and 2. From a brand-new Castlevania to the next Metal Gear Solid collection, Patrick and Mark break down all the Nintendo-relevant announcements. Plus, Mark shares early impressions of Tokyo Scramble, new Yoshi toys revealed ahead of the Super Mario Galaxy movie, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Mark’s first hands-on time with the Virtual Boy accessories.
Patrick’s continued progress in Fire Emblem: Awakening Hard Mode.
The full slate of State of Play titles...

Resident Evil Month is here! Patrick and Mark are joined by returning special guest Jeremy Schmidt to kick things off with a dramatic, door-opening exploration of 2002’s Resident Evil remake. So grab your Fuel Canteen and Lighter, pack the First Aid Spray, and get ready to go zombie hunting.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

The Pokemon 30th Anniversary celebration begins with a simple question: “What’s your favorite?” Patrick and Mark immediately get hung up on something equally important: "Is a Pokemon a what or a who?" Plus, hands-on thoughts from the Pragmata and Monster Hunter Stories 3 demos, rumors of a new Xenoblade Chronicles in 2026, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Yoshi and Balloon Kid arriving on Game Boy Nintendo Classics.
The Switch surpassing the DS to become Nintendo’s best-selling hardware ever.
Nintendo’s president addressing the possibility of a Switch 2 price increase.
Another...

Patrick and Mark delay the start of Resident Evil Month to...talk about Resident Evil and a whole lot of other third-party games. The guys break down everything from today's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, including games like Orbitals, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and more. Plus, did the presentation change how they’re feeling about the shape of Switch 2’s first year?

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

With Dispatch censored on Nintendo platforms and image sharing restricted in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Patrick and Mark dig into why and when Nintendo decides to censor games. But first: Nintendo Direct speculation, two previously unreleased games added to the upcoming Virtual Boy slate, reactions to the Tomodachi Life Direct, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Hard mode in Fire Emblem: Awakening, and why restarting a chapter can pay off later.
Surprising new updates in Splatoon 3.
The Disney Afternoon Collection confirmed for Switch and Switch 2, with two additional SNES...

Patrick and Mark hit the court to rank the canonical doubles teams in Mario Tennis 64...but first, they have to figure out why these unlikely pairings exist in the first place. Why does Baby Mario pair up with Donkey Kong? What mysterious designs does Waluigi have for Paratroopa? Tune in as the guys try to make sense of it all.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

It was a huge week for Nintendo news! Patrick and Mark break down the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer (with our first real look at Yoshi), a blowout trailer for Super Mario Bros Wonder: Switch 2 Edition + Meetup at Bellabel Park (including the reveal that Rosalina is now playable), and a surprise major update for last year’s Donkey Kong Country Returns HD that finally brings Dixie Kong into the mix. And that’s just the start.

The guys also talk about:

A dedicated Nintendo Direct for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream happening this...

With the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Switch 2, Patrick and Mark borrow a classic wedding tradition for a conversation about third party support on Nintendo’s newest platform. The guys pitch games they’d love to see on Switch 2, organized into four time-honored categories (plus one more):

Something old
Something new
Something borrowed
Something blue
~WILD CARD~

What fits where, and what does it all say about the future of third party games on Switch 2?
SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

The discovery of OSM, a mysterious new product code spotted on Nintendo's servers and seemingly tied to the Switch 2, has Patrick and Mark speculating about what strange new device Nintendo might be cooking up. Plus, a new Zelda LEGO set canonizes a classic series showdown, the reason Mario beat Sonic in a footrace, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Returning to Resident Evil Remake and Fire Emblem Awakening.
Could the Disney Afternoon Collection finally be headed to Switch?
A second game rating for Hi-Fi Rush on Switch, two years after...

Now that Patrick and Mark have both finished Metroid Prime 4, they break out their Psychic Podcast Voices to deliver final thoughts on the game’s mechanics, story, and place within the Prime legacy. Then, they close things out with a Mega Ranking, stacking up the game’s worlds, bosses, and more.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Nintendo drops a new overview trailer for Mario Tennis Fever, and Patrick and Mark take to the court to break down everything revealed about the game. Plus, the debut of a new semi-regular segment ranking all first party Switch 2 releases, the Joy-Con 2 gets its first new color options, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Mark finishing his playthrough of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Patrick's continuing adventures through Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
Joy-Con 2 Light Purple and Light Green announced.
With the NSO Voucher Program ending on Jan 30, will future Switch 1 releases like...

Patrick and Mark look ahead at Nintendo’s 2026, laying out what’s already confirmed and then boldly predicting what might come next.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

[The previously uploaded audio was taken from the wrong episode. This is the correct audio. Sorry for the confusion!]

A new developer interview pulls back the curtain on the turbulent development of Metroid Prime 4, and Patrick and Mark dig into what it reveals about the final product. Plus, what ratings for two new Switch 2 Edition's could tell us about Nintendo's plans, a whole host of gaming anniversaries in 2026, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick finishing Metroid Prime 4 and their latest impressions of the game.
New PEGI ratings for...

Patrick and Mark recap the highs and lows of Nintendo's eventful 2025. From the Switch 2's launch to the Nintendo Today app, the guys decide what earns a “Wow” and what gets branded a “Whiff.”

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark keep the multiplayer party going with Part 2 of the ABC's of Nintendo Multiplayer.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark celebrate the season of togetherness by getting together for Part 1 of the ABC's of Nintendo Multiplayer.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Capcom’s surprise reveal of Pragmata for Switch 2 gets Patrick and Mark talking about how third-party support is shaping up for Nintendo’s new console, and what it will take to keep that momentum going. Plus, a full rundown of Nintendo-related announcements from The Game Awards, trying to figure out what the world wants from Mega Man, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick getting a little deeper into the world of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Mark taking Wario World on GameCube for a spin.
Team Cherry announces Silksong DLC for 2026.
T...

Gaming's biggest night returns as Patrick and Mark host the sixth annual Cartridge Awards (the fanciest ones yet!). Categories include: Best Jump in a Non-Mario Game, Best Fit in Mario Kart World, and more.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark set their arm cannons to "First Impressions" as they debrief on their initial hours with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Plus, Nintendo acquires Bandai Namco Singapore, Yacht Club Game's financial straits, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick's time with Kirby Air Riders.
Mark's attempts to get Chunky and Lanky Kong statues in Donkey Kong Bananza.
A new update to Mario Kart World.
Metroid Prime 4's amiibo functionality.
A new job listing (maybe) indicates signs of life for Call of Duty on Switch 2.
Panic Button reveals...

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond lands today in an unusual early-December launch. Is this normal for Nintendo? And what does it typically mean when they drop a big game this late in the year? Patrick and Mark trace the history of Nintendo’s December releases in search of answers.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

To celebrate the launch of Kirby Air Riders, Patrick and Mark pick the Nintendo franchises they think should be next in line for a racing game spinoff.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark recap another week packed with Nintendo news, including a new overview trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, first looks at both the Super Mario Galaxy Movie and The Legend of Zelda film, and a release date for Pokemon Pokopia.

The guys also talk about:

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition as a party game.
This year's The Game Awards nominees are announced.
The next special event in Donkey Kong Bananaza.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2<...

With Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment just released and Kirby Air Riders mere weeks away, Patrick and Mark welcome special guest Jacques Mouledoux to discuss their favorite Nintendo spinoffs.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Nintendo's latest earnings report brings an impressive update on the number of Switch 2's sold, but also plateauing Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions, leaving Patrick and Mark to wonder where the service goes from here. Plus, a Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct this Wednesday, impressions from the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride, and more.

Listen to Mark on Video Games: A Comedy Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-363-nintendo-3ds-space-solace-xxv/id1422537563?i=1000736060680

The guys also talk about:

Playing Attack of the Friday Monsters on the Nintendo 3DS.
...

Last week's announcement of the major 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons inspires Patrick and Mark to pitch their own ideas for future updates in the franchise.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark get ready to go back to the island as Nintendo announces a major update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Plus, a vinyl release of Breath of the Wild's soundtrack, Capcom rolls out the red carpet for Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2, and more.

The guys also talk about:

The fun NSO Icons Nintendo is quietly producing.
Mark's impressions of the Chip Fever event in Donkey Kong Bananza's Emerald Rush DLC.
A "timely" update to the Nintendo Music app.
Limited Run Games announces NES cult classic Little Samson...

It’s almost Halloween, and Patrick and Mark are celebrating by haunting 13 (the spookiest number!) Nintendo franchises. The guys give each franchise a "trick," something that trips the series up, and a "treat," something worth celebrating.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark swap machines with Chef Kawasaki and hit the gas to cover all of the announcements from the second Kirby Air Riders Direct. Plus, a surprise update for Pikmin 4, new Switch 2 third-party announcements, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick beating Hades II (possibly?).
The surprise pleasures of UFO 50 as a social experience.
Mark's continuing adventures in Dragon Quest III HD-2D.
Assassin's Creed Shadows and Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition announced for Switch 2, and Eldin Ring delayed.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A first week sales.
Mario joins the...

Patrick and Mark rewind through gaming history, celebrating their favorite titles from 5, 10, 20, and 30 years ago.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark take a sick day from work to discuss Chip Fever, a new event starting next week in Donkey Kong Bananza's Emerald Rush DLC. Plus, Patrick's first impressions of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mark gets back on the Resident Evil hype train, and more.

The guys also talk about:

More of Patrick's adventures in Hades II.
Mark grinding out progress in Dragon Quest III HD-2D.
Nintendo officially comments on last week's hack.
Reports that Nintendo is increasing Switch 2 production ahead of the holiday season.
Ask Iwata getting...

Hey, we're walkin' here! Patrick and Mark celebrate the release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A and its return to Lumiose City by discussing their favorite Nintendo cities.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Long live weird Nintendo! Last week, Nintendo released a new short film created by Nintendo Pictures...not once, not twice, but three times, and Patrick and Mark wonder if there's more than meets the eye to this new Pikmin animation. Plus, Nintendo is hit by a hacking group, Mina the Hollower is delayed, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick's continued adventures in Hades II.
Mark forsaking Dragon Quest III HD-2D in the name of more Mario Galaxy 2.
The origins of Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World.
...

Donkey Kong Bananza blessed us with a few new Kongs, so, for the first time since 2018, Patrick and Mark rank all of the Kongs from worst to first. Which Kong will reign supreme as the King of the Banana Hoard?

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

With Metroid Prime 4 a little less than two months away, Patrick and Mark do a gut check to see how they're feeling about the game and what its success or failure might mean for the future of the franchise. Plus, first impressions of Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 on Switch (2), more exclusive Nintendo Museum merch, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Patrick's progress in Hades II.
Nintendo's strategy with the Nintendo Music app.
A GameStop Pokemon promotion gone awry.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety
<...

To celebrate the release of Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 on Switch, Patrick and Mark look back on every entry in the Super Mario Bros series and determine their single greatest additions to the Mario canon.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Doug Bowser is retiring from his position as President of Nintendo of America, and Patrick and Mark wonder what sort of differences they should expect (or not expect) when NoA veteran Devon Pritchard takes over next year. Plus, Patrick's first impressions of Hades II, a Fire Emblem mobile game surprise, and more.

The guys also talk about:

EA announces plans to go private.
A big update for Mario Kart World.
Nintendo opens a new branch in Singapore (and maybe Thailand).
Borderlands 4 on Switch 2 gets a last minute delay.

Make music! Make art! Makes games! To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Super Mario Maker on the Wii U, Patrick and Mark discuss their favorite creative outlets in Nintendo games.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesociety

FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2
Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137
Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

GameStop is holding a major sale on amiibo, including recently released ones, leading Patrick and Mark to wonder if there's an amiibo demand problem and what that means for the future of the toy line. Plus, trying to figure out what the deal is with Metroid Prime 4, the guys both roll credits on the Donkey Kong Banaza DLC, and more.

The guys also talk about:

Mark finally diving into Dragon Quest III HD-2D.
Nintendo of America outsourcing its customer service.
Resident Evil Requiem pricing in the UK and what we...