Nintendo Cartridge Society

Patrick and Mark take on the challenge making the rounds: the 9 games that shaped who they are. Childhood favorites, life-changers, and the surprising picks that made them who they are today. 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

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is here and Patrick and Mark share their first impressions of the new Switch 2 exclusive. Plus, code for a mysterious "Event Gifts" system shows up in the Nintendo Switch Online app, Castlevania celebrates its 40th anniversary with (stop me if you've heard this one before) a concert series, and more. The guys also talk about: Patrick's ongoing journey with Orbitals. Splatoon 3's spike in popularity in 2026. Reports that Ubisoft and Nintendo were once collaborating on a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf. 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 rank the art styles of every mainline Zelda game, from the 8-bit pixel art of the original Legend of Zelda to the embellished details of the new Ocarina of Time on Switch 2, and everything in between. Which visual style suits Hyrule best? 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

Special guest-host Conner McCabe (Call Me By Your Game, Super NPC Games Club) stops by to discuss Pokemon rumors, the end of an award they didn't even know was being given out, and insights from developers of Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Splatoon Raiders. Plus, will 007: First Light ever come out on Switch 2? Yes, but always later than you think it will. The guys also talk about: The hidden depth of Yoshi's Woolly World Conner finally wrapping his head around The World Ends With You Big Walk continuing to reveal new pleasures to Patrick and his buddies Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave slow start, strange presentation, and undeniable gameplay Previous winners of Masahiro Sakurai's Game Designer Awards Metroid Dread being at the top of the eShop charts 6 years after its original release Check out Send In The Clown on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3766220/Send_In_The_Clown/ 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 release of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Patrick and Mark settle the great debate: which Fire Emblem game has the best title? Judged on the words alone, no context allowed. From Blazing Blade to Three Houses to Engage, the guys weigh them all and crown a champion. 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

Still in a post-Direct stupor, Patrick and Mark round up all of the week's Nintendo news, including variable refresh rate (VRR) coming to the Switch 2 when docked, Nintendo of America's "Customer Appreciation" sale, the GameCube's 25th anniversary, and more. The guys also talk about: Trying Star Fox Adventures for the first time. Patrick plays the Final Fantasy Resonance Demo. Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom's pricing strategy with its Switch 2 ports. The rest of the latest Switch 2 system update, including music coming to the Mii Maker. A Capcom pop-up store landing in Los Angeles. A little sidebar into Sony's decision to drop Hideo Kojima's Physint. 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 react to all the announcements from today's Nintendo Direct, from the official reveal of Metroid Ravenous to Kirby going full open-world in Kirby and the World Beyond. Plus, Capcom continues to show up big with Monster Hunter Wilds, Mega Man, and Resident Evil. Atlus shows up big with Persona and Persona. And any reports of Amiibo's death are greatly exaggerated. 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

Lordy lordy, look who's 40! Nintendo threw Hyrule a birthday party, and Patrick and Mark react to everything from the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: a deep look at the reborn Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, a worldwide concert series, the Zelda movie's title, 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

The predictions? Mild and Wild. The stakes? A trademark NCS Million Dollar Bet. The subject: a September 2026 Nintendo Direct. What do Patrick and Mark expect to see at Nintendo's next Switch 2 presentation? Sure, Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed a Direct for September, but they wouldn't leave the guys hanging like that... would they? 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 is joined by Jeremy Schmidt (Video Games A Comedy Show) to trace how a leak about Just Dance led to Ubisoft possibly leak the date of the next Nintendo Direct. OR DID IT? Plus, Jeremy can't stop playing Xenoblade and Patrick can't stop playing Splatoon. The guys also talk about: Final Fantasy VII Revelation being overexposed in games showcases. Capcom has another banger on their hands with Onimusha: Way of the Sword. When will Zelda ever feel like the old Zelda again? A Sonic Mania sequel not being in the works (even though it should be). New Switch 2 bundles offering deceptive savings. A late-in-life update for Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch 2. Is Mega Man: Dual Override new enough to stand out or is it retreading old territory? FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2 Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137 Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Splatoon Month reaches its epic conclusion with a Mega Ranking! Patrick and Mark rank five different aspects of the Splatoon series: from best weapon types to favorite Idols, the top story modes across every game, 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 spent the week in a pressure cooker labeled The Duskbloods and the DK Challenges, with a ticking clock on opportunities to do both. What did the guys think of FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive, and were they able to make progress in the Donkey Kong challenge before time runs out? Plus, the Nintendo Switch 2 price increase hits next week, Terranigma, the legendary SNES RPG that never made it to North America, is finally getting a release, and more. The guys also talk about: A listener comment on their ranking of enemy armies (inspired by the Salmonids). Patrick dives back into Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta kicks of this Friday. Should Mark buy Elden Ring or wait for The Duskbloods? Or both? 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

Splatoon Month is in full swing! Patrick and Mark take themselves to the school of (punk) rock as they educate themselves on the bands of the Splatoon series. The format is simple: pull a random band from the series, try to figure out who they are and what music they play based only on the name, then find out how wrong they are. 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

If the leaks are to be believed, Nintendo is preparing to test Patrick and Mark's wills by releasing a Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 and Pro Controller 2 later this year. Surely they don't need new Switch 2's already...and yet... Plus, Nintendo of America offers a new incentive for completing the DK Challenge, the end of the road for Pokemon Bank, and more. The guys also talk about: Super Mario Sunshine hitting Nintendo Classics. Patrick's continued adventures in Big Walk. A new DLC pack for Marvel Cosmic Invasion. An easter egg in Splatoon 3 for players who've completed Splatoon Raiders. Kingdom Hearts IV news out of D23. 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

Splatoon Month continues! Inspired by the Salmonid hordes of Splatoon Raiders, Patrick and Mark marshal their forces to rank Nintendo's greatest enemy armies, from the Koopa Troop to the Kremling Krew and beyond. Which army marches to victory, and which one falls on the battlefield? 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

Stop, or that nun will shoot! Last week's Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Direct was packed with surprises, but are Patrick and Mark excited about the game after all the details were unveiled? Plus, Patrick goes exploring in Big Walk, new Zelda movie casting rumors, and more. The guys also talk about: Patrick's hands-on with D-Hopper, Zero Racers, and V-Tetris on Virtual Boy. Mark wraps up Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Being SELECTED for The Duskbloods Network Test. The lastest Switch 2 sales numbers and other updates from Nintendo's financial report. A Final Fantasy VII Revelation "new look" happening at Gamescom. 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 kick off Splatoon Month with a deep dive into Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo's first single-player Splatoon spin-off for Switch 2. From the looter-shooter gameplay on the Spirhalite Islands to Deep Cut's expanded role, the guys break down all of the Salmonid-slaying combat and debate what a sequel should fix. 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 wants to release a new Resident Evil game every year, but what happens when they run out of games to remake? With Resident Evil Veronica already announced for 2027 and only a handful of others left in the remake pipeline, Patrick and Mark wonder where the series goes long-term. Plus: the Virtual Boy library on Nintendo Switch Online gets its final update, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 lands its ESRB rating, and more. The guys also talk about: The Leon amiibo is not a man with a gun, but a man with a hatchet. Super Mario Sunshine joins GameCube Nintendo Classics next week. Orbitals announces support for a “Global Friend’s Pass app.” Thimbleweed Park 2 is announced. A Splatoon Raiders-themed Tetris 99 Maximus Cup kicks off on Friday. 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 Nintendo remaking Star Fox 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, Patrick and Mark look back at every game Nintendo published on the 3DS to ask: does it deserve a remake on Switch 2? 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 share their first impressions of Splatoon Raiders, ahead of a full month of Splatoon-themed episodes kicking off next week! Plus, they delve into Miyamoto’s recent remarks on game remakes, sparking discussions about Nintendo’s current release strategy, wonder if Nintendo will celebrate Zelda's 40th anniversary, and more. The guys also talk about: Details on the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Final Fantasy XIV Online's release date on Switch 2. Some new insights on Nintendo support studios A new Tetris 99 event with an opportunity to snag themes at a discount. 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