It took over 10 years, but some dedicated fans have finally made a pair of previously unavailable Mario Kart games available to play.

While Nintendo might officially treat Mario Kart World as the ninth entry in its go-karting series (10th if you count mobile game Mario Kart Tour), that’s technically not accurate.

That’s because Nintendo previously released Mario Kart arcade cabinets as part of a partnership with Sega and Bandai Namco. You might have seen them at an arcade but they’ve never been made available on consoles.

Recently, though, this often-overlooked part of Nintendo history was made more widely available thanks to fan efforts, although only via the legal grey area of emulation.

2005’s Mario Kart Arcade GP and its 2007 sequel are now playable through Dolphin, an emulator for Nintendo GameCube games.

While those two games never saw console ports, the arcade system they ran on, dubbed Triforce, was built on similar hardware to the GameCube, with the Mario Kart Arcade games using the same engine as GameCube title Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

This was also the same system used for the arcade release of another GameCube racing game, F-Zero GX, which was developed by Sega and can be played nowadays through the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameCube library.

The Mario Kart arcade games were made by Bandai Namco, which is why they feature some of the company’s characters, like Pac-Man.

Technically, a different group of fans did get these games running before, but through what is described as ‘suboptimal techniques’ that meant they weren’t entirely stable.

‘When we first started on this journey, most of us hadn’t had the opportunity to play any of the Triforce games on an original cabinet,’ says fan JMC47. ‘The best we could do was buy the core systems and games and try to get them running with what we had.

‘The experience on bare hardware was rarely good and never great, but that was not how they were meant to be played. Triforce games were designed to be a part of an arcade experience, with a cool cabinet, interesting features, and unique control schemes. Through emulation, we were able to bring some of that arcade magic back to these games that no longer have a cabinet to call home.’

A third entry, Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, launched in 2013, but that one wasn’t built using the Triforce tech, which is why it’s not been emulated on Dolphin.

There is a fourth Mario Kart Arcade game from 2017, but it’s a VR experience and is only available in a specific Bandai Namco arcade based in Tokyo.

Given the length of time, it’s extremely unlikely Nintendo has any interest in officially re-releasing these arcade Mario Kart games, especially when Mario Kart World is still fresh and expected to see long-term support.

That said, while there have been some gameplay updates since launch, Nintendo’s been shockingly quiet about post-launch DLC. There were theories of Donkey Kong related characters being added to coincide with Donkey Kong Bananza’s launch, based on voice actor credits, but nothing ever came of it.

Hopefully, Nintendo will have something to share during its next Nintendo Direct. After the Partner Showcase earlier this month, we are due for one focused on first party games, but there’s no official date yet.

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

Comments Add as preferred source

Nintendo Switch 2; Nintendo
This ruthlessly competitive game will have everyone from your granny to semi-pros trying to set fire to their opponent’s side of the court with powered-up ‘fever rackets’

Tennis has been a regular hobby of Mario’s for the past 30 years, beginning with the headache-inducing Mario’s Tennis on the Virtual Boy and most recently resurfacing as the surprisingly complex Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch. Now he’s back in his whites (and reds) with a charming new take on the sport that dials back the difficulty level and adds lots of fun modes and features, aiming to appease complete newcomers and Djokovic-esque veterans.

At first, the range of options is almost bewildering. You can opt to play in one-off matches with up to three other players or NPCs, or enter a more structured tournament of singles or doubles play. Then there’s the extremely fun Mix It Up, which offers a range of fun tennis derivatives. These include Forest Court where piranha plants appear and gobble any balls that get close, and Pinball where bumpers and barriers pop up as you play. Trial Towers, meanwhile, presents a tower of increasingly tough tennis challenges which all have to be completed to open the next two buildings; fail more than three times and you’re sent back to the beginning – yes, it’s Mario Tennis: The Roguelike.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Nintendo

© Photograph: Nintendo

© Photograph: Nintendo

A portrait of the company whose ‘toymaker philosophy’ stands in contrast to the tech giants that rule our lives

What is the highest-grossing entertainment franchise of all time? You might be tempted to think of Star Wars, or perhaps the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Maybe even Harry Potter? But no: it’s Pokémon – the others don’t come close. The Japanese “pocket monsters”, which star in video games, TV series and tradable playing cards, have made an estimated $115bn since 1996. Is this a sign of the lamentable infantilisation of postmodern society?

Not a bit of it, argues Keza MacDonald, the Guardian’s video games editor, in her winsomely enthusiastic biography of Nintendo, the company that had become an eponym for electronic entertainment long before anyone had heard the words “PlayStation” or “Xbox”. Yes, Pokémon is mostly a children’s pursuit, but a sophisticated one: “Like Harry Potter, the Famous Five and Narnia,” she observes, “it offers a powerful fantasy of self-determination, set in a world almost totally free of adult supervision.” And in its complicated scoring system, “it got millions of kids voluntarily doing a kind of algebra”.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: MasaPhoto/Getty Images

© Photograph: MasaPhoto/Getty Images

© Photograph: MasaPhoto/Getty Images

The post Nintendo Markets <em>Mario</em> Toys With Mom Whose Thumb Is A Medical Miracle Or AI Slop [Update] appeared first on Kotaku.

With news that Switch 2 sales have started to slow, a reader is worried that complacency and poor planning is spoiling the prospects for Nintendo’s new console.

Last year, the big story was that the Switch 2 had become the fastest selling console of all time. I think a lot of people found this a little odd, because there didn’t seem to be that kind of excitement behind it, but then Nintendo’s main audience isn’t necessarily hardcore gamers, so I think some of the appeal was lost even on long-term fans.

After launch, Donkey Kong Bananza was great and… the rest wasn’t. I didn’t get Pokémon Legends: Z-A but it seems to have got only mildly positive reviews. I did get Metroid Prime 4 though and that was a crushing disappointment, even though I thought I’d still appreciate it despite the flaws.

We’re now in 2026 and the only games that have a release date are Mario Tennis Fever next month and Pokémon Pokopia in March, not the most existing of games, I don’t think anyone would pretend. Beyond that you’ve got Yoshi And The Mysterious Book and a new Fire Emblem, which I’d also venture are not the most widely popular of Nintendo franchises.

They’re niche games, basically, and so was Kirby Air Riders, Hyrule Warriors, and Metroid Prime 4. I can see the logic in that that meant you had a Zelda and Kirby game for the launch year, but I think these games are only likely to put people off the main franchises, more than anything else.

I read with interest the report this week, about how Switch 2 sales have slowed, particularly in the US, and that Nintendo thinks that because it didn’t have any big Western games. I’m pretty sure that’s not the problem, so I can’t wait for that overreaction to make things worse. It wasn’t because the line-up was too Japanese it’s because it was niche games that aren’t popular in the West. I’d say that was a distinct difference.

And now that we are out of the launch year can we just admit that having no Zelda or Mario, or even the slightest hint of one, was a massive mistake. Given how well orchestrated the Switch 1 was I would’ve thought that repeating the same tricks would’ve been easy, but Nintendo seems to have ignored every lesson of their very long history.

We’ve got the 40th anniversary of Zelda, 30th anniversary of Pokémon, and a new Super Mario movie coming up soon and, as far as we know at the moment, no major games to tie in with any of them. Missing one anniversary is a mistake, missing three super obvious opportunities like this reeks of incompetence or being complacent.

I don’t know which it is but the more you look back at the Switch 2 with hindsight the more it seems like it was all rushed, with very little planning… which makes no sense, as Nintendo had all the time they needed to get ready and were not working under any kind of time limit.

I hate to say it, but they’re exhibiting Sony style arrogance, where they seem to think a minimum effort will be enough and that because their last console did well they don’t have to try so hard with the next one. I would never have guessed that’s how they’d be with the Switch 2, but I don’t know how else to explain it.

If there is a Nintendo Direct in February it needs to unveil a new Mario, some kind of Zelda game, and ideally a new IP. I do not want to sit through a 50 minute showcase telling me that they still don’t understand what was good about Mario Tennis 64 or that they the budget for the next Fire Emblem has been increased to £10 and a packet of crisps.

Unfortunately, I would be willing to bet that the second description is a lot closer to what eventually happens and that people are going to feel even more worried about the Switch 2’s future after the Direct is done.

By reader Gordo

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: The original God Of War is hard to go back to after 20 years - Reader's Feature

MORE: All the games I hope to beat from my video game backlog in 2026 - Reader’s Feature

MORE: Select Thank goodness for the Britishness of Thank Goodness You’re Here! – Reader’s FeatureThank goodness for the Britishness of Thank Goodness You’re Here! – Reader’s Feature

Comments Add as preferred source

Nintendo recently announced the My Mario range of merchandise and upon the announcement many took issues with the images that accompanied the announcement. One of the model’s thumbs appears bent at an unnatural angle and another hand which is holding up a toddler has been bashed online for finger length and placement. Nintendo Life reached… Read More »Nintendo has denied using AI in My Mario images

Source

A fresh look for Mario Tennis Fever has come out today, showcasing a massive roster, as well as a slew of new modes coming to the court in February.

Nintendo pulled back the curtain on Mario Tennis Fever (which has already been confirmed as a Switch 2 exclusive) during a Direct back in September, showcasing gameplay and revealing its release date on February 12. Now, with a little over a month to go before launch, the company has dropped a new trailer featuring new looks at gameplay, mini-games, Adventure Mode, and a peek at the largest character roster in series history. The trailer can be seen below, including all of the gameplay additions fans can expect.

Mario Tennis Fever has detailed a slew of new features and characters coming to the court. Fever Rackets will spice up gameplay with shot modifiers that apply effects to the ball as it goes over the net. If an opponent can return the shot without a bounce, players can return the effect right back. There are 30 available Fever Rackets for fans to play with, and Mario Tennis Fever has also revealed a staggering 38 character-filled roster, letting players pick a playstyle tailored to them. Players can also turn off Fever Racket play for good old-fashioned tennis volleys. Joy Cons can also be used with motion control to swing the racket itself.

On top of that, Mario Tennis Fever revealed a slew of new modes for fans to jump into, starting with Adventure Mode. This mode starts you off as Baby Mario learning the ropes at the Tennis Academy, and you will have to master your skills to make it past challenging boss fights.

Other modes include Trial Towers mode, which forces players to take on a series of challenges as they climb their way to the top of a tower; Mix It Up mode that allows players to play matches with unconventional rules like the fan-favourite Ring Shot (where you have to hit balls with precision through rings to earn points) and Forest Court Match, where you can expand the court’s size by feeding Piranha Plants tennis balls. 

As you enjoy #MarioTennisFever, you’ll also have the opportunity to give your #NintendoSwitch2 a new look!

The first new colored Joy-Con 2 controllers—Light Purple and Light Green—also arrive Feb 12.

Pre-purchase now: https://t.co/xoK6jsePMp pic.twitter.com/JoE8r4oOQl

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 8, 2026

Super Mario Wonder also makes an appearance on the court, with Wonder Seeds turning the court into a wacky fever dream, and a Tournament Mode features commentary from the talking flower present on each stage in the base title. Nintendo has also revealed a new Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 colourway, light purple and light green, which will be launching the same day as Mario Tennis Fever.

Mario Tennis Fever and the new Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers launch on February 12.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, we begin with a quick look at Mario’s first Thanksgiving Parade appearance before delving into how we’re preparing for Metroid Prime 4’s immenent release.

On last week’s episode, we talked about Nintendo’s latest big release with Kirby Air Riders. We revisit this chaotic game, but we’re also gearing up for the next big release – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s so close now! We talk about the series, our fave entries, and much more.

We also look at the latest Online Classics hitting the Switch and Switch 2 with two NES and two Gameboy games heading our way recently. This included the classic toughness of Battletoads for NES. Jem tried it for the first time and gives her thoughts!

We’re playing a ton of games this week, from Kirby Air Riders to Hades II, along with Metroid Prime Remastered, Outlaws, and Adventure of Samsara. Plus Kirk gives us a preview of an upcoming game where digging holes is key. Sounds like fun!

It’s all happening on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, your weekly dose of all things Nintendo! With well over 100 episodes down, we’re excited to bring you more Nintendo content each and every week. We may be nearing the end of the year, but there’s still so much to look forward with Metroid Prime 4 now so close. So be sure to tune in each and every Monday for your latest dose of all things Nintendo on the Pure Nintendo Podcast!

Support us on the Pure Nintendo Podcast!

And don’t forget to follow us on Blue Sky to keep up to date with our news and reviews, and support us over at Patreon.com/PureNintendo! Our next issue of the Pure Nintendo Magazine has just been shipped, so keep your eyes on your mailbox for your copy!

Until next time, game on everyone!

The post Mario’s first Thanksgiving! Plus we prepare for Metroid 4! appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Most of the iconic protagonists from our favorite video game franchises get placed in some pretty unfair situations that would be fairly difficult to appreciate… but the truth is nobody would be interested in playing a game about a plumber who just travels to people’s homes and unclogs their toilets or a furry blue hedgehog who lounges around all day eating chili dogs. The adversaries that pulled them out of their places of comfort and the unpleasant circumstances that pressed them into service may not seem like something to be grateful for on the surface, but the only reason we all know who Mario and Sonic are is because these unwanted predicaments were thrust upon them. The worst things they have endured are actually the BEST things that ever happened to them, and that’s something to be thankful for.

Counting the blessings that make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable is easy, but being grateful and thankful for those situations that cause us discomfort doesn’t come naturally to any of us. But when the Bible tells us to give thanks in ALL things, it is reminding us that even the unpleasant challenges we face in life serve purposes that we should be thankful for, knowing the Lord will use them to press us into our best destiny. Let’s be thankful and bless our enemies… we can’t get where we are going without them.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

• Like us?  Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, or YouTube for our articles, podcasts, and videos!
• Facebook: Finding God in Video Games
• Twitter: @FindingGodIn_VG
• Instagram: Finding God in Video Games
• Podcasts on Spotify/Apple/Google: Finding God in Video Games
• TikTok: @FindingGodInVideoGames
• YouTube: Finding God in Video Games

PC gamers will finally have an opportunity to experience an RPG inspired by the iconic Paper Mario series from Nintendo when Escape from Ever After launches on January 23, 2026. Boasting vibrant visuals, addictive gameplay, and genre-bending storytelling, Escape from Ever After is set to bring the best of its spiritual predecessor to life with new twists and turns with a planned release for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.