Picture this: you’re unwinding on the couch after a long workday, remote in one hand, and a drink in the other. You’re probably wondering if the new Mario installment, Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bellabel Park, is worth juggling with your responsibilities. Well, I’ve spent some quality time with it, and while it’s delightful, it’s not exactly a must-play on the Switch 2. let’s look into today’s gaming news and see what else is grabbing our attention in the world of pixels and power-ups.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bellabel Park Switch 2 review: delightful, but inessential
Meanwhile, Polygon has weighed in on the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bellabel Park Switch 2 Edition. It’s full of riotous multiplayer fun and devious challenge levels, but ultimately feels a bit thin. Nintendo’s got that magic touch when it comes to making us feel like kids again, which is why we keep going back for more. But even nostalgia can’t completely cover for a lack of depth.
Don’t get me wrong, the game’s multiplayer antics are a riot. You know that feeling when you’re trying not to fall off a platform while laughing at your buddy who just did? Yeah, there’s plenty of that here. And those challenge levels? They’ll mess with your head in the best way. But let’s face it, in terms of substantial content, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for players looking for a meatier experience. Fun? Sure. Essential? Not so much. If you’re thinking about diving in, maybe wait for a sale.
Read the full article on Polygon
Pokemon Champions April 8 Release Date And New Gameplay Details Revealed
Staying in the live-service world, our favorite pocket monsters are set to hit the battlefield again with “Pokemon Champions,” launching on April 8 for both Switch 1 and the snazzy new Switch 2. Nintendo’s bringing the free-to-start fun, with a Starter Pack bundle up for grabs if you’re feeling fancy. According to GameSpot, this bundle tosses in some extra Pokemon storage and a new battle tune. Not bad if you’re ready to flex your Poké-strategies.
If you’re a sucker for competitive gameplay, Pokemon Champions is your new playground. It’s all about battles, leaving the usual story quests behind. We’re talking turn-based combat, type affinity strategies, and, of course, four moves per Pokemon. Three battle modes, Ranked, Casual, and Private, offer a nice variety, whether you’re a lone wolf or ready to double up. Switch 2 players can also enjoy a free visual upgrade. Gotta love having the latest hardware.
And here’s a neat twist: those Mega Evolutions from last year’s “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” are back. Remember Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr? They’re bringing some fresh abilities into the mix. Also, if you’ve played the previous games, Pokemon Home lets you carry over your hard-earned roster to Champions. The franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and with Pokemon Champions dropping soon after the surprise hit, Pokemon Pokopia, it might make competitive Pokemon more accessible than ever before. Switch 1 and Switch 2 players, time to sharpen your strategies. If you’re a mobile gamer, you’ll have to wait a bit, as the iOS and Android versions are still en route. But hey, good things are worth waiting for, right?
Read the full article on GameSpot
Report: Nintendo Is Slashing Switch 2 Production By A Third After Poor U.S. Sales
Meanwhile, Nintendo’s been facing some rough waters with the Switch 2. Kotaku reports that they’ve decided to slash production by a third, thanks to some lackluster sales in the U.S. this holiday season. Ouch. It seems the holiday magic didn’t quite extend to Nintendo this year. Without big new games to drive excitement, it’s not surprising folks are holding off. I mean, how many times can we replay Mario Kart before we start questioning our life choices?
There’s something a little ironic about the Switch 2 situation. Nintendo, a company known for its killer first-party titles, might be getting a taste of its own medicine without those heavy-hitting game launches. It’s like hosting a party and not putting out any snacks, people aren’t going to stick around for long. Don’t get me wrong, the Switch has had a great run, but it seems like a sign that Nintendo really needs to bring some fresh experiences to the table. Maybe this will be the push they need to fast-track that next big release. Until then, let’s hope the folks at Nintendo are working on something that’ll blow our socks off.
Read the full article on Kotaku
Crimson Desert’s Pearl Abyss regains investor confidence as it continues to move beyond launch day woes
For the RPG fans, Pearl Abyss seems to have turned a corner. After Crimson Desert’s less-than-stellar launch, it’s finally clawing back some goodwill from investors. Eurogamer reports that the game’s initial hiccups, which probably had some investors reaching for the panic button, seem to be getting ironed out. Now, Pearl Abyss is on the road to rebuilding trust, and maybe, just maybe, living up to the massive expectations that surrounded Crimson Desert pre-launch. It’s a classic tale of a rocky start turning into a comeback story, and who doesn’t love a good comeback? Let’s hope they can keep this momentum going. After all, we’ve all been burned by hyped-up RPGs before.
Read the full article on Eurogamer
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 director defends DLSS 5: ‘No way haters will stop this’
If you’re a Nintendo person, you might’ve missed the drama swirling around Nvidia’s DLSS 5. Daniel Vávra, the man behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, has stepped up to defend this tech. While some gamers are seeing DLSS 5 as a glorified AI upscaler, Vávra’s waving the flag of progress. Sure, it’s like a fancy Instagram filter for your games, but isn’t it time we embrace the future? According to PC Gamer, while some argue it’s an obstacle to creative vision, others see it as a leap forward in tech. Love it or hate it, DLSS 5 is here to stay, and it’ll be interesting to see how it shapes our gaming worlds. Keep an eye on this one, folks, because it might just surprise us yet!
Read the full article on PC Gamer
Hello Kitty: Island Adventure’s Next DLC Focuses Less On Coziness, More On Fun
In other news, Hello Kitty: Island Adventure is stepping up its game with the next DLC, City Town. According to GameSpot, we’re getting ready to trade in the cozy vibes for a vibrant cityscape teeming with creativity and mystery. Apple Arcade players have had the privilege of exploring this rainbow metropolis, but come April 16, it’ll be available on PC, Switch, Switch 2, and PS5.
We’re not just talking about a new map. City Town throws in over 30 hours of content and 90 quests, some diving above and beneath the city. Plus, there’s a new Sanrio friend, Usahana, ready to show us around and introduce us to her adorable crew. Expect shops like a plushie boutique and a custom Imagination Cafe. No word yet on price, but given the last DLC hit $15, you might want to start saving those pennies.
Read the full article on GameSpot
New KPop Demon Hunters cartoon from McDonald’s revealed
Over on the entertainment side, McDonald’s just dropped a little surprise with their new KPop Demon Hunters cartoon. Well, it’s more like an animated ad than a full-fledged cartoon, but we’ll take what we can get while we wait for the sequel to hit Netflix. Titled “Battle For The Fans”, the commercial shows Huntr/x squaring off against some evil forces to drum up hype for the upcoming collaboration with the fast-food giant. Polygon reports that this collab will launch across the U.S. on March 31. While it’s not the sequel announcement we all wanted, it’s a fun nod to the franchise and a clever way to keep the buzz alive. Let’s hope the fries in the collab aren’t as demonic as the hunters themselves.
Read the full article on Polygon
April’s main PlayStation Plus ‘free’ Essential monthly game has been leaked
In other news, it looks like we’re getting a sneak peek at April’s PlayStation Plus Essential offering. Dealabs insider billbil-kun, who’s becoming the Nostradamus of gaming leaks, has let slip that Lords of the Fallen will be the headliner. This is the 2023 reimagining of the 2014 original, for those who missed the bus the first time around. Honestly, I still haven’t forgiven the first game for some of its clunky mechanics, but hey, second chances are a thing, right? If you’re into dark fantasy action RPGs, this might just scratch that itch. Just don’t hold your breath for Sony’s official word yet. VGC has the scoop and it seems pretty solid.
Square Enix was Metacritic’s No. 1-ranked publisher last year, thanks to 9 ‘good’ games
Not to be outdone, Square Enix snagged the top spot as Metacritic’s No. 1 game publisher for 2025. It’s a first for the Final Fantasy juggernaut, whose high scores were fueled by nine ‘good’ games last year. Metacritic, the review aggregator known for pulling opinions from the world’s most respected critics, published the rankings and threw in a points system for the cherry on top. The recognition is no small feat in a world packed with game studios all vying for our precious gaming time. Console warriors may debate which games truly carried the torch for Square Enix, but love it or loathe it, they’re now sitting on the metaphorical throne.
Pokémon Champions takes over as VGC home, reveals new Mega Evolution Abilities for Legends: ZA’s Starter trio
On the other side of the industry, Pokémon Champions has taken the spotlight as the new home for competitive Pokémon battles. The Pokémon Company just dropped a trailer revealing that the game will become the official platform for VGC when it launches on April 8. If you’re itching for a new Pokémon adventure, you’ll have to wait until 2027’s Winds and Waves. But for those of us who love the competitive scene, this is big news.
The trailer also teased some intriguing new Mega Evolution abilities for the Legends: ZA starter trio. Meganium gets Mega Sol, supercharging Solar Beam in Harsh Sunlight. Feraligatr breaks the mold, ignoring abilities like Levitate. And Emboar’s Dragonize converts Normal moves to Dragon-type with a neat power boost. Get ready to test your skills at the Indianapolis Pokémon Regional Championships in May. Time to dust off those battle strategies and start prepping your teams!
Read the full article on Destructoid
Pokémon Pokopia’s second limited-time event adds Sableye in late April, but you can already cheat your way into it
In other news, Pokémon Pokopia is stirring the pot again. This time, it’s with the ‘More Spores for Hoppip’ event, which is adding Sableye to the mix. Eurogamer tells us this is part of a series of limited-time events keeping the game fresh and keeping us on our toes.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably got mixed feelings about these events. On one hand, more creatures to catch is always a win. On the other hand, it’s a bit annoying when you hear about folks already finding ways to cheat Sableye in early. I mean, who doesn’t love a good loophole, but it kind of misses the point of these things, right?
Read the full article on Eurogamer
Geekbench warns that Intel’s BOT tool for the new Arrow Lake Plus CPUs generates results that ‘aren’t comparable with standard runs’
If you’re a Nintendo person, you might want to steer clear of the new Intel Arrow Lake Plus CPU benchmarks for now. Primate Labs, the folks behind Geekbench, just flagged these results as potentially misleading. These new CPUs can apparently boost Geekbench 6 scores by up to 8% using Intel’s fancy new BOT tool. But hold on, they’re saying these aren’t comparable with standard runs.
Intel’s BOT tool is only available on the latest Arrow Lake Plus and Panther Lake chips, and in some cases, individual workloads are seeing improvements up to a staggering 40%. Sounds juicy, right? But take it with a grain of silicon.
According to PC Gamer, these boosted scores might not reflect real-world performance. So, if you’re one to chase the highest benchmark numbers, you might want to wait until we get a clearer picture here.
Read the full article on PC Gamer
So, Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bellabel Park for the Switch 2 is fun, but not exactly essential. Maybe it’s not the new Mario adventure we all secretly wish for, but hey, it’s still Mario, right? If you need a break from life’s chaos, there’s always a game that fits. Keep gaming, even if it means squeezing in just 20-minute sessions between life’s responsibilities. We’d love to hear your thoughts, if you think we’re spot-on or way off the mark, tell us in the Discord.
