Nintendo "won't know" if the Switch 2 eShop will crash on launch day as everyone rushes to download Mario Kart World, former marketing leads warn, but "they're prepared"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The Switch 2's launch is finally upon us this week, and there are understandably a few concerns from fans wondering if the Nintendo eShop will be able to withstand the surge of people rushing to download Mario Kart World as soon as its metaphorical doors are opened. According to two of the company's former marketing leads, that's not something Nintendo will know in advance, but it will be "prepared" to fix any problems.
Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang – once the hosts of Nintendo Minute, and respectively the former director of social media marketing and original content and senior manager of creator relations and original content at Nintendo of America – have released a new video (further below) discussing what the company is likely to be busy with behind the scenes in the run-up to the console's launch on June 5.
Ellis mentions the worries from players that the eShop could potentially "burst into flames," noting that all those who've purchased the Mario Kart World console bundle will be receiving a download code that they must redeem in order to play it. That's in addition to other things like the Switch system transfers, and returning fans redownloading their Switch libraries, that are likely to keep Nintendo's servers busy.
Addressing this, Ellis notes that not only is the new console's launch thankfully staggered worldwide thanks to time zone differences, but "there are a lot of people right now who are planning for this, have probably been talking about this for weeks if not months."
Specifically, he says these employees will have been discussing "what can we do, how can we stay in touch," pointing out that Nintendo of America will likely want to hear how things go in Japan, where the console will be launching a few hours sooner.
"'Please give us your updates, is there anything that you did, is there anything that you saw that you didn't expect so that we can be ready,'" he says, giving an example of a conversation likely to be happening very soon. "This game of like Telephone and, you know, collective planning is happening in a big way right now."
Yang notes that this process is called "triaging," and it's something that only happens "during really, really big things like big launches like this." It requires those involved to "be on a call about every two hours or so," even into the night, to give updates on the current situation – good or bad.
The communications team is on hand to potentially "communicate out to the general public, like 'hey we recognize that there's an issue happening, here's the fixes that are coming" if things start to go awry, giving indications of when things might be back online and what's being done to fix it.
She notes that Nintendo won't "know 100% what is going to happen, it's a wait and see," while Ellis agrees: "They won't know until the thing actually happens." Although this could sound a little bit concerning, Yang reassures: "Yes, but they're prepared in terms of like having a team that can either fix it, or work on a fix, and communicate that out to people."
Yang adds that a team will be "on call," with Ellis saying that he can "remember many Christmas days where we had these calls scheduled, like 'Oh the eShop has died, and here's what's happening.'" On the other hand, however, launches that Nintendo had "been nervous" about, like Fortnite's Switch release, ended up going without a hitch. Here's hoping that issues are minimal when the new console's launch actually rolls around on Thursday.
If you're keeping up with Nintendo Switch 2 news, also be sure to check out our roundup of upcoming Switch 2 games.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
I Spent A Whole Day In Epic Universe's Nintendo World, And There Are A Few Keys That Will Maximize The Experience
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Universal's Epic Universe is now open to the public, and whether you think it's a Disney World killer or not, there's no denying it's a great theme park once you visit. This is especially true if you're a longtime obsessive Nintendo fan like me, and just got to take your daughter to experience the wondrous Super Nintendo World in person. I can confirm it's even more glorious than videos and photos do it justice, and I spent a whole day in the land riding rides, looking for popcorn buckets, and just having an absolute blast with my seven-year-old. That said, I think I also learned some keys to maximizing the experience, and I'm hoping to pass them along to others ahead of their trip so that they make the most out of their time in the park. I'm a frugal guy, so when it comes to the "bells and whistles" of the theme park experience, I'm gonna pass more often than not. For example, I decided not to get the express pass for me and my daughter, but I'll get into that more in the next section. Because I'm frugal, I also passed on the opportunity to get a Power-Up Band (against the advice of CB's Jessica Rawden) for myself, but I absolutely understood the reason for getting one for my daughter. Most of the appeal of the park is feeling like you're in an actual Super Mario Bros. video game, and unless you have the band, you're going to miss out on the appeal of that experience. And trust me, I can understand the pain of paying for a Disney Magic Band that offers less functional value than an actual Magic Band, but all that goes out the window the first time you get to or see someone else hit a question block for a coin. It's a feeling that never gets old, and there are so many other neat things to do with it when you get inside. There's an "underground" experience where you traverse the underbelly of the Mushroom Kingdom, and use it to unlock cool easter eggs along the way. Plus, if you're someone who enjoys achievements, the band collects digital stamps and rewards for all the various accolades you collect while spending time in the park. We weren't able to complete everything in a full day there, so there is a reason to hold onto it in case you return in the future. Additionally, I've seen the band also functions as an amiibo if you own a Nintendo Switch, so store it in a safe place if you do purchase. As I'm sure readers know, the Orlando experience is not cheap. A day at the hottest new theme park in the area, with a day at Magic Kingdom at Disney World the following day, was making my wallet weep. Not to mention, I already paid for the premier pass for Magic Kingdom, so I figured I could skimp on getting an Express Pass to ride the three rides at Super Nintendo World. The original plan was to run through Super Nintendo World, check out some of the other parts of the park that others I work with raved about, and then get out by dinner time to meet up with family who didn't tag along. In the seven hours I was in the park, we spent all of it in Super Nintendo World, and a good deal of that time was spent waiting to ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Yoshi's Adventure, and Mine Cart Madness. If you're trying to see the whole park, I think the express pass is the way to go. I also say that if you're looking for comfort, because full disclosure, those lines can be long and rough on a summer day. I will say the full queue for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is mostly indoors and air-conditioned, and full of easter eggs, so if you have to wait in line, it's so refreshing and fun to do so. I wish I could say the same for Yoshi's Adventure, as outside of some artwork and music from Nintendo Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, you could breeze through it and not miss much. I would say the same for Mine Cart Madness as well, as even the great soundtrack of Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, and 3 music was not enough to make up for having to be out in the blazing sun for a bulk of the wait. Bottom line, if you need comfort or are on a tight schedule, spend the extra money on the Express Pass. Going into Epic Universe, I had one objective in mind. I was going to leave with a souvenir Donkey Kong mug that came with a purchase of the DK Crush Float at The Bubbly Barrel. I dreamt of that mug for weeks, and all the things I might drink out of it. Hell, I was planning on splitting the float with my daughter while we waited in line for Donkey Kong: Mine-Cart Madness. By the way, that roller coaster is as incredible as it looks, though way more intense and scary for a seven-year-old than you might think by watching the videos of it online. More On Epic Universe I Went On Every Ride At Epic Universe. One Ride Stood Out Above Them All Unfortunately, when I arrived, The Bubbly Barrel's machine was not working. A bummer, to be sure, and on top of that, I was unable to purchase the souvenir cup without even getting the float in exchange. It's wild to say I would've actually done that, but considering I couldn't buy it in the gift shop, I was left with little other option than to ask. It wasn't the only thing I was disappointed to leave without when I finished my day at Epic Universe. I also had my heart set on getting a Bowser shirt with a neon logo, but was unable to track it down when I ventured through the merchandise store. I ended up buying a Donkey Kong drinking glass, which I still really love, but couldn't help but be disappointed that I left with neither of the things I'd wanted. All this to say, Super Nintendo World was absolutely filled to the brim with people when I was in there, and I don't imagine it'll be any less crowded anytime soon. There's only a limited amount of merchandise available, so I wouldn't suggest setting your heart on grabbing any one piece of anything until you're there and can assure you'll get your hands on it. Also, even when the machine is working, that line at The Bubbly Barrel is super long, so be prepared to wait if you want that mug like I did. Overall, I'd have to say that Epic Universe was a real joy, though I do hope to see more of it overall the next time I get to visit. Be sure to check it out, and take heed of my tips about Super Nintendo World if you're looking to have the best time possible.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
New on Hulu in June 2025 — all the new shows and movies to watch
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Hard to believe it's almost June already, which means Hulu is gearing up with a fresh batch of new shows and movies to dive into this month. The biggest buzz is around the return of 'The Bear' for its highly anticipated fourth season, which is bound to have even more kitchen chaos and emotional intensity. On the movie front, there's the fresh movie release 'Predator: Killer of Killers' and the supernatural thriller 'Presence.' Below, I've rounded up my top picks among what's new on Hulu in June 2025, along with a complete list of everything new arriving (and what's leaving the streaming service) so you can plan your watchlist without missing a beat. 'Presence' is one of the most quietly original movies I've seen in a while. If you missed its limited run back in January, now's a good time to watch — especially if you're into supernatural thrillers that do something a little different. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the entire movie is told from the point of view of the unseen entity haunting a house. Yep, the camera is the ghost. The movie begins with an ordinary family moving into a sleek new house that looks picture-perfect on the outside. But underneath the surface, things are already unraveling. The parents are barely holding their marriage together, the son is a rising swim star who's letting it go to his head, and the daughter is quietly falling apart after losing a close friend. As the family's tension builds, so does the sense that something isn't right in the house. The big question becomes not just what this presence wants, but why it's here in the first place. Stream on Hulu from June 3 If you're an 'Alien' or 'Predator' fan like me, this is seriously the year to be excited. Not only are we getting 'Alien: Earth' in a few months, but there are two new 'Predator' movies on the way: 'Predator: Killer of Killers' and 'Predator: Badlands.' And while both sound promising, 'Killer of Killers' is the one I've got my eye on — it's got a seriously cool animation style that already sets it apart from anything we've seen in the franchise before. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, 'Predator: Killer of Killers weaves together three distinct storylines: a Viking warrior leading her son on a revenge-fueled journey, a ninja in feudal Japan who clashes with his samurai brother over a brutal power struggle, and a WWII pilot who stumbles upon an ominous aerial threat while on a mission. This upcoming animated movie is crashing onto Hulu in just over a week, and the new trailer offers a glimpse of the chaos and bloodshed that's coming with it. Stream on Hulu from June 6 Ready to dive back into the heat of Chicago's most chaotic kitchen? 'The Bear' season 4 will soon arrive, bringing us back into the high-stress world of Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and his relentless pursuit of culinary perfection alongside a team that's just as unpredictable as the food they serve. When we last left off, Carmy's newly launched fine-dining restaurant had just gotten a lukewarm review from the Chicago Tribune. On top of that, his right-hand chef, Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), is at a crossroads after quietly receiving a tempting offer from a rival restaurant. Beyond all the chaos at work, season 4 will likely dive deeper into Carmy's personal battles, exploring the tension with Richie and the unfinished business he still has with Claire. Stream on Hulu starting June 25 June 1 Adam (2019) Alien (1979) Alien 3 (1992) Alien Resurrection (1997) Alien vs. Predator (2004) Alien: Covenant (2017) Aliens (1986) Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) Beasts Of The Southern Wild (2012) Before Midnight (2013) Betsy's Wedding (1990) Beverly Hills Ninja (1997) Big Eden (2000) Big Fish (2003) The Big Hit (1998) Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011) Blue Jasmine (2013) Boy Meets Girl (2014) Breakin' All the Rules (2004) The Bronze (2016) Bubble Boy (2001) Bugsy (1991) Cedar Rapids (2011) The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader (2010) Cold Pursuit (2019) Cyrus (2010) Daddy Day Care (2003) Death on the Nile (2022) Deja Vu (2006) Delivery Man (2013) Dude, Where's My Car? (2000) Edge of Tomorrow (2014) Elena Undone (2010) Freddy Got Fingered (2001) The Girl Next Door (2004) Grown Ups (2010) Grown Ups 2 (2013) Happy Gilmore (1996) The Heat (2013) Hitchcock (2012) Hurricane Bianca (2016) Idiocracy (2006) Independence Day (1996) The Joy Luck Club (1993) Just Go With It (2011) Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) Let's Be Cops (2014) Loving Annabelle (2006) Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (2018) Mamma Mia! (2008) The Mask (1994) Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015) Mirrors (2008) The Namesake (2007) A Perfect Ending (2012) Pineapple Express (2008) Predator (1987) The Predator (2018) Predator 2 (1990) Predators (2010) Pride + Prejudice + Zombies (2016) Prometheus (2012) Reno 911! Miami: The Movie (2007) Sordid Lives (2000) 28 Weeks Later (2007) The War of the Roses (1989) We're The Millers (2013) Working Girl (1988) You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2008) June 3 I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) The Quiz With Balls Season 2 Premiere So I'm a Spider, So What? Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) Wise Man's Grandchild Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) Yuri on Ice Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) Presence (2025) June 4 The Great House Revival Complete Season 5 June 5 National Anthem (2023) June 6 Not Her First Rodeo Complete Season 1 Predator: Killer of Killers Film Premiere Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) Hot Shots! (1991) Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) Shallow Hal (2001) The Ringer (2005) June 8 Scream (2022) June 9 Beyblade X Season 1B June 10 Call Her Alex And Then We Danced (2019) Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021) June 11 The Snake Series Premiere Gran Turismo (2023) June 12 The 1% Club Season 2 Premiere June 13 Atsuko Okatsuka: Father Special Premiere Absolution (2024) June 14 90 Day Fiancé Complete Season 5 90 Day Fiancé UK Complete Season 2 Guy's Grocery Games Complete Seasons 32 & 33 I'd Kill For You Complete Season 3 Joel McHale Live from Pyongyang (2019) June 16 My Happy Ending Complete Season 1 (Sub) Black Christmas (2019) June 17 SALLY (2025) Skincare (2024) June 19 The Quiet Ones (2024) June 20 The Bravest Knight Season 2B Out Come the Wolves (2024) June 23 Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything Documentary Premiere Helck Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) My Isekai Life Complete Season 1 (DUBBED & SUBBED) June 24 Survive (2024) June 25 FX's The Bear Complete Season 4 June 27 F*ck Marry Kill (2024) June 29 The Bachelor Complete Seasons 27 & 28 June 31 Boonie Bears: Time Twist (2024) Texas True Crime Complete Season 5 The Actor (2025) June 1 Christmas with the Campbells June 2 The Amazing Maurice June 4 Intrigo: Dear Agnes June 8 Indemnity June 10 Here Before Warhunt June 11 Intrigo: Samaria June 13 The Worst Person in the World June 17 Ted K The Ledge June 22 The Burning Sea June 24 Big Gold Brick Gasoline Alley June 25 The Desperate Hour June 30 Transfusion 31 best movies on Hulu to stream right now How to watch the 'Alien' movies in order How to watch the 'Predator' movies in order
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
I finally binged 'The Bear' to catch up before season 4 — and it's transformed how I watch TV
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In the fast-paced world of streaming, the newest releases tend to steal the spotlight. The best streaming services like Max, Netflix, and Disney Plus constantly push their latest shows and movies to the forefront. But that makes it hard to catch up on all the must-watch TV shows if you're not much of a binge-watcher (guilty) or tend to be skeptical of anything that's universally hyped (also guilty). The latter may sound overly cynical (eh, I can be guilty of that too), but you have to understand that, out here near Chicago, people adore "The Bear." They will not shut up about it. The onslaught of "The Bear" recommendations began with literally the first episode, which includes a one-line shoutout about Rockford, where I'm based, that was the talk of the town for weeks. I wish I was exaggerating. Tired of hearing about how much I just have to watch "The Bear," I finally sat down at the start of the month to check out Hulu's Emmy-winning comedy-drama series. With "The Bear" season 4 premiering on June 25, I doubted I'd be able to catch up in time. And I was wrong. Turns out, binge-watching is for me after all — and my sleep schedule already hates me for it. I severely underestimated how bingeable "The Bear" would be. The hype was all well-deserved. Pretty much from the first episode, I was glued to my couch, devouring all three seasons in just a few short weeks. I can already feel you seasoned binge-watchers shaking your heads — that must be a snail's pace by comparison — but like I said, I don't tend to binge-watch shows. Every once in a while, one like "Yellowjackets" gets its hooks into me, but I thought it was the exception rather than the rule. After two or three episodes, my attention span tends to be on its dying legs; meanwhile, my actual legs are itching to get up and do something else after sitting for so long. I prefer savoring series, taking regular breaks to reflect on what happened, sit with the characters' choices for a bit, and appreciate the pacing or overarching themes. Even the juiciest of cliffhangers are rarely enough to convince me to hit "next episode" once I'm tired of watching TV for the day. But "The Bear" has made a binge-watcher out of me yet. While I considered pacing myself, "The Bear" felt almost tailor-made for a binge. Between the short episode lengths (a bite-sized 30 minutes) and the way each installment plays out like a self-contained stage play, I found myself only hungry for more by the time the credits rolled. Set in Chicago, "The Bear" tells the story of fine-dining chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) who returns home to rescue his late brother's floundering restaurant — and it's nothing short of remarkable. The dizzying highs and crushing lows as Carmy whips The Beef into the restaurant he and his brother always dreamed of having are captivating to watch unfold. Part of that secret sauce is how each episode adds new ingredients to play with. Flashbacks that illuminate each character's motivations and struggles. Explosive fights (and there are a lot of those) that reveal more than the characters mean to. Or small moments that add up to heart-wrenching realizations several episodes — or even seasons — later. With its raw, chaotic portrayal of family dynamics and mouth-watering food, I'm not surprised "The Bear's" achieved such cult status. The constant simmer of conflict threatened to burn me out at times, but then a quieter, more reflective episode would reset my palette. I particularly enjoyed season 3's debut episode, "Tomorrow," which completely upended my understanding of who Carmy is with a series of contemplative, devastating flashbacks of his career. I adore it anytime a show makes me fall in love with a character I initially despised, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Cousin Richie is one for the history books. He goes from a complete asshole to an asshole worth cheering for. Beneath the bravado and outbursts, he's grieving, insecure, and trying (however messily) to find his place in a world that's evolving without him. One of my favorite moments in the show so far was seeing him belt out Taylor Swift's "Love Story" in the car after coming into his own in season 2. While there's truly no universal rule for how to watch TV shows, "The Bear" has made me reconsider my stance on binge-watching. As much as I prefer giving stories space to breathe between episodes, I can't deny that "The Bear" was improved by devouring its twists and turns in an insatiable marathon. Binge-watching still isn't my default, but for the right show, it can be the ideal way to experience things. 'The Bear' season 4: Everything we know so far New on Hulu in June 2025 — all the new shows and movies to watch Hulu's new drama series unpacks a gripping true crime story — and you can watch the first trailer now
