Latest news with #MarioKartWorld
Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Nintendo Stock (NTDOF) Sinks as Third-Party Switch 2 Game Sales Disappoint
Nintendo (NTDOF) stock was down on Friday as the video game company faces a unique problem with the Switch 2. Third-party developers aren't seeing the sales they expected from the console, despite it breaking records with 3.5 million units sold in just four days. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter One developer even claimed that sales of its games on the Switch 2 were 'below our lowest estimates.' Instead, 81% of physical Switch 2 game sales were for first-party titles, such as Nintendo's Mario Kart World or its upgraded Switch 1 games. This could present a problem for Nintendo in the future. If third-party developers can't get their games to sell on the Switch 2, they might drop support for the console. This would reduce the variety of titles available on the gaming device, potentially limiting its appeal to consumers. What's Behind Poor Third-Party Game Sales? There are a couple of major problems that third-party developers have to deal with on the Switch 2. The first is Game Key Cards. These are unique cartridges sold by Nintendo that don't have the game on them. Instead, they grant the user the ability to download the game from Nintendo's online store. These are largely used by third-party developers to avoid the costs of cartridges with more storage. The problem with Game Key Cards is that they appeal to no one. Physical collectors want the game on the cart and digital buyers don't want to have to switch between carts to play games. Game Key Cards do neither of these things. Highlighting this is the performance of CD Projekt's (OTGLY) Cyberpunk 2077. It's the best-selling third-party game on the Switch 2 and is one of the only titles not from Nintendo with the full game on the cart. Old Games and High Prices The next issue with third-party Switch 2 games are their age. Many of these games have been out for years on other consoles and PC before they came out on the Switch 2. On top of that, developers are charging much more for these titles, despite them being discounted on other platforms. Yakuza 0 is a prime example of this with its $50 price tag, compared to its $20 price on Steam, and discounts that have dropped it as low as $5. This has Sega (SGAMY) asking gamers to pay more than double the normal price for a 10-year-old game just to play it on the Switch 2. On top of that, the physical release is a Game Key Card, limiting its value to physical collectors. NTDOF Stock Movement Today Nintendo stock was down 3.65% as of Friday morning but is still up 50.73% year-to-date. The stock has also risen 72.21% over the past 12 months. Nintendo needs to figure out its third-party game problem, or it might risk slowing or reversing its recent stock growth. Is Nintendo Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Turning to Wall Street, the analysts' consensus rating for Nintendo is Moderate Buy, based on eight Buy, two Hold, and a single Sell rating over the past three months. With that comes an average NTDOF stock price target of $92.26, representing a potential 5.11% upside for the shares.
Tom's Guide
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Tom's Guide's readers have spoken
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for two weeks and has already sold an astonishing 3.5 million units worldwide. That's no small feat considering its lofty $449 asking price and the difficulty of finding Nintendo Switch 2 restocks. Right now, Nintendo's latest handheld/console hybrid is a hit, but does it live up to the hype? I recently wrote an article discussing how I've grown bored with the Nintendo Switch 2, one week after its launch. Though the system addresses almost every technical issue I had with the original Nintendo Switch, I'm disappointed by the lack of Switch 2 exclusives and the abundance of third-party games that are years old. Yes, I'm stoked for Donkey Kong Bananza, but for the moment, there's not a lot for me to play on Switch 2. That article received a lot of comments, so we decided to gather our readers' opinions on the Switch 2 for this article. On our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we asked folks what they thought of Nintendo's console two weeks later. We also selected a handful of comments from some of our other Switch 2 articles to get a fuller sense of how people felt. Not surprisingly, opinions are mixed. Here's what Tom's Guide's readers have to say about the Nintendo Switch 2. Walmart's Switch 2 product page is live, and the mega retailer has been one of the most frequent sources of Switch 2 restock since the console's launch in early June. On June 25th, Walmart will have restocks starting at 9 pm ET for Walmart+ members and 10 pm ET for everyone else. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Walmart While the Switch 2 doesn't yet have a robust selection of brand-new games and is more expensive than its predecessor, many of our readers are pleased with the new system. Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy. - Daniel (post commenter) 'I'm happy with it,' says one Facebook user. 'Maybe I could have waited until there were more exclusives, but for me, it was even important to play improved Switch 1 titles. And there are so many titles running much better on Switch 2. Mario Kart World is also great, even if you see that it's an unfinished game where more is to come over the months and years.' This reader also said they are looking forward to playing Donkey Kong Bananza and a potential new Zelda title. Similarly, a commenter in our forum said they think of the Switch 2 as an investment for the future.' Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another comment said they didn't regret their purchase because of their experience with most Nintendo consoles since the GameCube. 'I knew exactly what I was signing up for and adjusted my expectations accordingly,' they said. 'One or two early killer apps surrounded by ports of third-party games of yesteryear, plus the occasional JRPG sleeper hit or two.' So, which games are Switch 2 users playing right now? Based on feedback, folks are playing a mix of Switch 2 and Switch 1 titles. One commenter said they 'bought the Switch 2 specifically for local multiplayer games with friends, and it has been very fun. 4-player Switch Sports bowling/golf, Mario Kart, Mario Party Jamboree, and Mario Brothers Wonder have been some early favorites.' 'Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy.' Most of the comments we've seen are generally positive, but some folks regret buying the Switch 2. 'I was bored of it after a few hours,' said one user. 'I haven't touched the thing in days. Maybe if it were my only access to gaming, I'd be more inclined to use it. But my PC and Steam Deck offer a vastly superior gaming experience in nearly every way.' 'Yep, I feel exactly the same,' said another user. 'I almost regret buying one at this point. Looking forward to a year or two down the road, but it's mostly going to go unused until then. Very underwhelming.' 'Putting out new hardware to tap pent-up demand for an upgrade without a decent software library to support it seems like a cynical cash grab,' said another commenter. An Instagram follower shared their thoughts on Switch 2 as a piece of hardware, saying it's a 'great piece of kit with many improvements, but the battery and the finishing aren't great at all.' They also said the 'Joy-Cons wobble and creak.' We haven't seen comments discussing that last part, so it might be unique to that reader. As I said, I received a lot of comments from my post, with most disagreeing with my opinion. That said, even the folks who disagreed were generally respectful and articulated their thoughts well. Here is one of the best takes from someone with a different view from mine: 'I don't want to say this perspective is worthless,' said the reader. 'But it was facilitated by a dismissal of what the S2 currently has to offer (I mostly bought at launch for better performance on S1 titles, upgrade packs, and GameCube), a misunderstanding of MKW's main appeal (which, despite the open world, is still pretty obviously racing), and a disinterest in engaging with anything besides exclusives (which is fair, but the lack there of will be moot by year's end — which is probably when your demographic should've considered buying the thing).' The demographic that this reader brings up is folks like me who own a current-gen gaming console like a PS5 and/or a gaming PC. Some of the other folks who agree with me are also in the same boat. To that end, the reader above is correct when saying that if you already own another gaming system, the Switch 2 might not be that appealing for the moment. One of the points I brought up in my article is that the Switch 2 currently doesn't have many first-party titles and that most games are third-party, which have been available on other platforms for years. 'Just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?" - Muhahahahaz (post commenter) We saw commenters who shared this opinion in a piece written by my colleague Rory Mellon titled I've played 8 Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — here's the 3 I'd buy first (Mario Kart World isn't one of them). 'Those aren't launch games,' said one commenter. 'I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on my PS5 for cheaper with better graphics. I already have BoTW and ToTK on my Switch 1 OLED. Switch 2 ports aren't launch games.' Another person shared a similar sentiment, saying, 'just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?' '$450 on hardware and $80 a game for titles I already own and have played at higher resolution on better platforms? Yeah, no, thank you,' said another commenter. 'I'm not interested in an $80 1080p version of Cyberpunk, Hogwarts, or any of the others. A $10 mini game collection is a must-have on a new $450 console? LOL. You have to be pulling my leg!' Hardware-wise, the Nintendo Switch 2 offers many meaningful updates over its predecessor. Its larger size and heavier weight make it feel more premium, and its 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display allows games to look and run like a dream. Games also appear fantastic on 4K TVs when the system is docked. While technologically impressive, the Switch 2 is lacking when it comes to exclusives. That's going to change over time, but right now, you won't miss much if you decide to purchase the system at a later time. This is as true for Switch 2 as it is with all launch systems. That said, many folks are enjoying their Switch 2 for what it currently provides. Mario Kart World can be a huge (and fun) time sink, and it can be worth firing up old Switch games to see how they run on the system. And if the original Switch was your primary gaming console, you now have a chance to check out some awesome third-party games you might have missed out on. Whether you own a Switch 2 or aren't interested, let us know in the comments below! We'd love to hear what you have to say.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO - When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO – When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Engadget
a day ago
- Business
- Engadget
How to buy the Nintendo Switch 2: Latest stock updates at Best Buy, Walmart, Target and more
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available in the US for more than two weeks — but good luck finding one. The $450 console officially went up for sale on June 5, and several retailers have offered it both online and in-store in the days since. While millions of people have been able to snag the device, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores soon after launch and remains difficult to find today. Target and Best Buy restocked shortly after launch, but those didn't last long, and the latter required in-store pickup. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you're a member there. Otherwise, it's slim pickings as of our latest sweep. Broadly speaking, people had a bit more luck on launch week by venturing to a physical retail store. We can't guarantee you'll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it's worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. Either way, if you're still on the hunt, we've rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up. Walmart also began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5. Currently, both the Mario Kart World bundle and the standalone console are "available" via third-party retailers, but listed for much higher than their standard $500 and $450 price tags — with limited quantities available. We wouldn't recommend buying these; instead, wait for the console to be listed at its regular MSRP. Naturally, the world's largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location. Best Buy began selling the Switch 2 at its retail locations on June 5. It previously said it wouldn't sell the handheld at its online store during launch week, but it made additional consoles available on June 11 around 12PM ET. That restock lasted for the better part of an hour and required in-store pickup, but the device is now sold out again. Target had the Switch 2 in stores on June 5 and restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It then had another restock on June 12 around 2:30PM ET, but that appears to have died out in less than an hour. It still looks to be fully sold out as we write this, but you should see if there's any stock at the stores closest to you just to be safe. GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for the past week, with the listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle now pointing to a "Find a Store" page. We saw a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World , a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, but it's no longer listed (and it was kind of a raw deal anyway). You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since launch day. Sam's Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it's out of stock now. We also saw the console at BJ's early on June 5, but it's no longer live there. Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that's dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order. Amazon hasn't had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed Mario Kart World . The company didn't take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it's unclear if and when it will sell the device. You can, however, find some Switch 2 games. Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it's given no indication as to when it'll begin sales. It previous showed a couple listings from a third-party seller, but at massively inflated prices. With all of these stores, we've seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2's biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing. Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can't hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don't expect it to bear fruit immediately — it's taken weeks for many people who registered in April to receive their invite. You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second. Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle: Where to buy Switch 2: Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from its (pricey) Pro Controller to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom . Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza , won't be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now. As of Friday afternoon, just about all Switch 2 games are broadly available. Stock for the accessories remains a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo's official Switch 2 carrying cases have bee the main exceptions, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away. Mario Kart World ($80) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Donkey Kong Bananza ($70) Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Costco (membership required) Additional Switch 2 games Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85) Switch 2 Camera ($55) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60) Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40) Nintendo (invite required) Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120) Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65) Nintendo (Switch Online required)
