Construction on the new Super Nintendo World section of Universal Studios Japan seems to be starting in the near future. Over at the park, the parking lot now has huge white construction walls in place. A sign also teases, “A new universe is on the horizon”.
This area is located between the waterworld show, Jaws, and Harry Potter, which is where it’s thought that the Super Nintendo World area will be. Nintendo says it will open by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
During a live stream hosted earlier today, Inti Creates showed off upcoming Blaster Master Zero DLC with a first look at Gunvolt. We’ve posted the recording below.
Update (4/26): Nintendo has updated the maintenance schedule, so we’ve done that as well below.
Original (4/25): Nintendo’s three primary platforms will be impacted by maintenance once again soon. Certain network services such as online play, rankings, etc. may be unavailable for a little over two hours this week.
The maintenance schedule is below:
Switch / Wii U / 3DS
– 6 PM PT (April 26) – 8 PM PT (April 26)
– 9 PM ET (April 26) – 11 PM ET (April 26)
– 2 AM in the UK (April 27) – 4 AM in the UK (April 27)
– 3 AM in Europe (April 27) – 5 AM in Europe (April 27)
3DS
– 11 PM PT (April 26) – 12:30 AM PT (April 27)
– 2 AM ET (April 27) – 3:30 AM ET (April 27)
– 7 AM in the UK (April 27) – 8:30 AM in the UK (April 27)
– 8 AM in Europe (April 27) – 9:30 AM in Europe (April 27)
Wii U
– 12:30 AM PT (April 27) – 2:30 AM PT (April 27)
– 3:30 AM ET (April 27) – 5:30 AM ET (April 27)
– 8:30 AM in the UK (April 27) – 10:30 AM in the UK (April 27)
– 9:30 AM in Europe (April 27) – 11:30 AM in Europe (April 27)
Update: GameXplain has replaced its original video with a new one that includes physical and digital on both platforms. We’ve added that in below.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is known to feature faster load times over its Wii U predecessor. We previously shared a video showing that the Switch release is in fact faster than the older version. However, GameXplain has now taken it a step further by showing both the physical and digital versions of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Like most Switch games, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will load the fastest digitally. The physical version is no slouch though, only falling a couple of seconds behind. Both options also beat out Mario Kart 8 on Wii U – especially when it comes to the initial boot.
Switch units are available for purchase at GameStop stores once again as of today, the retailer has announced. Nintendo delivered “a limited supply” just ahead of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s launch on Friday. Customers are advised to contact their store for availability and more details.
GameStop is selling Switch for the standard $299.99 price – no bundles are being forced upon consumers thankfully.
Eric Bright, senior director of merchandising for GameStop, said:
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
Switch – 48,694
New 3DS LL – 17,570
PS4 – 15,222
Vita – 5,164
PS4 Pro – 4,112
2DS – 3,945
New 3DS – 1,114
PS3 – 367
Wii U – 262
Xbox One – 68
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
Switch – 45,673
New 3DS LL – 18,115
PS4 – 17,067
Vita – 5,592
PS4 Pro – 4,855
2DS – 4,475
New 3DS – 1,234
PS3 – 432
Wii U – 271
Xbox One – 142
And here are the software charts:
We had heard that the latest Mario toys would soon be included in McDonald’s Happy Meals across the United States. In a new announcement from Nintendo, it’s confirmed that this is beginning today. Those who purchase a Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s restaurants will receive one of eight fun toys based on Super Mario characters.
McDonald’s is also hosting a special sweepstakes to celebrate the upcoming release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The details on that are as follows:
“In addition to the toys, families can take their fun to the next level by entering a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 100 Nintendo Switch Prize Packs inclusive of a Nintendo Switch system and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. Eligible customers that scan and purchase a meal at McDonald’s using the McDonald’s mobile app between now and May 22 will be entered. Customers get one entry for redeeming any deal in the app and two entries when they purchase a Happy Meal. No purchase is necessary to enter. The sweepstakes is open only to residents of the United States who are 13 and older. Official rules for the sweepstakes, including details about how to enter without making a purchase, can be found at online and http://www.PlayatMcD.com and at participating McDonald’s restaurants.”
Read up on today’s full announcement below.
NBA Playgrounds arrives on Switch very soon. According to a listing on the European eShop, the game launches on May 9. We expect it to hit North America at around the same time – if not the same day.
We have these new screenshots from NBA Playgrounds:
When the game’s North American date is confirmed, we’ll let you know.
Thanks to Ben for the tip.
Super Mario Run will be celebrating the launch of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe later this week. On Friday, Nintendo will be hosting a special event. Users will find that certain deluxe buildings and decorations will be handed out as in-game gifts depending on how many times all players worldwide play Toad Rally.
Once again, the event begins on April 28. It’ll last until May 11.
