Bubbly Basin
Image: Nintendo

Hello everyone, and well done for making it to the weekend once again. Give yourself a pat on the back.

This week in the land of Nintendo, Super Mario Sunshine was added to Switch Online, bringing back one of the most divisive Mario games and – for those who don't own 3D All-Stars – rounding out the collection of 3D entries on Switch 2.

The big news this week, however, was the apparent leak of new Zelda-themed Switch 2 hardware for the franchise's 40th anniversary. They look pretty slick, so we're eager to see the eventual official announcement from Nintendo.

The Pokémon Company also announced that the 3DS service Pokémon Bank will be ending service in 2027. To soften the blow somewhat, it will be adding FireRed and LeafGreen to Pokémon Home as compatible software.

Okay, let's see what everybody is up to this weekend...

Ollie Reynolds, Reviews Editor

I thought it was about time I see what all the fuss is about with Ace Attorney. So I've downloaded Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on the 3DS and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles on the Switch 2. I'm really enjoying it so far! Granted, having played The Mermaid Mask recently, the lack of voice acting is definitely noticeable, but it's fine.

I'm also playing a lot of Super Mario Sunshine since it was added to NSO, so I definitely plan to grab a few more Shine Sprites over the weekend.

Mai Ladyman, Video Producer

Since last week I've been very busy diving into some great new games (and DLC of course!). I fell in love with the Bubbly Basin DLC so I will no doubt find some time this weekend to play with my pal as we're overdue a play session.

I've had the itch to play more Lies of P and to finally start Splatoon Raiders now that my backlog has shrunk a wee bit. I also completed Death Stranding Director's Cut last weekend (it destroyed me) so I've jumped right into Death Stranding 2 which I'm loving so far.

Alex Olney, Video Producer

I was going to contribute last week, but developers and publishers take a dim view to us saying we're playing games before they're ready for us to do so.

With that in mind, I'm going to spend what little free time I have bumbling through Oblivion Remastered some more. Will I play anything else? Well, I might find about four and half minutes to blast through some Super Mario World for the seven billionth time.

Matthew Reynolds, Acting Deputy Editor

I'll be honest, Pokémon Pokopia never quite grabbed me at launch, and it’s not until the Bubbly Basin DLC that things have begun to click. The main reason, I think, is it’s pretty self-contained - I tend to prefer smaller sandboxes, such as MGS5’s Ground Zeroes over Phantom Pain for example - and the Basin area fits that bill more than any other location in the game.

Also, even though I generally don’t like water-based games (this week’s Super Mario Sunshine aside), I love traversing this underwater realm, allowing you to dive past coral-covered crags and dark caves, then bob along the surface to get your bearings again. There’s lots to like, basically - and it’s easily my favourite biome by far.

Jim Norman, Features Editor

It's Pokopia, Pokopia and more Pokopia for me this weekend. Who would have thought that I’d still be playing all these months later. There’s something about the loop which is just so damn satisfying! I should probably make a start on something else off the backlog before we enter the month of games, but no! I’ve got my little water bois to look after!

Those are our plans, but what about yours? Let us know what you'll be slapping in your Switch (2) in the poll below:

What are you playing this weekend (15th/16th August)?

You may select up to 5 answers: