The Mario games are basically the story of one very determined plumber with a questionable work-life balance. For over four decades, Mario has been sprinting, jumping, and power-sliding his way through the Mushroom Kingdom, rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser — a giant, fire-breathing turtle who apparently has nothing better to do. Every game starts with the same setup: Peach gets kidnapped, Mario shrugs, eats a mushroom, and risks his life navigating lava pits and haunted castles while Bowser probably just sits around watching turtle Netflix. And yet, we love it.
The brilliance of Mario games is how they somehow make plumbing-related activities thrilling. One minute you’re dodging sentient cacti in the desert, the next you’re riding a dinosaur (Yoshi) who will absolutely abandon you if you jump off a cliff. Power-ups range from practical (fireballs) to delightfully absurd (turning into a flying raccoon… for some reason). And despite Mario’s questionable career progression — plumber, doctor, kart racer, Olympic athlete — he never seems to ask for a day off. But hey, as long as Bowser keeps kidnapping Peach, Mario will keep stomping on turtles, eating questionable fungi, and reminding us all that the best adventures start with “Wahoo!”.
The Nintendo GameCube was the little purple lunchbox that could—if by “could,” you mean deliver some of the greatest games of its generation while looking like something a toddler might use to carry juice boxes. With its tiny discs (which seemed specifically designed to get lost in couch cushions), a handle on the back (for all those on-the-go gaming emergencies), and a controller that felt like Nintendo had kidnapped an octopus for design consultation, the GameCube was weird, wonderful, and criminally underrated. While other consoles were out there trying to be sleek and edgy, the GameCube was proudly saying, “Who needs DVD playback when you have Super Smash Bros. Melee?”
But despite its toy-like exterior, the GameCube punched way above its weight class. It gave us masterpieces like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, and Resident Evil 4—because nothing says “family-friendly Nintendo” like fighting off parasitic zombies in high-definition terror. And let’s not forget Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, a game that single-handedly ruined friendships and made you question why you ever trusted your co-pilot. The GameCube may not have dominated its era, but it left a legacy of absolute classics, proving that sometimes, the smallest, weirdest kid on the playground ends up being everyone’s favorite.
1. The Cartridge Taste Test Challenge
Nintendo made Switch cartridges taste awful on purpose. Seriously, they coated them with a bitter substance called denatonium benzoate to stop kids (and overly curious adults) from swallowing them. If you’ve ever wondered what disappointment tastes like, give one a lick—just don’t blame me when your tongue regrets it.
2. The “Forgotten Feature” IR Camera
The Joy-Con’s right controller has a fancy infrared motion camera that’s criminally underused. Nintendo originally showed it off by letting you play a rock-paper-scissors game… and then promptly forgot about it. It’s like the Switch’s third wheel: cool, but no one invites it to the party.
3. It’s a Fitness Guru in Disguise
The Switch secretly wants to be your personal trainer. Between Ring Fit Adventure, Just Dance, and random Joy-Con waggling, you’re likely burning more calories than you’d expect. Nintendo knows how to make you sweat while convincing you it’s fun—take that, boring gym memberships.
4. It Has a Screenshot Addiction
The Switch is so eager to show off your gaming prowess (or failures) that it gives you a dedicated button for screenshots. One press and boom—instant photo memory. Accidentally hit it during intense boss battles? No worries, now you’ve got 47 blurry images of you getting owned.
5. It Tracks How Long You’ve Been Procrastinating
The Switch keeps a creepy-good log of how many hours you’ve spent on each game. Sure, it’s fun to see you’ve clocked 300 hours in Animal Crossing, but it’s also a brutal reality check when you realize you haven’t spent nearly as much time on life goals.
The Wii U, while not Nintendo’s most popular console, has developed a cult following—and with that comes a booming market for rare and pricey games. Here are the top five rarest and most expensive Wii U games that collectors are hunting down (and their wallets are regretting):
1. “Hello Kitty Kruisers”
This is the holy grail of obscure Wii U games, often fetching hundreds of dollars. On the surface, it’s a cute kart racer featuring Hello Kitty and friends cruising through colorful worlds. But its astronomical price has less to do with gameplay and more with its limited print run. Most people probably didn’t even know this existed until collectors went on the hunt, leading to its meteoric rise in value. Turns out, everyone underestimated Hello Kitty’s power in the collector’s market.
2. “Devil’s Third”
This game lives in infamy—not for its quality but for its rarity. It was a late release for the Wii U, and its U.S. production run was hilariously small. While the gameplay, a mix of action and third-person shooting, received mixed reviews, the scarcity of physical copies made it a collector’s dream. It’s a rare mix of “meh reviews” and “you’ll still pay a fortune for this.”
3. “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Limited Edition)”
This special edition of Wind Waker HD includes a gorgeous Ganondorf figure in the box, making it a must-have for Zelda fans. The standard version is easy to find, but the limited edition has become a pricey collectible due to its high demand and limited release. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and plastic Ganondorf awesomeness.
4. “Wii Sports Club (Physical Edition)”
Though it was primarily a digital release, the physical version of Wii Sports Club was produced in small numbers. It updated the classic Wii Sports games with HD graphics and online multiplayer, but most people stuck to their Wii instead of upgrading. As a result, this physical edition became one of the hardest-to-find Wii U games and commands a high price among collectors.
5. “Game & Wario”
While not as rare as others on this list, Game & Wario has steadily risen in value due to its quirky minigames and the fact that most people skipped it entirely. With only a modest print run and increasing demand from collectors, this oddball title has found its place as one of the pricier games for the console. It’s essentially Wario’s way of laughing at you for spending so much to play his bizarre antics.
In short, the Wii U has gone from being the awkward middle child of Nintendo consoles to a treasure trove for collectors—proof that even the underdogs get their day in the sun.
The Nintendo 64 is a beast to emulate because it’s essentially the Frankenstein’s monster of gaming consoles, built with hardware that seems to have been designed more to confuse engineers than to run games. Its custom Reality Co-Processor (RCP), which handles both graphics and audio, is an enigma wrapped in a silicon mystery. The RCP’s architecture is unconventional, with quirks like pixel-accurate rendering and obscure microcode that developers could modify to squeeze out performance. This means every game is practically its own special snowflake, requiring emulators to juggle endless tweaks just to make Mario’s mustache look right in Super Mario 64. Throw in the N64’s unique use of a 64-bit CPU paired with some clever, if weird, memory management tricks, and you’ve got an emulator developer’s worst nightmare.
Then there’s the controller. Oh, that iconic trident of confusion. Emulating its analog stick—an early adopter of 360-degree movement—is tricky enough, but then you have to account for the fact that developers used it in wildly different ways. Some games, like GoldenEye 007, were built around its unique button layout, making it tough to map cleanly to modern controllers. Plus, the N64’s cartridge-based games could bypass normal hardware constraints, doing bizarre and creative things that push the limits of emulators. Combine all this with the need for high-performance hardware to mimic the N64’s quirks at full speed, and you’ve got a console that still keeps emulator developers burning the midnight oil decades later.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the long-awaited successor to the iconic hybrid console that redefined gaming on the go. Imagine the original Switch, but after it hit the gym, got a degree in graphics, and decided to step into the next-gen world. Rumored to feature upgraded hardware capable of 4K output when docked and a higher-resolution OLED handheld screen (we hope), it’s poised to deliver the portability and versatility fans love, but with a serious performance boost. Think faster load times, smoother frame rates, and visuals that don’t look like they came straight out of 2017. It’s like the Switch we know and love got its hands on a rare power-up.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Nintendo without some wild new feature we didn’t see coming—maybe it’ll scan your face, connect to your fridge, or finally let you pet your Pokémon through the screen. Backward compatibility with original Switch games is confirmed, so your library of Mario Kart and Breath of the Wild won’t gather dust. Whether it’s gaming on the couch, on the train, or in bed at 3 a.m. when you promised yourself “just one more level,” the Switch 2 aims to keep Nintendo at the forefront of innovative gaming, ensuring you never truly run out of excuses to keep playing.
Kevin Kenson – gives us his thoughts on the new Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer!
Kevin Kenson’s YouTube channel is like a candy store for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone who finds joy in shiny new gadgets. Picture a charismatic guy who knows his way around every controller, console, and mousepad, delivering tech reviews so polished you’d think they came with a microfiber cloth. His channel is packed with everything from unboxings to in-depth analysis, all presented with the vibe of a best friend who just really wants you to make the most informed tech purchase possible. And let’s be honest, the guy can make debating the merits of RGB lighting feel like a life-or-death decision.
But what really makes Kevin’s channel shine is his low-key humor and endearing relatability. Whether he’s testing out the “next-gen” console with the intensity of a scientist in a lab or subtly roasting the price tag on a questionable piece of tech, he’s got a knack for making you laugh while teaching you something. Add in his creative comparisons—like equating a new controller to the feel of a baby unicorn—and you’ve got a recipe for binge-worthy content. Watching his videos is like hanging out with a tech-savvy buddy who somehow knows everything about gaming and gadgets but still doesn’t judge you for holding onto your old Xbox 360.
Wood from BeatEmUps gives us his thoughts on the new Nintendo Switch 2 reveal.
BeatEmUps is a popular YouTube channel hosted by Wood Hawker, known for its engaging and lighthearted content centered around video games, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The channel offers a mix of game reviews, unboxings, collections, and opinion-based videos, all delivered with a distinctive sense of humor and vibrant editing. Wood’s passion for gaming shines through as he explores indie gems, hidden treasures, and major releases, making his channel a go-to for both casual gamers and dedicated fans. His charismatic personality and candid approach to reviews have earned him a loyal community of subscribers who value his honest and often entertaining take on gaming.
What sets BeatEmUps apart is Wood’s ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. He often shares glimpses of his life, fostering a sense of authenticity and relatability. His content isn’t limited to just reviews; he also dives into topics like game collecting, nostalgia, and the evolving gaming industry. With a focus on fun and accessibility, the channel caters to a wide audience, from kids to seasoned gamers. BeatEmUps has become a staple in the gaming YouTube scene, blending entertainment with insightful commentary, and continues to grow as a trusted voice in the gaming community.
Radical Reggie is a YouTube channel dedicated to retro and modern gaming, offering an engaging mix of game reviews, collection showcases, and nostalgic discussions about gaming history. Reggie, the channel’s creator, has a deep passion for video games and a wealth of knowledge, especially about classic consoles like the NES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more. His content often highlights hidden gems and underrated titles, giving viewers a chance to discover lesser-known games. With an approachable and upbeat personality, Reggie connects with his audience by sharing personal stories about his gaming experiences, making his content relatable and enjoyable for gamers of all ages.
In addition to his focus on retro gaming, Radical Reggie frequently collaborates with other YouTube creators, such as Metal Jesus Rocks, adding variety and community-driven content to the channel. His videos often feature detailed gameplay footage, thoughtful insights, and a genuine love for the gaming medium. Reggie’s passion for collecting is also a standout feature, as he regularly shares updates on his growing collection and tips for other collectors. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, Radical Reggie offers a welcoming and entertaining space for anyone who appreciates the artistry and fun of video games.
YouTuber StephsTooDef gives us her thoughts about the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video.
StephsTooDef is a YouTube channel dedicated to video game enthusiasts, offering a variety of content that includes game pickups, collection showcases, and discussions on upcoming releases. The channel features videos such as “12 AWESOME New Games Coming Second Half of 2024 | PS5, Switch, Xbox,” where she shares insights on anticipated game releases across multiple platforms. Additionally, the channel provides updates on personal gaming progress, as seen in the “2024 Backlog Challenge Update- What Games Have I Beaten?” video.
