In this week's Nintendo News Recap, an unlikely source has Nintendo fans rethinking the Game-Key Card controversy: Grand Theft Auto VI.

Now that the physical release of GTA 6 is confirmed to be a code in a box, gamers are starting to realize that a physical cartridge you can lend or resell, even without any actual game data, might not be so bad after all. Does the argument hold any water, or are they still as vile as some would have you believe?

We also look at Nintendo's new R&D center in Kyoto and why we think that's a good sign for the company's future. And now that Star Fox is out in the wild, we roundup some critic reviews and discuss the vibes surrounding a game we've been eager to try for ourselves!

Quick Headlines: Unreal Engine Lighting Update for Switch 2, new Nintendo-inspired hardware from 8BitDo, Rhythm Heaven Groove's eShop demo, daily Splatoon Raiders comics on Nintendo Today!, Star Fox plushies are coming to the US, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on Nintendo Music, and a Star Fox event in Tetris 99

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:18:17 Discless GTA 6 Makes Game-Key Cards Look Better

00:26:48 Nintendo's New R&D Building in Kyoto

00:28:45 Star Fox Review Roundup

00:31:59 Quick Headlines: Unreal Engine, 8BitDo, Star Fox Plushies

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What elements make Nintendo games so special? Instead of trying to rank Nintendo's greatest games overall, we're taking a different approach. We picked 15 different gameplay categories and crowned the single Nintendo game we think does each one better than every other game the company has ever made.

From stealth and storytelling to collectibles, progression, music, puzzles, world design, and much more, every category sparked plenty of debate. Some of our picks are obvious classics, and others might surprise you! Whether you're a lifelong Nintendo fan or just looking for a fresh perspective on some of the company's greatest games, this episode is packed with fun arguments and plenty of opportunities to disagree.

Be sure to let us know in the comments which Nintendo games you think deserve the crown in each category!

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:03:24 Exploration

00:10:53 Platforming

00:17:55 Movement

00:22:28 Stealth

00:25:47 Combat

00:30:06 Boss Battles

00:35:40 Puzzle Design

00:41:53 Progression

00:45:13 Collectibles

00:50:18 Level Design

00:56:30 Atmosphere

01:01:18 Storytelling

01:04:16 Music

01:09:52 Multiplayer

01:12:37 Replayability

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Xbox is (once again) struggling, withe reports of layoffs and studio closures coming in the near future. In this Nintendo News Recap, we discuss how we think they got there, what that says about the industry as a whole, and why Nintendo always seems to avoid these kinds of situations.

We also look at data suggesting that Nintendo's June Direct was the most-watched summer showcase, even beating out SGF Opening Night! We discuss a long-awaited (and perhaps too late) update to the original Switch's eShop, and we round up reviews for The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.

Quick Headlines: Switch Online Bonus Offer, Europe Gets a Pokopia Switch 2 Bundle, Nintendo is Fighting Scalpers in Japan, Standalone Xenoblade 2 Torna Expansion Gets a Free Update, Star Fox's New Graphics Brought 64's Art Director to Tears, and Dispatch Removes (Some) Censorship

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:05:22 What is Happening at Xbox?

00:24:21 Nintendo Direct Most Watched Summer Showcase of 2026

00:27:21 Switch 1 eShop Gets MUCH Faster

00:29:36 Adventures of Elliot Review Roundup

00:35:17 Quick Headlines: Switch Online Offer, Torna Gets Free Update, Dispatch Removes Censorship

00:43:14 Out This Week

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