Nintendo is Making Big Moves With Switch 2, Zelda Rumors, and a Wider Media Push

You are getting a wave of new updates around the Nintendo Switch 2, and it starts with a bundle that clearly leans into the current Mario hype. Nintendo is rolling out a new package that pairs the console with Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel, giving you a small discount if you pick them up together. It is a bit surprising at first since these are technically older titles, but the move makes more sense when you consider how closely it lines up with the momentum from the recent Mario Galaxy movie.

This new bundle is effectively replacing earlier ones that featured Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Mario Kart World, signaling a shift in focus. If you are planning to grab the console, the timing matters because the offer only runs from April 12th through early May. The deal itself saves you about $20, which is not massive, but it still feels like a calculated move to catch attention while Mario is trending again.

What stands out more is how Nintendo is packaging the experience. Even though the games were originally designed for the earlier system, they now benefit from updates that improve performance on the Switch 2. You are also given the choice between physical and digital versions, which is something Nintendo has not always prioritized in past bundles. For years, their go-to approach involved digital codes, especially with bundles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so this added flexibility feels like a step in a better direction.

At the same time, there is a bigger conversation happening around pricing.

You are looking at a market where companies like Sony and Microsoft have already raised prices, some more than once. That naturally leads to speculation about whether the Switch 2 could jump from its current price point to something higher, possibly without including a bundled game at all. In that context, this current offer feels like one of those moments where getting in early might make more sense.

Alongside all of this, Monolith Soft has quietly pulled attention in a different way by updating its official website. The refresh puts a heavy spotlight on its contributions to The Legend of Zelda series, which is interesting given how much speculation is already circulating. There is growing talk about a potential remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and the timing of this update has people connecting dots.

When you look through what Monolith Soft is highlighting, you see just how involved the studio has been across major Zelda entries, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Their work spans everything from environment design to gameplay systems and cinematic elements. Even though some still think of them as a separate or supporting studio, they are fully owned by Nintendo, and their role has been more central than it might appear at first glance.

There are also hints about their future direction, with the studio emphasizing its goal of continuing to create new experiences within the Zelda universe.

That lines up with the idea that any upcoming remake, especially something as significant as Ocarina of Time, would likely involve multiple teams working together. If that turns out to be the case, Monolith Soft seems like a natural fit for handling major portions of the development, especially given how well they have handled large-scale projects in the past.

On another front, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is getting closer to release, and you now have a clear answer about how it performs on the new hardware. The game does receive a free update for the Switch 2, allowing it to run at a higher resolution and benefit from faster load times. It hits 1080p in handheld mode and takes advantage of the improved hardware without needing additional boost features.

The core gameplay itself does not change, but the technical improvements make a noticeable difference.

It still leans heavily into that life-simulation style, similar in spirit to The Sims, where you set things up and watch characters interact and develop on their own. A new trailer highlights more of the activities and roles you can explore, giving a better sense of how the experience unfolds over time. It may not appeal to everyone, especially if you are not into that type of gameplay, but it clearly has a strong following that has been waiting for its return.

Shigeru Miyamoto recently talked about a bigger plan that all of this is a part of. The idea is simple but important: you can only reach so many people with consoles. Because of this, Nintendo is moving beyond traditional gaming and into other types of media.

You can already see this change in movies, theme parks, and other projects that put these characters in new places. People used to only find out about Mario and other franchises through video games, but now they can also find out about them through movies and attractions, which makes a different kind of connection. Miyamoto describes it as moving toward a world where the focus is not just on the next game, but on how Nintendo’s universes continue to grow.

That approach is starting to show results. 

The movies are drawing large audiences, and characters like Donkey Kong and Star Fox are getting more visibility outside of games. Theme park expansions are also adding to that presence, giving fans another way to interact with these worlds. It all feeds back into the same goal, which is to make Nintendo’s characters recognizable to as many people as possible, whether they own the hardware or not.

It's clear that Nintendo isn't just focusing on one thing when you look at everything together. The new Switch 2 bundle, the buzz around Zelda, the updates to upcoming games, and the move into movies and parks are all part of a bigger plan. You are watching a company that wants to reach as many people as possible and give them a reason to pick up a controller and explore those worlds for themselves.