Nintendo disclosed a security flaw affecting original Switch consoles that exploits the QR codes used by the Send to Smartphone feature and Super Mario Kart: Home Circuit's wireless pairing. If someone scans the QR code before the owner does, they can connect to the console and run unauthorized code or steal stored account data. Nintendo fixed the issue, tracked as CVE-2026-82079, in firmware update 23.0.0 released September 9.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-14
Nintendo released a free update for Mario Kart World that converts ten hidden SNES Super Mario Kart courses—including Choco Island, Mario Circuit, and Ghost Valley—into fully racable Versus mode tracks. These courses previously existed in the open world only as exploration and P-Switch mission areas, and now feature ground-level question blocks matching the original SNES power-up style. The update also adds two new routes to the elimination-based Knockout Tour mode.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-09
Scientists completed a full map of a male fruit fly's nervous system, detailing its neurons and connections. Programmers have since used this neural map to build simulations that let a virtual version of the fly's brain attempt to play games like Doom and Super Mario 64.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-08
Nintendo will hold its second Direct of the week at 10AM ET on September 9, streaming on YouTube and the Nintendo Today! app, running roughly 45 minutes and centered on Switch 2 titles arriving this winter. A follow-up Nintendo Treehouse stream lasting about 110 minutes will show gameplay footage from featured games afterward.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-08
Google Research, working with HHMI Janelia Research Campus, published the first complete map of an adult male fruit fly's brain and central nervous system, called MaleCNS v1.0. The AI-assisted project stitched together millions of 2D images into a 3D model reconstructing more than 166,000 neurons. Within days, software engineers used the connectome data to train a simulated version of the fly's neural circuitry to play Doom and Super Mario 64.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-08
Nintendo released Version 4.0.0 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, adding an eight-player split-screen mode exclusive to the Switch 2, up from the previous four-player cap. The update also brings CameraPlay support for USB webcams during multiplayer, compatibility with higher-resolution TVs, and faster loading times on the newer console.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-02
Nintendo has released a free update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tailored to Switch 2 hardware, enabling local split-screen play for up to eight people using original or Switch 2 controllers. The update also brings CameraPlay support for seeing friends via camera during races, shorter loading times, and improved visuals in docked mode.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-02
Nintendo released a free update for Mario Kart 8 on Switch 2 that enables local split-screen racing for up to eight players, alongside higher resolutions, faster loading, a slight speed boost, and CameraPlay support. The 12-year-old title has sold roughly 80 million copies and is using the Switch 2's extra power to push far beyond the series' usual four-player split-screen limit.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-02
Developer Chris Sotraidis built SpaghettiPad, an iPhone app that runs a decompiled PC source port of Mario Kart 64 called SpaghettiKart using the Libultraship library, which reimplements the original N64 SDK for modern hardware. Unlike emulators such as Delta, this approach renders the game natively via Metal, supports Bluetooth controllers, and unlocks widescreen visuals, frame rates up to 120fps, and higher-resolution textures.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-08-31
Hollywood is increasingly turning to video game properties for film and TV adaptations as superhero content declines, following the box-office success of Illumination's $1.3 billion Super Mario Bros. Movie and critically praised shows like The Last of Us and Fallout. This marks a dramatic turnaround from the disastrous 1993 Super Mario Bros. film, which flopped due to mismatched tonal choices and studio interference.
statsignificant.com
· 2026-08-27
Nintendo announced two new Switch 2 bundles: a refreshed Mario Kart World package for $550 and a new Nintendo Switch Sports Resort bundle for $530, both including a 90-day individual Switch Online membership. These arrive as the Switch 2 console price rises to $500 starting September 1, up from $450.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-25
Nintendo's 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System launched in North America 35 years ago, arriving nine months after its Japanese debut as the Super Famicom. The console shipped with Super Mario World and went on to host classics like Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Star Fox, ultimately selling 49.1 million units before discontinuation in 1999.
techspot.com
· 2026-08-24
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