Patrick and Mark take on the challenge making the rounds: the 9 games that shaped who they are. Childhood favorites, life-changers, and the surprising picks that made them who they are today.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is here and Patrick and Mark share their first impressions of the new Switch 2 exclusive. Plus, code for a mysterious "Event Gifts" system shows up in the Nintendo Switch Online app, Castlevania celebrates its 40th anniversary with (stop me if you've heard this one before) a concert series, and more.The guys also talk about:Patrick's ongoing journey with Orbitals.Splatoon 3's spike in popularity in 2026.Reports that Ubisoft and Nintendo were once collaborating on a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark rank the art styles of every mainline Zelda game, from the 8-bit pixel art of the original Legend of Zelda to the embellished details of the new Ocarina of Time on Switch 2, and everything in between. Which visual style suits Hyrule best?SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Special guest-host Conner McCabe (Call Me By Your Game, Super NPC Games Club) stops by to discuss Pokemon rumors, the end of an award they didn't even know was being given out, and insights from developers of Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Splatoon Raiders. Plus, will 007: First Light ever come out on Switch 2? Yes, but always later than you think it will.The guys also talk about:The hidden depth of Yoshi's Woolly WorldConner finally wrapping his head around The World Ends With YouBig Walk continuing to reveal new pleasures to Patrick and his buddiesFire Emblem: Fortune's Weave slow start, strange presentation, and undeniable gameplayPrevious winners of Masahiro Sakurai's Game Designer AwardsMetroid Dread being at the top of the eShop charts 6 years after its original releaseCheck out Send In The Clown on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3766220/Send_In_The_Clown/ SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

To celebrate the release of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Patrick and Mark settle the great debate: which Fire Emblem game has the best title? Judged on the words alone, no context allowed. From Blazing Blade to Three Houses to Engage, the guys weigh them all and crown a champion.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Still in a post-Direct stupor, Patrick and Mark round up all of the week's Nintendo news, including variable refresh rate (VRR) coming to the Switch 2 when docked, Nintendo of America's "Customer Appreciation" sale, the GameCube's 25th anniversary, and more.The guys also talk about:Trying Star Fox Adventures for the first time.Patrick plays the Final Fantasy Resonance Demo.Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom's pricing strategy with its Switch 2 ports.The rest of the latest Switch 2 system update, including music coming to the Mii Maker.A Capcom pop-up store landing in Los Angeles.A little sidebar into Sony's decision to drop Hideo Kojima's Physint.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick and Mark react to all the announcements from today's Nintendo Direct, from the official reveal of Metroid Ravenous to Kirby going full open-world in Kirby and the World Beyond. Plus, Capcom continues to show up big with Monster Hunter Wilds, Mega Man, and Resident Evil. Atlus shows up big with Persona and Persona. And any reports of Amiibo's death are greatly exaggerated.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Lordy lordy, look who's 40! Nintendo threw Hyrule a birthday party, and Patrick and Mark react to everything from the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: a deep look at the reborn Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, a worldwide concert series, the Zelda movie's title, and more.SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

The predictions? Mild and Wild. The stakes? A trademark NCS Million Dollar Bet. The subject: a September 2026 Nintendo Direct. What do Patrick and Mark expect to see at Nintendo's next Switch 2 presentation? Sure, Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed a Direct for September, but they wouldn't leave the guys hanging like that... would they?SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Patrick is joined by Jeremy Schmidt (Video Games A Comedy Show) to trace how a leak about Just Dance led to Ubisoft possibly leak the date of the next Nintendo Direct. OR DID IT? Plus, Jeremy can't stop playing Xenoblade and Patrick can't stop playing Splatoon. The guys also talk about: Final Fantasy VII Revelation being overexposed in games showcases.Capcom has another banger on their hands with Onimusha: Way of the Sword.When will Zelda ever feel like the old Zelda again?A Sonic Mania sequel not being in the works (even though it should be).New Switch 2 bundles offering deceptive savings.A late-in-life update for Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch 2.Is Mega Man: Dual Override new enough to stand out or is it retreading old territory?FRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050