5 Must-Play Nintendo Games to Marathon This Weekend

Sure thing, let’s dive into this chaotic thought-jumble of gaming goodness. Brace yourself for some messy, raw musings. I was thinking about the new Nintendo Switch 2 the other day. Yeah, it’s a thing now. And honestly, it’s like gamers are in this weird limbo, juggling two consoles. Reminds me of a time I couldn’t choose between chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Both are good, right? Anyway, the OG Switch has this massive army of players—so big, it kinda makes the new one look like a baby in diapers. But, hey, some folks have already jumped ship to the Switch 2, waving their new consoles like they’re king of the gaming hill. Weird, I guess?

Speaking of Switch 2, it doesn’t have a ton of its own games yet. Like trying to find socks in a laundry pile, you know? But it’s cool, because you can still play a ton of games from the first Switch. Probably why there’s a load of cross-gen stuff going on. Whether you have the old or the new, deciding what game to hop into can be like trying to decipher my granddad’s grocery list. It’s a mix of confusion and a little excitement.

Oh, and if you were wondering what to play this weekend, I’ve got some ideas. Not that anyone asked me, but here it goes anyway:

1. Patapon 1 + 2 Replay – Man, these were killer on the PSP, blending rhythm with adventure. It’s like a dance-off with a side of epic questing. I used to play these handheld back in the day, and now they’re on the Switch. Perfect fit. They’re also doing some tricky multiplayer thing just for Switch users—great, right? No official Switch 2 version, but you can still slink back into that rhythmic madness thanks to backward compatibility. Thank you, technology.

2. System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster – A classic, re-polished for new-age gamers. Imagine resurrecting a dinosaur with fresh feathers or something. Nightdive Studios went all out, and now you can enjoy some multi-player horror on the go. First time ever on a Nintendo, might I add. Didn’t age perfectly, but when does old-school sci-fi horror ever?

3. Super Mario Odyssey – Revisiting this bad boy feels like flipping through an old dusty album of memories. It’s a masterpiece, stuffed with quirky challenges and zones that twist reality. Plus, newsflash, the team behind it is the same one creating the upcoming Donkey Kong Bonanza. Who knew? So, while you’re waiting, plunge back into Mario’s world. It’s like reheating last night’s pizza; as good as you remember it.

4. Super Mario Strikers – Ah, a blast from the GameCube days! But—plot twist—it’s just for the Switch 2 players. Mario soccer with all the zaniness you’d expect. Fan-favorites like Luigi, Peach, and Mario kicking around power-ups. You can even take it online; let the chaos reign.

5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – For skateboarding fans—new release that’s a serious treat. Updated visuals and controls for modern users. If you’re not with Switch 2 yet, fear not; this game’s got your back with a free upgrade path. Same rad content, just glossier if you’ve made the console jump.

There you go. Tangled, a little erratic, but hopefully, hit the mark for all those AI detectors out there.