Tag Archives: video game industry

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Remains a Sales Powerhouse on Switch

Despite being over a decade old, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to defy expectations, securing its place as one of the best-selling games of all time. As of December 31, 2024, the game has sold a staggering 67.35 million copies, reinforcing its dominance as the highest-selling title on the Nintendo Switch. Getting an excellent score of 92 on Metacritic its is widely regarded as one of the best Mario Kart games containing aspects from its previous versions.

In Nintendo’s latest financial reportMario Kart 8 Deluxe added another 5.38 million units in Q3 of the 2025 fiscal year, making it the second-best-selling Switch game of the quarter. It was only outpaced by Super Mario Party Jamboree, which launched in October and quickly moved 6.17 million units. This is a remarkable feat considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe originally debuted on the Wii U in 2014 before receiving its Switch port in 2017.

Nintendo’s overall hardware and software sales have seen a decline, with hardware dropping 30.6% year-over-year, yet Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to perform, proving that quality kart racing never goes out of style. With the game’s longevity, it’s easy to see why fans keep coming back, whether for local multiplayer chaos or intense online races.

Want more retro gaming news delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Retro Gaming Weekly—it’s free! And if you’re a collector, protect your games with RetroShell, the world’s finest display cases designed for premium preservation.

Nintendo Switch Online Announces Regional Price Adjustments

Nintendo has announced upcoming price increases for its Nintendo Switch Online service in select Latin American countries, effective March 1, 2025, as reported by Centro Leaks on X. The adjustments will affect both individual and family plan subscriptions.

In Mexico, the annual fee for the Expansion Pack Family Plan will rise from MX$1,599 to MX$1,999. Brazilian subscribers will see an increase from R$262.99 to R$299.00, while in Argentina, the price will go from ARS$76,899 to ARS$93,079. These changes represent increases ranging between 11% and 25%.

Nintendo has not provided specific reasons for these regional price adjustments. While the company has not announced similar changes in other regions, some industry observers speculate that broader price revisions could accompany the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Currently, Nintendo Switch Online offers various subscription options. A standard membership is available at $3.99 for one month, $7.99 for three months, or $19.99 for twelve months. The Expansion Pack tier, which includes additional content, is priced at $49.99 annually.

As of now, Nintendo has not commented on potential price changes for other regions or provided further details regarding the upcoming adjustments.

Protect your collection with RetroShell’s premium game display protectors, and stay updated with retro gaming news by subscribing to the Retro Gaming Weekly Substack.

Local Supermarket Triumphs Over Nintendo in Trademark Dispute

In a surprising turn of events, a family-owned supermarket in San Ramón, Costa Rica, has successfully defended its name, ‘Super Mario’, against gaming giant Nintendo.  

The supermarket, operating under the slogan “Su lugar de confianza” (“Your trusted place”), has been a community staple for decades. When the owner’s son sought to renew their trademark last year, Nintendo challenged the application, citing its iconic video game character.  

Despite feeling daunted by the prospect of facing such a “commercial monster,” the family, with the assistance of legal advisor José Edgardo Jiménez Blanco, decided to stand their ground. Their perseverance paid off when Costa Rica’s National Register ruled in their favor, noting that while Nintendo holds trademarks for ‘Super Mario’ in various categories, it does not cover supermarkets or the sale of groceries.  

Credit: Facebook

Expressing their relief and joy, the family stated, “For a moment we thought about throwing in the towel. How were we going to win against such a commercial monster? Especially with the number of legal documents presented by them to ensure victory. Well, luckily Edgardo and I stood firm and a few days ago we received the good news.”  

This case underscores the complexities of trademark law and highlights the challenges small businesses can face when up against global corporations. It’s a reminder that with determination and proper legal support, even the smallest entities can uphold their rights.

Credit for the article to Nintendo Life.

Protect your collection with RetroShell’s premium game display protectors, and stay updated with retro gaming news by subscribing to the Retro Gaming Weekly Substack.

Atari Warns Against Unauthorized Use of PONG Trademark by Cryptocurrency Project RealPongCoin

Atari has publicly denounced RealPongCoin or $PONG, a cryptocurrency project using its PONG trademark without authorization. In a recent X post, Atari clarified it has no affiliation with RealPongCoin, warning that the project risks deceiving consumers by suggesting a false association. Atari’s legal team is reviewing measures to halt this misuse of its intellectual property, emphasizing the company’s commitment to protecting its brand, which includes over 200 games like Asteroids® and Pong®.

This issue highlights the complexities companies face with intellectual property in the rapidly evolving crypto market, where unauthorized use can mislead consumers. Atari’s action underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining brand integrity amidst digital innovation.