This year is off to a big start, with so many gaming delights to tempt us. If you’re wondering which games the team is playing lately, our Pure Nintendo playlist is here to provide some gaming inspiration.

Unsurprisingly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is taking pole position on our playlist at the moment, thanks to the latest round of DLC. The Fruit and Boomerang cups are now available, bringing eight tracks from across the Tour, DS, Wii, and GameCube titles. There’s also a lovely new track in the form of Yoshi’s Island, which is simply a joy to play.

Did you know the Wii U and 3DS eShops are closing soon? It’s sad but true, but on the plus side, it’s prompting us to check out what’s available while we can, making several titles appear on our playlist. There are many great games to enjoy on those systems, so make sure you peruse the eShops before they shut forever!

Check out the team’s latest gaming obsessions below on the Pure Nintendo playlist. More importantly, what’s on your own playlist? Let us know in the comments section!

Nyleak

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – I love that Mario Kart 8 has been able to keep fans engaged for so long. Especially since it was originally released on the WiiU. The new tracks are awesome. I feel like this is the Smash Bros of Mario Karts. So many tracks and characters! I can’t wait to see who the other new characters are. I really hope to see Diddy Kong/Dixie Kong, and another Zelda character; Preferably Princess Zelda/Sheik.
  • Ninja JaJaMaru: The Lost RPGs (Switch) – I wanted to review this game because after looking at the screenshots it reminded me of the original Legend of Zelda on the NES. It’s been really interesting so far, and definitely has an old skool feel. Be sure to check out my review later this week.
  • Rytmos (Switch) – Rytmos is pretty cool if you like puzzles and music, or making beats. This is another game I’m reviewing this week. It’s pretty relaxing when I need something to wind down after a stressful day.

Jes

  • Kirby Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch) – Finally managed to 100% all modes in Return to Dreamland and I have to say, it was a delight. Extra Mode truly kicked my butt a bit but for anyone who feels like normal mode as too easy, I highly suggest playing Kirby in Extra Mode.
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – The new courses added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are a blast to play and the Yoshi’s Island course? It might be one of the best courses in the entire game (my love of Yoshi’s Island on SNES might make me love the course even more).
  • Devils Third (Wii U) –  A complete and total curveball right?? With the Wii U eShop about to close in 2 weeks, I decided to pick up one of the Wii U’s most forgettable and literally hardest to find Nintendo-published games. Devils Third is not a great game and it never was. I played it years ago and thought it was a pretty average and corny experience. It still is! I just had to pick up a digital copy so that I could re-expereince such a weird Wii U exclusive.

Trev

  • Colossal Cave (Switch) – I finally posted my review last week. This was a challenging game in more ways than one, but I’m glad to have covered it.
  • Lode Runner (Wii U VC) – This game came up in passing when I recently chatted with Jemma. Since it was already on my wishlist, I decided I better grab it before the eShop closes; it’s not currently on Switch online. I love old NES games.
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – It’s one thing playing this latest wave against the CPU or my wife. But I’m ready to challenge (and lose to) my PN colleagues. Game night soon.
  • Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (3DS) – Yes, I already own Shovel Knight, but I couldn’t resist. For less than $5 on sale, I can enjoy the game, with DLC, in great 3D! Still a favorite of mine.

Jemma

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – The latest wave of tracks is super fun, with a terrific mix of tracks across Tour, DS, and Wii. Plus the first GameCube DLC entry! The standout for me, though, is the brand-new track based on the adorable Yoshi’s Island. It’s simply wonderful. Check out my full review of all the new tracks!
  • Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch) – Another adorable game, I’m wrapping up my review of this one at the moment. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land takes something great and wraps it in a gorgeous layer of color and fun. The platforming is satisfying, with multiplayer mayhem during levels, and bonus minigame madness that keeps us coming back for more.
  • Caverns of Mars: Recharged (Switch) – Another review title! This is based on a classic Atari title, and features a vertical shooting mechanic as your ship plunders through the depths of Mars. It’s all about chasing that high score and completing missions to see how far you can go, with powerups and other collectibles along the way. Watch for my upcoming review of this one, too!

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