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This week on Nintendo Pow Block, Edward and Corey dive into the latest Pokémon Presents showcase, new Pokémon Legends: Z-A footage, WB Games’ mismanagement and studio closures, a surprise NSO delisting, and more.

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EPISODE TIME STAMPS:

0:00 – Welcome to Nintendo Pow Block

10:28 – Housekeeping

26:17 – Snacktendo

33:22 – Playing With Power

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

Edward:

• Avowed (Xbox)

Corey

• Fire Emblem Engage
• Fire Emblem Heroes (Mobile)
• Pokemon TCG Pocket (Mobile)

WEEKLY PICKUPS

Edward:

Corey:

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2 for Switch
• The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes for 3DS
• Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest for 3DS
• Tiki (Fire Emblem) amiibo

FAMINEWS

1:20:00 – Pokemon Legends Z-A

New Footage and Details for Pokemon Legends Z-A Revealed 

The recent Pokémon Presents revealed new footage and details for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, confirming a “late 2025” release. Set in Lumiose City, the game will lean into its Gold/Silver roots with starters, including Grass-type Chikorita, Fire-type Tepig, and Water-type Totodile. Z-A will feature Wild Zones for real-time Pokémon catching, parkour mechanics for smoother exploration, and evolved battles where Pokémon can dodge attacks and use moves with different ranges and effects in real time, feeling more like an action RPG. Mega Evolution is also making its long-awaited return after nearly seven years, requiring a Key Stone and a strong Trainer-Pokémon bond to activate for specific Pokémon. While the showcase only displayed footage for the current Switch, many fans are speculating about a possible Switch 2 port. As one of the most anticipated Pokémon games, Legends: Z-A is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the series.

Story Source: Pokemon Presents Presentation, YouTube

1:27:12 – Pokemon TCG Pocket Expansion

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket’s new expansion, Triumphant Light 

The Pokémon Presents revealed exciting updates for Pokémon TCG Pocket, including the Triumphant Light expansion, out now, which features Arceus EX. Players can also obtain special booster packs with high-rarity cards during a limited-time Pokémon Day event running until April 30. Additionally, ranked matches are officially coming to the game at the end of March.

Story Source: Pokemon Presents Presentation, YouTube

1:30:15 – Pokemon Champions

Pokémon Champions Brings Battle-Focused Gameplay to Switch and Mobile 

Pokémon Champions, a new battle-focused game resembling a mobile version of Pokémon Stadium, was revealed during the Pokémon Presents. Developed by The Pokémon Works with planning by Game Freak, the game will be available on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, featuring Pokémon HOME compatibility for transferring trained Pokémon. The trailer confirmed the return of Mega Evolution and Terastalization, hinting at the possibility of even more battle mechanics from past generations.

Story Source: Pokemon Presents Presentation, YouTube

1:33:03 – WB Games Closes 3 Studios

WB Games Shuts Down Three Studios and Cancels Games, Including Wonder Woman

Warner Bros. Games is closing three of its development studios—Monolith, Player First Games, and WB Games San Diego—while canceling ongoing projects, including Monolith’s Wonder Woman game. This decision is part of a broader “strategic change in direction” to focus on its key franchises and achieve profitability and growth in the coming years. Monolith is known for its work on F.E.A.R. and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, with the latter being one of its most acclaimed titles. Player First Games, who was acquired by WB in the summer of 2024, developed the free-to-play fighter MultiVersus, but the game struggled to maintain its player base, announcing that support will end this May. WB Games San Diego has never shipped a product since its founding in 2019. This move follows Warner Bros.’ financial difficulties, including the failure of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the cancellation of support for MultiVersus, signaling a shift in the company’s focus toward more profitable and sustainable games. They will continue to develop “high quality games” in “major franchises and IP” including Batman, The Wizarding World, Mortal Kombat, and DC. 

Story Source: VentureBeat, Warner Bros. Games is shutting down Monolith and more

2:01:02 – A Surprising NSO Delisting

An NSO Game is Being Delisted for the First Time 

Nintendo announced that the Super Famicom game Super Formation Soccer (known as Super Soccer in the West) will be removed from the Nintendo Switch Online service in Japan on March 28, though no reason was provided. The game, originally developed by Human Entertainment in 1991, became part of Spike Chunsoft’s catalog after Human’s financial struggles. While it’s unclear if Super Soccer will also be removed in other regions, the delisting raises concerns about the future of third-party titles on the service, such as Ninja Gaiden.

Story Source: Polygon, Nintendo Switch Online is losing a classic game for the first time

2:06:25 – Dragon Quest XI Returns to the eShop

Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of an Illusive Age Definitive Edition is back on the eShop at a reduced price

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition has returned to the Nintendo Switch eShop after a temporary removal for minor updates, now available at a permanently reduced price of $39.99. Originally released in 2019, the game received high praise while also being the best selling game in the series to date. 

Story Source: Dragon Quest X/Twitter Post, Story Headline with Link Attached

2:12:40 – ID@XBOX Indies Coming to Switch

ID @ Xbox Showed a lot of Indies also Coming to Switch 

Xbox’s recent indie showcase highlighted several upcoming games, with many also heading to the Nintendo Switch. Notable titles include TRON: Catalyst (June 17, 2025), Tempopo (April 17, 2025), and Tanuki: Pon’s Summer (late 2025). Other featured games set for a 2025 release include Ratatan, a rhythm roguelike from the creators of Patapon, and Rockbeasts, a rock band management sim.

Story Source: Xbox Wire, ID@Xbox Showcase – February 2025: Everything Announced and Revealed

PAK WATCH

2:15:46 – New and Notable Games on Nintendo eShop

New Games for the Week of March 3, 2025

3/6 – Eldrador Creatures: Shadowfall – The adventure-filled worlds of Eldrador are in danger! Lead battle-ready creatures in turn-based strategic combat to defeat a mysterious shadowy menace.

3/6 – Suikoden 1&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars – A once renowned hero turns into a violent tyrant, and an empire falls into decline. A Liberation Army is rising up in an act of rebellion against an oppressive rule. One by one the 108 stars of Destiny gather to shape the course of history.

3/7 – Sugardew Island – Your Cozy Farm Shop – In this cozy farming game, you have to run your own farm shop. Take care of your animals and your farm, sell your goods to the cute Forest Folk, upgrade the island and fulfill small orders from the Harmony Tree to fill the island with life again.

DLC, Expansions, and Game Updates

The Switch version of Turok has received a new update, bringing new features, menu options, fixes, and platform-specific improvements as part of the game’s latest refresh.

Pokémon Unite’s Assault Break update adds Gen 2 Legendary Suicune, new Holowear, the First to 500 battle mode, and the return of Remoat Stadium to ranked matches, along with various balance adjustments.

Stardew Valley’s latest Switch update contains an error causing crashes and garbled text, but a fix is in the works, with players advised to avoid artifact troves and the Adventure Guild’s back room until the next patch arrives.

Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop will be available as skins in Fortnite’s Item Shop starting February 27, with players also able to unlock the Bebop Legends Loading Screen through quests.

The “Tales of Agrabah” update for Disney Dreamlight Valley is out now and will introduce Aladdin and Jasmine, a new Agrabah realm, additional Floating Islands, and new features like a slow cooker and recipe search bar, along with a relaxing Oasis Retreat Star Path for decoration.

T-1000 from Terminator 2 DLC comes to Mortal Kombat 1 in the next update as well as balance changes.

Balatro’s latest Friends of Jimbo update adds free crossover card cosmetics from eight franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Fallout, Civilization, Slay the Princess, Bugsnax, Dead by Daylight, Rust, and Critical Role.

Tetris Forever’s latest update introduces two classic MS-DOS games, Super Tetris and Tetris (AcademySoft) v. 3.12, alongside major updates to Tetris Time Warp, including extended levels, new power-ups, and enhanced multiplayer features.

Nintendo Switch Online New Game Updates

No new games announced for the service this week.

Nintendo Switch Online New Expansions or Trials Added

No New Trials or Expansions this week.

Nintendo Music Additions

StreetPass Mii Plaza – 39 Tracks Added

Super Mario Bros. 2 – 14 Tracks Added

Pokemon Scarlet/Violet – Full Soundrack Added

QUESTION BLOCK

If you have any questions, topics, comments, or thoughts, feel free to send them to the show! You can post in the Nintendo Pow Block Question Block Channel on the Boss Rush Network Community Discord, leave a comment on this YouTube video, or drop them in the Free Patreon Thread for the next Nintendo Pow Block episode.

We will also be reading new reviews on Apple Podcasts and comments from Spotify and YouTube and a surprise may await the best ones at the end of every month. Get them in and a winner will be chosen. 

2:24:56 – Nintendo’s Edutainment Games

Celeste Roberts via Discord – Would you like to see Nintendo embrace edutainment games like they used to? Examples: Mario Teaches Typing, Mario Is Missing!, Mario’s Time Machine, Mario’s Early Years, etc.

2:30:17 – Switch 2 Mainstream Hits

Adam Gumbert of Respawn, Aim, Fire Podcast via Discord – What are some games currently not on Switch that would be the biggest wins for a general audience to have on Switch 2? Marvel Rivals & EA College Football

2:41:48 – Pokemon Collaborations

Austin Campbell via Discord – What do you think of this Jersey collaboration with Overtime Elite and Pokemon and which one is your favorite? 

Link: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/the-pokemon-overtime-elite-basketball-collaboration-is-a-slam-dunk

2:43:03 – Where to Start for Fire Emblem Franchise

Sam Hall via YouTube: I’ve heard you all talk about Fire Emblem lately and I was wondering, what is the best game to start with? I am a fan of JRPGs, but have oddly never touched a strategy RPG. I watched some game play and it looks fun enough. Thoughts?

2:47:53 – Does WB Games Learn from Their Mistakes?

DaShawn Malone via Bluesky – Hey y’all, looking forward to this next episode. What do y’all think the WB studio closings means for the industry as a whole? What do other companies learn from this? Thanks for answering the question!

3:03:05 – Our Go To NSO Game

David Lasby via Discord – What’s your current favorite game to play on Nintendo Switch Online?

3:07:46 – Final Thoughts

Thank you for watching and/or listening to Nintendo Pow Block, the Nintendo podcast for Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. If you enjoyed the discussion, subscribe and like the video, leave a comment, and hit the bell so you don’t miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, remember to leave us a five star rating and a nice review. You can support Nintendo Pow Block and Boss Rush on Patreon at any tier. Thanks for watching or listening to Nintendo Pow Block and supporting The Boss Rush Network’s independent endeavor. It means more than you know.

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FOLLOW NINTENDO POW BLOCK’S HOSTS:

Edward Varnell is the Cofounder of Boss Rush Media, the host of Nintendo Pow Block, and the Director of Nintendo Content for The Boss Rush Network. You can connect with Edward on Bluesky, on X/Twitter and on Instagram.

Corey Dirrig is the Founder and President of Boss Rush Media. He is the host of The Boss Rush Podcast, Nintendo Pow Block, Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast, and cohosts a variety of other podcasts and content. You can follow Corey on Bluesky, on X/Twitter, and on Instagram or connect with him on LinkedIn for Business Inquiries.

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