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This week on Nintendo Pow Block, Edward and Corey continue their live show experiment on YouTube, Twitch, and X/Twitter discussing Xenoblade Chronicles X, Nintendo partnering with the ESA on their new accessibility initiative, a new patent suggesting AI on Switch 2, and more.
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Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | Amazon Music | YouTube
Find more links and episodes on the Spotify for Podcasters Landing Page
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 – Welcome to Nintendo Pow Block
15:47 – Housekeeping
20:31 – Snacktendo
33:57 – Playing with POWER
50:05 – FamiNEWS
51:10 – Xenoblade Chronicles X at 60fps?
A Modder by the name of MasaGratoR discovered a hidden 60fps mode in the code of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, though enabling it currently causes issues like rendering every second frame and jittering objects during cutscenes. This finding has led to speculation that the game could receive performance enhancements on Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console, potentially offering smoother gameplay experiences. While Nintendo has not confirmed any such upgrades, the existence of this partially implemented mode suggests that higher frame rates may be achievable with more powerful hardware.
Source: Nintendo Life
58:03 – Nintendo Partners with ESA for Accessibility
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) launched the “Accessible Games Initiative” to improve awareness of accessibility features in video games. Companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, EA, and Ubisoft will use 24 specific tags to highlight features like subtitles and narrated menus on digital storefronts. The program is voluntary, with more companies joining to make gaming more inclusive.
Source: The Verge
1:04:12 – Nintendo and NVIDIA AI on Switch 2
Recent updates to Nintendo’s patent filings indicate that the upcoming Switch 2 console will incorporate AI upscaling technology, similar to NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). This feature allows the system to render games at lower resolutions, such as 540p, and upscale them to higher outputs like 1080p, enhancing visual quality without significantly taxing hardware resources. By integrating AI-driven upscaling, the Switch 2 aims to deliver improved graphics performance while maintaining efficiency, which is crucial for a hybrid handheld console.
Source: Forbes
1:23:24 – Seattle Mariners Wear Nintendo on Their Sleeve
The Seattle Mariners have introduced Nintendo-themed patches on their jerseys, marking the team’s first-ever jersey sleeve partnership. Home game jerseys will feature the classic Nintendo “racetrack” logo on a red patch, while away jerseys will display the Nintendo Switch 2 logo, making the Mariners the first MLB team to have different sleeve patches for home and away games. This collaboration continues the longstanding relationship between Nintendo and the Mariners, dating back to Nintendo’s purchase of a controlling stake in the team in 1992.
Source: ESPN
1:28:41 – Xenoblade Skells
Kotobukiya is re-releasing its 1/48 scale Formula Skell model kit from Xenoblade Chronicles X, standing at approximately 17.5 cm (just under 7 inches) tall. Priced at 8,800 yen (approximately USD $59.00), the kit is available for pre-order at international retailers like AmiAmi and Hobby Search, with shipments expected in October 2025.
Source: Nintendo Life
1:40:54 – Pak Watch
3/25 – Breakout Beyond – In this neon-drenched take on the classic, you’ll need to literally break through each puzzle by clearing bricks to breach the final goal. Longer play will rack up a combo and increase the intensity of the effects creating a spectacular light show as a reward for the most skilled players.
3/26 – Twilight Monk – Set in a hand-drawn world, this 2.5D action RPG blends metroidvania exploration, RPG elements, and a sprawling overworld map. With dungeon hubs, narrative depth, and level-up mechanics, it offers freedom and classic adventure in a richly crafted fantasy setting.
3/27 – Bubble Ghost Remake – The old castle of the renowned inventor Heinrich Von Schinker, in northern England, Heinrich’s spirit returns as a small ghost. Alongside a mysterious bubble that he can move with gentle blows, he must face his own out-of-control inventions and fierce wild animals.
Nintendo Switch Online Updates
- Nobunaga’s Ambition
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Lord of Darkness
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire
- Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
Nintendo Music Additions
- Dr. Mario
- Tetris (Game Boy)
- Tetris (NES)
1:57:32 – Question Block
Sam Hall via YouTube – Now that Xenoblade is out and we have the full collection on Switch, would you like Nintendo to try and work with Bandai Namco and Sony to have Monolith remake or remaster Xenogears and Xenosaga? Or buy those IP outright from them?
NotJimRyan via Threads – Hey guys, I love the show and have been listening all year! Looking forward to your answer to this one. How do you feel about Ken Kuturagi just passively mentioning he has a Nintendo PlayStation in his cupboard at home? What a weird thing to have. Thanks, looking forward to your answer.
DaShawn Malone via Bluesky – What is your favorite Nintendo box art?
2:13:59 – Final Thoughts
2:21:03 – Thanks for Watching
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.
2:21:37 – Patreon Producers
2:22:26 – Bonus Content
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.
Nintendo Pow Block – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush
Nintendo Pow Block is a weekly Nintendo podcast hosted by Edward Varnell, Corey Dirrig, and their friends from around the internet. Each week, they dive into the latest Nintendo news and rumors for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, new and upcoming releases, updates to Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo Music app, and discuss what they’ve been playing in the Playing with Power segment.
Nintendo Pow Block Podcast – Now your Podcasting with Power!
Nintendo's Physical Future, Final Fantasy VII Cast Tearful Farewell – Nintendo Pow Block Podcast – Now Your Podcasting with Power!
Listen to Nintendo Pow Block on Podcast Services
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Follow and Connect with Nintendo Pow Block: A Nintendo Podcast
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Thank you for watching or listening to Nintendo Pow Block, the Nintendo podcast from Boss Rush Network! If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe to the channel, give the video a Like, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review—it really helps! For more great content, visit our website at BossRush.net. Thanks for your continued support of Nintendo Pow Block and our independent endeavor with the Boss Rush Network!
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