It was a two-person show today. Mom Brain had to deal with me for over an hour. I feel so bad for her! She also had to take on the NPD challenge by herself. She's such a trooper!

Coming from a Game Informer interview with series producer Yoshio Sakamoto...

“Through the development of Metroid: Samus Returns, I was able to really grasp the possibility and fun of a 2D Metroid. Like when I finished the first game, if there is another opportunity to make another Metroid, that is something that I would love to do. Of course, that really depends on how much people really want to buy a 2D Metroid.”

Obviously you can show your support for a 2D Metroid buy buying Metroid: Samus Returns. I'm guessing plenty of you are looking to do that!

Nintendo recently offered up Switch firmware 3.0.1, and as usual, no big details were given on why the patch was issued. Turns out hardware hackers have sniffed out the reasoning, and it was related to a huge exploit.

Prior to 3.0.1, the service manager ("sm") built-in system module treats a user as though it has full permissions if the user creates a new "sm:" port session but bypasses initialization. In 3.0.1, "sm" returns error code 0x415 if Initialize has not been called yet.

What does all this mean? Turns out the issue allowed full permissions to any service in the OS for anyone. This one issue is going to be the key to homebrew on the Switch. Obviously Nintendo wants to stop that, which is why they've released the update.

The Switch has been available in Japan for 24 weeks now, and has managed to move 1,436,031 units. The total would be even higher, but Switch stock has been an issue since launch. With that said, the Switch is still managing to outsell PS4 by a 2 to 1 margin. When you look at the first 24 weeks of the PS4, the system sold 653,377 units. You can see a full week-by-week breakdown here.

1. Splatoon 2*
2. Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy
3. Grand Theft Auto V
4. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
6. Injustice 2
7. Mario Kart 8*
8. Overwatch**
9. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
10. NBA 2K17
11. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
13. Call of Duty: Black Ops III
14. Minecraft
15. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
16. MLB 17: The Show
17. ARMS*
18. Battlefield 1
19. Mass Effect: Andromeda
20. Tekken 7

* No digital sales
** No Battle.net sales

Switch was the #1 best-selling hardware for the month

Total: $588 million (up 19 percent from $496 million in July 2016)
Hardware: $182 million (up 29 percent from $142 million)
Console software: $263 million (up 17 percent from $224 million)
PC software: $14 million (up 14 percent from $12 million)
Accessories: $129 million (up 9 percent from $118 million)

“Total video game spending in July 2017, which includes hardware, software and accessories, grew 19 percent versus year ago to $588m. Growth was seen across all categories of spending. The launch of Splatoon 2 on the Nintendo Switch, and month 2 sales of Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy drove software gains, while new supply of Nintendo Switch and continued strength of PlayStation 4 pushed hardware higher.

“Nintendo’s Splatoon 2 was the best-selling title of the month. Three of the month’s top seven best-selling games are published by Nintendo. Nintendo was also the best-selling software publisher in July.”

Nintendo Switch

Splatoon 2*
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
Mario Kart 8*
ARMS*
1-2 Switch*
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers*
Lego City Undercover*
Cars 3: Driven to Win*
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star*
Just Dance 2017*

Nintendo 3DS

Pokemon: Sun*
Miitopia*
Super Smash Bros.*
Pokemon: Moon*
Super Mario Maker*
Hey! Pikmin*
Mario Kart 7*
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia*
Ever Oasis*
Mario Sports Superstars*

The best-selling games of 2017 so far

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
For Honor
Grand Theft Auto V
Horizon Zero Dawn
Injustice 2
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
NBA 2K17
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

The best-selling games over the last 12 months

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Battlefield 1
NBA 2K17
Madden NFL 17
Grand Theft Auto V
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
FIFA 17
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
Final Fantasy XV
For Honor

Hardware & accessories

“Year to date, hardware spending has grown 20 percent versus 2016 to $1.6 billion. Performance of the Nintendo Switch continues to be the primary cause of the year-on-year gains. Sony’s PlayStation 4 is the best-selling hardware platform year to date.

Many people thought Pokemon Co. would release a Pokemon Grey title as a follow-up to Pokemon Black/White, but that never came to be. Now we've find out why that is, thanks to Game Informer's chat with Junichi Masuda...

Somewhat related – they did talk about why Pokémon Grey wasn't a thing after Black and White. Masuda said thematically, the game is about the opposition of good and evil, black and white, yin and yang, etc., and to have a Pokémon Grey would have been in opposition of that theme.

Well here's something either quite exciting or disappointing, depending on how you look at it. People have been pouring through the source code of Mega Man Legacy Collection 2, and they've found at least three different references to a 3DS version. There's multiplayer connectivity pertaining to 3DS, discussion of the SD Card slot, and then a specific file name ending with msg_3DS.bin.

What does all this mean? Well, most likely, it means a version of the game was in development for 3DS at some point, or is being worked on right now. Of course, there's also the slight chance this code could pertain to another project the devs were/are working on, but we're leaning more towards the Mega Man connection.

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walmart will be the exclusive retail partner for a new Nintendo Switch bundle that includes a download code for the Splatoon 2 game, a fresh carrying case and colorful new Joy-Con controllers in Neon Pink and Neon Green. The bundle will be available starting Sept. 8 at a suggested retail price of $379.99 and offers fans in North America their first chance to get their hands on that Joy-Con color combination.

“Consumers in Japan and Europe have already had a strong response to Splatoon 2 bundles in their territories,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This exclusive Walmart bundle gives people who have been waiting to buy a Nintendo Switch a great value and incentive to get splatting.”

Nintendo also announced the topic of its next Splatfest competition, which will run Sept. 1-2. Participants will pick a side to fight alongside in online Turf War battles by choosing which superpower they would prefer: flight or invisibility. Additional details about the Splatfest will be announced in the future.

The Splatfest is just one of many new elements in the slate of ongoing content updates and in-game events keeping Splatoon 2 fans engaged, with more and more players jumping into battle every day. There have already been more than 400 million online battles fought across the global player base, and after less than a month on store shelves, Splatoon 2 joins other global million-selling Nintendo Switch hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, 1-2-Switch and ARMS.

For additional details about Splatoon 2, visit http://splatoon.nintendo.com. Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch.

Nintendo eShop (Switch)

Sonic Mania (SEGA USA) - €19.99/£15.99
Experience the ultimate celebration of past and future in Sonic Mania, an all-new 2D Sonic adventure running at a crisp 60FPS with stunning HD retro-style graphics. Multiple playable characters give you the ability to go explosively fast as Sonic, soar as Tails, or power through tough obstacles with Knuckles’ brute strength. You can re-live the Sonic of the past with an exciting new twist on classic zones while fighting against new bosses and Dr. Eggman’s evil robot army. Go head to-head with players in Competition Mode or play in Co-Op Mode with a friend. Sonic Mania was developed by Christian Whitehead, Headcannon, and PagodaWest Games in collaboration with Sonic Team. Welcome to Sonic Mania!

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition Demo (Ubisoft) - Free
Rayman rocks again on Nintendo Switch! Discover the ultimate experience of the acclaimed platformer with Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition Demo.

The Jackbox Party Pack (Jackbox Games) - €20.99/£18.99
For 1-100 players! Your phones or tablets are your controllers! Players play using their phones, tablets, or even computers as controllers – making it the perfect easy-in entertainment piece for your next game night or party. Once a game is started from the in-pack menu, players simply connect to the “jackbox.tv” web address on their device and then enter the on-screen room code to enter a game. No big mess of controllers needed! You’re gonna need more than one party for this. Note: The games included in this pack are in English only.

The Jackbox Party Pack 2 (Jackbox Games) - €20.99/£18.99
The sequel to the party game phenomenon The Jackbox Party Pack, featuring FIVE fresh, rib-tickling party games! Players play using their phones, tablets, or even computers as controllers – making it the perfect easy-to-join party starter. No extra controllers needed! And, spectators can join and affect some games by playing as Audience members! NOTE: This game is local play only. It’s a game-night riot in a box… without the box! Note: The games included in this pack are in English only.

ACA NEOGEO MAGICIAN LORD (HAMSTER) - €6.99/£6.29
MAGICIAN LORD is a side-scrolling action game released by SNK in 1990. This fantasy action game was one of the launch titles on NEOGEO. Control the magician Elta on a journey to save the world from Gal-Agiese, who came back to life once again.

Troll and I (Maximum Games) - €34.99/£24.99
Deep in the Nordic wilderness, a teenage boy named Otto is forced to flee his home after a band of brutal hunters rip through his village in search of a mythical creature rumoured to inhabit the forest. Now on the run for his life, Otto inadvertently finds and befriends the elusive creature being sought by the hunters. Thus begins the perilous adventure of Troll and Otto. Together, the unlikely friends embark on a journey through treacherous territory plagued with rivals. Natives to the forest, Troll and Otto must use their inherent skills to sneak, strategize, and battle their way back home. The forest is filled with unknowns, and teamwork is pivotal to staying alive.


Nintendo eShop (3DS)

Chicken Wiggle (Atooi) - €14.99/£13.49
The stars of Chicken Wiggle are an improbable duo: a young chicken and his best buddy – a wiggly worm – nestled in his backpack! Together, they team up for adventure to jump, peck, and worm-grapple across a myriad of perplexing platforming levels – full of fun gadgets, tricky hazards, and sneaky foes – determined to rescue their friends from the wicked witch in her sky towers.

SmileBASIC (SMILEBOOM) - €9.50/£8.00
SmileBASIC is a portable version of a programming language known as BASIC. BASIC is a programming language designed to help beginners learn to program. As soon as you start SmileBASIC, you can begin programming! When you're finished, you can play the game you made! Enjoy intuitive, trouble-free programming.

Little Adventure on the Prairie (Infinite Madaa) - €3.49/£2.99
A short and fun platforming adventure game. Venture through 12 levels of pure slaughter and mindlessly try to kill all the monsters that are facing you. Want to finish the last level from the first time without dying? Try using the different items throughout the levels to overcome all the monsters and obstacles easier.

Pic-a-Pix Colour - Small Puzzles 9 (Lightwood Games, Add-on Content) - €1.99/£1.99
Pic-a-Pix Colour - Large Puzzles 9 (Lightwood Games, Add-on Content) - €1.99/£1.99
SmileBASIC: Advanced Sound Processing Unit (SMILEBOOM) - €7.50/£6.25
SmileBASIC: Gold Membership (30 days) (SMILEBOOM) - €1.50/£1.25
SmileBASIC: Gold Membership (90 days) (SMILEBOOM) - €4.50/£3.75
SmileBASIC: Gold Membership (180 days) (SMILEBOOM) - €7.50/£6.25

Special offers
Hit Ninja (Petite Games, New 3DS only) - €1.59/£1.43 (Ends August 31, normally €1.99/£1.79)
Pinball Breakout (nuGAME, New 3DS only) - €4.90/£4.20 (Ends September 14, normally €7.00/£6.00)
Collide-a-Ball (STARSIGN) - €0.99/£0.99 (Ends September 7, normally €1.99/£1.99)
Ping Pong Trick Shot (STARSIGN) - €0.99/£0.99 (Ends September 7, normally €1.99/£1.99)
Quiet, Please! (Nostatic Software) - €2.79/£2.39 (Ends August 24, normally €3.49/£2.99)
Fantasy Pirates (EnjoyUp Games) - €1.80/£1.80 (Ends September 14, normally €4.50/£4.50)
RV-7 My Drone (EnjoyUp Games) - €1.19/£1.19 (Ends September 14, normally €2.99/£2.99)
TOYS VS MONSTERS (EnjoyUp Games) - €1.59/£1.59 (Ends September 14, normally €3.99/£3.99)
VAN HELSING SNIPER ZX100 (EnjoyUp Games) - €2.66/£2.66 (Ends September 14, normally €6.66/£6.66)
Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D Download Version (Zordix AB) - €4.99/£4.49 (Ends August 24, normally €9.99/£8.99)
Sudoku Party (Lightwood Games) - €4.00/£3.60 (Ends August 31, normally €5.00/£4.50)
Word Search by POWGI (Lightwood Games) - €6.39/£4.79 (Ends August 24, normally €7.99/£5.99)


Nintendo eShop (Wii U)

Pic-a-Pix Colour - Small Puzzles 9 (Lightwood Games, Add-on Content) - €1.99/£1.99

Special offers
FAST Racing NEO (Shin'en Multimedia) - €11.20/£8.20 (Ends September 7, normally €14.99/£10.99)
Laser Blaster (Petite Games) - €1.59/£1.43 (Ends August 31, normally €1.99/£1.79)
Star Splash: Shattered Star (Snails Animation) - €2.09/£1.79 (Ends September 7, normally €3.49/£2.99)
Sudoku Party (Lightwood Games) - €4.00/£3.60 (Ends August 31, normally €5.00/£4.50)
Word Search by POWGI (Lightwood Games) - €6.39/£4.79 (Ends August 24, normally €7.99/£5.99)

My Nintendo Rewards
Pokémon Rumble U (Nintendo) - 350 PP for 35% discount (Ends October 31)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (Nintendo, DS VC) - 200 PP for 30% discount (Ends October 31)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (Nintendo, GBA VC) - 200 PP for 30% discount


Nintendo 3DS Theme Shop
New themes will be available on August 18.

Kirby 25th Anniversary (Nintendo) - €1.99/£1.79
Kirby, Waddle Dee, Meta Knight, King Dedede and others appear in this lively theme to celebrate Kirby's 25th anniversary.

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch
Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure – Embark on a perilous quest across the Overworld, to the End and beyond. With a team of friends at your side, and a troubled land in need of heroes, your decisions – what you say and do – drive the story around you, so choose wisely! The Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure game includes all five episodes of Season One and all three episodes of the Adventure Pass. The game will be available on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch on Aug. 22.

Nintendo eShop sales:

Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals.

Activities:

My Nintendo Rewards – The Flip Wars game for the Nintendo Switch console is now available. This tense multiplayer action game will have you stomping to flip over panels – and unwitting opponents! To win, flip the most panels to your color in local battles, online* or single-player. To celebrate the launch, we’re featuring My Nintendo rewards for players who love a good virtual battle.

Redeem your points for 30 percent off:
Tank Troopers (Nintendo 3DS): Choose a tank, pick troopers and battle your friends via local wireless**. Each trooper has a special ability, from electric shocks to healing. Deploy them tactically to win 30+ custom tanks with unique stats. Battle with bombs, on teams or in a free-for-all – but always fight! Fight! FIGHT!

The Wonderful 101 (Wii U): Developed by Platinum Games, play as Wonder Red, leader of the Wonderful 100. Unite your band of Wonderful Ones to morph into powerful transformations such as a fist, sword, glider and gun to battle invaders throughout Blossom City and across the world. The Wonderful 100 – and YOU – are the city’s best weapon.

You can also pick up the Smash Controller application on the Nintendo 3DS system for just 10 Gold Points. This application lets you use your Nintendo 3DS family system as a controller when playing the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U game – even without owning the Nintendo 3DS version of the game.

Plus, you can redeem points for Flip Wars and Tank Troopers wallpapers. Interested in more action-packed, battle-based games?

Also new this week:
The Jackbox Party Pack (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
The Jackbox Party Pack 2 (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
ACA NEOGEO Magician Lord (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
Sky Ride (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
Chicken Wiggle (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
Alchemic Dungeon (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)