GYGO Nintendo: Lawsuits, Tariffs, and New Nintendo Online Games

Hello, fellow Ninten-dawgs. I hope that you are staying cozy this winter, wrapped up playing your game of choice. My game lately has been Hello Kitty Island Adventure. I’m loving it. I hope that this successful console release means that more updates and additions are coming for the game. If you haven’t played it, I definitely recommend. Alright, let’s get into what Nintendo has been up to.

Surprise, Surprise… Another Lawsuit

Amazon and Nintendo are stepping up their fight against counterfeit Nintendo products, asking the court for a default judgment of over $7 million after the accused sellers ghosted the initial lawsuit. Originally filed in October 2023, the case goes after third-party sellers who allegedly broke their agreements by offloading fake Amiibo cards, posters, and Nintendo DS cartridges on Amazon. According to court documents, these knockoff products—confirmed as counterfeit by Nintendo—were sold across multiple accounts, bringing in at least $2.3 million. Amazon has since shut down the accounts, and both companies are doubling down on efforts to crack down on fakes.

Nintendo and Amazon argue that this whole operation didn’t just cost them financially—it also hurt Nintendo’s reputation. While statutory damages could have hit as high as $54 million, they landed on the $7 million request by tripling the total sales of each seller. Now it’s up to the court to decide.

Trump Tariffs May Impact Console Prices

President Trump has delayed his potential 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods after some talks, but a new 10% tariff on all Chinese imports kicked in on February 4—adding to any tariffs already in place. Since almost all manufacturing for the games industry is done in China—everything from consoles and components to board game miniatures—the higher tariffs mean we might soon see higher prices on all our favorite gadgets.

Back in 2019, when similar tariffs were in effect, consoles and some tech got a pass, but this time, no such luck—leading to major grumbles from the Entertainment Software Association. Experts like NYU’s Joost van Dreunen and WSU’s Christopher Clarke warn that these tariffs could trickle down through the whole supply chain, potentially jacking up costs for everything, including the Nintendo Switch 2.

Companies are still sorting through the fallout, and while the full impact isn’t crystal clear yet, it’s safe to say that this tariff roller coaster might shake up the gaming world in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

New Games for Nintendo Online Members

• FATAL FURY 2: This fighting game was released for the Super NES in 1994, introducing new tactics like a two-line battle system that lets you move and knock opponents across lines, and super moves that are unleashed when you’re low on health. It’s all about using your fighter’s skills to claim the title of King.

 

• Super Ninja Boy: A 1993 adventure that mixes RPG and action, where you fight powerful foes by using items and cool ninja moves like Throwing Stars or Moonsault Kicks. You can go solo or team up with a second player, unlocking epic combined moves like the Tower Mega-Attack.
• Sutte Hakkun: This action-puzzle game first came out in 1998 on the Japanese Nintendo Power service and later hit the Super Famicom in 1999. You play as Hakkun, who can suck up blocks and spit them out to create paths.
• Ridge Racer 64: This arcade racing game, released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, offers nine courses across three environments.

 

• Wario Land 4: Wario Land 4 is a 2001 platformer developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It marks the fifth entry in the quirky Wario Land series, continuing the offbeat adventures of everyone’s favorite antihero, Wario.

 

In other news…

The Japanese eShop is introducing a new manga e-reader for the Switch. While it may seem late in the console’s lifespan to add this feature, it’s an exciting development for manga fans. Currently, there’s no word on an international release, but if you’re interested in reading comics on your Switch, you can check out a similar app called InkyPen, which is already available.

Alarmo’s webpage is up and running. Alarmo will be available at participating retailers on on Mario Day, March 10th.

Thanks for reading. Next month’s update is sure to be another big one as more news of the Nintendo Switch 2 starts to arrive. Happy gaming!