You won’t believe what we hit this week — and why a surprise game drop shook the charts. Read on for the biggest updates from May 7, 2024.
Celebrating 800 Recargas Activas and the Guadalindie buzz
We reached the milestone of 800 Recargas Activas — a number that crept up fast and already feels like part of the morning routine. After a run of episodes exclusive to Patreon, the format has settled in and it’s hard to imagine a weekday without the show’s opening jingle. The tally comes on the heels of a trip to Málaga for the first edition of Guadalindie, which returned full of warmth and success. We recorded a live, in-person Podcast Reload during the festival weekend; that episode is now available if you missed the live show.
Nintendo’s fiscal report: a new console is coming, but not at June Direct
Nintendo published its annual financial report and confirmed a successor to the Switch will be revealed during the current fiscal year (i.e., before April 2025). Company president Shuntaro Furukawa explicitly said the new hardware will not be announced at the June Nintendo Direct. Fans have been speculation-heavy — including talk in our last Reload about a possible codename like “Nintendo Switch Attach” after some curious packaging — but Nintendo has only confirmed the announcement window for now.
The report also highlights software performance:
– Super Mario Bros. Wonder has sold 13.44 million copies since its October release — impressive given it’s had under six months on sale.
– The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom sits at 20.61 million.
– Mario Kart 8 Deluxe added another 8.18 million sales, bringing it to nearly 62 million total.
– Both Princess Peach Showtime! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong have surpassed one million copies sold; Peach reached that mark in under two weeks.
On the hardware side, Nintendo recorded sales of 15.7 million Switch units in the fiscal period covered by the report, contributing to a lifetime total of 141.32 million Switch consoles sold. Nintendo’s forecast is optimistic: the company expects to sell 13.5 million Switch systems by March 31 of next year — a pace that, if met, could push the platform toward being the best-selling console ever.
Hades II drops into early access without warning
Supergiant Games released Hades II into early access unexpectedly yesterday, shortly after closing a public technical test. The title appeared on Steam and the Epic Games Store, delighting many long-time fans. The surprise launch also had side effects: it drew player attention away from several smaller indie releases that were competing for visibility during the same window.
Remedy cancels Kestrel to prioritize existing franchises
Remedy Entertainment has shelved Kestrel, a cooperative multiplayer project that had been in development alongside Tencent. The project had undergone a restart last November, but Remedy announced this morning that development has been canceled so the studio can refocus resources on established franchises. The decision was communicated via an official studio statement.
Two events to put on your calendar: LudoNarraCon and QuakeCon
LudoNarraCon returns as a digital festival from May 9–13. The event will offer developer talks, demos, and festival discounts, much like previous editions. The official showcase includes a varied lineup: The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, Harold Halibut, Lil Guardsman, Nirvana Noir, The Mermaid Mask, Yes, Your Grace, Pacific Drive, Slay the Princess, A Highland Song, Citizen Sleeper, Stray Gods, Duck Detective, and more.
QuakeCon will take place August 8–11 in Texas. Registration opens May 21 for attendees who want to sign up for the in-person event.
Where to find the podcast and how to support us
If you enjoyed the episodes or want more content, the live Podcast Reload is available to stream. Supporters can access exclusive material on Patreon, and the show’s other podcast episodes are also listed across major platforms for listening.
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Logan Whitmere is a gaming enthusiast who lives and breathes video games. Whether it’s reviews, gaming tips, or news about the latest releases, Logan’s passion and expertise bring the virtual world to life for every reader.