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Nintendo Double Direct: Zelda 40th Sep 8, Switch 2 Showcase Sep 9

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Nintendo has officially confirmed what we expected — but with a twist. Instead of the one rumoured September 10 showcase, Singapore Switch 2 fans are getting two back-to-back Directs next week, and Zelda is getting a dedicated show all its own.

Official Dates and Times for Singapore

Nintendo confirmed both events on X (Twitter) on 4 September, posting: “Join us next week for two #NintendoDirect presentations! The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on Sept 8 at 7am PT (Approx 30 mins) — Nintendo Direct on Sept 9 at 7am PT (Approx 45 mins).”

Nintendo confirms The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on 8 September and Nintendo Direct on 9 September 2026
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Both Directs stream on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel. For Singapore, both land at 10pm SGT on consecutive nights:

  • The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct — Tuesday, 8 September at 10pm SGT (~30 minutes)
  • Nintendo Direct — Wednesday, 9 September at 10pm SGT (~45 minutes)
  • Nintendo Treehouse: Live — follows immediately on 9 September from ~11pm SGT (~110 minutes)

This is also notable in Nintendo history: it marks the first time the company has held two full Nintendo Direct livestreams in the same week.

We noted on 1 September that leaks pointed at a single September 10 Direct. Nintendo’s official announcement moved the dates forward and added an entire second showcase.

The Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct — What Could We See?

The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct banner for 8 September 2026
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda first launched in Japan on 21 February 1986 — making 2026 the franchise’s 40th anniversary year. A dedicated 30-minute Direct focused entirely on Zelda is a significant gesture; the series rarely gets its own standalone showcase.

The most-anticipated reveal is confirmation of the Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2, which was teased at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct. Nintendo’s live-action Zelda film (due April 2027) is another candidate for a first proper look. The Direct may also cap off a year of anniversary releases — including a LEGO Zelda set and the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom: Secrets of the Zonai artbook.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask key art — Link holding the Skull Kid mask
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Whether a new mainline Zelda title is in the works remains unconfirmed. Nintendo has kept that quiet all year, which makes the 40th anniversary Direct the most obvious moment to break the silence.

September 9 Nintendo Direct — Winter Software Lineup

Zelda: Ocarina of Time tapestry art showing Link resting in the Deku Tree
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The general Nintendo Direct on 9 September is the standard autumn slate reveal — around 45 minutes of Switch 2 software coming this winter. For Singapore players, this is the event where Nintendo typically confirms eShop pricing, regional release dates, and any late-year bundle news. Nintendo Treehouse: Live follows immediately for roughly 110 minutes of hands-on gameplay.

Nintendo Direct 9.9.2026 official announcement card
Image courtesy of Nintendo

How to Watch from Singapore

Both Directs stream live on Nintendo’s official YouTube channels on consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Nintendo has not yet posted individual stream links for either broadcast, but watch nintendo.com or the Nintendo Direct archive for the stream as it goes live. Set a reminder now — both start at 10pm SGT and the Treehouse runs until around 1am on Thursday morning.

For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage, browse our Game News section.

Game News

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Gets Switch 2 Update — 8 Players, CameraPlay and Faster Loading

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If you haven’t already updated Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on your Nintendo Switch 2, do it now — Nintendo dropped version 4.0.0 on 1 September, and it turns the 2017 fan favourite into a noticeably better party game on the newer hardware.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe racing action on Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch 2 Update Adds

The headlining addition is 8-player local multiplayer. Previously capped at four players in the same room, MK8D now supports up to eight people on a single Switch 2 system. You’ll need up to seven Nintendo Switch controllers connected, and at least one player must use a Joy-Con 2 or Switch 2 Pro Controller to fill that eighth slot. It is the kind of chaotic, sofa-busting mode that makes a family gathering or a flat party genuinely unforgettable.

The patch also delivers proper Switch 2 optimisations across the board: crisper visuals on high-resolution displays and noticeably shorter loading times before races and battles begin.

CameraPlay — Put Your Face in the Race

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe CameraPlay feature showing player faces in circles during an online race
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The other big new feature is CameraPlay, which displays each player’s actual face as a floating circle above their kart during races. A USB camera (sold separately) is required, and you can toggle your camera on or off at any time. In local multiplayer, two to four players can use cameras simultaneously; online, you need an active GameChat session and footage is shared only within that session.

It is a social feature that suits Singapore’s gaming culture well — whether it is a family session in the living room or an online race with friends across the island, seeing a rival’s face light up when you blue-shell them is exactly the kind of moment MK8D has always been built around.

Smaller Tweaks Worth Knowing

A few more changes round out version 4.0.0. Kart speed during races increases by the equivalent of one coin, and Boo’s speed-reduction effect no longer triggers on offroad terrain. Owners of the Booster Course Pass also gain a new “96 Races” preset in VS Race rule settings, letting you set a monster marathon session without manually adjusting the count.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The update is free and applies automatically if auto-updates are enabled, or you can trigger it manually from the game’s update menu. Check out more Game News on GameTrader.SG.

Game News

Intelligent Systems Joins X — Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Lands 17 September on Switch 2

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Intelligent Systems — the studio behind Fire Emblem, WarioWare, and Paper Mario — launched its first official X (formerly Twitter) account on 1 September 2026, making it one of the last major Nintendo developers to establish a direct social media presence. The announcement landed with no fanfare and no game reveals, but the timing tells its own story: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in just 16 days.

A Studio Finally Has a Voice on Social Media

In its inaugural post, as reported by Famitsu (Japanese), the company wrote: “We have opened an official X account for Intelligent Systems. We will share information about our development achievements, recruitment news, and other company-related updates. Please also check our official website.” The account marked its launch with a nod to a piece of series history — the 27th anniversary of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, one of the most beloved and least-accessible entries in the franchise.

For a studio whose franchises have millions of fans worldwide, the absence of official social media presence had always felt like a gap. Intelligent Systems has developed every mainline Fire Emblem title, the WarioWare microgame series, and co-developed Paper Mario alongside Nintendo EPD. Their games move hardware and inspire passionate communities, yet they have communicated almost entirely through Nintendo Directs and their corporate website. The X account changes that, giving the developer a channel to speak directly to fans, surface archival material, and post about their work beyond any single product cycle.

A green-haired character wields a staff in a dramatic scene from Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Watch the Official Trailer

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, launching 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2) — via Nintendo UK on YouTube

Fortune’s Weave — What Switch 2 Owners Need to Know

Fortune’s Weave is the eighteenth mainline Fire Emblem title and the first developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. The game puts players in the shoes of four heroes — Cai, a boy determined to free his imprisoned father; Dietrich, a duelist searching for a stronger opponent; Theodora, a queen pursuing her homeland’s dream; and Leda, a musician driven by revenge — each with their own branching storyline and save file.

The central hook is a time-travel mechanic tied to the goddess Fortuna: after a demon god named Balor destroys the world five years after the Heroic Games, players loop back to the competition and must alter the fates of the four vanished heroes. Between battles, preparation happens at Dagsion’s capital facilities — equipping units, running side battles for experience, and managing the team across all four routes.

Cai speaks to a group of allies in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave's story scenes
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Fortune’s Weave launches digitally at USD $69.99 on the Nintendo eShop. Singapore eShop pricing has not been separately announced; pick up locally at major game retailers and electronics chains, or pre-order through the Nintendo Singapore eShop to confirm your regional price before launch.

Dagdan Collection Special Edition

A physical collector’s bundle, the Dagdan Collection, ships on the same day as the standard edition — 17 September — and includes a steel game case, a set of character art cards, a cloth map of Dagda, and a full artbook. It’s the kind of package that tends to sell out quickly at local retailers, so if you’re planning to grab it, keeping an eye on stock announcements from your preferred store is worth doing now.

The strategic world map of Dagda in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Image courtesy of Nintendo

You can find the Intelligent Systems X account at @INTSYS_Official and browse the full Game News section for more Switch 2 coverage leading into September’s big launches.

Game News, News

Nintendo Switch 2 Rises to US$499.99 from September 1 — What Singapore Fans Need to Know

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Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 MSRP in the United States will rise from US$449.99 to US$499.99 on September 1, 2026 — a US$50 increase that is now less than two weeks away. If you have been sitting on the fence about picking up the console, this is the most practical deadline you will get.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Changes by Region

Nintendo Switch 2 hardware close-up
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The official Nintendo announcement covers the following markets, all with the same September 1 effective date:

  • United States: US$449.99 → US$499.99
  • Canada: CAD $629.99 → CAD $679.99
  • Europe: €469.99 → €499.99
  • Japan: Already raised — from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 on 25 May 2026

Nintendo cited “various changes in market conditions, which are expected to extend over the medium term” as the rationale. Industry coverage has widely attributed the pressure to an AI-driven surge in DRAM demand that has significantly pushed up memory pricing — components the Switch 2 relies on heavily for its 12 GB of system RAM and game storage.

Nintendo Switch 2 – Overview Trailer — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What Does This Mean for Singapore?

Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Nintendo does not operate direct retail in Singapore. The Switch 2 is sold here through licensed distributors and major electronics and game retailers. No official Singapore price revision has been announced alongside the US and European changes, and local authorised retail pricing may absorb or defer the increase differently.

That said, Singapore fans purchasing through grey-market or parallel import channels will feel the effect quickly: retailers that source stock from the US or Europe will face higher wholesale costs from September 1. If you typically buy through a local games shop or importer that stocks from the US, Japan, or Europe, expect retail prices to adjust within weeks of the effective date — if not sooner, as shops reprice existing stock ahead of higher replacement costs.

If you plan to purchase directly from a US or European online retailer and ship it to Singapore, the clock runs out on August 31.

Is Now the Right Time to Buy?

Nintendo Switch 2 console with box
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The Switch 2 launched in April 2026 and has been building a strong library since. This week alone sees two major releases on the platform: Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on August 28 and Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 on August 27. Looking further ahead, Final Fantasy Resonance arrives October 22 and Final Fantasy VII Revelation is confirmed for Spring 2027 — the Switch 2 game pipeline is among the strongest of any Nintendo console at this stage of its life.

Nintendo’s “medium term” language on the price increase suggests this is not a temporary blip. If memory market conditions do not normalise soon, the US$499.99 price point could remain the floor for some time. At US$449.99, the value proposition is meaningfully better — and September 1 is the last day to lock that in from official US channels.

Game News, News

Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Japan Blu-ray Confirmed for October 16

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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — the Nintendo and Illumination co-production that became one of the biggest films of 2026 — is now available to own digitally in Japan from today, August 19. The full home video release (4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD) follows on October 16, with a premium Steelbook edition also confirmed for collectors. For Singapore fans who caught it in theatres and want a copy to keep, here is what you need to know.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Final Trailer — via Illumination on YouTube

A Billion-Dollar Blockbuster Returns

When The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hit theatres in April 2026, it quickly established itself as a phenomenon. Domestically in Japan alone, it grossed ¥7.9 billion — a remarkable figure for an animated co-production — while the worldwide total surpassed US$1 billion. The film follows Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Toad, and Rosalina as they travel beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into the cosmos to confront a galactic threat from Bowser, voiced with scene-stealing menace by Jack Black.

Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Toad at a nighttime celebration in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Image courtesy of Illumination

Japan Home Release Dates at a Glance

Nintendo Japan and Toho announced the home release schedule on August 17, confirmed across AnimAnime (Japanese) and Nintendo Dream Web (Japanese):

  • Digital download sale: August 19, 2026 (today) via Japanese storefronts
  • Digital rental: September 16, 2026
  • 4K UHD + Blu-ray standard edition: October 16, 2026 — ¥7,590
  • Blu-ray + DVD standard edition: October 16, 2026 — ¥5,390
  • 4K UHD + Blu-ray Steelbook edition: October 16, 2026 — ¥8,690
  • Blu-ray + DVD Steelbook edition: October 16, 2026 — ¥6,490

All physical formats pack over 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus content, including character creation stories and cast and crew commentary on key sequences.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie 4K UHD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray + DVD standard editions
Image courtesy of Nintendo/Illumination

The Steelbook — Designed for Display

The Steelbook edition is the standout pick for collectors. Rather than the main cast key art used on the standard cover, the Steelbook wears a deep brown leather-look finish embossed with a Power Star motif — very much in the spirit of a Grandmaster Galaxy prize. Open it up and the inside panel reveals a twilight-hued galactic vista with a castle perched on a floating rock, a genuinely striking piece of shelf art. Two discs (the 4K UHD and a Blu-ray copy) sit neatly inside.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Steelbook edition — leather look with Power Star design and galaxy art inside
Image courtesy of Nintendo/Illumination

Rosalina, Bowser, and What Made This Film Land

Beyond the nostalgia factor, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie earned its box office through character work that surprised many viewers. Rosalina — silent and regal in the games — gets a full arc here, while Bowser’s redesign as a galaxy-conquering sorcerer with glowing lightning bolt armour turned the character into a genuine screen villain rather than a comedy punchline. The film rewards both casual audiences and players who have spent hours chasing Power Stars across galaxies.

Rosalina in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Image courtesy of Illumination
Bowser as the galactic villain in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Image courtesy of Illumination

Singapore Fans: What Are Your Options?

The movie screened at Golden Village cinemas in Singapore when it released in April 2026. If you want to own it digitally, English-language editions have been available on global storefronts — Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and similar services — since May 2026. The Japan-market digital release that begins today is tailored to Japanese storefronts and will carry Japanese-language pricing.

For physical media, the Japan Blu-ray releasing October 16 is importable. Co-productions like this almost always carry the original English audio track alongside the Japanese dub on Japanese releases, so import copies should be fully watchable. The Power Star Steelbook in particular is a strong shelf piece — and at ¥8,690 (roughly S$80–85 at current rates), it is priced competitively against domestic premium editions. Browse our Game News section for more Nintendo and gaming coverage.

Game News

Pokémon Pokopia Reveal Coming at Worlds 2026 — Watch August 21

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Pokémon Trainers, mark your calendars: The Pokémon Company has teased a special Pokémon Pokopia announcement during the World Championships 2026 Preview Show on August 21 — and whatever is coming, the company is clearly keeping it for a big moment.

PokémonXP & 2026 Pokémon World Championships | Official Trailer — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

What Is the Worlds 2026 Preview Show?

Ahead of the main 2026 Pokémon World Championships (August 28–30 in San Francisco), The Pokémon Company is running a Preview Show on August 21 through the official Pokémon Twitch channel and the Play! Pokémon YouTube channel. A teaser from The Pokémon Company’s official programme confirmed that a special Pokopia reveal is part of this stream, as reported by Nintendo Life.

Pokémon Pokopia — official key art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

PokémonXP — Pokopia Bubbly Basin Demo on the Show Floor

Alongside the Championships themselves, PokémonXP is the inaugural Pokémon fan convention running at the Moscone Center from August 28–30. For the first time, the Pokopia Expansion Pass content — specifically the Bubbly Basin DLC that went live on 5 August — will be playable at Nintendo’s booth on the show floor, as confirmed by Nintendo Reporters. Only badged PokémonXP attendees can play; no public demo has been announced.

Pokémon Pokopia — Bubbly Basin DLC underwater area
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What Might Be Revealed?

The Pokémon Company hasn’t confirmed what the Pokopia announcement is. Pokopia launched in March 2026 and has since sold over five million copies. Bubbly Basin (Expansion Pass Part 1) is live; the roadmap lists Part 2 for late 2026 and Part 3 for 2027.

Community speculation leans toward a release window — or a first look — for Expansion Pass Part 2, which The Pokémon Company has described as bringing player accessories, new Pokémon encounters, and new furniture. Treat that as educated guessing for now.

Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass — Parts 1, 2 and 3 overview
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

When and How to Watch — Singapore Time

The Preview Show streams August 21 on the Pokémon Twitch and Play! Pokémon YouTube channels. Japanese gaming media 報道 (Japanese) puts the start at 1pm San Francisco time, which works out to roughly 4am SGT on Saturday, 22 August. Confirm the exact time on the official Pokémon channels before setting that alarm — the official announcement has not specified SGT.

It is a late-night call for Singapore, but if Pokopia is your game, this stream is the place to be.

PokémonXP and 2026 Pokémon World Championships — official promotional image
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Quick Pokopia Facts for SG Players

  • Pokémon Pokopia is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive — Switch 1 is not compatible.
  • The Expansion Pass (Parts 1–3) is an add-on purchase on top of the base game.
  • Part 1 (Bubbly Basin) is live now; Part 2 and Part 3 have no confirmed release dates as of today.
  • Check the Game News section — we’ll update once the August 21 announcement drops.
Pokémon Pokopia — Dynamic Ditto cosmetic pack
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Manga Anime

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Manga Starts 4 September

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Nintendo’s dedicated showcase for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave packed in nearly 20 minutes of game news on 4 August — and at the very last slide, a bonus announcement slipped in that fans of the Engage manga will want to hear about: the new Switch 2 game is getting its own manga serialisation, and the opening chapter lands before the game itself does.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Direct title card — Nintendo Switch 2 branding with four main heroes
Image courtesy of Nintendo
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Direct 8.4.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Announced via @FireEmblemJP at the close of the Direct

At the very end of the Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Direct on 4 August, Nintendo’s official Japanese Fire Emblem account confirmed that a manga adaptation of the upcoming game has been greenlit. The series will run in Saikyo Jump (published by Shueisha) and simultaneously on the Shonen Jump+ digital app. Chapter 0 — the prologue — appears in the October 2026 issue of Saikyo Jump, which publishes in Japan on 4 September 2026, nearly two weeks before the Switch 2 game launches.

No English localisation has been announced. The Fire Emblem Engage manga’s multi-year run was never officially translated, and the same is likely for Fortune’s Weave — at least at launch. That said, Shonen Jump+ is accessible in Singapore and across most of Southeast Asia, so fans comfortable reading in Japanese can follow from Chapter 0 onwards. Search for ファイアーエムブレム 万紫千紅 on the app from 4 September.

Kazurou Kyou returns for round two

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave male Saviour protagonist — official character art in white armour with lance
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The artist behind the pen is Kazurou Kyou, who handled the Fire Emblem Engage manga from March 2023 all the way through to its final volume — Volume 8 — which shipped in Japan just last month, wrapping a run of roughly three years. Kyou is wasting no time: the Engage manga barely had time to cool before the Fortune’s Weave adaptation was announced at the same Direct that unveiled the new game’s full story details.

The teaser illustration Kyou unveiled for Fortune’s Weave already looks striking. The hooded protagonist — the Saviour whose fate ties the whole story together — looms at the top, while Sothis, the goddess returning from Three Houses, holds court at centre. The four Heroic Games competitors (Cai, Dietrich, Leda and Theodora) flank them, with antagonists creeping in at the edges. It reads less like a promotional sketch and more like an opening chapter spread.

If the Engage manga is any guide, the adaptation will follow the game’s storyline while taking creative liberties — Kyou’s previous run was genuinely interesting as a companion read rather than a strict retelling, and longtime Fire Emblem fans appreciated the extra character work it added.

When and where to read

Chapter 0 (prologue): 4 September 2026, in the October 2026 issue of Saikyo Jump and on Shonen Jump+
Ongoing serialisation: Monthly in Saikyo Jump (print) and Shonen Jump+ (digital)
Languages: Japanese only at launch — no English release confirmed
Shonen Jump+: Available in Singapore — the app supports Singapore accounts

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave Dagdan Collection special edition — artbook, character cards, Dagdan world map, steelbook and game card
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The game hits Switch 2 on 17 September

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on 17 September 2026 worldwide. The standard edition is priced at US$69.99 digitally; the physical Dagdan Collection (pictured above) adds an artbook, character art cards, a large Dagdan world map and a steelbook case. Singapore eShop pricing has not been confirmed — check the local eShop closer to launch for the SGD figure.

We covered the full Fortune’s Weave Direct recap here if you want the deep dive on gameplay, classes and the time-manipulation Fortuna’s Blessing system. The manga gives lore fans another way in — and with Chapter 0 arriving before you can even play the game, there has never been a better excuse to finally set up that Shonen Jump+ subscription. Follow our manga and anime coverage as we track both the serialisation and the 17 September launch.

Game News, News

Pokémon Bank Closes February 2027 — Move Your Collection Before It’s Gone

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If you have Pokémon sitting in your 3DS cloud storage right now, The Pokémon Company just handed you a six-month countdown. Pokémon Bank will permanently end service on 26 February 2027 — and when it goes, any Pokémon still inside will be stranded there for good. The announcement came bundled with a wave of genuinely exciting Pokémon HOME updates arriving in October, so there’s plenty of reason to pay attention beyond the bad news.

What Is Pokémon Bank and Why Does the Shutdown Matter?

Pokémon Bank is a 3DS cloud storage app that has kept collections from every major Pokémon game on the platform — X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon — alive and accessible since 2013. For competitive Singapore trainers especially, Bank has been the last official lifeline connecting decade-old 6IV catches and event Pokémon to the modern HOME ecosystem.

Pokémon Bank app logo — service ends February 2027
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Once the service ends, the Bank-to-HOME transfer function shuts down at the same time. Any Pokémon still in Bank’s online Boxes at the cutoff will be permanently inaccessible. There is no offline workaround and no extension is expected. The Pokémon Company is advising all players to transfer their stored Pokémon to Pokémon HOME before the service ends.

Your Deadline: 26 February 2027

The exact shutdown time is 11:00 AM SGT on 26 February 2027 (7:00 PM PST on 25 February). That gives Singapore trainers roughly six and a half months from today. It sounds like a comfortable buffer — but Pokémon Bank’s previous shutdown of the free period in 2024 caught a lot of players off guard, so do not leave this until the final week.

To transfer: boot Pokémon Bank on a 3DS system (the app itself remains free to use until the shutdown date), send your Pokémon to the Home boxes, then open Pokémon HOME on Switch or mobile to receive them. Pokémon HOME itself is not closing — it continues on Switch, iOS, and Android.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Connect to HOME This October

Pokémon FireRed Version gameplay — exploring Kanto on Nintendo Switch
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The Bank announcement was tucked inside a bigger Pokémon HOME news post, and the bigger news is genuinely great. Pokémon HOME version 4.1.0, arriving in October 2026, will add connectivity with Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version — the remakes that dropped on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 back in February 2026.

From October, players will be able to transfer Pokémon caught in FireRed and LeafGreen forward into HOME and from there into other compatible Pokémon games. The official announcement on Pokémon.com does carry one important caveat: the transfer is one-way only. Once a Pokémon leaves FireRed or LeafGreen, it cannot return to that game, and Pokémon from other titles cannot visit Kanto.

Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version on Nintendo Switch — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

Complete the Kanto Pokédex, Claim a Free Celebi

Pokémon FireRed — Gym Leader Misty battle in Cerulean City
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Here is the part worth circling: if you complete the FireRed or LeafGreen Pokédex, you can claim the Mythical Pokémon Celebi via the Pokémon HOME mobile app. The reward does not even require you to transfer anything — simply registering all 151 Kanto species in-game is enough to unlock the claim in the app. For Singapore trainers who picked up the Switch version at launch and have been grinding towards completion, that is a meaningful payoff.

More HOME 4.1.0 Upgrades Worth Knowing

Pokémon FireRed — exploring the Sevii Islands at One Island
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The October update brings a few other quality-of-life wins alongside the FRLG connectivity:

  • Premium storage raised to 9,000 Pokémon (up from 6,000) at no extra cost — useful if Bank transfers push you close to the current cap.
  • Safari Ball transfers from Pokémon GO are now possible for Premium users. The ball will change to a Strange Ball on arrival in HOME, so factor that in if ball authenticity matters for your collection.

A Game News reminder: Pokémon HOME Premium is not expensive, and the storage bump alone makes October a worthwhile time to subscribe if you have been holding off.

What Singapore Trainers Need to Do Right Now

The action list is short but time-sensitive. Check whether you have a working 3DS and a Pokémon Bank subscription (the app is free to use until shutdown). Open the app and review your online Boxes — anything you want to keep needs to move to HOME before 26 February 2027 at 11:00 AM SGT. If you have been hoarding competitive Pokémon from the XY or ORAS era, this is your window.

For players on the Switch versions of FireRed and LeafGreen, October will open the door to moving your Kanto catches into the wider Pokémon ecosystem — and if your Pokédex is close to complete, the free Celebi gives you an extra reason to finish the job before the update drops.

Game News

Sumikko Gurashi Coming to Switch 2 — Cosy Onsen Inn, 19 November

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Nippon Columbia has announced the next Sumikko Gurashi Switch 2 game — and it lets you run a cosy hot spring inn alongside Shirokuma, Penguin?, Tonkatsu and the whole cast. すみっコぐらし ぽかぽか温泉にようこそ (Sumikko Gurashi: Pokapoka Onsen ni Youkoso) launches 19 November 2026 in Japan, with English language support confirmed.

Running a Hot Spring Inn with the Sumikkos — How It Works

Sumikko Gurashi Switch 2 Onsen Inn — gift shop gameplay screenshot
Image courtesy of Nippon Columbia

The setup is simple: the hot spring inn is short-staffed and struggling to keep up, and you are there to help. Guests arrive, chores pile up, and you assist the Sumikko characters with tasks around the facility. As you earn coins, new areas of the inn unlock — a gift shop, an arcade area, more guest rooms — and the inn gradually grows from a quiet retreat into a popular destination.

The pacing leans relaxing rather than stressful. Between tasks, the Sumikkos potter around the inn and soak in the baths, and the game gives you time to simply watch them in their element. There is a furniture and decor customisation system, a sticker album to fill, and a costume collection to build up over time — the same satisfying loop of small goals that has driven the Sumikko Communication series since its 3DS beginnings in 2014.

Mini-Games at the Inn Arcade

Sumikko Gurashi Switch 2 — claw machine mini-game at the inn arcade
Image courtesy of Nippon Columbia

The inn’s arcade section gives players a rotation of mini-games to take a break with: fishing, ring toss, and a claw machine packed with Sumikko plushies. These feed back into the collection system — items won in mini-games can decorate the inn or unlock new outfits for the characters. It is the kind of low-stakes, one-more-go loop that the series handles well.

Release Date, Price, and Key Details for Singapore Fans

The game is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive published by Nippon Columbia, rated CERO A (all ages). Here is what Singapore players need to know:

  • Release date: 19 November 2026 (Japan)
  • Price: ¥6,380 / approximately SGD 57–58 at current exchange
  • Language support: Japanese, English, Korean, Traditional and Simplified Chinese
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (region-free)

The English language support is the headline detail. Sumikko Gurashi has a devoted following in Singapore — the brand’s plush characters, stationery, and merchandise are stocked across local lifestyle and variety shops — and the confirmed English localisation means the game is fully playable for Singapore fans from launch day. No Singapore-specific release or local retail announcement has been made by Nippon Columbia at this stage, but the Nintendo Switch 2 is region-free, so importing from Japan and playing in English is straightforward. Pre-orders are open now on Amazon Japan.

This is the first Sumikko Gurashi game on Nintendo Switch 2, and the first in the Sumikko Communication series to come to a non-Nintendo handheld platform since the 3DS. For more Nintendo Switch 2 game announcements, keep tabs on GameTrader for updates as Nippon Columbia shares more.