Latest Features
A good week for indie titles
The indie scene has a strong output this week, with four thumbs ups and one maybe. We’ve got some great niche picks, like the bizarrely entertaining puzzler Please Don’t Touch Anything, pixelated arcade racing fun in Desert Child, a first-person, dungeon crawler RPG with Crimson Keep, sluggish steampunk puzzling with...
Guide Best Nintendo Christmas Gifts For 2018
'Tis the season to be jolly
It's that time of year when we look forward to the Holidays on the one hand, and suffer sweaty brows on the other as we fret over late gift purchases. What to get your Nintendo-obsessed loved one this festive season? What gift will be good enough? Well, don't fret, we've looked around the web to find a range of gifts...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 8th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
As regular readers will know, every weekend we post a write-up of the games Team Nintendo Life will be playing in our spare time. As you'll also likely know, this week saw the release of a pretty major Nintendo game, and you can probably guess where this week's entries are headed. So, please accept our...
Feature How A Chinese Studio Has Revived Fire Emblem's Biggest Rival, Langrisser
And there's the chance it could come to Switch
While Nintendo's Fire Emblem series is world famous, Masaya's Langrisser franchise (you might know it better as Warsong, the western name given to the original Mega Drive / Genesis game) is less well known; its origins line in a series of turn-based strategy titles on the PC Engine, and during the early...
Exclusive A 'Behind-The-Schemes' Look At The Making Of GRIS, Switch's Latest Indie Darling
A sight to behold
It's no secret that we're quite taken with the art style of GRIS, the upcoming puzzle platformer from Nomada Studio and Devolver which centres around the titular character's journey to overcome her own grief. With a little over a week to go until the game releases, we won't have to wait long to learn more, but in the meantime, we...
Nindie Round Up Demetrios, Storm Boy, Soap Dodgem, I am the Hero And Screencheat: Unplugged
Indie goodness before Smash
If you can’t afford Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this Friday, then perhaps you’ll prefer something indie-flavoured to entertain you. This week, we have mediocre puzzling that belongs on iOS/Android in Soap Dodgem, point and click fun in Paris with Demetrios: The Big Cynical Adventure, combos galore in beat em’ up I am...
Feature What The Smash Pros Have Done To Prepare For Smash Bros. Ultimate
"You can tell Nintendo's pulling out all the stops"
Look outside. Do you see it? Can you sense it? At this very moment, everybody everywhere has Smash Bros. fever. The next-level anticipation for the sequel to the 3DS/Wii U title of 2014 is about to end. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is days away from (official) release. For some, this may be their...
Feature SNES Classic Edition Vs. PlayStation Classic - Which One Should You Choose?
16-bit or 32-bit?
Nintendo wasn't the first company to wake up to the idea of repackaging its games in tiny versions of classic consoles – Sega and Atari (from a licencing perspective, at least) were there a long, long time ago – but its entry into this previously niche sector certainly made an impact. The NES Classic Edition and SNES Classic...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - November 2018
November's best Switch eShop games!
With November now well and truly behind us, it's time to look back at the wonderful selection of digital delights that graced the Switch over the last 30 days. Once again, Team Nintendo Life has been passionately squabbling amongst ourselves to vote for our eShop games of the month, all in an effort to bring you a...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 1st)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Yet another week has just flown by and we now find ourselves in the bitterly cold month of December (unless you're one of the lucky ones enjoying the warmth of summer in Australia). As it's the weekend, Team Nintendo Life has got together once again to talk about which games we'll be enjoying over the next few...
Deals Catch Yourself A Sweet Pokémon Inspired T-Shirt
Currently 25% Off
It's been a huge month for Pokémon with the release of Pokémon: Let's Go launching on Nintendo Switch. Whilst we reviewed the game positively, some fans were annoyed with the game despite the developers making it clear that the next real Pokémon game will be due next year.
Genres and techno soundtracks aplenty
This week’s Nindie round up features a delightful array of genres that’ll take you from role-playing as a light-hearted baker to a psychotic murderer. We have slasher strategy in Party Hard, a simplistic gravity manipulation platforming in Dexteritrip, a retro 8-bit platformer in Kuso, an anime-infused...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 24th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another Saturday has crept into view, with yet another chance for us to discuss our weekend gaming plans. Just like last week, you can expect plenty of Pokémon entries from Team Nintendo Life this time around, although we also have a healthy dose of competitive online play and even world domination to attend...
Guide Best Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2018 Deals
Give thanks for these awesome deals
It's that time, once again, when shoppers around the world prepare to brave the crowds in search of bargains. The Black Friday festivities are mostly based in crowded stores, though plenty of deals can also be hunted down online. For gamers, it's often a time of year for stocking up on goodies ahead of the festive...
Feature Dark Horse On Creating The Ultimate Companion To The World Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
"I played it like an archaeologist"
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was perhaps the perfect launch title for Switch; not only is it a critically-acclaimed classic in its own right, but it also took the beloved series in an exciting new direction, something which could also be said about the Switch itself, thanks to its unique hybrid nature...
Feature Remembering Zelda: Ocarina of Time, 20 Years Later
A story of the best game ever made
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time turns 20 years old today. It's older than this site; in fact, it's older than most gaming sites. Despite its age, Ocarina's influence can be found in games big and small to this day. It's also still the highest rated game of all time according to Metacritic. It's still an...
Soapbox Don't Listen To The Pokémon: Let’s Go Haters - The Game Has Definitely Found Its Audience
Serebii's Joe Merrick looks at the facts
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Serebii owner and Nintendo Life contributor Joe Merrick finally addresses the topic of Pokémon: Let's Go sales figures... Pokémon Let’s Go...
Gallery Surprise, 8BitDo's N30 Pro 2 Is Another Must-Have Switch Controller
Now with motion control and vibration!
With the likes of the SN30 and SN30 Pro - as well as DIY kits - 8BitDo is responsible for some of the best third-party controller options for Nintendo fans, and this year has updated its wildly popular
Hands On Digging Deep Into The Weird And Wonderful World Of The Unlikely Legend Of Rusty Pup
Dog days
First impressions are important, and The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup wastes no time in underlining how refreshingly unique it is. This mechanical puzzle-platform game – which was originally slated for the Wii U and 3DS but is now on the way to the Switch – has been developed over the past four years by UK studio Gory Detail, which is...
Which are worth a look?
Those of you who have been visiting Nintendo Life since the days of the Wii and Wii U will have no doubt noticed that we're struggling to cover all of the content that hits the eShop each week. While we used to review every single game that arrived on the Wii U and 3DS, the avalanche of games coming to Switch means we simply...
Guide How To Transfer Pokémon From Pokémon GO To Pokémon: Let's Go On Nintendo Switch
What are you waiting for?!
Niantic has made no secret of the fact you can connect Pokémon GO to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, allowing you to transfer your favourite monsters between your phone and Nintendo Switch. There are numerous benefits for doing this, like earning bonus XP and Candy, the Mystery Box item, and to see...
Hands On What We Learned From Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Near-Final Preview Build
New details on World of Light, Spirit Board and more
At the time of writing, we’re mere weeks away from Nintendo’s most hotly-anticipated game of the year: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With the game’s final direct having aired a few weeks ago, many were left wanting to know more about the game’s particulars, especially with regard to the...
Feature Inside The Twisted And Abusive Culture Of Yasha Haddaji's Nintendo Russia
"He has no business being an executive"
Yasha Haddaji (middle) with other Nintendo staff Footage of a high-ranking executive publicly cursing at workers is definitely not something we expect to see from a company as concerned with its family-friendly image as Nintendo, but while it was shocking to see Nintendo RU General Manager Yasha Haddaji...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 17th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another Saturday is now upon us, bringing with it another chance to sit down and play some of our favourite games. This weekend just so happens to see the release of one of the biggest games of the year for Nintendo, and it therefore comes as very little surprise that almost the entire team is getting stuck...
Feature The History Of The Civilization Series
From PC to Switch: How Sid Meier's world-beating franchise has evolved
It’s four minutes ‘til bedtime and you’ve got work/class in the morning – time for one more race, one more round, one more turn. We’ve all been there. Before you know it, forty-five minutes have slipped by and your self-imposed time limit has come and gone. And the...
Guide Best Nintendo Switch Hardware Bundle Deals For Christmas 2018
Which Switch this Xmas?
In the market for a new Nintendo Switch for Christmas this year? Well, you have a wide variety of options, from default consoles to special bundles packed with free games and extras. At this point in the Switch's lifespan, we'd strongly encourage you to opt for the latter, as that's where the best value for money lies. The...
Review Poké Ball Plus - The Most Imperfect Perfect Accessory You Could Imagine
Balls up?
Nintendo – perhaps unlike any other games company – understands the connection between video gaming and the physical world. That might sound like a rather silly statement to make as every firm involved in the making of interactive entertainment has to consider how the player will interact physically with the game itself, but with...
Let’s Go!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is nearly here. Undoubtedly, one of the two biggest Nintendo Switch games of the year, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! launches in just over two weeks, so there’s not long left to ensure you’ve got yourself a copy. Uber fans will probably want more than just the game...
Let’s Go!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is nearly here. Undoubtedly, one of the two biggest Nintendo Switch games of the year, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! launches in just over two weeks, so there’s not long left to ensure you’ve got yourself a copy. Uber fans will probably want more than just the game...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 10th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Once again, we find ourselves at the end of another week, and now it's time for Team Nintendo Life to gather 'round and discuss all of the lovely games we'll be playing over the next couple of days. We've got demon slaying, RPG beating, and even some real-life Pokémon catching on the agenda this week, so make...
Feature Rebellion Talks Tanks, Porting To Switch And Battlezone: Gold Edition
"We’re fans of the system here at Rebellion. So, please watch this space"
Over 18 months into life, Nintendo Switch's library continues to grow with the most diverse collection of games to ever appear on a Nintendo platform. So, of course, the hybrid little wonder is getting a port of the non-VR version of the 2017 reboot of first-person tank...
Guide Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Explained
Get into the spirit
Spirits are a new feature recently revealed for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch, but they're not exactly the most straightforward of inclusions. As such we've taken it upon ourselves to try and help explain the whole thing for you. If you'd rather just have the information fired directly into your ears and eyes rather...
Guide Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo - Where to Buy Ridley, Wolf, King K. Rool, and More
Toying with the idea?
With a new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comes with it a raft of new amiibo. Nintendo's pulled no punches here either, with a physical toy version of every single new fighter in the latest version of Smash. That includes epic new fighters in the form of Ridley from Metroid, Wolf from Star Fox and King K. Rool from Donkey Kong...
Feature Port Masters Virtuos On Bringing Dark Souls: Remastered To Switch And Future Projects
"We will have some exciting high-profile Switch games coming out soon"
Dark Souls: Remastered may have taken its sweet time in getting to the Switch, but the port was more than worth the wait. Lordran looks just as grim and foreboding on Nintendo's handheld as it does on other platforms, and the fact that you can now play the game on the move is a...
Deals Play-Asia's Black Friday Sale Has Kicked Off Early - Here Are The Best Nintendo Offers So Far
Get in quick
Yes, we know that Black Friday isn't for a few weeks yet, but that hasn't stopped online retailer Play-Asia from kicking off its sale a little early. The importer has loads of Nintendo-related items on sale, and we've compiled the best deals below. We'll keep an eye on the site and update this page as often as we can, because more...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - October 2018
October's best Switch eShop games!
The spooky month of October has now been and gone, once again providing us with a healthy dose of frighteningly good games to play on Switch. As is now tradition, Team Nintendo Life has banded together to discuss our favourite eShop games of the month, all in an effort to bring you a definitive list of the best...
Preview Battle Princess Madelyn Effortlessly Steps Into Sir Arthur's Boots
Ghouls 'n Ghosts fans, rejoice
It’s been well documented by the team at Causal Bit Games that Battle Princess Madelyn is both a love letter and spiritual sequel to Capcom’s Ghouls ‘n Ghosts series. As for the rest of the title, the inspiration comes directly from the mind of a child who happens to be one of the creator’s daughters. As you...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 3rd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Yet another week has flown by, leaving us with a couple of days to sit back, relax, and enjoy some great gaming sessions. Halloween has been and gone and we're now into the month of November so have a read of our thoughts, and tell us about your plans via the poll and comments below. Enjoy! Liam Doolan - News...
Poll What Do You Want To See From The Final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct?
It's the last one, don't forget...
The launch of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate looms ever closer, and yesterday Nintendo announced that the final Direct broadcast relating to the game will go live today at 15:00 CET / 7AM PT / 10AM ET. As is so often the case, we don't actually know what this broadcast will involve - the only solid information is that...
Hardware Classics Sega Mega Drive / Genesis
The genesis of Sega's superstardom
To mark the 30th birthday of Sega's 16-bit system, we thought you might like to reacquaint yourselves with this feature, which was originally published back in March 2013. It's fitting that the first non-Nintendo entry in our Hardware Classics series should be the Sega Mega Drive. This sleek 16-bit powerhouse...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 27th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Yet another week has flown by, leaving us with a couple of days to sit back, relax, and enjoy some great gaming sessions. We have a variety of spooky Halloween scares, super space-exploration shenanigans, and succulent squid-shooter successes to attend to this weekend, so have a read of our thoughts, and tell...
Feature Castlevania Season 2 Review: Drac's Back In A Vastly Superior Second Series
Read our spoiler-free review of Netflix's second blood-sucking season
The first series of Netflix's gore-soaked and expletive-packed Castlevania adaptation went down a treat, as you'll know if you read our exhaustive review. While it was a little on the short side, it did an utterly superb job of setting the scene and fleshing out the main...
Feature Cat-Based Metroidvania A Purrtato Tail Is Clawing Its Way To Switch Next Year
Potatoes + Cats = Purrtato
We like potatoes and we like cats, so when we were told by Colorado-based Drunk Robot Games that its upcoming adventure game about cat-potatoes, A Purrtato Tail, is headed to Nintendo Switch alongside other consoles and Steam in 2019, we were understandably excited. A Purrtato Tail is an open-world puzzle adventure about a...
Soapbox I'm Causing The Slow Death Of Gaming Magazines, And It Hurts
Paper pathos
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Damien sadly reflects on the death of gaming magazines and the fact that he's actively contributing to the sorry situation... Last week, we reported on the rather...
Soapbox I'm Causing The Slow Death Of Gaming Magazines, And It Hurts
Paper pathos
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Damien sadly reflects on the death of gaming magazines and the fact that he's actively contributing to the sorry situation... Last week, we reported on the rather...
Riding on Nintendo's coat-tails might not be the silliest idea...
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Damien picks apart Huawei's recent bold claims that its new Mate 20 X smartphone trumps the Nintendo Switch as a...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 20th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Sitting at the end of a week which has seen two particularly high profile Switch releases, it perhaps comes as no surprise that many members of the NL team are getting stuck into Ubisoft's space extravaganza and FromSoftware's exploration of hellish landscapes. As always, you can check out all of the games...
Feature Two Tribes On Why Swap This! Is A Puzzler Not To Be Missed And The Studio's Future
"We know a lot of people are sceptical"
Earlier this week, developer Two Tribes (famous for titles such as Toki Tori and RIVE amongst many others) teased an upcoming game. The collective mind of the internet used its almighty brain power to work out that it could be a Switch version of
Guide Pokémon GO Stat Changes - The October 2018 Gen 4 Update Explained
Life is Blissey
Pokémon GO finally received its hotly-anticipated Gen 4 update yesterday, introducing a bunch of new monsters into the various facets of the game for you to catch all over again. Not all of the 107 Gen 4 Pokémon are available from the get-go, though. Instead, the rest will roll out intermittently, just like Niantic did with the...
Talking Point Nintendo Has Stumbled With Switch Online, But It Can Learn From Its Mistakes
"Learning when and how to react is not a natural skill"
It's long been said – mostly by the company's critics, admittedly - that Nintendo 'doesn't get' online. While Microsoft and Sony (and, you could argue, Sega) led the charge when it came to connecting console gamers to the World Wide Web, Nintendo was happy to sit back and focus on producing...