Latest Features
Hands On Things Are Hotting Up In The Kitchen Thanks To Overcooked 2
Are you a professional cook?
Anyone who has played Ghost Town Games’ indie darling Overcooked is sure to harbour a love-hate feeling for the little cooking simulator. It’s a game where you must work together inside a kitchen to piece together meals for needy customers. The only problem is you are timed, you bump into each other a lot,...
Gallery Splatoon 2, Super Mario And Nintendo Switch Take Over A Balmy Tokyo
Hot town, summer in the city
The Nintendo Switch has been doing gangbusters all around the world, but none more so than in the console's backyard, Japan. Furthermore, 'pop up' stores are very popular among prominent franchises and dedicated fans alike, with Kirby and Pokémon regularly having exclusive goods available for a limited time, as well as
Parent Trap I Really Miss The Nintendo Wii
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson remembers the good old days of waggle
Parents are notoriously bad for being sentimental. Whether it’s watching Monty Python, playing Tetris on the Game Boy or buying sweets by the ounce, I often catch myself getting more excited about introducing my children to the things I loved from my childhood than actually...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 21st)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Yet another weekend is upon us, which naturally means that it's time for another Talking Point feature! If you're lucky enough to have some free time over the next few days, you may well be planning to sink some of it into your favourite Nintendo games - which is exactly what Team NL is going to do! We've got...
Hardware Review GameShell Is A Modular And Hackable Take On The Classic Game Boy
Build it, and they will come
We don't mind admitting that we're absolute suckers for handhelds here at Nintendo Life, so it's hardly surprising that the GameShell caught our attention late last year. Described as a hackable open-source console, it raised $290,429 on Kickstarter and is now reaching the hands of backers. We were lucky enough to get an...
Hands On Starlink Scratches That Star Fox Itch, But We're Not Sure Who It's For
Getting to grips with Ubisoft's space shooter at Comic-Con 2018
Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a homage to the sci-fi games of right this very second. Or, you could also choose to see Starlink as mostly a rip-off. Or instead, maybe as a really cute entry point into planet spelunking spaceship genre. After some hands-on time with the game at the San...
Talking Point Switch's Blazing First Year Means Fewer Games In 2018 Shouldn't Be A Concern
A tough act to follow?
Given how successful 2017 was for Nintendo, following up on that success was always going to be hard. The Switch launched at the start of the year and was quickly blessed with one of the best year-one libraries we've seen in quite some time; smash hit after smash hit arrived on store shelves giving the console enough momentum...
Feature Concluding An Epic Trilogy With Banner Saga Developer Stoic
"It all falls into place and ends the way we know it should"
The Banner Saga trilogy is almost as epic as the development of the games themselves, from starting out as a Kickstarter campaign six years ago to the series concluding with the release of The Banner Saga 3 at the end of July. With an interesting combination of multiple characters,...
Feature Talking Super Smash Bros. Ultimate With Nintendo's Bill Trinen And Nate Bihldorff
Ridley, Sakurai and defusing the 'happy accident' myth
We've known about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for quite some time ahead of its reveal at E3 2018. What we didn't know was just how massive it would end up being, featuring every character from the series' history, all wrapped up in a conveniently portable package. We recently had the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 14th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's time for the weekend, so that must mean it's also time for this week's Talking Point! Team Nintendo Life has plenty of games on its collective 'to do' list, ranging from retro classics to the usual appearance of mainstays Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. There's also likely to be a fair few...
Hardware Review The Shōnen Jump 50th Anniversary Famicom Classic Mini Is Gorgeous, But Pointless
Nintendo loves gold, only gold
Nintendo may have fixed the supply issues which plagued the launches of the NES and SNES Classic Editions, but many will still be haunted by the devilish degree of difficulty they exper
Feature This Unreleased SNES Super FX Racer Could Be Getting A Physical Rebirth
Elite's PowerSlide might be coming back from the dead
1994 was the year that 3D gaming truly came of age in the console arena. While both Nintendo and Sega had dabbled in the three-dimensional realm prior to this – with titles such as Star Fox and Virtua Racing – '94 marked the point where real-time 3D visuals were the expected norm, rather than...
Poll Is Your Nintendo Switch Cracking Under The Pressure?
Update: Nintendo gives us a statement
Update: Nintendo has responded to our appeal for a statement on this matter: After checking in with the European team we can confirm that we haven’t received a notable number of consumer inquiries on this topic, but as with all our products, we encourage users who experience any issues to visit for...
Feature Taking A Trip To Another World With Creator Éric Chahi
Lester we forget
Plenty of games are getting the re-release treatment on Nintendo Switch, and while some definitely don't deserve a second shot at stardom, one recent addition to the console's library definitely does: the sci-fi adventure that is Another World. It was well ahead of its time when it originally launched in 1991, and it's managed to...
Feature Fighting For The Featherweight Title With Pato Box
Duck and cover
Comic book violence collides with the world of boxing in Pato Box, an unusual one-two that's made it one of the most intriguing indies to hit Nintendo Switch this year - in fact, we rather liked it in our review. But with a memorable anatine lead character and a twisted story to tell, we just had to find out more. So we took the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 7th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
The weekend has arrived, and it's brought with it more summer weather and all manner of new games to play. Team Nintendo Life, as always, has an eclectic selection of games both fresh and retro on their agenda for the next couple of days, but what's on yours? Drop a vote in the poll and a comment below with...
Hands On Going Into Battle With Arena Of Valor, Switch's New MOBA Sensation
League of Legends, only accessible
Nintendo Switch hasn't even hit the 18-month mark and it's already been acquiring all manner of popular new genres. It's jumped onto the hero shooter bandwagon with the excellent Paladins and ticked the battle royale box so hard with Fortnite it's gone right through the paper and snapped the pen for good measure...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 30th)
These are our picks, but what are yours?
It's the weekend once more, which means it's definitely time to start turning on your favourite Nintendo console and catch up on some much-needed gaming time. Team Nintendo Life is doing just that, with everything from some Animal Crossing on 3DS to a brand new MOBA on Switch getting a good workout. Feel free...
Interview Hisashi Nogami on Squids, Kids, and Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion
A tale of Octolings and Inklings
If you've watched a Nintendo Direct, you've doubtless encountered Hisashi Nogami, better known to some as the head scientist at the Squid Research Lab. These days, Nogami is most famous for Splatoon, but his credits extend to some of Nintendo's most timeless classics. We tracked the squid kid creator...
Feature Chronicling The Legend Of Zelda With Dark Horse Comics
Editor Patrick Thorpe on working with Nintendo
When it comes to breaking down world-building and exploring lore, few games offer as much character and exposition as the wonderful world of The Legend of Zelda. Thanks to a fruitful ongoing collaboration with Nintendo, North American comics/book publisher Dark Horse Comics has been producing all manner...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 23rd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
The weekend has arrived once more, and with E3 now a mere memory, we can return to grabbing a few quiet moments with our Nintendo Switches. Team Nintendo Life has many a game on the go between them this week, so read on to hear which titles have grabbed our attention. And we want to hear from you too, so feel...
Feature Freedom Fighter: Paul Cuisset On The Making Of Flashback
As the 16-bit classic comes to Switch, its director reflects
This month sees some potentially special games come out for the Nintendo Switch. From Wolfenstein II to Lumines Remastered via the arcade sports action of Mario Tennis Aces, the console’s not wanting for attractive offerings. Yet perhaps the most interesting of the month’s new releases...
Poll As "Gaming Disorder" Becomes A Thing, Is It Time To Assess How Much You Play?
Doctor WHO?
You can expect to hear a lot about the addictive nature of video games over the next few days, because the World Health Organisation has just published the latest draft of its updated International Classification of Diseases manual, and a, "gaming disorder," is listed as a genuine medical condition. It's been a long time...
Talking Point What Were The Biggest Highs And Lows From E3 2018?
What kind of impact did Nintendo have on this year's show?
E3 is finally over for another year, bringing to a close the biggest event yet. From surprise promotional crossovers on the Ubisoft conference to a certain game pretty much taking over Nintendo's big summer Direct, there's been plenty of topics to talk about now the dust is beginning to...
Feature Best Nintendo Switch Games at E3 2018
We wanted a top 20 but...
Whilst fans of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate revelled in yesterday's Nintendo Direct, others were disappointed with the total number of games showcased. We ourselves were not alone in expecting more titles to be announced, particularly ones from third parties. To make sure you don't miss any, we've listified the ones we feel...
Feature The Big Nintendo Summary From E3 2018 - Day One
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fortnite and more
E3 2018 is well under way, and that means Nintendo has arrived and unleashed all manner of updates, reveals and extended demos through a Nintendo Direct and a Treehouse broadcast. As you can imagine, there's been a lot of things to talk about, so to make your life a lot easier we've gathered together all...
Hands On Catching A Curveball With The Poké Ball Plus, The Switch's Latest Must-Have Accessory
I Choose You!
Since my first playthrough of Pokémon Blue back in 1998, I’ve had a bit of an on-again, off-again relationship with Game Freak’s monster-collecting magnum opus. I certainly consider myself to be a fan, but I haven’t finished a main game since SoulSilver, and a 2016 summer spent scouring the countryside for Kanto critters in...
Hands On Revisiting Kanto With Pokémon: Let’s Go! Pikachu And Let’s Go! Eevee On Switch
Blending the new with the old in fresh ways
Suffice to say, fans were suitably surprised when Nintendo lifted the lid on Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!; instead of the follow-up generation to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon that many expected, Nintendo teased a reimagining of one of the first games, with some Pokémon GO...
The Ultimate Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo finally unveiled Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the upcoming Switch entry in the massive fighting franchise, at its E3 2018 Nintendo Direct. We learned an obscene amount of information about it, including all of the confirmed characters, new stages, and the myriad of small tweaks and changes that make this entry...
Talking Point Nintendo's E3 2018 Went Big On Smash Bros. But Left Us Wanting More
A bloated presentation, or a case of bloated expectations?
So, Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation is over and done with, and it's time to mull over the announcements and digest all of that lovely new content. As was anticipated, a lot of screen time was given to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and with good reason – it's easily going to be the Switch's...
E3 2018 What Do You Want To See From Nintendo At E3?
It's nearly time…
Today Nintendo will broadcast its E3 'Direct' presentation and let the world know about the biggest and best Switch (and perhaps 3DS) games that will be releasing cross the next year or so. Nintendo's been a pretty leaky ship of late, and if rumours are to be believed we already know some of the titles Nintendo will be...
Talking Point What Do You Want To See From Nintendo At E3 2018?
We predict... some predictions
With E3 2018 set to kick off this weekend with the showcases from many of the big publishers and platformer holders in the video game industry, we thought it was high time we cooked up a fresh batch of predictions. Team Nintendo Life has gathered together its collective hopes and dreams for the show - some realistic,...
Feature Nicalis On The Timeless Allure Of Physical Games And Bringing More Treasure Titles To Switch
"We're always listening to fan requests"
American publisher Nicalis has been around for longer than you might think, and has recently gained recognition for its efforts to publish physical versions of Switch games with extra treats for fans. Such goodies often include delightful trinkets such as soundtrack CDs or retro inspired instruction manuals;...
Guide Pokémon Switch: Rumours, 2019 Release Date News, And Everything Else We Know So Far
Switching how we play
Update: Updated with The Pokémon Company's President Tsunekazu Ishihara's recent reveals in Famitsu magazine. If there's one thing we know for sure about Pokémon on the Switch, it's that it's definitely happening. In fact, The Pokémon Company already announced it back in 2017, during the E3...
Soapbox Fortnite Is Coming So Nintendo Really Needs To Sort Out Its Voice Chat Problem
Talk is cheap
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. This time, editor Dom discusses one of the main issues Nintendo has faces with Nintendo Switch - the convoluted process users have to follow to chat online, and the equally unintuitive...
Guide Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - How To Play As Breath Of The Wild Link And Zelda
Link of the Wild
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is the latest adventure featuring our favourite Link and Zelda. You'll battle across the face of Hyrule alongside popular returning characters from the franchise. Ever wished you could get a taste of what it's like to be Ganondorf? This is your chance. Those who first experienced The Legend of...
Guide Nintendo E3 2018 Press Conference Schedule, Rumours, Hopes, And Dreams
Switch, Pokémon, Star Fox, Smash Bros., Fortnite, and more
The hype is real for this year's E3. We've got a resurgent Nintendo, riding on the crest of Switch's enormous success. As a result, every publisher and their mum is trying to squeeze games onto the hybrid console faster than you can say Call of Duty (apart from, it would seem, Activision)...
Guide Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - All Weapons And How To Unlock Them
Blade master
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is all about destroying hordes – and we mean hordes – of typical Zelda opponents in your quest to grab the Master Sword and 'rescue' Zelda. It's only natural, then, that you want to unlock all of the various weapons on offer. In this guide, we're going to help you do just that. We've put together...
Guide Pokémon Quest Cooking Recipes And Ingredients List
Master Chef
If you want to 'catch 'em all' in Pokémon Quest, you've got to learn to cook. Curiously, that's the way you lure and subsequently catch Pokémon in this iteration. You gather ingredients while out on expeditions, and combine them together at your base to create a bunch of different recipes. Each recipe will attract a different type of...
Guide Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - How To Unlock Zelda, Link, And All Other Characters
Hyrule the world
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition combines the universe and characters of The Legend of Zelda with the addictive Dynasty Warriors franchise to create a pretty intriguing mashup. It still feels like a Zelda game – you play as Link, grab the Master Sword, and rescue Zelda – but the gameplay is all Dynasty Warriors. That means...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 2nd)
These are our picks, but what are yours?
It's the weekend once more, which means it's time to break out your favourite Nintendo console and catch up on some of that much-needed gaming time. This week, Team Nintendo Life are giving a new free-to-play title through its paces, joining up for a tennis tournament and playing some rather unexpected games...
Soapbox Pokémon GO’s ‘Casual’ Influence On The Mainline Series Is A Good Thing, At Least For Now
A chance to rediscover the magic?
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 today's article, staff writer Ryan explores the new approach to gameplay found in the upcoming Pokémon games and why they might just be the moment of relief the...
Guide Pokémon Quest - How To Get Free PM Tickets And What To Spend Them On
A quest for free-dom
Pokémon Quest is a free to start game, which means that at some point you're probably going to have to drop a bit of cash to get the most out of it. You can comfortably play for free, but your progress will be super duper slow unless you buy an expedition pack or three. There is a way you can mitigate this though, and that's...
Guide Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu And Let's Go Eevee: Everything We Know
Let's Go!
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have finally revealed more of their plans for the future of Pokémon at the Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference, and it looks very bright indeed. While we were all speculating about the announced Pokémon on Switch, Nintendo hoodwinked us and announced a whopping three titles for the hot new...
Feature Diving Down The Rabbit Hole With Japan's Arcade-Based Trading Card Games
It's in the cards
Tourists dropping in on Japan’s arcades are often surprised. Western arcades have stuck to a familiar trajectory, running last-decade machines form last-century franchises: OutRun 2, After Burner Climax, Time Crisis 4…. The games we’re used to are easygoing, fun and friendly, with a warm welcome and a wave goodbye. It’s not...
Hardware Review OJO Projector For Nintendo Switch - The Ultimate Accessory?
A projector, dock and power bank all in one
The amazing success of the Switch has led to some equally amazing crowdfunding campaigns for must-have accessories, the most notable of which are the Switch Charge case and the OJO Projector. Both of these products massively over-performed in their initial funding drives, and both have endured a rather...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend?
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
The weekend is here, and about time, too. It's finally time to catch a breather and pick up your favourite Nintendo console for much-needed gaming time. And if you're here in the UK, it's a Bank Holiday weekend so you even get an extra day to belt around Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or head out on an unforgettable...
Exclusive Wulverblade Is Going On Sale To Celebrate Its Biggest Update Yet
Easy mode! Beast mode! Performance boost! Bug Fixes!
Historical hack and slash title Wulverblade is going on sale to mark the release of version 1.1, which brings a raft of new features to the title, along with changes based on player feedback. The patch arrives Thursday and will be accompanied by a 33 percent price reduction on the US eShop...
Soapbox Why A Nintendo 64 Classic Edition Might Not Be Such A Good Idea
Not so 'Ultra' this time round?
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, our 'Man in Japan' Jon explains why Nintendo continuing the ‘classic mini’ line of retro consoles with the N64 may be one step too far... First...
Feature How One Man Is Turning Dead DS Lites Into Gorgeous Game Boy Advance Systems
Say hello to the Neon Advance
Humanity has been troubled by many great questions during its time on Earth. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Where do all those bloody odd socks go? However, none of these perplexing quandaries is more troubling than the ultimate question: which is the best Nintendo handheld for playing Game Boy Advance...