News US Sprint Stores Are Giving Away Pokémon GO Trainer Level Badges
Grab one while supplies last
Nintendo Download 10th August (North America)
Sonic Mania! Ironcast! Flip Wars! Phantom Trigger! Much more!
News - 2017, Week 32
Sunday13th Aug 2017
Poll 99 Games and Counting - Are You Pleased With the Switch eShop Library?
Download decisions
We're just a couple of days away from the launch of Sonic Mania on the Switch eShop, the latest intriguing release to head to the store. While the line-up of exclusive games on the Switch download store is modest (but arguably offering quality over quantity), we're seeing a diverse range of multi-platform titles. A number of...
News RiME Producer Explains Why The Switch Port Is Coming So Much Later
Achievement system also being worked into the Nintendo version
RiME is taking its sweet time getting to the Nintendo Switch, with the release date now locked down to November. However, there are valid reasons for this delay, and producer Cody Bradley has taken the time to explain what's what with a lengthy but informative blog post...
News Sony's Jim Ryan Reiterates Praise for Nintendo's Resurgence With the Switch
"It’s great that they’re back"
With the latest figures showing that the Switch has sold 4.7 million units worldwide, Nintendo has garnered praise from various corners of the industry. The latest high profile figure to comment on the console's early success is Sony's own Jim Ryan. Speaking to EDGE magazine, the global head of sales and...
News Pokémon GO Adds Shiny Pikachu For Japanese Residents
Shiny Raichu available too
A new shiny Pokémon has been made available in Pokémon GO for all Japan-based players. After last week's Pikachu Outbreak event, Niantic has begun to roll out Shiny Pikachu in the wild. This is not the first time a shiny Pokémon has been added to the game after shiny (gold) Magikarp began appearing - which in...
Saturday12th Aug 2017
News US Sprint Stores Are Giving Away Pokémon GO Trainer Level Badges
Grab one while supplies last
US-based telecommunications company Sprint is offering Pokémon GO players the chance to own a trainer level badge to show off their progress in the app. The company is handing out free level badges to anyone that visits one of the US stores and proves their level achievement to a member of staff. The levels...
News Stylish Twin-Stick Shooter, Boiling Bolt, Announced For Switch
Maybe not as fast as the iconic sprinter
Persistant Studios has announced that twin-stick shooter Boiling Bolt will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch. The game (originally released for PC) features 2D gameplay with 3D graphics and two player co-op across all game modes. Enemies strategically work together to take down your ship whilst you...
Friday11th Aug 2017
News Gamevice Launches Patent Case Against the Nintendo Switch and Joy-Con Concept
It begins...
A common occurrence in the Wii era was Nintendo being taken to court by various companies claiming that the system violated existing patents. This has happened with multiple Nintendo systems, in truth, with the 3DS also being targeted quite a few times. Nintendo wins the majority of these cases and, even on the rare occasions it loses...
News Playtonic Gives Update On Yooka-Laylee For Switch
Studio needs to be 100% confident before giving a release date
With the prospect of taking it anywhere, some have held off on purchasing Yooka-Laylee as they wait for it to be released on the Switch. Developer Playtonic Games has now given a little insight into how far along it is, saying that the "final issues" are being worked out. This news comes...
News Infinite Minigolf Disappears From North American eShop Due to Ratings Issue
Zen Studios is working on a patch
Anyone looking for Infinite Minigolf on the North American eShop for some weekend play may be a tad baffled at the moment, as the game has been temporarily pulled from the store; Zen Studios, however, is on the case. Oddly it seems to have been caused by a ratings change; Zen Studios initially tweeted surprise,...
Video This Nintendo Staffer Is Way Better Than You at Playing Splatoon 2
Amazing...
Much of the talk around Splatoon 2 is about the excellent core multiplayer mode and the occasionally available Salmon Run mode, but it seems like the single player is what gets often ignored. Though it’s obviously not the primary selling point of the title, it suitably builds upon the ideas established in the original Splatoon and...
News The Splat Brella Will Stop Raindrops Falling on Your Head in Splatoon 2 This Weekend
We did some talking to the sun
Splatoon 2 has been serving up weekly updates and/or events so far, and that's set to continue this week. The coming weekend will bring us one of the quirkiest new items in the Switch sequel - the Splat Brella. It's the first of its type in the game, and the Japanese account's tweet has a few nice shots of the...
Video Check Out the Opening Cinematic for Sonic Mania
What a catchy tune
It’s been a long time coming, and in just a few short days, Sonic Mania will finally see a release. The 16-bit platformer seems to be the game that fans have been requesting for years; this is a game that’s being made to honor the past while still introducing new stuff for the future. To keep anticipation high, Sonic Team has...
News Game Freak Director Discusses Evolution of Pokémon Designs
"Treating them like living creatures"
Game Freak Director and Pokémon series developer Junichi Masuda has been speaking about the design process in creating Pokémon, and how this has changed over the years since the games' inception. Pokémon has always been praised for its wide variety of designs, taking things as...
News Robonauts is Blasting Its Way Onto the Switch eShop
Let's take a look, shall we?
The European eShop has a nice routine of dropping in new game pages on a regular basis to show more titles that are on the way, and this week a number were added. In most cases they're games we're already covered, but one is new and worth picking up - Robonauts by QubicGames. QubicGames has some experience...
News The Jackbox Party Pack 1 & 2 Hit the Switch on 17th August
Twice the fun
Early on in the Switch's life we had The Jackbox Party Pack 3, a collection of quirky multiplayer games in which players can jump in and use their phones to play. It was well executed on Switch, adding another party game to the system's line-up. A little while ago Jackbox Games confirmed that the Switch would catch up with...
Thursday10th Aug 2017
Nintendo Download 10th August (North America)
Sonic Mania! Ironcast! Flip Wars! Phantom Trigger! Much more!
The North American Nintendo Download Update details are here, and it's another busy week. The Nintendo Switch is jam-packed with a demo, full download options and a retail game, from turn-based match three, to retro kicks, multiplayer shenanigans and more besides. The 3DS gets a new...
Video See the Big Difference Between Monster Hunter XX on Switch and 3DS
Well, obviously...
Occasionally our memory plays tricks on us - we may think back to old games and picture lovely, crisp visuals, but then we play them for real and, well, the results don't match our memories. That could conceivably be the case with Monster Hunter XX. The Switch version demo is now out in Japan (instructions to access it here)...
Review Infinite Minigolf (Switch eShop)
Better than par?
Zen Studios is undoubtedly best known for its pinball games and 'platforms', honing online systems and gameplay over the years. It's a company with an eye for stylish representations of some of the most simple but addictive pastimes, and its latest effort is Infinite Minigolf. Thankfully the name isn't suggesting questionable...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Version 1.2.1 Now Available For Download
Don't get too excited, though
These Nintendo Switch software updates are coming thick and fast these days. We've already seen Zelda: Breath of the Wild and ARMS get new updates, and now it's the turn of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Version 1.2.1 of the popular racer has just gone live, but it doesn't boast the sweeping changes seen in the other titles; in...
News 'Next Gen Nintendo 64 Controller' from Retro Fighters Smashes Kickstarter Target
Good news for those preserving their originals
When it comes to Nintendo's rich gaming history, there's little doubt that the Nintendo 64 holds a special place in many gamers' hearts. It delivered games that were revolutionary for the time, and it has an iconic look that's hard to forget. The controllers, particularly the analogue stick,...
Nintendo Download 10th August (Europe)
Ironcast! Phantom Trigger! Rocket Fist! Kirby Discounts! More!
The European Nintendo Download Update is live, and this week's line-up brings quite a lot of options across the three core systems. On Nintendo Switch we have five new download titles along with a discount, the 3DS gets artistic and the Wii U Virtual Console gets two new arrivals. Beyond...
News Splatoon 2 is Getting a Special Range of Summer Outfits Starting This Weekend
Shame about the flip flops
Splatoon 2 is already one of the key games of this Summer, and Nintendo is stepping up the seasonal theme with a special range of outfits and shoes to appear this coming weekend. As is always the case it's the official Japanese Twitter account spilling the beans, but typically this sort of thing rolls out globally...
News Super Meat Boy is Definitely Coming to Nintendo Switch
Well done
Super Meat Boy is a title that is firmly fixed in 'Indie' gaming history, and has been ported and re-released on most systems, including the Wii U. It's now confirmed that it's coming to the Nintendo Switch, too, with Team Meat and its crew evidently getting comfortable working with Nintendo's new system. The confirmation was given in a...
News Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Launches on 17th October in North America
New video introduces Fencer class, too
Plenty of 3DS fans have been looking forward to the arrival of Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth later this year, and those in North America now have a firm date - it'll arrive on 17th October priced at $39.99USD. The European release date will be announced "at a later time". In addition to that...
News Mutant Mudds Deluxe Is Nearing Release on the Switch
Hopefully a release date is inbound?
In the early days of the eShop on the Nintendo 3DS, one of the standout titles for the digital storefront was Mutant Mudds, a 12-bit tough-as-nails platformer that utilized the 3D effect. It certainly put Atooi—then part of Renegade Kid—on the map for Nintendo players, and it later got a solid follow up in...
Wednesday9th Aug 2017
Video Here's How You Download and Play the Japanese Monster Hunter XX Demo on Switch
Easy peasy
The Monster Hunter XX demo is out in Japan, and while we bemoan the lack of localisation we can, of course, all give it a whirl. All you need to do is setup a Japanese Nintendo Account - which is pretty easy, here's our guide - and then hop onto the eShop to download the demo. It could certainly be something fun to do as the weekend...
Review Ironcast (Switch eShop)
More than meets the eye
At E3 this year, this writer got the chance to demo an intriguing game called Ironcast, which initially sounded like it was trying to do a bit too much all at once. A match three puzzler that’s also a roguelike, that’s also a strategy RPG with permadeath? Even so, we came away feeling that it just might have what it takes...
News Zelda: Breath of the Wild's First Free Item Distribution is Live on Switch
Just don't get TOO excited...
Earlier this week Nintendo introduced what could be considered as SpotPass for Nintendo Switch. As part of the update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild there were posts in the 'News' tab for the game that promised tips and free items to come; the first of these is now live. You simply access the News tab and,...
News Nintendo Switch Screen Supplier, Japan Display Inc., is Facing Tough Times
Likely loss of Apple contract is a source of concern
While many simply expect gadgets to be manufactured in large numbers to stock shelves and meet demand, the reality is that companies sometimes face a tough time sourcing and producing all the relevant parts. Nintendo may be considering a long term change for Nintendo Switch, for example, as the...
Random GameCube Listings on Nintendo Websites Raise Hopes for Switch, But Don't Get Too Excited
Looks like a data entry error to us
Today we've had multiple readers pass us pointers to GameCube listings on Nintendo of Europe's regional websites. When looking at the broad 'Games' category you get a large list of titles, mainly current-gen games. In the default view, however, four semi-complete GameCube game listings appear on the first page;...
News Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Will Make Its Case on 3DS in November
Revamped edition also includes full Japanese version, too
In one form or another the 3DS eShop has played host to almost the entire 'main' series of Ace Attorney games, including in the West; that requires us to brush off the lack of localisation of The Great Ace Attorney and its sequel, of course. In any case, Capcom is rounding off the collection...
News ARMS Version 2.1.0 Is Now Available
No new character, but we'll get one next time
Much alike to its support for Splatoon 2, Nintendo has pledged to support ARMSwith an ongoing series of balancing tweaks, new ARMS, new stages, and new characters over the course of roughly a year from the time that it launched. The last major update most notably saw the introduction of a new playable...
News GameStop Opens Pre-Orders on Samus Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL in the US
Get rollin'
Earlier today Nintendo unveiled the rather handsome Samus Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL, which will arrive alongside Metroid: Samus Returns on 15th September; that's the date for both North American and Europe. In the US it's set to be available at 'select retailers', and one of those is GameStop. Pre-orders for the system are live in the...
News Dragon Quest XI and Nintendo Switch Lead the Way in Japanese Charts
Great Ace Attorney 2 makes its debut, sales down on predecessor
The Japanese Media Create results are out, and remind us of the power of brands with two versions of a massive Square Enix title still leading the way. There's good news for Nintendo in both the software and hardware results, too. Starting with the software top 20, Dragon Quest XI:...
Video Check Out Cordelia's Sweeping Moves in Fire Emblem Warriors
The Pegasus isn't as cool as the back-flipping horse, however
Not long ago Koei Tecmo (via Famitsu) confirmed that Cordelia and Female Robin would be playable charactersin Fire Emblem Warriors. As expected the action title has already accumulated a sizeable cast, following in the lead of Hyrule Warriors and the many other Warriors...
News Learn More About the Cast and Battle Systems for Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon
Out in October, if you need the reminder
Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, published by Koei Tecmo and due for release on 24th October, is perhaps still a little under the radar. Developed by GUST Studios, the RPG is a sequel to a 2016 release that some with a PS4 may know well. Koei Tecmo's update on the game this week goes into two...
Gallery Checking Out Yokohama's Pikachu Outbreak Pokémon Event
Painting the town yellow
From today until next week, various locations in the Japanese city of Yokohama will play host to the annual Pikachu Outbreak event. This year's event consists of merchandise stalls, parades, air ship flyovers and a number of Pokémon GO parks and stadiums, catering for fans of the phenomenally popular mobile game...
News Thimbleweed Park is Pointing (and Clicking?) Towards a September Release on Switch
Will support physical and touchscreen controls
We were rather pleased when it was confirmed that Thimbleweed Park is coming to the Switch eShop. It's the latest game from Ron Gilbert, who was behind some of the most iconic and memorable point-and-click games of the '90s, such as The Secret of Monkey Island and Day of the...
News INVERSUS Deluxe to Bring Fast-Paced Action to the Switch in Autumn / Fall
Looks ideal for quickfire multiplayer sessions
Indie developers are starting to arrive in greater numbers on the Switch eShop, and the hybrid device is getting expanded versions of some popular PC and console titles. Now INVERSUS Deluxe, developed by Hypersect, is another interesting download title confirmed to be on the way to the Switch eShop in...
Tuesday8th Aug 2017
News The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Version 1.3.1 Is Now Live
Bug fixes! Item distribution! Stability!
With only half of the expansion pass content currently available, Nintendo is certainly still keen on supporting The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with new content via updates and patches. The latest patch just went out and while it makes the usual bug fixes and tweaks that these kinds of updates do, it...
News Nintendo Unveils Gorgeous Samus Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL
Crikey
Update: This system is also coming to Europe, also on 15th September. Original Article: The 3DS 'family' of systems has had some terrific limited edition hardware, and we reckon this is another to add to the list. The 'Samus Edition' New Nintendo 3DS XL has been unveiled by Nintendo of America, and it'll arrive on 15th September alongside...
News Brawlout Could Keep Smash Bros. Fans Busy on Switch Later This Year
Hyper Light Drifter tie-in also confirmed
Super Smash Bros. can feel pretty unique, but it does inspire its fair share of projects that adopt a similar approach to party-friendly brawling. We've seen various games adopt the platform fighter style, and now one of those titles is targeting the Switch this year. In this case it's Brawlout,...
News Axiom Verge Launches on Switch on 17th October
It'll be worth the wait
One of the very best games that we played on the Wii U last year was that of Axiom Verge, the incredibly deep and rich Metroidvania from Thomas Happ, a one-man development team. Considering how the game very clearly acted as a sort of neo-Metroid, it was a perfect fit for Nintendo systems, and although it couldn’t fit on...
Review Ultra Hyperball (Switch eShop)
Not very ultra
If humanity has given the world anything, it’s the ability to turn even the most mundane games into a sport. Rock/Paper/Scissors, the epitome of what you do when you can’t decide who gets to do something unsavoury, now has world championships. Not content with merely kicking a soccer ball into a net, folk now insert themselves...
News The Nintendo World Championships 2017 Have Been Announced
It's a rather limited event, however
After a nostalgia-fuelled event at E3 2015 reminded us all about the Nintendo World Championships, Nintendo of America has confirmed that the event will be back for another run in the US in 2017. It's exciting in principle, but in reality the contest is rather limited. In August and September eight Best Buy...
Random Mario Kart Wii's Abandoned Mission Mode is Uncovered at Last
Deleted files found by familiar MK modder
The busy nature of game development means that clues are often left behind in code, often pointing to assets or features that were changed or removed in the final game. Sometimes the clues can take a long time to uncover, as seems to have been the case with a Mission Mode in Mario Kart Wii. It was spotted...
News Sonic Mania's Competition Mode Brings Back Splitscreen Memories
Albeit without the shonky framerate
Not many likely bothered with it much, but in some of the classic 16-bit Sonic games (this old man's memory is letting him down and he can't remember which ones) you could play against a buddy in splitscreen. It was a fun idea, albeit the framerate would dive; granted, in those days not many of us minded shoddy...
News SEVERED Slashes Its Way onto the Switch eShop, Out Today
Already live in Europe
Some developers opt for the big build-up to releases, but in some cases games simply arrive. Drinkbox Studios has launched SEVERED on the Nintendo Switch eShop - it's out now in North American and Europe, priced at $14.99 / €14.99 / £13.49. If you need a reminder, this is a game that utilises swipe controls for com
News Nintendo to Live Stream Super Mario Odyssey, Metroid: Samus Returns and More from Gamescom
Yoshiaki Koizumi and Yoshio Sakamoto due to appear
Nintendo of Europe often puts on a good show at Gamescom, the huge annual expo in Germany. Over the years there have been some impressive booth setups, which can include stage demos and events, but it's not often pushed the event up to the level seen at E3, for example. NoE seems to be upping the...
News Project AM2R Creator Earns Job Working on Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Makes announcement on first anniversary of AM2R
The saga around AM2R, a hugely impressive fan-made Metroid 2 remake, was a divisive one in 2016. Acclaimed by fans of the series, the free download was then targeted by aggressive takedowns through Nintendo, while it had a 2016 Game Awards nomination revoked in what many assumed was due to...
News Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is Heading to the Switch eShop
A narrative tactical RPG with plenty of colour
Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a game that's been quite well received on PC since September 2016, and is out today on the PS4. Publisher Ysbryd Games and developer Witching Hour Studios have used today's Sony release to confirm that work is now underway to bring the game to the Switch eShop (though...
Video Giddy Up with Winning Post 8 and Champion Jockey Special on Nintendo Switch
Joy-Con motion controls? You betcha!
Watching motion controls in games are a good way to brighten any day, as we sometimes do absurd things in the name of entertainment. We waggled our way through the Wii generation, and the legacy still lives on thanks to the motion support of the Joy-Con controllers. And so we present the trailer...
Video Nintendo Minute Shows Off Extended Metroid: Samus Returns Gameplay
And plugs the amiibo, naturally!
For those eagerly awaiting Metroid: Samus Returns, today brought some lovely news with the announcement of the handsome Samus Edition New Nintendo 3DS. There's also some footage of different areas, with Nintendo Minute pitching in. Along with Sam from the Treehouse they go through some neat areas and also show...
News UFO 50 Brings a Team of Talented Developers Together for an 8-bit Collection
Confirmed for PC so far, but looks like a lovely fit for Switch
The retro aesthetic is used a fair amount in modern gaming, sometimes to play on nostalgia and on other occasions because it's the best option for a given project. When you browse any download store you don't need to look far before you see pixel-art and hear chiptune music. The...
Monday7th Aug 2017
Guide Splatoon 2 - Adding, Removing and Picking Abilities
Ready and able
Splatoon 2 is now well into its run on Switch, and with it comes a whole new generation of inklings ready to take to the splattlefield for some turf wars and ranked battles. All inklings may be created equal, but that doesn’t mean all abilities are. Fortunately we’re here to give you a rundown on which abilities are worth your...
Talking Point Capcom, the Nintendo Switch and Gaming Business Realities
Sometimes Capcom and Nintendo are close partners, but not always
At the moment some Switch aficionados are a little baffled and frustrated with Capcom. There are multiple reason for this, but Monster Hunter: World (coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC) is arguably top of the list. Capcom has only shown limited support for the Switch so far, with a...
News 25 Years Later, And Night Trap Still Isn't Going To Appear On A Nintendo Console
Howard Lincoln's words echo through the decades
Controversial FMV game Night Trap is getting a 25th anniversary remaster, but the game won't be appearing on the Switch - despite the best efforts of the developers. The game - which involves trying to protect a household full of excitable young women from the clutches of some rather unconvincing...
News The Next Wave Of ACA Neo Geo Titles For Switch Is Confirmed
Magician Lord! Blue's Journey! Spinmaster! Art of Fighting!
Hamster has confirmed the next wave of games for its ACA Neo Geo range on the Switch. During a recent livestream, the Japanese company revealed that Magician Lord, Puzzled, Zed Blade, Raguy / Blue's Journey, Spinmaster, and Art of Fighting are all bound for Nintendo's console. Out of that...
Rumour Dataminers Appear To Have Unearthed More ARMS Characters
Potential spoilers contained within...
ARMS is getting a new update this week, and although the official stance is that it will introduce balancing changes, dataminers have uncovered evidence that something more substantial could be coming to the game soon. Digging through the game's code, a list of character names has been found. Some of these are...
Random When Fans Go to the Next Level - Check Out Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2
No Kidding
Sometimes business realities don't bring us all of the games we want, or publishers have their own ideas on how to best utilise an IP. This certainly applies to retro gaming and 'missed opportunities' in the past, which explains the rich scene in mods and fan created games that deliver sequels and remasters that enthusiasts want to see...
News Elminage Original Will Be Crawling Through Your 3DS Dungeon This Week
"Your very own epic adventure awaits you!"
Nintendo's official site has revealed that Elminage Original is coming to the 3DS eShop in North America this week. Developed by Starfish, Elminage Original is a remake of the 2008 game which started it all. It was previously localised for the west on the PSP in 2012. Elminage...
News Mayo Wins in Splatoon 2's Battle of the Condiments
Mayowned
This past weekend we had the slightly odd battle of pinky red and gloopy yellow in the Splatoon 2 Splatfest, which was both gross and entertaining at the same time. The battle between Ketchup and Mayo was fought in North America and PAL territories, and there was one unanimous winner. It was a sweep for Mayo, in the end. Nintendo of...
Video The Art of Legend of Zelda Series Masterclass Finally Gets an Official Translation
Eiji Aonuma and colleagues from Japan Expo
On 7th July attendees at Japan Expo in Paris had the chance to attend a Legend of Zelda Masterclass given by series producer Eiji Aonuma, Breath of the Wild artistic director Satoru Takizawa, and "Battle of Ganon" illustrator Yusuke Nakano. The video of the presentation popped up on Nintendo France's...
News Piczle Lines DX to Bring Its Own Spin on Artistic Puzzles to Switch
A pretty picture for the eShop
The Switch eShop is starting to flesh out its library not just in terms of the volume of games available, but also the range of genres. For puzzle fans that want a nice accessible challenge there's another option on the way with Piczle Lines DX. It blends ideas seen in Picross with the ability to fill...
News Splatoon 2 and Miitopia Hold Top 10 Places in UK Charts
MK8 Deluxe and Breath of the Wild also maintain top 20 spots
The UK charts had very little change to report last week as the summer holiday season rolls on. A lack of new releases meant that it was all about discounts and ongoing popularity, so from that perspective we saw some Nintendo titles hold up quite well. Splatoon 2 is still the...
Most Read
Video Here's How You Download and Play the Japanese Monster Hunter XX Demo on ...
News Gamevice Launches Patent Case Against the Nintendo Switch and Joy-Con Co...
News US Sprint Stores Are Giving Away Pokémon GO Trainer Level Badges
Video See the Big Difference Between Monster Hunter XX on Switch and 3DS
News The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Version 1.3.1 Is Now Live
