Ninjala

We've finally made it through another long week, this time full of lots of Super Smash Bros. news, the controversial Pokémon Presents show, and reports that Nintendo is planning on cutting back on its mobile game development.

With all of that out of the way, it's time for us to sit and chat about our weekend gaming plans. Members of Team Nintendo Life have discussed just that below, and we'd love for you to join in via our poll and comment sections. Enjoy!

Gavin Lane, features editor

I’ve had Velocity 2X on my Switch SD card for ages now, but never got around to actually playing it. In his review, Mitch used the classic line “all killer, no filler”, and that’s something I look for with absolutely every game I play these days. Can’t be doing with bloat.

I’ve got plenty of other gems I could be getting on with too, although Star Wars Episode I: Racer is mighty fine and I’m eyeing it on the eShop. As I write, the N64 cart is sitting ready-to-go in the console’s slot, but the convenience of having it on Switch—not to mention that HD sheen on my modern telly—will probably prove too much to resist. Another one for the backlog. It is podracing, after all.

Ryan Craddock, news editor

I've got just a small handful of things left to do in Pokémon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor DLC, so I'll be attempting to get that all wrapped up this weekend. I'm just a handful of Pokémon away from completing the Pokédex - although I need to get my hands on a couple of version exclusives - and I've finally tracked down every last Diglett. Hoorah!

Elsewhere, my copy of The Last of Us Part II just showed up and I've been looking forward to playing it for ages now. Having said that, I keep hearing that it's a particularly tough, depressing experience at times, so I'll have to see if I'm emotionally ready to jump in! Have a good one, folks.

PJ O’Reilly, reviewer

This weekend I am diving deep into Ninjala! I’m absolutely loving what I’ve seen of the art style so far and have my fingers crossed the action can live up to the excellent world-building that GungHo Online have delivered with this one. Elsewhere I’m still blasting through Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia with a few of the different factions available, I’ve completed two runs so far – my review should be up soon – and overall I’ve been enjoying the slow and almost relaxing nature of the tactical battles that are the main meat of the gameplay here.

If I’ve got any gaming time left over, I’ll be trying - in vain most likely - to make some progress with my very slow playthrough of Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition. Too many games! Have a good weekend and stay safe out there.

Austin Voigt, contributing writer

I was beginning to lose interest in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - which is saying something, considering there is literally nothing else to do in life right now - however, with news of a bug-off this weekend and an impending diving/swimming update the next, I have magically regained my interest in the game, like a true AC addict!

I have also yet to dive into the Pokemon Shield expansion pass - which I purchased on release, but simply haven't wanted to jump back into quite yet - so that will likely take up the rest of my weekend. Naturally, I would find reasons to continue playing the games I've already played to death, rather than delve into any part of my backlog. Because I'm lazy.

Liam Doolan, news reporter

The newly released free-to-play title Ninjala is probably what I'll be playing the most this weekend on my Switch. I've waited for it - like many others - for at least a few years now, and have been eager to properly sink my teeth into it since participating in the beta. So over the next few days, I'll be doing exactly that. I've also purchased the first chapter of the story mode with some spare eShop credit, so I'm looking forward to checking that out on the side in between online battles.

Apart from GungHo's new release, I'm keen to dig into Mr. Driller: DrillLand and return to both Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Animal Crossing: New Horizons ahead of the next big updates. Oh, and I can't leave out Star Wars Racer. I can't believe we can now replay this classic on a modern Nintendo platform - how good is that!

Gonçalo Lopes, contributing writer

Fond memories of Star Wars Episode I Racer came rushing in with the release of the remaster. Despite some very poor audio mixing, it remains a truly wonderful experience, one that gave me an insight into Episode I quite some time before it premiered at the cinema. Nostalgia keeps kicking in with the mighty boot of Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. Jon St. John one-liners are still stealing the whole show over two decades later.

My game of the week is Railway Empire! More nostalgia-induced fun due to all the stellar memories I still have as a child assembling HO train sets with my dad. Still have them lying about too! I’ve been told they are worth a small fortune nowadays...

Which games are you playing this weekend?

(You can select up to 3 answers)

As always, thanks for reading! Make sure to leave a vote in the poll above and a comment below with your gaming choices over the next few days...