Gavin Lane

Gavin Lane

Editor, Nintendo Life

Author Profile

Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.

Ever since I was devouring N64 Magazine every month in the late '90s, the idea of writing about video games for a living had been floating in the back of my mind. Joining Nintendo Life in 2019 meant I could finally combine my love of games and writing, and get to interact with lovely, like-minded people every single day. Video games have the ability to constantly surprise you with something new, even when you think you've seen it all.

Experience

Gavin started contributing to Nintendo Life as a freelance reviewer and features writer in 2018. In 2019 he became Features Editor, and then Editor in 2021.

He continues to contribute articles across the site’s sections including news, reviews, features and guides.

Aside from getting to work with a fantastic team, the variety is the most enjoyable part of the job. Whether it's delving into a specific game, hearing from a developer, considering how best to help players/readers, or unearthing and shining a light on exciting tidbits from the Nintendo sphere, there's always something fresh to discover and write about.

Timeline

  • 2018: Starts contributing to Nintendo Life as a freelance reviewer & features writer
  • 2019: Joins Nintendo Life as Features Editor
  • 2021: Becomes Editor at Nintendo Life

Expertise

Gavin’s first gaming console was the Mega Drive. Since then he’s owned just about every Sega, Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation console you can think of. Oh, and don’t forget the Playdate either!

His favourite console of all time is the N64 - a window into a new world of Nintendo, multiplayer and 3D gaming.

It's variety that keeps me ticking. I'd get sick of the same thing over and over, so I don't have a favourite genre as such. How many roguelike deckbuilders can one person take?

Gavin’s Favourite Games

From the Archive

We asked Gavin to pick out his three favourite pieces of work from across his personal archive, and tell us why he picked them!

Feature: Banjo-Tooie Turns 20 - The Rare Team Tells The Story Of Bombs, Bugs And Bottles

Getting to speak to the Banjo-Tooie team for the 20th anniversary was a huge honour.

Feature: How David Lynch’s Twin Peaks Influenced The Legend Of Zelda Series

As a huge Twin Peaks fan, my piece on the connections between the Zelda series and David Lynch is a personal favourite.

Feature: "It's Fun, So It's Okay!" - Celebrating Takashi Tezuka's Astonishing 40-Year Nintendo Career

I don't get to deep-dive into a specific developer or piece of hardware as much as I'd like, but it was a joy researching and writing about Takashi Tezuka's 40-year Nintendo career.

Username
dartmonkey
Articles
2,370 (87 reviews)
First Article
Sun 2nd, April 2017
Avg. Review Score
7.3
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  • Reigns: Kings & Queens (Switch) - It's Like Game Of Thrones Meets Tinder

    8

    Review Reigns: Kings & Queens (Switch) - It's Like Game Of Thrones Meets Tinder

    Swipe right to smite

    T’was the year 600 and King James did sit upon the accursed throne and verily decree that the age of darkness was at an end; henceforth, he would steer the kingdom away from the rocks of corruption toward prosperity. Forsooth, a kind and noble sovereign was he! Unfortunately, the harvest was an absolute disaster, all his...

  • Wasteland 2: Director's Cut (Switch) - A Less-Than-Perfect Port Of A Turn-Based Tactical Classic

    39

    Review Wasteland 2: Director's Cut (Switch) - A Less-Than-Perfect Port Of A Turn-Based Tactical Classic

    Your choice of beige, brown or rust

    You hear that? That is the sound of companies scrambling to flog their back catalogue on Switch before the eShop becomes oversaturated. You might think that ship has sailed, but publishers continue to tout impressive sales figures on Nintendo’s ‘homeheld’, so next up is inXile’s Wasteland 2: Director’s...

  • The Spectrum Retreat (Switch) - A Portal-Style Puzzler Worthy Of Your Attention

    7

    Review The Spectrum Retreat (Switch) - A Portal-Style Puzzler Worthy Of Your Attention

    Four stars on TripAdvisor!

    If we were to knock together an old-fashioned ‘someting meets something’ comparison to describe The Spectrum Retreat, ‘Gone Home-meets-Portal in the hotel from The Shining’ would probably fit the bill. That conveys the tone of this FPS narrative puzzler but saddles it with expectations any developer would struggle...

  • God Wars: The Complete Legend (Switch)

    20

    Review God Wars: The Complete Legend (Switch)

    Strategy? Tactics? Stractics!

    As we await next year’s ‘proper’ Fire Emblem entry on Switch, strategy and tactics fans have several alternatives in that nebula of sub-genres to tide them over. Between games like Mercenaries Saga Chronicles, Disgaea 5 Complete and The Banner Saga trilogy (or even Mario + Rabbids

  • Space Ribbon (Switch eShop)

    13

    Review Space Ribbon (Switch eShop)

    Gotta go... slow?

    Imagine firing up Mario Kart (pick one) for the first time and being dropped directly onto Rainbow Road, but a 25cc version with no items. And you’re driving a Morris Minor. Welcome to the opening of Space Ribbon. Released on PC in 2016 by Liverpool-based developer Onteca, this racer’s biggest problem is the first impression it...

  • Shio (Switch eShop)

    11

    Review Shio (Switch eShop)

    But who is the dreamer?

    Right at the very top, let’s address the elephant in the review: from the moment you select Shio’s icon on the Switch’s menu screen, Celeste will probably be playing on your mind. Although Shio first appeared on PC last year – well before the other platformer’s debut – it, too, presents a determined character...

  • Manual Samuel (Switch eShop)

    4

    Review Manual Samuel (Switch eShop)

    Blink and you’ll miss it

    Upon firing up Manual Samuel – a game which released on other platforms back in 2016 – you’re immediately informed by the cod-British narrator that Sam is a total brat. An ultra-privileged upbringing has created a man with zero empathy who lacks the most basic social graces. His douchebaggery leads to a concussion...

  • The Inner World - The Last Wind Monk (Switch eShop)

    11

    Review The Inner World - The Last Wind Monk (Switch eShop)

    The greatest teacher, failure is

    Released day-and-date with its predecessor on Switch, The Inner World - The Last Wind Monk continues the quirky, comic adventure of the hapless-yet-endearing Robert and his sassy counterpart, Laura. This is an iteration on the point-and-click original with all its character and humour (and inscrutable puzzles), plus...

  • The Inner World (Switch eShop)

    12

    Review The Inner World (Switch eShop)

    Disappoint-n-click?

    Ever since touchscreens started appearing on every device in the house, the trusty adventure game has enjoyed a renaissance. We’ve seen rereleases, remasters and brand-new series take off on all platforms, and Switch is an ideal home for them. Enter The Inner World, a point-and-click adventure from German developer Studio...

  • Titan Quest (Switch)

    44

    Review Titan Quest (Switch)

    Any port in a storm

    Switch’s success caught publishers off guard, and it seems portfolios are being raided to keep the steady stream of ports a-coming. Titan Quest – a revamp of the twelve-year-old hack-and-slash ARPG – is finally launching on Nintendo’s console following a PS4 and Xbox One release earlier this year. Reception was...

  • Code Of Princess EX (Switch)

    69

    Review Code Of Princess EX (Switch)

    This is an EX parrot

    Proudly continuing the Japanese tradition of awkward-sounding fantasy game titles, Code of Princess arrives on Switch in ‘EX’ form courtesy of new publisher, Nicalis. The 3DS original launched back in 2012 and positioned itself as a spiritual successor to the SEGA Saturn cult classic, Guardian Heroes. This souped-up edition...

  • Hungry Shark World (Switch eShop)

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    Review Hungry Shark World (Switch eShop)

    Sorry about Bruce, mate

    From the Finding Nemo-esque logo and the bulbous eyes of the sharks, you might get the impression this is a family-friendly romp where you munch through the ocean like a sea-faring Pac-Man, accruing points and combos as you go. Which is pretty accurate, apart from the ‘family-friendly’ bit – Hungry Shark World is...

  • Star Story: The Horizon Escape (Switch eShop)

    7

    Review Star Story: The Horizon Escape (Switch eShop)

    Live. Die. Repeat.

    "NO FREE-TO-PLAY! NO LOOTBOXES! NO GRINDING!" proclaims the eShop trailer. Developer EvilCoGames boldly assures players that Star Story: The Horizon Escape contains "ONLY FUN!" While it’s amusing to throw tired conventions and unpopular trends under the bus, ‘fun’ is a vague descriptor. What’s fun about this turn-based...

  • The Mooseman (Switch eShop)

    7

    Review The Mooseman (Switch eShop)

    It belongs in a museum

    Coming from small developer Morteshka, The Mooseman is a 2D journey across ancient lands which takes inspiration from Finno-Ugric lore and the Chud tribes of Northern Europe. You control a wandering shaman able to perceive an ethereal plane where beasts reside in the landscape. You’ll encounter a host of animals and spirits...

  • The Lion's Song (Switch eShop)

    15

    Review The Lion's Song (Switch eShop)

    I know that was then, but it could be again

    Vienna-based developer Mi’pu’mi Games has taken inspiration from its home city for The Lion’s Song, a four-part narrative adventure. The world ‘adventure’ conjures images of swashbuckling and derring-do but this is a more meditative point-and-click experience. The Austrian capital was a hub of...

  • Fallout Shelter (Switch eShop)

    45

    Review Fallout Shelter (Switch eShop)

    Up and atom

    Unlikely as it seemed just 18 months ago, Bethesda has become a major third-party supporter for Nintendo. When Skyrim was first glimpsed in the Switch reveal trailer, many assumed that a quick rejig of a six-year-old game was something of a polite gesture on Bethesda’s part, yet they followed it with the brilliant DOOM, and we’ll...

  • Fortnite (Switch eShop)

    101

    Review Fortnite (Switch eShop)

    Llama Sutra

    Fresh from its E3 announcement, the hottest game in the world finally arrives on Switch in a move that should surprise absolutely nobody, and not just because E3 2018 was leakier than dear Liza’s bucket. The question is: how does the Switch version stack up? For the cave dwelling, island castaways among you, Fortnite is a...

  • Just Shapes & Beats (Switch eShop)

    34

    Review Just Shapes & Beats (Switch eShop)

    An A1, tip-top, clubbing jam fair

    After years of remasters, re-releases and reboots, old-school graphics and tunes don’t quite quicken the pulse like they used to – it’s all been done and redone before. Just Shapes & Beats arrives on Switch ticking all the retro boxes. Chiptune soundtrack? Check. Stripped-back aesthetic evoking arcade...

  • The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker (Switch eShop)

    17

    Review The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker (Switch eShop)

    Tossed salad and scrambled eggs

    With The Bunker and Late Shift both under its publishing belt, Wales Interactive has some strong FMV games on Switch. Its next foray into the genre comes from D’Avekki Studios, and this time you’ll need a clipboard, your best Freudian accent and plenty of patience. You are the replacement psychiatrist for the...

  • Smoke And Sacrifice (Switch eShop)

    24

    Review Smoke And Sacrifice (Switch eShop)

    Drear, there and everywhere

    Sachi lives in a perfect, pastoral village. The inhabitants worship a mechanical Sun Tree that powers the community with its benevolent light. Everything’s hunky dory except for one thing: prosperity depends on firstborn children being sacrificed to the Sun God via a big laser. Sachi accepted this when she surrendered...

  • Battle Chasers: Nightwar (Switch)

    60

    Review Battle Chasers: Nightwar (Switch)

    Mana up

    Seven months after arriving on other platforms, and nearly three years after its Kickstarter success, Battle Chasers: Nightwar finally brings its brand of classic turn-based combat to your favourite ‘homeheld’ console. While this is firmly in the JRPG mold, it streamlines features and makes life easier for busy gamers who lack the time...

  • Garage (Switch eShop)

    21

    Review Garage (Switch eShop)

    Marriage or mirage?

    Deadbeat drug dealer Butch wakes up in the trunk of a car and climbs out into a top-down urban hellscape. It’s up to him, with the help of his mysterious handler ‘Anaconda’, to battle through the Garage, an underground mall formerly owned by shady corporation Smith Investments. Cue horrific encounters with mutated vermin,...

  • Late Shift (Switch eShop)

    26

    Review Late Shift (Switch eShop)

    Tuck your shirt in, mate!

    That grandiose term ‘interactive entertainment’ has been bandied around for decades, usually rolled out when the word ‘game’ feels too throwaway or restrictive. Sure, it’s highfalutin, but sometimes it’s simply a more accurate descriptor. FMV release Late Shift is a case in point – it’s likely to garner...

  • Agatha Knife (Switch eShop)

    15

    Review Agatha Knife (Switch eShop)

    That's not a knife

    Remember back when Nintendo censored crosses on tombstones and changed blood from red to green? How times change. While blood and gore have been fair game for a while now, religion has remained a sensitive area until relatively recently, as evidenced by The Binding of Isaac’s long journey to Nintendo platforms. Mango...