Review SEGA AGES Fantasy Zone (Switch) - Classic Cute-Em-Up Action With A Great New Mode
Welcome to the Fantasy Zone
Bet you don’t know who Sega’s mascot was for a brief time during the '80s. No, we’re not talking about Alex Kidd – we mean Opa-Opa, the slightly bizarre living spaceship from Sega’s oft-overlooked classic shooter Fantasy Zone. And that game is exactly what we have here, thanks to those gurus at Tokyo-based M2...
Review SEGA AGES Shinobi (Switch) - A True Arcade Classic Comes To Switch
Ninja skills
Arguably one of the most eagerly-awaited entries in M2’s acclaimed Sega Ages series, Sega’s classic ninja side-scroller Shinobi has pounced from the trees like a sneaky ninja to finally hit the Switch in its glorious arcade form. However, is one of Sega’s most beloved games still as awesome as we remember it? We're about to find...
Review Trover Saves The Universe (Switch) - You Don't Have To Love Rick & Morty, But It Helps
Glued to your seats
Fresh from the studios of Squanch Games and the brainchild of Rick & Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, Trover Saves the Universe has made a somewhat surprising appearance on the Nintendo Switch. Does it capture everything that made Rick & Morty so hilarious? Do you need a high IQ to understand this game? Let’s see, shall...
Review Black Future '88 (Switch) - A Frantic Cyberpunk Classic
Cyber delight
Everybody’s been bitten by the cyberpunk bug recently, with CD Projekt Red’s long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077 finally being unleashed on the world next year. There’s no word as of yet regarding whether the futuristic adventure will be following The Witcher 3's leather-booted footsteps over to Nintendo’s machine, but those waiting...
Review Ritual: Crown Of Horns (Switch) - Brutal Yet Rewarding Horror Action
This town ain't big enough for the both of us
There’s been quite a few cracking games based on the Wild West over the years, most notably Rockstar’s acclaimed Red Dead Redemption and its sequel. There's no sign of either appearing on the Switch anytime soon, but here we have a rather intriguing little horror-western game by Draw Distance. Horror...
Review A Hat In Time (Switch) - A Fine 3D Platformer That Was Worth The Wait On Switch
Just in time?
The classic 3D platformer has seen a bit of revival lately, reminding of us of simpler times with bright primary colours and the likes of Banjo-Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, and our very own moustached plumber. We’ve already seen a few attempts at bringing back the good old times, such as Yooka-Laylee and well as re-releases of Crash...
Review Spirit Hunter: NG (Switch) - A Spooky And Gripping Visual Novel
Spirited away
The Switch has become home to a vast array of horror titles over its relatively short life, including multiple entries from big-hitters such as Resident Evil to the likes of Layers of Fear and Outlast. It is in this crowded landscape that Aksys Games’ NG has been brought over to the west, under the title
Review Cat Quest II (Switch) - Purrfect Action RPG Goodness That's Ideal For Newcomers
Cat's out of the bag
The cats are back! It hasn’t been long since the first feline adventure hit the Switch, yet they’re already back with a second outing. It’s raining cats and dogs in this one, with plenty of feline and canine companions to greet you. Is it the epic feline adventure we’ve been waiting for, or a dog’s dinner? Let’s take...
Review StarBlox Inc. (Switch) - Tetris And Smash Bros. Collide In This Charming, Original Puzzler
Block party
Everybody loves Tetris, right? It’s so simple that even your grandma probably knows how to play it. A timeless classic. And who doesn’t love Smash Bros.? Despite its depth, it’s another game that’s simple to pick up and play, and is still a favourite at student dorm parties everywhere. Ever wondered what it would be like to mix...
Review Ori And The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (Switch) - An Unmissable Experience
A light shining the way
There was a time when a platform holder publishing games for a rival format would have been completely unheard of. Unthinkable, even! Yet, a bizarre chain of events has seen Microsoft Studios release a handful of games for our beloved Switch, including the likes of Minecraft and, surprisingly, even Cuphead. While Microsoft...
Shining light
Inti Creates have become synonymous with action platformers over recent years, even beating Capcom at their own game with their excellent Mega Man Zero series. The Ichikawa-based outfit challenge their former masters once again with the first original Switch entry in their acclaimed Gunvolt series. Can they make their mark among the...
Feature A Guide To Shopping In Japan's Retro Gaming Paradise, Akihabara
The promised land
For readers of Nintendo Life, Akihabara will almost certainly need no introduction. It has for decades been the bastion of Japanese gaming and otaku culture, a sprawling metropolis of stores packed with gaming treasures which we just can’t find back home. The sheer amount of gaming stores to explore have made the trip to...
Feature Inti Creates On Mega Man, Working With Nintendo And Staying True To Its Japanese Roots
"We don’t really know what really appeals to people outside the Japanese market"
Inti Creates is arguably one of the most talented game developers working in Japan today. The company – formed by ex-Capcom staff – has produced self-made hits like Azure Striker Gunvolt and Gal*Gun, but has also worked extensively with other firms to produce...
