Latest Features - Page 12
Soapbox I Thought I'd Clear My Backlog In 2024, But The Switch Had Other Ideas
Back(log) pain
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim is finding 2024 to be a little more stacked than he expected... 2023 was a wild ride on Switch. In any given year, the likes of Fire Emblem Engage, Pikmin 4, Outer Wilds, Ghost...
Book Review 'The Most Relaxing Video Games' - More Than Just Cute 'N' Cosy
Ahhhhhhhhh...
When it comes to relaxing games, you probably already have a reasonably sound idea of what these might look like and entail. Perhaps it’s a jaunty farm sim like Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons, a laid-back puzzler like Unpacking, or even a cute adventure like A Short Hike. The point is that many of us have preconceived notions of...
Feature What's It Like To Attend The Pokémon European International Championships?
What a Blast(oise)
The 2024 Pokémon European International Championships have been and gone, but what a weekend it was for the yearly event! Thousands of competitors and spectators alike descended on London's ExCeL arena for three days of competition, meet-ups and (of course) shopping. Now taking up multiple halls in the capital's convention...
Soapbox The Pokémon European International Championships Made Me Fall In Love With TCG
I choose you!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim lays his cards on the table after visiting the Pokémon European International Championships... Head into my brain. Take a left at 'Obscure Zelda Knowledge,' go past the door...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (March 2024)
The best eShop games of February, chosen by you and us!
Spring has sprung, and so has the next edition of eShop Selects. This time, we're looking at the best hidden gems — as voted for by Nintendo Life staff — alongside a separate poll for the Reader's Choice for March's eShop releases. You'll see the winner of the latter at the bottom of the...
Back Page 'NL Destinations' Presents The Best Vacation Locales On Switch
'Never Leave', amiright?
In the magazine business, the Back Page is where you'd find all the weird goofs that we couldn't fit in anywhere else. Some may call it "filler"; we prefer "a whole page to make terrible jokes that are tangentially related to the content of the mag". We don't have pages on the internet, but we still love terrible jokes —...
Feature 'Overjoyed' Is A Switch-Compatible, One-Finger Accessibility App That's Available Now
Addressing Nintendo's "random" approach to accessibility
We can all agree that Nintendo isn't exactly a games industry forerunner in terms of accessibility. The lack of being able to quickly and easily remap buttons in many Nintendo first-party games is just a start, but there are often mechanics that require multiple button prompts, or simple...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th April)
Hallownest awaits
It's the weekend folks, which means it's time to find out which games we'll be sinking a few hours into. Before that, however, let's check out a recap of what's been going down this week. First up, we found out that the Switch might have an even bigger task ahead of it if we want it to become the best-selling console of all time...
Feature 13 Studios That Should Take A Nintendo Series For A Genre Spin
Who WOULDN'T want to see Sabotage Studios' Kirby RPG?
There was a time when Nintendo had a white-knuckle grip on its franchises. The chances of another studio catching a whiff of Mario or Link were next to none and while the games industry flourished with games that paid homage to Nintendo's greats, those names themselves stayed in the House of...
Gallery Here's A Closer Look At The Pokémon European Championship 2024 Exclusive Merch
Please don't catch 'em all
The Pokémon European International Championships 2024 have kicked off today in London and, as expected, one of the event's most popular attractions is the pop-up Pokémon Center and the sweet exclusive merch held within. We at Nintendo Life were lucky enough to pop into the store this morning before things got too busy...
Soapbox The Games Industry Needs To Give Up On Exclamation Marks!
Let me exclaim
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim makes a punctuation point... Hey! Hey, you! Yes, you! Do you like games? Do you like talking about games? Of course you do! And yet, in all your time talking about games, you...
Community What's The Best Switch eShop Game We Missed? (March 2024)
Your favourite game for March's eShop Selects
Once more unto the breach. It's time for you to voice your thoughts and tell us about the best eShop games released in March 2024 — the ones we missed, at least. March may have marked the Switch's 7th birthday, but it's otherwise been a bit of a calmer affair on the hybrid console. Popular indie...
Round Up It's April Fools' Day, Here Are The Best Gaming Gags We've Seen (2024)
Fool Mii once...
April Fools' Day on Easter Monday? Is this a crossover episode? A crossover this is not, though that hasn't stopped many from crossing over into the realm of world-class comedy for a giggle on 1st April. As ever, those on the gaming side of the internet have been quick to get involved too (and yes, that might include us at...
Press 'A' to dance madly
When reminiscing on Final Fantasy VI, what first comes to mind? It’s possible your answer is Kefka’s iconic maniacal laugh, or a final boss battle that makes you dance madly, or searching for friends in a world of ruin. But somewhere in that mix—and for many, probably foremost—is the majestic-yet-silly Opera House...
Talking Point What Games Would You Like To See Given The 'Gold Master Series' Treatment?
Get them 'Eclipsed, pronto
We're big fans of Digital Eclipse's work, especially the studio's recent approach to documenting the stories of landmark games and their creators, exploring video game history in the medium's native habitat. Atari 50 was its first 'interactive documentary' title to launch, with The Making of Karateka kicking off the 'Gold...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (30th March)
Birdie!
The weekend is here, which means it's time to dive into what we've all got planned with our Switches (and other consoles too, we guess). Before that, however, let's take a look at what's been going on this week. First up, the Switch got its latest firmware update, and although it's not the most exciting thing in the world, we always...
Guide Every Game In Nintendo's 'Partner Spotlight' eShop Sale (North America)
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk! Pentiment! Bioshock!
After the announcement of the European eShop's 'Blockbuster Sale', we had a sneaky suspicion that North America would be treated to one of its own before long. Sure enough, the 'Partner Spotlight Sale' has kicked off on the US eShop today, bringing up to 80% off a selection of tasty third-party titles. The...
Talking Point Why Isn't Nintendo Revealing Its Partner Devs Before Launch?
Wanted: Dev 'fore it's live
Welcome to the Wild West of the modern gaming landscape. Game sales are soaring. Film and TV adaptations are crawling out of the wilderness quicker than they can be counted. All eyes are on the saloon doors of a bar named 'Nintendo' as the smell of something tasty wafts from the kitchen and out into the nostrils of...
Poll So, Do You Prefer Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Or Tears Of The Kingdom?
A clash of kings
Now that we're swiftly approaching the one-year anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we suspect that many of you have likely completed the game at this stage. Even if you haven't yet and are still mopping up those remaining Korok Seeds, it's probably reasonable to assume that you've experienced enough of the...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give 'Princess Peach: Showtime!'?
Did it give you the ol' razzle dazzle?
Last week, the Mushroom Kingdom's beloved ruler made her solo Switch debut with Princess Peach: Showtime!, an impressive performance in an approachable production that gracefully leaps between genres and finally delivers a star vehicle for a woman that has spent too long out of the spotlight. Our royal...
Poll What's The Best Final Fantasy Game? Rate Your Favourite Mainline & Spin-Offs
It's all up to you
Final Fantasy. Probably the most well-known RPG franchise in the world (besides Pokémon), Square Enix (formerly Square) has been churning out Final Fantasy titles for over 35 years. Beloved by millions, the franchise is still proving popular today on multiple different consoles. With its humble beginnings on the NES, to us, it's...
Feature Nintendo NY Got A Royal Makeover For The 'Princess Peach Showtime!' Meet & Greet
It’s showtime for Peaches Peaches, Peaches Peaches Peaches
As they often do for tentpole characters, Nintendo —at their flagship store at Rockefeller Center in New York City— held a special launch event for their leading lady, Princess Peach. Having recently (as of The Super Mario Bros. Movie) stepped out of Mario’s portly shadow and into...
Talking Point What's Your Perfect Sunday Morning Game?
Sunday brunch
The sun's streaming in through the crack in the curtains. Perhaps last night was a large one and you're a little fuzzy, maybe the kids are awake, jumping on you or haring around the house, or maybe your partner is already up and the smell of a fresh brew is drifting from room to room. Lovely. There's not much better than a Sunday...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd March)
Perfect organism
Hurray, it's the weekend! Before we dive into what we're going to be playing, let's take a look at what's been going on this week. For starters, we reviewed Princess Peach: Showtime! for the Switch, and surprise surprise, it turned out to be much better than we were expecting. We also got some really cool tidbits of information...
Feature 33 Games We're Surprised Still Aren't On Switch
MORE!
In the last seven years, the bounty of software that has come to Switch is really remarkable. You might argue that, in fact, there's too much great stuff being released — too much to be able to play everything you'd like, at least. Let's get things straight — we ain't complaining! But given the games that have come to Switch, you look at...
Talking Point Should 'Third' Pokémon Games Make A Comeback?
Crystal clear
If you can believe it (and, to be honest, we can't) it has been a whopping 15 years since Pokémon Platinum first arrived on Western shores. It has been a decade and a half since we first met Giratina and co. A decade and a half since we stepped foot in the Distortion World. And, most importantly perhaps, a decade and a half since we...
Round Up Every Switch Announcement From Future Games Show: Spring Showcase 2024
Every game, trailer, and release date
The first Future Game Show presentation of the year is here. The Spring Showcase 2024, which was broadcast earlier today, gave us a look at over 40 different games across all genres and platforms. Broadcast live at PAX East 2024, the showcase was hosted by Samantha Béart (Baldur's Gate 3) and Ben Starr (Final...
Talking Point Should We Be Expecting More From Remakes And Remasters?
History in the making (of)
With Switch now into its eighth year and Nintendo's head chefs deep into software prep for the next console, remakes and remasters are the order of the day, with a platter of old favourites being served up in this twilight period for the current system. We got the excellent Super Mario RPG late last year and the Mario vs...
Soapbox 30 Years Later, Super Metroid's Foreboding Atmosphere Is Still Unmatched
Zeb-easily the best
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate Super Metroid's 30th anniversary, Ollie sings the praises of the game's enduring foreboding atmosphere... The Metroid series is perhaps best known for its...
Talking Point What's Your Personal Favourite Super Mario Game?
Not the best
MAR10 Day might be over, but hear us out-- Nintendo said that every day is MAR10 day with Nintendo Switch. So we're going to take that statement to heart and talk about our favourite Mario games. Yep, not the best, not the worst, but our personal favourites. And no, they don't have to be on Switch. Everyone has a different favourite...
Gallery You Lovely People Have Been Photoshopping Our Video Producer Into Games
Here are some of our favourites
Did you know that we have a Nintendo Life Discord server? Well, you do now! It's a wonderful place full of video game chatter, Nintendo chatter, Photoshopping our video producer into iconic games chatter — wait, what? Yes, the Nintendo Life Discord recently came together with one goal, to edit a particularly...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th March)
Seeing an X
Today we ask the age-old question... Will it corndog? Wait, no... What are you playing this weekend?! Before we take a look at the staff picks this week, let's take a look at what's been going on the last few days or so. First up, we got word that The Pokémon Company has set up a new subsidiary called 'Pokémon Works', but no one knows...
Hands On 'Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes' Is 'Suikoden' In All But Name
It's destiny
If you’ve ever played a Suikoden game, it’s hard not to tear up at the opening sequence of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. It’s particularly hard watching this following the passing of series creator and the director of this spiritual successor Yoshitaka Murayama at the age of 55. Character montages, a swelling orchestra,...
Soapbox As Splatoon's Online Wraps Up Nearly 9 Years On, How Does It Compare To Splatoon 3?
Dye hard
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, as its online days draw to a close, Nile bids farewell to Splatoon on Wii U, a shining proof of concept... On 8th April 2024, Nintendo will be
Feature "The Odds Seemed Just Astronomical" - Reviving Lost Media With Shantae Advance
"Decisions made by younger me created a ton of headaches for modern me"
It's not often that a developer gets to revisit a chapter of their past and pick up where they left off on a project two decades prior, but the revival of Shantae Advance in the form of Risky Revolution has given WayForward creative director Matt Bozon just that opportunity...
Talking Point What Do You Want To See From The Next Super Mario Bros. Movie?
A certain 'je ne sais qWAHH'?
In perhaps the least shocking news of MAR10 Day 2024, Nintendo revealed that another Super Mario Bros. Movie is on the way and it's coming in 2026. A sequel should come as no surprise, let's not forget that the first film pulled in 168 million views at the global box office and went on to become one of th
"I almost put a reference in there..."
We were lucky enough to play a lot of great games at Summer Games Fest 2023, but perhaps the biggest surprise was Little Kitty, Big City, an exploration-focused adventure from Double Dagger Studio where you play as a cat on its journey home. From our hands-on preview, the game really dug its claws in and we'd...
Poll Do You Want To See 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder 2'?
Addressing the other elephant in the room
Today is MAR10 Day (MARch 10th, get it??), so it's no surprise that we are once again thinking about Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the first new 2D Mario game in 11 years. Wonder flipped the script on 2D Mario. The 'New' series had lasted for a whopping 17 years and the visuals and level design were very much...
Feature Is Any Mario Game Genuinely 'Underrated'? - 10 Super Mario Games To Reconsider
Appropri-rated
When the word 'underrated' is used in reference to entries in series as venerated as, say, Super Mario or the Zelda, it never quite feels right. Sure, perhaps there are some early oddball entries that people missed — games that were crafted when the template and direction of the series was still in flux — but it's hard to argue...
Soapbox It's Time For Mario's Weird Minigames To Make A Comeback
The Mansion always wins
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim's after some more bitesize Mario weirdness, which he got his fix of on the DS... Super Mario Bros. Wonder was great. It had elephants, it had sweet little blobs of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 9th)
We're not over Overlord
The week is almost over and that means it's time for another edition of What Are You Playing! This week was a little quiet in Nintendo Land after last week's Pokémon shenanigans, but there was still plenty to keep us entertained. We got a free demo for Princess Peach: Showtime! which might have even given us a sneak
Soapbox Help! I Can't Stop Playing Card Games On Switch
Deal me in
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim is laying all his cards on the table... It's early March and I am already filled with embarrassment at the thought of my 2024 Nintendo Year in Review. Last year's results were to be...
Talking Point What DS & 3DS Games Would You Still Like To See On Switch?
Dual-screen dreams
We are still receiving top-notch releases by the bucketload on Switch, but as the console enters the latter phase of its lifespan, we are well and truly in remake & remaster territory. The Wii U barrel has quickly run dry (though some remain that we'd like to see make the jump to the hybrid) and recent years have seen Nintendo...
Reaction Nintendo's Switch Emulator Fallout Is Shocking Only Because It Took This Long
Emulator action
Well, that was quick... But also slow. That Nintendo would take action against programs that circumvent security and open up obvious avenues to playing Switch games without having purchased them is entirely unsurprising given the platform holder's historic 'emulation is piracy' stance. But the speed with which Tropic Haze, the...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (February 2024)
The best eShop games of February, chosen by you and us!
Spring is about to...spring. But do you know what else is waiting for us? Nintendo Life eShop Selects and the new Readers Choice winner for February 2024. As always, staff and contributors at Nintendo Life decide on the top three by an internal vote, all from eShop games we've reviewed on the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 2nd)
Wish upon a card
We made it out of February and it is finally the weekend! Keen to keep the good vibes going, this week on Nintendo Life we celebrated the first Pokémon Presents of 2024. And what would you know, it wasn't all that bad! The big takeaway was the grand reveal of Pokémon Legends: Z-A coming to Switch in 2025, but we also got to see a...
Talking Point What Would Make You Happy To Give Up Physical Games And Go 100% Digital?
Concessions stand
While the demise of physical media has seemed like an inevitability for many years now, boutique publishers are helping to keep a passionate base of physical-only fans with a stocked game library. The scenario right now isn't ideal, with eShop releases often only getting a physical version months later (once a publisher has gauged...
Community What's The Best Switch eShop Game We Missed? (February 2024)
Your favourite game for eShop Selects
Update: In response to many comments and a surge of votes, we will be reviewing Balatro for the Switch! Thanks to all of those who shared their thoughts with us on the game! It's back! We're almost at the end of February already — yes, even with the extra day in this fine Leap Year. Our monthly Nintendo...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 24th)
Jockey up
The weekeeeeeeeeeeeend *cough cough, splutter*. Sorry. Yes, it's the weekend, which means it's time to kick back and relax with some games. First, let's recap what's been going on this week. So the big news is, of course, that we had a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, where the likes of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Epic Mickey:...
Talking Point Which Xbox Games Would You Like To See Come To Switch?
Halo, is it me you're looking for?
After what felt like months of rumours, Microsoft and Nintendo finally put us out of our misery during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase by confirming that, yes, select Microsoft-published Xbox games will be making their way to the Nintendo Switch to join the likes of Banjo-Kazooie on NSO, and the Ori duo...
