Latest Features
Poll Are You Excited About E3 2021?
Come for the reveals, stay for the cringe-factor
It perhaps wasn't surprising that E3 2021 was announced as an online-only affair; the logistics involved in staging an expo, not to mention all of the preparation and traveling for global exhibitors, made an in-person event impossible in the current circumstances. For the vast majority of those that...
Feature Toys For Bob On Crash 4 For Switch And The 'Dream' Of Smash Bros.
"If I had any influence, I sure would love to see that"
Nintendo Switch has lots of major exclusives and its share of awesome download titles, but the little hybrid system can still hold its own and join in with major multi-platform titles. A recent example is Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, which arrived earlier in the Spring; in our review we...
Feature Game Builder Garage Could Help Make The Next Generation Of Game Devs
"Anyone can be a game programmer"
Most of the game developers you know today, and even the ones you don't, grew up making games with some extremely arcane tools. Nintendo's newest game, Game Builder Garage, might look like it's aimed at kids — but it's part of a new era of game development that's more accessible than ever. Back in the day, a lot...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 8th)
So many choices!
Well, it's been another week in the Nintendo Life. We had Star Wars Day and some nice discounts, all sorts of juicy gossip from the Epic Vs. Apple court case, the announcement of Game Builder Garage, and we learnt that
2018's burning question, now updated for 2021!
Update: In the light of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe selling an incredible 10.6 million copies in 2020 alone, we've decided to resurrect this piece, which was originally published in July of 2018. Back then, we asked if you wanted to see Nintendo support the game with more DLC, and almost three years on, we're...
Feature Nintendo Had A Spectacular Year, And May Have Big Plans
Monster profits, big R&D spend and broader moves into 'entertainment'
If you want a very brief summary of the current status of Nintendo's finances, they're extremely healthy. When any company posts profits in the billions of dollars, it's a sign of impressive health and long term stability. It's a boom that rather brings to mind the Wii / DS era,...
PSA Yes, Your DS And 3DS Cartridges Will Eventually Deteriorate, But Don't Panic
Update: A possible fix appears...
In book preservation, processes are established and closely followed. Manuscripts and first editions are kept in carefully managed vault-like facilities, where humidity and access is carefully managed. There are also extensive projects to digitise these materials, creating permanent backups in cloud storage so that...
Talking Point Nintendo's Apex Legends: Legacy 'Gameplay Overview' Trailer Is Questionable
Does it matter?
Many of us love the Nintendo Switch, and on a technical level the hardware is capable of producing some handsome, impressive gaming experiences. Yet, even with that in mind, there are examples of game ports that are passable at best, as the relevant engine / codebase / game style simply isn't a good fit for the hybrid system and its...
Talking Point Surely It's Time For Game Boy On Nintendo Switch Online?
Green screen
Whenever Nintendo Switch Online comes up as a topic, it's normally people demanding to know why Nintendo 64 and GameCube titles haven't arrived, or a laugh at another trailer reupload getting downvoted to oblivion. Despite Nintendo packing lots of retro games and some exclusive '99' titles with the service, and with options to get a...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - April 2021
April's best Switch eShop games!
April was a pretty stellar month for new games on the eShop, helped somewhat by the fantastic Nintendo Indie World presentation that saw some great games launch immediately after the show. These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store, giving some love and attention to the games that could so...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 1st)
Go on, tell us...
It's been another intriguing week in the world of Nintendo, as we take a breath and prepare to relax over the weekend. We had a surprise update that great enhanced online play in Super Mario Party, Monster Hunter Rise updated to version 2.0, Animal Crossing
Soapbox Animal Crossing Is A Daily Delight, But These Aren't Really 'Updates', Are They?
Old horizons
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Today, Tom talks about the lack of substantial updates for a game he's been playing on the regular for some time now... I should start this with a disclaimer: I like Animal Crossing: New...
Talking Point Why Did Nintendo Give Up On Its 'Classic Edition' Concept So Soon?
Does it truly hate making money?
We don't exist in a bubble here at Nintendo Life, and there's many a time we've glanced over other sites and spotted a feature that makes us jealous we didn't think of writing it first. One such piece is this excellent RetroBeat feature by Mike Minotti over on VentureBeat, which asks one very reasonable question: Hey...
Video After 30 Years, We've Finally Played Famicom Detective Club on Switch
The Girl Who Stands Behind and The Missing Heir walk into a club...
The Famicom Detective Club series is a cherished franchise in Japan. These murder-mystery visual novels began life on the Famicom all the way back in 1988 and garnered success with critics and adventure fans alike. Two entries were released on the Famicom in the form of Famicom...
Talking Point Do You Miss Instruction Manuals?
They gave the boxes some heft, no?
For many of us more 'seasoned' gamers, it's sometimes tempting to look back with rose-tinted specs and think that video games were just 'better' in the past. You know, back in the olden times when you didn't need an account and an email address and an 8-character password (minimum one capital letter, one special...
Feature Pokémon Snap - The 64DD Origins Of A Picture-Perfect Spin-Off
Grab your Camerupt
Even amongst die-hard fans, chances are low that you’ve beaten most Pokémon games. Sure, main entries and subsequent remakes are one thing, but when you consider Pokémon’s seemingly endless spin-offs, that becomes a completely different chat. Now clocking over a hundred games, some may have fallen into relative obscurity,...
Talking Point Wii Features We'd Love To See On Nintendo Switch
Apart from 'managing the fridge', that wasn't fun
The Nintendo Switch has been a hugely successful and profitable system — and we're evidently huge fans of it — so it might seem a tad churlish to highlight areas it could be better. Yet one aspect where the system is arguably lacking is in personality, especially when compared directly to its...
Feature Pokémon Origin Stories - The Inspiration Behind Your Favourite Pocket Monsters
A quarter-century of Pokémon designs
Pokémon is a juggernaut of a franchise. Countless games, movies, merchandise and mobile apps make this literally the biggest media franchise ever made in terms of cold hard cash. Of course this couldn’t have happened without long-lasting appeal, and one area that the franchise nearly always seems to nail down...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 24th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another busy week in the world of video games has come to an end. In the past seven days we've seen LEGO Luigi leaked and then officially revealed, Super Nintendo World forced to close temporarily due to pandemic-related precautions after opening just a month ago, and
Talking Point Is It Worth Buying A Nintendo Wii U In 2021?
The answer might not be as obvious as you think...
Nintendo's doing pretty well at the moment, with its Switch console selling like hotcakes and games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons creating a whole new generation of fans. You might assume, then, that the sheer notion of investing your hard-earned money in the company's last-gen system – and...
Feature Intriguing Switch eShop Games That Caught Our Eye - 21st April
Action, puzzle solving, multiplayer shenanigans and cute learning
A few weeks back we shared an article that highlighted intriguing eShop games that had caught our eye. The criteria was pretty simple; they had to be games that we'd missed in some form or not received as much coverage as they perhaps deserved. Let's do that again, shall we? As a...
Soapbox An Anniversary Ode To Okami, The Best Zelda Game That Isn't
Fifteen years of Clover's classic
Ever since the The Legend of Zelda turned 35 back in February, we've been looking back over the mainline games with a series of features celebrating and examining each one from a personal perspective. However, today it's the 15th anniversary of another fine action-adventure — a game which may not have the name...
Hands On Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Still Has The Power To Shake You Up
Featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry series
Ahead of the game's launch on 25th May, we recently had the chance to sit down with a pre-release version of Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster. Here follows our hands-on impressions from intrepid Nintendo Life (p)reviewer, Mitch Vogel... Before we get into impressions, let’s set the scene...
Feature 'Breaking' Shrines Was Maybe The Coolest Thing About Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A new approach to puzzle design
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Mitch discusses goofing around with puzzles in one of the...
Feature Final Fantasy Veterans Discuss Their Upcoming JRPG, Astria Ascending
"Maybe remote collaboration is the best way after all!"
Announced initially in Famitsu in March and unveiled for worldwide release shortly after, Astria Ascending is a JRPG in the classic mould that has a bevy of veterans from the genre — and the Final Fantasy series in particular — involved, including narrative by Kazushige Nojima (whose...
Feature Bringing SNK Vs. Capcom: The Match Of The Millennium To Switch After Two Decades
"We hope that re-releasing this SvC title will serve as an opportunity for more"
For anyone old enough to remember the initial 1999 release of SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, its recent surprise arrival on Switch was a real event. This crossover fighter is part of a celebrated series that pits the finest combatants from the stables of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 16th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another long week has come and gone; one that saw Nintendo announce a new indigo Switch Lite, rumours and a staunch denial that someone was looking to snap up Square Enix, and a rather good Nintendo Indie World Showcase that saw some releases drop on Switch eShop. Lo
Soapbox 'I'll Play It On Game Pass' Is Becoming Common, But Does That Affect Switch eShop?
The stats say perhaps not
Though the Nintendo Switch is my most-played system, I have a confession, dear readers. I also play a fair bit on the Xbox Series X, which I somehow pre-ordered in the distant time of 2020, and it actually arrived. Sure enough the devil is banging on the door demanding payment of my soul, but I'll just keep playing games...
Exclusive Writer Of Lockdown Horror Hit 'Host' Is Aiming To Revolutionise FMV Games With 'Ghosts'
"It’s a live show, so anything can happen"
Back in the '90s, FMV video games were seen as a way of harnessing the amazing storage potential of CD-ROM to create immersive, life-like video games – but although cult classics like Night Trap found an audience, few would argue FMV gaming was a true revolution; the lack of interaction was painfully...
Talking Point What Is A Video Game 'Developer' Exactly? Team NL Has A Friendly Chat
With a virtual cup of tea
To kick off this week in the weird world of social media, you may have seen many opinions shared online on the subject of what makes someone a 'developer' in the world of video games. As with almost any topic on the internet, debate got heated — whodathunkit? — and there was disagreement in some quarters as to whether...
Soapbox After 17 Years, Monster Hunter Rise Finally Made Me Kind Of Competent
Rising up
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Today, Kerry looks at how Capcom's latest Monster Hunter game empowered her for the first time to feel adequately skilled when it comes to hunting big ol' monsters... I have been terrible...
Feature Would You Rather: Eat A Pikachu, Or An Eevee?
Sit down at our table for the most unethical meal you'll ever eat
Welcome to "Would You Rather", where we ask you to choose from two (or more) equally awesome/horrible things, and find out if you're in the majority or the minority. Of course, you can always argue your case in the comments. Bienvenue, hungry diners, and welcome to the Nintendo Life...
Talking Point Capcom, Please Make Monster Hunter Snap
Snap those Monster scraps
I’ve been playing a lot of Monster Hunter Rise since it launched. Like, an unhealthy amount. It’s easily my new favourite in the series, serving as a great jumping on point for new players and a place for veterans to hone their skills. But while I’ve enjoyed zipping to and fro with the new Wirebug, and riding around...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 10th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's the end of another busy week, one that's seen the release of Pac-Man 99, rumours of dock-based upgrades for a potential new Switch, confirmation of DLC for the really-rather-go
Feature Zelda: Twilight Princess' Flipped World On Wii Made Me Go A Little Cucco
Flip reverse it
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Gavin regrets the fact that he let a tiny, insignificant detail spoil his time with a...
Talking Point A Digital-Only E3 Makes Sense, But In-Person Events Are The Goal
Games are born at events like these
When E3 revealed that it would run a digital event this year, it drew interest because of some notable participants – in particular, Nintendo and Xbox – but also plenty of weary sarcasm to match the buzz. E3 as an event arguably only has itself to blame if some feel jaded or downright indifferent to it, as it...
Feature Nihon Falcom's Trails Of Cold Steel Rivals Game Of Thrones In The Worldbuilding Stakes
How the Trails series brought life to Zemuria
Much like its predecessors, we had a fair wait until The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV reached western audiences. First launched three years ago, Cold Steel IV finally arrived in the West last year on PS4 to great reviews and, come April 9th, Switch owners can experience how Nihon Falcom’s...
Soapbox The Insect Glaive Is Still Awesome In Monster Hunter Rise
Wirebug Deluxe Edition
A little before the release of Monster Hunter Rise I looked up a few weapon tier lists, not to influence my choice of starter weapon but to affirm my choice. At that point, the lists were based off demo impressions, and it was ugly reading. The Insect Glaive was considered to be 'nerfed', and was sitting at the uncool table...
More artificial scarcity
On March 29, 2021, Bandai Candy — in partnership with Nintendo and 7-Eleven — released a collection of seven Animal Crossing figurines. Branded 'Atsumare: Dōbutsu no Mori - Tomodachi Dōru' (loosely, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Doll Friends), the figurines can only be purchased at Nintendo Tokyo and, more...
Feature Zelda: Spirit Tracks Finally Gave The Princess A Crucial Role To Play
The only one that actually tells a Legend of Zelda
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Mitch looks back on an underrated handheld entry...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - March 2021
March's best Switch eShop games!
Last month, we celebrated the Switch's fourth anniversary on the market. It's a nice little milestone, but despite it being in the hands of consumers for such a long time, the console's approach to eShop discoverability still has a long way to go. These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store,...
Talking Point An Extraordinary Year For Gaming Certainly Didn’t Come Easy
Developers, publishers and their games kept us connected
It’s not surprising that we’re at a point of reflection, as we’re now past a year of life being upended and drastically changed from how it was before. Our day-to-day routines aren’t likely to be ‘normal’ for some time yet, in truth, but a consistent part of our lives of anyone...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 3rd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
We're now into April and despite the internet's best attempt to fool us, the best the pranksters did was to provoke a wry grin. In other news, Balan Wonderworld became the biggest bot bait of the year (so far), the Castlevania game so bad that Konami couldn't bring themselves to call it Castlevania was
Talking Point Is The N64 Pad Actually The Best Controller Ever?
Vote with the Pak
We recently had cause to sit down with our beloved Nintendo 64 and blast through the opening sections of a few 64-bit classics. It was all in the name of capturing comparison shots for an article that touched on the topic of original Super Mario 64 vs. the version included in Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Talking Point Nintendo 3DS Features That Should Really Be On Switch
Folders! Cover plates! StreetPass!
2021 is the 10th anniversary of the Nintendo 3DS, a lovely little system that helped carry Nintendo through a somewhat turbulent 2010s. Its companion home system, the Wii U, wasn’t doing so hot, but the 3DS spent much of its time hosting hit after hit. As a mixture of console and handheld, the Switch is a...
Talking Point Which Old Game Series Would You Like To See Revived?
Be careful what you wish for...
Picture this: You're on a beach. You're digging a big hole, because that's the best thing to do on a beach, maybe second only to eating an ice cream or finding a reaaaaaally smooth rock. But suddenly, your neon-pink plastic spade hits something hard. You claw it out of the wet, dark sand with your fingers, too...
Soapbox Monster Hunter Rise Is The Perfect Hybrid Game
Rising to the challenge
A little game called Monster Hunter Rise launched last week, shipping an impressive four million copies through its opening weekend. Its release was so significant in Japan, particularly, that many players tried to book days off, with one CEO getting attention for giving in to
Memory Pak When Ace Attorney Pulled A Game Of Thrones-Level Twist
I can't believe they got Sean Bean to play [REDACTED]
Is it even worth doing a spoiler warning for an article that literally has the word "twist" in the title? I will anyway, just in case: This article will contain spoilers for both Game of Thrones and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, as well as probably some of the other Ace Attorney games, but none...
Feature Subnautica Switch Dev - "It Wasn’t Always Our Intention To Release Them Together"
Unknown Worlds on its upcoming simultaneous Switch launch
First announced for Switch in a bumper Indie World Showcase from Nintendo back in August 2020, we were delighted to hear that developer Unknown Worlds and Bandai Namco are bringing not only the original Subnautica to Switch this year, but also its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero. The latter...
Feature Can't Buy Super Mario 64 On Switch Anymore? Psst! The N64 Original Is Better
EON discusses Super 64: PAL Edition
As you'll no doubt have heard, Super Mario 3D All-Stars — the 3D Mario collection that bundles Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy in a single Switch cartridge (or download) — will no longer be available to buy
