Latest Features
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 14th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another week has come and gone as we tumble inexorably towards 2020, and this one gifted Nintendo a few choice gongs at The Game Awards and all 10 spots in the Japanese All-Format game charts. We also saw the announcement of a raft of indie titles as part of
Hardware Review Race Away With Mario Kart Pro Mini & Deluxe Racing Wheels
Move over tilt controls
Racing games can be great fun, but you know what can make them even better? Playing them with a replica steering wheel (and no, not the ones you sink your Wii Remote or Joy-Con into.) Just ask anyone who’s been to an arcade and played something like Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Crazy Taxi or one of the many Cruis’n games...
"Publishing our own title has been one of the goals since we established Good-Feel"
Japanese developer Good-Feel is the company behind a host of heart-warming Nintendo games, including the excellent Kirby's Epic Yarn, Yoshi's material-based platformer Yoshi's Woolly World on Wii U and the more recent Yoshi's Crafted World on Switch. A couple of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 7th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
So, yet another week has been and gone, this time bringing with it a new Nintendo Switch system update, an announcement for new NES and SNES titles on Switch - just days after we moaned about it, no less - and even the addition of
Guide Best Nintendo Christmas Gifts For 2019
Stocking-fillers for the Nintendo gamer in your life
Yes, December is finally here! The Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are long gone, and perhaps you already managed to sort out a few Nintendo-related gifts for our nearest and dearest this holiday season. If so, well done! If you weren't so lucky, fear not – we're here to help you hunt down...
Talking Point What Did You Pick Up On Black Friday And Cyber Monday?
Did you score any bargains?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fading into memory, but hopefully, you took advantage of the sales and managed to pick up a few bargains over the past week. There were offers on consoles, accessories, games and associated merchandise, which means there was plenty of scope for savings. But Did you get involved? Perhaps...
Guide Nintendo Switch Cyber Monday 2019: Console Bundles, Games, Micro SD Cards And More
Grab yourself a bargain
Black Friday is now but a distant memory on the other side of the weekend, but we hope you grabbed yourself a bargain or two. One part of the Black Friday festivities might involve jostling for deals in crowded stores, though there's just as much action going down online, with plenty of deals available without leaving the...
Feature What Is A Wunderling? Developer Retroid On Its Upcoming 2D 'Goomba Sim'
"Mango, Potato, Lime, Lemon, Pear, Fat Banana Man, Pumpkin... we seriously don't know"
Another day, another Goomba. It's World 1-1 and Mario sets off on another adventure. He runs to the right to find the obligatory '?' Blocks and the first Goomba dutifully trundling towards him. The lowly henchman - if that label is appropriate for a 'mushroom'...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - November 2019
November's best Switch eShop games!
November wasn't the busiest of months on the eShop surprisingly, but it still presented a very decent number of titles big and small to wade through, plenty of which are worth checking out. These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store, giving some love and attention to the games that could...
Feature Pokémon Sword And Shield: What UK Locations Are The Towns In Galar Based On?
The real-world towns and cities we think inspired Pokémon Sword and Shield
All right, guv'nor? As you are almost certainly aware, the Galar region in Pokémon Sword and Shield is based on the United Kingdom. While the first four regions we encountered in the games - Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh - were all based on locations in Japan, Unova from...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 30th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's been yet another crazy week in the Nintendosphere, this time full of Pokémon news from every direction and even a new Metroid rumour to be sceptical of. Now, though, it's finally time to sit back and relax. Team Nintendo Life have discussed our weekend gaming plans below and we'd love for you to join in...
Talking Point What's Happened To Switch's NES And SNES Games, Nintendo?
The last update was three months ago
Leading up to the Nintendo Switch Online service's launch back in September 2018, and during the few months that followed, it was impossible to get away from talk surrounding people's like or dislike for its offerings, including its library of retro games. As subscribers will be aware, being a member of Nintendo...
Feature The Game-Changing Nintendo VR Headset That Never Was
"We had cool stuff working"
Argonaut Software is a name that long-time Nintendo fans will be intimately familiar with; the UK-based firm worked with Nintendo on its Super FX chip, the cartridge-based hardware that made titles like Star Fox, Stunt Race FX and Yoshi's Island possible. However, Argonaut's interest in tech didn't end there; the company...
Accessory Review tomtoc Nintendo Switch Lite Cases - Sturdy, Practical And Affordable
Available to buy as we speak
A quick look at any gaming retailer's website will present you with countless options for your console carrying needs these days, and picking the right case for your particular budget can be a little complicated. Last year we checked out tomtoc's range of cases for the original Nintendo Switch and came away very...
Feature We Paid A Visit To Nintendo TOKYO On Opening Day, And Here's What We Found
Let's-a-go check out some amazing merch!
Nintendo TOKYO officially opened in the renovated Shibuya Parco in Tokyo last week, and despite it being both rainy and the coldest day of the year, that didn't stop Nintendo fans from lining up by the thousands to get in. The store officially opened up at 10:00, but you first had to line up to get a...
Hardware Review How Does The Carby GameCube Component Cable Compare To The Real Deal?
Component or HDMI, that is the question
If you're of a certain age you'll understand the struggles we went through to get the absolute best picture quality out of our consoles back in the day. The GameCube was no different; in fact, we remember paying well over the odds for a modified Component-to-RGB Scart cable in order to get our NTSC GameCube...
Feature Hands-On With Tobu Tobu Girl Deluxe, A Challenging New Game Boy Title With A Cute Look
You go, girl
Making a new Game Boy game in the modern era takes a lot of guts, but Tangram Games has done just that with Tobu Tobu Girl Deluxe. Successfully crowdfunded to the tune of €40,972, this is a simplistic yet challenging action title which tasks you with getting to the top of the screen using a wide range of skills while avoiding hazards...
Feature Donkey Kong 64 Devs On Bugs, Boxing And 20 Years Of The DK Rap
Put your hands together if you want to clap
In the last few days we've had a spate of video game anniversaries with Pokémon Gold and Silver, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong Country and
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 23rd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's been an eventful anniversary-filled week! Pokémon Sword and Shield got off to a sterling start despite its mixed reception, we reported on a stunning Zelda Breath of the Wild bedroom mural that had us looking at our dreary walls in envy, and a remarkable
Feature The Story Behind New Super Mario Land, The Homebrew Marvel Intended As A Christmas Gift
"As far as I'm concerned, the project is terminated already"
Yesterday's news that a talented modder had managed to 'update' (if such a term could be used) Super Mario Land in the form of New Super Mario Land – and get it working on a SNES, no less – caused quite a stir online. We've been lucky enough to not only play this incredible feat of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 16th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's been an eventful week in the run up to the launch of a certain creature-capture game that will inevitably be keeping team NL (and most of you, we'd imagine) busy this weekend - Sonic the Hedgehog returned in updated silver screen form in a new trailer which seems to have gone down much better than the...
Feature Hopoo Games On Bringing Risk of Rain 2 To The Switch
Coming soon to a storeshelf near you
Earlier this fall, Hopoo Games opted to release Risk of Rain 2 on the Switch and its fellow console brethren, setting another milestone moment in the long and ongoing development cycle that's been taking place since the title entered early access on PC in March. We were quite pleased with the build that was made...
Feature FAST RMX And Nano Assault Dev Shin'en On What Exactly The Touryst Is All About
"A game about being on vacation, but a vacation that goes strange"
Way, way back in the depths of the past (mid-August to be exact), you may recall Nintendo's Indie World presentation that highlighted a trove of upcoming indie treasures heading to the Switch eShop. In the months since then we've seen many of the announced games released, and one in...
Feature The Story Of Blizzard's Diablo Junior, The Game Boy Epic That Never Was
“A Diablo-lite game with a town and lots of dungeons? I'd eat that up”
Modern-day Nintendo fans may be able to enjoy the thrills of Diablo III on the move in 2019, but at the turn of the millennium, options for Nintendo-loving dungeon explorers were far more limited – although the outlook could have been quite different. Following Diablo II's...
Soapbox Professor Layton And The Psychology Of Puzzle Solving
Warning: Spoilers contained within!
Like many others, the Nintendo DS has a special place in my heart. Preoccupying me for hours over several years, that little plastic plaything accompanied me here, there and everywhere and with it, my strange assortment of games. As a kid, often what was advertised to me were games featuring brands like Pokémon...
Soapbox Attacking Pokémon Creator Game Freak Isn't Cool, But Biting Back Isn't The Answer
Game Freak's James Turner fuels the fire, but can you blame him?
The negative press surrounding the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield shows no signs of slowing down, with rumours now floating around that morale at developer Game Freak is at an all-time low. Earlier this week, WayPoint Radio’s Austin Walker (thanks, GoNintendo) made a claim that...
"I’m really glad for the chance to expose the world to this game"
With the release of the Romancing SaGa 3 remaster on Switch on 11th November, the game is finally getting a western localisation 24 years to the day after the game first launched on Super Famicom. With a choice of eight characters, a deep battle system and an expansive adventure...
Poll How Do You Pronounce These Pokémon-Related Words?
How does your PokéPron compare to the crowd?
A few months back we asked you lovely people to tell us how you say certain video game-related words and with your answers we gathered some interesting data. We know, for example, that 55% of people polled pronounce 'NES' by saying each letter rather than shortening it to a single syllable with ness or...
"What’s changed? So far as I can tell, not a lot!"
Earlier this week, Playtonic Games announced that veteran character artist Ed Bryan was joining the team behind Yooka-Laylee on a full-time basis. The ex-Rare man has been away from the games industry since leaving Rare eight years ago, but now reenters the fray as Playtonic enjoys the success of...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 9th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Well, what another crazy week we've had with Smash Ultimate's major update and the introduction of Terry Bogard, a pro Fortnite player being banned for life and even our first glimpse at
Review Go-tcha Evolve - The Pokémon GO Plus Killer
Auto-catching and step tracking
Accessory maker Datel has had two attempts at making the ultimate Pokémon GO companion device: the Go-tcha and the Go-tcha Ranger. Both mimic the functionality of the Pokémon GO Plus (and the later
Feature Just Who The Heck Is Terry Bogard, Smash Bros. Ultimate's New DLC Fighter?
Update: Terry comes to Smash today - but do you know who he is?
The news that Terry Bogard has joined Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has triggered some rather polarising responses from Nintendo fans. For gamers of a certain vintage, Bogard's name is synonymous with SNK's superb lineage of one-on-one fighting games, stretching all the way back to 1991's
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - October 2019
October's best Switch eShop games!
With Halloween now safely out of the way, we've somehow stumbled right into November - seriously, where does the time go? The good news is, however, that the end of the month means it's time to dig out the ol' Nintendo Life eShop Select Awards! These awards aim to celebrate the best of Nintendo's digital store,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 2nd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
After a week full of disappointed Pokémon shoppers and a whole lot of Reggie-based news, we're suddenly sensing the light at the end of the tunnel and a chance to actually sit down with a game or two. It must be the weekend! As always, members of team Nintendo Life have gathered together to discuss their...
Feature The Most Memorable Ghosts In Nintendo Games
Spooks, spectres and ghosts that stuck around
It's close to midnight, and something evil's lurking in the dark... Well, perhaps. Yes, Nintendo Switch has its fair share of true horrors, but there's a fair chance that any ghost you happen across on Nintendo platforms could be a Casper-like friendly phantom. With Halloween almost upon us and Luigi up...
Feature All Aboard The Sega Bus, A Relic From A Time When Sonic And Mario Were Sworn Enemies
Who said public transport isn't fun?
It might not mean much to people outside of the UK, but the Sega Bus has been part of video game folklore for decades. Back when Nintendo and Sega were fighting tooth and nail for dominance of living rooms all over the world, Sega's UK arm – which had enjoyed tremendous success thanks to the fact that the...
Feature Luigi And Video Gaming's Other Palette Swap Heroes
Clones that became stars
Luigi’s Mansion 3 releases in just a couple of days and rounds out a trilogy of excellent games featuring gaming's most famous sidekick in the starring role. Over the years Luigi has grown from mere clone to become a beloved Nintendo character and developed something of a cult following along the way. Perhaps his cowardice...
Gallery The Art Of Super Mario Odyssey Is A Lush Journey Through The Design Of A Switch Classic
Luigi's Mansion who?
We know what you're thinking. Super Mario Odyssey – great game that it is – came out ages ago. Surely, releasing an art book based on the game now would be a silly idea, especially when the spotlight has fallen on Mario's sibling and his latest adventure? Putting aside any debates on launch timing, Dark Horse's latest tome...
Exclusive Check Out These Never-Before-Seen New Super Lucky's Tale Levels On Switch
How does the fox play?
Lucky's Tale has had quite an interesting journey over the years. First appearing on Oculus, then moving to the Xbox One and now finding his new home on Nintendo Switch. It's like a match made in heaven for the little platforming fox as developers, Playful, aren't just porting over an old version; they're completely...
Feature How Fangamer Changed The World Of Video Game Merchandise Forever
"We created the merchandise that Nintendo never made for us"
Before the turn of the century brought with it online communities, before the standard for monetary transactions became digital, and not to mention, before good old-fashioned globalism, being able to officially declare your super fandom for almost anything you can think of meant frequent...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 26th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Here we are once again, seven days later, as if by magic. It's been a week game-packed with video games of all shapes and sizes. This week we've seen Black Friday 'leaks' which were too good to be true, news of a Nintendo Store opening in Tokyo (no, amazingly there wasn't one already) and Nintendo President
Hardware Review Retro-Bit's Bluetooth Sega Pads Are Perfect For Retro On Your Switch
Remote control
Not a week seems to pass without news of yet another new wired or wireless controller for the Switch. We've had SNES-themed ones, Sega-styled ones and even ones that try to offer the perfect platform for one-on-one fighters. There's cle
Talking Point Shuntaro Furukawa Understands, As Iwata Did, The Value Of Experimentation To Nintendo
He's following in grand traditions
Taking over the reigns and responsibility of a treasured company like Nintendo must be daunting at the best of times, but when you're stepping into the shoes of a fan-favourite executive who's built up a cult of personality that inspired multiple memes, it must be particularly nerve-wracking. Just ask Doug Bowser,...
Feature How Switch Brings Back Game Boy Multiplayer Memories
A link (cable) to the past
Quite apart from the huge number of great games coming to the system every week, one result of Switch’s success that we’ve really enjoyed is how it has brought back a focus on local multiplayer gaming not seen since the N64 days. Online is still king, of course, but we’d argue there’s nothing quite like the rush of...
Feature Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rescue-Palooza! Is The Turtles Game You've Always Wanted
"I’ve wanted to see every NES and Game Boy game get a SNES do-over"
From the silver screen to the small screen to the even smaller screen on your Game Boy, the world’s favourite comic book pizza-lovers have featured on displays of all dimensions. But, while the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles originated in pen and ink, many people remember them...
Feature The Hall Of Shame – Games Or Series We Never Got Around To Playing
Personal confessions from Team NL
It’s a perennial problem for gaming enthusiasts, young or old: how can I play all the video games? With so many across all the systems, it’s nigh-on impossible to play them all and there’ll always be revered classics or entire series that pass you by completely simply because you never owned a particular...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 19th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Here we are once again, safely in the loving embrace of another weekend. This week saw all sorts of censorship shenanigans and even a cheeky new game for the Wii U, but now we can sit down, relax, and enjoy some game time. As ever, Team Nintendo Life has gathered to discuss our weekend plans and we'd love for...
Talking Point Could Nintendo's Game Design Prowess Solve Discoverability Problems On Switch eShop?
Catchy menu music could be just the start
We don’t know about you, but our visits to the Switch eShop have turned into a monotonous routine that goes something like this: hit the ‘Great Deals’ tab, scroll down while eyeing fodder for the backlog, wait for more games to load, scroll, repeat, scroll, repeat. Sound familiar? There's a gloriously...
Feature Little Town Hero Director On Stepping Out Of Pokémon's Shadow
"RPGs are really time-consuming"
You could say that developer Game Freak has form when it comes to turn-based battlers - the makers of the Pokémon games have stewarded the largest RPG franchise on the planet for over two decades. Nice work if you can get it, although a never-ending cycle of Pocket Monster development can take its toll on a team...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 12th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Here we are then, folks! The end of yet another week. This one brought with it a Fortnite lawsuit and a ridiculous Mario Kart Tour microtransaction pack, but with all that anger out of the way, it's time to chill with some of our favourite games. The Nintendo Life team have shared what we'll be g