Latest Features
Poll How Do You Pronounce These Nintendo-Related Words?
Let’s call the whole thing off
As British film critic Mark Kermode often says, we should never make fun of people for mispronouncing words because — more often than not — it means they learned it through reading. This holds true whether they were found in a book or a video game, and many of us as kids gleaned new vocabulary from instruction...
Hands On We've Played Witcher 3 On Nintendo Switch, And It's A Work Of Magic
"It’s the same as you’ll find on other platforms, how it looks and feels"
Switch has the pick of extraordinary, open-world RPGs. With Nintendo’s own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from Bethesda, both story-led and user-guided experiences are gloriously catered for. While Switch gamers may have held out...
Poll Have You Ever Had Problems With Nintendo Hardware?
Is Joy-Con drift just a blip on Nintendo’s score sheet?
With Joy-Con drift making headlines again over the past month thanks to lawsuits filed in the US, it’s easy to see the phenomenon as a potential disaster for Nintendo. Many gamers have had absolutely no problems with Switch's detachable controllers, but a huge percentage have encountered...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 17th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another busy week has been and gone, this time bringing with it hints at SNES games coming to Switch and the revelation that Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma teased the upcoming Zelda: Link's Awakening remake years ago! Well... As we've finally reached the weekend, it's time once again to sit back, relax, and chat...
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...
Soapbox To Me, Mario Maker 2 Is Nintendo's Best, And Most Disappointing, Sequel Ever
Super Mario Paradox
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. Here Gavin discusses how Super Mario Maker 2 is giving him mixed emotions... The Nintendo first party flavour of the month may well be Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but due to my...
Exclusive Ahead Of Snooker 19's Switch Launch Next Week, We Find Out Why It's So Special
Developer Lab42 spills the beans
Ripstone Games has confirmed that it will publish Lab42's Snooker 19 on the Nintendo Switch eShop on August 23rd, with a price of £29.99 / €34.99 / $34.99. Pre-orders for the physical version of the game are also open now. Snooker 19 showcases 128 of the world’s top snooker players, including the likes of...
Feature WayForward On River City Girls, Its "Crazy Interpretation" Of The Kunio-kun Brand
Let's hear it for the girls
River City Girls, as you might have already guessed, isn't your average Kunio-kun entry. It swaps out the series' heroes for heroines and has been created by WayForward, overseen by the talented team at Arc System Works. With the River City Girls due to arrive early on in September, the game's director, Adam Tierney, was...
Feature Frogwares On Porting The Sinking City's Open World Lovecraftian Horror To Switch
"We are really happy with how the game looks and plays on the Switch"
Combining detective mystery, supernatural Lovecraftian horror and good old fashioned action adventure into one wet and slimy noir-ish tale, The Sinking City released on other platforms back in June and was announced at E3 to be coming to Switch "later this year". Developer...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 10th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
This week has been packed to the brim with exciting Pokémon news, angry Zelda fans, and pretty much everything in between, but we've finally reached the weekend. As such, it's time to relax, gather round, and chat about our weekend gaming plans. Feel free to read through our entries below, vote in our poll,...
Feature Rogue Legacy Lead Designer Makes A Super Mario Maker 2 Course
Answer the challenge of Cellar Door Games' Teddy Lee
Welcome back to our ongoing Super Nindie Maker 2 series where game developers create Super Mario Maker 2 levels for the pleasure of you lovely people. In the previous feature we received a bumper crop of crafty courses from Playtonic Games and before that we had a tight autoscroll A
Hands On Enter The Gungeon's Physical Edition Is Sure To Brighten Up Your Gaming Shelves
Pew! Pew!
Devolver Digitial and Dodge Roll's twin-stick roguelike Enter The Gungeon launched on Switch all the way back at the end of 2017 and has finally received a physical release thanks to Nighthawk Interactive and Special Reserve Games. Beyond the case and game card (which includes the full game, all of its previously released DLC, and an...
Feature 7Levels On Jet Kave Adventure And Its Donkey Kong Country Inspiration
Jet Kave Radio
Revealed earlier this month, 7Levels' upcoming Switch exclusive Jet Kave Adventure channels the classic gameplay of the Donkey Kong Country series, with colourful environments, chunky mechanics and madcap action. Mixing prehistory with a pinch of sci-fi (resulting in what the trailer dubs 's
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - July 2019
July's best Switch eShop games!
Yet another month has flown by and, as is usually the case, plenty of cracking games found their way to the Nintendo Switch eShop in that time. But which ones are really 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 so...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 3rd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Here we are at the end of yet another week. The last few days brought us the inclusion of Dragon Quest's Hero in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the final major update for Splatoon 2, and a gas canister that has its very own pro
Feature Yooka-Laylee Devs Make Super Mario Maker 2 Courses
Play four levels from Playtonic Games!
Next up in our Super Nindie Maker 2 series, we're lucky enough to have a bumper offering from Playtonic Games. Following on from the opening gambit courtesy of Shovel Knight designer Mike Herbster, the developers behind Yooka-Laylee and its upcoming 2.5D sequel Yooka-Laylee and The Impossible Lair have cooked
Talking Point Are Retro Repro Firms Exploiting Demand With Shoddy Products?
Gleylancer is the latest to disappoint
Given that many of retro gaming's most collectable items now sell for hundreds (and occasionally thousands) of dollars, it's unsurprisingly that enterprising companies are turning their hand to officially-licenced reprints to satisfy demand and make a quick buck in the process. The latest example of this is...
Talking Point Nintendo Switch Online’s Appeal Is Growing, But There's A Long Way To Go
Game Trials and exclusive content are a step in the right direction
We received an email in our personal inbox the other day – Nintendo was offering 50 points (the My Nintendo Platinum Points rather than eShop coins, unfortunately) in return for completing a survey about Nintendo Switch Online. It seems that the company is seeking hard feedback...
Soapbox Should I Wait For Switch 'Pro' Or Is The 'New' Switch SKU Worth An Upgrade?
Robbery and battery
The long-rumoured Switch Lite is taking Nintendo’s hybrid console concept, dumping the ‘hybrid’ bit and going full ‘PlayStation Vita’. Leaving aside the fact that you should never go full PlayStation Vita (can we expect Nintendo to swiftly pull all support, disown the console and leave it to third parties to fill it...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 27th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Yet another week has flown by, this time full of newly discovered Zelda: Breath of the Wild glitches and an awful lot of discussion surrounding Joy-Con drift, but now we can sit back, relax, and talk about our weekend gaming plans. Members of team Nintendo Life have done just that below, and we'd love for you...
Feature Pokémon's Dark History In 11 Shocking Moments
"Nintendo turned me into an evil, occult Pokémon character"
Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon. Since its inception in the '90s, it has spawned an endless series of video games, movies, merchandise and even a massively successful smartphone game in the form of Pokémon GO – and this year, we'll get to play Pokémon Sword and Shield on our...
Guide Where To Pre-Order The New Joy-Con: Purple/Orange And Blue/Neon Yellow
We *need* that purple one
On 4th October, fancy new Joy-Con controllers for your Nintendo Switch will be released into the wild. If you're hoping to pick up a pair for yourself, here's where you'll find them. At the time of writing, the new pairs have appeared on both Amazon and Play-Asia; we'll make sure to update this guide with more stores (such...
Soapbox Sorry Nintendo, Joy-Con Drift Means I Won't Buy Switch Lite At Launch
Stuck with the stick?
Nintendo's Joy-Con headache is only just beginning, with the company now facing a class-action lawsuit relating to the drifting analogue sticks on its innovative Switch controllers. The company has issued a statement on the matter, and – g
Feature Shovel Knight Level Designer Makes A Super Mario Maker 2 Course
Play a course by Shovel Knight designer Michael Herbster!
Welcome, one and all, to the first in our 'Super Nindie Maker 2' series showcasing developer-created Super Mario Maker 2 courses! Since the game released a little while ago some of Switch's finest developers have been beavering away on courses of all varieties for your delectation and we'll...
Preview Astral Chain Mixes Bayonetta, Wonderful 101 And Metal Gear Rising, And You'll Love It
Trust us on this one
You’d think it’d be a little easier to relax when you’re lounging inside a hotel suite playing a video game, Platinum Games’ Astral Chain, to be exact. High above Comic-Con, Seagulls were flying face level to the glass panes of the room, while sailboats were lazily drifting off in the San Diego bay; yet all anyone could...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 20th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
What a week it's been! Nintendo revealed a Switch revision with improved battery life, locked in the release date for Luigi's Mansion 3 and announced two new sets of Joy-Con. On the third-party front, we found
Hardware Review The EON Super 64 Gives Your N64 HDMI Output, But Is It Really Worth $150?
Plug-and-play HD for your Nintendo 64
We're big fans of EON here at Nintendo Life. The company has already produced some amazing GameCube HDMI adapters in the form of the GCHD and GCHD Mk II, both of which harness the console's digital output to give a crisp picture without the need for pesky internal modification. However, for its next trick, EON...
Video 25 Wonderful Switch Games Yet To Come In 2019 And Beyond
A laundry list of loveliness
Unlike the Wii U days, it's hard to keep track of all the delicious vittles that are coming in the form of games for the Nintendo Switch. Naturally we remember some of the bigger names, but it's just too damned many to be able to recall completely without a spreadsheet and a very dull Saturday night. Well lucky for you...
Feature Yooka-Laylee's Audio Identity Is More Than Just Famous Ex-Rare Composers And Soggy Socks
"There’s quite a lot of pressure on us to start matching Dave and Grant"
When you think Rare and video game music, then chances are two names will spring instantly to mind: David Wise and Grant Kirkhope. These two massively influential composers are behind some of the company's greatest soundtracks and are now in huge demand as freelance...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 13th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Welcome folks to yet another weekend - and what a week we've had! The official reveal (finally) of the Nintendo Switch Lite kept the NL team super busy this week - you can catch up on everything you need to know right here - but now it's time for us to talk about our weekend plans. Which games will you be...
Soapbox Nintendo Switch Lite Might Not Be For You, But It Will Be A Smash Hit With My Family
R.I.P. 3DS?
We can already imagine the various hot takes on tech gadget blogs all over the world following the announcement of the Nintendo Switch Lite. Headlines like "Nintendo Switch Lite Sucks As It Has No TV Out" and "Is The Nintendo Switch Lite Even A Switch?" will surely be the order of the day. Sure, there are some compromises here to get...
Soapbox The Nintendo Switch Lite Has The One Thing I've Been Waiting For All This Time
One Direction?
After months of rumours and speculation, today Nintendo finally announced the Switch Lite, a cheaper variant of the existing Switch console that's coming this September for $199.99. With its colourful casing, compact design and focus on portable play, it's clear this new console is aimed at pulling in younger players and growing the...
Guide Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: What Are The Differences?
A full rundown of what's new with Switch Lite
So, Nintendo has finally revealed its new Nintendo Switch hardware revision, the Nintendo Switch Lite. A slightly smaller console dedicated to handheld play, the Switch Lite ditches the standard model's ability to detach the Joy-Con controllers, and has instead been designed as a handheld-only system...
Feature The Legacy Of Nintendo 64's Transfer Pak
Marrying console and handheld hardware long before Switch
Following the 16-bit glories of the Super Nintendo, its successor often gets short shrift from gamers these days. Of course, it’s adored by Nintendo fans of a certain age who doubled down on it during the PlayStation generation, but it’s a wilfully ‘odd’ system and arguably tough to...
Feature Inside The World Of Pokémon ROM Hacks
"I just wanted to make a game people would enjoy"
Games often inspire their fans. Sometimes they make tournaments. Sometimes, players bring themselves into the world of the game. The core of this inspiration, though, is when players take a game they love and mould it into something completely new. This is the way of the Pokémon ROM hacking...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 6th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's Saturday once again, which means we've made it all the way to the end of yet another week. This week brought with it a Wind Waker revelation in Zelda: Breath of the Wild and news of a special Armoured Mewtwo making waves in Pokémon GO, but now it's time to sit back and talk about our weekend plans. As...
Hands On This $50 Handheld Plays Pretty Much Every Game From Your Misspent Youth
The BittBoy Pocket Go really is something
We've covered previously BittBoy handhelds on the site before, so you guys should know the drill by now. These are super-cheap emulation-focused portables that feature off-the-shelf SoC tech and cost peanuts, and the latest addition – the BittBoy Pocket Go – is no different. Where this new version...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects - June 2019
June's best Switch eShop games!
While we imagine a fair few of you reading this are already tucking into this month's mega Mario release, there have been plenty of wonderful games also appearing on the humble eShop. With the month of June now officially coming to an end, it's time once again for the Nintendo Life eShop Select awards! These awards...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 29th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Ah, yet another week down and yet another huge game to get stuck into on Switch. As well as Mario's latest outing, this week brought with it a brand new Nintendo retail store and even a Wii U firmware update of all things, but now it's time to sit back and chat about our weekend plans. The NL team have done...
Feature Meet Axe, The Smash Bros. Underdog Who Changed The Competitive Scene Overnight
"I see myself as an underdog every time"
There must be something in the water lately at Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments. A few weeks ago, Melee player Wizzrobe, real name Justin Hallett, won Smash’N’Splash 5, a major Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament with over 800 entrants. His character of choice was Captain Falcon, a mid-tier staple...
Preview Astral Chain Is The 2019 Switch Game Everyone Should Be Talking About
Off the chain
When Astral Chain was announced earlier this year, it was easy to forgive some mild scepticism from Nintendo fans. Wait, another anime-styled action title from PlatinumGames, and one that's less than a year from release? While the studio has built up an incredibly solid reputation with titles like Bayonetta, The
Talking Point The Sound Strategy Behind 2DS Points To A Switch Mini
Serving an audience the current model doesn’t
The Switch Mini rumours have been coming thick and fast over the last week or two. Despite Nintendo plainly stating that the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct would not feature a new hardware reveal, it was half expected there might be a cheeky announcement. We’ve heard multiple stories from respected outlets...
Feature It's Time To Lay Down Your ARMS
We hang up our gloves in Nintendo's OTHER larger-than-life brawler
After two years and 30 Party Crashes, Gonçalo “Shiryu” Lopes finally gives his ARMS a rest, long after everyone else did, and looks back on his time with the game... Until June 2017 the humble Switch was known by fans (and non-fans alike) as “the Breath of the Wild...
Guide Where To Buy Super Mario Maker 2 And Receive Extra Goodies
With a Switch stylus, Switch Online memberships and more
Super Mario Maker 2 launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch on 28th June, letting us dive into the crazy world of Mario level creation once more. If you're hoping to grab yourself a copy, you're in luck! Below you'll find some of the best deals available, including options which throw in extra...
Soapbox Why Sword And Shield's Pokémon Purge Will Benefit Everyone
And how the cull draws focus from more significant issues
When you're trying to please a fanbase that's been around for over 20 years, any major change to the status quo will always divide opinion. Pokémon is a series that’s kept under heavy scrutiny by its loyal community, with each minute detail studied under a Silph Scope with no place for...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 22nd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
After another busy week full of Switch Mini suspicions and a Mario Kart Hot Wheels announcement of all things, it's time for us to sit back and talk over our weekend plans. Members of the team have shared their entries below, and we'd love for you to get involved via our comment section and poll, too. Enjoy!...
Preview Things We've Learned Playing Super Mario Maker 2
Five tidbits from our time with the game so far
Super Mario Maker 2 is a game we've hardly been quiet about, except maybe during that whole 'E3' thing. Well, now we can say with confidence that we actually have the game in our collective hands, and we've been digging right ruddy deep into it and learning as much as we can. In short (and before the...
Feature The Best Movie Licences On Nintendo Systems
They're not all awful, honest
There are a number of video game maxims that you'll see crop up time and again on the internet, many of which are rooted in truth. Gameplay, for example, really is more important than graphics, and a delayed game does indeed have the potential to be good, while a rushed one is forever bad. The old chestnut we're looking...
Feature Behind The Scenes On Collection Of Mana And Trials Of Mana
"The original games were very popular"
Of the many surprises we got at E3 2019, the confirmation that the Mana series would be getting a much-needed shot in the arm was one of the most pleasant. Not only was it revealed that Collection of Mana – containing the localised version of the legendary Seiken Densetsu 3 – was coming to the West, we...
Guide How To Find Your Rhythm In Zelda: Cadence Of Hyrule
Beginners' tips for starting out in the latest Zelda adventure
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (to give it its full, unruly title) is an excellent game that combines the classic adventure of top-down Zelda with the beat-based gameplay for Brace Yourself Games’ indie hit Crypt of the NecroDancer. It...