Latest Features
Soapbox Call Of Duty Can Work On Switch, Activision Just Needs To Pull The Trigger
And it deserves more than a straight port
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. In today's article, editor - and long-time Call Of Duty advocate - Dom goes beyond the rumours and investigates the reality of whether the shooter franchise...
Feature This Ain't A Scene It's An ARMS Race (At EVO Japan 2018)
Switch exclusive has a competitive community to cherish following EVO Japan
Before fighting game regulars Tekken, Street Fighter and Smash Bros took to the stage at EVO Japan last weekend, a select group of a strong, committed and vocal community came together to advocate the inclusion of the newest title on the roster - Nintendo Switch exclusive...
Preview Fighting Foes With Friends In Kirby Star Allies For Nintendo Switch
Three's company, four's a party
With the first month of 2018 having gone by, many of us are looking to the horizon for the next big Nintendo Switch games to hit. The console remains every bit as popular as it nears the end of its first year on store shelves as it did in the weeks and months following in its launch. At E3 2017, Nintendo...
Feature Xeodrifting Onto Nintendo Switch With Jools Watsham
"I like to challenge myself by embarking on things I've never done before"
Mutant Mudds developer Atooi will be bringing its pixel art Metroidvania-style platformer Xeodrifter to Nintendo Switch next week, so we thought it was high time spoke to Jools Watsham, developer, artist and founder the Austin-based indie studio. We talk developing for...
Feature Behind The Scares With Layers Of Fear: Legacy's Bloober Team
"It will be a descent into madness..."
Nintendo Switch has its fair share of platformers, shoot-em-ups and retro fighting games, but it's taken a while for the grisly realm of horror to finally make its gruesome home on the handheld platform. Layers Of Fear: Legacy is one of the first to make horror portable, with its unique mixture of first-person...
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend?
Here's what Team Nintendo Life is playing...
After a long vacation overseas, our weekly 'What Games Are You Playing This Weekend?' feature is back, refreshed, revitalised and ready to go it again in 2018. Talking of 2018, we're barely a month in and we've already been treated to some great new games on Nintendo Switch, with countless more gems on...
Hardware Review Does The Retro-Bit NES Power Stick Give You The Advantage?
Microswitched marvel
These days, gamers are pretty comfortable with the fact that there are multiple control options available when it comes to playing on their console of choice. The basic, in-the-box pad isn't always the best that's on offer, and there are myriad official and unofficial controllers doing the rounds, each claiming to hold a...
Soapbox The Super Mario Movie Might Not Be All That Great
“The perfect mix of terrible”
Mario had a film before, and it wasn't exactly stellar, and so when the news was confirmed this morning that Nintendo is partnering up with the studio responsible for such products as Minions and The Secret Life Of Pets, it was hard for me to contain my scepticism and frustration. I can't personally see how a film...
Soapbox Nintendo's Riding High On Switch's Wave, But What Does It Need To Do To Stay There?
It’s time to change the playbook
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. In today's article, editor Dom mulls over Nintendo Switch's big sales milestones and how Nintendo needs to adopt new tactics to stay relevant in the months...
Video The 26 Best Game Boy Advance Games of All Time
Advance to the next level
Every Nintendo system has its gems, but to say we were a bit spoilt with the Game Boy Advance is an understatement. Game after game after game kept being released, and there were so many incredible ones our original list was well over double the size of this one. For the sake of brevity and my own sanity, we cut it down...
Feature Skin Deep With The Exciting World Of Nintendo Tattoos
Inking boys and inking girls
Die hard fans of any medium or facet or popular culture have been known to take their passion to the next level, and Nintendo fans are no different. A Portsmouth tattoo parlour has seen an increase in the number of requests for some of Nintendo's most famous mascots. Nintendo Life decided to go under the proverbial...
Feature Shooting Up A Storm On Switch With Aperion Cyberstorm's aPriori Studios
To infinity, and beyond!
With an explosive combination of a stylish neon aesthetic and an enticing wealth of co-operative as well as competitive game modes, sci-fi twin-stick shooter Aperion Cyberstorm blasts on to the Nintendo eshop next week. Nintendo Life was lucky enough to catch up with aPriori Studio's Jack Davis to talk the game's journey...
Soapbox Monster Hunter World Has Claimed Its Prize, But Capcom Shouldn't Forget Nintendo
3DS helped make the series what it is today
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. In today's article, editor Dom argues that Monster Hunter World needed to leave Nintendo behind to make a different success of itself, but that the wider...
Soapbox Miitomo's Days Are Numbered, But Its Death Was Written In The Stars From The Start
Exit stage-left for the Mii
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. In this piece, editor Dom takes a look back on the forgotten first child of Nintendo's mobile marriage and why its surprisingly the semi-social network even survived this...
Feature The Need For Bleed With Bootdisk Revolution's Ian Campbell
Cutting edge
Bleed comes from one-man team Bootdisk Revolution, AKA Ian Campbell. Mixing speedy platforming and tight twin-stick shooting, this high-octane indie won us over when it arrived on Nintendo Switch in December 2017. Nintendo Life had a chance to speak with Ian about bringing his first solo-developed project to the console, how the indie...
Feature The Most Exciting Indie Games Coming to Nintendo Switch In 2018
Small yet mighty titles on the horizon
If you thought 2017 was a big year for Nintendo Switch, you're about to have your metaphorical socks blown off because it's only the start of the year and we're already racking up an impressive lineup of games. We've already shared our recommendations on the biggest retail games headed to the Nintendo Switch in...
Soapbox Labo Could Help Nintendo Finally Crack The World Of Education
An elusive but profitable market could be won over, says Yuri Litvinenko
For any company whose products happen to be popular among children, the education market has always been one of the most lucrative to target – but it's one which poses a stern challenge, too. A manufacturer has to offer something that appeals to kids and teachers alike, being...
Feature Conquering The Indie Mountain With Celeste Creator Matt Makes Games
We speak to co-developer Noel Berry on all things Nintendo Switch
Celeste is a tight, tough and tantalisingly precise platformer from the creator of the TowerFall series. Starting life as a game jam project in a 'fantasy console' called PICO-8, this new slice of indie challenge has blossomed into a beautifully crafted old school-style...
Feature Bugging Out With Hollow Knight's Team Cherry
The other dark Knight
Hollow Knight is a cute yet dark Metroidvania from the talented minds at Australian developer Team Cherry. After a hugely successful 2017, the insectoid platformer is preparing to embark on the greatest adventure of all as it makes its way to Nintendo Switch this year. To celebrate its impending arrival, Nintendo Life was lucky...
Feature The Best Zelda Cosplays To Hyrule Them All
The best fan-made costumes rupees can buy
The Legend Of Zelda series of games is loved by Nintendo fans world-wide, and has proved popular with cosplayers around the globe as a way of showing their appreciation for its myriad characters and creatures. With Breath Of The Wild winning multiple awards in 2017 and frequenting the top of many 'game of...
Soapbox Alex And Dom Discuss If Dark Souls Will Really Work On Switch
Prepare to vie (for attention)
A short time ago, shiny new Nintendo Life Editor (TM) Dom wrote an excellent piece about Dark Souls coming to Switch, and why it's such a spiffing idea. His decision to pen this piece was also a spiffing idea; so much so in fact that we decided Dom and our resident video guru Alex should have a wee natter about the...
Feature The Biggest Nintendo Switch Retail Games of 2018
Lots to look forward to this year
With the new year no longer that new, and with Nintendo Switch having had one of the best first years in the industry's history, we thought it was a good time to revive our 'Biggest Games' lists, which were previously started to feel a tad stretched for Wii U and 3DS. So with so many games already hitting the...
Movie Review King Of Kong Meets Spinal Tap In Going For Golden Eye
"Rule no. 1: Absolutely no use of Oddjob"
Video games and movies often make uncomfortable bedfellows; just look at the Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993 and Jean-Claude Van Damme's equally risible Street Fighter flick. However, sometimes the combining of these two mediums can yield positive results; King of Kong is one notable example. Jim...
Feature Shooting The Breeze With Chromagun Developer, Pixel Maniacs
"It’s a love-letter to Portal"
Chromagun is a first person puzzle game with more than a passing resemblance to Valve's much loved Portal games. Despite the immediate similarities, its developer hopes to impress with its own sense of witty humour and fiendishly clever colour based puzzles. With only three colours to choose from, it might seem that...
Preview Hands On And Flying High With Dustoff Heli Rescue 2
Get to da choppa!
Much like its mobile and PC-based predecessor, Dustoff Heli Rescue 2 is arcade-style helicopter sim that sees you moving left and right across a 2.5D plane in a variety of customisable whirly birds. Only three of this skyward machines were available in the first game, which increases to a much more satisfying nine this time around...
Feature Nintendo Labo Shouldn't Be A Big Surprise, Nintendo Is A Toymaker First And Foremost
It's all just a little bit of history repeating
No doubt the recent reveal of Nintendo Labo came as a massive surprise to many who were expecting the Japanese veteran to reveal something like Virtual Boy 2 or finally have the ill-fated Vitality Sensor brought back to life for Switch, but when you put down that pitchfork and really stop to think...
Hands On The Future Of Gaming Is Cardboard, Thanks To Nintendo Labo
First impressions of Nintendo's latest left-field revolution
Whenever an invite is extended to check something new and interesting at Nintendo's offices immediately after a Nintendo Direct broadcast, it's easy to fall into the trap of making rash assumptions. Given that it has just been confirmed that Dark Souls is Switch-bound, we took it almost as...
Feature Drumming To The Beat With Switch Music Title Gal Metal
"There are no rules and no limit"
Since its reveal in September, Gal Metal - an exclusive music rhythm game from Japanese gaming industry treasure Tak Fujii - has gained the attention of Nintendo Switch fans for myriad reasons. Most interesting is the fact that the game uses the technology in the Joy-Con controllers to mimic the playing of...
Guide How To Get All The New Armour And Gear In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Armour up
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's latest and final DLC the Champions' Ballad (here's how to beat it) didn't only contain a new dungeon, side quests, and the Master Cycle Zero. It also contains a bunch of exciting new armour and gear. We want to help you get all of it. So without further ado, here's a list of each new piece of...
Guide How To Beat The Divine Trial Dungeon In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
On your bike
The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's final DLC, the Champions' Ballad, is out now, and it offers a challenging dungeon known as the Divine Trial. But it's challenging to even get that far. First you have to defeat five separate trials – four of which relate to the fallen champions. Do so though, and you unlock the crown...
Guide How To Beat The Champions' Ballad DLC In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A complete walkthrough
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild was brought to a touching conclusion in the latest, and final, DLC The Champions' Ballad. Not only did this tie up all of the loose ends in the plot, but it also provided a challenging new dungeon, oodles of side quests and stuff to unlock, and your very own divine beast, the Master...
Guide How To Beat Urbosa's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Desert Song
The Champions' Ballad is the final DLC for The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, and it launched last month. Not only do you get a new dungeon, a bunch of sidequests, and lots of new stuff to equip, Link also gets to ride around Hyrule in style on the back of the Master Cycle Zero. But to unlock it, you first have to unlock the main...
Guide How To Beat Revali's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Revali Of The Dead
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's final DLC, Champions' Ballad, went live back in December, and boy was it a good 'un. Not only did we get a bunch more shrines, a new dungeon, and some flashy new clothes to wear, we also got a new vehicle – the Master Cycle Zero. This lets Link ride around Hyrule in a similar...
Guide How To Beat Daruk's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
What Daruk?!
Nintendo lived up to its word and released the latest and final DLC for The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild in December, called The Champions' Ballad. It provides a new dungeon, new gear, and, most importantly, the Master Cycle Zero. This lets Link roam Hyrule in style, on the back of a nippy motorcycle. To get it you have to...
Guide How To Beat Mipha's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Sidon Song
The final The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild DLC, The Champions' Ballad, is out right now, and rewards those who complete it with the Master Cycle Zero, a nippy motorcycle that Link can ride around Hyrule. To help you unlock that faster, we're running this guide series to walk you through each step of the DLC. Read on to learn how...
Soapbox Dark Souls' Ruthless Recipe Perfectly Suits Switch’s Evolving Audience
Preparing to die on Switch will be a watershed moment
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on a wide range of topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this edition, editor Dom explores the viscous and empowering minutia of the Dark Souls phenomenon and how it's a match made in...
Feature Killer Apps We Really Want To See On Nintendo Switch
Appy days
Less than a year into its life cycle and it's safe to say Nintendo's hybrid console is going from strength to strength. Its library of games is expanding and with a new online infrastructure set to arrive sometime in 2018, the handheld/tabletop wonder is set to mega evolve yet again. There is, however, one glaring omission in Nintendo's...
Feature Here's What Was Announced During The January 2018 Nintendo Direct Mini
Dark Souls! Donkey Kong Country! Mario Tennis!
After weeks of rumours Nintendo pulled a fast one by dropping a "mini" Nintendo Direct on us today, packed with information about all the lovely new content coming to Switch in the first part of this year. If you're logging on late or simply want a quick guide to what has happened, you've come to the...
Feature Rare's Local Game Shop Faces An Uncertain Future, Like Many Indie Retailers
"It can only continue with local support"
Those of you with long memories will recall that we ran a feature some time ago about Extreme Gamez, a small UK indie video game store. This particular shop might not seem especially noteworthy at first glance, until you realise that it is situated in one of the most historically important towns in the UK,...
Guide How To Beat The Tamer's Trial In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild’s Champions’ Ballad DLC
Taming of the shrine
The latest and final DLC for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Champions' Ballad, is out now, and with it comes a bunch of new challenges including a brand new dungeon, The Divine Trial. Beat that, and you'll unlock the crown jewel of this DLC: the Master Cycle Zero. This lets you ride around what remains of Hyrule...
Soapbox Why You Should Consider Catching Big Air With Wii's Excite Truck
If you still have access to a Wii or Wii U, that is
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on a wide range of topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this edition, Dave Letcavage discusses his somewhat recent introduction to the divisive Wii launch game Excite Truck, and makes a case...
Feature Kit Ellis And Chris Slate On The Return Of Nintendo Power
Nintendo Life speaks to the people behind the mag-turned-podcast
Nintendo's final surprise of 2017 was the news that Nintendo Power, the official (and much loved) Nintendo magazine that shuttered in 2012 would return as a podcast. Just after the first episode released, we had the opportunity to chat with Chris Slate and Kit Ellis of Nintendo to...
Soapbox Switch's Rampant Success Is Proof Positive That You Should Never Write Off Nintendo
Wii U was a necessary step towards a superior console
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. In today's edition, editor Dom recalls Nintendo's darker days, how it was written off during Wii U's era and how Switch typifies its independent...
Feature Nintendo Is Finally Taking One Of The World's Biggest Countries Seriously
After years in the cold, Russia is finally on Nintendo's map
Nintendo had a big stand at Comic Con in Russia last year, with Stephanie Corneliussen of Mr Robot fame attending to play a spot of Super Mario Odyssey Last summer, most of the world was surprised to see a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch bundle releasing in Russia and nowhere else –...
Soapbox Let 2018 Be The Year The Third-Party Exclusive Takes Over On Nintendo Switch
Just without the soulless cash-ins we saw in the Wii era
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. In this piece, editor Dom explores the gap in Nintendo's software library and how a the need to develop third-party exclusives will only make...
Soapbox What The Upcoming Pokémon Switch RPG Can Learn From Recent Pokémon Games
Feeling jaded by recent Pokémon outings? You're not alone
Soapbox features allow our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Pokémon fanatic Arjun talks about his recent disappointment with the mainline titles in the series, and his hopes for the...
Feature What We Expect From The Inevitable January 2018 Nintendo Direct
Ninty needs to come out swinging this month
Now that 2017 has been laid to rest, it’s finally time to turn our attention to 2018 and all the potential Nintendo goodness contained therein. Question is, how does Nintendo follow up a stellar nine-plus months of soaring Switch sales, renewed fan faith, red hot exclusives and (mostly) robust ports?...
Feature Exploring The Dual Worlds of InnerSpace On Nintendo Switch
"Moments of chill, book-ended by epic story moments"
The latest offering from Dallas-based developer PolyKnight might not feature Dennis Quaid or an '80s journey into Martin Short's body, but it will take you on an interstellar trip into a universe where reality is collapsing in on itself. This galactic odyssey is none other than InnerSpace,...
Feature What We Want From Nintendo In 2018
New year, new expectations
Even by a company of Nintendo's enviable standards, 2017 has been an incredible year. The Switch has captured the hearts and minds of millions of gamers in a way its forerunner, the Wii U, failed to do, and as a result the hybrid system is selling almost as fast as Nintendo can manufacture it. Buoyed by an...
Feature The 2017 Nintendo Life Game of the Year Awards
You know the top two already, right?
Well, 2017 has been an incredible year for Nintendo, and in years to come will likely be remembered as a vital comeback for the company. The 3DS kept ticking over, there were a couple of key Mobile releases, but most importantly the Switch arrived and proved to be a success. Demand outstripped supply for much of...