The Messenger News
November2022
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 19th)
ScaViikend
It looks like we are just about there folks, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is finally here which surely means there are no more trailers, 'mon reveals or surprise announcements for the next few weeks, right? This week has been a busy one here at Nintendo Life. Aside from the release of Scarlet and Violet (for which we discussed the pros...
December2021
News Chrono Trigger-Inspired RPG 'Sea Of Stars' Sets Sail On Switch Holiday 2022
From the makers of The Messenger
It's been a while since we've heard from Sabotage Studio about its upcoming retro-flavoured turn-based RPG Sea of Stars — in fact, we spoke to the developers and saw a remote demo of the game way back in March 2020. The game looked absolutely lovely even back then, and it seems it has only got lovelier in many...
February2021
$100 million is being split across 40 studios
It's a big day for indie game fans, as games fund company Kowloon Nights dedicates $100 million (£73.2m) towards 23 upcoming and unannounced titles. The studios that will receive a portion of that one hundred million dollars include Thunder Lotus (Spiritfarer), Night School Studios (Oxenfree,...
June2020
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 20th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
We've finally made it to the end of yet another busy week, this time full of exciting Pokémon reveals, a surprising commitment to Switch from EA, and even an Animal Crossing island made by KFC of all things. Now, though, it's time for us to sit and chat about our weekend
April2020
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 18th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
After a new Nintendo Switch update (remember to update those Joy-Con, too!), rumours of a Resident Evil 4 remake and the last few days of the
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 11th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Another busy week has flown by, with Cooking Mama's troubling cryptocurrency allegations, Pokémon player ban threats and a ridiculously large Switch sale
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 4th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
What a crazy week we've had this week with a huge Switch eShop sale, ridiculous levels of Animal Crossing creativity, and even reports suggesting that 2020 is set to bring l
August2019
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,...
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
Nintendo Download 1st August (Europe)
Omega Labyrinth Life! Mutant Year Zero! Hamsterdam!
The latest Nintendo Download update for Europe has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Switch Retail - New Releases: Omega Labyrinth Life (D3...
July2019
News Devolver Digital Wants To Know What Game It Should Release Next On Switch
Tell 'em
Devolver Digital has arguably been one of the biggest supporters since the Switch was released. The publisher - best known for some of the biggest indie titles - has so far released titles such as Enter The Gungeon, The Messenger, Katana Zero, GRIS and most recently My Friend Pedro on Nintendo's hybrid system. So what's next?
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
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...
News Download The Messenger's Free Picnic Panic DLC From The eShop Right Now
Vacation-meets-rescue-mission
The Messenger's Picnic Panic free DLC is finally playable. Provided you've completed the main game, you'll be able to access it right away. It includes three new levels, three new boss fights, and 18 original music tracks. To download it, head over to the Switch eShop. The entry point is in the shop after you beat...
June2019
News Special Reserve Games Has Delayed The Physical Release Of The Messenger
Minit still on track
Alongside the reveal of multiple GRIS physical editions for Nintendo Switch yesterday, Special Reserve Games also sent out an email to customers who pre-ordered hard copies of The Messenger and Minit - providing them with an update abo
News The Messenger's Free Tropical DLC Launches On 11th July
Panic at the picnic
In December last year, Sabotage revealed its hit 2D side-scroller The Messenger would be receiving an entirely free tropical DLC pack titled 'Picnic Panic' in 2019. Now, many months later at Devolver Digital's over-the-top E3 parody conference, it's been confirmed this new content will be released on the Switch, PlayStation 4 and...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 8th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Phew, thank goodness it's the weekend! This week has brought with it all the drama of a Pokémon Direct, fresh Banjo-Kazooie rumours and even more games for the Sega Mega Drive Mini, but now we can finally calm down and talk about o
March2019
News The Messenger Goes On Holiday This Summer, Physical Game Pre-Orders Go Live Later This Month
Play Picnic Panic at PAX East
Sabotage has confirmed its 2D side-scroller The Messenger is going on a sunny holiday this summer. The entirely free DLC pack known as 'Picnic Panic' - which was originally revealed last December - will also be playable at PAX East 2019. In addition to this, Special Reserve Games has announced pre-orders for the Switch...
January2019
News Sabotage Might Release More DLC For The Messenger
Provided the free pack drives sales
The Messenger was one of the indie highlights of 2018. The developer Sabotage poured a lot of love into this title while drawing inspiration from the original Ninja Gaiden game. If you haven't already played it, you might want to hurry up. As pr
December2018
News The Messenger Is Embarking On A Sunny Holiday In 2019
Free DLC is on the way
During the 'Kinda Funny Video Game Showcase' the developer Sabotage Games and publisher Devolver Digital lifted the lid on the next outing for The Messenger. The 2D side-scroller inspired by the original Ninja Gaiden game will receive an entirely free DLC pack titled 'Picnic Panic' in 2019 that takes players on a trip to...
News Here Are The Game Awards 2018 Winners For Nintendo Switch
Celeste and Overcooked 2 walk away with awards
We hope you were able to join us during our live-stream of The Game Awards last night. If you had to miss it, for reasons such as your beauty sleep, fear not – we've got a lovely round-up of all the winners for you below, along with the nominated games for each category so you can tell us they were...
News Celebrate The Game Awards With These Switch eShop Deals (North America)
Up to 50 percent off
If you happen to live in North America, you're in for a treat. In celebration of The Game Awards, Nintendo is offering up to 50 percent off the eShop versions of all nominated games and has also reduced the prices on a few other games that were previously nominated. Nintendo's Super Mario Odyssey is 30 percent off its regular...
November2018
News The Messenger's New Game+ Update Is Now Live, Quality Of Life Improvements Also Added
Get updating!
The Messenger has now received the promised 'Messenger+' update, adding a New Game+ option and a nice little selection of quality of life improvements. We've got all the details you need down below. Earlier this month, developer Sabotage confirmed that the update would be hitting at some point in November, letting us know that the...
News Special Reserve Releasing Physical Editions Of Downwell, The Messenger And Minit On Switch
Coming 2019
Three indie gems will be transformed into physical Nintendo Switch releases in 2019. Video game distributor and producer Special Reserve Games has revealed it is teaming up with Devolver Digital to release hard copies of Downwell, The Messenger and Minit. Below is the official confirmation: As noted in the fine print above, existin
Video Sabotage Showcases Quality Of Life Update For The Messenger
Spoilers ahead
The Messenger by Sabotage has been nominated for "best indie debut game" and "best independent game" at this year's Game Awards, so it's obvious this is a special release. So, how do you make an indie title like this even better? With a free quality of life update, of course. If you missed the
News Switch Nindies Nominated Across Multiple Categories At The Game Awards
Will Celeste be the best?
It's that time of year again where you can now vote for your favourite games. Yes, this year's Game Awards have arrived. Once again, Nintendo releases dominate the family category along with Ubisoft's Starlink: Battle for Atlas and Team 17's Overcooked 2. Square Enix's Switch exclusive
News The Messenger's Quality Of Life Update Will Be Ready "Sometime" This Month
Adds New Game Plus mode and more
One of the standout indie releases this year has been The Messenger - developed by Sabotage and published by Devolver Digital. Released in August on the Switch eShop, the 2D side-scroller draws inspiration from the original Ninja Gaiden game and enhances the experience with elements of 8-bit and 16-bit time travel...
October2018
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 13th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's Saturday! And that means it's time, once again, to discuss our weekend gaming plans. Team Nintendo Life has the usual range of games on the go this weekend, from RPGs to party antics and everything in between, so make sure to read through our lovingly crafted words and join in the fun with our poll and...
September2018
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 22nd)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
It's the weekend! This wonderful time of the week means that the hard-working members of team Nintendo Life are all heading off to play some of those video game things we all love (while keeping several eyes on the site to make sure it doesn't explode, of course). This week, some of the team are off to EGX,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 8th)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
After another week of non-stop Nintendo news and drama, it's finally time to spend a weekend relaxing with your favourite games. As ever, the team at Nintendo Life will be aiming to do just that, too, with rounds of football, first-party megahits, old-school platformers, and even the odd "saucy" game or...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 1st)
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
Once again, it's that lovely time of the week where we get to sit back and enjoy a lovely gaming session or ten as the weekend wraps us up in its relaxing embrace. This time around, team Nintendo Life is playing online shooters, retro-inspired platformers, and Metroidvania style modern classics - a nice range...
August2018
Video Devolver Digital Celebrates The Launch Of The Messenger With Short Live Action Film
'Shinobi No Kikan'
Yesterday saw the release of The Messenger, an "epic ninja adventure" that has been received exceptionally well by players and critics alike almost immediately. To celebrate, a short film has been released featuring all the live action ninja fighting you could possibly hope for. Titled Shinobi No Kikan, this film was...
Nintendo Download 30th August (Europe)
Monster Hunter! de Blob 2! Into the Breach!
The latest Nintendo Download update for Europe has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and a comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Switch Retail - New Releases: Monster Hunter Generations...
Nintendo Download 30th August (North America)
The Messenger, Into The Breach, The Walking Dead!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and a comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Nintendo Switch retail: God Wars: The...
Video The Creators Of Ninja Gaiden Play And Share Thoughts On The Messenger
Notice me senpai
Tomorrow sees the release of The Messenger - a side-scrolling action platformer heavily inspired by a whole wave of classic games. As it turns out, the whole thing is a blast to play (check out our review if you missed it), but what do the developers of the game's inspirations think? Well, answering that question is Hideo...
News Become A Ninja Master When The Messenger Arrives On Switch eShop Later This Month
8-bit to 16-bit
A listing on the Switch eShop has revealed The Messenger is estimated to arrive in North America on August 30th for $19.99. Devolver Digital and developer Sabotage originally showed the 2D game earlier this year at the Nindies Showcase. The eShop release channels classic series such as Shinobi, while adding in plenty of...
Feature How The Messenger Aims To Fuse Ninja Gaiden, Metroid And Castlevania On Switch
"This is truly the best I can do"
Announced during Nintendo's Nindies Direct in March, side-scrolling action platformer The Messenger has caught our eye by keeping a retro feel but subverting player expectations, using classic graphical styles to compliment a time-travelling narrative. When a small, isolated village is attacked by an army of...
July2018
News Devolver Digital Has 12 Games Lined Up For Switch This Year
No joke
No, it’s not April Fools; it’s just Devolver Digital making a post on its Twitter account again. Borrowing some hilarious footage from the 1989 film The Wizard, the US-based publisher recently proclaimed it would be releasing over a dozen games on the Switch before the end of this year. Being a publisher, the figure attached to...
March2018
News Channel Your Inner Shinobi As The Messenger Brings 8-Bit And 16-Bit Platforming To Switch
Straddle the generations
Devolver Digital and developer Sabotage have teamed up to bring the platforming throwback that is The Messenger to Nintendo Switch. Announced during today's Nindies Showcase, the game is a 2D platformer in the vein of the classic Shinobi series, with lots of tongue-in-cheek humour, skill trees for character progression and...
