Ho Ho Ho

So this is Christmas. The time of year where we all eat far too much, drink far too much and buy far too many pointless gifts for friends and relatives. In short, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

2018 has been quite a year in the world of Nintendo, so this festive season offers the ideal opportunity to sit back and mull over some of the biggest events of the past 12 months. We've seen some utterly amazing games (both retail and on the eShop) as well as the launch of the Switch Online Service, the latter of which has gifted us a selection of NES classics which grows bigger each month.

The continued commercial success of the Switch is encouraging, especially after the barren years of the Wii U, and Nintendo is once again on the tip of (almost) everyone's tongue in the realm of interactive entertainment. Third-party publishers are waking up to the potential audience on Nintendo's hybrid console, and we're seeing the Japanese company extend its reach in other forms of media, including the world of movies.

But all of that is a bit boring when you consider what being a gamer – and a Switch owner – is all about this holiday season. The Switch is the ideal console to have in the house when you've got family and friends visiting; not only does it offer plenty of spare controllers thanks to the unique design of the Joy-Con, but you can play it on any flat surface – so when the TV gets taken over by the traditional Christmas movie, you can relocate your gaming activities to the dining room (assuming the food has been cleared away, that is).

We'll be making sure we indulge in a spot of Mario Kart 8 and Smash Bros. Ultimate with the extended family this year, but before we wipe the floor with our nephew on ARMS and humiliate grandma on 1-2-Switch, we'd like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for your continued support this year.

Nintendo Life may be over a decade old but, in 2018, it has enjoyed one of its most successful years yet. We couldn't do what we do without your support, and the entire Nintendo Life team wishes you (and yours) a very merry Christmas indeed.