News - 2018, Week 11
Sunday18th Mar 2018
News Mysterious 'Project R' Sonic Racer Teased By Sega
Not a sequel to any previous Sonic games
Just as the SXSW Gaming panel was closing, Sega had time for one final tease: The only information given out is that it is 'not a sequel to any of the previous Sonic games'. That means that despite that very familiar R it is not a Sonic R remake (because there is definitely a car in there) or a new...
Saturday17th Mar 2018
Talking Point What Games Are You Playing This Weekend
Here are our picks, but what are yours?
This weekend, Team Nintendo Life are giving their respective Nintendo consoles a good workout with all manner of virtual gems. We've got plenty of Neo Geo action; some 'Nindies' for good measure; the occasional shooter; and lots and lots of a certain game involving Inklings (can you guess which one?). As...
Thursday15th Mar 2018
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #101 - 150
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #351 - 400
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #201 - 250
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #251 - 300
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #51 - 100
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #301 - 350
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Friday16th Mar 2018
Review Attack On Titan 2 (Switch)
Slaying on the shoulders of giants
If the recent barrage of Dragon Ball games has taught us anything, it’s that games based on popular anime/manga are at their very best when they embrace their source material with the passion of an obsessive cosplayer. Fans aren’t just clamouring for stories set in those familiar worlds; they want the stories...
News Third-Party Nintendo Switch Docks Could Be Bricking Consoles
What's up, Dock?
If you're using a third-party dock with your Switch then you might want to revert back to the official option for the foreseeable future, as we're seeing numerous reports that said docks are "bricking" consoles after the recent 5.0 system update. A wide range of dock options are available on the market, many of which are smaller...
Thursday15th Mar 2018
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #1 - 50
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Friday16th Mar 2018
Weirdness Mario Tennis Aces Artwork Triggers An Unlikely Discussion About Luigi's Lunch Box
New balls, please
When Mario proudly shed his overalls for Super Mario Odyssey, it almost broke the internet (OK, it didn't, but work ground to a halt in the Nintendo Life office, we can assure you of that). Now, we're seeing a discussion occur online that could potentially dwarf "nipplegate", and - as usual - it's Mario's lanky sibling who is...
Thursday15th Mar 2018
Guide Pokémon GO Pokédex: #151 - 200
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon GO is all about catching Pokémon, and there are a lot of them. Right now, Gen 1, 2, and most of 3 are available in the game, which should keep you very busy until the rest make it. To help you catch them all, we've put together a complete list of Pokémon by Gen, but split them up into lists of 50 to help keep it...
Friday16th Mar 2018
Guide Kirby Star Allies Special Picture Piece Locations
Find the missing pieces
Special picture pieces are the quintessential collectible in Kirby Star Allies just like the Moons in Super Mario Odyssey. Well, they're not quite as tricky to find as the latter, and there are nowhere near as many, but you get the picture (geddit?!). Most involve mastering a specific Kirby ability or combination, and for...
Guide Kirby Star Allies Beginner's Guide
Kick it to the Kirby
Writing a beginner's guide for Kirby Star Allies almost feels like a practical joke. That's how easy it is. But while writing our guides for the special picture piece and big switch locations, we realised that there are some of you that don't like to be walked through everything and just want a few tips on what to look out for...
News Nindies Showcase For Nintendo Switch Airing Next Week
What titles are you hoping to see?
Nintendo will broadcast a special Nindies Showcase next week, it has been announced. The focus will be on upcoming indie titles for the Nintendo Switch, and the video will air at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET. on March 20th. The news has been met with some interesting social media responses: We guess they're in...
Guide Kirby Star Allies Big Switch Locations
It's time to switch
If you plan on completing every single level in Kirby Star Allies, you're going to need to find the hidden big switches. Not only do these unlock Dream Fortresses, but they reveal completely new levels as well. Finding a big switch does typically involve mastering a specific ability or combination. While we've tried to point you...
Video Digital Foundry Analysis On Dark Souls: Remastered
Prepare to die
Major third-party support on the Switch is still a hot issue for fans of the console, as the debate rages on about whether Nintendo’s hybrid is capable of running the kind of games that AAA developers produce. Still, several companies have had pleasing results, and the upcoming remaster of Dark Souls looks like it will perform just...
News Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom Switch Pre-Orders Are Ten Times Stronger Than PS4
Switching it up
Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom is due for release this summer, and with a physical edition also on the cars, publisher FDG Entertainment has been keen to reveal how it's pre-orders are faring. And the data they've revealed makes for some interesting reading. Turns out the Nintendo Switch version is trending very well - so well,...
News Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Gets A Permanent Discount For Specter of Torment Owners On Switch
For shovelry!
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is one of the greatest success stories to emerge from Kickstarter, proving that fans and developers can come together to realize a shared vision. What started as a stellar action platformer has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, with the last expansion—Shovel Knight: King of Cards—due out...
Random Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja Fan Art Is Being Used To Promote eShop Release
Update: It's also being used as the game's icon, too
Update: The game's Switch home screen icon also uses tonatello's artwork: Original story: 1988 was a very long time ago. In fact, it's last century old. As such, it is fair play if your memories of a game act up and you remember things slightly differently from the cold, harsh reality. For...
Feature CIRCLE Entertainment On Outgrowing 3DS, Embracing Switch And Maturing As A Publisher
"The Switch picture is constantly evolving"
CIRCLE Entertainment is a name that will be instantly familiar with Nintendo Life readers, not just for its range of excellent downloadable titles on 3DS and Switch, but also because it was the destination of former site editor Thomas Whitehead when he parted company with us a few months ago. With...
Video Take A Tour Of The Now Closed Final Fantasy "Memories of You" Museum
A Perfect Memory
From 22nd January to 28th February, Square-Enix hosted a special art and multimedia exhibition in Tokyo to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Final Fantasy game series. It isn’t the only way Square-Enix will celebrate these thirty glorious years, and this event follows the other big role-playing game series...
Video Get To Know The Cast Of Upcoming Switch RPG Penny-Punching Princess
And the release date, too
We first heard about Penny-Punching Princess last summer when NIS America announced the game alongside another RPG, The Longest Five Minutes. The latter arrived on the console just last month but, thanks to this brand new trailer, we also now have more details about the former. Featuring the titular character Princess (a...
News The Fight Rages On As PQube Brings BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle To The EU This Summer
Don't be blue
When BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle was announced for Nintendo Switch, fans around the world began chomping at the bit to get their hands on the latest addition to the 2D fighter's storied series. Well, for a while it looked like only Japan and North America were being invited to the party, but EU fans can now rest easy/resume their...
News Explore A Land That Grows And Evolves Around You In The Shape Of The World
Ecosystem warrior
Kickstarted to success in 2015, Hollow Tree Games has confirmed its first-person exploration sim The Shape Of The World is heading to Nintendo Switch, PC and other consoles, "in the next few months." It's a sedate, relaxing experience where you procedurally-generated world you explore changes and expands as you move through...
Music There's A Secret Of Mana Folk Album And It's Beautiful
Out today!
The soundtrack to Secret of Mana has to rank as one of the best ever committed to silicon, with stirring battle songs rubbing shoulders with soothing lullabies and bittersweet tunes. Hiroki Kikuta's work remains masterful, even after all these years. We didn't think it could get much better, but it seems we were wrong - if you take...
News Johnny Turbo's Arcade Arrives Next Week In Europe
'Gate of Doom' and 'Bad Duves vs. DragonNinja' European debut
We heard you, lovely European NL readers and so we reached out to Flying Tiger Entertainment inquiring if we would ever see Johnny Turbo's Arcade slice of Data East retro gaming heaven on European shores. The answer was the best one possible: Both Gates of Doom and Bad Dudes vs...
News Give Your Ears A Treat With The Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Vinyl Soundtrack
Relive the epic battles
Picking a single highlight of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is pretty tough; the entire game oozed brilliance from start to finish and we loved every second of it. One potential contender, though, is Grant Kirkhope's stunning soundtrack and - as luck would have it - a vinyl release is scheduled to be available in Q3 this...
Video Trailblazers' New Trailer Is All About Its Colour-Boosting Multiplayer
Rainbow road
We're only two months away from the launch of Trailblazers, the Splatoon meets WipEout racer that melds colour-coded slipstreams with ultra-fast speeds, and developer Supergonk has unveiled a brand new trailer detailing the game's unique multiplayer DNA. It's first and foremost a co-op experience, with racers taking to the track in...
News The H-3 Nozzlenose D Will Be Covering Turf In Splatoon 2 This Weekend
Keeping things fresh
As has become tradition, another weekend brings with it another new weapon in Splatoon 2, offering more and more destructive options for battling Inklings. This time around we see the return of the H-3 Nozzlenose D, making a comeback from the original Splatoon. It will come with the Suction Bomb as its sub weapon, and the...
News Max Brass And Dr. Coyle Will Heat Things Up In The Next ARMS Party Crash
"Best Frenemies"
ARMS players around the world will be noticing news of the game's next Party Crash event, as an in-game announcement has revealed that Max Brass will be taking on Dr. Coyle next weekend. As ever, this Party Crash event will give players the chance to earn brand new badges and lots of lovely in-game cash, while taking on the best of...
Thursday15th Mar 2018
News Nintendo Reveals Details About Rank X In Splatoon 2
Sounds pretty Xtreme
Alongside the standard Turf War battles, Splatoon 2 has a fierce competitive scene with a much higher skill requirement. The coveted ‘S’ rank in this mode used to be the end goal for those with their eyes set on glory, but Nintendo recently announced that it would be raising the bar even higher in a big upcoming update...
Deals Praise The Sun, You Can Now Pre-Order The Dark Souls Solaire amiibo
Hello Solaire
If you are looking forward to the release of Dark Souls: Remastered on Switch on 25 May, you'll probably want to pick up the lovely Solaire amiibo, which was announced in the most recent Nintendo Direct. Because, why wouldn't you? Solaire of Astora is a 'Warrior of Sunlight' who appears throughout the original Dark Souls...
Nintendo Download 15th March (North America)
Every new slice of gaming goodness on the NA eShops
There might not be a big Nintendo Direct dropping like we had last week, but that doesn't mean today's Nintendo Download drop is going to be any less exciting. In fact, we've got a huge haul of new titles, ranging from classic Neo Geo ports (because HAMSTER always has one of those up its sleeves),...
News New Hint Art Has Been Posted For Super Mario Odyssey
“You’ll get something good”
Super Mario Odyssey has no shortage of moons to collect, many of them are given out for doing simple, menial tasks that require very little thought or platforming prowess. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the hint art moons, the locations of which are only shown in cryptic paintings that appear scattered...
Video Check Out This GameCube Dock For Nintendo Switch
Just in time for Smash
With the exciting news of Super Smash Bros. coming to Switch later this year, a modders thoughts turn to how to make a homemade GameCube Switch dock with working controllers naturally. We normally wouldn't cover such mods, but Rated-E Mods did such an amazing job with this one, we just couldn't resist! So what do...
News Super Bomberman R Is Coming To Rival Systems With Exclusive Characters
It was nice while it lasted
A short time ago we reported on the news that Super Bomberman R is going cross-platform, and today Konami has confirmed that report. The former Switch exclusive launches on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 12th in North America and June 14th globally. The Steam version is expected on June 13th. All of these versions...
Video Will Super Smash Bros. Switch Be a Port or a Brand New Game?
Alex & Arekkz are at it again
We don't think anyone was especially surprised by the news that Super Smash Bros. is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Relieved, perhaps, but we all assumed it was coming at some point. However no one is quite sure yet whether it's going to be a brand new game built from the ground up, or simply an enhanced port of the...
News The Zelda-Esque Decay Of Logos Is Headed For Switch This Autumn
Portuguese developed action RPG to be published by Rising Star
Among other game reveals, Rising Star Games has announced an official partnership with Portuguese-based Amplify Creations to publish the Zelda-like upcoming third-person action-RPG Decay Of Logos on Nintendo Switch. If you've never heard of it before, the game tasks you with exploring a...
Random These Tiny Switch Cases Are Adorable, Easily Lost
Small, smaller, smallest
When you proudly look at your shelf of physical Switch games, chances are the one thought that doesn't pop into your is: "I wish these cases were somehow smaller, man". However, Kotaku reader Mahir obviously feels differently, as they've created Switch cases so small you can only fit the game card inside (which, given...
News Pablo Escobar And The Narcos Gang Are Heading To A Nintendo Switch Near You
Pablo honey
Drug-running, gun-toting, moustache-toting drug of infamy Pablo Escobar - or, the Narcos-based version of him, anyhow - is making his video game debut in 2019. Publisher Curve Digital has teamed up with developer Kuju Entertainment to work on the project, which is set to hit PC and consoles (including Switch, naturally), but that's...
News Still Looking For A NES Classic Mini? Grab A Double Pack On The Nintendo UK Store Right Now
Less than £130 for both Classic Mini consoles
Are you still in the market for a NES Mini? The miniature throwback has become incredibly hard to find, unlike its SNES counterpart, but Nintendo has just put up a tidy little deal on its official store. Right now (if you're quick) you can head over to the Nintendo UK store and pick up the NES Mini...
Nintendo Download 15th March (Europe)
Each and every new release on the European eShops
It's Thursday once again and there's a slew of new titles, DLC packs and other digital delights coming to the European eShops. Whether you're playing on 3DS, Wii U or Nintendo Switch, this week's Nintendo Download has it all. Kirby returns for a brand new adventure; experience the heart ache of Last...
News Power Up Your Switch With The Venom Power Pack and Stand
My spider sense is tingling
We've seen quite a few Nintendo Switch charging stands, but this one from UK based gaming accessory manufacturer Venom really caught our eye. The Power Pack and Stand features a sleek and ergonomic design, perfectly complementing the Nintendo Switch and locking securely into place on the rear of the console for easy...
News Toys R Us Is Closing All Of Its US And UK Stores
So long, and thanks for all the toys
It's been coming for a long time, but we now have confirmation that beleaguered retailer Toys R Us is shutting all of its US and UK stores. Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last year, but was hopeful that a buyer could be found or that its current debts could be restructured in a...
News Co-Op Shooter RICO Is Bringing Door-Busting And Bullet Time To Switch This Year
"An arcade-paced, action-movie inspired, sensory onslaught"
Rising Star Games is bringing Ground Shatter's RICO to Switch later this year. The title - which stands for the “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations” Act, an actual US federal law relating to criminal organisations - sees you kicking down doors in a host of procedurally...
News If You Like Switch Shmups, You'll Want This Vertical Grip
TATE mode engaged
There are loads of amazing shmups available on the Switch eShop, and the fact that you can remove the Joy-Con and turn the console sideways means that vertical shooters are playable in all their TATE glory. However, one annoying element of this setup is that you have to rest the Switch on a surface or place it in some kind...
News Re:Legend, Southeast Asia's Most Successful Kickstarter, Is Coming To Switch
An RPG/simulation hybrid, don't ya know
Following the most successful Kickstarter campaign to originate from Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur-based developer Magnus Games Studio will team up with publisher 505 Games to bring the genre hybrid world of Re:Legend to Nintendo Switch. You'll set out on an adventure on Vokka Island in the land of Ethia,...
News Augmented Reality Street Fighter Is As Cool As It Sounds
Your battleground is the real world!
Augmented Reality may be old news as far as Nintendo is concerned - the 3DS had it way back in 2011 - but companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple are focused on the next generation of the technology, paving the way for incredible interactive experiences that mix fantasy with reality. With that in mind, we...
News Infernium Is Myst Meets Outlast And It's Running Scared Onto Nintendo Switch
Prepare to die
Okay, it's official: 2018 is going to be the year the horror takes hold on Nintendo Switch. And joining that fear-inducing revolution is Infernium, an indie odyssey into a nightmare filled with endless death and constant anxiety. Catalonia-based developer Carlos Coronado is aiming to bring the game to the Nintendo Switch eShop by the...
Feature Exploring The Exotic Oasis Of Shirin With NAIRI Developers Homebear Studios
"Humans are animals as much as any other – why differentiate?"
NAIRI: Tower Of Shirin is an adorable-looking yet deceptively complex puzzle-adventure game coming to Nintendo Switch from Dutch developer Homebear Studios - an indie duo made up of Joshua van Kuilenburg and You Miichi. Delicately mixing an engaging story with the exploration of mature...
News World Heroes 2 JET, Moon Patrol And Sol Divide Bring The Retro To Switch Next Week
Jet laggin', Moon patrolin' and Sol devidin'
Circle 22nd March on your calendars, NL retro enthusiast readers, because HAMSTER and Zerodiv are after your tokens. No less than three very distinct retro gaming choices await you next week (four if you have an American eShop account). With the upcoming release of World Heroes 2 JET ADK's curious...
News Gunman Clive Developer Shares Sneak Peek From Upcoming Game
Project Giant Robot
We're big fans of the Gunman Clive games here at Nintendo Life. These budget-priced titles may be a bit on the short side, but what they lack in length they make up for in fun gameplay and charming visuals. We last heard from solo developer Bertil Hörberg back in 2015 when he released both of the original 3DS games...
Video Check Out The Scope Of Nintendo Labo's Toy-Con Garage Mode
Programming with cardboard
Nintendo is kicking off a new series of videos devoted to showcasing Nintendo Labo's Toy-Con Garage mode, which allows you to create your very own Toy-Con using a basic programming tool. The first video - shown above - talks about how you can use 'nodes' to create inputs and outputs. For example, on the most basic level...
News The Bunker Will Bring Live Action Psychological Horror To Switch Next Month
The first FMV game on Switch
Wales Interactive and Splendy Games have announced that The Bunker will be heading to the Switch on 9th April (for £9.99 / $12.99), becoming the console's first FMV game. The Bunker is a completely live action experience, filmed on location in a decommissioned government nuclear bunker with a plot crafted by writers...
News Runner3 Sprints Onto The Nintendo Switch This May
Dauntless dashing
We really loved the amazingly titled BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien when it landed on the Wii U eShop back in 2013, so we're really looking forward to getting our mitts on Runner3 when it races to the Switch eShop on 22nd May. Developed by the lovely folks over at Choice...
Video See Nintendo Labo In Action At The Science Museum In London
Hands-on with the cardboard curio
A big hands-on event for Nintendo Labo is currently being held at the Science Museum, London (it's running until tomorrow, if you're in that neck of the woods) and Nintendo UK has just posted a short but sweet little video showing the cardboard curio in action, with players of all ages and backgrounds getting to...
Wednesday14th Mar 2018
Review Kirby Star Allies (Switch)
Allies assemble!
The core Kirby series has seen something of a revival in recent years, after a long period of interesting yet different spin-off titles taking the main spotlight. Starting off with Kirby’s Return To Dreamland, this new era of mainline Kirby games has taken on a character of its own; almost standing apart as a distinct sub series...
Review Scribblenauts: Showdown (Switch)
Pure (un)imagination
Ever since the series first debuted on DS back in 2009, Scribblenauts has offered something few games ever could: an experience limited only by the boundaries of your own imagination. Even up to Scribblenauts Unlimited on Wii U in 2012, the antics of Maxwell and his magical notepad have remained fresh and bubbling with...
Guide Kirby Star Allies Compatible amiibo And What They Unlock
Just tap it in
It probably won't come as an enormous surprise to you that Kirby Star Allies supports amiibo. It wouldn't really be a Nintendo game without them! But, as is usually the case with amiibo support, it's never really clear what happens when you tap them. It's also unclear which amiibo you can use. Fear not though, because that's why...
Review World Conqueror X (Switch eShop)
Everybody wants to rule the world
While wartime strategy games are one of the evergreen genres of both board and PC gaming, they’re much less of a presence on console; outside of steadfast staples like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, historical takes on the turn-based formula are particularly scarce. CIRCLE’s Conqueror series brought...
Review The Long Reach (Switch eShop)
Something strange in the neighbourhood
Most horror games on Nintendo Switch (and gaming in general) tend to be of the schlocky supernatural jump-scare variety. There's nothing wrong with that, as Resident Evil Revelations Collection and Outlast: Bundle Of Terror will attest to, but there's ample space for a more subtle, psychological brand of...
Review Steredenn: Binary Stars (Switch eShop)
My god, it's full of stars!
In October of 2015, a French studio called Pixelnest released a space shooter arcade game called Steredenn, which blended classic shmup action with roguelike elements. The final product received high praise across the board, but Pixelnest wasn’t content to simply stop there. Over the last year, the studio has been...
News HAMSTER Acquires Rights To Complete Video System Catalogue
Releases outside Neo Geo hardware games in the future
While we eagerly look forward to tomorrow's release of Aero Fighters 3, HAMSTER has announced it has acquired the rest of Video System's arcade game library and will be republishing some of the company's greatest hits in future Arcade Archives releases. The exciting possibility of the...
Feature Retro-Inspired FPS Hellscreen Aims For Nintendo Switch
"It's my ultimate goal"
UK-based artist-turned-developer Jamie Degen has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for his project Hellscreen - a first-person shooter inspired by hellish '90's PC classics such as Doom, Quake and Unreal. With a striking duo-chromatic, pixelated art style and tons of firepower combined with a strong story and lore,...
News Thimbleweed Park Is Getting A Physical Release On Switch
Calling all collector-a-renos!
We really liked Thimbleweed Park when we reviewed it on the Switch eShop back in September last year. This point-and-click adventure game developed by genre veterans Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick certainly delivered the goods, so it is welcome news to hear that the lovely folks over at Limited Run Games will be bringing...
News The Flame In The Flood Is Getting A Physical Release On Switch
Get it before it's gone!
The Nintendo Switch eShop has played host to many fantastic digital only games, though this obviously hasn’t pleased everybody. Some Switch owners prefer their games to be physical whenever possible, whether it be for collection purposes or for a sense of security in having a hard copy that you can own. Wherever you stand...
Hardware Review Shika Arcades SOZU.S1 Isn't Just The Ultimate SNES Stick, It's A Work Of Art
Bamboo-zled
The humble video game controller is one of the most important elements of interactive entertainment; it is your interface to an immersive virtual world and any shortcomings it may have (Kinect, we're looking at you) impact massively on your overall enjoyment. It's equally true, however, that not all controllers are created equal, and as...
News Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja Punches Its Way To Switch Next Week
Are you a bad enough dude to rescue President Ronnie?
On March 21st we will be turning the clocks back to 1988, baby. The Data East classic Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja is hitting the Switch eShop thirty years after it thrilled arcade goers and entertained countless others via a series of ports. Blade and Striker must fight the army of the...
Review Arcade Archives Heroic Episode (Switch eShop)
Middling experience
HAMSTER may not release titles in its Arcade Archives series as frequently as with its ACA Neo Geo one, but it does similarly seem determined to release whatever it can. R-Type is on the way, but before then there’s this lesser-known Irem title. Originally released in Japan as Yōjūden, Arcade Archives Heroic Episode puts you...
News Flipping Heck, That Pinball FX3 Switch Patch Is Coming After All
"The community has spoken... we are listening"
Shortly after its launch last year, it was hinted that Pinball FX3 on Switch would be getting a patch to improve its visuals, which some felt were slightly lacking. Developer Zen Studios backtracked on this recently, stating that the patch was no long
News Visual Novel Song Of Memories Is Getting A Special 'Encore Edition' In The West
With lots of extra goodies
Rice Digital has announced that it will be bringing a special edition of the upcoming visual novel Song Of Memories to the Switch this year. A romantic visual novel with a dark and sinister underbelly, Song Of Memories is an adventure that will see players discovering the thrills of finding their soulmate in a musical...
Gallery The Pokémon Cafe Is Just Too Cute For Words
Japan gets all the best stuff
A few weeks ago we reported on a new Pokémon themed cafe in Tokyo which was due to open later in the month. Now that it's finally open Japanese website gamer.ne.jp paid a visit to check it out, and it certainly looks to be a rather special place indeed. Here are some of the things which caught our eye from the visit...
News The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle Is Confirmed For Switch Sleuthing
A Victorian point and click adventure, no less
Point and click adventure The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle is coming to the Nintendo Switch eShop, it has been revealed. The episodic series made its debut in 2015 on PC with Episode 1: A Dreadly Business. The second episode - A Bleaker Predicklement - launched in 2017. Oddly, the port...
News Runbow Sprints Onto Switch On 24th April, With A Deluxe Edition Hitting Retail In June
Colour us excited
Publisher Headup Games and developer 13AM Games have confirmed their colour-coded brawler Runbow will hit the Nintendo Switch eShop on 24th April. Not only that, but there's a Deluxe Edition due to arrive at retail on 14th June, complete with DLCs and some physical goodies yet to announced. If you've never played it before, it's a...
News Super Chariot Secures May Release Date And Physical Edition On Switch
Co-op coffin carrying
Microïds and Frima Studio have announced that Super Chariot, an enhanced re-release of Chariot, will be launching on Nintendo Switch in May this year - and we'll even be getting a physical edition, too! Taking on the role of the princess or her fiancé, players must take the coffin of the deceased King through platforming...
News Last Day Of June Will Test How Far You'll Go For The One You Love
And it's headed straight for Switch
Video games know how to pull on our heartstrings, and the latest offering from Italian indie studio Ovosonico (which previously worked on Murasaki Baby on PS Vita) might just be the one that makes them snap forever. Last Day Of June tells the story of Carl and June, a devoted couple who are torn apart when a car...
Deals Grab Kirby Star Allies And This Exclusive Pin Badge Set At Nintendo's Official UK Store
Nice pins
Kirby Star Allies lands on Nintendo Switch this Friday and our review will be with you later today. If you haven't pre-ordered this yet and live in the UK, you might be interested in this bundle from the Nintendo Official UK Store which includes the game in addition to a rather tempting Kirby pin bad set. <products...
News Get Ready To Share Your Emotions With Sally's Law On Switch
Award-winning title has Nintendo composer Daisuke Shiiba onboard
Japanese studio Polaris-x - which was founded in 2014 by former Capcom staffer Yasuhiro Sumida - is bringing Nanali's award-winning smartphone title Sally's Law to the Switch. Previously released on iOS and Android, Sally's Law was awarded a Top-3 Grand Prize award a
News Hoverbike Racing Meets RPGs In The Stylised World Of Desert Child
There's no release date yet, though
Ever wanted to combine your love for hoverbike racing with a penchant for sci-fi and some classic RPG tropes? Well, you're in luck because indie game publisher Akupara Games is partnering up with developer Oscar Brittain to bring the curious case of Desert Child to Nintendo Switch. Here's a cheeky official...
Feature Scratching Our Curiousity Itch With Claws Of Furry Dev Terahard
"Our games are definitely impacted by the multiculturalism of our team"
When you combine platforming, melee action at breakneck speed and a penchant for co-operative play, you're always going to grab our attention here at Nintendo Life. And Claws Of Furry, the debut game from UK and Greece-based developer Terahard Studios, has certainly caught...
Tuesday13th Mar 2018
News The Games Industry Reacts To The White House's Violent Games Showreel
"Everyone associated with those games should be ashamed of themselves"
Last week, U.S. president Donald Trump held a meeting with industry executives to discuss the issue of violence in video games, a meeting which was viewed by many as a way of scapegoating interactive entertainment in relation to the recent spate of school shootings in the...
Video Digital Foundry Considers "Nintendo Switch Pro" With NVIDIA Tegra X2 Processor
Power up!
Our good chums over at Digital Foundry certainly do like to look to the future when it comes to gaming tech. Having debated the benefits of the PS4 Pro and the more recently released Xbox One X, both of which offer substantial benefits to gameplay performance on existing games, industry veteran Richard Leadbetter turns his...
News Nintendo Switch System Update 5.0.0 Is Now Available
Social linkage, new avatar icons and a play activity fix
It seems like only this morning we were talking about how Switch system update 5.0.0 could be around the corner, and less than 24 hours later here we are - very much in the land of five-oh-oh. The update has just gone live, so if you want to download it right now then head to the Switch...
Review Danmaku Unlimited 3 (Switch eShop)
Dodge this!
With each passing day Nintendo Switch is becoming the go-to current generation console for shmup enthusiasts. Already offering plenty of old and new titles in the current library, plus the bonus of proper TATE mode being at a distance of a quick Switch flip, perhaps the time has come to turn things up a notch. Does Danmaku Unlimited 3...
Review Bit Dungeon Plus (Switch eShop)
Permadeath paradise
The Nintendo Switch eShop is home to some quality hard-as-nails roguelike titles such as Tangledeep, The Binding Of Isaac: Afterbirth+ and Darkest Dungeon but more permadeath goodness has landed on Nintendo’s latest console, albeit in a much smaller package. Bit Dungeon Plus stabs its way into the niche market and now sits...
News You Can Pre-Order the Splatoon 2 Pearl And Marina Amiibo Two Pack Right Now
And they'll arrive on 13th July
We learned back in February that everyone's favourite TV-based twosome from Splatoon 2 were getting their own 'Off The Hook' amiibo, and we've been waiting with baited breath (and baited bank balance) for more details ever since. So here's the good news: Nintendo has finally confirmed the double-pack of Pearl and...
Review Coffin Dodgers (Switch eShop)
Race for your life
Whenever a kart-racer is released on a Nintendo platform it’s pretty impossible to avoid comparing it to the Mario Kart franchise; the mustachioed plumber’s sublime series of games is almost incontrovertibly the best option available in the genre, and it would take something pretty special to knock it off the podium’s top...
News Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse Comes To The Switch Next Week
Surprise!
Shantae has already gotten some representation on the Nintendo Switch in the form of the excellent Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, but the series has a long relationship with Nintendo that dates back all the way to the Gameboy Color. The previous game, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, launched on the 3DS and Wii U, offering up a more pure...
News V-Rally 4 Drifts Onto Nintendo Switch This September
Mud on road
Bigben and Kylotonn are reviving the classic V-Rally series, and it's coming to Switch. V-Rally 4 will be the first entry in the series since 2003, and comes to Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC this September. The first entry appeared way back in 1997 on the original PlayStation. Here's some PR: Absent since 2003, the epic title is...
Review Neonwall (Switch eShop)
It’s all in the wrist
Silly players should know better than to play at the arcade during a thunderstorm. There is always the off-chance that a lightning strike will teleport you inside the machine you're playing. And guess what? That's exactly what happens at the beginning of Norain Games' physics puzzle/shooting offering. Stuck inside a pinball...
News Atari Flashback Classics Is Due To Launch On The Switch Later This Year
Back to the roots
The video game industry owes a lot to Atari, even if its closure was one of the most epic implosions in the industry’s history. Though the original Atari is dead and buried, the brand still lives on today in some form, and IP under its ownership are still an important piece of gaming history. To celebrate this legacy, Atari has...
Weirdness Siri Thinks Masahiro Sakurai Is Called 'Mashed Potato Samurai'
Joy contained within
Some days are average, some days are downright dull, and other days present you with the most utterly wonderful things that you could never have even dreamt of. Today is one of those fine days, ladies and gents, and we couldn't be more delighted. Yes, today brings the news that Siri - the 'intelligent personal assistant' that...
News Your Switch Now Knows What Colour Your Pro Controller Is
Pink & green in their rightful place
The latest firmware update to version 5.0.0 on the Nintendo Switch isn't as dramatic as many people were hoping, but there is one new feature that you should definitely take a look at. As you can see in the video above, the Switch is now clever enough to recognise what colour grips your Nintendo Switch Pro...
News You Can Now Buy Super Mario Cereal Without The Amiibo Functionality
You can still eat it though, thankfully
The Super Mario Cereal caused quite a stir when it hit supermarket shelves not so long ago, and not just for its nutritional value (or lack thereof) - it was the fact that the box actually came with an amiibo tag that could be used in games. This aspect made the cereal incredibly collectable, but it seems...
Review Midnight Deluxe (Switch eShop)
Driving at something different
Midnight Deluxe is a swift follow-up to last year's slight Switch eShop platformer, 36 Fragments Of Midnight. While it looks nigh-on identical, however, it's actually a very different game indeed. If 36 Fragments of Midnight was a fairly traditional bite-sized 2D platformer, Midnight Deluxe has more in common with the...
Deals Check Out These Retro-Bit Famicom And Super Famicom Cart Collections
Many games, one cart
We recently took a look at Retro-Bit's classic game collections sold in the US, classic NES and SNES games lovingly put onto reproduction carts with fancy packaging - a must-have for retro game collectors. It just came to our attention that Retro-Bit is selling a bunch of new retro classic game collections on Play-Asia which...
News Super Hydorah and Cursed Castilla EX Are Both Headed To Switch Thanks To GameMaker Studio 2
Two announcements in one!
Last week we received the news that GameMaker Studio 2 - a 2D game development engine - will soon allow the option to export creations directly to Nintendo Switch. Thanks to this, Abylight Studios has announced that indie developer Locomalito - which uses GameMaker 2 - will be bringing both Super Hydorah...
News There's A Secret Way To Access Your Twitter Feed On Nintendo Switch
Nintendo will definitely be patching this out
Nintendo has just rolled out update 5.0.0 for Nintendo Switch, adding in many a new or tweaked feature. One such addition is the ability to add friends connected to you via Twitter or Facebook, and it's come with a rather handy backdoor if you're looking to access your own Twitter feed from your Nintendo...
Review Puzzle Puppers (Switch eShop)
Dog-gone fun
Some things in life are complex. Many games require careful consideration, a deeper understanding, and a keen eye for the bigger picture. Some things, however, are simple. Puzzle Puppers is direct, uncomplicated, and pure; the perfect representation of the grinning, slobbering pooches who act as the stars of the show. It's bright,...
News Poll Data Suggests Switch Owners Are More Into Mobile Games Than Their Console Friends
Portable loves portable
Do you love Nintendo Switch? Of course you do, you're on Nintendo Life, after all. But do you love a bit of gaming on your smartphone or tablet? An ongoing poll by game market research firm EEDAR (Electronic Entertainment Design and Research) suggests Switch owners in North America are far more invested in both forms of...
News Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles Is "Coming Soon" To Nintendo Switch
A new photo mode will also debut on Switch
Back in February, an Amazon listing suggested that Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles - an open-world action adventure game from Australian studio Prideful Sloth - was potentially arrivng on Nintendo Switch in March. Well, it's now official, with confirmation that Yonder will be available digitally...
News Mario, Zelda And Mario Kart Continue To Sell Strong In The UK Charts
Not top, but still in the mix
Nintendo Switch might not have a title at the very top of the UK charts, but considering it's yet to release a major first-party title in 2018 some of its biggest releases of 2017 continue to sell confident numbers in the UK. Last week's multiplatform chart data shows Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey and The...
Feature Road Tripping With Death Road To Canada's Rocketcat Games
"The game is built for weirdness and replayability"
Trekking across a post-apocalyptic wilderness has never been more fun, or more random, thanks to upcoming action-RPG Death Road To Canada from indie studio Rocketcat Games. Part roguelike, part interactive novel, each attempt will present a different ratio of resource management, characters to talk...
News Juicy Karting Title All-Star Fruit Racing Gets Rated For Switch Release
One of your five-a-day
Bonkers karting title All-Star Fruit Racing has been rated for release on the Switch in Brazil. PQube is listed as the publisher, which makes sense - the company has given Switch a lot of love recently. The gameplay appears to borrow quite a lot of inspiration from the famous Mario Kart series, and includes 22...
News Lode Runner Legacy Dashes Onto Switch This Spring In Japan
Complete with a first-person mode
Tozai Games is bringing Lode Runner Legacy to Switch in Japan, it has been revealed. An update of the classic Brøderbund title from '80s, Lode Runner Legacy launched on PC last year and comes with a whole host of modes, including a level editor and character editor. You can even choose to experience the...
Video The Latest Trailer Proves Detective Pikachu Is No Ordinary Pokémon
The 'Chu is on the case
Detective Pikachu - the Nintendo 3DS mashup of crime investigation and talking Pokémon - is a mere 10 days away, so Nintendo has launched yet another trailer to get you in the mood for some portable sleuthing. This one is all about the titular investigator, and gives you a little insight his quirky personality and...
Monday12th Mar 2018
Feature SNES-Style RPG Hazelnut Bastille Coming To Switch With Secret of Mana Composer In Tow
"After playing the game as a kid, It's been pretty surreal"
After being teased as ’fairly likely’ on social media in February, developer Aloft Studios has officially announced to Nintendo Life that Hazelnut Bastille, a game inspired by the golden era of SNES classic action RPGs, is planned for Switch. Here's what we were told: The timescale...
News Everspace Heads To The Stars (And Straight Onto Nintendo Switch)
Roguelike space combat sim already "running smoothly"
We are currently going trough a renaissance period for the space simulator genre and one of the very best you might never have heard of is ROCKFISH Games' 2017 hit, Everspace. A beautiful space sim with roguelike features (every space sector is randomly generated), it was built on the Unreal...
Review Damascus Gear Operation Tokyo (Switch eShop)
Putting the mobile in ‘Mobile Suit’
When Xenoblade Chronicles X arrived on Wii U, it not only offered an exceptional JRPG experience but also instantly cornered the mecha game niche genre by offering a complete, fully-customisable and satisfying mech-building meta game. One year into Switch's lifespan and not a single developer has tackled the...
Video Here's More Evidence That The Switch Port Of WWE 2K18 Really Is Terrible
As if you needed it!
We'd just about gotten over the disappointment of the Switch port of WWE 2K18, which we awarded a generous 3/10 to back in December, but following a recent patch to the Switch version the lovely folks over at Digital Foundry have opened the wound again with one of their trademark comparison videos with the Xbox One...
News Switch's Stellar First Year Helps Nintendo Bag Itself An AMD Excellence Award
AMD another thing
Nintendo Switch pulled off quite the first year - just check out our extensive coverage to see just how well it did - but that success hasn't gone unnoticed. Earlier today, at the 23rd AMD Awards, the Big N took to the stage at the Meiji Kinenkan venue in Tokyo and received the prestigious AMD Excellence Award. Some big names...
Review Magical Drop III (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Simple, frantic fun with balloons
The lineup of retro offerings on Switch may largely be comprised of fighting games and shmups, but other genres feature too, such as platformers, sports titles and - in the case of Magical Drop III - a highly enjoyable puzzle games. With the second game in the series already receiving the ACA Neo Geo treatment,...
News Zany Super Famicom Great Battle Series Gets Translated Into English
AGTP celebrates 19 years with five simultaneous translations
One of the longest-running franchises that sadly remains niche in the West is Banpresto's Compati Hero series. Based on super-deformed gashapon toys you can still collect from vending machines across Japan, it marked the first time several franchises crossed over to create an...
News Switch Parental Controls App Update Suggests Firmware 5.0.0 Isn't Far Away
Software update coming soon?
A new update has gone live for the Switch Parent Controls app on iOS smartphones, and it directly references Switch firmware 5.0.0 - which isn't out yet. As you can see from the update notes, the new app has features which require you to update your Switch console to version 5.0.0. These include sleep-mode syncing, a...
Review Rally Racers (Switch eShop)
Reverse away from this one
If the name wasn’t already enough of an indication, Rally Racers is – for most parts – your run of the mill arcade racing game. You speed around a collection of themed tracks firing an array of weapons at opponents while trying to win each and every race. Following long-running traditions ingrained within the genre,...
News Mysterious Sci-Fi Platformer Planet Alpha Is Heading To Nintendo Switch This Year
"We are building something special"
Team17 has announced a partnership with Danish indie developer Adrian Lazar to bring Planet Alpha to Nintendo Switch in 2018. Planet Alpha is an atmospheric side-scrolling platform adventure game which combines fast platforming, creative puzzles, stealth mechanics, and a visually striking art style. Waking...
News Inazuma Eleven: Balance Of Ares Gameplay Footage Sprints Onto The Pitch
He shoots, he scores
Level 5 has released new gameplay footage of its forthcoming Inazuma Eleven sequel, subtitled Balance of Ares. The franchise began life on the Nintendo DS before leaping over to the 3DS. Balance of Ares is coming to Switch, PlayStation 4 and smart devices this year in Japan, and will be accompanied by an anime series - the...
PS4 and Xbox One ports are the priority right now
We were pleased as punch to learn that Descenders - the insane, downhill mountain bike racer - was planned for Nintendo Switch, but like all ports, we're always a little cautious when a graphically-demanding game on PC is down-scaled to meet the technical limitations of a handheld. Thankfully, the...
Review TurtlePop: Journey To Freedom (Switch eShop)
Heroes in a half-shell
Developed by ex-Melbourne House veterans, the Switch exclusive TurtlePop: Journey To Freedom appears, at first glance, to be a kid-friendly platformer featuring cute turtle heroes not of the ninja variety. However, it doesn’t take long into this rather extensive journey to figure out there is more to this title than...
News Twin-Stick Shooter Tesla vs Lovecraft Is Blasting Onto Switch This Week
Science vs Fiction
10tons has announced that Tesla vs Lovecraft, a game released a just a little over a month ago on Steam, will be hitting the Switch eShop later this week. Tesla vs Lovecraft is a twin-stick top-down shooter which sees the player, as the inventor Nikola Tesla, take on the minion hordes of horror author H.P. Lovecraft. Equipped...
News Mamma Mia! Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 Brings The Gangster Style Back To Switch
Dinner is served
Following on from a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier in the year, Crazy Monkey Studios has confirmed Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 will follow the first game onto Nintendo Switch. Unlike the original instalment, which saw you fighting hordes of zombies in the 1920s, the sequel jumps forwards in time to WW2 and tasks you with...
News First Toki Tori 2+, Now The Original Toki Tori Hits The Switch eShop This Month
Do the birdie
Two Tribes' avian adventures have spent plenty of time on Nintendo consoles, having appeared on 3DS, Wii U and Game Boy Colour, and now the original Toki Tori is following in its sequel's footsteps by making the jump to the Nintendo Switch eShop on 30th March (with a 10% pre-order/launch discount for good measure). If you've never...
News Devious Dungeon Will Soon Plunder Switch's Depths For Loot
Level randomisation, bags of loot and more
Publisher Ratalaika Games has confirmed the mobile antics of Devious Dungeon are coming to Nintendo Switch, bringing with it a ton of randomised levels spread across five unique worlds. The console port will include lots of weapons and gear to take with you into battle, RPG-styled upgrades, plenty of boss...
News Witch and Hero 3 Arrives On 3DS eShop In Europe This Week, North America "Very Soon"
Concluding the trilogy
CIRCLE Entertainment has confirmed that Witch and Hero 3 will arrive on the 3DS eShop in Europe on 15th March, with an asking price of €3.99. Concluding the trilogy of releases on 3DS, this retro-style action game shakes the series up slightly with the addition of the ‘Little’ Hero, who joins the Witch and original Hero...
News OPUS: Rocket Of Whispers Will Tug On Your Heartstrings On 22nd March
It is rocket science
OPUS: Rocket Of Whispers - the poignant, narrative-driven tale from the same team that brought OPUS: The Day We Found Earth to Nintendo's new handheld - will be bringing its own emotional story to Nintendo Switch on 22nd March, and boy, is it going to make you reach for some tissues. You'll help a man and a woman as they...
News Psyvariar Restoration Brings More Shmup Goodness To Switch This Year
A classic restored
Success Corporation's 2000 arcade shooter Psyvariar is getting updated for the Switch, it has been revealed. City Connection - the studio behind the recent Soldam and Penguin Wars revivals - are bringing the classic vertical shooter to Nintendo's console in July, under the name Psyvariar Restoration. It has only been...
