Random Krispy Kreme Launches A Tasty Pokémon Dozen Doughnut Set
They don't look like Brock's, thankfully
News Switch Has A Nintendogs-Style Game On The Way Called Puppies & Kittens
Life sims for interior design and doctors also coming, for you career-minded types
News Nintendo Changed The Culture At Retro Studios Following Metroid Prime Crunch
Mike Wikan reckons Prime 4 "will be great"
News A New Limited-Time Pokémon Sword And Shield Distribution Event Has Been Announced
Will tie in with the upcoming movie release
News - 2021, Week 36
Sunday12th Sep 2021
News First Screenshots Of Zynga's Free-To-Play Star Wars Game Surface Online
Soft launch expected to start soon
Apart from the upcoming release Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, one other title from a galaxy far, far away that's on its way to Nintendo's hybrid system is Star Wars: Hunters. If you don't remember this one, it's a third-person "free-to-download" competitive shooter that's being created by the FarmVille...
Rumour Switch Will Reportedly Receive A Price Cut Ahead Of The OLED Model's Launch
Update: It's official!
Update [Mon 13th Sep, 2021 10:00 BST]: The price cut has now been made official, with some retailers – including Nintendo's own store – now selling stock at the new price of £259/€269. Update [Sun 12th Sep, 2021 13:45 BST]: The same Twitter account has now shared an update, and it seems the price of the Switch will be...
Soapbox The Era Of Rock Band, Guitar Hero And Plastic Instruments Was Silly But Special
Wish fulfilment
Over the past few weeks it's been a lot of fun to share a huge range of music-themed features as part of the Nintendo Life VGM Festival. Much of our focus, quite rightly, has been on highlighting the amazing talents behind the soundtracks and audio design that we enjoy in games. For a little change, though, I wanted to reflect on a...
Review Residual (Switch) - A Deep, Vibrant 2D Survival Platformer With Just A Couple Of Issues
One small step for man and bot
Booting up Residual for the first time can feel a tad overwhelming. You’re chucked head-first onto a strange, seemingly barren planet with nothing but a few bits and bobs to get you started. You step out of the comfort of your ship into the harsh, unforgiving 2D environment and you can actually see your hunger and...
News Nintendo's Metroid Dread Marketing Campaign Is Well Underway In Japan
Samus returns
Nintendo has been criticised in the past for not giving the Metroid series enough spotlight compared to certain other franchises, but it seems things will be different this time around. Ahead of the release of Metroid Dread next month, Nintendo is rolling out the red carpet for its intergalactic bounty hunter. In addition to all of...
Random Graphic Designer Recreates Marvel's 'What If...?' Series With Wario
Wah If...?
Wario's latest game is out this week, and as you might have previously seen, he's let the whole world know about it. Fans have also been celebrating the arrival of WarioWare: Get It Together! on social media with fan art and more. While there are all sorts of creations, one of the standouts of the lot is a recreation of Marvel's new...
Feature Banjo And Final Fantasy On The Radio? VGM On Classic FM Was Only The Beginning
WeLoveGameMusic head on campaigning with the VGM community
It's September, and the VGM Fest is coming to an end soon — but we still have time for a few more celebratory interviews and features before we put video game music back on the shelf for a while. Today, we've got a chat with Richard Stokes, the lead at We Love Game Music, who tells us all...
News Ninjala's Spooky Season Seven Update Is Now Live On Nintendo Switch
New weapons, battles and more...
Update [Sun 12th Sep, 2021 07:00 BST]: Ninjala's seventh spooky season is now officially underway. It includes new "monstrous attire, 2 gum weapons, a new shinobi card, fashion lenses and a new eight-player battle royale mode. Learn more down below and also check out the latest trailer: Get a punch out of the new...
Saturday11th Sep 2021
Review Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions (Switch) - Comes Out Swinging On Switch
That’s how winnin’ is done!
The Rocky series has deservedly cemented itself as one of the most iconic franchises of modern cinema. It naturally spawned a number of games over the years, with developer Survios turning out the latest efforts: the 2018 VR title Creed: Rise to Glory and Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions. The latter is a departure...
News Platinum Would "Definitely" Port Star Fox Zero To Switch, If Given The Opportunity
But design decisions would likely be up to Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch has seen a lot of games ported across from the Wii U generation, but one many fans are still waiting on is Star Fox Zero. PlatinumGames noted last August how it had no idea if Nintendo would bring the game to the hybrid system, and mentioned how a future port might not even be...
News Select Super Mario LEGO Sets Appear To Be 'Retiring Soon'
Get Wave 1 while you can
It's been an exciting week if you're a fan of Lego and Nintendo's Super Mario series - with the reveal of the Super Mario 64 '?' Block, but it seems some older sets could soon be retiring. As spotted by VGC, the Lego's UK store will seemingly be retiring three Super Mario sets from Wave 1. They include the Boomer Bill...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 11th)
Big games, or micro games?
It's been another busy week of the Nintendo Life, with plenty of news and points of interest to chew over. There were some shenanigans and surprising visual glitches in Sonic Colors Ultimate, we shared our review of WarioWare: Get It Together!, a LEGO Super Mario 64 '?' Block was revealed, so
Video Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Spotlights "Employee Of The Month" SpongeBob SquarePants
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea...
When he's not putting in a shift at The Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs' star employee SpongeBob SquarePants is busy training for Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. Seriously though, GameMill Entertainment has just published a brand new YouTube video for the upcoming fighting game. Fair Play Labs' Markus Villalobos goes...
News Super Rare's Deponia Physical Collection For Switch Goes On Sale Next Week
"Limited to 4,000 copies total"
Back in April, Super Rare Games announced a handful of upcoming physical releases for the Nintendo Switch. One of these was the Deponia Collection - made possible with the help of Daedalic Entertainment. The physical distributor has now confirmed the collection will go on sale next week on 16th September. There'll be...
Quick Beats Pulstar, Mega Man, And Final Fight Composer Talks Joe Hisaishi And The Beatles
"I wish I had done one of the Mario games. Maybe Mario Party"
Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter...
We talk with the Hades composer, and Zagreus himself
We recently spoke to award-winning composer Darren Korb as part of our Quick Beats series, where he kindly answered ten quickfire questions about his musical tastes. However, that small snippet was just part of a much larger conversation we were lucky enough to have with Supergiant Games' in-house...
Quick Beats Save Me Mr Tako! Composer Talks Flyrule, Ravel And Star Wars D6
10 quick Qs for Marc-Antoine Archier
Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'...
Friday10th Sep 2021
News Wario Took Over Nintendo's Twitter And It Was Horrible
Peeee-yeww.
Does anyone else remember that trend of "hacking" into your friend's social media whenever they left it unattended, and posting things like "ha ha my bum smells"? We certainly do, and we were glad those days are long behind us... Except they're not, because Wario just "hacked" into the Nintendo Twitter account. And by "hacked", we mean...
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons Online Exhibition Opens With Player Diaries
The National Video Game Museum covers the last 18 months
Back in December, the UK's National Video Game Museum announced their latest project: documenting and archiving the first year of the global pandemic, through the lens of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nine months later, the exhibit is ready, and it's gorgeous, with Animal Crossing-style...
News Platinum Really Wants To Show You Bayonetta 3, But It Can't
"It’s not our decision what to say and when to say it"
Bayonetta 3 was announced back in 2017, but since then, we've seen nothing of the game – not even a new trailer. There's no solid indication of when it will be released, either, and developer PlatinumGames has been forced to assure fans several times that production is proceeding as...
News There's More Crash Bandicoot Coming "Very Soon", According To Toys For Bob
25 years and counting
As you may have already heard, it's Crash Bandicoot's 25th anniversary this year. Yes, like all of the other classic mascots, Crash is also getting on. While many fans were hoping for a big reveal this week, unfortunately, all there's been so far is a special video message. In it, Toys for Bob co-studio heads, Paul Yan and...
News Metroid Dread Overview Trailer Keeps The Hype Rolling Ahead Of Next Month's Launch
And offers a closer look at the Chozo
With less than a month to go until launch, Nintendo has released a brand new overview trailer for Metroid Dread. And yes, it still looks incredible. You can check it out for yourself above; you'll find plenty of gameplay and action to enjoy, as well as a more detailed look at how the two new amiibo will work...
News Neo Geo Shmup Razion EX Gets A Switch eShop Release On September 16th
A blast from the past
Update [Fri 10th Sep, 2021 05:30 BST]: It's taken some time, but Razion EX is finally getting a Switch eShop release. It'll arrive next week on 16th September in both Europe and North America. The developer has also confirmed the game will be getting a physical reprint at some point in 2022 (see the box art below)...
Guide WarioWare: Get It Together Full Character Roster, Moves List, Beginner Tips
A guide to Diamond City's finest
WarioWare: Get It Together! is finally here and this time around the denizens of Diamond City have jumped from the sidelines and joined in the action. Yes, this latest addition to Nintendo's madcap microgame series lets you take direct control of a roster of twenty characters, each of whom has their very own attack...
Review The Outer Worlds: Murder On Eridanos (Switch) - A Fun Final Slice Of 'Whoddunnit' DLC
Set your impertinence levels to "flagrant"
The final slice of DLC for The Outer Worlds, Obsidian's superb action-RPG, Murder on Eridanos attempts to switch things up by ditching the mostly combat-centric action of the main game in favour of a narrative-driven whoddunnit that throws you into a tangled web of intrigue on a floating island of treachery...
News Pokémon Trading Card Game Broadcast Will Share "New Information" This Weekend
What could it be?
A special broadcast that's set to share new info regarding the Pokémon Trading Card Game has been teased for this weekend. As reported by Serebii, the broadcast will air on Sunday 12th September at 10:00 UTC. Very little has been given away about what the broadcast will contain, other than the fact that "new information" will be...
News Troubled Brawler Paprium Is Coming To "Modern Platforms" Via A Crowdfunding Campaign
Production of the physical edition is now on hold, though
The Paprium saga continues to be one of the most gripping stories in the world of retro gaming. Developed by WaterMelon Games – the same team behind the likeable Wii U RPG Pier Solar – side-scrolling fighter Paprium
News Excellent Shmup 'Crimzon Clover World EXplosion' Is Getting A Fancy Switch Physical Release
Update: Pre-orders delayed
Update: If you were hoping to get a pre-order in for any of the new Crimzon Clover World EXplosion physical bundles, you may have noticed that the launch didn't quite go to plan. Unfortunately, pre-orders have been delayed due to technical issues, but they'll now go live today, 10th September at 1pm EDT / 7pm CEST. All...
Poll WarioWare: Get It Together! Is Out Today On Switch, Are You Getting It?
Have your say...
It's not every day that you get a new WarioWare game to enjoy, but today sees the series' Switch debut with WarioWare: Get It Together!. The first WarioWare game since Gold on 3DS, Get It Together! takes the series in a slightly new direction by letting two players enjoy its microgames together for the first time. We really enjoyed...
News Astria Ascending Showcases Combat In New Trailer
Just a few weeks away
It's felt like a relatively long build-up, but with a release date of 30th September we're not far off from getting our hands on Astria Ascending. Developer Artisan Studios has some genre veterans and luminaries working on the game - this includes narrative by Kazushige Nojima (whose credits include Final Fantasy X and
News There's A WarioWare: Get It Together! Button Pin Set Up For Grabs On My Nintendo (US)
Get it while you can
To celebrate the arrival of WarioWare: Get It Together! on the Switch this week, Nintendo has added a new item to its online store in the US. As you can see it's a themed button pin set featuring Wario and his friends. Here's the full description along with the size of the pins: "To celebrate this fun new feature, our new...
News South Korean Developer Pixelian Studio Brings Critadel To Switch Next Month
A futuristic action game with "GBA-inspired graphics"
Last month Nicalis revealed it would be bringing Critadel by Pixelian Studio (a small three-person development team based in Seoul, South Korea) to the Nintendo Switch at some point this year. It's now locked in for a release on 13th October and will be priced at $19.99 USD. If you missed our...
News It's The Konami Code's 35th Anniversary, And That Means Merch
Up, up, down, down... You know the rest
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the famous Konami Code, and for some reason, that means we're being treated to a new wave of merchandise based on, well... buttons. As you may well know, the hidden 'Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A' command was first used in Gradius back in 1986 – when you...
News Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin Gets Her Own Nendoroid Figurine
For making tiny rice
Princess Sakuna is everywhere these days — Smash Bros, Story of Seasons, and Metallic Child — which is no doubt due to her popularity. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin has
News Hardcore Gaming 101's Latest Book Takes A Swing At Famous Beat 'Em Ups
Double Dragon! Final Fight! Streets of Rage!
As you'll most likely be aware, we're big fans of Hardcore Gaming 101's series of books, which so far have covered everything from Sega's arcade history to the best shmups of all time. The latest publication takes a similar approach but looks at the many excellent belt-scrolling beat 'em ups that
News Sonic Colors Ultimate Is Getting A Lovely Vinyl Soundtrack Release, And Pre-Orders Are Live
21 tracks on two discs
Sonic Colors Ultimate has had a bit of a mixed ride so far – we mostly enjoyed our time with the game when playing it for review, but some players have been reporting some rather wild, fun-ruining glitches. One thing most of us will be able to agree on, though, is that the game has a pretty ace soundtrack. While Ultimate's...
Reminder Game Builder Garage's European Physical Release Launches Today
Better late than never
When Nintendo first launched Game Builder Garage back in June, there was no mention of a physical release in Europe despite it receiving one across North America and Japan – which was odd. Fast forward to more than a month after launch, though, and a retail edition was finally announced after all. Now, that physical
News A Juggler's Tale Begins Its Switch Performance Later This Month
Not stringing us along
A Juggler's Tale, from German developer kaleidoscube, has featured in some showcases and promotions throughout the Summer - particularly on the Xbox side of the console fence. Pleasingly it is a game coming to pretty much every platform including Switch, with a release date of 29th September and a price of $17.99USD. Inspired...
Thursday9th Sep 2021
News Super Mario 64 LEGO '?' Block Revealed, Out In October
The mystery unfolds...
Yesterday LEGO was teasing its next Nintendo tie-in, confirming it'd be a big ol' '?' Block. It's now been fully unveiled in the trailer above, and as you can see it unfolds for a Super Mario 64 theme; it looks set to release on 1st October. It looks rather neat, but you'll need to save your pennies; the
News My Time At Portia Version 3.0 Update Adds New Quests, New NPC And More
Download it now
There might be a sequel to My Time at Portia on the way, but that hasn't stopped Pathea Games from supporting the original release. In fact, there's a new and rather sizable update now available to download on the Nintendo Switch. It includes new quests and side quests, new NPC, a new hairstyle and bug fixes. Here are the full...
Review Ultra Age (Switch) - Surprisingly Satisfying Devil May Cry-Style Hack-And-Slash Action
Devil May Try
Fans of hack-and-slash games in the Devil May Cry / Bayonetta mould don't have a particularly large library of titles to choose from on Switch, although with both of these famous franchises, plus the excellent Astral Chain and a (two-thirds dodgy) Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection port on the console, the quality of what is available is...
Review BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites (Switch) - Sheer Bloody Style Atones For Poor Platforming
Bloody re-vamp
The customer is always right, so the saying goes. But when BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites presents to you its wares, it’s not quite ready to concede that much. If the customer thinks there’s actually a few too many monsters on screen, well, they’re wrong. If they think those platforms are a bit too narrow, that’s also...
Update: Here's your last chance to claim
Update: Nintendo has kindly reminded us that its current free trial offer for Nintendo Switch Online ends tomorrow. Make sure to get on it over the next couple of days if you were thinking of signing up (full details and a word of warning about automatic renewals can be found in our original article below)...
News New Pokémon Funko Pops Are Coming, Including A Jumbo Charizard
Pre-orders available now!
Funko has unveiled several new Pokémon Pop figures set to join its lineup soon, including one that'll be particularly sought after (and yes, it's already sold out). Pidgeotto, Caterpie, Dragonite, and a metallic Squirtle are all currently available to pre-order, and a Jumbo Charizard completes the set. Unfortunately, the...
Video Here's Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Sonic Colors Ultimate On Nintendo Switch
Switch version described as the most "problematic" of the bunch
WARNING: The video above contains flashing images Last week, there were reports about Sonic Colors Ultimate players encountering glitches in the Nintendo Switch release. While some of these issues were caused by emulation, others were found within the actual release. Sega and Blind
News Build Your Own Village In Staxel, The Latest Farming Sim Headed To Switch
Pre-order now to get a discount
If the likes of Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons just aren't enough, you'll be able to get yet another farming sim fix later this month when Staxel arrives on Switch. "A creative farming and village life game with a cast of quirky characters", Staxel has you building and customising your very own village...
News World War Z Swarms Onto Switch In November, Gets A Glitzy New Trailer
Back from the dead
Update (9th September): Saber Interactive has now confirmed 2nd November as the global release date for World War Z on Switch, fleshing out the bare-bones details from the previous eShop store listing. It'll cost $39.99USD and regional equivalents on the eShop and at retail, and a 'Deluxe Edition' at $49.99USD will have various...
News Step Aside, Nintendogs: It's Time To Punch Cats In Fisti-Fluffs
Everybody was kitten fightiiing
"Fast-paced physics-based cat tussling fun" — is that the pitch for upcoming game Fisti-Fluffs, or is that what happens when we try to give our darling Mittens a bath? The answer is both, but this article is about the former. Fisti-Fluffs is, as you can hopefully tell by the title, a multiplayer competitive...
Random This Incredible Zelda Skull Kid Puppet Is Terrifying In All The Right Ways
Look away, kids
Nintendo's colourful catalogue of cutesy characters is usually on the bright and cheery end of the scale, but there are a few oddities that you really wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley. For many, The Legend of Zelda's Skull Kid is probably right up there on that list, and this fantastic effort from Miserable Beasts on...
Video Check Out The Fighting Mechanics In Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Game scheduled to launch next month
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is expected to arrive next month on the Switch according to a Nintendo listing, and ahead of release publisher GameMill Entertainment has been sharing various video exclusives with IGN. In the latest series of clips, we've got a closer look at the game's fighting mechanics - including...
News Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania 'SEGA Legends' Pack Brings Back Classic Consoles
And the Game Gear...
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is leaving no stone unturned in its DLC offerings; in addition to fun SEGA-themed freebies there are paid tie-ins with the likes of Hello Kitty and, erm, Monster Rancher. There are various SEGA-related paid b
Japanese Charts Ring Fit Adventure Regains Control In A Familiar Top Ten
Only 18 sales split the top two
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for the week ending 5th September, revealing that Ring Fit Adventure has once again found itself at the top of the pile. Nintendo's fitness RPG managed to (very) narrowly outsell Mario Kart 8 Deluxe this week to claim that top prize – the two were separated by just 18...
News Nintendo's Bringing Mario Kart Junior Esports Tournaments To UK Primary Schools
"We have seen first-hand the positive impact this has had on pupils"
Digital Schoolhouse, a UK-based initiative from Ukie which introduces play-based learning to the school curriculum, has teamed up with Nintendo UK and Outright Games to expand its primary school Esports program. After a successful pilot scheme last year, a new nationwide...
News Go To Battle As Anthropomorphic Warriors In Ruin Raiders, Out On Switch Soon
No, you can't pet the dog
The Switch has some absolute gems in the turn-based tactics genre, from big-hitting triple-A efforts right down to smart Indie games. Another hoping to join in is Ruin Raiders - developed by Overpowered Team, this adopts a bit of a roguelite approach alongside animal heroes. Strangely the trailer above lists PlayStation...
Nintendo Download 9th September (North America)
WarioWare: Get It Together! NBA 2K22! Cruis'n Blast!
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 comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Switch eShop - Highlights: WarioWare: Get It...
News Nintendo Switch OLED Pre-Orders Go Live In Japan Later This Month
Not long to go now!
Alongside the release of Metroid Dread next month, Nintendo will be releasing its brand new Switch OLED model. This slightly updated system has a new screen, a wider kickstand and a number of other minor enhancements. Although it's been available for pre-order in the west for some time now, Nintendo has only just locked in...
Nintendo Download 9th September (Europe)
WarioWare! NBA 2K22! Sonic Col(u)rs Ultimate!
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 eShop - New Releases: NBA 2K22 (£49.99 /...
News 'Puzzle Car' Brings Relaxing, Minimalist Puzzles To Switch Today
With 50 levels to crack
If you're looking for a chilled out puzzler that'll help you unwind and relax after yet another stressful day, you might want to check out Puzzle Car when it launches on the Switch eShop later today. From QUByte Interactive and Brazilian developer Moraes Game Studio, the game has you switching out various tiles to create a...
News NFL 'Fan Pass' Is Getting Thrown Into Rocket League, Gridiron Mode Returns
Take it to the house
NFL is back this weekend, which is great news unless you're a UK-based Chicago Bears fan who has to stay up until 1am to watch Andy Dalton QB ahead of the future face of the franchise. Maybe that's a rather specific case, but the point is that the sporting juggernaut is about to get underway, so you can count on lots of tie-ins...
News Jaleco Action Game 'Pop Flamer' Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Collection
Take control of a mouse with a flamethrower
Hamster's Arcade Archives release for the Nintendo Switch this week is the 1982 Jaleco action game, Pop Flamer. As the player, you'll take control of the "Pop Flamer" - a mouse with a flamethrower - to defeat monsters. You'll need to refuel your flamethrower by popping balloons, as the flames get weaker...
Quick Beats Sayonara Wild Hearts Composer On K-Pop, Nintendo Classics And Morricone
"Morricone was and still is so inspiring"
Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we've been speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick...
Wednesday8th Sep 2021
News Switch Has A Nintendogs-Style Game On The Way Called Puppies & Kittens
Life sims for interior design and doctors also coming, for you career-minded types
Microids is a publisher that's helped to bring us some intriguing titles on Switch, and it also has a growing range of life-sim games for those that enjoy raising puppies, designing furniture and so on. Today the 'Microids Life' sub-label has confirmed three games of...
Review WarioWare: Get It Together! (Switch) - More Magnificent Microgame Mayhem
Wario always win!
We've all been waiting a good long while now for a brand new WarioWare game to dive into as, in terms of a proper fully-formed entry in the series — one that isn't a greatest hits compilation or experimental spin-off — it's been well over a decade since the last mainline addition to the franchise dropped. However, the long wait...
News A New Limited-Time Pokémon Sword And Shield Distribution Event Has Been Announced
Will tie in with the upcoming movie release
Alongside the announcement of the new Pokémon movie coming to Netflix on 8th October, The Pokémon Company has also revealed a new distribution event is coming to the Switch games Pokémon Sword and Shield. As explained by Serebii.net, Dada Zarude and Shiny Celebi will be available to players through a...
News Metal Gear-Style Retro Stealth 'Em Up 'UnMetal' Hits Switch At The End Of September
"I'll show you a punchline!"
If you're after a retro-style stealth 'em up in the vein of the pre-Solid Metal Gear games (with a little more tongue-in-cheek humour than ol' 8-bit Snake), indie dev Unepic_Fran has just the thing for you. UnMetal was previously revealed for Steam where there's been a playable demo available for some time, but now its...
News "Lost" Game Boy Color RPG Infinity Adds Switch Port Stretch Goal On Kickstarter
Update: Has passed $300,000 Canadian Dollars raised
Update #3: Infinity's continued success in its Kickstarter campaign has now led to a rather interesting new stretch goal, for an 'enhanced' Switch version (which would also come to Steam). If it reaches $350,000 Canadian Dollars (it's just over $300,000 at the time of writing) it'll make its way to...
News Crash Bandicoot Tweet Leaves Fans Pondering Over A Potential 25th Anniversary Surprise
Could something be on the way?
Tomorrow is Crash Bandicoot's 25th anniversary, and a potentially teasing tweet has left fans ruminating over the possibility of something new and exciting headed our way. The tweet, which you can check out below, mentions "a certain party right around the corner", possibly referencing the anniversary itself, or...
Round Up The WarioWare: Get It Together! Reviews Are In
Is it any good?
Only two days remain until WarioWare: Get It Together! launches on Switch, giving us our latest crazy taste of the series' microgame madness, but is it worth your valuable time and money? Reviews have started flooding in today – including our own, of course – so we've gone ahead and rounded up a selection of quotes and review...
Feature 'Bossa De Hyrule' Reimagines Zelda Music With Laidback Brazilian Beats
Dungeon bossa
Just prior to Nintendo Life VGM Fest kicking off in mid-August, we were contacted by Steven Morris — a musician and prolific producer of VGM covers — about a recent project he had undertaken to fuse music from the Legend of Zelda series with the relaxing tones and chilled beats of bossa nova. The result is Bossa de Hyrule, a...
News Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 2 Brings Back Two More RPGs To Switch
RPGs with particularly fun names
You'll have to excuse this writer if he has to do some research on the two offerings coming in Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 2, the follow up to - yes - Volume 1. That first volume only arrived recently, and though
Talking Point Which Nintendo Console Has The Best Start-Up Sound?
Ding! Boop! Click! etc!
Look, I know what you're thinking. You're already pre-emptively scrolling down to the comments to say "OBVIOUSLY it is the GameCube, Lord of All Noises", but just hold fire, okay? Let me at least make the case for some of the others. Before I do, though, a quick note as to why I'm not including the Nintendo 64, since I know...
News LEGO's Next Super Mario Set Is A Huge Question Block, Although What's Inside Is A Mystery
Schrödinger's Cat Mario
Update [Thu 9th Sep, 2021 12:30 BST]: All has now been revealed... Prolific plastic brick producer LEGO has teased the next in its line of LEGO Super Mario sets: a large question block. Of course, it can't be as simple as 'just a big ol' box made out of Lego' — there must be more to this latest Nintendo collaboration,...
News Pokémon Teams Up With Oreo To Launch Limited Edition Cookies
Feeling Pikipek-ish?
The Pokémon collaboration we've all been waiting for is finally here, folks. Yes, Pokémon Oreos are now a thing. Yum. Teased in a fancy new trailer (up above), this new collection of sweet crème delights will include 16 different designs in total. Pikachu's in there, of course, but you'll also find Bulbasaur, Charmander,...
Random This Working Replica Of Pokémon Legends: Arceus Took Two Weeks To Make
Something something tree textures
Nintendo fans are not a patient lot, it is known — but for anyone that can't quite wait until January 28th, when Pokémon Legends: Arceus comes out, then perhaps you can satisfy your needs with this fan-made replica that's entirely based on the trailers! Except, well, you can't actually play it, because Avatar...
News Chibi-Robo! Inspired 3D Platformer Misc. A Tiny Tale Confirmed For Switch
Arriving in 2022
If you are a fan of the Chibi-Robo! games and would like to see more titles like this, one to watch is Misc. A Tiny Tale by the small indie game developer Tinyware Games. It'll be arriving on Switch in 2022. It's a story-driven 3D platformer "collectathon" "heavily inspired" by Nintendo's robot series, Pikmin, Banjo-Kazooie and...
News Nintendo Celebrates 20 Years Of GameCube In New Smash Bros. Event
Starts this Friday
At a glance, you might think this week's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate event is about "forgotten games" but no, it's actually celebrating the Nintendo GameCube. Next week marks the 20 year anniversary of its original launch in Japan. As part of this event, all sorts of spirits tied to this particular console will feature - including...
News Gengar Joins Build-A-Bear's Range Of Pokémon Plush
Just in time for Halloween
Build-A-Bear's range of Pokémon toys is growing at a scary pace these days, which perhaps makes it all the more fitting that a Ghost-type 'mon is headed to the lineup next. That's right, the ghostly Gengar (who battes real tough) has been revealed as the next Pokémon ready to join your collection. It's only available in...
News My Singing Monsters Playground Launches This November, And Switch Is Getting A Physical Version
Update: Release date confirmed, plus new trailer!
Update: It has now been announced that My Singing Monsters Playground will launch on Switch on 9th November, and there's even a brand new gameplay trailer (up above) to prove it. It'll cost $39.99 when it launches in a couple of months' time, and Switch is being treated to a physical version...
News The New Pokémon Movie 'Secrets Of The Jungle' Comes To Netflix Next Month
The 23rd animated film is almost here
As part of Pokémon's 25th anniversary this year, The Pokémon Company has announced the 23rd film Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle will debut on Netflix here in the west on October 8th. It follows the adventures of Ash and Pikachu as they encounter the Mythical Zarude to overcome the danger that...
News Pokémon Unite Update Buffs Blissey And Adds A Funky Slowbro Training Outfit
And bug fixes, of course
The free-to-play Pokémon Unite has received yet another update, this time making tweaks to one of the game's fighters and adding a brand new Holowear option. Let's kick things off with the new Holowear, which has been given to Slowbro. Called 'Training Style', the new costume is now available to buy for 400 Aeos Gems and,...
News Crisis Wing Blasts Onto Switch This September
Enormous space skulls must be exploded
If you're a fan of early '90s style vertical shooters featuring pumping FM soundtracks and delightful pixel art stylings — and let's face it, who isn't? — then Pieslice Productions' Crisis Wing might just be right up your bullet strewn street. We're getting pretty sweet Truxton vibes off this one with its...
News Shin Megami Tensei V 'Nahobino' Trailer Showcases More Gameplay And Story
"A blasphemous being, neither human nor demon"
For long term fans of the franchise, or perhaps newcomers that are intrigued and preparing to jump in, the arrival of Shin Megami Tensei V on Switch can't come soon enough. It's that relatively rare type of release, a third-party exclusive that looks set to deliver a fascinating experience on Nintendo's...
News Mario Kart Tour Adds Yoshi 'Kangaroo' For Sydney-Themed Event
He can still steer with boxing gloves on, apparently
Mario Kart Tour continues to roll along with bi-monthly tour events, with the latest taking us to Sydney in Australia. It's live now and runs until 21st/22nd September, with the trailer above giving you a look at what's in store. The main additions for the event are a green double-decker bus -...
News Super Bomberman R Online's Second Season Adds Castlevania's Soma Cruz
Here are the Season 2 patch notes
Today sees the launch of Super Bomberman R Online's second season, bringing tweaks, new rewards, and even a new character. The new character in question is Soma Cruz, protagonist of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. He's now available for 500 Bomber Coins from the Character menu within...
News Get Ready For Hamster Maze, A 'Tamagotchi Infused Hamster Racing Game'
The wheel keeps turning
Back in more innocent times, owning a hamster meant playing with them, cleaning their cage and watching them dent the walls / irritate your parents when they ran around in their ball. Now they are, it seems, prime YouTube #content, with owners creating elaborate mazes for their hamsters to run, filming it, then watching tens...
News 'Bittersweet Birthday' Brings Bullet Hell Adventure To Switch In 2022
Shoot 'n stroll
Developer World Eater Games and publisher Pineapple Works have announced that their hybrid action adventure game Bittersweet Birthday will be released on Nintendo Switch in Q4 2022. The news comes fresh from a successful Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign. The game, which boasts some pretty delightful pixel art graphics, sees players...
Tuesday7th Sep 2021
Random Krispy Kreme Launches A Tasty Pokémon Dozen Doughnut Set
They don't look like Brock's, thankfully
Krispy Kreme is where you go to spend a surprising amount of money on doughnuts that, against all odds, are often tasty enough to be worth the price. It's the home of extravagant treats, including some that are themed to promote your favourite gaming things, now including Pokémon. As you can see in the...
News Nintendo Changed The Culture At Retro Studios Following Metroid Prime Crunch
Mike Wikan reckons Prime 4 "will be great"
Thanks to a recent interview on Reece Reilly's Kiwi Talkz podcast, today has brought some rather interesting details around Retro Studios and Nintendo. We've had the humorous tale of how the blowing mechanic was added to Donkey Kong Country Returns, and some
News Former Capcom Designer Wishes He Could Have Stopped The North American Mega Man Cover
"I couldn't believe this was allowed to happen"
The North American cover artwork for the first Mega Man game has become the stuff of legend. It's effortlessly one of the worst covers ever, not just because it's a rough illustration but because it totally fails to capture the nature of the lead character. A lot of the time, western covers for...
Feature Game Boy Games We Probably Won’t See On Nintendo Switch Online
Custom cart complications
Rumours abound that Game Boy games are finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online and we’ve been busy daydreaming about all the classic games we might be able to play again — and all the ones we won’t too. The record-shattering dominance of
News THQ Nordic Appears To Be Releasing Star Wars Double Packs
Update: Here's a look at the box arts
Update #3 [Tue 7th Sep, 2021 07:30 BST]: Here's a look at both of the box arts. We're now just waiting for an official announcement. The release date for both double packs according to Amazon is 16th November, although the game rental service GameFly still has the date down as 26th October. Update #2 [Sun...
News My Nintendo Now Has A Legend Of Zelda Smartphone Ring Up For Grabs
Absurdly sturdy smartphone ring
This writer didn't know that smartphone rings are a thing, but apparently they exist to help you "hold your phone, or rotate the ring so you can use it as a kickstand". A kickstand we can definitely get behind, especially if it's more sturdy than the original Switch model's little strip of plastic. And so we have...
News Spindle Is A Zelda-Like Where You Play The Role Of Death... And A Pig
Update: Kickstarter concludes with €59,091 raised
Update: Spindle's Kickstarter campaign has concluded with a grand total of €59,091 pledged. The game was already confirmed as coming to Switch. Here's the update released by the developer: Done! That was a very exciting 32 days. We've had all the emotions you can have in a Kickstarter...
News Metroid Prime Trilogy Had A Core Dev Team Of Four, Surprisingly
Original designer "knew where all the skeletons were buried"
Earlier today we shared a rather nice detail about the development of Donkey Kong Country Returns, courtesy of an excellent interview on Reece Reilly's Kiwi Talkz podcast with former Retro Studios developer and senior designer, Mike Wikan. Naturally a lot of the interview focused on the...
Review Monster Harvest (Switch) - Poor Execution Of A Promising 'Stardew Valley X Pokémon' Premise
It hurt itself in its confusion!
It must be tough to be a hopeful dev working on a farm sim project. Stardew Valley—a simple looking project made by one guy—has so effectively raised the bar for what a pure farm sim can be that matching it seems almost impossible by this point. The only way that a new game could feasibly beat it would be by...
Random Donkey Kong Blows? Of Course, And It's All Down To Shigeru Miyamoto
"We were like "What did we do wrong? What is he finding?'"
In a recent episode of Reece Reilly's Kiwi Talkz podcast, former Retro Studios developer and senior designer on Metroid Prime Mike Wikan revealed some interesting tidbits about his time working on Nintendo properties at the Austin-based studio. This included a fun anecdote involving Nintendo...
News Co-Founder Of Game Grading Service WATA Accused Of Selling Company's Games On eBay
Company policy doesn't allow this
A co-founder of retro game grading service WATA is now being accused of running a side business on eBay. Further investigations by Proof journalist, Seth Abramson, suggest WATA's Mark Haspel is selling graded games under an alias. Abramson was recently reviewing some of his previous purchases and
Video The History Of The 'Silhouette' Super Nintendo Emulator Might Be An "Elaborate Hoax"
MVG takes a closer look
The Switch generation has seen Nintendo call on emulation for games such as the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, but long before this, there was apparently an official emulator that could run Super Nintendo titles. Starting out life as 'Mirage', project 'Silhouette' was a SNES emulator for MacOS and Power PC that...
Random This LEGO NES Turns Into A LEGO Game Boy Which Turns Into A LEGO Transformer
...which turns into a LEGO Game Boy again
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System is extremely cool, but it just got cooler thanks to the work of builder Moko: now it's a Game Boy. And a mech! Using some (but not all) of the tiles and bricks from the NES set, Moko created a realistic-looking Game Boy, with a Super Mario-type game on the screen...
Random Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Latest 'Glitch Craze' Involves Sticking Things To Link
Stuck on you
Oh boy, have there been a lot of glitches discovered in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not a week seems to go by without someone finding a new exploit or unintentional quirk, and the latest one happens to be one of the most bizarre yet. It involves things sticking to Link's arm, and creates all kinds of weird and wonderful gameplay...
News Footage Of WarioWare: Get It Together! Has Leaked Online Ahead Of Release
Wario won't be happy
Uh-oh, gamplay footage of the Nintendo Switch release WarioWare: Get It Together! appears to have leaked online ahead of the official release later this week. While it might not seem like a big deal - especially after Nintendo made a free demo available, if you want to go into the experience completely fresh, you might want to...
Video We Investigate Sonic Colours Ultimate's Bizarre Visual Glitches
Warning: Flashing images
WARNING: The video above contains flashing images. Over the weekend it came to light that several early purchasers of the digital version of Sonic Colors Ultimate were running into some fairly major visual glitches in the Switch version of the game, which included a host of flashing textures, blown-out lighting, warped...
News Stardew Valley Has Sold Over 15 Million Copies
That's a lot of turnips
After last week's news that Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone is currently working on a new game, we can't be the only ones who ran to Google to figure out just how many copies of Stardew Valley he's sold in total. On Wikipedia, as of yesterday, the answer was ten million — but according to the presskit, the true figure is over...
News Oink! Check Out This Gameplay Footage For 'My Friend Peppa Pig'
'ACTUAL GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE'
Stop laughing at the back, there! Didn't you know that millions of people all over the world absolutely adore Peppa Pig? From its origins as a humble early-morning kid's TV show in the UK to its current status as a global merchandising behemoth, Peppa Pig is beloved by many – and pretty soon, those very same fans will be...
News This Pokémon Trading Card Shop Is The World's Largest, Apparently
Spans five floors!
The Pokémon Trading Card Game went big during lockdown, with stock selling out all over the world and millions of cards being sold. We've also seen the value of rare cards reach
Mini Review The Magnificent Trufflepigs (Switch) - A Metal-Detecting Sim Short On Magnificence
beep beep beep BEEBEEBEEBEEP
From day one, The Magnificent Trufflepigs — a game about metal-detecting and romance — came out swinging for the fences with prestige TV powerhouse AMC (of Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad fame) as publishers. But is it the equivalent of a stash of rare Roman coins, or just another rusty bottlecap? The story...
Quick Beats Sonic Mania Composer On Portuguese Rap And His Musical Hero
"Jun Senoue bought me sushi once"
Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'. We...
News Luna's Fishing Garden Is All About Fishing And Gardening, And Looks Charming
Will you be hooked?
With a typical Switch eShop week bringing 40+ new games, plenty arrive with very little attention. One that has caught our eye but could have easily been missed is Luna's Fishing Garden, which arrived on 2nd September in Europe but had a fresh press release as it's arriving a week later in North America, on 9th September. It's...
News Boulder Dash Deluxe Smashes Its Way Onto Switch This Week
Rockford Returns
Boulder Dash, the 1984 Atari classic that's been ported to just about every platform under the sun over the years (as well as spawning some twenty two sequels and redesigns, including Boulder Dash-XL 3D on the 3DS), is set to hit Switch this Friday in the form of Boulder Dash Deluxe. This all-new take on the seminal maze puzzler...
Monday6th Sep 2021
Review Baldo: The Guardian Owls (Switch) - Exquisite Ghibli-Esque Art Can't Hide Tortuous Gameplay
You Died
Since this review was originally published, patches and updates have reportedly addressed or improved one or more of the issues cited. Unfortunately, cannot revisit games on an individual basis, but it should be noted that the updated game may offer an improved experience over the one detailed below. Excruciating. It's not a word you...
Talking Point Just How 'Finished' Is Your Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Save File?
Any% of the Wild
It's four-and-a-half years since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on Switch (and Wii U — don't be forgetting the Wii U!) and it's one of those evergreen games I've been dipping back into ever since. That's not to say I'm constantly restarting the game (although there are plenty of people who begin again on the...
Random Even The Mega Drive Might Get Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night Before Switch
"It is not by my hand that I am once again given flesh"
We've made no secret of the fact that we really want to see Castlevania: Symphony of the Night come to Switch. It's arguably one of the greatest games ever made, and, alongside Super Metroid, is one of the true innovators of the 'Metroidva
News Switch Players Are Encountering All Sorts Of Glitches In Sonic Colors Ultimate
Update: We've managed to replicate the issues
Update [Mon 6th Sep, 2021 10:20 BST]: Although we previously encountered no issues with the game, by following steps published on Youtube by JustLemres (WARNING: contains flashing images) we can now independently confirm that the glitches seen online over the weekend can be reproduced on Switch hardware...
News Hand-Drawn Game Guide Kickstarter Taken Down Following "Legal Trouble"
Update #2: "We did not receive a cease and desist"
Cor, look at 'em Update #2: Phillip Summers has taken to Twitter to clarify some reporting around the cancellation of the Hand-Drawn Game Guide Kickstarter campaign. He states that "the party involved has been polite and I'm hopeful something can get worked out. They have every right to act as they...
Gallery These Framed Game Boys Are Truly Works Of Art
Where old consoles go to die
Handheld games consoles are more than just a means of playing things on the move – as objects we hold and stare at for hours on end, they need to be aesthetically pleasing as well as comfortable to use, and that can certainly be said of the Game Boy line. We've always felt that the Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color and...
News Japan's Pokémon Centers Are Currently Closed Due To Ongoing State Of Emergency
Won't open again until September 12th
All of Japan's Pokémon Centers are currently closed, and will remain so until September 12th, it has been announced. The closures began on August 28th, and include Pokemon Stores, Pokemon Cafes, and Pikachu Sweet cafes. Last week, Japan declared a state of emergency in 8 of its 47 prefectures due to rising...
News Monster Hunter Orchestra Concert Confirmed For Online Performance
Performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
The Monster Hunter Orchestra Concert has been held annually in Japan since way back in 2009, and now it's been confirmed that this year's event will once again be an online performance. While it's disappointing for concert-goes in Japan, of course, the pleasing news is that fans will be able to watch it...
Random New Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Glitch Lets You Fireproof Wooden Weapons
Death Mountain with a Deku Leaf
Another day, another tasty little Breath of the Wild glitch for you all. Yes, the game that keeps on giving... er, keeps on giving! The latest glitch for the four-year-old open-world adventure enables you to make any flammable weapon in your arsenal totally 'fireproof'. This means you could, theoretically, scale the...
News Digital Foundry Explores The Two Sides Of No More Heroes 3
Vice City
No More Heroes III has had time to settle in on Switch and, generally, there seem to have been positive vibes around its release. In our own review we appreciated the game's flair and action, albeit with the missions and boss fights being a rather different experience - in terms of quality - to the 'open world' segments. We can't say this...
News Tales Of Monsterland Is Yet Another New Game Boy Game, And It's Getting A Fancy Limited Edition
Unleash the monster
With rumblings that Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles are headed to Switch soon, now's the perfect time to report on the fact that we're getting another new Game Boy title. Bitmap Soft has teamed up with developer JJ Games to release Tales of Monsterland, a platform title that seems to take inspiration from Sega's Wonder Boy...
UK Charts Minecraft Blocks Mario Kart 8 Deluxe To Take Top Spot
The Switch version continues to flourish
The physical chart data for week ending 4th September is now in for the UK market, and in the absence of notable non-digital releases an old stager has re-taken top spot. Yes, it's Minecraft. As a reminder, the UK charts give the physical Switch iteration its own entry, so every week it spends in the top 10...
News Metallic Child Is Getting Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin Crossover DLC
Rogue-lite hits Switch this month
Forthcoming Switch title Metallic Child is getting a generous helping of crossover DLC from rice farming game Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, it has been revealed. While details are somewhat thin on the ground at present, publisher Crest has stated that Princess Sakuna will appear in the "Rogue-lite Core-Action" title,...
Quick Beats Mega Man Composer And Inti Creates Founder Talks Backdraft And Bongos
10 rapid-fire questions for Ippo Yamada
Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'...
News Beast Breaker Brings Its Blend Of Cute Mouse-Bouncing Action To Switch Soon
Mixing pinball and tactics
Vodeo Games was formed earlier this year by the creator of Threes, Asher Vollmer, with the stated goal of "making high quality games regularly and sustainably". The first title from the team is now rather close - previously planned with a 'Summer' window, Beast Breaker is due to arrive on 23rd September priced at $15.00 in...
News Conway: Disappearance At Dahlia View Is An 'Observational Thriller' Out In November
Time to crack the case
We're certainly fans of the enduring popularity of crime-solving mysteries that are at the core of numerous games, especially when we can figure out 'whodunnit' in the comfort of a cozy chair with Switch in hand. Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View looks set to offer plenty of that intrigue, with confirmation that it arrives...
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