Guide Best Nintendo Switch FPS Games
Lock and load with Switch's first-person finest
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Every Nintendo Mega Man game, ranked by you (yes, ALL of them)
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Maximum fun, minimum fuss
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Guide Best Nintendo Switch Games Of 2023
The finest Switch games of 2023, as ranked by you
News - December, 2023
Sunday31st Dec 2023
Feature The Rise Of 'Scam Games' And 'Keyword Bingo' Firms Flooding Switch eShop
Sea of low-quality
It's difficult now to remember a time when the Switch eShop wasn't rammed with low-cost, low-quality games making it laborious to find the great new releases amongst all the dross. What began as an immaculately clean, functional store back in 2017 quickly ballooned and before long Nintendo was inundated with software submissions...
Soapbox Charles Martinet Made Gaming's Greatest Accident A Real Character
Star power
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Gavin reflects on how Charles Martinet helped craft a character that, somehow, isn't the most irritating stereotype imaginable... How many times have you tapped a button to make Mario...
Feature What Video Game Consultants Actually Do, And Why ‘Kit & Krysta’ Are Doing It
Never A Minute consultants assess our killer game idea
I have an idea for a video game. Actually, I’ve been making it for about six months now. My video game is a rhythm-based game. It’s also an American football game. To play it, you choose between plays, just like any sports game … but your play only succeeds if you push the buttons in...
Soapbox These Everyday Items Trigger Me Now, And I Blame Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Tears of life
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Evan explores the life-ruining properties of TOTK... It happened in Yellowstone National Park. Removed from society, cruelly separated from cell phone service, I’d embarked,...
Feature Meet The Virtual Boy Fan Making New Tech And Games For Nintendo's Console Curio
"I thought, 'Hey, I can probably do that'"
As the reputed black sheep of the Nintendo console family, one might think 1995’s Virtual Boy to be the last piece of hardware capable of garnering an enthusiast following today. Discontinued after less than a year on the market and never released in Europe, the elusive red-and-black headset is remembered...
Memory Pak Secret Of Mana's Dazzling World Of Colour Opened My Eyes
You're looking a bit green
Welcome to the latest instalment in our nostalgia-inducing column, Memory Pak, where we deep-dive into some of the most memorable moments in gaming – good and bad. Today, Secret of Mana turns 30 years old in Japan, and to celebrate this seminal action RPG's anniversary, Alana is reminiscing about how the game's use of...
Feature Pikmin Bloom Devs On The Joy Of "Human Connection" And The Absence Of Bulborbs
"Our Pikmin aren’t going to die"
While having a strong and deservingly passionate fanbase, it's fair to wonder if the Pikmin series has ever received the commercial success it deserves. Yet, Shigeru Miyamoto-san and Nintendo continue to nurture these little fellas and let them bloom however they like. The Nintendo Switch has just given us the...
Feature Meet The 'Arzette' Dev Salvaging The Zelda CD-i Games' "Genuine Potential"
"I didn’t make this game as a joke"
The year is 1991. 'Video games' — plastic, square-shaped cartridges that millions of people blow into every day — grip early-adopting proselytizers. Yet they don’t know their precious cartridge’s days are numbered. A mighty company from Kyoto rules the industry today, but a new laser-based challenger is...
Feature Digital Doppelgangers - Home Vs. Handheld Adaptations In The 2000s
To Urbz is human
When I was working on my MFA in Game Design, I referenced Urbz: Sims in the City in a meeting with my thesis advisor, and he asked if I had played the console or the handheld version. I was confident that I’d played the console version growing up. I could recall the memory quite clearly—sitting against a study pillow on my...
Talking Point What Was The Best Switch Moment Of 2023?
It's been a bumper year
It's no understatement to say that 2023 has been stacked with memorable video gaming moments. Yes, the past 12 months might not have brought us new Nintendo hardware, but many of the games and announcements have been among the Switch's best — maybe even Nintendo's best. With three bumper edition Directs, surprise drops,...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel - Tetris Attack (GB)
Attaaaaack!
Hello everyone, welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we get started on this week's brawl, let's take a look at how things concluded in last week's edition. We threw Viewtiful Joe 2 into the ring, with all three major regions battling it out for supremacy. To little surprise, it was the North American variant that took a...
Saturday30th Dec 2023
Soapbox How Zelda's Bad Economy Made Weapon Degradation Great Again
Inflation can be fixed with rotting swords!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kate examines how Nintendo learned economic lessons from past Zelda games in Tears of the Kingdom... Much like me, Hyrule has always been bad with...
Soapbox Switch Is Only A Classic Or Two From Being The Perfect PlayStation History Lesson
No Vita necessary
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ethan ruminates on how, over time, Switch has become an excellent teaching tool for Sony neophytes... Here’s a truth diehard proponents of the console wars won’t readily...
News Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Rated For Switch By ESRB
Returning in 2024
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door will be making a return on the Switch next year and while we've already seen some ratings pop up online, it's now also been rated by the ESRB. It's received a rating of 'E' for "Everyone" and contains "mild fantasy violence" and "mild suggestive themes" with "no interactive elements". Here's the...
Review Terra Nil (Switch) - Satisfying Climate-Cleansing Strategy, With Some Switch Issues
Make a little life in your spare time
Video games are usually based on a power fantasy. We wish we could slay the dragon, overthrow the evil king, or run faster than any hedgehog ever should. Possibly the biggest power fantasy of all, though, is offered by Terra Nil, which allows you to tackle the overwhelming existential dread of climate change...
Soapbox Fortnite On Switch Is Five Years Old, And I Have No Idea What It Is Anymore
Was that Ariana Grande shooting Spider-Man?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim returns to Fortnite to celebrate the Switch port's fifth anniversary, and he's not sure what he's dropped into... When Fortnite first made the jump...
Breaking out into 3D
Following up on one of the most beloved entries in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is no easy task, but for the ex-Sonic Mania devs at Evening Star, it was a simple case of leaning into their considerable ambition and diving headfirst into the world of 3D. Announced earlier this year during a Nintendo Direct presentation, the...
Feature Donkey Kong Cymru: The Extremely Brief History Of Welshness In Nintendo Games
Hiraeth of Hyrule
It’s a uniquely Welsh experience. I’ve never been Scottish, or Irish, or Latvian, but those that have inform me when you tell someone where you’re from, the response typically isn’t “What’s that?”. For the Welsh, that basic icebreaker question from anyone outside the UK usually prompts a deep breath and, regardless...
Feature How Amateur Scholars Are Translating Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Secret Language
The quick brown deer jumped over the lazy owl
Some people can't help but translate things. We see languages, and we want to decipher them, like the people who climb Mount Everest just because it's there. The languages in games like FEZ, Titan Souls, Heaven's Vault, 7 Days To End With You, and Noita, invite the player to try to crack them to reveal m
News Granzella's R-Type Tactics I & II Remakes Are Coming To Switch In "Fall 2024"
Update: Now scheduled to release next year
Update #3 [Sat 30th Dec, 2023 08:30 GMT]: Earlier this year in July, it was announced the release date of "Summer 2023" for R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos had been pushed back to 2024, with the aim to launch the game at the "earliest possible date". Now in an new broadcast this week, Granzella has narrowed...
Feature How Super Mario World Became An Award-Winning Book Of Verse
“Super Mario World has one of my most difficult experiences wound through its code"
Most of us have some childhood memory of games – be it Pokémon Blue, Tetris, or Super Mario Bros. When we dust off those old consoles, the games often trigger memories of our lives outside the screen too. In his heart-wrenching series of poems, If All the World...
Feature From Banjo To Mario - Grant Kirkhope Talks Big Huge Troubles And Composing For Massive IPs
Part Two: "How the f*** am I going to write music for a Mario game!?"
Last week, in celebration of Banjo-Kazooie's 25th anniversary, we published the first part of our career-spanning interview with Mr. Grant Kirkhope, composer extraordinaire and the man responsible for some of our favourite music ever, video game or otherwise. Part One covered his...
News Here's A Look At Unicorn Overlord's Collector's Edition (Monarch Edition)
Pre-orders for this upcoming Atlus release are live
Earlier this year in September, Atlus lifted the lid on Vanillware's brand new strategy RPG Unicorn Overlord, coming to Switch in March 2024. In case you missed the original announcement, there'll also be a Collector's Edition (Monarch Edition) up for grabs which contains all sorts of goodies...
News Bowser's Muscle Car Expansion Set Joins Super Mario LEGO Line January 2024
Here's a look
LEGO will be releasing Bowser's Muscle Car Expansion Set on 1st January 2024 for the price of $29.99. It's the latest addition to the successful Super Mario line and appears to be based on the same car featured in Super Mario 3D World. Here's a bit about it, courtesy of the LEGO website: Drive and role-play with Bowser’s Muscle...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 30th)
New year, new games?
Wahey, it's the weekend! Gosh, it comes around quickly, right? Before we take a look at what we're going to be playing over the next couple of days, let's recap what's been going on in the world of Nintendo this week. Admittedly, it's not a lot, but we've still had plenty to talk about. On the news front, the delightful...
Friday29th Dec 2023
Guide 70 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Festive Offers Sale (Europe)
Every Switch game on sale that got a 9/10 from us
Just a reminder that this Festive Offers Switch eShop sale finishes on Sunday 31st December (although the equivalent sale in North America continues until January 3rd), so make sure you've grabbed anything you wanted before it's over. Carry on! The festive season is finally upon us and Nintendo's...
Soapbox It's Time For A Zelda 1 Remake, Please
Or a 'temporal localisation', if you like
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, as TOTK anticipation increases to dangerous levels, Gavin explores why it's time for Nintendo to go back to a very specific well... Look, I'm all for...
Feature The One Thing Wii Did Much Better Than Switch
Point taken
The Sensor Bar. Flimsy little plastic box with the world's longest, spindliest cable. An irritation to every Wii owner who has ever had to move their console. What was it good for? There's not a lot to the Sensor Bar. A little device that emits some infrared light. If the Wii Remote is pointed at one, it recognises that's where the TV...
Soapbox A Love Letter To My Favourite New Character In Zelda: TOTK
You have my full support
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim wants to spread the love for a certain Hylian in need of support... Before getting my hands on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the first time, I had a...
Soapbox Stardew Valley Was Surprisingly Good Prep For Living With My Partner IRL
Sow long, distance
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kevin remembers how Stardew Valley kept the spark alive and prepped him for living with his partner... Relationships can be hard. And when you add in long distance, that...
News Nintendo Releases Free Super Mario Bros. Movie 'Strategy Guide' (Japan)
Discover all the hidden secrets
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now rolling out on more streaming services around the globe, and to celebrate this, Nintendo has released a free "strategy guide" which shares all the hidden secrets and easter eggs in the movie. All you have to do is log in to Nintendo's Japanese website to access it. The catch is that...
Feature That Time Nintendo Played God To Sell Pikmin To Gardeners
A bloomin' marvellous bit of marketing
Do you ever do something knowing full well that future you will thank yourself for it? Like booking the week off after a festival, saving a couple of slices of Domino’s for the next morning, or not going to Milton Keynes? That smug satisfaction that comes with mastering the art of foresight is, I believe, one...
Mini Review Chico And The Magic Orchards DX (Switch) - A Cracking Callback To GB Zeldas
In a nutshell
Though retro-styled games are all the rage among indies these days, it's rarer to come across something that could have been released on the hardware it references. Chico and the Magic Orchards DX expertly blends old-school design philosophies and aesthetics with some slight modern touches to make for a compelling and enjoyable little...
UK Charts Super Mario Bros. Wonder Narrowly Misses Out On Christmas No. 1
Too bad!
After a short delay this week, the latest UK boxed charts are in, and it's a resounding success for EA Sports FC 24 over the Christmas week as it lands in the number one spot once again. Hot on its heels, however, is Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a game that has maintained strong sales since its launch back in October. Elsewhere, it's a pretty...
Feature From Bon Jovi To Banjo - Grant Kirkhope On The "Complete Fluke" Of His Rare Musical Journey
Part One: Mr. Banjongles
Grant Kirkhope is an interviewer's dream, and not just because he's responsible for some all-time great video game soundtracks. He’s great company — frank, funny, and loquacious. We spoke to him most recently for our Nintendo Life VGM Fest back in 2021 and only ended up publishing a small fraction of our chat in our...
Feature Best Switch Video Game Characters Of 2023
Hello there, lovely characters
Back in the day when consoles had fewer bits than humans have fingers, games could mostly get away with providing solid gameplay above all else. Gameplay is still king, of course, but games these days often need to demonstrate other qualities, such as striking visuals, an engaging story, and strong characters. After...
Video Alex Shares His Top Five Games Of 2023
What a wonder
Well folks, Felix has had his say, Zion has had his say, and now it's Alex's turn. Yep, we're back with one final 'top five Switch games of 2023' from our lovely video team, and as promised, this last list will feature five titles completely different from the previous two, because them's the rules. That means that since Zion and...
Random PlatinumGames Includes Kamiya's Exit In Its '2023 Recap' Video
"Here's to an eventful year"
As 2023 comes to a close, many major publishers and developers in the industry are looking back on what has undoubtedly been one of the most, shall we say, interesting periods in gaming history. One such publisher is PlatinumGames, which has posted a '2023 recap' video on X (formerly Twitter) to commemorate major...
News Sonic Prime Season 1 Is Apparently Getting A Blu-ray Release In 2024
Season 3 airs on Netflix next month
If you've been hoping for a Blu-ray version of the Netflix series Sonic Prime, you might be in luck. Ahead of its third season, which airs on the streaming service next month, it seems the first season of the show will be getting a physical Blu-ray release. According to an online listing, it's launching on 12th...
News Netflix Broadcasts Pokémon Concierge 'Making Of' Short
"I hope you'll watch it over and over"
Pokémon Concierge is now available to watch in its entirety on Netflix (and it's really quite good, you know), and to celebrate, the streaming platform has released a short 'making of' documentary on YouTube. Clocking in at just under four minutes in length, the documentary takes us through how the Pokémon...
News Among Us Is Giving Away A Free Hat To Celebrate New Year's Eve
Get it while you can
Among Us has experienced all sorts of collaborations and updates throughout 2023, and now as we approach the new year, it's giving away a free '2024 New Year's Eve hat' until 31st January 2024. All you have to do is log in to Among Us to claim it, and again - you have until the end of next month. If you haven't kept up to...
Thursday28th Dec 2023
Soapbox Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Straight Up Fails In Just One Respect: Accessibility
In 2023, we should expect better from Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been a critical and commercial success, garnering glowing reviews across the board (including from this her
Soapbox 15 Years Ago, The Action Replay Ruined Pokémon For Me
Infinite Master Balls. Maxed out stats. Walking through walls.
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ethan remembers a time when he flew too close to the sun... This is the power fantasy eight-year-old me dreamed of when I slotted an...
Feature Nintendo Switch Ports We'd Love To See In 2024
Or on 'Switch 2', perhaps?
Another year down and the Switch ports have been coming thicker and faster than ever. Looking back at our wishlist from last year, we've seen Batman Arkham Trilogy, Metroid Prime, The Case of the Golden Idol, Vampire Survivors, Potion Craft, Metal Gear Solid 1,
Feature A Visit To '84 Hashi', Tokyo's Secret Nintendo Staff Bar Now Open To You
Eiji Aonuma? “Drinking buddy.” Shigeru Miyamoto?...
There’s no shortage of fascinating Nintendo-related places to visit in Tokyo. You could explore shops for boxed Famicom games, sit down and eat a Kirby burger, or play Punch-Out!! in its original cabinet at a retro arcade. Yet one attraction was hidden from Nintendo diehards for years. A...
News Nintendo Reveals "Most Downloaded" Switch eShop Games In 2023 (Japan)
Suika Game tops the charts
Back in July, Nintendo revealed Japan's "most downloaded" Switch games in the first half of 2023. It was no surprise The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was in the lead at the time. Now, in an update, it's been revealed Suika Game has officially surpassed it - earning the title of the "most downloaded" Switch eShop...
Soapbox Why I Love Deepnest, Hollow Knight's Most Divisive Area
Deeply in love
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Alana thinks back on a divisive part of a beloved game as she peers into the middle distance, rocking back and forth, mumbling 'Silksong, Silksong, Silkso—'... I'm a pretty...
Nintendo Download 28th December (North America)
Chico! Bloopy & Droopy! Pinball M!
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 - New Releases: Bloopy & Droopy (DreamVeloper...
Feature 8-Bit Wolf - Remembering The NES Game Teaching Kids To Conquer Wall Street
It’s all about bucks, kid
When you think back to being in middle school, staying up all night with your friends playing video games, what games are you playing? Is it Mass Effect? Maybe some iteration of Smash or Mario Kart? The big one when I was that age was Street Fighter II in all its iterations. But there's another game that brings back the...
PSA Pokémon Concierge Debuts On Netflix Today
Enjoy your stay
First announced back in February 2023, the new stop-motion animation series Pokémon Concierge is now available to watch on Netflix. Developed by The Pokémon Company, Dwarf Studios, and Netflix Animation, Pokémon Concierge follows protagonist Haru, who takes on a job as concierge at the idyllic 'Pokémon Resort'. Her role is to...
News Switch Online's 'Missions & Rewards' Adds Super Mario Bros. Wonder Icons
Update: The final wave has arrived
Update #2 [Thu 28th Dec, 2023 01:00 GMT]: The final set of Super Mario Bros. Wonder icons are now available to Switch Online members. This latest batch is available from now until 9th January 2024, so get them while you can. These new icons feature Luigi, Toadette, the singing Piranha Plants, and more. Here's a...
News Konami Remastering 'Tokimeki Memorial' Dating Sim DS Trilogy For Switch
Releasing in Japan on Valentine's Day
Konami has made a name for itself with all sorts of franchises over the years, but one you might not know about is its high school dating simulation title Tokimeki Memorial. The original game made its debut back in the early 90s and since then has spawned an entire series as well as spin-offs. During the...
Video Zion Shares His Top Five Switch Games Of 2023
A sea of quality
Ready for another top-five list? Of course, you are. Recently, the stupendous Felix went through his top five Switch games of 2023, and now it's Zion's turn. If you remember what we said in our previous article, there will be no crossover between the lists presented by our wonderful video team, so Zion's list is going to be...
News Hamster Corporation Reveals Its Final Arcade Archives Release Of 2023
It's Taito's 1991 game Solitary Fighter
It's been another action-packed year of Hamster Corporation retro releases and to go out with a bang, the Japanese video game company will be releasing the 1991 Taito fighting game Solitary Fighter on 28th December. This should make it the final Arcade Archives release of 2023! Solitary Fighter follows the...
News Suda51 Says Grasshopper Manufacture Is Hard At Work On Its "New Title"
2024 will also include a remaster
Earlier this year, Goichi "Suda51" Suda and his video game company Grasshopper Manufacture revealed a Shadows of the Damned Remaster was in development. Suda51 also teased not long after this how it would "probably" be playable on handheld devices as well. Now, speaking to 4Gamer.net about Grasshopper's plans for...
Wednesday27th Dec 2023
Soapbox Cassette Beasts Is The Monster-Catching RPG For A Disillusioned Pokémon Fan
"We’re all in the same ship..."
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, in a year where Pokémon has let her down, another monster-catching game was there for Alana. Beware of story spoilers if you haven't played the game yet...
Feature Which Zelda Game Has The Best Ganondorf? Every Design Ranked By You
From Ganondorf to Ganondoof
We've all had the weekend to sit and stew over the final pre-launch trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (meaning, watching it another 100+ times) and it is fair to say that we are pretty jazzed for this game now. We're excited to see the changes made to Breath of the Wild's Hyrule, Link's new abilities,...
Feature "Fans Have Waited Many Years For A Return To Form" - WayForward On Contra's Grand Revival
'Operation Galuga' launches in Early 2024
The Contra franchise has had a bit of a rough ride in recent years. Although fans and critics alike were generally receptive toward the 2011 title Hard Corps: Uprising, Konami put the franchise on ice for a total of eight years until the poorly-received Contra: Rogue Corps in 2019. Yet fans have continued...
News Vampire Survivors Teases Chaos Roadmap, Coming 2024
Get ready to sink your teeth into much more
The bullet hell indie game Vampire Survivors had plenty of exciting moments throughout 2023 - including a Nintendo Switch release in August. Now, to go out with a bang, it's released a highlights reel. Along with this it's also teased the 2024 roadmap (again). In case you missed it, this "highly cryptic"...
News Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection Is About To Be Delisted On The Switch eShop
Like dust in the wind, dude...
If you've been considering a purchase for Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection on the Nintendo Switch, then you might want to buy it sooner rather than later, as Limited Run Games has confirmed that it will be delisted from the eShop before January 1st, 2024 (thanks, Nintendo Everything). According to Limited...
Video Felix Shares His Top Five Switch Games Of 2023
But what are yours?
It's been quite a year for Switch games, hasn't it? In fact, it's been a busy 2023 for video games full stop, and it'll likely go down as one of the greatest of all time. This makes choosing a 'top five' quite a difficult prospect, but alas, we must. So today, our lovely video producer Felix has sat down with Alex and Zion to...
Review Hammerwatch II (Switch) - Feels Like A Rough Draft Of A Fantasy Epic
Be ready to fight powerful enemies, and terrible menu design
Gather forth, mighty heroes, for there is a world to be saved. Evil dragons are lording over humanity while a necromancer has usurped his brother’s throne. We need adventurers with great skill and power to fight through dungeons and battle monsters to give the world a spark of hope...
Soapbox Why Aren't There More Books About Games?
Seeking the novels of tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Michelle reads an incredible novel about games, and argues that books and games should get on the same page... Two kids pore over Super...
Video Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Commercials Released
Opening in Spring 2024
Earlier this month, Universal Studios revealed the Super Nintendo World 'Donkey Kong Country Expansion' would be opening in Japan in Spring 2024. At the time, there was a brief look at what to expect in an official teaser trailer featuring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now, in an update, a few commercials have surfaced online...
News Masahiro Sakurai On His Future: "I'm Still Creating Games For The Time Being"
The Smash Bros. creator shares an update
There has been quite a bit of conversation about the future of the legendary video game developer and Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai calling time on his career, and even he's spoken about this himself previously. Now, in the latest upload on his YouTube channel, Sakurai has briefly mentioned how he's...
Feature Inside The Mind Of A Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Speedrunner
Tearing through Hyrule
Since its release in March 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been an attractive game to speedrun for many reasons, and in our article last year, we were able to talk about its intricacies with two high-profile members of the community, including the world record holder. In 2023, the sequel, Tears of the...
News Switch Online's 'Missions And Rewards' Brings Back Previous 2023 Icons
Get them while you can
Nintendo has offered Switch Online subscribers all sorts of new and exciting icon designs this year and to finish the year it's bringing back "icon parts" you might have missed throughout 2023. This will allow users to redeem icon parts with daily special rewards from now until 10th January 2023. This icon run includes ones...
Feature Nintendo Players UK - A Decade Of The UK's Biggest Nintendo Fan Community
Celebrating 10 years of meetups this August
In the gaming industry, Nintendo sets itself apart not just with the quality of its games and its evergreen catalogue of classic characters, but also a focus on community. Whether through software that brings people of all ages together, hardware features like StreetPass, or the local multiplayer...
News Pokémon Unite Adds Another Pokémon To The Roster This Week
Metagross joins the battle
Update [Wed 27th Dec, 2023 03:00 GMT]: Here's your reminder Metagross is now playable in Pokémon Unite. Above is a new "moves overview" trailer. Original [Sat 23rd Dec, 2023 21:00 GMT]: The Pokémon Company's free-to-play mobile and Switch MOBA Pokémon Unite has had another strong year of updates, and to go out...
Tuesday26th Dec 2023
Feature The Best Hidden Gems And Underrated Switch Games Of 2023
Some overlooked games you might have missed
2023 has been an absolutely ridiculous year for gaming. Despite not having much in the announced lineup in January, it wound up being one of the strongest showings since Switch's launch, with belters like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Pikmin 4, and Persona 4 Golden...
Feature Samus' Suits, Ranked - Every Metroid Box Art Suit Design, From Worst To Best
"Honey, where's my super suit?"
Metroid's protagonist, Samus Aran, has a rather unique privilege in the world of Nintendo. Unlike characters like Mario, Link, and Kirby, all of whom retain the same general look across their respective franchises (okay, Link is a little more varied than the other two, but still), Samus' basic design can be altered...
Soapbox 1080° Snowboarding Is The Coolest Nintendo Ever Got
Work your body, w-work your body
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, on its 25th birthday, Gavin recalls an atypical Nintendo first-party game where the only goofy thing is your stance choice in the lodge at the start... Tuesday...
Back Page Are Mario's Power-Up Mushrooms Suitable For Vegetarians?
Soul food
In the magazine business, the Back Page is where you'd find all the weird goofs that we couldn't fit in anywhere else. Some may call it "filler"; we prefer "a whole page to make terrible jokes that are tangentially related to the content of the mag". We don't have pages on the internet, but we still love terrible jokes — so welcome to...
Community Nintendo Life Staff's Non-Game Highlights Of 2023
Our favourite non-interactive media this year
It's been another tumultuous year — is there really any other kind? Although 2023 has been a landmark year for incredible video game releases across all platforms, the state of the gaming industry itself — with post-pandemic layoff announcements from big companies coming on a seemingly daily basis...
Monday25th Dec 2023
Guide Best Nintendo Switch Games Of 2023
The finest Switch games of 2023, as ranked by you
2023 was an incredibly fruitful year for gamers, and Switch enjoyed an excellent seventh year on store shelves. Industry-wide layoffs in the latter half of the year made for a sobering counterpoint to the glut of great games, and at times the pandemic-related backlog of projects which finally...
Soapbox I Scoffed At Switch Lite, Then I Backpacked Through South East Asia
Travelling Lite
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Rory details how Nintendo's smallest Switch finally won him over... “Yes sir, it’s definitely a sleeper train. Don’t worry.” The lady at the ticket office chuckled to...
Feature Nintendo Life's Alternative Game Awards 2023
Most Long-Winded Title, Best Switch Icon, and more!
As we approach the end of 2023, naturally, there's going to be a metaphorical flood of features and lists counting down the very best games of the year. We've already presented our picks, and you lovely lot have presented yours, but now it's time to have a bit of fun with the Nintendo Life...
Feature The Real Songs That Inspired Iconic Nintendo Music
And a few non-Nintendo ones for good measure
Have you ever been listening to music, enjoying yourself, and then BAM, suddenly you hear the first four notes of a song from a video game — and then you have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day? Well, that's not always a coincidence. Many musical composers take heavy inspiration from...
Editorial Happy Holidays, Nintendo Lifers
You mean you forgot cranberries, too?
It's here! Season's Greetings to you and yours! The mood is right, the spirit's up, and with any luck you're taking it nice and easy today and, perhaps, settling down to devour not just some delicious festive treats but also some of the many excellent video games 2023 has gifted us. We've briefly surveyed the...
Quiz How Well Do You Remember 2023? Nintendo Life's End-Of-Year Gaming Quiz
So THAT was the Imquizioning War...
Out of nowhere, it appears that the end of 2023 has been shadow-dropped. Who saw this coming? It's, like, September now, isn't it? Apparently not. Since it's the so-called "end of the year," we thought that it would be a good time to look back on how much we all remember — because it has been a rather packed...
Mailbox Remakes, Rewinds, Elden Rings - Nintendo Life Letters (Holiday Edition)
Issue #7 - December 2023
Ho ho ho! Welcome to this special festive edition of the Nintendo Life Mailbox. It's December and at the time of reading we're hopefully tucking into a hearty meal with the family, embarking on a festive board game or puzzle, or else we're tucked up in front of the telly with a sherry and mince pie. Either way, we're...
Sunday24th Dec 2023
Soapbox It Feels Like Everyone Forgot The Best Switch RPG Of The Year
Eight's not a crowd
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Alana is talking about her favourite RPG of 2023, one that everyone seems to have completely forgotten about... Eight travellers. Eight stories. These eight adventurers’...
News New 3DS And Wii U Users Can't Go Online In Games
Update: This particular issue has reportedly been resolved
Update [Wed 27th Dec, 2023 05:30 GMT]: Pretendo has provided a new update, confirming the issues occurring were "indeed unintentional". While not all issues have been resolved, it appears new users on both 3DS and Wii U can now connect to servers. "We noted in our last blog post that it...
Feature 25 Stardew Valley Secrets And Easter Eggs You Might Not Have Known About
More like ConfidentialApe
Fancy yourself a Stardew Valley nerd? Do you feel like you know the game inside and out? We're here to challenge that, with 25 niche and surprising things that you may (or may not) already know about the game! 25 Things You Didn't Know About Stardew Valley: Rarecrow references The Rarecrows, which as rare scarecrows...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Wins Another 'Game Of The Year' Award
Congratulations, Nintendo
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has won all sorts of awards since its arrival earlier this year, and now to top it off it's taken out EDGE's 'Game of the Year' award. The outlet placed it ahead of games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Along with this, Tears of the Kingdom also took out best Nintendo game,...
Feature 16 Best Nintendo Switch Soundtracks Of 2023
The Sounds of the Switch
2023 hasn't just been a banger year for quality video game releases — it's also been a bloomin' good year for video game music. We're living in a time where video game music is becoming more recognised and celebrated worldwide — earlier this year, the Grammy's gave out its first-ever award for 'Award for Best Score...
News Front Mission 1st: Remake Receiving Mercenaries Update In 2024
A free content update
Forever Entertainment has today announced its tactical turn-based RPG Front Mission 1st: Remake will be receiving a special Mercenaries update. This is a completely free content update that will add Mercenaries (including a local hot-seat multiplayer mode), single-player scenarios and more. You can get a preview in the trailer...
News Pokémon-Like 'Coromon' Gets An Update For Switch, Here's What's Included
Just in time for Christmas
It's that time of year when developers are rolling out their final game updates, and the latest one getting some holiday love is the Pokémon-Like game Coromon. The team releases 1.2.9 update on 24th December. It comes with game updates, fixes, new features, new Coromon, and much more. Here's the full rundown (via...
Video Mario Wonder Features In Digital Foundry's 'Best Game Graphics Of 2023' Round Up
Metroid Prime gets an honourable mention
Nintendo has got a lot of mileage out of the Switch and graphically speaking it has also pushed the hybrid system to its absolute limits. It's not gone unnoticed this year, either. The tech experts at Digital Foundry have featured Super Mario Bros. Wonder in their "best game graphics of 2023" round up,...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Viewtiful Joe 2
At your service!
Hello one and all, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Taking a look at last week's procedings, the lovely Trace Memory went head-to-head as North America took on Europe and Japan. The former won the vote with a respectable 58%, so well done North America! Moving on to this week, we've got Viewtiful Joe 2 entering the...
News Game Swap Site Gifts Games & Consoles To Great Ormond Street For 4th Time
For The Patients
It's Christmas Eve, preparations should now be complete as we all turn our attention to the big day itself. Before the man himself dons that big red suit, we'd like to share a modern-day, heartwarming Father Christmas tale of sorts from our friends over at Game Swap Shop UK, who, for the fourth year in a row, have completed a...
Saturday23rd Dec 2023
Guide Best Nintendo Switch FPS Games
Lock and load with Switch's first-person finest
Switch's bulging catalogue of games covers practically every genre, and First-Person Shooters are no exception. Nintendo systems may have historically lagged behind other consoles in this department, yet classics like GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark helped define the console FPS, and the Metroid Prime...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (Christmas 2023 Edition)
Let's-a snow, let's-a snow, let's-a snow
With just two sleeps to go before the big day, we are unwrapping a present early here at Nintendo Life. It's a festive edition of What Are You Playing! Something about 'What Are You Sleighing' sounded a little too sinister... Before we sledge into our gaming plans over the holiday period, however, let's take...
News Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC amiibo Appear To Be Getting A Restock (US)
You can pre-order select amiibo now
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate celebrated its fifth anniversary earlier this month and now some of the game's amiibo based on the first wave of DLC are getting a restock in the US. As highlighted by Nintendo Everything, GameStop's amiibo webpage has recently listed Joker, Terry and Banjo-Kazooie for USD 15.99 each...
Soapbox In 2023, Mario Got Weird Again
The Year of Mario?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Richard looks back on a year when Nintendo let Mario get a little loose... If 2013 was the Year of Luigi, 2023 may as well have been the Year of Mario. Though only three new...
News Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2's Latest Update Is Out Now, Here's What's Included
Character adjustments and more
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 was only released recently on the Switch, but it's already received a stack of updates and the latest one (Version 1.4) is now live. This one includes some new features, general changes and adjustments, campaign fixes and a bunch of balance changes for some characters. Here's the full...
Friday22nd Dec 2023
Review Harvest Moon 64 - Rose-Tinted Specs Recommended For This Beloved Farm Sim
Aged like a fine bottle of milk
To paraphrase a bunch of anti-Nazi singing nuns: How do you solve a problem like reviewing a game that's almost 25 years old? The nuns never came up with an answer, but we have to, because this is a review, not a convent, and it's the issue at the heart of this review, after all. Harvest Moon 64 came out in 1999 —...
Feature 13 Best-Looking Switch Games Of 2023
Really, really, ridiculously good-looking games
Throughout the year, we've seen thousands of games launch on Nintendo Switch, from the lowliest of scammy cash grabs and shovelware to some of the highest-quality video games ever conceived. Despite approaching its eighth year on shop shelves, and with some Switch ports delivering a less-than-smooth...
Guide Switch Guide: Ultimate Nintendo Switch Resource - Everything You Need To Know
A complete guide to the Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is one of the best-selling consoles of all time. The Switch launched worldwide on 3rd March 2017 and sported the unique ability to be used as both a home and handheld console — switching things up. Get it? Now approaching its eighth year on the market, whether you're a first-time...
News New 3D Co-Op South Park Game Locks In Switch Release Date
Switch digital pre-orders go live "soon in 2024"
Following THQ Nordic's reveal earlier this year, South Park: Snow Day! now has a release date. Snow Day! will be snowballing onto the Switch and other platforms on 26th March 2024. Digital pre-orders for Switch will be available "soon in 2024". There's a standard edition for $29.99 / £24.99 /...
News Suika Game Gets A Special Christmas-Themed Update, Here's A Look
Downloads hit five million
The viral sensation Suika Game (Watermelon Game) has quickly shot to the top of the charts since it launched on the Switch eShop here in the west, and now to keep fans coming back for more, developer Aladdin X has released a Christmas-themed update. This bumps the game up to Version 1.0.7, with the mode available for a...
News Splatoon 3 Version 6.0.2 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The Big Run reward bug appears to have been fixed
2023 is almost over but Nintendo is still busy rolling out regular updates for its popular multiplayer squid shooter Splatoon 3. Following an update earlier this month, Version 6.0.2 has now arrived. It doesn't include any new content but does feature fixes for the multiplayer, Salmon Run mode and...
News Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Director Makes 2023 'Variety500' List
Shuntaro Furukawa & Doug Bowser also featured
Nintendo is made up of all sorts of talented individuals but one person who probably deserves a little more respect is Hidemaro Fujibayashi. He's been a director on the series since 2001 and was most recently credited on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. With this in mind, he's now been...
PSA Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Celebrate Holidays With Delibird-Themed Events
Outbreaks, Tera Raids - it's a holiday special!
The holidays are very close right now, but there's no need to wait for Delibird to come down the chimney and deliver your presents — you can go catch them right now in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. There are actually two different Delibird-esque events going on right now in Paldea. First up, let's...
Thursday21st Dec 2023
Feature Game Of The Year 2023 - Nintendo Life Staff Awards
Our personal picks for the best Switch games of 2023
2023 is all but wrapped up. It's been a colossal year in terms of the quantity and quality of software on all platforms. The mass layoffs we've seen across the industry in recent months are a worrying sign for anyone who cares about video games, not least for the creatives affected — all the...
News Blasphemous 2 Is Getting A Stunning Physical Collector's Edition In 2024
Includes steelbook, soundtrack CDs, and more
Publisher and distributor Selecta Games has revealed the contents for a rather stunning physical collector's edition of Blasphemous 2, launching for the Nintendo Switch in early 2024. We don't yet know how much this thing will cost, but there's plenty here to keep physical enthusiasts happy, including a...
News Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection's Next Update Launches "Early" January 2024
New features, fixes and more
Another update has launched for the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 but the catch is it won't be released on Nintendo Switch until "early January 2024". Although Version 1.4.0 isn't out on every platform just yet, Konami has shared the full patch notes - so you can at least see what's coming. This update...
News 'Year In Numbers' Infographic Highlights Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Sales Success In 2023
Nintendo had another fantastic year
As we get closer to the end of 2023, a lot of sites are starting to compile all sorts of data to illustrate the year in games. The team at GamesIndustry.biz has put together its own "year in numbers" infographic, and one game that features throughout is the award-winning title, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the...
News Metacritic Reveals "The Worst Video Games Of 2023"
Gollum takes out the top spot
It's that time of year again when the aggregate review website Metacritic rounds up the best and worst games of the year, according to their Metascore. Today, the focus is on the "worst video games of 2023" - covering the lowest-scoring games released across any platform between 1st January 2023 up until 31st December...
News Save Up To 75% In The Hits For The Holiday Nintendo eShop Sale (North America)
Metroid Dread! Monster Hunter! Batman!
The Nintendo Switch eShop sales have made it across the seas. That's right — those of you in North America can save up to 75% off a range of Nintendo Switch games on the eShop thanks to the Hits for the Holidays sale! From today until 3rd January 2024 at 11:59pm PT (2024 is only days away now), you can grab...
Soapbox Kieran’s Hatred Of You In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's DLC Almost Makes It Good
Fumbled PokéBalls
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell laments the Scarvi DLC, but finds a diamond in its rough. The following article contains story spoilers for The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk... Pokémon stories suck...
News Nintendo Offering Free Pikmin Greeting Cards And Decorations
Happy holidays!
The Pikmin series has been paired up with holiday celebrations in the past, and Nintendo seems to be doing it again this year in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways. On its UK website, you can currently grab some "free Pikmin greeting cards" as well as some fancy paper decorations. "There are three card designs and two tree...
Japanese Charts It's A Wonderful Life For Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Switch scores a full house in the top 10
Famitsu has revealed the latest box charts from Japan (thanks, Gematsu) and it's another resounding triumph for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which scored an additional 94,682 units sold. It's also a full house for the Switch once again, with every space in the top ten taken up by Nintendo's hybrid console...
News Super Mario Run Scores A Super Mario Bros. Wonder Event Update
"Wonder Flowers are blooming"
Nintendo's mobile runner Super Mario Run has received a new special update which brings the "Wonder Flowers" from Super Mario Bros. Wonder to smart devices. Players can find these Wonder Flowers in the Toad Rally mode between now and 14th March 2024. Here's the official rundown: "In Toad Rally, your gauge will fill...
Nintendo Download 21st December (North America)
The Rumble Fish +! Terra Nil! Three Minutes To Eight!
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 - New Releases: 100 Demon Fantasia...
News Activision Blizzard's Bobby Kotick Will Step Down Later This Month
While ex-Nintendo employee Jill Braff will lead ZeniMax/Bethesda
Following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard earlier this year (finally, right?), it's been announced that Bobby Kotick will step down from his role as CEO on December 29th, 2023 (thanks, Eurogamer). Kotick became CEO of Activision all the way back in 1991 and was integral...
UK Charts EA Sports FC 24 Takes Gold As Mario Wonder Slips Into Third
WaaAaAaa
After a brief delay, we now have our first look at the UK boxed charts and things are looking pretty unsurprising up top. EA Sports FC 24 has managed to score first place for the fourth week in a row, with Switch accounting for 25% of the game's sales (PS5 takes 34%, PS4 has 21% and Xbox Series picks up the remaining 20%). Hogwarts Legacy...
Wednesday20th Dec 2023
News No Gravity Games Wraps Up Winter Giveaway With Final Two Free Switch Games (North America)
Hang on, 11 days of Christmas?
Update: If you have been following the No Gravity Games giveaway over the past week, you may be slightly shocked to read in the headline that today is the final day. Yep, despite the company describing 'Switchmas Wonderland' as "an annual Holiday event where you can get up to 12 Switch games for free", it seems that,...
News Sega Reveals New Details For Shinobi, Jet Set Radio, Streets Of Rage Revivals
Crazy Taxi & Golden Axe feature, too
Sega has published its Management Meeting 2023 Presentation slides, which give us a few more small details about its plans to revive some of its classic franchises (via Gematsu). The quintet of revivals — potentially new entries in classic series' or reboots — were revealed at The Game Awards at the...
Reminder Rate Your Favourite Switch Games Of The Year 2023
Blimey, it's that time already
Just a reminder that there's still time to rate your favourite Switch games of 2023 and influence the Top 50 ranking that we'll be publishing later this week. You'll still be able to score the games after publication, too, but there's nothing quite like that pre-results moment of anticipation, right? Remember, you can...
News The Pokémon Company Outlines Fixes For Scarlet & Violet's Next Update
Catch it in late January 2024
Last week, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was updated to ver. 3.0.0 in preparation for the release of its Indigo Disk DLC. That patch came with some problems of its own, so now the Pokémon Company has shared some of the fixes that it is working on for the games' next update (thanks, Serebii.net
News Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Has Been Rated For Nintendo Switch
Luigi time!
Earlier this year during a Direct broadcast, Nintendo announced its 2013 3DS game Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon would be returning on the Switch with HD visuals. More recently in September, it was confirmed Luigi's Mansion 2 HD would be launching on the hybrid system platform in Summer 2024, and now in another update, the title has been...
WTF What Exactly Is This Switch eShop Garbage, Nintendo?
Ah yes, Courageous Reasoning Nori 4 Crossing Sea Street 4...
The Switch eShop has some questionable inclusions in its library; we have covered such lowlights as The Last Hope: Dead Zone Survival (a Last of Us 'clone', apparently) and the catchily titled Prison Life Simulator 2022: World FIGHT Battle GTA ULTIMATE, which speaks for itself. But it...
News Bandai Namco Announces New Dev Studio For Commissioned Projects
Nintendo appears to be a big part of the plans
Update [Wed 20th Dec, 2023 00:55 GMT]: New job listings for Bandai Namco Studio 2 & Studio S have reportedly surfaced on the official company website. One, in particular, is believed to be linked to a Nintendo project that first made headlines in April last year. It could supposedly be a...
News Fighters From Smash Bros. For 3DS Were Leaked By Former NoA Employee's Child
Well, partially
In August 2014, photos and videos of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS were leaked online, demonstrating evidence of unannounced fighters. The leaks were seemingly confirmed following a copyright strike from Nintendo of America before being proven irrefutably real upon the game's eventual release later that year. Since then, the...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC To Get A Free Epilogue Next Month
Well that's just peachy
The journey through Pokémon Scarlet & Violet isn't over just yet. The Pokémon Company has announced that it will release a free epilogue for The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Expansion Pass on 11th January 2024. With The Teal Mask, which launched in September, and last week's
Random 'Dallas Stars' Ice Hockey Goalie Showcases Sweet Mario Kart Mask
Powering up
Everyone loves Mario Kart, right? Well okay, maybe not everyone, but a lot of people sure do. One person who seems to have a soft spot for the racing franchise is 'Dallas Stars' hockey goalkeeper Scott Wedgewood, who debuted a Mario Kart-themed mask designed by artist Dave Gunnarsson (thanks, Polygon). The mask showcases several...
Soapbox Chants Of Sennaar Is The GOTY Candidate That Nobody Is Talking About
Strange, for a game all about language...
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim sings (or should that be 'chants'?) the praises of one of his GOTY picks... Let me make something clear right from the jump: Chants of Sennaar is a...
News Level-5 Submits 'Ghost Craft' Trademark In The US
What could it be?
Level-5 is slowly but surely ramping up its game output, with the likes of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, and more all quietly cooking in the developer's metaphorical oven. Now, as spotted by X (formerly Twitter) user @DartsEnthusiast
News F-Zero 99 New Update Now Live, Adds "Limited-Time" Frozen Knight League
Watch the snow fall across each course
One of the highlights of 2023 has been the surprise release of F-Zero 99 - a new battle royale racer exclusive to Switch Online members. While Nintendo said no more new tracks would be added to the game, it's not completely done with content updates. In a new update today, it's added the "limited-time" Frozen...
News Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 'AcceleRacers Expansion Pack' Launches This Week
New vehicles, environments and more
Speed demons who are looking for their next thrill might want to check out the new expansion pack coming to Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged this week. Milestone and Mattel have today announced AcceleRacers, which will add four new vehicles, a brand-new environments and two more customisation sets. Master...
News Super Bomberman R 2 Gets New Character 'Luca Bright Bomber' In Latest Update
The main antagonist of Suikoden II returns
Super Bomberman R 2 blasted its way onto the Switch back in September, and since then it's had some small updates. The latest one is a little bigger and adds the new character 'Luca Bright Bomber' based on the main antagonist in Suikoden II, Luca Blight. In addition to this, this latest update (Version...
Tuesday19th Dec 2023
Guide Best Nintendo Switch Party Games
Maximum fun, minimum fuss
So, you're having a party, possibly on a rooftop, dancing to the music and all that jazz, but suddenly there's a lull. Fear not because we've got just the thing to get the party started again! Nintendo Switch has a whole host of crowd-pleasing co-op and competitive party games, whether you're hosting a birthday party for a...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Where To Find Meloetta In The Indigo Disk DLC
One of the most obscure methods in Pokémon history.
Since the release and subsequent datamine of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s The Indigo Disk DLC, trainers have been at a loss for how to find Meloetta, the Mythical melody Pokémon. Meloetta isn't part of the 25 retur
Random Hyrule's Shrines Serve A Secret Peace-Keeping Purpose, Says TOTK Director
It's a kind of magic
We had assumed that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom would be pretty rich in lore, but we weren't fully prepared for just how much would be thrown our way — think you know the creation of Hyrule? Think again. There is so much packed into this game, in fact, that we are sure we will be discovering more and more about...
Mini Review Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Switch) - A Potent Brew, But An Unrefined Port
Double, double, toil and trouble…
Looking as if it’s been torn straight out of an alchemist’s journal, Potion Craft is a gorgeous simulation game that’s sure to appeal to the mystically inclined, although — oddly — it feels like a bad fit on Switch. Arriving on Nintendo's console one year after its PC and Xbox launch, it puts you in the...
News Here's A First Look At The Animal Crossing LEGO Box Art
This new LEGO line launches in 2024
Earlier this year in October, Nintendo announced five Animal Crossing LEGO sets would be launching in March 2024. While there's already been plenty of official pictures of these sets shared, we've now got a "first look" at the cute and charming packaging. These designs have been revealed by UK retailer Smyth Toys...
Exclusive 'Inkulinati' Finally Inks In A 2024 Release Window On Switch
Comes with all 'Early Access' updates
Cast your minds back, dear readers, to June 2020. Yes, it was a time many of us would rather forget, but you may remember that we reported on a rather intriguing game called Inkulinati that had been confirmed for the Switch after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Now, over two years later, we can confirm that...
Random Luigi's Mansion 2 Was Inspired By The British Sitcom 'Mr. Bean'
Can't unsee now
In 2013, Luigi's Mansion fans rejoiced when a sequel to the 2001 GameCube classic finally launched on the Nintendo 3DS. Now, thanks to a new video from Did You Know Gaming, we now know that Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon was greatly inspired by none other than the iconic British sitcom Mr. Bean. According to the video, developer Next...
Poll What Do You Think Of The Demo For Another Code: Recollection?
Go on, tell us
Last week, Nintendo shared a demo for Another Code: Recollection on the Switch eShop, giving fans a chance to try out the game before its January 2024 launch. Now that more people have had time to play it, it's got us wondering what the community here on Nintendo Life thinks of the experience so far. So vote in our poll and tell us...
News Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Update Announced For Switch
Will include "quality of life improvements" and more
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince got off to a strong start on the Switch earlier this month, and if you were hoping to see post launch support, you're in luck. The official Dragon Quest social media account has confirmed the team behind the game is currently working on an update for The...
News Zelda Producer Explains Why A Mario Maker Style Game Probably Won't Work
Nintendo doesn't want to "force" creativity
We've heard Nintendo dismiss the idea of a Mario Maker style Zelda game in the past and even though it's been a while since the last update, it seems the Japanese video game company still isn't keen on the idea. Speaking to Polygon recently, series producer Eiji Aonuma explained how Nintendo doesn't...
News Super Dungeon Maker Launches Huge Update With New Skins, Enemies, More
Pfft, who needs Zelda Maker?
A huge new update for Super Dungeon Maker has launched for the Nintendo Switch, introducing a boatload of new features for fledgling dungeon creators. Originally launched back in May 2023, Rokaplay's Super Dungeon Maker takes the general concept of Super Mario Maker and gives it a bit of a Zelda spin, letting users...
Monday18th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All 25 Returning Legendary Pokémon Locations In The Indigo Disk
Hop on your Koraidon/Miraidon, there’s Legendaries to find
There are too many Legendary Pokémon. There, we said it. Still, Game Freak added 25 rare Pokémon from generations past in The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You’ll have to jump through more than a few hoops to unlock the ability to catch any of them, however. And...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All New Paradox Pokémon In The Indigo Disk & How To Catch
Bring all the Quick Balls and Ultra Balls you can.
While Pokémon DLC is relatively new, they all introduce new Legendary and Legendary-style Pokémon. For Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s The Indigo Disk DLC, this comes in the form of reworked distant ancestors of classic Legendary creatures: Entei, Raikou, Terrakion, and Virizion. Each version of...
Review Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
Get Hyper
Cave, a shoot-'em-up developer assembled from the ashes of Toaplan, was preparing to fold in 2001. The arcade scene was moving in new directions, relying on increasingly ostentatious Taikan cabinets to compete with the emerging technology of home consoles. For Cave, the 2D shoot 'em up, no matter how unerringly creative, was struggling to...
News Pocket iRecatcher Will Reconnect Your Pokémon GO 'Auto Catch' Device For Uninterrupted Play
Also featuring Auto Tap
Ever since the release of the Pokémon GO Plus wristband, there have been a handful of 'auto-catching' imitators keen to bring something new to catching 'em all. But many of these (including the catchily named Pokémon GO Plus +) have suffered from the same issue: after a while, they will disconnect from the game. For the...
News Sea Of Stars Has Reached More Than 4 Million Players In 4 Months
A true indie hit
Sabotage Studio has announced that Sea of Stars has been played by over 4 million users across all platforms since its launch on August 29th, 2023. Now something to keep in mind is that this will include figures from the likes of Xbox Game Pass, so we're not talking about copies sold, as such, but 4 million is still a remarkable...
"You cannot go through your life punching everything"
The Prince of Persia series is held near and dear to the hearts of many, whether you fell in love with the original platformers and their revolutionary rotoscope animation, The Sands of Time for its rewind mechanic and magical atmosphere, or maybe even the reboot from 2008 — which we're sad...
News The Persona 5 Series Has Shifted Over 10 Million Copies Worldwide
That's a lot of hearts
Atlus has announced that the Persona 5 series has surpassed an incredible 10 million copies sold worldwide. Now, the obvious caveat here is that we're talking about several games rather than just one, with the series comprised of the original Persona 5, its comprehensive Royal sibling, Persona 5 Strikers, Persona 5: Dancing in...
News New Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 7-Star Tera Raid Battle Event Revealed For This Weekend
Plus, the Walking Wake/Iron Leaves event returns
The Pokémon Company has announced the next 7-Star Tera Raid Battle event for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, heading our way from 22nd-24th December (thanks, @SerebiiNet). This weekend's event will star Gen IX's Iron Bundle — yep, the robot bird. The mechanical menace will come with an Ice Tera Type...
Sunday17th Dec 2023
Guide Best Mega Man Games Of All Time
Every Nintendo Mega Man game, ranked by you (yes, ALL of them)
The little blue guy known as Mega Man (along with his various associates and related robots) has had a very long and storied career in video games. Since the NES days, he's starred in some absolute classics of the run-and-gun genre, although for every incredible game or spin-off...
Review Outer Wilds (Switch) - A Sublime Spacewalk That Stutters Can't Spoil
Loop-the-loop
What’s the meaning of life? Are we alone in the universe? How do you know if the fridge light goes off after you close the door? It’s questions like this that have driven humankind to explore the planet, the cosmos, and ourselves. And the kitchen. This irresistible drive of curiosity and the addictive high of discovery are what...
Soapbox Mega Man X's Tutorial Is The Perfect Intro To Capcom's Sublime Sub-Series
Wall-to-wall perfection
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of Mega Man X in Japan, Ollie dives into what makes its introductory stage so darn good... The original Mega Man series is...
News Indie Horror Hit Choo-Choo Charles Arrives On Switch Early Next Year
Japan's eShop gets it sooner
If you happen to like horror games, spiders and trains, the indie hit Choo-Choo Charles by Two Star Games is one upcoming release you won't want to miss when it arrives locally on the Switch on 18th January 2024. According to the Japanese eShop, the game is arriving in Japan later this week on 21st December 2023. This...
News Dementium: The Ward On Switch Receives Free HD Update
"A special gift for horror fans this holiday season"
The DS survival horror game Dementium: The Ward made its debut on the Switch earlier this year and now to celebrate the holiday season, developer Atooi has rolled out a free HD update. Players can now pause the title during gameplay, head to the options menu and swap the display to HI-RES. This...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Trace Memory
Remember remember
Welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl, are you ready to rank some covers? Before we head into this week's competition, however, let's check out what happened last time. We got all agricultural as we matched up two covers for Harvest Moon 64 in celebration of it landing on NSO. They were both pretty sweet options, but...
News Spike Chunsoft's Annual Survey Wants To Know More About Your Gaming Interests
"Your input and opinions are incredibly valuable to us"
Spike Chunsoft, the Japanese developer (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, AI: The Somnium Files, the Danganronpa series) and publisher, wants fans to take its 2023 video game survey, so it can learn more about what they're interested in. If you have any of this company's games before, your input is...
News Mortal Kombat 1 Cross-Play Release Window Confirmed, But There's No Mention Of Switch
The Switch version of MK11 missed out on "Krossplay"
Although the Mortal Kombat 1 team has shown strong support for the Switch version of the game so far with updates and all the DLC, it seems the cross-play feature might be skipping Nintendo's hybrid system. In a live stream earlier this week, NetherRealm confirmed cross-play was coming on...
Saturday16th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All Starter Pokémon Locations In The Indigo Disk
Gotta catch them Bulbasaurs and Charmanders – again.
It’s very rare for all the Starter Pokémon to be available in a single Pokémon adventure, but with the release of The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you now can. However, in true Game Freak fashion, they’re not just gonna hand everyone the Starters from Generations I...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Best Ways To Farm BP In The Indigo Disk DLC
For those with friends and without
Typically known as Battle Points in other Pokémon games, BP in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC are known as Blueberry Points, named after the academy where the DLC takes place. BP is used for buying items, decking out the League Club Room, and – most importantly – expanding the Pokémon...
News Sea Of Stars Developer Sabotage Replacing 'The Completionist' NPC
A "small patch" is coming soon
Sabotage Studio director Thierry Boulanger has announced via Discord the company will be removing the content creator and internet personality Jirard 'The Completionist' Khalil from the indie RPG hit Sea of Stars. Sea of Stars arrived on the Switch earlier this year in August and featured a segment in it where Khalil...
"We actually don’t like to talk about Worldless as a Metroidvania"
Fans of 2D platformers in the Metroidvania mould aren't exactly lacking for excellent examples of the genre. It feels like every other game launching at the moment is either a roguelite deckbuilder or an explorative action platformer. It's a brave developer who dips a toe into this...
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC
Here's what the critics had to say
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's second DLC expansion 'The Indigo Disk' arrived earlier this week and now the reviews are starting to surface online. If you haven't already caught our review here on Nintendo Life, we thought this new part took a few steps forward but could still use some work in other areas, awarding...
News Fae Farm Version 2.0.0 Update Adds Free DLC, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The Coasts of Croakia has arrived
Earlier this week the relatively new farming sim Fae Farm got a free DLC update Coasts of Croakia - taking players to the Archl-pal-igo Park, where they can learn the language of the many critters roaming the park. In addition to this, there's been a bunch of updates to the game adding in new dialogue, an increase...
News A New Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Distribution Event Has Been Announced For Japan
Appearing in next month's issue of CoroCoro
Updated: There's already been a distribution event for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet announced earlier this week, and now to add to this, it seems another one has been confirmed for Japan. This one is a little bit different! As explained by Serebii.net, the codes for this particular distribution will be...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 16th)
We have liftoff!
Well, the weekend has rolled around once again so it's time for a spot of gaming, we'd say. Before we get to that, however, does anyone fancy a quick round-up of the Nintendo highlights from this week? We've been taking a look at what classic SEGA franchises you'd like to see return, keeping up with everything going on in Fo
ICYMI Pokémon Home Update Adds Scarlet & Violet Indigo Disk DLC Compatibility
The Blueberry Pokédex has been added
Alongside the launch of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk, an update has also arrived for the storage service Pokemon Home. This bumps the application up to Version 3.2.1 and most importantly adds compatibility for the Part 2 DLC. Here's a bit about what you can expect from this update, which also...
Friday15th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Blueberry Pokédex, All Pokémon Locations In The Indigo Disk DLC
All 240 entries in the Blueberry Pokédex
With a new area to explore in the Terarium, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk has its whole own Pokédex for you to fill out and complete. The second part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero takes place in the Unova region — yes, that Unova region — and you'll be staying at the Blueberry...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How To Catch Terapagos In The Indigo Disk DLC
It's not too tera-ble
Terapagos is the "box art legendary" of The Indigo Disk, as well as the toughest story challenge in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet altogether. This turtle has a very cute design that hides a fearsome power, as well as an all-new Tera Type. In this guide, we'll be telling you where to find Terapagos, and how to capture the...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's 'Game Awards' Artwork Is Now A Reward On My Nintendo
Get it while you can
During The Game Awards, Nintendo shared a new (and stunning) piece of artwork for its award-winning game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, featuring Link against the backdrop of the sky islands. Many fans were quite taken with it at the time, and if you have been eager for a wallpaper version of this new artwork, you...
News Fan-Made 'Link's Awakening DX HD' Port Taken Down By Nintendo
It was inevitable...
Remember the stunning The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX PC port we reported about just the other day? Well, it's sadly no longer. Nintendo has issued a takedown notice for the fan-made port, and it has now been removed from its itch.io page (thanks
Feature Nintendo Switch Year In Review 2023 - Our Most Played Games
...it's Zelda, isn't it?
What happens every December? Christmas Day. New Year's Eve. A bunch of sales as we approach the end of the year. Oh, and our year-end video game wrap-ups. Nintendo Switch Year in Review 2023 is officially available, meaning you can scour over every single second of your video game habits for the year. The stats range from...
News Dave The Diver's Dredge DLC Arrives In New Update, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Something fishy's going on here
The diving/restaurant management roguelike Dave The Diver had us hooked (heheh) when it swam onto Switch earlier this year, but now things are set to get a whole lot more spooky as its collaborative Dredge DLC (yes, the Lovecraftian fishing game) has sailed into view today. Enough nautical puns for you? We've got...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Trailer Showcases The Upcoming Roguelike's Fresh Features
Rescue, Parallel Play and Monster Dojo all detailed
Thanks to confirmation from Spike Chunsoft back in October, we know for sure that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island (catchy little title, huh?) is heading West on 27th February. But what will the latest entry in the roguelike RPG series have in store? What new
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How To Evolve Dipplin Into Hydrapple
As many apple dragons as there are Eeveelutions
Someone at Game Freak sure loves apples and dragons. The fourth evolution of Applin and a direct evolution to Dipplin added in The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, figuring out how to obtain the multi-headed Hydrapple isn’t an easy task. In true Applin fashion, Hydrapple requires a...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How To Evolve Duraludon Into Archaludon
Bridging the gap
Fan favorite building-turned-Pokémon (or Pokémon-turned-building?) Duraludon from the Galar region is back in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s The Indigo Disk DLC, and with his return has come a new bridge-themed evolution, Archaludon. You may be wondering how to find Duraludon and evolve it into Archaludon – it’s much...
News Nintendo Launches 'Festive Offers' Switch eShop Sale, Discounts On Over 3,000 Games (Europe)
Anyone would think it's the end of the year...
What's that? You thought that the discounts were over because Black Friday is finished? Ohh no, no, no. It is December in Nintendo land, and if that means anything, it means that the discounts are never over. Yes, that's right, Nintendo has today launched its Festive Offers sale on the Switch eShop,...
News Hideki Kamiya Reveals Why He Left PlatinumGames
"Without that element of trust, I couldn’t continue working there"
Earlier this year, Hideki Kamiya shocked his fans by announcing that he would leave PlatinumGames. Now unemployed, he's spent much of his time watching streaming content and creating YouTube videos, but after sitting down with IGN, we now have a clearer picture of why he left the...
News Undertale Creator Toby Fox Remixed Ed Sheeran's Pokémon Song In The New Scarlet & Violet DLC
Fox also composed for the main game
Remember how the music superstar Ed Sheeran did a song for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet? Well, as highlighted by our friends at VGC, this same song 'Celestial' has now been remixed by the Undertale developer Toby Fox in the latest DLC. As noted by the source, Fox worked on some other music for Scarlet and...
News Nintendo Releases Switch eShop Demo For Another Code: Recollection
And there's a new overview trailer to go with it
One of the surprise announcements of 2023 was the news Cing's classic point-and-click adventure series Another Code would be getting a remake on the Nintendo Switch. It will contain both Another Code: Two Memories (known as Trace Memory in North America) and the sequel Another Code: R – A Journey
News Score 50% Off Radiant Silvergun And Other Select Shmups In Live Wire's Christmas Sale
Pew pew
Publisher Live Wire has today revealed a handful of shmup titles that are seeing tasty discounts throughout the holiday season of up to 50%. The publisher's Christmas sale is now live on the Switch eShop and will be running until 3rd January 2024 — plenty of time to pick up any of the ones that catch your eye, we'd say. Chief among the...
News SaGa Emerald Beyond Slashes Onto Switch In April 2024
Two new character trailers reveal all
Initially announced in the September Nintendo Direct showcase, Square Enix has today revealed that the next entry in the SaGa series, SaGa Emerald Beyond, will be landing on Switch on 25th April 2024. This release date came directly from Square's SaGa Glimmerfest 2023 livestream, where the publisher was...
News Spike Chunsoft's Latest Sale Offers Up To 80% Off Select Switch eShop Titles (Europe)
Discounted Danganronpa
Hot on the tail of Black Friday discounts, publisher Spike Chunsoft has snuck into the 'Festive Offers' eShop sale for 2023, providing some pretty meaty savings on select titles. There is a fair selection of games included this time around with series like Danganronpa and AI: The Somnium Files scoring discounts of up to 80%...
News Point-And-Click Adventure Classics Pajama Sam 3 And Freddi Fish 4 Are Coming To Nintendo Switch
Out next week
If you're a fan of classic point-and-click adventures that may or may not date back to your childhood, you might be interested to know there are two more Humongous Entertainment games on their way to the Nintendo Switch eShop next week. First up, we've got Pajama Sam 3, which was originally released on Windows PC. Its extended title...
News Mortal Kombat 1's December Update Is Out Today, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
New season, new DLC characters and much more
This week marks the "early access" arrival of Quan Chi in Mortal Kombat 1. This is the second DLC character in the Kombat Pack and follows on from the release of Omni Man. EventHubs has also confirmed the Kameo Fighter in this update (Khameleon) will be arriving at some point in January 2024. In addition...
Site News Got A Second To Fill Out Our Reader Survey?
Thanking you kindly
As we roll towards the end of 2023, it's once again time for us to ask for a little favour. If you've got a few moments, you'd be helping us out considerably by answering a few survey questions below, as compiled by our partners over at ReedPop. Nintendo Life and the Hookshot family of sites are funded through advertising, which...
Reminder Tetris 99's Super Mario Bros. Wonder Event Is Now Live
Unlock a Wonderful new theme
2023 has been quite the year for Mario, huh? Nintendo's prize plumber has had his own movie, a brand-new 2D platformer and an RPG-make thrown in for good measure. Just to put the icing on the cake, he's now appearing in a handful of Tetris 99 crossover Grands Prix too, with the Super Mario Bros. Wonder event now...
Thursday14th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC - How To Defeat The Blueberry League Elite Four
A quality quartet
The Blueberry Academy of The Indigo Disk is home to its very own Elite Four, and being the best Pokémon Trainer in Paldea, that means you need to take them down. The Blueberry League Elite Four — or BB League Elite Four — are a formidable quartet to take on in the Terarium, each with their own Trial to complete and a Pokémon...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC - How To Defeat The Blueberry League Champion
Time to end someone's "villain" arc
The Blueberry Academy doesn't just have its own Elite Four — it also has a Champion, an undisputed best-trainer for you to prove your worth against in The Indigo Disk. The battle against the Champion can be tough, so we're here to help you through this fight so you can become the BB League's new champion...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Version 3.0.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The Indigo Disk DLC is now available
Update: The Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Version 3.0.0 update is now live! Nintendo has also shared the official patch notes on its support page: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Ver. 3.0.0 (Released December 13, 2023): Release of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk for Pokémon Sca
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How To Start The Indigo Disk DLC
How to access the Blueberry Academy
After exploring the Kitakami region in The Teal Mask, it's time to travel to Blueberry Academy for some of the hardest Pokémon battles yet. In this guide, we'll tell you how to access The Indigo Disk DLC, as well as how to get to the Blueberry Academy in
That's why they call it the blues
What is The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero? That was probably the question on most players’ lips after the Expansion Pass for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet was revealed. Part one, The Teal Mask, was just an appetizer, taking players to a new land in Kitakami and introducing new characters who might just end up being...
News Nintendo Switch "Lifetime US Unit Sales" Surpass Xbox 360
"Switch trails only Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2"
The Nintendo Switch has smashed all sorts of records in 2023 and it turns out it's just done it again in recent times. As highlighted by Circana (formerly NPD) industry analyst Mat Piscatella, the hybrid hardware managed to surpass "lifetime US unit sales" of Microsoft's Xbox 360 in November,...
News Grab A Special Gimmighoul In The Latest Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Distribution
"You'll feel pretty chipper"
In addition to the arrival of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Version 3.0.0 today, The Pokémon Company is also giving away a special Gimmighoul via Mystery Gift. This "chest form Gimmighoul" comes with the "Upbeat Mark" and when assigned, it will be imparted with the title "Gimmighoul the Chipper". Here's how you can...
News Disney Illusion Island Announces Free 'Keeper Up' Update, Out Now
Update: Here's a look!
Update [Thu 14th Dec, 2023 03:00 GMT]: Nintendo has now shared a first look at this free DLC content, it comes packed with 12 remixed courses, where Mickey Mouse and friends must race against the clock. Original article [Tue 12th Dec, 2023 02:00 GMT]: Disney's Mickey Mouse made a return earlier this year in the magnificent...
News Details On Sonic 2's Lost Stages Have Been Revealed
Including a lovely winter level
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is well known for its cut content, and while snippets of this have been teased over the years, The Video Game History Foundation has now presented what might be the most comprehensive deep dive into Sonic 2's lost stages (thanks, Time Extension). According to the video, three designers had
Talking Point What Classic Sega Franchises Do You Want To See Rebooted?
Power Surge? More like Nostalgia Surge
Segaaaaa~ Ahh, the sweet sound of nostalgia. Yes, despite being Nintendo Life, Sega is unmistakably a part of our childhoods. Equally important, it's also a part of the Big N's history. From the great rivalry of the late '80s and early '90s, to Mario and Sonic teaming up and facing off in more recent years,...
News Relaxing Hexagonal City Builder 'Pan'orama' Hits The Switch eShop Today (US)
EU launch to follow in January
If you're a fan of relaxing city builders, then the adorable zen-like Pan'orama from Awaken Realms might be up your street. Launching on the US eShop today (December 14th, with an EU release to follow in January), Pan'orama is a puzzle simulation in which you place hexagonal tiles to build a stunning, abstract...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Passes One Million Physical Sales
Mario Wonder reclaims the lead, once again
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and despite making a monster debut last week, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has slipped down into third place, leaving Super Mario Bros. Wonder to once again jump into the top spot with another 82,470 copies sold. The only new entry this...
Nintendo Download 14th December (North America)
Palia! Avenger! Hammerwatch II!
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: Palia (14th Dec) - Explore a breathtaking...
News Fae Farm's Free DLC Hops Onto Nintendo Switch Today
Ribbit-ing
We hope you're ready to hop to the beach, as Fae Farm's free DLC pack — Coasts of Croakia — is available to download today on Switch. The update will take you to the Archi-pal-igo Park, which you can access by using a brand new tool which you will be given either during the story or (if you've beaten the story) after you download the...
Guide LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, Fornite Festival - Which Is Best? Everything You Need To Know
(Battle) Royale with cheese
Fortnite is changing. Of course, this is hardly a new realisation. We distinctly remember when Thanos started popping up and things became a little cash-grabby, or when the map was completely remodelled, or when, out of nowhere, a blooming 'Creator Mode' made it a challenge in itself just to find the blasted Battle Royale...
News 'Piczle Cross: Story Of Seasons' Plants More Nonogram Puzzles On Switch Next Year
Seeing the bigger picture
Publisher Rainy Frog has today announced the next title in the nonogram puzzle series Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons, which will be laying down roots on Switch on 27th February 2024. As you might expect from the Piczle series, this one is packed with nonogram puzzles galore, all with a farm-sim twist thanks to the Story of...
News Streetdog BMX Brings Tricks, Flips And Killer Combos To Switch Next Year
Totally tubular!
Publisher Null Games and indie dev Yeah Us! Games have announced Streetdog BMX, an extreme sports game that aims to pedal its way onto Switch next year. The developer has compared this one to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Dave Mirra BMX — titles to prick up our ears, for sure — though the colourful urban environments look to...
News Pokémon GO Celebrates Scarlet & Violet's New DLC With Free Avatar Items
Ready up for The Indigo Disk
To celebrate today's Indigo Disk DLC launch for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Niantic's mobile AR game Pokémon GO is giving out free themed outfits. As detailed on the official GO website, these new avatar items are inspired by the main characters' outfits, and are available for free: "Trainers, To celebrate the...
Wednesday13th Dec 2023
Guide Best Batman Games, Ranked - Switch And Nintendo Systems
Why do we fall, Master Wayne?
Remember, this list is still subject to fluctuation even now depending on each game's User Rating. Feel free to rate the new entries and see how the ranking evolves. Enjoy! Ah, Batman. The superhero that could easily solve a ton of the problems in Gotham just by redistributing a little bit of his billions in wealth,...
News Super Mario RPG Version 1.0.1 Released, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The "Paratoopa" bug has been fixed
Last month, Nintendo revealed it had discovered a "Paratroopa" bug in Super Mario RPG, following up with a notice it was working on a patch that would resolve the issue. Version 1.0.1 has now arrived and it appears to fix this problem. It also comes with a bunch of other fixes for the game. Here are the full list...
News Your 'Nintendo Switch Year In Review 2023' Stats Are Available Now
"We've spent how long playing TOTK???"
It's that time — the annual tradition of seeing just how much time you've spent playing your Nintendo Switch! That's right, Nintendo has dropped its Nintendo Switch 2023 Year In Review. This year's edition breaks things down by how many games you've played this year, how many hours in total, what your top...
News PC Port Of Zelda: Link's Awakening Offers HD Visuals And 120fps Scrolling
Update: It's been removed
Update [Fri 15th Dec, 2023 20:15 GMT]: As expected, Nintendo has issued a takedown notice for The Link's Awakening DX HD, the fan-made PC port of the Game Boy Color version of Link's handheld debut. <related ids="159874"> Original article [Wed 13th Dec, 2023 10:00 GMT]: If you played the remake of The Legend of...
Hands On Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown Royally Delivers On Switch
You dropped this, Sargon
Back in June, we went hands-on with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a new 2D Metroidvania take on the long-running dashing and slashing franchise. We were thrilled to learn that Ubisoft Montpellier is the team crafting this new adventure as its past games like Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends were incredibly unique works...
News My Nintendo Store Adds Holiday And New Year Rewards (North America)
Get 'em while you can
To celebrate the holidays, Nintendo has released some new themed items on the My Nintendo Store in North America. First up we've got a special Nintendo-themed desktop calendar featuring some characters and scenes from various Switch exclusives like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Pikmin 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the...
News GTA 6 On 'Switch 2' Would Be "Very Tricky To Pull Off", Says Digital Foundry
Game's tech may be "beyond" the next console
In a recent Q&A video from Digital Foundry focused on the newly announced Grand Theft Auto 6, the team was unanimous in its opinion that the game will likely not be coming to Nintendo's next major hardware. Although it's true that the official specs for the 'Switch 2' have not yet been confirmed,...
News DOOM, DOOM II And Quake Just Got New Free Add-Ons, Rip And Tear Today
Celebrating 30 years with SIGIL II and QDOOM
The legendary first-person shooter series DOOM is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary and as part of this, the team has released new free add-ons for the original DOOM and DOOM II games. This includes a new Sigil II add-on for both games by the id Software co-founder and DOOM co-creator John...
Soapbox If You're Not Playing LEGO Fortnite, You're Missing One Of The Best Survival Games
One of this year's biggest surprises
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kate delves into a new addition to a f2p indie minnow called 'Fortnite' that turns out to be one of 2023's best surprises... I've been playing Fortnite for the...
Feature Dragon Quest Monsters Producer On Introducing Series To A Whole New Audience
Revisiting Chapters of the Chosen
As a beloved RPG series in Japan, Dragon Quest took a pretty long time to make waves in the West. In Japan, games in the mainline series get released on the weekends to stop people skipping work and school, and the franchise has sold millions just in its native home. Dragon Quest XI changed that. Originally...
Video We've Played Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown - Here's 12 Minutes Of Switch Gameplay
Welcome back, your majesty
We recently got to go hands-on with Ubisoft's upcoming Metroidvania Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and came away feeling rather chuffed with the experience, indeed. Shifting the action from 3D to 2.5D, this latest entry boasts the talents of Ubisoft Montpellier, the team behind the sublime Rayman Origins and Rayman...
News Nintendo's Splatoon 3 'Tournament Manager' Feature Is Now Officially Available
Create, manage and participate
Back in July of this year, Nintendo teased a special new feature for Splatoon 3 called 'Tournament Manager'. It followed with an early release version in November and now it's been officially launched. In case you missed it, this service allows Inklings and Octolings to create their own private tournaments, brackets...
News Trombone Champ Lands Two Festive Songs In New Holiday Update, Here Are The Patch Notes
Achievements also come to Switch
Trombone Champ tooted its way over to Switch earlier this year and now developer Holy Wow Studios has brought us a new update to keep the good times going over the festive period. Ver. 1.25A is now available on Switch, and there are a good number of newly added features to keep an eye out for. Perhaps the most...
Tuesday12th Dec 2023
News A New Pokémon Theme Park Is Launching In Japan
Welcome to PokéPark Kanto
The Pokémon Company has announced that it will be launching a new attraction called 'PokéPark Kanto' within the amusement park Yomiuriland in Inagi, Tokyo. While there are no details on exactly when the new park will open, it's thought that this will be a full-fledged attraction with rides and other amusements, not too...
News E3 Has Been Cancelled, Permanently
Yep, it's dead
The ESA has announced that the Electronic Entertainment Expo, more commonly known as E3, is officially dead after multiple attempts at its revival. As reported by The Washington Post, multiple factors have been cited as catalysts toward the event's collapse, including new competitors (hi, Summer Game Fest), partner withdrawals,...
News 3DS Title Fragrant Story Launches "Free DLC Expansion" Papaya's Path Today
A small run of physical copies are coming in 2024
Although the 3DS eShop has technically closed, third-party and indie developers are still showing their support for Nintendo's past-generation portable system. One, in particular, is developer William Kage, who announced a free DLC expansion for Fragrant Story earlier this year. Now in an update,...
News New Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Trailer Showcases All 96 Circuits
A whistle-stop tour
If by some freak accident, you somehow haven't picked up a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just yet (and its continued prevalence in the weekly UK charts shows that there are still some out there who haven't), then perhaps Nintendo's latest trailer can sell you on the idea of picking up a copy. This one is all about the circuits...
"My personal favorite is "Turnabout Reclaimed"
Ace Attorney fans have had a lot to love over the past few years. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy and the surprise localization of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles on Switch gave us a lot to celebrate. But, as far as the main series goes, there's long been a gap that's been waiting to be filled on...
Review Born Of Bread (Switch) - An Enjoyable, If Underbaked, Paper Mario Homage
Ma(rio) baker
It’s been rough out there for Paper Mario fans. Over the past several entries Nintendo has tested new ideas that haven’t come together anywhere near as well as the original games did, and there's good reason for the joy surrounding the return of Thousand-Year Door in 2024. Some indie developers, however, have tried to recapture the...
News 'Chico And The Magic Orchards DX' Is Like Zelda: Link's Awakening With More Puzzles
Launching later this month
The Legend of Zelda has been known for influencing countless games throughout its lifetime, and the latest to hit the Switch eShop is a cheap and cheerful indie game called Chico and the Magic Orchards DX. Just in case the 'DX' in the title wasn't quite enough to form the connection, the game, developed and published by...
News Nintendo Announces The Final Tetris 99 Maximus Cups For 2023
Update: Here's a first look at the Mario Wonder one
Update [Tue 12th Dec, 2023 01:30 GMT]: With the WarioWare: Move It! Tetris 99 event wrapped up, Nintendo has now turned its focus to the Super Mario Bros. Wonder event, taking place later this week. It's shared a first look at this theme via its YouTube channel. To participate in this event when...
Soapbox Donkey Konga Introduced Me To One Of My Favourite Songs Ever
A mighty impression
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Donkey Konga in Japan, Ollie recounts how the game introduced him to a song that remains one of his all-time favourites... I used to love...
News Surprise! Smash Bros. Ultimate Sora amiibo Is Now Up For Pre-Order (UK)
Low-KEY
The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sora amiibo is now available to pre-order from My Nintendo Store UK. The final entry in the Smash collection, this Kingdom Hearts amiibo is currently listed for £12.99 and is set to release on 16th February 2024. If previous releases are anything to go by, we imagine that this little guy wo
News Devolver's Chill Environmental Strategy Game 'Terra Nil' Blooms On Switch Next Week
Planting the seed
Publisher Devolver Digital and developer Free Lives have announced that the environmental strategy game-meets-city builder Terra Nil will be laying down roots on Switch on 18th December. Described as a "chill, meditative twist on the city-builder genre," Terra Nil will see you tasked with transforming a series of...
News Sonic Superstars Is Offering Free Holiday Costume DLC
"Spread cheer to the Northstar Islands"
If you would like to celebrate Christmas with Sonic the Hedgehog this year, be sure to check out his latest sidescroller Sonic Superstars, as Sega is offering a free holiday-themed item. This DLC dresses up Sonic in a themed outfit. You can change Sonic's look in the character menu, where you can also...
News Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator Bubbles Up On Switch Today With Surprise Release
Revealed during last year's House of Indies
Looking to become an expert in potions, solutions, and herbs? Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator may well be the game for you. And guess what? You can snap it up today on the Switch eShop for just £17.99 / $19.99 USD, and you can save 10% off the game's full price if you grab it before 19th December...
News Freedom Planet 2 Switch Release Delayed To Spring 2024
Previously due this summer
The high-speed Sega Genesis / Mega Drive-inspired platformer sequel, Freedom Planet 2, has been delayed on Nintendo Switch and consoles, published XSEED Games has announced. Sharing an update on Twitter today, the follow-up was due to land on the Switch earlier this year, but development has been ongoing to ensure console...
News Now Tin Hearts Has Free 'Die Hard' Content, Ho Ho Ho
Yippee-Ki-Play
Welcome to the party, pals. Publisher Wired Productions has announced that Tin Hearts, the adorable puzzler from developer Rogue Sun, has received free Christmas content dubbed 'Play Hard', transforming the game's tin soldier characters into “Tim” McClane, a 'reluctant vest-clad hero'. Tim McClane, a blatant spin on Die Hard's...
Monday11th Dec 2023
News Zelda Producer Responds To Fans Who Want A More "Traditional Linear" Adventure
"...there's a bit of a grass is greener mentality"
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom continues to pave a new path for the Zelda franchise, building on the gorgeous open-world formula that Nintendo introduced Link to in Breath of the Wild. But while these games have received critical acclaim, some fans desperately miss the "old-style" of...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Master Sword Twist Was Decided Very Early On
"There's this certain sense of accomplishment and joy"
One of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's best moments is when you finally get the Master Sword. There's an incredible rush, whether you find it organically through the story or happen to stumble on it. And Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and the director of Tears of the Kingdom...
Soapbox This Year, The Game Awards Failed The Industry
Please Wrap It Up
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Zion speaks about his feelings after attending The Game Awards 2023, and why the show needs to do better at celebrating game developers. When you first hear the name of the...
Review Turok 3: Shadow Of Oblivion (Switch) - A Quality Restoration Missing Its Multiplayer
A feather in your cap
Turok first appeared in 1954 in Dell Comics, an American publisher notable for World War II-themed fiction and Warner Brothers licenses. Back then, Turok, dubbed Son of Stone, was indeed a dinosaur hunter, using wit and muscle to overcome a clashing of the species. In 1992, Valiant Comics rebooted Turok with more of a sci-fi...
News TimeSplitters Dev Free Radical Has Shut Down As Staff Share "Last Day" Messages
"It's sad to say goodbye like this"
Without even an official announcement, it looks like Embracer Group has shut down UK game studio Free Radical Design, the team behind the TimeSplitters series of video games. Staff at the Nottingham-based developer have been sharing their thoughts, goodbyes, and happy memories on Twitter (spotted via Game...
Hands On Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Lays Out A Compelling Case On Switch
Turnabout Triumph, or Turnabout Tragedy?
They've done it again. Capcom has done it again! Only this time, they've done it better. Following on from the success of the Ace Attorney Trilogy, which brought the first three games in the beloved series to Switch, PC, and other consoles, Capcom has taken the next three games (Apollo Justice, Dual...
UK Charts Mario Wonder Jumps Up The Rankings As EA Sports FC 24 Scores Another Win
Let's-a rebound
The latest UK boxed charts are in and we are faced with a pretty similar picture this week to what we saw last. EA Sports FC 24 once again manages to score the top spot (for the third week in a row, no less), while Super Mario Bros. Wonder continues to bounce back from a few weeks lower down the chart, now leaping into second place...
News The Super Mario Bros. Movie Lands Three Nominations At The Golden Globes 2024
Let's-a Globe
Right off the back of The Game Awards 2024, Nintendo is in the running for yet another batch of prizes as The Super Mario Bros. Movie has landed itself not one, not two, but three nominations at this year's Golden Globes. The Nintendo and Illumination production is up for Best Motion Picture - Animated, Cinematic and Box Office...
News Zelda-Style Z-Targeting Was Apparently "Too Hardcore" For LEGO Fortnite
Crtl+Z needed?
LEGO Fortnite — a new game that's available inside of Fortnite — has been dominating online conversation since it dropped last week on all consoles. But former senior designer at Epic Games, Cristina Ramos, says that one key piece of game design was rejected for being "too hardcore". (thanks, Nintenduo!) Ramos, who is now with...
News Jet Set Radio's Original Creators Are "Involved" In The Reboot, Says Sega Of America CEO
"its time is now"
We'll admit it, we are more than a little excited to see what SEGA is cooking up. During last week's Game Awards, the studio announced that it would be reimaging and expanding on a bunch of its fan-favourite franchises, with Jet Set Radio being but one of the series to receive the 'surge' treatment. The amount that we actually...
Sunday10th Dec 2023
Guide Best Pokémon-Likes On Nintendo Switch - Games To Play After You've Finished Pokémon
The Mimikyus of video games
When they said "Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all", we all assumed that they meant catching all the pocket monsters. But actually, what they were talking about was catching all the Pokémon and Pokémon-like games out there — of which there are many. And now, at last, we have caught them all, and wrangled them into this...
News Sega Plans To Revive Even "More" Legacy Franchises
This is "just the start" of its initiative
Arguably one of the biggest highlights of this year's Game Awards show was Sega's announcement it would be reimaging five classic IP including Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Streets of Rage. In case you missed it, there is apparently even "more" to come according to the official...
Feature Zelda, "Linguistic Chaos", And The Challenges Of Bringing 'Outer Wilds' To Switch
"We love Outer Wilds and we’re thrilled it’s on the Nintendo Switch"
It's finally here — Outer Wilds has finally landed on Nintendo Switch, two years after it was originally meant to crash onto the system. And we've been champing at the bit to try out this indie darling. Incredibly immersive and visually arresting, Outer Wilds was critically...
News Dragon Ball Budokai Tenkaichi Fans Spot New Trademark For 'Sparking! Zero'
Update: Officially revealed, but no Nintendo release
Update [Sun 10th Dec, 2023 23:55 GMT]: Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero was officially unveiled by Bandai Namco at this year's Game Awards show for PlayStation, Xbox and PC platforms. Unfortunately, there's no mention of a Nintendo release (at least yet). If we hear any developments we'll let you...
News Fortnite's Dev Really Wants A Crossover With Nintendo But Hasn't Had Any Luck
It hopes "at some point" to use Nintendo's characters
Fortnite has had just about every crossover at this stage from Dragon Ball and Marvel to LEGO, but the one brand Epic believes could top them all is....drum roll... Nintendo! Speaking to Axios in Los Angeles this week, the head of Fortnite's ecosystem Saxs Persson admitted Epic had tried...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Harvest Moon 64
Sh-hoe down
Howdy folks, and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl. Before we get cracking with this week's battle, let's take a look at how we got on last time, hm? Well, it was Batman: Vengeance's turn to kick up a storm, with the European and North American variants of the GBA game going head-to-head in a duel for the ages. It was...
Saturday9th Dec 2023
Review 1080° Snowboarding - Effortlessly Cool Shredding That Demands Perfection
Shreddin’ the gnar
This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to celebrate the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, 1080° Snowboarding was Nintendo's attempt to bring the snowboarding experience to its home...
News Geoff Keighley Agrees Music Was Played "Too Fast" For TGA Winners This Year
"It's something to address going forward"
The Game Awards 2023 was a huge success for Geoff Keighley this year, but he has received some feedback about the show's treatment of winners, asking them to wrap up their speeches before some of them even got underway. Nintendo's very own Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma was seemingly on the receiving...
Random Super Mario Bros. Wonder Mod Swaps Out Blue Toad For Rosalina
Pauline will replace Yellow Toad "if things go according to plan"
Although Nintendo doesn't appear to be adding any new content to Super Mario Bros. Wonder any time soon, certain mods out there have been adding all sorts of weird and wonderful things to the new Switch entry. One mod, in particular, as highlighted by Nintendo Everything is a new...
Reminder Star Wars Heritage Pack Physical Edition Now Available (North America)
Seven games in one collection
Back in October, Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games announced the STAR WARS Heritage Pack (2023) would be getting a physical release in North America, and it's now officially available. It will set you back $59.99 USD and includes seven games in one. The catch is that there are technically only five games included on the Switch...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 9th)
Out of this world
The weekend has rolled around once again so it's time to put those gaming plans into effect. Before we dive into all that though, let's take a look at some of the highlights from this week in Nintendo. The big news this time around was, of course, The Game Awards, which saw a whole bunch of titles announced for Switch as well as...
News Splatoon 3 Version 6.0.1 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The Big Run reward bug is still present
Earlier this week Nintendo rolled out Version 6.0.1 of Splatoon 3. Although it's failed to fix certain problems associated with the latest Big Run event, apparently there's a patch coming in the future that can hopefully address this problem. Apart from this, Nintendo has shared its usual list of patch notes,...
"It's a niche, but it's a dedicated niche, you know?"
If you have even a passing interest in video games (and we assume that you do, since you have found yourselves here), then you probably will have heard of Did You Know Gaming? Since its launch in 2012, the trivia-focused website and YouTube channel has amassed a huge following, showcasing...
Friday8th Dec 2023
Review Batman: Arkham Trilogy (Switch) - Two Solid Ports, One Technical Disaster
Hand me the bug repellent bat-spray, Robin
When it comes to superhero games, Rocksteady Studios served us up a trio of the very best examples of the genre with its superlative Batman: Arkham Trilogy. Whether you prefer the smaller scale and comparative intimacy of Batman: Arkham Asylum, the vast open world of Arkham City or the Batmobile-powered...
Review Jet Force Gemini - Another Rare N64 Gem, Flawed But Fun
Start wins
This review originally went live in 2013, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. The Nintendo 64 and Rare go together like Banjo and Kazooie. The developer was behind several of the stellar titles found on the system, many of which were...
Random The Game Awards Urged Eiji Aonuma To 'Wrap Up' Zelda Acceptance Speech
And fans aren't too happy
In case you missed it, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom won Best Action/Adventure Game at this year's Game Awards event in Los Angeles. Fans, however, are a bit miffed at the organisers of the show as it appears that during Eiji Aonuma's acceptance speech, a teleprompter urged the long-time Zelda producer to "wrap...
News Sega Announces New Games In Development For Classic Franchises
Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe & more!
Update [Fri 8th Dec, 2023 01:50 GMT]: Sega dropped a bombshell at this year's Game Awards confirming it's reviving five of its classic franchises for a new generation. This includes Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Crazy Taxi and there's apparently "more" to come! No platforms or...
News Nintendo Expands Its Switch Online N64 Library With Three More Titles
Available today!
Nintendo has dropped a trio of classic games today, announcing Harvest Moon 64, 1080 Snowboarding and Jet Force Gemini are now available on the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. All of these games have been made available in Japan, too. Here's the rundown about each one, courtesy of Nintendo's official PR: Harvest Moon 64...
News Visions Of Mana Announced By Square Enix, But Not For Switch
Update: Revealed at The Game Awards 2023
Update [Fri 8th Dec, 2023 02:00 GMT]: Today's trademark has been confirmed — Visions of Mana is a brand new action RPG in the Mana series. Revealed at The Game Awards 2023, the trailer showcased some gorgeous new visuals and more open combat, seemingly inspired by the Trials of Mana remake. However, the...
Round Up Everything Announced At The Game Awards 2023 - All Switch Game Reveals & Trailers
The "World Premieres" are back
That's it, folks. Another year, another Game Awards ceremony has come and gone. And what a night, hey? It was a pretty good night for Nintendo at The Game Awards 2023, with Super Mario Bros. Wonder taking home Best Family Game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom winning Best Action / Adventure, and Pikmin 4...
Mini Review Batman: Arkham Knight (Switch) - One Of The Worst Ports We've Ever Played
Chicks dig the car
The final game in the Batman: Arkham Trilogy is Batman: Arkham Knight, which launched on the PS4 in 2015. This entry expands further upon its predecessor, Arkham City, taking a game which was already plenty big enough thank you and adding a little more of everything. Although the series' combat has seen some more refinement here,...
Mini Review Batman: Arkham City (Switch) - The Best Port Of The Trilogy
P.N. Guin? Wait a minute... the Penguin!
With Batman: Arkham City, the second game in the Batman: Arkham Trilogy, Rocksteady finally allowed players to freely soar above the streets of Gotham, providing the full Batman experience that we didn't quite get with its predecessor. The Switch port provides the biggest positive shock of the package with...
Mini Review Batman: Arkham Asylum (Switch) - A No-Frills Port Of A Superhero Classic
Gotham's Finest
2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum laid the foundations for Rocksteady's incredible trilogy, introducing us to the series' iconic combat, which combines slick parries, dodges, blocks and countermoves into a stylish and super-fun combo-based system that makes you feel like the Dark Knight at his most badass. Add in a novel detective mode...
News The Game Awards GOTY For 2023 Is Baldur's Gate 3
Here is the full list of winners
The Game Awards has just wrapped and Larian's epic role-playing game Baldur's Gate 3 won Game of the Year. It was up against Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Baldur's Gate 3 also took out multiple other awards on the night.
News Eiji Aonuma Comments On The Possibility Of A Playable Zelda In The Future
"Maybe"
In recent years, The Legend of Zelda fans have grown increasingly vocal in their desire to play as the titular character in mainline Zelda games. Many thought that this might finally happen in Tears of the Kingdom, but alas - spoilers - it didn't. In an interview with IGN before The Game Awards, Eiji Aonuma commented on the possibility of...
News Nintendo Is Still Trying To Fix Splatoon 3's Big Run Reward Bug
Update: Previous patch did not fix the problem
Update #2 [Fri 8th Dec, 2023 17:15 GMT]: Earlier this week, Nintendo announced that it was aware of a bug in Splatoon 3's latest Big Run event which resulted in players receiving the incorrect reward for their efforts. A patch was released earlier today to fix this problem, but it looks like the bug...
News Capcom Unveils Monster Hunter Wilds, Coming In 2025
But there's no mention of Nintendo platforms
To end The Game Awards, Capcom unveiled the next major entry in the Monster Hunter series. It's called Monster Hunter Wilds and it will be released on multiple next-generation platforms in 2025. The unfortunate catch here is that there's no mention of Nintendo platforms, but given the series' history,...
News Zelda Boss Says A "Direct Sequel" To Tears Of The Kingdom Is Unlikely
A sequel to a sequel would be "a little bit wild"
If you're wondering what the chances are of a "direct sequel" to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, don't get your hopes up. During an interview with Game Informer, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma was asked about the possibility and says Tears of the Kingdom has already exhausted all of the possibilities in...
News Zelda Timeline Is Only Considered "To An Extent" During Development, Says TOTK Director
It's all about the theories
Prior the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom earlier this year, our heads were full of theories about where Link's latest adventure would fit on the much-discussed timeline. We knew that it would be taking place directly after Breath of the Wild, but where does that put it compared to, say, Ocarina of...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Wins Best Action/Adventure Game At TGA 2023
Eiji Aonuma accepts the award
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was up for multiple nominations at The Game Awards this year including "Game of the Year", and the one it's taken out in the end is the best "action/adventure" game. Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma went up to receive the award, thanking everyone for their support. It managed to top...
News Super Mario Bros. Wonder Scores Best Family Game At The Game Awards
One of Switch's best releases of 2023
To kick off The Game Awards, Nintendo's recent release Super Mario Bros. Wonder took out the Best Family Game award. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser took to the stage and thanked everyone for their support. Wonder managed to beat out other Nintendo titles like Pikmin 4 as well as third-party games...
News Dave The Diver Teams Up With Dredge For An Epic New Crossover
Arriving next week
After a crossover with Dredge, it's now Dave The Diver's turn to get some collaboration content. Again, it's the other way round this time - with the treacherous seas of Dredge coming to Dave's world. This exclusive content will make its debut next week on 15th December and is coming to both the Nintendo Switch and Steam versions...
News Electronic Arts Is Bringing A New 'EA Originals' Title To Switch In April Next Year
Introducing Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
EA's 'Originals' line continues with the company revealing Tales of Kenzera: ZAU at this year's Game Awards show. It will be launching on all platforms including the Nintendo Switch on 23rd April 2024. This is a new single-player action-adventure platformer that brings a "new experience of finding hope and courage...
News Pikmin 4 Picks Up Best Sim/Strategy Game At The Game Awards 2023
PikWIN
The Game Awards 2023 turned out to be a pretty big night for Nintendo, with Switch announcements coming left, right and centre (you can find them all in our round-up). It was also a big one for wins. We have covered a few of those on the site already, but let's all give a big cheer for Pikmin 4, which managed to take home the award for Best...
News World Of Goo Is Getting A Sequel In 2024
The physics-based construction puzzler is back
In some surprise news at this year's Game Awards show, a sequel for the famous physics-based construction puzzler World of Goo was announced. It will be released in 2024 and is simply titled World of Goo 2. The original game by 2D Boy and Tomorrow Corporation was originally released on the Nintendo...
News Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown Demo Confirmed, Story Trailer Also Revealed
Launching early next year
Following a leak earlier today, a new action-packed story trailer for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has just debuted at this year's Game Awards show. Ahead of the game's launch on 15th January 2024, it's also been confirmed there will be a Warior Within pre-order bonus outfit as well as a demo, which will be released on...
News Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Comes To Apex Legends Early Next Year
A surprise crossover
In yet another surprise collaboration announcement at this year's Game Awards, Apex Legends has announced a crossover with Square Enix's action role-playing game Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It will be taking place next year in EA's battle royale shooter on 9th January 2024. Here's a first look: <related...
News Warframe's New Chapter Arrives On Switch Next Week With Cross Platform Save
Join forces across "all platforms"
The online game Warframe has announced its next major chapter "Whispers in the Walls" will be coming to the Nintendo Switch on 13th December. This includes cross-platform save and much more. Here's the full rundown along with a trailer (above): The next major chapter in Warframe’s sprawling cinematic story...
Thursday7th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All Returning Pokémon, Including DLC
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will add another 230
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the newest Pokémon games on the block, and the first new mainline entry in the series since Pokémon Sword and Shield came out in November 2019. Both Scarlet and Violet are out now, and players all over the world are discovering a brand new generation 9 Pokédex...
Gotta scout 'em all
While Pokémon has long been the undisputed king of the monster-catching RPG niche, there have always been other releases that have offered up their own distinct take on that unique brand of recruitment gameplay. Megami Tensei, for example, pioneered the concept with ‘Demon Negotiation’ in 1987 and Dragon Quest took a crack...
News Sonic Frontiers Latest Update Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Balance adjustments and more
Following the delivery of the "Final Horizon" update for Sonic Frontiers back in September, Sega has now released a brand new patch for the game, bumping it up to Version 1.41. It includes some balance adjustments for the game's "Easy Mode" and also makes changes to some of the controls for the new characters Amy,...
News New Sea Of Stars Update Sails Onto Switch "Very Soon", Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Spoilers ahoy!
It has been a good few months since Sea of Stars first dropped anchor on Switch and stole our hearts in the process (enough to score it a 9/10 in our review, no less), and now developer Sabotage has announced that a new update is on the horizon and will be floating onto Nintendo's hybrid "very soon". The catchily-named ver. 1.0.46981...
News Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo Has Been Cancelled
Splatoon and Mario Kart events postponed too
Nintendo has today announced that the first Nintendo Live event of 2024, which was set to take place in Tokyo, has been cancelled. Alongside this, several competitive events including the 'Splatoon Koshien 2023 National Finals,' the 'Splatoon 3 World Championship 2024' and the 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online...
News Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Celebrating 5th Anniversary With New Spirits
And a new event starting this week
Alongside the announcement Sora is joining the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo line in February next year, Nintendo has revealed its plans for the game's 5th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, it will be offering brand new spirits in January 2024. According to the translation, these spirits will be joined...
Talking Point What's Next For The Super Smash Bros. Series?
Smashing expectations
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is celebrating its 5th anniversary today, 7th December 2023, and we're publishing a handful of pieces to celebrate. Here, we'll be discussing the future of the Smash series — what's next? Is there even a next? And where do we think Sakurai will be involved? It's hard to believe that Super Smash...
News Grab Darkrai And Shiny Lucario In Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Distribution Event
Ooh, pretty
The Pokémon Company has announced that special distribution events have begun for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, allowing players to download Darkrai and a shiny Lucario. Not only that, but those who grab shiny Lucario will also bag a Master Ball - not bad! The Darkrai event will coincide with the Dialga/Palkia Tera Raid event and will...
News Dialga And Palkia Star In Pokémon Scarlet And Violet 5-Star Tera Raid Event
Bag 'em and tag 'em
The Pokémon Company has announced that a special 5-Star Tera Raid event for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will begin on December 8th, 2023, and will focus on Dialga and Palkia of Diamond and Pearl fame. The event will last until December 21st, 2023 with Dialga exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet and Palkia exclusive to Pokémon Violet...
Feature The Best Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Trailers, Ranked By You
Who is the winner?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is celebrating its 5th anniversary today, 7th December 2023, and we're publishing a handful of pieces to celebrate this gargantuan fighter's birthday. First up, we asked you to vote for your favourite Smash Ultimate character reveal trailers... Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a phenomenal game; of that,...
Nintendo Download 7th December (North America)
Outer Wilds! TEVI! Turok 3!
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: Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition (Annapurna...
Japanese Charts Dragon Quest Makes Its Monster Debut On Switch
Over 300K sold
Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has landed in Japan with a bang, shifting a total of 346,583 copies since its launch on December 1st, 2023. Its impressive performance shifts everything else down the charts, with Momotaro Dentetsu World settling for silver with 64,946 copies sold and Super Mario Bros. Wonder...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk Final Trailer Reveals Return Of Old Legendaries
The DLC is out next week
The Pokémon Company has shared the final trailer for The Indigo Disk, part 2 of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's Expansion Pass, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, which is out on 14th December. The trailer is jam-packed full of new details, such as returning Gym Leader fights, a new look for a certain character from The...
Random Explore Hyrule In First-Person With This Zelda: TOTK Glitch
I see you, Gleeok
Much like its immediate predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is seemingly crammed full of glitches; if you know how to trigger them, that is. The latest lets you view the world via a first-person perspective at any given moment. As discovered by Gaming Reinvented, the glitch is admittedly a bit of a faff to pull...
News Kingdom Come: Deliverance Switch Port Is Still Alive, Coming Early 2024
A release window, finally!
It's been a long time since we've heard anything about the Kingdom Come: Deliverance port on Nintendo Switch. But today, in a surprise announcement, publisher Plaion has shared an update with us: the port of the 2018 title will be coming to the Switch in early 2024. At last! The Switch port is being worked on by Saber...
News Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sora amiibo Locks In February 2024 Release Date
The Kingdom Hearts rep is on the way
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may have wrapped up its development a long time ago, but Nintendo is still busy releasing amiibo figures for the DLC fighters. Following a confirmation in September that the Kingdom Hearts representative Sora would be getting his very own figure in 2024, Nintendo has now narrowed down...
News Geoff Keighley Reminds Everyone To Get Their Votes In For The Game Awards
"It is going to be a great showcase"
We're so close to The Game Awards now and although the show's creator and host Geoff Keighley is an incredibly busy man, he's taken time out of his action-packed schedule to share one last update on how everything is going. In his latest video (shared via X), he can be seen standing on the actual set of this...
Wednesday6th Dec 2023
News Oh Dear, Contra: Operation Galuga's Physical Edition Is A Download Code In A Box
Update: Limited Run will publish on cartridge in the US
Update [Wed 6th Dec, 09:15 GMT]: It's been announced that Limited Run Games will be publishing a physical edition of Contra: Operation Galuga in North America. The good news for collectors is that WayForward has confirmed to us that this version will indeed contain the full game on a...
Round Up Every Switch Announcement At Day Of The Devs - The Game Awards 2023 Edition
A handful of indies to look forward to in 2024
Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards kick off on 7th/8th December but the celebrations have got underway early this year. Today, the Day of the Devs Digital Showcase popped up to reveal a handful of indie goodies that will be coming our way soon enough and a few of them are even coming to Switch! Yes,...
News Bandai Namco Expands Its Reach With Three New Retail Stores In The UK
With more planned in the new year
Bandai Namco Amusement Europe has announced that it is opening three new stores in the UK over the next two weeks. The first will open on December 7th, 2023 in Ealing, followed by Brighton's North Street on December 12th, 2023, and finally Meadowhall Sheffield on December 15th, 2023. The stores will feature...
News Ed Boon Confirms Mortal Kombat Story DLC And Teases "Big Surprise"
More kontent is on the way
If you're wondering what's planned for Mortal Kombat 1 beyond the Kombat Pack, it seems there's another Aftermath-style story expansion in the works. Series co-creator Ed Boon confirmed this last week at CCXP23 in Brazil. While he didn't go into any specific detail, he did mention how there would also be a "big surprise"...
Talking Point What Are The Worst Parts Of Your Favourite Games?
Ugly ducklings
When we talk about some of our favourite games of all time, it's natural to focus solely on the positives. After all, we love them for a reason, right? Yet no game is perfect. If there's one thing we can agree on, it's probably that. Even the very best of the best are likely to have something that doesn't look or feel quite right,...
News Minecraft's Latest Update Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
New features & much more
Minecraft's latest and perhaps final update of 2023 has arrived and it bumps the bedrock edition of the game up to Version 1.20.50. This update includes new features, experimental features, fixes and changes, and much more. Here's the full rundown, courtesy of the official Minecraft feedback page: "The latest Minecraft...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Power-Up Bands Revealed
Part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion
Yesterday, Universal Studios announced the Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country expansion would be opening in Spring 2024. As part of this, it's also revealed two brand new Power-Up Bands, featuring amiibo functionality. There's one for Donkey Kong and the other is based on Diddy Kong. These special...
DLC deets
The Pokémon Company has announced that it will be sharing more information on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's upcoming DLC chapter, The Indigo Disk, on 7th December at 14:00 GMT / 09:00 EST / 06:00 PST (that's tomorrow)! As for what exactly the presentation will contain, we're not quite sure just yet. With a little over a week to go before...
Round Up Wholesome Snack Indie Game Showcase 2023 - Every Switch Announcement & Trailer
All seven Nintendo Switch games featured
Wholesome Games brings its bite-sized indie game showcase to The Game Awards 2023 with Wholesome Snack. The 30-minute presentation returns from last year and brings us a plethora of cute, cuddly, and cosy titles coming to multiple platforms. A handful of these games are coming to Switch, so we wanted to...
News Eastward's Farm Sim DLC Will Sprout Onto Switch January 2024
"Welcome to a parallel world of Eastward: population... growing!?"
Pixpil's gorgeous adventure game Eastward is getting farming DLC, and it's out on 31st January 2024 on Nintendo Switch. The date was revealed during the Wholesome Snack presentation, which followed Day of the Devs Game Awards showcase. Eastward: Octopia was announced earlier this...
News Fitness Boxing Fist Of The North Star Expansion Pack DLC Out Now
Update: Check out the wild launch trailer
Update [Wed 6th Dec, 2023 00:45 GMT]: It's December and that means the new DLC for Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star is now officially available. As part of this launch, Nintendo has shared an official trailer on its YouTube channel. Here's the description along with the trailer (above): "Get ready to...
News Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story Is The Next Entry In Digital Eclipse's Gold Master Series
42 playable games included
Digital Eclipse has announced Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, the second entry in its interactive 'Gold Master Series' documentaries. Arriving in 2024, the compilation will contain 42 games across 8 different platforms developed by Llamasoft and Jeff Minter. Classics such as Sheep In Space, Andes Attack, Matrix,...
News Square Enix Asks Dragon Quest Fans To Refrain From Posting 'Dark Prince' End Game Spoilers
But you can "after 31st January 2024"
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince was finally released on the Nintendo Switch last week. And if you are one of the many people playing it, just so you know, Square Enix has now issued a brief message on social media asking fans not to spoil the experience for other players. It's hoping players can refrain...
News 'Armello' Developer League Of Geeks Lays Off Over Half Its Staff
"We are so very sorry"
League of Geeks, the developer behind the acclaimed Switch game Armello, has announced that over 50% of its staff have been made redundant. In total, 31 people have been laid off following "unprecedented withdrawal of funding opportunities" within the industry, along with rising operation costs and poor Early Access sales. As...
News Vampire Survivors' Upcoming DLC Features An Out Of This World Among Us Collaboration
"bullet hell... in space!"
Revealed as a "one more thing" announcement at today's Day of the Devs digital showcase, Poncle announced that Vampire Survivors will be landing an all-new DLC package, featuring a collaboration with... wait for it... Among Us. We don't know all that much about what the DLC will have in store at the time of writing apart...
Tuesday5th Dec 2023
News Nintendo Switch System Update 17.0.1 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Could this be the final update of 2023?
We've finally made it to December and to mark the last month of 2023, Nintendo has rolled out a new firmware update for the Switch. According to Nintendo's official support page, Version 17.0.1 resolves an issue with local communication for "some software" and includes general system stability improvements to...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Opening Spring 2024
Check out the announcement video
Remember when Nintendo confirmed Super Nintendo World in Japan would be getting a Donkey Kong-themed expansion? In the latest development, it's now been announced 'Donkey Kong Country' will be opening at Universal Studios in Spring 2024. As highlighted by Universal Parks News Today, this announcement was made during...
Review A Highland Song (Switch) - A Beautiful Climb That Doesn't Quite Reach Inkle's Peak
Take the high road AND the low road
Scotland. The final frontier. At least, as far as games go. Despite many games being made in and about the glorious north, very few actually represent its natural wonder without also featuring an embarrassing stereotype of haggis-eating, ginger-bearded, tartan-clad men, and/or clobbering the English (although we...
Hands On Atari 50 Gets Even Better With Adventure II, Warbirds, And More
Home-brewing a winner
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration was already a remarkably comprehensive package when it launched back in 2022, boasting over 100 games from Atari's history from its humble arcade beginnings to the ill-fated Jaguar console. Seemingly not content to leave it as it is, however, developer Digital Eclipse has launched the...
Video Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Batman: Arkham Trilogy
How does the Caped Crusader fare on Switch?
After a Direct announcement earlier this year, Batman: Arkham Trilogy is finally available on Switch. We are still hard at work on our review of the collection (keep your eyes peeled for that one), but in the meantime, the experts over at Digital Foundry have shared their technical analysis of the game for...
News Zelda Movie Director Wants Film To Feel Like "Live-Action Miyazaki"
Cites Spirited Away as a favourite
The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is still a long way off, but the film's director — The Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball — has finally shared his hopes and thoughts on the film. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly (via Stealth on Twitter), Ball says that he...
News Mortal Kombat 1's Second DLC Fighter Joins The Roster Next Week, Here's A First Look
John Cena's Peacemaker also teased!
Just months after the launch of Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm Studios is well underway with the delivery of its Kombat Pack. Following the launch of Omni-Man recently, the next fighter joining the roster is the Mortal Kombat representative Quan-Chi. He'll be made available in "early access" starting next week on...
News "Street Fighter With Pillows"? This Family-Friendly Fighter Swings Onto Switch Next Year
Pillow the belt
The Switch isn't short of fighting games; if you want to duke it out as adorable animals, heroes in a half shell or beloved Nintendo characters, the console has got you covered. But what if you wanted something a little softer? Something that has all the hallmarks of your favourite fighting games, but without the intense violence...
News Suika Game Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online Users (Europe)
Lining up later this week
Nintendo has announced its next free game trial for NSO subscribers in Europe, confirming that Suika Game will be lining up for some payment-less playtime from 7th-11th December. Of the many, many games that have made a big splash in 2023, Suika Game is right up there. Complexity takes a back seat in this fruit-based...
UK Charts EA Sports FC 24 Dominates As Mario Wonder Climbs The Ladder
But Super Mario RPG slips even further
This week in the UK, EA Sports FC 24 manages to maintain its lead in the competition thanks to some rather tasty deals over the Black Friday period. Hogwarts Legacy also benefitted from some discounts to secure its position at number two. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, meanwhile, has done well against tough...
News 3DS Japan-Exclusive 'Touch Detective 3' Gets Official English Localisation In 2024
Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case is coming to Switch
The Touch Detective series is making its grand return to the West thanks to publisher Nicalis. Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case Files is coming to Nintendo Switch physically and digitally on 28th March, 2024. (Thanks, Gematsu!) Physical editions have only been announced for No
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Is Yahoo! Japan's "Most Searched" Video Game Of 2023
Pokémon games were in second and third place
It's now the time of year when websites round up their overall stats for 2023, and the latest one to share something is Yahoo! Japan. In case you didn't realise, it's still going, and in Japan, it's got quite the following. The search engine has rounded up its "most searched" game of 2023 in Japan and...
Monday4th Dec 2023
News Disney Dreamlight Valley Welcomes Jack Skellington In New Free Update, Here Are The Patch Notes
The Pumpkin King Returns 5th December
Update [Tue 5th Dec, 2023 24:30 GMT]: The update is now live, but as per usual, Gameloft has advised that it may take up to two hours for the update to be available. That means that A Rift in Time is now live (for those who have purchased it), The Pumpkin King Returns is available, and Disney Dreamlight Valley...
News Vampire Survivors Gets New Story Mode In Upcoming 'Adventures' Update
Coming to Switch "soon"
Just when we thought that we had freed ourselves from the unrelenting pull of Vampire Survivors, developer Poncle makes an announcement that has us ready to grab our Garlic and dive into the bullet-hell roguelike all over again. That announcement is that a new 'Adventures' update is on the way. That's right, we're getting a...
Poll What Is Your Favourite Character Reveal Trailer For Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Get hyped
Believe it or not, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is going to be five years old this week - on Thursday 7th December, to be exact! Since its launch, which was already packed to the rafters with content, the game has been updated with free content and paid DLC via the Fighter Pass Volumes 1 and 2, which added a boatload of brand-new characters...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Makes The Final 5 Of "Players' Voice" At The Game Awards
But it's got stiff competition
We all know that The Game Awards 2023 is coming on 7th December and that the hotly-contested Game of the Year crown has two Nintendo reps in the top six. But one of those representatives is also duking it out for the Players' Voice award. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has made it to the final round of the...
News Contra: Operation Galuga Trailer Showcases Guns, Aliens, And Probotector
Lock 'n' load
Konami has released a new trailer for Contra: Operation Galuga, showcasing direct gameplay footage from the upcoming Switch game from developer WayForward. It's pretty standard stuff for the most part and mainly focuses on the introduction of the playable cast of characters. You've got the iconic duo Bill Rizer and Lance Bean,...
Soapbox 20 Years Later, Why Do We Still Not Have A New Sonic Battle?
Bare Knuckles
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, on the 20th anniversary of Sonic's last fighting game, Paul looks back and wonders why Sonic hasn't in two decades... In the early- to mid-2000s, Nintendo handhelds were home to many...
News Geoff Keighley Reveals "Hype Trailer" For The Game Awards 2023
A mash-up of the year's best
The Game Awards 2023 are right around the corner and, just like clockwork, host and Mr Games himself, Geoff Keighley, has revealed this year's "hype trailer" to get us all, well, hyped. As is usually the case, Keighley takes to the editor's seat to showcase some of the year's best games (according to TGA, that is), over...
News Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- Sweep The Board! Rolls The Dice April 2024
Tanjiro Party
SEGA has announced a Western release date for the next Demon Slayer game, which is a take on the Mario Party formula. Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! launches on Nintendo Switch on 26th April, 2024, one day after the game lands in Japan. We've also got a brand new trailer to commemorate the release, as well as the...
News Peaceful Puzzler 'Botany Manor' Opens Its Doors In Spring 2024 On Switch
Just rosy
Balloon Studios is finally opening the doors to Botany Manor on Switch next year. Revealed back in 2022, publisher Whitehorn Games has given us a release window for when we can visit retired botanist Arabella Green's home — Spring 2024. Botany Manor is a relaxing puzzle-exploration game where you'll get to explore an old, dusty manor in...
Sunday3rd Dec 2023
Round Up The First Impressions Of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Are In
What do you think of it so far?
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is now available on the Switch and various player impressions are already doing the rounds online. It's already received a score of 36/40 from Famitsu, matching the scores of games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but what do the fans think of it so far? Well, on Metacritic, the...
Guide The Game Awards 2023: Where And When To Watch The Game Awards
Showdown of the decade?
It's that time of year again, folks. No, not Christmas, though for many it may well be just as exciting. It's time for The Game Awards 2023! We're expecting a genuinely thrilling event in December following what may well have been one of the strongest years in gaming ever, with the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the...
News Jet Force Gemini's Widescreen Mode Reportedly "Broken" On Switch
"Widescreen mode doesn't scale correctly"
Jet Force Gemini made its debut on the new Japanese Switch Online service 18+ app earlier this week, and the widescreen mode is reportedly "broken". Nintendo World Report explains how the original N64 release supported a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio,
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (November 2023)
Our picks for the best eShop games in November!
2023 is almost over, and it's time to start talking about "that" season. Although lots of us have already been doing that... More importantly, it's eShop Selects time here at Nintendo Life, and before the Holidays approach, we want to give you some ideas on some of the hidden gems that arrived on the...
News Mortal Kombat 1's DLC Fighter Homelander Won't Be Voiced By 'The Boys' Actor
Update: It's really not happening according to Starr
Update [Sun 3rd Dec, 2023 02:00 GMT]: The Boys actor Antony Starr has restated he won't be voicing Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1. In another exchange with a fan on social media, he simply said "that ship flew hombre", suggesting it wouldn't be happening (thanks, EventHubs). Of course, actors...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Batman: Vengeance (GBA)
The match-up Gotham deserves
It's time to dive into another edition of Box Art Brawl — welcome back, everybody! Before we dive into this week's caped covers, let's first take a look at what happened last time. We went waaay back to compare the box art for Donkey Kong on the NES, and boy, was it a close one. The North American cover just secured...
News Fortnite Teases LEGO, Rocket Racing And Festival Games, Launching Next Week
Build, race and perform
Ahead of The Game Awards next week, we've got some more announcements, this time for the popular battle royale Fortnite. Epic has announced it's teaming up with LEGO for LEGO Fortnite (launching 7th December). In addition to this Rocket League developer Psyonix is releasing Rocket Racing in the game (8th December) and last...
Saturday2nd Dec 2023
News Stardew Valley Creator Shares Another Update About Version 1.6
And teases one of the many new additions
Stardew Valley creator 'ConcernedApe' has provided another update about the highly anticipated update for the farming and lifestyle sim. While there's no specific release date for Version 1.6 just yet, according to his latest post on social media, he's made a "ton of progress". He goes into a bit more...
News Xbox Acknowledges Fan Requests For New Banjo-Kazooie Game
Phil Spencer: "Banjo fans, I hear you"
Rare's famous bear and bird duo Banjo-Kazooie made a return via Nintendo's Switch Online service last year, and ever since then, fans have been calling for a proper comeback. There have even been some rumours doing the rounds about a possible revival, so what are the chances of something like this ever...
News Phil Spencer: There Are "No Plans" To Bring Xbox Game Pass To Nintendo Platforms
Microsoft's Gaming CEO provides an update
Earlier this week, Xbox's CFO Tim Stuart claimed there was a "mission" to bring Game Pass to "every screen" it possibly could including Nintendo devices. Now, during an interview with Windows Central, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has provided an update, mentioning how there are actually "no plans to...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 2nd)
I am the night!
Well, it's the weekend once again. Crikey, we just keep getting them, don't we? It's time to kick back with some games, but before we dive into what we're playing this weekend, let's recap some of the week's biggest stories. First up, the delightful F-Zero 99 has added a 'Classic Race' function to the game, which no doubt will have...
Friday1st Dec 2023
Guide 129 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Cyber Deals Sale (North America)
Every Switch game on sale that we scored 9/10
Just a reminder that the Switch eShop Cyber Deals sale ends this weekend, so make sure you've bagged anything off your wishlist that you wanted to pick up before 11:59pm PT on Sunday night! As you can see, there are a fair number of great games going cheap... It's time for this year's Black Friday...
Guide 74 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Black Friday Sale (Europe)
Every Switch game on sale that we gave 9/10
Just a reminder that the Switch eShop Black Friday sale ends on Sunday, so make sure you've bagged anything off your wishlist that you wanted to pick up before it's too late! There's certainly plenty to choose from... It's time for this year's Black Friday sales, and Nintendo's European Switch eShops are
News The First Review For Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Is In
It's received the same score as Mario Wonder
It's the end of the week and that means more new game releases for the Switch! Today we've got Square Enix's newest Dragon Quest spin-off, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. The first review by Japanese publication Famitsu has now rolled in and the game's got near-perfect marks. This outlet has a...
News We’ve Played Batman: Arkham Knight On Switch - Here’s 17 Minutes Of Gameplay
Mr Freeze (frame)
Ever since it was first revealed back in the June 2023 Direct, we have been waiting with bated breath to find out just how Batman Arkham Trilogy would run on Switch. It's the port that we all need, but would it be the one that we deserve? Well, today's the day. The trilogy is now available on the Nintendo hybrid console and while...
Soapbox Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link Taught Me The Value Of Perseverance
And save states
Originally published back in February 2021 as part of our Legend of Zelda 35th anniversary celebration series, we're republishing this feature in honour of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link's 35th birthday (in North America — in Japan it launched in January 1987 on Famicom Disk System). Here, Gavin looks back at the first sequel in...
Random Waluigi Designer Shares Scrapped Character Art Of "Walpeach"
The concept vetoed by Miyamoto
Right back at the start of this year, we discovered that after inventing Waluigi, the team behind Mario Tennis, Camelot Software Planning, was planning another 'Wa' variant of Princess Peach. It was a shudder-inducing thought, we'll admit, and one that was rejected by Shigeru Miyamoto before even looking at the...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Is Now Being Playtested, Says Series Creator
Could a 2024 announcement be on the cards?
When we last heard word about the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, series creator Yuji Horii said that the development was "progressing quite steadily". It was hardly the info dump that many of us were after, but hey, at least it was something (let's not forget that
Guide Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For December 2023 And January 2024
Dragon Quest! Batman! Pokémon DLC!
We've finally made it to the end of another year, and whilst December and January are always quieter than your average month for new releases, there are a fair few titles launching soon that are sure to pique your interest. We've been busy rounding up our usual selection of games headed to retail in the coming...
Video Batman Arkham Trilogy Side-By-Side Graphics Comparison
See how the Switch version holds up
Update: We've now played the game ourselves and are working on our review, but in the meantime we have 17 minutes of Arkham Knight Switch gameplay for you to peruse, should that interest you. Spoilers: It's a little choppy, especially in the Batmobile sections. Keep an eye out for our full verdict on the trilogy...
News Nintendo Reminds Fans Zelda Is Up For Nomination At This Year's Game Awards
There's still time to vote for GOTY
Just weeks ago, The Game Awards announced its Game of the Year nominees, and a few Switch titles including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are featured. If you haven't already shown your support for this game (or Super Mario Bros. Wonder), here's your chance, with Nintendo issuing a subtle reminder (and...
News Switch Online's 'Missions & Rewards' Adds Super Mario RPG Icons
The final wave is now live
Update #2 [Fri 1st Dec, 2023 05:46 GMT]: Today marks the release of the final wave of Switch Online icons for Super Mario RPG. You'll have until 7th December to redeem this latest batch. Here's what's on offer: Update [Fri 24th Nov, 2023 02:00 GMT]: Wave 2 of the Super Mario RPG icons have now gone live, these ones...
News Switch Online Expands The N64 Library With Another Game (Japan)
Rare's Jet Force Gemini is back
Nintendo has now added the N64 classic Jet Force Gemini to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. The catch is, it appears to only be available in Japan right now. If there's an update, we'll let you know, but right now it's locked in for a "December" release here in the west. Jet Force Gemini is a third-person...
Random Sakurai Wanted The GameCube Controller To Include A Scroll Wheel
"I want to choose fast!"
Masahiro Sakurai has revealed that during the development of the Nintendo GameCube, he had suggested that a scroll wheel be implemented into the design of the controller. In his latest YouTube video, Sakurai explains the reasoning behind the suggestion, stating that a scroll wheel might have several useful functions for...
Anniversary Zelda II And Castlevania II Both Turn 35 This Month
True underdogs
Gosh, they grow up so fast, don't they? Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Castlevania II: Simon's Quest are both celebrating their 35th anniversaries this month. The former is the direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda and was released in North America on December 1st, 1988. It received positive reception upon launch, but more...
News Tactical RPG 'Demonschool' Has Been Delayed Beyond 2023
"It needed a little more time in the oven"
Developer Necrosoft Games has announced that its tactical RPG Demonschool has been delayed into Q2 2024, with the studio aiming to make the game "as good as we possibly can". To soften the blow somewhat, a new trailer has been released that features commentary from creative director Brandon Sheffield, who...
News Charming SRPG Wargroove 2 Lands New Update On Switch, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Adds multiplayer ranking and more
2023 has been quite the year to be a tactics fan with the likes of Fire Emblem Engage, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Persona 5 Tactica all landing on Switch. One of the year's very best in this genre though (if you ask us, that is), is Wargroove 2, a gorgeous sequel that we described as a "must-play" in our...
Exclusive Board Game-Inspired Crime Thriller 'Rough Justice: '84' Fires Onto Switch This Month
Mistletoe and crime
After a launch on PC earlier this year, developer Gamma Minus and publisher Daedalic Entertainment have today announced that the neon-noir crime thriller Rough Justice: '84 will be shooting its way onto Switch this month. 20th December, to be precise. This is a game that's difficult to pin down. On the surface, this is all about...
