Guide Best Retro Throwback Nintendo Switch Games - Modern Games With Old-School Style
Scratch that nostalgia itch with these Switch neo-classics
Guide Kirby And The Forgotten Land Walkthrough + Star-Crossed World Guide
Updated with Star-Crossed World on Switch 2
Guide Best Pixel Art Nintendo Switch Games
Our pick of impeccable pixels
Guide Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2
Your old Switch cards won't work, it's time for an upgrade
News - August, 2025
Sunday31st Aug 2025
Video 13 Exciting New Games Coming To Switch 1 & 2 In September 2025
Silksong, Final Fantasy, Sonic and much more
It's almost September and it's set to be one of the biggest months of the year, with Team Cherry's anticipated release Hollow Knight: Silksong finally releasing across multiple platforms including the Switch and Switch 2. Apart from this, games like Star Wars Outlaws and Daemon X Machina are on the way,...
Opinion HD-2D Might Be Old News, But Octopath 0's City Building Has Me Buzzing
Pixel by pixel
Given that I love RPGs, I’m sure it’s no surprise that I’m very excited for Octopath Traveler 0. What might shock you, however, is that it’s not the return to Osterra, or the excellent turn-based combat, or even the prospect of another new HD-2D game that has me jazzed, nope (I still love all of these things, though, be...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (August 2025)
Our top eShop games on Switch and Switch 2 in August!
We're dreaming of crisp leaves, hot chocolate, and video games by the fire right now. Autumn approaches, but we have one more summer month to look back on in this edition of eShop Selects! August has been a bountiful one, with an Indie World dropping some surprise hits and announcements. So...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Harvest Moon (SNES)
Legen-dairy
Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we looked at Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol, in celebration of the launch of the original game on NSO for Switch 2. And let's be honest, we all knew which would win this one. Yes, with 77% of the vote, the far superior US variant won in a landslide. Good job. This...
News Borderlands 4 Post-Launch Roadmap Outlines The "First Few Months"
Free updates and paid DLC detailed
Gearbox has shared a roadmap of what's coming to Borderlands 4 in the "first few months" of its life. This includes free and paid DLC content. After the launch, there's going to be some free content featuring new weapons, cosmetics and more, and then there'll be the first paid Bounty Pack. This follows with...
Saturday30th Aug 2025
Mini Review The Exit 8 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Unnerving Horror Loop Is Worth The Budget Price
Loop de loop
To celebrate the newly released movie adaptation of The Exit 8, the Switch version has received a minor, yet welcome upgrade for the Switch 2. If you're unaware of the premise, The Exit 8 takes place in a looping corridor within a Japanese metro station. Your job is to escape, but to do so, you’ll need to keep an eye on your...
News Sonic "Love Letter" Rollin' Rascal Announced For Switch 2
Keep on rollin'
Last February, you might recall how our retro-focused sibling site Time Extension highlighted a new high-speed game called Rollin' Rascal. At the time, this Kickstarter proj
News Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Has Officially Gone Gold, Out This October
"Just two months to go"
Square Enix locked in an October release date for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake earlier this year, and if you've been wanting an update about how it's progressing, it's now gone gold! To mark this milestone, the official Dragon Quest social media account shared a photo of remake producer Masaaki Hayasaka alongside...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (30th August)
Or have you Forgotten?
The weekend has crept up on us once again, so it's time to kick back with a game or two. Before we get to our plans, however, let's look back on all the Nintendo news that happened this week. Honestly, it was a rather quiet one. Nintendo launched a series of stop-motion Mario shorts and the kid-focused Hello, Mario! app in...
Talking Point Would Drag x Drive Be Better With Miis Or Non-Mouse Control Options?
Drab x Drive
August is nearly over, and we've had two first-party releases this month: Kirby and the Long Title Nintendo Employees Are Obliged to Say in its Entirety and Drag x Drive. The Kirby revamp just came out (and it's very good) while Drag and Drive (
Friday29th Aug 2025
High On Life's upgrade now available in the Americas
There are many Nintendo fans around the globe currently making the move from the Switch to the Switch 2, and this process has been made slightly easier – with select games offering completely free upgrades. The latest title to offer this is the mature-rated first-person shooter High On Life...
Saturday30th Aug 2025
Reminder Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Open Network Test' For Switch Is Now Live
Try it out this weekend
Apart from the news Sonic is doing a collab with Pac-Man, Sega has also announced it's running an 'Open Network Test' for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. This test will take place later this month on 29th August 2025 and runs until 1st September 2025. This time, it invites Switch users as well as players on PlayStation 5, Xbox...
Friday29th Aug 2025
Rumour Sony Is Gunning For The Switch 2 With A Handheld, Dockable PS6
Game on
Despite Sony's PS5 being on the market for nearly five years at this point, it still somehow feels way too soon to be talking about the inevitable PS6 – who even wants or needs one yet? Alas, here we are. The latest rumour from YouTube channel Moore's Law is Dead (thanks, Push Square) is particularly significant, because it seems to hint...
News Yooka-Replaylee Gets A Launch Date On Switch 2, Full Physical Release Confirmed
Get readee
After months of being drip-fed tiny nuggets of information regarding Yooka-Replaylee, Playtonic Games has finally announced that the game will launch on Switch 2 on 9th October 2025. In addition, while a previous listing heavily hinted at the game receiving a proper physical release (i.e. no Game-Key Card), this has now been officially...
News Surprise! PS1 Cult Classic 'Fear Effect' Just Shadow-Dropped On Switch
Nothing to fear here!
Almost out of the blue, Limited Run Games' Fear Effect port has arrived on the Switch eShop... right now! Yep, you can go and download the PS1 classic from the eShop for just $9.99 / £8.99 (thanks Gematsu). The release comes with almost no fanfare, as neither Limited Run Games nor developer Implicit Conversions (who is...
Review SHUTEN ORDER (Switch) - An Audacious Swing That Doesn't Quite Connect
Aw, shoot
Leave it up to Kazutaka Kodaka to come up with one of the weirdest stories in gaming, huh? Following on from the outrageously ambitious The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy, the creator has now joined forces with developer Neilo on the new visual novel Shuten Order. I say ‘visual novel’, and that’s absolutely the overarching...
News Monster Hunter Wilds Brings The Hunt To Street Fighter 6 In New "Limited-Time" Collab Event
"The guild authorizes a special collaboration"
Recently, it was Street Fighter 6 content appearing in Monster Hunter Wilds, and now Capcom is flipping this crossover around. The developer will be bringing the hunt to its latest Street Fighter entry, dressing the fighters up with new EX colours, "new gears" and more. This limited-time event will be...
"I return to a childlike state to destroy and release my stress!"
Gust Corporation's Atelier series has been on the go now since 1997. Yes, that 1997, the one that was ages ago. Traditionally, this is one RPG franchise that's never been a massive mover in the West. It didn't officially see the light of day over here until 2004, after which, I think...
News CD Projekt Reveals 75% Of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Sales Were Physical In Opening Month
The third-party title got a full cartridge release
The Switch 2 generation has got off to a solid start, but not everything has been rosy – with Game-Key Cards becoming a huge talking point within the community. Many third-party developers are currently shipping their games on these cards, but have also come under fire for not offering proper...
ICYMI Nintendo Reminds Us Switch Game Vouchers Won't Be Sold After January 2026
But it will still add games to the voucher catalogue
It's been incredibly busy in the land of Nintendo recently with the arrival of the Switch 2, and in case you missed the initial announcement in July, Nintendo announced it would be discontinuing Switch Online Game Vouchers. It has now issued another notice about this via its custome
News SEGA Shares A Detailed Look At Yakuza Kiwami & Kiwami 2 In New Switch 2 Gameplay Footage
A frame rate brawl
SEGA popped up in the July Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase to reveal that Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 would be brawling their way onto Switch 2 on 13th November. Of course, the former is already available on Switch 1, but this new release promised improved graphics and frame rates, alongside some bonus language options.
Review Genki Force Field 2 And Energy Pack - The Ultimate Switch 2 'On The Road' Combo?
Protection and power
Now that the Switch 2 has been in our hands for a while, I'm sure we've all come to realise two universal truths about Nintendo's hybrid system: A) it needs protection, and B), the battery life could be a lot better. Thankfully, accessory maker Genki has you covered on both counts with two of its next Switch 2-focused products:...
News My Nintendo Store Restocks Exclusive Kirby Reward (North America)
Go shopping with Kirby
Nintendo has been celebrating Kirby in all sorts of ways recently, and apart from the return of Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the Switch 2 this week, it's also been restocking its online shops with some goodies. The item above, which first appeared in 2022, might not be the most exciting, but hey – we're sure some fans...
News System Shock 2 Has Been Updated On Switch, Here Are The Patch Notes
Fix this, insect
Following the rollout of a new patch on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC last week, the same has now been applied to System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster on the Nintendo Switch. Patch 1.2 offers up a healthy batch of fixes and improvements, including gameplay tweaks, visual updates, and quality-of-life additions such as a separate...
Video Bandai Namco Shows Off Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO's Switch 2 Motion Controls
"Discover the unique ways to play"
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is one of the many third-party releases coming to the Switch 2 (and Switch) later this year, and it's absolutely packed with all sorts of content, as well as some exclusive features for Nintendo's platforms. Bandai Namco has now highlighted this in a new gameplay trailer - showing off...
Thursday28th Aug 2025
Guide Kirby And The Forgotten Land Walkthrough + Star-Crossed World Guide
Updated with Star-Crossed World on Switch 2
Hello and welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land full walkthrough guide - including the Star-Crossed World content in the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition! Here we'll be taking you by the squishy pink hand and helping you through each and every level of each and every world in HAL Laboratory's...
Poll When The Heck Is Metroid Prime 4 Actually Launching?
Bounty hunting for a date
Over the last week or so, we here at Nintendo Life have been having a few spirited debates about when Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might actually launch. By all accounts, it's still scheduled for 2025, but time's ticking by quickly, and we're still very much in the dark. Frankly, after literal years of waiting, it feels good to...
News Natsume's Next Harvest Moon Game Arrives On Switch This October
Home Sweet Home
Harvest Moon is returning to the Switch next month with two 3DS games, but it looks like there could be even more on the way. According to a new rating that's popped up in Taiwan, the mobile game Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home is making its way across to the Switch and PlayStation 5. As mentioned by Gematsu, this game originally made...
Every Starry to find in Originull Wasteland
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's move...
Video We Bought 100 Copies Of Mario Paint... For Science
Art Attack
Last month, Nintendo brought Mario Paint to the SNES Nintendo Switch Online Library, finally unlocking the Mouse Mode experience we had all been dreaming of. It was a neat addition, no doubt, but there was something missing in diving back in on our shiny new Switch 2s, something that could only be achieved by playing a second-hand copy of...
News Fitness Boxing 2 To Be Removed From The eShop This November
Punched-out
Nintendo has announced that Fitness Boxing 2 will be taken down from the eShop later this year. On 23rd November 2025 at 23:59 (local time), it will no longer be possible to buy the Nintendo-published game from the
News Square Enix Confirms Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Runs At A "Stable" 30fps On Switch 2
"Offering smooth performance and crisp visuals"
Following some reports about the performance and visual presentation of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2, Square Enix has now officially confirmed the title's frame rate. Switch 2 users can expect this upcoming release to run at a "stable 30 frames per second" while also offering...
Japanese Charts Switch And Switch 2 Hardware Are Both Crushing The Competition
You almost feel bad for them...
The latest boxed charts from Japan are now available thanks to Famitsu, and as expected, Nintendo's first-party line-up for Switch 2 is doing particularly well. Specifically, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza remain unchanged at the top, selling a further 30,202 and 8,424 copies respectively. We'd like to see...
Every Everbay Coast Switch 2 Starry
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's move on to...
Every Wondaria Remains Starry
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's move on to the...
News Pokémon Legends Z-A's Latest Mega Evolution Looks Particularly Snazzy
Glitter ball
Following on from last week's Mega Victreebel reveal, The Pokémon Company has revealed another powered-up 'mon, with Mega Hawlucha joining the fray in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The new Mega was introduced in a new combat-focused short on the official Pokémon YouTube channel titled 'FULL MATCH: Hawlucha vs. Machamp'. Rather fittingly, it...
Every Redgar Forbidden Lands Starry
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's move on to...
Everything to find in the Switch 2 version
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's kick...
Every Starry to find in Winter Horns
Welcome to Nintendo Life's Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World walkthrough guide! In these guides we'll take you through every world and show you where to find every last Starry, how to complete each mission fully, and how to find everything you need to 100% this new DLC expansion. Let's move on to...
News Ys Memoire: Revelations In Celceta Is Coming West In 2026
Ahhh, memories
XSEED Games has announced that it's bringing Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta to Switch in the West in early 2026. In case you missed this one, Revelations in Celceta enhanced port of the PlayStation Vita game (which later came to PC and PS4) Ys: Memories of Celceta. Can you see why they changed the name? Memoire: Memories is a bit...
Random Donkey Kong Bananza's Idle Animations Are Outrageously Cute
"Who's a good ape? You are."
Like many first-party Nintendo games, Donkey Kong Bananza is absolutely stuffed with fun little details and easter eggs. Some are pretty obvious, like the short challenge level that's basically a recreation of Donkey Kong Country, but others take a little more time and patience to notice. For example, you might be so...
News My Nintendo Store Celebrates Kirby Forgotten Land - Switch 2 Release With New Merch (Australia)
Plush, figures and more!
To celebrate the arrival of Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the Switch 2 this week. Nintendo has recently extended its Kirby line on the My Nintendo Store in Australia and New Zealand. It adds all sorts of new items and products. This includes a Kirby Tumbler, some Kirby Plush, multiple Kirby Plush Keyring, and last but not...
News Bloober Team Wants To "Open A New Chapter" For Horror Games On Nintendo Consoles
“I'm trying to make my personal dreams come true”
We were pleased to see Bloober Team pop up at last month's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase with the announcement that its upcoming sci-fi survival horror Cronos: The New Dawn will also be arriving on Switch 2 on 5th September. It's nice to see a Nintendo system treated to the same scares as the...
Nintendo Download 28th August (North America)
Kirby! Shinobi! Star Trek!
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: SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance (SEGA, 29th Aug,...
Guide Kirby & The Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World - All New Copy Abilities
A sign of things to come
Kirby & The Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World has got a total of three extra copy abilities for you to get stuck into enjoying across its 12 remixed Kirby levels. You can't miss collecting up any of these new abilities; they'll drop in due course as you make your way through the expansion's new content. So, let's take...
News Upcoming 'Mega Evolution' Pokémon TCG Set Won't Hit Its September Release Date In Europe
Card times
Mega Evolutions are coming to the Pokémon Trading Card Game. We have known this for a while, of course, but it looks like TCG fans in select regions will have to wait a little longer before they can get their hands on the upcoming creatively-titled 'Mega Evolution' set, as The Pokémon Company has announced a delay. In a statement on...
Where to find Kirby's 'DLC'
You've just been out to grab your copy of Kirby & The Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World (or sat on your couch all smug because you own it already). You're charged full of Big Pink Excitement™. Let's do this thing! But hold up. How exactly do you start the 'DLC' in this Nintendo Switch 2 Edition? Alright, listen...
Wednesday27th Aug 2025
Guide Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer
Every Sonic, SEGA, DLC and Season Pass racer
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds arrived on 25th September 2025, with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition coming in later in December. CrossWorlds includes not only characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series but also icons from other "SEGA Universes". Sega noted how this will be the "largest roster" of characters...
Once more, with gear-mouth feeling!
Recently, I was back reading over my original Kirby and the Forgotten Land review to get a quick reminder of how I found the base game when it released in 2022 (what is time?) and, yeah, it seems I fairly enjoyed that one, now that I've rebooted my brain a little bit. I jest, of course, I fully remember the...
Thursday28th Aug 2025
News Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Team Returns With A New Multiplayer Action RPG
Update: Here's every character reveal so far
[Sat 7th Jun, 2025 07:25 BST]: At the Summer Games Fest Showcase today GameMill and friends (aka the "creative forces" behind Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2) announced Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny. This is a brand new fantasy action RPG featuring "epic combat" and four-player co-op action starring...
Wednesday27th Aug 2025
News No Man's Sky 'Voyagers' Update Lets You Design And Build Your Own Spaceship
Part of the ship, part of the crew
Hello Games is introducing the first major No Man's Sky update since the game launched on Switch 2, and it looks like a cool one. The big new addition in the 'Voyagers' update is the chance to design and build your very own spaceship. These ships ('Corvettes') can be as big or as small as you'd like, with real...
ICYMI Nintendo Highlights 'Super NES - Nintendo Classics' Features Update
Have you tried out these features yet?
At the end of July, Nintendo released an update for the Switch Online Super Nintendo app adding Mario Paint. This update included mouse support (for Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers and USB mouse compatibility), as well as the ability to remap buttons. The same update also featured mouse support for the existing...
News Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition 'Upgrade Pack' Confirmed
Update: Demo now available
Falcom and GungHo have today confirmed the upcoming title Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter will be getting a Switch 2 Edition. This particular version will be a digital release and includes higher resolution and frame rate "for sharper" and "smoother graphics", along with reduced load times. This is part of a paid upgrade...
Thursday28th Aug 2025
Guide Where To Buy Kirby And The Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World For Nintendo Switch 2
Springing up the cheapest and best prices
Kirby has landed on Switch 2 with an enhanced rerelease of the critically-acclaimed Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World doesn't just improve the visuals and frame rate of this adorable adventure; it's also adding a brand new story in...
Wednesday27th Aug 2025
Video Kirby And The Forgotten Land Is A Dream On Switch 2 - Here's Our Side-By-Side Comparison
It's a mouthful
Kirby's big 3D adventure is getting the ol' Nintendo Switch 2 Edition treatment tomorrow as Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World arrives on the newer console. Our verdict is already in — and we think this is now, definitively, Kirby's very best outing — but besides the expanded content and new levels, this upgrade...
News Donkey Kong Bananza Is Selling Like Bananas On Switch 2 (US)
It's already made the top 20 for 2025
Circana has released data for game and hardware sales for July 2025 in the US, and despite a competitive month, Donkey Kong Bananza has made a bit of a splash. Shared by Mat Piscatella on Bluesky, DK's latest adventure was the third best-selling game of the month, beaten only by EA Sports College Football 26...
News Takashi Iizuka Explains Why Sonic Racing: CrossWorld's Guest Racers Stay Silent In-Game
DL-Seen and not DL-Heard
We are quickly closing in on 2025' next high-profile arcade racer, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and SEGA keeps adding more and more characters to its rapidly expanding roster. Those loaded up on the game's Season Pass and DLC will see the likes of Steve and Alex from Minecraft, SpongeBob SquarePants and Persona 5's Joker all...
News Atari Acquires IP Rights To Five Ubisoft Games, Including 2011's 'Child Of Eden'
All will be made available on "new platforms"
Atari and Ubisoft have announced that Atari has acquired the IP rights to five Ubisoft-published games with a view to make them available on new platforms. The games in question are Cold Fear, I Am Alive,
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Kirby And The Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World On Switch 2
Star-crossed lovers
Nintendo's latest Switch 2 Edition release is almost here. Ahead of the catchily-titled Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World *inhales* arriving on consoles tomorrow, the reviews are in... and they're looking pretty strong. As a reminder, this is the same base game as the 2022 3D...
News Switch 2 Sales In The US Are Outpacing The Original Console By 75%
2 million units strong
We knew that the Switch 2 had gotten off to a pretty strong start, but according to recent numbers from Circana's Mat Piscatella, Nintendo's new console is doing remarkably well in the US. In a post on Bluesky, Piscatella confirmed that Switch 2 sales have now surpassed 2 million in the US. Not only that, but the console is...
Opinion No One Told Me 'Chibi-Robo' Is Traumatising
Just your very presence makes everyone happy, happy... happy?
Editor's note. Spoilers for a 20-year-old game inbound... I’ve spent 20 years “awww-ing” over the delightful character of Chibi-Robo despite having never played any of his games. This cute little robot is just joy incarnate – tiny and helpful with gormless black eyes. Whether it...
News Nintendo Subsidiary 'Warpstar Inc.' Has Been Renamed To 'Nintendo Stars Inc.'
Will focus on expanding Nintendo movie adaptations into other mediums
Nintendo has announced that it is renaming its subsidiary company 'Warpstar Inc.' to 'Nintendo Stars Inc.' following its consolidation earlier this year. Warpstar Inc. – founded on 31st July 2001 – had previously been a joint venture between Nintendo and Hal Laboratory to...
Poll Ahead Of Silksong's Release, Are You 'Finally' Playing Hollow Knight?
It's a deep nest
In case you've been living in the deepest, darkest cave imaginable, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally launching next week, on 4th September 2025. Fans have been waiting years to get their hands on the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Hollow Knight, and suddenly, we have just over a week to go. Team Cherry has sold almost 15...
News Evil Exes Join The Fight In The Latest 'Scott Pilgrim EX' Trailer
"Sup? How's life? He seems nice."
Developer and publisher Tribute Games (Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) has released a new trailer for the upcoming Scott Pilgrim EX on Nintendo Switch, confirming the addition of two new playable characters. So who might these playable characters be? Surely they're good...
News Pokémon GO's Level Cap Is Getting Increased In A New Update
80 is the new 50
Niantic's popular augmented reality mobile game Pokémon GO will be getting an update in October, raising the level cap from 50 to 80. This update will drop on 15th October 2025 and will apparently make the levelling journey "more fun and engaging" by adding new rewards, new cosmetics, and more for each levelling milestone. This...
Tuesday26th Aug 2025
News Nintendo's New 'Hello, Mario!' App Is Now Available On The Switch
A free download on the Japanese eShop
Following an announcement earlier this month, Nintendo's free Switch eShop and smart device application Hello, Mario! is now available to download. This game is designed for parents and their children and is only available in Japan right now. If you want to download the game on your Switch or Switch 2, you'll...
News Nintendo Releases 'It's Me, Mario!' Stop Motion Shorts, Watch Them Right Here
Part of the 'My Mario' line launching today
Apart from a new range of toys and even an interactive app, Nintendo's new 'My Mario' line includes a series of stop motion shorts. The first three episodes have now been uploaded to the 'Play Nintendo' channel on YouTube, and you can watch them right here. Below is the official summary: "Fans of all...
Review Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution (Switch) - A Cool Time Capsule Of A Game
Better late than never
Though Shantae has become well-established today as a recognisable indie gaming icon, there was once a time when the purple-haired half-genie hero struggled to find an audience. The original Shantae released for the GBC in 2002 and suffered poor sales, which led to publishers being unwilling to pick up the tab for funding the...
Random Zelda: Majora's Mask Short With Ghibli-Inspired Visuals Is Breathtaking
Includes a look at 'gameplay'
Following the exceptional work carried out to reimagine Zelda: Ocarina of Time with Ghibli-inspired visuals, animator RwanLink is back with another stunning short film. This time, it's focused on Zelda: Majora's Mask to celebrate the game's 25th anniversary,
News Hitman: World Of Assassination Updated On Switch 2, Here Are The Patch Notes
"47, your target is Frame Rate"
IO Interactive has launched a new update for Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition on the Switch 2. The key improvement here is the game's frame rate, which at launch failed to maintain its 60fps target at frequent intervals. The patch adds in a 'Frame Rate' option to stabilise the performance, and this...
UK Charts Nintendo's First-Party Switch 2 Games Continue To Dominate
It's a bananza world
The latest UK charts are in, and with no major releases in the last week, the top ten looks pretty familiar. Mafia: The Old Country has taken a bit of a tumble to land at number 7, which means that Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza both sit pretty at the top of the pile. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 has also seen a...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Seems To Be Teasing Another New Mega Evolution
"Ready for the mega matchup of the millennium?"
Another week, another Pokémon Legends: Z-A teaser. The Pokémon Company is teasing another YouTube Premiere for Thursday, 28th August 2025. This is the second premiere in two weeks, following last week's unveiling of Mega Victreebel. This time, the hook is a little more obvious - no purple
News "We Are Not Delaying" - Dark Deity 2 Dev Stands Firm Against Silksong
Godspeed
Finally receiving a firm release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong is one thing, but to hear that it'll be launching in less than two weeks is something else entirely. Yes, after years of speculation, Silksong has finally been confirmed to launch on the Switch and Switch 2 on 4th September 2025. Its mere presence is causing other developers...
Feature Nintendo's New App Reminds Me Of A Universal Truth: It Feels Good To Squash Mario's Face
The nose to the right, the eyes to the left
There are three things that you should know about me before we dive into this feature. 1) I am, to all intents and purposes, a 'grown-up'. 2) I do not have any children, nor any tiny relatives to test this app on. 3) I'm a sucker for a bit of N64 nostalgia. Keeping these first two points in mind, you...
PSA The Crocs Animal Crossing Collection Arrives Today
Cash in those Bells
The day has finally arrived! After being revealed last month, Crocs has today launched its new Animal Crossing collection of clogs and Jibbitz on its North American site (they go live in Europe at 8am BST tomorrow morning). For Croc heads like this writer, this is a c
News Hideaki Itsuno Hires 'Devil May Cry' And 'Street Fighter' Legends For New Studio
A huge blow for Capcom
From left: Bingo Morihashi, Hideaki Itsuno, and Daigo Ikeno Lightspeed Japan Studio, a subsidiary of the Tencent-owned company Lightspeed Studios, has announced a key expansion with the opening of a new office in Osaka. Under the leadership of Hideaki Itsuno – who perhaps most famously spearheaded the development of the...
News Multiple Kirby Themes Return In Tetris 99's 'Second Chance' Maximus Cup
Three rounds, three themes
Last week, Nintendo held a special Nintendo Direct for Kirby Air Riders and this week marks the return of Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the Switch 2. If this wasn't already enough Kirby fun for one month, Nintendo has now also announced it's hosting the 49th Tetris 99 Maximus Cup, which sees the return of select in-game...
News Nintendo Music Update Adds More Songs To Kirby And The Forgotten Land Playlist
The Switch 2 Edition arrives this week
In March of this year, the Nintendo Music app received an update adding songs from the Switch title Kirby and the Forgotten Land. At the time, Nintendo mentioned how the rest of this album was coming "later this year", and now, ahead of the launch of the Switch 2 Edition of this title, additional tracks have...
Monday25th Aug 2025
News Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
Gee, ya think?
Japan's National Diet Library (or 'NDL', for short) is one of the biggest libraries in the world and, from the year 2000, began to obtain video game CDs and cartridges for preservation purposes. According to an article from Famitsu (thanks, Automaton), however, the library does not consider the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards as 'proper'...
Rumour A Nintendo Direct Is Reportedly Coming Ahead Of Mario's 40th Anniversary
Clear your calendars for mid-September
A Nintendo Direct is reportedly on the way, and it'll be taking place mid-September. The claim originally came from SwitchForce over on X (formerly Twitter), but VGC has also heard from multiple sources that a presentation is planned for 12th September. If that's the case, it'll be taking place the day before...
Review Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - The Series' Best Remake Yet
This bazaar adventure is a real diamond
Sometimes the lines between remaster and remake can be blurred. Metroid Prime Remastered seems much more like a full remake, and a few games called remakes don’t quite live up to expectations. For Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - based on Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar - even the term remake doesn’t quite...
News We've Now Got Our First Look At Elden Ring In Handheld Mode For Switch 2
Though it's hardly the best quality
Following on from our first glimpse at Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition running on Switch 2 via docked mode, new footage has been posted online to showcase how the game is holding up in handheld mode. General sentiments from hands-on sessions – including
News "The Best-Looking Thing I've Seen On Switch 2" - Digital Foundry Talks Final Fantasy 7 Remake
"I would say it looks better than the PS4 version"
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade was playable on Switch 2 last week at Gamescom, and it seems that most who managed to go hands-on with the game came away feeling pretty positive about it. Now, in a new post from Digital Foundry advertising its latest DF Weekly episode, John Linneman has come...
Review Roadwarden (Switch) - A Fascinating And Quite Special Text-Based RPG
And I'll take the low road
Cast your minds back, if you're still able, to the year of our lord 2022 and the release of Moral Anxiety Studio's tremendous Roadwarden. Yes, you know the one, that PC game you may not have played but certainly heard plenty about, as it garnered a whole bunch of Very Nice Reviews™. And here, to be blunt, is another for...
News Developers Reportedly Still Struggling To Get Switch 2 Dev Kits
"They would love to do Switch 2 versions. They can’t get the hardware."
We're almost three months on from the Nintendo Switch 2's release, and while we have plenty of third-party games to come on the newer hybrid console, many developers say that they're still having issues getting hold of dev kits. This comes from the folks at Digital Foundry in...
News Former PlayStation Head Praises Nintendo For Being "In Touch With Their Fan Base"
"Even PlayStation was never this in touch with the fan base"
Shawn Layden, formerly the President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America and Executive Vice President and COO of Sony Network Entertainment International, has come out in praise of Nintendo for being the most in-touch with its fan base. In an interview with HipHopGamer (via
Video So Just How Might These Third-Party Games Run On Switch 2?
Let's test it
The announcement that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would be making its way to the Switch 2 in 2026 came as a very pleasant surprise during the recent Gamescom festivities. Whether you've played through the game before or simply seen the odd trailer here and there, we can probably all agree that The Great Circle looks pretty...
News Suda51 Is Eager To Get His Latest 'Ultra-Violent' Game On Switch 2
"I’m hoping it’s going to work out"
During PlayStation's State of Play presentation earlier this year, Grasshopper Manufacture announced Romeo is a Dead Man from Suda51 and Ren Yamazaki, and it sounds like Switch 2 owners may be getting in on the action when the game launches in 2026. According to an interview with GameXplain, Suda51 stated...
News Demonschool Gets Last-Minute Delay To Avoid Silksong
Now coming in November
Demonschool can't catch a break, can it? The upcoming tactical RPG, inspired by classic Persona, SMT, and Italian cinema, was due to release on 3rd September 2025, but today, publisher Ysbryd Games has announced that it's pushing Necrosoft Games' release back to 19th November 2025. Why? One Hollow Knight: Silksong, which is...
Anniversary The First DS Castlevania Game Turns 20 Today
Sorrow won't Dawn here
A new dawn of Castlevania started 20 years ago, as Dawn of Sorrow first launched on the Nintendo DS in Japan on 25th August 2025. Following on directly from the final Castlevania GBA title, Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow had big shoes to fill; a shift in art direction and the implementation of the touch screen meant that it's...
News Nintendo To Officially Launch eShop In Taiwan
Digital doors open in September
Nintendo has announced plans to open the Nintendo eShop in Taiwan next month, on 9th September 2025 (thanks, GoNintendo!) Previously, fans would have had to visit the eShop in either Japan or Hong Kong, but with a dedicated Taiwanese storefront, they'll have a much easier option. In the announcement (translated by...
News Gorillaz Dare To Headline Fortnite Festival Season 10
I got V-Bucks in a bag
After weeks of rumours, Epic Games has revealed the headliner for Fortnite Festival Season 10, and it's Gorillaz taking to the Plastic Bea.... uh, we mean the virtual stage. The digital band consisting of fictional members Noodle, 2D, Murdoc, and Russel — founded by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and Tank Girl co-creator Jamie...
News Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment Will Be Playable At Tokyo Game Show 2025
No longer an age away
Koei Tecmo has revealed its line-up for this year's Tokyo Game Show, which takes place between 25th - 28th September 2025. And its upcoming collaboration with Nintendo, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, will be there — and it'll be playable. Sharing its line-up on a newly-opened website (via Gematsu), the Switch...
Sunday24th Aug 2025
Abxylute 3D One is coming in September
Abxylute – which has previously made a name for itself releasing streaming handhelds – is producing the world's first glasses-free 3D handheld PC, reports The Verge. The massive portable PC – dubbed the Abxylute 3D One – is actually based on a prototype co-developed by Intel and Tencent that was d
Opinion We Need To Talk About X Games
X and why?
Most of the time, I'm pretty oblivious to game name trends. It's normally only when someone points out to me that all AAA games have names like 'Chronicle of Shadows: Rebirth', that I start to see that formula used everywhere — like when you find a trendy new pair of shoes that you swear you've never seen before, only to wear them out...
News Nintendo Identifies Xenoblade Chronicles X Voice Sync Bug On Switch 2
The 'Definitive Edition' launched earlier this year
Before the arrival of the Switch 2, Xenoblade Chronicles X got a 'Definitive Edition' release on the Switch in March. Although there have been no major updates for the game on this new platform (at least yet), it seems Nintendo has now identified an issue with the game on this particular device...
News Yooka-Replaylee Appears To Be Getting A Proper Physical Release For Switch 2
Playtonic will share another "major update" next week
Yooka-Replaylee is due out on the Switch 2 this year, and it appears it will be getting a proper physical release on Nintendo's new hybrid platform. A new listing has recently popped up on the Canadian website Video Games Plus, and according to the description, the "full game is on the...
"It's a homage to my mum and my childhood"
Everyone remembers the first animated movie that scared them. For me, it was The Fox and the Hound — probably not the first movie in Disney's canon that anyone remembers, but it was one of my brother's favourites, so it was on regular rotation. Which means that the bear attack towards the end of the movie...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Chibi-Robo!: Park Patrol
Power corDS
It's time to plug into another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we matched up a trio of covers for the SNES classic, Super Adventure Island, with the three regions opting for vastly different designs. The disparity wasn't enough to drastically split the vote, mind you, as the golden Japanese variant walked away with a comfortable...
Saturday23rd Aug 2025
Opinion Silksong's Big 'Anticlimactic' Premiere Was Absolutely Perfect
No webs to spin
Six years. Much has been said in the last six years about Team Cherry's near radio silence on Hollow Knight: Silksong. Promises from Microsoft about the game coming out "in the next 12 months" in 2022. No playable demo since E3 2019. No Kickstarter updates. And a furore of hungry fans whipping themselves into a frenzy and building an...
News Mario Kart World Wins "Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game" Of Gamescom 2025
DK Bananza takes out "best gameplay" award
In case you missed it, Gamescom gives out awards every year, and while Nintendo didn't even feature last year, it's back in 2025 with a few wins. These awards call on a "panel of expert gaming jurors" and the community to decide the winners. The recent Switch 2 release Donkey Kong Bananza has taken out...
Review Herdling (Switch) - A Serene, Soothing Animal Trek With Some Rough Edges
Have you herd?
The last time I tried shepherding an unruly beast, I wasn’t exactly a fan. It was midnight, I was exhausted, and my dog simply refused to come back inside. Typical. Thankfully, Herdling offers a much cosier alternative, replacing a stubborn pup with fantastical beasties that actually listen to me. Developed by Okomotive, the studio...
Round Up The Final Previews Are In For Hollow Knight: Silksong
It's almost here
After a long wait and even some delays, we're now just weeks out from the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong. The 'hands on' previews have been rolling in from Gamescom this week, so we're rounding up a handful here including our own. This is the final demo before the game goes on sale to the public on 4th September 2025. Firstly,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd August)
Take the day OFF
Well folks, it's the weekend once again, which means it's time to get some gaming done! But first, a recap. This week, Capcom launched an intriguing 30th anniversary website for Resident Evil, though there's not much on there right now beyond some cool artwork. Gamescom also happened, which means we got some really cool...
News Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin Switch Online Game Trial Now Available (Europe)
Get ready for the third entry
During Nintendo's recent Partner Direct, Capcom lifted the lid on Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. If you haven't got around to playing the second game Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin just yet, now is the chance if you happen to be based in Europe and have an active Switch Online subscription. This...
Friday22nd Aug 2025
News New Limited-Time Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Distribution Now Available
Add a Shiny Chien-Pao to your party
Although the focus is beginning to shift to the next Pokémon game, The Pokémon Company is still running regular distribution events for Scarlet and Violet. Following on from the World Championships last week, there's now a Shiny Chien-Pao up for grabs. This distribution is in celebration of 5,020,994 victories...
News First Footage Of Elden Ring Running On Switch 2 Appears Online
Docked and loaded
Earlier this week, we were lucky enough to head to the Nintendo booth at Gamescom and go hands-on with Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2. Bandai Namco didn't allow any footage to be recorded from our handheld session (and we quickly saw why), but it seems such recording rules are not in place at Canada's Fan Expo, which...
Round Up The First Impressions Of Kirby Air Riders Are In
Racing onto Switch 2 this November
Sakurai finally gave us our first proper look at Kirby Air Riders gameplay earlier this week, and based on what we've seen (and played) so far, it's not your average racing game. If you want to know a bit more about what it's like, we've now put together this first impressions round up. We'll kick things off with...
Video We've Played Cronos: The New Dawn On Switch 2
And it's looking gooey
It only feels like yesterday that Bloober Team confirmed that Cronos: The New Dawn would be launching on the Switch 2. Yet here we are, merely a couple of weeks from its 5th September release, and the lovely Felix has gone hands-on with the title during his stint at Gamescom (yes, Felix said it's out on the 4th, but it's been...
Review 8BitDo Arcade Controller For Switch + Switch 2 - The Best Way To Play Street Fighter 6
8BitDid it again
If you’re into fighting games, chances are you’ve probably seen – or maybe even used – a bunch of leverless arcade controllers. They’re taking the fighting scene by storm, and now 8BitDo, one of the most consistent accessory manufacturers in the business, has launched its own Arcade Controller for the Switch, Switch 2, and...
Japanese Charts Mario Kart World Gets Back To Demolishing The Competition
Is there anyone else out there?
After a short break, Famitsu has published the estimated Japanese physical game sales chart for the last two weeks, and Mario Kart World is absolutely smashing it. The Switch 2 launch title put up an additional 144,911 sales between 4th and 17th August, selling more than double what could be mustered by the silver...
Guide Where To Buy Kirby Air Riders For Nintendo Switch 2 + New amiibo
Racing to find the best deals
After its initial reveal back in April, Kirby Air Riders raced to its worldwide release on 20th November 2025. The Masahiro Sakurai-developed sequel is absolutely bonkers, earning an 8/10 in our review, where we called it "a cracking sequel" with "depth for those who wish to learn and plenty of competition to be had"...
News Pokémon TCG Pocket's Next Gen II-Themed Booster Pack Arrives Very Soon
Raicool
The rollercoaster ride of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket releases is continuing at breakneck pace, as TPC has revealed that the next Themed Booster Expansion will arrive next week on 28th August. The 'Secluded Springs' expansion is another Gen II-focused set, with legendaries Raikou, Entei, and Suicune taking centre stage. A bunch of...
News Beautiful Disney-esque Horror 'Bye Sweet Carole' Gets Suitably Spooky Release Date
Bunny hop
Maximum Entertainment and Little Sewing Machine have announced that Bye Sweet Carole, a horror game inspired by Don Bluth and animated Disney movies, is launching on Switch on 9th October 2025, just in time for Halloween. The date was announced yesterday via the IGN Live Showcase, with Maximum Entertainment sharing the trailer earlier...
Feature What's It Like To Attend Gamescom 2025?
Das Ist Wunderbar?
I’ve never been to Gamescom before. I’ve heard all the rumours, though. Gamescom is obviously an event I’ve been aware of for a very long time and it appears to have been growing in stature as of late – even Nintendo decided to return this year after skipping the show in 2024. If you’ve been to the show before, then...
News It's Almost Showtime For Overwatch 2's New Persona Collab
No joke
Persona 5's Joker has made surprise appearances in games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and now he's making his way to Blizzard's free-to-play hero shooter, Overwatch 2. The Season 18 trailer has gone live and it finishes with the Persona 5 theme along with a silhouette of Joker. Atlus has also acknowledged the collaboration, which will go...
News Bandai Namco Gets The 'Once Upon A Katamari' Hype Rolling With This Opening Movie
Ready to roll
Bandai Namco popped up at the Partner Direct last month to reveal Once Upon a Katamari. It's not due out until 24th October, but the studio is getting the ball rolling early by sharing a first look at the opening movie. The two-minute video is full of all the classic sphere-pushing you would expect from a Katamari game. The key hook...
News Devil May Cry: Season 2 Teaser Sets Up A Showdown Between Dante And Virgil
"I hoped it would be you, little brother"
Netflix has debuted its teaser trailer for the upcoming second season of Devil May Cry, the animated adaptation of Capcom's acclaimed action series. Due for release in 2026, the anime is seemingly putting the spotlight on Dante's brother, Virgil, setting up a big showdown between the two character's...
Thursday21st Aug 2025
Guide Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2
Your old Switch cards won't work, it's time for an upgrade
Switch 2 has a lot more internal storage than its predecessor, boasting 256GB compared to the meagre 32GB seen in Switch 1 (or 64GB if you have an OLED Model). Still, more storage is always better, and with Switch 2 you'll need to opt for a microSD Express card, not a standard microSD card...
News Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library This Week
Chibi-Robo returns
Nintendo has today announced it will be bringing Chibi-Robo to the Switch 2's GameCube library next week on 21st August, 2025. This title was one of the many games confirmed alongside the reveal of the GameCube library for the Switch Online service. It originally made its debut on the GameCube in 2005/06 and was developed by the...
News Hollow Knight: Silksong Finally Has A Release Date
IT'S HAPPENING
Team Cherry's "special announcement" gave us what we were all hoping for, Hollow Knight: Silksong will launch on 4th September. The reveal gave us a closer look at the gameplay, showcasing the "lethal acrobatic action", "vast handcrafted world", and a massive roster of enemies (200 regular enemies and 40 bosses, to be precise)...
News Hollow Knight: Silksong "Special Announcement" Is Coming Today
ACTION STATIONS
No, this is not a drill. Team Cherry has shared that a "Special Announcement" about Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming our way on 21st August (that's this Thursday)! Very little is known about what the announcement will entail at the time of writing, though the YouTube stream is now live on the official Team Cherry account, so you...
News Rare Arcade Version Joins Two Of The Worst 'Mortal Kombat' Games In Legacy Kollection
Update: UMK3 WaveNet version also included
Never accuse Digital Eclipse of not going all-in for its retro compilations. The studio's next release, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, looks to be no different, and a sighting and Gamescom confirms that the developer is going all in by including two of the least-popular MK games. In a video posted...
Video We've Played Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade On Switch 2
Head in the Clouds
The catchily-titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade was one of our favourite announcements out of the Switch 2 reveal Direct back in April. A lot of us missed the original remake when it arrived on beefier consoles back in 2020, and even those who did manage to get around to it were excited by the prospect of playing it on the...
Chibi-or-not-Chibi
This review was originally published in November 2009. We're updating and republishing it in honour of the game's arrival on Switch 2 as part of the Nintendo Classics GameCube lineup. Meet the Sandersons, your atypical, dysfunctional American family. Mr. Sanderson is an out-of-work engineer-cum-manchild who liv
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Lands Another New Mega Evolution
With a particularly spooky reveal
The Pokémon Company has revealed yet another new Mega Evolution that will make its debut in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and it's Victreebel being put in the limelight this time. This classic Grass / Poison Type has been a series mainstay throughout the generations, and its new Mega design looks particularly... sweet...
News Nightdive's CEO Reiterates Desire To Remaster 'Eternal Darkness'
"It's been kinda locked behind the GameCube/Nintendo wall all this time"
Nightdive Studios' CEO Stephen Kick has once again reiterated his desire to remaster Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (or at the very least see some sort of rerelease), originally released on the GameCube in 2002. If you remember back in 2022, Kick posted on social media to...
News Kirby And The Forgotten Land Updated To Version 1.1.0, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Get ready for the Switch 2 Edition
Ahead of the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land for the Switch 2 next week, Nintendo has rolled out a new game update. This bumps up both the Switch and Switch 2 versions of the title up to Version 1.1.0. According to the official patch notes, this is the first update for the title since its arrival on the...
Switch 2 fixes and much more
Following the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 on the Switch and Switch 2 last month, Activision and Iron Galaxy have now rolled out a major 2.0 patch. This update adds Create-A-Park to Private Matches and addresses a "variety of issues". There are also some fixes specific to the Switch and Switch 2 versions of...
News Team Cherry's Already Got "Ambitious" Plans For Hollow Knight: Silksong Additional Content
"Hopefully we can achieve some of it"
Team Cherry has finally lifted the lid on Hollow Knight: Silksong's release date. It's 4th September, if you missed it, and Bloomberg's Jason Schreier has sat down with the devs to find out why it has taken so long to make. The short answer, as detailed
News Gulikit Unveils New Premium Controllers Compatible With Switch And Switch 2
Take it to the max
Gulikit has unveiled two new premium controllers at its booth in Gamescom, both of which will be fully compatible with the Switch and Switch 2. Dubbed the TT PRO and TT MAX, the design is kind of a cross between the Xbox and PlayStation, utilising the former's overall shape, yet shifting the left analogue stick to the bottom for...
Nintendo Download 21st August (North America)
Herdling! Roadwarden! Uhh...umm...
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived — a few hours late, but unless you've been sleeping all day, you'll know we've been dealing with a lot of silk(song). Anyway! As always, we've got a list of new games galore that have arrived on the US eShop. It's a little quieter this week than...
News Hollow Knight Has Now Sold Almost 15 Million Copies
HorNET profit
It would come as no surprise to hear that Hollow Knight is one of the most successful indie games of all time, right? An immensely popular Switch launch (a quarter of a million sales in its first two weeks) and six years of waiting for one of the most hyped-up sequels ever is bound to do that. But it turns out that the melancholic...
News Ys X: Proud Nordics Sails West On Switch 2 In Early 2026
NIS anchors another Game-Key Card release
NIS America is bringing Ys X: Proud Nordics to Switch 2 in the West in early 2026, the publisher has announced. But, like its other Switch 2 releases in Disgaea 7 Complete and Trails Beyond the Horizon, it'll be a Game-Key Card (as per the
Review Turtle Beach Airlite Fit For Nintendo Switch 2 - A No-Frills, All-Round Solid Bargain Headset
A budget beauty?
Between everyone at Nintendo Life, we've already got quite the heady (thanks) collection of gaming headsets for Switch 2 since the new console launched. You can find our in our Best Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Headsets guide. However, one thing that we don't have a whole lot of choice on, and especially if you're looking for any sort...
News Co-Op Party Platformer 'King Of Meat' Will Make The Jump To Switch Early Next Year
Update: Switch 1 is still coming
Amazon Games and Glowmade have announced that their hack-and-slash co-op party platformer, King of Meat, will be heading to Switch 2 in "early 2026". This one was initially announced in Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, and it even popped up in this year's
Wednesday20th Aug 2025
Guide Best Retro Throwback Nintendo Switch Games - Modern Games With Old-School Style
Scratch that nostalgia itch with these Switch neo-classics
Ah, nostalgia — it's a tricksy thing. How many times have we gone back to revisit a treasured classic only to find that modern games have spoiled it for us? For all the brilliant aspects of retro games, the mod cons and performance we're used to now are pretty fantastic, too, and sometimes...
News Hollow Knight: Silksong Offers Buttery Smooth Performance On Switch 2
No Quirrels from us
Well, it has been quite the week for Hollow Knight: Silksong news, hasn't it? We got a tiny peek at some more gameplay in Gamescom Opening Night Live, Team Cherry revealed a "special announcement" is coming on Thursday, and now we're getting to go hands-on with the damn thing. Our more d
News Donkey Kong Bananza's Dig Button Placement Is All Thanks To Miyamoto
Digging deep
Okay, how many of you automatically went to press the 'B button to jump the first time you picked up Donkey Kong Bananza? It's been a staple in Mario games for a long time, so it's pretty natural to assume things would be similar here. Except it isn't, but the change actually makes a lot of sense here. And we have one Shigeru Miyamoto...
News Fantasy Life i's New Update Is Finally Live On Switch 1 & 2, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Photo Mode arrives
Remember last month when Level-5 said that it would be adding a Photo Mode to Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time in a July update? That patch got hit with a last-minute delay, but today, it has been released in all its glory. The ver. 1.5.0 update is now live on Switch and Switch 2, adding the long-awaited Photo Mode,...
Video Uh Oh, Elden Ring On Switch 2 Has Issues In Handheld Mode
Is it tarnished?
Nintendo has a pretty big booth at Gamescom this year, with a large chunk of areas dedicated to the glut of third-party ports coming to (or are already out on) the Switch 2. One of those upcoming titles is Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, which brings the highly-acclaimed open-world RPG from FromSoftware to Nintendo's new console...
Preview Sakurai's Kirby Air Riders Is A Kaleidoscopic Adrenaline Rush
Watch out, Mario Kart World
Kirby has the ability to put everyone in a good mood, right? I mean, I've been in a lovely mood thanks to the pink puffball (and Nintendo), as I was lucky enough to go hands-on with the upcoming racer Kirby Air Riders for the Nintendo Switch 2 at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. As a surprising sequel to Kirby Air Ride on...
Random Zelda Fan Builds A Ridiculously Cool, Fully Functional Wind Waker Sailboat
"Did I startle you..?"
Although many deemed it somewhat tedious, sailing across The Great Sea is what made Zelda: The Wind Waker, well... The Wind Waker. It was a really cool mechanic in hindsight, and we don't know about you, but we often fantasised about having our own 'King of the Red Lions' sailboat in real life. Now, thanks to YouTuber and...
Gallery Get A Closer Look At Nintendo's Gamescom 2025 Booth
Took something perfect and painted it red
Gamescom 2025 is officially underway, and a handful of team NL are out on the show floor, gobbling up as many of the games as we can get our hands on. Naturally, the Nintendo booth has captured much of our attention, with a particularly stacked line-up including the likes of Kirby Air Riders, Elden Ring and...
Video At Last! We've Played Hollow Knight: Silksong On Switch 2
Threading the needle
You've read the title, you've seen photos of the booths online, so you know it's coming — six years after its last official public demo, we've finally played Hollow Knight: Silksong. And, we've played it on Switch 2, too. Ahead of the game's special broadcast tomorrow, 21st August, we — or, more specifically, the lovely...
Rumour Another Bethesda Game Is Landing On Switch 2, It's Claimed
"See that planet? You can go there"
There have been rumours about Bethesda's Starfield coming to the PlayStation for some time now, so can we expect a Nintendo version at some point in the future? According to YouTube and podcaster 'Nate the Hate', who has already been linked to some other rumours this generation, "Starfield is planned for release...
News Dead Cells Dev's 'The Rogue Prince Of Persia' Leaps Onto Switch 2 Later This Year
What a surprise!
As a part of today's Xbox Gamescom showcase, Dead Cells dev Evil Empire finally lifted the lid on The Rogue Prince of Persia, revealing that it will be coming to Switch and Switch 2 "later this year". While every other platform landed the full release of this Prince of Persia roguelike today, we're pleased to see it finally...
News Disco Elysium-Inspired Narrative RPG 'Rue Valley' Gains A Switch Release
Update: Release date confirmed
Rue Valley, a narrative RPG heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, has been confirmed for the Switch in addition to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. No release date has been set at the time of writing, but we're keeping a close eye on this one. It looks pretty awesome; definitely a little more upbeat and comedic than what...
Mini Review Arcade Archives 2: Aqua Jet (Switch 2) - Classic Aquatic Racer Lags Behind Wave Race
Let’s Jet
Once upon a time, Jet-Ski games were all the rage. Arcade cabinets and fifth generation consoles were replete with these high-speed polygonal racers that sent you careening around tracks set in sunny locales with bobbing water physics. Aqua Jet was an early example of the trend and released the very same year as Wave Race 64. Now, you...
News Final Fantasy 14 Director Has Had "Positive Discussions" With Nintendo On Switch 2 Port
"I do hope that players will look forward to hopefully good news”
The hugely-popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV — which is about to celebrate its 12th anniversary (in its rebooted form) — is one of our most-requested Switch 2 ports, particularly from this writer. And it sounds like we're one step closer to seeing the game come to the hybrid...
News Comic Adaptation 'I Hate This Place' Stalks Onto Switch This November
I hate this wait
Skybound Entertainment and Broken Mirror Games have announced that I Hate This Place, the adaptation of the comic series from writer Kyle Starks and artist Artyom Topilin, will launch on the Switch on 7th November 2025. The new trailer also gives us a further glimpse at the craft-based survival horror gameplay, with an isometric...
Tuesday19th Aug 2025
News Capcom Launches Resident Evil 30th Anniversary Website
Big plans are in store
Capcom has launched a new website dedicated to Resident Evil's upcoming 30th anniversary in 2026. More specifically, 22nd March 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Resident Evil on PS1. We're unsure what Capcom has in store for us to celebrate the milestone, but the website has a section marked 'Coming Soon'...
News He-Man Is The Next '80s Icon Getting His Own Stunning Arcade-Style Retro Revival
I HAVE THE POWER!
Limited Run Games and Mattel are teaming up with Bitmap Bureau to bring us a brand new pixel art side-scrolling He-Man game in 2026 on Switch. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction will feature 12 stages from the iconic toy line and cartoon where you'll be able to play as He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms,...
News Mario Kart World Has Been Updated To Version 1.2.1, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Download this update on Switch 2 now
Mario Kart World has received a new update this week, bumping the Switch 2 exclusive up to Version 1.2.1. This is the first update for August, and it's a small one compared to the previous updates, addressing some bug fixes. As usual, to continue playing online, you'll need to install this latest update. Here's...
News Official Box Art For Kirby Air Riders Revealed, Price And File Size Confirmed
Oof, noice
Nintendo has wrapped up its Direct presentation for Kirby Air Riders and has subsequently revealed the official box art for the title on Switch 2. Launching on 20th November 2025, the box art isn't really anything surprising; it's basically a variation of the main key art we've seen since the initial Switch 2 Direct back in April. Still,...
Round Up Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 - Every Switch 1 & 2 Announcement & Trailer
Indiana Jones! He-Man! Absolum!
Wrapping up the summer of gaming in Cologne, Gamescom 2025 has kicked off with Opening Night Live, a two-plus-hour showcase of new game announcements and updates. And, well, things started off strong for the hybrid consoles, but as the show progressed, the announcements slowed down. That didn't stop us from getting a...
News Kirby Air Riders Direct Revealed for Today, 19th August 2025
Wait, how long?!
Surprise! Nintendo has announced that it will be holding a special Kirby Air Riders Direct on 19th August 2025 (that's today). The announcement was made via the Nintendo Today! app, where we learnt that the showcase will kick off at 2pm BST / 6am PDT / 9am EDT/ 3pm CEST and will last for... wait for it... 45 minutes. When you...
Guide Kirby Air Riders Direct: Every Announcement - How Would You Rate It?
Going into Dededetail
Gosh, well that was a deep dive and a half! Masahiro Sakurai has just wrapped up his detailed rundown of Kirby Air Riders in the latest spotlight Direct, and it was absolutely crammed with information. Sakurai spilled the beans on everything from character rosters to controls, so we've assembled the following breakdown for you...
News Bandai Namco And Brownies Reveal Mystical New Roguelite-RPG For Switch
Update: Switch eShop demo now available
[Sat 7th Jun, 2025 07:55 BST]: Bandai Namco and Brownies have today revealed the new roguelite action title Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree. It will be making its way to the Switch on 19th September 2025 and includes melodies from Hitsoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy). You can check out the new...
News Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Will Launch On Switch 2 In 2026
Sweet!
During Gamescom Opening Night Live, it's been confirmed that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch on the Switch 2 in 2026. Published by Bethesda Softworks and developed by MachineGames, the Xbox-owned release is the first major Switch 2 title from the publisher. We don't have a specific release date yet, but we'll be sure to let...
News Nightdive Studios And Limited Run Revive System Shock 2 With A 'Big Box Edition'
Play like it's 1999
Nightdive has called on physical distributor Limited Run Games to help out with its latest hard copy release. This time it's for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster and apart from the standard physical version, there'll also be a classic "Big Box Edition" on offer. This will be available for Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC...
News Watch - Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct - Live!
Whoosh!
It feels as if we've only just recovered from the recent Partner Showcase and Indie World, but now Nintendo is back with another Direct! This time it'll be focused solely on the upcoming Kirby Air Riders for Switch 2, with an extensive deep dive into its gameplay from none other than director Masahiro Sakurai. What's more, it'll be a...
News LEGO Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight Swoops Onto Switch 2 Next Year
Block party
TT Games popped up at GamesCom Opening Night Live to reveal LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, an all-new block-based collection starring the caped crusader. This one is set to arrive on Switch 2 at some point in 2026, and it looks awesome! Legacy of the Dark Knight will adapt some of Batman's most iconic movie moments, featuring...
News Nintendo Music "Special Release" Adding Tracks From Kirby Air Riders Today
Update: Confirmed in today's Direct
Nintendo Music is mostly known for retro soundtrack updates, but this week it's completely different, with the Japanese firm today revealing we're actually getting some music from a game that's not even out yet. This information was shared via the Nintendo Today! mobile app's calendar. And it's songs from...
News Kirby Air Riders' City Trial Mode Looks Just As Bonkers As We'd Hoped
Skyah Landers
Masahiro Sakurai's detailed rundown of Kirby Air Riders finally brought us the news that we wanted with a deep dive into the game's City Trial mode. Yes, the best mode from the GameCube original is returning for the Switch 2 sequel, and it looks just as high-octane and bonkers as we would have hoped. The Direct introduced us to...
News Kirby Air Riders Zooms Onto Switch 2 This November
And it looks lovely!
Nintendo concluded its lengthy Direct presentation on Kirby Air Riders by confirming its release date: 20th November 2025. That's right, there's no delay for this one! Masahiro Sakurai's latest game will launch this year as planned, and it's looking absolutely gorgeous. For a moment, we were afraid that we might not get a...
News Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Switch And Switch 2 Performance & Resolution Detailed
Here's the official comparison
Bandai Namco recently confirmed it would be bringing DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO to Nintendo platforms later this year, and it's now provided an official comparison update on its Japanese website. Here's how the new Unreal Engine 5 entry will supposedly perform on both the Switch and Switch 2. If we hear any...
News Nightdive's Latest Remaster Is A Rip-Roaring Wild West Cult Classic
Eat your heart out, Red Dead
During today's Opening Night Live showcase for Gamescom, Nightdive Studios confirmed its latest release: Outlaws + A Handful of Missions: Remaster. Originally launched in 1997 and built with LucasArts' Jedi engine, Outlaws received positive acclaim for its soundtrack and gameplay, though gained some criticism for its...
News Tales Of Xillia Remastered Coming This October, Confirmed 30fps For Switch
No Song 4 u, though
Bandai Namco has finally confirmed the next Tales series remaster, and — shocker! — it's Tales of Xillia Remastered, and it's coming to Switch 1. So, we all saw this coming after last week's leak, but here's the surprising bits of news — it's coming out on 31st October 2025, and only Xillia 1 is included, not Xillia 2...
News Geoff Keighley Either Knows Something About Silksong, Or Is Just Being A Tool
We can't decide which right now
With yet another major games showcase just around the corner, Hollow Knight fans are once again hoping against hope that a release date for Silksong will be confirmed. This time, however, something feels different. We're mere hours away from Gamescom's Opening Night Live showcase, and host Geoff Keighley has posted a...
News Stylish Beat 'Em Up Roguelike 'Absolum' Magics Up Switch Release Date
Frog wizard? We're in
Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks have dropped a brand new trailer for their stunning beat 'em up roguelike mash-up, Absolum. Plus, the game is launching on Switch on 9th October 2025. The news dropped during Gamescom's Opening Night Live pre-show, and the trailer has us desperate to play as the frog wizard. Give him to...
News Atari Announces Bubsy 4D From 'Demon Turf' Developer Fabraz
It could actually be good, then!
Atari has announced a brand-new Bubsy game – no, really! In collaboration with developer Fabraz, known for the rather excellent Demon Turf, Bubsy 4D will launch on the Switch and Switch 2. And it actually looks pretty good too! There's no release date at the time of writing, but more information will be coming...
News Gulikit Launches New Budget Controllers With Switch 2 Wake-Up Support
There's just one thing bugging us...
Accessory manufacturer Gulikit has launched a new range of budget controllers with Switch 2 wake-up support. The ES and ES PRO Wireless Controllers are out now and priced at £24.99 / $24.99 and £29.99 / $29.99 respectively (exchange rates working wonders there, we see). Aesthetically, both models are pretty...
News Pokémon Teases A Spooky Legends: Z-A Reveal Later This Week
"Viewer discretion advised"
We've got some more fresh Pokémon Legends: Z-A news coming our way this week, as The Pokémon Company is teasing a little YouTube Premiere for Thursday, 21st August. All we have to go on is a post on social media site X confirming that a video will be dropping at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST on Thursday, a photo of...
News Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Gets A Free Demo On Switch 2
Playable today!
During Gamescom's Opening Night Live showcase, it's been confirmed that Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion now has a free demo available for users on all relevant platforms, including the Switch 2. It should be available for download by the time you're reading this, but if not, then just keep an eye out over the coming hours for an...
Watch Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025
Geoff! Geoff! Geoff!
Two watch posts in one day? What is this madness?? With the Kirby Air Riders Direct in the rear-view mirror, it's time to move on to the second showcase of the day: GamesCom Opening Night Live. Yes, we are mere minutes away from the grand opening of the huge gaming expo, and the Geoff Keighley is back to guide us through an...
News Cronos: The New Dawn Delivers Scares And Thrills In Its Best Trailer Yet
Cats, monsters, and... James Sunderland?
Bloober Team has unveiled its latest trailer for Cronos: The New Dawn on Switch, and it's probably the best one yet. Starting from the perspective of a cat, of all things, it quickly descends into chaos, with monsters roaming about, weird telekinetic abilities, and even some nifty anti-grav sections. In...
News In Kirby Air Riders, The Pink Puffball Isn't The Only One Who Can Use Copy Abilities
Uh-oh...
Masahiro Sakurai has revealed something about Kirby Air Riders that shatters Kirby lore into a thousand pieces — Kirby isn't the only one who can use Copy Abilities anymore. Yep, with the Switch 2 game introducing a whole swathe of Kirby characters to the racer, to make things "fair", now Waddle Dee, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Cappy...
News Nintendo's PAX West Line-Up Includes First Public Demo For Kirby Air Riders
Hades II, Silksong, and Pokémon all playable, too
Nintendo has confirmed its line-up for PAX West in Seattle, Washington — which kicks off in 10 days time. And Kirby Air Riders, which just got an extensive Nintendo Direct, is getting its first public demo. Outside of the upcoming racing game, the line-up is relatively similar to its
Monday18th Aug 2025
News Pokémon Champions Confirmed For Switch 2, Includes "Free-To-Start" And "Paid" Digital Version
More details will be "shared in the future"
We've just had an update about the new battle-focused game Pokémon Champions at the World Championships, and apart from the news it will lead as the main title for the VGC next year, along with a Mega Evolution update, we've also got details about platforms and pricing. According to the latest press...
I got loyalty (& mech pilot skills) inside my DNA
When Nintendo Life reviewed the original Daemon X Machina back in 2019, Chris Scullion called it "a solid mech action game that controls well and gives the player a generous helping of customisation options." However, he noted that mission structure, performance, and overall story were lacking, which...
News Bandai Namco To Announce New 'Tales' Remaster Tomorrow
Update: After previously leaking it ahead of time
After months of teasing for Tales fans, Bandai Namco may have slipped up and revealed its hand a little too early and shown us what the next Tales series remaster is. As reported on Push Square, it looks like Tales of Xillia will be the next title getting the remaster treatment. Originally released...
Round Up Everything Announced At The 2025 Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony
Updates for Legends: Z-A, Champions and much more!
The Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara made an appearance at this year's Pokémon World Championships closing ceremony and shared updates about multiple Pokémon games, and even some event news. If you weren't able to catch the event live, don't worry - because we've put together...
News Shin'en Announces 'The Touryst: Deluxe', Exclusive To Switch 2
New content, improved visuals, and more
Shin'en Multimeda, refusing to rest after the launch of Fast Fusion on the Switch 2, has announced The Touryst: Deluxe. Launching exclusively on the Switch 2, The Touryst: Deluxe will come with brand-new content, including a new island and monument to explore, new items and quests, plus improved visuals in...
News Pokémon TCG Pocket's Upcoming Expansion Introduces A Mega Mix-Up
Arriving "This Fall"
Mega Evolution is the talk of the town for Pokémon in 2025, and it looks like it won't be long before Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket gets in on the fun too. As showcased in the weekend's Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony, the next TCG Pocket expansion will introduce a batch of Mega Evolution cards to the mobile...
News Shenmue III Is Finally Confirmed For 'Nintendo Platforms'
Update: Planned for Switch 1, Switch 2 version "maybe a bit later"
ININ Games has finally unveiled something we've all been expecting — Shenmue III is coming to Nintendo consoles in the form of Shenmue III Enhanced. No release date or window has been shared, but we'll be getting an official announcement at Gamescom 2025, which kicks off tomorrow...
News Annapurna's Delightfully Weird Creature Collecting Roguelite Scores Switch Release Date
Mouse in the house
Annapurna Interactive has today announced that Furcula's weird roguelike-meets-creature collector Morsels will be landing on Switch on 18th November. This one briefly popped up in the August 2024 Indie World showcase, where it was accompanied by a 'February 2025' release date. That wasn't meant to be (obviously), but it's nice to...
Random The Pokémon Company Is Putting This Pronunciation Debate To Bed
This is the Ray
We Pokémon fans are no strangers to a mispronunciation or two, and at the recent World Championships, The Pokémon Company was on a mission to put one legendary debate to bed (thanks for the heads up, IGN). If the above image wasn't enough of a giveaway, we're talking about Rayquaza, the Gen III legendary dragon. As it turns out,...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Unveils New Multiplayer Battle Mode For Up To Four Trainers
The first rule of Battle Club...
During the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, it was announced Link and Ranked Battles would be coming to Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Switch and Switch 2 as part of the Z-A Battle Club. These battles will allow up to four trainers to join in on battles where they attempt to defeat as many of each other's Pokémon...
News 'Bad Cheese' Is Another Survival Horror With Cuphead-Inspired Visuals
Launching next month
Publisher Feardemic has announced that Bad Cheese, a new survival horror from developer Simon Lukasik, will launch on the Switch (with backwards compatibility on Switch 2) on 1st September 2025. Much like Bendy And The Ink Machine before it, Bad Cheese utilises old-school 'rubber hose' animation, which was perhaps most notably...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Drag x Drive?
Brag or dive?
The Nintendo first-party releases keep coming, and the first of two for August has wheeled onto the Switch 2. Drag x Drive has been out for a few days now, and it has proven to be a divisive one. Pairing up wheelchair basketball with the Joy-Con 2's Mouse Mode, we actually had a fairly good time with Drag x Drive, with the wonderful...
News Pokémon Teases New 'PokémonXP' Event
Taking place in "downtown San Francisco"
One mystery reveal at this year's World Championships event for Pokémon was the announcement of PokémonXP. This news was revealed alongside the confirmation of an "epic arena experience" for Championship Sunday next year at the Chase Center, San Francisco between 28th - 30th August, 2026, with passes going...
News Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance To Get Classic SEGA Villains Stage DLC Next Year
Dr. Eggman is first up
Joe Musashi has fought countless demons, strange lifeforms, and ninja clans across the Shinobi series' vast history. But in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance — which launches on Switch at the end of August — his greatest threat awaits in some DLC. Coming in early 2026, Sega has announced the SEGA Villains Stage, and first up for...
News Pokémon Champions Is The Main Battle Game For The 2026 World Championships
The VGC shifts to the new battle entry
We've got another update about Pokémon Champions today, and it confirms the video game competition will shift to this battle entry at next year's World Championships. The 2025 tournament was played on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Alongside this was a look at multiple Mega Evolutions featured in the game,...
UK Charts And Just Like That, Mario Kart World Is Back In The Lead
Was there any doubt?
GkF has provided the latest breakdown of the physical UK charts, and now that the dust has settled somewhat from the release of Mafia: The Old Country, Mario Kart World finds itself back at the number one spot. It's not a huge surprise, of course, but it's good to see, nonetheless. Slightly further down, you'll also see that...
News Critically Acclaimed Text-Based RPG 'Roadwarden' Comes To Switch Next Week
Illustrative text-based-bangers ahoy!
If you're already all clued up and in the know about Moral Anxiety Studio's Roadwarden, you'll already be in the know about how it was one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2022. And now it could be repeating success on Switch as it comes to the console on 25th August 2025. Preorders for this one are...
News Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma Ships Over 500,000 Copies
Special commemorative artwork shared
Publisher Marvelous has announced that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma has now shipped over 500,000 copies on Switch, Switch 2, and PC. To celebrate the milestone, Marvelous has also showcased a new piece of artwork on social media, which depicts the protagonist's loyal partner and guide Woolby wearing a...
Sunday17th Aug 2025
News Mattel Adds Special Edition Pauline To Its Mario Kart Hot Wheels Line
Pre-orders are now live
Mattel has already released a whole bunch of Mario Kart vehicles and next up is a "special edition" Pauline release, which was originally revealed at San Diego Comic-Con this year. It's arriving on 26th September 2025 and will be available for $22.00 / £20.00, with pre-orders now live. It comes with the Hot Wheels Mario...
Guide 2025 Pokémon World Championships - Full Schedule, Live Streams And Announcements
Update: Tune into Championship Sunday
We've had some exciting game events so far this year, and now it's time for the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. In case you've missed our coverage so far, this year the event is taking place in Anaheim, California in the US between 15th - 17th August, 2025. This year, there will be intense competition...
Review Discounty (Switch) - Chilled Out Supermarket Sim Is A Decent Deal
While Stocks Last
No one who has ever worked in retail would compare the experience to a cosy life management sim. I used to have nightmares about stock variance and queues of angry customers who seemed determined to ruin my day as much as they felt I had ruined theirs. Yet, Danish developer Crinkle Cut Games seems to think that managing a busy...
Review ANTANK S3 MAX TV Dock Station For Nintendo Switch 2 - A Decent Little Travel Dock
A SIWIQU by any other name
Nintendo's own dock is a non-nonsense device that just works. You slide your console in, crack the Joy-Con off, and boom, you're off to the races. Given the larger size of Switch 2, though, its dock is a substantial slab of black plastic and various third-party firms have stepped in with offerings that are a little more...
Video Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Full Gameplay Demo
Playable at the World Championships
The 2025 Pokémon World Championships are taking place this weekend in Anaheim, California and there's an exclusive Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 demo trainers can check out on the show floor. If you're unable to make it to the event, don't worry because we've now got the next best thing – it's a full demo...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Super Adventure Island (SNES)
Super duper
Hello, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we looked at WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ for the GBA – a true classic and one of our favourites here at NL Towers. North America and Europe joined forced against Japan and, uh... Oh, poor Japan. The western design won with a whopping 91% of the vote! We quite like...
Mailbox Game-Key Cards, Slacker Sakurai, Shapes & Beats - Nintendo Life Letters
Issue #27 - August 2025
Welcome, one and all, as we sit down and take a look through the Nintendo Life Mailbox. Switch 2 is a couple of months old now - can you believe that? This is the third edition of our monthly letters page since we finally got our hands on it, and the hot takes are flowing like wine. Lumious green, gamer wine. Got something...
News GungHo's Switch Free-To-Play 'Ninjala' Looks To Be Winding Down Major Support
"Season 21 will run indefinitely"
GungHo Online's free-to-play multiplayer title Ninjala is now in its fifth year, and it looks like the development team will be winding down major support after 21 seasons. In a new update, bumping the game up to Version 21.0, an official announcement mentions how the team has decided Season 21 and the latest...
Saturday16th Aug 2025
Round Up The First "Hands On" Impressions Of The Pokémon Legends: Z-A Demo Are In
Playable at the World Championships
Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn't out until October, but this weekend there's a Switch 2 demo at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. The first impressions are now rolling in, and we've put together some thoughts so far – starting with a 'hands on' from our senior video producer Zion Grassl. Although it might not...
Feature 32 Games We're Dying To See On Switch 2
We'd give our right Joy-Con 2
The first months of Switch 2's life have seen plenty of multiplatform games arrive on Nintendo's newest console — winners like Cyberpunk 2077, No Man's Sky, Apex Legends, and Yakuza 0 to name a handful — and its extra power affords devs the chance to bring newer, bigger, more ambitious games to the platform where...
News Sonic Mania 2 Prototype Artwork Revealed By Christian Whitehead
"The game that never was"
Sonic Mania is one of the best Sonic games ever, and while there were hopes it would get a sequel, a few years ago, it was revealed how Sega was eager to move beyond pixel art and ultimately it didn't go ahead. At the time, Sega worked with Headcannon and Christian Whitehead "to consider concepts for the next generation of...
Review OFF (Switch) - A Worthy Remaster Of A Weird Cult Classic RPG
Get up, get up, get out of here!
Though it may feel like the ‘quirky’ branch of indie JRPGs has become a played out trope by now, it wasn’t too long ago that a confusing, humorous, and parodying take on the standard template was seen as a novel concept. One of the most significant examples of this was OFF, a simple freeware RPG Maker project...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th August)
Excelsior!
The freakin' weekend is finally upon us, and we've got games to play! Before we get into our plans, though, let's recap the week. It was a pretty quiet one in Nintendo Land, with not so much as a whiff of a Direct — which is weird, after the last three weeks of showcases. Nintendo revealed an all-new Mario Kart World event in Japan,...
Guide Best Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Protectors
Shield mode activated
The Nintendo Switch 2’s larger display is one of its biggest draws, but it also means you will want to keep it looking flawless for years to come. A good screen protector is a simple, affordable way to defend your console from scratches, smudges, and other daily wear. In this guide, we have picked out the best Nintendo...
Friday15th Aug 2025
Guide 59 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In The 'Play Together' eShop Sale (North America)
Update: Ends this weekend
Update: The Play Together sale ends this Sunday, 17th August, so you've only got a few days left to nab some bargains! It's time once again for Nintendo of America's Play Together sale! From today until August 17th at 11:59 pm PT the Play Together sale slashes the price of multiple multiplayer games so you and your...
First Impressions Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is An Attempt To Catch The Hardcore Again
Smooth sailing on Switch 2
Pokémon Legends: Arceus isn’t a perfect game by any means, but that didn't stop it from syphoning all of my free time when it launched back in 2022. This was the first time in a while where I truly felt the desire to “catch 'em all”. While Arceus still borrowed a lot from the mainline games, it did enough to make...
Deals Get 5% Off Nintendo eShop Credit & Switch 2 Games In Our Summer Sale
Including Jamboree TV and Star-Crossed World upgrade packs!
Summer is in full swing, and depending on where you are in the world, chances are you may have experienced one or two heat waves (so stay safe, folks!). If you're someone who prefers to spend the summer months in the shade with your trusty Switch, then we've got good news: we've relaunched...
Saturday16th Aug 2025
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 2025 Pokémon World Championships Distribution Live
Update: Here's the code for Farigiraf
If you happen to be heading to the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California this weekend, you can receive a special Pokémon Scarlet and Violet distribution. When you enter the badge pickup zone at the venue, you'll receive a unique code for a Toedscool. It's apparently "based on the Toedscool...
Friday15th Aug 2025
Anniversary n-Space & Nintendo's M-Rated GameCube Gem Is 20 Years Old
I ain't afraid of no Geist
Everyone, we like to believe, has made a secret list for every single console they've ever owned, of weird and/or experimental stuff they either want to, or wished they had, played. Sometimes you get round to them, sometimes you don't. You know the sort of thing. For me, on GameCube specifically, things like Cubivore come...
News We Might Be Getting An Update About Sakurai's New Kirby Game Soon
He's aware fans haven't even seen gameplay yet
One of the many surprises during the Switch 2 reveal in April was the new game Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the GameCube outing. It's scheduled to arrive later this year, so what's the latest? Game director Masahiro Sakurai has issued another small update via social media today, mentioning how he...
News Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Has Been Updated, Here Are The Patch Notes
All that glitters...
Aspyr has released a new update for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered on Switch, adding in a boatload of improvements and fixes, while also introducing optional golden pistols to The Last Revelation And Tomb Raider Chronicles. Unfortunately for The Angel of Darkness fans (are you out there?), the golden pistols will not be available...
News Borderlands 4 On Switch 2 Won't Support Split-Screen Couch Co-Op
But it will have "full crossplay"
Since the announcement of Borderlands 4 for the Switch 2, we've had a number of updates from Randy Pitchford and the team at Gearbox Software about what exactly fans can expect. Following the news last month the game would run at "mostly" 30fps (instead of 60fps) on Nintendo's new hybrid hardware, we've now got...
News Dark Deity 2 Is Bringing Another Healthy Dose Of Fire Emblem Inspo To Switch
Three Who'sthis?
Cast your mind back to 2022 and you might remember Dark Deity, the fantasy turn-based RPG that took more than a little inspiration from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Fast forward to the present day and we have Dark Deity 2, the second entry in the series which looks just as tied to the Nintendo touchstone. This one launched on PC...
News Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection Slinks Onto Switch This September
Naughty kitty?
Bubsy, depending on your age, is either gonna be one of those video game mascots that you're very excited about or, well, not so much. Is that harsh? Absolutely not. In fact, it's sort of the premise, or so it would seem, of Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection, which delivers up four of the character's adventures and posits the...
News Pokémon Scalpers Set Their Sights On World Championships Merch
Exclusive items are already being resold online
Scalpers are reportedly at it again, and this time they're targeting exclusive merch available at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. As highlighted by Kotaku, there are already eBay listings popping up for the commemorative Pikachu plush, themed TCG playmats, card binders, the jukebox and various...
News "Get Your Act Together" - Something's Not Quite Right With Clear River's Toaplan Collections
Consistency is key with those spines...
Toaplan rights holder Tatsujin has been busy over the past couple of years leveraging the company's enviable selection of arcades hits, with a wide range of collections appearing across multiple devices, including Switch, Evercade and Steam. The latest effort is a two-pron
Feature "Unsettling Yet Captivating" - SHUTEN ORDER Creators Talk Cult Religion And Dismemberment
"I thought it would be impossible to partner with a publisher"
Creator Kazutaka Kodaka – known for Danganronpa, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, and more – has cultivated quite the reputation for his wild, engrossing video game stories, but the upcoming SHUTEN ORDER might just be one of his boldest yet. Launching on 5th September 2025 on...
News Sega Drops OST Remix Video For Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
That's one radical highway
With the release date for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds drawing ever closer (that's 25th September, speed freaks), Sega is keeping the old hype train rolling along in the right direction with a brand new remix of some of the tunes featured in the upcoming racer, which, we have to say, looks absolutely cracking. You can check...
Guide Drag x Drive: How To Play With Friends Online
Air Buds
If you're getting tired of playing Drag x Drive against bots or randos, you might be wondering how to invite a friend along for a spot of hooping. Strangely, for a dominantly multiplayer title, it isn't immediately obvious how to do this. In this guide, we'll explain how to play with a friend in Drag x Drive and whether you can choose to...
Thursday14th Aug 2025
News Mario Kart World Announces 'Summer Vacation Skill Test' Event
Summer fun for Japan
Mario Kart World is running a Summer Vacation Skill Test event in-game later this month, but only in Japan. Announced on social media by Nintendo — and translated by OatmealDome — you'll be able to participate in 150cc races with others to try and become one of the top 100 players. The event takes place on 23rd August 2025...
Review UFO 50 (Switch) - A Wondrous Smorgasbord Of Retro Delights
I want to believe
While playing UFO 50 for this review, I visited an exhibition at London’s Science Museum: Power Up – a hands-on tour of the last five decades of video games. There, in an expansive, dark basement, an orange-illuminated wall of computers and consoles took me right through the 1980s. I sampled such delicacies as a flickery...
News The Next 3D Arcade Archives Release Is Available Today On Switch And Switch 2
Fancy some wave racing?
In case you missed it, Hamster Corporation today adds Namco's 1996 wave racer Aqua Jet to its Arcade Archives and Arcade Archives 2 series on the Switch and Switch 2. As explained by Hamster, this game stood out in arcades at the time because of its "large jet ski-style cabinet" a
News Capcom 'Platinum Titles' Sales Update - Monster Hunter, Resident Evil And More
The latest record sales as of June, 2025
Capcom is a powerhouse in the video game space with huge franchises like Resident Evil, Street Fighter and Monster Hunter. These games all continue to grow and if you need a reminder of just how big they are, the Japanese company recently shared a 'Platinum Titles' update on its official website. These are...
Review CRKD x Gibson Guitar Controller For Switch + Switch 2 - Great Quality, At A Price
Rock solid
Depending on who you ask, the rhythm game genre — specifically games which utilise instrumental peripherals — is either dead, or, well… nearly dead. If you happen to fall into the latter camp and are sick to death of playing Fortnite Festival with either a bog-standard pad or CRKD’s rather middling NEO S pad, th
Guide Donkey Kong Bananza: Post-Game - What To Do After Rolling Credits
All the Kongtent
So, you've defeated Donkey Kong Bananza's final boss, rolled credits and been greeted with a mysterious "The adventure continues..." message at the end of it all. The question is, what do you do next? Have no fear, we're here to help! In this guide, we'll run through all of Donkey Kong Bananza's post-game content, including the...
News Rift Of The NecroDancer's Next Indie Crossover DLC Arrives On Switch Soon
Under the hood
Brace Yourself Games is continuing its stellar lineup of Rift of the NecroDancer crossover DLC with a brand new Everhood collaboration. The succinctly named 'Everhood Music Pack' adds four new tracks to the falling notes rhythm game, all of which will be available to purchase separately or as a bundle. The DLC is now live on Steam,...
News Nintendo Updates Its Parental Controls Mobile App For Switch And Switch 2
Following a major patch in May
Nintendo recently updated its music app on mobile devices, and this week it has released a new update for its Switch Parental Controls app. According to the patch notes, this bumps it up to Version 2.2.0 and it comes with a handful of updates to improve the overall experience. One, in particular, improves the 'Play...
Nintendo Download 14th August (North America)
Drag x Drive! Shantae Advance! TMNT: Tactical Takedown!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. (We've also got a couple of games that dropped during and after the Indie World but weren't featured on last week's download — oops!) As always, be sure to drop...
News Fast & Furious: Arcade Port Cruises Onto Switch This October
From the team behind Cruis'n Blast
Arcade racing fans have another game to look forward to this year, with GameMill Entertainment announcing it will be bringing Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition to the Switch and multiple other platforms on 24th October, 2025. If you're getting Cruis'n Blast vibes from this one, that's because developer Raw...
News Capcom Is Holding A 90-Minute Panel At New York Comic-Con In October
It will showcase "recent and upcoming releases"
Japanese gaming giant Capcom will be holding a special panel on the main stage at this year's New York Comic-Con on 10th October 2025. Entertainment Weekly unveiled the list of panels available at the event — which takes place from 9th to 12th October — and Capcom was among them. We know very few...
News Jackbox Party Pack 11 Is Looking Suitably Ridiculous In New Trailer
There are pugs in it
Jackbox Games has released a new trailer for the upcoming Jackbox Party Pack 11, scheduled to launch on the Switch later this year. It's looking pretty ridiculous, which is exactly what we've come to expect from the Jackbox franchise, so if you're looking to play a few fun party with family or friends on Christmas Day or Boxing...
Guide Drag x Drive: All Cosmetics & How To Unlock
A wheelie useful guide
Nintendo's Drag x Drive is sort of a love/hate game. You're either gonna be into it or not, as we detailed at length in our 7/10 review. Now, if you've decided that wheelchair basketball via mouse and motion controls is your next big gaming crush, well, you might want to know just where all the cosmetic items are in the game...
Wednesday13th Aug 2025
Guide Best Nintendo Switch 2 Third-Party TV Docks
Small docks, big impact
Whether you want a spare dock for a second TV, a travel-friendly option for gaming on the go, or simply a cheaper alternative to Nintendo’s official model, third-party Switch 2 TV docks are a great way to keep your console charged and ready for big-screen action. The best options combine reliable charging, solid build...
Review Drag x Drive (Switch 2) - A Real Baller With Friends, But Is There Enough To Do?
Is it a swish or an air ball?
Drag x Drive is Nintendo's latest attempt to give us a unique sports game that utilises their latest console's flashy tech. And this time, it isn't just any old sport. If you've ever watched wheelchair basketball, you know how technical it can get, and Drag x Drive takes this to the extreme. It's a brilliant choice of...
News Uniqlo Reveals New Pokémon TCG Clothing Range
Pika choose
Clothing brand Uniqlo has put together some pretty sweet gaming collections in the past. We've seen the likes of Tears of the Kingdom, Final Fantasy and Animal Crossing all headline previous ranges, and now it's time for the Pokémon Trading Card Game (and
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Drag x Drive
More drag than drive?
Ahead of Drag x Drive's launch tomorrow, reviews for the wheelchair basketball game have dropped, and... they're pretty mixed. Focusing on 3v3 matches and fully controlled using the Switch 2's Mouse Mode controls, Drag x Drive is a relatively unique multiplayer experience. But, looking over most reviews of the game, that might...
Review Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown (Switch) - A Rad Turn-Based Brawler Blend
Your turn, dude!
There were occasions in 2024 where I wanted nothing more than for the frequency of TMNT game releases to slow down a little. We got three new video game outings, and while some opted for big swings, I couldn't help but feel that the sewer-dwellers' saturation was becoming too much — it's funny how a hit like Shredder's Revenge and...
News New Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Physical Switch Release Spotted
Update: New listing pops up in Europe and it's a "code-in-box"
Since the arrival of Game-Key Cards on the Switch 2, there has been ongoing discussion about the future of third-party physical releases. Even during the Switch generation, certain hard copy releases didn't always live up to expectations, opting to include a download code instead of the...
News The Legend Of Zelda Movie's Official Social Media Account Goes Live
The marketing campaign begins
We're slowly learning more about the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie, and following the reveal of the first cast members in July, it appears an official social media account has now been opened on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter). It's tagged as @The_Zelda_Movie and in the bio mentions how the film...
News Tekken 8 On Switch 2 Would Be "A Lot Of Work", But Director Isn't Ruling It Out
"It would be a very good business decision"
The Switch 2 release schedule is already home to a bunch of ports that never would have been possible on Switch 1, and we can only assume that this will continue for the years to come. One title that's yet to be eyed for the new hybrid is Tekken 8, but that's not to say that the game's director hasn't...
Guide Best Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Headsets
Wired for sound
The Nintendo Switch 2 brings improved audio and built-in GameChat, making a good gaming headset more useful than ever. Whether you’re chatting with friends or just want to enjoy your games with better sound, the right headset can make all the difference. One of the most welcome additions is the headphone jack on the Switch 2 Pro...
News Annapurna Is Bringing This Cute Co-op LEGO Game To Switch In September
September is built for LEGO games it seems
Annapurna Interactive has announced that LEGO Voyagers — the two-player co-op adventure from Light Box Studios, the developer of LEGO Builder’s Journey — is coming to Switch on 15th September 2025 (thanks, IGN). Originally announced at
News Double Dragon Gaiden Scores Another Free DLC Character Pack In New Update
Evil Marian and Super Anubis join the fight
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is the gift that keeps on giving, with Maximum Entertainment and developer Secret Base today adding two more playable characters to the beat 'em up as a free DLC update. This time it's the "Evil Marian" and "Super Anubis" joining the fight. They follow on from the...
News R-Type Delta: HD Boosted Gets A Western Launch Date On Switch
Hint: it's the same as Japan!
Clear River Games has announced that R-Type Delta: HD Boosted will launch on Switch in the West on 20th November 2025. That's the same date as Japan! Developed by City Connection Co. Ltd, the game will receive a physical edition in addition to the usual digital release on Switch, a whopping 27 years after its original...
Tuesday12th Aug 2025
Guide Best Pixel Art Nintendo Switch Games
Our pick of impeccable pixels
Updated this list with the wonderful Until Then and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound! Of all the art styles in video games, none has a stronger chokehold on developers and players alike than the humble pixel. Whether it's a fantastically detailed modern take on what is possible in pixels, or something made in homage to NES and...
News Could This Mysterious Super Mario 40th Anniversary X Account Be Legit?
aaaaaaaaa I don't know
Fans have recently been pondering over a mysterious X/Twitter account that seemingly directly references Super Mario's upcoming 40th anniversary. As reported by The Gamer, X account @supermario40th has been causing a bit of a kerfuffle, with some suspecting that it might be legit, thus indicating that Nintendo will indeed...
News This Super Punch-Out!! Style Game Is On The Way To Switch, Here's A Look
Bringing the fight to Switch soon
[Thu 6th Mar, 2025 02:30 GMT]: The manga series Baki the Grappler will be getting a Super Punch-Out!! style 2D action game for Switch this September. This particular entry, officially known as Baki Hanma: Blood Arena, is based on the Netflix anime and is published by Purple Play and developed by Purple Tree, who...
Random Oh Jeez, Now Palworld Has Its Own Rip-Off On The Switch eShop
And it looks terrible
Developer Pocketpair is still very much in the midst of a lawsuit from Nintendo over its smash-hit title Palworld, but it may have another issue on its hands. As covered by The Gamer, a new title by the name of Palland is now available via the Switch eShop, and everything from its basic descript
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Playable Switch 2 Demo Appearing At Upcoming Events
Update: Registrations now live in the US
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is easily one of the most anticipated Switch (and Switch 2) releases of this year, and although trainers will have to wait until October to get their hands on it, it seems there will be a few ways to sample the new entry before then. In case you missed it, there's apparently going to be...
Poll So, Will You Be Getting The Switch 2's Next Exclusive 'Drag x Drive'?
"Get ready for a whole new ball game"
Last weekend, Nintendo held a special 'Global Jam' for the Switch 2 exclusive, Drag x Drive. This game is described as "the next generation" of 3-on-3 sports, where you use the mouse controls to speed around the court, and flick your wrists to perform tricks and shoot some hoops. To top it off, you can join in...
News After Some Early Issues, Genki Has Finally Upgraded Select Switch 2 Accessories
Attack Vector and Sleeper Case get a facelift
The relationship between Genki and Switch 2 might forever be defined by that pre-reveal CES showcase, but the accessory manufacturer has produced a lot of gear for the new hybrid in the months since. While we have liked most of the Switch 2 accessories we've seen so far from the company, select items...
News Bubsy's Physical Switch Collection Pre-Orders Open Later This Week
"What could possibly go wrong?"
Following '90s gaming mascot revivals like Gex in recent times, Bubsy is up next with his Purrfect Collection featuring multiple classic titles. Limited Run Games has now lifted the lid on the physical offerings, which will contain "4 classic games" and eight playable experiences in total. As a refresher, here's...
News Nintendo Partners With Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance For Competitive Events
Better together
Nintendo of America and Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) have announced a partnership "to make gaming competitions more social, accessible, and rewarding". Starting later this year, school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4 through 12 will be able to utilise Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 3, and Mario...
News Captain Toad Returns In This Week's Nintendo Music Update
Treasure Tracker also got a Switch 2 upgrade recently
Nintendo Music has received its weekly update today and this time it adds the soundtrack from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. You'll be able to listen to tracks like the game's title theme, The King of Pyropuff Peak and much more. All up, this album contains a total of 58 tracks and has a...
Monday11th Aug 2025
Review Heretic + Hexen (Switch) - Two FPS Cult Classics Masterfully Revamped
Faith revived
I’m really beginning to wonder just how Nightdive Studios manages to fit in so many awesome projects. Last year, we had no less than five major releases from the team, including The Thing: Remastered, DOOM + DOOM II, and Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, and it’s clearly looking to achieve a similar degree of prolificacy in 2025. So...
Review Gradius Origins (Switch) - An Almost-Perfect Package For Shoot 'Em Up Fans
Road British
It is testament to Konami’s back-catalogue, from an era when it was the undisputed king of the 16-Bit and 2D arcade craft, that it can muster so many extraordinary compilations. Gradius Origins joins both the Contra and Castlevania Anniversary releases, and Digital Eclipse's wonderful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga...
News McDonald's Japan Pulls Happy Meal Pokémon Cards Early, And Fans Blame Scalpers
But will they learn from their McSteaks?
McDonald's restaurants in Japan seem to have got a little more than they bargained for over this past weekend, as a promotion between Pokémon and the company's Happy Meals had to shut down early. The reason? "Higher-than-expected sales". However, it appears there's more going on here — and, as you can...
UK Charts Mafia: The Old Country Whacks Mario Kart World Down A Peg
Leave the shell. Take the banana.
The latest UK Charts are in and the newly-released Mafia: The Old Country finds itself at the top of the pile, knocking Mario Kart World off its pedestal and into second place. Elsewhere, Tales of the Shire has also performed admirably to land at number 8, despite some rather poor reviews. Sega has a new release...
Anniversary Paper Mario First Unfolded On N64 25 Years Ago
And the book's still open
25 years ago today, 11th August, Mario jumped into a whole new dimension. Today marks the anniversary of the N64 turn-based RPG, Paper Mario — which is a pretty big deal, because that means the entire series is also celebrating its quarter-century anniversary. Feeling old yet? Originally planned to be developed by...
News Turtle Beach Announces Officially Licensed Budget Headset For Switch 2
A price that's lite on your pocket
Turtle Beach is one of the more well-known brands that's already got an entry on our current list of best gaming headsets for Switch 2, and it looks like it may well be sniffing after another with its latest, rather snazzy-looking budget offering. Turtle Beach's Airlite Fit for S
Exclusive Adventure Puzzler 'Particle Hearts' Looks Gorgeous In New Story Trailer
The horn section
Developer Underwater Fire and publisher First Break Labs have just launched a new story trailer for their upcoming puzzle adventure game Particle Hearts, and, simply put, it looks gorgeous. This one will see you playing as The Drifter, a mysterious horned figure made entirely of particles, who sets out on a journey through a savage...
News Mad BMX Skills 2 Supermans Onto Switch Later This Week
Kickstart to your weekend?
There's something about side-scrolling BMX/motorbike games, don't you agree? They promise big silly accidents, skill-based gameplay that's easy to parse, violent falls from mid-air, fun stunts, incredibly painful crashes and... well, yeah, just loads of falling and people getting rag-dolled. Now, we've got some good BMX...
Sunday10th Aug 2025
Mini Review Is This Seat Taken? (Switch) - Sit Down And Get Comfy With This Short, Simple Puzzler
Someone's sitting there, mate
I'm the type of introvert who's made an art of choosing the right seat in public places. With such honed skills, I assumed a puzzler like Is This Seat Taken? would be second nature, and I was mostly right. This adorable indie might not bring anything radical to the table, but it's a perfectly pleasant pick-up-and-play...
News One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Officially Reveals Character Pass 3 DLC
Following a fan survey earlier this year
We heard earlier this year how One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 would be getting more DLC, and now we've got an official update. Bandai Namco and the game's developer Omega Force have revealed Character Pass 3. It contains six playable characters and is available to purchase on 11th August 2025. The first part,...
Talking Point Where On Earth Are The Switch 2 Soundtracks On Nintendo Music?
For the Melody Motorway
Ohhhhh, Zeebraaaa, Zeebraaaaa, ZEEBRAAAAA!~ Here I am, tapping out once again to the Zebra Bananza theme. It's a song fit for Carnival, a blend of styles from all across Latin America — the Brazilian Samba, the Cuban Salsa, the Argentinian Tango. Every time DK beats his chest and transforms into the buffest Zebra you've...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
Vote!
Welcome, cover fans, to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we head into this week's match-up, let's have a quick reminder of what went down last weekend. It was a one-on-one face-off for the GBA's The Hobbit, which saw the gloomy North American/European cover go up against the colourful Japanese variant. Somewhat surprisingly to us, it...
Saturday9th Aug 2025
Opinion Metroid II Doesn't Care If Samus Lives Or Dies
An existential crisis courtesy of the Game Boy
I recently started playing Metroid II: Return of Samus for the first time. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was a way of staving off my intense cravings for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which as of writing still doesn’t have a launch date more concrete than the vague '2025' window Nintendo revealed over a...
News SNK Announces ACA NEOGEO Selection Vol. 7 And Vol. 8 For Switch
Vol. 5 and 6 launched this week
Alongside the release of SNK's ACA NEOGEO Selection Vol. 5 and 6 in Japan this week, Vol. 7 and Vol. 8 have now been announced for the Switch. Both of these collections will launch on 6th November 2025 in the same location. There's no mention of a local release, but like previous collections, English-language...
Review Chillin' By The Fire (Switch 2) - Novel Camera Integration, But Won't Set Your World Alight
RV there yet?
There's usually a number of a certain type of game that drops when a brand new console arrives on the scene. You know the ones, the quirky ones, the ones that utilise new tech and features — such as the Switch 2's camera and game-sharing abilities — to give us something we haven't seen before. And so it is that we come to be...
News Nintendo's Share Price Is Now Double The Height Of The Wii Era
Huge gainz
Nintendo's share price is continuing to skyrocket following the early success of the Switch 2. According to the latest data from Google Finance, the company's share price currently sits at a staggering ¥14,355. For context, this is now double Nintendo's value at the height of the Wii era. On 31st October 2007, the markets closed with...
News Street Fighter 6's Next Wave Of amiibo Cards Surface Online, Here's A Look
Including fighters from the Year 2 and 3 DLC
When Capcom released Street Fighter 6 on the Switch 2 in June, it also launched three new amiibo as well as an amiibo card starter set containing 22 cards. Now, in an update, the second series of cards has appeared online. According to multiple listings, this set will feature new cards for the existing...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (9th August)
Is that a UFO?
Ahoy, there! The weekend is here, so it's time to kick back with some games. But first, let's quickly recap the week, hm? We had a pretty banging Indie World showcase, so that was pretty cool, with lots of really neat announcements and shadow drops. Elsewhere, Nintendo announced a new range of Mario products for younglings, including...
PSA Shoot Some Hoops With Drag x Drive's Dev Team This Weekend
The 'Global Jam' online demo gets underway
The Drag x Drive 'Global Jam' demo event gets underway for Switch Online subscribers this weekend, and as part of this, Nintendo has announced the developers will be joining in on the fun. You'll apparently be able to take them during this event, which runs between 9th August and 10th August, 2025. They'll...
Friday8th Aug 2025
News Dbrand 'Joy-Lock' Replacements Now Available Following Killswitch Joy-Con "Controversy"
Update: Emails have been sent to customers
A short time ago, Dbrand came under fire for design issues with its Killswitch Case for Switch 2 – in short, some users were finding that, with the case attached, the magnetic connection between the console and its Joy-Con 2 controllers was weakened, leading to them disengaging unintentionally. At the...
News Nintendo Announces New 'Hello, Mario!' App For Switch And Mobile Devices
Wood Block amiibo also revealed
Nintendo has today announced it's releasing a new line of Mario-themed products, videos and even an app designed for parents and their children. The free smart device and Switch app is officially titled 'Hello, Mario!' and allows kids to interact with Mario's face. Based on the description and footage so far, it...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: All 120fps Compatible Games
Super-smooth
When it was confirmed that the Switch 2 would support 120fps gameplay, it proved to be one of the most surprising features for the new console. Even at this early stage, games supporting 120fps are starting to trickle out, so it might be good to have a complete list of every title capable of reaching those lofty frame rates. You've...
Show me the frame rates!
One of the biggest misses for me personally with the original Switch is that none of the more popular sports games of our time, and I mean these big EA and 2K efforts like Madden NFL 26 here, and the likes of FC 24 or 25, aren't up to standard seen elsewhere. There have been decent enough-ish attempts, some of those footie...
This'll 8BitDo nicely
We've been talking about 8BitDo a fair bit recently, as the Chinese peripheral maker has just made its large catalogue of controllers backwards compatible with Switch 2 via a firmware update, and they've also got a snazzy arcade controller for Switch, too. This review, though, I'm taking a look at the brand new 8BitDo Pro 3...
Mini Review Tiny Bookshop (Switch) - The Epitome Of Cosy, Perfect For Bookworms
I like big books and I cannot lie
If you’re a self-proclaimed bookworm like me, then chances are you’ve probably fantasised about packing everything away, moving to a quaint seaside town, and starting up a cute little bookshop (don’t worry, NL, I’m not going anywhere!). Well, with Tiny Bookshop, that's exactly the pitch. Developed by...
Gallery Here's A Closer Look At The Super Mario Wood Block Sets, Doubling As amiibo
Launching in Japan this month
Earlier today, Nintendo announced it was releasing a new range of Mario-themed products, and while it is marketed towards parents and children, the 'wood block' sets on the way will actually double as amiibo figures. Along with the news, it's shared multiple photos of this new range made up of Mario, Luigi, Peach,...
News LEGO Party Gets The Party Started On Switch This September, Physical Release Confirmed
Pre-orders are now live
LEGO fans are in for a treat with not one but two new titles announced today for the Switch and both are due out later this year. First up we've got LEGO Voyagers - a new two-player co-op adventure all about "friendship and play". There'll even be a "Friend's Pass" a bit like Hazelight's games (Split Fiction) where you can...
News Pokémon TCG Pocket Updates Card Art Following Plagiarism Allegations
Update: Ho-Oh and Lugia now have new art
Overnight, The Pokémon Company was hit by allegations of plagiarism ahead of the release of the new Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket expansion, Wisdom of Sea and Sky. And today, with the release of the expansion, TPC has pulled the card — plus one other card — in question. In a statement issued on...
Gallery Nintendo Shows Off Its New 'My Mario' Product Line
Rattles, plush and much more
Nintendo today announced a whole range of themed products as part of its new 'My Mario' campaign for parents and children. Apart from a new smartphone and Switch app as well as wooden amiibo blocks, it's also announced a bunch of other stuff. This includes products like clothing, rattles, tableware and much more! Here's...
News Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac Is A Big Glow-Up On Switch & Switch 2
Compared to the GameCube and PS2 release
Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac — which was announced last week in the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase — looks pretty darn good. And just in case you've forgotten what the game looked like on GameCube (or PS2), then Bandai Namco has you covered. The publisher put out a comparison video for its
Talking Point Nintendo Is Laser-Targeting Your Toddlers With This New 'My Mario' Line
Full-on Disney mode engaged
Of the big three platform holders, Nintendo is the 'family-friendly' one. Did you know that? Of course you did - you're an intelligent human being. And over the course of the Switch generation, with all the company's eggs now in a single console basket, Nintendo has diversified its business, leaning into non-gaming areas...
News Nintendo Patent Featuring Crank And "Clickable Wheel" Attachments For Joy-Con 2 Surface
Watch out, Playdate
Patents don't always lead to something, but it's still interesting to see what companies might be up to or at least thinking about behind closed doors. In the case of Switch 2, Nintendo has already delivered some unique features like Joy-Con 2's mouse mode, and now a few other ideas have seemingly surfaced. This information...
Random Metroid Composer Was Just Trying To Impress Someone With Ending Theme
"I wanted him to feel deeply moved after completing the game"
Metroid's ending theme is one of the most iconic pieces of video game music from the NES era. The shift from serious and determined to celebratory is masterful for the area; of course, what else would you expect from Hirokazu Tanaka? Well, the legendary composer — also known as 'Hip'...
News Cronos: The New Dawn Gets A Deep Dive Trailer, And It's Looking Awesome
Launching next month
Cronos: The New Dawn, a fresh new survival horror from Bloober Team, has a new deep dive trailer, giving players a proper look at the story and characters from the upcoming Switch 2 title. It's looking pretty sweet, and we're particularly intrigued by a character called The Warden, who looks like a cross between Cronos'...
News Tron: Catalyst & John Wick Hex Dev 'Bithell Games' Makes "Majority" Of Staff Redundant
"Today we are less"
Bithell Games, the developer behind John Wick Hex, TRON: Identity, and TRON: Catalyst, is sadly making "eleven jobs" at the studio redundant. Studio founder Mike Bithell shared a message on Bluesky earlier today stating that his studio — which he founded in 2013 following the release and critical success behind Thomas Was...
Thursday7th Aug 2025
News The Pokémon Company Releases New Mobile App 'Pokémon Events'
Be in the know
Nintendo has already launched a news app this year, and now The Pokémon Company International is following this up with its very own events application for mobile devices. This new app – officially known as Pokémon Events – is now available on Android and IOS and as the name suggests, it's "your portal to Pokémon Events"...
News Metroid Prime 4, Elden Ring, Silksong All Playable At Nintendo's Gamescom Booth
Plus many more!
Nintendo will be making an appearance at this year's Gamescom, and it looks like the company's full line-up of games has been revealed (thanks, Games Wirtschaft). It's a doozy, folks. Included in the selection are the likes of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends Z-A, Elden Ring
News Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Free Title Update Now Live On Switch And Switch 2
Four additional characters and much more
Alongside EVO 2025 this weekend, Capcom announced it would be releasing a free title update for the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 next week on 7th August 2025. It will add multiple quality of life upgrades, new artwork, remix tracks from Cap-JAMS, and four characters to Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER including...
News Neverway Is A "Nightmarish" Farming RPG From The Pixel Artist Of Celeste
Coming to Switch in 2026
Farming sims seem to be going through a horror phase right now, and today's Indie World Showcase gave us another one that looks, quite frankly, horrifying and beautiful. Neverway, the debut game from Coldblood Inc. (founded by the pixel artist who worked on Celeste and TowerFall), sees Fiona quitting her job to become a...
Guide Nintendo Indie World Showcase August 2025 - Every Announcement, Game Reveal & Trailer
How would you rate it?
The August 2025 Nintendo Direct was an Indie World Showcase featuring 15 minutes of games from independent devs coming to Switch 2 and Switch 1 this year and into 2026. Featuring release dates for previously announced games plus some brand new reveals, it was a decent little showing after the Partner Showcase in July, and...
News UFO 50 Gets A Surprise Shadow Drop On Switch Today
50 games in one
In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, Mossmouth's critically-acclaimed retro compilation, UFO 50, is out on Switch... today! The game costs $24.99 / £20.99 on the Switch eShop. Announced during today's Indie World showcase, the game was developers by the creators of Spelunky, Downwell, and Catacomb Kids. We've been itching to try...
News Forget Silksong, This New Terminator 2D Overview Trailer Looks Stupidly Good
I need your clothes, your boots, and your new game
Reef Entertainment has released a new overview trailer for Terminator 2D: No Fate, and sorry, but we know you're all excited for Silksong and whatnot, but this looks bloody amazing. Clocking in at just over three minutes, the trailer takes us through some of the levels you'll be exploring, the...
News "We Answer To Nobody But You, The Audience" - Digital Foundry Is Now Fully Independent
Richard Leadbetter's tech channel has separated from IGN owner Ziff Davis
Digital Foundry, a massively popular tech and gaming YouTube channel which we feature regularly on this site, has announced today that it is 100% independent. Founded by industry veteran Richard Leadbetter – who has worked on magazines such as CVG, Mean Machines, Maximum...
News 'Mina The Hollower', Yacht Club's Retro Zelda-Inspired Adventure, Scores Switch 2 Release Date
With a free demo available today
It may have felt like a long time coming, but Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games kicked off today's Indie World showcase with a closer look at the gorgeous-looking Mina The Hollower. What's more, it has scored a Switch 2 (and Switch 1, don't worry) release date: 31st October. For those who haven't been...
Poll So, Will You Be Getting The Switch 2 Upgrade For Kirby And The Forgotten Land?
The pink puff returns
It's a new month, and it means we're slowly getting closer to the release of another Switch game upgrade for the Switch 2. Yes, apart from EA's update to Apex Legends this week, later this month Nintendo will also be launching Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World. In case you missed it,...
Watch Nintendo Indie World Showcase August 2025 - Live!
Yes indieed
What's that? You're still catching up on the news from the last Direct? There's no time for that! Nintendo has another showcase up its sleeve, an Indie World to be precise, and it's right around the corner! Yes, Nintendo is keeping the presentations coming today, with the Indie World set to kick off in a little under half an hour at 6am...
Mini Review Apex Legends (Switch 2) - A Giant Leap Over The Tragic Switch 1 Version
Pitch perfect pings and performance, pals
I love Apex Legends. I feel like I have to remind myself of that sometimes, as I'm so bored off my face with shooters in general, and don't really play online competitively anymore. I just can't be bothered with the stress and/or real emotion of it all. However, Apex Legends, once I get over myself and turn...
News Nightdive Studios Reveal "Definitive" Re-Release Of 'Heretic + Hexen' On Switch
And it's out now
If you thought the day's surprises were over, think again, as Bethesda, id Software, and retro specialists Nightdive Studios have announced Heretic + Hexen, the "definitive re-release" of two classic spell shooters. Oh, and it's also out right now (thanks, Gematsu!). For just $14.99 / £13.49 you'll be able to pick up two of Rave
News Tactical RPG 'Demonschool' Finally Gets A Launch Date, And It's Real Soon
Class is in session
After a few lengthy delays, the tactical RPG Demonschool has finally secured a final release date for the Switch, and you've not got long to wait. As announced during the Indie World Japan showcase, the Necrosoft Games-developed title will launch on 3rd September 2025. The game is influenced by the likes of Persona and Shin...
News Mina The Hollower On Switch 2 Supports 120fps
And is that a mouse mode tease?
Yacht Club Games kicked off today's Indie World showcase strongly by announcing that Mina the Hollower is coming to both Switch 1 and Switch 2 on 31st October 2025. And you might be wondering, 'what does a Switch 2 version of a pixel art game entail?' Well, let us — and the developer — inform you. In a blog post...
Japanese Charts Sega's Latest 'Demon Slayer' Kicks Mario Kart World Into Second
Only just, though
Famitsu has provided the latest look at the Japanese boxed charts, and it's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 that's taken the top spot this week on the Switch. It's only just beat Mario Kart World, but if you also take into account the PS5 sales at number five, then its lead is considerably more...
News Little Kitty, Big City Will Soon Let You Customise Your Cat And Snap Adorable Pictures Of Them
Picture Purrfect
Last year's delightful cat sim, Little Kitty, Big City, made a surprise appearance in today's Indie World showcase to reveal the upcoming 'Picture Purrfect' update, set to land on Switch on 27th August. The headline addition in this one is a photo mode, hence the name, but the newbie that we're most excited to see — like,...
Nintendo Download 7th August (North America)
UFO 50! Fruitbus! Harvest Moon!
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: GRADIUS ORIGINS (KONAMI, 7th Aug, $39.99) -...
News Crypt Custodian & Islets Dev Is Bringing Another Gorgeous Metroidvania To Switch Next Year
Well, well, well
Publisher Top Hat Studios popped up at today's Indie World showcase to reveal Well Dweller, the latest title from Crypt Custodian and Islets dev Kyle Thompson, which will be arriving on Switch at some point in 2026. As you might assume from the dev's background, this is yet another gorgeous-looking metroidvania, where you take...
News Apex Legends Switch 2 Upgrade Supports Mouse Mode
In your sights
One of the many new features of the Switch 2 is the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode ability. It's already been showcased within the launch window with new and old titles, and later this year, it will be available in Samus' first-person adventure, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. If you are eager to warm up your FPS skills beforehand, it's been...
News 'Ultimate Sheep Raccoon' Brings Multiplayer Mayhem To Switch This Winter
Baaaaaa!
If you've played Ultimate Chicken Horse before, then you'll know just how brilliant it is when you're able to play with a handful of friends. Well, now developer Clever Endeavour Games is back with a sequel, Ultimate Sheep Raccoon. Better yet, it's launching on Switch and Switch 2 this Winter! Like the original, Ultimate Sheep Raccoon has...
News Futuristic Deep Sea Adventure 'Glaciered', Swims Onto Switch 2 This Winter
Underwater future slaughter
Playism and Studio Snowblind have announced Glaciered for Switch 2, with a release date of winter 2025. The game, which is apparently inspired by the rich ecosystems of Hokkaido, Japan, and looks a little like Subnautica, but with underwater hand-to-hand combat (good thing), sees players assume control of Twi, a dinosaur...
News Beloved Co-Op Horror Game 'Content Warning' Brings Chills And Thrills To Switch 2 Next Year
Yeah I got you, I got this on camera
There was a brief moment last year when it felt like everyone with a PC was playing the co-op survival game Content Warning. Well, next year, those with a Switch 2 (or a Switch 1) will be able to get in on the funny/freaky fun. As revealed in the Indie World showcase, developer Landfall will be bringing the...
News Arcade Archives: D-Day Lands On Switch Today
Get to your ships!
D-Day, Jaleco's 1984 arcade shooter, will arrive today on Nintendo Switch as part of Arcade Archives. The game, which this writer remembers quite enjoying back in ye olden days, sees players control a warship as it sails right up the screen, shooting down planes and blowing everything to ribbons as it goes. Players have a...
Wednesday6th Aug 2025
Mari no cart
Japan's largest speedrunning event, RTA, is set to kick off later this week on 9th August, and will see some of the speediest gamers in the biz ploughing through the likes of Cuphead, Nier: Automata and Skyrim, all in aid of Doctors Without Borders. We learnt a few months ago that Nintendo games would not be included in the lineup, and...
News Super Mario Party Jamboree Updated For Switch 2 And Switch (Version 2.1.1)
Here's what's included
Following Nintendo identifying a bug in Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV last week, an update has now been officially rolled out. This issue was tied to the game's upload records of rankings, and it's apparently operating as it should once again. Apart from the Switch 2 version, this same...
Mini Review The House Of The Dead 2: Remake (Switch) - Erratic Controls Chomp At Another Classic
Dead aim
I don’t think I’ve ever messed around with a game’s settings menu as much as The House of the Dead 2: Remake. And, unfortunately, try as I might, I could never get the game to feel 'good'. Much like its predecessor on the Switch, Forever Entertainment’s latest arcade revamp is limited to just two control schemes: analogue stick and...
News Apex Legends Switch 2 Performance And Resolution Upgrade Detailed
Drop in today
One of the many announcements during last week's Nintendo's Partner showcase was the Switch 2 upgrade for Apex Legends. With the game now available for the Switch 2 this week, Respawn Entertainment has outlined the game's performance details on this new platform. Here's the full rundown along with some information about the download...
Random Honda's Pokémon Koraidon Motorbike Looks Laughable In Practice
Slow and steady
Japanese automotive manufacturer Honda has unveiled the Pokémon Koraidon motorbike during the Suzuka 8 Hours motorcycle endurance race on Sunday, and uh... Well, it looks about as elegant as you could reasonably expect. The vehicle is aided by the Honda Riding Assist system, which means it's able to operate and move independently...
Talking Point Nintendo Indie World Showcase Predictions - What Do You Hope To See?
It's Nintendo's Indie World, we're all just living in it
Nintendo is going absolutely crazy as tomorrow, 7th August 2025, we're getting our second video game showcase for the Switch 2 and Switch. And it's an Indie World. Indie World showcases are always a nice surprise, and given that this is the first for the Switch 2 gen, we might well be seeing...
News New Arcade Racer 'Formula Legends' Speeds Onto Switch This September
Emulate seventy years of premier motorsport
It's been another solid year for arcade racing fans on Nintendo platforms so far, and there's even more to come... The independent studio 3DCloud has announced Formula Legends will be racing onto the original Switch later this year on 18th September 2025 for £19.99 / $19.99 / €19.99. This new title,...
News Nintendo Rolls Out Version 1.1.1 Update For Game Builder Garage On Switch 2
Here are the full patch notes
When Nintendo launched the Switch 2 earlier this year in June, it also released multiple free game updates for select Switch titles. One of these updates was for Game Builder Garage - adding visual optimisations, Joy-Con 2 mouse support and more. Now in a new update, it's rolled out Version 1.1.1. This particular patch...
Opinion We Really Don't Need A Donkey Kong Timeline
Lore of the Swings
From the moment Nintendo revealed Pauline's presence in Donkey Kong Bananza, I knew one thing for certain: I was going to be writing a feature on the DK timeline in the next two months. Look, you know I love Bananza. DK and Pauline have such a wholesome little relationship, I adored hearing the same senile rant from Cranky on...
News Ludocene, The Deckbuilding 'Dating App For Games', Launches Today
Swipe to select, with tips from the pros
We reported on Ludocene back in February, when the new search tool for video games was looking for backers for its Kickstarter campaign, which then went on to find enough supporters that it's launching a whole month early. Hooray! In fact, it's launching today, which is National Playday here in the UK. What...
News Sonic The Hedgehog's Minecraft DLC Scores A 'Super Update' This Week
Defeat Eggman, again
Minecraft has announced a new update for its Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration DLC, and it's out today. The 'Super Update' is a new add-on where you'll need to gather the Chaos Emeralds, defeat Dr. Eggman and transform into Super Sonic and Super Shadow. The Sonic the Hedgehog DLC for Minecraft has previously added iconic...
Tuesday5th Aug 2025
Guide Best Pokémon Spin-Off Games Of All Time
Ranked by you
If there's any franchise that's no stranger to a spin-off or two, it's Pokémon. The inherent appeal of the little Pocket Monsters makes the series ripe for all kinds of genres and video games. Name a genre, and Pokémon has most likely done it. But, dear readers, what's the very best Pokémon spin-off? That's what we're here to find...
News Timberland Is Teaming Up With Sonic On A New Range Of Boots And Clothing
Gotta go... slow?
After collaborating on a pair of Crocs back in 2023, SEGA is continuing its streak of 'Footwear That Would Be Inappropriate For Sonic The Hedgehog' with a new pair of Sonic-inspired Timberland kicks. Let's manage those expectations right from the jump. It's unlikely that most of us will ever get our hands on a pair of these bad...
News Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey
Update: The survey has been closed
Nintendo has already been doing a little surveying and gathering of feedback, as we reported a few weeks back, with regards to physical and digital games, including how game-key cards are going down. Spoiler alert: they aren't really going down very well at all. Now, and as reported by Eurogamer, the Big N is back...
News Surprise! Nintendo Announces Indie World Showcase For Thursday 7th August 2025
Well, we didn't see THAT coming
For the second week in a row, Nintendo will be holding another showcase for games coming to the Switch and Switch 2. This time, it's an Indie World, and will be taking place on 7th August at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST. The showcase will be roughly 15 minutes long and will be show in all of the usual spots...
News Yooka-Replaylee Is Now "Content Complete"
A release date is coming "Soon"
Playtonic Games' Yooka-Replaylee, a remaster of the 2017 3D collectathon platformer Yooka-Laylee, is "content complete" and a release date announcement is "coming...SoonTM". This comes from PM Studios, the physical game publisher who is handling Yooka-Replaylee's release. The company shared a video on Bluesky giving...
News TMNT Goes Turn-Based In 'Tactical Takedown', Skating Onto Switch Next Week
Karai of the Tiger
Well, here's an unexpected bit of news! After launching on PC earlier this year, Strange Scaffold has announced that its turn-based take on TMNT will be flipping onto Switch on 14th August — wait, that's next week! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is all about turn-based action. You'll play as Leo, Raph, Donnie,...
Guide Where To Buy The LEGO Game Boy
Build it like it’s 1989
Relive the golden days of handheld gaming with LEGO’s new near-life-sized tribute to the original Nintendo Game Boy. This adult-focused 421-piece set captures all the iconic design details, from the D-pad and A/B buttons to the Game Pak slot. It also includes swappable brick-built cartridges and lenticular screens...
News Kirby And The Forgotten Land Switch 2 Trailer Showcases More New Mouthful Modes
Sign of the times
Nintendo has released a brand new overview trailer for the catchily-titled Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, and it has given us our first look at a new batch of Mouthful Mode transformations. We first locked eyes on Spring Mouth way back at the game's Switch 2 reveal, but Gear Mouth...
News Deltarune Updates Chapter 3 And 4 In New Switch 2 Patch (Version 1.04)
Download it now
[Wed 23rd Jul, 2025 03:30 BST]: Following an update earlier this month, Toby Fox's latest game Deltarune has now been updated to Version 1.03. This latest update includes improvements to Chapter 2, 3 and 4, along with various other changes. This includes multiple fixes across each chapter, including some softlock fixes, and there...
News This Fortnite 'Power Rangers' Trailer Is Absolutely Awesome
It's Fortnite-ing time
At last, the Power Rangers are making their Fortnite debut later this week on 7th August. There's been rumours about the Rangers dropping in the free-to-play battle royale for a while, and today's trailer confirms when and what to expect. They'll be landing in-game during Chapter 6 Season 4, Shock 'N Awesome. Oh, and did we...
You could be my flamingo
Following the release of the Elves 2 Pro, accessory manufacturer Gulikit is back with the, uh, Elves 2. Yes, this is a cheaper model ($29.99 / £29.99) of the Saturn-inspired wireless pad for the Switch and Switch 2; one that shirks some of the more advanced customisation options of its slightly elder sibling while adding in...
News Former Bungie CEO's Studio ProbablyMonsters Announces 'Storm Lancers' For Switch
Is this your destiny?
When Harold Ryan, former Bungie CEO and president, formed his new studio ProbablyMonsters in 2016, he remarked how that the aim was to transform how AAA games are developed, hoping to create a more sustainable environment for creators to, well, create in. Now, the fledgling studio has announced its first two games, one of...
News Octopath Traveler 0 Has Been Rated For Switch And Switch 2
Out this December
Last week, during Nintendo's partner showcase, Square Enix lifted the lid on Octopath Traveler 0 - a new entry in the HD-2D series where you'll customise and play as your own character. Square Enix has already shared quite a bit about this upcoming release, and now it seems it's been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating...
News Pilotwings SNES, N64 And 3DS Albums Soar Onto 'Nintendo Music' In New Update
Here's every song included
Following the Nintendo Music app being updated to Version 1.3.0, Nintendo has this week added the Pilotwings soundtracks. This update includes not only the Super Nintendo album, but also the soundtracks for Pilotwings 64 and Pilotwings Resort on the 3DS. The SNES release contains 21 tracks with a total run time of 19...
Anniversary No Way Is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island 30 Years Old Already
Yep, seems like it
In yet another indication that time is indeed marching on and on, it seems that Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island has somehow turned 30 years old. Released in Japan on 5th August 1995, Yoshi's Island marked a significant departure from its predecessor, yet received widespread critical acclaim regardless. It also happened to be...
News Mario Voice Actor Charles Martinet Will Appear At MCM Comic Con In Birmingham
Event kicks off in November
Charles Martinet may not be voicing Mario anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't still deeply involved in the promotion of Nintendo's enduring mascot. As such, the voice actor will be making an appearance at this year's MCM Comic Con in Bimingham from 28th - 30th November, 2025. Martinet will be there for all three days...
Monday4th Aug 2025
Feature What We Expect From Nintendo For Super Mario Bros.' 40th Anniversary
Four decades of 1-1
Five years ago, Nintendo made an appropriately big thing of Super Mario Bros.' 35th anniversary, with a bespoke Direct broadcast featuring a bunch of new games and, naturally, merch celebrating the Famicom release of video gaming's most famous platformer on 13th September 1985. Half a decade on and the 40th anniversary is just...
But what were they?
Well, we were all quite excited, we think it's fair to say, about Nintendo's Partner Showcase last week and, in the end, it seemed a little light on heavy-hitting or exciting stuff in all honesty. Yep, we expected a little more sugar, a few surprises to whet our appetites on the third-party front, since the initial wave of...
Review Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (Switch) - A Gorgeous & Gory Return To The Series' 2D Roots
Heads will roll
To return to Ninja Gaiden’s 2D roots in 2025 is a wonderful thing. Dotemu, upon acquiring the license for a series reboot, approached Spanish indie developer The Game Kitchen to get the job done. Known for their remarkable Blasphemous titles, the project was overseen by Team Ninja, who have held the series mantle from 2004 to...
News Atari's Retro Metroidvania 'Adventure Of Samsara' Launches Next Month
I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure
Atari has announced that its new retro-inspired metroidvania Adventure of Samsara will launch on the Switch next month on 4th September 2025. Loosely based on the 2600 title Adventure from creator Warren Robinett, Adventure of Samsara looks pretty awesome and we're really digging the whole retro...
News Nintendo Music Update Adds "Some Features" For Those With An Expired NSO Membership
Keep the tunes coming
Nintendo has rolled out its latest update for the Nintendo Music mobile app, and the biggest change seems to be the arrival of "some features" for anyone who let their Nintendo Switch Online membership expire. That "some features" all sounds pretty mysterious, doesn't it? Well, that's exactly how the Big N phrases it in the...
News Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack Won't Offer Switch Upgrade Path Or Save Data Transfer
Out in November
Koei Tecmo has released a brand new trailer for Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack, which will contain DX versions (essentially, expanded versions) of the Atelier Ryza trilogy of games, which launched on Switch. Plus, the trio has a release date of 13th November 2025 for both Switch 1 and Switch 2. There's a catch, however. If...
Video 13 Exciting New Games Coming To Switch 1 & 2 In August 2025
Shinobi! Shantae! Kirby!
We are barreling straight into another month of Switch 2, and while August might not be quite as packed as the last, there's still plenty of new game goodness coming our way. Here to run us through all of the big hitters coming to Switch 1 and 2 in the next four weeks is the lovely Zion, who's rounded up a sweet 15 games...
Video Street Fighter 6 Teases Next DLC Fighter And More Outfits In Two New Trailers
C. Viper returns this Autumn
Following a leak earlier on, Capcom has now officially released the teaser trailer for the next Street Fighter 6 DLC character. The secret agent C. Viper, who originally made her debut in Street Fighter IV, is scheduled to arrive in Street Fighter 6's World Tour, Battle Hub and Fighting Grounds on Autumn 2025 for all...
News Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Playable At Fan Expo Canada This Month
And it's still releasing this year, according to Nintendo!
We are all pretty excited for Metroid Prime 4's arrival at this stage, we think you'll agree. In fact, apart from the ever-elusive Silksong, we can't think of another game that's got us biting on our furniture as we wait for further information about when we can actually play the bleddy...
News Just Like With Switch 1, Nintendo Warns Against Using Switch 2 In Extreme Heat
AC adapter
Whenever the weather in Japan reached particularly high temperatures throughout the Switch's lifespan, Nintendo would release a statement reminding everyone that the OG hybrid was not cut out for such conditions. As it turns out, the Switch 2 is no different (thanks for the heads up, Eurogamer). Japan has been experiencing a huge...
News Tetris & Metroid Composer 'Hip' Tanaka Is Getting Back Into Video Game Music
And he'd love to make another soundtrack, "if asked"
Those lovely folks over at VGC spoke to the one and only Hirokazu Tanaka — better known as 'Hip' or 'Chip' Tanaka — at Bitsummit's Indie Game Event in Kyoto last month and, it seems, the main man may well be up for making some sweet new music, if somebody asks. Would somebody just let him make...
Sunday3rd Aug 2025
News More Switch Games Reportedly Receive Switch 2 Compatibility Fixes
Update: Another batch of games have been fixed
Nintendo rolled out a new firmware update (Version 20.2.0) for the Switch 2 last week, and it appears it's not just Portal 2 that this patch may have fixed. Nintendo Everything reports "over 20 games" with Switch 2 backward compatibility problems have supposedly had issues resolved thanks to this...
Guide Best Lord Of The Rings Games, Ranked - Switch And Nintendo Systems
Every Lord of the Rings game on Nintendo platforms
Don't tell the elf! We've updated the following with Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game following its arrival on Switch. Enjoy! One list to rule them all, One list to find them, One list to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. That's right, precious, it's time to rank the...
Opinion Donkey Kong Bananza's Delightful World Map Is Another Nintendo Banger
Mario's miniature marvels
There's a lot of fun to be had in smashing the place to tiny little voxel pieces in Donkey Kong Bananza, it's easily its biggest draw. People have been into the sweet catharsis of wanton destruction since way back before there were even people. Probably. However, the one thing that's caught my attention most whilst playing...
News Guilty Gear Switch Edition Update And DLC Arriving Fall 2025
Update: Lucy DLC trailer released
[Tue 29th Jul, 2025 06:30 BST]: Ahead of EVO 2025 later this week, Arc System Works has finally shared an update about the Switch version of Guilty Gear Strive, which was released at the beginning of this year. Following a previous update, the development team has now confirmed the DLC characters Venom, Unika and...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (July 2025)
Our picks for the best eShop games on Switch and Switch 2 in July!
Another month down, another eShop Selects to welcome in the new one. Yes, hello folks, it's your regularly scheduled eShop Selects, this time for July 2025. As always, we're looking at the best of the rest — the best eShop exclusives you may have missed on Switch 1 and Switch 2...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: The Hobbit (GBA)
This Ori That
Assemble your best team of warriors, kings, wizards and burglars, because it's time to embark on a Box Art Brawl adventure. But before Gandalf comes a-knocking, let's take a look at what went down last week, when we matched up two different covers for Blast Corps. In the battle of East and West, Japan came out on top, with the badass...
News Antonblast Patch Brings Switch Version Up To Date With PC Release
And it's now live
Antonblast arrived on the Switch late last year and it's received some updates since then including a performance boost. Now, in another update, the developer has announced it's released a new patch for the Switch version, which brings it up to date with the PC release. You can see these previous patch updates for PC via the...
News Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes Adds A New DLC Fighter Later This Month
Izumi is here
Another EVO 2025 announcement this weekend has been shared by the team behind UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes. It confirms the third additional character in the Season Pass, Izumi, will arrive later this month on 19th August 2025. This character follows on from Ogre (who arrived earlier this year in February) and Uzuki (who joined...
Saturday2nd Aug 2025
Hands On Forget The Name, Square Enix's New Action RPG Is A Lovely HD-2D Take On SNES-Era Zelda
A Link to the Millennium
Two of my favourite games growing up were The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Secret of Mana. Lush green worlds, curious — and sometimes cute — enemies, and fluid action combat for the time; as someone who had largely only played turn-based RPGs for the first eight years of their life, the SNES era of action RPGs...
Puck around and find out
It's not that often that a perfectly good and functional air hockey video game drops. In fact, considering that the grotty arcade staple translates so readily to the sphere, very few air hockey games release in general. One of life's persisting mysteries, right there. However, fear not Switch 2-owning air hockey fans (which...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd August)
Another weekend with the King of Swing
Welcome to August, folks! Let's kick things off right with a fresh edition of What Are You Playing. It was Direct week over in Nintendo Land, with a Partner Showcase delivering us 25 minutes of... meh. There were some big hitters that we're pleased to see (Persona 3 Reload, Octopath Traveler 0,
Video Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage Trailer
"Coming soon" to Switch 2
It's the fighting game event EVO 2025 this weekend, and there are all sorts of announcements taking place alongside the competition. With this in mind, SEGA has released a new trailer for Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. It focuses on the "all-new" immersive mode "World Stage". Here's a bit about it, and you can check out the...
Friday1st Aug 2025
Guide 112 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Summer Switch eShop Sale (Europe)
Update: Just a few days left!
Don't forget, the European Summer Sale closes up shop this Sunday 3rd August , so you only have a few days left to pick up some bargains... until the next sale, at least! Summer is still sizzling, and now the savings have made their way across the Atlantic and to the fair lands of Europe. Nintendo of Europe has...
News Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch 2 Games
There's even some heading for Switch 1, too!
Nintendo's quarterly financial report is here, and as usual, the company wraps things up by highlighting a bunch of titles we can look forward to seeing on Switch 2 (and Switch 1) in the coming months. Now, the last one of these that we saw looked super stacked thanks to a bunch of Switch 2 launch titles...
News Nintendo Switch Console & Accessory Prices Are Going Up In The US
Switch 2 and NSO prices remain the same
Nintendo of America has announced that the price of the Nintendo Switch family of systems — so the OG, the Lite, and the OLED — will be increasing on 3rd August 2025. This is "based on market conditions" (thanks to Wario64 for reposting!). Price changes are coming to the Switch 1 consoles, some Switch 2...
News Switch 2 Has Sold "More Than 6 Million" Units, And Almost As Many Copies Of Mario Kart World
Crazy attach rates
Nintendo's latest financial results are live, and the platform holder has confirmed Switch 2 hardware sales "exceeding 6 million units globally in the seven weeks after launch." Switch 2 launched on 5th June and today's Q1 financial report includes figures up to the end of that month. The stated figure of "more than 6 million"...
News Kirby Air Riders Has Been Rated For Switch 2
It's scheduled to arrive in 2025
Masahiro Sakurai's latest project Kirby Air Riders soars onto the Switch 2 at some point later this year. While we haven't heard all that much about it since the initial announcement in April, the game has reportedly been rated in Saudi Arabia recently – receiving an age rating in this location of "7 and above"...
News Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Gets Proper Physical Release On Switch 2
Update: But MK4 requires a "download"
A new wave of Game-Key Card titles have just been announced for the Switch 2 following Nintendo's Partner Showcase. Although it seems this type of release won't be stopping any time soon, not every third-party title is necessarily taking this route. According to a new listing, Digital Eclipse – which has made...
Opinion Can We Stop Comparing Donkey Kong Bananza's Tactile Thrills To Odyssey Now?
My favourite one is both
Note. This article contains minor, non-narrative spoilers (specifically, Bananza forms and mid-game layers). Did you know there was a U-turn jump in Bananza? I just realised this morning! He does a roll jump (that can be chained into another air roll) and lands with a sonar splash. I'm not exactly sure how useful it is but...
Review Dear Me, I Was... (Switch 2) - A Bold, Heartfelt, Wordless Visual Novel
Crying speedrun (Any%)
A common complaint levied against visual novels is that they’re some of the most text-heavy games one can find on the market. Who wants to spend hours upon hours reading dialogue during precious gaming time? Answer: me, and plenty of other people, but it’s a valid perspective to consider. Visual novels are generally wordy...
News Switch Is Now Within Touching Distance Of The DS' Lifetime Sales
All that stands between Switch and PS2
Switch 2 numbers were always going to dominate Nintendo's latest quarterly financial report, but the Switch 1 is still chugging along, too. In fact, with another quarter under its belt, the OG hybrid is edging ever closer to the DS' lifetime sales. At the latest count, the Switch 1 has sold 153.10 million...
Guide Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games & Accessories For August & September 2025
Star-Crossed lovers
As the Switch 2 enters its third month in the wild, the new games are coming in slow but steady. The wealth of Switch 1 games old and new that benefit from the new console's extra power is helping us pass the time between totally brand new S2 games following launch. Most players have probably still got their hands full with the...
News Nintendo Showcases Every Partner Direct Switch 2 Game In New Infographic
A nice little lineup
The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase for July 2025 may have come and gone, but if you need a reminder of all the games that featured in it (and if our full round-up wasn't enough for ya), then the Big N has got you covered. A brand new infographic shared on the Nintendo of America Twitter account highlights all the games that...
News Square Enix Wants Feedback About Its New HD-2D Game Coming To Switch 2
Have you played the demo yet?
To send off Nintendo's recent Partner Showcase, Square Enix announced some new projects, and one of them happened to be the brand new HD-2D title The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. This is an action RPG where the combat will take place in real-time instead of the usual turn-based battles you might be used...
News Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of June 2025
All around me are familiar faces
Nintendo has shared its financial report for the first quarter of FY2026, so it's time to get an updated look at the top ten best-selling Switch titles. Now, those who follow this list every quarter won't find a lot of surprises here. In fact, since Pokémon Scarlet and Violet succeeded Sword and Shield in the last...
Japanese Charts Mario Party Rolls A Fine Switch 2 Debut, But Can't Move To The Top Spot
Bored of the board
Famitsu has shared its latest look at the physical software charts in Japan, and the podium is a Switch 2 washout. Mario Kart World has claimed the gold again (no surprises there), leaving Donkey Kong Bananza still swinging steady in second, but it's Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV that claims...
News Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Blasts Onto Switch And Switch 2 This November
Switch update confirmed
Bandai Namco officially lifted the lid on Switch and Switch 2 versions of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero in this week's Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. This game will be coming to Nintendo's platforms later this year on 14th November 2025 and pre-orders are available now. It follows a rating for this platform earlier this...
Nintendo Download 1st August (North America)
Dear me, I was...! Tales of the Shire! Time Flies!
If you were here yesterday and wondering where the latest Nintendo Download update for North America was, well, here it is! Direct be darned, this week's Download has a bunch of new games to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your...
