Latest Soapbox
December2020
Soapbox I've Been Playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons Wrong All This Time, But No More
Take a walk on the (re)wild side
Do whatever you like, however you like – that’s the Animal Crossing: New Horizons mantra. There’s no big bad boss to defeat, and no final destination to struggle towards. Instead, New Horizons offers players complete freedom to create and develop their island paradise however they like. Or so it might seem...
Soapbox Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is Easily My Most Nerve-Racking Game Of 2020
Cute and calming, but there's a catch
If you're a fan of nerve-shredding tension, there are plenty of video games that'll get your pulse racing. Love a steep challenge? Why not test your reflexes against a rock hard shmup or grind through an intimidatingly expansive RPG? Want to give your grey matter a workout? There's no shortage of mind-bending...
Soapbox If The Smash Community Wants To #SaveSmash, It Needs To Start From Within
The community needs to deal with the abuse scandals of 2020 first
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Alan Lopez discusses the recent online campaign to "save" Super Smash Bros., and why it's papering over a far more...
November2020
Soapbox 10 Years On, We Need More Brave, Worthwhile Experiments Like Epic Mickey
The Brave Little 'Failure'
In some ways, the Wii era feels further away than it actually is. The modern gaming landscape, though certainly influenced by Nintendo's approachable little console, seems so laser focused on pixel counts, framerates and raytracing that Wii feels incredibly old-school in 2020. The idea that just ten years ago we were still...
October2020
Soapbox 10 Years On, Kirby's Epic Yarn Is Still The Pink Puffball's Finest Outing
Fluff and nonsense
It's time for a Nintendo Life Soapbox confession. Ready? While the majority of the gaming world takes Masahiro Sakurai's most cherished child heartily to their collective bosom (squeezing his squidgy body in their embrace, no doubt), I've always found Kirby a bit... what's the word? Oh yes: rubbish. I'm not talking about how he...
September2020
Soapbox Astral Chain Was The Game Nintendo Needed Most In Its 2019 Switch Lineup
And Platinum, for that matter
Astral Chain is now a year old. In this soapbox piece, Mitch Vogel explains why he thinks it's one of the most significant Switch titles yet. This past weekend marked the first anniversary of the release of Astral Chain, the latest product of the long-standing collaboration between PlatinumGames and Nintendo...
Soapbox Nintendogs Prepared Me For Life As A Dog Owner, And Now I Want A Switch Version
Doggy stylus
Nintendo's cute canine sim first came bounding onto Nintendo DS just over 15 years ago in the US, way back in August 2005. In this Soapbox article, Rebecca remembers how the original game took over her life and ponders where the series has wandered off to... When I was eight years old, all I wanted was a pooch of my own to love and...
August2020
Soapbox We've Reached The Point-Of-No-Return In This Nindie Love Affair
There's no going back... thank goodness!
In this Soapbox article, Gavin discusses the warm familiar feeling he experienced while watching this week's Nintendo Indie World Showcase... I was planning on beginning this with a big 'list o' shame'; all the indie titles I've got backlogged on my Switch that I still need to play, many of them purchased...
Soapbox After Paper Mario: The Origami King, I Want More Comedy On Switch, Please
More funny business, thanks
In all honesty, I dropped off Paper Mario: The Origami King quicker than I hoped I would. But whilst I may not remember the last checkpoint I reached during my second playthrough, or exactly who was accompanying me, I do remember how much the game made me laugh. In the end, it was the lacklustre battle system that...
July2020
Soapbox It's Time For WWE No Mercy To Make A Comeback On Nintendo Switch
The champ deserves a comeback run
In case you haven’t been keeping tabs on the WWE video game scene, it’s currently in a state of complete anarchy. Ever since THQ went bust and 2K Games took over the licence in 2013, the games have been gathering a steady flow of criticism, which has been rapidly gaining in pace as each instalment is released...
June2020
Soapbox I’m Super Excited About The Future Of Animal Crossing: New Horizons
But what exactly is beyond the new horizon?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons director Aya Kyogoku recently said that she sees New Horizons as the beginning of Animal Crossing’s third generation. That begs the question, how will this generation develop as we move forwards? After all, Animal Crossing superfans are still going to be playing New Horizons...
Soapbox Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Wedding Season Is A Reminder That Marriage Is Hard Work
Reese, Cyrus and my gamer brain = a hell of a union
In this Soapbox, Gavin discusses the fine line between enjoying his Animal Crossing dailies and grinding through chores. For anybody prone to compulsive behaviour, video games can be a dangerous pastime. Whether it's grinding away just to get a Platinum trophy, completing a collection of digital...
Soapbox Wii Party Is 10 Years Old, And I Really Want A Switch Version
This is a (Wii) Party political broadcast
The party game is a seriously underrated genre. Unfairly written off as overly simplistic or even shovelware by some gamers, party games can, in fact, be immensely enjoyable for casual players and hardcore gamers alike. After all, I’ve 100% completed numerous Zelda and Resident Evil
April2020
Which racing series would you most like to ride again?
In this Soapbox feature, Gavin reminisces about the old days when Nintendo made multiple racing games... Earlier this week was the 20th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, but there's another Nintendo 64 game that debuted exactly two decades ago, albeit on the other side of the...
Soapbox This Little Plastic Disc Has Enriched My Animal Crossing: New Horizons Experience
Should you also join the (N2) Elite?
The arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has predictably triggered a surge in demand for Animal Crossing amiibo cards required to invite certain villagers to your island, so much so that some of them are now trading hands for
February2020
Soapbox Confounded By The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Cloud Save Situation? You're Not Alone
Clear as mud
The launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons creeps ever closer, and fans are absolutely gagging to set themselves up on Tom Nook's island and once again place themselves under the yoke of the tyrant raccoon and his Mini-Mes. It's gonna be amazing! Yet despite a steady flow of new information bringing excitement at seeing
December2019
Feature In Praise Of Save States, Rewinds And Walkthroughs
A personal journey to make peace with gaming's mod cons...
The year was 1991. My dad had gone to now-defunct UK electronics retailer Dixons and purchased a Sega Mega Drive with Castle of Illusion for the princely sum of £144.99; I know this because I still have the receipt stapled in the console's manual. Beyond a dusty Atari 2600 which resided at...
November2019
Soapbox Professor Layton And The Psychology Of Puzzle Solving
Warning: Spoilers contained within!
Like many others, the Nintendo DS has a special place in my heart. Preoccupying me for hours over several years, that little plastic plaything accompanied me here, there and everywhere and with it, my strange assortment of games. As a kid, often what was advertised to me were games featuring brands like Pokémon...
Soapbox Attacking Pokémon Creator Game Freak Isn't Cool, But Biting Back Isn't The Answer
Game Freak's James Turner fuels the fire, but can you blame him?
The negative press surrounding the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield shows no signs of slowing down, with rumours now floating around that morale at developer Game Freak is at an all-time low. Earlier this week, WayPoint Radio’s Austin Walker (thanks, GoNintendo) made a claim that...
August2019
Soapbox Mario Kart Tour Looks Lousy With F2P Trappings, But That’s All Right
Keep those currencies and timers where they belong!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Here, Gavin grits his teeth and discusses how he's absolutely fine with the free-to-play aspects of the upcoming mobile Mario Kart. The latest entry...
Soapbox To Me, Mario Maker 2 Is Nintendo's Best, And Most Disappointing, Sequel Ever
Super Mario Paradox
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Here Gavin discusses how Super Mario Maker 2 is giving him mixed emotions... The Nintendo first party flavour of the month may well be Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but due to my...
July2019
Soapbox Should I Wait For Switch 'Pro' Or Is The 'New' Switch SKU Worth An Upgrade?
Robbery and battery
The long-rumoured Switch Lite is taking Nintendo’s hybrid console concept, dumping the ‘hybrid’ bit and going full ‘PlayStation Vita’. Leaving aside the fact that you should never go full PlayStation Vita (can we expect Nintendo to swiftly pull all support, disown the console and leave it to third parties to fill it...
Soapbox Sorry Nintendo, Joy-Con Drift Means I Won't Buy Switch Lite At Launch
Stuck with the stick?
Nintendo's Joy-Con headache is only just beginning, with the company now facing a class-action lawsuit relating to the drifting analogue sticks on its innovative Switch controllers. The company has issued a statement on the matter, and – g
Soapbox Nintendo Switch Lite Might Not Be For You, But It Will Be A Smash Hit With My Family
R.I.P. 3DS?
We can already imagine the various hot takes on tech gadget blogs all over the world following the announcement of the Nintendo Switch Lite. Headlines like "Nintendo Switch Lite Sucks As It Has No TV Out" and "Is The Nintendo Switch Lite Even A Switch?" will surely be the order of the day. Sure, there are some compromises here to get...
Soapbox The Nintendo Switch Lite Has The One Thing I've Been Waiting For All This Time
One Direction?
After months of rumours and speculation, today Nintendo finally announced the Switch Lite, a cheaper variant of the existing Switch console that's coming this September for $199.99. With its colourful casing, compact design and focus on portable play, it's clear this new console is aimed at pulling in younger players and growing the...
June2019
Soapbox Why Sword And Shield's Pokémon Purge Will Benefit Everyone
And how the cull draws focus from more significant issues
When you're trying to please a fanbase that's been around for over 20 years, any major change to the status quo will always divide opinion. Pokémon is a series that’s kept under heavy scrutiny by its loyal community, with each minute detail studied under a Silph Scope with no place for...
Soapbox EA’s Approach To FIFA On Switch Is Typically Short-Sighted
Used to be in the game
'EA Sports: it’s in the game'. Ah, we all remember that slogan from the old days, although the news over the weekend that FIFA 20 on Switch will be a ‘Legacy’ rehash makes you realise that while EA’s head might be ‘in the game’, its heart certainly isn’t. We won't get the new Volta mode on Switch or any of the...
Soapbox The Nintendo World Championships Is Tired, And So Am I
Alan Lopez reports from the event
I just went to the Nintendo World Championships and I am tired. This ballyhooed Nintendo game extravaganza, typically hosted on the same week as the gaming industry’s flagship Electronic Gaming Expo, originated from a fandom-fueled 1990 tournament of the same name. Way back then, the Nintendo World Championships...
April2019
Soapbox I Don't 'Get' Smash Bros. And I Just Don't Know Why
Confessions of an apathetic Smasher
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on various topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, staff writer Gavin looks back on his history with the Smash Bros. series and tells us why he's weary of the latest iteration on Switch...
March2019
Soapbox It's Time To Admit That F-Zero X Is The Best F-Zero
You got boost power!
There is a bit of a running joke here within the Nintendo Life team; it’s a well-known fact that I’m a huge fan of F-Zero X on the Nintendo 64, and despite my strong beliefs on the subject, almost everyone tries to convince me otherwise as to which is the best F-Zero. You’ll find references to this hidden across Nintendo...
February2019
Soapbox My Love Affair With Tetris, Probably The Best Video Game Ever Created
More than 30 years of block-dropping fun
Like millions of players all over the world, my relationship with Tetris began with the Game Boy. Alexey Pajitnov's famous puzzler may have begun its life on computers in 1984, but it would find a whole new level of fame thanks to the fact that it was bundled with Nintendo's million-selling monochrome...
December2018
Soapbox 8 Nintendo 3DS Games We'd Love To See On Switch
Which games would you port?
We recently looked at which final Wii U games we'd like to see make the transition to Nintendo Switch, the other natural candidate for ports is Nintendo 3DS, which is now deep into the twilight of its lifespan. So, before we put our 3DS consoles into long-term storage, I started thinking about which games from its vast...
November2018
Soapbox Don't Listen To The Pokémon: Let’s Go Haters - The Game Has Definitely Found Its Audience
Serebii's Joe Merrick looks at the facts
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Serebii owner and Nintendo Life contributor Joe Merrick finally addresses the topic of Pokémon: Let's Go sales figures... Pokémon Let’s Go...
October2018
Soapbox I'm Causing The Slow Death Of Gaming Magazines, And It Hurts
Paper pathos
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Damien sadly reflects on the death of gaming magazines and the fact that he's actively contributing to the sorry situation... Last week, we reported on the rather...
Riding on Nintendo's coat-tails might not be the silliest idea...
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Damien picks apart Huawei's recent bold claims that its new Mate 20 X smartphone trumps the Nintendo Switch as a...
Soapbox Nintendo's Maddening Stance On Retro Gaming Is Driving Me To Piracy
Fighting 'ROM culture' needs more than 3 NES games a month
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Nintendo Life Editor Damien McFerran laments the fact that Nintendo still doesn't seem to know how to exploit its amazing retro...
September2018
Soapbox Why Do We Want More Games When We've Already Got Too Many?
Bring back the glory days
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Guides Editor Glen wonders why we're constantly asking for new games when the ones we already have offer so much... There are two opposing sentiments that...
Soapbox Nintendo's Excuses Regarding Cloud Saves Aren't Good Enough
The onus is on Nintendo to find a way to combat cheaters
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Nintendo Life Operations Director Darren Calvert voices his opinion on the state of Switch cloud saves, and why Nintendo needs to...
Soapbox We Like To Grumble, But Nintendo Switch Online Is Actually A Very Generous Offer
So quit your complaining
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Nintendo Life Guides Editor Glen Fox provides a counterpoint to the piece we ran yesterday about the general lack of excitement surrounding the NES games offered...
Soapbox Why I'm Not Excited About Playing NES Games On The Nintendo Switch
All NES'ed out
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Nintendo Life Operations Director Darren Calvert admits that he's not in the least bit excited about the prospect of playing NES games again in 2018... They say that...
July2018
Soapbox What Splatoon 2 Can Learn From Fortnite And Paladins, And Vice Versa
War-fair
The excellent F2P titles Fortnite and Paladins have both launched on the Nintendo Switch recently, bringing two different flavours of online shootery to the platform, minus any price tag. This would all be excellent news if it wasn't for the fact that I haven't touched Splatoon 2 since. Before you reach for your pitchfork,...
June2018
Soapbox The Best Changes For Smash Bros. Ultimate Are The Ones We Didn’t Ask For
We all want a lot from a new Smash
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. This time, contributing writer Alan Lopez breaks down some of the key changes that are being made to the new Smash Bros and how they'll fundamentally change how we...
Soapbox Fortnite Is Coming So Nintendo Really Needs To Sort Out Its Voice Chat Problem
Talk is cheap
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. This time, editor Dom discusses one of the main issues Nintendo has faces with Nintendo Switch - the convoluted process users have to follow to chat online, and the equally unintuitive...
May2018
Soapbox Pokémon GO’s ‘Casual’ Influence On The Mainline Series Is A Good Thing, At Least For Now
A chance to rediscover the magic?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, staff writer Ryan explores the new approach to gameplay found in the upcoming Pokémon games and why they might just be the moment of relief the...
Soapbox Why A Nintendo 64 Classic Edition Might Not Be Such A Good Idea
Not so 'Ultra' this time round?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, our 'Man in Japan' Jon explains why Nintendo continuing the ‘classic mini’ line of retro consoles with the N64 may be one step too far... First...
Soapbox Let's Give Nintendo Switch Online A Chance Before We Throw It To The Wolves
Every online service has to start somewhere
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom discusses the hot topic that is Nintendo Switch Online and why every online service starts out with a few teething problems...
Soapbox What Pokémon GO And The Pokémon Main Series Could Learn From Each Other
Serebii's Joe Merrick shares his opinion
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, resident Pokémon expert and webmaster of Serebii Joe Merrick ponders if Pokémon GO and the mainline Pokémon games can...
April2018
Soapbox How Nintendo Switch Helped Break My Crippling Obsession With Achievements
Breaking the habit
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom admits his problem with platform-specific trophy systems and how their absence on Nintendo Switch has helped him kick a money-wasting,...
March2018
Soapbox With Microsoft Playing Ball, It’s Finally Time For Banjo-Kazooie To Return To Nintendo
And we know just the studio that could pull it off...
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom tackles a subject very close to his heart - his rabid love for a certain seminal platformer from Rare, and...
Soapbox I'm Secretly Terrified Of An All-Digital Gaming Future
A digital convert questions a future without physical games
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editorial director Damien admits he may have been wrong about gaming's all-digital future... During the 3DS era,...
Soapbox My Nintendo's Updated Rewards Scheme Is Anything But Rewarding
Now I’m missing the Club Nintendo days more than ever
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom looks into the option to spend virtual gold coins on the eShop and how this addition to the My Nintendo program...
Soapbox Nintendo Switch Learned A Lot From Wii U’s Struggles During Its Own First Year
Why the two consoles performed so differently over 12 months
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom explores the very opening 12 months of Nintendo Switch and its predecessor, Wii U. We all know Switch's...
February2018
Soapbox Switch Continues To Give Older Games A Second (Or Third) Chance At Redemption
Ports can be a good thing, right?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom delves into the vast ocean of ports on Nintendo Switch and argues that bringing older games to the platform can relight the fire for...
Soapbox What Happened To All The Great Baseball Games On Nintendo Consoles?
Ian Cortina laments the lack of decent sluggers on Switch
“Right! Try and get your heads round this, okay? Imagine the sun setting on the vast waters of Lake Victoria... A hundred thousand wildebeest grazing on the Masai Steppe, yeah? A misty, sleepy dawn rises to reveal Kilimanjaro in all its hypnotic majesty…” Lovely stuff. Those are the...
Soapbox Call Of Duty Can Work On Switch, Activision Just Needs To Pull The Trigger
And it deserves more than a straight port
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor - and long-time Call Of Duty advocate - Dom goes beyond the rumours and investigates the reality of whether the shooter franchise...
Soapbox The Super Mario Movie Might Not Be All That Great
“The perfect mix of terrible”
Mario had a film before, and it wasn't exactly stellar, and so when the news was confirmed this morning that Nintendo is partnering up with the studio responsible for such products as Minions and The Secret Life Of Pets, it was hard for me to contain my scepticism and frustration. I can't personally see how a film...
January2018
Soapbox Nintendo's Riding High On Switch's Wave, But What Does It Need To Do To Stay There?
It’s time to change the playbook
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom mulls over Nintendo Switch's big sales milestones and how Nintendo needs to adopt new tactics to stay relevant in the months...
Soapbox Monster Hunter World Has Claimed Its Prize, But Capcom Shouldn't Forget Nintendo
3DS helped make the series what it is today
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom argues that Monster Hunter World needed to leave Nintendo behind to make a different success of itself, but that the wider...
Soapbox Miitomo's Days Are Numbered, But Its Death Was Written In The Stars From The Start
Exit stage-left for the Mii
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Dom takes a look back on the forgotten first child of Nintendo's mobile marriage and why its surprisingly the semi-social network even survived this...
Soapbox Labo Could Help Nintendo Finally Crack The World Of Education
An elusive but profitable market could be won over, says Yuri Litvinenko
For any company whose products happen to be popular among children, the education market has always been one of the most lucrative to target – but it's one which poses a stern challenge, too. A manufacturer has to offer something that appeals to kids and teachers alike, being...
Soapbox Alex And Dom Discuss If Dark Souls Will Really Work On Switch
Prepare to vie (for attention)
A short time ago, shiny new Nintendo Life Editor (TM) Dom wrote an excellent piece about Dark Souls coming to Switch, and why it's such a spiffing idea. His decision to pen this piece was also a spiffing idea; so much so in fact that we decided Dom and our resident video guru Alex should have a wee natter about the...
Soapbox Dark Souls' Ruthless Recipe Perfectly Suits Switch’s Evolving Audience
Preparing to die on Switch will be a watershed moment
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on a wide range of topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this edition, editor Dom explores the viscous and empowering minutia of the Dark Souls phenomenon and how it's a match made in...
Soapbox Why You Should Consider Catching Big Air With Wii's Excite Truck
If you still have access to a Wii or Wii U, that is
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on a wide range of topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this edition, Dave Letcavage discusses his somewhat recent introduction to the divisive Wii launch game Excite Truck, and makes a case...
Soapbox Switch's Rampant Success Is Proof Positive That You Should Never Write Off Nintendo
Wii U was a necessary step towards a superior console
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's edition, editor Dom recalls Nintendo's darker days, how it was written off during Wii U's era and how Switch typifies its independent...
Soapbox Let 2018 Be The Year The Third-Party Exclusive Takes Over On Nintendo Switch
Just without the soulless cash-ins we saw in the Wii era
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Dom explores the gap in Nintendo's software library and how a the need to develop third-party exclusives will only make...
Soapbox What The Upcoming Pokémon Switch RPG Can Learn From Recent Pokémon Games
Feeling jaded by recent Pokémon outings? You're not alone
Soapbox features allow our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Pokémon fanatic Arjun talks about his recent disappointment with the mainline titles in the series, and his hopes for the...
December2017
Soapbox Yoshi's Woolly World Mended My Rocky Relationship With Yoshi
A cracked heart tightly stitched back together
Yoshi has been my favourite character from the Super Mario series since he made his dino-riffic debut in Super Mario World back in '91. I was so fond of him at that time that I convinced my parents to name our new Bichon Frise puppy in his honour. To this day, when I play Mario Kart or Mario Party...
November2017
Soapbox It Took Nintendo To Turn Me Into A Smartphone Gamer
Oh, the irony
I love smartphones. From the very first moment I scooped up my T-Mobile G1 (AKA: the HTC Dream) way back in 2008, I knew this piece of technology would change my life forever. Over the years I've changed smartphones more often than I have my socks (that's not actually an exaggeration, which is why my wife and kids find it so hard to...
Soapbox Celebrating The Second Chance Saloon That Is The Nintendo Switch
Round two’s alright
Cole Phelps is one of the most unlikeable video game protagonists I’ve ever had the pleasure of vaulting over a wall in pursuit of a fleeing perp, or accidentally propelling into the back of a parked Buick while at the wheel of a siren-wailing Nash Super. The leading man of Rockstar’s L.A. Noire, developed by the...
September2017
Soapbox Playing Super Mario Sunshine Today Painfully Illustrates Nintendo's 3D Evolution
As it turns 15, Mike Diver takes a fresh look at the GameCube platformer
Precision platforming – it’s something that pretty much comes as standard in Mario titles, these days. I’ve had my hands on Super Mario Odyssey, and it’s a delight – aesthetically as peachy as we’ve come to expect from Nintendo since the advent of HD visuals, but...
August2017
Soapbox The SNES Classic Edition Pre-Order Farce Proves Nintendo Hasn't Learned A Thing
It's all just a little bit of history repeating
Nintendo dropped the ball with the launch of the NES Mini last year, with retailers making the pre-order process more testing that it needed to be and the volume of stock needed to meet demand being woefully underestimated. We had every hope the Big N would have learned from the bad feeling caused by...
Soapbox Seriously Nintendo, It's Time For A Switch Joy-Con With A Proper D-Pad
Buttons just aren't as good
After months of speculation prior to the Nintendo Switch being officially revealed in October 2016, it's fair to say that the initial reaction was largely very positive. This early enthusiasm from the gaming community has been backed up by decent software support from Nintendo and a ever-growing install base; the Switch...
April2017
Soapbox All The Video Game Magazines You Grew Up With Were Rubbish
Japan had it so much better, thinks Ian Cortina
All the video game magazines you and I grew up with were crap. We were robbed. Dealt a poor hand. Okay, that might be a little extreme, they were not crap per se - we just never had it as good as our friends in Japan. Sure, many a mag tried and came very close - Super Play immediately springs to mind...
Soapbox ARMS is the New Splatoon for the Nintendo Switch Generation
It's like an onion
ARMS has layers. Many, many layers. That is at least if the latest Nintendo Direct is to be believed. What started out as an apparently straightforward and limited beat-em-up with motion controls has rapidly been extrapolated into something far grander than we think many people expected. Sound familiar? Sounds just like how...
January2017
Soapbox You're Going To Love ARMS, And Here's Why
Boxing clever
It would be fair to say that ARMS received a somewhat lukewarm response when it was unveiled during the Nintendo Switch presentation. While some reacted positively to the colourful visuals, fetching character design and motion-sensitive action, others wrote it off as little more than Wii Sports boxing with better graphics, and...
