Switch eShop News
Guide 161 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Hits For The Holidays' eShop Sale (North America)
Reminder: It wraps up on Sunday
Just a reminder that Nintendo of America's holiday eShop discounts finish this Sunday night, so if you were waiting for payday to come around before diving back into this monstrous sale, the clock's a-ticking. Well, until the next time 3,000+ games are discounted. Carry on! Nintendo of America has kicked off its...
News Antonblast Has Recouped All Production Expenses In Less Than A Month
"WE ARE PROFITABLE!"
Developer Tony Grayson of Summitsphere has announced that the Wario Land-inspired platformer Antonblast has recouped all production expenses less than a month after its release. This means, of course, that the game is now turning a profit which, according to Grayson, means Summitsphere will now have the ability to produce "a...
"We will be taking on many new challenges"
It's a new year and Hamster Corporation is already back at it with more weekly 'Arcade Archives' releases on the Switch eShop. To kick things off, it's released Athena's 1989 side-scrolling action title Castle of Dragon. You'll go forth with the "power of love" as two young kings set out on a journey to...
News Toby Fox New Year Message Reminds Us Deltarune's Next Chapters Are Launching This Year
It's a catchphrase now
Following his end-of-year newsletter update in December, game developer Toby Fox has kicked off 2025 with a special post on social media. Not only does it wish fans a happy new year, but it also jokingly issues another reminder about Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4 and how they will both be launching at some point this year! Here...
Video Antonblast Switch eShop Review - Is This Wario Land-Inspired Indie Worth It?
Yes, it's a blast
We're still recovering from the New Year celebrations here on Nintendo Life, but in case you missed it - the Wario Land-inspired platformer Antonblast finally made its debut on the Switch last month after some last-minute delays. While we've already shared our written review, our video review has now gone live and our lovely...
Review Star Trek: Legends (Switch) - Competent Combat But Fails To Engage
Fire at Will
As a mischievous omnipotent being once said, Star Trek isn't about mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknown possibilities of existence. The voyages of the starships Enterprise et al. are journeys of self-discovery. It's about the people we meet on those strange new worlds and what they teach us about ourselves. It's...
News Graveyard Keeper Physical Switch Release Surfaces Online
Back from the dead this March
The Lazy Bear Games and tinyBuild Switch eShop release Graveyard Keeper appears to be finally getting a physical release on Nintendo's hybrid platform. According to some new listings on sites like Amazon, the Stardew-style and graveyard management sim title will score a hard copy release in March 2025 with Atari...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (December 2024)
Our picks for the best eShop games in December
As we sit upon the cusp of 2025, we're looking back one last time at 2024 — and our eShop Selects for December! Stuffed full of games? Need some more eShop delights? Well, we can help bring you up to date with the best games we reviewed that released on the eShop in December. As always, the rankings...
Review Palia (Switch) - One Year On, Is This Life Sim Worth Playing?
Has a promising sprout bloomed?
Editor's note: This article was originally published in December 2023 as a review in progress. We had hoped to return to Palia once it hit version 1.0, but it's still not there at the time of writing. Therefore we're revisiting one year on to see how things have changed with some new text up top and a score below. A...
News 'The Thing: Remastered' On Switch Is Finally Available In Europe
Why don't we just wait here for a little while?
Nightdive Studio's The Thing: Remastered launched in North America back on 5th December, giving Switch gamers in that territory the chance to (re)acquaint themselves with Computer Artwork's cult squad-based shooter from 2002. However, the European release has been tied up for weeks and it's yet to...
News Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Final Competition Of 2024 Now Live
Bring in the New Year with some speedrunning
If you're looking for a way to fill in the hours between now and the New Year, why not jump on Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Nintendo has just sent its final competition (and first one of 2025) live. The current challenges will test your skills in Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario Bros. 3,...
News Atari's 2024 Recap Video Shows How Important Its Acquisitions Have Been
Firing on all cylinders
Things really weren't looking good for Atari for a while. Before current CEO Wade Rosen shifted the company's focus back to retro gaming, Atari had its eyes firmly on cryptocurreny and... hotels? Yeesh. It wasn't great. Now, however, the future looks bright for the once-mighty Atari, with the firm's acquisitions of Digital...
News Stardew Valley Has Now Sold More Copies Than Mario Kart Wii
And nearly 8 million of those are on Switch
We all know Stardew Valley has been a runaway success ever since it released on PC in 2016. But it continues to sell gangbusters across multiple platforms, and as of December 2024, has reached an absolutely huge milestone. The farming sim has now sold 41 million copies, ConcernedApe announced on the...
Feature "I Want You To Be Mad" - Crazy Viking Studios On The Brutality Of Volgarr The Viking II
"We didn't have any intention of ever making a sequel"
The original Volgarr The Viking might have flown under a lot of folks' radar when it launched back in 2013, but it's one of those games where if you know, you know. It garnered a solid 8/10 from us when it landed on Switch and it's cultivated a hardcore, dedicated fanbase whose members are...
News NieR:Automata Surpasses Another Sales Milestone, Plans For 2025 Teased
The 15th anniversary takes place next year
Square Enix and PlatinumGames' excellent action-adventure RPG NieR:Automata has reached another lifetime sales milestone - surpassing the nine million mark in total shipments and digital sales. This title originally launched on the PlayStation 4 in 2017 with the Switch 'The End of YoRHa Edition' following...
News Freedom Wars Remastered Japanese Switch Box Art Revealed, Here's A First Look
Update: English language support confirmed
In September, Bandai Namco surprised fans with the announcement of Freedom Wars Remastered for the Nintendo Switch. It will be arriving in January 2025 and is a remaster of Japan Studio's PlayStation Vita exclusive which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Fans have now been given a first look at the...
News Level-5 CEO Shares Another Update About Its 2025 Switch Game Schedule
The CEO hopes 2025 will be a "breakthrough year"
In October, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino reconfirmed the Japanese video game company would release three major titles next year. Now, in 4Gamer.net's annual "end-of-year" round up with Japanese creators, he's reassured fans that the same three titles are definitely launching in 2025. Once again, this...
News Nintendo Reveals Japan's "Top 30" Most Downloaded Switch eShop Games Of 2024
Suika Game takes out the top spot
As we approach the end of 2024, Nintendo has revealed the most downloaded Switch eShop games of the year in Japan. As you might expect, the usual titles and series are on there like Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Quest and Monster Hunter. There are also a few surprises, indie representatives and viral...
Feature How Lemmings, ChuChu Rocket & Nintendo Inspired Unpacking Devs' Next Game
"When you play it, you feel connected, not judged"
Developer Witch Beam isn't ready to rest on its laurels. After creating two wildly different games — the twin-stick shooter Assault Android Cactus and the BAFTA award-winning, heartfelt puzzler Unpacking — it's ready to move back to the outside and go with something even more relaxing. We were...
News Japanese Game Creators Reveal Their "Top 20" Video Games Of 2024
Here's the full list
It's the end of the year and as we round up the best games and all sorts of other interesting facts and figures, Weekly Famitsu's latest issue (released on 26th December 2024) has revealed the "most popular games played in 2024" according to 181 industry figures and "game loving celebrities" in Japan. As explained by Persona...
News Night Slashers: Remake Is Getting A Physical Switch Release In 2025
Japan only, but English language support is included
Following the release of the beat 'em up Night Slashers: Remake in September, a physical release has now been confirmed. The catch is it's Japan only for now. Fortunately, it does include English language support. It's around the $30 USD mark (or your regional equivalent) on sites like Play-Asia...
News Guilty Gear Strive’s Next DLC Character Will Be A Free Update On Switch
Joining Season 4
Back in September, Arc System Works shared a “first in-game look” at Guilty Gear Strive’s next DLC fighter Queen Dizzy. This fighter will be added to the Switch version of the game as part of a “free content” update. Arc System Works confirmed this on social media alongside the news this update is scheduled to arrive on...
News Final Fantasy Team Wants To Hear Your Thoughts About The Series
Fill out the Final Fantasy questionnaire
The role-playing series Final Fantasy has been going strong for almost 40 years now and with this in mind, Square Enix wants to know how fans feel about the series. To find this out, it's released a “10-15 minute” questionnaire – covering all things Final Fantasy. It’s the usual type of questions...
Feature How Can Switch 2 'Fix' The eShop? Devs Share Their Storefront Stories
"It's feast or famine, really"
If you are the proud owner of a Nintendo Switch (and if you're reading this, we'd wager that you are), then it will come as no surprise when we say that the eShop is a wild place in 2024. While gaming may have never been better, Nintendo's storefront has never been worse. Discoverability is a thing of the past with...
News Antonblast Receives Update On Switch With Performance Boost To 60fps
Better late than never
One of our biggest gripes with Antonblast on the Switch was its performance at launch. In our review, we noted that slowdown during more chaotic moments of gameplay can "cheapen the experience enough to be disappointing", which isn't really ideal for a 2D platformer in which speed is a key factor. Thankfully, a new update has...
Feature Pepper Grinder's Solo Dev Digs Into Scope, Smash Bros. & "Crunchy Feedback"
"I just made a game I always wanted to play"
It might feel like a long time since Pepper Grinder was unearthed for Switch at the November 2022 Indie World Showcase, but it has been even longer for Riv Hester, the game's solo developer at studio Ahr Ech, who first dug up the idea seven years ago. This is Sonic the Hedgehog meets Drill Dozer (by way...
News Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind First Major Update Now Live On Switch
The "online" patch has also been submitted to Nintendo
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind made its debut on the Switch last week and it's gone down relatively well so far with critics and fans alike. In saying this, not everything is available on every platform (like online play), but the developers are working on it and have now rolled...
Opinion Nightdive Studios Had Its Best, Most Prolific Year Yet In 2024
And it can only get better
For the younger readers amongst you, I suspect that many 3D games from the ‘90s and ‘00s seem rather quaint at best and downright unplayable at worst. It was a period in which the medium was geting to grips with a completely new third dimension; couple this with the limited graphical capabilities of the PlayStation and...
News Multiple Cartoon Network Games Have Been Removed From The Switch eShop
Merry Christmas!
Following Sega's removal of certain digital titles earlier this month, multiple Cartoon Network Games under the Warner Bros. Discovery label have now been delisted from digital stores including Nintendo's Switch eShop. There's no word if they'll ever return but according to reports, "at least five games" under the Warner Bros...
Review DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou (Switch) - Cave's Vicious Shooter Is Close To The Series' Best
Elemental rage
Holding the Guinness World Record for "Most prolific developer of danmaku shooters” — a tenuous plaudit seemingly concocted entirely for their receipt — Cave’s five DonPachi entries form bullet points in the company’s evolution, from Toaplan-esque beginnings to a full-blown, bullet hell renaissance. SaiDaiOuJou, the...
Video Here Are Alex's Top 5 Nintendo Switch Games Of 2024
Merry Alex-mas, ya filthy animal
Third time's a charm, as they say. Yes, we're back with our third and final look at our video team's top five Switch games of 2024. It's worth repeating here that these aren't necessarily games that launched in 2024, but are merely games that the video chaps played in 2024. You'll see why we felt the need to...
Review Antonblast (Switch) - Channels Wario Land’s Madcap Energy To Great Effect
A genuine blast
Since this review was originally published patches have addressed or improved one or more of the issues cited. While we unfortunately cannot revisit games on an individual basis, it should still be noted that the updated game may offer an improved experience over the one detailed below. A few months ago, the Switch finally received...
News The HD-2D Series 'Octopath Traveler' Hits Another Sales Milestone
Here's some new artwork to celebrate
Square Enix's RPG series Octopath Traveler has reached another sales milestone - with the Japanese company announcing total global shipments and digital sales have now surpassed the five million mark. The first game featuring the HD-2D aesthetic was originally released as a Switch exclusive in 2018 and was...
News Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed Updated, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Download it now
Following its release in October, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed has received a new update. It adds a new colour blind mode with three options and also "responds to fan demand" for increased gameplay difficulty and other quality-of-life improvements. Here's the full rundown, courtesy of the PR: "With the new patch...
News 'Ys vs. Trails In The Sky: Alternative Saga' Announced For Switch, Coming 2025
The crossover fighter returns
Well, here's a surprise - Falcom and refint/games have announced they're reviving the crossover fighting game bringing together Ys. and Trails in the Sky. Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga will be coming to the Switch and multiple other platforms worldwide in 2025. This game was originally released on the...
News Terminator 2D: No Fate Has Been Rated For Nintendo Switch
"I'll be back"
Pictured: Terminator: Resistance The Switch is home to all sorts of franchises but one series Nintendo fans haven't got their hands on this generation is Terminator. It seems this could all be set to change with the discovery a game called Terminator 2D: No Fate has been rated by the Australian Classification Board for the Nintendo...
News 'Tetris Forever' Adds Curious Sequel 'Welltris' Via A Free Update
Plus a couple of welcome improvements
Digital Eclipse has announced that the curious Tetris sequel Welltris will be added to the excellent compilation title Tetris Forever via a free update on Switch. The game, originally release in 1989, takes the same basic gameplay of Tetris, but adds in an extra dimension, essentially turning the gameplay area...
Random 'Monkey Kong' On Switch Reminds Us Of Nintendo's '83 Legal Battle
Monkey see, monkey do
Nintendo’s been involved in its fair share of legal battles over the years, but we have a feeling it might be thinking twice before taking on publisher Pix Arts over the recent release of Monkey Kong In New-York on the Nintendo Switch. Granted, Nintendo can do whatever it likes, and if it thinks there’s even the slightest...
Random Balatro Fans Start The Ultimate Debate: Is That Jimbo's Clown Ruff Or Tiny Body?
We fold
If a glance at most of our Nintendo Switch Year in Review stats is anything to go by, then more than a few of us have spent a good bit of time with Balatro this year. We've spent so long with it, in fact, that its iconography is pretty much burned into our minds by this point. It sure would be a shame if one joke tweet made us see the whole...
News New Switch Golf Game Will Have Nintendo's Repair Team Sweating
Don't let go!
A new golf game for the Nintendo Switch – simply titled Mini Golf Simulator – has caught our attention thanks to the bizarre way in which it utilises the Switch's Joy-Con controllers. Out now on the eShop, the Takahiro Miyazawa-developed game requires you to connect the wrist strap attachments in a way that allows one of the...
News Catly Developer Says Game Does Not Use Generative AI, Blockchain Tech, Or NFTs
Update: SuperAuthenti releases gameplay trailer
If you love cats (and there are plenty of us here at Nintendo Life who do), then you might be interested in checking out this upcoming open-world title known as Catly. There's no release date just yet, but during The Game Awards this year it was confirmed for the Nintendo Switch and multiple other...
News Cult RPG Hit 'OFF' Makes Its Way To The Switch In 2025
With a physical edition to boot
If you're a fan of Undertale, then chances are you may have heard of OFF, even if you've yet to actually play it. Creator Toby Fox often cites the RPG as a huge influence on Undertale, and now the 2008 cult hit is making its way to the Switch. Arriving in 2025, the new port boasts official translations into multiple...
News No Gravity Games Is Giving Away 11 Free Switch Games This Month (North America)
Ho ho holy moly
Today is the grand finale of the No Gravity Games 'Switchmas Giveaway', with Creepy Tale 2 rounding out the freebies. You'll find all the information about the event and every free game included in the original post below. Christmas is upon us once again, which means that No Gravity Games is back with another generous offer of free...
News Ex-Capcom Devs Swap Zombies For Curry In Studio's Upcoming Switch Game
Go gold in 2025
We'll let you in on a little secret. Here at Nintendo Life, and indeed the wider Hookshot family, we often wish one another a happy 'Curry Friday' at the end of the working week. Y'see, we bloomin' love curry. Do we love it enough to play a game in which you catch spices falling from the sky in order to cook up our own delectable...
News Gorgeous Platformer 'Neva' Lands Accessibility Update, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Well I Neva
Neva, the poetic platformer from GRIS developer Nomada Studio, has landed a "major" accessibility update that adds a boatload of new features to spread the game's appeal even further. Naturally, accessibility appears to be the key focus here, with Nomada tweaking some platforming sections, making the game's three chase sequences...
News Bullet-Hell Shmup Dodonpachi Saidaioujou Launches Today On Switch
Will you take on the challenge?
Publisher Live Wire has announced that DODONPACHI SAIDAIOUJOU will be available on the Nintendo Switch eShop from today. The game is available now via the North American eShop for $34.99, though at the time of writing, it’s not yet visible via the EU eShop, and Live Wire has not confirmed a release within Europe at...
News Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky Remake Lands On Switch Fall 2025
Check out the new trailer
It has been quite a while since the tentatively titled 'The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st' made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance at the June 2024 Direct, but today Nihon Falcom and GungHo have given the upcoming remake a new trailer, a new title, and a release window of Fall 2025. Now officially known as...
News Atlus Lead Explains Why Persona Protagonists Are High School Males
But adults and female protags may still feature
It's no secret why the Persona series is so darn popular amongst RPG fans. Mixing a ridiculously sharp sense of style with engaging mechanics, likeable characters, and recognisable settings have made Atlus' franchise into one of the most revered of all time. One thing you might definitely will have...
News Toby Fox Shares Another Development Update On Deltarune Chapter 3, 4 & 5
"Progress has still been steady"
Undertale creator Toby Fox has rolled out his "holiday newsletter" for 2024 and it's got some "progress updates" in it about Deltarune Chapter 3, 4, and 5. Chapter 3 has recently been tested by a "professional team on PC" and it's "pretty solid now". According to Fox, "only console-related aspects remain". He's even...
News Lemmings-Like Space Adventure 'Moons of Darsalon' Leaps Onto Switch February 2025
Complete with some nasty AI art
The retro-inspired 'save them all' platformer Moons of Darsalon launched on Steam last year, and now developer Dr. Kucho! Games has announced that the Switch will get a slice of the throwback action on 6th February 2025. If the above trailer hasn't already spelt it out, Moons of Darsalon is all about saving your team...
