Tag: Best of 2021 - Page 4
Feature More Than Just Pokémon - Japan’s Secret World Of Game Boy Color
Hidden handheld happiness
The Game Boy Color was the immensely popular home of a wide range of handheld classics, from multi-million sellers such as Pokémon Gold and Silver and Link’s Awakening DX to the now painfully expensive Metal Gear Solid, not to mention the non-Color original Game Boy library it played, too
Memory Pak My Nostalgic Sonic 2 Playthrough Was A Treasured Gaming Moment
You only have one life
It's a big anniversary year for various Nintendo franchises, but it's easy to forget that it's also a whopper for SEGA's mascot, with June bringing the 30th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. We'll have various articles celebrating that milestone, but a little ahead of time I thought I'd share a fun memory I have with the...
Feature A Perfect Metascore? We Play The Switch Game "Better Than Zelda: Breath Of The Wild"
The House In Fata Morgana Game Diary, Part 1
This is going to take a little bit of explaining. There is a game called "The House In Fata Morgana" that first came out in Japan in 2012. It eventually trickled its way onto more platforms, including iOS, PS4, and 3DS, but it wasn't until 2016 that Western audiences were able to play it. And then, just...
Soapbox Resident Evil Gaiden Is Good, Actually
“Good luck Barry”
We recently asked you Nintendo Life readers to rate your favourite Game Boy Color games, and as we're preparing to publish the Top 50 results, we're taking a look back at a handful of our favourite GBC games. Here, Kerry defends the Resident Evil game that NL readers voted the worst in the series... A long time ago we were...
Soapbox Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Release Date Worries Me, But Hopefully I'm Wrong
A potential Poké-hit, if it's treated with respect
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics or random stuff they've been thinking about, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Today, Ryan talks about the surprisingly early release date for a big-name Pokémon title. Pokémon...
Soapbox Be Happy, This Is The True Golden Age Of Gaming
Technology has transformed gaming and made it better than ever
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics or random stuff they've been thinking about, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Today, Tom talks about why this is the greatest era of gaming. So stop complaining, ok? I'm...
Soapbox I Miss My Friends, But I Don't Want To Kill Them
Well, maybe a little bit
I highly doubt any of the people reading this have the power to change anything in the games industry, but just in case: my thesis here is that the world is craving online co-op games, and it's crazy that we don't have more of them. Or, at least, more of them that don't involve shooting my friends in the face, or hanging out...
Feature Game Builder Garage Could Help Make The Next Generation Of Game Devs
"Anyone can be a game programmer"
Most of the game developers you know today, and even the ones you don't, grew up making games with some extremely arcane tools. Nintendo's newest game, Game Builder Garage, might look like it's aimed at kids — but it's part of a new era of game development that's more accessible than ever. Back in the day, a lot...
2018's burning question, now updated for 2021!
Update: In the light of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe selling an incredible 10.6 million copies in 2020 alone, we've decided to resurrect this piece, which was originally published in July of 2018. Back then, we asked if you wanted to see Nintendo support the game with more DLC, and almost three years on, we're...
Soapbox Hurry Up And Release The Switch Pro Already, My Switch Is Dying
Update: The plot thickens (in video form)
Getting a new piece of technology is a lot like getting a puppy on Christmas Day. The rest of the afternoon and evening are likely to be spent playing with your new present, marvelling at how perfect and new it is, and changing all the settings so it's just the way you like it. Fast forward a couple of...
Soapbox Animal Crossing Is A Daily Delight, But These Aren't Really 'Updates', Are They?
Old horizons
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. Today, Tom talks about the lack of substantial updates for a game he's been playing on the regular for some time now... I should start this with a disclaimer: I like Animal Crossing: New...
Talking Point Why Did Nintendo Give Up On Its 'Classic Edition' Concept So Soon?
Does it truly hate making money?
We don't exist in a bubble here at Nintendo Life, and there's many a time we've glanced over other sites and spotted a feature that makes us jealous we didn't think of writing it first. One such piece is this excellent RetroBeat feature by Mike Minotti over on VentureBeat, which asks one very reasonable question: Hey...
Talking Point Do You Miss Instruction Manuals?
They gave the boxes some heft, no?
For many of us more 'seasoned' gamers, it's sometimes tempting to look back with rose-tinted specs and think that video games were just 'better' in the past. You know, back in the olden times when you didn't need an account and an email address and an 8-character password (minimum one capital letter, one special...
Feature Pokémon Snap - The 64DD Origins Of A Picture-Perfect Spin-Off
Grab your Camerupt
Even amongst die-hard fans, chances are low that you’ve beaten most Pokémon games. Sure, main entries and subsequent remakes are one thing, but when you consider Pokémon’s seemingly endless spin-offs, that becomes a completely different chat. Now clocking over a hundred games, some may have fallen into relative obscurity,...
Talking Point Wii Features We'd Love To See On Nintendo Switch
Apart from 'managing the fridge', that wasn't fun
The Nintendo Switch has been a hugely successful and profitable system — and we're evidently huge fans of it — so it might seem a tad churlish to highlight areas it could be better. Yet one aspect where the system is arguably lacking is in personality, especially when compared directly to its...
Feature Pokémon Origin Stories - The Inspiration Behind Your Favourite Pocket Monsters
A quarter-century of Pokémon designs
Pokémon is a juggernaut of a franchise. Countless games, movies, merchandise and mobile apps make this literally the biggest media franchise ever made in terms of cold hard cash. Of course this couldn’t have happened without long-lasting appeal, and one area that the franchise nearly always seems to nail down...
Feature Why Aerial_Knight Put His Name On His Game
Aerial_Knight talks development, diversity, and his debut game
Last week's Indie World Direct was a showcase full of ingenuity, creativity, and excitement, as independent developers from across the world announced their games for the Nintendo Switch, often in their native languages. It wasn't just twenty minutes of new games - it was a celebration...
Talking Point Is It Worth Buying A Nintendo Wii U In 2021?
The answer might not be as obvious as you think...
Nintendo's doing pretty well at the moment, with its Switch console selling like hotcakes and games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons creating a whole new generation of fans. You might assume, then, that the sheer notion of investing your hard-earned money in the company's last-gen system – and...
Soapbox An Anniversary Ode To Okami, The Best Zelda Game That Isn't
Fifteen years of Clover's classic
Ever since the The Legend of Zelda turned 35 back in February, we've been looking back over the mainline games with a series of features celebrating and examining each one from a personal perspective. However, today it's the 15th anniversary of another fine action-adventure — a game which may not have the name...
Feature 'Breaking' Shrines Was Maybe The Coolest Thing About Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A new approach to puzzle design
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Mitch discusses goofing around with puzzles in one of the...
Soapbox 'I'll Play It On Game Pass' Is Becoming Common, But Does That Affect Switch eShop?
The stats say perhaps not
Though the Nintendo Switch is my most-played system, I have a confession, dear readers. I also play a fair bit on the Xbox Series X, which I somehow pre-ordered in the distant time of 2020, and it actually arrived. Sure enough the devil is banging on the door demanding payment of my soul, but I'll just keep playing games...
Soapbox After 17 Years, Monster Hunter Rise Finally Made Me Kind Of Competent
Rising up
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. Today, Kerry looks at how Capcom's latest Monster Hunter game empowered her for the first time to feel adequately skilled when it comes to hunting big ol' monsters... I have been terrible...
Talking Point Capcom, Please Make Monster Hunter Snap
Snap those Monster scraps
I’ve been playing a lot of Monster Hunter Rise since it launched. Like, an unhealthy amount. It’s easily my new favourite in the series, serving as a great jumping on point for new players and a place for veterans to hone their skills. But while I’ve enjoyed zipping to and fro with the new Wirebug, and riding around...
More artificial scarcity
On March 29, 2021, Bandai Candy — in partnership with Nintendo and 7-Eleven — released a collection of seven Animal Crossing figurines. Branded 'Atsumare: Dōbutsu no Mori - Tomodachi Dōru' (loosely, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Doll Friends), the figurines can only be purchased at Nintendo Tokyo and, more...
Feature Zelda: Spirit Tracks Finally Gave The Princess A Crucial Role To Play
The only one that actually tells a Legend of Zelda
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Mitch looks back on an underrated handheld entry...
Feature Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Is Secretly One Of The Best Zeldas
When the stylus controls finally let Link ink
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Kate reminisces about the good, the bad, and the stylus...
Random Forget Fat Pikachu - We're All About Wide Link
What a good boy
What's that you've got there? A triangle? Good job! If you're ever having a bit of an off day, may we recommend looking through old Zelda key art? Whether you have a few manuals from the old games lying around, or you just want to browse the Zeldapedia galleries, it's something that always cheers us up. This is Link and Ganon...
Soapbox Why Do People Love Games Like Stardew Valley And Animal Crossing?
Playing games shouldn't feel like work, right?
One of my favourite things to do after a long day of nine-to-five work is crack open a beer, get cosy on the sofa, and play two to five hours of a game where I have a nine-to-five job. It seems ludicrous to spend my free time doing exactly what I do in my non-free time, and yet, here I am - one of...
Memory Pak Taking My First Starter Pokémon All The Way To The Elite Four
Making my parents proud by beating a video game
My first Pokémon was a Chikorita named Chicky, and I loved that tiny green horse-thing with all my heart. I came to Pokémon a little later than many of my friends and peers, having missed out on Pokémon Red and Blue by not owning a Game Boy, but I spent many hours watching others wander around...
Feature People Are Sharing Their First Four Zelda Screenshots On Switch, And We Wanted To Join In
Let's just delete all the ones of Link's bum in those rubber tights real quick
It's been 4 years (and a few days) since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, alongside the Nintendo Switch itself. Despite not being a particularly big anniversary, it's been celebrated nonetheless by fans and game critics alike. The latest birthday...
Feature Forget Saving Hyrule, Zelda: Ocarina of Time Is All About Fishing For Me
Lure of the wild
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, we're running a series of features looking at a specific aspect — a theme, character, mechanic, location, memory or something else entirely — from each of the mainline Zelda games. Today, Kerry admits that she didn't always stick to the proposed path when playing one of...
Feature After Fire Emblem And Famicom Detective Club, What Comes Next From Nintendo's Vault?
Raiders Of The Lost Games
Between the eclectic selection of NES and SNES games served up as part of everyone’s Nintendo Switch Online subscription, Fire Emblem's long-awaited (if time-limited) English language release thirty years after its Japanese debut, and the upcoming remake of their Disc System adventure game Famicom Detective Club, it
Memory Pak When Harvest Moon Taught Me About Death
You can't just save scum this one away
Welcome to the latest instalment in our new column, Memory Pak, where we're going to be doing a deep-dive into some of the most memorable moments in gaming – good and bad. We hope you've got some tissues ready because this one's going to be a bit of a weepy. People play Harvest Moon games for their...
Feature 8 NES Games That Were Better On Famicom Disk System
Saves + Synth > Passwords
The Famicom Disk System (or the Family Computer Disk System to give its full title) released in Japan — and Japan only — on 21st February 1986. This Famicom add-on came with a wave of new games on bespoke Nintendo-branded floppy discs which had several advantages over cartridges at the time, plus one or two drawbacks...
Soapbox The Modern Games Industry Has A Hype Problem, And It Needs To Stop
When will it be enough?
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, Mitch talks about the problem with video game hype... Look up any news about the upcoming Bayonetta 3 and you’re sure to notice a fascinating trend. Even...
Memory Pak When Link Left The Temple Of Time In Zelda: Ocarina Of Time And Everything Changed
Lesson learned: touching swords makes you get old
Welcome to the first instalment of a new column, where we're going to be doing a deep-dive into some of the most memorable moments in gaming – good and bad. We're starting off strong with a moment that cemented the Zelda series as one of the all-time greats, in celebration of Link's 35th birthday...
Feature Five SNK Neo Geo Pocket Games We Want To See On Switch
More than a fighting chance
With excellent ports of Fatal Fury First Contact, King of Fighters R-2, Samurai Shodown! 2, Gals' Fighters and The Last Blade soon to be joined by the magnificent
Soapbox Super Mario 3D World Is The Closest To A Super Mario Bros. 2 Sequel We'll Ever Get
Sub-consciously influenced
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot games, trends and topics — opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Jon Irwin discusses how Nintendo seems reluctant to return to the mechanics of Super Mario Bros. 2... When Super Mario 3D World first...
Soapbox Time Loop Games Are Strangely Comforting In Times Like These
Every day feels the same, so let's play games where every day IS the same
Right at the end of last year, Natasha Lyonne — star of Groundhog Day-inspired TV show, Russian Doll which sees her character Nadia (a software developer, no less) stuck repeating the same night over and over again — shared a tweet that made everyone collectively start...
Exclusive Nyamyam On Bringing The Award-Winning "Game Sitcom" Astrologaster To Switch
"The Switch version will get the 'sitcom' element across the best"
Those of you with very good memories might recall the UK studio Nyamyam, which was responsible for the gorgeous Tengami on Wii U. Fronted by former Rare developers Jennifer Schneidereit (Kinect Sports) and Phil Tossell (Star Fox Adventures), Nyamyam created a game engine which...
Soapbox Grinding Is Poor Gameplay Design That Doesn’t Respect Your Time
Who wants to spend hours mowing down low-level enemies?
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, Henry discusses how he's fed up of being ground down by grinding... We really are spoiled for choice these days and, in part...
Soapbox I Never Completed Breath Of The Wild, And I Never Will
Sorry, Zelda, you'll just have to keep waiting
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, Kate makes a groundbreaking admission about one of the Switch's most popular titles... I put at least 150 hours into Breath of the Wild...
Feature 6 Huge Video Game Franchises Missing From Nintendo Switch
They've all played with power in the past
Unless you've been living on a deserted island for the past four years (hey, lucky you — wish you'd stayed there now, right?), it's hard to miss how Switch has taken Nintendo back to the sort of mainstream success is achieved with the Wii two console generations ago. Wii U might have bombed commercially...
Feature Cyber Shadow Dev On 8-Bit Classics And How We Can Thank Yacht Club For The Switch Launch
"I can’t comprehend how it happened, must be dark magic"
It's true that there's no shortage of retro-inspired, nostalgia-drenched Switch games to enjoy these days. It's something of a golden age for anyone who loves the pixel aesthetic, tight controls, incredible chiptunes and purity of classic NES games from the '80s and early-'90s. Now there's a...
Soapbox Video Game Injuries Are No Laughing Matter
Technology is incredibly unfriendly to our frail human bodies
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, Kate discusses the issue of video game injuries... It's a little embarrassing to say that I permanently messed up my...
Soapbox It’s Time For A Pokémon Trading Card Game Reboot On Switch
But only if it's done right
My old, beloved (and slightly grubby) copy of Pokémon TCG on Game Boy. 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, Ryan explores the idea of a Pokémon TCG video game reboot and why now could be the...
Feature Limited Run Games On The Process of Bringing Scott Pilgrim To Physical Shelves
"It has been requested on an almost daily basis"
Fans of the Scott Pilgrim series far and wide have been begging the series creator, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Ubisoft, Oni Press, and physical game publishers like Limited Run Games to release a physical edition of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game ever since it was delisted from online storefronts back...
Soapbox The NYT Thinks We're Gaming Too Much, But It's One Of The Only Things Keeping Me Sane
This again?
It's that time of year again: a large publication has had decided that kids play too many games, and this time it's a COVID-flavoured special, courtesy of the New York Times, designed to make parents feel guilty for letting their energy-filled children play video games after being cooped up all day doing online school. I won't pretend...
Feature Dicey Dungeons' Terry Cavanagh And Chipzel On Inspirations, Characters, And The Crystal Maze
"The game made me feel like I was on a '90s game show"
Roguelite deckbuilder Dicey Dungeons surprise-launched on Switch in the middle of December and has been keeping us busy over the holidays with its addictive blend of eye-catching art, cheeky humour, brilliant soundtrack and — of course — dice-based dungeon crawling. We recently caught up...
Feature Why Not Patch These Switch Games To Work With The Ring-Con, Nintendo?
Some fun ideas to get us off our backsides
Remember when the Nintendo Labo VR Kit launched and a small handful of Switch games — including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Super Mario Odyssey — received improbable Labo VR mode updates? We might not have spent hours exploring Hyrule with Nintendo