Tag: Indie
News Devs Make Big Bucks On The Switch eShop By Drastically Reducing Game Prices
Cheap success
If you own a Switch, you've likely been in the situation where you're browsing the sales section of the eShop and end up buying a game because of its insanely low price. For certain developers and publishers, sales are the best way to stay relevant on Nintendo's hybrid platform. Due to the limited browsing options available on this...
Hand in hand
If you're a fan of in-game cross-promotion, it might be worth checking out Le Cartel's new game, Heave Ho. It's designed for up to four people and simply requires players to reach a goal without falling to their death. As Heave Ho is published by Devolver Digital, it will include a number of indie game cameos. You'll be able to select...
News Gurgamoth Brings Frantic Multiplayer Carnage To Nintendo Switch This Week
The level is your only weapon
We love a bit of a party game here at Nintendo Life Towers, that hectic, frantic feeling is difficult to top when you've got a bunch of chums over for a lemonade or two. Gurgamoth is just that sort of game, but this time around your only means of besting your opponent is the environment: Full game details and...
Random This New Indie-Developed Turok Looks Nothing Like The Previous Entries
Escape from the Lost Valley
The Turok franchise may be experiencing a resurgence of sorts – with Universal Studios Interactive Entertainment revealing a new entry that has absolutely no resemblance to existing releases, in terms of its art style or design. The game is called Turok: Escape from the Lost Valley and has been developed by the indie...
News Kamiko Has Now Sold More Than 250,000 Copies On The Switch eShop
Slow and steady
When we last checked up on Kamiko Switch eShop sales in the first half of 2018, we found out the Skipmore-developed game had sold more than 200,000 copies. Now, in the latest sales update, Flyhigh Works has revealed the game has now sold "well over" 250,000 copies on the eShop. Kamiko was one of the earliest indie
"Very disappointing and frustrating"
Do you know an individual who happens to be working on a small-scale video game and aspires to one day publish it on the Nintendo Switch eShop? Well, the above video might be of interest. It has been uploaded by an up-and-coming indie developer named Adam Ashbaker and talks about what is supposedly "bad news"...
Random These 3D Concepts Have Us Dreaming Of A Nindie amiibo Line
Stunning work
Nintendo's amiibo line has been an absolute cash cow for the Japanese company since arriving alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U in 2014. To date, there are more than 170 amiibo available. While most of them are based on first-party Nintendo titles, there are a few exceptions such as Yacht Club's Shovel Knight. If you've always...
News German Publisher First Press Games Will Distribute Physical Releases For Switch
Welcome to the club
On Friday, we found out First Press Games had begun a Kickstarter campaign for a physical version of the 2D platformer Tobu Tobu Girl Deluxe on Game Boy Color. Following on from this announcement, the German-based publisher has now revealed its intentions to distribute physical limited releases of indie games for the Nintendo...
Random Sonic The Hedgehog Creator Yuji Naka Thinks Nintendo Has Changed
Indie collabs paving the way
Now that we know Brace Yourself Games is working on a cross-over between Crypt of the NecroDancer and The Legend of Zelda series, it has raised questions about what else could be on the horizon. When the Sonic The Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka first found out about an indie developer working with one of Nintendo’s most...
News Dead Cells Surpasses One Million Sales, Switch Version Leads The Way On Console
Well deserved
Motion Twin's Dead Cells didn't have the best launch on the Switch eShop. In fact, when it arrived, the French-based developer had to acknowledge frame-drops and performance issues with a public apology. It spent the next six months reworking the game engine, to bump the framerate up to 60fps and since then, it's been recognised as one...
News Nintendo Reveals The Best-Selling Indie Games On The Switch
Nindie representation
The relationship between Nintendo and indie developers seems to be getting stronger by the day. We've seen characters such as Shovel Knight represented as an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and now the developer behind Crypt of the NecroDancer is working on a special Zelda cross-over known as
Feature Nintendo Indie Collaborations And Crossovers We’d Like To See
Tasty indie matchings with some cherished favourite franchises
The announcement of Cadence of Hyrule – Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (to give its unwieldy full name) in yesterday’s Nindies Direct presentation was a delightful surprise. Although we’d heard whispers of
News Limited Run Games Confirms E3 2019 Press Conference
Get hyped
There are a number of physical video game distributors who have made a name for themselves during the Switch generation and one of them is Limited Run Games. Following in the footsteps of EA and Devolver Digital, the company has now confirmed its own plans for E3 2019 via Twitter. Once again, Limited Run will be hosting a pre-recorded...
News Devolver Digital Praises Nintendo's "Fantastic" Indie Support During Switch Generation
Driving success
In celebration of the Switch making it to the two-year mark, a number of developers and publishers have been speaking out about their personal experiences with the hybrid platform so far. Indie titles, in particular, have done incredibly well on the system, often surpassing sales on other platforms by a significant margin. During a...
News Downwell Creator Leaves Nintendo To Pursue Indie Development
"I found my passion"
Last Friday, publisher Devolver Digital confirmed Downwell would arrive on the Switch on 31st January. Now, in a bit of a surprise announcement, the creator Ojiro Fumoto has revealed he's officially left Nintendo, after being picked up by the Japanese company about a year ago. He explained the reason behind this decision in a...
News Indie Shmup Astebreed Announced For Nintendo Switch
"Hope turns to an unlikely hero"
The shoot 'em up genre is a perfect match with the Nintendo Switch, so it should come as no surprise yet another one is on the way. Japanese indie developer Edelweiss, with the help of Active Gaming Media, will be bringing the 2014 title Astebreed to the Switch eShop in the near future. A release date has not been...
Video The Unsung Heroes of the Nintendo Switch eShop
Games that deserve more chatter
One of the downsides of the Switch having quite so many lovely games (and a little bit of filler) is that certain games that demand attention get lost at the wayside. Frankly it's a travesty, and so we decided to swing that proverbial spotlight around and onto ten games we feel are worthy of significantly more credit...
News Nintendo Reveals a Feast of Nindies Coming to the Japanese Switch eShop
Western devs make their mark
To say Nintendo's embracing the indie scene is a vast understatement, and now that support has spread over to Nintendo's homeland with the recent Indie World showcase. Unsurprisingly, it's a video showing off a load of lovely new indie games coming to the Switch in the near future, most of which we've heard of before,...
Video 8 Handy Tips to Help You Get Started in Stardew Valley on Switch
Or any other platform for that matter
To say Stardew Valley has a lot for you to do is a little bit of an understatement. With so much farming, mining, fishing and rummaging through bins to do, it can be a bit overwhelming the first time you set out. As such we've put together the video above with 8 handy tips that should help you on your way to...
Video Grab a Rundown of all of Runbow's New and Delicious DLC
Adding additional Val-Hue
Runbow has been available on the Wii U eShop for a little over six months and it's safe to say it's a favourite amongst the team here at NLife Towers. That love is no doubt going to run even deeper now that 13AM Games is about to release a wealth of brand new DLC for this action-packed party platformer. Check out the video...
News Chief NES Designer Describes Nintendo as an Indie Studio
"Nintendo has always been like that, we are like indies"
In a game industry that's increasingly becoming larger and more monetized, Nintendo arguably stands as an oasis. While it may be that the company plays it safe a fair amount, it's nonetheless notable for its implementation of creative or innovative ideas. After all, how many other AAA...
News Typoman For Wii U eShop Will Be Released In North America And Europe On 19th November
The power of letters
Headup Games has announced Brainseed Factory's elegantly crafted platform game, Typoman, will be released on the Wii U eShop in both Europe and North America on 19th November. The Wii U exclusive will be priced at € 13.99 (USD 13.99, GBP 9.99), with individuals who participated in the E3 [email protected] program in June eligible...
News Developer Of Acclaimed Indie Title Lumo "100% Trying" To Secure Wii U Release
Inspired by SNES title Equinox, no less
If you were lucky enough to attend EGX here in the UK recently then you may have spotted a lovely-looking indie title by the name of Lumo. This isometric offering is packed with references to gaming's past, and was born out of a Twitter conversation between its creator - former Ruffian, Lionhead and Bizarre...
News Freedom Planet Bug Causes Screen Freezing Problems for Some Players
Still fighting for freedom from bugs
Freedom Planet only just released on 1st October, but it was initially supposed to release much earlier. As some of you may have known, Freedom Planet was delayed by a few months due to some sort of game breaking bug that was reported in the advance release copies sent to reviewers. While the delay may have upset...
News VoxelMaker is Set to Hit the North American eShop on 1st October
Adding a whole new dimension to pixel art
For those of you that aren't well versed in technical jargon, a voxel is essentially just a 3D version of a pixel. While this isn't something that would really have much relevance in most everyday conversation, it is of utmost importance in Nostatic Software's upcoming game, VoxelMaker. You'll be able to see...
News New Assault Android Cactus Trailer Shows Fast, Fun & Frenetic Blaster Action
Charge and unleash
If you’re a fan of frantic sci-fi bullet-blasters, the upcoming title Assault Android Cactus for Wii U eShop may be one game worth keeping an eye on. Featuring a vibrant art style, slick frame rate, funky tunes, 1-4 player co-op and fast & frenetic twin-stick shoot em’ up gameplay, the title looks to take the concept of...
News A Mighty New Patch For Shovel Knight Is On The Way
Irons out a number of kinks
Following the recent release of the free Shovel Knight expansion, Plague of Shadows, Yacht Club Games has issued a patch ironing out a few kinks, and further enhancing the overall experience. While the update is currently only available for PC users, it will be rolled out across other platforms very soon. Take a look...
Video This Laparoscopic Wii U Controller is Teaching Medical Students to Perform Keyhole Surgery
Time to scrub up
Nintendo consoles have been privy to some incredibly unusual controllers in their time, most of which are a bit rubbish and don't really improve gameplay in any way. However these previous blunders haven't deterred Grendel Games from designing a Wii U eShop game called Underground and an accompanying controller to accurately...
Happy happy, joy joy
Chasing Aurora developer Broken Rules has revealed on Twitter that is it porting Michael Todd's Electronic Super Joy to the Wii U eShop. A music-filled platformer with a strong sense of humour, Electronic Super Joy is currently available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and was awarded a solid 9/10 by Destructoid. Ironically, its...
News Woah Dave! Arrives On The Wii U eShop 20th August, Cross-Buy Promotion Also On Offer
Double Dave
If you live in the US and purchased the 3DS eShop title – Woah Dave! – when it was released in October last year, you’re in for a treat, with the publisher Choice Provisions today announcing the game will be available on the Wii U eShop on 20th August, with a cross-buy promotion also on offer for existing 3DS owners – making the...
News Wii U eShop Space-Themed Title Factotum Arrives In North America 20th August
Can you save the day?
You’re deep in space and something has collided with your space vessel. The main power is offline and you’re now trapped. Fortunately you have access to a walker control terminal. Although it’s a tad outdated, with the assistance of two little robots, some cleaver thinking and an unknown voice guiding you, you might be...
News High-Speed Action Platformer Spark The Electric Jester Seeking Support On Kickstarter
Inspired by classics such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man X
Modern games inspired by classic 16-bit titles from the 90s are all the rage as of late. With the release of Freedom Planet for the Wii U eShop just around the corner, it appears a new game of a similar variety, titled – Spark the electric jester – is next in line for a potential...
Ho ho ho? More like no no no
XINESS Games' Santa Factory isn't likely to inspire much confidence in players over the age of five. It's clearly aimed at very small children, featuring extremely simple platforming mechanics and some light edutainment elements after each level. That being said, it's not fair to write it off for its target demographic...
News BADLAND: Game Of The Year Edition Hits Wii U eShop On 30th July
Save the clones
The Wii U eShop is doing a good job of attracting quality multiplatform indie titles lately, and the next in line is BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition, which lands on 30th July in North America and Europe. The North American price is $9.99, with Euro pricing still to be confirmed. The Wii U version builds on the original tablet game...
News 2D Action-RPG Dark Flame Has A Chance Of Coming To Wii U eShop If Nintendo Fans Show Interest
Kickstarter assisting the process
The creator of the Metroidvania-style 2D Action-RPG, Dark Flame, has tweeted the title has a chance of a release on the Wii U eShop if Nintendo fans show their support. Dark Flame's creator is looking at taking his project to Kickstarter in hope of gaining funds to hire a few professionals and further polish the...
Cut the crap
Visual novels haven't historically made much of a splash outside of Japan. It's only been in relatively recent times that titles like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward have shown Western gamers that reading can be fun - especially when mixed together with simple game elements like puzzles and branching...
Review Quadcopter Pilot Challenge
Controls failin', players wailin', quadcopter
A common complaint among Wii U critics is that the platform's primary controller, the GamePad, doesn't get utilized enough to justify its existence. Whether or not you agree with this assessment, one indie developer that's making an effort to assuage these concerns is TACS Games, whose Quadcopter Pilot...
News Endless 3D Platformer Blocky Bot Jumps Across To European Wii U eShop On 23rd July
Additional points for the bloopy bloopy blop rap video
After launching on the North American Wii U eShop in May, Mobot Studios has announced Blocky Bot is jumping across to Europe on 23rd July. The endless 3D platformer featuring 'mini arcade action' promises to test even the best players’ platforming skills and reflexes, pushing them to the...
News Epic Indie Sale For Wii U eShop Is On Its Way To North America
Own or buy one receive 60 percent discount off the rest
As discovered earlier this week, the 'Epic Indie Sale' is on its way to the Wii U eShop in Europe. As part of the promotion, if you own or purchase any of the eligible titles, you’ll receive a 60 percent discount on all other offers. We now have confirmation that this same sale will be...
News Co-Op Teleporting Platformer Roving Rogue Releases On Wii U eShop July 2nd
What's left to do after the final boss?
Roving Rogue is a unique take on a classic formula. Players control an adventurer named Kurt who has just defeated the final boss in a castle. Traditionally the reward is a kiss from a princess, but on this particular occasion, the hero has forgotten why he’s even in this castle in the first place. This...
News Spooky 2D Adventure Whispering Willows Will Be Haunting Your Wii U This Summer
An out of body experience
Indie publisher Abstraction Games has confirmed that it is bringing Night Light Interactive's spooky adventure title Whispering Willows to the Wii U eShop. Originally released on Ouya, the game features gorgeous 2D visuals and an haunting soundtrack. The unique hook is that you'll be able to exit the main character's body...
Funk off, Titans
On the surface, it seems like Funk of Titans might be crazy enough to work. Take a jive-talkin', funk-lovin' interpretation of Perseus, toss him in a Mount Olympus setting occupied by an Aretha Franklin-inspired goddess, add a dash of hop-and-bop auto-running and stir vigorously. This project had the recipe for cheesy goodness, but...
News Icy Wind Games Set To Release Action-Adventure Title "Heroes, Help!" On Wii U In Q1 2016
Brought to you by an indie studio based in Sweden
The new two-man Stockholm-based indie studio, Icy Wind Games, is set to release its upcoming action-adventure Wii U title – Heroes, Help! – in Q1 2016. The top down title featuring 4-player local co-op involves travelling through a wide range of environments and fighting large amounts of enemies...
News Don't Starve: Giant Edition Arrives on the North American Wii U eShop on 28th May
Sate your hunger
It appears that 28th May will be a rather exciting day for Nintendo gamers. As you may have been aware, 28th May is the eve of Splatoon's launch; no doubt thousands of gamers will be keeping a few cans of energy drinks on hand as they get started on the game as soon as it launches at midnight. However, earlier in the day, the eShop...
News Shapes of Gray Arrives On The North American Wii U eShop May 21st
“Hotline Miami meets WarioWare”
Described by Secret Tunnel Entertainment as “Hotline Miami meets WarioWare”, Shapes of Gray is set to arrive on the North American Wii U eShop on 21st May. As previously noted, Shapes of Gray is an aesthetically simple 2D title that takes players through 10-second battles within small game environments...
News The New Update For Teslagrad is Now Live in North America
Adds additional controller support, screenshots, and some bug fixes
For those of you that may have forgotten about it, Teslagrad is a sublime metroidvania adventure that was released early last fall. It follows the story of a young boy as he explores a decrepit castle and slowly unravels the mystery behind the conflict that led to the downfall of...
Video The Importance of Co-Op Gameplay in Modern Gaming
Featuring Affordable Space Adventures
It's no lie that due to the popularity of the ultra-competitive gaming scene that co-operative gameplay has taken rather a sideline in recent years. Luckily all is not quite lost, and a handful of developers are still keen to provide this style of gameplay for the fans who crave it, and there's no example better...
“Experience possible only on the unique hardware of the Wii U console”
Last year indie developer CHUDCHUD Industries announced the dungeon-crawler adventure, Temple of Yog, was on its way to the Wii U eShop. Since then, we haven’t heard all that much about it, but it appears the creators are now gearing up for the title’s official launch...
News Two Tribes’ Toki Tori Remake is Coming to the 3DS eShop
How eggsciting
A brief history on the development of Toki Tori. Toki Tori was a puzzle platformer originally launched on the Game Boy Color back in 2002 as a pseudo-remake of an MSX title called Eggbert, but it didn't sell too well due to being released late in the console's life. In 2008, Toki Tori was ported to Wiiware and was one of the first...
News Elliot Quest Developer Talks About a 3DS Port
No plans yet, but the desire is there
Several of you have already played Elliot Quest, the new side scrolling adventure game from Ansimuz Games that takes several design and gameplay cues from the likes of Zelda II and Kid Icarus. We awarded it an 8/10 in our review, citing minor performance issues and frustrating pacing as main issues. Whatever way...
