Timeline
Thursday23rd Oct 2025
Japanese Charts Surprise, Surprise, Pokémon Legends: Z-A Leaves The Competition In The Dust
Switch 1 version outsells Switch 2
The latest look at the Japanese charts are in from Famitsu, and, surprising absolutely no one, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has started with a bang. TPC's latest takes the top two spots this week, with the Switch 1 version putting up 872,552 sales and the Switch 2 hitting 612,905. Combined, this puts Z-A just shy of 1.5...
News Three More Kirby Air Riders amiibo Have Been Announced
That'll hurt your wallet...
Kirby Air Riders has more amiibo that Mario Kart World — that was already true when they were revealed during the September Nintendo Direct, but a second one (that just aired) has unveiled three more. Meta Knight and Shadow Star, King Dedede and Tank Star, and Chef Kawasaki and Hop Star will be joining the pricey set...
News Elden Ring Delayed On Switch 2 "To Allow Time For Performance Adjustments"
Tarnished Edition pushed to 2026
Bandai Namco and FromSoftware are delaying the planned launch of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 until next year. Originally scheduled to arrive on Nintendo's console before the end of 2025, a post from the game's official X account apologises to players and says the delay into 2026 is "to allow time for...
News Watch - Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct #2 - Live!
Sakurai 2.0
Yes, you read that right, Masahiro Sakurai is back for another Nintendo Direct presentation all about Kirby Air Riders. The game's second showcase gets underway today at 2pm BST / 3pm CET / 6am PT / 9am ET, and promises another 60 minutes of info about the upcoming Kirby racer — pfft, and there we were thinking that we had seen...
News Vampire Survivors Goes Full "Everyone Is Here" In New 'Ode To Castlevania' Update
"We could only go so far with the current licenses"
Vampire Survivors dev Poncle continues to drop hints about the upcoming ver. 1.14 update — planned for release at some point next week — and the latest reveal is a fresh batch of content for the sublime Ode to Castlevania DLC. As seen in the above trailer, the 'vania DLC will soon be treated...
News Two Unlisted Metroid Prime 4 Commercials Reveal New Boss Fight
"Power up your holidays"
Two new unlisted Switch 2 lifestyle commercials for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond have been spotted on Nintendo's official YouTube page. They're titled "Power Up Your Holidays", so we'll seemingly be seeing them in the lead up to the Christmas season. Although these new trailers are only around 16 seconds each and spend a lot of...
News Tales Of Xillia 2 Remastered On The Way, With More To Come
Multiple projects are in development
If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the Tales Of series, Bandai Namco is reviving Tales of Xillia as a remaster next week. So, what about Tales of Xillia 2? According to a new Famitsu interview, series director Yusuke Tomizawa has mentioned how a remaster of the sequel is "still in progress" – it just...
News Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Team Open To More DLC: "Tell Us What You Want"
Update: Game surpasses one million sales as Joker arrives
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has already got a huge cast of characters and apparently Sega might not be done just yet. Speaking to Polygon at the Brasil Game Show recently, the series producer Takashi Iizuka mentioned how DLC could potentially stretch beyond a year. It all depends on how much...
News My Nintendo Store Adds A New Metroid Reward For Switch Online Members (US)
Get it while you can
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond lands on the Switch 2 and Switch this December, and ahead of the long-awaited release, Nintendo is celebrating the Metroid series in all sorts of ways. It's now offering a special Metroid Desktop Metal Display, based on the original NES release. It's exclusive to Switch Online members in the US right...
Wednesday22nd Oct 2025
Opinion Pokémon Legends Z-A Is The Creepiest Entry Yet, Not In A Good Way
Move!
There’s been quite a lot of talk recently about the lack of voiceover work in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and I can understand why. Game Freak has made some pretty decent strides with its cutscenes, depicting characters that animate realistically right down to their facial expressions and mouth movements. Yet they don’t actually talk. It’s...
News Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 Topped The Best-Selling Switch Games... In September?
But it came out in October!
We knew Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Switch would be popular, but according to the latest figures from Circana's Mat Piscatella, the game topped the best-selling titles on Nintendo platforms in September. Wait a minute... September? But it launched on 2nd October, right? Yes, that's right. But...
News Marvel Cosmic Invasion Scores December Release Date And Two New Fighters
On your left
Dotemu has finally revealed that the hotly anticipated beat 'em up MARVEL Cosmic Invasion will assemble on Switch and Switch 2 on 1st December 2025. What's more, it's lifted the lid on two new characters in the roster. Aside from giving us the release date, the all-new trailer also gives us our first look at Iron Man and Phoenix, the...
News Metroid Prime Remastered Almost Had Completely New Cutscenes
But producer Kensuke Tanabe decided against it
Nintendo is shortly launched Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective, a new art book looking at concept art for the original trilogy on GameCube and Wii (with a small section dedicated to Metroid Prime Remastered). Speaking of the more recent Switch remaster, the book reveals that Retro Studios had...
News Metroid Prime 1-3 Art Book Somehow Teases And Debunks An Echoes Remake
What are you saying, Tanabe?!
The upcoming Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective art book delves into a heck of a lot of information from the original trilogy, primarily from notes provided by long-time producer Kensuke Tanabe. Fans have been speculating about the prospect of a Metroid Prime 2: Echoes remaster/remake for quite some time now,...
Anniversary Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water Still Scares The Pants Off Me Ten Years On
Can I have them back please?
Of all the horror franchises I've subjected myself to over the years, Fatal Frame is the one that sticks in my mind most as properly, actually, scary. It's the answer I'll give every single time to the question of what game series has scared me the most, and it's all down to one very simple reason. As today is the 10th...
News Sakurai Reveals Even More Kirby Air Riders Footage Ahead Of Tomorrow's Direct
False start!
There's less than 24 hours to go before we get another 60-minute dose of Kirby Air Riders info from Masahiro Sakurai himself, but someone's a little keen to get off the start line, it seems, as the legendary game designer has already lifted the lid on some new footage. As shared on the official @KirbyAirRiders X account, Sakurai has...
News Nintendo's Excellent Pikmin Short Is Finally Available On YouTube
Both versions!
When Nintendo followed up on its recently 'Close to You' short with another version that confirmed the presence of Pikmin, the company annoyingly kept it locked to its Nintendo Today! app. Well, not anymore, because both versions of the film – Pikmin and invisible Pikmin – have been uploaded to YouTube in one 8-minute-long video...
News Surprise! Pikmin 4 Is Getting A Free Content Update On Switch Next Month
Decor Pikmin! Photo Mode!
Well, we weren't expecting this! Nintendo has announced that Pikmin 4 is receiving a free update next month, adding in adorably unique 'Decor Pikmin' for your squad, a photo mode, and new modes adjusting the overall aggression of in-game creatures. There's no firm release date just yet, but Nintendo has also confirmed...
News No Man's Sky 'Breach' Update Gets Spooky With New Explorable Ship Wrecks
Hull no
Hello Games is back with yet another update for No Man's Sky, and this one feels suitably spooky — 'tis the season, after all. The big addition in today's 'Breach' update is a series of space wrecks that pop up across the universe, all of which are fully explorable. Using the newly added space walking abilities, you'll be able to dive...
Mini Review Lumo 2 (Switch) - A Delightful Celebration Of British Retro Gaming
An Impossible Mission?
Sitting down to play Lumo 2, as a gamer of a certain vintage, I fully expected to be treated to a few touching moments as developer Triple Eh? transported me back to the sweet innocence (and unbelievable stupidity) of my gaming childhood. A few nostalgia button pushes and I'd be happy enough. Sit that alongside some decent...
Random Pokémon Legends: Z-A Player Uses 3D Printer To Grind For A Shiny Charm
Missing the point, maybe?
We've seen countless methods over the years in which players have made wild contraptions to help grind battles and progression, and this latest from YouTuber Professor Rex is pretty elaborate. As covered by Automaton, Pokémon Legends: Z-A players will need to complete 1
News Persona 3 Reload Is Getting A Free Update Adding Eight Songs
Performed by 'Persona 3' singer Yumi Kawamura
Ahead of the release of Persona 3 Reload on the Switch 2 this week, Atlus has announced it will be distributing an update on launch day, adding eight songs to the game. This will include Yumi Kawamura's vocal tracks from Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES as background music during dungeon exploration battles...
Kick-off next month
After multiple delays, Level-5's Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is finally launching on the Switch and Switch 2 next month. In the latest broadcast before the game's arrival, the development team has now shared some new details about what Nintendo fans can expect in terms of the game's resolution and performance. This includes how...
News Donkey Kong Bananza Has Been Updated To Version 2.0.2, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Another smashing patch
Ahead of Donkey Kong Bananza's first DLC in-game event next week, Nintendo has rolled out a new update for the smash outing. This updates the game to Version 2.0.2 and includes a fix tied to Pauline's voice when collecting fossils in the two previous updates. It also makes "several other changes" to improve the gameplay...
Tuesday21st Oct 2025
Gallery Here's A Closer Look At The London Pop-Up Nintendo Store's Sweet Merch
Pop Up, Superstar!
This week, London will be treated to its very first pop-up Nintendo Store, making all of us UK Mario fans clutch our wallets in fear. The shop opens to the public tomorrow (22nd October) in the Shepherd's Bush Westfield London Shopping Centre, where it will be stocking its sweet merch until 16th November. Those hoping to visit...
News Star Wars Outlaws Lands Another Update On Switch 2, Here Are The Patch Notes
Graphical improvements and *stability*
Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft's excellent open world adventure, has received another update on the Switch 2. This isn't a huge one, but it contains further improvements to the overall visuals, including upping the quality of the textures – yum. We've also got some of that all-important Stability™ alongside...
News Nintendo Direct For Kirby Air Riders Announced For Thursday, 23rd October
Another 60 minutes?!
Well folks, as promised, another Nintendo Direct for Kirby Air Riders has been announced for this week on Thursday, 23rd October 2025. We're getting another 60 minutes' worth of information from director Masahiro Sakurai on the upcoming game, which is due to launch for the Switch 2 on 20th November 2025. Here's a look at what...
Review Persona 3 Reload (Switch 2) - A Great Remake, But Still Not Definitive
S.E.E.S. the day
If you’ve yet to play any version of Persona 3, then its darker tones and subject matter might come as a bit of a shock. The opening scene shows supporting character Yukari Takeba sitting alone with a gun pointed at her own head, working up the courage to pull the trigger. Even considering some of the directions the subsequent...
News Ninja Gaiden 4 And Ragebound Clash In Stunning New Artwork
Switch 2 release, please?
Team Ninja, PlatinumGames, and Xbox Game Studios have just launched Ninja Gaiden 4, the latest entry in the 3D hack and slash series. While Switch 2 fans won't be getting in on the action (for now...), we can at least admire some stunning new artwork shared by Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound publisher Dotemu. Created by David Liu,...
News Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Producer Reckons We're Ready For Its Dark, Sorrowful Story
Bring it on
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined may look all cute and cosy, but fans of the original game will know that its story is pretty dark when compared to other entries in the series. According to producer Takeshi Ichikawa in a new interview with GameSpark (thanks, Automaton), this is actually a key factor in the team's decisi
News Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective Digital Sample Available For Free
A 35-page appetiser
Nintendo has released a 35-page digital sample for its upcoming Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective book ahead of its official release on 28th October 2025. The sample shows off some gorgeous concept art from the original Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. We get a glimpse at Samus'...
News Atlus To Address Persona 3 Reload's Switch 2 Frame Rate Hiccups In "Future Patches"
It won't be updated "in time for the main game's release"
Persona 3 Reload got a Switch 2 demo a few weeks ago, and it's raised some concerns about the performance of the game on Nintendo's new hybrid platform, with players reporting all sorts of issues about the frame rate. While the eShop showed the game operating at 30FPS, there were seemingly...
News Samus' Game Boy Outing Metroid II Returns In Latest Nintendo Music Update
Listen with an active Switch Online sub
Ahead of the arrival of Metroid Prime 4 later this year, why not take a trip to the past with some Metroid II: Return of Samus jams? This title originally made its debut on the Game Boy in 1991/92, and now the entire soundtrack is available to listen to on the Switch Online Nintendo Music app. As usual,...
PSA Switch 2 Launch Title Cyberpunk 2077 Gets A Big eShop Discount In New Sale (US)
Night City is calling
Alongside Nintendo's spooky event in the US, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for the Switch 2 has also gone on sale. Instead of the regular price of $69.99 in this location, you can currently get a whopping 42% off - taking the price all the way down to just $39.99. This sale will run from now until 1st November 2025, so if...
Monday20th Oct 2025
"The porting process to the Switch 2 turned out to be unexpectedly smooth"
I’ve been dreaming of a Persona 3 Reload port for Nintendo’s hybrid hardware long before the Switch 2 was even revealed. Having played through its lengthy campaign on my Xbox over the span of a month, I wished I was able to play more of this untethered from my couch. That...
News Nintendo's Trademarking 'Virtual Console' Again, But Don't Get Your Hopes Up
Virtual dreams
It's time to talk trademarks again, as Nintendo of America has had a new filing for 'Virtual Console' bumped up to the pending phase. But let's be clear right from the jump, it probably doesn't mean what you're thinking. As brought to our attention by @MikeOdysseyYT on X, the trademark was initially submitted on 21st April 2025, and...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Z-A++?
The latest Pokémon adventure has landed on the Switch and Switch, letting players roam about a much-expanded rendition of Lumiose City from X & Y. Pokémon Legends: Z-A has received some fairly mixed reception so far, though it seems most are in agreement that although it might not be the prettiest game ever made (far from it!), the new...
Anniversary SNES Action RPG 'Terranigma' Is 30 Years Old Today, And It's Still A 10/10 In Our Book
Never released in the US of A!
"Among the finest action role-playing titles ever crafted, possibly even the finest, and a game that absolutely no RPG fan should miss." This quote, from our 2009 review of the 1995 action-RPG, Terranigma, should give you some idea of just how highly we regard the third slice of what's known as the "Gaia Trilogy" —...
News Absolum And Ball X Pit Post Excellent Initial Sales, But They Deserve More
Update: BALL x PIT rolls past another milestone
Absolum and BALL x PIT recently launched on the Nintendo Switch, and they're both bloody brilliant. They're very different games, mind you, with the former being a self-described 'rogue 'em up', blending roguelike mechanics with classic beat 'em up action, and the latter being a very deliberate cross...
News Resident Evil 0 Remake Rumours Make The Rounds Again
All aboard the Ecliptic Express
Rumours regarding a potential remake of Resident Evil 0 have been simmering for a little while now, but a new report from mp1st (thanks, Pure Xbox) has added further fuel to the fire. The remake is supposedly real and currently operating under the codename 'Chamber', which is presumably a blatant reference to prota
News Nintendo Today! Update Makes It Easier To Share In-App News
It's no screenshot button, mind
Nintendo Today! has scored a tiny update, pushing the app up to ver. 2.0.10 with the addition of a brand new share button. Yep, a share button. It's hardly the most groundbreaking fresh feature, but considering how the company previously removed the ability to take in-app screenshots or nab screen recordings, it's a...
News Alarmo Receives A Software Update, Here Are The Patch Notes
Can you see it now?
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo has received a small software update; it's first since March 2025. When we say small, we really mean it. There are only two notes for this one, the latter of which provides that which we all desire in our Nintendo products: stability. Good ol' fashioned stability. Gotta love it. Otherwise, the alarm...
News Donkey Kong Bananza's First DLC In-Game Event Kicks Off Next Week
New figures incoming
Nintendo has announced that the first in-game event for the Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC will kick off next week. The 'Chip Fever' event (as translated from Nintendo's Japanese website via Google, so the name may be different in the West) will get underway on Tuesday 28th October, and will be sticking...
UK Charts Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sales Almost 50/50 Across Switch And Switch 2
Launch sales 40% lower than Arceus
The latest UK Charts data is in and, as expected, Pokémon Legends Z-A has comfortably taken the top spot this week following its release on 16th October 2025. Boxed sales were almost equal for the first week, with the Switch 2 Edition bagging 51% of the split, and the OG Switch version 49%. According to The Game...
Sunday19th Oct 2025
Quiz Can You Name These NES Games From The Mangled Box Art?
Undercover covers
Game preservation is no easy task. Your precious complete-in-box purchases are susceptible to all sorts: water damage, light damage, mould, dust, being put into a rudimentary photo editor and messed about with. The NES turns 40 this week, so we thought that we'd put your knowledge of the classics to the test. Below, we have sorted...
Mailbox Metroid Excitement Levels, Game Clubs, "The Galaxy Strategy" - Nintendo Life Letters
Issue #29 - October 2025
We're deep into October now, which means it's time to open up the Nintendo Life Mailbox and see what word-based packages you've been sending our way this month. Got something you want to get off your chest? We're ready and waiting to read about your game-related ponderings. Each month we’ll highlight a Star Letter, the...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Hey You, Pikachu!
Pika-who?
Welcome back, one and all, to this week's edition of Box Art Brawl! It was the NSO newbie Fatal Fury Special that got put under the microscope last time, as we matched up two covers for this SNES brawler. Overall, it was a pretty one-sided fight. The colourful Japanese variant walked away with 68% of the vote, leaving the North American...
News Sonic Team's Boss Wants To Put More Sonic Characters In The Spotlight
Sega celebrated the 'Year of Shadow' in 2024
Last year, Sega ran a year-long campaign for Shadow the Hedgehog that lined up with the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations and the introduction of the "Ultimate Lifeform" in the live-action Sonic movies. This was generally well-received by Sonic fans, and it's now led to some discussion about how Sega...
Rumour Nintendo Patent Supposedly Points To Return Of DS Games
Anything is possible after Virtual Boy's revival
The Switch Online service has already been expanded with GameCube games this year, and the Virtual Boy library will be making a comeback early next year. Now, a Nintendo patent filed in April and published this week has ignited new rumours about Nintendo DS games potentially returning in the future...
News Football Manager Signs With FIFA In New "Multi-Year Partnership"
"Elevating authenticity to truly global heights"
The Football Manager series has signed a "multi-year partnership" with the global football governing body FIFA. This deal will bring official licenses from FIFA's competitions to the long-running football management series by Sports Interactive. This will include the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26, which...
