Timeline
Thursday11th Dec 2025
Japanese Charts Sorry Samus, Octopath Is The Best-Selling New Release This Week
And Switch 2 puts up HUGE numbers
Last week was a big one for new releases, and Famitsu is here to show how they all fared in their Japanese chart debut. Somewhat surprisingly, nothing was able to topple the top four of Mario Kart World, Kirby Air Riders, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A (on Switch 1 and 2) this time. Less surprising is that Octopath...
Nintendo Download 11th December (North America)
Terminator! Warhammer! Dunjungle! Baroque!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Switch 1 & 2 Highlights: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim...
Guide Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Walkthrough, All Wild Zones, Tips & Tricks
Including the Mega Dimension DLC
Welcome to our Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Mega Dimension DLC walkthrough hub, and to Lumiose City! You'll be spending a lot of time in this Paris-inspired town in Kalos, so let's settle in. As the second game bearing the Legends moniker, Z-A is decidedly different from the mainline 'Generational' games It's a good...
PSA My Nintendo Store's Merch Range Has Been Updated With Some Pop-Up Shop Exclusives
Metroid ice trays, Pikmin terrariums and more
If you're looking for just one more thing to add to your Christmas list, have no fear, Nintendo has got you covered. Over the past couple of weeks, European My Nintendo Stores have been slowly adding to their merchandise line with more and more items that were previously available only at pop-up or...
Start your engines...
A couple of months ago, Sega released Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for the Switch 1, bringing a generally solid kart racer that gave Mario Kart a run for its money. Yet, what held it back from greatness was the overall poor performance, whether you played it on Switch 1 or via backwards compatibility on Switch 2, with each system...
News Limited Run Games Is Bringing NES 'Jaws' To Switch In "Massively Expanded" Form
You're gonna have a bigger backlog
Limited Run Games has announced a very exciting enhanced version of 1987's NES "classic", Jaws - and they've got their signature offering of flashy physical editions ready to devour and everything. These new physical editions of the game come complete with the 8-bit original, now with modern conveniences such as...
News Digital Foundry Delivers Its Tech Verdict On Red Dead Redemption For Switch 2
Are the upgrades worth it?
Red Dead Redemption is out now for the Switch 2, delivering an updated version of the acclaimed Wild West romp. We've already provided our own glowing 9/10 review, but now the lovely chaps at Digital Foundry have gone into even more depth as to what you can expect from a graphical and performance point of view. Starting...
News Street Fighter 6 Update To Add The UI From '3rd Strike', 'Alpha 3', And More
But it'll cost ya
Street Fighter 6 is already one of the greatest fighting games of all time, so Capcom really didn't need to do much more to sell it to us. Alas, an upcoming update on 16th December genuinely sounds like one of the coolest yet, with the game adding a bunch of UI options from previous titles. So, if you're a fan of Street Fighter...
Guide The Game Awards 2025: Time, Date & How To Watch
The Keigh to success
Strap in, folks, because The Game Awards are almost upon us once again. Yes, following last year's 10th anniversary special, Geoff Keighley is sending off 2025 with a bang — if by "bang" you mean a bunch of awards, some big reveals, and more than a few sponsored ads thrown in for good measure. What's more, it's another big...
ICYMI Here's What Else Might Be On The Way To Switch Online's N64 Library
Rayman 2 has now been confirmed
Earlier this year, a Switch Online + Expansion Pack trailer supposedly teased some upcoming releases for the N64 library. One of these games was Forsaken 64, which was released in September, and another title spotted was Rayman 2: The Great Escape, and that's now returning next week. So, what else might be on the...
Random Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Wins GameStop's "Worst Game Of The Year" Award
And Halo 3 takes out 2025's GotY
One launch game for the Switch 2 that didn't get a rosy reception was Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This interactive exhibit allowed users to get up close with the new hybrid system and learn all about its fancy features and tech. Unfortunately, many fans were upset about Nintendo releasing this digital game as a...
News Nintendo Music's 2025 'Year In Review' Is Now Available, See Your Most-Played Songs
Two new playlists have also been added
Earlier this week, Nintendo Music got an update which added a "Year in Review" feature to the application. Nintendo has now officially made this available to Switch Online members. To access it, all you need to do is open Nintendo Music and there should be a big "2025 Year in Review" banner at the top of the...
News Nintendo Expands Switch 2 GameCube Library With Wario's 3D Outing
An absolute Treasure
Following the announcement of Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble for the N64 'Nintendo Classics' library, Nintendo has today released Wario World for the Switch Online + Expansion Pack GameCube service. This game was developed by the talented Japanese team Treasure (Gunstar Heroes, Sin and Punishment), and was locally...
News My Nintendo Store Adds A New Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Reward (North America)
Get it while you can
Nintendo is offering a cool new Metroid Prime 4: Beyond reward on its My Nintendo Store in the US and Canada. It's a holographic poster set, and it will set you back 1,000 Platinum Points. The first poster features the "lone hunter" Samus Aran in her new look for Prime 4. And the second one, which looks like you could attach it...
Wednesday10th Dec 2025
News Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App Updated To Ver. 2.3.0, Here Are The Patch Notes
Getting dark
Hot off the back of yesterday's Switch and Switch 2 system update, Nintendo has today released a patch for its Parental Controls app, bumping things up to ver. 2.3.0. The big addition this time around is a new Dark Mode, which will turn on automatically according to your phone's settings — so no more glaring white light in the gloomy...
Opinion Resident Evil Requiem Needs To Solve The Series' Villain Problem
Where art thou, Wesker?
Warning: this article contains scenes of explicit spoilers. Resident Evil Requiem launches on the Switch 2 in just under three months, but even now, the game is heavily shrouded in mystery (well, a little less so after the accidental reveal of Leon). Judging from the trailers so far, one of the biggest draws of this new...
News Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Switch 2 Pre-Orders Release Alongside New Gameplay Trailer
Things that make you go Vroom
We reported a little while back on Switch 2 timed-exclusive Gear.Club Unlimited 3, and how it was delayed from an initial release date in 2025 to sometime in 2026. Now, Nacon and Eden Games have announced pre-orders for the delayed racer for Switch 2, with a release date of 19th February next year. Hooray and/or...
News R-Type Dimensions III Blasts Its Way Onto Switch Consoles Next May
With physical versions and everything!
ININ Games has just announced that a new entry in the iconic R-Type series is on its way to Switch consoles in May 2026. R-Type Dimensions III sees players return to the franchise's signature side-scrolling bullet hell warfare against, well, a whole bunch of weird s**t, sir. It's coming right at us! Sorry...
News Netflix "Didn't Attribute Any Value" To Warner Bros. Games In Acquisition Deal
"We haven't built that into our deal model"
Hm, we're sure that we won't be looking back on this quote with a suspicious eye down the line. Following Netflix's $82.7 billion acquisition agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery (later challenged by a separate offer from Paramount), Netflix co-CEO, president and director Gregory Peters has said WB Games...
Mini Review The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (Switch 2) - Just Hugely Disappointing
"If I had a sister, I'd sell her in a second"
Skyrim. Listen, mate. We need to talk. Back when I reviewed Skyrim's 2022 Anniversary Edition update on Switch, I gave it a 7/10 and summarised that, whilst it was amusing that Todd Howard was still signing off on versions of this game, there were enhancements enough, through some new quests and the...
News Nintendo's Shares Take A Tumble Amid Renewed Chip Shortage Worries
Chip and dip
Despite the massive Switch 2 sales out of the gate, Nintendo's shares have been slipping throughout December, dropping as much as 4.7% yesterday. Why? It seems fears surrounding chip shortages may be to blame. Bloomberg (paywall) estimates that Nintendo's market value may have already decreased by as much as $14 billion this month, as...
News You'll Want To Pet Every Animal In This Gorgeous New Trailer For 'Planet Of Lana 2'
Creature comforts
Puzzle platformer Planet of Lana launched on Switch last year, and we were particularly enamoured by it. Developer Wishfully quickly followed it up with the announcement of a sequel, 'Children of the Leaf', and the latest gameplay trailer promises it will be every bit as cute as we'd hope. Revealed during yesterday's Unity Awards...
News Activision Shares Update On The Future Of The Call Of Duty Series
"Our strategy going forward is changing"
As we wait for something to come of the 10-year deal between Microsoft and Nintendo, the Call of Duty team at Activision has today announced its strategy "going forward" is changing. From here on out, the team will "no longer do back-to-back releases" of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games. The aim is to...
Reminder Virtual Boy For Switch And Switch 2 Are Available On The My Nintendo Store
Seeing red
Nintendo shared a massive surprise in September, revealing it would be reviving the Virtual Boy for 'Nintendo Classics'. This library will be joining the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service next year on 17th February 2026, and if you haven't already made up your mind, here's your reminder that the headset (and the cardboard model) is...
News Pokémon Legends Z-A Version 2.0.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
The Mega Dimension DLC is here!
There have been so many announcements and game releases recently, and to add to this, Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC is out this week. Now, as part of the arrival of this new content, Nintendo has shared the patch notes for this major update on its official support page. This unlocks the DLC, adds new...
News Minecraft's 'Mounts Of Mayhem' Update Out Today, Here Are The Patch Notes
The final game drop of 2025
[Thu 27th Nov, 2025 06:45 GMT]: Back in September, Minecraft announced a new drop officially titled 'Mounts of Mayhem'. The development team has now confirmed the Bedrock Edition of the game will receive this "final game drop" of the year on 9th December 2025. In case you missed the initial reveal, this new drop will...
Tuesday9th Dec 2025
Video Skyrim Still Isn't 60fps On Switch 2, But Here's How It Fares Against Switch 1
Must have been the wind
Bethesda surprised us all today with the announcement that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition was heading to Switch 2 with a bunch of technical upgrades to boot. But with a game we've all seen this many times, would it really look all that different from the re-release we saw on Switch 1 back in 2022? Well,...
News Cowabunga! TMNT Roguelike 'Splintered Fate' Is Heading To Switch 2 Next Week
A shell of an upgrade
Super Evil Megacorp has today announced that it will be launching an all-new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for the TMNT roguelike, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. The new version launches on 16th December, either as a standalone purchase or as a paid upgrade pack ($2.49, or your regional equivalent) for those who...
Video 15 Exciting New Games Coming To Switch 1 & 2 In December 2025
Metroid and Marvel and 'Mon, oh my!
It may well feel like all the games in the world have already launched this month, but remember, we are just one week in. There are still many, many wonderful titles scheduled for Switch and Switch 2 in the coming days, so we thought it only right to highlight some of the ones we're the most excited about. In the...
News Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Has Been Rated By PEGI
Is a Switch 2 release on the cards?
In what is no doubt the worst kept secret of 2025, another hint regarding the remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag has surfaced via the official PEGI website. As detailed by our pals over at Push Square, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has been rated by PEGI, with an official listing indicating that the...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Confirms Return Of Hoenn Starter Mega Stones
But only via Ranked Battles
Trainers around the world will be returning to Lumiose City tomorrow as Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC drops on 10th December. But there's plenty more to look forward to than just new Megas — some major returning Mega Evolutions have also been confirmed, including a headlining trio. Earlier today, alongside...
Feature "It's A Bit Of A Joke At This Point" - Skyrim Dev On Returning For A Switch 2 Re-Release
Sky(rim)'s the limit
Somehow, Skyrim returned. Yes, the rumours are true, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is back (again), as a free Switch 2 upgrade. Making the most of the hardware's updated specs, the new release bundles in a whole host of fancy features, like enhanced performance and resolution, better load times, and Mouse...
News Surprise! 'Skyrim Anniversary Edition' Lands On Switch 2 Today
Wait, I know you
Well, isn't this a surprise that nobody could have seen coming. Bethesda has today announced that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is getting a free Switch 2 upgrade. What's more, it's available today! Any Dragonborns playing on Switch 2 will get to experience the 2011 RPG at an enhanced resolution, with improved...
News 'Death Howl' Melds Soulslike Combat And Deckbuilding On Switch Next February
2026 with the genre mix
Silver Lining Interactive has just announced that Death Howl — which is currently sat on a rather healthy Metascore of 84 — will release for Switch on 20th February 2026 (it's out today on Xbox and PC). Oh, and there's a physical version and everything. Hooray! The game itself has a very intriguing art style and set-up,...
News "I Was A Selfish Idiot" - Hideki Kamiya On Why Resident Evil 2 Had No Returning Characters
Claire Redfield was eventually added as a key connection
Hideki Kamiya, the famed game creator who made his directorial debut with the original Resident Evil 2, has been talking a lot about the survival horror series in recent days. Originally released in 1998, Resident Evil 2 was a significant step up from the first game, though its production was...
News Dig Into Donkey Kong Bananza's Third DLC In-Game Event Next Week
Jungle Beat fans, rise up!
Nintendo has revealed the next in-game event set to land in the Donkey Kong Bananza - Emerald Rush DLC, and it features some familiar faces for fans of Jungle Beat. The 'Dig to the Beat' event gets underway on 16th December, and will be sticking around until 23rd December, so you have plenty of time to rack up an Emerald...
News 'Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International' Now Available On Switch
With limited physical editions to boot!
It's only been three years since we got Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered on Switch consoles, itself a remaster of 1991's seminal SNES adventure, Romancing SaGa (or Romancing Salsa as this writer always calls it because of the font they used for the artwork). Now, Red Art Games has announced that a...
UK Charts Metroid Prime 4 Debuts Behind Mario Kart World And EA Sports FC 26
While Octopath Traveler 0 almost doesn't chart at all
The latest UK Charts data is in and Nintendo's latest flagship title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, has debuted at number 3, coming in behind Mario Kart World and EA SPORTS FC 26. The game performed considerably better on the Switch 2, making up 83% of the platform split with the original Switch...
News Future Of Tomb Raider To Be Revealed At The Game Awards 2025
"This is one you won't want to miss"
The Game Awards is taking place later this week, and ahead of the big industry event, Lara Croft's return has been teased. As highlighted by the show's creator and host Geoff Keighley and the official Tomb Raider social media account, fans of Lara will be able to tune into the event to find out about the...
News Nintendo Music Adds Another Yoshi Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included
Welcome back, Yoshi's Crafted World!
Following on from a sample of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's soundtrack last week, Nintendo Music has now followed this up with the 2019 Switch title Yoshi's Crafted World. This follows on from other Yoshi-themed albums like Yoshi's Story from the N64 era and Yoshi's Island on the Super Nintendo. This latest...
News F-Zero 99 Update Version 1.7.0 Now Live - New Secret Tracks, Music Player, And Much More
Download it now!
Nintendo's been busy getting in its final updates of 2025, and alongside a system update for the Switch 2 and Switch this week, it's also put out a new update for its online battle royale racer F-Zero 99. According to the official patch notes, this includes "new additions", various adjustments and changes, as well as the usual...
News Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 21.1.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Available for Switch as well
Following a firmware update for the Switch 2 and Switch in November, Nintendo has now rolled out a December update (and what could potentially be the final system update of the year). According to the official Nintendo support page, this latest update includes some general system stability improvements. If we hear about...
News Assassin's Creed Shadows Update To Resolve Switch 2 Crashes And Stability Issues
It's scheduled for "next week"
Last week, we ran a story here on Nintendo Life about how Assassin's Creed Shadows on Switch 2 was "unplayable" for some players due to repeated game crashes. Now, in a post on the official Assassin's Creed social media account, Ubisoft has acknowledged these "stability issues" and how it can "lead to crashes"...
Monday8th Dec 2025
News Metroid Prime 4 On Switch 1 Impresses Digital Foundry - "Nigh-Imperceptible Dips"
It's "one of Switch 1's prettiest games yet"
We already know that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a technical showcase on Switch 2, and we're sure many of you have spent the weekend exploring Viewros on the new console over the weekend. But for those of you who are still clinging on to your Switch 1 and wondering whether Samus' brand new adventure holds...
News Take Yooka-Replaylee For A Spin In This New Switch 2 Demo
The countdown to a physical release begins
Playtonic and PM Studios have today released a free Switch 2 demo for the throwback platforming remake Yooka-Replaylee, giving you a chance to try before you buy. You'll find the new demo on the Switch 2 eShop right now, and, you'll be pleased to hear, all the data carries over to the full game — so...
Review Skate Story (Switch 2) – A Laid-Back Kickflip Through The Underworld
An afterlife that looks and sounds divine
“My games are concepts and feelings that I can't describe in words,” solo developer Sam Eng said in a 2024 interview for Chanel, after winning the brand’s prestigious Next Prize. “Everything I encounter, I try to portray in a gameplay or audio-visual experience.” These quotes give a taste of how...
News Award-Winning Slice-Of-Life Soccer Game 'Despelote' Comes To Switch This Week
It's a goal!
One of the most unique a beautiful games of the year — despelote — is all about the beautiful game itself and the communities it helps build, and it's coming to Switch on 11th December in North America for just $14.99. Japan will get it on 18th December, while the rest of the world will have to wait for kick-off on 13th January...
"Scalpers are making it impossible to find cards"
The fact that the Pokémon Trading Card Game has created its own mini-economy isn't new news – back when it launched in the late '90s, there were accusations that it was encouraging gambling amongst kids, with many schools banning the cards from their playgrounds. In more recent years, however,...
Update: Paramount enters the conversation
In a staggering piece of news this Friday, streaming giant Netflix has announced that it has entered an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to acquire Warner Bros. in a deal that's valued at roughly $82.7 billion — an equity value of $72 billion. Netflix is specifically acquiring Warner B
News GameStop Hints At Another Playable Character For Resident Evil Requiem
Update: GameStop quietly removes information
Although Capcom has remained tightlipped on the prospect of Leon Kennedy cropping up in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, a good number of fans are adamant that the veteran character will indeed appear. However, a new listing over on GameStop drops some new information regarding the Deluxe Edition of...
