Timeline
Tuesday9th Dec 2025
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...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
Worth the wait?
Now that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally here, and given that many of us will have spent our weekends absolutely leathering its main campaign on Switch 2 (or even Switch 1), we reckon now's the time to start gauging how you lot feel about Samus Aran's latest outing. Of course, our very own Ollie Reynolds has already delivered his...
Exclusive System Shock Remake Hacks Onto Switch & Switch 2 Later This Month
Welcome to my portable world, insect
Nightdive Studios is bringing its awesome System Shock remake to the Switch and Switch 2, and we can now exclusively reveal that it'll be available to play from 18th December 2025. Originally released in 2023, System Shock is a comprehensive yet faithful remake of the 1994 FPS from Looking Light Studios...
Random Four Legendary Devs Walk Into A Bar... And We're So Very Jealous
Imagine the conversations!
It's the little things in life that bring us the most joy sometimes, and today, we're bringing you an absolutely delightful photo from developer Suda51 (No More Heroes, Killer7) that's been doing the rounds over the weekend. It's no secret that some of the greatest minds in Japanese game development like to get together...
News Katsuhiro Harada Announces Departure From Bandai Namco
Father Tekken hangs up his gloves
Katsuhiro Harada, the executive producer and director of the Tekken franchise — a man often referred to as a father of sorts to all things Tekken — has announced via social media that he'll be stepping down from his role at Bandai Namco, and therefore from involvement in the series, at the end of 2025. The...
Random This Modder Turned Their Humble Wii U GamePad Into A Fully Functional Switch
A Switch Lite, but comfy!
What do you do when you're surfing the old interwebs and happen upon a bunch of lovely gaming folk wondering if anyone has ever stuffed a Switch — in fully working order — into a Wii U GamePad (also still in complete working order)? Well, if it were us, we'd shut off our internet and go for a nice, long walk outside...
Sunday7th Dec 2025
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (November 2025)
Our picks for the best eShop games on Switch and Switch 2 in November!
At last, we're almost at the end of 2025. Snow might be settling in where you are, temperature's dropping — or perhaps you're lucky to be reading from somewherein the southern hemisphere. But there's one thing that remains the same wherever you're reading from; it's eShop...
"I'm waiting for an update, it's impossible to play"
Apart from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, one other significant Switch 2 release this week was the third-party title Assassin's Creed Shadows. While Ubisoft's new feudal Japan outing has been mostly well-received by critics on Nintendo's new hybrid platform, it seems the experience hasn't been quite as...
Feature My NES Longing, My Son's Terrifying Switch 2 Obsession
Generational drama
They say history repeats itself, and right now I’m living through a redux of my own childhood gaming obsession. To understand my plight, we need to rewind to 1988. I had cut my gaming teeth on a dusty Atari 2600 my dad picked up at a garage sale. I loved me some Missile Command and Warlords, but once my best friend and...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel - Metroid Prime Pinball
Ding ding ding!
It has been a particularly Metroid-packed week, and we're keeping that Morph Ball rolling in the latest edition of Box Art Brawl. Before we do that, however, let's recap what happened last time. Celebrating the arrival of its Game Boy counterpart on NSO, we matched up three covers for Bionic Commando on the NES, and our favourite...
Video Mario Kart World - Course Changes Side-By-Side Comparison (Original & Version 1.4.0 Update)
Spot the difference
Earlier this week, Nintendo released a new update for the Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World, bumping the racer up to Version 1.4.0. In case you missed it, this is a major update, including all sorts of adjustments, changes and improvements. One highlight, in particular, is tied to the game's courses. As mentioned in the...
Saturday6th Dec 2025
Review Simogo Legacy Collection - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Nothing Less Than Essential
Flipping great
I had a moment of realisation while flipping my Switch 2 around in my hand and tapping at the screen in an effort to solve yet another clever-but-abstract puzzle. I realised that the Simogo Legacy Collection was one of the most unabashedly original sets of experiences I had encountered in a long time. The funny thing was that I had...
Community It's Time To Rate Your Switch 1 & 2 Games Of The Year
A wild GOTY appears!
We're into December now, and while there are still late-coming games showing up, it's time to start looking back at the goodies the last 12 months have brought us. Yes, it's GOTY time. 2025 has been a bumper one across the board, with brilliant games big and small — indie, are-they-indie?, and absolutely-definitely-not-indie...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th December)
She's finally here!
We are one week into December, and how many games have already been released? *Checks notes* All of them. All of the games have been released. Welcome, folks, to a busy edition of What Are You Playing. Let's try our best to recap the last seven days, shall we? Naturally, there was a lot of Metroid shenanigans to cover, with...
News Pikmin 4 Fans Hoping For Switch 2 Upgrade After Odd Listing Spotted On The eShop
Don't get too excited, it's been removed
Pikmin 4 received a free update in November adding new content, but it wasn't a Switch 2 upgrade and didn't include any enhancements for the game on the new hybrid platform. With this in mind, the same Switch title has now reportedly popped up in a section on the eShop, which focuses
News Another Switch Game Has Been Updated For Switch 2, More Compatibility Issues Identified
Mega Mall updated alongside updates for Chrono Cross & more
Nintendo released a new system firmware update for the Switch 2 last week, and it's once again led to a bunch of Switch games receiving compatibility updates. We've already covered the updates for Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition and Crypt of the NecroDancer, and it appears one...
News Switch Online Holiday Icons, Super Mario Ornament And 2026 Calendar Now Available (US)
Get them with your Platinum Points
To celebrate the holiday season this year, Nintendo has released special Super Mario icons you can redeem right now with My Nintendo Platinum Points. This is a "limited time" offer, and the first wave is available from now until 11th December 2025. As you can see, there are icons for Mario and the rest of the...
PSA If You Want To Use Your Google Pixel As A Webcam On Switch 2, Try It Out Now
A new Pixel Update has reportedly fixed a bug
In case you missed it, you can connect regular webcams and even camera phones with the Switch 2 to access GameChat and other features. One phone that was apparently having some issues functioning in USB webcam mode when connected to the Switch 2 was the Google Pixel. According to the website Android...
Friday5th Dec 2025
News Printable Metroid Prime 4 'Databook' Has Us Feeling Nostalgic For Instruction Booklets
Manual override
Bar a few exceptions, the days of opening your boxed copy of a new game and eagerly flipping through the instruction booklet are behind us. But it looks like Nintendo isn't ready to give up on the nostalgia just yet, as it has released a printable 'databook' for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, that just makes our hearts sing (thanks for the...
Review HautePad M-Ultra Gen2 Arcade Controller For Switch & Switch 2 - Just A Hair From Perfection
Premium experience at an affordable price
Cosmox Gaming offers up a lot of arcade controllers, including the modular Hautepad X at a more premium price and the remarkably affordable Hautepad C16. Now, the company has launched the M-Ultra Gen2, an aluminium-built leverless that sits somewhere in-between the two. If the
News Is Mario Kart World Getting Donkey Kong Bananza DLC? Datamines Have Fans Speculating
Nintendo Today! Nintendo Tomorrow?
While Mario Kart World may have just received a rather hefty update, fans of the Switch 2 launch game have been eagerly anticipating any potential DLC that will come to the racer. And a recent datamine of Nintendo Today! has brought all of those hopes and dreams to the surface (thanks,
News '4PGP: Four-Player Grand Prix' Brings 90's-Style Multiplayer Racing To Switch 1 & 2 In 2026
Vroom for four, and 120fps mode to boot!
3Goo, which has previously published the likes of Gear.Club series and WRC Generations on Nintendo consoles, has announced a brand new multiplayer grand-prix racer. 4PGP: Four-Player Grand Prix, which releases on 5th February 2026, has a phenomenally straight-forward moniker, and we reckon that suits its...
News Don't Worry, Nintendo's Working On A Fix For Some Kirby Air Riders Bugs
Timer trouble
Kirby Air Riders arrived on Switch 2 just a few weeks ago and, for the most part, it has proven to be a pretty polished experience. Of course, that isn't to say the odd bug didn't slip through the net, but don't worry, Nintendo knows about 'em. A new post on X from @nintendo_cs (translated by @Oatmealdome on
Talking Point Six Months Since Launch, How Would You Rate Switch 2?
The half-year in review
Friday 5th December marks the six-month mark for Nintendo's sequel system. Launching back in June, the earliest adopters among us have now been living with the console for half a year. Blimey! It seems like only yesterday we were all speculating about the follow-up to Switch 1. Would it launch in 2022? 2023? 2024?... Yes,...
News Sega Will "Carefully Assess Appropriate Use Cases" When It Comes To "Leveraging AI"
"AI adoption can face strong resistance in creative areas"
While rivals such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have jumped into the world of Generative AI development with both feet, not every company in the games industry is willing to throw caution to the wind. During a Q&A session following its recent Q2 financial results, Sega‘s top brass...
News This Samus Aran Chogokin Is 21cm Of Lights And Diecast Awesomeness
Is that a psychic crystal embedded in your forehead, or are you just happy to see me?
Now that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally in the wild (still feels weird to be able to type that) and given that it's another excellent entry in this phenomenal series, you may well be feeling like now's the time for some fancy Metroid merch. Well, say no more...
News Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Adding Free Fan-Designed Costume "Mid-December"
The Switch 2 Edition will follow in early 2026
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP players can look forward to a free update in "mid-December" which will see the release of the fan-designed "Cutie Zombie Hunter" costume for Juliet. This costume won a special costume design contest and will be followed by additional winning designs from the same competition in...
News Metacritic Shares Updated List Of "Every Metroid Game, Ranked"
Now including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
It's not every day there's a new Metroid release, and after an 18-year wait since the last major entry in the Prime series, the fourth adventure is finally here. To mark this occasion, Metacritic has now rounded up every Metroid game in its database to share a look at each title's metascore (based on the...
Round Up Every Switch And Switch 2 Announcement From The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025
Carmageddon, Starship Troopers and more
PC Gamer this week held its annual PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcase - revealing all sorts of "exciting projects" currently in development. Although the focus was on PC, many of the games announced and revealed will also be coming to other platforms including the Switch and Switch 2. We already highlighted...
News Switch Indie Title 'Crypt Of The NecroDancer' Receives A Switch 2 Fix
"Happy gaming!"
Many Switch games have been receiving compatibility updates for the Switch 2, and following an update to one of Square Enix's games earlier this week, it seems the indie developer Brace Yourself Games has now rolled out a fix for Crypt of the NecroDancer. If you've been experiencing any crashes when playing this rhythm-based Switch...
News Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! Brings A "New Retro FPS" Experience To Switch 2 Next Year
From the developers of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
If you're a fan of retro-style first-person shooters and want to eradicate swarms of alien bugs, you might want to check out this new game when it arrives in early 2026. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is developed by Auroch Digital (Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun) and published by Dotemu (Marvel...
