Latest Features - Page 2
Community Which Switch 2 Games Are You Wishlisting?
Two months to go!
Well, that was a week, wasn't it? We Nintendo lifers finally got an influx of info, a deluge of details about Switch 2 and the games we can expect to be playing on it. And soon! Yep, 5th June is exactly two months away, and we're champing at the Joy-Con Strap to get our hands on the launch lineup. We've had a taste, but we're...
First Impressions Nintendo Switch 2 'Wows' Most When You Go Back To Your Old Switch
2 takes
After years of speculation, Switch 2 finally exists. It’s got a launch date, a price, a bunch of accessories, and — most importantly — a lineup of games large and small, all showcased in an hour-long Direct which answered a lot of questions. But what does the system actually feel like in the hands? How does that screen compare to the...
Opinion Oh No, I'm Not A Fan Of Switch 2's Mouse Mode At All
The big squeak
You've probably read a bunch of thoughts and previews about the Nintendo Switch 2 at this point, many of them from us. I was already a little sceptical of Mouse Mode before it was officially announced in the Nintendo Direct. I don't like playing games on my PC, and if I have to, I avoid keyboard and mouse like the plague. Except for...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (5th April)
What a week, eh?
We have started the odd What Are You Playing post in the past with some comment about "gosh, that was a busy week!", but this week really has been the granddaddy of them all. Just in case you somehow missed it, Nintendo finally lifted the lid on Switch 2! In an hour-long extravaganza of a Direct, we got our first proper look at the...
Opinion No One Is Talking About The Switch 2's Best Feature
HD Rumble in the Jungle
The whirlwind reveal and showcase of the Switch 2 hardware and software was a complete blowout. So many ports! A brand new Donkey Kong game! The C button
Hands On 'Drag x Drive' Is Fantastic, But Is It Destined To Be Switch 2's ARMS?
Tokyo Drag
Here's a tip for you: don't just dive into Drag x Drive mid-match. After being thrust into a game in progress late in the day during our Nintendo Switch 2 experience, this Mouse Mode-controlled game felt like learning a completely new language. Instead of deftly throwing the ball and shooting hoops in what is essentially Rocket League...
Hands On Should 'Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour' Be A Pack-In Game?
Tech tours
Nintendo is no stranger to the concept of a launch day pack-in game. The Wii famously included Wii Sports, the DS came with an impressive demo of Metroid Prime Hunters, and even the Game Boy was bundled with Tetris in North America, forever changing the market. Which is why we’re all puzzled as to why Nintendo is charging for their new...
Hands On I Didn't Think I Could Love BOTW Or TOTK More, Then I Played Them On Switch 2
HD-hyah!
Folks, I am not a graphics or frame rate snob. I grew up playing 50hz games and my main system of choice is an eight-year-old tablet. I love style and art over visuals, and sometimes I even tolerate rough framerates. I might be a little more unforgiving in 2025 than I was a few years ago, but look, I want good games, good experiences, not...
Hands On Cyberpunk 2077 Might Pull A 'Witcher 3' On Switch 2
Breathtaking?
It's funny, even though CD Projekt Red has given the Switch some love in the past, it's safe to say almost none of us had Cyberpunk 2077 on our Switch 2 bingo cards, let alone the 'Ultimate Edition'. That's not to say we don't want it, quite the opposite! We just never honestly envisioned a world where this graphically taxing shooter...
Hands On Rock Surfing And Boulder Bashing - 'Donkey Kong Bananza' Is Brilliantly Bonkers
Bananza split
Donkey Kong's new design is perfect. Nope, we're not changing our stance here, and Donkey Kong Bananza solidified it even more. A new 3D Mario isn't here to usher in a new generation of platformers for the new console, but we have plenty of fuzzy monkeys and apes to keep us company over the summer months as we bask in the Switch 2...
Hands On Metroid Prime 4: Beyond On Switch 2 Is Staggering
Beyond expectations
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond being cross-gen was inevitable. After a near two-decade wait for a sequel and a handful of delays, including a return from series developer Retro Studios, the game needed to land with a bang. And boy did it when it re-emerged during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. We've seen it twice since, and each time...
Hands On Mario Kart World Brings The Utter Chaos In Knockout Mode
The World Wide Road
I beat Nintendo of America at Mario Kart World's new Knockout Tour. Okay, that's a tiny bit of a humblebrag, but Knockout Tour is the mode that has finally convinced me that the "99" formula is fun. I know, I'm sorry, you were all right. Next to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario Kart World was the game everyone wanted to play. Of...
"If they pull it off, others will follow"
Yesterday's Nintendo Direct gave us an absolutely mammoth amount of information about Switch 2, but one of the less welcome revelations was that game prices are rising for Nintendo's new console, with leading launch title Mario Kart World costing a whopping $80 / £75 in physical form (the digital version i
Poll So, How Would You Rate The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct?
Welcome to the party
Gosh, well that was... a lot. We have just finished watching the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and it's fair to say that it was absolutely jam-packed with upcoming goodness. We got to see a slice of everything! There was a rundown of technical specs, new peripherals, third-party friends (Elden Ring, Street Fighter 6, The...
Feature 'Good Game, No Rematch' - Mike Drucker's Hilarious Celebration Of Gaming And Nintendo
“I started to think about asshole birds”
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be employed at Nintendo? Few companies feel quite as impenetrable when it comes to discovering their inner workings, but after speaking with comedian and author (and former Nintendo employee) Mike Drucker and reading his new book Good Game, No Rematch, life...
Round Up It's April Fools' Day, Here Are The Best Gaming Gags We've Seen (2025)
Nintend'oh
Nintendo was kind and decided to host its Switch 2 Direct tomorrow, which means we can spend a whole day questioning news articles today. Yes, April Fools Day is once again upon us, and a bunch of familiar faces from around the gaming industry are getting in on the fun, providing a giggle or two. The day is still young, but we thought it...
Feature "It's Nothing Like A Port" - Story Of Seasons Head Talks Remaking A Lesser-Known Favourite
Totally Bazaar
Marvelous announced the next title in the beloved Story of Seasons series during last week's Nintendo Direct, and we're sticking with the remakes! But this time, we're diverging from the undisputed classics and going a bit off-piste. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar launches on Switch on 27th August 2025, an
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition?
X/10
Recently, we crossed one of the last remaining Wii U winners off our Switch port list thanks to the arrival of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. We'd waited a long time to extol the virtues of this excellent entry to people who never picked up a Wii U, and the wait, thankfully, was worth it. PJ awarded the Switch edition an...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Tomodachi Life
It's about time
Well, that's been quite the week, huh? Let's chill out with another edition of Box Art Brawl. Last time, we saw two covers for NSO newbie Nobunaga's Ambition go head-to-head, and it's got to be said, it wasn't even close. The epic Japanese art comfortably walked away with the win, taking 74% of the vote and leaving North America...
Talking Point What We Expect From The Switch 2 Direct
The clock is ticking...
A few weeks back, we gathered our thoughts and put down in words what we on Team NL are expecting from the upcoming Switch 2 Direct. We're mere days away from the presentation now, so we're republishing this article, updated with our lovely video team's hopes and dreams above. Enjoy! In exactly four weeks, we're all going...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (29th March)
A storm is coming...
We're here, everyone. The last weekend before Nintendo's big Switch 2 Direct. Give yourselves a pat on the back - we made it. As for this week..? Well, it was super quiet, nothing happened, man. Heh, only kidding, we had another Nintendo Direct. It was quite the surprise, but it was certainly packed with interesting...
Talking Point Which Switch Game Needs A 'Nintendo Switch 2 Edition' The Most?
Time for an upgrade?
Ever since Sony's PS5 adopted it as one of its main release points, we have been quietly hoping for Switch 2 to offer up enhanced versions of 'Switch 1' games. For a long time, this was nothing more than a dream (albeit a pretty realistic one, given Nintendo's remaster rate these days), but in the last few weeks, it has started...
Poll So, How Would You Rate The Nintendo Direct For March 2025?
Beyond expectations..?
Well folks, Nintendo's surprise Direct Presentation has come and gone, which means our attention has once again shifted back to the upcoming Switch 2 blowout next week. Before that, however, it's time to look back and reflect on what we've seen. Nintendo unveiled two initiatives in the form of 'Virtual Game Cards' and...
Talking Point Nintendo Direct Predictions - What Do You Want To See?
No, not THAT Direct, THIS Direct!
After some vague rumblings earlier in the week, Nintendo has only gone and announced another Direct presentation for this Thursday, 27th March 2025. While we await the big Switch 2 blowout next week, this one will focus on games for the original Switch, clocking in at roughly 30 minutes in length. Nintendo, as...
"We put all our effort into the game"
Creating a brand-new IP can prove risky at the best of times, yet when Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka mentioned that Too Kyo Games' latest venture, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, had effectively plunged the studio into debt, it demonstrated just how much he and collaborator Kotaro Uchikoshi (
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Nobunaga's Ambition (SNES)
Ambitious..?
Hello folks, and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl. Last week, we looked at Mario's Picross for the Game Boy, and it was quite the heated battle between North America and Europe. In the end, Europe won with 48% of the vote. North America came in second with 40%, and Japan in third with 12%. This week, to celebrate its...
Feature "It's A Perversion Of The Whole Thing" - Jeff Minter On Scam Games, Switch 2, And 'I, Robot'
"There's pride in it for me"
Jeff Minter is, perhaps quite rightly, referred to as a legend within the gaming industry. His career following the founding of Llamasoft in 1982 has spawned dozens of the most unique and recognisable titles in existence, including Tempest 4000, Akka Arrh, Polybius, Attack of the Mutant Camels, and Gridrunner. Those...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (22nd March)
Look in the Mira
Well folks, the weekend is here once again! We're getting so close to that Switch 2 Direct, we can almost taste it... Anyway, this week in the land of Nintendo, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launched, and crikey-mikey, it's an absolute cracker. Shock, we know. We gave it the ol' review treatment, of course, but we also...
"If I'm forced to say..."
Dragons, a great calamity, a big battle, and a whole new continent to explore — and that was all just in the announcement trailer. Even this early on, we could feel that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma was a step up for the series. And with every new trailer and every new detail, that's only become more true. Taking...
Opinion We'll Never Get A Final Boss As Good As Pokémon Legends: Arceus Again
God-like
Editor's note: As the headline suggests, this article discusses late-game spoilers for Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Ask me what my favourite thing about Pokémon Legends: Arceus is, and I can give you a non-exhaustive list. Being able to catch Pokémon without engaging them in battle. Having actual, proper sidequests with rewards. Shiny...
Talking Point What's Your Dream Pokémon LEGO Set?
Wish upon a Starmie
It's the collaboration that we only thought possible in our dreams, but LEGO and The Pokémon Company are officially teaming up on a set (dare we say "sets"?) in 2026. The problem is, we have no idea what's in store yet — the brief teaser from LEGO showcased a bricky Pikachu tail and that's about it. It's safe to assume that...
Feature Switch 2 May Be Imminent, But I'm Loving This Custom Switch Lite OLED
GameTraderZero latest mod uses the SUPER5 OLED panel
With all eyes on Switch 2, now might seem like an odd time to release a 'new' version of an existing Switch console, but that's precisely what boutique modding store GameTraderZero has done. You might recall the name from some particularly cool custom Joy-Con and Pro Controller options, but the...
Talking Point Will Metroid Prime 4 Get A Switch 2 Release?
Beyond the realm
It's been 84 years since Nintendo first announced that the next chapter in the Metroid Prime series was in development. Then, in 1957, an apology was issued as the platform holder took things back to the drawing board, restarting development and shifting production from partner dev Bandai Namco back to Prime series founders Retro...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Mario's Picross
Ticking a lot of boxes
We are back with another edition of Box Art Brawl and things are about to get puzzley. Before we dive into this week's match-up, however, let's take a look at what went down last time when we put the NES' Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom under the microscope. Despite what we thought were two pretty sweet covers, it...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (15th March)
Wahoo!
One minute, you're revelling in the celebrations of MAR10 Day, the next, it's the weekend. Where does the time go? While not quite as big as last year's affair, MAR10 Day 2025 brought us some eShop savings, a new Alarmo theme, and a first look at a sweet 18+ Mario
Opinion Against All Odds - Why Does RPG RNG Hate Me?
Drop it like it's not
Ah, yes, hello. Here I am, yet again, wandering around the same part of the world map over and over. I’m surprised I haven’t managed to cull the White Tiger population near the city of Muse in Suikoden II, because I've been here for almost an hour and I’ve probably killed over 200 of these things. All for one darn rune...
Feature But The Future Can Change - Chrono Trigger And Learning To Love The World
The Corridors of Time
Note: If you haven't played Chrono Trigger to completion...what are you playing at? If you're sensitive to spoilers, come back when you're done as we discuss end-game details below... “But... the future refused to change.” For the most part, Chrono Trigger is a chirpy, cheery game. It’s lightning in a bottle, a...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship Of Doom (NES)
Hyaaah!
Hello chums, and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we looked at Pokémon Trading Card Game for the Game Boy Color, and the result was pretty definitive. The Western design won with 69% of the vote, with some of you noting that the Japanese variant didn't even look like it belonged to the Pokémon franchise. User...
Opinion The Best Tony Hawk Game Is Grinding Back, And I Can Only Hold My Breath
Not the same?
When Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 launched, I only had one thought on my mind: “This is awesome, but can we please get 3 + 4?” I had dabbled with the first two entries back in the day, but it was only when Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 launched in 2001 that I properly got hooked on the series. It felt perfect, and despite classics...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (8th March)
No luck Hunting them Monsters then?
The weekend has rolled around once more so it's time for another edition of What Are You Playing! After last week's Poké-fest, it's been a slightly quieter one in Nintendo land over recent days. The Game Boy NSO library was treated to a duo of new titles, Nintendo started slashing some prices ahead of MAR10 Day...
Opinion Legends Z-A's Xenoblade-Style Battles Are Pokémon's Most Exciting Evolution In Years
What? Pokémon is evolving!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say something crazy: I like the look of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. I reckon I have about five minutes before the torches are lit and an angry mob appears outside my house, so let me throw another bombshell out there. I think the series' turn-based battles have grown stale, and no amount...
Opinion It's Taken 30 Years, But 'Terminator 2D' Could Right A Childhood Wrong
Judg(e)ment day
One night in 1993, I saw Terminator 2: Judgment Day for the first time. I was nine and I remember negotiating with my folks to stay up and watch the VHS with a Chinese takeaway. I remember the sweet-and-sour chicken, chow mein, and prawn crackers. I remember the lighting and the layout of the living room. I remember the clanking iron...
Hands On Absolum - Dead Cells Meets Streets Of Rage 4 In An Effortlessly Stylish 'Rogue 'Em Up'
Just one more run
What would you get if you crossed Dead Cells with Streets of Rage 4? Well, to save you the hassle, we’ll tell you. You get Absolum, a ‘Rogue ‘em Up’ from developers Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks which we recently got the chance to play via a streamed preview build. It takes the slick, stylish, and accessible...
Feature These Past 8 Years Have Been A Privilege
Golden generation
The Switch turned eight this week and Nintendo Life contributor and friend of the site Gonçalo 'Shiryu' Lopes posted this touching tribute to the console and its effect on his life on Patreon. With kind permission, we're publishing an adapted version of his personal Switch story... The Wii U sadly fizzled so I had picked up a...
Opinion Nintendo, Let Us Buy The Games Being Delisted From Switch Online
NSO-go
Well, it finally happened: the first game to be delisted from Nintendo Switch Online will disappear on 27th March. For years, the numbers have only gone up, and the total NSO game-count sits at an impressive 182 at the time of writing - with 109 more if you subscribe at the Expansion Pack tier. NSO was a slow starter, but the value has grown...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (February 2025)
Our picks for the best eShop games of February
Goodbye February, hello March! And an even bigger hello to eShop Selects. We're one month closer to the Switch 2's big bonanza, but hey, let's not get too ahead of ourselves yet. We've still got a fresh and full eShop on the Switch to go through. As is usual for February, things have been a little...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Pokémon Trading Card Game
Gotta trade 'em all
Welcome, Trainers! It's time to embark on another journey into the wonderful world of Box Art Brawl. Before we head out, however, let's visit the lab and recap what happened last week. It was the DS' River King: Mystic Valley that we put under the microscope and, surprising nobody, the awful European variant came dead last...
Feature Catch-Up Crew: Metal Gear Solid - "It’s Been A Long Time, What’s The Situation?"
!
The time has come for another Catch-up Crew mission, a regular assignment that sees cadets playing games for the first time - games long since played by other officers. Through their eyes, NL's senior staff gain fresh insight and a better understanding of not only those classic games, but also ourselves. Mainly the games, though. Today, we visit...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (1st March)
Hello, Hello Kitty
Hello folks, and good job on making it through another week! It's been a big week for Pokémon, with Thursday unveiling the latest Pokémon Presents. We got our first good look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the reveal of Pokémon Champions, and a whole bunch of oth
Poll Which Starter Pokémon Will You Choose In Legends: Z-A?
Choices, choices...
What's the most important part of a Pokémon game? The roster of 'mons? The setting? The story? Well, sort of the first, but tangential — it's the starter Pokémon. We now know just who the starter trio of Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be. And, similarly to Legends: Arceus, it's a triple threat of returning favourites. Chikorita,...
