Latest Features
Opinion I Can't Believe I'm Finally Getting My Dream Pokémon Game In 2026
Z-A? What's *that*?
I rarely expect big Pokémon news during Nintendo Directs. Maybe an NSO drop (pffft), perhaps some details on the already-announced game coming out. I certainly did not anticipate my dream of becoming a Ditto who can transform into a human being to come true during the latest showcase. Okay, that’s obviously not what I’ve...
Opinion NSO Subscribers Outside Key Markets Get Less, And Nintendo Should Fix That
Region-free access, region-locked perks
Since its launch in 2018, the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has been a lightning rod for debate among players. Fans have argued over whether its two-tier price structure constitutes good value, questioned the quality of emulation — sometimes patchy at first with certain N64 games but steadily improved — and...
Opinion Metroid Prime 4 Reminds Me Of Gears 5, And It's Making Me Nervous
Skiff it a chance
I’m starting to feel nervous about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Let me explain. During the most recent Nintendo Direct, the long-gestating game finally received a release date for 4th December 2025 on Switch and Switch 2. That’s not all, though; the accompanying trailer also revealed that Samus would now be rocking her very own...
Review JSAUX Split Protective Case For Switch 2 -Sleek But Off-Putting Modular Design
Clip on, clip off
If you managed to check out our review of Genki’s Attack Vector Case for the Switch 2, then JSAUX’s Split Protection Case will look pretty familiar. It adopts the same modular approach, with a main case clipping onto the back of the device, and two grips encompassing the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The difference here, however, is...
Sans regret
It's hard to believe that Undertale is 10 years old, innit. A game that released just a year after the birth of my eldest son, and two before my youngest arrived on the scene. What is time? It's all going so quickly. I bring my kids up here, not to be one of those tiresome people, but because Toby Fox's masterpiece (and you better...
RG-Beautiful
With the Switch 2 now in full swing, accessory manufacturers have unleashed a bevvy of additional bits and bobs for players to enhance their experience with Nintendo’s new console. JSAUX is one such company, and has released a rather lovely-looking charging dock for those who happen to own more than one set of Joy-Con 2 controllers...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Operation C / Probotector (Game Boy)
Operation Brawl
Well howdy y'all, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we looked at Forsaken for the N64, which yes, we'll admit wasn't the most inspiring duo of box art designs. Nevertheless, North America managed to seal the deal with 59% of the vote. Well done! This week, we're going back to the Game Boy to check out...
Feature Jump, Man - A Celebration Of The Greatest Jumps In Gaming
Jump day
Super Mario Bros. is now 40 years old. To celebrate this big anniversary, Omar looks back over four decades of gaming's greatest verb and/or noun... When's the last time you jumped? Maybe when hopping from a kerb over an autumn puddle. Maybe bouncing up and down to House of Pain or that Blackpink song. Maybe you literally 'jump into bed'...
Opinion I'm Celebrating Super Mario Bros.' 40th Anniversary By Finally Finishing It
Clear Bowser history
Please, angry mob, wait! It's true, I had never finished Super Mario Bros. before this week, but that's not to say that I hadn't played it before. If you'll put your pitchforks and burning torches down for a moment, I promise, I can explain. It was 2004 when I first came into contact with Super Mario Bros. I remember that...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (13th September)
Silksong? That was ages ago, mate. Do try to keep up
Good Mario, morning fans! It's that time of the week once again, and now that the Super Mario 40th anniversary plans have been fully unveiled via the latest Direct...well...we're maybe not gonna be diving into quite as much Mario as we had sorta hoped this weekend, as the likes of Mario Galaxy 1...
Opinion Silksong's Tight Construction Is Exactly What I Need After Too Much Open-World Loafing
I have to fight the boss now? But I was picking flowers!
Of course, it's not in any way whatsoever radical to have your players follow along a tightly-scripted path in a video game. It's nothing new, it's nothing that hasn't been a constant (in platformers especially) since...well...forever. So why is it, some five or six hours into my time with...
We speak with Kazutoyo Maehiro and Hiroshi Minagawa
Boy, Square-Enix really wants us to party on our Switches like it’s… 1997. Because over the last few years, they’ve made three separate titles in a newly minted, old-school RPG franchise Octopath Traveler, and then there’s the upcoming Switch 2 release of Final Fantasy VII Remake, the...
Talking Point Nintendo Direct September Predictions - What Do You Hope To See?
Primed and ready
Nintendo's marketing for the Switch and Switch 2 is going absolutely nuts in 2025. We had a Partner Showcase in July, an Indie World and a Kirby blowout in August, and now we're getting a full-fat, juicy Direct in September. Crikey!
Talking Point Is Hollow Knight: Silksong Too Difficult?
Phar too hard?
The original Hollow Knight was no pushover, but it's safe to say that its sequel is hitting a whole new level of difficulty. You only need look on social media to see that some folks have been struggling with their journey through Pharloom. A few are even going so far as to say that Silksong is "way too difficult to be enjoyable" or...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Forsaken (N64)
For goodness' saken
Greetings, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we checked out the original Harvest Moon for the SNES, and would you believe it, it was actually the more realistic European design that won the day with 46% of the vote. North America was the runner-up with 34%, while Japan only managed 20%. This week, to...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th September)
Silky smooth weekend vibes?
Aloha, amigos, and welcome shorts fans, to another weekend. It's been a very, very quiet one this week, with no games of note to menti...oh, hold on. Wait. We've actually been inundated with bangers. I'm terribly sorry. Yes, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally materialised. It's a real game that you can play right now!...
Feature Nintendo Life Reader Survey 2025
Gotta answer 'em all!
It's that time of year again folks. We would love to ask you some questions and would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to respond to our anonymous survey. Why is this important to us? Our websites survive mainly due to those who choose to advertise their games on our websites. Advertisers typically (and...
Round Up 6 Switch 1 & 2 Games We Played At PAX - Here's What We Thought
PAX picks, plus a trio we hope come to Nintendo's platform(s)
Last weekend, the intrepid Alan Lopez hit Seattle to see what PAX West had to offer this year. He went hands-on with a bunch of titles, large and small, coming to Switch 1 and/or 2, plus a handful more games from devs who would love to bring their work to a Switch near you...but have...
First Impressions Same But Different? - Our Initial Hours With Hollow Knight: Silksong
A shaw-fire hit early on?
No, you're not hallucinating — that is Hollow Knight: Silksong live on the Switch eShop. After years of waiting, Team Cherry has delivered its Hollow Knight follow-up today (4th September 2025), with Hornet taking centre stage this time around. Now, as you're no doubt are aware at this point, review codes for Silkso
Feature The Road To Silksong: Remembering Seven Years Of Hope, Hype, And Clown Makeup
Nothing but Hornet
In case you somehow missed it, today is Hollow Knight: Silksong Eve Eve. Yes, it's a term that I've just made up, but I've been waiting for this one for the past seven years, so you'll have to forgive me for counting down the days as if I'm on the run up to Christmas. Team Cherry's surprise announcement two weeks ago might have...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give 'Kirby & The Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World'?
Ludicrously long titles are so hot right now
Kirby landed on Nintendo's latest console last week, a few months ahead of his upcoming Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders in November. The updated version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land followed on from the snazzy Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of a Switch 1 game released in July, the (similarly)...
Opinion HD-2D Might Be Old News, But Octopath 0's City Building Has Me Buzzing
Pixel by pixel
Given that I love RPGs, I’m sure it’s no surprise that I’m very excited for Octopath Traveler 0. What might shock you, however, is that it’s not the return to Osterra, or the excellent turn-based combat, or even the prospect of another new HD-2D game that has me jazzed, nope (I still love all of these things, though, be...
Feature Nintendo Life eShop Selects (August 2025)
Our top eShop games on Switch and Switch 2 in August!
We're dreaming of crisp leaves, hot chocolate, and video games by the fire right now. Autumn approaches, but we have one more summer month to look back on in this edition of eShop Selects! August has been a bountiful one, with an Indie World dropping some surprise hits and announcements. So...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Harvest Moon (SNES)
Legen-dairy
Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we looked at Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol, in celebration of the launch of the original game on NSO for Switch 2. And let's be honest, we all knew which would win this one. Yes, with 77% of the vote, the far superior US variant won in a landslide. Good job. This...
Talking Point Would Drag x Drive Be Better With Miis Or Non-Mouse Control Options?
Drab x Drive
August is nearly over, and we've had two first-party releases this month: Kirby and the Long Title Nintendo Employees Are Obliged to Say in its Entirety and Drag x Drive. The Kirby revamp just came out (and it's very good) while Drag and Drive (
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (30th August)
Or have you Forgotten?
The weekend has crept up on us once again, so it's time to kick back with a game or two. Before we get to our plans, however, let's look back on all the Nintendo news that happened this week. Honestly, it was a rather quiet one. Nintendo launched a series of stop-motion Mario shorts and the kid-focused Hello, Mario! app in...
"I return to a childlike state to destroy and release my stress!"
Gust Corporation's Atelier series has been on the go now since 1997. Yes, that 1997, the one that was ages ago. Traditionally, this is one RPG franchise that's never been a massive mover in the West. It didn't officially see the light of day over here until 2004, after which, I think...
Opinion No One Told Me 'Chibi-Robo' Is Traumatising
Just your very presence makes everyone happy, happy... happy?
Editor's note. Spoilers for a 20-year-old game inbound... I’ve spent 20 years “awww-ing” over the delightful character of Chibi-Robo despite having never played any of his games. This cute little robot is just joy incarnate – tiny and helpful with gormless black eyes. Whether it...
Feature Nintendo's New App Reminds Me Of A Universal Truth: It Feels Good To Squash Mario's Face
The nose to the right, the eyes to the left
There are three things that you should know about me before we dive into this feature. 1) I am, to all intents and purposes, a 'grown-up'. 2) I do not have any children, nor any tiny relatives to test this app on. 3) I'm a sucker for a bit of N64 nostalgia. Keeping these first two points in mind, you...
Opinion We Need To Talk About X Games
X and why?
Most of the time, I'm pretty oblivious to game name trends. It's normally only when someone points out to me that all AAA games have names like 'Chronicle of Shadows: Rebirth', that I start to see that formula used everywhere — like when you find a trendy new pair of shoes that you swear you've never seen before, only to wear them out...
"It's a homage to my mum and my childhood"
Everyone remembers the first animated movie that scared them. For me, it was The Fox and the Hound — probably not the first movie in Disney's canon that anyone remembers, but it was one of my brother's favourites, so it was on regular rotation. Which means that the bear attack towards the end of the movie...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Chibi-Robo!: Park Patrol
Power corDS
It's time to plug into another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we matched up a trio of covers for the SNES classic, Super Adventure Island, with the three regions opting for vastly different designs. The disparity wasn't enough to drastically split the vote, mind you, as the golden Japanese variant walked away with a comfortable...
Opinion Silksong's Big 'Anticlimactic' Premiere Was Absolutely Perfect
No webs to spin
Six years. Much has been said in the last six years about Team Cherry's near radio silence on Hollow Knight: Silksong. Promises from Microsoft about the game coming out "in the next 12 months" in 2022. No playable demo since E3 2019. No Kickstarter updates. And a furore of hungry fans whipping themselves into a frenzy and building an...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd August)
Take the day OFF
Well folks, it's the weekend once again, which means it's time to get some gaming done! But first, a recap. This week, Capcom launched an intriguing 30th anniversary website for Resident Evil, though there's not much on there right now beyond some cool artwork. Gamescom also happened, which means we got some really cool...
Feature What's It Like To Attend Gamescom 2025?
Das Ist Wunderbar?
I’ve never been to Gamescom before. I’ve heard all the rumours, though. Gamescom is obviously an event I’ve been aware of for a very long time and it appears to have been growing in stature as of late – even Nintendo decided to return this year after skipping the show in 2024. If you’ve been to the show before, then...
Review 8BitDo Arcade Controller For Switch + Switch 2 - The Best Way To Play Street Fighter 6
8BitDid it again
If you’re into fighting games, chances are you’ve probably seen – or maybe even used – a bunch of leverless arcade controllers. They’re taking the fighting scene by storm, and now 8BitDo, one of the most consistent accessory manufacturers in the business, has launched its own Arcade Controller for the Switch, Switch 2, and...
Review Turtle Beach Airlite Fit For Nintendo Switch 2 - A No-Frills, All-Round Solid Bargain Headset
A budget beauty?
Between everyone at Nintendo Life, we've already got quite the heady (thanks) collection of gaming headsets for Switch 2 since the new console launched. You can find our in our Best Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Headsets guide. However, one thing that we don't have a whole lot of choice on, and especially if you're looking for any sort...
Preview Sakurai's Kirby Air Riders Is A Kaleidoscopic Adrenaline Rush
Watch out, Mario Kart World
Kirby has the ability to put everyone in a good mood, right? I mean, I've been in a lovely mood thanks to the pink puffball (and Nintendo), as I was lucky enough to go hands-on with the upcoming racer Kirby Air Riders for the Nintendo Switch 2 at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. As a surprising sequel to Kirby Air Ride on...
Round Up Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 - Every Switch 1 & 2 Announcement & Trailer
Indiana Jones! He-Man! Absolum!
Wrapping up the summer of gaming in Cologne, Gamescom 2025 has kicked off with Opening Night Live, a two-plus-hour showcase of new game announcements and updates. And, well, things started off strong for the hybrid consoles, but as the show progressed, the announcements slowed down. That didn't stop us from getting a...
I got loyalty (& mech pilot skills) inside my DNA
When Nintendo Life reviewed the original Daemon X Machina back in 2019, Chris Scullion called it "a solid mech action game that controls well and gives the player a generous helping of customisation options." However, he noted that mission structure, performance, and overall story were lacking, which...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Drag x Drive?
Brag or dive?
The Nintendo first-party releases keep coming, and the first of two for August has wheeled onto the Switch 2. Drag x Drive has been out for a few days now, and it has proven to be a divisive one. Pairing up wheelchair basketball with the Joy-Con 2's Mouse Mode, we actually had a fairly good time with Drag x Drive, with the wonderful...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Super Adventure Island (SNES)
Super duper
Hello, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we looked at WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ for the GBA – a true classic and one of our favourites here at NL Towers. North America and Europe joined forced against Japan and, uh... Oh, poor Japan. The western design won with a whopping 91% of the vote! We quite like...
Feature 32 Games We're Dying To See On Switch 2
We'd give our right Joy-Con 2
The first months of Switch 2's life have seen plenty of multiplatform games arrive on Nintendo's newest console — winners like Cyberpunk 2077, No Man's Sky, Apex Legends, and Yakuza 0 to name a handful — and its extra power affords devs the chance to bring newer, bigger, more ambitious games to the platform where...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th August)
Excelsior!
The freakin' weekend is finally upon us, and we've got games to play! Before we get into our plans, though, let's recap the week. It was a pretty quiet one in Nintendo Land, with not so much as a whiff of a Direct — which is weird, after the last three weeks of showcases. Nintendo revealed an all-new Mario Kart World event in Japan,...
Anniversary n-Space & Nintendo's M-Rated GameCube Gem Is 20 Years Old
I ain't afraid of no Geist
Everyone, we like to believe, has made a secret list for every single console they've ever owned, of weird and/or experimental stuff they either want to, or wished they had, played. Sometimes you get round to them, sometimes you don't. You know the sort of thing. For me, on GameCube specifically, things like Cubivore come...
Feature "Unsettling Yet Captivating" - SHUTEN ORDER Creators Talk Cult Religion And Dismemberment
"I thought it would be impossible to partner with a publisher"
Creator Kazutaka Kodaka – known for Danganronpa, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, and more – has cultivated quite the reputation for his wild, engrossing video game stories, but the upcoming SHUTEN ORDER might just be one of his boldest yet. Launching on 5th September 2025 on...
First Impressions Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is An Attempt To Catch The Hardcore Again
Smooth sailing on Switch 2
Pokémon Legends: Arceus isn’t a perfect game by any means, but that didn't stop it from syphoning all of my free time when it launched back in 2022. This was the first time in a while where I truly felt the desire to “catch 'em all”. While Arceus still borrowed a lot from the mainline games, it did enough to make...
Guide Best Pixel Art Nintendo Switch Games
Our pick of impeccable pixels
Updated this list with the wonderful Until Then and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound! Of all the art styles in video games, none has a stronger chokehold on developers and players alike than the humble pixel. Whether it's a fantastically detailed modern take on what is possible in pixels, or something made in homage to NES and...
Talking Point Where On Earth Are The Switch 2 Soundtracks On Nintendo Music?
For the Melody Motorway
Ohhhhh, Zeebraaaa, Zeebraaaaa, ZEEBRAAAAA!~ Here I am, tapping out once again to the Zebra Bananza theme. It's a song fit for Carnival, a blend of styles from all across Latin America — the Brazilian Samba, the Cuban Salsa, the Argentinian Tango. Every time DK beats his chest and transforms into the buffest Zebra you've...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
Vote!
Welcome, cover fans, to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we head into this week's match-up, let's have a quick reminder of what went down last weekend. It was a one-on-one face-off for the GBA's The Hobbit, which saw the gloomy North American/European cover go up against the colourful Japanese variant. Somewhat surprisingly to us, it...
