Timeline
Tuesday19th Aug 2025
News Nintendo Music "Special Release" Adding Tracks From Kirby Air Riders Today
Update: Confirmed in today's Direct
Nintendo Music is mostly known for retro soundtrack updates, but this week it's completely different, with the Japanese firm today revealing we're actually getting some music from a game that's not even out yet. This information was shared via the Nintendo Today! mobile app's calendar. And it's songs from...
News Kirby Air Riders Zooms Onto Switch 2 This November
And it looks lovely!
Nintendo concluded its lengthy Direct presentation on Kirby Air Riders by confirming its release date: 20th November 2025. That's right, there's no delay for this one! Masahiro Sakurai's latest game will launch this year as planned, and it's looking absolutely gorgeous. For a moment, we were afraid that we might not get a...
News Kirby Air Riders' City Trial Mode Looks Just As Bonkers As We'd Hoped
Skyah Landers
Masahiro Sakurai's detailed rundown of Kirby Air Riders finally brought us the news that we wanted with a deep dive into the game's City Trial mode. Yes, the best mode from the GameCube original is returning for the Switch 2 sequel, and it looks just as high-octane and bonkers as we would have hoped. The Direct introduced us to...
News Capcom Launches Resident Evil 30th Anniversary Website
Big plans are in store
Capcom has launched a new website dedicated to Resident Evil's upcoming 30th anniversary in 2026. More specifically, 22nd March 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Resident Evil on PS1. We're unsure what Capcom has in store for us to celebrate the milestone, but the website has a section marked 'Coming Soon'...
News Watch - Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct - Live!
Whoosh!
It feels as if we've only just recovered from the recent Partner Showcase and Indie World, but now Nintendo is back with another Direct! This time it'll be focused solely on the upcoming Kirby Air Riders for Switch 2, with an extensive deep dive into its gameplay from none other than director Masahiro Sakurai. What's more, it'll be a...
News Gulikit Launches New Budget Controllers With Switch 2 Wake-Up Support
There's just one thing bugging us...
Accessory manufacturer Gulikit has launched a new range of budget controllers with Switch 2 wake-up support. The ES and ES PRO Wireless Controllers are out now and priced at £24.99 / $24.99 and £29.99 / $29.99 respectively (exchange rates working wonders there, we see). Aesthetically, both models are pretty...
News Geoff Keighley Either Knows Something About Silksong, Or Is Just Being A Tool
We can't decide which right now
With yet another major games showcase just around the corner, Hollow Knight fans are once again hoping against hope that a release date for Silksong will be confirmed. This time, however, something feels different. We're mere hours away from Gamescom's Opening Night Live showcase, and host Geoff Keighley has posted a...
News Kirby Air Riders Direct Revealed for Today, 19th August 2025
Wait, how long?!
Surprise! Nintendo has announced that it will be holding a special Kirby Air Riders Direct on 19th August 2025 (that's today). The announcement was made via the Nintendo Today! app, where we learnt that the showcase will kick off at 2pm BST / 6am PDT / 9am EDT/ 3pm CEST and will last for... wait for it... 45 minutes. When you...
News Nightdive Studios And Limited Run Revive System Shock 2 With A 'Big Box Edition'
Play like it's 1999
Nightdive has called on physical distributor Limited Run Games to help out with its latest hard copy release. This time it's for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster and apart from the standard physical version, there'll also be a classic "Big Box Edition" on offer. This will be available for Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC...
News Bandai Namco And Brownies Reveal Mystical New Roguelite-RPG For Switch
Update: Switch eShop demo now available
[Sat 7th Jun, 2025 07:55 BST]: Bandai Namco and Brownies have today revealed the new roguelite action title Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree. It will be making its way to the Switch on 19th September 2025 and includes melodies from Hitsoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy). You can check out the new...
News Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Switch And Switch 2 Performance & Resolution Detailed
Here's the official comparison
Bandai Namco recently confirmed it would be bringing DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO to Nintendo platforms later this year, and it's now provided an official comparison update on its Japanese website. Here's how the new Unreal Engine 5 entry will supposedly perform on both the Switch and Switch 2. If we hear any...
News Mario Kart World Has Been Updated To Version 1.2.1, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Download this update on Switch 2 now
Mario Kart World has received a new update this week, bumping the Switch 2 exclusive up to Version 1.2.1. This is the first update for August, and it's a small one compared to the previous updates, addressing some bug fixes. As usual, to continue playing online, you'll need to install this latest update. Here's...
Monday18th Aug 2025
News Critically Acclaimed Text-Based RPG 'Roadwarden' Comes To Switch Next Week
Illustrative text-based-bangers ahoy!
If you're already all clued up and in the know about Moral Anxiety Studio's Roadwarden, you'll already be in the know about how it was one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2022. And now it could be repeating success on Switch as it comes to the console on 25th August 2025. Preorders for this one are...
News Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance To Get Classic SEGA Villains Stage DLC Next Year
Dr. Eggman is first up
Joe Musashi has fought countless demons, strange lifeforms, and ninja clans across the Shinobi series' vast history. But in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance — which launches on Switch at the end of August — his greatest threat awaits in some DLC. Coming in early 2026, Sega has announced the SEGA Villains Stage, and first up for...
News Shin'en Announces 'The Touryst: Deluxe', Exclusive To Switch 2
New content, improved visuals, and more
Shin'en Multimeda, refusing to rest after the launch of Fast Fusion on the Switch 2, has announced The Touryst: Deluxe. Launching exclusively on the Switch 2, The Touryst: Deluxe will come with brand-new content, including a new island and monument to explore, new items and quests, plus improved visuals in...
UK Charts And Just Like That, Mario Kart World Is Back In The Lead
Was there any doubt?
GkF has provided the latest breakdown of the physical UK charts, and now that the dust has settled somewhat from the release of Mafia: The Old Country, Mario Kart World finds itself back at the number one spot. It's not a huge surprise, of course, but it's good to see, nonetheless. Slightly further down, you'll also see that...
Random The Pokémon Company Is Putting This Pronunciation Debate To Bed
This is the Ray
We Pokémon fans are no strangers to a mispronunciation or two, and at the recent World Championships, The Pokémon Company was on a mission to put one legendary debate to bed (thanks for the heads up, IGN). If the above image wasn't enough of a giveaway, we're talking about Rayquaza, the Gen III legendary dragon. As it turns out,...
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...
News Annapurna's Delightfully Weird Creature Collecting Roguelite Scores Switch Release Date
Mouse in the house
Annapurna Interactive has today announced that Furcula's weird roguelike-meets-creature collector Morsels will be landing on Switch on 18th November. This one briefly popped up in the August 2024 Indie World showcase, where it was accompanied by a 'February 2025' release date. That wasn't meant to be (obviously), but it's nice to...
News Bandai Namco To Announce New 'Tales' Remaster Tomorrow
Update: After previously leaking it ahead of time
After months of teasing for Tales fans, Bandai Namco may have slipped up and revealed its hand a little too early and shown us what the next Tales series remaster is. As reported on Push Square, it looks like Tales of Xillia will be the next title getting the remaster treatment. Originally released...
News Shenmue III Is Finally Confirmed For 'Nintendo Platforms'
Update: Planned for Switch 1, Switch 2 version "maybe a bit later"
ININ Games has finally unveiled something we've all been expecting — Shenmue III is coming to Nintendo consoles in the form of Shenmue III Enhanced. No release date or window has been shared, but we'll be getting an official announcement at Gamescom 2025, which kicks off tomorrow...
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...
News Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma Ships Over 500,000 Copies
Special commemorative artwork shared
Publisher Marvelous has announced that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma has now shipped over 500,000 copies on Switch, Switch 2, and PC. To celebrate the milestone, Marvelous has also showcased a new piece of artwork on social media, which depicts the protagonist's loyal partner and guide Woolby wearing a...
News Pokémon TCG Pocket's Upcoming Expansion Introduces A Mega Mix-Up
Arriving "This Fall"
Mega Evolution is the talk of the town for Pokémon in 2025, and it looks like it won't be long before Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket gets in on the fun too. As showcased in the weekend's Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony, the next TCG Pocket expansion will introduce a batch of Mega Evolution cards to the mobile...
News 'Bad Cheese' Is Another Survival Horror With Cuphead-Inspired Visuals
Launching next month
Publisher Feardemic has announced that Bad Cheese, a new survival horror from developer Simon Lukasik, will launch on the Switch (with backwards compatibility on Switch 2) on 1st September 2025. Much like Bendy And The Ink Machine before it, Bad Cheese utilises old-school 'rubber hose' animation, which was perhaps most notably...
News Pokémon Champions Confirmed For Switch 2, Includes "Free-To-Start" And "Paid" Digital Version
More details will be "shared in the future"
We've just had an update about the new battle-focused game Pokémon Champions at the World Championships, and apart from the news it will lead as the main title for the VGC next year, along with a Mega Evolution update, we've also got details about platforms and pricing. According to the latest press...
News Pokémon Teases New 'PokémonXP' Event
Taking place in "downtown San Francisco"
One mystery reveal at this year's World Championships event for Pokémon was the announcement of PokémonXP. This news was revealed alongside the confirmation of an "epic arena experience" for Championship Sunday next year at the Chase Center, San Francisco between 28th - 30th August, 2026, with passes going...
News Pokémon Champions Is The Main Battle Game For The 2026 World Championships
The VGC shifts to the new battle entry
We've got another update about Pokémon Champions today, and it confirms the video game competition will shift to this battle entry at next year's World Championships. The 2025 tournament was played on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Alongside this was a look at multiple Mega Evolutions featured in the game,...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Unveils New Multiplayer Battle Mode For Up To Four Trainers
The first rule of Battle Club...
During the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, it was announced Link and Ranked Battles would be coming to Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Switch and Switch 2 as part of the Z-A Battle Club. These battles will allow up to four trainers to join in on battles where they attempt to defeat as many of each other's Pokémon...
Round Up Everything Announced At The 2025 Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony
Updates for Legends: Z-A, Champions and much more!
The Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara made an appearance at this year's Pokémon World Championships closing ceremony and shared updates about multiple Pokémon games, and even some event news. If you weren't able to catch the event live, don't worry - because we've put together...
Sunday17th Aug 2025
Review ANTANK S3 MAX TV Dock Station For Nintendo Switch 2 - A Decent Little Travel Dock
A SIWIQU by any other name
Nintendo's own dock is a non-nonsense device that just works. You slide your console in, crack the Joy-Con off, and boom, you're off to the races. Given the larger size of Switch 2, though, its dock is a substantial slab of black plastic and various third-party firms have stepped in with offerings that are a little more...
Guide 2025 Pokémon World Championships - Full Schedule, Live Streams And Announcements
Update: Tune into Championship Sunday
We've had some exciting game events so far this year, and now it's time for the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. In case you've missed our coverage so far, this year the event is taking place in Anaheim, California in the US between 15th - 17th August, 2025. This year, there will be intense competition...
News Mattel Adds Special Edition Pauline To Its Mario Kart Hot Wheels Line
Pre-orders are now live
Mattel has already released a whole bunch of Mario Kart vehicles and next up is a "special edition" Pauline release, which was originally revealed at San Diego Comic-Con this year. It's arriving on 26th September 2025 and will be available for $22.00 / £20.00, with pre-orders now live. It comes with the Hot Wheels Mario...
Mailbox Game-Key Cards, Slacker Sakurai, Shapes & Beats - Nintendo Life Letters
Issue #27 - August 2025
Welcome, one and all, as we sit down and take a look through the Nintendo Life Mailbox. Switch 2 is a couple of months old now - can you believe that? This is the third edition of our monthly letters page since we finally got our hands on it, and the hot takes are flowing like wine. Lumious green, gamer wine. Got something...
Review Discounty (Switch) - Chilled Out Supermarket Sim Is A Decent Deal
While Stocks Last
No one who has ever worked in retail would compare the experience to a cosy life management sim. I used to have nightmares about stock variance and queues of angry customers who seemed determined to ruin my day as much as they felt I had ruined theirs. Yet, Danish developer Crinkle Cut Games seems to think that managing a busy...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Super Adventure Island (SNES)
Super duper
Hello, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we looked at WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ 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...
News GungHo's Switch Free-To-Play 'Ninjala' Looks To Be Winding Down Major Support
"Season 21 will run indefinitely"
GungHo Online's free-to-play multiplayer title Ninjala is now in its fifth year, and it looks like the development team will be winding down major support after 21 seasons. In a new update, bumping the game up to Version 21.0, an official announcement mentions how the team has decided Season 21 and the latest...
Video Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Full Gameplay Demo
Playable at the World Championships
The 2025 Pokémon World Championships are taking place this weekend in Anaheim, California and there's an exclusive Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 demo trainers can check out on the show floor. If you're unable to make it to the event, don't worry because we've now got the next best thing – it's a full demo...
Saturday16th Aug 2025
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...
Guide Best Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Protectors
Shield mode activated
The Nintendo Switch 2’s larger display is one of its biggest draws, but it also means you will want to keep it looking flawless for years to come. A good screen protector is a simple, affordable way to defend your console from scratches, smudges, and other daily wear. In this guide, we have picked out the best Nintendo...
Review OFF (Switch) - A Worthy Remaster Of A Weird Cult Classic RPG
Get up, get up, get out of here!
Though it may feel like the ‘quirky’ branch of indie JRPGs has become a played out trope by now, it wasn’t too long ago that a confusing, humorous, and parodying take on the standard template was seen as a novel concept. One of the most significant examples of this was OFF, a simple freeware RPG Maker project...
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,...
News Sonic Mania 2 Prototype Artwork Revealed By Christian Whitehead
"The game that never was"
Sonic Mania is one of the best Sonic games ever, and while there were hopes it would get a sequel, a few years ago, it was revealed how Sega was eager to move beyond pixel art and ultimately it didn't go ahead. At the time, Sega worked with Headcannon and Christian Whitehead "to consider concepts for the next generation of...
Round Up The First "Hands On" Impressions Of The Pokémon Legends: Z-A Demo Are In
Playable at the World Championships
Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn't out until October, but this weekend there's a Switch 2 demo at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. The first impressions are now rolling in, and we've put together some thoughts so far – starting with a 'hands on' from our senior video producer Zion Grassl. Although it might not...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 2025 Pokémon World Championships Distribution Live
Update: Here's the code for Farigiraf
If you happen to be heading to the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California this weekend, you can receive a special Pokémon Scarlet and Violet distribution. When you enter the badge pickup zone at the venue, you'll receive a unique code for a Toedscool. It's apparently "based on the Toedscool...
Friday15th Aug 2025
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...
Guide Donkey Kong Bananza: Walkthrough
Your ultimate Donkey Kong Bananza resource
Donkey Kong Bananza is absolutely packed with things to do and see. Fortunately, we here are Nintendo Life are on hand to help with our ultimate Donkey Kong Bananza Guide. In this guide, we'll be running through everything you need to know about DKB and where to find every collectible, including All...
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...
News "Get Your Act Together" - Something's Not Quite Right With Clear River's Toaplan Collections
Consistency is key with those spines...
Toaplan rights holder Tatsujin has been busy over the past couple of years leveraging the company's enviable selection of arcades hits, with a wide range of collections appearing across multiple devices, including Switch, Evercade and Steam. The latest effort is a two-pron
News Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection Slinks Onto Switch This September
Naughty kitty?
Bubsy, depending on your age, is either gonna be one of those video game mascots that you're very excited about or, well, not so much. Is that harsh? Absolutely not. In fact, it's sort of the premise, or so it would seem, of Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection, which delivers up four of the character's adventures and posits the...
