Latest Features
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 c
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,...
Opinion Pokémon Legends: Z-A Looks Cool, But It's Lacking Arceus' Unique Style
We're getting Scarlet and Violet vibes
One year after its initial announcement, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has finally been showcased properly during the most recent Pokémon Presents, giving us a good look at the upcoming title's gameplay and features. It wasn't quite the deep dive many of us were hoping for, but it was certainly enough to whet our...
Feature Strictly Limited Responds To Switch Delays And Discontent, And Details An Ambitious Target
"Our priority remains delivering on past commitments"
With plenty of physical game lovers resisting the shift to digital distribution, the world of boutique, limited-press publishing is booming, with multiple options for anyone desperate to have smaller-scale releases on disc or cartridge rather than a hard drive or SD card. It's a risky business,...
Talking Point Can Nintendo Keep Up The One-Game-A-Month Release Pace On Switch 2?
Keepie uppies
With Switch entering its ninth year on 3rd March 2025, and with over 150 million units sold and more million-selling games than we've had hot dinners, it's hard to remember a time when Nintendo pooling its portable and home console software teams behind a single system felt like a risky move. As Wii U foundered, it was the...
Talking Point Our 2025 Pokémon Presents Predictions - What Are You Hoping For?
Nintendo Life used Detect!
Much like the Mad Titan Thanos, the arrival of a Pokémon Presents showcase on Pokémon Day was inevitable. With the date now official and our faux surprise subsided, it's time to start laying down some predictions. To address the Phanpy in the room: yes, Pokémon Presents showcases can be a little dry. But aside from the...
Poll Will You Trade In Your Switch When Switch 2 Arrives?
Switch it up
Sometimes, it can be hard to let go. The next generation of Nintendo hardware is just around the corner. As we say that, we look fondly at our TV console stand where our Switch sits, docked and charging, not a speck of dust on it. For many of us, it's the console of choice — whether sitting around the TV with friends and family,...
Poll Box Art Brawl - River King: Mystic Valley (DS)
The good, the good, and the uhhh...
Hello folks, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we looked at Star Fox 64, and gosh, it was quite a close match. Both designs are pretty great in our eyes, but ultimately Japan won the day with 54% of the vote, while the Western design managed to nab 46%. Well done, Japan! We've got a bit...
Poll Which Pokémon Game Really Deserves A Remake Next?
Kanto blight
With a Pokémon Presents on the way soon, our foolish hearts have begun hoping for something a bit special. While Nintendo fans twiddle their thumbs awaiting the full reveal of Switch 2, an entire year without a Pokémon game releasing on Switch has helped us regain our appetite for console-based catchin'. It was a much-needed break,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (22nd February)
Catching them ALL?? In this economy??
Howdy partners! Welcome back to another edition of What Are You Playing. Switch 2 may still feel like a long way away, but there have been some Nintendo rumblings this week to keep us busy, all the same. The annual Pokémon Presents showcase was announced for next week (surprising no one), we got some leaked...
Gallery Here's A Closer Look At The London Pop-Up Pokémon Center's Exclusive Merch
Type advantage against bank ballances
The Pokémon European International Championship has once again returned to London this year, bringing with it competition, events, hands-on opportunities and, of course, merch. Yes, London's pop-up Pokémon Center is back at the ExCel until 23rd February, and it is once again packed with enough exclusive...
Talking Point The 3DS Library Is Ripe For Switch 2, But Is NSO The Way To Go?
Mo' dimensions, mo' problems
The 3DS has one of those libraries where the more you think about it, the better it gets. Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask 3D, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Kirby: Planet Robobot, WarioWare Gold, Samus Returns
Talking Point Should We Actually Get Excited For Pokémon Day This Year?
Is it all Sleep Talk?
Next week, on 27th February 2025, Pokémon will be celebrating its 29th birthday. And you know what that means? It's time for some Pokémon Presents. After a relatively 'muted' 2024, there's a lot on people's minds. Inverted commas there because, come on, if muted means releasing a brand new mobile game which has taken the...
Hands On Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - A Decade On, Mira's Still Got It
A Skell of a good time
It's been absolutely ages since we last set foot on Mira, the planet on which humanity seeks refuge from an alien threat in Xenoblade Chronicles X. It was perhaps only a year or two after the game first released on Wii U, in fact, that we last played it, and our overriding memory (besides the fact that it's incredible) is of...
Opinion Scrapping Gold Points Makes Sense For Nintendo, But It's A Bitter Pill For Loyal Fans
Points taken
We're about six weeks away from Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct in April, and the company presumably preparing furiously for the full reveal of its upcoming hardware. Until then, we're left to analyse statements around its financial results and other little announcements for clues about the Switch successor beyond its form factor. The firm's...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Duel: Star Fox 64
Do a Box Art Brawl!
Open the wings and check your G-Diffuser system because it's time for another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we fly into combat this week, let's hit the brakes and recap what happened last time. In our previous match-up, we looked at two covers for Wario World on GameCube — two very different designs that produced a pretty...
Feature "I Was Seeing Him In My Dreams" - Nintendo Veteran Just Can't Shake Shigeru Miyamoto
"He got a good laugh out of that"
There’s no question that Nintendo makes some of the best video games in the world thanks to its incredibly skilled and passionate in-house and partner developers. But how often does the company let those developers speak freely about the games they make? Last year we got the opportunity to chat with the legendary...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (15th February)
Sleepy time
It's the weekend folks, so hopefully you're already putting your feet up, sipping on a nice cup of tea, and enjoying a bit of down time with some games. This week in the world of Nintendo, a new placeholder listing at a retailer may (or may not) hint towards a cheaper-than-expected price for the Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, a new...
