Timeline
Friday18th Apr 2025
Random PaRappa The Rapper Creator Has Some Expectedly Trippy Hopes For Switch 2
"I'm interested in the darkness..."
If you owned a PlayStation in the mid-'90s to early 2000s, you'll likely be aware of PaRappa the Rapper. This wacky rhythm game from musician Masaya Matsuura sees you play as a hip-hop hound trying to win the love of his life, a humanoid flower (yes, really). It's often considered the title that kickstarted the...
Nintendo Download 18th April (North America)
Lunar! I, Robot! Tempopo!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived — a day late because of a certain gokarting plumber, but there you go! We've got a list of new games in the eShop for your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Switch...
Feature The Switch 2 Sticks Might Not Be Hall Effect, But They Feel Fantastic
So smooth
One of the disappointments to come from the recent avalanche of Switch 2 information was the confirmation that the new Joy-Con 2 controllers would not use Hall Effect magnet technology. Of course, it does make sense, in a way, since the Switch 2 is already utilising magnets to attach the Joy-Con to the console, so although it would be...
News Nintendo Switch 2 US Pre-Orders Start 24th April, System & Launch Game Pricing Unchanged
But accessories "experience price adjustments" in the US
Switch 2 will remain at the previously announced price of $449.99 USD ($629.99 CAD) for the base hardware and $499.99 ($699.99 CAD) for the Mario Kart World bundle in North America, Nintendo has announced. Prices for Mario Kart and Donkey Kong Bananza will also remain unchanged at $79.99 USD...
News MicroSD Express Cards Are Selling Out Thanks To Switch 2 Fever
Stop the Express!
With the announcement that the Switch 2 requires a new type of microSD card, the microSD Express, it seems that stockists are beginning to have some issues keeping up with Nintendo fan demand. You should have known we were a frenzied bunch of gamers! Yes, as reported by the fine folks over at Tom's Hardware, news from Japan...
News 'Spine' Brings Gun-Fu To Switch 2
Fists, feet, and weapons too
If you cast your mind back to 2023's Wanted: Dead, a game this writer just couldn't really get along with on Xbox, you may remember that, despite myriad issues, it still came close to being quite good. Well, sort of. Soleil's action effort combined guns and fisticuffs into "Gun-Fu" of a sort, and to rather special...
News Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 Release Date Revealed At Star Wars Celebration
'A Pirate's Fortune' DLC shown off, too
Star Wars Outlaws is on the way to the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year and in case you missed it, it's also getting some new "story pack" DLC. Apart from 'Wild Card' (originally released last year) there's the upcoming story 'A Pirate's Fortune'. The development team has now confirmed this DLC pack will be...
News Atelier Yumia Free Update #1 Now Available, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Available now
Atelier Yumia arrived on the Switch last month and Koei Tecmo is still working on improving and updating various aspects of the game. As part of this, it's now released "Free Update #1" which comes with a special update for Photo Mode, additional background music, and a special items set. Here's the full rundown from Koei Tecmo:...
News Nintendo Removes Variable Refresh Rate TV Mention On Switch 2 Websites
Updated descriptions in US, Canada, Japan and Europe
Nintendo Switch 2 is sporting all sorts of modern technology and one other addition is variable refresh rate (VRR) support. This has been highlighted on Nintendo's official website alongside all the other upgrades for this new hardware. Nintendo has been nice enough to provide a description about...
News Another Fire Emblem Soundtrack Looks To Be Joining Nintendo Music
Listen up
The Nintendo Music app is being updated on a weekly basis and it looks like we might have got a teaser of what's on the way. According to a new advert (as highlighted by Wario64 on social media), it looks like Fire Emblem Engage's soundtrack will soon be added to this Switch Online music library. Here's what the description says: "You...
News N64 Platformer 'Glover' Is Getting Its First Patch On Switch Next Week
Taking the gloves off
Following its arrival on the Switch and multiple other platforms in February, Glover will soon be receiving its very first patch. It will be available next week on 23rd April 2025. The team says it's been listening to player feedback to ensure it can bring "important fixes and improvements to this beloved cult classic". So...
Thursday17th Apr 2025
Gallery Fresh Mario Kart World Screenshots Give Us Our Closest Look Yet At The New Racers
We feel a new main coming along...
The Mario Kart World Direct has been and gone, and we learnt... not all that much actually. What we did get out of it, mind you, is a fresh batch of screenshots from Nintendo, showcasing the majority of our new racers with some stunning close-ups. World appears to have the series' biggest roster yet, with an...
Nintendo Direct Mario Kart World: Every Announcement - How Would You Rate It?
Mario Kart whirled
The first Nintendo Direct dedicated to a single Switch 2 game has come and gone, giving us a 15-minute deep drive (c'mon, that's a keeper!) into everything we can expect from Mario Kart World when it launches alongside the system on 5th June. If you've been keeping up with hands-on impressions following the Switch 2 Direct and...
News Nintendo's Quiet 2024 Led To 26% Drop In Physical Game Sales (UK)
And it's not getting much better
Nintendo had a pretty quiet year in 2024, all told. Sure, it launched some pretty significant games like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, but there was definitely a sense that the company was starting to wind things down ahead of its big Switch 2 reveal early in 2025. As...
News You'll Want To Learn These New Mario Kart World Tricks If You Hope To Win
Get ready to Rewind
After a decade of playing with Mario Kart 8's driving mechanics, we've all got pretty used to the techniques required to nab a win. However, it looks like Mario Kart World is taking us back to school with a new roster of cool moves. Today's Direct presentation introduced us to the first of these new techniques: Charge Jump. By...
News Nintendo's Teasing Mario Kart World's Rainbow Road, But You'll Have To Work For It
It's about drive, it's about Ice Flower
Mario Kart World having some kind of Rainbow Road track seemed like a no-brainer, but Nintendo's playing its cards close to its chest with the details (apart from that one leaked image from the official website). However, during today's Direct, the jolly announcer dropped one big hint that the iconic raceway...
News Mario Kart World's Costumes Unlock Via Its New "Dash Food" Cuisine
Global fusions
As detailed during Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct, the Switch 2-exclusive racer will allow its players to unlock a literal smorgasbord of costumes inspired by a menu made up of "dash foods" from around the world. During the show, we got a look at some Free-Roam-style portions of Mario Kart World, which are populated by Yoshi...
News Mario Kart World Brings Back Another Fan-Favourite Mode
Let battle commence!
The Mario Kart World Direct has provided confirmation that the fan-favourite Battle Mode will be making its grand return in the new Switch 2 title. For the uninitiated, Battle Mode contains two sub-modes in which players compete against one another within contained environments. The first, Balloon Battle, has you launch items...
News Mario Kart World's 'Free Roam' Is Much More Than Mindless Open World Driving
Unlocks and missions and friends, oh my!
Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct might not have been stuffed with new information about the upcoming racer, but it did give us a closer look at the new 'Free Roam' mode and spill the beans on some of the activities we'll find on the open road. As it turns out, Free Roam is packed with missions and...
Review I, Robot (Switch) - Another Psychedelic Success For Llamasoft & Atari
Proper bangin'
If you looked at the title of Atari’s latest release and thought, 'The Will Smith movie?', don’t worry. I, Robot has nothing to do with the 2004 sci-fi film, nor the original Isaac Asimov short stories upon which it was based. Instead, this is a Llamasoft-developed remake of the 1984 arcade title I, Robot from Dave Theurer...
Watch Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct - Live!
With additional reactions from Mr. Felix!
Watch along live with the lovely Felix from our video team here, or SCROLL DOWN FOR THE STANDARD STREAM AND OUR LIVE BLOG! Gosh, just how many Directs are we actually getting this year? Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct marks the third in as little as one month, but y'know what, we'll take it. We already...
Guide Best 4K TVs For Nintendo Switch 2
UHD, 1440p, 120Hz, VRR explained
What are the best 4K TVs for Nintendo Switch 2? Switch 1 was limited to 720p in portable mode and 60Hz, but Switch 2 ups the ante with 1080p in handheld and 4K output when docked to a compatible display. Throw in 120Hz and HDR and you're looking at a serious tech upgrade with Nintendo's latest console. Most of us...
News Japan's First Switch Modder Court Ruling Ends With A Fraction Of Nintendo's Full Wrath
It's fine time
It's not unusual to see Nintendo track down anyone who messes with its products — be that through mods, emulation, or copyright issues — but the outcome of a recent Japanese court ruling feels like a comparative slapped wrist when compared to some of the wrath we've seen from The House of Mario in the past (thanks for the heads...
News Yep, It Looks Like You Can Still Dodge Blue Shells In Mario Kart World
If you have a mushroom, that is
Dodging blue shells in Mario Kart has long been a tricky, albeit perfectly doable skill that players have been executing for years at this point. The good news, then, is it looks like you can still do it in Mario Kart World. While we've not yet seen evidence that the Super Horn can still knock out an incoming Blue...
News Fangamer Delays Pre-Orders For Pizza Tower Collector's Edition
Yes, tariffs are to blame
Fangamer will soon be offering up pre-orders for a fetching Pizza Tower Collector's Edition via its official website, though when these might begin is currently up in the air. In a message viewable on the product page, Fangamer states that it is delaying pre-orders for the Collector's Edition, stating that the tariffs...
ICYMI Nintendo Reminds Us Game Vouchers Won't Work On Switch 2 Exclusives
The Switch 2 is also backwards compatible
Switch 2 is an evolution of the original device in all sorts of ways, but there's also a fair bit of overlap with current and existing systems in place. With this in consideration, Nintendo has today issued a reminder about how the current Switch Online game voucher service isn't eligible with Switch 2...
News CD Projekt Red Coy On Witcher 3 Upgrade For Switch 2
The developer is "all in on Cyberpunk" for now
Before Cyberpunk 2077, the Polish developer CD Projekt Red was best known for its work on The Witcher series including the award-winning third entry. With its latest game now confirmed for the Switch 2, it's got many Witcher fans wondering if it will maybe one day bring The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to...
Round Up The First Impressions Of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Are In
Here's what the critics are saying
A new 2D Ninja Gaiden game is on its way to the Switch later this year and select media outlets have now had the chance to go 'hands on' with the game. You might have already seen our brilliant write-up by Ollie Reynolds, but if you haven't already here's a quick sample: "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is shaping up to...
News Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Scores A New Switch Update
Update: Now available
Capcom's second fighting collection is just around the corner, but ahead of this it's actually announced a title update for the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection. It will be arriving this week on 16th April 2025 and comes with a bunch of additional features - adding resolution options, offline versus, quality-of-life...
Wednesday16th Apr 2025
News One Of The Best EarthBound-Inspired Indie RPGs Is Finally Confirmed For Switch
Oh, Jimmy...
We all know just how influential EarthBound is at this point. Despite initially underselling and putting people off with weird marketing campaigns, the game (and, in turn, series) is one of the most beloved games on the SNES. So it's no wonder that EarthBound-inspired games are a dime a dozen. Here's one that may have flown under the...
Gallery These 'Lunar Remastered Collection' Goodies Remind Us Of The Good Old Days
When the moon hits your eye...
At the end of this week, fans of classic turn-based RPGs, charming characters, and a hefty dose of cheesy '90s humour will be celebrating, as the Lunar Remastered Collection launches on Switch (and other platforms). Lunar is one of those series that, if you're in JRPG circles, you've almost definitely heard of, even...
News Digital Foundry Dives Into Cyberpunk 2077 On Switch 2
"It does seem to run well in some scenarios"
Cyberpunk 2077 had a notoriously rough launch back in 2020. The game is in far better shape today, but memories of five years ago had us feeling slightly apprehensive when the open-world RPG was announced as a Switch 2 launch title — are we going to see a launch day repeat? Does Switch 2 have the power...
Feature "I Can't Believe This Is Happening" - The Game Kitchen On Reviving Ninja Gaiden
"We had a lot of creative freedom"
After rinsing through Blasphemous 2 in 2023, we immediately turned our attention to the future and began to dream about what a potential third game in the series might look like. How little we knew. Of course, another Blasphemous may still be on the cards at some point, but for now, developer The Game Kitchen has...
Hands On Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound - A Slick, Bloody Return To The Series' 2D Roots
Slice 'n' dice
It’s been a long time since we were last graced with a proper 2D Ninja Gaiden game, so you can imagine our shock when Dotemu revealed Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a brand-new side-scrolling action title from Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen, currently scheduled to launch in Summer 2025. We recently went hands-on with the game in...
Guide 126 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Partner Spotlight' eShop Sale (North America)
Every game we scored 9/10 or higher
Ready for some savings? Nintendo has kicked off an all-new 'Partner Spotlight' sale on the North American eShop, bringing discounts to thousands of titles until 27th April at 11:59pm PT. To help you see the best of the best, we've assembled the following list highlighting every game in the sale that we scored a...
News Nintendo Confirms Duration For Tomorrow's Mario Kart World Direct
Strap in
Nintendo has confirmed the duration for tomorrow's Mario Kart World Direct presentation. Announced via social media, the Direct will last "roughly 15 minutes", which is a pretty solid chunk of time to spend on just one game. As for what might be announced..? Well, who knows, but we're certain Nintendo has been keeping quite a lot under...
Video 20+ Things We Still Don't Know About Switch 2
Send in the knowns
Questions, questions, questions. Since the Switch 2 Direct finally doused us with molten info and elicited the hottest of takes from us all, there's been a steady stream of questions trickling in from all Nintendo fans. Pinning Nintendo down on specifics in interviews and through other official channels has been tough as the...
News "Nintendo Has Been A Great Partner" - Phil Spencer Reiterates Switch 2 Support
"I’m really a big believer in what Nintendo means for this industry"
Microsoft's Phil Spencer has once again reiterated his support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 in a new interview with Variety (thanks, VGC). When asked whether Xbox has any specific projects in mind for the Switch 2, Spencer was understandably hesitant to provide concrete...
Rumour Pre-Orders For Switch 2 May Commence In The US Next Week
Alongside pre-orders in Canada
As hype surrounding the upcoming Switch 2 was just about to reach its peak after the exceptional Direct presentation from Nintendo, the company announced that it would be delaying pre-orders in the US in light of the global tariffs from The Trump Administration. Similarly, pre-orders in Canada were also delayed, with...
News Oblivion Remaster May Be Launching This Month, But Will It Come To Switch 2?
Say yes
Rumours of an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster have been swirling for a while now, culminating in what might be one of the worst-kept secrets of 2025 so far. According to Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb, the game will supposedly release during the week commencing 21st April 2025 and is set to grace the PS5, Xbox Series X\S, and PC. A more recent...
News Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility List Provides Updates On Two Titles
Here's what you can expect
Switch 2 was promoted as having backwards compatibility with existing Switch titles, but as we now know, not every game works properly on Nintendo's new hardware. It was previously revealed by the Japanese firm how it was testing as many games as possible and with this in mind, the company's website has provided an...
News Switch 2 Split Fiction Owners Can Apparently Use GameShare To Invite Nintendo Switch Players
No one gets left behind
EA's just confirmed the price of Split Fiction for Switch 2 and one other small but rather interesting detail has now been highlighted on social media about its use of the new GameShare feature. Not only will Switch 2 players be able to invite a player on the same platform to join them via wireless connection, but this...
Video Nintendo Today Gives Us Another Look At F-Zero GX For Switch Online
GameCube games are coming to Switch 2
Alongside its full reveal of the Switch 2, Nintendo announced the GameCube library would be added exclusively to the new system's online 'Expansion Pack' tier. At launch, we'll be able to play three titles and Nintendo has now uploaded another look at F-Zero GX on its 'Nintendo Today!' mobile app. You can see...
Video Switch 2 'Joy-Con 2' Magnet Strength Tested
Here's how they hold up
The Switch 2 will replace the Switch's physical rail system with a magnetic connection where the Joy-Con 2 "snap" into place. Nintendo has already stated how it wanted this new design to attach the controllers "firmly" to avoid any "wobble" - so just how strong are these magnets? The folks at IGN recently put it to the test...
Round Up The Previews Are In For Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Here's what the critics had to say
The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 arrives on Switch next month and we've now got our first batch of hands on. We've already shared our impressions here on Nintendo Life and think this new fighting package is looking and sounding great so far, even if we haven't been able to try out the online mode just yet. "So,...
Tuesday15th Apr 2025
News After Selling Pokémon GO For $3.5 Billion, Niantic Spatial Is Now Laying Off Employees
68 workers will lose their jobs next month
Niantic is laying off 68 employees next month, following its multi-billion dollar sale of its gaming division which includes the AR mega-hit Pokémon GO, Game Developer reports. The outlet spotted a
News Street Fighter 6 For Switch 2 Is Going For Cheap On Amazon Right Now (UK)
A knockout deal
Street Fighter 6 will be coming to Switch 2 on launch day, and you'll be able to pick it up either on its own or as the Years 1-2 Fighters Edition, which includes the first two DLC packs as standard. Well, if you live in the UK, that choice might just be a little bit easier for you now, as friend of the site Jon Cartwright...
Feature "It's Huge For Us" - Devs Talk Switch 2 Reactions, Dev-Kit Disparity, Future Plans
What devs make of Switch 2
In case you somehow missed it, Nintendo has officially lifted the lid on Switch 2, cueing all sorts of excitement and apprehension from those of us who have been loyally playing our Switch 1s for the past eight years. It's an exciting time to be a player, but how does it feel from a developer's standpoint? Is the Switch 2...
Guide 123 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Save & Play' eShop Sale (Europe)
Every game we scored 9/10 or higher
Your mind may be fixed firmly on Switch 2, but that isn't going to stop Nintendo from opening the sale floodgates on its current system. The 'Save & Play' sale is now available on the European eShop, bringing discounts to first- and third-party titles until 27th April. To help you quickly filter through to...
News Devolver Digital Hails The Switch As Its 'Most Popular Console'
Publisher is seemingly very keen on Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch has certainly been somewhat of a haven for great indie games over the years, but according to publisher Devolver Digital, the console has proven to be exceptionally critical to its own success. In its latest financial report, Devolver hailed the Nintendo Switch as its "most popular...
