The United States, with its enormous highways, sprawling suburbs and neglected public transport systems, is one of the most car-dependent countries in the world. But this arrangement of obligatory driving is making many Americans actively unhappy, new research has found.The car is firmly entrenched as the default, and often only, mode of transport for the vast majority of Americans, with more than nine in 10 households having at least one vehicle and 87% of people using their cars daily. Last year, a record 290m vehicles were operated on US streets and highways.However, this extreme car dependence is affecting Americans quality of life, with a new study finding there is a tipping point at which more driving leads to deeper unhappiness. It found that while having a car is better than not for overall life satisfaction, having to drive for more than 50% of the time for out-of-home activities is linked to a decrease in life satisfaction.Car dependency has a threshold effect using a car just sometimes increases life satisfaction but if you have to drive much more than this people start reporting lower levels of happiness, said Rababe Saadaoui, an urban planning expert at Arizona State University and lead author of the study. Extreme car dependence comes at a cost, to the point that the downsides outweigh the benefits.The new research, conducted via a survey of a representative group of people across the US, analyzed peoples responses to questions about driving habits and life satisfaction and sought to find the link between the two via a statistical model that factored in other variables of general contentment, such as income, family situation, race and disability.The results were surprising, Saadaoui said, and could be the result of a number of negative impacts of driving, such as the stress of continually navigating roads and traffic, the loss of physical activity from not walking anywhere, a reduced engagement with other people and the growing financial burden of owning and maintaining a vehicle.Some people drive a lot and feel fine with it but others feel a real burden, she said. The study doesnt call for people to completely stop using cars but the solution could be in finding a balance. For many people driving isnt a choice, so diversifying choices is important.Decades of national and state interventions have provided the US with an extensive system of highways, many of which cut deep into the heart of its cities, fracturing communities and bringing congestion and air pollution to nearby residents, particularly those of color.Planning policies and mandatory car parking construction have encouraged suburban sprawl, strip malls with more space for cars than people and the erosion of shared third places where Americans can congregate. As a result, even very short journeys outside the house require a car, with half of all car trips being under three miles.Traffic navigates Second Avenue in Manhattan. We need to get the voices of those who cant drive into the room because the people making decisions drive everywhere, one expert said. Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPAMost of the decisions driving this are made at a state level, although Joe Bidens administration vowed to help rebuild public transit networks beleaguered by the Covid pandemic and to tear down certain divisive highways. However, the federal government has continued pouring far more money into building and expanding roads than in any alternatives to driving. Next year, more than $60bn in federal funding is planned for roads and bridges.A small sliver of the American public actively chooses to live without a car because they are able to live in the few remaining walkable communities in the US, but for most of those without a car it is a forced deprivation due to poverty or disability.Being without a car can itself be expensive and isolating, according to Anna Zivarts, who was born with a neurological condition that prevents her from driving. Zivarts, based in Seattle, is the author of the book When Driving Is Not an Option and advocates on behalf of those unable to drive.Seattle has a solid bus system but everyone who can afford a car has a car. Im often the only parent going to any sort of event without a car. Everything is built around cars, she said.We are just locked into a system of driving that is meant to be more enjoyable but isnt. I walk five minutes with my kid to the school bus stop and yet other parents make that journey to the stop by car. Is this really how you want to spend your life?A long-term effort is required to make communities more walkable and bolster public transport and biking options, Zivarts said, but an immediate step would be simply to consider the existence of people without cars.We need to get the voices of those who cant drive disabled people, seniors, immigrants, poor folks into the room because the people making decisions drive everywhere, she said. They dont know what its like to have to spend two hours riding the bus.

Image: Nintendo LifeThroughout 2025, many of gaming's most treasured gems will be celebrating a significant birthday and to remind you of some of the biggest (and of just how old you are!), we've compiled this list of nearly 60 gaming dates for your calendars.What do we mean by 'significant' birthdays? Anything that ends in a five or a zero - fairly standard stuff. 10 years is the minimum for the list below (and believe us, compiling this list had us gawping in disbelief multiple times at five-year-old games which feel like they launched six months ago - Hades cannot be five this year!) and you'll see a few games that will be heading into their fifth decade sometime in 2025.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kWatch on YouTube Let's proceed starting in January, shall we?On this page: Feature: Biggest Nintendo Gaming Anniversaries Of 2025JanuaryResident Evil 4 (20)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 11th Jan 2005 (USA) / 18th Mar 2005 (UK/EU)We've had a glorious remake in the decades since, but on 11th January it'll be 20 years since we first stumbled upon Los Ganados in their village. A 'Cloud Edition' of the remake on Switch wouldn't satisfy anyone, but let's cross our fingers that Capcom has something special planned for later in the year.Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (10)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: HAL LaboratoryRelease Date: 20th Feb 2015 (USA) / 8th May 2015 (UK/EU)We're going to bundle all the Kirby anniversaries into a single entry, because that dude's vacuuming up the birthdays this year!Starting from the earliest, we've got:Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (10) - 22nd January 2015Kirby's Dream Land 2 (30) - 21st March 1995Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (25) - 24th March 2000Kirby: Canvas Curse (Power Paintbrush) (20) - 24th March 2005Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (25) - 23rd August 2000Kirby's Epic Yarn (15) - 14th October 2010Ice Climber (40)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D1Release Date: 30th Jan 1985 (USA) / 1st Sep 1986 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineNot exactly Nintendo's most venerated series. In fact, it's not a series at all it only got this one entry, unless you count the NES and VS. Arcade versions as separate (which we'd be tempted to do because, hey, they're different!).Ice Climber turns 40 on 30th January and both versions are available on Switch via NSO and Hamster's Arcade Archives release.FebruaryDonkey Kong Jungle Beat (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 14th Mar 2005 (USA) / 4th Feb 2005 (UK/EU)We're cheating a little bit with this one, as this one had its 20th anniversary last year (it launched in Japan in December 2004), but Europe got it on 4th February 2005 so let's squeeze it and its bongo-bashing platforming in here, hmm? If Nintendo wants to dust off this classic and manufacture some Bongo-Con for Switch, we'd buy 'em!Ridge Racer 64 (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo Software TechnologyRelease Date: 14th Feb 2000 (USA) / 4th Jul 2000 (UK/EU)Look, of all the Ridge Racers perhaps Ridge Racer 64 isn't the one that jumps out as a series best. Still, we've been jonesing for the return of Namco's series to a Nintendo console for years now, and if getting NST's entry on Nintendo Switch Online is the best we can hope for, we'll take it. It'd make for a nice little Valentine's present on 14th February. Time ExtensionRiiiiiiiidge racer!Star Fox: Assault (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NamcoRelease Date: 14th Feb 2005 (USA) / 29th Apr 2005 (UK/EU)Also known as 'The Star Fox You Probably Missed', Star Fox: Assault launched on 15th February 2005 and while it seems unlikely we'll see a re-release of Namco's take on the Nintendo series, this is one we'd love to revisit given the chance.MarchChrono Trigger (30)Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: SquaresoftRelease Date: 11th Aug 1995 (USA) / 20th May 2011 (UK/EU)A titan of the RPG genre, Chrono Trigger launched in Japan on 11th March 1995. You might expect some announcement to coincide with its 30th birthday, so fingers crossed.Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No. 1 Ketteiban! (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: HAL LaboratoryRelease Date: 31st Mar 2000 (JPN)Ah yes, the biggest gaming anniversary on the calendar!Look, bass fishing with Shigesato Itoi (EarthBound) might not have much appeal in the West, but this Japan-only N64 game, a 'Definitive Edition' update of the Super Famicom release, has always intrigued this writer in particular enough for him to get hold of a copy and ASCII fishing rod controller.Perhaps the 25th anniversary on 31st March is the time to finally sit down and play the thing in a dopey hat with some cold brewskies.AprilAffordable Space Adventures (10)Publisher: KnapNok Games / Developer: NifflasRelease Date: 9th Apr 2015 (USA) / 9th Apr 2015 (UK/EU)What do you mean, 'What's this?'? It's only the best Wii U exclusive!Affordable Space Adventures launched on 9th April 2015 and after a long decade we would love to see it escape the wreckage of the good ship Wii U and surface once more.Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Intelligent SystemsRelease Date: 17th Oct 2005 (USA) / 4th Nov 2005 (UK/EU)20 years old on 20th April, Path of Radiance has never been on anything except GameCube, so what better way to commemorate its 20th anniversary than a cheeky re-release, hmm?While we're discussing the series, Fire Emblem Fates might have been a little divisive back in 2015 there was just so much of it! but we're keen for an excuse to visit it a decade on (it launched in Japan on 25th June 2015) and see how it fares against everything Intelligent Systems has done with FE since.Nintendogs (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 22nd Aug 2005 (USA) / 7th Oct 2005 (UK/EU)That it hasn't come to Switch in some form is a question we've pondered before, and with turning 20 years old on 21st April, maybe it's time that pooch pounced to a Switch near you, hmm? All bark and no micThe Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 26th Oct 2000 (USA) / 17th Nov 2000 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackThere's nothing stopping you playing this on Switch right now, and you definitely should. Majora's Mask turns 25 on 27th April but this surreal time-loop twist on the Zelda formula is always worth revisiting.And while we're discussing Zelda, Majora's Mask 3D (the 3DS remake) turns 10 on 13th February, and the lesser-celebrated Tri Force Heroes also celebrates its first decade on 22nd October.Final Fantasy III (35)Publisher: Square / Developer: SquareRelease Date: 27th Apr 1990 (JPN)It wasn't until the DS version that this game saw a release in the West and these days the Pixel Remaster is the easiest one to get your hands on. The original Famicom version turns 35 on 27th April.Publisher: Konami / Developer: KonamiRelease Date: 5th May 2000 (USA) / 5th May 2000 (UK/EU)Metal Gear Solid (helpfully subtitled Ghost Babel in Japan to differentiate it from Metal Gear Solid) launched over 18 months after the PlayStation classic on 27th April 2000. While it's a very different beast, this top-down take on the series' stealth gameplay is one of the very best Game Boy Color exclusives.Excitebike 64 (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Left Field ProductionsRelease Date: 30th Apr 2000 (USA) / 8th Jun 2001 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackAn underappreciated little gem in the latter-day N64 catalogue, Left Field's Excitebike 64 launched first in the US on 30th April 2000 and is available on Switch if you subscribe to NSO at the Expansion Pack tier. It's high time we saw a return for the Excite series.MayGargoyle's Quest (35)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: Jul 1990 (USA) / 1991 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineGargoyle's Quest is a glorious little Game Boy adventure and easily accessible on Switch via NSO. So if you've never heard of it, what better year to try it out! It turns 35 on 2nd May.Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain? (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo SDDRelease Date: 17th Apr 2006 (USA) / 9th Jun 2006 (UK/EU)How old is your brain? At least 20 if you remember this one launching on DS. It didn't arrive in the West until the following year, but Dr. Kawashima debuted in Japan on 15th May 2005.Perfect Dark (25)Publisher: Rare / Developer: RareRelease Date: 22nd May 2000 (USA) / 30th Jun 2000 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackIt seems like only yesterday that we were toasting two decades of Perfect Dark. No, that was 22nd May five years ago and time is a flat circle. Give it a whirl if you have the NSO + Expansion Pack. "We had a lot of ideas, and lots of clever people working out how to do them"Super Mario Galaxy 2 (15)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 23rd May 2010 (USA) / 11th Jun 2010 (UK/EU)Conspicuously absent from the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, we've got our fingers crossed that the game's 20th birthday is the perfect occasion for a little celebratory re-release for Galaxy 2. Get 23rd May marked on your calendars.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.Splatoon (10)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 29th May 2015 (USA) / 29th May 2015 (UK/EU)The only Splatoon game not available on Switch, Splatoon launched on Wii U on 28th May 2015. While the chances of a re-release might be slim, we imagine Nintendo has plans for the squiddy shooter series' 10th anniversary.JuneKiller7 (20)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4Release Date: 7th Aug 2005 (USA) / 15th Aug 2005 (UK/EU)Rumours of a Switch port haven't amounted to anything... yet. Could the 20th anniversary of Killer7 on 9th June be cause for new hope that Suda51's cult classic could come to Switch? Stranger things and all that.Xenoblade Chronicles (15)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 6th Apr 2012 (USA) / 19th Aug 2011 (UK/EU)Xenoblade has more than got its dues on Switch and rightly so with an excellent Definitive Edition, two sequels, both with giant DLCs, plus the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles X port. Still, 10th June will be the 15th anniversary of the original Wii game's Japanese launch.Trauma Center: Under The Knife (20)Publisher: Atlus / Developer: AtlusRelease Date: 4th Oct 2005 (USA) / 28th Apr 2006 (UK/EU)Remember this one? What a fun little game. Don't tell anyone it's 20 years old on 16th June, though, as they're liable to get lightheaded, dazed, and not a little confused by how the last two decades have been skillfully scalpelled from their minds by Dr. Time.Chibi Robo (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: skipRelease Date: 6th Feb 2006 (USA) / 26th May 2006 (UK/EU)Chibi-Robo first scuttled onto GameCubes in Japan on 23rd June 2005. Developer Skip is currently working on a koROBO, which looks very much like a spiritual sequel to this delightful little platformer.Advance Wars: Dual Strike (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Intelligent SystemsRelease Date: 22nd Aug 2005 (USA) / 30th Sep 2005 (UK/EU)This launched in Japan on 23rd June 2005. Advance Wars: Dual Strike may not be quite as celebrated as its GBA predecessors, but if Switch 2 is able to play DS games, this would be near the top of our first-party requests list. Alternatively, if Wayforward wanted to give this the remake treatment la Re-Boot Camp, we'd enlist.Yoshi's Woolly World (10)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Good-FeelRelease Date: 16th Oct 2015 (USA) / 26th Jun 2015 (UK/EU)25th June 2015 saw the release of Good-Feel's Yoshi's Woolly World, one of the few remaining Nintendo-published Wii U games has hasn't (yet) had a Switch port. The 3DS got a version with some added Poochy, but we'd love to see Good-Feel give this warm blanket of a game another airing for its 10th birthday.JulyDr. Mario (35)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D1Release Date: 1st Dec 1990 (USA) / 30th Apr 1991 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineComing to Game Boy on 27th July 1990, Dr. Mario also launched on the Famicom on exactly the same day, with both games arriving in the US later in the year, and in Europe the following year.Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: iNiSRelease Date: 28th Jul 2005 (JPN)The game that morphed into Elite Beat Agents in the West, 28th July 2025 marks 20 years since Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan bought its infectious rhythm-based beats to a DS near you. Well, if you imported it. Or if you live in Japan, of course. So many great DS games with big anniversaries! Nintendo should really make them playable on a modern console.AugustSuper Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (30)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 4th Oct 1995 (USA) / 6th Oct 1995 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch Online5th August 1995. That was the day Yoshi's Island launched in Japan with North America and Europe following in October - a much quicker international release than the staggered Super Mario World.We still don't quite believe Yoshi's Island can be 30 years old, though. Are you sure there hasn't been some administrative cock-up in the spacetime continuum?Journey To Silius (35)Publisher: Sunsoft / Developer: SunsoftRelease Date: Sep 1990 (USA) / 1990 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineThe game that might have been the best Terminator game ever had the licensing not fallen through, come 10th August we'll have had 35 years of that glorious soundtrack. Enjoy!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kPaper Mario (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Intelligent SystemsRelease Date: 5th Feb 2001 (USA) / 5th Oct 2001 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackMario's first foray into the RPG world of craft following Super Mario RPG on SNES. Paper Mario launched on N64 on 11th August 2000. It's playable on Switch with an NSO + Expansion Pack subscriptionAnd Yet It Moves (15)Publisher: Broken RulesRelease Date: 23rd Aug 2010 (USA) / 27th Aug 2010 (UK/EU)A WiiWare gem that younger readers may not remember, And Yet It Moves deserves to be celebrated! Released on 23rd August 2010, Broken Rules' puzzle platformer had you rotating the levels themselves to guide Fido Dido-looking dude made of paper to an exit. It's better than that sounds, we promise.Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (20)Publisher: Konami / Developer: KonamiRelease Date: 4th Oct 2005 (USA) / 29th Sep 2005 (UK/EU)Dawn of Sorrow, sequel to the sublime Aria of Sorrow and the first Castlevania entry on the DS, launched in Japan on 25th August 2005. Playable on Switch in the excellent Dominus Collection.SeptemberGhosts 'n Goblins (40)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 19th Sep 1985 (USA) / 7th Jan 2011 (UK/EU)The Famicom port didn't arrive until the following year but Capcom's Ghosts 'n Goblins hit arcades in September 1985. Anyone with an NSO sub can play the NES version on Switch.Super Mario Maker (10)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 11th Sep 2015 (USA) / 11th Sep 2015 (UK/EU)We've had Mario Maker 2 since this, of course, but the sublime GamePad input of the original Mario Maker, which turns 10 on 10th September, makes us wish for a third entry that blends the best of both worlds, plus a new Wonder game style. One for the wishlist, but in the meantime we might have to dig the Wii U out of storage.Super Mario Bros. (40)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 17th Nov 1985 (USA) / 15th May 1987 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineHeard of this one? 13th September 2025 will be the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. series and we imagine Nintendo has something special in store to rival the 35th anniversary blow-out.Maybe bring back Super Mario Bros. 35 with five extra players?Pokmon Black and White (15)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Game FreakRelease Date: 6th Mar 2011 (USA) / 4th Mar 2011 (UK/EU)Gen 5 got off to a flying start with Pokmon Black and White, the DS pair that launched on 18th September 2010 in Japan, and the following year overseas.Pokmon Crystal turns 25 on 14th December and Pokmon XD: Gale of Darkness is 20 on 4th August. Oh, and Pokmon Puzzle League is 25 on 25th September too. With Pokmon Legends: Z-A set to launch this year, it's going to be a big one for anyone who loves stuffing small monsters in their pockets. Gotta snag em allOkamiden (15)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 15th Mar 2011 (USA) / 18th Mar 2011 (UK/EU)The recent announcement of an Okami sequel in the early stages of development got us thinking about this first sequel for the DS, which launched 15 years ago on 30th September 2010. It's a beautiful little adventure and well worth catching up with before the 'big' sequel materialises. You've probably got a few years yet.OctoberTerranigma (30)Publisher: Enix / Developer: QuintetRelease Date: 19th Dec 1996 (UK/EU)Quintet's epic action RPG celebrates its 30th anniversary on 20th October, and it's a game we'd love to see get a wider release at some point. Unusually, Terranigma was localised and released in Europe but never made it to North American shores, so there are likely thousands of would-be fans who have never played it.Metroid Prime Pinball (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Fuse GamesRelease Date: 24th Oct 2005 (USA) / 22nd Jun 2007 (UK/EU)Metroid Prime Pinball might not be the most celebrated of the Prime series, but with Prime 4: Beyond in the frame for 2025, we'd love to see this spin-off get some love for its 20th birthday on 23rd October.And speaking of Metroid, Other M turns 15 on 31st August. Time for a little reevaluation on that one, perhaps?Rock Band 3 (15)Publisher: MTV Games / Developer: HarmonixRelease Date: 26th Oct 2010 (USA) / 29th Oct 2010 (UK/EU)Plastic peripherals come and go every generation, but on 26th October it'll be 15 years since one of the very best rhythm games ever made came to Wii. Just writing this makes us want to set up the drums and crack out the keytar...That's this weekend sorted, then.NovemberMario Kart DS (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 14th Nov 2005 (USA) / 5th Nov 2005 (UK/EU)It doesn't seem possible, but on 14th November it will have been two whole decades since we played Mario Kart online for the first time.WWF No Mercy (25)Publisher: THQ / Developer: AKI CorporationRelease Date: 17th Nov 2000 (USA) / 15th Dec 2000 (UK/EU)There's zero chance of this one seeing a re-release thanks to all the rights issues involved, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate one of video gaming's finest interpretations of wrestling on 14th November on WWF No Mercy's 25th birthday. The lack of Giant Haystacks was pretty much the only mark against this one.Shadow The Hedgehog (20)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: SEGA Studio USARelease Date: 15th Nov 2005 (USA) / 18th Nov 2005 (UK/EU)Has a video game character ever returned from such a crushing low as this? Shadow the Hedgehog (the character has been riding higher than ever in 2024 thanks to the excellent Sonic X Shadow Generations and his appearance in the Sonic 3 movie - a far cry from 20 years ago when Shadow The Hedgehog (the game, 15th November) was critically mauled.Perhaps we missed something at the time. Maybe it's worthy of critical reappraisal? Hello? Anyone?F-Zero (35)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: Aug 1991 (USA) / 1992 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineAh, Formula 0 - how we miss you so. This one was a launch title for the Super Famicom and shot off the line on 21st November 1990, nearly 35 years ago. Time to crack out that Matt Damon gif if ever there was one.Super Mario World (35)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 23rd Aug 1991 (USA) / 11th Apr 1992 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch OnlineThis game isn't 35 years old on 21st November. We categorically refuse to believe it. Why would you lie about something like that? Despicable behaviour.Banjo-Tooie (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: RareRelease Date: 20th Nov 2000 (USA) / 12th Apr 2001 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackThe year 2000 was a big one for Rare. Not only did the Twycross teams have Banjo-Tooie launching on 20th November (following Perfect Dark earlier in the year), but also Mickey's Speedway USA in the very same month. "Bottles got what was coming to him"Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (30)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: RareRelease Date: 20th Nov 1995 (USA) / 14th Dec 1995 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch Online20th November 1995 saw the launch of Diddy's Kong Quest, just one year after the first DKC. Anyone who lost their cart but is still eager to celebrate three decades of Rare's finest simian platformer can play it with a Switch Online subscription.And while we're on the subject of DK, Donkey Kong Land is also 30 years old in 2025 (26th June) and is also playable via NSO. Big DK energy on Switch!Er, we mean... erm. Oh my. Is it warm in here? Moving quickly on...Sin and Punishment (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: TreasureRelease Date: 1st Oct 2007 (USA) / 28th Sep 2007 (UK/EU) / 21st Nov 2000 (JPN)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackPlayable on Switch via NSO, Sin and Punishment was Treasure at its best. It was released on 21st November 2000, and the appropriately named Star Successor saw the series return on Wii 10 years later. Since then, we haven't heard anything from the series (or much from Treasure itself).Animal Crossing: Wild World (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 5th Dec 2005 (USA) / 31st Mar 2006 (UK/EU)The series' handheld debut launched in Japan on 23rd November 2005. Portability opened up this Wild World to commuters and public transport travellers and caught the imagination of the DS generation.Mario & Luigi Partners In Time (20)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NintendoRelease Date: 28th Nov 2005 (USA) / 10th Feb 2006 (UK/EU)28th November will mark 20 years since this celebrated DS entry in the Mario & Luigi series. One of the reasons we're hoping Switch 2 will incorporate some backwards compatibility with Nintendo's first touchscreen console.DecemberMario Party 3 (25)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Hudson SoftRelease Date: 6th Mar 2001 (USA) / 16th Nov 2001 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackMario Party 3 launched on 7th December 2000, just under a year after its predecessor, which enjoys its 25th North American anniversary is year.Also, Mario Party 7 turns 20 on 7th November. Yes, Hudson Soft was sure pumping out the parties back then!SaGa 2 (35)Publisher: Square / Developer: SquareRelease Date: Nov 1991 (USA)The second entry in the SaGa series, which originally carried the FF name in the West, also turns 35 this year - it launched for Game Boy in Japan on 14th December 1990 before turning up in the US the following November.Star Wars Episode I: Battle for Naboo (25)Publisher: LucasArts / Developer: Factor 5Release Date: 18th Dec 2000 (USA) / 30th Mar 2001 (UK/EU)Few people at the time relished the idea of jumping in an N-1 Naboo Starfighter when Rogue Squadron let you pilot an X-Wing, but on 14th December it'll be 25 years since we had the opportunity in Battle for Naboo and the intervening years have been kind to the prequel trilogy. We daresay that this would be a potent nostalgia hit for fans of a certain age, so we'll mark the date on our calendars.Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (25)Publisher: LucasArts / Developer: Factor 5Release Date: 15th Dec 2000 (USA)It's the 3D Indy game on the tip of everyone's tongues!Being a latter-day N64 release (15th December 2000, though it launched on PC a year earlier) that never made it to Nintendo platforms outside North America, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine might not have caught the imagination quite like Machine Games' recent Xbox adventure, but Factor 5 turned in an intriguing adventure that we're keen to revisit on its 25th anniversary.ActRaiser (35)Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: QuintetRelease Date: Nov 1991 (USA) / 18th Mar 1993 (UK/EU)Released in Japan on 16th December 1990, ActRaiser was a potent mix of God sim and a 2D action platformer. The 2021 revival Actraiser Renaissance was decent, but we'd love to see the original return via Nintendo Switch Online.Pilotwings (35)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 13th Aug 1991 (USA) / 1992 (UK/EU)Available On: Nintendo Switch Online1995 was the launch year of the Super Famicom, which means that 2025 is the 30th anniversary of some serious 16-bit heavy-hitters, as we've seen. Launching on 21st December, just a month after the system itself, Pilotwings was a fantastic showcase for the new console and one you can play on Switch via NSO.Yes, we know we've missed some: Wario Land 3 turns 25 in March. Shadow of the Ninja is 35 in August. Nintendo Badge Arcade turns 10 in November. Most significantly, it's 15 years since Sonic 4 Episode 1 - the perfect time to deliver the Episode 3 gamers really want, surely!?Systems-wise, the Virtual Boy and the Super Famicom are 30 and 35 years old this year. Feel free to shout out any of your favourite games with a significant birthday for Nintendo systems or any other platform in 2025.Related GamesShare:02 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles161 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Hits For The Holidays' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher126 Games You Should Pick Up In The Nintendo Switch eShop Holiday Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherBest Nintendo Switch Games Of 2024The finest Switch games of 202435 Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games To Look Forward To In 2025The best new Nintendo Switch games coming soon

Image: Nintendo LifeOver the holiday season, we're republishing some of the best articles from Nintendo Life writers and contributors as part of our Best of 2024 series. This article was originally published in November. Enjoy!Back at the end of August we travelled to Seattle to attend PAX West and had the incredible opportunity to spend half an hour with none other than Eric Barone, AKA ConcernedApe.If you dont know who Eric is, hes the creator of Stardew Valley; the smash hit farming game from 2016, which is still to this day getting substantial updates.We got to talk about his hobbies outside of gaming, why he still comes back to work on Stardew Valley, and how it was making bosses for a change for his new upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier.Note. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Also, if you'd like to see the video of our chat, you'll find it at the bottom of the page.Nintendo Life (Felix Sanchez): I know you grew up playing a lot of Harvest Moon, but what other games shaped you growing up?Eric Barone: So I played a lot of RPGs. Final Fantasy, EarthBound, Chrono Trigger, and Zelda games, that kind of stuff.What kind of Zelda games did you play?The first one that I played was Link's Awakening for the Game Boy, and I really loved that game. And then I played Lets see, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask...Image: Felix Sanchez / Nintendo LifeWhich one do you like the most between Majora's Mask and Ocarina?Well, I'm kind of an Ocarina guy. I know a lot of people love Majora's Mask more and they say it's the underrated King, and it's cool, but you know, Ocarina of Time was very special and nostalgic to me. I think with Majora's Mask, with the moon coming down, the time pressure kind of stressed me out.Its funnyIt's funny coming from me with Stardew Valley. I know. [laughs] I should think about that.I know you do everything yourself, you have so many hats on. How do you structure that?I don't really have a structure, it's more just kind of what I feel like doing at the moment, with a big picture in mind of how all of this is gonna fit in, of course. There might be one area of the game where I do everything for that area at once, but I think the nice thing about solo dev is that you can kind of just follow your whims. One day I might just feel like doing music, so that's just what I do. So, yeah, I'm not very structured in the way I go about doing things. It's kind of spur of the moment.So, I really like the Stardew Valley board game, so I wanted to hear what your hobbies are outside of video games. Do you play board games yourself?I do. I wouldn't say I'm a huge board game person, but I do enjoy them. The Stardew Valley board game was kind of inspired by... Have you ever played Eldritch Horror?No, I haven't.Okay, well I was a little bit inspired by that, which I guess [is] a nerdy board game a little bit. [chuckles]Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kI've played the Stardew board game with my friends and it's just so funnily structured. I don't play a lot of co-op games myself, but here it just works really well. We even put on the Stardew Valley soundtrack and it works perfectly.I'm glad you appreciate it. How do you find it in terms of difficulty?I feel like it's really good. In the final year you're really like, "Okay, we need to do this before it ends." So it's always very close and I really like that. There was this one time when we simply did not win.Yeah, when we were testing the game, we played so many rounds of it. And I felt like it was in a pretty good place when we were consistently barely winning on the last run.Yeah, that's what you want.To answer your question about what I like to do other than making video games, the answer I often give is that all the stuff that went into solo dev music, art, writing those are all my hobbies. And so being able to combine them all into my work is really satisfying. I get to do all my hobbies in my work.Out of all the different things in the game, what do you like to do the most?I'd say probably my favourite if I had to pick one is probably the music. Before I even got into game dev at all, my main hobby was music, like playing in bands in high school.What did you play?I played guitar.Lead guitar?Yeah, lead guitar.Hell yeah!I was in metal bands.Oh, really? Thats awesome!But then I kind of got into more like computer music and just composing stuff. And then I was in this kind of experimental computer pop group for a while. But that was always kind of my dream as a teenager, to be a musician. Just being in weird indie bands and play[ing] shows and stuff like that.So that was my original passion. But you know, there's part of me that likes all the different aspects. Sometimes I'll be, I want to code today, because that stimulates a certain part of the brain.Image: ConcernedApeI remember I was watching a podcast you did with Reason. I think it was a two-hour podcast where you just talked about the music of the game and you even showed a track from Haunted Chocolatier that was a boss theme. I have that stuck in my head all the time. [*hums the melody*] So talking about bosses, there's not really bosses in Stardew Valley. Was it challenging suddenly making a boss?For Haunted Chocolatier?Yeah. Can you talk about that?Yeah, no, I'm happy to talk about that to a degree. Designing bosses is a whole new ball game from anything that's Stardew. And I think I wanted something different. I wanted a challenge because I want to keep growing as a game developer. I didn't want to just do exactly the same thing again. I know a lot of people say, "Haunted Chocolatier looks like it's just a copy and paste Stardew Valley." But they haven't played the game, so they don't really know. But yeah, designing bosses is kind of an art form all unto itself, and I'm still learning stuff. And some of the bosses are going to be like, "Hopefully you'll see my progression throughout the course of the game."Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kLike which ones you did first?Yeah, exactly. But I think even a boss can be simple but still fun. What matters at the end of the day is fun. I think that's the main thing I care about.You don't want to make it too easy. That's a really hard balance to strike.Yeah.So, if you work on something for seven years, you're going to be burned out, right? But you keep coming back to the game. You're even working on this new game, but you keep adding new stuff [to Stardew Valley].That's true. I have so many ideas for Stardew. I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life, and just keep improving it, adding more stuff to it, more content, fleshing out the existing content. That's the main thing I want to do is flesh out the existing content. And okay, here's another thing: It's so popular.Yeah, it's sold like 30 million copies? It's insane.Something like that. So, because of that, I feel like I want to keep it alive, keep it fresh, delight the fans, because it's just fun to engage with that. It's a rare opportunity I have that there's so many people who love this game and will play whatever update I make. And what I love to do is create things and then share them with people and give people experiences. And Stardew is such a good platform for that because it is very popular and it's still really active.So it's kind of hard. I don't want to see it fizzle out, I want to keep it alive, but then I also want to make a new game. So I'm always likeIt's a hard balance.It is.And you're only one person who makes it.Well, I do have some help on Stardew updates now.What part do you get help on?Basically mostly the coding. The technical stuff.You also got help with the multiplayer aspect right?Yeah, true. It's like, you know, with the creative stuff, I'm very particular and I want to make sure that it's my vision. But with the programming, I'm more like, does it work? You know, the players don't really get to see under the hood on the code.I totally get that. For example, with video editing, sometimes I wish someone could just watch through it to be like, does this work?Well, there's also just areas where I'm just not that good at or I don't have the knowledge to do really deeply technical stuff. I'm kind of a gameplay programmer, you know? It's just I'm not an elegant programmer. Make it work, make it fun for the player - that's my angle.Image: Felix Sanchez / Nintendo LifeSo, I work remote[ly] myself. I don't really hear or see my co-workers other than on the screen. When you work on a game for so long, that must be quite lonely. How did you deal with that?It helps that I'm a pretty solitary person in general. I think I'm just kind of good at that. I tend to get into my own world with my creative pursuits and then I just lock in. I mean, yeah, it is a little bit lonely. And when you are creating something like Stardew Valley or making a game by yourself, you know, for the most part, there are some sacrifices you have to make. But, I don't regret it. I mean, this is a dream come true for me to see something that I made blow up and a lot of people love it.You probably get asked a lot what your favourite music track in Stardew Valley is, but what's the most underrated one? The one that people don't really talk about, but it's just one that you're really proud of.I like the town theme. Ive never seen anyone talking about it, but I think it really has a good vibe to it. And there's these kind of basic... I call them 'the country songs' and there's a town theme, some of the shop themes. There's one that plays in Marnie's shop and they just have this feelgood [mood], sets the tone and the vibe of the game. People latch onto the big tracks like Moonlight Jellies or the winter songs that really hit hard, but I [like] the subtle atmospheric ones that give this country vibe to the whole town.So, there's a lot of great sound effects in Stardew Valley. Did you make all those [with] synths, or did you go record stuff in real life too?Most of them were just synthesisers. I would just go in and tweak the waveforms until I got something that sounded right. There were a couple of things that I recorded. Notably, when you break rocks in the mines, there's this rock sound, yeah I was out on the lawn at my parents' house and I was just throwing rocks.Oh, thats amazing!But most of them are synthesisers. And then there's a few, the ambient soundscapes, which I got on royalty-free websites.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790k Dancing with the Moonlit JelliesWhat about the sound when you open a chest?That one, I'm pretty sure was just a synthesiser.Really? Thats so cool! The music and sound effects, everything in the game is just so iconic. I listen to the music so often, just put it in my ears and it's so relaxing.I'm glad. Thank you for saying that.What are some of your favourite games that you've played after Stardew Valley came out?There's a lot of good games that I've played. Recently I got way into Balatro.It's a great game. You just put it on and suddenly...Hours have gone by. You really lock in, you like zone in, you're in a trance.I think it's the music and everything.Oh, the music's great. I love the music. What else? I recently played Outer Wilds for the first time.Dude, great. What do you think?It was good. Yeah, I think it's one of those games that everyone needs to play once, you know.Yeah. I remember I played it and I did not get it, but then I got to the end and I felt like it just changed how I looked on life and stuff.I also played the Riven remake. I grew up playing Riven and I think it's one of the best of those genre of games ever. And this is a little controversial, but with my team, sometimes we play Fortnite.[Laughs] I don't know if that's controversial.Well, a lot of people have strong opinions about Fortnite.Actually, something I don't see with Stardew Valley... it just feels like everyone is such a nice community and everyone just really likes the game, which is...That's true. Stardew, somehow, even though it's gotten very popular, still kind of has this really small indie feel to it, like the community, the game itself, how people think about the game. I'm really glad about that.Finally, I just wanted to say thank you. Me and my brother have a six-year difference and we don't play a lot of games together since we have very different taste, but Stardew Valley was one of those games that we could just bond with. So I just wanted to say just thank you for making the game.That means a lot to me. Yeah. I mean, what I like to do is share things with other people. But it's also been really touching that Stardew Valley has meant so much to so many people and just hearing stories about how people have bonded, playing multiplayer and all that - it really makes me feel good.Image: Felix Sanchez / Nintendo LifeAnd with that, Eric had to get back to the Fangamer booth, where there was a colossal line of people waiting to meet him. It really puts into perspective how much of an impact this single man has had on so many people.Thanks again to Fangamer and Eric; were very grateful!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kWatch on YouTube Back to the farm we go"The dev gave me a pat on the back"And it won an award a BrickCon 2024Related GamesSee AlsoShare:010 Felix is the third member of the Nintendo Life YouTube team. Yes, Zelda: Breath of the Wild was his first Zelda game but he's more than making up for it now. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesBest Nintendo Switch Games Of 2024The finest Switch games of 2024Feature: 15 Best-Looking Switch Games Of 2024Hello, my prettiesFeature: The Best Hidden Gems And Underrated Switch Games Of 2024Some shinies that may have slipped through your fingersBest Of 2024: The Company You Can Pay To X-Ray Unopened Pokmon Card Packs Speaks Out"The technology is not going away, and people know what it can do"Feature: Nintendo Life's Alternative Game Awards 2024Biggest surprise! Most long-winded title! Crappiest Switch publisher! Title:Stardew ValleySystem:Switch eShopAlso Available For:Publisher:ConcernedApeDeveloper:ConcernedApeGenre:RPG, SimulationPlayers:1Release Date:Switch eShop 5th Oct 2017, $14.99 5th Oct 2017, 10.99Reviews:Review: Stardew Valley (Switch eShop)Where to buy:Buy on Nintendo eShop Buy eShop Credit:

DLSS has been mentioned in past reports.Nintendo has just filed a patent which confirms previous reports that its Switch successor will use AI upscaling.The patent mentions Nvidia's DLSS upscaling (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which allows the hardware to run games at a higher resolution using AI techniques.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Five years ago, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda went to CES to share with the world his personal field of dreams a plan to build a prototype city on a 175-acre site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, where people would live and work amongst all of Toyotas projects, including autonomous vehicle technology, robotics, smart home-connected technology, and AI.Toyoda will return to the annual tech trade show in Las Vegas this year to finally reveal his living laboratory called Woven City. The Toyota press conference, in which Chairman Toyoda will have a starring role, will be held at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET on January 6 during CES media day. The presentation will be live streamed on the companys website.In a video that teases the upcoming showcase, Toyoda dons a hard hat and safety vest as he heads into a modern multi-story building. He arrives on an upper floor and then removes the protective covering of the window, revealing Mount Fuji in the background and exclaiming Welcome to Woven City!Details are slim about exactly what will be revealed. TechCrunch, which was at the initial announcement in 2020, will be watching to see how startups will be incorporated into Woven City and whether Toyota followed through on its plans to build a fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

In BriefPosted:10:06 AM PST January 1, 2025People are playing a new DOOM-themed CAPTCHACAPTCHA programs that are used to determine whether a site visitor is a person or a bot come in pretty standard formats. Think text distortion (where users type the characters they see in a box amid other squiggles); image recognition (youre selecting, say, all the squares in a grid with a bicycle image); and checkbox verification (you click on that box that reads: I am not a robot).But Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel, a frontend-as-a-service product, just used the companys AI site builder to come up with a new twist on CAPTCHAs, one that invites users to play the classic single-player game DOOM and killing at least three monsters.You can check it out here. Its not a wholly original idea (the DOOM as CAPTCHA part). But its nevertheless topping the charts over at Hacker News, whose audience of largely developers has notes, with some complaining its too hard, another complimenting the project as so metal, and another remarking: There are so many monsters, took me 3-4 triesjust like a real captcha!Topics

June 2024 saw notable 3D printing developments across multiple sectors, including defense, dentistry, construction, and software.This months highlights included 3D Printing Industrys attendance at RAPID + TCT 2024, North Americas largest 3D printing event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 2527, 2024.Other notable events included Micronics launching its Micron desktop SLS printer, followed by its acquisition by Formlabs. Battlefield manufacturing made headlines again, and Protolabs shared insights into the industrys growth trajectory.Read on for novel developments in June from 3D Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the UK Government, Protolabs, and more.Micronics joins Formlabs after SLS 3D printer launchThe month started with Wisconsin-based startup Micronics introducing the Micron desktop Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printer designed for professionals and hobbyists at $2999 through its Kickstarter campaign.Offering industrial-grade performance, this 3D printer produces complex, durable parts without support structures by fusing powdered plastic layers with a high-powered laser. Using Nylon for strength and chemical resistance, the printer features a spacious build chamber, enclosed powder system, advanced filtration, and offline MicroSlicer software for optimized usability.Shortly after this news, resin 3D printer manufacturer Formlabs acquired the Wisconsin-based startup, following the success of the Micron desktop printer. It raised $1,357,939 through the Kickstarter campaign before being discontinued due to the deal.Co-founders Henry Chan and Luke Boppart joined Formlabs R&D team to develop affordable and user-friendly SLS printers based on Micronics support-free printing technology. Kickstarter backers received full refunds, $1,000 in Formlabs credit, and an Open Materials License.Finalized after a meeting at Open Sauce 2024, this deal strengthens Formlabs SLS printing expertise, complementing its Fuse 1 Series while accelerating efforts to make industrial-grade 3D printing more accessible.Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky (left) and Micronics CEO Henry Chan (right). Photo via Formlabs.Advanced battlefield manufacturing with SPEE3Ds 3D printingJune 2024 showcased continued developments in on-site defense applications, with SPEE3Ds cold spray 3D printing technology playing a prominent role. The Australian manufacturer participated in the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Commands (NAVSEA) inaugural SALVEX exercise at Pearl Harbor demonstrating its metal 3D printing for rapid naval repairs.Navy reservists and the Naval Postgraduate School tested SPEE3Ds XSPEE3D and SPEE3Dcell systems in a simulated naval scenario, producing critical metal parts on demand. Designed for defense, the mobile XSPEE3D unit prints components up to 1m x 0.7m using materials like aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, with SPEE3Dcell providing integrated tooling and heat treatment.This exercise highlighted the potential to resolve supply chain challenges and improve operational readiness through rapid, portable manufacturing solutions.Ahead of our inaugural online event Additive Manufacturing Advantage Aerospace, Space & Defense, 3D Printing Industry attended TCT 3Sixty 2024. At the show, Digby Gill, Head of Advanced Manufacturing Capability Coherence for the British Army, explored the impact of 3D printing on battlefield operations. Highlighting the challenges posed by supply chain delays and obsolescence, Gill explained how AM is transforming the Armys ability to produce mission-critical parts on demand.Recent deployments during NATOs Exercise Steadfast Defender demonstrated the effectiveness of fabricating vehicle and equipment components directly in the field, significantly reducing dependence on traditional supply chains. A key advancement has been the development of a digital repository that standardizes designs for consistent production, ensuring reliability across applications.Training programs focused on technical skills, including CAD and materials science, were identified as crucial to expanding these capabilities. Tools like SPEE3Ds portable XSPEE3D system and recently launched new Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU) received recognition for their role in supporting these efforts, offering robust and user-friendly solutions for harsh environments.Gill concluded by emphasizing the strategic importance of 3D printing in maintaining operational readiness and addressing the evolving demands of modern warfare.RAPID + TCT 2024: Key highlights from North Americas largest 3D printing eventDuring the final week of June, RAPID + TCT 2024 attracted over 9,000 attendees and more than 400 exhibitors at the Los Angeles Convention Center between June 25-27. Having returned to the West Coast after nearly a decade, the event was the largest in its history.This show featured a daily keynote series, including the Executive Perspectives session, where industry leaders discussed the opportunities and challenges influencing the broader AM adoption in sectors like electronics, among others. These discussions set the tone for the event, complementing the variety of exhibits and presentations that followed.On the exhibit floor, industry leaders introduced a range of new systems and solutions. 3D printer OEM 3D Systems showcased the EXT 800 Titan Pellet, combining high-speed extrusion capabilities with a design suitable for compact workspaces. The focus on automation and scalability continued with BigRep with the launch of VIIO 250 and ALTRA 280 systems, emphasizing their suitability for producing large-scale components efficiently.Focusing on configurable solutions, Additive Industries presented the MetalFab 300 Flex, which features an expandable build area to address varying production requirements. For the healthcare sector, Stratasys unveiled its J5 Digital Anatomy 3D printer, which caters to the demand for precise and cost-effective anatomical models.Material and post-processing technologies were another major focus. XJet introduced its 17-4PH stainless steel, designed for industrial use, while Lithoz demonstrated its Ceramic 3D Factory, which supports decentralized production setups. Adding to post-processing solutions, Addiblast introduced the MARS04, a system designed for efficient de-powdering of large metal components.In the software space, nTop launched nTop 5, which integrates advanced features to simplify complex design processes with CEO Bradley Rothenberg, providing insights on advancing computational design for AM through its latest software. Meanwhile, Ai Build showcased Aibuild 2.0, an AI-powered, cloud-based 3D printing software designed to generate tool paths and simplify user interaction, enhancing efficiency in design workflows.Beyond the technical exhibits, the Hollywood Showcase, created in partnership with Gentle Giant Studios and Direct Dimensions, offered a creative perspective on 3D printing. Attendees explored 3D printed assets used in renowned franchises like Avatar and Star Wars, illustrating the technologys impact on the entertainment industry.Alongside 168 technical presentations on AM applications and sessions in the SME Zone Theater and Tech Hub, key awards highlighted notable achievements. Andreas Vlahinos was honored for designing a patient-specific femoral implant, and Paul Gradl was recognized for advancing NASA missions.Meanwhile, the Raffles Institution and the University of Waterloo earned awards in the Digital Manufacturing Challenge for high school and university projects. Start-ups also gained recognition, with Onulis winning for its WRAP Prime product and 3D Solar recognized for hybrid 3D printing in automotive supply chains. Fabrisonic and Vivid Creative Aquatics showcased their contributions by joining the AM Production Club.The entrance to RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.The mini and the mighty 3D printers3D printers with sizes on opposite sides of a scale hit the headlines this month. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The University of Texas (UT) at Austin unveiled a chip-based 3D printer that uses a millimeter-scale photonic chip to cure resin with visible light, creating intricate structures in minutes.For this research, the team demonstrated fabricating a microscale MIT logo in just six minutes, showcasing its potential for compact, low-cost production. Designed to address the limitations of bulky traditional 3D printers, the technology holds promise for applications such as on-demand medical devices and engineering prototypes. Future plans include integrating holographic light, allowing entire objects to be fabricated in a single step, marking a significant leap in additive manufacturing capabilities.On a larger scale, The Tekniker Technology Centre, part of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), showcased its 3-meter-tall TITAN 3D printer at International Machine Tool Biennial Exhibition (BIEMH) 2024. Measuring 6100 mm x 3100 mm x 3420 mm, TITAN uses Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology to produce complex metallic structures, including a rocket engine nozzle capable of withstanding Mars-like conditions.Developed with a controlled atmosphere enclosure, the system caters to industries such as aerospace and shipbuilding that demand components capable of enduring extreme environments. Teknikers exhibit will also feature a collaborative robotic cell, equipped with SmartPicking software for precise part handling and safety tools for human-robot interactions.3D Systems secures its largest dental aligners contractJune 2024 also saw 3D Systems announce a five-year contract valued at nearly $250 million to produce clear dental aligners. Plans are underway to launch direct printing technology for aligners by late 2025, alongside expanding its dental solutions portfolio to include alignment, protection, repair, and tooth replacement.According to the company, NextDent technologies are being utilized to address growing needs in areas such as night guards and crowns, with the digital dental segment projected to reach $12.2 billion by 2028. Moreover, additional developments include multi-material dentures and partnerships with dental labs including the likes of Align Technology, aligning with the anticipated growth of the global dental 3D printing market to $14.6 billion by 2032.NextDent 5100 addresses multiple applications combined with the wide range of validated NextDent materials. Photo via 3D Systems.UK tightens export controls on advanced technologiesThe UK Government introduced export controls on emerging technologies, including metal 3D printers, semiconductors, quantum computers, and cryogenic systems. These regulations came into effect on April 1, 2024, under The Export Control (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (ECO 2024).Administered by the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), these restrictions target military goods and dual-use technologies, such as metal 3D printers that utilize lasers, electron beams, or electric arcs, as well as related software. Export licenses are now required for these technologies, along with semiconductor manufacturing tools, quantum computing equipment, cryogenic systems, and specific advanced materials.Aligning with similar policies in the US and EU, the measures reflect a broader effort to safeguard advanced technologies for economic and national security. Strengthening domestic supply chains, particularly in 3D printing, is also a priority amid global uncertainties, underscoring the strategic importance of these new controls.Protolabs highlights growth in 3D printing marketSignificant developments shaping the future of additive manufacturing were highlighted by Protolabs 2024 3D Printing Trend Report, offering insights from over 700 engineering experts on the state and future of the global 3D printing industry.This report highlights significant growth, with the market reaching $24.8 billion in 2024 and projected to hit $57.1 billion by 2028, driven by new micro-scale and large-format applications and the rise of production-scale 3D printing for end-use parts. It also reveals that 70% of businesses increased 3D printing activity in 2023, with the medical sector identified as having the highest potential impact.A shift toward production-scale manufacturing is underway, with 76% of respondents reporting production runs exceeding 10 parts and growing interest in localized production to address supply chain disruptions.Artificial intelligence and developments in materials, including multi-material and specialized properties like elasticity and conductivity, are expected to shape the sector further. Despite this progress, prototyping remains the primary use case, as 67% of respondents cited it as their main application. The report concludes that as education and awareness grow, 3D printing will increasingly transform the manufacturing industry.3D Printing News Highlights from 2024: Innovations, Trends, and AnalysisWhat 3D printing trends do the industry leaders anticipate this year?What does the Future of 3D printing hold for the next 10 years?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows the entrance to RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.

The first purpose-built official town building of Goshen, Connecticut, was this wood-frame structure at the main junction in the central village as the towns first town hall. Built in 1895, the structure originally housed offices for the selectmen and town clerk, a fireproof vault for records, and a large audience-room with stage for town meetings and ceremonies. The building employs a more traditional form similar to the old Greek Revival meetinghouses built in New England in the first half of the 19th century, but with a shingled, Victorian entry tower with bell roof. When the Town of Goshen moved into its present town hall building, this structure became the home to the Goshen Players, a community theatre established in 1949, and is the second oldest continuously performing theatre group in the state.

Woman suffering from lumbago. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe New Year often inspires aspirations of profound transformation, though such resolutions frequently endure only briefly. Below are three tangible and practical strategies to reduce back painhabits that can instigate lasting change, improve spine health, and mitigate the risk of future surgical intervention.The spine serves as the architectural cornerstone of the human body, providing biomechanical support and protecting the spinal corda critical component of the central nervous system responsible for transmitting neurological signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Consequently, it endures significant physical stress in daily life. Like any other part of the body, it requires deliberate care and maintenance to function optimally.Develop three simple habits.Work out the right way. Sleep the right way. Make your workspace ergonomic.Engage In Scientifically Curated Physical Activity To Reduce Back PainMaintaining overall health is paramount, encompassing balanced nutrition, regular exercise and a harmonious mind-body connection. Focus on a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods to support overall well-being. Focus on low-impact exercises that strengthen core muscles, reduce strain on the spine and promote biomechanical alignment. The muscles supporting the spine are essential to its stability and function, and strengthening these muscles helps reinforce the spine's structural integrity.Transition to daily core-focused exercises, such as planks, glute bridges and bird-dog movements. The spine bones and joints are biomechanical. The spine bones support the spinal cord. The core muscles help support the spine bones. Core exercises are a requisite to fortify core musculature, amplify flexibility, and buttress spinal stability. Individuals should however approach sit-ups with caution, as they may benefit some but exacerbate discomfort in others.MORE FOR YOULow-impact cardiovascular activities, including swimming, cycling and elliptical training, are excellent for maintaining fitness without imposing excessive axial or downward pressure on the spine bones and joints. Activities such as running or hiking may place greater strain on the spine but can be pursued based on individual tolerance. There is no complete contraindication to running. Im a spine surgeon, and my current preferred mechanism of cardiovascular fitness is running. Listening to your body is keydo what feels right to stay both active and comfortable.One critical tool I recommend to my patients is getting in the water. Water naturally reduces weight-bearing stress, enhances mobility, and alleviates joint pressure. This doesnt have to be water aerobics. Whether engaging in structured swimming or simply floating in a pool, water-based activities can significantly alleviate back pain. In fact, I have had patients who were on the path to potential spine surgery successfully avoid it by committing to an intensive swimming regimen.Do what works for you but focus on staying strong and flexible.Flexibility is equally vital. Practices like yoga and Pilates, or even simple morning and evening stretching routines of 510 minutes, can significantly improve spinal health. Below are three effective stretches recommended by the National Spine Health Foundation:Knee-to-Chest Stretch: Lie on your back and gently pull one knee toward your chest using both hands. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs.Photo by TIm Leedy 12/10/09 Francia Lozano, Rehab Aide, demonstrates the knee-to-chest stretch. ... [+] (Photo By Tim Leedy/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)MediaNews Group via Getty Images2) Cat-Cow Stretch: On all fours, inhale as you arch your back and lift your head toward the ceiling. Exhale as you round your spine and tuck your head downward. Repeat at least 10 times.Woman doing body Stretching with Cat Cow Exercisegetty3) Childs Pose: From a hands-and-knees position, sit back on your heels and extend your arms forward, placing your forehead on the floor. This stretch benefits both the back and legs.High angle view of flexible young woman doing Balasana more commonly known as child's pose.gettySleep the Right Way To Reduce Back Pain: Cultivate A Restorative Sleep PostureThe wellness trend of 2025 is undoubtedly sleep, and spine health is no exception. For the spine, however, how you sleep matters just as much as how much you sleep. Proper sleep posture is critical to maintaining natural spinal alignment during rest.For side sleepers, a smaller pillow can help align the neck, and placing a pillow between the knees reduces lower back stress. Back sleepers may benefit from positioning a pillow beneath their knees to relieve lumbar tension. Stomach sleepers, though less common, might consider a pillow under the pelvis for additional support, though this position may strain the neck.Correct posture while sleeping for maintaining your body. Illustration about healthy lifestyle.gettyDont overthink it. Listen to your body and trend how you feel in the morning. The goal is to get restorative sleep, and our bodies tend to be most comfortable in a neutral position.Also, more broadly, aim for eight hours of restorative sleep. Insufficient sleep has been linked to heightened pain sensitivity and chronic illnesses. Sleep facilitates the spines natural reparative and regenerative processes.Choosing the Right Mattress For Back PainWhile personal preferences vary, firmer or medium-firm mattresses often provide superior support by evenly distributing body weight. In contrast, softer mattresses may create uneven pressure points, exacerbating spinal discomfort. There is no universally ideal brandselect a mattress that complements your bodys needs.Elevate Ergonomics To Reduce Back Pain: Curate a Spine-Centric Workspace and Be Mindful of Your PhoneSpinal strain often arises from two extremes: the physical demands of manual labor and the sedentary lifestyle of desk work. I have performed surgeries on patients from both cohorts. Poor posture, prolonged sitting, and suboptimal ergonomics contribute to chronic discomfort and micro-strain injuries.There is no panacea, but there are fundamental principles to follow. The first is to remain disciplined in how you use your phone. We are all guilty of itconstantly looking down, which places strain on the neck and the lower back. In my clinic, I frequently see pediatric patients with neck pain, and upon investigation, the primary culprits are heavy backpacks and excessive time spent looking down at their phones. Be mindful and intentional in how you use your phone to minimize strain.Practical Ergonomic Strategies:Ergonomic Evaluation: Align your monitor to eye level, invest in a chair with dynamic lumbar support, and ensure your feet rest flat on the floor.Postural Variation: Alternate between sitting and standing using an adjustable desk. Incorporate periodic micro-breaks to recalibrate your posture, as the body isnt designed to remain in a static position for extended periods.Tech Alignment: Avoid excessive downward craning while using your phone, a common cause of "tech neck." Adjust devices to your natural sightline or, better yet, reduce screen time.These small, intentional adjustments can significantly reduce repetitive strain on the spine, fostering a work environment conducive to long-term spinal health.Take Home Points For Reducing Back Pain in 2025Sustained improvement arises from consistent daily habits. To reduce back pain:Optimize your sleeping postureCreate a workspace that promotes proper alignment and minimizes strain.Focus on daily exercises that strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and support spinal stability.

It's 2025!gettyIts time to offer up some predictions for 2025. Spoiler alert, theyre not particularly positive expectations, for the economy or public health. But before I get to that, a few words on prognosticating. Crystal ball gazing is invariably a dubious activity, especially in areas such as the economy, public health and politics that are so prone to confounding factors. Despite this, it can be a useful exercise. And its interesting to analyze from year to year what I predicted correctly and what I got wrong.As a health economist writing on the Forbes platform, my so-called swim lanes are healthcare and public health. But given the impact that politics and the economy have on the healthcare sector I also closely follow developments in the United States and global economy and political sphere. Well start there.I thought Trump would fairly easily win the presidential election. Also, just as in my 2022 and 2023 forecasts, I predicted that the economy wouldnt go into recession in 2024 but that inflation also wouldnt come down to 2% and would slowly rise again by the end of the year. While I was off by a few decimal points on the unemployment figure, I did forecast diminishing job gains by the 4th quarter.If Trump makes good on his promises, my economic outlook for 2025 includes reduced growth, modestly rising unemployment and elevated inflation. As tariffs take hold, inflation will continue to tick upward towards 4% on an annual basis by years end. A possibly more problematic feature could be the impact tariffs have on the U.S. industries that are reliant on imported raw materials and semi-finished products. I foresee a stalling of manufacturing and an increase in unemployment, edging up to 5.5% or maybe even 6% by the end of the year. The economy wont technically be in recession, but its growth may diminish to a sluggish 1% by the 4th quarter.Deportation of undocumented workers could lead to rising nominal wages. In itself higher wages are good. But they can also exacerbate the problem of inflation, as companies pass on higher labor costs onto consumers. Austerity measures, including diminished government investment, may take a toll on the economy, along with stubbornly high interest rates. I expect the average 30-year mortgage rate to rise to over 7% by years end. And whats perhaps more detrimental to the economys prospects is the high degree of uncertainty, domestically and abroad.MORE FOR YOUThe shake-up within the healthcare establishment in the federal government under the next Trump administration could cause enhanced vaccine hesitancy, a slowing down of infectious disease drug development and a renewed push for international price referencing for prescription drugs in Medicare.The Food and Drug Administrations novel approvals numbered 50 in 2024, comparable to the the figure of 55 in 2023. Given whats in the pipeline, next years numbers will likely be similarly robust with a continued dominance of cancer and orphan disease drugs and therapies.The bigger story with prescription drugs, however, may be their historically high launch prices. For well over a decade, theres been a sharply upward trajectory in the launch prices of newly marketed brand-name drugs. The median annual list price for a newly approved drug was $300,000 in 2023, according to a Reuters analysis of 47 medicines, up from $222,000 a year before. Though once the numbers for 2024 are fully analyzed the increase in price wont be quite as steep, the upward trend will probably continue into the foreseeable future.The failure to include pharmaceutical pricing reforms in the end-of-year continuing resolution in 2024, despite apparent bipartisan support, may be a sign of further political fracturing among lawmakers in 2025. The legislation cut from the continuing resolution included drug patent reform addressed at reducing the number of patents pharmaceutical companies can claim regarding biologics; delinking of pharmacy benefit manager revenue from drug prices in Medicare, curbing incentives that can lead PBMs to steer patients toward more expensive medicines; and transparency requirements that mandate PBM reporting to Medicare on drug pricing and other information.A modest rebound in life expectancy in 2023 is welcome news, but the U.S. still lags far behind all of its peers. For decades the U.S. has failed to effectively address its major public health issues that are primary causes of sluggish growth in life expectancy. These include extraordinarily high numbers of deaths from fentanyl and other illicit drugs, worsening infant and maternal mortality and increasing numbers of traffic deaths, suicides and gun fatalities, as well as sustained high levels of mortality attributed to obesity.As the Make America Healthy Again movement under RFK Jr. gains in visibility, there will be proposed changes on the nutrition front, But judging from past experiences, it could turn out to be largely symbolic.Banning a food additive here or there or the use of certain pesticides wont get us to where we want to go. While welcome policy measures, theyre not core issues underlying obesity and chronic disease in America. The fundamental problems relate to a relatively poor diet in America and portion sizes that are disproportionately large, as well as a general lack of everyday physical exercise.Furthermore, while RFK Jr. talks about the need to change what we eat and introduce more physical activity into our daily routine, this isnt new. Others before him in other administrations have done so, to no avail. It would take an unlikely revolution to alter ingrained habits, but also the food and beverage industries business practices.More importantly, overall, fewer resources are being allocated to disease prevention and preventive causes of premature deaths. Public healths share of total health expenditures has been falling for two decades, from 3.18% in 2002 to 2.40% in 2023. I dont see any signs of a reversal on the horizon, especially in light of a second term for Trump.Moreover, the persistent problems of un- and underinsurance will worsen and exacerbate already existing inequities in the healthcare system.Going forward, a politically polarized country isnt a recipe for positive change with respect to healthcare and public health. To be sure, money will still be made in the healthcare sector, but this wont necessarily benefit public health.