Go figure.I've banged the Minish Cap drum so many times by this point that my adoration for Link's littlest adventure is old news. With today marking 20 years since this GBA gem landed in Europe, it felt too easy to sit down at my desk and gush over the tight six-dungeon structure, the brilliant puzzle design or the somehow still under-discussed soundtrack. I've been rambling on about these for the past two decades and a big birthday like this deserves something special.It's obvious what we should do, really. Let's talk about the parts of the game that suuuuuck.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kFollowing the digital delay of the Wario Land-style platformer Antonblast, Fangamer has now announced it will be releasing a physical Switch edition at some point in 2025.The final product is subject to licensor approval and may differ from the mockup you can see on display below. You can sign up to Fangamer now to get notified about when this game is made available.Here's a message about this hard copy edition, direct from the developer:"Thats right. Youve asked, heres your answer. ANTONBLAST will get a physical release in 2025. And the good folks at Fangamer are distributing youre gonna want in on this!"Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kWatch on YouTube The official Antonblast social media account also made the following comment in a follow-up post about the Switch eShop digital release due out in December..."If you guys are good and buy ANTONBLAST on December 3rd, theres more where that came from"If you aren't familiar with Antonblast, there's a demo you can download from the Switch eShop right now. This title was originally scheduled to arrive in November but was delayed due to the US hurricanes. A new 'One Blast Demo' will now be releasedWould you be interested in a physical copy of Antonblast? Let us know in the comments.[source fangamer.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles'Switch Pro' Dongle Is Making A Comeback With New 'RGB Collection'But we're not sure what they actually doRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Feature: "I Dont Want To See It Fizzle Out - Stardew Valley Creator On Why He Can't Give It Up"I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life"Mario & Luigi Fans Aren't Happy About Brothership's Battle Button TweaksIt should be 'B' for the Bro, right?

Image: SEGASonic Boom was one of the most ambitious projects Sega has ever undertaken with Sonic the Hedgehog. It was a full-throttle attempt at creating a brand-new sub-franchise for the blue blur, complete with new world, radically different character designs, and an accompanying animated series.Nintendo fans certainly had a lot to be excited about; the games would be Nintendo exclusives!But what was supposed to be a third pillar for the franchise crumbled to dust quicker than anyone could have anticipated. After a meagre three games, Sonic Boom was unceremoniously abandoned, leaving a black mark on the series and a legacy as one of Sonics biggest missteps.Believe it or not, 10 years have passed since Sonic Boom first hit store shelves. Has time been kind to the short-lived series? Are any aspects of the franchise worth revisiting today? Lets look back at the good, bad, and ugly of Sonic Boom.Boom times Images: SEGATrouble keeps you running fasterThe concept behind Sonic Boom wasnt terribly different than what weve seen elsewhere from the blue hedgehog.Sonic was still the snarky speedster hed always been, zipping around the world and thwarting Dr. Eggmans plans for world domination. Series mainstays Tails, Knuckles, and Amy were there too, though the personalities of the latter two were slightly tweaked from their game counterpartsfor better or worse.Amys annoyingly overbearing crush on Sonic was greatly reduced, making for a far more levelheaded character who typically acted as the voice of reason for the group. Knuckles undoubtedly underwent the biggest changes, both physically and mentally. His naivety and gullibility, traits that had become more and more pronounced for comedic effect over the years, shifted into full-blown stupidity. He was also given the most drastic redesign, with a new beefed-up body to match his more meatheaded personality.Rounding out the team was Sticks, an eccentric, boomerang-wielding jungle badger who acts as the wild card of the groupbrash, outspoken, and maybe a bit off her nut.Sonic Boom marked the first time Sega sought to create a branch of the franchise specifically for Western audiences, so much so that there was initially no intention to bring it to Japan at all (until they changed their minds). With Western sensibilities in mind, it only made sense for Western developers to tackle the new games. Who better, then, to take on the job than Big Red Button and Sanzaru Games, two companies well-versed in character-driven adventure games?Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kBetween them, the teams had worked on the Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper series. Big Red Button would handle the Wii U title, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, and Sanzaru would develop the 3DS game, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal.With such a pedigree behind them, fans were cautiously optimistic. Similar to games like Jak and Daxter and Uncharted, Rise of Lyric was given a much stronger emphasis on exploration and combat, allowing the characters individual personalities to shine more, with high-speed sections thrown in for good measure. Shattered Crystal placed a similar emphasis on exploration in a 2D sidescrolling space, which gave it a slightly more traditional feel than its 3D counterpart.The Ugly, the Bad & the GoodTape fear Image: SEGASo why did Sonic Boom stumble right out of the gate?The lions share of fans vitriol can be placed on Rise of Lyric. The Wii U game suffered from an incredibly rocky development cycle. It was planned for release on the latest consoles, but due to the aforementioned exclusivity deal with Nintendo, was shuffled over to Wii U. Unfortunately, Nintendos console was incompatible with the games engine, so significant changes needed to be made so that the game could even run properly on the system. The final result, while certainly playable, was a mishmash of hastily retooled ideas, unnecessary bloat, sluggish gameplay, and game-breaking bugs.Shattered Crystal fared better (Nintendo Life gave it a solid 6/10 back in 2014), but still failed to resonate with audiences due to its equally sluggish pace and bland gameplay. Ultimately, both games were colossal bombs, becoming the worst-selling titles in the franchises history.But hey, thats enough of the ugly and the bad. Sonic Boom had its good moments too, some of which still stand the test of time today.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kRunning alongside the games was an animated series that opted for a more comedic approach to Sonics adventures, showcasing various slice-of-life stories with action sprinkled in.Unlike the first two games, which are rarely, if ever, looked back on with fondness (or without), the Sonic Boom animated series is still regularly quoted and discussed today. Dont believe us? Search YouTube for Sonic Boom and see just how many compilations of the shows funny moments exist with well over a million views. The show even got a well-deserved complete series SteelBook release in 2022.A Sonic of Fire & Ice Image: SEGADespite the abysmal reception of the games, however, Sega wasnt ready to abandon the franchise quite yet. Instead, it looked at what worked and what didnt. With the 3DS title being the better received of the two, it was decided to use that as a basis for a follow-up, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, in 2016. Sanzaru Games tweaked the gameplay formula, cutting back the exploration aspects and giving this third game a much stronger emphasis on speed and platforming.It wasnt enough. Even with a surprisingly high-quality sophomore effort and a delightful TV show, Sonic Boom was quickly swept under the rug by Sega. The bold experiment was deemed a failure, casting a dark cloud over the franchise that would take years to dissipate.Not unlike the Sonic series as a whole, the quality of the Sonic Boom series fluctuated wildly from one product to the next. Rise of Lyric was a near unredeemable mess. Shattered Crystal was a mediocre slog, but had potential. Fire and Ice realised that potential with a much truer Sonic experience worth playing. And the TV show was just plain fun, quality entertainment.One cant help but wonder if Boom would have eventually found its footing had Sega given it more time to grow and learn from its missteps, especially with the franchises most recent well-received course corrections. But no sense dwelling on what could have been.If youll excuse us, we suddenly feel the urge to binge-watch some Sonic Boom funniest moments cartoon compilations on YouTube. Theyll be just as funny another 10 years from now.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784k

Image: NintendoShigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo have lifted the lid on the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion, coming to Super Nintendo World in Osaka, Japan. And in today's Nintendo Direct, we finally know when the expansion is opening to the world 11th December 2024.We've had a few teasers sneak peeks at the park over the years, but this Direct gave us a really good look at what to expect. If you're lucky enough to be in Japan when it opens, well... we're pretty jealous!To get to the new park, you have to go through the 1Up store and walk through a tunnel covered in rocks and bricks. The new area is fantastic, sporting palm trees, Donkey Kong's treehouse, and the Golden Temple.Images: NintendoShowing us around the park, Miyamoto took us to a music-themed game using conga drums, where you'll need three people to team up and hit the drums in time with the lights. There's plenty of banana-flavoured food and drinks you can try (as well as a special hot dog which has avocado-flavoured sauce... hmm) as well as Funky's Fly and Buy, a store where you can buy lots of DK-related merch.Just like the main Super Nintendo World, there are also plenty of secrets that interact with the Power-Up Bands. But the big one will be familiar to Donkey Kong Country fans letters have been tucked away in the park, which you can "collect" and register on the Universal Japan app to spell out Kong.Inside the Golden Temple is a mine cart ride, and here's where you'll find lots of impressive animatronics for various Donkey Kong characters and companions. It looks like a chill little roller coaster and we're delighted Dixie is there to greet you. Could we get some Lanky Kong or King K. Rool though, Nintendo?Images: NintendoImages: NintendoThe Donkey Kong Country expansion was announced back in 2021 and was originally slated to open the barrel in Spring 2024, but it turns out, building parks takes a long time! At least we finally have a date. If you can't get to Japan this December, then don't worry, as Donkey Kong Country will be part of the Super Nintendo World opening at Universal Florida in 2025.If you want to watch the Direct, you can do by heading to Nintendo's YouTube channel.What do you think of the new expansion? Are you going to be in Japan when it opens up? Peel back your thoughts in the comments. Tune in for a 10-minute tourLet's-a gOrlandoLooking good![source youtube.com]Share:212 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Direct Announced For Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong ExpansionTune in for a 10-minute tour

The drama continues.Patent analyst Florian Mueller has released an extensive examination into the lawsuit filed against Palworld developer Pocketpair from Nintendo. In it, he describes Nintendo's actions as "a clear case of bullying" against Pocketpair, citing the former's status as a "far older and larger company" with "extensive experience in patent prosecution and patent infringement litigation" (thanks, GameRant).It was recently revealed that Nintendo would be seeking an injunction against Palworld to halt sales in Japan, with the additional possibility of Nintendo looking to escalate the dispute in further jurisdictions. The company is also seeking a payment of 5 million yen with an additional 5 million going to The Pokmon Company, totalling the equivalent of around $66K. Although the monetary damages are said to be negligible, it is the injunction that could hold the most long-term significance.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kPour yourself a strong beverage, grab your swankiest hat and get your clicking fingers ready because game music cover label GameChops has teamed up with the chilled-out jazz group The Deku Trio for another relaxing rendition of some of our favourite Zelda tunes.Fittingly titled 'Zelda & Jazz II', the latest album is a follow-up to the trio's Ocarina of Time-focused project from earlier this year. This time, the band has gone all out, providing a bossa nova spin on 18 different tracks from across the Zelda series.The tracklist includes obvious picks like the title theme and house motif, but fan-favourite numbers from Wind Waker, Majora's Mask, Link's Awakening and more also make an appearance. Yes, Spirit Tracks defenders, 'Full Steam Ahead' did make the cut.You can find the album's full contents below:01. The Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time)02. Outset Island (The Wind Waker)03. Mabe Village (Links Awakening)04. Sword Search (Links Awakening)05. Song of Healing (Majoras Mask)06. Inside House (series)07. Astral Observatory (Majoras Mask)08. Ballad of the Wind Fish (Links Awakening)09. Great Sea (The Wind Waker)10. King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker)11. Dark World (A Link to the Past)12. Dragon Roost Island (The Wind Waker)13. Fis Farewell Song (Skyward Sword)14. Enter the Twilight Realm (Twilight Princess)15. Full Steam Ahead (Spirit Tracks)16. Serenade of Water (Ocarina of Time)17. The Legendary Hero (The Wind Waker)18. The Wind Waker (The Wind Waker)The album also features cover and character art by League of Legends artist Christian Benavides and you'll even find an animated version of the cover in the above YouTube video.'Zelda & Jazz II' is now available to stream on a whole host of services, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Now that's nice. Name your priceSit back, relax and enjoyWhat do you make of the latest Zelda & Jazz album? Play us your thoughts in the comments below.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.[source gamechops.com, via youtube.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:02 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Mario & Luigi Fans Aren't Happy About Brothership's Battle Button TweaksIt should be 'B' for the Bro, right?Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch GamesXenoblade X! Brothership! Donkey Kong Country!Plans To Announce The 'Switch 2' Have Not Changed, Says Nintendo's PresidentSo expect it before the end of March 2025

Image: Nintendo LifeWelcome once again to Catch-up Crew, where Nintendo Life staffers assemble for a mission to explore an old classic, with veterans leading new recruits into the unknown.Last time we examined Rareware's Donkey Kong Country on the SNES. For today's mission, we're taking a look at WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, or Minigame Mania! as it was known in Europe.This winning 21-year-old GBA classic was Wario's first venture into the world of microgames and is available to play on Switch if you've got a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kWatch on YouTube Following the customary various promotions and demotions, this is the crew we assembled for this mission to Diamond City circa 200X:Capt. Gavin Lane - WarioWornCmdr. Alana Hagues - WarioWiseLt. Ollie Reynolds - Mi$$ed this oneEns. Jim Norman - WarioWhere?Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Good afternoon, crew. Are we all assembled?Alana: Correct and present, sir.Jim: Presently correct, captain.Ollie: Aup!Gavin: Good. Were here a little later than expected following our mission to assist with terraforming efforts in the Rostk system, and Id like to keep todays briefing as short and sweet as possible given the micro nature of the assignment.First up, lets get some background. Ensign Norman, is this your first encounter with the WarioWare series?Jim: With the series? No, sir. I dabbled in the wonderful Wii entry, WarioWare Smooth Moves, back in the day, and I also have a particular soft spot for the DSis WarioWare: Snapped! (though, in retrospect, its not very good is it?). But this was my first encounter with where it all began.Gavin: Ah, Smooth Moves - my first brush with the series also! I first played this GBA debut during my time serving as 3DS Ambassador. Youre familiar with other entries in the series, Lt. Reynolds?Ollie: Yep! Ive dipped in and out of the WarioWare franchise, and if my memory is correct, Ive played D.I.Y. and Gold the most. I have very vague memories of the original, but I dont think I actually played it myself; perhaps I watched a friend play it during school or something. Who knows. Its a cool series, though!Gavin: And youre a seasoned veteran, Commander?Alana: Seasoned is a generous term, sir, but I played Mega Microgame$ back when it came out on GBA. I havent played any of the WarioWare titles on 3DS or Switch - its a series I sort of dropped off. But I have some fond memories of this one and Touched!, in particular.Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Interesting, you're the only one to have played this on original hardware. Okay then, its worth beginning with constructive criticism, because I believe I speak for the crew when I say this one holds up exceptionally well. I only intended to dip in briefly via NSO to refresh my memory, but ended up playing the whole thing.So, negatives. Anyone?Ollie: Heh Honestly? Not really. Like yourself, I think it holds up very well. The ability to communicate exactly whats required from the player in literal seconds is astonishing. I also love the whole vibe of this one. It kind of reminds me of early MTV Animation shows, but its also before Wario became known for, yknow farting and stuff.Alana: Im on the same page as both of you. I actually love how gimmick-less the original is. It really is just a bunch of little minigames all bundled together with no microphone, no touchpad, no motion controls just you and two buttons and a d-pad.Jim: Gosh, I better come up with something negative to say, then. Erm the Paper Plane minigame is a bit too addictive? My hands got a little too sweaty in the final level? Ive got nothing! I was expecting to play this one over the course of a week, but ended up playing it from start to finish in a single sitting. How moreish.Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Indeed. The simplicity of the inputs work so well. If you misunderstand an instruction due to the speed, theres almost zero confusion the next time. In terms of negatives, hmm. Compared to the others, Orbulon's observational games aren't quite my cup of Earl Grey. And the very slow upload bar when you unlock the next round of games is pointless. Thats all Ive got.Moving on, lets talk about favourite characters and specific minigames. Ive a soft spot for Jimmy T. myself.Jim: Jimmy is great, and perhaps the best-defined character in the game, but 9-Volts selection was a highlight for me. Having played the later series entries, I was wondering when all the Nintendo references were going to pop up, and there they are! I love the shameless plug for the GBA SP on completion, too.Alana: The Nintendo games are always a highlight, arent they, Ensign? Ill give a shoutout to Mona for being this kooky, energetic character. Shes also got some of those classic WarioWare games, too, like the eye drops, nose picking, fried eggs. I like it when WarioWare gets stupid. But I do hate the nail and hammer boss round.Ollie: The Nintendo games are really neat, but I have to admit that I prefer the more original, bespoke games. Theres a sense of the unknown the first time that you play them that is missing with those established Nintendo-themed ones. My favourite characters are Dribble & Spitz, purely because I love the effect of the rain on the taxis windscreen as the wipers clear it away. It looks so cool!Images: Nintendo Life Our Top 25, but what's at number WAAAAH-n?Jim: Ill give a little shoutout to those microgames that use a real image in the background. Getting the cat to sleep or the dog to shake made me laugh. Every. Single. Time.Alana: Its a very cool-looking and sounding game with a lot of different art styles, vocal songs, and colour. It really stands out on the GBA, honestly. I remember the first time I saw those animated photograph games and it reminded me of the Game Boy Camera.Gavin: Yep, the mixed-media approach to the art felt so anarchic. I love the simple narratives that thread the thing together, too. I havent played either of the Switch games, unfortunately, as the increased complexity and gimmickry tended to put me off, especially with the backlog. Has anyone here sampled the latest entries?Jim: Not me, unfortunately. Though after checking out the OG, Id be keen to now.Alana: I havent, and I dont know if I will. This is more a broader point, but I feel like once youve played a handful of WarioWare games, you know what youre getting. WarioWare knows what it is, and thats great, but I think Ive had my fill from the earlier games, and its a big jump to pay full price for something I might only play for a few hours and stop playing.Ollie: Yeah, same here. Now that Ive sampled a few of the earlier games, I have a hard time imagining playing Move It! or Get It Together! and thinking, Wow, so unique! Theyre not all the same, mind, but yknow. YKNOW. Yeah, I wont play them.Gavin: Here we are, on the flagship, and apparently only Chief OReilly has played the Switch WarioWares! Ill make a note in my log. Youre absolutely right, though - that simplicity and the purity of the concept was nailed in the very first entry. Nintendo has a habit of doing that, which is fantastic but also makes iteration tricky.Okay, lets wrap up this micromission. Any final thoughts? Particular memories?Jim: Monas backstory involves her killing a lot of people and we dont discuss that nearly enoughAlana: Shes a working woman, what can I say?Gavin: Remind me to review your Starfleet records, Hagues.Alana: *gulp*Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: And on that note, lets adjourn until next time. Speaking of which, I believe its freshly-promoted Lt. Normans turn to take command for the next mission?Jim: You would be correct. Im taking the wheel and turning us all towards a wonderful world of safari. Anyone up for a spot of Pokmon Snap? It will be a first for some of us, no?Gavin: It will. Some fresh air and snapping holos of the local wildlife on a pleasant M-class planet sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, all. Dismissed.WarioWare, Inc. Mega Microgame$ - Recruit ReportImage: Nintendo LifePromoted Officer:Lt. Cmdr. Ollie ReynoldsLt. Jim NormanBest bit:Those sweet windscreen wipersThe sleepy catWorst bit:Cutscenes are a bit lengthyErm, my sweaty palms?Would play again?Who says I'm not playing it now..?I won't rest until I beat my Paper Plane high score Fun incorporatedRANK!Catching up with the DK crewCaptain's log, stardate 202411.10. After spending some time with the most verb-filled of video games, the crew is energised and ready to go boldly on to our next assignment. With the festival of GO'TY fast approaching a time of great joy and gratitude we look forward to our continuing mission.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:21 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 ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Mario & Luigi Fans Aren't Happy About Brothership's Battle Button TweaksIt should be 'B' for the Bro, right?Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch GamesXenoblade X! Brothership! Donkey Kong Country!Plans To Announce The 'Switch 2' Have Not Changed, Says Nintendo's PresidentSo expect it before the end of March 2025 System:Game Boy AdvancePublisher:NintendoDeveloper:NintendoGenre:PuzzlePlayers:1Release Date:Game Boy Advance 26th May 2003 23rd May 2003 21st Mar 2003Wii U eShop 10th Apr 2014, $6.99 10th Apr 2014, 6.29 3rd Apr 2014, 700Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (Subscription)8th Feb 2023Series:Wario, WarioWareAlso Known As:WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania! (Europe), Made in Wario (Japan)Where to buy:Buy on eBay

"40 years in the making".Digital Eclipse is releasing Tetris Forever on the Switch eShop early next week on 12th November and the file size is now in.According to an official listing, you'll need roughly 5.3 GB of free space to install this collection on your Switch. As previously confirmed, there will be more than 15 playable games in Tetris Forever, including several that haven't ever been released outside of Japan until now.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Tune in for a 10-minute tour.A Nintendo Direct is on the way, folks. This one, however, won't feature any upcoming Switch games, nor any information on the elusive 'Switch 2'.Instead, Nintendo will be showcasing a 10-minute look at the new Donkey Kong Country expansion for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Indie developer Akiragoya doesnt just want you to get better at their latest shmup Angel at Dusk. They want to improve your prospects across the entire genre. Though taking a glance at the new Switch port of their distinctly grotesque work, youd be forgiven for thinking the opposite is true.Set deep in a future where pleasure, sin, crime, and more have been eradicated by scientific progress, Angel at Dusk presents an aggressive arcade bullet-hell shooter built around a meticulously repulsive futuristic body horror theme. The levels are formed from tangled masses of pustulating body parts, held together by ribbons of glistening sinew an aesthetic that carries over to the monstrous enemy craft. Most moments through the games various modes, meanwhile, are filled with dense, intense bullet curtains, while elaborate intersecting mechanical systems focus on high-risk play. Hypercasual or cosy, Angel at Dusk is not.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)And yet with their recent creation first released to PCs earlier this year Akiragoya may have delivered one of the most welcoming examples of true arcade-aggressive bullet hell yet realised, all without ostracising devoted players already literate in the language of shmups. Ultimately, Angel at Dusk is a strikingly intelligent game, across its design, writing, wit, and understanding of what traditional shooting games are. It knows enough of the rules of shmup design to know exactly which ones to break without ever breaking the formula of authenticity.Over time numerous developers have made amicable attempts at cracking open arcade shooters for the masses but in the cases of works like Cuphead and CYGNI, while bringing many merits, they arguably deviate so far from the arcade tradition that they propose very different experiences indeed. Angel at Dusk, meanwhile, serves up an utterly authentic arcade shooter resplendent in complex intersecting game and scoring systems, deeply rewarding intense action, and overwhelming swarms of gaudy ordinance, with a soundtrack entirely unafraid to rattle your very core with musical forms like free jazz. It is every bit authentic, and yet its doors are wide open to a vast sweep of players.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)That is evident in the magnificently detailed and entirely optional opening tutorials, which take you from the very basics of movement over a 2D plane, to high-level techniques such as figure-of-eight weaving; a method of bullet navigation that can get you through all manner of boss patterns across the genre.So how has Akiragoya achieved all this? Its time to return to that former point about knowing which rules to break. Angel at Dusk makes no effort to boldly reinvent the genre, nor add elaborate new systems. Instead, two subtle tweaks to convention have been made that deliver a profound difference without being unnecessarily disruptive. You can bump into enemies without taking damage, and you can earn a steady drip feed of extra lives.Stated so directly, those two changes dont seem too remarkable. But they immaculately complement the games core risk-reward system. Shoot enemies up close, and green heart items shower down, steadily filling an HP bar. Top out that HP bar, and you get an extra life; something possible several times per stage in most cases. As such, to survive a full clear of the game, youll want to put yourself right up in the grill of those repugnant foes. As such, it is remarkably helpful that collisions dont do your ship any damage. But in charging up to rivals, youll still be putting yourself right amongst those bullet hell patterns at the very moment they are at their densest.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)All of which means you have to shoot point-blank to earn lives to survive, which in and of itself puts you in the games most dangerous spots. And so it is that genre newcomers and veterans alike are encouraged to play deeply aggressively and experience the joy of trading risk for reward.The Arcade and Story modes take a conventional form, providing five linear vertical stages, each topped with a boss. Arcade insists you pick a ship with a set weapon loadout, while Story lets you mix your own blends of wide-shot, laser, press-and-release bullet-cancelling barrage, and so on. Then theres Chronicle mode, which lets you move through a branching path structure, opening up new level and boss variants, as well as fresh weapon options. Open a stage in Chronicle mode, and you can return to it at any point thereafter, without having to play the previous levels, making it perfect for shorter sessions. Be warned though, Chronicles get very hard indeed.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)In Arcade mode, meanwhile, the default very hard difficulty setting can be one-credit-cleared (1CCed) first time fairly easily if youve spent years with the genre, while novices will very likely overcome it with a little investment of time. But just as you feel smug for triumphing over Angel at Dusk, it playfully refers to that very hard setting as its own very easy mode; but rest assured the next setting up presents plenty of challenges for shmup aficionados.Interestingly, Angel at Dusk might be better described as a systems shmup rather than a scoring shmup, because while there are cunning ways to score well namely though Raiden Fighters Jet-informed medal chaining largely it comes to playing well enough to eradicate as many foes as possible. To do that you must explore all the intersecting play systems you can over becoming familiar with one central scoring mechanism.Beyond the proximity focus, theres EXP collecting that lets you level up your craft on the fly, reducing hitbox size and adding an increasingly powerful missile barrage to the period when you are charging your secondary weapon. Across Chronicle and Story modes theres also a fairly intricate system of upgrading and customising weapon loadouts, while some ships sport bombs that can be earned from those green power-ups.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)There is a lot to learn, but Angel at Dusk does a splendid job of explaining and communicating its inner workings. Which takes us back to that ambitious tutorial, which demonstrates a deep knowledge of the entire genre, as well as a playful willingness to lovingly mock some of the forms more absurd conventions, all while eagerly encouraging the player. The tutorials are pock-marked by some minor slip-ups in translation, but in this wonderfully odd game, those mistakes add to the otherworldly poetic flair that gives the tutorial its voice. Indeed, tutorial might not say enough, because Angel at Dusks guide to play also most stands as an essay on shmup design; a besotted treatise to why the genre is so wonderful, and how an arms race between players and developers has birthed one of the most rewarding forms gaming has ever offered.The body horror grotesque throughout and even unsettlingly sexualised in moments might be a bit much for some. But this is a game that plays, looks, and sounds remarkable. It performs tremendously on the whole too, though in docked mode we spotted occasional stuttering in the moments between stages.Ultimately, Angel at Dusk has a bounty to offer players of every skill level, and it excels in something so many otherwise exquisite shmups fail at. Its empowering, even if you havent touched a 2D shooter in your life.ConclusionAngel at Dusk is wonderful, weird, and built on a foundation of deep understanding of the genre, and an intelligence and self-awareness that elevates its potential to delight. Not all will take to its theme, but it presents a deeply authentic hardcore bullet hell experience, a dazzling wit, and a suite of game systems that are a joy to explore. And the fact it welcomes a wide range of players to an authentic shmup? Its one of the years most enticing genre contributions.A wildly rewarding, empowering, exciting shmup experienceA magnificent gateway to the entire genreInformed by a love for and deep understanding of that genreIt might be a little too gross and creepy for someLacks translation polishThe UI and text can get a shade too busyExcellent 9/10

Pick and choose.Batman Arkham Trilogy launched on the Nintendo Switch last December, and now in some surprise news, all three games in the collection are available on the eShop individually.The package consists of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman Arkham City and Batman Arkham Knight but if you only wanted to play one or two of these titles on the Switch, you can now pick and choose. Each game will set you back $24.99 / 19.99 (or your regional equivalent).Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Out next month.Aspyr's next game Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered launches for the Nintendo Switch this December.When this two-in-one release was originally announced in September, digital pre-orders weren't available for the Nintendo release. Fortunately, that's changed now with Nintendo reminding everyone this upcoming release can now be pre-purchased from the Switch eShop.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Launching this yearBe sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let's check out the box art designs themselves.North AmericaIf there's one thing that differentiates North America's version of Hatris, it's colour. Or the lack of colour, rather. It's a curious setup, really, as the title itself is kind of tucked away at the top of the composition, while the rest of the image is made up of different hats against a tiled background. Admittedly, it's a strong showcase for the actual gameplay in Hatris, mind you.JapanJapan's approach is a lot more colourful, and we dig it. It's one of those images where, at first glance, it appears as though there are only a couple of hats, but then you see another, and another, and another, until they're everywhere. Very cool stuff.Which region got the best Hatris box art? (134 votes)North America42%Japan58%Thanks for voting! We'll see you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.Related GamesSee Also

Ship shape.Another week with a sliver of official 'Switch 2' news? Gosh, Nintendo, you really do know how to spoil us!Yes, accompanying Nintendo's quarterly financial report this week, company president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that the Switch successor will be backwards compatible and the Nintendo Switch Online service will carry over too. It ain't much, but it's something.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)With the belt-scrolling beat 'em up undergoing something of a renaissance of late, it feels like a new title enters the fray every other week. While some efforts utilise IPs like Double Dragon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to garner attention, others are rekindling the genres magic with original ideas. Enter Nuala Studio with Vengeance Hunters, a fledgling project thats notable for its development platform, the Neo Geo, a 34-year-old piece of arcade hardware.Vengeance Hunters doesnt shy away from cliche. Its introduction pans over a brooding city skyline while describing a dystopian future under threat from High rolling suitmen. Captains of industry. Bastards of the upper crust. Vaguely political, then. Enter three protagonists, the awkwardly titled Candy, Golem, and Loony; an athletic female, a bulky robot, and a brawny part-cyborg male, respectively.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)One thing you cant fail to be impressed by is Vengeance Hunter's graphics. Nuala Studios artists really put in the work here. The backgrounds are full of detail, with superb colour casting and palette blends forming the games far-flung reaches. You roam through forestry, wastelands, city streets and your obligatory (and arguably less interesting) corporate headquarters. Tonally it feels like an '80s cartoon with bite, something along the lines of COPS or Bravestarr: adult enough with its vibe, occasionally bursting with blood, while maintaining its traditional arcade game roots.It looks good in motion, too, with large, well-animated sprites that traverse the screen in unique and interesting ways. Audio-wise its good enough, heavily synthy, evoking a pseudo-'80s sci-fi feel - but it lacks a certain edge and authenticity. It sounds like it wants to be Streets of Rage in places, but its softer and more ambient, less impactful or memorable.The combat system features some clever nuance, and while not as combo-heavy as something like Winkysoft's Guardians (1995), there are several unique elements that draw from more modern ideas. Each character has a weak and hard attack, a jump and a signature move that can be used infinitely. Pressing both attack buttons dually engages a traditional breakout move, paid with a portion of your life bar.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)However and we like this idea a lot rather than outright losing your health, the portion you gamble on the breakout is greyed out. Should you successfully then lay into your opponents without interruption, you can beat that grey back to a stable yellow. Its a smart and effective way to manage an old staple of the genre, and brings with it greater strategic dimensions.The combo system is flexible, too. In fact, there are juggle opportunities that, should you have the reflex, resemble certain advanced fighting games, allowing you to hop into the air on repeat to tag hits before following up with either a standing hard attack or signature move. Candy is the weakest of the three characters. Compared to Golem and Loony shes just not as interesting, and underpowered. Loony has the advantage of a projectile signature move, able to shoot his robotic arm across the screen, leveraging his relatively slow speed by keeping encroaching enemies at bay.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Golem, the robot, is the best for our money, sporting both muscle power and speed, with a signature move that allows you to grab enemies on both ground and in the air, and swing them forward or pile-drive them backwards. There are also charged special moves that can be added to strings or juggles, and each character can double-tap forward to dash and attack.On the whole, Vengeance Hunters is a good project with some depth. We like the fact that the bosses have distinct patterns, and there are secret sub-sections and story variations depending on who you play as. At one point you hop on a bike and go driving through the desert wastelands, avoiding toxic barrels and squid-like creatures; while elsewhere, you challenge a boss in a virtual one-on-one fighting game on an arcade cabinet. These novel touches do well to break up the repetition and encourage replayability.Despite the solid positives, though, there are a few areas we take issue with. The difficulty is well-balanced, fairly challenging on defaults, and encourages learning and experimentation. But, at the same time, there are aspects that get a little trying. For some reason, there are tons of things blowing up in the game: barrels, bombs, bombs inside boxes, pipe bombs, and even enemies. Things seem to be blowing up all over the place, and honestly a little too regularly. You can learn to avoid these incendiary dangers, but, since you can't pick the bombs up, it gets frustrating when you keep getting either knocked out of your flow by an explosion or having to break off your attacks to evade one.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Additionally, there are secondary weapons to wield, but theyre weird. Rather than your regular swords and pipes, they come in the form of cannons that hover over your characters head and fire isometrically. That means you need to be stood slightly above and diagonally to catch enemies with them. They're hardly impossible to make good use of, but its one of those ideas that may have seemed better on paper, since theyre not particularly satisfying to use. Compared to the whopping great rifles available in something like Capcoms The Punisher, they dont do much to enhance the gameplay.Crucially, the combat, while arranged in such a way that experimentation pays off, falls just shy of those solid connections in many '90s arcade games of the same mould. It works, but the feedback isnt quite on the same level. Combo manufacturing feels good, but there's something missing from the overall weight.One of the oddest omissions, though, is not being able to grab anyone. We feel like grabs are an integral part of belt scrollers as they allow you to crowd herd, and while one could argue that Vengeance Hunters is going its own way, the absence still feels odd. This is particularly evident when playing as Golem, who is probably the most enjoyable character in the game largely due to the fact that he has a grab as his signature move.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)There are five quite drawn-out stages to work through, but learning them and their accompanying boss encounters will take some time. It might seem odd that you start the game in a rainforest fighting Amazonian zombies especially after the futuristic city skyline of the opening story but at least its interesting. Some of the later locations aren't quite as original. Finally, local co-op is available for two players, but theres no online here.

It should be 'B' for the Bro, right?Mario & Luigi: Brothership set sail on Nintendo Switch yesterday and, on the whole, people seem to be rather impressed with this new nautical adventure. That's not to say there aren't a few tiny annoyances, mind you, as we swiftly learned after taking a glance at our socials this morning.Looking past the new visuals, the delightful weirdness and the cooky characters, more than a handful of people seem to be taking issue with the game's Bro-specific button battles. Namely, how Luigi's 'Press B to attack' isn't as straightforward as it always has been.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeA couple of months ago we reached out to Nintendo Life readers with our Switch Summer Survey, a chunky questionnaire designed (with your help) to assess the state of all things Nintendo and Switch as the console cruises through its eighth year - and as our thoughts inevitably turn to its successor.This 70-question blowout covered everything from the Switch eShop to Joy-Con drift, your past Nintendo consoles to your hopes for the future, not to mention a selection of posers about your favourite Nintendo-focused website. Since summer ended, our data monkeys have been crunching the numbers and it's time for the results!On this page: The Results Of Our 2024 Switch Summer Survey Are InSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kWatch on YouTube All questions were optional and not everyone who participated answered every single one - responses ranged between approximately 6,000 to 10,000 unique people, so a big thank you to everyone who took the time to answer.Let's dive into the data, shall we? Starting with you.You & Your Gaming HabitsImage: fauxels / PexelsIn terms of location, just under 50% of you are in the US with 20% of you residing in the UK which leaves around a third of you living outside the US/UK. There were 52% of you having at least one child in the household of which 25% of you said you play Switch games together co-op, nice.When it comes to weekly gaming time, roughly 33% of respondees play up to five hours of games a week, slightly more play between six and ten hours, with the remainder going well into double figures.Action, Adventure, Platformer, and RPG are the preferred genres, with 61% saying they play mostly single-player Switch games. Breath of the Wild (18%), Animal Crossing (15%), and Tears of the Kingdom (12%) take the podium for Switch game with the most hours logged.17% of respondees are rocking a gaming PC, while 15% supplement their Switch with a PS5 versus 12% with an Xbox (Xbox Series X: 7%, Series S: 5%). Only 0.3% have never owned a previous Nintendo system (the most popular were Wii and 3DS).Switch - Games, Online, HardwareImage: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeFocusing on the Switch experience, of all the Switches you own, 56% are 'Standard Switch', compared to 16% 'Switch Lite' and 27% were 'Switch OLED's.Which Nintendo Switch(s) does your household own? (11,463 votes)Standard Switch56%Switch Lite16%Switch OLED27%None 0.4%The most popular micro SD Card was a measly 128GB with 256GB coming a very close second. Only 18% of you have a card with 1TB or more capacity. Time to upgrade when Switch 2 comes along?Looking at the eShop, 'Adequate' is the most common description of the eShop browsing experience, followed by 'Poor', so there's definite room for improvement there, Nintendo. 99% of respondees have a Nintendo Account, with 17% having them in multiple regions.A quarter of respondees make their own lists or spreadsheets to keep track of upcoming games, with 19% turning to good ol' Deku Deals and 16% making use of Nintendo Life's Games Collection functionality.Turning to Nintendo Switch Online, one in five respondees don't currently subscribe to NSO. Of those who do, 23% don't play retro games via the apps at all, with just 20% playing once a week or more. People generally agree that Nintendo Switch online represents good value, though.How strongly do you agree that Nintendo Switch Online represents good value? (6,585 votes)Strongly agree14%Agree35%Neutral34%Disagree13%Strongly disagree5%Moving on to the hardware and controllers specifically a whopping 53% have had Joy-Con drift troubles, with loose Joy-Con rails affecting 16%. Just 20% said they'd had no Switch hardware issues whatsoever. Regarding pad preferences, 64% prefer the Pro Controller over Joy-Con (22%), with the remainder liking third-party alternatives better.Over half, 51% of you, said that Switch's battery life was 'Good' with 16% saying it was 'Excellent' and only 5% rating it 'Poor'. Additionally, 55% of you play Switch mostly 'Docked' and 44% in 'Handheld'. Nintendo really did get the balance right with this one didn't they?Apparently, between all of you lovely readers, you own a staggering 93,196 loose amiibo and 22,714 boxed amiibo. Won't somebody set them free?!Of the 600,000+ games that you own, 58% were purchased digitally via the eShop and 42% were purchased as physical games. When asked about their preference over physical games, the highest factor was having a hard copy of a game that can't be removed from the eShop.Which factors determine if you buy physical or not? (16,407 votes)Design/Artwork9%Favourite Series or Character18%Price20%Hard copy of the game (that can't be removed from the eShop)24%Resale Ability9%Special Editions13%Other6%1 in 20 respondees say that they have experimented with modding their system's firmware in some way. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the survey is that only a paltry 0.6% have ever taken their Switch to a rooftop party. Scandalous!You & Nintendo (Life)Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeGetting the latest news, reviews, and previews in that order are the three top reasons you lovely people frequent nintendolife.com for all your lovely Nintendo-related content needs, with our features just behind them. 54% of you use Nintendo Life as your primary source of Nintendo info, with YouTube taking up another 25%.Which of the following do you consider your primary source of Nintendo info? (6,284 votes)Nintendo Life54%Official Nintendo Website/Social9%Other Gaming Website(s)4%Twitter/X5%YouTube25%Twitch 0.1%Other3%With regards to the effect of our reviews, 30% of you said that our reviews 'Often' influence your buying decisions and a further 47% said 'Sometimes'. Only 8% of you said our reviews 'Never' influence you.When it comes to your favourite Nintendo series, The Legend of Zelda (39%) won by a mile. Super Mario (14%) took silver, with Pokmon (9%) in third place and Metroid (6%) and Xenoblade (5%) which is also people's favourite series they've been introduced to on Switch bringing up the rear. Of course, the correct answer was F-Zero, which just 0.8% of you picked.Star Fox, Kid Icarus, and Wario Land are the series without a Switch entry that you most want to see return, and as expected, a brand new Mario or Zelda would be most likely to make you pick up a Switch 2 on day one. Speaking of which, let's look to the future...Switch 2 & The FutureImage: Nintendo Life31% would like to see Game Pass come to Switch. The same percentage of people (though not necessarily the same people, of course!) said they wouldn't be interested in having streaming apps on Switch, although Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video were the top picks for everyone else.What is your most desired feature for Switch 2? (6,146 votes)Bigger screen3%Better battery life6%A new unique feature11%Better performance in handheld mode16%Better performance when docked (eg. 4K/DLSS)34%Better ports of multi-platform games15%StreetPass7%Other7%Asked about your most desired feature for Switch 2, better performance in docked and handheld modes were the most common responses, with the closely related 'Better ports of multiplatform games' coming in third. 7% are hoping for the return of the glorious StreetPass, while 11% want a totally new unique feature thrown into the mix. Everything about the "Switch successor"And Finally...Our thanks to all who responded, especially those who answered the tough questions. Things like 'Do you play your Switch on the toilet?' to which 55% responded "Never!"... although we're not sure we believe them. A shockingly untrustworthy 71% of respondees said they hadn't ever licked a Switch game cartridge, either. How could anyone resist that delicious, bitter twang!And there we go - an intriguing glimpse at the Switch lover's gaming history and habits as we stand on the cusp of the next generation!See AlsoShare:1317 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 ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Review: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedFeature: "I Dont Want To See It Fizzle Out - Stardew Valley Creator On Why He Can't Give It Up"I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life"Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch GamesXenoblade X! Brothership! Donkey Kong Country!

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Metal Slug Tactics has felt like it has taken way too long to finally release. More than three years after its initial reveal, the game is finally here and its a bold but confused take on the tactics genre that has some big strengths. But, those are counterbalanced with a number of roadblocks and obstacles that often get in the way of the enjoyment you can have with it.To start things off, this reviewer is coming at this as a turn-based tactics fan with no personal history with the Metal Slug series. When it comes to offering something for genre fans, Metal Slug Tactics succeeds, mostly. The game is actually structured as a roguelike, so you and up to two other characters you select from the Peregrine Falcons will head out and take on various, small missions in isometric grids one by one until you gain full control of an area of the map.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Within these missions there is a great amount of enemy variety, solid bosses, and creative environment design. Leikir Studio has implemented some interesting twists on the tactics genre too within the moment-to-moment gameplay.Upon each turn, you are able to move and perform an action. These can be standard shots with a gun, using your special weapon (which has limited ammo per run), or using one of the many Adrenaline Abilities that you will pick up in between missions and upon levelling up characters. These are often support abilities or situational damage abilities that you wont need to use all the time but can have devastating effects when used at the right moment.Using your weapons works as you would expect, allowing you to fire and shoot anyone you have direct line of sight with on the grid. Adrenaline Abilities are earned upon gaining Adrenaline Points within a mission. These are accumulated as you move. The further you move, the more Adrenaline Points you have to spend during your turn, encouraging a bullish, vanguard-like playstyle that nudges you out of cover and forces you to take the initiative.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Moving also gives you armour, which can allow you to tank shots further pushing you towards an aggressive playstyle. This injection of the series' run-and-gun spirit is rather refreshing for the strategy genre and separates this from other tactics games that can often feel very stagnant as you sit in one spot during fights.Additionally, Metal Slug Tactics includes a mechanic called Sync Shots, which means that if two characters have direct line of sight on a target when one attacks it, the other will follow up with another attack, effectively giving you a free hit. Sync Shots are another fantastic shakeup to the tactics formula that forced us to rethink how we looked at a grid of enemies and try to plan for future moves or place characters in specific positions to make the most of these special two-for-one attacks.However, stapled onto these mechanics are strange features and gameplay design choices that feel like they are actively blocking you from getting to the enjoyable parts. One key sticking point for us is that if you decide to use an action before moving, you completely lose access to any ability to move. It's run and gun - in that order, and that order only.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Not only is this incredibly frustrating and restrictive, but for the most part it feels unnecessary. In a game built around movement and creating opportunities for yourself, being locked into having to move before attacking makes some fights and situations hard to win. Enemies can often block off paths, or you can be cornered with no real escape. So if you want to try and give yourself some breathing room or line up a Sync Shot, you need to attack and kill an enemy, wait a turn, hope you dont die, and then move. This happened a fair bit, especially in the first 10 or so hours.Speaking of those initial hours, they are oppressive, brutal, and at times fatiguing and tedious. Because you wont have a wide array of characters, upgrades, and Adrenaline Abilities due to the roguelike structure, a lot of the fights in the early game you just cant win. So, you need to die and then get back to that point, hopefully with stronger weapons and more flexible Adrenaline Abilities, to be able to actually progress.While this is the point of roguelikes, with Metal Slug Tactics being a strategy game, everything moves slowly. Missions can take up to 5-10 minutes each, and with up to a dozen or so in each area (depending on the path you take), having to go through each one again to collect resources to spend back at your base in between runs is a slog, especially when you are underpowered while doing it. This isnt Dead Cells or an action roguelike where you can just sprint back through an area and get back to where you were in a few minutes.Plus, the game gets off to a terrible start with a horrifically unfriendly and wordy tutorial that chucks everything at you in a 20-minute blitz and then lets you loose. The mechanics in Metal Slug Tactics are complex, and we actually had to watch the gameplay overview trailer after finishing the tutorial because it does a better job at breaking down them in a digestible way.Also, the text and UI size on the games menus and throughout the experience is ridiculously small. This is a huge problem in handheld mode, where we often had to squint or put our head closer to the screen to read what was being displayed.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)On the plus side, as you are going through the game again and again, you are greeted with flawless animations, an excellent soundtrack from Tee Lopes, and some really nice sound effects and visuals when using Sync Shots or fighting bosses. Leikir Studio didnt drop the ball with the presentation at all here, although we did suffer from some frame rate issues in handheld mode during particularly busy missions with a lot of enemies or attacks being used at once. Nothing egregious, but noticeable.

Image: Digital EclipseThe latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in 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 eShop - HighlightsMario & Luigi: Brothership (Nintendo, 7th Nov, $59.99) - Help Mario and Luigi repair the fractured world of Concordia in this brand-new seafaring adventure! Set sail on Shipshape Island and explore a variety of islands, from bustling cities to tropical rainforests. Unleash the mighty power of the duos brotherly bond to overcome adversity and thwart foes, and meet friends along the way some new, some familiar! - Read our Mario & Luigi: Brothership reviewSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube Tetris Forever (Digital Eclipse, 12th Nov, $34.99) - Step into a virtual Tetris museum and celebrate the 40th anniversary of a video game legend. Tetris Forever brings together classic titles from the franchises long and distinguished history, including the original 1988 Famicom version of Tetris, Tetris 2 + Bombliss, Tetris Battle Gaiden, Hatris and more including a brand-new experience called Tetris Time Warp, where youll jump between gameplay styles from across the series! The collection also features all-new documentary videos, digital artifacts and an interactive timeline.Switch eShop - New Releases10-in-1 Games Bundle for Kids & Toddlers (Asylum Square Interactive, 10th Nov, $39.99) - Discover our game bundle for the whole family! From exciting adventures to tricky puzzles theres something for everyone. Help Abbie on her farm, go on safari with Sophia, or solve fun hidden-object challenges fun and entertainment are guaranteed!Aery - Peace of Mind 2 (EpiXR Games, 7th Nov, $13.00) - This is an interactive game experience that is designed to relax your mind and soul. You jump into the role of a little bird, explore beautiful landscapes and collect magical crystals that mark certain landscapes.Angel at Dusk (Sanuk, 7th Nov, $14.99) - The newest answer to shmups. A game which is "uncompromisingly skeletal". That is, a game in which every last ounce of excess has been cut away, and only its framework quintessence remains. Bones free themselves of flesh, laying waste to needless entrails! Revealing a skeleton of extraordinarily strength.Arcade Archives RIOT (HAMSTER, 31st Oct, $7.99) - " RIOT " is an action game released by TECMO in 1992. Conquer the stages while defeating the "THE MAGIC TIGERS", warriors armed with special weapons and magic that stand in your way one after another. Enemies appear in the front and back of the screen, so you need to shoot them separately. The key to success is to make good use of various weapons and shields along the way.Ball Rush 2 (Entity3, 2nd Nov, $0.99) - Its Back! Shrink, grow and dodge your way through exciting patterns. Smash shapes out of your path and enjoy watching them fly with physics! Only touch shapes of your colour and rush to the end! Unlock new skins and customise your ball.Bioframe Outpost (OmniSysPublishing, 7th Nov, $24.99) - Inspired by classic 70s and 80s sci-fi, Bioframe Outpost is a 2d sci-fi action adventure game, dedicated to exploration, experimentation, emergent gameplay and narrative. Its unique, photography-based approach to non-linear exploration and action gameplay offers a fresh take on Metroidvania gameplay.Bubble Riders (NOSTRA, 6th Nov, $1.99) - Try to race around a winding track on an inflatable balloon. Overtake your rivals and push them off the track. Your goal is to be the first to cross the finish line! Upgrade your bubble to make it faster and stronger. Open new locations and new challenging tracks.Candivity (QubicGames, 8th Nov, $2.99) - You're about to dive into a sugary adventure! Combine sweets, and prepare yourself for a sugar overload! Gather extraordinary powers that can save you from any sticky situation. Mix them up, and you might create something even more powerful! Journey through worlds full of surprises. Each has its own set of challenges. Can you master them all and merge the largest sweet?Caveheart Legacy Of The Depths (MagicProStudio, 8th Nov, $4.99) - Join Gray in his relentless quest to thwart Valdosss sinister plans. Explore the underground realm in this 2D platformer game filled with fantasy adventure and treasure hunting! Game Features: - Thrilling Combat: Face off against a variety of monsters lurking in the shadows.Crimson Asylum (Ultimate Games, 7th Nov, $4.99) - Equipped with your trusty video camera and unwavering resolve, you set on a mission to document the whispers of the past and capture evidence of the restless spirits wandering inside. The deeper you venture, the more the asylum twists and contorts around you.Duck Run (Afil Games, 6th Nov, $4.99) - Join the daring duck in Duck Run, an exciting adventure filled with dangerous traps and thrilling challenges across 40 action-packed levels. Your mission is to guide the brave duck safely through each obstacle while keeping track of your time. Jump, dash, and outsmart tricky hazards as the pace and difficulty increase, testing your reflexes and strategy.EcoGnomix (Untold Tales, 7th Nov, $19.99) - A quirky combination of roguelite and city builder mixed into one! Sitting atop a vast network of mystical caves is your little gnome village. Send out your team of gnomes on rogue-lite runs to bring back resources so you can expand your tiny kingdom.EGGCONSOLE Xak II PC-8801mkIISR (D4 Enterprise, 7th Nov, $6.49) - In 1990, Micro Cabin released the action RPG Xak II in Japan, set three years after the battle with Badu from the previous game. The story begins with Latok Kart, who lives with his mother, setting out on a journey to the town of Banuwa after hearing rumors of someone resembling his missing father.Farming Harvester Simulator 2025 Deluxe Edition (globalgamestudio, 31st Oct, $4.99) - Experience the ultimate farming adventure in Farming Harvester Simulator 2025 Deluxe Edition! With stunning high-quality graphics, immerse yourself in the life of a professional combine harvester driver. Switch between multiple camera modes to get the perfect view as you navigate through challenging levels, park your harvester with precision, and expertly unload your crops.Forbidden Love (Cooking & Publishing, 31st Oct, $4.99) - Emotions will run high as you face moral dilemmas, family intrigues and hidden secrets. With a plot inspired by the great tales of tragic love, this visual novel will allow you to explore the deep emotional ties that bind the characters and the complexities of their world.Games Advent Calendar 2024 Bundle (Mindscape, 7th Nov, $19.99) - Games Advent Calendar 2024: Jump on a train packed with gifts and dive into the holiday spirit with Games Advent Calendar 2024! Jigsaw Advent Calendar: Surprise yourself every day leading up to Christmas with new challenging jigsaw puzzles in Jigsaw Advent CalendarGarten of Banban 6 (Feardemic, 31st Oct, $9.99) - Survive the never-entered levels of Banbans Kindergarten! After the events of Garten of Banban 4, you are forced to run away and delve even deeper into the mysterious establishment that is Banbans kindergarten. You are heading down to where no human dares to be.Glimmer and the Dark Halloween Pumpkin (Aldora Games, 4th Nov, $4.90) - Glimmer, a bright little ghost, is tasked with making sure the pumpkins stay lit and the town is safe. However, something strange happens one night: one of the key lanterns mysteriously goes out, threatening the town's safety. When shadows in the forest begin to move, Glimmer realizes she needs help.How to Organize Your Home: A Practical Guide (Cooking & Publishing, 31st Oct, $2.99) - Are you a fan of interior design and home organization? This is the ultimate game for you! Learn how to turn any space into a functional and cozy home that reflects your personal style. Explore different decor styles, efficiently organize every corner of your house, and make the most out of every square foot.Jetpack Kiwi (Ratalaika Games, 8th Nov, $5.99) - Jetpack Kiwi is a classic 2D side-scrolling shoot em up game featuring 20 challenging levels, endless hordes of enemy spaceships, and 5 epic bosses. The aliens have arrived and theyre up to no good. Only you can stop the aliens and their thirst for conquest. Choose between multiple characters to play, each one with a unique special attack ability.Journey to Kreisia (KEMCO, 31st Oct, $14.99) - Blazing a new trail in classic RPGs, Journey to Kreisia is bound to please fans of the genre with plenty of engaging features such as hunting for hidden treasures, testing one's strength in challenging battle arenas, and taking up a variety of subquests!LIMP HEROES+ (Picola, 31st Oct, $6.99) - "LIMP HEROES+" is an action game in which you control a hero who moves with physical behavior and fights against an army of evil villains. Using attractive characters with a taste of American Comics, players can challenge fierce battles with simple controls that require only jumping and special attacks.Magical Bakery (Soedesco, 7th Nov, $29.99) - Magical Bakery is a single-player cooking and management game set in an enchanted bakery that sells all sorts of sweets and pastries, with a twistthey may contain traces of magic! Experience a life full of magic, challenges, and the joy of creating sweets that will leave a spellbinding impression on your customers.MIYAMOTO (hidekihanida, 7th Nov, $3.99) - MIYAMOTO is a beautifully styled Japanese-themed card game. Build your deck with cards earned after each battle, and strategically place unique pieces to claim victory.Party Party Time 3 (SAT-BOX, 7th Nov, $5.00) - Get ready for an all-new sequel to the party game that anyone can enjoy! Share Joy-Con, and up to 6 players can join in the fun! Enjoy a collection of 30 intuitive and easy-to-play minigames! Spend quality time with friends and family and have a blast!Popcorn Rocket (Battle Geek Plus Publishing, 7th Nov, $4.99) - Popcorn Rocket is a silly food based old-school arcade space shooter. Pilot the Popcorn Rocket as you blast through hordes of food spaceships in order to save the galaxy from the evil Nebula Empire! With a wacky cast of heroes and villains, Popcorn Rocket will leave your stomach wanting more!Pro Flight Simulator Deluxe (Pix Arts, 8th Nov, $19.99) - Are you ready to soar through the skies like never before? 'Pro Flight Simulator Deluxe' delivers the most thrilling and realistic flight experience out there! Choose from five incredible aircraft, including two agile hydroplanes perfect for water landings, a powerful army jet for heart-pounding high-speed missions, and a mighty jumbo jet built for epic journeys.Rally Racing Drift 2024 (COOL DEVS, 7th Nov, $7.99) - Rally Racing Drift 2024 is an adrenaline-pumping 3D racing drift simulator that puts you in the driver's seat as a competitive race driver. Your goal is to race against the clock and other drivers, finishing each race as quickly as possible while aiming to be the first across the finish line.SteamWorld Build & Dig Bundle (Thunderful, 31st Oct, $34.99) - This bundle contains: SteamWorld Build, the city-building and dungeon defense game and SteamWorld Dig, a platform mining adventure with strong Metroidvanian influences and the game that made SteamWorld mainstream.SUGAMENIA (CHUSO, 7th Nov, $9.99) - Play as Violet, a fearless space explorer marooned on this unknown planet, and your powerful ally, Suichi, a flying robot that can deploy bombs, be used as a platform, offer advice in order to find hidden treasures, and many more features. Live an epic venture in a hostile world full of dangers where you'll have to showcase your skills.Survive Undead Rush (Zakym, 7th Nov, $6.99) - Outrun and annihilate relentless waves of zombies that spawn continuously. Survive as the number and variety of zombies grow with each passing moment.Sweet Survivors (QubicGames, 8th Nov, $2.99) - It looks like a normal day at the caf but suddenly, swarms of love-craving cats are storming in, and only you stand between them and total feline chaos! Armed with laser pointers, yarn balls, and even the dreaded pickle of doom, youll have to keep these fluffballs at bay while serving your customers their precious coffee.Symmetrical logic puzzles 1000 (SUCCESS, $3.99) - This is a puzzle game where you create rooms by dividing grid spaces with colors to form point-symmetric shapes centered around the gems. You clear the stage once all the gems are separated into different rooms. There are 1,000 stages in total. Its a challenging puzzle game that tests your powers of insight.The Alchemist of Ars Magna (COSEN, 7th Nov, $79.99) - The game is divided into two parts: an "Adventure Part," where players deepen their relationships and create bonds with their companions, and an "RPG Dungeon Part," where players progress in their journey by strengthening their party using equipment gained through alchemy and materials gathered, as well as forging contracts with divine beings known as "Creators," who act as guardians of the world.The Fine Art of Murder (Infinite Zone, 6th Nov, $2.99) - Delve deep into a haunting, fog-laden town as you uncover its sinister history, piecing together clues that keep you on edge at every turn. Unlock hidden "Story Moments"exclusive scenes and key revelations that can only be uncovered by making the right choices. These special moments offer crucial insights that can help you solve the mystery and lead you closer to the truth.The Nightmare Journey (404 Games, 7th Nov, $4.99) - The Nightmare Journey is a stylized game with unique graphics set in a 2D universe, in which Arthur is the main character, he must overcome different challenges and puzzles, mysteries are not lacking in this game.Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- (Aksys Games, 7th Nov, $49.99) - This fan disk allows you to explore five unique, all-new tales. The original story of Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- followed a girl known as Death who brought an early end to any person she was involved with. With the assistance of others, she was able to discover the truth behind some of the dark workings on the island.What will you be downloading this week? (118 votes)Mario & Luigi: Brothership36%Tetris Forever29%Aery - Peace of Mind 2 0%Angel at Dusk3%Arcade Archives RIOT3%Bioframe Outpost 0.9%Caveheart Legacy Of The Depths 0%Crimson Asylum 0%Duck Run 0%EcoGnomix 0%EGGCONSOLE Xak II PC-8801MKIISR2%Farming Harvester Simulator 2025 Deluxe Edition 0%Forbidden Love 0.9%Games Advent Calendar 2024 Bundle 0%Garten of Banban 6 0%Jetpack Kiwi 0.9%Journey to Kreisia 0.9%Limp Heroes+ 0%Magical Bakery 0%Miyamoto 0.9%Party Party Time 3 0%Popcorn Rocket 0%Pro Flight Simulator Deluxe 0%Rally Racing Drift 2024 0%SteamWorld Build & Dig Bundle3%Sugamenia 0%Survive Undead Rush 0%Sweet Survivors 0.9%Symmetrical logic puzzles 1000 0.9%The Alchemist of Ars Magna2%The Fine Art of Murder 0%Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- 0.9%Nothing for me this week17%So that's your lot for this week's North American Nintendo Download. Go on, be a sport and drop a vote in the poll above, and comment below with your hot picks!

"The legendary Billy and Jimmy Lee return".Update :WayForward has announced its Double Dragon DLC for River City Girls 2 will arrive next week on 12th November 2024. This is a free update available for all platforms including the Switch. You can check out the official gameplay trailer above.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: ConcernedApeStardew Valley's long-awaited 1.6 update finally bloomed onto Switch earlier this week, bringing a bumper crop of new additions to the beloved farm sim. This included things like new festivals, floating items and fresh farm layouts, but it also seems to have bundled in its fair share of performance issues, something that creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has been suggesting temporary fixes for while he works on permanent solutions.The latest suggestion might be the funniest (if most heartbreaking) yet, and honestly, we've got to take our hats off or, more accurately, take our pets' hats off to ConcernedApe for coming up with it. Yep, if you want a temporary fix to 1.6 performance issues in Stardew, it seems you'll have to remove all your pets' wonderful headwear.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube Getting to put hats on our pets was one of the most adorable 1.6 additions, so it's a shame to see that the fashionable farm animals have been causing havoc in the valley. But if it's a choice between improved performance and a cat in a fedora, we know which one we'd pick... maybe.This being Stardew Valley, Barone was quick to provide an in-universe explanation as to why all pets' hats need to be returned to the wardrobe for a while. "There's rumours of a strange rash affecting pets' ears in Zuzu City," the creator explained on Twitter, "and we just want to make sure those ears can breathe for a few days". Okay, now we feel better about putting the hats away for a bit.And by the sounds of it, it really will just be "for a bit". As mentioned in the above tweet, Barone is working to "address the problem as soon as possible", so it shouldn't be too long before we can get back to caring for the swankiest pets in town.Oh, and if you're wondering how to remove a pet's hat on Switch, Barone's advice is to try and put a different hat on it first, removing the previous one.We were recently lucky enough to sit down with Barone and discuss all things Stardew, including the creator's thoughts on the board game, his influences and his approach to designing bosses for the upcoming follow-up, Haunted Chocolatier. You'll find the full interview below. "I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life"Back to the farm we goHave you encountered any performance issues in Stardew Valley 1.6 yet? Have you tried this temporary fix? Let us know in the comments.[source x.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles49 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Halloween Switch eShop Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherStardew Valley Version 1.6 Is Finally Out Now On SwitchBack to the farm we goEvery New Game In Atari 50's Final DLC Expansion Has Been RevealedHope you like the 2600Video: 10 Exciting New Games Coming To Nintendo Switch In November 2024Mario & Luigi, Dragon Quest and more

Gonna get yourself connectedOn this page: Where To Buy Mario & Luigi: Brothership On SwitchSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube 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.Buy Mario & Luigi: Brothership In The US & CanadaHere are your current options in the US and Canada:USCanadaJapanese VersionBuy Mario & Luigi: Brothership In The UK & IrelandThere are plenty of options in the UK, with the official My Nintendo Store offering a very cute 'Bon Voyage' bundle...UKMario & Luigi: Brothership7th Nov 2024IrelandBuy Super Mario & Luigi: Brothership With eShop CreditIf you'd rather own the game digitally, you can buy it from the Nintendo Switch eShop. We stock Nintendo Switch eShop credit vouchers at our very own store if you'd like to top up your account and support our work here at Nintendo Life at the same time, you can buy some below.Mario & Luigi: Brothership costs $59.99 / 49.99 on the Nintendo eShop:Buy Nintendo eShop CreditUSACANUKEURJPN Best deals and cheapest pricesBest deals and cheapest pricesAre you securing an order for this one? Let us know in the comments.Up Next: Super Mario Party JamboreeShare:03 Ryan permanently joined the Nintendo Life team in 2017, specialising in keeping readers up to date with the latest news. He can list the first 151 Pokmon all in order off by heart a feat he calls his party trick despite being the biggest introvert we know. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Review: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedPokmon Trading Card Game Pocket: Tier List & Best DecksPray to Arceus you pull these cards

Image: NintendoRemember Super Mario Run? Yeah, we had forgotten it too. But Nintendo hadn't! The Big N has injected a new lease of life into the mobile runner this year with several crossover updates covering Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Princess Peach: Showtime! and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD. Today, another event has arrived. Any guesses what it could be in aid of?If the headline or giant image above hasn't already given it away, Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the latest Nintendo title to sail into the mobile app, with a brand-new event available from today until 19th December.Clearing missions in this event will move you a step closer to nabbing three in-game Brothership statues (Mario and Connie, Luigi and Snoutlet or the Bros. together). Here's a swift look at the missions page and the rewards from the Japanese Nintendo website:Image: NintendoImages: NintendoThe Nintendo site specifies that some mission courses are only accessible to those who have purchased them, but linking your Nintendo account will let you access a bunch for free. Gives you a run for your moneyAnother brand new update for the Mario runner"Wonder Flowers are blooming"Will you be checking out this event in Super Mario Run? Let us know in the comments.[source nintendo.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Review: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch GamesXenoblade X! Brothership! Donkey Kong Country!Nintendo Music App: Every Game Soundtrack Included - How To Download, All SystemsA new mobile app exclusive to Switch Online members

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has long been regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. Not only does it boast incredible gameplay and Hideo Kojima's signature cinematic cutscenes, but it also plays host to a wide variety of interesting, three-dimensional characters.One of these is EVA (or 'Tatyana', 'Big Mama', etc). Spy, motorcycle enthusiast, and surragate mother to Solid and Liquid Snake, EVA is a vital character to the lore of Metal Gear, and now, 20 years later, we finally have official confirmation of her original voice actor.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube Credited as 'Suzetta Miet' in Snake Eater, Konami has now revealed that the voice actor is none other than Jodi Benson, a veteran who has lended her talents to movies such as The Little Mermaid (as main protagonist Ariel), Toy Story, Flubber, and Nausica of the Valley of the Wind.The revelation was made during the latest episode of Konami's 'Legacy Series' campaign looking at the release and impact of Snake Eater. Here, David Hayter (Naked Snake) and Lori Alan (The Boss) are joined by Benson, officially revealing her identity for the first time.According to Benson (who looks remarably similar to EVA herself), her career up to that point had been voicing characters for more family-oriented projects. So she sat down with director Kris Zimmerman Salter who suggested that changing her name might be the best approach."She asked me, "What was your dog's name growing up?" And I said, "Suzette Monet". So she's like, "You know what, let's build on that; how about Suzetta? How about instead of 'Monet' the artist, we'll do 'Miet'?" And I was like, "Sounds like a deal".Shes going on to state that around seven years ago, somebody slipped her a copy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for her to sign at a convention. After asking why they had given her the game, the fan simply said "because you're in it". She then sneakily asked the fan to keep her role quiet.So there you have it! Mystery solved. All three voice actors can be heard again in the upcoming Snake Eater Delta remake. Sadly, it's not Switch-bound, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for a potential 'Switch 2' release in the future. What a thrillWere you perhaps aware of Benson's involvement in Snake Eater before the official reveal? Are you surprised? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.[source youtube.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRandom: Rapper Doja Cat Debuts 'Bouncy' Conker-Inspired Halloween Costume"Ooh, that big tail of yours is far too tickly"Random: Kit & Krysta Discuss The "Drama" Behind The Switch Reveal Trailer"People were not on board"Random: Some Pokmon TCG Pocket Players Are Convinced Boosters With "Bent Corners" Contain Better PullsOther trainers have labelled it a "playground rumour"Random: Yes, Doom Is Now Playable On Nintendo AlarmoRip and tear on the clockRandom: Takaya Imamura Ponders The Possibility Of Star Fox Zero On 'Switch 2'"I've been dying to play it"

Not that any future mergers are off the table, mind.As a part of its recent Corporate Management Policy Briefing for FY2025, Nintendo has reiterated its stance on mergers and acquisitions. Namely, while future acquisitions are never off the table, it would rather "organically expand the organisation".This, the briefing note claimed, is so that new staff members to Nintendo can "fully learn and understand our creative culture" as opposed to splitting things across too many studios, we'd imagine.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Despite releasing just a year after its predecessor, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky makes significant changes to the formula of GSC Game Worlds venerable series. There are tweaked visuals, improved shooting, and some added systems crammed into this prequel. As a result, it feels markedly different to Shadow of Chornobyl, but not always in a good way. The shift in focus to faction conflict de-emphasises the persistent atmosphere of dread that permeated the first game.You fill the irradiated boots of Scar, a Stalker with a mysterious condition that allows him to survive the Zone's emissions. Rescued from such an event by research group Clear Sky, he is tasked with tracking down a group of Stalkers as a means of repayment. These rogue mercenaries have designs on reaching the secrets at the centre of the Zone and one of their number is our old friend Strelok.This being a prequel, it takes place before [REDACTED], so the status quo in the Zone is largely unchanged from the last game.Clear Sky presents a somewhat bland first impression with its opening section. A slog through The Great Swamps, taking out faction outposts and learning the ropes of the new territory system, which will make up the bulk of Scar's focus outside of the main story. The swamp isnt a particularly engaging environment and the increased emphasis on gunfights sullies the tense exploration of the first game's opening hours.Several factions are at odds with Scar and Clear Sky, some even blocking passage to major areas across the map. Reducing hostile numbers by taking out their outposts, will net powerful rewards that bolster your late-game setup.Luckily, you eventually find yourself back in the Cordon, revisiting familiar locations and opening up the map to enable the same freedom offered by Shadow of Chornobyl. The main story is less intriguing this time around. Most of the main missions have you hopping between factions in search of Strelok and his buddies. The overarching plot is strikingly similar to the Marked One's journey. Scar spends more time out in the open than his amnesiac predecessor, which impacts the horror element significantly. There are a few underground excursions, though the first major one doesnt occur until many hours into the story. For those who prefer not to be accosted by packs of mutants in the dark, this will be good news. Fans of mutated creatures lurking in the shadows will be left wanting.Mechanically, Clear Sky is a surprising leap ahead of Shadow of Chornobyl. Shooting, which was already solid, is tightened further. Mercifully, armour can be upgraded and repaired and there are now much more gear set combinations. This is further complemented by an increased emphasis on artefacts as a necessary adjunct to your gear set. The key aspect that elevates this prequel above its forebear is the extra focus on inventory customisation.The slightly uneven middle child of the trilogy still boasts excellent performance, myriad control options and a crisp soundscape that shines on Switch.

Fancy some magnets?Mario & Luigi: Brothership is out on the Switch this week and Nintendo is now offering fans some bonus goodies to celebrate its arrival.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Go on, tell us!Mario & Luigi: Brothership arrives later this week for Switch and it's been relatively well-received by critics so far with the game currently sitting on an aggregate score of 80 out of 100 on sites like Metacritic.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Switch Online will also be available on the "successor".Although Nintendo isn't ready to reveal the 'Switch 2' just yet, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed some big news during the latest corporate management policy briefing.Nintendo Switch software will be playable on this "successor" system. Along with this, it's also been confirmed Switch Online will be available on Nintendo's next-generation hardware. Here's the translated message shared on Nintendo's Japanese social accounts:Read the full article on nintendolife.com

But overall there has been a "decrease in membership" YoY.Nintendo's latest financials are in and there are all sorts of insights about the business. In terms of the Switch Online service, it's mostly positive news.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: Nintendo LifeNintendo's expansion into cinema is well underway and this week it's provided an update on what's to come. Its current plans for "visual content" are seemingly still on track.After the release of 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' in cinemas last year, the film has now been viewed by approximately 170 million people worldwide. As for what's to come, a "new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros." is still locked in for an April 2026 theatrical release.Then, this will at some point be followed by a "live-action film" based on The Legend of Zelda series. It's noted the team is still in the "planning and development" stage of this project, with the release currently down as '202X'. In other words, there is no proper date just yet, but it will presumably be some time after the second Mario movie and before the end of the decade.Image: NintendoNintendo originally locked in the release date for the next Mario movie on Mario Day. As for the live-action Zelda film, director Wes Ball mentioned earlier this year how work was underway but he couldn't really reveal anything just yet. In saying this, he's seemingly confident fans will be happy with the end product. Arriving in 2026It's a franchise close to his heart, like Star WarsAre you looking forward to Nintendo's upcoming Mario and Zelda movies? What other Nintendo series would you like to see adapted to cinema in the future? Let us know in the comments.[source nintendo.co.jp]Share:651 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesReview: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connected'Nintendo Music' Is A New Mobile App Exclusive To Switch Online MembersMusic to our earsSwitch Emulator Ryujinx Might Not Be Dead, Despite Nintendo's TakedownWe assume the ninjas are ready and waiting

Image: Nintendo LifeNintendo has experienced moments throughout its history where it's had to rely exclusively on first-party content to get by, but thankfully, things improved during the Switch generation - with many major third-party publishers showing their support for the hybrid device.This has been highlighted in the Japanese firm's latest financial results, with the company explaining how one of the major changes it's made this generation is the relationship it has with these "other" software publishers - noting how "significant improvements" have been made in terms of the "development environment and support for developers".Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube "Thanks to these efforts, our partnerships with software publishers are now stronger than ever."This was achieved by opening a 'Nintendo Developer Portal' - a dedicated site for developers and publishers to make it easy for creators to develop software on the Switch. Nintendo has also assisted third parties by providing "various middleware" - including commonly used game engines (like Unity and Unreal Engine) and "more affordable" developer kits.Images: NintendoAs a result, its partnerships with third parties have blossomed and are now "stronger than ever" - with the Switch receiving a wide range of releases from publishers like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Epic Games.Below is some information and a graphic highlighting the success of third-party physical sales on Nintendo Switch:"As a result, about half of the software units sold since the fiscal year ended March 2021 are titles released by other software publishers. This figure does not include the numerous download-only titles that have been released by software publishers. Sales of both first-party titles and those released by other software publishers continue to achieve high levels of sales."Image: NintendoThere's more to come as well, with slides in the latest presentation reconfirming a bunch of major third-party releases on the way to Switch in 2025. This includes games like Dragon Quest I&II HD-2D Remake, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Guilty Gear Strive and Atelier Yumia. In addition to this, Microsoft has also entered a 10-year commitment to bring the Call of Duty games to Nintendo platforms.This latest update follows a rumour claiming Nintendo would lean heavily on third-party support for the Switch in 2025. Xbox's Phil Spencer confirmsRemasters aplentySo expect it before the end of March 2025Do you play many third-party releases on Switch? What other third-party developers and publishers would you like to see on Nintendo platforms in the future? Let us know.[source nintendo.co.jp]See AlsoShare:412 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesReview: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thought'Nintendo Music' Is A New Mobile App Exclusive To Switch Online MembersMusic to our earsXenoblade Chronicles X Fans Are Once Again Discussing The Game's 'Censorship'Switch version is based on the Western original

In the Zone.Lauded on its original 2007 release, S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow Of Chornobyl dropped players into a stark world, filled with effective horror and precision combat. It spawned two sequels, both of which refined and improved on the model of their predecessor. Ukraine-based GSC Game Worlds Legends Of The Zone bundle squeezes all three expansive adventures onto Switch with modern optimisations and stable visual performance, although each title is also available as a standalone purchase. Its worth noting that this is the series' first time on consoles (with the PlayStation versions released back in March), which makes the competency of these ports all the more impressive.Taking inspiration from the 1971 Russian novel Roadside Picnic, Shadows Of Chornobyl is set in the irradiated wilderness of the Zone. Decades after repopulation efforts, a second Chornobyl disaster occurs, turning residents into mutated creatures and littering the countryside with deadly elemental anomalies. The haunting and oppressive atmosphere of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film adaptation Stalker, is prevalent throughout. The Zone always feels like an alien landscape, or a bad dream.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

With a physical release arriving too.Publisher Clear River Games and developer City Connection have today announced that the arcade shoot 'em up Under Defeat will be flying onto Switch on 5th December.Originally released in arcades in 2005 by G.rev, this shmup will see you taking to the skies to defend a world in all-out war. You'll take command of a heavily armoured 'copter and shoot down any foes unlucky enough to stumble into your path with Under Defeat's unique shot-tilting mechanic a way to take on enemies from all angles.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

It got a surprise release last week.The new smartphone app 'Nintendo Music' has been available for almost a week now and it appears we've already got the first update about how it's performing.According to Sensor Tower, this new app for "active" Switch Online subscribers is estimated to have been downloaded by 265,000 smartphone users within the first day and went on to surpass 1.2 million downloads in just four days. Around 40 percent of these app downloads were in the US and about 15 percent of the downloads were in Japan.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Still, 146 million ain't bad.Nintendo has released its six-month financial data for FY2025 Q1/Q2, revealing that the Switch family of systems has now topped a whopping 146.04 million units. The downside of this is that the console's momentum has undoubtedly slowed down, selling just 2.64 million more than the 143.42 reported in August this year (which, to be fair, is still pretty decent for a console of its age).The decrease year-on-year is a rather startling 31%. As such, Nintendo has revised its hardware forecast for the remainder of the financial year, decreasing previous estimates by 1 million to land at 12.5 million.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: NintendoNintendo has released its financial data for the six-month period of FY2025 Q1/Q2 and, as per the norm, has reconfirmed its upcoming line-up of software for the Nintendo Switch.Truth be told, it's not a bad list of titles considering the console's age. If Nintendo had shown us this a couple of years back, we'd collectively nod our heads in appreciation. Still, there's no doubt in our minds that the recent reveal of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition has bolstered what would have otherwise been a fairly slim line-up.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube Naturally, there are a couple of titles here that have still yet to receive a firm release date, but it's nice to know that we've got something to look forward to later in 2025. The first few months look fairly healthy, and of course, we know that a new console will also be revealed before the end of March. Good times, indeed.Mario & Luigi: Brothership - 7th November 2024Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer - 5th December 2024Donkey Kong Country Returns HD - 16th January 2025Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - 20th March 2025Pokmon Legends: Z-A - 2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - 2025Again, it's a surprisingly decent slate of games considering the Switch is now in its eighth year and we're all waiting for a reveal of Nintendo's new hardware.It's also possible that Nintendo will reveal more software titles in the coming weeks and months, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for any news on that front.What are you looking forward to most from the list above? Let us know in the poll below, and leave a comment with your thoughts on Nintendo's current game line-up.Which of Nintendo's upcoming first-party Switch games are you most looking forward to? (28 votes)Mario & Luigi: Brothership14%Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer4%Donkey Kong Country Returns HD11%Xenoblade Chronicles X: Defintive Edition18%Pokmon Legends: Z-A18%Metroid Prime 4: Beyond36%

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kTomb Raider I-III Remastered has done a great job reviving Lara Croft's original trilogy of games, and months after its release, Aspyr is still rolling out new updates for this collection.The latest one (Patch 4) is now available for all platforms and includes a bunch of fixes, changes and improvements for Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider 3. Here's the full rundown, courtesy of the official Aspyr support page:Update 4 - Pach Notes (4th November 2024)Patch 4 is available now for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered on all platforms!Full ChangelistSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube [TR1] Fixed a softlock that would occasionally occur in the Great PyramidFixed an issue with Inverted settings not working when holding the Look button in Tank ControlsFixed an issue where the Doppelganger limbs would stretch in the Atlantis LevelFixed an issue where audio would mute instead of pause when opening the inventoryFixed FMV stuttering on all consolesFixed an issue with subtitles disappearing before the VO was finishedFixed medi pack textures in the SD versionFixed various issues with localizations and achievement texts in some languagesVarious improvements to skyboxes (skybox in the level Highland Fling, rainbows in the India levels are now present)Fixed various issues with VFX most notably a transparency issue with flares and water not being visible from some angles[TR3] Various visual upgrades have been made to the Thames Wharf levelVarious changes have been made to background inventoryVarious improvements to aiming, turning, and sprinting when using modern controls.Reduced character head bobbing in cutscenesBoss health bars can now be toggled on or offPlayers can now sign up for The Society of Raiders via a QR code in the Main Menu underneath Tomb Raider IIIIn our review of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, we said this collection was the best way to rediscover this gaming idol, awarding it 8 out of 10 stars.Aspyr has also issued a reminder about Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, which will arrive next year. Pre-orders for this game are now available and it will launch on 14th February 2024. When old becomes newJust in time for Valentine's DayHave you tried out this latest update yet? Notice anything else? Leave a comment below.[source support.aspyr.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:50 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Confirmed For SwitchLanding March 2025Review: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedSwitch Emulator Ryujinx Might Not Be Dead, Despite Nintendo's TakedownWe assume the ninjas are ready and waiting

Image: AtlusFollowing its arrival in June, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has now received a free DLC update which adds a brand new demon, a new subquest and six new demon navigators.In case you missed the original announcement, the new navigators include Mara, Idun, Mothman, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Hell Biker and Cleopatra. It seems there are also some performance fixes. Here's the full rundown, courtesy of the official Atlus website:Shin Megami Tensei V - Version 1.0.3 (4th November 2024)Dear Shin Megami Tensei fans, thank you for playing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube783kWatch on YouTube Patch version 1.0.3 has been released and brings a new content update and minor bug fixes. Please see below for details:Content additionsSix new Demon Navigators have been added based on your community vote!Mara, Idun, Mothman, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Hell Biker, and Cleopatra have been added.These demons will appear at specific points in Daat and can accompany you as Demon Navigators when spoken to. Some Demon Navigators can only be unlocked by completing specific subquests.The subquest The Guardian of Light has been added.Daat: You can accept the sub-quest by speaking to Goko in Taito Ward.The brand-new demon, Marici of the Kishin race, has been added.Marici can be recruited and unlocked for fusion by completing the subquest The Guardian of Light.The Elite Virtual Trainers have been added.After completing certain subquests, you can take on a series of brutal battles against the powerful demons that appeared in those subquests by speaking to the female researcher in the terminal room at the Tokyo Diet Building.Bug FixesVarious text fixes.Various graphical fixes.Some fixes to English voiceover.Other performance-related fixes.Thank you again for your continued support, patience, and feedback!Image: Atlus Evidence of a new Remastered Collection has also been spottedAnother HEE-HOme RunHave you downloaded this new update yet? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.[source atlus.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Confirmed For SwitchLanding March 2025Review: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) - Easily The Best Mario & Luigi RPG YetGonna get yourself connectedSwitch Emulator Ryujinx Might Not Be Dead, Despite Nintendo's TakedownWe assume the ninjas are ready and waiting

@Bigmanfan None of the claims are substantiated actually. It's all hearsay with a single quote from a single person that articles parrot represent multiple people. And the only reason why anyone thinks he's involved with sexual misconduct is because Kotaku carelessly tied the complaints towards him to all the sexual harassment / rape allegations made after the initial Gbinigie allegations.There's also been no follow-through since other than Ancel's response to the initial Libration article, so take that as you will.You can think whatever you want about the situation just don't pretend there's some rock-solid case against him, because there isn't.