Sweet!We knew that some Splatfest themes would make a comeback once Nintendo announced that Splatoon 3's "regular updates" would come to an end, and next month we'll see just that!The 2023 chocolate-themed Splatfest will be the first theme returning to the Splatlands next month, with the battle of "What's your favourite chocolate?" getting underway from 8th to 9th February. Once again, Team Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate are all up for grabs, so expect to make your vote in the coming days.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: NintendoOver the weekend a post on Famiboards with images supposedly showing placeholder listings on Costco Canada's internal system has a Switch model listed for $499.99 CAD.The post from ProteusRidley (Note: content hidden for non-registered Famiboards users) includes two images supposedly showing the backend product listing and a printed point-of-sale sign misspelt as "NINTENDO SWITCH PALCE HOLDER". (Thanks, Notebookcheck.)The poster doesn't claim that this is definitely Switch 2-related, "but it may be. The price could also be a placeholder as well." They also say that in "five years of working here, I have never seen a place holder for anything."499 Canadian dollars converts to around 350 USD / 280 GBP at the time of writing, which would be on the lower end of analyst pricing predictions for Nintendo's upcoming hardware.However, various global factors at the moment mean that a direct exchange rate comparison isn't terribly helpful for determining the Switch 2 MSRP Nintendo might land on in different territories. For reference, the Switch OLED model currently retails for $449.99 CAD / $348.99 USD / 309.99 GBP respectively.Nintendo has made no official announcement regarding Switch 2 pricing, although following the publication of its quarterly financial reports last week, Nintendo president Shuntaru Furukawa stated in an investor Q&A that the firm was carefully considering consumer expectations with its Switch 2 pricing.Let us know below if this 500 CAD figure is in the ballpark you'd expect for the next Nintendo console. Though no official price will be revealed for nowMoney where your Meowth is$699 is the new $599[source famiboards.com, via notebookcheck.net]See AlsoShare:00 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 ArticlesEx-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Nintendo Talks About Future Switch Support Ahead Of Switch 2 Launch"We would like to continue releasing new titles"Mysterious Patent Hints At "Predictive Input" For Nintendo Switch 2Rollback netcode, but at a hardware level?Nintendo Is Developing New Mobile Game Apps, Unsurprisingly"Even as we transition to Nintendo Switch 2"

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube796kWatch on YouTube Nintendo has today added the soundtrack of Camelot's Game Boy Advance title Golden Sun to the Nintendo Music app.This latest addition to the Switch Online music service includes a total of 54 tracks and has a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. You'll be able to listen to songs like the main theme, battle theme, Mercury Lighthouse, the dungeon theme, and much more.Here's the full tracklist:Golden Sun - Game Boy AdvanceMain Theme (Title)Setting OffDungeon ThemeChance Meeting with Sworn EnemiesDefeated...The Passage of TimeVillage ThemeSol SanctumElemental StarsMount Aleph EruptsA Long JourneyBattleVictory!Wind AdeptsA New AllyCave ThemePalace ThemeAn Unsettling FeelingForest ThemeSinking into SorrowBattling a Powerful FoeLevel Up!Remote VillageMercury LighthouseSworn Enemies Stand in Your WayTown ThemeRecovering after CombatPoison CuredExorcisedCurse LiftedOvernight at the InnTemple ThemeDesert ThemePort-Town ThemeSet Sail on the Karagol SeaTolbiTry Your Luck!Lucky!Very Lucky!Super Lucky!Labyrinth ThemeThe Sleeping Treasure of Altmiller CaveBabi's ThemeColosseumColosseum FinalsTrial RoadTest Your SkillsBabi LighthouseVenus LighthouseBattle with Saturos & MenardiBattle with the Fusion DragonFelix's ResolveThe Broken Seal (Ending)To Be Continued...To listen to this music on the Nintendo Music app, you'll need to have an active Switch Online membership.This Game Boy Advance title is the second soundtrack to join this service since its launch, following on from Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. You can also play Golden Sun and its sequel via the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. A mobile music app exclusive to Switch Online membersMagic hands make light workEvery retro game available with an NSO sub (plus the Expansion Pack)You could say it's an AdeptWill you be listening to this latest Nintendo Music soundtrack? Do you have any fond memories of Golden Sun? Let us know in the comments.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 ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's GBA Library Next Week With Wario Land 4The perfect Valentine's Day giftF-Zero 99 Has Been Updated To Version 1.5.6, Here Are The Full Patch NotesDownload it todayNintendo Announces The First Tetris 99 Maximus Cup For 2025It's Donkey Kong!Switch Online's Missions & Rewards Adds Super Mario Kart Icons You Can "Get By Playing"Available until next month

Image: Nintendo Life / Bandai NamcoBig, bold characters. Comfortable story beats that deal with multiple worlds, gods, and the power of friendship. Confusingly titled battle systems. And colourful anime openings featuring J-pop songs. The Tales series has made a name for itself over the last 30 years for many different reasons, and it's why many myself included call it the comfort-food JRPG.Despite growing up with big names like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, I can pinpoint the exact moment I knew that RPGs were my genre: Tales of Symphonia's release on the GameCube. It was cheesy, over the top, full of heart, and exactly what I needed as I stood on the brink of my teenage years.This year the series celebrates its 30th anniversary as its first title Tales of Phantasia launched nearly three decades ago on 15th December 1995. Right now, there are 17 mainline ('mothership' you'll get used to the terminology) Tales games out there, and Bandai Namco is currently working on a 30th Anniversary Remastered Project the goal being to rerelease older entries on modern systems. Last month's Tales of Graces f Remastered is the first to bloom from that project.Images: Bandai NamcoThe Switch has seen two other rereleases Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, Tales of Symphonia Remastered (though you might want to skip that version) with a handful of other modern entries available on PC. But we're still missing multiple games, many of which are stuck in Japan, while the rest are relegated to older consoles.I'm confident we'll see more remasters on either Switch or Switch 2, so, looking back at 30 years of history, I've plucked out five (ish) games that I think we're likely to see next. No spin-offs or mobile games. f yeahTales of PhantasiaImage: Bandai NamcoNo Tales game has been rereleased more times than Tales of Phantasia. In Japan, you can get it for the Super Famicom, PS1, GBA, PSP, and cell phones. That would normally be a case against it getting another premium-priced port, but there's a very strong reason why I think this should be remastered.The only official English releases we got were the GBA port and an iOS version, which was famously free-to-play but required you to be connected to the internet and was stuffed egregiously with microtransactions. It shut down in 2014, to no one's surprise. The GBA version is the un-ideal way to play this.Despite all of these issues, I adore Tales of Phantasia. Its story focuses on time travel and environmentalism and features an extremely well-written antagonist. And I love Kosuke Fujishima's character designs (one of the series' regular character designers) they're incredibly simple, but give a slight twist on classic RPG classes like Medic, Mage, and Summoner.Images: Bandai NamcoThe combat is a little basic though that's hugely improved in those PS1 and PSP versions, the latter of which also features full voice acting. And if you've played Star Ocean: First Departure R, it's not going to feel that different.Simply put, the West deserves a good version of Phantasia. Bandai Namco could pull a Falcom and work with the people who created the fan translations. As long as we avoid the Kangaroo War translation debacle...Anyway, with the game's 30th anniversary coming up, this feels like a no-brainer.Tales of EterniaImage: Bandai NamcoAfter Phantasia, the Tales series jumped ship to the PlayStation until 2003's Tales of Symphonia. North America got its first taste of the series with Tales of Destiny, while Tales of Eternia (known as Tales of Destiny II unrelated to the actual Japan-exclusive Tales of Destiny 2) followed suit soon after.I think both PS1 games deserve rereleases, but Destiny's PS1 release hasn't exactly aged well in the gameplay department. The PS2 Director's Cut remake is the way to go there and my word does that look incredible.Eternia, though. This is the best 2D Tales game. Even 25 years after its release, it plays like a dream. The combat is excellent and every 2D game from here has evolved from Eternia's template. The cast and story are charming. Motoi Sakuraba's music is at its best here. It's essentially the perfect package and would be one of the easiest games to bring to Switch.Images: Bandai NamcoI'd 100% prefer a Tales of Destiny remaster second-hand copies of the PS1 game regularly go for over $100 and Eternia at least has a PSP version (the only way you can play it in Europe, and easily importable and region-free for North America). But updated skit portraits, no encounters, fast-forward all of these could benefit a new rerelease of one of the cosiest Tales games.Tales of the AbyssImage: Bandai NamcoIf it's a story-based RPG you're after, Tales of the Abyss is the best choice in this series. A grander, more mature narrative. A bigger, more diverse world. The ability to run around in full 3D in battle no more 2D planes and line-based constraints! I love Tales of the Abyss; it's my favourite game in the series by a mile.It's got wonky pacing issues and there's a lot of backtracking in the final hours, but its core story about free will, redemption, and individuality is beautifully handled. The main cast is a bunch of traumatised screw-ups some whose actions have shaped the world and narrative for the worst, while others have lived a lie of a life who are attempting to do right in their way. And Luke's transformation from spoilt brat to empathetic, caring person over the course of 50 hours is incredible. Just... bear with him for the first 10 or so.Images: Bandai NamcoBy today's standards, Tales of the Abyss can feel a bit dated. It doesn't help that the only version some of us can play (i.e. Europeans) is the 3DS one, but that's how I played it, and I still fell head over heels for this. The PS2 US release is better, but those long load times don't do it any favours.As a fan favourite, I think Abyss has a really good chance of getting a rerelease. If Vesperia and Graces two other fan picks can both get Switch remasters, I see no reason to skip over the best game in the series. Don't fight me.Tales of Xillia & Tales of Xillia 2Image: Nintendo LifeOf all five picks here, this is the one that's almost definitely making the jump to modern consoles and, likely Switch (and/or Switch 2) soon.I know I'm cheating here with two games, but Bandai Namco would be foolish not to package Xillia 1 & Xillia 2 together. Sure, it skipped it with Tales of Symphonia and Dawn of the New World on Switch which was previously bundled in the Chronicles version on PS3 and PC but with the Xillia games, both are part of the main series. Splitting hairs here.Xillia 1 feels incomplete and rushed without Xillia 2. Xillia 2 also has the best TP (Tech Points) based combat in the series, but you can't really play it without playing the first. There's too much narrative build-up and the relationships you form are vital to your enjoyment of the sequel.Images: Bandai NamcoPlus, the Xillia games represent a bit of a step forward for the series there are more open zones, crafting systems are expanded on from Graces, and there's no fixed camera angle when exploring the world. It's an important part of the series' legacy, no matter how you slice it.At the very least, Xillia 1 is probably a lock, as last summer retail listings popped up for a Remaster.Tales of AriseImage: Bandai NamcoThis is probably the biggest stretch of the bunch here, but c'mon, Tales of Arise is one of the most critically and commercially successful entries in the series. Bandai Namco would be silly not to put this on the Switch 2. Yeah, this one would probably skip the Switch.This is the most recent mainline Tales game released on consoles, and was lauded in particular for its battle mechanics. Linear Motion Battle System this is not. You can now run in full 3D without holding down any shoulder or trigger buttons. Healing spells now consume Cure Points, which are shared among the party. Swapping in and out characters during battle is easier than ever. And you have more options than previous Tales games. Oh, and everyone is fun to play as.Images: Bandai NamcoCombat isn't the only place Arise got an upgrade. The visuals are extremely polished, with a greater emphasis on environments. Skits now feature dynamic character models rather than animated portraits. It presents a clear break from past titles, but with one toe dipped in the series' history in a way that had a lot of long-time fans... debating.The game got some follow-up DLC in 2023, called Beyond the Dawn, but that was much less well-received. Still, if you bundle it in with the main game and rerelease it on Switch 2, people probably won't complain. Right?In reality, I'd love to see some of those Japan-only titles finally make their way to the West, like Innocence or Rebirth. But I think Bandai Namco will keep it safe to start with.Anyway, enough about what I think tell us what Tales game you'd like to see on Switch or Switch 2 next by voting in the poll below and leaving a comment.Which Tales game do you most want to see on Switch/Switch 2 next? (17 votes)Tales of Phantasia6%Tales of Destiny12%Tales of Eternia 0%Tales of Destiny 2 0%Tales of Rebirth 0%Tales of Legendia 0%Tales of the Abyss18%Tales of Innocence 0%Tales of Hearts 0%Tales of Xillia & Xillia 235%Tales of Zestiria 0%Tales of Berseria12%Tales of Arise12%One of the spin-offs6%Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 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 Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?""Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"Nintendo Talks About Future Switch Support Ahead Of Switch 2 Launch"We would like to continue releasing new titles"69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher

"More details will be shared soon".Lara Croft returns next week in Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered and it looks like a physical release could be on the way.Nintendo Everything recently asked Aspyr's Brand Manager Matthew Ray about the chances of a physical version and it seems there'll be an update "soon".Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kFollowing Civilization VII's advanced access launch, the team at Firaxis Games has acknowledged player feedback by identifying three key areas it will be focusing on in the immediate future - with a "development roadmap" to be shared as soon as possible.Players can expect the following to be addressed, including a patch update in March as well as improvements to multiplayer:1. Prioritizing UI Improvements: Our top priority is improving the UI. We need some time to digest all of your feedback, but some areas that we're already looking into include making UI interactions more intuitive, improving map readability, fixing areas of polish like formatting, and more. We're committed to getting this right, and will share more details as soon as we can.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube 2. Implementing Community-Requested Features: Several key features that we've seen you ask for will be included in upcoming patches as free updates, and we'll continue to work with the community to improve and add to the game. We're still working on exact timing, but can share the following items are being prioritized:- Adding Teams to multiplayer games so you can play cooperatively- Allowing full player counts in multiplayer in all three Ages through refinements to our Distant Lands system.- Allowing you to pick your starting and ending Age to allow for single or double Age games- Providing a wider variety of map types- Enabling city and religion names to be customized- Adding in hotseat multiplayer3. Rolling Out Quality-of-Life Updates in Patch 1.1.0 (Deploying in March): Work is already well underway on Patch 1.1.0, which includes fixes and adjustments that were already on our radar. This list includes quality-of-life UI adjustments, ongoing AI balance and improvement, adjustments to diplomacy and crises, plus additional bug fixes.In the same update on the official game website, the team mentions how it intends to support Civilization VII for "years to come" and player feedback remains critical to help the team grow and build the future of the latest entry and series.According to reviews of the PC version so far, Civilization VII is a mostly positive experience so far. The development team has also commented on the Switch 2, mentioning it loves what Nintendo is seemingly doing with the controllers. New entry launches this monthBut remain tight-lipped otherwiseCivilization VII is out this month on SwitchWill you be checking out this game when it lands on 11th February for Switch? Let us know in the comments.[source civilization.2k.com, via civilization.2k.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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?""Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"PlatinumGames Wipes Several Games From Its Website's PortfolioIncluding Star Fox Zero and 'Project G.G.'

Image: Nintendo LifeHello dearest pals, and welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl!Before we dive into this week's battle, let's see how things panned out last time. The lovely Jim took the opportunity to crank out a few LotR quotes with a look at the GBA version of The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. Unsurprisingly, the Western design absolutely crushed it with 90% of the vote. Sheesh... Normally Japan provides us with some rather tasty box art designs, but this one was a bit naff, right?This week, to celebrate the upcoming addition of Wario Land 4 to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (which, sadly, has the same box art design across all regions bar the added landscape orientation in Japan), we're going to be looking at the rather lovely GameCube entry titled Wario World.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube Developed by Treasure, of all teams, and released in 2004, Wario World took the series in a new direction that kind of, sort of worked. It was very much one of those "good, but not great" games, but it's certainly got its fans, including us.It's another Duel this week, and we've a feeling this will be quite a close one. The Western design is rather tasty, but we had no idea just how flashy the Japanese box art was. Ooof. The perfect Valentine's Day giftWish you weren't hereBe sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let's check out the box art designs themselves.North America / EuropeImage: Nintendo / LaunchboxAw, just look at that lovable oaf.Yes, here we can see Wario gleefully chucking a bunch of coins up in the air as he basks in the glory of his treasure haul. It's a simple, straightforward image, but an impactful one nonetheless, and we love how Wario's pose works in tandem with the game's logo too. Lovely stuff.JapanImage: Nintendo / LaunchboxJapan's approach simply couldn't be more different, and utilises a golden composition not entirely dissimilar to that of Super Mario All-Stars on the Wii. You've got Wario in the centre with the words "Powerful Wario Game 2004" surrounding his head, while the Wario World logo sits comfortably below.We love how the golden design extends to the GameCube logo at the top too.Which region got the best Wario World box art? (68 votes)North America / Europe53%Japan47%Thanks for voting! We'll see you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Opinion: With Forecasts Slashed (Again), Absolutely Everyone's Antsy For Switch 2 ASAPSobering sales, analyst angst, obvious answerTalking Point: Where Should 'Luigi's Mansion 4' Take Place?"M-M-M-Maaaaario?"Opinion: Miiverse Was Fine, But Does Anybody Really Want It Back In 2025?Stuck in Miiverse

Including updates and free DLC.The relatively new fighting game Blazing Strike made its debut on the Switch in October last year and publisher Aksys Games has now provided details on what's ahead for 2025.The plan is to release a "lobby/spectator patch" in "mid-February, this will be followed by a crossplay patch in the "coming months", the previously announced fighter known as Antonio Calavera is coming as free DLC "this Spring", and there'll also be a new challenger at some point this year.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kIn case you somehow missed it, Nintendo has confirmed the Switch Online service will carry over to the Switch 2.With this in mind, during Nintendo's latest financial results Q&A, company president Shuntaro Furukawa reiterated how the service will "continue to be available for Nintendo Switch 2" when asked for his thoughts on "future online strategy". He also mentioned how Nintendo will continue to "provide comprehensive services" to ensure users "enjoy their experience" with its hardware.Furukawa acknowledged the current membership count for Switch Online at the same time - noting how it's "not changed significantly from the 34 million as of last September", with subscriptions "stable" now that the holiday season is over.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube As for the recent "Switch Online: Playtest Program", which ended up leaking, the plan is to "leverage results and other learnings gained from this initiative in future Nintendo Switch Online services" but there are no announcements for this right now.The Switch Online service has so far been bolstered in 2025 with multiple retro game updates for SNES and N64 libraries, and next week sees the arrival of Wario Land 4 for the GBA collection on 14th February. Of course, the service also continues to allow subscribers to play with other users from around the globe, save data in the cloud, and receive special offers. The perfect Valentine's Day giftIt's Ridge Racer!Including a special Super Famicom release...How are you feeling about Nintendo Switch Online ahead of the Switch 2 launch? Will you be using the service on this new hardware? How would you like to see it evolve over the next generation? Vote in our poll and let us know in the comments.What would you rate the Switch Online service based on the past 12 months? (76 votes)10/10 - Outstanding11%9/10 - Excellent12%8/10 - Great22%7/10 - Good32%6/10 - Not Bad5%5/10 - Average11%4/10 - Poor3%3/10 - Bad 0%2/10 - Terrible 0%1/10 - Abysmal5%Do you have an active Switch Online membership? (77 votes)Yes (Switch Online)26%Yes (Switch Online + Expansion Pack)62%No12%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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"Don't Worry, Nintendo's Thinking About Affordability With Switch 2 PricingThough no official price will be revealed for now

Lean, green, and meanSo without further ado, lets set our Poltergusts strobe light to stun and get cracking, shall we?#1 Cruise ShipImage: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo LifeThe biggest potential issue with this one is that a cruise ship is effectively a floating hotel, so we worry it would simply rehash ideas seen in Luigi's Mansion 3.That said, there's a sense of isolation that only comes when you're stuck in the middle of the ocean, so we reckon Next Level could have fun with this. A huge cruise ship also has a whole bunch of unique areas, including its own waterpark, fitness centres, promenades, and crew decks.If a cruise ship wouldn't work, then an oil rig similar to Still Wakes the Deep might be an idea.#2 Isle DelfinoImage: NintendoA generic tropical island came to mind first, but when we imagined Isle Delfino corrupted by darkness (even more so than in Mario Sunshine) and teeming with ghosts, we just couldn't resist. It would make sense, too, since the F.L.U.D.D. (Flash Liquid Ultra Dousing Device), much like the Poltergust, was invented by Professor E. Gadd.The original game played around with the idea of manipulating elements, including water, so how awesome would it be if Luigi could quickly swap between the Poltergust and F.L.U.D.D. on the fly?You could also have levels set in core Mario Sunshine locations, such as Ricco Harbour, Bianco Hills, and perhaps most importantly, Pinna Park, ticking off the somewhat obvious choice of a haunted theme park for a new entry.#3 Bowser's CastleImage: NintendoCan we imagine a scenario in which Bowser, king of the Koopas, enlists the help of Mario's brother for a Castle-wide exorcism? Heck yeah, we can! Peach's Castle could be a potential contender, but honestly, this is much more interesting.We've seen Bowser's Castle featured many times over the years in various guises, but we've never really gotten a good sense of its scale and magnitude. What better way to showcase Bowser's home than to give us full access for Boo-busting purposes?The unlikely truce could also lead to some interesting interactions with classic villains like Iggy Koopa, King Bob-Bomb, and Bowser Jr.#4 VillageImage: Sony Interactive EntertainmentWhen floating the idea of potential settings, one of the first things we all agreed on was that the series probably needed to ditch the titular setting for something more ambitious.So, what about an entire haunted village? If you've ever played Medievil, we're thinking something along the lines of the 'Sleeping Village' level; a Lovecraftian location filled with intriguing houses, shops, parks, and spooky schools. Although we'd also be quite keen on a more picturesque, countryside village like those in Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy. "No luck catchin' them ghosts, then?"Moving to a location like this might necessitate evolving the 2.5D 'diorama' setup of the previous games into a full-on 3D explorative experience. We'd be absolutely fine with that.#5 Coconut MallImage: NintendoAh, curse you Dawn of the Dead for turning shopping malls into the perfect setting for horrific scenarios. We're only kidding, we love it.But yes, while Luigi's Mansion 3 had its own floor dedicated to hotel shops (in which it cleverly took inspiration from Resident Evil's classic locked-door / themed-key setup), a full-blown Coconut Mall loaded with unique stores and restaurants would be awesome to explore.You could extend it to the staff areas, including loading bays, big ol' industrial elevators, parking lots, and more. Granted, there's a danger here of limiting the potential environmental variety with a shopping mall, but if Dead Rising can do it, then so can Luigi's Mansion.#6 Space!Image: NintendoOkay, hear us out on this one. [But in space, no one can hear yoI'll see myself out. - Ed.]We're positive some people scoffed at the idea of Mario heading into space when Super Mario Galaxy was first announced, but why not let Luigi venture to the far reaches of the solar system?Perhaps he finds himself lost in a sprawling space station stalked by malfunctioning robots and horrifying ghosts of former astronauts. Anti-grav sections could force Luigi to use the Poltergust as a thruster pack and propel himself around.Plus, we'll take any opportunity we can get for Rosalina and Luma cameo!#7 New Donk CityImage: NintendoWhat's that? An entire village isn't quite ambitious enough? Well okay, let's go for New Donk City then.We're imagining a full-blown Ghostbusters-inspired scenario here with spectres roaming the streets, pink slime flowing through sewers, and a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man smashing his way through buildings. Okay, that might be a bit too similar, but you get the idea.Naturally, a city-wide emergency necessitates radically different means of traversal and exploration. Could Luigi have his own Ecto-1-style vehicle? Maybe E. Gadd could whip something up, or function as a taxi driver of sorts.Either way, done right, this could really elevate the series to a whole new level.#8 Super Nintendo WorldImage: NintendoWe mentioned Pinna Park in the Isle Delfino entry but what if Nintendo just went full meta and introduced a fictional, haunted version of its real-life Super Nintendo World theme park?It could have a similar opening to LM3 in which you explore the park during the day and allow those of us who haven't had a chance to visit in real life to get a feel for it. Then, night descends, ghosts rise out of the ground to take over Toadstool Caf and Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, and it's up to you to clean things up before guests arrive the next day.#9 Abandoned PrisonImage: KonamiNow, we're not thinking of anything quite as oppressive as Silent Hill 2's Toluca Prison, but we reckon an Alcatraz-inspired abandoned prison facility would be pretty awesome.You could even have some sort of time travel setup in which you rescue a younger version of E. Gadd from the confines of his cell. Doomed to a life of imprisonment for his Doc Brown-inspired whimsy, E. Gadd's ramblings about ghosts finally come true; but while the cowardly guards and inmates flee in terror, Luigi steps up to save the day.So those are our ideas for potential locations in a hypothetical Luigi's Mansion 4. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to hear about what Next Level Games has been working on. A new Luigi's Mansion would likely be targeted for the upcoming Switch 2, so we've got high hopes for a new entry.Now, the only thing left to ponder is which console Luigi will be using to communicate with E. Gadd. So far, he's had the Game Boy Horror, the DS (Dual Scream), and the Virtual Boo. A Switch Fright, perhaps?Where do you think Luigi's Mansion 4 should take place? (60 votes)Cruise Ship18%Isle Delfino18%Bowser's Castle7%Village22%Coconut Mall5%Space 0%New Donk City10%Super Nintendo World3%Abandoned Prison 0%Somewhere else (comment below!)17%Be sure to leave a comment down below on where you'd like Luigi's Mansion 4 to take place. If you have any ideas that we've not mentioned above, then we'd love to hear 'em.Related GamesSee Also

Our-PGSobering sales, analyst angst, obvious answerProbably. Possibly.Jim used Reminisce!Ollie Reynolds, Staff WriterI'm still tinkering around with Metroid at the moment. I'm jumping between Super Metroid and Metroid Prime Remastered. The more I play the former, the more convinced I am that its reputation as one of the very best SNES games is well-deserved. It's remarkable.Over on the PS5, meanwhile, I've hopped back into Hitman: World of Assassination. Now that's a game I can easily get lost in for hours on end. Replaying each mission over and over to either improve my rating or simply mess about invokes a sense of joy that few other games can match.Oh, and I'm also playing through Halo 3 on Legendary.Kate Gray, ContributorGuess who's going to Japan on Monday? That's right, this me! That means this weekend is largely taken up with packing and panicking, but also downloading games on my Switch and Steam Deck. I'm not sure which games, though.Should probably play through my backlog, but I have copies of Citizen Sleeper 1 and 2, so I think that's what I'll do!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube Oliver Revolta, ContributorTrying to make the most of the lull before the Switch 2, Ive gone into complete-unfinished-games overdrive.So this weekend, its time to complete the story and end my five-year love affair with Skyrim. The thing is, my in-world dog Barbas seems to be breaking the game. Hes distracting this dragon that I have to(OK no spoilers).I think the end is nigh once I can sort this dog out.Gonalo Lopes, ContributorTime for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom endgame. I will miss this entry; very clever dungeon design and using a mob of moblins to unleash heck on your foes never gets old. I think Im also near the finishing line for The Lord of The Ring: War in the North which I am enjoying quite a lot. Its back to Russia in Smugglers Run: Warzones but now everything is covered in a white mantle of Winter. Its not all couch gaming mind, good discipline means I recently blasted past day sixty in Fitness Boxing 3.Game of the week is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The first major update of the year dropped and a lot of new stuff has been added while a lot of old stuff has been tinkered with. But the most important thing of all is now readily available: Emotes! There are few thrills quite like extending your hand out for your nearest battle brother to shake on just as the Hive Tyrant is about to trample both.Put this game on Switch 2 please!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kGavin Lane, editorI've been getting back into Tears of the Kingdom the last week or so - there's still so much I left undone in that game. Beyond that, I'll be looking to polish off the excellent Arco and I need to sit down with Metal Gear Solid ahead of our next Catch-Up Crew.The recent wave of Metroidvanias has me eyeing my backlog, too. Is now the time to finally start Hollow Knight? Possibly, although I've got about 30 others to choose from.Have a good one, folks.That's what we have planned for the weekend, but what about you? Let us know in the following poll which games you're planning on booting up over the next couple of days.What are you playing this weekend (8th/9th February)? (19 votes)Trinity Trigger (Switch)1Related GamesSee Also

Image: NintendoThe Switch 2 is obviously the big focus for Nintendo moving forward, but one other area of business it plans to continue is mobile applications.During the company's Q&A for its latest financial earnings, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the company's "current position" when it comes to smart devices and the "plans for them going forward". Unsurprisingly, it's "continuing to develop new game applications" for mobile as it remains a "very important" touchpoint for consumers.Shuntaro Furukawa: "Although we cannot provide details on future application releases, we are continuing to develop new game applications... Going forward, even as we transition to Nintendo Switch 2, it remains important to increase touchpoints beyond video games. We believe that smart devices will take on a very important role in this endeavor, and we will continue to conduct research and implement initiatives. "Furukawa also mentioned how mobile apps have helped Nintendo access certain parts of the world it has not been able to reach with its 'dedicated video game platform business". It's also helped people around the globe connect with popular Nintendo "IP and characters"."Nintendo has released mobile apps in many parts of the world, including countries and regions we have not reached with our dedicated video game platform business. As of the end of September 2024, cumulative downloads of Nintendo apps exceeded 900 million (Total number of unique users for apps released so far by Nintendo.). I believe this has increased the opportunities for more people to access Nintendo IP and characters."Most recently, Nintendo launched the new paid title Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete in December last year. Apart from this, last October it rolled out the Nintendo Music app for Switch Online users. Pay it, keep itWahoo!A mobile music app exclusive to Switch Online membersHave you used any of Nintendo's mobile applications or games in recent times? What IP do you think it could perhaps adapt to smart devices? Let us know in the comments.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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"Don't Worry, Nintendo's Thinking About Affordability With Switch 2 PricingThough no official price will be revealed for now

"We would like to continue releasing new titles".Nintendo has already confirmed it will be supporting the Switch in 2025 with new software, but what is the plan for the system beyond this year?During the Q&A of Nintendo's latest financial results briefing, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged the balancing act shifting from one generation to another - mentioning how the Japanese firm would like to continue releasing new titles on the original system, but also noting how "crucial" exclusives are when it comes to new hardware.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

It's Donkey Kong!Nintendo's first release of the year was Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, so it's only fitting to make the first Tetris 99 Maximus Cup of 2025 the same theme.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Rumours point to a brand new whip-cracking game.Konami's beloved Castlevania series is back in the headlines at the moment season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne dropped on Netflix a few weeks ago (and, spoilers, it's very good). But the rumour mill is running, and it's pointing towards a brand new Castlevania game.Yesterday, Chinese-based journalist and GamesIndustry.biz contributor Daniel Camilo has heard from "reliable sources" that a brand new "AAA" Castlevania game will be revealed this year (along with a few other notable series). And Portuguese website GeekInOut has corroborated the rumours via its own sources "with knowledge of Konami's plans".Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Update: Now available in America.We've seen lots of life-sized Pokmon plushies over the years Larvesta, Lucario, Arcanine, multiple starter 'mons, and Spheal. So really, it was only a matter of time before Gardevoir joined the ranks, right?Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: Nintendo LifeOne of the biggest criticisms we, and indeed the Zelda community at large, had with Echoes of Wisdom was its awful UI design for the echoes.It's a rare blip in what is otherwise an exceptionally well-crafted Zelda title in which you're presented with a single row of echo abilities that simply widens further and further as you accumulate more during your playthrough.Locating the one you want is a needless exercise in patience, and although you can sort the echoes to gain quicker access to your favourites, many folks would actually rather pause the game entirely and use the main menu instead.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube So, in an effort to 'fix' Echoes of Wisdom's UI, YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit has taken to Unity to provide a few nifty alternatives.First up, an attempt is made to simply add a bit of acceleration to the existing UI, allowing you to locate your desired echo in a slightly speedier manner. If this isn't different enough, you might like the cross-media toolbar approach, as seen on the PS3. Here, enemies and items are categorised, letting you keep the horizontal bar, but have it splinter off into vertical sections.Next up, we have the option of a simple grid system with tabs/pages, before moving onto an elegant radial dial approach. This, however, would likely be limited to a 'favourites' function due to the sheer number of echoes available in the game.To alleviate this, then, a spiral design is offered up that's similar in approach to Ubisoft's Beyond Good and Evil. It's a cool alternative, and we kinda wish that Grezzo and Nintendo had gone with something like this. Or maybe we've just read too much Uzumaki.Regardless of which approach you personally prefer, we have to applaud Gamer Maker's Toolkit for taking the time to explore new options for Echoes of Wisdom's dire UI design. It's not going to be officially changed now, let's be honest, but you can at least try out these new options for yourself via itch.io.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795k "I got to experience Zelda all over again"It's gonna be a big oneWhat do you make of these alternative designs for Echoes of Wisdom's UI? Do you prefer any of them to Grezzo's original? Let us know with a comment.[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 ArticlesNintendo Shuts Down Live-Action Zelda Fan Film, 'Lost In Hyrule'"We want to thank everyone who believed in and supported this project"Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch cases"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo LifeIt probably says something about the system that the question 'y cant metroid crawl?' is one of the most memorable nostalgia nuggets from the Wii U era.Don't get me wrong - while the initial messaging was poor, the GamePad's killer apps never really arrived, and the system itself was slow and bulky, I still loved my Wii U. But with Nintendo spending the last eight years picking at its carcass and making its greatest hits accessible on 150 million more consoles, many memories made by the Wii U's faithful few are now muddled with the shinier 'Deluxe' versions.Thinking back on Wii U-exclusive recollections, it's Nintendo Land, Affordable Space Adventures, maybe ZombiU, the first (better) Super Mario Maker, and Miiverse that stick in the mind. And if you had to sum up the latter in one pic, it might be this one:A platform for the big questionsAhhh. You feel that? That's your nostalgia gland spurting. In fact, as Wii U approaches the last-last-gen threshold, I've noticed a general uptick in interest and affection - and that's great! It was a fun machine with brilliant games and interesting ideas, especially Miiverse. Simpler times, eh? Better times, even...Hang on, I'll stop you there. As the world disintegrates and our news feeds make us long for The Good Ol' Days, it's easy to pine for the quaintness and charm of Nintendo's social media experiment. The fun little Miis congregating around games on your plaza! The cute screenshots and innocence of the posts! The cool white and bright green look and the incredible artwork! Even the 'bad' posts were fun, right?Erm, no. Maybe the past decade has numbed us to it, but despite the charm, Miiverse was an undeniably clunky platform; a walled garden filled with horrid takes and a confusing mix of naive Nintendo fans, seasoned trolls, and kids dashing thoughts off without a second one.There have been rumours suggesting Nintendo wants to get social again with a new platform. It's been suggested that the mysterious 'C' button could link out to some new social hub, but wild talk of a TikTok-style platform called 'Vidmiio' has always had our collective eyebrows brushing the ceiling here at NL. Are we not social enough already? Do people not remember what happened the last time? You think Nintendo wants that again!?Image: Nintendo LifeWhile watching some old videos on the topic, I came across the lovely Alex-from-Nintendo-Life discussing Miiverse on the cusp of its demise. Though he highlighted its community of artists as a particular highlight, he generally didn't get much out of the platform beyond that. Asking around the NL office for Miiverse thoughts, beyond a wistful, faraway look, the service doesn't factor massively into our memories."I genuinely dont think I ever used it," came one response. "Useless, but charming," was another, referring to Wii's fun lineup of 'channels' in the same breath. "Wii Weather Channel was the bomb." Indeed it was, but in 2025 it's not something we're gagging to see make a return on Switch, and Miiverse falls into the same category.Maybe we were all a bit too old for it. Perhaps that walled garden was a safe space for a younger generation to express themselves, interacting and exploring a platform that, though policed by Nintendo, still managed to surprise and shock on occasion.Here's a reminder of Miiverse's look and feel that Alex whipped up... nine years ago? Hello there, old people! Probably. Possibly.Would Miiverse have shut down if Wii U had been a blistering success? It was on 3DS too, remember, so it's not just a case of Wii U underperforming. Miiverse was also tied into the old Nintendo Network ID system, but that could have been funnelled into the current Nintendo Account setup with some effort. The fact is, though, that it simply wasn't worth pursuing from Nintendo's perspective.Looking back, the vague, wishy-washy goal for the service and the stated reason it shut down doesn't give us a huge amount to go on:We started the Miiverse service in 2012 along with the launch of the Wii U system because we wanted to provide a space where users could share their feelings about games with each other. Thanks to users' support throughout the years, we think we were able to achieve that goal. We decided to end the service at this time because, among other reasons, many users are shifting to social networking services.The mainstream social shift to Twitter and other sites in the mid-2010s was definitely a factor, although "among other reasons" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.Moderation apparently caught Nintendo off guard (see also Swapnote) and having dipped its its toe in the social pool, the platform holder soon realised it just wasn't worth the intense effort required to keep things family-friendly, something that's critical to its brand. By 2017 there were loads of places to "share feelings about games" - places where Nintendo didn't have to remove the constant D pics.If Wii U had enjoyed Wii or Switch levels of success, I still don't think Miiverse would have survived any longer than it did. Ironically, Wii U's reduced audience was a blessing in disguise for this social experiment. Can you imagine the hours and resources that moderating the posts of 100 million+ users would have sucked up?Now there's something we'd like to see make a comeback! Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeWhen people lament Miiverse's demise, I see it more as a desire to recapture the innocence and novelty of Nintendo's off-the-wall social approach in a world where cynicism can feel like the only tool you've got against the downright terrifying doomscroll. These days it's hard to see anything but two choices: stick your head in the sand, blanking and blocking anything negative in the name of self-preservation (and at the risk of appearing frivolous or ignorant); alternatively, get involved in the daily discourse, which inevitably devolves into knee-jerk snark, ill-informed takes, accusations and awfulness. No wonder people are longing for the Nintendo difference!Of the things sacrificed in the move to Switch, it's StreetPass that we really want brought back - a feature that encouraged interaction, cooperation, and getting out of the house with video games in your pocket. StreetPass reinforced the Nintendo difference in such positive ways. But while we can look back on the olden times with a nostalgic tear and enjoy memories of memes so viral that even Nintendo referenced them, Miiverse is best left in the past.Looking through old videos as I wrote this up, I came across the top comment on Alex's video below. @gavin2601 (a well-designated individual, for sure, but not me) summed it up perfectly as something to be remembered and learned from... but not repeated."Miiverse was the most beautiful mistake Nintendo has ever made."Would you like to see Miiverse make a comeback on Switch 2? (43 votes)Absolutely! Miiverse was incredible!40%I guess it could be fun, with refinements30%I don't care one way or the other tbh5%Miiverse? No. But some spin on it, maybe?9%Er, probably not12%Absolutely not! Jeez, are you mad?5%Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795k Your guide to the greatest Wii U gamesA complete guide to Switch 2 - confirmed details, rumours, leak historySee AlsoShare:00 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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kCape Cosmic, the developer behind the fabulous Phoenotopia: Awakening, has announced its next project Star Iliad, a Metroidvania set inside a star whale. And, par the course, the pixel art looks gorgeous. Platforms have yet to be announced yet.In a blog post on the developer's tumblr, Cape Cosmic reveals that its new game leans much closer to a Metroid game rather than Phoenotopia's Zelda-esque trappings. The map is much larger, with the devs promising 40 hours of gameplay, and guns are your weapon of choice.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube While the map gets bigger, the story gets more focused you are Blythe Braves, who responds to a distress signal, which takes her to a rock formation shaped like a whale. Unfortunately, her ship is destroyed by aliens, and she's left with a bunch of other castaways to try and escape this unusual star whale.Here's a rundown of what to expect from the game's Steam page, along with some lovely-looking screenshots:Game Features:- A Tale of Mystery and Wonder : Immerse yourself in a single-player journey where narrative, intrigue, and romance intertwine. -Dynamic Communication System : Engage with a charismatic cast of characters using a codec-inspired system. Forge new bonds and deepen your connection to uncover their stories. -Spell-Powered Combat and Puzzles : Master 40 unique spells to combat foes and unravel puzzles. Transform with the flame cloak, shatter with missile spells, and pierce with magnum shells. -Deep Suit Customization System : Tailor your abilities with a comprehensive computer chip system featuring over 30 unique chips, each altering your capabilities in unique ways. -Spell Gun Evolution : Hunt for more than 50 gun shards to craft and customize a powerful spell gun that suits your playstyle -Vast Enemy Variety : Face off against over 150 distinct enemy types and engage in over 25 epic boss battles. -A Living, Colossal Microcosmic World : Explore over 20 awe-inspiring biomes within the Star Whale, from storm-lashed peaks to fiery stomach pools, each teeming with secrets to uncover. -An Epic Original Soundtrack - Enjoy over 50 songs featuring a fusion of synth and orchestral elementsfrom storytelling symphonic pieces and energizing rock to melodic folk and adventurous synth. -Achievements and Replayability: Earn over 30 badges through an in-depth achievement system, encouraging exploration, challenge, and replayability. -An Expansive Campaign: Dive into a campaign estimated to deliver over 40 hours of gameplay, with even more for completionists.Images: Cape CosmicBelow the announcement, Cape Cosmic also thanks fans for reaching out over the studio's previous game. Admitting that Phoenotopia was not a "strong seller", it's not "as bleak as I previously believed", with a small group of dedicated fans and steady income keeping the studio funded, along with family support.As a result of this, and good word of mouth, the team has managed to "stay afloat" and start working on its next project. We're extremely glad! And if you want to keep up with Star Iliad development, you can follow the dev log.We hope Star Iliad comes to Switch (or Switch 2) in the future, but for now, only Steam has been confirmed. We're pretty hopeful, and since we loved Phoenotopia, we would love to get our hands on this.Let us know what you think of Star Iliad in the comments. Almost phoenomenal[source tumblr.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 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 Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch cases"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"PlatinumGames Wipes Several Games From Its Website's PortfolioIncluding Star Fox Zero and 'Project G.G.'

The Switch version is fine, though.Hideki Kamiya has stated on social media that he would rather players not experience Okami via the 2008 Wii port (thanks, Automaton).Originally released on PS2 back in 2006, Okami's move to the Wii was handled by the now-defunct American studio, Ready at Dawn. When creator Kamiya was approached by a fan and mistakenly asked whether it's recommended they start with the Wii original, Kamiya responded to clarify that the PS2 version is the true OG.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Ah-woooooo!Publisher Pqube and PixelHeart, alongside developer Migami Games, have revealed that their new metroidvania Chronicles of the Wolf will be launching on Switch this Summer.This one looks like it will appeal specifically to Castlevania fans, and seems to be taking quite a few cues from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. You've got day/night cycles, merchants, allies, and of course, lots of beasts to slay. In another nod to Castlevania, it's also been confirmed that Robert Belgrade, famous for his role as Alucard in Symphony of the Night, will be providing narration duties.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)On Western shores last yast year, Falcom started a fresh arc in its long-running flagship franchise with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak, breathing new life into the series while offering a great jump-in point for newcomers looking for a place to start. With the overall Trails series rapidly nearing the conclusion of the epic story its been building up for the last couple of decades, Falcom has now released The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II, allegedly the final release in this arc. This sophomore outing for Van and crew feels a little more uneven than its predecessor, but is ultimately a worthwhile new entry.The plot picks up not too long after the previous game, starting once again with protagonist Van Arkride taking a midday nap on the couch in his office. Hes soon visited by his old friend Elaine from the Bracer Guild, who alerts him to reports of a new serial killer on the loose in Calvard. As the local Spriggan (a sort of private investigator), this would already be in Vans wheelhouse, but theres an additional detail that raises the stakes: the killer somehow has their own Grendel form, which was previously thought to be unique to Van. The two thus set out on the trail (heh) to track down the killer.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Suffice it to say, this is only the setup and a lot more happens later that expands the scope considerably and notably involves time-travel shenanigans. Although we still enjoyed the narrative, particularly the depth of the characterisation, it does feel a little more oddly paced than its predecessor and relies too much on the time travel elements to give the protagonists a do-over almost anytime something goes wrong.And while this isnt necessarily a bad thing, important characters and plotlines from previous Trails releases feature here, which takes away from the nicely self-contained and more newcomer-friendly approach of the previous entry. Even given the contributions of the older cast members, longtime fans of the franchise may also be frustrated by the lack of progression for the overarching series plotin many ways, this is very much a bottle episode or side story that doesnt do much to alter the status quo.Considering that the end of the Trails series as a whole is quickly coming into sight, it can feel a little disappointing to play through a release thats content to idle in place instead of answering some longstanding questions.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Combat follows an expanded version of the system introduced with the previous entry, smartly mixing both live-action and turn-based elements. When you first encounter enemies in the field, you can opt to simply beat the tar out of them with your weapon of choice, and new additions like quick-fire arts and cross attacks with other party members give you a few other options. Still, this action combat is less of a focus than the turn-based system, which you can always trigger with the tap of a button.Once in turn-based mode, things unfold more like youd expect out of a typical Trails game, with plenty of tactical options to demolish your foes. A redesigned timeline at the top of the screen details things like who moves next or how long a given abilitys cast time will take, and each character has a variety of Arts and Crafts to take advantage of elemental weaknesses and debuffs.Positioning really matters here, so when a character takes their turn, they can move freely within a set range to evade attacks enemies are winding up for while setting up their own counterattacks that can garner bonuses for being inflicted from the side or behind.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Due to its depth, combat is the highlight here, though the 'action' side could have a little more meat to it. The new additions certainly help to flesh it out, but it doesn't feel like a viable alternative to the turn-based combat for anything stronger than the common trash mob. Even if it clearly isnt meant as the primary means of combat, we wouldve liked a little more effort put into making it more engaging; the current system is still awkward and we found ourselves using it less over time as its shallowness became more apparent.One area in which youll get plenty of opportunity to put this system through its paces is a new side mode called the Marchen Garten, a procedurally-generated dungeon that takes after the True Reverie Corridor from Trails into Reverie.Here, youre tasked with taking a party of any four unlocked characters and working your way through floors with randomised objectives, such as breaking a certain number of objects or defeating specific enemies, that culminate in a tough boss fight. Good performance gives you extra cracks at an in-game gacha with rewards like new cosmetics and, importantly, upgrades for crafts and S-crafts.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)We appreciate what Marchen Garten is going fora side mode like this feels like it absolutely belongs in a Trails gamebut the execution is lacklustre. It doesnt take very long for the repetitive nature to make progression feel like a grindy slog, and the rewards youre often given for your troubles rarely feel like they justify the effort to get them. Sure, its good for grinding your characters into peak shape, but theres a lingering sense of 'missed opportunity'. Marchen Garten feels like padding not inherently bad, but hopefully Falcom will keep iterating on what it was trying here for future games.Apart from the combat and the core gameplay loop, there are also a variety of fun minigames and side activities to engage in as a sort of palate cleanser. Things like a hacking minigame with Mare for opening special chests or a fishing minigame anywhere theres running water help to break up the gameplay loop a bit and introduce some fun distractions that can also net you some tasty rewards. While none of these minigames overstay their welcome and theyre rarely forced upon you as part of the core progression, we appreciated what they added.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Visually, Trails Through Daybreak II borrows a lot of assets from its predecessor, but there are some improvements evident in the generally smoother and flashier battle animations. And though the environments and models overall look decent (if a bit simplistic), this entry falls into the same pit of having text thats way too small for the Switchs portable screen, to the extent that certain letters will simply not display properly. Considering how heavily it relies on lengthy, text-heavy cutscenes and detailed tinkering with character loadouts, wed advise those of you with poorer eyesight to play primarily with the Switch docked.That said, even if the text clearly isnt optimised well for the Switch, the underlying game engine still runs cleanly on the humble hardware. Frame drops were minimal and mostly unnoticeable in our experience, while load times are kept to a minimum and are reasonable when they occur.As for the music, Trails Through Daybreak II features a welcome mixture of the expected bombastic rock tracks with more downbeat jazz and funk tunes that help to give things more atmosphere. Its not a soundtrack that demands a thorough listen in the same way that some of the best Persona OSTs do, but overall its tough to be disappointed by the variety and quality that the composers delivered here.ConclusionTrails Through Daybreak II doesnt feel nearly as refreshing as its predecessor, but its still a solid entry in the long-running series that ticks the necessary boxes (legible text aside). Though its story isnt all that exceptional, the combat is as rewarding as ever and new gameplay features like the Marchen Garten help to make this feel distinct and worthwhile. And while we wouldnt necessarily suggest that this is a great starting point for newcomers, series fans will find lots to love here, even if it wont be topping many lists as a series favourite.Combat gets a nice upgradeEffective characterisation in the central plotMinigames help diversify the gameplay experience a bitRebalanced turn-based combat offers more challengeTime travel gimmicks take more than they give to the plotAction combat can still feel rather anaemicTiny text, stillGood 7/10 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.

Image: Nintendo LifeA new patent from Nintendo was recently made public which seems to confirm that, yes, the upcoming Switch 2 will indeed feature mouse support. Phew.However, upon digging into the patent a bit more, we discovered a couple of additional nuggets that might be of some interest. Namely, it appears that Nintendo has showcased what looks to be a Joy-Con for the original Switch with the additional optical sensor on the side (alongside that extra 'C' button below the Home button, by the way don't ask us why it's missing on the left image below).Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube It's easily missed because they look so similar at first glance, but putting two images of the Switch 2 Joy-Con and the original Joy-Con side-by-side, you can see that the latter sports the original rail system for the Switch, not the new magnetic system boasted by the successor.Images: Nintendo, NintendoImage: NintendoSee the difference? Now, it's likely that Nintendo is simply covering all bases with its patent and we think it's probably unlikely that the company will come out with new Joy-Con controllers for a console nearly in its ninth year.However slim, mind you, it's still a possibility and a wild one, at that.The other thing we noticed is what looks to be a completely different controller utilising the mouse functionality. It could well be that this is merely a prototype design to showcase the technology, but we think it's interesting that Nintendo would go out of its way to include it in the document.Furthermore, Nintendo refers to the new Switch 2 Joy-Con as the "first embodiment" of the input device, the mysterious new controller as the "second embodiment", and the original rail-system Joy-Con as the "third embodiment", suggesting that, yes, these are indeed separate devices.Images: NintendoAs we'd mentioned earlier, it's entirely possible that nothing will come of these images and that Nintendo is simply making sure that it's covered all possible bases. It's fascinating, however, that the company is looking into the viability of mouse-support on the original Switch.We can't imagine it would be comfortable, mind you. Those things are way too small. SqueakerRollback netcode, but at a hardware level?A complete guide to Switch 2 - official details, rumours, leak historyWhat do you make of all this? Could Nintendo really release a new Joy-Con for the OG Switch with added mouse support? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below.[source patentscope.wipo.int]See AlsoShare:02 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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherEx-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch cases"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

Image: Square EnixSquare Enix has released its latest financial update looking at the nine-month period ending 31st December 2024 in FY2025.Overall, although net sales and operating income are down YoY for the wider business, the company has hailed Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake as a success, stating that operating income in its digital entertainment sector is slightly up "due to stronger sales of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake than initial assumptions".Meanwhile, Square Enix has also highlighted its latest expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, titled Dawntrail, stating that it too has helped contribute to the overall operating income.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube On the other side of the spectrum, however, mobile and PC browser games including Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, Emberstoria, and Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, have effectively tanked, leading to a drop in net sales from 78.0 billion to 56.3 billion.Here's a quick look at the current financial stats for Square Enix:- Net Sales: 248.5 billion (-3.5%)- Operating Income: 33.3 billion (-4.4%)- Ordinary Income: 37.7 billion (-7.7%)- Profit Attributable to Owners of Parent: 24.7 (-7.7%)Back in December 2024, Square Enix confirmed that 2 million units of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake had been shipped and downloaded. Hopefully not for long, thoughIncluding music from the 1996 SNES versionThis seems like a good omen for future Dragon Quest titles, right? What do you make of this though? Let us know with a comment down below.[source hd.square-enix.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

Image: SEGAIn some surprise news in the land of Puyo Puyo, it's today been announced the Switch eShop release Puyo Puyo Champions will be getting a hard copy here in the west.Pre-orders for this new physical release will be distributed by Limited Run Games, with orders opening on Valentine's Day (14th February) and closing on 17th March. There's the standard edition for $34.99 USD (or your regional equivalent) or the Classic Edition featuring a game case, double-sided poster and soundtrack for $64.99 USD.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube The estimated shipping date of the standard edition of Puyo Puyo Champions is 24th - 31st July 2025.Image: SEGAWhen this game first dropped locally on the Switch in 2019, we called it a "fine puzzler" even if it was missing some content - awarding it seven out of ten stars:"Puyo Puyo Champions ably covers the essentials of the series at a great price point. The inclusion of the Fever ruleset provides something of interest for veteran players and the most enthusiastic of new fans created by Puyo Puyo Tetris, and should be at least considered for any party game library. However, the lack of other single or multiplayer modes or a real tutorial make this less of a definitive entry-point or second helping for newly created casual fans than it perhaps could be."And if you don't want to wait for a physical release, this game is currently on sale on the eShop for just $1.99 USD. It's normally priced at $9.99 / 7.99. No time for losers?Will you be adding this one to your physical library? Let us know in the comments.[source limitedrungames.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 Articles69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March

"Were very sorry to have let you down".Sega and Sports Interactive have officially cancelled Football Manager 25 after extensive internal discussion and careful consideration.Sports Interactive says it's "very sorry" to have let down fans and will now shift its focus to the next annual release. The reasoning behind this decision, although it's not specifically mentioned, seems to be the transition to the new game engine. It was planned to be the "biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation" laying the foundations for a new era.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: SEGAIn some surprise news in the land of Puyo Puyo, it's today been announced the Switch eShop release Puyo Puyo Champions will be getting a hard copy here in the west.Pre-orders for this new physical release will be distributed by Limited Run Games, with orders opening on Valentine's Day (14th February) and closing on 17th March. There's the standard edition for $34.99 USD (or your regional equivalent) or the Classic Edition featuring a game case, double-sided poster and soundtrack for $64.99 USD.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube The estimated shipping date of the standard edition of Puyo Puyo Champions is 24th - 31st July 2025.Image: SEGAWhen this game first dropped locally on the Switch in 2019, we called it a "fine puzzler" even if it was missing some content - awarding it seven out of ten stars:"Puyo Puyo Champions ably covers the essentials of the series at a great price point. The inclusion of the Fever ruleset provides something of interest for veteran players and the most enthusiastic of new fans created by Puyo Puyo Tetris, and should be at least considered for any party game library. However, the lack of other single or multiplayer modes or a real tutorial make this less of a definitive entry-point or second helping for newly created casual fans than it perhaps could be."And if you don't want to wait for a physical release, this game is currently on sale on the eShop for just $1.99 USD. It's normally priced at $9.99 / 7.99. No time for losers?Will you be adding this one to your physical library? Let us know in the comments.[source limitedrungames.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 Articles69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kMultiple third-party video game giants have commented on the Switch 2 since its official announcement, and now Take-Two Interactive has voiced its support.During a call with investors, the company's CEO Strauss Zelnick referenced Take-Two's "long-standing relationship with Nintendo" and while there's "nothing specific to report" at this stage, it sounds very promising as we get closer to the release of the next-generation hybrid hardware:Strauss Zelnick: Weve had a longstanding relationship with Nintendo and weve supported the platform when it made sense for the individual release. There was a time when Nintendo platforms were really geared at younger audiences and that was reflected in our release schedule. Now with today Switch and potentially Switch 2, the Switch device can support any audience. As you may have noticed, Civilization 7 is now available on Switch. While we have nothing specific to report, we actually would fully expect to support Switch.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube As referenced, Civilization VII launches this month on the Switch - so this appears to be enough evidence of Take-Two's ongoing support of Nintendo's platforms.Take-Two is also the same company behind Rockstar (Grand Theft Auto), 2K (Borderlands), and the mobile developer Zynga (Star Wars: Hunters). Apart from Civilization, during the Switch generation we've seen titles like the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy and the Borderlands Legendary Collection.According to Take-Two's latest update, GTA VI is also still on track for a Fall 2025 release. These comments from Strauss Zelnick follow EA's CEO Andrew Wilson voicing support for Nintendo's upcoming system. But remain tight-lipped otherwiseNew entry launches this month"It gives us the ability to access and acquire new players"Push SquareTake-Two confident GTA 6 will launch this yearWhat games from Take-Two's library would you like to see on Nintendo's Switch successor? Let us know in the comments.[source nintendoeverything.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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch cases"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"PlatinumGames Wipes Several Games From Its Website's PortfolioIncluding Star Fox Zero and 'Project G.G.'

Image: iicon, ESAIn some industry news, the Entertainment Software Association (which operated E3) has this week announced it will be returning with a new event known as the Interactive Innovation Conference.This will apparently be a "first-of-its-kind" event taking place in Las Vegas between April 27th - April 30th, 2026 connecting "visionaries, thought leaders and innovators" from across industries within interactive entertainment. The plan is to also bring together a "broad spectrum of sectors that converge with interactive entertainment". This includes "film, television and music, as well as sports, healthcare, education, finance" and more.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube Attendees can expect to "learn from and engage with industry icons" from major companies including Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros. Games, Amazon Games, and Disney.Here's what the ESA's Chairman of the Board (and NoA president) Doug Bowser had to say about this announcement:The Entertainment Software Association and its member companies are among the innovators and leaders shaping the future of culture, business and human connection. Its a natural role for ESA to host and support an event that fosters an open exchange of new ideas with our peer industry leaders. iicon is bringing together changemakers from across industries to envision how the strengths of the interactive entertainment industry can break entirely new ground.'iicon' as it's abbreviated, will supposedly be the "premier summit for discovering new opportunities powered by the industry and its technology". There are more details about this upcoming event on the iicon website including the ability to sign up for future updates. Yep, it's deadWhat are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments.[source theesa.com, via gamedeveloper.com]See 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 ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherEx-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?""Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

The perfect Valentine's Day gift.Nintendo's been pretty consistent so far this year with the Switch Online game updates, and joining the service next week is the Game Boy Advance title Wario Land 4.This title originally made its debut on the handheld platform in 2001 and follows on from the first three games as well as the Virtual Boy entry. You can see this game in action via the Switch Online service in the trailer above. Here's the official description:Read the full article on nintendolife.com