Author: sick skills

It might not have been the biggest surprise out there (thanks, leaks), but yesterday’s Direct brought with it the news that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake is real, and it’s launching at some point this year.

The 1-minute 36-second reveal trailer gave us very little to go on in terms of what the remake will bring to the table. The visuals on that tapestry certainly look detailed, there’s a voiced narration (a hint of full voice acting, maybe?), and Link’s design is… different.

It sure is something, but is it what we really want? Naturally, the Hero of Hyrule’s big reveal has been a divisive one.

Most of us here at Nintendo Life Towers seem to sit in a vague middle ground. “A bit shiny — pink and elf-y — but fine from what we’ve seen,” says Gavin. “I think it’s noteworthy that Nintendo has once again adopted the dark, realistic style that (some) fans have been constantly wishing for since Space World 2000,” says Ollie. “It’s way to early to judge, but I do like the idea of Nintendo trying a realistic art style across its N64 remakes,” Matt chimed in, “I’m super keen to see how the rest of the game comes across as a result”.

But things were a little more negative elsewhere. On the one hand, we’re excited for the added level of detail. On the other, it looks a little ‘I remade Ocarina of Time in Unreal Engine 5’, doesn’t it – something that was on my mind recently when I went hands-on with Ubisoft’s upcoming Rayman Legends remake. Former editor of The Verge Nick Statt thought the same of this Link:

“Those few seconds of footage show a clean, polished, realistic, and utterly dull version of Link that doesn’t seem to convey any of the visual identity the series is known for,” wrote NL contributor Nathan Ellingsworth for GameSpot.

What we really need is a good side-by-side comparison, so below, we’ve done just that. Assuming that the Link from the remake reveal trailer is the one found in the game’s opening cutscene — we’ve seen and know so little at this stage — we’ve taken the same moment from both the N64 original and its 3DS counterpart, for the fairest point of comparison.

(And yes, we know that we’ve only had the briefest of glimpses at the Switch 2 design so far. A proper look at this 2026 game will be coming soon enough, but what can we say? We’re excited!)

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Three rather different looks, no? Which is your favourite? You can let us know in the following poll.

Which Ocarina of Time Link design is your favourite? (485 votes)

1. 

   N6418%

2. 

   3DS36%

3. 

   Switch 246%

Nintendo has released a new infographic showcasing every major game featured in its latest Direct.

We understand that there were some concerns around the pacing and content of the recent showcase, but damn, when you look at the full line-up here, it’s hard to argue with the sheer quantity and quality.

The highlight, of course, is the Ocarina of Time remake, but then we’ve also got Xenoblade Genesis coming in 2027, a new Fire Emblem later this year, the grand return of WuHu Island in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and more.

That’s just first-party, too. Third-party games included a new HD-2D title with Final Fantasy Resonance, the much-anticipated Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the reintroduction of Kingdom Hearts 4, and – again – much more.

So let’s take a look at the full line-up:

Which games from the latest Direct do you plan on picking up? Let us know with a comment down below.

In what might be one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Summer Game Fest showcase, Alien: Isolation 2 was confirmed for the Switch 2, expanding upon what is easily one of the finest survival horror games of all time with a full-fat sequel.

It’s still a ways off at this point, but some outlets have been lucky enough to go hands on with an early build of the game, jumping headfirst in the opening prologue section in which you play as a character called Blake – that’s right, not Amanda Ripley.

General consensus at the moment seems to be that this is a familiar experience that retains much of what made the original so great, so let’s check out some early impressions. We’ll start with IGN, who you might remember gave the original game quite a damning review back in the day…

IGN – “It’s unsurprising that this short demo was able to so successfully capture the spirit of the original – Alien: Isolation 2 is, after all, helmed by the same director, built by many of the same people, and its prologue specifically designed as a bridge between the two projects. And so it’s convinced me that it’s at least in the right hands. But I’m now more eager than ever to see how this against-the-odds sequel will build upon its predecessor.”

Kotaku – “What I played of Alien: Isolation 2 indicated that it’s a relentless horror game that refuses to let you get comfortable as you crouch behind anything that might, for even a second, obscure you from the creature’s line of sight. It’s a constant game of trial and error in which the odds are stacked against you because you can’t kill this monster, but it only has to catch the slightest whiff of you to bite your head off.”

Nintendo World Report – “If you weren’t a fan of Alien: Isolation, it’s likely that the sequel won’t be winning you over. But if you adored the original like we did, we’re happy to report at first glance this is more of the same. For us, that’s certainly a cause for celebration. Now, if we could just find out what happened to Amanda Ripley…”

Polygon – “That small taste of Alien: Isolation 2 was incredibly satisfying as a stealth-horror experience, and as an enticement for the full game. Creative Assembly has managed to find an exciting way into telling a new Alien story with Isolation 2, thanks to a clever new setting, some fascinating, well-written characters, and, of course, horror sci-fi’s ultimate antagonist.”

The Outer Haven – “Creative Assembly, even after all these years, has managed not only to recreate the experience that made Alien: Isolation so good, but also improve on it. That feeling of dread and helplessness was still there, and that was apparent even after only playing a very small slice of the game.”

Sounds promising so far, right? We’ve got a pretty lengthy wait on our hands though, so hopefully we’ll have much more information in the run up to Isolation 2’s launch on Switch 2.

Are you eager to see more from Alien: Isolation 2? How should it improve upon the original? Let us know.

We have been eagerly awaiting more news about Orbitals ever since it was first revealed at last year’s Game Awards, and thanks to the latest Nintendo Direct, we finally have a release date.

This anime co-op adventure will jump onto Switch 2 (as a console exclusive, no less) on 3rd September 2026. Yep, that’s the same month as every other game, it seems.

From everything we’ve seen so far, this one looks like it’ll have the sauce to stand out from the crowd. It’s a co-op-only platformer in a similar vein to It Takes Two or Split Fiction, where you’ll have to guide space explorers Maki and Omura on a journey across the galaxy to save their home.

Mechanically, it looks very similar to a Hazelight joint, with each character receiving special abilities to use, in tandem, to solve puzzles. The visuals are a sharp departure, however, with Orbitals looking like a morning anime cartoon from years gone by.

Blast off with Maki and Omura in this intergalactic two-player co-op adventure set in a retro anime-inspired universe. Coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2, Orbitals lets players team up and brave the deadly Storm Wall and the perils beyond to save their home. Designed for asymmetric two-player co-op either in local split-screen or locally or online with GameShare, Orbitals rewards smart teamwork and clear communication.

If this all sounds very much up your street, Orbitals pre-orders are now live on the Switch eShop for £34.99 / $39.99. There’s even a Deluxe Edition that bundles in bonus character and ship skins, a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack.

Will you be clearing some time in your September gaming calendar for this one? Let us know in the comments.

The DK Challenge event tasks Switch players with completing a series of Donkey Kong challenges to win themed Challenge Cards.

The challenges have you jump into Donkey Kong games across the Nintendo Classics library, as well as the most recent series release, Donkey Kong Bananza.

This guide explains how the DK Challenge event works, the Challenge Cards up for grabs and the challenges required to unlock them, how to access the event, and when DK Challenge ends.

Nintendo Switch Online DK Challenge event guide

How does the DK Challenge event work?

The DK Challenge event features a number of challenges across the Donkey Kong library, mostly involving completing specified levels or boss encounters.

Challenges can be seen by using the Nintendo Switch Online app. If it’s a Nintendo Classics game, selecting the challenge will see you jump into that specific moment for you to then complete the challenge there and then.

If it’s a Donkey Kong Bananza challenge, you’re given directions on where to find the challenge and how to complete it the next time you start the game.

When you successfully complete the challenge, you’ll earn the associated Challenge Card.

In some cases, you can load up a save file of the game in question and unlock challenges automatically, which happened to us in the case of the boss-related challenges when booting up a late-game Donkey Kong Bananza save file.

DK Challenge event and Challenge Card list

What follows is the list of available DK Challenge challenges and associated Challenge Cards they unlock. All are listed in the order they appear in the Nintendo Switch Online app.

Tap on the headers to sort alphabetically by game, card, or challenge.

Nintendo Classics Challenges

Game	Challenge Card	Challenge
Donkey Kong Country	Rumble Through the Jungle	Work with Diddy and Rambi to complete Jungle Hijinks.
Donkey Kong Country	High-Flying Mine-Cart	Jump over cut off and damaged rails to complete Mine Cart Carnage.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest	Barrelling to the Top	Reach the summit to complete Kannon’s Klaim.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest	Barrel Cannon Knockabout	Blast between Barrel Cannons to complete Bramble Blast. (Hard)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!	Dodging Fire-Balls	Explore Mekanos and complete Fire-Ball Frenzy. (Hard)
Donkey Kong	Freedom From Donkey Kong!	Climb the scaffold while avoiding the barrels that Donkey Kong keeps throwing.
Donkey Kong	The Fall of Donkey Kong	Topple Donkey Kong by removing all the bolts holding the scaffold in place.
Donkey Kong Jr.	Freedom for Donkey Kong?!	Rescue Donkey Kong from his cage by opening all the locks.
Donkey Kong	Key Chase with Donkey Kong	Solve the puzzles, then bring the key to the door with the keyhole. (Hard)
Donkey Kong 3	Shooting the Breeze with DK	Aim the spray and get Donkey Kong to the very top.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math	Donkey Kong Accounting	Combine symbols and numbers to arrive at the number that Donkey Kong is holding.
Donkey Kong Land	Donkey Kong’s Construction Site	Nimbly navigate the girders to complete the construction site level. (Hard)
Donkey Kong Land 2	Donkey Kong on the High Seas	Explore the whole ship to complete Pirate Panic.
Donkey Kong Land III	Donkey Kong Sets Sail	Rampage across the pier to complete Red Wharf.
Donkey Kong Country	Bruising King K. Krool	Evade the onslaught and defeat King K. Rool. (Hard)

Donkey Kong Bananza challenges

Challenge Type	Card	Challenge
Bananza Transformations!	Kong Charge Punch!	Use Charge Punches during a Kong Bananza transformation while the event is active.
Bananza Transformations!	Zebra Water Dash!	Run across water during a Zebra Bananza transformation while the event is active.
Bananza Transformations!	Ostrich Egg Bomb!	Drop Egg Bombs during an Ostrich Bananza transformation while the event is active.
Bananza Transformations!	Elephant Water Vacuum!	Suck up water during an Elephant Bananza transformation while the event is active.
Bananza Transformations!	Snake Slow-Down Glare!	Use Glare during a Snake Bananza transformation while the event is active.
To the Planet Core	Battle Grumpy Kong!	Progress through the story and defeat Grumpy Kong.
To the Planet Core	Battle Poppy Kong!	Progress through the story and defeat Poppy Kong.
To the Planet Core	Battle Void Kong!	Progress through the story and defeat Void Kong.
To the Planet Core	Battle the Great Harmoneel!	Progress through the story and break the Great Harmoneel’s mask.
To the Planet Core	Planet Core’s Secret!	Progress through the story and see the game’s ending.
Feel the Nostalgia	Find the Hidden Spot!	Obtain the Banandium Gem from the hidden spot in the Hilltop Layer’s Nostalgia Country challenge.
Feel the Nostalgia	Escape the Maze!	Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Forest Layer’s Bramble Country challenge.
Feel the Nostalgia	Mine Cart Madness!	Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Resort Layer’s Mine-Cart Country challenge.
Feel the Nostalgia	Jump Those Girders!	Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Radiance Layer’s Arcade Country challenge.
Time Is of the Essence	Kong and Destroy!	Complete the Canyon Layer’s Kong Bananza: City Smash challenge with at least 40 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Skate and Attack!	Complete the Freezer Layer’s Antickoid x5 challenge with at least 18 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Dig and Freeze!	Complete the Landfill Layer’s Quick-Service Ice Treats challenge with at least 60 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Miracle Shots!	Complete the Forbidden Layer’s Buzzoid x3 challenge with at least 20 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Thorny Surfing!	Complete the Hilltop Layer’s Thorny Hill Speed Surf challenge with at least 25 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Demolition Challenge	Complete the Feast Layer’s Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash challenge with at least 40 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Rambi Rumble Challenge	Complete a Rambi Rumble Rowdy Race in 55 seconds or less while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Bonus Stage Challenge	Complete a Bonus Stage with +6000 gold or more while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	Boss Rush Challenge	Complete a Boss Rush with no skills unlocked while the event is active. (Hard)
Time Is of the Essence	The Final Rehearsal	Complete the Final Rehearsal with no skills unlocked while the event is active. (Hard)

FAQs

How do you access the DK Challenge event on Switch?

The DK Challenge is found within the Nintendo Switch Online app, which can be found in the bottom left corner of the main menu. Within the app, the DK Challenge event will be towards the top of the list.

What do I need to participate in the DK Challenge event?

Accessing everything within the DK Challenge event has a number of requirements.

First, challenges only unlock when you have an active internet connection.

Second, you need Nintendo Switch Online membership, as not only is DK Challenge found within the Nintendo Switch Online app, but the challenges are mostly based on games found within the Nintendo Classics library. (You are free to view the challenges without a membership, but you cannot play them until you have one active.)

Third, there is a separate menu just for Donkey Kong Bananza challenges, which requires access to a digital or physical copy of the game, as well as Nintendo Switch Online membership.

In other words, to access every challenge, you need both Nintendo Switch Online membership, a copy of Donkey Kong Bananza, and an active internet connection.

How many DK Challenge challenges are there?

There are 15 Nintendo Classics challenges and 24 Donkey Kong Bananza challenges.

Can you get Challenge Cards retroactively?

In some cases, yes – if you have a Donkey Kong Bananza save file that has completed the challenge, load the game and you’ll get a notification saying Challenge Cards have been collected.

However, some will specifically state that you need to play ‘while the event is active’ – meaning you may have to complete that challenge again.

What if I complete a challenge and a Challenge Card isn’t rewarded?

Nintendo recommends restarting the game / app to see if that will help resolve the issue. In the case of retroactive challenges, make sure the game’s firmware is up to date and that you have loaded up your save file.

Can you get Challenge Cards on Switch 1?

While you can complete challenges on Switch 1, Challenge Cards will only be rewarded when playing on Switch 2.

When does the DK Challenge event end?

The DK Challenge event dates run between 9th June, 2026 to 7:59am BST on 1st September, 2026. Though not confirmed, our guess is it’ll then rotate to a different themed challenge – and it’ll be exciting to see which Nintendo franchise will be chosen next.

If some publishers made the mistake of not supporting the original Switch enough, it seems that many have learnt their lesson for the Switch 2. The recent Direct was stuffed to the brim with third-party titles, and one that snuck in during a late sizzle reel was the rather excellent Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

Featuring gorgeous visuals and brutal third-person combat, Space Marine 2 was a welcome surprise when it originally launched in 2024. Our pals over at Push Square gave it an 8/10 in their review, noting that it almost feels like those ‘AA’ titles from the PS2/PS3 era, but in a good way, y’know?

We admittedly don’t get to see much footage form the sizzle reel, but you can tell how the game has been optimised for the Switch 2. It doesn’t look quite as crisp as other platforms, but the essence of the experience seems to be intact, which is great.

At the very least, it’s probably the closest we’re going to get to a Gears of War game on the Switch 2, but there are some folks who hold Space Marine 2 in ever higher regard. We honestly can’t wait to get our hands on it.

Will you be picking up Space Marine 2 on the Switch 2? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.

When I first booted up the Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, something almost immediately felt very wrong.

The visuals, while certainly crisp, were upscaled in a way that meant almost all textures had this sort of blurry, smeary effect, especially environmental details, but also within character faces at certain distances. The issue was greatly exacerbated during movement which, as you’d imagine, happens the vast majority of the time.

When I checked online to make sure I wasn’t going mad, it seemed that opinions on the visuals varied greatly, which is no surprise. A lot of folks are perfectly content with how X looks on Switch 2 (including NL staff), but it was borderline unplayable for me, and I’m not normally a graphics snob. It just looked so weird.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition — the revamped version of the Wii original — has received the same Switch 2 Edition treatment, and I’m delighted to say that the visuals look a lot cleaner this time around. It’s not perfect, as there are some instances where you can see some clear aliasing or slightly blurry effects on distant assets, but you have to really squint to make these out.

Overall, it’s a massive improvement for me, and I really hope Monolith Soft can find the time in its busy schedule to go back and fix X – this new Switch 2 Edition demonstrates that it can be done right.

And of course, you’re also looking at silky-smooth 60fps performance for the vast majority of the time. There are a few drops here and there, but nothing that’s going to significantly impact your enjoyment.

Elsewhere, a new method of traversal has been introduced called the Ether Jet, which you can grab by completing the ‘world-changing whatchamajig’ side-quest from Chapter 4 onwards. Essentially, this allows you to travel across vast landscapes at a much greater speed, and it’s an absolute joy. It’s easy to forget just how big some of the environments are in Xenoblade, and truth be told, it can sometimes get a bit tedious having to run in the same direction for ages.

The Ether Jet makes everything much more manageable, and this alone probably makes the $9.99 / £7.99 upgrade worth it for existing owners. The Ether Jet also unlocks a new mode called Nopon GP, and it quite literally turns Xenoblade into a racer. Accessed via the in-game pause menu, you can choose between ‘Score Attack’ and ‘Battle Race’, and it’s mostly a case of collecting crystals called Ether Ore as you work your way through checkpoints dotted around each track.

Multiple characters are available as playable racers, but this isn’t like Mario Kart World or Kirby Air Riders, where specific characters boast certain stats or abilities; it’s pretty much just an aesthetic choice. Controls are also kept pleasingly simple, with ‘B’ used to accelerate and ‘A’ to boost. ‘ZL’ also lets you brake and reverse if you find yourself in a bit of a pickle, but that’s really it.

It’s shallow stuff, but Nintendo could have just released Xenoblade with improved visuals and performance and called it a day; the Ether Jet and Nopon GP additions are truly excellent bonuses, even if they do nothing to enhance or change the main story.

It’s worth noting that when you’re zooming around on the Ether Jet, pop-in and frame rate drops may become a bit more noticeable, but again, it’s nothing that’s going to cause any headaches.

Overall, I think Xenoblade Chronicles on Switch 2 is a much more enticing experience than X. The latter continues to suffer from pretty awful visual issues to this day, and it doesn’t offer any new content beyond what was already added for the Switch. Monolith Soft has done a great job this time around, and I think it bodes well for when the second and third entries follow later this year.

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Have you picked up the Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles yet? What are your thoughts so far? Let us know with a comment.

With such a crammed Nintendo Direct, there was far too much to give every single announcement in the June showcase its own post (check out our round-up for the full rundown). However, we didn’t want to skip highlighting this gem that popped up: Vanillaware’s Muramasa is returning in the form of Muramasa: Revenant Blades.

Scheduled for “Early 2027” on both Switch 1 and 2, this will be an overhaul for Wii’s Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a brilliant 2D action RPG from 2009. Or more accurately, an overhaul of an overhaul; the game was previously remastered for PS Vita in 2013 as Muramasa Rebirth.

Having apparently overcome the “problems” cited by Vanillaware’s president preventing a new version from happening, this will include characters and DLC added for the Vita version, plus other enhancements. Notable for its beautiful art and presentation of Japan’s Edo period, this remaster-of-a-remaster adds “support for up to 4K resolution, new combat and weapon systems, as well as additional modes and gameplay options.”

More recent Vanillaware works include 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Unicorn Overlord, the latter of which we particularly adored, and we weren’t alone, as it claimed the #1 spot in our reader-ranked Switch GOTY 2024. So, if you’re unfamiliar with the studio, that’s the pedigree we’re talking about. Check out the trailer at the top of the page to see Muramasa in action.

Here are some more details courtesy of Marvelous’ PR blurb, plus some more screens:

The Ultimate Muramasa: A brand-new localization, including English voiceover, provides immersion like never before. Plus, all six stories are available from the start, confirming this as the complete version of this unforgettable tale.

Fluid and Frenetic Gameplay: The side-scrolling, hack-and-slash action has never been better with updated controls, over 100 swords to forge, and dozens of skills to upgrade, master, and customize.

Breathtaking Beauty: Muramasa’s fantastical world has been meticulously upgraded to gorgeous 4K, bringing characters, maps, and animations to vibrant life with stunning clarity.

Reforged and Refined: Variable gameplay styles and new modes give players more ways to play this classic adventure, and to appreciate the game’s magnificent art and animations from a fresh perspective.

Muramasa: Revenant Blades will also feature original protagonists Momohime and Kisuke alongside Okoi, Gonbe, Arashimaru, and Rajaki – all originally introduced in the PlayStation Vita version – allowing players to experience all six unique storylines in any order they choose from the start.

Physical pre-orders are apparently coming soon, with a Standard Edition available on your choice of Nintendo Switch (plus PS5) for €49.99 / £44.99, and a Deluxe Edition for €69.99 / £59.99 which comes with an artbook “filled with Vanillaware’s gorgeous artwork.” We’ll let you know when we get a look at that.

[As an aside — and stepping away from the ‘we’ for a moment — I’m very happy to accept your personal appreciation and thanks. Why’s that? Having been moved by Alana’s article for Muramasa’s 15th anniversary, and with a port looking unlikely, I tracked down a Wii copy. With no official confirmation whatsoever, past evidence all but assures that my spending 80 quid on a copy on eBay (rather than patiently waiting for a port) absolutely, definitely resulted in this remaster getting greenlit. You’re welcome.]

Please give thanks below and let me us know if you’re excited for this one.