Following the news of Kensuke Tanabe’s retirement earlier this week, it’s now being reported game designer, director, producer, and Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno has also called time on his career at the Japanese firm.
According to an update on his Facebook page, Konno seemingly left the company in July 2025, but the news of his departure and apparent retirement has only been discovered now. He was at Nintendo for around 40 years and started as a designer and assistant director on games such as Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3.
This news once again follows the news of Kensuke Tanabe’s reported retirement, who was known for his work on the Metroid Prime series and many other Nintendo games throughout his career.
I’ve reviewed several leverless arcade controllers for the Switch / Switch 2, but I’ve had my eye on the Hit Box Ultra for a little while now. For those unfamiliar, Hit Box is the original leverless arcade controller; if you want to contest that, then it’s at least the one that popularised the concept. The Ultra is the company’s latest iteration of its core design, adding in three of its remarkable ‘C.O.M.B.O. Extension’ buttons while making some thoughtful improvements to the overall design.
Right off the bat, the Hit Box Ultra has native compatibility with the Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and PC – there’s no Xbox support for this one. Being able to connect to the PS5, however, is a huge win since the vast majority of arcade controllers require an additional authenticator to work properly.
All you need to do is hold the relevant button while plugging in the device to link it to your chosen console (check the manual for the exact button). Alternatively, holding in the small menu button on the far right allows the Ultra to automatically recognise which console you’re using. Similarly, you’ve got multiple SOCD modes available, and you can even swap the directional input to mimic the d-pad, left stick, or right stick.
In terms of design, the Ultra is much slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, coming in at 27mm in height and 1.7 kg / 3.75 lbs in weight. The main body is built from steel, so it’s incredibly durable and feels very premium, which you’d expect at a price point of $299.99 / £226. You might notice that, in terms of height, it’s still a lot thicker than other arcade controllers I’ve looked at, and that’s because of the buttons the Ultra houses in its main body.
Usually with arcade controllers, they’re loaded with Kailh switches that are then covered with a simple key cap. Not so with the Hit Box. Here, the C.O.M.B.O. buttons are made up of several components: the well (which houses Cherry MX low-profile switches), plunger, optimiser, cap, and finally, the locking ring. So essentially, the well slots into the controller’s main body, the optimiser rests snugly inside, the plunger (with the key cap attached) sits on top, and the ring locks everything in place.
As standard, the Ultra comes with three sets of optimisers. These are silicone cushions that sit within the button well and provide two key functions: they lower the travel distance of your button presses while almost completely silencing them. Twelve Super (1mm) optimisers are pre-installed, while you’re also provided with twelve Classic (1.5mm) and Ultra (0.65) optimisers each, so I encourage you to experiment and see which one fits your play style.
Switching them out is easy: you just hold down on the button you’re customising, turn the locking ring anti-clockwise, pull it out, lift the plunger up, then scoop the optimiser out and replace it with a different one. Alternatively, you can just leave them out completely if you want a more ‘classic’ arcade feel to your buttons, but just keep in mind that they’ll sound louder when pressed.
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
When you first unbox the Ultra and start testing out the buttons, they might feel a bit weird; ever-so-slightly spongy, in fact. However, when I started unleashing a bunch of combos in Street Fighter 6, any reservations I had completely melted away.
The speed at which you can actuate the button inputs is simply unrivalled, and I’ve found that the Ultra almost immediately improved my overall performance in game. Swapping out the Super optimisers for the lower-profile Ultra optimisers helped even more. Ultimately, a pattern you’ll come to notice in this review is that the Ultra consistently offers up options. I love the optimisers, but as mentioned earlier, you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to.
And then we come to the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions. You get three with the Ultra, and they’re essentially two buttons in one. You’ve got the standard C.O.M.B.O. button I’ve already gone through, but then an extra button that houses a Kailh PG1425 X microswitch. Lots of arcade controllers these days come with additional inputs embedded in the controller itself, but the good thing about the Extensions is you can rotate them to a specific position, or even customise the layout completely by swapping it with another button.
The three pre-installed Extensions are situated in the middle of the button layout; sort of sitting vertically in a line. This is a nice layout as it is, but I really like having a button over on the far left on which to rest my pinky finger, even if I don’t actually have any inputs mapped to it. It just feels right to me.
Whatever layout you choose, the Extensions are mapped to ‘L3’, ‘R3’, and ‘Capture’ by default (note: the Capture input is mapped to ‘Touchpad’ if you’re using the Ultra on PS4/5). You can swap the inputs to whatever you wish, however, and we’ll get into how in a bit. Just be mindful with something like Street Fighter 6, most tournaments won’t let you map the same input to 2 separate buttons.
Again, the ability to rotate your Extensions or swap them with another button is all about making the most of the copious options that the Ultra presents. You just can’t do this with other controllers, and it allows you to really make it your own. You know the saying: “This is my arcade controller. There are many like it, but this one is mine”.
Okay, maybe not…
Up on the top of the device, you have 6 menu buttons: from right to left, these are +, Capture, Home, –, R3, and L3. Over on the far left is the power port, which sits almost completely flush with the device. You get a braided cable with the Ultra, and it feels incredibly rugged while the proprietary design keeps it locked in place when attached. My only concern here is if the cable does wind up dying at some point, sourcing a replacement won’t be as easy as finding a standard USB-C cable (though Hit Box does sell replacements on its official website). Over on the back, you’ve got a non-slip plate to keep the controller from sliding everywhere while in use, and it’s actually magnetic by design – this is where the real fun begins.
Removing the magnetic plate lets you get into all the hardware and wiring inside, and this is what you’ll need to access if you want to customise the layout of your Ultra and swap out the Extension inputs. Don’t worry if this looks daunting from the images, it’s actually not as complex as you might think.
So let’s say you want to remap your Extensions. You’ll see a small, green switchboard on the bottom right with three pins poking out. You just need to unplug the pin you want to remap and plug it into the desired input. Keep in mind here that the labelling is for PlayStation, but so long as you consult your manual and Hit Box’s online guides, you’ll be able to instantly translate the PlayStation inputs to Switch inputs.
Swapping the layout is a bit more complex, but again, it’s not too taxing. You just need to disconnect the two wires from the button you wish to remove by pulling them out with your fingers; no tools required, but you can use pliers if you wish. Once they’re out, just push the button through from the back, and it’ll pop out the front.
If you’re removing an Extension button, you’ll also need to disconnect the thin, white signal wire from the terminal block on the top right. All the wires are kept neatly together with three velcro strips by default, so you might need to remove one or two of these to free up some of the wiring for customisation.
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
If you’re looking to customise the layout of your Ultra, I firmly recommend finding the ideal setup for you and then sticking with it. Removing buttons and swapping them around isn’t hard, but you don’t want to be fiddling around with the wiring every other day – and it actually comes with six small screws to completely lock the magnetic back plate in place once you’re confident you’re done with any tinkering.
Ultimately, this isn’t beginner-friendly, so if you’re completely new to the world of leverless controllers, this probably isn’t the controller you want to start with. I can’t necessarily knock it for that, though, since Hit Box doesn’t – in any way, shape, or form – market the Ultra to beginners. This is a product for those looking for a long-term investment to take to tournaments and really step up your fighting game in the professional space.
Although I wasn’t able to do this for the review, Hit Box does confirm that you can mod the Ultra further with custom artwork. You’ll need to purchase a separate, clear acrylic top for the device and remove all buttons to accomplish this, but it’s an option for those desperate to express themselves even more. Thankfully, adding artwork to the buttons is easy, since you just remove the transparent caps and add your circular artwork underneath. Speaking of the acrylic top, I suspect this thing will be a magnet for scratches over time; it’s already attracted a bunch of fingerprints, so keep the cleaning cloth at hand at all times. Definitely a bit of a disappointment there.
Finally, you get a few extra goodies with your Ultra. First up are three Extension shields which protect the C.O.M.B.O. Extension buttons when travelling – you just slide them onto the end when you want to use them. To keep the Extensions locked in place if you’ve found the perfect rotation angle, you can add Grapplers underneath to stabilise them. These aren’t essential and you’ll probably find the Extensions are pretty stable anyway, but it’s good to have.
And last but not least, Hit Box has included a black, branded carry bag to transport your Ultra out and about; a lovely little extra that will come in handy if you attend tournaments frequently.
Conclusion
While the Hit Box Ultra isn’t cheap, perhaps more than any other arcade controller I’ve tested recently, it’s very much a long-term investment geared toward players who compete professionally. The level of button customisation is unparalleled, the steel body is weighty and durable, and native compatibility with Switch, Switch 2, and the PS5 makes it one of the best options out there if you’re looking to take your game to the next level.
Replacing the proprietary cable if anything goes wrong does concern me a bit, but like the controller itself, it’s so strong and durable that I don’t expect it to break on me anytime soon. If you like keeping your controllers in pristine condition, the acrylic top may cause issues attracting fingerprints and potential scratches. Otherwise, this is a truly world class controller for fighting games.
Thanks to Hit Box for providing the sample used in this review.
Pssst, the Supercharge Sale ends this Sunday, so if you’ve been considering splashing on some sale goodies, this weekend is your last chance to grab up some excellent titles…
If it feels like a mere matter of days since Nintendo wrapped up its last massive eShop sale, that’s because it is. But an insignificant little detail like time isn’t going to get in the way of a good bargain, and Nintendo is here to prove it.
The ‘Supercharge Sale‘ is now underway on the North American eShop, bringing a whole host of discounts our way until 25th January 2026 at 11:59pm PT — so you have two weeks to make the most.
We’ve assembled the following list so you can witness the cream of the crop at a glance. Below, we’ve laid out every game in the Supercharge Sale that we awarded a 9/10 or higher, accompanied by its discounted price. Oh yes, this writer has also popped in a personal pick from the sea of 8/10s or below at the bottom, because who can pass up a good recommendation?
As ever, if you’re looking to grab some eShop credit before diving in, we’ve got you covered with the following links from our store.
$9.99 (-75%)
AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is one of the most interesting visual novels we’ve played through in a while. The murder mystery at its heart is brought to life by some great writing and quirky characters alongside the satisfyingly integrated, beautifully balanced Psync puzzle elements.
Even with some minor control issues, there is a lot to love in this game, even if you never picked up the original. Highly recommended if you’re even a little bit curious.
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.
$1.99 (-87%)
The Nintendo eShop would be a considerably more exciting and interesting place if it were packed full of games like Ape Out. It’s a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owner’s library.
Difficult, frenetic gameplay, strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that you’ll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode. Ape Out gets a strong recommendation to anyone looking for a distinct and unforgettable game for their Switch collection; it’s a bit of an acquired taste, but well worth your time.
$41.99 (-30%)
The core fighting mechanics of ARMS are easy to grasp — especially when you’re using the pleasantly intuitive motion controls — but they showcase the kind of depth which rewards dedicated players.
Mixing up light and charged punches with your dashes and leaps allows you to create an almost balletic style of play, but add in grabs, stuns, and features unique to each stage and you’ve got a truly formidable foundation to build on. The lure of collecting Arms will keep you glued to your console even if you only choose to play solo, but Arms also proves its worth online, and for those who want to take things to the next level, Ranked Matches provide the ideal means of proving your skill.
In the scheme of things, Arms might not have made much of a dent in the hallowed canon of Nintendo IP, but it deserves a second look if it flew under your radar.
$4.99 (-75%)
Axiom Verge on Switch is truly an outstanding port of an outstanding game, no more and no less.
We would strongly urge those of you who missed this game on other platforms to pick it up here; this is the full Axiom Verge experience, and it’s available in a format that supports both handheld and home play. A fantastic example of how to do a Metroidvania right.
$9.99 (-50%)
Axiom Verge is a remarkably tough act to follow, but Thomas Happ managed to do it again in producing a pitch-perfect, excellently paced Metroidvania adventure
Axiom Verge 2 perfectly balances familiar elements that made the original great and trying out new ideas that give the sequel its own identity, and while lovers of the first game may take some time to adjust, everything comes together and makes for a potent experience that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on.
The mysterious atmosphere, thrilling pace, and fantastic world design all come together to make for a worthy follow-up that stands well on its own.
$13.49 (-10%)
Balatro is a roguelike for gamers who don’t like roguelikes… and then everybody else on top of that. It utterly nails what it sets out to do, providing an instantly accessible, satisfying, and addictive gameplay loop that anybody can grasp.
It’s an immensely enjoyable experience from the start, but as you get deeper in, there’s really nothing else quite like it. Sublime.
$7.19 (-60%)
Beyond Galaxyland is a well-written, artistically diverse space adventure which mixes several different flavours of RPG with puzzling and semi-open exploration. The story is filled with well-rounded characters and emotional narrative payoffs and, as much as Enright’s galactic adventure is a collection of stylistic and mechanical homages, it doesn’t feel like a patchwork of fan service.
For all its influences and adherence to specific genre execution, Doug’s journey through multiple worlds is still very much its own thing.
$9.99 (-50%)
The Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle illustrates perfectly why the humble side-scrolling fighter was the toast of video gaming in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Addictive, enjoyable, and — perhaps most important of all — bloody good fun when played co-operatively with friends, all of the titles in this seven-strong compendium are worth your time, and by adding robust local and multiplayer support, Capcom has done its utmost to ensure they find favour with a whole new generation of gamers.
If you’re not a fan of the genre, then you may well be wondering what all the fuss is about, but for everyone else, this is a must-have download.
$4.99 (-75%)
An extremely impressive first game from The Wild Gentlemen, Chicken Police – Paint it RED! is one of the best visual novel/adventure games we’ve played in a long, long time and one hell of an absorbing tale. It looks and runs great on the Switch, with only a couple of really minuscule interface issues which are easily ignored.
At roughly eight or nine hours, the story is surprisingly lengthy, but we were never bored and wanted to investigate every little thing just to wring out more precious droplets of banter and fascination. Chicken Police is a polished, captivating experience and we’re very excited for whatever’s coming next from this team.
$7.99 (-60%)
While it’s a shame that there are fewer games here than in other Konami collections — we’d have loved to have seen NES title Contra Force or the now-extinct WiiWare title Contra ReBirth — the ones included in the Contra Anniversary Collection are universally brilliant. The 8-bit and 16-bit Contra games are among the finest examples of the run ‘n gun genre, and to have almost all of them included in a single release and emulated flawlessly is an absolute treat.
Whether you’re a fan of the series or a curious onlooker who’s always wanted to see what the fuss was all about, this is essential.
$19.99 (-50%)
Dark Souls: Remastered is a faithful remaster of a touchstone in video game design that improves overall performance of the original release while preserving all of the character traits that made it such a memorable experience. While it’s no less forgiving — and its menus are a little fiddly — this slick Nintendo Switch iteration offers an excellent way to experience Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld form.
Plus, there’s a Solaire of Astora amiibo. Praise the Sun, indeed.
$20.99 (-30%)
While you could certainly argue that Disney Illusion Island is perhaps more of a Metroidvania than it is a straight-up 2D platformer, we reckon it strikes a wonderful balance between the two genres that it could honestly fall into either category. Its focus on combat-free exploration makes this a great gateway into the genre for younger audiences, and its ability to support up to four players via local co-op means that it’s an excellent option for families who want to spend a bit of time with some of the most iconic Disney characters imaginable. You can also hug each other to regain health. What more could you ask for?
$39.99 (-33%)
After beginning life on Wii U in 2014, we were treated to a ‘Deluxe’ port on Switch just four years later. Not the longest hiatus, but we couldn’t wait to replay one of the best platformers we’ve ever encountered and the Switch version plays like an absolute dream.
Looking better than Donkey Kong ever has, veteran DKC composer David Wise returned with this sequel and caused us to have several ‘moments’ during our first playthrough. It was a glistening cherry on a cake so deliciously sweet we worried we’d lose a foot.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze isn’t just a great platformer, it’s one of the great platformers. Even if Donkey Kong isn’t normally your thing, you owe it to yourself to give Tropical Freeze a go; it’s totally bananas in the very best of ways.
$1.99 (-33%)
This is an excellent port of a game that feels like it’s found a natural home on Switch thanks to a plethora of control options and the console’s natural facility with vertical orientation. Short of popping your 4K TV on its side, Switch offers the very best way to play Downwell.
Its roguelike structure and twitch platforming might not be for everyone, but you should really give it a chance. For our money, Downwell is a modern classic that should be in everyone’s collection; for the pocket change asking price, it’s a steal.
$11.99 (-60%)
Brush off that arcade-grade resolve and get ready for an old adventure realised in all-new clarity. This is a shoot ’em up experience like few others, and while it has all the genre hallmarks of intensity and adrenaline-inducing action, it binds it with superlative artistry, epic set-pieces, and an alien world as strange as it is wonderful. The sense of incrementally increasing in power and being able to turn the tide against the Belsar is what makes G-Darius HD so much fun to play. It’s initially threatening, but once you learn the lay of your first route, get powered up, and figure out how to make practical use of your captures and duelling laser, it’s safe to say G-Darius really hits the spot.
$9.99 (-67%)
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was one of the best games on Nintendo DS. Now it is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch. If you’re a fan of Ace Attorney, Danganronpa, AI: The Somnium Files, or just of having a good dang time with a brilliant story and stunning art, then why are you still here? Go and get the game. Now. Go!!!!
$10.99 (-45%)
Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition puts Heart Machine’s obtuse yet engaging throwback where it belongs — in portable Nintendo form — and it makes for the definitive version.
With a handful of exclusive features, the game suddenly feels new and fresh – and with a silky smooth frame rate and every boss, secret and upgrade from the original here for you to experience, this is a wonderful addition to the Nintendo Switch’s bulging indie library.
$4.99 (-75%)
Invisible, Inc. is a brilliant little tactics game, right up there with Into the Breach and XCOM – if not even better. The bite-sized structure belies a deceptively complex and meaningful game, where all your decisions ultimately mean something significant for that final desperate attack.
If you enjoy stealth or tactics games – or you’re simply looking for a way into either genre – then Invisible, Inc. deserves your attention.
$41.99 (-30%)
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic remaster of one of our favourite Kirby adventures. With slick new visuals, some meaningful gameplay tweaks, and two excellent new modes to dig into, this is a big, loud, colourful celebration of all things Kirby that should delight new and returning players alike.
Magalor’s Epilogue is a surprisingly chunky addition to the core action that gives the campaign a nice boost, whilst Merry Magoland ensures that you and your pals are kept busy with plenty of minigames, missions, and online challenges to best once you’re done with the main story mode.
$7.99 (-80%)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must-have for Switch-owning fans of turn-based tactical games. More importantly, such is the style and depth on offer that it’s also ideal for those who haven’t played much of the genre – for whom ‘XCOM’ sounds like a silly acronym from a war movie. Kingdom Battle and its excellent DK DLC introduce the concept in the best possible way, and then add their own ideas for what becomes a smart, surprising, and, at times, deliciously challenging experience.
Even if you don’t actually like the Rabbids, this game — and its familiar Mario cast and setting — is so good that Ubisoft’s mascots become likeable. Well, almost.
$4.99 (-75%)
Mark of the Ninja: Remastered is an utterly stellar stealth game and it’s lost none of the magic that made the original such a critical darling. Strong art direction, an engaging story, well-paced open gameplay, and a slew of extra content all combine to make for a near-flawless experience that you certainly won’t want to miss out on.
We’d give this game a high recommendation to all Switch owners; it’s the best stealth game money can buy in the Switch library, and one of the best ones in any console library.
$12.99 (-68%)
It’s clear that a lot of effort and love went into Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection; this is a worthwhile re-release (available across two separate volumes on the Switch eShop, if you prefer) that gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
While everyone will have their favourite, the Mega Man Battle Network series remained remarkably consistent throughout its whole run, due in no small part to the innovative battle system and charming storylines present in each entry.
If you’re a fan of Mega Man and haven’t given these games a shot yet, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up immediately. Even if you’re not a Rockman enthusiast, these games each offer up some inventive RPG experiences that are certainly worth your time.
$5.24 (-65%)
The fourth in this series of 2D platformers, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is an absolute gem and comes highly recommended. Its stylised backdrops, super-smooth action and wonderfully rendered SNES-era graphics make it a standout Metroidvania – a superb game and a credit to the indie scene.
The only minor criticism comes from the soundtrack, which, while not bad, isn’t memorable and doesn’t always match the fantastic art. Overall, however, Reverie Under the Moonlight is a stunningly well-presented platformer with some of the most intuitive controls in the genre.
Xbox Game Studios recently revealed Playground Games’ upcoming Fable reboot properly, showcasing a bunch of gameplay that stays true to the classic series while throwing in a few intriguing evolutions for good measure.
Launching this Autumn on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5, we honestly weren’t expecting to see this one on the Switch 2, but according to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, it’s actually currently “under consideration” for Nintendo’s console.
Corden took to social media to confirm, stating that it “isn’t 100% definite”, but if he’s to be believed, it seems that Xbox and Playground Studios are at least looking into the viability of a Switch 2 port.
“Was told Fable for Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t 100% definite for now, but under consideration for the future.”
Fable has, until now, never really left the Xbox ecosystem other than a few releases on PC and Mac. These days, however, Microsoft is shifting its strategy to include multiple console releases for its biggest games. It’s already released the likes of Pentiment and Grounded on Switch, and there are ongoing rumours that Halo: The Master Chief Collection might also makes its way to Switch 2.
We’d love to see this come to fruition though. Fable’s blend of fantasy action and British humour is excellent, and although the third mainline entry from 2010 was a bit lacklustre, we can’t wait to see what the new game can do.
Would you like to see Fable on the Switch 2? Do you think it’s even viable? Heck, if the Series S can manage it… Well, let us know your thoughts with a comment.
The new Nintendo Direct for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has a date, and it’s coming this Sunday, 25th January 2026.
This will be the second direct for the upcoming Illumination sequel, which is due to arrive in cinemas on 3rd April 2026. Last time, we found out that Bowser Jr. and Rosalina would be part of the cast.
You’ll be able to watch to the Direct on either YouTube or Nintendo’s website, and it kicks off at the following times:
North America: 6am PST / 7am MST / 8am CST / 9am EST
UK/Ire: 2pm GMT
Europe: 3pm CET / 4pm EET
Asia/Oceania: 11pm JST / 10pm AWST / 1am (Mon) AEDT
We’ve had a couple of clips and teasers since the last Direct, but in a recent interview, the voice Mario (in the movies, at least) Chris Pratt teased that there would be more recognisable characters making their appearance in the sequel.
Well, perhaps we’ll be seeing them this Sunday? Will Yoshi finally make his long-rumoured appearance?
Let us know if you’ll be watching the Direct in the comments.
With Pokémon Legends: Z-A‘s Sceptile-focused season coming to an end, The Pokémon Company has shared some extra details on what’s next for the Ranked Battle scene, including the all-important start date and rewards.
Ranked Battle Season 6 kicks off on 29th January and will be sticking around until 19th February. In that time, those who reach Rank S will be rewarded with a Swampertite Mega Stone, which is capable of giving your Swampert a Mega Evolution makeover.
Returning Mega Stones from previous seasons will also be up for rewards this time around, with Greninjite, Delphoxite, Chesnaughtite, Baxcalibrite, and Sceptilite cropping up as rewards from Rank Y through to Rank U.
Here’s the exact time that Season 6 kicks off in your region:
North America: 10pm (Wed) PST / 11pm (Wed) MST / 12am CST / 1am EST
UK/Ire: 6am GMT
Europe: 7am CET / 8am EET
Asia/Oceania: 3pm JST / 2pm AWST / 5pm AEDT
You’ll only be able to enter Pokémon numbered 001-232 in the Lumiose Pokédex and 001-132 in the Hyperspace Pokédex for this season, all of which will be set to level 50 for Ranked Battles. On top of that, your team can only contain one of the following special ‘mon:
Xerneas
Yveltal
Zygarde
Mewtwo
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
For a rundown of all the current season’s rewards and a complete list of previous events, check out our Ranked Battle Season guide below.
Will you be entering the next Ranked Battle season? Let us know in the comments.
Famitsu has given us our latest look at the physical Japanese gaming charts, and despite a Nintendo newbie joining the ranks, it has been a very quiet week indeed.
Sales are down across the board this week, but considering that it accounts for the sleepy middle week of January, we’re not all that surprised.
Here’s the latest top ten physical sales in Japan:
Position
Game
Platform
Unit Sales(12th Jan – 18th Jan)
Total Unit Sales
1
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
31,372
NEW
2
Mario Kart World
Switch 2
17,639
2,778,889
3
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Switch
9,990
1,587,653
4
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Switch
9,047
8,343,109
5
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
8,560
1,065,074
6
Momotaro Dentetsu 2: Anata no Machi mo Kitto Aru – Higashi Nihon Hen + Nishi Nihon Hen – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
8,415
249,798
7
Momotaro Dentetsu 2: Anata no Machi mo Kitto Aru – Higashi Nihon Hen + Nishi Nihon Hen
Switch
8,070
302,212
8
Kirby Air Riders
Switch 2
7,942
480,491
9
Minecraft
Switch
5,465
4,133,500
10
Donkey Kong Bananza
Switch 2
4,966
465,146
On the hardware side of things, Nintendo systems take up the full podium this time, with the Switch Lite and OLED joining the Switch 2 at the top of the standings. As you might expect from the software numbers, console sales haven’t been massive this time, but hey, that’s the post-holiday blues.
Combining the three Switch 1 SKUs for the week gives us 27,234 sales, while the trio of PS5 models comes in at 9,983.
If you’re planning on picking up Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade this week, and haven’t already purchased it, here’s your reminder that the ‘Limited Early Purchase Edition’ is still available.
It’s $39.99 / £39.99 and is available until 31st January 2026. You can also grab the Deluxe version, including a digital art book and digital mini-soundtrack, for $59.99 / £54.99 (or your local equivalent). Most notably, this limited time offer includes Final Fantasy VII – as in “a ported version of the original game” that was made available on the Switch eShop in 2019.
The standalone copy of Final Fantasy VII on the eShop is currently priced at $15.99 / £12.79, so this bonus in Remake’s early purchase edition is worth a look if you don’t already own it. Here’s what else is included with this version, according to Nintendo’s store page:
Content included in this product FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE contains the following content: – FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE full game – FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Episode featuring Yuffie Kisaragi) – Weapon: Cacstar – Armor: Midgar Bangle – Armor: Shinra Bangle – Armor: Corneo Armlet – Accessory: Superstar Belt – Accessory: Mako Crystal – Accessory: Seraphic Earrings – Summoning materia: Carbuncle – Summoning materia: Chocobo Chick – Summoning materia: Cactuar – FINAL FANTASY VII *A ported version of the original game
*The additional weapons, armor, accessories and summoning materia can be obtained from the Gift Box accessible via the main menu. *The weapon “Cacstar” can only be used in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Yuffie episode)
Of course, with this version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, you’ll also get the intermission episode where you play as the young ninja warrior Yuffie Kisaragi. You can find out more about this latest release (and the existing version of FFVII) in our reviews here on Nintendo Life.
Will you be taking up this offer? Let us know in the comments.
At the very end of this video, Nintendo explains the two purchase options, which are similar to previous Switch 2 Edition releases.
You can either purchase the Switch 2 Edition of the game, which contains the base game and expansion content, or if you’re an existing owner, you’ll have the option to purchase the upgrade pack for $19.99 (or your local equivalent).
Image: Nintendo
And how about those new amiibo arriving on the same date? Will you be getting any (or all) of them? Vote in our poll and let us know in the comments.
Will you be getting Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch 2? (1,607 votes)
I’m buying the full game on Switch 210%
I’m going the upgrade path45%
I’ll be sticking with the original game on Switch22%
No, I’m not interested21%
Something else (comment below)2%
Will you be getting any of the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder amiibo? (1,292 votes)
Street Fighter 6‘s roster has continued to grow, and as we enter 2026, Capcom is now looking towards the return of Alex.
We saw him in action in a teaser trailer earlier this month, and this week Capcom has now rolled out first-look gameplay of the “Big Apple brawler”.
No use holding back when faced with the Dark Devil himself, as he’ll show you no mercy with his array of devastatingly powerful throws!
Alex can be purchased individually with Fighter Coins and the owners of the Year 3 Character Pass / Ultimate Pass will automatically get access to Alex when he releases.
As noted above, Alex is available as part of the Season 3 Character Pass DLC, or you can purchase him separately with Fighter Coins. Capcom also offers in-game rentals, where you can try out a character for one hour before purchasing them.
This character steps into the ring on 17th March 2026 and is joined by the already available characters Sagat and C.Viper, with Ingrid up next.
Capcom has also managed to secure one of the “biggest names in the anime song universe” JAM Project – which has contributed to this original BGM track “Go! Alex! Hope is Born! – Alex’s Theme”. You can listen and sing along to the full song in the YouTube upload below:
