Author: sick skills

Since the arrival of the Switch 2 last year, many third-party developers have been updating their existing Switch games for Nintendo’s new hybrid system.

With this in mind, Psyonix’s latest update for its vehicular soccer game Rocket League has today added Switch 2 visual and performance improvements. This includes simplified graphics settings, improved resolution and visual quality upgrades.

Here’s the segment from v2.64 patch notes detailing the Switch 2 rendering enhancements:

Rocket League – Nintendo Switch 2 Rendering Enhancements (22nd January, 2026)

• We’ve made a series of visual and performance improvements for Rocket League on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Simplified Graphics Settings
    • The Performance/Quality toggle has been removed, as Rocket League on Nintendo Switch 2 now uses the best of both settings.
  • Improved Resolution
    • Docked mode: Resolution is now locked at 1080p, 60 FPS in docked mode.
    • Handheld mode: Dynamic resolution now targets 1080p at 60 FPS, but will still reduce resolution as needed to keep gameplay smooth.
  • Visual Quality Upgrades
    • Increased world detail
    • Higher texture quality in handheld mode, matching docked mode
    • Crisper texture detail with increased anisotropic filtering (reduces jagged lines and blurry edges on surfaces)
    • Improved lighting effects
    • Ambient occlusion
    • Higher-resolution shadows

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You can see the other content in this latest update on Rocket League’s official website. Rocket League is free-to-play, and this is a free update, so you’ll just need to have access to a Switch 2 to see these enhancements in action.

Rocket League originally arrived on the Switch eShop in 2017. You can find out more about it in our Nintendo Life review.

Will you be revisiting Rocket League on Switch 2 to try out this latest update? Let us know in the comments.

Nintendo has lifted the lid on a bunch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park info today. We got a new trailer packed with fresh playable characters and challenges, three new amiibo, a closer look at that darn ‘real’ Talking Flower, and the all-important release date. We also got a look at the new box art. And it’s grim.

Now, look, the ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ re-releases have been fighting a losing battle as far as box art is concerned. Those unwieldy titles take up more than enough room themselves, and then they add all of that “Includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. Upgrade pack also available separately. For details…” at the bottom. But worse than that is the key art ‘split’, where the old and new designs are slapped together to presumably sell the idea of ‘See? This is the same as the one before, but now with a new bit too!’

We saw it used for Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land‘s physical release, but there’s something about the Mario Wonder design that’s just rubbing us up the wrong way. We’re not sure whether it’s the straight line between the two graphics, the busyness of both of them, that giant ‘Bellabel Park’ icon, or a mixture of everything else, but gosh, it ain’t a looker, is it?

Of course, most of us here at Nintendo Life will be playing via an Upgrade Pack (and we’d wager many of you will be in the same boat), so it’s unlikely that such an overdesigned cover will ever grace many of our shelves. That said, we can’t help but feel like the ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ designs — for the re-releases, not the simultaneous launches like Pokémon Legends: Z-A or Metroid Prime 4, we should point out — are getting a bit out of hand now.

Those still keen to pick up a copy can do so on 26th March. That very same day, Nintendo is launching a trio of Wonder amiibo and the Talking Flower figure, so prepare to splash the cash if you’re hoping to catch ’em all.

What do you make of the new cover art? Is it the worst one yet? Let us know in the comments.

The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it’s bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!

Switch eShop – Highlights

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS (KOEI TECMO AMERICA, 22nd Jan, $59.99) – Play as a nameless hero as you fight fiercely, making bold choices to restore peace and shape history in this tactical action game set during China’s Three Kingdoms period. With the most intense combat and largest armies in Dynasty Warriors history, your choices will influence the story and could alter historical events. With the paid DLC1 launching alongside the game, you can choose a different path and experience new developments that weren’t in the main story. – Read our DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS review

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (SQUARE ENIX, 22nd Jan, $39.99) – Step into the reimagined world of a beloved RPG classic with the award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, a retelling of the original story of FINAL FANTASY VII up to the escape from Midgar. Blending real-time action with strategic command in a hybrid battle system, you’ll join Cloud, a former SOLDIER wielding the iconic Buster Sword, as he takes on a mission that escalates into a struggle to decide the planet’s future. Also included is FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi. – Read our FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE review

Switch 2 eShop – New Releases

Citadelum (Abylight, 22nd Jan, $28.99) – Build your settlement. Gather and refine resources from forests and quarries, breed animals, grow vegetables, fish and make wine, so you can keep your population healthy and fed. Improve your buildings and ensure water supply with aqueducts. Welcome citizens to your village as artisans, farmers, carpenters. . . or train them to join your legions in different units. Towers and walls will protect your village from barbarian attacks, while it grows into a magnificent city.

Isekai Rondo – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Kemco, 22nd Jan, $15.99) – Quest for a parallel universe after being reborn with the ultimate job! Sho, a young man who spends his days in an exploitative company in modern Japan, is reincarnated into a parallel universe as Shaw, due to an accident! While the job given in his new life is ‘Unemployed’ and hardships continue with a bad luck party, one day he acquires the ultimate job as a Sage, suddenly becoming the strongest with ultra rare passive skills!

Sail Forth – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, 16th Jan, $19.99) – Explore the Deepblue! Put the wind to your back and cast out into High Adventure over a vast ocean spanning dozens of eccentric regions. Discover countless isles bursting with their own flora, fauna, friendly folk, and fearsome foes. Playfully pursue a pod of curious dolphins, admire the beauty of the sun sinking into an icy horizon, or run down a clutch of cowardly criminals only to accept their apologies to the tune of wild cannonry. Command a Sailing Fleet!

They Are Billions (Suncrest Games, 22nd Jan, $29.99) – They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse?

Switch eShop – New Releases

20 in 1 Family Games Mega Collection (Baltoro Minis, 23rd Jan, $52.99) – The 20 in 1 Family Games Mega Collection brings you a huge variety of fun-packed games—from fast-paced racing and exciting action challenges to strategic puzzles and classic games. Non-stop entertainment with an exciting mix of games, simple controls, vibrant graphics, and endless replayability. Ideal for family game nights, casual play, or friendly competition, this bundle delivers incredible value for money.

Astro Duel Deluxe + Astro Duel 2 (Wild Rooster, 16th Jan, $29.99) – Astro Duel 2 blurs the line between space shooter and platform fighter. Whether versus or co-op, prepare to fight in space and on foot at the same time! Strike within the fully-destructible arenas or just nuke ‘em from orbit. Astro Duel Deluxe is a fun, frenetic local multiplayer party game for 1 to 6 players! Prepare for a fierce battle: rounds are quick and death is sudden. Blast your friends into space. Run over their helpless bodies for good measure.

Cats Around Us: Giant Cat (Silesia Games, 22nd Jan, $2.99) – A GIANT CAT has made an (otherwise) peaceful village its napping spot! Can you find all the hidden cats scattered around the chaos? Explore four illustrated comic pages, search for hundreds of felines, and complete relaxing jigsaw puzzles. Cats Around Us: Giant Cat combines hidden-object gameplay with storybook art, offering a cozy, creative experience for cat and cartoon lovers alike!

Cats Visiting Cozy Town (AGE Zero, 22nd Jan, $2.99) – In the latest entry to the beloved Cats Visiting series, you are invited to wander through five intricately detailed, hand-drawn towns bustling with life and hidden secrets. From busy market squares to quiet cobblestone alleys and rooftop gardens, the locals are missing one thing: their cats! There are over 400 cats hiding in plain sight, waiting to be found. Some are sleeping on awnings, some are peeking out of windows, and others are blending perfectly into the scenery.

Century of Anticipation (Time Galleon, 28th Jan, $0.00) – You are locked at home, eagerly anticipating the moment to step outside again. Only it’s. . . . . . . . . . . taking really long. In this tiny world filled with surprising interactions awaiting to be discovered, you must find ways to pass the time by engaging with various activities around the house, as you deal with the only company you have in this adventure: yourself.

Cute Finders (REDDEER.GAMES, 22nd Jan, $5.99) – Step into beautifully cluttered rooms, each one a delightful package of cozy furniture, vibrant decor, and cute animals just doing their things, and look close! Can you spot the missing carpet? Different plant? Cute bunny being replaced by a cat? Just remember: be prepared for the unexpected! The elements in the same level vary each playthrough and our special Endless Level is designed to keep you guessing. . . endlessly. Boredom is not an option!

Dinosaur Bones Digging Simulator 2026 (Evgheni Carasiov, 17th Jan, $9.99) – Step into a thrilling excavation adventure set beneath the ancient sands of Egypt, where history, discovery, and progression come together in one immersive experience. In this dinosaur excavation simulator, you lead your own archaeological expedition – carefully digging through layered desert terrain, uncovering fossil remains, and revealing secrets lost for millions of years.

DUSK INDEX: GION (Bushiroad, 28th Jan, $22.99) – Can the past rewrite the future? The Meiji era, a turbulent age. A series of murders shook Kyoto. Mysterious patterns drawn in the victim’s blood. The case went unsolved, casting a long shadow over history. A hundred years later in Kyoto, Detective Daiki Katsuki was investigating a brutal murder case. The case bore a striking resemblance to the one that had shaken Meiji-era Kyoto. The key to the investigation lay in the immersive AR experience ‘Echoes of Kyoto. ’

Dustland Delivery (Happy Player, 22nd Jan, $14.99) – Dustland Delivery is a post-apocalyptic survival business simulator, featuring over 40 hours of gameplay content. Scour the wastes for profit, complete missions to grow your trading empire, and assemble a rag-tag band of adventurers to turn your city into the capital of the Dustlands. Danger lurks around every corner—but no risk, no reward!

EBOLA VILLAGE (Axyos Games, 23rd Jan, $19.99) – A classic horror inspired by the original survival games of the 90s, EBOLA VILLAGE is a modern take on a first-person adventure where the main character, Maria, investigates a series of mysterious events. While sitting in her apartment and watching her favorite TV series, the broadcast is suddenly interrupted by a live report about a biological threat.

Eden of Creation／創世のエデン (MIZUBLUE GAMES, 22nd Jan, $1.28) – Become Adam and Eve and survive for 30 days. Your HP will continuously decrease, so you must keep searching for food. Since the outcomes are random, try different choices, experience the events that occur along the way, and guide them toward their ending. Eight characters appear: God, Goddess, Grim Reaper, three angels, Adam, and Eve!

EGGCONSOLE Courageous Perseus PC-8801 (D4 Enterprise, 22nd Jan, $6.49) – This Action RPG was released by COSMOS COMPUTER in 1984. The hero Perseus embarks on an adventure to rescue the Goddess of Beauty on a magical island ruled by the Gorgon. You increase health by defeating enemies and acquiring items. True to the Action RPG style, combat involves bumping into enemies.

Escape from Ever After (HYPETRAIN DIGITAL, 23rd Jan, $24.99) – Escape from Ever After is an adventure RPG where fairytale and storybook characters must fight back against capitalism! Story When Flynt Buckler, a classic fairytale adventurer, storms the castle of his evil dragon arch-nemesis Tinder, he finds the once intimidating fortress has been converted into… corporate offices?

Exit of Truth! 40 Masterpiece Quiz (MASK, 22nd Jan, $3.99) – This game is a simple true-or-false quiz about fascinating trivia from the world of famous paintings, artists, and art history.

Forgive Me Father 2 (Fulqrum Publishing, 22nd Jan, $29.99) – Journey once again into a malevolent world inspired by H. P Lovecraft’s myths where madness awaits on every corner. Embark on a path to salvation as you continue the story of the Priest character from the first installment. How long can you balance on the edge of sanity? Will your sins be forgiven, or your soul consumed by madness?

Freeride (Flightyfelon Games, 22nd Jan, $19.99) – An Action-RPG that’s (not-so) secretly a Personality Test. Use Physics-based telekinesis to make your mark on a strange world of Spirits. You will not be told when you are making decisions. You will never be judged in terms of Good or Evil. You will simply face the consequences of your actions.

Funny Cats Puzzle (AGE, 22nd Jan, $3.40) – Collect pieces of the adorable “Doji-nyan” cats and complete the puzzle! There are 15 stages in total. As you clear each stage, the difficulty increases! Stages 1–10: 30 pieces Stages 11–15: 50 pieces The final stage is a tough one with no background watermark! Take your time and examine each piece to complete the puzzle! Clear all puzzles and complete your gallery ♪

Gradiently 2 (hook.gg, 23rd Jan, $4.99) – Gradiently 2 – casual color puzzle game for everyone.
Reorder tiles in a way they will form perfect gradient. 500 beautiful hand-tuned gradient puzzles. Infinite random mode. Minimal art style. Full touch screen support. Relaxing lofi soundtrack.

Guts ’n Grunts Jr. (CASCADIA, 23rd Jan, $3.49) – AUG 12, 2045. The Technate has ruled for 15 years. Its robotic army, Slaughterhouse AI, roams the Earth in search of all processable flesh. Pigs everywhere remain in hiding. One small boar takes matters into his own hands. He is unusually fast and armed with a blaster. His name is Gunnar Harsvin. His message: the pigs will fight for their lives.

Heroes Battle Awakening (eastasiasoft, 28th Jan, $4.99) – Heroes Battle Awakening is a top-down tower defense tactics game that puts you in command of cyclops knights, minotaurs, skull-topped guard towers and more as you fend off invaders. Collect coins on the battlefield to pay for new units and deploy them strategically along the 5-lane grid. Some of your units will do ranged damage, others will focus on melee as the enemy closes in and certain units will specialize in producing more gold to deploy defenses faster.

High Cars 3 (Entity3, 17th Jan, $1.99) – Race higher, faster, and through more daring paths than ever before in the next evolution of the series. Experience high-speed racing and precision platforming with improved graphics, richer lighting, with curved and winding tracks that bring every course to life in a fresh, dynamic way.

Horror Tale: Remaster (EpiXR Games, 22nd Jan, $9.99) – In this horror game, you’ll have to immerse yourself in a thrilling and exciting adventure together with the main characters! Children have been missing for a long time in Lakewitch, and you are destined to solve this creepy mystery. Who is the kidnapper, and why is he doing it? Where are the children disappearing to, and how to save them?

Jigsaw Realms: Nature (Downmeadowstreet, 24th Jan, $2.99) – Step into a tranquil world of fantasy-inspired nature and put your puzzle skills to the test. Jigsaw Realms: Nature is a relaxing yet rewarding jigsaw puzzle experience featuring 30 beautifully illustrated levels! Play your way with full support for both touch controls and controllers, and switch between them anytime.

Last Battalion Defense (Dinomore Games, 18th Jan, $4.99) – Last Battalion Defense blends intense arcade shooter action with deep strategy and tower-defense mechanics. Command humanity’s final defensive line across 3 unique maps as you battle through 5 escalating waves of soldiers, armored vehicles, and military convoys. Manage powerful weapon systems and upgrade your defenses between waves to survive the onslaught.

Legacy of Shnaus – Horror Room Escape (Vitalii Kaminskyi, 23rd Jan, $6.99) – Enter the world of Legacy of Shnaus – Horror Room Escape, a psychological first-person horror where you explore an abandoned clinic filled with secrets, tragic memories, and experiments that should never have existed. As a journalist searching for the truth behind mysterious disappearances, you step inside a place marked by grief, obsession, and the shadow of the doctor who once worked there.

Look Mum No Computer (Headup Games, 22nd Jan, $14.99) – Brace yourself for a wild ride where music meets mayhem! Look Mum No Computer takes you to the quirky, pixel-art universe of Soldersworth, as you join Sam and his Synthesizer sidekick, Kosmo, in this twin-stick shooter action-RPG to battle rogue household items and fix them from the inside — one electrifying beat at a time!

Magicbook AutoBattler (BD Games, 22nd Jan, $9.99) – Start with your Weapon – each one signals a distinct class path with its own unique skills! Combine the same or different classes to unlock powerful Synergies! Wield the savage fury of Warriors, command the entwined light and shadow of Priests, unleash the arcane destruction of Mages, master the shadows with the Rogues’ Guild, ride the wind with the Rangers’ Alliance, or stand firm with the unbreakable Paladins…

Maid of Salvation (ORANGE POPCORN, 28th Jan, $14.99) – A Dark Fantasy of Maids Shizuka, a maid of purgatory, fights to bring salvation to lost souls. Entrusted with a special mission from the Sanctuary’s Overseer, she crosses the portal into a Purgatory overrun by Fiends. Yet as her journey unfolds, Shizuka begins to realize that the salvation she believed in—and the truth of this world—is far more twisted than she ever imagined. ..

Make it! Kushikatsu (SAT-BOX, 22nd Jan, $7.00) – Let’s make kushikatsu on the Nintendo Switch™! Fry the ingredients without burning them, then add sauce on top! With a Joy-Con™ for each player, up to 4 players can join in the fun! Reach for the ultimate high score!

Minesweeper Classic (Soroka Games, 17th Jan, $4.99) – Minesweeper Classic brings the legendary puzzle back to life with crisp visuals, smooth controls, and the timeless gameplay millions grew up with. Tap into pure logic as you uncover tiles, dodge hidden mines, and chase that perfect clear.

Nightfall Village (Gametry, 17th Jan, $2.99) – Nightfall Village is a pixel-art action adventure where players slash through lurking zombies, explore eerie forests, and fight their way across a shadow-covered countryside. With retro-styled graphics, punchy animations, and a determined village hero, the game delivers quick, satisfying combat perfect for short bursts of action or longer dungeon-crawling sessions.

Orwell: Ignorance is Strength (Daedalic Entertainment, 21st Jan, $9.99) – Inspired by the rise of fake news, social media echo chambers, and the displacement of truth, Orwell: Ignorance is Strength is the second–darker–season of the award-winning surveillance thriller, Orwell. With the power to both uncover and play with “the truth”, you must decide for yourself how far you will go in the service of your country and whether the truth is sacred or ignorance is strength.

Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You (Daedalic Entertainment, 21st Jan, $9.99) – Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences… Orwell is a new governmental security program that has the power to survey the online presence of every person in The Nation.

Pin Test Party Psychology (TT, 22nd Jan, $8.99) – A party game for up to 8 players that reveals everyone’s hidden psychology! Place a pin where you feel it fits best, and see what it says about you. Your choices will show surprising insights into your personality! Play with friends or family, or enjoy it solo. Laugh, think, and discover yourself in this fun and mysterious psychology game!

Quick Whiskers (Afil Games, 28th Jan, $4.99) – Get ready to jump, dash, and glide with Quick Whiskers, a pixel-art platformer where every move counts! Take control of a nimble cat and venture through 30 challenging levels across two unique biomes: the peaceful park and the bustling city. Your mission is simple but full of action: collect food cans and reach a cozy bed to rest. With mechanics easy to learn but hard to master, each stage rewards skill, quick thinking, and precision.

SHIP SIMULATOR OCEAN FISHING (MORAHAN Studio Games, 24th Jan, $9.99) – Embark on the Ultimate Ocean Fishing Adventure! In SHIP SIMULATOR OCEAN FISHING, you are an independent fisherman starting with nothing but an old boat and the open sea. Navigate coastal waters in search of fish, crabs, and rare seafood, then sell your catch at bustling ports – each offering different prices, challenges, and opportunities.

Sun Meadow (Downmeadowstreet, 23rd Jan, $4.99) – Sun Meadow is a relaxing walking exploration game set in a soft, glowing, dreamlike woodland. Wander through quiet meadows, shimmering ponds, and ancient groves as you search for hidden landmarks scattered throughout a magical, ever-peaceful forest. No danger, no combat—just you, the trees, and the sunlight.

Super Star Shooter Classic (AM Factory, 19th Jan, $3.99) – Super Star Shooter Classic is a time-based vertical shooting game that blends simple controls with score-focused gameplay. It is designed for short, concentrated sessions and features clean pixel-art visuals inspired by classic computer shooters.

The Cute Whale (Afil Games, 22nd Jan, $4.99) – Get ready for an ocean full of puzzles and charm. Guide a lovable whale through 30 handcrafted stages where strategy meets relaxation. Push the turtles onto the buoys and help restore harmony to the sea in this adorable adventure of logic and calm.

THE LAST TRAIN: Baquedano (Pdpartid@games, 22nd Jan, $7.99) – In The Last Train, a first-person psychological horror game, routine turns into nightmare when you fall asleep on the subway. Upon waking, you discover you’ve reached the end of the line, an abandoned station shrouded in darkness. But you’re not alone; something else waits in the shadows, watching you and following your every move.

Touhou: Blossom Blade (Phoenixx, 22nd Jan, $6.99) – Konpaku Youmu sets out to prove herself to Saigyouji Yuyuko, mistress of Hakugyokurou. Make use of her three skills and challenge the veteran incident resolver and shrine maiden, Hakurei Reimu. An exhilarating 3D bullet hell action game set in Gensokyo, the world of Touhou Project! This game is a Touhou Project fangame.

Tropicalia (Ratalaika Games, 23rd Jan, $14.99) – Are You Ready for This Tropical Adventure?
You will play as Kaique, a brave Guarani warrior whose girlfriend, Kerana, is kidnapped by an evil god named Tau. Collect materials to craft new items, grind through fast-paced battles, and test your strategy against challenging bosses. Hunt, fish, swim, dive, jump, and explore the jungle! In this fantasy game you wont find Dragons and Elves. But you will face Curupiras and Boitatas.

Truck & Camping Collection (BoomHits, 19th Jan, $17.99) – Offroad driving game for the adventurous! Navigate a dark forest with a map & compass, complete exciting missions. Detailed graphics, awesome cars, lighting and effects! Start your adventure in the wilds today! This new and exciting offroad driving game lets you prove yourself in the rough terrain, driving and completing multiple different tasks! Check your surroundings, use the tools available to you and start exploring!

YellowPips, wild west apocalyptic (FuriouSoftPhoenix, 22nd Jan, $11.99) – YellowPips throws you straight into the heart of the Wild West. Build an impressive town with services like a barber shop, hotel, bank, armory, and a grand saloon, among many others. Gather and manage resources — wood, coal, gold, and tools — to kickstart the local economy and watch your community grow.

So that’s your lot for this week’s North American Nintendo Download. Go on, be a sport and drop a vote in the poll above, and comment below with your hot picks!

If this month’s Pokémon and Ocarina of Time sets didn’t break the bank for you, LEGO and Nintendo have today teased another entry in the ‘Adult’ Mario Kart line, and it looks like the brother in green is taking centre stage.

The tease in question was shared to Nintendo of America and LEGO socials, and sees last year’s Mario Kart set geared up and ready to go before a mysterious figure emerges on the right side of the screen. It’s far from a detailed look at the set, but the green cap, arm, and accompanying caption, “Racing runs in the family,” all but confirm it.

Neither Nintendo nor LEGO has revealed any pricing information or a release date for the Luigi Mario Kart set just yet, but for reference, the Mario counterpart went up for £149.99 / $169.99 last year, so we’d be surprised if it’s much more than that.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more information down the line, but gosh, what a year to be a LEGO / Nintendo fan — and what a bad year to be money conscious…

What do you make of this upcoming Luigi set? Let us know in the comments.

If you’ve been keeping up with Final Fantasy VII Remake on the Switch 2, then you’ll probably already know that its direct sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, along with the untitled third entry, will also head to the hybrid console in the future.

Rebirth represents quite a drastic departure from Remake, introducing a vast open world that serves as an almost direct contrast to the tightly-designed environments found in the first entry. This will no doubt sow doubts in fans’ minds about just how well it might hold up on the Switch 2. After all, Rebirth’s visuals were already noted to have suffered from a few downgrades at launch when compared to Remake.

From a gameplay perspective, however, fans can expect parity across all systems with Rebirth and the upcoming third entry. In speaking with Nintendo of Europe, game director Naoki Hamaguchi states that the gameplay experience is “exactly the same”, explaining that any differences might by “confusing for players”.

Here’s what he had to say:

“There’s not a huge amount of information I can share in terms of future games, but I can reassure players that we’re working on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second game in the series, and the third game too. They are being worked on for Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the other platforms right now.

“One thing to reassure the fans who want to play these games on Nintendo Switch 2: I’ve got a personal policy where I don’t want to make any versions of my games different or offer a different gameplay experience just because they’re on different hardware. That might get confusing for players, and they might wonder which version of the game they should buy. That’s something I’d very much like to avoid. The Nintendo Switch 2 versions are being developed in a way that keeps the gameplay experience pretty much exactly the same as all the other platforms, so I hope this reassures Nintendo Switch 2 players.”

Given that Remake hits the Switch 2 *checks notes* today, it seems likely that we won’t see Rebirth for a little while yet, never mind the mysterious third entry. We’ll be keeping a close eye on any and all developments, however, and let you know as soon as we hear more.

In the meantime, do check our full review for Final Fantasy VII Remake if you haven’t already. We awarded it a score of 9/10, stating that it “makes impressively few compromises” in moving over to the Switch 2.

Are you excited to play Rebirth on the Switch 2? Have you picked up Remake yet? What will the third game be called? So many questions. Answer them all with a comment down below.

Poor old Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. The Argonaut Games remaster arrived on Switch on 2nd April, the very same day that we were all distracted by the monster Switch 2 reveal Direct, and those who pre-ordered the physical edition way back in Oct 2024 still have no idea when it’s going to arrive. Talk about a Croc-y start.

The game itself was delayed back in late 2024. After launch, Rock It Games, the company behind the physical, said that tariff issues had “made it temporarily difficult to schedule shipments for some items,” but things were supposedly back on track. Then, following the release of the game’s ‘Platinum Edition’ update last October, the company pushed things again to get the whole game complete on cartridge — “the unavoidable consequence of this upgrade meant delays in the mastering, approval process and physical manufacture of the disc and cartridge with Sony and Nintendo respectively.”

So, where does that leave things now? In a new blog post, Rock It says that “the delays have been unacceptable,” and that going forward, it will be committed to “only offering games once development is complete and our delivery timelines are fully under our control.” But there’s still no firm release date.

According to the post, the game disc and cartridges have now been approved for production by Sony and Nintendo, Platinum Edition update included, and much of the extra merch found in the beefy Collector’s Editions is either complete or arriving in the warehouse by the end of the month.

The thing is, the production updates aren’t consistent between posts — one month, items are complete and ready to go, the next, they’re not. Mix-ups happen, of course, but those who dropped $129.99 on the Collector’s Edition over a year ago are, rightly, after something a little more concrete.

“I have zero trust in Rock It Games because of this,” one user wrote on the r/CrocLegendoftheGobbos Reddit, “If they would have just told the truth, and admitted things got screwed up, and didn’t go to plan, I would have been disappointed, but understood.” Others have been so frustrated with the process that they have already requested refunds.

“We’re confident that the regular and Collector’s Editions of Croc are coming soon,” developer Argonaut Games said in an update post on Instagram, “We’re as eager to receive them as all of our customers are!”

When exactly “soon” is remains to be seen, but hey, maybe 2026 will be the year!

Are you waiting on a Croc physical edition? Let us know in the comments.

The Pokémon Company and Universal Studios have announced that a ‘world class’ Pokémon attraction will be coming to Universal Studios themes parks in Japan and global locations.

Described as an ‘interactive Pokémon experience’ that will “stimulate all five senses”, the attraction will debut at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka before being rolled out globally. This presumably includes parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US along with Singapore and Beijing.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company, had the following to say:

“Since announcing our medium- to long-term alliance in 2021, we have collaborated with Universal Studios Japan’s outstanding creative vision and world-class technical capabilities to produce a variety of ‘real-life Pokémon experiences,’ including the NO LIMIT! Parade and Halloween show.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, and we are extremely pleased to be able to fully launch this new project with you all at this major milestone. Our mission is to enrich both the real and virtual worlds through the existence of Pokémon, and we produce Pokémon every day. With this project, too, we hope to create new entertainment that is unique to theme parks, as a rich experience in the real world, and continue to provide surprises to people all over the world.”

There’s no time scale as to when the attraction will launch, but those in Japan can at least look forward to the opening of Poké Park Kanto at Tokyo’s Yomiuriland Amusement Park on 5th February 2026.

In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye out any further developments regarding the new Pokémon attraction at Universal Studios. If nothing else, we’re expecting to see lots and lots (and lots) of new merch.

What do you make of this? Will you be keen to visit one of the Universal Studios destinations when the Pokémon attraction launches? Let us know with a comment.