Author: sick skills

Nintendo released a new system firmware update for the Switch 2 yesterday and it’s resolved some compatibility issues.

There’s been an issue with the 2021 releases Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, with both Switch titles reportedly crashing from time to time on the new hybrid system. Fortunately, Nintendo appears to have finally resolved these problems after the rollout of the 21.2.0 system firmware.

This is now officially reflected on Nintendo’s software compatibility search page:

Update 01/13/2026 – “Previously identified issues have been resolved with an update.”

One other game fixed is the “RTS, tower defense, and match-3” title Cats on Duty (yes, you read that correctly), which is now fully supported on the Switch 2.

Nintendo has also identified an issue with Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe on the Switch 2 tied to audio issues in certain areas of the game, so we’ll hopefully see a fix for this soon. Once again, you can find out more about the compatibility of Switch titles on the Switch 2 via Nintendo’s software compatibility search page.

Have you tried out any of these games on the Switch 2 since the new system firmware update was released? Are there any games in particular you would like to see updated or fixed for the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.

As someone with OCD, I usually live for this kind of stuff, but being able to view play times now via the Nintendo Store app now makes this a little redundant, admittedly.

Anyways, I played my Switch/Switch 2 for a whopping 1,327 hours this year across 87 different games. In my defense, I have a YouTube gaming channel I post to regularly, so you could argue I was technically working… 😬

My top 3 most-played games were as follows:

1. Fantasy Life i – 280 hrs.
2. Super Mario Maker 2 – 209 hrs.
3. GameCube NSO – 116 hrs.

If you’re wondering why I played so much Mario Maker in the Year of our Lord 2025, it’s because I finally completed my 40-level Mario World “sequel” I started years ago and even made a whole Mario 3 themed course world as well. Was a lot of fun.

AI is absolutely bloomin’ everywhere these days; doubly so if you kept an eye on CES 2026 earlier this month. There’s no getting away from it, and folks are particularly keen to see what game developers think of the whole thing.

Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios and director of both Split Fiction and It Takes Two, recently caught up with Christopher Dring at The Game Business. The subject of AI naturally cropped up, and while Fares is keen to highlight the technology’s advantages in game development, he doesn’t see it taking over completely anytime soon, and firmly believes that having someone with a “vision or idea” for a game is vital.

“We have been working with AI for a long time in game development. The problem is the generative AI. If [an AI tool] is helpful to get your vision out there, I don’t see why we shouldn’t look into it. But… it’s the generative AI that people are a bit like…

“It’s really hard to answer. If you look at Midjourney, for instance, when it came out it was so impressive. And five years later… the bar hasn’t gone up much. Maybe this is the limit of it.

“You get someone generating a game concept and saying, ‘oh look what might happen in five years?’ But who knows? In five years, maybe it’s going to be like Midjourney… not much better.

“At the end of the day, you still need someone that has a vision or idea of what game it is. I don’t see AI taking over. I don’t. But it’s really hard to answer. Who knows what happens in the future?”

Of course, we think it’s worth pointing out that developers do, in fact, have a choice in the matter. Mentioning the idea of AI “taking over” makes it sounds like an inevitability, but we’re not quite sure that’s entirely accurate. Here’s hoping Hazelight doesn’t let itself get too dragged into the weeds, anyway.

A recent image for Nintendo’s own ‘My Mario’ collection was scrutinised for potentially using AI, however the company had since come out and clarified that it did not use the technology in producing the images.

Are we doomed to accept that AI might inevitably become a key part of game development in the future? Or are you hopeful that devs take a stand and refuse to use it extensively? This topic isn’t going away, so let us know your thoughts with a comment.

Nintendo’s share price has been on a downward turn over the last several months, currently sitting at 9,950 yen following an all-time high of 14,795 yen in August 2025.

Fluctuations are inevitable in this business, but according to Kantan Games‘ CEO Dr. Serkan Toto, Nintendo’s investors are “spooked” by the prospect of price rises along with the lack of any major first-party titles in 2026 (so far!).

In a post on X (via XCancel), Toto states:

“Nintendo stock in Japan is sliding: All-time high of 14,795 yen in August 2025, and closed at 9,950 yen today.

“So -33% in 5 months: Investors are spooked by possible price hikes, lack of 1st-party hits and US/EU hardware discounts during the holidays.”

Honestly, we’re not sure what the heck is going on with that last point. Was anyone really expecting to see a console discount within the first year of sale? Christmas or not, that just seems bonkers to us.

Either way, it’s a noteworthy downturn, but we’re not worried at the moment. The Switch 2, despite some apparent struggles over the Christmas period, is still the fastest-selling console of all time. Furthermore, we’re confident Nintendo will have some more big games up its sleeve for the latter half of 2026. Pokémon Gen 10, anyone?

Any thoughts on Nintendo’s current share price? What does Nintendo need to do in 2026 to turn things around? Let us know with a comment.

With just 30 days to go until the launch of Reanimal on 15th February 2026, publisher THQ Nordic has finally launched the free demo on the Switch 2 eShop (in Europe at least; it’s currently not available in the US).

The demo will give you a small taste of what the co-op horror title will have to offer, with Tarsier Studios previously stating that solo players will have no problem experiencing the game if you can’t find anyone to join you.

Reanimal is somewhat of a spiritual successor to Little Nightmares, which Tarsier Studios worked on before development passed over to Supermassive Games for the third entry. It looks to be an altogether more disturbing experience as the story follows two siblings to work to escape a hellish environment full of grotesque creatures.

The demo, much like the full game, will have Quality and Performance modes to adjust visual fidelity and frame rate to your liking.

Will you be downloading the Reanimal demo on Switch 2? Let us know your thoughts on the experience with a comment down below.

Level-5 recently teased more updates for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and alongside today’s news that the game has now shifted more than 800,000 units worldwide, it’s now announced the title’s second major free update.

This second update is scheduled to take to the field on 28th January 2026 and will feature the opening of the Ares Route, along with various other features. This update follows on from “Galaxy & LBX DLC” in December 2025, which added new routes to the Chronicles Mode.

Level-5 also mentions in this announcement how it will continue to provide “free content over the long term” for the latest Inazuma Eleven title. This includes additional route expansion and the official tournament system, Victory Road.

As part of the sales milestone, Level-5 is also offering a new in-game gift code. Input SKBMYLCKRKJZ and you’ll receive the following: Bond Star x 50, Inazuma Flower x 5 and God Hand Herb x 5.

You can find out more about the first major update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road in our previous story here on Nintendo Life. Apart from this, Level-5 has also revealed Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time will be getting a major update in February. When we find out more, we’ll let you know.

Have you tried out the latest Inazuma Eleven game yet? How about the first major update? Tell us in the comments.

Nintendo has today dropped its second album of the year on its Nintendo Music app for Switch Online subscribers.

It’s the Mario & Luigi: Brothership soundtrack. This title originally arrived on the Switch in 2024, and the album includes a whopping 94 tracks, featuring songs such as ‘Connie and Shipshape Island’, and ‘Attack Combos’. The total album length is 3 hours and 49 minutes.

If you’re curious to know more about this latest entry in the series, you can check out our full review here on Nintendo Life.

“Mario & Luigi: Brothership takes this long-running RPG series to new heights in a high-seas adventure that’s packed full of top-notch combat, inventive variety, a positive and thoughtful story, and lots signature comedy from the dynamic duo themselves. This is a big game, packed full of surprises and fun, and the all-new Battle Plug system, alongside lots of flashy specials, a fittingly emotive art-style, and a world that brimming with puzzles and challenges, make for a must-play in our book.”

This latest update follows the release of the Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance GameCube soundtrack on the music app last week. If you want to listen to these albums on this app, you’ll need to have an active Switch Online membership. Nintendo is currently offering a 7-day free trial in the US, allowing users to try out the Switch Online services.

What do you think about the latest album update for Nintendo Music app? What else would you like to see join this library in 2026? Tell us in the comments.

Following the digital release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition at the end of last year, Sega has now locked in the launch date for the physical version.

It previously revealed it would be arriving in “early 2026” and it’s now been confirmed this release will be racing onto Switch 2 on 26th March 2026. It will be priced at $69.99 USD (or your regional equivalent) and Sega notes how it will feature the “full base game” on the cartridge.

If you would prefer to simply upgrade your existing Switch copy, you can purchase the game’s upgrade for $10.00.

As one extra treat today, Sega has also announced the “Blue Star Extreme Gear” is now available to all CrossWorlds players. This follows on from last week’s release of the paid Pac-Man Pack for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, allowing players to race as Pac-Man and Team Ghost on a track inspired by the series.

Will you be picking up the physical version of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.