Author: sick skills

If you’re not sold on the upcoming release Dragon Quest VII Reimagined just yet, Square Enix will be releasing a “free demo” for the Switch, Switch 2 and other platforms on 7th January 2026.

Like many of its other demos, you’ll be able to carry over your progress to the full release when it launches next month on 5th February 2026. As a bonus, adventurers with demo save data will also receive the reward “Maribel’s Day Off Dress”.

To entertain you until then, you can check out the game’s official opening movie in the video above.

In case you missed it, Square Enix also recently released a Switch 2 demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, with the full version of this title launching later this month on 22nd January 2026. In this demo, save data also carries over, and you’ll receive some bonus items.

You can find out more about every free demo available on the Switch and Switch 2 in our guides here on Nintendo Life.

Will you be trying out this demo for DQVII Reimagined before the full game arrives? As always, let us know in the comments.

If you thought Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was slowing down anytime soon, think again. Sega has announced that the Pac-Man Pack will be available on 7th January 2026.

Alongside the upcoming DLC, which includes the iconic Namco character as a playable racer, PAC-MAN Festival is also kicking off a day later on 8th January from 4pm PT / 7pm ET / 9th January 12am GMT until 11th January at 3:59 pm. PT / 6:59 p.m. ET / 11:59pm GMT. Note that you don’t need to buy the Pac-Man pack to take part in the festival.

Pac-Man’s arrival is the third in the Season Pass line-up, with Mega Man set to join the race later in the year along with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Those of you looking for some more free goodies, though, NiGHTS is available to download for the game right now, too.

And hey, if you happened to get Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on Switch 2 over the holiday period, know that this is the way to play the game portably and is a huge upgrade over the Switch 1 version.

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Will you be racing as Pac-Man and the ghosts in the DLC? Speed on down to the comments.

Update [Mon 5th Jan 2026, 7:35pm]: After the initial tease way back in April last year, publisher Electric Airship has finally confirmed that Kasey Ozymy’s fantastic surreal RPG, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass, is coming to Switch on 5th February 2026.

Heavily inspired by SNES RPGs while putting its own unique dreamlike twist on the genre, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass’ console port is more than just that, with the brand new trailer (up top) teasing “new never-before-seen levels!”, new enemies, enhanced visuals, a CRT filter, new fonts, and even more.

Blending horror elements with all of those classic retro RPG tropes, Jimmy’s adventures in his dreams promise to be memorable and emotional.

For more info, check out this summary from the game’s Steam page and check out our original story from last year below…

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a Japanese-style RPG made by a guy from Texas. It was very much influenced by SNES-era jRPGs, particularly Earthbound, Final Fantasy 5, and the Breath of Fire series, among others. It was also heavily influenced by Yume Nikki.

The game takes place in the dream of an eight-year-old boy. When an alien entity appears and threatens his family and the stability of the dream world itself, Jimmy sets out on an adventure to save his family and eradicate the threat of the Pulsating Mass. Along the way, Jimmy will have to work with his family, confront his own shortcomings, and brave the creeping nightmares of his subconscious.

Features:
-Full-length Japanese-style RPG.
-Classic turn-based combat with some modern sensibilities.
-A big emphasis on exploration.
-As an empathetic kid, Jimmy gains the ability to imagine himself as several of the monsters he meets, allowing him to interact with the world in new ways.
-These different transformations can also be leveled up, granting Jimmy higher stats and new abilities.
-A story for adults delivered from the perspective of a child.
-Jokes.
-Unspeakable horrors.

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Original Story: Wed 16th Apr, 2025 19:30 BST: We all know just how influential EarthBound is at this point. Despite initially underselling and putting people off with weird marketing campaigns, the game (and, in turn, series) is one of the most beloved games on the SNES. So it’s no wonder that EarthBound-inspired games are a dime a dozen.

Here’s one that may have flown under the radar for many, however — Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass from solo developer Kasey Ozymy, a “guy from Texas” who loves Japanese and Japanese-style RPGs. His debut game, made entirely in RPG Maker, launched on Steam and itch.io in August 2018. And now, Ozymy’s studio, Starseed Games, is partnering with publisher Electric Airship to bring the turn-based RPG to all consoles, including Switch.

We don’t have a date yet, or anything else besides a post on Bluesky from Electric Airship stating “we are working with Starseed Games”. But it’s something.

With fewer than 500 Steam reviews, and only a handful of mostly-glowing reviews from smaller outlets such as Gaming Trend, Cubed3, and RPGFan (where, full disclosure, the author of this news article is a former writer at RPGFan), not many people are talking about it. YouTuber Nitro Rad also produced a video on the game prior to release. And, from what we’ve heard, this sounds like a must-play for fans of EarthBound.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass isn’t just inspired by Nintendo’s subversive American-set RPG; it also takes cues from the Breath of Fire series, Final Fantasy V, and horror indie hit Yume Nikke. Boasting over 40 hours of content, the entire game takes place inside the dream of an eight-year-old boy called Jimmy.

It’s got first-person turn-based combat just like Dragon Quest, but you have the ability to actually transform into some foes — as long as they’re not controlled by the game’s big bad, the titular Pulsating Mass. There are horrifying nightmarish dungeons, tons of sidequests, and a beautiful story at the centre of it all.

So, we’ll be keeping an eye out for this one, then. In the meantime, you can sign up to the publisher’s website to get more details on Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass’ console release and other indie RPGs.

Have you played Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass before? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Accessory manufacturer Belkin has added a new Switch 2 case to its catalogue, and this one looks like a doozy. The Charging Case Pro retails for $99.99, which certainly sounds like a lot for a case, but you’re also getting a lot with this one.

The new Pro model comes with an LED indicator so you can quickly see how much charge the 10,000 mAH power bank has, allowing you to charge the Switch 2 up to 1.5 times while on the go. The console itself can be docked into the case and used in table-top mode whilst it’s charging, and you can store up to 12 Game-Key Cards game cartridges in the included sleeves.

Naturally, the case has also been built with durable materials to ensure your Switch 2 is always adequately protected against the occasional drop, and you can also store any relevant cables, cleaning cloths, and more in the interior mesh pocket. Finally, if you’re somewhat prone to losing your possessions, there’s a discreet interior pocket designed to hold Smart Trackers like the Apple AirTag or Moto Tag.

We weren’t overly keen on Belkin’s previous Charging Case for the Switch 2, noting that it had good ideas, but the execution itself wasn’t quite on point. The new Pro looks to be a big improvement, though it’s price may be a bit on the steep side for some.

Belkin has confirmed that the Charging Case Pro will start shipping in mid-January.

What are your thoughts on Belkin’s new Charging Case Pro? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.

Toshiyuki Itahana, an illustrator best known for his work as a character designer on Final Fantasy IX, has left Square Enix.

Confirming the news online, Itahana-san said that the decision to leave was made at the end of 2025 once all of his commitments to the 25th Anniversary for Final Fantasy IX were complete. He intends to now work as a freelance illustrator and character designer and has urged readers to support him in his new endeavour.

In addition to Final Fantasy IX, Itahana has also contributed to the Chocobo spin-off series and has directed a total of two games, one of which was Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for the Wii in 2009.

Here’s a look at the full announcement post:

As I began thinking seriously about preparing myself to continue drawing for many years to come, I decided to leave Square Enix at the end of last year. Last year marked a major milestone with the 25th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY IX, a truly significant event, and I was deeply grateful to see so many people celebrating FFIX.

With the illustration work and supervision related to the 25th anniversary now complete, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment in having fulfilled the role entrusted to me. At the same time, I felt this was the right moment to draw a line under this chapter and take on new challenges.

From here on, I will be working as a freelance illustrator and character designer. While remaining deeply grateful for all the connections I’ve been fortunate to receive through my work so far, I hope to draw upon my experience and continue creating a wide variety of new artwork.

At the moment, I’m still finding my way—listening to advice and learning from senior freelance illustrators—but if you happen to come across my work somewhere, I would be truly happy if you could support me.

To everyone who played the games I worked on at Square Enix, and to all those I had the pleasure of working with over the years, thank you very much. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude, and I sincerely hope for your continued support in the future.

May this new year be an exceptionally happy one for all of you.

Final Fantasy IX is currently available via the Switch eShop. Many had hoped that the 25th Anniversary would include an announcement for the long-rumoured remake, but alas, that has yet to happen.

What do you make of this news from Itahana-san? What would you like to see him work on next? Let us know with a comment.

The Lego Game Boy has, to be expected, proven to be a smash hit with Nintendo fans, and has no doubt been a blisteringly hot product over the Christmas period.

But it seems as though many folks have forgotten what a Game Boy cartridge actually looks like, as photos cropping up online showcase the Lego cartridges with the top panel placed in the centre, not offset to the left as it should be (thanks, Polygon).

Look, it’s an easy mistake to make, especially since one of the official images from Lego itself shows the cartridge in its incorrect state. As such, we’re not going to call out anyone by linking out to a specific post online – that’s just mean, y’know?

It’s also entirely possible that those building the cartridges incorrectly might be on the younger side and perhaps have never seen a real Game Boy in the flesh. Though to be honest, we feel like those interested in this build will be older folks who want to tap into a bit of nostalgia.

Either way, if you happen to have built the Lego Game Boy set and maybe gotten the cartridges a bit wrong, then hopefully this post will set you straight. And at the end of the day, there’s really no right or wrong way to do it – it’s your Lego set, so enjoy it however you like!

And look, before anyone points it out in the comments, yes, our Gallery post earlier in 2025 highlighting the Lego Game Boy did include photos of the cartridges in their incorrect state. Don’t worry, we’ll get PJ to complete a gruelling online course to recover his Nintendo Expert credentials.

Did you find a Lego Game Boy under the Christmas tree in 2025? Have you managed to build it yet? Let us know your thoughts on this with a comment down below.

When Metroid Prime 4 previews dropped back in November, series fans were rightly worried that the biggest killer in the game may not be scourge of the Space Pirates and bounty hunter extraordinaire Samus Aran, but a geeky sidekick apparently out to murder the series’ pensive, lonesome tone with his inane geekery and unwanted guidance.

Not every previewer found him grating, but the general pre-release sentiment was that chatter from Myles MacKenzie and the Galactic Federation team risked destroying the mood which feels like a defining characteristic of the series.

Fortunately, on playing the full game, it became apparent that the engineer — who can only be the product of a tryst between Gordon Freeman, Zack Braff, and Rick Moranis — wasn’t half as obnoxious as he came across in the opening section.

In his review, Ollie said he “genuinely came to enjoy” the presence of the Troopers, and Myles’ pinging in the Sol Valley was only a mild irritation in the grand scheme. Perhaps Nintendo should have done a better job showcasing the wider experience for the preview, because MacKenzie made a poor first impression on a lot of people.

Now that the game’s been out for a full month and everyone’s had time to step into Samus’ shoes and witness firsthand Galactic Federation types geeking out over her, we wonder: Have your thoughts on Myles mellowed? Have you, in fact, come to appreciate his help and upgrades? Or have you been a fan from the beginning?

Myles was definitely, appropriately, a point of conversation early doors, but it feels like people have warmed up to him in the last few weeks. Some discoveries and interviews since release have also shed some light on the developers’ thinking behind the game’s design, encompassing Myles and his loquacious comrades.

A little datamining in the weeks post-launch brought to light over 30 minutes of Federation Trooper dialogue that was left on the cutting room floor, so it seems Retro and Nintendo trimmed back some of the game’s chatter for one reason or another. Team Ninja’s Other M divided opinion for (among other reasons) being a fairly ‘talky’ Metroid, and Retro — the studio behind the previous three Prime games — was presumably conscious of maintaining tonal continuity, even if many people from the original Prime dev team are long gone.

In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nintendo said that the game’s protracted development and intentional choices to stick with an original vision produced in a game “divorced from the changing of times”, resulting in a more “limited” open world than we’ve grown accustomed to over the Switch generation.

Would a more expansive, Breath of the Wild-style Viewros have affected Myles’ patter? You might assume it would increase the quota of ‘helpful’ radio chatter, but Navi wasn’t back and bothering Link in BOTW’s Hyrule, was she? An open-world approach would have necessitated a total redesign, though — as discussed in the Famitsu interview — and Nintendo wasn’t going to start from scratch again. The solitary ambience is a key part of the Metroid experience, but so too is exploring and unlocking areas on a contained map. As the “Nintendo spokesperson” put it:

“Metroid’s core element of ‘increasing the amount of explorable areas by unlocking powers’ is not very compatible with the ‘freedom to go anywhere from the beginning’ of open worlds.”

That doesn’t mean you couldn’t design a Prime game with that in mind, but that’s a very different concept requiring a different approach — and a different pace — to let the terrain do the talking.

Having gotten used to more intelligent design, especially from Nintendo, Myles’ chatter is a throwback which rubs some people the wrong way. Perhaps it’s nothing to do with his personality – he’s just the personification of tired game design that feels old and irritating at best, patronising at worst.

Beyond the Navi-like hand-holding, you could argue that he’s part of a proud tradition of Nintendo characters that fans love to hate. Does a cult-like following await the maligned, misunderstood ‘Metroid Myles’? Will his name one day be whispered in the reverent tones of a Tingle and an Addison? Will Jim be cracking out his soapbox for a staunch defence in the coming weeks?

For now, let us know below if you think he deserved the Jar Jar-brand vitriol or if a month of MacKenzie has revealed his charms to you. In the ranks of all-time Myles/Miles, he’s certainly no Prower or Morales or O’Brien, but who is? Let’s not hold that against him.

Hello folks, and welcome to the first 2026 edition of Box Art Brawl!

Last time, we looked at the iconic, if under-appreciated Ice Climber for the NES, and would you believe it, we had a tie! North America and Japan achieved a total of 38% each, with Europe trailing at 24%. In our opinion, the Japanese design is slightly better in this case, but we’ll leave it as a tie.

Now cast your mind back to 2019. In one of our very first editions of Box Art Brawl, we looked at Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube. We gave a brief mention to the Wii and PS2 covers at the time, but they weren’t a part of the official poll. We’re going to change that now by looking specifically at Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, originally released in 2007.

Boasting motion controls for aiming and quick-time events, RE4 on the Wii is considered by some to be the best version of the game, though it does (in this writer’s opinion) make what was already a fairly breezy entry in the series a little too easy at times. Still, it’s a banger either way, and we urge you to give it a shot if you haven’t already.

North America

Y’all are pretty familiar with this key art by now, huh? Yes, here we see Leon Kennedy front and centre, with a bunch of villagers and Bitores “The Big Cheese” Méndez surrounding him. It’s an atmospheric piece that does a good job at conveying the sinister circumstances of the game, though logically, Leon striking a pose like that while in such immediate danger doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Europe

Europe’s design is pretty cool, taking direct inspiration from the original GameCube release in the region back in 2005. We can see Dr. Salvador, A.K.A. The Chainsaw Man, standing in the bottom left and surrounding by tree trunks. There are some cool shadow effects here, but we reckon it’s not quite as impactful as the red GameCube original.

Japan

Japan decided to use the same image as North America, but zoomed into Leon and cut out the enemies in the background (apart from a random villager’s arm over on the right), all the while making the colours a little bit cooler. The keen focus on Leon is nice and it makes for an eye-catching design, but we’d like to see more.

Naturally, it also utilises the Japanese ‘biohazard’ title in place of Resident Evil, and despite being unlucky over in Japan, the stylised number 4 is also pretty prominent.

Thanks for voting! We’ll see you next time for another Box Art Brawl.