Author: sick skills

Pokémon Champions, which stands to become the place for competitive VGC for Pokémon going forward, has arrived on the Switch today as a free-to-start experience. But early impressions from fans and competitive players has been… mixed, to say the least.

Promising snappy competitive battles and a way for newcomers to get into the competitive Pokémon scene, Champions at least seems to be getting these two things right.

But patchy 30fps on both Switch 1 and 2 (and, on the latter, the game is meant to look and run better), no 6v6 battles, and no rental teams are just a handful of problems dominating the conversation. As AfroSenju on social media summarises, “This game honestly just feels like a fleshed out beta.”

For one, many of the Pokémon that have been shown off in the game’s trailers are absent. In fact, on launch day, only around 180 ‘mons are actually programmed into the game. Now, we knew not every Pocket Monster would be available, but fewer than 200 is a bit of a surprise. You can see the issue with GVG’s Daniel Alba’s own Home collection:

We imagine more will be added later on, of course, but for people planning out teams ahead of time, that’s no doubt frustrating.

Another competitive staple has been severely nerfed in Champions, and that’s Items. Not that any of the items have changed, of course, but multiple series-staple items — many of which were, again, shown off in trailers, are simply missing from the full release.

Serebii has already put together a complete list of every item available in the game right now, and many of the replies are pointing out some of the crucial absences. Heavy Duty Boots, Choice Band, and the Life Orb are just a few examples.

Again, surely these will be added to the game later. But if this is an effort to level the playing field between veterans and newcomers out of the gate… we’re not seeing the benefits.

A number of bugs have also been reported by players online. Reports of Home transfer bugs are part of the problem, but other issues are greatly affect the usefulness of a Pokémon’s abilities and items.

Competitive player CayennePaprikaVGC shared a clip of Dragapult using a Focus Sash after it attacked. That’s absolutely not how that item works. Oh, and to make it worse, it wasn’t even holding it. (one of the opponent’s ‘mons was, but that’s besides the point).

And there’s another bug with the move Haze, where a near-defeated Milotic goes from 1% HP to 92% after using the move.

Of course, as we mentioned up top, some fans are happy and having fun with the game, but it’s clear that everything isn’t smooth out of the gate. And hopefully, The Pokémon Works and Game Freak can work together to keep updating the experience for those who want to stick with the game.

We’ll leave you with a rather amusing summary from Big Yellow, who points out the difference in reception between Pokémon Pokopia and Champions.

It’s still early days, of course, and we have our own impressions on the game coming soon, so keep an eye out.

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Are you playing Champions at all? What do you think of the game so far? Let us know in the comments.

Back in 2024, Balatro made big waves in the indie roguelike space, offering a relatively simple but incredibly addictive take on the age-old game of poker. After selling millions of copies, it’s now spun off its own sort of sub-genre inspired by its mechanics, and one such game is called Beyond Words from MindFuel Games, a new studio comprising GoldenEye and TimeSplitters veterans Steve Ellis and David Doak.

Basically, this is Scrabble, but if it had Balatro’s rules, rapid-fire pace, and gameplay loop. It’s not perfect, but it does expertly utilise some addictive mechanics to build on its wordy foundation, making it perfect for bookworms who want something that challenges both their lexical and strategic sensibilities.

It’s broken up into various themed levels, each of which follows a round-based roguelike structure wherein you’re given a minimum goal score to hit and a few opportunities to put together enough high-value words to get there, working with a supply of letter tiles randomly drawn from a bag. Each tile has a different point value, and longer words offer progressively higher multipliers. Playing strictly within these rules only gets you so far, however, and this is where some roguelike mechanics come in.

Based on your performance each round, you’re given money to spend in a store featuring a random rotating selection of purchasable upgrades that can fudge the rules a bit more in your favour. You can do things like ‘level up’ the point value and multiplier for all three-letter words, or gain a buff that permanently doubles the value of every vowel you use. Yet, you have to do your best with what you’re given; sometimes the shop doesn’t have great stuff to choose from, but you can usually cobble together a decent ‘build’ to plan moves around.

This all comes together in a game that feels constantly rewarding, even when you fall short of a goal. Even on the same level, you’ll never play the same run twice, and there’s a thrilling sense of forward momentum as you hone in a nice build, rack up points, and nail some seven or eight-letter words on the board. It’s addictive in all the best ways.

Yet, it can sometimes feel a bit too derivative. When details like a rainbow-coloured booster card offers the same buff as a rainbow Joker in Balatro, it’s hard to ignore how much it copies. This in mind, it would’ve been nice to see MindFuel do more to expand upon the mechanics of its inspiration.

Beyond Words, then, is an enjoyable roguelike experience that smartly mixes in chance mechanics and run-based gameplay with a foundation that challenges your vocabulary. Though it feels notably derivative, it ultimately does a good enough job of executing on the mechanics it apes to stand on its own two feet. I’d suggest you pick it up – there’s lots to dive into in this one.

Just a month and a half out from James Bond’s next video game outing, Hitman developer IO Interactive has announced that the Switch 2 version of 007 First Light is being delayed.

Now, instead of landing on the newest Nintendo console on 27th May 2026, the same day as PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, we’ll have to wait until “later this summer” to get our hands on this modern take on Bond’s origin story.

No reason has been given for the delay, but IO Interactive shared a brief statement on social media: “We’re excited to see players discovering James Bond’s reimagined origin story, and we are looking forward to bringing you the best game experience possible across all platforms.”

Pretty disappointing if you’ve been looking forward to playing the game from the comfort of your bed in handheld mode, but hopefully IO is able to iron out any kinks for the port. Still, if you’re excited and need a bit more info on the game, IO did drop a developer diary on YouTube yesterday, which you can watch up-top.

This delay does have us raising our eyebrows though, as the studio’s first Switch 2 release, Hitman World of Assassination, had a fair few problems at launch, though the game has since been patched.

But this is also the latest Switch 2 delay following games like Borderlands 4, High On Life 2, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, and Powerwash Simulator 2‘s DLC. It’s also not the first delay to hit 007, as the game was originally due to launch in March 2026 before being pushed back right before Christmas last year.

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Are you disappointed with the delay? Let us know in the comments.

We’ve seen Hello Games add all kinds of crazy content to No Man’s Sky over the last 10 years (!!), but today’s update might take the biscuit for the feature we were least expecting to see.

The new Xeno Arena update is Pokémon. Nope, we’re not joking. The latest patch adds mechanics that cover everything from creature catching to battling, training to rare hunting, all wrapped up in the No Man’s Sky ecosystem. Crazy, right?

If you have played NMS for any period of time, you likely will have stumbled across a creature of two — be that a flying cow or a sentient robot — well, now you can catch, train, breed and battle them too.

New Holo Arenas will be cropping up in space stations throughout the galaxy, where you can pit your caught companions against other players or NPCs to rake in rewards. There are no electric mice or fire dragons to mention, but the creatures do have types and elemental affinities of their own, so you’ll have to pay attention to which monster you’re facing off against.

Daily missions and the promise of catching rare creatures for those who look deeper make the update sound like an entirely new game in itself — and there we were thinking the Hello Games team would start slowing down at some point!

Here’s a handful of screenshots, so you can see the catching / battling up close:

So, there you have it! It’s not the NMS expansion we had on our 2026 bingo card, but you’ve got to respect the dedication to the bit.

What do you make of Xeno Arena’s Pokémon-inspired additions? Let us know in the comments.

Another year, another jaunt on the Rumour Express, right? Yes, whispers of a new Zelda remake are making the rounds once again following a recent claim that Ocarina of Time is making a big comeback on the Switch 2 later this year.

We’ve been here before and we’ll probably be here again, but it got us thinking: Nintendo clearly isn’t beyond the odd Zelda remake or remaster, with the likes of Link’s Awakening, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and others getting some TLC for new audiences. Heck, Ocarina already got a 3DS remake. So which other Zeldas would we like to see remade?

That’s not a rhetorical question; we’re actually going to answer it! Read on for our thoughts and when you’re done, feel free to share your own in the poll. Should Ocarina of Time get the spotlight as rumoured, or should Nintendo venture elsewhere in the archives?

While you ponder, here’s what we think…

Ollie Reynolds, Reviews Editor

It’s difficult to make a solid case for the vast majority of Zelda games given that so many of them are available on the Switch in some form or another. That said, the idea of a proper Ocarina of Time remake is just so alluring. Yes, I know it’s obvious and there are probably a bunch of entries in far greater need of some TLC, but this is the one I’m going for. So there.

It doesn’t even need that much doing to it. Spruce up the graphics without making it look like Sonic Frontiers, maybe add in some nice landmarks or surprises to make Hyrule Field a little more interesting (and slow down the passage of time while you’re at it!), and you’re onto a winner.

It would make for an easy onboarding game for newcomers curious about the upcoming movie, and a suitable way to celebrate the series’ landmark 40th anniversary.

Throw in Majora’s Mask, too. Make it a double-whammy. Do it, Nintendo.

Gavin Lane, Editor

My heart says Ocarina. It was my first Zelda, and I’d get a kick out of returning to its locales, meeting those people again, and just soaking up that particular version of Hyrule once more. Do you transplant the story into a BOTW-style open world with a similar layout to the original? Do you try something totally new or stick to the formula? I’d enjoy seeing how Nintendo answers those questions.

My head says Zelda II. Of all the games, it’s the least approachable and I’d love to see a fresh, post-Dark Souls take on it.

My gut says OG Legend of Zelda. It’s the 40th anniversary, it’s a classic that many a younger gamer won’t have touched, and having Grezzo tackle another top-down entry following Echoes of Wisdom feels sensible while the main EPD Zelda team cracks on with the next instalment proper.

My stomach says…it’s lunchtime.

Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor

Mmm… a Dark Souls-esque take on Zelda II… Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s ever going to happen, but I love the idea!

There are some other very obvious answers I can give, but I want to use my heart a little bit here. A Link Between Worlds (yes, not A Link to the Past – I don’t know, I’m scared of people remaking SNES games sometimes) is stuck on the 3DS and isn’t exactly cheap to get hold of. It’d need to be reworked pretty massively because of the amount of touchscreen functionality, but goodness, get it on Switch (2) because that art style would look lovely.

I’d also honestly love to see Four Swords Adventures get some much-needed attention. I had so much fun with my brother playing that game; give it a paper visual overhaul, change the multiplayer requirements, add some extra levels and challenge… it’d be so fun over GameChat.

As an aside, I don’t really want an Ocarina of Time remake. Just put the 3DS one on there with some tweaks. There’s clearly more imaginative remakes (or new games) to work on.

Jim Norman, Features Editor

The thing I’d really like is a chance for more people to play an entry that they have been console-locked from for years. Yes, you know I’m talking about Link’s Crossbow Training Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. They’re far from the most beloved titles in the series, but a remake would provide a fine chance to fix that. Get rid of the touchscreen reliance and give the art a clean up and boom, I guarantee people would find them a lot more palatable.

While I’m thinking of double packs, let’s throw the Oracle games out there, too. Link’s Awakening looked so very lovely in Grezzo’s toy-like art style, and the GBC duo absolutely rule. Neither would need all that much tweaking to bring them up to the modern day.

Just nobody mention Minish Cap. I don’t think I could handle my beloved being messed with…

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Is there a Zelda entry you’re itching to see get a remake, or do you think Nintendo should focus on new experiences? Let us know below.

(Note. We’ve omitted the Switch games and anything that’s been remade/re-released in HD.)

Which Zelda game would you most like to see remade? (1,677 votes)

1. The Legend of Zelda (NES)9%
2. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)11%
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)9%
4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)21%
5. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (N64)9%
6. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons (GBC)13%
7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords (GBA)  0.2%
8. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GCN)2%
9. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)6%
10. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)5%
11. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)7%
12. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)7%
13. The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS)  1%

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined arrived for the Switch and Switch 2 in February, and if you were hoping for some fixes, you’re in luck! Square Enix has today rolled out a new patch for the Switch and Switch 2.

It’s available right now, and according to a rough translation from the official Japanese game website, it fixes a bunch of progression-related bugs across all platforms. On the Switch and Switch 2, this will bump the game software up to Version 1.2.0.

Here’s what’s you can expect, courtesy of Square Enix’s Japanese website:

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – Version 1.2.0 Update, 8th April 2026

Today, we have released an update file to fix issues related to progress in *Dragon Quest VII Reimagined*.

<Update Contents>

・Fixed a bug in the vicinity of past Mardilus where players could pass through the checkpoint at the Grand Temple without handing over the item required for progression to the soldier.

・Fixed a bug where players could move to the Wind Labyrinth even without possessing the required item.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers.
For details, please check the official site

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If you haven’t already played this title, there’s a free demo you can download from the eShop. Save data can carry over and as a bonus adventurers with this demo data will receive the reward “Maribel’s Day Off Dress”.

As for the game, we summed it up as a “fantastic makeover and the best-looking Dragon Quest ever”, awarding it an “excellent” nine out of ten stars:

“Combine the more engaging pace of the narrative with some nice gameplay updates like moonlighting and those gorgeous visuals, and it’s tough to argue that the previous versions are more enjoyable.”

Have you tried out Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined on the Switch or Switch 2 yet? Did you encounter any of the above-mentioned issues during your own playthrough? Let us know in the comments.

Pokémon battles level-up today with the release of Pokémon Champions on the Switch eShop. If you aren’t already playing it, here’s our reminder that this free download is now officially available across Nintendo’s storefronts around the globe.

Before you jump in, it’s worth noting that there’s a starter pack available for $6.99 / £5.99 or your regional equivalent.

This bundle pack includes storage space for 50 additional Pokémon, 30 Teammate Tickets and 50 Training Tickets. Trainers will also receive the ‘Battle! (Trainer Battle)” song featured in the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! games.

And if you try out Champions before 31st August 2026, you’ll also receive a Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons as a free gift.

Last but not least, if you’re planning to play this title on the Switch 2, there’s a free update at launch featuring enhanced visual performance. Pokémon HOME was also recently updated, adding support for Pokémon Champions. This new battle game will launch for mobile devices at some point later this year.

Will you be checking out this new release today? Let us know in the comments.

Will you be downloading Pokémon Champions? (493 votes)

1. Yes69%
2. No31%

Nintendo’s Switch Online battle royale racer F-Zero 99 has today received its first update of 2026, bumping the game up to Version 1.7.1.

This follows a major 1.7.0 update last December, which included some new additions, adjustments and changes. As for the latest update, it’s a lot smaller and addresses multiple issues with the game you may have encountered.

Here’s the full rundown, courtesy of Nintendo’s official support page:

F-Zero 99 – Version 1.7.1 Update (7th April 2026)

Fixed an issue with World Tour rewards

• Fixed an issue where even a player ranking in 999th place or higher in the World Tour’s weekly ranking sometimes wouldn’t receive a badge as a reward.

Fixed an issue with Elite leaderboard resets

• Fixed an issue where the remaining days until the Elite leaderboard reset were not always displayed correctly.

Fixed an issue where bonuses were not awarded when pilots reached S50 Elite

• Fixed an issue where the 1,000 Elite points bonus for pilots reaching S50 Elite was not always added correctly.

Other fixes

• Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.

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If you haven’t played F-Zero 99, here’s a little bit about what we thought it in our review here on Nintendo Life:

“Adding more players doesn’t just feel perfect for F-Zero, it feels natural. This isn’t the definitive way to play F-Zero, but it is a brilliant take that supplements what worked so well in the original with thoughtful additions that make chasing victory utterly addictive.”

Yesterday, Nintendo also released a system update for the Switch 1 & 2, which you can read about in our previous coverage:

Will you be hitting the track to try out the latest update in F-Zero 99? Let us know in the comments.

If you enjoyed exterminating hordes of spiders in the original Kill It With Fire game on Switch, you’ll be pleased to hear Kill It With Fire 2 is scuttling onto the system next month.

This title is described as the “ultimate co-op spider-hunting experience” and will launch for Nintendo’s hybrid platform on 7th May 2026. It will be priced at just $14.99 (or your regional equivalent), and you can wishlist it right now on Nintendo’s official store page.

It’s also noted on Nintendo’s website how the game is supported on the Switch 2, with the game behaviour “consistent” with the Switch release. Here’s the full description from Nintendo’s webpage, along with a trailer:

You are the Exterminator on a crusade against the spider horde taking over the multiverse. Blast through the story campaign solo or with friends via online co-op for up to 4 players or jump into a frenetic Humans vs Spiders PvP mode for some laughs and screams.

GEAR UP AND EXTERMINATE
Wage war on the eight-legged monsters with an arsenal of 45 weapons and gadgets worthy of the Exterminator. Will your team smash the pests with a newspaper, burn them to a crisp, rev up the minigun, unleash a rocket launcher, or wield a laser sword?

SAVE THE MULTIVERSE
Embark on an epic spider hunt across seven distinct worlds. Exterminate the pesky arachnids in a mysterious manor, liberate a town in the Wild West, explore cyberspace, and descend into Spider Hell. Every level is a unique battle against the spiders!

COMPLETE CHALLENGES
Brew magic potions in a bubbling cauldron. Demolish a megapolis as a kaiju-sized madman. Defend a cacti-owned saloon from waves of spiders. Win a drone race in virtual reality. And more!

(ALSO) PLAY AS A SPIDER
‘Okay, all this spider-hunting sounds fun, but what if I want to play as a spider?’ you might ask. And yes, you can indeed play as a spider in an online 8-player PvP mode called Spider Hunt. It’s actual humans vs actual arachnids!

We reviewed the first game for the Switch in 2021 and called it a fun little distraction that can keeps you entertained with its myriad array of gameplay opportunities and selection of weapons.

Would you be interested in this title? Did you play the first game? Let us know in the comments.

Gameloft and Old Skull Games have this week announced Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! will be coming to the Switch on 28th May 2026.

This follows Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis, which was released as part of the Apple Arcade subscription service in 2022 and was removed a year later.

The Switch release comes with 15 “iconic” Nickelodeon characters, local and solo play, story mode, mini-games and tournament mode. Here’s a bit about what to expect from the Switch version, according to a Nintendo store listing. We’ve also got some screenshots:

Pick your star player from among 15 iconic Nickelodeon characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more!

Choose from over 500 outfits and accessories to customize your Nickelodeon character your way, and show off your personality on the tennis court. Turn the tide of the match with powerful ultimate abilities that are unique to every character!

Play Solo or Local 1v1: Challenge a friend or family member to a 1v1 couch co-op split-screen tennis match, or play in Story Mode at your own speed!

From classic matches to fun mini-games, there’s something for everyone. Embark on a narrated Story Mode, dive into Mini-Games for extra fun, or rise to the top in Tournament Mode to claim your victory!

Would you be interested in another all-star Nickelodeon release on the Switch? Have you played many other Nickelodeon games in the past? Let us know in the comments.