The Pokémon Company is showing no signs of returning to the series’ classic formula any time soon, so indie devs have stepped up to fill the gap. We’ve seen a whole host of games set out to capture those early-gen vibes on the eShop in recent years, and today, another is joining the party.
Team17 and Beehive Studios have today released LumenTale: Memories of Trey, a creature-catching RPG that instantly put us in mind of some Gen IV or V good times.
It’s got everything you’d expect from a genre throwback: 140 Animon to collect, type weaknesses/strengths, training, battling, and an art style that combines classic pixel art sprites with 3D environments. It’s not pure Pokémon, to be clear — there appears to be more focus on cooking and crafting here, and a mechanic that lets you attack on the fly — but the vibes are all present and correct.
Here’s a brief rundown of the game’s key features, and a handful of screenshots:
Travel an expansive world: Journey across the rich and cultural world of Talea, filled with secrets, quests and regions as unique and diverse as the Animon you encounter.
Collect and train Animon: Discover and capture 140 Animon, each with elemental affinities and assigned one of five different emotional attributes that can offer advantages in battle.
Unique art cards: Increase the chances of finding your perfect Animon, or the rare Lost variants, to build the ultimate team. Trade these locally or online through the Animon Trade Station.
Cooking and crafting: Rest at fountains throughout the world to cook food from found and bought recipes, and craft resources to support your journey.
The Anispace: Train your Animon in the Anispace, a dedicated area offering a change of pace from adventure. Craft or purchase furniture from local vendors and customise it to make the perfect home for your creatures.
LumenTale is available in both a Standard and Deluxe Edition (which throws in the Deluxe DLC with the base game) on the Switch eShop. It’s another one of those Kickstarter success stories, which we love to see, so here’s hoping that it can stand apart from the crowd in the rapidly growing Pokémon-like genre.
What do you make of LumenTale? Will you be checking it out on Switch? Let us know in the comments.
Summer Game Fest is mere days away at this point, and it seems that some potential announcements may have sneaked out early thanks to ratings from Korea.
As covered by Gematsu, the headliner here is Lego Skylines from publisher Paradox Interactive which, as the title alludes, is likely a Lego-inspired take on the Cities: Skylines building games. Further details are unavailable at the moment, but a debut trailer during Geoff Fest is probably on the cards. As for a potential Switch 2 release, well… we’ll see.
Another rating is for a known entity: Persona 4 Revival. Developer Atlus has been pretty quiet about this one since its initial announcement last year, so a fresh reveal at Summer Game Fest would be a nice little treat. This wasn’t confirmed for the Switch 2 at the time of its reveal, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it on Nintendo’s console.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has also received a fresh rating, and given it’s a title already available on multiple systems, it seems likely that a port for the Switch 2 is in order. Indeed, a previous rating from Taiwan indicated that the game would come to Switch 2, so this just adds further fuel to the fire.
And finally, ratings for both Gears of War: E-Day and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve have also been discovered. It seems unlikely that either of these will hit the Switch 2, but we don’t think a port of the latter is entirely out of the question.
Even if these aren’t scheduled to appear at Summer Game Fest, it’s a tidy little line-up of titles. As ever, we’ll be sure to let you know which are heading to the Switch 2 as soon as we hear more.
Which games mentioned here takes your fancy? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.
Star Fox is, at the time of writing, less than a month away from launch. Can you believe that? We didn’t even know about it a month ago!
Yes, the remake is inching toward its release on 25th June 2026, and if you’re in the UK, you can take advantage of a pretty sweet deal from Currys. As is customary from the retailer these days, it’s offering a 10% discount on pre-orders for Star Fox.
This means that while the base price of £44.99 is more expensive than the digital version at £41.99, that cheeky 10% discount takes it down to £40.49. Boom – physical cheaper than digital.
Image: Currys
This isn’t the only game you can do this with, either. Rhythm Paradise Groove is priced at £29.99 on the Currys website, which is already cheaper than the digital version at £33.99. Add the 10% discount and the price drops down to an almost-criminal £26.99.
Finally, Splatoon Raiders is just £1 more expensive than its digital equivalent at £42.99. But again, if you add that pre-order discount, the price goes down to just £38.69. And yes, if you’re wondering, delivery for the respective release dates is free.
Now, we’ve found ourselves frequently favouring digital games these days – we just find it much more convenient in certain situations. But honestly, with retailers like Currys somehow undercutting the digital prices on first-party titles, it makes absolutely zero sense not to take advantage of it.
And so now begins the mercifully short waiting game.
Will you be grabbing Star Fox when it launches in June? Are you opting for physical or digital? Let us know.
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Nintendo has announced that BALL x PIT has become the latest title to receive a free trial for Switch Online subscribers.
Available for members in Europe from now until 1st June 2026, you can download the Switch version for absolutely nothing, while the Upgrade Pack to enhance the game for Switch 2 is also free. Boom!
It’s the full game too, of course, so if you have literally no plans over the next handful of days, you could probably make some decent progress before the trial period ends.
So if you’ve seen the odd trailer here and there, or maybe you caught our own 9/10 review but have yet to take the plunge, this could be your moment, friend.
Reviewer Roland Ingram said:
“Ball x Pit is a tremendous brew of so many ideas it ought to collapse under the confusion. However, it operates in such perfect balance that it appeals both to the one-more-go instinct and to more cerebral planning and creativity. Kenny Sun Studios set itself a heck of a challenge but, fortunately, hasn’t dropped the ball.”
“Hasn’t dropped the ball”, that’s a good one there from Roland.
Anyway, give it a go – we think you’ll enjoy it.
Will you be taking Ball x Pit for a spin? Or have you already had your fill? Let us know with a comment in the usual place.
Yesterday’s bank holiday Monday meant that the UK charts are coming in a little later than expected this week, but here they are, and we’ve got a whole podium of newbies!
Nintendo’s latest managed to nab one of those podium spots, of course, with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book debuting in third. Forza Horizon 6 presented an unusually high ranking for Microsoft in second, but it wasn’t enough to beat Mr. Vengeance himself, as LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight claimed the top spot. How about some more news on that Switch 2 version, eh?
This shake-up at the top has meant that Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream slipped down to seventh this week, while last week’s S2 bump for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was clearly a temporary one, with the game being bolder chased from second all the way down to 17th.
Here’s the full top 40, with platform breakdowns for games available on Switch, Switch 2, and other consoles:
Although Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO got a release on the Switch and Switch 2 last year, Saiyans on the hybrid platform have had to wait on some paid DLC.
In an update, it seems the launch date for the Daima Character Packs 1 & 2 and Shallot Character Pack have now been locked in for a release later this week on 27th May 2026 (thanks, Nintendo Everything).
Here’s what to expect from each pack, along with a look:
DAIMA: Character Pack 1
New warriors from the Dragon Ball DAIMA anime series join the battle! – 8 Playable Characters: • Goku (Mini), Super Saiyan • Vegeta (Mini) • Vegeta (Mini), Super Saiyan • Vegeta (Mini), Super Saiyan 2 • Vegeta (Mini), Super Saiyan 3 • Glorio • Panzy • Majin Kuu ‐ Goku (Mini) Technique-changing Outfit • New costume for Goku (Mini) that changes his moves *Goku (Mini) Technique-changing Outfit is different from Pre-Order Pack Goku (Mini). *Ownership of Pre-Order Pack Goku (Mini) is not required. *Equipping the Goku (Mini) Technique-changing Outfit costume on Goku (Mini) will not alter his appearance. *Equipping the Goku (Mini) Technique-changing Outfit costume on Goku (Mini) will transform his Ultimate Blast into Aura Impact.
DAIMA: Character Pack 2
New warriors from the Dragon Ball DAIMA anime series join the battle!
– 6 Playable Characters: • Goku (Mini), Super Saiyan 4 • Goku (DAIMA), Super Saiyan 4 • Vegeta (DAIMA), Super Saiyan 3 • Majin Duu • Third Eye Gomah • Giant Gomah
Shallot (Dragon Ball Legends)
Shallot from the mobile game DRAGON BALL LEGENDS joins the battle!
1 Playable character:
– Shallot
Enjoy new battles with the main character of DRAGON BALL LEGENDS, designed by Akira Toriyama!
These updates will eventually be followed by more DLC later this year. You can find out more about this in our previous story. And if you want to know more about Sparking! ZERO check out our review of the Switch 2 version.
Will you be checking out any of these DLC packs? Have you played this title on the Switch or Switch 2 yet? Let us know in the comments.
To celebrate the arrival of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on the Switch 2 last week, Nintendo has announced the 54th cup event for its Switch Online battle royale title Tetris 99.
This in-game event will begin later this week on 29th May 2026 and runs until 1st June 2026. As usual, if you earn 100 event points during this period, you’ll be able to unlock a special theme featuring unique art, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by Yoshi’s new game.
Of course, to participate in the fun, you’ll need to have a Nintendo Account and an active Switch Online membership. Here’s a look at the theme:
Image: Nintendo
If you want to find out more about Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for Switch 2, Nintendo has released an in-store demo in North America. You can also check out our review for more thoughts about his new outing.
Will you be checking out this new event in Tetris 99? Have you been playing the Mysterious Book? Let us know in the comments.
As you may already know, Capcom is adding the DLC character Ingrid to the Street Fighter 6 roster this week on 28th May 2026, and ahead of her release, it’s shared a character guide and a trailer for the third outfit drop.
Ingrid is described as a versatile character with a variety of projectiles and movement techniques that can keep her enemies at bay as she stocks up on “Sun Crests”. Sun Crests allow her to “unleash the full power of the sun to subjugate her opponents”. And the more stock used, the greater the effect.
As for the new outfits, there’s a dapper suit for Sagat, an elegant dress for C. Viper, some energetic work gear for Alex and a maid outfit for the new DLC character. You can get Ingrid as a standalone purchase, or unlock her via the third fighter pass.
In case you missed it, Ingrid and the new outfits will roll out alongside the Random Avatar Matches and Avatar Arcade Mode. In these two new “chaotic” modes you’ll earn rewards, level up and even unlock outfits for the different masters in the game.
If you haven’t already tried out Street Fighter 6 on the Switch 2, you can download a demo from the eShop. You can also trial each DLC character for one hour.
Will you be returning to Street Fighter 6 to try out this latest game update? Let us know in the comments.
I had a pretty decent time with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. It’s a charming experience filled with wonder and imagination, but thanks to the repetitive, overly-simplified structure, that imagination is never afforded enough space to really shine.
I tolerated this, however, and had a good time discovering the game’s many weird and wonderful creatures. Before I even started, I felt at peace with the knowledge that it would probably never reach the heights of Yoshi’s Island on the SNES (honestly, what can?), and so I enjoyed it for what it was.
That is, until I reached World 6.
(Before I go any further, here’s your SPOILER WARNING in case you haven’t gotten that far yet…)
Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo
Your goal in Mysterious Book is to eventually discover a creature called the Bewilder Bird before Bowser Jr. and Kamek do so. I couldn’t divulge the existence of this creature in my review as it was under embargo, so the Bewilder Bird’s unique ability was also off limits.
Y’see, every creature discovered until this point possesses abilities that help you navigate the environment and bypass certain obstacles. Snurfboard lets you ride across waves in style, Swirm catapults you across wide gaps, Stickiwick lets you swing from platforms like Spider-Man… You get it.
Every level is specifically designed to take advantage of each creature’s ability. This is what I mean when I say the game’s creativity is somewhat stifled, as you’re constantly doing what it wants you to do. The illusion of freedom and creativity is there, but once you figure out how to trigger the various discoveries (and that doesn’t take long), you quickly sink into a tedious rhythm.
Until you discover the Bewilder Bird. See, this thing is special in that it can instantly transform into any creature you’ve previously discovered. Executing this for the first time felt like a lightbulb moment – suddenly, everything made sense. The game was building to this moment. Everything before was a mere tutorial, and now I’d be let loose to experiment with different creatures and see which ones best suit the obstacles that lie ahead…
Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo
After discovering the Bewilder Bird, you come across a large waterfall with no clear guidance on what to do. How do you get up? Well, let’s see what’s in the Creature Index… Ah, yes, the Glubbit will blow bubbles and let you float to the top, so that’s an option. Alternatively, the Goonie can simply fly up in short diagonal bursts – slightly less elegant, but a sound choice.
Once at the top, you come across a large body of water. Sure, you can toddle across just fine on your own, but why not break out Snurfboard for a slightly quicker jaunt? Better yet, you could try Bafloonder and explore the water’s depths, shooting through at speed to mop up any lingering collectibles.
My point is that the game’s surface-level creativity is finally unleashed once you discover the Bewilder Bird. I saw Mysterious Book being loosely described as a ‘platformer Breath of the Wild’ in VGC’s review, and when you’re tinkering with dozens upon dozens of creature abilities, I can kind of understand the comparison (though I would perhaps argue that it has more in common with Echoes of Wisdom).
Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo
The problem — the big problem — is that it only lasts for one level. It appears briefly much later in the game, but fundamentally once you’re done with World 6, you go right back to the status quo in which you find new creatures and use their sole abilities to make discoveries. So all of that potential to experiment and tackle obstacles and puzzles in multiple ways just…doesn’t happen.
Frankly, it makes me a little angry; angry that such a wonderful gameplay mechanic appears so fleetingly. Honestly, I don’t think it’s hyperbole to state that Good-Feel could have crafted an entire game based around the Bewilder Bird’s ability, and I’ve been scratching my head as to why it didn’t have the ambition to do so. Was it a lack of time? An obligation to keep the game simple for younger players?
My only hope is that we get some sort of DLC expansion at some point that really homes in on the Bewilder Bird’s abilities. I’m not asking for something exceptionally challenging, because that would fundamentally break from what Mysterious Book is trying to do, but just… something more, y’know? A selection of large, sandbox levels that let you experiment and push the boundaries of creativity would be wonderful.
As it is, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book genuinely could have been an all-timer. But in showcasing such a brief glimpse of its tremendous potential, it exacerbates its shortcomings.
Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo
What do you make of this? Do you wish Good-Feel did more with the Bewilder Bird’s ability? Let us know with a comment.
We’re used to seeing all manner of clones on the eShop and other digital storefronts, with their ripped assets usually hidden behind a thinly-veiled key art tweak and title change; what we don’t often come across is something as shameless as the Google Play Store‘s current offerings.
Indeed, a brief search for ‘Tomodachi Life’ on the Android store brings up not one, but two titles that look eerily similar to the real deal — like, identical key art and tongue-trippingly close titles. ‘Tomodachi Life Living Dream‘ and ‘Tomodochi: Live the Dream Life‘ (yep, that’s the real spelling of both) are the prime offenders here, both boasting banner art and screens that appear to be ripped directly from the eShop.
Just take a brief glance at the following screenshot, and you’ll surely see how some might be fooled:
Image: Nintendo Life
Aside from a host of games with naff AI-generated artwork, ZStronics — the ‘developer’ behind one of the above apps — also has the likes of ‘Batman Legacy of the Dark‘ and ‘Subnautica 2 Mobile‘ listings in its back catalogue, each with similarly misleading cover art. Heck, the ‘Live the Dream Life’ description is even taken word-for-word from various Nintendo news posts published in recent months.
Perhaps most hilariously of all, both apps are rated PEGI 12 for ‘Horror’ and ‘In-game purchases’, in contrast to the real Tomodachi Life, which was awarded a PEGI 3, on account of neither of those being present.
Still, the apps have amassed over 150,000 downloads combined so far, and we can see how people might fall into the trap — particularly a younger audience. We can’t imagine the clones will be around for too long, but as a reminder, you’ll only find the real Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on Switch for the time being.
What do you make of these obvious rip-offs? Let us know in the comments.
