Author: sick skills

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is storming toward its 3rd June 2026 release date for the Switch 2, and if you want to sample the game ahead of time, there’s a free demo available on the eShop right now.

Chances are, then, that you’ve already seen how the game holds up from a visual and performance point of view, either from your own experience or our recent hands-on impressions. But to give some more information, director Naoki Hamaguchi detailed the specific internal resolutions during a recent interview we conducted with him.

DLSS is doing some heavy lifting here, with the handheld internal resolution ranging between a maximum of 1344×756 and a minimum of 672×380 and the docked resolution ranging between a maximum of 1920×1080 and a minimum of 960×540.

For more context, here’s the full quote from Hamaguchi-san:

“Lighting is an important element in Rebirth, as it was in Remake. However, because Rebirth adopts an open-world structure with a much larger field scale, it’s a title where the amount of information being rendered at any given moment is higher. As a result, rather than making significant changes to lighting in isolation, our approach focused more on how to balance the overall rendering load.

“The use of DLSS was indispensable in that regard and was readopted in Rebirth as it was in Remake. Neither of their modes relies on fixed resolutions and is instead designed based on dynamic resolution. In handheld mode, the internal resolution ranges between a maximum of 1344×756 and a minimum of 672×380. In docked mode, it ranges between a maximum of 1920×1080 and a minimum of 960×540, the same as Remake.”

In our demo impressions piece, we did note that the performance raised a few concerns, stating that “closely examining some of the surrounding textures reveal things to be slightly lower-res than you might have hoped”. Overall, however, we’re exceptionally pleased with how Rebirth is shaping up on Nintendo’s console.

We also touched on the upcoming release of the untitled third entry of the remake trilogy with Hamaguchi-san, and he confirmed that he’s already completed “over 40 full playthroughs” during development.

Lots to be excited about, then, but for now, we’ve got our eyes firmly set on the release of Rebirth in just a handful of weeks. Be sure to check out our full interview with Hamaguchi-san for more information.

Are you excited to dive into Rebirth when it launches on Switch 2 in June? Share your thoughts with a comment down below.

Final Fantasy VII fans are eagerly awaiting news on the upcoming final instalment in the remake trilogy, but if you’re worried or anxious about the status of its development, then a recent comment from director Naoki Hamaguchi might bring you peace of mind.

We recently interviewed Hamaguchi-san and asked how the third game is progressing, and to our surprise, he confirmed that he’s already completed “over 40 full playthroughs”. That’s quite an accomplishment, but we imagine it’s probably necessary to ensure the experience works as intended and doesn’t contain any nasty surprises.

Here’s what he had to say:

“We’re very excited about how the game is currently progressing. I have already completed over 40 full playthroughs! I can’t wait for as many people as possible to experience the game for themselves, and myself and the team are working hard to ensure we can create an unforgettable gameplay experience.”

There’s no release date for the third entry yet (and we still don’t even know its full title), but we’re confident an announcement can’t be too far off at this point.

In fact, when questioned about the short gap between the release of Remake and Rebirth on Switch 2, Hamaguchi-san may have subtly hinted at the idea of closing the trilogy fairly soon after, maintaining a steady cadence of launches to tell the overarching story:

“With large-scale titles like this one, it’s common for a long gap to exist between the first and second instalments. However, because they were ports, we decided we could deliver them without leaving much of a gap. We want to capitalise on this cadence and moment to tie the experiences together without any gaps, from Remake to Rebirth to finally the third instalment that lies beyond them.”

Our full interview with Hamaguchi-san is available now, so be sure to check it out for more interesting tidbits of information from the remake trilogy’s director.

When do you think we’ll see an announcement from Square Enix for the third FFVII Remake entry? Let us know your thoughts with a comment.

The ratings board is at it again, and this time it’s for a Nintendo-published title. But there’s a little bit of confusion as to what it actually means.

Resetera user –R has spotted a rating for Hal Laboratory’s BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! in Taiwan (via Knoebel on Bluesky). The lovely little puzzler is available on the Switch already, but this listing mentions Switch 2 as the platform.

However, the rating is dated 9th September 2025, which means it’s potentially been sitting in plain sight for a while. And, as some people have pointed out BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! launched in Taiwan on the same day as the rating.

Some of the more-hopeful fans are praying this is the real deal, mostly because of the extortionately-priced BOXBOY amiibo, which you’ll regularly see for sale online for over $400. A reissue for that would be amazing.

But really, what’s the deal here? Is BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition? Or a Switch 2 port? It’s hard to say at this point. But we can look back at another game rating in Taiwan for a bit more of an idea.

A rating for Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition on Switch 2 was spotted earlier this week, but that one was dated for 29th April 2026. So it is a brand new one, and not one that has been sitting around for a few months.

So, as with all of these little announcements and leaks, our advice remains the same: take it with a pinch of salt.

Would you like to see a new BOXBOY game? Or would you be happy with some enhancements to BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! on Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.

Here’s a cute little Nintendo Today! announcement we weren’t expecting: a brand new LEGO Animal Crossing set featuring our favourite tanuki nephew duo, Timmy & Tommy.

Arriving on 1st August, Timmy & Tommy’s Fun Day Out will cost $59.99 / £54.99 and features the pair fishing on a red bridge together. It’s pretty adorable!

The set contains 513 pieces, including models for both of the boys (in their New Horizons attire), a balloon present, flowers, a buildable bridge, and a little disc on the water that shows just where that pesky fish is — going under the bridge, of course.

When built, it’ll be 7.5 in. (20 cm) high, 9 in. (24 cm) wide and 5.5 in. (14 cm) deep.

It’s been a busy year for Nintendo LEGO sets already, with a range of 30th anniversary Pokémon sets, and a Luigi Mario Kart set. We also know we’re finally getting a Mario minifigure in 2027.

Of course, there’s also the range of LEGO furniture within Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

What do you think of the new LEGO set? Will you be grabbing it? Catch a fish in the comments and let us know.

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Resident Evil Requiem is quite unique in that it allows players to choose whether they experience the game in first or third-person.

In fact, you can experiment quite a bit with it, utilising different perspectives depending on whether you’re playing as Leon Kennedy or Grace Ashcroft. According to developer Koshi Nakanishi in an interview with Denfaminico Gamer (thanks, VGC), players were pretty keen to play as Leon in third-person, but were a little more indecisive with Grace.

If you’ve played Requiem, you’ll know that it recommends you play as Leon in third-person and Grace in first-person. However, Nakanishi states that about 90% of people play Leon’s scenario in third-person mode, while only 60% of players experienced Grace’s story in first-person, with 40% switching to third-person.

It’s likely that most people opted for third-person during Leon’s segments because his appearances in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 also took the same approach. As for the 40% who switched Grace’s perspective to third-person, it’s possible that they just wanted some parity between the two scenarios. Well, either that or they were simply too scared to experience the horrors in first-person.

Nakanishi notes that players in Japan and other parts of Asia tend to prefer third-person games, while producer Masoto Kumazawa clarifies that the end results were largely in line with development expectations.

Still, very fascinating indeed!

What were your camera preferences when playing Resident Evil Requiem? Did you stick to the game’s recommendation? Let us know.

As we slide into the middle of the year, James Bond might have slipped from his May release on Switch 2, but we’ve got both Indiana Jones and T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas whipping their way to us this month, plus a bevvy of physical releases, large and small, across Switches 1 and 2.

Square Enix has a double helping of games to follow in June, too, so plenty to keep us going until July, when Nintendo has not one but two first-party games ready to go.

Below, we’ve highlighted the most exciting Switch 2 (and 1) games coming in the next couple of months. You’ll find more great games beneath our top picks, as well as a bunch of accessories.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

New Switch 1 & 2 Games for May & June 2026

Indiana Jones & The Great Circle – May 12th (Switch 2)

MachineGames’ Indy adventure is finally arriving on a Nintendo console following its 2024 Xbox debut and its PlayStation launch last year.

It remains to be seen how Dr. Jones will hold up as he takes on the challenge of the Switch 2 port, but fingers crossed he’s got enough mileage left to go the distance.

The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book – May 21st (Switch 2)

This adorable-looking platformer channels the cuteness of Yoshi games like Woolly World and Crafted World, and we’re here for it.

This game also marks the first instance in the US where the digital version will be priced $10 cheaper than the physical ($59.99 versus $69.99).

Play as Yoshi and help a mysterious talking book named Mr. E remember the creatures living within his pages. Open him up, explore colorful habitats, and experiment with each creature to learn all kinds of surprising findings across every page.

On your journey, you might see Bowser Jr. popping up in habitats! What could he be up to…?

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – June 3rd (Switch 2)

Kicking off Square Enix’s one-two punch in June is this second round of FFVII remake featuring Cloud and co. reimagined on modern consoles. Originally launching for PS5 back in 2024, Rebirth is coming to Switch 2 and Xbox on 3rd June.

Physical lovers note: As with the rest of SE’s output, this one’s a Game-Key Card.

After escaping the dystopian city of Midgar, join Cloud and his friends on an epic journey across the planet in pursuit of Sephiroth. Ride chocobos, sprint across sweeping plains, and explore a vibrant, expansive world.
Experience new features and encounters as the story unfolds, culminating in the party’s journey to the Forgotten Capital from the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales – June 18th (Switch 2)

And following after Rebirth is The Adventures of Elliot, an old-school Zelda-style affair that made a great first impression on us. (There’s a demo on the eShop if you’re keen to see it for yourself.)

Again, this one’s a Game-Key Card.

A brand-new action RPG from the creators of OCTOPATH TRAVELER and BRAVELY DEFAULT combines exciting action-adventure gameplay with stunning HD-2D for the first time! Join Elliot the adventurer and the fairy Faie in a journey through four ages.

More Upcoming Games for May & June 2026

As well as those picks above, there are plenty more Switch 1 & 2 retail games launching in the next couple of months (and a bit beyond).

New Switch 2 Accessories & eShop Credit

Finally, here’s a selection of Switch 2 accessories coming soon, and our Switch 2 buyer’s guides if you’re looking for something in particular.

Remember, you can also buy your Switch eShop credit and games from the Nintendo Life store. Purchases made on our store also help to support the site, so thank you in advance!

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So that’s it for May and June — did we miss anything? Let us know with a comment and tell us if you’ve pre-ordered any of these goodies!

The latest addition to Ninty Media’s growing library of quality gaming tomes is around the corner, with Pokebook now live on Kickstarter and aiming for delivery this August.

Focusing on Gen 1 Pokémon games and coinciding with the series’ 30th anniversary year, this hardcover book is the first in Ninty Media’s ‘—BOOK’ line to concentrate on a single series. It’ll be exactly the same size as previous entries (Gamebook, Gamebook Color, Gamebook Advance, and NESbook), with a fetching cover designed by Jonathan Traynor and a foreword by Kinda Funny’s Tim Gettys.

Longtime Ninty Media writer Joe Wescott has penned much of the book this time, though you’ll find contributions from the likes of Dani Cross, Nathan Ellingsworth, Jonathon Greenall, Jamie Moorcraft-Sharp, and Chelsea Reed, with illustrations by Thiago Radice, Iago Machado, Raphaella Silva, and Darren Palma.

Including Pokémons Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow, naturally, the book will examine Stadium, Snap, Puzzle League, Hey You, Pikachu, Pinball, and Trading Card Game – anything on Game Boy or N64 that focused on the original 151, plus wider topics including the anime.

As well as the book itself (which will set you back £30), there’s the usual bounty of goodies available at higher pledge tiers. At the time of writing, the campaign is just a couple of backers away from hitting its funding goal of £20,000 (in fact, by the time you read this, it may well have hit it), with another 20 days to go – so you’ve still got plenty of time to check it out.

If you’ve read any of the previous —BOOKs (which various NL staffers — including this one! — and contributors have written features for), you’ll know they’re quality coffee table reads, beautifully presented. If you’re a Pokémon lover looking for a way to celebrate three decades of Pocket Monsters, Pokebook looks like a fine one.

The annual Star Wars Day celebrations are almost here, and to join in on the fun, Epic’s free-to-play Fortnite will be dropping all sorts of themed content throughout the month of May.

“Starting May 1, hundreds of these islands will go live and Fortnite will be the only place where you can come together with friends to race tauntauns through icy tracks, run a bustling cantina on Tatooine, pilot a T-65B X-wing starfighter, and go on imaginative Star Wars adventures.”

This includes three new Fortnite games from Epic and Lucasfilm – including Galactic Siege, Escape Vader and Droid Tycoon.

Galactic Siege (developed with JOGO Studios, island code: 5003-9856-3648) – Fight in large-scale PvP class-based battles with 10v10 combat across iconic Star Wars planets.

Escape Vader (made with Beyond Creative, island code: 7285-4185-5428) – Hide, run, and try to survive in this 4-player co-op game where you attempt to escape the terrifying Sith Lord, Darth Vader.

Droid Tycoon (created with FOAD, island code: 7865-8305-9184) – Build and customize droids using authentic Star Wars blueprints, manage your workshop and factory systems, and unlock rare components and special missions.

As part of the celebrations, there’ll also be The Mandalorian and Grogu watch party island on 19th May 2026.

This event will feature a special message from director Jon Favreau and a 10-minute sneak peek of the new movie ahead of its theatrical release on 22nd May 2026.

LEGO Fortnite Odyssey is also getting its own Star Wars update on 14th May 2026, including the new hover brick, hover vehicles, Mando & Grogu, and many Star Wars enemies. Here’s the full roadmap of Star Wars celebrations this month:

Will you be celebrating Star Wars Day in Fortnite this year? Let us know in the comments.

Final Fantasy XIV Online was finally announced for the Switch 2 last week, and if you want to experience this popular MMORPG with mouse and keyboard controls on Nintendo’s new hybrid platform, you can!

Game director Naoki Yoshida (aka Yoshi-P) confirmed this during a recent chat with the press at this year’s Final Fantasy XIV Festival. He also mentioned how the Switch 2 version will include support for the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. And depending on what task you’re tackling in-game, you can mix-up your control style.

Naoki Yoshida: “You can use Joy-Con 2 for mouse control. However, I myself haven’t yet tried playing Savage raids with mouse controls… (laughs). I’m sure the QA (Quality Assurance) team will check the mouse controls, but since the Nintendo Switch 2 version can also be played with a controller, I think I’ll play it that way.”

He further notes how if you’re participating in “high-difficulty raids” or something more demanding, you can simply connect a mouse and keyboard to your Switch 2 dock. Or if you’re crafting and gathering, you could swap to handheld mode.

Yoshida previously confirmed the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV Online would be able to reach “30fps in a stable state”. And during the announcement at Final Fantasy XIV’s Fan Festival keynote last week, he mentioned how the title will require a separate subscription on Switch 2.

Would you be interested in using Joy-Con 2 controls or a mouse and keyboard to play the Switch 2 version of this title? Let us know in the comments.

It’s not every day Nintendo rolls out a patch for a demo, but it’s actually released another one for the Switch’s new social sim Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.

This bumps the “Welcome Version” up to Version 1.0.2, following an update at the end of March. So, if you are still playing this demo, expect an update next time you boot it up. Nintendo’s support page says this patch has “fixed” some issues, further noting how “several issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience”.

This again follows the Tomodachi Life demo Version 1.0.1 update, which resolved a bug that caused this demo of the game to crash. If we hear anything else about this latest patch for the Welcome Version, we’ll provide an update.

As for the actual game, it received its first game update last week. This patch also fixed “several issues” to improve the gameplay experience.

In case you missed it, a special crossover event is taking place in the battle royale title Tetris 99 this weekend, where you can unlock a Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream theme. The Nintendo Music mobile app also recently added select Tomodachi Life tracks.

If you haven’t already seen our review of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream here on Nintendo Life, we gave it 7 out of 10 stars.

Have you tried out this demo yet? How about the full game? Let us know in the comments.