It’s official, everyone! Nintendo has today announced Star Fox for Switch 2, and it launches on 25th June 2026.
And, yes, it is indeed another remake of Star Fox 64, with Nintendo calling it a “cinematic take” on the classic. It’ll cost £41.99 / $49.99 digitally on the eShop
From the footage we’ve seen so far, it looks to bring in some new multiplayer elements, co-op, and aspects of the 3DS remake.
The 15-minute Direct showed off a lot of what we can expect from the game, including brand new looks for Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy, in order to make them look a little more animalistic. There also appears to be a bigger focus on story this time around, with brand new cutscenes and cinematics added. Oh, and stick around until the end of the Direct for a prologue focusing on Fox’s father, James McCloud.
Image: Nintendo
Difficulty options are being added, while multiplayer will allow you to play as characters from the Star Fox and Star Wolf teams in a 4-vs-4 fight. Mouse Mode is available for precise flying and aiming, as is GameShare.
One of the more unique wrinkles comes in the form of a two Joy-Con 2 co-op mode, where one player can use the mouse while the other holds the Joy-Con normally. Or, you know, you could use an N64 controller.
Lastly, in what could be a little creepy, plug in that USB camera and you’ll be able to use Fox and co.’s faces as filters in-game, meaning you control their facial movement.
This announcement follows weeks of rumours that a Star Fox game would be inbound this summer — which, hey, we guess were right! Said rumours also suggested that an Ocarina of Time remake was on the way later this year, though Nintendo is still staying silent on that one for now.
First an appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (voiced by the Glen Powell, no less), and now a game of his own? It’s shaping up to be one hell of a year for Fox McCloud!
What do you make of this reveal? Let us know in the comments.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is getting a huge free update on 19th May, which reintroduces a series-staple mechanic: playing as the same civilization for every Age transition.
The Test of Time update has been in beta for a few months now, but the full release will be coming to all platforms — including Switch 1 and Switch 2 — in a couple of weeks.
The upcoming update consists of “three main pillars”, Firaxis details in a blog post. The first of these is the aforementioned feature, where you can stick to playing as one civilization for an entire campaign. Civilization VII forced you to change with every new age originally, so this is a welcome update for fans who want the option to swap or stick.
The next big improvement comes in the form of a new Victories system; these have now been reworked to reward player dominance and interesting choices. So your success is determined by a wider range of factors and much less limited.
Last up for the main trio is the overhaul of Legacy Paths, which will be replaced by Triumphs, new challenging objectives that will make sure every campaign feels a little more unique.
Ahead of the update’s launch, Firaxis will be releasing some Dev Diaries and Update notes. Plus, on 13th May at 7pm BST / 2pm ET / 11am PT, the developers will be playing through the update, and you can watch on Twitch or YouTube
Otherwise, here’s a list of some other fresh features coming to the game:
– A new Fractal Continent map** – A new Commerce screen – A new Advisor Council – Updated map generation** – New Narrative Events – Updates to Specialists and Biomes – New audio and music – Numerous balance changes – A Great (and FREE) new leader!* – And more!
*Base game required. This content is free for all owners of Civilization VII and will be delivered automatically in-game on release. Terms apply. **Map restrictions may apply to gameplay on Nintendo Switch.
Sounds like another big update, following last year’s Tides of Power Collection DLC — which you now have to pay for. But Firaxis seems to have taken a lot of early criticism of Civilization VII to heart and is actively improving on the game.
We liked it a lot on Switch, but absolutely recognise it had some flaws on launch. The Switch 2 version introduces Mouse Mode controls, 4K resolution, and 60fps, if that’s your thing.
Are you still playing Civilization VII on Switch (or Switch 2)? Excited for the new update? Let us know in the comments.
That’s fantastic news, because we’ve been waiting a long time to see what Yacht Club can do with the Zelda formula and, from the limited-time demo last year and the various gameplay videos and impressions we’ve read, this could be something special.
There’s not much else to add here! The Switch 2 version supports 120fps, but there are few other differences, really.
Many have been patiently waiting for the spooky adventure, which was originally due to release on 31st October 2025, before Yacht Club delayed it just a few weeks before launch. But the game went gold just a few weeks ago, prompting speculation that a release date was imminent. And look at that, here we are in early May with the news.
Are you excited for Mina the Hollower? Will you be grabbing this on Switch 1 or Switch 2? Squeak in the comments and let us know.
Arc System Works and developer French Bread have announced a new fighter will join the roster of Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes, alongside a “major update”.
Zohar will be arriving as a new DLC character in Summer 2026. Here’s a description from the official PR, along with a look:
Zohar was a key member of the “Bankikai,” the organization she formed alongside Ogre and Strix. Details regarding her battle style, unique abilities, and other character information are scheduled to be revealed at a later date. Please stay tuned for more exciting updates!
And here are the details about the major update, which highlights updates to game balance, ranked matches, system mechanics, frame data display and mission mode.
In order to curb power creep, the overall game balance will be adjusted by reviewing combo damage and gauge gain. Other system mechanics such as “Steer Ender“, “Throw Escape” and the properties of certain powerful moves are currently being revised.
In high-ranked matches, Rating Points will now fluctuate in addition to the traditional RIP. A dedicated ranking system is also planned to be added.
The frame data display will be improved to support the visualization of opponent information and gap frames in sequences. Frame data will also be viewable in Replay Mode.
In Mission Mode, a new feature will be added that allows players to review their previous play. Further information will be announced soon.
If you’re curious to know more about Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes, check out our review. Rollback netcode is also supported.
In case you missed it, French Bread (in partnership with Aniplex) last week announced the 2D fighter Melty Blood: Twi Lumina for Switch 1 & 2. It’s got an “early 2027” release.
This includes a standard edition of the title for $49.99 and a steelbook edition for $69.99 (or your regional equivalent), and pre-orders kick off later this week on 8th May 2026. The standard edition will ship between October and November 2026, and the steelbook edition is scheduled to arrive between January and March 2027.
Limited Run Games: Get on the ready line! We’re excited to announce two physical editions of Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition (Part One) for PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and Steam! Step into the boots of Zula Hendricks on a high-stakes mission.
Here’s a look at both versions of the game that will be available to pre-order:
You can find out more about this game in our recent review here on Nintendo Life. We awarded part one 7/10 stars. This follows a story earlier this week about layoffs at Survios – the studio behind this recent release.
Will you be adding this to your collection? Let us know in the comments.
THQ Nordic has been reviving Piranha Bytes’ fantasy series Gothic, and next up, is the release of Gothic III Classic.
This open-world action RPG, first released in 2006, will be coming to the Switch 2 on 24th November 2026 and is priced at 29.99€ (or your regional equivalent). Here’s a bit about the game, along with a look:
A nameless hero becomes a legend!
Myrtana, a world in upheaval: overrun by orcs from the dark lands in the north, King Rhobar is defending Vengard, the former stronghold of the humans, with his last troop of followers. Chaos reigns without: rebels are offering resistance, and the Hashishin of the south are openly collaborating with the orcs.
Rumours that the nameless hero of Khorinis is on his way to the mainland spawn both hope and worry. Whose side will he take? Who will feel his wrath, who enjoy his favor? Only one thing is sure: his deeds are going to change Myrtana forever…
Liberation or annihilation – the fate of the world of Gothic lies in your hands!
– Huge free-roaming world – virtually no boundaries – Advanced human behavior AI for hundreds of individual characters with full audio dialogues – Unique class-free character development – Over 50 different monsters and animals and dozens of different human enemies – Over 50 different spells and over 100 different weapons for close and ranged combat – Dynamic, action-packed combat system: choose between Fast Attacks, deadly whirlwind close combat, or shooting from a distance. – Shape the fate of a war-torn Myrtana mainland through choices on the clearly defined main story objectives – Countless side quests for additional depth – Integrates Community Patch 1.75 and further gameplay improvements. – Tailor made gamepad UI & controls – Advanced optimization to offer finally a smooth Gothic 3 playing experience
Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to the Switch 2 this June, and in case you missed it, last week it released a demo for the title on the Nintendo eShop.
It’s quite an impressive display on Nintendo’s new hybrid system, and if you’re curious to see how it runs alongside other versions of the game, YouTube channel ElAnalistaDeBits has now shared a side-by-side graphics comparison video.
It shows the level of detail, textures, the game’s 30fps performance on the Switch 2, and more. And while there are some cutbacks, as we’ve already reported, it’s shaping up to be the most ambitious Switch 2 port yet.
As previously mentioned, the title’s handheld internal resolution ranges between a maximum of 1344×756 and a minimum of 672×380, and in docked, the resolution ranges between a maximum of 1920×1080 and a minimum of 960×540.
If you want to find out a bit more about the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, check out our previous coverage:
How are you finding the demo on Switch 2? Will you be getting this version of the game when it arrives on 3rd June 2026? Let us know in the comments.
Summer is almost upon us, and you know what that means…
Yes, Summer Game Fest is right around the corner! Mr Keighley is back with yet another weekend of gaming, bringing us various announcements and showcases straight from Los Angeles.
As ever, 2026 promises to be a stacked one, so we’ve assembled the following guide to help you stay up to date on everything happening across the event. Below, we’ve listed everything you need to know about the opening showcase, Day of the Devs, and all the other SGF showcases you might want to keep an eye out for. And worry not, we’ll be keeping this all up to date as more events are announced.
Summer Game Fest 2026 Guide
What is Summer Game Fest?
Summer Game Fest is a yearly gaming event which has been running since 2020. Everything kicks off with the ever-growing opening showcase on evening one, but other events from third parties follow throughout the weekend, many of which fall under the SGF banner.
While you’ll be able to soak up most of what the event has to offer from the comfort of your own home, the opening showcase can also be attended in-person at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale for that on 8th May at 9am PT.
When is Summer Game Fest 2026?
Summer Game Fest 2026 runs from 5th-8th June, kicking off with Geoff Keighley’s opening showcase, then continuing over the course of the weekend.
Summer Game Fest Showcases
Summer Game Fest is stuffed full of showcases that you can watch online. We’ve got a rundown of all the confirmed ones below, including the biggie…
Opening Showcase 2026
Image: Summer Game Fest
Arguably the biggest showcase of the weekend is the opening showcase, hosted by Geoff himself. This is where you’ll find all the new game announcements and first looks that the event has become famous for, so it’s well worth tuning in.
This year, the opening showcase will get underway on 5th June at 10pm BST / 11pm CET / 5pm ET / 2pm PT.
Here’s the precise time that the opening showcase starts in your region:
A bunch of other shows and livestreams tend to fall in the Summer Game Fest window, even if they are not officially part of the event itself.
We’ve listed all those that have been announced so far in the following table, and we will add more as/when they are revealed.
Event
Date
Times
Access-Ability Summer Showcase
5th June
4pm BST / 11am ET / 8am PT
Day of the Devs – SGF Edition
5th June
TBA (usually right after the Opening Showcase)
Wholesome Direct
6th June
5pm BST / 12pm ET / 9am PT
Future Games Show – Summer Showcase
6th June
8pm BST / 3pm ET / 12pm PT
Xbox Games Showcase
7th June
6pm BST / 1pm ET / 10am PT
PC Gaming Show
7th June
TBA
The Game Business – Live
8th June
TBA
Who’s taking part in Summer Game Fest 2026?
We actually have no idea so far! We’ll obviously update this when developers start teasing their games and announcing their presence, but for now, you’ll have to wait and see.
We’ll also be hosting streams for the biggest showcases right here on Nintendo Life, so you can watch along with us and enjoy a good old natter while you do so. All of that will kick off with the opening showcase on 5th June.
Other showcases will be hosted across the internet, usually by their respective channels on YouTube or Twitch. We’ll share links to those when we have them.
Summer Game Fest FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions you might still have about Summer Game Fest 2026.
How long is the Opening Showcase?
The Opening Showcase usually runs for around 2 hours, and we expect it’ll be about the same length this year. Yes, make sure you bring a snack and some beverages.
Can I watch Summer Game Fest for free?
Yes, you can! All Summer Game Fest showcases will be available online for free, so you don’t have to worry about saving any pennies.
Will there be a Nintendo Direct during Summer Game Fest?
We don’t know about that one just yet.
While Nintendo often tends to host a Direct at some point in June — usually around Summer Game Fest — nothing has been confirmed at the time of writing. Last year, the Big N skipped June entirely, and in 2024, the big Direct came over a week after the event.
So, if anything is revealed for June, it certainly won’t fall officially under the Summer Game Fest umbrella.
Is Summer Game Fest the same as The Game Awards?
Not quite, no. While both Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards are run (and hosted) by Geoff Keighley, and both have the same social media handle, they are, in fact, separate events.
Basically, both have a lot of video game announcements, but don’t expect to see any awards being given out during SGF.
That’s just about all we know about Summer Game Fest 2026 so far. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more showcase announcements and will update this guide accordingly.
R-Type Dimensions III‘s physical release has been hit with a delay, just two weeks before the game’s launch on Switch 1 & 2, publisher ININ Games has announced.
The upcoming remake of R-Type III: The Third Lightning is still launching on 19th May 2026 on the eShop, but the physical version has now been pushed back to 11th August due to “ongoing global manufacturing and logistics constraints”. This delay has also affected the Collector’s Edition, which will now launch in the winter.
Definitely a bit of a shame for physical collectors, but ININ says that the decision was made to maintain production standards and ensure a quality product is delivered, when ready.
It also emphasises that the latest game build will be on the cartridge when it’s ready to ship, so no need for a Day One patch.
Just in case you’re unaware of R-Type Dimensions III, or just want a refresher, here’s a rundown of what to expect from Tozai Games’ latest remake:
R-Type Dimensions III brings the intensity, precision, and creative enemy design of the arcade originals to a new generation. Every stage, boss, and projectile pattern has been rebuilt with high-end 3D graphics, enhanced animations, and richly detailed environments, whilst preserving the instantly recognizable atmosphere that defined R-Type’s identity.
The same applies to the original music and sound effects. With an enormous effort, everything has been rebuilt so that Players can switch seamlessly between the original and the new R-Type III at any time, offering both nostalgic authenticity and a striking modern reinterpretation.
Key features include: – A fully remastered experience with completely reconstructed assets – Local co-op, enhanced with new scoring and survival mechanics – Advanced mode is accessible from the start – Customizable controls and quality-of-life features in the settings – 3D Camera settings (normal and crazy
Are you excited for R-Type Dimensions III? Disappointed with the physical delay? Get blasting in the comments.
If all of these modern games have left you craving something a little more retro, then Devolver Digital’s next joint might be just the thing you’re looking for.
We first covered Dark Scrolls — the dungeon-scrolling fantasy game from Gato Roboto and Gunbrella dev Doinksoft — a couple of months ago, and today, it has dug up its release date: 28th May.
With the Switch launch mere weeks away, Doinksoft has shared a new trailer showcasing some online co-op gameplay, and it looks every bit as entertaining as you’d hope. As a reminder, this is a side-scrolling dungeon crawler with a particular shmup flair, tasking you with clearing out nasty creatures before the ever-moving frame pins you in a tight spot.
The new gameplay trailer gives us a taste of just how chaotic things can get when playing with a pal, showing a handful of different playable characters and their unique playstyles.
Once again, we’re particularly enamoured with the throwback vibes on display here, with the chunky pixel sprites and parallax scrolling backdrops putting us in mind of the early Shovel Knight reveals.
Here’s a little more information about what the game has in store and a handful of screenshots from Devolver:
– Choose from a cast of nine playable characters and hurl axes, fling arrows, toss knives and even flip steaks at a rogues’ gallery of bizarre enemies – Each character, whether they’re a burly berserker or a saxophone-playing rat, has unique skills, side objectives and customizable trinkets to experiment with – Super authentic old school visuals, SFX and music. Looks and sounds like classic games of yore, but with the sparkle of modern controls and design – Procedurally generated levels stitched together from hand-crafted rooms. Every run offers new surprises, branching paths and skill-testing bosses
It looks chaotic, for sure — maybe a bit too chaotic for some — but it certainly looks like there’s fun to be had here.
Will you be checking out Dark Scrolls later this month? Scroll down to the comments and let us know.
