Author: sick skills

Nintendo and Columbia Pictures have been pretty quiet when it comes to information regarding the upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie, but according to an updated IMDB page (thanks, Go Nintendo), it seems that the project’s composer may have been confirmed.

We’re not going to treat this as gospel until it’s officially announced, but the IMDB page now lists John Paesano as the composer with the legendary Koji Kondo serving as consultant. Paesano has collaborated with director Wes Ball in the past on films such as Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Maze Runner trilogy, so this would certainly make sense.

He’s also branched out into the world of video games himself, having composed the score for Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man 1 & 2 and Miles Morales for the PlayStation.

Now that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is out in the wild, chances are we’ll start to see more information about The Legend of Zelda crawl out of the woodwork as we get closer to its 7th May 2027 release date.

We already know that actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth have been cast as Zelda and Link respectively, with Nintendo releasing a small handful of images showing the pair in all their glory. It’s also been confirmed that the film will makes its way to Netflix following its theatrical and home release periods.

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more official information in the coming days, weeks, and months and keep you updated.

Do you think John Paesano would be a good fit for The Legend of Zelda? Have you caught his work in Wes Ball’s previous films? Let us know.

Nintendo Music continues to add new tracks to its library, and this week sees the arrival of more songs for the Splatoon 3 album.

As described in the mobile app, this new update adds a total of 112 tracks to the service. This includes tracks from the DLC Side Order, the Grand Festival and “more”. You’ll be able to listen to songs such as “Leaving with Pearl” and “Short Order” by ‘Off the Hook’.

This takes Splatoon 3’s album from 118 tracks to a whopping 230 tracks, with over 8 hours and 30 minutes of music.

Splatoon’s single-player Side Order DLC was originally released in 2024. You can find out more about it in our review here on Nintendo Life. Apart from the Splatoon 3 album, Nintendo has also added the Splatoon and Splatoon 2 soundtracks to its music service. Of course, you’ll need an active Switch Online subscription to listen to these albums on this app.

This latest update follows soundtrack updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Springfest will also return in Splatoon 3 later this week on 11th April 2026.

What do you think of this latest soundtrack update for Nintendo Music? What other songs would you like to see added to this service? Let us know in the comments.

Apart from the release of Pragmata this month, Capcom has announced it will be celebrating 20 years of Okami.

This anniversary date takes place later this month on 20th April 2026, lining up with the title’s original Japanese release on the PlayStation 2 in 2006. As part of this, the Okami team says it’s currently preparing an anniversary event:

“In just 15 days, on April 20, 2026, Okami will celebrate its 20th anniversary! We’re also preparing a 20th-anniversary event, so please look forward to it!”

No other details have been shared at this stage, but attached to this announcement is an illustration of Amaterasu and Issun:

As a reminder, a sequel to the original legendary action-adventure game was announced at The Game Awards in 2024. Hideki Kamiya (Devil May Cry, Bayonetta) will also be returning to direct this brand-new project.

If you haven’t already played the first game, you can pick it up on the Switch eShop. For more details, check out our review:

If we get any significant updates from this event, we’ll let you know.

Following a major system update for the Switch 1 and 2 last month, Nintendo has now released a much smaller firmware update for both hybrid platforms.

Version 22.1.0 includes “system stability improvements” following the rollout of Version 22.0.0, which introduced a lot of improvements and adjustments. So, this latest update is likely crushing some bugs and smoothing things out. If a datamine does reveal anything else about what’s going on with this latest update, we’ll be sure to let you know.

For now, this is a reminder to update your system if you want to be able to access the latest content and continue playing games online. Here’s the full rundown via Nintendo’s official support pages:

Nintendo Switch 2 Update – Ver. 22.1.0 (6th April 2026)

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

Nintendo Switch Update – Ver. 22.1.0 (6th April 2026)

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

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If you didn’t catch last month’s update, the Switch 2 update included the surprise release of “Handheld Mode Boost“, which allows users to run Switch software on the Switch 2 Handheld Mode, as if it was in TV Mode. Dataminer ‘OatmealDome’ also notes how some Mario Switch icons were updated in Version 22.0.0.

This latest firmware update has arrived ahead of the “free-to-start” title Pokémon Champions this week, and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream next week. Nintendo Music has also been updated today with more Splatoon 3 tracks.

Have you downloaded this update yet? How are you finding Handheld Mode Boost since the previous update? Let us know in the comments.

The city-building survival series Frostpunk recently held a special broadcast about “all things Frostpunk”, and during this event, developer ’11 bit studios’ announced a Switch version of the original title. Yes, after years of community requests for a Nintendo version, it’s finally happening.

This was announced alongside Frostpunk 1886 – a definitive version of the original 2018 release featuring “substantial new content” that’s arriving in 2027. More details about the Nintendo release of the first Frostpunk game, including a release date, will be shared in the future.

“The Frostpunk story began in 2018 with the bestselling original game that introduced players to survival city-building. That experience will soon be revisited in Frostpunk 1886 – a definitive version of the original with substantial new content, detailed further in upcoming developer diaries on Steam. For players who prefer to command their city on the go, the original Frostpunk is also coming to Nintendo Switch.”

Although there’s no specific mention of a Switch 2 release in the PR, most games nowadays are getting all sorts of paid and free updates, and even standalone editions on Nintendo’s new hardware.

Here’s a bit about the original Frostpunk video game via the developer’s official website, along with another look:

“Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and its infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society’s survival?”

Build a city powered by steam to oppose the overwhelming cold
– Establish laws and rule the society according to your will
– Heat is life – harness its power
– Secure crucial resources in a time of need
– Explore the frozen wastelands for knowledge, survivors and supplies
– Make the best decisions in the worst circumstances

Our colleagues at Push Square reviewed Frostpunk for the PlayStation 4 in 2019 – awarding it eight out of ten stars, and calling it a “tense, nail-biting experience like few others in the genre”.

“The feeling you get from surviving the campaign is one of utter, unbridled joy, and it’s that feeling more than any other why we have absolutely no qualms about recommending Frostpunk to you.”

Would you be interested in this game on Switch? Have you already played Frostpunk? Let us know in the comments.

Ubisoft has announced it’s releasing a new update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows this week across all platforms.

Title Update 1.1.10 comes loaded with all sorts of gameplay improvements. Most notably on the Switch 2, you can look forward to mouse and keyboard support – allowing you to take “full control of Naoe and Yasuke in a whole new way”.

Apart from this, there are a bunch of bug fixes. Here are the full patch notes, courtesy of Ubisoft’s website. The Switch 2 version of this patch will be around 5.4 GB.

AC Shadows Title Update 1.1.10 – Release Notes (7th April 2026)

Patch Highlights

Bo for Everyone!

Don’t have the Claws of Awaji Expansion? No worries!

You can now find non-legendary Bo weapon just by exploring the shadows of Feudal Japan. Once you’ve earned at least one Unique Bo, the non-legendary versions can start dropping from enemies, showing up in chests or appearing at merchants like any other weapon.

Mouse and Keyboard Support on Switch 2

A new way to play arrives! Mouse and Keyboard support is now available on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Take full control of Naoe and Yasuke in a whole new way, wielding your weapons with the precision and freedom of your favourite setup, to traverse the shadows of the night with delicate stealth. Your fight. Your style. Your way.

Bug Fixes & Improvements

Gameplay

• Fixed an issue with fast travel points being unavailable.
• Enemies can now suffer up to 5 afflictions at the same time.
• Fixed an issue with extra Rations being obtained from Claws of Awaji not being visible under maximum Rations in stats sheet.
• Fixed an issue with damage increases not applying while unarmed.
• Fixed an issue with various stat sources capping at +100%.

UI

• Fixed crashing issue when checking add-on content.
• Resolved an issue where total progression remained at 97.89% after all content was completed.
• The Detailed Stat Sheet now shows Combo Ender damage and correctly reflects any damage issues.
• Detailed Stat Sheet adjusted to now display capped and uncapped stats more clearly.
• Fixed an issue after updating, encountering a ‘Missing Content’ error causing the player to lose all gear earned from the expansion Claws of Awaji.

Weapons & Perks

• Corrected an issue for Yasuke’s Samurai passive ability “Defensive Break Level 3” showing +50 instead of 150% damage on enemy collisions.
• Fixed an issue with the “Critical Insight” heighten senses upgrade being nonfunctional.
• Fixed an issue with the “Hidden Onslaught” hidden hand upgrade being nonfunctional.
• Fixed an issue with “Extended Duration” Tenzutsu Burst upgrade, from Claws of Awaji being nonfunctional.
• Fixed an issue where the “Defensive Breach” upgrade would not show +50% damage on enemy collisions once upgraded to rank 3.
• The “Oni’s Rage” Kanabo’s perk now specifies it spreads 25% bleed buildup on kill.
• Fixed an issue with some trinket perks requiring the inventory to be closed before visible in Detailed Stat Sheet.
• Fixed an issue with “Underworld Emissary Horns” helmet perk’s bonus damage not vanishing after entering a smoke bomb’s radius.
• Fixed an issue with “Claws of the Tides” long Katana perk sometimes failing to make the next attack postured.
• Fixed an issue with affliction conversion perks being nonfunctional.

Localization

• The “Hurricane Stance” Naginata ability from Claws of Awaji now specifies how much ability damage is dealt.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Quests

• “Brothers In Arms”: Fixed an issue where players are unable to loot corpses to progress in the mission.
• “Lost and Found”: Fixed an issue after defeating Sentinel Boss while remaining in the arena.
• “The Winter Raiders”: Players can now complete the mission after defeating all the Winter Raiders.

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We called Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Switch 2 an “ambitious port of a captivating series refresh”. While it admittedly had some issues at launch on Nintendo’s platform, Ubisoft has released multiple updates since then to improve the overall experience.

Will you be checking out this new patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows? How about mouse and keyboard controls? Let us know in the comments.

A new gameplay trailer for The Eternal Life of Goldman has been uploaded to Nintendo of America’s YouTube channel, and we felt utterly compelled to highlight it. It looks so good, man!

Currently scheduled to launch at some point in 2026, Goldman is described as a “breathtaking platformer adventure” that utilises stunning frame-by-frame animation to great effect. The new trailer highlights some awesome boss encounters, and honestly, some of the death animations are pretty brutal.

If the visuals were all it had going for it, however, then we wouldn’t be quite so enthusiastic, but Goldman looks like it will be an absolute blast when it eventually lands. The platforming looks solid, there are some intriguing puzzle elements at play, and judging from the brief look at the in-game map, it looks like it’ll be quite a hefty experience.

We’ll keep an eye out for a final release date in the weeks to come, but we think this is definitely a Switch game to at least pencil into your wishlist for the time being.

Is this something you’re keen to play when it eventually launches later this year? Share your thoughts with a comment in the usual place.

Well, what a convenient bit of timing! Hot on the heels of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s release last week, Nintendo has today announced an all-new limited-time Switch 2 offer, featuring (you guessed it) Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2. Yep, the Switch 1 game!

From 12th April – 9th May, you can pick up a Switch 2 and a copy of the Mario Galaxy double-pack (either physical or digital) and save yourself $20 in the process. This’ll only be available at participating retailers — Nintendo has specifically mentioned Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target and Walmart — and is all reliant on stock and the suggested retail pricing, so actual savings may vary.

Of course, the Switch 1 game (or Wii game, if you want to go back to the OG) might not be the best display of the Switch 2’s increased power, but let’s not forget that a free update is available for the new hardware to boost things up to some 4K goodness.

Okay, it might not be the most imaginative offer out there, but as far as a Galaxy Movie tie-in goes, it’s hard to knock. You can find out more information on this offer ahead of its launch next week on the Nintendo of America website.

Will you be making the most of this limited-time Switch 2 offer? Let us know in the comments.

Level-5 has announced that it’s finally ready to share some updates about its upcoming titles in a new ‘Vision 2026’ showcase.

The presentation will air on the Level-5 YouTube channel on Friday, 10th April 2026 at 1pm BST / 2pm CET / 5am PT / 8am ET.

While the precise contents of the event are being kept under wraps to maintain the surprise (company president Akihiro Hino teased on X), the Vision 2026 website clarifies that “multiple titles” will be making an appearance — could it finally be time for an update or two on Professor Layton and The New World of Steam and DECAPOLICE?

Here’s the exact time that the event will get underway in your region:

• North America: 5am PDT / 6am MDT / 7am CDT / 8am EDT
• UK/Ire: 1pm BST
• Europe: 2pm CEST / 3pm EEST
• Asia/Oceania: 9pm JST / 8pm AWST / 10pm AEST

Aside from Layton and DECAPOLICE (both of which were previously delayed), Level-5 also has its Inazuma Eleven remake in the works, and there’s always room for more Fantasy Life i or Victory Road DLC, right? We’ll have to wait and see what Friday holds…

Will you be tuning into the Level-5 Vision 2026 showcase? Let us know what you hope to see in the comments.

One of the biggest highlights of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, in our opinion, was its exceptional score. Not only does the sequel pull back on the licensed pop tracks that plagued the original, but it’s also chock-full of delightful Mario (and Star Fox) music from composer Brian Tyler.

But what the production studios weren’t aware of, however, was that Tyler was actually writing a bunch of the score from a hospital bed after suffering a double brain hemorrhage during his stint working on Nuremburg.

During and interview with Men’s Journal (thanks, Go Nintendo), Tyler confirmed that he didn’t tell anyone on production about his time at hospital as he didn’t want to let them down:

“I was writing this music when I was actually in the hospital because I didn’t want to let anyone down. They didn’t know. I didn’t tell them. I wrote a lot of the main themes from there.”

Quite remarkable dedication, right? Tyler also talks at length about his collaboration with famed Nintendo composer Koji Kondo, and how trust was built following the production of the first movie. Tyler states that Kondo would largely let Tyler do his own thing, occasionally pointing out key references that might be suitable:

“I know Koji Kondo from working on the last film, and then there are other people I’ve worked with, like the composer for the Super Mario Galaxy games. I got to know them and the whole gang at Nintendo, including the head of Nintendo. I spent time with them up at Skywalker.

“In fact, Koji Kondo got inducted into The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame at the 27th Dice Awards in Las Vegas. When they asked him, “Who do you want to tell the story of your life and career up on stage?” He was like, “Brian Tyler.” So, I went out there and introduced his award.

“There’s a lot of trust there. After the last one, Koji was like, “You know all these things, see what you come up with,” for this one. I’ll send this massive list to them of what I want to do, and pretty much they just say, “Wow. That’s, that’s wild. Just do your thing.” But if they see something, they’ll say, “Hey, did you know there’s a character there? Why don’t we make a reference there, or not?””

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is out now in theatres. We gave it a score of 6/10 and said that while we came out of the cinema feeling satisfied, the movie was certainly lacking in substance. It’s a gorgeous-looking film though; one that’s packed to the rafters with neat little references to the games.

Did you enjoy the soundtrack for the Mario Galaxy Movie? Which particular moment stood out to you the most? Let us know with a comment.