Category: Game Releases

Bandai Namco’s latest offering is a mobile game marking the first collaboration with DeNA – takt op. Symphony. It brings together talented minds from the anime world such as illustrator LAM in a new experience for us to enjoy.

Takt op. Symphony launches on mobile platforms this year and is a free-to-play game. The official website is now live, which introduces us to the world. It’s set in the takt op universe, bringing in previous fan-favourite characters along with new friends to meet.

The classical music-themed game features strategic, turn-based battles intertwined in a bespoke new story building off the events of the popular anime series, Takt Op Destiny. Only the Musicarts – personified versions of famous classical music pieces, including the likes of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake – can save the world from devious Despair Dolls.

A beta test is in the works for takt op. Symphony, and it’s available soon. You can keep up to date with it on the official Twitter so you don’t miss the signup period. No doubt the beta will include plenty of activities for us to dive into, and we’re excited.

There are some celebratory events going on on Twitter, too, with limited-time rewards to win. And of course, pre-registration is live and ensures some sweet in-game goodies upon release.

Looking for more mobile game madness? Check out the latest Genshin Impact codes, Honkai Star Rail characters, and our up-to-date Genshin Impact tier list.

Nintendo’s lineup is now three consoles strong with the Nintendo Switch, OLED, and Lite models. Despite being the cheapest option at $200 (£200), the Nintendo Switch Lite is still a fierce competitor versus its dockable siblings, depending on your use case. The Lite is undoubtedly the most comfortable Nintendo Switch console, and one of the best portable gaming consoles at an attractive price point.

We live in an age where the word ‘portable’ doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing to everyone. While I don’t have any issues fitting a handheld like the Switch OLED in my backpack, it’s not portable in the same way a gaming phone is. The Switch Lite feels like a clever compromise on the original Nintendo Switch design; the sleek and sturdy Gameboy Advance-like form factor gives the device that classic Nintendo feel.

Unlike the other Switch models – whose detachable controllers and higher price points make them feel more fragile and valuable – the Lite is more hard-wearing. I wouldn’t worry about handing this console to a child as its solid build quality means it can withstand a few knocks.

Nintendo has streamlined the Lite in every sense, even in areas I wish they hadn’t. Featuring integrated controls rather than detachable Joy-Cons, this console lives up to its ‘Lite’ name at just 275g. This makes it noticeably easier to hold for longer gaming sessions compared to its bulky counterparts, with the OLED and standard Switch weighing 420g and 398g respectively with Joy-Cons attached.

This is also the only variant that comes with a d-pad, a layout that feels familiar and far more comfortable than the split directional buttons the Switch introduced back in 2017.

Nintendo has stripped several features from this model which solidify its position as the handheld-exclusive Switch. As the Lite cannot be docked, there’s no option to connect it to a TV. This makes it significantly harder to play games that rely on the Joy-Cons, such as Nintendo Switch Sports, Super Mario Party, and Ring Fit Adventure.

There’s no kickstand to support tabletop mode either, so if you want to play these titles you need to sync a pair of Joy-Cons and find a way to prop up the Lite on a nearby surface. If you’re one of the few people interested in Nintendo Labo, you have to buy a different model to try it out as it’s incompatible with the Lite.

Another drawback of the Lite is the smaller battery which results in three to seven hours of usage compared to the Switch OLED’s four and a half to nine hours. Though the battery life is lower on the Lite, you’re not losing much time on each charge. The Lite also drops support for HD Rumble and the IR Motion Camera, two features that you may miss initially but will soon forget about.

Nintendo chose not to increase the internal storage on the Lite, capping it at 32GB like the original Switch. This won’t go very far these days, particularly if you’re building a strictly digital library of games. Thankfully, every Switch model has a microSD card slot to expand its storage, and we can help you find the best microSD card deals.

Fortunately, the Switch Lite’s compromises stop before they impact the device’s power. Every Switch game runs the same across all three models, so you don’t need to worry that your Lite is somehow making Pokémon Violet run poorly, that’s how it’s supposed to run.

Likewise, all three Switches feature 720p displays, giving the Lite’s smaller 5.5” display a marginally higher pixel density which makes games look slightly sharper in comparison. This can be awkward in text-heavy titles like Disco Elysium, but it’s not bad enough to make these types of games unplayable.

We’re used to seeing different products within the same family of devices, and Nintendo has followed suit with this trend. The cheaper Lite is available in a variety of vibrant colors which are reminiscent of older Nintendo handhelds. The Lite’s bold colors make it feel more fun while reaffirming it as a great option for kids. Comparatively, the OLED and original model sport neutral bodies that make them feel more grown-up and sensible when they’re docked next to your TV.

It’s fair to say Nintendo makes it difficult to own multiple devices without making the user jump through hoops. The Switch’s subscription-based cloud save service doesn’t back up every save, it depends on the game you’re playing. For example, if you regularly play Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your saves are trapped on your main Switch until you run a separate app called the Island Transfer Tool. You may encounter a similar problem with the Pokémon games which also contain some restrictions.

This problem doesn’t occur in every game, but considering you have to pay for a subscription just to gain access to this feature, you should expect more from a paid service. There’s also a big caveat whereby you need to have a stable internet connection on your primary console, otherwise, Nintendo can stop you from accessing your digital games. Unless your internet connection at home is perfect, you should avoid using two Switches with one account.

While it’s easy to understand why Nintendo has positioned the Lite as the entry-level option, it would only take a few upgrades to turn this into the best Switch device. The two biggest omissions on the Lite are an OLED screen and the ability to connect to a TV. Given the choice between a hypothetical upgraded Lite and a Switch OLED, I’d pick the Lite every single time.

Geography can be a really fun subject, but it’s hard to remember all that information if your teacher is sending you to sleep. That’s where the best geography games come in. These games can help you learn all there is to know about this great wide world of ours while adding some competition and fun into the mix.

We’ve got loads of great genre lists for you to check out. If you’re an animal lover, head over to our guides on the best bear games, snake games, and horse games. Or, if you prefer something more domestic, check out our list of the best cooking games and games like The Sims.

Now let’s look at the best geography games for Switch and mobile.

GeoGuessr – mobile

GeoGuessr has taken the world by storm with its unique gameplay, dropping you in a random location in Google Maps and asking you to figure out where in the world you are. Some people have even made a name for themselves on YouTube and TikTok for their superior GeoGuessr skills. The iconic browser game now has an official app for Android and iOS, so give it a go for yourself.

Google Play / App Store

World Quiz: Learn Geography – mobile

If you’ve got a pub quiz coming up that you want to ace, World Quiz is your new best friend for the geography section. Test yourself on country flags, capitals, and map layouts in a range of colourful multiple-choice quizzes.

App Store

Seterra Geography – mobile

Seterra Geography might have a quiz for just about every geography topic you can think of. With over 400 customisable quizzes covering everything from countries, state capitals, and physical features like mountain ranges, you can quench your thirst for knowledge all in one app.

Google Play / App Store

Worldle – mobile

You know and love Wordle, now get ready for Worldle! This browser game takes inspiration from the hit word game and puts a geographical spin on it. You have six guesses to correctly identify a country based purely on its silhouette. There’s only one Worldle per day, so you can set aside a little bit of time to improve your geography knowledge.

Play Worldle here

Planet Quiz – Switch

People often forget that geography is about more than just naming countries. It’s about the people and cultures of the world too. Planet Quiz covers it all, with 17 categories to choose from and a range of single-player and multiplayer game modes that are fun for all the family.

Geography Quiz Festival – Switch

Geography Quiz Festival is a great game to introduce your little ones to country names and flags. With four different game modes and adorable mascots to help you along the way, it’s a great option to show kids that learning can be fun too!

There you have it, the best geography games on Switch and mobile. If you’re looking for some more portable fun, check out our lists of the best train games and best Star Wars games on Switch and mobile.