Gosh, the passage of time is a nasty one, eh? There we are just trying to enjoy our day, when all of a sudden, BOOM, we’re reminded that today is the 15th anniversary of the 3DS.
Yes, the 3DS, that console which, in our minds, is still a relatively young whippersnapper, was released on this day (26th February) fifteen years ago in 2011.
It’s a system that many of us here at Nintendo Life still hold dearly in our hearts, and one that we return to with a surprising frequency, even though we’ve got two newer consoles from the House of Mario at our disposal. But there’s something about the software lineup that we just can’t knock. Tomodachi Life? A Link Between Worlds? Animal Crossing: New Leaf? Talk about bangers.
But we’re not here to discuss the software this time (we’ve got our list of the 50 Best 3DS Games Of All Time for that), we want to talk about the system itself. More specifically, we want to talk about its weird and wonderful family.
Because yes, while the 3DS is a system in its own right, it spawned a whole family of models to choose between. These were released every couple of years between 2011 and 2017, and included everything from bigger screens to additional control stick ‘nubs’.
As the OG system celebrates a decade and a half since launch, we thought it’d be only right to remind you about each model’s quirks before we pit them head-to-head in a poll to decide, conclusively, which one is the best (or which one is your favourite, at the very least).
So, here they all are, in release order.
3DS
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
First released: 26th February 2011
The first model really was a beauty, wasn’t it? The big selling point was that autostereoscopic 3D screen, of course, but let’s not forget the internal and external cameras for all of those free AR games, a particularly slippery circle pad, and the trio of Select / Home / Start buttons that never really felt like buttons. Magical.
3DS XL
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
First released: 28th July 2012
Do it again… but bigger. Just a year and a half after the 3DS first appeared on the market, Nintendo launched the XL model. It had all the same features as its predecessor, but with a 124mm screen, compared to the old model’s 90mm.
2DS
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
First released: 12th October 2013
Another year, another 3DS. Only, this one wasn’t 3D. Aside from being the ugliest-looking handheld Nintendo had released in a hot minute, the 2DS removed the family’s trademark gimmick (and its internal stereo speakers) for a cheaper, non-autostereoscopic model.
A lot of people didn’t get on with the 3D, so its removal is fair enough. The removal of the clamshell design, however, is a little harder to overlook.
New Nintendo 3DS
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
First released: 25th October 2014
The ‘New’ model felt like a big step up. This boasted all the same features as the OG system, but with a bunch of fresh bells and whistles thrown in to improve the play experience. We’re talking face tracking for an improved 3D effect, automatic screen brightness adjustment, longer battery life, bonus ZL/ZR buttons, a ‘C-stick’ nub, amiibo support… the list goes on.
Throw in a more powerful processor, swappable faceplates, some exclusive games, and Virtual Console titles, and Nintendo was onto a winner of an upgrade.
New Nintendo 3DS XL
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
First released: 11th October 2014
Launching in the same window as the smaller ‘New’ option, this model packed in all of the features outlined above, but, once again, with a 124mm screen to boot.
New Nintendo 2DS XL
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
First released: 15th June 2017
The final member of the 3DS family actually launched after the Switch generation was already up and running. This model supported many of the same features as its ‘New XL’ counterpart, but with a new home button (shifted to the left of the screen), an updated SD Card and cartridge placement at the front of the system’s base, and a little cart cover, vaguely reminiscent of the Switch. Naturally, this one dropped the 3D option, too.
That’s the full line-up, but which is your favourite? You can cast your vote in the following poll, then head to the comments to share your top 3DS memories.
Tomorrow (27th February) is Pokémon Day, and this year, that means a lot of different things are happening. We’ve got the annual Pokémon Presents to look forward to. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will go live on the Switch eShop. And it’s launch day for LEGO’s first wave of Pokémon sets.
It’s that last note that we wanted to remind you about today, because while we all lost our minds over the Pikachu, Eevee, and Kanto Starter sets on reveal earlier this year, we don’t want anyone to miss out on the bonus mini set, exclusive to LEGO Insiders members.
The 233-piece Mini Pokémon Center set will launch alongside the others in the series tomorrow, but it is only available as a reward for LEGO Insiders — a loyalty points-based membership that you can sign up to for free via the Insiders website.
Here’s a little more info about the set and a handful of images from LEGO:
It’s time to rest your Pokémon. Recreate an iconic feature of the video games with the Mini Pokémon Center building set. This collectible gamer merch gift for Pokémon fans ages 18 plus is packed with authentic features, on a miniature scale. This LEGO® Pokémon™ set has sliding doors that open and close using lever functions, a healing station, seating area and PC, making it a cute piece of room decor for adult Pokémon players. Set contains 233 pieces.
Naturally, the set itself doesn’t come for free. You’ll need 2,500 LEGO Insiders points to redeem the reward, which comes as a promo code to be used alongside your next order on the site. Points can be redeemed either by making a purchase from LEGO (either in-store or online) or by scanning the QR codes from the instruction booklets of sets you already own.
You’ll redeem a different number of Insider Points depending on which set you purchase — more expensive sets come with more Points, natch — though all pre-purchased sets (be that ones you got before you were a member, or any you received as a gift) will only recoup a measly 20 Points.
To register any sets you already own and nab their Points, simply head to the LEGO website, then complete the following:
Select your account in the top-right corner to head to the ‘My Account‘ page
Head to ‘My Collection‘ by clicking ‘View Collection’
Hit ‘Register your sets‘ and scan the QR code on the front of your set’s instruction booklet
Alternatively, you can register your sets via the LEGO Insiders mobile app. Any sets purchased before 2018 or ones without a QR code are not available for registration.
With all your points redeemed, you’ll be able to head over to the Insiders ‘Rewards’ tab and see the Pokémon Center set. The reward will go live tomorrow (27th Feb) and will only stick around while stocks last — which, we imagine, won’t be long at all.
Will you be picking up this LEGO Insider exclusive Pokémon Center set? Have you pre-ordered any of the Pokémon sets already? Let us know in the comments.
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.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is now officially available on the Switch 2, and it seems Bethesda won’t be wasting any time when it comes to updates.
In a confirmation via social media, it has revealed it will bolster the post-apocalyptic experience with support for DLSS and by also providing “additional stability improvements”. This update will join the 60fps and 40fps modes, which are already in the game.
Bethesda: Thank you to everyone who has already jumped in to explore the Commonwealth on Nintendo Switch 2!
In addition to our current 60fps and 40fps modes we’ll be adding the following in an upcoming update: – Support for DLSS – Additional stability improvements
Hopefully this improves the overall experience and irons out any bugs present in the launch build. There’s no mention about when exactly this next update will be released, but it’s nice to see Bethesda at least providing players with a heads up, especially after Skyrim‘s bumpy start on the Switch 2.
This release of Fallout 4 on Nintendo’s new hybrid hardware follows last week’s update for The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, which added visual and performance modes. If you want to see both of these games in action, be sure to check out our YouTube channel. We’ve also got a Fallout 4 review on the way.
Have you tried out Fallout 4 on the Switch 2 yet? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.
PlayStation’s Gran Turismo 7 has apparently been linked to the Switch 2 in a wild new rumour, but it doesn’t necessarily mean what you might be thinking.
This information comes from video game journalist Jeff Grubb, who recently responded to a fan on his show, asking a question about “the real driving simulator” and the possibility of it racing on to another platform.
While there was a fair amount of speculation on Grubb’s end about other Sony franchises during this segment, in terms of Gran Turismo, he claims he’s actually heard about a Switch 2 version, but doesn’t expect anything to come of it.
Jeff Grubb: “I heard recently that Gran Turismo was running on the Switch 2. I don’t think it’s going to come to the Switch 2, but I heard it was running on it.”
So, why would Sony bother to get a game like this up and running on the Switch 2, but not even consider a release?
One popular theory seems to be it’s testing the waters as rumours circulate about the company potentially releasing a new PlayStation handheld. In other words, this could be research and development, and nothing more.
Gaming enthusiasts online have also pointed out how companies over the years got titles up and running on certain platforms, but never went any further. If this is more than a rumour, it wouldn’t necessarily be the first time we’ve heard about something like this.
As our friends at Push Square further note, Switch 2’s primary controllers don’t have analogue triggers and the system doesn’t offer “robust” steering wheel support, all of which is considered essential to experience Gran Turismo “at its best”.
Of course, if there are any significant developments, we’ll be sure to let you know.
What do you think Sony might be up to if there is any truth in this rumour? Tell us in the comments.
Last May, an Xbox Wire post announced Ecco The Dolphin would be making a comeback with a remaster of not only the first game, but also the sequel Tides of Time.
Platforms weren’t mentioned at the time, but a new two-page spread for the remaster in Famitsu this week lists the Switch – seemingly confirming the remaster is on its way to Nintendo’s hybrid platform.
Additional details have also been shared by the series creator Ed Annunziata in this feature. As highlighted by Nintendo Everything, the plan is to include 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit versions in a single package, and allow players to swap between visual styles in “real-time”.
The final name of this project is still being decided, but the favourite at the moment appears to be “Ecco Complete”. Of course, this is all subject to localisation changes.
As we’ve previously mentioned, the original Ecco the Dolphin game, which launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, is playable via the Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Are you looking forward to Ecco’s return? Tell us in the comments.
Capcom is truly treating us Switch 2 owners this week, as it releases not only Resident Evil Biohazard and Village on the new hardware, but also the brand new Requiem. Yep, that’s on the same day as other platforms!
All of these launch on 27th February (a Pokémon Day surprise, if we’ve ever seen one), and today, the Requiem reviews have started rolling in to clue us up on Leon and Grace’s latest.
Here at Nintendo Life, we had a fantastic time with RE9, calling it “a love letter that celebrates RE’s origins; one that will have you grinning from ear to ear until the credits roll” in our 9/10 review. Here’s a brief snippet, followed by the full shebang, so you can catch all the details:
Resident Evil Requiem sets a new benchmark for a series that has been pretty consistently great for the last decade or so. By combining classic survival horror with the more action-focused gameplay of RE4, the result is an experience paced to perfection. Add in a lore-heavy narrative and copious easter eggs, and you’ve got what might be the ultimate expression of Resident Evil
But, of course, we’re not the only ones with a Requiem review out today. Being the big multi-platform release that it is, there are a fair few write-ups for the game at large across the internet, and below, we’ve gathered a bunch of them together for you to easily see the full range of opinions. Do note that while we’ve highlighted some reviews that focus solely on the Switch 2 version, many outlets will have been playing on different platforms.
We’ll kick things off with a full beans 10/10 score for the PS5 version from GAMINGbible, where the outlet praised just about everything the game had to offer, particularly in its lore drops:
As a horror game in its own right, Resident Evil Requiem is a very solid nine out of ten, but as a passionate fan of the series, it earns an additional bonus point thanks to the attention to detail and craft that’s gone into every pore of this game
The full scores kept coming with Eurogamer‘s 5/5 review, where even the game’s strange second act wasn’t enough to detract from the overall experience:
Is Requiem uneven? Absolutely. Does it eventually, slightly, run out of steam? I think that’s a fair criticism too. But carried away on a wave of increasing nostalgia, I didn’t especially care
Pocket Tactics opted for the same score as us in another 9/10 Switch 2 review, calling out how impressively well the title runs on Nintendo’s new hardware:
It runs incredibly well on the Nintendo Switch 2, boasts a compelling cast, and a story that fits nicely into the Resident Evil universe at large
It’s an opinion that was echoed in Vooks‘ 4.5/5 review of the Switch 2 version, where the hybrid’s visuals got a major nod of their own:
I wouldn’t say it’s the very first visually impressive game running on the Switch 2; however, it does stand out as one of the first day-and-date games that truly holds its own
The Switch 2 version was laden with even more praise in TechRadar Gaming‘s 4/5 review, even if the outlet was a little disappointed with the game’s second half:
To developer Capcom’s credit, while events may veer unapologetically into the camp and ridiculous, I was practically on the edge of my seat, wondering what on Earth could possibly happen next
With a slightly lower PS5 review, our friends over at Push Square gave Requiem an 8/10 after struggling with the “imbalance” between the survival horror and action gameplay:
Resident Evil Requiem is brilliant, both when you’re avoiding zombies as Grace and cracking their skulls as Leon — but, eventually, there’s slightly too much of one and not enough of the other
We’ll round things out with The Mirror‘s multiplatform 3/5 review, where, despite the “drop-dead gorgeous” visuals (even on Switch 2), that sense of imbalance was enough to bring things down a little:
Resident Evil Requiem attempts to blend all eras of the franchise together with a dual-pronged campaign that features terrifically scary highs and some all-too terrifying lows
Some range in opinions, then, but it looks rather positive overall. As it stands, Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2 is currently sitting at a 90 Metascore across 12 critic reviews, and an 88 on PS5 across 112.
Will you be picking up Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2 after reading what the critics have to say about it? Let us know in the comments.
Just when we thought we had managed to shake Jimbo and his super-addictive poker roguelike, LocalThunk has gone and released Balatro in an all-new Switch 2 edition. Oh boy, here we go again…
The new version is now live on the Switch eShop for £12.79 / $14.99 (with a sweet NA sale bringing it down to $11.99), or as a free upgrade for anyone who already owns the Switch 1 base game — come on, it’s difficult to argue with that.
The eShop listing doesn’t go into any detail about what’s added on the new hardware, but we’re already taking it for a spin and have noticed a smooth 60fps bump, HD Rumble 2, and the addition of Mouse Mode for super quick card selection.
It’s all a very welcome sight, and an unfortunate sign that we’re probably signing ourselves up to another batch of sleepless nights. The only wrinkle that we’ve found so far is that there doesn’t seem to be any way to transfer your data from the Switch 1 version to the Switch 2, which is weird. We’ll keep investigating and will update this post if we find a workaround.
Just in case you missed this one back in 2024, we described the original Balatro as “Utterly sublime” in our 10/10 review, praising just about everything it could throw at us.
Will you be picking up Balatro on Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.
There’s a moment during Resident Evil Requiem — actually, no, several moments — in which I laid the controller on my lap and just stared at the screen in awe. Over the last decade, the series has reclaimed its throne as the king of the survival horror genre, but Requiem pushes the quality bar higher than ever, presenting an experience that is equal parts fresh and nostalgic. For long-time fans who cut their teeth on the original ‘Raccoon City’ trilogy, this is a love letter that celebrates RE’s origins; one that will have you grinning from ear to ear until the credits roll.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
Requiem stars two playable protagonists: FBI agent and ‘scaredy-cat’ (Capcom’s words) Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon Kennedy, who’s still busy serving the Division of Security Operations. Together (well, mostly separately), they work to uncover a bunch of mysteries linked to the Umbrella Corporation, with newcomer and excellent antagonist Victor Gideon driving the narrative.
And make no mistake, Requiem’s narrative is utter nonsense in the best way. The way it rewrites a lot of the series’ backstory may drive a few die-hard fans ’round the bend, but I loved every second. RE7 and Village, as good as they are (particularly the former), were so tangentially connected to the wider narrative that they could have been named something completely different. Requiem is easily the most lore-heavy entry since RE5, one that goes back to corrupt corporations and deranged scientists while laying foundations for future games.
However bonkers the story is, it’s exceptionally well-told, with some wonderful voiceover work from Nick Apostolides as Leon, Angela Sant-Albano as Grace, and Antony Byrne as Gideon. Similarly, the music is consistently excellent, from the subtle, calming Save Room theme to the frantic numbers in the action sequences.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
The story bounces between Grace and Leon from start to finish, with key narrative beats signalling a character switch. That said, the first half largely belongs to Grace, with Leon concentrated primarily in the latter half. Grace’s gameplay is the quintessential survival horror experience, focusing on limited inventory space, scarce ammo, and brutal, relentless enemies.
I played on ‘Standard (Classic)’ difficulty, which brings back ink ribbons for Grace’s sections, an additional, limited-number item that you’ll need to save your progress. Naturally, being able to put the Switch 2 in sleep mode without losing progress does nullify the need for ink ribbons somewhat, but they do still offer severe consequences if you die, so their inclusion absolutely forces you to be more cautious.
Crafting also returns, and here it’s tied entirely to the collection of blood samples found throughout the environment or from your fallen foes. By holding ‘A’ next to samples, Grace can use a dedicated item to extract the blood, with larger enemies providing a greater supply. By combining this with herbs and bits of scrap, you can create all sorts of useful items like med injectors, ammunition, steroids, and more.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
And yes, empty ink ribbon tins can also be found in the environment, so you can craft full ink ribbons too; definitely handy if you find yourself in need of one.
By having enemies provide essential blood samples, Requiem encourages you to kill them if you want to craft certain items. Like all great survival horrors, however, there are downsides to this. If you leave your fallen enemies lying on the ground too long, they’ll morph into Blister Heads (a clear nod to REmake’s Crimson Head zombies), which are generally much faster and more aggressive than their standard counterparts.
You can mitigate this by using craftable Hemolytic Injectors to make their bodies explode, or if you’re feeling particularly brave, you can sneak up on a zombie and use the injector instantly while they’re up and about. Again, though, it’s yet another item you’ll want to keep handy whenever possible, taking up a precious slot in your already-limited inventory.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
The balance is simply fantastic and it makes for the purest survival horror experience since RE7. But of course, that’s just one half of the story.
Leon’s sections are a more direct evolution of the action-horror seen in RE4. Ammunition is much more plentiful, while the inventory system is a spin on the ‘attaché case’ approach seen in RE4 and Village, meaning you’ve instantly got a lot more space to play with.
Enemies are also more plentiful, with the game often putting you in situations in which you’re forced to fight off waves of zombies. Roundhouse kicks are back, of course, and Leon can make use of various melee weapons, picking up spears and hurling them at distant foes, or turning the tables with his very own chainsaw. It’s about time he got to wield one of those things, right?
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
In addition to one-time melee weapons, Leon has a dedicated hatchet that you keep sharp by pressing ‘L’ and ‘Y’ together. It functions just like the defensive knives in RE4, meaning you can either use the hatchet directly against enemies at close range, or keep attacks at bay, with context-sensitive button prompts popping up to save your skin at the last second. It’s a great addition, and being able to sharpen it on the fly means you’re not limited to restoring its functionality at in-game shops.
The shops are indeed back, though. There’s no swashbuckling merchant in Requiem, but instead you’ll come across dedicated crates with a multitude of new weapons, armour, and recovery items. Currency isn’t located in the environment, but rather accrued automatically by killing enemies. Leon’s sections really encourage you to be as aggressive as possible, and you’ll find you have credits in the tens of thousands in no time at all, letting you boost your arsenal very quickly.
Much like Grace, Leon can also craft essential items, but given the swift nature of the gameplay, this isn’t tied to the collection of blood. Instead, you head into the crafting menu and combine the ingredients you wish to use. Simple.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
There were moments during Leon’s sections in which the action gets dangerously close to the frantic gameplay seen in RE6 – thankfully, however, it never quite reaches the same heights (or lows, if you like). Whenever things get a little too over-the-top, Capcom wisely pulls back to keep everything grounded.
All told, by combining Grace’s survival horror gameplay with Leon’s more action-focused affair, the pacing is pitch-perfect. I simply never felt bored, and with a sprinkling of nostalgic easter eggs throughout the latter half (which no, I won’t spoil here), it made for one of the most exhilarating entries in series history.
There’s plenty of replay value, too. I won’t go through exactly what’s unlocked upon completion (which, for the record, took me just under 12 hours), but needless to say you’ll have plenty of extra goodies to play around with to incentivise multiple campaign runs.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Docked)
You can also play around with the camera on subsequent playthroughs (or your first, if you wish). Requiem recommends playing Grace’s sections in first-person and Leon’s in third — which I did on my first runthrough — but you can switch these around however you like for some interesting results. Sadly, there’s no Mercenaries Mode here, which seems ridiculous given the fast, addictive nature of Leon’s sections, but I suspect this might be added as DLC.
On Switch 2, Requiem mostly runs very well. Visually, it often looks incredible, with the environments in particular being a true standout thanks to excellent lighting and shadow effects. Things falter slightly with characters and items: hair often looks a little dodgy, while items picked up or examined will display some off-putting aliasing around the edges. These are cutbacks that I didn’t really notice with RE7 and Village, and it’s perhaps an indication of the advancements made with the RE Engine for Requiem.
Similarly, though frame rate is often gunning for a slick 60fps, there are moments in which it will become quite inconsistent when there’s a lot going on – usually during specific scenarios in which fire is heavily present in the environment. In my experience, this tends to be more noticeable during handheld play, but even then, I wouldn’t say it occurs enough to dampen the experience.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Ultimately, the Switch 2 can’t provide the most technically advanced version of Requiem, but the fact that Capcom got it running as well as it does is commendable.
It’s been a long time coming — almost nine years, in fact — but Capcom’s The Disney Afternoon Collection is now finally heading to the Switch and Switch 2 under the stewardship of Atari and developer Digital Eclipse. Not to rub it in the faces of PlayStation and Xbox owners (except that’s exactly what I’m doing), but it’s also better than ever, offering up a total of eight playable games with the addition of two SNES titles exclusively for Nintendo’s platforms.
The end result is a glorious throwback to the early ‘90s (or very late ‘80s if you bought DuckTales at launch in North America) that wisely refrains from messing too much with the games’ presentation. For folks who grew up with these titles, playing them will be the equivalent of Anton Ego reminiscing about his childhood in Ratatouille, while newcomers may be surprised at just how satisfying they remain after all these years. Difficult, yes, but satisfying.
Goof Troop is actually the outlier in that it’s really the only one that’s not a side-scrolling action game of sorts. Instead, you navigate a top-down environment with each screen presenting a small selection of light puzzles. You’ll spend your time kicking blocks to reveal secrets, chucking items at enemies, and using a hookshot to get out of tricky situations. It’s a lovely little game, though one that’s clearly designed for two players.
Indeed, there are no gameplay changes to account for whether you play solo or with a friend, so given that it’s very much intended for the latter, you might find it lacking if you’re going it alone. Still, it’s a worthy addition for the Switch 1 and 2 edition, and one that boasts some absolutely banging music.
The other SNES game, Bonkers, is a delight. Published by Capcom, but developed by Sun L, it’s a pretty basic platforming experience in which you navigate a series of simple levels with a few boss battles thrown in. The key mechanic here is that you’re able to dash, using the added velocity to destroy items and defeat enemies.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Visually, Bonkers looks, well… bonkers for 1994. The character sprites are wonderfully detailed, and the backdrops make great use of colour gradients to depict sunsets. It really is a beautiful game, and though it feels a little sluggish at first compared to the NES games included, the more approachable difficulty makes for a nice change of pace.
Speaking of NES, the remaining six games are mostly great. Honestly, the only one I’d say you could get away with skipping entirely is TaleSpin, and maybe Darkwing Duck at a stretch.
TaleSpin, which is a side-scrolling shooter, isn’t even that bad. My main issue is that it’s just overly difficult thanks to the excruciatingly slow rate of fire and brutal precision of your enemies’ shots. Even the collection’s rewind feature — triggered at any point by holding ‘ZL’ — isn’t enough to alleviate the frequent frustrations.
Darkwing Duck, meanwhile, is a perfectly fine spin on Mega Man, though I’d argue the level design just isn’t anywhere near the ingenuity showcased in Mega Man 2 or 3. That said, there are some flashes of inspiration, including the ability to temporarily light up a pitch black sewer by hanging from light switches. Like Mega Man, it’s also really challenging at times, and will require lightning-fast reflexes to vanquish some of the more devious foes.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
DuckTales and Rescue Rangers, plus their respective sequels, are the stars of the show here. Both offer up compelling mechanics (the pogo jump in DuckTales and the box throw in Rescue Rangers) that, while certainly not new or unique by today’s standards, nevertheless contribute greatly to the games’ overall appeal. Add in some surprisingly appealing visuals for the NES and a smattering of catchy music, and these four games really stand the test of time, representing Capcom at the top of its game in the early ‘90s.
Originally launched in 2017, The Disney Afternoon Collection was one of Digital Eclipse’s first projects under its current form. As such, the way in which it presents its bonus material doesn’t quite reach the heights of Atari 50 or Tetris Forever, but there’s still a lot here to appreciate.
Concept art, packaging material, and original advertisements can be found in the Gallery feature, with some useful contextual annotations provided for each piece. A music player is also available immediately, letting you replay your favourite tracks at any point (and yes, I have the To The South tune from Goof Troop playing right now).
You’ve also got the usual visual options available for each game, including TV and monitor filters alongside the ability to view each game in its original resolution, enlarged to touch the top and bottom of the screen, or stretched to fill the entire view (don’t go for this last option, though, for goodness’ sake). You also have optional custom borders, though I’d argue that it’s best to play these kinds of games without any border.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Finally, all of the NES titles also include Time Attack and Boss Rush modes to increase their otherwise short length. These are nice additions and I imagine a small chunk of the retro community will relish chipping away at their times and climbing the leaderboards. The SNES games don’t include these, which is a shame.
It’s worth just considering that even with eight games to enjoy, The Disney Afternoon Collection is still a fairly brief experience. Its longevity will ultimately rest on your willingness to replay each game and improve your completion efficiency.
Conclusion
The Disney Afternoon Collection is a delightful throwback to the ’90s, offering up eight mostly great games across the NES and SNES. While you could potentially skip one or two, the lineup represents a particularly prolific period for Capcom, one in which licensed games were — contrary to much of the competition — actually worth your time and money.
With a handy rewind feature and the sort of supplemental material you’ve come to expect from Digital Eclipse, this is a great compilation that deserves a second chance on Switch 1 and 2.
Last week, Amsterdam-based designer JimmyPaul took to London Fashion Week to showcase his new ‘ROAM’ collection, a high-fashion line inspired by the wonderful world of Pokémon. The runway looks inspired a ready-to-wear line of their own by Difuzed, and what do you know, this collaboration is now available to buy from the Pokémon Center website.
Let’s make one thing clear right from the jump, these items ain’t coming cheap. The collection covers a range of products from bags and caps to t-shirts and jackets, and while you’re looking at around £39.99 / $39.99 for the smaller items, the bags and jackets are closer to the £200 mark and beyond.
That said, there are some rather nice pieces in here, each inspired by a different Kanto ‘mon. We’re particularly fond of the Mew Mini Bag, Gengar Cap and Electabuzz Knit Sweater — which, now we think about it, would make for a rather snazzy outfit altogether — but there’s plenty to choose from besides.
Here’s a handful of items in the collection:
You’ll find the full line-up on the Pokémon Center website. It’s an expensive way to evolve your wardrobe, sure, but the prospect of living our Lumiose fantasy is almost too much to resist.
What do you make of this collaboration? Will you be getting any of the items? Let us know in the comments.
