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Nintendo Download: 11th June (North America)

Thomas the Tank Engine
Image: Dovetail Games

The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it’s bringing new games galore to the eShop. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!

Switch 2 eShop – Highlights

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Nintendo, 9th Jun, $69.99) Experience the critically-acclaimed first game in the Xenoblade Chronicles saga in 4K resolution on compatible TVs and full HD in handheld mode, all at 60 fps. The Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game features a host of new additions, such as a high-speed vehicle for traversing the game’s vast areas, new racing modes that let you earn in-game rewards, new equipment designs, and new voiceover added to the game’s Heart-to-Heart scenes.

Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (Devolver Digital, 11th Jun) – Start your mission in a brand-new game set within the Astroneer universe with a focus on discovery, cooperative expeditions and camaraderie. Exploring deep space on the ESS Starseeker, players will need to work together with the crew of the space station to complete objectives that will take them further into the unknown regions of each planet. Embark on timed expeditions to gather resources, complete missions and further your goals, as well as those of your squad and the entire station.

Star Fox Demo (Nintendo, 25th Jun, $49.99) – A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 game, Star Fox features newly overhauled character designs, freshly revamped looks for each stage, plus detailed cutscenes, fully voiced dialogue and a sweeping orchestral soundtrack.

Switch 2 eShop – New Releases

and Roger (KODANSHA, 17th Jun, $3.49) – Past a Trail of Delusions and Roger is an interactive novel that lets you see through the protagonist’s eyes—whether what she sees makes sense or not. It is comprised of three chapters and can be played in its entirety in about one hour.

Arcade Archives 2 CAMELTRY (HAMSTER, 4th Jun, $9.99) – “CAMELTRY” is an action game released by TAITO in 1990. Rotate the maze to roll the ball and reach the goal before the timer hits zero. A variety of obstacles stand in your way, including traps that reduce your time and bumpers that bounce the ball away. It’s a unique ball-action game with a whole new sensation.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (KOEI TECMO AMERICA, 9th Jun, $39.89) – People gather memories as they live their lives, thus developing their souls. This is the story of a young woman traveling across a ruined continent to find the path toward the future. The theme of this game is “memory. ” There are moments when everyone must confront the past and their own memories. All memories, including both successes and failures, become nourishment for the future and help shape people.

Console Archives Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido (HAMSTER, 4th Jun, $7.99) – “Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido” was released by SUNSOFT in 1986 for an 8-bit home console. This is an action game where Kantaro, a fireworks thrower, travels to Edo to launch fireworks over the Sumida River, where his fiancée, Momoko-chan, is waiting, while fending off enemies along the way. Will Kantaro safely reach Edo and be able to launch fireworks over the Sumida River?

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked (Resolution Games, 16th Jun, $29.99) – EPIC QUESTS. INSTANT ADVENTURES. Experience the magic of Dungeons & Dragons like never before in this tactical, cooperative digital board game set in Forgotten Realms. Command your heroes, unravel sinister plots and forge mighty alliances in turn-based combat and choice-based storytelling. Iconic D&D Elements with Streamlined Strategy

Denshattack! (Fireshine Games, 17th Jun) – Flip, trick and grind your train in a fast-paced, off-the-rails ride through a colourful Japanese dystopia. Take back the tracks with nothing but skill, speed, and style. Hop aboard your custom gravity-defying train and embark on a hectic quest to defeat the sinister Miraidō corporation, alongside a vibrant pack of outcasts. Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through Japan’s biggest cities, as well as a world of meadows, volcanoes and oceans. Rack up points and chase that sweet high score as you flip, trick and stick the landing in your customisable ride.

Looks like Denshattack was delayed at the last minute:

Junkster (Stormcloud Games, 16th Jun, $9.99) – Junkster is a thrilling 3D action platforming adventure with a unique building mechanic. When an intergalactic cargo ship crash-lands on a dangerous junkyard planet, it is up to a scrappy, little construction bot named UM-13, or Um for short, to save the day! Armed only with his trusty robo-wrench, Um must transform the galaxy’s useless garbage into slightly more functional garbage as he searches for the parts to repair his ship and recovers his lost cargo of precious human artifacts.

SnowRunner (Focus Entertainment, 9th Jun, $39.99) – SnowRunner puts you in the driver’s seat of powerful vehicles as you conquer extreme open environments with the most advanced terrain simulation ever. Drive 40 vehicles from brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Freightliner as you leave your mark on an untamed open world. Overcome mud, torrential waters, snow, and frozen lakes while taking on perilous contracts and missions.

to a T (Annapurna Interactive, 11th Jun, $14.99) – to a T is a narrative adventure game that portrays the extraordinary life of a 13-year-old teenager, whose body happens to be in the shape of the letter “T.” They live in a modest seaside town that they explore by foot, train, or even their favorite unicycle, and interact with a the charming cast of characters who live there. – Read our to a T review

Unrailed 2: Back on Track – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Indoor Astronaut, 11th Jun, $14.99) – Unrailed 2: Back on Track brings chaotic local and online multiplayer track-building action to the next level – band together with friends to collaborate and build your track across new procedurally generated worlds – WHILST the train is running! So think fast, with more freedom than ever before, and conquer new obstacles in your way – before your trains becomes… a trainwreck!

Switch eShop – New Releases

Angry Capybara (Upscale Studio, 5th Jun, $4.99) – Capybaras are famous for their Zen-like patience, but even they have a breaking point! Welcome to Angry Capybara, a hilarious physics simulator in which nature’s most relaxed mammal finally resorts to violence. When denied access to your favourite outdoor hot spring, it’s time to take out your frustrations on Granny’s pristine living space. This isn’t about sneaking, it’s about embracing your inner wrecking ball!

Arashi Gaiden (NUNTIUS GAMES, 11th Jun, $8.99) – Arashi Gaiden is a turn-based action game with fast-paced dash and slash combat. Use the dash mechanic to quickly traverse levels and slice your enemies in half in style, combining your blade with shurikens, teleports and chains that paralyze your opponents.

Arcade Archives CAMELTRY (HAMSTER, 4th Jun, $7.99) – “CAMELTRY” is an action game released by TAITO in 1990. Rotate the maze to roll the ball and reach the goal before the timer hits zero. A variety of obstacles stand in your way, including traps that reduce your time and bumpers that bounce the ball away. It’s a unique ball-action game with a whole new sensation.

Arcade Pack (Sabec, 4th Jun, $14.99) – Jump into classic arcade-style action with the Arcade Pack, a collection of three exciting games inspired by retro machines and fast-paced gameplay. Test your reflexes, aim, and control skills across space battles, air hockey duels, and precision landings.

Asphalt Dominion (Gametry, 13th Jun, $4.99) – Asphalt Dominion is a thrilling arcade racing game where speed is everything and every race is a fight for control. Step into a world of exotic supercars, high-stakes competition, and visually striking tracks that take you through breathtaking environments filled with sharp turns, long straights, and intense rival action. From sunlit circuits to dramatic seasonal landscapes, every location is built to deliver fast, aggressive, and unforgettable racing.

Beholder: Conductor (Alawar Premium, 11th Jun, $16.99) – Welcome aboard the Determination Bringer! You have been appointed senior conductor of the legendary train, which all the citizens of our vast country are happy to see in their cities. Your responsibilities are maintaining order in the carriage assigned to you and providing assistance to passengers along the way. Your tools are reporting, intimidation, searches and ejection. Remember: the conductor is always right.

Beholgar 2 (Dolores Ent., 12th Jun, $17.99) – The ancient evil has awakened, and the fate of the world hangs by a thread. Even Beholgar, the legendary warrior, knows that this enemy cannot be defeated by ordinary steel. There is only one weapon capable of slaying the darkness… but the blacksmith who forged it died centuries ago. To reclaim this cursed blade, Beholgar must descend into the depths of Hell itself, facing demonic horrors, ancient dragons, jinns, and corrupted creatures born from nightmare.

Blueberry (Hidden Trap, 12th Jun, $12.49) – Play as Blueberry and live through key memories from childhood to old age, piecing together fragments of her past in a deeply emotional story about trauma, resilience, and forgiveness. Climb the Tower of Life. Go on a journey from childhood to twilight years.

Car Guys (Ruben Alcaniz, 16th Jun, $6.00) – Experience the Ultimate Competitive Multiplayer Racing Game! Welcome to Car Guys, an exciting multiplayer racing game where skill and strategy come together in fast-paced, action-packed competitions. Represent your nation and climb the global leaderboard in adrenaline-fueled races that will put your reflexes and driving skills to the test!

Death Attraction (Upscale Studio, 5th Jun, $9.99) – The carnival has closed, but the real horror is just beginning. In Death Attraction, you awaken trapped inside a labyrinthine funhouse controlled by a terrifying, maniacal clown. What was supposed to be a thrilling amusement park ride has morphed into a spine-chilling fight for survival. The neon lights flicker, the eerie carnival music plays on a twisted loop, and somewhere in the shadows, a relentless killer is hunting you down.

Dragon Loop (Happy Player, 11th Jun, $13.49) – Help Xi navigate a five-day time loop and figure out what happened to her memories in a vast hand-drawn world. Together with her companion, Ouro, travel through a true metroidvania world where time changes the terrain in subtle ways. Escape the loop through exploration and battle. Change Xi’s fate and learn the truth of the Dragon Loop!

EGGCONSOLE MIRAI MSX2 (D4 Enterprise, 11th Jun, $6.49) – Originally released in 1987, this action RPG casts you as the mysterious soldier mentioned above, embarking on an epic journey across six different planets. The game features side-scrolling action RPG mechanics where each planet is divided into two parts: aerial stages that play like a side-scrolling shooter, and underground stages where you fight using martial arts-style maneuvers. Powerful bosses guard key locations, such as the entrances to the underground and the end of each stage.

Flippy Jump (NOSTRA GAMES, 11th Jun, $1.99) – “You close the door of your refrigerator and an interesting life begins inside. Fruits and vegetables try to escape from this big white cage. Break everything around you and smash through shelves to find a way out. The more precise the timing of the jump, the more powerful the impact. That’s exactly what you need to succeed!

Frogborne (Downmeadowstreet, 12th Jun, $7.99) – Far from home and full of determination, a tiny frog sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. Explore a vibrant, storybook world brimming with secrets — from sun-dappled forests and cobblestone town squares to the towering halls of a grand castle, patrolled by a not-so-friendly giant guard. Hop, leap, and bounce your way through charming levels as you hunt down three legendary Power Gems, the only things that can carry you back where you belong.

Hamstory (Pixel Lantern, 5th Jun, $4.99) – Hamstory is a heartfelt 2D pixel platformer where every fall is part of the journey forward. Join Hamcho on a touching adventure to reach Haessi Star. Along the way, you will leap across challenging paths, sometimes miss your jump, and try again. Each attempt helps you grow stronger, teaching you how to go a little further than before. The way forward is not always clear, but with patience and a bit of courage, you will find your own path.

Hellbrella (Cyber Monkey Studios, 12th Jun, $8.99) – BECOME ONE WITH YOUR UMBRELLA! A fast-paced Aerial Roguelite Hack and Slash where Insane Combos and pure aggression are all that stand between you and death. Step into the paws of a Raincoat Cat and face an infernal journey with nothing but your Umbrella as a Weapon!

Honey Sprint (Afil Games, 11th Jun, $3.49) – Dive into an irresistible chase in Honey Sprint, where a hungry bear must escape a furious swarm while collecting as much honey as possible along the way. With simple controls and nonstop action, each run blends quick reflexes, smart decisions, and pure fun. Dodge obstacles, slide under branches, and jump at the right moment to keep your flow while chasing ever-higher scores.

Judy’s Adventure DX (RAWRLAB Games, 11th Jun, $5.99) – A peaceful picnic turns into a big adventure when Judy wakes up to find her house key gone! Run, jump, slip, and explore through colorful forests, golden cities, metallic sewers, and secret filled areas in this charming retro platforming adventure.

Little Kitty Meow (CGI LAB GAMES, 12th Jun, $9.99) – Explore a quiet and cosy office from the perspective of a curious little cat in Little Kitty Meow, a relaxing adventure focused on atmosphere, exploration, and peaceful wandering. Walk through office rooms, meeting areas, corridors, and workspaces while discovering hidden corners, cosy spots, and small environmental details that bring the workplace to life.

Love Chemistry – Sibella’s Formula (eastasiasoft, 11th Jun, $4.79) – Take the role of an unhinged lady chemist in raucous side-scrolling platformer Love Chemistry – Sibella’s Formula! Shoot syringes of your special mind-control formula at weird enemies, from robots and carnivorous plants to roving bookworms, and make your way through tricky corridors in old-school pixel art style!

Lovely Deco House (GaniTani, 11th Jun, $8.99) – Design the space of your dreams in a world filled with cozy emotions. In <Lovely Deco House>, gather materials from nature, such as plants and rocks, to create unique furniture and props, offering creative joy. Just like dyeing old cloth with cherry blossoms to make pretty pink fabric, your ideas will soon become wonderful interiors. Decorate the homes of your cute doll friends with carefully crafted furniture. From charming rabbit cafes to emotionally rich chick camping sites, new stories bloom wherever your touch reaches.

Mori Carta (Secret Item Games, 11th Jun, $12.49) – Mori Carta is a handless deckbuilding roguelike. Choose left or right on every card to adventure through stories. Simple decisions lead to rich and rewarding gameplay. Four dramatically different characters with their own unique card sets, more than 1000 playable cards, over 185 unique enemies.

Pitstop in Purgatory (Ratalaika Games, 12th Jun, $4.99) – Astrid wakes up in Purgatory and she doesn’t remember anything. Point and click your way through adventure-based gameplay mixed with visual novel storytelling. Solve the mystery of our heroine’s unexplained and unusual death. Experience a heartfelt story where your choices matter, with five different interactive routes. Feel your way through a charming, funny, dramatic and moving narrative full of compelling characters, brought to life by partial voice acting.

Planetfall Conquerors (Eathrabaria, 4th Jun, $4.99) – Build your ultimate spaceship and dive into a thrilling arcade-style space adventure. Customize every part of your ship—from body and wings to engine and weapons—then launch into fast-paced battles across the galaxy. Speed through dense asteroid fields, unleash powerful rockets, and take down enemy ships while skillfully avoiding deadly mines and hazards. Explore two distinct planets, each offering unique environments and challenges, from vast open space to dangerous planetary surfaces.

Re:Re:Ghosted (Playstige Interactive, 12th Jun, $3.99) – Endless job search. Hunt for the best resume. Die in someone else’s dream. Frame HR for murders. And fail in the backrooms. Re:re:ghosted is a first-person psychological horror game.

Reel it! World Fishing (SAT-BOX, 11th Jun, $12.80) – Let’s go fishing on the Nintendo Switch™! Travel to different world locations like North America, Europe, Africa, and the Amazon! Each spot is home to lots of unique fish to discover! Play solo, or compete with up to 4 players using one Joy-Con™ each! Become the world’s greatest angler! Catch as many fish as you can within the time limit! Look out for big fish to boost your score! Sit back, relax, and enjoy endless fishing! Watch the scenery shift from day to night!

Sayonara Wild Hearts + Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Bundle (Annapurna Interactive, 4th Jun, $34.18) – Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy arcade game about riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph. A woman, summoned by an eccentric man to participate in a project in an old hotel somewhere in central Europe, becomes embroiled in a game of illusions, increasingly dangerous and surreal in Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.

Scarlet Wolf (Sometimes You, 3rd Jun, $9.99) – If you’re ready to run and play a deadly game of hide-and-seek, then come on in and make yourself at home. Behind the door, endless oppressive corridors, filthy walls, deadly traps, and a ravenous creature eagerly waiting to get up close and personal with you await. There are doors that should remain locked. There are places that no one should ever visit. Secrets hidden in the shadows should not come to light. But if you do wander into one of these places, know this: your enemy is strong and dangerous.

Super Farming Boy (LemonChili Games, 12th Jun, $9.99) – Story In Super Farming Boy™, you play as Super, whose mom and friends have been captured by his evil nemesis, KORPO®©TM. Unlawfully hiring you to work on your own land, Korpo taxes all proceeds for himself! Now, with your friends and mom up for sale, you must harvest your way through some wacky challenges, saving enough to rescue them back!

Tale of Dark Lands (Sometimes You, 2nd Jun, $9.99) – Tale of Dark Lands – a magical fantasy action RPG with an elegant low-poly style and the charm of a timeless fairy tale. Immerse yourself in a world of mysteries, perils, and glorious adventures! A story full of secrets and challenges. The main hero is a brave mercenary hired by the residents of a small village to defend them against fierce goblin raids. But what begins as a simple job turns into something far greater.

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor (Dovetail Games, 9th Jun, $39.99) – Join Thomas and his friends on a special journey across Sodor! Hop into the cabs of North Western Railway’s classic steam team to enjoy nostalgic stories and all-new narratives right from the drivers’ seats.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track (Indoor Astronaut, 11th Jun, $14.99) – Unrailed 2: Back on Track brings chaotic local and online multiplayer track-building action to the next level – band together with friends to collaborate and build your track across new procedurally generated worlds – WHILST the train is running! So think fast, with more freedom than ever before, and conquer new obstacles in your way – before your trains becomes… a trainwreck!

Urban Jungle (Assemble Entertainment, 11th Jun, $11.99) – Urban Jungle is a charming and relaxing simulation game that invites you to transform ordinary apartments into a lush, green haven by placing delightful plants with savvy. But no worries, you won’t have to deal with watering or pest control – the plants just need a good spot, and that’s enough to create to comfiest and coziest home of them all. Oh, and don’t forget to pet your cat!

So that’s your lot for this week’s North American Nintendo Download. Drop a vote in the poll above, and comment below with your hot picks!

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Denshattack! Is Delayed Into July To Allow “A Little More Time To Cook”

Denshattack
Image: Fireshine Games

If you’ve tried the free demo for Denshattack! on Switch 2, then chances are you’re probably itching to play the full game, huh?

Well, you’ll have to wait a bit longer, we’re afraid. Originally scheduled to launch on 17th June 2026, it’s now been pushed back to 15th July. This is to allow developer Undercoders “a little more time to cook” to ensure everything’s running smoothly.

The announcement was made via social media on 4th June (yes, we’re quite late with this one, sorry – it’s been a busy week!):

We reckon the wait is going to be well worth it though. The demo is absolutely fantastic and it really leans into those early ’00s Sega / Dreamcast vibes.

We spoke with the development team back in April, during which Studio Director David Jaumandreu confirmed that the idea for Denshattack! came from playing with a Japanese train toy model. If you’re keen to find out more, then do give it a read when you’re able.

Are you keen to pick up Denshattack? Have you tried out the demo? Let us know with a comment.

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Final Fantasy Revelation Will Contain Even More Minigames Than Rebirth

FF7 Revelation
Image: Square Enix

As good as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is, a lot of folks are in agreement that it suffered from poor pacing and an overstuffed world full of needless minigames.

Well, if you hoped that the upcoming sequel, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, would be a bit more streamlined, then you’d best just set your expectations accordingly. In a new interview with VGC, director Naoki Hamaguchi confirms that Revelations will actually have more minigames than its predecessor.

This comes from a desire to stick to the original vision and not bend over backwards to address fan feedback. If the team tried to fix absolutely everything that fans weren’t completely satisfied with, then you’d wind up with a game that “doesn’t really have any character”.

Here’s what he had to say:

“What I can say for Revelation is that it will feature as many mini-games as it did in Rebirth, if not more. I did not want to make a cut on that aspect. I didn’t want to reduce the number of mini-games. We’ll see how it turns out in terms of the fan feedback, but I will take that responsibility, depending on what happens. That was my decision.”

Despite this, Hamaguchi-san does confirm that some minigames can be skipped altogether; so even though there are more, it sounds like you’ll have more agency as to which ones you actually engage with.

The interview also naturally turns to how Revelation might conclude, and although Hamaguchi-san refrains from providing any specific details (thank goodness), it sounds like the team is satisfied with the overall conclusion, saying “I think we’re pretty confident and happy with how it’s turned out”.

What do you make of this? More minigames, but you can skip some of them. Sounds like a nice balance, right? Let us know your thoughts with a comment.

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Mini Review: to a T (Switch 2) – Cute Narrative Sim Loses Its Teachings To Tittering

When they’re done well, games with a message can be so effective, balancing the scale between teaching and transfixing you. to a T is a narrative game wrapped in a cute art style courtesy of designer Keita Takahashi (Katamari). It touches on an important theme, but that touch is light.

Your happy-go-lucky character’s body is in a permanent ‘T’ pose, which makes you different to those around you – the game is largely about navigating a world made for people with mobile arms. That means you have a special toothbrush and spoon, plus a pooch who helps with your everyday tasks (later you get to play as them, adorable waddling animation included).

Chapters are divided by musical numbers like those in kids’ cartoons where you can sing along with karaoke-style animation for lyrics that are hilariously silly: ‘Y I B T shape, not U or F or O?’ The humour gets more tickling with your ability to spin rapidly and propel yourself into the air. It enables you to reach the highest heights – and your bullies’ hearts. Only you can do this, because only you are shaped like a T.

Our hero’s experience is clearly intended as a metaphor for disability, touching on everyday difficulties many take for granted. It’s great as a kid-friendly execution – quirky and creative yet empathy-drawing. However, the message gets muddled in the second half, where the story spirals wildly from weird to downright absurd.

And this is a world where unicycles talk and cereals contain wasabi. The ‘twist’ is odd, narratively speaking, but it also does a disservice to what could be a tidy theme about acceptance. Rather than making the protagonist relatable, it alienates them further.

The gameplay is mostly simulation, as you go through your character’s day-to-day life. Minigames trickle throughout, including rhythm games, maths problems and mazes. Some feel quite tricky – the maths numbers come at you full throttle, all over the screen. Any little ones playing may need help here.

It’s possible the minigames are intended to replicate the experience of a person with a disability. But, strangely, the game’s accessibility options are lacking. There’s one lone accessibility setting: instead of rotating your right joystick to spin and fly, you can press ‘R’.

On Switch 2, to a T is a bit jittery when you fly, or walk through small spaces. Camera movement is tied to your character; it changes angle as you move, so that ‘right’ turns into ‘up’ or ‘up’ becomes ‘down’.

to a T doesn’t do anything terribly, but it doesn’t exactly triumph either. Takahashi’s touch is evident in the cute 3D Peanuts-esque design. He and development studio uvula have taken on a tremendous challenge, though what they’ve produced could’ve had much more emotional resonance.

Most troublingly, it isn’t easily playable for the very audience it supposedly spotlights – and its story (while fun and quirky) may muddy its teachings. Still, littler players might enjoy its style and silliness, even if it doesn’t express its take-home message…to a T.

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Round Up: The Previews Are In For Rhythm Heaven Groove

Rhythm Heaven Groove
Image: Nintendo

If you watched this week’s Nintendo Direct right from the very start, you will have seen a whopping two-minute-fifty-five-second trailer for next month’s first-party offering, Rhythm Heaven Groove. We’re rapidly closing in on that 2nd July release date, and today, the first previews have appeared online.

A bunch of outlets (including us) have had hands-on time with the long-awaited return of the rhythm series, so we can start to gauge what it has in store for us.

Here at Nintendo Life, we admitted that Groove is little more than more Rhythm Heaven, but that’s no bad thing. Here’s a snippet of our early thoughts, followed by the full preview:

There’s something oddly intoxicating about the sound design and visuals, coupled with the primal feel-good sensations that come from successfully adhering to a rhythm.

But what do other outlets have to say, eh? Below, we’ve rounded up a handful of them, so you can get an idea of the early consensus at a glance.

Over at Game Informer, the preview was optimistic about pretty much everything Groove has to offer:

I’m excited to see how the single-player offerings play out as you get deeper into them, and I look forward to busting this game out at future friend gatherings.

Pocket Tactics shared much of the same love, even to the new RPG ‘Beatspell’ mode — which, it admits, feels a little out of place despite its quality.

It wasn’t the most cohesive and did feel like I was playing a mostly separate game, but I like the ambition of it, and think that longtime fans of the series need crumbs of something else to chew on.

TechRadar‘s preview said that Groove is “on track to become my favourite Nintendo Switch release of 2026”. High praise indeed!

I can already see myself nipping back into its incredibly moreish beat-based minigames whenever I have a spare few minutes once it’s out.

The multiplayer mode got a particular shoutout in Metro‘s early thoughts:

Rhythm Paradise Groove is perhaps too low-key to ever be considered a Nintendo heavyweight, but for those clamouring for a light-hearted, cheap, absurdist cleanser to roll out at parties, this is shaping up to be a boon for the Switch’s multiplayer arsenal.

And finally, PC Mag praised the Beatspell mode’s uniqueness, hoping it’s enough to mix up the gameplay in the long run:

Since this was all rhythm-based, making those input choices in the moment while staying on beat felt like freestyling, a nice bit of creativity in a game otherwise about precisely following instructions.


So, just a small taste of the early impressions, but they seem rather positive! We’ll see what the full release holds when Rhythm Heaven Groove launches on Switch next month.

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Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Sales Continue To Slip, But Tomodachi Life Holds The Newbies At Bay

Tomodachi Life / Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Image: Nintendo Life

It has been another rough post-price-hike sales week for Switch 2 in Japan, but Nintendo stays winning on the software side, thanks to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (thanks, Famitsu).

The wacky life sim added another 50,000+ copies to its pile this week, stopping the new Switch 2 releases of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and eFootball Kick-Off! from getting the top spot. 007 First Light on PS5 has slipped from its silver-medal debut last week and now winds up in seventh, while Japan’s A-Train9 Evolution also makes the ranking in its debut week.

Here’s a look at the top ten in full:

Position Game Platform Unit Sales (1st – 7th Jun) Total Unit Sales
1

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

Switch

50,151

1,309,182
2

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Switch 2

30,657 NEW
3

eFootball Kick-Off!

Switch 2

20,047 NEW
4

Pokémon Pokopia

Switch 2

10,794 1,049,201
5

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

Switch 2

8,191 60,553
6

Mario Kart World

Switch 2

7,381 2,965,454
7

007 First Light

PS5

4,388 25,078
8

Minecraft

Switch

4,381 4,218,943
9

A-Train9 Evolution

Switch 2

3,550 NEW
10

Astro Bot

PS5

3,460 103,717

It’s another week of small numbers on the hardware side of things, as Japan’s price hike has produced another drop in Switch 2 sales.

Nintendo’s latest remains on top, of course, with an additional ~23,000 sales to its name, but it’s down from last week’s 31,751, and don’t even get us started on the week before, where it hit a pre-price increase peak of 247,880.

We’ve seen similar drops for Switch 1 sales this week (apart from the Lite, which actually had a decent increase), and it’s reflected in the SKU totals. The Standard, Lite and OLED models come in at 7,821, while the three PS5 systems racked up 8,646.

Here’s a breakdown of the figures for the week:

Position Console Unit Sales (1st – 7th Jun) Lifetime Unit Sales
1 Switch 2

23,059

5,888,272
2

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

6,731

1,309,551

3

Switch Lite

4,099 6,977,052
4 Switch OLED 2,978 9,588,808
5

PlayStation 5 Pro

1,644

361,952
6

Switch

744 20,301,079
7

Xbox Series X Digital Edition

368 31,912
8

Xbox Series X

277

327,491
9

PlayStation 5

271

5,920,105

10

Xbox Series S

109

342,328

< Previous charts


What do you make of this week’s charts? Let us know in the comments.

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Chained Echoes Is Finally Getting Its Physical Release, After Last Attempt Ended In A Lawsuit

Chained Echoes Physical
Image: Deck13 Spotlight

Earlier this year, Chained Echoes developer Matthias Linda announced that he was filing a lawsuit against distributor First Press Games after a two-year wait for his promised physical release. Well, good news! The dev has partnered with a new company, and the physical launch is back on track.

Super Rare Games has today announced that it is taking on the distribution mantle, with Standard and Deluxe Edition pre-orders arriving next week on 18th June at 6pm BST / 10am PT / 1am ET, before a planned ship in September. The company expects this to be a popular one, and is only promising it as a “limited pre-order release” for the time being.

Both editions include the base game and its accompanying ‘Ashes of Elrant’ DLC, while the Deluxe Edition also throws in a hardback A5 artbook, a poster, a gold coin, and an exclusive clamshell box to keep it all in.

This has been a long time coming for all those who backed the game on Kickstarter and have been expecting a physical copy in the years since. Linda has confirmed that “eligible Kickstarter backers who pledged for a physical copy will receive the game at no additional cost,” so keep an eye on those inboxes if this applies to you.

Chained Echoes Physical
Image: Deck13 Spotlight / Super Rare Games

We’re excited to see this physical promise finally come into fruition, because this is a wonderful little game. “Chained Echoes is a wonderful mash-up of ’90s JRPG tropes,” we said in our 9/10 review, “masterfully woven together to produce an experience that feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh.”

Let’s just hope that the release goes smoothly, this time.

Will you be picking up one of these physicals? Chain your thoughts in the comments below.

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Preview: Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Sees An “Unfettered” Lara Put The Survivor Era Behind Her

Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Lara
Image: Amazon Game Studios

The Tomb Raider series is one of the longest-lasting in the video game industry, going all the way back to 1996. It has graced many different platforms, including Nintendo ones. And with the increased power of the Switch 2, lots of others are coming over too, including the recently released Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration.

But now, a new remake of the first game, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is coming to Switch 2 next year. At Summer Game Fest 2026, I got to play about 40 minutes of the game and sit down with the developers to talk about bringing protagonist Lara Croft back to her roots.

To be clear, Lara Croft in Legacy of Atlantis is the same one from the Survivor trilogy (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider). In this new sequel adventure, Lara is much more confident, bringing years of wisdom along with her.

“It’s a re-imagining of the debut adventure coming up on the 30th anniversary, we wanted to celebrate that moment,” said Crystal Dynamics experience director Jeff Adams. “We really wanted to make sure that she’s still bringing all of the experiences from the Survivor era.”

Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Lara Jumping
Image: Amazon Game Studios

The connection may not be immediately apparent, given that the art style in Legacy of Atlantis is much more stylised than the gritty tone of the Survivor days. However, that was intentional.

We’re trying to meet Lara in this phase where she’s unfettered by the past. It’s a blue sky horizon ahead of her.

“Art direction is always talking about the emotions, so what we’re trying to do is invoke the emotions that people had when they played the original one, which is much more colourful,” Flying Wild Hog art director Arek Tomaszewski said.

Crystal Dynamics game director Raul Siqueira added, “The tone in Legacy of Atlantis is intended by design to be more optimistic. We’re trying to meet Lara in this phase where she’s unfettered by the past. It’s a blue sky horizon ahead of her. So she’s just having fun being the Tomb Raider at this time, and so we wanted the visual tone to reflect that.”

The elephant in the room, however, is that Legacy of the Tomb Raider used AI during the development process. Everyone’s opinions about AI vary, but personally, I didn’t detect anything that stood out to me as blatantly AI in my demo. That might be by design though, as Crystal Dynamics confirmed that AI-assisted assets were replaced by or refined by its human developers.

Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Dinosaurs
Image: Amazon Game Studios

During the PC demo, I was in a jungle solving a puzzle where I had to find gears throughout the area and connect them to open up a gate. One thing that was noticeable was Lara’s jump, which was surprisingly far. When playing other AAA action games, the player character’s jump often doesn’t go very far, opting for more realism. But when I was playing as Lara here, I felt like I could cross any gap.

“It is important to us to stay faithful to the original, where acrobatics were part of her personality and how she moves, so we wanted to make sure that that was incorporated into it,” Siqueira said. “We wanted to show some sort of personality of Lara that is different from the Lara from [Survivor era], who was more grounded.”

Acrobatics is a huge part of combat now, too. Lara wields two pistols and she can backflip around dinosaurs while shooting at them. When landing shots, Lara builds up Focus, which she can then expend to activate a ‘bullet time’ mechanic and slow down time around her in a cool, cinematic flourish. It’s just another way to build out Lara’s personality.

“It’s also a fantastic example of what re-imagining means, because if you remember in Tomb Raider Anniversary, she did have the adrenaline dodge mechanic, where it did do a time dilation moment for a perfect headshot,” Adams explained. “That was the whole team basically saying, ‘Hey, that was a cool thing. How can we kind of make it feel more modern?’”

Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Lara Jumping
Image: Amazon Game Studios

Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise has spent the past three decades gracing our TV screens and handhelds. While 2027’s Tomb Raider: Catalyst (a sequel to 2008’s Tomb: Raider Underworld) hasn’t been announced for Switch 2, hopefully Legacy of Atlantis isn’t the end of her journey yet on Nintendo platforms.

“The fact that she can transcend decades, move through different genres and permutations is really what makes her such a defining figure in gaming,” Adams said. “You can make her work in almost every decade, whatever the paradigm is, because at the core of it, she’s just a really engaging character.”


Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis launches on 12th February 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.

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Date Everything “Self Care Update” Brings Some Bliss To Switch Today

Date Everything - Self Care Update
Image: Team17

If you can believe it, Date Everything is currently celebrating its first anniversary, and to mark the occasion, Team17 and Sassy Chap Games have released a new update to give players “the ultimate Date Everything experience”.

The ‘Self Care Update’ is rolling out on Switch today, addressing a bunch of community-flagged issues and feature requests that the dev has received in the last year. This includes a bunch of neat tweaks like player pronoun changes, new voice lines, a clearer HUD for screenshots and more. There have also been some changes based on sensitivity feedback from players, so the virtual dating can be as comfortable and welcoming as it was intended to be.

For those who missed this one on release, Date Everything is a sandbox dating sim where you can date… everything. Inanimate objects? Dateable. Existential concepts? Dateable. In-game bugs and glitches? Dateable. The best part is that all of these hopeless romantics are voiced by some of the biggest names in the VA biz, with Troy Baker, Matt Mercer, Ali Hillis, Ben Starr (and just about everyone else you can think of) on board.

Here’s a rundown of all the changes included in this update, provided by Team17:

  • Content Aware Support for Hector, Friar Errol, and Farya

  • Updated Content Aware Descriptions: Based on player feedback, each existing Content Aware has additional detail and updated language

  • Subtitles for Songs and Musical Pieces for Hearing-Impaired: Miranda, Bodhi, and Keyes will display lyrics and descriptions during their most musical moments.

  • Curt and Rod Player Pronouns: We brought in Davied and Jacquis into the studio for new lines that address the player with correct pronouns!

  • Daisuke/Gaia Interaction: We brought Daisuke (Tsuji) into the studio for special Traveller dialogue with Gaia!

  • Community Sourced Sensitivity Feedback These are almost too numerous to name, but we thank players for giving us the feedback to make these changes for better player character options!

  • More sensitive player choices in general for: Farya, Arma, I, Ronaldini, Freddy, Mitchell, Maggie, Scandalabra, Stefan, Stepford, Teddy, and Zoey


Will you be checking out Date Everything’s latest update? Let us know in the comments.

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Preview: Yep, Rhythm Paradise Groove Is Another Rhythm Heaven Game (Good)

To some, the concept of Rhythm Paradise (or Rhythm Heaven as it likes to be called) is a bit of a hard sell. It’s a rhythm game with the most simplistic controls imaginable, often just a single button, coupled with some simple animations to go along with it.

I don’t blame anyone for being a bit sceptical, to be honest, and in truth I’ve never sat down and played a game in the series before having a go at Rhythm Paradise Groove at Nintendo’s UK headquarters, but the devil (or perhaps angel) really is in the detail.

I got to try out a handful of the single-player games, two of the multiplayer offerings, and the only somewhat promoted new mode, Beatspell, which featured in the most recent Nintendo Direct, although strangely not by name.

The single-player content is as I described above. Very simple inputs are required to be pressed in time to a beat, with some music and charming little animations to go alongside it. In isolation, not one of the games is anything exceptional; the timing windows are fairly small, so you’re unlikely to get a perfect score first time around, but it’s hard to escape the fact that beyond the odd syncopated rhythm, you’re pressing the same button (or buttons) for a few minutes at a time with limited variety.

Rhythm Heaven Groove
Image: Nintendo

Yet I had difficulty getting bored with most of them, except perhaps the one where you have to make a dog jump and catch a frisbee. There’s something oddly intoxicating about the sound design and visuals, coupled with the primal feel-good sensations that come from successfully adhering to a rhythm.

But where things really came to a head was the Remix, where each of the games I’d already played were swapped between unpredictably, requiring me to interact with them in a much more engaging and different manner, forcing myself to really keep track of all the timings required. Lovely stuff.

Multiplayer was a bit more straightforward, but having more than one person involved added more of a dynamic than I expected. One game was co-op, where we had to protect the king’s carriage from incoming arrows. The timing on this was brutal, and I’m reluctant to admit that through my clumsy efforts, the king was swiftly dispatched and we all failed the game. We won later, but I barely improved. I blame the TV’s input lag.

The other was a simple affair of waiting until exactly three o’clock in the afternoon (in-game time, thankfully – I didn’t really want to risk hitting rush hour) to grab a slice of cake. Whoever presses ‘A’ closest to that time wins, and their hair grows to establish dominance.

Both games are devilishly simple, but strangely compulsive. Perhaps it’s the context of having to wait until a specific time to grab a mid-afternoon treat, or maybe it’s my sheer competitiveness, but I found myself disappointed when we had to move on.

But what a thing to move on to! Beatspell is a sort of RPG reminiscent of the likes of Streetpass Quest in how its levels are presented. You cast spells to damage foes and recover health, and…well, I don’t know because I was only allowed to play the first two levels, and they were the only spells I got.

You cast them by pressing buttons in time to the beat, in a gameplay departure some may describe as ‘bold’. Yeah, it’s arguably the same buttons yet again, but aren’t all games just pressing buttons?

Anyway, the better your timing with these spells, the more damage you deal, or health you recover. I never fought more than one enemy at any one time, and once I’d found a technique that worked, there wasn’t any real challenge at all, but the ideas it presented really intrigued me.

Rhythm Heaven Groove
Image: Nintendo

I’m still wondering how expansive this mode is; I’m not saying it needs to be 30 hours long — in fact, I think I’d lose my mind if it was — but I am still hoping that there’s a good few hours to be had in this mode, because it’s just as strangely engaging as the other modes, perhaps even moreso.

But the rub of all of this is, will it stand up as a full package? My gut tells me it will, although some people will certainly draw unfavourable opinions for not having more than it does. The real proof will be in the final game, but until we get a proper look at everything it has to offer, I think fans can remain cautiously optimistic. I know I am, and I’ve only been a fan for a few weeks.


Rhythm Heaven Groove releases on 2nd July.