Nintendo’s latest Partner Direct showcase arrived yesterday, bringing with it a boatload of Switch and Switch 2 games to add to the ol’ wishlist. Just like clockwork, one day on, the company has shared an infographic summarising every game that featured.
Nintendo shared the image across its social channels, helpfully splitting the announcements up into Switch 2, Switch 2 / 1 and Switch 1 releases, so you can see what’s coming up, regardless of which console you own. Here’s a closer look at the graphic itself:
We’d say that it’s not a bad line-up, all in all. Perhaps not the most surprise-packed Direct in recent memory, but there’s no denying that the 2026 release calendar is looking particularly stacked for Switch 2.
Which games from yesterday’s Direct caught your eye the most? Let us know in the comments.
This review was originally published in June 2018 when Hollow Knight launched on the Switch 1. To celebrate the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, we’re republishing it along with some brief impressions of the free upgrade, which is available to download now.
The Switch isn’t exactly lacking for quirky Metroidvanias, with the likes of Yoku’s Island Express, Dandara and SteamWorld Dig 2 all stretching the genre in new and interesting directions. Hollow Knight, though, is arguably the most striking of the lot. Team Cherry’s platform-adventure has long been awaited by Switch owners in the know. The game has attracted considerable buzz — and no small amount of fan art — since its PC debut last year. Now Hollow Knight has taken its console bow, and it doesn’t disappoint.
You take control of the titular knight, a tiny bug warrior in an insectoid world gone to seed. The art style might be cartoony, but this is a surprisingly mournful setting from the off. The once-mighty kingdom of Hallownest has crumbled, its communities either abandoned or driven mad. All but a few lingering eccentrics have disappeared into the ground, drawn downwards by a mysterious miasma.
It’s a beautifully melancholic canvas onto which you must gradually paint in the details. In time-honoured Metroidvania fashion, that involves venturing into the unknown to map out the world, conquering lumbering bosses, and expanding your ability set so that you can access new areas.
Structurally, then, Hollow Knight doesn’t offer much that’s new, but it’s in the execution that it really shines. At the core of the game is a crunchy sword-and-magic combat system. Our knight might carry a so-called ‘needle’, but this spindly blade lands with a heck of a thwack. The recoil from each hit sends both you and your enemy back a little, which is both empowering and potentially endangering — particularly when battle takes place in the midst of a precarious platforming section.
Thankfully, the movement system is just as tight. Whether you’re using the left Joy-Con stick or the D-pad on the Switch Pro Controller, our hero responds beautifully. It’s no great spoiler to reveal that one of the first abilities you acquire is a dash, and this quickly becomes a staple part of your calculations throughout your adventure. It grants you extra speed on the floor and additional range and manoeuvrability in mid-air.
Your magical abilities are fuelled by a smart system that feeds on the souls of defeated enemies. Given that your knight’s first magical ability is to heal himself, it means that the best form of defence really is attack in Hollow Knight.
Not that you can afford to be too gung-ho about your business. This is a challenging game, with many of the regular grunts employing unorthodox movements and lightning-quick attacks to cause you headaches, particularly in combination. The bosses, meanwhile, will have you failing repeatedly with their formidable health bars and varied attacks.
There’s a Dark Souls-like system at play here, too, which means that you’ll drop your soul along with all of your Geo (the game’s currency) when you die. You’ll need to backtrack and literally fight your own spirit to regain them.
To explain what really sets Hollow Knight apart from pretty much anything else on the eShop, though, we need to go back to its world design. This is a decidedly 2D game, but it’s so thick with detail, shade, and texture that it feels positively three-dimensional. The world is full of items and foreground elements that exist only to be broken or smashed through, adding to an enthralling sense of physicality — and it all runs at a silky smooth frame rate in both docked and portable modes.
The sound design is equally inspired, from the dank drip of a drizzly city to the distinctive (and hilariously human) babble of its characters. The map maker’s contented hum and a certain boss’s prideful goading when you near his lair are particular stand-outs.
Like indie hits Yoku’s Island Express and Celeste before it, Hollow Knight feels like it’s found its natural home on Switch. The game’s beautiful 2D world, tactile combat, and impressive bevvy of secrets constantly drag you in for more, and it proves to be as strong an experience on the move as it is on your TV. On an eShop that’s already filled with top-quality indie games, Hollow Knight is one of the very best.
Conclusion
Hollow Knight is a big, beautiful, forboding Metroidvania that’s absolutely thick with detail and feels very much at home on Switch, proving to be as strong an experience on the move as it is on your TV. From its punchy combat system to its charming art and sound design, if you’re up for the challenge this is one of the finest, richest adventures you can have on Nintendo Switch.
Wishfully Studios and Thunderful’s cinematic puzzle/platforming sequel, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, has looked more stunning with every gameplay reveal. Its latest trailer is no exception, of course, but this one comes with a bonus bit of info: a release date.
Yes, it has been revealed that Children of the Leaf will leap onto Switch and Switch 2 on 5th March 2026 — that’s just one month away! What’s more, the developer has confirmed that a free demo is in the pipeline too, arriving on PC, PlayStation and Xbox on 11th Feb, and on Switch and Switch 2 at a “later date”.
The release date trailer showcases even more puzzle platforming in action, with those visuals once again being the star of the show. Previous gameplay showcases have highlighted Lana’s cute companion, Mui, and its transforming abilities, and we get to see a little more here, with the little guy taking on the form of a fish and a flying insect, piloting robots, and channelling electrical currents — way to go, Mui!
Here’s a brief rundown of the game’s setup and a handful of screenshots:
As greed and power divide the tribes of their home planet, Lana and her loyal companion Mui must stand together against the forces reshaping their world – struggling not just for survival, but for the very soul of their home. Embark on an unforgettable cinematic puzzle journey across Novo, where ancient mysteries and new threats will test your wits, challenge Lana’s unbreakable bond with Mui, and guide her toward her destiny. Prepare to explore an expanded story, tackle challenging new puzzles, and master evolved companion mechanics – all brought to life by breathtaking hand-painted environments and a sweeping orchestral soundtrack.
We’ll be excited to see what this one holds when it arrives on Switch and Switch 2 next month — hopefully we don’t have to wait too long for the demo, either. We had a great time with its predecessor back in 2024, calling it “a treat for the long-suffering cinematic platforming fan” in our review.
Will you be picking up Planet of Lana 2 next month? Let us know in the comments.
Splatoon 3‘s “regular updates” came to a close back in September 2024, but the recurring Eggstra Work events have continued to land new job scenarios (the predetermined shift conditions) in the years since. That is until this month, when they, too, are wrapping up.
Shared in a post by the official @SplatoonJP X account (via @Oatmealdome on Bluesky), Nintendo confirmed that the next Eggstra Work will be the last to feature new job scenarios. While more Eggstra Work shifts will crop up in the future, they will use previous scenarios instead — which should make planning a little easier, at least.
As a reminder, the next event runs from 14th-15th February, and will be held in the Bonerattle Arena.
Image: Nintendo
While Splatoon 3’s seasonal Splatfests are still alive and well, even these special events have started reusing old themes from Splatoons past. With Eggstra Work following suit, we guess things really are coming to an end.
We still don’t have word of any ‘Splatoon 4’ just yet. Last year, Nintendo revealed the story-focused spin-off, Splatoon Raiders, though news on this front has been quiet ever since. Then, late last month, an age rating for Splatoon 3on Switch 2 appeared on the PEGI website, prompting rumours that the series’ 2022 entry might be getting the ‘Switch 2 Edition’ treatment down the line.
Will you be taking part in this final new job scenario Eggstra Work event? Let us know in the comments.
The ver. 2.1.0 update is now available on Switch and Switch 2. This one includes a new “high-difficulty” boss battle, bonus Dream Quests, fresh items and much more. Naturally, there’s a bunch of balance adjustments and bug fixes, too.
Level-5 has since updated things further to ver. 2.1.1 on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam, and it has confirmed that this follow-up patch will arrive on Switch systems “at a later date”.
But back to what’s new on Switch. The full ver. 2.1.0 patch notes were shared on the Fantasy Life website, and we have gathered them together for you to check out below.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Ver. 2.1.0 (6th Feb 2026)
Feature Additions / Adjustments
Added Dream Challenge (High-difficulty Boss Battle)
Added new content: Dream Challenge. It becomes available after talking to Dark Don at the Base Camp once Don’s Dreamy Deals in Snoozaland reaches Shop Rank 3 or higher.
Added New Dream Quests in Snoozaland
Added the following quests to the dream content in Snoozaland:
Adjusted the layout of the equipment change screen displayed when acquiring new gear.
Added title displays to the results screen in multiplayer mode.
Adjusted the Bag Menu UI
Added effect icons to each item in the Bag.
Increased Recipe Cap from Islanders
Increased the daily limit on recipes received from island residents. You can now obtain up to 3 recipes per real-world day.
Added New Items
Added the following items:
[Weapons / Life Tools]
Dark Dragon Sword
Dark Dragon Shield
Dark Dragon Buster
Dark Dragon Bow
Dark Dragon Staff
Dark Dragon Pickaxe
Dark Dragon Axe
Dark Dragon Fishing Rod
Dark Dragon Hoe
Dark Dragon Hammer
Dark Dragon Saw
Dark Dragon Needle
Dark Dragon Flask
Dark Dragon Frying Pan
Dark Dragon Brush
and more…
[Armor]
Shiba Inu White Series
Shiba Inu Black Series
Black Dragon Whelp Series
Marching Band Series
Moonbeam Series
Moon Series
Skull Eyepatch
[Craftable Objects]
Patchwork Series
Rose
Pearldrops
Clover
Bonbelle
Nightmare Series
Mr. Hammer #1 Replica
Chef Piggy Replica
Chomp Leafe Replica
Monziger Z Replica
King Tweet Tweet Replica
and more…
[Facility Appearance Options]
Patchwork Bridge
Patchwork Stairs
Patchwork Road
Patchwork Square
Thatched House – Color 4 (Your House / Islanders’ House Design)
Big Thatched House – Color 4 (Your House Design)
[Mounts]
Delivery Robot 2
Genbu
Greater Sea Beetle Ball
and more (6 total)
Added New Recipes
Added new recipes to Don’s Dreamy Deals.
*Don’s Dreamy Deals is accessible through Snoozaland gameplay.
Added New Emote
Added the emote LEVEL5! to Don’s Dreamy Deals.
Adjusted the Size of the Blue Flower Painting
Adjusted the craftable object Blue Flower Painting to 1×1 tiles to match its listed size.
Adjusted the Mystery Box at the Celestia Exchange
Made the following adjustments to the Mystery Box at the Celestia Exchange:
Added the Artisan King, Forager King, and Hero armor sets to the lineup. The Artisan King set can be obtained from the Surprise Box, the Forager King set from the Happy Box, and the Hero set from the Dreamy Box.
*These items will be added to the lineup once you obtain the corresponding armor through Colosseum quests.
Added Goddess Fruit, Cashnut, Exp. Sphere, and Redux Stone to the lineup.
Removed consumable items such as HP Potions from the lineup.
Adjusted the appearance rates for each item.
Adjusted the Damage Popup UI
Adjusted damage popups during battles and gathering minigames so that damage from your attacks is easier to see when multiple players attack at the same time.
Adjusted damage popups when attacking a Sweet Spot to make it easier to distinguish your damage from other players’ damage.
Adjusted the Item Acquisition Notification UI
Adjusted item acquisition notifications to display a NEW! icon when newly obtained items appear on the left side of the screen.
Balance Adjustments
Enhanced Charge Attacks and Special Skills
Buffed the following Charge Attacks, including damage increases:
Paladin
Sonic Blade III
Mercenary
Dragon Claw III
Magician
Mystic Punishment III
Healing Forest III
Buffed the following Special Skills, including damage increases:
Paladin
Elemental Edge
Mercenary
Meteor Crash
Hunter
Hurricane Shot
Magician
Collapsing Star
Adjusted Buddy Behavior
Adjusted the in-battle behavior of Buddies with Combat Lives:
Increased the usage frequency of Special Skills.
Increased evasion rate.
Enhanced Buddy Skills
Enhanced the Unique Skills of some Buddies, including increased buff and healing effects, as well as damage boosts.
Odin
Dark Fortress
The Sultan’s Shield
Hilda
Nature’s Protection
Rouge
Invigorating War Cry
Adrenaline Junkie
Jerry
Coddled Baby
Cliff
Absolute Zero
Sloane
Rejuvenating Wind
Energizing Magic
Adjusted the Treasure Grove
Adjusted the appearance rates for Monster Floors in the Treasure Grove so that the “Defeat all monsters” objective appears less frequently than the “Defeat a specific number of monsters” objective.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland where monsters and gatherable items would fail to appear.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland multiplayer where the remaining time would not display correctly if a guest moved to the boss room immediately after being knocked out in the One Punch Death Battle Dream.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland where flying with Skelegon would remove the effect of a Drowsy Mimic. After flying with Skelegon, the effects of Happy Angel, Dejected Devil, and Bombs-A-Plenty will now remain active.
*The effect of Bam Headbang will still be removed after flying with Skelegon, as this is intended behavior.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland where the effect of Bam Headbang remained active after moving to the boss room.
Fixed an issue where acquisition methods for mounts at Don’s Dreamy Deals were not displayed correctly.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland multiplayer where treasure chests would not drop correctly when a guest used an Alchemy Robot while the host was in a Treasure Trove room or the One Punch Death Battle room.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland where obtaining armor in the Legs category would forcibly change your equipped gear while wearing armor in the Dress category.
Fixed an issue where using the Berserk Potion and Power Spray together could cause the +20% attack boost to persist after the effect expired.
Fixed an issue where it was possible to collect more than 50 Golden Celestia’s Gifts. If you had 51 or more, the quantity has been adjusted to 50.
Fixed an issue in Snoozaland where a Buddy could appear from a treasure chest even if you already had three Phantom Buddies in your party.
Fixed an issue where watered Base Camp farm plots would still appear watered after harvesting crops.
Fixed an issue in Pettlewing Woods in Ginormosia that prevented Area Challenges from occurring.
Only for Switch 2 / Switch
What do you make of this latest update? Is there anything you’re particularly pleased to see? Let us know in the comments.
Yesterday’s Direct shenanigans meant that we were a little too busy to get to the Japanese charts, but worry not, we’ve got them for you now!
Famitsu‘s latest numbers paint another picture of sleepy sales numbers this week, with nothing exceeding 15,000 copies sold. Bandai Namco’s Code Vein II on PS5 emerged at the top of the pile with 14,452 debut sales to its name, narrowly beating Mario Kart World, which still hangs around in second.
Much like we saw in the UK charts, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has taken a bit of a tumble since grabbing the gold medal last week, and now finds itself in ninth. Meanwhile, three titles take up a whopping six spots in the top ten, with both their Switch 1 and Switch 2 editions making it into the upper reaches of the charts.
Here’s the latest top ten physical sales in Japan:
Position
Game
Platform
Unit Sales(26th Jan – 1st Feb)
Total Unit Sales
1
Code Vein II
PS5
14,452
NEW
2
Mario Kart World
Switch 2
12,445
2,805,146
3
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
9,941
52,918
4
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Switch
9,042
8,362,221
5
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Switch
6,744
1,601,782
6
Momotaro Dentetsu 2: Anata no Machi mo Kitto Aru – Higashi Nihon Hen + Nishi Nihon Hen – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
6,203
262,314
7
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Switch 2
5,875
1,078,445
8
Kirby Air Riders
Switch 2
5,324
491,424
9
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Switch 2
5,289
28,717
10
Momotaro Dentetsu 2: Anata no Machi mo Kitto Aru – Higashi Nihon Hen + Nishi Nihon Hen
Switch
5,243
313,300
Things were similarly sluggish on the hardware side of things. Switch 2 continued to put up some solid numbers, with an additional ~69,000 units to its name, but it was ghostly quiet from everything else across the board.
Combining the three SKUs for Switch and PS5 leans things in Sony’s favour this week, with the Switch 1 models totalling in at 10,678, and the PS5 trio reaching 10,949.
Konami has stepped out from the shadows to gift us with a rather lovely shadow drop on Switch and Switch 2. Yes, Super Bomberman Collection is out digitally today for both consoles and will feature a total of 7 unique games.
So we’ve got Super Bomberman 1 through 5 along with the original Famicom versions of Bomberman 1 and 2. A new Boss Rush mode has also been added, while GameShare is available for those who want to dive into multiplayer.
As is customary with modern collections, a whole bunch of artwork and music from the series is also available via the main menu. Here’s a look at the official list of key features:
– All versions of Super Bomberman 1-5 included – Super Bomberman 4 & 5 playable in English for the very first time
– Famicom versions of Bomberman 1 & 2 included – Brand new Boss Rush Mode – Local multiplayer (maximum number of players varies depending on the game mode and the platform) – GameShare and GameChat support (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition only) – Quality of Life improvements (save states, rewind, ect.) – Gallery Mode – Music Player – Virtual unboxing
But while the digital edition is indeed out now, there’s also a physical release coming later on 25th August 2026 in the US and 28th August 2026 in the UK. Those on Switch can grab a collector’s edition at €69.99, while Switch 2 seems to be limited to a deluxe edition at €49.99 containing the game, an exclusive sleeve, a manual, and a stress ball (okay..?!).
That said, the Switch 2 release will be a full game cart requiring no initial download to play – yay!
So there you go! Pretty decent shadow drop from Konami there, and one we’re definitely eager to dive into as soon as possible.
What do you make of the Super Bomberman Collection from Konami? Will you be getting it digitally now, or are you happy to wait for the physical release? Let us know.
If you’re eager to jump into the action ahead of the game’s March 2026 release, the good news is a “trial version” is now available on the eShop. Capcom notes how you can start your adventure right now, and you’ll even be able to transfer your save data over to the full game on release.
And if you’re already sold, you can pre-order Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection from the eShop right now. It’ll set you back $69.99 / £54.99 and comes with bonus DLC (Layer Armor for Eleanor – Skyscale Queen). You can get a look at what to expect from this upcoming release in the demo trailer above.
In some related news, Capcom has also released a demo for Pragmata, which you can try out now on the Switch 2.
Have you tried out this Monster Hunter demo on Switch 2 yet? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.
If you boot up the Switch version of the title on the Switch 2, you’ll be able to download a free update that will give you graphical improvements, which are the equivalent of the Switch 2 version. Here’s the rundown:
“When playing the Nintendo Switch version of Digimon Story Time Stranger on the Nintendo Switch 2 version…Graphics will be improved to the equivalent of the Nintendo Switch 2 version after downloading the update data.”
Image: Bandai Namco
As previously noted, on Switch 2, you’ll have access to ‘Performance’ and ‘Quality’ mode options, and if you return to the Switch version, the “graphics will revert” and these options will not be available. Here are the resolution and performance specs once again:
“On Nintendo Switch 2, players will have the option of playing in Quality Mode (4K HDR, up to 30FPS docked; Full HD, up to 30FPS handheld) or Performance Mode (Full HD, up to 60FPS docked and handheld).”
According to online listings, the Switch 2 version of this title is a Game-Key Card while the original Switch version is a full physical release. So if you’re a collector, the Switch release might be your best option when the game launches on these platforms in July.
In some other Bandai Namco news from the latest Partner Showcase, the company announced Tales of Arise is on the way to the Switch 2 this May.
Will you be getting this game on the Switch or Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.
Now, in an update during Nintendo’s latest Partner Showcase, it’s been revealed the new sci-fi shooter (featuring both first and third-person perspectives) will be releasing on the Switch 2 later this year.
Here’s some information about the intergalactic story, which will see you fighting for survival against a terrifying alien threat:
“In Turok: Origins, players will take on the mantle of the ancient Order of the Turok, heroic guardians of unimaginable power locked in a battle for survival against ferocious creatures and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy.”
Guardians will be able to fight solo or in online co-op as they take on a variety of creatures, dinosaurs and bosses across a range of environments. There will also be the ability to unlock and upgrade advanced weaponry and DNA Powers.
