Category: Nintendo News

Following our look earlier in the week at the disparity between the eShop trailer and the released version of Xenon Racer on Switch (which launched on Wednesday), 3DClouds has responded to the article regarding the situation on the eShop and the current state of the game itself.

The trailer for the game on eShop clearly showed a version of the game running on more powerful hardware and didn’t reflect the state of the game on Switch. Sales Manager Jonathan Lowe reached out, agreeing with our stance and confirming that the eShop media has now been changed. After a short period, we can confirm that it has now been removed. Lowe tells us that they are currently working on a trailer comprised of material from the Switch version.

Regarding the state of the current build available to purchase on the store, Lowe offered some explanation and details of future improvements. Firstly, he addresses some reasons for performance issues:

Xenon Racer being set mostly within cities has a huge amount of graphical assets and with the speed of the game it simply means the console processor is constantly at its limit to pull all of these assets into the game in time. Had we gone for wide open landscapes or standard racing tracks with our design it would have helped.

Of course, the built-up areas of near-future race circuits are always going to be more taxing for any hardware. Lowe goes on to provide details on a patch currently going through certification and more in the works to improve game performance:

Patch 3 contains changes to shaders and also weather textures this alone will add 2-3 fps. The patch will also, depending on which track is being played, reduce loading times by around 2-3 seconds. The content of the career mode will also change as other modes such as Time Attack have been added. The pop-up of assets in the foreground also improves significantly but the full and fix for this will be with patch 4.

Patch 4 brings further graphics improvements thing will look a lot sharper and the pop up of assets is resolved. We have also managed to gain a further 1-2 fps which will mean that the game plays at 24-28 fps. A performance / quality mode is also being added so the game will play at a minimum of 30fps unless quality mode is chosen.

We’re told that patch 3 has been approved by Nintendo and is scheduled to go live next Wednesday, while patch 4 has been submitted, although this could be 2-3 weeks from release.

News that pop up is scheduled to be eliminated and that performance improvements are incoming is welcome, especially for anyone who has already bought the game. We’ll be following the progress of Xenon Racer closely – we’re still reviewing the game at the moment, but our verdict will be with you soon.

Have you played Xenon Racer yet? Has the performance of the current build affected your enjoyment? Be sure to share your experiences below.

As you may well be aware, Games Done Quick is an event which runs twice every year with gamers taking on tricky speedruns to raise money and awareness for various charities. Growing in popularity year on year, these events are a great watch, and the full line-up of games set to appear at the next livestream has now been revealed.

2019’s ‘Summer Games Done Quick’ will be taking place between 23rd and 30th June, following in the footsteps of the most recent event which took place this January. As always, there were some great Nintendo games on show during that event, which went on to raise an incredible $2.39 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. We’re sure the Summer show will be just as gripping.

If you want to see the full line-up (which could see the odd change here and there before the start date) make sure to check that out here. In case you just want a taster, we’ve gathered a list of just some of the Nintendo games appearing down below.

• Banjo-Kazooie
• Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
• Castlevania
• Donkey Kong Country 2
• Fire Emblem Fates
• Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
• Link to the Past + Super Metroid Combo Randomiser
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
• Metroid Prime
• Octopath Traveler
• Pokemon Crystal
• Star Fox 64
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• and a frankly ridiculous amount of Super Mario games

You can find more details at the event’s website; as always, for those who can’t attend, the show will be livestreamed so that you can keep up with the action at home.

Will you be tuning in? Do you enjoy the Games Done Quick streams? Tell us below.

Back in January, we reported on the fact that Angry Video Game Nerd: I & II Deluxe was coming to consoles although – at the time – a Switch version wasn’t confirmed. It seemed incredibly likely that a Switch version was on the way, though, and we now have actual, definite proof that it is. Hooray!

The confirmation comes via FreakZone Games’ Twitter account, as you can see below. It seems like an appearance at PAX East was needed before anything could be revealed.

As you can likely tell from its title, the bundle will contain both of the 2D Angry Video Game Nerd games already available. Both are 2D platformers centred around the online, mature-themed comedy series of the same name, tasking you with blasting your way through levels with a NES Zapper. The first of these actually launched on Wii U and 3DS back in 2015.

Are you happy to finally have confirmation that the release will arrive on Switch? Will you be picking it up? Tell us below.

Devolver Digital has spilt the beans on a new co-op focused game headed to Nintendo Switch. The title in question is Heave Ho, and it looks like things are about to get pretty crazy.

The game is a physics-based local multiplayer adventure where players must cross an impossibly wide ravine. Using your own two hands, and then the outstretched grip of your friends, you’ll be swinging each other all over the place, hoping to effortlessly soar across each level to victory. If the trailer’s anything to go by, though, we imagine there will be multiple deaths involved, too.

You can customise your character with all manner of stylish accessories, presumably to give you a better chance of remembering who’s who and therefore making it slightly more likely that you won’t fall to your doom. We have some screenshots for you below.

If you like the look of this, you’ll be happy to know that it supports anywhere from 1-4 players and is expected to arrive “this summer”. If you happen to be travelling to PAX East this weekend, you can check it out first-hand at booth #18096.

What do you think? A fun little adventure to play through with your friends? Share your thoughts with us below.

Today sees the latest major Nintendo release finally launch on Switch, this time in the form of Yoshi’s Crafted World. A new launch trailer (with a Yoshi vocal track to accompany it, no less) has been posted to celebrate.

You likely know all about this one by now, but Yoshi’s new adventure has you jumping, ground-pounding, fluttering, and egg-laying in a brand new world made of everyday objects. You’ll be exploring each stage to grab every last collectable and then finding even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side.

If you want to learn more about the game before picking it up for yourself, make sure to read through our full review right here. If you’re more of a watching-type rather than a reader, we’ve even translated the entire thing into video format for you below. Because we’re lovely like that.

You can pick it up right now from the eShop for £49.99 / $59.99, or physically from stores such as Amazon (£44 / $59.99). Or, if you’re a mega Yoshi fan, the Nintendo UK Store has a bundle including the game and a Yoshi egg backpack for £59.99.

Will you be playing Yoshi’s new adventure? Let us know in the comments.

Update: There’s even more good news, too, as the partnership is also set to bring Torchlight II to brand-new platforms. Panic Button is “working on an enhanced version” of the ARPG dungeon crawler which “will launch on consoles this fall”.

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Original Article: Switch port wizard Panic Button has been hard at work on a new game for the Nintendo Switch thanks to a partnership with publisher, Perfect World Entertainment, it has been confirmed. And that’s on top of its work on Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

The release in question is Hob: The Definitive Edition, an “immersive atmospheric single-player adventure” which originally launched on PC and PS4 back in 2017 courtesy of Runic Games. A press release today states that “Panic Button has taken everything that fans loved about the original game and developed a version exclusively for Nintendo Switch, featuring improved controls and game features”. Here’s an overview of the game:

Hob: The Definitive Edition is an artfully crafted single-player adventure which sends gamers on a mysterious, breathtaking journey through the ruins of a lost civilization, where they will encounter strange creatures and unlock satisfying puzzles hidden throughout the world. The team at Panic Button has developed a version of the game for Nintendo Switch that provides adventurers with brand new ways to unravel the mysteries of Hob. This includes added camera controls, improvements to the game’s UI, a variety of quality-of-life improvements and new features only possible on the Nintendo Switch system, including HD rumble and touch screen functionality.

Hob: The Definitive Edition launches very soon indeed, hitting Switch on 4th April for $19.99. You can go ahead and pre-order the game from the eShop today at 10% off.

Panic Button’s recent Switch efforts – such as DOOM, Wolfenstein, and Warframe – have gone down very nicely indeed with critics and fans alike. Hopes will no doubt be high for this new port, too.

Are you excited to check out Hob? Are you a fan of Panic Button’s work? Tell us below.

Sephirothic Stories is just days away from launching on Nintendo Switch, it has been confirmed. You’ll be able to get your hands on it from 4th April in North America, and just one day later in Europe.

The game is an adventure RPG from Kemco which actually released on Steam just a couple of weeks ago. It’ll have you solving puzzles, utilising your character’s special abilities, creating fusions with allies and more. The Nintendo eShop listing for the game reads as follows:

Shendoah―a world protected by Sephiroth. However, with the power of the world tree having begun to wane, countless people have been overcome by an encroaching murk that has transformed them into monsters. Now with the world on the verge of destruction, an unlikely band sets out an adventure with their convictions…

Yet, what shocking truth awaits them at the end of their journey…?

Navigate trap-filled dungeons using only your mind and wit to conquer challenging puzzles! Use individual character abilities to make headway and unleash powerful attacks called “fusions” in turn-based battles! Weapon upgrades and many subquests are available for additional enjoyment.

Sephirothic Stories will launch on Switch for £13.49 / $14.99, but pre-purchasing it ahead of release will give you a 10% discount.

Worth a go? Or are you not feeling it? Share your thoughts with us below.

Indie developer Chasing Carrots has revealed that twin-stick shooter Pressure Overdrive will be firing itself onto a Switch near you next week.

A “steampunk-shooter on wheels”, Pressure Overdrive has you upgrading your buggy with more than 35 weapons and gadgets to take up the fight for ‘La Resistance’. You’ll need to overcome dozens of enemies and multiple bosses to fight your way to the very top of the online high score ranks.

The game’s Campaign Mode offers more than 30 levels across three different worlds and in Freeplay Mode, you can go back and play these again under new conditions. An Endless Mode is also available, continuously increasing the difficulty, and all of these modes can be played in co-op if you prefer.

Dominik Schneider, CEO at Chasing Carrots, has shared the following in a press release:

“Pressure Overdrive will be the perfect Switch experience. We are looking forward to players being glued to their couches, frantically putting their thumbs to a test in order to master pure arcade action.”

The game arrives on Switch on 4th April and will be available for €12.99.

As always, make sure to let us know if you plan on picking this one up with a comment below.

Action-platformer Shadow Blade: Reload is about to spice things up on the Switch eShop; if you’re in Europe, you’ll be able to get your hands on it tomorrow.

The game is said to be set in “a visually striking world where the ancient teachings of ninjas and samurai clash upon a modern landscape”. Players will need to sprint through stages littered with traps, slaying enemies along their path as they take on the role of Kuro, the blade of shadow.

We’ve got a list of game features and a story description for you below:

“Darkness and chaos are once again creeping into the world of man. The covenant made in a time almost forgotten has failed, the three clans now in a violent struggle for dominance. The medallion is almost made whole again and it falls upon Kuro’s shoulders to restore balance. All his training has led up to this one moment, where the fate of the world will rest in his blood-stained hands.”

Key Features:
– Epic NINJA Platforming: Test your skills in fast-paced platforming, mastering the skills of the ninja to breeze through challenging levels.
– Vicious NINJA Combat: Kill your enemies with extreme prejudice through the mastery of the katana, shurikens and kusarigama!
– Shadow Ninja: Attack the guards before they see you and alert all other mobs.
-Story Campaign: Fully voiced motion comics tell the story of Kuro’s plight to restore balance!
– More than 50 Challenging Levels: Environmental hazards, rifle-toting warriors and many more challenges await a hardened warrior.
– Level Secrets: Raw speed doesn’t guarantee the highest rank. A true ninja is ever vigilant, aware of any possibly hidden areas.

Once you’ve cleared the normal campaign, a hardcore variation also awaits. If you want to play this one yourself, make sure to pick it up in Europe from tomorrow (£8.99), or in North America from 3rd April ($9.99).

What do you think? will you be giving this one a try? Let us know with a comment.