Category: Nintendo News

Last month, there was a rumour circulating that multiplayer free-to-play titles on the Switch would not be impacted by Nintendo’s online service. This followed with the third-party developer Tencent confirming this with its very own game release, Arena of Valor.

If this wasn’t already enough proof, Nintendo has now provided an official statement in the Switch Online FAQ. Free-to-play online games such as Fortnite will be exempt from membership requirements. Here’s the confirmation:

Beginning September 18, 2018, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many first- and third-party Nintendo Switch games, including Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Some games, such as Fortnite, can be played online without a Nintendo Switch membership.

This is good news for these types of free-to-play games, ensuring online communities will continue to thrive. It’s also handy for Switch owners who don’t intend to purchase an online membership when the service goes live later this month.

What do you think about this? Are you glad online free-to-play games will remain accessible to everyone when the service goes live? Do you think this could draw players away from Nintendo’s own paid online multiplayer experiences? Tell us below.

Admirers of Gotham City’s caped crusader will be pleased to hear the next Batman story is arriving very soon on the Switch.

Telltale has announced Batman: The Enemy Within is flying on to Nintendo’s latest platform on 2nd October:

The game first popped up on the Switch radar earlier this year when it received a rating by Germany’s USK. In July, the same game for Switch was given an M rating by the ESRB.

The dark and gritty title originally landed in 2017 and is a sequel to Batman – The Telltale Series. This new entry is a five-part episodic series where players must make choices as both Bruce Wayne and Batman as he deals with the villains of Gotham.

Did you play the original Telltale Batman game on the Switch? Will you be picking up The Enemy Within when it arrives next month? Let us know in the comments.

One of the highlights of the 3DS showcase during the recent Nintendo Direct was the announcement Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn – a remake of the charming Wii game – would be released in 2019. It’ll include new features such as the ability to craft even bigger yarn balls, summon bead-collecting wind, outrun a demon in a new Devilish Mode and play two all-new mini-games featuring King Dedede and Meta Knight.

If you were looking forward to revisiting the 2010 classic on your modern handheld system, you might need to check you’ve got the right one first. According to a listing on Nintendo’s official website, the game will only be compatible with New Nintendo 3DS systems. Oddly, there was no mention of this in the Direct presentation or on the game’s box art, and the PR stated the title would be released on the “family” of 3DS systems.

The New 3DS line is known to handle games a lot better than the original systems, with improved performance and frame rates. Nintendo has also previously made games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D exclusive to the system.

Were you planning on picking up Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn? Do you own a New 3DS? Did you play the original Epic Yarn game on the Wii? Tell us below.

The chaotic level creation party platform game, Ultimate Chicken Horse, finally has a Nintendo Switch release date. It’ll arrive on the eShop later this month on the 25th. The game was first announced for the Switch in February 2017, prior to the launch of Nintendo’s hybrid system, and was originally locked in for Q3 of the same year.

With the extended wait now over, players can look forward to local and online multiplayer, with up to four players, as well as cross-play with the PC version of the game. In celebration of the occasion, the developer Clever Endeavour is launching the ‘Chimply Amazing’ update. This will add new builder blocks and levels to the game, new custom rules including the ability to race each other and a special mode where you must avoid multiple saws.

Take a look at the update trailer above, and tell us in the comments if you’ll be picking this up for some cruel multiplayer fun when it finally shows up on Switch.

Nintendo’s coverage of the Switch online service during the latest Direct broadcast briefly summarised what was in store for subscribers. For most parts, it was more of the same. Fortunately, a more detailed FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website has shed some light on what exactly users can expect from certain aspects of the service.

As has already been discovered – cloud save files will expire if your subscription runs out. On the very same page, Nintendo explains Switch Online NES games can be played for up to seven days without an internet connection:

Q. Can Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online only be played where I have an active internet connection?

A. Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online can by played for up to seven days without an internet connection. If you are unable to launch Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online, then please try connecting to the internet again.

In other words, you’ll need to connect to the internet with your Switch at some point each week if you want to keep playing NES games. This serves as a reminder these classic games are linked to a service this time around.

What do you think about this requirement? Tell us in the comments below.

It’s the weekend! And you know what that means – yes, it’s time for the whole Nintendo Life community to get together to chat about the games we’ll be playing over the next couple of days. This time around, our esteemed team of staff are working tirelessly on review coverage, reminiscing over games gone by, and there’s even a horrifically sad tale of a broken 3DS. Make sure to read through, and then let us know what you’ll be playing via the comments and poll below. Enjoy!

Gavin Lane, contributing writer

This weekend, I’ll be mostly taking a look at Reigns: Kings & Queens for review and delving into Yoku’s Island Express after nabbing it yesterday for 40% off. This week’s Direct also got me reminiscing over Kirby’s Epic Yarn. I dared to dream it might one day be remastered, and – behold! – it’s coming… to 3DS. Looks like I’ll have to dust off the Wii for a blast.

I’ll also be heading outside(!) because the coming week is my chance to finally complete my Kanto Pokédex and put Pokémon Go to bed (the first 151 is my limit, okay). The three regional exclusives I’m missing are hatching from 7km eggs this week – the problem being they’re only found in gifts sent from friends! Come on, ol’ buddies, don’t let me down.

Austin Voigt, contributing writer

In my impatience for a new Animal Crossing game, I’ve been secretly playing New Leaf quite a bit lately, starting new towns over and over again just to scratch that itch. Last night, in the excitement of the Animal Crossing Switch announcement, I dropped my New Nintendo 3DS XL (Galaxy edition, womp) onto the floor, smashing the upper screen into near-unplayable conditions. I’ve since put myself in videogame timeout for the weekend, lest I break my beloved Switch as well. (However, I’ll probably still be playing some New Leaf, out of pure excitement – considering the 3DS is already broken.)

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln, reviewer

It’s been a busy week here at Nintendo Life Towers, but the #content train stops for no man. This weekend I’ll be leaping headfirst into Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country with Lora, Jin and the rest of the gang. I’ll also be going back to an old favourite of mine – Dust: An Elysian Tail – and seeing how Cities: Skylines stacks up in portable form. Expect these bad boys to appear in review form on Nintendo Life next week. Who says I’m not good to you, eh?

Liam Doolan, news reporter

Following the rather obscure coverage of Splatoon 2 during the recent Nintendo Direct, this weekend I’ll be spending my time checking out what fresh new content has been added to the game. I’m also admittedly trying to make the most of the freely accessible online multiplayer while it lasts, given the fact we now only have a few weeks until the online service begins. When I’m not busy being the coolest squid kid on the block, I’ll be spending my time getting a quick online fix in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Rocket League.

Ryan Craddock, staff writer

For me, another weekend means another chance to sit down with some Hollow Knight. Having said that, the last time I played I was so stuck that I can’t imagine ever finding my way to somewhere new – I’m desperately trying to complete the game without consulting online guides and the like, but it’s definitely a tricky one to explore without having a great amount of time to pour into it.

Elsewhere, I’m just one challenge away from reaching tier 100 in Fortnite, so I’ll make sure to get that ticked off, and Overcooked 2 has been quietly calling to my household for some time now, desperately hoping for us to jump in with some multiplayer cooking. Maybe I’ll finally give in and give that one a whirl, too.

Glen Fox, guides editor

This weekend I’m going to dig into Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s Torna DLC. It was a nice surprise to hear that it was launching almost immediately on the Direct and I didn’t actually realise it was available as part of the expansion pass. In hindsight, that’s pretty dumb. I tried playing Xenoblade Chronicles 2 earlier this year and bounced off it pretty hard. I loved loads of aspects of it but just couldn’t get on with the visuals. It all felt too ambitious for the Switch.

But I’m really hoping Torna will help me get into it. It’s great that it serves as a prequel, and can stand alone, too.

Alan Lopez, contributing writer

Did ya’ hear? There’s an old friend pulling into town. One you haven’t seen in a while. Alan found Bastion waiting for him on the Nintendo eShop. In other words, he’s got his hands wrapped around a brand new toy. Alan’s account was missing some coin. A wallet between some couch cushions made quick work of that. He shook off the rust and picked up some tools of the trade. A big hammer? Bow and arrow? Some pistols? Ah, just like riding an old bike.

He stepped foot inside some fancy levels drawn like they’re hanging in the sky. A little dated, but who isn’t? Press “B” to swing. Press “A” to talk. There ain’t much he can’t do. Ah, the old distillery. He left some powerful items underneath a shelf way back in the day. Wonder if any of ‘em are still hangin’ around? Big, bad squirmies. Stockpiled cannons. Yeah, still a rough neighborhood.

He put the controller down after a quick tour of the back of some skulls. Not bad for a day’s work. Wonder what he could do with two more?

As always, thanks for reading! Make sure to leave a vote in the poll above and a comment below with your gaming choices over the next few days…

Bethesda has shown great support for the Switch since it was released, bringing key series like Elder Scrolls and Doom to the hybrid platform. During an interview with IGN last month, Bethesda’s senior vice president of global marketing and communications Pete Hines said the demand for the publisher’s IP on the Nintendo platform was huge.

In an interview with Metro recently, where he also spoke about the company’s relations with Nintendo, Hines responded to a question about future entries in the Wolfenstein series – specifically, if there would be a mainline third entry released after the recently announced standalone game Wolfenstein: Youngblood. He didn’t exactly shy away from the question, assuring fans the game would definitely be happening:

Yeah, sure. Absolutely we’re making a Wolfenstein III. They said on stage that they’re taking a break from the larger story to do this thing. But we all have to see how that ends. [laughs]

Although no platforms were mentioned, given the fact the Switch received the second game in the series – Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – there’s definitely a glimmer of hope the third game, whenever it is announced, will also come to Nintendo’s system.

In saying this, at this year’s E3, when Bethesda did reveal Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the Switch was absent from the announcement list even after rumoured listings of a Nintendo version. Panic Button also said around the same time there were no current plans for more Wolfenstein on the Switch when asked about the chances of The New Order and The Old Blood being ported across.

The only thing for sure right now is that Wolfenstein III will eventually be released. Would you like to see more Wolfenstein on Switch? Were you impressed by Panic Button’s port efforts? Tell us in the comments.

Nintendo has gone from strength to strength this generation thanks to the success of the Switch, so it’s no surprise to hear its brand recognition has now risen this year within the UK.

According to Prophet’s Brand Relevance Index for 2018, which surveys 11,500 consumers in the UK about 240 brands across 27 different categories, Nintendo has risen to 11th place – moving up two places from the previous year. In comparison, Sony’s PlayStation brand came in at third place, beaten out by the master builder Lego in second place and tech giant Apple in the first place.

This technically makes PlayStation the only video game brand in the top 10 and the most recognised video game brand within the UK. Microsoft’s Xbox dropped six spots down to 17th place, while online giants Google and Amazon placed in the 4th and 8th spot.

The brand and marketing consultancy also conducted the same annual survey in the US, though gaming isn’t as prominent. Apple again took the top spot, PlayStation came in at 13th place, Xbox was all the way down to 25th place and EA was at 34th place. Nintendo was not listed in the US version of the survey.

Indie developer Contingent99 has shown ongoing love for its magical dungeon crawler Wizard of Legend since the game’s release on the Switch eShop earlier this year in May.

When the procedurally generated game surpassed 500,000 sales in July, the developer released a new update titled Nocturne – adding in multiple quality-of-life improvements, better frame rates and load times, additional language support and a modification to the Arcana system. Contingent99 at the time also said it would continue to add content to the game in the coming months.

It’s now been revealed the next update for the game is Sky Palace, arriving this winter. During a recent live stream, the developer showed off some of the new content. It will include more enemies, new signature moves and a new chapter. The teaser trailer above is a brief look at what will be on offer when the update does arrive.

Have you played Wizard of Legend? Are you tempted by this new content? Tell us below.