Category: Nintendo News

If there wasn’t already an abundance of JRPG to enjoy on the Switch, soon there’ll be two more. According to IGN, Nintendo’s latest system will be receiving a high-definition remaster of the first two games, with more details to be revealed soon. 

Grandia was originally released on the Sega Saturn in 1997 and received a re-release shortly after in 1999 on the original PlayStation. The sequel, Grandia II, followed a similar pattern, being first released on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 and seeing an eventual release on the PlayStation 2 in 2002. An anniversary edition of Grandia II was also released in 2015 enhancing the game’s visuals and adding an additional difficulty level. 

The original title was praised for its engaging cast of characters, colourful presentation, and smart design. The sequel was considered a standout game on the Dreamcast, with solid game mechanics and an advanced battle system, with the PS2 re-release still considered to be worthwhile playing.

Have you played any entries in this now classic series? How do you rate it compared to other JRPG? Are you looking forward to the HD remaster on Switch? Tell us below.

As a 3D platformer inspired by the likes of Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, A Hat in Time is the perfect candidate for release on Switch – but earlier this year, developer Gears for Breakfast posted a tweet (now removed) that suggested it would be skipping Nintendo hardware.

Things have clearly changed, as A Hat in Time has now been confirmed for Switch release. Happy days! The announcement was made today at Gamescom, along with news relating to the first DLC for the game, ‘Seal the Deal’. 

The Switch port doesn’t have a confirmed release date as yet, nor has it been confirmed that the DLC will be available on Switch at launch, but we’ve been told that more info will follow soon.

Let us know if you’re keen to play A Hat in Time on the move by posting a comment below.

Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers, a colourful, top-down, racing party game from Unties, will race its way onto the Nintendo Switch on 30th August.

Players will be able to grab a friend – or seven – and race around any of the game’s 15 different tracks. These eight-player races can take place either online or locally, with a control scheme which aims to offer an easy, but addictive, feel to its play, hoping to get players of all skill levels involved. You can also play alone if preferred, with AI characters and a practice mode available.

The race for the top spot on the podium doesn’t always take place on the track, however, as the game also features four competitive battle modes which will test your driving skills in more creative ways. ‘Coins’ mode has you whizzing around an arena to pick up the most gold; ‘Smash’ tasks you with crushing the greatest number of boxes; ‘Paint’ has a Splatoon-style colour-coverage mechanic to master; and ‘Goal’ looks like a top-down version of Rocket League.

John Davis, G&R Representative at Unties, has said the following:

“Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers makes you feel like a little kid all over again. From the moment you hit start, it just has that playful wonder to it that takes you back to scooting race cars across the carpet as a kid. This time, though, it’s gathered around the TV with friends.”

The game will be available on 30th August for $9.99.

Are you a fan of top-down racers? Will you be putting this one through its paces? Share your thoughts below.

Koji ‘IGA’ Igarashi has confirmed that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will be delayed a second time, and will now launch in 2019.

The crowdfunded title was originally supposed to launch in 2017, but was pushed into 2018. The proposed Wii U version was dropped soon afterwards, with confirmation that it would instead come to Switch.

Today’s announcement also confirms that the PS Vita version has been cancelled. Vita backers will be able to switch to another version or get a refund.

Since raising more than $5.5 million in pledges back in 2015, the game has endured a rather lengthy development period. Igarashi states that this latest delay has come about because his team wishes to factor in play feedback from the latest backer beta demo.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon – a spin-off title presented in an 8-bit style – launched on Switch earlier this year.

After recently unveiling the release of Gear.Club Unlimited 2 as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, Microids has set out its plans for new games arriving over the coming months. Three of these titles are coming to Switch and we’ve listed them all down below, along with their official PR descriptions and trailers, for your perusal.

Syberia 3

Syberia 3 is scheduled to arrive on the console on 18th October, both digitally and physically. It was released on other platforms last year and has received mixed reviews from players on Steam.

Play as Kate Walker and accompany the Youkol tribe during the migration of the snow ostriches. Together, you make your way through Benoît Sokal’s magical world, pursuing common enemies and encountering unexpected obstacles. Syberia 3 on Nintendo Switch also includes the DLC ‘An Automaton with a Plan’: play as Oscar and discover a whole new part of Kate Walker’s journey.

Moto Racer 4

Moto Racer 4 is set to release on Switch on the same day as Syberia 3 – 18th October – and will also be available either physically or digitally. This one initially released in 2016, also receiving mixed reviews. The video above is the launch trailer for the game’s release on other platforms.

In a world that’s all about freestyle and risk-taking, you must demonstrate your style to win races and become the best rider! Moto Racer 4 on the Nintendo Switch is a single-player game with two game modes – Asphalt and Dirt – where you can choose to ride high-powered or motocross bikes.

[The] Nintendo Switch version of Moto Racer 4 includes the DLCs ‘Sliced Peak’ and ‘Antique Antics’, which are already available on PC, Xbox One and PS4.

The Bluecoats: North vs South

The Bluecoats: North vs South is a little further down the line, so far destined to arrive on Switch in the first half of 2019 as a digital-only release. This one initially launched back in 2012, with Steam user reviews being – you guessed it – mixed. A long time has passed since that 2012 release, however, so we’re hopeful that this Switch version will bump up those impressions.

One of the pioneers of strategy games is making a huge comeback with a fully remastered version for the Nintendo Switch! Plunged into the American Civil War, you take control of one of the two opposing sides. In this turn-based strategy game, you will have to master the rules of the board game to conquer territories occupied by the enemy, wage battles in real time, take part in high-speed chases on horseback, or defend your fort in mini shooter games. Playing alone or in multiplayer mode, online or locally, North vs South will delight fans of the genre.

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So there we have it – three games all announced for a Switch on a day that’s packed full to the brim with indie game-related news.

Do you like the look of any of these titles despite their mixed reviews? Will you be giving them a chance when they arrive in the coming months? Let us know below.

Today, FDG Entertainment has revealed a confirmed, finalised release date for Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch on 6th November.

The news comes as part of today’s 2018 Indies Showcase, which also revealed that the game will be available to play at this year’s Gamescom at the Nintendo booth. The game is said to borrow all the best bits from the series to deliver a “fresh, modern adventure with fun gameplay, memorable music and gorgeous hand-drawn animations”.

If you’re unfamiliar with the title, allow this feature list below to get you up to speed. We’ve also shared the game’s section from today’s new presentation just below that – there’s a good minute and a half of lovely footage to enjoy, including a return of the “Monster Boy, fighting for a future made of love and joy” song that we couldn’t get out of our heads from the previous trailer.

FEATURES:
– Six awesome forms with unique combat and platforming abilities to make your adventure exciting from start to finish.
– Unlock new paths and secrets with special equipment: look for magic weapons and items that gradually open up the world.
– Over 15 hours of epic adventure: explore the new Monster World in a vast interconnected environment.
– Hand Drawn animations: characters and enemies come to life with detailed animations and fun facial expressions.
– Soundtrack from iconic Japanese composers: Yuzo Koshiro, Motoi Sakuraba, Michiru Yamane, Keiki Kobayashi and Takeshi Yanagawa.
– Full HD graphics at 60 fps: the game supports 1080p/60fps in TV mode and 720p/60fps in Nintendo Switch handheld mode.
– HD rumble support: feel the action with high-performance HD rumble support.

Are you excited to explore the world of Monster Boy on Nintendo Switch? 

Today’s 2018 Indies Showcase has revealed that The Gardens Between, an upcoming puzzle adventure game, will be arriving on Switch on 20th September.

We first heard about this one coming to Switch back in July, with its peaceful, calming puzzler vibes intriguing us even then. Players are tasked with manipulating time to guide two best friends through a surreal world of mysterious garden islands. As you can see in the trailer above, the player appears to be able to turn back time to rearrange certain environments.

You’ll be journeying with the headstrong Arina and thoughtful Frendt as they get swept into a world of reality-warping isles. Players must twist the dreamlike spaces of the gardens to help these two characters discover, reminisce, and traverse together. With a bit of guidance, Arina and Frendt will solve puzzles and ignite constellations to revisit precious moments they’ve spent together.

The game seems to be built around the idea of this close friendship and the relationship between the two characters. Simon Joslin, co-founder of the game’s developer The Voxel Agents, has said the following:

“It’s our hope that players are not only touched by the story of Arina and Frendt, but that they take time to remember their own special relationships growing up. While so many of the objects featured in the gardens are from our own childhoods, we hope our audience will relate and recall a time when friendship meant everything.”

Pre-orders for The Gardens Between are expected to go live today for $19.99 / £17.99, and the game will also be playable at Gamescom should you be attending.

Are you interested in this one? Will it be going on your Switch game wishlist? Share your thoughts with us down in the comments.

Mega Crit and Humble Bundle have announced that Slay the Spire, a “card/roguelike” title currently available on PC, will be heading to Switch next year.

Slay the Spire attempts to blend the worlds of card games and roguelikes together to make a single-player deckbuilder with procedurally generated levels and enemies. Players must craft their own deck of cards, before encountering bizarre creatures, discovering relics of immense power, and attempting to achieve the game’s ultimate aim: to Slay the Spire!

There are hundreds of cards to discover and add to your deck with each attempt at climbing the Spire. You’ll need to select cards that work together to efficiently dispatch foes and reach the top, in an environment where the layout differs each time you play. You can choose a risky or safe path, face different enemies, choose different cards, discover different relics, and even fight different bosses with each playthrough.

The game has already sold over a million copies on PC, with Steam users rating the title as “overwhelmingly positive”. Here’s a list of features to give you a better idea of what you can expect to find:

Features:
Three core characters that each have their own unique set of cards. (With more planned)
200+ fully implemented cards.
50+ unique combat encounters.
100+ different items to be found.
Procedurally generated levels.
Tons of unlockables.

Do you like the look of this one? Have you played the game on PC? Let us know your thoughts down below.

Today’s Indie Highlights presentation cooked up lots of information on some of the games destined to reach the Nintendo eShop in the near future, with two titles instantly launching on the console. Yes, these two games featured below are available to download right now!

Check out their trailers and information, lovingly provided below, and then let us know if you’ll be trying either of them yourself.

Bad North

Bad North is described as a “charming but brutal real-time tactics roguelite”. Players must defend their idyllic island kingdom against a horde of Viking invaders, commanding their loyal subjects to take full tactical advantage of the unique shape of each island. Everything is at stake here; if you fail, you’ll be watching the blood of your subjects stain the ground red.

Players control the broad strokes of the battle, giving high-level commands to your soldiers who try their best to carry them out in the heat of the moment. Simple player inputs aim to mask a dynamic combat simulation to make it inviting to new players, while simultaneously challenging veterans.

Here are some of the game’s features:

Features:
– REAL-TIME TACTICS ROGUELITE: Position and relocate your troops to fend off the Vikings, who each have their own counters to the threats you pose. Pick your battles and plan your evacuations carefully! Lose a commander and they’re gone forever; lose everything, and it’s game over!
– INTELLIGENT UNIT CONTROLS: You command the broad strokes of your defenses and monitor positioning — your soldiers do the rest, navigating and engaging intuitively in response to the situation at hand.
– PROCEDURALLY-GENERATED ISLANDS: Each island is both stylistically charming and unique in its layout. Plan your strategies around every nook and cranny, for you only get one chance to save them from the enemy invasion
– UNLOCKABLE UPGRADES AND COLLECTIBLES: A stronger, smarter defense leads to greater rewards. Use these to develop your subjects from a ragtag militia into seasoned warriors.

The game is available to download right now for £13.49 / $14.99.

Prison Architect: Nintendo Switch Edition

Prison Architect is a BAFTA award-winning ‘prison construction and management game’. Acting as both an architect and a governor, Players must look after their inmates by building a secure lockup, taking care of their needs, keeping them safe and healthy, and helping rehabilitate them into productive members of society. If you treat them poorly you’ll end up with a riot on your hands, so it’s definitely within your best interests to keep things running smoothly.

You’ll be controlling every detail of your prison – from building new cells and facilities to hiring staff and creating reform programs – all while dealing with informants, contraband smuggling, gang warfare, full-scale riots, and more.

Prison Architect: Nintendo Switch Edition is a premium edition which includes two expansions: All Day And A Night and Psych Ward, letting you up the challenge with new wardens and maps, as well as a new security class – the criminally insane. The ‘Escape Mode’ DLC, will also arrive on Switch later this summer.

The game is available to download right now for £24.99 / $29.99.

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Do you like the look of these games? Will you be trying them out today? Tell us below.