Category: Nintendo News

As the success of the Switch continues, more developers and publishers are lining up to release games on the Nintendo platform. In its latest blog post, the UK-based company Ghostlight has revealed it’s now officially a Switch developer – with its first JRPG port for the system currently underway.  

Here’s the announcement from Ross Brierly, the Community Manager and PR of Ghostlight:

All the paperwork has gone through and I can tell you that we are now official Switch developers, and so are able to bring fantastic Japanese games to Nintendo Switch, as well as to PC! In fact, we’ve already started work on our first port, a JRPG, that I’m not able to reveal just yet. 

While we love bringing games to PC, working on the Switch has been an awful lot of fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve worked on anything for console, the most recent game was Flame Over, and the most recent one for Ghostlight was Elminage Gothic, back in 2013, so it’s great to be back on console! 

I hope you’re all looking forward to our Nintendo Switch releases as much as we are, and please stay tuned for more information on which JRPG we’re going to be bringing to Switch in the near future. 

Ghostlight was originally established in 2004 and has previously specialised in bringing Japanese games to Europe. It has also released games on the Nintendo DS, Wii and 3DS, and in the past has published entries in the Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and the Way of the Samurai series. It’s also handled The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky and worked on the Devil Survivor series.

Are you a fan of any of Ghostlight’s past work? Are you excited more developers and publishers are making games for the Switch? Tell us in the comments below. 

Another weekend is well and truly upon us, so what better time to discuss our weekend gaming plans – and then actually go and play them, of course! This time around, we’ve got RPGs, whacky minigame collections, older classics, retro goodness, and more, but what about you? Read through the Nintendo Life team’s words, and then let us know what you’ll be playing via our poll and comment sections below. Enjoy!

Dave Frear, retro reviewer

I seem to have slipped into a routine of playing a chunk of Octopath Traveler at the weekend and that will be happening again this week. Combined with another (non-Nintendo system) game I’ll be trying out, I don’t think I’ll have large amounts of free time for anything else. Small amounts of time, though? Sure, and so I’ll be playing some WarioWare Gold between other things. I’ve long been a fan of the quick bursts of frantic microgame action the series provides so I’m keen to get stuck into the mix of old and new challenges offered up in this latest release. I’ll be button-tapping, stylus-ing, and turning my way through, inevitably getting confused at some point but having a blast nonetheless.

Glen Fox, guides editor

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate has had me hooked since the demo was released earlier this week. I struggled to get into it on 3DS because that weird little second analogue stub just wasn’t up to snuff for me. That isn’t a problem on the Switch, and I’ve been gagging for some Monster Hunter on the go. I’ll tell you what, though – it’s kind of tough going from Monster Hunter World to Generations, as you really feel the leap backwards. There were so many quality of life improvements that kind of spoiled me in that game.

Having said that, Generations should hopefully be a little friendlier for bite-sized play. So if you’re on the move and in a bit of a rush, you can still get in a quick bout of Monster Hunting. There’s also something very… comfortable about the low-res visuals. I’m reaching a point where I’m kind of sick of visuals taking precedent over gameplay, and it’s refreshing to have a game that just knows what it wants to achieve and doesn’t really care how it looks. There’s even a certain beauty to the blocky visuals.

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln, reviewer

Well, we all knew this time would come. Telltale’s The Walking Dead has reached its final season, so this weekend I’ll be joining Clem as she concludes her heartfelt (and zombie-filled) odyssey. The first episode is almost here so expect my tear-filled (but spoiler-free) review next week.

With NBA 2K19 only a few weeks away, I’ll still be throwing some three-pointers online before everyone makes the jump to this year’s new instalment. It’s frustrating Madden isn’t getting the Switch treatment this year, but I’m sure 2K’s long-running series can keep my undying love of bombastic American sports sated for the time being.

Jon Cousins, Japan correspondent

This weekend, I’ll be testing the theory that the Nintendo Switch is a portable PS3 by getting through some of my backlog! I’ll be going through Okami HD, Bayonetta and L.A. Noire, but I only own the last one on Switch! Sorry! I don’t think I paid more than 15 sheets for the three back in the day, so if I get back into them then I might give in to that portable goodness, and especially that sweet celestial brush touch control.

Ryan Craddock, staff writer

About a year ago I moved into a new house which has a nice little bit of loft space – a perfect little hideaway for a games room. I immediately threw all of my retro consoles (and newer Mini consoles) and games up there, set up two TV screens, and it all looks lovely, but it turns out that I hardly ever go up to play on them.

So, this weekend I’m thinking of bringing my SNES Mini back downstairs, plonking it on the big screen, and getting stuck into one of the many options available. I’m thinking either Donkey Kong Country, EarthBound, or Super Castlevania IV, although I do still have a run-through of DOOM on the go and I’ll need to keep on top of my daily challenges in Fortnite as well. I say this pretty often, but I really wish there was more time in the day to play – there are far too many great games to choose from!

Dave Letcavage, contributing writer

King K. Rool has been announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He’s getting an amiibo. I’m beyond pumped about that. I’m also feeling nostalgic lately, reminiscing about the days my sister, neighborhood friends, and I spent sitting around my parents’ house playing video games for hours on end. For those reasons, I believe I’ll start another (I say “another” because this happens at least once a year) playthrough of the Donkey Kong Country series. But, because my enthusiasm for the first game isn’t quite the same as it is for the rest, I may start with Donkey Kong Country 2 and go from there. I haven’t decided yet.

Whoa. I just realized that, between 3DS and Switch, every game in the DKC series can now be played on a handheld device. Isn’t that convenient? Yep. Weekend sorted.

Gonçalo Lopes, contributing writer

The time has come for me to disappear from the face of the Earth, leaving behind some incredible, hard-working months at Nintendo Life that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. It’s dangerous to go alone so I am making sure the Switch is packed along with my entire library of games – a luxury my very young self, making Game Boy Summer memories in the ’90s, would never have believed possible. Octopath Traveler will continue (now on a daily schedule) but knowing myself I will probably be squeezing a lot of retro-gaming between the beach, sightseeing, music making and sleeping. I will see you all on the other side and leave with the words that became my life motto: Play Hard, Play Loud!

Richard Atkinson, contributing writer

One game that continues to remain securely snuggled in the Switch’s card slot is a title that not only provides colourful carnage on a daily basis due to its online battles, but also inkredible amounts of rage. I’m looking at you, Bloblobber… The addition of the (horribly buffed, in my opinion) bucket of doom in Splatoon 2 is forcing me to try new weapons and lay the lovely Sploosh-O-Matic to one side, and what better time to do so. This weekend sees Europe taking part in another Splatfest with the teams choosing sides that are defined by your preference for how the precious time on holiday is spent.

I’m going for Team Relax, rather than Team Adventure, but no judging please; sitting by the pool with a well-earned beer while snooping around Hyrule for hidden Shrines counts as both, right?

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…

Although the Panic Button port of the online free-to-play game Warframe is yet to be released on the Switch, it’s still worth keeping an eye on the recent updates the third-person shooter has been receiving in preparation for its inevitable arrival on Nintendo’s hybrid platform. 

Digital Extremes has gone the extra mile in its latest content update, this time releasing a free arcade-style fighting mini-game. According to a post on the game’s website, the Frame Fighter update was inspired by a long-time Warframe fan and transforms your Orbiter into a battleground. Below is how it can be accessed:

Visit Simaris and acquire the Ludoplex — a new home for all of Warframe’s minigames — through Standing. Choose from Excalibur, Voltand Mag, each with their unique Ability. Unlock additional Frame Fighter characters by discovering Fragments throughout the game. If the scanned Warframe’s Prime is in your Inventory, you can toggle to the Prime version of the acquired character.

There are apparently two other secret mini-games to check out as well. One is a side-scrolling blaster and the other is known as the ‘Happy Zephyr’ mini-game, where you must flap your way through obstacles. No launch date for the Switch version has been locked in just yet, but presumably, all this content and more will be available when the game is eventually released. 

Are you excited about Warframe coming to the Switch? Do you like content updates such as this in your games? Tell us below.

• 
• by Liam Doolan
• 23 hours ago

Last week, we found Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would feature 103 unique stages and over 300 in total including the Battlefield and Omega forms. That’s a crazy amount of stages for a big-name fighting game, and possibly an all-time record.

With so many stages crammed into the latest iteration of Smash, it’s been difficult to keep up with the latest posts about them over on the game’s official website and blog. Fortunately, our very own Alex Olney has been working around the clock for the past week to compile what is an absolutely massive half-hour video comparing every returning stage to its Ultimate counterpart. Fun fact: This video is actually longer than the recent Direct! 

So, grab your favourite snack, beverage or Nintendo plush and set half an hour aside to watch this comprehensive graphical comparison. Be sure to also tell Alex and the rest of us here at Nintendo Life which stage you’re most excited to see return. 

Continuing the recent trend of Pokémon plush mega releases, a new wave of toys featuring every starter Pokémon in the series is about to be released in Japan.

Recently, we’ve seen every generation one Pokémon be included in a line of miniature plushes – although only the first 30 have released so far – and then some new additions to the Pocket Monsters All Star Collection, giving fans almost too many options to choose from. This new set of starters will join all of these lovely items, adding to the growing concerns faced from wallets around the world.

The new starter dolls will launch on 25th August at Pokémon Center locations dotted around Japan, and some will also be available from Amazon Japan with easy international shipping options. Each Pokémon will be available for 1,500 yen before shipping (approx. £10.60 / $13.50) and we’ve included a handy list of each set to be available below.

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Chikorita 
• Cyndaquil 
• Totodoile
• Treecko
• Torchic
• Mudkip
• Turtwig
• Chimchar
• Piplup
• Snivy
• Tepig
• Oshawott
• Chespin
• Fennekin
• Froakie
• Rowlet
• Litten
• Popplio

If you’re wanting to grab one yourself, make sure to keep an eye out on Amazon Japan nearer the time of release. The Pokémon products usually appear on the store several days before they become officially available.

A new ‘water globe’ has also been released to celebrate the Pokémon Center’s 20th Anniversary, also featuring various starter Pokémon, although this can only be purchased from inside Japan. This one costs considerably more, however, costing a whopping 21,600 yen (approx. £153 / $195).

Too cute to resist? Or have you already got enough plushes sitting at home anyway? As ever, let us know with a comment below.

The North American My Nintendo Rewards site has updated with a new batch of discounts for games on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. This time around, the focus is on Pokémon, Pokémon, and a little bit more Pokémon.

The pocket monster theme has been established in celebration of the latest digital distribution taking place in Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. If you missed the news, the legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon are available to collect right now.

So, which lovely games are on offer? We have you covered with this short but sweet list below.

Will you be taking advantage of any of these offers? Remember, your Gold Points can now also be spent on Nintendo Switch software directly from the eShop, too!

Some new details surrounding the upcoming Digimon Survive have been shared, giving us a look at two of the game’s characters and some interesting information on story choices.

The information is still only coming in drip feeds here and there, but we’re slowly starting to form a clear picture of what to expect. The first character detailed is Aoi Shibuya, a gentle and honest upperclassman. She manages the cooking and admirably handles the security of the base. Her partner is Labramon, and she has an articulate personality.

Next up is Minoru Hyuga, a classmate of the main protagonist Takumi. Described as the talkative optimist of the group, he opens up to just about anybody and really hates getting into arguments. His partner is Falcomon. He’s a stable person but occasionally takes wild actions.

We’ve already seen some screenshots of the decision-making story elements taking place, with the choices you make having significant impacts on how the story unfolds around you. You’ll be able to decide who you’d like to meet and how you’d like to interact with them through this method, and various outcomes are possible in these scenarios. 

As it turns out, in a rather terrifying twist, some of these decisions can even lead to the death of your friends, with several characters present who can see their untimely demise in this way. If the choices you make weren’t quite important enough for you before, we imagine they will be now. Maybe it’s best not to get too attached to your favourite characters on screen.

Remember, Digimon Survive is scheduled to launch in the west next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Digimon anime series. Are you liking what you’ve seen so far?

Earlier this month, we shared a set of videos from the Official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel which showed how different types of Pokémon follow the trainer in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!. Now, the channel has uploaded another set of videos showing off various monsters taking part in battles, with one even demonstrating a double battle scenario.

Firstly, we have a really short video showing Magikarp in action, presumably using its Splash attack to do literally nothing at all, before being the subject of Machoke’s Seismic Toss attack.

Next up is a battle between two Tauros, showing the same Hyper Beam move from both viewpoints, followed by a heated match between Pidgeot and Gloom.

And finally, we have more footage of Charizard evolving into Mega Charizard X in a match against an Exeggutor, followed by a battle where a single Paras is facing two mighty Fearow.

Seeing the Pokémon inside such a large, open display reminds us of the classic home console games like Pokémon Stadium on the N64, with the battle animations naturally seeing a decent HD overhaul in comparison to the latest mainline entries on 3DS.

Do you like the look of these battle sequences? Let us know your thoughts below.

Daedalic Entertainment has announced that it will be publishing Felix the Reaper, a musical, romantic comedy 3D puzzle adventure, on Nintendo Switch in 2019.

The game comes from Danish indie developer Kong Orange, which describes the title as a “3D shadow manipulation puzzle adventure”. Players take on the role of the titular reaper, who can be seen merrily dancing away in the trailer above. Felix works at The Ministry of Death, but falls in love with Betty The Maiden from The Ministry of Life. Felix believes that going to the human world and completing the grim tasks of a field reaper will enable him to one day meet her.

In each of the game’s levels, Felix needs to move in the shadows, manipulating the environment to ensure that the Ministry of Death meets its quota, while also working towards his own mission of finding Betty. While doing his murdering duties, wiping people out to tick off his checklist, he manages to find the time to practice his dance moves.

Completing each level in the game unlocks a hardcore version of itself, perfect for those who like a serious challenge. There are also skull achievements to collect, which further unlock bonus time trials for the extremely resourceful reaper. You can check out a full feature list below:

Felix the Reaper features:
– An original 3D shadow mechanic at the core of the game
– Challenging puzzles in an original story world
– Choose your own tune from a selection of 10+ indie music artists on Felix’s Walkman
– Collect skull achievements that further unlock bonus time trials
– Felix’s dance moves have been choreographed with professional dancers

The game is scheduled to be playable during gamescom in Cologne, and at PAX West in Seattle, taking place in August and September respectively. Other details are still to be confirmed, but we’ll make sure to keep an eye out for any further information on its release date in the future.

What do you think? Could this be a charming little puzzle adventure to play on the go? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.