Category: Nintendo News

Nintendo has applied for a new Hogan’s Alley trademark in Japan, potentially spelling a comeback for the Nintendo Switch.

For those not in the know, Hogan’s Alley is a NES game that was initially released back in 1984. It was one of the first to use a light gun as an input device, presenting players with cardboard cut-outs of gangsters and innocent civilians. Players had to successfully shoot the bad guys, saving the innocents in the process.

The game has also seen cameos in various WarioWare titles and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, with Duck Hunt Duo’s final smash causing opponents to get caught in the middle of a shootout between the enemies from Hogan’s Alley and Wild Gunman.

According to the folks over at Japanese Nintendo, the trademark relates to “purposes including and related to ‘program for home video game machine’”. Of course, with the game already being re-released on Wii U a few years back, and with the NES Classic now a thing of the past (just about), this could mean that something linked to the game is brewing for the Switch. Part of the Nintendo Switch Online service, perhaps?

As always, though, it’s best to keep any excitement over trademark applications in check in case nothing ever comes of it. We’ll have to wait and see if any official news regarding the game is released over the coming months.

Do you have any memories of Hogan’s Alley? Would you like to see the game become available on Switch in some form? Let us know with a comment below.

Things are sizzling up right now, especially here in the blistering, relentless summer heat at Nintendo Life Towers in the UK, and to celebrate, the European eShop is hosting a huge summer sale on Switch.

A number of games for Nintendo’s hybrid console are now on sale with up to 60% off, giving you the chance to mop up any great games you might have missed at very tempting prices. Highlights include games such as Puyo Puyo Tetris, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, LEGO City: Undercover, Just Dance 2018, Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, Resident Evil Revelations 2, Snake Pass, Super Meat Boy, The Escapists 2, and many, many more.

You can check out a handful of the offers at the link below, but there are lots more to discover right now on the Switch eShop. Make sure to boot up your console and take a good look through!

These offers are set to end on 9th August, but never fear! A whole new selection of discounted titles will become available the next day until 23rd August. If you’re looking for some great new games to play over the summer, you’re definitely in luck.

Let us know if you’ll be taking advantage of any of the offers you find in the comments below.

As if the recent announcement that all 151 Pokémon are being released in an adorable line of miniature plush toys wasn’t enough, another new range of cuddly monsters is set to launch in Japan this November.

These new toys make up a new section of the ‘Pocket Monsters All Star Collection’, including a whole host of fan-favourites and some that are a little bit rarer. You’ll be able to get your hands on fantastic-looking toys of Charmander, Sandshrew, Squirtle, Magnemite, Garchomp, Bulbasaur, Lilligant, Ditto, Corsola, Phanpy, Mawile, Chansey, Jolteon, and Flareon. Phew!

Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale which helps support the site. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

The toys are all currently available to pre-order (with international shipping) from Play-Asia. You’ll have to get your orders in fast, though, as pre-orders are scheduled to end later today. You can find all of the figures by clicking on those handy links above – enter code ‘NLIFE’ at checkout to get $3 off!

Do you need these in your life as much as we suddenly do? Let us know if you’ll be ordering some new Poké-friends with a comment below.

The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it’s bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and a comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!

Nintendo Switch

Go Vacation (Nintendo, Fri 27th July, $49.99) There are all sorts of exciting ways to explore the island, from horseback to buggies, snow mobiles to inline skates. And to add to the fun, up to 4 players can enjoy visiting and discovering every corner of the island together! Read our Go Vacation review.

Hello Neighbor (tinyBuild Games, Fri 27th July, $39.99) Hello Neighbor is a stealth horror game about sneaking into your neighbor’s house to figure out what horrible secrets he’s hiding in the basement. You play against an advanced AI that learns from your every move. 

Titan Quest (THQ Nordic, Tue 31st July, $39.99) From Age of Empires co-creator Brian Sullivan and Braveheart writer Randall Wallace comes an innovative action role playing game set in ancient Greece, Egypt and Asia. The Titans have escaped their eternal prison, wreaking havoc upon the earth. 

Code Of Princess EX (Nicalis, Tue 31st July, $39.99) The story follows Princess Solange of DeLuxia as she fights to restore order in a world where monsters are trying to overtake the human race. Armed with the legendary sword DeLuxcalibur, Solange assembles a team of talented fighters to join her quest.

Switch eShop

The Banner Saga 3 (Stoic, Today, $24.99) Banner Saga 3 is the final dramatic chapter in the mature, story driven Viking RPG series which has won over 20 awards and has been nominated for 4 BAFTA awards. As the world continues to crumble around you, who can you trust, how will you protect your allies and what choices will you make as the Darkness draws near? 

ACA NEOGEO THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’97 (HAMSTER, Today, $7.99) Featuring popular characters from FATAL FURY and ART OF FIGHTING, these fighters will battle to determine who is the strongest. The ADVANCED and EXTRA modes of gameplay offer an even deeper level of tactics. Read our The King of Fighters ’97 review.

Arcade Archives Omega Fighter (HAMSTER, Co., Today, $7.99) Use two kinds of Shots and a variety of items to defeat the enemies invading Earth and destroy their giant mothership. As enemies are approached and destroyed, your score increases in an intense shooting system that garnered many fans.

Arcade Archives Sky Skipper (HAMSTER, Fri 20th July, $7.99) Sky Skipper is a shooting action game released in 1981 by Nintendo. Dodge enemy attacks and counterattack with your bombs! Get even more points by saving the right combination of 4 animals! Read our Arcade Archives Sky Skipper review.

Bud Spencer & Terence Hill – Slaps and Beans (Trinity Team, Tue 24th July, $19.99) The first OFFICIAL Bud Spencer and Terence Hill videogame! Bud Spencer and Terence Hill in their first virtual adventure. A brand new story!

Candle: The Power of the Flame (Merge Games, Today, $14.99) Play as Teku, a young novice on a dangerous journey to rescue his tribe’s shaman from the evil tribe of the Wakcha. But the way is littered with sinister traps and difficult obstacles.  Read our Candle: The Power of the Flame review.

Crossing Souls (Devolver Digital, Today, $14.99) It’s 1986 in California. A group of friends discover a mysterious pink stone that allows to travel between two realms. This gang will live the summer of their lives in an adventure that will get them involved in a government conspiracy.

Element (Flightless, Fri 27th July, $11.99) Element is a realtime strategy space game for people who don’t have time to play realtime strategy space games. Home no longer provides a means to survive. A fight for resources to escape our system has begun.

Final Light, The Prison (EnjoyUp Games, Fri 27th July, $6.99) Governments and institutions manipulated by very powerful men, who created perverse constructions for their service under the pseudonym black butterfly.

Flashback (Microids) The hit action-adventure game with over 2.2 million units sold, is back on Switch! 2142. After fleeing from a space ship but stripped of all memory, the eminent scientist Conrad B. Hart awakens on Titan, a colonised moon of the planet Saturn. Read our Flashback review. (The boxed release is available from 31st July. The eShop release is already out.)

Piczle Lines DX 500 More Puzzles! (Rainy Frog, Today, $9.99) Couldn’t get enough of Piczle Lines DX? This is for you! Another Piczle Lines game with 500 new and sometimes feisty puzzles to wrap your mind around. 25 new puzzle packs with 20 puzzles each, containing famous places and people, works of genius and very challenging 1 color puzzles!

Pure / Electric Love “Everyone else!” – Ema Sakura – (DORASU, Thu 19th July, $5.00) Electric Love A love-likeness pseudo-talk game “Electric Love” that is a topic in the smartphone. A little embarrassing, in a conversation that pounding, romance skill UP!

Pure / Electric Love “Look at my eyes!” – Moe Yamauchi – (DORASU, Thu 19th July, $5.00) Pure / Electric Love “Look at my eyes!” – Moe Yamauchi – is a dating simulator where you chat as if you were on a smartphone. Reply to questions from your partner, receive images/videos and try to keep the conversation going!

Sleep Tight (We Are Fuzzy, Today, $14.99) This unique twin-stick shooter, base-builder hybrid comes wrapped in blankets of nostalgia! Construct your strongest pillow fort during the day and defend your bedroom from endless hordes of monsters each night.

State of Anarchy: Master of Mayhem (Lapovich, Wed 1st August, $7.99) State of Anarchy: Master of Mayhem is a hilarious shooter that will put a smile on your face. You were an ordinary citizen in a small town… Now it’s on fire!

Zaccaria Pinball (Magic Pixel, Mon 23rd July) Zaccaria was founded by three brothers (Marino, Franco, & Natale) and was the 3rd largest manufacturer of pinball machines in the world (behind Bally & Williams). They had created and produced more than 35 different pinball machines between 1974 and 1987.

3DS eShop

RTO 3 (nuGAME, Today, $9.99) The lunar base, where you are stationed as part of the security forces, is under siege. Having just escaped from enemy captivity you are now on your own and must fight against overwhelming odds to survive. Featuring large and complex levels with nonstop action RTO 3 is a first person shooter which will keep you entertained for hours.

Switch eShop Demos

Flat Heroes – Demo Version

New DLC

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – New DLC is releasing for owners of the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Expansion Pass. Buy the Expansion Pass to gain access to titanic new content, including the Challenge Battle Mode as well as Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country, available this September.

• Rare Blade 2 – Crossette
• New Difficulty Options – Bringer of Chaos, Customize
• New Quests Pack 4
• Sunken Boosters
• The Trendy Patissier
• Artisanal Accessories
• Hot Spring Bonanza
• Mystery Launch Codes

For full patch notes, please visit the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Support site. Full version of the game is required to use DLC.

Kirby Star Allies – A free update comes to the Kirby Star Allies game on July 27, which includes three Dream Friends from Kirby’s past adventures. Daroach, leader of the notorious Squeak Squad, makes his debut as a playable character and brings some friends along. Dark Meta Knight makes a grand return as a playable character for the first time. Utilize his Mirror abilities to call upon devastating sword attacks, reflect back enemy projectiles, and create copies. Adeleine and Ribbon are back! Make Adeleine’s paintings come to life or fly around with the help of Ribbon.

Nintendo eShop sales

As always, there are more great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals available this week here. 

Activities

My Nintendo Presents Nindie Game Gold Point Rewards: Summer 2018 Edition – Beat the heat this summer with some cool Nindie games! As July heats up, My Nintendo users can exchange their Gold Points for some of the hottest indie games on Nintendo platforms.

So that’s your lot for this week’s North American Nintendo Download. Go on, be a sport and drop a vote in the poll above, and a comment below with your hot picks!

Team17 has shared a brand new trailer for the upcoming Overcooked 2, revealing the exclusive goodies you can expect to receive by pre-ordering the game before release.

Players who pre-order Overcooked 2 will receive Kevin’s ‘Too Many Cooks’ pack which gives them access to five exclusive chefs at launch: Calico Cat chef, Monkey chef, Unicorn chef, Walrus chef and Alien chef.

We’ve also been treated to a handy list of game features, telling us what we can expect to enjoy in the game (see below), and you can also check out our recent hands-on preview with the game for even more info!

Online multiplayer! For the first time you can cook up a storm with up to four players in both local and online multiplayer
Throwing! Throwing is now an official game mechanic, allowing you to toss ingredients to your fellow chefs or even straight into the pan/blender/onto the floor
New level mechanics! Overcooked 2 sees the introduction of new game mechanics including moving walkways, controllable platforms and even portals!
Dynamic levels! Throwing you from the frying pan and into the fire, dynamic levels will change around you, offering a new challenge to overcome as the recipes and levels themselves change!
Interactive world map! As you drive, sail and soar your way around the map in the Onion King’s amphibious air bus you will open up new areas using hidden buttons around the world
Kitchens! From the neon lights of a sushi restaurant to the bubbling pots of a Wizard school kitchen, there are plenty of places to cook up a storm in Overcooked 2!
Recipes! From spaghetti to sushi and pancakes to pizza, recipes both old and new will need to be cooked to perfection (or at least not burnt to a crisp!) New recipes mean new ingredients and new equipment so even the most well-seasoned Overcooked players will be challenged.
Chefs! Overcooked 2 introduces a whole host of new of chefs to play in the kitchen including an eagle, mouse, beaver and what kitchen is complete without an octopus!

Overcooked 2 launches on Nintendo Switch on 7th August for £19.99 / €24.99 / $29.99 with a boxed retail version also on the way. Pre-orders are available right now.

Did you enjoy the original Overcooked game? Will you be jumping in with some friends or family to cook up some masterpieces once again? Let us know with a comment below.

Gamescom, Europe’s largest video game trade fair (think E3), is just around the corner, and publisher Soedesco appears to have a couple of new Switch games to reveal at the event.

The publisher, which is responsible for releasing the rather excellent Owlboy as a physical retail release on Switch, has shared a brand new video to tease its Gamescom line-up. The video itself doesn’t actually reveal anything new for Switch but the description is a slightly different story, with the studio promising to bring two unrevealed games for the console for players to get their hands on.

No more details have been shared just yet – we’ll have to wait until the event itself to find out more – but Soedesco encourages fans to expect the titles to be “colourful, fast, and full of action”.

Gamescom is taking place from the 21st to the 25th August in Cologne, Germany, with lots of development studios and publishers – including Nintendo itself – expected to attend.

Will these be physical re-releases for other top games? Or maybe something new entirely? Exciting times ahead!

ByteRockers’ Games and publisher Wild River have announced Gelly Break, a brand new platformer coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch.

In the game, Evil Blob plans to take over the planet Gelly, and it’s up to two cute little ‘Gellies’ – one orange, and one green – to stop him. Players can work together in a couch co-op setting to master the game’s levels and fight against crowds of enemies together. Gellies can only interact with obstacles of the same colour, although the pair can fuse together to access additional abilities. It’s something we’ve seen from other games in the past, but it certainly suits the Switch to a tee.

Here are some game features to give you a good idea of what you can expect to see:

FEATURES:
– 6 unique worlds with different levels and changing challenges
– Freely adjustable difficulty at the end of each level
– Local co-op mode for two players
– Fusion: players can fuse to access additional abilities
– Switching: the game requires players to switch positions frequently to tackle different challenges
– Shared health that both players have to keep in mind
– Colour mechanics: Objects with the same colour as the character can be interacted with
– Alternative routes and different teammates make for great replayability
– Players can piggyback each other through difficult passages

Gelly Break currently has a loose release date target of Q3 2018 – we’ll make sure to keep an eye out for any future announcements.

Are you a fan of couch co-op style gaming on Switch? Will you consider giving this one a go when it launches later this year? Tell us below.

Shoot a Clay Pigeon at Different Locations is one of the Battle Pass Challenges in Season 5 of Fortnite.

Complete it and you’ll earn Battle Stars that will help boost you up the tiers for those sweet Season 5 exclusive rewards.

In this guide, we’re going to help you find the location of every single Clay Pigeon, then you can move on to the other difficult challenge this week, Follow the Treasure Map Found in Flush Factory.

Fortnite – Clay Pigeon Locations

To complete this challenge, you have to find and shoot five Clay Pigeons, which are dotted across the Fortnite map.

When you’ve found the location of a Clay Pigeon, you have to activate the device to release the pigeon. Then, you have to shoot it before it hits the floor. Given the small time frame, we’d recommend a gun that can shoot lots of bullets in a short frame of time, and has plenty of range. We’ve had the best luck with assault rifles and pistols.

We’ve uncovered six different clay pigeon shooting locations so far, which are detailed on our map above. Below, we’ll include screenshots of every single location to help you narrow it down.

Pleasant Park Clay Pigeon

This Clay Pigeon is east of Pleasant Park, at the base of a cliff.

Shifty Shafts / Flush Factory Clay Pigeon

Between Shifty Shafts and Flush Factory, you’ll find the Clay Pigeon by the seaside cliffs.

Loot Lake Clay Pigeon

This Clay Pigeon is on top of a cliff directly north of the ‘E’ in ‘Lake’.

Lazy Links / Risky Reels Clay Pigeon

This Clay Pigeon is just to the north of the bridge between Lazy Links and Risky Reels.

Lonely Lodge Clay Pigeon

Directly north of Lonely Lodge, you’ll find a Clay Pigeon at the base of a cliff.

Paradise Palms Clay Pigeon

South west of Paradise Palms, where the river meets the ocean, you’ll find a Clay Pigeon on the right side of the river near a cliff face.

Bear in mind that you do have to shoot Clay Pigeons in five different locations though. You can’t just head to the same location in five different matches to complete the challenge.

 With this in mind, it’s worth keeping a note of the locations you’ve shot pigeons in so you don’t lose track.

Indie games in physical form are not only wonderful little delights in their own right, but also part of what is quickly becoming a growing trend. There are several companies intent on bringing the most popular indie titles to a physical market audience – Super Rare Games, Limited Run Games, and Signature Edition Games to name a few – and their popularity appears to be going through the roof.

Super Rare Games recently announced a whopping nine new physical titles for Switch in one day, sickeningly tempting us to empty our wallets for a range of great Switch titles once again, but how does the whole process work? George Perkins, ‘head of doing stuff’ at Super Rare Games (yes, seriously), sat down with the folks at GeekRetro to explain.

Here’s what he had to say when asked about the process behind choosing games worthy of release and the difficulties faced when releasing the games on Switch:

“We work very closely with the community to work out which ones people most want! Additionally, we are avid gamers and like to choose our favourite games. Often the two cross-over and we have the ideal situation!

“For the Nintendo Switch, the technical requirements are fairly low. The main difficulty arises from creating a marketing plan and helping the games reach a completely new audience. Luckily, every day our community grows and we have helped create a group of individuals who all love physical media.”

We hear this a lot from indie developers working directly with Nintendo, but it seems that Super Rare Games finds working with the ‘Big N’ a pleasure, too:

“We work exclusively on the Switch and the process has been very fun with them! They are an amazing bunch of people and is very easy to work with them.”

If you want to check out the full interview, make sure to give it a read here.

In the meantime, though, make sure to let us know if you’ve been building a collection of physical indie hits on Switch in the comments below.