We missed Gravity Circuit when it first arrived on Switch back in 2023. A bunch of you recommended it to us in our recurring ‘Games We Missed‘ feature, and it has since been sitting in the ‘Overwhelmingly Positive‘ reviews bracket on Steam. In short, we’re rather pleased to see that a sequel is in the works.
Domesticated Ant Games and Dear Villagers have announced that Gravity Circuit 2 will launch on Switch at some point in 2027.
You’ll find the reveal trailer above, and trust us, it looks really rather polished. This time around, you’ll be able to play as both Kai and Cable, the latter bringing a new long-range combat approach to the platforming action. There are new abilities and Booster Chips on offer, too, all of which sound (and look) like another wonderful slice of nostalgia.
Here’s a handful of screenshots from Dear Villagers, so you can see all the gorgeous pixel art up close:
We’ll be keeping an eye out for a firmer release date down the line, but that 2027 window leaves plenty of time for another playthrough — or a decent opportunity to finally tick it off the backlog. To celebrate the sequel announcement, the dev is giving away the game for free on Steam until 14th June. You’ll find no such discount on the eShop, we’re afraid.
Will you be checking out Gravity Circuit 2 on Switch next year? Let us know in the comments.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire was one of the highlights of April, and if you happen to be playing this noir-style cartoon detective FPS on the Switch 2, Fumi and PlaySide have today released the “very first patch” for this version of the game.
Alongside this, the team has also announced a second “larger patch” for Nintendo’s new hybrid system is on the way. This one will come with quality of life enhancements, more bug fixes, and “importantly”, performance and optimisation improvements. More information about this update will be shared in the coming weeks.
As for today’s patch on the Switch 2, it includes a “range of bug fixes, addressing crashes, blockers, sound distortion in menus, issues with certain side quests” and more. Here’s the official patch notes from the Mouse: P.I. For Hire website:
Mouse: P.I. For Hire Patch v1.0.6 (Switch 2) – 2nd April 2026
Nintendo Switch 2:
Version: v1.0.6.
Bug Fixes & Improvements
Fixed a crash that players could experience if setting their game language to Traditional Chinese both on the initial game start and in the in-game settings.
Refined a small number of Simplified Chinese translations for better accuracy.
Resolved a graphical issue in ‘The Reel Deal’ that could prevent players from progressing due to a black screen when lens distortion was disabled.
Fixed a collision issue in the ‘Mouseburg Opera’ mini-boss arena to prevent players from getting stuck on the environment.
Corrected a logic error in the ‘Far Wetlands’ level, where the ‘No Entry Yet’ door could fail to open after all enemies were defeated.
Improved enemy pathfinding in the ‘Quagmire’ level to stop enemies from snagging on doors and level geometry, potentially causing a progression blocker.
Improved the final boss’s movement patterns during the ‘The Reel Deal’ encounter.
Ensured the D-Namite throwing animation triggers consistently.
Addressed a bug where shotgun-wielding enemies would occasionally fail to deal damage to the player.
Fixed a blocker in ‘Curdsville’ that was preventing some players from progressing.
Resolved an issue where players could find themselves in a loop when trying to accept Controller rebindings.
Added the option for players to opt out of data and analytics tracking in the Settings Menu, not only during onboarding.
Settings sliders, weapon wheel and other menu items no longer have corrupted or glitchy sound effects when interacting with them.
Added the game over music track to be excluded when the ‘Toggle Licensed Music’ setting is set to ‘Off’.
Players will now be able to correctly collect a clue when freeing the jailed Cop in the ‘Clergy Row’ level.
Players will now no longer be able to get stuck on the 6 door sequence in the ‘Tinsel Ave.’ level.
Players will now no longer be able to get stuck in certain geometry in the ‘Wallop Bay’ level.
The NPC character from the Side Quest ‘Friends in Deep Places’ will now no longer go missing in the ‘Fart Harbor’ Level.
The quest item from the ‘Slugs in the Shell’ will now be appearing correctly in the “Fart Harbor” Level.
Improved background process cleanup when closing the game.
Improved quest handling to reduce cases where players may not have an active quest and find themselves softlocked.
Updated the Privacy Policy in-game.
Resolved an issue where blueprints could not be collected, locking the player from completing the ‘Blueprint, please’ side quest.
Fixed an issue where ‘Active Jobs’ would disappear after completing ‘Far Wetlands’, causing the player to be blocked from progressing.
Resolved an issue where weapon scaling damage would persists across game sessions.
You can find out more about how Mouse: P.I. For Hire runs on the Switch 2 in our performance and resolution post here on Nintendo Life. The developer detailed the exact specifications in both handheld and docked, and also revealed how the game’s performance and quality mode runs.
For more information about this title, check our review. We gave it an “excellent” nine out of ten stars, calling it a bold, risk-taking FPS.
“This animated noir mystery is a great achievement. It takes risks, it’s challenging, it strives to be bold – and it works.”
Will you be checking out this new update? How are you finding the experience on the Switch 2 so far? Let us know in the comments.
The latest UK charts are in, and just like last week, the top spot has been claimed by a newcomer — another one that’s heading to Switch 2 at some point, no less.
It’s 007 First Light that’s snuck off with the gold in its debut week, beating last week’s champ, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and sending it down to second. We can’t wait to check both of these out on Switch 2… whenever they give us the new release dates.
Just when you thought Minecraft couldn’t possibly exist on another platform, a rating board comes along to suggest otherwise.
The ESRB website has been updated with a Minecraft listing specifically for Switch 2 — a different listing to the ones for PS5 and Switch/Xbox Series (thanks for the heads up, Nintendo Everything). It’s another E10+ for fantasy violence and in-game purchases, naturally, but it also suggests that maybe (maybe) another Nintendo Switch 2 Edition could be on the way.
Nothing has been officially confirmed at the time of writing, though the presence of a separate listing has us wondering whether we might soon see Mojang’s magnum opus come to the new system. A visual bump and mouse controls could go a long way, you know!
Of course, the game is already technically available on Switch 2 through the magic of Switch 1 backwards compatibility, so we suppose there’s a chance that this might just be an update. Then again, we wouldn’t expect to see a whole new page just for the S2 in this instance.
We’ll consider things with a firm pinch of salt, for the time being. The rating comes just days after the weekend’s Minecraft Live event revealed new mobs, biomes, a Dungeons sequel and an updated look at the second movie.
Would you like to see Minecraft get a bespoke Switch 2 version? Dig down to the comments and let us know.
Nintendo has often been accused of keeping its fans on their toes when it comes to announcements, and it’s fair to say that nobody was expecting the Kyoto veteran to reveal (alongside The Pokémon Company) a tiny Game Boy-sized music player earlier this year.
Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series, Game Boy Jukebox / Game Music Collection is a tiny replica of the classic monochrome handheld that comes with 45 equally tiny cartridges, each of which, when inserted into the device, plays a song from Pokémon’s 1996 debut.
Powered by three LR44 button cell batteries and described by The Pokémon Company as “an audio tour through Kanto”, this unusual little trinket is certainly very effective when it comes to triggering nostalgia – anyone who grew up with the early Pokémon adventures is sure to crack into a smile upon hearing these classic (but very low-tech) tunes and sound effects. However, the audio quality isn’t fantastic and there’s no option to plug in some headphones.
Just as the original Game Boy represented creator Gunpei Yokoi’s “lateral thinking with withered technology” ethos, this device employs a gloriously straightforward mechanism to play each of its 45 audio tracks.
The carts are literally pieces of plastic with nothing inside. Each one has a unique pattern where the connector would be, and this pushes down onto a set of six pins inside the Game Boy Jukebox’s cartridge slot – all the songs are already in the device’s memory. Flicking the power switch at the top triggers the power-on sequence and plays the tune. Alas, the buttons and D-pad are purely cosmetic and don’t do anything.
For reference, here are all the songs and sound effects included on the carts:
Title Screen
Pallet Town Theme
Professor Oak
Professor Oak’s Laboratory
A Rival Appears
Road to Viridian City: Leaving Pallet Town
Battle! (Wild Pokémon)
Victory! (Wild Pokémon)
Pewter City Theme
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Healed
Viridian Forest
Guide
A Trainer Appears (Girl Version)
Battle! (Trainer Battle)
Victory! (Trainer Battle)
Caves of Mt. Moon
Road to Cerulean City: Leaving Mt. Moon
Cerulean City Theme
Pokémon Gym
Road to Bill’s Home: Leaving Cerulean City
Jigglypuff’s Song
Vermilion City Theme
The S.S. Anne
Road to Lavender Town: Leaving Vermilion City
The Poké Flute
A Trainer Appears (Boy Version)
Battle! (Gym Leader Battle)
Victory! (Gym Leader Battle)
Cycling
Lavender Town Theme
Pokémon Tower
Celadon City Theme
Game Corner
A Trainer Appears (Bad Guy Version)
Rocket Hideout
Silph Co.
The Sea
Cinnabar Island Theme
Pokémon Mansion
Evolution
The Final Road
Final Battle! (Rival)
Hall of Fame
Ending Theme
The carts have a scene from the game printed on the rear, so when inserted into the device, the ‘screen’ appears on the front of the Game Boy Jukebox. It’s a shame a lenticular image wasn’t used (as is the case on the Lego Game Boy), as this would have lent the image a little bit of life.
There’s no denying that the Game Boy Jukebox is a charming little piece of merchandise, and it’s important to remember that it was created expressly to celebrate the legacy of Pokémon, but I still feel like this is a huge missed opportunity for both The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
The Game Boy is a foundational piece of gaming tech for me, and I’d love to see it reproduced with modern technology – even in ‘micro’ form, as Sega did with its fun-but-flawed Game Gear Micro.
I realise this would potentially cannibalise the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, on which Nintendo periodically releases Game Boy titles – but I’d imagine most fans would want to support both, should a functional Game Boy reproduction ever make it to market.
For now, I’ll have to make do with the Game Boy Jukebox, which, once the initial novelty has worn off, will no doubt simply sit on a shelf looking adorable but ultimately gathering dust. Not quite a complete waste of plastic, it’s very close.
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
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We’re on the cusp of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, although it looks like Nintendo and co. are giving Switch 2 owners plenty of excuses to stay inside and avoid the heatwaves.
Square Enix is serving up a double helping with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and The Adventures of Elliot before Nintendo deploys Fox McCloud in the Star Fox remake at the end of the month, followed closely by Rhythm Heaven one week later at the start of July, and then you’ve got Splatoon Raiders bringing up the rear. Not a bad summer holiday selection.
Below, we’ve highlighted the most exciting Switch 2 (and 1) games coming in the next couple of months. You’ll find more great games beneath our top picks, as well as a bunch of accessories.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Kicking off Square Enix’s one-two punch in June is this second round of FFVII remake featuring Cloud and co. reimagined on modern consoles. Originally launching for PS5 back in 2024, Rebirth is coming to Switch 2 and Xbox on 3rd June.
Physical lovers note: As with the rest of SE’s output, this one’s a Game-Key Card.
After escaping the dystopian city of Midgar, join Cloud and his friends on an epic journey across the planet in pursuit of Sephiroth. Ride chocobos, sprint across sweeping plains, and explore a vibrant, expansive world. Experience new features and encounters as the story unfolds, culminating in the party’s journey to the Forgotten Capital from the original FINAL FANTASY VII.
And following after Rebirth is The Adventures of Elliot, an old-school Zelda-style affair that made a great first impression on us. (There’s a demo on the eShop if you’re keen to see it for yourself.)
Again, this one’s a Game-Key Card.
A brand-new action RPG from the creators of OCTOPATH TRAVELER and BRAVELY DEFAULT combines exciting action-adventure gameplay with stunning HD-2D for the first time! Join Elliot the adventurer and the fairy Faie in a journey through four ages.
Announced in early May following rumours that Nintendo was bringing back Fox and co., Star Fox on Switch 2 is a remake of Star Fox 64 that keeps the same level layouts but gives everything a current-gen glow-up while adding difficulty options, new modes, and (hopefully) a surprise or two.
We’ve been replaying the original on NSO since the announcement, and we’re eager to see how it’ll translate in this 2026 reinterpretation.
Step into the cockpit and fly across the stars and skies with Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team! With the Lylat system under attack by evil scientist Andross, it’s up to you and the squad to fend off his forces.
The final first-party game currently announced for Switch 1, we’ve been asking for this one for many years, so we’re very excited to see the quirky rhythm series return.
Rhythm Heaven Groove (or Paradise in Europe) is never going to be a system seller, but this brilliant series is an underrated jewel in Nintendo’s IP catalogue. If this ends up being the firm’s final Switch 1 release, ol’ reliable is going out with a bang.
Time your button presses to the beat across a splashy collection of games that will challenge your rhythm. Chop flying veggies, bounce fruit off your biceps, flap along with birds in flight, and more—all to the beat of the bop! Feast your ears on catchy original music while you focus, including tracks by renowned Japanese musician Tsunku♂.
A single-player-focused spin-off of Nintendo’s inky shooter series, we haven’t seen a whole lot of this since its long-awaited release date announcement back in April, but having been big fans of the single-player modes in all the previous Splatoons, we’re intrigued to dive into this one in July.
Launching alongside a trio of Deep Cut amiibo, we imagine Nintendo will be revealing more details in the lead-up to release, so keep ’em peeled.
In this single-player-focused adventure, play as a mechanic working with Deep Cut—a trio of swashbuckling musicians—and venture out into the mysterious Spirhalite Islands! Customize your character, kit yourself out with mechanical gadgets and ink-splattering weapons, and take on waves of enemy Salmonids as you raid the islands for treasure.
More Upcoming Games for June & July 2026
As well as those picks above, there are plenty more Switch 1 & 2 retail games launching in the next couple of months (and a bit beyond).
New Switch 2 Accessories & eShop Credit
Finally, here’s a selection of Switch 2 accessories coming soon, and our Switch 2 buyer’s guides if you’re looking for something in particular.
Which obviously means that everyone is now fully clued up and cognisant of their own mental health and the importance of a fit and unfettered mind to accompany the body, right? Job done, everyone! Back pats and congrats all ’round – catch you next May for the annual check-in…
What’s that? That’s not how it works, you say? Ah, but let’s imagine for a moment it did…
Okay. As June kicks off and the mid-year hump approaches, we thought it worth highlighting a recent video put together by our lovely video producer, Mai. Featuring 10 excellent, reflective games that put mental health as a primary focus, they also happen to be some of the best games on the system(s).
Life can be tough sometimes and it shouldn’t be just one month in the year to raise awareness. As great as movies and TV shows are at representing mental health, we think video games do it best. Join Mai as she goes through some games which explore mental health respectfully and also happen to be good games! Just remember, you’re not alone.
Here’s to a healthy headspace and continually spreading awareness. Let us know in the comments if there are other games that fit the bill for you.
Preordered physically Rebirth, Elliot and Star Fox (along with other games not mentioned here like the physical of Inazuma Eleven etc.), will eventually get Denshattack for sure, most likely The Grand Master 4, maybe something else from this list – anyway, June will be another busy month when it comes to new releases and I couldn’t be happier… and as already mentioned here hopefully we’ll get a Direct, too!
Developer Mojang aired a special Minecraft Live event from Twitchcon Rotterdam this weekend and it featured announcements for not only Minecraft but also Minecraft Dungeons 2, and even the upcoming movie sequel.
Here’s a quick recap in case you missed it:
Minecraft Chaos Cubed Drop – Available 16th June 2026
Image: Mojang
It’s official! Mojang has announced the new Minecraft game update Chaos Cubed will be released next month on 16th June 2026. It introduces the passive mob Sulfur cubes. Here’s a bit about them from Minecraft’s official website:
“Sulfur cubes are passive mobs that spend their time aimlessly jumping around in sulfur caves – that is until you feed them a block. Sulfur cubes will ingest a variety of blocks, which you can either feed to them or just drop in their vicinity. Once absorbed, each block will have a different effect on the sulfur cube’s physical properties. Experiment and discover how to send a sulfur cube flying, bouncing, sliding, and more! Hint: you can even feed TNT and magma to sulfur cubes.
“Need to transport a sulfur cube in a more predictable way? No problem! Just scoop it up using a bucket and it’ll so straight into your inventory, ready for a new home and a new adventure.”
This update also adds sulfur caves, spikes, springs and geysers. In addition to this, players can expect new block sets, the Bounce music disc, and much more.
Image: Mojang
Minecraft – New Biome: Dappled Forest
The Dappled Forest has been revealed as a new biome being introduced. It includes new wool stairs and slabs, abandoned camps and testing will start this summer.
Image: Mojang
Minecraft LEGO Chicken Mounts – Available Now
These Minecraft LEGO Chicken Mounts are a new free add-on now available in the Marketplace.
“If you have even a passing interest in riding, customizing, or battling chickens this is a must-download. Head over to Minecraft Marketplace and hit the button now!”
Minecraft Dungeons II News (Deep Dark, Twisted Warden, Concept Art)
During the latest broadcast, Mojang reconfirmed Minecraft Dungeons II was still on track for a 2026 release on the Switch and Switch 2.
This latest update provided another brief look at the new game. According to the development team, players can expect both familiar and fresh biomes to visit, and a new story. For the first time in Minecraft Dungeons players will also be able to visit the Deep Dark. This includes the new foe – the Twisted Warden, who is a little slow but very powerful.
You can get some more insight about what to expect from Minecraft Dungeons 2 in the latest video above.
Minecraft Movie Sequel – Official title, new cast members
Image: Warner Bros. / Mojang
The Minecraft Movie sequel, which is due out next year, is now officially known as AMinecraft Movie Squared. It’s also been revealed Alex will be played by Kirsten Dunst.
A building challenge has been announced for the game as well – with the winner’s creation to be featured in the new movie or the end credits. You can find out more in our existing story.
What did you think of the latest Minecraft announcements? Let us know in the comments.
Pictonico!‘s minigames are varied, inventive, and make great use of your photo library. But you wouldn’t know this from the outset, as you have just three to sample before needing to purchase one of the volume packs available.
Since these packs aren’t exactly cheap, you might want to know which minigames (or rather, microgames, if you prefer WarioWare parlance) you’re getting for your money.
This page shows every Pictonico! minigame, volume by volume, and what you need to do to complete each fast-paced challenge.
Pictonico! Full Microgame List
Here is every minigame in each available volume, listed in alphabetical order.
Vol. 1 Minigames
Vol.2 Minigames
FAQs
How many minigames are there in Pictonico!?
At launch, Pictonico! features three minigames – 50 in Vol.1, and a further 30 in Vol. 2. Three minigames from Vol.1 are playable for free.
How much does each volume cost?
The larger Vol. 1 costs $7.99 / £6.99 / €7,99, whereas the smaller Vol. 2 is $5.99 / £5.39 / €5,99.
How do you unlock minigames in Pictonico!?
Once you have purchased a volume, you then need to play through stages to unlock them. Once encountered for the first time, they can then be played again at your leisure as part of the Games mode for that volume.
Unlocking everything doesn’t take long: you’ll likely see enough across both volumes in an hour or two’s play.
What is your favourite minigame so far? Let us know in the comments.
