If you’ve been wanting to try out the System Shock Remake and happen to have access to a Switch 2, Nightdive Studios has now released a demo on the eShop.
This follows an update for the title on Switch 1 and 2 last month, which included some massive performance improvements on both platforms and should make the experience much more enjoyable than was at launch.
As we mentioned in the previous post:
“Patch 2.1 has been applied across all available platforms to nuke any nasty bugs, but it’s Nintendo’s consoles that receive the most TLC. Performance has been stabilised, with Switch 1 now running at up to 900p when docked and 720p in handheld, both of which target 30fps.
“On the Switch 2, resolution is 1440p while docked and 1080p in handheld mode, with both now running at a consistent 60fps. We’ve quickly tested it out ourselves on Switch 2 in preparation for this article, and we can confirm that the frame rate is a massive improvement over the initial release in 2025.”
So, now is a great time to jump back in, or you can give this game a go for the first time with the Switch 2 demo.
The rhythm roguelike Ratatan was originally planned for the Switch, but in an update this week, developer Ratata Arts has announced it will no longer be coming to Nintendo’s original hybrid platform or the PlayStation 4. Fortunately, it’s still on the way to the Switch 2.
The team, which was also behind the music and rhythm series Patapon, shared the following update via the game’s Kickstarter page. It notes how the projected number of units the team could sell on “legacy hardware” would not justify the licensing fees necessary to complete those SKUs.
It also wanted to make the “highest possible quality game”, so the focus is on a smaller number of platforms. Here’s this update about the cancellation of the Switch and PS4 versions in full:
We looked at a wide variety of different methods to try to make this possible. While developing the game we again reviewed different options to release on these platforms and were able to add Switch 2 as an option. We were trying to balance the best possible user experience while covering a large amount of platforms as an indie team.
In deciding the best way to use limited money to make a full online title, sometimes you have to prioritize different platforms. After lengthy discussions with our publisher Game Source Entertainment, we have decided that the projected number of units we could sell for legacy hardware would not justify the licensing fees necessary to complete those SKUs. We can replace either of those SKUS with Steam, Switch 2, PS5, or Xbox Series X. For anyone who does not have one of the above hardwares, we will begin a support ticket to look at what options we have.
In looking at those options it became clear that we wouldn’t be able to make the highest possible quality game while also developing for a large number of different platforms. So we have decided to focus on a smaller number of platforms to achieve maximum quality. We know there are a lot of backers who looked forward to this on their platform of choice and we are deeply sorry for being able to do everything. That being said, we will continue to look into what options we have to see if those platforms are options in the future. For now, however, please allow us to focus on this more manageable set of platforms.
As mentioned, for anyone who backed the game, the team will replace these legacy versions with any of the other versions of the game (including the Switch 2 release).
What are your thoughts about the Switch version of this title being axed? Will you be checking out Ratatan when it arrives on Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.
Nintendo is celebrating The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in all sorts of ways, and as part of this, a new event has now officially gone live in its free-to-download mobile runner, Super Mario Run.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie goes beyond the cinema with merchandise and much more. Now, to add to the new movie’s launch, Monopoly is back with a new Galaxy-themed board.
This new edition of Monopoly is priced at $24.99 (or your regional equivalent) and will allow you to visit the many locations from Mario’s new movie. It follows on from a Monopoly set for the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was released in 2023.
The Monopoly tokens in this new set are based on items such as Mario and Luigi’s caps & Peach’s Parasol. Along with this are the usual set of cards and counters required to play the game. Bowser Jr. is also part of the experience, so watch out! Here’s a description along with the items included in this set:
Travel through the Gateway Galaxy and into the world of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie! In the Monopoly: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Edition game, players buy up locations from the film as they traverse the galaxy and collect Lumas along the way. But watch out for Bowser Jr.! If he passes a player on their journey, it’s battle time! Earn coins by collecting Lumas, collecting rent from other players, and more. The player with the most coins at the end of the game wins! This fun family board game for kids and adults is an engaging indoor game for game nights, after school, and vacations. It’s a great gift for everyone!”
What’s in the box: Gameboard, 6 Plastic Tokens, 1 Cardboard Bowser Jr. Token with Plastic Stand, 16 Location Cards, 16 Chance Cards, 16 Bowser Jr.’s Rage Cards, 10 Cardboard Lumas, 2 Dice (1 Black Die, 1 Red Die), 104 Cardboard Coins, and Game Guide.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Monopoly set is available now in stores and online on websites such as Amazon. It’s also previously released sets based on series such as Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda.
If you want to find out more about the new Mario movie, be sure to check out our review here on Nintendo Life:
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has a lot of easter eggs. Too many, in our opinion. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that the whole film is essentially propped up by constant hits of nostalgic dopamine.
But that’s not to say that the easter eggs themselves are bad – far from it. So, here we’re going to go through ten of our very favourite cameos and nods to the iconic and enduring Super Mario series. These are just a tiny fraction of all the callbacks and nods in the movie, so if you recall something that we haven’t mentioned, let us know with a comment.
Naturally, this article will be chock full of spoilers, so be warned. If you want to stay unspoiled, then come back once you’ve seen the movie! We’ll whack an image below just in case…
Image: Nintendo
Still here? Excellent! So, in no particular order, here are our picks for the best nods and winks in the Mario Galaxy Movie…
#1 DK returns!
Image: Nintendo / Illumination
We’d gone into the sequel pretty much at ease with the fact that Donkey Kong wasn’t going to show up in any meaningful way (not least because of rumours he might be getting his own movie). So that makes it all the more surprising to see him during Yoshi’s brief backstory sequence.
As Yoshi causes havoc in Brooklyn, we can see DK in the background thumping his chest. It’s over in literally a second or two, but it’s good to see the ape back in business.
#2 Bowser gets whacked
Image: Nintendo Life
As Mario makes his way through Princess Peach’s birthday party in the Mushroom Kingdom, we can see a bunch of Toads whacking a piñata in the background.
It’s not just any piñata, however. This one happens to be modelled off the pixel art sprite of Bowser from the original Super Mario Bros., except here it’s all 3D, kinda like the 30th anniversary Mario amiibo. Very cool.
#3 Giant Goombas
Image: Nintendo
For a movie named after Super Mario Galaxy, there are surprisingly few references to the iconic Wii title, with Illumination instead paying more attention to 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey.
One neat little callback, however, is when Mario and Luigi take on a bunch of tasks in the Mushroom Kingdom. They wind up encountering some gigantic Goombas; a clear reference to the Supermassive Galaxy in Galaxy 2.
#4 A familiar letter
Image: Nintendo
When Peach and Toad jet off to find Rosalina, she leaves behind a letter for Mario. When reading through it, we see the letter itself on the left of the screen while an image of Peach can be seen on the right.
It’s a blatant homage to the letter that kicks off Super Mario 64, and we won’t lie, it made us grin from ear to ear.
#5 Jump Up, Superstar!
Image: Nintendo
At the Gateway Galaxy, Peach and Toad find their way into Wart’s casino by glitching through a wall (which itself is a nice nod to the NES Mario games). Inside, an orchestral theme can be heard that you might recognise.
Yes, in another nod to Odyssey, this is a rendition of the ‘Jump Up, Superstar!’ theme sung by Pauline. It doesn’t last long before the movie throws you into the next set piece, but it’s nice.
#6 PIKMIN!
Image: Nintendo
We knew about this ahead of time, but it still doesn’t make the moment any less impactful. At the Gateway Galaxy, a ship that looks awfully like Olimar’s lands in the docking bay.
Turns out that it is Olimar’s ship, and so a bunch of Pikmin stream out to explore the Gateway Galaxy. How lovely.
#7 Real-time Mario Maker
Image: Nintendo
Toward the climax of the movie, Mario and Peach find themselves trapped by Bowser Jr. To make matters worse, the villain is able to create obstacles for our heroes in real time, utilising visuals inspired by Super Mario Maker to do so.
It’s quite a clever way to integrate the game into the movie, and when Mario and Peach inevitably succeed in escaping, the sequence ends with a classic Mario jingle.
#8 The OG fight
Image: Nintendo
Mario eventually finds himself face-to-face with Bowser on a rickety bridge, with Bowser wielding a pair of huge battle axes. If you’ve played the original Super Mario Bros. [Surely a prerequisite for all Nintendo Life readers, no? – Ed.], then you’ll know what happens here…
Yes, Mario is able to disarm Bowser, leap over to the other side of the bridge, and use the axe to sever the chains holding the bridge aloft, causing Bowser to fall into the lava below. Much like the OG fight from the NES game!
#9 Mr. Game & Watch enters the fray
Image: Nintendo
Eventually, Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi fight Dry Bowser and Bowser Jr. The latter drops his brush, which is then quickly scooped up by Luigi.
Since Luigi can’t paint very well, however, the best he can come up with is a crude humanoid figure. Never fear though, because it’s Mr. Game & Watch!
He sticks around for about 10 seconds or so, which is about as much screentime as we expected Fox McCloud to enjoy prior to release, but it’s just enough time to see him break out some iconic attacks from Super Smash Bros.
#10 Mario takes flight
Image: Nintendo Life
The final battle finishes with a wonderful nod to Super Mario Galaxy in which Mario grabs a Red Star and takes flight to save the day…but that’s not what we’re referencing here.
As the movie concludes, Mario and co. are busy rebuilding Peach’s castle, and it’s Mario’s job to plant the flag at the top. To do so, he grabs a Cape Feather and dons the classic yellow cape from Super Mario World, zooming up to the top of the castle to plant the flag and end the movie. (Or does it?)
And that’s yer lot! There are plenty more easter eggs in the Mario Galaxy Movie, but those are just a handful of our favourites. Be sure to let us know in the comments which one you were particularly fond of.
Accessory maker Genki is famous for producing a wide range of Switch-related items over the past few years, and the Covert Dock range has always been one of my personal favourites.
With the original Switch, the Covert Dock enabled me to leave my OEM Switch Dock at home and take my console on the road without the added bulk, meaning I could hook the Switch up to any TV, no matter where I was, with the minimum of fuss.
Obviously, the arrival of the Switch 2 has introduced additional power demands, which render the older Covert Docks obsolete, but Genki has countered this with the launch of its third-gen model. This offers 64W charging (up from 45W on the Covert Dock 2) and can handle 14K/120 video (up from 4K/60).
As before, the Covert Dock 3 ($69.99) has three ports: USB-C (with DisplayPort 1.2), HDMI 2.1 and USB-A. USB-C handles your video input and allows you to connect systems like the Switch 2, Steam Deck, ROG Ally and more; basically anything that handles video over USB-C – it will top up the battery of the connected device at the same time. It can also charge other devices, like your laptop and smartphone. The HDMI connects to your display, while the old-fashioned USB-A is there for charging accessories and the like.
At 116g and smaller than the charger that comes with my Apple Mac laptop, the Covert Dock 3 is pretty much the only charger you need – and it comes with the added bonus of doubling as a dock for all of the leading handheld gaming systems of the day.
“We’ve had a lot of questions about Nintendo releasing a future firmware update for NS2 that could interfere with Covert Dock 3 functionality,” the company tells us. “We don’t anticipate this being an issue, but we designed Covert Dock 3 to be firmware updatable just in case. We commit to providing firmware updates if needed and would host the file on either the Covert Dock 3 product page on our website, via email, or on our Discord.”
Genki is twinning the Covert Dock 3 with an update of one of its other popular products, the ShadowCast 3 Pro ($89.99). This marks the most significant redesign of the ShadowCast project since it first launched back in 2021. I wasn’t really convinced by the concept then; while the idea of a capture card which is small enough to fit inside your Switch dock was novel, it felt very much like a solution in search of a problem.
However, fast-forward to 2026, and this latest iteration has become much more useful. The ShadowCast 3 can handle 1080p/120, 1440p/120 and 4K/60 video capture, and runs under Genki’s blissfully streamlined software for a hassle-free streaming and capture experience (you can use it with third-party apps too – in fact, Genki is partnering with Camo Studio as its iPad app works brilliantly with the ShadowCast 3).
Like the previous two models, the ShadowCast 3 is small – but the bonus here is that you get an HDMI Passthrough module that provides an additional HDMI port with zero latency for one screen while streaming and recording on another.
It’s possible to pair the Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3 to create the ultimate on-the-road video capture setup, which will be very handy for content creators and video game journalists (like myself) who often need to grab footage while they’re attending conventions or on studio videos.
Genki has always been good at giving its products a unique visual hook with each refresh, and I think these third-gen offerings are the most visually appealing yet. The combination of dark blue plastic and translucent orange is really eye-catching, and I like that the two products complement one another aesthetically when used together.
Both are priced quite reasonably, too – in fact, you can buy both for less than some of the leading video capture options on the market. As a novice video creator, I couldn’t say for sure if the ShadowCast 3 is a match for the leading examples on the market, but it suits my modest needs – and twinning it with the Covert Dock 3 creates a slimline recording solution that does more than enough for me personally.
US retailer Best Buy has a Super Mario Bros. game card case offer live that’s tied into the plumber’s 40th anniversary year, and we’re actually a little jealous of our pals across the pond.
As highlighted by the redoubtable Wario 64, you’ll need to buy any two Mario games from their list of 38 (that’s including physical and digital options) to qualify for the SteelBook-style case. It’s got all the usual ‘while stocks last’ disclaimer, although you’d hope there would be a substantial amount given that it’s Super bloody Mario we’re talking about here.
Inside there’s space for what looks like 24 game cards, so if you’re a physical game lover looking for a convenient way to store your Game(-Key) Cards, this looks like a fetching Mario-themed option.
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.
There’s a mix of Switch 1 and 2 games in the offer including Karts, Partys, sports, and spin-offs. The catch? You’ll need to pay full price for both to qualify for the case. Aye, there’s the rub. There’s always a rub. Still, it’s a nice-looking case.
Elsewhere, according to an ad (once again posted again by Mr. 64), Target has a free Mario Galaxy Movie poster offer going and a “$100 Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary Gift Card + Collectible Case” which appears to be a totally different non-cart-carrying case with eShop credit inside, again with limited quantities. And “no rain checks”, apparently.
Can’t see it being much use for anything, but maybe it’s really small and actually a single-cart game case!? — Image: Target
Anyhow, some neat Mario-related stuff tied to the anniversary which kicked off back in September last year. We’ll be keeping an eye on if this swag appears at other outlets or — fingers-crossed — in other territories.
Let us know if you’ll be paying top dollar to get your hands on one of these.
In many ways, the gaming landscape was radically different in 2010, and one difference was a relative lack of indie releases.
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for games like Balatro or Hollow Knight: Silksong to have equal sales, attention, and excitement behind them as major AAA releases, and it can be easy to forget that such success stories were once largely unheard of. Super Meat Boy was one of the first games to contribute to the change in that narrative, showcasing the massive success that can come from a small team executing well on unique gameplay ideas and blazing a trail that’s been followed by countless indie teams in the years since.
However, Super Meat Boy never really got a proper sequel. The End Is Nigh acted as a sort of spiritual successor and Super Meat Boy Forever was a sidestep with its auto-running shenanigans; it wasn’t until now that Team Meat (and Sluggerfly) really took a big swing at trying something that pushes the series forward. It’s not perfect, but Super Meat Boy 3D feels like a true sequel to the original 2D release, building upon many of its ideas while also pulling off the unenviable task of trying to make it all work in 3D space.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
It carries over the same ‘tough but fair’ gameplay of the original, presenting players with a rapid-fire series of insanely tough platforming gauntlets where mistakes are immediately punished by sending the player back to the start of the level. Ordinarily, the lack of checkpoints and the uncompromising difficulty would quickly lead to frustration, but that’s smartly sidestepped through the short length of levels and the speed of resets. You barely have time to register your failure before you’re already starting your next run, and it’s only another couple of seconds before you’re back at the spot where you initially got hung up.
Through these speedy retries, each level becomes this almost meditative practice where you rapidly learn from your mistakes and improve your times as you hone your route and deftly bound between obstacles. The game design speaks for itself here and it’s very impressive in how well it manages player frustration, doling out just enough satisfaction from new successes to make it feel worthwhile pushing through the desire to ragequit.
And when levels are only about 20 seconds long apiece, it’s easy to convince yourself to throw yourself back in. I especially liked how they carried over a feature of the original Super Meat Boy where you’re greeted with a cool replay at the end of each stage showing ghost data of all your previous failed attempts, watching them all die off as the winning Meat Boy pulls ahead of the pack. What a way to concretely showcase your growing skill!
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Beating a stage is itself a big accomplishment, but there are further mastery challenges to engage in if you wish. Every stage contains a bandage somewhere, often placed in an especially out of reach or hidden place, and these are used to unlock more characters.
Additionally, each stage has an ‘A+’ rank that challenges you to finish it within a certain time limit. If you can do so, you’ll unlock a much harder Dark World variant of the level which also has an ‘A+’ time you can go for. Merely beating the game is itself a decent demonstration of skill, but getting 100% completion is something that could potentially take you dozens of hours.
A game like this lives or dies by its controls, and the developers luckily delivered in this regard. Meat Boy feels both responsive and floaty, perfectly matching his 2D counterpart and making it hard to blame any of your hundreds of deaths on loose controls. To account for the additional challenges offered by the extra dimension, Meat Boy also now has an air dash to give a quick burst of speed and to close gaps between walls as you approach them. It takes a bit of getting used to, but the air dash introduces a lot of opportunities for skips where perfect execution can allow you to bypass whole sections of levels.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
Yet Meat Boy hasn’t made the leap to 3D totally unscathed. Though the core experience of equally rewarding and punishing gameplay is still here, the level designs can stray too far into unfair territory. Due to the fixed camera angle, it can be tough to accurately judge the depth of a jump, and with how narrow the margins are for failure, this can lead to untimely deaths. Naturally, you get a better feel for things through repetition, but I found that there were many failed attempts where I plummeted to an early death because a wall I was hurtling towards turned out to be just a bit further away than it looked.
Beyond this, the performance is unfortunate. A rage-inducing game such as this demands a stable 60fps, but the actual frame rate falls short of this. Though things are a bit more stable in docked mode, it seems to jump anywhere from the mid 40s to the low 30s, leading to a rather choppy experience. Given the relatively simplistic graphics, it’s tough to see why this game has such a hard time running on the hardware; I was disappointed by the lack of optimisation and hope this is something that’s fixed in the future.
Interestingly, I found that the unforgiving nature of the game covers over the camera and performance issues relatively well. When you’re conditioned to put in dozens of attempts on a challenging platforming gauntlet, it’s tough to pay close attention to the fact a few of those were due to depth perception issues or a sudden frame hitch given how quickly you jump right into the next attempt.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
This doesn’t excuse the camera and performance issues, but it feels like they negatively influence your experience less than something with lengthy loads and runbacks. When the whole game is designed around being frustrating, occasional technical frustrations feel more like they’re just ‘part of the experience’, maybe.
Visually, Super Meat Boy 3D does a nice job of carrying over the colourful, gross, and violent aesthetic of the original game. Whether you’re exploring a dark world, a forest , or a toxic waste dump, each stage has a lot of fun details in the environment that nicely match the kinetic nature of the gameplay. Some biomes make it a little bit tough to make out Meat Boy himself—a red blob swiftly dashing through an environment full of warm, dark colours can sometimes get lost. Even so, I was pleased with the graphical design here, especially for the fun little FMV scenes that play out around boss fights.
Captured on Nintendo Switch 2 (Handheld/Undocked)
The soundtrack matches the intensity of the gameplay and visual design with a metal and rock-based soundtrack. The cacophony of screeching guitars and clanging drums perfectly goes with the buzzsaws and lasers, but I found it interesting how surprisingly chill some tracks sound despite all the action onscreen.
Conclusion
Super Meat Boy 3D may not be quite the same watershed moment for indie gaming as its respected predecessor, but there’s a lot to love about this one and would say that Sluggerfly and Team Meat have largely stuck the landing in the transition to a new dimension.
Tight controls, tough, rewarding gameplay, and lots of replayability all stack up in its favour, even as frame rate and camera issues hold it back from being a flawless successor. If you’re looking for an addictive platformer that’ll push your skills to their absolute limit, I’d give this one a strong recommendation.
Back in the heady beforetimes of 2018, we reviewed a little indie game from Berzerk Studio that did exactly what it said on the tin. Just Shapes & Beats, a self-described ‘musical bullet hell’ , had you manoeuvring a little shape to avoid taking a beating from an environment keyed in to whatever banging chiptune track the level was built around.
If you haven’t played it, you really should because it’s excellent (ergo the ‘Excellent – 9/10’ on the end of our review). If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to play it, here’s one: Eight years on, it’s finally getting a physical release.
Fangamer is putting out the Canadian team’s first Switch game in July, priced at $35/€39. For your cash you get the game on cart, naturally, plus an instruction manual, poster, and sticker sheet.
Here’s a little PR blurb and some better pics of the bits:
Just Shapes & Beats debuted to rave reviews in 2018, and Berzerk has kept the party bumpin’ ever since via several free content updates, delighting hundreds of thousands of players. Boosted by homages to other beloved titles through a Shovel Knight-themed Mixtape, a remix of Undertale’s Spider Dance, and a face-melting rendition of the Mortal Kombat movie’s theme, Just Shapes & Beats is a joyous blitz ready to make even the grumpiest goth kids crack a smile.
Back in 2018, one *checks notes* Gavin Lane wrote, “the sheer verve of Just Shapes & Beats is infectious. True to its name, the elements are simple, but Berzerk Studio explores and executes on its modest premise with an exceptional level of polish. It injects pure joy into the oppressive, pulsing panic of Super Hexagon and creates a celebratory explosion of the audio-visual in video games.”
If that sounds tasty, pre-order pages are live on Fangamer’s US and EU sites. Merge Games put out a physical version of the also-excellent Infernax, so it’s great to see the studio’s previous work get the cart treatment. Let us know below if you loved the game as much as we did.
As we get closer to the Switch 2’s first anniversary, more and more developers are starting to release updated versions of existing titles.
With this in mind, Genius Sonority has today announced a Switch 2 version of its role-playing title The New Denpa Men. After arriving on the Switch eShop in 2024, the Switch 2 version of this free-to-play will roll out next week on 6th April 2026.
This new version of the game will support cross-platform play with the existing versions on Switch and mobile devices. As for the improvements, players can look forward to “smoother visuals” thanks to a higher refresh rate, and there’ll be “enhanced visual quality” due to a higher resolution.
As for the game content, the gameplay experience will be “identical to the Switch version”. Paid items from in-game purchases will also be shared between the Switch and Switch 2 versions when using the same Nintendo account.
When The New Denpa Men launched on the Switch eShop, we gave it six out of ten stars calling it a goofy RPG with “the usual F2P irritations”.
“The New Denpa Men is pretty firmly in the middle of the pack when it comes to Switch’s freemium games. Simple, approachable gameplay makes it a great light JRPG for anyone looking for a basic introduction to the genre but, unsurprisingly, it scarcely holds a candle to classically designed games…And though the microtransactions and freemium elements don’t get too in the way of progressing the story, they are nonetheless a persistent annoyance that can drag the overall experience down.”
In some other Switch 2 news this week, Bandai Namco announced it’s releasing an enhanced edition of Little Nightmares II.
Will you be revisiting this game on the Switch 2? Did you play the original Switch release? Let us know in the comments.
