Category: Nintendo News

While sauntering through the Seattle Convention Center at this year’s PAX West, we saw hundreds of developers showing off their biggest, flashiest games to the enthusiastic crowds — many of which had already been announced and were highly anticipated by fans.

However, in a tucked-away corner of the show floor sat an unassuming display featuring a well-loved NES system and a small board signifying its role: demoing a brand new title called Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland.

Many curious passersby were stopped by the colorful visuals of a show they recognized and loved from decades ago; confusion crossed their faces as they tried to remember when they had played this particular title. The nostalgia created a sort of Mandela Effect, evoking an amused glimmer in the eyes of the game’s lead developer, Tomas Guinan, each time someone inquired about where they’d seen this game before.

The game was actually announced just before PAX West at The Media Indie Exchange Showcase, and our eyes lit up when we arrived at the Limited Run booth and saw it for the first time. It was dubbed as an “unannounced title” in all previous communications we’d seen — but we were all enthralled by this retro trip down memory lane, and immediately needed to check it out.

Developed on his original childhood NES, Guinan painstakingly built a unique co-op design allowing players to explore six different levels throughout the Pickles’ residence, featuring Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil as playable characters. The game will be released for NES through Limited Run Games, as well as on PC and all modern consoles. In the modern versions, players can toggle between 8bit and HD art — which features hand-drawn animations to match the cartoon’s style (and believe us, it looks awesome).

After playing the game firsthand, we were lucky enough to be able to speak to Guinan and get his take on the inspiration behind it, his personal love for Rugrats and other nostalgic titles, and the secret behind developing games players will love at first sight.

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Nintendo Life: So, let’s start from the top — what inspired this game for you?

Tomas Guinan: Basically, what we wanted to do was make retro games based on retro properties that didn’t exist, that should have existed.

And this is the first Rugrats game that’s come out in almost 20 years, right? That makes me feel very old…

Yeah, same! Very old. I think the last one was on the Game Boy Advance?

What were your favorite aspects of developing the game?

I mean, just the fact that it exists, and the fact that it’s been getting such great feedback with our stealth reveal, I just absolutely love seeing people play this. It’s been in development for close to two years now, so seeing people playing the game, enjoying the game, I just can’t wait to get it out into people’s hands. I think people are really gonna love this. It was definitely made with love, and I hope that comes through.

Even just playing it here at PAX West, it’s clear this is something you’re pretty passionate about — and there’s obviously a lot of nostalgia going into this for you.

It’s been in development for close to two years now, so seeing people playing the game, enjoying the game, I just can’t wait to get it out into people’s hands

Yeah, it’s kind of trying to bring back those good, 8-bit licensed, Disney Afternoon (DuckTales, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, etc.), Tiny Toon Adventures-kind of quality of games. Taking all of those aspects of those classic platformers and just mashing them into one thing.

It’s been awesome to see people walking past the booth here and going, “Oh look, Rugrats!” We talked a little bit about the ‘Mandela Effect’ and people thinking that this was a remake of a game that previously existed — but that’s not the case.

Right — definitely not a remake. So, to give a little background on what it is: Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a modern game, developed on the original 8-bit NES console, so it plays on original hardware; we are releasing a physical cartridge through Limited Run Games, as well as releasing the game on all modern consoles.

What are some of the things you’ve heard people saying about the game here at the booth?

There are so many people that just sit down and go, “Wow, this is my childhood, man!” You know what I mean? And I think the fact that we could use a nostalgic IP and make a nostalgic game is sort of a magical combo, because people recognize the characters and they love them already, and then they sit down and play a game that speaks to them. Even if they didn’t grow up playing the NES, it feels like you could have.

Not just any developer or any team can make something like that. You have to do it with a certain amount of love behind it, or you’ll ruin the IP for its fans — and the people who are true fans and have their own nostalgia for IPs like this are going to pick up on that immediately. What do you think is the key to that? Is there a special sauce you try to ensure you have when you’re developing games?

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I think it’s when you truly love what you’re doing, that shows through. If I was doing this every day and just hating it and doing it because I wanted a payout, I wouldn’t be creating something that I genuinely care about. And I think it came through even when I did the previous game — I’m a big fan of the Jay and Silent Bob movies, and I think we put together an awesome game [Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl]. It sort of had that River City Ransom / Double Dragon feel, and those are games I played. I love those games, I love platformers, I love DuckTales, Mega Man, Little Samson, and all that stuff.

I tried to put in as much DNA from all those kinds of things as I could, and not just copy one thing but make it that sort of experience of that genre. Take the good ideas, and make them your own — that’s the important thing.

This game ended up having a bit of a stealth reveal — tell me more about why that was.

That part’s a little hard for me to say. We just wanted to be able to release it in a way that made people go, “Wow, what is this?!” and catch them off guard, you know? And I think it worked because it’s definitely been gathering attention.

Can we talk a little bit about the HD mode? Because this is incredible; I love that the game is 8-bit, but there’s an HD mode that looks EXACTLY like the cartoon, and it looks awesome. Will that be available at initial release?

We just wanted to be able to release it in a way that made people go, ‘Wow, what is this?!’ and catch them off guard, you know?

Yes, it will be available on the modern console releases. We worked with the studio Angry Metal — they did amazing animation — and it’s the same game that you’re playing, either 8-bit or HD; everything is exactly the same in the game, but you can either play it with the original 8-bit visuals or with the visuals that match the cartoon. And there’s also the music, as well — so, you have either the 8-bit chiptune sound or the music and sound effects that have been pumped up to modern standards.

So, why Rugrats?

Honestly, why NOT Rugrats? Everybody loves Rugrats, right? It sort of started out that the first team behind The MIX Games developed and released together was Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl. We released that through Limited Run Games, and it did quite well, so we wanted to look for more retro licenses that deserve to have this kind of treatment — to have a retro game made. Rugrats was just a great fit.

Who’s your favorite Rugrat?

Personally, it’s Chuckie. He’s the glasses kid, I’m the glasses kid. He’s kind of anxiety-riddled… it makes you root for him; he’s the underdog, right?

Outside of developing your own games, what are your favorite types of games to play in your free time?

I’m a bit retro gamer myself, so this is the kind of game I love to play. I put a lot of time into Tears of the Kingdom recently and just finished it, and that was a great game. I spent like 200 hours, I found all of the shrines, and it’s like, “How much more of my life am I gonna put into this game?” But it’s a good game, right?

Absolutely — and games like Rugrats are a good palate cleanser after something like that.

Exactly, that’s how it is. It’s like, you either have these big games you put 200 hours in, or games like [Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland]. This game, I would say, is very similar in length to DuckTales or Mega Man or something similar, where it’s kind of that same difficulty curve. It’s like, technically, if you’re a speedrunner and you play this, you could beat this game in under an hour, I’m sure — but nobody is going to do that on their first try.

And it’s clear that that’s not what this game has been developed for. It’s not for speedrunning; it’s for sitting there and hearing the songs, playing through all the characters…

Definitely, it’s for the experience — I want people to feel like they’re a 10-year-old kid again.

I’m guessing the NES is the system you grew up on?

It’s definitely what I grew up on. I’d say it’s my favorite — it was my first real system, so you get that emotional attachment. I saw this meme once with people arguing about what the best Zelda game is and it’s like, “The best Zelda game is the one that came out when I was 12 years old,” … “No, it’s the one that came out when *I* was 12 years old!” I look back and my favorite Zelda game was Link’s Awakening, and I was 12 years old when that came out!

I always like to ask this: What do you enjoy doing outside of developing games?

I like doing stuff outside; I actually live in a pretty rural community, so we have like a nice park we can walk through. I’m a dad, I have kids, so there’s that.

I want people to feel like they’re a 10-year-old kid again.

I’m guessing your kids are younger and didn’t really grow up on Rugrats? What do you see with the younger generations, when we’ve been having a lot of these older IPs coming back into the zeitgeist, older games being re-developed and brands being brought back in? How do you see your kids, or the younger generations, interpreting that? Is there the potential for Rugrats to become beloved by another generation?

I think so, it’s definitely there. We made the game with co-op gameplay in mind and tried to add little quality-of-life features; if one player gets through a screen, then the other player gets teleported through, and a lot of that was sort of intentionally put in there for, like, if you’ve got a parent that was nostalgic for Rugrats and they still have their NES, they can pull it out, and play it with their kid and have fun that way. Even if they don’t necessarily beat the game right away, they have a good time.

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This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Thank you to the team at The MIX games and to Tomas Guinan (@SpoonyBardToma on Twitter) for taking the time to answer our questions. Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland will be coming to PC and consoles 2024.

Will you be playing Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland? Perhaps on your OG NES? Let us know in the comments.

Soedesco is adding to the horrors of Halloween on Switch as it’s announced a 27th October release date for Superlumen’s Lovecraftian point-and-click Desolatium.

Originally announced back in June 2023, Desolatium is a surreal, psychological graphic adventure where you’ll come face-to-face with many of Lovecraft’s iconic creatures — many of which “defy conventional description”.

Desolatium has already been highly praised for its innovative structure and sound design, so don’t go in expecting this to be your typical Lovecraftian horror experience. For more on the game, watch the release date trailer up top and check out some details from publisher Soedesco:

Based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft
As many horror fans know, H.P. Lovecraft is the famed author who pioneered cosmic horror, exploring humanity’s vulnerability against ancient malevolent forces. His eerie, psychological tales are embedded in DESOLATIUM, as you encounter otherworldly beings, mysterious cults, and horrifying truths.

Discover otherworldly beings
These monstrous entities often defy conventional descriptions, combining alien features and unsettling forms. They are ancient and powerful beings exist beyond human understanding. These monsters embody a sense of insignificance and dread, showcasing humanity’s vulnerability in the face of incomprehensible forces. Will you have what it takes to stop them?

An award-winning Graphic Adventure
Awarded the “Most Innovative Game” award by PlayStation and the “Best Sound” award by Gamepolis, DESOLATIUM is a never-before-seen horror experience that encapsulates the eerie dread that Lovecraft is known for, filled with exciting mysteries to solve.

Desolatium launches on Switch on 27th October, making it the perfect game to play this Halloween. Will you be checking this one out? Let us know in the comments.

Disney has announced that the remaster of the 16-bit favourite Gargoyles will be launching on Switch on 19th October.

Gargoyles Remastered, developed by Empty Clip Studios, was announced last September and we’ve heard nothing about it until now. But a brand new trailer confirmed that the game is coming very soon — next month soon, even.

Based on the ’90s cartoon of the same name, Gargoyles was a 2D side-scrolling platformer which loosely followed the plot of the cult series, and launched in 1995 on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. A SNES version was planned but was later cancelled.

The remaster will include a brand-new hand-drawn art style which looks very similar to the visual style of the cartoon, enhanced sound effects, and accessibility features such as a rewind. All of the modern bells and whistles you’d expect from a remaster, then.

Here are all of the details we know so far from the game’s official website, along with some brand-new screenshots of the game:

Story Overview
Journey through one thousand years of legend as Goliath, leader of the Gargoyles. Stone by day, warriors by night, the Gargoyles are sworn protectors against the evil Eye of Odin and all who seek to use its immense powers to control the world. While on your journey, battle armies of Viking Warriors in ancient Scotland and smash relentless hordes of menacing robots in modern-day Manhattan. The fate of the Gargoyles and humanity is up to you. Your quest – find and destroy the Eye of Odin before it destroys the world!

Game Description
Gargoyles Remastered is an artfully crafted revival of the ‘90s classic 16-bit side-scrolling platform adventure. Relive the epic journey of Goliath and the Gargoyles featuring enhanced visuals, animations, and SFX, all inspired by the acclaimed animated series. The world of Gargoyles comes to life with a level of detail that will thrill fans of the animated series and retro gaming enthusiasts alike. Experience classic gameplay that stays authentic to its predecessor while including new features such as achievements, gameplay rewind, and more!

Key Features
Play as Goliath, leader of the Gargoyles: Use stone-crushing strength, scale stone towers and buildings with razor-sharp claws, and glide through the air as you master mid-air attacks and hand-to-hand combat in non-stop action to save the world from destruction.

Immersive Graphics Experience: Seamlessly toggle in real-time between graphics inspired by the animated series and classic 16-bit mode true to the original game.

Authentic Gargoyles Experience: Relive the story of Goliath and the Gargoyles’ battle against the evil Eye of Odin with new animations and sound effects inspired by the Gargoyles animated series.

Customize Your Experience: Tailor your gameplay with modern features including instant rewind, wide-screen presentation, and achievements

Remastered Soundtrack: Experience the original soundtrack, remastered and optimized for a more immersive adventure.

Have you played Gargoyles on the Sega Genesis? Will you be picking up this remaster next month? Swoop down to the comments and let us know.

The latest Japanese physical charts are now in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and after a short stint down in third place last time, this week sees the almighty Pikmin 4 once again plant itself at the top spot with another 34,240 copies sold.

Last week’s victors of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon on the PlayStation 5 and 4 have now fallen to second and fourth respectively, as Nintendo Switch titles continue to dominate the standings. Tears of the Kingdom continues to tick along nicely in fifth place with another 7,206 sales this week and even Mario Party Superstars makes an appearance in the top ten, overtaking Splatoon 3 to land in ninth place.

Of course, the likes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Minecraft and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet all continue to sell well too — because when do they not?

Here’s your look at this week’s Japanese physical software top ten:

1. [NSW] Pikmin 4 (Nintendo, 07/21/23) – 34,240 (786,833)
2. [PS5] Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (FromSoftware, 08/25/23) – 18,801 (134,194)
3. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 04/28/17) – 11,488 (5,465,329)
4. [PS4] Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (FromSoftware, 08/25/23) – 10,903 (58,852)
5. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo, 05/12/23) – 7,206 (1,847,948)
6. [NSW] Minecraft (Microsoft, 06/21/18) – 7,202 (3,250,643)
7. [NSW] Pokemon Scarlet / Pokemon Violet (The Pokemon Company, 11/18/22) – 5,563 (5,111,980)
8. [NSW] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo, 12/07/18) – 5,471 (5,276,341)
9. [NSW] Mario Party Superstars (Nintendo, 10/29/21) – 4,393 (1,293,703)
10. [NSW] Splatoon 3 (Nintendo, 09/09/22) – 4,387 (4,102,326)

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Over onto hardware now, and this week sees very little change from the last, with the Switch OLED still comfortably in the lead after shifting another 63,305 units this time compared to Sony’s PS5 in second with 48,588.

As we saw last week, the Switch Lite is again the second-most-popular system in the Switch family, sitting just a small margin ahead of its OG companion on 10,177 and landing in third place. As ever, we have to give a shout-out to the 37 buyers of a New 2DS LL this week — keep it up, everyone!

Here’s a look at the week’s Japanese hardware chart:

1. Switch OLED Model – 63,305 (5,489,116)
2. PlayStation 5 – 48,588 (3,709,944)
3. Switch Lite – 10,177 (5,477,960)
4. Switch – 9,740 (19,524,091)
5. Xbox Series S – 3,790 (274,250)
6. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 3,505 (570,076)
7. Xbox Series X – 2,895 (218,186)
8. PlayStation 4 – 975 (7,895,540)
9. New 2DS LL (including 2DS) – 37 (1,192,246)

< Last week’s charts

What do you make of this week’s sales in Japan? Let us know in the comments.

We all know that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the gift that keeps on giving — even without additional content. But with how many juicy new skills and items, and with what Breath of the Wild‘s DLC delivered, yes, we are indeed still hungry for more.

But in a recent interview with Famitsu, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma seemed to suggest that there were “no plans” to release more content for Tears of the Kingdom, saying “we’ve done everything we can to create fun in that world.”

Now, that does make us a little bit sad, but we can hope, right? Developers frequently say this to stave off expectations and then ‘surprise’ us with a DLC announcement later down the line. So, instead of wallowing in our gloom, we want to cling to our hopes and dreams — see beyond the mist and wish for a future that may well be out of reach.

In other words, our lovely editors got together and shared what they would have liked to have seen in potential TOTK DLC. Whether it be another Master Mode, more dungeons, or even just “less”, here’s what NL is wishing for…

Alana Hagues, deputy editor

It would never, ever, have happened — but playable Zelda? Please? There was such a huge opportunity to do this in Tears of The Kingdom’s DLC, given what’s going on with Zelda in this game, but Nintendo was never going to do it. Sigh.

So I’ll be more realistic for this dream DLC — new Zonai devices. We’ve already got fans and flamethrowers, but adding items with buoyancy would’ve been fun. I can make a raft, but let me make a little hovercraft for the water. Or a little “capsule” that automatically picks up items when you’re riding a vehicle.

I would’ve loved some more quests that let you rebuild places — Hyrule Town is still in shambles, so let Link use that Ultrahand to recreate homes for the people of Hyrule. And lastly, how about another dungeon? I like what we’ve got in the base game, but I think an extra dungeon could’ve combined everything we’ve learned, and perhaps throw in some nasty challenges to boot.

I promise I don’t want the world, Nintendo.

Ollie Reynolds, staff writer

Given that I’m not even remotely close to completing Tears of the Kingdom’s story, I would say that any potential DLC would really need to be limited to “nice-to-have” features rather than anything that could substantially inflate an already overwhelming experience.

Like Alana, I’d certainly be up for more Zonai devices, but I wouldn’t say no to some more unique horses or armor sets. And although it probably sounds obvious at this point, a Master Mode certainly wouldn’t go amiss. Then again, the prospect of starting the game from scratch on a higher difficulty sounds frankly terrifying considering we’ve got a brand new 2D Mario game on the horizon.

Gavin Lane, editor

Honestly, I’d have loved to explore somewhere new, so if TOTK DLC opened up the ocean floor — at least around the Hyrule coastline — or a landmass to the north or east of the Kingdom, I would love to venture out and explore somewhere I’d never stepped foot in previously. If anything, it’s that sense of the unknown that I’ve missed, and the only reason my heart still belongs to BOTW. The Depths are great, but they’re also very one-note in tone and look, and I’m a sucker for variety. If DLC could somehow bring that feeling back to TOTK, that’s all I really want from it. We’re alright for Koroks, Eiji.

A single, old-school dungeon-style ‘super’ shrine might be a good idea. I really enjoyed the temples in this one, although I also wouldn’t mind being dropped into a standalone puzzle zone with doors that lock behind you and lots of unlock jingles to satisfy my lust for validation and commendation, Zelda-style.

Or how about a ‘Wild’ survival mode which drops you off somewhere in the kingdom all in your nuddy and sees you creeping around, building strength and taking on all-comers. Essentially one of those shrine challenges which strips you of all equipment and weapons writ large on a kingdom-sized scale.

Jim Norman, staff writer

I am a simple Zelda fan of simple Zelda tastes, so if there is one thing that I really wanted to see TOTK deliver and was slightly (and that’s very slightly) sad to not see more of, it’s some juicy lore. I had spent the run-up to May in a Charlie Day-style frantic timeline hole, so when Link’s latest didn’t fully deliver on confirming some continuity questions, I was left wanting. DLC that provides some more solid timeline placement would make me and madly-scrawled notes very happy indeed.

And yes, I’ll throw some more dragon talk into there too. TOTK has its fair share of jaw-drop dragon revelations (iykyk), but there are another three roaming reptiles up in the sky for whom I feel we now have room for some tasty backstory — I’ll stop there because I’m dodging spoiler talk like Guardian lasers here…

Alternatively, give me more Addison. My friend, I will never stop supporting you.

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Do you think Nintendo will release additional content for Tears of the Kingdom later down the line? What would you like to see in any prospective DLC? Vote in our polls below and let us know in the comments what you want from the future of Hyrule.

PAX organiser ReedPop is parting ways with the Entertainment Software Association and will no longer be the production company behind future E3 events (thanks, gamesindustry.biz).

While plans for E3 2024 have not been cancelled for the time being, the ESA has informed the Los Angeles Convention Centre — the host venue of prior E3s — that the show will not take place there. This does not necessarily mean that the 2024 event will follow the same path as its 2023 and ’22 predecessors, but a location change will certainly be in order.

The two companies announced that the departure was a “mutual decision” after ReedPop had previously signed a multi-year deal to organise the convention back in 2022. Gamesindustry.biz has reported that the ESA is looking towards a “complete reinvention” of the E3 show for 2025, though no details have been shared on what this might involve for the time being.

Full disclosure — Nintendo Life and its sister sites under the Hookshot Media umbrella are partnered with ReedPop.

ReedPop’s games events boss, Kyle Marsden-Kish, stated that the company appreciates the ESA’s “commitment to the games industry as a whole” and that it looks forward to the event’s future:

While we will not be involved with the future of E3 we look forward to seeing its evolution and where the ESA takes it.

Similarly, ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis stated that the body appreciates ReedPop’s work over the past 14 months and looks forward to seeing what it does next before offering the following comment on future E3 events:

While the reach of E3 remains unmatched in our industry, we are continuing to explore how we can evolve it to best serve the video game industry and are evaluating every aspect of the event, from format to location. We are committed to our role as a convenor for the industry and look forward to sharing news about E3 in the coming months.

What this means for E3 2024, ’25 and beyond remains to be seen, but the one thing that we know for certain is that there will be a different company in the driving seat.

What do you make of this change? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

Nintendo has shared that long-awaited video message from Charles Martinet — the former voice of Mario and the new Mario Ambassador — and Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario.

The video message from the pair doesn’t give us new information on who might be voicing the iconic plumber, or even what the Mario Ambassador role will entail for Martinet (who himself has admitted he doesn’t really know, either!), but it does showcase the excitement and passion from the voice actor for the fans and for his new role.

Miyamoto-san thanks Martinent for his work and involvement in the series, acknowledging the long journey the two have had together since Martinet’s first mainline game voice role in Super Mario 64.

Rather adorably, Miyamoto reveals that Martinet used to call him “Papa” whenever they would meet. And while Martinet’s new role hasn’t been detailed, the actor did reveal that he would be travelling all around the world to meet fans. So we assume he will be appearing at conventions for a while, at least.

As to who is the new voice of Mario — and Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi — we won’t find that out until Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches in October.

Will you miss Martinet as the voice of Mario? Let us know in the comments.

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 comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!

Switch eShop – Highlights

Fae Farm (Phoenix Labs, 8th Sep, $59.99) – Your magical home awaits! With up to three friends*, craft, cultivate and decorate to grow your shared homestead – and use spells to explore the enchanted island of Azoria! You’ll forge new bonds with residents, discover fae magic and trek across mysterious realms. As the seasons change, you’ll use all you’ve learned and discovered together to restore the world around you. Magic awaits in Fae Farm, launching as a console exclusive for Nintendo Switch on Sept. 8. – Read our Fae Farm review

MythForce (Aspyr, 12th Sep, $29.99) – Journey through crypts and castles with your friends in this first-person melee roguelike inspired by Saturday morning cartoons. Brave the dungeon alone or join forces with up to three friends in online drop-in co-op** to take on the ever-changing Cursed Lands. It’s up to you to stop the evil Deadalus from taking over, but it won’t be easy. Make use of medieval weaponry and legendary magic to smite hordes of enemies. MythForce launches on Nintendo Switch Sept. 12.

SUPER BOMBERMAN R 2 (Konami, 13th Sep, $49.99) – A new Bomberman game is coming to Nintendo Switch! In addition to classic action-maze modes Bomberman fans love, a new Castle Mode enters the fray! A team of up to 15 players** must blast their way to treasure chests while one defending player tries to hold them off. You can also create and share your own battle stages. Have a blast when Super Bomberman R 2 launches on Nintendo Switch Sept. 13.

Gunbrella (Devolver Digital, 13th Sep, $14.99) – Take on the role of a gruff woodsman on a quest for revenge, armed with the mysterious Gunbrella in this noir-punk adventure game. Your investigation becomes entangled with the inner workings of ghouls, gangsters and other increasingly bizarre characters in a world rapidly losing its natural resources. Scavenge for scraps and spare parts to upgrade your coveted weapon to glide, swing, dash, dive and take out enemies in gritty side-scrolling combat. Gunbrella launches on Nintendo Switch Sept. 13.

Switch eShop – New Releases

30XX (Batterystaple Games, 1st Sep, $19.99) – 30XX combines the crisp controls and fluid movement you love from action platformers of yore, the replayability of a modern roguelike, and co-op play into a single gorgeous package. Awaken a thousand years after 20XX to realise the world that needed you is gone, changed irreversibly by the advent of the Synthetic Mind and a human race that’s lost the will to reach for the stars. Explore the lush, verdant prison our world has become, and fight to save what remains.

4×4 Offroad Car Exploration (VG Games, 31st Aug, $9.99) – Embark on a thrilling offroad adventure in “4×4 Offroad Car Exploration.” Get ready to navigate through rugged terrain, dense forests, and treacherous landscapes to uncover hidden traps. As a fearless explorer, your mission is to traverse the wild and treacherous terrain, locating and collecting all traps to unlock new locations and acquire powerful offroad vehicles

Adventures of Ben: Rabbit Run (GaGa Studio, 1st Sep, $24.99) – Adventures of Ben: Rabbit Run – is a 3d platformer in the fantasy world. Where the young traveler Ben has a long way to go from his small town to the tower of the powerful wizard, because Ben was transformed into Rabbit. And He’d like to be a boy again. You will have to get acquainted with every corner of the huge world of Valentardia and to explore it. A fascinating journey will make you encounter various characters and visit the colorful locations you need to explore to get to Malcolm’s Magic Tower. But Ben can not complete this journey without helping. Owl Foxy will accompany Ben and will instruct and teach how to be an animal.

Alchemy Garden (JanduSoft, 7th Sep, $12.99) – Create enchanting potions and establish your very own alchemy shop! Gather an array of botanical wonders to unveil magnificent recipes! Cultivate your personal alchemy garden with tender care, and infuse your shop with delightful decorations!

ANONYMOUS;CODE (Spike Chunsoft, 8th Sep, $59.99) – This is the latest work by STEINS;GATE creator Chiyomaru Shikura, in collaboration with returning staff from the Science Adventure Series. Experience the story of the hackers who will rewrite the future. 2037. Nakano, Tokyo. Pollon Takaoka is caught up in a tangle of plots as a result of his encounter with the mysterious girl Momo and faces major events that shake the world. Live the experience with Pollon, help him hack the myriad branches of reality and “load” the ending that saves the world! – Read our ANONYMOUS;CODE review

Arcade Archives CADASH (HAMSTER, 31st Aug, $7.99) – “CADASH” is an action RPG game released by TAITO in 1989. The player chooses one of four heroes and sets out on a journey to rescue Princess Sarasa, who has been taken by the evil Barrog. There are key items and equipment available for purchase at the shops along the way. Don’t forget to explore: NPCs are on hand to offer useful hints along the way!

Bakeborough (Marginalact, 1st Sep, $5.99) – Bakeborough is a cute bakery RPG with an upgrade system based on swapping organs in your body, action based fight system, and focuses on exploration. The plot: The main story revolves around the missing main character’s boyfriend, who was captured by a gain insect hive mind. We will have to explore the town and mystery locations around to find the hive mind and discover many mysteries about a bakery town! In Bakeborough you can: -Pull out your eyes to see ghosts and secret objects -Swap your organs to change your stats -Fight evil insects who are going to eat your friends -Steal some organs from your fellas to prank them -Try to date a wholesome bun -Be happy, be afraid

Bus Simulator – City Driving Ultimate (GOGAME CONSOLE PUBLISHER, 31st Aug, $13.99) – Step into the driver’s seat of a variety of meticulously detailed buses and embark on a captivating journey through bustling city streets in “Bus Simulator – City Driving Ultimate” As a skilled bus operator, your mission is to faithfully follow designated routes, pick up passengers, and deliver them safely to their destinations. The city’s intricate traffic patterns, unpredictable road conditions, and the needs of your passengers will put your driving prowess and multitasking abilities to the test

Cats SUPER BUNDLE (GAME NACIONAL, 2nd Sep, $19.99) – 1. It is a beautiful 2D pixel art game for all ages. Where you are a cat, you must avoid obstacles and beat enemies looking for the end of each stage. 2. In a land full of challenges, jumps, secret areas and meows. Play with a very special kitten. To win, break blocks, jump over other little animals, dodge dangerous spikes, and progress to the next level, all while traversing through diverse landscapes ranging from lush forests to icy glaciers and scorching deserts. 3. This is a white little cat who loves to jump and to get into adventures around the town until he finds milk to drink. Once he accomplishes his mission, then it is time to go home. 4. A cuttie little kitty who loves eating. Cut the wool thread precisely to feed the cat. Many stages e lots of fun in this game that suits both children and adults alike. 5. Help the Ninja Cat go through the countless different Japanese villages, quickly perform the most awesome jumps, unlock new skills and complete all the 50 levels of this wonderful game.

Color Sense Challenge (MASK, 7th Sep, $3.99) – A brain-training art certification game that hones your mind. It’s a brain-training game where you can test your color perception with simple controls. The gameplay is easy. Among the lined-up tiles, touch the one that has a different color. Simply find and touch it within the time limit. If you find it difficult, you can use the hint feature to be told where it is. The number of tiles ranges from 2×2 to 10×10! Can you reach the highest level of difficulty…!? The game supports both button controls and touch controls, so you can play in TV Mode, Handheld Mode, or Tabletop Mode.

Colorful Boi (Webnetic, 7th Sep, $3.99) – Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey like no other with Colorful Boi! This captivating platformer boasts 63 levels of intense gameplay, filled with treacherous traps. Colorful Boi will push your skills to the limit and deliver an unforgettable gaming experience. Are you ready to conquer all the challenges and become the ultimate platforming champion? Jump into the vibrant world of Colorful Boi now!

Crowd City (QubicGames, 8th Sep, $4.99) – Gather people across the city and crush your opponents with your overwhelming leadership. The more people you run into, the bigger your crowd becomes! Beware! If other group has more members, yours will be taken completely and you will have to start from scratch. . . Try out a variety of funny skins and play on different maps.

Dark Theme Bundle (Drageus Games, 8th Sep, $19.99) – BREATHING FEAR Embark on a nonlinear and scary survival-adventure game. Why are you in this abandoned house in the woods? Is it fate? The only thing you know for sure is that strange things need to be solved – disturbing letters, objects, recordings, paranormal events. . . They drive you crazy but you need to keep a clear mind and shed some light on those mysteries. Speaking of light, make sure it doesn’t go out, your heart might not handle it… DON’T BE AFRAID Your name is David, you are 11 years old. . . and this is the end of your innocent childhood. You have woken up in a dark, cold room. Despite the darkness, you are trying to recognize the surroundings, but in vain. You don’t know, where you are. Frightening sounds can be heard all around you, the feeling of helplessness fills in your soul. You are too afraid to walk alone in this terrifying space. . . but you have to. Your memories are slowly coming back. You remember a strange man. . . in a mask.

Dinosaurs: Types and Names (Cooking And, 31st Aug, $2.99) – Discover the wonders of prehistoric creatures with our engaging adventure for Nintendo Switch™. Featuring 26 intricately designed pages, each dedicated to a unique dinosaur from A to Z, this educational and visually stunning experience is perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.

Dissolved – Chapter One (Timothee Paez, 31st Aug, $9.99) – If there are feel-good games, well Dissolved is a feel-bad game. You play as a girl whose weird psychosis is to turn every ordeal in her life into a video game. Each level has an original gameplay parodying retro games, in surprising and challenging ways.

Escape Academy: The Complete Edition (iam8bit, 12th Sep, $29.99) – Welcome to the Escape Academy. Become an Escape Room master, alone or in co-op. Escape Academy: The Complete Edition includes Escape Academy, Escape From Anti-Escape Island DLC, Escape From the Past DLC, and the Tournament of Puzzles competitive race mode! Welcome to Escape Academy. Train to become the ultimate Escapist. Solve Puzzles. Hack Servers. Meet the Faculty. Brew the perfect cup of tea. Escape Rooms in single player or co-op with a friend – local or online! After surviving an eventful first year at the Academy, it’s time for a well-earned summer vacation! But when the Escape Jet is shot down over an uncharted island, relaxation turns to mayhem in the outlandish Escape From Anti-Escape Island DLC! Play over 20 masterfully hand crafted rooms, designed by experienced experts in the field of REAL LIFE escape rooms. Experience the entirety of Escape Academy alone in single player OR through two player co-operative play.

Escape from Terror City (eastasiasoft, 6th Sep, $9.99) – Escape from Terror City is a third-person shooter inspired by run-and-gun classics but flipping the perspective behind the hero, all presented in retro low-poly graphics! Blast through enemy soldiers, mechs and tanks in arcade-style action mixed with 3D bullet hell elements! Move your target reticle around the screen like a light shooter as you dodge projectiles and shockwaves! Can you survive and help save the city?

Full Void (OutOfTheBit, 12th Sep, $14.99) – Set in a dystopian future, Full Void is a 2D Cinematic Puzzle Platformer telling the story of a young teenager alone in a hostile world controlled by a rogue AI. Fight your way through puzzles and obstacles to uncover the story that surrounds this broken, run down society, where only children are still free. But for how long? A pure hand-drawn pixel art adventure that will keep you on your toes from the very beginning, with a few jump scares and a thrilling atmosphere but still suitable for all ages as it does not feature any gore or violence. Full Void is a spiritual successor to classic cinematic puzzle platformers with a modern twist, innovative visual and gameplay mechanics. Along with traditional puzzles, you can use your hacking skills to interact with elements of the game and make your way through this hostile world full of creatures continuously on the verge to get you. In a 2D world, aspects of 3D have been integrated both in the gameplay and visuals.

Gravity Oddity (Invincible Cat, 12th Sep, $14.99) – A Roguelike Space Adventure with an Epic Twist. Across the galaxy, gravitational fields are weakening, causing planets to implode. Good thing the boys and girls at the Rio Grande Corporation came up with gravity boots. With them, traversing surfaces on every planet is a walk in the park. All is well until the corporation kidnaps your roommate, Gary. Your rent isn’t going to pay itself, so you just have to go after him. With your new sidekick, Newton, you go on a one-man rescue mission to uncover the mysteries of your roommate’s disappearance and what lies beneath the Rio Grande Corporation. Battle your way through ever-changing galactic environments on your jetpack and gravity boots and get Gary back in this exciting space action adventure! Defy Gravity and Walk on Any Surface. Lace up your gravity boots and grab your teleport gun as you blast through bosses and enemies across various levels and environments.

Hansel and Gretel: Interactive Book (Aldora, 4th Sep, $2.99) – A different way of reading stories. Immerse yourself in the books and interact with them, with this installment you will be able to enjoy the adventure of Hansel and Gretel. Simple and attractive, with sepia illustrations and available in two languages. Drink a potion and change the language, learn while enjoying one of the best classic tales in the world.

Into The Sky (EpiXR, 7th Sep, $9.99) – Jump, Dash, Fly. In this first-person puzzle platformer you will try to figure out the right way through each level and afterwards can try to improve your timings by finiding hidden paths and secret short cuts. Your goals are to sucessfully finish a level as well as to beat the fastest time of our level designers – will you be able to do this? The game is highly stylized and surprises with breathtaking, beautiful, aery and simply amazing worlds. Sometimes the right path is not the one right in front of you so be ready for some environmental puzzles.

Kalinur (Penguin Pop, 30th Aug, $5.99) – Kalinur is a retro metroidvania full of action and adventure! You explore a castle in order to find and defeat the dread wizard Kalinur, who used his power to leave the kingdom in a state of darkness and suffering. During this adventure you will have great challenges and rewards in order to bring peace back to the kingdom. Contents Include: * Metroidvania, Heavy on the ‘Vania. * Classic NES-inspired Graphics and Music * Exploration-heavy Gameplay with 11 castle areas to unlock and explore! * 31 unique enemies and 9 bosses to defeat * Lots of Upgrades and Items. . . it’s a Metroidvania!

Night at the Gates of Hell (Puppet Combo, 8th Sep, $14.99) – From Black Eyed Priest and Henry Hoare, the sick minds behind Bloodwash, comes this latest experiment in brain ripping terror. Night of the Gates of Hell promises to be a blood dripping, neon soaked, flesh rotting experience. A survival horror adventure game ripped straight from the Italian zombie horror films it was inspired by. Throughout chapters, players navigate levels in search of clues, weapons and items to solve puzzles and help them escape or destroy the zombies between them and safety. Enemies range from crazed cultists to flesh hungry zombies and must all be taken down with extreme precision, because only headshots kill these maggot-filled monsters. Can you survive the zombie apocalypse, or will you end up being just another walking corpse?

No Son Of Mine (Feardemic, 6th Sep, $14.99) – No Son Of Mine is a survival horror game focused on combat, stealth, exploration, puzzle solving, and uncovering a gruesome mystery. Can you face the unpredictable, deadly, and cruel foe and find the truth before HE finds you?

Old School (MDickie, 8th Sep, $14.99) – Attend a schedule full of classes in time to gather the knowledge you need to succeed, and take responsibility for your own behaviour every step of the way. With hundreds of other students walking the halls, an equally important popularity contest challenges you to survive long enough to thrive! Envisaged in 3D for the first time, there are dozens of locations to roam inside and outside of school – as well as an abundance of fully interactive props to get you through the day. You can also fine-tune the camera to enjoy the action from a variety of different angles. Choose from hundreds of preset characters of any age, or create your own by saving your changes to every character in the editor. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a whole other career as a teacher awaits – which challenges you to impart knowledge as successfully as you learnt it! Whenever you need the support of friends, other controllers can join the action at any moment to help or hinder.

Pipe Line Puzzle (MASK, 7th Sep, $3.99) – This simple yet deep puzzle game lets you twist the panels and create a flowing water path by connecting the pipes. The controls are easy – just touch the panel you want to rotate. Find the start and end points of the pipes and keep connecting them by rotating. Earn 1 to 3 stars based on your completion time and aim for 3 stars on all stages! It’s a great way to pass the time with a simple yet engaging game. The game supports both button controls and touch controls, so you can play in TV Mode, Handheld Mode, or Tabletop Mode.

Pixel Game Maker Series Ninja Sneaking VS: Battle On The Couch (Gotcha Gotcha, 31st Aug, $6.00) – Important Notice: At least 2 players are required in order to play. Please make sure you have enough controllers. Genre: Asymmetrical Action Game Game Features: Intruders: These players must head right and reach the goal! More points are awarded to faster players! Earn the most points across several stages to win! Become the most shinobi of all ninja! Defender: On each stage 1 player is assigned to defense! Place obstacles and control enemy ninjas to slow or stop your rivals! The higher the difficulty, the more traps can be used. There’s 30 different types, and they change with each stage. Lots of variety to enjoy! The “Pixel Game Maker Series” is a series of games created using the action game creation software “Pixel Game Maker MV” that can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch™.

Pure Mini Golf and Pool Puzzles Bundle (Gametry, 1st Sep, $5.99) – Pool Puzzles: Master the Challenge, Unleash Your Style! Dive into intense pool battles with brain-teasing levels. Test your skills, earn coins, and customize your gameplay with stylish skins. Overcome 150 unique levels and become a pool champion! Pure Mini Golf: Serene Yet Skillful Putting Adventure! Relax with over 50 mini golf levels, each filled with obstacles and twists. Conquer Arcade mode at your pace, challenge yourself in Precision mode, or enjoy Local Multiplayer with friends. Immerse yourself in the tranquil world of Pure Mini Golf. Get ready for double the fun, double the challenges, and endless gaming excitement!

Redeemer’s Run (Ultimate Games, 7th Sep, $4.99) – If there are feel-good games, well Dissolved is a feel-bad game. You play as a girl whose weird psychosis is to turn every ordeal in her life into a video game. Each level has an original gameplay parodying retro games, in surprising and challenging ways.

River City Girls 1, 2, and Zero Bundle (WayForward, 29th Aug, $74.99) – Clean up the mean streets of River City across three hard-hitting, knuckle-busting beat-’em-ups! In River City Girls, help Misako and Kyoko defeat every lowlife in town as they attempt to rescue their kidnapped boyfriends, Kunio and Riki! Then, travel back to the ’90s and clear the heroes of a heinous crime in River City Girls Zero, an enhanced version of the 16-bit classic Shin Nekketsu Koha: Kunio-tachi no Banka! And in River City Girls 2, protect River City from a yakuza takeover in an expansive adventure, featuring six playable characters, 4-player co-op, and much more!

Seduce Me – The Complete Story (Ratalaika Games, 8th Sep, $9.99) – “Seduce Me – The Complete Story” is a bundle that includes “Seduce Me The Otome”, “Seduce Me 2: The Demon War”. They are both dating sims with 13 mini-episodes, and both have Audio Otome CDs as well as a basic compendium for lore comprehension!

Shepherd’s Crossing (Success, 7th Sep, $29.99) – “Shepherd’s Crossing” is such a different kind of boxyard ranch simulation that pursues the fun of increasing what you want and creating the landscape of your choice. Less than 20 years have passed since the original “Shepherd’s Crossing”. Now, “Shepherd’s Crossing” is back with a variety of new elements.

Simulator Bundle: Gas Station Simulator and Barn Finders (MD, 8th Sep, $29.99) – Buy an abandoned gas station and restore it to its full glory. Renovate, upgrade and expand upon the offered services to keep up with your clients demands. Serving your customers is key in running your gas station with success. They all expect to have their cars filled up, their shopping done right away and aren’t that patient even when it comes to repairs of their vehicles. You are going to be dealing with some serious time pressure at peak hours and have to schedule various tasks for when it’s less hectic. Proper time management and choosing the right priorities becomes very important when it comes to keeping your customers happy. Search for valuables stashed in abandoned barns ranging from old clocks, musical instruments, antiques, gold, weaponry to even vintage cars and motorcycles and sell them for a profit. Run your family business. Look for valuable items and sell them in your pawnshop. Every item has a value, so collect everything and search everywhere!

Sprout Valley (RedDeer, 8th Sep, $17.99) – Start a new journey and see how this is more than just a farming game. Help cute cat Niko escape from the big city and settle with him on the Ostara archipelago. Just choose an island and start your new life! His knowledge and passion for nature will let you turn this island into the most stunning place on Earth. Your garden will produce many products you can sell and earn money. Remember to order unnecessary seeds, saplings and equipment to make your garden grow even bigger. Manage space on your island and pick the best place for your crops. Don’t forget to water them every day! It’s your choice what to do. Developing your skills by farming, mining, foraging, crafting, fishing will let you unlock new recipes and abilities. Make sure to unlock all of them and explore all possibilities in the game.

Strike Force 3 (Polygon Art, 7th Sep, $19.99) – Welcome to the frontline of action-packed warfare in Strike Force 3! As a highly-trained elite operative, you’ll be thrust into the heart of modern-day combat against the ruthless Tariqian Liberation Front (TLF). Prepare for intense firefights, adrenaline-pumping stealth missions, and high-stakes challenges that will put your skills to the test. Explore stunning desert canyons and war-torn cities as you fight to liberate Al-Tariq from the grips of terror. Use an arsenal of powerful weapons and cutting-edge gear to outmaneuver your enemies and complete daring objectives. The fate of an entire region lies in your hands as you embark on a gripping singleplayer campaign, filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for the most intense and action-packed military shooter experience with Strike Force 3! Join an elite special operations unit tasked with taking down a ruthless terrorist organization and restoring peace to a war-torn country.

The Dragoness: Command of the Flame (PQube, 7th Sep, $17.99) – A classic strategy RPG-inspired adventure with a roguelite twist. Embark on an epic quest across the Drairthir Peninsula – a land ravaged by warring factions of Dragons. You take on the role of The Commander, a promising Elven warrior recruited by The Dragoness to lead her armies and bring peace to the land. After the old capital city of Voven Sal was lost in a climactic battle with the covetous Shai-Va, you will need to rebuild and gather your forces at the Dragoness’ new seat of power, Níwenborh. Journey across the peninsula to recruit powerful beasts, gather precious resources, and prepare for the dangers that lie ahead. Only through keen strategic thinking and tactical prowess will you emerge victorious. Journey to a war-torn realm Explore the Drairthir Peninsula, a realm devastated by war between the Regal Dragons and corrupted Shai-Va.

The Isle Tide Hotel (Wales Interactive, 12th Sep, $19.99) – An absent father must rescue his teenage daughter from an eclectic cult before their final night at the Isle Tide Hotel. Players investigate the strange events that unfold to save Eleanor Malone in this live-action interactive mystery game, where every decision affects the story. How do you infiltrate the hotel? Will you coax your way into the cult? Do you discover the hidden lore, side quests and their dedicated endings or fail at any one of the ruthless narrative puzzles? Navigate a branching narrative with numerous ways to help rescue the daughter you’ve never met.

The Making of Karateka (Digital Eclipse, 29th Aug, $19.99) – Play the history of Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner’s landmark debut game, Karateka. Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner was a college student when he created one of the biggest-selling games of 1984: Karateka. Now, in a new interactive documentary from Digital Eclipse, the story of how a teenager with an Apple II created one of the most groundbreaking, influential games of all time. New from Digital Eclipse (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration), the Gold Master Series presents iconic games in an innovative “interactive documentary” format, putting the shared history of games and their creators into one comprehensive package. – Read our The Making of Karateka review

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo (MERIDIEM, 7th Sep, $19.99) – The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a whimsical point’n’click adventure with a surrealist story, astounding hand-drawn animations and hilarious puzzles. Mr. Coo is trapped and broken into pieces. But most of all, he has no idea of what’s going on. Is that a giant chicken over there?

Thunder War Rabbit Alien Fight (VG Games, 9th Sep, $4.99) – Experience a thrilling and addictive alien invasion game! Join our courageous rabbit as it battles mischievous and dangerous aliens who are stealing Earth’s precious carrots and other objects. The aliens are swift and equipped with powerful spaceships armed with alien weaponry. It’s time to teach them a lesson they’ll never forget!

Troopers (Kistler Studios, 8th Sep, $9.99) – Play epic single-player matches in three different game modes against computer-controlled opponents and choose from six different maps or just hang out at the shooting range and hit some targets. Choose from three different difficulties namely casual, intermediate and pro and from three different game modes, deathmatch where you fight against opponents and the player with the most kills wins the game, Elimination where the team wins with at least one player left wins the round and Gunrace where you get for each killstreak a new weapon and if you reach the 11th killstreak you win. For playing the game you earn score and level up ranks which unlocks new weapons and skins. In addition you get coins which you can spend in the shop for additional weapon skins or weapon attachments and modifications which can be used to customize your weapon how you like and customize their gunplay.

Truck Simulator & World of Machines Game Bundle Collection (GOGAME CONSOLE PUBLISHER, 12th Sep, $14.99) – World of Machines – Tanks War Operation is an immersive tank warfare game that thrusts you into the heart of epic battles across diverse landscapes and environments. Take control of a wide array of formidable tanks, explore different locations, tackle challenging missions, and customize your vehicles with unique camouflages. Prepare for intense armored combat and become a legendary commander on the front lines. Truck Simulator – Heavy Cargo Driver 2023 combines stunning graphics, realistic physics, and immersive gameplay to offer an unparalleled trucking experience. Whether you’re a seasoned truck simulator enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, get ready to take the wheel and prove your mettle as the ultimate delivery master!

Whitestone (Hailstorm Games, 8th Sep, $19.99) – Welcome aboard the ‘Sunchaser’ at the dawn of the 20th century with Jack and crew! Backed by his good friend, Jack lands his first major career move as an apprentice in the Archaeology department aboard the colossal airship. On its capstone voyage to the Arctic, it’s smooth sailing until Jack’s quarters are broken into and his friend goes missing. A madness spread across the ship. The crew looks at Jack with paranoia, and Jack looks back with the same. Unsure who to trust, Jack is forced to fight nightmares both mental and physical as he becomes the prime suspect for a terrible deed, eventually discovering the truth with the assistance of his crewmates. Whitestone starts as an investigation and then goes far beyond. Whitestone blends RPG, horror, action, comedy and romance. Want a happy JRPG ending? Study, help out your crewmates and see the voyage completed! Want a survival horror ending? Make the. . . err not so right choices.

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 comment below with your hot picks!

Outright Games has today revealed another gameplay trailer for its latest game about the robots in disguise — Transformers: Earthspark – Expedition journeys onto Switch on 13th October.

Based on the recent Paramount+ and Netflix animated series, Transformers: Earthspark, this game will see you taking on the role of Bumblebee as you make your way through biomes, defeating Decepticons (of course) and unlocking new abilities as you go. You can expect to see a host of familiar faces along the way including Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Skullcrusher, and more, so keep your eyes on the road.

From the small amount of gameplay that we have seen so far, this is looking fine. The visuals aren’t too harsh on the eye and the combat looks simple enough — let’s just hope that it doesn’t get stale. Outright previously worked on the my-first-turn-based-game Transformers: Battlegrounds (which we gave a perfectly serviceable 6/10) so there is some pedigree here — albeit a perfectly average one.

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For a closer look at some screenshots, check out the following from Outright.

This one will be rolling out next month (along with every other game ever, it seems), so you don’t have long to wait if you think it looks up your street.

Will this make it into your October purchases? Let us know in the comments.

While there is still no official word on the whereabouts of the ‘Switch 2’, sources for both Eurogamer and VGC have reported that demos for Nintendo’s next console were shown at this year’s Gamescom.

The reports state that the Switch successor was shown to selected developers behind closed doors during the event, supposedly with the former console’s launch title, Breath of the Wild, running on the follow-up’s more powerful specs. Both outlets stress, however, that there is no suggestion that the title will be re-released.

A further source for VGC claimed that Nintendo demoed Epic’s The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 demo on the ‘Switch 2’ — the project formally used to showcase the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X back in 2021.

According to the VGC report, the console demo’s visuals were comparable to the current-gen offerings from both Sony and Microsoft, running with Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology with advanced ray tracing enabled.

Apart from that, we still know very little about what form the console will take. VGC sources suggested that the demoed equipment could be used in a handheld mode much like the current Switch, though that seems like a no-brainer at this point.

Nintendo is still yet to announce anything about its follow-up console for the time being, though the latest rumour suggested that the company would be targeting a late 2024 release — only time will tell…

What do you make of these reports? Do you reckon we’ll have an official announcement soon? Let us know in the comments.