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FIFA Returns With Free-To-Play Arcade-Style Football And An Utterly Bizarre Roster

Things have been a bit quiet with the FIFA series in recent years, due to EA and FIFA failing to reach an agreement over licensing fees. But the series is returning in 2026 with the free-to-play arcade football game FIFA Heroes.

Yes, perhaps not in the format we quite expected or wanted, but that’s what we’re getting. Development in the hands of VR studio ENVER, and the game is coming to Switch sometime later this year, following a mobile release on 28th April 2026.

The trailer up-top gives us our first look at the colourful arcade sports title (with very little gameplay). Instead, we do get a little sneak peek at some of the playable character, and of course there are football legends such as Diego Maradona and more-recent popular players such as Harry Kane, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jordan Pickford among thew line-up.

But then we also have Thor (yes, the Norse God of Thunder) and Sun Wukong, the Chinese mythological hero and central figure of the Chinese epic novel Journey to the West. Let that sink in for a bit.

Ultimately, this is an arcade game, and the FIFA World Cup mascots are also all playable, so it’s not a serious football game — the developer says the game “is about unpredictability, not simulation.” But, really? There are so many iconic players from history you can pick from, and some will likely be added in later, but diving into myth and legend seems… strange.

Anyway, as you’d expect from a F2P title, there are Live Service elements and in-game currencies focusing on cosmetics, but all “core content can be earned through play”, ENVER states.

Here’s a brief rundown of the gameplay itself, then:

FIFA Heroes is designed as an arcade-first football experience. Matches are two minutes in length, built for quick sessions while retaining competitive depth

Core gameplay features include:
– 5v5 competitive matches
-Online head-to-head leagues
-Limited-time events
– Seasonal progression systems
– Special abilities that alter match dynamics

Players can activate game-changing powers, including teleport dribbles, flaming power shots, and magnetic tackles. The game is intentionally stylised and fast-paced, prioritising responsiveness and spectacle over simulation

Season Passes, rotating challenges, and live events support long-term engagement


We’ll have to see how things pan out when the mobile version releases next month; for now, let us know your thoughts on this strange crossover in the comments.

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Nintendo To Change Pricing For Digital & Physical Switch 2 Exclusives, Starting With Yoshi

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Image: Nintendo Life

Update []: Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that “The cost of physical games is not going up” following today’s announcement that digital MSRPs will be different for Switch 2 games from May 2026.

Nintendo clarified to the publication that “This means that when Nintendo sells digital versions of Nintendo published games exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 to consumers in the U.S., those prices will have an MSRP that is lower than their physical counterparts.”

It once again reiterated that retailers can set their own prices.


Original Story: Nintendo of America has just announced that first-party Switch 2 exclusives on the eShop will be getting a different MSRP (that’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price) compared to physical releases.

What that means is that, going forward, it’s very likely that digital games will be cheaper that physical games in the US on Switch 2. Nintendo is kicking this off with the upcoming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which will cost $59.99 digitally and $69.99 physically, from the Nintendo Store.

Sharing the new on its support website, the company says that “Nintendo games offer the same experiences whether in packaged or digital format, and this change simply reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format and offers players more choice in how they can buy and play Nintendo games.”

Now, this announcement was made by Nintendo of America and has also been shared by Nintendo of Canada on social media. But it’s worth noting that this has been the standard for first-party Switch 2 games in the UK, Europe, and Japan since the console’s release back in June 2025.

For example, in the UK, Mario Kart World is £66.99 on the eShop, while the physical MSRP is £74.99. The same can be said for Donkey Kong Bananza, which is £58.99 on the eShop and £66.99 on the My Nintendo Store.

So this is likely just the US getting in-line with the rest of the world. Certainly a bit of a surprise on a Tuesday afternoon, though.

Those concerned, we should highlight that Nintendo does state that retailers can set their own prices for physical and digital games. So prices will vary for every title, and some stores may sell cheaper than others. And this appears to only affect Switch 2 first-party games.


Let us know what you think of the news in the comments.

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ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia’s Second In-Game Event Early

ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia's Second In-Game Event Early 1
Image: Nintendo Life

We’re almost at the end of the first in-game event in Pokémon Pokopia. Hoppip is getting ready to close up shop and, hopefully, make a home in your town — wherever that may be.

But don’t worry, more events are on the way, and if you’re feeling a bit cheeky, you can actually access the next one… now! And in this event, you’ll get to befriend Sableye.

Just as people figured out that you could access the Hoppip event early by changing the time on your internal Switch 2 clock, many have also realised — including Nintendo YouTuber PhillyBeatzU that there’s another event coming on 29th April that you can get the jump on right away.

For some, this is old news given that we knew about “time travelling” on day one, but given that More Spores for Hoppip ends tomorrow, we thought it was a good chance to remind people that more events are on the horizon.

Sableye will be around from 29th April all the way through to 13th May 2026 and, so far, this is the only future event that has been discovered. Maybe more will be added in later patches? Or perhaps people haven’t been brave enough to travel to every single day or month yet.

ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia's Second In-Game Event Early 2
Image: Nintendo Life

Obviously, we know time travelling is a sticky topic for some players — and if you don’t want to skip ahead to 29th April to access the event, we understand.

But for the more impatient Pokopia fas out there, here’s how to change the time of day in the game.


Are you excited to see Sableye in Pokémon Pokopia? Let us know in the comments.

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ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia’s Second In-Game Event Early

ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia's Second In-Game Event Early 1
Image: Nintendo Life

We’re almost at the end of the first in-game event in Pokémon Pokopia. Hoppip is getting ready to close up shop and, hopefully, make a home in your town — wherever that may be.

But don’t worry, more events are on the way, and if you’re feeling a bit cheeky, you can actually access the next one… now! And in this event, you’ll get to befriend Sableye.

Just as people figured out that you could access the Hoppip event early by changing the time on your internal Switch 2 clock, many have also realised — including Nintendo YouTuber PhillyBeatzU that there’s another event coming on 29th April that you can get the jump on right away.

For some, this is old news given that we knew about “time travelling” on day one, but given that More Spores for Hoppip ends tomorrow, we thought it was a good chance to remind people that more events are on the horizon.

Sableye will be around from 29th April all the way through to 13th May 2026 and, so far, this is the only future event that has been discovered. Maybe more will be added in later patches? Or perhaps people haven’t been brave enough to travel to every single day or month yet.

ICYMI: You Can Access Pokémon Pokopia's Second In-Game Event Early 2
Image: Nintendo Life

Obviously, we know time travelling is a sticky topic for some players — and if you don’t want to skip ahead to 29th April to access the event, we understand.

But for the more impatient Pokopia fas out there, here’s how to change the time of day in the game.


Are you excited to see Sableye in Pokémon Pokopia? Let us know in the comments.

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Random: Nothing Says “I Choose You!” Quite Like These Pokémon Engagement Rings

Pokémon Wedding Ring
Image: U-Treasure

Pokémon is in all corners of our lives. You can wake up to Pokémon Sleep, brush your teeth to Pokémon Smile, throw on your Pokémon apparel and head out on a walk with Pokémon GO. Now, you can make those days extra romantic by saying “I Choose You” to your significant other, accompanied by one of these Pokémon engagement rings (thanks for the heads up, Dexerto).

This is the latest endeavour from Japanese jewellery brand U-Treasure, which has teamed up with The Pokémon Company on a range of romantic rings adorned with your favourite ‘mon and coloured stones.

The collection is a made-to-order jobby, letting you choose the ring, gemstone, engraved Pokémon icon and any other finer details you see fit. There are 30 ring types in total, which can be paired with a Pokémon silhouette from over 80 options, covering everything from the OG starters to Legendaries (by way of a bunch of Eeveelutions, Poké Balls and more).

And the pièce de résistance? You can even order a special Poké Ball-shaped wooden case to make the occasion even more romantic.

Here’s a handful of pics, so you can get a better idea of what’s on display:

Being so customisable, the rings themselves vary in price, with wedding bands sitting around the ¥137,500 to ¥170,500 mark (roughly £645 / $865 to £800 / $1,070), and engagement rings coming in slightly more expensive from ¥335,500 (around £1,580 / $2,100).

Still, if you’re planning to pop the question to a Pokémon fan, it’s an undeniably sweet way to do it.

Which ring design would make you say “I do”? Let us know in the comments.

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Random: Nothing Says “I Choose You!” Quite Like These Pokémon Engagement Rings

Pokémon Wedding Ring
Image: U-Treasure

Pokémon is in all corners of our lives. You can wake up to Pokémon Sleep, brush your teeth to Pokémon Smile, throw on your Pokémon apparel and head out on a walk with Pokémon GO. Now, you can make those days extra romantic by saying “I Choose You” to your significant other, accompanied by one of these Pokémon engagement rings (thanks for the heads up, Dexerto).

This is the latest endeavour from Japanese jewellery brand U-Treasure, which has teamed up with The Pokémon Company on a range of romantic rings adorned with your favourite ‘mon and coloured stones.

The collection is a made-to-order jobby, letting you choose the ring, gemstone, engraved Pokémon icon and any other finer details you see fit. There are 30 ring types in total, which can be paired with a Pokémon silhouette from over 80 options, covering everything from the OG starters to Legendaries (by way of a bunch of Eeveelutions, Poké Balls and more).

And the pièce de résistance? You can even order a special Poké Ball-shaped wooden case to make the occasion even more romantic.

Here’s a handful of pics, so you can get a better idea of what’s on display:

Being so customisable, the rings themselves vary in price, with wedding bands sitting around the ¥137,500 to ¥170,500 mark (roughly £645 / $865 to £800 / $1,070), and engagement rings coming in slightly more expensive from ¥335,500 (around £1,580 / $2,100).

Still, if you’re planning to pop the question to a Pokémon fan, it’s an undeniably sweet way to do it.

Which ring design would make you say “I do”? Let us know in the comments.

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Acclaimed Arcade Racer ‘Horizon Chase Turbo’ Being Delisted From Switch eShop

Horizon Chase Turbo
Image: Aquiris

Aquiris Games’ fabulous racing game, Horizon Chase Turbo will be delisted from the Nintendo Switch eShop later this year, the developer has announced.

From the 1st June 2026, both the original game’s release and the enhanced Turbo version — which is the one you can snap up on Switch — will no longer be available to purchase from the eShop and other digital storefront, the developer on social media (thanks, Wario64!).

The reason? While not stated, Aquiris was acquired by Epic Games in 2023, so we (and many others) assume that today’s layoff announcement has affected this small Brazilian developer.

And yes, while the brief statement does say “download”, Aquiris has confirmed that as long as you’ve bought the game, you will be able to redownload it beyond this date.

This is such a shame, as Horizon Chase Turbo is one of our favourite racing games on the Switch. We gave it a 9/10 back in 2018, with extremely favourable comparisons to Out Run.

This will likely mean the DLC will also be unavailable after 1st June. So if you want some arcade racing from the experts, you’ll have to turn to Horizon Chase 2, which we didn’t love as much.


Are you disappointed about the Horizon Chase Turbo news? Will you be picking up the game before it’s delisting in June? Let us know in the comments.

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Acclaimed Arcade Racer ‘Horizon Chase Turbo’ Being Delisted From Switch eShop

Horizon Chase Turbo
Image: Aquiris

Aquiris Games’ fabulous racing game, Horizon Chase Turbo will be delisted from the Nintendo Switch eShop later this year, the developer has announced.

From the 1st June 2026, both the original game’s release and the enhanced Turbo version — which is the one you can snap up on Switch — will no longer be available to purchase from the eShop and other digital storefront, the developer on social media (thanks, Wario64!).

The reason? While not stated, Aquiris was acquired by Epic Games in 2023, so we (and many others) assume that today’s layoff announcement has affected this small Brazilian developer.

And yes, while the brief statement does say “download”, Aquiris has confirmed that as long as you’ve bought the game, you will be able to redownload it beyond this date.

This is such a shame, as Horizon Chase Turbo is one of our favourite racing games on the Switch. We gave it a 9/10 back in 2018, with extremely favourable comparisons to Out Run.

This will likely mean the DLC will also be unavailable after 1st June. So if you want some arcade racing from the experts, you’ll have to turn to Horizon Chase 2, which we didn’t love as much.


Are you disappointed about the Horizon Chase Turbo news? Will you be picking up the game before it’s delisting in June? Let us know in the comments.

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Hello Kitty Island Adventure Is Getting Brand-New DLC Next Month

After the arrival of the Wheatflower Wonderland expansion last September, Sunblink and Sanrio have today revealed the next wave of Hello Kitty Island Adventure DLC: City Town.

The new content update will launch in just a few weeks on 16th April, promising over 30 hours of additional adventures with over 90 quests — damn, that’s a lot. All this is thanks to the new City Town region, a fresh in-game area where you’ll find cafés, shops, new Sanrio friends to meet and more.

Sanrio’s U*SA*HA*NA takes centre stage in this one, though Sunblink has also teased another “mysterious cameo guest” to keep an eye out for in the expansion, too.

Here’s a rundown of the DLC’s key features and a handful of screenshots from Sunblink:

– New Bestie Alert – Cheerful and full of energy, U*SA*HA*NA can’t wait to show everyone around City Town, make new friends, and lend a hand renovating your very own cafe. Unlock 35 friendship levels with U*SA*HA*NA for a wealth of rewards and benefits.
– Vibrant New City –
Step into City Town, a vibrant new region bursting with towering skylines, adorable critters, and delicious foods to discover. With 30+ hours of adventure and over 90 plus quests, there’s plenty to uncover both above (and beneath) the city!
– Imagination Cafe –
Design and customize your very own Imagination Cafe! Whip up endless combinations of adorable treats like mochi, dango, and boba tea to delight your Sanrio friends.
– Seven New Shops –
Help your Sanrio pals grow City Town with new establishments like a plushie boutique, blooming orchards and a fun-filled arcade.
– New Visitors – Keep an eye out for U*SA*HA*NA’s adorable friends Pannya-chan, Buppyu-kun, Wanwa-chan, Sora-kun and Nyako-chan. Prepare cozy apartments inside the Rainbow Tower to welcome them in style!
– And… keep an eye out for a mysterious cameo guest!

We had a great time with Hello Kitty Island Adventure last year, calling it “a fresh experience that is likely to subvert the expectations of any Animal Crossing expats looking for their next cosy fix” in our review. Here’s hoping that this DLC has even more fun times on the horizon.

Will you be picking up this DLC next month? Let us know in the comments.

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Hello Kitty Island Adventure Is Getting Brand-New DLC Next Month

After the arrival of the Wheatflower Wonderland expansion last September, Sunblink and Sanrio have today revealed the next wave of Hello Kitty Island Adventure DLC: City Town.

The new content update will launch in just a few weeks on 16th April, promising over 30 hours of additional adventures with over 90 quests — damn, that’s a lot. All this is thanks to the new City Town region, a fresh in-game area where you’ll find cafés, shops, new Sanrio friends to meet and more.

Sanrio’s U*SA*HA*NA takes centre stage in this one, though Sunblink has also teased another “mysterious cameo guest” to keep an eye out for in the expansion, too.

Here’s a rundown of the DLC’s key features and a handful of screenshots from Sunblink:

– New Bestie Alert – Cheerful and full of energy, U*SA*HA*NA can’t wait to show everyone around City Town, make new friends, and lend a hand renovating your very own cafe. Unlock 35 friendship levels with U*SA*HA*NA for a wealth of rewards and benefits.
– Vibrant New City –
Step into City Town, a vibrant new region bursting with towering skylines, adorable critters, and delicious foods to discover. With 30+ hours of adventure and over 90 plus quests, there’s plenty to uncover both above (and beneath) the city!
– Imagination Cafe –
Design and customize your very own Imagination Cafe! Whip up endless combinations of adorable treats like mochi, dango, and boba tea to delight your Sanrio friends.
– Seven New Shops –
Help your Sanrio pals grow City Town with new establishments like a plushie boutique, blooming orchards and a fun-filled arcade.
– New Visitors – Keep an eye out for U*SA*HA*NA’s adorable friends Pannya-chan, Buppyu-kun, Wanwa-chan, Sora-kun and Nyako-chan. Prepare cozy apartments inside the Rainbow Tower to welcome them in style!
– And… keep an eye out for a mysterious cameo guest!

We had a great time with Hello Kitty Island Adventure last year, calling it “a fresh experience that is likely to subvert the expectations of any Animal Crossing expats looking for their next cosy fix” in our review. Here’s hoping that this DLC has even more fun times on the horizon.

Will you be picking up this DLC next month? Let us know in the comments.