The big wave of Summer showcases is seemingly over, with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all presenting their own bespoke ‘Directs’ and Geoff Keighley hosting the annual Summer Game Fest event in Los Angeles.
It’s been a pretty great showing across the board in our opinion, and we don’t think any of the major showcases can be deemed ‘bad’ – disappointing perhaps, depending on your tastes, but there was a pretty huge range of titles revealed across the last few weeks.
According to new data provided by analytics firm LevelUp (thanks, VGC), Nintendo’s latest Direct – during which it announced the likes of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Xenoblade Genesis, and Switch Sports Resort – was the most-watched showcase of the bunch, beating Keighley’s own Opening Night Showcase.
It’s not by too much, mind you. LevelUp claims that the Direct reached a peak of 3.8 million viewers, while SGF’s Opening Night Showcase managed 3.7 million. Sony’s State of Play, meanwhile, reached 2.9 million at its peak, with Xbox topping out at 2.2 million.
What’s more, the firm also claims that the Ocarina of Time trailer was the most-viewed of all games showcased, reaching a whopping 115 million views across all video and social media platforms.
Of course, with the showcases, it’s probably worth considering that time zones and whatnot will play a factor in overall viewership, but we don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Nintendo’s latest Direct was one of the most anticipated in quite some time.
The long stretch of time since the last major first-party Direct contributed greatly to overall excitement for the showcase, along with increased expectations thanks to a rather major leak a few months prior.
Still, good going Nintendo. Just don’t make us wait too long for the next one, yeah?
Did you watch the latest Direct showcase live? What about the other presentations this Summer? Let us know with a comment.
But what if you want to use your original wired GameCube pads from yesteryear? Well, there are already options on the market for that, with the best arguably being Nintendo’s official adapter, first released for Wii U but also compatible with the original Switch and Switch 2.
Another option has arrived this year in the form of the Retro Fighters Battle Dock, a device which effectively replicates what the official (and no longer manufactured) GameCube adapter does.
While it’s called the Battle Dock, it isn’t a replacement for your existing Switch 2 dock – instead, it connects to it via a cable with two USB-A connectors and one USB-C connector. The USB-A pair plug into your Switch 2 dock’s dual ports, while the USB-C end goes into the Battle Dock. The Switch 2 dock then sits inside a shelf on the Battle Dock, effectively creating a neat ‘whole’.
It’s worth noting that, while the Battle Dock’s shell has been designed to accommodate the Switch 2, you can actually use it with the original Switch dock, too, thanks to the fact that the really important thing here is that aforementioned USB connection between the two – but you can’t slot the Switch 1 dock inside the Battle Dock itself, so it doesn’t look as neat.
On the front of the Battle Dock, you’ll find four GameCube controller ports, allowing you to plug in your original wired pads for super low-latency play. These ports, as you’d expect, also support the Wavebird and other modern wireless pads, like Retro Fighters’ own BattlerGC controller.
Also included in the box are four different faceplates, each matching a different GameCube console colour. The default is Jet Black, but you also get Spice Orange, Indigo, and Platinum Silver. These clip on with a set of magnets and are easy to replace (almost too easy, in fact; I kept accidentally knocking off the faceplate when interacting with the dock).
The Battle Dock is the very definition of plug-and-play, and it takes little effort to get it up and running. The big issue when comparing this to the Nintendo Classics wireless GameCube pad is pretty obvious – if you’re using wired pads, then you’ll almost certainly need to either reposition the dock or sit closer to your TV, thanks to those pesky old-world cables.
Another downside is that the GameCube pad lacks ‘Home’ and ‘Minus’ buttons, so you can’t use those buttons to invoke menus and the like. Therefore, you’ll need to ensure you have a Joy-Con or Pro Controller handy for dropping back to the Switch 2’s Home screen. There’s not much Retro Fighters can do about this, but it can still be an annoyance.
On the upside, for $40 you can unlock the potential of your existing controllers without having to shell out for new ones, and the wired connection means virtually no input lag.
If you absolutely have to have the proper GameCube controller experience when playing on your Switch 2, then this is a solid purchase, especially for such a reasonable price. It’s arguably the perfect way to play Smash Bros. Ultimate, and, when Nintendo does eventually release Smash Melee on Nintendo Switch Online, I’d imagine the Battle Dock will become even more desirable.
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A new description for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 suggests that the upcoming remake may be a more faithful 1:1 recreation of the original rather than a complete reimagining.
As covered by Go Nintendo, the description could be viewed on Google when searching for the official NoA website for the game. It’s since been removed (presumably it just wasn’t meant to be seen yet), but here’s what it said:
“The N64 classic reborn as a full remake for Nintendo Switch 2. Experience Ocarina of Time with stunning visuals, updated designs, and timeless gameplay.”
Now, we can’t be 100% certain about this until we see more footage, but we reckon we’re in for a faithful recreation of Ocarina of Time with updated visuals, designs, and maybe a few quality-of-life improvements here and there – kind of like what the 3DS remake delivered back in 2011.
As for the gameplay, however, the word “timeless” perhaps indicates that the core experience will remain unchanged. And that’s fine with us. Though we recently went through a handful of things that we feel might need changing for the remake, Ocarina of Time is still a damn-near perfect experience. Why change it, right?
What do you make of this? Do you think the description indicates a more faithful, 1:1 remake of the original? Let us know your thoughts with a comment.
Switch 2 has been out for over a year now, and a good percentage of Nintendo Lifers have picked one up in the last 365 days.
However, it’s also quite possible you haven’t jumped on Nintendo’s latest console just yet. With Switch 1’s colossal library, not to mention the great games on other consoles (we’re reliably informed they do exist), what’s the rush?
Still, with belts tightening around the globe, a price increase incoming in September, and a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake confirmed for later this year, many will be eyeing opportunities to pick up a Switch 2 over summer, before it costs you even more.
With that in mind, we’ve asked NL staff for their opinions on the absolute essentials – the Switch 2 games and accessories they deem necessary to getting the very best from the system.
We’d love to hear your thoughts, too. Disagree with our picks? Can’t live without that extra storage? Let us know in the polls and comments what gear and games you’d recommend to a Switch 2-curious gamer looking to jump aboard.
Switch 2 Essentials – The Console
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
If you’re in the market for Switch 2 hardware, there’s good news and bad news.
Bad news first: There’s only one SKU, which means no colour options if you want something brighter or Your-Favourite-Nintendo-Series-themed. Also, the price is going up in September, from $449.99 USD / £395.99 / €469.99 to $499.99 USD / £TBA / €499.99. Not great.
Image: Nintendo
The good news? There are bundles available worldwide that throw in a game with the system, and some good ones, too.
Elsewhere, in Australia and New Zealand, there’s a region-specific Pokopia bundle. While that’s all for official hardware bundles at the moment, we wouldn’t be surprised to see others pop up. Remember, though, that the hardware itself is identical in each case.
Also, keep an eye out for individual retailers whipping up deals of their own. With a plethora of Game-Key Card titles on store shelves, you may find some top games thrown in to sweeten the pot over the summer.
If you’re wondering which game bundle is best, the next section may be illuminating…
Switch 2 Essentials – The Games
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
A console is nothing without its games, and while Switch still doesn’t have an enormous number of console exclusives to its name yet, it’s amassed an impressive library in its first year.
Let’s get Team NL’s quickfire “indispensable” S2 game:
“My head says Pokopia, but my heart says Bananza. Either is guaranteed to produce face-aching smiles.” – Jim
“Donkey Kong Bananza. It doesn’t quite reach the same heights as Odyssey, but it’s got a lot of the same magic.” – Ollie
“Mario Kart World – it’s Mario Kart.” – Liam
“I’m going with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Machine Games’ light immersive-sim elements and spot-on presentation absolutely hooked me with a spectacular port. (Shoutout to RE9, which I haven’t yet played, but I’m jonesing — ha! — to.)” – Gavin
The usual suspects, unsurprisingly, though it’s interesting to see a pretty even spread – no single game is the system seller for us.
If you’re looking for a larger rundown of Switch 2’s best games, we’re happy to oblige with our reader-ranked Top 50.
System? Sorted. Games? Got ’em. Play time? Possibly…
Switch 2 Essentials – The Accessories
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
Is there anything else that’s genuinely essential?
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
Well, it depends on who you ask, and — obviously — your budget. If the controller that comes with the console works fine, splashing hard-earned cash on a controller has always felt like an ask, personally. That’s money that could be spent on another game!
And do you really need to spend 50 or 100 quid on a bloody Micro SD Express card when you’ve just shelled out for the system?
We’re divided on the storage question, but Team NL all agree about investing in a good pad – and something to carry your handheld hybrid in makes eminent sense. Let’s see what NL staffers are rolling with on the accessories front:
Yeah, you can probably live without this for the time being — Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
That’s us, but what about you? What’s your essential Switch 2 game? Have you invested in a non-Joy-Con controller? A Micro SD Express card? Are there any S2 accessories you simply couldn’t live without? How many questions are too many questions for an outro?
Let us know in the polls below, and take to the comments to expound further.
Which Switch 2 accessory do you consider most essential? (487 votes)
Switch 2 has been out for over a year now, and a good percentage of Nintendo Lifers have picked one up in the last 365 days.
However, it’s also quite possible you haven’t jumped on Nintendo’s latest console just yet. With Switch 1’s colossal library, not to mention the great games on other consoles (we’re reliably informed they do exist), what’s the rush?
Still, with belts tightening around the globe, a price increase incoming in September, and a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake confirmed for later this year, many will be eyeing opportunities to pick up a Switch 2 over summer, before it costs you even more.
With that in mind, we’ve asked NL staff for their opinions on the absolute essentials – the Switch 2 games and accessories they deem necessary to getting the very best from the system.
We’d love to hear your thoughts, too. Disagree with our picks? Can’t live without that extra storage? Let us know in the polls and comments what gear and games you’d recommend to a Switch 2-curious gamer looking to jump aboard.
Switch 2 Essentials – The Console
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
If you’re in the market for Switch 2 hardware, there’s good news and bad news.
Bad news first: There’s only one SKU, which means no colour options if you want something brighter or Your-Favourite-Nintendo-Series-themed. Also, the price is going up in September, from $449.99 USD / £395.99 / €469.99 to $499.99 USD / £TBA / €499.99. Not great.
Image: Nintendo
The good news? There are bundles available worldwide that throw in a game with the system, and some good ones, too.
Elsewhere, in Australia and New Zealand, there’s a region-specific Pokopia bundle. While that’s all for official hardware bundles at the moment, we wouldn’t be surprised to see others pop up. Remember, though, that the hardware itself is identical in each case.
Also, keep an eye out for individual retailers whipping up deals of their own. With a plethora of Game-Key Card titles on store shelves, you may find some top games thrown in to sweeten the pot over the summer.
If you’re wondering which game bundle is best, the next section may be illuminating…
Switch 2 Essentials – The Games
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
A console is nothing without its games, and while Switch still doesn’t have an enormous number of console exclusives to its name yet, it’s amassed an impressive library in its first year.
Let’s get Team NL’s quickfire “indispensable” S2 game:
“My head says Pokopia, but my heart says Bananza. Either is guaranteed to produce face-aching smiles.” – Jim
“Donkey Kong Bananza. It doesn’t quite reach the same heights as Odyssey, but it’s got a lot of the same magic.” – Ollie
“Mario Kart World – it’s Mario Kart.” – Liam
“I’m going with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Machine Games’ light immersive-sim elements and spot-on presentation absolutely hooked me with a spectacular port. (Shoutout to RE9, which I haven’t yet played, but I’m jonesing — ha! — to.)” – Gavin
The usual suspects, unsurprisingly, though it’s interesting to see a pretty even spread – no single game is the system seller for us.
If you’re looking for a larger rundown of Switch 2’s best games, we’re happy to oblige with our reader-ranked Top 50.
System? Sorted. Games? Got ’em. Play time? Possibly…
Switch 2 Essentials – The Accessories
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
Is there anything else that’s genuinely essential?
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
Well, it depends on who you ask, and — obviously — your budget. If the controller that comes with the console works fine, splashing hard-earned cash on a controller has always felt like an ask, personally. That’s money that could be spent on another game!
And do you really need to spend 50 or 100 quid on a bloody Micro SD Express card when you’ve just shelled out for the system?
We’re divided on the storage question, but Team NL all agree about investing in a good pad – and something to carry your handheld hybrid in makes eminent sense. Let’s see what NL staffers are rolling with on the accessories front:
Yeah, you can probably live without this for the time being — Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
That’s us, but what about you? What’s your essential Switch 2 game? Have you invested in a non-Joy-Con controller? A Micro SD Express card? Are there any S2 accessories you simply couldn’t live without? How many questions are too many questions for an outro?
Let us know in the polls below, and take to the comments to expound further.
Which Switch 2 accessory do you consider most essential? (487 votes)
In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule… another Box Art Brawl is being waged.
Yes, we’re back again, and we have a doozy for you this week. But first, let’s look back at what went down last time. We looked at Rayman 3D for the uhhh… 3DS. As expected, the more action-packed North American design won the day with a whopping 77% of the vote – well done!
And now, we cast our eyes over to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. How have we not done this one yet?! Alas, now seems the perfect time. As you’ll know, a full remake of Ocarina of Time has been confirmed for the Switch 2, so it’s time to see how the 2011 entry’s box art holds up.
Europe and Japan share the same design for this one, so it’s another good ol’ duel as the two face off against North America.
Let’s do this.
North America
Image: Nintendo
North America adopts the classic gold presentation for its OOT box art, featuring Adult Link atop Epona as she rears onto her back legs. It’s elegant, understated, and really showcases the majesty of the game on 3DS.
Europe and Japan, meanwhile, went for a more cinematic approach to the box art. This one shows Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field, with Death Mountain on the right, Lon Lon Ranch on the left, and Hyrule Castle in the distant center.
It’s accurate to the geography of the world, then, and it’s a beautiful image. We wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of folks have this as their desktop wallpaper.
Which region got the best The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D box art? (2,407 votes)
North America35%
Europe / Japan65%
Thank you for voting! We’ll see you next week for another edition of Box Art Brawl!
In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule… another Box Art Brawl is being waged.
Yes, we’re back again, and we have a doozy for you this week. But first, let’s look back at what went down last time. We looked at Rayman 3D for the uhhh… 3DS. As expected, the more action-packed North American design won the day with a whopping 77% of the vote – well done!
And now, we cast our eyes over to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. How have we not done this one yet?! Alas, now seems the perfect time. As you’ll know, a full remake of Ocarina of Time has been confirmed for the Switch 2, so it’s time to see how the 2011 entry’s box art holds up.
Europe and Japan share the same design for this one, so it’s another good ol’ duel as the two face off against North America.
Let’s do this.
North America
Image: Nintendo
North America adopts the classic gold presentation for its OOT box art, featuring Adult Link atop Epona as she rears onto her back legs. It’s elegant, understated, and really showcases the majesty of the game on 3DS.
Europe and Japan, meanwhile, went for a more cinematic approach to the box art. This one shows Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field, with Death Mountain on the right, Lon Lon Ranch on the left, and Hyrule Castle in the distant center.
It’s accurate to the geography of the world, then, and it’s a beautiful image. We wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of folks have this as their desktop wallpaper.
Which region got the best The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D box art? (2,407 votes)
North America35%
Europe / Japan65%
Thank you for voting! We’ll see you next week for another edition of Box Art Brawl!
Rayman Legends will be getting a remake later this year, and if you’re wonder what Ubisoft’s plans are for the original release, it apparently won’t be going anywhere.
In a brief response to a Rayman fan on social media, the company said the “original” versions of these games would be “staying put”. In other words, they’re not going anywhere, and you shouldn’t have to worry about them being delisted (at least for now).
So if you haven’t already played Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition on the Switch or another version of the title, you should still be able to access the digital versions in the foreseeable future.
Rayman Legends Retold will transform the 2D platformer into a title with fresh 3D sequences, new levels and much more when it launches for the Switch 2 and other platforms on 1st October 2026. If you want to find out more about the original title, you can check out our review. We gave the Definitive Edition nine out of ten stars when it arrived on Switch in 2017.
Rayman Legends will be getting a remake later this year, and if you’re wonder what Ubisoft’s plans are for the original release, it apparently won’t be going anywhere.
In a brief response to a Rayman fan on social media, the company said the “original” versions of these games would be “staying put”. In other words, they’re not going anywhere, and you shouldn’t have to worry about them being delisted (at least for now).
So if you haven’t already played Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition on the Switch or another version of the title, you should still be able to access the digital versions in the foreseeable future.
Rayman Legends Retold will transform the 2D platformer into a title with fresh 3D sequences, new levels and much more when it launches for the Switch 2 and other platforms on 1st October 2026. If you want to find out more about the original title, you can check out our review. We gave the Definitive Edition nine out of ten stars when it arrived on Switch in 2017.
According to a post by the official Mega Man social media account, the Legacy Collection is getting an update on 15th June 2026, which will fix bugs and improve functionality.
It elaborates a little on this, explaining how the game will add the ability to swap the assignment of the ‘Confirm’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons on the controller. This update will also be required to continue using the game’s online features and modes. When we find out more, we’ll let you know.
If you haven’t already tried out this collection since its arrival on the Switch in March, it contains the following titles:
Mega Man Star Force Leo
Mega Man Star Force Dragon
Mega Man Star Force Pegasus
Mega Man Star Force 2 ZerkerxNinja
Mega Man Star Force 2 ZerkerxSamurai
Mega Man Star Force 3 Black Ace
Mega Man Star Force 3 Red Joker
You can find out more about this game in our review here on Nintendo Life. We gave it eight out of ten stars, calling it a “must-have experience for curious Rockman fans”:
“Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection continues Capcom’s unbroken streak of excellent Mega Man remasters, presenting these DS classics in the best possible light and providing a compelling package. Not only do the included games each offer an enjoyable virus-busting RPG adventure, but new quality-of-life features, an addictive online battle mode, and smooth presentation all come together to make for a must-have experience for curious Rockman fans.”
Have you tried out this collection on the Switch 2 yet? Let us know in the comments.
