Including updates to resolution and load times.
Nintendo officially launched Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch 2 this week, and since then, some video comparisons have now popped up online.
One of these has been shared by the YouTube channel ‘ElAnalistaDeBits’, which not only presents a side-by-side visual comparison of the Switch 2 Edition next to the existing Switch release, but also shows other improvements such as game’s loading times.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Form an orderly Kiryu.
My gaming life can now be cleanly split into two sections: the period before I had heard the phrase “Daddy Rank”, and the period after it.
It’s one of the key features of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties that Sega was kind enough to show me at a fancy gyoza-joint-turned-preview space in London this week, and in the days since, I haven’t stopped muttering it to myself whenever I do a small piece of housework.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
“I’ll buy it at a high price!”.
If you’re really, really excited for Resident Evil Requiem next month, then you might want to keep an eye out for two limited edition watches from manufacturer Hamilton.
Launching alongside the game on 27th February 2026, the two models are featured in the game itself and are (conveniently) worn by both protagonists: Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy. They also cost enough to make RE4’s merchant break out in a cold sweat.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
“Forever fast”.
Believe it or not, Sonic the Hedgehog is celebrating his 35th anniversary in 2026, and Sega is clearly planning something as it dropped a nostalgia blast of a trailer celebrating the blue blur’s life and times.
The trailer highlights the range of Sonic over the franchise’s storied history, from his pixel perfect start on the Mega Drive with Sonic the Hedgehog, to blockbuster movies in Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Anyone for cake?
Believe it or not, Universal Studios Japan is hosting Super Nintendo World’s fifth anniversary this year, and it’s marking the occasion in a way that only Nintendo can: a buttload of decorations and some exclusive merch.
The Mario-themed park will be getting a celebratory birthday makeover from 18th March, featuring a giant superstar cake at the entrance and a special ‘Star Hunt’ activity within. Yoshi will also be joining the meet-and-greet circuit in the park itself, marking the first time that the beloved dino has been available for photo ops with the public.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
What will they think of next? FIVE million?
The first two weeks’ sales data of 2026 is in from Famitsu, and it’ll come as a surprise to nobody to hear that the Switch 2 is still dominating the proceedings.
It’s yet another Switch 1/2 washout in the software chart to kick off the new year, with Mario Kart World leading the charge, followed by Konami’s immensely popular Momotaro Dentetsu board game sequel. Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues to stay hot on both consoles, and it’ll be interesting to see how far Animal Crossing: New Horizons moves up the ranking once the sales data for the Switch 2 Edition is in.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
As we all should.
We’ve not seen a great deal of Kevin Afghani since the voice actor took over the envious role of Mario from veteran Charles Martinet. But this coming weekend, Afghani will meet his fans for the very first time when he attends Charlie’s ComicCon in Estero, Florida.
To mark the occasion, Afghani recently caught up with USA Today to chat about all things Mario, including his prior experience with Nintendo games, how he feels to voice the world’s most famous plumber, and what it’s like to follow up on the work done by Charles Martinet.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Three more retro offerings.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties launches for the Switch 2 next month, and in case you missed it, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will be adding a variety of retro games.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Sorry, Switch fans.
Nintendo has announced its first Switch Online game trial of 2026 for North America. It’s also apparently the first time a trial has been exclusive to the Switch 2.
It’s EA Sports Madden NFL 26, which launched on the Switch 2 in August last year. This game trial is available between now and 21st January 2026, and gives players access to the “full” game. If you don’t have a subscription, Nintendo is also currently offering a free 7-day online trial in this region.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
A “shared commitment” to improve player safety.
In 2020, the major players in the console space Nintendo, Sony and Xbox announced a “shared commitment to safer gaming” to improve player safety across each platform.
Fast forward to this year, and these shared principles have now been updated to ensure they represent the “constant efforts” to keep each of these game communities safe. Here’s a bit more about this via Nintendo’s official news release:
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
