Category: Nintendo

New games can bloom on the battlefield.

After what has most certainly felt like an eternity for many of us, five of the mainline Metal Gear games are now available to Nintendo fans on the Switch via Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. While it’s perhaps not the most pristine package that we were hoping for, it’s nevertheless a solid (ha!) compilation that provides the perfect entry-point for newcomers and a good dose of nostalgia for veterans.

With Konami now seemingly poking its head back into the world of ‘AAA’ game development after an extended hiatus, it’s admittedly got us thinking: what exactly do we want from Metal Gear now? After all, a recent video featuring none other than David Hayter, voice actor for protagonist Snake, is causing waves in the community thanks to a rather intriguing promise that “this is only the beginning” (which, we admit, is likely just in relation to the ‘Legacy Series’ itself, but we can dream).

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Heaven a good time.

This review was originally published in November 2014. We’re updating and republishing it to mark the game’s arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online NES library — and its official debut in North America nearly 40 years after its Japanese launch on Famicom.

As far as obscure releases within the NES library go, Devil World is certainly one of the most interesting. Originally released in Japan in 1984 and in Europe in 1987, this is a title that to this day has never been available to purchase in North America — not even through the wonders of Nintendo’s Virtual Console service. Nintendo of America originally passed on the title at the time of release due to self-imposed rules on the use of religious icons and themes appearing in its games. The subsidiary’s stance has evidently relaxed since then, yet Devil World nevertheless remained in the depths of unreleased game hell in the region until its 2023 debut as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

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Tainted bloodline.

This review was originally published in October 2012. We’re updating and republishing it to mark the game’s arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy library.

The odds were stacked against Castlevania Legends almost from the start. When it was released towards the end of the ’90s, it had the near-impossible task of following Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – a game which had revitalised Konami’s gothic series and won widespread critical acclaim.

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“The future is bright and unwritten”.

In what will no doubt prove to be one of the more, shall we say, sensible acquisitions in the games industry, Digital Eclipse has announced that it is officially joining Atari after its stellar work on Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration.

Founded in 1992, Digital Eclipse is well known for its expertise in the retro field, creating well-received compilations such as Mega Man Legacy Collection and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection. Its work on Atari 50 was noted for its extensive use of interviews and archival material to present a remarkably comprehensive history of Atari as a company and a product.

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“Chapter 3 is nearing completion”.

As part of the Halloween celebrations today, Undertale creator Toby Fox has provided a brand new update on the status of Deltarune Chapter 3,4 and 5 – revealing the there’ll be “no more waiting” for the fifth chapter.

The “new strategy” is to instead focus on putting Deltarune out for purchase once Chapter 4 is completed. The other good news is Chapter 3 is “nearing completion” with many people on the team apparently now moving onto Chapter 4.

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VBlank’s Shakedown: Hawaii returns.

Just when we thought the 3DS generation had finally come to an end, another company goes and announces a new physical release. This time it’s a hard copy version of VBlank’s Shakedown: Hawaii title.

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Revisit Castlevania Legends & some other special titles.

Nintendo has announced a new batch of games to the Switch Online service. The latest additions are part of the standard tier – adding two NES titles, and a Game Boy title.

The titles added in the latest update include The Mysterious Murasame Castle, Devil World and Castlevania Legends. Here’s a bit about each one, including some screenshots:

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The Long and Whining Toad.

Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they’ve been chewing over. Today, Jim’s got some not-so-wonderful thoughts about the residents of Mario’s latest 2D adventure…

You don’t need me to tell you just how charming Super Mario Bros. Wonder is. You only need to briefly glance at Twitter to see the same comments crop up repeatedly: the visuals are brilliant, the level design is great, the Badge system keeps things interesting, etc. And I agree with everyone online wholeheartedly — it is rather wonderful. But let’s not be blinded by the shiny facade of the Flower Kingdom to the point where we can’t see the bad seed growing inside — those flippin’ Poplins.

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“This is actually really fun”.

Earlier this year, Team Hookshot (Nintendo Life, Push Square, Pure Xbox, and Time Extension) all got together for an annual gathering filled with laughs, snacks, and sheer lunacy.

To make the most of the event, our lovely video producer Zion decided to challenge Alex and Felix to a wee game of “Guess the Nintendo Accessory”, in which our competitors are blindfolded and required to fondle a number of first-party Nintendo accessories in order to guess what they are.

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Walking in a winter wonderland.

It’s been a busy year for Riot’s new Forge publishing arm, aimed at expanding its League of Legends Runeterra universe in games beyond the popular MOBA. In April, we got The Mageseeker, a hi-bit brawler set in the austere kingdom of Demacia, and in June, we got Convergence, a traditional Metroidvania set in the seedy depths of the city of Zaun. To finish out the year, the company has now published Song of Nunu, a narrative action game developed by Tequila Works, which previously developed RiME back in the early days of the Switch library. We’re pleased to report that Song of Nunu is yet another strong addition to the Runeterra universe, expertly combining a gripping narrative with enjoyable gameplay.

Song of Nunu is set in the Freljord, a harsh, frigid, mountainous region in the north of Runeterra, and follows the adventures of an energetic young boy named Nunu and his affable yeti friend, Willump. Nunu’s mother has gone missing since his camp was attacked by raiders and he keeps having dreams where she tells him to find “The Heart of the Blue” at the Winged Mountain. Aided by Willump’s strength, Nunu sets out on a quest to reach the mountain, where he expects to find some answers about what happened to his mother and hopes to be reunited with her. All the while, however, the two are unknowingly pursued by a dangerous ice witch named Lissandra, who wishes to use Willump’s unique powers to help her fight back against a shadowy force that threatens the whole Freljord.

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