Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th April)

Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th April)

  
Jump up, Superstar Saga.

Another week is almost over, which means it's once again time to kick back, relax, and play some games.

Before we do, however, let's just do a quick recap of some of the stories from this week. First up, Nintendo expanded the NSO service with two N64 games, which is always welcome in our book. We also got our first proper look at Tales of the Shire, the new Lord of the Rings-themed farm sim for the Switch. It looks... okay..? See what you think.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Video: We've Played Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU - Here's 12 Minutes Of Switch Gameplay

Video: We've Played Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU - Here's 12 Minutes Of Switch Gameplay

  
Metroidvania in motion.

It feels like only yesterday that we first locked eyes on Tales of Kenzera: ZAU at last year's Game Awards show, but now this original Metroidvania is finally here!

While we at Nintendo Life will have our full written review with you soon, our video team has been good enough to first capture some gameplay footage so that you can see how all of the action plays out on Switch.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
More Animal Crossing LEGO Sets Are Heading Our Way This August

More Animal Crossing LEGO Sets Are Heading Our Way This August

  
Okay, K.K.

Hot off the back of the first collection, LEGO has today announced that it will be expanding its range of Animal Crossing sets with at least two new builds heading our way on 1st August.

Revealed in a rather adorable video of a K.K. Slider minifigure blasting his tunes (the vid very kindly points out the minifig "does not actually sing or move"), we get our first peek at a duo of sets which appear to be modelled on the New Horizons Town Hall and Dodo Airlines dock respectively.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Shadow Of The Ninja Remake Emerges With Switch Release Date

Shadow Of The Ninja Remake Emerges With Switch Release Date

  
Out of the shadows.

Publisher Natsume Atari and developer Tengo Project have revealed that Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, the remake of NES action platformer Shadow of the Ninja, will be launching on Nintendo Switch, and other platforms, on 29th August 2024 (via Gematsu).

Tengo Project is known for its retro revivals, having worked on Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, and is now bringing its experience to another oft-forgotten classic from 1990. The remake brings new visuals, rearranged music, and new weapons.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Unofficial Metroid Pixel Art eBook Is Currently Free, But Be Quick

Unofficial Metroid Pixel Art eBook Is Currently Free, But Be Quick

  
Clock's ticking.

If you fancy perusing some lovely unofficial pixel art for the Metroid franchise, then you're in luck. Retro Game Books is currently offering the Pixel Art: Metroid eBook for absolutely nothing. Yep, free!

You'll need to be quick, though, as the offer is only available for 24 hours as of roughly 4am BST this morning. Simply head on over to the store page, add the eBook to your cart with the promo code PIXEL at checkout, and the site will automatically apply the relevant discount.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
New Contra: Operation Galuga Update Is Heading For Switch, Here Are The Patch Notes

New Contra: Operation Galuga Update Is Heading For Switch, Here Are The Patch Notes

  
Out now on other consoles, "coming soon" for Switch.

Konami and WayForward have today announced that a new update is on the way for Contra: Operation Galuga on Switch. As was the case with the launch update, the latest patch is available today on PS4, PS5, Xbox and Steam, but we'll have to wait a little longer before it comes to Switch.

We don't have a precise date for the Switch release yet outside of "soon," but we do know what it'll entail. The major issues targeted this time are a forced quit error, game freezes and music bugs, though the development team has also made a handful of tweaks to most of the stages in the hopes of improving the overall experience.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Random: We Didn't Know We Needed This Zelda: TOTK And Metal Slug Crossover

Random: We Didn't Know We Needed This Zelda: TOTK And Metal Slug Crossover

  
Boooooom!

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been out for nearly a year now, but folks are still coming up with absolutely bonkers creations with the game's Ultrahand ability.

The latest is an incredible crossover with the Metal Slug franchise in which X user @saiotoko002 has actually recreated a faithful tank from the run 'n' gun franchise. It's not just for show either; like all great TOTK creations, the tank is fully operational and is able to fire lasers and bombs at poor, unsuspecting Bokoblins.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Digital Eclipse's Remake of 'Wizardry' Dungeon Crawls Onto Switch In May

Digital Eclipse's Remake of 'Wizardry' Dungeon Crawls Onto Switch In May

  
A relic uncovered.

Digital Eclipse has confirmed that its 3D remake of SirTech's Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord will be heading to the Nintendo Switch on 23rd May 2024.

Originally launched via Early Access on Steam in September 2023, the game is a full-on modernised remake of the 1981 classic for the Apple II. The original game was the first party-based dungeon crawler and would later inspire the likes of FInal Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Dark Souls.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Disney Dreamlight Valley Welcomes Daisy Duck In Next Free Content Update

Disney Dreamlight Valley Welcomes Daisy Duck In Next Free Content Update

  
And Oswald the Rabbit joins the expansion pass.

Although it has been teased for a little while now, Gameloft has today revealed that Daisy Duck will be stepping into Disney Dreamlight Valley in the game's next free content update, 'Frills and Thrills'. What's more, we can expect this update to land next week on 1st May.

The valley's newest arrival was showcased in today's Disney Dreamlight Valley developer update (above), where the team shared a first look at what's to come over the next season. Aside from Daisy, the next content update will also bring with it new park rides in the upcoming 'A Day at Disney' Star Path, new ways to snap up selfies and new items thanks to Daisy's boutique.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Sega Reveals 'Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble' Multiplayer Trailer

Sega Reveals 'Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble' Multiplayer Trailer

  
Ba-BOOM!

Sega has revealed a brand new trailer for the upcoming Switch exclusive Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, this time focusing on the game's numerous multiplayer modes.

Launching on 25th June, 2024, the title will allow for 2 players to tackle the main campaign via co-op play, while up to 16 players can take part in the online modes. We've got Race, Banana Hunt, Ba-BOOM!, Gold Rush and Robo Smash on offer, and they all look totally bonkers if the new trailer is anything to go by.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Reminder: Nintendo's Zelda: TOTK And Mario Wonder GDC Talks Are Now Online For Free

Reminder: Nintendo's Zelda: TOTK And Mario Wonder GDC Talks Are Now Online For Free

  
Catch up on the conference.

You might remember that last month, Nintendo came to the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) armed with interesting talks about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Certain topics covered in these talks trickled out to those of us who weren't there, but we can now watch each of them in all of their glory online! For free!

Now yes, both of Nintendo's talks and many from other developers actually went live earlier this month, but it's never too late to catch up on some words of wisdom from some of the best brains in the biz (and the games in discussion aren't too shabby either).

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Random: Kit And Krysta Show Off Their Immense DS And 3DS Collection

Random: Kit And Krysta Show Off Their Immense DS And 3DS Collection

  
Including a few signed gems.

The DS and the 3DS both had incredible libraries of games, we all know this, but sometimes it's kind of nice to just see a whole bunch of them laid out nicely so we can gaze at them in wonder.

Thankfully, Kit and Kryta, former Nintendo employees and current, uh... Kit and Krysta hosts, have taken the time to show off their DS and 3DS collections, accumulated both in private and during their time at Nintendo.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The Pokémon Center's Giant Slowpoke Plush Is Getting A Restock

The Pokémon Center's Giant Slowpoke Plush Is Getting A Restock

  
Slowpoke used pre-order!

Just when we thought we were out, The Pokémon Company drags us back in. We don't have room for another giant Pokémon plush and yet the 59-inch Slowpoke (which you might remember came to Japan back in 2021) has us wondering whether we could make just a little bit of space for this gentle giant.

Now, this one actually came to Pokémon Centers a few years back, but the upcoming restock means that all those who missed out now have a chance to pick one up.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com
New Pepper Grinder Update Drills Onto Switch Soon, Here Are The Full Patch Notes

New Pepper Grinder Update Drills Onto Switch Soon, Here Are The Full Patch Notes

  
New timers! Boss tweaks! Bug fixes!

Devolver Digital's neo-retro platformer Pepper Grinder burrowed its way straight into our hearts (not as gruesome as it sounds) when it launched on Switch last month. We loved it.

In the time since, developer Ahr Ech has been hard at work on the game's first major update, patching some pesky bugs and introducing a smattering of new features. This update is already live on Steam and is expected to arrive on Switch "in the next few weeks" according to the dev.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com