Switch will have its first sports game next week with NBA Playgrounds. However, a key feature won’t be immediately available at launch – that being online play.
Saber Interactive prepared a patch that “will arrive a few days after launch”. Online tournaments will be added on all platforms later on as well.
An official statement reads:
“The online play for NBA Playgrounds Switch will *not* be available at launch – it will arrive a few days after launch via an update. Once this update comes out, the Switch version will have the exact same functionality as the PC, PS4, and Xbox One version – this means you can connect with people online and play against them 1v1, and there are online leaderboards. However online tournaments will not be up and running at launch for any platforms, this functionality will come at a later date via an update. We’ll share details on timing for the online tournaments as soon as we get it.”
Pokemon GO is holding a new mini-event this weekend. Beginning during the afternoon of May 5 (tomorrow), players will find an influx of Grass-type Pokemon in the wild sometime this weekend. The event ends on May 8 PT.
Gang Beasts may eventually land on Switch, judging by new comments from Gang Beasts creator Boneloaf. Studio co-founder James Brown told GamesIndustry in a recent interview: “We get asked for the Switch and we are talking about it but there are certain things behind the scenes that we need to do – like optimising the characters – in order to hit that platform.”
Boneloaf has started discussions with Nintendo in hopes of obtaining dev kits. Brown also purchased a Switch to see if the controllers would be a match with Gang Beasts.
Update: Sadly, the rating isn’t confirmation of a Switch release. It’s there just in case it happens in the future.
@NinEverything I only checked the box for the Brazilian government in-case it ever happens. This is not confirmation.
— Wolf (@Ouren) May 4, 2017
Original: VA-11 HALL-A may be coming to Switch. In Brazil, the game received a rating for Nintendo console along with a variety of other platforms.
VA-11 HALL-A for Switch was thought to be nothing more than an April Fools’ Day joke. Based on this listing though, it seems that it’s happening after all.
Here’s a handy overview for those who haven’t heard of VA-11 HALL-A previously:
“VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a booze em’ up about waifus, technology, and post-dystopia life.
In this world, corporations reign supreme, all human life is infected with nanomachines designed to oppress them, and the terrifying White Knights ensure that everyone obeys the laws.
But, this is not about those people.
You are a bartender at VA-11 HALL-A, affectionately nicknamed “Valhalla.” Although it is just a small bar downtown, it attracts the most fascinating people this side of dystopia. Keep your clients lubricated and you will be made privy to the most interesting stories.”
The World Video Game Hall of Fame in its 2017 edition has inducted four new games that deserve it because of how they affected the video game industry: Donkey Kong, Halo: Combat Evolved, Pokémon Red & Green, and Street Fighter II.
The original Donkey Kong arcade game has been inducted because of how it helped to launch the career of one Shigeru Miyamoto, as well as counting as the first appearance of characters Donkey Kong and Super Mario (who was known as Jumpman).
Amazon Canada has opened up pre-orders for the New 2DS XL. You can reserve one for yourself right here. In Canada, the New 2DS XL is priced at $199.99.
The Android version of Pokemon GO has added a new feature. Although it doesn’t have much functionality yet, it will be possible to redeem promo codes in the future.
Players will be able to redeem codes by going through the following steps:
- In the Map View, touch the Main Menu
button. - Touch Shop
button. - At the bottom of the screen, enter the promo code in the text field.
- Touch Redeem.
Once a code is redeemed, a notification will display the items added to your inventory.
To reiterate, this feature is only included in the Android version of Pokemon GO. That being said, it will likely be added on iOS in the future.
Update (5/4): These are all now up for pre-order on Play-Asia here.
Original (4/27): Amazon Japan has listings up for a number of upcoming Switch accessories from Nintendo. Three different pouches based on ARMS, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are due out at some point this year. A bigger Splatoon 2 case will also specifically be made available in July.
Here’s a look at each:
The pouches are priced at 2,462 yen. The case costs 4,298 yen.
