Kirby is a versatile little fellow – outside of his core 2D (and as of late, 3D) platforming adventures, Nintendo’s most rotund character has starred in a battle royale, puzzle games, fighters, and more. His big 2003 debut into the racing genre, Kirby Air Ride, now receives a sequel over twenty years later that feels more like an expanded remake at times, revisiting the original concept but expanding and improving upon it at seemingly every turn. It’s also wholly unlike most other racing games, and its diversity of game modes, breakneck pace and Super Smash Bros-esque flair make it feel more like a party game at times. While not all the pieces of Kirby Air Riders are equally compelling, and I’m not sure the game will have the staying power for me personally that I had hoped, I was certainly never bored while playing—and often, the adrenaline from the game’s more intense moments had me on the edge of my seat.

More: Bandai Namco, highlight, Kirby Air Riders, top

Nintendo reveals difficulty levels for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will feature a few different difficulty levels, Nintendo has confirmed.

Right out of the gate, “Casual” and “Normal” will be available. If you beat the game in “Normal”, you’ll also unlock a new “Hard” mode.

More: Metroid Prime 4, Retro Studios, top

Ubisoft on challenges of porting Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Nintendo Switch 2, DLSS and VRR confirmed

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be on Nintendo Switch 2 in just a few days, and Ubisoft has now gone into detail about the port – including confirmation that DLSS and VRR are supported.

Right out of the gate, all updates will be packed in with the exception of the Claws of Awaji expansion. However, that’s planned for February 2026. Cross-progression is supported across platforms and touch screen navigation will be available for menus, maps, and the hideout.

More: Assassin's Creed Shadows, top, Ubisoft

Nintendo Download – November 27, 2025 (North America) – Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, more

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

It’s time for the newest North American Nintendo Download Switch report for the week of November 27, 2025. The latest releases on the Nintendo eShop include Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and more.

Here’s the full roundup:

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Famitsu sales (11/17/25 – 11/23/25) – first week sales revealed for Kirby Air Riders

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Famitsu are as follows:

More: charts, Famitsu, Japan, sales, top

Nintendo Switch Online adds Ninja Gaiden 2, Battletoads, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Bionic Commando

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Four more classic games have just dropped on Nintendo Switch Online, with Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Battletoads, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, and Bionic Commando all going live. They can be accessed now on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch.

Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Battletoads are new on the NES app. Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando represent the Game Boy side of things.

Here’s a trailer showing off Ninja Gaiden 2, Battletoads, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, and Bionic Commando on Nintendo Switch Online:

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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment gets first content update this week, full details

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment hasn’t been out for very long, but the first content update has been confirmed for this week. The patch will begin distribution on November 27, 2025.

Players will be able to take on fearsome enemies to earn additional in-game rewards including two new weapons. There’ll also be a new Sync Strike for Zelda and Calamo and more.

Here’s some additional information:

More: AAA Studio, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Koei Tecmo, top

Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 21.0.1 out now, patch notes

Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Heads up for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch owners as a new firmware update, version 21.0.1, has now been released.

This seems to be about improving things from the last update. Version 21.0.0 came out earlier in the month and brought about some new features. However, it did also break some things in the process. Nintendo specifically addressed a couple of error codes with local system transfers as well as an issue involving wireless controllers/Bluetooth audio devices specifically on Switch 2.

Also, as you may recall, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl and Crypt of the NecroDancer were among the games we were hearing about having issues on Nintendo Switch 2 following the update. We’ll have to wait and see if there are reports of these titles now having been fixed with version 21.0.1.

Below is the full notice for today’s update:

More: system update, top

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide review for Nintendo Switch 2

Posted on 1 month ago by Richard in Reviews, Switch 2 | 0 comments

System: Switch 2
Release date: November 18, 2025
Developer: Purple Lamp
Publisher: THQ Nordic

Are ya ready kids? Everyone’s favorite absorbent and porous fry cook is back in a new 3D platforming adventure. With Battle for Bikini Bottom and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game both considered cult classics of the GameCube era of gaming, and this style of SpongeBob game making a return through developer Purple Lamp’s remake of Battle for Bikini Bottom: Rehydrated, and wholly original title The Cosmic Shake, I was very excited to see what was to come next. I thoroughly enjoyed the Rehydrated return to platforming for SpongeBob, but I was a little more mixed on The Cosmic Shake, which felt to me like it had too much back-tracking in its design and only having SpongeBob be playable felt like an odd decision at the time. However, it was a very ambitious game and a strong base to build off for the next entry and before you can stop on your right foot (don’t forget it!) and bring it around town, THQ Nordic has already cooked up a new original game with a supernatural twist. The story?

More: highlight, Purple Lamp, THQ Nordic, top

Every Pokemon generation gimmick ranked, from Z-Moves to Mega Evolution

Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in 3DS, Features, Switch, Switch 2 | 0 comments

Since the release of Pokemon X and Y in 2013, new games in the series have had a battle “gimmick” of some sort to keep things fresh. It all started with Mega Evolution in X and Y, which was then expanded upon in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Then we got Z-Moves in Pokemon Sun and Moon, followed by Dynamax and Gigantamax in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Then we’ve got Terastallization in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and that’s where we’re at right now. We’re almost certain to see another new gimmick introduced in the tenth generation of Pokemon, which is getting closer and closer by the day given that Scarlet and Violet released three years ago already. So today, we’re taking a look at all of these battle gimmicks and ranking them from best to least best. None of the gimmicks are outright terrible – they’re all inspired and thematically appropriate for their regions, but some are certainly better than others.

More: Game Freak, highlight, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon Legends Z-A, Pokemon Moon, Pokemon Omega Ruby, Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sun, Pokemon Sword, Pokemon Violet, Pokemon X, Pokemon Y, top