Going into TRON: Catalyst I was totally blind. It turns out it’s the sequel to TRON: Identity, which I never played.

But with my new Switch 2 I was chomping at the bit for games to play, so thought I would give it a try.

The good news is if like me you haven’t played TRON: Identity, don't stress, you can just jump into this one.

The story follows Exo who is a courier program Exo gets himself mixed up in a conspiracy where the server they live on is going to get a hard reset. It turns out the server they are on has a big power struggle between Core, and people that want more freedom. As far as a story goes, it’s fine. It’s interesting at times.

The story is mostly told through scenes where it shows still of characters as they speak. This is a perfectly fine way of telling the story, and it has decent voice acting. It just has that vibe of an OK story being told via a decent way, which just results in it being decent. Never amazing, just decent.

The game itself is an isometric action game. You run around exploring and throwing your TRON spin discy thing at people. The combat is more than competent, and it’s fun for the most part. Dodging at the right time, slashing an enemy, then firing your disc to nail another is satisfying as hell. The biggest issue is it just gets a bit repetitive.

Fun, but repetitive.

The biggest thing that the game has going for it is the art style. The neon TRON style has been beautifully crafted in the game to always look stunning on the screen. The art style of the characters in the dialogue scenes also look cool. But really when exploring the world I was always loving the look and style the game had to offer.

On the whole, TRON: Catalyst is just a decent game.

Fun gameplay, a decent story, and stunning art design makes the game a perfectly fine way to spend a day. At no point was I blown away by the game, but I had a great time. The isometric gameplay does make it perfect for picking up and jamming on the Switch 2.

The post TRON: Catalyst (Switch 2) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The open-world action-adventure role-playing game is now available to Nintendo players for the first time ever as a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition features both the base game and its spy-thriller expansion Phantom Liberty, providing the ultimate Cyberpunk 2077 experience in one package. Set in Night City, one of the most immersive worlds in gaming, the story sees players step into the shoes of cyber-enhanced mercenary V and fight for glory and survival in the dark future.

Taking full advantage of the unique features of Nintendo Switch 2, this release offers players the most cyberpunk way to play Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition — with motion controls to hack and slash through enemies with Joy-Con 2 controllers, Gyroscope Mode or mouse controls for pin-point precision, and touch screen capabilities to swipe through menus, select character skills, or play the hacking mini-game like a real netrunner.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is out now.

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Square Enix has now released BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster.

Now available on the new Nintendo Switch 2, this HD remaster invites players to relive the epic journey with enhanced visuals and brand-new minigames.

Originally released in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster brings the unforgettable story, iconic characters designed by Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY TACTICS, NieR:Automata) and innovative “Brave & Default” turn-based battle system to the current generation of gamers for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. The HD remaster is perfect for long-time fans to revisit the world of Luxendarc and for newcomers alike.

The Nintendo Switch 2 system exclusive remaster contains two brand-new minigames that utilize the hardware’s mouse controls. In Luxencheer Rhythm Catch, a rhythm-based game, players will use the mice as light sticks and put on a rousing performance. In Ringabel’s Panic Cruise, players will use the mice to steer an airship while fulfilling various requests from your party members, putting players’ multitasking skills to the test. Players can earn various rewards by playing these minigames such as the new notes, an accessory to completely disable enemy encounters and costumes to change the characters’ appearances.

BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is set in Luxendarc, a world where four elemental crystals maintain peace and balance. When darkness suddenly emerges from the Great Chasm that left a gaping void in the world, the warriors of light will embark on an adventure to save the world from calamity. Players will join Agnès Oblige, the vestal of the Wind Crystal, Tiz Arrior, a kind shepherd and sole survivor of the Great Chasm that engulfed his hometown, Edea Lee, the only daughter of the grand marshal of the Duchy of Eternia, Ringabel, an amnesiac young man with a mysterious journal that has chronicled future events and Airy, a cryst-fairy, on an epic journey to restore light to the crystals and bring peace to the world.

Players can work strategically to control the flow of battle with the innovative “Brave & Default” battle system: Brave to expend Brave Points to increase the number of actions taken in turn, and Default to stock up a turn while shoring up defenses. With the game’s job system that features over 20 unique jobs, players can mix and match different jobs and abilities to experiment with a huge variety of party compositions.

Thrilling turn-based battles, which can be sped up by the player as desired, are enhanced further by a larger-than-life soundtrack from Revo, making BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster a can’t miss for RPG enthusiasts.

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In 2015 an excellent JRPG dropped on the Wii U called Xenoblade Chronicles X.

Unfortunately, that console was not well received. As such many fans were doomed to never experience the glory. Fortunately, it wasn’t doomed, thanks to the latest Switch release Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition!

Xenoblade Chronicles X kicks off with an intense cinematic.

Aliens are at war with each other and Earth is in the middle of it. Earth’s people attempt to leave in some massive ships called arks. Most of these arks are destroyed in the crossfire, but a handful make it out.  We follow one that has lifepods scattered on a planet called Mira.

Here you get to create your own character.

This character wakes up from their pod by a woman called ELMA who takes you through the fundamentals of moving and takes you to the city New Los Angeles.

Your character suffers good old fashioned amnesia, so you follow her and become a member of BLADE. BLADE is a group that is hunting for more pods and survivors. This sends you off on missions, and in one of them you discover that you are a robot. Whaaaaat? Aren’t you supposed to be one of the remaining humans? The plot get’s thick. You are going to be playing this game for many, many, many hours, so there has to be more to it than that right? Yup, Mira has heaps of other races, and some of them don’t like humans. The plot keeps thickening. It’s actually a really interesting and well crafted world and story.

The gameplay initially is very Xenoblade Chronicles. It is initially the usual auto battle combat which is super fun and engaging. But it ramps up when you get your hands on the mechs called Skells. You encounter them early, but you don’t get to pilot one until you have progressed the story enough. At this point travelling around and battles ramp up to be even more fun. But you don’t want to rush to that. There are so many side missions that help you get allies in your team that are worth doing from a gameplay perspective, but even better for the world building.

The game runs shockingly well. When there is too much chaos going on it can jitter a little bit, but I have seen smaller games run much worse. It is a massive game and I am perfectly happy with some minor performance dips for the game to be this good on the go.

There are added characters and missions to the game as well. Unfortunately I have only played this version so can only speak to this as a contained experience, but there is something there for Wii U returning players.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a cracking good game.  I am so grateful that this rerelease means more people get to play and enjoy this gem of a JRPG!  If you like JRPGs or the Xenoblade series, this is a must play.

The post Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

All Together, Anytime, Anywhere.

With new ways to play and new ways to connect players, Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on 5th June 2025. Discover reimagined Joy-Con 2 controllers, each of which can now be used as a mouse in compatible games and that snap to the console with magnetic connectors.

Experience the console’s powerful processing speeds delivering visuals via a bigger screen showcasing vibrant colour and clarity. From Nintendo Switch 2 games to compatible games in existing Nintendo Switch libraries – connect and play with friends and family in surprising new ways.

“Nintendo Switch 2 is the next step in at-home gaming that can be taken on the go based on eight years of play and discovery that began with Nintendo Switch,” said Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa. “With its new features that expand the possibilities of gaming experiences, I truly believe that Nintendo Switch 2 is a leap forward in our journey of putting smiles on the faces of everyone that Nintendo touches.”

Race into Nintendo Switch 2 with the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle, which includes a console and a download code for Mario Kart World, available from Nintendo Switch 2 launch day.

Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation featured a broad variety of hardware details, system features, and games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 both from Nintendo and its publishing partners.

GameChat Enables New Ways to Play Socially, All Together

With the new online feature GameChat, people can play games and talk like everyone is in the same room, even if they are miles apart.

Whether sharing a victory or just waving hello, GameChat makes it feel like online friends around the world are on the same couch. Once GameChat is up, players can start a chat with friends anytime by pressing the C Button on the right Joy-Con 2 controller.

The console’s built-in mic can be used to voice chat while playing games with up to 12 people in different locations. Up to four friends can share their screen, and if they connect a compatible USB-C camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately), they can also video chat, seeing each other’s faces as they cheer, shout, or laugh while playing. Additional friends can join the chat via audio only. Until the end of March 2026, GameChat can be used without the need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

When initiating a GameChat session, the user invites people from their friend list.

Safety features are in place to help players have a safe and secure chat experience, such as the ability to report a person while in a chat session. In addition, Nintendo recognises the important role parents and guardians play in their children’s online experiences, so children under the age of 16 will need their parent or guardian to approve their use of GameChat with an updated version of the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App.

A Multitude of New Features and Experiences

A large, vivid screen that allows smooth motion expression

Nintendo Switch 2 has a large 7.9-inch built-in LCD screen that displays in full HD at 1080p while maintaining the same thickness of Nintendo Switch. Even while on the go, Nintendo Switch 2 offers vivid, detailed game experiences, as well as smooth graphics showcasing character movements and their rich facial expressions.

Joy-Con 2 controllers attach to the console with a “snap”

Joy-Con 2, the newly designed Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, magnetically attach to the Nintendo Switch 2 console. In addition, either Joy-Con 2 controller can be operated like a mouse by sliding it on a surface like a table or on a pair of trousers. They can be used in multiple ways, including for games that require aiming.

A new freely adjustable stand and a new USB-C port

The angle of the new stable stand on the back of the Nintendo Switch 2 console can be adjusted freely so that players can find their preferred viewing angle.

While Nintendo Switch has one USB-C port on the bottom of the console, Nintendo Switch 2 has a port on the top as well, which makes it possible for players to use the included AC adapter to charge the console while playing in tabletop mode. It is also possible to connect a compatible USB-C camera, like the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, to enjoy video chat on GameChat.

Powerful processing speed and graphical performance

Nintendo Switch 2 has significantly improved CPU and GPU performance over Nintendo Switch, resulting in faster processing speed and enabling new visually advanced gameplay. It also makes it possible to achieve more detailed graphics and faster loading times.

Crisp audio quality and spatial 3D sound

On Nintendo Switch 2, the sound quality is more natural and clearer with an even more balanced sound range. When playing in handheld mode or tabletop mode, players will be able to experience games with even more immersive, three-dimensional sound.

Internal storage of 256 GB

The internal storage of Nintendo Switch 2, where digital games and save data are stored, is 256 GB, which is 8 times the storage capacity of Nintendo Switch. For additional storage, Nintendo Switch 2 only uses microSD Express cards, which have faster data reading speeds than previous microSD models.

Nintendo Switch games are also playable on Nintendo Switch 2

In addition to Nintendo Switch 2 games, Nintendo Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital games released on Nintendo Switch.

Some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers and peripherals, such as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, will also be usable on Nintendo Switch 2 by connecting them wirelessly to the console.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 dock

By connecting the Nintendo Switch 2 dock to a TV, users can output video at up to 4K resolution and play games at up to 120 fps via compatible games and TVs.

Multiple people can play one title with GameShare

With GameShare, a new Nintendo Switch 2 feature, players can share and play the same game with others who do not have the game.

If one person has a Nintendo Switch 2 console and a game compatible with GameShare, that person can invite others to temporarily play the same game together via local play with their Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console. Between Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, GameShare can also be used along with GameChat for online play, so that players can chat with others while all of them play the same game.

Virtual game cards add benefits to digital games

With virtual game cards, players can easily manage all their purchased digital games, play games on two different consoles, or even lend or borrow games.

The virtual game card menu shows all the digital games purchased with a user’s Nintendo Account, making it easy to access the games and load them on the console. Once a virtual game card is loaded onto a console, it can be played even if the console is not connected to the Internet, and other users who are on that console can also play the game.

Additionally, digital games can be lent and borrowed among members of the same Nintendo Account family group in the form of virtual game cards via local wireless communication.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online will be available on Nintendo Switch 2.

On Nintendo Switch 2, players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be able to use features like GameChat along with existing online features. For a limited time, all Nintendo Switch 2 owners can access GameChat without a Nintendo Switch Online membership through the GameChat Welcome Offer period, which lasts until 31st March, 2026.  After that time, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat.

In addition, for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics will be released right at the console’s launch. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Nintendo Switch 2 console will be able to access a growing collection of Nintendo GameCube games with clearer image quality and higher resolution than the original releases. The classic game lineup available at release will be F-ZERO GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and SOULCALIBUR II. Along with the classic games, a dedicated wireless controller designed after the original Nintendo GameCube controller will be available for purchase by paid Nintendo Switch Online members.

Variety of accessibility features

In addition to existing accessibility features on Nintendo Switch, to support players’ wide range of gameplay styles, Nintendo Switch 2 offers a variety of new accessibility options including the ability to adjust font size, enable screen reader, and speech-to-text features within GameChat.

Safe and secure game experience on Nintendo Switch 2

With the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app, parents can easily support their children’s gameplay by using their smart device to check what kind of games their children play or set limits on how long the console can be used daily.

As for GameChat, children under the age of 16 will need the parent’s or guardian’s approval on the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app to start a chat, which makes it possible for parents and guardians to manage their children’s chat experience securely.

New Games for a New Console

Nintendo Switch 2 will launch with games that highlight its new capabilities while bringing everyone along for the ride. From brand new titles and console exclusives, like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, to exhilarating experiences like EA SPORTS Madden NFL and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, to upgraded versions of Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, there is much to share and play.

Put the pedal to the metal in Mario Kart World, a brand-new experience set in a vast interconnected environment.

Race seamlessly across connected courses that deliver Mario Kart racing like never before. 24 drivers can compete in a race. Participate in the new Knockout Tour mode, where you’ll barrel through back-to-back courses and checkpoints, with no pit stops along the way. If a player doesn’t make it to each checkpoint at a high-enough placement, they will be eliminated. And in Free Roam, it’s possible to go off the racetrack and drive in any direction you wish, explore areas that pique your interest and take some photos at scenic spots with a group of friends. Mario Kart World races onto Nintendo Switch 2 on 5th June, 2025.

Get ready for Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new 3D platforming action adventure – available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Crash, bash, and climb through nearly everything in DK’s path and tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration. The more that is demolished with powerful punches, the more areas open up to discover. Break on through this adventure full of mayhem, surprises and bananas when Donkey Kong Bananza crashes onto Nintendo Switch 2 on 17th July.

The new capabilities of Nintendo Switch 2 allow for compatible physical and digital games released on Nintendo Switch to receive paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs featuring enhanced graphics, exclusive content offerings, and new gameplay experiences.

Star in Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, featuring unique new modes and minigames that showcase mouse controls, the console’s built-in mic, and Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately). Invite friends to join Bowser Live, a game show-themed experience with 2v2 team battles and physical challenges! But beware: Losing teams may have to answer to Bowser himself! Get ready to see what’s new in this party when it launches 24th July.

See the Kingdom of Hyrule in a whole new way with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, available with performance upgrades on Nintendo Switch 2.

Smoother frame rates, faster load times, and better graphics will make for a fresh experience when revisiting these adventures, and now players will also have a little extra help. Also on the way is an update to the Nintendo Switch App (previously known as the Nintendo Switch Online app), called ZELDA NOTES. This game-specific service is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of the games and helps players navigate to various locations, like that difficult-to-find shrine or hidden Korok, and will even feature commentary from Princess Zelda herself that was not part of the original games. Both upgraded titles will be available from Nintendo Switch 2 launch day, 5th June, 2025.

Kirby’s 3D platforming adventure gets an extra Nintendo Switch 2 boost in Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World. A mysterious meteor crashes in the world of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, revealing a new story for Kirby. He must use his abilities, including new Mouthful Modes, to clear a trail through uncharted territory.

The upgrade pack will include this new content which can be played in single-player and local co-op, as well as improved performance for the entire game. Jump into Kirby’s star-crossed world when it launches on 28th August, 2025.

The galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter Samus Aran returns in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This title will release on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with the latter allowing for both standard controls and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls as players wield Samus’s arm cannon with more precision, plus enhanced visuals and performance. Choose between Quality Mode and Performance Mode, both of which support HDR, based on your preference and playstyle. Explore the immersive world in 4K at 60 FPS or enjoy smoother action in full HD at 120 FPS when the game launches in 2025.

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, you can enjoy your adventure in Lumiose City on Nintendo Switch 2 with enhanced resolution and frame rates, coming late 2025.

Kirby Air Riders, a brand-new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, and Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, was announced for release this year. The trailer revealed a dramatic introduction of Kirby on his Warp Star machine and other Kirby air riders on a variety of unique machines, as they joined together on a racetrack. Kirby Air Riders will glide onto Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

Use the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and enjoy a new experience by strapping into Drag x Drive. A new online 3v3 game experience, Drag x Drive (pronounced “Drag and Drive”) challenges players to use the mouse controls with both Joy-Con 2 at the same time to intuitively steer, speed up, perform tricks and make plays such as dunks. Get ready to gear up when Drag x Drive launches on Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.

While it’s understandable that players will want to hit the ground running (or racing) with Nintendo Switch 2, they can also explore a variety of features and details the new console has to offer. Players can enter a virtual exhibition with Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour and gain insights into what makes Nintendo Switch 2 such a unique gaming experience. Through tech demos, minigames and other interactions, players will get to know the new console inside and out in ways they may never have known about otherwise. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available to buy from Nintendo eShop from Nintendo Switch 2 launch day.

Exciting Games from Global Developers and Publishers

From acclaimed hits like SPLIT FICTION and ELDEN RING to sports phenoms like Madden NFL and NBA 2K, and highly anticipated games like Hades II and Borderlands 4, Nintendo Switch 2 is the place where players can find the full range of gaming experiences.

Here are some of the games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 from development and publishing partners.

The Duskbloods: The moontears will flow for one and one alone in The Duskbloods, a brand-new multiplayer title from the creators of DARK SOULS and ELDEN RING, FromSoftware. Available exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, The Duskbloods launches next year. Read more in our upcoming developer diary series, Creator’s Voice, with the game’s director Hidetaka Miyazaki, available in English on 5th April, 2025.

Hades II: Battle beyond the Underworld to vanquish the Titan of Time as the Princess of the Dead in this bewitching sequel to the original rogue-like dungeon crawler. Hades II lets players explore a bigger, deeper mythic world with the full might of Olympus at their call in a story that reacts to their every setback and accomplishment. The game is coming first on console to both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, taking full advantage of the new console’s higher-definition display with responsive action at a target of 60 frames per second. Look out for more information about Hades II later this year.

EA SPORTS Madden NFL and EA SPORTS FC: EA SPORTS is bringing fans together from across the world – both on the pitch, and on the gridiron. EA SPORTS Madden NFL and EA SPORTS FC will be coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

NBA 2K and WWE 2K: Dominate on the court and in the ring – NBA 2K and WWE 2K are coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the newest title in the Hyrule Warriors series and is developed by Koei-Tecmo Games with support from Nintendo. The game features epic battles against hordes of enemies as it tells the untold story from Hyrule’s distant past of the Imprisoning War that ultimately led to the events of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Fans of the Legend of Zelda series and players of both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can experience the thrill of battle and this canonical tale featuring Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other familiar characters. Fight for Hyrule’s future when Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment comes to Nintendo Switch 2 this summer.

SPLIT FICTION: Jump between sci-fi and fantasy worlds in this co-op action adventure, where contrasting writers Mio and Zoe have become trapped in a simulation of their own stories. SPLIT FICTION keeps you on the edge of your couch with weird and unexpected moments as players have to coordinate and work together to overcome challenges. Players can also invite a friend to play with for free via cross-play on Nintendo Switch 2 with Friend’s Pass. Jump into the action when SPLIT FICTION releases the same day as Nintendo Switch 2.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition: For the first time, Nintendo players can step into the shoes of V – a mercenary determined to become a legendary cyberpunk in Night City.

With the powerful processing speed and graphical performance of Nintendo Switch 2, every neon-lit street and firefight feels more immersive than ever. With this edition, players can enjoy the full Cyberpunk 2077 experience, featuring the base game and the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty spy-thriller expansion. Climb the ranks when Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition releases the same day as Nintendo Switch 2.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE: Experience a modern reimagining of one of the most iconic games of all time on Nintendo Switch 2. Set in Midgar, players will immerse themselves in a standalone gaming experience designed for RPG players that crave unforgettable characters, a powerful story, and a strategic battle system that merges real-time action with command-based combat. Including FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, an additional story arc happening during the events of the game, players can fight for the future of the planet when FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE comes to Nintendo Switch 2.

Street Fighter 6: Experience the next evolution of Street Fighter in Street Fighter 6 with three distinct game modes, new gameplay features, and enhanced visuals. Fight your way to the top with new game modes exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 like Local Wireless One on One and Avatar Matches. Enjoy new party modes utilising Joy-Con 2 controllers like Gyro Battle and Calorie Contest. Plus, players can check out three new amiibo figures and 22 amiibo cards at launch. Choose from Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighter Edition, or the digital version of Street Fighter 6, for Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: Steer the course of history in Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Featuring new mouse controls that offer a more intuitive experience, players’ decisions will shape the cultural lineage of their empire. Construct cities and architectural wonders, improve your civilisation with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilisations as you explore the world. Whether you choose to follow history or forge your own path, create a legacy that echoes through the Ages when Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition comes to Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.

Hogwarts Legacy: Experience Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like never before in Hogwarts Legacy, which has been updated with Joy-Con 2 mouse support, improved graphics and audio, seamless map load times, and controls for Nintendo Switch 2. Players can become the centre of their own adventure with this open-world, action role-playing game as they discover magical beasts, customise their character, master spell casting, and become the witch or wizard they want to be. Rediscover the magic when Hogwarts Legacy arrives on the same day as Nintendo Switch 2.

BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster: Follow four Warriors of Light on a journey to restore the elemental crystals in the HD remaster of the Nintendo 3DS RPG masterpiece, BRAVELY DEFAULT. Experience an RPG that brings new depth to classic, turn-based battles with the introduction of the “Brave & Default” system – featuring an array of options to customise your characters with over 20 unique jobs. The game also includes quality of life updates and two new minigames that leverage the dual mouse controls of Nintendo Switch 2. BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster comes to Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.

Borderlands 4: Experience outrageous enemies and killer loot on the dangerous new planet of Kairos in Borderlands 4. Become an unstoppable force blasting through enemies with an arsenal of weaponry. Deftly defy death from every direction as players flex their skill expression with glide, dodge, fixed-point grapple, and more. Hop into the action when Borderlands 4 launches on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

More adventure awaits in new and updated titles including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4: Two legendary Activision games return with new skaters, gnarlier tricks, a sicker soundtrack, and, for the first time in over a decade – new parks! Drop into cross-platform online multiplayer*6 and relive the classic fun. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 launches on Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.

ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition: With over 28 million copies sold worldwide, ELDEN RING is an award-winning, action RPG set in an authentic dark fantasy world. Explore treacherous dungeons and face epic boss battles. Including the base game, the SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE expansion, and new weapons, armour, a new Torrent appearance customisation, and more, ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut: Discover the decadence and danger of 1988 Japan in Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut. The definitive edition of the acclaimed origin story is coming first to Nintendo Switch 2. Players will have to fight through Tokyo and Osaka’s entertainment districts as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in an epic crime drama. With the Director’s Cut, players will find deeper insights into character backstories and incidents with never-before-seen cutscenes, plus the new Red Light Raid online multiplayer mode. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.

Fortnite: Whether you want to be the last player standing in Battle Royale, Zero Build, Reload, and Fortnite OG, or you want to explore LEGO Fortnite experiences, blast to the finish with Rocket Racing or headline a concert with Fortnite Festival – the choice is yours. Find it all in Fortnite on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.
Enter the Gungeon 2: Experience the reloaded sequel to the iconic bullet dungeon crawler with Enter the Gungeon 2. Featuring a new 3D art style, weapons, and new gameplay tricks, players can load in on Nintendo Switch 2 next year.

HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition: Enter the world of the ultimate assassin in HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition. Explore intricate environments as you use disguises and stealth to execute missions. Experience the best of HITMAN, HITMAN 2 and HITMAN 3 including the main campaign, contracts mode, escalations, and more. HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition releases the same day as Nintendo Switch 2.

Project 007: Step into the shoes of James Bond and earn your 00 status. Featuring a wholly original Bond story, Project 007 will come to Nintendo Switch 2.

And that’s not all, as Nintendo Switch 2 welcomes STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, DELTARUNE, Survival Kids, Star Wars Outlaws, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and more.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The curtains rise, the stage is set—Once Upon a Puppet takes the spotlight! In this behind-the-scenes walkthrough, Flatter Than Earth Game Director Martin Malek takes you beyond the velvet drapes to witness the artistry of the game.

Once Upon a Puppet delivers a captivating world of lost stories, shifting stages, and dramatic puzzles. Step into the shoes of Nieve, the exiled Stagehand, and Drev, the Puppet bound to her by fate, as they unravel the mysteries of the Understage and fight their way back to the grand theater above.

In the dev walkthrough, viewers join Nieve, the stagehand, and Drev, the aspiring puppet star, as they uncover the secrets of a forgotten kingdom. This exclusive video reveals how handcrafted set pieces, dynamic character interactions, and the rebuilding stage mechanics bring this world to life.

Once Upon A Puppet Once Upon a Puppet launches on April 23, 2025 for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck.

The post The Making of Once Upon A Puppet appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Limited Run Games, a premium publisher of physical games, has revealed the first trailer for their upcoming Gex Trilogy.

Gex Trilogy brings three classic platforming titles from the wise-cracking Gecko’s glory days to modern consoles powered by the Carbon Engine, packing together Gex’s best-selling adventures. Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko have been lovingly remastered with improved controls, updated visuals, trophy and achievement support, and more.

The Carbon Engine is Limited Run Games’ in-house, proprietary engine for bringing retro games to modern platforms through emulation. Designed for the most wholly authentic experience possible, the Carbon Engine presents the games you love in just the way you remember.

Gex Trilogy adds rewind and save state options, allowing players to quickly correct any platforming missteps across all three games, while both Gex: Enter the Gecko and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko have new widescreen support. Players looking to relive the best of Gex will also be treated to a Music Player featuring tracks from all three games, a Media Viewer with promotional material and artwork, and even a brand new behind the scenes interview with HBO comedian Dana Gould, the voice of Gex in the USA.

Gex Trilogy will be launching for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, starting from Summer 2025.

The post Gex Returns! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

There have been two Mario & Luigi games on Switch, with the remakes of Bowser’s Inside story and Superstar Saga bringing great old games to a new audience.

These were great, but it was about time for a brand new journey, well we got one now with Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership kicks off with Mario and Luigi doing there thing when they get sucked into a vortex.  Luigi falls out a bit early and Mario finds himself alone on a strange island. Don’t worry, Mario is only solo for the glorified tutorial. He quickly finds his brother where they discover a lot about the weird world they are in.

It turns out they are on an island that is also a ship.

The ship has a big tree in the middle with a lightbulb… You know, normal things. Well it turns out a bunch of other islands used to be tethered to this tree but after a big disaster the tethers broke.

To save the day, the brothers need to be rocketed out of a canon to these islands to reconnect them. Again, totally normal stuff. It’s a silly weird story, with some funny interactions as each islands inhabitants are shocked to see new people after they have been isolated. The story, while silly, is fun. And that’s what I am after in a Mario games story.

If you are new to the series, it’s a turned based JRPG of sorts. Mario and Luigi stand on one side of the battle screen with the foes on the other. You choose your action when it’s your turn, such as jumping on your opponent. One thing it does is that when your character attacks, you can press a button at the right time to cause a second attack. For the most part, it’s a very simple turned based battle system, but this forces you to stay engage which is nice.

For the most part, playing the game is simple, but fun. You can jump in at this game as it does hold your hand for a while. The only part of the game that is rough is the sea map. The island boat navigates around set tracks, and you can choose to pop it on different tracks, you then use this to get close to an island to be sent to. It’s an idea that’s intriguing, but it does get tedious at times.

The thing I love most is the animation style. They have given them a nice cell shaded 3D style which makes cutscenes look beautiful. Running around the world would also be up there, if it didn’t struggle to perform. The animations get stuttery which is really jarring when compared against the absolutely gorgeous character and world design.

For the most part Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a fun game and a great new romp for fans of the series to go on. I just wish the sea map was less boring, and it ran a little better. It really must be about time for the Switch 2, though the Zelda games were stunning and ran fine.

So buggered if I know, maybe a patch or two to clean it up?

The post Mario & Luigi: Brothership (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

There are too many Nintendo series that don’t have enough entries on Switch… I am looking at you Mario Kart.

Well, Mario Party isn’t one of them. With Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars already making their way to the Switch the question is, is there space for a third one?

Nintendo seem to think so and has just released Super Mario Party Jamboree, and yea, there is justification for a third.

If you haven’t played a Mario Party game before, the main way to play is via a board game.

Each player rolls a dice and moves a bunch of spaces around the board. Your goal is to collect the stars that scatter the board. But it can’t be that simple right? Of course not, you don’t just have to be first to the star, you also have to have enough stars to claim it. So how do you get stars I hear you ask?  Well there are a few ways, but the main way is to win mini-games.

And this is the main point of the whole game. The mini-games are all kinds of silliness, but are consistently fun.  You may be slicing up pieces of meat to get the closest to a 50/50 split or you may have to deal with sandwiches that are falling and have to platform on the landed sandwiches before you get squashed. But they aren’t all food based. Maybe you have to navigate along a winding path without being pushed off the edge by a bunch of moving logs.

Now I am not going to go through every mini-game, because there are over 100 of them, but these simple albeit fun mini-games are what makes Super Mario Party Jamboree worth playing.  They utilize the joycons to make it an essential Switch experience.

There are heaps of ways to play if you aren’t feeling the board game.

You can visit themed islands or there are modes which have you smashing a handful of games to beat 20 players to get the most coins. Here you also go up against an imposter Bowser, because why not. There is even an 8 player mode where you have to take down this giant imposter Bowser. You can play single player, including a single player mode which is a glorified tutorial, or any modes against bots. If other people are your jam there is a very competent online mode as well.

But the best way to play any Mario Party is on the couch with your friends or family. Super Mario Jamboree is no exception here. Whether it’s you and a few friends with some beers, or soda if you’re under 18, or with your family, it’s so much fun to play. Watching your family navigate the challenges of motion controls while you try to do the same to claim that important star is just pure fun.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent Mario Party game. Heaps of mini-games new and old, heaps of boards to play on, and heaps of fun. Whether you’re a long time fan, or new to the series, there is heaps of awesome to enjoy here.

The post Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

After Breath of the Wild gave us an incredible Zelda that seemed like a badass who could be the lead in her own action game.

Then Tears of the Kingdom gave us another glimpse at a Zelda who deserved to be the character we played as. Well finally The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom lets us take the role of the legendary princess, and it’s not quite what I was expecting.

The game kicks off with us playing as Link who is in the midst of saving Zelda, as per usual.

Link falls into a mysterious rift. Well it turns out those rifts are popping up everywhere.

Zelda returns to Hyrule Castle where the King is initially stoked to see her.  The King then finds himself in the rift, and comes out looking all evil.  He has our princess jailed where she meets her new little pal Tri.

Tri gives her a rod which allows her to create fake versions of things out in the world. After a short stealth scene where she creates stuff to get around some guards, she starts making cooler stuff like creatures to fight other creatures. Her adventure then takes her to save Link from the mysterious Still World which is where everyone goes when they fall into the rifts.

This is where I was a little bit gutted.

I wanted Zelda to go around hacking and slashing enemies to save the day, but to be fair, that could have wound up just feeling like Link with a Zelda skin. Instead we don’t really get a lot of combat, as alternatively Zelda makes stuff to throw at enemies, or to hide from, or even versions of enemies to fight on her behalf. In so many ways it is much more of a puzzle game than an action one.

The one thing that becomes a bit of a pain, is the massive number of objects Zelda can make. This sounds like a weird thing, I mean heaps of variety is a good thing yeah?

I regularly forgot about some of the stuff I could make, as I would switch back and forth from a handful of the commonly used ones. At times I was definitely making the game harder for myself, as later I would use an item and realise it could have saved my time and energy earlier if only I remembered I had it in my arsenal.

From an aesthetic perspective, the game has gone for a more Chibi style.

You may recognise this from the Link’s Awakening remake. I won’t lie, I absolutely loved it then, and I love it now. The simple top down style makes the game a treat to look at. It also switches perspectives at times with some 2D sequences that really just help the game keep from getting too tedious. The sound and soundtrack are also great, making this a must play for Zelda fans wanting to feel the vibes from the older games, after the excellence that was Tears of the Kingdom.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a really solid game that is well worth checking out. It is trying to feel more like a classic Zelda game, but with its own take and it succeeds there. They could have cut a massive chunk of the items you can make and it would have been much more streamlined.  It isn’t the next great Zelda game, but it’s a sure entertaining way to spend some game time.

The post The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.