#256: Your Nintendo Update

REVIEW Shin Megami Tensei 5 – a brutal RPG that goes all-in on battles of attrition — A rather middling review for this long-awaited RPG. Hirun notes it has ” great combat, but a paper-thin plot that disappoints ” . Adam Vitale at RPG Site was notably more keen on it , saying the ” new direction may not suit everyone’s expectations for the series ” but, ” Atlus has returned to the franchise with an ambitious fifth entry” .

Hirun Cryer // VG247

Switch nears 93 million sales but Nintendo has cut its annual target — New hardware and software figures from Nintendo reveal the Switch is closing in on 100M, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now the series all time top seller, surpassing the Wii entry (it’s also now Nintendo’s third best selling game ever ) . We also learnt that over 32 million folks are now signed up for Switch Online.

Tom Ivan // VGC

Amid Game Boy reports, Nintendo says Switch Online will ‘continue to expand’

Chris Scullion // VGC

Nintendo to invest huge sums in game dev and online infrastructure

Thomas Whitehead // Nintendo Life

INTERVIEW Metroid Dread’s creator on life among the Metroidvanias — A chat with series creator Yoshio Sakamoto.

Scott Stein // CNET

INTERVIEW Demon Turf: TikTok, Beebz, and making a platformer that works for everyone — A chat with the creators of Demon Turf (which is out now) to talk about how this ‘devilish’ platformer came about over the course of three years. I’ve linked a review below too.

Jade King // The Gamer

REVIEW Demon Turf is a stylish platformer but the devil’s in the details — ” looks fantastic and its platforming mechanics are brilliantly satisfying, but it’s let down by boring combat and occasionally confusing level design “.

Chris Scullion // VGC

REVIEW Unpacking — ” a calming, enjoyable journey through time that is as satisfying as it is self-reflective. Much like every object you unpack, this game itself is simple and unassuming at face value. The sentimentality you choose to attach to it, however, is up to you “.

Andrew Searles // Vooks

REVIEW Legend of Tianding — ” a great example of the 2D action, platforming genre “.

Jaz Sagoo // Vooks

REVIEW Stilstand — ” The feeling of being stuck emotionally and maybe favoring isolation is a common theme that many can relate to given the last 18 months we have all experienced. [..] Stilstand is a brief, yet powerful story that is well worth taking the time to check out. “.

Ted Hazell // Nintendo World Report

REVIEW Circa Infinity — Sharing this review quote purely because it’s a real tongue twister: ” The constant trickery of its concentrated concentricity is confoundingly circular, but once you’ve bought into the premise, it makes perfect sense ” .

Roland Ingram // Nintendo Life

REVIEW Popeye — Avoid this mess of a game at all costs

Jonathan Balofsky // Real Otaku Gamer

The 18 things you should do in Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ big update

Lisa Marie Segarra // Kotaku

Sakurai discusses the future of Smash — In the latest Famitsu magazine, Sakurai discusses the possible future of Smash, this is a translation of that very interview .

PushDustIn // Source Gaming

From a half-genie to a certified smasher: The success behind Shantae

Brett Posner-Ferdman // Nintendo World Report

Not enough recognition: Nintendo publishes some of the best stories in gaming

Brett Medlock // Nintendo Enthusiast

🎮 Upcoming Releases

All releases are digital, Europe & U.S. unless otherwise stated.
Release data sourced in collaboration with Switch Scores .
⭐️ = Ones to Watch | 📦 = Physical release | 🎮 = Demo available

⚡️ Quick Links:

• The Pokemon Diamond & Pearl remakes have leaked , weeks ahead of their launch.
• Gary Bowser, a prominent Switch hacker, has pleaded guilty to criminal charges.
• Morning Brew is a daily newsletter that keeps you informed & entertained, for free. #AD
• Nintendo has closed its California office , with their Toronto office following soon.
• Hideki Kamiya says he wants to make an Okami sequel “someday”.
• Nintendo have added N64 controller support to Super Mario 64 in the All Stars release — that’s the version you can’t buy anymore . 🙃
• This video compares the N64 Mario Party games to the remasters seen in Superstars.
• Got a new Switch OLED? You may like this case .
• I think the World War Z port on Switch is quite the technical feat actually .