Mailbox: Switch 2 Innovations, Localisation Dreams, “That Big Playtest Thing” – Nintendo Life Letters

Issue #24 – May 2025.

Assuming the postie doesn’t deprive us on launch day, we’re less than three weeks away from having a brand new Nintendo console in our hands! This 24th edition of the Nintendo Life Mailbox will be the final spread with the original Switch as Nintendo’s flagship console!

Yes, we’ve been rifling through our inbox and publishing select contents in our monthly letters page for a whole two years now, and we’ll be back next month with an entirely different console sitting on the desk. And, presumably, a whole pile of Switch 2-related correspondence to sort through.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nintendo: “Appetite” For Mario Kart And Series’ Accessibility Makes It Ideal For Switch 2’s Launch

Leading the pack.

There’s been a lot of conversation about Nintendo making Mario Kart World its main launch title for the Switch 2 ahead of certain other key franchises.

Nintendo of America’s Nate Bihldorff provided an official response about this to Inverse last month, mentioning how it’s “one of the most broadly accessible games possible” with a high skill ceiling as well as an easy entry level for all ages.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Video: Nintendo Gives Us A Closer Look At Switch 2’s GameCube Controller

The GameCube library returns next month.

The Switch 2’s Online Expansion Pack tier is getting the GameCube library at launch and alongside this Nintendo will be releasing a new wireless GameCube controller, based on the original design with added buttons.

It’s now released a video on its Nintendo Today! mobile application, giving fans a closer look while also highlighting some of the additional buttons on the top of the controller including the ZL button, and various other Switch 2 buttons.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Switch Update Arrives Next Week

Here’s what you can expect.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time arrives on the Switch next week and ahead of release Level-5 is rolling out an early access update on select platforms, bumping the game up to Version 1.1.1.

This will be slightly different on the Switch front – with Version 1.1.0 apparently reflecting “some of the contents of this update” on 22nd May. The version that reflects “most” of the content will be released in the future as Version 1.2.0.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Feature: The Long & Rainbow Road To ‘Mario Kart World’ – Part 2

Lap 2 – Double Dash, DS, Wii.

And we’re back for another lap of Mario Kart history as we slipstream our way to the chequered flag and Mario Kart World on 5th June.

Having looked back at the first three instalments in Mario’s karting chronicles, today we’re accelerating on to the GameCube, DS, and two-duct-taped-GameCubes entries, as the series went online and embraced motion controls for the first time.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Video: Lizardcube On Bringing The Art Of Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance To Life

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

Sega’s ninja classic Shinobi returns this August with the help of Lizardcube and in the lead up we’ve been learning more and more about this new entry.

The latest update shares a behind-the-scenes look at the development of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – which is aiming to push the limits of 2D animated games as well as reimagine this beloved series with a bold new art style and plenty of next-generation ninja action.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (17th May)

What’s that coming over the hill?

Howdy partners! It’s time for another good old natter about our weekend gaming plans.

Before we dive into what we’re all up to, however, let’s look back on the week’s highlights. There were a couple of big Switch 2 drops as Nintendo revealed the console’s final tech specs, announced what we can expect from its free upgrades, and showcased its fancy new battery settings.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Gallery: Nintendo Gives Us A Closer Look At Its New Store In The US

Update: Now open!

It’s not every day Nintendo opens a new store to the public, but this week happens to be one of those very special occasions.

In case you somehow missed this news, Nintendo San Francisco opens its doors this week and the US branch has been teasing all things related to it – including special merch as well as some photos. Select individuals have also been able to visit the store ahead of it opening its doors to the general public.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Review: Into The Restless Ruins (Switch) – A Marvellous Meld Of Dungeons, Deckbuilding & Auto-Combat

Celtic connections.

It’s possibly becoming a bit of a hard sell these days, the old roguelike dungeon-crawling adventure, replete with retro/pixel visuals. We know it. However, as busy and as overstuffed with pale imitators to the greats as this genre is, it’s still well worth keeping an eye out for the odd gem.

And here we have an example of said gem. Into the Restless Ruins is a fantastic thing – put simply, a game that takes a whole bunch of mechanics you might think you’re tired of, and weaves them together into something entirely fresh and unique.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com