Most Recent: Switch

Rumor: Mother 3 will be released for the Nintendo Switch this Spring

Posted on January 3, 2017 by John Scalzo

It’s the question that has plagued Nintendo fans for more than a decade now… when will Mother 3 (often known as Earthbound 2 on this side of the Pacific) be released in North America? Originally released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan in 2006, we first started hearing rumors last year that a North American release for the game on the Wii U was imminent. But there’s been nary a peep about Mother 3 from Nintendo since then.

Now, in the first days of 2017, the Mother 3 rumors have surfaced once more.

Laura Kate Dale (of Let’s Play Video Games) is reporting that the elusive RPG will be available for the Nintendo Switch in Spring 2017. According to Dale’s sources, Mother 3 was originally on track for a Wii U release in 2016 (it was “done and ready to go”), but Nintendo pulled the plug to give fans one more reason to make the switch to the Switch this year. Her sources also confirmed that Mother 3’s North American debut will receive a new English translation, and it’ll likely be released directly after Nintendo’s E3 Press Conference.

Nintendo will fully unveil the Switch on January 12, and my fingers are crossed that Mother 3 will be part of the presentation.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t in development for the Nintendo Switch, but BioWare “never wants to close doors”

Posted on January 2, 2017 by John Scalzo

Mass Effect: Andromeda and the Nintendo Switch are both set to launch this Spring, so it seems natural to assume that the fourth game in BioWare’s best-selling franchise might eventually be released for Nintendo’s next console. However, it looks like the developer currently has no plans to bring Andromeda to the Switch… though that could change.

Speaking to Stevivor, BioWare’s Michael Gamble succinctly confirmed they’re not working on a Switch port of the next Mass Effect:

Gamble also shot down plans for a version of Andromeda on Nintendo’s hybrid console, the Switch.

“Yeah, not right now, no,” he said. “We’re not planning on it.”

However, Gamble also admitted that if there’s a huge demand for Mass Effect: Andromeda on the Switch, BioWare would have to consider it:

“If the Switch launches and everyone’s just yammering for Mass Effect, who knows.

“We never want to close doors like that.”

This kind of chicken-and-egg conversation around console launches isn’t new, but it’s not surprising that BioWare’s stance is a cautious one. Mass Effect 3 was available for the Wii U from day one, but fans decided not to follow Commander Shepard to Nintendo’s 2012 console. BioWare never released another game for the Wii U, and Electronic Arts completely dropped support for the console less than a year later.

However, the publisher is officially back on board for the Switch, so as Gamble said, you never know.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

See the newest trailer for Cube Life: Island Survival, which is coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4 in Late Spring 2017

Posted on December 30, 2016 by John Scalzo

Cypronia previously announced that their Minecraft-like sandbox game, Cube Life: Island Survival, was on its way to the Nintendo Switch and PS4 in 2017. Today, the developer confirmed the game will be available in “Late Spring” and unveiled a new trailer.

While we don’t exactly when Cube Life: Island Survival will be released for the Switch and PS4, we do know how much it’ll cost… $4.99. But players who have previously purchased the game for the Wii U will be able to download it for free during the first four days after launch.

Posted in News, PS4, Switch | Tagged

GalaxyTrail will bring Freedom Planet 2 demo to PAX South; Demo will also be released as a free download after the show

Posted on December 27, 2016 by John Scalzo

GalaxyTrail got dressed up in a big red coat and a bushy white beard and played Santa on Christmas as they delivered a series of tweets about their upcoming plans for Freedom Planet 2.

According to the developer, they’re going to make an appearance at PAX South in January with a playable demo of the side-scrolling homage to Sonic the Hedgehog. But if you can’t make it to the first major gaming convention of the year, GalaxyTrail also revealed that they plan to make the demo available as a free download (presumably for the PC) after the show:

But wait, there’s more… GalaxyTrail also released a brand new trailer for the game, and it’s been embedded above. More trailers will be uploaded over the next few weeks.

Freedom Planet 2 will be released for the PC this Summer. It’ll also be available for “Nintendo Platforms” (probably the 3DS and/or Switch) sometime later.

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, Switch | Tagged ,

AnyArts unveils first trailer for Switch-exclusive Seasons of Heaven

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John Scalzo

Aside from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we haven’t gotten a good look at any of the games currently in development for the Nintendo Switch. The consolemaker gave us a brief gander at Skyrim, NBA 2K17, Mario Kart, Splatoon, and Super Mario during the Switch’s “First Glimpse” trailer, but that’s been about it.

Thankfully, indie developer AnyArts Productions has come to the rescue to deliver a full trailer for the upcoming Switch-exclusive Seasons of Heaven. Expanding on the teaser trailer that launched last week, Seasons of Heaven is a puzzle game where players help a small boy and his dog explore a mystical forest.

The trailer is a good showcase for the Switch’s capabilities, as we see the boy surrounded by a few ghostly figures during his trek through the forest. I’m guessing that these figures, alongside an ominous heart monitor sound, will definitely get the “Purgatory” theories pumping about this game. It’s too early to know for sure, but hopefully we’ll learn more about Seasons of Heaven during Nintendo’s “Switch Presentation 2017” on January 12.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Two new Dragon Quest XI trailers unveiled for Switch, PS4, and 3DS

Posted on December 19, 2016 by John Scalzo

Square Enix debuted two new trailers for Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Departed Time at last week’s Jump Festa in Japan. The massive new RPG is currently in development for the 3DS and PS4, though Nintendo Japan finally confirmed that it will also be available for the Switch.

The Cinematic Trailer, embedded above, will introduce fans to the game’s main characters and some of the new monster designs. Meanwhile, a new Gameplay Trailer, available after the break, gives fans a look at the 3D open world of the PS4 version and the more retro stylings of the 3DS version.

Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Departed Time will be released sometime in 2017 in Japan. It’s unknown when, or if, the RPG will make its way to North America. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, PS4, Switch | Tagged

Nintendo files patent for VR-like headset for the Nintendo Switch

Posted on December 16, 2016 by John Scalzo

A few months ago, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima gave a very interesting answer when a reporter from Bloomberg asked if the Switch would ever receive its own virtual reality headset. While the executive didn’t answer in the affirmative, he admitted “it’s something we must consider.”

And consider it they have.

Earlier this week, Nintendo filed a patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a Switch accessory that looks quite similar to mobile virtual reality headsets such as Samsung’s Gear VR or Google’s Daydream View. The goggles-style headset would feature a slot at the top, which would house the Switch’s tablet screen. After strapping it to their head, players could then use the detachable Joy-Con controllers or a Switch Pro Controller to play VR-style games.

However, as with all patent applications, it’s important to remember that Nintendo is merely disclosing a possible use for the Switch. There’s no guarantee this headset accessory is in development, and on top of that, the patent application doesn’t include any mention of “virtual reality” or “VR.”

Nintendo will fully unveil the Switch on January 12, after which they’ll immediately take it on a multi-city Preview Tour across North America. While it might be a while before we learn more about the console’s possible VR capabilities, it’ll be released sometime in March.

Posted in News, Switch |

Nintendo will take the Switch on a six-city North American tour in early 2017

Posted on December 16, 2016 by John Scalzo

Nintendo will reveal all about the Nintendo Switch during the “Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017” on January 12. But immediately after, they’re taking their console/handheld hybrid on the road for a six-city North American tour:

Nintendo Switch Preview Tour

  • January 13-15: New York City
  • January 27-29: Toronto
  • February 10-12: Washington D.C.
  • February 17-19: Chicago
  • February 24-26: San Francisco
  • March 3-5: Los Angeles

According to Nintendo, the first two days of each three-day stop will be invite-only, but the final day will be open to the public. The exact location of each tour stop has yet to be announced, but space is expected to be very limited and the consolemaker said that “early arrival is highly recommended.” If you can’t make it to one of these limited engagements, Nintendo also plans to hit the convention circuit with the Switch, with stops in San Antonio, Boston, and Austin:

Nintendo Switch Convention Tour

  • January 27-29: PAX South
  • March 10-12: PAX East
  • March 16-18: SXSW

If you can’t make it to any of these preview shows, don’t worry, the Nintendo Switch will launch sometime this March, which is only three months away.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged