Nintendo Switch Sports Resort brings the series’ iconic motion-fueled gameplay to the Switch 2 with polished visuals, a couple of new sports and, of course, the return of fan-favorites like golf and bowling.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, this new, tropical-themed entry in the series builds on the groundwork laid by 2022’s Switch Sports. Of the 12 total activities in Switch Sports Resort, seven are directly from its predecessor. While Miis make a return as well, so too do Nintendo’s more modern and detailed Sportsmates avatars. However, instead of grinding online to earn Spocco Points to unlock new outfits and in-game items, you can now do so through both single-player and local multiplayer too.

In addition to changing its look and layout, Nintendo has added new ways to explore Wuhu Island. While you can fly around the island in a prop plane, you can also do so by water on a jet ski or even on the ground with your skateboard. Although these various traversal methods provide a nice break from the action, I still wish we had some other new sports besides skateboarding, thumb wrestling and the warm-up game jump rope. We might see some additional sports and activities added in a future update, though.

Having spent the past five days putting the game through its paces, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is an absolute blast for both returning players and newcomers alike. But is it one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games and a must play? Find out in my full review.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort: The Basics

• What is it? The latest motion-party game in Nintendo’s popular sports franchise, packing 12 different events across the iconic Wuhu Island.
• Who is it for? Series veterans looking to revisit classic sports with upgraded visuals, as well as newcomers wanting an active, motion-controlled showcase for their Switch 2.
• What’s the price? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort costs $49 for the digital version or $59 for the physical edition.
• What other games has the developer made? Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is from the same internal Nintendo team behind 2022’s Nintendo Switch Sports and other active Switch titles like 1-2-Switch and Ring Fit Adventure.
• What games is it similar to? It combines the modern structure of 2022's Nintendo Switch Sports with the tropical setting, island exploration, and event roster of Wii Sports Resort.

Seeing Wuhu Island with new eyes

Although Switch Sports on the original Nintendo Switch was a massive visual leap, taking in the revamped Wuhu Island on Switch 2 in crisp 4K at a steady 60 fps is even more impressive.

From the first time I booted up the game, it was clear that Nintendo put a lot of polish into the visuals—from the island’s vibrant scenery all the way down to its crisp menus.

Switch Sports Resort retains the fun, cartoony look of its predecessor, but details like clothing textures and water reflections really pop on the new hardware. Character models feature noticeably smoother edges, and the courses you compete on look cleaner than ever thanks to enhanced anti-aliasing.

While this is fundamentally a return to Wuhu Island, the care and attention to detail across the board almost make it feel like you’re experiencing this classic tropical resort for the first time, even as a veteran player.

Exploring by air, land and sea

Taking to the skies in Prop Plane to shoot down balloons was first introduced in Wii Sports Resort, but thanks to key tweaks and more responsive controls, it feels even better than before. This time around, you also collect photographs of key landmarks around Wuhu Island while holding a single Joy-Con 2 flat in your hand like a paper airplane.

Both my 4-year-old son and I had a lot of fun trying to see and collect everything in Prop Plane. However, this isn’t the only way to traverse Wuhu Island. Aboard a jet ski in Power Cruising, you can do the same thing on the water while holding two Joy-Con 2 controllers extended in front of you like handlebars. Twisting one controller up like a throttle for a quick speed boost never got old, either.

Finally, you can take to the streets (and even the grass) on your skateboard to explore Wuhu Island from the ground. This uses a Joy-Con 2 in mouse mode, and my son took to this control scheme almost instantly after playing Drag x Drive on the Switch 2. Far from an accurate portrayal of skateboarding, this activity’s arcadey feel provided a great break from competing in the rest of the game’s traditional sports.

Sharper slices, tighter controls

There have been plenty of games — from Donkey Kong Bananza to the excellent port of Cyberpunk 2077 — that showcase the Switch 2’s added power and graphical capabilities. However, Switch Sports Resort is the first to really highlight what its Joy-Con 2 controllers can do.

Much like the jump from Wii Remotes to the original Joy-Cons, the Joy-Con 2’s enhanced motion tracking makes every sport and activity in this game feel significantly more responsive. Outside of my time on the golf course, this upgrade stood out most while playing Table Tennis. Quick wrist flicks to return a fast serve felt almost instantaneous, and thanks to the tighter tracking, shots I didn't think I'd reach somehow landed right on my opponent’s side of the table.

Chasing the Island Crown

One of the biggest criticisms of Switch Sports was how the game focused heavily on online multiplayer. Though you could play by yourself, there wasn’t much incentive to do so — you couldn't collect Spocco Points unless you were playing in the game’s restricted Trial Mode. Fortunately, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort fixes this with a dedicated single-player mode that offers a clear progression path.

In Island Crown mode, you take on increasingly difficult CPU opponents across nine different sports — from Archery to Volleyball — to boost your rank. Once you reach the top of a sport's ladder, you go head-to-head against formidable Island Champions, including returning Wii Sports Mii legend Matt.

While you can occasionally jump multiple spots when playing particularly well, each sport features 20 distinct opponents to defeat. Given the sheer depth across all nine sports, I focused primarily on Golf. Climbing the bottom ranks by playing three-hole matches was breezy enough, but things got noticeably tougher — though never unfair — as I closed in on the Island Champion.

Even if you don’t have family or friends nearby or an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, Island Crown mode delivers a beefy single-player campaign to keep you coming back for more. It’s also a good way to practice before your next game night.

Local parties, global lobbies

With just a single Switch 2 console, you can play Switch Sports Resort locally with up to four players. When playing head-to-head sports like Tennis, Table Tennis, and Volleyball, a single Joy-Con 2 per player is all you need. If you don’t want to pick up an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers, you can also use Joy-Cons from your original Switch to play every sport except Skateboarding — which makes local couch co-op a whole lot more accessible.

Even though this was his first time using motion controls, my son took to Switch Sports Resort quickly. After trying out a few activities on his own, we each grabbed a Joy-Con 2 and played through several matches together. While we had a blast with Table Tennis, his favorite was Boxing. There’s a fair bit of strategy with blocking and weaving, but he happily delivered punch after punch until both he and his avatar were out of breath.

Given that I played Switch Sports Resort ahead of its official launch, my online multiplayer sessions were spent alongside fellow journalists and Nintendo representatives. We had a great time bowling, golfing, aiming for targets in Archery, and stepping into the boxing ring. In Golf, for instance, I joined an eight-player match and managed to come out on top after a few tight holes. Then in Knockout Bowling, a full 16-player roster was whittled down round by round until I once again emerged victorious.

Whether I was on the golf course — playing classic holes from Wii Sports mixed with courses from Switch Sports — or on the lanes, I really enjoyed watching other players take their turns while throwing up emoji-style reactions between shots. Online play felt remarkably smooth without any noticeable lag, offering a fun, lively change of pace from local co-op and Island Crown mode.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort review: Verdict

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a triumphant return to form for Nintendo’s active, motion-based gameplay, complete with crisp, upgraded 4K visuals. Exploring the redesigned Wuhu Island by air, land, and sea helps break up the action, while the new Island Crown mode gives you a genuine reason to keep playing when friends go home or you're offline. While I certainly would’ve liked to see a few more sports added to the initial lineup, Thumb Wrestling is a blast and the way Skateboarding utilizes the new Joy-Con 2 is genuinely clever.

Although you can play several of these activities in Switch Sports, Wuhu Island’s tropical resort setting ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re a seasoned Wii Sports veteran or looking to introduce your own kids to the joy of motion gaming, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is a delightfully polished experience — one that will likely only get better as future updates arrive.

Earlier this year, Capcom brought the modern Resident Evil trilogy (Biohazard, Village and Requiem) to the Nintendo Switch 2. And if three excellent Resi titles to play weren’t enough, how about six?

Capcom’s Switch 2 support this year has been phenomenal, and that continues with the acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4, all launching on Nintendo’s second-generation hybrid console this week (October 16).

These are three of the finest remakes ever made, bringing three unquestionable survival-horror classics into the modern age. They were already essential games on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and that remains true with these new Nintendo Switch 2 versions.

I’ve now tested all three Resident Evil remakes on the Nintendo Switch 2 and compared them to the same games on the PS5 Pro. You won’t be surprised to hear there have been a few technical sacrifices, but the good news is that, overall, all three Resident Evil remakes remain as essential on Switch 2 as they are anywhere else.

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 kicked off the modern remakes in style. It set the blueprint, replacing the PS1 original's fixed camera with a third-person over-the-shoulder perspective that brings the horror into sharper focus. Plus, the iconic Raccoon City police department building has never been more unnerving, yet fun to explore.

On Switch 2, the game looks excellent. For starters, it runs at 60 fps even in handheld mode, and I strongly recommend enabling HDR. Texture quality takes a hit compared to the native PS5 version; this is most noticeable in character hair — a slight annoyance, since you spend the whole game looking at the back of Leon or Claire’s head!

Objects and environments in the distance also lose some detail, but up close they snap into focus. Crucially, I didn’t encounter any texture pop-in, even when quickly shifting my crosshair between in-game objects. Overall, it’s an impressive port of an already impressive game.

On the Nintendo Switch 2, you get the “Deluxe Edition” as standard, which includes a load of character costumes and a few extra weapons. It’s nice cosmetic DLC, but nothing substantial, and really, you’re going to play the whole game in Leon's cop outfit anyway.

Resident Evil 3

Resident Evil 3 remake is more of the same as Resident Evil 2 remake, which makes sense; the second modern remake reportedly began as a DLC for its predecessor before being spun off into a separate release.

Everything I said above applies to Resi 3. It looks great and runs well (again, 60 fps, even handheld, is a boon). I should note that the Switch 2’s HD rumble is used to great effect in these remakes. The trigger jolts when you fire a pistol, which I found satisfying.

Resi 3 moves into larger city street environments, but I didn’t notice any reduction in image quality. The neon signs, flashing lights, and raging fires of a Raccoon City plunged into chaos all look great. But you do get a slightly cleaner look on the more powerful PS5 Pro, as expected; it's got beefier components.

The “problem” with Resident Evil 3 Remake (and I use that word loosely; it's still great) is baked into the core game, like its short length (an average playtime is a breezy six hours), and this 2020 remake removes several sections from the PS1 original.

Resident Evil 3 didn’t receive much in the way of post-launch DLC, so on Switch 2 you get the standard addition and a single cosmetic costume for each of its characters, Jill and Carlos. At least its smaller scale and scope are reflected in a lower price point.

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 Remake is the best of the bunch for many Resi fans, a stunning reworking of one of the most influential video games in history.

Disappointingly, it’s also the most technically compromised of these new Switch 2 ports. In handheld mode, environment textures are noticeably downgraded compared to Resi 2 and Resi 3 on Switch 2. Even objects in close proximity are a little blurry, but they sharpen when you focus your crosshair on them. Plus, the fuzziness of Leon’s hair intensifies, and the problem extends to foliage, which is a frequent sight in Resident Evil 4’s initial rural village setting.

The framerate is mostly stable, though I’ve experienced occasional drops. I haven’t seen the adventure through to its conclusion on Switch 2. These might become more frequent in the game’s back half, when the action gets even more intense.

Still, it’s a perfectly playable port, even if the visual downgrades on the Switch 2 are apparent. You’re getting the Gold Edition as standard, which includes the must-play Separate Ways story DLC, The Mercenaries mode, and a long list of outfits and extras.

Which Resident Evil remake should you buy?

When I covered the modern Resident Evil trilogy arriving on Switch 2 in the spring, I cheated this question by saying you should get all three via the Resident Evil Generations Pack. Disappointingly, there’s no bundle here, though I am still tempted to say you should buy all three. Each remake is amazing and plays well on Switch 2.

However, if you’re pushing me for a definitive answer, Resident Evil 2 is the standout, given both the base game’s quality and its excellent transition to the Nintendo Switch 2. Resident Evil 4 is a close second, but the visual and performance downgrades are more noticeable. Resident Evil 3 isn’t far behind, but its short length and lack of incentive to replay see it settle for the bronze medal.

Overall, I’m thrilled that Capcom’s impressive Switch 2 support continues, and every modern Resident Evil game is now available on the platform. If six Resi games in a year aren’t enough for you, it’s been confirmed that next year’s RE: Code: Veronica remake is headed to Nintendo. The Switch 2 is rapidly becoming a Resi machine.

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My days as a PlayStation fanboy in the mid-to-late ‘90s put me in the crosshairs of Nintendo diehards.

My grade school lunch breaks and recess sessions were filled with passionate debates about Crash Bandicoot vs. Super Mario 64, why the PS1 is the ultimate RPG console while the N64 isn’t and how Nintendo’s 3D console was the king of wrestling games (unlike the PS1).

At one point, I finally abandoned my fanboyish ways and tried the N64 at my best friend’s house. One of the first games I played was The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.

I know that sounds insane—playing the second N64 adventure in Link’s famed series before the first one, which is regarded as the GOAT, is wild. What’s even crazier is that I didn't play The Ocarina of Time until this year, through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. After making my way through Hyrule Field and Kakariko Village, I finally realized all the hype about the quintessential action/adventure game was well warranted.

With fresh memories of the original swirling around in my head, I went into the Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time with extremely high expectations. And after making my way through three sections of the game, I walked away with even more anticipation for its November release.

Searching for a sword and a shield

The start of my foray into Link’s remade adventure kicked off with me helping Link search for his first sword and shield.

As I ran (and jumped!) around Kokiri Forest, I compared the graphical presentation of the remake to the N64 original and even the 3DS version. The porcelain doll look of Link and the rest of the Kokiri people felt a bit off to me at first when I watched the initial reveal trailer for this remake. But seeing Young Link and his fellow forest denizens in motion convinced me that the remake’s visual presentation looks pretty damned good. The forest’s more detailed woodland locales are equally impressive, as are the inner sanctums of the village’s populace.

Watching the initial cutscene unfold where Navi navigates toward Link’s hut is a bit different this time around, as the first-person viewpoint gets switched to a third-person one. I have no qualms about that one bit, especially cause the instance of Navi flying into a gate comes off a little bit more humorous with that viewpoint switch up (no pun intended). All the familiarities of this section, such as dodging that massive boulder to pick up the Kokiri Sword and buying the Deku Shield he needs to get past Mido, are intact as expected.

And thankfully, the spruced-up visuals do enough to make those nostalgic activities feel a bit fresh while retaining what made them so endearing in the first place.

Venturing through Hyrule Field and Hyrule Castle Town

Once I made my way out into the iconic Hyrule Field, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by just how much more expressive it looked this time around.

Fully detailed shrubs of grass, the presence of a noticeable mist floating through the air, patches of colorful flowers, towering trees and dirt roads make up the entirety of this remake’s newly realized pasture.

The same feelings of excitement and amazement remained intact once I finally entered Hyrule Castle Town.

I couldn’t help but crack a nostalgic smile at the sight of that dancing couple near the watering hole, who looked expectedly better than their N64 and 3DS variations. The use of loading screens between the town’s many areas wasn’t much of a bother, even though I’d prefer it if there were seamless navigation in this remake. Hyrule Castle Town’s vibrancy is on full display and is proof of just how jaw-dropping this new version of Ocarina of Time truly is.

I’m sure I’ll spend a few moments watching the NPCs move through their daily routines, chat with them to see what new bits of dialogue they may have and roll & jump around every corner of their wholesome town once I get the full game in my hands.

Exploring the Forest Temple

The furthest I made it into the OG version of Ocarina of Time thus far is the famed “Forest Temple,” so I was pretty hyped to find out I’d be getting the chance to hop into its remade rendition.

I was surprised by just how amazing it looked on the inside and outside. Coming to blows with rabid Wolfos, using Link’s trusty Hookshot to knock Blue Bubbles out of the air and carefully picking my spots to do damage on Stalfos soldiers felt good from a combat standpoint.

Landing precise sword swings, blocking and flinging bombs brought with it a nice sense of impact, which appeals to someone like me who’s big on action games that deliver an appropriate sense of combat feedback. I spammed Link’s spinning sword attack far too many times than I can count, which is proof of just how much more I liked smacking around his foes in this remake compared to the original.

Running through the Forest Temple showcased a much moodier atmosphere, thanks to the remake’s darker lighting. That brooding feeling I couldn’t shake was even more apparent once I ran through the temple’s signature twisting hallway, which led to another moment where I was more than impressed with the remake’s visual flair.

While I didn’t have enough time to solve all of Forest Temple’s puzzles and clash with Phantom Ganon, I got more than enough of a sense of just how much better this area looks and sounds in its remade form.

Final thoughts

It’s funny to think that playing the Ocarina of Time remake now has me excited to jump back into the original, so I have even more of a memorized reference guide to go to once this Switch 2 exclusive arrives on November 5, 2026.

I have a few weeks to get it done so I can hop right into one of the most anticipated video game remakes ever made.

The porcelain doll-like characters, revised musical arrangements, eye-popping graphical presentation and impactful combat all came together during my demo time to convince me Nintendo has something special in its hands that I can’t wait for you all to experience for yourselves.

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Like most gamers, I have a list of personal gaming blind spots. Long-running franchises I’ve always wanted to dip into, but have never gotten around to actually playing.

Without question, at the very top of my "list of gaming shame" is Kingdom Hearts. For years, I’ve been curious about this action-RPG mash-up of Disney and Final Fantasy — which has now morphed into its own beast since its 2002 debut on PlayStation 2 — but at some point, I started to feel like the Disney-shaped ship had passed me by.

But when Square Enix announced the Kingdom Hearts Collection, it felt like a package designed for somebody like me, and I got hold of the collection on Nintendo Switch 2 a little early. I can now officially say that I have played a Kingdom Hearts game. Okay, so I’ve only played a handful of hours of the very first one, but it's a start!

Kingdom Hearts has spawned an extraordinarily passionate following, so I have little doubt that dedicated fans will flock to this new collection for an excuse to replay the series. But if you’re in a similar boat to me and have never played Kingdom Hearts before, let’s dive into why this collection is the perfect opportunity to give the series a shot.

So, I guess this is Kingdom Hearts…

The opening to Kingdom Hearts is rough. Obviously, it looks and plays like a PS2 game. Even if the Final Mix version, which is what’s been ported to Nintendo Switch 2, bumps the resolution and framerate, it’s not a ground-up remake; Kingdom Hearts looks and feels its age.

But this didn’t bother me; I started playing games during the PS1 era, and still regularly replay some of my childhood favorites in 2026. No, Kingdom Hearts’ less-than-stellar introduction comes down to some questionable level design. You start the game by being introduced to young protagonist Sora, as he dreams of escaping his small island.

And from there, you are forced to complete a series of dull fetch quests to retrieve a host of items for your friends. It’s not exactly a thrilling introduction to the sprawling Kingdom Hearts universe. I wasn’t totally sure what to expect when playing Kingdom Hearts 1 in 2026, but collecting a stockpile of coconuts and looking for old rope wasn’t it.

Mercifully, after a little trouble locating a seagull's egg (another item on my checklist), things began to pick up. Soon darkness spread over the tropical island; Sora was entrusted with the series’ iconic Keyblade, and the spiked-haired character was quickly transported to a new setting.

It’s here, in the new location of Traverse Town (which serves as a sort of hub), that it feels like Kingdom Hearts truly begins. Sora meets a couple of iconic Disney characters, and a few familiar faces from Final Fantasy VII as well. At this point, the ponderous opening section faded from my memory, and I found its narrative hooks starting to latch onto me.

A couple more hours later, and these hooks are only embedding deeper the more I play. Even if the gameplay, which feels particularly clunky compared to modern action-RPGs, adds a degree of friction, the intriguing story and lovable characters, both familiar and original to the game, have me invested. Even if the game feels mechanically dated.

And from what fans tell me, the best is certainly yet to come. I hear the later games are a real step up in terms of gameplay. Particularly 2005's Kingdom Hearts 2, which many consider the best Kingdom Hearts title.

Kingdom Hearts Collection was made for players like me

I’m still a Kingdom Hearts newbie. There’s a long road ahead before I can consider myself well-versed in this franchise. But that’s what makes the Kingdom Hearts Collection so appealing. It includes basically everything released to date, from the three mainline games to the numerous spin-off titles, which I’m informed are all canonically key.

The collection covers 10 Kingdom Hearts titles. 7 are fully playable games, each remastered to varying degrees, while 3 have been reworked into HD movies. Considering Kingdom Hearts games aren’t exactly short either, with an average playtime of about 30 hours per title, for $74, that’s an awful lot of game crammed into a collection.

In fact, there’s so much to experience that, to start, it's more than a little overwhelming. I imagine this must be what it feels like to be somebody trying to catch up on the MCU before “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Kingdom Hearts also feels at home on the Nintendo Switch 2. As there’s so much content to experience here, being able to chip away at a title while playing in the console’s handheld mode is a huge selling point compared to picking up the collection on PS5, Xbox, or PC.

While I can speak to performance on later titles (I’ve heard the newest title, Kingdom Hearts 3, is a little spotty on Switch), the first game runs great on Nintendo’s system. But then again, it is a remastered PS2 title.

Kingdom Hearts 4 is currently set for a late 2027 release, which is helpful because it might take me the best part of a year to make my way through the collection. So, if you’re a newcomer to the series like me, this collection was basically designed for us. It offers the perfect opportunity to dive into Kingdom Hearts and get all caught up.

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Prime Big Deal Days, or October Prime Day, is finally here. Fortunately, if you're looking to upgrade your gaming set up there are great saving to be had.

Just about every console has deals right now including PS5 games and accessories are on sale from $6, and you'll find Xbox Series X games and accessories from $9. More of a PC gamer? Amazon has gaming laptops, monitors and keyboards on sale from $36.

If you haven't picked up the Switch 2 yet, right now the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle is available for $549. The recent price increase sucks, but you're still saving $37 with this bundle versus buying each item separately.

Keep reading to see all of my current favorite Prime Day gaming deals. (And don't forget to sign up for an Amazon Prime membership to get ready for more discounts!)

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There’s an argument that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt didn’t need a remaster. The 2015 original holds up extremely well even more than a decade later, and the acclaimed RPG has already been refreshed once in the form of a "next-gen" upgrade for PS5 and Xbox Series X released in December 2022 (with these improvements also brought to PC).

The newly released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is arguably more of an exercise in giving players an excuse to rewalk the path ahead of its surprising (but very welcome) third major expansion, Songs of the Past, which is due to launch next year before the next mainline entry in the Witcher saga, the aptly titled The Witcher IV, arrives in (a tentative) 2028.

Heck, looking at visual comparisons between the “next-gen” version and Remastered on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC, some online commentators have even questioned whether this new port actually looks better. But one platform where there is no debate is on the Nintendo Switch 2. The Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2 is a night-and-day difference compared to the compromised port of the original that released on Nintendo Switch in 2019.

I’ve dived back into The Witcher 3 on my Switch 2, even picking up my progress from a previous PS5 playthrough thanks to cross-save, and have been particularly impressed with this remastering effort on Nintendo’s latest hybrid console. The good news is that Nintendo finally has a version of The Witcher 3 that I can wholeheartedly recommend you experience.

The Witcher 3 experience Nintendo players deserve

The Witcher 3 on the original Nintendo Switch was an impressive demonstration of technical wizardry. The vast RPG already had some performance quirks on PS4 and Xbox One, so making it run on less powerful hardware was commendable. But frankly, I found The Witcher 3 on Switch 1 to be so compromised that I abandoned my playthrough before leaving White Orchard (the starting area). Too many sacrifices had been made.

Flash forward to the Switch 2 generation and The Witcher 3 Remastered, and Nintendo players now have a version of this RPG masterpiece that is not just technically impressive but a genuinely great way to experience Geralt of Rivia’s sprawling quest to locate his young ward, Ciri.

Naturally, The Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2 is not the premiere port; that’ll be found on PC. For starters, the framerate is capped at 30 fps (on PS5/Xbox Series X and PC, you have the option of 60 fps), and there is a noticeable blurriness in the distance, with background structures and objects lacking sharp definition. But these gripes really are nitpicks.

Actually, playing Witcher 3 on Switch 2 is as absorbing as it’s ever been, and I’ve been particularly impressed with the framerate, which largely hits the 30 fps target (at least, to my eyes). Even in the map’s dense city locations, Novigrad and Oxenfurt, drops are minimal. The Witcher 3 Remastered is the portable edition of this game that Nintendo fans deserve.

The Witcher 3 on Switch 1 was a version of the game I could only recommend if you could not play anywhere else, and had no plans to pick up a PlayStation/Xbox or gaming PC in the future. That's not the case with Remastered on Switch 2, which makes a compelling case for itself.

It might not be the most visually detailed, but having such a grand adventure available on a console that doubles as a handheld is enticing, and the visual/performance sacrifices aren’t so great this time around to effectively outweigh the portable advantage as they did on the Switch 1.

Witcher 3 has been refined, not overhauled

Developer CD Projekt Red has been eager to point out that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered isn’t just about enhancing visuals across platforms, but also brings a wealth of changes to the experience. These are detailed in a lengthy list on CDPR’s official website.

In truth, this is not an overhaul of The Witcher 3. The changes merely refine the base game. It adds several nice-to-have features, such as “transmogging” (setting your outfit's appearance independent of stats) and the option to remove inventory weight restrictions. Combat has also been sharpened with new animations, and your horse, Roach, controls a little less like a tank.

Perhaps the single biggest change is an entirely reworked skill tree, though I can’t say much about how this “upgrade” affects Geralt's power curve. I’ll need to dive into a fresh playthrough to really see whether it’s an improvement over the previous skill system available in the base game.

Ultimately, this is still The Witcher 3 — Wild Hunt, a game released in 2015 at its core. It’s not a complete remake that reshapes the RPG in numerous ways. But I don’t think many players were asking for such radical alterations. The Witcher 3 remains one of the yardsticks modern RPGs are measured against, and Remastered buffs out a few minor blemishes.

For anybody who still hasn’t played this masterpiece in the past 11 years, The Witcher 3 — Wild Hunt Remastered is a well-timed excuse to fill that gap in your gaming backlog. And this time around, playing on Nintendo hardware is a viable choice, rather than a last resort for those who didn’t have access to a more powerful console or a PC, as it was on Switch 1.

Best of all, returning to The Witcher 3 via Remastered on Switch 2 has reminded me just how special this fantasy RPG truly is. And now, in a fall season packed with new releases (not to mention the spectre of GTA 6 looming large), I’m trying to figure out if I have the time to squeeze in a full run over the next few weeks. At least on Switch 2, I can play it anywhere!

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is out now as a free upgrade for existing owners on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.

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I’ve been playing Fire Emblem since I was about 12 — a terrifying 19 years ago. Over that time, I’ve gone back to play the old games alongside the new releases (I daren’t think about how many hours I’ve spent staring at grids). I was a loud voice of request during the series dry spell, and I’ve eaten very well as it has found a new audience in the 3DS, Switch and Switch 2 generations.

So you can imagine how excited I was to get my mittens on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, the latest Nintendo Switch 2 title in the series. The extra power of the system would give Nintendo more space to innovate in a series that’s rarely seen any new features, I thought. The reveal trailer looked promising. The character reveals were tempting.

And then it arrived in my hands. I’ve now played more hours than I care to admit, and I’ve got an idea of how the game fares compared to its older siblings.

In a few words — very well. In a few more, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave does a great job of bringing loads of cool new stuff to the table. But the best parts are the solidification and perfection of features we’ve been playing for a long time. And that’s pretty cool.

The biggest world map so far

Fire Emblem has had some form of map for a long time, and each title has treated it slightly differently, for better or worse. Some have made the map a path your party automatically follows, never allowing you to strengthen your forces beyond the main story missions. Some have given you too much in the world map, allowing you to make your army as overpowered as possible, trivialising the main battles. I’d argue that no game has ever gotten the balance perfect.

Fortune's Weave gets closer than ever. The refresh to the turn system means you need to make more decisions about how far to go around the map, adding an extra layer of thought to proceedings. The time you don’t spend in battles is now more tactical as a result.

Rather than the free battles seen in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Engage, you have to think about how to strengthen your forces. Do you do battle, or use the new “auto free time” feature to gain those precious levels? After all, you could be using those turns for vital exploration, or finding items that might be useful down the line.

But that takes turns — and turns are money. Watching that timer go down before the next mission, knowing you’ve side quests to do and stuff to find for your soldiers, makes it a whole lot more engaging than it has been before.

It’s not perfect. Sometimes you feel like you want more turns, and sometimes you want fewer. And remembering to go to the spot where your next mission takes place is irritating — especially when letting those turns run out before the mission time means you have to start a section all over again. But it's the best world map I've experienced in a Fire Emblem game for some time.

The best those battles have looked

Everything feels better balanced this time around. While enemy unit placement still isn’t perfect (no Fire Emblem ever is), which can make for comical conical feeding of sword-based opponents coming up against a one-shot from your perfectly placed armored spearman (called a “guardian” this time around), the battles are more engaging than ever.

Everything looks slicker and smoother than previous titles. The information you’re given is not only easier to read than in the smaller boxes from old games, but also useful in working out how your tactics are going to play out.

There’s only so much you can do with a grid, but this is the best that Fire Emblem has ever played or looked. Small things, like improved unit movement prediction, make playing the game more fun than frustrating.

The routes work better than ever

Fire Emblem has long flirted with routes that tell different stories with the same characters. There were the Fates games, which let you play different routes depending on the version of the game you bought. It was fine — but it wasn’t perfect. Then Three Houses launched, a fan favorite. As much as I adore that game, the routes system still wasn’t the best; character arcs felt rushed at times, and playing through all of them took ages.

Fortune's Weave trims down the length of each route by quite a margin, and then brings everything together towards the end of the game. There are four routes this time, each with their own main characters and story beats, even though they occur in the same place. You can even recruit characters from one route while you play another — it’s pretty cool.

It’s also well worth playing through each one. Their unique stories are engaging and interesting, and watching everything fit together as you play feels great.

It’s not all good news

Some things are missing here. As much as the new dungeon-crawling sections are fun, they are extremely simple and a bit of a drag after a while. There are far fewer support conversations between characters, meaning fewer combat bonuses and less story content.

The graphics are good, but I don’t feel like I’m playing the Fire Emblem game of the future. The system feels like it's got more to give. The different classes your characters can be feel more restrictive than before, which is annoying.

But those are minor frustrations in what is otherwise a great game. I’ve already put too many hours in — I can’t wait to add even more.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• I just played Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2 — it was worth the wait
• Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is $10 off at Amazon and Walmart

The Legend of Zelda is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, and Nintendo isn’t letting the occasion quietly pass. Zelda fans are being treated to a stunning remake of one of Link’s most beloved adventures, Ocarina of Time, alongside a limited-edition Switch 2 console and a Zelda-themed Pro Controller. These in-demand items are available to pre-order now.

• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: $519 @ Walmart (IN STOCK NOW)
• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Amazon

Rather than holding a specific pre-order drop, Nintendo made the Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console and Pro controller available shortly after the Zelda Direct concluded. I’m expecting these items to be popular, and retailers like Best Buy and Target are already sold out.

The console (and Pro controller) launch on October 29, exactly one week before Ocarina of Time Remake releases exclusively on Switch 2. But don’t expect stock to hold until then; use our handy retailer links below to lock in your pre-order now. This limited-edition Switch 2 will be popular; after all, anything Zelda-themed tends to be snapped up by fans very quickly.

Quick links

• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Amazon
• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Best Buy
• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Target
• Switch 2 – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Nintendo
• Switch 2 Pro Controller – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Best Buy
• Switch 2 Pro Controller + display stand – Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Nintendo
• The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time (Switch 2): $69 @ Amazon

Switch 2 console pre-orders

Pro controller pre-orders

Zelda: Ocarina of Time pre-orders

U.K. pre-orders

U.K. retailers were a little slow off the mark, but as of September 9, pre-orders for the Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition are going live

• Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition:  check stock @ Amazon
• Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: £429 @ Nintendo
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: £429 @ Smyths Toys
• Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Nintendo
• Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock @ Smyths Toys

FAQ

What is Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition?

The Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s the same great “Editor’s Choice” Nintendo Switch 2 console, but with a delightful Zelda-themed makeover.

The design highlights the iconic Triforce, with the golden triangle emblazoned on the Switch 2’s dock. Meanwhile, the console’s Joy-Con controllers have also been given a Zelda look. They come in contrasting shades of green, with golden highlights underneath the joy-sticks.

This is the first limited-edition Switch 2 console, and Nintendo definitely hasn’t skimped on the design. It’s a stunning-looking limited-edition console that celebrates the beloved franchise’s storied history.

Does the Zelda Switch 2 include Ocarina of Time?

Curiously, no, it doesn’t. To confirm, the Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console does not include a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You’ll need to pick up the game separately, either physically (launch pre-orders come with textured foil packaging) or you can purchase the game digitally via the Nintendo eShop. The choice is yours.

It might seem strange that the Zelda console doesn’t come bundled with the new Zelda game, but Nintendo has done similar in the past. The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 1 console didn’t include a copy of the game either. It’s a move that feels very Nintendo!

More from Tom's Guide

• Zelda Nintendo Direct recap — everything announced
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• PS5 Pro restocks — latest updates as retailers sell out ahead of GTA 6

If you need another excuse to (re)play the GOTY-conquering Elden Ring, here comes the Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, which brings FromSoftware’s open-world masterpiece to the Nintendo platform for the first time. And after getting early access to this new version of the game, I’ve completely fallen down the Elden Ring rabbit hole all over again.

If you’ll indulge my nostalgia for a moment, it remains surreal to me that we live in an age where games of Elden Ring’s scale and scope are playable on handheld devices. I recall when portable gaming meant stripped-back multi-platform releases or smaller titles designed to suit the hardware limitations. Not anymore. Now you can play a massive action-RPG like Elden Ring on a plane, at the beach, or literally anywhere else.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Elden Ring has been made available on a portable device. The game was already “verified” for the Steam Deck and playable on multiple handheld gaming consoles. But having now experienced Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, I think this might be the best portable version of the modern classic.

Elden Ring on Switch 2 looks excellent, and runs well too

When I got my Steam Deck OLED in late 2024, Elden Ring was one of the very first games I installed. After all, it was my personal GOTY in 2022, and the game that truly sold me on the Soulslike genre (which I’m now obsessed with). I couldn’t wait to play it on a portable device.

While Elden Ring is certainly very playable on the Steam Deck OLED with default settings, I did find the low image resolution a little jarring. Not deal-breaking by any means, but not quite sharp enough for my tastes. Which is why when I stepped into the Lands Between for the first time in the Tarnished Edition on Switch 2, I had a true “wow” moment.

I wouldn’t go as far as declaring it matches the image quality you’ll find on PS5, Xbox Series X or one of the best gaming PCs, but it’s a noticeable step up from what I experienced on the Steam Deck OLED. Looking out over the intro zone of Limgrave, textures weren't as fuzzy in the distance, and the imposing figure of the Tree Sentinel had significantly increased definition.

When Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was first showcased to the public at Gamescom 2025, reports weren't very encouraging, and the game was delayed into 2026, presumably for additional polish. It seems that extra development time was worthwhile, because Elden Ring on Switch 2 looks great in handheld mode — which is where it needed to shine the most.

The framerate on Switch 2 appears to be targeting 30 fps, and while I’m a staunch believer in 60 fps supremacy, I can accept 30 fps if it’s solid. And fortunately, so far, that has been the case in the Tarnished Edition. I’m still making my way through the early portion, so perhaps deeper into the game, when the bosses get bigger and have more elaborate move sets, the Switch 2’s framerate will buckle, but from what I’ve played, it’s keeping up.

In comparison, Elden Ring on the Steam Deck OLED (again, in default settings) targets a slightly higher 40 fps, but the drawback here is that it’s very unstable. Regular enemy mobs can cause the framerate tumble down towards the 30 fps mark, or even lower. It’s a matter of personal preference, but I’d take a locked 30 fps over a temperamental 40 fps.

Tarnished Edition is the full Elden Ring package at a fair price

It’s also worth noting that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is the full experience. It offers the complete base game and the equally essential Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, plus a small smattering of new content, including two new classes (Heavy Knight and Idus Knight), four additional armor sets, and three skins for Torrent, your trusty steed.

This new content isn’t exclusive to Switch 2; you can pick it up on other platforms as part of the Tarnished Pack DLC, which drops on the same day the game comes to Switch 2 (August 28), for the modest price of $5. But it’s a nice little perk that it’s included as standard on Nintendo Switch 2.

I’ve seen some online grumbling about the Tarnished Edition’s $79 price tag, but this is comparable to the Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree bundle on other storefronts like Steam. Plus, when you factor in that the Tarnished Pack is included at no extra cost, you actually save $5!

For your money, you’re getting one of the defining games of this current generation, playable at home on your TV or on the go via the Switch 2’s handheld mode. That’s a great value proposition, in my eyes. Elden Ring is a truly special game, and I’m delighted that it looks and runs so well on Switch 2. I didn’t need an excuse to embark on yet another Elden Ring playthrough, but I’m delighted the Tarnished Edition has given me one.

More from Tom's Guide

• The game I’ve been obsessed with for 3 years is now on Switch 2
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• 5 essential Nintendo Switch 2 tips you need to know

Nintendo Switch 2 price increases are coming to Japan, the U.S., and Europe in September. But for now, there's a great opportunity to score a saving on the console in the U.K. that you don't want to miss.

Right now you can get the Nintendo Switch 2 for £370 at Amazon. That's £25 off the console's RRP. Or, get one of the console's very best games in the Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia bundle for £394. Compared to buying the items separately, you're saving a massive £62 here (enough to get yourself another game or two!)

I've listed all the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories I recommend buying below. For more ways to save, see our Amazon promo codes coverage.

Quick links

• shop all Prime Day deals at Amazon
• Jsaux Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 (3-Pack): was £9 now £5
• Orzly Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2: was £14 now £10
• Minecraft: was £24 now £19
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: was £49 now £37
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: was £66 now £54
• Nintendo Switch 2 Console: was £395 now £370
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia bundle: was £429 now £394

Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles

Nintendo Switch accessories

Nintendo Switch games

It’s no exaggeration to say that I’ve been obsessed with Lies of P since I first played it at launch back in September 2023. This action-Soulslike was my personal favorite game of that year (despite extraordinarily strong competition). So, when the Nintendo Switch 2 arrived last summer, I was desperately hoping Lies of P would head over to the hybrid console ASAP.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait very long. Just over 12 months after the Switch 2’s launch, and nearly three years after its initial release, Lies of P: Complete Edition comes to Nintendo’s platform this week (on Thursday, August 6). I’ve had the chance to check it out early, and it’s pretty much exactly what I hoped: The same great Lies of P game, now on Switch 2.

Its release timing feels particularly appropriate, as Lies of P launches on Switch 2 just a few weeks ahead of the hotly anticipated Elden Ring: Tarnish Edition. So, if you need a game to hold you over until revisiting FromSoftware’s behemoth, this excellent Soulslike is the perfect title for the occasion. It remains a must-play for fans of challenging action-RPGs.

Lies of P is still one of my favorite Soulslike games

In short, Lies of P takes clear clues from the Dark Souls series, created by FromSoftware, the developer of Elden Ring. It’s a demanding action-RPG that emphasizes challenging combat encounters, build-crafting, and memorable boss battles that might take you dozens of attempts.

Loosely based on Carlo Collodi’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” you play a living puppet, referred to as P, who must venture through the gothic city of Krat in the aftermath of an event known as the “Puppet Frenzy,” in which the once servient puppets turned on their human masters.

It’s an intriguing setup, and Lies of P does a great job offering players small snippets of story, rewarding curiosity and a willingness to piece together the overarching narrative via optional collectibles. But as much as I enjoy the rich lore of Lies of P, it’s the punishing combat that shines brightest.

Lies of P might be part of the “Soulslike” genre (named for the aforementioned Dark Souls), but its closest comparison is actually FromSoftware’s 2015 PS4 exclusive Bloodborne. Combat encounters are fast and fluid, with the best strategy revolving around relentless pressure and, if you can nail the timing, making use of parries to stun enemies.

The game also packs some of the most well-designed boss encounters of any Soulslike. You’ll square off against all manner of towering foes, from an electrified police robot to a mutated Archbishop spewing blue goo. I don’t want to veer into spoilers, but several of Lies of P’s best bosses rival even the works of genre originator FromSoftware. And the final boss is a doozy.

Even if wholly new ideas are thin on the ground — though the game's weapon combining system is unique — Lies of P mixes the best elements of its Souls inspirations to deliver a consistently satisfying action experience. Each victory is hard-earned, and levels beg to be explored.

The game also has several built-in guardrails to help you pick your level of challenge. There are multiple difficulty settings (originally added post-launch, but available on Switch 2 from day one), and the majority of bosses allow you to summon a helpful NPC companion, which makes things considerably easier. Lies of P doesn't have to be brutally tough, if you wish.

Even if a high degree of difficulty sounds off-putting to you, Lies of P is one of the more approachable games in the Soulslike genre for newcomers.

Lies of P feels at home on Switch 2

Almost three years post-release, and after a bunch of GOTY nominations, Lies of P is mostly a known quantity at this point. So, turning attention specifically to how this new version plays on the Switch 2. I’ve been largely impressed with the experience on Nintendo’s excellent hybrid console.

As you would expect, Lies of P on Switch 2 isn’t the premier version. It looks and runs better on PS5, Xbox Series X, or a powerful gaming PC, but the Switch 2 edition is no slouch. Its biggest drawback is that objects in the distance can appear low quality. This is particularly noticeable with blurry background character models, and the framerate takes a hit in handheld mode — though a day-one patch will add a 60 fps mode.

Perhaps the biggest downgrade I’ve found comes in loading times, which are a little longer than I’d like. 15 or so seconds doesn’t sound like much, but in a Soulslike, when death can come fast and frequent, this could be a minor pain point for new players when learning the ropes. But veterans, armed with previous knowledge, will likely endure few loading screens.

As noted up top, this is the “Complete Edition” and comes packaged with the high-quality Overture expansion, alongside all previously released DLC, including the overpowered Azure Dragon Crescent Glaive weapon, released as part of a collaboration with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It’s unlocked from the start and makes the early game a breeze. In fact, it’s so powerful, I’d suggest new players avoid it, as it breaks the difficulty curve.

Overall, this is a strong port of an excellent game; whether you’ve experienced Lies of P before or are stepping into Krat for the first time, the game feels at home on Switch 2. And because of its largely linear level design and manageable scope, it’s a great game to pick up to fill the time until Elden Ring arrives later this month and eats up your gaming time.

The Soulslike genre has exploded in popularity in recent years, with numerous developers attempting to recapture the very particular alchemy that saw FromSoftware rapidly rise to one of the industry’s most respected (and beloved) studios. Many have tried, but few imitators have got as remarkably close to matching the quality of a true Souls game as Lies of P.

All of this is to say, Lies of P: Complete Edition is a must-play on Nintendo Switch 2. This was the Switch 2 port I was desperately awaiting since launch, and now that it’s here, it’s no disappointment. Playing Lies of P once again on Nintendo Switch 2 has only deepened my obsession.

More from Tom's Guide

• Lies of P: Overture is a massive expansion — and it’s absolutely brutal
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• I solved the biggest issue with my Switch 2 in under a minute

Splatoon Raiders is a new direction for Nintendo’s ink-based, third-person shooter, which shifts the focus to single-player gameplay with a co-op twist. As the series’ first spin-off and its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, you won’t be battling other players — but taking on hordes of Salmonids feels just as fun and chaotic.

Instead of fighting through city-style courses in Splatsville, you’re scouring the Spirhalite Islands for treasure to fix up your hideout ship and return home. Along the way, you’re tasked with completing increasingly difficult, multi-stage raids.

I found the core loop — completing a raid and heading back to your ship to upgrade your gear — to be as rewarding as it was fun. There’s nothing quite like defeating a massive Salmonid, getting a new weapon, and heading back out to test it in combat. Some later islands and raids get a bit repetitive, but everything moves so fast that by the time you notice, you’re onto the next one.

Though it's a single-player experience, you can team up in 4-player co-op locally or online. Likewise, you’ll always have a member of Deep Cut by your side.

Is Splatoon Raiders the perfect way to get your fix before the next main entry? Read on for our full review.

Splatoon Raiders: The Basics

• What is it? A spin-off of the Splatoon series where you go on raids to collect treasure as well as unlock new weapons and abilities, playable solo or with up to 4 players.
• Who is it for? Fans of the series and those who enjoy third-person shooters as well as looter shooters.
• What’s the price? Splatoon Raiders costs $49 if you buy it digitally or $59 for a physical copy.
• What other games has the developer made? Splatoon Raiders is developed by the same internal Nintendo team responsible for the rest of the Splatoon series as well as Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• What games is it similar to? With its ink-based shooting, Splatoon Raiders plays a lot like Splatoon 3’s Salmon Run mode. However, its expedition-based mission loop resembles Borderlands while its online co-op feels similar to Deep Rock Galactic.

Not quite an island getaway

Splatoon Raiders throws you right into the action with an opening scene depicting the three members of Deep Cut — Shiver, Frye, and Big Man — aboard a helicopter above the Spirhalite Islands. As they approach the center of the island chain, their chopper gets knocked out of the sky, forcing a crash landing.

After a month stranded at sea, Deep Cut and your playable character, The Mechanic, have built a makeshift hideout ship and are ready to start doing what they came for: hunting for treasure.

From tropical beaches lined with palm trees to snow-covered peaks, your trek toward the center of the archipelago takes you through all sorts of eye-catching locales. However, much like the waters surrounding the Splatlands, these islands are teeming with Salmonids.

While raiding is the game’s main focus, taking a breather between runs lets you learn more about Deep Cut and how their world is deeply tied to the Spirhalite Islands. Although some lingering questions remained by the time I hit the credits on my 15-plus hour playthrough, the big ones were answered in a satisfying fashion.

Ink, raid, repeat

As this is a Splatoon game, ink remains your primary tool for taking down the local Salmonid population. The enemy roster keeps you on your toes: airborne pests hover overhead, burrowing threats ambush you from below, and giant monstrosities rain heavy fire from across the arena.

Instead of a traditional single-player campaign, Splatoon Raiders pivots entirely to bite-sized raids. Objectives range from direct, single-stage boss fights to free-form salvage runs where you gather Power Eggs to drill into massive treasure hoards. This variety keeps the loop from getting stale as you bounce between islands.

Alongside standard shooters, brushes, and sloshers, The Mechanic can craft and deploy gadgets mid-combat. Every successful raid feeds directly into your gear progression, dropping higher-tier weapons, gadget components, and crafting materials.

Getting booted back to the ship after a failed raid threw off my rhythm initially, but I grew to love the forced pause. It forces you to rethink your strategy, tweak your loadout, or swap gadgets before diving back in. (And while I played solo for this review, you can also call in online backup when you're stuck.)

Most importantly, movement remains top-tier. Diving into your ink and popping out behind a Salmonid to hit its weak spot feels as slick as ever, especially with the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller in hand. If you love Splatoon's core gameplay, you’ll be right at home here.

Crafting for splatting

Unlike the members of Deep Cut, The Mechanic can fix just about anything — a handy skill considering you're responsible for upgrading the hideout ship as the story progresses. Beyond ship maintenance, your character can also craft new combat gadgets and the parts needed to improve them further.

When faced with a particularly brutal wave of Salmonids, your two equippable gadgets easily make or break a run. Since they operate on a cooldown, timing is everything. Fortunately, you can craft specific parts to shorten those wait times and keep your abilities cycling faster.

Your loadout options depend on which Ink Tank you currently have equipped: Speed, Power, or Tactical. Each tank caters to a different playstyle, comes with its own set of unique gadgets, and can be upgraded to boost core stats like maximum health and overall damage output.

As I made my way through the Spirhalite Islands, I often found myself hunting specific Salmonids just to farm the parts needed for a gear upgrade. You also gather Spirhalite Crystals along the way, which are used for both high-tier crafting and boosting weapon levels. Balancing whether to dump those crystals into upgrading my main shooter or building a shiny new gadget created a really satisfying gameplay loop.

The treasure you haul back isn't just for show, either. Certain artifacts grant unique Relic Powers, offering passive combat buffs that can completely turn the tide during a tough raid or boss fight.

Whether I was tinkering back on the hideout ship or blasting my way through a chaotic raid, the pacing never slowed down. Splatoon Raiders kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Dripping with fidelity

Besides being the series’ first entry on the Switch 2, this is hands-down the best-looking Splatoon game yet. Everything runs at a buttery-smooth 60 fps in 4K, and during my playthrough, I didn’t experience a single performance hiccup. This held true even when the battlefield was so packed with Salmonids that I could barely make out my own character.

Nintendo’s decision to feature a range of distinct biomes as you venture toward the center of the Spirhalite Islands really pays off. From ink-soaked sand to snow-capped mountains changing color right before your eyes, there were plenty of moments where I had to stop just to take in the view.

In previous entries, the color of your ink depended on your team match-ups. In Splatoon Raiders, however, the color shifts every time you return to the hideout ship. Whenever I set out on a new raid, my ink tank sprayed a completely fresh hue. It’s a small detail, but it constantly mixed up the visual flair while showing off just how vibrant and impressive the game’s graphics truly are.

Splatoon Raiders review: Verdict

Splatoon Raiders takes the iconic combat and charm the series is known for and successfully adapts it into a single-player and co-op loop. The bite-sized raids are as addictive as ever, while the new crafting mechanics and loadout upgrades add welcome depth to the formula.

Although certain islands can feel slightly repetitive over longer sessions, the game's fast-paced momentum keeps your hands glued to the controller. And while competitive PvP takes a backseat this time around, robust co-op options easily soften the blow. Whether you’re a squid-kid veteran or a complete newcomer, Splatoon Raiders is an absolute joy and a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is just over 12 months old. Typically with a Nintendo console, it’s the Big N's own first-party games that keep me coming back (I play on PS5 primarily), and while there’s been a steady stream of those on the Switch 2, I’ve found it’s actually Capcom carrying the torch right now.

Capcom is enjoying something of a golden era at present, delivering consistently impressive games at a steady clip. These include several new releases and remakes in popular series like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, and excellent original ideas like Pragmata (which, seriously, if you haven’t played yet, stop reading this article and play it now. It’s wonderful).

While these games are all available on PlayStation, Xbox and the best gaming PCs, it’s the publisher's Switch 2 support that is really impressive. The Switch 2 isn’t an afterthought for Capcom. Not only are the Switch 2 editions of new games like Resident Evil: Requiem and the aforementioned Pragmata technically sound, they also dropped day one on Switch 2. Other publishers/developer have delayed their games on Switch — I’m still waiting for a date on the Switch 2 edition of 007: First Light.

Capcom is even diving back into its recent past to bring several fan-favorite games from the previous generation to Nintendo players. Case in point, the recent launch of Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2. I’ve been playing DMC5 on Switch 2 recently, and it's another winner from Capcom.

DMC5 is as good as ever on Nintendo Switch 2

Devil May Cry 5 originally launched on PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2019, bringing the franchise back to its roots after the divisive (in my opinion, underrated) 2013 reboot. Fans and critics loved it, and I was among them. It offers the series' signature blend of cinematic, intense action, slightly cheesy humor, and a trio of playable protagonists. That number expanded to four with the Vergil DLC — included with the PS5 and Xbox Series X ports in 2020.

So, how does it look and play on Switch 2? Extremely well. It targets and largely maintains 60 fps in both docked and handheld mode. While I haven’t played the PS5/Series X Special Edition to compare, I can confirm this is a notable improvement over the PS4 version I experienced back at launch. The game was liable to drop frames when the action got really hectic, which in a Devil May Cry game is a problem because things get hectic fast.

As you would hope, this version of DMC5 comes content complete, packing all the post-launch DLC, including Vergil as a playable character. Oh, and load times are blissfully brief, which is useful for somebody like myself, who’s far from an expert DMC player — I need those quick loads to get back into the fray while taking on a tough boss and getting my butt whooped.

Because of its 8th generation console roots, it’s not the most technically impressive Switch 2 port Capcom has released to date. Several major PS4 games made their way over to Nintendo Switch 1. The second generation of Nintendo’s hybrid console can handle the likes of DMC5 with relative ease, but it’s yet another excellent Capcom game, now playable on the Switch 2.

Capcom’s Switch 2 support is impressive (and there’s much more to come)

Nintendo aside, there are few (if any) publishers supporting the Switch 2 to the same degree right now as Capcom. And considering the Japanese video game company is currently in its aforementioned “golden era,” with no signs of slowing down, that’s a significant boon for the console.

This year alone, I’ve tested the Switch 2 release of a trio of Resident Evil games (Biohazard, Village and Requiem) alongside Pragmata (I am not going to shut up about this game till you play it), and been largely impressed with them all. My Switch 2 is rapidly becoming a device dedicated to playing Capcom games on the go, and I don’t mind at all.

This support isn’t slowing down either. Capcom has already announced plans to bring its sprawling RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2 to the console as part of its Dark Arisen re-release this October. I love the idea of having such a vast RPG for long flights. And before that, the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword will arrive on Switch 2 on September 4, the same date it launches on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. Switch players won’t have to wait longer!

Plus, looking a little further into the future, Monster Hunter Wilds is Switch 2-bound (coming in the wake of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection landing on Nintendo's platform in March), alongside the recently announced Resident Evil: Veronica remake and Mega Man: Dual Override.

So, kudos to Capcom. Firstly, for its remarkable streak of quality releases. But secondly, for ensuring that its acclaimed recent back catalog is available on the Switch 2 and that its highly anticipated new releases arrive on the system on day one. Its biggest gaming rivals should take note.

More from Tom's Guide

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• I played all 3 new Resident Evil games on Switch 2 
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I’ve loved the Nintendo Switch 2 since launch. I said as much in my review last summer, where I labeled it the “hybrid console of my dreams.” 12 months later, and that stance hasn’t changed. However, I’ve had one persistent issue from day one: the relatively paltry internal storage.

The Switch 2 comes packing 256GB of internal storage (of that, only 249GB is usable), and there’s no escaping the fact this isn’t enough in a gaming landscape where blockbuster games boast install sizes best measured in dozens of GBs. Want to install Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition? That’s 60GB gone? Final Fantasy VII Rebirth? You need 90.5GB of space.

Even physical games won’t save you much room, with the emergence of the controversial “Game-Key Cards,” the entire game is installed on your Switch 2, similar to how discs work on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Yes, Switch 2 game files come in all shapes and sizes (The excellent puzzler Blue Prince takes up just 3.8GB), but if you want to play blockbuster games on the go, or have a large library installed at once, prepare for storage headaches.

For me, having a large cross-section of my Nintendo library installed at once is a necessity because I primarily use my Switch 2 for traveling. The last thing I want to do while on the road is be trying to find a Wi-Fi spot strong enough to download a Switch 2 game that’s taken my fancy.

Fortunately, upgrading your storage is a breeze; the process takes 30 seconds. The downside? Compatible microSD Express Cards are pricey.

So much room for more Switch 2 games

I recently got my hands on a 512GB Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card, and it’s been a revelation. The install process is almost laughably simple.

Get your chosen microSD card (remember, it must be an Express model), lift up the Switch 2’s rear kickstand, and insert the card into the console’s SD card slot. Give your Switch 2 a few moments to format, and you’re all done. Nintendo really couldn’t have made the process any smoother.

As is typical with additional storage solutions, you don’t get the full memory listed on the packaging. With the 512GB Lexar Play Pro installed in my Switch 2, I was given an extra 465GB of storage capacity. When factoring in the internal storage (which remains useable), this is a pretty healthy amount of wiggle room, even as Switch 2 game install sizes balloon.

I’ve tested out several of the best Switch 2 games running off the Lexar Play Pro, including Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and recently, the new Switch 2 port of Devil May Cry 5 (it's epic!). I’ve noticed no increase in loading times compared to playing these titles from the Switch 2’s internal storage, and no reduction in performance.

So, all of this is to say, if you also feel your Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in storage just isn’t big enough, then a microSD such as the Lexar Play Pro becomes a practically essential accessory. With the card snugly installed in my console, my only major remaining gripe with the hybrid console is the pretty lackluster battery life. Maybe I need to pick up a battery pack next?

More Switch 2 storage, but at a price

The asterisk on my glowing recommendation of the Lexar Play Pro microSD is the price. As of writing, on Amazon, a 256GB card costs $84 (currently 15% off, was $99); the model I’ve been testing, the 512GB, is priced at $149, and the largest size, a whopping 1TB, is a wallet-stinging $349. These prices aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re not impulse buys.

The big question is which size is suitable for most Switch 2 owners. I actually did buy a 256GB card last summer, but found the increased storage still wasn’t enough to keep pace with my growing Switch 2 library.

Meanwhile, much as I think the 1TB option will futureproof your console for years to come, ensuring an abundance of storage, $349 is an excessive price and likely pushes the card beyond the budget of most Switch 2 owners.

It’s the 512GB Lexar Play Pro microSD Card that finds the healthiest middle ground. You’re more than doubling your Switch 2 storage capacity, and while $149 isn’t cheap, it’s more budget-friendly than the 1TB option. If you’re looking to upgrade your own Switch 2 storage, I would recommend the 512GB card. It offers the best balance of storage and price, at present.

Of course, whether you need extra storage is a matter of personal preference. If you’re happy to be diligent with deleting/redownloading games, or only plan to play a small selection of titles at any one time, then you can absolutely enjoy the console with just the internal storage. While 256GB isn’t exactly roomy, it’s enough to install a handful of bigger titles.

However, if you’ve been a day-one Switch 2 owner since last June, or even if you just recently joined the ownership club (welcome!), and have found your storage space dwindling, then picking up a microSD card is a smart investment and resolves one of the console’s more noticeable flaws.

More from Tom's Guide

• Splatoon Raiders hands-on preview: I'm already hooked
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• I gave my Switch 2 an upgrade, and saved $55 in the process

Owning a Wii U ended up being the ultimate test of patience. Being forced to wait months for a first-party release that justified me purchasing Nintendo’s tablet/gaming hybrid console proved torturous during much of the system’s lifecycle.

I remember getting the first Splatoon, not out of a pure need for it but because I was so desperate to play anything on my Wii U besides Bayonetta 2. The shock and awe that took over my spirit when I realized just how fun Splatoon’s PvP ink-blasting matches were still stands tall as one of the biggest pleasant surprises I’ve had as a gamer. From that point forward, I sunk embarrassingly long playtimes into the series’ next two mainline entries and accompanying DLC expansions.

Now that I’m on the cusp of finally picking up Switch 2, I’m super excited to put just as much time into Nintendo’s latest offering of ink-splatting. But what makes this new series installment stand out from its predecessors is how it eschews competitive multiplayer in favor of treasure hunting escapades across single–player and four-player co-op expeditions.

And after finally getting some hands-on time with Splatoon Raiders, I can safely say that its fun factor and charm match that of the excellent Splatoon games that came before it.

Customizing loadouts, blasting baddies and raiding treasure

The name of the game here is using your custom character’s mechanical skills to create new tools, improve your gear, customize your loadouts and head out to new destinations across the Spirhalite Islands to find even more goodies for the taking.

Like previous games in the series, Splatoon Raiders gives you a ton of options to tinker to your liking. Creating your own “Inkling” took me longer than expected since I always get a kick out of making them to my exact liking. This game also offers a wide range of other options to tailor, such as your main weapon, two gadgets, Relic Powers, your tank type, Bot Buddy, and clothing style.

Speaking of weapons and gadgets, I got a lot of use out of the “Flamingo Splattershot Jr.”, the “Booyarang” and the “Splatellites.” The mixture of rapid-fire shooting, a weapon that can cut through the opposition in a single circular arc and another one that creates orbiting discs around you that harm incoming foes worked like a charm. When the time arrived for me to eliminate all the “Salmonids” that sought to take me out, my chosen loadout and the assistance of one of the members of the “Deep Cut” trio (whose outfitted in a bot), I was treated to the same entertaining gunplay that made me a fan of Splatoon in the first place.

After seeing the first pieces of footage for Splatoon Raiders, I was a bit worried that the game’s environments would boil down to nothing but sandy beaches and rocky terrain. But those fears have now been assuaged — there’s plenty more biomes to venture to and the color patterns do enough to make them stand apart from each other, thankfully. The Salmonid hordes that try to overpower you are relentless and actually presented a challenge during some missions, especially the timed ones.

Even with the difficulty getting kicked up a notch during my demo, I had the time of my life blasting them out of existence, jumping on top of my big bot assistant to get some extra air time and picking up all the currency and items I need to create more offensive and defensive tools. Trust me when I tell you that you'll need all the help you can get, as this game presents a worthy challenge with its unique boss fights and time trials that throw even more enemy hordes your way.

Co-op raids will keep me occupied for months (or years?) to come

Linking up with three other players to go on some treasure hunts proved to be just as fun (if not MORE fun!) than my solo treks. Seeing my three other Inkling squadmates equip entirely different loadouts resulted in playthroughs where our combined weapons and gadgets cut through our fishy foes with ease. I knew it was time to switch up my loadout when I watched one of my co-op partners slash through an army of swarming Salmonids with their “Splatchet” gadget (it felt so satisfying to do some slashing for myself once I finally used it).

Here’s hoping plenty of substantial endgame content and a nice DLC rollout will accompany Splatoon Raiders to expand its co-op suite.

Bottom line

Call me crazy if you want, but the likes of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Pokopia weren’t enough to compel me to get Switch 2.

As the odd man out with that opinion, Splatoon Raiders stands out as the killer app that will make me finally pick up a Switch 2. Am I slightly disappointed that the PvP competitive ink-splatting isn’t featured? Yeah. But am I still excited to go treasure hunting with the Deep Cut idols, eliminate Salmonids that dare to approach me, jump into the colorful ink fray with three other Inklings and unlock new pieces of gear?

Absolutely!

More from Tom’s Guide

• I just finished Star Fox on Switch 2 — and it’s better than the game I imagined I was playing as a kid
• I played Star Fox on Switch 2 in Mouse Mode and with an N64 controller — here's the one I'd recommend
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Despite GTA 6 pre-orders stealing the headlines this week, another game you can play right now actually just hit store shelves. Of course, I’m talking about Nintendo’s Star Fox remake, which I recently gave a glowing review.

I still remember inserting the Rumble Pak into the back of my N64 controller and booting up Star Fox 64 for the first time almost 30 years ago. Now, though, I get to experience one of my favorite childhood games with modern graphics, crisp 4K visuals, and new cutscenes that help fill out the story even further.

Playing Star Fox on the Nintendo Switch 2 has been an absolute blast so far, and I even managed to take the hard path that eluded me as a child. Still, after several playthroughs ahead of my review, I wasn’t done yet.

Besides being able to play with a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you can also detach your Joy-Cons and play Star Fox in Mouse Mode. I definitely had to take this new, more precise, fully first-person way to take the game out for a spin. However, I also have one of Nintendo’s modern N64 controllers on hand, so I decided to give that a try too out of sheer nostalgia.

Whether you’re playing Star Fox for the first time or revisiting one of your favorite childhood games like I am, both of these control schemes completely change the experience — but one definitely stands above the other.

Precision meets sheer terror

If you haven’t upgraded to a Switch 2 yet, Mouse Mode is one of the new console’s more interesting features. With your Joy-Cons detached, you can use a desk mat — or any surface for that matter — to engage this new mode and control one of your Joy-Cons like a mouse. This gives you a much greater level of precision and is especially useful in first-person shooters.

Speaking of which, the first game I tried Mouse Mode out on was Metroid Prime 4. What I like about that game’s implementation of this new mode is that you can instantly switch back and forth between it and using your Joy-Cons the standard way. Thankfully, Star Fox does the exact same thing.

The second you flip one of your Joy-Cons on its side, Mouse Mode is enabled. However, in Star Fox, this also switches the game from using its normal third-person perspective to a first-person one. It felt like I was Fox McCloud myself, sitting inside my Arwing with all of its various screens and dials visible in the ship’s central console. This adds a new level of immersion you just don’t get in third-person.

I’ll admit, getting the hang of using Mouse Mode in Star Fox did take me a bit. I think that’s because of how high-stakes and fast the game’s flying and shooting feels. After I finished the game’s first level, though, I had the hang of it. Well, for the most part.

With a Joy-Con held normally in my left hand, I was able to control the yawing of my Arwing while most of the work was done with the Joy-Con in my right hand, which handled shooting, boosting, braking, and aiming my laser’s reticle. It definitely takes some getting used to, but there are on-screen prompts to help you with the more difficult controls.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how different playing the game in first-person would make some of the levels feel. For instance, the asteroid field in Meteo and the enemies that pop out behind them had me on the edge of my seat. While not necessarily scary, when playing in first-person, everything felt a lot more spooky. The same was true on the planet Solar, as it really felt like the waves of lava were coming right at me.

In retrospect, it makes perfect sense, but I was elated when I realized I could play through the Macbeth stage in first-person. Controlling the Landmaster tank has never come naturally to me, and during my first playthroughs, I got stuck on this level longer than I care to admit. In Mouse Mode with a first-person perspective, though, I was able to not only clear it but also shoot down the eight switches to divert the train fairly easily.

I bypassed Aquas completely during my Mouse Mode playthrough, but seeing the ocean and all the various creatures underwater from the cockpit of the Blue Marine has me excited about starting another run already.

Single-stick nostalgia

Given it was my first introduction to using an analog stick instead of a D-pad, I bought one of Nintendo’s modern N64 controllers when they first went on sale. I mainly did so to re-experience playing Super Mario 64 this way, but I also played through a bit of Star Fox 64 too. Controlling my Arwing the old-fashioned way was just as awkward as I remembered it, though.

With Star Fox on the Switch 2, you can use an N64 controller if you want to relive that exact same experience, just with modern visuals. In the game’s on-the-rails levels, I felt like I was right back in 1997, sitting on the floor in front of the TV.

Even the game’s boss fights — like when I took on the Gorgon in Area 6 — felt great and were easy enough to handle. The old control scheme came right back to me, even if I did miss using my Switch 2 Pro Controller’s extra GR button (which I had mapped to A) to shoot. Once I switched to All-Range Mode, however, that’s when things got tricky.

Just like in Star Fox 64, you point the analog stick down and press either the down or left C-button at the same time to do a somersault or U-turn, respectively. During the second fight with Star Wolf and his crew, these old controls made things quite difficult.

If I held down and pressed one of the C-buttons after, nothing happened. Instead, I had to press down on the analog stick while hitting the C-button at the exact same time to pull off the maneuver. With Star Wolf hot on my heels, my Arwing took a lot more damage than it did when using modern controls with my Switch 2 Pro controller.

Even if All-Range Mode was just as difficult as I remember with an N64 controller, it was still a fun experiment testing it out in Star Fox on the Switch 2.

Now it truly feels like summer

If you’re a seasoned player who knows all the hidden paths, you can finish Star Fox in around an hour. With other Nintendo games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom taking 60+ hours to finish, Star Fox’s campaign may feel short, but that’s only at face value. The beauty of Star Fox 64 and this reimagined outing is that you’re supposed to replay it, as that’s the only way to find hidden paths and earn medals.

Star Fox on the Switch 2 is fun enough on its own to warrant multiple playthroughs. However, if you want to mix things up a bit, I highly recommend giving Mouse Mode a try. Even if you don't, you can still experience the entire campaign in first-person mode just by hitting the Minus button on your Joy-Cons or Pro Controller.

Personally, I had a ton of fun during my first-person, Mouse Mode playthrough, and I can’t wait to go back to Corneria for another run. In fact, the timing of this release brings me right back to the summer of 1997, and Nintendo made an excellent choice by releasing Star Fox when it did.

Whether you grew up playing Star Fox on the Nintendo 64 or this is your first time saving the Lylat system from Andross, Star Fox on Switch 2 is this summer’s must-play game — just like it was all those years ago.

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Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the rare remake that managed to exceed my expectations while feeling instantly familiar. While the original formula remains intact, Nintendo, alongside developer Velan Studios have modernized every aspect of this classic game from the visuals down to the controls.

Fox McCloud and the rest of the Star Fox crew look better than ever, as do all of the 15 different stages. Of course, due to the game’s branching paths, you will have to complete multiple playthroughs if you want to see them all. You definitely will, though, thanks to the new, more cinematic cutscenes between each stage.

Controlling your Arwing felt great in the original, but on the Switch 2, it’s even more satisfying. The controls are snappy and responsive when playing in handheld mode or with a Switch 2 Pro Controller. However, you can also detach your Joy-Cons to play in Mouse Mode, which shifts your perspective from third to first-person, making gameplay feel even more immersive.

If this is your first time saving the Lylat system, you’re in for a treat. For seasoned Star Fox players, though, the game and its stages play out almost exactly as you remember them, for better or worse. While there is a new multiplayer mode, it doesn’t feel extensive enough to justify picking up this remake for it alone.

Star Fox for the Switch 2 is still the best way to experience this classic starfighter. Read on for my full Star Fox review.

Star Fox: The Basics

• What is it? Star Fox is a sci-fi rail-shooter and space combat game with high-speed aerial dogfights and branching paths where you fight to protect the Lylat system.
• Who is it for? Star Fox fans who want to re-experience Star Fox 64 on the Switch 2’s more powerful hardware with improved controls and visuals.
• What's the price? Star Fox costs $49 if you buy it digitally or $59 if you buy a physical copy.
• What other games has the developer made? Star Fox for the Switch 2 was developed by Velan Studios alongside Nintendo. They previously worked together on the mixed-reality racer Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, but the studio also created the dodgeball brawler Knockout City.
• What games is it similar to? Given it’s a modern remake, Star Fox feels a lot like Star Fox 64 as well as other space combat and flying games such as Star Wars: Squadrons and Ace Combat.

Seeing the Lylat system with new eyes

I still remember popping the rumble pack into the back of my N64 controller and booting up Star Fox 64 for the first time. While the original set the bar quite high, this reimagining of Nintendo’s classic space opera immediately hooked me once I saw how stunning it looked on the Switch 2.

From the menus to the cutscenes to the levels themselves, Star Fox shines in a crisp and buttery smooth 4K resolution at 60fps on Switch 2. Gone are the blocky and low-polygon structures of the original as they’ve been replaced with top-tier graphics you’d expect to see on the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

By upgrading and optimizing its proprietary Viper Engine, Velan Studios has managed to deliver impressive visuals and a locked framerate of 60 fps. The HDR implementation is another big highlight here as laser fire and bombs shot from your Arwing stand out brilliantly against the deep blacks of outer space.

Whether I was flying alongside the water outside Corneria, navigating through space debris in Sector X or submerged in the Blue-Marine in Aquas, all of the various environments in Star Fox had my eyes glued to the screen. In fact, I took different paths throughout several playthroughs just to see them all.

Fantastic Mr. Star Fox

From the opening scene after the updated tutorial, when the crew takes off their VR headsets, it’s clear we’re dealing with a familiar yet entirely different Star Fox. Instead of the dated character models of the original, we’re now met with ones that feel more like the cast of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox film. I like them personally, but they have divided the series’ loyal fanbase somewhat.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of Fox, Slippy, Peppy and Falco, too, as there are now beautifully rendered cinematics in between missions. They help fill out the story and show the inner workings of the Star Fox crew in ways I could only imagine when playing the original.

There are changes during the missions themselves, too, when it comes to the story and especially dialogue. While some fan favorite sayings like “Do a barrel roll” remain, the lines delivered by the crew mid-combat feel more intentional and add an extra layer of depth to the overall story.

For instance, during the first level, you’re tasked with saving Falco as he’s having trouble with his ship’s G-Diffuser. In the original, after you helped him out, that was that. Now, though, in the Switch 2 version of Star Fox, Slippy chimes in saying that’s why you don’t want to rush a systems check.

There are little extra bits of dialogue here and there throughout the story, and alongside the new cinematics, I felt more immersed in the world of Star Fox than ever before.

By air, land and sea

Even though the levels themselves are on-rails, your journey to take on Andross is more flexible thanks to Star Fox’s branching paths. Depending on which teammates you save, how many hits you deal out to enemies and a few other conditions, new paths and different levels become available.

This adds some much-needed variety to the core game while also giving you a reason to replay its campaign. While you pilot Star Fox’s iconic Arwing craft for a majority of the game, it’s not the only vehicle.

For instance, if you take the easy path to Venom, there’s a level where you take command of the Landmaster tank. The tank features the same controls as your Arwing, but since you’re on the ground instead of in the air, it’s a welcome change from flying.

Alternatively, if you take the hard path to Venom, there’s an underwater level where you pilot the Blue-Marine submarine. Built by Slippy from spare parts, the submarine works just like your Arwing, too. Having missed this section as a kid, it was a nice surprise, and the enemies and environment of Aquas were absolutely worth another run of the campaign.

Although Star Fox’s campaign only takes about an hour and a half to finish, revisiting levels to look for secret paths does add a bit more to the game. Still, I wish there were more new levels besides the prologue to really round out this upgraded package.

From tactical to all-range

If you’ve booted up Nintendo Switch Online and tried to play through Star Fox 64 recently, you’re in for a welcome surprise on Switch 2 as Velan Studios has modernized the game’s controls. Instead of using a single analog stick and the C-button, Star Fox now features dual-stick flight.

The left stick handles your Arwing’s positioning while the right stick controls your reticle. This separation gives you far greater precision when aiming your lasers.

Alternatively, you can take things a step further by detaching your Joy-Cons and playing in Mouse Mode. Though I found the first-person perspective does take some getting used to.

In addition to this new control scheme, there’s an overall snapiness when it comes to pressing buttons to boost, brake and deploy bombs, as well as when you’re using the triggers to shoot or the bumpers to barrel roll. Suffice it to say, piloting an Arwing has never felt this good.

Star Fox: Verdict

Star Fox on the Switch 2 marks the triumphant return of Fox McCloud, though it’s also an excellent showcase of what Nintendo’s latest console is capable of. The upgraded graphics and improved visual fidelity make this the best way to experience this classic adventure, while the snappier and more modern controls make piloting your Arwing just as satisfying.

Although I wish we could play the full campaign together with a friend in co-op mode with our own ships, at least Nintendo does give you a way to do so as pilot and gunner. Likewise, there are a lot of great ideas in the new multiplayer modes, but let’s face it, we’re here for the single-player campaign. Whether you’re just saving the Lylat system for the first time or you’re a seasoned mercenary who knows all the hidden paths, this is the best Star Fox has ever looked and played.

We're approaching the halfway point of 2026, and it's already shaping up to be another truly fantastic 12 months for new video games. And we haven't even got to the ludicrously crowded September/October period yet, and the small matter of the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, either.

But before all of the exciting games to come, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the games already released in 2026 that have seriously impressed us. Across all major platforms, there's been plenty of must-play experiences ranging from new installments in beloved franchises to original IPs, and one of the best licensed games ever made!

If you skipped any of these games when they launched, the summer months (which are a little quieter for new releases) are the time to circle back. These are the best video games we've played in 2026 so far.

Resident Evil Requiem

Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

I expected Resident Evil Requiem to be a good time, but what I didn’t expect was for it to be one of my favorite Resident Evil titles of all time. It masterfully blends the gameplay of its two protagonists to offer an experience for fans of both action and horror, and makes both characters interesting to play as (although, admittedly, I always looked forward to Leon).

Being able to catch on to things or open new paths with Leon after progressing through an area with Claire made exploring areas a second time feel interesting instead of cumbersome, and the post-game content made me replay the game not once but twice, and that is saying a lot for someone who has never replayed a game or gone for platinums before.

Whether you’re playing on PS5 Pro or Switch 2, the game runs really well, and Capcom deserves credit for this when some studios (I’m looking at you, Bethesda!) haven’t done the best job at optimizing their games.

Requiem reminded me of what makes Resident Evil one of the best horror franchises ever made, and my personal favorite series in the genre. I am really excited for future RE titles and any DLC Requiem has to offer. Just give me more Leon Kennedy, Capcom. Just give me more Leon Kennedy. — Phil Rodrigues

Read our full Resident Evil Requiem review

Pokémon Pokopia

Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2

As someone who’s never been a fan of Animal Crossing, Pokémon Pokopia was my biggest gaming surprise of 2026 — and it’s a game I can’t get enough of. It’s a cozy yet surprisingly deep life-simulation adventure where I’ve built and rebuilt habitats, restored ecosystems and created thriving communities for my favorite Pocket Monsters.

Playing as a Ditto who can craft and gain abilities to help with terraforming has been extremely fun. Each Pokémon’s personality and funny dialogue have made me fall in love with the franchise all over again. The gameplay loop is addictive, as is the creative freedom you’re given. Pokopia effortlessly blends elements of building sims, sandbox games, and classic Pokémon exploration into a seamless experience.

What perhaps surprised me the most, though, was the strong storytelling and writing revolving around a post-apocalyptic world. It’s surprisingly deep — and I certainly wasn’t expecting the scattered notes you find (or the ending) to hit that hard. Pokopia feels refreshingly new but unmistakably Pokémon at the same time. I can’t wait for the DLC! — Nikita Achanta

Read our full Pokémon Pokopia review

Pragmata

Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

It’s amazing how much a strong demo can do in making someone like me see the vision. Before I took Hugh and Diana into rooms full of rampaging robots, I followed Capcom’s brand-new IP closely. The painfully long wait for a final release date took my hype levels down a peg, but I still maintained a sliver of hope that Pragmata would pull through and deliver a quality experience.

After replaying the demo way more times than I can count, I was fully convinced that Capcom had a new smash hit on their hands. Thankfully, that sentiment of mine stayed true once I reached the end of Hugh and Diana’s emotional journey. The genius way the developers at Capcom mashed up traditional third-person gunplay with a grid-based hacking system that’s controlled by the face buttons roped me in immediately. And I was always excited to see all the new weapons and mods I could tap into to take down waves of disgruntled bots.

I was shocked to see how much post-game content Pragmata had in store for me, which gave me plenty more reasons to bring my best loadouts to ever more challenging combat scenarios. While Pragmata’s story could have been a lot stronger, I still got a ton of enjoyment out of Hugh and Diana’s warm relationship. Here’s hoping we get a sequel that expands on this game’s clever approach to shooting and hacking. — Elton Jones

Read our full Pragmata review

Forza Horizon 6

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S (PS5 TBD)

I mean, this one’s an obvious pick, right? Easily one of the best racing games over the past decade and the greatest in the Horizon series. Forza Horizon 6 puts you in a drop-dead gorgeous recreation of Japan, gives you a ton of incredible cars to drive in, and an almost-infinite wealth of things to do from fun short storylines and stunt events (like racing a Gundam) to full-blown high-octane racing action.

And while I could go into the upgrades here to visual flair, the huge improvement in audio with a banger soundtrack and cars that sound so much more alive, the versatile driving physics giving you either arcade accessibility or sim-level immersion, or the variety of events keeping the game feeling alive for a long time to come.

But the real thing that keeps it head and shoulders above the competition is how it's the first racing title I’ve played to truly capture the essence of car culture. Every single tiny detail comes together to form a love letter to the automobile unlike anything you’ve played before. Just do yourself a favor, buy it now, and thank me later. — Jason England

Read our full Forza Horizon 6 review

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (Switch 2, September 18)

I’m a Batman fan, and I’m a Lego fan, so I already knew I’d dig Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. However, I didn’t expect it to be such a thoroughly captivating and enjoyable experience. It’s a title I’ll absolutely have in my top 10 games of the year. Yes, it’s that good!

So what’s so special about Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight? Aside from the usual Lego charm, this game is a true love letter to various Batman media— particularly the big Hollywood movies. You play through all of the Caped Crusader’s biggest moments, from falling into a batcave as a child all the way through his rise as Gotham City’s dark avenger. Naturally, the tone is silly, but it retains enough earnestness not to be a complete joke.

Gameplay-wise, it feels like a stripped-down version of the Batman Arkham games, with similar combat and traversal mechanics in a relatively large open world. You even get those games’ versions of puzzles. The Lego parts involving building items and the slew of collectibles, including costumes, vehicles, and more, also make this game highly addictive.

If you’re looking for a game that’s pure fun, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a must-own title. — Tony Polanco

Read our full Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight review

007 First Light

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (Switch 2 TBD)

007 First Light is the best James Bond video game ever made. That’s really saying something considering the pedigree of N64’s GoldenEye, and my own childhood nostalgia for 007: Nightfire on the PlayStation 2. However, First Light trumps them both by delivering a remarkable, ridiculously cinematic main campaign that had me hooked from start to end.

Rather than cast you as a Bond in his prime, you experience his origin story, playing as a fresh-faced spy (voiced/mod-capped expertly by Patrick Gibson). As any good Bond game should, your 15-hour adventure takes you all over the world, from Malta to Mauritania, and has you unraveling a villainous plot that feels highly relevant for our times.

The authentic presentation is spot on, complete with a fitting Bond tune written/performed by Lana del Rey, but none of this would matter if First Light weren’t also a joy to play. Fortunately, with Hitman developer IO at the wheel, that was never in doubt. The game’s blend of espionage exploration, and thrilling combat encounters (the melee animations are phenomenal); you really do feel like the world’s most suave secret agent.

It also packs set-piece moments that rival the best of Uncharted and the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy. And it culminates in a finale that feels fitting for such an epic Bond tale. The bar for licensed games has been raised in recent years, but 007 First Light sets a new standard. — Rory Mellon

Read our full 007 First Light review

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So, as the smart glasses guy on the Tom’s Guide team, my main beef has always been with the Nintendo Switch just making things awkward with its video out on the USB-C connector.

With literally any other gaming handheld, it’s a seamless dream — plug your AR glasses in, and see the picture in front of your eyes. The Switch (and Switch 2) requires jumping through hoops of tricking your console into thinking it's in docked mode to bypass the complicated encryption.

Well, when I tested Xreal Aura some more here at AWE 2026, the team literally mentioned in a passing conversation that they’d cracked Switch compatibility in Android XR. Before they could say another word about local AI, I stopped the talk in its tracks and asked for a demo.

And hot dang, they did the thing! Not only is there full Switch support over USB-C, but with no real noticeable latency, and you can use Gemini to ask questions about the games you’re playing!

Fixing the problem with brute force

So the problem is one of compatibility and protocols (boring, I know). 99% of the market uses DisplayPort Alt Mode through that USB-C socket, which natively supports just plugging the glasses straight in. Meanwhile, Nintendo is using Mobility DisplayPort (MyDP) — a standard that was typically used with micro-USB ports back in the day. Why? God knows.

For years now, the fix has been something like the Viture Switch Dock: trick the Switch into thinking it’s in docked mode via a big battery pack to keep it alive at higher wattages and simulate an HDMI connection.

And now, a simple USB-C connection into the Aura’s compute puck does the trick… “HOW!?” I excitedly asked Qualcomm’s team, to which they couldn’t help but chuckle and give me cheeky grins.

Truth is, they can’t tell me exactly how they did it, so all I can do is theorize. You’ve got a strong, open, and versatile development platform like Android XR, paired with a monster spatial computing chip in Snapdragon Reality Elite. I think it’s not too much of a stretch to assume that this high-performance chip is able to transcode that signal in real-time in a well-written Android XR app.

What does it feel like to play?

One common issue with this workaround for the current Switch docks for AR glasses is latency. It’s not terrible, but it can be noticeable in faster titles. None of that exists here, and in my time playing Zelda, it all felt nicely responsive.

On top of that, given it’s a floating window within Android XR, there’s the Gemini Live edge too! Fire it up, look at your screen, and ask away — Gemini was quick to let me know where to go next in the forest.

That is a real value-unlocker vs going to GameFAQs for the answer I need to get ahead in my gameplay whenever I’m stuck.

Take that, Nintendo!

Yes, I know the Switch 2 is great and everything, but this whole USB-C compatibility issue is a pet peeve I’ve been super vocal about for a long time now! Whether it’s so that Nintendo can make its own AR glasses, I don’t know. But the fact that I can’t save myself from neck pain playing the damn thing on long-haul flights seems crazy to me when it’s literally the easier (and better) standard to support.

However, with some brute force of Snapdragon Reality Elite and some coding know-how in Android XR, that’s no longer a problem, and not only that, it’s latency-free compared to the other workarounds we’ve seen.

Low key, this is the biggest winning feature I’ve seen for Xreal Aura. I know there’s so much more to talk about here in what Android XR can do in an optical see-through (OST) environment vs a VR headset, and Gemini’s capabilities in spatial computing. But to 1-UP Nintendo’s limitations? You just love to see it.

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Prime Day is coming — Amazon's summer savings event will start June 23. But in the meantime, prices are already dropping on Nintendo Switch games and accessories.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and unfortunately, I think the U.K. will follow the trend. We're still waiting to see what the new price in the U.K. will be — but in short, if you want to get a console, now is the time to do it.

You can get a Nintendo Switch 2 for £380 at Amazon and save £15 off the RRP. And to get your console kitted out, Amazon has Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories on sale from £10.

I've listed all the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories I recommend buying below. For more, see our Amazon promo codes coverage.

Quick links

• shop all Prime Day deals at Amazon
• Jsaux Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 (3-Pack): was £9 now £8
• Turtle Beach Airlite Fit Gaming Headset: was £19 now £13
• Minecraft: was £24 now £19
• Yakuza Zero Director's Cut: was £44 now £25
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: was £49 now £37
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: was £66 now £54
• Nintendo Switch 2 Console: was £395 now £380

Nintendo Switch 2 Consoles

Nintendo Switch accessories

Nintendo Switch games

During this week's June Nintendo Direct, you may have missed when the company quickly revealed two new Joy-Con 2 colorways: blue and light yellow. The new colors are inspired by Deep Cut from the Splatoon series.

For the unfamiliar, Deep Cut is a band that pops up in Splatoon 3 composed of two octolings and a manta ray. The octolings wear the blue and yellow colors.

Really, it feels to me like it's just one new color since the blue is just a slightly darker shade compared to the light blue that comes bundled with the Switch 2.

It's honestly a reminder to me that Nintendo has dulled the vibrancy of the Switch 2 hardware, especially compared to the original Switch.

Yes, there are light purple and light green variants of the Joy-Con 2 controllers... but the only pop of color is the strip that connects to the Switch display and a single ring under the joysticks. A strip that disappears when you click the controllers into the Switch 2 console. The rest is just plain black.

Conversely, the original Switch featured controllers where the whole body was one color. And the Switch Lite came along in a choice of multiple delightful hues.

Compared to the black box that is the current Xbox (retro special edition aside), and the spaceship that is the PS5, Nintendo has always represented fun and playfulness with its console(s).

The Switch 2 feels like it's slipped into a professional suit and is beckoning you into its office to discuss a spreadsheet. Am I the only one who's a little disappointed by this?

The original Switch could be a loud contrast of colors, depending on how much you want to mix and match your Joy-Con controllers. Some of the best were inspired by Splatoon, itself a splashy series.

Just look at these practically neon controllers below, especially compared to the boring grey handles on the Switch itself:

Nintendo like many companies is facing economic uncertainity between the varying tariffs — which seem to have settled after multiple lawsuits — and the ongoing memory crisis affecting every bit of tech globally.

Nintendo markets itself as the playful system for everyone, which the design of the Switch 2 seems to elide. Here's hoping that the gaming legend finds its way into the future of the Switch 2 with some whimsy in more than just pops of color that hide.

How to get the new colors

If you're interested in picking up a set of the blue and light yellow Joy-Con 2 controllers, you can pre-order them now for $99 from Nintendo.

The Nintendo site and the images shown during the Nintendo Direct list July 23 as the release date.

Meanwhile, if you want more, there are Switch 2 third-party options that actually highlight a rainbow of colorways.

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• I played an hour of Rayman Legends Retold — and I need to play more
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Hot on the heels of Summer Game Fest, Nintendo has announced it will hold a Nintendo Direct tomorrow (June 9) at 10 am ET. A Nintendo Treehouse presentation will follow immediately after.

According to a press email, the Nintendo Direct will run for around 50 minutes and spotlight upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games. The Nintendo Treehouse event will last around 95 minutes and feature gameplay of select games featured in the Nintendo Direct.

This is the first big Nintendo Direct of the year, so it should hopefully shed light on what Nintendo plans to release during the latter half of 2026. I say that because, right now, we don’t have a firm grasp of what’s on the horizon. Some of the confirmed 2026 titles are Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and Duskbloods. Star Fox is out on June 25, and Splatoon Raiders drops on July 23.

One of the biggest rumors from known leaker Nate the Hate is that Nintendo is working on another The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. This makes sense given how it’s the franchise’s 40th anniversary this year. Nate was correct about Star Fox and generally has a good track record, so this rumor is likely accurate.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 has generally been successful, it isn’t anywhere near as popular as its predecessor. However, with enough games to get folks excited for the fall season, perhaps Nintendo can turn things around—even if the Switch 2 is getting a price hike in September.

You can watch the June Nintendo Direct and Nintendo Treehouse showcases on Nintendo Today!, YouTube, and Twitch.

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Nintendo has just announced that it plans to modify the Nintendo Switch 2 console and make it significantly easier to replace the battery. This is being done to comply with EU regulations about user-replaceable batteries, which will come into force in February 2027. Sadly, this doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will automatically be able to buy one of these modified Switch 2 consoles.

Nintendo's announcement isn't particularly forthcoming with details about how these new Switch 2 consoles will be distributed. Instead, it has only specified that future EU Switch 2 consoles will be sold with unique model numbers and an additional "OSM" code on the packaging, which marks them as distinct from existing models on sale. Those units have model numbers starting with "BEE."

What does this mean for future Switch 2s?

Nintendo specifically says that this is being done to differentiate "separate products for regulatory purposes." This suggests that the old design won't vanish overnight. I've emailed Nintendo to clarify this point, and will update when I hear back.

So the big question is whether Nintendo will restrict the sale of these new units to the EU, or if they will eventually start selling them in other regions as well. The company is certainly under no obligation to sell these modified units elsewhere, but it also doesn't make a whole lot of sense to manufacture entirely different hardware for a single region.

Typically, regional variations are limited to specific components, rather than whole new designs. Samsung Galaxy S26 phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset in North America, while units sold elsewhere have the Exynos 2600.

Similarly, all iPhones made the switch from Lightning to USB-C, rather than just the models within a specific part of Europe. It doesn't make sense to regionalize the manufacturing process to such an extent and go to the trouble and expense of producing such wildly different versions of the same product.

These rules weren't kept secret

The other big question is why Nintendo didn't plan for this eventuality. The subject of user-replaceable batteries in electronics has been going on for at least six years, well ahead of the Switch 2's release, and one would think that they would have seen this coming and adjusted designs accordingly. The whole point of this legislation is to allow users to replace batteries without any specialist skills or tools. This is not the case with the current Switch 2 design.

Instead, the task of replacing the Switch 2's battery is a long and fairly convoluted process. According to iFixit's repair guide, the Switch 2 battery isn't easily accessible, even after you remove the console's back plate. A bunch of disassembly is required to even access the battery, and you then have to repeat the process in reverse to put the unit back together again.

Replacing the battery in a Joy-Con 2 isn't nearly as complicated, but it's still not the simplest process in the world. Joy-Cons are going to be affected by the incoming rules, too, though Nintendo hasn't confirmed any plans at the time of writing.

So what's going to happen?

It's not entirely clear what Nintendo's plans are right now, only that it will have those modified replacement-friendly Switch 2 consoles on store shelves ahead of the EU's February 18, 2027 deadline. I expect that Nintendo will start distributing the new consoles ahead of that date and minimize the chances of any BEE consoles being sold when they're not supposed to be.

The intricacies of global trade, especially within the EMEA, also likely mean that the new OSM consoles will end up being sold elsewhere, too. Whether that will be restricted to EU neighbors like Norway or the U.K., or whether they will end up being shipped to the likes of North America and Asia, isn't something we can predict.

I hope that Nintendo will eventually wind down production of the original Switch 2 console in favor of making the OSM models more widely available. Having one console in production makes a lot more sense than two, after all. But since there's no hard deadline like there is in the EU, it would make sense for Nintendo to make this a more gradual process.

But no matter what ends up happening, it's worth noting that the new consoles probably won't be arriving before the Switch 2's price goes up in September. There's a $50 price hike in the U.S., bringing the console to $599, and a €30 price increase to €500 in the EU.

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Did you know that Nintendo has its own music streaming service? It first landed back in October 2024, and I completely forgot that it was ever a thing. But for those of you with an active Nintendo Online subscription, this service lets you listen to Nintendo soundtracks from throughout history. It saves you the trouble of looking for a YouTube playlist that hasn't been hit by a copyright strike yet.

I bring this up because Nintendo has just rolled out a bunch of updates to Nintendo Music. The first big change is that Nintendo has added web browser support to the service, which will let you listen through your desktop machine. A new tablet-optimized app should also offer a better quality big-screen experience, rather than contending with the stretched-out version of the phone app.

Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Nintendo has added support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This means you have better control over the app while you're driving, through your car's touchscreen display and via voice controls.

This means you can drive to work while bopping along to the Mario Kart soundtrack, or matching the weather with the appropriate tunes from Animal Crossing. You just have to remember that real life isn't like a video game, and it's not acceptable to start tossing banana peels at passing drivers simply because you don't want them to overtake you.

It's also probably not a good idea to get behind the wheel after eating a large portion of mushrooms. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

Sadly, the service is not free, and you will need an active subscription to Nintendo Switch Online if you want to take advantage of all the tracks Nintendo Music has to offer. You only need the basic subscription, which is $20 a year or $4 a month. That also comes with the ability to play games online, chat with friends, store saves in the cloud, and the ability to play classic games from the NES, SNES and Game Boy.

The $50 annual Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription also comes with all those perks, plus access to games on new systems and free expansion packs for certain games like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8.

This is also a good time to mention that the Nintendo Switch 2 price will be increasing later this year. From September 1, the cost of a Switch 2 console will be rising by $50 in the U.S., meaning you'll have to pay $499, and you won't even get any games bundled in with the system.

Thankfully, you still have plenty of time to pick up a Switch 2 before that happens. You can also take advantage of the new $499 "Choose Your Game" bundle, which lets you pick up a console with one of three games: Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, or Pokémon Pokopia. That saves you $20 to $30 on the cost of buying one of those games separately.

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Back in January, I declared Final Fantasy VII Remake the “new Switch 2 showcase,” and I stand by that statement. But Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which launches on Nintendo’s hybrid console this week (on June 3), is a different beast. It’s deeper and denser in every way, offering a sprawling open world, hundreds of quests and more iconic characters to meet.

Before getting my hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I definitely had my doubts as to how Square Enix was going to cram this huge RPG into less powerful hardware than the PS5, where it initially released in 2024. Even more so because Rebirth had its share of performance and graphical woes on PlayStation’s flagship console.

After putting a handful of hours into Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2, I’ve come away once again enthralled by this fantastic RPG and generally happy to recommend the version shortly releasing on Nintendo hardware. But with a few more caveats than I had when recommending Remake.

Here’s how FFVII Rebirth on Switch 2 compares to PS5 Pro

To set out my stall, my experience with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth so far has come with the Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode. I’m aware some of the graphical hiccups I’m going to highlight might be alleviated by playing on a TV, but the vast majority of my Switch 2 playtime is in handheld mode. Plus, I’d argue that being able to take FFVII Rebirth anywhere is the selling point of the Switch 2 port compared to playing on PS5, Xbox Series X or PC.

On initial boot-up, FFVII Rebirth started promisingly on Switch 2. There is a clear hit to image quality, with textures in the distance noticeably fuzzy compared to PS5 Pro (I replayed the intro on PS5 Pro beforehand to give me a fresh comparison point). But in the largely linear opening that represents the first couple of hours of play, Rebirth looks pretty good.

The real downgrades to get the game running on Switch 2 become more apparent as you guide Cloud and his allies out of the city of Migard and into the first open-world section, the Grasslands. Just standing on the cliffside looking out over the lush field, the differences in image quality are stark. This was a show-stopping moment on PS5 Pro, but on Switch 2, the blurry, jaggied textures surrounding the foliage are undeniably hard to ignore.

Pop-up becomes increasingly apparent in this section, as little patches of grass in the distance pop into existence as you get closer. Character models also lose detail at a distance. I advise against swinging the camera around to face your party when running around the open areas, but when you get up close, they look good. However, the fuzzy hair problem, which was also very noticeable in Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2, is definitely apparent.

One area that doesn’t suffer too much is the frame rate. Yes, you have to settle for 30 fps rather than having 60 fps like on PS5, but this is a trade-off Nintendo players are used to making, and I noticed only sporadic drops. Personally, I would always exchange a more consistent frame rate for reduced image quality, so Square Enix made the right decision in my book.

A quick word on FFVII Rebirth as a game: it’s frickin' epic, and well suited to playing on Switch 2. If I had one criticism of the game back in 2024, it was that it was almost too big, with bloated side activities padding the runtime. However, on Switch 2, I welcome all these little distractions, as they can be tackled in shorter play sessions when on the move or traveling.

Should you buy FFVII Rebirth on Switch 2?

If you want the best-looking and performing version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, then playing on Switch 2 obviously shouldn’t be your first choice. You’ll get the best visuals and frame rate on PS5, Xbox Series X, or one of the best gaming PCs. However, that’s a given. If you want the ability to play FFVII Rebirth anywhere, the Switch 2 version offers this USP, and while it does make sacrifices to get there, they’re not dealbreakers by any means.

Best of all, you don’t need to rely on my subjective judgement before committing your cash. Square Enix has released a pretty generously long demo on the Nintendo eShop, which allows you to check out FFVII Rebirth Switch 2 before you buy. And, as all good demos should, your progression will carry over into the main game. So there's no need to replay levels.

For the most part, I’ve been impressed with the quality of AAA ports on Switch 2, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth joins the list of blockbuster games that have found a new home (and new potential players) on Nintendo’s platform. I’ll be curious to see if the third and final chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy lands on Switch 2 because if this series gets any bigger in scope, then the hybrid console might be tipped over its limits.

More from Tom's Guide

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review
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Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a return to form for Mario’s beloved sidekick, but with plenty of interesting areas to explore and discoveries to make along the way. It ditches the 2.5D visuals and more realistic look of recent Yoshi games for a new 2D, stop-motion animation style that makes the whole game feel like a giant pop-up book.

I have fond memories of playing the original Yoshi’s Island growing up, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book made me feel the same way with its side-scrolling, 2D gameplay. In fact, even after completing a chapter, I kept coming back to find creatures and discoveries I missed the first time around.

Even though this is Yoshi’s first official outing on the Nintendo Switch 2, the game runs well and plays great. Controlling Yoshi feels smooth throughout, even on busier, more complex levels. However, I was a bit thrown off the first time I saw a loading screen before a level started, and I had to wait longer than expected.

Still, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the perfect cozy game for fans of the series, especially since you don’t take damage or lose lives. Instead, exploration and discovery are the main focus, which is a nice twist on the classic Yoshi formula.

Is this book and the creatures you’ll discover within its pages worth a read, though? Find out in my full review.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book: The Basics

• What is it? Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a 2D puzzle-platformer that focuses on exploration and discovery as you investigate new creatures.
• Who is it for? Yoshi fans who want a return to the series’ 2D roots but with a discovery-focused twist.
• What’s the price? Yoshi and the Mysterious Book costs $59 for the digital version or $69 for the physical edition.
• What other games has the developer made? Yoshi and the Mysterious Book was developed by Good-Feel . In addition to other Yoshi games like Yoshi’s Crafted World and Yoshi’s Woolly World, they also made Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Princess Peach: Showtime!
• What games is it similar to? With its 2D design, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book feels a lot more like Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. However, the game’s core exploration and discovery mechanics are similar to Pokémon Snap and Scribblenauts.

New book, similar foes

As the name implies, one minute the Yoshis are enjoying their carefree existence on Yoshi’s Island, and the next, a strange talking book who calls himself Mr. E — read mystery — falls from the sky. Since he’s forgotten what’s inside his own pages, he tasks the Yoshis with exploring his various chapters and the mysterious creatures found in them.

It wouldn’t be a Yoshi game without Bowser’s resident wizard, Kamek, making an appearance, though. However, instead of traveling with Baby Bowser like in past games, this time around, it’s Bowser Jr. who joins him instead. This makes sense as Yoshi and the Mysterious Book takes place in the present-day Mario timeline, but it’s also a nice tie-in with the recent Super Mario Galaxy movie.

While most of the game is spent investigating the various creatures found within Mr. E’s pages, you do have several run-ins with Kamek and Bowser Jr. They were some of my favorite moments in the game, as each boss fight sees Yoshi battle a massive creature alongside this meddling pair.

Later boss fights change up this formula entirely, though, and instead of fighting Kamek and Bowser Jr., you spend an equal amount of time saving them from danger.

Turning the page

Gone are the photorealistic textures and objects of Yoshi’s Crafted World, and in their place, we’re met with watercolor-like visuals. The levels within each chapter look as if they’ve been hand-painted, and I really liked how the start and end of each level appear as if they haven’t been colored in yet. The game really leans into the fact that it takes place within a storybook, which works quite well.

Whether you’re exploring a forest, the seaside, or even underground, the chapters and various levels within them in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are filled with color and life. The game looks just as great in handheld mode as it does on a 4K TV with HDR enabled, too.

When you’re done exploring a level, all of the discoveries you’ve made on the game’s various creatures are quickly jotted down inside Mr. E’s pages. Then, instead of having a classic picture-book-style look, your discoveries appear more like journal entries.

That theme continues once you unlock Mr. E’s Exploration Tools, which you get by turning in Smiley Flowers. For every five you hand in, you get a new exploration tool you can pin to your screen. From showing stats like Yoshi’s current speed to how many eggs you’re currently carrying, they help mix up the gameplay while allowing you to give the game your own custom look.

Overall, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a beautiful game with a simple yet timeless art style.

Gotta study ‘em all

Exploration and then discovery are at the core of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book’s gameplay. First, you explore a new chapter by interacting with a lone creature on the page. Once you’ve studied and named said creature, another one will be revealed, and you can then study it in the next level. That sense of discovery kept me hooked, especially as there isn’t a time limit or damage to worry about. Instead, I was free to take my time and explore each level at my own pace.

Since you’re helping Mr. E study the creatures in his pages, he takes detailed notes throughout each level. One creature might taste delicious while another has Yoshi recoiling after sticking out his tongue. All of this info, along with the way creatures interact with Yoshi, each other, and their environment, is recorded.

Given how the game pushes you to experiment in these open sandboxes rather than follow a straight path, the level layouts can occasionally get slightly confusing when you're hunting for that last interaction. However, you’re rewarded with stars for uncovering new things about each creature, and subsequent chapters require a certain number of them to be unlocked for you to progress.

For a 2D puzzle-platformer, there’s a lot of thought that goes into each level, and I really liked how my past discoveries influenced how I approached later levels. For instance, knowing how a particular creature reacts to water might be the difference between missing a discovery and uncovering one on another level.

As you learn about new creatures, the Index at the back of Mr. E’s book begins to fill up. You can revisit your findings along your journey, and eventually, the knowledge you’ve gained about the game’s various creatures comes back into play. Along the way, though, you’re running, jumping, and flying through the air with a new creature in Yoshi’s mouth or perched upon his back. Yoshi’s movements feel very responsive, and just making your way through each level as you uncover hidden rooms and areas is a whole lot of fun.

Just one more discovery

Although I’d recommend taking your time and completing Yoshi and the Mysterious Book at your own pace, the game’s sense of discovery and exploration kept me playing longer than I intended to each time I played. Seeing the overworld of each chapter come to life with new creatures quickly got addictive, as did finding new discoveries in each level along the way.

Being that this is a Yoshi game after all, it’s not overly difficult. Yes, you do need to earn a certain number of stars to unlock each new chapter. However, as I worked my way through the five main levels in each chapter, I uncovered enough discoveries that I never needed to backtrack just for stars. Instead, when I did backtrack, it was because I wanted to.

Once you unlock the next chapter, nothing’s stopping you from progressing. I don’t even think you necessarily have to complete each boss fight to do so. However, as I mentioned before, the boss fights are some of the best I’ve seen in a Yoshi game yet. Likewise, you do learn a bit more about the game’s story and what’s driving Kamek and Bowser Jr. to explore Mr. E’s pages when you do.

Even after completing a chapter, though, I found myself going back and looking for new creatures to study on Mr. E’s pages. Those extra levels were a lot of fun, and adding to the index feels a lot like building out your Pokedex in Pokémon. It was only towards the end of the game that I realized just how important the discoveries I made along the way actually were.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book review: Verdict

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming and surprisingly fun 2D puzzle-platformer. It makes excellent use of the Switch 2’s more powerful internals, even if those longer load times before each level did throw me off. The return to true 2D is a welcome change for the series, and I almost feel like Yoshi and the Mysterious Book reinvents the tried and true Yoshi formula in a similar way to Super Mario World.

If you’re looking for a more serious platformer where every dodge and jump counts, this game likely won’t be for you. However, if you want a return to Yoshi’s Island but with the freedom to explore and discover a whole host of unique and interesting creatures, then it’s an absolute must-play.

The analysts predicted it, and investors were calling for it, but now it's official. The price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is rising across the world, but the good news is that you have some time before those price hikes actually take effect.

This news has been confirmed following Nintendo's latest earnings briefing, and speculation that Nintendo would follow in the footsteps of rivals Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo revealed the new prices for various regions, including a $50 price hike for Switch 2 consoles sold in the U.S.

So, from September 1, you'll be paying $499 for a Switch 2 instead of the original launch price of $449.

Nintendo Switch 2 price hikes around the world

The U.S. isn't the only region affected by these price hikes, so you can be safe in the knowledge that Nintendo isn't explicitly targeting U.S. consumers. Prices in Canada are rising by $50 (CAD) to $680, while European buyers are getting a €30 to €500. Meanwhile, Australians will be paying AU$769.95 — a AU$70 increase on its price at launch. Like the U.S., those changes come into effect on September 1.

U.K. price hikes haven't been confirmed, but I would be surprised if a price hike wasn't also coming. The current cost of a Switch 2 is £396 for the console by itself, but I can realistically see the price rising to somewhere between £430 and £450. However, we'll have to wait and see what happens in the coming days.

Japanese buyers don't have so long to enjoy the original Switch 2 price, since the price hike will take effect on May 25, and will affect multiple consoles. The Japanese-language Switch 2 price is rising by ¥10,000 to ¥59,980 (~$382), but the multi-language system price is confirmed to be staying at ¥69,980 (~$446).

Japanese buyers will also have to pay more for the first-generation Switch models The OLED model is rising by ¥10,000 to ¥47,980, while the standard Switch is going to be ¥43,980 — an increase of ¥11,002. The Switch Lite will be ¥29,980, an increase of ¥8,002.

Nintendo has also confirmed price hikes for Switch Online memberships in Japan, and that there are plans for a "price revision" in South Korea. Nothing has been mentioned about other regions, but that's something people should be mindful of if they're thinking of letting their Switch Online subscriptions lapse.

Nintendo Switch 2 price hikes: What this means for you

While none of us ever want the price of our gadgets and consoles to rise, especially so soon after release day, most of us saw this coming. There have been rumors surrounding a Switch 2 price hike for several months, and while Nintendo has stayed silent on the topic, global events mean that some sort of increase was inevitable.

Production costs have been rising across the board, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing RAMageddon memory shortages. It's reportedly got to the point where Nintendo is selling Switch 2 consoles at a loss, something it always avoided with the original Switch, and investors are apparently unhappy about that.

The fact that Nintendo is giving almost four months' notice about the price hike means there is still plenty of time to pick up the Switch 2 at its original price. In fact, it almost feels like an intentional decision to help push sales over the next few months.

So if you've been on the fence about picking up the hybrid console, now is the time to buy. Because odds are that other people will be having the same thoughts you are, and you don't want to be left out because a spike in demand caused shortages of the lower-priced stock.

More from Tom's Guide

• These 11 Switch 2 games drop in May and 2 are unmissable
• I love the Nintendo Switch 2 but I’m not a big fan of the Joy-Cons — here are the controllers I recommend instead
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream gave me the island life Animal Crossing couldn’t — and a reason to play my Switch 2 every day

If you thought the Nintendo Switch 2 was already quite expensive, then you're probably not alone. Sadly, it seems that Nintendo's investors don't agree with customers. In fact, according to a report from Bloomberg, investors aren't happy that Nintendo isn't charging more for its latest console.

According to the report, Nintendo's stock price is still on the decline, sinking below its rival Sony. This is despite the fact that Nintendo is seemingly doing better than Sony, thanks to a slew of successful game releases, and data showing that the Switch 2 is apparently selling faster than any other games console in history.

It may be because Sony has been very willing to raise the price of the PS5, while the Switch has stuck with the same $450 price tag it debuted with last year. Apparently, investors are concerned that this price tag is unprofitable, especially in the wake of supply chain shortages and the continually rising cost of production.

Some analysts believe that Nintendo's stock price will continue to struggle without a price increase. Others believe that increasing the cost of the Switch 2 hardware will only alienate consumers, which is a risky move with the rising cost of living. If people are struggling to pay for basics, they're not going to pay out for pricey consoles and video games

So what happens now?

I'm firmly in the camp of keeping prices low because of the cost-of-living crisis. When existence gets too expensive to keep up with, there's very little room left for buying new video games regularly. That's doubly important when you remember that the best Nintendo Switch 2 games are quite expensive and rarely go on sale.

Bloomberg notes that game consoles are typically sold at a loss, with the games helping to subsidize the hardware gamers need to play them. That's why console games were always, historically, more expensive than PC games. The original Switch bucked that trend, and it sounds like investors would prefer it if the Switch 2 followed that same example.

Naturally, Nintendo needs to make the same calculations as all electronics companies right now. Either it keeps prices the same, to try and encourage people to buy consoles, or it raises them to boost its own margins at the risk of future sales.

With Nintendo's next earnings briefing happening on Friday, this is something that the company may have to discuss. The question of whether the price will actually change or not isn't something we can predict, so we'll be paying very close attention to what Nintendo has to say during the briefing.

In the end, it'll all come down to what Nintendo sees as more important right now: stock price, or ensuring continued consumer confidence?

More from Tom's Guide

• These 11 Switch 2 games drop in May and 2 are unmissable
• I love the Nintendo Switch 2 but I’m not a big fan of the Joy-Cons — here are the controllers I recommend instead
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream gave me the island life Animal Crossing couldn’t — and a reason to play my Switch 2 every day

ChatGPT Tasks has quickly become one of my favorite features from OpenAI. From a productivity standpoint, it has worked as a reliable daily reminder system for work tasks, pushed me to find more creative ways to use AI tools and even helped me build practical nightly routines to protect my mental health after each workday. After seeing how effective Tasks could be in my professional life, I started wondering what other parts of my routine could benefit from the same kind of automated help.

That led me to gaming. My video game fandom knows no bounds. I bounce between genres and love both AAA blockbusters and indie gems. As the owner of a PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S and a Switch, with plans to grab a Switch 2 once Splatoon Raiders launches in July , I’m always hunting for the best prices on games I want to add to my growing collection (or backlog).

So I decided to use ChatGPT Tasks to do the searching for me. By setting up daily reminders focused on game discounts, I ended up finding three deals that were actually worth jumping on.

Finding the right prompts to find the right deals

To get the process underway, I initially asked ChatGPT for help on coming up with the right prompts that I could then turn into daily Tasks. These are the seven best ones that it generated for me to use, based on its memory of my past video game-themed questions and requests:

• The 'Only Tell Me When It’s Cheap' tracker: Check daily at [time] for discounts on [names of games]. Only notify me if any drop below $30. Include platform, current price, and percentage discount.
• The 'Best Deals' digest: Every [day] at [time], send me a roundup of the 10 best video game deals across the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop. Prioritize discounts of 50% or more and include links and prices.
• The wishlist watcher: Every [part of the day or evening] at [time], check for discounts on the following games: [insert your wishlist]. Notify me only if any are discounted by at least 40%. Include original price, sale price, and store.
• The 'Historical Low' finder: Check every [day] at [time] if any major video games (AAA titles from the last [number of years]) have reached or matched their historical lowest price. Notify me with the game name, platform, current price, and previous low.
• The platform-specific deal sniper: Every [day] at [time], check for PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop discounts on top-rated games with a Metacritic score of 85+. Only notify me if they are discounted by at least 50%.
• The flash sale catcher: Check every 6 hours for limited-time or flash sales on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop. Notify me immediately if any popular or trending games are discounted by 60% or more.
• The genre-based deal finder: Every [day] at [time], find the best deals on [genres] games across all platforms. Only include games rated 80+ and discounted by at least 40%. Provide a short description for each.

After taking note of these seven usable prompts, I told Tasks to work with the Weekly “Best Deals” Digest, Platform-Specific Deal Sniper and Genre-Based Deal Finder. For the three prompts I chose, I set them for Fridays at their respective times of 5 pm, 5:15 pm and 5:25 pm.

The three biggest discounts that caught my eye

This past Friday, ChatGPT alerted me to three deals I likely never would have spotted on my own. Better yet, each discount was tied to a game I had already planned to buy once the price was right.

One prompt flagged Dark Souls Remastered on the PlayStation Store for $19.99 (down from $39.99) and INSIDE on the Microsoft Store for $3.74 (down from $24.99). Another let me know the Metro Saga Bundle, which includes all three Metro games plus the DLC for Metro Exodus, had dropped from $59.99 to just $5.99. My third prompt highlighted the FighterZ Edition of Dragon Ball FighterZ for PS5 on the PlayStation Store, discounted from $89.99 to $14.39.

What I appreciated most was that each Task included the exact details I had asked for, including the discount percentage, Metacritic scores and a quick explanation of why each deal was worth considering.

Final thoughts

With me being in the mood to finally check out an old-school “Soulslike” experience, get immersed in the unnerving vibes of a highly-rated puzzle-platformer, finally experience the Metro series before its latest entry (Metro 2039) launches and pick up the PS5 version of one my favorite fighters to try out its latest DLC character, Tasks worked like a charm in finding me the best deals for those assorted gaming experiences.

Tasks isn’t just great at generating reminders for birthdays and work-related events—it’s also amazing at bringing you up to speed on can’t-miss deals on your favorite things. In my case, it helped me find the best discounts on games that had been in my crosshairs for years now.

More from Tom’s Guide

• 10 ChatGPT prompts to decode someone's personality in seconds
• I turned off Gemini Personal Intelligence for a week — and I’m not going back
• I applied Tim Cook’s ‘Simplicity Rule’ to my ChatGPT prompts — and it became a masterclass in creativity

Playing Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for the past few weeks has made me feel as if I’m right back in the spring of 2020. Except this time, instead of being in debt to Tom Nook hunting for gold nuggets, my island is actually thriving. And the best part, I barely had to do a thing.

I too picked up Animal Crossing: New Horizons on release day but, unlike with my wife who’s sunk hundreds of hours into the game, it just didn’t come naturally to me. While she crafted with glee and had new residents moving in almost every day, I struggled with what to do next. Sure, I loved the game’s graphics and art style and watched her play for longer than I’d like to admit, but I just couldn’t make that island my home.

With the latest entry in Nintendo's Tomodachi series though, I’m picking up my Switch 2 on a daily basis just to see what happened on my island while I was away. I didn’t play the original Tomodachi Life on 3DS either, so I’ve gone into this new island-building experience blind and I’m glad I did.

Whether or not Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will help scratch that itch you didn’t know you had too is entirely up to you. For me though, it’s been one of the best Nintendo Switch games yet and an entirely new experience that only Nintendo could deliver.

From chores to chaos

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is entirely what you make of it, for better or worse. Instead of waiting for residents to randomly move onto your island, you’re creating them from scratch — the same way you designed Miis on the Wii. From their facial features to their names and even the specific pitch of their voice, every choice is in your hands the moment you boot up the game.

Rather than hitting trees to knock branches loose for crafting, Living the Dream rewards you with cold, hard cash just for checking in on your Miis. You start with a single resident, but as the game opens up, you’re able to add more and more of them to your island. From there, you spend your earnings at local stores to buy food, clothes, and items to give to your Miis, with the end goal of improving their happiness — and, as a result, the happiness of the entire island.

It’s fun, and unlike with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I haven’t felt stuck or unsure of what to craft next. As an outside observer rather than just another resident, the game provides subtle suggestions in the form of floating bubbles above my Miis' heads, nudging me to check in.

Beyond the lack of resource gathering, I really came to appreciate the "point and click" nature of the experience. I didn’t have to run across my island to get to a different store or a Mii’s house; in lieu of 3D traversal, I could move my pointing finger across the map to instantly check up on things. However, even when I didn’t, life kept on going.

The ants go marching

When I came back to my island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons after not playing for some time, life went on without me — but not in a good way. Instead of returning to a thriving community, I’d find a town overgrown with weeds and a carefully crafted home infested with cockroaches. In Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though you still get more done while actively playing, your island keeps moving even when you’re away. Your Miis develop new relationships, get into altercations with one another, and your island even physically changes with the passage of time. It’s a rewarding reason to boot up the game at various hours of the day just to see how the island's mood has shifted.

For instance, after loading back into the game, I found a few of my Miis sitting in the grass, talking amongst themselves with no interaction on my part. This prompted me to zoom in and find out what they were discussing; like with a lot of the game’s dialogue, the discovery gave me a genuine chuckle.

Over time, your island develops its own lingo. Beyond seeing your ideas for new residents come to life, entering your own custom answers is a huge part of the fun.

After making myself and my wife, I created two Miis based on our dogs. The newest addition to our pack, Zelda, recently broke her toe. Since my wife is always stubbing hers, I decided to have the two talk about “hurting our toes.” To my surprise, it was a hit topic. Other Miis on the island wanted in on the action and, instead of being painful like in real life, everyone seemed to get a kick out of it (no pun intended).

I have to admit, seeing my realistic, virtual hands floating above the island was a bit disconcerting at first. However, once I got used to the idea of being an outside observer with a hands-on approach, it became a lot of fun. I didn't have to wait for my Miis to cross paths; I could literally reach into the scene, pluck a resident off the ground, and drag them across the island to hang out with a potential friend.

Watching my Miis dangling from my hand like pieces on a chessboard hasn’t lost its appeal yet. It’s even better when you pluck a Mii out of their house and drop them into someone else’s home in the middle of the night. On that note, with my busy schedule, I mostly played late at night—but even with half the island sleeping soundly, there were always things to do.

Just like actual people, Miis get lost in their thoughts, experience a ‘fuzzy’ brain when overwhelmed, or fall down and need help getting back up. Poking one of my Miis with my virtual hands while my real ones moved the joysticks on my Switch 2 Pro Controller instantly made me like the game a whole lot more. It wasn’t until later that I realized a hands-off approach could be just as rewarding, and that I could also send another Mii to check on a struggling friend in my stead.

Hearing your Miis say the names of other residents or discuss custom topics you’ve added — combined with this high level of interaction — is what really won me over. While Living the Dream can be cute, it’s the sheer wackiness of it all that kept me coming back night after night to check on my island and its completely customized populace.

My daily dose of disorder

Whether or not Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream will be as good a fit for you as it’s been for me is easy to find out. Unlike with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there’s a playable demo you can download right now from the eShop. While you could watch gameplay videos on YouTube, I wouldn’t recommend it; this is an experience that needs to be felt first-hand.

You’re not constrained by waiting for specific residents to show up, either. Instead, it’s entirely up to you to create and name them. If you’re worried about getting lost in the Mii Maker, don't be — you can simply answer a few questions and the game will generate a custom resident for you on the spot. Looking back, if I had known just how hooked I’d get, I might have planned out my island’s population a bit more before getting started. Then again, that’s half the fun with a game like this.

I started by making myself and my family, and I just kept going from there. Since I usually play at night after everyone has gone to bed, it’s been a blast showing my son the highlights the next morning. Even with our actual dogs, Mario and Zelda, sitting right there on the couch with us, he still got a huge kick out of seeing their digital counterparts becoming best friends on the TV.

Although I’ve been playing for weeks now, my total play time isn’t as high as I expected it to be. I attribute this to just how much you can get done in a short amount of time, which makes this the perfect game to check in on every day. It’s high-density fun that doesn’t demand your entire afternoon.

I know I’ve only scratched the surface, but without Tom Nook breathing down my neck for his next payment, I can’t wait to boot up my Switch 2 tomorrow to see exactly what’s changed while I was gone.

More from Tom's Guide

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• Just got a Switch 2? Here’s the 5 games you need to play first
• I tried playing Mario Kart World with a racing wheel on Switch 2 and it's perfect for cruising in Free Roam mode

"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" sees Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom lot back on the big screen for what's already shaping up to be another blockbuster video game adaptation.

Nintendo and Illumination's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" was one of the biggest movies of 2023 — it made over $1.3 billion and was second only to Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie at the box office — and the newly-released sequel's already gotten off to an impressive start.

Although it's landed less-than-stellar reviews from critics, moviegoers of all ages are clearly in the mood for more frenetic, colorful action from Mario and co., as "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" had the biggest box office opening of 2026 so far. At the time of writing, it's brought in over $372 million worldwide since it hit theaters on April 1.

With all that said, it might be a little while before you can watch Mario's second big-screen adventure at home, but that won't stop me from trying to predict when the sequel will be available digitally. You can find my best guess at a potential "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" streaming date below.

When is 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' coming to streaming?

At the time of writing, the only way to watch "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" is by heading to your nearest movie theater. The film only hit the big screen on April 1, so it probably won't be streaming for several weeks.

The first place you'll be able to watch "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" at home will be via Premium Video-on-Demand (PVOD) storefronts like Prime Video or Apple TV.

Right now, I'd guess that "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" will be available to buy or rent digitally on or around Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

That guess is based on several factors, including the fact that new PVOD releases typically drop on Tuesdays, plus Universal Studios' recent commitment to a minimum five-weekend theatrical run for its new releases (which will extend to a minimum of seven weekends in 2027).

Five weekends after release would take us up to Monday, May 4, which would be 34 days after the movie first premiered in theaters. And since that's not too dissimilar from the wait for some of Universal's recent releases — "Wicked: For Good" took 40 days to come to PVOD, and the live-action "How To Train Your Dragon" took 32 days, for example — it seems like a decent enough prediction, until we hear anything different.

If you'd prefer to wait for "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" to come to streaming, the first place it'll presumably be available is on Peacock, as that's where Universal's movies stream first.

Currently, my best guess is that "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" will stream on Peacock in August 2025.

Again, that prediction's based on the fact that we wait roughly 3 to 4 months for Universal Pictures movies to come to Peacock. Case in point, "Wicked: For Good," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" all arrived on Peacock 120 days after their theatrical release.

If we assume the "Mario" sequel will follow that pattern, 120 days after April 1 brings us to Thursday, July 20, 2026, hence my August 2026 guess.

Of course, it pays to remember that all of this is my own speculation, and nothing official has been shared by Universal just yet. As soon as we get more info or a confirmed streaming date for "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," we'll be sure to update this article, so keep checking back.

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Upgrading to the Nintendo Switch 2 finally let me play all of the best Nintendo Switch games in crisp 4K along with a ton of great new releases like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Kirby Air Riders. However, there was just one problem: I now only had one dock.

Don’t get me wrong, playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode or even with a pair of AR glasses is fantastic. However, when possible, I like to play on a larger display, whether that be the TV in my game room or on my 32-inch monitor at my desk.

Over the original Switch’s lifespan, I ended up with several official docks from Nintendo and quite a few unofficial ones from Genki. Besides its absolutely tiny size, what I love about the Genki Covert Dock Mini is how I can play my Switch on a TV or monitor with just a single USB-C cable. Likewise, as it wasn’t one of the first unofficial Switch docks, I wasn’t worried about bricking my console when using it.

I’ve been waiting for almost a year now, but Genki finally released the latest version of its Covert Dock for the Switch 2. After using it for a month now, it’s certainly lived up to the hype as just like with the original, I can dock my Switch using a single cable. However, while testing it out, I realized it actually beats the official Nintendo Switch 2 Dock in one big way that makes it perfect for households with multiple Switch consoles and even PC handhelds like the Steam Deck.

Now with more power (and personality)

Right off the bat, Genki’s new Covert Dock 3 immediately stands out thanks to its atomic orange accents. It features a similar design to the company’s previous Covert Dock and unlike the Mini, you also get a USB-A port for connecting wired controllers, USB adapters and other accessories.

In the box, you get the dock itself along with a braided USB-C to USB-C cable. However, this new cable is rated for up to 65W of power output (as is the dock itself) whereas the previous one topped off at 45W. This is one of my favorite USB-C cables overall and I also like to use it when connecting a portable monitor to my laptop or PC too.

On the front of the Covert Dock 3, you have easy access to all of its ports. The USB-C one at the top is used for connecting your Switch 2, Asus ROG Xbox Ally X or any of the best handheld gaming consoles for that matter. At the same time, you can also connect your smartphone or your laptop which comes in handy when traveling, especially if you want to watch YouTube or Netflix on the TV in your hotel room from your own devices.

The HDMI 2.1 port underneath the USB-C one connects to your TV or monitor and like I mentioned, the USB-A port on the bottom is for connecting extra wired accessories or for 2.4 GHz USB dongles when you don’t want to use Bluetooth.

Then around back, the Covert Dock 3’s plug folds out to make the 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.3-inch dock even more compact. Another nice touch for international travelers is that Genki also sells a set of Covert Dock Global adapters that slide on in the back so you don’t have to worry about plugging the device into a separate universal travel adapter. With the Covert Dock 2, Genki included these adapters in the box but now they’re only available as an optional add-on for $10 which isn’t that expensive if you plan on using this dock abroad.

Finally, a one-cable Switch 2 dock that works

To get the Covert Dock 3 set up, I plugged it into the outlet under my TV, connected it to an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable and ran the included USB-C to USB-C cable up to my entertainment center. One other nice thing about that braided cable is that the end you plug into the dock is straight while the one you plug into your Switch 2 or other devices is angled to prevent any unnecessary strain on your device’s USB-C port.

With that done, I turned on my TV, booted up my Switch 2 and much to my surprise, everything worked on the first try. To test it out, I played a bit of the recently released Super Mario Galaxy as well as the new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. When I checked my TV’s settings, my Switch 2 games were running in 4K at a smooth 60Hz with HDR enabled.

Now I’ve been meaning to upgrade to one of the best TVs with a higher refresh rate for a while now. Once I do though, on more powerful devices like a high-specced gaming laptop, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 or the ROG Xbox Ally X, you can actually push the Genki Covert Dock 3 all the way up to 4K at 120Hz. It also officially supports VRR or Variable Refresh Rate so you can enable AMD’s FreeSync or Nvidia’s G-Sync for incredibly smooth, tear-free gameplay.

As I’m the early adopter at home, I upgraded to the Switch 2 on launch day but my wife is still playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on her original Switch. Previously, I had the official Switch 2 dock set up for myself and a Genki Covert Dock Mini set up alongside it for when she wanted to play her Switch on the big screen. Now though, I only need one dock for both Switch consoles because when I plugged my wife’s Switch into the Covert Dock 3, it worked perfectly.

A truly covert Switch 2 dock