Mailbox A Good Switch 2 Console Pairing, Fun With Strangers, Sterility - Nintendo Life Letters
Issue #33 - February 2026
- Mailbox
- Reader Letters
- Nintendo Life
- Site News
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel - The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Koholint clash
- Features
- Polls
- Box Art Brawl
- Zelda
- Game Boy
Video Capcom Releases New Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Trailer
Alongside a 13-minute dev walkthrough
- Videos
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Monster Hunter
- Capcom
News Final Fantasy VII Remake Places Second In January 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
It also made the "Top 10 Best-Selling Games" of last month
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Square Enix
- US
- North America
Gallery Here's A Look At Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen On Switch
"Shades of your journey await!"
- Gallery
- Nintendo Switch
- Pokemon
- Switch eShop
- Nintendo
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom "Exclusive Edition" Link Statue Officially Revealed, Here's A Look
Pre-orders open next week
- Zelda
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo
- First 4 Figures
Latest News
TodaySun, 22nd Feb 2026
Retro Recap All The Classic Gaming News From The Past Week (February 22nd 2026)
Time Extension Bangai-O! Castlevania! Sonic!
Welcome to Retro Recap, a regular feature we run each and every weekend which rounds up all of the best retro gaming news and content of the past week in one place. Treasure's Bangai-O Gets Not One But Two New English Translations: RoboVerse Translations and GammaTrove, as well as the editor Whowasphone404, have...
- Features
- Retro Recap
Mailbox A Good Switch 2 Console Pairing, Fun With Strangers, Sterility - Nintendo Life Letters
Issue #33 - February 2026
Welcome back, lovely people, to the Nintendo Life Mailbox. This month's been a surprisingly busy one for games, and we're all on tenterhooks, waiting to see if RE9 is any good. Perhaps all that excitement was too distracting, as correspondence (and, indeed, correspondents) have been few and far between. So, prepare...
- Mailbox
- Reader Letters
- Nintendo Life
- Site News
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel - The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Koholint clash
HYYAAGGHH! *cough*, Sorry about that. Hello there, folks! Welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl! That little Hylian slip-up might be a hint of things to come, but first, let's take a look at what happened last time, when a trio of covers for the Game Boy Color's Rayman went head-to-head (to-head). The votes were pretty evenly...
- Features
- Polls
- Box Art Brawl
- Zelda
- Game Boy
Video Capcom Releases New Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Trailer
Alongside a 13-minute dev walkthrough
Capcom is gearing up for the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on the Switch 2 next month, and today, it has released a brand new trailer. It's officially titled "Go Forth" and gives hunters another look at what's on the way when the game arrives on 13th March 2026. "There’s something...
- Videos
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Monster Hunter
- Capcom
News Final Fantasy VII Remake Places Second In January 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
It also made the "Top 10 Best-Selling Games" of last month
It's a new year, and following new releases in January 2026, Circana's Mat Piscatella has now shared chart data for the "Top 10 Best-Selling Premium Games" on Nintendo platforms in the US for this same month. As you can see, Square Enix's latest Switch 2 release Final Fantasy VII Remake...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Square Enix
- US
- North America
Gallery Here's A Look At Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen On Switch
"Shades of your journey await!"
In the lead up to Pokémon's 30th anniversary celebration, Nintendo officially lifted the lid on the return of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. They're arriving on the Switch eShop on 27th February 2026, and ahead of this release, Nintendo has shared not only an official trailer but also some direct screenshots,...
- Gallery
- Nintendo Switch
- Pokemon
- Switch eShop
- Nintendo
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom "Exclusive Edition" Link Statue Officially Revealed, Here's A Look
Pre-orders open next week
Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and it appears First 4 Figures will be joining in on the fun. In a new announcement this week, the statue maker has given its followers on social media and YouTube a "sneak peek" of a new Tears of the Kingdom - Link statue. If it looks familiar,...
- Zelda
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo
- First 4 Figures
YesterdaySat, 21st Feb 2026
Pokémon GBA's Switch eShop release is a special occasion
Nintendo has already ruled out the Game Boy Advance titles Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen coming to the Switch Online 'Nintendo Classics' service, so how about the possibility of more Game Boy purchases via the eShop, similar to the Virtual Console releases during the 3DS and Wii U generations...
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Online
- Nintendo
- Pokemon
- Virtual Console
PSA Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen Switch Preloads Are Now Live
The countdown begins!
It's all happening so fast with the upcoming Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Switch eShop releases! If you've already preordered these games for £16.99 / $19.99 each, here's your reminder that the preloads for the game have now officially gone live in select regions around the globe. So, you'll have an entire week to...
- PSA
- Nintendo Switch
- Pokemon
- Nintendo
- Switch eShop
Anniversary The Legend Of Zelda Turns 40 Today - How Did You First Play It?
And we've never looked back
We all pulled a 'Wait, Mario is how old??' last year as the prized plumber and the NES celebrated their 40th anniversaries, and what do you know, we're about to do it all over again for little old Link. Yes, The Legend of Zelda is 40 years old today (in Japan, at least). On 21st February 1986, Nintendo introduced the...
- Anniversaries
- Nintendo
- Zelda
- NES
- Polls
Guide Every Shining Game, Ranked
Time Extension A light in the darkness
The Shining series may well be best known for its line of tactics RPGs, most notably the Shining Force sub-series, but the 35-year-old franchise actually started out as a first-person perspective dungeon crawler and went on to span many different sub-genres, making it one of the most diverse RPG series to dive into. The...
- Guides
- Shining Force
- Best Games
Video Pokémon Shares Side-By-Side FireRed And LeafGreen Opening Theme
Releasing on Switch next week!
A week out from Pokémon Day and Pokémon's official 30th anniversary celebrations, Nintendo has officially announced the return of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen as standalone eShop releases. The announcement has surprised (and shocked) trainers around the globe in all sorts of ways and if the existing info dump...
- Videos
- Nintendo Switch
- Switch eShop
- Pokemon
- Upcoming Releases
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st February)
X-tra work
Welcome back to another edition of What Are You Playing! What a week, eh? Clearly not content with just the one surprise announcement this week, Nintendo delivered two almighty news drops to our door. First, we got an out-of-the-blue shadow drop for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (which looks
- Features
- Talking Point
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Polls
"Our legal department will continue to issue takedowns"
We're fast approaching the release of Resident Evil Requiem on the Switch 2, and ahead of what might just be one of the most-anticipated games of 2026, Capcom has issued a special notice to the "Resident Evil community" about spoilers and leaks. In a message on social media, it asks fans to...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Resident Evil
- Capcom
- Upcoming Releases
- Leaks
Poll What's Your Favourite Gen 8 Pokémon?
Galar-vanting
Pokémon turns 30 on 27th February, and in honour of this momentous anniversary, we're running a series of polls leading up to the big day, asking you to vote for your favourite Pokémon from each generation. The nine winners will then go head-to-head in a final poll at the end of the month. We're covering a generation a day until...
- Polls
- Features
- Pokémon
- Retro
- Anniversaries
Friday20th Feb 2026
News Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen Officially Revealed For Switch
Coming next week
Nintendo has seemingly revealed Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen for the Switch earlier than planned, as a whole bunch of eShop listings are now live on the eShop. [Update: The reveal has now been officially announced - see the trailer below.] Priced at £16.99 / $19.99 each with a launch date of 27th February (Pokémon Day, of...
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Pokemon
"We have nothing to announce regarding any other potential titles"
The news that the GBA Gen 1 refreshes, Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen, are coming to Switch next week has gotten us excited this morning, but it's also raised some questions with fans. How come these games aren't coming to Nintendo Switch Online like the other GBA games in the...
- Pokemon
- Nintendo
News Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Is Getting A Stunning 'Special Edition' Release In Japan
Still just a download code, mind
It's official, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will arrive on the Switch eShop right after the Pokémon Presents wraps up next week on 27th February. It's a cause for celebration, of course, but there's a part of us that can't help but feel a pang of envy after realising that Japan is getting treated to a 'Special...
- News
- Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch
- Japan
- Upcoming Releases
News DOOM's Compatibility Issue On Switch 2 Has Been Resolved
Bethesda confirms
[Wed 28th Jan, 2026 03:45 GMT]: Since the launch of the Switch 2, Nintendo and developers have been working to make as many Switch games as possible compatible with the new system. One of the many titles that has experienced issues on this hybrid device is Bethesda's DOOM reboot, which launched in 2016 and eventually made its way...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Updates
News Phil Spencer Announces That He's Retiring From Xbox
Pure Xbox A massive shakeup for Microsoft Gaming
Posting out to his personal LinkedIn account today, Phil Spencer has announced that he's retiring from Xbox, with the current President of Microsoft's CoreAI product Asha Sharma taking over from the long-time chief of Microsoft's gaming division. Phil
- Xbox
- Phil Spencer
- Microsoft Gaming
- Industry
News Pokémon Presents Announced For 27th February, 2026
What a surprise!
Just like clockwork, The Pokémon Company has announced that its annual Pokémon Presents showcase will once again arrive to celebrate the series' birthday on 27th February. The Presents is scheduled to kick off at 2pm GMT / 3pm CET / 6am PT / 9am ET, and you'll be able to watch along on The Pokémon Company YouTube channel. Here's...
- News
- Pokemon
- Pokemon Presents
Guide Best Mario Tennis Games Of All Time
Every Mario Tennis game, ranked
Updated with Mario Tennis Fever. And if you're wondering how Mario's latest racket romp measures up to his other sporting achievements, do we have a ranked list for you! Coming in second behind his mightily successful karting exploits, Tennis is Mario's next most prolific pastime - that is if you don't count...
- Guides
- Best Games
- All Time
- Mario Tennis
Review Virtual Boy For Switch 1 & 2 - Is It Really Worth Revisting Nintendo's Greatest Folly?
Virtual insanity?
Only Nintendo could get its fans excited about a re-release of one of its most dramatic commercial flops, and, as somebody who is old and grey enough to recall the disaster that was the Virtual Boy the first time around, I find it endlessly amusing that its resurrection as a Switch accessory has caused such interest. But then...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch Online
- Reviews
- Virtual Boy
- Retro
Talking Point Our Pokémon Presents 2026 Predictions - What Are You Hoping For?
Anniversary Anticipation
A Pokémon Presents showcase on Pokémon Day? Whatever will they think of next! Yes, TPC is back with its yearly showcase on 27th February 2026, but this is a big one, because it marks 30 years since Red and Blue first burst onto the scene in Japan back in 1996. Now, these presentations have been known to be a little on...
- Features
- Talking Point
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon
- Pokemon Presents
- Polls
News NieR:Automata "To Be Continued" As Sales Hit Another Milestone
10,000,000.0000000 (and counting)
NieR:Automata continues to be a big sales success for Square Enix, and in a celebratory video for the game's 9th anniversary, we now know the game — a sequel to 2010's NieR — has sold over 10 million units. Plus we have a tease for the series' future Last we heard, the 2017 action RPG, which came to Switch in...
- Nintendo Switch
- Square Enix
News Upcoming Pikachu Puppetronic Is Equal Parts Adorable And Terrifying
Catch a Pika
We've seen our fair share of Pikachu plushies over the years (it's only one of the most recognisable faces in media ever, after all), but few have been quite as lifelike as this. Yesterday, Wow! Stuff and RealFX unveiled their latest creation: the Pikachu Puppetronic. As that name suggests, this is a puppet with a traditional...
- News
- Pokemon
- Merchandise
- Upcoming Releases
News Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Is "The First Step" In The Platformer's Comeback
"We’re looking forward to talking more about 'Rayman' soon"
Last week's PlayStation State of Play brought us the welcome news that Rayman is back, thanks to the Digital Eclipse-developed Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition. And for the once-iconic platforming legends, it seems this is just the beginning. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has told Variety...
- Nintendo Switch
- Ubisoft
- Rayman
News Double Dragon Gaiden Adds Four New Fighters In Free DLC Switch Update
Beat 'em up with "Bimmy & Friends"
The 2D pixel beat 'em up Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons continues to add new characters, and in the "largest character update yet", it's now added four more fighters. Each character in this free "Bimmy & Friends DLC" brings a new face, new personality, and a new fighting style to the city - allowing...
- Nintendo Switch
- Switch eShop
- Updates
- DLC
ICYMI Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Switch Icons Have Returned
Don't miss them!
Nintendo has this week surprised Xenoblade fans with a Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. There is also a paid upgrade for existing owners. To celebrate the Switch 2 version, Nintendo has also revived the game's themed icons for Switch Online members. Yes, in case you missed it, there are four waves...
- ICYMI
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Xenoblade Chronicles
- Nintendo
Poll What's Your Favourite Gen 7 Pokémon?
Alola there
Pokémon turns 30 on 27th February, and in honour of this momentous anniversary, we're running a series of polls leading up to the big day, asking you to vote for your favourite Pokémon from each generation. The nine winners will then go head-to-head in a final poll at the end of the month. We're covering a generation a day until we've...
- Polls
- Features
- Pokémon
- Retro
- Anniversaries
News Pokémon Unite Is Adding The Original Legendary Bird Trio As Playable Pokémon
Celebrating 30 years of Pokémon
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Pokémon and the annual celebration Pokémon Day, the free-to-play MOBA Pokémon Unite has revealed the next trio of playable Pokémon coming to the competitive multiplayer game. It's the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, which featured in the original Pokédex. Zapdos...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Switch eShop
- Pokemon
- Anniversaries
Time Extension Karthik Bala runs us through his early years in gaming
Karthik Bala originally got his start in gaming all the way back in the early '90s, while still a teenager attending high school. As the story goes, he and his younger brother, Guha, were huge fans of the company, Access Software and their Tex Murphy series of point-and-click adventure games,...
- Features
- Interviews
- Vicarious Visions
- GBA
News It's No Surprise Which GBA Soundtrack Has Been Added To Nintendo Music Today
Yo, that's Fire!
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have been going all-out with the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen news this morning, so it'll be no surprise to hear that the Poké pair are today's Nintendo Music drop. You can listen to the game's soundtrack on the Nintendo Music app right now, comprising 43 different tracks for a sweet 1hr 6min of...
- News
- Nintendo
- Mobile
- Nintendo Music
- Pokemon
News Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road's Third Major Free Update Kicks Off This Month
Here's the official trailer
Level-5 has been updating Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road on a regular basis since it arrived on the Switch and Switch 2 last November, and it's now announced the game's third major (and free) update. It's officially titled 'Orion & Lumen DLC' and will be launching next week on 25th February 2026. Here's the announcement,...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Updates
- Inazuma Eleven
- Level-5
Thursday19th Feb 2026
News Pokémon Pokopia Sped Through Development Thanks To Some Good Old Collaboration
Omega Force used Helping Hand!
We weren't the only ones to draw the Dragon Quest Builders link when Pokopia was first unveiled last year, and it was with good reason. As it turns out, we have Builders dev Omega Force to thank for the game's speedy development time. That is according to Pokopia producer Kanako Murata, who, in a new interview with...
- News
- Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Upcoming Releases
News Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Gets Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade, Out Now
60fps and 4K for a small fee
Hey, who's enjoying their Thursday? And who's looking forward to playing Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition later today? Yep, you read that correctly — Nintendo has just dropped the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, which landed on Switch in...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Xenoblade
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0.1 Patch Notes - Switch 2 And Switch Bug Fixes & Adjustments
Here are the full details
Following the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Switch 2 Edition last month, Nintendo has now released its second update for the title this year. It addresses multiple issues and makes some adjustments on both the Switch and Switch 2. There are also some updates specific to the Switch 2 version of the game. This...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Animal Crossing
- Nintendo
- Updates
Hands On Xenoblade Chronicles X & Mira Are Even More Magnificent On Switch 2
A Mira-cle
Sometimes, I don't realise how much I'm missing out on something until it's right in front of me. That's not to say I never wanted or expected a 60fps upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition — it was apparently right there in the code, after all — but I've already put the time in. 120 hours of wondrous exploration,...
- Features
- Hands On
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Xenoblade
- Polls
Video Skyrim Switch 2 Update 1.2 - Side-By-Side Comparison (Visual Vs Performance Mode)
You can download this new update now
Bethesda has surprised Skyrim fans on the Switch 2 this week with a new update, which adds a "60Hz mode" and allows players to prioritise either the game's visuals or performance. The frame rate has also been locked to 30Hz in the visual mode, and the patch improves other aspects, such as the FPS performance...
- Videos
- Nintendo Switch 2
- The Elder Scrolls
- Skyrim
- Bethesda
News Stardew Valley's New Update For Nintendo Switch 2 Is Now Live
This "bug fix patch" is available now in America
At the end of last year, the popular farming and lifestyle sim Stardew Valley got released on the Nintendo Switch 2 in the US. The creator ConcernedApe has now rolled out the first major update for the title in 2026. It's a bug fix patch addressing multiple issues, including some improvements to...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Stardew Valley
- Updates
- US
Feature Nintendo's New App Reminds Me Of A Universal Truth: It Feels Good To Squash Mario's Face
The nose to the right, the eyes to the left
Hello, Mario! launches today on Switch eShop and phones in the West alongside other My Mario products, a new line from Nintendo specifically focused on infants and young children. This free app came out in Japan in August last year, so we're republishing Jim's impressions of the cute little face-tugger...
- Features
- Opinion
- Nintendo
- Super Mario
- Previews
Video Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Shines On Switch 2 In This Side-By-Side Comparison
Mira, Mira, on the wall
Well this is a nice surprise! Nintendo popped up out of the blue today to announce Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The real treat? It's available right now. Yes, you can now head over to the eShop and pick up the latest addition to the 'Switch 2 Edition' roster for £54.99 / $64.99 (or...
- Videos
- Nintendo
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Xenoblade
News Bandai Namco Unleashes A New Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Update For Switch And Switch 2
And there's more on the way
Bandai Namco's fighting game Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO made its way across to the Switch and Switch 2 late last year, and this week, it receives a new update for these platforms. The Japanese company has outlined what to expect on its official website. This update includes multiple changes and adjustments to game modes...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- Bandai Namco
- Updates
News Viral Hit 'POOLS' Surfaces On Switch Next Week
Let's get liminal
Finnish dev Tensori's POOLS (sorry, POOLS) is a self-proclaimed walking sim with uncanny vibes. It launched back in 2024 on Steam and has racked up nearly 3000 user reviews in the time since, leaving it in the rarified "Overwhelmingly Positive" range on Valve's platform, and it's coming to Switch on 26th February. As you can see...
- Exclusives
- Switch eShop
- Upcoming Releases
News New Fantasy Life i Update Is Now Live On Switch 1 & 2, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Bye, bugs
Level-5 has been maintaining the Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time support at a decent cadence ever since launch last year, and today, it has released yet another new update. The ver. 2.1.2 patch is now live on Switch and Switch 2. This one doesn't come with any added content, as we have seen from previous updates, but the dev has...
- News
- Switch eShop
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Updates
Review Love Eternal (Switch) - Disturbing, Devilish Platformer Flips A Few Too Many Times
Flipping fun?
Published by Ysbryd Games and developed by brlka, Love Eternal is an arduous platformer presented primarily in a retro 4:3 aspect ratio. It follows a teenage girl named Maya as she wends her way through a lonesome, though artfully-depicted, castle and the surreal, twisted memories that haunt it. The game begins as many platformers do:...
- Reviews
- Switch eShop
Japanese Charts Yakuza Kiwami 3 Brings The Fight To Mario Tennis
It's-a (Kiwa)Mi
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu, and it has been quite the week for Kiryu and co. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has punched its way to the top of the pile on PS5, shifting 58,171 copies in its debut week. The PS4 and Switch 2 versions grab fifth and sixth places, too, giving the game almost 94,000 units to its name...
- Japanese Charts
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
Rumour A Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Port Is Coming, A Fresh Datamine Suggests
We are hunters
Rumours that Monster Hunter Wilds is Switch 2-bound have been circling like an aggroed Rathalos for a while now, and datamining late last year suggested a Nintendo version of the 2025 game isn't far off, with more recent efforts uncovering evidence of docked and handheld mode performance presets.
- Rumours
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Monster Hunter
- Capcom
Poll What's Your Favourite Gen 6 Pokémon?
Kalos whisper
Pokémon turns 30 on 27th February, and in honour of this momentous anniversary, we're running a series of polls leading up to the big day, asking you to vote for your favourite Pokémon from each generation. The nine winners will then go head-to-head in a final poll at the end of the month. We're covering a generation a day until...
- Polls
- Features
- Pokémon
- Retro
- Anniversaries
News EA Sports FC Revealed To Use AI For Some Commentator Voiceover
With permission - "it's always a collaboration"
Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray has been a staple voice in various football (soccer) games over the years. Having worked on the iconic BBC show for over 20 years, he's become one of the defining voices of the sport for a thousands. But commentating real football game on live TV is very...
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
