Nintendo Switch

New Pokémon, limited Pokédex leaked at Nintendo Treehouse

Two new Pokémon have been leaked at Nintendo Treehouse!

During Nintendo’s Treehouse at E3 this year, two new Pokémon were revealed! However, fans also learned in a leak that we will not be able to play with all of our favorite mons in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.

Yamper the electric corgi

The first new mon was Yamper, the adorable little corgi. According to Serebii, it is an electric type. Also, it has a new ability that allows it to pick up the first failed Pokéball you throw at a mon.

Fans have been anticipating a corgi mon for a while. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield take place in the Galar Region, which is based on the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth is known for her adorable corgis, and now so will we once we get ahold of this game!

Impidimp, the first ever dark, fairy type

Although Impidimp is not very visually breathtaking, his typing is something to behold. We have never before had a dark, fairy type mon. This unique typing means that we have a dark type with attacks that are super-effective on other dark types.

Hopefully, this little guy will evolve, and we will get a cooler looking final evolution.

Galar’s limited Pokedéx

Unfortunately, not all of the news is good. It was also confirmed at the Nintendo Treehouse that the Galar Region will have a limited Pokédex and that players will not be able to transfer over mons that aren’t in it.

We do not know all of the mons that will or won’t be available in Galar, but this is still a punch to the teeth. There are nearly 1,000 mons in the whole franchise, and not being able to play with all of them is a complete shame. Hopefully, GameFreak will listen to their fans on Twitter and right this wrong.

5 reasons to come back to Pokémon Go

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Top 8 free Nintendo Switch games

Try these great free games for your Switch!

The Nintendo Switch has made big strides in the gaming industry by being the first major home console with a portable option. Along with this, it has featured many indie titles that other consoles never would’ve had before. Despite its popularity, many of its free games are unknown, which is a shame, considering how well made many of them are. Here are some of the best available if you’re interested in getting some free games for your Switch:

Top 8 free Nintendo Switch games

8. Dawn of the Breakers

Gacha games are usually exclusive to mobile, however, Dawn of the Breakers is unique as not only is it for the Nintendo Switch, it’s not featured on mobile at all. This game is an anime-style brawler with heavy inspiration from Power Rangers.

7. Arena of Valor

The first of a few titles that are both on the Switch as well as iOS and Android, this game is perfect for any fan of the MOBA genre. If you’ve played this game on mobile before, then you will be pleasantly surprised about how much better the controls are on the Switch.

Arena of Valor Free Download ►

6. Brawlhalla

Sometimes considered the free version of Super Smash Bros, Brawlhalla is a free-to-play platform fighter, that is just as addictive as its mascot-inspired brother. This game has a good roster of characters to choose from with traditional RPG-style character designs.

Brawlhalla Free Download ►

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5. Paladins

There aren’t many free console shooters, and Paladins is definitely an impressive title among these few. It is a team-based shooter, similar to Overwatch or Team Fortress 2. Fans of these games will love the colorful cast and gameplay of Paladins.

Paladins Free Download ►

4. Fortnite: Battle Royale

You may not have played Fortnite yet, but you’ve certainly heard of it. This game was one of the fastest growing games of all time, and is still incredibly popular. It’s a battle royale game with 100 players fighting it out to see who comes out alive in the end.

Fortnite: Battle Royale Download Fortnite: Battle Royale ►

3. Pokémon Quest

Pokémon has never looked so Minecraft in this cubic Pokémon adventure. This game is incredibly unique, and worth checking out if you’re interested in training something new.

Pokemon Quest Free Download ►

A beginner’s guide to Pokémon Quest

Get started ►

2. Galak Z: Variant S

A unique side-scrolling shooter in space, this game is reminiscent of many classics in its genre. Despite the similarities to these classics, Galak Z also features many RPG elements that make it a unique experience for anyone to play.

1. Fallout Shelter

Another title that is featured on both mobile and the Switch, Fallout Shelter is an addictive city builder based in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout. This game is excellent for any fan of the genre.

Fallout Shelter Free Download ►

While many of these games feature in-game purchases, almost all of them can be played in their entirety for free. This differs from many of the free-to-start games that Nintendo had on the 3DS, and can make it a refreshing change for anyone who was used to that format.

Watch: Fastest Super Mario Bros. speedrun in history

Go, go, mario! ►

Best exclusive games for each console

Some people like Nintendo, some like Sony. But when it comes to the big three consoles, who has the best exclusives?

The grass is greener on the other side… or is it?

Some people buy consoles for the tech specs. They want the PS4 because the graphics look crisper They want the Xbox because the user interface works like a charm. They want the Switch because it’s portable and versatile.

When it comes down to it, tech specs aren’t always the game changer. In the end, whatever console you choose comes down to one thing — preferences.

This may be controversial, but we believe exclusive games are the real difference between consoles! In fact, they’re so important we almost find ourselves annoyed by the disparity. PS4 players are clearly hogging God of War and Spider-Man. Thank goodness Xbox has Halo and Forza!

So, to see where the grass grows greenest, we compiled each main consoles’ three best exclusives in one place.

Best exclusive console games

PlayStation 4

Sony’s PlayStation 4 appears to have some of the biggest exclusives by far. We were hard-pressed to sort through honorable mentions like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Bloodborne to choose the greatest among them.

We should note: these exclusives are suspiciously only single-player, story-driven games. It seems the best multiplayer exclusives lie elsewhere…

Okay, we’re just trying to be fair to the others; this lineup rocks!

god of war 4

God of War 4 received universal acclaim for its storyline, gameplay, graphics, and more. It was voted Game Award’s Game of the Year, a coveted title.

If you’re unaware, the story goes a little something like this: After the death of his wife, Faye, the god-killing Spartan warrior Kratos journeys with his son Atreus to the “highest peak of the nine realms.” From there, they plan to spread her ashes and complete her last wish.

On the way, they get into a bit of a tussle; the world serpent Jörmungandr shows up, Norse gods stop by to party, it’s a whole thing.

Kratos swings around his mighty ax, making you feel like Thor swinging around Mjolnir. If action games are your jam, this is the game for you.

This one is well worth the price, and you will not be disappointed.

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marvel’s spider-man

We loved Spider-Man games ever since we tried our first on the GameCube! Swinging through New York City, fighting bad guys, and inevitably jumping off the Empire State Building was a blast!

If you haven’t jumped off the ESB, have you really played Spider-Man?

Fast forward 16 years: in the midst of the MCU adventure, Insomniac Games creates a PS4 exclusive with all the majestic charm of the MCU. Swing through the streets of a Manhattan and fight bad guys!

This time, Peter Parker is dealing with a convoluted conspiracy that centers around the bioweapon Devil’s Breath. Naturally, everyone wants it: from Kingpin to Osborne to Doc Ock. Good luck with all that, Parker!

Marvel’s Spider-Man gives you all the tools you need for your web-slinging experience.

uncharted 4: A Thief’s end

Nathan Drake, the infamous thief, goes on one last journey.

Metal Gear games are known for being cinematic experiences that play out like a James Bond flick, where the player gets to be the spy. Uncharted thrusts the player into a similarly movie-like experience, However, rather than venturing into a military melodrama, you go on an adventure with all the swashbuckling excitement of Indiana Jones!

Drake’s brother, Sam, reappears after years of imprisonment and asks Nate for help. They must retrieve the treasure of the pirate captain Henry Avery or he will be killed by a drug lord. Together, they race to find the loot against their former financier and the cause of Sam’s imprisonment.

The epic end to a legendary story doesn’t disappoint! The story is thrilling, the combat is fluid is fast-paced, and the exploration has never been better!

honorable mentions

Horizon: Zero Dawn
Bloodborne
Shadow of the Colossus

The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have as many exclusive titles as we’d like. However, we are excited for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, coming out later this year.

5 things Game Freak must add to Pokémon Sword and Shield

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The Switch is unlike anything on the market. Players can play games from home or on the go all on the same console. If you want, you can play something like the L.A. Noire remake or Saints Row: The Third remake at home, or race against friends in Mario Kart on the go!

The Legend of zelda: breath of the wild

Throughout time, many heroes by the name of Link fought to defend Hyrule and its princess, Zelda, from the evil Ganondorf. Each of them succeeded in warding off the darkness after a great journey…

Until now.

After 10,000 years of safety, Calamity Ganon reappears and turns Hyrule’s ancient, advanced robotics against them. Link falls in battle, and their heroes are killed. As a result, Zelda has to use the power of the gods to hold Ganon at bay for a long, long time…

Then Link wakes after 100 years of recuperation in a stasis chamber and begins his quest anew. Monsters roam the land, the robotics still control Hyrule’s capital, and Zelda’s power won’t hold much longer.

He failed once, but the hero is back in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a massive open world game. The developers allow the player to play the game however they want to. Players can complete dungeons in whatever order they want in this very non-linear game. If you want, you can grab the Master Sword and all of the best armor you can find. However, you can also collect all the tree branches and rusty swords you can find and challenge Ganon in your undies.

The choice is yours.

super mario odyssey

Yep: Mario loses Peach again.

In order to save her this time, he joins a sentient hat named Cappy, whose sister has been stolen by Bowser for use as Peach’s wedding tiara!

However, Cappy has a few tricks up his sleeve… if hats had sleeves.

Cappy has the ability to let Mario take control of nearby creatures. When under Mario’s control, you have full access to their abilities. You can become a T-Rex and destroy everything in your path. You can become a Hammer Bro and throw an onslaught of hammers at enemies. The choices seem nearly endless.

There are a ton of worlds to choose from and a ton of things to do. Cappy’s introduction adds a fresh level to the game, and the new worlds and enemies all have the familiar Nintendo charm.

This addition to the Mario Bros world holds up so well. In fact, many would argue it belongs higher than Breath of the Wild. If you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments!

Will Mario games ever go out of style? We hope not.

super smash bros: ultimate

This is the definitive party multiplayer. Got an argument? “Settle it in Smash.”

Oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate performs double-duty here. Not only does it reach the top 3 for Nintendo exclusives, it champions every single one of their other characters and games.

You can play as characters from Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Xenoblade Chronicles, Pokémon, Kirby, Animal Crossing, and more!

Smash Bros. players range from the pros who compete in huge tournaments, to newbies who mash buttons and hope for the best.

The game now also features customizable stages. However, those are another story…

The best custom stages in Smash Ultimate so far

Read now ►

All of these characters blend perfectly in one of the greatest titles of our favorite fighting game series! (No offense to Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter fans.)

Honorable Mentions

Octopath Traveler
Splatoon 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xbox One

Xbox has some of the most surprising games. These are titles you wouldn’t immediately think of when someone says “exclusives.”

Except Halo. Everyone would think of Halo.

Xbox is a bit tricky. Most of their exclusive titles aren’t necessary console exclusive. They are exclusive to Microsoft but can be played on both home console and with Windows 10.

halo 5

Oh yeah.

When the super-soldier Master Chief, goes rogue in pursuit of his AI friend Cortana, an elite team called Spartan Locke goes on a mission to track him down. Through their collective adventures, we gain insight into the mysterious happenings surrounding the Guardians, huge beasts controlled by an artificial intelligence network known as the Domain.

Aside from quick-moving, futuristic, first-person shooter gameplay, you can find one of the greatest video game storylines here. We even like the book series, which continues to release novels yearly!

The world still feels great, and we’re excited for Infinite!

gears of war 4

Years after the defeat of the Locust, a new aggressor arrives: The Swarm.

Gears of War 4’s oddly emotional storyline shouldn’t mesh so well with the violent, chainsaw-borne violence. Somehow, it does, and it does really well.

This time, the Lancer falls in the hands of Marcus Fenix‘s son, J.D. The only appropriate response to a new invasion is to buckle down, crouch behind the ubiquitous shoulder-high walls, and keep firing!

forza: horizon 4

This is one of those games that your grandfather will confuse with a movie or real-life sporting event. In all honesty, it has tricked us, too.

Forza has long been lauded as an excellent, realistic driving simulator with all the safety benefits of being a video game. This basically means if you’re still too much of a kid at heart to drive between the lines, you can crash some of the nicest cars known to man!

Forza Horizon 4 Download now ►

honorable mentions

Rare Replay
Sea of Thieves
Crackdown 3

Wrapping Up

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Or, in this case, exclusives lead to jealousy, jealousy leads to hate, and hate leads to the console wars! Don’t be a console crusader, friend.

When it comes down to it, we wish every one of these titles were available for every console, even though such a move wouldn’t make any sense from a business standpoint for developers. Still, could you imagine playing Breath of the Wild with the controls and graphics the PS4 can offer?

Exclusives bring business. To play them all, you’ll just have to buy more consoles or borrow from friends. While you’re at it, whoop their butts at Smash Bros. real quick.

The best custom stages in Smash Ultimate so far

With Stage Builder’s triumphant return, which fan-man stages are the best ones for pummeling our pals?

The fan-favorite Stage Builder feature is finally back in Smash Ultimate. The feature has been significantly revamped from its Brawl and Smash 4 incarnations. It now allows multiple decorative layers, custom moving platforms, black holes, bombs, and more.

The sky is the limit in terms of stages. Despite only being out for a short time, the Smash community has created hundreds of amazing (and bizarre) new fighting arenas. Here are some of our favorites:

The best custom stages in Smash Ultimate so far

5. Waluigi’s Tears

Many Nintendo fans were disappointed about Waluigi being left off the Smash Bros roster once again. Fans of the purple trickster made their displeasure known by spamming Twitter, gaining the annoyance and curiosity of the Smash fanbase at large. Now, Waluigi finally joins the battle… as a stage. While crying. Take it or leave it.

Name: Crying Wal
Creator: Liggy
ID: 6XT2LXCQ

4. Metal Cavern

A remake of the Metal Mario boss stage from the original Super Smash Bros, Metal Cavern is a fun stage to play in its own right. The jagged design and floating platform make this stage a fun pick for competitors and casual players alike. Combined with the rockin’ Metal Cavern music, this stage will make you want to bust out your Nintendo 64. Still, the stage isn’t quite complete without Metal Mario’s CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG…

Name: Metal Cavern
Creator: Torterra13
ID: 5F3N6NPB

3. Smash 64 Intro Desk

3..2..1..GO!

The desk from the beginning of the iconic Smash 64 intro is finally a playable stage.

The stage uses background and foreground layers very effectively to accurately recreate the layout and color palette of the desk. Though Master Hand is nowhere to be seen, this stage is a nostalgia-fueled blast.

Name: Smash 64 Desk
Creator: G-SUS
ID: BY4K8Y68

2. Snakes and Ladders

The classic board game Snakes and Ladders has been creatively remade in the Stage Builder. Using the bomb block as both a switch and a spinner, players can actually play through a version of the game.

This stage is a testament to the creativity of the Smash community, and we can’t wait to see what else they’ll come up with.

Name: Snakes & Ladders
Creator: Rainter
ID: LW8WDS70

1. Smashketball

This Stage Builder classic has come in many forms, but we think Luke’s version is the most fun take on the Smashketball idea. In Smashketball, players try to launch their opponents into the hoops (cannons) to score points.

Smashketball provides a fun spin on the traditional Smash experience, and there’s nothing more satisfying than slam dunking your friend to their doom.

Name: Smashket-Ball
Creator: Luke
ID: 1CPHDTB0

Game Set

What Smash Ultimate custom stages are your favorite so far? Have you made any? Let us know!

The Game Boy turns 30. Here’s how it changed gaming forever

Here’s how the handheld console changed video games forever.

Considered to be one of the most iconic consoles ever, the Nintendo Game Boy turns 30 this year. Though it was hardly a technological powerhouse even back in the day, the lovable gray brick would go on to become one of the most popular consoles of all time. To celebrate, we’re going to take a look back at what made the Game Boy so special.

How the Game Boy was designed

The Game Boy was primarily designed by Gunpei Yokoi, the same man behind popular toys like the Ultra Hand and the Love Tester. Yokoi additionally helped create Nintendo’s original portable gaming system, the Game & Watch series, after watching a bored businessman fiddle with a calculator on a train.

The success of these toys and the Game & Watch series led to a lot of goodwill from Nintendo toward Yokoi, who had a lot of freedom in designing the Game Boy. He designed the system around the idea of “lateral thinking with withered technology”, which basically means taking slightly outdated technology and repurposing it into something new and innovative. The reasoning behind this was that the Game Boy would be built using technology that is already easily understood, affordable, and energy efficient.

The design of the Game Boy proved to be extremely popular due to its low price, long battery life, and durability. Competing portable systems like the Sega Game Gear boasted more power and color displays, but their high price point and monstrous battery consumption proved no match for the Game Boy. What really helped the Game Boy stand apart, however, was its amazing lineup of games.

The most iconic games ever, on the go!

The huge library of quality Game Boy games led to an explosion in sales. Of the launch titles, Super Mario Land amazed gamers by providing a console quality Mario game on the go. However, the launch title that really catapulted the Game Boy into a pop culture icon was Tetris. The Game Boy version of the timeless puzzle game was many people’s first introduction to the series, and the game would go on to become the best selling video game of all time. Tetris was bundled with the Game Boy and became the system’s first true killer app. An even bigger killer app, however, was just over the horizon.

pokemon red blue game boy — You might’ve heard of this one before

The arrival of Pokémon Red and Blue in the late ’90s laid down the groundwork for what would become a multibillion-dollar franchise. The game’s collection of 151 lovable creatures attracted gamers from all across the world. The addictive gameplay loop of battling and catching Pokémon led to the birth of the creature RPG genre, which is a style of game that Pokémon dominates to this day. Kids on the playground spent all day trading secrets of where to catch powerful secret Pokémon. More importantly, they used the Game Boy’s Link Cable to connect their systems, allowing them to trade and battle Pokémon. Pokémon’s unique social gameplay systems encouraged players to meet up with people in real life to get the most out of the game, making the game a treasured part of many people’s childhoods. Pokémon is currently the biggest media franchise in the world, surpassing Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel.

With games like Tetris, Super Mario Land, Pokémon, and Link’s Awakening, it’s no wonder the Game Boy sold as it did. Instead of featuring neutered console ports like its competitors, the Game Boy instead focused on unique experiences that took advantage of the console’s unique portable design.

Rare Super Mario Bros. game sells for $100,150

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A long line of successors

The runaway success of the Game Boy inevitably led to numerous upgrades and revisions. The Game Boy Pocket, also designed by Gunpei Yokoi, was the first of these upgrades and featured a smaller, lighter design, in addition to a true black and white screen as opposed to the original Game Boy’s green monochrome screen. It used two AAA batteries as opposed to the original Game Boy’s four and featured an LED light that would turn red when the batteries were running low. A few years later, the Japan-exclusive Game Boy Light solved the Game Boy’s most frustrating hardware problem: its unlit screen.

Next up, the Game Boy gained its first true successor in the Game Boy Color. The Game Boy Color had its own library of games that took advantage of the consoles color palette and more advanced processor, though it was still backward compatible with original Game Boy games. It was functionally a portable NES and served as the final 8-bit portable console to ever be released.

The release of the Game Boy Advance saw a major upgrade to the Game Boy family. Featuring a wide design, a higher resolution screen, and a 32-bit processor, the Game Boy Advance dazzled audiences with SNES quality portable games. The Game Boy Advance was still backward compatible, allowing it to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

Watch: Fastest Super Mario Bros. speedrun in history

Go, go, mario! ►

The Game Boy Advance received its own revision in the Game Boy Advance SP. It had a unique clamshell design, a rechargeable battery, and a backlit screen. A spinoff of the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Micro, was made for trendy urban audiences. By far the smallest Game Boy yet, the Micro was about the size of an NES controller and featured a backlit screen.

When the Nintendo DS was being developed, Nintendo avoided calling it a new Game Boy upgrade. They did this because the DS was such a new and innovative piece of hardware, that if it didn’t catch on, they could continue the Game Boy line. Of course, we know now that the Nintendo DS became a smashing success, outselling even the Game Boy. But Nintendo wouldn’t be where they are now in the portable gaming space without the Game Boy paving the way. The Nintendo DS, 3DS, the Nintendo Switch, and all future Nintendo handhelds owe their existence to that iconic grey brick.

What are your favorite Game Boy memories? Let us know!

Get 12 months of Nintendo Switch online free with Amazon Prime

Play your favorite Nintendo Switch games online for free with Amazon Prime.

Amazon just made trading and battling Pokémon online way cheaper.

If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can now claim a new offer of 12 free months of Nintendo Switch Online with a Prime member account. You can get the first three months when claiming the offer, and the other nine months 60 days after making the first claim.

Amazon Shopping Download Free ►

The offer is worth $20 and is available for download from Amazon through Twitch Prime. The 12 months will stack on top of whatever time you may have already purchased for Nintendo Switch online.

This is one deal in a long line of offers Amazon has made with gamers through Twitch and Amazon Prime.

Twitch Download Free ►

Nintendo has several games that utilize online capabilities available in its store including Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee, Super Smash Bros: Ultimate, and Fortnite. With Nintendo Switch Online, you also get access to classic games from the Nintendo Entertainment System’s vast library.

Nintendo Switch gets two new models

Find out why the new Switch models might be better for you.

Coming off the Nintendo Switch’s second birthday, the much-beloved console playable at home and on-the-go will be getting two new models.

According to an article from The Wall Street Journal, the Nintendo Switch will receive two new models later this year. The first new model is a beefed-up version for more hardcore gamers who want to play with the same graphic capabilities of systems like the PS4.

The second model is supposed to be cheaper, more focused on the Switch’s handheld aspect and possibly a replacement for the Nintendo 3DS. The second model also will not have some of the features of the original Nintendo Switch (for example, that model wouldn’t have vibrating controllers).

You will soon be able to use Nintendo Switch Controllers with Google Chrome

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Nintendo is expected to announce the new systems this June at E3, and the consoles are expected to be released this summer prior to the release of “Pokémon Sword,” “Pokémon Shield” and “Animal Crossing.” This will be the first E3 for Doug Bowser, the new president and COO of Nintendo, after the retirement of Reggie Fils-Aimé back in February.

Nintendo ran out of the gate this year with several games announced in February’s Nintendo Direct, and the long-awaited eighth generation of Pokemon announced two weeks later.

The Nintendo Switch turns 2 years old

A look at the highs and lows of the incredibly popular portable console.

Happy birthday to the Nintendo Switch!

First released on March 3, 2017, the Nintendo Switch has made a huge splash in the gaming market. Bringing some much-needed momentum back to Nintendo after the Wii U flopped, the simple “portable-console hybrid” concept has resonated soundly with the gaming public. As of February, the Switch has over 32.27 million lifetime sales, which means that it has already overtaken the lifetime sales of the Wii U and Gamecube, and is on track to outpace the Nintendo 64’s lifetime sales soon.

From the massive success of the Wii to the floundering of the Wii U, Nintendo has clearly learned a lot from the past 15 years. While the Switch isn’t perfect, Nintendo is having its biggest hot streak in over a decade, and it’ll be interesting to see where they go from here. Here, we’ll look at the Nintendo Switch’s biggest improvements, innovations, and missteps.

A brief history of the Nintendo Switch

First-party knockouts

One of the biggest selling points of a Nintendo console is its lineup of excellent first-party titles. With the Switch, Nintendo once again proves that they are unequivocally the best first-party developers out there. Super Mario Odyssey took players on a breathtaking journey filled with fresh, creative new worlds and mechanics, becoming a worthy successor to Super Mario Galaxy. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best entries in the franchise and deserved a better home than the Wii U. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate celebrates the franchise’s history with an all-star cast and significant gameplay improvements. Despite being a controversial title among longtime fans, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee sold like hotcakes and introduced the Pokémon Go generation to a more traditional game.

5 reasons to come back to Pokémon Go

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And of course, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the most critically acclaimed game of the console generation, often entering talks as one of the greatest games ever. The game brings to life the sense of wonder and exploration present in the original Legend of Zelda, truly allowing players to save Hyrule in any way they see fit. The game’s deceptively complex physics and chemistry systems give players freedom in how they approach and overcome obstacles. All of this combines with a world that feels huge and fleshed out without falling victim to the typical pitfalls of open-world gaming. It is arguable that Breath of the Wild alone is worth the price of entry for a Switch.

Lifelong Nintendo fans have been gushing over Nintendo’s first-party titles so far with good reason. Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Breath of the Wild already stand as bona fide classics, and with many more first-party games on the way, the Switch’s already excellent library shows no signs of slowing down.

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Actual third-party support

One of the biggest downfalls of the Wii U was its drought of third-party support. Developers didn’t want to bother adjusting their titles for the cumbersome Gamepad, especially to an audience that was primarily interested in first-party titles. The Nintendo Switch’s portability is a much more seamless gimmick that requires little to no consideration on the part of the developer in terms of game design. This has led to the best third-party support Nintendo has had since the days of the Gamecube. Though the system’s underpowered specs lead to several major third-party games skipping over the Switch, it has still garnered an impressive third-party lineup.

Ports of major titles like Dark Souls, Skyrim, Doom, Fortnite, and Warframe run smooth as butter, with the system’s portability giving them new life. While major third-party support is still far from perfect (the system still lacks certain major sports titles like Madden, for example) the system’s third-party lineup is already solid. Upcoming major third-party titles like Mortal Kombat 11 will also hit the Switch in the near future, so Switch-exclusive owners will miss out on far fewer third-party hits than they did with other Nintendo consoles. Hopefully, popular titles like Apex Legends and Overwatch will find their way to the Switch in the future.

Indie game heaven

If you’re a fan of indie games you owe it to yourself to get a Nintendo Switch. What’s not to love about playing indie games on the go or in bed? The system already has indie juggernauts like The Binding of Isaac, Shovel Knight, Stardew Valley, Overcooked, Terriaria, Dead Cells, and Celeste. If you prefer playing indie games on a console to a PC, the portability and vast lineup of the Switch make it the obvious choice.

Many indie developers create their games nowadays with a Switch port in mind, meaning that the system should see even more indie support throughout its lifespan. Hopefully, classic indie games like Hotline Miami and Spelunky get ported soon to round out the whole package.

Nintendo proves once again they can’t do online

Oh boy, here we go. The enormous and obvious black spot on the Nintendo Switch is its abysmal online service. Even as fans have come to expect nothing about Nintendo and online, we are left disappointed as Nintendo Switch online is baffling at best and unacceptable in 2019 at worst.

At $20 a year, the service is much cheaper than Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus, yet it offers a small fraction of the value of either of those services. Having a bunch of original NES titles available is nice, but at this point, anyone who wants to play these games already has. Having either a Virtual Console or games from other retro consoles available would be of significantly more value than 20 NES games.

Additionally, basic features that were present on the original Xbox Live in 2002 are lacking on the Switch, such as party chat or direct messages. Puzzlingly, Nintendo requires a smartphone app to access basic online features like voice chat. All in all, Nintendo Switch Online is an embarrassing mess that proves Nintendo is not only completely unwilling to learn from past online mistakes, but they are confident enough to start charging money for it. We can only hope Nintendo’s upcoming collaboration with Xbox Live will jumpstart the company’s online evolution.

Looking toward the future

There are plenty of upcoming Switch games to be excited for. From new entries in long-running franchises like Animal Crossing, Bayonetta, or Luigi’s Mansion to brand new IP’s like Daemon X Machina and Astral Chain, there’s plenty to look forward to, no matter what games you play.

Especially interesting is the unprecedented partnership between Nintendo and Microsoft, which will really take shape later this year. Will they fix Nintendo’s online service? Will we get Xbox games on the Switch? The possibilities are tantalizing.

5 things Game Freak must add to Pokémon Sword and Shield

Pokémon Sword and Shield could be amazing… if it includes these 5 things.

The highly anticipated mainline Pokémon games have been announced for Nintendo Switch. Dubbed Sword and Shield, these games will take players through the UK-inspired Galar region…and that’s about all we know so far. Will the game have gyms? An Elite Four? We don’t know for sure.

The Pokémon formula is tried and true: young kid sets off on a journey to be the best there ever was, collecting eight gym badges and defeating an evil team, culminating in a battle with the Elite Four. While this formula has clearly worked for decades, Game Freak has hardly ever strayed. They experimented with a slightly different formula in Pokémon Sun and Moon that paid off nicely. After two decades even the rock-solid Pokémon formula needs some switching up. Here are 5 ways Game Freak could put a fresh spin on the Pokémon blueprint and make Pokémon Sword and Shield the definitive next-gen Pokémon experience.

5 most-wanted features of Pokémon Sword and Shield

5. Difficulty Selection

As a series designed primarily for children, the difficulty level of Pokémon games has always been low. While this is fine as it allows young children to complete the game, older longtime players would appreciate being able to choose a harder game. Adding extra Pokémon at higher levels and more gimmicky movesets that relied more on strategy and less on brute force would make the game much more interesting for more hardcore players.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 actually both had difficulty options included, though Game Freak made the baffling decision to lock those difficulties until after the player beats the game, forcing them to start a new save file. Allowing access to harder difficulties at the start would be a nice change of pace for returning players while still allowing younger or newer players to easily beat the game.

4. Movable Camera

Pokémon sword shield movable camera — A small part of the trailer demonstrates what might be a movable camera

Pokémon Sword and Shield are the first HD mainline Pokémon games, and the series has never looked better. The game appears to run on the same engine as Sun and Moon, however, so the graphical upgrades are unfortunately incremental compared to the 3DS games. Still, the trailer shows many hills and buildings that give the Galar region a fresh sense of verticality. Allowing players to use the right stick to adjust the camera would allow this new region to fully come to life, as well as showing off the graphical fidelity of the Switch.

Other Switch titles like Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild would feel much less like “lived-in” worlds without a free camera, and as such, Pokémon Sword and Shield needs a movable camera to allow players to truly explore. No 3D mainline Pokémon game has ever had a movable camera, not even console spinoffs like Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, so allowing players to rotate the camera around them would give the series a welcome sense of immersion.

3. For the love of God, pick up the pace

Pokémon Sun and Moon had some of the best characters and story in the series, with fleshed out characters and an intriguing story full of twists. While this is all fine and good, the beginning of the game was a complete slog as the player would get interrupted by long cutscenes every few minutes. Even the best stories become tiring this way, and the problem became especially bad at the beginning of the game, as the player has neither invested in the characters enough or played enough of the game to truly invest in the cutscenes.

This slow beginning was compounded by the usual onslaught of tutorials, showing the player how to catch a Pokémon or how battling works. A lighter paced story that doesn’t frontload the player with cutscenes combined with an option to skip basic tutorials we’ve seen a million times would do wonders to keep the game from feeling like a chore.

2. Bring back jerk rivals

In the first few games, Pokémon rivals like Blue and Silver were notorious for being absolute jerks to the player character. They would insult you at every turn and pop up at the absolute worst moments to force you into a tough battle.

As the series has gone on, these jerk rivals have been phased out in favor of friendly rivalries. These friendly rivalries lack the tension or satisfaction of finally taking down the smug jerks of the earlier games. Bullies have been missing from the series for a long time, and many players desperately miss them. Also, give us the option to name our rivals again! The little kid in me would greatly appreciate being able to name the rival “POOPFACE” or “BUTTHEAD”.

Which villain team from the Pokémon games was the best?

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1. Bring back the Battle Frontier (and other postgame battle arenas)

The absence of the Battle Frontier from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire was one of the most disappointing moments of the entire series. The massive postgame battle facility brought hours of varied challenges that tested trainers to their limits. While the Battle Tree and Battle Tower of recent games are fine postgame battle facilities, they don’t come close to the wide variety of challenges available at the Battle Frontier. On the Battle Frontier’s absence, longtime Pokémon director Junichi Masuda (who is serving as producer of Sword and Shield) said:

“Put simply, the Battle Frontier wasn’t included because only a tiny number of players would have appreciated and used this game feature. Players get fed up more easily than they did in the past and aren’t attracted by these ‘demanding’ challenges.”

The Pokémon fanbase at large has harshly criticized Masuda for this belief as being entirely incorrect. A large and varied postgame battle facility, whether it be the return of the Battle Frontier or something completely new, would be an incredible addition to Sword and Shield.

Any features you’d like to see? Let us know!

How to get Nintendo Switch games for free

If you have a Switch, you have access to dozens of free games! Here’s how to get them.

Getting a new console is the first step on the glorious journey of adventure-seeking and happy gaming. Whether it’s Undertale, Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros, or Fortnite, the Nintendo Switch has a colorful array of titles and characters both new and familiar.

Unboxing a new Switch doesn’t mean you own any of those titles, however, and you’ve got to drop some more money on specific games before you’re able to hop in Splatoon 2 or Stardew Valley.

Or do you?

That's right. You can play Super Mario Bros 3 literally upon unboxing. — Everything in this picture is available on Switch for free.

It’s on the down-low, but there are actually 25 games and apps that you can get on the Switch completely for free. This guide will show you how to access these free items so you’ll have something to sink your teeth into while you’re waiting on that paycheck or researching which games are going to be your top priority. Here’s where you can find a bunch of free games on Switch in 5 easy steps:

How to get free games on Switch

1. Open the Nintendo eShop

As soon as you boot up your Switch you’ll be confronted with various icons on the dashboard: Signing in, adjusting settings, syncing controllers, etc. The one that you’ll want to click on is the Nintendo eShop, which is symbolized by a bag that looks like this:

From there you'll need to sign in — Click this symbol to be taken to the Nintendo eShop

2. Sign in

After you click the eShop button you’ll have to sign in. Put in your email and password, or if you don’t have an account yet, now’s a good time to make one. You can do so right here. The process should take less than five minutes.

3. Click ‘Search’

Once you’re looking at the huge variety of games and products on the Switch store it’s time to refine our hunt.

Did we mention that Minecraft plays really well on Switch too? — The left menu can also be used to redeem codes, see new releases, or keep within your price window

Click the ‘Search’ portal on the top left and it will offer a handful of common search filters.

4. Filter by price range

From the list of available filters, simply choose the one that says ‘Price Range.’

This is also a useful filter for keeping gaming within your budget. — Click the Search portal, then filter by price range

You’ll be transported to games divided by price range.

5. View free options

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you’ll see the category for games (and apps!) that you can download for the fabulous price of $0.

Get them now before they think better of it! — There are over 20 items you can grab for 100% free.

Click ‘view more’ in order to get the full list. On it, you’ll see options such as:

YouTube

Yep. You can get the YouTube app for free, just like on a desktop or mobile device.

Or snuggle in bed with the handheld Switch too. — Stream YouTube to your TV with the Switch!

Now you can stream videos right on your Switch!

Fortnite

Fortnite is free on desktop, console, and mobile, so why shouldn’t it be free on Switch too?

Stream it to your TV too! — The game plays really smoothly on Switch, too.

Download it now and you’ll be diving off the party bus before you know it.

Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online

For the retro gamer, this is the best news about getting a Switch: You’ll immediately have access to dozens of old Nintendo games:

Donkey Kong, Ice Hockey, Yoshi, Balloon Fight, River City Ransom, Double Dragon, Dr. Mario, and a ton more. All for free!

These 10 NES cartridges are worth a fortune

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Color Zen

One of our favorite games, Color Zen is a chill-out, zone-out game for de-stressing and relaxation.

Simply match the colors one by one and solve simple puzzles to unwind at the end of your day or pass the time. The Nintendo Switch’s touchscreen capabilities really shine in Color Zen, too.

And a lot more!

If those titles don’t grab your interest you can also get the original Zelda games, Warframe, Fallout Shelter, Pokemon Quest, Kitten Squad, Coloring Book, Brawlhalla … the list goes on. So enjoy your new gaming platform in style with the Nintendo Switch, and let us know in the comments below which free item is your personal favorite!