Assuming the postie doesn’t deprive us on launch day, we’re less than three weeks away from having a brand new Nintendo console in our hands! This 24th edition of the Nintendo Life Mailbox will be the final spread with the original Switch as Nintendo’s flagship console!
Yes, we’ve been rifling through our inbox and publishing select contents in our monthly letters page for a whole two years now, and we’ll be back next month with an entirely different console sitting on the desk. And, presumably, a whole pile of Switch 2-related correspondence to sort through.
It’s a busy time in Nintendo land, so let’s crack on. Got something you want to get off your chest? We’re ready and waiting to read about your game-related ponderings.
Each month we’ll highlight a Star Letter, the writer of which will receive a month’s subscription to our ad-free Supporter scheme. Check out the submission guidelines at the bottom of this page.
Let’s sit back with a warm beverage and go through our dispatch box…
Nintendo Life Mailbox – May 2025
“for those who want it” (***STAR LETTER***)
What are your thoughts on the innovations of Switch 2 in relation to generations past? Nintendo’s gimmicks have historically proven to be hit and miss, but I see a shift ever since the Switch launched in 2017. Sure, it still had the IR sensor but hybrid gaming and gyro aiming (which technically already existed, but Switch established it as a mainstay) were legitimate forward progressions, and Switch 2 seems to offer even more legitimate innovation with both gameshare and mouse mode. I foresee both of these features becoming permanent fixtures in future consoles, and much like gyro aiming, changing the way we engage with video games.
I truly believe mouse mode is something gamers will never want to give up once they’ve experienced it’s benefits (especially since, unlike innovations of yesteryear, it doesn’t replace the traditional experience, it merely enhances it as an option for those who want it). Thoughts?
JaxonH
More and different ways to play are exciting, especially if they’re built into the hardware. For me, Drag x Drive was one of the highlights of the Switch 2 event at the start of April. I’m all for mouse mode options, whether they’re cute and complementary or integral to a game, but it’s on Nintendo to make it indispensable. The tech is certainly cheap enough to integrate into any Joy-Con-style controller from now on.
I’m not convinced it’s going to fundamentally change how we approach gaming, though. Will Mouse Mode be comfortable for multiple hours? They work like mice, sure, but ergonomically, that’s not their main function. I also remember thinking every pad would have a built-in pointer after the Wiimote. It’s affordable, intuitive tech, so why not include that option? And yet we live in a world where the Xbox pad still doesn’t have gyro. – Ed.
“out of the running”
I recently finished Ace Attorney Investigations 2 on Switch, and wow, what a ride! I’m so happy it finally got localized for the West, even if it did take 13 years.
Got me thinking about other games that haven’t seen the light of day outside Japan. Yes, there are some obvious frontrunners like Mother 3 and Dragon Quest 10 that I’m sure we all would love to see get localized, but I’m talking more about lesser-known gems. As a big fan of adventure games, that new Tokimeki Memorial remaster caught my eye, but unfortunately I’m no Japanese speaker at this stage, so I guess that puts me out of the running for now. I’m also still waiting for Yo-kai Watch 4, as well as my pipe dream Starfy 1-4 localizations…
How about you all? Any Japan-exclusives you’ve been eager to see come West?
BandeeOfTheStars
I wrote a little feature back in 2020 on the subject, and looking at it now, I’d probably take Marvelous above anything else at this stage. I’ve never gotten around to playing the fan patch. Team? – Ed.
- “I’d love to see Square’s last Super Famicom game, Treasure of the Rudras, get a rerelease. I’ve heard so many good things about the creativity of this one, but at this point, given the complicated magic system, this might be an impossible dream.” – Alana
- “I’ll go for Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem. We’ve missed out on a lot of Fire Emblem games in the West, but this 2010 DS remake not coming our way always stings the most. The series is big enough now that surely Intelligent Systems could get away with releasing a bundle, right?” – Jim
