14-06-2025
Let's-a-go! Mario Kart World and the latest video games reviewed
We're only halfway through the year, but it's safe to say 2025 has exceeded all our expectations in the world of video games. We've had a slew of fantastic games, and Nintendo has just released a brand new elusive console, which is seemingly sold out everywhere.
Whether you've just picked up the Switch 2 and are wondering what to play or want to dive into some new releases across all consoles, there are plenty of choices for gamers to dive into this June.
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World is a game of pure chaos in the best possible way. It will have you smiling, crying, screaming and laughing in quick succession as your screen explodes in a symphony of colours every few seconds. Your eyes will always be playing catch-up to the zany action happening on screen. This is all reassuring news, given it's the main (and technically only) major launch title debuting on the brand new Switch 2.
With up to 24 racers, every race in this game is a constant battle toward the finish line, where the threat of blue shells never wavers. New mechanics, like wall riding, charged jumps and a variety of rail grinding across every level, will keep even seasoned motorists learning. And yet, it's still your classic Mario Kart experience, but somehow with a sprinkling of added joy.
There's a variety of game modes, including your classic Grand Prix, Vs modes, time trials, Knockout and Online multiplayer, which means there's something for every mood and occasion. The biggest surprise for me is the newly introduced free-roam mode that lets you drive around a colossal Mario World, where every track is located within driving distance.
You'd think the appeal of Mario Kart is to race against your friends and gear up for that 1st place finish. And yet, blissfully driving around, discovering secrets, and taking on challenges became my main priority over this launch period. And it's only when you tackle the tracks in your own time that you can begin to notice the depth of detail each race actually contains.
Go wherever your heart desires in #MarioKartWorld!
In Free Roam, you can drive virtually everywhere and explore to the very edge of the world. No roads? No problem!
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 21, 2025
The beautiful track designs and addictive earworm soundtrack make a leisurely solo drive just as enjoyable as the multiplayer experience. This game is a license for fun, where no matter how little time you have, you're sure to have a blast. Coupled with the graphical fine-tuning, players may begin to understand (and digest) the new €80 price point. Yes, games are becoming more expensive.
In the case of Mario Kart World, I think the price point is worth it. If this game is anything like its predecessor, expect you and your friends to be playing it to death throughout the entire lifetime of the Switch 2 console.
Mario Kart World is available to play on Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
While many would have hoped for a mainline Mario or Zelda game to complement the Switch 2 launch, there are still lots of options for players picking up the new console to play while the library bulks itself up.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a brand new interactive tutorial of sorts, introducing you to a lot of the new mechanics you'll be experiencing through minigames, quizzes and tech demos. Granted, it's not very replayable, but at €9.99, it does a fair job of explaining and educating you on all the neat features your new console has to offer. Spanning about 6 hours, by playing this game, you'll have a newfound appreciation for the most in-demand console right now.
Split Fiction & other Switch 2 games
Sticking with Switch 2 catalogues, there's also a generous list of more than 24 third-party heavy hitters to play on your new console, ranging from Hogwarts Legacy to Fortnite, Civ VII to Cyberpunk 2077, and more. The list is expected to grow as more developers invest in the new console.
Since release, I've tried my hand at the recently released Split Fiction, a mesmerising co-op game that has already been greenlit for a movie adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney. The game looks, feels, and plays as beautifully on the Switch 2 as I remember it on other consoles, but with the unique Joy-Cons to factor in, as well as the added portability.
In the game, you play as Mio and Zoe, two aspiring writers who visit Rader Publishing to try out their new, revolutionary simulation technology. However, while they might initially believe the publisher is there to help bring their ideas to life, the company, of course, has ulterior motives at hand.
Throughout the game, you and a friend will explore both Mio's and Zoe's creations and stories on a split screen. And it is an utter joy to play through, where every level promises to be more inventive and inspiring than the last. A multitude of side stories and innovative gameplay mechanics tap directly into the tactile nature and cooperative strength that the Switch 2 aims to deliver.
Check the trailer out, and if there's even the slightest interest in what you see, you and a friend have found yourself a compelling Switch 2 game that won't disappoint. For other 3rd party Switch 2 game options, check out Nintendo's growing list here.
Split Fiction is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Fantasy Life i is a new life sim game with action-adventure mechanics, where players are given total control over how they shape the world around them. Think of it as the new-age Animal Crossing, with elements of Stardew Valley and The Legend of Zelda thrown in for good measure.
This is a game of your own making, as you'll be able to switch freely between 14 available jobs, each one offering unique gameplay. Jobs range from the likes of fishing and mining, and you'll feel the sting of déjà vu; isn't this a game we've all played before? But then, the game throws a multitude of surprises your way that you wouldn't necessarily pair with cosy life sims.
These include an RPG levelling and zany combat against monsters in a vibrant, open world. Throw in minigames, quests, customising your own camp and surroundings, as well as couch co-op and 4-player multiplayer, and this game can easily command your free time this summer. With enough updates and support, it may have enough sticking power to take over where Animal Crossing left off.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and PC
Elden Ring Nightreign
Fancy an action-role-playing game with serious grit? Want to play with friends in short but demanding 40-minute bursts? Selling over 3.5 million copies in just five days, Elden Ring Nightreign is one of the biggest hits of 2025 thus far and is available on a multitude of platforms right now.
The game is a spin-off of sorts to Elden Ring, taking place in an alternate version of the Lands Between. As such, it preserves many of the mechanics, gameplay elements, and assets you know and love from the series, but with a new twist.
While you can technically play the game solo, the harsh difficulty and setup of Nightreign mean there is an unmistakable focus on cooperative gameplay. You'll pretty much have to team up with other players to have any hope of surviving the challenges thrown at you.
As a roguelike, the game cycle takes place over three in-game days, the majority of which is spent farming new gear and exploring a slowly shrinking map. Think Fortnite, but with hostile monsters and more demanding combat. Maps are procedurally generated, meaning new attempts do feel unique, though there's always that balance between exploring new zones and scrambling for gear for the upcoming bosses while you still have the time.
To date, you can pick between eight classes, each with unique strengths, abilities and more. To maximise your success and enjoy Nightreign to the fullest, it's best to synergise with your two compatriots and pick classes that balance each other. As such, being on comms with them can be your biggest asset.
After each run, players are rewarded with passive buffs that can help set up future runs, so there is a (slight) feeling of progression against the enormous difficulty. The game has an expansive library of weapons and setups to experiment with, all stemming from the world of Elden Ring. Expect this to grow in size and appeal as new updates, classes, and surprises are released in the future.
