Wondering what the Pure Nintendo team has been playing lately? If you’re looking for gaming inspiration, look no further, as we delve into our playlist of Nintendo titles that are stealing our free time this week.

Unsurprisingly, we’ve been playing a lot of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with Pokémon Snap also making an appearance. The Legend of Zelda, Metroid Dread, and LEGO games are other classic playlist highlights this week, amongst recently released games we’ve been reviewing.

The retro love is also strong this week, with a lot of Earthbound action from the Switch SNES online collection. Meanwhile, Infernax is a new adventure game that wears its retro inspiration clearly on its sleeve.

If you’re looking for a game to play this week, there’s bound to be something in our playlist for you. So, what are we waiting for – let’s check out the games keeping us busy lately.

And don’t forget to let us know what you’re playing at the moment!

Pure Nintendo playlist

Roger

  • Earthbound (SNES – Nintendo Switch online) – Influenced by members of the PN staff, I have decided that I should really play Earthbound. This is my first time playing the game. Yes, I know I probably should turn in my “Nintendo Fan” badge because of it. I’m looking forward to playing more of this game.
  • Splotches (Switch) – I’ve also been playing the puzzle game Splotches. While it’s not really my “cup of tea” I can see how this game could be appealing to a younger audience.

Ted

  • Color Zen (Switch) – I recently upgraded to an OLED and scoured the eShop for anything that would show off more vivid screen, and this did just that and more! I spent way too long tapping away on these colourful puzzles in a pitch-black room (the ideal way to play Switch OLED handheld. Playing this had me thinking, we need more games that utilise the switch’s touch screen!
  • 35MM (Switch) – I played through this most of the weekend to review with PN. Uh, yeah. Maybe give this one a miss, or pick it up on a sale if you want to give it a go!
  • Arcade Archives DONKEY KONG (Switch) – I’m a sucker for some classic Donkey Kong; the Game Boy version is my personal favourite. Don’t ask me why, but there is something about playing this handheld in vertical mode that makes it so special. Incredibly challenging (for me), but special.

Trev

  • Metroid Dread (Switch) – Bring on Rookie Mode! Though I’m bummed I can’t apply it to my eisting (nearly finished) save file, it gives me an excuse to replay the game.
  • Rover Mechanic Simulator (Switch) – I’m finalizing my review of this simulation, so keep an eye out for it in the next few days. Spoiler…it’s sort of middle of the road for the genre.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U) – I was a bit under the weather this weekend, so I decided to dive back into this game for the first time in five years. The sheer length means it’ll probably show up on my next playlist also.

Kaelyn

  • Earthbound (SNES – Nintendo Switch online) – I beat Earthbound again. I love this game so much. It’s silly and weird and challeging. There are so many memorable characters and moments. It’s funny because I’ve beat the game more than once but I almost always skip the 2nd Sanctuary location until I get to the end and realize I need it XD
  • Animal Crossing (Switch) – I’m waiting for a few games to be released so I needed something to kill time until then. I haven’t played in almost nine months. Seems like the island survived pretty well without me. As I roamed around looking for things to do, I realized I had done everything, and I was bored. So I started flattening my island and moving houses and stores around. I think it’s time for an island upgrade! I can’t wait to start building it up again!

Cody

  • Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch) – I beat the game the other week, but the new update with the Mass Outbreaks has been a lot of fun. There have been a lot more shines than I’m used to, and it’s helping me complete Alphadex.
  • Pokémon Snap (Switch) – After beating Legend Arceus I’ve been on a Pokémon kick and am trying to get a 4-star photo of everyone Pokémon in the game. The two DLC levels are a lot of fun and more challenging than the original ones.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) – I beat the game years ago, but my wife and I are on a quest to get every Korok seed in the game (all 900 of them!) It’s also still fun to roam around on Master Cycle through the Great Plateau. Hopefully, we get an update on the sequel soon.

Jemma

  • Infernax (Switch) – I really enjoyed this retro-inspired action-platfomer, which is like an ode to the 8-bit era. It’s tough but fair with a great leveling up system.
  • LEGO DC Super-Villains (Switch) – We’ve been replaying this over the last few days, one of my favorite LEGO games actually, after LEGO City Undercover. It’s so fun running around as the likes of the Joker and Harley Quinn. And of course I love collecting copious amounts of studs to unlock as many characters as possible.
  • Earthbound (SNES – Nintendo Switch Online) – We’ve been talking about this a lot within the team lately. What a classic title! This just oozes ’90s vibes, with great graphics, sound, and of course a quirky cast of characters dealing with a time-based alien invasion. It literally has everything you need in a great game.