Nintendo Switch eShop Update: Yooka-Laylee, Poly Bridge, and More Headline a Packed Week of Releases

Nintendo Switch eShop Update: Yooka-Laylee, Poly Bridge, and More Headline a Packed Week of Releases This week’s European Nintendo Download Update has landed on the Nintendo eShop, ushering in a robust selection of high-profile releases, fresh downloadable content, and enticing demo experiences for Nintendo Switch owners.

With the holiday season approaching, Nintendo and its third-party partners have loaded the digital shelves, highlighting the platform’s flexibility and commitment to serving both established hits and exciting indie projects. Leading the charge is Playtonic Games’ 'Yooka-Laylee', priced at €39.99 / £34.99.

This vibrant 3D platformer, backed by a successful Kickstarter campaign, has finally arrived on Nintendo hardware.

After receiving a mixed reception on other systems, the Switch version has been praised for its strong optimization and improvements that address feedback from the game’s original launch.

In our evaluation, 'Yooka-Laylee' for Switch impresses with its refined gameplay and technical enhancements, making it a notable addition to the system’s lineup. Fans of puzzle and engineering challenges can dive into 'Poly Bridge' from Dry Cactus Limited (€14.99 / £13.49).

This creative title offers over 100 campaign levels and a robust Sandbox mode, where players construct intricate bridges within given budgets.

The game’s intuitive design, previously enjoyed by PC and mobile audiences, transitions well to the Nintendo Switch, offering both challenge and freedom. Nicalis delivers 'The End is Nigh' (€14.99 / £13.49), a hardcore platformer crafted by Edmund McMillen.

Players guide Ash, the protagonist, across more than 600 treacherous levels in a post-apocalyptic world teeming with hazards.

Known for its demanding gameplay and collectible-rich stages, the game arrives well-suited to Switch’s portable and console hybrid nature. 'Romancing SaGa 2' by Square Enix (€19.99 / £15.99 until January 8, regularly €24.99 / £19.99) also makes its way to Western Switch owners, having originally launched exclusively in Japan in 1993 for the Super Famicom.

Fresh localization efforts have brought this revered RPG to a new generation, building on its smartphone adaptation and offering strategic depth and branching narratives. Among the impressive indie highlights is 'Mutant Mudds Collection' from Atooi (€12.99 / £10.99), bundling the critically acclaimed 'Mutant Mudds Deluxe', 'Mutant Mudds Super Challenge', and the brand-new 'Mudd Blocks' block-matching game.

The collection has been commended for its tight gameplay and generous content package. Pinball aficionados receive a double treat this week, as both 'Pinball FX3' from Zen Studios and 'Stern Pinball Arcade' by FarSight Studios debut with free-to-start models and a wealth of table packs available for purchase.

While 'Pinball FX3' emphasizes online play, multiplayer options, and robust infrastructure features, 'Stern Pinball Arcade' focuses on realistic recreations of classic tables, providing added depth for connoisseurs. The eShop also welcomes innovative experiences such as Annapurna Interactive’s 'Gorogoa', a visually arresting hand-drawn puzzle adventure; Digerati’s fast-paced 'Bleed'; retro-inspired dungeon crawlers like 'One More Dungeon' and 'Unepic'; and the educational rhythm-action title 'Hiragana Pixel Party' from Springloaded. Complementing the new releases, a wealth of downloadable content options, including various 'Rocket League' crate packs (Psyonix), 'Nights of Azure 2' add-ons (Koei Tecmo), and expanded music collections for 'Let's Sing 2018' (Koch Media), further enhance the range of entertainment available.

Demos, such as 'Max: The Curse of Brotherhood' from StageClearStudios, and fresh updates for both the New Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Virtual Console keep longtime Nintendo fans engaged across all platforms. While the full list of weekly eShop discounts is too extensive to display—over 270 titles are on offer—players can explore current deals directly on the Nintendo Switch eShop. This week’s Nintendo Download Update underscores the continued momentum of Switch’s digital platform, giving players a rich array of choices to match any gaming preference.

Nintendo Playtonic Games Dry Cactus Limited Nicalis Square Enix Atooi Zen Studios FarSight Studios Annapurna Interactive Digerati Ratalaika Games unepic fran Springloaded HAMSTER Koch Media Psyonix WayForward StageClearStudios Konami NIS America RCMADIAX Rainbow Nintendo Direct