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| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate arrives on Nintendo Switch 2. |
By Jon Scarr
This week’s Nintendo Download brings together a mix of replay-friendly games, classic Nintendo 64 additions, and a handful of updates worth checking out before the holiday rush really kicks in. There’s a noticeable focus on games built around replayability, alongside a couple of familiar names returning through Nintendo Switch Online.
The Rogue Prince of Persia and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate both arrive with roguelike structure at their core, built around learning enemy patterns and adjusting how you play over time. Nintendo Switch Online adds Rayman 2 and Tonic Trouble to its Nintendo 64 lineup, while Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment both get new reasons to jump back in. When you add in a Nintendo Music update and a fresh batch of eShop releases, it ends up being another busy week.
Here is everything new in this week's Nintendo Download.
Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
The Rogue Prince of Persia
The Rogue Prince of Persia arrives this week on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It is built around fast movement and responsive combat, pairing acrobatic platforming with a roguelike structure that encourages experimentation. Each attempt pushes you to refine how you move and fight, slowly shaping your approach over time. It is available now.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Splintered Fate brings the Turtles back with a roguelike setup designed specifically for Nintendo Switch 2. You can play as all four Turtles, each with their own strengths, while pushing through randomized power-ups, room layouts, and boss modifiers. Co-op support makes this one easy to picture as a regular group game, especially if you like sessions that rarely play out the same way twice. It is available now.
Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics
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| Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble join the Nintendo 64 catalog for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. |
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Rayman 2 joins Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack this week. Originally released in 1999, the 3D platformer still stands out for its movement and variety. Running, gliding, swinging, and fighting your way through wide environments remains satisfying, especially if you missed it the first time around. It is available now for Expansion Pack members.
Tonic Trouble
Tonic Trouble also arrives on Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack. You play as Ed, an alien sent to Earth to retrieve a mysterious can of Tonic after it causes bizarre mutations. The game mixes platforming, puzzles, and odd humour, making it a good fit for anyone interested in digging into a more offbeat Nintendo 64 title. It is available now.
Nintendo Music Updates
Tracks in the Palm of Your Hand
The Super Mario Land soundtrack is now available in the Nintendo Music app. It pulls tracks straight from Mario’s original Game Boy adventure in Sarasaland, including music like “Birabuto Kingdom BGM,” “Princess Daisy Rescued?” and “Tatanga the Mysterious Spaceman.” It is a small but nostalgic addition that works well if you like having something light playing in the background.
Activities and Updates
Kirby Air Riders: Race to the Finish Event
A new online event is now live in Kirby Air Riders on Nintendo Switch 2. The Race to the Finish event focuses on race-type Stadium challenges, encouraging speed-focused machine choices and powering up your top speed. Nintendo Switch Online members can earn in-game rewards like street names, stickers, and themes to customize your license, plus a Holiday Cap headwear reward. The event runs from Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. PT until Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. PT.
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| The Kirby Air Riders “Race to the Finish!” online event challenges racers to focus on speed and compete in Stadium events on Nintendo Switch 2. |
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Free Update 2
A new free update is now available for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on Nintendo Switch 2. After completing the main story, you can replay select battles to face stronger enemies, including Phantom Ganon. The update also adds additional Unique Skills for the Mysterious Construct and unlocks Forbidden Difficulty for those looking for a bigger challenge and increased rewards.
Nintendo eShop Sales
Nintendo has refreshed its weekly sales lineup across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. You can browse the full list of current deals directly on Nintendo’s website.
Also New on Nintendo eShop
Nintendo Switch 2
- A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Cast n Chill – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Factorio – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Available Dec. 22)
- System Shock
Nintendo Switch
- Asphalt Champions (Available Dec. 22)
- Auto Sport Racing Simulator (Available Dec. 19)
- Battle Pixel
- Big Trouble in Little Chimney (Available Dec. 19)
- Cat Girl Survivor (Available Dec. 22)
- CloverPit Gamble (Available Dec. 23)
- Clutchtime: Basketball Deckbuilder
- Cosmic Arcade Tycoon (Available Dec. 19)
- Crowded Mysteries 2: Winter Romance (Available Dec. 23)
- Cup Heroes (Available Dec. 19)
- Demonspire
- Dive Expedition (Available Dec. 20)
- EGGCONSOLE YUUREIKUN MSX2
- Electronics Puzzle Lab 1 & 2 Collection (Available Dec. 23)
- Escape game R00M08
- Hidden Cats on Christmas (Available Dec. 24)
- LuminousStoria
- Monsters in Cards (Available Dec. 20)
- Nordic Ashes: The Complete Saga (Available Dec. 19)
- Oppidum
- Raptor Evolution (Available Dec. 20)
- Sheepy: A Short Adventure (Available Dec. 24)
- Sports Challenge: 65 Games Edition
- Super Ultimate Fighters X
- The Days Without Gods
- Timore 6: The Cadaver
- Unholy Adventure: Mystery (Available Dec. 22)
- What is Older?
- Woodle Tree Bundle (Available Dec. 24)
- Zumba – Dragon’s Marble Trial
Wrapping Up This Week’s Nintendo Download
This week’s lineup offers a good balance between games built for replayability and familiar classics worth revisiting. The Rogue Prince of Persia and Splintered Fate both look like good picks if you want something that rewards learning and experimentation over time, while Rayman 2 and Tonic Trouble bring a dose of Nintendo 64 nostalgia.
The Kirby Air Riders event and the latest Hyrule Warriors update give active players something new to focus on this week, especially if those games are already part of your regular rotation. As always, something here is likely to grab your attention once you start browsing. What are you planning to download first?