Weekend gaming plans can be surprisingly emotional — especially when a flood of new releases is just around the corner and you’re trying to squeeze every last drop of fun out of your current backlog. And this is the part most people miss: half the excitement isn’t just what you’re playing, but how you’re planning to spend that precious free time.
Weekend gaming check-in
The end of November has crept up again (how does it always happen so fast?), so instead of thinking too hard about the relentless march of time, let’s focus on something much more fun: what everyone is planning to play this weekend.
It has been a relatively calm few days in the world of Nintendo, but there were still plenty of interesting updates and announcements to keep things lively and give players more reasons to jump back in.
This week in Nintendo
Nintendo made a notable business move by bringing Bandai Namco Studios Singapore under its wing as a subsidiary, a shift that could quietly shape future first-party projects and collaborations. A fresh content update for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment also dropped, adding new quests, weapons, and battles to keep fans of large-scale Zelda-themed skirmishes busy for a while longer.
On top of that, four additional games have been added to the Nintendo Switch Online NES and Game Boy libraries, expanding the selection for retro enthusiasts, and the Switch 2 received a new system update, complete with a fresh batch of patch notes for those who love digging into technical tweaks.
New reviews to check out
If you are more of a review-reader than a patch-note explorer, this week also delivered full write-ups for several notable titles. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition landed with all its adventuring and puzzle-solving, while Glory Hunters brought Game Boy-style charm and questing for fans of retro-styled experiences.
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted arrived to reintroduce its quirky strategy action to a new generation, and Morsels made an appearance on the Switch eShop with its own flavor of gameplay for those looking for something a bit different.
Jim’s pre–release rush
For staff writer Jim Norman, this weekend feels like the calm before the storm — the last quiet stretch before a wave of major game releases hits. That is why he is set on finishing Clair Obscur and squeezing in another run or two of Absolum, the same two games he has been returning to weekend after weekend, with absolutely no intention of apologizing for the repetition.
He is already nervously eyeing a long list of titles he wants to pick up over the next week, so there is a real effort to enjoy having a little spare cash while it lasts… even though a tempting Black Friday deal on Star Wars Outlaws is making that self-control significantly harder to maintain.
Ollie’s sci-fi and classics mix
Staff writer Ollie Reynolds is hoping to carve out some time for Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster, a game that has really caught his eye and looks incredibly stylish in motion. If the weekend schedule cooperates, he also plans a quick return to Metroid Prime Remastered to get in the mood before the long-awaited fourth entry in the series finally arrives.
In other words, his weekend looks like a blend of revisiting a modern classic and sampling a remaster that oozes cool factor — a pretty ideal mix for anyone who loves both nostalgia and new spins on older titles.
Gonçalo’s convention high (and crash)
Contributor Gonçalo Lopes had a big gaming weekend recently at the 10th edition of Lisboa Games Week, one of Portugal’s standout video game events. It is the kind of show where you can reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and get hands-on time with upcoming heavy-hitters before they land on store shelves.
Nintendo dominated the entrance area with its largest-ever Switch 2 display space, drenched in that unmistakable red branding, making it impossible to miss. Among the highlights, Gonçalo managed to spend time with demo builds of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, both running smoothly and hinting at promising Switch 2 performances.
Metroid hype and post-con blues
The main reason Gonçalo left the house, though, was the chance to go hands-on with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and he describes himself as smiling the entire time he played. The last mainline Metroid Prime entry came out back in 2007, and he points out how much he has changed as a person since then — which makes returning to this series now feel especially meaningful.
With the new game’s release just around the corner, he is clearing out his schedule to devote next week almost entirely to Samus Aran adventures, even as he deals with a serious case of post-convention blues and mentally keeps drifting back to the show floor.
Yakuza, dragons, and impossible goals
Gonçalo’s current game of the week is Yakuza Kiwami 2, which he knows he almost certainly will not finish before the next wave of obligations arrives. That does not bother him much, though, because the real draw is spending time on the streets of Kamurochō, dealing with every street thug foolish enough to give him a sideways look.
In his words, betting on the Dragon of Dojima is always a wise move, and if you metaphorically put your money on him, you will never end up poor — at least in terms of over-the-top action and dramatic encounters.
Kate’s holiday juggling act
Contributor Kate Gray is heading into full HOLIDAY TIME mode, which means her gaming window is getting squeezed by seasonal chaos. Her weekend lineup includes a Christmas party, a festive craft market, a full plan for decorating the house, and even a Dungeons & Dragons session that, for once, is not Christmas-themed.
Despite the busy schedule, she managed to snag Outer Worlds 2 in the latest Steam Sale, just as she mentioned she would the week before. Now the question is whether she can carve out even a little time between all the Christmas prep to actually start it, or if it will become the classic “bought it now, play it later” backlog entry.
Gavin’s museum audit and retro dips
Editor Gavin Lane is still deep into Shinobi and enjoying every minute, but the upcoming Animal Crossing update has sent him back to check on the state of his in-game museum. He has completely finished the bugs, fossils, and fish collections, but his art gallery is lagging behind at roughly one-fifth complete, which is now motivating him to visit Redd on Harv’s Island more often.
Beyond that, he is spending some time with the Namco DLC for Atari 50, revisiting classic titles packaged in a modern format. His kids have also become curious about Katamari Damacy, so a return to Katamari Damacy Reroll might be on the horizon — a perfect excuse to roll up everything in sight once more.
Your turn: what are you playing?
That is the lineup for this team’s weekend, but the much bigger question is: what about you? Which games are you planning to dive into over the next couple of days, and are you trying to clear old titles before the next big wave of releases hits, or just happily bouncing between favorites?
Do you think it makes sense to stick with the same comfort games week after week like Jim, or should weekends be for experimenting with something new and unexpected? Share your plans, your hot takes, and even your unpopular opinions in the comments — and if you strongly agree or disagree with any of these weekend choices, do not hold back.
About Jim Norman
Jim joined Nintendo Life in 2022 and has been contributing news and feature articles ever since. He is known for his firm belief that The Minish Cap is the pinnacle of the Zelda series and for his unapologetic affection for the Star Wars prequel trilogy — opinions that some fans passionately share and others strongly contest.
Whether or not you agree with his tastes, his enthusiasm for games and playful debates about them help shape the site’s personality, and his work continues to fuel discussions across the Nintendo Life community.
