Latest Reviews of MAGES Games
Smells like teen...MURDER?!
Has there ever been a horror movie that's used elevator music successfully as its entire soundtrack? We mean a reasonably good one. Any suggestions? It almost seems there may be something tonally mismatched about the idea — unless you're going for comedy — and, honestly, when playing Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom...
Review ANONYMOUS;CODE (Switch) - A Spellbinding Sci-Fi Visual Novel In A Flashy Package
A game worth saving (and loading)
For much of the time that Science Adventure fans have known of its existence, Anonymous;Code has been more of a waiting game than, well, an actual game. First announced all the way back in 2016, this sci-fi-heavy visual novel was smacked with delay after delay until it finally saw a Japanese-exclusive release on...
Review Chaos;Head Noah (Switch) - A Great Localisation Of The First 'Science Adventure' VN
Dive into the delusions of the ultimate otaku
There are two ways that life goes for visual novel protagonists. Either they wake up in a world where all their classmates are beautiful anime girls who want to jump their bones, or they find themselves in a twisted supernatural murder mystery. Unfortunately for Takumi Nishijou, the protagonist of...
Hestia still bestia?
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? - Infinite Combate is a video game adaptation of the popular Japanese light novel, manga and anime series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, also known as 'Danjon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka', or 'DanMachi' for short to Eastern and Western fans...
Mini Review STEINS;GATE: My Darling's Embrace (Switch) - A Typical Dating Sim With Series Trimmings
Just another Switch Dating Sim?
The Steins;Gate series is famous for several things: having a time-bending narrative, a dark world and engaging characters presented in a non-linear traditional visual novel format. It’s safe to say that it's a far cry from the deluge of other visual novels present on the Nintendo eShop, so is Steins;Gate: My...
Mini Review STEINS;GATE 0 (Switch) - A Classy Follow-Up For Veterans Of The Original Visual Novel
A timey-wimey sequel
Let’s not beat around the bush, Steins;Gate is a very well acclaimed visual novel, and this follow-up, Steins;Gate 0 is a worthy entry into the main series. Adopting the same format, world and style as the original Steins;Gate, those looking for a lengthy time-twisting visual novel will not be disappointed. The story takes...
Revisiting a visual novel trendsetter
Yu-No: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World might not be a catchy title for a Japanese visual novel, but this remake of the beloved PC-98 classic is an important watershed for the genre as a whole. Originally released in 1996, Yu-No tells the tale of Takuya, revealing the nature of his father’s...
Review Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive (Switch eShop)
A modern brawler
As much of a blast as old school beat em’ up video games like Streets of Rage, Double Dragon and the River City Ransom series are to play, new titles under this same banner often fail to modernise the classic genre – instead choosing to rely purely on nostalgia to fuel the fun. Although this is very much a design choice, it...
Latest MAGES Articles
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club?
A score to die for?
Have you spent your weekend solving the mystery of Emio? Well, if you have, then we want to know what you think of the brand new Famicom Detective Club title, Emio -The Smiling Man. No one expected a sequel 30+ years after the original, but then again, no one expected the 2021 remakes. We love it when Nintendo gets...
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
Time to hide that smile?
Emio - The Smiling Man officially releases tomorrow, 29th August 2024. Developed by MAGES. and Nintendo, the surprise horror murder-mystery sequel was only announced weeks ago, and we're already getting ready to step back into the Famicom Detective Club. Die-hard fans of the original Famicom Detective Club games — either...
News 'Bullet Soul' Shmup Duo Get Short Delay On Switch, Still Releasing Fall
Update: Now launching a few weeks later
Update [Wed 24th Aug, 2022 10:30 BST]: Bullet Soul and Bullet Soul: Infinite Burst are getting a slight delay on Switch, MAGES. has announced on Twitter. This pair of shmups will now be releasing a few weeks later worldwide on Switch — on 29th September as opposed to 9th September in the west (and 22nd in...
News Chaos;Head Noah And Chaos;Child Double Pack Heading To Switch This October
Update: Pre-orders now open
Update [Fri 11th Mar, 2022 13:30 GMT]: It's official! Spike Chunsoft has now confirmed that the Chaos;Head Noah / Chaos;Child Double Pack will be launching on 7th October. Pre-orders are also now open for the Standard and Steelbook Launch Editions. You can also check out the official website to see what's in store...
Exclusive Phantom Breaker: Omnia Gameplay Footage Showcases Fight Between Itsuki And Ria
Choose your character
There are a lot of big releases next year, but the biggest release of all might be YOUR FIST in SOMEONE'S FACE. Not in real life, please — Nintendo Life does not condone violence unless it's in fighting games — but in Phantom Breaker: Omnia, which we've got some lovely exclusive footage of right here. Or, well, up there...
News English Famicom Detective Club Trailer Drops Ahead Of The May Release
It's been more than 30 years since their initial launch
Fair warning: don't watch this trailer if you want to play Famicom Detective Club blind, as it does reveal some of the story! The story of Famicom Detective Club is a wild one: released only in Japan over thirty years ago, the series is popular enough in Japan that Nintendo wanted to add Ayumi...
Video After 30 Years, We've Finally Played Famicom Detective Club on Switch
The Girl Who Stands Behind and The Missing Heir walk into a club...
The Famicom Detective Club series is a cherished franchise in Japan. These murder-mystery visual novels began life on the Famicom all the way back in 1988 and garnered success with critics and adventure fans alike. Two entries were released on the Famicom in the form of Famicom...
News PQube Is Releasing A Totally Free "DanMachi" Shmup On The Switch eShop
Update: Now coming "after Christmas"
Update: It looks like the game is being delayed until after Christmas: Original Story [Fri 27th Nov, 2020 11:15 GMT]: Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? - Infinite Combate has to rank as one of the silliest names for a video game ever, but the RPG – which is based on Danjon ni Deai o Motomeru...
News Spike Chunsoft Is Bringing PixelJunk Monsters 2 And Steins;Gate Elite To Switch This Year
2018 is shaping up nicely
Spike Chunsoft has revealed that it is brining two new games to the Switch this year. First up is Q-Games' PixelJunk Monsters 2, a tower defence classic which is also coming to PS4 and Steam. It launches on May 25th in North America and Europe, with a price tag of $14.99 in the former region. The next title is...
News Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive Heads To Switch Early Next Month
Put 'em up
Side-scrolling fighter Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive has been confirmed for Switch release early next month. Due for launch worldwide on December 7th, Phantom Breaker has four playable characters and showcases moves like burst gauges, dodges and guard breaks. You'll be able to level-up your character as you progress...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club?
A score to die for?
Have you spent your weekend solving the mystery of Emio? Well, if you have, then we want to know what you think of the brand new Famicom Detective Club title, Emio -The Smiling Man. No one expected a sequel 30+ years after the original, but then again, no one expected the 2021 remakes. We love it when Nintendo gets...
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
Time to hide that smile?
Emio - The Smiling Man officially releases tomorrow, 29th August 2024. Developed by MAGES. and Nintendo, the surprise horror murder-mystery sequel was only announced weeks ago, and we're already getting ready to step back into the Famicom Detective Club. Die-hard fans of the original Famicom Detective Club games — either...
News 'Bullet Soul' Shmup Duo Get Short Delay On Switch, Still Releasing Fall
Update: Now launching a few weeks later
Update [Wed 24th Aug, 2022 10:30 BST]: Bullet Soul and Bullet Soul: Infinite Burst are getting a slight delay on Switch, MAGES. has announced on Twitter. This pair of shmups will now be releasing a few weeks later worldwide on Switch — on 29th September as opposed to 9th September in the west (and 22nd in...
News Chaos;Head Noah And Chaos;Child Double Pack Heading To Switch This October
Update: Pre-orders now open
Update [Fri 11th Mar, 2022 13:30 GMT]: It's official! Spike Chunsoft has now confirmed that the Chaos;Head Noah / Chaos;Child Double Pack will be launching on 7th October. Pre-orders are also now open for the Standard and Steelbook Launch Editions. You can also check out the official website to see what's in store...
Exclusive Phantom Breaker: Omnia Gameplay Footage Showcases Fight Between Itsuki And Ria
Choose your character
There are a lot of big releases next year, but the biggest release of all might be YOUR FIST in SOMEONE'S FACE. Not in real life, please — Nintendo Life does not condone violence unless it's in fighting games — but in Phantom Breaker: Omnia, which we've got some lovely exclusive footage of right here. Or, well, up there...
News English Famicom Detective Club Trailer Drops Ahead Of The May Release
It's been more than 30 years since their initial launch
Fair warning: don't watch this trailer if you want to play Famicom Detective Club blind, as it does reveal some of the story! The story of Famicom Detective Club is a wild one: released only in Japan over thirty years ago, the series is popular enough in Japan that Nintendo wanted to add Ayumi...
Video After 30 Years, We've Finally Played Famicom Detective Club on Switch
The Girl Who Stands Behind and The Missing Heir walk into a club...
The Famicom Detective Club series is a cherished franchise in Japan. These murder-mystery visual novels began life on the Famicom all the way back in 1988 and garnered success with critics and adventure fans alike. Two entries were released on the Famicom in the form of Famicom...
News PQube Is Releasing A Totally Free "DanMachi" Shmup On The Switch eShop
Update: Now coming "after Christmas"
Update: It looks like the game is being delayed until after Christmas: Original Story [Fri 27th Nov, 2020 11:15 GMT]: Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? - Infinite Combate has to rank as one of the silliest names for a video game ever, but the RPG – which is based on Danjon ni Deai o Motomeru...
News Spike Chunsoft Is Bringing PixelJunk Monsters 2 And Steins;Gate Elite To Switch This Year
2018 is shaping up nicely
Spike Chunsoft has revealed that it is brining two new games to the Switch this year. First up is Q-Games' PixelJunk Monsters 2, a tower defence classic which is also coming to PS4 and Steam. It launches on May 25th in North America and Europe, with a price tag of $14.99 in the former region. The next title is...
News Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive Heads To Switch Early Next Month
Put 'em up
Side-scrolling fighter Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive has been confirmed for Switch release early next month. Due for launch worldwide on December 7th, Phantom Breaker has four playable characters and showcases moves like burst gauges, dodges and guard breaks. You'll be able to level-up your character as you progress...