Constance
News, coverage and analysis tracking Constance across the outlets.
Something for the Weekend – 20/06/26This week's gaming news highlights a turbulent period for Xbox, with reports of layoffs at Zenimax and uncertainty surrounding game studios. Grand Theft Auto VI preorders are set to go live on June 25th, while Unreal Engine 6 is integrating generative AI tools. Several games received reviews, including The Adventures of Elliot and Constance, and previews for Control Resonant and Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush were also featured.
Constance ReviewConstance, a 2D metroidvania originally released on PC in 2025, is now available on consoles. The game features smooth traversal, challenging platforming, and visceral combat against robotic foes, all set within unique, hand-drawn environments. While praised for its difficulty and art style, the game's demanding nature may lead to player burnout, with limited accessibility options.
Acclaimed Metroidvania Constance Announced For Nintendo Switch 2The hand-drawn metroidvania game Constance is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with performance and resolution improvements, including a free upgrade for existing owners. Players control a paintbrush-wielding artist exploring inner-world biomes, utilizing unique brush techniques and unlocking new abilities to overcome challenges and uncover the protagonist's past.
Constance getting a Nintendo Switch 2 EditionByteRockers Games, Parco Games, and Blue Backpack have announced a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Constance, a Metroidvania praised for its fluid movement and intricate world design. This new version will feature significant upgrades, including performance modes up to 120 FPS and 1440p resolution. Owners of the original Nintendo Switch version will receive a free upgrade.
Indie Game of the Month Awards May 2026 🏅Video Chums has announced its Indie Game of the Month Awards for May 2026, highlighting standout titles across various genres. Mina the Hollower was named the overall top indie game of the month and is a strong contender for game of the year, praised for its intricate world and rewarding exploration.
Mina the Hollower tunnels into our hearts! Pure Nintendo Podcast E164The Pure Nintendo Podcast episode 164 covers Yacht Club Games' Mina the Hollower, upcoming Switch 2 announcements including Dragon Quest XI S and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Donkey Kong 64's arrival on Switch Online. The hosts also discuss demos for The Adventures of Elliot and Pictonico, physical releases, and local gaming events in Brisbane.
Review: Constance (Nintendo Switch)Constance is a highly recommended action-adventure title for the Nintendo Switch, drawing inspiration from the Metroidvania sub-genre. Developed by Blue Backpack, the game features a hand-drawn aesthetic, fluid combat, and engaging exploration, though its challenging platforming and boss encounters may not appeal to all players. Despite some eccentricities in pacing and difficulty spikes, the game offers a rewarding experience with significant content for completionists.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd May)Several Nintendo Life staff members share their weekend gaming plans, including titles like Indiana Jones, Tales of Arise, and Mario Kart World. The article also touches on new mobile game announcements, trading card game scalping issues, and performance boosts on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Indiana Jones whips onto the Switch 2! Pure Nintendo Podcast E162The Pure Nintendo Podcast discusses Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, highlighting its voice acting, graphics, puzzles, and locales. The episode also covers news including a Zelda movie update, Virtual Boy games on Switch Online, and other upcoming titles like Moss and Yoshi. The hosts also mention sales figures for Tomodachi Life and games they are currently playing.- Console Games Grab Bag: Paint, Pillage, and Persevere 👩🎨This article provides reviews for six indie games across Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. Constance and Foreign Sun are praised as Metroidvanias, Bandit Trap offers chaotic 1-vs-3 multiplayer, The Spell Brigade is a strategic Survivors-like with seamless multiplayer, Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship blends Survivors-like gameplay with management, and OBLITACRATER is a score-attack game with a unique upgrade system but messy visuals.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 16, 2026 – Tomodachi Life on a strong runThe Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 16, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. Several other popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also feature prominently in the all-games list, while download-only games like Pokemon FireRed and Nine Sols are highlighted.
Constance Review | TheXboxHubConstance is a Metroidvania platformer that uses its "Paint Dive" mechanic and a risk-reward system with its Paint Meter to create engaging gameplay. The game features a compelling narrative with themes of mental health and depression, presented with vibrant 2D art and a stellar soundtrack. It offers a fulfilling gameplay loop with secrets to discover and challenging boss fights, running smoothly at 4K 60FPS on Xbox Series X.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (9th May)Several Nintendo editors and contributors share their weekend gaming plans, which include titles like Tomodachi Life, Pragmata, Pentiment, and various Metroidvanias. There's also excitement for upcoming releases such as a Star Fox reimagining and a new Mina the Hollower release date.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 9, 2026 – Tomodachi Life holds off Smash Bros. againThe latest Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 9, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot, fending off competition from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Wax Heads made its debut in the download-only top ten.
Nintendo Download – May 7, 2026 (Europe)Nintendo has released its latest European download list for the week of May 7, 2026. The update includes a variety of new titles for the Nintendo Switch, such as Blood: Refreshed Supply, This is Fine: Maximum Cope, and Kill It With Fire 2.- Acclaimed Artistic Metroidvania Constance Out Now On Switch, PlayStation & XboxThe acclaimed 2D hand-drawn metroidvania game Constance is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Blue Backpack and co-published by ByteRockers’ Games and PARCO GAMES, the title features flow-state gameplay where players control a paintbrush-wielding artist. Constance has received praise for its genre contributions and comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight and Celeste.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd May)Several Nintendo staff members shared their weekend gaming plans, including playing demos for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Call of the Elder Gods. Other titles mentioned include Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Pentiment, Blasphemous II, and Alien: Isolation. The article also notes the ongoing Golden Week holiday in Japan and a Pokémon YouTube channel's closure due to copyright strikes.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 2, 2026 – nothing is stopping Tomodachi Life: Living the DreamThe Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 2, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. New download-only titles like Elementallis and Monster Crown: Sin Eater also made appearances in the top 30.
Constance launch trailer – hand-drawn action adventure game released on Nintendo SwitchThe hand-drawn action-adventure game Constance has been released on Nintendo Switch. Developed by BTF and Blue Backpack, the game features a paintbrush-wielding artist escaping a decaying inner-world. Players can utilize paint-based mechanics, unlock brush techniques, explore a non-linear world, and make choices upon death.- Evening ConsolidationThe launch trailer for the game Constance has been released for the Nintendo Switch.