‘Minecraft’ for the Nintendo Switch gets cross-play support on June 21st

It’s been long overdue but it’s finally arriving next month. The universal Minecraft Bedrock Engine is coming to the game’s Nintendo Switch version on June 21^st. What this means is you get cross-platform play between the Switch and the PC, Xbox One, and mobile versions of the game. This was announced back at E3 last year and landed on the other platforms last September. It was initially promised for a winter release but as you can see that got pushed way back with this June release date.

This updated version of Minecraft brings with it support for Nintendo’s new online service for the Switch launching later this year. Coinciding with the update, a physical version of Minecraft for the Switch will be released for US$29.99.

Source: The Verge

New Switch update introduces tweaks to parental controls and ability to add social media friends

Nintendo has been busy updating its Switch and the latest one adds a few handy features. One is letting parents operate PIN entry using the joystick and button instead of using an on-screen keyboard and then some titles can be whitelisted for play beyond of the console’s restricted software settings. It is now also easier to add Twitter and Facebook friends who have Nintendo Accounts linked to them. The console also gets 24 new Arms and Kirby user icons. And it will start downloading games you’ve purchased on your PC or phone even if the system is asleep. Version 5.0.0 will also let the system notify you when pre-ordered games have been unlocked and it fixes an issue with the Switch hiding some older play activity data.

Source: Engadget

PayPal is now a payment option for Nintendo eShop accounts

If you own a Nintendo Switch and use the Nintendo eShop, there’s now one more payment method you can use. PayPal just announced that the option will be available in select countries (including Canada) for funding Nintendo eShop accounts and buying games and other content on the Nintendo Switch. Aside from that, it can also be used on Nintendo’s official website to add funds for buying software for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.

The other countries the PayPal payment option will be available for include: Japan, USA, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, UK, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia.

Nintendo faces lawsuit for patent infringement over the Switch's controller design

Gamevice, a third-party hardware developer, believes Nintendo is ripping off its design and infringing on its patent rights with the Switch's Joy-Con controllers. The company filed its patent infringement complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Wednesday claiming the design of the controllers are too similar to their own Wikipad and Gamevice controller. The company wants Nintendo to stop production of the Switch and to pay for damages. 

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