Since 2010, Nintendo Insider has provided deep-dive analysis, breaking news, and honest reviews. We aren’t just reporters; we’re a team of industry veterans with over 50 years of collective experience covering the Mushroom Kingdom.
We are always on the lookout for new writers, whether that be to review the latest Nintendo eShop releases, take the time to talk to independent developers, or cover events.
If you would like to become part of the Nintendo Insider team, please contact us!
The Nintendo Insider Team
Alex Seedhouse is the editor at Nintendo Insider and has specialised in covering Nintendo within the games industry for 16 years, attending the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), gamescom, and other events to do so. He has led Nintendo Insider’s coverage through three console generations, and, as a Metacritic-approved critic, his reviews have helped shape the critical conversation for hundreds of games. Follow him for expert insights into Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and the latest games coming to the portable home console successor.
Cullen Black is an experienced reviews writer at Nintendo Insider, where he specialises in breaking down the latest Nintendo Switch games with a critical, consumer-first lens. Known for his balanced analysis and deep appreciation for RPGs, Cullen bridges the gap between his love for the genre and technical critique.
Jamie Ward is a reviews writer for Nintendo Insider, driven by an unwavering mission to see every game through to its credits – no matter how challenging (or questionable) they may be. With a “leave no stone unturned” approach to the Nintendo eShop, Jamie has built a reputation for uncovering hidden gems that others might miss. Whether he’s dissecting a massive first-party game or diving into the deepest reaches of the digital storefront, Jamie provides an honest, exhaustive perspective that helps players find their next favourite adventure.
Mikhail Madnani is a features and reviews writer for Nintendo Insider, and has been writing about games for over a decade now across publications like RPG Site, TouchArcade, Into The Spine, and more, with interviews, reviews, features, and news focusing on portable gaming devices, controllers, and coffee.
Ryan Janes is a reviews writer at Nintendo Insider with over a decade of experience covering the evolution of the Nintendo ecosystem. A specialist in hardware, peripherals, and LEGO brick-building, Ryan brings a wealth of historical context to his analysis – stretching from the SNES era to the modern day. Known for his objective reviews and deep industry knowledge, Ryan’s work provides readers with a reliable perspective on how today’s innovations stack up against Nintendo’s storied legacy.
Shaun Musgrave is a features and reviews writer for Nintendo Insider, and has been slinging words about games for various publications since 1998. He cut his gaming teeth in the arcades before getting his hands on a Commodore 64, and it’s all gone downhill since. He’ll game anywhere games can be found, even if that means playing Tetris on a keychain.
Senior Contributors
Ashton Raze is a contributor at Nintendo Insider, bringing a rare dual perspective as both an accomplished games critic and a lead narrative designer. With a career that spans high-profile journalism for The Telegraph and GameSpot, as well as lead writing credits on titles like Starbound, Ashton specialises in the intersection of storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Their reviews offer a masterclass in narrative analysis, helping readers understand not just if a game is fun, but how its story and systems work in harmony.
Chris Smith is a contributor to Nintendo Insider and describes himself as a cranky old gamer who believes his best days are behind him. His favourite Nintendo systems are the SNES, GameCube and Nintendo DS, with Super Mario World and Super Mario Galaxy among his favourite Nintendo games.
Dan Lipscombe is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a prolific author of several books on gaming culture and strategy. With over a decade of experience writing for industry giants like PC Gamer, Kotaku UK, and GamesMaster, Dan brings a sophisticated, long-form perspective to the Nintendo beat. He specialises in deep-dive features and reviews that explore the community and cultural impact of gaming, ensuring every piece he writes is backed by veteran insight and a storyteller’s touch.
Darren Palma is a contributor to Nintendo Insider who believes that a game’s art style is just as important as its frame rate. As an artist and a long-time Nintendo aficionado, Darren’s writing explores the creative heart of the industry. From the 8-bit sprites of his childhood to the sprawling vistas of modern Zelda, Darren brings a refined sense of detail to every review and feature, ensuring the Nintendo Insider community gets a deeply considered look at the games they love.
Diogo Miguel is a contributor at Nintendo Insider with an extensive background in games journalism and critical analysis. With years of experience documenting the Nintendo landscape, Diogo specialises in providing “player-first” reviews that prioritise gameplay feel and technical stability. Whether he is exploring the latest first-party epic or a hidden indie gem, his work is defined by a commitment to objective reporting and a deep understanding of what makes a Nintendo experience truly stand out.
Eden Penketh is a contributor for Nintendo Insider who believes that the best gaming experiences often come from the most unexpected places. With a long-standing history of documenting the Nintendo landscape, Eden’s reviews explore the creative heart of the Nintendo eShop’s most intriguing titles. When he isn’t uncovering the lore of a new indie favourite, he is likely exploring the latest innovations in strategy and simulation gaming.
Elizabeth Henges is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a veteran freelance journalist with credits in The Verge, Kotaku, and RPG Site. Known for her meticulous and analytical approach to game criticism, Elizabeth specialises in deep dives into complex RPG systems and technical performance analysis. Her reviews provide a high-level perspective that blends a consumer-first mindset with a profound understanding of game design, making her a trusted voice for readers seeking definitive, expert-led gaming insights.
George Foster is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a seasoned games journalist with a reputation for lightning-fast news coverage and exhaustive reviews. With years of experience across major industry outlets, George brings an analytical and high-energy approach to the Nintendo beat. Whether he’s tracking the latest Nintendo eShop trends or providing a definitive verdict on a AAA release, George’s work is defined by its clarity, speed, and deep-rooted passion for the medium. A long-time Nintendo fan, George once cried after seeing the pure majesty of Sonic the Hedgehog in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He now dials down his reactions and tries to talk about them rationally on Nintendo Insider.
James Galizio is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a recognised authority on Japanese RPGs and niche gaming. With years of experience as a lead writer at RPG Site, James brings an analytical, enthusiast-driven perspective to the Nintendo Switch’s massive library of role-playing games. Whether he is dissecting the latest Shin Megami Tensei entry or highlighting an obscure indie gem, James’s work is defined by its depth, mechanical insight, and a lifelong commitment to the JRPG genre.
Jason Coles is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a widely published journalist whose work has appeared in PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, and IGN. With a professional background covering everything from competitive shooters to tabletop gaming, Jason brings a versatile and highly analytical perspective to the Nintendo beat. He specialises in mechanical depth and indie innovation, providing readers with expert-level reviews that explore how the latest Switch titles stack up in the broader gaming landscape.
Jeremy Tyler is a contributor at Nintendo Insider, having served as a consistent and trusted voice for the site for several years. With a deep-rooted passion for the Nintendo ecosystem, Jeremy specialises in comprehensive reviews that evaluate games based on their accessibility, longevity, and pure “fun factor.” His veteran perspective allows him to see past the hype, providing readers with honest, balanced critiques that help them navigate the vast library of the Nintendo Switch.
Joe Merrick is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and the founder of Serebii.net, the world’s most trusted source for Pokémon news and data. With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism and a reputation for unparalleled accuracy, Joe brings a meticulous, data-driven perspective to his work. While globally recognised as a Pokémon expert, his deep knowledge spans the entire history of Nintendo hardware and software, offering readers a level of insight that only a true industry veteran can provide.
Jon Cartwright is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a veteran of the gaming media landscape. Widely recognised for his work with Nintendo Life, as a co-founder of Good Vibes Gaming and as a voice actor, Jon brings a wealth of video production expertise and critical insight to the team. A specialist in Nintendo’s rich history and rare hardware, Jon’s analysis is defined by a deep appreciation for the craft of game design and a commitment to positive, high-quality games journalism.
Kelsey Jackson is a contributor for Nintendo Insider who believes that the best games are the ones you can lose yourself in. From sprawling farm sims to quirky puzzle games, Kelsey’s writing explores the intersections of gameplay and relaxation. As a long-time member of the team, he brings a wealth of enthusiast knowledge to every review, helping the Nintendo Insider audience find their next favourite “comfort game” while providing a sharp, analytical look at game design and longevity.
Laura Varley is a freelance video game journalist that has an adoration for all things geeky. Her first Nintendo console was the grey Game Boy brick, which has evolved over the years into a Nintendo 3DS XL. When she’s not at a desk writing, Laura is busy catching Pokémon and trying to keep the residents of her Animal Crossing town happy.
Liam McNally is a contributor to Nintendo Insider, whose love for Nintendo began when he was given a NES and a copy of Ducktales for his fifth birthday. A fan of everything Super Mario, his favourite consoles are the N64 and Wii U with his favourite games being Super Mario Galaxy and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.
Marti Bennett is a contributor for Nintendo Insider whose journey with Pokémon began in the tall grass of the Game Boy era. Today, she serves as one of our resident Pokémon experts, focusing on the charm, storytelling, and longevity of the franchise. Marti’s reviews look beyond the stats to find the “Pokémon magic” in every title, ensuring that the Nintendo Insider community gets a deeply researched and empathetic perspective on the series that continues to define the handheld landscape.
Matt Furtado is a contributor at Nintendo Insider, where he serves as a lead voice for the site’s review and features desk. With a professional background rooted in deep-dive critical analysis, Matt specialises in the RPG and Action-Adventure genres. His work is defined by a meticulous attention to mechanical depth and technical performance, providing readers with authoritative, high-level critiques of the Switch’s most expansive titles. As a veteran of the team, he plays a key role in shaping the editorial direction and standards of Nintendo Insider’s daily coverage.
Matthew Davies is a contributor at Nintendo Insider, bringing over a decade of experience in the gaming press to the team. Having documented the Nintendo landscape since the Wii and DS eras, Matthew provides a vital historical perspective to modern reviews. He specialises in providing balanced, consumer-focused analysis, ensuring that readers get a clear understanding of a game’s value, longevity, and “fun factor.” His veteran status and deep-rooted knowledge of Nintendo’s first-party history make him a cornerstone of the site’s editorial voice.
Phil Hayton is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a prolific games journalist whose work is featured across the industry’s leading publications, including GamesRadar+, PCGamesN, and TechRadar. With a professional focus on emerging trends and technical innovation, Phil brings a global perspective to the Nintendo beat. His reviews are characterised by a sharp critical eye and a deep understanding of the broader gaming landscape, providing readers with authoritative insights into how the latest Switch titles stack up against the best in the business.
Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a contributor for Nintendo Insider who believes that the best games journalism is both informative and engaging. Bringing years of experience to the review desk, Ryan has become a trusted voice for his honest and balanced critiques. While he enjoys the spectacle of a triple-A blockbuster, he is equally at home exploring the innovative fringes of the indie scene. His deep knowledge of Nintendo’s history and his forward-looking analysis make him an invaluable asset to our daily coverage.
Simon Burr is a contributor to Nintendo Insider and a lifelong lover of all things Nintendo, who has worked on various popular gaming magazines. So enamoured with video games as a child, he used to make his own consoles out of cardboard. He invented the wireless controller long before the Wii when he ran out of string for the wires. He goes unaccredited to this day.
Tom Worthington is a contributor at Nintendo Insider and a long-standing voice in the games journalism community. With a wealth of experience documenting the evolution of Nintendo’s hardware and software, Tom brings a refined, veteran perspective to every review and feature. He specialises in deep-dive analysis of first-party titles and major industry trends, providing readers with high-level insights backed by a decade of professional expertise and a commitment to editorial excellence.
Yannis Vatis is a contributor for Nintendo Insider who believes that the best games are more than just software – they are experiences. As a veteran of the review team, Yannis brings a wealth of historical context and technical knowledge to his work. From the latest innovations in The Legend of Zelda series to the creative fringes of the indie scene, Yannis is dedicated to providing honest, balanced, and expert-led advice that the Nintendo community has come to rely on for years.
Editorial Standards & Integrity
At Nintendo Insider, our mission is to provide the Nintendo community with accurate, timely, and unbiased reporting. Every article published on our platform undergoes a rigorous internal review process to ensure factual accuracy and clarity. We pride ourselves on our independence; our editorial decisions are driven solely by our commitment to our readers and are never influenced by corporate interests, advertisers, or external partners.
We value transparency in our reporting. When covering rumours or leaks, we clearly distinguish between verified facts and industry speculation, always striving to provide necessary context. In the event of a factual error, we are committed to correcting the record promptly with a clear disclosure of the update. At Nintendo Insider, we believe that integrity is the foundation of great games journalism.
Review Policy & Ethics
Our reviews are the product of exhaustive hands-on testing and critical analysis. To provide the most comprehensive coverage, Nintendo Insider often receives early access or review copies of games and hardware from publishers and developers. However, the receipt of a review copy never guarantees a positive score or favourable coverage. Our writers are encouraged to provide honest, critical, and consumer-focused evaluations based on their professional expertise.
We strictly adhere to a “no-pay-for-play” policy. We do not accept any form of compensation, gifts, or incentives in exchange for reviews. All scores on our 1-10 scale are determined solely by the assigned reviewer and the editorial team, reflecting a fair assessment of the game’s quality at the time of review. As a recognised publication on Metacritic and OpenCritic, we uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure our audience can make informed decisions with confidence.
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