Loop Hero was already a Game of the Year contender for me, but the ability to play it on the go makes it very difficult to keep out of the top spot. It is essentially a role-playing game management simulator, and I mean that in the best way possible. If you have not had the chance to play Loop Hero yet, do yourself a favor and pick this up on Switch as soon as possible. I promise you that you won’t regret it!

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a strong game, it’s a contender for game of the year and it’s ultimately one well worth playing. It’s a stunningly astute and whimsical take on death, life, and where we fit in all of it. The game is about Kena finding her place and helping others find there’s too. Beautiful, immersive, and dynamic, I can’t recommend this game enough.

While some of its changes are more impactful than others, most of what is on offer in the Dynasties update for Total War: Pharaoh are net positives. The additions and tweaks bring some much needed depth to the game’s campaigns and help keep things fresh on subsequent playthroughs. However, it does not address some of the core issues that longtime fans have voiced and will likely not be enough to bring them back to the Bronze Age despite it being free.

Splatoon 3 is a well-crafted game that provides a highly enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers to the franchise. While the campaign isn’t long at about 8-10 hours, it still sports a good amount of varied content with a multiplayer mode that’ll keep you engaged for hours on end.

Battlefield 6 is a giant leap forward for the franchise, returning it to the peak of online first-person shooters.

While not every game in Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is equally balanced or polished, the variety and care taken in preservation make it a standout retro bundle that’s definitely worth the price.

Stray astounds with its beautiful graphics, quirky characters, and puzzles that bring out the best and worst in a cat.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is just more Kirby. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is up to you and how much you liked the base game.

WWE 2k24‘s attempt to appeal to all of its possible audiences is an admirable goal. It is disappointing though how that effort leaves its various elements feeling either disconnected from one another or generally under-baked.

Even if roguelites or rhythm games don’t typically grab you, Fresh Tracks expertly mixes both into a form that almost doesn’t feel like either.

Whether you are a longtime Ys fan or a newcomer looking for a genuinely fantastic action RPG, you owe it to yourself to set sail with Adol and Karja.

Triangle Strategy feels like a love letter to classic tactical role-playing games in the best of ways. The story is compelling and detailed, and the characters you interact with really feel like they each matter. Artdink knocked it out of the park aesthetically as well, bringing the complex world of Norzelia to life in an incredible way. I loved every second of my time with Triangle Strategy, and I am looking forward to future playthroughs to explore the different branch options as well. If you are a fan of tactical games with an enticing story, Triangle Strategy checks off all the boxes and is an absolute must-play.

Starfield is Bethesda firing on all cylinders.

Mixtape offers a unique experience, even if it looks familiar at first. The narrative approach to memory and growing up creates a coming-of-age story that weaves through the messiness of teenage emotions. While the very small amount of gameplay can feel repetitive, the story mitigates that weakness.

Cat Quest 3 pulls off a balancing act that few games manage to. It is accessible enough for nearly anyone to jump in while being fun and engaging enough for players who prefer more mechanically dense RPGs to still have a ton of fun. It is oversaturated with personality and charm, making every minute of playing it filled with something funny, interesting, or unique.

MLB The Show 25 hits a home run by building on its past and making minor improvements that make a world of difference.

Hardspace Shipbreaker has cemented itself as one of my top three games of the year. It’s not without faults, like its superfluous room you’re forced to visit. However, the complete package is marvelous in the way it tells a powerful story mixed with chill, yet stressful gameplay.

Justant is a testament to letting environments speak for themselves instead of relying on dialogue. Don’t Nod trusts its ability as developers to create a game that relies on experience, not words and it trusts its players to understand narrative subtleties. Jusant may be simple, but its layered vision of a world is timeless.

There’s a lot to love in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. It’s the perfect game to snuggle under a blanket with a hot tea, a welcome addition to the incoming fall and beyond.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp combines two of the greatest turn-based strategy games of all time in one beautiful package.

Yakuza Kiwami & Yakuza Kiwami 2 on the Switch 2 are as excellent as ever. Both still hold up entirely, from the action to the narrative to the ridiculous side quests; each entry is fantastic in its own right.

Long-time fans of the Pokémon franchise should be very excited about the future of the Pokémon games, even if not everything in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a home run. Despite the flaws, I really enjoyed my time and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Whether you’re starting a fresh island on the Switch 2 or hopping back in on your OG Switch, it’s never been a better time to get back into the daily swing of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Mortal Kombat 1 stands out among the best in the franchise, taking some of the best elements from games past and introducing new ways to grab new players.

DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined uses modern visual and gameplay improvements to breathe new life into a classic game. It is a prime example of how to approach a remake, and there is so much to enjoy for both new and old Dragon Quest players.

KuloNiku: Bowl Up! is a delightfully cozy cooking game filled with mouthwatering recipes, fun character designs, and an intriguing, slow-burning story that unfolds at its own pace.

The whole third act will especially leave you smiling like a fool, because at its core, The Plucky Squire is good, simple fun. It presents an earnest story with enough twists, fun references, and jokes to keep you looking for more, and it inspires us all to be more than we are.

While some elements of the puppet aesthetics aren't necessarily original, and those who have played Bloodborne will see similarities, Lies of P is a gorgeously grim experience that offers difficulty and magic through immersive and dynamic gameplay with enough content baked in to make replayability a must.