Star Fox 64 is an all-timer, a top ten classic that still holds up. So a remake has a pretty strong base to start with. In that sense, they hardly needed to change anything. But then, why make the game at all? I loved this game, but I also loved it back in the 90s. The new challenge mode is a welcome addition, the multiplayer is delightful, and the aesthetic has gotten a serious overhaul. But the gameplay is largely unchanged. It’s still a breezy two-hour ride to the credits once you get the hang of things. All your stored up muscle memory will graft onto this new version with zero friction. If this is your first time playing any version of Star Fox 64, this is an absolute non-optional Switch 2 purchase. Returning fans will have a great time, but be warned: this is fun but familiar territory.

Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is an incredible technical achievement. A masterclass in action, the landmark title works perfectly on the Switch 2, making this an essential purchase for those who have missed the adventure. Although this edition doesn’t include anything to intrigue returning players, there’s still no denying how flawlessly the core experience holds up, delivering the same razor‑sharp combat and stylish spectacle that cemented it as a modern classic.

All in all, River City Saga: Journey to the West is a flawed but fun experience. I wish the translation was better, but the combat is far more interesting than the narrative anyway.

Xenoblade Chronicles has a massive ton of content, including a post-game campaign previously released as DLC. If you’re a fan of action RPGs and looking for a vast adventure to dive into, it’s hard not to recommend Xenoblade Chronicles. However, if you’ve played this game with one of the previous versions, there might not be enough here to justify a replay unless you’re a huge fan. Owners of the Nintendo Switch: Definitive Edition can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for a reasonable price.

Crushed In Time is a simple point-and-click adventure pushed to its limits. While some pain is involved, there are also a lot of cool ideas born in this far-flung space. If you’re looking for a puzzle adventure with a full roster of fascinating twists, Crushed In Time might be just what you need.

I had an excellent time with Seikyu. The aesthetic is delightful, the cast is charming, and the island’s many little activities are a blast. Yes, there are some rough edges yet to be sanded off. I ran into a glitch or two. I also wish the quest system were more intuitive and required less wandering. But if you approach the game at the pace it prefers, you’ll have a great time. Anyone looking for that next Stardew-style life sim experience would be wise to pick up Tales of Seikyu.

UFC 6 is still the best game this franchise has delivered in a long time. The visuals are incredible. The physics engine brings wild unpredictability that’s both gruesome and hilarious. And the soundtrack alone elevates the experience above the rest. The career mode is a missed opportunity and the customization tools need serious attention — but as a complete package, UFC 6 lands more than it misses. Sometimes a clear step forward is exactly what a franchise needs.

NBA The Run is a fast and fun take on the sport, capturing the arcade energy of its influences. While it shines on the court, the lack of content holds the package back. With no single‑player option, the only way to improve is by heading online and competing against others. The on‑court action may be a slam dunk, but off the court, it throws an airball, missing a major opportunity to broaden its appeal.

The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time is a wonderfully clever puzzle game. It masquerades as a JRPG, before becoming something much stranger. Anyone who’s a fan of Inscryption, or other fourth wall-breaking classics like Undertale, and Doki Doki Literature Club, really needs to play The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time. It’s not as great as those classics, but it’s still a valiant effort. JRPG fans should also take note, because The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time is full of Easter eggs and homage to genre classics.

To its great credit, Gothic 1 Remake does not try to smooth out the challenge or design approach of the 2001 original, choosing instead to make significant graphical upgrades and add layers of improvement to combat and other mechanics. It turns on its head the front-loaded pacing gamers have come to expect, holding off the most rewarding gameplay for many hours in. It can be punishing, not because the player lacks skill, but because its world is just that way. Updates and patches will hopefully iron out performance and the bugs, but Gothic 1 Remake will always primarily appeal to RPG fans undaunted by its unforgiving approach to the genre.

As with Homura: The Crimson Warriors, the game features a glossary of specific terms. This is a lifesaver for gamers who aren’t familiar with the Heian period. It does not, however, feature maps. This makes the sense of location rather vague at times. If you enjoy titles like Hakuoki or Homura: The Crimson Warriors, you’ll probably enjoy the Birushana games. And if you played the first Birushana but wanted more romance, Birushana: Winds of Fate fills that gap.

Although eFootball Kick Off! isn’t the complete return to the glory days of Pro Evolution Soccer, it’s a strong and confident step in the right direction. On the pitch, it translates the beautiful game in a way that echoes its past, offering a worthy alternative to EA FC. While Konami clearly wants to make this accessible and welcoming to new players, this comes at the expense of challenge, meaning you’ll need to remove assists and raise the difficulty to experience the tension and struggle longtime fans expect. Releasing at a budget price, this is an easy recommendation for anyone curious about where the series goes next, especially those looking for an alternative experience without aggressive monetisation practices.

As a flatscreen port of a remake of a classic, The 7th Guest is a couple of generations removed from the original, which is still playable in some form. As innovative and important as it was in 1993, however, the original game is undeniably dated. When it appeared in 2023, the VR remake was hailed as a respectful and engaging re-imagining of a fan favorite. The flatscreen version makes this excellent puzzle game accessible to those without a VR headset.

If you’re looking for a casual sports game crammed to the ceiling with familiar faces, you’re in luck! Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! is a pure tennis experience that performs its duty admirably. It just couldn’t get its hooks in me somehow.

No, 007 First Light isn’t a perfect game. The AI needs a ton of work. The audio issues are hard to overlook. And the online connectivity requirements remain one of IOI’s dirty, bad habits. But when it clicks, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The combat is fluid and hard-hitting, the gunplay is super satisfying, the level design is impeccable, and it’s all wrapped up in a fun, Bond-origin story. It feels great to be a 00 again.

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t the most powerful system on the market. But it is a combination of portable and powerful that’s hard to find anywhere else. It’s got enough juice that even a behemoth like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth can find a home on the console. I loved this game an unhealthy amount when it first came out two years ago. And although this is not the best way to play, the Switch 2 port is still remarkably stable. Rather than obsessing over what’s running at what framerate, I found myself instantly sucked into the game once more. It takes no time at all to forget that I’m playing a port. Which is high praise, especially for a Nintendo console. If you’re looking to play Rebirth, either again or for the first time, the Switch 2 version is a rock solid option.

STARBITES is a very simple JRPG, but I think that’s one of the game’s strengths. Almost all of its systems are stripped down, and easy to understand. It’s not an innovative game, and it’s not a challenging game. Anyone who likes the idea of a straightforward cozy JRPG should absolutely check it out. If you want Dragon Quest with robots, STARBITES is the game for you.

Stray is a wonderful adventure that cleverly combines the love of felines with a poignant message about social injustice and technology. Each aspect of a cute cat’s lifestyle has been implemented into the adventure, mixing stealth and chases to create a fun and engaging tale. Whereas the Switch version was inferior to other consoles, the Switch 2 release manages to capture the same highs, making this an easy recommendation for anyone looking to experience this atmospheric indie gem on the go.

Mina the Hollower is a truly magnificent adventure. Burrowing isn’t just a gimmick; it’s embedded into the experience, creating a synergy between movement, combat and puzzling. Its open design encourages exploration, allowing you to discover at your own pace, which ultimately leads to many surprises within the world. The strong presentation helps to give the game further character, reinforcing its sense of identity. Celebrating classic design while carving out its own legacy, this confident adventure stands shoulder to shoulder with Shovel Knight.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a wonderful homage to the history of the franchise. Fans of Batman are in for a treat, as each moment references iconic elements from the movies, comics, video games, and television while piecing together its own story. While the difficulty is low, every aspect of the gameplay is delivered with care, making this an engaging adventure. Charming and confident, this tribute breathes new life into Gotham.

I remember seeing a preview of Thick as Thieves when it was a PvPvE-focused game. It feels like the shift to single player/co-op stripped away some intangible but important elements. What remains is a fun but limited stealth action game, with lots of potential and room to grow but disappointingly stingy at launch. There’s an old joke about how a restaurant’s food sucked, and also, there wasn’t enough of it. Thick as Thieves is a reasonably-priced $5 game with a solid foundation, but needs more playable characters, maps, depth, and encouragement for creativity. I look forward to checking in from time to time.

In that way, Outbound is kind of like real-life camping. Freed from any burdensome goals, you’re merely soaking in the sights and enriching your experience. Rather than bingeing this game on a weekend, you’d be better served by checking in for a few hours a week. Stop by, light a few campfires, and make your home base even bigger. After all, there’s a certain Zen bliss in taking things this easy. On the other hand, there is no larger goal to achieve. The experience is largely what you make of it. For a lot of players, this could be an extremely frustrating game. And it does feel like something big is missing here. Yet, I’m certain I’ll be checking in on Outbound quite regularly for a good while yet.

I had a lot of fun with Bubsy 4D. The platforming is frantic and flailing, but somehow still precise and forgiving. The writing is corny yet charming. And the visuals feel nostalgic for a world that existed for a handful of Saturday mornings. At the same time, this game can be pretty frustrating. Not nearly as much as I was expecting, but still! A significant reserve of patience and persistence is essential for getting to the end credits. If your memories of Bubsy are either bad or blissfully absent, you may be shocked at what you find here. Although the bar is comically low, this game absolutely clears it. Bubsy 4D is easily the best game in the franchise.

First-person bullet hell shooters aren’t all that common, so Luna Abyss immediately stands out as something fresh. It’s a polished and confident game overall, and it doesn’t try to layer on too many systems or mechanics. It’s pretty linear and although the environments are atmospheric, they’re also static, darkly creepy but clinical, and somewhat repetitive. Fluid action and platforming that’s both forgiving and respectful of players’ time make the experience a lot of fun. Strong mechanics and engaging combat make Luna Abyss worth playing.

Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition includes everything from the base game and epilogue DLC on Nintendo’s hybrid device. While it doesn’t perform at the same level as its counterparts on more powerful hardware, it still holds up well enough to make this a viable way to play. Fans of the original can now take the adventure on the go, though newcomers may struggle to connect with its long-winded storytelling and some dated design elements.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a fantastic cozy platformer. Finding new discoveries never gets old. I was worried the pace might be too tame for my liking, but this simply wasn't the case. I kept wanting to play and discover more, even after putting in 7 hours into the title. Later chapters were very rewarding, and there are enough challenging moments to keep it from feeling boring. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the perfect addition to the Switch 2 library for gamers wanting something fresh and unique.

While Riven may stick closely to the formula established by Myst, it still delivers that same compelling blend of storytelling and exploration, only on a much larger scale. Combined with its improved technical presentation and an experience that’s every bit as captivating, Riven ultimately edges out Myst as the stronger overall game. Plus, on PlayStation, players get both the standard and VR versions in one package. Like Myst before it, the world of Riven is absolutely worth exploring.

While the pacing may feel slow by modern gaming standards, Myst still succeeds thanks to its captivating narrative, rich sense of mystery, and the satisfaction of discovery. Now enhanced by the option to experience it in VR. If you’re looking for a slower, more thoughtful adventure with intriguing puzzles, Myst remains well worth your time.