The Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit is just what it says on the tin - one that serves up a variety of unique and interactive toys to build. Through a brilliant interface and robust card shapes, the kit offers hours of DIY building fun - with an interactive pay-off. The mini-games are somewhat short, leaning more towards concept pieces, but with the Labo Garage included, it creates limitless possibilities to explore and invoke a little mischief, too!

By Mario RPG standards, this is not one of the better ones, particularly when it comes to the pacing, design, and story. What saves Mario & Luigi: Brothership from sinking completely is the strategically engaging and fun battle system, delightful animations that go hand-in-hand with the cartoony art style, and the excellent soundtrack. Other gameplay ideas miss their target, and things become a drag far too quickly.

Despite its age, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD maintains exceptional quality, offering engaging platforming sequences, visually impressive set-pieces, dazzling vistas, and a high level of difficulty. While the majority of collectibles offer limited in-game value beyond unlocking mirror mode, their inherent appeal, driven by ingrained desire, compels players to seek them out. It's highly replayable and highly addictive, leaving gamers eager to keep playing. It is disappointing that this remaster doesn't include anything new for veterans, but when the foundation is so enjoyable, it's hard to be dissatisfied.

Despite entering a crowded genre on the Nintendo Switch, Touhou Spell Bubble stands out above most for a brilliant audio collection, and unique addictive take on the classic Puzzle Bobble system. A lack of online support, bar the downloadable song packs, is a shame, but for local one-on-one, and an enjoyable solo endeavour, this nails that essential feel of "easy to learn, hard to master."

Within Persona 4 Arena Ultimax players will find a more-than-decent fighter, that those experienced with Arc System Works games will like quite a lot. Persona fans will enjoy seeing their favourite characters once more, but be warned that the story hasn't been handled as well as one would expect.

For a kid's game, Ufouria: The Saga 2 is certainly going to capture the imaginations of its target audience. Fans of the original Ufouria are likely in their late 30s to early 40s and will likely find this to be a very safe and by-the-numbers languid platformer. Anyone who enjoys the likes of Kirby will feel right at home with this surreal and charming Metroidvania, but those that have grown tired of the genre will be better off looking elsewhere for thrills.

The problems with Othercide are mainly some lack of polish, some pacing issues and the repetitious grind that is going to hit hard. The novelty of the game is surprising, and the quality is actually good. Some choices, like practically requiring soldier sacrifice, are going to be off-putting, along with the colour scheme and dark tones and story. Beyond this, the progress run to run feels too slow and may be off-putting on an otherwise unique game.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is a very specific type of RPG that can be overwhelming in large parts, but rewards in spades if able to quickly adapt to its sweeping approach and quest-based structure. Locking down story missions to character levels can drastically halt momentum and be an issue for those looking to get caught up in the story, but its strengths lie in the exploration-based format across a beautiful world. It is one enhanced by resolution and framerate boosts on the TV, but the massive hit to handheld play with disturbingly bad visual upscaling is a cause for concern that is hoped can be addressed.

Sitting down and reading about a puzzle game based around arithmetic may put some people off, but after giving this even just a short try will convert people instantly, forcing them to flex their brains more than they could imagine and proving to be much more fun that Brain Training.

It is mired by a litany of hurdles, that perhaps a more patient player can deal with, but many will really wrestle with this - for them it is advised to seek out PoEII on a platform that it's design is more inherent. At very least, wait until a patch can fix some glitches, and the egregious loading times, in particular. Someone that can get beyond those inconveniences will discover there is a deep novel-esque adventure to be had. This adventure is full of loot, bounties, ship battles, and engaging fetch quests; all of the usual RPG fare that would keep aficionados happy. The island setting is memorable and full of lyrical, witty writing to be discovered which is great. When it works, it can be immersive and no doubt extensively replayable. It's just a shame that it didn't quite nail the port execution.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD still has the feeling of a portable game that was tailored to the system it was built for, but for the most part, things have been ported over extremely well. The mission-based structure that pulls players out of the game on a frequent basis, constant interruptions from E. Gadd, and a lack of saving until stages are completed detract from what is otherwise a light-hearted and fun little adventure rife with plenty of secrets to discover and puzzles galore, albeit one that isn't on par with the first and third entries in the series. The improved visuals and controls are a boon that make Luigi's Mansion 2 a better game than it was before, but with a lack of much else that's new, the high price tag is a big ask.

With an engrossing story, immersive gameplay, and enough scares to get the heart racing, Project Zero 2: Wii Edition continues the trend of strong Wii releases in 2012 and is the perfect plat du jour after the tasty entrée that was Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir.

As far as throwbacks go, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a worthwhile venture. It captures the essence of yesteryear's classics, while offering numerous options to comfort an audience that might be unfamiliar with that time period. The game is also quite entertaining, and the replay-value is quite high. Still, it is not possible to shake the feeling that something is missing. It's as if the developer decided the safe choice was the right one, and left all of the risk-taking up to the player. Will this game be remembered in thirty years? Only time will tell.

It is a very refreshing adventure game that is dense with content and things to do. The world feels so alive with an almost fetishistic attention to detail. It is clear why it fell into obscurity, but it is very obvious why it was so amazing when it came out. Anyone willing to give Flashback: 25th Anniversary the time will not be disappointed.

True to its name, Whispers of a Machine does exactly that: it whispers. Rather than "shouting," with flashy audio-visuals, cool action, and in-your-face storytelling, it uses the humble, grey-haired Adventure Game Studio, to offer something that's far more subtle in its approach. Clifftop Games creation is a simple, yet stunningly well-written, immersive, and all around fun point-and-click adventure game, with a gripping sci-fi plot, and an unwavering focus in its flawless, detective-style gameplay loop. Currently just a hidden gem, this must-have needs you, fellow adventure fan, to spread the word…

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a wonderful repackaging of three of the best RPGs on the Nintendo DS, maintaining nearly all the benefits of dual screens while offering players respectable quality-of-life features. What Etrian Odyssey lacks in conventional narrative, the series makes up for with its emphasis on player-driven pacing and highly customisable party building. Although the price point is certainly steep, there's no getting around the fact that these are the definitive versions of the first three Etrian Odysseys. Visually crisp with great audio and some of the best dungeon-crawling the genre has seen, all three titles offer RPG fans hundreds of hours of dense dungeon-crawling all on their own. Together, the collection offers audiences a high-class trilogy that'll realistically last them the rest of 2023 - if not even longer. Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is frankly a steal at $80.

It looks good (mostly), and has all the qualities that seem like it would make a great game. Not only does it fail to come together coherently, yet it also it lacks a sense of magic or "heart" that the art style would suggest it possesses. While nothing is largely technically wrong with Indivisible, it fails to be engaging as a RPG, its platforming fails to recommend it on this front, and the story never goes anywhere significant to offer this up either. This isn't bad, but it just isn't that good either.

EA Sports FC 26 makes some big changes to its systems, modes and gameplay. The most obvious of these are quite effective, and even those that aren’t seen are surely felt. The fresh additions to Career Mode are a step in the right direction, while the on-field adjustments and introduction of Authentic and Competitive modes serves to freshen things up just enough for another year. Long-time players will likely still have some recurring gripes, but the best compliment that can be paid to FC 26 is that it’s fun. If this was developer EA Sports’ sole aim, then mission accomplished.

Blasphemous is an admirable piece of art. It does the whole metroidvania thing in a much less tedious way than most indie games do these days, and is bolstered by its distinct flavour and style. While fans who adore the character-building gameplay of most soulslikes will be found wanting, anyone who is nostalgic for Simon's Quest is going to find respite in finally playing what could be best described as the latter's best outcome. Maybe with a couple of tweaks and minor adjustments, and with a patch or two, this could be perfect. In its current state with slightly annoying quibbles, players are still going to be floored by its insane imagery and the penitent one's crusade for purification.

Onrush does well to fill that racing void as a non-serious arcade, destruction-derby type of vehicular mayhem experience. However, as enjoyable and heart-pounding as the matches can be, the novelty eventually begins to wear thin and, once that happens, there is little else that can reignite the flame in this racer. The foundations, though, have been laid for a bright and positive future, and who knows, a sequel with additional gameplay mechanics can allow for the series to grow into something bigger. Onrush, as it stands, is a great vehicular-destruction game that focuses less on winning races, and more on wrecking opponents, and that's really all that matters.

Overall, Observer: System Redux is a great pickup for those looking to see just exactly how well their shiny new consoles can perform, as well as having an interesting experience to boot (you know, like a computer). Environments are beautiful in a truly depressing, atmospheric manner, and lead Rutger Hauer really makes the effort to portray a downtrodden detective tired of the new cybernetic world order. This is a clear pick up for fans of psychological horror drama, looking for a few jump scares and… uncomfortable-ness over a few hours. For the rest, however, it's an interesting experiment that perhaps could benefitted from less of the shocks and more of the Detective chops.

Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 1: The Enigma is easily the best episode of Telltale's Batman story so far. While Season One put the wheels in motion, The Riddler's return to Gotham invites The Agency into town to make its presence felt, while Lucius Fox, Alfred, and Bruce Wayne are still trying to fully come to terms with the events of the first season. The story is a lot tighter, and the animations are well-polished and cleaner, setting the expectation for what to expect throughout the second season.

Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is frustrating because it is so close to being great and is only undermined by its utterly perplexing choices put into the boosters. The meta of resisting the boosters is too distracting for the experience, and succumbing turns these games into walking sims with some visual novel elements. The new UI elements have an air of "mobile game" about them, but thankfully the in-game visuals still look hot, and the QOL feature to speed up combat is a worthwhile addition. Baten Kaitos I & II are not the best from Monolith Soft, but they are both still way better than Xenosaga: Episode II and are roughly on the same level as Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Even without the boosters, there are better retro JPRGs out there, but few of them will look as nice as these.

Bomb Chicken isn't going to be breaking any molds. What it does, countless others have done before, and better. That doesn't mean it isn't a ton of fun, though, if a little brief. It is an ideal new title for speed-runners to stream, and all-in-all a fun, addictive, crazy, little arcade experience. Based on this, Nitrome is one to watch; it certainly has a promising future ahead.

Ittle Dew 2+ is more than the sum of its parts. It has many small great qualities that tie everything together to make it a worthy Zelda-style adventure. It is too bad that the combat is not one of those working parts. This adventure has a true spirit of exploration and a ton of puzzles and secrets to uncover. The legitimately funny character banter should manage to get a laugh out of even cold and dead inside cynical reviewers. The humour has a dryness to it that is unexpected for such a colourful and wacky looking videogame - most of which is derived from the flying fox, Tippsie (the best character in the game). The load times can be really lengthy at times, which is confusing since Ittle Dew 2+ is certainly not taxing the Nintendo Switch, but they are ultimately worth it in this quaint action-adventure game.

Fast-paced, brawler/shooter hybrid Super Crush KO isn't very innovative. Or varied. Or demanding… and then you try to get better the best possible score at each level, and the game suddenly shows its true colours. Getting better and better is where the challenge and replayability is at. Worry not about the fact that things remain the same from beginning to end, as fighting is too damn fun for this to grow stale. Plus, Vertex Pop's indie gem has a beautiful, distinct, ultra-colourful wrapping.

3D Classics: Kid Icarus is definitely worthy of its "Classic" title in this re-release for the Nintendo 3DS.

KORG M01D is a great piece of music creation software, which, whilst not as robust as similar programs found on PCs, does what it sets out to do: provides a faithful emulation of KORG's popular 80s synthesiser. For those who are curious about music creation, this is probably one of the best ways to get started!

Flinthook falls short of being amazing. It came so close and misses the mark because of the misguided reliance on procedural level design and timid approach to roguelike mechanics. This is still a pretty fun title with some very energetic and catchy music that makes the action feel exciting.

Episode 3: Ripples provides the most harrowing story yet, as it greatly lifts the stakes in terms of life and death. While this started off as a meeting amongst political world leaders, it is clearly becoming apparent that there is a lot more in play than what it seems, and Louis does not know who he should trust, or even who is telling the truth. Unfortunately, the episode is plagued with glitches - one that can't be solved except for reloading the game - coupled with the choppy graphics and popping audio portions of the game that ruins what is otherwise the best story-driven episode of The Council yet.

If you don't like the price, wait for a discount. If you can't stomach a couple of problems on the technical side of things, the most serious of which being the bad netcode, wait for a patch. If you consider yourself a fan of fighting games, however, do get Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. It's a highly enjoyable title that will manage to please newcomers and veterans, and it has tons of content for those who aren't into the online aspect of it all. It's Street Fighter V as it always should be.

While Picross as a game itself doesn't offer much in the sense of variety, the developer has obviously made an effort to come up with new, interesting alternatives for the gameplay, which makes it interesting, and a good addition for puzzle-lovers' Nintendo Switches. The number of puzzles in Picross S4 is acceptable for the price, the different modes offer variety in an otherwise eventually boring game, and little things like music-choice and control customisation show the developers' passion for this title. Enjoyable and relaxing, it can only be recommended.

Combining the tried-and-true formula of Mega Man X with a modern aesthetic and a fun, unique combat style was a sure-fire hit from the start, but it's safe to say that Inafune could easily have another major success on his hands.

Hell Is Us takes some welcome risks by refusing to resort to handholding in its mechanics, and is made all the more enjoyable for the trust it puts in its players. This brave design choice — alongside an exceptionally crafted and well-realised setting — more than warrants a visit for players looking for an immersive, lovingly crafted adventure through a bleak but compelling world. An enigmatic story and compellingly written characters round out the pros, but disappointingly shallow combat, a lack of enemy variety and an uneven final act ultimately let it down. Regardless, Hell Is Us is a labour of love, and the passion that’s gone into its creation shines through despite its weaknesses.

If you were a fan of the original Little Acorns, then you will no doubt be a fan of the newly-improved Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo.

An absolute classic, in all meanings of the word; Lumo tugs at the nostalgia heartstrings, and proves to not only look and feel as good as the '80s and '90s Commodore 64 and Spectrum golden oldies, but plays far better than the majority actually would if dusting off the old systems nowadays. Highly inventive, with secrets galore packed in, plus dastardly puzzles that provide a fantastic challenge - it is the sort of title that just keeps on giving and giving, and it is hoped that more Lumo is on the way in the near future.

The intriguing plot pushes players forward with each puzzle that is completed, and it will have you contemplating all sorts of topics long after finishing the game. More unlockable rooms with some further challenge would have been welcome, but The Turing Test passes on many fronts. Well worth a purchase - and launches at a great price, too.

Overall, ARMS is delightfully quirky, surprisingly deep and, most importantly, strikingly self-confident. Whilst its vibrant and over-the-top aesthetic might have some expecting a shallow and simplistic experience, persevering with and embracing the game's sharp initial learning curve reveals a strong-willed and very detailed gameplay core. Nintendo made the right choice in highlighting the motion controls, which is by far the best way to play.

If there is one problem with Caligula Effect 2 it is pacing. The beginning hits incredibly hard, with great characterization and drawing the player into the plot. The hours-long plodding dungeons and 'slice of life' sections kill what otherwise is actually a pretty cool story. Much like the first game, the core experience of fights and story is solid, but it is absolutely buried in detail which is unfortunate as it makes it far less accessible.

It is easy to fall in love at first glance with Lego Party. It is a game that many have unknowingly been waiting for, and its presentation and first impression are on a whole different level. It feels like a perfect match for anyone seeking an exceptional digital party game. However, once the honeymoon phase is over, all the flaws start to appear, and they become too much. Poor controls, extremely small boards, and a mix of mini-games that feel disjointed make this a challenging title to recommend. It has some wonderful ideas and a solid foundation to build upon, but it falls short in executing the details.

Wulverblade is a fine entry in an underappreciated genre. The animation is a bit of an acquired taste, but it lends itself well to the violent action. There are enough moves to get creative with, but it's just as easy to understand how everything works, even without an ounce of experience in brawlers or slashers. There are some flawed aspects, particularly the length of the campaign mode. Perhaps arcade mode could have been truncated slightly. As it is, many of the stages run a little too long. Thankfully, it never gets to the point where boredom starts to set in. Altogether, this is good enough to stand alongside the titles that inspired it.

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a game where an Ork does orkish stuff for three to four hours. This translates to shooting stuff with large dakka, and then buying more dakka to shoot some more, in order to acquire even more dakka… and you get the idea. It's simple, mindless action, and it will definitely satisfy those who love these fun green Boyz - just wait for a heavy price drop, because this is extremely light on content and replayability.

Kirby's Adventure Wii is a resounding success in every single area.

Packed to the brim with content. It goes beyond a simple port by incorporating intuitive gameplay tweaks, from Poochy's helpers to customisable yarn patterns. It's a charming, well designed platformer that draws plenty of influence from Yoshi's golden years, but expands on them with cleverly executed mechanics... A must-have for any 3DS owner who enjoys and appreciates the classic side-scroller.

The Pathless is a worthy addition to the minimal release list this early in the PlayStation 5 lifespan. It delivers engaging gameplay, as well as frankly beautiful visuals. The issue is that feeling of familiarity *cough*Zelda*cough* coupled with a lack of activities to indulge in. Too often does this feel like a template of greater things to come, and it's a massive hope that this will spawn a sequel. So many great ideas needing to be expanded upon, mainly the excellent movement, as no game this year has given a greater feeling of speed in its unique traversal system, and along with the excellent boss battles, this comes recommended. Here's to The Pathless 2: Less Travelled.

Similar to the actual programming idea from whence this takes inspiration from, Human Resource Machine is "easy" to learn but, at the same time, quite hard to correctly apply the acquired knowledge. While this basically means that it can lead to some frequent hair-pulling, and although this is not an experience that will last for long, most puzzle fans are strongly advised to try out Tomorrow Corporation's latest release now it's on Nintendo Switch.

Over the years, Outlast has aged well thanks to its production design and ultra-violent spectacle. The simple act of hide-and-seek is still engaging and the adventure's length does not overstay its welcome, something that hurt the overly long sequel. Mount Massive Asylum is a memorable and grisly place and the wide cast of maniacs to meet in the core game and DLC chapter leave a lasting impression. This is a very linear horror game that is heavily scripted and is elevated thanks to the imaginative scenario. There are tons of weapon-less horror games these days and more often than not they tend to be more annoying than scary. Outlast is one of the few that just barely gets by without irritating too much. Perhaps it's because of the brevity and pacing of the game that keeps things tense and exciting so its more obvious shortcomings become much less apparent.

Death Mark is a solid horror text adventure game. With all the hallmarks one would hope for in a survival horror, compounded with excellent writing that sparks the reader's imagination, anyone who is interested in a low-stress horror game that is actually very creepy will enjoy this. The presentation may be unimpressive and the art just adequate, yet the sound design makes up for it. If this went the extra mile with the visuals and animation it could have been a real cult classic.

Ion Fury blows the Build Engine's dust off, and manages to offer something that seems to hit all the right - nostalgic - notes, but it sort of misses the most crucial ones. Gunfights feel awesome, but the level design is anything but, leading to the many quitter moments being dull as hell. Plus, Voidpoint's creation lacks character, and plays its "comedic" card a bit too safe for something that's meant to be a return to the days of Duke Nukem's political incorrectness. As for the Switch port, while currently the only way to enjoy this on the go, this is definitely something that plays a lot better on the PC.

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! is a faithful recreation of the PS1 gem that is going to welcome back fans of the original. With some worthwhile future proofing in the form of quicksaves and screen panning, the trip is that little more accessible. For new players however, there is a chance that the awkward controls marring the precision timing needed might alienate and frustrate. Give Abe a chance however and even with the wealth of platformers available on the Switch, this stands tall as a title worthy of the purchase. A delicious remake.

At its core, Little Goody Two Shoes is a survival management game that incorporates dating sim elements and Wario Ware-style micro-games. The micro-games can be obnoxious at times and the story won't be everyone's cup of tea considering the target audience this game caters to, but it is hard to not be swept up in the artistry poured into the presentation.

Some parts of the game are undeniably charming, such as the story, the character art and the bright colours. However, reusing a dated system really shows a lot of its age. Along with design choices that are simply confusing, it drags down the experience along with the 3D models. While there is certainly a level of 'too much' going on, this also applies to battles in a good way if a player is ready for it. The craziness is part of the charm and many of the battles are surprisingly hard, short of power leveling.

The anticipated unexpected plot twists combined with highly appealing graphics make Battlefield Waltz a sturdy winner on the Switch. The ease of rewinding scenes and observing which game choices have been selected add to its charm, although enjoyment is marred by how hard it can be to get onto the six routes, as well as even getting a good ending in any of them. This is the sole part that didn't age so well, but hopefully RNG is kinder to the majority of players.

The general quality of Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is surprisingly good. Between the facial animations, likeable protagonist, and general humour, the game hits a lot of key points that are rare nowadays. What really drags things down is that some segments become very hard to advance due to not clicking on the correct object or mixing items the right way. Further, while the day-to-day story is quite entertaining, the larger plot simply takes far too long to develop, which may leave players to check out before it takes off.

Chrono Cross was and remains a great JRPG that has its place in the pantheon of great classics. It's well worth playing especially for fans of the Chrono series who maybe had only ever experienced Chrono Trigger before. This is perhaps not quite as cohesive an experience as its predecessor was, because it plays in a way that's more experimental and not quite as refined, and its plot is a bit harder to follow. However, because of its plot ties to the great original and how it connects to it, it is essential to play for fans of the latter, and despite minor shortcomings that hold it back from being as big a classic, it's still well worth experiencing today. With that in mind, Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition, as a new release of this classic, is not all that it could or should have been on any platforms, including Nintendo Switch, due to a poor level of performance that's just inexcusable, given that other PS1 games just as demanding as this one made the transition so much better, at least performance-wise.

Alien After All and Neko Entertainment have teamed up to craft a splendid action puzzle effort that successfully marries the best elements of other much-loved games, whilst mixing in numerous interesting quirks of its own to help give DodoGo! a unique identity that should appeal to all DSi owners.

It's been a long wait for western audiences to get their hands on Moon and for the most part, it's been a wait worth taking. The initial hours are certainly going to put off gamers looking for a normal RPG experience but for the more patient, unlocking the full potential of what is on offer here is going to be extremely rewarding. Around every corner is a mystery wrapped up in a Mr E. Nygma presented in a gorgeous style only found in the games of the decade it was originally released in. Lose yourself in the world and characters, be helpful to anything and anyone and ensure that a world can be saved not through a fully levelled titan but with the power of love and cookies.

There may not be a lot of choices on Nintendo Switch for those who want to jump into a worthwhile pool experience, however Pure Pool is the one to get for those who are keen. As good as it gets with a pool-based digital experience on the handheld, with plenty of offline and online content to make this easily worth the money. Plus, with how quick and easily the game boots up and loads up different matches, Pure Pool never involves having to wait around - which is the difference between a real-life pool game that can last for a while or this digital version where games can be wrapped in 360 seconds or less. Career mode does offer a lot of tasks for people to dig into for replayability's sake, though it would've been nicer if there was a deeper layer of progression beyond just cosmetics.

As one of many Ken 'Masters' (very pleased with that one), the initial reaction to Samurai Shodown is a jarring one. Expecting to mow down hordes of AI controlled characters easily and instead getting beaten to pulp in a matter of seconds can be off-putting, to say the least. What quickly becomes apparent however is that gameplay treads the fine and brilliant line of 'easy to play, difficult to perfect'. Once a bit of caution is implemented, not a lot in the genre is as satisfying as a graceful dodge, parry and complete destruction. This is great for forgetting the old ways and embracing the way of the Samurai.

FIFA 21 hasn't re-written the wheel but it is fun, fast attacking football and hopefully EA have big plans to shake up the franchise next year for its true next-gen console experience.

Pikmin proved to be quite a revelation when first released, and its charm is not only still there today, but magnified by the inclusion of some very intuitive Wii Remote motion controls and a few other extras to keep fans happy.

Ys X: Nordics isn't a bad game, but it's not great either. The graphics don't look any better than when Ys VIII came out years ago on older systems. The story and characters are passable, but in a crowded field of games, this isn't enough anymore. The time spent on this game felt more like a reminder of what it could have been rather than an entertaining adventure. One's enjoyment of this is going to be directly proportional to if someone wants 'more of the same' of the recent Falcom formula. It is clearly selling, so the trend is likely to continue for better or worse, but there is a lot here that is tough to recommend except for diehard series fans.

Yakuza 3’s most ardent fans will find much to be disappointed about with this highly anticipated remake of a game that deserved better. It is difficult to ignore the wealth of cut content, and the Dark Ties side story fails to make up for it. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is still Yakuza, though, and for anyone that hasn’t played the game since the PS3 days – or at all – it will more than satisfy. There are few series that so successfully manage to mesh the serious with the outrageous, but Yakuza pulls it off every time. While much has been lost, plenty has been improved, making for a far smoother version of Yakuza 3 with incredibly fun combat. If Switch 2 is your only means of experiencing the game, don’t pass it up.

With the exception of Fibbage 3, each game in The Jackbox Party Pack 4 requires a minimum of three people but, the pack's potential isn't fully realised without a substantially larger group. This is a party pack that is sincerely meant for a party. Smaller groups will be able to get enjoyment out of Civic Doodle or Fibbage, but Survive the Internet, Monster Seeking Monster, and Bracketeering, especially, are designed with larger get-togethers in mind. Despite an emphasis on playing with a big group, The Jackbox Party Pack 4 stands out as one of the strongest entries in the series with no discernible weak links in the pack's line-up. Along with continuing the trend of swapping out traditional controllers for smart phones, it's entirely possible to host a game over a stream, negating the need to find 8-16 friends for some local Jackbox shenanigans.

There are hundreds of worse tennis games than Super Tennis Ball, but why really choose this over the few better ones. The gameplay is generally enjoyable, but a lack of something that could set it apart from the competition, and the overall feeling of repetitiveness you'll have to endure, make it a hard recommendation - at least at its current price. In other words: wait for a generous discount.

Moody, thought provoking, and chillingly beautiful at times, Strangeland, is a bizarre take on the point-and-click genre that will stick with players long after the credits roll. The story itself is dense with a script layered in symbolism, but never so obtuse where the uninformed can't get by. Thematically, much of the plot centres around the self - self-acceptance, self-doubt, self-destruction, and self-actualization - along with the pursuit of identity. Puzzles lean into the hostile aesthetic to provide a fair degree of challenge, while hints are always available. It all makes for a well-paced, well realized journey that doesn't outstay its welcome. Strangeland is a short adventure, but one of the finest entries in the genre.

Some interesting things happen in Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 4: What Ails You, and it is better than previous efforts, but they are the kind of things that should have happened a long time ago, as they don't really have the necessary power to make you as eager to experience the end of this journey as it should.

The focus on online elements positions Megaton Musashi W: Wired as a potential favourite for mobile gamers accustomed to online interaction. While solo and offline play are available, the core experience lies in the extensive online grind alongside other players who prioritise efficiency and rapid mission completion for loot acquisition. The narrative in Megaton Musashi W: Wired may not resonate with all audiences, lacking complexity and English language voice acting. However, it compensates with a focus on bombastic action and over-the-top brawls, reminiscent of the live-action Transformers films. This emphasis on explosive spectacle may hold appeal for players seeking a purely action-oriented experience. Megaton Musashi W: Wired offers a flashy combat experience hampered by a repetitive structure, excessive grinding, and a weak localisation effort. While the frenetic action and customisation may appeal to some, the lack of depth and focus on loot acquisition limit the game's overall appeal.

Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac is an incredible upgrade, both over the original Pac-Man World 2 and Pac-Man World: Re-Pac. As a remake, it does everything fans would want, adding new features to the game and making tweaks to improve the parts of the original that were flawed. It improves the presentation across the board and almost doubles the content of the game, ensuring returning fans also have something new to enjoy. It’s only let-down by mediocre and generic boss battles that feel like a chore to get through, an obstacle between the fun platforming challenges.

It's pretty obvious that this wasn't created by the confident, and steady hand that designed Resident Evil 2. Nevertheless, while nowhere near the quality of its predecessor, it remains a great survival horror game, worthy of the franchise it belongs to, with the only two flaws that are hard to stomach being how, the undisputed heart of the original, the pursuer known as Nemesis, is a bit of a major disappointment, and how you have to pay full price for something that feels more like an expansion.

Without a doubt Grow: Song of the Evertree took on board what worked and what did not work so well in Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles and produced an engaging, time consuming game that is hard to put down with virtually no issues aside from occasional weird camera angles. It was not possible to finish the main story for this review because of how long it takes to complete each section, but there are dozens of hours to be spent creating new realms to explore and harvest from, creating settlements that are eye-catching and meet all residents' needs, with few issues that make it an epic title in its own right on Nintendo Switch.

The guys at Q-Games have out done themselves once more, surpassing the brilliance of Art Style Intersect with a retro chic strategic puzzle game that will leave players dreaming of neon coloured rockets night after night, once finally being torn away from their DSi systems.

It takes two hours or so to complete this, and it's a fun little experience, filled with some smart puzzles interspersed with the odd stinker with little logical sense, but nothing to get particularly stuck or hung up on in the entire play-through. A few "Oh really?!" moments exist as well, as the solution becomes apparent.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War is an extremely linear, extremely easy, and extremely… okay adventure game that deals with the real, non-romanticised side of the first World War. Sadly while a product that's deeply engrossing, technically flawless, and simply beautiful to look at, its core, the story and characters, doesn't manage to ever become the riveting war drama that it is supposed to.

Little Big Workshop's biggest flaws are its generic character designs and a few control issues, but these are greatly overshadowed by how fun this is. It's perfect for people new to the sim genre, allowing players to tackle things at their own pace and make the experience as easy or as difficult as they choose. Veterans will also be able to jump right in and start making their factory to their liking, as well as taking on challenges to push their tiny little company to be the best it can be. Little Big Workshop doesn't reinvent the sim genre, but it fits perfectly into it and brings charm and flair one might not expected from a newer studio.

If you have three friends who love the sport then Madden 10 will be great fun, but the single player portion has been ignored this year to the degree where it'll be extremely interesting to see if it'll be present at all in Madden 11.

A solid concept at its core already made sure that ZombiU was an attractive and interesting prospect even before it launched. What was delivered turned out to be a most attractive and addictive experience like none other in the current generation of games, especially as the Survival Horror genre having pretty much died over the last decade.

Human Re..., err, 7 Billion Humans is a fine puzzler-meets-programming, especially for those into titles that actually need some thinking (and then some). Just remember that this might be a bit too similar *cough*identical*cough* to a previous title for its own good.

There is nothing surprising here about MouseCraft. What you see is what you get, and unless the simplistic gameplay appeals to you, it is unlikely that there will be much here that the average gamer is interested in. Some of the puzzles are nice and all for a while, but ultimately, there are no true clever ideas or anything beyond just dropping varied blocks into holes and waiting for the mice to hopefully make it.

We Were Here Together falls just short of the snowy peaks it was aiming for, but it is fun and interesting, and really stands out for emphasizing co-op puzzle-solving in a way few games have. So, go out and have some fun. Together.

Jupiter managed to make an overall simple concept into something great. Picross S6 does not disappoint with its relaxing atmosphere and options to allow individualised gameplay. This is a solid title for lovers of logical puzzles.

Time has been kind to Primordia with the past decade only highlighting just how unique, surreal, and grippingly atmospheric Wormwood Studios' inaugural title actually was and still is. While playing a point-and-click with a controller will never be as fluid as using a mouse and keyboard, the control scheme translates relatively well to Nintendo Switch and the ability to quickly check everything that can be interacted with on-screen all but removes the need for random examination. Wormwood's storytelling in particular deserves praise for blending surreal lore and a horrific premise together into an engaging narrative with multiple endings. Every bit of world-building just makes the plot richer and better contextualises gameplay. Wadjet Eye Games have done point-and-click fans a favour by porting Primordia over to Switch. Don't miss out on one of the genre's highest highs.

Perhaps not as strong of a track selection as Wave 1, Wave 2 of the Booster Course Pass is still very good, headlined by a completely brand-new track in Sky High Sundae and complemented well by Sydney Sprint and New York Minute. It is a bit of a wonder why the retro tracks haven't been given the anti-gravity love, especially as the retro tracks in the base game have it. Waluigi Pinball and Mushroom Gorge are all certainly fan favourites, but it is a shame that they weren't given a bit of reimagining in the same vein that Kalimari Desert received. Nonetheless, Mario Kart fans are grateful that new tracks are coming out for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and it is doubtful that many will have a bad thing to say about getting these courses added in.

Some of the ideas and mysteries in Master Detective Archives: Rain Code are pretty interesting at first, but far too often they fall into the realm of fantastical, which decreases the punch they might have. Further, the amount of deaths and heavy reliance of it really decreases the punch of anything having meaning or interest.

A calming, creative experience built around the joy of arranging and personalising small spaces, the simple but cute look and relaxing atmosphere of MakeRoom make it easy to lose track of time while experimenting with ideas. It thrives when you let your own imagination free, as it's more focused on offering a gentle, low-pressure escape rather than gamey, structured goals. Sadly, the clunky controls, its somewhat cumbersome interface, and the lack of placement precision can interrupt the flow, making the experience feel less smooth than it could be.

An interesting idea that is lots of fun given the right crowd, but despite its best efforts to make for intriguing level design, the more bells and whistles added to the kitchen layout, the more room there is for frustration to creep in. Overcooked! Special Edition is the best value version so far, with DLC already included, and those that enjoyed it before will enjoy it again. However, just be warned that solo players should steer clear, and those wanting multiplayer fun need to make sure those in tow are not inept at juggling numerous tasks under tense conditions or else the entire group will just quickly start to hate the game and each other…

The Keep is one of those games that is more than the sum of its parts. It does not sport the fanciest graphics out there and does not impress in any particular area, but all of its ingredients put together work in a sort of alchemy more powerful than the spells it presents in-game.

They don't all come out a perfect ten, but WWE 2K19 has improved on its predecessor. Even if the changes are somewhat small, they do make a difference. Unfortunately, to fully enjoy MyCareer and CAW, a lot of content has to be unlocked via randomised loot-boxes or sheer dedication to earning in-game currency. Aside from over gate-keeping the unlockables, WWE 2K19 has a lot of content under its hood, which should keep any wrestling fan entertained for quite some time.

Ubisoft's open-world titles can invoke burnout towards their conclusion - crumbling under their own weight due to their size. Instead, this is a real palette cleanser. It feels like it hits that real sweet spot in the genre of the open-world adventure games. The world is large but enjoyable to explore, with just enough to do, and the constant commentary keeping things interesting. This combined with the genuinely funny and smart writing results in something that will be the big surprise hit for many.

Klonoa doesn't make amazing nor innovative use of the Wii's control capabilities, yet it is a shining example of how the bare minimum of pad usage can still create an excellent game.

Trifox is an impressive start for new developer Glowfish Interactive, with creative enemies, challenging hidden collectables, and colourful worlds. The gameplay is varied thanks to the fully customisable combat options and levels also pose their own challenging puzzles and obstacles. The adventure is somewhat brief, but for as long as it lasts it well worth the time and effort. Those looking for a mascot-centric platformer adventure shouldn’t overlook Trifox.

Presentation wise, the Switch remaster both looks and sounds great, improving upon the original mobile remaster wherever it can, but the gameplay is severely neutered when compared to the original Nintendo DS release. Combat will never be as smooth with the Joy-Con setup as it is with touch controls, and the modifications made to the partner system in order to make gameplay work on one single screen remove a great deal of the original battle system's charm. Final Remix is a good game as it is still, at its core, The World Ends with You, but it is a deeply flawed, deeply disappointing reimagining of the DS classic.

Much like Halcyon 6 before it, this has tremendous potential, but is simply lost in its own slog. As such, it remains tough to recommend on a higher level, as battles just take too long, with too much punishment for straying from an ideal strategy. If there was an expansion of story, streamlining of combat, upgrading character pixels, and overall improving some of the aspects touched on, would go a very long way. In a game that felt like it could have been a awesome Edge of Tomorrow kind of deal, it feels more like being an accountant with a glitchy spreadsheet piece of software.

The remastered version of Monster Hunter Stories definitely opens up the world of the original game to new players. It does seem a bit odd why this was released after Monster Hunter Stories 2 given the plot similarity, however it was probably the second's success that enabled this remaster to happen. It is absolutely worth a place in the Nintendo Switch library because of the sheer amount of fun had collecting monsties and helping NPCs out with their wide-ranging problems. Not everyone will care about the extras, but the fully voiced dialogue adds to the immersion level. Let's hope the Switch successor leads to a third Monster Hunter Stories title, this time with significantly changed story and new areas to explore.

Square Enix and development team TOSE have delivered yet another superb entry into the series that may not challenge Pokémon in terms of worldwide sales, but certainly does match it in many ways in the quality stakes.

The sublime addiction that is Sports Interactive's legendary simulation has blasted onto Nintendo Switch in fine form with Football Manager Touch 2018. There is more than enough depth included in the Touch series to make this perfect for those looking to delve into the intricacies of management either at home or whilst on the go, but also stripped back enough to appeal to the wider audience that lapped up earlier editions of the team's venerable series.

There is so much crammed into Mantis Burn Racing that its bland visuals and forgettable audio can easily be overlooked, with an extensive single-player campaign that brings together previous DLC releases into one handy bundle, plus the addictive local and online multiplayer options give it a massive boost, helping it overtake the rest of the pack and creep up swiftly behind FAST RMX and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the racing ranks on Nintendo Switch. Perfectly accessible for friends and family to enjoy, yet also deep and challenge enough to give solo players great value for money.

Anyone who wants a quality Zelda-style action adventure game on their Switch is going to be better off with Okami HD. Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a polished and shiny bronze medal. Fighting monsters is as standard can be, and what keeps things stimulating is the variety of the environment, puzzle solving, spectacle, and the exploration to be had. It is satisfying to stumble on a hidden chest and find some upgrade that War could use as it is in most adventures. Often entertaining but not exactly emotionally engaging, Darksiders takes itself too seriously.