Pokémon Champions, at launch, is a solid start to the new Pokémon battling experience on Nintendo Switch. Robust, flexible mechanics for newcomers to enter the battle scene and customisation for more seasoned players. As a free-to-play game, there is a surprising amount on offer - full battle modes and rental Pokémon, with paid content primarily reserved for cosmetics/time savers and storage. Pokémon Champions isn't without its choppy performance in areas and missing content, but it is a strong start that's bound to... evolve over time.

Oh, joy. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is the miraculous return no one asked for, adding a heroine nobody wanted, and turning a beloved, dark saga into an uninspired, rough-around-the-edges side-scrolling platformer that few if any will enjoy. As for the story and writing, if past titles were Shakespearean poetry in video game form, this resembles a confused school play project. Vae victis? More like vae playeris - woe to the player forced to endure this mess.

Tears Revolude is a frustrating title to play through. It has a lot of potential, but it is wasted due to a lack of polish. The combat system is solid, and there are some nice options to optimise characters; however, there are never any challenges that make good use of them. The skeletons of the characters’ personalities are neat with a lot of sweet backstory, but they are never fleshed out, and the laughable expressions further add to the feeling of soullessness. This is what happens when great people are given too little time to deliver a title on schedule, no matter the end result. For the first few hours, Tears Revolude promises a great JRPG experience, but it never delivers.

It is very rare to see a video game that gets everything right from start to finish, but People of Note definitely falls into this category. It starts off by hooking with flashy musical numbers and never lets go. Whenever Groove is being farmed to buy that latest guitar or triangulation puzzles are being solved, it is always optional and engaging. People of Note is the RPG that players need it to be. Some want a title that constantly makes them think, others want to enjoy a great story, and some want it all. This is one of those gems that will please almost every RPG fan. To add to this, it also has some of the most positive and inclusive writing seen in a video game. Every single element combines into a beautiful harmony, and, just as with music, one can enjoy it either by letting it flow or by analysing its depths.

A Rat’s Quest: The Way Back Home - Season 1 is the game players wished licensed titles bought back in the 90s-2000s were going to be. It feels like a full Pixar movie to play and participate in. The production value is through the roof across every single area, and no compromises were made to tell the best story in video games in a long time. A Rat’s Quest: The Way Back Home - Season 1 is definitely a must-buy for those who love 3D platformers and great narrative experiences.

Despite initial reservations, Dragon Spira's innovative method of raising party members' stats through minigames became a favourite activity. Coupled with the expected humorous tale, the retro style soundtrack, and interesting outfit and job changes, it nestles comfortably as one of the most interesting KEMCO titles released later on in the Nintendo Switch's life, small niggles aside.

For long-time fans of the franchise, this is an easy recommendation. For newcomers, it’s perhaps best approached with measured expectations and a bit of patience. Either way, Mega Man Star Force: Legacy Collection stands as a worthwhile addition to the Nintendo Switch library and a fitting second life for a trilogy that never got the attention it deserved.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is an overall fun package for those who want additional challenges and multiplayer features. There's a surprising amount to see and do, alongside the existing campaign - especially the solo training stages. It is a shame, though, that the new minigame portion is strictly limited to multiplayer, with a lack of bots or public online lobbies. For newcomers and existing players, it might well be worth experiencing the standard Super Mario Bros. Wonder release first and consider upgrading only if you crave a second helping.

Pokémon LeafGreen is a showcase of what made and still makes Pokémon games so appealing thirty years later. Timeless critters in a colourful Game Boy Advance palette, the joy of catching and battling, plus a sense of adventure that’s woven throughout. It is a shame that the port lacks additional quality-of-life updates or online play, though. The Nintendo Switch re-release is ideal way for both newcomers and seasoned Poké-veterans to get their Kanto fix, with the benefit of being able to experience FireRed and LeafGreen on the big screen.

Aether & Iron is a very promising title that tells a highly compelling story of power and class, and is crowned with one of the most clever SRPG battle systems on the market. However, it is full of disruptive glitches and bugs that rear their heads far too frequently, which prevent the mind from fully engaging with the wonderful story. Signs indicate that the developers are quick to fix issues as they arise, so there is reason to believe they will get fixed over time. However, at the moment of writing, the flaws are too numerous to overlook. This makes it difficult to fully recommend the game to a wider audience than hardcore SRPG and aetherpunk dystopia fans. For those that love these aspects, though, there are few titles on the market that will scratch that itch as well as Aether & Iron.

A revival of a classic comes to Switch 2 looking slightly worse for wear, although the hit to visual quality is a sacrifice worth having to ensure a smooth docked and portable experience for Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage. The new solo mode is on the grindy side and unfortunately doesn’t add any story scenes that would appeal to offline players, but it serves as a solid alternative to the arcade, and unlocking cosmetics along the way keeps reasons to persist with it high. The focus is on the online portion, which has great long-term potential with rollback and crossplay at the core.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a monstrously huge JRPG packed with epic scenes and powerful emotional moments. There's so much to explore and experience in a stunning world set to inspiring music. Missing multiplayer is definitely a blow, and for some, a potential dealbreaker, but what’s here is an outstanding, incredibly fun experience that feels like the start of a lasting legacy. Capcom should take note of what this team has pulled off; the future looks bright, and Twisted Reflection sends a clear message: this spin-off could potentially supplant the main series.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a confident, atmospheric sequel that builds on the strengths of the original while introducing a chilling new legend to unravel. Its blend of branching choices, investigative depth, interactive flashbacks, and understated supernatural tension creates an experience that feels both familiar and freshly refined for Switch 2. It is a tightly woven mystery that leaves a lasting impression.

Off has always been a strange, atmospheric, and undeniably influential RPG - one that’s ultimately more compelling for its ideas than for its gameplay. This remaster is easily the best way to experience it, thanks to its various QoL improvements, even if the new soundtrack may prove divisive among long-time fans. Combat and pacing issues prevent it from standing shoulder to shoulder with the genre’s greats, but its bizarre world, cryptic storytelling, and historical importance still make it a fascinating curiosity for lovers of unconventional indies. You may not end up liking it that much, but it’s the kind of game that’s worth experiencing at least once.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and Aiko's Choice are exceptional strategy games held back by some unusual design choices. They're both still solid without any RPG mechanics, but being able to exploit the quick-save in a way that trivialises the experience was a mistake. It would have been nice to have bespoke checkpoints, though that might have impacted the large-scale, open-ended maps. The foundation for engrossing tactical planning and execution is top-notch, yet the story and character motivations end up being the most gripping aspect of the entire package between Blades of the Shogun and Aiko's Choice.

No Sleep for Kaname Date may not offer the gravitas of the two series entries it’s set between, but it confidently provides more of the same enjoyable gameplay and entertaining cast of characters. Far from just being a Greatest Hits album, it also introduces some classic escape room gameplay sections that are thoroughly enjoyable and successfully broaden the scope of the series despite this entry’s shorter length. All told, this is a great prospect for established fans, but probably not the best place to start for newcomers.

Blue Prince is a quietly captivating mystery that rewards patience, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Its shifting mansion, step‑based progression, and intricate room‑specific rules create an experience that feels both unpredictable and purposeful, offering a rare blend of surreal atmosphere and thoughtful design. It is a game that lingers in the mind long after the day has been reset, inviting players to return again and again in search of the truths hidden within its walls.

Although not all Legend of Zelda elements make the transition where it may have helped, Minishoot Adventures is a creative and successful blend of top-down adventuring and twin-stick shooter gameplay. Plenty to discover, collect and challenge yourself with makes for a thoroughly rewarding experience that, despite feeling like a bit more could be extracted from this genre mashup, will greatly satisfy both classic Zelda and shoot ‘em up fans.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a masterful return to one of horror’s most enduring tales, revitalising its atmosphere and emotional weight without losing sight of what made it special. It stands as a reminder that true fear comes not from spectacle, but from the quiet moments where imagination fills the gaps, and in that regard, this new interpretation succeeds with chilling confidence.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit should have been more than a Mega Man knock-off with fewer features. It aims unbearably low and is content to dangle member berries to past episodes of a YouTube series that has become past due. A true successor to The Angry Video Game Nerd: I & II Deluxe should have been bolder and mixed genres or even gone full 3D. The only claim to fame 8-bit will ever have is that it's functionally a lost episode to the series due to the original footage used for the FMVs.

While Khaos Reigns extends the experience of the enjoyable Mortal Kombat 1, the story expansion itself is nothing to write home about. The six new fighters are the meat of the experience, with some fun returning characters from past games and three well-realised guest characters, some of which have shaken up the meta in a positive way. Regardless, this bundle is difficult to recommend as a package, so fans who are only interested in a select few Kombat Pack 2 fighters would be better off purchasing them individually.

For an indie game, the boss fights are really, really good. It's fun having the boss go "movie mode" on the player when they catch them in an attack, and the parrying feels really enjoyable. The fighting to get there, though, is average at best, and the platforming borders on horrendous for how often buttons don't prompt on a teleport-jump, or the dash falls slightly short, leading to unnecessary frustration. At the current price point, Homura Hime is a bit tough to recommend, but will be worth it on a sale.

Pokémon Pokopia could well be the Animal Crossing of Nintendo Switch 2. A familiar world that needs rejuvenation, brimming with potential and a cast of colourful favourites to join the ride. Pokopia has a surprising amount of depth, encouraging both exploration and more structured missions to keep the fun flowing. With almost boundless craft and customisation, the game highlights the strength of the hardware - a technical showcase of a world that rarely stutters, if at all. As a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Pokémon Pokopia has the potential to become a system seller; a cosy essential with a sprinkling of Pokémon nostalgia.

Japanese Drift Master is an enjoyable single‑player experience with a few rough edges. Fans of Japanese car culture and drifting‑focused gameplay will find plenty to enjoy. It may not reach the heights of Need for Speed or Midnight Club, but JDM delivers a stylish and entertaining ride nonetheless.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a tedious and garden-variety metroidvania that brings nothing interesting to show to the class. This prequel stretches over 20 hours, filled with unnecessary padding and the least interesting iteration of Kratos yet, relying on trite game design and utterly soulless execution. Young Kratos, stripped of his signature rage, is an utter dullard preaching honour amidst joyless obedience. There’s no fury, no peril, just persistent boredom, proving that some origins are best left as a mystery.

Super Bomberman Collection is the most complete and confident celebration of Bomberman’s early years to date. It blends preservation with modern polish, offers a wealth of content across seven games, and captures the joyful chaos that made the series iconic. Minor technical quirks and limited online features hold it back slightly, but they do little to diminish the overall achievement. This is Bomberman at its most generous, its most accessible, and its most enduring.

An excellent platformer that was one of the most important titles in the early days of PlayStation, beautifully presented here. With tons of interesting additional content, this is an essential purchase for fans of the original. Hopefully in the future, whatever is holding back the faithfully recreated soundtrack will be resolved.

It is easy to see what Fortuna Magus was aiming to do. It tried to be a short and sweet JRPG, something that is always appreciated, since the biggest flaw in the genre is that games sometimes feel padded. However, it maintains the same ratio between padding and the actual story as in longer games in the genre. Worst of all, it does not give important plot points and characterisation the space they need. Combined with a poorly implemented currency that makes characters way more powerful than they should be, it removes the spotlight from the wonderful combat system. Fortuna Magus is sadly a hard pass, except for those who feel the need to play any retro JRPGs on the market. Although there are many great ones published by Kemco alone, one should never have to dive this deep into the barrel for something new to play.