Joining many other quality examples of its genre on Switch, Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse continues the series' excellent storytelling and puzzle structure, with what is sure to please both fan and newcomer alike with fiendish brainteasers and the optional hint system. A more contained story structure, and character movement hitches aside, point-and-click adventure devotees will find a lot to love here.

The Stretchers is a jovial, anarchic affair. It looks like a Dreamcast title and, in some respects, feels like playing one too. That comparison isn't meant as a pejorative to say it's dated, as it isn't, and certainly it has a charm all of its own. Despite some small annoyances, it is the freshness, and an arcade-y fun-ness that feels like something off of Sega's last console. This is brimming with engaging ideas, which constantly build on or mix up the core mechanic, which taken on its own merits is strong.

Although there is a quality campaign to be enjoyed, it is little more than a way to unlock all the factions, units, abilities, and spells to be used in the skirmish modes, because the skirmishing is where Swords & Soldiers II really shines.

Not much happens in the final episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm, and, at first, it doesn't seem to matter as, instead of any new stuff, it's the "feels" that are in the spotlight this time around. The only true problem seems to be the sleep-inducingly slow pacing of it all, something that sort of ruins the end of this prequel.

VirtuaVerse isn't all bad. It is a solid 10-plus hour plot that is a clear homage to some of the best portrayals of this dystopian vision of a futuristic world. There are a few nice set pieces here and there, and from a graphical standpoint, the visuals pop on the screen and are incredibly memorable. Likewise, the musical score compliments them ideally. However, this is an adventure that never gets off the ground thanks to lacklustre main characters, forgettable dialogue, and a clichéd plot. Worse still, the puzzling point-and-click adventure aspects of gameplay detract from the above more often than they enhance.

Even if a fan of sci-fi and visual novels, Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend Edition will largely fail to click with most. The pacing is way too slow, the characters are not interesting, and the overall plot takes too long to get going. Despite a few redeeming factors, it simply cannot be recommended due to the many failings across the board.

It's hard to recommend Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated to anyone but fans of the 2010 original and maybe to a few of those diehard aficionados of super old-school JRPGS. Bad? No. It's actually a pretty good game, but it leans too much on comedy to be immersive, and its short length makes it feel more like a taste of something more epic in scale and scope.

Wayforward Technologies has managed to successfully craft a fine one-player character-switching platform adventure that proves to be fun for all; not only fans of the cartoon show, but fans of the genre in general.

Aegis Defenders is an average, run-of-the-mill indie game. It had some worthwhile goals, like hybrid tower defence and action gameplay mechanics with Lost Vikings character puzzles. The most interesting quality is that there is a two-player co-op mode, which changes the dynamic of the game drastically. The real shining moments are during the defending the target portions of the levels, since teamwork actually matters and doing these alone can be a bit much to manage. With a bit of polish and tighter balancing, this could have been a real darling.

It is a pleasure to experience Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, with every single entry holding up as well as it did when first released. For a pure gaming experience, this would be pushing perfection. What keeps it in a category below is the question of purchase for long-term fans. New content? Certainly. Best way to play? Possibly. Enough to warrant the price point? Potentially not until every Metal Gear is given the collection treatment.

It's completely understandable why Neo Cab wouldn't be for everyone. A completely unique experience of this kind could alienate, and make it difficult to justify taking a punt without an in-depth examination of what to expect. Take the chance however, and an immersive, fascinating commentary on the evils of technology interspersed with a murder-mystery novel, are delivered. If excellent pacing and a character driven narrative are the major plus points when handing over the cash, sit back, strap in, and enjoy the journey. With the multiple endings on offer, and only a few hours needed to go from start to finish, the Switch feels like the perfect place to meet new people, embroil yourself in their lives, and appreciate the highs and lows of cyberpunk couriering.

Sega Ages Space Harrier is a perfect port of a great classic that remains a milestone in video gaming technology to this day, perfectly preserved for both home and portable play in its Switch incarnation. It could have included a better integer scaling option in docked mode, but it nails it flat on the head in every other area. The amount of content may be a bit small, even with Komainu mode thrown in, but for any Sega fan out there looking to revisit this classic, it's hard to go wrong with this. The 3DS' 3D version still remains attractive for "exclusively portable" gameplay, since it offers stereoscopic 3D, and this one doesn't.

For the price tag attached to it, Sky Force Reloaded is the perfect antidote for Nintendo Switch fans that love this genre. As long as you came here in order to experience a pretty basic, and grind-heavy (but immensely addictive) vertical shoot 'em up, where the only modern thing about it is its graphical update, then you simply cannot go wrong!

After the rather lacklustre LEGO The Incredibles recently, Tt is back on top form with LEGO DC Super-Villains. This is a real joy for fans of DC Comics, absolutely stuffed with Easter Eggs and inside jokes that cater to every type of DC fan. From the DC films, the Arrowverse TV shows, to the classics, the cartoon series, and, of course, most of all, the comics. Along with containing some really great designed stages and areas, it also has the best story and cast in any LEGO title to date. It's this high quality across the board that will make this more than just another LEGO game.

Heading Out is one of those games that will either grip you from the outset or show all of its hand in the first hour, never to be looked at again. If invested in the character and the story, a really interesting tale will be laid out with lots of opportunity to review and revise the outcomes. If it’s a fully realised driving experience that is being wished for however, this may get left on the side of the road.

The clever mix of standard RPG adventure with an intriguing football-based storyline and innovative battle system - in the form of tactical stylus-controlled football matches - makes this one of the most unique games not only on 3DS, but on any system right now.

What Lode Runner Legacy isn't: something new and innovative that focuses on adding new elements to that distant classic from the '80s. What Lode Runner Legacy is: the original game at its best, with added levels, a retro-friendly voxel art style that fits like a glove, and a level editor that raises the replay value sky high… and it's on Nintendo Switch!

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.

Unlike most Minecraft clones, Portal Knights delivers an experience wholly its own and for the most part it succeeds. Playing through the main story is a highly enjoyable experience and for those who are looking for a new sandbox to build in. The home worlds allow the freedom to craft to your heart's content. It's even better with friends, too. The inclusion of co-op was a very wise choice and gives yet another element to elevate it above its competitors.

Inazuma Eleven 2: FireStorm / Blizzard is a wonderful follow-up to what was already a fantastic concept, expertly blending an intriguing RPG adventure with some highly skilful touch-screen football fun.

The rearranged soundtrack coupled to new compositions is stunningly awesome, as Yuzo Koshiro recaptures brilliantly the spirit of the original and the gameplay of the side-scrolling sections is even better than in the original. However, the questionable choices in the art direction, the bugs, poor performance and the, at times, way too wordy expanded script, mar the experience in such a way that what should have been the masterful return of a masterpiece instead turns out to be a nice introduction to the classic for new audiences, but not much more. There's no shaking the feeling that this re-release was not treated with all the care that such an important landmark title deserved. The extra content sweetens the deal somewhat, and encourages fans of the original to come back for more, but the price of admission for such an end result is a bit too much perhaps.

Technical foibles aside, Darksiders Genesis provides yet another fresh take on everyone's favourite Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The isometric viewpoint is an interesting new direction and one that isn't quite justified by the familiar hack 'n' slash action, but this is nevertheless a fun and well-designed experience that stays true to its roots despite its diminished scale. Fans of Darksiders will surely find a lot to enjoy here.

ICEY has a lot going for it; the combat is fun, the story and writing smart, plus it has some great designs and animations. It's definitely an enjoyable little addition to the libraries of Switch players, but its flaws are evident to see. If only it was a little longer, or had a bit more of a replayability factor, and if only the voice acting was better... Still, more than just a good game, and well worth checking out.

Although not without its faults in due part to the trial-and-error situations that require exhausting all options in conversations, Emio - The Smiling Man is a game that will keep fans glued to the end, topped off with a very appealing art style and fair 10+ hour storyline that doesn't overstay its welcome. There isn't much else to see and do once the full story is done, but it is one worth experiencing.

Playing Hitman: Absolution on Switch is a great way to replay it or give it a second chance. The gyro aiming improves the playability dramatically and may get veteran naysayers to accept the game on its own terms. It's a flawed and sometimes dumb experience with situations that make no sense, but still manages to be one of the better third-person action-adventure games, and a lot of it has to do with the gritty signature Hitman ambiance, presentation, and 47's impossibly cool dialogue and wit. He's a fun character, and getting any chance to be him is worth a few instances of sloppy design.

If in search for the next best thing in adventures, A Vampyre Story isn't it. While it has some issues, and an obvious lack of polish at places, it definitely has its moments, and some of these moments are awesome. It's not perfect, but genre fans will enjoy the three or so evenings they'll spend on it, with its humour, likable protagonist, and beautiful vistas being the best things on offer… and the fact that this is basically a Part One of a Part Two that never came (and probably never will) ruining the experience.

Fans of Tetris will be over the moon with this latest version, with it bringing back the classic mode that every knows and loves, as well as other popular takes on the theme that have proven to be widely accepted by loyal gamers.

Just like with…pretty much every instalment so far, Just Dance 2026 Edition can be described as more of the same - but it’s the good kind of same. It doesn’t reinvent the franchise (and doesn’t really have to) but it keeps the dance floor alive and booming, with the unpredictability of the new Party Mode being this year’s highlight.