Like this remake's newly-added horse character, Miitopia is a bit of a one-trick pony. Beyond a few rare format changes, what you experience in the first hour is basically what you'll be doing for the entire game. This will likely drive away some, particularly those looking for a more challenging experience, but for others, this pony's "one trick" isn't inherently bad. While much of the playthrough is spent fast-forwarding through repeated environments, there's still plenty of charming moments that are worth slowing down for. It isn't the most exciting title ever, but it does make you smile… and sometimes, that's all you really need.

The first glimpse of Sumire's soft hues on the title screen indicate the strength of the emotional connection felt from Sumire's story. The messages arising from her adventure are powerful and will resonate with anyone who has suffered grief in any form, as well as help prepare people for how unique death is in its effects. The myriad choices that need making, plus the decent amount of challenges, encourage using the One More Day option once the game ends to this charming must-play title on Nintendo Switch.

A little romance, and lots of boredom, are the only things that can be found within the ample bosom of Childhood Friends. There's nothing here that will make the reader like, hate, sympathise, laugh, or relate with the main duo of this extremely safe visual novel. It's a long, tedious date, which goes on forever; one you can safely avoid.

Nintendo Switch owners looking for their next platforming adventure need not pay this game any attention. Though it is pretty to look at and plays well, it is so forgettable that anything done right is overwhelmingly overshadowed by how unenjoyable and uninspired it is. From its level design, enemy encounters, and platforming sequences, to its lead character, collectables, and soundtrack, there is nothing worthwhile in Stitchy in Tooki Trouble. Just go buy Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

One Night Stand is almost as short as the real thing, but not as pleasant… or unpleasant. Despite the intriguing concept behind this nice-looking visual novel, which is to find out what the heck happened last night, this plays its cards a bit too safe, and never dares offering something more emotive, or to include interesting plot twists. It is a simple create-your-own-adventure kind of deal that's… well, fun, just not as much as it could be with a little heavier emphasis in character development and/or plot. If a fan of the genre, and don't mind super-short indies, check it out. The rest can safely pass this by.

Dark sci-fi Hellpoint sits smack-dab in the centre of soulslikes quality-wise. It's not terrible, but it's far from a good one too. Should you wait for a price drop, and a couple of fixes for its technical issues? Frankly, no. The strong atmosphere and cryptic plot have the capacity to provide the incentive to endure the many flaws and keep on playing, but aggravation and plain 'ol boredom will soon ruin everything. IF still willing to try it out, stay away from the Switch port, as it is the worse one yet.

For a PS5 owner desperate for a 2D fighter to add to their collection, this is a no brainer. With a long history of 2D fighters in this reviewer's back catalogue Guilty Gear Strive has gained a place in the top tier pantheon of the genre. Fantastic graphics, excellent gameplay that has the perfect balance of easy to pick up, difficult to master and some real thought put into the obligatory online mode mean it is likely to remain unbeaten for a long time to come. Maybe until the next entry in the series is released. Brilliant Brawling.

Clan O'Conall and the Crown of the Stag is a very solid, Celtic-flavoured, action-plaform/puzzler that could be so much more with a little more effort. Everything, from the platforming, puzzle-solving, and fighting, to the three unique heroes that players will have to constantly swap between are very good, but the experience leans a bit too much towards casual-friendly territory. Not a piece of cake, but solutions to each and every problem are way too obvious, and as a result the whole adventure soon loses its immersion factor. A good game, sure, just not a strong recommendation.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a great game. Although its difficulty can be frustrating and some lengthy sequences are tedious, the world design is crisp and filled with humour, the levels overflow with creativity and most importantly, completing a level is satisfying. The plot is thin, but the cartoony vibes provoke a great mix of nostalgia and charm. The PlayStation 5 upgrade significantly improves load times and takes the game's visuals to another level. Crash fans have much to love in this long-awaited sequel. Although newcomers to the series may be turned off by how punishing the game can be, this title is an adventure worth embarking on.

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.

Beat 'em up fans should not overlook Double Dragon Neon. For some inexplicable reason, it was scorned upon release by reviewers who failed to learn how to play it. With the revival of brawlers and local co-op becoming popular again, gamers will hopefully give it a second chance. It has an amazing soundtrack that is good enough to warrant the game be played on a big screen during get-togethers, and the playability is rock solid.

A heartfelt confession, but an otherwise boring experience, Sea of Solitude fails both as a game, as well as an exploration of mental health. At times too symbolic and abstract to decode, and at other times very straightforward with its message, most will find it hard to feel the struggles of its cute, feathery protagonist and connect with her. This is basically like reading the diary of a high school kid. What is said within its pages is true and all, but that doesn't make it a good read. Even worse? The simplistic platforming/exploring/puzzle-solving that needs to be done here can even put an elephant to sleep.

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.

What is Shadow Man Remastered? It's a great remaster, of a not so great game. A tedious collect-a-thon wrapped in fancy horror-themed paper. It isn't really that fun, and not just because of its age, as, in all honesty, it wasn't that enjoyable to begin with. Despite being quite the sleeper hit of its era, it's an action-adventure whose overstretched length, and aggravatingly labyrinthine structure won't be appreciated by everyone, especially modern gamers. If still curious to try Shadow Man out, do purchase Nightdive's version, though, as it is undoubtedly the definite one.

Sure, it's a tricky one to review and recommend 'as a videogame' because it's not strictly one per se. It can have the descriptive, but it is also a bit more artsy, more personal, more meditative. It almost seems like it'd be perfect for a rainy Sunday morning with nothing else going on to just soak in. Definitely there is room for a lot more for this kind of thing to be incorporated into the medium and it'd be nice to see it become more of a norm rather than an exception, but it does stand out for that reason. Admittedly, it will likely appeal to a certain kind of person, one that is more contemplative, but it is also worth the price of admission to find out if thee is that certain kind of person.

There's nuance to every aspect of gameplay, from the Press Turn battle system to Demon fusion and recruitment. As true in 2021 as it was in 2003, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is nothing short of a must-play RPG.

Haunting, evocative, introspective, atmospheric and memorable, Shady Part of Me feels like a journey - and, a very personal one at that. It's the kind of journey that many in the audience will be able to identify with. It may only take a few hours, but it's one worth experiencing more than once. Just eight people made this title, and it's exciting to see what that little team will be able to do next.

Though both One and Three of the trilogy have been widely available for a considerable time, Columns II is likely the most unique of the trio, and now upon a western release offers not only the original in all its splendour but a fun puzzler sequel to its own merit. Enjoyable for curious puzzler newcomers and genre veterans alike, even if a little simplistic for the latter crowd.

The concept of taking care of a bird of prey during a rebellion is highly appealing for bird lovers. Unfortunately most expectations of bird care and the intriguing story of Falcon Age were not met. What could have been an immersive game ported smoothly from VR, was the exact opposite with poor game mechanics, a weak ending that made playing this feel pointless and a complete waste of time. What works in VR does not always translate into an ordinary non-VR title, and Falcon Age should have remained a VR exclusive and not be released on the Nintendo Switch.

No pun intended, but Part Time UFO is the very definition of a pick-up-and-play effort. You know… pick up… with a claw… Ahem! Anyway, it's rewarding for short bursts and designed very well for this kind of play, with a level of polish not found in some other 'short burst' titles. It also saves some of its best surprises for the endgame.

MotoGP 20 is a fine title to play on Nintendo Switch for those who are itching to jump into a digital bike racer. However, MotoGP 20 suffers from the same old troubles that this may only appeal to the hardcore fans who watch the sport religiously as it is. However for those who haven't dabbled in MotoGP 20 up until this point, it's unlikely that this year's iteration is going to move the dial or sway opinions. But for those who do decide to jump into this title, there is a steep learning curve - but once it's overcome, this title can provide plenty of hours of fun, despite some of the visual hurdles and lack of local competitive racing or online modes.

Ultimately, Poison Control is a let-down of how good it could have been. Utterly lacking in the cohesive element, some parts absolutely stand out, where so many others fall far short. The shooting is serviceable, the 'cleaning' gets old fast, and the story doesn't really go anywhere. Poisonette and the main character have a great dynamic, which serves to only show how short other aspects really fell short.

As addictive as Kill It With Fire is, the game is unfortunately quite short. The side quests and unlockables add to the game's length, but it can be completed in an evening. This however doesn't denounce the fact that Kill It With Fire is a good time. Though some hit detection issues can get in the way, when combining organic humour, tense stand offs, and ridiculous moments, the game serves as an excellent distraction that could be picked up and played by anyone.

The Vagrant is by no means a perfect 2D hack 'n' slashing action-adventure/RPG-lite. There are far better alternatives out there - alternatives that are much more challenging than this walk in the park, by the way. It's still a very solid game, however. One that, while repetitive, and definitely not brimming with content, still manages to remain enjoyable for the eight hours it will last, with a pretty interesting plot keeping you company, even if the writing, pacing, and presentation is rough around the edges. In the end, The Vagrant's biggest strength is that it's a Vanillaware-esque game on a budget, so fans of Kamitani's work should play this super-cheap indie right away.

The price of admission might be somewhat high, as the games on offer are good, but not really that good, yet these remain classics in one way or another, even if there were far better alternatives, even at the time of their development. Having said that, they are definitely enjoyable; a bunch of titles that have stood the test of time. More importantly, the quality of this collection couldn't be any higher. It's basically a fantastic bundle of nostalgia, with lots of different versions of each game, plus plenty of behind-the-scenes material, excellent for those who are into the historical preservation side of the industry.

It's the absolute perfect time for this game. Not only because Pokémon is just settling into a new renaissance and resurgence of interest not seen since the 90s, but also because of the state of the world. Games that encapsulate escapism and the ability to just chill are desperately needed. It's part of the reason Animal Crossing exploded like it did. New Pokémon Snap is enjoyable in the exact same way. A game to lose yourself in. A game to play on rainy Sundays. To play late at night. To unwind and to decompress. Best of all, it's the perfect way to reconnect with the franchise in honour of the 25th anniversary. So, settle in, sleeve those new Shining Fates, throw on season two of Pokémon Journeys and get snapping.

Gears of War meets Destiny… and the end result is mediocre. Take away the "coolness" of playing a gun totting superhero, and all you are left with is basically one more generic looter shooter, that doesn't manage to impress, neither with its repetitive gameplay, nor with its boring story and world building. Add to that a couple of technical and network issues, and you are in for a - pricey - treat.

NieR Replicant 1.22 is an outstanding remake and an excellent action RPG in its own right. Combat is fast paced, focused, and well varied between three distinct weapon types and eight magic spells. Dungeons appear simple but their design is deceptively clever, and they carry a Legend of Zelda-esque charm to them. The visuals are greatly improved from the original, from character models to background details. Bosses are downright bombastic, masterfully juggling tense battles with visceral set pieces. The story is simply beautiful, making brilliant use of music to amplify already deeply emotional storytelling. Above all else, Replicant plays into concepts only possible in a video game - leading to a genuinely unforgettable experience. If you only play one game this year, make it NieR Replicant 1.22.