Swords & Soldiers requires no introduction, this real-time strategy title is now reaching the Wii U and brings along some very appreciated GamePad controls. Sadly, the absence of an online multiplayer mode is unexplainable and a rather dull rhythm settles in after playing for longer time periods, making this an acceptable but far from essential title.

There is nothing to say about a game that promises very little and aims very low. This is a low-cost, low-ambition, low-achievement title - there are no significant problems, but its margin is so narrow that there's no space to do anything else other having a short-lived entertaining run that won't take long to finish.

Without anything remarkable to offer in the four fields that it touches upon - action, adventure, puzzle and arcade - this is best used as a basis to learn about how to make videogames, as the insights on game design found along the way are more entertaining than any other component the game offers.

A playground, rather than a game, is what could be used to describe Tomodachi Life. That’s what it’s all about, creating and importing Miis, watch their lives unfold while helping their fulfill their needs. Not the most groundbreaking in terms of socialization games, but it provides some amusing moments. Alas, a god-game this is not and the experience is never immersive or rewarding enough.

The first Inazuma Eleven to be fully produced for the 3DS had a tremendous opportunity to bring forth a significant evolution to the series. Nevertheless, other than the laudable technical progress, its new features are lukewarm at best, some of them even bothersome. This remains a solid, quality title but Inazuma Eleven GO: Light/Dark has missed its champion shot.

As a remake of a game that did not leave its mark, Putty Squad does not stand out. Its glitches and flaws, which include a serious lack of fluidity in some areas, make it a less-than-enjoyable platformer, which should only be considered by those who truly wish to try every title in the genre.

Abyss is a quiet anthem to the feeling of excruciating difficulty that went hand-in-hand with so many games from more than two decades ago, a minimalist effort designed to lure the players and make them die a thousand times before they reach a simple, yet very satisfying triumph.

Child of Light is nothing short of a delight of appealing mechanics and marvelous artistic component, set to enchant those looking for a charming RPG. Its storylines could use some additional development, as well as more tasks outside the plot’s line, but this remains a solid choice.

Sayonara Umihara Kawase is one of those titles that has the potential to captivate one segment of the audience while leaving the other mostly indifferent to it. It does press several right buttons, such as its style and mechanics but overall the experience is somehow limited and it doesn't stand out as much as it could.

Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey ends up not rising above the waterline, as its fun factor is too short-lived and its gameplay quickly becomes too repetitive. The proliferation of similar titles on the World Wide Web, where games about looking for objects are very common, makes Hidden Odyssey a passable title, only recommended to those who are enthusiastic about staring at aquaria.

As far as humorous unconventional games are concerned, Stick it to the Man fits perfectly among those titles that break the lines of conformity. The whole experience is richly treated to a recipe of originality and humour, helped by a superb sound environment. If only the programming of some of the GamePad functions was improved and longevity more ambitious, this would be an all-round winner.

My Exotic Farm does not stand out in any of the fields it tries to follow: farm managing and animal care. Had it followed one of these, it could perhaps stand on its own legs but as it is, My Exotic Farm isn’t more than a tedious and repetitive piece of work with very little content to speak of.

Nintendo promised and delivered. Mario Kart 8 is the shiniest star in one of the shiniest series in the world of videogames. Perfectly fine-tuned gameplay, a leap in the right direction for the online component, a magnificent audio-visual pillar worthy of the Wii U and an immensely fun and absorbing experience, whether solo or multiplayer, making Mario Kart 8 an instant and timeless classic.

Nintendo keeps using its legacy as a way to boost its presence and while NES Remix 2 does strike a chord with the nostalgia crowd, it also shows its limitations by not expanding the pool of challenges beyond that of the original title. For this reason and also for the lack of a real online interaction, Remix 2 does not stand out as it should.

Even after trying very hard, it’s impossible to find something worthy about Angry Bunnies. This Angry Birds clone is a very unpolished and flawed piece of work, which although displaying a certain degree of effort on level design, does not compel the players in any way.

It's refreshing and even praiseworthy that there's a game for the 3DS built entirely around its Augmented Reality capabilities. Sadly, there's very little substance to support this effort and Bubble Pop World ends up being a failed attempt to follow the legacy of Bust-a-Move. Overall, this is an uninteresting title, which does not motivate the player to discover the potential of AR technology.

The versatility of the Kirby franchise is only surpassed by Kirby's capacity to absorb enemies and their respective abilities. Triple Deluxe, however, does not go all the way through and is rather an example of a classic Kirby game transplanted to the 3DS. Level design starts to show some fatigue but Kirby and his enemies are as delightful as ever in their colourful ways and 3D depth perception effects.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths is yet another example of an entertaining game based on a popular television series…entertaining, but flawed, as it does not make proper use of the 3DS, starting with the lack of a 3D mode, added to an overall feeling of repetitiveness. Still, it’s an effort that can be enjoyed by fans of the series, but not a trailblazing or groundbreaking piece of work.

Mario Golf: World Tour brings Nintendo's golf series to the 3DS in quite a competent and compelling way. There's a wide variety of content to unlock and the challenge will keep players with their hands on this for a long time. Less skilled players may find it too difficult though, but anyone willing to invest a bit of their time and effort will be adequately rewarded.

There are few reasons why a game that is available on the mobile market and also available for free on a Flash format should be released as a paying game for the 3DS. Other than players with a very keen interest in poker and who are not familiar with the other versions of this game, very few will find it appealing.

Beyond the graphical environments and gameplay, Pure Chess is a compelling title, offering plenty of options, as well as tutorials for beginner players. However, its asynchronous online mode harms the experience of playing with an opponent at a distance, which hampers the game’s appeal to those interested in online chess matches.

One doesn't require a fully-accurate (and serious) football management game to have a fun, involving and addictive experience, this is the overall message of Nintendo Pocket Football Club. Its own bright, inviting charisma and enthusiasm are certain to charm a great amount of players, and not for a short time given its long lifespan.

Skater Cat's catchy tune (yes, there's only one) and acceptable graphical environments are not nearly enough to redeem what is an overwhelming exercise of repeating the same formula, the same mechanics and the exact same pattern again and again...Many aspects of this game need to be revised if it is ever aiming at becoming something worth considering.

Cut the Rope: Triple Treat is not harmed by its gameplay, its controls or its technical aspects. What keeps it from being a more prominent and recommended title for those who seek short, fun gaming sessions, is its business model. A compilation of three games, including two previously released on the mobile market, does not justify its high price tag.

A great improvement over its predecessor, Steel Diver: Sub Wars is successful at putting the player in a submarine environment, recreating several aspects of these vessels within the boundaries set by the 3DS. The overall short length of its one player mode and the lack of options on multiplayer mode end up becoming obstacles on its route, but this is a title that will not disappoint.

Cube Tactics is a minimally competent strategy game based on disposing cubes in order to attack and defend. Its missions offer a good package and its visual environment is overall satisfactory, without impressing too much. Yet, its gameplay can reach dull moments and the lack of a local multiplayer mode is not easy to understand.

Cubit The Hardcore Platformer Robot can be best described as having a well intended and well thought concept but whose implementation does not let it live up to its potential. A merciless jumping mechanic and controls which should have been fine-tuned contribute to an extremely demanding experience which will frustrate the majority of players.

The burden of mundane, everyday tasks does not seem like an attractive premise for a videogame. Yet, this is what Life With Horses 3D mostly consists of. Uninteresting and difficult to control racing and management activities, plagued by bothersome duties and outdated graphics which will only put away any enthusiasm for this game, Life With Horses 3D does not stand out in any field.