Everything about Go Vacation seems like it’s trying to import the hottest gaming trends of 2006 into today. If you still feel nostalgia for that era, then check it out, but if you’d rather that motion controls and the like stayed firmly in the past, then you’ll probably want to steer clear.

Heavy Fire: Red Shadow is just not good. It tries to be a decent game, but just fails on every level. The inclusion of VR just adds hope that it will at least be fun for a little while, but it turns out just being more of a headache. I figured VR was included to generate some interest in what is essentially a bargain bin title. It’s very basic but there is just no fun to be found here. I cannot recommend even trying this one out, even to experience the VR mode, as it just doesn’t deliver any kind of lasting appeal.

Beneath its sophomoric sense of humour lies a game that wants nothing more than to crush your spirit, and giving the insane balancing issues, it’s kind of hard to see why you’d let it.

In better hands, from better storytellers and more accomplished developers, I have no doubt that Anamorphine could have been something interesting. The core idea, as I said, is promising. But when you botch everything around it so thoroughly, then — as we see here — the end result is something that no one should have to endure.

Overall if you’re looking for more Spider-Man, The Heist is a great beginning to the DLC storyline that will continue over the next two months. It’s critical that you know that you are playing DLC one of three when you play The Heist because it leaves you with a bit of a cliffhanger and it’s not a self contained story, as some might have expected. With the arrival of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s going to be tough to escape the old west to finish out this story, but Spidey’s latest leaves you wondering where they will go next and what trouble New York is in for.

It doesn’t do anything incredibly well, and the things it does poorly are so minor that it’s hard to get very worked up. If you want a short, easy shmup it’ll do, but otherwise, you can probably skip it.

LEGO DC Super-Villains shows that sometimes it is good to be bad. Of course it doesn’t break the LEGO genre mold, but I’m fairly certain everyone who is reading this or buying this game, knows what they’re in for. While you have to push through the same tired mechanics, the game’s story and stellar voice acting will have you wanting more. Just remember to look out for the Joker and the villains of the night!

I’m inclined to give it all the benefit of the doubt in the world, and to say that it’s still worth checking out if you’re a basketball fan. I’m all for competition, and that competition is undeniably shrinking the gap between NBA Live and NBA 2K. But the reality is, as far as this game has come, it still has a ways to go before it can be considered a true equal.

Seriously, I can’t recall ever seeing the game hitch up or slow down, whether docked or undocked, which is a huge plus.

At this point it’s fair to say the HD port of Shenmue I & II is in better shape than its release and would now be considered acceptable to play. Save data transfer and cutscenes were a big problem, and major bugs seem to be patched out. Both games are here in all their glory and probably the best way to spend your time with Ryo as he follows his journey. Veterans will be happy with the ability to play on modern platforms and newcomers finally have a chance to experience what Shenmue has to offer while Yu Suzuki is hard at work on Shenmue 3.

In terms of a great bargain it’s hard to get better than a game like Valkyria Chronicles and the quality of this port on the Switch means it’s a must-buy for anyone curious about the series or considering adding it to their Switch library. And the only thing that makes an SRPG better is the portability of having it around to make dull moments like bus rides and family events breeze on by.

Everything plays smoothly, loads quickly, and I appreciate the sense of progression you get from playing these tables within the shell of Pinball FX3. All the little experience gains and unlocks add to the experience, but aren’t necessary to pay attention to if you’re just coming at this for the pure pinball experience. I’d wholeheartedly say that the license is in good hands with Zen Studios, and look forward to future table releases down the road.

The game is here in its entirety and feels good to play both with Joy-cons and especially the Switch Pro Controller. Framerate seemed mostly consistent with a few dips that didn’t affect my experience, so the performance is pretty successful. Some new functionality includes gesturing with motion controls and the use of amiibos. Both of these are nice to have, but of all the tweaks and any custom Switch additions I still can’t believe the menu buttons are like they are. Otherwise the base game was the real prize and for better or worse is here as promised.

By whatever standard you want to apply, Red Dead Redemption II doesn’t just build on the accomplishments of its already impressive predecessor, it eclipses them. Much like the first Red Dead Redemption was unquestionably one of the high-water marks of the last generation, Red Dead Redemption II will be remembered as one of the most impressive achievements of this one.

It’s hard not to recommend Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country to anyone looking for a great RPG experience on the Switch. It’s a great expansion for fans of Xenoblade 2 while at the same time being a perfect way for newcomers to sample the games without signing their life away on a full-length RPG. It also has one of the better stories in the series and to me it plays the best that these games have, so if you’ve been on the fence then definitely check this one out.

If you have not played a Battle Royale game before, or hate the two I mentioned above, do not sleep on Black Ops 4. Jump in and see what Battle Royale is SUPPOSED to be. If the only mode that interests you is standard multiplayer, maybe you will love it and maybe you will hate it. It truly just depends on what you look for in a multiplayer shooter today.

It’s just shy of being the full package but it’s also exactly the shot in the arm this series needed and couldn’t have come at a better time than being on the Switch. I mean what’s more fitting for a console with built-in local multiplayer than “the” party game? Okay maybe Smash Bros, but that’s more apples and oranges. So if you’ve been waiting for Super Mario Party then it looks good to jump in, the water’s fine!

I loved the mini-games, and found a lot of the substories delivered the quirky humor that I adore from the Yakuza series. I also enjoyed the combat for the most part, even if the various execution animations get a little tiring after the first dozen or so times you see them. But everything else surrounding those things is just a slog to get through. And the story takes some really weird, nearly non-sensical twists towards the end that I definitely had issues with. So I can’t say I would suggest this whole-heartedly, to either Yakuza or Fist of the North Star fans. Maybe check this one out via discount or rental, otherwise you should probably just go back and play more Yakuza.

With it’s unique story and presentation and over the top gross factor, Pig Eat Ball is somewhat of a hidden gem. Most players may pass right over this one but I do recommend at least taking a look at this one. I was skeptical at first, but once I started playing I was really liking what it had to offer. It does need a few updates for the sporadic control issues and to fix up some strange glitches, but it’s extremely playable and fun. Don’t let the name prevent you from playing this very unique title.

If you’re just looking for a solid — if short — platformer, then you’ve come to the right place, because Jack N’ Jill DX delivers on that modest promise.

If you skipped 2K18 based on my review last year, you can feel safe in knowing this year’s game is worth playing and 2K made the best title they’ve made in years (but is that really saying a lot?).

Unsurprisingly, there’s a direct correlation between game not working properly and me not liking it. I can overlook outdated graphics, and I can overlook a mediocre plot. But when a game just doesn’t function — and make no mistake, The Dreamlands: Aisling’s Quest doesn’t — that’s simply unforgivable.

Seeing as Tetra’s Escape isn’t promising all that much, I find it hard to get that worked up about any of its drawbacks. It doesn’t ask much of players — in terms of time, money, or brain power — and in return, it gives you an hour of pleasantness. It won’t be anybody’s Game of the Year or anything, but it’s certainly enjoyable enough to pass the time while you’re playing it.

Regardless of which version you purchase, Starlink: Battle For Atlas will provide one of the best console space shooters in years, and is now my favorite Star Fox game of all time.

The novelty of the thing wears off kind of quickly. And once it does, there’s not much to do but wait for the flash-forwards to reveal the game’s ending. It’s a shame, because The Longest Five Minutes starts off so well — but, at the same time, it makes the title oddly ironic, since the five or so minutes in which the game seems genuinely interesting and fresh are over far, far too quickly.

It’s a gorgeous, meditative experience that will give you plenty of time to reflect, which makes it unlike nearly any other game I’ve ever played.

If there’s one thing that could have taken this from alright to great, the game could have treated its mechanic as an actual puzzle instead of a gimmick. More Zelda-style instrument playing than Moonwalker-inspired song and dance.

To work Lost Phone Stories needs really compelling stories — after all, both games rely on being so interesting and engaging that you can’t help but want to search through the phones to figure out what to do next. And, quite frankly, they don’t succeed.