Dialoop is one of the strangest genre combinations I’ve played this year, and I mean that as a compliment. Its blend of puzzle-solving, roguelite progression, relic-based customization, and anime- and pop-culture-infused presentation creates an experience unlike much else on Nintendo Switch. The core mechanic of shifting entire rows and columns is genuinely clever, while the relic system provides enough depth to sustain long-term engagement. At the same time, the game struggles with onboarding, occasionally buries players beneath layers of complexity, and sometimes sacrifices readability for spectacle. The visual noise and occasionally overwhelming systems prevent it from reaching the heights of the genre’s very best. Still, for players willing to invest the time required to understand its mechanics, Dialoop offers a rewarding and refreshingly original take on both puzzle games and roguelites. It may not become the next indie sensation, but it absolutely earns points for daring to be different.

Deer & Boy is a visually and aurally stunning cinematic experience. However, every great film also needs a great story, and this release falls short in this respect. This is largely due to the game failing to provide concrete answers about the world’s magic and darkness. As a game, though, it is enjoyable enough, with some cleverly designed puzzles. But the clunky movements of the adult deer and the frustrating stealth sections may irritate you occasionally on this magical journey.

Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition is a great way to play one of Capcom’s best action games on Nintendo Switch 2. The game still looks impressive, the combat still feels fantastic and the included extras give returning players enough reasons to jump back in. Vergil is a great addition, the Mega Buster and other bonus weapons are fun to use and the 60fps performance makes sure the action remains fast in both docked and handheld mode. If you never played Devil May Cry 5 before, this Devil Hunter Edition is an easy recommendation.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is not the problem here. The game has enough charm, systems, and ambition to make its bigger direction worth exploring. I like the gathering, I like the crafting loop, and I like that Yumia tries to push Atelier into a more open RPG structure. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition just doesn’t do it any justice right now. The cleaner visuals and shorter loading times are welcome, but the unstable performance and rough camera movement kept pulling me out of the experience. As for now, I would wait on patches before spending your money on this version.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is Team Asano’s take on the action RPG genre. Their signature 2.5D art style brings this vibrant world to life. This is especially clear in the attention to detail in both the art and the vocal performances. Although the combat is button-mashy, it feels responsive and fun. This is especially true after augmenting your weapons with Magicite. Dungeons are quick and snappy, offering loot without becoming stale, and exploring off the beaten track is highly rewarding. However, the talkative companions and the reuse of enemies for long parts of the game sometimes hinder immersion. The story may lack depth, but the gameplay always keeps me coming back for more. Is there a better feeling than the satisfaction you get from finding a new artefact in the depths of an ancient cave?

Mina the Hollower succeeds because it understands that nostalgia is only valuable when paired with innovation. It borrows inspiration from Zelda, Castlevania, Bloodborne, and countless retro classics, but never loses its own identity in the process. The Hollowing mechanic is brilliant, the world is endlessly rewarding to explore, the bosses are unforgettable, and the presentation perfectly balances retro authenticity with modern craftsmanship. More importantly, it captures the magical feeling of discovery that defined gaming’s earlier generations while remaining unmistakably contemporary. Yacht Club Games built its reputation with Shovel Knight, and with Mina the Hollower, the studio proves that lightning can strike twice.

SnowRunner on Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a new game, but it’s a great upgrade compared to the original version on Nintendo Swich. Sure, the game remains slow, stubborn, and definitely not for everyone, but the improved hardware makes a real difference. It’s clearer, more comfortable, and much easier to enjoy as a hybrid experience. This is still a game about mud, trucks, and plans that almost always go wrong. But that’s also where its charm is. If you enjoy slow progress, heavy vehicles, and small victories, SnowRunner on Switch 2 is finally a Nintendo version worth taking seriously.

Rhythm Paradise Groove had me wanting more after my brief hands-on with it. The microgames are as crazy and creative as ever, while Beatspell and the multiplayer modes seem to offer some needed variation and extra depth. The music already feels ready to steal the show, and the whole game has that strange energy only this franchise can deliver. Fans of the series will probably get everything they wanted and more, while newcomers should prepare for their new addiction. [Hands-On Impressions]

Swan Song is a masterfully composed puzzle game. The level design, with its fun and engaging mechanics, is a masterclass in game design because the concepts are gradually introduced and made more challenging. These concepts synergise beautifully and never overstay their welcome. The emotional story of grief and loss presented between puzzles brought tears to my eyes. Although it is a difficult subject, the subtle way it is presented through family artefacts and the excellent voice acting will ensure that Swan Song will stick with me for years to come.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth accomplishes something extraordinarily difficult. It takes a beloved story that many considered impossible to improve upon and expands it in ways that feel meaningful, ambitious, and surprisingly respectful. It transforms a focused remake into a sprawling adventure, deepens an already exceptional cast, and delivers one of the most content-rich RPG experiences available today. More importantly, it validates everything Square Enix set out to achieve with this trilogy. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the achievement becomes even more remarkable. Rebirth isn’t merely another major third-party release arriving on Nintendo hardware. It’s proof that the platform can host modern blockbuster RPGs without sacrificing their identities. Just a few months ago, Remake Intergrade demonstrated what was possible, and now Rebirth demonstrates what is achievable. The fact that one of the most ambitious role-playing games of the decade can be played both on a television and in handheld form without losing the essence of what makes it special is nothing short of impressive. For longtime fans, this is an easy recommendation. For newcomers willing to start with Intergrade first, it represents one of the finest RPG journeys currently available. And for Nintendo Switch 2 itself? This may very well be one of its defining showcase titles (for now).

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a great, character-driven narrative RPG. The city-state of Portofiro is a well-fleshed-out place offering deep characters and a plethora of interesting quest lines. The systems at play might seem complex, but if you play this game like a tabletop RPG, letting the dice and the story guide you, you’ll get lost in the story and become Cascade yourself. You will need to set aside plenty of time because there are so many people to talk to and places to explore, but if you can put aside hours for long gaming sessions, this might be the game for you.

SUMMERHOUSE works best as a small creative toy you pick up for short building sessions. It has charm and enough freedom to create some lovely little scenes, but the lack of guidance and awkward Switch 2 controls really hold it back. It can be relaxing, especially at its lower price, but there are better alternatives in the genre.

The Switch 2 version may not replace the PlayStation 5 edition from a purely technical standpoint. If raw performance is your only concern, Sony’s hardware still wins thanks to its smoother frame rates and cleaner visuals. But that doesn’t automatically make this release inferior.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not the traditional Yoshi platformer some players might expect, but that’s also what makes it interesting. Its cosy exploration, strange creatures, and hidden layers make it a charming adventure that rewards curiosity more than skill.

Depth alone doesn’t completely save the experience, which clocks out after a good five or six hours of story-driven gameplay. Why? Because ultimately, Bubsy 4D remains trapped between reinvention and nostalgia. It wants to modernize Bubsy while simultaneously preserving everything people remember about him, including many of the frustrating parts. The game constantly brushes against greatness without ever fully committing to it. You can see glimpses of an incredible platformer buried underneath the noise, but those glimpses never fully stabilize into something consistently excellent. And maybe that’s the most fitting outcome possible for Bubsy. Because, against all odds, Bubsy 4D actually succeeds in making Bubsy relevant again. Not purely as a meme, but as a legitimately entertaining, occasionally brilliant platformer revival with genuine mechanical ambition behind it. That alone feels borderline impossible. Unfortunately, even breathing new life into the franchise couldn’t fully save Bubsy from the same issues that have haunted him for decades. The uneven pacing, the frustrating design decisions, the technical roughness, and the overreliance on repetitive collect-a-thon structure keep dragging the experience back down whenever it threatens to truly evolve. Bubsy 4D is fascinating. It’s weird, it’s ambitious, and it’s messy. Sometimes it’s even genuinely great. But in the end, it still feels like Bubsy, and maybe that’s exactly the problem.

Possessor(s) is a beautiful metroidvania with a compelling story and world design. However, it doesn’t introduce any particularly game-changing features. The combat is perfected, but it’s what we’ve come to expect as the standard for Metroidvanias, with familiar weapons and abilities in clever reskins. I was left wanting more and expecting to see a gameplay hook that would set it apart from other games in the genre, but this never materialised. It’s a game that I would recommend to people who are curious about Metroidvanias and are looking for a place to start. After playing it, you will understand the genre’s language. Because if there is something especially strong in Possessor(s), it’s the foundations.

Thick as Thieves annoyed me more than I wanted it to, because the good parts are easy to see. The atmosphere is strong, some escapes really do get tense, and the idea of learning a location piece by piece fits the thief fantasy well. But the game keeps getting in its own way. Too many objectives are vague, too many systems are left half-explained, and solo runs start to feel like you are wasting time rather than pulling off a clever heist. Co-op might help with that, but it was not available in the review build, so I can only judge what I played. And as a solo stealth game, Thick as Thieves has promise, but not enough direction or variety to make that promise pay off.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight brings the spirit of the Arkham games into the LEGO universe in a way that clicks. Gotham is a joy to explore, the combat feels great, and the humor keeps the darker Batman lore light without losing its charm. The lack of online co-op is a shame, but this is easily one of the strongest LEGO games in years.

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a faithful and visually improved return to a cult classic that shines because of its storytelling and atmosphere rather than its gameplay. It is a remaster made for fans first, not a reinvention for a new generation.

Forza Horizon 6 makes Japan feel like the perfect playground for the series. The racing is still as satisfying as ever, the map is beautiful, and I often found myself ignoring objectives just to keep driving. It’s familiar in structure, but once you’re on the road, that barely matters.

While excelling in some parts with lots of customization and unlockables and great sound design, the game’s UI and in-menu storytelling reveal its mobile origin. You’ll spend quite some time racing, breeding perfect foals, and upgrading your homestead. But you’ll spend an equal amount in tedious stylised menus. If you’re really into equestrian games and able to look over its shortcomings, you’ll be able to see this as a cosy game with lots of upgrades and unlocks if you’re willing to spend the time.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was already an excellent adventure game, and this Nintendo Switch 2 version does it justice. Handheld mode comes with a few expected compromises, but MachineGames has delivered a remarkably polished port that makes Indy’s latest adventure feel right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid console.

Directive 8020 is a major step forward for The Dark Pictures Anthology. The story is engaging, the production values are excellent, and the added gameplay mechanics make this the most interactive entry in the series so far. The stealth sections can become a bit repetitive, but they never get in the way of what is still a tense and highly entertaining sci-fi horror survival adventure.

Mixtape is one of the most personal and emotionally resonant games I’ve played in years. Its experimental structure and collection of strange mini-games won’t work for everyone, but for me, every part of it clicked. The music, visual style, and coming-of-age story come together in a way that feels incredibly intimate and honest. It made me laugh, reflect on my own youth, and at times left me surprisingly emotional. Even though the story is rooted in a very specific time and place, the feelings behind it are universal. Mixtape won’t appeal to everyone, but if it connects with you, it will stay with you long after the final song fades out.

Kiln has a clever core idea and some real Double Fine magic behind it, but right now it feels a bit too limited. The pottery mechanics are great, the multiplayer can be fun, but the game could really use more content and variety to keep things interesting long-term.

In the end, Duck Side of the Moon is one of those experiences that thrives on its identity. It knows exactly what it wants to be, a slightly odd but thoughtful collectathon with a duck in space, and it delivers on that vision without overcomplicating things. The combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and understated storytelling creates a cohesive experience that’s easy to get lost in. There are moments where the pacing could feel a bit uneven, and the point-of-no-return system won’t be for everyone. But these are relatively minor bumps in an otherwise smooth journey. The game balances humor and sincerity successfully. It’s a rather complicated mix, but one that Duck Side of the Moon handles with surprising ease.

Adorable Adventures is indeed very adorable, but could have been a bit more adventurous with its mechanics. It has a very clever core mechanic, but it could have used a bit more variation to really stand out. Even so, it’s still a fun little adventure, especially for younger players.

Space Control has personality, a fun sci-fi setup, and solid voice work, but it never becomes as interactive or chaotic as it promises to be. The world is fun to visit, and the humor works most of the time. That being said, the physical interactions lack variation to stay fun for longer periods of time. Overall, I think that the simple tasks and passive pacing hold the game back too much. In the end, it works better in short bursts than as a full game.