An amazing learning tool and an even better game, Shujinkou is an ambitious JRPG that's well worth your time, given what's already an incredible year for independent games.

King of Meat is a serviceable co-op dungeon crawler that's best played with friends. Combined with a generous monetization model and plenty of replay value for $29.99, it shows a lot of potential for growth. However, entering a saturated multiplayer market, the game's greatest risk is failing to attract a consistent player base. Its unique aesthetic and player-made dungeons are its best hope for avoiding the worst-case scenario of being quickly abandoned.

The Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 collection brings two all-time great Mario adventures to the Switch 2, offering their best visual presentation yet, with a crisp 4K docked resolution. While the package is a great value, the port is severely compromised by Nintendo's choice to retain the original Wii-era motion controls—clumsily mapped to gyro and touchscreen—instead of fully remapping them to buttons. This results in frustrating and unintuitive gameplay in handheld mode. Despite these "shackles from a previous generation," the sheer quality and inventive design of the two core games shine through, making it a recommended, though imperfect, way to experience these masterpieces.

After years of struggling to get into the series, Borderlands 4 finally hooked me. The fresh world of Kairos, a mostly new cast, and refined gameplay make exploration and combat genuinely fun. Side quests, collectibles, and boss battles are rewarding, and the story sneaks up on you when you least expect it. A soft reboot that works for both newcomers and longtime fans.

Polished to perfection, Hades 2 is an absolute triumph that feels uniquely distinct from its predecessor, serving as a gracious evolution of the formula with dozens and dozens of hours worth of incredibly engaging content. An easy GOTY contender.

Silent Hill f is a gorgeous game, made even better by the abject terrors that surround it. Konami and Neobards take bold risks in exploring the series’ future without the Maine town and push the franchise into new territory. Despite a third act that drags with filler combat sequences, Silent Hill f remains a true Silent Hill entry at its core. It carries all the elements that define the series, from its relevant subject matter to disturbing imagery and the usual ever-encroaching fog. There has never been a better time to be a Silent Hill fan.

Hell is Us is a fascinating yet strange game, weighed down by its own risks. While it has the atmosphere and mythology for a great sci-fi experience, its ambitious “no objective markers” system turns exploration into tedium. Coupled with a story that ultimately goes nowhere, it stands out as one of the year’s most bizarre cases of wasted potential.

Performance issues severely hamper the experience on Nintendo Switch 2, but there's still some enjoyment to be had with its customization systems and somewhat fun combat

Destiny: Rising implements fresh ideas that I wish Bungie would steal for its own game, but it gets bogged down due to the nature of typical gacha mechanics.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a fantastic sequel well worth the seven-year wait. It’s bigger, bolder, and far more challenging than anyone could hope. While its steep learning curve may put off newcomers, longtime fans will appreciate how it maintains its solid metroidvania roots while inching closer and closer to a 2D Soulslike. With over 30+ hours of content for just $20, the depth on offer is nothing short of remarkable.

The Switch 2 upgrade of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a beautifully crafted 3D platformer that brings a familiar, yet fresh, adventure for the pink puffball. The new edition enhances the experience with improved graphics, a smoother 60fps framerate, and the addition of the Star-Crossed World DLC. While the core gameplay of sucking up enemies and objects with Kirby's iconic "Mouthful Mode" remains a constant delight, the game's overall simplicity and the safe nature of the new content might leave veteran gamers wanting more.

Re-creating a masterpiece is no easy feat, but with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Konami has delivered a near-flawless remake of one of gaming's greatest titles. This stunning recreation, built in Unreal Engine 5, retains the iconic story, superb voice acting, and memorable soundtrack of the 2004 classic while modernizing the graphics and controls. By staying true to the original's vision and adding new accessibility features, this remake is the definitive way for both veterans and newcomers to experience the genius of Metal Gear Solid 3.

Mafia: The Old Country marks a definitive return to the series' roots, prioritizing a powerful, linear narrative over open-world freedom. Set in early 1900s Sicily, this prequel tells the gripping story of Enzo, a young man who joins the mafia for a chance at a better life. Despite some technical blemishes, its meticulously crafted world and focus on character make it a standout title and a refreshing change of pace in the crime genre.

Drag x Drive, Nintendo's new motion-controlled sports game for the Switch 2, attempts to innovate with a unique take on futuristic wheelchair basketball but ultimately falls short. Despite solid online multiplayer, the repetitive gameplay and finicky mouse controls prevent it from becoming a compelling experience. Lacking a strong story mode and distinct character, it feels like an undercooked concept that fails to capture the classic Nintendo charm.

Despite its age, OFF is a veteran game that can still hit a home run. The simple visuals and obtuse puzzles might alienate some, but its fun turn-based combat and deep themes can win over RPG fans as long as they don’t mind writing down clues or possible solutions on a piece of paper.

Monument Valley 3’s brevity does not diminish how much the series has evolved over the years. Its intricate level designs, paired with a spellbinding soundtrack, continue to captivate its niche playerbase and anyone who enjoys puzzlers. For $20, you can experience how UsTwo has mastered the art of perspective, shapes, and sound, delivering one of gaming’s most beautiful and memorable puzzle adventures.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 delivers an incredibly fun gaming experience, with massive graphic improvements, responsive controls, splendid gameplay, and great new characters. While the soundtrack leaves a bit to be desired, and some changes to Career mode are questionable, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 gameplay formula remains unbeatable, and there is no doubt this is the best skating game on the market.

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV brings the ultimate party experience to the new console, enhancing the already content-rich base game with innovative Switch 2 features like microphone and camera integration. While the core game's visuals show their age, the "Jamboree TV" expansion shines, offering fresh minigames, new modes like Frenzy to shorten playtimes, and robust multiplayer options for endless fun with friends and family.

While not entirely revolutionary, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a standout Soulslike that truly captures the essence of the genre with impressive depth and originality. While its steep difficulty and vague quest structure may intimidate newcomers, it still serves as a strong entry point for non-Souls fans craving for a challenge. Leenzee’s mastery of the formula, combined with rich dark fantasy lore and varied builds, makes it a compelling addition to the overcrowded genre, capable of making even veteran Souls players break a sweat.

Donkey Kong Bananza delivers a triumphant return for the ape, offering an open-world, destructive 3D platforming adventure on the Nintendo Switch 2. As a spiritual successor to DK64, it blends nostalgic collectathon mechanics with innovative terrain destruction and new animal transformations, making it a must-buy system seller for the new console.

Ready or Not is more than just a game; it's a harrowing yet deeply satisfying journey into the unforgiving world of tactical law enforcement. Its meticulous detail, varied missions, and high replayability ensure that the "one more mission" feeling persists long after you've completed the main objectives. For anyone seeking a challenging, immersive, and genuinely impactful tactical shooter, Ready or Not stands as a resounding success on consoles.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gets a much-needed upgrade on the Nintendo Switch 2, transforming a good game into a truly great one. With buttery-smooth performance, enhanced visuals, and clever new quality-of-life features like in-game navigation and build sharing, this is undoubtedly the definitive way to experience Hyrule's latest adventure. If you haven't played it yet or are looking for a true showcase for your new console, the Switch 2 Edition makes Tears of the Kingdom shine.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a therapeutic and immersive sequel that elevates its predecessor’s strengths while doubling down on Kojima’s signature weirdness. With stunning environments, refined traversal, and deeper combat, it offers a meditative experience unlike any other. Despite its awkward pacing and overcrowded cast, the game’s themes of grief, healing, and human connection shine through. It won’t win over everyone, but for those it reaches, it’s an unforgettable journey that transcends its interactive medium. Keep on keeping on.

FBC: Firebreak is Remedy’s quirky dive into co-op extraction shooters, blending the surreal world of Control with chaotic missions best enjoyed with friends. While it lacks polish, online features, and content at launch, it’s an ambitious but currently incomplete experience that can only be better with a full squad.

So, would I recommend Survival Kids on the Switch 2? Yes, but only if you plan on playing the entire game with friends. The solo experience here just isn't enjoyable, and it highlights the game's issues that are negated while having fun as a team. I hope groups of friends take a chance on this game and play it through, as it can be very fun. Younger players may enjoy it too as their first steps into the survival genre, but for those who don't play online, you would be better off playing the original on NSO.

Few games will ever meet the high expectations Breath of the Wild has set. The Switch 2 version is the best way to play an unforgettable title with better visuals and some neat new features.

If you are looking for the best Nintendo game at launch for Switch 2, look no further, but for fans of 8, you may need to wait for Mario Kart World to make the podium.

In the end, Blades of Fire is an intriguing blend of old-school charm and modern design, like a game forged out of time. Its deep combat and weapon forging shine, even as its 3D Metroidvania structure occasionally falters. Backtracking and vague direction can frustrate, but the game’s heart and ambition stand out, especially with plenty of secrets to uncover in its sprawling dark fantasy world.