Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Scarlet Hood and the Wicked Wood. Wonderfully storybook-esque, with a surprisingly moving story, and full of great humor, Scarlet Hood is a unique experience. If I had to nitpick, I’d say that some of the puzzles are perhaps a little too esoteric, but none of them are truly unsolvable. With multiple endings offering plenty of replay value, there’s a lot to recommend for Scarlet Hood.

Super Bullet Break uses its difficulty and gacha mechanics to truly great effect, elevating what would otherwise be a fairly standard deck builder, into something that is fiendishly addictive and easy to dump hours into. Sure, the early game can be brutally difficult, and some may find that off-putting, but stick around past those early stages, and Super Bullet Break’s moreish gacha systems will almost certainly suck you in, due to the way in which the randomized systems bring the creative options for deck building to the forefront.

There’s so much good going for Janitor Bleeds, creating plenty of scares with its well-executed main concept of having to play an arcade game while stalked by a mysterious entity. Sadly, there are some flaws. I do wish the ending had a bit more going for it, the main story only lasted about an hour, and the token system is woefully underused. Nonetheless, for the low price tag, fans of old-school horror games shouldn’t miss out on this little cabinet of spooks.

Kaiju Big Battel Fighto Fantasy sure is something. While pre-existing Kaiju Big Battel fans will most likely have no issue picking this gem up, it’s such a high-quality game that I genuinely recommend it to anyone who considers themselves an RPG fan. Sure, it might rub you the wrong way if you’re particular about games being “serious” and whatnot, but everyone else who isn’t a stick-in-the-mud will probably end up loving it as much as I did—which is, to say, a lot.

Dirt 5 is that one friend you love to go out drinking with. It’s brash, bold, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s got a bunch of awesome tracks and a dynamic weather system that works really well, and then the playgrounds mode injects much-needed longevity into a game that might become stale after 20-30 hours or so. However, if you’re looking for a racing experience where detail, precision, and tinkering is important then Dirt 5 isn’t for you. But if it's fun you're after, you’ll have a blast.

It may have taken more than three decades for Cannon Dancer to make its way to our living rooms, but it was totally worth the wait. If you’re a fan of Capcom’s Strider or classic 90s arcade games in general – especially ones with a meaty challenge – then you owe it to yourself to check it out.

While Wargroove 2 doesn’t reinvent so much as it refines, my experience with it was far more positive than with the original. Perhaps it was just removing the weight of expectations. The game’s refined stages, absurd variety, and improved story all help. In the end, though, whatever the reasons, I had a blast returning to the world of Wargroove, and I think anyone who enjoys strategy games will find plenty of reasons to spend an awful lot of hours exploring it.

Z-Warp isn’t exactly breaking new ground, but it offers enough of a unique feel to pull in SHMUP fans looking for something new. Once you figure out how its mechanics work, they’re a lot of fun and kept my attention much longer than I initially expected. It’s the sort of game that makes you say “one more run” so often that you’ll think you’ve traveled through time.

I was really excited about Trails Through Daybreak, and I’m not sure that I got everything out of it that I was hoping for—especially when you pile on some of NISA’s head-scratching localization choices. But it’s still a Trails game at the end of the day, and Nihon Falcom always delivers when it comes to this series. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak may tread old ground in certain areas, but it’s ultimately an excellent JRPG experience with a phenomenal, character-driven narrative that’s absolutely worth your time.

If you had told me one of my favorite retro adventures in a long time would be sports-themed, I would have called you a filthy liar. But it’s true that Bat Boy is one of the best games I’ve played in a long time. Though the adventure is relatively short, with only one ending, and can feel occasionally overwhelming, it’s also well-crafted and fun. I spent a good 7 hours with the game, though you can probably beat it in less if you don’t replay stages or go for completion. It’s not a perfect experience, but it’s a worthy one, and I hope this isn’t the last adventure for Ryosuke and his merry band of athletes.

Despite releasing in 2023, playing Lunark feels like opening a perfectly preserved time capsule. It’s unashamedly old-school in its approach and attempts to recreate an experience that we just don’t see enough of these days, and for that reason, I absolutely adore what Canari Games has created here. The art style may be a little too busy at times, which can actually be gameplay-impacting, but it’s easy to forgive when it looks this good, especially when given a chance to shine on the Switch OLED. Lunark is absolutely a game that won’t be for everyone, but it doesn’t need to be. Canari Games’ mission was clearly never to create something that appeals to a huge audience. The mission statement was obviously to deliver a passion project that speaks to fans of cinematic platformers, and Flashback more specifically. On that front, they can consider this a job very well done.

Overall the sheer jump in quality has made me genuinely enjoy the game in its entirety. And with one more piece of content set to be released, I can’t wait to see what’s next for Goku and Vegeta as they push further towards godly heights. So if you’re a DRAGON BALL franchise fanatic like me, don’t hesitate to get your hands on A New Power Awakens Part 2.

Kardboard Kings may have a short story, but its gameplay easily extends into the 20 – 30 hour mark and beyond. If you loved collecting Pokémon cards in real life and searched high and low for a shiny Charizard or others, you need this game. With coffee-shop casual music, a fun visual style, and dozens of cards to add to your personal collection, Kardboard Kings oozes that “one more turn” gameplay that’ll turn casual players into complete addicts. Can you collect them all?

Fans who have been waiting for more Age of Empires or a good RTS that doesn’t feel like it had to be developed on a shoestring budget will find what they're looking for in Age of Empires IV.

Homestead Arcana is a welcome addition to the cozy gaming space. A complete lack of combat, interesting magical farming techniques, and rewarding yet tense exploration that focuses on using spells to outwit your opponents rather than destroy, all contribute to an experience that manages to elevate itself and stand out. It may lack the engaging side content that ultimately keeps many around games such as this once the critical path is completed, not every game needs to be a time-devouring behemoth, and some may actually appreciate the breezier experience that Homestead Arcana presents. If you’re looking for a distraction from the genre’s heavy hitters, then the adventures of Billie and Huckleberry are well worth experiencing.

I can’t think of a game that does a better job of constantly applying pressure, leaving you with an overwhelming sense of dread, than Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes. There are enough scenarios and options to keep things fresh even after dozens of runs, and I really love the combat that leaves you truly fighting for survival until the last second. This certainly isn’t a game to play to relax, but for those who want an interesting management game that offers a unique feel, you’ll find it here, whether you’re a fan of Battlestar Galactica or not.

Liberated is a great comic book turned video game. Dark and dystopian, almost absurdly gorgeous visuals, and a compelling story make this a surprising, but welcome, entry in the Switch library. Although you can beat the game within a few hours, don’t let the short run-time turn you off. There’s a lot of game packed into that those few hours.

If you’re in the mood for a few good laughs and some great gore, Alien Scumbags has everything you’re looking for. While simplistic and occasionally exhausting, the combat still provides a fine challenge and plenty of rewards for exploring during your alien slaughter. Add to that the staggering amount of references found throughout the campaign, and it’s clear this was a project born of passion and dedication. As long as you don’t go in expecting a revolutionary gameplay experience, you’ll find little not to love about Alien Scumbags.

While The Entropy Centre sticks very close to its Portal-esque roots, the well-crafted puzzles work perfectly with its simple but effective time travel mechanic. There are some sections where too many enemies can be an annoying distraction from the puzzling, but these are forgivable because the temporal manipulation powers provide such unique challenges. Time is our most precious resource, but it’s well worth spending it here.

The team at Digital Eclipse has done some of their finest work with Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Creating a compilation that could quite easily be translated into a museum exhibit, they’ve set a new standard for the presentation of retro collections, one I hope future collections will follow.

Despite some strange choices around online play and a story that failed to grab my interest, however, I had a great time with The Rumble Fish 2. It’s easy to pick up and play with fast-paced fights that are exactly what I look for in a fighting game. With interesting mechanics and a varied cast of interesting fighters, fans of the genre should absolutely give this throwback a shot.

With a ton of personality, solid mechanics, and a unique vibe helping to keep the whole experience compelling, players should absolutely check Tchia out.

Fights in Tight Spaces is an easy recommendation to any kind of gamer. It’s perfect for those new to deck-builders or for genre veterans who crave something with a different flair. Fighting game enthusiasts will enjoy the take on strategic brawls that don’t skimp on the style. As for everyone else? Who can say no to glorious aesthetics and surprisingly cerebral gameplay in a bloody beatdown package? Definitely give Fights in Tight Spaces a shot — it’s a knockout!

Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition is a gloriously gritty tribute to Sunset Riders and classic vigilante cinema. If you’re a fan of retro gaming or just love a good run-and-gun, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. It’s a nostalgic blast to the past that’s great solo and downright irresistible if you’re able to wrangle up a posse of four like-minded vigilantes to paint the town red.

Having previously gobbled up the great Ghost of Tsushima, I was eager to find another love letter to Kurosawa in Trek to Yomi. On an aesthetic level, my expectations were completely blown out of the water — the famed filmmaker has been honored like never before. When it comes to gameplay, I’m completely satisfied, my desire for another Way of the Samurai fulfilled, but I can see someone who skipped this era of gaming less enthused. If samurai games of yesteryear were your thing, Trek to Yomi is absolutely worth side-scroll slicing your way through the belly of the underworld for.

Overall, I still feel Omen of Sorrow was worth the wait on Nintendo Switch. While admittedly, this version of the game boasts the worst graphics and long load times, the game is a lot of fun once you get past those barriers. Featuring a diverse roster of monstrous creatures, an expansive Story Mode, and various unlockable achievements, this is still a fighting game I can recommend to fans of the genre, even those that don’t take them all that seriously. It may not be a genre-changing game, but it’s a very solid and enjoyable fighter.

Volcano Princess is definitely one of the more addictingly fun games I’ve played in recent memory. It has that same “one more turn” kind of feel that got me hooked on the likes of Civilization and other strategy games of its caliber. Although I wish there had been more effort put into the English localization because the story deserves to shine as much as the rest of the game, the clunky translation didn’t stop me from pouring 40+ hours into it. If you’re looking for a very sweet but surprisingly deep (and absolutely addicting) experience, Volcano Princess could use your careful guidance to reach its full potential.

I had a hard time putting TOEM down, its calming, cheerful nature feeling way too cozy to quit. Its photography-based puzzle gameplay will charm just about anyone that feels drawn to the title, so if you have even a remote interest in TOEM, it’s absolutely a safe bet. If you want 4 – 6 hours of wholesome fun that will leave you craving for more, take a little hike with TOEM.