Although the first wave of the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass was a bit underwhelming, the release of the second wave, Side Order, makes the DLC an absolute must-have for Splatoon fans and those who are fond of the roguelite genre. The Splatoon IP has always primarily focused on online multiplayer, but Side Order further proves that its single-player offerings shouldn’t be overlooked either. If you already own Splatoon 3, getting the Expansion Pass is a no-brainer for the price, but if you don’t, now is a better time than ever to join in on the splatastic fun. Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass is available now via the Nintendo eShop.

What used to be one of the best puzzle-platformers on the GBA is now one of the best on Switch. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a faithful remake that goes above and beyond in just about every facet; whether you’ve already played the original or are completely new to the series. With modern graphics alongside brand new modes, levels, and features, it’s easy to recommend this charming remake based on one of the most iconic rivalries of all time. If you’re still not convinced, you can try out the free demo available now via the Nintendo eShop. Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches for Nintendo Switch on 16th February 2024.

Another Code: Recollection does a good job at bringing the duology to the Switch, and there is an excellent level of consistency in the quality of the two titles, with the updated visuals and gameplay providing a cohesive experience. The additional voice acting breathes new life into the story which, although it may be too slowly paced for some, is nonetheless emotional and heartfelt. However, the decision to combine both games into a single narrative experience seems counterproductive when there is a clear transition between them, and the quality of life changes made don’t quite do enough to disguise the ageing gameplay mechanics. These weaker elements, such as the awkward camera angles and mandatory motion controls, often offset the enjoyment to be gained from the narrative, making this an experience that won’t appeal to everyone. Another Code: Recollection is an experience players will definitely remember, but this may not always be for the right reasons.

The Indigo Disk is a surprisingly challenging inclusion to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and in this respect at least, it is extremely satisfying, and will no doubt delight long-time series fans who have been asking for something more difficult than the norm. However, as a conclusion to the story of The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero, it falls short, being disappointingly sparse in both character development and narrative. It fails to capitalise on the setup from both Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and The Teal Mask, largely ignoring its returning characters and rushing its conclusion. Although it goes some way towards making up for the shortcomings of The Teal Mask, there is a lot of missed potential and slightly off execution in its new ideas (most notably the grind for BP to access some of its features) that hold it back from being as enjoyable as it could have been.

Super Mario RPG is a superb remake that perfectly captures the essence of the SNES original. This is not always to its credit, as elements of its platforming in particular have not aged as well as they could have, and the ability to block enemy attacks with Action Commands serves to make the times you can’t feel far more punishing. However, these are minor frustrations that do not tarnish the overall experience in any significant or lasting fashion. Its beautifully remastered visuals and soundtrack, witty dialogue, and engaging combat make Super Mario RPG a modern classic that is more than worth your time.

Fans of the Style Savvy/Fashion Boutique franchise looking for a spiritual successor may find that Fashion Dreamer doesn’t live up to their expectations however, as the lack of a narrative and extremely slow progression in solo play make this feel like a tedious grind that actively hampers your creative freedom with extremely high costs for customization. I enjoyed my time with the game for what it is, but your mileage may vary.

WarioWare: Move It!, much like its predecessors, is meant to be enjoyed in short bursts, and at that, it excels greatly. Although the Story Mode is short, taking only a couple of hours to finish, the replayability of the microgames and side modes is what really makes WarioWare worthwhile. Going for high-scores is fun even by yourself, but getting competitive with friends is even better. With over 200 microgames to learn and master, WarioWare: Move It! is an excellent party game that gets your heart beating and your blood pumping, while also giving more than a few laughs along the way. As long as you go in with the expectation of it being a silly microgame collection that doesn’t take itself too seriously, WarioWare: Move It! is a great time!

Unless you’re a Pokémon fan that loves to read and are looking for something easy to play casually, Detective Pikachu Returns unfortunately doesn’t have too much to offer outside of charm. While the game does have some interesting interactive elements, it focuses more on story rather than having super engaging gameplay. It’s clear that a lot of love and care was put into the narrative and character dialogue, but the decision to rehash certain plot elements from the movie gave a strange sense of deja vu and made some of the twists feel less impactful. If for some reason you haven’t seen the movie though, I recommend playing Detective Pikachu Returns beforehand, as you’re likely to gain a lot more from the overall experience by doing so. Otherwise, it’s difficult to fully recommend this sequel that doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the 3DS original.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a whimsical masterpiece, and I can say with utmost certainty that it is one of the greatest platformers that Nintendo has ever made. As the first 2D Mario game of the post-movie era, it sets an incredible precedent for the future of the series with its fresh new gameplay mechanics, expertly-crafted level design, gorgeous visuals, and lively animations. If you’re anything like me, you’ll repeatedly tell yourself “just one more level” while a joyful smile remains plastered across your face, all the way up until the end-credits roll. Referring to the game as “wonderful” would be an understatement, as Super Mario Bros. Wonder is sure to exceed expectations when it launches for Nintendo Switch on 20th October.

The Teal Mask is, for better and for worse, more of the same. It tells an enjoyable story with some excellent lore that makes Kitakami feel as alive as any past region, and offers the same freedom of exploration that made Paldea so captivating. Unfortunately, it also comes with all the performance issues and poor optimisation that made Paldea so frustrating, and its short length, poorly-designed level scaling, and failure to deliver a proper conclusion to its story make it a less satisfying experience than it could have been, particularly if you’re coming into it from an endgame save state with a powerful team. The value of The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero as a package will of course be determined by both parts of it, but The Teal Mask is not as strong of a start as it could have been.

Pikmin 4 is a finely crafted experience from start to finish, with an addictive and highly satisfying gameplay loop that encourages and rewards exploration in a way that will make you want to uncover everything it has to offer. Those new to the franchise or less proficient with strategy games will find this a gentle and enjoyable experience with excellent quality-of-life features like the Rewind function to help offset frustration, and those seeking the more challenging gameplay that previous entries in the series are known for will find it in the postgame. Those looking for a co-operative multiplayer experience may be better off turning to Pikmin 3 Deluxe, but otherwise this is an easy recommendation to make for both newcomers to the series and long-time fans alike.

If you happened to be a fan of the original 1-2-Switch, getting the sequel is probably a no-brainer, but otherwise, you’ll likely find it to be a mediocre package that’s equally as entertaining as it is bad.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE exudes a personality and style that differentiates it from its peers, and each individual chapter is brilliantly written and highly entertaining. Despite offering very little variety in terms of gameplay, each Mystery Labyrinth you’ll enter over the course of the game feels fresh and enjoyable thanks to the excellent storytelling and presentation. It is fortunate that this is what makes up the majority of the game, because the overarching narrative surrounding the mystery of Kanai Ward is often an unwelcome distraction from the case at hand, leading to a conclusion that is less satisfying than it could have been had more time been spent on setting it up over the course of the game. The blurry visuals and occasionally erratic performance can also occasionally break immersion in the fantastic set pieces on display in Mystery Labyrinths and the gloomy ambience of Kanai Ward. But even with those caveats, Rain Code is still a mystery adventure that is more than worth your time to solve.

Developing a sequel that's at least on par with a game that's widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time is no easy task. That being said, Nintendo has managed to not only meet my expectations, but exceed them far beyond what I ever could have imagined. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom recaptures the magic we felt while playing Breath of the Wild for the first time, taking what we loved about it to exciting new heights by switching up some of the mechanics. It's a perfect blend of freshness and familiarity, while still being accessible to newcomers. As long as you can look past the occasional framerate issues, Tears of the Kingdom is simply a masterpiece, making it a must have for every Switch owner young and old. Now if you'll excuse me, I have hundreds more Korok seeds to go find across Hyrule.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp stands out amongst the crowd, despite the two decades that have passed since the original games were released on the Gameboy Advance. If you’re tired of swords, sorcery, and reading through small novellas filled with fantasy jargon and melodrama, this will be a wonderful breath of fresh air. Underneath the deceptively cheerful Saturday morning cartoon vibe lies two games that will test your understanding of the gameplay mechanics, your ability to plan ahead, and, quite often, your patience. Whilst it’s unfortunate that the games could not have been made more accessible to newcomers, those looking for a challenge will certainly find it here. Multiplayer functionality and custom map features also have the potential to keep you playing long after you’re finished with the campaigns. As long as you don’t mind the occasional difficulty spike, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a worthy addition to your game library.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an unexpected contender for Game of the Year. Already established Bayonetta fans are sure to be more than satisfied with its unique storytelling, tight controls, engaging combat, vast exploration, and fantastic visuals, while also being a great entry point for series newcomers. It even opens the door to those that may not have enjoyed the explicit sensuality of the mainline games, as its overall tone is more wholesome and inviting. As someone who really loved Bayonetta 3, I thoroughly enjoyed Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon equally as much, if not more, but for entirely different reasons.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe gives a gorgeous new coat of paint to one of the most charming 2D platformers of the Wii era. It features expertly-crafted level design, fun and easy to use mechanics, and incredibly cute, colourful environments that offers an excellent escape from the often grueling tasks of the real world. While the main story may not be difficult enough to appeal to the more hardcore gamers, it’s still an absolute joy to play from start to finish, and there is enough of a challenge in the bonus content to mean there is something for everyone. Adorable and delightful, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe scratches a Kirby-sized itch as we patiently wait for the next big original adventure featuring our favourite pink puffball friend.

Metroid Prime Remastered takes an already almost perfect GameCube classic and improves upon it even more by significantly updating its visuals and controls.

Though it is evident that some corners have been cut, with the focus predominantly being on returning characters and fighting mechanics, there are numerous instances throughout Fire Emblem Engage which also make it an unforgettable experience. Watching your social hub grow alongside Alear as you progress, filling it with the characters you have helped along the way, is all the drive you need to thoroughly enjoy each of the chapters and face off against the evil forces of Sombron once more.

Scarlet and Violet takes the evolution of the Pokémon series one step forward and two steps back. It excels in providing an excellent open-world gameplay experience, but falls flat on a technical level, feeling more like an alpha build than a final product. Unfortunately, the severe lack of polish and optimization holds Scarlet and Violet back from what very well could have been the best Pokémon generation yet. That doesn’t mean I didn’t have enough enjoyment to make it well worth my time, but Pokémon Legends: Arceus tickled my fancy just a bit more.

Scarlet and Violet takes the evolution of the Pokémon series one step forward and two steps back. It excels in providing an excellent open-world gameplay experience, but falls flat on a technical level, feeling more like an alpha build than a final product. Unfortunately, the severe lack of polish and optimization holds Scarlet and Violet back from what very well could have been the best Pokémon generation yet. That doesn’t mean I didn’t have enough enjoyment to make it well worth my time, but Pokémon Legends: Arceus tickled my fancy just a bit more.

Bayonetta 3 is one hell of a good time. There is never a dull moment in this action/adventure threequel that’s sure to take your breath away. Even if your only knowledge of Bayonetta is that she’s one of the many characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now is the perfect time to see what this extraordinary franchise is all about. With polished combat mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and masterful storytelling, Bayonetta 3 is simply bloody brilliant.

Splatoon 3 is inkredible, fine-tuning to perfection the series’ unique and colourful third-person shooter formula that I’ve adored ever since its inception on Wii U. Although it doesn’t take quite enough risks to differentiate itself from its predecessors, the excellent story mode and very welcomed new quality-of-life features makes it more than worth your precious time and money. At its core, Splatoon 3 takes the “if it aint broke don’t fix it” mantra to the best of its abilities, offering an unforgettable experience that’s guaranteed to provide hundreds of hours of fresh, splatastic fun for all ages.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a well-prepared sweet treat that gets stale rather quickly without friends to share it with. While its £13.49 price-tag certainly makes it easy to swallow, it admittedly feels like a missed opportunity for it not to have been a free bonus for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers alongside the likes of Tetris 99 and Happy Home Paradise. For a budget title though, there are definitely many hours of enjoyment to be had in this adorably competitive game, especially if you can convince a few pals to pick it up for themselves for some online play. If you’ve finished Kirby and the Forgotten Land and are looking for more cute Kirby action to tide you over until the next main-line release, then Kirby’s Dream Buffet will surely satisfy your hunger.

Quite frankly, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is unequivocally astonishing in regards to both its gameplay and scope. It’s not only the best game in the series thus far, but also my favorite game of the entire year as of yet. Every second spent in the world of Aionios feels like being a kid in the world’s biggest candy store; from beginning to end, there was never a dull moment. An interesting and complex battle system, exceptionally directed cutscenes, and genuinely well-written characters filled with unique personalities, are just a few of the reasons why I adore this JRPG. I couldn’t be happier that Xenoblade as a franchise has grown in popularity in recent years, as it’s certainly become one of Nintendo’s greatest series thanks to the fantabulously impressive development work by Monolith Soft.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is pure fan-service in the best possible way. It’s a perfect blend of Warriors-style hack-and-slash combat, traditional Fire Emblem JRPG elements, and the established world of Three Houses. Anyone who enjoyed Three Houses will no doubt experience Three Hopes as a beautifully hand-written love letter from Nintendo and Koei Tecmo, and those who haven’t are still bound to find some enjoyment here as well. Graphically impressive, mechanically thrilling, and jam-packed with content, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the best Warriors game yet, making it an easy recommendation for Switch owners.

Mario Strikers: Battle League pulls all the punches in providing an intense soccer-like gameplay experience that can only be achieved within something as special and whimsical as the world of Super Mario. Battle League is clearly a worthy successor to its GameCube and Wii counterparts, and is easily one of the best Mario sports titles in recent memory. Although it has a severe lack of single-player offerings, you’re sure to get a kick out of this undeniably excellent franchise revival, as long as you have friends and/or family that are willing to play with or against you either locally or online.

With a small selection of sports to participate in and a lack of options to choose from when it comes to modes, Nintendo Switch Sports won’t, in its current state without updates, keep solo players interested for long. It’s abundantly clear that this title is aimed at local multiplayer, and it will go down as a treat when it’s coupled with an intense round of Mario Party Superstars. There’s a fair chance that my overall thoughts may improve when the online portion of the game becomes available, as there’s a Pro League Rank feature and, of course, the ability to tackle sports with faraway friends. We’ve also got Golf on its way in a summer update, but, right now, there’s still a modest amount of local fun to be had thanks to its obvious competitive nature and quick set-up with each sport. I’m left hoping that the online functionality will boost its longevity, due to it being the only way to unlock any accessories and outfits. For now, though, it doesn’t offer a whole lot more than what Wii Sports gave us nearly 16 years ago, and that came at no additional cost. [Review in Progress]