Pokémon Sword and Shield feel exactly like a Pokémon game, which is far from being a bad thing, but a major change in the formula is necessary in order to significantly mix things up. It’s not broken by any means, but fans who’ve been involved with the series for over 20 years now expect more at this point. It goes without saying that newcomers will feel right at home, and catching Pokémon and filling your Pokédex is still as addictive as ever. Looking ahead, the Wild Area in particular is a sign of good things to come for the Pokémon franchise.

Pokémon Sword and Shield feel exactly like a Pokémon game, which is far from being a bad thing, but a major change in the formula is necessary in order to significantly mix things up. It’s not broken by any means, but fans who’ve been involved with the series for over 20 years now expect more at this point. It goes without saying that newcomers will feel right at home, and catching Pokémon and filling your Pokédex is still as addictive as ever. Looking ahead, the Wild Area in particular is a sign of good things to come for the Pokémon franchise.

Pokémon Sword and Shield feel exactly like a Pokémon game, which is far from being a bad thing, but a major change in the formula is necessary in order to significantly mix things up. It’s not broken by any means, but fans who’ve been involved with the series for over 20 years now expect more at this point. It goes without saying that newcomers will feel right at home, and catching Pokémon and filling your Pokédex is still as addictive as ever. Looking ahead, the Wild Area in particular is a sign of good things to come for the Pokémon franchise.

Layton’s Mystery Journey is a mixed bag of tricks and treats. There’s never a dull moment with the fantastic voice acting and clever script, but without an overarching narrative and below par puzzles, the game’s missing one of its largest draws. The Deluxe Edition for the Switch, though, has a truly unique experience in that it can be enjoyed by many in one fell swoop; a good addition to the family catalogue. For Katrielle, she’s not quite there yet.

Essentially more of the same with a small handful of minor additions. It’s still a sight to behold to witness the unity of a couple household names in gaming, especially in retro-inspired settings, but two of the most iconic faces in the entertainment world deserve better.

With a near-perfect story mode, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a polished spectral comedy that keeps you on your toes. While its multiplayer and co-op modes are slick to play, the minigames lower the bar. Yet it’s in the animation and the devilish puzzles that really makes this game shine, with or without the Strobulb. Well done Luigi, those ghosts didn’t stand a chance.

With Nintendo’s unique charm, Ring Fit Adventure is a great fitness RPG for those who enjoy exercising at their own pace. Its sensitivity to movement, ability to estimate your heart rate, and wide range of things to do within the game keeps your daily workout routine feeling invigorated and fresh. And since the Ring-Con is so versatile, it’s easy to get carried away with different pushes and pulls. [Recommended]

If you haven’t invested in the original game before, Dragon Quest XI S can easily provide you with countless hours of JRPG fun. It plays it safe in many areas and doesn’t necessarily revolutionize the genre; but it does a mighty fine job solidifying it.

Link’s Awakening has always been a super-solid entry in the Zelda series, and it easily lives up to today’s standards. It’s also a love letter to some of Nintendo’s greatest in its purest form. To top it all off, it has an alluring soundtrack with familiar tunes — including Marin’s soothing voice — that instantly warm your heart.

With an intriguing story, pretty solid gameplay, vigorous customization options and a promising online component, Daemon X Machina is a welcome addition to the arsenal of third-person shooters on Nintendo Switch. All in all, it’s a fresh take for Nintendo fans and – for the most part – an enjoyable experience.

PlatinumGames has developed a superb blend of combat, investigation and stealth in Astral Chain. It’s a game that keeps you on your toes – for better or worse – and like any other title in their arsenal, requires players to get good quickly or die trying. For fans of Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, Astral Chain is a must-buy. An explosive action game that demands your attention.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a standard, run-of-the-mill, hack and slash action RPG. Its shining moment squarely falls on the shoulders of its Infinity mode, with boss fights flying by in a close second. But its lack of polish and attention to detail means gameplay falls by the wayside, leaving a gaping, sore wound that no ultimate alliance can solely heal. Nothing more than a fun beat ‘em up that’s best played with friends, not CPUs.

It goes without saying that Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a massive title. There’s a ton of things to do both in and out of battle, with variety scattered throughout most elements to keep you on your toes. It’s safe to say it’s the most polished and engaging console entry in the Fire Emblem series to date. With the staggering amount of content and more in the pipeline via multiple waves of DLC, the game may very well keep you entertained for the remainder of the Switch’s promising life cycle.

With several ways to make and play, Super Mario Maker 2 is a stunning sequel for the Nintendo Switch. Create courses on the go or in co-op, try your hand at beating a level in the fastest time, or take inspiration from the developers themselves by playing the inventive levels seen in Story Mode. We just wish it had one more overworld to make those slots even.

Aside from the bare-bones visuals and lack of online play, BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! fits right at home on Switch, where future installments have the option to significantly amp things up and adopt a more modern locale that doesn’t shy away from inducing volume. Nevertheless, the game is brimming with engaging content that is sure to appease 2D platforming fans, especially those who enjoy solving puzzles while thinking outside the box.

Yoshi’s Crafted World is a real joy to play. While it’s monotonous during the flip side levels, its masterful platform design makes up for it in droves.

For those that missed out on the original, Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a solid 3DS port, albeit with a few lapses in usability. While the main campaign can be completed in just short of ten hours, both newcomers and returning fans alike can share in the joy of the opulent worldly textures, adorable animations and a beautifully simple storyline to ‘bobbin’ and out of.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a remarkably polished remake with well-balanced updates that makes the game all the more enjoyable. If you’ve been champing at the bit like a chain chomp to play another Mario & Luigi RPG, you can’t go far wrong with Bowser’s Inside Story. We’ll be here, keeping calm and chortling.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is not exactly the full-fledged sequel fans have been asking for, but it’s a step in the right direction and a sign of good things to come from Goichi Suda. With more than 10 hours of gameplay and further content planned via upcoming DLC updates, the game may very well keep you busy for a while. Another positive take that could be realized from the latest release: it’s a relief to know that Travis is back and he’s most likely here to stay.

Despite the exclusion of online features and fresh content, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a sizeable collection that offers one of the most solid platforming experiences of the current decade. If you’re a newcomer, it could provide numerous hours of excitement for you and your local friends. It’s a fun game for sure, but for someone who spent a good amount of time exploring every nook and cranny of the original a few years ago, it will most likely feel all too familiar.

The sheer amount of content on offer outside the main storyline is, quite possibly, what makes Yo-kai Watch 3 so interesting to play.

Despite striking setbacks with online, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is arguably the most addictive game on Nintendo Switch. Like its predecessors, its combat system is unrivaled with precise inputs that give you full control of your favorite characters. With an extensive roster of playable fighters and an impressive lineup of stages, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can easily provide you with a varied sense of enjoyment for many years to come.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! feels at home on the Switch. Its deliciously, vibrant textures and reimagined features brings a new lease of life to a game that is loved by many. While it has its faults, Let’s Go is pure, unadulterated fun, never taking itself too seriously. This is Pokémon for Generation X, Y and Z.

Though it isn’t the Switch remake many had hoped for, Grezzo delivers a solid and well-polished 3DS port. While it would have been great to see the Hidden Mansion alter its content with new areas unlocked, Luigi’s Mansion remains best as a spooky near-episodic adventure, packed full of fun, with moments of humour, mischief and magic. If you enjoyed the original, there’s no way you’d miss this.

If you’re searching for a real challenge on Switch and haven’t played the original before, look no further than Dark Souls: Remastered. It’s going to be a daunting yet thrilling ride filled with frustrations along the way, but satisfying nonetheless in the end. Just be extremely patient, learn from your mistakes and you’ll eventually feel right at home.

For newcomers, picking up The World Ends with You: Final Remix should be a no-brainer as it’s definitely the definitive version of the Nintendo DS gem.

With impressive aesthetics and delightful character animations, Nd Cube has finally found its rhythm with Super Mario Party. Although the game isn’t without its issues, these are few and far between, making the eleventh instalment one of the best it has been in years.

While the Vehicle kit is no show-stopper, Nintendo Labo is still surprising us in very fun and clever ways. It might not be everyone’s calling, but there’s no limit to creativity. We just can’t wait to see what’s next.