This is a much-needed collection of iconic shoot 'em ups that, until now, were lost to the sands of time. Each of the games included in this collection is a thrill to play, but it's hard not to compare the number of games included and the lack of extra content with the premium price tag and feel like something is off. A lack of extras could be forgiven if this were a complete collection, but the fact that there are titles missing from this compilation raises red flags on an otherwise stellar set of shooter classics.

You’ll be done with the 50 stages in just under a couple hours, at which point you’ll unlock remixed and slightly more challenging versions of those stages. Besides these more difficult levels and the arcade version of Bubble Bobble, there isn’t a lot of staying power in this new entry. You’ll still be delighted by it during the brief time you spend with it, thanks to adorable 3D visuals and sharp music. It’s just a shame that there’s so little to do here, especially after such a long wait for a new entry in the series.

Unfortunately, PvP mode sticks you with predetermined decks that you have no way of studying, and co-op has both players awkwardly split one deck instead of letting them use their own, so even these modes are fraught with some accessibility blunders. One Step from Eden has great ideas and a wealth of love put into the number of spells and abilities available; it’s just a shame that the breakneck pace and daunting multitasking requirements of the combat make it hard to appreciate all of that depth.

Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a remaster of an incredible game for its time. Clean racing, no slowdown, and a simple customization mode add up to a fun experience. Fans of the original or N64 racing games will find a lot to love here, though modern fans who didn't live through that era might not.

Trigger Witch is a worthy venture for fans of twin-stick shooters or for fans of The Legend of Zelda that are looking for something a little different. Should you dash into the game, you’ll find fun combat, an enjoyable story, and a few great puzzles. The game’s positives are more than enough to establish its presence as a solid entry in a growing population of Zelda-likes. Despite a few yawn-inducing puzzles and not enough early difficulty, Trigger Witch will certainly charm its way into the hearts of plenty of players.

Shinsekai: Into the Depths is a game worth playing. Its large world is addictive to explore, its oxygen mechanics are innovative and create dramatic gameplay moments, and its audio is a real delight. However, the flow of gameplay is regularly disrupted by weird annoyances like excessive fall damage, a helper robot who doesn’t help, and menus that are a little too cumbersome to navigate comfortably.

RemiLore lays a decent groundwork in terms of gameplay and design, but it never really goes beyond that. Combat is simple and promising, but the lack of depth makes it hard to stay engaged with it for very long. The visuals, likewise, lack any kind of unique punch or distinct art style to make them stand out as anything other than generic. The game is helped by its forgiving nature and the likable pair of protagonists you control, but a bit more care and effort could have helped make this game something truly special.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cloud Version presents an enjoyable and original story with excellent writing and vocal performances, adding up to a narrative that is both comedic and surprisingly heartfelt. A meaty but meaningfully varied campaign introduces fun locations and surprises for Marvel fans, and it’s backed up by a killer '80s soundtrack. Combat makes clever use of synergizing the team’s abilities as well. However, that combat doesn’t evolve enough throughout the story to maintain its appeal. And on Switch specifically, technical performance issues stemming from cloud streaming make this the worst version of the game to play.

Overall, Rock of Ages II: Bigger & Boulder is a solid sequel to one of the most bizarre games of the last generation. The wacky writing and adorable art paired with the challenging yet rewarding gameplay lead to a recipe for success. Unfortunately, that recipe is somewhat botched by the very basic tutorial options in the game, unexpected difficulty spikes, as well as the severely downgraded visuals of this Switch port. Fans of the series will have a blast with it on Switch, but if visuals are a priority, you might want to play elsewhere.

Ultimately Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander is a game that’s fun in short bursts with considerable levels of potential that shine through in its combat, but the sheer level of busywork in-between sometimes felt unnecessary and too time-consuming for my liking. While it is a great deal for $19.99, whether you will fully enjoy your time in the galaxy is based on your tolerance for micromanagement gameplay.

Relic Hunters Zero: Remix takes the standard roguelike experience and shifts it into overdrive, delivering a faster and more consistently rewarding experience. I always felt like I was making progress and never felt like a run was wasted. Some technical issues and a lack of environment variety keep the game from sticking the landing, though. With more environment variety and remappable controls, Relic Hunters Zero: Remix could easily go from good to great.

This game is exactly what lifelong SpongeBob fan hoped it would be. For observant players, there are tons of nods to the show, and the humor and charm of SpongeBob shines through brilliantly. If you were to remove the SpongeBob license from it though, the game would be just "good enough." It's competently made but falls short of greatness. Ultimately, SpongeBob fanatics and hardcore platforming fans won't want to miss this release, but otherwise, you need not rush to get it.

While it is unlikely that Black and White Bushido will ever compel you to turn away from TowerFall for very long, it’s great for a quick match every now and then. Just don’t pick this up expecting to be blown away.

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion has some issues with controls and optimization on Switch, but it's a solid enough Zelda-like with adorable designs and hilarious writing.

Skies of Fury DX will surprise a lot of players, given a seemingly paradoxical situation where the game is simultaneously a mobile port and a polished, satisfying experience. Still, if repetition is an issue for you, then Skies of Fury is one of the worst games your money can buy. The amazing gameplay is the key here: if you enjoy that, and do not mind playing a handful of very similar missions over and over, then Skies of Fury DX will treat you well.

If you’re willing to get the hang of it, VSR is a pretty cool title, albeit a very small one. With only three ships and eight courses, there isn’t that much content here. Truly, any longevity is mostly reliant on constant retries.

My Hero One’s Justice won’t recruit new people to the franchise, but in terms of anime adaptations, this game is faithful to the source material, and that’s all a fan can really ask for.

FreezeME probably won’t go down as being one of the greatest games in eShop history, but I can say that considering this was almost completely created by just one guy, it would be a lie to say that I was completely let down.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is an incredible, silly, and addictive action game. It makes smart and satisfying changes to the core formula of the series that make it one of the most enjoyable entries in the EDF franchise to date, and it has the potential to be one of the most exciting co-op games you've ever played. It's only downside, though, is incredibly major -- the Nintendo Switch version is plagued with graphical issues that significantly impact the quality and fun factor of an otherwise amazing game.

Ultimately, Mutant Football League Dynasty Edition does most right. In fact, there’s no single element I can point to that genuinely hurt my experience with it. It’s not a masterpiece by any stretch, as it doesn’t do enough to truly cement itself as wholly worthwhile. With that being said, there’s no denying the great fun to be had with the game. Old school, arcade-raised gamers will dig Mutant Football League Dynasty Edition, as will the modern sports fan.

Mundaun comes recommended for fans of adventure and horror with its unique, striking aesthetic and appreciable chunk of optional secrets. A lack of direction or specificity in how to complete some objectives may bore or frustrate other players though.

Merrily exploring Kanto with the new controls, rather than catching wild Pokemon, isn’t terrible. The use of a single Joy-Con to get around becomes somewhat convenient. It’s easy to understand why, as it gives you, the player, far more freedom in regards to sitting down and progressing through the world. This proved to be too inconsistent a method, though, as catching monsters repeatedly is a core gameplay element forced onto you too much in the game.

Online matches felt surprisingly good with only the rare instances of stuttering or dropped matches. The Arcade mode seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, however, as it could have been a cool love letter to hardcore fans. There’s very little dialogue between characters, not even when winning a match, which is strange for a fighting game. Major battles are only made more difficult by fighting enemies with multiple health bars to whittle down. You don’t even get an ending. For a game about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the lackluster presentation is extremely glaring.

Pokémon Unite features simple objectives and an addictive gameplay loop. Some mechanics and certain Pokémon require balancing, but that's how it often goes with online games.

The game isn’t for everyone but definitely has its audience. If you’re looking for a fast-paced auto-running platformer to play with friends, Joggernauts is probably up your alley. Just don’t go in expecting more than a fun, little title to keep yourself entertained with for just a little while.

RBI Baseball 20 for Nintendo Switch provides realistic gameplay mechanics with pretty decent visuals. It's an engaging experience with a few bumps here and there.

If you’re looking for budget titles on the Wii U eShop, Neon Battle is one you may want to take another look at.

If you enjoy the old-school nature of Toki and are willing to explore every nook and cranny, then this is a remake very much worth your time. It’s not a long playthrough in one go at less than an hour, but it will take you more than that to master. Give this monkey a spitting chance.

LBX: Little Battlers Experience has an excellent core, I just wish that Level-5 swapped out a few of the materials to make the game truly worth owning.

The Swords of Ditto is not an excellent game. It’s better than alright but not great. The fact that it’s good lies in its charm and writing, not its boring combat and cumbersome design. If you’re a fan of roguelites, give it a spin. Just make sure you bring a companion along for the ride.

While I did enjoy the game, the more missions and challenges I completed, the more repetitive they felt even though they involved different tasks. I felt like less of a fighter pilot and more like an errand boy a quarter through the game because of every mission having a point A and a point B, and nothing to really break the cycle. With that being said, Galak-Z: Variant S is a beautiful game, I just wish it did not feel so repetitive in its gameplay.

The entire experience is an homage to the classic video game that often does the right thing. While there are so many instances of greatness found throughout the 6-7 hour campaign, problems dealing with some of the core features of the genre hinder the overall experience.

Q.U.B.E is by no means a bad game, just a flawed one. It has some neat ideas and a good design that shoots for the stars, however the overall execution falls short and feels more like a shot to the moon.

WRC 9 screeches back onto Nintendo Switch with a slightly improved physics model and more content, but the visuals are still lacking and the lack of analog controls make this already tough racer even more challenging.

If you want a great cooperative shooter to play with others online, Zombie Army Trilogy is the game you’re looking for. The solo experience can be enjoyable as well and will keep you busy for a very long time, particularly if you love hunting for achievements and secrets. The game falls down on the technical side, mostly due to what feels like dodgy aiming when too many enemies are around, but it’s still good fun. It bears repeating that there’s more than enough to justify the game’s cost here, and if you need something to soak up a few hours of your life, this game is ready and waiting to eagerly take any time you have to offer, and maybe try to eat your brains too.

Overall, the game definitely feels like a re-run. While the integration of the world has improved, the storyline has been lackluster at best. Compared to Pokémon X and Y which introduced 3D models and multi-dimensional terrain, Pokémon Ultra Moon feels like a re-mastered version of your typical 7/10 cookie-cutter game. It’s pretty much just like the extra Poké beans you get when you buy a Pinap Juice at the Pokémon Café. Don’t over-hype the game, and you’ll enjoy it just fine.

At its core, Kirby Star Allies is just another Kirby game with a fresh coat of paint and slightly different mechanics from Kirby games of the past. It is a step up in quality and graphics but can be far too simple for older fans and doesn’t provide a way to change the difficulty setting.

The game has excellent music, fun and addictive game modes, and tight controls. The game however does suffer from some lag issues but there is a patch coming.

Despite all the great things, you can figure out enemy patterns through repetitive play, the online community is lacking, and unless you have people to play with, the overall experience outstays its welcome after a while. Still, those looking for a unique indie on the Switch will definitely find some fun in Rival Megagun.

With enjoyable sim gameplay, an engaging element combat system, and excellent boss fights, Smelter is a game with a lot of good pieces across 12-15 hours of play. Unfortunately, it never becomes more than the whole of its parts. The platforming level design feels a bit unremarkable, and the myriad challenge levels placed intrusively within the main levels ruin the pacing. Still, if you love ActRaiser or Mega Man X, there’s enough to make Smelter worth recommending.

Fans of retro RPGs and Action-RPGs will find enjoyment here, but just don’t expect it to last very long.

Farming Simulator 20 on Switch looks great and provides a relatively decent sim experience, but it's not as robust as the last FS entry on Switch due to now being more mobile-focused.

There are still plenty of challenges and content to be found in the ‘3DS version of the game. The uniqueness and musical charm are present, just not in a way that complements the console version of Yoshi’s Woolly World.

Chess Ultra is a nice little game to own. When Nintendo first began marketing the Switch, they really hammered home the idea of taking it where you go, and playing it to pass the time. I feel that this title is a perfect example of that. If a player has a few hours to kill, it’s probably best to play a big game like Super Mario Odyssey or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. On the other hand, if someone has a mere few minutes to spare, turning on the Switch and playing a match of Chess would surely suffice.

All in all, I had a decent time with Slender: The Arrival. It won’t go down as one of my favorite horror games, but the experience was a fun one while it lasted.

The end result is a fun local multiplayer title. Even with the learning curve and occasionally slow pace, Super Volley Blast was a hit amongst myself, my friends, and my family. I will be spending some time with Super Volley Blast while hotly anticipating the next Super Blast game.

Truck Driver isn't some revolutionary new title in the truck sim genre, and it's not trying to be one. For a console sim, and especially one for the Nintendo Switch, it looks good, runs well, and has a lot of hours' worth of content.

In the end, Mercenaries Saga 2: Order of the Silver Eagle is a good Tactical RPG that you can pick up for a low price.

Polyroll is a simple adventure that accurately reflects the price you pay for the game. To the title’s credit, all things are in good, working order, and I have no complaints about the controls or the game’s performance. Polyroll is, by and large, a spiritual sibling to the side-scrolling Sonic games we already know and love. If you’re looking for a Sonic experience, Polyroll will handily deliver that in a small, simple, and cost-effective package. Otherwise, this one doesn’t do much to stand out in a heavily saturated genre.

With a bit more polish to the difficulty curve, cheap deaths and controls I would love to see Typoman return in another adventure.

With its gorgeous art, energetic soundtrack, and breezy narrative, Half Past Fate exudes positivity from top to bottom. There isn't much actual gameplay to speak of and the writing won't blow your mind, but if you're looking for an experience that just makes you feel good for a few hours, then this is it.

BOXBOY! is a solid puzzle game with touches of platforming mixed in that puzzle game fans should check out. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel of the genre or leave a lasting impression, but it’s a fun way to tease your brain and enjoy some clever puzzle designs.

Coffee Talk is a game well worth experiencing. The music and art are exceptional, as well as little things like an app that displays more details on clients the more they connect with you. And when the credits rolled, I was saddened there weren’t more nights to complete. (There is a secret ending you can unlock by replaying certain days, though.) As it happened, I grew attached to every single entity that entered my shop, no matter how disparate they were from each other. Making sure everyone ended up happy was my primary goal while playing. If all that sounds as heavenly as hot cocoa, give this hidden gem a try.

Despite some issues here and there, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a worthwhile investment for fans of the series on Nintendo Switch.

Don’t expect a deep experience here, folks. What you will find is a rather expansive list of artists and songs paying homage to one of the best eras in gaming. I just could have used a little more refinement in its mechanics and the mixture of the additional levels outside the story to do something a little more spectacular during my main playthrough.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood offers exceptional gunplay the series is known for and brings a lot of interesting elements to the franchise for the first time. While the character-upgrades, sound design, and world are fantastic, the mission structure, lack of story, and awful checkpoint system bog down the experience.

Even though it’s great that the game is identical to all of the other versions, it still could have been so much better if they actually went ahead and used the console’s unique features. With that said, if you don’t already have Minecraft, it’s really up to you to decide if you want to shoot for the Wii U Edition or not.

Hitman 3 - Cloud Version provides a set of distinct missions, each with their own unique objectives and environments to explore. The Nintendo Switch version is by no means the definitive way to play, and input lag and dips in performance are likely to occur depending on your bandwidth. But if you want a brilliant stealth game on Switch, Hitman 3 definitely delivers.

All in all, Toto Temple Deluxe is a game you buy if you have friends to play it with. Solo, it can be no more than a brief distraction, but with friends it becomes an exciting brawl-fest. Solid modes and an impressive number of stages makes sure this multiplayer title is one to check out.

Mythic Ocean is a charming and unique experience where you explore an exotic ocean and guide the gods to become better people. It is an utterly immersive audiovisual experience while it lasts, though some tedious gameplay elements and not-so-profound endings make the game less replayable than it wants to be.

Construction Simulator 3 offers a few improvements over its predecessor and has a decent helping of content, but with performance issues.

Those looking for a deep story or compelling adventure gameplay may not find it, but there’s a lot to love in this first episode. It’s just not for everyone.

Road 96 is a road trip that doesn’t feel as procedural as it makes itself out to be, which is a compliment to its unpredictability and strong writing. Player dialogue decisions and actions shape the outcome of the teenage protagonists attempting to flee to the border and the wonderful characters you’ll meet along the way. Varied and fun scenarios keep the game feeling fresh and engaging from one scene to the next. However, on Nintendo Switch myriad technical problems hold the game back from reaching the full potential that its fantastic premise and characters create. It’s a journey worth taking, but unless you’re willing to put up with its shortcomings, it’s one that I’d recommend you play elsewhere.

It’s a simple, cheap, nostalgia-feeling arcade game that can be very addicting. A little more variety in the visuals and audio would have helped, but as it stands, if you are looking for a cheap and fun game, Reptilian Rebellion will give you a good bang for your buck if you enjoy high-score driven games.

In the end, Elliot Quest is nowhere near perfect and falls short of the classics it’s inspired from. However, it would be unfair to call it a bad game. It’s more a mixed bag; you’re either going to enjoy the game, or be annoyed with it.

Headsnatchers is an energetic, crazy local or online multiplayer game. General wonkiness with the controls leaves it a bit rough around the edges at times, but with a whole bunch of different objectives, the heavily-varied head-snatching gameplay is quite fun. The game does nothing to revolutionize couch multiplayer, but it’s a fun, cheap little game that anybody can get the hang of right away. It’s a solid title for a few family gatherings or kickbacks with friends. It is unlikely to find a permanent spot in anyone’s local multiplayer rotation, but if you’re in the market for a unique, colorful game that does a whole lot with its conventions, Headsnatchers is a great choice.

Alphadia is a game that is faithful in its homage to JRPGs of yore, yet cannot quite match them in its execution.

My enthusiasm for Elli ebbed and flowed over the course of my run, from boredom to excitement to finally settling for something in-between the two. It’s not a game that does anything you haven’t seen before, but it puts together a decently enjoyable experience with its time-tested mechanics. Seasoned players of the genre won’t have a lot to sink their teeth into here, but Elli’s accessible gameplay, low difficulty, and inoffensive design make it a good game to introduce the youngest kids to the genre.

It is a fun, relaxing experience – just remember that it is anything but perfect.

If you happen to be a fan of word games, though, then this should be right up your alley.

Clockwork Aquario was made for a very specific crowd of people, by an incredibly passionate team. Obviously a short and simple arcade platformer like this isn't going to be a smash hit today, but there are still plenty of people out there who clamor for old-school '90s arcade bliss. If you're one of those people, then Clockwork Aquario is the game for you. It's short and easy, but fun and beautiful. An arcade classic that was almost lost to time, and I'm so happy that it wasn't.

If you survive Iron Combat’s difficulty and manage master the controls, you will have a great game with a fast-paced game and a lot of action for a good price. If you don’t, you will have a frustrating game that you will get stuck forever.

Telling Lies is a strong piece of art, with excellent acting, believable dialogue, thoughtful themes, and layer upon layer of mystery to uncover. However, whether it's actually fun to play will depend on the individual and how strongly they connect with the characters and world over several hours of footage. Some players will just get bored.

If you’re a LEGO or Jurassic World fan, then it is easy to recommend LEGO Jurassic World. If you already own it on another system, then whether or not you want to double dip will come down to how much you like it. This is a pretty solid port and the best mobile version of the game. The price accurately reflects that this is not a new game and provides numerous hours of LEGO fun for your hard-earned dollars.

If you're interested in reliving some of Capcom's past glory, it's never been easier to do so with Capcom Arcade Collection. A wealth of customization options allows players to fine-tune their experience like never before. However, the lack of bonus features and a lineup that could've been more varied stop this collection from reaching a new high score.

Kaze and the Wild Masks is a solid platformer with its transforming character, healthy number of collectibles, and tough-but-fair bosses. However, it takes a little too much inspiration from Donkey Kong Country, the controls are touchy, and the difficulty ramps up too fast. Still, there are enough positives to make the prospect of a sequel enticing.

PBA Pro Bowling 2021 tries to pride itself on realism and prestige, but its pay-to-win mechanics and difficulty curve get in the way.

All in all, it was a decent experience for the short 2-3 hours it lasted, but I wouldn’t be happy with it if I had to pay $15 for it.

As it stands, Fuga: Melodies of Steel is good, but it falls a bit short of greatness. It toys with some really interesting ideas but ultimately failed to fully capitalize on them. Even so, I did enjoy my time with it. If you're looking for a roughly 15-hour turn-based RPG experience, you can certainly do a lot worse, though I'd recommend waiting for a sale.

Summer in Mara has a heart of gold and does a lot with its big picture concepts. However, its purpose conflicts with the tried and true genre gameplay hooks, and there isn't quite enough here to make up for it. Great experience, but could have used a shorter runtime or more quest variety.

Eastward contains phenomenal art and colorful writing, yet the plot meanders breezily from moment to moment with little care for pacing and an unoriginal core storyline. Factor in average combat and puzzle-solving and a couple bugs that should be addressed, and Eastward is not quite as fun to play as it could be. That being said, a lot of people are going to fall completely in love with it anyway for the things it does right, and you might be one of them.

Overall, regardless of a missed block or two and too many similar modes, One Strike is a fun game to play if you have friends over and want to split the Joy Cons, or even if you have five to ten minutes to spare by yourself.

Byking comes back to My Hero Academia for round 2, with a surprisingly quick turnaround. There's nothing dramatically new, having more to do with gameplay tweaks to add depth and fix problems. You'll need both games for the whole story, but as a party-friendly anime fighter, My Hero One's Justice 2 is a clear upgrade.

Windjammers 2 is an ultra-refined version of the original disc-throwing experience, but without any kind of unlockables, progression, or reason to return to the game, it can be a hard sell for anyone who isn't already a hardcore fan.

Complaints aside, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is a fun, unique take on shooters. Given that the HD remaster is around a decade old, Stranger’s Wrath does look and feel a little dated. However, if you can look past its age, there’s still a mighty fine experience to be had here.

Battle Princess Madelyn is certainly a time capsule from a few decades ago for better and worse. Where the game succeeds, it does so well and with style. But, the multitude of minor pitfalls that inhibits gameplay progression and causes frustration held Madelyn back from being a true indie gem.

Super Destronaut is a good addition to the Wii U eShop. This retro shooter is fun for a couple of hours and the cost is cheap. But if your intention is to beat other players worldwide, this may not be your game.

If you’re an experienced player, you will likely take just about 10 hours of gameplay from starting the game to finishing it for the first time, though most of it will be spent replaying the first two worlds. It could very well be that the game truly begins once you master the game and start playing it for the high score, but I personally didn’t have the patience to get to that point, nor did the decent controls pull me forward the way that other challenging games have in the past. Whether this is a worthwhile purchase for you comes down to how much tolerance you have for highly punishing mechanics so that you can push through to the enjoyable sense of mastery it eventually offers.

Astro Bears enjoys a new competitive mode, new bears, and better presentation than its predecessor. It is a very simple game, and always has been, but it is appropriately priced and a fantastic local multiplayer experience to boot. Astro Bears Party was one of the first Switch games I bought, and a couple of years down the road, it is still a favorite among my friends and family as an accessible but fun multiplayer game. Astro Bears could have done a little bit more to justify being a full rerelease, especially on the single-player end. But as an upgrade to an already-wonderful local multiplayer title, the game carries its predecessor’s torch just fine.

Adventure Bar Story is a great option for RPG fans, mostly considering you can play it on the go and play in short bursts and enjoy it.

In short bursts, Cruis'n Blast is a solid racing entry that you'll likely have a lot of fun with, but its simplicity and lack of track variety reflect that these games are better intended for the arcade than as a home release. If you're looking for a more substantial racing experience, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.

If you’re up for the challenge that lies ahead, and the copious amounts of punishment with the game’s difficulty, there’s no doubt you’ve arrived at the right doorstep. If you’re not ready for those challenges, walk away now because this might not be the experience for you. There’s a good chance of frustration, bouts of rage, and simply the feeling of being overwhelmed. Most definitely — proceed with caution.

Mechstermination Force has solid gameplay and plenty of heart. It knows exactly what kind of game it wants to be, and it manages to stick the landing when it comes to addictive gameplay and rewarding progression. The lack of narrative flow between each fight, though, really hurts it. That emotional engagement with each boss you fight is sorely missed, and it’s that missing piece of the puzzle that prevents Mechstermination Force from being a truly excellent boss rush game.

I have to say, overall, I found New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe to be a bit of a disappointment. It isn’t that it’s a bad game, far from it in fact. However, it is one of the weaker Mario games. There’s a lot of fun to be had, but not much by way of wow factor. The visuals are bright and appealing but lack depth and interest. The music is great, but it’s nearly all stuff that we have heard before. Of course, the platforming is spot on, but again, it doesn’t add anything new. If you can only afford to pick up one Nintendo 2D platformer, then you should get Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. However, if you want even more Mario in your life, then New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is still worth your time.

All in all, Tricky Towers is a fun little multiplayer-focused title. While there is single player, I personally don’t feel that it provides enough on its own to warrant a purchase. However, if you have local or online friends who enjoy a good puzzle game (and particularly Tetris), then this is easily worth the price of admission. Just please don’t blame us when that friendship is strained by the dark magic powers in the game.

Cube Creator 3D might not be the grand Minecraft experience that everyone was anticipating, but it is a very solid game in it’s own right.

Button City delivers a deceptively poignant story wrapped up in an extremely adorable package. The playable arcade games also add some brief extra fun and novelty to what is otherwise a straightforward adventure. In total, it adds up to be a unique, memorable piece of art. But the slow walking speed is a drag, and the game’s so buggy right now that maybe you should wishlist it and wait a few weeks to play it.

Alwa's Legacy is a good throwback to the Metroidvania games that inspired many titles in the genre. It features responsive gameplay, clever puzzles, and great visuals. While there isn't much reason to revisit the adventure, fans of the genre will find fun in Zoe's adventure.