Arcade Spirits is a unique visual novel. It has a lot of humor as well as dourness, which will have gamers guessing their fate while simultaneously shaping it themselves. As you go from floor assistant to something much more, you’ll find true love along the way. The dream of working a job you adore while finding your soulmate: a hardship in real life, but achievable in a few short hours with Arcade Spirits.

Ion Fury is nothing short of a giant love letter to the classic shooters of the 1990s. From the cheesy one-liners to the secret-filled stages, the game oozes style in spades. Though it doesn't improve much over its predecessors, Ion Fury really doesn't need to. Fans of classic shooters will definitely not want to miss this, while fans of modern shooters looking for a change will find an experience not too far outside of their comfort zone.

I really wanted to enjoy Spirit of the North as someone who is passionate for Nordic folklore, meditative video game experiences, and foxes. Unfortunately, amid the game’s performance issues and lackluster gameplay, the title comes across as unfocused at best and unplayable at worst. There’s a meditative, thoughtful, and even great game that’s underneath all of the uncomplimentary design decisions, and the poor technical performance of the Switch port is the nail in the coffin of an already flawed experience.

TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2 is best suited for those that either are already decent with sim racers or who want to push themselves to be better through self-abuse. Either way, it’s not the best pickup if you’re looking for a casual bike racing experience.

Super Mega Baseball 3 provides a fun, arcadey baseball experience that isn't too hard to get into and offers a lot of laughs due to its zany nature.

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.

For a game in which the story is billed as the main focus, it says volumes that the plot does nothing to shine. Features such as the ability to watch a few classic movies are a nice touch but do little to tie into the actual game and feel like they were added just to create a selling point. If you're looking to pass a couple hours, you can certainly do worse than Stone, though you can also do better.

I’ve been struggling with how to rate The Wonderful 101: Remastered. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever played before, and it’s fantastic how it’s getting a second chance on the Nintendo Switch. I love its core gimmick; I like how it has the Bayonetta-like secret battles, optional levels, and grading system; and there were special moments that made me grin from ear to ear. But I died so many times for often frivolous reasons, used countless healing items, and even said out loud, “I’m not having fun.” You should definitely experience a taste of this game in some form at least once, but you’ll only stick with it if you are especially forgiving of its faults.

Originally a 2000 Neo Geo Pocket Color release, SNK Gals' Fighters makes its reappearance on the Nintendo Switch. Despite its low price, there's a lot more effort than you might expect to make this celebratory release feel cared for.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a fantastic game. You don’t need to be into bikes, mountains, or sports to enjoy it. The simplicity of riding down a mountain trail, even when you’re trying to beat your personal best time, is an oddly relaxing experience that you can zone out to wherever you’re playing. The short trails are perfect for quick sessions on a commute or while you’re out and about, but there’s definitely potential to sit and play for hours at a time.

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.

While one title is about kitchens and the other concerns movers, it’s impossible to avoid comparing Moving Out with Overcooked!. Ultimately, this game is not as fantastic as its inspiration, but it’s still absolutely worth your time. Like Overcooked, the magic of Moving Out is in full completion. Going for the accolades of gold medals and challenge completions requires strategy and coordination that demonstrates the full potential of the game’s chaotic cooperative play. If you just walk on through collecting bronze medals, you’ll still have a solid time tossing beds and getting in slap fights, but you’ll also be robbing yourself of the game’s true strategic depth that nearly rivals the best of its genre.

Despite in-universe explanations being practically nonexistent, there's a lot to love about Dogurai, from the retro graphics and soundtrack to tight controls. It's not necessarily a game you'll ever come back to, but it's not out of the question if you're just looking to kill an hour or two.

Building your characters is fun in Trials of Mana, and experiencing how the story changes with each party makeup ensures replay value. There's something to love for fans new and old alike.

Good Job! does a great job at being a whimsical little experience that's bound to keep you hooked with cathartic destruction, intuitive design, and soothing presentation.

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.

Trancelation is neither a powerful language-learning tool nor a particularly exciting arcade experience. But if you're looking for a supplement to a language you're already learning, and for some reason Duolingo isn't enough for you, this game will help you with rote memorization of basic vocabulary.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a game that revels in the right kind of fan service. Its lightsaber combat is still a blast to play with, and its Force Powers provide a ton of options to make you feel like a Jedi Master. Its story and presentation haven’t aged as well, and the gameplay can be a little awkward if you’re at all used to modern action games. Yet, for Star Wars fans, Jedi Academy shouldn’t be missed.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons ultimately helped me better appreciate the importance of being able to spend time with others. With or without a pandemic, this is one of the best games to have graced Nintendo Switch yet. It’s the purest and most engaging form of Eguchi’s vision, and there’s an unparalleled belonging and meaning that’ll draw me back in for a long time to come.

I had an amazing time with In Other Waters. It’s a game I’d happily play over and over just for the overall combination of colors, sounds, and exploration. The story acts as a reminder of why we should treat our oceans, and each other, with more kindness. If you’re even remotely interested in marine biology, you’ll never put your Switch down.

Ultimately, Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition quenched my thirst for a retro, Chrono Trigger-like experience. With rock-solid presentation, smart writing, and a battle system that gets the job done, Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition should be a part of any classic RPG fan’s collection.

Fighting countless hordes of bad guys never got old and proved to be a fantastic way to relieve stress. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a game that’s worthy of being in anybody’s Switch collection. Step into the shoes of your favorite Straw Hat and enter the battlefield. Trust me — you won’t be disappointed.

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.

A great time with pointless constraints, Battlesloths takes a winning formula and shoots itself in the foot... again, and again, and again.

The Complex offers commendable acting and writing and a genuine sense of excitement to go with its interactive movie experience. However, most of the endings are quite similar and unsatisfying, and player choices often don't have much effect on the overall narrative. Still, considering the game costs the same price as a weeknight movie theater ticket, but with the added benefit of some novel interactivity, The Complex could make for a refreshingly unique, albeit short, movie night.

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.

Despite a few missing features, Murder by Numbers is still a delightful twist on a classic puzzle game. Fans of Ace Attorney or Picross will not want to let this one fly under their radar. This is a universe begging for a sequel.

If you have children who like the show, then this may be worth a purchase. It will easily distract them for at least 6 hours and could be 40 hours or more if they want to gain every collectable. However, if you saw the title of this game and thought Giganto-what, I would suggest you move on and give this a wide berth.

There is a lot to like about Overpass. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of issues. The overall idea is great and offers something that a lot of gamers won’t have experienced. There are some moments of visual beauty as well, but the frame rate really struggles to keep up. This is also a seriously challenging game with the difficulty level only changing the time that the other drivers take to complete the course. It would have been helpful for an easier difficulty to provide you with more grip and less chance of flipping your vehicle over. If you want to try a different driving experience, Overpass may be the game for you. Just be prepared for a challenge.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is raunchy, hectic, incredible superpowered fun. It's not quite as good as its predecessor, but it's absolutely still worth a go.

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.

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.

Brief Battles has some interesting ideas that could have made for a solid platform fighter, but this one needed way more ironing out. Despite a few good times to be had, the game ultimately doesn’t come close to meeting the bar set by other great indie platform fighters. It definitely has its moments, like the rush of satisfaction that follows landing a ground pound from way high up, but your time is better spent with same-genre titles like TowerFall, Duck Game, and Retimed. Promised free updates may redeem this title down the line with better modes and more carefully crafted arenas, but for now, clunky menus and long load times make an obstacle out of even setting up Brief Battles, and excessive stage hazards, wonky controls, and trite objectives mean that the prize for navigating those menus isn’t worth it.

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.

I’ve played a good chunk of racing games on the Switch at this point, and Speedway Racing is by far the lowest effort I’ve seen yet. If it functioned properly and ran smoother, then it would at least be worthy of consideration as a compact title. But in this state, you’re better off avoiding it and picking just about any other racer. Sega Ages: Virtua Racing isn’t stock car racing like this, but it does have similar arcade-style circuit tracks. It’s about the closest thing, and despite being one of the earliest 3D racing games ever, it’s a far more enjoyable experience than this poor indie.

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.

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.

Overall, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a solid remake of a unique Pokémon spin-off. There's a lot to love here (especially the art style), but at the end of the day, the game boils down to an endless grindfest. I think Mystery Dungeon is worth playing at least through the credits, but only hardcore fans will love the game enough to continue in the vast trove of post-game treasures.

Afterparty is a story about death, friendship, the struggles of life, and acceptance, all wrapped in a backdrop of demons, debauchery, and, surprisingly, heart. Milo and Lola are fantastic protagonists, and if there were anybody out there you should travel to hell with, these two would be the perfect companions. Grab your Switch, pour a drink, and definitely pick up Afterparty.

Vasilis isn’t going to be the type of game for someone who’s looking for a “fun” experience with engaging gameplay. Instead, it’s the sort of title that uses the artistic potential of video games to provide perspective. It excels in this area thanks to a unique presentation style and is worth the investment for those looking to play something different.

Bloodroots‘ cartoony action kept me engaged through its entire campaign. While it can be more difficult to enjoy handheld due to the likes of Nintendo Switch Lite’s smaller screen, the gameplay is utterly unique and justifies a playthrough. There’s enough in the mechanics to entice even the most uninterested individuals to get involved in score-chasing, and the overall narrative is uniquely weird enough to entice someone looking for something different from these sorts of games.

Samurai Shodown is a fighter made for the old crowd, but it offers a unique experience to modern gamers. SNK has done an incredible job adapting the series to the Nintendo Switch. It’s not perfect, but it does what it does incredibly well. If you think you would enjoy a fighting game that rewards patience, strategy, and timing, give this one a chance. You’ll be rewarded with one of the most well-designed fighting games there is.

Metro Redux is one of my favorite shooters on the market. The survival horror aspect, while not quite taken far enough for my liking, still provides a fantastic setting to explore. While there is almost nothing revolutionary about these games, what's present is of a high caliber. If you're a fan of shooters, I'd certainly recommend adding this to your library.

The game has a good visual style, but you just a feel a little distant from the action due to the fixed viewpoint. Cooperative play is a nice touch and a welcome addition for the franchise. However, its implementation has not been thought through properly. Darksiders Genesis may forever be in the shadow of Diablo III, but that’s not necessarily a bad place to be. If you are a fan of Blizzard’s ARPG, chances are you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. I know that I did.

Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is an excellent value for the price tag. Mega Man Zero was designed for hardcore gamers, but if you can't handle the difficulty, new Save-Assist enables less skilled players to still enjoy those titles to the fullest. And Mega Man ZX, though unremarkable the first time, truly shines as something memorable with ZX Advent and its diverse gameplay options. Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection contains most of Inti Creates’ best work, and it’s another Capcom collection worth adding to your Switch library.

The Switch port of Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition is a wonderful upgrade to an excellent action-adventure video game. The Freestyle Mode gives players so many options to inflict pain on hellspawn, and co-op Bloody Palace is a fun diversion. If you’ve never played DMC3 before, or you did years ago, this version is the definitive way to play it. I can’t recommend it enough for series fans or outsiders alike.

Bridge Constructor Ultimate Edition does give you some creative free rein, but this game is really more about problem-solving rather than artistic ability. If engineering is by no means your field, as is my case, then you better believe a lot of trial and error is involved in this experience. But hey, it’s a puzzle game after all. As frustrating as it can be, I still found it rather fun whenever I did finally get a vehicle across. So, if you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth checking out.

Strike! Ten Pin Bowling doesn’t do anything super crazy with the formula, but it doesn’t really have to. This is still a charming, well-put-together little bowling title that’ll allow you to have fun without going to a real alley (or if you’re like me, there isn’t even one to go to in real life).

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition is an overall landmark effort in the realm of video games. It explores various facets of the medium’s abilities with storytelling and evocatively shifts its gameplay and gorgeous visuals to keep things interesting. Paying dividends if you decide to input your own personality, it’s a work of art that I can’t recommend enough.

Kunai is a competent and attractive Metroidvania title let down by uninspired game design, underutilized mechanics, and some bugs. Lovers of the genre will still enjoy this game, as will players who love a strong visual aesthetic. If you don't fit into either of those categories, then Kunai may not be the best option for you.

I really wanted to like Skellboy. As I mentioned, the beginning moments led me to believe that I was going to have an enjoyable experience. The world is endearing, and I absolutely love the characters and humor. Unfortunately, despite some great ideas, a lot of the execution falls flat. With some tweaks and patches, some of my issues might be fixed, but as a whole, Skellboy isn’t a journey worth taking.

198X is an arcade epic, a coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres, worlds, and characters. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing – combined with emotional, cinematic storytelling. This is a love letter to the golden age of arcade games – yet with a scope that was never possible in the actual 1980s.

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.

With quick loading and Nintendo Switch portability, it’s easy to call this the definitive version of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. It’s a fun, silly, and engaging experience that excels at paying homage to two iconic game franchises while also crafting its own memorable, endearing world. Fans of the addictive RPG gameplay of Persona 5 or the charming characters of Fire Emblem: Three Houses will be right at home with this game, as long as you’re prepared for yet another lengthy RPG experience to absorb your life for a while.

Rush Rally 3 is impressive for being the product of a one-man band. It has a sizeable amount of content and accessible driving model. Its simplistic presentation is a bit of a bummer, but this is still one of the most balanced racers on Switch so far.

Steins;Gate 0 is a fantastic continuation of the Steins;Gate franchise, which science fiction fans should not miss.

Steins;Gate: My Darling’s Embrace puts a silly spin on the usually serious atmosphere of the series, providing a fun and breezy treat for fans of the franchise.

For better or worse, Fishing: Barents Sea Complete Edition trades in the traditional hands-on experience of virtual fishing for something more focused on button presses and automation. It’s relaxing but grind-heavy, and the automation takes some soul out of the gameplay.

I dare to say Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is one of the best first-person shooters that’s on the Nintendo Switch. It may not be the most complete experience, (It took me around 6 hours to finish.) but it’s a fun enough experience that I instantly wanted to replay it on a harder difficulty. Should you want to fill out the various skill trees and collecting the remaining “Nuggets of Truth,” you’ll be receiving another 8-10 hours of glorious arcade shooting.

Overall, you’re getting a massive amount of content in Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection, with the port of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag being one of the more impressive examples of an open-world game on Nintendo’s handheld and Assassin’s Creed Rogue being worthy of a playthrough if you haven’t yet played it. The collection features two complete open-world experiences that are still a joy to play.

Bee Simulator on the Nintendo Switch is a unique game experience that combines educational messages, fun mechanics, and a ton of bee puns.

Messy AI and some wonky balancing and design choices don't stop Shovel Knight Showdown from being a fun multiplayer party battling experience.

Like its brethren before it, Shovel Knight: King of Cards features some of the best platforming game design ever seen in a video game.

Simulacra interweaves a horror mystery with investigative work and puzzle-solving. However, the driving force of this title is simply the narrative and not it's gameplay offering.

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.

Since it’s polished in almost every regard with its gameplay and presentation, it’s possible Children of Morta would’ve benefited from a more focused design direction rather than a rogue-lite dungeon-crawling experience. Nevertheless, in a sea of games for the rogue-lite genre, it’s refreshing to see developers do something unique and tell a meaningful story. The emotional heights that the game reaches goes farther than many narrative-focused games. If you’re looking for a story-driven ARPG, then Children of Morta needs to be at the top of your list.

Despite the drawbacks, I still find WRC 8 on Switch to be a cool experience for race fans who are craving a more raw, complex experience. It’s nice that the KT Racing team sees so much potential in the Switch considering the fact it has yet to skip bringing any of its recent projects over. Here’s hoping the team’s support continues and their mastery over Switch hardware continues to improve.

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.

Alien: Isolation might be one of the best licensed games ever made, and Feral Interactive has succeeded in preserving its harrowing gameplay on Nintendo Switch.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is an upcoming game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny. Featuring gorgeous illustration by Kellan Jett, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine combines 2D visuals with a 3D overworld US map. Players wander through the United States - and through a century of history - to meet a variety of people, each with their own stories to tell.

An excellently fast and flashy local multiplayer title, but there isn't much beyond that.

Overall, this game is on the stronger side when compared to most other machine simulator titles out there. While it isn’t the smoothest or prettiest experience, Construction Simulator 2 has a decent amount of content with a good variety of experiences. So, if you’re ready to live out those aforementioned childhood memories of driving a big construction vehicle, this is a pretty decent way to get into it. While a little rough around the edges in some areas, Construction Simulator 2 manages to provide a mostly solid sim experience where it counts.

While I can admit that it still doesn’t do enough different, (The absence of voice acting is jarring.) the inclusions such as the Wild Area and streamlining of tired aspects are big steps in the right direction. Game Freak has succeeded in creating a new core entry worthy of being on home consoles, and Pokémon Sword and Shield are a couple of the best games on Nintendo Switch.

While I can admit that it still doesn’t do enough different, (The absence of voice acting is jarring.) the inclusions such as the Wild Area and streamlining of tired aspects are big steps in the right direction. Game Freak has succeeded in creating a new core entry worthy of being on home consoles, and Pokémon Sword and Shield are a couple of the best games on Nintendo Switch.

While I can admit that it still doesn’t do enough different, (The absence of voice acting is jarring.) the inclusions such as the Wild Area and streamlining of tired aspects are big steps in the right direction. Game Freak has succeeded in creating a new core entry worthy of being on home consoles, and Pokémon Sword and Shield are a couple of the best games on Nintendo Switch.

If you’re itching for a true off-roading simulator, then have a look at Spintires: MudRunner. It launched last year on Switch and still manages to provide a very high-quality experience with both gameplay and visuals. Ultra Off-Road Simulator basically looks and feels like someone saw MudRunner and wanted to copy it in the cheapest way possible. Thus, you’re better off just going straight to the source.

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.

From beginning to end, New Super Lucky’s Tale is a much more streamlined experience than the original. Any qualms I had with the original game have been rectified in this reimagined edition for Nintendo Switch. The game is oozing with charm and keeps you coming back. It’s a fun-filled experience that shouldn’t go unplayed by 3D platformer fans.

With no Ice Age movie releasing in tandem with Scrat’s Nutty Adventure, the choice to not give Just Add Water a few extra months to add polish is disappointing. At best, Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure is a decent distraction for kids.

Corpse Party: Blood Drive feels imbalanced between its exploration and visual novel aspects. Luckily, what I did enjoy, I got engrossed in, and there are moments of genius in both segments. But ultimately, the exploration feels like an afterthought compared to the visual novel component. It’s definitely hard to recommend unless you’re already a Corpse Party fan.

The real magic of the game, though, is how it serves as a perfect casual entry point into the world of the Olympic Games.

Overall, this is a great package of some excellent games from the 16-bit era. While I personally believe that the Genesis version of Aladdin is much better than the one seen on the Super Nintendo, the Disney Classic Games collection could’ve used the Super Nintendo version of Aladdin to make this feel more like a complete package. However, the art gallery, quick-save features, and added extras such as the final cut of Aladdin solidify this collection as the definitive way to experience these games. It would certainly be great to have more Disney compilations following this.

Overall, Vampyr is an ambitious game made with a lot of love. Given how easy it is to become immersed in its world, I was able to forgive some of the more glaring flaws with its repetitive action-RPG combat. It’s not typical for a developer to give the player such power over a game’s world and characters, after all. This affords the game an immense amount of replayability that can also let you reshape your characterization of Reid. If you’re looking for something different this Halloween season, Vampyr is one of the most impressive horror games on the Nintendo Switch. If you’re sold on the concept, this game definitely deserves your attention.

Kine is a wonderful puzzle game that will exercise your spacial awareness and charm you with its story. The characters are relatable and surprisingly nuanced, and the visuals are appealing. The music is excellent and integrated into the gameplay in inviting ways. While the game gets incredibly difficult, serious puzzle players are sure to enjoy the challenge. It helped that Roo, Quat, and Euler reminded me of so many old friends, and I found myself wanting the best for the funky boxes as they strived to make their way in the big city. Maybe you will too.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a fantastic evolution for the series. Its significantly longer campaign, slew of multiplayer options, and more varied gameplay distinguish it from the more arcadey, speedrun-friendly original to a point that direct comparison is challenging, but Luigi’s Mansion 3 is an obvious step up from Dark Moon, which was already a great game in its own right. The hotel adventure is amazing and the ScareScraper is addictive enough to add hours of gameplay. Series fans have a fantastic sequel to look forward to, and newcomers should take Luigi’s Mansion 3 as an opportunity to jump into one of Nintendo’s most unique franchises while it is firing on all cylinders.

Overwatch remains a stylish, exciting, and most of all fun game that feels at home on the Switch. While there were some concessions that had to be made to get it there, for most gamers this is a great version of a great game.

Even though the presentation does not always match the high price point, however, BurgerTime Party! does nearly everything you could reasonably ask for between its four fun, varied modes. If you want nothing more than modernized BurgerTime, then you’ll be satisfied with this modern edition. If you were hoping for revolutionized BurgerTime, though, you unfortunately won’t find it here.

Still, minor shortcomings do not hinder StarBlox Inc. At its core, the game is an absolute delight. Fighting tooth and nail over individual puzzle blocks is a Tetris mod I never knew I needed. Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, however, I cannot recommend it enough. While it comes up a bit short of all-time indie multiplayer classics like Ultimate Chicken Horse and Towerfall, Starblox Inc. is still a challenging and unique game that is extremely rewarding to learn. I can see it spending a long time in my local multiplayer rotation. The perfectly-struck balance between the slow build of filling out your board and the satisfaction of knocking your friends into oblivion allows StarBlox Inc. to shoot for and land among the stars.

Despite the flaws in story and system, overall The Alliance Alive HD Remastered was compelling from start to finish, and I have a feeling I’m not done with it yet. Two separate new game plus modes let you keep trucking, but there’s plenty of content I had left untouched. While you can blast through the main story in under 30 hours, this is the kind of game where fanatics might double their playtime. Players looking for something classic, yet new, will love this game, but it won’t satisfy everyone. The Alliance Alive HD Remastered is just a few tweaks away from being amazing, but it’s the perfect example of a rainy day JRPG.

Stranded Sails – Explorers of the Cursed Sails is a game that’s perfect for portable play on the Nintendo Switch, a worthy gem in a sea of similar games worth the 15 or so hours it will take you to complete. It isn’t grindy and retains its focus while also understanding the importance of allowing you to meander with some fishing or farming.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is easily one of the greatest games on the Nintendo Switch. While it may not have the best graphics on the handheld, its mere breadth makes it one of the deepest experiences in the library. Like any great session of D&D or other tabletop role-playing games, it engrosses the player in its setting and characters to the point that you’re able to fully escape into its world. While it may be overwhelming at first, there are dividends to those that decide to make the commitment.

Mable & the Wood had a lot going for it: the promise of a Metroidvania, a slew of interesting mechanics, and a decent storyline. But the final product isn’t worth your time or the asking price (even with a launch discount).

Ultimately, with Killer Queen Black, there are layers of complicated, dragging tutorials, confusing menus, and gameplay generally unfriendly to newcomers. But past that, there is an exciting, unique, and thoughtful title that will have you and your friends frantically testing out all kinds of different roles, plans, and contingencies on the fly.

Untitled Goose Game‘s consistent, simple themes are not dull by any stretch. In fact, the entire basis of the game revels in its simplicity, making this title easy to pick up, enjoy, and have a few laughs along the way. Completing one list of tasks left me yearning for the next list of hilarious assignments as I waddled to the next area. The only drawback to the game’s simplicity is that replayability is likely not in the cards once you’ve experienced all the quirky scenarios it has to offer. Still, Untitled Goose Game is great fun and completely worth its value for that one experience.

Devil May Cry 2 is a strange side note in the franchise that comes off as a failed experiment more than anything else. Aside from the Bloody Palace mode, most of the changes introduced were rolled back in the next game, and the series is better for it. While I didn’t hate my time with Devil May Cry 2, it pales in comparison to the rest of the franchise. If you’re looking to get into Devil May Cry, no one will stop you from skipping right over this one.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is a treat for fans of the puzzle genre. While its combat is flawed and some power-ups overpowered, it has intriguing solutions to a myriad of enigmas. If that is all you want out of a series that is known for its mysteries, then pick up the latest entry. It will keep you guessing and pondering until the credits roll.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair marries a variety of platforming mechanics in a meaty campaign with tons of challenges ahead. It’s as polished as it is focused and as true to the genre as you can get. Now, sign me up for the next one.

The characters are excellent, the world is fascinating, and following Lina as she interacts with citizens of Los Ojos is entertaining. I just wish that the main narrative were gripping, but it never seems to find its footing, and that’s a shame.