Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud is a compilation of all the entries in the series needed to get the full Kingdom Hearts experience. Despite not being the best way to play these games due to cloud gaming issues like erratic frame rate and sound problems, it's still Kingdom Hearts on Switch, and that is beautiful.

Infernax is an action platformer that pays homage to '80s NES classics such as Zelda II and Castlevania II in its own satisfying way. It features a level-up system, lots of gore, and an interesting choice mechanic that adds up to a worthwhile adventure with plenty of replay value.

Grapple Dog offers a lot of replayability and opportunity to hone your grappling skills, but the game often feels too slow due to overly long levels and long load times. Some performance hiccups hold back the thrills as well.

Land of Screens tells a short, hokey, on-the-nose story about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with friends and family, and it's not remarkable in any way. Fortunately, the art and sound are excellent, making it a decent way to spend a couple hours.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus sends the series in a new, bold direction, while also setting the groundwork for future games.

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.

Life is Strange: True Colors is the best game in the series so far, without a doubt. The town of Haven Springs is full of excellent characters, with Alex Chen herself being one of the best protagonists we’ve seen in some time. The game does suffer from some pretty severe visual downgrades with the Switch release, and some of the additional minigames left us feeling a bit cold. Nevertheless, developer Deck Nine has crafted a fantastic narrative that you’ll be eager to see through to the very end. Reduced visual fidelity aside, Switch is a great place to experience True Colors.

Though I mostly enjoyed my time with Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story, it has definite issues as a rhythm platformer. It can become a bit of a slog to play in long sessions, but it's nice in short bursts. If you're already a League of Legends fan looking for a different sort of experience, it's hard not to recommend Hextech Mayhem, though it may be a slightly tougher sell otherwise.

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.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is a puzzle game meant to strengthen your thinking skills in five different categories through fast-paced minigames. You can compete against friends or test your skills against other people's recorded attempts. It's a simple premise that succeeds thanks to adorable presentation and addicting mechanics, even if it's a little feature-light.

There is nothing like Loop Hero, and it feels born for Nintendo Switch. Those who love roguelikes must absolutely play this refreshingly weird game, and even people who detest roguelikes may find themselves captivated by this game's unique and imaginative mechanics. Loop Hero is the best example of indie ingenuity.

Although Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are not the definitive way to experience the Sinnoh region, they are a nostalgic joyride worth revisiting for fans of the originals and a worthwhile investment for newcomers.

Although Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are not the definitive way to experience the Sinnoh region, they are a nostalgic joyride worth revisiting for fans of the originals and a worthwhile investment for newcomers.

In the end, a terrific battle system and great art direction just aren’t enough to save Ruined King: A League of Legends Story from its lackluster narrative, clunky UI, and a wide spectrum of bizarre technical issues on Nintendo Switch. Hardcore League of Legends fans and hardcore RPG mechanics enthusiasts will still enjoy the game, but everyone else is better off playing something else this holiday season.

Death's Door is a delightful action-adventure indie. It has a lot of heart, great combat, and fantastic exploration, though its difficulty and lack of a map can be off-putting.

Amazing Princess Sarah is a 2D platformer that combines the dungeon action of Castlevania with the throwing mechanic from Super Mario Bros. 2. The result is a fun title, despite some repetitive design and unresponsive controls.

Despite a few faults, Corpse Party is an excellent horror adventure title that fans of the genre should not miss out on. I’ve not played anything quite like it before, and as such, it firmly stands near the top of my list of favorite horror games.

Dusk is a fast-paced, fun retro FPS. Its weapons and enemies are well thought-out, and its gameplay shines above its muddy colors and occasional monotonous levels.

Bonito Days is one of the chillest games on Nintendo Switch. You guide a flying fish through a pastel cel-shaded world, collecting points and aiming for the high score in the middle of the ocean. It takes the best of Monkey Target from Super Monkey Ball, throws in a little NiGHTS into Dreams flair, and finishes off the whole package with a smooth city pop soundtrack.

Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch retains all the strategic combat elements that the Atlus RPG franchise is known for, but it radically revolutionizes its world design to create an adventure that is completely addicting and flawlessly complements the battle system. It’s a truly remarkable achievement, resulting in easily one of the best games of 2021 and one of the best games on Nintendo Switch in general.

Demon Turf is another fantastic 3D collectathon platformer, offering a bunch of activities to complete while also rocking a distinct visual style. There are a few technical hiccups, but they don’t distract you from what is an excellent adventure to defeat the Demon King.

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.

Mario Party Superstars ultimately marks a great entry in the franchise, getting back to the basics and building off of the stabilizing force that Super Mario Party provided for the wayward series, while stripping away some other innovations that had found their way into the franchise over the last several entries. This is Mario Party as you remember it – whether that is a good or bad thing is up to you. For me, it’s a great thing – the chaotic board game is back in its full backstabbing glory, with arguably the best minigame roster in the series and full online play from day one. In looking to the past, Mario Party Superstars has taken a much-needed step forward for the series.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania marks a return to form for the series, even if I am left hoping that we receive some substantial content updates in the near future to fill in gaps left from the originals. Fans who need an exact recreation of the originals or require challenge mode multiplayer might want to skip this one or wait for a deep discount, but those who just want to play Super Monkey Ball 1 and 2 again or the first time should absolutely pick this one up on Switch, especially if you enjoy playing on the go. While there is still a bit of work to do, Super Monkey Ball is back, and it’s a great feeling. I strongly recommend you don’t miss out on this one.

Overall, Dying Light: Platinum Edition does a lot quite well on Switch. Aside from some technical hiccups and a pretty insignificant narrative, the game shines behind a satisfying gameplay loop with buildings to climb, upgrades to snag, and zombies to smack. With loads of packed-in DLC content and a few multiplayer modes piled on top of a sizable base game, fans of the gameplay loop will find dozens of hours of gratifying zombie-crushing entertainment. Ahead of a sequel set to arrive in February, the game does little to push genre limits or set new standards, but it’s an easy recommendation for fans of open-world titles, fun gameplay, and zombies.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is an ambitious game that tries to pit 20 classic Nick characters against each other in a platform brawler highly reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. However, due to technical issues and a lack of immersive details like voice acting, it doesn't stand up to the competition. This game will excite people who love Nickelodeon and platform brawlers but will be a hard sell to anyone else.

Tetris Effect: Connected is an outstanding iteration of the beloved puzzler, featuring unique levels with mind-boggling visuals. Playing docked doesn't look as great as in handheld mode (particularly on Switch OLED) due to Switch resolution differences, but that doesn't detract from the overall experience. If you're after a fantastic puzzle game on Nintendo Switch, then Tetris Effect: Connected is an easy recommendation.

This Gleylancer re-release is full of meaty gameplay enhancements that make it one of the most engaging and easy-to-enjoy classic shmup experiences you'll have on modern consoles.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes has plenty to offer to Lego and Marvel fans alike. A brisk but well-paced story takes you on an enjoyable ride while constantly introducing new characters and locations. Fantastic vocal performances and comedic writing make great use of the Marvel characters from both the movies and the comic books, and it’s topped off by an entertaining open world to let players mess around with characters to their heart's content. Some small graphical and control issues remind you that this isn’t a modern title, but that said, once you’re flying around Manhattan as Iron Man, these flaws are soon forgotten.

The first all-new 2D Metroid in 19 years was well worth the wait. Its movement, combat, and environments are all top-notch, and the pacing will keep you hooked all the way through the end. The story is a wild ride that expands on interesting ideas from Fusion and Samus Returns in meaningful ways. There are a few technical hiccups, frustrating level design choices, and repeated mini-bosses, but my enthusiasm was never swayed thanks to a steady stream of exciting and memorable moments that kept my hands glued to the controller until the credits rolled. Dread is a stellar sequel to Fusion and a triumphant return that easily ranks among the best in the 2D series.

Diablo II: Resurrected meticulously recreates the classic PC experience. The gameplay is as faithful to the original experience as one could hope for, and while the modern graphics are dazzling, the ability to kick some demon butt still takes precedence. Newcomers may be a bit put off by some dated mechanics, but for fans of dungeon crawlers or those who just want to relive one of the best PC games of all time, Diablo II: Resurrected won’t disappoint.

Deltarune is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed indie RPG Undertale. The first two chapters have all of the great humor, music, writing, and storytelling you would expect from Toby Fox and makes the series's world much deeper and more mysterious.

Islanders is a really interesting, serene city-building experience that reduces stress instead of adding onto it. Its clean-cut visual style and pickup-and-play mechanics fit the Switch like a glove.

ActRaiser Renaissance is a meticulously crafted remake that genuinely improves on the original game in several respects while maintaining the spirit of what made it special in the first place. The simulation and tower defense elements are instantly addicting, and the sidescrolling sections really make you feel like God has come down to smite the wicked. ActRaiser Renaissance is almost the best-case scenario for a remake.

Unsighted is an ambitious action RPG. The combat and exploration are thoroughly rewarding. However, the time limit and stamina meter are a bit grating.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is the Hot Wheels racing game that we have been waiting on for a while. It delivers outside of a few hiccups. Players with concerns about performance will likely want to hold off until the upcoming patch releases on Switch. Players will also have to sit through some slow progression to really start unlocking cool cars, but they will have some very fun racing to keep them busy in between blind boxes and upgrades. If you are looking for a fun, methodical racer and you can appreciate toy cars and massive tracks, Hot Wheels Unleashed should be right up toward the top of your list.

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

Art of Rally excels at providing a stylized rally experience that strikes a decent balance of being both realistic yet approachable. It features a good variety of cars and landscapes, all wrapped in a clean low-poly art style. While it does have some graphical limitations, this is still a fun racer that's definitely worth looking at for off-roading fans.

Ni No Kuni II is an adventure filled with charm, featuring accessible mechanics and fun side-activities. The Nintendo Switch version is by no means the definitive way to play, but this is a solid port worth investing in for both newcomers and fans alike.

Lost in Random succeeds at telling a modern coming-of-age dark fairy tale that can be enjoyed by players of almost all ages, and the character and world design perfectly complements the zany and clever writing. The gameplay is likewise unique and engaging, and even though combat doesn’t offer extreme depth or challenge, it fits the scope of the adventure. However, the graphics and lighting suffer on Nintendo Switch, and if you have the ability to play it on another platform, you probably should.

WarioWare: Get It Together! is a WAH-nderful addition to the WarioWare series. Between the microgames themselves, the quirky humor, and the new mechanic featuring all of Wario's friends, this game is a gift to fans of the series. However, not all playable characters are equally useful, and not every multiplayer mode will dazzle you.

BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites is a fun action platformer. The combat is the clear highlight, while its platforming sections can use a bit of work.

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.

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.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate revives a must-play Wii classic, with fantastic level design and great replay value. However, there are a few performance issues exclusive to the Switch version that prevent it from being the definitive way to play.

Quake is still an incredible game that holds up well even today. You get a ton of content for the price, and on top of that, there's so much replayability between the various difficulties and multiplayer options. While I wish some effort would have been made to modernize some archaic elements, they don't take away too much from the overall experience. If you're a fan of shooters at all, Quake should absolutely have a place in your Switch library.

No More Heroes 3 is the joyride fans have been waiting for. It's an incredible return to form for Suda 51 and a bombastic celebration of one of the most iconic game series out there -- full of style, full of action, and full of wild characters that you won't forget any time soon. There may be some technical issues and graphical hiccups, but it's more than made up for by the absolutely wild aesthetic of the game that only Suda 51 could provide.

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.

Hoa is short and contains rather basic platforming and flawed controls. However, Hoa is also one of the most beautiful video games ever made, with preposterously strong visuals and music that will be remembered for years to come. It's up to you if the latter can make up for the former, but personally, I would recommend this game to almost anyone.

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.

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.

Axiom Verge 2 is a must-have for fans of the first, and worth checking out for anyone who enjoys the genre. It expands on many of the winning ideas of its predecessor, offers more accessibility and quality of life improvements, and isn’t afraid to try new things. The vast, explorable world and elaborate sci-fi plot provide plenty of depth, while numerous new features and game design choices cater to the speedrunning experience. Lackluster combat and boss battles keep it from totally surpassing its predecessor, but it’s a fantastic entry in the series and the genre as a whole.

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.

Unbound: Worlds Apart is a unique puzzle platformer. The variety of portals it uses is ingenious, and the hand-drawn art is beautiful. However, its frame rate stutters, and some sections are particularly grueling.

The soundtrack is monotonous, the menus are a slog, and it often becomes too easy to button-mash to victory. But otherwise, NEO: The World Ends with You is a really cleverly designed game that packs a fantastic amount of content into a small game world, and that even stays true continuing into the postgame. An engaging narrative that successfully expands upon the world of the original brings the entire experience together, and the final result is another inimitably unique action RPG from Square Enix.

Dreamscaper is a wonderful experience for those looking for a deep story and fun gameplay. The narrative might get a little heavy for some, but those who are looking for a moving experience or just a good roguelite will find it here.

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.

Mr. X Nightmare is a fun expansion for Streets of Rage 4. The Survival Mode has a lot of replay value, and the new fighters are amazing additions to the roster.

Whether you're a newcomer to the franchise or a longtime fan, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles offers something for you. Newcomers will find an excellent entry point into the series, as it does not rely on any prior knowledge. Meanwhile, longtime fans will find yet another quality Ace Attorney adventure, at least on par with the best the series has offered thus far.

Cotton Reboot! isn't just a new way to play a stellar old-school shoot 'em up; it's also essentially a modern sequel to this dormant shooter series thanks to the gorgeous new Arrange mode. Classic Cotton is cute and easy to pick up, but Arrange is a fast and wild experience that is definitely hard to master. There's some on-screen messiness in Arrange mode and the lack of gallery-style bonuses is a bummer, but this is still a must-play shoot 'em up for any fans of the genre.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the definitive way to play this adventure, with quality-of-life improvements and new control options making it a much more accessible experience.

New weapons and a new character are nice, but an excessive demand for grinding makes Pulse of the Ancients a lackluster experience overall.

Mushihimesama was ahead of the pack when it came out two decades ago, and that hasn't changed at all in 2021. This is still a remarkable shmup and a must-play for hardcore fans, but thanks to the wealth of difficulty options it provides, it's the perfect way for newcomers to dip their feet into the genre too.

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.

Boomerang X is a fast-paced arena shooter with some platforming thrown in. Strategy is key to surviving waves of foes that outnumber you. I only wish there were more of it.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin breathes new life into the world of Monster Hunter. The shift to a turn-based RPG is handled so well, with an addictive and fast-paced combat system that's just as rewarding as traditional Monster Hunter. Complementing that is a genuinely engaging story full of wonderful characters, all rendered in an incredibly beautiful art style. Whether you're a newcomer or a series veteran, this is a must-play RPG.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! is nothing short of a masterpiece and highly recommended to anyone who can handle darker content. It navigates the jump from PC to console well overall, with new mechanics developed to handle gameplay situations that would normally be impossible outside of PC. The extra content, especially the Side Stories, is terrific as well, though it may not be enough to justify a $15 price tag given that the original game is still free on PC.

Mario Golf: Super Rush is an underwhelming spin-off that lacks any sort of imagination but is still fun to play. Super Rush features accessible golfing mechanics that are easy to understand, with tutorials available at any time. There are some genuinely charming moments in the single-player Golf Adventure mode too, but they don't make up for the tedious progression system. The other modes such as Speed Golf are fun to play with a group of friends, but online performance is abysmal. If you are after another fun "party" game, then you may be interested in giving Mario Golf: Super Rush a spin, but this game could have been much more than what it is.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a loving recreation of the cult classic skateboarding games, while also being an impressive iteration on where the series could go next. On Nintendo Switch, the game maintains its best features, including a fantastic variety of well-designed maps, cleverly modernized skating gameplay, endless customization, and a rocking soundtrack. Lower-resolution character models and a lower, albeit stable, frame rate of 30 FPS are meager speed bumps on the road to experiencing one of the best remakes of recent times.

Doom Eternal The Ancient Gods - Part One for the most part, is an excellent continuation of the main campaign. Some areas don't reach the heights of the previous chapter, but the gameplay is still as satisfying as it was before. A few new enemies added into the mix ensure that you are constantly on your toes, and all of this is complimented by yet another fantastic musical score. The Nintendo Switch version isn't the best way to experience the game by any means, however, it is still very much playable for those of you who want a great FPS title on the go.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a wonderful-looking game held back by its developers clinging to the gameplay of the original Master System title. Some quality-of-life improvements could have saved it from mediocrity.

Lego Builder's Journey is a wonderful game from Light Brick Studio that captures the feel of playing with Lego. The feel, story, visuals, and sound are all excellent. However, the game is really short for its price and the controls can be a bit finicky.

This Legend of Mana remaster features beautiful visuals, amazing music from Yoko Shimomura, and a lot of quirky old-school weirdness. Mileage will vary with its over-designed mechanics, but the game is charming, unique in its storytelling, and offers some solid quality-of-life additions.

Despite a few glaring oversights, like insufficient tutorials and no easy way to locate other people's levels, Game Builder Garage on Nintendo Switch can provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to programming. However, not just anyone is going to instantly click with and love this game. It takes time, determination, and raw passion to get the most out of Game Builder Garage. But maybe that’s a good thing.

Miitopia is a wonderful adventure featuring Nintendo's Miis, giving them character and life. Quirky humor, interesting albeit random gameplay, and an amazing character creator give this 3DS masterpiece a new chance on Nintendo Switch.

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a remake tethered to the archaic design of its source material. Updated visuals cannot mask outdated mechanics that just don't fly in this day and age.

Sumire is a beautifully told and emotionally resonant story about a young girl struggling to find reasons to be hopeful. A well-paced narrative full of character-driven growth delves deep into themes such as loss and growth, while its watercolor art style and acoustic soundtrack paint a beautiful picture of rural Japanese scenery. A charming world and simple but fun puzzles add variety and are almost enough to forget about issues like frame rate dips. Ultimately, Sumire makes the most of its brief runtime, and it’s a day trip I won’t soon forget.

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.

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.

By today's standards, there's nothing revolutionary about Famicom Detective Club, but that doesn't stop both games from being really solid experiences. Despite a bit of predictability in the plots, both stories were incredibly engaging and nothing short of a complete joy to play through. It's easy to see that Mages really took a lot of pride in crafting a quality remake here, since every little detail shines through. If you're at all curious to see what these games are about, you owe it to yourself to give at least one of them a look.

By today's standards, there's nothing revolutionary about Famicom Detective Club, but that doesn't stop both games from being really solid experiences. Despite a bit of predictability in the plots, both stories were incredibly engaging and nothing short of a complete joy to play through. It's easy to see that Mages really took a lot of pride in crafting a quality remake here, since every little detail shines through. If you're at all curious to see what these games are about, you owe it to yourself to give at least one of them a look.

Knockout City is a ton of fun, with lots of game modes, amazing visuals and music, tons of customization, and incredible network capabilities. Graphics take a hit on Switch and the controls carry a steep learning curve, but it is a great experience overall.

SnowRunner on Switch is now the most authentic driving simulator that the hybrid has to offer. It's a feature-for-feature port of an already renowned game and is made all the better thanks to Switch-exclusive portable functionality. While there are some technical limitations, Saber Interactive has managed to cram SnowRunner's foliage-dense open-world maps onto the hybrid with preservation of detail that was unexpected. It's one of the best-looking games on Switch and the largest in terms of sheer content. Anyone who's a fan of driving games is in for a treat.

When you set aside the little performance issues and the lack of some quality-of-life additions, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is still an excellent dungeon crawler with tons of demons to experiment with and several different endings for hardcore players to find. The game feels like it’s dragging on sometimes by so heavily emphasizing gameplay over story, but when the gameplay is this solid and with the world renewed in HD, it’s not much of a complaint.

New Pokémon Snap goes beyond the scope of the original game to provide an experience that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. On-rails photography journeys are enjoyable thanks to a plethora of secrets, fun items to use, and consistently interesting changes to each level. Modern quality-of-life features minimize any potential frustrations with not understanding how to best plan out your runs, while a slew of side quests, online functionality, and postgame bonuses add some meaningful replayability. Though it remains technically imperfect and may not justify its price tag for all players, New Pokémon Snap is a welcome return for the spin-off series and one that Pokémon fans shouldn’t skip.

There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension is a fun, clever little experience that anyone will enjoy. Aside from a moment at the end, the puzzles are smart without being too difficult. The writing is spot-on and well-balanced, and everything can be wrapped up in a single sitting, making it a great title for livestreaming or a long travel day. There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension is certainly one of the best games I’ve played this year, and I encourage you to check it out.

World Splitter is a great puzzle platformer with a unique gameplay mechanic for solving perplexing challenges. With 60 unique levels to play, the game's difficulty is quite diverse, and it offers the player a ton of replayablity through extra challenges. My only criticism is that the multiplayer mode could have been more realized. If you're a fan of puzzle games, World Splitter is a game for you.

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.

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.

Pac-Man 99 is not without its faults, but developer Arika made a wonderful experience that brings the iconic Pac-Man gameplay into modern times with a battle royale that is very tough to put down.

Rain on Your Parade is an excellent little game and is well worth anyone’s time. It’s cute, it’s funny, and I’ve not played anything quite like it before. Just about everyone would be able to get some enjoyment out of Rain on Your Parade, and I might even go so far as to say it’s my favorite indie I’ve played thus far this year.

Say No! More has extremely vapid gameplay and can be finished in less than two hours, but the art style and sense of humor are so refreshing that the game is still weirdly charming.

Genesis Noir is a brilliant story of love, loss, and cosmic forces that provides an amazing experience despite its flaws and performance issues on Switch.

Utterly dreary, glacially paced, constantly fumbling over its own scene transitions, and rife with frivolous and inconsequential decisions, I Saw Black Clouds is everything you shouldn’t do with an FMV game.

Overall, Rip Them Off is a pretty unique take on the tower defense genre. While there aren't a ton of maps, there's plenty of room to revisit them to try to improve your scores. Further, the later maps are incredibly difficult, so you'll probably be playing them for a while. Thankfully, the game accounts for these factors and provides an effective way to tinker with your setups. If you want a game that's easy to pick up, yet hard to master, Rip Them Off is well worth your time.

MazM: The Phantom of the Opera would have been a wonderful way of experiencing the story of the classic novel, but it is dragged down by a touchscreen interface that does not translate well to controllers and bizarrely does not allow for the use of the Switch's touchscreen.

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.

Monster Hunter Rise manages to continue the series trend of delivering an excellent action RPG while also offering meaningful rewards and addicting gameplay. The game's new additions such as the Palamute and Wirebugs add more depth to what was an already solid foundation. Kamura Village is downright gorgeous, with the surrounding areas teeming with monsters both new and old. I'm excited to continue to play the game for the foreseeable future, playing online with my friends and completing what seems to be nearly endless content.