I find it amazing that everything turned out so right on the first try; true, there are a few issues, but that doesn’t change the fact that Pokkén Tournament is pretty much the Pokémon that we always wanted.

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.

Despite the short length, Blazing Chrome is an awesome experience that will bring you back to the golden age of 2D running and gunning. The sharp visuals, addictive gameplay and incredible level design had me grinning and sweating from beginning to end. If you’re itching for some side-scrolling action, Blazing Chrome is a must.

Pure Pool for Nintendo Switch has a surprising amount of gameplay content, along with beautiful visuals. It's an excellent pool package.

Freedom Planet may have started out as an attempt to recreate Sonic, but it stands on its own as a great platformer.

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.

Overall, Yoshi’s Woolly World is a “Nintendo” game at its finest. The game not only draws in gamers with a captivating art-style and excellent soundtrack, but it also keeps them engaged with spectacular and diverse gameplay elements. Fortunately, Yoshi’s Woolly World packs in a wealth of options too, which accommodate new players as well as Nintendo veterans alike.

Streets of Rage 4 is unmistakably a sequel to this classic franchise; the developers understood what made the originals so great, and expanded upon them in ways that make sense. The most lovably crafted and well-designed brawler in ages.

The game’s powerful double-team of uniqueness and wonderful execution means one thing: Limbo demands to be played. It is more than worth your time.

With all this said, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is easily one of my favorite Wii U games to date. It feels like an old-school horror game but has the modern twists such as GamePad use and HD graphics to make it stand out in the gaming world today.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night demonstrates a lot of dedication and passion for Metroidvanias. It is a fantastic rendition of the genre. Even with some predictable plot moments and a platforming learning curve, it manages to be one of my favorite games of this year. The gameplay is tremendously well-crafted, and the addictive factor is through the roof. The style and art direction are complemented with old-fashioned ’90s-style timeless tunes that never bore or disappoint. Miriam and her adventure are a must if you have a Nintendo Switch. Playing Bloodstained has become my ritual of the night.

Overall, I had an amazing time with Creature in the Well. It’s one of the best dungeon crawlers on the Switch and most certainly deserves to be the pioneer in a new genre that Flight School is calling the “Pinbrawler.” It’s a game I can easily see myself coming back to multiple times.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a fantastic addition to the 3DS, and easily one of the best games on the system. Everything is well crafted and highly polished, and there is enough new content and variations that even if you played the PS2 version to death, you will still find lots of surprises and nuances. With high presentation value, a charming story, tons of depth, and a traditional-yet-fun JRPG battle system, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a must-own for 3DS RPG lovers, and easily an early contender for 2017 game of the year.

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.

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.

OlliOlli: Switch Stance keeps the difficult yet satisfying gameplay of this indie hit intact as it makes its way to Nintendo’s newest console. As long as you’re prepared for a challenge, this is a pretty fun title. Though, a level creator would definitely have added to the package, especially with the Switch’s touchscreen.

Simply put, Bastion is an indie masterwork. It fits right at home on the Nintendo Switch, being exactly the type of game suitable for mobile play. The gameplay’s simplistic nature makes it an easy game to hop in and out of on the go. And the optional challenges highlight the game’s thrilling and addictive combat, making it easy to come back to over and over again. My only regret is that I didn’t acknowledge this game sooner. Any gripes I might have towards Bastion seem nitpicky at this point. Seven years ago, Supergiant Games delivered a solid action RPG title. Now, it gets another chance to bask in the sun thanks to the Nintendo Switch.

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.

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.

Pikmin has not taken off to the extent that it deserves, but Pikmin 3 Deluxe just might change that when paired with Nintendo Switch’s software momentum. It’s the perfect entry point for the series with a wonderfully balanced campaign that is structured to the player’s liking. Challenges are tons of fun, this time slightly bolstered by the additional content from Olimar’s Assignment, and Bingo Battle makes for some deceptively fun competitive multiplayer. Pikmin 3 Deluxe is a reminder that this game (and trilogy) succeeds at just about everything it tries. If you have not played Pikmin 3, you really, really should, and Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the perfect opportunity.

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.

Alwa’s Awakening is exactly what I had hoped I was in for when I booted up the title. The classy, evocative 8-bit design, the charming synthesized soundtrack, and the addictive gameplay all aggregate to form one hell of a gaming experience. These titles aren’t only for those yearning for a nostalgic trip. The cartoonish design and controls on a 2D plane were beckoning my young son to pick up the controller. The character of throwback, retro-inspired titles that were crafted with care, like Alwa’s Awakening, will always find an audience with those seeking an experience where gameplay is king.

Tetris 99 is a game absolutely worth enjoying, and at the low price of absolutely nothing, there is little reason not to give it a download.

Boot up TowerFall, and the ultra-intense matches will be an instant hit with your friends. Before you know it, it’ll be two in the morning and still nearly impossible to set the controller down. If you indulge in local multiplayer at all, this is one of the best games that your money can buy, indie or otherwise. TowerFall has always been an all-time great local multiplayer title–that has not changed on Switch.

Monster Energy Supercross 2 is the same experience on Switch as it is on PC and the other platforms, albeit not as pretty. However, all of the content is exactly the same, unlike with some other multi-platform games on Switch (*cough* FIFA *cough*). There still isn’t a huge amount of racers on Switch, and while this isn’t a traditional entry, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Thus, my feelings for the Switch version of Supercross 2 are the same as its PC brother—it’s a solid racing experience.

Crash Team Racing was a giant in its day, and now, 20 years later, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled has reasserted the original’s greatness. It is a faithful rebuild of one of the most beloved kart racers from an era that had greats such as Diddy Kong Racing and Mario Kart 64. Behind a fresh coat of paint, a great soundtrack, and a lot more tracks, Crash’s racing adventure holds up pristinely and is worth a look for any fan of kart racing.

With a price-tag of only $10, MixedBag Srl’s colorful shooter is easily one of the most original and enjoyable games out on the Wii U eShop right now.

Mantis Burn Racing was an OK racer on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One that became a good racer through the release of DLC. On Switch, the game comes as a complete package and is all the better for it. It feels right at home on the console with both handheld and docked modes providing fantastic racing. With great multiplayer and a wealth of singleplayer content, this is a game that will keep you coming back for a long time to come. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may well still be the best racing game on the system but Mantis Burn Racing comes a close second and well ahead of any other racers out there.