However, those that decide to pick up the latest Shin Megami Tensei title will be pleasantly delighted by its gameplay and dungeon deisgn. With a near barren summer release schedule this year, Tokyo Mirage Session is the perfect game to sink hours and hours into.

This sequel surpasses expectations by going bigger and better than before. The gorgeously illustrated graphics, fun boss fights, and multiple gameplay types amount to a great new installment in the (hopefully) ever-growing franchise.

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.

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.

Final Fantasy VIII is a unique experience in the pantheon of Final Fantasy games. It manages to stand out among others in the series with its own voice and personality, in part, due to its strange narrative and specialized Junction system. It’s thrilling to see this game realized again with a quality remaster on the Nintendo Switch. Ultimately, the visual upgrades and additional options make this version the best way to play the game. FFVIII fans won’t be disappointed.

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.

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.

Doom Eternal is every bit the evolution of its predecessor that fans could have hoped for, and Panic Button has done one hell of a job porting it over to Nintendo Switch. Faster-paced combat challenges you to adapt your strategies, make meaningful decisions, and use everything in your arsenal to counter all manner of intelligent demons and their unique weaknesses. Well-designed levels break up the intense encounters with precise platforming, and at almost every corner there are rewarding upgrades and worthwhile secrets to uncover. While your enjoyment of the plot will depend on how you engage with it, and it isn't the most graphically impressive version of the game, Doom Eternal on Nintendo Switch is a worthy way to practice demon-slaying on the go.

If you enjoyed Trine 2: The Director’s Cut, you’re going to enjoy Trine: Enchanted Edition. It has the same kind of stunning views, incredible atmosphere, and clever puzzles.

Ultimate Chicken Horse is very easily one of the best party games on Switch. It has a unique blend of creativity and platforming, it is widely accessible with intuitive, fluid controls, and it has loads of content and potential. There was one issue with the port job: Within a few hours of play, I had the game crash on me twice. However, outside of those rare instances, this is one of the most fun experiences on my Switch. If you play your Switch with friends, ever, then you need Ultimate Chicken Horse.

The old-school gameplay will please fans, and the new mechanics will offer players (both old and new) a challenging experience. Despite having a repetitive story like the rest of the franchise, Mega Man 11 is everything I’ve wanted from the Blue Bomber and Capcom for the last few years.

The return of Resident Evil to Nintendo platforms should come with inherent celebration. Gaming’s first realization into true survival horror is timeless thanks to the technical enhancements of this HD remaster. The game remains as tense and foreboding as it did when it first released. This experience still stands unparalleled to many titles currently releasing on the Nintendo Switch. It’s impressive how flawlessly Capcom managed to get it running. However, it’s also unreasonably more expensive on the Nintendo Switch when compared to the same game on other consoles. Despite this, it’s still a near-perfect horror game which is required reading for those who have yet to play it.

Despite being a port of a 2002 GameCube game, Mr. Driller DrillLand feels, looks, and hangs with games as they are today. There are tons of depth to the core game, but add a ton of built-in variants that really change your approach and you've got an exemplary entry. The new difficulty setting is a great touch, too.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 might be a hard sell if you already own the first game and aren't a die-hard fanatic. This release doesn't change up the entire formula but instead improves on nearly every aspect of the previous title with more characters, more modes, and a delightful new story mode. There are minor missteps like the half-baked Skill Battle mode, but the amount of addictive content on offer is still extremely impressive. If you never picked up Puyo Puyo Tetris, though, you owe it to yourself to grab this one.

I have to say that I have had a lot of fun with Rogue Aces. It’s not the kind of game where you will be playing it for hours at a time, though you could and may start that way. It’s the perfect game to take out and about with you and have a 5-10 minute blast on. It can get a little repetitive but in short bursts and playing across the various modes this is a cracking little game to have in your library.

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 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.

Fuser misses the mark on the sights and sounds of being a genuinely cool DJ, but it perfects the execution as a creative and experimental music game that goes as deep as your imagination will take you.

Overall, I found Blossom Tales to be a very good 2D Zelda clone. It was put together more competently than I expected from an Indie developer. That’s not a dig on Indie devs – it’s praise for a game done well enough that it only fell a few notches short of games like Minish Cap (though even shorter). If you are looking for an Adventure game that follows the top-down Zelda formula closely, there might not be a better game for you on the Nintendo Switch eShop than this one.

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.

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.

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.

Aaero was my favorite game of last year, and with the move to Switch it’s now one of my favorite titles of 2018. It’s one of those games that will have a permanent spot on my console. The way that Mad Fellows has reinvigorated the rhythm action genre is nothing short of brilliant. If you have any interest in the genre, EDM, or just great games, then this is something that you really should add to your collection.

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.

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.

Armello is a game that has a promising concept and a top-shelf presentation but falls far short of its potential. Despite its adept systems the game often proves a slow, monotonous affair that suffers from balancing issues. Tabletop enthusiasts and strategy game fans may glean some joy from this game. However, your time would still be better spent playing a myriad of other games that offer more entertainment than Armello.

For fans of Hatsune Miku, this isn’t the strongest entry in the entire series, but it seems like a good purchase if you can get over only around half of the songs being new. For everyone else, Project Mirai DX is a great way to start digging into Hatsune Miku, and is a worthwhile addition to your 3DS library for any rhythm game fans.

Overall, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is wonderful on Switch. If you’re planning to play the game on TV, you should probably buy it for another console. However, if you’re willing to play the game held in your hands with headphones — the best way to play — then it’s a rewarding experience on Switch. Senua is a great character, and with the exception of God of War, Norse mythology has been relatively unexplored in gaming. While some gameplay elements left more to be desired, Senua’s journey is well worth seeing through on Switch.