Despite the tone of this review, The LEGO Game 2 Videogame is not terrible. But even my 5-year-old son feels more at home in LEGO games like LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and even the recent LEGO The Incredibles. These games are imbued with a brick-ton of character that makes experiencing these LEGO-ized romps a blast. The heart of The LEGO Movie film series did not translate to The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame, unfortunately. The empty world, mundane gameplay, and cardboard cutout characters make this one a bit more difficult to enjoy. In Bricksburg, everything is meh.

Claybook is a great pick-up-and-play game for the Switch that young players will enjoy. It’s also good for anyone that just wants a relaxing puzzle experience to unwind with.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn certainly has a home on the 3DS. Unfortunately, the co-op mode in the Wii version is gone and the “fuzziness” of the visuals here makes it suffer a bit, but it’s still good wholesome fun. Even though we’re all about the Switch now in 2019, it’s nice to see one last quality title from Nintendo make its way to the handheld. This is as good of a sendoff as we could hope for.

If you are a fan of the genre, this is very easy to recommend. However, I would go further and say that, if you have a passing interest in shooters or are just after something new to play on your Switch, then give this a go.

Ape Out is simply an outstanding and utterly enjoyable experience. The moment I became that big, angry monkey, I was glued to the screen and never wanted the action to end. The music dropped my jaw, the visuals made my eyes go wide, and the addictive gameplay kept me entranced until I reached the final level. The ape is truly out, my friends.

After years of relative obscurity, ToeJam & Earl is back in a big way. Back in the Groove likely won’t push the franchise beyond its cult status, but it is a good game that fans both old and new should check out. Pick up and play this one with a friend for the best experience.

I don’t know why the developers thought this was a good idea, but all I can think is that this was just a really sad attempt at making a quick buck off of unsuspecting buyers. So, allow this review to be a warning: Avoid Car Mechanic Simulator on Switch. Just download it for free on your phone if you want it that badly. But trust me, even then, your time can be spent on much better things.

If you do happen to be a fan of marble games, or even regular racers, you’re bound to find joy in Mindball Play. While it is on the difficult side, its unique gameplay style definitely helps it to stand out from the pack.

There is a lot of challenge that lies ahead in X-Morph: Defense. Levels range in difficulty from easy to downright frustrating. But making tweaks to your game plan and coming back with a stubborn attitude will most times leave you triumphant in your battle. If you love shmups and tower defense games and are looking for a game to keep returning to, there’s a globe filled with humans that needs conquering. Be ready, though — world domination won’t just be handed to you.

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

Ultimately, Strikey Sisters is an excellent value for its price, with exciting arcade gameplay that is as accessible to adults as it is to children. This could be a great game for bridging a generation gap.

I really like Defense Grid 2. The Switch version may not be the best, but it still provides a lot of fun for less than $20. And while the visuals are a little lacklustre, the core mechanics and level design are just as good as ever. This is a game that will keep you busy for hours as levels can take up to 40 minutes to complete. You can speed time up but you need to be careful as it’s possible to get overwhelmed before you know it. There are also twelve different ways to play each level, from two-player to having a fixed budget to limited upgrades. If you’re a fan of tower defense titles, then Defense Grid 2 is a game that deserves some space on your 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.

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.

With a $19.99 price tag, there is some leeway to be given for what is obviously a mobile port cash grab on the Switch market. However, there are better FPS titles that you can sink your time into than Modern Combat Blackout. This just has the distinction of being the only military shooter on the platform. If that’s what you’re looking for, this will keep you entertained in short bursts before you peter out. Otherwise, spend time on something like Doom or Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus instead.

Cinders is a short but highly replayable visual novel with dynamic characters and sharp writing. The visuals and soundtrack aren’t revolutionary but serve the narrative well. However, slowdown, while infrequent, can be a game-breaking experience when it appears. Ultimately, Cinders is a fun and charming experience, but whether it’s worth its $19.99 price point depends upon your willingness to dig deep and explore all of its different ending types.

Ultimately, Observer excels at world building and gameplay variety, keeping the player busy with a list of things to do. It’s also supported by a mostly strong story that’s a love letter to cyberpunk and Blade Runner. However, the game’s graphics and obtuse puzzles hold it back from being a truly outstanding game. Graphics aside, Observer is a harrowing and thoughtful experience for its price tag.

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.

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

Despite the dated, simple, yet sometimes challenging gameplay, the drive to see Dirk’s and Ace’s adventures through is what makes these games great.

City of Brass is an admittedly tough game. Despite that, it makes you want to keep trying over and over again because of what you learn. The trial-and-error aspect is mitigated also by the procedurally generated levels. Plus it feels great when you have a good run going and make it just a bit further than you did before. Pick yourself back up, wipe off that sand, and crack that whip. You won’t regret it.

While it can never match up to RedLynx’s brilliant racer, this is very much a budget title. The challenges on each level offer you an interesting way into the game and force you to try new things. Physics are used pretty well, and although they can be a little finicky, they are consistent. The visuals work well enough without being spectacular. However, this is a tough game. At the time of writing this, only two people had gotten past the first area, and I was the only one to reach the third area and beyond. If you fancy some 2D skill-based racing, then this might be worth a bit of your cash and some of your time.

As a quick refresher between Grand Prix in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Circle of Sumo will serve well, but that’s the height of its potential. As far as local multiplayer goes, you can do a lot better elsewhere on the Switch eShop, especially in a post-Ultimate world.

JackQuest: The Tale of the Sword is a mediocre effort in the 2D platformer genre. While this review was mostly critical, I should clarify that the game isn’t bad – it just isn’t good either. In a world where we have our pick of the Metroidvania lot, JackQuest simply does nothing to stand out in the crowd. As a result, we’re left with something entirely basic in both design and function.

Head to toe, Wargroove is packed to the brim with quality content. Single player offerings are lengthy and varied, although some punishing mission design led to more frustration than I would have liked. Combined with the beefy multiplayer and the jaw-dropping customization tools, Wargroove is one of the most impressive strategy games I’ve seen in years. Fans of Advance Wars will be right at home with Wargroove, but don’t be surprised if you end up becoming an even bigger Wargroove fan.

Basically, Etrian Odyssey Nexus perfectly satisfies its target audience, and it doesn’t try to do anything else.

Had I not played other snowboarding titles like Steep and Snowboard SuperJam, I probably would have enjoyed this more. But by comparison, it just falls short. This isn’t a terrible snowboarding game; it’s just more tepid than expected. If you’re a fan of the titles I’ve mentioned or other classics like 1080, you’re better off sticking with them.

I have to say, I really enjoyed My Memory of Us. It manages to tell a challenging story that reflects the Holocaust and concentration camps, all while maintaining a youthful innocence and focusing on the fun the characters are having together. The music is great and the narration is top-notch. It’s a game that has stayed with me for the last couple of days since I completed it. I will certainly be keeping an eye on Juggler Games to see what they do in the future.