If you’re a super-serious racing fan, then Horizon Chase Turbo might come off as being a bit too simplistic. But, I think it strikes a good balance between having a fun arcade feel with some challenging aspects also being present in order to keep you coming back again and again. As stated, I find the Switch version to be the best suited for the task. Thus, I’d arguably consider it to be the definitive version of the game just for the sake of being able to play it at any time.

I had a great time with Double Cross. Its wonderfully done combat and visuals, along with the creativity behind its multitude of worlds, all come to fruition in what is genuinely a fresh, exciting game.

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.

Ultimately, BQM -BlockQuest Maker- is an incredibly enjoyable game maker for its budget price. One level at a time, it allows you to create tense action or intricate puzzles (or both!) using simple tools. For people who loved Super Mario Maker and wondered why a Legend of Zelda Maker never followed, BQM might scratch an itch for them.

While GRIP isn’t perfect by any means, the game’s change of pace from my standard racing fare in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was welcome and somewhat addicting. For Nintendo Switch owners who are looking for a racing game that differs from the “kart” scene, the low-gravity and speedy thrill of GRIP is the way to go.

Battle Princess Madelyn is certainly a time capsule from a few decades ago for better and worse. Where the game succeeds, it does so well and with style. But, the multitude of minor pitfalls that inhibits gameplay progression and causes frustration held Madelyn back from being a true indie gem.

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.

Despite all the great things, you can figure out enemy patterns through repetitive play, the online community is lacking, and unless you have people to play with, the overall experience outstays its welcome after a while. Still, those looking for a unique indie on the Switch will definitely find some fun in Rival Megagun.

Despite the sacrifices, V-Rally 4 is still the most detailed racing game on Switch for the time being. It’s difficult but remains a lot of fun. With GRID also on the way, perhaps the racing sim genre is making a real return to Nintendo platforms.

The fun, however brief, is in the friendly couch competitions. That’s the only place a game like this can be enjoyed so that players can feed off each other’s excitement to bolster the experience. But, if your party is going to last much longer than an hour, you better ensure that you’re packing additional entertainment options when the thrill wears off.

If long-form strategy/sim titles are your cup of tea, then Project Highrise was made for you. This is certainly not an everyman’s game, as those without an acquired taste may likely become very bored. In fact, one of my friends watched me play it for a few moments and (seemingly sarcastically) said: “Wow, you must have a lot of patience.” And they had a point: You need patience in this type of game, especially if you plan on going through all the scenarios. Still, it’s a rewarding experience once you get the hang of it all.

RCTA isn’t a bad game, but the lack of any real challenge and overly-simplified design aspects may very well turn away season virtual park builders. As a result, I’m extremely hesitant to call this a simulator, as it feels far more like a casual game.

Desert Child is that kid you knew who watched a whole lot of Cowboy Bebop thinking it’d be cool to dress like Spike Spiegel in school. We appreciate the effort, but looking cool is different from actually being cool. This isn’t the poser of video games, but it gets close to it.

Overall, Gear.Club Unlimited is pretty much a missed opportunity. Eden Games took a second chance, but this may as well be a content update to the first game since virtually no real improvements have been made. This is, absurdly, a $60 title, vastly outclassed by similarly-priced games like Forza Horizon 4. Take a detour and wait for other racers like V-Rally 4 and GRID; this is just a tire blowout.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a great party game that has a beating heart of a really complex fighter within it. It’s faster, prettier, and jam-packed with content. While the single-player World of Light mode disappointed, every other aspect of the game is showered with tender love and care. Not only is it the best Smash Bros. game of all time, but it makes me ponder on how Nintendo will top this in future iterations. I suspect that this is a game most Switch owners will be keeping on their micro SD card for years to come.

Beholder: Complete Edition is the kind of game that gets overshadowed by its theme and setting. The dire situations you are placed under with little hope attached gets exhausting and, frankly, depressing. Not all games are meant to represent having a happy-go-lucky time, but the experience of overcoming it should be palpable. That is unfortunately not the case here.

If you enjoy the old-school nature of Toki and are willing to explore every nook and cranny, then this is a remake very much worth your time. It’s not a long playthrough in one go at less than an hour, but it will take you more than that to master. Give this monkey a spitting chance.

Nidhogg 2‘s setbacks make it an inadvisable purchase for anything but local multiplayer. The local multiplayer is fantastic enough to carry this game. Nidhogg 2 succeeds in making a few very simple concepts wonderfully captivating. By combining intuitive controls with a healthy range of tricks and strategies, Nidhogg 2 is the very definition of “Easy to learn, hard to master.” It is a worthy investment for you and your friends, provided they’re close by.

Overall, Guacamelee! 2 feels like a beefed up version of the original game. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory sense, as the original Guacamelee! is a masterclass of game design. This sequel offers rock-solid platforming, funny dialogue, and addicting-as-ever Metroidvania mechanics. It’s challenging, rewarding and full of spunk. I recommend it as a must play for anyone who likes platformers, co-op titles, and of course, Metroidvania games.

NAIRI: Tower of Shirin is a gorgeous and entertaining puzzle adventure with charming characters. It lasted me, a puzzle novice, 8-10 hours, but mileage will vary. If you can forgive the awful cliffhanger ending, this is a game worth buying. But wait a couple weeks so the developer can fix the serious game-stopping bugs!

There were a few lulls during my time with the game, but that just helped to highlight the times where I absolutely loved it. The visuals may be basic, but they work perfectly well for what the game tries to do. The music is delightful and a real boon to the feelings that the game evokes. Cattails is a game that you should consider adding to your library whether you are a cat lover or not.

Overall, despite the framerate and low resolution in handheld mode, I still consider this to be a great port. It would be nice if a performance mode is added, however. Nevertheless, I’m very happy with the work Saber Interactive has done here, and am thankful for the opportunity to play Spintires on the go.

It can be really hard to put down, especially if you have some competitive friends over. Not too many games these days can boast having a fun couch multiplayer experience like this. Even if you don’t have three friends, bots can be set with 5 different levels of difficulty to choose from. Otherwise, jam out with your friends and play this.

Rewinding back to 2013: Guacamelee! had me hooked from the second I started playing. The comedy in the game is genius-level and the platforming is damn near perfect. It’s the definition of what a great Metroidvania/platformer is. Fast forward to 2018 and Guacamelee! easily sits among some of the best offerings on Nintendo Switch.

Collidalot is fast, easy to pick up, and hard to put down. The Switch’s local multiplayer catalog is growing rapidly, but Collidalot’s take on bumper-cars-in-the-sky sticks out. Collidalot is cemented as a great complement for games like Towerfall, Ultimate Chicken Horse, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Grunka Munka has done a great job here, creating another unique, memorable Switch multiplayer title.

Despite the difficulty, the customization, intense action, and infinite replayability make Battlezone Gold Edition worth getting. Whether you want to play alone or cooperatively (offline and online), there is a lot of fun to be had. If you’re looking for an old-school game with modern charm or are interested in a nostalgia-fueled journey, Battlezone Gold Edition is the right game to play.

In Road Redemption, you’ll find plenty levels of challenging combat and races. The upgrade system is forgiving enough to bring you back into the game for multiple playthroughs. It’s a shame that there isn’t an online community for matches as this would have carried the experience that much farther. But as it stands, there’s enough here to warrant a purchase if you’re looking for an ass-kicking good time on the couch.

Varion is a fairly unique and pretty fun multiplayer game. It may be worth a look if you are wanting something new and are okay with a fairly light package. Deathmatches are a lot of fun, dodging to just barely avoid a shot is exhilarating, and bouncing a laser off the wall to knock your friend out takes a satisfying degree of precision. While it is hard to recommend Varion over the rest of the Switch’s fastly-improving local multiplayer catalog, you could certainly do much, much worse.