I wanted to love it and, for the most part, I did. In spite of the bugs, in spite of the pedestrian voice cast, and in spite of the missing X-Men characters there is a lot to enjoy in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. If you are a fan of LEGO games and/or a fan of Marvel, this game was made for you. Between Wong sweeping the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ms Marvel taking selfies with the heroes, and Star-Lord dancing to his very own Mix Tapes LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 kept a smile on my face.

The Nintendo Switch version of Rocket League is a worthy port. It is welcomed, fun, and brings Switch owner’s into the light. Now excuse me while I recline and match wits in my Paladin.

I wanted to love Gear Club Unlimited, I really did, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t. I have been a big fan of Eden Games since their V-Rally days, but I think they have dropped the ball a little here. I understand that this is a port of their racing game for iOS and Android, but this could have been the first and definitive realistic racer on Switch. Unfortunately, it only succeeds in being the first realistic racer on the system. There is a reasonable amount of fun to be had here for racing game fans, but this isn’t going to be the crossover hit that games like Forza or Gran Turismo are on their respective platforms. If you want an arcade racer on Switch you’d be a fool not to buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. If you really want a more realistic-style racer then Gear Club Unlimited is worth trying, just don’t expect too much.

L.A Noire is a fantastic game that finds a home on the Nintendo Switch, and the portability aspect really helps. While each case is pretty large, the ability to save (along with auto-saves) at any time makes this a perfect game for on the go or at home. Rockstar put the effort into this port and it shows. Sure, it’s a bit of an older game and does show some age from time to time, but L.A. Noire is another great triple-A third party release that shouldn’t be overshadowed by games like Skyrim and DOOM. If you are looking for a fantastic story-driven game with unique gameplay, L.A. Noire should be in your Switch library.

Overall, the game definitely feels like a re-run. While the integration of the world has improved, the storyline has been lackluster at best. Compared to Pokémon X and Y which introduced 3D models and multi-dimensional terrain, Pokémon Ultra Moon feels like a re-mastered version of your typical 7/10 cookie-cutter game. It’s pretty much just like the extra Poké beans you get when you buy a Pinap Juice at the Pokémon Café. Don’t over-hype the game, and you’ll enjoy it just fine.

While in some aspects the Switch version shows its age with dated graphics and stiff animations, it’s so easy to look past when there’s a vast world in your view with the sense of discovery around every corner.

Chess Ultra is a nice little game to own. When Nintendo first began marketing the Switch, they really hammered home the idea of taking it where you go, and playing it to pass the time. I feel that this title is a perfect example of that. If a player has a few hours to kill, it’s probably best to play a big game like Super Mario Odyssey or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. On the other hand, if someone has a mere few minutes to spare, turning on the Switch and playing a match of Chess would surely suffice.

Unfortunately, I just don’t see how Mario Party is supposed to be enjoyable playing solo on a handheld when there isn’t even a fully fleshed out board games to play on. It’s just a series of 1min mini-games that award you 1-3 stars feeling very much like this should have been a mobile game. The mini-games are fun, but the model in which they’re presented to players feels very out of place on the 3DS. This might be a good pick-up for families with a few kids at home but I can’t recommend it to fans of the series or an older audience that have so many better titles to choose from on this platform.

If you are a seasoned DOOM player, there’s nothing new to see here, but the portability aspect could lure you in. If you are brand new to DOOM and own a Switch, it’s worth picking up. It’s fast, it’s fun, there’s tons of content, and it’s an extremely solid port of a technical beast.

It’s not a great game, but it’s solid. It looks nice, plays smooth, and the gameplay variety is solid. It’s an average 3D Sonic game at a budget price, and that’s not really a bad thing.

This is the Police isn’t a bad game, but it feels like the game could have been much more interesting with a little more variety in the actual gameplay. Managing your cops can be fun, and some interesting things happen throughout the course of the game, but a little more variety to keep things fresh throughout would have went a long way with the game. As it stands This is the Police is a decent game that, for many, will overstay its welcome.

3Souls is a short but solid game. The puzzle setup has potential, but was lacking in execution and accessibility options. Even though it took three hours to complete, I would still recommend it for those who want to give this game a try.

Super Mario Odyssey is the best game available on Nintendo Switch, and just might be my favorite game of the year. It isn’t just a masterclass of level and sound design, it’s a celebration of the Super Mario franchise, and one of helluva celebration to take part in.

If the frame-rate was smooth and the game was more technically sound, I could see potential for a fun horror game. The atmosphere is nice, the audio is extremely well done, and the story seems pretty interesting as well. It’s just a shame that the frame-rate is so bad that you probably won’t make it til the end to see the conclusion.

Rogue Trooper Redux isn’t the worst remaster to be released. The narrative is campy, the gameplay is interesting, and it’s great to see how it influenced other shooters that came after the 2006 original. While there are some innovations in the campaign, there’s no denying that for a remastered video game, there are a bunch of problems. The gameplay still feels rooted in 2006, despite some tweaks, the cover system which was once revolutionary is now a nuisance, and the graphics aren’t anything to rave about. With that being said, Switch owners interested in a game to waste a few hours with mindless fun will find enough to enjoy about Rogue Trooper Redux. Fans of the original game and the comic book series will have a lot of fun. There’s no denying the impact that Rogue Trooper has had on the modern shooter; the game just didn’t leave me with a great impression.

Ultimately, Neon Chrome is a game for a certain audience. If you’re one for sci-fi, retro-style action games, definitely pick this one up. However, if none of what I mentioned piques your interest, feel free to skip Neon Chrome.

Ultimately, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions opens up a bit of a paradox. On one hand, Nintendo fans that have yet to play the game are bound to be younger and perhaps without the means to purchase as many new games. Therefore, although the 3DS version of the title is perhaps the best way to play the GBA classic, at $30 above Virtual Console price it may be worth considering the Wii U port. Those that don’t mind sinking their money into a remake should not be put off, however. Although Bowser’s Minions falls short of adding value to the package, Superstar Saga is still an excellent Mario RPG and one that holds up very well in today’s 3DS catalog.

NBA 2K18 is a welcome addition to the Switch library. It’s great to have realistic hoops back on a Nintendo platform, and 2K knocked it out of the park with their debut Switch title. It looks great, plays great, and if the kinks can get patched should be the start of a great franchise finally embracing a Nintendo platform.

It has charm but lacks key elements to keep players engaged and invested in its main characters. Where the game really shines is in its presentation and as a game maker thanks to its excellent “design and share” level editor. If you want to play around with your game design skills I’d recommend this title but if you’re looking for a fun and challenging 2D platformer there are just too many better ones to recommend on the 3DS.

Overall, Minecraft on New 3DS is exactly what I imagined it to be: a portable version of a game we’ve all played several times. If you’re in the market for a portable version of Minecraft, just get it on Nintendo’s newest system, the Switch.

All in all, I didn’t expect to like Pokken Tournament DX as much as I ended up liking it. The learning curve and adjustment were pretty brutal, but once I got in tune with how the game operated, I found myself playing for hours and hours. If you didn’t pick up the Wii U version of the game, I highly suggest you check out Pokken Tournament DX as it really is the best version of the game. If you are a Wii U veteran of the series, there may not be enough here to warrant a second purchase, but diehard Pokken fans will want to check it out. Pokken Tournament DX is another fantastic Switch release and a game that fighting fans will want to check out.

Metroid: Samus Returns is a great return to form after the Federation Forces debacle and should make fans of the series happy with the final product. Aside from a few presentation hiccups and difficulty curve, the improved visuals and added content make for a solid entry in the Metroid universe.

Monster Hunter Stories is a delightful game that surprised the hell out of me. It’s pretty, it’s fun, it’s fresh, and a real departure from the original series but still retains elements to keep it familiar. If you like JRPG’s or monster collecting games like Pokemon, Monster Hunter Stories is a must own. Just don’t go into the game expecting a traditional style, and you will be surprised with how good it is.

Overall, Slime-san is a surprising and insanely fun downloadable title that platforming fans should not hesitate picking up. The style is gorgeous and the music is catchy, while the moment-to-moment gameplay is incredible. Super Meat Boy may still be months from launch, but those looking for a twitch-based platforming experience should not hesitate downloading Slime-san today.

Although I hoped Flip Wars would turn out to be a fun online and party game when I first saw its footage, the title turned out to be a disappointment void of any real merit. The gameplay is clunky, content is slim, and power-ups do little to remedy the experience. The lack of a single-player mode and virtually nonexistent online make recommending this title even more. Ultimately, Flip Wars’ release made my disappointed Nintendo published an unfinished game like it in the first place.

Overcooked: Special Edition is a spectacular downloadable title for Switch owners to play with their friends locally. I easily lost hours playing right next to a buddy on a couch, screaming obscenities and the names of food items. Anyone looking for a fun party game or a fun cooperative Switch experience should pick up Overcooked immediately. Unfortunately, the exciting nature of the game will wear off for those who don’t have others to play with, which should surely be a consideration for anyone thinking of picking the game up.

As a huge fan of Dynasty Warriors, Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star is an exceptional video game. Although the graphics on the PlayStation 4 version of the game are superior to that of the Nintendo Switch, this port feels like the definitive version of the game. Fans of action games and Nintendo Switch owners should go out and buy Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star. It’s one of the best third party games currently on the console. I’ll definitely be playing this for the foreseeable future.

If the game were a dollar, maybe that experience would be worth killing an hour for. At $7 for the download, however, the game’s utter simplicity and lack of any standout quality would likely leave you disappointed with the purchase.