If you’re an experienced player, you will likely take just about 10 hours of gameplay from starting the game to finishing it for the first time, though most of it will be spent replaying the first two worlds. It could very well be that the game truly begins once you master the game and start playing it for the high score, but I personally didn’t have the patience to get to that point, nor did the decent controls pull me forward the way that other challenging games have in the past. Whether this is a worthwhile purchase for you comes down to how much tolerance you have for highly punishing mechanics so that you can push through to the enjoyable sense of mastery it eventually offers.

The intuitive mechanics are still as addictive as the first time around, but a larger number of maps and the addition of Salmon Run cements Splatoon 2 as an excellent standalone value.

Unfortunately, the entirety of De Mambo can be summed up with the initial letter sent by the developers. Yes, the style, music, level design, and ideas are all awesome. It is clear the developers put a ton of thought and heart into the game, pouring all their creative ideas into the title. Unfortunately, it never comes together in a package I am comfortable playing. The physics are abnormal and not easy to get used to, while the lack of online and health bar are weird oversights for a game like this. Overall, De Mambo nails down the unique factor for the game, but it does so without the basic building blocks required beforehand.

I don’t know what it is about Vaccine that makes me such a fan of it. It’s not a good looking game, the controls are stiff and dated, and the game takes so much from Resident Evil that it at times can feel like plagiarism more-so than honoring the source material. Still though, I had a blast playing the game and got a very nostalgic feeling while playing Vaccine. It retails in the US eShop now for $9.99, and I’d say I got more than enough bang for my buck with this title. If you have no appreciation of classic survival-horror, you will hate this game. Me however? I loved it when I was a kid, so I ended up enjoying myself way more than probably anyone else will with Vaccine.

Death Squared is a nice surprise to the puzzle genre, delivering comic relief at all the right moments. It really does teach you to laugh at yourself, while not taking itself as a video game too seriously. Some great things come in small packages, and this one’s got nuts…and bolts. And lasers. And explosions.

Oceanhorn is an interesting game that some people will enjoy and some people will hate. The inspiration drawn from Zelda oozes all throughout the game, and that can be a bit off-putting for some. For myself however, I think Zelda-clones should end up becoming a new thing. Considering the amount of years we have to wait between Zelda entries, why not embrace games that capture the spirit of a classic franchise? Oceanhorn isn’t original, it isn’t perfect, and it isn’t necessarily memorable, but not every game can be. It’s a simple, fun Zelda-clone that will bring fans of the franchise great enjoyment in between sessions of Breath of the Wild.

So, is Farming Simulator 18 on 3DS worth it? Making a direct comparison to the PC and console versions, of course it comes in weighing on the lighter side. But, as I stated in the beginning, the core experience is still very much here. Everything has been simplified, but it works very well. I kept switching between the PC and 3DS versions just to see how big of a difference it would be, but I was surprised that the 3DS version held up so well. Even the controls felt fine. For younger players, or those who just want a casual, laidback experience on their 3DS, Farming Simulator 18 is actually a pretty solid buy.

Ever Oasis is a refreshing action-RPG with a surprising amount of gameplay depth and variety. By stitching together swatches of different gameplay genres and inspirations, Grezzo has crafted an impressive title with an engaging world and satisfying gameplay loop. Its music and graphics are cute, but its gameplay is refined. After finishing off this adventure, I cannot wait to see what Grezzo’s next step will be!

ARMS might not be the strategic, hardcore fighting game some were hoping for, but If you’re just looking for senseless fun with friends or strangers via online multiplayer, you should definitely check it out.

All in all, I’ve been really enjoying my time with Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers. If you aren’t a fan of the genre, this won’t be a game that changes your mind, and while some feel the $39.99 price tag is a bit too high for the game, I’ve gotten a ton of enjoyment from it thus far. As a Street Fighter veteran, this is a nice package that you can bring with you anywhere you want, and the additional content makes one of the greatest fighting games a bit more modern for Switch owners. It’s not for everyone, but if you love 2D fighters or retro games, this is a must own for your Nintendo Switch.

The first Urban Trial Freestyle was already a pretty fun game, so this sequel simply took a solid foundation and built upon it. With the hefty amount of courses, a track builder, online leaderboards, great visuals and engaging gameplay, I can definitely say that this game is worth picking up if you’re into racers and/or physics-based titles. Seeing that it only costs $7, you really don’t have much to lose. While there is a bit of a learning curve, once you get the hang of it, the experience is pretty fun.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia really surprised me. What I thought would be a simple spin-off game ended up being arguably the best Fire Emblem game I’ve played. There’s more than enough new things to spice things up for series die-hards, and newcomers will enjoy things like being able to turn off “permadeath.” With some of the best presentation on the 3DS, Fire Emblem Echoes is a must own for RPG fans.

Kamiko is a fun pick-up and play experience, with great visuals, good gameplay, and makes for a fun retro-inspired experience. It’s worth exploring the game with each of the 3 characters just to see how different they actually play, which adds some replay value to the title. If you are looking for an inexpensive game for a weekend playthrough, Kamiko is a good pick.

Overall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an excellent package. The entire DLC and battle mode, in addition to the base game, makes Mario Kart Deluxe well worth its price tag. However, fans who own the original title and are short on change may come away a bit disappointed with Deluxe. $60 is a lot to ask for a game that you already own, and other than battle mode there isn’t much to justify buying the game again. Nevertheless, as a standalone title, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands out as an exemplary buy for your new Nintendo Switch console. Deluxe’s gorgeous visuals, variety of modes, and excellent kart racing gameplay will make it a title you continue to come back to for months.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is my favorite multiplayer experience on the Nintendo Switch. Simply put, it’s addictive, fast-paced, chaotic gameplay will keep people coming back for a long time. I often sat down aiming to play a few rounds and then found myself glued to my switch for a few hours. While the story mode and other gametypes (except Fusion) are fun to play, the online mode is where I spent most of my time. Once the game launches and people start to buy Puyo Puyo Tetris, I expect the online community to be very lively. Not only is it a blast to play against other players, I think it will be a hit at parties. Since the Switch is a console that can be carried around, I predict that many people will be sitting around the table with friends for long periods of time. I expected to have fun with Puyo Puyo Tetris, but I didn’t think that it would be one of my favorite games to be released on Nintendo’s new console. If you decide to pick up Puyo Puyo Tetris, you’ll definitely be playing this for months to come.

Mr. Shifty had a really unique spin on the Hotline Miami formula, and I really enjoyed playing through the game at first. It’s unfortunate that simple design decisions and technical problems prevented the title from reaching its full potential, and ultimately Mr. Shifty amounts to an okay Switch indie title. However, that’s not necessarily terrible. There aren’t a whole lot of games right now on the Switch, and $15 isn’t that much to ask for an indie game nowadays. If you’re hankering for a unique action game on Nintendo’s new platform, Mr. Shifty might be just the game to quench your craving.

In the end I became dangerously addicted to Has-Been Heroes. I couldn’t put the game down because of how much depth there is to the gameplay. Chaining melee and spell attacks across the 3 heroes and landing a ton of damage on an enemy is incredibly satisfying. Or that rewarding feeling you get when finally figuring out a strategy to defeat the boss and progressing further into the game. Make no mistake, Has-Been Heroes is a hard game and not for the faint of heart but if you enjoy a fun, rewarding challenge, at $20 it’s a must have for your Switch collection.

All in all, I enjoyed The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ a lot more than I should have. I’ve gotten a lot of playtime from the game and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, so the $39.99 price point (although higher than the competition) doesn’t bother me to have a nice physical copy and manual. Plus, the Switch version has some exclusive DLC not available on other platforms (yet), so it’s really the best version of Isaac to get. If you are looking for a stroll in hell with dark humor and fun top-down twin stick shooting, The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is a solid addition to the Switch.

It’s by no means a perfect game, as no game can be. But its faults are simply overwhelmed by its positives, and they never detracted from the joy I felt with each passing hour. Indeed, it’s the best Zelda game the company has ever made, and certainly one of its best games of all time. In this, it’s more than just a game for the storied company: it’s a statement that Nintendo continues to have some of the best game developers in the world, and its understanding of joy is second to none.

Super Bomberman R is decent for a launch title on a system that is a little lacking in retail titles, but it has it’s issues. Fans of Bomberman and people who will use the local multiplayer option will get more enjoyment out of this title than the average person, who will probably wait for a price drop. It’s not perfect, but when the game shines, it does shine pretty bright; there’s just not enough moments of that brightness unfortunately.

Shovel Knight and its two expansions feature expertly crafted levels and mechanics, as well as music and visuals that will put a smile on your face. Though it is unfortunate that Switch owners are forced to put an extra $10 down to play a “free” expansion, those that do choose to pick up the package will find it well worth playing, no matter the price.

FAST RMX is arguably the 2nd best launch title on the Nintendo Switch right next to Breath of the Wild. The gameplay is fast and responsive, the presentation is gorgeous, and at $19.99 is the best value on the Nintendo Switch. If you are a fan of games like F-Zero or Wipeout, or racing in general, FAST RMX should be on your Nintendo Switch without a doubt.

If you’re into regularly hosting or attending parties then yes, 1-2-Switch is a game for you and you’ll get your money’s worth out of it. However if you’re thinking of picking this up to play with the family on weekends, you’ll find the game collecting dust fairly quick. The mini-games get old fast and the game gets exponentially less fun with less people. Top that off with its significant price point and you can be sure that 1-2-Switch will be filling up bargain bins within months.

If you are a fan of Wipeout-style games and own a New 3DS, LifeSpeed is a decent option for you to pick up since Nintendo will never put an F-Zero on the 3DS. The poor audio, lack of online multiplayer, and confusing first few races are a bit off putting, but the racing mechanics are solid enough to keep the game fun.

There are still plenty of challenges and content to be found in the ‘3DS version of the game. The uniqueness and musical charm are present, just not in a way that complements the console version of Yoshi’s Woolly World.

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.

Radiantflux: Fractal is cheap at $2.99, and the price is suitable. It’s short, it’s weird, and some people won’t like it, but I think it has a certain charm to it that made it pretty enjoyable. If you like more obscure style games, or shmups, this one may be up your alley.

Overall I’m very pleased with what Super Mario Run offers. The price may come off as steep to many players and arguably it is if all you want to do is play through the levels. However for those willing to master the game and embrace it for what it is, it’s well worth the investment. Nintendo has shown that they are masters in game design regardless of platform. They’ve proven to me that they understand the unique aspect of mobile gaming and have delivered a great Nintendo experience for phones and tablets. I eagerly await their next mobile titles hoping their other franchises will see the same smooth transition into a mobile gaming format.