Samurai Shodown! 2 is yet another slice of gaming history that few will fondly remember, some may have completely forgotten, and others will have no clue about whatsoever. One thing for certain is that the Nintendo Switch now officially doubles up as a Neo Geo Pocket Color which is awesome. And for what it’s worth, so is Samurai Shodown! 2.

If you are of a younger age and are more accustomed to modern fighters, King of Fighters R-2 may very well seem a little bland in comparison. With that said, there is far more under the hood of the game’s simple yet pleasing exterior. While King of Fighters R-2 happens to be a decent fighting game in its own right, whether it holds up or not is really beside the point. For me, I see it as yet another source of gaming artefacts contained in a portable museum. Like a slice of wonderful nostalgia pie sat in the window of a cakeshop of gaming history.

Double Kick Heroes is an awesome rhythm title led by a tough-as-nails gameplay loop and some awesome music. The story mode is a little disappointing and the challenge can sometimes be a bit too much, but if you’re a fan of metal then this is definitely one to check out.

It’s tough to review a game that is generally regarded as unarguably excellent, but to any of the people still holding back on Sayonara Wild Hearts, I urge you to jump in. There isn’t a single element of it that hasn’t been crafted with love and care, and its pop-centric soundtrack is brought together by some really fun gameplay. It is absolutely essential.

For hardcore fans, you’ve almost definitely already gone ahead and bought Borderlands Legendary Collection and I say more power to you. I may not have the connection to the series that other players do, but I can confidently say that this is one of the strongest Nintendo Switch ports I’ve played and a fantastic compilation of games.

Rock of Ages 3: Make and Break rarely rolls far from the well-worn formula of its predecessors that alone might have made this a tougher recommendation. The inclusion of a level creation tool, however, gives the series the jolt of excitement it sorely needed. Three games in and what Rock of Ages 3: Make and Break might lack in terms of surprise at this point, it makes up for by giving players the keys to create surprises of their own.

Carrion does many things right when it comes to creating a feel for becoming the monster. The cinematic soundtrack is fantastic too, setting the tone and putting the player in the mindset of the beast perfectly. The way the monster moves under control is excellent, and massacring a room full of scientists and soldiers rarely ever gets old. It’s just unfortunate that the overall structure that surrounds the novelty of the core gameplay mechanic is never quite as unique in comparison.

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise is another messy, frustrating and at times broken experience… but then again so was the first game. The story once again is a highlight with a cast of strangely acting characters sure to make you chuckle or downright confused. Unfortunately, seeing the tale unfold is slowed massively with dull and tedious quests aplenty. Big fans of the original will likely find exactly what they’re looking for here but for others, there are just too many issues technical or otherwise sure to prevent you from actually enjoying yourself.

The underpinning fundamentals are certainly there, the attention to detail is coded in nicely, and the continuous improvements made since launch display a progressive attitude to evolve. I may not have quite warmed towards Project Warlock as much as I would have hoped, but I for one am very much looking forward to seeing Jacob Cislo’s next chapter in game development.

At the end of the day, this is a sub-par port of an average game. The story in Blair Witch isn’t anything special even if the main character was good, poorly programmed AI hampers innovative mechanics, the game design isn’t that thought out, and the game’s atmosphere and aesthetic are hurt by this port’s low resolution. A great set of ideas that fumble when it comes to the execution, and an adorable dog doesn’t really save it. I love the Switch and want as many games as possible to come out on it, but Blair Witch really shows that not every game should.

Creased and folded with meticulous care, Paper Mario: The Origami King is a cut above the rest that sees the paper-crafted series back at its best since the rightly lauded Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The moustachioed paper cut-out’s journey to liberate Peach’s Castle offers a personality-packed adventure that’s worth setting out on, and one that will be remembered for the laughter, thrills and standout moments that it delivers.

Urban Flow is a neat game that’s highly enjoyable on your own or with others. Its simple premise is used to great effect forming an experience that’s challenging, frantic but always rewarding. Traffic lights might suck in real life but that’s definitely not the case here in Urban Flow.

Resident Evil 5 isn’t a bad game, it’s just one that was already showing its age on more powerful hardware. This is really one for the Resident Evil fans.

Ninjala definitely has a lot of problems that it needs to iron out, but that’s the beauty of being free-to-play. It’s definitely worth checking out, but I think the best is yet to come for Ninjala.

If you don’t have a pair of nostalgia glasses to hand, then it’s hard to justify purchasing two separate compilations that are little more than a ROM dump with a price tag. The only reason why both of the Namco Museum Archives volumes are worth investing in is if you have a childhood attachment to any of the console versions listed, or have a genuine interest in compiling together yesteryear gaming history in a portable library. The lack of extra features completely takes away from the game’s meaning. After all, isn’t the sole purpose of a museum to provide a taste of the past in an informative way?

With the exception of the PAC-MAN: Championship Edition demake, Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 is really only ever going to appeal to old fogeys similar to myself who want to latch on to the past and stuff them into a Nintendo Switch. Sure, many of the games don’t hold up well, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be celebrated. It’s just a pity that Namco can’t seem to be that bothered. While M2 does a fantastic job as always in actually handling the emulation process, the disappointing lack of extra features leaves a lot to be desired.

Mr. DRILLER DrillLand is a brilliantly fun puzzler that takes its core mechanic and twists it in some really interesting – and more importantly fun – ways. I’ve played a lot of puzzle games on Nintendo Switch and while Mr. DRILLER DrillLand plays very different from any of them, it still has that same compelling force that brings me back for one or two more runs.

I really liked playing Catherine: Full Body. I got invested in the story, the music is great, I found the characters entertaining despite their flaws, and the puzzle gameplay was a lot of fun. It takes baby steps forward on tackling LGBT issues, and while ATLUS is far from perfect at this aspect I guess it’s a good thing that they’re trying to get better. The Switch is a perfect system for his game, and this port is the definitive version of a great re-release. I hope this troubled tale of love coming to Switch is a sign that ATLUS will be putting a greater focus on developing for the system, and this is a great first start.

With games like Jedi: Fallen Order and The Old Republic, it’s hard to say that Star Wars: Episode I Racer is one of the best Star Wars games out there, but I’d be hard-pressed to find another licensed racer I enjoyed as much as this one.

There are some flaws and it’s too straightforward in parts, but if you’re looking for a fun way to spend a night then this is an easy recommendation. Even with those issues and how simple it is, Death Come True is a really cool game and upon reflection, I only find more small touches that make me like it even more.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill is one of those prime examples of a game so simple in its concept but executed so well. There’s a constant force pulling you back in for one more death-defying ride that fans of the Trials series will be no stranger to. Unlike Ubisoft’s loud and goofy rider though, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a beautiful experience – often times tranquil – that proved an obsession of mine for weeks, the call of the mountain too strong to drag myself away.

Collar X Malice still remains an entertaining visual novel and remains my favorite Otome game to date. So much of what it does appeals directly to my interests, and I’m glad it has the chance to get the recognition it deserved. I feel it’s the perfect introductory Otome game because the mystery is interesting enough to appeal to casual visual novel fans, and Otome fans can enjoy both that and the great cast of guys. Takeru is the best of course, but you’ll just have to see that for yourself.

Huntdown is a cool, crass and challenging game that manages to do just enough to stand out above the static of analogue signals. Its strength is in how it never takes itself seriously, while the tried-and-tested gameplay and the clear attention to detail is a prime example of how to carve in quality presentation with a First Blood Survival Knife.

Not only is Burnout Paradise Remastered a solid port, but this classic racer also proves itself to be a fitting game to take on the road.

The TakeOver is a good beat em’ up. It doesn’t evolve and expand the genre, and that’s where a feel of disappointment stems. It’s entertaining, the soundtrack is spectacular, the visuals are serviceable, and the campaign is engaging enough to keep you invested for its duration. The lack of online leaderboards and online co-op is disappointing, as the omissions limit the value proposition of the title. If you are looking to experience another beat em’ up on the Nintendo Switch, then The TakeOver is something you should play, but you may feel a bit unsatisfied by what the package offers.

Despite my issues with overbearing objectives and combat, Dragon Quest Builders 2’s charm and sense of adventure shines above all else and even with some framerate issues is a great fit for the Nintendo Switch.

It’s completely for the fans. Speaking as one of those fans, I think that’s really admirable and despite some late-game annoyances and sound design flaws, I found Battle For Bikini Bottom absolutely worth going back for. Nostalgia may be a powerful tool, but this game is still worthy of your time regardless.

Moving Out is a silly, simple but enjoyable romp that follows the successful blueprint of series like Overcooked very closely. As a result, you have a game that delivers the same style of loud and manic cooperative fun but at the same time fails to do much that’s new and surprising. In the end, Moving Out is perfect for those hungry for ‘another one of those’ but perhaps a tad too safe for others who have since moved on.

Never keeping his dancing to a minimum, the dark humour that underpins Felix The Reaper seeps into the game’s head-scratching puzzles. Who knew that making sure that people die according to ministerial plans could be this challenging, as the greatest flaw can be found in the uneven and baffling difficulty in places which comes in sharp contrast to Felix’s energetic enthusiasm for Mortal Music.

Whether you are adding it for the novelty of compiling together a digital library on the go, the practicality of finding gaming time within a busy lifestyle or even to simply experience a past title released for the very first time on a Nintendo system, BioShock: The Collection is most definitely a worthwhile addition to the Nintendo Switch library.

Streets of Rage 4 is like taking an old favourite toy to an antique repair shop only for it to come back working far better than it ever did before. The new lick of paint does the series justice, and the decision to stick to its guns and stay so close to its roots demonstrates a true understanding of the classic beat ’em up genre. I can’t deny I had a promising feeling in my jollies that I would enjoy Streets of Rage 4 before going into it. However, what I never anticipated for a second was that a side-scrolling beat ’em up based on a seemingly long-dead franchise would rise from the grave and become my personal favourite game of the year so far.

Regardless of its issues, Liberated shows potential in combining one of the oldest methods in storytelling with the new. Having the gameplay segments fit within the panel of a comic strip is a nice touch, even if the gameplay is average at best. The script is certainly a relevant subject in spite of how many times the idea has been recycled. It’s just unfortunate that, in this case, simply reading the source material would have been a better experience compared to playing it.

51 Worldwide Games is a brilliant collection of some of the best (and in some cases oldest) games out there. From cards to dominoes and boards to balls, you’ll find a varied mix both familiar and fresh all wrapped in a wonderfully clean and polished package. Much like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, 51 Worldwide Games is another one of those releases that can be enjoyed by anyone be they a gamer or not. It may not have the earth-shaking excitement of a new Mario or Metroid backing it, but it certainly delivers on the fun. Do not pass on this delightful gem.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition delivers an outstanding adventure that will linger long in your memory as ranking among the best JRPG experiences ever created. This remake is undoubtedly the definitive way to uncover the secrets behind the Monado, that, despite some imperfections, has seen Monolith Soft meaningfully modernise Shulk’s grandiose journey across the sprawling Bionis and beyond.

Taken as a whole, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix as a title certainly lives up to its moniker – as a game, it feels like a bag of trail mix. Not everything really fits together all the time, but it’s still a ton of fun, and I doubt many are going to complain. That doesn’t make it any less weird, but if anything that weirdness feels at home with Project DIVA’s identity. If anything, I’m more than happy to bring this mix of treats with me on the road.

If you’ve not experienced the purple dragon’s adventures before, then playing them in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is absolutely the best way no matter what console you choose. Thankfully, those looking at the Switch port will be happy to know that they’ll be getting the same great experience as everyone else.

The arrival of the Metro series to a Nintendo platform may have been delayed an entire console generation, but its arrival on the Nintendo Switch came at an opportune time. The conductor is ready to punch your ticket to ride, and it is a ride worth boarding. With interesting characters, a moody setting, and strong gameplay variety, Metro Redux can establish itself as one of the premier first-person shooter releases on the Nintendo Switch.

Darksiders Genesis is a pretty decent hack-and-slash adventure that takes the series in an interesting new direction. While my experience with the game rarely left me jaw-dropped, I nonetheless had an entertaining time slashing away at demons and finally getting to play as the fourth and final horseman.

Jupiter has delivered yet another quality entry in its Picross S series this time cramming more content than ever. If you’ve yet to be hooked on the addictive power of Nonograms (surely not) then this will do little to change that, however for fans after more and even bigger grids to fill then don’t hesitate to pick up Picross S4.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road To Boruto is just as fun now on the Nintendo Switch as it was back when it launched. It’s another impressive port for the portable home console’s library that doesn’t seem like it’ll ever slow down.

Telling Lies delivers one of the strongest stories I’ve experienced on the Nintendo Switch in quite some time in one of the most original and compelling ways. Though the end credits have since rolled, I’m left still pondering on the game’s memorable cast of characters and the tangled web of secrets I managed to uncover through careful analysis and lots and lots of scribbled notes. I’ve never been one for FMV in video games but after sampling the efforts of Sam Barlow I might just have become a real believer in its use in the medium.

Trials of Mana is a ton of fun, and if you want to experience a retro JRPG with the updated mechanics of games today then you’ll likely enjoy this a lot. Any of the issues I had didn’t stop me from having fun, and I know I’ll likely return for at least one more playthrough.

Good Job! takes the pretty mundane day to day tasks of a business and turns them into chaotic and messy affairs that for the most part turn out both surprisingly entertaining and even laugh out loud funny. As far as shadow drops go after a Nintendo Direct (or in this case a Nintendo Direct Mini) Good Job! is not only one of the more surprising ideas but one of the better ones too.

I genuinely hope ITTA will be enjoyed by many but it’s only fair that I provide my wholehearted insight to the game laid before me. I loved how unsettled the world of ITTA made me feel, the wonderful Hyper Light Drifter-style visuals and incredibly fitting soundtrack. I just wish I felt the same way about the actual meat of the gameplay itself.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a perfectly serviceable port of a once-great and now good Star Wars game. For Star Wars mega-fans and the Jedi Knight nostalgic, it’s definitely worth a revisit, as long as you’re prepared for a reasonable amount of early 2000’s jank.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses Cindered Shadows is one of those downloadable add-ons that’s solid enough. Overall this feels more in line with earlier entries in the series, stripping away most of the exciting newer features demonstrated in the original release. This makes for an experience that’s enjoyable but also rather unsurprising and straightforward. As far as story expansions go though, Cindered Shadows will likely have you hooked on Fire Emblem once again. It’s just hard not to be a little disappointed given how excellent Fire Emblem: Three Houses was.

Murder by Numbers is a weird and wonderful recipe that successfully merges nanogram puzzles with some light detective mechanics and an entertaining murder mystery-style visual novel. The end result is a truly original experience and one that takes an otherwise straightforward puzzle-type and moves it in an exciting and surprising new direction.

Featuring a unique blend of horror and a charming, chibi-like art style, Yomawari: The Long Night Collection is a decent two-game bundle that fans of the genre will enjoy. The monsters you encounter on your journey will scare the hell out of you. Having said that, the trial and error elements hinder the experience, as does the general scare factor once you get into the second game.

If you don’t take things too seriously and play Exit The Gungeon for a little bit at a time, it can be great fun and easily worth the small asking price. It’s easy to see why some fans are a bit burnt with all the changes, but as a spin-off from the original and not a full sequel, Exit The Gungeon is a neat experiment. It shouldn’t come as anyone’s first foray into the series, but for those looking for more Gungeon, it’s definitely worth checking out.

I hope the issues with the visuals I mentioned are fixed in the near future, but as of now, we are left with a port that indulged a bit too much in the Pop Pop Fruit. If you love One Piece then you’re going to have a great time with Pirate Warriors 4, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t flawless.

Many of the games across the two-volume library have the potential of chewing away dozens of hours obsessively besting that last high score, or reaching that little bit further – especially under the default and recommended conditions of three lives and two continues. Furthermore, to be able to legally own forgotten treasures such as these so easily from a studio that no longer exists is always both an honour and a privilege.

As far as compilations go and the extra features that usually come with them, it’s hard to justify the vanilla presentation when others out there have made much more of an effort at a lower price point.

SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo 2 is an excellent puzzle game wrapped in a rather straightforward package. While it’s certainly a step above its predecessor, a lack in variety of mode types might make this one of the shorter distractions we’ve seen from the SEGA AGES collection so far.

There is a lot to love about Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun: Retro Brawler Bundle, whether it be the silly expression on a player’s face after getting the wind knocked out of them with a soccer ball or launching a panel from a broken hurdle at a rival during a foot race in Downtown Nekketsu March Super-Awesome Field Day! There’s just something special about the oddities of what’s included that can often seem dated, yet somewhat ahead of their time as the barriers of logic get kicked towards an insane level of absurdity.

While My Hero One’s Justice 2 plateaus in many areas, it does often improve where it matters most. The original game was always fairly attractive and its sequel does look and feel better overall with tighter loading times and slightly less chugging than its predecessor. It may not be the EVO arena fighter that nobody was expecting it to be and the amateur cameraman from the first game seems to still have his job. However, it does maintain and build upon that decent romp of pick-up-and-play action that suits well for its cause, with a more than adequate amount depth for the part-time fighting game fan to play around with.

Above all else, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an unbeatable feel-good experience and an essential purchase for anyone that owns a Nintendo Switch. As heartwarming as it is wholesome, Nintendo has delivered meaningful changes that help to structure your peaceful island existence. Every day has the potential to offer something new, and, thanks to that, it will be a game that many will enjoy investing countless hours (and Bells) in. Oh, and heroically leaping across rivers with the Vault Pole will never get old.

It comes as little surprise but Sonic the Hedgehog 2 remains a fantastic platformer. Of the what seems like hundreds of releases this game has seen, the SEGA AGES version ranks among some of the better efforts. While it might lack the bells and whistles of the terrific Christian Whitehead remake, it’s still a great way to experience one of the hedgehog’s best adventures be it your first or tenth time.

It may see us return to an adventure that many will have first set out on nearly 15 years ago, but Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is yet another remake with the right approach. Modernised for a new generation and a worthwhile upgrade for those setting up their Rescue Team Base for a second time, it offers an enjoyable team-bonding adventure for those looking for a different pocket monster experience on the plucky portable home console.

It goes without saying that the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is a fine and robust celebration of Inti Creates’ portable take on the Mega Man universe. From a wonderfully dense art gallery featuring many of Toru Nakayama’s superb character designs to remastered voice tracks and animation cut-scenes, Japanese editions for each game, and a variety of attractive screen borders, there are tons of other adjustable options available. The only real customisable drawbacks are not being able to skip text or having the options to assign actions to the ZL and ZR Buttons. But besides that, it’s really hard to fault this latest slice of what is currently now a five-volume gaming encyclopedia based on one of Capcom’s most cherished franchises.

Two Point Hospital is a deep and challenging management sim coated in goofy and charming layers of humour. For some, this will be a warm and nostalgic experience sure to kick-start fond memories but to be honest regardless of your familiarity with the game’s past inspiration there’s plenty of fun (and stress) to be had here with Two Point Hospital.

Overall, I’d say that Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition is a must-play for newcomers looking for a fun action game and long time fans. It is easily the best version of this game to date, providing a solid conversion and a ton of new features that remain optional for those who might not want them. Unless they add these to previous releases, I can’t see myself playing any other version but this one. It exceeded my expectations and gave me one of my new favorite actions games that I’ll be going right back into as soon as I’m done writing this.

Tick Tock: A Tale For Two is a fun and engaging co-op puzzler quite unlike anything I’ve played on Nintendo Switch. It’s use of two screens and heavy reliance on communication and teamwork offers an interesting wrinkle to the point-and-click genre and results in a rewarding experience – albeit a short two hour one – worth losing an evening to.

As a whole, SpeedRunners happens to be yet another winning party game for the most convenient console on the market. The simple yet well-thought-out structure of the gameplay certainly makes an impulse purchase easy when expecting friends over. It may seem like a long time coming for those who have been pining for a portable version of SpeedRunners to hit the Nintendo eShop. Well, it’s here now and, three years later, players can finally compete wherever they go.

The Amnesia games are some of the best horror titles to ever be released, but things have moved on and its dated graphics, lack of polish and some performance issues hinder the Nintendo Switch release. Ultimately, however, if you are a fan of horror games, the package is worth it alone just to play The Dark Descent, one of the most influential games of the past ten years. Just be aware that, as the darkness in these games, time has not been its friend.

The story didn’t move me too much, but Stranger’s journey was an entertaining one from start to finish. I wish the boss fights could have been a bit stronger and the port needs some more work before it becomes truly perfect, but I’d easily recommend this to someone looking for a shooter on their Nintendo Switch that stands out amongst the rest.

Personally, I would love to see The Kid competing against top dogs in arcades across the city, turning his or her newfound passion into something to be proud of. For now, though, these desires are merely wishful thinking for something that clearly has the potential to manifest into something much more interesting and thought-provoking than the dreary narrative that binds some genuinely clever ideas together.

After countless sweaty hours with Ring Fit Adventure, I’m left genuinely shocked. This game is a real workout that’s left me breathless, tired and often times aching the following day. At the same time though it also manages to expertly weave everything together with a lengthy and enjoyable RPG adventure that feels essential to the experience rather than merely bolted on. Perhaps best of all though it’s made me visibly excited to workout and that in itself is quite the achievement.

While SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions is definitely not a game for anyone, those who can approach it with an open mind and a willingness to meet the game on its own terms will find this to be one of the finest RPGs ever made. The story is minimalist on purpose, the progression can be obtuse, and the difficulty can be extreme. When you can break past that initial wall, you’re treated to an RPG that cherishes player choice and exploration. The gameplay is addicting to its core, and it’s very rare to see an RPG as meticulously thought out like this. It lived up to all the hype for me and is perfect for genre fans looking for a breath of fresh air.

Yet another brilliant Japanese RPG to add to the Nintendo Switch’s growing line-up. More Shin Megami Tensei than Fire Emblem, it’s hard to care too much when the end result is this enjoyable. Likeable characters and a satisfying combat system all wrapped in vivid visuals and a wonderfully weird and often uplifting story. Of the remaining Wii U games left to bring over to Switch, this was quite the curveball, but it’s one I hope gets the recognition it deserves second time around.

Alien Isolation isn’t just a fantastic game, it’s also a fantastic port, a must-buy for owners of the console, even if you’ve played the game previously.

Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training for Nintendo Switch – besides being quite the mouthful – is a welcome return for the series and a great fit for the console. Sure it’s a rather predictable experience but it’s one that in spite of its few hiccups manages to challenge and entertain in equal measures.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger takes you on an exciting journey back into the heart of the Wild West. Whether there’s any truth to what Silas Greaves is telling his listeners or if he’s simply lying through his teeth, I had a great time shooting my way through the winding story he wove and taking down legendary bandits along the way.

With The Touryst, it’s nice to see Shin’en Multimedia maintain their technical quality while flying in at a different angle in gameplay and mood. Besides the out of place design choices in regards to how the puzzle elements are handled, The Touryst is a decent break from reality that provides adorable and light busywork for the thumbs. It sure is a pretty place to mooch around in and will undoubtedly please those who may be looking to carry on stretching out that The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening feeling.

While there’s definitely fun to be with New Super Lucky’s Tale, in a sea of excellent platformers – both 3D and 2D – already out there on Switch this may be one worth circling back to if you’re hungry for more after sampling those.

At this game’s core, it’s a very average game that set the framework for a very great sequel. I think if Square Enix gets an opportunity to do this again with Star Ocean: Second Evolution, I can easily see them knocking it out of the park.

Ultimately, Football Manager 2020 Touch succeeds in two ways. Firstly, it allows people like me who enjoy Football Manager titles to get back into them without sacrificing all the time needed to play them. Secondly, it succeeds in being a really good football management simulator in general, one that is easily the best ever created for a console. It has enough new additions and tweaks this year to warrant a purchase over last year’s version, and it also feels a bit more feature-packed without ever straying too far into the content-heavy heights of the full-fat PC version.

This is an experience that’s clunky to play, messy in its execution at times and visually ugly and dated however in spite of all this I’ve found my time with Deadly Premonitions Origins to be enjoyable. Like a questionably acted B-movie you learn to love its eye-rolling moments and start to embrace its flaws. Is Deadly Premonition Origins a good game? After 20 hours I’m not sure I even know for myself. What I do know is, I had a great time with Francis York Morgan and cannot wait to join forces once again in next year’s sequel.

Even those who aren’t usually fans of Digimon are likely to enjoy this Complete Edition quite a lot because that’s exactly what happened to me when I first played Cyber Sleuth back in 2016. This is a great case of a company understanding the need to mature along with their fanbase, leading to a series of games that stand out amongst its competition while never losing sight of what people fell in love with to begin with.

You almost need to have a masochist tendency of taking pleasure in your own defeat with nobody else to blame but yourself. What makes failure even harder to digest is when realising that the track is clearly laid out before you with all the signposts there for you to read. Yet, the gratification of overcoming the addictive plough of constantly feeling rubbish and inadequate becomes all the more satisfying once you succeed.

Despite its technical issues, Black Future ’88 is everything you would want from a good roguelike shooter. Dedicating myself towards certain layouts and advantages while learning the deceitful risks that accompany them never seems to get old. I’ve managed to beat the game once-over several times but not yet looped a playthrough twice – giving me the realisation that I’ve only just scratched the surface. After looping the game, there then becomes the conundrum of looking how to keep that precious time topped up for it doesn’t reset even after beating the final boss. It looks like I’ll just have to have another go then, and maybe one more after that…

Hexagroove: Tactical DJ is flawed – from one minigame and a lack of guidance. The problem is, that minigame is a big part of truly nailing a set. It’s a scratch in an otherwise very clean, very good record.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a fun and approachable multiplayer game for players of all ages and a wonderful recreation of an old school classic. With that said, the Nintendo eShop price tag that accompanies it can be pretty hard to swallow, especially when you consider that most players with a bit of gaming experience will have it beat in a couple of hours at best. Perfecting its three-star demands will certainly add a few more hours to the clock, but it seems like a rather easy post to lean on when there’s far more potential in building upon the jetstream mechanics to contribute towards a higher level count.

You should play it, because it’s simple fun which can evoke the days of old arcade classics about nothing more than having a good time. It’s daft, it’s a little rough around the edges in places and only a few of the things it does are new. But it would be an absolute crime for it to go un-played.

The Stretchers may not look visually appealing and it controls a little rough around the edges, but it’s also a hilarious time from start to finish. Best enjoyed as a co-op experience, this is the kind of surprise I’m more than willing to embrace from Nintendo in the future.

Dragon Quest XI is, without a doubt, worth a playthrough. Square isn’t lying about Dragon Quest XI S being the ‘definitive edition’ either–if you have a Switch, this version is by far the best one to pick up. If you’re a fan of RPGs, grabbing Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition is a no-brainer, and even if you’ve already played through the game once, it might be worth considering the Switch version for all the new additions.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a substandard remaster of a game that quite frankly didn’t need it in the first place. The disappointing level design, frustrating boss battles and shallow party games are a sore reminder of just how much this series has fallen since the glory days of the GameCube pair. I want the series back just as much as any fan, but not like this.

On the whole, Close to the Sun is an engaging experience and one that I found hard to put down. It wasn’t always the story that kept me going, it was the overall atmosphere, the claustrophobia of the Helios. Certain moments stayed with me after putting down the controller; hiding behind crates as a crazed man stalked the halls or the dashing jumps made to reach a tram taking me to a new area of the ship. It’s a great homage, but that’s its strongest feature.

By the time the final performance update drops it will be those who snatch the game at a sale price that will ultimately benefit the most. There’s a 1.04 update that is expected by the end of November, and I would bet money that it won’t be the last. It’s a real shame because underneath the stigma of a troubled release and a lost first impression of a polished product, lies a potentially magnificent game that holds true to what it once ambitiously set out to achieve.

It’s a fighting game that doesn’t apologise for its learning curve as it does more than enough to teach the player to improve as long as they are willing to put the effort in. Whether it rivals some of the more famous entries in the genre on the system is of course down to personal preference. Either way, despite a rocky online experience, I had a blast with Skullgirls 2nd Encore on Nintendo Switch. Lab Zero Games truly know how to tune up a decent fighter, and I for one would love to see them revive a new Darkstalkers game that Mike Zaimont has recently been seen playfully pitching across Twitter.

The Jackbox Party Pack 6 delivers some fantastically hilarious highs that are unfortunately paired with some awkward and cringing lows. To lay it all out, Trivia Murder Party 2 and Push the Button are both fantastic, Role Models feels like a throwaway and Dictionarium and Joke Boat fall somewhere in the middle. Overall this year’s quintet offers enough laughs and proves even six packs in that Jackbox Games can still deliver.

SEGA AGES Ichidant-R is a strange game, but one that I’m glad has finally found its way outside Japan. At the end of the day, this is just a small collection of mini-games – albeit a fun one – but its fascinating presentation and surprisingly competitive multiplayer options make this an unknown worth exploring.

Had the development team put together a point-and-click adventure or platformer set in this world, it would have been much more enjoyable. Because we could focus on a story, we could investigate, see the causes of mutations and inspect why life has been reduced to this ramshackle society. Instead, we’re used to dying in the wastes before being recycled ad infinitum. And what grates the most, is that I wanted to love this game. It has ideas, it has scope, but everything is hidden beneath a smudged ‘CRT’ veneer.

Mario Tennis Aces may well feature the best mechanics the series has seen to date, its new Zone manoeuvres and Trick Shots adding an exciting, madcap layer of depth to the sport. While Adventure isn’t the big single player hook I’d have hoped and some options feel a little too stripped down, it’s the game’s multiplayer that will keep this title a firm favourite for months to come. Golf next please Camelot.

There’s much to applaud about Daemon X Machina. The third-person mech action game delivers an experience unlike any other on Nintendo Switch, thanks to the striking mech designs and red-drenched world merging with combat that can readily thrill in the game’s many large-scale encounters. However, shortcomings such as the convoluted plot and repetition let it down – holding it back from reaching the brilliance that Marvelous nearly achieved.

Make no mistake; Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a good game. With a great variety in themes, inventive bosses, and some really cool small ideas that break up the main gameplay elements. There are just a few things holding it back from being great, such as a massive lack of enemy variation and I do feel that at certain points, the games plays it a little too safe at times. Nevertheless, I had tons of fun playing through and it is an easy recommendation to anybody, as it will appeal to so many different people. Luigi is still my favourite Ghostbuster.

Overland is a truly curious take on the post-apocalyptic genre, its turn-based gameplay turning an otherwise tired setting into something worth your time. You’ll feel vulnerable, desperate, and anxious on your hellish road trip and while that journey might outright frustrate you at times, it’s one you certainly won’t soon forget.

Putting it simply, there is still fun to be had with FIFA 20 Legacy Edition and playing against others online is still a joy. Nevertheless, charging full whack for a game when absolutely no effort went into is out of order. Simply ask yourself this, are new kits and some roster changes worth over £40 to you? If you answered yes, then you have too much money.

On paper, Contra: Rogue Corps should work, and it should work well. It has extravagant weapons, gaudy finishers, and bombs that can destroy every enemy on screen, but none of them gel together to create greatness. It’s the execution and implementation of all these ideas that hold it back from achieving greatness. Instead, they create mediocrity. Can fun be found in Contra: Rogue Corps? Yes. Will it be enough to justify buying the game at full price? No. I didn’t hate my time with Contra: Rogue Corps, but it isn’t something I feel the need to return to anytime soon, either.