Road to Ballhalla is a simple idea with enough neat additions of its own to keep you engaged throughout its twenty-plus levels. Filling that Super Monkey Ball sized gap nicely, this fiendishly difficult ball rolling experience may be a little on the short side but should please those after a challenge they can easily jump in and out of.

If you already own One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack is worth it for handheld play, but docked, I’m a bit conflicted right now since you do get visual improvements and an increased enemy count, but the performance is not as good as it was via backward compatibility. For newcomers, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with DLC is worth getting, even if you aren’t a fan of One Piece. Just don’t bother with the standalone base game right now.

Thankfully, as an old fan of the series I actually did get quite a kick out of Cyanide and Happiness: Freakpocalypse. Its short length is disappointing, but the fact that I found myself wanting more from the game is probably a good sign of things to come.

When it works, it clicks into place and offers something more than so many racing games on the market. It’s an ideal game to dip in and out of through handheld as races don’t take long and you won’t lose any skill from taking a brief break. With a little patience, Road Redemption is a hell of a ride.

After playing so many highly tense puzzlers, Hexologic is a nice change of pace delivering a much more chilled experience that’s as easy to unwind with as it is to pick up. A lack of content might make this a rather short-lived experience but it’s one that feels fair for the low price it asks. The eShop may not exactly be short of puzzlers at the moment but Hexologic’s pleasant vibe and satisfying brainteasers are enough to make this cheaper release worth a look.

The Stone of Madness is a decent game in a genre that is quite niche nowadays, make no mistake about that. However, if you’re a fan of top-down strategy-stealth games, want something new, and don’t mind a challenge, then you will find lots of enjoyment here. It’s not perfect, but despite its flaws, The Stone of Madness brings together enough new ideas and great aesthetics to help breathe some new life into a dying genre.

The games in the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle may be short, shallow and repetitive by nature, but these arcade classics are an important slice of gaming history and still make for a perfect high score wager between friends. In any case, for £17.99, it is an affordable catch up for those that are either interested in the history of the beat ’em up genre or fancy an interactive trip down memory lane.

I love visual novels, and I love strategy games. For a subsection of gamers, Digimon Survive will hit the perfect sweet spot between both of those. It’s got everything you’d expect from a digestible entry with a focus on presentation. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the game is just shy of greatness. Make no mistake, Digimon Survive is good. However, despite its best efforts, I found that the pacing drags and the combat mechanics are unremarkable. If you have enough patience to engage with its story and gameplay, the positives will far outweigh the negatives. It’s flawed, but the heart shines through and it goes down easy thanks to being one of the best-looking anime-style games released in years. Are there better SRPGs to play right now? Sure, but none offer Digimon’s unique brand of SRPG and I think it hits more than it misses.

Still a fun time albeit one that could do with a healthier dose of fresh content in this Switch version. Walking the line between platformer and puzzler, the game’s light sprinkling of elements from both help create an experience that’s fun for all ages.

Ultra Space Battle Brawl is a great quick fix multiplayer game to pull out amongst a gathering of friends and alcohol. It may not offer depth in either gameplay or features, but that raw competitive nerve will undoubtedly stand in the end whenever there is a score to settle. With 2 vs 2 options (or even 2 vs 1 for the less modest gamer), there are plenty of reasons here to bang balls around in space together.

One may even argue that in terms of pure functionality, the 3DS port is more loyal than even the Switch with its built-in dual screens and microphone support.

Endless Ocean Luminous is worth the plunge, and, along with other experiences like Nintendo Labo and Game Builder Garage, demonstrates a commitment to broadening what Nintendo Switch can offer beyond simply being a “games” console. It’s a welcome change of pace from the regular bustle of modern-day gaming experiences, offering a relaxing underwater diversion that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition offers fantastic value, but it is hard to recommend at full price right now, given the unstable performance. A 30 frames per second cap would help a lot, but even with performance issues aside, the online focus is a bit of an annoyance when playing on a portable system. As someone who has enjoyed the three Hitman games that are now part of Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition enough to buy them on multiple platforms, I’m glad to see it finally arrive in a good-looking version on Nintendo Switch 2 content complete, but it really needs some patches to make it an easy recommendation.

As someone who wasn’t particularly attached to the first game, I thought PixelJunk Eden 2 was fun and unique, but didn’t think of it too far beyond that. For those who were waiting for a sequel to PixelJunk Eden or simply want a different type of game that will relax them, I have no doubt that you’re going to love this, complete all of the gardens and their variations, collect all the Grimps and really make the most out of it.

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.

All-Star Fruit Racing is a decent enough kart racer that offers a few interesting ideas of its own but unfortunately suffers in a few areas whether it’s the awkward control scheme, confusing weapon system or even a general lack of online features. There’s fun to be had from this fruit-inspired title, sure, but perhaps a little ripening could have helped sweeten this uneven racer.

Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse doesn’t do anything special for the point-and-click genre, but that’s perfectly fine as it does exactly what it sets out to do. As a fan of the first two games, this was what I wanted. Not everything is perfect, such as the animations and some inconsistent voice acting. However, if you’re a fan, you will find a lot more to love than the average player.

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.

There was always going to be the worry that Untitled Goose Game would be a case of all hype without the delivery. Fortunately what we got is a unique, charming and often amusing experience that’s only dampened by some frustratingly tough puzzles and occasionally clumsy controls. It’s far from perfect, sure, but it’s certainly a game I’ll remember with a smile on my face. Honk!

The controls in the game are very responsive and are very tight.

This might come off as rather strict, but that’s because I do think these games are classics that deserve the best. I don’t want to be overdramatic though, because this Legacy Collection is still the best we’ve ever gotten. I think more could have been done, but I don’t want to downplay the work that went into bringing Mega Man Battle Network back like this. While I’m unsure if modern audiences would click with these, I think kids might still get a lot out of them even today. They’re all fantastic freshman RPG experiences that don’t explicitly treat their audience in a condescending manner. This is a great collection, but it could have been a legendary one.

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…

SaGa Frontier Remastered is not a game for everyone. I wasn’t able to notice any of the new content in this initial playthrough, but I’m excited to play more and uncover all of the secrets. SaGa Frontier has always been known as being unfinished, but all of the restored content (which can be toggled off at the beginning of the playthrough for those wanting an original experience) and amazing quality of life improvements makes this the definitive version of this game. This is now the new bar for Square Enix remasters, one I hope they continue to meet.

There’s no denying this is a great remake of the PlayStation classic, however, it’s also one where you can feel its limitations and archaic systems creaking along. Going back to the original ways of Resident Evil is a little awkward, sure, but it’s still an enjoyable survival horror experience and one dripping in atmosphere.

Granted, by today’s standards Dragons Lair may even be considered as a pretty awful game in every angle outside its drop-dead gorgeous Disney-flavoured smut. However, Dragon’s Lair Trilogy is another important slice of gaming history and one that can now be added to the growing museum on the Nintendo Switch.

Having enjoyed the first Pac-Man World remake, I went into the sequel with pretty high expectations. What I wound up with was another well-made remake, and sure, it’s definitely a platformer of its time, but it proved to be a fun and nostalgic trip with plenty to see and do. Bring on Pac-Man World 3 Re-Pac, I say!

Mouse: P.I. For Hire should’ve been shorter, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. The Nintendo Switch 2 port definitely needs more time in the oven because of the performance issues and delayed updates compared to other platforms. I will revisit the game once it gets patched on Switch 2 to address some of the performance issues and potentially add gyro controls.

The story that INMOST sets out to tell is the sort that’ll stick in your mind long after you’ve reached its conclusion. As for actually playing the game, despite some dragged out moments, there’s a good mix of puzzle and platforming to be found here that coupled with some truly unsettling and atmospheric visuals create a hauntingly intriguing experience but one you better be prepared for.

I really wish that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Persona 3 Reload didn’t have the technical problems it does. Without them, this would be a slam-dunk recommendation for any and all RPG fans. With them, I have to load that endorsement with a number of conditions. If you’re planning to play mainly in handheld mode and are even lightly sensitive to frame pacing or stuttering, you might want to hold off for a performance update. Those looking to play in docked mode will have a more tolerable time of it. Persona 3 Reload is an excellent RPG, but you might want to play it elsewhere if you have the option.

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.

As I’m a newcomer to the Simon the Sorcerer series, I can’t really speak to how authentic this prequel is. But a bit of research tells me this franchise has been through some tough times, so fans will hopefully have some forgiveness for a good-hearted effort even if it doesn’t quite hit the mark. As for myself, as someone who has enjoyed adventure games through the highs and lows, I had a solid time with Simon the Sorcerer Origins. Not every reference landed, but the game wasn’t so obsessed with them as to make me feel lost. The story was engaging and the puzzles were largely fair, and that’s a big part of what I like to see in games from this genre. Fans of Broken Sword or Monkey Island might want to give this a shot, even if they don’t know Simon from a hole in the wall.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma might not be the most polished game, with all of its systems not being fully cohesive, but it was the entry point to Rune Factory I’ve been looking for. The skill floor is pretty low, with simple combat mechanics and easy-to-manage farming. While it might not have the tightest design in a farming simulator or an ARPG, I think it presents a breezy and fun combination of both genres. I’d like to see another spin-off tackle this approach again, because I think there’s a lot of potential in the series going in this new direction. Hopefully, next time, though, the Nintendo Switch 2 version could get a bit more love.

Mulaka’s strength as a game comes from the painstaking effort that has been made to sufficiently portray the culture of the Tarahumara people, and, as such, there is much joy to be found in exploring the sun-baked region and learning from those that inhabit it.

I can’t understate how important it is that this game exists and the awareness that it will raise.

It may not be as daring as it needs to be in design, but Mercenaries Saga Chronicles will help to scratch that strategy itch until something else comes along.

Cronos: The New Dawn is, by default, the best Nintendo Switch 2-only horror game out there at the moment, and it’s further proof that Bloober Team are very good horror game makers. While it never fully feels unique, it’s a fun and captivating horror title that borrows from the very best in the genre and the perfect game to get you ready for Halloween season.

The genre may be getting a little crowded on Switch but Swim Out ranks higher than most.

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.

There’s little denying the quality of the four adventures found in Sonic Origins – arguably the best the hedgehog has ever seen in some cases – and there’s clearly a lot of effort that’s gone into this package, however, it’s also one peppered with weird omissions and a general lack of content that prevent it from reaching true excellence. It’s great there’s now another way to play these classics on modern consoles but as a Sonic fan myself I just wished for more and better in a collection celebrating the blue blur.

Where The Fall had suspense and relentless urgency, The Fall Part 2: Unbound has none. It still has a compelling story to tell, in choosing to delve into Arid’s internal conflict in being free from the rules and boundaries that once constrained her. But, it’s the flaws that have been carried over from the first chapter that detract from the experience, and prevent you from becoming more captivated by the game’s world.

Still, even though I arguably enjoyed my time with this version a little less, it’s still a great port of a great game that more people need to play. If you can play it in a slightly more stable format then I’d still recommend that, but if you can’t or fancy pretending to be an alien wherever you are, then this is a great way to play.

All things considered, though, this is a solid way to play a solid entry in the series. Capcom learned a lot from this game, with the experiments made iterated on in all the future entries. I can’t really stay mad at Resident Evil 7, and this was a fun revisit. This won’t be the best version of the game, but most newcomers will be able to play a version of the game with solid parity to the other console versions. A patch to clean up some lingering performance issues, fix up the HDR as best as possible, and improve gyro aiming would go a long way.

If you are predominantly a handheld gamer, this is one of, if not the best, football games you can play on the go in a very, very long time. It is a very good first attempt on Switch 2. Hopefully, when EA Sports FC 27 rolls around, they will have fixed the issues present here – the big one making the game run at 60 frames per second. If you have enjoyed any FIFA / EA Sports FC game in the last decade, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

Luigi’s Mansion has received a decent port to the Nintendo 3DS. Nothing more, nothing less. It isn’t the Nintendo Switch port that I’m sure most of us would have preferred, but that does not deter from the fact that this is still a very good game. It’s just a very good game with the same problems as the original, mainly being the length of the main story. If you missed it back when it was first released and enjoyed the sequel, then I urge you to try this. If you already took a trip to Luigi’s Mansion on the GameCube, then I don’t see any need to revisit it on the 3DS, as you could argue that the original remains the better version.

I’m pretty glad I waited for Dying Light: Platinum Edition to come to Nintendo Switch to play it. I’m sure this game is much better elsewhere, there’s no doubt this is the “weakest” version to play. But when the weakest version of a game is still this good? That’s impressive.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition isn’t just a handful of a title, it’s also a handful of an “upgrade”. With clear benefits in some aspects and obvious drawbacks in others, especially for handheld players, this version of the game makes for an awkward debut for the RPG franchise in native Switch 2 form. Playing on a TV, this is on the whole an improvement over the original Switch version running on Switch 2. The trade-offs aren’t big ones. It’s a shame this came at the cost of severely mucking up the textures in handheld mode, and I sincerely hope that Nintendo and Monolith don’t simply leave it in this form. This game deserves a better fate than that.

If you don’t happen to be a billy no mates, then Super Rocket Shootout is a buzz to play in small bursts. It’s the sort of game you will itch to stick on for 10 minutes when you have enough friends over to fill the slots. It may be light on single player content, but it’s a game that’s simple enough to get to grips with, fun enough to have a laugh with, and cheap enough to buy for these sort of occasions. Just remember to beat the Story Mode first. Overwise you will be very limited on your gameplay options.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption is a hellish ordeal that proves that patience is a virtue, as the game will test your persistence throughout this quest for atonement. Fans of Dark Souls or the structure of the early Mega Man titles will find a lot to enjoy with this Nintendo eShop release; however, the challenge may prove to be too much for those looking for a more casual affair.

Runner3 is overall an uneven experience. For every great feature or moment, there’s always something weighing it down not far off. Its soundtrack is fantastic but sadly the visuals disappoint. The game is tough but sometimes unfairly so. The worlds are overflowing with craziness but there are only three to explore in all. Runner3 is a fun sequel sure but it is one that’s annoyances stop it reaching the dizzying heights of its predecessor.

This interactive build-and-play experience will astound in construction and entertain in letting you live out your dream as a giant robot. But, it needed more content to make sure that it isn’t long before the magic wanes and you move on to whatever comes next.

Bombslinger is a fun time whether playing alone or in a group but its tough and often frustrating difficulty can prove too punishing at times. While I welcome a challenge, levelling up your character and purchasing an assortment of upgrades only to have them stripped away upon death be it through mistake or controller accuracy just plain sucks. That being said, Bombslinger offers enough to make it a nice alternative to Super Bomberman R and its lower price point certainly doesn’t hurt either.

#Breakforcist Battle might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to block-breaking games but it still proves to be an entertaining time albeit a content-light one. Strengthened by a bright and quirky visual style and some neat multiplayer features, #Breakforcist Battle is a short but sweet enough experience that could have done with a few more options for the lone player.

Sonic Colours Ultimate might offer a few extra bells and whistles over the Wii original but with it a bunch of bugs and rough edges too. It’s a real shame, as SEGA had a chance to take what remains one of the hedgehog’s best 3D adventures to date and make it even better. In the end, what we wound up with is a messy update that gets the job done but that’s about it.

The Adventure Pals may not be the deepest or most challenging game in the platforming genre. Nonetheless, it still manages to stay fun thanks to its topsy-turvy plot, accessibility and the neat ideas that are sewn into the charm of its art style. The familiar layout of the stages can become repetitive the more you play, yet work great when accompanied with the little person who runs riot around the household. If kids aren’t your bag but you still want something that doesn’t test your gaming skills to the limit, then The Adventure Pals could very well be the reclined platformer you have been looking for.

On the whole, I really did enjoy my time with AngerForce: Reloaded and I feel that it’s a great entry point for those who have a curiosity in the genre. Whipping out a stronger set of skills gained from the last run in the campaign provides a satisfying sense of power, making you feel forever outnumbered but never outgunned.

The long and short of it is that if you’re a fan of Nickelodeon and Smash, this is absolutely worth it, but it might take some time to flesh out the sturdy fighting skeleton with some Mr Meaty.

It may never reach the highs of a Mirror’s Edge or even a Jet Set Radio game, but Hover offers an entertaining parkour-skating racer to Nintendo Switch owners. The menu system needs to be fixed, the camera isn’t perfect, and the frame-rate can be a bit rough at times, but there is still fun to be had with Hover.

If you enjoy a slower game with a brilliant and touching story or stories in which, to get the most out of it, you have to give it your full attention, then The Lion’s Song may very well be a game that you will love and think about for months to come. The unique art style and its attention to the smaller details only add to the intrigue. It has its problems, sure, and they do start to become a bigger issue as you progress further, but none will make you want to put the game down, as, by that point, it will already have its hooks into you.

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.

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.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits delivers an interesting blend of fast-paced combat, gorgeous visuals, and light puzzle-solving. It is just a shame that I can’t recommend the Nintendo Switch 2 port without the caveats about visual issues like ghosting, some noticeable visual cutbacks, and lack of a performance mode. I’ll definitely revisit it after some patches, but if nothing major changes, this is looking like a game I should revisit on another platform in the future for New Game Plus.

A solid title, with an exceptional co-op mode, lots of unlockables, and let's face it, a better ending than the actual trilogy it's based on.

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.

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.

I’m very glad Once Upon A Katamari exists, and while I have enjoyed playing it on basically every platform over the last week as a break from other games, I really wish a little more care had been put into the progression. It would also dramatically benefit from a Nintendo Switch 2 version because out of the three games in the series on Nintendo Switch, Once Upon A Katamari sees the most visual cutbacks compared to other platforms.

Despite its flaws, Sundered: Eldritch Edition contains enough magic to keep developer Thunder Lotus Games intact as an interesting and viable studio. There is a lot to be found here that would usually keep me enticed if it wasn’t following last year’s more entertaining alternatives. If you are beginning to get Metroidvania-numbness, then it may be best keeping this game on your to-do list. But don’t sit on it for too long, because there are plenty of moments here that are well worth experiencing.

While it never emotionally enticed me quite as much as games like Journey or Embers of Mirrim did, I still found Planet Alpha’s Pandora-inspired world a mesmerising and interesting place to explore.

I really wanted to like Collar X Malice Unlimited. In many ways, I actually really do. Ignoring the technical issues, it’s a very adorable follow-up to my favorite Otome game. It’s hard not to become enamored all over again with this setting and characters, and I really enjoy the small epilogue stories. The CGs in general are great, and if you’re a Collar X Malice fan this game is made just for you. But I can’t ignore the technical issues, and it negatively impacts the experience more than I’d like. I hope a patch comes out to fix this all up, preferably soon.

I still have endless amounts of fun playing matches online and my most wanted feature, being able to play online against friends, has been added. With that being said, there are still so many features that EA is holding back for some unknown reason and, until they are implemented, it still feels like a missed opportunity. There is no doubt it is better than last year’s FIFA, but it could have been so much more.

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles may not be the greatest game to bear the iconic license, but its uniquely chaotic arcade action deserved to make a comeback. There are better Star Wars games either already on Nintendo Switch or those we’re patiently hoping will receive similar remastered ports, but it’s hard to deny that there’s mindless fun to be found here that, despite its repetitive gameplay loop, proved a welcome distraction.

3 out of 10: Season One shows a lot of promise and heart through its humour and characters, even if its short length is disappointing and its gameplay feels a bit superfluous. I’ll certainly be checking out season two whenever that rolls around.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions creates a fun and unique twist on a well-grounded genre. While it can often suffer from an identity crisis on exactly what gameplay style it’s trying to achieve, there’s still a whole lot to love once the dust finally settles. Those who fancy some over-the-top otaku action with their half time oranges will revel in the combustion of far-fetched fantasy football. As for the soccer purist? You’re maybe best off just sticking with FIFA.

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.

Turok has aged quite a bit, which is natural. Therefore, it’s not going to be for everyone. A 22-year-old FPS never will, because it’s a genre that has moved on massively over time. However, for those that want a blast from the past, you will still love it just as much as you did back then. If you have never played Turok before and you want to experience a game that genuinely advanced the shooter genre when it first released, while you are obviously not going to feel the same love for it, you will still have tons of fun as it is still a very enjoyable shooter.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 3 – Broken Toys may stumble upon an all too familiar plotline, but the chemistry between the two most important roles helps to iron out the creases thanks to a believable and important companionship. My decisions standing in Clementine’s shoes conjures certain anticipation within me in how it may affect the final strokes of the series. Whether there will be alternative conclusions or a single ending set in stone is yet to be made clear. In any case, I am very much looking forward to witnessing and being a part of an actual finale to this The Walking Dead tale.

Nintendo Switch Sports goes to prove there’s still plenty of fun to be had in swinging and shaking away with imaginary sports equipment. With a more generous dose of sports, this could have been fantastic, but instead, Nintendo seems to have settled on pretty good. While some sports certainly score harder than others, the overall package nonetheless remains entertaining, easily accessible and surprisingly competitive online.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is an excellent puzzle game, packed with content and offering plenty of options whether playing alone or with friends. If you’ve never had a chance to try the original out, then this enhanced version is definitely the way to go. For returning players, however, it’s tough to recommend picking up the Nintendo Switch 2 title even with additional options. All in all, then, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is a great time, unfortunately marred by the lack of an upgrade option.

As an upgrade over the original, Overcooked! 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition gets the job done, but it feels like a missed opportunity given a better and more complete Overcooked! game exists in All You Can Eat. If you still regularly play Overcooked! 2, the upgrade is worth getting when discounted. It is also worth noting that the new Switch 2 Edition does not include any prior downloadable content, and you will have to buy all of that separately, making it an even worse deal compared to simply buying All You Can Eat.

Taken as a whole, Aragami: Shadow Edition does the sneak ‘n’ stab genre well enough to tickle the taste buds of its fans. Others not quite as invested will probably only get a moderate amount of enjoyment with little satisfaction in gameplay outside of some nice ideas and the relief of accomplishment. The price point, even with the 10 percent discount offered for early adopters, isn’t as attractive as it could be. This is, after all, evidently a low budget project and a three-year-old game at that.

On the whole, I found Toki to be much more playable and enjoyable than I had initially expected. The gorgeous new art direction and classic level design suits its resurgent makeover to stay fun even after nearly 30 years. However, pushing this remaster out the door with no original arcade addition as well as reflect on its steep price point does make a purchase harder to recommend. With that said, if Toki does find its way into a Nintendo eShop sale it’s definitely worth diving into. There’s a reason why it has a cult following and after playing through it twice it’s easy to see why.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a solid return for the assassin but one not without its problems. While the writing feels just as sharp as ever, unfortunately, its six-game premise doesn’t feel like it totally lives up to its potential. Still its great to see a new entry in the long-dormant series and hopefully this marks the beginning of a brand new chapter for Travis Touchdown and the league of assassins.

The addition of Co-op is a great idea – though I didn’t have as much time with the mode as I would have liked. Several characters can be unlocked and each brings something fresh to the game and once the story mode is finished there’s still so much to do. Bleed 2 is simple, unadulterated fun.

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.

Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package is well endowed with content and entertainment value; nonetheless, this release on Switch isn’t perfect. Inconsistent frame-rate, noticeable pop-in, and dated humor put a limit on the game’s appeal. If you have never played this ridiculous game, then you should give this Switch release a look despite its technical shortcomings.

God Eater 3 isn’t a substitute for the lack of Monster Hunter on the Nintendo Switch. It is its own thing and should be treated as such. God Eater 3 has an interesting world to explore and the post-apocalyptic setting suits the tone of the game well. The fast-paced and intense combat is fun but is best enjoyed in shorts bursts.

Most of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil’s problems simply lie with the passage of time. If you are willing to overlook some of those issues, such as the outdated visuals and level design, what you will find is a fun and thrilling trip down memory lane to one of the Nintendo 64’s best first-person shooters. The lack of multiplayer, while not essential, hurts the overall package.

If you’re after a true sequel to the original Super Meat Boy, then Super Meat Boy Forever will leave you disappointed. While it generally delivers a good and challenging time, the fact its an auto-runner and the procedurally generated nature of the levels hold it back from getting anywhere close to the excellence of the original.

It’s a one-time play, there are no unlocks to grab, no need to hunt down collectibles and the game is better for it. Things are kept simple, stylish and for a lot of the time, funny. It’s worth playing for the puzzles, it’s worth playing for the style and mostly, the animations.

Root Film is the kind of game you recommend to a friend who is wanting to get into visual novels. It was hard not to compare it to its peers, but I think some of that is a bit fair. It felt like an earnest attempt at a love letter to a subgenre of visual novels. The attempt was surely appreciated, and makes it impossible for me to dislike the game in its entirety. On its own, I feel the game is just short of greatness, but that in no way makes it bad or even mediocre. The presentation and characters carry the experience, and the game made me laugh out loud more times than I could count. I wish there could have been some more complexity in the game’s writing, but so often do visual novel writers fail when it comes to penning good dialogue for the characters. I’d be more than interested in checking out a third possible game in this series if we’re lucky enough to see one.

Smoke and Sacrifice is yet another worthy entry in the survival genre. While it isn’t the best one, it certainly has a lot going for it and is a still a cracking little title. It has an impressive overarching story which is rare in the genre. Finding new things to make and gathering items is incredibly fun and addictive. The combat system will be a little simple for some and it does have its share of problems, such as an overly finicky inventory menu. But if you are able to see past this you will find a title which has plenty to offer and plenty to enjoy.

The Scribblenauts Mega Pack is a great reminder of just how unique and ambitious the series once was. While Scribblenauts Unlimited is arguably the better overall game, the DC inspired version is interesting if not just to see Batman duke it out with a giant purple Tyrannosaurus rex. These games might be silly, sometimes clumsy and even a little too ambitious for their own good at times, but overall it’s hard to argue the fun to be had from a series that allows you to literally conjure up whatever pops up in your brain.

The Sonic the Hedgehog series has never been one too timid to try out something new and while those experiments have varied wildly in quality over the years between the excellence of Generations and Colours to the miserable Sonic ’06 and Boom, you can chalk Sonic Frontiers up in the former group. Rough around the edges and disappointing in more than one area but an exciting new direction for SEGA’s blue mascot nonetheless, one that Sonic Team would be smart to stick with and refine and explore further.

All in all, if you have played any of the other Football Manager Touch games on the Nintendo Switch, then you will have a good understanding of what you are getting here. This is a game for the Football Manager player with less time on their hands than they used to – consider it Football Manager Lite. It’s a decent upgrade from last year’s version, but nothing more. So, if you were hoping for more, then maybe next year’s version – which the developers are touting as a new era – might be worth holding out for.

I had my ups and downs with Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It is an amazing looking game with a brilliant soundtrack to back it up. It has an engaging and touching story and a cast of genuinely likeable and fun characters. The only real downside is the combat. While it is fun and new, to begin with, it slowly starts to lose its appeal the more battles you get into to, to the point where it ends up feeling more like a chore.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger and Boulder manages to combine conflicting genres with a truly weird and wonderful aesthetic style. Unfortunately, the Switch release stumbles in a few areas namely its visuals and the lack of local multiplayer. Still, if you’re looking for something truly left field then Rock of Ages 2: Bigger and Boulder is a funny and entertaining ride sure to raise a smile or two.

GRIP: Combat Racing is an entertaining racer for the Nintendo Switch. It isn’t the best racing title the system has to offer, but as a tribute and a throwback to arcade racers of the old days, it certainly succeeds in achieving its goal.

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.

Donkey Kong is a true landmark in video game history and to some, that reason alone may be enough to check out this arcade classic. Sure the game is starting to show its age but with competitive leaderboards and a number of options and versions to try out, this is easily the best way to experience Donkey Kong.