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.

Armello has been created as a brutal and unforgiving game of chance, and, for those that want to plot and scheme to claim the throne, there’s nothing else quite like it on the Nintendo eShop. Underpinned with smart gameplay mechanics that will forever keep you on your toes, it lays an ample foundation for what I hope are many more games in its world to come.

No tricks, no cons, Card Shark is a real ace. A truly unique and satisfying concept, accompanied by a story that’s intriguing and witty all wrapped in a strikingly beautiful presentation results in one of the year’s best surprises and an experience not soon forgotten.

What it lacks in tracks, FAST Fusion more than makes up for in sheer blisteringly speedy fun. Stunning, smooth and dangerously addictive, between this, Mario Kart World and Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been spoiled for racers.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a formidable concoction of beauty and psychological horror that’s often marred with a frequent claustrophobic sense of frustration. The rather cumbersome puzzle feature set in place would be something that I would usually consider as a weak link within a cast iron chain. Yet, to the developer’s credit, they have completely enforced exactly what they set out to do, sending my mind into a kaleidoscope of emotions that metaphorically ride across the five stages of grief.

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.

Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar will push you to your absolute limits with its cruel difficulty and chaotic action but it’s a game that rewards just as much as it can punish. If you’re a fan of arcade shooters then it goes without saying this is an essential purchase but even newcomers after a challenge should definitely check it out. Another hit for SEGA AGES.

Take a moment to step back and appreciate Battle Chasers: Nightwar as a whole, and, looking beyond the game’s clear inspirations, it strikes out with enough of its own identity to deliver a stirring and memorable adventure. There’s still some room for improvement, especially in the unavoidable grind as you reach your quest’s later stages, but it is a promising start for Airship Syndicate that has made me excited to see what comes next.

It is easily one of the best platformers on GBA.

Like any compilation, SEGA Mega Drive Classics consists of games ranging in quality from classic to just plain terrible and everything in between. That being said the good definitely outweighs the bad here and while it’s a shame this bundle is missing some key Mega Drive releases there’s still plenty of fun to be had experimenting with its fifty plus catalogue.

If you’re new to all of this, you’ll probably want to start your journey with the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. It’s not that you can’t jump in with Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, but the included games aren’t quite up to the highs of their predecessors. Star Force adheres too closely to Battle Network for its own good, and where it does make changes they are generally for the worse. With all that said, it’s hard to fault Capcom’s work here on dressing these games in their Sunday best and getting them back out there.

It’s been great fun revisiting these two GameCube classics, both holding up remarkably well and each a must for those that perhaps entered the series through its third entry. While the updates are minimal, that doesn’t diminish what are essentially two of Nintendo’s finest efforts on the purple box and a perfect appetiser before Pikmin 4 rolls around.

I really liked how Valfaris has turned out. Its old school roots of arcade run-and-gun feel nurtured and cared for in a way that freshens the genre up with some great ideas, a balanced difficulty curve, wonderful level design, tight controls and a wide variety of enemies to plow through. It never tries to be anything more than it needs to be, including the time it takes to beat it. It’s the developer’s second chance at a first impression that deserves to make as much noise as the pluck shredding the strings of the electric guitar that used to compose the game’s soundtrack. With a promised Full Metal Mode in the works to ramp up the challenge, I can really see myself venturing back into the intergalactic undergrowth of the dangerous planet known as Valfaris.

Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut is ridiculous fun, but more so if you’re a fan of the old school horror films it imitates. Nothing here is taken seriously, except for the puzzles themselves which are often fiendishly difficult, but always fair. As a package, it manages to evoke an odd nostalgia on top of genuine laughs, a wealth of unlockables and head-scratching puzzles. There’s a killer soundtrack to boot, which fits nicely into the background of each movie, punctuated by outlandish cartoon sound effects. This is bite-size puzzle gaming at its finest.

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.

If you’re like me and cherish the bygone times of risking that last coin to gain distance, or adore the memories of pummelling thugs with an explosion of 2D sprites complete with ’90s coin-op sound, then you really can’t go wrong with The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors. It’s a prime example of what Capcom should have done with Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers and should be referenced by anyone else trying to resurrect their own past passion project. Even the small touch of adding multiplayer to the game for the first time expands the fun factor and attention to detail that the SNES version probably wasn’t technically capable of. It’s good to see the Taito logo back on gaming systems. It’s even better to see a rehash of a remake done right.

Among Us is a brilliant multiplayer experience and one that’s sorely needed given the current climate. While I wouldn’t recommend playing this against randoms online, if you can gather nine friends and set up a voice chat, then you’re guaranteed one of the best gaming experiences of 2020.

All Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition had to do to keep me happy was bring back a title I’d been unable to play for nearly six years. Quite obviously it does that, but I’m shocked at just how great the game still remains, and how much of it is a true love letter to Scott Pilgrim and gaming itself. It’s not the longest or easiest experience, but it’s one that I would urge any gamer to give a go thanks to its satisfying gameplay and fantastic presentation. Don’t let it slip between your fingers this time.

Replace its lead rabbit with an ape in a red tie and you might even say that Kaze and the Wild Masks is Donkey Kong Country 4 in disguise. But, at the end of the day, its lack of originality doesn’t hurt just how much fun it’s been making my way through this eight or so hour adventure. The Donkey Kong Country trilogy was fun for a reason and Kaze and the Wild Masks serves as an excellent reminder of why that was.

This port to Nintendo Switch 2 is impressive, but it would be wonderful if Capcom could address the performance issues. The village is a crucial hub for your adventures, so I wish it could run at a consistent frame rate. The game is just a bit too ambitious for the Switch 2, but remarkably, it doesn’t sacrifice resolution as much as I expected. This gives me hope for Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2, and if that can manage to be a good version of the game, I hope Capcom can continue porting the rest of the series to the system. I hope a performance optimization patch smooths out the dips, or Capcom offers dedicated performance and quality modes.

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.

If you missed out on Kirby’s Epic Yarn the first time around then the 3DS version is a great way to experience it even if its two-player option is sadly absent. While the newly added features fail to add an awful lot to the overall experience, the core gameplay and striking visual style still shine. Undoubtedly one of the most joyful and wonderfully charming games Nintendo has produced and worth digging out your old 3DS for.

It may have taken its time coming to Nintendo’s consoles, but The Disney Afternoon Collection is in fine form here. The original assortment of games was already good enough, and adding Goof Troop and Bonkers gives you even more things to play. Goof Troop, in particular, is a wonderful game that I think slipped under the radar back in the day, so if you haven’t tried it out before, I encourage you to do so here. Whether you have nostalgia for these toons or not, the games stand the test of time admirably, and so does this collection.

Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe is packed with heartwarming charm, but it lacks HAL Laboratory’s playful invention that was to come later on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch. There’s still more than enough fun to be found here, especially when playing with family and friends, but even with the new additions there isn’t as much that excites compared to the pink puffball’s more recent adventures. Kirby Planet Robobot next, please.

Little Nightmares: Complete Edition is the type of game that will train you to live in the shadows, only for it to drag you out into the blinding spotlight. Its clever mix of visual storytelling and careful interaction makes it one of the most atmospheric titles that you can find on the Nintendo Switch.

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.

Not only have they created a Yoshi game that convincingly pulls the series out from under the ever-widening shadow of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, but they have also managed to prop it securely on its own aspirational eye-candy pedestal as a result. This Nintendo Switch exclusive is a stunning visual brainstorm of imagination, color, and creativity. With so much to see and do long after the credits roll, you’d be hard pressed to find anything quite as ingeniously charming or damn right adorable.

If you are looking to battle it out in a puzzle fighter on the Nintendo Switch, then you really can’t go wrong with Crystal Crysis. It may not have the top tier gaming icons that some of the bigger crossovers contain, but the fact that it doesn’t plays nicely as part of its charm thanks to the wonderful obscurity to it all. It’s a solid puzzle game and one that can last for a long time given the circle of friends and competition that Switch owners may have. And, just as you would expect, crashing crystals on the go with a split Joy-Con at the ready is always the best way to throw down.