AVICII Invector: Encore Edition manages to balance its challenging rhythm gameplay and fantastic soundtrack with an air of respect and love for the artist that makes it easy to recommend. Even some small frame-rate issues and distracting visuals can’t get in the way of this one.

Experienced gamers will blow through Alien Hominid rather quickly, but you'll be ready to jump right back to the beginning as soon as the credits finish rolling.

All in all, Capcom Fighting Collection is a very welcome addition to anyone who enjoys stockpiling retro classics for the Nintendo Switch. Many of the games on the list may not be the most famous entries when it comes to Capcom’s back catalogue, but that doesn’t mean that they are any less fun or important. The visuals, sound and gameplay mechanics across the board are still as beautiful and interestingly presented today as they ever were. Furthermore, Capcom Fighting Collection sets a firm reminder of classic Capcom’s creativity at its best.

All in all, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium is a fantastic fighting game that genuinely pushed the boundaries of the portable technical limitations of yesteryear. Sure, this pocket-sized, chibi fighter doesn’t hold a candle to the undoubtedly cherished and much missed Capcom vs. SNK 2. But, given what it is, there’s a gorgeous on-the-go throwdown to be had here between mates with all the charm and spirit of the two legendary companies that it represents.

Octahedron: Transfixed Edition is an eye-catching game whose platforming keeps things simple without sacrificing its challenge. It’s that kind of ‘one more try’ feeling, fast-paced action experience the Switch was born to do and despite some frustrations, I had a great, and rewarding, time building platforms and navigating Octahedron’s luminous playgrounds.

It’s impressive that even after five packs and twenty-five individual party experiences Jackbox Games are still able to deliver the good times. And to be honest, if they continue to keep up the quality I’m more than happy to keep playing for years to come.

Whilst it is not the perfect game, it is great to have Mortal Kombat back on Nintendo. Sure, the visuals are not up to par with other versions of the game, but we did not expect it to be. The always-online barrier of certain modes is what hurts the Switch version more than anything else, as you lose a lot when you are on the go. Strip away all of the extras though, if you are just here to fight, then this is the game for you. Mortal Kombat 11 is the best pure fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.

Where Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition had once offered a healthy dose of fan service, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity delivers meaningful storytelling and a worthy prequel expansion to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that is an absolute triumph which masterfully integrates its characters, world and gameplay systems.

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.

If there was one BIT.TRIP game I had to recommend to a general audience, it would be BIT.TRIP RUNNER. It’s definitely the hardest game of the series and doesn’t necessarily do too much that’s exciting, but it’s still great fun and serves as the best introduction to what the series is all about.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the kind of game I’ve been waiting to play for two decades. Jet Set Radio Future was a truly formative game for me, and I’ve been waiting for years to play something that truly gets what made it work. While I typically find an attachment to nostalgia to be damaging to any work of art, Team Reptile has not let it bog them down. This is one of the freshest games you’ll play all year, and with its quality of life improvements and new modern flair, I think it has surpassed the games it was inspired by.

The wait for Windjammers 2 has been long but the end result is one that proves the years of patience have been well worth it. With slick and stylish visuals, a head-thrashing soundtrack and edge of your seat moment-to-moment action, Windjammers 2 takes the original Neo Geo hit and brings it up to date in a loud and memorable fashion. As far as arcade experiences go, Windjammers 2 ranks among the most attention-grabbing, competitive and outright fun kicking 2022 off in high gear.

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.

Golf Peaks is a stylish and satisfying puzzler that takes the sport of golf and gives it an interesting twist helping it stand out in an already crowded genre. Sure it’s a little on the short side but it also means Golf Peaks never outstays its welcome. A golfing experience that’s more birdie than double bogie.

The good news is that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’s strengths far outweigh its grumble-inducing weaknesses. The classic gameplay loop that remains at its core has received playful reinvention through the addition of Psychic powers, while combat encounters, whether against grunts or the game’s gargantuan bosses, show why the series’ gunplay remains best in class. The game’s climactic conclusion is worth the price of admission alone, and I won’t be the only one hoping that this could be the start of Samus Aran’s next trilogy of adventures. This was worth the wait, at least.

I think I just have unfortunately played too many other visual novels that tackle what this game set out to do that some of the reveals just didn’t work for me. Many of them do though, and it can be quite emotional and thrilling most of the time. It was nice to finally give Root Double the attention it deserved, even if it took me buying it on two other platforms first. If you enjoy science-themed mystery stories, you should definitely check out Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend Edition.

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.

Part Time UFO is a delightful little gem that boasts plenty of charm and is sure to keep you smiling throughout. While I often find the claw machines in arcades to be a frustrating time, Part Time UFO is anything but and a strong recommendation if you’re after something easy to jump into alone or with a co-op partner in tow.

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.

Shift Quantum makes clever use of its Shifting mechanic, truly testing your ability to analyse and break down each puzzle within its dark, dystopian world. Some may find the difficulty a little off-putting but for those hungry for the challenge, a one hundred-plus puzzle campaign and user-created content should more than satisfy those needs.

While Samurai Warriors 5 makes you put in the work, it’s been one of my favorite ways to kick back after a long day. Being able to turn your brain off and just get to battle while still having a grip on gameplay and narrative is something I treasure, although the game outpaced itself at times with its breadth. Musou games obviously aren’t for everyone – and I expect most players to probably find this too grindy – but for those who have been bogged down by the world’s gradual return to normalcy, Samurai Warriors 5 is a great game to get energized. Who needs caffeine when the drive to keep your combo going as long as possible is keeping you glued to your chair?

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.

Even after all these years, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is still an incredible game. The amount of content provided, and the freedom offered to the player remains unrivaled. The Switch has been graced with a lot of quality releases in 2019 and Capcom’s latest can join the ranks of the best of them. If you are looking to take an epic adventure on your Switch, then look no further than Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. It has legendary battles against mythical beasts, an amazing combat system, loads of content, and is available at a budget price.

One thing’s for sure, My Friend Pedro is another example of how Devolver Digital truly knows where to scout for talent. It’s a great companion piece to the other recent suicide missions of Katana ZERO and Ape Out, the three games almost playing out in similar fashion to Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy. The team at DeadToast Entertainment has certainly created something that wonderfully builds upon the dynamics of Gun-Fu culture. But, there’s a need for extra content to fill out what’s currently on offer, as My Friend Pedro could easily benefit from a much-needed encore with a bag full of boomsticks and a few more bullets to the head.

If you are new to the series, this is an amazing place to start. If you have played the others to death then there is still enough here to warrant you getting hooked all over again. It is utter madness from start to finish.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! is a dizzyingly weird but wonderful rhythm game that’s both easy to pick up but ever so tough to master. Those playing with the drum set will undoubtedly have the best time but even if you opt for its more traditional control scheme there’s still enough fun to be had making your way through the game’s unique song list or facing off against your friends in its party games.

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.

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.