As its primary criticism, Guacamelee! 2 could very well be deemed as more of the same. In any case, the attention to incredible level design and gameplay value proves that DrinkBox Studios had plenty more tricks to show with the old tools in hand. As for first-timers, if you don’t mind being spoiled by the final goings-on of the first adventure, then this sequel is definitely approachable enough for you to dive straight into it blindly. Either way, both games are fantastic games in their own right, but Guacamelee! 2 stands prouder with its chest out as a worthy sequel that should not be overlooked by anyone with a Nintendo Switch.

Soaring among the stars in Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 delivers not one but two out-of-this-world adventures that are simply unmissable experiences, regardless of whether you choose to play on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch. Shooting through space like a comet after leaping into a Launch Star or overcoming the challenges that confront you to secure each Power Star never gets old, and I am envious that there are likely those who will be discovering every galaxy that awaits you for the very first time.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is just as magical as it ever was, and, in being remade, has lost none of the charm that made the original so special in the first place. Grezzo must take the credit for that, delivering an exceptional remake that’s both a perfect entry point for those new to the series and a worthwhile nostalgic trip for those that have set out on this adventure before.

Brimming with features and ease of use, Ultimate Card Games may not be groundbreaking in terms of content, but it is the best cards package ever put together in a video game and should be in any pocket fan’s GBA.

A very compelling and entertaining adventure. It has its flaws – some fetch quest-like moments and very short – but the good far outweighs the bad.

Retains so much of the original that anyone who loved the first one will still love this one, and anyone who hated the first one will likewise hate this one.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge successfully does exactly what it sets out to achieve. By bringing the joyful taste of a familiar flavour while bringing people together for some simple and stylish wack-a-ninja fun. With so many little nods and callbacks to the history of the franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a testament to the sheer amount of care and attention that’s resulted in a new arcade classic in the making. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection just around the corner, this is the missing volume of a fond series we all never knew we needed.

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.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat may not offer much in the way of fresh content, but its pairing of two of the best co-operative games on Nintendo Switch results in a bundle that’s a heck of a lot of fun and stuffed to point of explosion. As an entry point to the series Overcooked! All You Can Eat is a no brainer but fans who’ve followed the series since its beginnings may want to hold off.

After playing the first two OlliOlli games, I walked away feeling satisfied but not exactly clamouring for another one. OlliOlli World surprises me then, as not only was my time spent enjoyable but easily the most fun I’ve had with the series yet. The skating itself remains just as challenging and fun as ever while the injection of a story, characters and more only serve to enrich the experience and world of OlliOlli further. This is one skateboarding game you’ll definitely want to grab your board and start shredding for.

Grindstone is a fantastic puzzler that has well and truly gotten its hooks in me. What usually starts out as plans for a quick five-minute session soon unravels into hours. The wait from Apple Arcade to Nintendo Switch has been worth it, and Grindstone ends 2020 with a bang.

All in all, it is so good to have a Katamari game on Nintendo Switch. Katamari Damacy Reroll is a brilliant game and is one for anyone who wants something truly unique, the weird gameplay and wonderful sense of humour combine to make a game that will have you quizzically smiling throughout, then promptly jumping back in to see if you can beat your last scores. You’ll have a hard time stopping once you start rolling.

We’re seeing Gust push the Atelier series in some exciting new directions these days, and that makes Atelier Ryza feel like something of a final word on many of the original ideas that served as a foundation for so long. The Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is an excellent way to play these games, and I think the included games serve equally well as an entry point to Atelier or a full stand-alone saga. We’re certainly not starving for good RPGs even in these early Nintendo Switch 2 days, but if you’ve somehow not played these great games before, I strongly recommend the Atelier Ryza games.

Velocity 2X may be four-years-old at this point, but that doesn’t mean that the gameplay has passed its sell-by date.

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.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is basically the dream remaster I’ve always wanted for the game. I’m sad it couldn’t be the perfect version for everyone, but what is here makes it certainly the perfect version for me. Everything I cherish in my favorite strategy game is better than ever, and I’m so happy to see them do justice to it. What was truly so important for me, though, is for Ivalice Chronicles to be able to deliver this game’s thematically dense narrative for modern audiences. Tactics was always a raw reflection of our real world and politics, and I’m glad Ivalice Chronicle feels like it has met the moment. I’ve spent years feeling that I’ve been unable to properly convey why this game is so special to me. Even now, I’m left with the feeling that there’s just so much more to say to do the game justice. I can only hope that this problem will infect a whole new generation of people who fall in love with Ivalice Chronicles.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition has delivered the second chance that Monolith Soft’s epic sci-fi RPG deserved to find a wider audience. With its deeply emotional storytelling and world-building, I still see Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as the pinnacle of what the developer has long worked to achieve but this unforgettable space opera is close behind it thanks to its astounding technical execution and thrill-inducing battle systems.

I don’t think Bustafellows is perfect, but it nails most of what it aims for. The story is engaging, but the character drama and hilarious dialogue are what sell the experience. The production value makes it a visual treat, and it was so nice to play an Otome that never dropped my attention. Previously I’d considered Collar X Malice to be the best introductory Otome, but that’s now been dethroned. I still like that game, but this was such a wonderful experience. Apparently a “Second Season” is in the works that claims to be more than the traditional Otome fandisk. I honestly can’t wait, I hope for both a localization of that game after it comes out and more Otome games from PQube.

Like with all of the best gaming experiences, I ended my time with The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles feeling satisfied… yet painfully empty. Games this special don’t come out often. I was sad to see it eventually end, yet honored to be a part of the adventure.

The Messenger is a prime example on how to study the fundamental rules of a genre that has been replicated a million times before. To then follow these rules, bend them and eventually break them into something of its own calibre of quality is something quite special indeed.

If you can’t play it elsewhere, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut on Nintendo Switch is a great option, especially if it’s your first time playing. Returning Revacholians will find the long loading times to be an extra annoyance, but it’s not like we didn’t put up with worse when the PS5 version launched. There’s just nothing quite like Disco Elysium.



If you’re a fan of platformers, adventure games or Metroidvania style games, then this will be a great title for you. With a lengthy playtime, plenty of variety in its gameplay and has so much about it to enjoy, it is a title that does very little wrong and outdoes the game that it set out to emulate. It wasn’t on my radar in the build-up to release, but I love it now. It comes highly recommended.

Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 offers incredible value and delivers a great portable and online experience on the console, but it isn’t the best way to get the full experience thanks to some technical issues. The online and core gameplay hold up as they should, though, and that’s what matters the most in games like this. If you already own Street Fighter 6 on another platform and just want to practice on or play on the go, the Switch 2 version is an easy recommendation. Just don’t bother with buying this to play World Tour.

On the whole, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a stylish and fun 2D platformer that fits as well, if not better, than it does on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Some of the backtracking may be a bit tedious for some and the save system in particular is less than desirable. These are only small criticisms in the grand scheme of things though because Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse as a whole is an absolute joy to play.

It looks and sounds brilliant and plays just as well, constantly surprising you with new and creative ideas throughout its six-island quest.

All in all, Mario Kart World takes the long-running series into genuinely intriguing territory. Its open world is a joyous thing to explore and race through, while Knockout Tour is a thrilling new addition I can’t stop playing. A few bizarre choices hold the game back from being true racing perfection, but regardless, I couldn’t stop smiling every time I picked up the controller. Here’s hoping Nintendo continue to support the game because with a few tweaks and extras, this could very well shape up to become the best entry in the series.

PlatinumGames has delivered one of the greatest action games ever made. Bayonetta’s most spellbinding witching hour yet represents not only the series at its climactic best but an ever-heightened benchmark of what the developer has looked to achieve within the genre. This Game of the Year contender comes out with its stiletto-heel guns blazing for an unpredictable thrill-a-minute spectacle that I never wanted to end. There’s nothing else like it.

If you have not yet had the chance to dive into Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, then there’s probably no better way to do so than on the Nintendo Switch. The £11.99 price tag won’t break the bank for what is a worthy melee-oriented Metroidvania complete with plenty of references to some of Nintendo’s finest IP’s. If you do happen to make it to the final stage, just listen out for a certain jingle sewn into the music. It contains a cool underground 1:2 beat to it that can’t possibly be overheard.