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.

While the two Legacy Collections compliment each other like crackers and cheese, Mega Man Legacy Collection is easily the more streamlined. It feels like the more complete package due to all six games being originally released on the same console. It also contains that hook of nostalgia that’s far more familiar with the mass fanbase of the NES era. What was the biggest deal maker for me was easily the Turbo Mode, a feature heavily missed on other console versions.

Whether you’re playing with a friend or by yourself, I think this is Tarsier Studios’ best game so far. Putting a few small issues aside, I thoroughly enjoyed REANIMAL from beginning to end. I just wish the whole experience was longer, as I found myself wanting to spend more time exploring its grotesque world and discovering new secrets.

There’s still no other game that delivers as refreshing a multiplayer experience quite like Splatoon effortlessly achieves. It feels just as fresh now as it first did back on Wii U, and, while more of the same isn’t necessarily bad when the series’ remains consistently brilliant, new weapons, stages and Boss Salmonid can only freshen up and re-energise the game’s multiplayer modes so far. However, what’s here has been tinkered with and refined to near perfection. Inkling and Octoling stalwarts will approach this threequel with a renewed sense of purpose in wanting to prove that they’re the freshest squid on the block, but it will be the content roadmap that inevitably determines whether Splatsville’s worth sticking around in.

Having now spent a few dozen hours playing Capcom Fighting Collection 2 across Switch, PC, and Xbox, I can't wait to play more of Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Power Stone 2 online with friends post-launch. Some game collections are worth owning just from a historic and preservation perspective, but Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is absolutely worth grabbing just for great portable versions of a few of the games included. Even as a newcomer, this collection shows Capcom truly wanted to give these games the love they deserve, making them accessible on modern platforms.

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.

All up, Gradius Origins is another incredible collection from M2 and Konami. While it might not have every single game or version you might want, for what it does have it has just about everything. There are some extremely coveted scarcities, and even a few fun hidden goodies. At the core of it all is a series of games that shook its genre harder than just about any other, and by playing them, you’ll likely understand why. It’s a must-have for fans of shooters and gaming history alike.

This deserved to be a home run, and it’s just an okay way to play some great games. Your mileage will vary based on how much some of this mattered, but if you’re looking to play these in excellent quality I’ll point you in the direction of the PS4 or PC ports. If Nintendo Switch is your console of choice, and you’re desperate to see what you missed a decade ago, you might as well check out the Switch version. Vita copies go for ridiculous prices, and I know maybe two other people who aren’t me that still own that system. I love the Danganronpa games, despite their myriad of flaws and occasional problematic content. These games are important to me, and they were formative for the person I grew into and the content I’ve fallen in love with since. It does not need to continue, as much as it is very likely it might in the coming years now. If it does, I’ll give it an open-minded chance I guess. It just won’t be the same after such a gratifying and perfect conclusion for a series that managed to always ramp up the stakes.

Star-Crossed World should be seen as the icing on the cake to what is already among the heroic pink star’s greatest adventures to date. Its brevity once again left me wanting more, but the new content is meaningful and a worthwhile distraction even for those who have beaten the game before. For newcomers, this is an enviable opportunity to experience Forgotten Land’s kaleidoscopic greatness running at its triumphant best. I can’t wait to see what adventures HAL Laboratory take Kirby on next.

A revelatory experience, at long last presenting answers to the questions that many have had since Rook first rallied clansmen to his banner in Skogr. With multiple endings that your actions can steer your adventure towards, it delivers a thunderous conclusion to what, on the whole, has been a phenomenal trilogy. It remains a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch, and, now that all three games have hit the portable home console, there isn’t a better time to set out on your arduous journey.

With eight characters and eight stories to be told, your adventure across the wondrous world of Osterra is breathtaking.

Triangle Strategy is within reach of strategic perfection, even if some of the efforts that have been made to set it apart falter. Square Enix’s return to the tactical RPG genre may not be an outright triumph, but, despite the imbalance between narrative and action on the battlefield, there is much more to applaud here than there is to criticise.

In all fairness, the online mode is just a box to tick against something that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection doesn’t need. The real hook is that this particular series is something we don’t see packaged together very often – an omnibus of memories, specially tailored for fans and friends alike, who were once touched by the games and the franchise at its peak. I was lucky enough to be one of those kids, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is, without doubt, one of the most nostalgic compilations I have ever had the pleasure to experience.

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.

OlliOlli: Switch Stance fills the void left in the skateboarding genre rather nicely with its unique and rewarding trick system and snappy gameplay. The fact it’s a straightforward port with little in the way of extra content may disappoint returning players but for those craving something to fill that Tony Hawk-sized hole in their hearts this should do the job.

GRIS captures imagination, the beauty of movement and the lustre of a sumptuous piece of art, all the while letting the player interact with it, making us feel both insignificant and yet ever more important.

While it might not seem as amazing now as it did 8 years ago, Playdead’s iconic platformer is more than worth playing through once. If you haven’t yet had that chance – like I did – I don’t see any reason why your introduction to the game shouldn’t be on Nintendo Switch, too.

WayForward’s efforts should be commended though, and there’s much to celebrate here – not least the fact that Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp exists in the first place. I have really missed this series, and to see it back in such an emboldened way is heartening. It’s as addictive and tense an experience as it ever was, packed with punchy strategic brilliance and reimagined for a whole new generation to conquer. Now, I just hope that there’s enough interest out there that Nintendo considers greenlighting Advance Wars: Dual Strike and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin to receive the same treatment… but, let’s be grateful for what we do have for now.

Dark Souls Remastered has built a reputation for its sadistic design. This can certainly be the case for anyone that dares to dive headfirst into danger without a second thought. What I took from the experience was a simulated life lesson in paying attention and thinking for yourself to work out how to smartly move forward to achieve small ambitious goals. Sure, the difficulty curve can seem daunting, but there is an answer to everything as long as you’re willing to experiment. With all that said, there’s a reason why Dark Souls has become such a massive influence in the games industry.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 might be the least of the three Yakuza games now available on the Switch 2, but it still punches well for its weight class. If you’ve enjoyed any of the other action-focused Yakuza romps, you’ll want to saddle up for this one as well. Some slight performance issues hamper the experience a little, though not to the degree that it spoils the game. It’s a very capable port of the game, and the fact that it’s hitting the platform along with an excellent version of Yakuza Kiwami is just icing on the cake.

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.

Katana ZERO may only last for a fist full of hours, but those hours had me rip-roaring into a frenzied dance of crimson in a formidable underworld of conspiracy, confusion, and grime. The cool ways in how the game takes a simple combat system and varies up the formula is something you really would have to see for yourself. If you’re like me and were in awe at watching Colin Firth during that infamous church scene in Kingsman, or that incredible choreography of Oh Dae-Su’s hammer scene in Oldboy, then get ready to go excommunicado and be sure not to leave anyone left standing.

Killer Queen Black is an excellent multiplayer game that’s surprisingly enjoyable online but even better when played with friends. While I wish the local options extended to two full teams on a single system, its absence is only one disappointment in an otherwise fantastically fun game.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a solid evolution of the CRPG genre, and the Nintendo Switch is a wonderful way to experience this classic. For $15, it’s basically a steal. I’m hoping Aspyr gets a chance to revive its sequel next, because from what I’ve heard that seems to take more thematic risks. I’m also glad that this version is as good as it is, because it’s great for it to be preserved before the upcoming remake comes out.

I really enjoyed Buried Stars, but being overwhelmed by how in-depth and involved all of the mechanics were was a frequent occurrence. The presentation was easily my favorite aspect, but it thankfully didn’t do too much heavy lifting on the whole experience. I’ve never seen any other games from this developer before, but Buried Stars left a very good impression and I’m going to keep my eye out for their future releases. I hope they continue to push for worldwide releases for their games, and even with an imperfect localization, I think Buried Stars benefited from getting this kind of push. If you crave mystery visual novels, are okay overlooking the issues I mentioned, this game should be on your radar.

There is nothing truly new or boundary-pushing in the monstrous game package that is Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition yet the sheer amount of content and potential for replayability makes this a worthy buy whether you’re new to the series or long in the tooth with your Chinese army plowing. With a staggering price-for-content value proposition, near-flawless performance outside of co-op and some of the most entertaining hack-n-slash experiences on the market, you can’t go wrong with picking up Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition.

I enjoyed Ys X: Nordics, so it’s hard for me not to sing the praises of a further polished version of the game with more content. Ys X: Proud Nordics plays to its strengths, but I doubt it will address all of the weaknesses in a way that converts those who weren’t fond of it. I stand by the idea that Ys X was a fun experiment, and with Proud, they’ve refined it into a game that I think better fits as a successor to Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. I don’t find this to be fully transformative, and it doesn’t elevate the original game too far above what it already was. Having said that, it’s hard not to deny that this is the version of the game to get. If you’ve already played the original, it might be worth waiting for a sale unless you can’t wait. The moment-to-moment gameplay is better than ever, and the story is fun despite getting bogged down in exposition. But this isn’t a full-on remake or reimagining, and if you just played the base game, I think you’ll find it to be a modest upgrade.

Quite simply, if you like word games and you loved Balatro, then Beyond Words is pretty much a no-brainer since… well, it’s essentially Balatro Scrabble Edition. While it might lack the same momentum and flow as the 2024 hit and prove especially tough if you’re not too hot with word crafting (like this guy), it doesn’t detract from what is an addictive and enjoyable roguelike with a twist.