There is an incredible amount of replay value if you're willing to tackle the advanced difficulty or try a different class through the game. However, while alone, the game does lose a bit of its steam.

The game reminds me of "Wario Ware," except with longer mini-games and an arguably wackier presentation, which should make any gamer anticipate "Wario Ware Touched!" even more.

King Kong really gives you what it promises. Unfortunately, it doesn't give you much more. The game can be beat in about 10 hours, and there isn't much reason to play more after that.

Even though parts of it get tiresome, the incredible physics and free-roam system will keep you interested.

Unravel Two is a short but sweet little adventure that makes interesting use of its two yarn-crafted characters. While playing the game alone is still an enjoyable option, its focus on light puzzling is definitely more fun when tackled with another player. A visually impressive and charming treat.

My biggest takeaway from Super Robot Wars Y is that I’m desperate for more games in this series at this level of quality. If this is the new standard, then I’ll be showing up every time we get a new entry. My second biggest takeaway is that I’m thankful for all the new mech homework I have been given.

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.

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.

Adventure of Samsara is a slightly bitter cup of tea, but I think it’s one worth finishing. The Adventure elements are nearly pointless, the gameplay can be a bit plodding early on, and there are some bugs and stuttering issues present even after some updates. Yet there is something to this game, with its strong mood and satisfying exploration. I don’t think it’s going to change anyone’s mind if they’re sick of Metroidvania-style games, particularly in light of its slow start, but if you enjoy the genre, you should check this one out.

Creature in the Well is a strange invention but one that ends up being much more than just a curious mixup of genres. It’s a mysterious journey through a weirdly beautiful mechanical world, the pinball-esque hook constantly driving you forward as you explore deeper. It’s an enjoyable venture sprinkled with moments of frustration, confusion, and repetition but that doesn’t stop it being any less engaging and a true one of a kind experience for Switch.

Despite any gripes about the performance, I really think that this generation gets a lot of things right and I feel confident in future games if they continue in this direction. The battles are as good now as they were in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue all those years ago, and somehow capturing Pokémon has become even more addicting. The ability to tackle what you want to do first and in which order to do them is a great addition to the formula. Pokémon was always destined to become a fully open-world game at some point, and Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet demonstrate a very good effort to achieve just that.

Devolver Digital delivers once again with Hotline Miami Collection. Ferociously violent and superbly engaging, the original still holds up as one of the best indie titles out there and, despite its frustrations, Wrong Number proves a good time too. As far as surprise Nintendo eShop release, chalk this up as another winner.

Despite any gripes about the performance, I really think that this generation gets a lot of things right and I feel confident in future games if they continue in this direction. The battles are as good now as they were in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue all those years ago, and somehow capturing Pokémon has become even more addicting. The ability to tackle what you want to do first and in which order to do them is a great addition to the formula. Pokémon was always destined to become a fully open-world game at some point, and Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet demonstrate a very good effort to achieve just that.

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.

Nintendo games are at their best when they’re approachable and polished to a sheen, and Mario & Luigi Brothership is great at both of these. This is a sizeable RPG that contextualizes classic turn-based mechanics in a platformer framework. This isn’t anything new, but it shows that this current run of Mario RPG remakes wasn’t a fluke. The mechanics are strong, and even as someone who doesn’t usually like RPGs like this, I had a pretty great time. Brothership might be a bit on the longer side, but I think this is a fantastic game to give to a younger gamer looking to understand the appeal of the genre. There’s a ton of personality on display that I think will make people of any age smile, and the systems are flexible enough to keep most of your time enjoyable.

If you missed out on the duo of New Super Mario Bros. U or it’s Luigi-focused expansion then this Switch package is a great way to catch up on the plumbers’ 2D exploits. Much like the Switch versions of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker before it though, its lack of exciting fresh content is disappointing.

Despite faltering in its plot delivery and the absence of meaningful decision-making, Fire Emblem Engage once again allows Intelligent Systems to demonstrate its unparalleled strategic brilliance and unquestionable dominance in the genre. It isn’t a game that is lacking in heroic ambition, in many ways evolving its own formula triumphantly beyond what was achieved with Fire Emblem: Three Houses but otherwise disappointingly falling short in others.

When I was initially offered the chance to cover Shred! 2 I was highly skeptical, to say the least. The danger signs of shovelware rang alarm bells in perceiving this as yet another quick cash grab mobile port. Thankfully, I was wrong. Shred! 2 happens to be a cracking freestyler that’s ideal for both quick commutes and long journeys. If you are into your stunts, speed, and nose-bleed jumps, then it’s is worth every penny of your spare change.

Good Job! takes the pretty mundane day to day tasks of a business and turns them into chaotic and messy affairs that for the most part turn out both surprisingly entertaining and even laugh out loud funny. As far as shadow drops go after a Nintendo Direct (or in this case a Nintendo Direct Mini) Good Job! is not only one of the more surprising ideas but one of the better ones too.

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.

Small flaws like the lack of customisation and differing styles in enemies can be overlooked if you treat the game as it comes. Bad North is a game that manages to balance the fine line between puzzle game and simulation delivering a tactical roguelike which constantly feels refreshing.

As somebody who loves 2D Zelda, I am always searching to see what other games pop up of its type. Master Key wasn’t one that was initially on my radar. However, from the moment I picked it up, I instantly knew it was going to be one of the better ones. After rolling the credits, my initial impression turned out to be correct. With an unexpectedly dense map to explore, brilliant dungeons to conquer and secrets to be found, it scratches many itches. This is certainly not one to be slept on.

Semblance is a breath of fresh air to the platforming genre and one that is entirely welcome. Puzzle lovers will enjoy the idea of working around a problem, casual players can find enjoyment in every aspect and speedrunners are going to have a blast working out movement tech to beat the game swiftly. No matter what category you fit into, Semblance is a must own game on the Switch, for no other reason than it breaks the mould.

Hyper Sentinel is a smartly priced game for those that want to have a blast over the weekend to fork out for, and provides enough content and challenge to cater for both the casual and the insane gamer alike.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana is a title that takes a while to get going, maybe too long, which may be enough to put some people off early and the story is rather sub-par. Those that stick with it will see where the game truly shines. It features a seamless and easy to learn combat system that pretty much anybody can get a grasp of, and it also provides quite the backdrop for those wanting to wander off and explore. Sure, it has its problems, but it’s an experience that I won’t forget any time soon.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is like eating a veggie chip: while you love the concept of vegetables in chip form as a picky eater, as you proceed to enjoy it you begin to remember that the chips still contain them, and as a result you’re left with a weird aftertaste. By all means, Atelier Ryza 2 is superior to the first game in almost every sense of the term except story (and that’s being a bit generous), but I never got used to continuously feeling like I’m drifting off-course despite progressing. Regardless, Atelier Ryza 2 is an example of a sequel done right, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Gust goes with the series in the future.

Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition is an interesting release right now. With all its patches and updates later, Star Wars Outlaws itself is a much better game, but it still has some issues. If you haven’t played it before, Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is a great package. If you already own it elsewhere, cross progression makes this an easy double or triple dip with how well it works. I can definitely see myself dipping into it on and off over the coming months to not only check out the updates coming, but also explore the world with such a fantastic portable version.

Overland is a truly curious take on the post-apocalyptic genre, its turn-based gameplay turning an otherwise tired setting into something worth your time. You’ll feel vulnerable, desperate, and anxious on your hellish road trip and while that journey might outright frustrate you at times, it’s one you certainly won’t soon forget.