Cronos: The New Dawn is, by default, the best Nintendo Switch 2-only horror game out there at the moment, and it’s further proof that Bloober Team are very good horror game makers. While it never fully feels unique, it’s a fun and captivating horror title that borrows from the very best in the genre and the perfect game to get you ready for Halloween season.

LEGO Voyagers is not a particularly tough game, but much like the toys it is based on, difficulty isn’t the reason you enjoy what it has to offer. It’s the satisfaction of building something out of nothing, the sense of wonder and creativity, and simply sharing the experience with someone else.

While not everything comes over smoothly, I think this HD remaster makes some necessary changes to fit modern platforms. Adding extra gimmicks in the form of Joy-Con 2 minigames will maybe hamper this going to further platforms, but it is in spirit with the original duology’s love of gimmick features from the 3DS. I’m not fond of cutting all the added story scenes connecting Bravely Second, but this does a good job bringing back the original game in all its glory. I may not love this game, but I’ve grown to respect it a lot and think it was important in keeping the Job System alive in Square Enix RPGs. This is a solid remaster effort of an enjoyable game, despite some odd choices. The visual upgrades are tasteful, the audio has much less compression than it did on 3DS, and there’s dual audio now. I find more value out of Second for being far more experimental in comparison, but what is here is still unique for the niche these games exist in. There’s a lot here for Switch 2 fans looking for a long RPG from arguably a more experimental era of portable gaming.

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.

DK Island and Emerald Rush is probably not going to suit the tastes of every player. If you were hoping for more exploration or story, there’s very little of that here. I think that’s fine, since the core game already offers quite a lot in that regard. What this DLC does is repurpose those great gameplay mechanics towards a new end, giving those who enjoy trying to top their previous bests quite a lot to chew on. The statue collection throws another activity on the pile, and the promise of future events is intriguing. I don’t know if this is the expansion people might have necessarily wanted, but it’s one that Donkey Kong Bananza wears very well indeed.

Having never played any of the original Shinobi games, I didn’t really know what to expect going into Art of Vengeance. Was it a straightforward beat ‘em up? Or more of a Metroidvania? Well, turns out the answer is both, all wrapped in a stunning visual style – that does suffer slightly on the Switch version in particular – and if the quality on offer here is any indication, then I cannot wait to see what lies in store from the remaining four SEGA titles.

This is a pretty interesting Trails game that I think is really for a certain type of Daybreak fan. I had heard it was divisive, and I definitely get why. Its mistakes are disappointing, but I think overall the successes outweigh them. This is the kind of game I think I needed before moving into the conclusion games of the arc, cementing Calvard as one of the most fleshed out countries in such a massive series. This cast is lovely, and the ongoing mysteries left from this game have me excited to see how this ends up. I’d probably recommend checking this one out on any platform but the Nintendo Switch if you have the option, but I’m eager to see how Trails Beyond The Horizon will feel with a native Nintendo Switch 2 version.

With the understanding that there are going to be some sacrifices to get a game like EA Sports Madden NFL 26 going on the Switch 2 hardware, I think this is about as good as one could reasonably expect. The loss of cross-platform play is unfortunate but sensible, and the visual downgrade might be noticeable, but it’s certainly acceptable. Stepping back from that, this is an excellent game to be able to take on the go, and it carries itself well enough docked, too. American football fans, rejoice: Switch 2 is already eating better than its predecessor.

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.

If you are at all interested in the idea of a Bubsy the Bobcat collection, Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection won’t leave you hanging. It has all of the “classic” games in almost every variation that was ever made, the emulation is solid, and the extras are a fun romp. I don’t think these games are quite as bad as their reputation suggests, but they aren’t much better than that. Nevertheless, there is a unique feel to this series that, for better or worse, makes it stand out from the pack. Ultimately, this is a well-executed collection of some highly dubious yet oddly fascinating titles. A snapshot of an era, no matter how much we might want to forget it. Perhaps that makes it worth its weight in hairballs.

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.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is a light-hearted and content-rich package that’s a great way to unwind with on your own or have a good laugh with friends. While the unlock process can feel like a bit of a slog at times, the golfing itself is strong enough to keep you coming back for one more round.

The Stone of Madness is a decent game in a genre that is quite niche nowadays, make no mistake about that. However, if you’re a fan of top-down strategy-stealth games, want something new, and don’t mind a challenge, then you will find lots of enjoyment here. It’s not perfect, but despite its flaws, The Stone of Madness brings together enough new ideas and great aesthetics to help breathe some new life into a dying genre.

Missile Command Delta is a cool spin on an all-time classic, and its turn-based take on total annihilation is both fitting and enjoyable. It’s a game I would lightly recommend to puzzle fans and those who fondly remember Missile Command, but perhaps not on the Nintendo Switch. The technical issues are rather severe when they occur, to the point that it might make some players nauseous. It would be nice to see this get a patch to improve performance, particularly on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a worthy sequel to the original game, but might not be the massive improvement some might have hoped. Despite the parts that didn’t feel fully realized, I definitely felt more invested in this than I did with the original Daemon X Machina. I’m glad the developer tried to mix things up from just making another Armored Core-inspired game, and I think the genre shift works more than it doesn’t, but not everything perfectly clicked together. The core gameplay might not be the most deep, but the customization has a real pull to it that carries a lot of the experience, even with an average open-world and an underwhelming story. It’s just hard to deny the frequent technical issues I experienced with the Nintendo Switch 2 version, so I hope these get sorted at some point in the future. In the meantime, it might be worth playing it on another platform.

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.

Is This Seat Taken? is a brilliant logic puzzler with a playful yet elegant aesthetic, incredible audio design, and I wish I could just play a new daily puzzle in it until the end of the year. A few interface quirks hold it back, but Is This Seat Taken? is an easy recommendation on Switch, iOS, or Steam Deck.

Heretic + Hexen is a bit harder to recommend compared to DOOM + DOOM II given the source material quality, but Nightdive Studios has done a superb job bringing both games back for modern platforms with a plethora of quality of life and visual enhancements that can all be toggled off as well for the original experience. While the Switch version is a bit lacking thanks to limited mod support, it plays fantastically on both Switch and Switch 2 with gyro controls. If you enjoyed Nightdive’s DOOM and Quake releases, Heretic + Hexen is an essential even if you never played them before. I know Heretic isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but it feels like a dream (and nightmare) to have this game from my childhood return in such an amazing way.

Taken as its own thing, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is an amazingly fun game that I’d recommend even to people who have no particular interest in skateboarding. Those seeking the nostalgia trip are going to have to deal with a wildly different take on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 and a mostly-new soundtrack, but these titles still play just as well as they always did. The fresh coat of paint is all the excuse needed to dive back in and remember what made this series one of the biggest of its era. The Nintendo Switch 2 version doesn’t have to make nearly as many compromises on the technical side as the original Switch had to with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. Time has been kind, and so has this port.

Time Flies is yet another home run from Panic’s publishing. Playables has released one of my favorite indie games of the year here. When I recently reviewed Dear Me, I was…, I mentioned how every game doesn’t have to be for everyone. Time Flies is another release I know won’t be for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Go forth. Fly, die, fly again, die again, and think about how everyone’s time on this planet is limited with so many things to do.

Dear Me, I was… is quite an emotional experience, and I absolutely adored it from start to finish. A few control issues hold it back when playing docked, but I give it my highest possible recommendation if you enjoy moving narratives and want something short to experience on Nintendo Switch 2. My only real annoyance right now is that I can’t buy an artbook or listen to the Dear Me, I was… soundtrack outside the game.

Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is a huge package, whatever way you look at it. For newcomers looking for a great party game to accompany Mario Kart World, look no further. For owners of the base game, the new content is enjoyable enough to justify the added cost (especially if you have kids). One of the best Mario Party games just got better.

If you already played WWE 2K25, there isn’t much here to warrant a double dip, but if you want a great handheld experience, WWE 2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2 delivers the complete experience with no mode cut and solid performance. I just hope we see next year’s entry include cross-platform online and custom creations. WWE 2K25 is a bright start for sports games on Nintendo Switch 2, and it has me excited to play NBA 2K26 in the coming months.

Since Wild Hearts S has a demo, I recommend downloading it not only to see if you’re ok with the performance, but also because save data carries over. There is no downside to playing it. If you finished that and are wondering how the full game is, I still think Wild Hearts itself is excellent. Wild Hearts S brings all of what I loved from the original together in a lower-priced package for a new platform with improved online play, but it is held back by performance and visual issues that bothered me more when playing in handheld mode. I just wish it had an optional frame rate cap for a more consistent experience for those who want that. Hopefully, it gets some post-launch optimization updates, and that this isn’t the last we see of the IP.

Shadow Labyrinth itself is a few updates away from being amazing. I already love the core of what is available right now, but it has a few too many annoyances holding it back. Shadow Labyrinth Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a great handheld experience, but the docked performance issues are disappointing right now. Hopefully, we do see the game itself see some balance adjustments while this version of the game gets some optimization for 4K play when docked.

Deltarune won me over because it’s complex and heart-wrenchingly earnest. This earnestness is what keeps people coming back for more. The art, music, and gameplay simply serve this earnest passion for video games. This game burns bright because of that passion, and it’s something you need to see to believe.

Donkey Kong Bananza is nothing short of a love letter to the big ape’s past, a regrounding of his present and the start of a wondrous new chapter for the hijinks that await in his future. It’s a celebration that the gaming icon has long deserved, and a game that has delivered memories that I will cherish for decades to come. In an experience that kept upping the ante right until the very end, it was hard not to smile from start to finish with childlike wonder at the spectacle that Nintendo has achieved. The bar has once again been raised.

Having now spent the better part of the last week playing Patapon 1+2 Replay across multiple devices and the original PSP version on PS Vita, I’ve grown to appreciate the series more. Patapon 1+2 Replay isn’t perfect. It could use a better input timing calibration option for those who play docked, and some of the UI elements are a bit blurry on Nintendo Switch. However, this is one of the easiest recommendations for anyone who likes unique rhythm games. I recommend sticking to handheld mode for the best possible experience on Switch, though.