It isn’t without its missteps, but, on the whole, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope can be seen as a triumph of galactic proportions. Bolder and more daring in its vision for the unexpected collision of its Heroes compared with the original game, it is in the exploration of its planets and the cosmic-powered combat system that underpin what amounts to an exceptional experience. It may perhaps be lacking the heart of its predecessor, but it certainly isn’t short on heroics.

The Picross S games aren’t exactly known for reinventing the wheel but Picross S8 is arguably the most straightforward entry so far. Having the option to play with a team of four is certainly an interesting addition but, other than that, you’re looking at yet another safe but reliably fun episode of Picross.

I adore both of these games, and if you have the stomach for their contents I think they could be as formative to you as they were for me. They’re thought-provoking and beautiful games that spoke to me in a time when I needed them. But the issues introduced with these official Nintendo Switch releases make it hard to give them a glowing recommendation as they are now. Some of these problems, like Chaos;Head not having speaker tags, aren’t really something that could be fixed. I get it, but there are strange oversights I think could be addressed in a patch. Will they be? I’m not entirely sure. What I do know is that these games are great at their core, and deserve better.

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.

Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a decent little platformer albeit a rather straightforward one. Its combination of old-school Pac-Man grid-based gameplay and linear but varied worlds are entertaining enough to get you through its 10 or so hour adventure, but the rather plain level design and occasionally clunky movement also reveal a game limited by its original PlayStation roots.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS games. They probably lean too much on the safe side, not achieving an awful lot to improve on the originals other than a few quality-of-life improvements. The improved Underground sections are a welcome addition, but the missing features from Pokémon Platinum are a big let-down. All in all, though, the Sinnoh region offers just as brilliant of an adventure as it was 15 years ago and the formula that worked back then (and then some) is still as addictive to this day. If you are a fan of classic Pokémon titles, this is a no-brainer.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS games. They probably lean too much on the safe side, not achieving an awful lot to improve on the originals other than a few quality-of-life improvements. The improved Underground sections are a welcome addition, but the missing features from Pokémon Platinum are a big let-down. All in all, though, the Sinnoh region offers just as brilliant of an adventure as it was 15 years ago and the formula that worked back then (and then some) is still as addictive to this day. If you are a fan of classic Pokémon titles, this is a no-brainer.

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.

The worst thing I can say about Blossom Tales 2: The Minotaur Prince, is that there are very few of the developer’s own ideas in the entire game. On the flip side of that, you could argue that because it is taking its inspiration from one of the greatest franchises of all time – and does a good job of replicating it – the quality of the game is very high. At no point during my entire playthrough, did I want to stop playing or feel like I wanted the game to end. The adventure was fun from beginning to end.

Funny, entertaining and charming, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a delightful little package. Could it do with some more content? Sure. Is it odd you can’t play four-player split-screen? Definitely. But like the many delicious-looking treats it features, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a short but ever so sweet time and something you’ll find yourself coming back to for one more bite.

As for Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, it is a serving that was well worth the long wait. For the price of a meal deal at a tacky fast-food restaurant, you are getting a gourmet dish that is unlikely to leave you feeling bloated.

I don’t think the Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a perfect collection, especially on Nintendo Switch, but it’s a solid version of two excellent games. If you get this on another platform, I’d probably recommend it without any hesitation for newcomers looking to experience Klonoa for the first time. Despite being announced during a Nintendo Direct, the Switch version of this is rather subpar. This is a solid remaster of two of the best classic platformers you can find on the market, that would, unfortunately, be best played elsewhere. At least it’s nice to see that Klonoa is back!

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.

What Monolith Soft has achieved with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 went far beyond my expectations. The developer’s masterful approach to character development and world-building results in an unforgettable adventure that is set in a world that is just as remarkable to explore. It is the emotional storytelling that makes it an unmissable journey that’s worth undertaking, elevating the experience to not only be considered as a Game of the Year contender but an all-time classic that will be remembered for decades to come.

Pac-Man Museum+ is certainly a welcome addition to join the robust army of retro collections now available for the Nintendo Switch. Not every game is necessarily a hit, but they are all still part of a legacy that was certainly vital in shaping the future of video games.

I’ll admit, this was an incredibly subversive game for its era, one that might not hit as well as it did for some compared to me. I’m able to appreciate it as both a game from the ’90s and just a game. But I’m sure a lot of creatives in Japan were inspired by this, and those inspirations had to have bled into their work. You will have likely seen parts of its unique twists on the genres it plays with elsewhere, but I found that to be an endearing trait. It feels fitting that a compilation of clear passion and inspiration has trickled down to other games. The impact of Live A Live has seemingly never gone away, and that’s beautiful.

There’s little denying the quality of the four adventures found in Sonic Origins – arguably the best the hedgehog has ever seen in some cases – and there’s clearly a lot of effort that’s gone into this package, however, it’s also one peppered with weird omissions and a general lack of content that prevent it from reaching true excellence. It’s great there’s now another way to play these classics on modern consoles but as a Sonic fan myself I just wished for more and better in a collection celebrating the blue blur.

There are those times you just know you’re onto something truly special, a game that when you aren’t playing, you’re thinking about playing. Wondering where your next session may lead or what the story might reveal. Neon White is one of said games, an experience that’s always exciting, often amusing and never a dull moment. Easily one of the best and most electrifying releases of 2022.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes brazenly leaps headlong into battle, delivering tactical brilliance and heroic thrills in equal measure. This is an exceptional standout among the many Warriors games on Nintendo Switch, and perhaps the best to grace the portable home console up until this point – laden with armies to slaughter, heartfelt storytelling and more than enough content to keep you occupied for months on end whether at home or on the move.

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.

Mario Strikers: Battle League Football plays a mean game of soccer, proving to be just as much fun, chaotic and satisfying as its predecessors. Unfortunately, what surrounds it is a package that feels light on content and options limiting it from reaching the dizzying heights of the series’ best. As a result, Mario’s latest sports outing is a solid goal rather than a full-blown hattrick.

No tricks, no cons, Card Shark is a real ace. A truly unique and satisfying concept, accompanied by a story that’s intriguing and witty all wrapped in a strikingly beautiful presentation results in one of the year’s best surprises and an experience not soon forgotten.

Mini Motorways is a fun and oddly relaxing traffic management sim that’s ideally suited for short play sessions. What it lacks in options and modes, it makes up for with a gameplay hook that’s surprisingly easy to pick up and offers plenty of room for strategic thinking. Who knew traffic could be so calming?

Nintendo Switch Sports goes to prove there’s still plenty of fun to be had in swinging and shaking away with imaginary sports equipment. With a more generous dose of sports, this could have been fantastic, but instead, Nintendo seems to have settled on pretty good. While some sports certainly score harder than others, the overall package nonetheless remains entertaining, easily accessible and surprisingly competitive online.

Currently a Nintendo Switch exclusive, The House of the Dead Remake does a decent job at staying faithful to its legacy to the best of its ability by keeping the spirit of its campy acting and fast-paced action. The controller handicap the team had to deal with is unfortunate, but also an expected one, given the circumstances. While it’s a game that will guarantee a split opinion amongst fans, based just on frame rate and soundtrack alone, I found enough entertainment here to keep me pretty satisfied and coming back for more.

The RTS battles aren’t perfectly stable, but the rebalancing is appreciated and they’re still more than good enough for how large in scale they can get. Maybe talking about good ports isn’t the most interesting, but the best part about them is that they can speak for themselves.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is fascinating. I love to play it, I love to study it, and I love to watch it. No fighting game has ever felt as good to play, in my opinion. I think the Switch port is the weakest version by default (I’ve only played this one and the PS4 release), but I’m still more than pleased with this version. The frame rate is perfect, the matches feel great to play, and the visuals are just as good as they’ve always been. I was expecting to stop playing this as soon as I had access to the other versions, but here I am… still labbing on Switch. If you have no other systems, and want to get into one of the strongest Persona spin-offs out there, check out Ultimax. I’m beyond excited to grab it on PC as well, to instantly boot it up when innocent trash-talking on Discord needs to be hashed out in the Arena.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land may be seen as an evolution rather than a revolution for the mightily-powered pink puffball, but the result is a stride in the right direction and what easily ranks as one of Kirby’s best adventures to date. The experience never failed to raise a smile and that it left me never wanting the adventure to end certainly can’t be a bad thing – especially with an appetite as endless as the game’s heroic pink star.