Art Style: PiCTOBiTS finds a way to stand on its own, while paying homage to Nintendo’s past.

Sonic games have always been known for their speed, but in Sonic Advance 2, it's been exaggerated almost to a fault.

If you've ever loved a platforming game, you owe it to yourself to play Rayman 3, simple as that. This one's certain to go down as one of the biggest classics to ever hit the system.

Offers some excellent gameplay and a fun multiplayer racing experience.

For all the time that has passed, Limbo remains a benchmark of the genre that few other games have come within sniffing distance of. It’s nearly unparalleled in terms of presentation and design, and this latest port to Switch has maintained everything about the game that makes it special. While some might lament the lack of any additional content, I wholeheartedly beg to differ. Limbo is a game that doesn’t need a single bit added, removed, or rearranged. It’s a classic in every sense and deserves to be played by as many people as possible.

This is the best possible tool for luring non-gamers into the fold, and they will likely not mind the shortcomings for joy of their newness to videogames.

If you can get past the first five hours of mindless fun, Dragon Sword is an unparalleled experience on DS.

A game well worth the price tag. For $29.99, this is a bargain in an age where the average Wii game is about $49.99. I'd recommend you all to pick it up, especially if you love rhythm games or at least enjoy the strange and surreal. Just be careful not to chuck your Wii remote at the screen if you end up sucking at it.

Contra 4 will deliver everything veterans of the series could ever want, from the classic spread gun to music that brings orgasmic delight to the ears.

While the different batting camera angles are missing, ASB 2003 is outstanding.

While Kiwami 2 has its faults, it’s still a fun action-RPG with all of the wonderful weirdness of the Yakuza series, all of the entertaining substories and bizarre NPCs, and the engaging main story that never lacks twists and turns. Graphically, the game looks great and played just as smoothly, so from a technical standpoint I had no issues. But while I said in my Yakuza 0 review that I’d recommend playing the games in chronological order, it’s worth noting that having a game of the caliber of Yakuza 0 as a series’ first story can result in this sort of drawback. Regardless, play it for more Yakuza while you’re waiting for the launch of Kiwami 3 next year.

Despite there being room for improvement graphically and in some gameplay elements like the Pokédex entries, gameplay is really solid overall. But it wouldn’t be worth playing if the story was a bore, and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the themes.

Bully: Scholarship Edition is the best sandbox title available on Wii.

This is the best possible tool for luring non-gamers into the fold, and they will likely not mind the shortcomings for joy of their newness to videogames.

Yes, the focus on fast-paced action on a large scale remains unchanged, but actually thinking ahead feels more important now than ever before in the franchise. Ultimately, this means that Dynasty Warriors has evolved beyond being just an interesting niche title and into an outright good action game with fun mechanics and a massive amount of content. So, if your interest has been piqued by Hyrule Warriors or Fire Emblem Warriors, this is easily the best time to jump into the other side of the crossover equation.

The graphics are lush and engrossing, and the music tethers everything together wonderfully.

Minor graphical flaws remain, the controls still sit below the standard set by EA’s shooter, and, feature-wise, Wii owners are left with the short end of the stick. Even with these setbacks, this is still the best first-person shooter on Wii.

By the time I finished The Last Campfire, the sun was already popping up and I felt a strong sense of melancholy. I don’t often get moved by a video game from an emotional standpoint, but this was definitely one of those times. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking journey that the industry needs more of.

With great music and great gameplay, Curtain Call is a triumphant celebration of Final Fantasy. For series enthusiasts, the game is a brilliant tour through all the great Final Fantasy titles that have been released over the years.

Its blissful platforming is the stuff that inspires people to play video games and make even better ones. I loved every minute I spent getting the Kongs back home, and truly wish that Retro rounds off a trilogy with one last DKC game.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It may not be as in-depth and dramatic as EA Games' Freedom Fighters, but it still holds up nicely in the entertainment department.

Although it doesn't break any new grounds in originality (like Mario 64), Mario Kart 64 is a great addition to the N64 line-up. The solid graphics, good sound, and addictive gameplay--coupled with features like being able to race yourself (from a former race) in a special ghost mode--make you want to play it forever.

As has become tradition on Nintendo consoles, Yoku’s is an indie title that stands on level footing with some premium offerings in the eShop. Don’t let this one roll past you as you scroll through the different games on offer for Switch, as it’s a genuine delight.

While the deep gameplay and long-paced play sessions (thankfully endowed with a quick-save feature) can be engrossing and rewarding for experienced players, strategy novices will be left in the dust fairly quickly; so, like the first game, this title is probably best for mecha and turn-based tactics fans.

It's insane to think that NST made this incredibly fast gaming engine from scratch. However, much like the sexual performance of most North American males, this game is fast and exciting but it just doesn't last. I'm sorry Nintendo but three variations and three mirrored tracks doesn't constitute nine tracks in total.

Everything about LEGO Marvel Super Heroes feels like a labor of love from TT Games.

The game sheds the stereotypes surrounding mindless on-rails shooters, instead delivering a veritable interactive movie that packs more suspense, drama, and compelling characters in its five hours than other Wii games do in thirty.

On the controls front, however, Revelations is a much more pleasing sight, particularly without the newly released Circle Pad Pro peripheral.

It's hard to shake the feeling that this has all been done before -- and that the Gold/Silver/Crystal versions did it better.

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is a marvelous return to form, expertly adapting to the 3DS all of the strengths of the franchise– compelling characters, top-notch production values, and the all-important puzzle– into a cohesive game. We love the thrill of a good solution, and this latest entry to the series provides them in spades.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for the Wii U is an excellent introduction to the series, easing you into its systems and ensuring that you are well-equipped for the challenges to come.

One of the best WiiWare Wii games available. While frustrating at times, finally making your way through a difficult level feels very rewarding.

Ruiner has some flaws and isn’t perfect, but is still an incredibly fun and beautiful debut project from Reikon Games. Encouraged by the success of Ruiner, the studio is working on an FPS sci-fi game, but I do hope they’ll give us more from this series. There’s so much more to explore, so much more to Puppy and Her’s story, and a second game could easily build upon the very strong foundation of the first. Ruiner is a fantastic addition to your Switch library and definitely worth your time.

While it's essentially "Marble Madness" with better graphics and a few twists in the game design, it feels much more than that.

Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise takes all that was innovative, fun, and satisfying from the original Happy Home Designer, fixes what made the game complete, and expands on the original game altogether creating a DLC expansion that, despite a few set backs, is well worth it for any owner of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Fans who’d like to experience a traditional Etrian Odyssey game would be better served starting with Etrian Odyssey IV, as it offers the most compelling adventure of any main installment. However, if you’ve been put off by the series’ lack of narrative, the Story mode in Fafnir Knight does a nice job of pushing the adventure forward without diluting the experience.

Regardless of Disgaea DS’s unbridled insanity, Nippon Ichi deserves a lot of credit for squeezing such a sizeable game into such a small package.

With ease, Lunar Knights brings a whirlwind of different elements together in smooth, polished style.

Great graphics, great story, great sound, and great replay value (as it will take many tries to get every Elf, and many tries to get a perfect rank).

Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise packs everything from the console original into a DS game.

What All-Stars lacks in extras and celebratory content, it more than makes up for with a boatload of music to enjoy and three masterwork video games to play. It is not hyperbole to say that any Switch collection is incomplete with Super Mario 3D All-Stars in it.

The best retro throwbacks rise above their influences to become something endearing of their own accord. Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse does just that, with quality and production values that rival many AAA releases. The franchise clearly has a lot of heart, and the developers at WayForward have established a bright world filled with fun and interesting characters.

I love this game to death. Although flawed, it is still a lot of fun to play and gives you a good feel for the college game.

It's better than its predecessor, better than most licensed games, and perhaps better than the legendary X-Men arcade game.

I support the XG revolution. Come join at super-human speeds, inhumane weapons that go boom in the night, and the best locales this side of Jamaica and Mars put together. There's even a track that looks like Mars Attacks meets The Wizard of OZ...I'm not makin' that up either.

Terraria is at its best as a single-player experience, and in that regard the Switch version is a great port of that most important part. If you’ve never played the game before- or you have and you’d like it on your Nintendo console- this is definitely worth a look. Just keep in mind that, for now at least, it’s pricier here than you’ll find it on mobile or PC.

This isn't just the best DS game ever, this may be one of the best handheld games ever.

Fans of the original should definitely pick this up, and newcomers, if trying to choose, should definitely select Extreme 2 for all the extra polish.

Gunman Clive is kind of the ideal downloadable title. It offers a good challenge, visuals that you won't find in a retail package, and, most importantly, it's a lot of fun. While the short length is a bit of a turn-off, the diversity in the game's three playable characters should add some extra incentive to revisit the game.

There's just something about slashing through a room full of Orcs or lighting Nazgûl on fire.

An excruciating experience that will bear some of the most rewarding gameplay experiences ever crafted... Quest has once again pulled off another masterpiece in the flawless Ogre Battle Saga.

Sonic Rush may be the best side-scroller on the DS so far. The level design is inspired, and the rush of speed, to use an appropriate word, that should be inherent in Sonic games is not only present, but may be at its most intense yet.

There are many drawbacks to NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, and they make this a tough game to recommend, especially with a 1000 Wii Point asking price. But players looking for a slow-paced platformer full of puzzles will definitely enjoy the experience.

The game is good but not great, and is one that you should probably rent. It takes around 20 hours to complete (or less).

SteamWorld Dig sets out to be a safe but amazingly polished gem, and SteamWorld Dig is exactly that, no more, no less.

Mario Kart Wii has many faults. But when it’s good, it’s very, very good, and as long as you have Wi-Fi, it will keep you occupied for many months to come.

Who knew orbiting planets could be so fun? Or difficult for that matter? Art Style: ORBIENT successfully finds the balance of being accessible initially, yet more challenging as you drift further into space.

The improvements are welcome, however, as the 5 vs. 5 mode is great for playing with friends locally, and the online interface is another step in the right direction for Wii.

This game is about two steps away from being called "Bam Margera Pro Skater," seeing as he is the main pro skater you see in the game.

This Switch version of Freedom Planet doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from what came before on Wii U, but then, it doesn’t have to. Many players didn’t get the chance to try this game out the first time around, so I encourage them now to give Freedom Planet a look. It’s a heartfelt love letter to the platformers of old, marrying some of the best bits of Sonic with so many other notable series. Freedom Planet is full of retro charm but isn’t held back by it, instead pushing forward with new ideas to stand on its own two legs. The eShop is full of winning software, but don’t let this one slip by under your nose!

The actual gameplay is rewarding and only introduces the slightest of stumbles that are negligible compared to the agency and interactivity afforded by being a video game. In terms of gameplay, there are certainly titles that offer greater variety and complexity, but the beautiful visuals, fantastic soundtrack, compelling story and likable characters easily elevate Forgotton Anne to the level of being a truly excellent game.

I could go on and on with praises for Outer Wilds. The atmosphere, the sound design, the score, the overwhelmingly amazing attention to detail, clever puzzle design, the story. It is magical. Outer Wilds is a must on Switch.

It’s highly unlikely that Victor Vran will be remembered as a groundbreaking title a few years down the road, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a really solid game here and now. The core gameplay is built on the solid foundation of its genre’s forefathers while adding some of its own ideas to make its titular hero feel a little more agile in combat and exploration. The presentation is also quite solid, though some might disagree on how it chooses to balance the campier and more serious sides of its take on Gothic horror.

For those who still keep to the old ways, though, this is the real deal. There are plenty of retro games, including some widely lauded ones, that I feel missed the mark with ill-considered gimmickry, boring level design, and smug pandering. Cyber Shadow’s not that. It’s not a winking nod or cynical nostalgia bait. It’s a worthy successor.

The visuals, the audio, and worst of all, the ability to actually enjoy the experience,have not come along so well.

Kudos to 1st Playable for combining two great genres that surprisingly play great together.

Overall, Treasure Tracker is a real gem of a game. It’s also beautiful; I was stunned by it on Wii U, but the visuals have only gotten better on Switch. It’s bright, cheery, and wildly creative from an aesthetic standpoint. Each stage is like a diorama, making the game feel like the player is interacting with toys, rather than lines of code. The soundtrack isn’t especially varied, likely because most stages don’t require a lot of time to beat, but I’d have appreciated a few more tracks to spice things up.

For diehards and the uninitiated, it’s hard not to recommend Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack. The compilation features two compelling games, wonderful graphics and all of the previously released DLC all on one cartridge. The games have a couple of warts here and there, and the difficulty level can be demanding at times, but the gameplay will keep you coming back again and again. Fans of old-school, 2D platforming would do well to check this one out.

Overall, Siesta Fiesta is a breath of fresh air as a unique Breakout-styled game that fans of the genre will not want to miss.

The entire time I played the game, I wondered why it didn't compel me as much as I knew such a well-designed game should. I have come to the conclusion that it is because I've seen three of these games in the last couple of years.

Korg is definitely a flawed product. It isn’t very user friendly, the interface is cluttered, the sound quality is disappointing, and some options are too limited while others are too numerous.

Barely missed becoming the first must-have title for the DS. It is however, the best game that honestly requires the touch screen to play and the first game that really shows that the touch screen is not a gimmick.

Players who have already exhausted the experience have no reason to buy it again unless they are extremely eager to see it flourish on a handheld.

Splatoon has arrived and very nearly delivered on every bit of the potential it showed at E3 2014.

The game is so inventive and absorbing that it might just justify that GB Micro purchase-- unless you get the Famicom version, because that really justifies itself, doesn't it?

Despite all its faults, and while its not a horrible game, it's just really not that fun to play.

Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley is a fresh take on the work of Tove Jansson while still being faithful to the series and its characters. The developers love for Jansson’s creations is apparent throughout the game and this is the perfect step for the characters into a new medium. I enjoyed my short but sweet trip into Moomin Valley and look forward to more Moomin inspired games in the future.

It doesn't have Madden's depth, but then, it doesn't have Madden's Mt. Everest learning curve, either.

A masterpiece that raises the bar for the series, employing all of its strengths and eliminating the vast majority of its weaknesses. This fifth mainline entry pays homage to its heritage while paving the way for the franchise going forward. Here’s hoping that the next turnabout doesn’t come with another six-year wait.

Ace Attorney Trilogy is a real love letter from Capcom to its fans. Packed with three huge games for a paltry $15, it’s also budget friendly, too.

Black Ops 2 is, at this moment in time, the best, most content rich multiplayer game ever released on a Nintendo system.

The level design more than makes up for any sort of qualm you might have with originality since the extreme difficulty will keep you on edge and playing for plenty of hours.

It’s a stunning title that any F-Zero or hyper-fast racing fan will want to play.

The multiplayer modes alone are worth it. Add to that a high level of game mode depth, gameplay excellence, and stunning style and you’ve got one fantastic game.

Death on the Nile modernizes Agatha Christie’s classic mystery with engaging detective mechanics and a fresh 1970s flair. The dual storylines offer two lenses into the same mystery, even if the frequent switches between them occasionally interrupt the flow. Still, the game’s standout mechanics—the mindmap, timeline reconstructions, and clever puzzles—make every chapter feel purposeful and rewarding. Even if you’re not an Agatha Christie fan, this one is worth unraveling the layered mysteries; just prepare yourself for the twist at the end.

One of the best third party offerings on the DS so far and comes highly recommended for DS owners, especially if you don’t have a load of friends to play multiplayer against.

The N64 version of "Mario Golf" didn't leave much room for improvement. Lucky for us, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour's enhanced graphics, magnificently tweaked play mechanics and large variety of gameplay modes and characters improved upon the original in every way imaginable.

Captain Toad also makes an effort to tie its narrative into 3D World‘s, something that had me smiling when I finally got to see how. It’s just the best kind of fan service, and really the sort of thing that no one does as well as Nintendo, if at all.

Fire Emblem has come to be one of Nintendo’s premier franchises, with Shadows of Valentia further cementing the series’ sterling reputation. This is some of the best storytelling and gameplay anyone could hope for on any platform, whether home or portable. Its presentation belies the fact that the game is running on a portable console, and the clever additions to the familiar Fire Emblem formula have yet again breathed new life into a series that has never been stagnant. There are other features waiting to be enjoyed, like the addition of Amiibo that bring new dungeons and fighters, a StreetPass feature, and more. It’s likely that other than Fire Emblem Warriors this will be the last time the franchise appears on 3DS, but it’s going to be a long goodbye—expect to sink many hours into this adventure. Alm and Celica have firmly cemented themselves into the ranks of my favorite Fire Emblem characters, and I hope that when the series transitions to Switch it will be half as entertaining as Shadows of Valentia.

Because it is so linear you may not play it over and over, but the unique nature of the game and the humor may get you to give it another go.

Easily the best compilation available on today’s market.

Sims fans will find the game very inviting, but will also find that other than going to various locations, seeing new items to buy, and experiencing the wild animations, this game is definitely not an overhaul of the series. Yet with the new unlockables, it is hard to resist this delicious title.

It plays wonderfully, is immensely fun, and is stuffed with ’90s arcade fun. There are even a couple of extra minigames to fool around with, too, when not engaging in local or online multiplayer. The single-player mode might be a bit weak, but that should in no way deter anyone from buying Windjammers. It’s yet another excellent addition to the Switch library!

Despite the fairly deep single-player mode, the fact remains that in some ways, this title isn't as deep as its companion game "Mario Golf: Advance Tour."

For portable golf, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 has it where it counts. Its flaws should encourage a cautious purchase, but in many respects, the robust multiplayer makes up for it.

A very solid and addictive title.

It's tough to go up against Tetrisphere but Ocean managed to do quite a nice job of dealing with the puzzle concept. Great work.

Fans should be content with the challenging main game and incredible amount of unlockable content similar to the original game.