Madden NFL 08 isn’t the quantum leap that last year’s version was, but in most respects, it’s better.

With its gorgeous visuals, moody story, and clever platforming gameplay, Nihilumbra is definitely trying its best to join the hallowed halls of indie greatness. However, I think it falls short, but not by much.

The variety in creating your Ping Pal is immense and chatting with your friends hasn’t been this fun since AIM.

While it doesn’t quite capture that game’s same sense of world and adventure, it does offer a more in-depth combat system along with more complex systems overall. This could be a double-edged sword, of course, as the micromanagement will almost certainly annoy those looking for a more streamlined adventure. Regardless of those issues, as well as the handful of visual drawbacks, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen undoubtedly stands out as a compelling adventure with a lot of original ideas in terms of its systems. So, for any hardcore RPG fan, it’s pretty darn close to a must play.

Dot Arcade is a love letter to an era most gamers are too young to ever have experienced, and the amount of care the developers put into the mechanics, sounds, and visuals is obvious. So, if you demand a very modern experience from all your games, Dot Arcade will not be up your alley. For people who know what they are getting into and have a desire to taste a bit of the past, then this title is definitely worth checking out.

A fantastic game. I thoroughly enjoyed spelunking through the game’s massive world, and even though the story can get lackluster, it does excel when it tackles its religious themes.

While hardcore Guitar Hero fans will probably complain about this one, Band Hero is another excellent addition to the series, one that makes party play a priority and delivers.

Among these sorts of games (see Pinstripe and Forgotten Anne), GRIS is perhaps the least developed in terms of gameplay and its more ambiguous approach to storytelling might turn off those of you who prefer a more concrete story. However, it also happens to be incredibly gorgeous and features a fantastic soundtrack that helps sell the emotional weight of its wordless narrative. So, personally, I found GRIS to be a worthwhile experience but I can also fully understand those who won’t see the appeal.

Overall, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a great game that feels like it’s really found a home on Switch. I’m glad that Press Play was able to bring the title to Nintendo’s latest console, as the form factor of Switch really meshes well with it. Whether at home or on the go, I found myself transfixed to The Curse of Brotherhood for long stretches, tackling each new puzzle and always thinking, I’ll just do one more… but always instead ending up doing several, if not dozens, more.

If you’ve been hankering for a more classic Zelda experience, Echoes of Wisdom should do the trick. That said, with its unique Echoes mechanic in tow, this adventure feels like something new and old at the same time. Its gorgeous graphics and engaging soundtrack are a treat for the senses, brought down a peg only by some shaky performance woes. Still, the technical problems that Echoes of Wisdom has aren’t enough to dissuade me from recommending fans give this one a shot. Echoes of Wisdom is a wonderful, worthwhile addition to the Zelda library of games.

Overall I think this game is so fun and expansive, I would love to play with friends so they could help me build and fight, but it is also kinda relaxing just playing alone. Especially now that cold, cozy weather is finally here, this game is perfect for a day off or night in to just get lost in.

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.

While it may not push the series forward quite like some of Mario's earlier titles, that hardly matters in the long run; what's here is a heck of a lot of fun to play, with enough content to keep fans busy for a long time.

Surprisingly fun and has a bit of staying power.

The additional game modes, new game engine, and great new interface make this game so much better than last year’s.

If the tension, pace, and feel of Cuphead appeal to you and you’re curious about something more streamlined and frantic, consider Tanuki Justice.

Despite the small scope and some imprecise and chaotic aspects, Pepper Grinder is worth picking up for platforming fans looking for something that manages to be both novel and challenging, and its considerable audiovisual charm absolutely doesn’t hurt.

Overall, there’s quite a lot to love about Ski Lifts. There are a ton of stages to take on, each offering some new entertaining twist on what’s come before. The presentation isn’t especially innovative, but it’s always good to see devs playing around with the poly-centric visuals of the late ’90s and the marriage between visuals and gameplay in the title can’t be overstated. It’s not the first physics-based puzzler on Switch, but When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is definitely worth a look. Its sedate pacing won’t make everyone happy, but this is an endearing and inventive game.

Despite its tedious shortcomings, Pokémon Battle Trozei is still a fantastic game that’s worth playing. This fast-paced combo frenzy is extremely addicting to pick up and play, making it an excellent addition to the existing Pokémon spin-offs.

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

It is charming and enjoyable, though, and that’s all I want from a piece of software I enjoy on a mobile device. Treat yourself and make some time. It’ll surprise you.

No matter what, Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 + 2 is a heck of a buy, with some legendary games that every gamer owes it to themselves to experience. If you’re a newbie to Mega Man, you can’t go wrong starting here, and for those who want to play the games again, this is the best way to play them.

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.

All of this together means that while it is very easy to give an unequivocal recommendation for Front Mission 3, the remake is a mixed bag as a remake. If you can play an original disc copy or own a PSN copy, you will be better served sticking with that. The slight improvements in load time aren’t worth the various downsides, at least at this point. Still, if playing the original version is not an option, I would generally recommend the remake, but only once patches start to roll out. At the very least both Ryogo’s Polish line and the AP issue need to be addressed.

Although not a perfect remaster, seeing Sonic Colors get ported to contemporary hardware was a welcome surprise. The Sonic series continues to struggle with finding a way to incorporate gameplay hooks that don’t amount to shallow, pointless gimmicks, but in Colors SEGA discovered the perfect mix. With Ultimate, that balance has been restored for a new generation of players to experience. Hopefully, SEGA takes cues from Ultimate as it works on that mysterious upcoming 3D Sonic sequel. For those who played the original Colors, there’s plenty of reason for a double-dip with Ultimate, and for those who have yet to give it a try, this is the best 3D Sonic game there is. Give it a play.

Altogether, there is a ton of content to experience in Triple Deluxe that will keep players busy well beyond the conclusion of the main game. This is a game easily worth any player’s time, be they a rookie or veteran player. Make your day deluxe and buy a copy of Kirby’s latest game.

I really loved this game. While Pwnee Studios still have a few things to learn when it comes to presentation, they have managed to create one of the most impressive pieces of gaming tech I have seen in quite a while.

L.A. Noire remains unusual in its approach and is as astounding today as it was back in the day for it. Switch continues to have one of the best launch years (in terms of content) of all-time; with the inclusion now of L.A. Noire, fans have yet another reason to flock to Nintendo’s new system. This is a great port of a great game and shouldn’t be missed.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney remains as fun today as it was on Nintendo DS, improved with manual text scrolling right out of the gates and improved visuals. The storyline will grip you from beginning to end, with a satisfying payoff that really helps bring things to a proper climax. 3DS might be long in the tooth, but the quality of software that continues to hit the platform is keeping the platform feeling fresh.

Overall, Boxboy! + Boxgirl! does much more right than wrong. Outside of some ambiguity in how to perfectly solve a puzzle and a generally underwhelming visual style, Boxboy! + Boxgirl! is a daringly innovative puzzle-platformer. There’s so much to see, so much to do, and with another person in tow the whole adventure takes on a different dimension. This is one of the best new franchises to come out of Nintendo and HAL in recent times and further proof of how both companies are not showing any signs of slowing down. Boxboy! + Boxgirl! should be on everyone’s download lists.

The touch screen combat is intuitive, the difficulty makes every battle interesting, and the levels are expertly crafted by the developers at Cinemax Games.

I recommend it to anyone interested in trying out a bit of indie gaming history, any fan of the science fiction genre, anyone who enjoys platformers, for those who enjoy short, sweet stories, and to everyone looking to see how anyone could make a bunch of rectangles a memorable part of my adolescence.

Denpa Men: They Came By Wave probably won't win any awards for originality, but its parts, cobbled together from its RPG brethren, make up a quirky whole that boasts its own personality.

But just as with any fitness program, it's up to the players to decide how much they want to put into the game– and while the instructors on ExerBeat won't know if you're playing from the couch, that Balance Board will.

It still has some of the flaws inherent in many of the other Lego titles on the market but, at its core, it’s a strong title with solid gameplay and humor. Most importantly, it’s a licensed game from a developer that clearly knows and appreciates the license, and that frequently shines through. With a script co-written by classic Avengers scribe Kurt Busiek and a plethora of new heroes and villains to play as, Marvel fans of all ages will find a lot to love.

Beyond the time-tested mechanics, gamers also get an experience that looks and sounds really good. Even with the Switch’s inferior processing power, it runs more than well enough. Of course, there are still worthwhile improvements beyond the need to fix any crashes. A few slight tweaks to the early game difficulty curve and earlier access to a few mobility oriented powers would have been nice, but those are small hurdles in lengthy, and fun, enough experience that will almost certainly keep you interested beyond the initial playthrough. Altogether, it’s the worthwhile successor many fans have been waiting for.

A game that will be loved by the fans, and tolerated by everyone else.

Yet another worthy Ace Attorney successor. It’s ultimately not the series at its highest peak, but it’s hardly the nadir, and that it continues to feel this fresh in light of its flaws already has me hungry for the next turnabout. No objections here, Your Honor.

An improvement over the original in almost every way.

Botany Manor can easily be completed in a day. While this may seem short and the linear story of Botany Manor might mean there is little replay value, the beauty and relaxing nature of the game will bring me back wherever I am craving a stroll through a beautiful English garden.

Aside from the overall presentation and lack of gameplay variety, Banana Bliss: Jungle Puzzles is still a game that is definitely worth your time.

Mechstermination Force isn’t the longest game, but that’s no negative, just an observation. There’s nothing wrong with cutting to the chase, and there’s also nothing wrong with a developer focusing on what a game does best as opposed to bolting on extraneous extras. This is a perfect example of all meat on the bone and no fat. It’s fun to imagine Mechstermination Force with actual platforming stages littered with baddies to blast, but ultimately it feels like Hörberg is a master at zeroing on in what best serves the games that he makes. The gauntlet of MegaMechs in Mechstermination Force sucks players in from the outset and never lets go. This is a must for any Switch owner.

Unfortunately, though Imaginators can be played in portable mode, it hasn’t been optimized as a mobile title. In short, the save points haven’t been reworked, and many of the levels run quite long, which ultimately isn’t all that conducive for successful completion during a quick bus ride. Despite this, the console can be put into sleep mode at any time, so the odds of the system dying before someone can get home or to a power source for a quick charge are pretty low. As it stands, this is the superior way to experience Imaginators on any platform, and it’s highly recommended that Switch owners give the title a whirl!

Resident Evil: Revelations has a few flaws, but it really is the best game in the series since Resident Evil 4.

In general, Mutant Mudds increases in fun as the game progresses. As the controls and mechanics sink in, the stages become fun and challenging playgrounds. The game also feels rewarding because of its tough, but well-balanced difficulty.

Criticism that a game is too short is also praise in its own way. It means that it is so good that it leaves you wanting more. I don’t think being short is necessarily bad. I prefer short and sweet over long and tedious. As I have gotten older and found free time becoming increasingly scarce, I’ve looked less for long epics and more for bite size experiences I know I’ll complete. Therefore, for those looking for something quick and easy to pick up, lovers of fairy tales, avid puzzle game players, and people of all ranges in experience with video games, I highly recommend Storyteller.

The signature Arkham combat is back and more precise than ever.

Marvel Pinball 3D contains a couple bumps, but other than that it acts as a fantastic pinball fix for on-the-go gaming. A few minutes of play quickly becomes an hour with this eShop title, fully highlighting the "I can beat that score if I play one more game" hook.

Regardless of what kind of Final Fantasy fan you are– casual, veteran or newbie– Theatrhythm has a little something for everyone, but only if you enjoy rhythm games, because that's what this is.

Loses points for its camera and sometimes frustrating design, but it's too fun to ignore.

RPG veterans won’t find the journey all that difficult, but younger fans and the young at heart will find plenty to love.

It sets out to tell a story and does it astoundingly well. I found myself melancholy when all was said and done, and although I’ll likely never get to hear more about the lives of Delilah and Henry, I’m grateful for the summer I got to spend with the two of them. Firewatch seems to want players to understand that sometimes, life is about the moments you’ll never get back, the decisions you can never unmake. I’m glad I chose to spend that night in the woods with Campo Santos’ inspired first effort.

The Legend of Legacy may not have the intricate story line, deep characters, or the standard turn-based combat that one might expect from an RPG, but it has its own unique style with gameplay that rewards players for making smart tactical decisions. The game’s flaws may prevent it from being perfect, but The Legend of Legacy is still an excellent RPG that fans of the genre will love.

Truly a holistic success. This is a game that feels like a love letter to fans that enjoy beat-em-ups, RPGs and anime. It's a courtship of elements that create a single piece of work that is both familiar and imaginative.

Don’t go into Emio expecting either a long game or a super polished gameplay experience. The story is around 12 hours to complete and, as I mentioned above, there were some bugs and some minor gameplay frustrations. But do give it a chance if you enjoy strong narratives that keep you on the edge of your seat and have an interest in the macabre. Emio’s M-rating is well deserved and I wouldn’t recommend giving this to an adult who is uncomfortable with graphic violence or explicit depictions of abuse, especially towards children. But if you’re ok with the subject matter, check out Emio even if you’ve never experienced a visual novel before. I’m glad I did.

Super Blood Hockey plays very much like those classic arcade hockey games, and the Switch’s library is all the stronger for it. I would have liked to see more online options than just leaderboards, and the fights could use a little fine-tuning, but it’s hard to really gripe about these things when the game is this much fun to play. With tons of options to keep players coming back and a biting sense of humor, Super Blood Hockey is Switch’s first great hockey game.

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.

Overall, though, Tappingo 2 is an excellent addition to the eShop that would be criminal to overlook.

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.

For an industry notoriously bad at preserving its history, it’s shocking to see a compilation like Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King. After all, how often do we see Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Game Boy versions of the same game all together on a single cartridge? Though the omission of Capcom’s Aladdin is certainly a bummer, it can be easily overlooked in a package this robust. While I can already think of other Disney titles I’d like to see receive a similar treatment (Toy Story!), I would love to see other publishers offer similar packages for classic games. This is a model the entire video game industry should get behind. Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is the new gold standard for compilations. Long live the king.

Integrated online leaderboards would greatly enhance the game, but even without them, Mighty Switch Force delivers a fun albeit short on-the-go gaming experience for 3DS.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D doesn’t have enough to entice Wii owners back into the jungle, but if you haven’t yet made the trip to Kong Island, you’d be absolutely bananas to miss out.

The game is short and let down by some noticeable issues, but beyond that, it’s a beautifully strange experience many will at least find interesting, with a fair few probably considering it brilliant.

So, if your love for RPGs comes from a love for strategic thinking and party customization, then 7th Dragon III absolutely deserves a look.

Lichtspeer: Double Speer Edition is a fine addition to the Switch eShop. Its presentation is stunning and its gameplay will leave players feeling completely spent after each play session. There were nights playing the title where my nerves were completely fried but I felt the need to clear one more level before bed. That sort of difficulty level can be a huge turnoff for some, but the game feels far more rewarding than unfair. Lichtspeer is definitely an unusual title, but that’s all part of its charm. It’s certainly not a game for everyone, but if a game with hipster ice giants and buckets of blood sounds up your alley, you’ll love Lichtspeer.

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!

NES Remix is defined more by the sum of its parts than its individual pieces, so have no hesitation in jumping headfirst into this excellent retro experience.

Strikey Sisters really feels like a game that should have been released 25 years ago, both in its unique blend of classic genres and its almost era perfect presentation. It really makes you wonder how it took people this long to make a brick breaking game like this. While this combination is plenty of fun, there are still a few gameplay mechanics that could use a little more polish and balancing to perfect the recipe. Still, it will likely deliver a lot of enjoyment for just about anybody who enjoys clever gameplay or well executed retro design ideas.

The three major knocks that I have against this game are the lack of multiplayer, relatively short game experience and a weirdo camera. Having stated that, this is still a premiere title for the 64 and there's enough here to outshine the faults.

Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is a truly original game that obviously required a great deal of thought, passion and creativity, something I really don’t get to say nearly enough.

Namco Museum is a testament to just how far along handheld games have come since the days of overpriced Game Boy Color ports. With challenge modes, online leaderboards, a unique use of the Switch hardware and the most accessible versions of Splatterhouse and Pac-Man Vs. ever, Namco Museum is a surprisingly strong package. It might not offer enough incentive for fans that have revisited these games ad nauseam, and some offerings holdup a lot better than others, but the compilation offers perhaps the best way for passionate fans to revisit a handful of classics.

It’s quirky and charming in the way that the best installments in the series are beloved for, and I’m still plucking away at my farm today. Plus… Mario costumes. Seriously, what more do you need?! Go give Trio of Towns a look, folks, it’s a winner.

This is the sort of game that open-minded players will love if they give it a chance.

Overall, Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition is a quality addition to the ever-growing Switch library, and really exemplifies what makes the eShop so awesome. If you’ve played the core game or its expansions on other systems, you may not find enough compelling about the Switch version to warrant another purchase, especially since competent portable versions have been out for years. If, however, you haven’t experienced the game and you’re looking to add some RPGing to your Switch library, this is definitely worth a look.

It’s not the life-sim of years past, but Happy Home Designer’s successful re-imagining of what makes Animal Crossing tick is a lovely departure that I sincerely hope Nintendo explores again in the future.

It’s a near-perfect conversion that makes up for the loss of a couple of action buttons.

A mediocre RPG experience including great side quests such as fishing, hunting, and collecting non-mandatory playable characters and items that make this a truly deep and enjoyable package.

With a great, easy-to-follow storyline, brilliant visual designs, and memorable characters, Tak 2 is one of the most impressive third-party platformers on the GameCube this year.

The controls are weird and strange. Nevertheless, Crystal Chronicles is a charming game and a great addition to the GameCube library of RPG’s... for multiplayer gaming purposes only.

The addictive gameplay keeps you coming back and the visual style is unique and easy on the eyes.

As mentioned before, the bosses look amazing, but each one is completely predictable and easy as cake.

We Cheer is an excellent and novel take on creating a game that utilizes Wii's motion controls for something intuitive and unexpected.

This turn-based RPG is a great adaptation of the series, but as a stand-alone game it may have a hard time holding its own.

While extremely short and lacking multiplayer, Monster Truck Madness is gorgeous and still provides a fun racing experience.

This third-party on-rails shooter really nails the genre. The Grindhouse look and feel melds well with the House of the Dead franchise.

Really, how great Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter happens to be kind of depends on how creative the player is. If one doesn't really feel like creating a third to a half of the game world, then the end product probably won't be that interesting.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is a solid platformer, and while it may not offer a great deal of new ideas, the addition of motion control and dozens of weapons to construct make this a title worth playing, if one can overlook the camera issues.

With a bit of GBA connectivity for a field-map and some extra GBA levels as well as an “exclusive” GameCube level that’s been available to download on the Xbox for a couple of months, we definitely got the shorter end of the stick.

If anyone but Digital Eclipse had worked on this title, it could have ended in disaster. It was definitely worth the three-year wait to get a quality Grand Theft Auto title on a Nintendo handheld.

Without the “stealth mode” gameplay, the “Hero Mode,” and the genuinely entertaining voice acting and storyline, Die Hard: Vendetta would have been simply passed off as an average FPS, if not below average.

The game is ridiculously easy, but proves to be extraordinarily addictive.

Worms 3D’s major problem is that it is in 3D. The uninspired camera and technical oversights, such as the inability to use multiple controllers, prevent the game from receiving an especially high score. However, the game does offer loads of fun if you can get past the flaws.

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

Very fun, if not repetitive, and should hold your interest even if you aren’t a fan of the popular anime series.

A more than worthy sequel to VJ.

In 20-04, the pitchers can now burst into flames while performing extraordinarily on the mound.

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

I still can't help but feel that the game could have used just a little more content or even a few more graphical bells and whistles. Final word: great game.