While I'm not a big fan of the TBS genre, I looked forward to Rebelstar because of its apocalyptic storyline, cute anime characters, and the opportunity to blow up little gray aliens. Unfortunately, the game's pace (particularly the frequent loading times) kept me from ever feeling thoroughly entertained.

Death Squared is a solid puzzle game that displays a great deal of creativity on the part of its developers; despite the simple concept they managed to come up with many clever ideas to make the proceedings equal parts challenging and rewarding. Though there is quite a bit of ingenuity at play, the game ultimately does suffer from a handful of small, but frustrating problems. With a bit more focus on further developing the best mechanics and more polish in the controls, Death Squared really could have been something great. However, as the game stands, it is still a worthwhile puzzler that should please gamers looking for a unique cooperative experience.

The soccer and JRPG mechanics blend incredibly well together and make a fantastic hybrid for fans of both genres.

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.

Ultimately, Skylanders: Giants isn't going to convert many gamers my age as I think we might be a little too cynical for a game that's so blatant in its "pay-to-play" model.

While it can indeed get repetitive fairly quickly, especially depending on the relative attention span of the player, those who enjoy simple battling and customization will get their money’s worth.

Fun. In fact, it's five or six of the best hours you can spend on any system this year. Unfortunately, that's all that it is.

It’s not packed with explosions or enormous set pieces, but The Bridge is a thoughtful and rich title that reminds me of what makes video games unique.

Newcomers to the series will be well-treated if jumping into the series at this game, and long time fans will also be immensely satisfied, left only with a wonder of who will headline the next sequel that cannot come too soon.

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

Every round is quick and frantic and offers lots of opportunities for sudden turn-arounds. The more humans you can get hooked up to it at once, the better it is.

It's one of those games you just buy on the name alone -- unfortunately, it's also one of those games that hold the potential to make a killing, but leave the impact of a mosquito on a windshield. It's not horrendous or even bad; just extremely disappointing in execution.

Excitebots has a few dinks and scratches on its surface, especially in the sound department, which is screaming for SD Card soundtrack support. But none of this outer wear-and-tear messes with the overall ride.

It’s polished and fun for the four or five hours it lasts. Hopefully Griptonite takes this solid foundation and really expands on it in a future Spider-Man title.

Kokuga boasts masterful game design that can overcome the haphazard power-up system to create slow, tactical scenarios and fast, strategic boss fights. Why then, are most levels filled with minutes of burdensome crawl? With everything taken into account, Kokuga might just be worth it for the boss fights alone.

There are plenty of nitpicks that can be made about Mega Man Legacy Collection, but at its core, the title is a compilation of some of the best games of the 8-bit era.

Nintendo Land's strongest selling point, though, is just how easy it is to jump right into these games.

As far as retro compilations go, Legacy Collection is a fine addition to Capcom’s robust Mega Man offerings. With ten games to play through, all available additional content unlocked for them, and extras like online play available, there’s enough here to keep players busy for many, many hours. While it has been a while since the Battle Network series was wrapped up, these games remain fresh and innovative all these years later thanks to the unique battle system at its core. We strongly recommend Legacy Collection and hope that you’ll add it to your collection on Switch.

For those willing to invest the effort and time, Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a phenomenal game that will challenge and reward you in equal measure.

Innovation makes the experience feel awesome all the way through, whereas squirting a water pump with Mario lost its appeal to me within the first three hours of gameplay.

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, Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a sensational game that features the well-worn mechanics of Mario RPGs but takes them to a higher level, keeping each new step fresh, yet consistent. As you explore, you keep on encountering new characters, new lands, and battles that keep you hooked for almost the whole game, an extremely impressive feat across the many hours it takes to finish. Bros. Moves and Attacks allow you to continue to explore new avenues for the brothers, and Luigi Logic gives you more freedom than ever in a Mario & Luigi game. Power Plugs allow you to take control of battles, deal massive amounts of damage, or gain amazing buffs for the brothers, which may change the outcome of battles. Each enemy and boss brings something new to the table, continuously testing your comprehension of the skills you’ve acquired. For anyone with a Switch, you should play Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

Overall, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a flawed but fun game that has very high-quality level design but also some disappointing segments. The occasional wacky controls can throw the average person off of their game. If you haven’t ever played Donkey Country Returns and think you’ll have fun with a platformer with a higher difficulty and emphasis on traversal and exploration, you should consider playing Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.

Overall, I was shocked by how fun Minecraft is and quickly grew to understand why millions of people around the world have taken to it so strongly. It won’t be for everyone, but I highly recommend that anyone looking for something new give it a look.

Not to be confused with any old button-masher, Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games requires a good deal of manual tact and the precision of a true gamer.

It’s cute and funny and at the same time it takes the gameplay seriously. The subtle touches that are found throughout the game are what make it such a joy to play.

Even for non-Pokémon fanatics, this game is definitely worth a look-- if only for the strange and addictive experience of an unfolding photo-safari on a videogame console.

Thankfully when the good professor does shut up and let Luigi get to work, the improved visuals and controls shine and will keep the player hooked all the way to the end. Don’t expect the near-perfection of Luigi’s Mansion 3, but also definitely don’t miss out on this strong, fun sequel.

If you've ever played a Mega Man game before, and enjoyed your experience, there's nothing to not like about this game. It is a good, solid adventure with some intense action and enough of a challenge to keep you busy for a while.

A fantastic way to spend a long evening or a weekend where you’re in the mood for something a little more emotionally driven than your average game, because when you reach the ending, the final moments will likely melt away every annoyance from the last few hours.

Corpse Party is a great, different game, one that a system as far along in its life cycle as 3DS greatly needs to keep things fresh. If you’ve been looking for something off the beaten path, I highly recommend picking this one up. So long as you’re willing to forego traditional battles and aren’t irritated by cliched anime tropes, Corpse Party has an engaging story and unique style of play that should keep you glued to your 3DS for quite a while. Play it in the dark for extra anxiety!

Shortcomings aside, The Adventure Pals is a superb action RPG platformer. With a fun story and an expansive world to explore, this adventure really augments the Switch lineup, and at a modest price. Definitely worth a look.

It does a wonderful job of capturing the feel of classic NES shooters while bringing them into the modern day with upgradeable weapons and health boosters. Throw in a handful of modes that encourage replay, a stellar cast, brilliant production values, and a killer soundtrack, and Kero Blaster is a modern classic. It could stand to be longer, but this is a game that will keep players hooked. Go give it a download!

Kiwami isn’t just a bunch of fists to the face and brutal combat, as entertaining as that is. At its core, and what makes it such a great experience, is a story that’s incredibly well-written and engaging.

It’s a 2D shooter-platformer that has one eye on the past and the other on the present, coalescing to form a game that firmly takes the genre another step forward into the future.

If it was setting its sights nearer the $3-5 mark, then Mr. Nibbles’ acorns would be the ideal eShop comfort food, but at $8, Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo feels a little undercooked to be a true platforming classic.

It offers a different experience than "Perfect Dark" and "TWINE" and Turok 3 is worth a look.

Definitely pick this game up for your younger brother or sister but not for yourself because you will get rather bored of this game much quicker than your sibling.

Despite its flaws in control complexity and punishing platforming elements, Cavern of Dreams manages to deliver an enjoyable experience for fans of classic N64 platformers seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The game’s emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and charming visuals contributes to its appeal as a retro-inspired 3D platformer worth considering for those fond of classic gaming experiences.

Blackhand Edition has a few high points, but it's hard not to think of what a Godfather game could have truly been.

Sports a free roaming city where you can drive around wherever you'd like across 125 miles. This is the biggest of its kind for a racing game and, once again, transfers to this genre spectacularly.

The typical Final Fantasy charm is there, but Square-Enix had good reason to keep this one out of the states for so long.

Eurocom have almost done the impossible: They have made a movie/novel based game actually good. The game exudes effort and it really shows.

Overall, the game play experience of True Crime is just ruined by the frustrating camera system.

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

Pundits continue to debate the merits of video games as an art form, and My Memory of Us is yet another strong argument for what the industry can do at its best. My Memory of Us is the rare game that feels important, while also providing an engaging experience. It’s tragic that we need reminders of what the Jewish people went through but, in a time when many Americans don’t know the history of the Holocaust, it’s wonderful to have a game that encourages learning in a new and interesting way. Sometimes knowing how to solve each puzzle can be a little frustrating, and the game does have some occasional slowdown, but these are minor quibbles, at best. My Memory of Us is an unmissable experience.

Overall, Super Hydorah takes the classic shmup mold and bolts on its own unique elements to produce something new and bold. Definitely give it some consideration the next time you’re strolling through the eShop.

There’s a lot to love about Cursed Castilla EX. From its innovative use of classic source material for its narrative to the bold, intricate pixel art that makes up its visuals, Cursed Castilla EX hits all the right notes. Innovation can be difficult with the sorts of games that have existed from the days of NES to now, but in the hands of creative developers like Locomalito and his companion Gryzor87, it’s clear that there’s plenty left to mine when a project is handled with care. Absolutely consider giving Cursed Castilla EX a look the next time you’re perusing the Switch (or 3DS!) eShop.

If you’re like me and playing Diablo II: Resurrected with fresh eyes and no pretext to speak of, I give it a strong recommendation. I expect that fans who fell in love with Diablo II the first time around are also going to get quite the thrill out of this enhanced version of a genuine classic.

This is a polished, dead-on addition to a franchise in which a sore thumb stands out.

For only 500 Nintendo Points, the game is almost a must-have for any puzzle-loving fiend.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Superliminal. I love how the game constantly plays with the user’s expectations, and the unique gimmick made for some puzzles that stumped me. The ever shifting visuals kept me engaged all the way through and made me excited to see what the game would do next. While it is a little short at around three hours, it is an experience that I believe most people should try. While the game can be short and simple, it creates a fun and engaging time throughout.

Swordcraft Story takes away all the daunting tedium and deftly delivers a fun, satisfying adventure enjoyable by both experienced and new players alike.

The story is great, the character development is great, but the gameplay elements can get a little repetitive. MMBN3 is also the most difficult of the Network games.

Overall, Madden NFL 26 is another version of Madden, the NFL simulation game. The sheer number of modes makes for many different types of experiences for many different mindsets and needs. This large variety can be overwhelming at times in a very layered user interface system that changes based on each mode. The graphics are mostly acceptable given the hardware of the Nintendo Switch 2.

The atmosphere, intelligent use of audio, cerebral melee combat, perma-death, and an honest to goodness ability to scare the hell out of you and make you sit on the edge of your couch, white-knuckled in hopes of making it through just one more room alive is absolutely wonderful. A game that can elicit that kind of emotional response is an undoubted success on some level.

All in all, Skylanders: Imaginators offers a ton of content, regardless of how many accessories players choose to purchase. At its worst, the title can sometimes exemplify the greediest excesses of the toys-to-life craze, but long-time fans will still find plenty to offer, as well. Toys-to-life fans and those who love creating custom characters will find a lot to enjoy, but newcomers on a fixed budget may want to look elsewhere.

Ultimately, Warriors of Rock isn't bad, it just doesn't live up to the legacy and quality set by previous titles.

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

Klonoa's an excellent platforming title, especially for many players who may have missed out on it when it was originally released.

This handheld version of the game feels more like the N64 incarnations, which I prefer to this generation of ASB.

This game suffers from the fact that its console counterpart is so amazing and that it seems to distance itself from that greatness.

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.

New Blood represents third-party innovation at its finest and is a solid buy or, for the more cash-strapped, an absolute must-rent.

The patches make the game more fun, less difficult (if needed), and surprisingly much better. If only some other publishers could learn from this example, ports may not be so bad after all!

Mantis Burn Racing is an incredibly frustrating game. An overview of the game reveals a lot of promise thanks to its solid visuals, rewarding upgrade system, and interesting career structure. However, once you actually start racing, things begin to fall apart; your first few events will be fun but you’ll quickly realize how the content is spread thin and you have a long way to go before you’ll get to experience something new and fun. In other words, there’s some good stuff buried in Mantis Burn, but getting to it is a real slog, thus making hard to recommend for all but the most hardcore of racing fans desperate to relive the top-down experiences of yesteryear.

It works beautifully.

The only problem is that Sonic Team just tried to do too much with it. Instead of getting a really solid set of pinball tables, it's a mediocre collection of several different play modes.

Even with my complaints, there’s no denying that what is present in Sonic Origins Plus is nonetheless worth the time of fans. These four Genesis platformers remain some of the best in the genre after all this time and have never looked better. The various extras in the museum are engrossing and the additions and tweaks that the Plus DLC provide only make the compilation better. Thus, I give Sonic Origins Plus a nod of recommendation, even as I find my teeth grinding as I think of all the wasted opportunity here. Oh, and expect to still download the Plus DLC even if you buy the cartridge version! Yet another oddity among many in this compilation.

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.

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

American Wasteland creates a near-perfect balance that all free roaming games strive to achieve.

This is one of the best games out on the DS right now, and the definitive version of the Puyo series to reach the states, though the Japan-only Puyo Puyo Party for Dreamcast still holds the title of best Puyo period.

It may be disappointing to some that this title isn't a new platform game featuring Ubisoft's limbless hero, but what Wii owners ended up with is a pretty worthy substitute.

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 randomization in For the King is enough to make the replay value quite high, but whether bought physically or through the eShop, the game also comes with all previously released expansions. For the King has been out on Steam for a couple of years now, so that’s a lot of extra content to bite into. For the King might lean slightly too much on overused fantasy tropes, but it still manages to squeeze something new and creative out of them. I’m obsessed with how cool the visual design is in For the King, I love taking on its challenges with a friend, and I sincerely hope that there’s more to come from IronOak Games. This is a delightful first outing.

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

Toki Tori 2 won’t be for everyone. The pace is slow and the price tag will keep away a lot of people on the fence. But for those that enjoyed the original, or puzzle fans that might have missed the boat, this is a very unique and cerebral experience that shouldn’t be missed.

If LSP can fix the somewhat limited maneuverability of the on-foot levels, deepen the narrative, and add even more upgrades, than Hip-Games will have an irrefutable winner on its hands that no gamer could turn down.

An excellent wrestling game and deserves your attention just for the sheer amount of crap you can accomplish, collect, unlock, create, and on and on and on.

The unnecessary challenge in actually figuring out how exactly to play the damn game. Next to nothing is explained as it seems to rely almost entirely on player intuition, and there are virtually no tutorials present to help you out either.

The visuals are smooth and colorful, just like the films, and the gameplay is set up to bring little skating fans joy.

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.

Fans may be turned off by the emphasis on speed and racing, but those willing to let go of their ideals will find an enjoyable experience.

A great swan song for the DS. Its production values are stellar, the game plays very well, and is chock-full of some sweet content. Plus, it's literally as close to MegaMan Legends 3 that any 3DS owners are likely to get in terms of play, style, and overall feeling.

Whether you played the 2004 version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong or are just stepping into the series, I recommend giving this remake a go. It’s a fun game that feels great to play and offers a good challenge, and because it was a game initially made for GBA, it’s good for pick-up-and-play bursts. It’s also a nice change of pace from typical Mario games, and a great example of the sort of creative, unique titles that came out of the GBA era (and have aged well).

Tales shows that smart, solid elements add up to that elusive experience untarnished by time that defines a classic.

Like, it all feels like one of those LEGO-type adventures that I've heard so much about, only with more charm since it's got Scoob's and my personalities and all of the gang here to help out.

Toki Tori 3D is fun, its core concept is still original, and it’s also the best version yet of this game.

While Kingdom retains the cute, colorful visual design and many non-playable characters from its predecessor, the new game's experience is altogether different: there's a journey to take, varied objectives, more social interaction and Incredible Machine-like puzzle solving.

With almost a hundred levels and the constant drive to beat the high score on every one, the game demands an unrelenting combination of both brains and reflexes that is unmatched elsewhere on Nintendo eShop. Its difficulty may be high, but as with every puzzler, there's a solution: just add practice.

Riviera is extremely bland. There are a lot of pleasing elements like the artwork and audio, but it cripples a sense of freedom and feels altogether too straightforward.

Taken as a whole, it’s hard not to like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare -- Reflex Edition. The controls are solid and the presentation (while average) is decent enough not to detract from the performance.

Pokkén Tournament is a very solid Pokémon spin-off.

Although Spyro 2: Season of Flame is a very well produced game, the difficulty of it may turn away many players, myself included.

Old School Musical‘s laser-like focus on delivering a remix of the classic titles of yore with modern rhythm gameplay is a real delight. Don’t hesitate to add it to your collection.

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

The battle system is inventive and addicting, the graphics are lovely, and much of the dialogue is good for some genuine laughs, but at the end of the day Paper Jam doesn’t do enough to capitalize on its otherwise novel premise of merging the Mario & Luigi world with Paper Mario’s.