Overall, this game is worth the $30 price tag. It might be short but the amount of content and story makes up for the length of gameplay. BlueTwelve Studio has crafted a world that feels simultaneously alien and familiar, blending futuristic elements with warmth and humanity and offering an intimate and unique lens through which to explore a world filled with wonder. Perhaps its greatest achievement though is how it connects players emotionally—not just to the story, but to the very act of being a cat. Whether you’re a cat lover or a fan of immersive adventures, Stray is a must-play, hence the A+ rating.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is one of the best games I’ve played in years. I spent every moment of its campaign gaping in awe at set piece after set piece. Raging dinosaur skeletons, suites overrun with plants, a kaiju battle, and a towering pyramid in the sand are but a handful of the sights to take in while playing Luigi’s Mansion 3. I never thought that the original Luigi’s Mansion could be trumped, but Next Level Games has officially outdone Nintendo with this gorgeous, wonderful video game. Bravo.

If you haven’t tried the Yakuza games yet, definitely start with 0. This is a fine example of what strong game narrative and character development should look like, and it’s just simply a darn fun game to play.

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.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe manages to outshine its predecessor with further polish and more content. The inclusion of new Side Stories, co-op in the main campaign, and debatably the best control scheme this game has yet seen all make Pikmin 3 Deluxe the definitive version to play. It’s not the longest title in the Switch library, but with the opportunity to replay days to scour for every piece of fruit or improve completion times will have most people returning to Pikmin 3 Deluxe for weeks and months to come. Do yourself a favor and give Pikmin 3 Deluxe a purchase, especially if you missed out the first time when it launched on Wii U. It’s the sort of offbeat game that the industry needs more of.

Hades, with its fast-paced and occasionally unforgiving death mechanics, possibly isn’t a game for everyone. However, with its decently low price point and wonderful artwork and story, in combination with the amazingly well designed mechanics, Hades is a gem that’s hard to pass up.

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.

I genuinely have no complaints about the Animal Crossing DLC for Mario Kart 8 and highly recommend getting this content, as well as the first pack if you haven’t yet, to expand on your Mario Kart experience.

Regardless of whether or not you have played Chrono Trigger before, the DS remake is an absolute must-own for any RPG fan and is easily one of the year’s best releases.

Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition is a perfect combination of adventure, management, and cuteness that is addicting in the way all the best management sims are, but still brings a lot of originality to the genre. It’s relaxing and a must-play on Switch for any wholesome gamers.

The increased difficulty and lack of a Tutorial mode may turn off newcomers to the Wars series, but the fun, depth, and replayability of this game make it a killer ap for the GBA just as much as the original.

The sequel takes everything loved about the original games and updates it for new hardware.

SteamWorld Heist is one of the most well thought-out and fully realized gaming experiences I’ve had throughout this year. If you’re itching for a fantastic turn-based space adventure, look no further.

If you’ve already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, there isn’t necessarily anything different or special about the Switch version demanding another purchase and playthrough. However, having a modern masterpiece readily available at home or on the go isn’t really a bad thing either. For those who have managed to avoid the game since its release a generation ago, there’s no time like the present to experience such a phenomenal example of how video games can stand out as a unique approach to storytelling and entertainment in general. Brothers is really a must play game, so you’d best get around to it sooner rather than later.

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

Overall, Monster Hunter Stories 2 provides a great way to hunt alongside favorite monsters from the franchise in a charming world with an interesting story to discover.

An amazing accomplishment; it manages to root itself deep in the fertile nostalgia millions of gamers have for A Link to the Past while simultaneously morphing classic Zelda mechanics and introducing brand new ideas that fit in perfectly with the storied franchise.

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.

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.

This is the greatest collection of games, ever, bar none.

Anyone who’s been holding out on buying a Wii U really needs to reconsider following the release of Wind Waker HD. What was already a masterpiece has become better than ever.

I have certainly enjoyed the NSMB games since their inception on Nintendo DS, but I must admit that Wonder had surpassed those games in virtually every way. I felt a sense of whimsy and joy playing Wonder that took me back to the days of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. The game is packed with secrets, filled with challenge, and entertained me for hours. The pacing, the graphics, the controls—this is a masterclass in game desing. Wonder has reconfirmed for any doubters out there that the Mario brand is still brimming with potential for new gameplay ideas. Wonder is an essential game for Switch players that is highly recommended.

Easy doesn’t mean a lack of fun, and if Yoshi’s Crafted World is anything, it’s fun. Good Feel has very nearly perfected its quirky practice of hyper-stylized visuals fused with quality gameplay. As ever, the pure joy of hurling eggs at encroaching Shy Guys and Piranha Plants remains one of the biggest draws in all of video games. The new, multilayered stages composed from bric a brac are charming to the max. There’s also a bevy of unlockable goodies, including a multitude of cute costumes to dress Yoshi in, and that will keep players busy returning to Crafted World’s numerous stages for a good, long time.

The game makes extensive use of a mechanic reminiscent of the best 2D Zelda titles and familiar sounding riffs feature in the music from time to time. It’s pleasing, and a significant achievement then, that none of this is at the expense of Guacamelee’s own identity.

Big Hops is a fresh, imaginative 3D platformer that really captures what makes the genre so special. It’s got endless rewards for exploration, and a world bursting with personality in every corner. It easily made it’s way into editor’s choice and to one of my favorite Switch games. I’m looking forward to playing further and reaching the conclusion to find out what happens to our little frog and the odd trickster as well as seeing other people’s opinions on the game when it releases.

It’s a masterpiece.

Pikmin 3 might not be the game that gets people rushing to buy a Wii U, but it certainly should be.

Tetris Effect: Connected came out as an eShop exclusive. I downloaded it at midnight the night it launched and played until about six in the morning. It was so mesmerizing and fun that I couldn’t stop playing it until I’d seen and heard every stage it had to offer. That might make it sound like the game is on the short side, but assuming most players take their time with the campaign, I can see it stretching out to six or seven hours to complete. Throw in the various modes and multiplayer, and Tetris Effect: Connected will keep players coming back to it for a very long time. I can’t recommend it enough—it’s a must-have for Switch owners.