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.

Vicarious Visions really shocked me with the quality of SuperChargers, and has taken this franchise to new heights. Young or old, this a game everyone should enjoy.

With 100 single-player levels, Badland: Game of the Year Edition is a worthy single-player romp on the Wii U, if you don’t mind a little frustration every now and then. But with 100 co-op levels—not to mention 27 multiplayer deathmatch stages—it’s a perfect addition to your multiplayer arsenal. So long as you’re okay with senseless clone death.

The brilliance of Renegade Kid’s latest game is that it’s a fully featured ATV racing game in the palm of your hand. It provides fun and challenge in singleplayer with seamless local and online multiplayer to boot, supported by robust tricks and physics systems. ATV Wild Ride 3D is akin to a portable Pure carrying the torch that the Excite series set ablaze.

Monster Hunter Rise is a perfect example of what can be done with Switch. It runs incredibly smoothly and only slows down a little when there’s a lot happening all at once, even during a Rampage with a full lobby. It has been some time since I have played World, but Rise looks almost as good. While some textures here and there are a bit rough, I highly doubt you’re going to be inspecting the wall textures with an angry Rathalos chasing you down. Monster Hunter Rise brings a lot of great new features for fans of the franchise while making it more accessible than ever. With the amount of future updates planned I can’t wait to see what Rise can become.

Beating each stage is pure joy, symbolizing our ascent beyond our childhood years– or perhaps how they stay with us constantly, only even more vivid than before.

Return to PopoloCrois is the sort of RPG that I wish there were more of; it’s fun, it’s accessible, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Whether you’re someone who played Link’s Awakening before or someone who never has, this is one of the best entries in the series and should be played by all. Don’t sleep on this one.

While it would have been nice to have a few more stages to clear before the final confrontation, it's hard to fault the game for not wanting it to end, especially when what is here is already so enjoyable. Anyone with a penchant for reflex-based gameplay (and a few digital bucks to spend) need look no further for their next eShop purchase.

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.

Skyward Sword HD is a brilliantly designed game, full of dungeons packed with clever puzzles, numerous plot elements that serve to enrich the franchise’s lore, and a control scheme that is as refreshing now as it was in 2010. This is a must-have for Switch owners on a very long list of must-have games—don’t let that stop you from rushing out to try Skyward Sword HD today.

Pokémon: Let’s Go has certainly earned itself quite a bit of debate in the fan community. While fans clearly feel strongly about the changes made to the franchise formula, Game Freak has still managed to deliver a terrific Pokémon experience that lives up to the technological leap forward. Kanto feels more alive than ever before, and the original 151 Pokémon have never looked better. As a longtime fan of the franchise, I couldn’t help but find myself grinning from ear-to-ear. Whether you’re a longtimer like myself, a lapsed fan that came back with Pokémon Go or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone in Pokémon: Let’s Go.

Even with the title's faults (unbalanced difficulty, sometimes irritating radio transmissions, and an occasionally choppy frame-rate) this is <I>the</I> best Metal Gear game of the series to date.

Pokémon: Let’s Go has certainly earned itself quite a bit of debate in the fan community. While fans clearly feel strongly about the changes made to the franchise formula, Game Freak has still managed to deliver a terrific Pokémon experience that lives up to the technological leap forward. Kanto feels more alive than ever before, and the original 151 Pokémon have never looked better. As a longtime fan of the franchise, I couldn’t help but find myself grinning from ear-to-ear. Whether you’re a longtimer like myself, a lapsed fan that came back with Pokémon Go or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone in Pokémon: Let’s Go.

Great visuals, great story, and great gameplay—it isn’t often that you get all three in a single game, but that’s exactly what’s on offer with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. This is an early, essential title for Switch 2 owners; an RPG for the ages that will be just as remembered as the original as time goes by. We strongly recommend giving Remake a download, especially as the launch of Rebirth on Switch 2 is just around the corner this summer.

There’s no denying that fighting game fans, especially old school ones, will get the most out of Capcom Fighting Collection 2. The octet here comes from a bygone era, one that was a mix of classic and new. They’re games that for those who played them will never be erased from their memories. However, even newer players will have a lot of fun with this compilation if they take the time to sit and engage with each game. Titles like Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro are timeless, and others like Power Stone are just waiting to entice a new generation of players. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a must for Nintendo Switch owners.

MK8 is easily a top three contender for best Wii U game. Outside of a few niggling oddities and small blemishes, the pure bliss of soaring across MK8‘s wonderful courses is as close to gaming perfection as it gets.

It’s a methodical adventure through the Land of the Dead, which means that those without the wherewithal to sit and become ensconced in Manny’s world might have trouble sticking through to the end. For those willing to invest in this layered, meaty adventure, however, Grim Fandango Remastered is as relevant and fun as ever. Indeed, the fact that games like this are still the exception speaks volumes about the lack of progress the industry has seen in terms of diversifying the types of experiences that are available to fans. If you never had the chance to play Grim Fandango when it first released or are due for a return visit, give Remastered a download.

You will want all the time to rock out with Guitar Hero 5. Vicarious Visions not only pushes technical aspects of the Wii, but also utilizes DS-to-Wii connectivity and online functionality to further enhance an amazing game.

The pay model is fair and flexible, the gameplay feels refreshed and is highly addictive, and it’s clear that Mallow and his companions will be part of the Nintendo family for many years to come.

Some of the included titles haven’t aged nearly as gracefully as others, but gamers of all ages should have no problem finding something they’ll enjoy here. Sega Genesis Classics is a worthy tribute to Nintendo’s greatest competitor, and a must-have title for Switch owners.

Resident Evil’s flaws are every bit as glaring today as they were back in 2002. The controls, the awkward camera and the game’s item management are all sources of irritation. And yet, despite these issues, Resident Evil HD is still an undeniable classic. No other survival horror game has managed to channel the same compelling level of tension. If you’ve ever played Resident Evil in any of its incarnations in the 23 years since its original release, you’ll know exactly what to expect: one of the most genuinely unnerving games the industry has ever produced. Having the game in portable form is just extra icing on the cake.

As it stands, the depth and longevity of the Race to the Top mode and the excellent play mechanics all add to the overall value of this game.

With additions like terraforming and crafting, the player’s capacity for expression and customization is greater than ever. Coupled with a huge array of neighbor animals to form bonds with, as well as activities to partake in, New Horizons will keep players busy for a very long time. Times are tough for many right now, but perhaps a trip to this digital world will be enough to offer some respite from the storm that is reality.

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.

WayForward may not fix every small detail with Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition, but the developer delivers an enhanced version of a great game. All the new content - HD visuals and remixed stages - elevates the title even more, making it a beautifully designed and challenging action-puzzle-platform experience.

A lot of 2D shooters lean on being cool with over-the-top visuals and millions of bullets on-screen, but Rogue Aces instead goes for a lighter tone and places the emphasis squarely on the oldest, most reliable thing in the video game industry: perfect play control. Throw in a ton of different modes, including an Arcade mode, and players will be coming back to Rogue Aces for some time.

It’s the kind of game that lingers with you, and it’s one I imagine will remain with me for some time. It’s experimental in a way I’ve rarely seen before, truly offering some clever uses for the Switch platform. Some will decry the game for its encouraged voyeurism, but developer Accidental Queens truly seems to be making an attempt at doing something different while addressing a topic rarely seen in video games, or on Nintendo systems at all, for that matter. Personally, I think that’s admirable, and I certainly hope A Normal Lost Phone encourages similar titles to appear on the eShop in the future. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s one of the most unique games currently available on Switch.