All in all, this game is well-designed and easy to pick up and play. Though it might not be for the most avid gamers, people who enjoy thinking on their feet should give it a try.

Those who enjoy co-op player with their shoot-’em-ups will find a thoroughly accessible experience as well. Adding length by gating off stages with higher difficulties is a miss, and a few more stages would have been welcome, but it’s still an easy recommendation as one of the more enjoyable entries in the genre. The story is interesting enough, especially compared to those of similar games. I’ve never been to Mars before, but I can safely say that it’s worth taking a trip down to Jamestown+.

Despite my misgivings with our royal protagonist’s moveset, King of Cards is an excellent cap on what’s become a downright amazing collection of games. Players who already own Treasure Trove get this one for free, and if you’ve ever been on the fence about buying it, I really can’t recommend it highly enough, and keep an eye out for our review of the multiplayer component, Shovel Knight: Showdown, before too long.

It might be a good first dungeon-crawler for a younger audience or a family that wants to play together, but this Riverbond ain’t wide enough for me to recommend it to you.

I enjoyed my time with it, about 10 hours, and Itō’s quest to find the truth at great personal cost is compelling. That said, if you’re looking for a solid point-and-click, I can’t really recommend it. It’s just too thin on that front.

Munchkin: Quacked Quest is a disappointing experience for anyone who has spent hours with the original card game. There is a bit more staying power for those simply looking for a decent couch co-op game to play with friends over the weekend, but the monotonous gameplay will bore the group rather quickly. If you were hoping this would be the transcendent Munchkin video game experience, I am sad to report that you have something here more closely resembling Mario Party mini-games.

Overall, if you enjoy a very slow burn game that really seems better suited to being played for an hour or so a day, or just really want something with a huge focus on narrative, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine may scratch that itch. Those looking for a game with more varied gameplay probably won’t find much to like here, however, as just walking around an admittedly bland map will likely come to bore you sooner rather than later. The game has value and I certainly enjoyed my time with it, but its Switch debut likely won’t turn any more heads than its original release did.

Farming Simulator 20 is a bit of a disappointment. As a newcomer to the series, I couldn’t manage to find a hook to keep me playing before I was overwhelmed by the poorly explained gameplay loop, and with the draw distance as bad as it is, I can’t imagine long-time fans of the series having a good time on Switch either. Agriculture is the backbone of society, but Farming Simulator 20 will not be the backbone of the Switch’s library any time soon.

Ghost Parade has a few sound intentions, but the game's quality is well below par. The game runs dreadfully, and none of Ghost Parade's elements are exactly fun. There are passable moments found within the combat and story, but all of that feels few and far between. As a platformer, it fails to make even a slight impact. Not even on an ironic level can I say I had fun with the journey.

The Bradwell Conspiracy feels like a waste. The game pulls you in on a high, but falters every step of the way. The puzzles can be entertaining, but the Substance system is frustrating and cumbersome at its absolute best moments. The story makes a big deal out of various themes, but there are only fleeting moments where it all matters. I think that the biggest problem of The Bradwell Conspiracy is that getting through it is neither fun nor rewarding. There are so many frustrating moments to be had that I would simply rather play something else.

Lord of the Rings: The Adventure Card Game is charming, if stunted by some inconsistent voice acting and less polished user interface. While some might have wished for player-versus-player options included, the single-player focus allows the card game to hone-in on its core strength – engaging narrated storytelling tied into a solid card game foundation. If you are a lone ring bearer rather than part of a fellowship, this could be a precious experience to you.

Star Ocean: First Departure R is an overall port of a good game. It stands out in a few ways from its contemporaries, mostly in its Tales-esque battle system and character recruitment and affection minutiae. My best recommendation for First Departure R might be that it’s a story-heavy RPG that spins a yarn compelling enough to keep you engaged while also delivering a battle system that is breezy and not as technical. Star Ocean has a lot of complexities underneath the hood, but taking it at face value can leave you with an approachable and enjoyable adventure.

Thankfully, EarthNight wins the day with its enthralling style and art, packing in so many secrets inside its distinctive look. A few issues crop up, chiefly the narrower viewpoint during the fast levels and some long-tail grindy repetition, but the overwhelming killer vibe of this uniquely beautiful video game make it something special, even if dozens (hundreds?) of games have made use of the terms roguelite, procedural generation, and platformers since EarthNight was first revealed half a decade ago.

Heroland relies far too much on the style over substance, and while I do really enjoy the style, especially the Paper Mario-esque pixelated characters, I’m let down by how unsatisfying the game is overall. It’s imminently cute with a solid sense of humor that just unravels into a slog of an adventure that is mostly worth it for the charm of the presentation and not much else.

Groove Coaster’s stylish look can be frustrating and intrusive, but the underlying mechanics still make for one of the best rhythm games I’ve ever played. The excellent track list was already impressive, but the fine-tuned gameplay, inventive mechanics like ad-libs, and a mission-based structure of unlocks that keep you focused and coming back for more content make the game addicting and rewarding. I wish I could turn off the flashy backgrounds and weird camera angles, but even with that blemish this is still an easy choice for anyone who wants to get into a good groove.

Overall, Nyakuza Metro is a great addition to an already great game. The new chapter and the vast amount of new customization options available made this DLC stand out far more than Seal the Deal. Although it suffers from short length and the absence of the Online Party Mode, the adventure was fun from beginning to end. If you enjoyed the base game, then you will certainly enjoy Nyakuza Metro.

Atelier Ryza is a journey about making the best of the here and now, and it is beautiful to behold for it. I felt incredibly engaged every step of the way, wanting to see the game through. I hope that this is the beginning of an engrossing new trilogy.

Door Kickers: Action Squad is an entirely serviceable 2D shooter that has a lot to offer for those looking for that type of gameplay loop, but it’s not really an experience to remember. I can see fans of the genre enjoying a couple of levels at a time, playing in bite-sized chunks. However, even though the gameplay is decent, Door Kickers: Action Squad is lacking overall a lot of what makes a smaller game stand out. Without a story or interesting hook to keep you around, Door Kickers: Action Squad is a title you’re probably going to like instead of love.

By itself, it’s hard to really recommend the Switch version of Zumba Burn It Up! The tracking isn’t great and it’s not something you’d ever want to spend hours with. However, as a greater part of a workout regimen, it certainly has its place. If anyone is looking for something to pair Ring Fit Adventure or Fitness Boxing with, this is fairly decent addition.

Electronic Super Joy is definitely one of the better minimalistic platformers available on the eShop. The strong soundtrack, solid controls, and serious challenge are all elements that will appeal to fans of the genre. I can’t say that it’s necessarily meant for newer or more casual players, but it is quite fair and aesthetically pleasing, too. The adult-themed sound effects and on-screen timer are both misses, but fortunately you can toggle them off and should do so if you pick up the game. It would have been nice to see a little more variety in terms of the abilities you can use, but the stages are still fun and quite varied themselves, and online leaderboards and achievements add some great replay value, too.

Pine is a brilliant idea backed by some truly wonderful systems. Other elements of its gameplay fall short but would ultimately be forgivable if it would just run reliably. No matter how much I wanted to enjoy Pine, I always found myself ending my play session in frustration as a stared down another loading screen, found a key character glitched into an inactive state, or an entire village simply blipping out of existence. Pine feels like a very promising alpha, not a game that should be sold as finished. The presence of Pine on the eShop is baffling. While I earnestly hope it improves, I simply can’t recommend it in its current form.

In short, Ice Age Scrat’s Nutty Adventure takes basic ideas from other 3D platformers and tries to show how impressive they are, when in reality they are just things you’ve seen before. If you are a big Ice Age fan, then this is a harmless experience that doesn’t add to what the movies offer and rather imitates what came before it. For my money, I say let this one hibernate for the winter.

The Touryst is a wonderful slice of adventure gaming paradise, but it features some tough platforming and challenges that can be a little frustrating. Ultimately, though, these concerns are minor when compared to the visual splendour and dream-like atmosphere of the various islands and environments. Although it might not take you too long to see and do everything, that’s probably because you’ll have such a hard time putting it down.

The writing and gameplay are both quite enjoyable, though I can’t shake the feeling that they both kind of seem like almost-as-good Shin Megami Tensei games that are a little more accessible and have a hint of Pokémon. If that sounds good to you, I recommend the collection wholeheartedly. If not, well, there you go.

Whether you happened to cross paths with this odd little genre during its brief popularity or Sublevel Zero Redux will be your first dizzying journey, you’re in for a great blend of retro game design with a twist of modern mechanics. While I do wish the art and mechanics worked a little better together now and then, it doesn’t hamper the addictive gameplay to any significant degree. Grab some motion sickness medicine and get ready to spin and shoot.

Overall, Candleman is a wonderful experience for anyone who enjoys platform games or just great artwork, even in a simpler form. It is a cute and inspirational game that is easy to pick up and play through a section as needed, or binge it all in one sitting.

Overall, Black Future ‘88 is stylish and fun, but the experience feels fleeting. Once you’ve played a few runs or tried the assist mode, it’s possible that you’ve seen most of what’s on offer. Unlocking new characters, weapons, and perks adds replay value, as do the daily challenges, but it’s more the cool visuals and action gameplay that make this one worth picking up. Two-player co-op is another nice feature. If your first impression of Black Future ‘88 is positive, I would say give it shot, but a lack of depth and variety keep it from reaching greater heights.

What the new Pokémon does right is battling and in the smaller details. There are many little tweaks that keep the experience lighthearted, which I wouldn't have any other way.

What the new Pokémon does right is battling and in the smaller details. There are many little tweaks that keep the experience lighthearted, which I wouldn't have any other way.

What the new Pokémon does right is battling and in the smaller details. There are many little tweaks that keep the experience lighthearted, which I wouldn't have any other way.

The mystique of its systems and world is one of its most captivating elements, but there is no question that it will be frustrating to those looking for a more familiar or traditional experience. I myself bounced off of previous SaGa games, in spite of a constant fascination with them, but I am happy to say that Romancing SaGa 3 has become one of my favourite JRPGs. If you’ve never dabbled in the works of Kawazu, the release of this remaster is as good a time as any.

Children of Morta is one of the most wonderful surprises of 2019, and it needs to be on your radar. The progression system and unlockables mean that even an unsuccessful 20-minute run will yield tangible growth to make the next run easier. Those who aren’t wholly into rogue-lites, like me, will still enjoy the variety and action of the gameplay. Better still, it’s impossible not to be captivated by the Bergson family’s struggle for survival and togetherness against a formidable evil. A two-player co-op option is the cherry on top of this exquisitely-crafted experience. However you choose to go through it, Children of Morta is an absolute must-play.

Sparklite does an exemplary job of taking what works from the 2D Zelda genre but putting their own unique look and feel to the design. Where it falters is that the maps and dungeons that are a joy to explore in the Legend of Zelda have been replaced with dull and monotonous procedural generation. The discovery of new items and the different ways you can defeat enemies are enough to recommend Sparklite to those who are fans of the genre, the lack of meaningful exploration unfortunately prevents it from becoming a must-play title.

Override Mech City Brawl asks a lot out of potential customers for a much more flawed game. Even if it were a budget title, the framerate valleys, constricting scale, limited customization options, and a completely dead online presence would make it tough to recommend. In its current state, you’d do best to walk past the smoldering pile.

The gameplay loop of riding to places, exploring a bit, grabbing patients, and moving back is extremely novel and engaging. With every mission introducing unique attributes, it is always a delight to see what curve The Stretchers throws at you next. There were a few minor problems, mostly with precise movements, but never anything that soured the fun. Overall though, I can't help but admire the things Tarsier Studios put in. The Stretchers is a good time.

Cryogear brings some interesting new ideas to the genre, but unfortunately it doesn’t execute them well enough to really stand out. There’s a lot of depth to the gameplay, but most of it feels unnecessary and doesn’t influence the gameplay substantially. I’d love to see some of these ideas implemented more effectively, but as is it’s hard to widely recommend.

Thief of Thieves would be a boring game in the best of conditions, but the Switch version only serves to make a bad game worse. It’s incredibly short, clocking in at less than five hours, but I still found myself struggling to care to keep going long before I reached the end. From the bland, underdeveloped gameplay to the buggy port, Thief of Thieves spent so much time focusing on the comic book’s style that it didn’t bother including any actual substance.

Tsum Tsum Festival is not built to produce a competitive atmosphere, but is rather a heart-warming collection of mini-games. My husband, John, and I played most of the games in a cooperative mode because, frankly, it was way more fun. But if you’re going to have John on your team for Bubble Hockey, for the love of Tsum Tsum don’t have him guard the goal.

Incredible Mandy is not bad, it’s just also not good. It just kind of is. Aside from the clunky controls and tedious animations, nothing about the game is really offensive, but there’s just no hook that managed to keep me invested up to the end. The aesthetic is overall eye-catching, but it can’t hide the fact that Incredible Mandy is simply not that incredible. There’s nothing wrong with a simple game, but simplicity only works if there’s a high level of polish to back it up.

New Super Lucky’s Tale is the definitive way to experience this often overlooked platformer. For every small compromise, there are easily twice as many improvements to be had. It prioritizes exploration with consistently well hidden rewards and never devalues them by throwing too many at the player. It takes the fun original release and turns it into something pretty special. The Switch could be a fantastic new start for Lucky. Who knows, maybe he could have a crossover with another Nintendo fox someday. While the Switch has no shortage of great 3D platformers, New Super Lucky’s Tale shouldn’t be too far from the top of your list.

Overall, Devil May Cry 2 is not a terrible game. Coming off the heels of the original and the Bayonetta games, however, there is virtually no reason to play this game unless you’re truly curious. I enjoyed the four-hour adventure as a good distraction, but the glaring problems, such as the camera and story, left a bad taste in my mouth. There are certainly worse games to play, but if you’re itching for a new game in the genre to play, you may want to look elsewhere.

Overall, while her debut adventure is not nearly as grand as anything her father did, Katrielle’s story is still full of the same wit and charm one can expect from a game in the Professor Layton series. If you like past games in the series, you will probably still enjoy this more laid back entry, but first timers would be better off starting from the beginning. Various side features like dressing Kat in different outfits or decorating the agency’s office give the player ample opportunity to sit back and take a break from all the puzzles, and London’s streets are still fun to explore, especially when coupled with another fantastic soundtrack from series composer Tomohito Nishiura. If you find yourself craving some puzzles and English accents, Mystery Journey is a game you should look into picking up.

If I didn’t have a pub’s worth of RPGs on the Switch already to deal with, I could see myself putting thousands of hours into Disgaea 4 Complete+. The story is a blast, and the combat is addictive enough while also being a nice change from the huge maps of Three Houses. Right now, D4 is the best bet if you’re looking for some humor to go along with your strategy, dood.

A surprisingly fun game with a lot to offer. The Story Mode is somewhat amusing and easily goes by in five hours. While I wish there was more interaction with the modern world, I can't deny the effort at least. That being said, the real star of the show are the activities themselves. With 34 minigames to choose from, this is one of the most packed games in series history. It helps that the button controls work quite well, and help to sell the experience just that teensy bit more.

Overall, Skullgirls is a wonderfully charming fighting game, with an incredibly memorable cast of characters all represented by gorgeously animated hand-drawn sprites that just make them feel alive. From Peacock and Parasoul, to Beowulf and Big Band, you’re more than likely to find a character that appeals to you or your playstyle among the cast. The experience is especially heightened by the fantastic jazzy soundtrack provided by Castlevania composer Michiru Yamane. As stated before, if you’re not a fan of the genre as it is, Skullgirls probably won’t change your mind, but if you’re interested in fighting games or already enjoy them as a whole, this is one title you should probably pick up.

Resident Evil 5 was received favorably when it first released in 2009, but playing it for the first time in 2019 I feel like it’s a disappointing step down from its excellent predecessor. Even the Switch port isn’t quite as good as RE4’s, running at an inconsistent framerate that never manages to hit 60fps—sometimes not even hitting 30fps. I had a good time playing through a chunk of the game online with a friend, but playing on my own was just dull. It’s probably true that RE5 was never going to live up to RE4’s legacy, but now, a decade after its original release, I think it even fails to live up to its own.

While I was pleased with how my selected ending mirrored how I would have responded to a similar situation, I just wish that my journey to get there could have been more customized, instead of feeling like all endings were possible at the end, no matter what. Still, fans of visual novels with deep thought experiments and realistic characters should certainly download Eliza for lots of engaging reading on their Nintendo Switch.

Ring Fit Adventure never loses sight of its main goal: making moving your body accessible to players of all skill levels. In that sense, Ring Fit Adventure simply hits it out of the park and never looks back. I couldn't believe how well it scaled to my needs, which Nintendo deserves a lot of praise for. Spectacular stuff through and through.

Overall, I have pretty mixed feelings about Close to the Sun. I love the setting and the atmosphere, but the technical problems, chase sequences, and lack of story cohesion ultimately left me wanting.

Cat Quest II is a great improvement over the original. The game offers a teensy bit more variety and a bigger world, so it starts trucking almost instantly. I do wish that your AI co-op buddy was a bit more competent, but that’s a minor gripe. All in all, though, the time flew by and the smile stayed on my face through almost the entire playthrough. This action RPG promises a wonderful treat if you're looking for a pretty dense game.

Let’s Sing Country is a totally fine karaoke game that has a pretty lacking tracklist. It has made the conversion to Switch just fine as it’s easy to read the lyrics even in handheld mode and the mobile phone app means you don’t need microphones to have fun. However, there’s just not enough songs to make it worth buying for most would-be singers.

This is an essential entry into the greater view of video game history and I’m so happy that a collection like this exists.

After spending time with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, I’m still confused as to why this specific game was the pick to revive the franchise. The 10 mini-games included aren’t that strong and the main game is mediocre at best, dragged down by the motion-focused level design and abysmal boss battles. On one hand, I was happy to play Super Monkey Ball again, but on the other, I wish I could play a better Super Monkey Ball game.

It never feels good to solve a puzzle through sheer trial and error, and while every puzzle game has one or two duds there are just too many in Kine to allow for the good puzzles to feel worth it. It’s a shame that such a beautiful aesthetic was wasted on this, because the game is not nearly as exciting as the jazz riffs that accompanies it.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is a fun time, but not without its fair share of faults. While the gameplay and presentation deserve my highest praises, there are elements I'm less high on. The good and underutilized floors keep going back and forth without there being a real consistent pattern. It doesn't exactly help that the game gives away its conclusion too soon, way before you even come close to it. The ScareScraper is a lovely time as well, though with content being strapped back for a singular, clean game mode. Players who want to continuously enjoy the game might be better off trying to 100% the Story Mode. The collectibles are nicer to deal with now, which makes exceeding those initial ten hours not even a problem. Oh, and that Slam attack is pretty incredible as well.

The overall case is somewhat neat and tidy - it won’t take you much more than a few hours to solve the mystery - but the journey along the way is enjoyable. The voice acting and standout art and animation fits the distinctive characters very well, and with few exceptions, the puzzles and deduction sequences are engaging and brain-wrinkling. I hope this is the start of a new era in Detective Grimoire’s career, because I wouldn’t mind revisiting this world and gameplay style again soon.

Eyes of Ara is an excellent point-and-click adventure that gets bogged down in its final moments. Up until then, progress is smooth with excellently designed and balanced puzzles throughout. The docked controls are functional but handheld play is where Eyes of Ara really shines. If you’re part of the ever more niche crowd who still enjoys clicking their way through a complex environment, reading journals, and solving deep puzzles, Eyes of Ara ought to satisfy.

Ichidant-R comes as a gigantic bummer despite being a super neat and novel game that I never knew about before this release. The mini-games are enjoyable and the aesthetics are neat, but the fact that the Mega Drive options, including an RPG-lite mode and a multiplayer board game, are completely in Japanese renders those enticing options as non-starters. Unless you’re looking for a reason to try to learn some Japanese, this is hard to recommend, even if the basic arcade mode (that’s actually in English) is enjoyable.

Overall the game manages to be an alright experience that likely won’t leave you feeling too strongly either way. The game can be completed in a brisk 2-3 hours, which is just long enough that it doesn’t overstay its welcome and yet just short enough that it feels lacking in certain ways. If you’re desperately looking for a short bit of horror to keep you entertained for at least a couple hours, it’s worth giving a shot, but you likely won’t find an overly memorable experience.

A lot of nagging issues keep Mary Skelter from being a must-play title, and instead I see it reserved more for people who want incredibly deep mechanics and aren’t turned off by pedestrian story-telling. If you’re willing to put the time in, you can unlock costumes and even Mary Skelter: Nightmares, the first entry in the series, but approach this dungeon-crawler with caution. You won’t be able to avoid the anime girls in various states of undress nor skip walls of insipid dialogue.

Doraemon: Story of Seasons combines the two series into a wonderful new experience on Switch. There’s nothing here that breaks the mold, but that is the charm of Story of Seasons: it feels comfortable and easy to get into, and this iteration definitely goes out of its way to help you ease into the gameplay. If you can get through the excruciatingly long introduction, this is a well polished, beautifully-drawn version of Story of Seasons that anyone familiar with the series will love.

While Jet Kave Adventure does manage to be enjoyable for the most part, it never really hooked me; the formula rarely changes and the gameplay never evolves. Each of the game’s four levels is divided into nine stages, and by the time I reached stage nine, I was more than ready to move on to something else. Shorter levels with more variety would’ve alleviated this problem. There’s a good game here, but it’s best experienced in short bursts. If you keep hoping that Retro Studios would make a third Donkey Kong Country Returns game, you are probably the target audience for Jet Kave Adventure.

I concluded 80 days feeling the same satisfaction as when finishing a good book, with the added joy of having helped shape the character. Jean and Phileas’ trek is broad, but their stories are wonderfully personal in contrast which isn’t always translated to video games that well. This retelling of a classic novel conveys the spirit of the book while adding the perfect amount of interactivity to make the story of your own. Though I’ve completed one round trip, I’ll be taking a second spin to see how charting a different path changes my next story.

Ultimately, Jackbox Party Pack 6 feels like a letdown. It’s missing both You Don’t Know Jack and a game where you have the chance to draw, and those two experiences are ones that my group of friends has always very much looked forward to. If you loved Trivia Murder Party or aspire to have your own stand-up routine, Jackbox 6 might be worth your time, but you’re probably better off looking into one of the earlier collections that seem to be regularly going on sale.

Overwatch is an absolute must-play for fans of multiplayer shooters, and while the Switch version makes a number of compromises, it does not compromise how incredible Overwatch is.

Despite having to take breaks due to the visual style, the game kept me coming back again and again, desperate to find the next bread crumb and crack the next mystery, which would inevitably open up a brand new one for me to work my way through. If you like a game that really makes you think long and hard about every piece of information you’re given, Return of the Obra Dinn is probably for you.

The clearest recommendation here is that Destiny Connect is more for the younger gamer in your life, as it’s a kid-friendly adventure that winds up being a little too basic and uninspired for those with more JRPG experience. This game drifts through the sands of time that is the Switch’s library as just another in the line of numerous RPGs of various shapes and sizes. It’s an okay game, but without any defining features other than competency, it’s hard to recommend over similar games in the genre.

This is a perfectly average, competent, fun puzzle game that was very fun to play for a few hours and nothing more beyond that. It doesn’t revolutionize the puzzle genre in any way, but it was a good experience while it lasted. And like with any Sega Ages title, the added content makes this the best version of the game yet.

Once I became comfortable with the controls, cycling through all the different items in my inventory became effortless. I preferred playing this game docked rather than in handheld mode. A peaceful adventure game like this begs to be played while relaxing on the couch and enjoying the vibrant colors on a big screen. While it isn’t the most gripping adventure, fans of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing will probably enjoy it.

A Hat in Time + Seal the Deal knows what kind of game it is, and it certainly pays homage to titles that built the genre. It has its own cute, quirky personality but it definitely trips over itself, despite a valiant effort to be a great 3D platforming experience. It just needs to run better, and iron out its rougher spots so that it can throw its own hat into the ring of the best 3D platformers.

Freedom Finger is a delightful and devilish romp through outer space and fleets of Chinese and Russian enemy ships. It’s presentation adds flavor and the dialogue options and online leaderboards improve replay value. The story elements and excessive swearing may be offensive to some, and the abrupt stage endings feel unsatisfying, but the overall package is an entertaining one. It’s not one of the best horizontal shooters I’ve played, but it’s definitely the weirdest. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something that’s challenging and quirky and worth going through more than once.

This Game Freak game might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an adorable aesthetic amped up by hardcore CCG-inspired combat, Little Town Hero might be made specifically for you, because it seems like it’s that way for me.

The adventure mode is the true winner here, as the unbridled mayhem keeps up a solid pace, only really faltering in the back half as it gets just a tiny bit long in the tooth. Pig Eat Ball is a ridiculous and preposterous game that is thoroughly unique, even if it often wears its arcade inspirations on its sleeves. That all being said, it’s a delightfully quirky experience that calls to mind throwback game concepts in a post-modern way.

I can really only recommend the Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions to people who played and enjoyed them in the past. Planescape has a terrible bug that freezes the game when you try to rest in one of the earlier areas of the game, and this is still the least of its problems. It’s possible that the original developers of these games made them for an audience that would be familiar with the mechanics or have the patience to spend hours figuring out the systems at play. 20 years on, these games continue to be filled with brilliant story-telling, but what they really need to tell you is how to actually play.

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a competent and satisfying experience that benefits from two-player co-op and online leaderboards. However, in being a remake of the 1987 and 1994 versions, it also fails to bring anything too interesting or unique to the table. It’s a fairly easy recommendation to brawler fans, but I think a wider audience would be better off with the Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle, given its much stronger value proposition. Not that it needs saving, but Return of the Warriors isn’t quite the savior of the brawler genre.

If anyone is looking for what I feel comfortable calling the biggest game on Switch, Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition deserves your attention. To those who can't spare at least their whole selves to a game, sit this one out. Saving the world from the void is a full-time job.

Those who don’t enjoy more narrative driven games likely won’t find much enjoyment in One Night Stand, but those who do should find it to be a wonderfully awkward and sweet experience.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is every bit the amazing game on Switch that it is everywhere else. While the Switch version does of course make compromises, the core vision and game design shine through, assuming you have the brightness turned up. While it is unfortunate that the route finding system is just as bad now as it was at launch, it is ultimately a tiny chip in an otherwise remarkable masterpiece.

Mable and the Wood is a game that has its heart in the right place, trying some interesting new things in a tried-and-true, side-scrolling presentation. Unfortunately, a lot of those ideas aren’t that appealing and the novel ideas soon unravel into an endearing but merely decent adventure.

There is an incredible amount of charm and character to A Knight’s Quest. I’d strongly encourage anyone who thinks they can get past the technical and combat issues to give A Knight’s Quest a try. While those issues are substantial and may turn some off, there is an amazing game resting just below the surface.

I can’t really give it more of a ringing endorsement than saying this: it has the potential to be the definitive online multiplayer experience of 2019, and that’s coming from someone who plays Tetris 99 every single day. If you can get friends together, local or otherwise, you’re guaranteed an awesome time. Dynamite with a laser beam, indeed. My mind’s already blown.

Mistover’s tense dungeon exploration and positional RPG combat are incredible. In the best of circumstances with a good team, this is one of the most fun dungeon crawlers I have ever played. Regrettably, those best of circumstances are not a guarantee, and the random generation of characters can rob the game of so much of its appeal. The inconsistency brought about by RNG drags the game down from excellent to merely pretty good. Anyone looking for a more consistent or relaxed experience would do best to stay away, but there’s still a worthwhile thrill for anyone willing to put in the time to get a truly great run going in Mistover.

If you are a fan of Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos, The Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game (apparently its full title) will hold some appeal to you. While familiarity with the source material is not required, it probably helps, but I can safely recommend this game to any fan of the cosmic horror genre. There are some rough edges, sure, but it’s well worth the journey overall, especially around this time of year.

Reventure is a completionist’s dream. Those who thrive on finding every little secret and experimenting with all the possibilities a game offers will fall in love. Players looking for a clear, singular objective or a greater amount of complexity may not enjoy what it brings to the table. Its unique approach to endings, storytelling, and world-building make Reventure one of the freshest experiences in recent memory, and for my money it’s a plunge that’s worth taking.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered has some good things going for it. A fun story, excellent voice work from the original cast, and a nice new shine to the visuals, all making the campaign feel solid. The removal of multiplayer and a lack of polish on the cutscenes make this feel a little rushed, though. If you are a fan of the brand, you will enjoy this game, but if you never really cared for the Ghostbusters, then this won’t change your mind.

Presentation aside, BurgerTime Party is a sharp reimagining of a classic arcade game. Overall, the original gameplay is focused into more guided and shorter puzzles, but through clever competitive multiplayer, enjoyable co-op, and high score challenges, this comes out the other end of the meat grinder as a solid revival of a series that has too often been served raw or overcooked. BurgerTime Party might not be a flawlessly grilled adventure, but it winds up being something around the ballpark of medium rare.

As a historical relic, it’s wonderful to see this game come out on Switch, but aside from nostalgia and completionism, I can’t recommend Dragon Quest II to most people. In a world where the Switch also contains the modern marvel that is Dragon Quest XI, the stronger sequel Dragon Quest III, and the more compact and straightforward original game, this should be the lowest entry on the totem pole. Also, the story here heavily inspired Dragon Quest Builders 2, which is also a great game. Dragon Quest II isn’t a bad game; it’s just 32 years old and might be the weakest entry in one of the most legendary RPG franchises of all time.

Hexagroove: Tactical DJ may take just a little time to explore, but I found it super engaging. This music game requires you to think about every decision you make, and teaches you how you can play the virtual crowd. There are plenty of musical loops and timing elements to keep you replaying levels and going wild in Freestyle. The minigames may prove a little too demanding at points, but that is only a slight niggle in an otherwise superb journey throughout this musical experience. Overall, Hexagroove is a nice surprise through and through.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX was absolutely grand. While the game is somewhat on the shorter side, various gameplay improvements made this one the best in the series. It is clear that the developers focused on swiftness and getting to the cool stuff as soon as possible. The game flows well as a result, encouraging you to go back and improve your performance in certain stages. The level design and gameplay mechanics make for a very sharp 8.5 hours.

Overall, Agent A: A Puzzle In Disguise is a clever and straightforward adventure-puzzle game. It’s much more accessible and condensed than something like Myst or The Witness, but it’s easy to complete over the course of a few evenings. Unfortunately, the Switch port seems to have done away with the challenges and achievements of the mobile versions, so there isn’t really any reason to replay Agent A after completing it. Regardless, I can highly recommend assisting Agent A in her mission as it’s a fun distraction that doesn’t overstay its welcome. This review will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Agent!

Even playing the entire game solo I still had an absolute blast from start to finish, and performance on the Switch version keeps a consistent locked framerate throughout (the resolution in handheld can drop pretty low during some of the busier scenes). The combat is an unfortunate drag, but the puzzles stand on their own so well that it’s worth pushing through the dull battles to keep solving more of them until you’ve found the Nightmare Prince.

Even knowing that the only change of the new remastered version of Alliance Alive is the graphics, I still had high hopes for a better second experience. Some of the individual aspects I enjoyed, but as a full experience it still didn’t click. If you picked up Alliance Alive the first time around, whatever that experience was for you will likely be repeated on the Switch. To those whose main interest is the battle system, if grinding for moves and abilities is your thing, this remastered is a much prettier and convenient version to play.

Super Dodgeball Beats is simple to grasp, challenging at times in uneven ways, but generally fun with a visual flair that is humorous and bombastic in a delightful way. While I’d have hoped for some different ways to apply challenge, it doesn’t become insurmountable and the narrow scope of options lets you focus on jumping right into a match. Even with some repetition in the soundtrack, this is another solid rhythm-based game on the Switch that you can put some headphones on and get tunnel vision enjoying it.

In spite of being pretty fun to play, Galaxy Champions TV is missing the heart and character that made Smash TV so endearing. There’s no loudmouth TV announcer spouting dumb catchphrases; there’s no freedom in terms of how you move from room to room. You exit every arena stage right until you hit the boss stage. The minute-to-minute gameplay is decent, but then you hit a wall and keep playing the same stages over and over again to grind out experience, in hopes that a new perk might be able to give you the boost you need.

The first Dragon Quest feels like a relic from the past with its incessant grinding and tiring dialogue. But it’s hard not to recommend: it does have that Dragon Quest appeal that many games in the series have, and the soundtrack and visuals (save the character models) give this release a great classic feel. There’s no doubt this 33-year-old game shows its age, but Dragon Quest presents a simple, straightforward experience that’s worth playing if you can forgive its dated flaws.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is, at its worst, an enjoyable 2D platformer. Some of the level design is a tiny bit pedestrian, but the dynamic duo have a versatile moveset that helps make rolling around levels fun. Where this game shines is in the sum of its parts. The individual levels might not be outstanding, but combining those with alternate versions and a light and engrossing overworld make the whole package that is Playtonic’s second game a thrilling one. They might not have regained the crown from Retro Studios in the realm of Donkey Kong Country-like games, but they certainly retained the googly eyes.

Muse Dash is an entertaining rhythm game that forces the player to constantly act. The notes coming your way aren't for the faint of heart, and there are challenges to keep you looking ahead. The music selection and various options are quite impressive, too, even if I wouldn't dare touch Master difficulty for the life of me. While the progression system is mostly sound, I feel that the grind towards stat-altering costumes is somewhat harsh. In addition, the English text lines could have used a little more editing. Those points aside, this is the most complete experience of Muse Dash yet with a constant stream of updates in the pipeline.

The setting of Los Ojos feels alive, and its denizens are a delightful cocktail of awkward, savvy, charming, and repellent. While a playthrough can take around 3-4 hours, it’s worth returning to the world to meet different people and see how your decisions impact the overall narrative. What’s more, the dark and gritty aesthetic works well in a game that portends a potentially frightening future. At the end of a long shift, Neo Cab’s strong writing and effective story-telling make it well-worth hailing.