Having the option to play on the big screen is always nice but it’s in handheld mode where titles like this truly shine, with the touchscreen in handheld mode always offering a quicker and easier way to play. If you love a good puzzle challenge Piczle Lines DX is neck and neck with the likes of Picross for quality and offers a unique style worthy of your time.

If you're looking to do some dungeon crawling and battling against creepy monsters from Japanese folklore book your trip to Hyakki Castle.

Marble It Up as it is right now is an excellent marble puzzle platformer with not a lot of meat on its bones. It’s hard to recommend in its current form because it’s so threadbare, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on as updates are made.

This version might be missing modes found on other consoles, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. From the newly-added UEFA Champions League mode, to the updated online that now lets you play with friends, there’s plenty to see and do. The top-tier gameplay feels fluid and crisp, the visual upgrades are noticeable, and having the FIFA experience portable is a great feeling. For those who want more than the standard Career modes or love diving into the Ultimate Team this version might not be for you, but if those aren’t deal breakers, then FIFA 19 on the Switch is a fantastic way to get your soccer fix.

A Case of Distrust is a really fun adventure game/visual novel. It has a solid, if telegraphed, mystery and a unique cast of characters. It succeeds in capturing Roaring Twenties San Francisco and the evolving social mores of the interwar period. Its style is captivating, and positively contributes to gameplay. This is a strong recommendation for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.

With Mega Man 11, Capcom is catering to new players and hardened veterans, and satisfies both to a degree, but it will likely disappoint some players, too. It might not be the Mega Man game we need, but on October 2 it will be the one we get.

While the Variety Kit did provide some entertainment, I felt that the replayability of that initial Labo came up short, which led to my reduced enthusiasm in the product line. If you had a similar feeling to what I did, don’t let that previous experience prevent you from trying out this new offering. Whether Nintendo learned some lessons during the first run or if the extra time in development allowed them to release a more polished experience, I’m not sure. But what I do know is that the Labo Vehicle Kit is miles ahead of its predecessors and has made me excited again about the future of this franchise.

Sonic 1 feels slightly more primitive than the other Sonic games, but that’s alright. The addition of the newer dash moves brings it closer to the more recent Sonic games in feel, but if you want speed, Sonic Mania would be a better pick. Still, M2 did phenomenal work on bringing this game to the Switch in a way that doesn't feel stale. If you want to see where Sonic came from and are interested in how the new features enhance this classic game, there’s no reason to stay away.

Alwa’s Awakening is a great investment for those who grew up with old-school Castlevania games or those who prefer Zelda II to The Legend of Zelda. It’s not fast-paced or action-packed, but it has plenty of nostalgia and is well-suited to those who prefer jumping to shooting, spell-casting to sword-swinging. Well, how can I forget you, Zoe? When there’s always another Metroidvania to remind me.

TowerFall is an outrageously incredible local multiplayer game, quite possibly one of my favorites of all time. Smash Bros. might draw attention away from TowerFall when it launches, but I’m reminded of how when Super Smash Bros. for Wii U came out, I had a group of friends over and we wound up playing more TowerFall than Smash. In the ever-expanding sea of local multiplayer games on Switch, TowerFall stands out, thanks to its intuitive and fun gameplay, excellent style and presentation, and variety of play.

Wandersong is definitely worth checking out on the basis of how different and unique it is. From the fun, new interaction method to the hand-crafted art style, this is something completely fresh.

In Between is a real solid puzzle-platformer in a world with many on Nintendo Switch. The darker tone of the story questions life, death and everything between with care. There are some puzzle bits that could've been formed better, but it is a fantastic game in the grand scheme of things. All in all, this is one of those games I would recommend putting on headphones for and kick it back in handheld mode. The intensity of some individual moments are really well suited for a personal display.

The style of Ultimate Chicken Horse is great and when it all comes together, it is a special brand of silly party gaming. Unfortunately, unless you find that perfect situation, the quality of the fun can vary wildly. So much of the amusement here is dependent on having the right people to play with. Find that setup and this is a madcap party game.

I would recommend it to Excitebike super fans, arcade aficionados, gaming historians, and Nintendo fanatics who just want to experience any oddity related to the company’s history. Anyone else may get their fix by playing the original version of Excitebike, which is currently part of the Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo Switch Online app. And who knows, maybe months or years down the line the ultimate version of Excitebike, VS. Excitebike from the Famicom Disk System, may hit the service as well.

Armello is a brilliant combination of board game ideas poured into a video game. A variety of ways to play mix well with the layers of strategy and charming presentation to make an impressive addition to the Switch multiplayer library. This is a grand, polished experience that is fun by yourself and even better online. It’s shame about the lack of local play, but it makes up for it by being so good otherwise.

I appreciate This is the Police II in that it tries to be a more ambitious game than the original. It still carries aspects from the first game that I liked, such as the atmosphere and narrative. But between the sharp increase in difficulty, juggling the various gameplay elements and the long-winded storytelling, it simply isn’t that fun to play. Sometimes trying to do so much dilutes what you’re trying to accomplish, and This is The Police II is a prime example of that.

Overall, the game is fantastic. It’s fun for solo play and is even better when working in co-op. I’ve poured hours into the game and have still not completed every possible task available. There’s so much replayability and it’ll have you craving for more Yo-kai madness… or maybe a Yo-kai is making you think that. Regardless, the game is definitely fantastic and I’d highly recommend adding it to your 3DS’s library.

Overall, the game is fantastic. It’s fun for solo play and is even better when working in co-op. I’ve poured hours into the game and have still not completed every possible task available. There’s so much replayability and it’ll have you craving for more Yo-kai madness… or maybe a Yo-kai is making you think that. Regardless, the game is definitely fantastic and I’d highly recommend adding it to your 3DS’s library.

The board game segments are the draw of Light Fingers, and as long as you don’t venture off that path, you’ll likely have a fantastic time.

I found the first couple runs mildly entertaining with diminishing returns on each subsequent playthrough.

Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition HD is a weird game to review. While it doesn't exactly fill an RPG-sized hole, it’s still fun to play. The challenge might be lacking, but it is fun going through the motions.

This is one of the finest action games I've played in a while, and every individual piece about it works.

Broken Sword 5 delivers a competent point-and-click, with a cast of colorful characters, a rollicking-if-cheesy adventure, and solid puzzle design. Some minor issues with gameplay and puzzle design don’t harm the game’s quality too much, and in such an undeserved genre they’re forgivable. The biggest issue with the game is that it is a bit too married to convention both in plot and gameplay. Broken Sword 5 won't stick with like classics of the point-and-click Golden Age, but it’s still a solid adventure and I’ll be keeping my eyes open for future (and past) travels of George and Nico.

If you don’t really care for brawlers, the games in this collection aren’t going to change your mind. That said, there is a lot of value in the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre or those who love couch co-op games.

The Gardens Between is one of the bigger surprises I've played on Nintendo Switch. The title proved to be a smartly designed puzzler that anyone quickly can understand. Solutions are found by using logic in tandem with the rules of the world. The flow of time plays a major role in all of this and a keen eye can help you all the way through. The only error I can see here is that The Gardens Between ends on a weird note. This is something that could've been expanded upon, but the developers left us guessing. The complaint is rather minor in the grand scheme of it all as the experience is one that shouldn't be missed.

I don’t recommend Hover: Revolt of Gamers on the Switch at all. Even after five years of development, it feels incredibly undercooked. The user interface is not intuitive, and the gameplay and camera together make it feel like a bad VR game. Maybe it’s more fun on a powerful desktop PC, but it just doesn’t feel at home here.

I was charmed by the style and presentation of Reigns: Kings and Queens. While the repetition of decisions can slow the fun at times, the quest system gives you something to constantly be trying to figure out. The story goes to enough offbeat places and as long as you’re progressing through the quests, adds in enough small bits of gameplay to stay fresh. Reigns is much more experiential than gamey, but it’s an experience worth checking out.

Fall of Light features multiple weapons and fighting stances, but these features just did not feel different enough to me to combat all the problems that I experienced. If you are looking for a Dark Souls experience, I would wait and spend the money when the remaster comes out rather than subject yourself to Fall of Light.

Going through the experience today, it’s easy to see why Undertale was the talk of the town two years ago. It’s not an overly long playthrough, but it’s an impactful 7+ hours. A slow burn that starts off cute, but builds up to an absolutely thrilling last couple hours. I’m not sure if the Pope has gotten around to playing it yet, but he would be doing himself a disservice if he hasn’t.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country, despite technically being DLC, is a remarkably accessible adventure to new players. For those viewing this simply as a DLC, I expect you’ll be floored by just how new it all feels. As a separate experience it has some very real pacing issues, and if you found the map, compass, or field skills frustrating in the original you’ll likely be revisiting that frustration here. Regardless however it the best combat the franchise has ever had. The story and gameplay all hold their own well against the Xenoblade series reputation for excellence, and will likely leave you wanting more.

Reflexions is not great. There’s not much content, there aren’t enough massage mini-games, there aren’t enough dress-up options (at least, not yet), and the voyeuristic tone is creepy. And then there’s the fantasy involving Asuka being your little sister, which almost makes me want to nuke the game from orbit. For the Senran Kagura superfan, it’s probably required reading but everyone else can just wait for Peach Beach Pinball.

A few tweaks here and there, would assist in the overall experience, but all in all I recommend checking into The Penrose for a few puzzling nights.

Steady rhythm gameplay doesn’t hide the fact that I’d rather play the original songs and not the modern throwbacks.

You can do pretty much whatever you want, whether it’s play every game with your favorite team, sim seasons and be a manager, invent your own team, bring in legends to the modern NBA, or play through cinematic stories. It’s a lot to take in and sift through, but if you have a passing affinity for basketball, a mode is likely here for you. NBA 2K19 is a top-tier sports game, even on the Switch. It’s just a shame the microtransactions are ever present.

Overall, if you’re a fan of the De Blob series or if you’re just looking for a nice and peaceful game to add to your Switch library, I’d recommend giving this one a shot and letting your inner graffiti artist run wild.

Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is the dungeon crawler I've been waiting for. The way you build up characters and use them in battle is so incredibly well put together. Everything you do to prepare feels important, and readies you for what comes next. Naturally there are a few things to be said about the story's setup and the not-so-massive enemy count, but this can be forgiven in the grand scheme of things. The game knows what it wants to be, and I gladly spent well close to 100 hours seeing it all through. If you are looking for a game that will keep you going, Labyrinth of Refrain has your back.

All in all, Robbotto is a decent but unfulfilling attempt at trying to replicate the whimsical Bubble Bobble. Robb’s jumping is too floaty and makes certain levels and situations more difficult than they should be. The charge shot moves slowly and can only be fired one at a time and is frustratingly coupled with extremely short range on the water hose. These issues negatively impact enjoyment of the game. You can work on setting a high score and there are basic achievements to complete, but these add little to the overall experience.

If you have a game night with a group of friends who like playing a handful of silly multiplayer games that’ll cause laughter and aggravation when getting too competitive, Slam Land with its visual goofiness, quirks, and crazy on-screen dunk action will belong beautifully as part of your rotation. I’ll have a bunch of fun with my friends when they come to visit next, but the game will likely go untouched until then.

The best way to experience Wasteland 2 is undoubtedly on PC, but if that’s not an option the Switch version is an acceptable, though compromised solution. A healthy amount of patience and a reasonable amount of stress toleration will be needed but ultimately it will be worth it.

My time with Broforce followed an arc of first loving the concept, then being exhausted by it before coming back around and loving the blend of nonsense bro jokes and amusing gunplay and levels. This all works best with a bros playing locally, but even if you’re playing solo (brolo?), Broforce is still a fun romp.

If you’re a fan of metroidvania-style games, games with a good story, or even just something to pass the time, I would absolutely recommend adding this game to your Switch library immediately. It’s perfect for beginners and experienced players alike and will leave you with hours of challenge and entertainment.

The Switch release plays just as smoothly as any modern game. No frame drops are present and it works beautifully in handheld mode. While there is no new content with this release, it still feels right at home on the Switch. If you’ve played Bastion in the past or if you’ve missed out on the previous releases, I wholeheartedly recommend Bastion for anyone looking for a fantastic action RPG.

When I first played Gone Home five years ago, I remember sitting and staring at my computer screen for a long while after completing the game. I didn’t want to move or speak. I just wanted to think about what I had experienced over the course of an evening. The Fullbright Company knows how to tell a story and they succeed at making the player feel that he or she is part of that story. If you want a narrative experience that demonstrates what the video game medium is truly capable of, play this game, but do so slowly. Gone Home is not a game to hurry through, but one to savor and remember.

But with Valkyria Chronicles 4, the series is back and everyone needs to enlist.

Overall Sigi is totally fine. The design is amusing and the execution is solid. My main issue with it is that there isn’t much to it. It’s not a title that has much replay value. The difficulty of the regular levels compared to the boss levels is also a bit disproportionate. I think that the life-hoarding mechanic is a cheap way to keep the player happy. I know not everyone will find the boss levels as difficult as I did, but it is something to consider. But if you were even vaguely interested in this game, I’d recommend it. It’s fun to play and not a huge commitment, so you can indulge in a little platforming for an hour.

Overall, while the game doesn’t quite live up to the game it was inspired by, it does have its own merits and reasons to play through it. If you’re a fan of challenging platformers, then I’d definitely recommend giving this on a shot and suggest keeping a few spare Joy-Con at hand to replace any you may break in frustration.

For what it's worth, SNK Heroines is a fun fighting game with (local) multiplayer options but, like so many fighting games, lacks a real single-player hook. I suspect your enjoyment of this game will depend on whether you have a stable roster of real-life friends because it seems like online play is currently borked. Maybe they can patch it? There are DLC characters coming down the pipe, so the roster will improve but there’s not a ton of reason to keep coming back for solo play.

If the plot was more compact, and delivered more compelling story beats, the slow battles would be more tolerable. If the battles presented unique challenges and were more expediently resolved then the story could afford to be less engaging. The fact of the matter is neither is compelling nor are they offensively poor. Despite logging dozens of hours, I don’t care about these characters nor do I feel like the battles have changed dramatically in a very long time. A fan of this genre would get some fun out of God Wars, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t, but the fun to tedium ratio is just far too low. Instead, take a look at better examples of the genre, such as the two Disgaea games already on Switch.

The Nintendo Switch plays perfectly fine either way, even though Handheld Mode is the way to go. Pointer controls are a fun inclusion though, even though they should've made it easier to find. It is neat that you can play up to four people on the television, but the Mini Metro I like is personal and with me anywhere I go. The developers have done a good job translating the magic to the Nintendo Switch, which was honestly my biggest worry going in.

Planet Alpha shines some much needed light on a very dark genre. It stands in stark presentational contrast with its contemporaries in the best way possible. Stealth segments do drag down the experience somewhat but are the exception not the rule in otherwise compelling gameplay. From a technical standpoint, the Switch may not be the best way to play, but the core experience shines through. Planet Alpha was the refreshing breath of air that I never realized the genre needed.

A masterful and beautiful experience with powerful visuals, transcendent audio, and challenging gameplay.

Unraveling the thread to reveal the truth behind Lifeless Planets narrative is definitely its strongest appeal. Unfortunately, doing so often feels more like a chore than a joy. The platforming here feels ancient The planet itself, while absolutely capturing the essence of it decaying, comes off as uninteresting to explore. Add in some monotonous puzzles, and what you’re left with is a rather forgettable experience.

Moonfall Ultimate has the framework for what could have been a better game if given more time to iron-out its strange difficulty scaling, slippery and unresponsive controls, and oddly enough, spell-checking. With a partner and expectations set properly, it could be a suitable rainy-day game, but I cannot recommend it to a solitary soldier.

Ninjin was a surprise title that I had a great time with. Both local and online coop modes will allow more people to join in on this adventure and win back their carrots from the Mole Shogun. If you are looking for a fun game with silly humor and quick gameplay, give Ninjin a shot.

While there are some interesting aspects of Polygod to explore, I more often wanted to just stop playing than go back in to explore more.

Given the likely polarizing nature of the game’s controls, Manual Samuel gets a highly conditional recommendation. If you’re willing to roll with the punches, there’s definitely a unique good time to be had here, just be very aware of its intent to make controlling just about anything more challenging than you’d ever imagine.

The basic gameplay itself doesn’t really change over the course of each run: guard buildings, kill Vek, and try not to die in the process. The randomized maps and objectives add variety, but you will need to appreciate the subtle changes that the islands undergo in each run. Undoubtedly, one of the best features of the game is unlocking new mechs and creating your own squads, and it is that element that will keep me coming back to the game. Hop into a breach and pick up this game yesterday, soldier. It’s Vek-hunting season.

The wide range of combat options and the openness that is maintained throughout makes it accessible to a wider range of audience. If you enjoy overpowering dozens of enemies with wanton acts of destruction, you’ll have a hell of a good time with Victor Vran.

Flood of Light is a solid puzzler that brings a sense of calm and beauty to the genre. Its ambient piano music, accompanied by the constant rainfall surrounding the city, creates a relaxing atmosphere. While touchscreen use is possible, this game is best enjoyed as a handheld game as it’s easy to switch between controls and feel the light use of the Switch’s HD rumble. The mechanics are explained and demonstrated very clearly to get players started, but it’s important to think outside the box as the puzzles increase in difficulty. It’s easy to feel frustrated for a while on a certain area, but once you strike on the solution, the game feels wonderfully satisfying.

The VideoKid is a short visit, not an extended vacation, into a quirky nostalgia-packed arcade run. I enjoyed my brief stay, but for you it might depend on your fondness for The California Raisins or The Thundercats.

Candle is just fine. With some unresponsive controls and frustrating puzzles, it doesn’t stick the landing. That isn't great, but there is enough to like here if you are craving a new puzzle platformer. The presentation is, thankfully, utterly brilliant. Once it is all over though, you won't really feel a desire to return. The experience is an uneven one, but it balances just enough on the right side.

A great innovation on a classic formula. Any fan of platforming will be more than satisfied with the joy of speeding around the long levels and the derivative gameplay of the different characters.

When it comes right down to it, Cycle 28’s gameplay rarely exceeds its arcade-housed forefathers. It attempts to develop its gameplay into something more, and while honorable, this effort is mostly fruitless. The unlockable upgrade system does add some mild drive to push the player forward, but odds are it won’t be enough to keep you playing throughout the entire story. If you are looking for a retro, arcade shooter, there is a reasonably solid experience here, but don’t expect anything more.

All in all, I just didn’t really have fun playing Morphie’s Law, which is a real shame. The great amount of detail that went into the design and aesthetic is phenomenal, with beautiful visuals and a killer soundtrack to boot. Unfortunately the gameplay just doesn’t live up to the rest, and even the premise doesn’t ever really feel more than a novelty. A future update could potentially fix a lot of these issues, but as it stands I have a hard time recommending Morphie’s Law.

This is a fun, accessible fighter that casuals can jump into that also has depth that more seasoned fighting fans will appreciate. It’s definitely worth checking out.

This is just a immensely well-made game that has a rock-solid foundation with the hero’s movements and controls. On top of that, it layers on an onslaught of laudatory elements, whether it’s a winning, humorous tone, the excellent linear level design, or the marvels of the late-game exploration.

How you traditionally consume your Monster Hunter is going to determine whether Generations Ultimate is worth your time. The graphics and gameplay are closer to last generation consoles so if you’ve already graduated to Monster Hunter World, this will feel like a step backwards. If picking up World isn’t an option, or if you prefer to take your Monster Hunter with you on the go, then Generations Ultimate is your best bet for the premiere portable experience.

All in all, I feel that while Ultra Space Battle Brawl may seem strange and absurd at first, it is an enjoyable experience that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

Bad North is, broadly speaking, a hard game to recommend even if I came out the other side enjoying it. The style and thoughtful minimalist reworking of the real-time strategy game is exemplary, but the unrelenting back half of the roguelike adventure can sour a good time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Bad North if you fall into either of these camps: someone who’s into a novel RTS twist on the good old-fashioned hard-as-hell roguelike or someone who can chill out to a brutal yet serene RTS that has some rough edges.

The exploration will satisfy the adventure crowd, the asset management of finding ingredients and developing better meals will please the RPG fans. It will melt time away as you push to complete just one more day, but values your time because there really aren’t very many wasted moments. It’s a complete package that is hand tailored to be consumed as intended by the developers, and they’ve delivered a refreshing experience.

It’s just too long and player engagement is so minimal. I don’t like games that pretend to be games but are really just movies. State of Mind would make a great mini-series or book, but it’s not a great video game.

Blackjack is a timeless classic, but when it comes to its virtual representation, it generally doesn’t offer enough to keep things interesting with nothing on the line. I thought Super Blackjack Battle II Turbo Edition - The Card Warriors had the potential to spice things up to add longevity, but sadly it failed to do so. With poor AI and no online play, the only truly redeeming factor are the visuals and superb soundtrack. However that just isn’t enough to keep your attention for more than a few hands.

Overall, while this game has a unique charm and an interesting world, the gameplay failed to make it a fond experience. For big fans of the genre, this might be worth picking up for a few hours’ entertainment, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

Kero Blaster is lighter fare, but the well-thought-out weapon balancing and fine-tuned platforming make it an amusing little journey. If you crave more gameplay and challenge, harder modes await, but even if you were to just play through the short initial story, Kero Blaster is still a game worth checking out.

Pato Box has a neat idea: take your boxer out of the ring and into the corporate world. It tells a story fittingly silly for a boxer with a duck’s head. However, the lack of checkpointing and overly long exploration segments are a one-two punch of frustration. Some floors of Deathflock HQ seem impenetrable and while the boss fights are the star of the show, even they aren’t without problems. The concept isn’t beyond saving, and it’s still possible to have a good time, but too often Pato Box just left me incredibly frustrated.

Even if you don’t have a fondness for Amiga like I do, it is a wonderful contemporary take on a classic puzzle platformer with a visual flair, well-thought-out puzzles, and a cheeky personality. Attention to detail was paid in making Road to Ballhalla, and elevates it from good to great.

If Iro Hero was updated to create a better balance, I would definitely want to play it again. The game has a lot of potential. There are great bosses with different fighting styles, the graphics are fun and non-distracting from the gameplay, and the music and sound effects all add to the overall action. However, throwing endless enemies and obstacles at a player all in the name of creating a difficult game does not inherently produce a rewarding challenge. Unfortunately this title sorely missed that mark.

Based off the name alone, Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2 will likely garner an initial response that is ultimately undeserving. It implies complete silliness, and while the story most certainly is, albeit in a good manner, the gameplay proves to be fun and engaging. Running-and-gunning through the campaign was a blast and with co-op as an option, it gives more reason to revisit the relatively short campaign. Online matchmaking can be a bit of a hassle, but when it works, it works well. However, I thoroughly enjoyed what is offered as a single player experience.

Treadnauts has a lot to like about it, but the narrow focus on local multiplayer makes it a bit of a one-trick pony. On one hand, sitting down with three others to play is a blast, but on the other, it wears thin by yourself and doesn’t offer anything other than a harder-skewing time-trial target shooting mode. Get this one for your next party, but maybe don’t get it when you’re home alone.

The Mooseman was a beautiful adventure that gave me an appreciation for a culture I had never been aware of before. The art and story told through The Mooseman kept me extremely engaged for my relatively short time with the game. Overall, The Mooseman is a game that offers a fun puzzle mechanic wrapped in a pleasing package.

Too many stages rely on the two basic victory conditions, and I would have liked to see more boss stages or more complicated objectives. Regardless, CastleStorm is engaging not just for those who enjoy tower-defense games; there is enough fun, customization, and challenge for all Switch owners. Your princess might not be in this castle, but it’s worth taking a look around anyway.

There’s fun to be had from the mechanics of a Diablo game set in a Greek mythology universe with its gods and monsters rather than exploring the depths of hell. It’s clear though that its inspiration is also where its limitations lie, and they painted over cracks in the foundation that are showing through. And like Clash of the Titans, Titan Quest has a story, setting, and characters that end up being completely forgettable. That said, it fills a gap in the genre offerings on Switch, and if you’re looking for something to scratch that itch until something more recent gets announced, it’ll fit the bill.

The number of good pure party games on the Switch is short, so it’s great to have another title that encourages participation and results in chaotic race-against-the-clock fun.

Squids Odyssey has a lot of great content available to play from the get-go, and it’s a really fun summer title to keep coming back to in the midst of all the other heavy hitters.

Essentially most of the experience ends up feeling like a grindfest, and how much grinding you have to go through depends on how much money you care to spend. If that wasn’t enough, the developer tracks and stores your gameplay data, IP address and any interactions you have with customer support. Don’t think that playing offline is a clever way of avoiding big brother, you can’t get past the title screen without an internet connection so portable for most is not an option.

While BlobCat on Switch does capture the essence of Chu Chu Rocket’s cat-and-mouse gameplay, it doesn't do quite enough to replace the original in my heart. It’s worth grabbing for on the go, but I’ll be here hoping the original pops up again.

You might be able to derive some enjoyment from this game, but it requires overlooking absolutely essential elements gone awry, making Hello Neighbor very difficult to recommend. If you don’t mind solving abstract puzzles and throwing everything (including the kitchen sink) at your objectives all while constantly avoiding a particularly annoying antagonist, then you might give this game a try.

At first glance SubaraCity appears to be a somewhat generic iOS puzzler ported to the Switch, but after just a few rounds its apparent that’s not the case. A relaxed and casual take on the classic block-matching genre, there’s a level of charm I found to be enduring with its simplistic nature and easy to grasp gameplay. There is a level of strategy needed, as just one or two wrong moves can sink an otherwise promising run. Unfortunately though, with just the single game mode there’s a good chance the legs fall out from underneath it sooner rather than later.

Minit might not last that long, but it is a memorable experience that cuts out fluff and just delivers clever puzzles and concepts. You might not spend a lot of time with it, but playing through it once is as insightful a meditation on 2D Zelda-style gameplay as any game multiple times its length.

In spite of a few, mostly minor, dated problems, the raw beauty of the world made me happy to be revisiting this game.

Ultimately the experience feel flat for me as I tried to trudge through the non-stop references to the most obvious and overused aspects of the ‘80s. Yes, I enjoyed ET and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid, but I’ve become numb to the overuse of catchphrases and plots that are continuously rehashed over and over. I’m at the point now where you either need to use these references sparingly as a complement to an original idea, or really dive deep into ‘80s culture that many probably wish would be forgotten. Unfortunately for Crossing Souls, neither of these ring true.

Iconoclasts is one of the biggest surprises of the year. Despite occasionally suffering through the story sequences, I found that I couldn’t stop playing (it’s about 10 hours long). I can’t recommend the game highly enough--go play it.

After a few short tries to get a handle on the combat and learning to traverse the dungeon, I began consistently making multi-level runs. The unfortunate part, is that those runs really weren’t increasing in enjoyment the further I ventured. With the ever increasing amount of roguelite titles to choose from, I think I would rather just play one with better combat and a better crafted dungeon.

The humor is top notch like usual, but the game is such a refined product. The puzzles are clean and easy to grasp, there is some solid replay value, and every character you possess does something unique. The only disappointing thing is that it feels cheap to rely on the game’s helpful tools. Personally I felt that I lost a little something in the process by doing so. In the end though, it all depends on the experience players find most desirable. All what matters is this though: Flipping Death is an adventure game everyone can enjoy.

New players to the series will enjoy this on its own and since online is now available, this opens up multiplayer play to just about everyone whether you have friends next to you or not. Whichever way you play, this is a fun and frantic experience that everyone deserves to enjoy.

The lack of AI (and online) for solo play is a bummer, but I can’t stress how much fun this game is with friends. The ease with which one can pick it up only adds to its use as a casual game for anybody too. I’m hopeful for a future update that add in some post-game statistics so one can record victory streaks or the completion time of a race, but I could also see how that might hamper the speed of firing up a new match. Muddledash is what a party game should be. Just beware, you’ll need more than eight tentacles to play.

I would recommend Waking Violet to anyone interested in puzzlers. Its mechanics provide enough unique challenges to get a couple hours of mind-bending game play. That, plus the artwork and design makes this game well worth it.

In the end, it took some patience, but Mugsters turned out to be an overall enjoyable experience that leads to many laughs, frustration, and sighs of relief that will be enjoyed by one and all.