VVVVVV is a fantastic game, and it’s at its console best on Switch. The main mode, while short in length and quite challenging, is excellent and the bonus levels and options add more to the package. The Switch’s addition of a two-player mode fits the scope of the system nicely even if it feels a tiny bit out of place. But really, all the bells and whistles are just gravy because VVVVVV is, still to this day, one of the best platformers in recent memory.

Keeping in mind the budget price, Rock ‘N Racing Off-Road DX is a tough one to call. It makes fair attempts at providing some variety with multiple track layouts mixed with jumps and uneven terrain but at the same time racing physics being tricky at times can make for unintended challenges. While there is likely an element of personal taste to control in the 5 vehicles, I found that the Highlander class (the first you’ll unlock) to be far superior to most everything else in terms of overall performance and handling. It may just take some tweaks but collisions are inevitable in the game and can royally screw you up, more than I’d expect. This can detract from some of the fun of the tracks that overlap themselves and that’s a shame. While there are some positives to be had in the game it’s also quirky enough that it’s tough to recommend.

Morphite is a game with high ambitions and while you can see many of the elements needed to meet them not everything gels fully across the board. The low-poly environments can certainly lack detail and textures but that shouldn’t mean that so much of the space you explore is barren. While some of the larger creatures are impressive they also have a tendency to clip through walls and have some other complications. Boss fights are interspersed and a nice challenge but patience mixed with even your pea shooter is usually the solution to all problems so strategic combat never really comes into play. The more you stick to the story, though shortening the experience, the more refined and finished Morphite feels. If you stray too far off the path the game makes a fine attempt to make play rewarding but unfortunately the rough edges also tend to take more definition. While it may not be fully realized if you walk in with modest expectations set and a desire for some exploration Morphite is a decent game to give a try.

We certainly need developers willing to take risks and experiment with different ideas to move the industry forward, but unfortunately not every new idea is going to work. As with every niche I’m sure there is an audience that will appreciate the beautiful visuals and pleasant soundtrack, but for me I just couldn’t get past the uninteresting back stories and repetition of playing through the same experience to get slightly different endings.

This is a game that is aware of its goofy setup and relishes in a sea of cat puns and insanity. It’s not a terribly long game - I rolled credits within a few hours - but it’s a fun romp with a straightforward and entertaining action RPG style. Cat Quest is a game that likely won’t stick with me for too long, but it was a pleasant time basking in cat gags and beating up on foes with swords and magic.

Rime on Switch is a game filled with qualifiers. The visuals are great, but the framerate’s awful. The puzzles are fun, but some are duds. The story borders on impactful, but falls short of making a consistent positive impression. Even with all those issues, Rime is enjoyable, but the Switch version makes it a lesser overall experience. I can’t speak to specifics, but if the framerate and graphics are better elsewhere, seek those versions out in lieu of this release. The allure of portability doesn’t make Rime a better game, especially with the compromised graphics.

Kirby Battle Royale relies a little too much on circumstances. If you want to get the most out of it, you will need a group of friends with Nintendo 3DS systems. The local multiplayer is the best time you will have with the game, so it’s important that you experience this. On your own, the campaign will be over before you know it and so you will come to rely on online battles. You can fight against others, but only in a Ranked Battle setting, which doesn't bring me the same joy. What doesn't help is that the game didn't ran smooth at all online. Kirby Battle Royale bums me out as an excellent multiplayer game that is buried under a poor direction.

Overall, Ittle Dew 2+ is a good game with unfortunate flaws. While the puzzle aspect is top-notch, the action can feel a little inconsistent at times. The biggest problem I felt it faced is its lack of dynamic gameplay. Although it encourages you to explore to find hidden items, the game is basically "Go to this dungeon, now go to this dungeon" until the very end. Besides that though, I really did enjoy my time playing and laughing through the quirky story and it's undeniable charm. Sure it's not exactly Zelda, but Ittle Dew (2+).


For a full-priced game, The Top 100 feels rather shallow with its content. I was able to finish the entire game, playing every single mini-game, finishing single player mode, and checking out the other modes, in around three hours. And while the joy of Mario Party is typically in playing the boards and games over and over, there’s really no incentive to do that here since the only available board is pathetically underwhelming, and playing the games in rapid succession is tiresome. The Top 100 isn’t a terrible game, but it’s an experience that rings hollow when it could have been so much more.

For the budget price of admission, King Oddball actually provides quite a lot of content that would take you several hours to likely be able to work through. Once you add on the levels in the additional modes and the challenge of some of the more unusual achievements you could likely double that time. The question will be whether you’ll want to stick out the ride long enough to enjoy it all. That will ultimately come down to tastes, what you’re looking for, and how you’re planning to play the game. Using it to fill gaps in your day 15 minutes at a time would probably be great, playing for hours at a time probably not so much.

On its own, Spellspire is an enjoyable word RPG, somewhat in the same vein as a Puzzle Quest. The replayable nature makes it a nice game to have on hand as a complement to the Switch’s other games. It’s a focused and fun twist on a known formula, well worth checking out if you need a break from Mario.

Chess Ultra makes a terrific first impression with its strong visual presentation and continues to dazzle throughout. What resonated with me the most was just how accessible it is to players of all skill levels. For newcomers, tutorials and novice level computers help to ease you into the game. And for veterans, challenge modes and difficulty up to Grandmaster will certainly be a test of your skill. While I found some set pieces to be unusable and wish there was an online option for a continuous game, these were merely minor complaints in an otherwise outstanding offering from developer Ripstone.

Rogue Trooper Redux is for those with a distinct taste. I can't deny the problems found in its cover mechanics, and the visual upgrade isn't that grand. That being said, the hectic 13 missions remain a fun romp to get through. The campy story and amount of upgrades only elevate what the developers tried to pull off. Rogue Trooper requires a more aggressive gameplay style than I remember, but I can't really say that I'm bothered by it.

This may not be the definitive version of Doom, but it is without a doubt the most versatile. It’s also much better than the Super Nintendo version.

If you’re looking for a light co-op game on Switch, Moon Hunters is fantastic, and the simple combat and short length are more of a boon than a hindrance. But if you want something deeper and long-lasting, this falls short of that, especially as a single-player-only affair. Still, weaving your own legends makes for a good time, even if it’s short-lived.

Farming Simulator - Nintendo Switch Edition does exactly what it sets out to do: The franchise makes a solid splash on the system with the benefits of last year's release. The vast amount of tasks and pure variety in how you can farm is staggering. The tasks rely on realism, which makes them a little slower-paced and decidedly not for everyone. Personally, I found managing my farm the most engaging. It sees you buying materials, employing workers, and constantly expanding your empire. You won't get there on the short term, but it makes the journey worth it in the end.

Time Recoil is the perfect follow up for anyone that enjoyed Neon Chrome. It takes the structure that made Neon so great, but replaces the RPG and roguelike elements with the time mechanics, creating a whole new experience. Time Recoil is my third experience with this line of games from 10Tons and although I do still enjoy Neon Chrome more, this one comes in at a close second.

This Is the Police is a pretty interesting management simulator with an engaging plot and tackles issues that feel all too relevant in today’s society, despite it taking place thirty years ago. It gets kind of repetitive at times and the issues brought up don’t go that deep, but I still found it to be a competent management simulator with a unique aesthetic and gripping plot.

Just Dance 2018 continues to provide the great content that has made the franchise so successful. Most of the tracks included are from the past two years so if you’ve been a fan of music lately, then it’s worth the purchase. Personally I preferred what was offered on Just Dance Unlimited as it included lots of old favorites and a wonderful collection of Halloween-themed songs that my kids thoroughly enjoyed. No matter the reason you enjoy Just Dance, whether it’s on the on go or in the privacy of your own home, you’re likely to enjoy the 2018 version in any environment.

Poi tries very hard to emulate early 3D Mario games, and it does a fantastic job. Unfortunately it rarely rises above that. Most of the challenges, enemies, and boss fights, have direct parallels in one 3D Mario game or another. Outside of some unique takes on progression you’ll rarely find anything that feels entirely new in Poi. When all's said and done Poi is a very well executed clone. It is fun and charming, but feels like something I’ve played before.

Knight Terrors is an endless runner that brings more to the table than I would have imagined. It’s five different game modes, while similar at their core, each change up the formula enough to keep them interesting. While the driving force to unlock all the items and game modes doesn’t last long, racking up high scores remains both satisfying and addicting. Relatively lengthy load times and a bug are a few blemishes on an otherwise enjoyable game. Like many endless runners your mileage may vary, but for anyone who enjoys the genre, this is an easy recommendation.

In the world we live in now where more and more platformers are popping up all the time, it's so nice to play through such a refreshing (and dare I say fluid) adventure. Splasher's interesting paint cannon mechanic paired with the excellent level design will have you bouncing through each level feeling like a boss from start to finish. If you like a great challenge, charming animations and a new take on an old genre, look no further. 


Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 looks, sounds and feels like Dragon Ball Z. Voices are spot-on, cinematic are true to the original and the battles are epic. A few characters are way too wordy, but so is the source material, so I’ll give it a pass. This is a love letter to Dragon Ball Z, and anyone who ever enjoyed the show will find something fun here. Just make sure to bring some friends.

Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle originally started out as a PlayStation Vita game, and would have released there a few months ago but for NIS America's desire to do a simultaneous multiplatform release. A game of this quality wouldn't have been acceptable on the Vita, and being on the Switch is only serving to expose its myriad flaws to more people. If you need to see girls beat the snot out of each other on the Switch, there's already plenty of better options.

Even with Elliot Quest being a homage to my least favorite Zelda game, I still found it to be an enjoyable experience. If you have a version of it already, don’t expect to find something new. The release on Switch seems meant for a new audience that weren’t Wii U owners, as opposed to a new experience for existing fans. Elliot Quest has a familiar feel that makes it a great title if you’re looking to dip your toes into the Nindie experience on Switch.

It would be easy to take one look at Super Ping Pong Trick Shot and write it off as shovelware, but to my surprise there’s more below the surface. Offering a rather robust challenge mode, a score attack, and local multiplayer, there was more to this little game than I could have imagined. Unfortunately the simple game mechanics and repetitiveness start to run thin sooner rather than later. This is one you’ll end up putting down way before you see everything it has to offer.

Overall Spelunker Party! is a solid entry in the series and a fun multiplayer game if you have the right people to appreciate its charms. The item upgrade progression will have you spelunking for treasure to unlock more abilities, and there are plenty of levels ranging in difficulty to choose from. The online components are a nice bonus, as well as having detachable Joy-Cons right at your finger tips. While the level designs can feel uninspiring, and the gameplay can feel completely unforgiving, Spelunker Party! executes creating an acceptable cooperative platforming game, but nothing really more than that.

I will recommend that you play this on your TV, because any text is hard to read on the Switch screen. I also suggest using the Pro controller if you can, because using the Joy-cons, even in the Grip, isn't great for this kind of game. Despite those warnings, Nights of Azure 2 is a pretty easy pick-up-and-play game given the timed mission structure. It’s not perfect, but I’m having a good time with it. I encourage you to save often, though, because the game crashed on me three times and resulted in lost progress. Annoying, but at least it’s not hard-locking the system.

Putty Pals is a refreshingly-clever platforming game that is best played with a friend. Ideally you’ll both have at least some moderate gaming chops, and if you do there’s a wonderful variety of content within that you’ll enjoy together. If you’re wanting to play with someone less experienced things can still work out but you’ll both have to be patient as they come up to speed and work out their coordination. Solo play is possible but once you get in several levels it becomes quite aggravating trying to coordinate your various button-presses for both characters by yourself. While it isn’t perfect, Putty Pals is an excellent cooperative-play-focused platformer, and that’s not something you’ll likely see often.

As someone who enjoys level-based Super Mario games more, I have to say that Odyssey blew me away. With the next Power Moon constantly within reach, the push forward is constant. Using Mario's expanded moveset, unique challenges are abound while trying to collect your next Power Moon. Even the lack of traditional power-ups doesn’t hurt the experience at all, as the team of Mario and Cappy offers all sorts of wonderful new abilities. The journey of this odyssey took me to all sorts of amazing worlds that I already find myself missing. Now that I've seen every bit of it, I look back on my adventure with a great smile. It is an incredible experience that I felt extremely compelled to complete, simply because I didn't want it all to end. Only the best games pull that feeling out of me, and this one did just that. Super Mario Odyssey is my favorite game on Switch by a long shot.

Even in the face of it's most frustrating elements, The Mummy Demastered isn’t a bad game. It’s just disappointing, more reminiscent of WayForward’s okay past licensed work than any of their more transcendent Shantae games. With a credits-rolling completion lasting about five hours, this game thankfully doesn’t overstay its welcome, but irritation is a regular occurrence along the way. This has way more in common with the reboot it's tied to than we all hoped.

If you’re a really, really, really, big fan of 3D platforming games like myself, you’ll get enjoyment out of Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure. But with it, you’ll find frustration. I’m not in a rush to come back to it and find everything, despite all of the awesome content it has hidden in the game, purely because I felt the game wasn’t ready to be shipped (no pun intended… just kidding, it’s impossible to avoid these!). If you’re a fan of 3D platformers that are polished to perfection as in the Super Mario series, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this game. It’s got a niche for sure. But it’s a nice-looking game. The music is pretty and the worlds are fun to explore for awhile. I think that it’s a little short if you’re not planning to collect everything, so if you want a quick 3D game to explore, give it a try. Don’t expect it to be a package that delivers though.

Jydge is a compelling game that has some clever ideas and a huge amount of customization. Unfortunately it’s held back by a demanding progression system that lends itself to grinding and replaying missions ad nauseam. There is definitely fun to be had with the solid gameplay, a huge amount of unlockables and challenging subgoals, but for those hoping to see the credits roll, prepare yourself to replay the same missions time and time again.

In the 15 or so hours it took me to finish Revenant Saga, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of missed potential. None of the mechanical ideas, from character transformations to customization of weapons felt fully fleshed out, balanced, or compelling. The interesting plot is hampered by one-dimensional characters and endless text boxes in which characters talk a lot, but say very little. That all said, Revenant Saga is a slightly above-average throwback RPG on Switch, with a 10-20 hour main quest (there is also a post-game dungeon if you’re into that sort of thing). For a budget-priced retro-style JRPG on Switch, Revenant Saga mostly delivers what it promises. Just don’t expect to see anything new or done better than the games it was inspired by.

I truthfully didn’t expect The Flame in The Flood to make the impression on me that it did. It’s easily the best survival game I’ve ever played, all the way from its satisfying gameplay to its masterful audio design. In the veritable long river of eShop games on Switch right now, this is one worth making sure you’ve got enough food and water to last a couple weeks.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Warriors titles because after a long day of work it's fun to take out my various frustrations on thousands upon thousands of units. The fact that it's in a universe that I've become a huge fan of and that I can take it wherever I go is a huge plus. There's a few holes in the game that the season pass might alleviate somewhat, but the core package of Fire Emblem Warriors is still worth diving into.

After getting over the fact that Hans walks too slow, I really started to get captured in the mythos surrounding the castle. The story was engaging and the puzzles were satisfyingly difficult, the only issue being it really is only a one and done experience. A worthwhile experience, but you can really only be shocked by a decapitated head surrounded by dancing goats once.

Even though there are a ridiculous amount of rules to customize, at the heart of it all is a simple pick-up-and-play golf game. Whether taking the experience on the go or playing on the TV, the Switch's Joy-Cons are ideal for a quick session (hold down + on the Main menu to toggle the option to use a single Joy-Con). If all you want is a quick multiplayer no-nonsense game, that exists here too with the Quick Game. For a crazy absolutely nonsensical game to explore with a bunch of friends, you've come to the right place. 



Ninja Shodown may be trying its best but it simply isn’t very much fun to play. The control issues are very difficult to get around and they rob you of the opportunity to really enjoy the gameplay. There are a number of modes to choose from that do vary up the details but at the end of the day there’s no escaping the fact that the core experience is pretty flawed. This all makes it very hard to recommend when there are so many other better multiplayer titles available.

Overall, Wulverblade is an absolute masterpiece and for people who have been bemoaning the lack of quality beat-em-ups it should provide many hours of meaty combat and carnage. To really enjoy it you’ll need to overcome falling into old habits and committing to learning all of the moves and nuance made available to you. Your reward will be a very viscerally satisfying and overall bloody good time, with some crazy surprises you won’t want to miss out on.

Each game in Jackbox Party Pack 4 is a winner - something I’ve never said about a Jackbox pack before. These games don’t have convoluted rules and are super easy to jump right into, with each one being a great time even if you’re flailing and not scoring any of the requisite points required to win. The variety also makes it versatile for different groups, and if you’re searching for a solid party game on Switch, this might just be the one to break out during the holidays.

It may be that my complaints regarding this game’s steep difficulty curve are applicable to every non-Untold entry in the series. If that’s the case, and you were fine with it then, by all means jump onboard the Etrian Odyssey V train. However if you, like me, only have experience with the Untold story mode, maybe consider buying and trying Etrian Odyssey IV when it’s next on sale to see if the challenge is right for you. This new game also has a demo, and the save data transfers over to the full game. Etrian Odyssey V was a rude awakening for me, but I’m glad I powered through.

Earth Atlantis does a lot of things right. The weight of controls are great and the play-by-play experience is good fun. While I wish they had evened out the bosses somewhat, they are still thrilling encounters that prove enjoyable. A couple of the bosses certainly need to be patched and this is why I can't recommend playing through Hunter Mode right now. With all due respect, dealing with a couple of those bosses is just a little too much. If you’re prepared for a few difficulty spikes and still want to go on a grand adventure, Earth Atlantis will provide a fun experience.

Volgarr the Viking is not the type of game I can enthusiastically endorse to all gamers. You must be a determined player, undeterred by repeated deaths (I died over 150 times on one stage). Also, the graphics and controls strictly adhere to the type of game you’d have found in your local arcade 30 years ago. As long you can look past those things (or embrace them), you’ll find an deliciously tough and magical experience.

Not since my teenage years have I experienced the sheer anger I went through trying to complete 88 Heroes. The saddest part is that I actually think there was a good game buried deep beneath the unnecessary time limits and bland level design. The heroes are the most interesting part of the game, but by design, you never get the opportunity to fully explore them.

Despite the occasional glitch, Stardew Valley is a welcome addition to the Switch’s quickly growing library. I’ve played over 30 hours of the game, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. More crops are always available to grow, more upgrades are ripe for boosting my farm, and more minerals are mine to mine. It’s a game I can see myself coming back to time and time again for years, and that’ll be easy to do with the portable nature of the Switch. It’s a masterpiece, and a perfect game for Nintendo’s newest console.

Of the different kinds of Nindie titles that have come to Switch this is definitely my favorite genre. I’ve started to become picky about what I play though as there’s been a lot of roguelike titles released, almost to the point of saturation. Initially it didn’t feel much different from some existing games I played until I started to realize how much freedom the levels allowed. After discovering new power ups and developing new strategies I became addicted to dethroning the Overseer. If you’ve been initially turned off of the genre because of the permadeath nature and potentially low replayability than Neon Chrome is a great title to get your toes wet with as it’s probably the least roguelike Shooter/RPG released so far on the Switch.

Robonauts was a fun game with some glaring faults. As a single-player game, it really isn't that strong. The mechanics shine but it lacks a meaty experience to enjoy. Where it makes up for this deficiency is in its multiplayer offerings, which provide a lot of excitement. It changes up the campaign maps in a significant matter as well as offering a fun time anywhere you are. If you are up for that, then Robonauts could be the experience you’re looking for.

As down as I am on the game, Sine Mora EX shines in its presentation. Each level has a unique theme and feels alive thanks to small touches like little men fishing or animals escaping as bullets fly. This carries over to the boss designs that range from a giant mech to an armed train. They’re a sight to behold and marginally more fun to play than the levels that house them. Sine Mora is a good-looking game and it’s clear that a lot of effort was put into making it that way. It’s just a shame that it’s not as fun to play as it is to watch in motion.

The straightforward design might not be for everyone, as no great challenge is nestled in Yono’s escapades. This is an easier game that’s perfect for those who want to sink into a contemplative cartoon world or maybe kick back and play an easy-to-comprehend game with their kid. The enchanting charm of Yono and his world might not totally make up for the combat or the glut of block puzzles, but it definitely makes for a delightful experience that might make you think and smile.

Although the artwork is very pretty and the gameplay feels good, there really isn't anything too ground-breaking here. Playing through the game really made it feel much more of a throwback title rather than a new boundary-pushing adventure. This in no way means that the game is boring or that there aren't any surprises, just more of a tried and true experience. If you are longing for some retro action, this game's got it all. The beautiful art, killer soundtrack and punishing difficulty really help the game deliver on what the developer set out to make, a solid action-platformer.

Despite its shortcomings, I really did enjoy my time playing through Pankapu. At its core it's a solid action/platformer, with a beautiful aesthetic and captivating sound track. The difficulty spikes combined with the frequent load times can definitely test your patience, but overall the positives outweigh the negatives. So if you're in the mood for a pleasant platformer, the dreamy world of Pankapu just might be the game for you. 



Oxenfree is fascinating. It’s best played in a relaxing spot, free of distraction, so the immersion can be best enjoyed. It’s short and different, but there is replay value. There’s not anything outside of what you can do with the story of the game, other then interact with the world itself. But it’s exciting to come back and see how choices can change the plot of the game. Not quite a Telltale-level game, but also not something to pass up. The beautiful visuals, characters, and choices are why I came back to it. And with that radio you just can’t turn that down.

My biggest takeaway from Ninjago was how gorgeous the clips from the movie looked on the Switch’s screen, even if they’re unskippable. The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game is, perhaps unsurprisingly, best enjoyed as a companion to The Lego Ninjago Movie and only by its biggest fans.

Regardless of small blemishes, Axiom Verge is one of the best Metroid-esque games I’ve played outside of Samus’ orbit. It’s the rare game that seems to understand exactly what made that series so spectacular, using that understanding to craft original power-ups and concepts that make this more than just a hollow Metroid rip-off. While the Wii U’s second screen might be my favorite way to play this game, having it on my fancy new hybrid console is worth the minor sacrifice.

I enjoyed my time with Layton's Mystery Journey. The puzzles and investigative work are enjoyable as usual, but that special sauce from previous Layton titles has been left out. The stage for a grander mystery is nowhere to be seen and the game stumbles to find its identity. That being said, the scenes found here are highly replayable and offer additional content if you decide to return. All of this results in a game that can be picked by anyone, but Layton's fans will need time to adapt.

Astro Bears Party relies more on the experiences that can be made by everyone playing than raw content, as not much is in wait beyond the base concept. The more players, the more stressful the situation. Visually, the game has very clean 3D models of bears that have a simple, cute design. It really is a fantastic pick–up-and-play party game, and while it doesn’t aspire to be much more than a simplistic affair, it’s fun for what it is.

Butcher is violent, fun, frantic, crazy…etc. It’s short, but a good play for the value. There are a good amount of options available, and it’s definitely got heart (granted, it’s dripping in blood). If you’re into the Doom series, or you’ve played other games like Quake, this game is definitively in that vein.

Nintendo was able to keep the heart and soul of Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga while injecting new life into it. Not only do the visuals look stunning, but with a hearty side mode that adds more context to the story, this is easily the best way to experience the game. It isn’t perfect and there are a few things I would have loved to have seen, mainly stereoscopic 3D, but this gives players a great reason to pick up their 3DS’ again.

Co-op multiplayer doesn’t get much more colorful and magnificent than Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. It’s a marvelous shooter that brings forth the best elements of cooperative play, as the action gets frantic, the difficulty ramps up, and even failure can result in a hell of a good time. If you have a few people to play with, Lovers is a fine addition to your Switch library, but even if you’re all alone, you can pair up with a good computer-controlled puppy dog or cat and still have yourself a good time. This is an adorable, charming adventure - one that lovers of fine co-op game shouldn’t miss.

When I heard Tumblestone was making its way to the Switch, I was overjoyed. Once again I’d be able to delve into the wonderfully addicting and tense multiplayer while chipping away at the robust single player campaign. Although the port for the Switch mostly holds up with other versions, the lack of online play definitely makes this an inferior version. That aside, it still serves up reams of fun and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a fresh take on a puzzle game.

Golf Story doesn’t totally live up to the legacy of those Mario sports RPGs, but it does a very good job at touching on those classics and putting its own spin on the genre. A few nagging issues might draw down the experience, but the golfing is fun enough to work in tandem with a wacky story and world to make a genuinely enjoyable adventure on Switch.

INVERSUS Deluxe provides a nice multiplayer and a decent single player experience on the Switch, making great use of the Joycons. Though the simple nature of the game is easy to learn, there really is not a lot to it, so don't except a very deep or rich experience. But if you've got a hankering for a solid twin-stick shooter (that you can play with your friends) on-the-go, you can't go wrong.

Maybe I was just in a silly mood when I played Conga Master Party which is why I enjoyed it as much as I did. The whole experience lasted a couple of hours, there’s no progression, no real advancement, just 8 fun levels of dancing and getting my conga on. I don’t expect to come back to this title in the future, but if you’re in the market for a quick experience where you don’t need to think too much and just have some silly fun then Conga Master Party might be right for you.

It feels like a game that’ll be a cult hit, but won’t be a breakout hit. Hopefully I’m wrong and Revolt rolls a 12 so that we keep getting more games with faster localizations.

Lego Worlds feels like someone dumped a box of Legos on the floor and told you to have fun. Only you’ve never held a Lego in your hand or heard the word fun. This is less of a game and more of an experiment for Lego to figure out its place in the increasingly digital future toy space, which is fine, but I for one would much rather play with real Legos. Or sleep on a pile of Legos.

Thimbleweed Park is a wonderful love letter about everything that made 1980s games great. The Switch probably has the best console version due to the touch screen controls, as the physical controls can be a chore if you’re playing on the TV. With such a focus maintained on nostalgia I’m not really sure someone who likes Telltale’s adventure games are going to appreciate Thimbleweed Park. Regardless, there’s enough humor and witty writing to keep gamers of all ages entertained.

Soldam is a fun concept, but out of the box there's some issues that hopefully will be addressed in the future. The online is barely playable, and there's a major accessibility failure present. Still, it's fun for a quick round or two if you're looking for a break from the hardcore Puyo Puyo Tetris marathon.

SteamWorld Dig 2 takes everything fans loved about the original game and turns the dial up to eleven. It’s bigger, better, and even more addicting than its predecessor, and absolutely deserves a spot in every single Switch owner’s library.

I came for the appealing art style with the hopes of finding a competent 2D platformer, but ultimately that failed to happen. This already short game doesn’t offer up enough variety to keep it engaging for very long and some mechanical issues only further dampened the experience. Couple all that with very limited replayability and what you’re left with is a forgettable game.

NBA 2K18 is a strange beast, dishing up unrivaled gameplay on the court while seemingly leaving other areas unpolished and rushed out the door. If your primary goal is diving into MyCareer mode, it’s hard to recommend due to glaring issues that bog down the experience tenfold. On the other hand, if you’re looking to get into some of the other modes including online, NBA 2K18 does a great job of delivering a top notch experience.

Lack of new content notwithstanding, Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is, at least for this moment in time, one of the best 2D platformers on the Switch. The level design and varied gameplay are top notch, the graphics and music are beautiful and I’m really amazed by just how much there is to unlock and accomplish in the game -- we’re talking dozens of hours of content. Unless you really like Legends, there isn’t much here for those that have played this on other systems But if you’ve missed out on Rayman’s resurgence on modern consoles, there’s no reason not to pick up this brilliant platformer.

Unfortunately, especially where control and complexity come into play, what works well in mobile is generally pretty mediocre on the dedicated gaming hardware of the Switch where the competition has set the bar far higher. If you’re truly bored of Mario Kart and looking for something to kick around for a while, or are less bothered by floaty controls than perhaps it will scratch an itch for you. Nonetheless I would have a difficult time recommending it for the majority of gamers out there.

Quest of Dungeons, for many people, will initially live or die upon its looks unfortunately and if you enjoy a challenge that plays very well in handheld mode I encourage you to give the gameplay a look. Underneath the old school pixel graphics is a rewarding and challenging roguelike experience, one that will probably bring you closer to the original Rogue than anything else you’ll play. The RNG (Random Number Generator) Gods are strong with this title, and though they are often quite cruel when things roll on your side it can be a great feeling. What’s great is there is ample room for strategy and success (as well as humiliating failure, granted) as you encounter the biggest challenges in the game. Why settle for your fate when you have an opportunity to change it by being a tricky bastard? Quest of Dungeons has consistently surprised me with its adherence to the core roguelike formula, with all of its randomness, while also maintaining a consistent degree of challenge.

As both a Pokemon and semi-casual fighting genre fan I appreciate the amount of detail that went into Pokken Tournament Deluxe. From the design of each Pokemon to the detailed landscape of the battle arenas, no detail went overlooked. Although Pokken is accessible enough for fans that don’t want to get into the weeds it’s clear who the intended audience is. From the detail of the fighting mechanics down to the rewatchable replays, Pokken Tournament DX was expertly designed for the advanced fighting genre fan.

I have immensely enjoyed my time with Kingdom: New Lands. The set up of randomly generated island variations makes every playthrough both exciting and scary, and the feeling of branching out and fortifying your base is very satisfying. This is not a very action-heavy game, but more a dynamic adventure with the highs of triumph and the lows of defeat all wrapped up in a beautiful simulation game. With a great challenge, subtle and organic strategy and a gorgeous presentation, Kingdom: New Lands brings an excellent title to the Switch, one you won't want to miss.

If you want to sit back and relax with your Switch, Semispheres is an enjoyable and serene puzzler that is both soothing and tough. The lack of overall meat to the game is a little disappointing, but the ride is very much worthwhile as long as you’re okay with a shorter-than-expected time.

R.B.I. Baseball 2017 is the sacrifice bunt of the Switch. It has a purpose in theory and might have been acceptable in its current form several years ago, but more efficient ways are on the way to get a sports fix. And with Baseball Stars 2 hopefully coming from Hamster and the fingers-crossed dream of mine that Super Mega Baseball 2 will touch 'em all including the Switch, we won't be lacking for smart baseball options. In a simulation game, I'd at least like to bring Youppi back to a baseball stadium, but that'll have to wait 'til next year.

I enjoyed my time with Double Dragon 4, it looks, sounds and plays exactly how I remember it back when I was a kid. The addition of new modes, being able to customize the controls and fun local multiplayer will make this one I most certainly will break out when friends are over. I mean how often do you get the chance to show somebody a green version of Abobo getting tornado kicked.

Everything about NeuroVoider just feels good. As a fan of the RPG genre, I love how strategy based thinking has been perfectly mixed with heart pounding action. The biggest concern with Rougelike permadeath is avoiding the feeling of staleness and there is no concern of that here. For one of the best Indie experiences on the Switch so far, the small investment into learning the complexity of the inventory system is more than worth it.

With their powers combined, Nintendo and MercurySteam basically struck gold with this game. Samus Returns is a dynamite entry in the fabled series and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Metroid: Zero Mission and Super Metroid. If you’ve been waiting for a new 2D Metroid game from Nintendo for more than a decade, you owe it to yourself to play this game.

When I first started Lichtspeer I was worried the gameplay wouldn’t be varied enough to keep it from getting dull. The new elements provided a nice change, but by the conclusion I couldn’t help but trust my first instincts. It tries to spice it up with some abilities, but ultimately it’s about the core mechanic of throwing the spear. While fun and satisfying to nail an enemy from across the screen, the well runs dry towards the end of your journey, especially with the spike in difficulty when dealing with bosses.

Monster Hunter Stories was a very enjoyable adventure, but the battle system let it down. With all the improvements made to make the game pop, the battles feel shallow during the campaign. You are asked to make a boring leap of faith in the hopes of finding rewards. Everything else about the game works. Exploring the world hasn't been better than this and the style just pops on the Nintendo 3DS. Newcomers and veterans alike will find a lot to love, but also need to go in with lowered expectations about the combat.

If you’re looking for a thought provoking experience, whether it’s to enjoy the artistic level design or to deduce the lore that's presented in the story, then you will enjoy The Bridge. It will take a couple of hours to complete the initial 24 puzzles of the main story and, not surprisingly, the final 24 puzzles are a more challenging mirror copy with an alternate ending. My brain got a workout plotting courses on 2-dimensional paths that don’t exist in the 3-dimensional world but the reality warping experience was worth it.

Super Sidekicks takes simple mechanics to the extreme, but in doing so creates an experience that’s chaotic and often frustrating. Lovers of the beautiful game are going to need to wait a bit longer for a worthwhile representation of the sport on Switch.

As would be expected for a pair of 3DS games, the Gunvolt titles look sharp in handheld mode. There was a bit of an adjustment period when playing on TV, as I had mostly played Blaster Master Zero in handheld mode so I wasn’t used to the pixels being enlarged for TV visibility. It’s especially notable in the first game’s credits. The music is not really noticeable until the Japanese pop idol overrides kick in, but those songs are a nice reward for the first game and serve as the DLC for the second title. Inti Creates’s first six months on Switch have been quite strong, and this package is keeping the streak alive. Some of the additional content may water down the experience, but both games at their heart are worth a look.

All in all League of Evil is a very hard but ultimately just simply okay platformer. Even when its tendrils sunk into me, technical hiccups like unresponsive controls and shoddy level design, accompanied with a fairly obtuse level constructor, held this back from being a true gem on the eShop. As a fan of difficult platformers, I certainly enjoyed my time, but if that's not up your alley, you might want to steer clear of this flawed (but fun) title. 


Looking over the complete package there aren’t many notable features that make Boost Beast compelling, even for casual puzzle fans who are dying for a traditional match-3 to play on their Switch. The truth is, even if the game looks appealing to you in some form, if you have a smartphone of an average size you’re far better off getting the game in that space. It’s important for the Switch to have a diverse lineup that includes something for everyone. Unfortunately in the case of Boost Beast, even lacking an alternative for a simple and traditional match-3 experience, I have a hard time recommending it to anyone.

It’s one of those rare instances where the positive pre-release reception was totally justified and made the ultimate pay-off even better. The developers at Ubisoft Milan and Paris took their time to figure what works about strategy games and elevated it to a form that can be enjoyed by many. Add to that the pure cleverness of the adventure, and what results in an absolute must play for Nintendo Switch owners. This is the best game the Rabbids have starred in and they only needed Mario to achieve it.

All in all, forma.8 is a game that presents a lot of very fresh concepts that absolutely deserve to be explored further. My issues with its combat system didn’t become a real problem until late in the game, and even then it was generally relegated to short encounters that I’d have to retry a couple times. On the other hand exploration, while at times confusing, was never short on awe inspiring moments. Emerging from a challenging series of encounters in tight hallways and finding yourself in a huge room with five options of which door to go through next is what makes this type of game so fun, and forma.8 sure has a lot of those moments.

Besides Tetris, puzzle games have had a hard time keeping my attention. As we’re finding out with the Switch, games I wouldn't have previously enjoyed are finding new audiences with its ability to play quick snippets of games anywhere you go. Piczle Lines DX is a perfect example of a game that works great in any situation and provides so much content that only the most puzzle-obsessed fans will be able to get through them all, maybe.

Runners aren’t generally a genre I delve too deep into, but Kid Tripp has me rethinking why I don’t. Originally pulling me in with its art direction, the real beauty of this game is in the fun and addicting gameplay. They strike a great balance of accessibility and challenge, and even give the option for players who want more of a challenge to do so. The only glaring flaw is the limited content the package has to offer. While there are some incentives to revisit levels in the form of challenges, those dry up relatively fast which left me wanting more.

Overall I was really impressed with the quality of games included in Jackbox Party Pack. All but one of them are very solid experiences that can always dish up a fun time. I was literally on the floor laughing during a game of Word Spud, and every other game brought out the best (and worst) of my friends and family. Of course your mileage will vary by how many people you can play with, so make sure to invite many friends to the party if you want to truly have an event to remember.



To enjoy this game you’ll need to understand going in that the story is based on Minecraft, but you will not experience any of its free building or open sandbox trademarks. If we simply judge the game on its entertainment value then I can say I had a great time. The story is great, the acting is top notch and Telltale did a great job of capturing the spirit of Minecraft. If you're a fan of the Minecraft universe and enjoy kids movies with humour to satisfy adults then you will enjoy this—what I will continue to call an interactive movie.

Chicken Wiggle is an intuitively-designed, tightly-controlled 2D platformer that has the potential for an unlimited amount of content. 3DS owners that pick this game up are getting a great value, despite a few minor issues that I had with the game. Atooi has once again crafted a fine, challenging platformer that is easy to recommend to any fan of the genre.

Sonic Mania is a delightful return to the 2D platforming style that first made the hedgehog a star. The love from the development team for 16-bit Sonic is evident in every moment of the game. Fans of classic Sonic must buy this game, but the excellent level design, music, and graphics will please all people who enjoy a well-thought-out sidescroller.

All in all, Use Your Words executes well on what it sets out to offer: An accessible party game. Your mileage will definitely vary with the amount of people you have to play with, and three people are needed at minimum to play. But if you have enough friends at your disposal there is definitely a lot of fun to be had in this game, and it will certainly create great memories with your friends and family.

Phantom Trigger is one of those games that you play through once. You won't play it for the story, but the rewarding combat and flashy environments are here to entertain. These will keep you glued to your screen until the credits roll. The enemies and objectives don't really change for the most part, but at least they give you a reasonable challenge. The game is perfectly fine with those looking for something quick and flashy, but don't expect something you will remember months from now. With 6 hours on the counter, it’s over before you know it.