Assault Suits Valken Declassified is a love letter to a series that wasn’t as represented in the West as it was in Japan. This 2023 re-release adds a lot of fascinating bonus materials that are sure to excite fans, but the main game itself is a tough one to recommend given its difficulty and awkward controls. That said, I’m all for revivals of titles from the 2000s, ‘90s, and earlier, and therefore very supportive of the work done by M2 and Rainmaker Productions on Assault Suits Valken Declassified.

The mandatory touch screen controls for Command actually work very well.

I did not play all of it, but I did play enough to find AI flaws, get bored, and generally not like it at all.

SOL CRESTA is an intense and deep vertical shooter entry on Switch, and genre enthusiasts would be doing themselves a favor by adding it to their libraries. In-game achievements unlock new content, such as Caravan Mode, online leaderboards, and the aforementioned Sound Test. Even finishing the final stage on normal difficulty is a steep challenge that requires a fair measure of skill, particularly with swapping formations and the slowing of time that this ability grants. If this is the level of quality we can expect from future arcade-style shooters courtesy of PlatinumGames, I’ll be demanding as many as we can get, until Kamiya-san blocks me on Twitter.

Terror of Hemasaurus is a great “remember when?” kind of game. The way most good indies do, it takes that foundational experience of an underserved genre and tries to flesh out the experience to make it more substantive while retaining the good feelings from playing its inspiration. But with limited gameplay options and a game which can’t handle more than one person on screen, this’ll be relegated to the “fun if you like this kind of game” category.

The incremental improvements continue, with an overhauled graphics engine and new gameplay features, but the title still falls ever so short from living up to the pedigree established by AKI and games like "No Mercy" on the Nintendo 64.

Super Mario Run is fun and it seems to be perfectly representative of Nintendo’s mobile plans: provide a taste that potentially leads players to their consoles. This isn’t a grand, deep experience, but it has enough inventive twists on Mario platforming to remain fun for a few hours. We’ll check in next week and land on a score.

Should you buy this game? If you liked the original NES version, yes. If you also liked the DuckTales cartoon, double yes. Young'uns who never experienced either of those certainly won't be able to appreciate this remake as much, but it's still a prime example of a solid, fun platformer with some decent challenge to be had.

Pikuniku is a unique and stand out experience that makes you feel good to play it. It certainly isn’t for someone looking for action or a serious challenge, but those who want a relaxing game where you bounce around, kick things, and make friends will find a lot to like here.

While the overt focus on co-op might make it less appealing to the solo gamer, it's still a worthy adventure to embark on even if you're all alone.

It is one of the few games that practically requires friends. Without friends to play with, the game is little more than a port of the GBA version, "Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Microgame$." [JPN Import]

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is still as enjoyable now as it was back when it first released and is a fantastic addition to the Switch library. While no physical copy is available, this is definitely one game that you should make a point to purchase from the eShop.

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.

Get It Together! feels like a WarioWare D.I.Y. project that never got finished. As far as I can tell, there’s no mode or method for just playing a random assortment of all 220 or so microgames, in single or multiplayer. The Story mode arranges them in groups of approximately 23 around a set theme, such as “Nintendo Classics” and “That’s Life,” and in solo play that’s about it, especially given how the single-player options in Variety Pack are pretty joyless and feature no microgames at all. For those who are able to find another player or three, Get It Together! offers some decent value, but so much of the side content just isn’t compelling enough to justify a purchase, and it’s hard not to see the Switch’s WarioWare game as another Game & Wario, where the schtick is all there is. At the end of the day, Get It Together! hasn’t even heeded its own admonition. Ironically, the absence of any meaningful online experience means that most will be left to “get it together” on their own.

Thankfully, despite having systems upon systems upon systems, the game really isn't as complex as the string of tutorials at the beginning would have you believe. I was overwhelmed at first but, after some practice and going over the in-game tips, the battles become second nature.

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.

NHL Slapshot is an awesome inaugural Wii hockey game for EA. It plays to the strengths of the system with fun, easily accessible, motion-based gameplay.

Despite that, and my problems with the iconography, NOVA-111 is a surprisingly fun sci-fi romp that I think most of you would get a kick out of.

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.

Both games in Scribblenauts MegaPack are worth revisiting on the Switch. They aren’t perfect, and can be a breeze if you’re looking for something tough. But both games are great for casual play. If you can accept the faults of Unmasked, both games are worth giving another look.

My experience with Super Mario Party Jamboree is likely an uncommon one for some reviewers, but especially as the Switch 2 ages, it probably won’t be completely unique. Unless you expect to get a lot of mileage out of the specific Mario Party additions to the game, including the goofy camera support, faster Frenzy mode, and novel Tag Team mode, you’re likely better off just playing the original Switch 1 version. The barrier for entry for the Switch 2 Jamboree TV content is very high and while I’ve been digging most of what’s added to it, the new additions are on the whole middling. This might be the most fun I’ve had with Mario Party since the Wii, but I also would much rather have a brand new Mario Party game on Switch 2 than this weird frankenstein.

Pode is a visually stunning take on the co-op puzzle genre, but misses the mark when it comes to pacing and execution. It was always an absolute joy to enter each room which was devoid of life, only to leave it booming with vivid colors and patterns. However getting to that point wasn’t always as enjoyable. The slow-paced nature lends itself better for co-op play, but even then it still gets a bit tedious and solo mode ends up being a bore.

Marvelous hasn’t lost their spark for creating a farming game worth picking up, and for that, we’re grateful.

There is certainly some fun to be had exploring the USS Sulaco and fighting the xenomorphs, but its repetitive nature and lack of variety distracts from what could have been a great game.

Seldom do you see so thorough an effort put forth by a third-party developer, and on the Nintendo DS at that. It isn't a perfect racing game, but its sheer variety of vehicles, tracks, and game modes, as well as the ability create custom tracks and cars for online use, make it a great gaming value.

An excellent triumph that takes the idea of a roguelite Zelda and turns it into something distinct and wonderful.

Even if visual novels aren’t your thing, Necrobarista is one I implore you to play. The comedy is top notch and the conversations around grief are nuanced.The new side stories and available text entries give great extra content on par with the original story. Even with the DLC content the staff and patrons of the Terminal are so lovable that I still wanted more after the credits had rolled. The studio mode has complicated unfettered access to the game’s engine which is both fascinating but almost impenetrable. I understand that visual novels are a high barrier for entry but the charm and style in Necrobarista are worth the effort.

All in all, Mega Man ZX is a worthy successor to the Mega Man Zero line. The combination of Zero's gameplay with X's power-collecting is a nice mesh of the two series.