The game itself remains a remarkably deep RPG with well written characters, even if the story itself doesn’t grab you right away. This is a largely successful version of the game with a few caveats but it is certainly one of the best ways to play Cyberpunk 2077 on the go.

While veteran players will almost certainly derive more multiplayer enjoyment from Switch 2 launch titles like Split Fiction or Fast Fusion, Survival Kids provides fun for the whole family, and it plays that role to a T.

The core game, its story and worlds are absolutely worth exploring, but the Nintendo Switch 2 version is heavily compromised. Perhaps it could be more effective to complete this game and mission while donning the guise of another games console.

Yakuza 0 is one of my favorite video games, and everything I love about it is fully intact for the Director’s Cut. It’s the perfect introduction to the story of Kazuma Kiryu, and you can’t go wrong with using this version as your starting point. That said, the Director’s Cut is easily skippable for existing fans unless you’re invested in the brand new English dub or extra languages the game has been translated into. The changes made to the story by the new cutscenes make me believe this is a worse version of the game than the original PS4 release that I played, but that is by a very small amount. If you’re a Nintendo fan who’s been looking for your chance to get started with the Like A Dragon franchise, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition is an example of taking a great game, bringing it to a platform with minimal compromises on the TV screen, and putting it in the palm of your hand to take on the go. Would I like the Switch 2 exclusive modes to be more robust? Sure. Do I wish the World Tour mode didn’t come with some performance hitches? Of course. Would I like someone to make a Switch 2 controller with a competent D-pad? Absolutely. Ultimately this is the best possible way to start the Switch 2 launch: with a re-introduction to the godfather of fighting games.

I was nervous for Fantasy Life i, because I truly loved the 3DS original and was not that optimistic that Level-5 could capture the same magic a decade later. For the most part, they did. This has the addictive gameplay loop of completing quests and furthering your lives in tandem. This has the seemingly endless parade of adorable touches filled with cute writing. In a way, even the ambitious scope that threatens to sometimes take down the whole thing is reminiscent of the original and the era that its developer Level-5 was going through with the success of Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch. If Fantasy Life i is representative of what they’re going to be doing going forward with the likes of Professor Layton, I’m becoming more and more hopeful that they’ll be able to reach their old heights. Fantasy Life i is enjoyable even with its occasional slips. I’m happy to be back juggling my multiple jobs of Angler, Paladin, Blacksmith, and Artist.

Aspects of Mario Kart World might still feel rough around the edges, but the vibes are immaculate. This isn’t the single-player aspect I’ve been wanting for all these years but it’s a wonderfully chill option I didn’t expect. I don’t believe Mario Kart World needs a rigid structure tracking every P-Switch or Peach Medallion. This game is best experienced as a playground, not an obstacle course, even if the mayhem that unfurls on the racetrack is rife with obstacles. I’m looking forward to regularly playing Mario Kart World as a staple of the Switch 2 library. It’s playful and fun in all the best ways.

Having finished Bravely Default multiple times on 3DS, it’s safe to say that the primary experience and story are intact with the Switch 2 release. If you’ve never played a Bravely Default game, this is a decent way to do so if you happen to have a Switch 2 and not a 3DS–although you can buy a secondhand 3DS and Bravely Default game for much less than the cost of Nintendo’s newest console. The visual upgrade is nice on the whole, but I personally prefer how the characters looked on 3DS, and how the cities and towns popped off the 3DS screen. The inability to set the encounter rate to 0 from the outset is a bit disappointing, and the added mouse-focused mini-games don’t offer much in the way of entertainment. Nonetheless, any turn-based RPG fan worth their salt needs to be able to say that they’ve played Bravely Default, and Flying Fairy HD Remaster represents a fantastic way to christen your Switch 2. If you’ve already played it through once or twice on 3DS, my recommendation is a little less resounding.

This is an excellent light puzzle game that, while a single-player experience, is also something I’ve had fun playing with my kids, passing a controller around. Wilmot Works It Out rules, and runs well on both Switch and Switch 2.

Fast Fusion is the deepest and most mechanically interesting game in Shin’en’s Fast series, and one I’ll be going back to on a regular basis. The level design is the best it's ever been and when combined with the fusion system, makes for some great replayability. While I have some minor critiques of the image scaling implementation, the technical package overall is excellent. The Switch 2 has certainly come out of the gate as a racing powerhouse but don’t let Mario Kart World take all your attention. Fast Fusion is another great entry in this sci-fi racing series.

My primary impression of Welcome Tour is that it’s more robust than I had initially expected, and it provides a comprehensive, hands-on experience with all of the upgrades offered by the Nintendo Switch 2. I’m eager to return to the game in small bursts to finish off more advanced versions of the mini-games I’ve unlocked, while also being a good student and “studying” for the numerous quizzes that help you learn about the new console and features. Just as the name implies, this tour lingers and doesn’t overstay its welcome. However, it does feel like it may have served as a very effective pack-in title, perhaps just outside the pantheon of those I mentioned earlier. I get it, though: in a world where many don’t have the patience for or interest in multi-page manuals, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour fills a role. Ultimately, I come away with a better sense of the capabilities of my new Nintendo console, and that at the very least helps ease the pain of my poor wallet.

Having previewed it earlier this year, I was delighted to see Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma deliver on its promise of being an approachable, varied adventure that expedites some of the slower, more mundane trappings of the farming game genre. It deftly blends multiple systems without overcomplicating them, and provides ample freedom for players to explore its world at their own pace. The farming and construction mechanics are designed for expedience and ease of use, exchanging realism for simplicity, a real bargain given the satisfying main story and likeable characters. Even the helper/partner Woolby ended up growing on me by the time I had rolled credits. Guardians of Azuma may do as much to spoil farming games as invite players to earlier Rune Factory entries, but it’s a worthwhile dance that marches to the beat of its own, confident drum, and I’m hopeful we’ll see more like it.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is another grand slam of a game from Pocket Trap. This is a brilliantly designed top-down adventure that is one of the best 2D Zelda-esque indie games of the entire Switch era. My teeny-tiny complaints only lie with the combat, but the delightful puzzles and joyous yoyo parkour more than make up for some occasionally tiresome battling. We might be days away from the Switch 2, but be sure not to miss this absolute gem of a game.

The nicest thing I can say about the Switch version, is that it was significantly worse a couple weeks ago. But even with the multitude of patches that were released during the review period, Trident's Tale still just isn’t really in a playable state on Switch.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is another mix of great hits, fun curiosities, and a few games that feel more like filling out a roster than anything. That said, Capcom vs. SNK and Power Stone are more than worth the price of entry alone, and fighting game fanatics will at least enjoy experiencing some oddities that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

As a pleasant distraction, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade fits the bill with challenging boss fights and three characters that feel different enough to play as. While the slow progression and plain dialogue mean that you really need to enjoy the combat to see this roguelite through to the end, fans of quick-paced, action-focused games where you’ll need to start over again and again may find a more satisfying experience here. There wasn’t quite enough nuance or uniqueness to keep me coming back for more Legends of the Demon Blade, but I had a good time with what I played.

Saga Frontier 2 Remastered is a unique, complicated relic of its time. A compelling cast of characters in a game that gives you glimpses of their personal struggles while focusing more on the long arc of history. A fresh feeling, flexible combat system tied to a series of dungeons that are thematically interesting but fundamentally humdrum. Special features and additions to this remaster that highlight its beauty, give better accessibility to weapon stocks, and give the tempo a much-needed speed boost, but feels incomplete compared to its remaster contemporaries. Ultimately, I had a gratifying experience playing this game in full and checking it off my bucket list, but it’s a game which should be seen more as an incremental improvement and way to preserve it on modern consoles than something that’s likely to draw in a new crowd.

Considering how sim focused MotoGP 25 is, it was a fun foray into the sport of professional motorbiking. It is engaging to play, and even as I realized how bad I am at MotoGP games, that did little to discourage me as I found myself enjoying the challenge of improving my lap times. If you are a hardcore high diff player, there is lots to like here, but for the rest of us, Milestone S.r.I made great strides in broadening the appeal, allowing newcomers to remain somewhat competitive. Even so, it is still a challenging ride in a world of arcade-y offerings that improves on its previous entries. Do yourself a favor though and play it docked with a Pro Controller, which feels like how it is meant to be experienced.

In an industry that is becoming more and more risk-averse, I was shocked by how refreshing Promise Mascot Agency feels. But above all that, Promise Mascot Agency is confident: confident in its ability to commit to its bizarre world and gameplay that defies norms with a story that is all about one fulfilling their own dreams. While playing I could feel the joy the creators had in making this world and shaping its characters. Promise Mascot Agency is unlike anything you’ve played before, but if you let it into your heart (and choose another platform if possible) it’s an experience that will stay with you for a while to come.

With a big world to explore and a compelling story full of twists and turns, Rusty Rabbit offers a pretty meaty campaign that stays interesting all the way through. The gameplay loop and upgrades are very satisfying and keep things fresh along the way. Whether you’re familiar with the artist’s work or you’re brand new to it like me, I fully recommend Rusty Rabbit.

It’s always a delight to discover what will end up being one of my favorite video games in real time, but The Hundred Line did it. With the storytelling prowess of two cult icons mixed with some fresh and exciting tactical gameplay, The Hundred Line manages to bring back things I love from both of its creators while feeling like a fresh new game. If you enjoy a good visual novel or if you enjoy tactics RPGs you owe it to yourself to play The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy. It may not be for everyone, but it struck a major chord for me and quickly became one of my favorite games on Switch.

Still, Sunderfolk is best enjoyed with friends, whether it’s online or on the couch. I’m looking forward to furthering my adventures with this game on Switch. It’s an incredibly neat idea and concept that feels right at home on a Nintendo platform. When I can navigate adult life to get a regular group together to play through this, I’ll hopefully be back with a scored review. [Review in Progress]

As a long time fan of the Lunar series, I am more than overjoyed to finally have one of my childhood JRPGs in a playable format on modern consoles. In 2025, I still find the series relevant and as charming as it was back when I was a starry-eyed child. I saw myself in Alex and Hiro; they were the heroes I wanted to be. Still, this is far from being a definitive collection. There's so much more that could accompany a package like this in addition to combat speed, a cleaner look, and widescreen presentation. Original English VO, missing games, art work, orchestrated soundtrack or even quality of life gameplay improvements could have pushed this to the high standards that companies like Square Enix and Capcom have set. I am happy that Lunar can now reach more people, but I long for more to share from such a cult classic and one of my all time favorites.

It’s clear that the team behind Star Overdrive is very talented and ambitious in their craft. The visuals make for an enticing world and there is a great feel for what makes a good movement mechanic. But it all comes together in the final game as a clunky project with too many influences and too little of its own. I am mostly disappointed in Star Overdrive because I can see the gem of a good game that was there and it just doesn’t come to fruition. Even if the performance was more consistent and the animation was a bit more polished, there is very little to the loop here that makes Star Overdrive a good recommendation.

ONE BTN BOSSES is a charming game that executes on its straightforward premise. The music and sound effects contribute well to the experience, and the new obstacles that enter the fray make for a varied enough experience. I did encounter a softlock that forced me to reboot the game, but no other performance issues popped up. If you enjoyed Just Shapes and Beats or other titles like it, you will almost certainly have a great time with ONE BTN BOSSES.

Argonaut’s Croc remaster is executed with near perfection. Despite upgrading every aspect of the game, its respect for the original keeps it perfectly in line with what the game was. The updates to the controls mean that even if you’re playing with the original graphics and a CRT filter, it will still play better than it ever has. The Switch version specifically doesn’t really come with any compromises, offering the highest possible image quality and frame rate available on the platform. Croc is still a very simple platformer and obviously the original game design has not been changed, but it is presented here with a level of respect and admiration that only its original developer and avid fans could provide. Even if you don’t particularly like Croc, it's hard not to recommend this excellent package.

Overall I found Rift of the Necrodancer to leave me feeling a bit mixed. On the one hand the game’s design is very solid, where battling monsters as a rhythm game feels like a natural continuation of the ideas on Crypt of the Necrodancer. And while the soundtrack is excellent, I did feel like I needed a few more recognizable songs to avoid the feeling of repetition in the core gameplay. Especially paired with the fairly high learning curve that ended up me lowering the difficulty and I just couldn’t get to proper grips with the controls. The story mode is a fun exploration of the characters of the series and in particular the Rhythm minigames that serve as little breaks in between the regular gameplay. But there really wasn’t enough for me here to sink my teeth into and it got repetitive a bit too quickly.

The core gameplay in Breakout Beyond is great, but I wish it would go beyond in terms of content and options. There are 72 levels and, after that, an endless mode with a leaderboard, but why is the endless mode gated behind the levels? Why is there a leaderboard only for the endless mode, when it would be fun to see how far other players could take each level? I don’t want to get bogged down in comparisons to other games, but having played the fantastic Tetris Forever earlier this year it makes me want to see some other modes or extras, perhaps adding in the original arcade version of Breakout or even the Atari 2600 version. These few wishes aside, I really enjoyed my time with Breakout Beyond and I know I”ll return from time to time to play more. While I do wish there were some more modes or options, at the end of the day this shows the simple genius of an arcade classic very well.