Rise: Race the Future is a fantastic racing game at its core that is held back only by the limits of its own ambition. While it would benefit greatly from a further exploration of its own mechanics and multiplayer functionality, it remains a very fun and technically-solid racer that can more than hold its own against the system’s best.

Overall, Mundaun is a very worthwhile horror title, even if it may be a little rough around the edges in some areas. The compelling story mixed with the game’s unique aesthetic is enough to create a memorable experience that fans of spooky things are sure to enjoy. That being said, I’m not entirely sure I can recommend the Switch be your vehicle to explore the town of Mundaun. The short render distance and constant shadow pop-in can be very distracting and does detract from the game’s atmosphere; a brief period with the game’s PC release seemed to indicate that these issues are unique to the Switch. If you’re really dead set for a portable version of Mundaun, the rest of the game is still very good tech issues aside, but I would recommend looking into other platforms if those seem like something that would bother you.

The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a solid package. The three games included in this collection are all enjoyable action games and well worth your time. While there are some issues with this release, such as the absence of all the online modes and the locking of bonus content behind the deluxe edition, they ultimately detract from the core single player experience at the heart of the package. If you are a fan of action games, especially ones where you get to play as a ninja, and you have yet to try the modern Ninja Gaiden games out, you should pick up this bundle right away.

The online mode works great but adds nothing to the experience, and the demo-sharing feature is a wonderful idea crushed by Nintendo's online architecture.

Even in its brevity, Light Fall is a great 2D platformer that succeeds by just feeling right. Your hero feels fluid and in the moments where it all clicks, you essentially dance across the screen. It’s just all over rather quickly. I like Light Fall a whole lot and I could have stood for some more of it, maybe with some less spaced-out checkpoints and a less disappointing finale. As it stands, it’s good game that ends a little too soon.

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

It goes beyond the "gimmicky" nature of touch screen controls and provides a unique and fun experience.

Fire Emblem Heroes is a streamlined experience that is made for mobile and it doesn't shy away from that fact. It’s the closest thing Fire Emblem has to a bite-sized experience. Don't expect a lot of depth or difficulty from Heroes, but they did make some fine compromises. It helps that it plays wonderfully on a smart device and that the amount of content here is impressive. With 45 main missions (and counting) and a host of other features, they want to continue welcoming people with open arms. The story is really the biggest bummer of the experience. It was a neat idea to bring the Fire Emblem worlds together, but they never really embrace it. That is strange, considering they gave all the characters voices and unique art. The characters still drive forward what this is free-to-play mobile game is all about, and that is gameplay.

Overall, Scribble hits all of the marks of a solid multiplayer party game. It knows what it wants to do and executes well on it. So if you have a bunch people over and want a simple game for an enjoyable time, consider downloading Scribble. Anyone can play it, and everyone will enjoy it.

Despite the score, I’m going to spend a stupid amount of time in the world of Paldea. The technical issues with the game will eventually be fixed, and what will be left is a great Pokemon experience. If you’re still on the fence at this point, it’s certainly fair to wait for patches to smooth things out, but at some point I hope everyone can come along for the ride. And based on the opening weekend sales, I might’ve gotten my wish already.

Tedium aside, I enjoyed my time with Dragon Ball Fusions. The game’s battle system is pretty enjoyable, and the story is a nice change of pace from normal Dragon Ball games that just parrot stories from the various sagas. It’s nothing revolutionary, and there are certainly some problems here and there, but Dragon Ball Fusions is a fun game that takes its creative license to create an enjoyable experience.

While the console versions remain the definitive Guitar Hero experiences, portable players that are absolutely ga-ga for the franchise should give Decades a shot.

By the time you get anywhere in this game, you’re too exhausted to really celebrate it. The pleasant music is a strength, and the pixel-art environments are colorful and detailed, but the art style can also obscure important background elements. Too many NPCs, too many doors, and not enough direction may not dissuade you from giving it a try; achievements and a lengthy campaign provide lots of content for those who want it, but at least give us a map screen. All told, Phoenotopia: Awakening could probably use a little more REM sleep to get some much-needed editing in.

Super Swing Golf is obnoxious, gimmicky, featureless, and, despite its best attempts otherwise, humorless.

This expertly paced journey through nature provides a similar spiritual cleansing that one gets on a summer hike, and that’s a wonderful feeling if you’re currently stuck with the winter blues.

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.

Dimension Drive takes a commonly held problem in vertical shooters on home consoles, and turns it into a fun gameplay mechanic. It takes a fair amount of getting use to, and at times it becomes evident that there is definitely some room for improvement. In general however Dimension Drive offers some fun twists that fans of the genre will absolutely want to try out.

All in all, It’s amazing to see such a creative and relaxing game make the jump from Wii to Switch. I would possibly make a few changes to cater to those who played the earlier version of the game, but I’m still glad to see it here painting the eShop red.

While the overall brevity and lesser level diversity is disheartening, Minecraft Dungeons is an enjoyable experience. It’s much harder to recommend as a solo player, but if you’re able to hang out on the couch and knock out some creepers with a pal or head online and smash up mobs with a buddy, the weaker elements can wash away. I had a good time playing Minecraft Dungeons. I just wish there was a little more to it.

At the end of the day I don’t know if I can think of any reason to buy Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 on Switch outside of if you are just really that desperate to get your nostalgia trip in. In a world where games like Planet Coaster exist as a more modern take on the exact same formula with many of the same features, I don’t even know if nostalgia is a justifiable position on this one. If all you’re really interested in is the idea of a portable park management sim this one is still a pretty alright entry into the genre, but it definitely still feels and looks like a game that came out in 2004. Add to that the clunky gamepad controls and I can say for sure that if you’re dead set on buying Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, the Switch is probably not the place to do it.

The most glaring problem for Bear and Breakfast is that controlling the game is an immense chore on Switch, which means it ends up being a chore to help a bear complete his own chores. Opening up new areas and completing specific goals to move forward in the game is rewarding, but trying to navigate menus with the clumsy control scheme isn't worth getting out of bed for. Despite its flaws, Bear and Breakfast is no doubt a better game on PC, so play it there if you're smarter than the average bear.

There is plenty to do in Nintendogs + Cats, but most gamers will get tired of the competitions pretty quickly.

Mystery Dungeon games aren't for everyone; in fact, I'd go so far as to say they're not for most people. They're frustrating, time consuming, and not particularly straightforward. However, if it is a genre that you have come to love, Shiren will deliver it for you with a bit of style, and a lot of substance.

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.

Puzzle Quest isn't a bad game, but the Wii version tries very hard to make it so. It's playable as long as you don't mind squinting at the text, don't find the control scheme too uncomfortable, and don't pay much attention to music.

The smooth controls, infectious soundtrack, and challenging levels make for an extremely enjoyable ride.

It can become pretty frustrating, and the lack of online level sharing makes the level editing mode a bit of a disappointment. But for those who want to play something casual with a bit of a challenge, Hazumi is a good title that fills in that need nicely.

This kind of game is perfect to kill some time with friends without worrying about spending hours on mastering different techniques. Overall, Super Rocket Shootout offers a frantic and fun fighting experience that anyone can pick up and play. With captivating visuals and simple yet fun gameplay, this is not one to glance over.