What initially seems like more of a relaxing walking simulator becomes something more consequential and dire. Anyone interested in great stories—not just those told through video games—needs to pick up Firewatch. Like Celeste and GRIS, Firewatch is a triumph of artistic and thought-provoking game design, and it can remind you of summer as you bundle up for the cold winter ahead.

Ultimately, if you like super challenging shmups and especially if you’re old enough to still call them shoot-‘em-ups, then you’ll find a lot to love here. Likewise if you’re a newcomer to the genre then R-Type Dimensions EX is a great place to start and will hold your hand until you’re ready to let go.

Is a Switch game that can realistically only be played in docked mode actually playable? The entire point of this system is to be able to take your games with you, but ARK can’t really offer that. It draws into question the sanctity of the Nintendo seal of quality. The fact that it is not only available to the public, but costs money is an insult. Don’t buy ARK on Switch.

The competitive aspect of Rival Megagun works really well, and shooter fans who are interested in the local competitive experience might find a lot to like about this game. The online leaderboards and collectable cards add some long-term play, too. However, the lack of players online, the random unlocks, and the pedestrian shoot-‘em-up stages leave a lot to be desired. Some may find good value here, but I can’t wholeheartedly recommend Rival Megagun to a general Switch audience.

Unfortunately, this version does have too many ugly blemishes to recommend over other digital versions available on other platforms. But if your only avenue is playing on Switch, you can still get definitely some enjoyment out of playing locally against your friends or against the varying difficulty levels of the computer. And hey, at least you don’t have to clean up the game pieces when you’re done!

Overall the main mode of Rockets is fun but once you move beyond that there is nothing to do in the game. If you have a lot of game nights where you have friends over and the one mode appeals to you, this game can be fun. If you are a solo gamer or think you and your friends would get bored of this quickly then there are plenty of other party games with more to offer.

The combination of imagery, art, music, and storytelling make GRIS understated but exquisite.

Everspace is the most open ended space shooter on Switch. It is highly replayable and there is still plenty more for me to see and do. The segmented, sector-by-sector gameplay is perfect for on-the-go play. It employs its genre better than most and manages not to feel too repetitive even as you die over and over again. This is a game that will be at the top of my Switch home screen for a long time to come.

If I were to judge Desert Child exclusively on its aesthetics, I would have nothing but glowing praise for it. From the gorgeous pixel art to the incredible soundtrack, Desert Child looks outstanding. Looks can be deceiving though, and it’s clear that much more time was spent on crafting a distinct style than fine-tuning gameplay. If you’ve so much as watched a trailer for Desert Child, you’ve already experienced everything worth seeing in the game.

Even though the experience is strictly two-dimensional, has no menus, and essentially no on-screen text, the deep level of strategy that cooks underneath is nothing short of mesmerizing. While at times the difficulty can seem very intense, and all seems lost, Kingdom Two Crowns is designed so you can rebuild your empire after the toughest of invasions or the coldest of winters - and all achieved by the simplest of decrees: to build, expand, and defend.

As long as you can make sense of the onslaught of characters, modes, and options, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a masterpiece.

Sword and Sorcery has some great, unique storytelling elements that give the game a chill yet mildly creepy vibe, though I assure that’s a good thing. From the quirky names (Logfella – the woodsman/farmer type, Dogfella – your dog, Gogolithic Mass – creepy antler dude) to the surreal, earthy, and dreamy atmosphere, to the utmost commitment to using second person narration, Sword and Sworcery portrays an off-the-beaten path story with intrigue galore. If you’re looking for all of this in a handheld game experience, Sword and Sworcery will be the perfect fit for you.

Tower of Shirin felt like just the right length to me and didn’t leave me feeling like I had played half of a game, but the cliffhanger ending leaves Nairi way short of fulfilling her quest. I don’t see this as a strike against the game, but being forewarned may save some people from being disappointed.

When Guacamelee 2 does so many things right, from the wonderfully tight and responsible gameplay to the downright gorgeous look and feel of the Mexiverse, it’s hard to not talk about it without gushing. But it’s earned that right, delivering a top-tier experience across the board. It captures the essence of multiple genres and blends them brilliantly within a visually stunning world that’s equally as fun to explore as it is to stare at.

The First Tree only lasts about 2 hours and is essentially a walking sim through a handful of gorgeous settings with bits of narrative threaded throughout. That being said, the ending truly is something special, and if you choose to get this game in the future, I’d recommend enduring through the rough narration and reaching the finale. The finale is worth it.

The Legend of Evil feels like a fine example of a diamond in the rough game if you’re a fan of tower defense games and are looking for a challenge. The developers have stated that there’s more to come for this title and honestly, I couldn’t be happier as it has a lot of potential to be a truly fantastic game. I’d definitely recommend adding this gem to your Switch library.

Conduct Together is an overall low-key affair but the puzzling chops here are solid and well crafted. The solo experience is the draw to me, as it’s the kind of serene game with demanding puzzles that sucks me in. Multiplayer is a bit more goofy and frantic, but it has a fun feeling, especially if you can find some conductor compatriots to ride or die with.

The Sega Genesis Classics is a must own on your Switch. I would recommend buying it digitally so you can have all of these games available at any time without having to swap out a cartridge. Knowing that anytime I have my Switch out of the house, I can easily pop off the Joy-Con and jump in a quick match of Virtua Fighter 2 with my friends is a game changer.

The story really shouldn't have worked, but by pulling a Phoenix Wright, they somehow found a way. Still, I think that switching between two stories isn't the best approach and the downtime with quests is somewhat damaging. Mind you, this is nothing you can't overcome with the right state of mind. The hours really fly by, and even after completion, I couldn't stop playing pieces where possible. For newcomers and veterans alike, this third installment has a little something for everyone.

Despite a frustrating camera system and some minor technical issues, Steven Universe: Save the Light is still a highly enjoyable role-playing game that will appeal to both fans of the TV series, as well as fans of the genre. Thanks to some assistance from Rebecca Sugar, the show’s creator, it perfectly captures the television show’s colorful tone and optimistic spirit. Steven Universe and South Park are both examples of licensed games adding their own unique spins on the Paper Mario RPG formula – and succeeding admirably.

Trading heavily on its style and forced joking as if trying to paper-over its insecurity, Ms. Splosion Man is a gratifying 2D platformer with reasonably challenging gameplay. If a crazed sense of humor is appealing or at least tolerable, then you’re going to have a blast.

Gorgeous scenery and a thoughtful, engaging story make Abzu memorable and spectacular.

Some warts do show up, mostly stemming from a steep early difficulty curve and occasionally hard-to-judge hitboxes and jumps, but on the whole, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is a fabulous entry in a relatively dormant series. My future-gazing hope is that this team can have another go and make it more of a bolder, modern game than a warm, loving throwback to a series clearly near and dear to them.

Toki is fun and wacky, but a flawed game in many regards. While I enjoy the world and basic gameplay elements there are cheap deaths and the new graphics can make it hard to tell what’s on the same plane as the character at times. The different difficulty settings allow players to tailor the experience, which is good, but I don’t see myself often trying something other than Easy since this is an updated arcade title. Some of the general flaws can be attributed to the original game, so the developers actually did nail it when they made this updated version. That said, Toki fans will get a kick out of this remaster and if you like weird, old arcade games you probably will, too.

All in all The Walking Vegetables doesn’t seem to have been made with the same level of imagination and expertise as it’s closest competitors. As such it’s a tough one to recommend, particularly when it’s on the same system as the superb Enter The Gungeon.

All in all, Sega Ages Out Run just reminds me of how great Out Run is. The game design is still incredibly inviting, offering a nice balance between control and difficulty. That difficulty can be adjusted here, depending on the type of player you are. It is a game that anybody can understand, but pulls no punches all the same. While the game remains a short one, plenty of fun options make it one of the best rides out there. Jump in and feel the rush of my favorite arcade game ever made.

At its core, The Shapeshifting Detective has a good hook and a compelling enough story structure, but is marred by not feeling like your choices matter, uneven pacing, and the impression that not all the story beats were well thought out or executed. Without sticking the landing on either the story or interactivity, what had potential to be great feels more middle of the pack.

The stages have a lot of variety and never feel too long or short. It feels polished and plays wonderfully, and I am looking forward to its predecessor, LOVE, hitting Switch in 2019. My only critique is that it’s over too soon, but I will be diving back in to find all of the secrets, play more of the versus mode, and enjoy that sweet soundtrack. For those that know the meaning of "kuso” in Japanese, I can safely say that while that might accurately describe the visuals, the gameplay is the complete opposite.