Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On is the best card game on Apple Arcade, the best sports game on Apple Arcade, and, well, it might just be the best game on Apple Arcade. With exhilarating mechanics, hours of content, and idiosyncrasy like no other sports or card game, there’s no reason not to try your luck with the ponies.

Eve Echoes succeeds in channeling the classic Eve experience, while also streamlining for new players, bringing the game to a platform well-suited for its idle elements.

Sid Meier’s Railroads comes to mobile in fine fashion, reminding us all that old stuff is still ace. One of the chillest simulation games is a perfect fit for a portable, offering hours in a trainset playground.

A feature-complete kart racer with excellent multiplayer out of the box and clever avoidance of off-putting pay-to-win mechanics.

With a touch of endless runner, a dash of MMO, and just a sprinkling of puzzles, Sky: Children of the Light soars to lofty heights.

Sith, Jedi, Wookies, and Ewoks, I present to you the definitive Lego Star Wars experience, never before has journeying to a blocky galaxy far, far away been so satisfying. The Skywalker Saga covers all nine mainline movies, and it captures all of the key points in a charming way - it’s the quintessential Lego experience, and mesa recommend you play it.

Despite boasting three of the most beloved platformers of all time, Super Mario 3D All-Stars too often resembles a hurried re-release as opposed to an act of careful curation

Still, Sproggiwood is a clever, fast-paced RPG disguised by a tawdry facade. Is it particularly deep? No. Is there too much grind to it? Yes.

I’m personally ambivalent about Solitairica, but that has a lot to do with the long load times that most players won’t experience. I can’t recommend this game to anyone still playing on an iPad 2 or Mini 1, and anyone looking for something that is a card-game first and an RPG second will be better off waiting to see if Regency Solitaire makes the jump to mobile. Otherwise, Soltairica is a clever, quick-playing game fans of roguelites and puzzle RPS will find it easy to get into and highly replayable.

GNOG showcases a delightful style and unique environmental puzzles which will appeal to the imagination as much as the intellect.

The most original platformer I've played in years: clever, creepy, and distinctive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play the first.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is truly the final form of Mario Party on the Nintendo Switch, learning and growing from the past two games to create one massive masterpiece of multiplayer mayhem.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a polished, adorable Sanrio life sim jam-packed full of delicious treats and areas to explore on launch. The perfect game for fans of cats, cakes, and cuteness.

Breathing new life into the series while respecting what made it great to begin with, Neo: The World Ends With You is everything fans dreamed of. There’s still room for surprises though with some crafty battle mechanics, dark story twists, and a densely packed and beautifully stylised version of Shibuya to explore. A fantastic return for the cult classic RPG series.

The Spirit and the Mouse is a truly thoughtful game that proves even the tiniest things in life can make a big difference. With its adorable protagonist, enjoyable missions, and touching message, it’s a sure-fire way to warm your heart on a rainy night.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a gritty, surprisingly grounded journey through a complex and interesting fantasy world, with stunning visuals and complex combat, it's a masterclass in solid JRPG execution

But Kindo is literally the only strategy game I’ve played which seems to me worth playing in a grocery store queue, and it delights me as an artifact which reflects its environment so insightfully.

Live A Live is a phenomenal RPG that's sure to delight new and old fans alike. Each chapter tells a story with its own cast, time, and location, yet all are done seamlessly and they tie together nice to form the overarching story. Then, to top it all off, the combat is fantastic, well designed, and exactly what you'd expect from a title that utilises turn-based mechanics.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the most engaging game in the series so far, with great battles, a riveting narrative, and a fantastic new feature in the form of habitat restoration. Handheld performance on Nintendo Switch 2 has its iffy moments, and some of the side missions can muddy the pacing as you wait for the main plot to progress, but outside of that, this is an absolute beast of a game just waiting for you to take it on.

WWE 2K26 feels like a great step in the right direction in various ways, finally offering a bit more substance in MyRise, a creative Showcase with some great ‘what if’ scenarios, and a massive 400-strong roster. However, it’s not without its issues on the Nintendo Switch 2, including occasional drops in frame rate and rendering issues.

Reigns: Her Majesty is perhaps the perfect time-filler. A game that's as fun played for a second with the swiping of a single card as it is for an hour or a day. And, like all the best games, it taught me something. That even when you're caught between two choices, a rock and a hard place, it's important to stay true to your ideals.

I absolutely love the story and characters in Persona 3, but Portable isn’t the optimal way to experience them. I can recommend this version to visual novel fans and those looking to experience the game on a budget. If I were rating Persona 3 FES, you would see a much higher number.

Two Point Museum is easily one of my favorite games of the year, taking an already fantastic foundation and rocketing it to new heights. With hundreds of hours of play and a ridiculous level of attention to detail, it’s a must-play for all fans of simulation and city builder games. However, occasional performance dips and the lack of touchscreen and mouse controls knock the Nintendo Switch 2 version back a step.

Though it treads familiar ground in terms of gameplay, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is a fantastic farewell to the saga and its cast of characters.

Warlock's Tower is a challenging, retro-styled puzzle game that feels a lot like a roguelike.

World of Horror is an ambitious and impressive little horror gem that reads as a love letter to the works of Junji Ito and Lovecraft. Revolving around gorgeous retro vibes, twisted tales, and RNG-fuelled gameplay loops, it’s a morbidly moreish experience that’s hard to put down.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a great time filled with farming, decorating, and forming friendships. The game really is fun, with an interesting story and plenty to do, but the performance on Nintendo Switch can leave a lot to be desired due to muddy graphics and pop-ins.

Bungie’s unwavering commitment to its hardcore niche makes Marathon an enthralling experience the FPS genre needs. Best-in-class gunplay, sleek art direction, and masterful sound design deliver white-knuckle tension in spades. Its versatile playstyles let you approach it as a stealth powerhouse or turn it into a squad-based riot.

A really good all-round puzzle game that comes with the bonus of being a Deus Ex title, albeit one that’s a little too easy sometimes.

All in all, the game makes for an excellent romp. Yes, it’s an excellent way to get anybody to practice their sums but that’s like praising a dish for ‘sneaking’ vegetables into it. Edifying to be sure, but a delight in its own right.

Some smart changes to controller issues and pacing problems make this the definitive way to play this classic Zelda title. But sadly, some repetitive elements and backtracking haven't changed at all. However, with an engaging story, well-realised characters, and some brilliant items and dungeons, Skyward Sword HD is a delightful adventure for fans of the series and beyond.

Wax Heads is a phenomenal debut indie game, oozing style without ignoring substance. If engaging puzzles, banging tunes, and an underdog story rooted in the DIY music scene are your jam, this game is for you.

This colourful RPG is a constant delight with some fantastic monsters to find, deep mechanics, an interesting story, and some great characters along the way. The game is rewarding for both Monster Hunter fans and anyone looking for a new adventure, Monster Hunter Stories 2 might just be the best monster-catching game on the Nintendo Switch.

Brutal and beautiful. Those are the two words that describe MIO: Memories in Orbit. The game offers a stunning world that’s matched by an equally gorgeous soundtrack, while the level design, enemies, and bosses force you to learn and adapt if you want to survive.

Space Grunts is a winner, have no doubt.

Ni No Kuni II looks incredible on Switch, but the price it pays in terms of poor performance is too high, resulting in an experience that you're better off having on any other platform.

Getting the Phantom Thieves back together for some fast-paced Musou-style combat is incredibly fun. And while it doesn’t quite scratch the turn-based itch, Strikers excels in other aspects.

Any fan of either Puzzle Quest or Magic: The Gathering would do well to check the game out.

Mini Motorways is a zen-puzzler that achieves everything it sets out to do, offering an engaging experience for any problem-solving gamer, and an alternative to the convoluted transport sim. While there are a couple of potholes, and at times you’ll wish for a slightly more scenic route, Dinosaur Polo Club’s second outing is a smooth ride that makes time fly by like a fast lane free of traffic.

In Stars and Time is an RPG classic waiting to happen. This game asks new questions of the time loop genre, all while developing a loveable cast of misfit heroes and a mysterious fantasy world that you’ll want to stay in forever.

A fun-filled adventure that not only features one of the best turn-based combat systems I've experienced for some time, but also a narrative that old and new fans alike can appreciate.

The Mageseeker is a confident and immensely satisfying action game with a great mixture of physical attacks and a huge arsenal of magical abilities to steal and equip. I love the multiple ways to improve your moveset and your home base, and even as a Fairweather League of Legends fan, I’m now obsessed with Sylus’s character and the world at large. Digital Sun has crafted a fantastic title for League fans, but anyone with an interest in the genre will find something to love.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the best musou spin-off to date, offering an unbelievable amount of storytelling that any fan will delight in. Swirling around all this is a cacophony of mechanics that may at first overwhelm, but once they make sense, the game is harmonious and hard to put down. It feels like a mainline Fire Emblem game with more action, which might actually be music to the ears of anyone who’s not tried the series before.

Fire Emblem Engage has so much to love, yet feels a little empty. With tight and tricky combat, gorgeous graphics and art, and vibrant character designs, its first impression is a good one. But as the story progresses, things feel a little soulless. It’s good and it’s bad, and how much you like it just depends on what you want from it.

A charming action game stacked full of great dungeons and unique puzzles that never seems to run out of smart ideas. Dungeons of Dreadrock brings the best elements of classic dungeon exploration to the Nintendo Switch and does a lot with only a few pieces.

Bayonetta Origins shows you the umbra witch in a whole new way, and while you may feel skeptical about her going from heavy action to puzzles, Platinum Games nailed the transition flawlessly. While different to the trilogy, the gameplay is engaging, the world is stunning, and the story of Cereza and Cheshire is precious. I can’t recommend this game enough.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is a joy from start to finish. It improves on certain elements from the series, has a charming new story with some familiar faces, and even adds intriguing new features for you to enjoy

With a true-to-life Tokyo and a vibrant, color-saturated Digital World full of life to explore, this is the Digimon game I’ve desperately wanted for the last ten years, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Unless my perfect game shadow drops soon, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is shaping up to be my GOTY for 2025.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows performs really well on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it an excellent way to experience an interesting story, vibrant world, and two of the best protagonists the series has to offer.

Nuclear Blaze arrives on Switch with extra content and provides a Metroidvania-like experience that gets immersion right. While the game world nearly makes up for what the story lacks, and the gameplay offers up the odd moment of frustration, this one easily finds itself in the better half of Switch titles of the genre.

Stray is a gorgeous open-world platformer that works fantastically on the Switch, despite some understandable graphical limitations. It features a wealth of exploration and verticality only fitting for a sure-footed feline protagonist, as well as a sense of coziness despite the harsh, robotic dystopia.

This fast-paced retro-inspired FPS is a treat for fans of the genre, though there’s little to pull in those who don’t fancy a shoot-off. Despite some annoying platforming sections, Fashion Police Squad offers an alternative to the norm while providing all of the running and gunning fun, looking like a million dollars while it does it.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin can be confusing to start with, but getting past the initial hardships opens up beautiful levels and satisfying gameplay.

Dripping with style and absolutely stuffed with incredible combat, Boomerang X offers a rewarding blast of action with every moment of gameplay. It somewhat lacks replayability, but what's already there is staggeringly well executed. Boomerang X is one of the best action games of the year.

The Switch port of Doom Eternal is as good as it possibly can be, with portability making up for a drop in visual fidelity and framerate.

Outside of these control niggles, Battle Academy 2 makes a strong case for itself. A solid AI showcase to bolster and balance the online experience, though you’re likely to never be too long without an asynchronous foe given the cross-play antics and established community.

MicRogue is a game where, even if you fail seven times in a row, chances are you’ll have failed each time on the eighth or ninth stages. Even when you’re losing it doesn’t feel like you’ve lost much at all.

Even with these flaws, Titan Quest is still a great hack ‘n slash.

More than just a piece of RPG history, Jade Empire deserves to be experienced for its worldbuilding and memorable characters despite some shortcomings in core gameplay.

The Escapists is an open-world sandbox game, except for the mandatory roll call and random cell tossings, that is surprisingly deep and plenty entertaining.

A fascinating ‘anti-platformer’ that feels at home on mobile; proving all things should be turned up to 11.

Beholder is pithy, with small sketches of character and darkness. Sadly, submission to the game's mechanics means much is lost in the God of efficiency.

Darkest Dungeon visits fresh horrors upon unseasoned newcomers, but behind its grim facade is a fascinating dungeon crawler.

With a gripping story, fantastic visuals, and smart card play, Thronebreaker has finally found its true home.

Tails of Iron is a thoughtful and detailed little game, with a brilliant visual style and an intuitive take on soulslike combat. Though it has its shortcomings, it's a strong and unique entry into the genre that serves up a great story and plenty of bug-slashing, frog-bashing fun.

A roaring cosmic escapade that would make Bowie proud, The Artful Escape tells a beautiful story of artistic integrity and brings it to life with show-stopping visuals that never relent. It’s a slightly better story than a game, however, and I hope the Switch version gets a tune-up down the line.

Gerda: A Flame in Winter is an important narrative adventure that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with publisher Don’t Nod’s stable of similar titles. Just don’t expect to be smiling your way through this slow-paced and sombre experience.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 surpasses the original with a fun light-hearted story. Though slightly repetitive at times, returning fans will find more of the same casual puzzling fun.

A brilliant Apple Arcade exclusive with a killer battle system, let down by hit-and-miss visuals and a slightly naff plot.

An adorable JRPG with fun characters and an in-depth alchemy system that will keep you entertained for 50+ hours.

Persona 3 Reload is a wonder on Nintendo Switch 2, which uses the classic Persona formula of sending you - a school child - on a hero’s journey surrounded by friends. Embark on a remake of an epic tale that feels familiar, but sparkles with a new voice cast, soundtrack, and graphics.

An outstanding celebration of the series’ legacy, coupled with well-implemented online features and gameplay tweaks. Mario Party Superstars is a thrilling roller coaster of emotions that has refined this formula to near perfection.

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II is a ghoulishly gripping horror visual novel that sets out to spook you at every turn. Featuring a fine blend of familiar and fresh gameplay elements, spine-chilling spooks, and heart-wrenching horrors, it’s a brilliant continuation of an already outstanding series, and a real masterclass in supernatural storytelling.

Pikmin 1+2 is a great accessible introduction to the beloved series for newcomers and a gem for existing fans, but the steep price tag and lack of features drive a hard bargain for a series that lets you jump in at any point.

A unique arcade-style beat 'em up with an amazing soundtrack and gorgeous art style. A must-play for any fan of the Scott Pilgrim universe.

Resident Evil Village’s Switch 2 port is nothing short of a masterclass, showcasing what the hardware is capable of, while giving you the chance to experience another great RE game.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a wonderful revival of an already excellent game. Adorable, enjoyable, and absolutely oozing with charm, it offers a great range of platforming, puzzles, and minigames to explore either alone or with up to four players. Boasting enhanced visuals, fresh copy abilities, and new content, it’s an absolute delight, and a must for anyone looking for some family-friendly fun to brighten up their day.

Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is a great entry for newcomers, plus the story mode and multiplayer expand upon the gameplay in fun, if inconsequential ways. Puzzle Bobble vs Space Invaders is a great new addition, but it also leaves me wanting for an entry in this franchise that truly brings in some new ideas.

A charming spin on the original’s gameplay, Shovel Knight Dig feels great to play, and the presentation around it is absolutely stellar. Sadly, the rogue-like elements aren’t well-balanced or interesting enough to reward many subsequent runs with little additional content to dig into, so while it’s a blast to play and complete, I doubt fans will be sticking around for long after the credits.

New Pokémon Snap is a heartwarming trip down nostalgia lane. With a huge range of levels, gorgeous graphics, and a relaxing soundtrack, it’s hard not to enjoy every minute you spend in the Lental region.

A love letter to the music of Kingdom Hearts and a fab way to summarise the story, but it can get rather repetitive at times.

Dying Light: The Beast strips back its setting and scale to deliver a focused story, while enhancing Techland's undead slaying. What really makes it worth playing is The Beast's brilliant co-op experience, which is equally hilarious as it is horrifying. Alongside sturdy handheld PC performance, The Beast is worth giving this franchise another chance if Stay Human left you in the cold.

Once Upon a Katamari is a triumphant return for the beloved series, building on everything that makes Katamari Damacy great and making it accessible to a new audience at the same time

Elden Ring: Nightreign lays the foundations for an incredibly promising multiplayer experience. The rush of completing runs and banding together to banish Nightlords is nothing short of euphoric, as FromSoftware finally makes teaming up with friends a mostly painless experience. The world of Limveld could do with fresh ideas, but it’s a world that I’ll be coming back to again and again.

TOEM is a short, densely packed, and extremely satisfying little adventure that smartly fills every corner of its world with something beautiful to see or another cute animal to discover.

This goofy physics based puzzler has its best jokes in the first few minutes of gameplay, and wears its schtick thin at just about the same time it turns into a real game. You can approach it as a silly timekiller or as a serious Angry Birds-style slingshot challenge. Give it a try for something fun that requires little attention, have a good laugh at the first few levels, and then play as long as it continues to be amusing - if it grabs you, there's a surprising amount of depth to the gameplay later on.

It’s not (yet) as big of a sandbox as Panzer Corps or as lavishly detailed as a Shenandoah offering, but Wars and Battles is a top-notch wargame of rare quality.

Though the Phantom Thieves’ journey never seems to end, you can’t deny the games are good, and Persona 5 Tactica is no different. Play as Joker and co in a different setting and stretch those strategic muscles across challenging and fun stages, wrapped in a delightful story.

An incredibly detailed and accomplished game that deftly balances combat with managing your very own occult village, Cult of the Lamb is an amazing game that deserves to be played. But no amount of humour or depth of mechanics can save the consistent and disappointing performance. I pray to Cthulu that some patches can bring this essential title up to snuff on the Switch.

Thomas Was Alone is a middling puzzle-platformer that overcomes its gameplay troubles by the sheer force of its charm.

Kirby Air Riders is a visually stunning whirlwind of a game, filled with tons to do - if you like meticulously crafting vehicle builds and racing at breakneck speeds. It’s confusing for newcomers and difficult to look at, at times, but it’s sure to bring some people a ton of joy.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes us back in time to ancient Hyrule, following the events of the Imprisoning War. Smashing through hordes of enemies as Rauru, Zelda, and a colorful cast of characters is smooth and really therapeutic, while also educational as we learn what happened so many centuries ago.

Overall, The Swords is a sharply focused and concise package, one that is over far too quickly.

Though of specific interest, Astrologaster is a fun story about people looking to the heavens to avoid facing what's right in front of them.

Catalyst Black is excellent at giving you a good time. The numerous game modes and loadout options are fun to play around in, and the scale of some of the maps is really impressive. I just wish there was something that made me want to keep coming back, which there isn't for now.

Sonic x Shadow Generations is a must-have on the Nintendo Switch 2 for fans of the Blue Blur and The Ultimate Lifeform, letting you revisit classic levels from the franchise’s long history. There are a couple of minor performance hiccups, but nothing severe enough to impact your enjoyment.

Vietnam ’65 is a surprisingly different and refreshing wargame experience that might win hearts and minds outside of Vietnam, too.

No Sleep For Kaname Date is a unique futuristic detective game that successfully carries the torch of a beloved series. While wacky and perhaps a little sillier than its predecessors, it certainly offers more of what we love, packed with puzzles, quirky characters, and a bizarre mystery just waiting to be unraveled.