Good and solid bouts of roguelike card-battles, but the final result is short of inspiring. Likeable and worthwhile.

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

In one of the most heartfelt adventures I’ve had the pleasure of playing, Bugsnax shines in almost every element. While there is a bit of tedium with later missions, and not all the Bugsnak designs are winners, the treasure here really is the friends you make along the way.

Despite its late arrival, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is easily one of the best platformers of the Switch era. It’s equally imaginative and challenging, providing a template for how to reinvigorate a series without losing touch with what made it so special in the first place.

The Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster offers a wonderful glimpse into a well-received bit of Monolith Soft’s history, one that barely sold enough for us to expect a second look. While the remaster doesn’t do anything exceptional, it’s more than enough, and it’s such a delight to have a bit of history in the palm of your hand.

Buy card packs with your gold, or with real money. It’s made plenty of profit for Blizzard. But SuperCell weren’t satisfied with that. Instead, they chose the greedy path with Clash Royale and made what could have been a truly great game into merely a very good one.

A beastly expansion that picks up right where MHR left off, Sunbreak builds upon the base game with a plethora of fresh, challenging fights, smashing skills, exciting equipment, and more. So hop back on your palamute and grab a max potion - you’re gonna need it.

Playing solo may lack challenge, but otherwise, this is a terrific game.

Even with these minor issues, Super Tribes is close to being a perfect mobile title. It takes the essence of a more expansive type of game and creates a 4X au jus which has left me clamouring for more after each game.

If you want the full-fat Monster Hunter experience, this isn’t quite it, but it shouldn’t be either. Instead, like a Diet Coke, Monster Hunter Now is a fantastic companion to the series fans know and love, and it’s got plenty of ways to pull in newcomers as well. We hope to see more monsters and features down the line, and this live-service game is surely set to provide them, but this is a thrilling and satisfying twist on the geo-location format that every mobile gamer should try out for themselves.

Hell Pie is one of the crassest games I’ve come across for some time, and I highly recommend it to anybody in search of a rude, fun, and hilarious platformer. Yes, it has a couple of performance issues, but those are fixable and pale in comparison to the great time this game is sure to give you.

A charming neoclassical JRPG that, while somewhat flawed technically, will appeal to theorycrafters and those looking for gaming comfort food.

Onsen Master is an enchanting, mystical experience, with a gorgeous aesthetic and plenty of madcap fun to be had. Though there are some slight fumbles with controls and collision, it offers heaps of fun challenges, along with co-op and PVP modes to keep the gameplay fresh. Visiting the bathhouse has never been so much fun!

It seems surprising that Asmodee chose to resurrect a title that was nearly 10 years old for a mobile release. After playing it, the reason is clear: it's a great fit for the platform. And it's a game that was perhaps unfairly forgotten after its original release. A slew of minor niggles keep the game from greatness, but it's fast and fun. I'm glad I got the chance to play a game I might otherwise not have heard of. Perhaps tabletop game archival is the next big direction for app store games?

The Pathless remains a solid game from its engaging story and pretty setting to the enjoyable gameplay, though it can get repetitive at times. Still, a solid performance on Switch means we highly recommend you pick it up on the hybrid console.

The Tartarus Key is a love letter to the survival horror games of the 90s, featuring an atmospheric environment and an array of puzzles to solve. However, its leading lady lacks the charisma of other characters from the genre. Still, with a story that has twists and turns to keep you guessing, The Tartarus Key is a must-play for survival horror fans.

A classic game and a well-designed adaptation, but solo play lacks long-term challenge.

Summoners War: Lost Centuria's novel combat mechanics set it apart, but you need to dive into its depths if you want to get the most out of it.

Fae Farm is a delightful, addictive, and unique farming game with a lovely art style and interesting world. Though the price tag may seem heavy, it’s worth it for fans of the genre who crave a new agricultural adventure.

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

Solar Settlers is an extremely well-built machine, a solitaire optimization puzzle par excellence, and an excellent digital board game.

So it’s a puzzle within a puzzle, made all the more vexing because there might be nothing to find.

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.

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.

Despite some minor issues, WarioWare has never been better, and the joy of experimentation, fantastic presentation, and a wealth of options and unlockables, means there’s a veritable treasure trove that fans of the series will happily plunder for months.

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.

The story is interesting enough, with lots of double-crosses and opportunities to make meaningful choices. The mechanics are a little obscure at first, but it's easy enough to figure out, even though it can feel somewhat arbitrary.

The Division Resurgence is a polished, content-rich shooter than outpaces most mobile games around. It delivers Ubisoft's ever-so-satisfying gunplay and sprawling version of New York City, without compromising the series' vision. With the first shared open-world in Division history, I can't see these games without it going forward.

Let's hear it for truth in advertising - this is indeed an epic little war game. It is a perfectly intentionally generic take on the strategy game, and very well executed.

Despite some performance hiccups, Risen on Nintendo Switch is a must-play for RPG fans, be they familiar with the original or not. Featuring a fun, albeit clunky, combat system that gives a great amount of freedom, and a great story in a mysterious land, it’s great to see Risen rise once more.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an intuitive entry in the franchise that takes everything that makes the other games so great, and cranks it up to 11. The introduction of the spirit torch adds a new dimension to combat, while the photo mode ensures you can create some memories. With little in the way of performance issues, and a story keeps you guessing, this is a game for all horror fans.

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.

A fun beast slaying experience that new and existing fans of The Witcher will enjoy, even if loading times are a little slow

Last Voyage is a puzzle game which is uncharacteristically comfortable with—and perhaps cautiously optimistic about—the unknown.

An incredible game that holds up just as well as its 2018 release, but is held back by the Switch’s handheld performance.

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.

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.

The smart new Windzone mechanic and the addition of burly routes means the levels in OlliOlli World: Finding the Flowzone are some of the most exhilarating and challenging you can play. All honed perfectly around those rock-solid skating and combo-chaining mechanics, the blustery bonus content feels like a rollercoaster ride and the perfect way for any pros to show off their skills. Until next time OlliOlli World, it’s been a wild ride.

Telling Lies is one of 2019's best games but still stands in the shadow of its predecessor's achievements. It earns major props for acting, writing and excellent implementation of FMV. Minor demerits for an untidy denouement.

Famicom Detective Club has a wonderful art style, intriguing characters, and compelling mysteries to solve. However, the one aspect that lets the game down is its repetitive gameplay aspects.

An intriguing new take on a Final Fantasy 7 remake, Ever Crisis has a whimsical art style, new insight into beloved characters, and a delightful soundtrack. It’s a must-play for any fan of the series. Oh boy, I just really love Final Fantasy.

Famicom Detective Club has a wonderful art style, intriguing characters, and compelling mysteries to solve. However, the one aspect that lets the game down is its repetitive gameplay aspects.

Age of Rivals starts off daunting but quickly unravels itself to become an addictive and strategic card game that stands up against the big boys.

Mineko’s Night Market is a truly charming little game, full of cute cats, quirky characters, and plenty of chill vibes. Its narrative successfully celebrates Japanese culture, friendship, and belonging in such a beautiful way, and is supported by a simple yet engaging gameplay loop made up of gathering, crafting, and even a spot of espionage. A must for cozy game lovers all over the world, and the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day.

Enyo is an original and engaging puzzle roguelike with a few input and clarity foibles that we hope to see addressed.

Minimalist real-time strategy presented in a pure, direct fashion. Challenging, not too complicated and is great while it lasts (pending bug-fixes).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection features 13 nostalgia-inducing games, each of which serves as the perfect reminder of why many of us love 1990s platformers. It’s a worthy purchase for TMNT fans or even just those of you that are after a challenge

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.

EA’s flagship soccer series has finally found its feet on Nintendo Switch, pushing the console to its limits to deliver something that feels like it’s made for 2023. There’s no crossplay, and some of the off-the-pitch graphics are a touch primitive, but for raw soccer gameplay, there’s nothing better available on Nintendo’s smash hit console.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line takes a very simple premise with easy-to-learn and hard-to-master levels and ties them all up in an adorable little chibi ribbon. It’s a must-play for any Final Fantasy superfan, but the lack of touchscreen controls on Switch is an oversight.

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

Trinity Trigger is a familiar, fun-filled fantasy that features a unique yet simplistic battle system, a cosy, fantasy-fuelled narrative, and a cast of adorable characters. It certainly lives up to its goals of being a nostalgic and moving revival of 90s-era RPG classics, and makes for a brilliant, bite-sized adventure for RPG fans and newbies alike.

Is Flutter Away particularly graphically impressive? No, but it’s brimming with butterflies and is a wonderful short little adventure. I’m now fully converted to loving capybaras, all thanks to CapyBarbara.

A successful distillation of the heart of skating in a very small package, The Ramp is a chilled out skating getaway that I could happily put hours into without a care in the world. What a lovely way to relax.

The mechanics are occasionally a loose fit for the theme, but Rebuild 3 atmosphere and gameplay create compelling narratives of growth, progress and hope.

A barking great time for dog fans everywhere, with only a few hiccups along the way.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition’s Nintendo Switch 2 port is fantastic, running as smoothly as butter and offering even more of you the opportunity to experience the first entry in the Survivor Trilogy. However, while it supports mouse controls, the game falls just short of fully embracing the features of the Switch 2.

A streamlined management sim experience, Motorsport Manager 2 is an enjoyable game even if you are not a fan of motorsports.

Harmony: Fall of Reverie is yet another fantastic game in Don’t Nod’s library, featuring a great cast of characters, a story deeply impacted by your choices, and a world so ethereal you can’t help but gaze in wonder at its beauty.

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.

Rather than capitalise on the John Wick IP with a generic shooter, Bithell Games has carefully captured the spirit of the franchise.

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

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.

Though it treads old ground at times, stand-out action sequences and appealing simplicity make it hard not to enjoy The Pathless.

Though it's a very difficult expansion, Tides of Oblivion is a great side story for Pascal's Wager.

On the whole, CrossFire: Warzone is a smart little base-builder, which, though still complicated, showcases its elements well, providing a paced introduction to the game. But it still feels like behind that tutorial, those characters, and even the cheesiness, there is a power grind present. Sure, it’s not as blunt as many other of its peers, but when power level becomes the primary deciding component of RTS battles, most meaningful strategy is negated. I think, because of that, Warzone won’t ever be more than a casual bit of fun I might dip into from time-to-time. But that’s not to say you won’t feel differently – there’s a fair bit to like in CrossFire: Warzone.

V4 might be the best autoplay MMORPG on mobile, but a lack of innovation and systems refinement means it's not a tempting enough prospect to give up on whatever you're already playing to start fresh.

This remaster of the DS fan-favorite brings the town of Sharance and its beloved characters to life like never before. Gorgeous visuals work alongside satisfying farming and fun combat to deliver hours of fun for newcomers, though there is very little here for returning players to warrant the price tag. Some additional changes to UI and the gameplay could have made this one of the best entries in the series.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is a fun adventure, and the Grand Underground is bound to keep you busy. However, it fails to reach the heights of Pokémon Platinum, with a limited Pokédex that excludes several great Pokémon unnecessarily.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is a fun adventure, and the Grand Underground is bound to keep you busy. However, it fails to reach the heights of Pokémon Platinum, with a limited Pokédex that excludes several great Pokémon unnecessarily.

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.

The Captain is Dead is an overwhelming, exhilarating, and yet occasionally tedious digital board game that simply takes no prisoners.

Fans of Sonic and racing games should be excited about this game, but assume you’ll face some underwhelm at various points, and its price tag is much too steep.

Wrapping a rhythm game around a heartfelt indie works wonders for Loud, elevating the gameplay and delivering a short but sweet musical experience that’s well worth the price of admission. Occasionally clumsy controls and a brutal difficulty curve are an issue, but rhythm fans will get a kick out of this one.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a lot of fun, boasting enjoyable combat, a sprinkle of charm, good humor, and a badass cat. However, falling through levels and frequent frame rate drops stop the game from achieving its true potential on Nintendo Switch.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a cute and captivating game, though it could do with a little refining. Fly your days away delivering packages, boxes, and bags while fixing up your broom, and get back to your witch training.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a fun time for Rugrats and platforming fans alike, featuring solid level design, a enjoyable story, and good enemy design. The game performs perfectly on Switch and is arguably more fun to play in handheld mode, though there’s something special about seeing 8-bit graphics on the big screen.

Reynatis has great potential. I can look past a few flaws due to its gorgeous rendition of Shibuya, interesting story, and wonderful soundtrack. Unfortunately, with the PS3-esque character models, poor frame rate, and unintuitive combat, it doesn’t live up to some of the greats.

Call of Dragons is a solid strategy MMO but it lacks innovation, though this didn’t detract from my enjoyment. However, the voice acting isn’t synchronised, so it can feel a bit discombobulating at times.

Chocobo GP has a charming story and the tournament is sure to keep you occupied for many hours. It’s a great first foray into the world of Final Fantasy for young gamers.

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.

My Friend Pedro: Ripe For Revenge is a simple, fast paced romp through an action-heavy, techno-fueled fever dream that will leave you with a craving for bananas… And revenge.

In having to conform to Switch, it feels like something important has been lost in Cultist Simulator. I do, however, thoroughly recommend playing it on mobile or PC.

A beautiful anime-style RPG, that is a joy to explore, though certain aspects can feel overly simple.

Poppy Playtime Chapter 1 ushers in a new era of horror games, though it remains true to iconic tropes from the genre, thanks to its use of jump scares and puzzles. Unfortunately, on mobile the game suffers from some performance issues that may hinder your time with the game. Still, the atmosphere and story are enough to keep you hooked. Or, you could play it on PC, where we would score it higher than a seven.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles has some fun yet immensely difficult strategy combat, a gorgeous art style, and an intriguing story. I would recommend the game to anyone looking for a challenge; however, if you’re only interested due to it having Final Fantasy in its name, this probably isn’t the game for you.

Sonic is back in a mixed bag of mixed bags, though the positives outweigh the negatives for the most part. Combat can be engaging, depending on the enemy, and zooming across open zones takes a while to get old. Still, if you’re looking for infallible performance, the Switch version might not be the best port of call.

Despite a couple of performance issues, the intriguing story, good character design, and consequences to your actions mean that Little Hope remains a solid horror game for you to enjoy on Nintendo Switch this Halloween.

Little Nightmares 3’s multiplayer aspect feels like a natural progression for the series, and it’s genuinely fun to play with another person, though the AI leaves a little to be desired. The world itself is eerie and atmospheric, while the puzzles are exactly what you’d expect from LN, albeit a bit repetitive.

The island of Awaji is simply beautiful and a joy to explore, though the story doesn’t hit quite as hard as I’d like. Still, the narrative is enjoyable enough, employing main missions that any Assassin’s Creed fan is sure to enjoy, and offering aggressive combat with some tough opponents that’ll test your mettle.

While James might be a little stiff on his Apple Arcade debut, the experience and design of this game provide some authentic 007 hijinks in a world that true fans of the series are sure to appreciate. Considering it’s free to play for Apple Arcade users, it’s worth trying out if you’re a fan of stealthy titles like Metal Gear Solid or Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell.

While maybe a little too challenging on regular difficulty, Pronty joins the legion of engaging Metroidvanias on Switch, offering engaging aquatic combat and exotic underwater locations. There could be more exploration elements here, but those who come just for the gauntlet will be glad to greet some genre-defining bosses.

Sonic Rumble offers some chaotic fun in a first for the series, featuring matches with 32 players. It has an abundance of characters for you to unlock and features some of the iconic gameplay you know and love from the franchise, though the game does get repetitive rather quickly.

In terms of a free-to-play live service game, Omega Strikers is engaging enough to persuade new players and keep them scoring. While we’re hoping for new game modes and ways to explore the exciting roster of characters, things are certainly off to a solid start for Odyssey Interactive’s debut title.

Paper Trail provides a refreshing addition to the puzzle game genre, giving us head-scratching levels to work through while following the story of a young girl leaving home for the first time. While the puzzles might not be to everyone's taste, it's a lovely little entry to the Switch's library.

With stellar multiplayer gameplay and an intelligently crafted difficulty curve, Manic Mechanics offers hours of engaging content to race through. While there is space to improve in terms of controls and boss battles, there’s enough here to add this one to your list of party night titles.

Life is Strange: True Colors is an incredible game that takes you on a journey of loss, recovery, and adventure. It's a fantastic entry in what is perhaps one of the best narrative-driven franchises out there. However, to truly experience its beauty, you should play it on a different platform, where I would score it higher.

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.