I love Stellaris, but I feel like Galaxy Command is too crowded to really capture the essence of what makes the original so special.

A cute idea muddled by complex terminology, Randonautica is a novel experience if you're willing to stick with it.

It’s full of charm, with gorgeous hand-painted visuals that bring your growing little café to life. The gameplay portion is challenging, without proving frustrating, and strikes the right balance between forcing you to spend and allowing you to complete levels using your skill alone. Suffice to say, if you like Pokémon and you like puzzlers, you’ll adore Pokémon Café Mix.

A charming Sims-lite with an admirable level of polish and attention to detail.

Kingdom: Two Crowns can occasionally be a little frustrating, but on the whole it is impressive how much it gets done with so little.

SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-off looks fantastic, but even the presentation can't distract from a lack of genuine gameplay.

With outstanding presentation, short bursts of addictive gameplay, and fair microtransactions, you really can't do much better than Gumslingers for a decent time-waster.

A solid mobile port of a great multiplayer experience that's slightly hampered by iffy touch controls and unremarkable visuals.

A tight and surprisingly strategic shooter with an entertaining '80s arcade visual style that features disappointing and overly complex touch controls.

Atari returns to one of its classic franchises for the first time in over a decade to deliver a faithful revival. The old gameplay has aged well, but screams to be revamped and reinvented, neither of which you’ll find in Missile Command: Recharged.

Despite the occasional balancing dilemma, Gwent is one of the best deck builders on mobile; smart, fast-paced, and most of all, free.

Despite a couple of questionable design decisions, this is still a solid arcade shooter that offers hours of entertainment.

This retro-inspired, stripped-down sports management game can compete with the best; an excellent new football game for mobile.

This may have been something on Nintendo consoles, but it has far stiffer competition on mobile. Not the best.

A considered and worthy homage to the action-roleplaying genre, here’s hoping that the rest of the series expands on these good ideas.

If you can live with the creaky interface and resist overusing the auto-battle system, then you will discover that Disgaea is packed with great ideas and challenging battles.

End of the Universe tries to mash space shooting and roguelike randomness onto the small screen, with mixed results.

Tiny Touch Tales does it again: strongly recommended for thorough thinkers and masochists.

An ambitious, narrative-driven kingdom management game that doesn't quite manage to pull its two distinct halves together as well as we'd like.

A solid adaptation of a smart, abstract strategy title, loosely inspired by Mahjong, but with lots of novel ideas and interesting variants.

Though its champion system could use a little work, Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower is an excellent turn-based strategy game with plenty of potential.

Though not the most exciting game, and somewhat compromised by its currency, Conflict of Nations: World War 3 has a decent amount of strategic depth.

Overall, we can’t help but recommend BTS Universe Story to literally everyone. It’s not often that you come across something so compellingly bonkers, and we can’t encourage you enough to download it just to experience the main story. However, the story creation tool is so easy to use that you may end up sticking around to create your own, increasing your Creator Rank in the process.

The Survivalists isn't a great survival game, but it does have the redeeming quality of being a fairly fun retro adventure to play with friends.

Despite somewhat frustrating camera controls, and a sorely missed split-screen mode, Far: Lone Sails is a smart and enjoyable landship-management game.

Like its predecessor, This is the Police 2 is a vacuous and ineffective crime commentary. It’s mechanically more sound, but still feels overstuffed with new features that are largely disjointed and unnecessary.

Though its rhythm component is a little lacklustre, Reigns: Beyond is still a great choice for anyone who wants a funny sci-fi take on the roguelike card genre.

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

Bloodstained is an inventive twist on the Castlevania formula, but a lack of visual quality and control frustrations prevent this port from wholly doing it justice.

Animal Farm's struggle against cycles of corruption brilliantly captures the novella's sense of powerlessness, even if it does stick a little too closely to the source material at times.

Though it doesn't remaster the game, how can you improve upon perfection? Knights of the Old Republic 2 is still one of the best RPGs ever made, and now it's on your phone.

Despite its charming presentation, Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon is an undercooked roguelike dungeon crawler with poor combat and pacing.

Despite a few somewhat interesting battle elements, Lost Crusade is let down by its strict adherence to the mobile base-building formula.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a blast from the past, like standing on some unexploded ordnance, or the interest that accrues on an unpaid parking ticket.

Nuts is a simple yet fantastic game that will forever make you afraid of squirrels and the secrets they are hiding.

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

Cozy Grove will definitely scratch the itch for anyone looking for a new life-sim. Although the gameplay can feel slightly limiting, it will keep you coming back each day for more.

Project Cars Go isn't the car sim that some people might have wished it was, but despite lacking the breathless thrill of the best racing games, it still manages to be compulsive enough to keep your fingers engaged.

If you like gacha games, you'll love Star Trek: Legends, which dispenses with the free-to-play nonsense for a pure RPG experience.

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.

Minute of Islands is a beautiful, thought-provoking narrative experience that serves up simple platforming puzzles and a story that will stay with you for a long time.

A short but sweet game that offers simplistic gameplay, but enough pleasant atmosphere and charm to get you through. It's slightly expensive for what is on offer, and the controls could be better, but plenty of players will find something to love here.

Grimoire of Souls is a mindless hack and slash title that promises so much, yet delivers so little. The franchise has certainly seen better moments.

This mobile gem offers all basketball fans the optimal NBA experience. It looks just as good as any console version, and plays so smoothly, that scoring three-pointers has never felt so satisfying.

A gorgeous look at the idea of memories and the importance of perspective, Moncage is a lovely little virtual puzzle box that may lack a bit of depth, but makes up for it with thoughtful design and engaging challenges.

Waking up on a mysterious blocky island has never been so fun. Lego Star Wars: Castaways features all the fun you'd expect from the series, and is a worthwhile experience for any Apple Arcade subscriber.

Eternal Radiance is a nice little visual novel with some mediocre action RPG elements. It features some beautiful CG art and shows a genuine love for the classic anime ARPG genre it’s inspired by, but ultimately falls short in its clunky combat and occasional performance dips.

A slight but impactful piece of work, Gibbon: Beyond the Trees blends engaging gameplay and a vital ecological message seamlessly, all while being gorgeous to look at and listen to. It's a powerful, polished package that has almost nothing wrong with it.

Arguably one of the best sniper games on mobile, the level of creativity here is fantastic, and it stays true to its roots. Hitman Sniper: The Shadows is a must-play for longtime fans and new assassins alike.

Potato Flowers in Full Bloom has more than enough elements to keep you engaged, and they all blend together smoothly. There's nothing to shout about here, but if you're after a sweet, comfy dungeon-crawler, it might just be for you.

Everything that Alto's Adventure did seven years ago has been perfected in this remastered version. It's still the same game, but its simplicity feels timeless. Now there's just more to do, and doing it is great fun.

Despite some nice ideas and a classic roguelike framework, Source of Madness on Switch just isn’t fun enough to recommend. Here’s hoping some updates down the road can change that.

Warped Kart Racers has sped onto the scene, and it’s safe to say that it holds its own against other racing giants. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best on mobile - shut up, Mario.

An out-of-this-world addition to an already stellar game, the Void Riders DLC is just more of a good thing and adds some nice new mechanics and plenty of challenging new levels to OlliOlli World. If you’re confident in your kickflipping powers, take this DLC out for a spin.

Descenders may not be the ideal fit for mobile, but it works well enough on a touchscreen. As soon as you connect a controller, though, it’s a different story, as this port is so slick it feels like playing on a Nintendo Switch. A top-notch port which is only hindered by the hardware’s interface, nothing else.

Tower of Fantasy breathes new life into the MMORPG genre, with its bustling, vibrant open world, expansive exploration, engaging narrative, fluid combat, and well-rounded balance between solo and multiplayer gameplay. It’s brimming with potential, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this post-apocalyptic gem.

Idol Manager is a fascinating, tongue-in-cheek business sim with well-written visual novel aspects and plenty of scandals. It’s not for everyone, but for the right audience it’s a brilliantly crafted little gem that prods at the dark, seedy side of the idol scene, and challenges you with some tricky moral scenarios.

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!

Wylde Flowers is a wonderfully witchy farming life sim with an enchanting story to tell. Soak up the chill vibes and relaxing atmosphere of Fairhaven, as you get close to its residents, get a handle on your own magic powers, and reveal the secrets of this sunny seaside town.

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.

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.

Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is a stunning adventure that offers a fresh twist on a classic story. Though the Switch version’s performance suffers some stutters, the unique combat, great range of challenges, and truly emotive narrative ensure that the touching tale of Kuuta and Kazemaru will stay with you for a long time.

Take yourself on an emotional journey in The Wreck – a perfectly crafted melancholy story for the Nintendo Switch that makes you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

Vampire Survivors lauds over all other mobile titles as the most engaging casual game, and the Legacy of the Moonspell DLC only adds to this. The new location is dynamic, while fresh weapons and characters offer new ways to get creative with builds. Considering the price point, we couldn’t ask for anything more.

How We Know We’re Alive is a beautiful-looking and -sounding story that lasts around as long as a TV show. Just like an episode of TV, it draws you in quickly, but its brief runtime does mean that, by the end, you may not be invested enough for the payoff to hit.

A knowing satire of big business, The Last Worker is a cathartic fight against the forces of capitalism, and one that centres it all with a very human story and fantastic performances. While delivering packages is satisfying, occasionally the gameplay outside of this drags the narrative down, but this still ticks almost all of the right boxes.

Road 96: Mile 0 is a fantastic addition to the world of Petria, and one that puts an emotional story of two teenagers’ friendship at its core. Stellar performances, an intriguing narrative, new musical ride segments, and a fantastic soundtrack help to bring everything to life wonderfully. However, performance hiccups and UI issues occasionally get in the way of the fun.

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.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakening continues to show why it’s heralded as one of the best mystery adventure games of all time, though its dodgy performance on Switch lets it down considerably. Still, I implore you to play the game on a different platform, where I’d happily score the game considerably higher.

Six iconic RPG titles now look and play better than ever, and the portability of the Nintendo Switch – as well as the great performance – mean this could be the perfect way to play each and every one. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are joyous celebration of classic gaming that any RPG fan will appreciate, so long as you can stomach the price.

Animal Shelter Simulator gives us a glimpse into the life of a shelter owner, complete with rescuing and nurturing pets, and all the daily tasks that go with it on Nintendo Switch. It may be a little ruff around the edges but it’s nothing to sniff at if you’re a fan of a simulator story.

Honkai Star Rail is a stellar, interstellar turn-based RPG that pushes the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from the genre. With its tight combat, charming characters, engaging narrative, and stunning world, it’s proved itself to be so much more than a Genshin clone, and I can’t wait to see how it grows.

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.

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.

The first entry into The Dark Pictures Anthology, Man of Medan still holds up as a tense, cinematic horror experience where every choice matters. Unfortunately, the Switch’s ageing hardware holds this version’s performance back, but it’s nonetheless an impressive port with some welcome additions, and still captures the souls of all who board this ship.

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.

Fishing Vacation is a fine throwback to the videogame days of old, with a short yet full run time and three endings, you get your money’s worth. Whatsmore, the game is charming, offers a foreboding atmosphere, and has a story that’s sure to keep even the most seasoned horror fans intrigued.

Despite a solid core of zombie-killing action and a seriously impressive character creator, Undawn finds too many ways to dilute the action into something that struggles to move at an entertaining pace. With overwhelming UI, too many resources to keep track of, and grisly movement mechanics in place, this is one for those who desperately want to replicate the motorcycle-riding zombie-killing thrills of Days Gone and few others.

Railway Empire 2 is almost definitely a good game on any other platform. But for the same price as beefier competitors, you can get it in a version that looks three decades old. And you wouldn’t know it until you bought it. That sucks.

Soulvars is a pixel art JRPG that’s definitely not a deckbuilder, no matter what the synopsis tells you. It’s beautiful to look at and fun to play once you get to grips with it.

An already great package is given just a little bit more, as the A Little to the Left Cupboards and Drawers DLC opens up the interactive puzzles with fun new elements. It can’t quite stack up to the amount of content in the original, but if you love the original then be sure to carefully arrange this new DLC into your Nintendo Switch library.

Dragonheir: Silent Gods is an expansive fantasy RPG that’s probably the closest thing we’ll get to Baldur’s Gate 3 on mobile for quite some time. It’s got hundreds of unique characters, a deep story, and tons of dungeons to explore. Just don’t expect too much from the combat.

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.

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.

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.

Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness is a deeply atmospheric survival horror game with a hefty dash of puzzles to keep you engaged. Its twisting tale, tragic characters, and deeply hostile yet claustrophobic world sucks you right in from the beginning, and while it may not be for everyone, I’ll never forget my time at the circus with Lazy Ollie and pals.

Mail Time shrinks you down and immerses you in a beautiful cottagecore wonderland, but its tricky platforming and dizzying navigation make for an experience that’s sometimes cozy but mostly confusing.

A frightful delight, FNAF Security Breach allows you to fully explore the Pizzaplex for the first time, featuring tense boss fights, fun exploration, and jump scares galore, it’s a solid addition to the videogame series and gives hope for a bright future.

Black Clover M: Rise of the Wizard King is one of the best mobile games to release this year, offering new and old fans alike a fun-filled experience in a magical world with an engaging story, enigmatic characters, and theatrical combat.

Warhammer 40K Dakka Squadron is made by people who clearly love 40K, and Orks. But, while that leads to lots of initial fun, the game can eventually wear thin with repetitive levels and an incredibly dated aesthetic.

Vampire Survivors can still do no wrong, and the Operation Guns DLC is an awesome addition that adds hours of playtime to an already engrossing game.

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.

Tavern Talk is sure to soothe your appetite - this talking sim with a drink-making minigame runs excellently on Switch, and introduces a delightful cast of vibrant characters that eagerly order menu items to match every taste. No matter your build, you're sure to savor this gem of an indie game.

F1 Manager 24 gives Nintendo Switch owners a best-in-class racing sim with detail rich gameplay and great player freedom.

Maid of Sker is a gorgeously told story interwoven with intriguing Welsh folklore, and a solid entry into the stealth-horror genre. Although it doesn't bring anything particularly new to the table as far as gameplay goes, it's been lovingly ported to mobile by the original developer, Wales Interactive, and the narrative is deliciously creepy, enough for its quiet ambience to have you constantly on the edge of your seat.

The Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania DLC continues the trend of evolving the ideas from the base game, with a massive map to explore, great new characters, and some of the best boss battles so far. If you’re a fan of either game, it’s a must-play.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure twists and distorts the well-loved series into something almost unrecognizable, playing on fans’ nostalgia to sell a half-baked story with terrible graphical performance.

Infinity Nikki truly is the coziest open-world game I’ve ever played. Fashion-forward, fantastical, and full of whimsy, it seamlessly takes all your favorite elements from the best RPGs, life sims, and dress-up games, combining them into one unforgettable adventure, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.