Dread Delusion is a first-person action RPG that conflicts with the genre at nearly every turn. The visuals, pacing, and gameplay create a wholly unique experience that won’t be for everyone. Those who connect with its general vibe, however, will get a game they’ll want to discuss repeatedly with anyone who’s played it.

Overall, The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is a fun experience that’s light on the metroidvania aspects. It’s well designed and executed, if a little short. This makes it an easy way to pass a few hours, and it scratches that exploration itch. It might be a little crude at times, but The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest was a game I think I’ll remember in a sea of similar titles.

Trash Goblin is a cozy sim in which you play as a goblin in charge of a travelling cart. You find, clean, and upgrade different kinds of antiques—from trinkets to weapons—and sell them for a profit. Help local townfolk, get to know different creatures, and enjoy the fantasy elements as you upgrade your tools and shop, becoming a master of your craft.

The roguelite action game, Devil Jam, can be a bit of a grind to start, but it has potential with some interesting strategic elements, battle effects, and heavy metal approach to gameplay. It’s a respectable “not bad”, but it may need a little help.

WiZmans World Re;Try is a good JRPG that you’ll be able to put hours into. However, the gameplay may get repetitive after a while.

Although some of the new Camera Obscura features exacerbate an already unwieldy control system, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake does more than enough to please fans of this outstanding and highly distinctive series. Play it with the lights off.

Clue: Murder by Death is a modern take on the classic board game, bringing 3D graphics and open world exploration to the mystery solving. Investigate the scene, interview suspects, and eventually present your case, all within only two hours. Unfortunately, there are numerous bugs within that timeframe.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, while still good fun overall, is a letdown, both as paid DLC and a standalone release. The upgrade pack, though inexpensive, is underwhelming and of questionable value, with most additions feeling minor and unpolished. And if you somehow missed the original game, you’d best have a strong answer to the question “Why start now?”

Revolgear Zero goes beyond the token shoot’ em up in many ways. Its weapon system has depth, and what it lacks in length, it makes up for in replayability. It’s a fun game to play solo, and even more fun in co-op. I’ll keep an eye on Bikkuri Software and hope their next Nintendo release will have its glitches ironed out.

Cassette Boy is a unique little adventure that will keep you thinking over the course of its short runtime. The classic look sparks nostalgia for older gamers, with a sweet story that could have been fleshed out further.

Forestrike is a fun and rewarding fighting game where the foresight mechanic makes each encounter feel unique. Its blend of strategy, timing, and experimentation with moves and cards keeps gameplay challenging and varied. Fans of martial arts or anyone looking for something different on the Switch will find it worth trying.

Console Archives Cool Boarders is a good re-release of a classic title, but it’s best enjoyed in shorter bursts. I truly enjoyed it for the nostalgia of that era, even more than for the game specifically. You might want to wait and see what’s next in the Console Archives pipeline, depending on your tolerance level. But if you were a mid-’90s PlayStation kid like me, “the thrill of navigating cliffside courses” is probably worth $11.99.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an ambitious game that’ll delight fans of the series and CRPGs in general, but not on the Switch 2. Bugs and performance issues abound, constantly slowing down the already intricate story and party management systems.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon bends and cracks under the weight of what it must carry as we begin the final chapters of this massive story. But its components—familiar and new—hold up well enough to entertain those who have followed the series so far.

Hero Seekers is a solid JRPG. The story is strong, though the gameplay doesn’t quite match its energy and feels bland after a while. But if you like RPGs, this title is worth a try.

Reus 2 is a slow, thoughtful god game where you shape planets and watch civilizations react to the world you create. It focuses more on experimenting and learning than fast action or strict rules. The Switch controls can be a little clunky, but once things click, it’s a relaxing and rewarding experience. It’s best suited for players who enjoy chill, creative strategy games over constant excitement.

Montezuma’s Revenge – The 40th Anniversary Edition is not a pleasant experience. That may be the point, judging from the title. But, save for one key decision, the updates here somehow make this version seem even more dated than the 1984 original.

A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly as it says. So, if you’re looking for something a bit more engaging, I wouldn’t recommend this game. However, if you’re looking for a quick, satisfying, and easy game in which you can mindlessly dig, sell resources, and upgrade your tools, it’s perfect.

Adventure of Samsara is a true metroidvania in every sense of the word. Sprawling maps, tricky combat, collectibles, upgrades; it’s got it all. Things may start slowly, but there’s a worthy adventure lying beneath the surface.

Let’s Sing 2026 offers a strong karaoke foundation buried under unnecessary complications and technical missteps that significantly impact the overall experience. If you were lucky enough to get the physical bundle that includes a USB microphone, you might get some enjoyment out of this game despite the unavoidable DLC issues.

While the puzzles could have been done better, the storyline in Call of the Sea is top notch with fantastic voice acting and atmospheric sounds.

Gloomy Eyes provides a gently creepy experience that should appeal to younger gamers seeking a light puzzle/adventure challenge. Because of its short playtime and disappointing Switch visuals, however, consider its price (and perhaps other platforms) before exploring its gloomy, yes, but heartwarming world.

Chicken Run: Eggstraction is a solid movie companion game that picks up where Dawn of the Nugget left off, complimenting action platforming adventure with cinematic cutscenes rich with Aardman’s signature style and humour.

Bad Cheese is a short psychological horror game that aims to evoke the chilling experience of keeping an abusive parent in a good mood. It has a great, old-school aesthetic, but could benefit from refining its pacing, mechanics and depth of storytelling to offer its fullest impact.

The Cabin Factory is a horror walking sim that somehow combines the frights of isolated cabin hauntings with the terrors of the 9 to 5. It does become repetitive and sometimes feels unfair, but remains entertaining enough for the hour or two it’ll take to complete it.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots clearly needed more practice before teeing off on the Nintendo Switch. Thankfully, some necessary updates have significantly improved the game; however, one could argue that even more improvements are desired. I’m glad I held off on this review, because now (as a fan of video golf), I can appreciate it as a pretty good and content-rich title. Those less forgiving of its restrictive unlockable structure might bump it down a point, and wait to grab the game on sale.

Full Metal Schoolgirl offers a sharp, satirical look at corporate life. It’s humorous throughout, but the roguelike, action-oriented gameplay does become redundant. I’d rather my time slogging be spent in an actual office I’m meant to survive, not a virtual one I’m meant to destroy.

Particle Hearts leans heavily into its visuals and overall presentation, and that was probably the right thing to do. The narrative is revealed slowly and with only gentle guidance, leaving players to explore and discover the game’s secrets at their own pace. By all means, take your time with this one.

If detail management is not your cup of tea, your experience with Cladun X3 may end in frustration. With that considered, this is a very well-built action adventure that provides enough fun and depth to occupy dedicated players for quite a while.

NBA 2K26 should look and perform better on the Switch 2. It should also tone it down with all of the microtransaction noise on top of an already $70 game. But if you’re willing to overlook those issues, you’ll get a game that’s a lot of fun to play and provides many ways to play it.

NBA 2K26 should look and perform better on the Switch 2. It should also tone it down with all of the microtransaction noise on top of an already $70 game. But if you’re willing to overlook those issues, you’ll get a game that’s a lot of fun to play and provides many ways to play it.

Cats and Seek: Kyoto is a relaxing hidden object game that’ll be fun to play on the go. However, there isn’t enough content that’ll hold your attention for too long.

HYKE: Northern Light(s) places gamers in an attractive world with interesting characters, but doesn’t give them enough to do to really hook fans of retro RPGs. It’s a game worth playing and finishing, but easy to move on from.

Splatterbot is a fun little multiplayer game. It’s simple but makes for a neat party title in short bursts. With a few more options or modes, this could be even better, and we’re excited to see what’s next for Hey! Kookaburra.

Covenant of Solitude is a decent RPG. The battles are the heart of the game. However, I wish the item pool were more balanced, the writing were better, and the characters had more of a say. Still, if you’re a fan of RPGs, this game is worth a go.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is a series callback not just with its familiar characters, but in the simplified exploration, synthesis, and turn-based combat, too. Fans of older Atelier games may welcome the change, but it may have simplified too much for those seeking a challenge worthy of its price tag.

Misc: A Tiny Tale is a very cute game with a surprisingly profound and impactful story that transforms cleaning up the world around you into an adventure.

If you need a little dungeon-crawler distraction and don’t mind exploring deeper than many retro fans will be brave enough to attempt, this game is a good, unique option.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a well-made, quality game that’ll prove mostly entertaining for fans well-versed in the series. But it reflects plenty of choices here that are tough to wrap one’s head around, especially when other Shantae games surpass this one in both pace and polish. The restrictive 4-player mode disappointingly fails to live up to the hype. And the inexplicable lack of a map (or any typical hint system) makes this game feel antiquated next to its other entries. Thus, what should be a great game is just a good one. Wait for a sale, and make this Shantae your Half-Price Hero.

VARLET doesn’t do anything wrong as far as JRPGs go, but it also doesn’t do enough that’s interesting. The game puts its engaging characters in a typical high school setting and gives them the standard tasks to complete with little challenge to interfere. It’s an OK game to chill with, but it doesn’t leave an impression.

It’s been so long since a Madden game has been playable on a Nintendo device that pretty much anything would’ve satisfied NFL fans. Thankfully, Madden NFL 26 happens to be a good game that offers a massive playbook of depth and content. Just be prepared to spend time on the practice squad while you get up to speed.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion will thrill fans of mech-based combat. There’s no shortage of customization options or enemies to pound down with your optimized loadouts. Those looking for a more narrative adventure, however, may eventually tire of the explore, fight, rejuvenate/optimize loop.

Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening combines the style of its early ’80s anime source material with the complexity of modern action-platformers to create a game full of…well, style and complexity. It’s not without its hardships, but those up for the challenge will be entertained.

Wizard of Bug is a goofy title for this Sokoban game with a twist. It loses some of its early goodwill through needless plot, an unbalanced difficulty curve, and many more oddities. Locking content behind beating the game was also a sizable mistake. You can check out the demo if you like. But this release demands constant focus, and don’t be surprised if it really struggles to keep yours.

As far as retro adventures go, Astral Takers is…fine. The summons feature keeps party management and combat flowing, and a couple of unique design choices make for some lively visuals. Unfortunately, exploration, dialogue, and the plot drag things down to where only dedicated JRPG fans are likely to play through to the end.

9th Dawn Remake is a solid dungeon crawler that you’ll sink hours and hours into. The main game has wonky controls for my taste, but the mini games are a blast.

Power Sink is a clever, underwater puzzle/platformer with nice visuals and intriguing gameplay. Puzzle fans will enjoy the game’s built-in logic, but a host of glitches will sink the overall experience for many of those willing to take the dive.

Vasilisa and Baba Yaga is an uncomplicated game, with an enormous amount of love invested in its design. It’s not the most interactive game you can buy, but it acts as a fine introduction to the classic fable.

Shadow Labyrinth moves Pac-Man from his traditional mazes to the caverns of a dying planet, and will likely lose classic arcade fans along the way. But although it makes some gameplay and design mistakes that should have been avoidable, it’s weird enough to provide some fun for fans of 2D platformers.

You don’t have to like fishing to enjoy it. So if you’re hankerin’ for a good catch to get you through the summer heat, Nice Day for Fishing is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of 16-bit RPGs.

While the Wild West theme is unique to this type of game, Cattle Country offers little you haven’t seen elsewhere. A lack of originality isn’t surprising for this genre, but it’s still disappointing. The non-innovative approach would be less of an issue were this game refined, but multiple quirks and outright bugs show that’s not the case. The game could use more polish, so genre fans might be best waiting for a sale.

Klaus Lee – Thunderballs is an engaging homage to the TV and gaming action heroes of the ’80s. It’s not the deepest or most diverse platformer you’ll play on the Switch, but its 100+ levels and built-in level designer provide plenty of staying power.

Leftovers KO! showcases some very fun art of foodstuffs dealing with a fierce blow. It’s a fine little time-killer, but otherwise doesn’t have much going for it to make it stand out from the crowd of other novelty fighting games.

Although TRON: Catalyst may feel like a paint-by-numbers entry in the Tron series, it’s one of the better kits we’ve had. It stumbles over repetition and some awkward gameplay segments, but the solid story and franchise-familiar elements will carry fans through its somewhat short runtime.

It took me a while to realize I wasn’t having quite as much fun with Sonic X Shadow Generations as I expected, given the high praise of the 2011 console original. Such elevation likely reflects the quality of Sonic games declining over the past 20 years, as even the better new titles can’t reach the peak of the ‘90s classics. Combine that with no upgrade for existing owners, and Sega has made it challenging to recommend this one on Switch 2. Many players would be better off with Sonic Mania or Origins. But if you’re a diehard fan who hasn’t played this yet, wishlist it and wait for a discount—you’ll be safe knowing that, even though it’s showing its age more than most would care to admit, you’re sure to find some entertainment.

Hidden Kittens: Kingdom of Cats is a chill, low-key hidden objects game with calm music and pleasant hand-drawn art.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World – Director’s Cut is an interesting platformer that’ll keep you occupied for some time. The quirky characters and fun voice acting is entertaining, but the gameplay can fall flat at times.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is a colorful combination of two popular puzzle games with plenty to keep you busy. A robust story mode and chaotic multiplayer matches are very entertaining. If this was a new gane, it would receive higher marks. I’m glad it’s on the Switch 2, but it’s a shame there’s no upgrade option for owners of the original Switch version.

This “cozy RPG adventure” was clearly picked before it ripened. As such, it’s not as easy to recommend as it should be, with its many positives (music) clouded by sizable blemishes. Expect imagination and irritation, often in equal measure. Maliki: Poison of the Past has plenty of good ideas, but needs a patch to grow to its full potential.

On Your Tail is a charming title that suffers from terrible performance issues. It’s a pity; there’s a lovely tale, interesting characters, and fun gameplay on offer. Perhaps playing on the Switch 2 will deliver an experience closer to what the developers were trying to deliver.

Alter Age is worth checking out if you’re a fan of RPGs. It runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch and has many fun mechanics to try, though some features may not be needed.

Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade offers great visuals and slick combat that will initially appeal to fans of roguelites and action RPGs. But unless you’re into the slow grind of repetitive battles, you’ll likely sheath this blade earlier than expected.

KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat is obviously designed to be silly, but manages to balance its sometimes juvenile humour with broadly solid platformer mechanics.

Spirit Valor offers a decent retro-RPG combat system, but the story and exploration elements provide little incentive to keep adventuring between battles. I’ve played and continue to expect better from KEMCO.

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is an action platformer for the Nintendo Switch. It actually serves as a sequel to the 1988 Atari title, Beyond the Ice Palace. After such a long break, was it worth the wait?

Ultros is an ambitious metroidvania with starkly contrasting visuals and interesting gameplay elements. It’s almost too much for itself with some ideas that don’t always resonate. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something way off the beaten path, you’ll find it here.

Overall, Rogue Waters is a good roguelite, turn-based combat game withs some interesting mechanics and features. It looks good and sounds OK. Some elements are a bit predictable, but I suppose you get that with a bunch of pirates.

Mainframes leaves me with an overall impression of muddledness, albeit executed with a sincere passion. It throws in ideas about platforming, collecting, and environmental manipulation. But maybe some of the excess should’ve been left on the cutting room floor so the rest could be more polished and its potential better realized. While I admit a measure of satisfaction in getting past the trickiest parts, there is nearly equal amounts of relief, which is not a good ratio. The difficulty spikes (even with accessibility options) never feel “cozy.”

Stunt Flyer runs out of gas when playing solo, but split-screen co-op elevates it slightly. How much lasting power this has might depend on your desire to earn achievements, improve mission times, or simply chill for a spell. Even with the budget price, I’d wait for a sale or just boot up Pilotwings 64 on Switch Online.

Sugardew Island offers a cozy farming experience for those new to the genre or who aren’t interested in the adventuring or romantic options available in similar games. Most genre fans, however, will quickly be looking for a rescue.

Cats and Seek: Dino Park is a charming hidden objects game with cute cats meowing, fun hand-drawn images, and smooth controls.

I wanted to like Dead Dragons when I read the specs and the premise, and the game does do what it claims. But this retro RPG from KEMCO needs some improvements before I can give it an endorsement.

Overall, Turbo Overkill is a decent first-person shooter that oozes personality. It might be a little rough around the edges, but the action, music, and creepy AI-based story is enough to whet the appetite of genre fans.

Never 7 – The End of Infinity had some conceptual issues that spilled into its construction. That doesn’t make it a bad visual novel, even with limits on its visuals; in fact, enthusiasts might think it’s great. But to get all its 18 endings without a “Choose your own Adventure” style approach or NG+ feels like it would take…well, an infinity. So can I score this higher than a “Good” 7? Never!

Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics) delivers pretty much what I expected, no more, no less. But $19.99 is a tough sale for a compilation like this in 2025, even for someone like me with nostalgia. Wishlist this one for a future discount.

WARRIORS: Abyss provides an interesting roguelite twist to the standard Musou gameplay of the Warriors series, but it’s only interesting for so long. Repetitive action and graphics eventually overwhelm the slick, quick combat.

If you’re looking for a relaxing game and don’t mind Critter cafés simple approach, then you will get some mild enjoyment out of this sim/management experience. However, if you’re after something with deeper gameplay or a more engaging story, you might find yourself wanting more.

For players looking for a game that offers something different, Bloodless delivers a good mix of challenge, aesthetic, and storytelling. It’s a nice little reminder that you don’t have to resort to violence to beat the bad guys.

ROBOBEAT combines first-person shooters with rhythm gameplay, but never really defines its reason for doing so. Although the action does become engaging once you get the hang of it, awkward controls and drab level design will chase most dancers off the floor before the party can really kick in.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II does a good job of optimizing combat and dungeon exploration, and the new features and tweaks likely will appeal to series fans. Its slow story and propensity to disrupt its own momentum, however, make this a slight downgrade from the previous game, and a middling entry in the series.

If you’re willing to get into the turn-based RPG combat of VED, it isn’t bad. But because of the relatively slow action sequences and some of the script and voice directing choices, it never really pulled me in where I could lose track of time playing it.

Cuisineer combines restaurant management and dungeon crawling to create a simple but absorbing game. It is cute and relaxing in a way that makes it easy to unwind while still working towards goals that are satisfying to achieve.

With a mixed trio of tables, Williams Pinball Volume 8 offers an uneven package. Black Knight 2000 is peak ’80s fun, but for $14.99, you’re hoping for every table to be of comparable entertainment. Earthshaker’s big claim to fame is HD Rumble, while Banzai Run is a “growing pains” table—empty and struggling to run on Switch. Wishlist this pack for a future sale, or stick with Pinball FX3.

Universe for Sale is a visual novel that will challenge genre and sci-fi fans thematically and structurally. While the graphics are certainly the highlight, the game’s story and characters are unique enough to hold your attention when the puzzles and pacing slow things down.

If these Taito milestone compilations are to continue, a slightly lower price combined with a couple more exclusives could be the winning combination. Some extra historical content (seen in comparable collections) could add welcomed value, too. But I’ll say this for emphasis, if you already own the A-material in this third installment as individual Arcade Archive releases, you might not be the ideal audience.

If you’re looking for a solid party game, Servonauts should be in the running. The fun may be short-lived here, but it’s not a bad option if you want something quick to pick up and play.

FAIRY TAIL 2 is JRPG-lite. The story and combat mechanics are both easy to take in and work through, but it will leave genre fans a bit hungry—especially if you’re used to meatier adventures or have little knowledge of the Fairy Tail universe.

Journey to Kreisia is a breezy JRPG that clearly shows its 10-year-old mobile origins. It brings nothing new to the genre, but it’s confident in what it’s trying to be and checks the right boxes with a wink and a nudge.

Aura of Worlds is a game you’ll put many hours into once you get past the beginning hump of mastering the controls and bulking up your character. This is a game you’ll find yourself going back to now and again.

Goblin Slayer -Another Adventurer- Nightmare Feast will not be enough to win people over to SRPGs or to the game’s source material. But if you’re already a fan of either (or both), it does more than enough to keep you entertained throughout.

The turn-based RPG The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle is in equal parts clever and frustrating. The unique approach to combat, team building, and customization is fun and perfectly set up for multiple playthroughs. Story progression is often aimless, however, and the gameplay idiosyncracies could be better explained.

Miniatures is an extremely short collection of four… I hesitate to say games. Emotions? Memories? It relies more on mystery and melancholy to connect with the player. It can therefore be very intriguing, but at the risk of leaving some to wonder what was the point.

Go Mecha Ball is a challenging game that will keep you wanting to try again. However, if you lose, you start back at square one, which can be frustrating.

I credit Falcom for continually tweaking the action JRPG elements of the Ys series, this time introducing naval battles and restricting melee combat to just two characters. Not everything works in Ys X: Nordics, but the open exploration and streamlined combat compensate for the elements that frustrate.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a colorful follow-up to the successful 2023 film. With engaging characters and excellent voicework, things look and sound pretty great. Unfortunately, pacing issues and frustrating combat mar the experience.

Clock Tower: Rewind provides an effectively creepy tale, especially if you’re a fan of 16-bit adventure gaming, throwback puzzle solving, or…David Argento? This “rewind,” however, would need to be more of a “remake” to appeal to most modern gamers.

Just Dance 2025 doesn’t offer much more than its pervious versions, but it’s still just as fun. Featuring around 40 songs, it creates an inclusive environment for all types of people regardless of skill or mobility. Whether you’re playing for fun or as a workout, Just Dance 2025 is as engaging as ever.

The Meating featuers a quirky story, though the platforming is less than perfect. I apprecite the NES-isms, but perhaps the Switch version could benefit from a few enhancements to separate it from the NES take on things.