Champion’s Battle is, in short, fun. There is plenty to do and, even though the price-tag is a bit on the high side, it is a complete game. Any foibles are minor and easy to overlook if you just want to enjoy a card-based strategy RPG.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream thrives on chaos, creativity, and offbeat humor, offering a constantly evolving experience that improves on the original. It isn’t deeply structured, but that unpredictability is where the fun comes from. While future updates and larger DLC would help reduce repetition, its charm still holds strong. It’s a unique and worthwhile pick for anyone wanting something fresh and different.

I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream is a solid port of a classic point-and-click adventure game, co-designed by author Harlan Ellison, with enough alterations to make gameplay surprising even for those who’ve read the original story.

Wave two of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC hits the spot in every way. Every track brings a smile and feels like it truly belongs. It’s a fun yet challenging collection that will have you laughing, even while occasionally losing in frustration.

If you’re a fan of retro action/platformers, then you’re in for a treat with 30XX. It’s a fun game with a good amount of customization and level variety. Play alone or with a friend, and blast your way through ever-changing levels and tough bosses.

Bloomtown: A Different Story follows a number of familiar beats to fans of turn-based combat, monster taming, and wholesome community RPGs. It cleverly weaves the contrasting elements together into a game that feels rich and original, with a storyline that doesn’t shy away from the dark or solemn.

With scores of tracks, bikes, and modifications to be had—along with a multiplayer mode to share with your friends—Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3 will keep a gamer happy for a good, long time.

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails, is a great game with solid world-building and an amazing soundtrack to back it up. The characters are enthusiastic and fun, and the gameplay, while somewhat simple, is enjoyable nonetheless. A couple of very minor design issues have carried over from the original PSP version, but they don’t take much away from the game.

Later Daters reinforces the natural desire for companionship, even at an older age. The game is just silly enough at times that it makes for a funny dating sim, without making its characters out to be a joke. There is a ton of media that focuses on trying to normalize elderly relationships, and I think Later Daters is highly effective—and most importantly fun.

Cat Pipes has a cute premise that isn’t executed well. Apart from lackluster graphics ,the tutorial is broken. While the puzzles are somewhat fun, there’s not much challenge and nothing beneath the surface.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a refreshing visual novel filled with relatable characters and amazing intertwining stories. The controls are simple, with fun, minimal gameplay. The music and sound effects fit in well with the coffee shop ambiance.

What Lies in the Multiverse is an enjoyable story-driven affair with well-designed characters and puzzles that strike the perfect balance between fun and challenging. This is one title that’s definitely worth checking out.

Moncage is a puzzle game that should be treated like a collection of short stories rather than a novel. Enjoy it over several sessions, pausing when it’s difficult to think about the different parts, rather than consume it as one experience. It’s quite literally to be puzzled over.

Cult of the Lamb is a unique game in a world full of roguelikes, mashed together with a management sim that is oh-so-much fun. The cutesy graphics help tone it down, but don’t be mistaken – this is a dark game at times; it’s also a must-play title if you’re looking for something a little different.

Melatonin is a dreamy rhythm game that hits all the right notes. It’s compelling yet relaxing, with an addictive quality that will have you yearning for more.

If you’re in the market for a fast paced, action packed platformer then Katana Zero should be on your list. The gameplay is awesome, the music is great and I really like the art style! I highly recommend checking it out.

Planet Cube: Edge isn’t just another platformer; it’s pure delight for genre fans. The simple graphics belie an addictive romp through a challenging world. And don’t be fooled by the cute cuboid hero; this is a tough title that will appeal to anyone looking to keep busy for some time.

A stunningly well-executed game, Cocoon takes you on a physics-bending adventure that has you leaping between worlds to solve puzzles that guide an endearing little alien home. It absorbs you fully into its unique and beautiful corner of space until its orb-based mechanics make more sense than reality.

While this game certainly isn’t for all, what’s provided is done so well and in such abundance that I recommend this game to anyone with a Switch and consent to play this kind of game. Not many other games on the Switch can compare in terms of customization, replayability, and sheer scale of its open world.

Overall, if you’re looking for something simple and chill that you can pick up and play whenever or tell yourself, “five more minutes,” then Pan’orama is a great choice.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a splendid remake. The updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements add plenty to this already-fun title. The puzzles are interesting and challenging, with plenty of variety to keep you hooked.

Overall, qomp2 is simple yet thought-provoking. It’s challenging but not unforgiving. With its smooth controls and accessibility options, you can play this game however you want.

With better aesthetics, all DLC included, and new puzzles, this 3DS port has a lot going for it. LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition is a great series debut on the Nintendo Switch, and it should excite fans of LEVEL-5’s long-running series. It’d even be a good starting point for first-time Layton players.

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo stands out with its papercraft-inspired art, looping time mechanic, and inventive quiz-style boss fights. Paired with heartfelt storytelling, it delivers a unique and emotional experience that’s definitely worth playing.

Despite its modest handheld origins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a true console experience. With updated aesthetics and superior controls (especially for inventory), it’s shaping up to carry on the Game Boy legacy and be both a critical and commercial hit. An innovative, generally light-hearted installment that’s full of surprises, Zelda enthusiasts won’t want to overlook this game. Link’s Awakening is also an ideal entry for those who aren’t Zelda fans.

Helheim Hassle is a genuinely funny game with a dark sense of humour that holds up throughout a series of creative and silly puzzles.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon is a charming action/puzzle game. Hardcore Bayonetta fans may not have much interest in seeing their heroine during her formative early years, but their loss is the gain of anyone seeking a wonderfully presented and consistently clever adventure.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC is an absolute triumph that everyone should play. It’s one of the few times we get a DLC to a modern game that absolutely nails the classic gaming franchise it took inspiration from. The game looks, sounds, and absolutely plays like a classic Castlevania adventure. The soundtrack will leave you jamming in your head for hours at iconic Castlevania tunes. Its overall shorter game length will ultimately disappoint you, as the DLC is so good you wish it didn’t end as soon as it does.

Littlewood is so gosh darn cozy. From the charming characters to the low-stakes RPG fun, there’s plenty to love in this interesting entry in the farm-sim genre. It may be the only game of its kind that is truly “pick up and play.” Or, like me, you can sink in plenty of hours and get lost in all that cuteness.

My time spent with the collection was great. Langrisser I & Lagrisser II both are immensely strong strategy turn-based RPG games, which make them so great. Fans who love the likes of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars are in for a treat with this collection. I can’t wait to put more hours into this one!

Please, Touch the Artwork 2 is delightful. Its beautiful paintings, quirky characters, and lovely music combine to create a playful outing that provides a true form of escape. This short but sweet outing will stick with you after the credits roll.

Talk of double-dipping aside, Pikmin 3: Deluxe is one of the best games available for the Nintendo Switch. Local co-op play in story mode, however, is the only addition that helps it stand out from the original Wii U version. If you’re not playing with a partner, view this only as an expensive stopgap as we await the ever-elusive Pikmin 4.

Loddlenauts is one of those satisfying games that balances a clear and important message with fun gameplay and a population of adorable creatures that it is all too easy to become deeply attached to.

Timespinner is an absolute joy to play. There’s so much to love, with a compelling and mysterious story involving exploration. The interesting time mechanics, coupled with an amazing soundtrack and pixel art style, make this game a welcome addition to any Nintendo Switch library.

Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus blends expert storytelling, interesting puzzles and finely crafted spooky pixel art to create a fantastic prequel game that leaves you wanting more of this insidious, addictive world.

Alder’s Blood is a wonderfully crafted game with an intoxicating story. Its missions are simple but your strategy can’t be if you want to survive.

Little Bug is a great game all around. It has an immersive world through vivid graphics, appropriate music, and fun gameplay mechanics.

Watcher Chronicles offers enough of an RPG action platforming challenge to make you work for it, and provides enough satisfaction to keep you coming back for more (especially in local multiplayer). It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it just lets the player(s) get on with enjoying the game.

Overboard is a charming and darkly funny game, with incredibly well-written characters and a great atmosphere of intrigue, secrecy and 1930s style.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a beautiful follow up to Innocence, ramping up every element that made the prequel so captivating. Its gameplay expertly combines puzzles, action and stealth with a story that absorbs you into its mystery and makes sure you feel every emotional beat along the way.

A Year of Springs is the heartfelt story of three young women in Japan, facing issues with love, friendship, and gender. This visual novel is cute yet compelling, and highly recommended.

A Plague Tale: Innocence – Cloud Version is an incredibly well-written, well-designed immersive game that blends stealth, survival and puzzles in a rich historical setting with an intense story of family, war and magic.

Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos is an adorable yet challenging dungeon crawler designed to play with friends and suitable for any character class. Its world is exciting, its style is lovely and it has a lot going for it that draws you into the adventure.

The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters is a fantastic game that absorbs you into a grim parallel universe and uses every tool in its arsenal to create an addicting sense of tension.

Neversong is a highly effective release in so many ways. The standout framework and subsequent story building leave room for interpretation, and the apt aesthetics go well beyond mere window dressing. You don’t see one-man studio releases of this high quality very often. Nearly everything falls into place in the best way imaginable.

Persona 3 Reload’s strengths are in its details. The game’s turn-based combat and social aspects should become repetitive, but they build effectively throughout. More importantly, the style, story, and characters are continually compelling, driving to a finish that will stick with you well after the game’s finished.

Kunai does so much with so little. From the minimalist art style to the polished grappling mechanic, it’s hard not to recommend this entry to fans of the metroidvania genre, or anyone looking for a fresh offering on the Nintendo Switch.

Winter Burrow is easily one of the cutest survival games out right now, expertly combining the tension of enduring a harsh environment with a cosy sense of home. The art is adorable, the characters are wholesome and the story is well-written and moving.

Overall, Back to the Dawn is fantastic. There’s so much to do that you’ll be kept busy for many, many hours. I found myself thinking about my in-game plans before real-life bed – it just gets in your head. The retro graphics, fun characters, and seemingly endless quests all add towards a game that’s well worth your time.

The massive world and intricate real-time battle system of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may seem daunting even by JRPG standards, but both are easy to get into. It’s not my favorite Xenoblade Chronicles game, but I can say with certainty I enjoyed nearly every battle, plot twist, and Nopon I encountered in the 140+ hours I’ve put into it (so far).

A Short Hike is a game the whole family can love. It’s an homage to classics while still very much it’s own release. There is much to explore, fun characters to interact with, and the entirety of the title just had me smiling. Carve out a couple of hours in your day, curl up with some ‘Strawberries and Toast,’ and give A Short Hike a play. You won’t regret it.

Roadwarden is a great, text-heavy, retro-RPG that rewards the player’s attention. Just give yourself a lot of patience with both the nuanced storytelling (great) and the limitations of the Nintendo Switch controls (irksome).

Golden Force doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does the nearly-impossible by offering a truly 16-bit experience, from sprite-based visuals to the tough-as-nails difficulty. If Gunstar Heroes copulated with Rocket Knight Adventures, Golden Force would be its beautiful brood. Just don’t go digging for the easy mode, it simply doesn’t exist.

OlliOlli: Switch stance is an awesome combination of two great games and packed with fun content. If you’re a skateboarding fan or you just like a good sidescoller then you’ll definitely want to check this one out.

Beyond Good & Evil is proving a timeless game, and $19.99 for this 20th Anniversry edition with extras and updates is “beyond” fair. In truth, the original was already great back in the day, though being beloved by critics didn’t translate into high sales. So, I’m happy that this action-adventure is getting progressively more popular with the advancement of time, as it’s an outstanding game not to be missed!

Nuclear Blaze is an absolute blast. The 2D platforming and fire-based puzzles keep you on your toes while unraveling a mystery. There’s something satisfying about clearing a room of flames, not to mention rescuing cute kittens. Despite its short runtime, this one comes highly recommended.

Orangeblood is a great throwback to 16-bit JRPGs but sets itself apart with some unique twists on the standard gameplay loop and simple plot. This title also excels graphically in creating a wide array of environments within the confines of such a small world.

Though I’ve always enjoyed Epic Mickey, I’m thrilled to have revisited the game, as it has held up remarkably well. This remake makes it better than ever. If you’re looking for that “Disney Magic,” so to speak, you’d be hard-pressed to find much better than this. Full of surprises, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a delight.

Dojoran is an incredibly well-made, simple video game that anyone can enjoy. I had a great experience and will return to it often, each occasion trying to lower completion time and death count. If you have a spare $4.99, I highly recommend this game.

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Chaos expands on Pablo’s adventures with interdimensional travel, a new canine companion, exhilarating boss fights, collectibles, and super-satisfying platforming. This is a worthy successor and a must-play for genre fans.

The Hungry Lamb is an engaging tale of right and wrong set in a bygone era. The unique story will keep you invested as you navigate the pathways to one of many conclusions. With lovely visuals and plentiful options, this is a visual novel that truly stands out.

Lil Guardsman is a delightful game that draws you into the complex and nuanced story of a well-constructed fantasy world and explores its political turmoil. The characters and dialogue are wonderfully written, with a great sense of humor and clear indication that your choices, no matter how small, make an impact.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the first brand-new top-down adventure in almost a decade. Fans might be used to long pauses between outings, but Echoes was worth the wait. It not only introduces Zelda’s first canonical solo adventure, but merges familiar and new to create an incredibly creative and beautiful experience. Despite some graphical load issues, let’s just say Zelda’s first adventure presents a strong contender for 2024’s Switch game of the year.

Pawarumi is a good old-fashioned “shoot everything that moves” game which engages the player right from the start; I had an adrenaline rush going the whole time I was playing. At $14.99, it’s a great addition to your Nintendo Switch catalog of games.

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a wonderful addition to the series. While the battle system isn’t my favorite, it’s challenging. The overall game is hilarious with an engaging story and fun gameplay.

Meg’s Monster tells the story of a big, mean monster who stumbles across the responsibility of caring for a little girl; if she cries, she brings on the end of the world. Playing as the monster, Roy, it is your job to help Meg find her way back home from the underworld by protecting her from other monsters, and playing with her to keep her happy. This unlikely pair forms a sweet relationship in this cute and heartwarming story that is definitely worth a play.

Will the Switch catch the GameCube for the number of Mario Party entries on a single system? Probably not. But if Jamboree is the last on the hybrid, it’s a great game to go out on. It’s a celebration of boards, and “Pro Rules” go a long way in making previous series’ complaints no longer valid. While there are a few minor issues, let’s face it: this game will sell millions, and deservedly so. Imposter Bowser and his boss minions don’t stand a chance, whether you’re a party of one, a group of local friends, or an online crew. Collecting stars hasn’t been this much fun in years.

If you are like me and have never played a BioShock game before, I highly recommend picking up this collection. If you played one of these games or even all of them on another console, it is still an excellent collection on the Switch. Since you get all three games and their DLC, I think it is well worth the asking price of $49.99.

The visuals of Mokoko X are only slightly lurid, and the cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs flavor text doesn't distract from a solid Qix clone with ingenious level design and challenging bosses.

Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic kick, curious to check out rare titles, or looking to bone up on games of a bygone era, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration has you covered. Yes, some odd omissions, seemingly from something other than licensing, leave you wondering. And there are numerous redundant and “one time is enough” games. But the rare gems are worth finding, playing, and replaying.

A finely crafted game in almost every respect, Gunbrella mixes engaging puzzles with exciting action, well-rounded characters, and a dark, intriguing mystery that infects the entire dystopian world.

The Borderlands series was better then I expected. Get over 200 hours of gameplay with this Legendary Collection of the first three Borderlands games. If you’re a fan of first-person shooters, then I highly recommend the Borderlands Legendary Collection on Nintendo Switch.

Chilling from the very beginning, Shadows II Perfidia is a game that knows how to use everything in its arsenal to scare the hell out of you.

Super Meat Boy Forever will frustrate you; there’s no doubt about it. But that’s part of its draw. Just as games like Cuphead have an audience, the Super Meat Boy franchise has a slightly less masochistic one.

Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is an incredible action platformer with stunning animation and action that more than lives up to the reputation of the series.

Reventure is a creative take on the adventure-platforming genre. It pokes fun at classic Zelda-isms while providing an enjoyable way to forge your own path by finding all 100 endings to the game. This humorous game makes excellent use of its retro graphics and audio to create something truly unique and downright enjoyable. Check it out!

Windscape is a melding of old action/adventure gaming with new mechanics and storytelling in mind, allowing the player to explore the nearly open-world around them at their own pace.

Once Upon a Jester is a classic hero quest told through some creative gameplay and writing. There are plenty of touching moments mixed in with the humor, which I wasn’t expecting. The music sets the scenes perfectly as well. What I love about Once Upon a Jester is that the creators took a lot of risks, from the story to the voice acting, and even the mechanics for putting on a show. And all of these features stick the landing. This game is everything I love about the indie scene.

Altogether, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 innovates upon the original titles, creating the first fully-rounded Ultimate Alliance title. The depth provided is welcomed, even if it did leave less time to polish synergy attacks and the camera controls. Whether you are looking for a Marvel game or just want a fully-fledged RPG, there is fun to be had with Ultimate Alliance 3.

Cadence of Hyrule didn’t click with me at first but the Fixed Beat Mode really helped. Without that mode, I don’t think this game would have as much appeal but the developers were wise to include it. With such a great visual presentation and an excellent soundtrack, players need to check out Cadence of Hyrule even if they’re just a little curious. The gameplay may trip you up as it did for me, but check out the Fixed Beat Mode–you’ll be glad you did!

With all of the various areas to explore, skills to expand, weapons to collect, and so on, there is quite a lot of play time to be had in this action RPG. All things considered (including the asking price of only $17.99), Lost Epic is a very good game.

Stray is a post-apocalyptic story told from a feline’s perspective. It couples creepiness with tenderness, featuring many interesting characters and puzzles as you unravel the mystery of this dying world. The visuals and audio are delightful, and the story is satisfying to see through to completion. Well done!

Lacuna is a surprise gem. It’s a game where your choices matter. It will require some deep thinking and quite a bit of reading. But that’s what makes it an excellent detective game. If you’re up for a challenge, you shouldn’t pass up Lacuna.

At the current asking price of $9.99, Atari’s arcade action game Yars: Recharged is an easy recommendation for your Nintendo Switch library. This is a fun game with enough challenge to keep you playing for hours.

Kitaria Fables is an incredibly fun RPG that combines the exploration and fighting style of Zelda with the farming and village gameplay of Stardew Valley and the cute animal characters of Animal Crossing. I played this for hours at a time, unable to put it down.

Fitness Circuit offers a convenient, flexible, and thorough way to get in some guided exercise. The visuals look like an anime adventure, the audio is well done, and the controls are easy to use. Kudos to the developers, as Fitness Circuit is an easy recommendation for your Switch library.

Unbound: Worlds Apart blends gorgeous design and animation with puzzle platformer challenges that incorporate a number of unique mechanics to create an extensive and exciting adventure.

Even with an inconveniently designed save system, Lunark is a game I’ll look back fondly on for reaching the highest of highs. It’s easily one of my favorite titles in recent years, one I’ll undoubtedly revisit. A must-play for cinematic platformer fans, Lunark’s full of surprises, bound to leave lasting positive impressions with players. If this is indie studio Canari Games’ first release, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Overall, Warlocks 2: God Slayers is not perfect, but it definitely plays like it. With extensive replay incentive, charming quirks, in-depth customization, and satisfying combat, it is hard not to recommend this title. It is a fun metroidvania package, and one worth a try even if the genre isn’t your favorite and/or hasn’t stood out.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 are still out of this world. This pair of classic adventures remind us why we love Mario’s 3D outings in the first place. For existing fans, the temptation to replay in this enhanced form is strong. For new players, this is a must-own title.

Rhythm Sprout is a challenging, fast paced, action/rhythm game that will keep you on your toes. Everything from the story, to the characters and the original soundtrack is awesome. While Rhythm Sprout is not for the faint of heart, if you’re looking for something with great music, that’s upbeat, entertaining and quick to play, I highly recommend picking up Rhythm Sprout.

Although I can’t fully pinpoint exactly one thing that made The Talos Principle great, there was something about the game that just felt incredible while playing. It provides such an amazing puzzle-solving experience that’s backed by an overall strong story that I can’t recommend this game enough.

Overall, Ball X Pit is one of the most fun games I’ve played this year. The bouncing-ball mechanic is a game-changer. Couple the addictive gameplay with the upgradeable characters and light sim elements, and Ball X Pit is easy to recommend.

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy game, Tiny Bookshop is definitely one to check out. It’s slow-paced, but has wonderful visual aesthetics and easy-to-manage gameplay mechanics.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the gift that keeps on giving. Who knows what the future holds for the franchise? For now, this latest wave provides more fun and excitement to tide us over until the final round of tracks heads away later this year.

Keen: One Girl Army is an addictive tactical experience, featuring a heroine sporting rollerskates and a deadly blade. It’s fun and challenging sliding puzzle game, plus a visual and audio treat, and comes highly recommended.

Gleylancer is a deep shooter that grew from a good shmup to a great one the longer I played it. To those in the know, this clever shooter’s a tour de force, and I can now see why. It’s smooth, addictive, highly replayable, and enjoyable, with rarely a dull moment. If you’re a genre enthusiast, consider this an essential addition to your gaming library. Kudos to Ratalaika Games for publishing this, and for only $6.99. If this game had co-op, it might’ve been a 10.

Aviary Attorney: Definitive Edition is very replayable, with many branching dialogue chains and three different endings. Its 19th-century world and characters are too charming to not want to see again.