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.

Overall, Cronos: The New Dawn is an atmospheric horror outing with an interesting premise that creates a bleak feeling of isolation. It borders on frustrating at times with its high difficulty, but that’s also part and parcel of the genre. It may not convert anyone not already invested in these tough outings, but survival-horror fans are in for a treat.

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.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World breathes new life into this fantastic platformer. Whether you enjoyed the original outing or missed it the first time around, do yourself a favor and check out this game.

Alphadia III is an update to a Japanese mobile game released in 2009. You won’t be tricked into thinking you’re playing something entirely new—and that’s a-okay. The two-year gap between the original and this follow-up is noticeable, with slight upticks to the visuals, some of the writing, and especially the addition of a six-member party. It’ll keep you invested even with customary looks, sounds, and routine gameplay. While not innovative, it delivers familiar fun with more pros than cons, particularly for series fans.

Overall, Time Flies is a unique adventure full of surprises. Don’t let the simple aesthetics and short runtime put you off; this is one of the most creative outings of the year.

You’ll surely enjoy Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 9, though some may want to wait for a sale that matches the FX3 volume pricing. In either case, those with “crazy flipper fingers” can expect a good time.

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.

Set aside your notions of how a modern RPG should look and play, and you’re going to have a great time with The Nameless: Slay Dragon. Its focus on the characters and story and how your decisions affect them compensates for its more basic approach to how its world is displayed and navigated.

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.

The Bubsy games have become unpopular as time has passed, but his collection does its best to make them more playable than they’ve ever been. You can relive the nostalgia of the first two 16-bit games, roll your eyes at that Jaguar entry, and experience the refurbished version of Bubsy 3D that makes the original no longer relevant, all with modern updates and extras. I’m happy to see Atari and Limited Run compile these games and make them available on modern hardware, even if they fall short of their titular “Purrfect” designation. Subjectively, their individual appeal might be narrow (one’s trash is another treasure), and some might not be convinced to join Bubsy’s small fandom. But collectively, this release does plenty right, and those with appreciative mindsets will find value here. It’s better than the sum of its parts.

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.

As someone with limited experience with games of this nature, Wild Hearts S has proved surprisingly addictive. Check out the demo if you’re curious, but I really believe it’ll be a game that grows on you. Even though I feel like there are certain respects where I’ve only scratched the surface (dozens of hours in, no less), the game is intuitive in the areas it needs to be. Such approachable depth that avoids the overwhelming trappings makes this game a winner and a keeper.

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.

Overall, Herdling is a wonderful adventure. It’s a little rough around the edges in terms of framerates and hit detection, but it presents a unique outing that captures the loneliness of a child and the herd he inherits and protects. If you’re after a sweet journey set among lavish landscapes, this one is worth checking out.

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.

As management sims go, Discounty has the perfect balance of job tasks to make the game challenging and downtime to keep the game relaxing and cozy. The style is adorable, your character is customizable, the dialogue is funny, and the story is entertaining.

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.

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.

Shuten Order is so all over the place that its eShop listing doesn’t even provide a genre. But don’t take that as a lack of focus; this game knows what it wants to accomplish, and does so effectively. Players seeking a text-heavy adventure with uncomfortable choices to make are in for a wild (albeit occasionally overlong) time.

Overall, STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar is a faithful remake with great music and fun gameplay. This Nintendo Switch 2 Edition addresses stuttering seen on the original Switch when things are too busy on screen, and the framerate improvements make the game run much better and smoother. It’s like going from a DVD to Blu-ray, albeit at $10 more, as it’s priced at $59.99 on Switch 2. I’d still recommend this game (on either platform) to all STORY OF SEASONS fans, and highly recommend it to fans of Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar, as it is a well-done remake that carries the spirit of the original.

Is This Seat Taken? is a terrific little indie outing that will make you smile. The logic-based puzzles feature groups of fussy people who know what they want. It’s satisfying to help them find their place while following a sweet story about fitting in. Well done to the developers!

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.

Football Mini Stars is a bland soccer game that will hold your attention for only so long. If you’re looking for a simple sports game, then this is certainly one.

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.

Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most creative and fun titles. Ever. The smashing, music, co-op, upgrades. The smashing. This must-play Switch 2 title has set the bar for years to come. Do yourself a favor and play Donkey Kong Bananza as soon as possible.

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.

Everdeep Aurora, a pixel art platformer from Ysbryd Games, has its faults. It also has enough charm and personality to overcome them. Striking visuals, fun gameplay, and an absolutely adorable cat make this a game that arcade adventure fans should definitely check out.

MotoGP 25 is a solid motorcycle racing sim that looks and plays well. It’s got everything an enthusiast needs, from real-life riders to customizable bikes. After some time with the game, I still prefer four-wheeled races, but I also have a new appreciation for these two-wheeled beasts.

Driving for weeks now, I can better sum up my feelings on Mario Kart World post-honeymoon. It’s a great game that looks (and sounds) as outstanding as it plays—speedy, sharp, and smooth on Switch 2. It’s well worth the extra Bundle cost! Still, as a standalone $79.99 game, it’s undeniably lacking compared to its predecessors’ original tracks, overall number of tracks, and other features and polish. Doubtless, some free DLC will add needed content and give some existing content a tune-up. Mario Kart World is a game you don’t want to miss, one that crosses the finish line with its head held high.

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.

Tomb Raider fans will appreciate the effort here in terms of faithfulness to the classic games, with both clear and subtle nods. Like Pinball FX as a whole, I’d hesitate to recommend this on the Nintendo Switch. But if you have a Switch 2, you’ll appreciate both of these pinball tables for different reasons.

No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a wonderfully effective mashup of puzzle-based gaming styles held together by fun characters and a chaotic story. A knowledge of the series is useful, but this entry served as my introduction, and I still had a blast.

Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden is the type of game that would’ve kept my friends and I entertained late into a 1980s Saturday night. Familiar arcade gameplay is supplemented by modern tower defense strategies and upgrades, providing more longevity than first expected.

Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition does something very right with the series. It features the classic action we know and love and introduces an RPG-like story mode. It looks great, plays well, and even has a happy feel to it. When did fighting become to much fun? Ready? Fight!

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.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition is still a game that will push strategy fans to (and beyond) their limits. You’ll spend more time learning than playing. But the Joy-Con mouse functionality in this Switch 2-only release removes a major obstacle to the long-serving rewards awaiting those able to stick with it.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour probably should have been a pack-in release; not because it’s not worth the money, but because it’s turned into a PR nightmare. It also feels like the perfect game to include with a new system. At the end of the day, it wasn’t included; but it IS fun and interesting. So, if you like the sound of it, give it a go! If not, leave it alone. Someone at Nintendo worked hard to put this together, and I, for one, am glad I was able to experience it.

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.

This 15-year-old game has aged well, with new cutscenes and other enhancements contributing to an epic, movie-like quality to the action. This prequel makes the perfect first entry for the Switch 2.

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.

The roguelike, deck-based dungeon builder Into the Restless Ruins may not be a big budget spectacle, but strategy game fans will find it a solid addition to their game library.

HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition is perhaps thus named because it literally requires your signature to play. Once you’re past that and a few other technical and online issues, however, you’ll get a ton of content with countless ways to work through it. Make room for the 60GB install file, because you’ll want to keep this game around for a very long time.

If you’re looking for a game to highlight how different the Switch 2 experience can be, look no further than Kunitsu-Gamin: Path of the Goddess. The unique combination of action and tower-defense strategy—enhanced by the stunning graphics and art direction—make this a game you’ll use to show off your new system.

Techno Banter manages to balance surreal twists and turns through a gritty nightlife scene with characters that feel grounded and believable. The story is concise and well written, set against a finely constructed backdrop of trippy art, a thumping soundtrack, and quick wit.

Hidden Cat Outlaws is a clever hidden objects game with quirky music, lovely hand-drawn art, and enough of a challenge to keep you playing.

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

Overall, Not Not 2 – A Brain Challenge is exactly what it says on the box. It tickles the brain in a fun, interesting, and challenging way. With over 100 levels to master, daily and weekly challenges, and unlockables, this is a fun title with plenty of longevity.

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.

1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here! is one of the more unique games I’ve played on the Nintendo Switch. It does get repetitive after a while, but the striking visuals, compelling story, and frantic “call center” gameplay will be enough to get most new gr1ms through the workday.

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.

A narratively disconnected relationship makes Old Skies stumble badly at the end. But that aside, this polished release is generally great. I’d love to see a sequel that explores more of ChronoZen and its staff while jettisoning the romantic fluff to a side-story spinoff visual novel. The best way to make that happen is to check this title out. Old Skies starts brilliantly and maintains its grip with fun individual stories and an overall sci-fi plot that keeps ticking in mostly thoughtful ways.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma’s greatest accomplishment is its ability to pile so many gameplay elements into one big adventure, and to make all of them feel integral and organic. Whether you’re farming, fighting, exploring, or romancing, every task—like the game itself—feels like it’s worth completing.

Point-and-click adventure fans may be surprised by the more depressing tone of Leila, but the art style, emotional story, and challenging puzzles will carry them through. The game’s themes can feel heavy, but leave the player with a sense of hope.

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.

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.

Mirage Ignis Fatuus is a clever little puzzle outing. The story and graphics go a long way to making this stand out. Some extra incentive to replay, however, or a hint system to help with the more frustrating situations, would be a welcome addition.

Trident’s Tale provides enough sword slashing, ship sailing, stuff making, thing finding, world exploring, and skeleton smashing to keep adventurers busy and challenged for hours. If you want to live a little of the peg-leg life, give this one a whirl.

I don’t think it’s impossible for sim fans to have fun playing Wind Story. And with some updates and fixes, that may be easier to do. In its current state, however, I found it more complicated and confusing than rewarding and entertaining.

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.

Vinebound: Tangled Together is an excellent co-op game with cute aesthetics, high replayability, and the right amount of challenge.

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.

It’s hard to mess up Breakout as it remains fun after all these years (decades even), but darn if Choice Provisions nearly did with their inexplicable decision to lock content, including online leaderboards. The fact that the game still succeeds despite this blunder is a testament to their talent and the timeless source material.

Skies Above provides some pure and simple arcade action fun. It looks nice, has a straightforward (albeit quite unique) premise, features simple gameplay mechanics, and challenges the player to keep pushing further than the last time.

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?

The Hundred Line: The Last Defense Academy is a must-play game for anyone who enjoys TRPG gameplay and compelling, often surprising sci-fi storytelling. Despite its dark themes and disturbing imagery, it’s a total joy to play.

Overall, the fun gameplay had depth, and the quirky story was both engaging and humorous. Metal Slug Tactics is a cool twist and does a great job of keeping the series relevant.

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.

This game holds a fun, mysterious narrative with quirky characters. Expelled! will keep your attention for many hours.

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.

Everhood 2 is an RPG broken down to its core elements—visually and procedurally—then remixed as a rhythm-based action game. It baffles at the start, continues to challenge and surprise, and ends before you’ve had the chance to really figure out what was going on. It’ll captivate players who are willing to let it.

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games is a super-fun and well-designed party title. The dreamy aesthetics and music coupled with the gravity-based mechanics help create a unique experience for all players.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a wonder to behold on the Switch. It looks stunning and features fantastic gameplay. The choppy, largely uninteresting story continues to be a significant drawback, and there are still some lingering issues with general repetitiveness and party management minutiae, but it otherwise shines like a Mira sunrise.

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.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic is a fun, addictive experience, provided you have the time and patience for it. If you’re a fan of the original games or world building games in general, this is definitely one to add to your list.

The Stone of Madness has all the elements required for a fantastic stealth puzzle game – a gorgeous settng, an intriguing story, vibrant characters – but is sadly let down by bugs that cause it crash consistently in one place, leaving the otherwise absorbing story incomplete.

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

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land takes the series in a direction that will appeal to fans of open world JRPGs, but may leave fans of previous Atelier games scratching their head. It also has numerous technical issues on the Switch. It’s still a fun adventure, it just leaves room to improve in its inevitable sequels.

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.

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.

Kamikaze Lassplanes leans heavily into its visual novel gameplay and ecchi art, but serves up an engaging story and fun shoot ’em up combat throughout. And whether you’re more into the romantic narrative or the arcade action, gameplay options are available to bring your preference into focus.

On the surface, Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity tells a compelling story about a group of people in a race to survive an underwater theme park disaster. Dive deeper, though, and you’ll find plenty more to discover in this sci-fi visual novel that starts strong and doesn’t let up until the end(ings).

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!

Whether you find a deeper meaning to the narrative RPG Cabernet, the game still has much to offer and does a wonderful job of keeping you playing. It’s educational, fun, relaxing, charming, and emotional, and definitely worth the playthrough.