I can tell a lot of passion went into this game. There are just so many details, and the character’s personalities are really reflected in body language and vocals. I would highly recommend you check out Tange Tower. It’s amazing!

Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby series into 3D in a wonderfully designed, bursting with personality adventure. It might not be the most challenging game you ever play, but there are enough secrets in the game to leave anyone going back for more. Its beautifully designed environments, characters and overall humor make Kirby and the Forgotten Land a game that leaves a smile on your face. Its co-op mode is a bit of an afterthought, lacking any power-ups or true definition of what the second player is doing on your adventure. However, those with smaller kids wanting a first-time platform in a game to play, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for them. If you’re planning on playing solo, then Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of Nintendo Switch’s must-play 3D platforms. It’s simply too fun of an experience for anyone to miss!

The best part about the remastered Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is that western gamers finally get to play through the second Miles Edgeworth game, which was previously released only in Japan. The second best part is everything else.

On the one hand, you could reasonably argue this compilation feels closer to a starter pack. Many favorite, more defined versions of Tetris are absent. Some odd choices aside, there’s a good amount of content for fans to enjoy, even those who doubtless already own multiple versions of Tetris. The greatness of Hatris, the excitement of the all-new Tetris Time warp, and the nostalgic ’80s and ’90s stories of a gaming icon make it a must. This Digital Eclipse release satisfies your Tetris craving and makes for a great package “from Russia with love.”

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.

Whether you’re pedaling down tight paths with little margin for error, catching air off natural stone ramps, or getting a quicker than expected reprieve by cruising over a railed bridge, Lonely Mountains: Downhill delivers a challenging, yet remarkably calming, experience. Don’t let a few miscues prevent you from checking this one out; it’s a game worth mastering.

With Shin Megami Tensei V, Atlus has done a solid job of updating the series over to the Nintendo Switch. The new gameplay elements are mostly welcome, and press turn combat and demon fusing elements are better than ever. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the story, which never even begins to get interesting.

It’s the compelling interplay of thrilling story, memorable characters, enjoyable puzzles, and stunning presentation that ensures Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged will become a top choice for a new generation of players. Let’s hope the sequel (and the rest of the series) finds a home on Nintendo hardware. It’s 2024, and my game of the year is a graphic adventure first released in 1996. Go figure.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers thrilling action that looks great and performs wonderfully on the Switch 2. It’s likely the most intense musou combat Nintendo gamers have ever experienced. It’s also the most complex, and the management details will lessen the thrill for some players.

Filament is a clever puzzle game that will challenge even the most ardent fans of the genre. The relaxing atmosphere helps to ease the frustration, but the complexity of later levels may put off casual gamers.

Toodee and Topdee is a fun, challenging game with an original concept. Change your perspective from 2D, to Top-Down with the press of a button, solve puzzles and defeat awesome bosses. Highly recommended for the player that loves puzzle games.

Instead of “just one more chapter” 80 DAYS will have you saying “just one more playthrough”. It might also have you wanting to revisit Jules Verne’s novel. It comes recommended to booklovers and those desiring to a digital taste of the valet lifestyle.

While it claims to be “The golf game for people who hate golf!”, I think it sells itself short. I don’t hate golf, but I still really like this funny game. WHAT THE GOLF? has a “one more round” thing going for it, coupled with a favorable amount of content, especially for completionists.

The Switch release of SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters Clash looks wonderful in its pixelated glory and they’ve added bonus features that make the game even more accessible. Features such as rewind, customizable displays, and even a manual truly create a well-rounded experience. It also helps that the Switch release is, quite frankly, really cheap. At $8, I highly recommend checking out this game, even if you’re an extremely casual card fighting game player. The price is cheap enough and the game is so welcoming to newcomers that it could be a great stepping stone into the genre. For those who already love card fighting games, SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters Clash is a great pick up you’ll enjoy immensely.

Dorfromantik is a unique puzzle game that people looking for a chill experience should check out. Yes, it has some weird control scheme decisions that take away from the fun, relaxed experience. That said, Dorfomantik does what every good puzzle game should do: offers smart simplicity. It’s a simple to understand but increasingly challenging game that people must check out. It’s a relaxing game for people looking for a chill experience and honestly, it’s a refreshing change people should enjoy.

While there are a few nags in the overall package, MushihimeSama is a fantastic shooter, and one I’m glad I won’t have to write the name of any longer.

Beacon Pines is an engaging choose-your-own-adventure story with a variety of characters, excellent graphics and score, and overall narrative about a town in peril combine to create a wonderfully addictive game.

Players who have not experienced any of the titles, just one, or just want them all together in one place, should pick this up. Fans of puzzlers and platforming alike should certainly look into the Mighty Switch Force! Collection. Honestly, the price of $19.99 is an amazing value, considering the amount of content included.

Strange Antiquities is a gorgeously designed game that uses a shop management setting to explore the compelling story of a community ravaged by occult monsters.

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 Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III drops JRPGo fans into the middle of a massive story arc and then has a tendency to meander. However, it provides more than enough thrills and compelling moments to make this an adventure worth taking.

While other compilations are more robust, Super Bomberman Collection is still a blast with its seven games on offer. The solo gamer in you will have fun in smaller sessions, and grab some friends for a local battle or couch co-op (no online play), and you’ll have an even better time.

Infernax is a truly retro experience that takes the best elements of the past to create a fun time in the present. It’s tough but fair and a blast to play. Highly recommended for fans of action-adventure platformers like Castlevania.

It will keep you busy for hours trying to craft better gear and foraging throughout the map for that much-needed material. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is a cutesy, time-consuming monster for the Switch, and it’s worth getting.

As far as hidden object games go, Hidden in My Paradise does a great job of remaining challenging and fun. It’s a game anyone can enjoy. And considering its inexpensive price, it actually offers a lot more than what first meets the eye.

A strikingly beautiful game, Chants of Sennaar takes you on a journey through a number of finely crafted cultures that challenge your puzzle skills and absorb you fully into the looming secrets of the labyrinth.

Spiritfarer is a game that brightens death, a dark and touchy subject. When playing, you will learn to say goodbye to the ones you love, and to enjoy every moment with those around you.

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.

While it can be fun to run around smashing stuff and listening to a cool soundtrack, Ape Out is a bit of a one-trick pony. When you boil it down, it’s a maze runner with a smash-the-bad-guys element. Don’t get me wrong—the theme may be simple, but the game is fun to play. It’s challenging enough to keep you entertained for several hours so go let your inner monkey run wild for a while.

To The Moon is a game I can tell someone put a lot of passion and heart into.

Retro Bowl certainly gets close to scratching that itch for a retro-style football game. The game is addictive, and you can play many games in one sitting. Including scenarios between games requiring you to choose options that affect the players’ morale is fun. There is a bit of smoke and mirrors when you start to look under the hood, though. You can only play offense, and the defense is played out via text messages on the screen. Player career stats are only tracked as long as you coach that team. And the scenarios tend to repeat themselves after a while. However, the game is affordable. And with the amount of time I spent playing Retro Bowl, I certainly got my money’s worth and then some.

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!

Fans of the original are sure to enjoy this excellent, faithful update with quality additions and improvements. Yet, I’m even more excited for those who’ve never played this one. Beyond the notable balance and pacing successes, this game excels with characters, locales, and plot developments. With little to complain about and much to celebrate, Super Mario RPG is a delight, one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played on the Switch. Not to be missed.

The Switch 2 port of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is nearly perfect. It looks beautiful, plays wonderfully, and will keep tactical stealth gamers engaged for playthrough after playthrough. We need more games like this.

VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a unique experience that’s literally a book in game form. Mixing drinks and changing lives proves to be a blast as you interact with many interesting characters. There’s loads of reading to do here but as long as you’re ready to read a novel while you play, this is one book, er, game that you won’t want to put down.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a turn-based, roguelike adventure that will help skeptics understand the appeal of such games. Frustration is part of the fun. And although the gameplay can feel unfair, every attempt to beat it is a joyful run.

Super Mega Baseball 4 has a bit more competition on the Nintendo Switch than it used to with the likes of MLB The Show 22 and MLB The Show 23 but it’s still the king of arcade style baseball games. Since MLB has moved beyond the R.B.I. Baseball series, there’s really not much else in this genre. If you’re looking for a fast, fun, easy to pick up and play baseball game, Super Mega Baseball 4 is gonna be right up your alley!

Alien Isolation provides an utmost emotionally pulling experience, and runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch. The game truly is a testament to what can be done by third-party developers and porting studios.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a story driven puzzle platformer that focuses on atmosphere and character connection. The puzzles are varied but generally easy, keeping the experience smooth and well-paced. While it’s polished and engaging, its short length and light challenge may leave some players wanting more.

While it’s reliance on randomness can make the game annoying at times, Loop Hero is a rare treat Switch owners should check out. It’s unique blend of RPG adventure and deck building mechanics provide you with a gaming experience you won’t find elsewhere. It’s addicting gameplay loop keep you going back for more and constantly making you say “just one more turn.”

Blending fun territories and weapons with easily accessible features, a variety of gameplay modes and a solid solo offering, this installment makes for the kind of game that does the Splatoon name proud.

The RPG element has been overblown, but it provides just enough incentive for you to get up and move. More importantly, it’s engaging enough to keep you on top of it well after you’d’ve lost interest in other exercise apps. The Ring-Con itself is a quality accessory that’s easy to use, and the whole package provides mostly accurate readings and feedback.

Mario Kart has been the king of kart racing for a long time. These latest additions only serve to further cement this title, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay that bring a smile every time; it’s just that good.

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.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a master-class in platforming, design, pixel art, and much, much more. Offering a good amount of new content, as well as the all-new card mini-game, Joustus, you have an overall package that is hard not to recommend, even if good portions of this feel wholly the same as the original Shovel Knight and its successive releases.

Zen Studios has brought the usual amount of quality care in updating Pinball FX3 with this latest DLC pack. While the table trio varies in enjoyment, even the “worst” is still really solid. Williams Pinball – Volume 5 is a very good collection, one that could likely be considered a must for big enthusiasts.

Knights and Bikes tells an emotional story of friendship and family in a way that perfectly captures the experience of childhood adventures.

Satisfactory puzzle-platformers are many on the Nintendo Switch. But the transformative and unique A Boy and his Blob, while easy, rises well above most of the competition. Time has been kind to this game, both in presentation (graphically and musically) and general design. If you haven’t had your fill of it yet, add this one to your Switch collection.

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.

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is a complex and confusing dungeon crawler that provides numerous rewards for those willing to brave its mission. There’s always a new combat mechanic to learn, a new plot element to unravel, and a new level to explore, and the process of working through it all is incredibly addictive.

With circuits spanning new and old entries in the series, Wave 6 marks a well-balanced end to the Booster Course Pass. From humble beginnings on the SNES to the most recent Tour courses, this collection feels like the perfect combination.

As poignant and important as its predecessor, Not Tonight 2 utilises its addictive gameplay and rich storytelling to tackle some of contemporary America’s most divisive issues in a way that manages to stay fun and humorous.

Overall, CRYPT CUSTODIAN is a solid platformer with easy to learn mechanics, a fun world to explore, and plenty of things to do.

Triangle Strategy pushes heavily into its narrative, perhaps to the detriment of its turn-based combat. That will turn some away. But for those who are willing to push through, you’ll find the game worth (nearly) every second you put into it. Excellent level design, diverse character abilities, and a tense political climate generate an engrossing experience for JRPG fans.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is one of the best retro gaming collections to come out in years. Obviously the developers absolutely loved the series, because every single moment of this collection is bursting with Ninja Turtle love. From including some of the best home console and arcade games, to including the most in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the games, The Cowabunga Collection sets the new standard for how retro collections should be. While the collection includes a few less than stellar games you should probably avoid, there are 8 great games to jump in to and have a great time. These are some of the best games to appear on a Nintendo (or Sega) console in the past and a great way to revisit these classics again today on Nintendo Switch.

While I can’t give Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection a broad recommendation above the Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and 2, I can still put in a favorable mention. Zero 3, and the two ZX games – Advent especially – are the top picks in this compilation, all with optional adjustments to better reflect modern gaming sensibilities.

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.

WitchSpring R is a cute, wholesome RPG driven by a rich, revolutionary plot, packed with challenging combat and a fun fantasy world filled with secrets to uncover.

Undermine is a clever rogue-lite with plenty of pixel art charm. The gameplay and design elements come together to create a fun, addictive experience that’ll appeal to action arcade gamers and RPG fans alike.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a faithful reintroduction to the series for new and long-time fans. It’s great to have Advance Wars back in our lives, with updated visuals and voicework that bring this title to life. Hopefully, this means the beginning of all-new adventures for Orange Star!

Heaven Dust 2 offers around 10 hours of isometric action/puzzler fun. It’s meant as an homage to Resident Evil, but it stands up well on its own even if you’ve never played one of those games or the original Heaven Dust. Just be prepared for plenty of backtracking and puzzle confusion along the way.

Chicken Police – Paint it RED! combines the storytelling of a visual novel with the puzzle-solving of a point-and-click adventure to create a decidedly different gaming experience. The slick, cinema noir style and distinctive anthropomorphic presentation do enough to cover up any shortcomings that would otherwise dissuade you from seeing this case through to its exciting end.

Although the storyline is a little dry, and the graphics could use some work, Pokémon: Legends of Arceus is an extremely entertaining title. It hooks you, inviting you to research every inch of the game. It’s challenging, and the Pokémon are fun.

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?”

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.

Killer Queen Black is a fun and faithful recreation of the original arcade title. While the aspect of simulating ideal 4v4 local multiplayer matches has its technical issues, the transition from the arcade to home consoles surely doesn’t lose any of its competitive addictiveness.

Overall, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a classic RPG with one of the best Star Wars stories in the franchise. It is priced at $14.99, and I say it is worth it! There is plenty of replay value, trying for different endings and seeing different responses in your dialogue choices. Will you go Dark, Light, or Neutral? Will you bully your way through quests or try to be diplomatic? Play it, you ‘meatbag’!

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a difficult SRPG to push through if you have no previous experience with the series. But you’ve got to start somewhere, right? And once you get into the flow of it, you may find yourself losing a month or two to the game’s unique elements, tricky systems, and joyful charms.

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!

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.

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.

The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a short but sweet point-and-click horror adventure that uses the setting, style and folklore of Victorian Britain to immerse you in a distinctly creepy plot.

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.

In Paper Trails, you help a girl, Page, follow her dream of attending university awaits. The player helps Page avoid obstacles by folding papers into paths on which she can travel. It’s a fun, challenging mechanic that provides hours of clever gameplay for puzzle enthusiasts.

Overall, Pine Hearts is a short and (bitter)sweet title. If you’re looking for a new cozy adventure that tells an amazing story in a sensitive manner, then certainly give this one a go.

If crafting is your thing, you probably won’t be disappointed with Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack. In the end, I still enjoy this series as a JRPG fan, even though there are grind issues.

It Takes Two is a great co-op game to add to your Nintendo Switch library. It could even be something fun for you and your special someone to do on rainy days, or even a weekly date night. I would have really loved some side quests, or collectibles, but I still had a great time playing It Takes Two.

No More Heroes is still a blast to play today. Living up to its cult status that it initially earned when it first released on the Wii, over ten years ago. Some of the gameplay feels dated, primarily due to the empty and dull open world sections, but the comical writing and boss battles alone make it worth your attention. Whether you’re a fan of the original or, like me, a newcomer to the franchise No More Heroes is a great addition to any Switch players library.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key adjusts the JRPG series’ gameplay formula in numerous ways—some subtle and some dramatic. Not all of the changes work, but the end result is still a very fun and satisfying conclusion to Ryza’s summer adventures.

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.

CrossCode is a colorful, fun, and content full action RPG that has a lot to offer both young and old.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle improves on its predecessor in nearly every way imaginable. Successfully maintaining what made No More Heroes so adored, all the while improving on the original without sacrificing the heart and soul of the game: having fun.

Tadpole Treble Encore is a charming rhythm game that’s easy to play through, but difficult to 100% complete. An included level editor extends its life span, but its whimsical gameplay and music may take care of that on their own.

Dreamscaper is a randomly generated dungeon crawler with fun combat, breath-taking design and a premise that is both moving and expertly woven into the mechanics and structure of the game.

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.

While I can’t overlook that M2 failed to tap the more robust home ports, SEGA AGES Virtua Racing will appeal to Model 1 arcade purists. Don’t let the relative ease of cruising past Big Forest’s amusement park fool you, this is still a challenging experience. And “the herald of modern racing games” is still fun, nostalgia goggles or not.

GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition is a robust, lovingly developed arcade racing game that looks and plays wonderfully on the Switch 2. The live-action story is goofy fun, but the thrill is in the racing, and you get an incredible number of ways to take part.

While a few nitpicks hold it back from absolute perfection, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is an amazing collection and a definite must-buy.

Sword and soldiers 2 Shawarmageddon does a great job of pulling together all of the things that made the original great while adding in new elements.

That Terraria continues to receive ports to new systems is a testament to the game’s playability. It continues to attract new fans while prompting long-time players to double- and even triple-dip. I don’t think you need the Switch version if you’re already set up on your other gaming system(s) of preference (especially at the current price). If the Switch is your only option, however, it’s good enough for us to offer a recommendation. Let’s just hope the developers manage to dig up and build couch co-op before night falls again.

While Bug Academy might not be what you should use when you’re studying for your Entomology exam, it is still a blast to play. The asking price of $12.99 is well worth it. Bug Academy proved to me that bugs are more than just pests that wouldn’t be any fun in a video game.

OkunoKA Madness is a great little platformer, with tight controls and gorgeous artwork that really puts your skill and precision to the test.

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).

Can a game be tense and relaxing at the same time? Vectronom rides this line pretty well, offering a puzzle game that is as gorgeous as it is challenging. When played with headphones, it’s as immersive as any puzzle game has ever been.

Astalon: Tears of the Earth may be yet another in a long line of retro 2D action/platformers available for the Nintendo Switch, but it deserves to be moved towards the front of that line. Fans of the genre will find plenty to like here, so long as they’re willing to accept backtracking as a core gameplay element.

Horace is a pitch-perfect puzzle platformer that expertly balances addictive gameplay with its moving tale of a robot trying to discover himself in a world that makes no sense. It knows why we love video games, and it confirms we’re right to do so.

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.

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.