With refreshed visuals and a streamlined roster, Samurai Warriors 5 is perhaps the best Warriors game released for a Nintendo device since Warriors Orochi III Hyper. The crazy combat on massive battlefields has been streamlined, as has the between-levels management, making for an engaging game that should thrill both old and new fans of the franchise.

With no alternative endings (again, there are no decisions to make, so no way to split off the narrative), it’s one-and-done with the visual novel Cross the Moon. But it’s priced accordingly, and should be an interesting read for fans of mysteries and the supernatural.

Out of Line is a simple, sweet game with clever puzzles scattered through a beautifully dystopian steampunk setting that suffers only from its short length.

Worms Rumble can be an enjoyable ride, and it is certainly a bold, fresh take on the franchise. However, it is ultimately a step in the wrong direction. Worms Rumble fails to capture the essence of previous games, and adopting this style of gameplay causes it to grow stale quickly.

B.ARK is a fun (if awkwardly named) shooter that could use a bit more content and final polish. It’s hard not to like the game for its colorful presentation and fun gameplay. But it’s also hard to love it, knowing what it lacks at present. Make sure to grab Adventures of Pip first, but add B.ARK to your eShop wishlist.

As a single player game, the arcade racer Crash Drive 3 can feel a bit empty. But it’ll very likely be a real hoot for the kids who just want to explore and goof around. As a multiplayer game, it can be a free-for-all blast.

It’s hard to find much fault with this ambitious, albeit niche, game beyond the fact that you’ll wish there were more of it. Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective dazzles with so much creativity, you’ll never think of mazes the same way again. It’s a bit cheaper than one of the books and much livelier, thanks to the brilliant audio/visual touches. Replay perks also broaden the audience who might not gravitate towards the books. If it looks interesting to you, don’t let plot concerns or repetitiveness scare you off. I’m confident you won’t be disappointed with your purchase. I hope to see another entry soon!

Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound and Debriefed is a rudimentary port that certainly shows its age, but the stripping-based combat and crazy story/quests are unique enough to provide a refreshing experience for action gamers who are open to its mature content.

Silver Falls Episode Prelude offers an intense and atmospheric introduction to the world of Silver Falls, in a concise narrative game with some bonus battle content on top.

Loopindex, while not bad through and through, simply feels rough around the edges. Throw in a potential game-ending bug, and this is a small virtual world I won’t be returning to any time soon.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD gives a misunderstood title in Nintendo’s celebrated franchise a well-earned second shot. If motion controls and lack of polish turned you off this game the first go around, now’s your chance to give this adventure a try. Like all great remakes, it’s got some serious QoL upgrades and not an insignificant amount of graphic upgrades as well.

Overall, World’s End Club is a game that I’d say is worth playing at least once for the experience. It can be painful, but some moments genuinely surprised and impressed me enough not to hate it as much as I could.

If you missed it at launch, why not give Geminose: Animal Popstars a look? While some minor glitches disappoint given the higher price, the overall package is still very good. If you’re a parent with younger kids, know that this game will check off many of their boxes. The Geminose are too cute not to recommend, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them in the future.

I try to give each game a fair shake regardless of whether it’s new or a port, reboots, etc. So, all by itself, Destroy All Humans for the Nintendo Switch is a romp. It isn’t quite as long as I hoped, but playing a jet pack wearing, Elvis impersonator looking, little green (gray, actually) man from outer space with a Zap-O-Matic and a flying saucer capable of blowing up tanks is a barrel of fun.

Infernal Radiation is an interesting game that won’t appeal to everyone. It’s a bit repetitive and rough around the edges, but the oddness is certainly unique and the battles are challenging.

Pecaminosa does have a lot to offer; a rich world and an interesting cast of characters. Sadly the stale gameplay can hold it back at times.

Mythic Ocean is a beautiful and unpredictable game, with a stunning ocean-floor setting and a gentle yet thought-provoking narrative.

What you see is what you get with Alphadia Genesis 2. There’s fun to be had for genre fans if you go in with the right expectations. Have you enjoyed prior KEMCO-published RPGs? If yes, this game will entertain you. It’s not great, but it’s not too shabby either.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has the type of performance issues we shouldn’t be seeing on consoles these days. When it’s cooking, however, it provides a fully satisfying JRPG adventure for those seeking unique monsters to fight, vast environments to explore, and intriguing mysteries to unravel.

Mystic Pillars is a challenging but fair puzzle game, offering strong visuals, music and story to accompany the puzzles. For anybody who enjoys a fresh challenge Mystic Pillars is worthy of your time.

Arcade Archives RAIDEN brings the challenging and time-honored shmup to the Nintendo Switch. With HAMSTER’s extras, this is as good a time as any to revisit it or check it out for the first time. It’s an oldie but a goodie. It comes highly recommended, especially in co-op.

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.

Pictooi is a fun picross game with a simple and well-presented style. It’s lacking a few features, but the puzzles are enjoyable and the daily brain training element is a nice feature for anyone who likes to flex that particular muscle.

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.

Unfortunately, the good parts of Foodtruck Arena are mostly outweighed by the plain and unoriginal nature of the game itself and the sloppy controls. I was hoping for a spicy sportster, but ended up with a bland-mobile.

Donuts’n’Justice is short and sweet, literally. Dish out some justice and take out waves of enemies in this 2D, horizontal side scroller. With only a few levels, the game can be completed quickly. But I bet you a donut that you have fun playing it.

As the first Mario Golf series game on a home console in almost 20 years, my expectations were high. While I smile seeing my favorite plumber tee off, Mario Golf: Super Rush admittedly lacks some polish I’d expect from Nintendo-published software. It’s also heavily focused on gimmicks, though standard golf presents a fun simulation-lite alternative to PGA Tour. But, the overall package is mixed and not “content-packed” as advertised, at least for solo players. Like Mario Tennis before it, some tweaks, additional content, and a sale would make this a wiser purchase.

Super Bomberman R Online offers your standard online multiplayer space for classic Bomberman battles, with premium perks available but quite a bit of waiting time.

RWBY: Grimm Eclipse Definitive Edition is fun for only a little while before the gameplay becomes too repetitive.

Sun Wukong VS Robot is a great platforming experience. It’s addictively fun to play, hard as nails, and honestly a joy for fans of the genre. At the budget price of $4.99, it’s easy to recommend this title to players ready for their next challenge.

Alex Kidd was more or less usurped by Sonic the Hedgehog as SEGA’s golden boy, and it’s not hard to see why. This platformer may have rendered some fun in 1986, but considering it’s a direct remake, it’s still a clunky platformer that has not aged well. If you’re an Alex Kidd fan, this is nothing short of a must-have, the QoL improvements make it a little more playable, and it’s one of the best-looking remakes on the Switch. If you need a satisfying platforming fix, it’s hard to recommend this classic title.

Cosmic Top Secret is a fun adventure/puzzle game. The odd presentation may strike some as just being weird, but I think it’s quirky enough to be both different and engaging. If you are geared more toward action games, this may not be your thing. But if you like detective stories, this is a good option.

Beautiful Desolation is a deep, intelligent, puzzle adventure presented with a unique isometric view. It’s an easy recommendation to sci-fi fans who prefer narrative over action, but the Switch is not the best way to explore this apocalyptic world.

In the visual novel adventure Winds of Change, you play as a hero who is meant to save your land. Throughout the game, you must make difficult decisions, explore your surroundings, discover secrets, and build relationships with those around you. With an interesting story with lots to interact with, this game is definitely one to play.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a good third-person shooter that’s a little on the light side in terms of graphical style and humour, but don’t be fooled – there are many missions to conquer and plenty of characters to unlock as you seek your ultimate team. The fast-paced action should keep you busy for hours.

The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection offers three intense, challenging, and mostly thrilling Ryu Hayabusa games for the price of one. Three may be one too many, but this is still a good deal for those seeking visceral, violent, video-game action.

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

Trails and Traces: The Tomb of Thomas Tew has room for improvement, but I appreciate the game for its humorous characters, diverse locales, and well-done puzzles. Finding a fully voiced graphic adventure for just $4.99 is something to value as well. Now bring on a sequel with better control options and a less cliched finale.

Rotund Takeoff is a quirky game that is well constructed to be adorable yet fiercely challenging and rapid-paced.

Kids should enjoy Family Vacation: California well enough. Parents who grab it on sale can take confidence that it’s not objectionable, just rather forgettable. But older players might be turned off by its simplicity and shorter length relative to its launch price.

Regina & Mac World is heavily inspired by platforming greats of the past, yet falls short on delivering the fun homage it aims to provide. It plays more like a demo, with a poorly designed platforming experience and clumsy controls. I am hopeful of an improved version in the future but, for now, this is sadly one to avoid.

Sumire is a visual novel adventure that should appeal to anyone who has experienced loss or just ever felt disconnected from the world. It’s perhaps over too quickly for the price, but it’s an enjoyable, fulfilling adventure while it lasts.

Skellboy Refractured was a lot more fun than I thought it would be, and there’s plenty to do to keep you busy. It isn’t too long, but there’s a good-sized world to explore, with hidden areas and special items that can only be found later. While I feel it could still use some slight improvements, I definitely recommend checking out this great-looking, entertaining game.

Stonefly delights the eyes and ears. But the gameplay mix, despite offering some depth, can’t do the same. The combat simply isn’t much fun, and exploring runs the risks of glitches. This strange premise just isn’t executed that well. I’d stick with Creature in the Well until Stonefly gets a discount and patch.

The House in Fata Morgana: Dreams of the Revenants Edition is a long and finely constructed visual novel. It promises an intricate plot of suspense, intrigue and revenge for anyone willing to commit forty or more hours to the story.

Trenga Unlimited is a fun puzzle game for a little while. The controls are responsive, but the different modes and puzzles don’t add enough diversity to keep the player engaged.

With no words, Fire: Ungh’s Quest provides a relatable hero in a quirky puzzle adventure. The imagery is playful and well rendered, and the audio is good with both sound effects and music. Playability is better in handheld mode than docked, but it’s worth a go either way for those who like puzzlers.

Fly TOGETHER! is a chaotic puzzle game to play with friends in various ways. The controls are responsive, but the game gets repetitive after a little while.

Angels with Scaly Wings has mostly good sci-fi writing, and the choices it presents are welcomed, leading to replay value. The shallow romantic subplots have me hoping that a prequel/sequel has a bit more thought, though.

Smelter is a clever mashup of genres with a cute style and fun action. The jolt between action and strategy sections can take some getting used to, but it’s worth sticking with until you get the hang of the rhythm.

Miitopia surpassed my expectations! There’s a surprising amount of content here, given the initial appearance and cutesy graphics. If you prefer the light-hearted side of RPGs, there’s a lot of fun to be had, with a lengthy game on offer. And it is loads of fun creating Miis of your family and friends (or teddies and pets) along the way.

Flowing Lights has smooth controls with great physics mechanics, but the levels become repetitive after a while with little replay value.

Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited carry aspects of their age with them, but this bundle of two somewhat obscure RPGs still provides a deep, detailed, dungeon-crawling experience that is well-suited to the Switch handheld.

The Colonists is a solid game with a less-than-solid feeling port. However, it still is good fun on Switch.

Unlike many remakes glutting the market, the existence of Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World makes complete sense. After all, many gamers in the west never got to delight in what is likely the best entry in the Wonder Boy/Monster World series. How does this fancy remake play? Imagine for a second that Zelda II: Return of Link was good. That’ll get you pretty close.

Layers of Fear 2 is a fun horror game that doesn’t rely on gore or violence. It focuses more on psychological terror, while also providing numerous jump scares and haunting imagery. Once you start, it’s a hard game to quit playing.

Rise Eterna is good enough to give tactical RPG fans something to enjoy while they await big studio releases, but its lack of difficulty and unfortunate UI issues will prevent other gamers from playing through to its unsatisfying ending.

Ladders by POWGI certainly isn’t bad for a few minutes at a time, especially if you have a second player to bounce word suggestions off of. Still, I didn’t find it addictive enough to carry a standalone release.

Maneater certainly gives players a different point-of-view on the action/RPG genre. Taking a shark from its violent beginnings to an inevitable battle for vengeance makes for a unique gaming journey. Unfortunately, its nice visuals and sly sense of humor aren’t enough to break up the monotony of undersea survival.

Space Commander: War and Trade can be enjoyable for genre enthusiasts and people who really like some commerce mixed into their space-sim adventures. For the more action-oriented player, however, this one can become a bit of a grind. Good effort, but not what I would call a must-have game.

The Nintendo Switch eShop is rife with countless “pick up and play” games, and would you know it, most of them aren’t very good. Plenty more are cheap knockoffs of better games. Mom Hid My Game 2 is chock full of something few games have anymore: surprises. If you’re looking for a new and unique puzzle experience, My Mom Hid My Game 2 is a fun little time sink.

Subnautica: Below Zero expands on an already very successful and proven formula, delivering an enjoyable and satisfying experience. It may suffer from a few technical hiccups on the Switch, but nothing too bad to ruin the experience.

Heal: Console Edition is an immersive puzzle game that’s short and bittersweet. It will surely make you think and put you through an emotional roller coaster.

Emily Archer and the Curse of Tutankhamun could’ve been a solid game for genre fans, even with its age. But with so many bugs, there’s no way I can recommend this Switch version in its current state. It’s a weak port of a game best left on the Nintendo DS.

Admittedly, the Game Boy emulation will probably turn off many potential players. That said, there’s fun to be had under the dated surface. I don’t think Save me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a great adventure, but the refinements have cemented it as a good one.

Tinker Racers is a fun racing game that lacks in the components of the main campaign but shines in the various other modes that this title has to offer. The level design is also fun and brings back the childlike excitement of playing with toy cars around the house.

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.

New Pokémon Snap is a delightful revision of an N64 icon. The new region is beautiful and invites you to engage with Pokémon you know and love in different ways, with a unique type of challenge.

Knight Squad 2 improves upon the original with new features, a nice layer of visual polish, and a much-needed online multiplayer component. The arcade party action is otherwise the same as in the original, however, which could disappoint those who have to buy the game again to get these enhancements.

Savage Halloween is a tough, yet fun platformer. The action is fast and furious, the graphics are neat, and the characters, weapons, and enemies provide plenty of variety to keep you interested.

Overall, R.B.I. Baseball 21 has a number of new features that bring it more in line with similar baseball games on the market. I enjoy my time with each new iteration but I do hope that the developers work on more fluid animations and overall ‘feel’ of the gameplay. It can be frustrating at times seeing players move strangely across the field or feeling like the ball is ‘magnetizing’ into a defender’s glove in an odd manner. Even though there’s the occasional stutter when loading between innings or frame rate issues in the home run replays, it has still come a long way since R.B.I. Baseball 17. I’ve got to give the developers credit for sticking with the series and always aiming to improve each year. If you’re looking for an MLB-licensed, arcade-focused baseball game, you won’t really find a better option on the Switch.

Battle for Neighborville: Complete Edition is a fun, colorful, silly game with a good amount of content to keep the player busy. While the game is older, this updated version is the obvious choice for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Astro Aqua Kity is a super-fun shooter, with great audio and visuals along with fluid gameplay and spot-on action. There are a lot of options to keep even the fussiest player happy during this tough but enjoyable undersea adventure. Check it out!

Potion Party is a fun game to play with others but isn’t anywhere near as fun by yourself. It is never too challenging but does just enough to make you think about every obstacle.

Deiland: Pocket Planet Edition is a game with a promising concept, yet it didn’t really do anything for me. I really wish I liked this game more since it is much like others of its genre that I enjoy.

Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia is the type of title I would’ve loved exploring as a kid in school. As a grown man, I still appreciate the concept and how it was brought to screen in an aesthetically pleasing way. It succeeds with its aim in charming fashion. While gameplay and narration are missed, this is a very good release for what it is. If you’re a family, this would definitely be one to grab on sale if you’re looking to relax and learn at the same time.

One Escape is a unique puzzle platformer that’s fun for the first few levels before it becomes repetitive.

Shantae was released in 2002, and it’s a little less than perfect, especially compared to its many sequels. Despite being one of the most beloved Metroidvania series, this GBC cult classic may be a little too clunky for modern gaming palettes. If you’re looking for a Metroidvania fix, I would look elsewhere. However, it’s a definite must-have for all Shantae completionists looking to see where the magic all started.

As a grid-based, first-person, action/adventure RPG, Vaporum: Lockdown offers plenty of gameplay elements to keep you busy. The dungeon-crawling game play is straightforward and not overly complicated, despite a good number of puzzles sprinkled in. In short, this is a solid prequel to the original Vaporum. Have fun exploring.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is massive. It’s massively fun and massively rewarding. Fans of JRPGs can get delightfully lost in its deep story, its numerous characters, and its battle system that provides a ridiculous amount of options for customization. Just make sure you’ve played Trails of Cold Steel III (and have at least read up on I and II).

Clea 2 builds on the tension and atmosphere that earned its predecessor a cult following to create a decent sequel that leans into the darkly cute style and stealth-based horror.

I rather like the mid-’90s 3DO/Saturn look, and there are a few pleasant music tracks, as well. But when I put the nostalgic presentation and low price aside, I’m left with the realization that Toree 3D is a short-lived game I just didn’t find particularly fun. The level design is hit-or-miss, and the camera needs more attention. I’d direct players on a budget to Macbat 64: Journey of a Nice Chap instead.

Chained is a unique puzzle game that’s simple and will keep you busy and entertained for a couple of hours.

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a ridiculous little game with a twisted sense of humour, uncomplicated gameplay and a surprisingly absorbing plot.

I find Gallic Wars: Battle Simulator more of a proof of concept than an actual game. There are so many far superior options in the tactics category that this game is even a waste of time for beginners.

The Mysterious Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde is entertaining as a hidden object game, but this port is sloppy. If you’re a fan yet to play it, wishlist it for a future sale. But know that there are better representations of the genre on the Nintendo Switch, including from the same publisher. Everyone else can stick with the well-known short novel.

A fun little fantasy platformer, The Skylia Prophecy makes for a charming throwback to the early days of gaming

Sokodice is a relaxing puzzle experience. The simple concept provides something that’s anything but simple to solve. With well over 100 puzzles to solve, this is a well-designed game that will tease the brains of puzzle enthusiasts for hours.

Ghost: Elisa Cameron is not particularly riveting. However, if you’re a fan of the comics, or this type of puzzle game there may be something here for you to enjoy.

DARQ Complete Edition is a dark puzzle platformer in which you must help a boy named Lloyd navigate a seemingly endless loop of nightmares. Its lack of story and solid scares may disappoint some players, but it’s a solid pick-up for those seeking a quick, creepy gaming experience.

All things considered, Rip Them Off is a good, unique tower defense game with a comically cynical viewpoint. It has a limited number of levels, but it is also not very expensive, making it an ironically good deal considering the subject matter.

This game is built to get you into the action quickly with just a few cutscenes to explain the creation of the Delta Squad. I enjoyed the chance to mindlessly shoot droids and see how far I could get. With a variety of difficulties to help you set your pace, gamers of any skill level can play Star Wars: Republic Commando.

Though it is rather easy, Stitchy in Tooki Trouble should appeal to younger gamers or those looking for a simple, quick platforming romp.

Faircroft’s Antiques: The Heir of Glen Kinnoch Collector’s Edition delivers a 10-plus hour hidden object adventure that’s just as fun as the initial game in the series: Treasure of Treffenburg. More variety with minigames and puzzles is welcomed, as is better incorporation of hidden items to the plot. Only a handful of bugs knock the game down, but not enough to stop me from recommending it to genre fans.

With its unique visuals, clever environmental puzzles, and non-violent gameplay, El Hijo is a welcome entry in the somewhat overlooked stealth/puzzle genre. If you don’t buy into the gameplay before the repetition sets in, however, it can become an adventure that’s easily abandoned.

Chess Knights – Viking Land provides hours of puzzle-based gameplay using a twist on the usual chess formula. With some additional incentives to replay, and a little more finesse in the controls, this could be a must-have puzzle game. It’s still worth checking out, particularly anyone with a penchant for chess.

Although the improv gameplay of What the Dub?! is somewhat basic and repetitive, it presents numerous opportunities for MST3K-style hilarity. You don’t need to be a fan of movies to enjoy this party game; you just need to be quick-witted (or have funny friends).

A turn-based tactical RPG set in a medieval fantasy map, Battle Brothers isn’t the most original premise, but it is well executed and easy to get hooked on.