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.

Papa’s Quiz is not the most dynamic trivia game available for the Nintendo Switch, but it may be the best at making sure family members of all ages are on an even playing field. It’s perfect for a couple rounds when family movie night’s done but you’re not yet ready for bed.

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!

Letterbox by POWGI is simple and fun. The no-frills style won’t provide much longevity after you’re done, but if you like word puzzles, this is enjoyable. Some future DLC – though unlikely – would also be welcome to help extend the game’s life.

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

If you put Zelda’s action-RPG system, Paper Mario’s platforming, and a heavy dash of voxel graphics into a blender, you’d likely get something resembling Skellboy. At times, admittedly, the game lacks polish and can drag quite a bit, especially in the beginning. Nevertheless, it brings new ideas to the platforming and RPG genres, while looking pretty stellar to boot.

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?

Landflix Odyssey is a decent 2D platformer with simple yet enjoyable gameplay and a sense of humour behind it.

If you like resource management sims, Kingdom Tales is a fun game that’s safe for any age. For those who are even mildly down with OCD (yeah, you know me), it can be a compelling exercise in keeping all the wheels spinning and playing all the levels to the end.

Super Kirby Clash is a fun game that makes fighting somewhat adorable. The battles with AI and local friends and fast and fun, although a little on the repetitive side. Online battles are too slow to be truly enjoyable but overall this is a free game that provides entertainment in short bursts as you level up your Kirby.

Rune Factory 5 is a good game for series fans, but we’d recommend the last entry over it. We found that game was easier to control and preferred the top-down view. But, of course, you can still pass all manner of fun time with this sometimes slow (often choppy) installment.

Coffee Talk is a fun game that offers entertaining conversation and chilled ambiance. For what it’s worth, the game’s setting and premise require very little from the player, but that also takes away the experience of playing a game. I recommend Coffee Talk to anyone interested in a relaxed time on the Switch, even if the choices you make along the way are minimal.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series does a great job of grouping two beloved but not well known games together in a package that works well on Nintendo Switch. The games have a charming visual style and a gameplay simplicity that I greatly appreciate. That said the game does have some unforgiving late game platforming that randomly pops up for no reason, some annoying voice over work, and a lackluster celebration for, you know, what’s supposed to be a series milestone. There’s enough fun to be had with Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series to recommend this game to anyone who enjoys 2D platformers or someone who’s looking to rediscover two classic games deserving more attention. Hopefully, this will lead to Klonoa seeing either a new game or the Game Boy Advance games being remade.

Gunlord X, although at times seeming difficult, is still a fun run ‘n’ gun game. The variety of weapons and stages is a warm welcome, making it worth the asking price of $9.99.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is exactly what you expect it to be: it’s a fun dungeon crawler with a cute art style, all your favourite Pokémon and an overarching message of love and friendship that is generally best suited to younger players.

At its price point and addictive nature, it’s an entirely enjoyable addition to your Switch as a time waster, or if you simply feel the need to yell profanity at your console when you mess up one. Lousy. Flap.

One Line Coloring was a fun game while it lasted. I think there could have been more puzzles or maybe had different difficulty settings for each puzzle. That would have made it more engaging for me. I still got addicted to solving the puzzles, though, so it did its job. If you’re looking for something quick and fairly mindless to play, One Line Coloring is a great option to get.

Metagal is a fun platformer. It could do with more content, but what’s there is an enjoyable ride with incentive to replay. At $4.99, it’s a bargain that’s worth checking out if you’re a platforming enthusiast or Mega Man fan looking for a little action on the side.

Dropsy is a game that tries to show the human species that being a good person does matter. While there were some things I would change, especially the controls (I personally couldn’t stand them), this is an interesting, original game. If you’re a fan of point-and-click adventures, you will definitely want to check this one out.

For the budget price range, Rigid Force Redux is a solid game and fun to play—no loss in grabbing this and blowing stuff up. But not much has been done in this title that stands out amongst an extensive library of shmups on the Switch. It needs more content.

BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad is fun. It has great humour, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and has some great homages to several franchises all whilst cracking a joke or two at their expense. Its gameplay is fine, and I think with a little bit of TLC to tighten the controls and fixing of the blood drops, it would turn BATS from a good game to a great one.

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

If you’ve never played Sam & Max Save the World, this remaster is certainly worth investigating. It’s kind of clever, kind of funny, and appropriately priced. It doesn’t warrant a second playthrough, but few adventure games ever do.

Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo certainly gave me more time spent with the arcade shooter genre. I can say with absolute certainty that I have a greater appreciation for the genre than when I went into this review. I recommend it to those who have a great appreciation for arcade shooters. I also recommend it for those who are curious or would like to have a solid collection to round out their Switch library.

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

The Forbidden Arts is a nice indie studio entry for the Switch and good for at least 12 hours of gameplay. I say “at least” because if you play like me you will probably get a couple of extra hours out of it (refer to the finicky jumping bits above). It doesn’t have all the polish of a big studio game, but it has heart.

TP Bullet is a simple-yet-fun platformer with a unique twist. It might lack many features but the puzzle-platformer mechanics are solid, providing a true brain teaser.

Silent Hope is a simple action RPG that provides plenty of fun even if it doesn’t pose a substantial challenge. Paying all playable characters equal attention will lead to redundancy, but shifting your focus to just a few will help the quick combat and hero customization to carry you through.

Forest Home is a pleasant puzzler with cute animals that will charm and challenge children until it gets too big for them. It takes a long while to get interesting for older gamers, but at least the woodland characters don’t get annoying along the way. The sheer volume of puzzles explains the asking price, but it’s unlikely players in any age group are going to finish them all. Maybe that’s the point; let the whole family take their turns on the same account and, after a while, all of the forest creatures will finally find their home.

Vagante is a moody RPG/platforming roguelike looks neat, if dark and gloomy, and plays well. It’s not groundbreaking, but there’s enough to keep genre fans busy with the copious amount of items to try out. It’s a little on the tough side, but that’s also the idea.

Unforeseen Incidents is a great-looking title that provides tremendous detail in the graphics and great voice acting. Some gameplay aspects could be improved but all things considered, it is a good point-and-click game.

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

UDO: Unidentified Drilling Object manages to have some success despite itself. While its numerous little issues accumulate into some unpolished real annoyances, it has that “one more time” element down, even with repetitiveness. I’m convinced there’s enough good here that a sequel should jettison the roguelike confines. Udo deserves to be a proper platforming adventure where it can drill a more unique identity.

Cryogear is a decent title with delightful graphics and exploration and manages to be enjoyable, despite basic combat and story elements.

Ghost Sync is another solid entry in KEMCO’s long line of retro JRPGs. Although the story isn’t terribly compelling, its female protagonist and unique battle elements are engaging throughout. Use Ghost Sync when you need a diversion from more demanding, intense gaming sessions.

Torn Tales: Rebound Edition is a classic hack and slash RPG with cute aesthetics inspired by some of the most popular folk and fairytales.

Kingdom Tales 2 is almost the exact same thing as its predecessor, making it a decent simulation strategy game regardless of whether you played the original. There’s no real incentive to play both, but fans of the genre will find enjoyment in at least one of them.

Offering more of what gamers saw in the last entry, Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery rounds out a worthy trio, even if it curiously shares numbering with its predecessor. A sizable bug, presently rendering the game impossible to 100%, can’t be ignored. But, with a slightly better optimization overall, plus an improved theme, this is still a good entry to grab when it’s discounted or patched.

Tank Mechanic Simulator has a lot to offer and could easily soak up hours of your time if you’ have the patience to get used to the menus. However, it is a must play for any tank enthusiast.

Fort Triumph is a good strategy game with more than one way to play with fun characters and unique maps.

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.

While there are issues, both in the game itself and the porting, Sonic Colors Ultimate is a fun enough time.

Milo’s Quest is a fun and cute game that plays like a simple RPG with a dog protagonist. There’s a lot to like for the budget price, though it does lack some variety and is over rather quickly.

Overall, Youngblood is a welcome reinvention of the series, but lacks the personality of what makes a Wolfenstein game. Microtransactions aren’t as bad they’re made out, but it is still understandably going to impact each person differently. The extensive replay incentive and a charming, albeit short, story are appreciated. If you are a Wolfenstein enthusiast, this game definitely deserves at least one playthrough— just make sure you won’t have any interruptions during your sessions.

While EQQO has a few shortcomings that are quite apparent, it’s multi-layered, touching story and easy-to-understand puzzle mechanics make this journey worth a look.

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.

The latest, though not greatest from Digital Eclipse (due to some lapses in storytelling), Llamasoft The Jeff Minter Story, still offers a good experience. For a certain demographic of gamers, it could be a nostalgic-filled romp. Those with an appreciation for gaming history will be entertained, even if the shortage of content makes this package feel more like a volume 1.

Space Invaders Forever is a solid but overpriced collection that presents three unique spins on the classic Space Invaders formula. It’s by no means complete, but whether you’re looking for a quick party game or some solitary nostalgia, there’s a variation or two here for you.

Vera Blanc: Full Moon is an adventure game wrapped in a graphic novel. It’s a little unpolished, but the mystery is fun to unravel, with comic-style panels and dialogue alongside optional minigames.

Despot’s Game is an unusual combination of genres that adds something fresh to the scene. It’s fast-paced and enjoyable in short bursts, with upgrades that help keep things interesting. The randomized runs won’t be for everyone, but they’re fun while they last, despite a lackluster control scheme.

Silence provides a fun, thoughtful, but brief experience on the Nintendo Switch. Its charms may be lost on younger gamers, but old-school adventurers will like the way it harks back to the days of yore while eschewing many of the more annoying aspects of the genre. Silence has a great story that’s well acted, wonderful environments to explore and puzzles that are fun to solve, but you may want to wait for a sale before you set off.

We had quite a bit of fun playing through Fifty Words by POWGI; it’s probably my favorite Lightwood Games release on the Nintendo Switch due to its original feel. As an overall package, though, Fifty Words does feel kind of bare-bones and rudimentary. Like all titles from the developer, there’s a free demo you can check out.

No Place for Bravery—an action/adventure RPG from Ysbryd Games and Glitch Factory—does have some issues; the retro graphics aren’t the best, and they still produce some frame rate problems. The intriguing (mature) story and interesting environments, however, result in a good title worth checking out.

Mars Power Industries offers a quick and easy puzzle title for those looking to scratch an itch. Although it doesn’t have a tough difficulty and is lacking in staying power, for the price it is one I can easily recommend for all puzzle aficionados.

Absolute Drift: Zen Edition is a peaceful driving game crafted to focus on control, precision and challenging yourself.

Is Just Dance 2020 “the ultimate dance game”? Probably not; while an improvement over last year, there are better entries in the series. But it still offers fun exercise and enjoyable family entertainment. Just be sure to be subscribed to Just Dance Unlimited as that’s what will keep you dancing beyond the first month. Happy anniversary, Just Dance.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate provides a good old-fashioned shoot-’em-all with plenty of tactical difficulty. There are enough levels, avatar classes, and weapons to keep a gamer busy for a fair number of hours. The game could stand some controls and training improvement, but it is a worthy action/arcade entry.

While certainly an interesting game, Metro 2033 won’t be for every first-person shooter fan. However, if you enjoy a more thought provoking, story-driven adventure you’ll most likely enjoy yourself. With all of the game’s DLC included, there’s a good amount of content to keep you busy.

The Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remaster is a constantly creepy, often infuriating survival horror game that has the misfortune of following the superior Maiden of Black Water on the Switch. Fans of the series and Japanese horror in general should be glad they finally get to play it, but those with low patience thresholds will do better to not step foot on Rogetsu Isle.

In spite of its side-scrolling pixel-art facade, Rotating Brave adds a plane of intrigue to the mechanics of the game with a constantly shifting perspective.

Paradise Killer offers more style than substance, but that’s not necessarily a fault. It’s a choice. The game’s unique characters and story are open throughout gameplay and beyond completion, tasking you with solving a gory murder through low-pressure investigations and…well, hoping you were right.

While this series may never be more than what it is now, Birthday of Midnight still brings enjoyable gameplay to the table. It’s a pretty safe sequel that fans will get a few hours of enjoyment out of for a fair price.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is as joyful as its source material. It’ll appeal to fans of the cartoon more so than those seeking a challenging 3D platforming adventure, but it’s a fun, nostalgic romp either way. Just don’t expect much from the new multiplayer component.

Roundout by POWGI is a fun word game mixing crosswords and word wheels to test your mind that you can pick up and play anywhere at any time.

Pitfall Planet is fun for sure. But the shorter length, higher cost on Nintendo Switch, and no option for solo players must be factored in. All things considered, I recommend adding this to your wish list for a future sale.

With its minimalist presentation and gameplay variations, Ellipsis accurately captures the positives and negatives of classic arcade games. There’s not enough here to warrant lengthy gameplay sessions, but it’s fun in short bursts and looks great all the while.

Kolumno is a simple puzzle game with a focus on timing and execution that makes for a good test of your brain and your reflexes for such a low price.

I’m not sure Wet Dreams Don’t Dry is worth playing if you’ve never been on an adventure with Leisure Suit Larry before, but those of us who have will enjoy the trip back in time to…uh…2020. The comedy is mostly there, the frustrating puzzles are fully there, and the lessons therein will make us take a critical look at ourselves if we’re open to doing so. Larry’s always been useful in that way.

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.

A solid top-down shooter, Solstice Chronicles: MIA is very easy to pick up and has enough versatility to keep you coming back to explore its different options even after you’ve made it home to safety.

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.

Darkest Hunters is a good game (even with some misspelled text and odd streaks as noted) and provides plenty of play time for the price.

I’m a bit more hesitant to recommend at full price, if only because the superior 3DS version is still available to buy. But the Quell series is enjoyable, and everyone should play (and replay) at least one of these relaxing puzzlers. You may find yourself hooked.

At its core, Hyperforma is a very creative game, with some interesting mechanics and fantastic audio. It’s easy enough to play although the concept starts to wear a little thin over time. There’s also a bit of a learning curve at first – and indeed throughout – as a lot of elements aren’t well explained. Still, this is a fun ride while it lasts and should be one to consider if you like something a little different – and you’re spatially aware.

Creepy Tale is aptly titled; it had no trouble giving me goosebumps. The gloomy atmosphere is aesthetically pleasing and the cryptic puzzles will tease your brain, bordering on frustrating at times – patience and trial and error are key attributes here. This one will likely appeal to fans of point-and-click style puzzle games with horror elements.

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.

You may not think a game based on forklift operation could be all that entertaining. With the right group of friends working either cooperatively or competitively, however, you’ll get some fun out of What the Fork. Just be sure to avoid having to work alone.

Scrap is a fun little game with more content promised to be released in the future. It’s priced at $4.99 which is the most you’d want to spend on it since it is pretty short

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

The action adventure game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising manages to carve out its own identity while serving as an introduction to the lore of the forthcoming Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes JRPG. Basic combat, tedious fetch-quests and linear town-building may put off those seeking a solid challenge, but the game’s sprightly action, jovial spirit, and spunky characters will carry casual platformer fans through its relatively short play time.

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

Kao the Kangaroo is a fun reboot that should get your attention. The save-system bug aside, Kao the Kangaroo is a simple and fun 3D platformer that anyone can enjoy. Yes, it doesn’t provide much of a challenge and once you’ve played through you will have seen everything on offer. You’re not getting the next Mario Odyssey-like game in terms of quality; it’s clearly a developer trying to punch higher than it can really go. That said, the game itself is a lot of fun and a refreshingly easy take on the genre. If you’re looking for your next easygoing platformer or just something that anyone in the family can enjoy, you should check out Kao the Kangaroo.

Distraint: Deluxe Edition is short and sweet. Unlike the story, which is gruesome and a bit psychotic. I liked the whole experience, but I would have loved a longer playthrough and some different outcomes for the ending.

Ib is a surprising experience people should check out if they want a pixel-art title with an extremely creepy atmosphere. Ib makes you feel uncomfortable around every corner and builds tension whenever you go near any painting. The puzzles, the main “meat and potatoes” of Ib are also quite clever, even if a few of them lose the cleverness for a trial-and-error approach. That said, Ib is an extremely short game that feels like it was made for a specific audience. If you hear pixel-art, horror-like titles and are excited by the sound of Ib, you may enjoy Ib. If those words don’t immediately get you intrigued, then you might be best to look somewhere else for your next game.

If you can get by the minor annoyances and want to hop on a game for a quick session before doing something like mowing your real lawn, Lawn Mowing Simulator is perfect for you. Its wide variety of implements, contracts, landscapes, and gameplay modes will keep business sim fans engaged well past the mowing season.

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.

The graphics, the driving mechanics, the tracks, the vehicles, and the play time in Asphalt 9: Legends are all very good. The game is fun to play and challenging enough to keep the player engaged. However, the micro-transactions and some frame-rate issues do interfere with the overall experience.

I think this game offers quite a bit of nostalgia. And even with all of its faults, I found ways to cheese the system or use the Force in fun ways to get through the missions. However, as fun as it was, I don’t know that it’s an accessible title for gamers who aren’t fully versed on how games in 2003 played or are expecting a current-gen SW gaming experience.

Composer World is a no-frills approach to crafting songs. Despite the simple aesthetics, there’s a robust creation tool on offer here. It has its faults, such as the inability to change keys and the lack of a tutorial. However if you enjoy composing, this should satisfy anyone looking for a way to unleash their music into the world.

All in all, For the King is a seamless port to the Switch and fun experience! You are going to die and you will probably grumble about it. But then you will spend your well-earned lore points on a new event, encounter, item or class and hit that new game button one more time to start a new adventure all over again. I encourage anyone who enjoys RPG’s or rogue-likes to get a copy and see just how far you can get! Until next time, good gaming.

While a great game at heart, The Eyes of Ara has too many third-act issues for me to give a broad recommendation. Nonetheless, this is still a good release, skillfully crafted with attention to detail. For genre enthusiasts, I might even say The Eyes of Ara is a great release. Just be prepared for a daunting challenge as you near the end, likely with a walkthrough on hand.

The controls are the biggest let down in terms of the right analogue 8-directional aim. Fix that, and this is a game worthy of some solid playtime and fun.

Dawn of Survivors doesn’t have the most original or complicated premise, but is a legitimately solid zombie survival game.

Overall, Run The Fan is an interesting approach to puzzle solving, but isn’t completely rounded out with its’ features. That said, it is definitely worth a look if you are in the market for another inexpensive puzzle-game.

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.

Kinduo is a cute, simple puzzle platformer with an enjoyable focus on teamwork and collaboration that blends into the sea of cute, simple puzzle platformers available on the Switch.

Don’t let its children’s book aesthetic and promise of being “jump scare free” fool you. Clea is an effectively creepy survival horror game that requires plenty of patience and courage when you’d rather just run.

Headland is a simple but cute and well-made action adventure game, populated with cute characters, colourful settings and a surprisingly heart-warming message.