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.

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.

Shady Part of Me is a game that puzzle platformer enthusiasts will most likely enjoy. But when all’s said and done, it looks like this will stay in the shadows compared to the indies it takes ideas from. It’s fun at the time, but ultimately forgettable.

If you’re looking for some exercise, Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise is a good option on the Nintendo Switch. With the Just Dance series stagnating, and Ring Fit Adventure expensive, this is a solid alternative. Even if you aren’t a fan of boxing (I’m not), you’ll be able to enjoy this sequel.

Wildfire is a unique stealth game that’s fun to play with a friend. With short levels, you can pick up and play this title anywhere.

Azurebreak Heroes is a well-balanced RPG roguelite with randomized dungeons and no two playthroughs alike. While the story is lackluster and it might get repetitive, you’ll still be able to put plenty of hours into this game.

Battle Hunters is a great RPG that uses the urgency of its plot to create a focused gameplay loop that focuses on fairly strategic combat using a wide array of characters that were mostly throwaway pawns.

BIT.TRIP CORE is not for the easily frustrated. It’s difficult, and the repetitive gameplay does not reward those who aren’t immediately interested. That said, fans of challenging rhythm games may find themselves put into an early ’80s-style arcade trance from which they won’t want to escape.

BIT.TRIP RUNNER holds up pretty well for an indie game from 2010. True, its sequels have spoiled us with checkpoints and leaderboards. But this more modest entry comes at the more modest price of $4.99, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans asking for a challenge.

While stage design feels a bit bland, BIT.TRIP FATE makes up for this with extremely enjoyable and satisfying gameplay.

BIT.TRIP FLUX is the game Pong would have become if better parents had raised it. This challenging arcade action rhythm game should be one of the first you get in the BIT.TRIP series, although there’s no real point in going back to BEAT if you do.

While it can be frustrating at times, BIT.TRIP BEAT remains an enjoyable experience at a great price.

For some, it’s a favorite, while others have it middle of the road. For me (and some of my colleagues), BIT.TRIP VOID is near the bottom of the pack. It doesn’t impress me much in 2020. But with six original games, not every series title will make the same impact, nor have the same staying power.

While this pack contains two games, the conceit of both, a rhythm-based RPG is ultimately fairly shallow. In the end, just about every RPG element is an afterthought. Still, there’s simply far too much charm here to overlook, especially if you’re a fan of the long-running Taiko no Tatsujin series or rhythm games in general. Playing either title in docked mode with full volume, or in portable mode with good headphones is enough to get anyone in the groove.

Hades is a complete package. The writing will make you laugh, the gameplay will make you smile, the bosses will frustrate you, and the art will make you stare in awe. All of which combined makes Hades a must-play, and once you start, you won’t want to stop.

Cake Bash is a great little party game with a lovely variety of mini-games, adorable playable characters and beautiful animation.

Bus Driver Simulator deserves some appreciation for its attention to detail, but the details are pretty boring in this case. It doesn’t help that the gameplay is cumbersome and glitchy, and the visuals are dated and drab. Unless you’re really into slow drives through PS2-era depictions of European cities, take the Desert Bus instead. At least then it’s for charity.

The Alto Collection has some issues on the Switch, but these lively games can keep you engaged considerably longer than expected.

Unhatched is sometimes a bit odd and repetitive (it may take a few passes to get your card play order squared away), but there is some fun to be had in this puzzle adventure card game.

It just doesn’t stand out to me as a “must buy.” I will say that there was a patch for some of the bugs in the game, but it could use a little more fine-tuning, in my opinion. YesterMorrow is nowhere near the worst game I’ve ever played, but it’s nowhere near the best.

GUNPIG: Firepower For Hire does what it must for the modest cost of $4.99. It teases a sequel – “Bax will return…” – and I hope the followup brings expanded leaderboards, a save system, and maybe even a two-player mode. But if you’re a fan of top-down dual-stick shooters, this entry is solid fun and replayable.

Commandos 2 – HD Remaster takes a fun but difficult real-time tactics PC game and makes it less fun but more difficult on the Nintendo Switch. The celebrated core gameplay remains, but clunky controls and some annoying bugs will make you wish you’d gone with the computer version.

Umihara Kawase BaZooka! is an arcade fighting game that’s best to play with friends. The enemies and levels are diverse enough, but the overall gameplay falls short.

Paw Patrol/Mighty Pups: Save Adventure Bay does nothing to save itself from being mediocre and a weak attempt to take advantage of an easily exciting franchise. To me, the game was almost offensive, with its generic take and the developer’s hope that name recognition carries it – which it almost did. Like I said earlier, I am not the demographic for the game. Being six, my son liked the game, but I could tell he sees the faults in it.

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.

Captain Sabertooth and the Magic Diamond has its moments. Still, the challenge fluctuates too much to give it a broad recommendation to youngsters. Without any difficulty settings or even a two-player mode where mom and dad could help out, I could see kids growing tired of this one after a while.

Ramp Car Jumping is a physics-based puzzler that lacks creativity and longevity. It provides a couple hours of silly fun for one or two players on the Nintendo Switch, but it never feels like more than a free-to-play mobile title.

While it’s nothing new in the realm of retro puzzle platformers, More Dark has enough value to keep you engaged throughout some of its brain-teasing levels.

Brawl Chess is strictly adequate. It’s hard to screw up chess badly, but as a video game, the aspiration in this take (or lack thereof) is pretty average. While targeting kids with a cartoony, less violent take on the Battle Chess formula is noble, overlooking a tutorial is a head-scratcher, to put it mildly. DLC is also highly questionable at best. Think long and hard on this one if it isn’t on sale.

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.

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.

Crazy BMX World contains excellent games that have aged gracefully, but it’s strangely just okay as a compilation. While a real value, the linear design (and lack of Pro controller support) sizably hurt it. I hope it gets a patch asap.

Beat-em-ups are a dime a dozen, but 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is at the very least different from many of the other offerings on the Switch. From the complexity of the combat system which offers plenty of potential for variety in gameplay, to the inspired visual presentation, it’s easy to recommend to any fan of the beat-em-up genre.

Memoranda is a stunning game with beautiful graphics and amazing music, only to fall short with lackluster gameplay and an incomplete story.

Touhou Spell Bubble is a clever and challenging game that combines bubble popping mechanics with rhythm elements and surprisingly intricate strategies. The price may be high, but it’ll pay off if you’re able to stick with it—especially if you can squeeze extra life out of local multiplayer instead of having to rely on the DLC purchases.

Grood is a fast-paced shooter that’s fun and easy to pick up and play. It comes with two warnings: it’s highly addictive, and it’s very challening.

Despite lacking in post-game content, there is still just enough in Area 86’s varied escape room challenges to warrant a quick look.

This exploration platformer pulls off the essentials, but the amount of time spent backtracking and grinding for upgrades feels much more wasteful rather than satisfying. Micetopia wound up slightly disappointing, but I’ve seen enough positives that I have some optimism for the studio’s next release.

Limited characters is an issue, but not the only one. The Language of Love has no choices, and thus no replay value. It’s passive, except to hit a button or tap the touch screen to advance the story; this might work were the plot aces, but that’s not the case. So, this one fares poorly compared to other VNs on the Switch.

Tennis World Tour 2 is a complex sports sim that features some real nuances of playing tennis. Unfortunately, that results in convoluted controls with little instruction on how to use them. It’ll keep hard-core sports gamers busy for a while, but is not a very good option for casual tennis fans.

Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure injects a dry sense of humour into classic Lovecraftian horror and absorbs you into the mystery through a beautifully animated point-and-click story.

Rusty Spout Rescue Adventure is an attractive looking game that’s taken a timeless formula and added quality-of-life options. I feared this would be a game I’d suggest passing on, but it’s now turned into a recommendation for fans of this game style. While not every choice is to its advantage, $6.99 gets you a fun story mode, multiplayer, an endless mode, and more.

Double Pug Switch is a challenging platformer, short but sweet, where you’ll find yourself saying, “just one more level!” The controls are easy to learn and hold a fun challenge that will keep you addicted. Multiple checkpoints are a saving grace.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is an epic game in some ways. It starts excitingly and rarely lets up. If you stink at dungeons and shrines and won’t miss exploring, you’ll find a world that’s still impressive and characters that have proven to endure in the minds of series fans. In the end, it remains predominantly Koei-Tecomo’s Warrior gameplay with Nintendo’s Zelda dressing, so probably not GOTY material. Still, it’s an entertaining way to tide yourself over until the true sequel arrives.

Either a shoot ’em up with bubble popper elements or a match-four game with shmup tendences, Galacide is an interesting, visually appealing mash-up. It’s something you’re likely not used to seeing, but whether you find it successful will depend mostly upon what you like and dislike about each genre.

There’s not much to say about REPLICA. It plays closer to a proof of concept than a full-fledged game. It is only $4.99, but that might even be high for a game I beat (multiple times) in under two hours. It was painless, except for the pain that came from seeing potential unfulfilled. Maybe a sequel can make things better.

While using the premise of the Metroidvania genre, Outpost Delta falls short with its clunky dual-stick shooter gameplay and confusing map. Despite that, there were some interesting collectibles scattered around and some great retro graphics.

While newer players could be frustrated by camera limits, some gameplay quirks, and overall lack of personality, simulation fans can see minutes turn to hours when playing Pure Pool. It’s a highly entertaining game that I’ve sunk more time into than expected.

Refined but not innovated, Just Dance 2021 represents the series in stagnation. It still entertains, but the past few entries have seen little in the way of positive change. A couple of the prior editions on Switch are arguably better.

Descenders ended up being a really fun, challenging game. Even if you’re not great at sports games, or you have young children that might not understand the goal, this is one that the whole family can enjoy.

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.

Like me, if you own most of the Pinball FX3 tables, this one should make its way to your library. I’ll continue to support Zen Studio’s DLC, popping my virtual quarters and again to top my high scores. Williams Pinball – Volume 6 is addictive fun.

While I enjoyed WARSAW the only real complaint I had was the difficulty from time to time. Overall the game looked good and was an enjoyable experience. Those who prefer less of a challenging experience should look elsewhere because WARSAW offers a challenging but rewarding turn-based strategy game.

Overall, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a good game. That said, it hasn’t made me as interested in its sequels (that I’ve yet to play) as I thought it would. If anything, it makes me long for the original with its, if not timeless, nostalgic visuals. But the accessibility tweaks make this entry useful for new players who’ve yet to experience it.

Later Daters: Part 2 is a great continuation of Part 1 with in-depth characters, silly antics, and fun gameplay. If you enjoy dating sims, this is one to check out.

Adventures of Chris is a platformer with smooth controls but unforgiving gameplay that will leave you more frustrated than having fun.

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

With over 100 levels to battle through, plenty of loot to collect, numerous bosses to take down and even some prisoners to rescue, Barbearian will keep even the most seasoned of adventurers very busy and highly entertained for quite some time. Besides, who doesn’t like hacking at sword-wielding skeletons?

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.

Maze didn’t live up to my expectations in the slightest. Its aims are too modest, and its execution too lacking.

Overall I think G.I. Joe Operation Blackout is decent but will quickly fall into obscurity with the abundance of better quality third-person shooters on modern consoles. In my opinion, the diehard genre fans won’t give much thought to this without online gameplay. In truth, this game will mostly appeal to a limited niche, mainly GI-Joe fans.

Foregone is a good 2D action platformer, and worth a play-through. I’ve played many games that are easy to put down when the review is done, but Foregone is staying in my rotation for a while.

With new features, modes, and various quality of life upgrades from its mobile origins, Part Time UFO on Switch continues to exemplify the fun and quirky sensibilities of HAL Labs without losing a step or grip.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a combination 2D side-scrolling combat game and 3D farming sim, and both elements are strong enough to stand on their own. You’ll need to master each to be successful, and you’ll have a fun time on both sides once you figure them out.

Torchlight III is a decent action RPG with plenty to do but with a side of repetitive quests and some glitches.

ORD. is a special game that lets you choose your own adventure via three words at a time. The stories are uniquely presented, making it creative to witness and enjoyable to play. It might not warrant a second playthrough once you’ve been through all the scenarios, but it’s a fun journey nonetheless.

Re:Turn – One Way Trip isn’t a terribly long or frightening excursion, but those seeking a good puzzle adventure with an emotionally-rich story and a take-charge female protagonist will be happy they bought the ticket.

Somewhat short for its genre but reasonably sweet, Kaptain Brawe: A Brawe New World comes recommended for fans. While speech is certainly missed, the art style is inviting to the eyes. It plays it straight, but the fun characters and satisfying puzzles make it well worthwhile for those who overlooked it upon initial release.

Whether it’s just for short burst, or even if you want to spend hours playing it, TENS! is a must play for any puzzle game enthusiasts.

As a solo game, I admit this one won’t endure for me as a series newbie. It’s just okay, at best. But if you’re a returning player or wish to experience it in co-op, there’s positively good fun to be had. You can lose track of time, making all manner of tasty-looking dishes while bobbing your head to the great soundtrack.

Terror Squid is an addictive and fun take on the shooter genre, in which you create your own bullet hell by shooting bullets at yourself. The longevity is the only issue; a few more modes wouldn’t go astray.

Shantae Risky’s Revenge is a fun, challenging adventure. Filled with difficult boss battles, tons of tricky puzzles, and all kinds of magic spells to learn. While it may be a little outdated, Risky’s Revenge will always be fun to play.

Although I still get a kick out of seeing these Neo Geo Pocket Color games on the Nintendo Switch, some fare better than others. THE LAST BLADE: Beyond the Destiny is my last choice. The combat’s a little too sluggish, the presentation a little too uneven, and the overall package a little too dated. I’d check out one of the prior NGPC releases instead.

While the idea behind CrossKrush makes for a neat distraction as a puzzler, it simply can’t hold your attention beyond a few passing minutes.

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

Real-life hunters should appreciate Hunting Simulator 2. Virtual hunters may sometimes find themselves in want, as this game can straddle the line between relaxing and dull. But it should grow on you, as your canine companion also grows beside you. You’ll develop “nerves of steel, and an incredible amount of patience.” Be prepared to invest a lot of time to get the most out of this entertaining if uneven offering, though.

GORSD is a creepy title that’s hard to get into. Once you figure out the controls and concept, it’s actually fun and very challenging. It’s aesthetically very pleasing, and the audio is also a treat.

Jet Set Knights is a fun game to pick up and play once in a while. It’s a good challenge, but you’ll need some local friends to truly have a good time with the game.

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.

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 simplicity of Tiki Brawl is reflected in its low price. But it’s still somewhat disappointing compared to the studio’s other games.

A different kind of point-and-click adventure, Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders has both highs and lows on the Nintendo Switch. But it’s the quantity and quality of speech that pushes it over the edge for me, despite the inexplicable lack of handheld play.

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

Overall The Red Lantern is full of heart and charm, but with some disappointing execution that had much potential. The journey felt short, and I noticed a few bugs, at one point getting so bad I had to restart. I feel like it is too short to be $24.99. But if you love dogs, making choices, and the great Alaskan wilderness, this game would be worth picking up if on sale.

The foundation is here, but, like The Simpson’s orphanage, it needs more walls – “three is not enough.” With subpar controls, music missing the mark, and a disappointing map, Two Parsecs From Earth’s great visual style remains, but it’s not enough to keep me playing.

Kirby Fighters 2 will certainly appeal to fans of the franchise, as will anyone who enjoys playing as the Kirby characters in Super Smash Bros. It’s not a game to which you’ll likely return, however, once the initial charm wears off.

Game Dev Tycoon is the business simulation strategy game you never knew you needed, providing smooth controls, well-balanced management, and fun gameplay.

No Straight Roads often has a frustrating difficulty that stems more from developer choices and less from player skill, making for flawed fun. This rhythm brawler is best played as an in-sync duo or trio. But a slicker, more stylish toe-tapping passion product, you’re not likely to find. I hope to see more of Bunk Bed Junction.

Falcon Age is a quaint tale of tradition being overtaken by progress with a bittersweet ending. It’s $19.99, which isn’t that bad of a price, yet the game feels slightly short with its cliffhanger ending.

Great Conquerer: Rome may not be the best tactical sim out there, but it’s a solid game that’s fun to play. It offers plenty of tasks to perform, places to see, enemies to kill, and territories to conquer, placing its strategy gaming value well above the asking price.

Dustoff Z is a helicopter sim that improves upon the previous game in the series, adding a more robust menu, improved graphics, and fun new zombie theme. If you’re into shooting zombies in a cartoony world, this is a title to consider checking out.

You will learn to use every trick your crew can perform to survive, or you will die over and over and over again as I did. Even with no room for error, I still found Space Crew fun, making me want to beat its missions just to spite it.

Liege Dragon is an okay RPG with all the right elements but bland gameplay.

Lost Ember provides players with an open world to explore through the viewpoint of various animals. And although it can be effective, its high price and downgraded graphics mean the Nintendo Switch may not be the best way to play it.

Crown Trick is a cute dungeon crawler with a great sense of humour, lovely animation and plenty to discover to keep you coming back to take on the chaos.

Whether or not you fancy yourself a platformer aficionado, Alwa’s Legacy should be on your playlist. It combines retro graphics with modern precision to create a wonderfully engaging experience that strikes a fun balance between platforming and puzzle solving.

It doesn’t pack a lot of content to keep you playing, but Hide & Dance is a good-humored rhythm game with catchy tunes.

The Long Dark is a title that successfully uses the classic plot device of man vs. nature. With so much detail put into the gameplay, it can be easy to feel as cold as your player in this freezing Canadian wilderness. The endlessly entertaining survival mode lets you explore Great Bear Island to your heart’s desire.