Let’s Go Nuts! is a platformer catering to children, but even for the younger gaming generation, this title may not offer enough for even its marked-down price.

The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a game with good ideas but bad implementation. While this story is scaled-down and has a unique twist to combat, this entry is riddled with bugs, monetization, and timers that can make this game a drag.

Gleamlight is a simple 2D platformer with a pretty premise but not a lot of substance to back it up.

Overall, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels offers some unique strategy mechanics to help distract you from the game’s slow nature.

Overall, Tokyo Scramble is a decent survival game. It’s a little rough around the edges, with a few graphical hiccups. The cute dialogue doesn’t always fit in, but then again, this is Tokyo! It’s the perfect setting for such a quirky game, and I enjoyed discovering what was hiding around each corner. I’d prefer a third, easier mode, or some way to mitigate the tricky sections with hints. But otherwise, this was a much better experience than I’ve read about online.

The truth is, I simply can’t recommend The Bradwell Conspiracy in its present state. It just misses the mark in too many areas. With some fine-tuning and polish, its technical shortcomings could eventually be overcome, in which case it’ll be ready for primetime. But playing it on the Nintendo Switch now has me reaching for a bottle of ibuprofen.

There isn’t too much to say about Robo Wars. I genuinely appreciate the desire to create a simplistic game that is easy to understand and control. The problem is that it gives the game very little depth and provides little replay value. Each of the 10 stages look identical and its simplicity in gameplay ultimately makes you feel bored after a short while. It’s not a bad game, but it’s one that I likely won’t remember anytime soon. It unfortunately falls in that unmemorable category, a game I’ll see in the eShop deals page and say “oh yeah I think I played that game.“ For now, It’s best that you steer clear of Robo Wars.

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.

Good backgrounds and a strong soundtrack aren’t enough to justify a game that feels like you’ve played it before. The combat offers little and feels lethargic so, unfortunately, there is very little reason to drop into Hell on this occasion.

Despite looking nice and offering plenty of unlockables, there’s no real reason to visit this entry into the tennis game genre. It’s by no means poorly made, running smoothly all the way through, it just simply lacks any sign of a satisfying game loop.

Mittelborg: City of Mages is a simplistic game with dull mechanics and no high stakes within the lackluster story.

The 32-bit generation is one that I feel more indies should look toward after a plethora of 8-bit and 16-bit inspired titles have already dominated the scene. But Back in 1995 is too visually distracting, too slow, and too short for its $9.99 price. Nonetheless, the idea here is sound. With a better camera, a bit more speed, some expanded gameplay, and less negligence towards full-on emulation, a future installment could provide a nice retro fix.

Maybe this game just isn’t for me, but Ultra Off-Road 2019: Alaska is not enjoyable and no matter how realistic it strives to be enjoyability is more important. There isn’t enough to do that’s fun or even looks good enough to be worth $18.99. Even if it goes on sale I’d say it still isn’t worth it.

Can I give Bounty Battle a slight recommendation for character diversity alone? No, I can’t. There are excessive issues through and through, including (but certainly not limited to) lack of fluency, gameplay variety, and depth.

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.

Pirates Pinball is okay, but it only offers the rudiments of pinball. EnjoyUp Games would really be best served bundling these tables in a compilation.

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.

Daggerhood isn’t a platformer built with everyone in mind. In fact, even a few die-hards may find it to be a little too difficult. If you’re looking for a platformer that’s far-flung from the easier titles the genre is known for, it’s not a bad place to start. It may be the only Nintendo Switch eShop title under $5 that not only gives you more bang for your buck but has an incredible amount of polish.

While the plot of Robothorium is rather interesting, the mixture of slow repetitive combat, and probability based map events held this game back from its true potential.

Riddled Corpses EX seeks to emulate the twin-stick shooters from the 8 and 16-bit era. However, like any game worth mentioning, Riddled Corpses borrows, but stands out on its own merits. Sprite characters and backgrounds along with quality chiptunes make this arcade shooter a total time warp worth your time.

There just aren’t a lot of animals in the game, which means that the child playing it will quickly start to repeat the same ones, over and over.

Proficient Paddles: Deluxe doesn’t have much to it. The gameplay is fun for a little while but doesn’t hold my attention for too long. While I got used to the controls, it was frustrating in the beginning making the game just okay to me.

Overall, Caterpillar Royale isn’t too bad of a game. I would like to see more variety in the modes, especially in the Mission Mode. I’d like to have more challenges and be able to customize the modes. For example, I should have to win a stage in Mission Mode in order to move on to the next stage. The controls are smooth and the graphics are crisp. Though it wasn’t as fun as I would have liked.

Unit 4 is a game you can pick up and play, but small learning curves are required at times. This is mainly because combining your characters is crucial in navigating the challenges the game throws at you. For it to be enjoyed to its fullest, it is a matter of mastering the fun character switching mechanic with a sleight of hand to make the most of this fast-paced platformer. It’s generally going to best served to those with some 2D platforming experience already under their belt.

Tardy is a rich combination of story and puzzles that blends past and future in a charming and surprisingly emotional game.

Undead’s Building is a game built around using an elevator to save people from zombies in different buildings and garages. While there are only seven levels to play, this title still manages to overstay its welcome because of boring gameplay and generic character design.

While this game may not have a lot of wow-factor, it is visually pleasing and the battle-mechanics are built for players who enjoy an adaptable hack-and-slash play style.

Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers is a straightforward flight simulator that throws you into the heart of World War II dogfights and looks good doing it.

I’m not sure who Little Shopping is for. Sure, there’s bright colors and even numbers to challenge young minds, but I’m positive a simple game of Tetris would be more satisfying and more stimulating than this barebones virtual shopping game. It’s hard to recommend this game. As a former kid who was occasionally settled with poor titles, I can only say firmly: Kids deserve better.

I really enjoyed my time with Neon Caves. It brought me back to memories of my first gaming experiences. Trying the publisher’s other games as suggested in the loading screen is something I myself plan to do.

Paperbound Brawlers was so frantic the first time I played it that I couldn’t keep track of the action and quickly switched the game off. I’m glad I came back, though, because things start to click once you get the hang of how to use gravity as a weapon, and you start to see each level in a brand new light. Planning becomes virtually impossible, and you exist simply in the moment. Until a goo bomb kills you, that is.

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.

Lyrica comes together quite well in presentation and gameplay, but it’s going to have a limited audience by design. The theme—although interesting—doesn’t lend itself to the type of frenetic fun conveyed through most other rhythm games. Also, rhythm games on the Switch require portable play and (ideally) a pair of headphones, limiting their accessibility. If you’re used to that, Lyrica is a unique entry in the genre. If not, there are others out there that will likely hold your attention longer and at a lower price point.

Much like a deep dish pizza, Way of the Passive Fist isn’t what it seems on the surface. And like the heavy alternative to the NY slice, it’s not something I can recommend to everyone. However, it’s a totally inventive, gorgeous, and well-executed spin on rhythm-based games, where the action never lets up.

This game is a port from the mobile device market and brought to the Switch with a decent amount of content and plenty of challenges to keep you busy for a good amount of time. While adding an expanded set of controls to use with your TV is a great idea, I found that it was more frustrating than fun. That aside, Vandals is fun and worth the $3.99 price tag.

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

Peasant Knight is a fun platformer runner with a tough edge. The simple design compliments its shorter levels, but don’t be fooled – this challenging title requires quick reflexes. If running, jumping, and dying repeatedly is your thing, definitely give this one a go.

It’s unfortunate that Theatre Tales was released in this unfinished state because it could be a fun, charming game for young players. In its current version, however, it’s a big disappointment…like buying a volume of classic fairy tales with the pages of all but one story glued shut.

Overall, Witch Thief is an interesting concept for an action arcade game. The controls were smooth and the graphics crisp. If the character didn’t depend on facing where the camera was and had no lag, this would have been a better game for me.

The game’s RPG mechanics, unique art style, and variety in towers, enemy types, and weapons, make for a satisfying tower-defence experience. OTTTD is a must-buy for fans of the genre.

If you’re new to KEMCO games or JPRGs in general, Sephirothic Stories serves as a light, quick (the game can be finished in around 10 hours), simple introduction to the genre. Unless you’re looking for a deep challenge or a modern presentation, there’s nothing really wrong here. However, there’s also not much new or terribly interesting, making Sephirothic Stories a game that’s okay to miss.

While graphics and performance are flawless, Undead Horde has repetitive and routine gameplay that can’t save it from its potential. The art style is amazing, so it is unfortunate it has to be ruined by mediocre gameplay.

Zeroptian Invasion is a fun game to pick up and play on the go. The controls are easy and the levels themselves are challenging, making for a good time.

A Dark Room succeeds because just when a part of the game gets familiar, it switches gears. The game keeps pushing you to explore, but why? In most other games, exploration is simply something you do because… well, it’s a game! You’re supposed to explore! But as A Dark Room hints more secretive reasons for your actions, you might wonder if you ever really had a choice at all.

A short but sweet adventure, The Little Acre is a must for genre fans. Even if it is overpriced on the Nintendo Switch, it has too much quality and charm to skip.

Iron Snout is a simple, fun game that probably makes more sense on a smartphone. At $4.99 it’s not going to break your piggy bank, but keep in mind that it probably won’t keep your interest for more than an hour or two.

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.

Is ZARA the Fastest Fairy worth 98 cents on your New Nintendo 3DS? It may surprise you to learn that yes, I kind of think it is. As much as my brain wants to fight me on this, I actually rather enjoy playing the game in short bursts. The 3D piloting effect is well done, the action is snappy, and the music is a riot (so long as you don’t expose yourself to it for too long). It’s not a game you’ll ever go out of your way to play, but keep it on your home screen and you might be surprised how often you’ll bust it open.

There isn’t a lot of substance to Chicken Rider, but its bright colours and silly sounds make it enjoyable enough.

Despite the innovations taken with Doodle God: Crime City, I can’t help but feel they held back. Whilst I understand the lack of a multiplayer mode for this sort of game, it is a noticeable omission when placed alongside its short campaign and freemium model. The game is far from perfect, but it takes interesting steps with its City mode, and provides a Doodle God experience like none other, which I can appreciate. Experiencing the world of crime from both a cop and criminal perspective is a good theme and only gives me more hope for the future of the series. Considering its relatively low asking price, it is hard to not recommend the game. That being said, if you aren’t a fan of puzzle games, this won’t change your mind.

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars maintains the pretty visuals and action-packed battles of the rest of the series, with a story that offers it more substances than its sisters.

Word Wheel by POWGI is simple and effective and does pretty much exactly what you’d expect a digital version of a pencil-and-paper puzzle game to do.

The devs need to look at the level of quality or lack thereof. Just because a game can coast on mobile doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for the Switch. GoFishing 3D is just too poor on so many levels. Not to mention it is absurdly priced, making it only worthwhile as a catch and release game to those wanting an overpriced chuckle.

While the mystery in Alternate Jake Hunter: DAEDALUS The Awakening of Golden Jazz is entertaining, the rhythm felt off with multiple lulls and heavy dialogue that hampered the experience of the story overall.

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.

Even if you only end up playing for 10 minutes at a time, Timberman is a fair addition to the 3DS eShop for just $1.99. Just don’t expect any depth.

Neon Junctions is a simple puzzle game that doesn’t last very long, but is a great way to spend an afternoon if you’re looking for something to beat in a sitting. Unfortunately though the puzzles don’t get challenging until the last few stages, which left a feeling for more.

Robot Squad Simulator has some potential, but it feels a bit flat for a release which goes for about $15. It is interesting to pilot some ROVs, and it touches the whole hero-of-the-day theme, but there are some real issues that prevent fun gameplay. You can upgrade your bots a bit and there is the whole get-better-and-progress-through-levels thing, but it needs some refinement before I’d recommend it.

As it is, the levels in Dyna Bomb, while not bad, aren’t fun or interesting enough to sustain repetitive trial-and-error gameplay. So, this is an average Switch game at present, one that could be quite good if it had a bit more polish. Perhaps a welcomed patch will arrive, with options that push this game’s mobile origins further to the backside. Meanwhile, despite a number of positives, I’d wait for a sale if the game strikes your fancy, as it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression right now.

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, Bus Fix 2019 is another poorly, rushed out game, that could use a rework. Bus Fix 2019 combines modern-day elements with terrible graphics, ultimately, into an inaccessible package–and respectively, it seems to be Ultimate Games latest cash grab effort, in addition to their numerous ones already on the Nintendo eShop.

I really wanted to enjoy Attack of the Toy Tanks. But I found the AI poor, something the repetitive level design only emphasized, leading to tedium. Meanwhile, the multiplayer is disappointing in its limitations. Replay incentive is low, due to strict rating time limits, and the fact that you don’t seem to unlock upgrades or anything else.

Captain Cat is an entertaining, addictive puzzle game that’s great for killing time, be it while riding down the highway or after rage quitting your other games. It won’t provide you a reason to leave dinner unfinished so you can race back to it, but the time you do spend with this fishing feline will be fun.

Redneck Skeet Shooting blunders on such a fundamental level that, I’m surprised it even reached the eShop from mobile without more adjustments. A game with such low quality simply doesn’t belong on the Nintendo Switch. Dull as dishwater, Redneck Skeet Shooting is, sadly, simply horrible.

So while some improvements definitely need to be made, Cybarian: The Time Traveling Warrior is a neat little game that will present you with a pretty good challenge for just $5.

Bouncy Bullets really isn’t a good game, but when I changed my style of play I did find a bit of fun. As a speedrunner I don’t think it’s satisfying trying to master these levels, but there are some possibilities beneath the surface for those willing to look. Yet, it still feels amateurish in ways. With subpar controls, I’d take a pass until a patch or sale, even with the low price.

Garage Mechanic Simulator takes an uneventful premise and wraps it in an aesthetically uninteresting package with an embarrassing user interface. When it comes to fundamentals, console polish, and stand out features, this game is out of gas. It’s so boring, I’m taking my business to another garage.

If you’re looking for a cute platformer for $4.99, I would say to take a look at Super Wiloo Demake. It’s an easy introduction to the genre and has plenty of charm.

With its simple-to-grasp, challenging-to-master gameplay, Perchang held our attention through to the last of its 50 levels. It has a satisfying length, offering a fair amount of content without overstaying its welcome. Finishing a level with just a Bronze medal (or worse, a Pass) also prompts some replay. Perchang manages to stand out amongst the puzzle crowd on Nintendo Switch and I hope it’s a sign of more Goldbergian puzzlers to come.

Wordsweeper by POWGI blends two popular games together in a way that offers puzzle fans something interesting and a bit different.

Overall, Catch a Duck was a fun experience. Outwitting the larger predators by getting them caught in traps, or forcing the hunters to shoot each other, was enjoyable. The puzzles were challenging but not overly difficult, which is appreciated. Catch a Duck isn’t anything too groundbreaking, but it’s a fun title that is priced right and worth your time.

While simpler than its VR counterpart, Mini Trains is priced accordingly. It’s only $ 5.99, which I feel is just about ideal for what’s offered here. True, some things are lacking (tutorials, non-linear design, HD rumble) which does drop my score. But if model railroads hold any type of appeal to you, I think this is a very good puzzle game. It’s one that stands out due to its theme, offering challenging fun, and packed with charm.

Battleship is guaranteed entertainment, and this version has several features elevating it beyond a simple board game. My only concern when it comes to replayability and value is the big glitch I encountered. So, even with things to unlock, I have some real pause concerning a solo recommendation. But it’s great in zippy multiplayer, and you don’t need to worry about gathering up small pegs afterward. This isn’t a “best-case scenario” digital version, but no matter how you play it, it’s undeniable that Battleship is still one of the quintessential games.

Paradox Soul is a Metroidvania that manages to keep the spirit of the genre despite being smaller in scope. Mix in some decent collectibles and combat scenarios, this is a great title any fan of the genre should try.

Not enough to go around for the asking price when much better puzzle games are on the Switch. Aside from over 130 stages, this game doesn’t have much to offer.

A solid foundation is in Animal Fight Club, but it’s a real grind to pick up momentum. The limited animation and inconsistent challenge do no favors either. With missing multiplayer, I’m not sure how many will hang around for the DLC. The game is inexpensive and has some positives, but more work is needed.

Hoggy 2 is a brightly colored puzzler for anyone looking for a way to blow-off steam. With the way each puzzle evolves, as it introduces new game mechanics, this game can also serve as a good lower-level strategy game for children to build skills. Still, its slow start may feel underwhelming for slightly older audiences.

Listen; I know I shouldn’t expect much when spending $0.99 on a 3DS game, but I at least expect a full product. Squarcat feels like a group assignment in Beginners Programming, and two of the team members decided they’d rather get drunk and make Tik Tok videos than help their classmates. Give credit to the others for still turning the project in, but despite some okay puzzles, the poor physics, lack of audio, and heavy repetition earn Squarcat an incomplete.

If you want 99 numberlink puzzles, Lines Infinite delivers a bit of fun, in a strictly linear fashion. But even free mobile numberlink variants offer much more, like achievements and such, for replay value.

The asking price of $17.99 does seem a bit high considering it’s $5 more when compared to the price on other consoles. Nonetheless, Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries, even if it doesn’t steal your love away from your favorite platformer, is still a good game.

Mekabolt is quite an enjoyable little game. Yes, it’s simple, but there’s no shame in simple if a game is fun. I just can’t ignore the short length and lack of replay incentive, though. Hopefully, a feedback-shaped sequel can let Mekabolt become fully realized. Meanwhile, you’ll have to decide if $4.99 is worth it for 90 minutes of entertainment on your Nintendo Switch.

With only one style of gameplay, just over a handful of stages, and only six characters that look generally the same, the $9.99 asking price just doesn’t seem worth it. Gurgamoth felt more like early access or a test demo than a full game.

Epic Clicker Journey is a game that tries to mesh RPG elements with the clicker genre. While it’s fun in short bursts, there’s not enough to hold your attention for long. Its repetitiveness coupled with design issues make this one a game to avoid unless you’re a huge clicker fan.

ESport Manager wasn’t what I was hoping for. I get that enthusiasts are probably the game’s target, but wouldn’t a measure of more accessibility to widen the potential audience be a good thing? I even have doubts that Esports aficionados will find this game particularly good, given the inferior accessibility. While the game packs a fair amount, the user interface and complete lack of touch screen support make it feel more like work, seriously weighing down the promise for something addictive. The idea has potential, but it needs to be handled with more care.

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

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.

A good combination of beautiful, challenging and relaxing, Himno isn’t the most gripping game you’ll ever play, but it is well worth a go.

Setting aside some motion sickness from playing with the Nintendo Switch docked – and the overall strangeness of playing a grid-based puzzle from a diagonally forced perspective – Plunge is a fun take on an action puzzler.

Standby lacks that connection that makes you care about the tend goal. It got to the point where the levels were so difficult I couldn’t care less about what happened to the little guy in the pea-green trench coat. I didn’t have the motivation or inspiration to keep trying to help him escape the glitched world.

Shmup fans are going to find a passable game in here. The unique visuals and ability to choose your missions do help to set Escape From the Universe apart from the competition. The gameplay, however, doesn’t, and the general repetition and need to grind for credits make this a game that most will be fine to avoid.

Wreckin’ Ball Adventure is a creative little platformer that is certainly interesting enough to keep you smashing and bouncing for sixty levels.

Invasion of Alien X – Earth in Crisis is just OK. It’s very simple and plays fine, but without any kind of incentives, there’s no real reason to play this for more than an hour or two.

Atomic Heist is a simple roguelike with a cool sci-fi story and all the colourful explosions you could wish for.

Quarters, Please! has charm, is entertainingly retro, and replayable. Yes, it has cut a few games, but it’s added even more in their place. It’s basic but fun, and the latter has become a real rarity on the Nintendo 3DS in 2019.

Honestly, if it had been released as a handheld electronic game in 1982 my brothers and I would’ve been all over it. But it wasn’t. It’s 2019, and even for $1 on a dying gaming system I expected better results from my Space Intervention.

This action game is aptly named, as it is indeed a mess.

Somehow making itself a difficult game to put down even during the most stressful of sessions, Grand Brix Shooter consistently feeds off my ‘just one more try’ attitude.

Robots, mayhem, and destruction, what more do you want? Hookboots is a good party game, offering more than I expected at first look. Even if you don’t have three friends to play with there is enough content to keep things interesting.