Wonder Boy Collection is stacked with four classic titles that are all worth your time to a degree. Fans of the franchise will likely be disappointed by the omission of other titles that hold much more value in terms of critic appeal. The two standout games for me, Wonder Boy and Monster World IV, have both been remade on the Nintendo Switch as their own standalone video games with updated graphics and some quality-of-life features. After playing through this collection, I’m now tempted to revisit these via their remastered counterparts. Wonder Boy Collection feels more like a collector’s item rather than an item you’ll purchase because you genuinely want to play these classics.

Vesper: Zero Light Edition might’ve needed to stay in the oven a bit longer, but there’s still a decent game here for puzzle platformer fans. The heaviness of the time-based stuff combined with fiddly Switch controls and your slow-moving android eventually takes a toll. But when the puzzle mechanic works unencumbered, it’s clever and satisfying, and the audio/visual package goes a long way. With better balancing, Cordens Interactive should have a hit with their next release.

Puzzle & Dragons Nintendo Switch Edition brings the popular mobile game to the Nintendo Switch. It comes at a low enough price to give puzzle fans something to play for a few hours. Making your own levels and downloading others is a fun distraction, but overall there’s nothing new on offer here.

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.

HYKE: Northern Light(s) places gamers in an attractive world with interesting characters, but doesn’t give them enough to do to really hook fans of retro RPGs. It’s a game worth playing and finishing, but easy to move on from.

Bite the Bullet is a decent run-and-gun game; the eating mechanic was a fun addition to the style. While long levels may seem like a good idea, it often felt a bit overwhelming. The level goals were also a decent addition to the genre; however, the length of the levels had me struggling to complete them. Fans of run-and-gun games may want to consider Bite the Bullet. Players who are not run-and-gun enthusiasts might want to steer away from this title.

Prominent amongst the PC gaming streaming scene currently, The Sinking City is a very good game that was awkwardly converted to run on the Nintendo Switch. It was unsettling for me to sit down for hours on end to review. It also launched during a stretch where a lot of new games are releasing to challenge my attention. But I’ll probably revisit The Sinking City during quieter times, and when it’s hopefully been patched.

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.

A little stale outside of racing mode, and the game is hardest at the beginning because the three cars given to you are bad. Still, Rush Rally Origins is a solid racing game with above-average graphics.

Ultros is an ambitious metroidvania with starkly contrasting visuals and interesting gameplay elements. It’s almost too much for itself with some ideas that don’t always resonate. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something way off the beaten path, you’ll find it here.

While there are issues, especially with online play, KeyWe is a decent couch co-op game.

If you’re willing to get into the turn-based RPG combat of VED, it isn’t bad. But because of the relatively slow action sequences and some of the script and voice directing choices, it never really pulled me in where I could lose track of time playing it.

The jump-scares in the WWI-themed survival horror sim Trenches are enough to elicit a little adrenaline, even though you know they are coming. There’s also a little replay value because the clues will be scattered randomly at the start of a new game. Even so, the theme and objective can be limiting; there is not really much to do beyond finding things, and there’s not much to experience except tension.

Lila’s Sky Ark is a quirky game that sets out to be different. There’s an interesting world to traverse, puzzles to solve, and many characters to meet, though it can be a little too odd at times. It looks great, though, and if you’re looking for something unique and creative, you’ll find it here.

While it wasn’t what I was expecting, A Summer with the Shiba Inu has enough working in its favor. Instead of hitting a crowded beach, why not spend part of your summer respecting social distancing by curling up with this visual novel. Plop on your reading glasses, overlook the pacing inconsistencies, and be charmed by Syd and her canine friends. Keep an eye on Quill Game Studios, too.

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.

Omega Labyrinth Life is a colorful, well-produced roguelike dungeon game with a lot of cheesecake, set in the world of Japanese schoolgirls. The nice part is that you can participate with that aspect of the game to whatever degree you like, and there’s a pretty fun game with some decent writing to season it all.

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.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Heart of The Forest offers adventure and visual novels fans a slow buildup of character development, interpersonal relations, and plot, then a really quick finish with an anticlimactic ending that left me wondering, “Was that it?” Its saving grace is that you play through more than once to see where you can take the decisions and how your character will end up.

Musashi vs. Cthulhu is as basic as an action game can be; combat is reduced entirely to aiming and timing your sword strikes. This makes it easy to get into and fun to play, but that fun likely won’t hold for those who aren’t interested in score-chasing or leaderboards.

Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics) delivers pretty much what I expected, no more, no less. But $19.99 is a tough sale for a compilation like this in 2025, even for someone like me with nostalgia. Wishlist this one for a future discount.

Vera Blanc’s second outing is very much like her first in terms of style and gameplay, bringing both good and bad elements from the original game along for another ride. Still, the story is fun to read and the mystery worth solving, so fans will find enjoyment here.

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.

TAITO Milestones is a no-frills package of ten ’80s-era arcade games, most of which are available separately in the Nintendo eShop. If you don’t already own the ones you want, it’s a decent collection with some obscure gems that may become your new favorites. A couple, however, don’t make a smooth transition from their arcade controls to your Joy-Con.

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.

Indigo 7 Quest for Love is ok. The story is fun and charming and the puzzle mechanics work well in solo mode. Throw in a CPU and there’s suddenly an unbalanced difficulty level that’s just too frustrating. The addition of local multiplayer could still entice some players.

As a fan of cinematic platformers, I rather enjoyed playing Stela from start to finish. Be that as it may, it didn’t take me long at all, hence one of my leading (but not my only) concerns. At under three hours, and with little replay value to speak of, $19.99 is a lot to launch for on the Nintendo Switch. On sale, this would be one to consider for sure, depending on how burnt out you might be on the subgenre.

Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour holds up well for newcomers even if it could do with a few quality improvements. It’s a shame there isn’t more for those revisiting, but like everything, it’s always nice to have this classic on the go.

Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist is a fun, creative game, just maybe not for the Switch. It’s engaging and playable, but budding artists likely won’t enjoy the accommodations made for Joy-Con controls. If your goal in this adventure sim is to create artistic masterpieces, playing on a computer or with a drawing tablet is the best way to enjoy this unique game.

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.

Arkanoid Eternal Battle is an approachable game that delivers some timeless fun. But much like Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, it’s another Taito arcade classic that’s taken one step forward, two steps back. It brings less content to the table while asking for more money from the players. With online being something of a ghost town, I suggest waiting for a price reduction.

Fashion Dreamer is an open-world fashion game in which you can dress up yourself, other players, and NPCs with the aim to grow your brand and following. If you like choosing outfits, creating your own clothes, or styling hair and makeup, this game delivers that. While it lacks a story and any real challenge, Fashion Dreamer holds up as a good fashion game.

WARRIORS: Abyss provides an interesting roguelite twist to the standard Musou gameplay of the Warriors series, but it’s only interesting for so long. Repetitive action and graphics eventually overwhelm the slick, quick combat.

If you’re a family with younger kids, Explosive Dinosaurs isn’t a poor choice. It offers some fun, albeit shallow, minigames. But a few omissions prevent this from being a must-have title.

Graveyard Keeper’s limitations and shortcomings come real close to outweighing the fun that can be had from playing a new game. When I got the game and read the premise, it sounded quirky and fun. As I played, it seemed more awkward and vexing.

Worbital plays a bit like a Worms in space, minus the turn-based sequences. Even though blowing up planets in epic space wars is a plus, the lack of depth in battle structures and mechanics make this one better suited to short play sessions. The campaign mode, although a nice addition for single players, has dialogue segments that go longer than necessary.

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.

Afterimage is a Metroidvania with attractive 2D visuals and crisp combat, and it really wants to make sure you’ve earned any victories you get. The action is tricky, especially with the numerous bosses that are smarter than what you may be used to. But if you’re up to the challenge, you’ll find the game’s rewards.

A multiplayer game with no online is a tough sell in the era of the Coronavirus. But Unspottable is enjoyable enough that I give it a mild recommendation, so long as you have people in your house to play with. This release would benefit from a solo mode and more options, but it’s decent as the first title from a small indie studio.

Super Kiwi 64 is pretty decent overall and won’t hurt your wallet. That said, despite the many things working in its favor, it has a rough around the edges feel I didn’t expect. A patch may determine if this a game you go back to every so often or if it’s a one-and-done deal.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a good game. Although billed as a spiritual successor to the Suikoden games, you don’t need to have played them to enjoy this JRPG adventure. You do need some patience, however, as performance issues and its “traditional” ways continue to trip up the Switch version.

Ultra Foodmess is easy to play and enjoy. However, its limited features might mean that it’s only fun for a limited time.

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.

Ground Divers is a decent mining game, with cute characters and fun dialogue punctuating an engaging, if brief, series of missions exploring the subterranean levels of an interesting alien planet.

It took me a while to realize I wasn’t having quite as much fun with Sonic X Shadow Generations as I expected, given the high praise of the 2011 console original. Such elevation likely reflects the quality of Sonic games declining over the past 20 years, as even the better new titles can’t reach the peak of the ‘90s classics. Combine that with no upgrade for existing owners, and Sega has made it challenging to recommend this one on Switch 2. Many players would be better off with Sonic Mania or Origins. But if you’re a diehard fan who hasn’t played this yet, wishlist it and wait for a discount—you’ll be safe knowing that, even though it’s showing its age more than most would care to admit, you’re sure to find some entertainment.

Truth be told, this is an extensive package of quality shmups that are sure to keep genre enthusiasts in a frenzy for hours. That said, there are a million shooters, and this package doesn’t offer anything that hasn’t been done already. Still, Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha is a more affordable way to get all these games at a lower cost.

Woven is a sedate, easy to play, colorful, game that’s imaginative and pleasant to look at. However, it starts slowly and doesn’t get much faster, and it requires a healthy chill level on the player’s part.

For $29.99, you get a fun collection with Turrican Flashback, but it’s one you may want to wishlist if you’re not an enthusiast. It takes a more straightforward approach when it comes to Nintendo Switch compilations, one that’s hard to overlook. I just wish it felt more complete.

Anodyne 2: Return to Dust is a unique 3D and 2D story with many gameplay mechanics. However, the controls may be finicky, and the game can get repetitive after a while.

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.

BBG’s remake of the Intellivison’s Shark! Shark! works better as a multiplayer game than a solo experience, but you have to be into its simple, chill vibe. Younger/newer players will stick with the game longer than those seeking more frenetic battles and challenges, but it’s priced accordingly.

The roguelite action game, Devil Jam, can be a bit of a grind to start, but it has potential with some interesting strategic elements, battle effects, and heavy metal approach to gameplay. It’s a respectable “not bad”, but it may need a little help.

For the $9.99 price tag, Sword of the Vagrant gives you a lot of content, enough challenge, and a decent story to keep you wanting to get to the end. I just hope Vivian can eventually buy clothes in her travels, as running around in leather underwear seems drafty and embarrassing!

Sugardew Island offers a cozy farming experience for those new to the genre or who aren’t interested in the adventuring or romantic options available in similar games. Most genre fans, however, will quickly be looking for a rescue.

Together is a unique platformer, offering fun and laughs in co-op mode. The gimmick wears off if you’re not super into platformers or you don’t have a strong partner. The difficulty could put off casual players, but If you’re looking for something challenging that’s a little different, check it out.

Ikki Unite adds a Vampire Survivors spin to a 1985 game you’ve probably never even heard of. It works, but only if you’re able to take advantage of the online multiplayer. On your own, it’s just repetitive nonsense.

Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space is an OK release overall. This 20-or-so-hour adventure has an admirable quantity of content, but the quality amongst the individual episodes is inconsistent. I found only two of the five to be the sort I’d want to replay. Still, Sam & Max are great characters. Pick up their earlier adventure, Sam & Max Save the World, to get an idea if this one is for you.

Dagon: Complete Edition is intriguing in the way many visual novels are. While its brevity helps it avoid some issues common to the genre, it also lessens the impact it can have. Can the atmosphere conveyed through this presentation compete with your own imagination? The written word only translates so well in this medium. Still, the visuals complement it well (with a zoom option), the cast of narrators is varied and capable, and the HD rumble implementation is immersive.

I found Headliner: NoviNews entertaining enough to play through multiple times. Yet I still have several concerns with it. Even if the length and repetitiveness isn’t a bother, the lack of choices in a key subplot (and lack of moderate choices in general) plus numerous glitches certainly are. I can’t recommend it at its $13.99 launch price, stimulating though it is. However, the very good foundation here means I’ll be watching for Unbound Creations’ next Nintendo Switch title with anticipation.

Cannibal Cuisine is a game I had my doubts about. Within a few levels, I was enjoying my time playing as long as players can swallow the idea of cannibalism for their next game night.

ROBOBEAT combines first-person shooters with rhythm gameplay, but never really defines its reason for doing so. Although the action does become engaging once you get the hang of it, awkward controls and drab level design will chase most dancers off the floor before the party can really kick in.

Paper Dolls Original isn’t the scariest horror game, but it’s a solid attempt from a restricted studio and it does have some charm.

Overall, it’s another point in click game, with unique puzzles. It lacks anything too special, though, making it hard to recommend for those non-enthusiastic about the genre. If you are a puzzle game fan, and can’t seem to find another alternative, this one is definitely worth a look. That being said, if you aren’t a puzzle game fan, or already have your fill of puzzling action, this game is not for you.

When it comes to RPGs, we have the classics to remind us of how far video games have come. Ninja JajaMaru: The Lost RPGs includes two retro JRPGs that will certainly have you feeling nostalgic. Even if you’re not a fan of older games, the amount of customization available makes this bundle accessible to everyone from beginners to pros. While both games do feel a little outdated, and one is definitely better than the other, it’s nice to see these two finally get their worldwide debut after 30 years.

Volgarr The Viking II is a fun, but flawed, platformer. There’s a lack of communication that leaves one guessing as to the terms of play. It’s meant to be punishing, and the zombie option helps, but things could benefit from difficulty options or a better restart system.

Monark has a refreshing battle system that will appeal to turn-based strategy gamers, but the dated graphics and overall redundancy make it a hard game to recommend at its full asking price. As with the game’s dangerous Mist, enter with caution.

While the graphics are terrific and the level design is highly creative, the gameplay leaves much to be desired. This game is entertaining and visually appealing but left a lot else on the table.

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.

The Long Gate bills itself as “…a challenging and elaborate puzzle game with puzzles based on real world physics and circuits.” If any of those words frighten you, stay away, as its elaborate level setup and first-person point of view complicate things even further. But if you’re within its target audience, it could be one of the most rewarding logic puzzle games you’ve played in quite some time.

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

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.

King’s Bounty II is a good adventure game with better turn-based combat. There are plenty of elements to keep the player interested, but the story does not have the depth you might expect, and therefore doesn’t warrant the $59.99 price tag.

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.

Samurai Maiden gives players a goofy mix of hack-and-slash action, light platforming, and yuri fan service. Surprisingly, it also gives us some pretty fun combat when it’s not being overly frustrating. The game will appeal more to achievement completionists than those seeking a good (or even coherent) story, so consider that when looking at this game at full price.

There’s certainly something to be said for a game that leaves me thinking about it and wanting more. Wind Peaks definitely grew on me. But, reaching the end after playing for just over three hours (and getting all achievements) is a tough pill to swallow for a $14.99 game. I hope the sequel plays it less conservatively.

JankBrain is a fun platformer plays like every other platformer, yet a unique character and visual style help it stand out. There’s plenty of running and collecting to do, and platformer fans should find enough entertainment here, if you can get past the weird-looking giant alien brain.

The Prince of Landis is a short game with a fun world that doesn’t misuse any characters or space. Not much in terms of gameplay, but the storyline is entertaining.

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.

OddBallers provides what you’d expect—an odd collection of multiplayer mayhem. Despite user interface flaws, there are plenty of laughs on offer in this quirky affair. Just don’t play alone.

I liked Vambrace: Cold Soul, but it’s certainly not for everyone. It requires more patience than many gamers can afford, and that’s even among those who are already into roguelikes. If you can settle into its groove, however (and won’t lose it when you’re sucker-punched right out of that groove), there’s some good, challenging fun to be had here.

The Park is a tale of tragedy that takes you on a literal and metaphorical roller coaster. Although the game lacks in the graphics department and sticks to the bare minimum in terms of gameplay mechanics, it is one that story seekers will probably want to check out. Get your box of tissues ready.

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.

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.

Overall, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords is not the best port on the Nintendo Switch. It’s priced at $15.00, and I can’t recommend it as much as its predecessor unless you want a portable copy of KOTOR 2. Of course, updates might be made to patch the various bugs, but if you want to try out this version, be aware of the glitches and frequently save so you don’t lose anything if it crashes!

If you tend to play games for the story, you’ll find plenty to like about The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince. If you’re more about the puzzles and the platforming action, however, it’d be best to leave this particular storybook on the shelf.

The tactical RPG Redemption Reapers doesn’t have any serious issues, but it does suffer from the little death of a thousand paper cuts. With a few minor adjustments, this could be a really good game. As it stands, it’s just an OK game with a very good soundtrack.

Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition is packed with content and should appeal to anyone who loves the Jurassic Park franchise and enjoys management-simulation games. There are presentation and interface flaws, but given the sheer amount of content on offer, fans should still check this one out.

My time with Astroneer was a pleasant experience that let me enjoy a more chilled out base building game. It lets you explore these worlds and discover everything it has to offer without ever holding your hand, nor providing challenges to make you feel stressed. That said, the chill gameplay style ultimately is the game’s long-term demise. After your first 10 to 15 hours, there’s no real reason to continue on to other worlds. Besides the setting changes, there’s nothing that new or challenging about going to other worlds. If you’re looking for a fun game to play with your friends, then Astroneer can be a good pickup. If you’re looking for the next long-term gaming experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

Terra Alia: The Language Discovery RPG is an OK game that does an OK job of introducing you to the vocabulary of your choice from 10 available languages. Its story and combat system are not compelling enough to attract those uninterested in the education component, but the language gimmick offers a unique experience that can reinforce players’ outside lessons.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a colorful follow-up to the successful 2023 film. With engaging characters and excellent voicework, things look and sound pretty great. Unfortunately, pacing issues and frustrating combat mar the experience.

A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly as it says. So, if you’re looking for something a bit more engaging, I wouldn’t recommend this game. However, if you’re looking for a quick, satisfying, and easy game in which you can mindlessly dig, sell resources, and upgrade your tools, it’s perfect.

Tilt Pack’s simplicity is both its biggest strength and weakness. The game offers very little for those playing alone, but there’s a lot to enjoy if you’re playing with friends.

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.

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.

While the Alphadia series is among the best of the KEMCO-published games I’ve played, there’s little doubt they are showing their age. And the minor updates in this package don’t do enough to elevate this beyond your wishlist for a future sale.

Much like Wind Peaks, Like No Other: The Legend Of The Twin Books is a family-friendly release that has left me wanting more. I like the game (and the studio that made it), but I seriously question the content for the price. So wishlist this title and hope a sequel adds more of the good stuff while adjusting some things that didn’t quite land.

Atari Mania’s mash-up of microgames presents a chaotic blast of nostalgia, but the general repetition and some frustrating difficulty dampen the mood pretty quickly. Its unique approach to retro gaming is, therefore, best enjoyed by those with fond memories of playing all these games back in the day.

Must Dash Amigos is an enjoyable title if you can overlook its flaws. Great for multiplayer, but not so great when played solo.