Kunai does so much with so little. From the minimalist art style to the polished grappling mechanic, it’s hard not to recommend this entry to fans of the metroidvania genre, or anyone looking for a fresh offering on the Nintendo Switch.

Zero Zero Zero Zero doesn’t have what it takes to compete with its competition. If you like precise platformers, I’d wholeheartedly recommend VVVVVV instead, if you don’t already own it.

Mosaic is a wonderful title that does an impressive job of showing the downsides of modern society. While light on gameplay, there is a lot going on in the narrative through repetitive segments, dreary scenery, and a magical fish. This is a game for the person who does not know how to cope with the bland nature of the modern world.

Marooners has some conceptual curiosity that translates into decisions not working in the game’s favor. I don’t see this one having any legs on the Nintendo Switch.

If you already own some of these, or if crafting isn’t your cup of tea, that’s something to consider. But if you’re an RPG fan, the Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack is well worth the time and money spent, and will be enjoyed.

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.

Honestly, for as many good ported games there are, there’s just as many bad – and Where Angels Cry: Tears of the Fallen Collector’s Edition is a perfect example. With achievements/collectibles that can be earned through playing the game casually, eliminating any possible replay incentive, and the elements of an awful story, it is really difficult for me to justify anyone picking this game up. Unless you really like medieval Europe and poorly-made adventure games, there’s no real reason to pick up this game.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Turing Test and have no complaints about it. I think it was a solid port from Square Enix Collective and it gives me hope for their future games that come to the Nintendo Switch. The puzzle gameplay is some of the best in the genre and it’s further enhanced by the creative level design. If you are looking to learn more about Alan Turing’s famous test or just simply want to add a puzzle game to your Nintendo Switch collection, The Turing Test is a no-brainer. Honestly, The Turing Test is one of the best puzzle games I’ve ever played! It is literally ‘out of this world’.

Knights and Bikes tells an emotional story of friendship and family in a way that perfectly captures the experience of childhood adventures.

The Man With The Ivory Cane is a fun but flawed title. Genre fans should grab it, after a sale and update. Until then, there are too many issues to currently recommend this game on the Nintendo Switch.

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.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics doesn’t do much to stand out from other turn-based tactics games, but it treats both the genre and the show—and therefore the fans of each—with the respect they deserve.

Just a Phrase by POWGI is a no-frills game that would’ve worked much better as part of a collection than a standalone release. It misses the mark in several key ways. I expected better than a quick game beaten with minimal effort.

Speaking Simulator does a great job at providing comedic dialogue and a diverse selection of situations that need conversing, but overall the game falls short. The upgrade system was a welcomed addition but didn’t change my perception after finishing the game. If you are willing to accept the fact that you will likely only get a few hours of enjoyment out of this title, then this is something to consider for those looking for comedic fun.

Stories Untold is about the haunting feelings and stories we haven’t told even ourselves. It’s about unraveling the truth and facing our fears. For players looking for a new episodic thriller, Stories Untold was an amazing way to kick off 2020 on the Nintendo Switch.

On paper, Crash Drive 2 should run out of gas, but with Joy-Cons in hand, it succeeds in spite of itself. It’s not for multiplayer that it’s a success – the lack of local support ensures that – but it triumphs as a solo romp, as there’s plenty to accomplish and laugh at.

My time spent with Speedrunners on the Switch was more than enough to change my mind from my previous impression. Overall, it’s a solid game for single players, but local co-op is a blast and should be welcome at any gaming party.

With Seek Hearts, Exe Create has crafted a story that drives you to see it through to completion. Now RPG fans who aren’t enthusiastic for old school visuals might want to bookmark this game for a future sale, even though the price is fair for all the content included. For my part, I enjoyed beating the game, even with the hit-or-miss enemies.

Foxyland 2 may have made some changes and improvements, but it is still not a very memorable game. It is a shame as the characters have a bit of charm. Unfortunately, the game they appear in doesn’t do enough to help them stand out.

Although Eclipse: Edge of Light is a highly atmospheric game of planetary exploration, it loses its luster when moved from its VR origins to the flat screen of the Nintendo Switch. It’s an easy world to explore for a few hours, but one that offers little overall reward for its $15 asking price.

While I very much appreciate the efforts all the game developers out there put in to entertain us, Demolish and Build falls flat. You get to drive bulldozers and cranes and the like, but it’s a lot of work with only a little fun.

Not Tonight is a simple yet effective game that is sure to resonate with anyone living through the chaos of Brexit.

Hypercharge: Unboxed is a fun and unique addition to the small library of shooters already on the Nintendo Switch. Digital Cybercherries’ debut title on the platform offers fun and addictive wave-based shooter gameplay for all ages. With the game’s cute art style and smooth performance, it is hard to go wrong with picking up a content-filled game like this.

Those with no interest in the Japanese idol industry may be alienated by how deeply Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore digs into it (I’m sure I missed a lot of jokes), but I can’t imagine there are Nintendo gamers out there who aren’t interested in Japanese entertainment. Don’t seek this one out specifically as a Fire Emblem game, but fans of Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, or JRPGs in general should love it.

Witch & Hero 2 has a great formula. Simplicity throughout, understandable mechanics, and a quick, in-and-out gameplay loop. However, the title lacks in nearly every department across the board, with some mechanics standing at odds with one another, and gameplay that doesn’t hold up long-term.

Just Glide does nothing to stand out from the crowd, unfortunately. It feels like a game that’s five years too late. Download the free version on mobile if you’re curious, as that is the much more appropriate platform for such a meager offering.

Bookbound Brigade had the potential to be a good or even great game. Unfortunately, it fell victim to being dull and obnoxiously difficult. If the new take on the Metroidvania genre is being as boring and frustrating as possible then Bookbound Brigade met it’s goal. I would suggest saving your money to buy the book of the character you find the least interesting. Reading it would probably be more enjoyable than playing this game.

Aviary Attorney: Definitive Edition is very replayable, with many branching dialogue chains and three different endings. Its 19th-century world and characters are too charming to not want to see again.

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.

Red Bow features an engaging story set in a creepy 16-bit world. The puzzles are fun without being frustrating. You’ll want to see it all; unfortunately it’s over rather quickly.

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.

Lydia is a small game, but it sends a bigger message that sometimes we need to step in and help the ones who can’t speak for themselves. I highly recommend checking out this enthralling, interactive story about a little girl overcoming her giant “monster”.

A delightfully presented text adventure that relies too heavily on replaying old dialogue — even if the actual story is good, it may not be interesting enough to make you persevere.

Link-a-Pix Deluxe is a fun and relaxing puzzler that uses number logic to uncover hidden pictures. There’s plenty on offer here, with more available as DLC. As a “deluxe” title, is a shame it wasn’t all bundled together.

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath offers one of the coolest reload mechanics in gaming history when it has you rustle up your own ammo. Lack of interesting puzzles make this feel more like an FPS with a good story when compared to previous entries in the series.

Super Crush KO offers up some fluid action that proves to be addictive. However, the weak boss encounters and bewildering lack of two-player co-op hold the game firmly in the ‘good but not great’ territory. Fans of Vertex Pop’s prior work will still want to check it out, especially those who enjoy climbing leaderboards.

Ultimate Racing 2D is a simple game that gets the core features of the top-down racing genre just right.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the loop of hunting monsters and collecting their parts to craft better weapons and armor. That being said, its performance issues in the open-world hub and the inability to earn any substantial amount of platinum through regularly playing the game inhibits me from giving further praise. However, with some improvements, this game could be a sleeper hit within the library of free-to-play Nintendo Switch games.

My time with Nicky Home Alone Golf Ball was filled with mixed feelings. While I enjoyed my time playing it, for the most part, the control issues did cause some frustration. For the asking price of .99-cents, it is hard not to say don’t buy it despite the frustration it still can be a fun game.ds

XenoRaptor is a solid arcade shooting game with a fun boss rush element and a unique space experience.

To The Moon is a game I can tell someone put a lot of passion and heart into.

Crazy Zen Mini Golf serves up a triple bogey, with an awful camera and game-breaking glitches among its worst offenses.

My time spent with Funny Bunny Adventure was entertaining. I found the upgrade system to be a step forward. It made it feel slightly more than basic. I highly recommend it for players with younger children.

Melbits World is, by far, one of the cutest puzzle-platformers you will play through. Utilizing that charm, cuteness, and design, this title offers something I could see families playing through together, but the lack of single player and replayability hurt the overall package.

Jets‘n’Guns is a fair shooter that suffers from some user interface and menu issues. It’s still a tough and fun time if you’re up for some blasting action, and worth a look for fans of the genre.

If you can handle the level grind and upgrade treadmill, Event Horizon – Space Defense is a fun arcade action/adventure role-playing mash-up. If you need more player engagement, the level grinding can become a bit mundane.

Alien Isolation provides an utmost emotionally pulling experience, and runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch. The game truly is a testament to what can be done by third-party developers and porting studios.

Simulacra is a very clever game that, despite the simplicity of both its premise and gameplay, immerses you into it and doesn’t let you go until you’ve solved the mystery.

This is a slow-paced game, and my modest fish hauls suggest it will be a while before it picks up speed. Still, while I’m no simulation enthusiast (and perhaps never will be), I’ve had success insofar as I’ve been entertained. Fishing: Barents Sea Complete Edition is a good title, albeit one Nintendo Switch owners might want to grab at a discount sale price.

Puzzle fans seeking a light diversion may not want to devote the time required to solve some of the later challenges in Mushroom Quest, but serious solvers are going to be pleased with this purchase. Long live the block (and the mushrooms that push it).

Asdivine Kamura is a strong RPG. The controls are smooth and the graphics are well done. I personally felt there wasn’t too much depth with the characters when it came to development, but I enjoyed my time with the crew nonetheless.

Pulstario is another frustrating arcade experience that has just enough to offer to make it something that sets itself apart. Between the killer soundtrack and accessibility options, I found myself not able to put it down until I had beaten its 30-minute campaign.

Although I can’t fully pinpoint exactly one thing that made The Talos Principle great, there was something about the game that just felt incredible while playing. It provides such an amazing puzzle-solving experience that’s backed by an overall strong story that I can’t recommend this game enough.

Zen Studios has brought the usual amount of quality care in updating Pinball FX3 with this latest DLC pack. While the table trio varies in enjoyment, even the “worst” is still really solid. Williams Pinball – Volume 5 is a very good collection, one that could likely be considered a must for big enthusiasts.

At only $4.99, Clumsy Rush is priced to do exactly what it’s meant to do. Boot this game up when you’ve got friends and family over for the holidays, hand them a controller, and let the hilarity ensue. Everyone is going to want a turn, but don’t be surprised when they willingly give up their turn after just a few minutes.

Riverbond coaxes you in with its charming feel and aesthetically pleasing voxel graphics, only to thrust you into a monotonous hack ‘n’ slash. With the plethora of other games that have interesting art styles and incredible looks, it is hard to let the gameplay here slide, even with its comedic relief and destructible environments as a backer.

While lacking in certain areas, THOTH remains a really fun game at a very affordable price. Pick it up.

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.

Football Game is an interesting point-and-click game that manages create an uncomfortable scenario from something as mundane as attending a high school football game. From the sound design to art style there is no expense spared at letting you know that things aren’t as they seem.

A challenging and fairly entertaining delivery, 140 is held back by its amount of content and a feeling that it’s past its prime.

Jamestown+ is highly enjoyable for users who appreciate a fast-paced and competitive shoot-em-up. While the game is weighed down a bit by story, and the game doesn’t allow for the Joy-Cons to remain connected when the Nintendo Switch is undocked, this title still has something to offer for those looking for an addictive game with a unique setting.

Close to the Sun doesn’t have the most complex gameplay, but it has a genuinely interesting premise that draws you into a darkly intriguing mystery.

Super Street: Racer is a fun driving simulation game with plenty of customization options so you can build your perfect car. The races are fast and fluid and, with a few more features and tracks, this could be an even better racing title.

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.

My time with Farabel was fun not only because of the twist on gameplay but also the lightheartedness of it all. Farabel tried a twist of gameplay and in this case, it worked out, something that isn’t always the case. Fans of turned-based strategy RPGs should certainly check this game out.

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

A good entry into what feels like a genre of old, successfully maintaining the fun, and feeling fresh when it wasn’t that long ago this would’ve felt played out. The visuals are the real feature, especially when the package is as light as it is, altogether making it a great game for mobile, and a decent one for the Switch.

To succeed as a Metroidvania, a game has to set itself apart from the rest. SuperEpic’s second-screen mini-game approach is not only an innovative concept, it helps underline the satirical conceit the game’s story lays out. Even with its shallow combo-based combat system, there’s plenty here for fans of the genre to enjoy.

With better aesthetics, all DLC included, and new puzzles, this 3DS port has a lot going for it. LAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition is a great series debut on the Nintendo Switch, and it should excite fans of LEVEL-5’s long-running series. It’d even be a good starting point for first-time Layton players.

Tamashii is one of the most disturbing experiences I have ever had. With intense horror and gore-laden imagery, this is a title that will stay with me for a while. Even with all the positives with the setting and art style, at the end of the day, this game is a poor platformer, with pretty solid puzzles to work through.

You’re not going to get much replay value out of Breathing Fear, but that’s expected at its asking price of $5.00. It’s best enjoyed in one prolonged gaming session, so it’s more effective as a slightly unsettling way to kill a couple hours on a road trip…hopefully to an abandoned house in the middle of the woods on a very dark night. Remember to pack your batteries and alcohol.

Although Mononoke Slashdown has its fun parts, it gets rather old quickly. The grind of going back to missions over and over just to purchase the items needed to stand more of a chance against an overpowered boss becomes tedious. The asking price of $6.99 doesn’t seem entirely overpriced, yet it still feels your hard-earned cash could be best spent elsewhere.

JigSaw Solace is a small game that doesn’t seem to be a good fit for the Nintendo Switch. The poor controls sizably hampered my enjoyment.

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

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is as solid a shooter as the Nintendo Switch has gotten in some time. Even though its age comes through in its graphics and linear level design, this title offers an interesting western for you to play through with some seriously satisfying gunplay.

While Dark Devotion certainly adds a few novelties for a roguelike, it maintains a high difficulty level that can be off-putting. It looks lovely, though some iffy controls and sometimes convoluted story detract from the overall enjoyment.

Even though it’s markedly short, FoxyLand quickly grows repetitive. Basic equals dull in this case. Even at $3.99 (on sale) it feels overpriced compared to comparable experiences on the Nintendo Switch. With nothing to make it stand out from other budget platformers, you can pass on this below-average game without much worry.

As someone who hasn’t played Shovel Knight since the original release, I found Showdown to be a very good return. It’s grown on me quite a bit, and if you’re a fan of competitive or co-op multiplayer games this could be considered a must. While offering less for the solo player, I’m confident the gorgeous pixel art, wealth of options, and unlockables will still prove satisfying.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a master-class in platforming, design, pixel art, and much, much more. Offering a good amount of new content, as well as the all-new card mini-game, Joustus, you have an overall package that is hard not to recommend, even if good portions of this feel wholly the same as the original Shovel Knight and its successive releases.

Space Pioneer offers an addictive arcade experience that feels incomplete. Although the upgrade system is surprisingly deep, the rest of the game suffers from being too shallow to set itself apart from the pack. As far as isometric, twin-stick shooters go, this one is just okay.

Despite the subpar graphics and lack of character customization, Mad Games Tycoon creates an addicting gameplay loop that fans of the simulation genre will love. Just be mindful of which platform you are buying the game on and at what price… because the game is cheaper elsewhere. That being said, if you enjoy simulation video games and can only get it on Nintendo Switch, it is still worth the asking price.

There’s not really a lot wrong with One Person Story as a game, other than limited replay value. Perhaps it’s not for everyone, veering away from more traditional puzzle games. In One Person Story, the puzzles are collateral in simply reaching the end and experiencing the story.

Overall, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is the best game in the franchise for newcomers. The game offers an abundance of events and a charming story that’ll give younglings insight into the history of the Olympic Games. If you are looking into becoming a competitive athlete online, then this game will not be for you. However, it is perfect for any get together with friends and/or family, due to the game’s short session mentality.

Bee Simulator’s flying mechanics will frustrate younger gamers, and its grade-school level presentation will turn away adults. If you’re able to find some happy ground between the two of them, however, it’s a thoughtful, educational, and fun way to live out the life of a bee.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Luigi’s latest adventure. The Nintendo Switch is already home to plenty of great games, but Luigi’s Mansion 3 falls under the “absolutely essential” category. If you own a Switch, you simply have to give this game a whirl.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with Turkey, Please!. Overall, it was a charming game. That being said, Turkey, Please! is still no turkey as it isn’t stuffed full of content. This might not be enough to blow the dust off your 3DS, however, it is worth a look due to the game’s cheap asking price. Especially, if you never let your 3DS collect dust.

Heroland enters the fold as the ultimate “sit back and relax” JRPG. Even though the game has hands-off combat and long-winded dialogue sections where your participation is questionable, you have charm oozing from every pixel. The self-aware humor and quirky characters make up for most of the shortcomings.

WRC is overall enjoyable despite the steering issue. Managing the career mode and/or just doing the season is a fair amount of content and gameplay to take part in. Unfortunately, steering being a huge mechanic in the WRC8 makes it speed past the finish line a little behind the other racing titles already on the Switch.

The core arcade shoot-em-up action is what carries Battle Planet – Judgement Day through. It’s a little too repetitive by design to push you straight through, but it’s a fun, fairly priced diversion to boot up every now and again, especially with a buddy by your side.

Cube Creator X is a great addition to the Nintendo Switch. With updated graphics, new tools and materials from the 3DS version, Cube Creator X is a must-get if you enjoyed other games in the series or if you just enjoy building and being creative.

While boring at times, Pig Eat Ball is a fun puzzle game that manages to bring the players in with its basic mechanics and interesting world and characters.

Overall, Disney Tsum Tsum Festival is worthy of your time if you are a Disney enthusiast. The game is also worth a look if you want a family-oriented game and/or party game. Despite some of the title’s concerning game design choices, it has such a charming atmosphere and no performance issues. Therefore, having a jolly time is inevitable.

Dull, repetitive, boring, and glitchy, are just a few words I’d use to describe Ships. Steer clear of this one.

Given the difficulty of Blindy, it wasn’t the reason I disliked the game but more of its lack of entertainment. Blindy as a whole left players in the dark with no real fun to bring light to this platformer.

There are some aspects of Pokémon Sword and Shield that feel like they’ll reach their full potential in the next generation, but overall the game is fun, pretty and has a universality to its appeal that is genuinely impressive.

There are some aspects of Pokémon Sword and Shield that feel like they’ll reach their full potential in the next generation, but overall the game is fun, pretty and has a universality to its appeal that is genuinely impressive.

There are some aspects of Pokémon Sword and Shield that feel like they’ll reach their full potential in the next generation, but overall the game is fun, pretty and has a universality to its appeal that is genuinely impressive.

Zen Chess is inexpensive and has many enjoyable puzzles for chess fans. But its drab presentation, coupled with no means to play a regular game of chess holds it back. How can you “Become a Chessmaster!” when you can’t play a full game? Thus, what should be a pretty broad recommendation becomes narrower, making Zen Chess Collection just an okay release.