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.

Fit My Cat is a great puzzle game that has no pressure. However, the controls can sometimes have their own mind, adding unwelcome frustration.

There’s a great game waiting to be checked out from The Library of Babel, but it’s currently buried under platforming puzzles that are too annoying to be fun. It’s a beautiful game with a compelling story, but it needs some difficulty adjustments to let the fun parts save the day.

Ship Graveyard Simulator is exactly what it says on the tin. Using different tools to break down ship parts and sell them for profit may not sound like the best use of your gaming time, but it can be a relaxing alternative to the typically high pressure, high stress fare.

Genetic Disaster is cute and quirky and designed for co-op play, as long as you don’t mind grinding to unlock the more creative features of the game.

MISTOVER is an RPG that’s fun in the beginning but quickly becomes repetitive. While there’s a lot to do in the game, it’s also a lot to learn.

The initial fun may soon give way to want; want of less linear design, more balanced difficulty, and (ironically enough) more color, to name just a few things. Colored Effects is fair enough for its budget price. But I’m curious what the developer can do with future releases that’ll hopefully be more fun and polished.

Derpy Conga is a game that is so adorable in every way that it is difficult to dislike, but needs some polish before it can reach its full potential.

Reynatis is a game with ambitions. Vaulting ambitions, unfortunately. Its convoluted story, annoying combat issues, and systemic glitches will turn away all but the most devout of action- JRPG fans. But if you’re in that category and you’re up for something new, there are enough clever approaches here to make this trip to alternate Shibuya worthwhile.

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.

The core gameplay and roguelite loop of Hello Kitty and Friends Happiness Parade likely won’t hold the attention of rhythm game fans for long. Its J-pop charms, however, may be enough to win over Hello Kitty fans or those who just enjoy happiness in general.

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.

Covenant of Solitude is a decent RPG. The battles are the heart of the game. However, I wish the item pool were more balanced, the writing were better, and the characters had more of a say. Still, if you’re a fan of RPGs, this game is worth a go.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, while still good fun overall, is a letdown, both as paid DLC and a standalone release. The upgrade pack, though inexpensive, is underwhelming and of questionable value, with most additions feeling minor and unpolished. And if you somehow missed the original game, you’d best have a strong answer to the question “Why start now?”

Demon’s Tier+ is a charming dungeon-RPG with unforgiving mechanics. With perseverance and a friend, getting through the dungeon is possible.

Golfinite is a cute little golf sim that sports a few neat ideas coupled with a retro style that looks and sounds nice. It’s a simple affair that could benefit from some tweaks or extras. I still enjoyed my time with it, for what it’s worth.

While Asteroids is iconic entertainment, this installment (like the Recharged series in general) is too conservative to vouch for at launch price. When I can say versions of these games from 40 years ago are just as fun, if not more, there is a problem. This series is running out of steam and needs a change in approach to revive interest.

Murder on the Marine Express has plenty of issues, an unlikeable lead being chief among them. But, for better or worse, it doesn’t overstay its welcome due to its two-hour length. For the budget price, genre fans can wishlist it and hope for a more developed sequel.

Clue: Murder by Death is a modern take on the classic board game, bringing 3D graphics and open world exploration to the mystery solving. Investigate the scene, interview suspects, and eventually present your case, all within only two hours. Unfortunately, there are numerous bugs within that timeframe.

As far as retro adventures go, Astral Takers is…fine. The summons feature keeps party management and combat flowing, and a couple of unique design choices make for some lively visuals. Unfortunately, exploration, dialogue, and the plot drag things down to where only dedicated JRPG fans are likely to play through to the end.

Rougebook offers enough unique takes on gameplay to create a compelling experience for those highly interested in deck building games and a fun experience for those who aren’t quite as familiar with the genre. The dual hero system and presentation truly makes Rougebook stand out. However, the usual issues with the deck building game remain. It’s the random luck of the draw as to whether you’re given good enough cards to succeed in battle. Otherwise, you have to grind your way around to find useful cards or upgrades to help you. It might not be a game for everyone, but Roguebook is definitely worth checking out.

Superliminal borrows some familiar ideas and mixes them in ways that arouse interest. But the content doesn’t match the price, especially for a game that might be more fun to watch than play. However, on sale, this can be an entertaining title if the puzzles click. Like some dreams, this one may linger with you.

Strategically, the game certainly feels like a unique addition to the tower defense genre. However, the game isn’t strategically priced. Anthill lacks some of the basic components you’d expect from a game on the Nintendo Switch, such as the ability to play multiplayer and play in both docked and handheld mode. Fortunately, though, you can listen to the brand new, divine original soundtrack.

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.

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.

Wonderland Nights: White Rabbit’s Diary is a beautifully illustrated but poorly voiced and structured visual novel that centers around the politics of Wonderland. As the White Rabbit, it’s your job to match up characters to shape these politics, but it’s not quite a job worth taking.

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 is a fantastic game that even 16 years later remains one of the most entertaining simulation titles ever made. Playing the game without a mouse and keyboard leaves much to be desired, and even after getting over the learning curve, it’s still a murky prospect indeed. But if you simply must have a portable Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, there’s plenty of thrills to be had.

Deiland: Pocket Planet Edition is a game with a promising concept, yet it didn’t really do anything for me. I really wish I liked this game more since it is much like others of its genre that I enjoy.

Krut: The Mythic Wings is a very pretty but brutally difficult action platformer based on Thai mythology. The game can be completed in under 10 hours, but the bulk of that time will be spent tediously grinding for better gear to advance past even the common enemies. For the hard-core gamers only.

Ghost: Elisa Cameron is not particularly riveting. However, if you’re a fan of the comics, or this type of puzzle game there may be something here for you to enjoy.

When I started playing Demon’s Rise – War for the Deep, I really wanted to like the game. Unfortunately, there are too many little bad things stacked up to really get into this one.

When a game’s basic movement mechanics become a source of frustration and annoyance, it usually just isn’t worth the hassle. Even if you are used to digital gymnastics and you really like a retro looking 2D platformer, Cybertrash STATYX is an option you can take or leave.

The fun and nostalgic creative choices of ’70s ear Bush League Hockey aren’t quite enough to make up for its clunky gameplay and bad AI. Its 4-player local multiplayer may appeal to hard-core hockey fans, but consider it a healthy scratch for everyone else.

Kwaidan: Azuma Manor Story may be okay for those who really like the historical Japanese theme, are eager to battle some old school monsters, and can tolerate dated and bizarre movement mechanics. Everyone else will be happier finding another title.

Ebenezer and the Invisible World brings a fun, holiday-themed premise and palette to Metroidvanias, but not much else. Annoying issues and gameplay repetition will bring out the Scrooge in some gamers, but Metroidvania fans may see it through to redemption.

Gravity Duck offers an entertaining enough, if repetitively simple, time. But it ends far too quickly. Taking into account what other low-priced Switch titles offer, including those from the same developer, this game is a sizable distance from great. Gravity Duck does nothing to stand apart amidst its crowded genre. Having zero replay incentive is a crucial blunder! It might have been better staying a free flash game or a cheap mobile offering. This Duck needed more time in the oven to reach its potential.

Kids should enjoy Family Vacation: California well enough. Parents who grab it on sale can take confidence that it’s not objectionable, just rather forgettable. But older players might be turned off by its simplicity and shorter length relative to its launch price.

Stardash has some good points, but cheap level design kills off most of the fun.

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.

The Mysterious Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde is entertaining as a hidden object game, but this port is sloppy. If you’re a fan yet to play it, wishlist it for a future sale. But know that there are better representations of the genre on the Nintendo Switch, including from the same publisher. Everyone else can stick with the well-known short novel.

Stunt Flyer runs out of gas when playing solo, but split-screen co-op elevates it slightly. How much lasting power this has might depend on your desire to earn achievements, improve mission times, or simply chill for a spell. Even with the budget price, I’d wait for a sale or just boot up Pilotwings 64 on Switch Online.

Overall, Gale of Windoria is one of the more average RPGs I’ve played. The story is uneven, the battle system options largely unnecessary, and the lack of post-game content makes it an outlier amongst its contemporaries. So while the breezy familiarity can hold some appeal for fans, if you’re looking for stuff you haven’t seen before, I’d look elsewhere.

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.

Dreaming Canvas is small but, within its limits, it almost manages to deliver some measure of a satisfying experience. For all its weak points, at least it has what it takes to stand apart on the eShop. Not as a game, mind you, but as a walking simulator with an artfulness, and easygoing tranquility. At $4.99 it’s reasonably priced, but only if you’re into moderately unique experiences that feel underdeveloped.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an ambitious game that’ll delight fans of the series and CRPGs in general, but not on the Switch 2. Bugs and performance issues abound, constantly slowing down the already intricate story and party management systems.

Splotches feels like a game geared towards a younger audience. Mixing colors to cause explosions and solve puzzles is appealing to kids. However, I found the puzzles to be one-sided, just figuring out what the designer wanted you to do to solve them. A good puzzle game should allow me to be creative and feel like I solved the board because of my ingenuity. Unfortunately, I never got that with Splotches.

A niche appeal title, Rover Mechanic Simulator will feel like an entertaining and informative diversion to some but a waste of time to others. Representing a genre that’s hit or miss on the Nintendo Switch, this title falls closer to the middle of the pack.

Rogue Lords is very pretty. They nailed the art design and character models, which I imagine will attract many people to this roguelike RPG. However, I am afraid that the attraction is surface level. With any roguelike game, you expect each run to feel different from the next and reset that excitement and engagement. Still, with Rogue Lords, once you’ve completed three books or so, it doesn’t feel like it has any more to offer. Getting through three books is an achievement, as the gameplay and battle system is tedious, hard and repetitive. With a bit more streamlining of some mechanics and improvements in pacing, you’ll have a more polished title that I’d be more comfortable recommending.

Dynablaster adds a modern sheen to the original Bomberman gameplay. Key-collecting mode is fun, and there’s some multiplayer value. But this release—originally intended for the Intellivision Amico—doesn’t otherwise do enough to justify its asking price on the Switch.

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.

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.

Legend of Ixtona is a by-the-numbers JRPG with turn-based battles fought on an isometric grid. The ability to hire customizable characters and invest in your village adds some unique elements, but not enough to fully overcome the generic gameplay, graphics, and story.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a decent fighting game marred by multiple bad campaign and transactional decisions. Like the real WWE, it’s best enjoyed when you focus on what’s happening in the ring and ignore everything that surrounds it.

If it interests you, South of the Circle is a game worth playing at least once. But while I can tell that some heart was put into it, it does feel like one of those artsy games trying to seem deep. Other than a few instances, South of the Circle made me feel empty, thinking of how it could have been meatier. It’s also priced a bit high for what essentially is a movie with little gameplay.

WitchSpring3 [Re:Fine] – The Story of Eirudy is a port of a made-for-mobile, turn-based JRPG that should’ve stayed on mobile devices. It’s not bad, but it’s better played in short bursts where the game’s lack of a solid hook and issues with repetition are more forgivable.

I give Badland props for its challenge, multiplayer, bold visual style, and content relative to its price. But it’s a game that wears its mid-2010s origins on its sleeves, warts and all. I feel it hasn’t held up as well as hoped and will have its work cut out for it to stand out on the congested Switch eShop. Want to play Badland in 2021? Do so on a mobile device instead. You’ll get touch screen support and more content that way.

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.

Like many of the adventure puzzle games after which it’s patterned, Lamplight City comes across as a bit lackluster in both story and presentation. Retro adventure gamers may enjoy working their way through it, but I wouldn’t bank on it.

While there are good ideas presented here, PHOGS! is too slow and unexciting for it to stand out from the crowd.

The gameplay mix intrigues, but it’s weighed down by overemphasis on all too familiar rogue-lite tropes. I want to love Void Terrarium, but fine ingredients don’t always make for a satisfying dish if they aren’t balanced well. This game is too heavy-handed on tedium, and progress coming from random chance rather than skill.

If it gets patched and put on sale, I’d say go for Fall of Porcupine, as it’s informative and memorable. But this charming, albeit short game with a lot of heart put into it deserves better than the bugs it has. I don’t think I can recommend it in its current state. The worse patient Fall of Porcupine needs to cure is itself!

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.

Gem Wizards Tactics has some fun tactical battles going on with cute-looking characters. While the design elements can make it harder to enjoy, if you’re in the mood for a simple version of Fire Emblem and can grab it on special, it could be worth a go.

Radio Squid has varying moments of charm with its monochrome look and fun chiptune soundtrack. But, sadly, it falls short due to a beat-based shooting mechanic that continually works against you and feels half-baked.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is an unfortunate step backward. It’s a fun, but very vanilla entry in the long-running series. The launch content doesn’t match the launch price, nor does it compare favorably with other arcade games available on the Switch eShop.

A sanitized retelling of the legend of Zorro with simple controls and an innocent sense of humor that largely achieves its goals as a companion game to the new cartoon.

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.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are fine enough remakes for reliving some memories and sharing them with the next generation. But beneath the glow of nostalgia, there’s a carelessness about their build that makes them fall short of expectations.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are fine enough remakes for reliving some memories and sharing them with the next generation. But beneath the glow of nostalgia, there’s a carelessness about their build that makes them fall short of expectations.

Black Widow Recharged has too high a price, too little going for it, and too many bugs (the last of which is at least somewhat appropriate, I guess).

Crypto by POWGI is a clean and simple game featuring 180 cryptograms comprised of well-known famous quotes. It does what it’s good at effectively, but there isn’t a lot to differentiate it from puzzles you can find for free online.

Rather than being a game for the whole family, My Universe – PET CLINIC CATS & DOGS is very much for younger kids. I can see them enjoying it for a couple of hours before the repetition cements itself. But this is a $29.99 game, and there’s no way to justify that price. The quality isn’t high enough for what ends up being an average game in most respects that kids will grow bored with.

If you haven’t played A Short Hike yet, you might get into Haven Park for a little bit. But it’s a game that seriously needs more original ideas and better implementation of ideas in general.

I’ve genuinely attempted to click with Berzerk: Recharged (and the Recharged series overall). But, after many weeks, it’s clear I never will. This game doesn’t deliver what it promises, which is a “revival of an arcade classic.”

Wizard of Bug is a goofy title for this Sokoban game with a twist. It loses some of its early goodwill through needless plot, an unbalanced difficulty curve, and many more oddities. Locking content behind beating the game was also a sizable mistake. You can check out the demo if you like. But this release demands constant focus, and don’t be surprised if it really struggles to keep yours.

Claybook is admittedly ambitious. It’s also quite a nice looking and unique game, with commendable user features. Yet it struggled to command my attention, lacking elements to maintain interest beyond a few minutes at a time. The community creations do help here to an extent, but the overall experience needs to be tightened, and perhaps reigned in a bit.

There would be a good story to be had if Tharsis was developed to involve more than just trying to survive a few rounds. The theme of surviving on a spaceship and figuring out how to keep everything—and everyone—together should make for a good game. Unfortunately, Tharsis fails on too many points to be really worth playing.

Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers starts off great, with a promising story and fun enemies. But the longer I played, the weaker it became. It’s a simple game (move from point A to point B in a linear fashion) and a short one by RPG standards, so kids might be entertained by it for a while. But the story ultimately resigns itself to cliches, and the backtracking and repetition combine to make this just an average game, at best.

I get that this is more like an interactive story than an actual game. But I’d like some more interaction and less story. The reality of Evans’s life is just a little too close to home for me, but this would be a good learning experience for someone trying to understand depression and other mental health issues.

Alex Kidd was more or less usurped by Sonic the Hedgehog as SEGA’s golden boy, and it’s not hard to see why. This platformer may have rendered some fun in 1986, but considering it’s a direct remake, it’s still a clunky platformer that has not aged well. If you’re an Alex Kidd fan, this is nothing short of a must-have, the QoL improvements make it a little more playable, and it’s one of the best-looking remakes on the Switch. If you need a satisfying platforming fix, it’s hard to recommend this classic title.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash boils the elements of the show down to a fighting game that’s likely to appeal only to fans of the show. Even to them, we have to suggest there are many fighting games out there to better occupy your time.

Thief of Thieves: Season One offers a good crime thriller with superb writing, but is bogged down by janky AI and a serious lack of polish in its gameplay sections. For those fans of the comic or those looking for just the story aspects you might have something worth looking at here, but stealth fans should look elsewhere.

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.

Shapeshooter is an interesting concept for an action shooter. However, it is too repetitive, often, and the difficulty is unbalanced. On the other hand, the controls and graphics are smooth and easy to look at.

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.

Fight’N Rage reminds you of a classic ‘90s arcade game, though the controls don’t hold up. Otherwise, with nostalgic graphics and music, it’d be a great game.

Arrest of a stone Buddha was way too repetitive for me. I didn’t get into the story, and the gameplay was overall frustrating. One thing I did enjoy was the retro graphics and the ambient soundtrack. If you want to checkout Arrest of a stone Buddha, I recommend waiting on a sale.

Although it tries to shake up the shooter forumal, Redout: Space Assault doesn’t fully succeed, with a lack of clear instructions and a control scheme that’s not intuitive. Although there’s plenty of action, it’s not as satisfying as it should be to shoot your way through space.

Nicole looks good as a visual novel and dating sim. As for its gameplay and overall story, it falls a bit flat.

Mayhem in Single Valley has the potential to be more than what it is. The premise is clever, but the execution didn’t work for me. However, the graphics and music are certainly up to par.

Inukari is a somewhat charming platformer marred by sloppy presentation and gameplay. The story is an interesting one, despite the errors, and the characters are neatly rendered in a retro way. Unfortunately, the whole thing seems unfinished or unpolished, which is a shame because it has potential.

Republique Anniversary Edition has an interesting story, fun sneaking gameplay, and quite a bit of the game to play. That said, is there anything exceptional about this Anniversary Edition? Not really. The change in perspective from its original release ruins the experience. It was far more tense, and ultimately enjoyable, when I was not in direct control of the main character. My actions felt far scarier because of their consequence on the main character. With the new perspective, I may be in control of the character, but I can’t see anything in front of me. In the end, if you were a huge fan of stealth games, then maybe Republique is for you. If you’re looking for the next great futuristic adventure, then you’re likely in for a disappointing time.

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.

Refunct feels like the promising start of something bigger and better. Despite some real potential, it ends up bringing little that excites or leave much of an impression, due to its scant half hour or so of gameplay. It’s priced right, but Refunct might be a game you only play once.

Lunar Lander Beyond is an extremely difficult arcade action game aimed squarely at those who prefer a steep (and I would argue unfair) challenge. OK. The problem is that, aside from some great design work, that challenge is pretty much all it offers.

Gunscape is an attempt to recreate the oft-loved world of ‘90s first-person shooters. Although it reminds me of the ‘90s, it doesn’t inspure to keep playing. In short, while there is some nostalgic value to be had here, this one is for diehard fans only.

Om Nom: Run doesn’t try to be anything more than it is and does a standard job at being an endless runner. Does it do enough to stand out among free endless runner apps that you can download in seconds on your smartphone or tablet? No, it doesn’t.

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.