Despite the strong story and its interesting characters, the gameplay is very clearly of a game out of time, and so feels out of place on the Switch. It’s difficult to recommend, especially to newcomers, but fans of the franchise may find good reasons to visit, even if for nostalgia alone.

Those who are familiar with or already participate in Zumba classes are going to love the familiarity of Zumba: Burn it Up and the distraction-free access to the routines. Those who aren’t, however, will have to get past an initial period of ineptitude while you figure out the moves. I’d personally rather do that at home than at an actual Zumba class, but with nothing here beyond the energetic exercises to keep you motivated, actual classes will serve you better if you’re in it for the long haul.

With the eShop seemingly overrun with roguelike titles, Black Future ‘88 doesn’t overuse the idea. It does a good job of giving options for exploration to the player.

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.

I can’t say Incredible Mandy is a bad game per se, but it is underwhelming and less than the sum of its parts. On sale, this might be an okay title for those who can embrace its mechanics and pacing. But I didn’t enjoy most of its puzzles, and puzzles are its main offering.

Rabi-Ribi is fun in a lot of ways, it just focuses on being too “cute” and it disconnects the player from any actual storyline. Unless you’re a fan of anime and bunny rabbits I’d probably wait for this one to go on sale.

Sadly lacking all the options seen in previous entries, Stay Cool Kobayashi-san! may entertain longtime Kunio-kun fans but others will find it bare bones and forgettable.

Little Briar Rose is a decent puzzle game with a strong point toward graphics. However, the gameplay felt more like trial and error and less like puzzles.

The mature content and somber approach of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition may put off some gamers, but it’s a can’t-miss game for those seeking an RPG with more bite and consequence (not to mention playable characters above the age of 15) than we normally get on Nintendo systems.

Ritual: Crown of Horns offers fast-paced action that fans of difficulty will adore. People looking for a casual experience or those who want a story and controls that make sense will probably be left looking for more.

Delta Squad not only suffers from lack of originality but also overall lackluster gameplay. The repetition in objectives and stage design made me feel like a zombie myself.

If you really like the open-world, GTA-style games and haven’t grown tired of really old graphics technology, there is some fun to be had with Shakedown: Hawaii. Otherwise, you might want to look for a more robust game to squeeze some more life out of your Nintendo 3DS.

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.

Is Just Dance 2020 “the ultimate dance game”? Probably not; while an improvement over last year, there are better entries in the series. But it still offers fun exercise and enjoyable family entertainment. Just be sure to be subscribed to Just Dance Unlimited as that’s what will keep you dancing beyond the first month. Happy anniversary, Just Dance.

Mars Power Industries offers a quick and easy puzzle title for those looking to scratch an itch. Although it doesn’t have a tough difficulty and is lacking in staying power, for the price it is one I can easily recommend for all puzzle aficionados.

In 2019, I thought I’d seen everything that top-down action-rpgs could dish out. Sparklite is nothing short of a happy surprise, offering new spins on a time-honored genre. From its beautiful graphics to its addictive gameplay, giving this fresh entry anything less than a perfect score would be criminal.

Overall, there are things I like about Just Ignore Them and things I don’t like. Once I knew how to play, it was much more enjoyable. I feel like a lot of players will give up after 20 or 30 minutes though. Should you pay attention to this game instead of walking away? At only $4.99, Just Ignore Them is a budget point-and-click game. The effects are creepy and it does use the touch screen, which is a nice bonus. Much like a B-grade horror movie, it might scratch an itch for genre enthusiasts. Those looking for something a little more polished should definitely just ignore this one.

I give kudos to Ryan. He’s a cute kid, a millionaire before he’s reached double digits, and I wish him the best. But while this title might work as fan service, as a game it’s just poor. With only six tracks and numerous other problems, why spend $39.99 when Team Sonic Racing is the same price (or less) on Nintendo Switch? Kids deserve higher-quality than what’s presented here.

HAUNTED: Halloween ‘86 is a follow-up to a technically revolutionary concept made real, and unlike many daunting modern titles, it actually pays off in what it’s trying to accomplish. Considering that it’s made within the technical confines of the NES while retaining modern gaming sensibilities, it’s hard not to recommend this charming beat ’em up. I can even overlook the dismal concept of candy corn restoring health.

The RPG element has been overblown, but it provides just enough incentive for you to get up and move. More importantly, it’s engaging enough to keep you on top of it well after you’d’ve lost interest in other exercise apps. The Ring-Con itself is a quality accessory that’s easy to use, and the whole package provides mostly accurate readings and feedback.

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.

It will keep you busy for hours trying to craft better gear and foraging throughout the map for that much-needed material. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is a cutesy, time-consuming monster for the Switch, and it’s worth getting.

If Community Inc, sounds like work, it’s because it is. It felt like I was going from real-life work back to virtual work. I was initially very excited to be reviewing and playing Community Inc. Unfortunately, it falls victim to micromanagement with only a few feelings of surprise and accomplishment thrown in.

Sea Salt isn’t an especially complicated game, but at less than $15 it has plenty to make it worth the low price.

Deep Space Rush is a rough example of something lots of other titles do much better. Monotonous runs and a gameplay loop seriously lacking in fun-factor make the dearth of depth and variety even more apparent.

With tight controls and a good amount of entertaining content for completionists, New Super Lucky’s Tale justifies its $39.99 launch price for genre enthusiasts. But uneven level design holds this adventure back from true greatness. Check out the demo to get a feel for it.

If you’re an avid fan of the Monkey Ball series you may find some entertainment here. Otherwise, I’d say you should pass, or wait until it’s on sale as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is not the grand return of the series it could have been.

Whether you like heavy metal or not, Valfaris presents a package that’s worth your attention. From start to finish Valfaris doesn’t stop to take a breath, and the game’s quick load times keep you coming back for more after every death.

Digimon Cyber Sleuth comprises of two nearly perfect Digimon game experiences, but unfortunately, they’re smack dab in the middle of an experiment in the franchise that feels much more like a chore than a game. When you’re finding, raising, and battling Digimon, you’ll be in heaven. But the insane amount of unskip-able dialogue and shallow “mystery-solving” gameplay is enough to turn off even the most dedicated fan.

Ice Age Scrat’s Nutty Adventure has definite room for improvement and polish, but I still suspect it’ll find an audience. It has just enough challenge for kids, while older players might not mind an easier adventure if they’re franchise fans or just looking for a competent 3D platformer. Definitely wait for a sale though, as the amount and quality of the content here doesn’t match its launch price.

If you like a puzzle game where patterns and timing are critical, then you will like Cyber Protocol. With 100 levels to keep you busy for many hours, it’s a pretty good value for the money (especially at the sale price of $2.99 at the time this was published). If puzzle games with picky timing and perfect patterns frustrate you, however, then you may want to keep looking. You’ve almost reached your decision gate and I can’t spare you any more time. End of line.

Despite the small target-audience and poor camera controls in docked mode, Construction Simulator 2 exceeded my expectations. The game offers high replay incentive, no performance issues, and a lot of depth, especially for the price. It is also a newbie-friendly game if you aren’t too experienced in simulation titles. Even if construction isn’t your forte, it’s hard not to recommend picking this title up if you like the genre.

Reventure is a creative take on the adventure-platforming genre. It pokes fun at classic Zelda-isms while providing an enjoyable way to forge your own path by finding all 100 endings to the game. This humorous game makes excellent use of its retro graphics and audio to create something truly unique and downright enjoyable. Check it out!

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.

Spirit Roots offers exceptionally well made platforming and art design that is consistently impressive, but a rough checkpoint and health system is a bump in the road worth noting.

Creepy Brawlers is a decent retro-inspired boxing game. It is a good mix of horror and boxing making it a fun alternative to the more common horror shoot-to-kill survival game.

Pinball enthusiasts will, presumably, find Safari Pinball acceptable for the cheap price. That’s not much of a ringing endorsement, though. The glitches annoy, and I still maintain that these budget tables would work much better as part of a bundle.

Billy Bomber is a poor port of an already mediocre game. Skip it.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince may be the best of the Trine series, and it certainly deserves your consideration. If it’s been a while since you’ve played Trine 1 or 2, by all means, dig in. But if you’re just now getting into the series via any of the multiple packages available, you may start to feel burnt out before finishing this particular chapter.

Day and Night is a unique twist on a classic puzzle game with charming graphics and sound effects. If you enjoy puzzles, this is worth checking out.

Overwatch is an awesome looking game and a pretty good addition to the Nintendo Switch’s library and with more than enough content to keep any player busy for a long time. While versions on other platforms feel more precise, this Legendary Edition is worth the $39.99 cost if you’re a fan of the genre looking to play both at home or on the go.

An amazing experience from beginning to end, though there isn’t enough content to justify the $19.99 launch price. Wait for a sale, then definitely pick it up, and you won’t be sorry.

I can tell a lot of passion went into this game. There are just so many details, and the character’s personalities are really reflected in body language and vocals. I would highly recommend you check out Tange Tower. It’s amazing!

Freedom Finger is at best hit-and-miss. For every positive, there’s also an obvious flaw, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a good game. It’s certainly not for everyone, primarily because of the offensive tone of the game, yet the moments that really do land and the cracking soundtrack make it worth playing.

Story of Seasons and perhaps even most Doraemon fans will feel at home in the latest entry of the celebrated series. While the manga cat’s inclusion doesn’t exactly breathe new life into the franchise, it certainly doesn’t ruin it. And while it’s on the pricier end of the series’ spectrum, it’s perhaps also the best-looking entry to date. If you’re looking for a cozy farm simulator and are all Stardew Valley-ed out, Doraemon Story of Seasons will surely satisfy.

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.

Family Tree is entertaining enough in its own way, but it’s not really a “pinball platformer”. Though not much to look at, this physics-based action game still has its moments here and there. It controls well, and high score chasers might be entertained, but this just isn’t the sort of console game that will hold your attention for very long.

Aldred Knight of Honor is a budget title, but it does a great job of feeling like more. Having played it on my phone I can say it is much more enjoyable on Nintendo’s console and feels like an entirely different game. Players looking for a decent action game should certainly take the time to check it out.

Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is an admirable package. While some game editions are missing (and Lion King fails to hold up) this bundle shows the kind of care I long to see in all re-releases. It’s worth it for Aladdin alone, while the extras should tempt those on the fence.

Police Stories is a top-down shooter featuring stealthy missions as you work through a case in the late ’90s. There’s a fun and addictive game here, if you can get past the difficulty level.

Although Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered does include a handful or two of ideas and ghosts from the first two movies, it does a great job of explaining things enough that someone unfamiliar with the franchise can pick it up and play.

Some minor visual elements don’t translate to the Switch as smoothly as they could, but Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions sucks you into all the most captivating fantasy adventures.

Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions, despite the age, still feel like more modern games. Aside from the massive amount of content, that alone makes this purchase worth it. The unique gameplay keeps these games interesting. The story and quest are enjoyable and worth a play. At the price of $49.99 it certainly worth considering since it has over two-hundred hours of gameplay available.

One Night Stand is a game with a message, that gets it across concisely without compromising on how much you’ll enjoy following the story.

Super Box Land Demake isn’t a terrible game, it’s just simple and not as fleshed out as its predecessor. It’s still charming, but not worth the same price as the last game at $4.99. If it goes on sale I would recommend picking it up since it is still a solid game, if a bit shallow.

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.

It’s a solid beat-em-up with solid gameplay that brings back some of the fun of the arcade classics like Double Dragon and Final Fight. But once you beat it, unless you absolutely have to have the best leaderboard score, you’ll hardly touch it again. If you love old school games as I do, this game isn’t a complete waste of cash for the price. The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors isn’t a bad game, just not a great one.

If you haven’t made room in your crowded wish list for DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age, do so now. You don’t need to take my word that it’s one of most enjoyable Switch releases of the year, you can hit up the eShop for the demo and let the game’s first 10 hours speak for themselves.

GRID Autosport is almost in a class of its own on the Nintendo Switch. The game is one of the best looking Switch games and is the best racing simulator experience available on the console. While games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Crash Team Racing lead the system’s kart racing options–GRID Autosport has shot to the top of the list if you want to race in real-world environments. The level of care that Feral has put into the Switch version is apparent with even more options to come. If you’re in the market for a racing sim to take on-the-go, you can’t do any better than GRID Autosport.

While light on gameplay, Scheming Through the Zombie Apocalypse: the Beginning makes up for it with charm that comes from the main protagonists. Mix that in with a colorful cast of side characters and colorful art style, and you have an interesting twist on the zombie apocalypse.

Megaquarium is a solid simulation game with plenty of content. Its simple gameplay can get hectic quickly. If you’re a fan of tycoon games, this is one to try.

So, yeah. Fatal Fracture is a bad game. It functions, but it has no reason to be. The process of buying it is actually more engaging than the game itself, and I think I’ll just close this review with that.

Despite admirable claims to be “designed with the busy gamer in mind” the unfortunate irony is that Little Town Hero’s battles are so tediously time-consuming. Combined with their especially repetitive nature, and tendency to rely on “luck”, this RPG is a snooze fest. I mean that literally – I almost dozed off I was so bored.

The graphics, the driving mechanics, the tracks, the vehicles, and the play time in Asphalt 9: Legends are all very good. The game is fun to play and challenging enough to keep the player engaged. However, the micro-transactions and some frame-rate issues do interfere with the overall experience.

Distraint: Deluxe Edition is short and sweet. Unlike the story, which is gruesome and a bit psychotic. I liked the whole experience, but I would have loved a longer playthrough and some different outcomes for the ending.

Although it seems clearly inspired by The Legend of Zelda series, A Knight’s Quest forms its own footprint. Despite a few minor setbacks, A Knight’s Quest does a great job delivering a fun, light-hearted adventure. Its funny storytelling sets it apart and makes a welcome addition to the Switch library. Genre fans should certainly check this one out.

When compared with the plentiful amount of action-RPGs already on the Nintendo Switch Torchlight II can seem like a bit of an afterthought. But while its story has a poor endgame, it offers a cute aesthetic with plenty of charm. Panic Button has done a great job once again with porting, and those new to the genre will find plenty to entertain at a fair price.

Northgard is a fantastic, well put together title. I found it to be challenging enough to keep me at it, but not over the top and unbalanced. Vikings conquering, smashing, and crushing enemies is a lot of fun! Get this game if you’re an RTS fan, it’s a must-have.

While a great game at heart, The Eyes of Ara has too many third-act issues for me to give a broad recommendation. Nonetheless, this is still a good release, skillfully crafted with attention to detail. For genre enthusiasts, I might even say The Eyes of Ara is a great release. Just be prepared for a daunting challenge as you near the end, likely with a walkthrough on hand.

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.

Even if puzzle games aren’t really your thing, the standard of writing and quality of Felix’s dancing are too good to pass up. If puzzle games are for you, then look no further than Felix the Reaper.

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.

Tic-Tac-Letters by POWGI is a relaxing, unique puzzle game that’s good for all puzzle-solvers.

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is a bit of a grind at the beginning, but if you can endure the first part then the game will open up into Jedi Force battles and light saber combat which will make all the Star Wars fans happy. For the cost of the game (currently only $9.99), it’s worth putting in your rotation.

Mable and the Wood is a beautifully made gave that imbues a classic premise with new layers of depth.

Niffelheim had plenty of good things going for it, without room for mistakes it kind of killed the flow of the game. With plenty of other good crafting action-adventure RPG games on the Switch, Niffelheim just failed to hold my attention.

Killer Queen Black is a fun and faithful recreation of the original arcade title. While the aspect of simulating ideal 4v4 local multiplayer matches has its technical issues, the transition from the arcade to home consoles surely doesn’t lose any of its competitive addictiveness.

Dragon Quest II is a classic RPG and one of the first in this long-running series. It’s fun, despite its simplicity and some grinding, however it suffers from some choppy graphics due to being a port of a port.

While Double Switch – 25th Anniversary Edition offers several improvements, the core game was never that good to start with. Locking bonus content is a mistake and, unlike its predecessor, there’s no real history to fall back on. Clearly one for existing fans only, who probably sprung for the physical release before it sold out.

I give Dragon Quest a point as a piece of video game history, a point for the music, another for its DNA in Fortune Street, and one more because I’m feeling charitable. But beyond that, I just think this is a subpar port of a dated game, especially with no nostalgic value attached to it. It’s definitely not for me. With the graphical issues, I’m not even sure it’s for fans either.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation is a classic RPG adventure that inspires a whole new appreciation for the early days of video games.

Button Button Up! is a stellar looking platformer but offers little for seasoned platforming fans. However, younger audiences will be at home with the colorful presentation and whimsical albeit basic platforming. It’s nowhere near the best platformer on the Switch, but you could certainly do worse.

The Alliance Alive is a slightly above-average game that’s dwarfed by the myriad JRPGs already available for and coming to the Switch. It can serve as a decent filler between them, but there’s nothing in this HD remaster to make it a better option than its original 3DS release. Save yourself some cash and go that route if you can…just be sure to rotate those save files.

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.

Car Mechanic Simulator Pocket Edition is tedious with little accomplishments and no end goal.

By all means, download Angry Bunnies: Colossal Carrot Crusade for free. But after an hour or so, give or take, you’ll likely have had your fill. Even at its best, this was a subpar clone, and now (with paid DLC and microtransactions) it’s well past its shelf life.

Playing Battle Supremacy: Ground Assault was an enjoyable experience. I enjoyed playing through the campaign even if the story was something I felt like I had heard before.

Challenging and unique, Deathstate blends an RPG narrative with a roguelike style and mashes it up with some classic Cthulhian horror.

With a serious lack of unique content and not much gameplay variety, Petoons Party feels like a primitive offering. It’s too limited, in real need of further attention to detail and polish. It might be family-friendly but it’s not wallet-friendly at $19.99, a price that’s very disproportionate to both the amount and the quality of its offerings.

If you want to be able to play a fully-licensed snooker game, anywhere and at any time on your Nintendo Switch then this would be a suitable option, albeit a boring one. If you aren’t in need of portable snooker-gameplay, then you are probably better off going to your local bowling alley and/or sports bar.

Galaxy Champions TV is a smooth shooting arcade game with satisfying gameplay and that itch to play more.

The Tiny Bang Story is a fun, gentle, whimsical title for anyone who enjoys a good puzzle or brain teaser. It’s accessible to younger gamers without talking down to them, making it fun for adults, too. The game can be finished quicker than you may like, but it’s priced accordingly and doesn’t waste a single moment on anything other than the joy provided by its gameplay and presentation.

Jet Kave Adventure is a fun action/platformer that anyone can enjoy. It’s a little on the short side (for the price) and could use some extra features to keep the player interested, but it looks great and is easy to play.

Instead of “just one more chapter” 80 DAYS will have you saying “just one more playthrough”. It might also have you wanting to revisit Jules Verne’s novel. It comes recommended to booklovers and those desiring to a digital taste of the valet lifestyle.

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.

Island Maze is a short and sweet puzzle game with a calming atmosphere, easy controls, and puzzles that are just hard enough to keep you saying, “One more try.”

Despite its modest handheld origins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a true console experience. With updated aesthetics and superior controls (especially for inventory), it’s shaping up to carry on the Game Boy legacy and be both a critical and commercial hit. An innovative, generally light-hearted installment that’s full of surprises, Zelda enthusiasts won’t want to overlook this game. Link’s Awakening is also an ideal entry for those who aren’t Zelda fans.

Smoots answers the question, what would it be like to combine the look of Wii Sports with the action of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games – in a budget format? It’s fun and easy to play, though it won’t have much staying power. Give it a go if you’re looking for a party game alternative while you’re waiting for the next Mario and Sonic title.