Luck be a Landlord makes slot machines, well, fun. It takes a pinch of strategy crossed with a bit of luck as you work your way through run after run to defeat your greedy landlord. There’s a huge number of cute icons to discover, excellent music, and a simple retro aesthetic, It all adds to an addictive game without the gambling side effects.

Freddy Farmer provides a couple unique twists to classic arcade platformer action. They may not be enough to hold the attention of today’s gamer, but NES-era fans looking for something new will find a lot to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a relaxing game and don’t mind Critter cafés simple approach, then you will get some mild enjoyment out of this sim/management experience. However, if you’re after something with deeper gameplay or a more engaging story, you might find yourself wanting more.

For players looking for a game that offers something different, Bloodless delivers a good mix of challenge, aesthetic, and storytelling. It’s a nice little reminder that you don’t have to resort to violence to beat the bad guys.

X-Out: Resurfaced is a quality remake of a shoot ’em up originally released for the Commodore 64. The original’s underwater setting and submarine customization options are now supported by improved graphics, UI fixes, and a co-op mode that should help it appeal to more than just those seeking their retro fix.

There’s a lot of diversity throughout the arcade fighter Big Helmet Heroes, and it’s really easy to pick up and get better at. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, if you like side-scrolling beat-’em-ups, I would definitely recommend it for single and two-player co-op fun.

Dreamless does what it should to get the player from the beginning to the end, but it very nearly actually put me to sleep playing it. If you really want a horror game, keep looking.

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.

Ravenswatch combines cool characters and satisfying combat with challenging boss fights to provide a unique roguelite outing. The dark tone and twist on classic characters adds value and replayability; if only it had local co-op!

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II does a good job of optimizing combat and dungeon exploration, and the new features and tweaks likely will appeal to series fans. Its slow story and propensity to disrupt its own momentum, however, make this a slight downgrade from the previous game, and a middling entry in the series.

As far as retro puzzle/platformers go, Moons of Darsalon is one of the most unique and entertaining I’ve played in quite some time. It’s engaging, it’s funny, and it’s frustrating in (usually) the most entertaining of ways. The gameplay, graphics, and audio combine to remind us that sci-fi is still allowed to be campy fun. Gil Gerard would be proud.

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.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is likely to overwhelm even the most experienced of SRPG aficionados at the start, but that’s by design. Its depth and uniqueness will delight those choosing to stick with it, while others can just lower the difficulty to push through this colorful and charming adventure.

Dragon Takers feels haphazardly slapped together, and the longer I played it, the more boring its stale gameplay became. I don’t know much about the developer (Vanguard), but if KEMCO is going to keep working with them, I hope they can steer them in smarter directions.

Cuisineer combines restaurant management and dungeon crawling to create a simple but absorbing game. It is cute and relaxing in a way that makes it easy to unwind while still working towards goals that are satisfying to achieve.

Nintendo continues its long tradition of enhancing past games with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. While the third time isn’t quite the charm it could have been—more of the same Retro Studios title that millions have already experienced on past Nintendo systems—the game is still plenty enjoyable, and even more in co-op. The Cranky Kong in me wants a long overdue brand-new entry in the series. But if you’ve missed this game through the years, this oldie is still a goodie, and make sure you don’t miss it a third time. Even though these bananas are looking a little brown at full launch price, grab the game at a discount, and you’ll have a “barrel-blasting adventure!”

With a mixed trio of tables, Williams Pinball Volume 8 offers an uneven package. Black Knight 2000 is peak ’80s fun, but for $14.99, you’re hoping for every table to be of comparable entertainment. Earthshaker’s big claim to fame is HD Rumble, while Banzai Run is a “growing pains” table—empty and struggling to run on Switch. Wishlist this pack for a future sale, or stick with Pinball FX3.

Even if you’re not a fan of the show, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is still a good game as far as multiplayer arcade fighters go. If you ARE a fan of the show, you’ll really want to add this to your library.

As far as remasters of remakes go, Ys Memoir: The Oath in Felghana is as good as they get. This PSP-era action RPG throwback is right at home on the Nintendo Switch. Its short time to completion helps prevent repetition and occasional aimlessness from being a real problem, making it an adventure worth taking.

Universe for Sale is a visual novel that will challenge genre and sci-fi fans thematically and structurally. While the graphics are certainly the highlight, the game’s story and characters are unique enough to hold your attention when the puzzles and pacing slow things down.

Potionomics: Masterwork Edition is a charming and absorbing game that blends the day to day management of a growing business with a cute fantasy world populated by a community of wholesome and interesting characters.

EcoGnomix is a solid strategy game where you’ll need to be on your toes through every run of the game. Patience is key with this one.

If these Taito milestone compilations are to continue, a slightly lower price combined with a couple more exclusives could be the winning combination. Some extra historical content (seen in comparable collections) could add welcomed value, too. But I’ll say this for emphasis, if you already own the A-material in this third installment as individual Arcade Archive releases, you might not be the ideal audience.

With its narrative, cooking, crafting, and (of course) fishing, there is plenty more to do in Reel Fishing: Days of Summer than just cast your line and hope for a bite. The game provides easy to access reminders and pointers, some nice scenery to enjoy, and a relatable story, making for a fun and accessible fishing sim adventure.

Stray is a post-apocalyptic story told from a feline’s perspective. It couples creepiness with tenderness, featuring many interesting characters and puzzles as you unravel the mystery of this dying world. The visuals and audio are delightful, and the story is satisfying to see through to completion. Well done!

If you’re looking for a solid party game, Servonauts should be in the running. The fun may be short-lived here, but it’s not a bad option if you want something quick to pick up and play.

FAIRY TAIL 2 is JRPG-lite. The story and combat mechanics are both easy to take in and work through, but it will leave genre fans a bit hungry—especially if you’re used to meatier adventures or have little knowledge of the Fairy Tail universe.

As far as hidden object games go, Hidden in My Paradise does a great job of remaining challenging and fun. It’s a game anyone can enjoy. And considering its inexpensive price, it actually offers a lot more than what first meets the eye.

Super Spy Raccoon offers a clever, stealth-based twist to classic arcade gameplay. Anyone who’s ever dropped a quarter into a video game cabinet will feel right at home…once you get past the difficulty and settle into the game’s puzzle-based approach to screen cleaning.

You can see the attention to detail and love put into Loco Motive. It’s a high-quality game that respects its point-and-click predecessors while carving out its own identity as a graphic adventure. Juggling three characters does lead to occasional pacing hiccups, a few less satisfying puzzles, and a couple of other minor issues. Still, this talkie adventure is great fun with a rewarding payoff.

Journey to Kreisia is a breezy JRPG that clearly shows its 10-year-old mobile origins. It brings nothing new to the genre, but it’s confident in what it’s trying to be and checks the right boxes with a wink and a nudge.

It takes a bit to get into the puzzle-solving flow of Dungeons of Dreadlock 2: The Dead King’s Secret, but it offers an approachable level-based challenge once you do. Fans of the original should appreciate this second adventure, while newcomers will find themselves similarly hooked.

With its attention focused on surveys, and since the game variations aren’t very versatile, The Jackbox Survey Scramble can come off as repetitive. However, it retains the franchise’s goofy humor. Not only does the game offer its own jokes, it also leaves a lot of room for you and your friends to add your own humor on top of it. It’s a great game for parties or even just chill nights.

Badminton Time is a multiplayer party game that’s bland at best. There’s plenty of content to keep you busy, but it’s repetitive. The controls are confusing to boot, so you won’t spend much time on this one.

Aura of Worlds is a game you’ll put many hours into once you get past the beginning hump of mastering the controls and bulking up your character. This is a game you’ll find yourself going back to now and again.

Goblin Slayer -Another Adventurer- Nightmare Feast will not be enough to win people over to SRPGs or to the game’s source material. But if you’re already a fan of either (or both), it does more than enough to keep you entertained throughout.

The turn-based RPG The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle is in equal parts clever and frustrating. The unique approach to combat, team building, and customization is fun and perfectly set up for multiple playthroughs. Story progression is often aimless, however, and the gameplay idiosyncracies could be better explained.

How Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 compares to previous entries in the series, I can’t say. But if—like me—you’re new to the EDF brand of crazy, co-op action gameplay, this is a wonderfully fun and entertaining place to start.

On the one hand, you could reasonably argue this compilation feels closer to a starter pack. Many favorite, more defined versions of Tetris are absent. Some odd choices aside, there’s a good amount of content for fans to enjoy, even those who doubtless already own multiple versions of Tetris. The greatness of Hatris, the excitement of the all-new Tetris Time warp, and the nostalgic ’80s and ’90s stories of a gaming icon make it a must. This Digital Eclipse release satisfies your Tetris craving and makes for a great package “from Russia with love.”

Miniatures is an extremely short collection of four… I hesitate to say games. Emotions? Memories? It relies more on mystery and melancholy to connect with the player. It can therefore be very intriguing, but at the risk of leaving some to wonder what was the point.

Go Mecha Ball is a challenging game that will keep you wanting to try again. However, if you lose, you start back at square one, which can be frustrating.

Pinball M – Camp Bloodbrook is a fun, well-designed addition to Zen Studios’ growing catalog of original pinball tables. The game makes proper use of Pinball M’s visuals and effects, and it challenges the player without ever feeling like it’s going for a cheap “kill.”

It’s the compelling interplay of thrilling story, memorable characters, enjoyable puzzles, and stunning presentation that ensures Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged will become a top choice for a new generation of players. Let’s hope the sequel (and the rest of the series) finds a home on Nintendo hardware. It’s 2024, and my game of the year is a graphic adventure first released in 1996. Go figure.

Will the Switch catch the GameCube for the number of Mario Party entries on a single system? Probably not. But if Jamboree is the last on the hybrid, it’s a great game to go out on. It’s a celebration of boards, and “Pro Rules” go a long way in making previous series’ complaints no longer valid. While there are a few minor issues, let’s face it: this game will sell millions, and deservedly so. Imposter Bowser and his boss minions don’t stand a chance, whether you’re a party of one, a group of local friends, or an online crew. Collecting stars hasn’t been this much fun in years.

The Smurfs – Dreams is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of people who think they’re just playing it to keep their kids happy. Although never too challenging, its colorful visuals, clever gimmicks, and solid 3D platforming gameplay help it escape the franchise tie-in doldrums.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the first brand-new top-down adventure in almost a decade. Fans might be used to long pauses between outings, but Echoes was worth the wait. It not only introduces Zelda’s first canonical solo adventure, but merges familiar and new to create an incredibly creative and beautiful experience. Despite some graphical load issues, let’s just say Zelda’s first adventure presents a strong contender for 2024’s Switch game of the year.

As an arcade rail shooter, Rogue Flight hits all of its marks. It doesn’t aim for anything outside of the norm, but that allows it to focus entirely on its frenetic gameplay and anime setup/presentation. Players of all skill levels will be able to hop in and enjoy.

I credit Falcom for continually tweaking the action JRPG elements of the Ys series, this time introducing naval battles and restricting melee combat to just two characters. Not everything works in Ys X: Nordics, but the open exploration and streamlined combat compensate for the elements that frustrate.

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.

Clock Tower: Rewind provides an effectively creepy tale, especially if you’re a fan of 16-bit adventure gaming, throwback puzzle solving, or…David Argento? This “rewind,” however, would need to be more of a “remake” to appeal to most modern gamers.

Just Dance 2025 doesn’t offer much more than its pervious versions, but it’s still just as fun. Featuring around 40 songs, it creates an inclusive environment for all types of people regardless of skill or mobility. Whether you’re playing for fun or as a workout, Just Dance 2025 is as engaging as ever.

The Meating featuers a quirky story, though the platforming is less than perfect. I apprecite the NES-isms, but perhaps the Switch version could benefit from a few enhancements to separate it from the NES take on things.

Camp Sunshine is a short but fun take on ’80s slasher movies. The 16-bit graphics fit the era, and the balance of puzzles, fetch quests, and survival horror will keep players entertained over the course of this bloody night in the woods.

Hatch Tales: A Heroic Hookshot Adventure had a rough road to release, and the final product reflects that in some respects with a few odd choices. Still, it’s a very good platformer, much more often than not, challenging and content-rich. Releasing late in the life of the Switch exposes it to some of the same risks the original game faced later in the life of 3DS. I hope Hatch Tales secures success and recommend it for a fun time.

Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open plays much more like a visual novel than an action/adventure game as claimed in the Nintendo eShop, but it provides enough minigames, light puzzle solving, and general creepiness to appeal to younger gamers haunted by the prospect of growing up.

Nekograms is an adorable puzzle game about helping cats take a nap. This cute premise is coupled with a stgrong puzzle element, bringing over 100 levels to conquer. This relaxing and well-designed puzzle outing is sure to please genre fans.

But even with a couple of missteps, I’m still scoring Crow Country highly. The story engrosses, and the puzzles challenge without being too ridiculous. The game is long enough to be rewarding but not so long as to make replay intimidating. And the retro horror may even make you jump a couple of times, in teen-rated fashion. The Snipperclips devs have done considerably good work here, and anyone who predicted otherwise can eat crow.

Drova is an old-school action RPG with modern sensibilities. Unlike the games from which it draws inspiration, its focus on community makes the player feel they’re part of something bigger than the patronage of the local tavern. Better, it provides a real sense of accomplishment as your character slowly learns how to survive this grim but engaging world.

The Plucky Squire is a breath of fresh air. It takes a storybook setting and tips everything on its head, with lush environments, fun puzzles, and humorous dialogue. Apart from a few technical glitches, this is a game that captures the imagination and is worth checking out.

Venture through dark forests and other scary settings, encounter strange creatures along the way, and save a girl who is in trouble so you can return home to your family. Creepy Tale: Some Other Place combines horror, puzzles, and a good story for a fun play-through this Halloween.

Neva is a stunningly beautiful game, with jaw-dropping artwork, a heartbreaking yet hopeful narrative, and incredibly creepy enemies that are very satisfying to destroy.

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.

The violent mix of combat and platforming provided by Gori: Cuddly Carnage won’t be for everyone, but it will be for more people than you’d expect. The gameplay is surprisingly engaging if you’re willing to take on the unsettling visuals.

Keylocker is a great turn-based, rhythm JRPG, but there are a few problems that should be addressed. If Moonana would fix the crashing, the broken quests, and the soft locks in fights, I think the game would be just about perfect. Unfortunately, it’s not there yet.

As someone who grew up with NES platformers, Gimmick 2! feels like having a favorite dish at a new restaurant where they’ve tweaked the recipe by adding one or two new ingredients. I know I’ve had better, but it’s still tasty. While this challenging game doesn’t earn the broad recommendation I hoped for, it’s worth a long look for skilled platformer enthusiasts.

Bloomtown: A Different Story follows a number of familiar beats to fans of turn-based combat, monster taming, and wholesome community RPGs. It cleverly weaves the contrasting elements together into a game that feels rich and original, with a storyline that doesn’t shy away from the dark or solemn.

I initially thought Billy Bumbum: A Cheeky Puzzler looked a bit silly, definitely juvenile, and a bit questionable as a game. After playing, it is a bit silly and definitely juvenile, but (there’s always a “but”, right?) it’s rather a good puzzle game with enough whimsy to keep it from overwhelming the less puzzle proficient.

Hot Lap Racing is a decent racer in a genre that’s underrepresented on the Switch. It has its issues, but if you can make it through those, it provides enjoyment to burn rubber on the go.

Monopoly brings the classic board game to life on the Nintendo Switch. The game remains intact, with easy-to-use controls, optional rules, and modes for faster games. If you’re a fan looking for an interactive electronic version of the game, this could be the one for you.

Mists of Noyah is an ambitious game with many cool features. However, these features unfortunately aren’t polished, making for a frustrating gameplay experience.

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Chaos expands on Pablo’s adventures with interdimensional travel, a new canine companion, exhilarating boss fights, collectibles, and super-satisfying platforming. This is a worthy successor and a must-play for genre fans.

Fragrant Story and Papaya’s Path is a surprisingly deep tactics game that has kept us hooked. Offering a good bang for the buck in an aesthetically impressive package, it’s earned its recommendation.

Crossy Road Castle is a chaotic, fun, and challenging platformer. With online play, countless collectibles, and varied levels, this is an easy title to recommend for anyone looking for multiplayer madness.

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.

Loddlenauts is one of those satisfying games that balances a clear and important message with fun gameplay and a population of adorable creatures that it is all too easy to become deeply attached to.

Tomba! Special Edition is a fantastic and unique game. Even though I had hoped for a full remaster, the original is still fun just the way it is. The added content and features—like saving anywhere and rewinding—are great, and despite some dated mechanics, the colorful world and quirky side quests make it a rewarding, fun experience that is definitely worth playing. While the 34 year old me scores Tomba at an 8.5, purely due to outdated mechanics, the 7 year old me gives it a 10/10 ;)

Cash Cow DX certainly looks and sounds like it would’ve fit right in with your favorite ’80s arcade games, but you’d have either needed crazy skills or a bag full of quarters to play it for long. The game’s immediate difficulty will turn away a good portion of its target audience.

Cat’s Request is a fine example of a modern day point-and-click adventure with some pretty good design. But it’s lack of engaging story and limited animation failed to truly hook me. It’s a fun place to visit, but It’s not really interesting to play there.

Though I’ve always enjoyed Epic Mickey, I’m thrilled to have revisited the game, as it has held up remarkably well. This remake makes it better than ever. If you’re looking for that “Disney Magic,” so to speak, you’d be hard-pressed to find much better than this. Full of surprises, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a delight.

The best part about the remastered Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is that western gamers finally get to play through the second Miles Edgeworth game, which was previously released only in Japan. The second best part is everything else.

Offering more of what gamers saw in the last entry, Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery rounds out a worthy trio, even if it curiously shares numbering with its predecessor. A sizable bug, presently rendering the game impossible to 100%, can’t be ignored. But, with a slightly better optimization overall, plus an improved theme, this is still a good entry to grab when it’s discounted or patched.

WitchSpring R is a cute, wholesome RPG driven by a rich, revolutionary plot, packed with challenging combat and a fun fantasy world filled with secrets to uncover.

Overall, CRYPT CUSTODIAN is a solid platformer with easy to learn mechanics, a fun world to explore, and plenty of things to do.

The Princess Bride Pinball isn’t Zen’s best work with movie licenses, but there’s still some good fun to have here. I appreciate the genuine voices, plus licensing that didn’t jack the price, a la India Jones at $14.99. I can think of no better game to play after eating a nice mutton lettuce and tomato sandwich. Give this DLC a buy.

I can’t say I didn’t have some fun with this one. The music is alright, and I like the mini (emphasis on “mini”) playfield in the top right corner. But overall, Goat Simulator Pinball didn’t make me want to check out the main games, and I imagine this is a DLC table I’ll only return to sporadically. Unless you’re an enthusiast for the source material, save $5.49 and wait for this one to go on sale.

Yars Rising is a terrific platformer. It features satisfying puzzles, shooting elements, a fast-paced and humorus story, along with a clever integration of a classic Atari game. Apart from some annoying loading screens, this is absolutely a game worth checking out.

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.

SteamWorld Heist II has so many outstanding core elements that, even chasing new horizons at the expense of some balance, it’s still a recommended sequel. While quirks might make it run out of steam at points, don’t be surprised when it keeps you coming back for more. With a presentation polished as a pearl and some fun twists, this lengthy sequel should find a place in the Switch collections of those up for the challenge.

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection is more about peculiarity than playability. If you’re into NES-era oddities, all three games will deliver despite their difficulty. Priced to move, it’s a fun collection to experience. Just don’t expect that experience to last.

It’s a shame because, despite its flaws, I initially had fun with Cilla. The concept has potential, and the presentation (pixel art backgrounds and music) is pleasing. But the narrative focus demands good writing, and this game lacks it. The same goes for clever enemies, fun weapon variety, and two-player support. Coupled with frequent glitches, this is one alien invasion few will feel compelled to stop.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is an exceptionally difficult arcade-action game that’s best enjoyed when shared with a friend. This release’s gameplay and visual tweaks modernize the experience a bit, but it’s still likely to appeal solely to those accustomed to the challenges of early ’90s NES action games.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a classic title that, while imperfect, offers a fun, action-packed outing. The story is the game’s selling point, recounting the untold tale of Jango Fett’s entanglement with the galaxy’s darker side. A true remaster that added features like save points and a map would have been appreciated, but this slightly improved in-situ version still mostly holds up.

If you’re a fan of puzzle/exploration, or sci-fi games and you don’t have the money to afford a spaceship, I highly recommend checking out Deliver Us The Moon. While the game lacks typical sci-fi stuff like alien creatures and other-worldly monsters, it’s a fun adventure filled with surprises, that will make you want to keep playing.

Cat Quest III is a fantastic addition to a terrific series. with local co-op and a sea-faring theme, everything feels fresh yet familiar. A humorous story coupled with fast-paced action makes this one a fun time all round.

Farewell North is a beautiful game in every way, exploring a rich and emotional story that draws you deep into the lives of its characters, woven throughout a stunning recreation of some of Scotland’s most incredible natural scenery.

BAKERU is a light-hearted action game that’s as vibrant and boisterous as the festival you’re tasked with quelling. The combat can feel repetitive across the game’s 50+ levels, but there’s enough to learn and do to keep players pushing ahead in this rollicking adventure through fairy tale Japan.

Overall, Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a fun hack-n-slash action game, at least for a little while. The story and the world aren’t strong enough to keep your attention, but the battles are fun in the beginning. Soon enough, you’ll feel you’ve seen all the game offers before you’ve completed the main story.

If you really like platformers, Jello can provide a bit of a unique challenge with the level layout and more so with the non-standard movement controls. I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, but if you’re fine with grinding a level until you can run it quickly, and you like getting your name on a leaderboard, then there is some fun to be had with this game.